MUMBAI MIRROR (July 30, 2018)

The Delhi High Court has slapped a cost of Rs 1 lakh on a man for filing an appeal against his mother, a widow, in a property dispute, saying it was a classic case of an aged parent being harassed by their children and a copy of the storyline of the film 102 Not Out (above).

The court dismissed the appeal against a trial court order as completely frivolous, meritless and an abuse of the process of law and directed the man to pay the amount to his mother within six weeks. “The present is a classic case of aged parent/mother being harassed by her children for property... it is not unexpected any longer in this age that we live in, and which is vividly depicted in a Hindi movie 102 Not Out,” Justice Valmiki J Mehta noted.

In the suit, the lady’s daughter filed a partition suit of their Chitranjan Park property in Delhi which was supported by her. In May, the trial court decreed the suit and the son challenged it in the high court. The court said it failed to understand how a son could dispute the grant of half ownership rights in a property by the husband to his wife.

Meena Iyer (DNA; June 5, 2018)

Actresses in the Hindi film industry have more often than not been getting wages that are far less than their male counterparts. Back in the day, stars like Sadhana and Hema Malini got paid better than many of their male co-stars, but they were more the exception than the rule.

The current-day situation is not any different. The odd Deepika Padukone or Kangana Ranaut do command as much as their male colleagues, but again they are still the exceptions, not the rule.

Coming to the most recent example of the brilliant actor-cum-superstar Alia Bhatt. Her spy-drama Raazi crossed the Rs 100 cr mark with aplomb and of course, this is no flash in the pan. Alia has been super-successful several times over. She has had big hits in 2 States (2014), Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014), Badrinath Ki Dulhania (2017) and has won favourable notices in Udta Punjab (2016) and Highway (2014).

But no one is even getting perturbed by the fact that this diminutive bundle of dynamite has so far been getting paid far less than many of her male co-actors.

Rumour has it that Amitabh Bachchan reportedly got paid Rs 7 cr for 102 Not Out, John Abraham allegedly got paid Rs 11 cr for Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran and Varun Dhawan apparently took a concessional price of Rs 5 cr for October.

Alia’s remuneration for Raazi is definitely less than what these men got paid. And her own draw at the box office seems to be bigger than that of John, Varun or for that matter Amitabh Bachchan.

Let’s assess the box office
As we said earlier, Raazi has earned Rs 113.64 cr until Sunday (June 3). Parmanu reportedly collected Rs 45 cr, 102 Not Out collected Rs 50 cr in four weeks and October has a lifetime collection of Rs 37 cr.

Yet, except for one editorial written by Nitin Tej Ahuja, publisher of the trade journal Box Office India where he puts the spotlight on the significant pay gaps between male and female actors in Hindi cinema, no one is even questioning the sexist wage practices that are prevalent here. At least in Hollywood, there is awareness about the pay-parity issue and actors like Jennifer Lawrence and many others are constantly pushing for a correction.

We also doff our hats to someone like The Crown actor Matt Smith, who when he learnt that his colleague, Claire Foy was getting lesser than him, actually spoke up in her favour. Smith told the makers of The Crown that he would be more comfortable if Claire was paid as much as he was. He added, “Efforts need be made to create a level playing field,” and of course the makers of the web series have paid heed to his suggestion.

So, hoping the day will not be far when female actors in Bollywood are paid as much as their male counterparts. After all, if you check the recent success ratio, movies with women protagonists have truly set the cash registers ringing. This year alone we have had shining examples that include Padmaavat, Hichki, Raazi and the latest Veere Di Wedding all of which have generated good numbers.

DNA (May 16, 2018)

Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan will be seen together for the first time in Thugs Of Hindostan, which releases this Diwali.

Aamir admitted to us on his birthday (March 14) that he is excited to act with the icon of Indian cinema. And prior to the release of his latest movie 102 Not Out, Big B had told us that the actor-filmmaker and he work well together as a team. In the face of so much bonhomie, it’s natural for the duo to share some trade secrets with each other. And that is exactly what happened when AK dropped by to meet AB and the topic veered towards the collections of 102 Not Out.

After congratulating him for the film, which also stars Rishi Kapoor, Aamir let Amitabh in on a trade secret. He told him how a film’s first weekend figures multiplied by three is its lifetime collection. Amitabh was impressed, but then most people are with Aamir’s gyaan. He speaks little, but when he does he usually makes sense.

Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; May 12, 2018)

After impressing the audiences and critics alike, Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor starrer 102 Not Out has received a special honour. Midday has it that President Ram Nath Kovind’s office has requested for a special screening of the Umesh Shukla-directed film at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Confirming the news, Shukla says, “It is a matter of great pride for any filmmaker for his film to be screened at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. I am curious to know the President’s views on the movie.”

After the makers received a call from the President’s office earlier this week, the film’s team has been working on the logistics of the screening. “It will take place either tomorrow or on Monday, and will be attended by the President, along with his family, and the members of the parliament.” Elated with the news, Kapoor says, “I would be more than happy to be a part of such great honour."

Asserting that his love for his craft is enough, Rishi Kapoor says he will "never" explore direction again
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; May 6, 2018)

Rishi Kapoor is not one to evade questions, but he does tire of repetition. "How many times can I answer the same questions over and over again? It's either about the role or the film? Ask me kuch alag." So we ask him "kuch alag". We ask him to reflect on his past ventures, like, maybe, Ranbhoomi (1991), also starring Jeetendra and Shatrughan Sinha. "Why are you reminding me about it," he groans. "It was an awful film, which is better forgotten. Ask me something else."

Seated with the veteran at a Juhu hotel, we're instantly reminded about how this place was once the hotspot for stars, including him. "Yes it was, years ago. This was the happening place. Today, every memory of my life is at least 30 to 40 years old. This generation refers to me as Ranbir Kapoor's father. That's fine. I live in the present. I'm not one to keep saying, 'Hamara bhi zamaana tha.' You must move on with the time."

Moving on in his career, however, has landed Rishi Kapoor back in time. His recent venture, 102 Not Out, sees him collaborate with an artiste he shared screen space with 27 years ago. "Amit ji [Amitabh Bachchan] has played my step father-in-law, brother and buddy. Now, I am playing his son. I have been working with him for 44 years. It is not that I haven't met him throughout these years. We catch up at social gatherings. He is a challenging and delightful actor. I consider myself a student of cinema, so I continously learn from him."

Even though their collaboration has given the industry masterpieces like Kabhi Kabhie (1976), Naseeb (1981) and Coolie (1983), among others, Kapoor singles out Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) as a film that's special. "People tell me today that [even] children love watching it. It is a timeless film, it is like watching Charlie Chaplin. You can watch it over and over again."


Amitabh Bachchan has previously been seen as his brother in Amar Akbar Anthony

Kapoor not only gives credit to audiences' sensibilities when appreciating the films the like, but also points out that they are too evolved to accept poor content offered to them by filmmakers. "In the past, every film had the underlying lost-and-found theme. Every actor had at least four films that followed the 'bachpan mein bichad gaye' theme, and those films worked. At that time, the audience was forgiving. Today they will not accept anything. There is so much exposure," he says, pointing towards the inevitable competition they face from Hollywood. "Viewers want chic films, interesting stories, the best popcorn and top amenities at the multiplex. Their demand is justified, given that they shell out Rs 400 for a ticket."

