Showing posts with label 31st October. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 31st October. Show all posts
Thanks to Raakh, in the last 5 days, I've been offered 7 villainous roles-Vir Das
7:45 AM
Purvaja Sawant (BOMBAY TIMES; November 17, 2016)
Very few actors in the
country can boast of a comic timing as good as his. He's witty,
multi-talented and unlike most celebrities, not always politically
correct. On a good day, you might even catch him trolling his
detractors online (and how!), with Yo Mamma jokes and puns. For Vir Das,
comedy is serious business. Whether it's films or stand-up, he has
proved his mettle in comedy. But now he wants to widen his repertoire.
In a conversation with BT, the actor talks about being pigeonholed as a
comedian and why he is trying to break the mould.
In 31st October and your short film Raakh, you've experimented with serious as well as negative shades. Are you trying to break the stereotype of a funny guy?
Yes, it's a conscious effort. But the comedy isn't going to stop anytime soon. I want to try things that I'm not an expert at. I'll stumble but learn something new. I also want to show people that I'm a diverse artiste, who can make unpredictable choices. I took the decision to break out of my comfort zone and do different kinds of roles, a year ago. In fact, in the last five days, I've been offered seven villainous roles! I'm definitely going to choose one.
Do you think the audience will accept you in such roles?
I don't concern myself too much with my reputation because it isn't in my control. I have learned this the hard way - my talent belongs to me but my reputation belongs to other people. If I want to increase my arsenal as an actor, I have to keep experimenting. Luckily, I've got a good response for Raakh. 31st October didn't do well at the box office because it was stuck for a year-and-a-half and about 30 per cent of the film was butchered by the Censor Board. But I got the best acting reviews for it. It's going to be many more years till people completely accept me in different kinds of roles. But it's a good start. Having said that, whenever a high-concept comedy is written in India, I am one of the first five actors to read it. It's a privilege that I don't want to give up.
How do you juggle your stand-up shows and films?
In 2017, I will probably do six months of films and six months of stand-up. Thankfully, I enjoy both. Stand-up is humbling. No matter how big a star you are, when you go on a stage, you better be funny. The audience will give you only two minutes and then judge you.
Given the current scenario, do you restrict yourself while writing for your shows?
I don't believe in censorship. I trust my judgement. I am an intelligent, patriotic guy and have a decent moral compass. I assume whatever I write will fall within the boundaries of what is acceptable. I don't make fun of sick people or the elderly. I think the worst thing that can happen to a comedian is when the audience doesn't laugh at his jokes. You don't need the government or the Censor Board to punish us for bad jokes.
Do you think we've become too sensitive as a society?
You could put a picture of two roses on stage, and even that will offend someone. You can't censor comedy; it will find its way out. The only solution is to do more comedy. You have to keep doing it till people understand that you are not supposed to take it seriously. So, I'm not afraid of the consequences.
You're the first Indian to have his own comedy special on Netflix...
I'm nervous. I just want to say the right things because I don't think such a large audience across the world will have ever seen Indian comedy before. This is the first time 120 countries will be watching humour from the Indian perspective. I want to get that right, so I'm rewriting and rehearsing. This has been the best year of my career as it has allowed me to make unpredictable choices.
Unlike most celebrities, you don't take kindly to trolls on social media and often get back at them.
Once every three months, I take a day off and have a nice fight on Twitter! If people can have fun at my expense, I can also have fun at theirs. It's the only free stand-up show I will ever do. I reject the notion of being a celebrity. I'm an artiste. So, I will say what I want to say on social media.
In 31st October and your short film Raakh, you've experimented with serious as well as negative shades. Are you trying to break the stereotype of a funny guy?
Yes, it's a conscious effort. But the comedy isn't going to stop anytime soon. I want to try things that I'm not an expert at. I'll stumble but learn something new. I also want to show people that I'm a diverse artiste, who can make unpredictable choices. I took the decision to break out of my comfort zone and do different kinds of roles, a year ago. In fact, in the last five days, I've been offered seven villainous roles! I'm definitely going to choose one.
Do you think the audience will accept you in such roles?
I don't concern myself too much with my reputation because it isn't in my control. I have learned this the hard way - my talent belongs to me but my reputation belongs to other people. If I want to increase my arsenal as an actor, I have to keep experimenting. Luckily, I've got a good response for Raakh. 31st October didn't do well at the box office because it was stuck for a year-and-a-half and about 30 per cent of the film was butchered by the Censor Board. But I got the best acting reviews for it. It's going to be many more years till people completely accept me in different kinds of roles. But it's a good start. Having said that, whenever a high-concept comedy is written in India, I am one of the first five actors to read it. It's a privilege that I don't want to give up.
