Showing posts with label Aasmaan Bhardwaj. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aasmaan Bhardwaj. Show all posts
Vishal Bhardwaj told me ‘I have 2 favourite characters in Kuttey. One is Tabu’s, and the other is yours’”-Radhika Madan
8:43 AM
Radhika, who features in Aasmaan’s Kuttey, says his ambitious energy is delightfully antithetical to his filmmaker-father Vishal’s thehraav
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; January 18, 2023)
In only a five-year career so far, Radhika Madan has had the pleasure of working with two generations of the Bhardwaj family. The actor, who made her movie debut with Vishal Bhardwaj’s Pataakha (2018), plays the short-tempered Lovely in Aasmaan Bhardwaj’s recently released Kuttey. So, what attracted her to the role? “Her unpredictability,” laughs Madan, admitting that she is always game for uninhibited characters.
“In Vishal ji’s world, the female characters are always well-written, and often quirkier than their male [counterparts]. When he called me [to offer the role], he said, ‘I have two favourite characters in this film. One is Tabu’s, and the other is yours.’”
Joining forces with Naseeruddin Shah, Tabu, Konkona Sensharma, Arjun Kapoor, Kumud Mishra and Shardul Bhardwaj was creatively satisfying for Madan. But it was the novel experience of working with debutant director Aasmaan that stood out for her.
Asked if he has a similar approach as his filmmaker-father Vishal, Madan says, “Aasmaan is ambitious and motivated. He takes risky shots, is clear about his vision and is certain that he will be able to achieve it. Vishal ji has experience, and knows how each shot will come out differently from what is in one’s mind. He has thehraav, which makes you feel at ease.”
I was scared Naseeruddin Shah would not only dislike Kuttey's script, but also tell me to not make it-Aasmaan Bhardwaj
8:36 AM
Debutant director Aasmaan, whose Kuttey boasts a stellar cast, says he initially didn’t expect Naseeruddin Shah and Tabu to give their nod to film
Hiren Kotwani (MID-DAY; January 13, 2023)
It happened during the shoot of Makdee (2002). Aasmaan Bhardwaj was only seven at the time, but as he stood on the set of his filmmaker-father Vishal Bhardwaj’s directorial debut, he knew he wanted to be a director. “The ambience, the energy, it all fascinated me in such a way that then and there, I made up my mind on [growing up to become a filmmaker],” he begins.
Over 20 years on, Aasmaan has realised his ambition. His directorial debut, Kuttey, opens in screens today. Interestingly, he had first written the crime comedy in January 2019 while studying filmmaking. “I had finished an assignment earlier. My teacher said that since we had about six months in hand, I could write [another story] till I graduated,” he recollects.
Little did he know then that he would turn director with this script. When the time came, it was his filmmaker-father who helped him take the decision. “I went to my father with five scripts, of which two were shortlisted. He explained that Kuttey’s script is unique, and would be a better pick for my first film because of the way it is written. We both felt it would also showcase me as a writer.”
In Kuttey, the first-time director has brought together a dream cast — Naseeruddin Shah, Tabu, Konkona Sen Sharma, Kumud Mishra, Arjun Kapoor, Radhika Madan and Shardul Bhardwaj. That some of today’s finest actors gave their nod says a thing or two about the script’s merit. Aasmaan admits that being Vishal’s son helped him get access to them.
“My father could call or message them, saying that his son would like to narrate a script to them. After that, the decision of doing the movie was entirely theirs. I had never expected Tabu ma’am or Koko ma’am to say yes. In fact, I was scared Naseer bhai would not only dislike the script, but also tell me to not make it,” he grins.
He was understandably anxious when shooting with Shah, Tabu and Sen Sharma. “I was so lost in Tabu’s performance that I forgot to say cut. On Naseer bhai’s first day of shoot, I was nervous all day. But they were all easy to work with because they are fabulous actors.”
As he follows in his father’s footsteps, what aspects has he imbibed from him as a storyteller? “Whatever I know today, I have learnt it from him, and my mother [Rekha Bhardwaj]. Like him, I want to make diverse movies.”