While the veteran loves to entertain those turning up at cinema halls with his acting prowess, he says they will "never" be witness to his abilities as director again. After wielding the directorial baton in 1991 for Akshaye Khanna and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan starrer Aa Ab Laut Chalen, he confesses he'd rather "leave the stress" on set when working on a film. "An actor is a king. People will do salaam to you when you enter and exit the set. Directors or producers have to endure many hassles. I don't want to go through the stress of acquiring great box office collections. I am 65 and have been working for over four decades. Why would I take on something more challenging than I can handle?"

Acting he says, is his passion, even if he never permitted his parents to notice how excited he was when he first harboured the thought of being an actor. When his father, the late Raj Kapoor casually spoke about including a young Rishi in his project, he was thrilled. "I ran into my room, took a sheet and started practising signing autographs. Cinema has his own charm. Movies are magical."

It's probably this admiration that he has for the industry that keeps him going. Even at 65, he has his hands full with his projects. He recently wrapped up Anubhav Sinha's Mulk, and Leena Yadav's Rajma Chawal, and will soon kickstart work on Malayalam director Jeetu Joseph's Bollywood debut. He is also invested in the stage play based on his autobiography, Khullam Khulla.

"I have done shows in Dubai, Hong Kong, Bahrain and London. Most of the audience comprises people who are above 45 years of age, that's a lot that has grown up watching my films, ones who know me." But Kapoor's is a name known across age groups. The young folk on Twitter know him as the man who can't stop ranting. The actor has mastered the art of tackling trolls. "I keep taking panga on social media," he smirks, adding, "But, what I tweet is straight from the heart."

When trolls messed with Rishi
> In 2017, trolls suggested that "primary education" be made mandatory in nepotistic Bollywood when Kapoor inadvertently shared a math troll meme that read: "If you add your age to your birth year, you will arrive at 2017. This happens once in 1000 years."

> Throwing up names like Jack Daniel and Black Label, twitterverse questioned the actor what liquor was he consuming when he joked about wanting a repeat of former Indian Cricket captain Saurav Ganguly's shirtless celebration at the Women's World Cup final last year.

> Kapoor irked fans of Twinkle Khanna when he wished her on her birthday while reminding her that she was in her "mums tummy when I was serenading her in Bobby "Aksar koi Ladka" In 1973 (sic)."

WILL 102 NOT OUT AND OMERTA WORK DESPITE BLOCKBUSTER AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR?

The last week’s big release Avengers: Infinity War has emerged as a huge, huge success. Despite releasing on a non-Holiday, it has done super hit business and managed to cross the Rs 100 crore mark in just 4 days. It is sure to cross the lifetime figure of 187.98 crore of The Jungle Book, which is the biggest Hollywood blockbuster of India. Trade pundits even predict that Avengers: Infinity War can even cross the 300-crore-mark if it sustains well in the 2nd week.

Unusually, at such times, releasing a film can be quite a risk. But the makers of 2 Hindi films are anyways going ahead with the release tomorrow. My analysis on these 2 flicks:

102 NOT OUT: It is directed by Umesh Shukla, who made the much-loved OMG Oh My God. It stars Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor and is a tale of a guy who’s more than 100 years old but is still youthful but his 75-year-old son is completely opposite. The film looks like a clean family entertainer and hence, family crowds can come to see this film in hordes. Also, the fact that Rishi Kapoor and Big B have teamed up after almost 27 years has also generated excitement. Songs haven’t worked and the buzz is limited. The day 1 figures won’t be high but if word of mouth is positive, it can dramatically pick up from Day 2.

OMERTA: Directed by Hansal Mehta, Omerta tells the story of Omar Sheikh, one of the most dreaded terrorists of the world who’s also responsible for some of the gruesome killings in and around India. Rajkummar Rao plays the lead in this 96 minute long flick. The trailer and idea behind the film is interesting but the buzz is very low. Opening will be poor and if reports are positive, only then it will get more people from Saturday. However, since it’s a very dark film, a huge jump in collections might not happen. Critically, it definitely will be acclaimed.

WHICH FILM WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE AND WHY? DO LET ME KNOW!

Madhureeta Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; May 3, 2018)

He was the ultimate lover boy of the 70s and 80s. Good-looking, charming, talented and believable, along with the enviable touch of the mighty Kapoor lineage. He had that effect on screen that made the lovely ladies go ‘oooh’ in the aisles. That was Rishi Kapoor. Cut to current day, those covetable traits haven’t lost colour, but within that same actor, a new one is born. Rishi Kapoor reloaded. At 65, he’s picking his roles with relish and shining in characters that are challenging him like never before. The upcoming 102 Not Out, directed by Umesh Shukla, starring Amitabh Bachchan along with him, is another proof of that. The actor talks to BT about his learnings from Mr Bachchan, the audience’s changing appetite in cinema and how he can’t help but call a spade a spade, whether he’s talking about films, fans or family. Read on...

Would you say that at 65, you are at a superb stage of your career? Do you find yourself challenging the actor in you now more than ever?
I have never been offered such characters and roles in my entire career. The first 25 years, I was only singing songs and serenading the heroine; enough of playing a loverboy, I am over the hill for that now. The roles that I am doing currently are varied and challenging. I find it fantastic that someone like me can do such contrasting films like Do Dooni Chaar (2010), Student Of The Year (2012), Kapoor & Sons (Since 1921) (2016), and even play characters like Rauf Lala in Agneepath (2012) or Dawood in D-Day (2013). These roles are tough but that’s the beauty of it, as I you have never done this in my life. This is what challenges and excites me as an actor.

The fact that you don’t have to conform to any type of role or genre, in order to cement your success or reinforce stardom, makes it even better, right?
There was a spell in between when some people wanted me to play a father, but I didn’t want to. There is nothing in it for me, and I told them that I am too expensive for it, and I can’t play a father, who is reprimanding his son or daughter. So, I don’t do those roles, unless they are very prominent like the one in Patiala House (2011). It has to be a well-defined character and it has to be one of the most prominent characters in the film. Right now, I am happy with what I am doing. My plate is full; I have films like Mulq, Rajma Chawal, Jhootha Kahin Ka, and some other projects in the pipeline that will go on the floors soon. I feel like I am internally and externally all charged up. In fact, why now? I was always charged up to take on challenging roles, but I never got an opportunity.

Today, good parts are being written for actors. Prominent filmmakers are pushing their boundaries and taking chances with subjects, unlike what we have seen in years. The leading man can be anything from 20 to 75 years old, it doesn’t matter…
(Cuts in)… Yes, because today, content is king. Earlier, cinema in India was only youth-oriented; it was all about song, dance and romance. Now, the people who watch films at multiplexes go with a different sensibility, and the rickshawala who watches films in a single screen theatre has his own sensibility. That audience (single screen) will always be there in India, the maar pitaai and even the crude humour will always remain. But the audience that has emerged because of the multiplex wants better films. They want different content, as they are exposed to social media, world cinema and international shows. The world is their oyster. Today, our content is directly in competition with Western cinema; hence, we need to give the audience the best. We have made a film like 102 Not Out, which challenges the basic norms of filmmaking. There are 76 and 65-year-old actors in the lead, there is no female lead, no romance, song or dance. We are waiting to see how the audience reacts to it.