How do you juggle your stand-up shows and films?
In 2017, I will probably do six months of films and six months of stand-up. Thankfully, I enjoy both. Stand-up is humbling. No matter how big a star you are, when you go on a stage, you better be funny. The audience will give you only two minutes and then judge you.
Given the current scenario, do you restrict yourself while writing for your shows?
I don't believe in censorship. I trust my judgement. I am an intelligent, patriotic guy and have a decent moral compass. I assume whatever I write will fall within the boundaries of what is acceptable. I don't make fun of sick people or the elderly. I think the worst thing that can happen to a comedian is when the audience doesn't laugh at his jokes. You don't need the government or the Censor Board to punish us for bad jokes.
Do you think we've become too sensitive as a society?
You could put a picture of two roses on stage, and even that will offend someone. You can't censor comedy; it will find its way out. The only solution is to do more comedy. You have to keep doing it till people understand that you are not supposed to take it seriously. So, I'm not afraid of the consequences.
You're the first Indian to have his own comedy special on Netflix...
I'm nervous. I just want to say the right things because I don't think such a large audience across the world will have ever seen Indian comedy before. This is the first time 120 countries will be watching humour from the Indian perspective. I want to get that right, so I'm rewriting and rehearsing. This has been the best year of my career as it has allowed me to make unpredictable choices.
Unlike most celebrities, you don't take kindly to trolls on social media and often get back at them.
Once every three months, I take a day off and have a nice fight on Twitter! If people can have fun at my expense, I can also have fun at theirs. It's the only free stand-up show I will ever do. I reject the notion of being a celebrity. I'm an artiste. So, I will say what I want to say on social media.
Soha Ali Khan-Vir Das starrer 31st October lands in legal trouble
7:53 AM
MUMBAI MIRROR (October 5, 2016)
A PIL has been filed in the Delhi High Court against the release of 31st October, a film based on the aftermath of the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots that followed. The petition has contended that going by the trailers, posters and banners, it is against the ideology of the country’s oldest political party.
The petitioner, Ajay Katara, alleges that there are various scenes in the movie, starring Soha Ali Khan and Vir Das in the lead, which are “aimed and targeted against a political figure of the country” who has not been named in the plea. The PIL claims that the producers, has used a lookalike of the unnamed political figure who has been “painted in bad light”.
Katara contends in his plea that the film has targeted said person to invite hate and contempt and hereby transgressed the right to freedom of expression. Apart from seeking a stay on the release of the movie which was scheduled to hit theatres on October 7, the petition also demands for the deletion of some “offensive scenes”.
Vir Das abruptly pulls out of UK's biggest performing arts festival; organisers furious?
3:12 PM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 5, 2016)
Over the last couple of months, actor and stand-up comic Vir Das travelled across UK, US, Canada and South Africa to perform nearly 120 shows. His last was supposed to be at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, but Vir pulled out of it at the last minute to return to Mumbai for the promotions of his upcoming film, 31st October, leaving organisers fuming.
A unit hand says, “Vir cancelled the Fringe gig after the tickets had been sold out. His film’s producers made sure that he returns before the trailer launch. Since he is bound by a legal contract, he had to do it whether he liked it or not. Obviously, the organisers are disappointed, but his talent team is trying to make amends.”
The spokesperson for Fringe says, in keeping with standard procedure, the organisers refunded people for the tickets bought. “Next year, if he (Vir) wants to come back and perform, we won’t stop him, but it is a reputation loss for the performer.”
Vir says he had to return to Mumbai to “honour his commitment” as the film suddenly got a release date — October 7. “Pulling out of shows might seem unprofessional, but my team is in talks with them, trying to organise an alternate gig. We hope the shows happen in the coming months. But, for now, my movie was my priority and I made my choice,” he adds.
Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan picks up mic after 23 years
2:13 PM
Soumya Vajpayee Tiwari (MID-DAY; August 22, 2016)
Gen-x might recall the soulful notes of Raagmala in Umrao Jaan (1981) or Sajna Kahe Nahi Aaye from Badnam Basti (1971), and the voice behind them — classical music maestro Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan. The Padma Bhushan recipient bowed out of Bollywood in 1993, his last track being 'Is Se Jyada Dukh Na Koi' from 'Shreemaan Aashique'. Twenty-three years later, he is set for a comeback.
