Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 14, 2016)

Filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra admits that less than a month before the release of his period-romance, Mirzya, with Harshvardhan Kapoor and Saiyami Kher in the lead, his emotional state is like that of a pregnant woman on the delivery table. "There is a lot of emotion... A lot of pain," he sighs.

Earlier in the evening, he launched the music of his film with his writer, Gulzar and composer-singers, Shankar Mahadevan and Daler Mehndi.

The entire Kapoor khandaan, including matriarch Nirmal Kapoor, Harsh's parents Anil and Sunita, sisters Sonam and Rhea, uncles Boney and Sanjay, aunts Sridevi and Maheep and cousin Shanaya were there to root for him. Saiyami too had aunts Tanvi and Shabana Azmi and uncles, Baba Azmi and Javed Akhtar, for company. Anil hugged Javed when he entered and since chairs were short in the front row, sat at the writer-lyricist's feet. Rakeysh's son Vedant too made an appearance to cheer on his dad.

Gulzar, ever punctual, was patiently waiting backstage when Harsh and Saiyami arrived. When they confessed they were nervous, he spoke to them for 40 minutes about his early days, assuring them that all would be good.

On stage, he revealed he had put Shankar in a fix by using too much of folklore in his verses. Shankar laughed and said he was lucky to work with the maestro who is a new person with every project.

Meanwhile, Daler who'd been away from Bollywood for six years had the assembled gathering tearing up when he sang "Yeh wadiyan doodiyan kohre ke". "I have been doing tours for the last five years but I did not have any films as I could not compete with today's changing times. When I met Shankar and Gulzar saab I told them that I had a line "Mera Mirza" and I would like to sing it the way I wanted. They let me," revealed Daler, who has sung seven songs in the film and said that it was in Harsh and Saiyami's destiny to bring him back from oblivion and bring all of them together.

Rakeysh pointed out that he would have never cast Harsh had he been anything like his sister and his Delhi 6 heroine, Sonam, as he didn't want a reference point at all. "They are poles apart and perceive everything very differently," he said.

When Harsh was asked why he was so lean and didn't sport a six-pack like the quintessential Bollywood hero, his director was quick to butt in. "Mirza was not a boxer but an archer. Harsh trained for six months in riding and mountain archery, which made him lean and athletic. Maybe we'll make a film about a boxer next and Harsh can satisfy the audience," he quipped and everyone laughed.

The do ended on a teary note as Anil noted on stage, "I've been requesting Gulzar saab to work with me for the last 32 years but he has not done so. So I'm overwhelmed when I see him and my son together." Awww!
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Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; September 14, 2016)

"It's an emotional day for me; life has come a full circle,” said Anil Kapoor, his eyes shining with tears. The veteran actor could barely keep emotions in check at the music launch of Mirzya, which will mark the debut of his son, Harshvardhan Kapoor.

“My father came into the industry a few decades ago. He saw success and a lot of failures and downfalls; that taught us (referring to himself and brothers, Boney and Sanjay). My family has given their blood and sweat to make this day happen and it’s a proud moment for all of us,” said Anil.

Kapoor Sr’s daughters, actress Sonam Kapoor and producer Rhea Kapoor, togged up in their glamorous best while wife, Sunita and a clutch of uncles uncles and aunts (including Sridevi, Boney and Sanjay) cheered for the debutant. Newcomer Saiyami Kher plays Harshvardhan’s love interest in the film based on the Mirza-Sahiban tragic love saga.

Anil continued, “Harshvardhan never listens to me and does what he likes. But, I am really proud of him and let me assure you that you won’t see any reflection of my acting in his performance.”