Talking about your 76-yearold co-star, Amitabh Bachchan, was it nostalgic working with him again after a gap of 27 years?
Our journey began 42 years ago with Kabhi Kabhie. Thereafter, we have played brothers, friends and now, father and son. When I heard the story idea, it was very exciting to see how a father sends his son to an old-age home. Later, when I heard the whole script, I was bowled over. To have Amit ji as a costar is always a dream. I don’t even need to say it; he is such a wonderful co-artiste, friend and relative. We worked together after 27 years, but the moment we rehearsed, we knew that we were on the same wavelength. Of course, we are older and our reflexes might have jaded, but I learnt another lesson from Amit ji while working on this film. Generally, when I am working, I tend to learn from my seniors and juniors. Every time, I take a lesson home from some actor or the other, and this time, it was him. It is amazing to see how he enters into a character, and how he romances and flirts with it. That is how he fine-tunes it and brings out the nuances. After the first few shots, it is bingo! Throughout the film, he conversed with our director Umesh Shukla, in the little Gujarati that he knows. The script of this film was endearing and new. For me, the challenge was how I can develop this character and what his body language should be. I am not playing Rishi Kapoor anymore, so I had to look different, too.

In your autobiography, you have said that in your younger days, you worked very hard to measure up to Mr Bachchan’s level of performance. After 27 years, did you push yourself as hard while working with him to bring out your best?
Yes, Mr Bachchan is such a professional that there is no mediocrity about that man, though some people might say so. They are absolutely wrong. He challenges you to perform better.

While there are several professions that have a retirement age, the beauty about being an actor is that as long as someone is writing a role for you, you can keep going on…
It wasn’t really like that earlier; it is something that is happening now. With actors like Mr Bachchan who are still doing such great work because roles are written for him, things are changing. Earlier, as actors grew older, they would retire and sit at home. But now, the whole trend has changed, like it is in the West. Look at actors like Clint Eastwood and Robert Redford; Eastwood did a romantic film like The Bridges Of Madison County (1995) along with Meryl Streep, at the age of 65.

Coming from such fine lineage, which is deeply rooted in Indian cinema, did you ever take anything for granted in your 20s and 30s? Or did you strive and struggle to get the best that was out there?
Nothing comes easy. People say there is nepotism, but I beg to differ; there is nothing of that sort. You are actually chosen by the people. There can be producers pushing their sons to become actors. They make five-six films, but when none of those work and they still keep pushing them, it is stupidity. They are probably talented, but sometimes, the audience just does not accept you. They don’t want to see you. Maybe I was lucky that people liked me in my films and I worked hard and kept doing more work. You can’t force yourself to become an actor and you can’t force yourself on people. An actor is the choice of the public, and they will make you what you are. They have to appreciate you and like you. When you do your first film, you will be compared to your predecessors, and that’s an ordeal for any young actor. The audience has to choose you; otherwise nothing works in your favour to become a star.

102 Not Out is a film is about a father and son. While raising your kids (Riddhima and Ranbir), did you see traces of your father (Raj Kapoor) in you?
My father was a very busy man. We spent most of our childhood with my mom (Krishna Raj Kapoor), not that my father did it on purpose. He would work in films outside his banner, and whatever he earned, he would put it into his own films. Of course, we were never deprived of basics like love, comfort and good schooling. We were taught how to deal with the world. Whenever my father had the time, we would travel with him to places like Japan and London. So, he tried to make time for us, but we were mostly with my mother. Similarly, while I was a busy actor, I would never work in the month of May, when my kids had school vacations. Twice a year, we would go on family holidays, I have never deprived them of that. When Ranbir and Riddhima were very young, they would come to my outdoor shoots, so that we could spend time together. When they started growing up, I thought that they needed more exposure, so I took them around the world. When my children were ready to fly, I let them and then they were on their own.

Talking about your son Ranbir, he is a huge star who has made different choices right from the start of his career. You must be proud of the kind of actor he has grown into…
Of course, I am proud of my son’s choices, they might be off the curve, but he was very clear at the beginning of his career that he didn’t want to do what the others did. If I had to guide him, I would never let him do films like Wake Up Sid (2009) and Barfi! (2012). But he did those films and proved his critics wrong. Every actor has ups and downs, you win some, you lose some. That’s okay, as long as you are a good actor, and you have the potential to be a star, that’s what matters.

Do you ever sit down and have discussions with Ranbir about love and life?
No, we don’t talk about love, life and all that. I can’t be very informal with my son as I was raised that way, I don’t know if it is good or bad, but I am like this and my children know it. Of course, I give them all my love, they are my children, but I am not that kind of an informal father, who can crack jokes and talk about girls with my son.

You took a brief break (23 days from Twitter), did you miss it? There are very few senior actors like Mr Bachchan and you, who have taken to this medium with such keen enthusiasm. How do you find this new-age way of connecting with your fans?
I was holidaying in the US when I was cut off from Twitter, because someone tried to hack into my email account, and when that happens, they temporarily discontinue the account. I don’t really chat as much with my fans. In fact, most of the time, I am fighting with them. I am not a pleasurable guy on Twitter, who is out there pleasing his fans. Honestly, I am terrible at it. I don’t even promote my films as I don’t find that exciting. I know I should do it, but I have no patience. Earlier, I hated giving autographs and now everyone has a camera, so everyone wants photographs. That’s even worse.

Though everyone will agree that on social media, you come across as extremely expressive, funny and fearlessly vocal about your views…
Well, I am that way; even my autobiography is like that. I am an honest and blunt man, and I believe that a fact is a fact. If something has to be said, I will go ahead and say it. I always call a spade a spade.

Worried that his otherwise song-less film wouldn't appeal to the audience, Amitabh Bachchan reveals how he conceived Badumbaa track for his upcoming film, 102 Not Out
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; May 3, 2018)

If you run through Amitabh Bachchan's Twitter timeline, you'll notice his penchant for the term 'Badumbaa'. It wasn't surprising then that when it came to conceiving a song for his upcoming film with Rishi Kapoor, 102 Not Out, the megastar resorted to his catchphrase.

"Badumbaa is a cry of happiness. How many times can we say zindabad and yay? Badumbaa is something that the youngsters can say aloud when things go right," says Bachchan, introducing his fans to a new concept, not for the first time in his career.

Like the word, the song too was Amitabh Bachchan's brainchild. A whiz at marketing films, the megastar felt that the movie — which didn't have a female lead or any songs then — would fail to pique the youths' curiosity. "The film doesn't have a leading female actor. Initially, there were no songs either. I used to wonder how we could lure the youth to watch the film about two ageing guys," recollects Bachchan. While director Umesh Shukla felt the script had no scope for a song, Bachchan came up with Badumbaa.