Khan, 85, will feature on the discography of upcoming film, '31st October', based on events following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984. Writer-producer Harry Sachdeva says it's a Sufi number called 'Maula'.
"The song is dedicated to God and humanity. I was so touched by the film's subject that I decided to sing the track. It's my tribute to those who lost their lives in 1984," says the veteran vocalist, who has trained several noted playback and classical singers, including Geeta Dutt, Asha Bhosle, Hariharan, Sonu Nigam, Shaan and AR Rahman among others.
When asked who his favourite student is, Ustad Khan refuses to take any name. "All of them are very talented. They all are my favourite," he says.
Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan's proteges:
A R Rahman
Sonu Nigam
Hariharan
Shaan
Film based on Indira Gandhi assassination finally cleared by Censor Board
6:14 PM
Nastasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 8, 2016)
31st October, a film based on the aftermath of the Indira Gandhi assassination, has finally been green-lit by the Revising Committee of the Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC) after a four-month wait. The relieved producer, Harry Sachdeva, admits that he had to make some modifications but without affecting the authenticity of the cinematic projection.
"It took time but we were eventually able to convince the censor board to retain the scenes which brought out the realism of the story and which were important to the narrative. There's a reason for bringing this subject to the screen and justice needs to be done to the subject," he argues.
Speaking about the changes he had to make, Sachdeva informs that many of the scenes depicting violence and bloodshed had to be edited. "I took nine major cuts. The censors insisted that some of the scenes and dialogue could instigate a particular community so needed to be toned down. The Revising Committee made us re-submit the film several times, trimming down scenes that they had issues with by six-seven minutes. All verbal abuses have been beeped, even something as common as 'saala' on several instance," he sighs.
The film is set in Delhi in 1984.Since the capital city has changed a lot since our former Prime Minister's assassination by her two Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984, they recreated Delhi in a village in Ludhiana.
The political thriller features Soha Ali Khan who plays a terrified Sikh woman who along with her husband Vir Das, twin sons and a one-year-daughter, dashes from one end of Delhi to the other on that fateful day. Vir trained in action for four-five months and Soha learnt Punjabi for her role.
Believe it or not: This is Vir Das's look in 31st October
7:55 AM
Upala KBR (DNA; February 6, 2016)
Vir Das plays a Sardarji in two upcoming films — 31st October and Santa Banta. For the first film, directed by National
Award-winning filmmaker Shivaji Patil, Das underwent a complete
transformation. He plays Devender Singh, an elderly Sikh man trying to
get his wife Tejinder Kaur (played by Soha Ali Khan) and his family to
safety, in the aftermath of the 1984 riots following the assassination
of Indira Gandhi.
The older look is for the latter part of Devender’s life and his character ages between 30-60 in the film.
Of his role, Das says, “My role is of a good-hearted man from very small origins. It’s a fast-paced thriller that spans a total of 24 hours in his life.”
Calling it the toughest role he’s done so far, Vir adds, “Our director Shivaji wanted to deliberately cast against type because he wanted to see an actor transform both physically and to showcase range. I had to put on 11 kilos, grow a full beard and the older look was two-three hours of make up every day. This true story needed to be told and the response it’s gotten at the London Film Festival and in Toronto has just been amazing!”
Concludes the actor, “It’s the most real thing I’ve ever done. I took a decision last year that I was going to try different things. I signed an adult comedy (Mastizaade) and this will be my first dramatic role, after this is a family film and then a huge action film. It takes people a while to get used to the idea that you are thinking outside the box. This is the year of surprises.”
Check out Soha Ali Khan in 31st October, based on Indira Gandhi's assassination
7:43 AM
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 16, 2015)
Soha Ali Khan has wrapped
31st October, a political thriller set against the 1984 riots triggered
off by the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her
two Sikh bodyguards. Soha plays a terrified Sikh woman, who along with
her husband, Vir Das, their twin boys and one-year-old daughter, dashes
from one end of Delhi to the other. The Tejindars are modelled on a
real-life couple and their journey. Shivaji Lotan Patil, who bagged the
National Award for Best Director for his Marathi film Dhag (2014),
decided to make the film in Hindi with a few lines of Punjabi dialogue
as no one would shell out Rs 10 crore for a Marathi film. They wrapped
it up in 65 nights, shooting in Delhi and Ludhiana. The film will have
its world premiere at the London Indian Film Festival (LIFF 2015) on
July 18. Patil promises to now make films only in Hindi.
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