"I wanted to create a song that the youngsters could chant," says the actor, who has composed the track and sung it with Kapoor. This isn't the first time that he has played a pivotal role in a film's soundtrack. Bachchan had provided valuable inputs to Jahan Teri Yeh Nazar Hai (Kaalia, 1981) as well as Shava Shava (Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, 2001). "Initially, the songs were not the way you hear them today. I suggested changes which were then included."

102 Not Out is a very entertaining film with a great message. It’s a rare clean film aimed at families and also talks about a very unusual family. Such films are sadly not made a lot nowadays and this gives 102 Not Out an edge. The first half is funny but the execution is a bit shaky, which affects the impact. But the film goes on another level in the second half. Besides the humour quotient, the film also has some lovely and moving scenes which would surely be lapped up. Talking of performances, Amitabh Bachchan delivers a yet another memorable performance. He plays such a cool character and there’s so much to learn from him. Rishi Kapoor too gets into the skin of his character. In the second half, the way he has performed in some key scene is out of this world. Jimit Trivedi is dependable while Dharmendra Gohil shines in the lone sequence. Go for 102 Not Out with your entire family and enjoy the madness of the Vakharias!

My rating - **** out of 5!

Madhureeta Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; April 29, 2018)

He’s 76 and not out. And the way he’s batting in every inning, for a long time, he will be on the field, sportingly. And what’s striking is that, after a 49-year-long career, Amitabh Bachchan still has the gusto of a young actor and the curiosity of a newcomer. That’s what makes him a master of his craft and keeps him ahead of the curve. For the past 10 years, he’s been enthusiastically writing a blog every day, and his colossal following on social media is something that few can boast of. In his upcoming film 102 Not Out directed by Umesh Shukla, he plays a 102-year-old spirited father to Rishi Kapoor, in a unique story that’s based on a Gujarati play. In a quick chat with BT, he shares his past experience of working with his 95-year-old co-actor Zohra Sehgal, he tells us what he appreciates most about Rishi Kapoor and how he feels he’s a friend to his children. Read on…

What was your first reaction on knowing that director Umesh Shukla was keen to cast you as a 102-year-old man? He told us that you didn’t take more than 10 minutes to agree to do the film. Have you met people of that age?
Yes, I agreed immediately. It was an unusual concept where a 102-year-old father wants to send his 75-year-old son to an old age home. There are more elements to the story, but this point itself was so attractive. I have met people of that age. In my film Cheeni Kum directed by R Balki, the lady who played my mom’s role, the late Zohra Sehgal, was 95 years old. She was a renowned theatre artiste and I knew her sister (Mumtaz) and her from years ago. On set, she was incredibly vibrant and more excited than all of us. As soon as we would pack up, she would ask, “Where is my drink?” When the film was over, she told me, “Amitabh, you owe me some champagne.” When Umesh was discussing the character with me, the brief he gave me was that he didn’t want him to be depicted as a frail old man with a walking stick and a trembling voice. This film is based on a Gujarati play where the same characters (played by Rishi Kapoor and Big B) were staged by actors in their 30s.

So, did you draw references for your part from what you fondly remember of Zohra Sehgal’s persona?
Well, some things always stay with you. Zohra Sehgal and her sister were prominent theatre artistes. They were all associated with Prithvi Theatre. Back then, Prithviraj ji (Prithviraj Kapoor) was associated with all these talented theatre artistes and my family’s association with him is from that time. Whenever he came to Allahabad, my babuji (Harivansh Rai Bachchan) and he would spend time together and sometimes, the entire troupe would come over to our house. After the play would get over, Prithviraj ji would call my father across and they would have poetry sessions. We would all go and watch his plays; Zohra ji was a part of that era. She was always so full of life that you couldn’t ever tell just how old she was.

The song Badumbaaa was your idea and execution, too. What inspired you to create a song for this movie?
During the last schedule, when we were shooting on the balcony, it started raining and we had to stop our shoot. At that point, I thought that we should have a song that’s full of life, which would serve as an attraction for the audience. I told Umesh, ‘Let me create something and if you like it, we will see what we can do with it’. I have always been a great fan of Caribbean, Rhumba and Samba, so I composed something, put music to it and sang it. I called two of my young friends, Rohan and Vinayak, who are music directors in their own right. They assisted me, as I can’t understand the technology that is used now. They added the sound to it and we recorded it. Badumbaaa is something I just invented on Twitter, because every time there is some achievement or moment of rejoicing, for instance, when India wins a match, how do you express your joy? So, Badumbaaa is a form of expression. We got Amitabh Bhattacharya to write the song, and I asked him if we could include the word Badumbaaa in the structure of the song. He was able to do that. In the song, Zumba, Zumba are his words, but Badumbaaa is mine (smiles).

Rishi Kapoor and you have starred in several films before this, you first worked together 44 years ago in Kabhi Kabhie (1976), and after that, in Amar Akbar Anthony, Naseeb, Coolie and Ajooba. What was the feeling of sharing screen space with him after 27 years?
We are professionals and artistes. We love our job and the movie that we are doing. Our job on the set is to accomplish what we are asked to do. And if we know the actors personally and if we have worked with them before, there is a sense of comfort. So, having worked with him in so many films before, there is no question of not feeling comfortable. Apart from that, it is not like we were meeting after 27 years. We live in the same city and we are in the same profession. For us, it was like another working day.

Any aspect of Rishi Kapoor as an actor that you distinctly remember from the older days?
He is a tremendous artiste. One thing I appreciate the most about him is that I have never seen any other artiste lip sync a song the way he does, he is brilliant at it. You can actually feel that he is singing the song. It is very difficult to do, as half the time, we are trying to remember our steps and the lyrics, and we forget about focusing on our facial expressions. Chintu ji is immaculate at lip-synching. And Ranbir (Kapoor) does it the same way; when he sings a song, you can’t find a fault in it.

At 76, you have a glorious career to boast of and a great innings ahead. You have also have stayed relevant with the times, whether it is your presence and impact on social media, or the kind of films you choose to do. Has it been a conscious effort to stay ahead of the curve?
Ten years ago, someone told me to write a blog. I wrote a line and I got a response. I wrote four lines and got some more responses. Ever since then, I have been writing my blog every day, without a miss.

Does writing give you a deep sense of fulfillment?
It gives me an opportunity to connect with my fans who I now call EF (Extended Family). Earlier, they didn’t know me, and I didn’t know them. They didn’t even know each other. Through the blog, the EF community knows each other personally, they even travel from different parts of the country and meet each other. The EF of that city accommodates those visiting in their homes. It is impossible to respond to each and everyone on my blog and Twitter timeline, but yes, I read their responses and it is interesting because you get another view point of yourself. Everything is not always good and flowery on social media; there is abuse, negativity and criticism, too. I think if you are in a medium like this, you have to be mature enough to deal with it. I absorb all that. Some of the criticism and feedback are valuable and I acknowledge them. I try and rectify myself if I have made a mistake. So yes, there is negativity and one must accept it. I don’t block or delete any one. I have some brilliant minds who write on my blog, who do great analysis of the work that I do, and I often share that with my directors. We often incorporate their ideas, too.

At your age, you could probably feel physically restrained to do some roles, but do you ever feel emotionally or mentally fatigued to get into a character and give it your best?
No, why should I? If it’s going to be exhausting, then I wouldn’t be working in the film in the first place. Once I have committed to a film, I have no reason to behave like that. Why should my passion change or lessen over the years, it’s my job. It’s my profession and I have been in it for so long. If I have taken up a job, I’m obliged to give it my best shot.

You play a 102-year-old father in the film. In real life, did your role as a father change as your children grew older?
I think the relationship any father shares with his children is an individual choice. Every father behaves in a particular manner with his children. I feel like I am a friend to my children. Well, of course, you will have to ask them whether I am a friend to them or not, but I talk frankly and freely to them. We discuss subjects and attitudes which are young, old, and topics connected with my work. I ask them about the current music scene, where they went out and all that. There’s an old saying…When the son wears the father’s shoes, they become friends.

Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; April 27, 2018)

Director Umesh Shukla believes in telling simple stories with a profound message. While his last film, OMG — Oh My God!, was a satire on the state of religion in our country, this time around, he is back with a touching story of a father and son. In a chat with BT, the filmmaker, who has worked extensively in Gujarati theatre, talks about bringing the two stalwarts — Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor — together after 27 years, why he is least worried about the number game and the message that his upcoming release, 102 Not Out, conveys. Excerpts…

Your last directorial, All Is Well, released three years ago. What took you so long to make 102 Not Out?
I was looking for the right script. I want to offer content that’s relevant rather than give into pressure. I don’t want to make movies for the sake of money. I want to make movies that entertain and convey a message. There was a phase in the industry when everybody was making biopics or films on sports; I didn’t want to fall into that trap. I have written, directed and acted in several Gujarati plays and I feel that there are some good subjects that need to be explored. 102 Not Out is adapted from a Gujarati play that I produced. While working on the play, I realised that it’s a character suited for Mr Bachchan. Saumya Joshi — the writer-director of the play — and his wife took almost a year-and-a-half to convert it into the film. When I met Bachchan saab, he told me that he loved OMG... and asked me what I was working on next. I narrated the crux of the story and he gave his nod within 10 minutes. That was my ‘Oh My God’ moment (smiles). Just like Mr Bachchan, Chintuji (Rishi Kapoor), too, agreed to do the film 10 minutes into the narration.

Working with two huge stars comes with its own set of challenges. How different is their approach towards acting?
Their working style is totally different. Bachchan saab does a lot of homework and is in tune with his character. He is a method actor, but it never shows in his acting. If a scene requires him to be happy, he will be in that mood. But if he is shooting a serious scene, you will find him sitting quietly. Chintuji is spontaneous, but he is always thinking of improvisations. Both come from different schools of acting, but jab rehearsal kar ke take lete the, dono ki bonding aisi thi ki kabhi aisa lagta nahi tha ki woh log 27 saal ke baad ek saath kaam kar rahe hain.

In the film, Amitabh Bachchan’s character is 102 years old, while Rishi Kapoor plays his 75-year-old son. What made you confident that a story revolving around senior citizens will strike a chord with the youth?
It’s a youthful film, it’s just that the central characters are old. It’s a love story between a father and son. It would have been preachy and the message wouldn’t have come out so beautifully if I had cast younger actors. The play has been running for six years and 70 per cent of the audience are youngsters. The message of the film is, ‘Logon ki life mein happiness ka quotient zyada hona chahiye. With that, the rest can be managed.’

The film shows a father trying to send his son to an old age home. Is it an attempt to turn the tables on children, who abandon their parents when they grow old?
The film is about living your life to the fullest despite difficulties. It shocks me when I hear about students committing suicide after failing in examination or people ending their lives after being spurned in love. On the other hand, there are people suffering from serious diseases who yearn to live normally, but sadly, their bodies don’t support them. Aapko itni khubsoorat life mili hai, but you don’t want to enjoy it over petty issues. People are stuck in their past and keep complaining that ab woh maza nahi raha. I would like to tell them, ‘Mazaa abhi bhi hai, but you have locked yourself and invited loneliness’.

Your film OMG was a success at the box office. Do you feel pressurised to recreate the same magic at the box office?
I knew that OMG... would get noticed, but I hadn’t anticipated its box-office success. Even today, I don’t understand the business aspects because I don’t think in that direction. A film made with utmost honesty and good intent will always touch the audience’s heart. I believe in good and bad films rather than hits and flops. If it’s good, it will do well at the box office. I am happy if people call my film a good movie, even if it doesn’t fare well at the box office.

You will soon start working on the OMG... sequel. Are you going to throw light on other aspects of religion this time?
There are many issues, but I don’t want to make a film highlighting the problem. I don’t want to do that just because we know that the sequel will rake in money. The makers of Munnabhai took time to return with a sequel, and it was better than the previous film. The second installment should be better than the original.

While a film like PK drew a lot of flak from certain sections for questioning religious blind faith, your film, too, faced trouble, but not of that magnitude. There is always a fear of how people will react when it comes to a subject as sensitive as religion, right?
Main lucky hoon ki main itna bada star nahi tha ki mujhe unn logon ne chhod diya. Uss waqt bhi threats aaye the, utne nahi aaye tha, but andar se threats mili thi. Logon ne bola tha ki jeena mushkil ho jaayega. Kuchh logon toh ne anti-OMG plays bhi banaye the aur uske videos bhi viral hue the. But then, everyone is entitled to their opinions. It wasn’t an anti-God movie or else we wouldn’t have shown Krishna in it. It was about wrong beliefs. It was a thin line, and had we overstepped it at any point or improvised it too much, it would have led to serious problems. That didn’t happen because it was a balanced film.

Meena Iyer (DNA; April 26, 2018)

As always, Amitabh Bachchan is immaculately dressed. Clad in a white linen kurta with green embroidery and a lightweight shawl wrapped around his shoulders because of the efficient air conditioning in the room where we are seated, he appears picture-perfect. As is the usual custom with him, he offers me a cup of coffee and asks if I’ll eat something. Men in black trousers and white shirts are running around doing their daily chores. “This will go on,” he tells me as I wait patiently for his staff to disappear at Janak, his fashionably-furnished office in Juhu. Since that is about to happen, I seize the moment, switch on my dictaphone and ask:

People are loving the promos of 102 Not Out. Are you looking forward to it as well?
We always do. We’ve worked on the film. Obviously, we look for appreciation and hope it was worth it.

Does your involvement in the movie go beyond acting? Are you a quasi-producer, too? You have sung as well as composed Badumbaaa.
I’m the artiste in the film, not a producer. As for the music, I suggested that perhaps I could just construct something and get director Umesh Shukla to hear it. So, I composed it. Umesh and others liked what they heard. The marketing team, too, felt this was something that could be utilised. So, Badumbaaa is being used for the film’s promotions. 

You’re working with Rishi Kapoor after 27 years. How has the collaboration been?
It’s always good. We’ve done so many iconic films (Amar Akbar Anthony, Naseeb and Coolie, etc) together. It’s not as though he was ever out of sight or out of mind. The two of us have been around in the industry, he’s also a member of the family now. My daughter (Shweta Bachchan Nanda) is married into his (Kapoor-Nanda) family. So, it’s not like a lost-and-found story. It isn’t as if we just met after 27 years. He’s an accomplished artiste; the choice of him playing the other role was good. Working with him is always a joy.

Originally, Paresh Rawal was supposed to play the part?
I don’t know. You will have to ask Umesh ji about that.

You’re also doing Brahmastra with Ranbir Kapoor. Have you shot with him?
I haven’t shot with Ranbir yet for Brahmastra. But, I’ve worked with him when he was an AD (assistant director) on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Black (2005). He was the one who trained the little girl Ayesha Kapur (she played a differently-abled child). In between shots, I’d see him train her; it was impressive. Ranbir is an exceptional artiste. He doesn’t do anything, yet he does a lot. I keep telling him that he’s God-gifted. I’m his admirer. I am happy that I’ve got an opportunity to work with both father and son in the same year, it’s a blessing for me.

We are looking forward to a film where you team up with Abhishek. Is there anything on the cards?
There are some people who are talking about it. But it’s too early for me to say anything. There are some ideas that they have discussed with us. Let’s see how it goes.

You’re working with directors Sujoy Ghosh and Nagraj Manjule next.
I’m starting the film with Sujoy in June. I don’t know the title, I think it’s called Guest. They have acquired the rights of a European film. It has Taapsee (Pannu) in it. That’s all I know so far. Nagraj’s movie, Jhund, is in the process. We will soon know what the situation on it is. 

Is there any film with you and Jaya ji (Bachchan) in the offing?
No, R Balki is keen to do something with us together. We did a cameo in Ki And Ka. If something good comes up, I guess we will work.

What did you gift her on her 70th birthday (April 7)?
Affection.

The Sunday darshan outside your home each week has become such a huge thing. Week after week, the crowd increases. Seeing the love of so many people, what goes through your mind?
This (the crowd gathering outside my home) started in 1982 after my accident on the sets of Coolie. It depicts their kindness, love and affection. I feel, as an artiste, I owe it to them, so I give them due respect. That’s why I go out and meet them. At times, I change my schedule in order to be present at that particular hour. I often feel bad when I can’t be there, so I tell the security at the gate to convey the message to them. It’s a humbling experience; people come and stand there for hours, irrespective of the hot sun or rain. Sometimes, some of them want to come in, for personal photographs and autographs. Unfortunately, I have to be a little selective, but I try my best to do all that I can. 

You’re working with Aamir Khan for the first time in Thugs Of Hindostan. Aamir says he’s a huge fan and is happy for the opportunity to work with you.
It is the other way around. I feel happy that I’ve got an opportunity to work with him. It’s an honour to be working in a film with an artiste of the calibre of Aamir.

Is there a spirit of competitiveness between the two of you?
The only thing we are interested in is the director’s (Vijay Krishna Acharya) vision. And the fructification of the script. Everything we do is done to achieve maximum creativity, and we hope it succeeds. The media is fond of asking questions about competitiveness. Why should there be any? We’re working together in a project and we give our best to make sure the culmination of the product is good. That is the only thing we strive for.

Your daughter Shweta has written her first book. Have you read it?
I feel very proud, for familial reasons. She is my daughter. There’s a sense of the continuation of the legacy of my father (Dr Harivanshrai Bachchan). My brother’s (Ajitabh Bachchan) daughter (Namrita Bachchan), also writes, so somewhere the genes have continued. I feel proud and happy that Shweta has done it on her own. I’m eager to see how people react to it. I haven’t read the manuscript yet, Jaya is currently reading it. She says it’s beautifully written and its beauty lies in its lucidity. You can see everything unfold visually. That’s highly encouraging.

Rishi Kapoor on his legacy, his father and his son, and why acting is more enjoyable now
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 25, 2018)

When watching the trailer of your upcoming film 102 Not Out, noting the changing expressions, mood swings and subtle inflections in the voice, one realises that playing a 75-year-old character couldn’t have been easy.
It was a challenge but that makes it exciting for an actor. Umesh (director Umesh Shukla) and I took the character forward from Saumya Joshi’s original play, giving him creased shirts two sizes large and shoulders stooped from the tension he’s lugging around. Babulal Vakharia is khadoos, depressed and in denial. His 102-year-old father who aspires to be the world’s oldest man, wants to send him away to an old age home because he’s the most depressed man around. Herein lies the conflict and the story of the film.

What made the journey more interesting was Preetisheel Singh’s make-up. While playing a 90-year-old man in Kapoor & Sons I’d relied on prosthetics, this time it was just a wig, moustache and Amit ji (Amitabh Bachchan) complementing me with his getup. It wasn’t an easy walk-on part but no character actor has it easy because you’re not running around trees, serenading the heroine.

When the character requires you to be low, does the emotion spill over into real life?
Babulal’s not low, he’s straitjacketed with a short circuit, picky about details, bound by timetables and finicky about rituals.

Are you that finicky in real life?
Not like Babulal, who’s an eccentric, an extremist. I’m a normal person who takes life as it comes. In his case his life is disrupted if his routine is disturbed.

You’re in an interesting phase in your career with films like 102 Not Out, Mulk and Rajma Chawal, taking elderly characters out of the stereotype and towards newer horizons...
It’s a bloody high! I’m finally getting to play characters and not just be Rishi Kapoor. The Kapoor in Kapoor & Sons was not Rishi Kapoor. Ditto Santosh Duggal in Do Dooni Chaar, Romy Rolly in Luck By Chance, Rauf Lala in Agneepath and Iqbal Seth in D-Day. Even DCP Ravikant Phogat in Aurangzeb was an exciting role but it was a boring film and flopped so no one saw it. I keep changing Rishi Kapoor’s face all the time. I’m looking for challenges because all my life I only sang songs and romanced heroines. As I tell my wife, I’ll even lose weight for a film if I must but not just for the heck of it.

Even in your prime you were seen as an actor who could deliver…
But except for Prem Rog, Tawaif and Damini the rest were just romantic roles in films shot in Ooty, Kashmir and Switzerland. Back then we didn’t experiment. Even now the front benchers want maar dhaad — such films will always run in India — but we also have a new multiplex audience that is cinema literate and looking for different content. Films are no longer about song and dance, romance and the youth. For me content has always been king and I welcome this change.

What was your relationship with your father, Raj Kapoor, like?
He wasn’t just my father but also my guru who taught me the ropes and introduced me twice, in Mera Naam Joker and Bobby. I was in awe of him which was born out of love, respect and admiration. He was Raj Kapoor; there was a halo around his head. Till we completed school, we hardly saw him because he was busy making films. We didn’t know he was a popular actor-director, but we knew he was an important man because everywhere we went, people would look at us. Even in this hotel, if we came for dinner without a reservation, we got a table easily because of him. We never misused that privilege but he remained an awe-inspiring figure even when I was working with him.

Was he a jovial man?
No, he was a serious man whose work was his nirvana. But he was a kind father who went away too soon.

Has Rishi Kapoor changed with time?
Why would I change? Am I not doing good work? Have I not lasted in this industry for 45 years?

I meant as a person, not an actor...
I am a difficult man and not easy to get along with. I’m God-fearing and ritualistic. I pray twice a day, I’m bound by tradition and I am conservative. I’m also a big boozer.

And as a father?
I’m a loving father now but there was a time when my son and I didn’t get along because I was so busy. I’ve never given my son the liberty of being on back-slapping terms with me. There was this invisible glass pane between us… It’s like history repeating itself as it seems almost like my equation with my father. Now, I want Ranbir to get married, have some kids, so I can be a grandfather and make up for everything there.

Both of you are passionate about acting…
That’s the family trademark. Ranbir is the fourth generation of Kapoor males in the industry. In 107 years of Indian cinema, our contribution has been 90-plus years. Films are our livelihood, that’s the only thing I know how to do, but I also enjoy it and I am a hardworking actor. The Kapoor surname or Bobby, which I got because my work was appreciated in Mera Naam Joker, didn’t make me an overnight star. There are many Kapoors who didn’t make it, we were chosen by the people. There is no nepotism in films.

Please elaborate…
Well, perhaps I didn’t sleep on the road and didn’t starve because I came from a well-to-do family, but I also struggled as much as my contemporaries. Maybe not for a break but later to regain ground. Zanjeer released in the same year as Bobby and romance made way for action. I had to struggle to withstand such cyclones and that’s no mean feat. Today, thanks to my autobiography, Khullam Khulla, I’m getting invited by big corporate houses and even Google to tell my inspirational story.

Like you, Ranbir isn’t afraid to go against the ‘hero’ image…
(Smiling proudly) Yes, and the reactions to his new film Sanju have been phenomenal. All the calls and messages I’ve been getting since morning are about him. He always wanted to be an actor but told his mother that he wouldn’t wear a twisted cap on his head and have 40 dancers suddenly appear behind him. He wanted a different career graph and took on serious films like Wake Up Sid and Rocket Singh. Some films, like Jagga Jasoos and Bombay Velvet, failed, but no actor has a 100 per cent track record. But as the saying goes, ‘Form is temporary, class is permanent’.

BOMBAY TIMES (April 20, 2018)

The best and most experienced of actors have admitted to being nervous when sharing the screen space with Amitabh Bachchan. So, one can imagine the nervousness of a Mumbai taxi driver, when he ended up sharing the camera with the legendary actor for 102 Not Out.

The film, directed by Umesh Shukla, has a scene which required Big B to travel in a taxi. So, the makers roped in a local taxi driver, who was quite excited about ‘acting’ in a film. However, the moment he got to know that he will be appearing on screen alongside none other than Mr Bachchan, he developed cold feet.

A source from the sets says, “The humble and considerate person that he is, Amitabh ji calmed the taxi driver down and told him about his own days of struggle. The actor shared memories of his initial days, when he used to travel by taxis. The conversation cheered up the driver and the shot was okayed in one take.”

102 Not Out, presented and distributed worldwide by Sony Pictures Releasing International, and produced by SPE Films India, Treetop Entertainment and Umesh Shukla’s Benchmark Pictures, releases on May 4.

DNA (April 17, 2018)

Badumbaaa, a word that Amitabh Bachchan has been using of late while tweeting about his forthcoming film 102 Not Out, is now part of a cool track in the same movie. While it’s known that Big B and Rishi Kapoor are working together in this film after a gap of 27 years, this is also the first time they have crooned a song together. While Bachchan has a number of famous numbers to his credit, this is Kapoor’s first attempt at playback.

As it’s a fun, peppy composition,  a vibrant set was built in sync with its mood. A special street was created at a studio in Mumbai within a week to film the song. As the number is youthful, the director envisioned a colourful set for it replete with flowers, a young crowd and bright hues.

Talking about the sets and the song, director Umesh Shukla says, “We wanted to create a lively set for Badumbaaa. This vivacious number reflects the movie’s spirit and the characters, hence, we wanted to create a vibrant atmosphere for it.”

Moviegoers sure will have fun watching this zesty number, which will be out soon.

Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; April 17, 2018)

Director Umesh Shukla is well-aware that he has pulled off a casting coup by bringing Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor together for his upcoming film, 102 Not Out. Far from being intimidated by the veterans, the director says that Bachchan and Kapoor’s off-screen bond made his work easier.

“They have worked together in several films in the past and share great camaraderie. So I never had to worry about their chemistry. When you see them perform in front of the camera, it’s like magic. They make even the toughest of scenes look effortless,” says Shukla.

Having delivered hits like Kabhi Kabhie (1976), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) and Naseeb (1981) in the past, Bachchan and Kapoor have reunited on the big screen after 27 years for the comedy. Based on Saumya Joshi’s Gujarati play by the same name, 102 Not Out revolves around a centenarian who wants to break the world record of being the oldest man alive.

Shukla says that with a powerful script in hand, it didn’t take much to convince the senior actors to be part of the project. “Both gave their nod within 10  minutes of hearing the script. The most gratifying experience was that they never disrespected me or took me for granted. They added their expertise and experience to enhance our film. It’s a blessing to work with the two legends.”

DNA (April 8, 2018)

Whether it’s for young guns like Varun Dhawan (Shanivaar Raati in Main Tera Hero, 2014), Ranbir Kapoor (Channa Mereya in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, 2016) or Shah Rukh Khan (Gerua in Dilwale, 2015), Arijit Singh has sung a number of chartbusters for the biggest names in Bollywood. Now, the playback singer, who is hugely versatile, is all set to lend his voice to Amitabh Bachchan for the first time in director Umesh Shukla’s 102 Not Out. 

Arijit has rendered Bachche Ki Jaan Loge Kya, which has been picturised on Big B. The fun number in the comedy-drama, which releases next month, showcases the relationship between the father-son duo played by AB and Rishi Kapoor.

Umesh says, “Arijit is a youth icon and Mr Bachchan’s character is young at heart. It’s not a lip-sync song, so we decided to get Arijit to sing it.”

Umesh Shukla on getting Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor to play roles of a certain vintage and gruelling make-up sessions
Shravan Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 30, 2018)

Work on Umesh Shukla’s father-son comedy 102 Not Out, featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor, had been extensively prosthetics-driven right from the start. By the filmmaker’s own admission, it would take his ageing protagonists a staggering seven hours for make-up every day. This would be followed by six hours of shooting. “Initially, I thought they would get irritated with the long-winded process but the make-up actually helped them emote and complemented their characters really well. Both Amitabh sir and Rishi ji would walk onto the sets at 5 am with a different kind of energy and we would commence shooting after lunch and go on till 6 pm. At times, the shoot extended to 9 pm. But that mostly happened when we were in the midst of shooting a scene and wanted to can it in one shift for the sake of continuity,” says Umesh adding that the film’s team shot for nine nights in the 45-day schedule in Mumbai.

Talking of prosthetics-related impediments in the course of the film’s making, the filmmaker informs that while Bachchan’s dentures were manageable, Kapoor’s bald cap was a cause of concern. “Rishi ji, who plays a 70-year-old character, would feel extremely hot in it. Whenever he removed it, and I am not exaggerating, it looked like he was sweating by the glass. He had to wear that cap for at least 12 hours every day,” he revealed.

Did his leads have reservations about their characters’ vintage? Umesh, who has written the script with Soumya Joshi (director of the eponymous Gujarati play on which the film is based) says it wasn’t an issue with either of them. “After we completed the script, our first choice for the role was Amitabh sir. He came on-board immediately. Rishi ji is enjoying his second innings immensely as he is getting good roles. He played a 90-year-old in Kapoor And Sons so age wasn’t an issue for him. He liked the idea that his character was funny yet complex,” he clarifies.

Despite its central characters, the filmmaker insists that 102 Not Out is a young film. “The idea was to showcase life as a celebration. In India, we hardly have films representing this age group,” Umesh signs off.

Meena Iyer (DNA; March 12, 2018)

A while ago, Rishi Kapoor, who is usually averse to photo shoots, surprised lensman Vickky Idnaani by accompanying him to one of Mumbai’s busiest streets and posing for him in a bright red car. The photographer, who hadn’t seen this facet of the actor, was delighted to capture the senior star in a different light!

Cut to the present...
RK is all set to leave for London to perform his one-act play Khullam Khulla. After finalising the details of his trip with his team, he takes a short break from his packing for an informal chat about his late uncle, Shashi Kapoor, who would have turned 80 on March 18, working with Amitabh Bachchan after a gap of 27 years and why he is indebted to Paresh Rawal.

I didn’t wish Shashi uncle personally last year…
Rishi exclaims, “I do not recall wishing Shashi uncle personally on his birthday last year. I must have put up something on my social media, I’m not sure. However, in our earlier years, I would usually wish him over the phone because he was travelling across the globe, shooting for one film or the other. He was a superstar and a very busy one at that. This birthday would have been an extra special one for him because he would have turned 80. It would have been a big moment for the family.

In the last three years, he was suffering a lot. He had to go for dialysis thrice a week. And, I hated seeing him suffer. We visited him during Christmas, but that was a family tradition. The entire khandaan was there. So, it wasn’t as if he and I had any especially-allocated time together. I cannot remember too many of Shashi uncle’s birthdays, except his 50th. My father threw a huge bash on March 18, 1988. Papa passed away the same year on June 2, and the party was perhaps one of the most momentous things he did before he fell ill.

My dad loved Shashi uncle a lot and was very protective about him. He loved Shammi uncle and Umi aunty, his two other siblings, as well. There was a 14-year age gap between Shashi uncle and my dad. So, papa almost thought of him as another son. He also played the young Raj Kapoor in Awara (1951) and went on to do movies with him later in life. Shashi uncle distributed Bobby (1973) for us because my father was in dire straits after Mera Naam Joker (1970). We needed someone to bail us out. In that sense, Shashi uncle played an important role in my life. Besides working with him in Kabhi Kabhie (1976), I acted in his directorial debut Ajooba (1991). So, there are many milestones with him. I may not be able to recall everything. Cheers to him on his 80th. I will raise a toast to him. I am sure he is up there with Jennifer aunty, his other siblings (Raj and Shammi) and my grandparents. Shashi uncle’s death brought the curtains down on an entire generation. And, his passing away has left us ‘poorer’ in that sense.

Teaming up with Big B after more than two decades
Amitabh Bachchan is senior to me in terms of age as well as star status. But both of us attained superstardom in the same year, 1973 — he with Zanjeer and me with Bobby. Of course, our first film together was Kabhi Kabhie and thereafter, we acted in three movies for Manmohan Desai — Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Naseeb (1981) and Coolie (1983). Then we did Ajooba for Shashi uncle.

Now, 102 Not Out is our sixth film after a gap of 27 years. In those days, I have played Amitji’s younger brother, his friend and he has even essayed the role of my stepfather-in-law in Kabhi Kabhie. Now again, we are playing father and son where he is 102 and I am 75 years of age.102 Not Out is super special. Our bonding wasn’t exactly about fun and games as it’s a highly emotional movie. The story is extraordinarily touching. I can’t give away too much, but the subject deals with some important facets of the relationship between an aged father and his son.

Speaking of which, it is said once you have ridden a cycle, even if you haven’t attempted it for a while, the moment you get back on it, you find the balance. It’s the same for my equation with Amitji.

The moment Amitji and I connected after 27 years, we had found the rhythm following the first shot. It was as if we just left the other day and got connected in a jiffy. It was as easy as that. Amitji is so perfect. He is very well-rehearsed and knows his lines. I am very weak at this. Sometimes, I don’t bother to learn my dialogues because I fear that I might stagnate. But I feel it is important to know your lines.

Amitji knows how to switch from one role to the other. I haven’t worked with him for long, but I observed how he understands the rhythm and slowly gets into the skin of his character. Between takes, we spoke only when it was needed as Amitji is a man of few words and so am I. We shot the entire film at one place in a single long schedule. The set was close to his house.

Paresh gave me the go-ahead for the film
I’m indebted to Paresh Rawal for letting me play this role. Initially, this film was offered to him, but Amitji and his dates weren’t matching. He was in Ali Abbas Zafar's Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) and was filming Rajkumar Hirani’s Sanjay Dutt biopic. Amitji gave his dates all of a sudden because one of his films got deferred. The producers assumed they wouldn’t be able to get Paresh, so they approached me. I told them, ‘I will do it only on one condition. I need a clearance (NOC) from Paresh.’

Paresh gave me the go ahead. But I feel if the producers had worked around things a bit, then they might have been able to get Amitabh and him together.

Both characters have the same amount of footage in the film, so it was imperative to match their dates. I told Paresh that he was the best choice for the role. However, he didn’t want to do the film as he was hurt by what the producers had done. I won’t say that he gifted me the role, but circumstances willed it in such a way that I got the opportunity to work with Amitji after 27 years.

I have sung for the first time
Incidentally, I have sung a song for 102 Not Out, for the first time. Imagine, I have made my singing debut with Mr Amitabh Bachchan. I must have some guts (laughs). The track will be used for our promotional activity but won’t feature in the film. Amitji has sung, composed and even arranged the number. He’s incredible!

One-act play
I’m performing my one-act play Khullam Khulla at Leicester and in London. We will also be touring America in July.

I want to take three weeks off
I have been working my butt off. There are four films that are ready for release — Mulk, Rajma Chawal, 102 Not Out and Jhootha Kahin Ka. Most of the work on these films is done, except some dubbing and patchwork. And, I feel I’ve earned a vacation. My wife Neetu will be with me on the trip and I’m happy for it.

No one has offered Neetu and me a film lately
I would love to work with Neetu. However, after Love Aaj Kal (2009), Do Dooni Chaar (2010), a guest appearance in Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012) and Besharam (2013), there hasn’t been a concrete offer. Let’s see what the future holds.