I often say, ‘Kuttey toh bahana tha, mujhe toh Tabu ke saath kaam karna tha’-Arjun Kapoor
8:37 AM
Kicking off his second decade in Bollywood, Arjun says Kuttey reflects producer Vishal and director Aasmaan’s vision of new-age cinema
Hiren Kotwani (MID-DAY; January 11, 2023)
The new year marks the beginning of Arjun Kapoor’s second decade in the movie industry. If the past 10 years have taught him something, it is to retain the hunger and spontaneity that he possessed when facing the camera for the first time, for Ishaqzaade (2012). The actor reflects, “When you start out, you make choices impulsively. After a point, you’re told to be strategic. Then, life comes full circle, and you realise the child in you should always remain. Today, I hold on to the thought of what Arjun [of 2012] wanted to do — he wanted to do good work, and be emotional about his choices rather than calculative.”
His latest release, Kuttey, is a prime example of Kapoor following his heart. Debutant director Aasmaan Bhardwaj’s crime comedy may be viewed as a risky move by some. But Kapoor says one Zoom call is all it took for him to come on board. “The father [filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj] had made Kaminey [2009], and the son was making Kuttey. I knew I was in safe hands. Vishal Bhardwaj has a certain aura [that has been built through] his music and writing. Then Luv [Ranjan, producer] came on board. So, we had two producers who would back Aasmaan’s vision completely. We haven’t pitched Kuttey like a quintessential movie. It is new-age cinema, made with complete honesty, for the audience that is eager to see actors and filmmakers push the envelope.”
That the film brought together some of today’s finest actors — from Naseeruddin Shah to Tabu, and Konkona Sen Sharma — only reaffirmed Kapoor’s faith in it. The actor was particularly looking forward to sharing screen space with Tabu. “She made her debut in my father’s [producer Boney Kapoor] film, Prem. Even today, we share the same playful banter. I often say, ‘Kuttey toh bahana tha, mujhe toh Tabu ke saath kaam karna tha’.”
He counts himself lucky to have worked with Sen Sharma in the movie. “I just wanted to tell her how much I love her work as an actor and director.”
What drew me to Kuttey was that Aasmaan Bhardwaj wasn’t trying to ape his father-Arjun Kapoor
8:22 AM
Arjun Kapoor, who was to team up with Vishal Bhardwaj a few years ago, is happy to step into the filmmaker’s universe with his son Aasmaan’s 'Kuttey'
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 13, 2022)
Usually, instinct is at play when choosing films. But Arjun Kapoor has been selecting his projects carefully, after winning acclaim for his act in 'Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar' (2021). While the massy 'Ek Villain Returns' is up for release, the actor has shot for Aasmaan Bhardwaj’s 'Kuttey' and Ajay Bahl’s 'The Ladykiller'. “I am trying to strike a balance. That was what prompted me to [sign] 'The Ladykiller' and 'Kuttey'. I joke with Aasmaan, saying, ‘Baap ne Kaminey banayi, beta Kuttey bana raha hai,’” he laughs.
The shadow of director-father Vishal Bhardwaj may be looming large, but Aasmaan has a unique voice, asserts Kapoor. The actor is impressed by Aasmaan’s clarity of vision. That he has got artistes like Naseeruddin Shah, Tabu, and Konkona Sen Sharma on board speaks volumes about the film’s merit.
“When Vishal ji and Aasmaan narrated the film, what drew me was that he wasn’t trying to ape his father. There is reminiscence of the learnings he has had from his dad. The father-son [duo] have overlapping qualities. Vishal ji has been an involved producer,” says the actor.
With the satire, Kapoor has realised his dream of being a part of a Vishal production. “I was close to working with him in the past, but it didn’t work out. His energy and atmospheric storytelling is inspirational. When you are surrounded by such people, you aspire to chase quality and not just commerce. Vishal ji is a great listener who allows a discussion and takes your inputs. He doesn’t have a chip on his shoulder.”
If the actor is attempting a black comedy in 'Kuttey', 'The Ladykiller' opposite Bhumi Pednekar has him exploring a noir thriller. His admiration for 'Section 375' (2019) and 'BA Pass' (2012) made him eager to collaborate with director Bahl. “The film deals with the toxicity of passionate relationships. It is about a Casanova, who is in a relationship that has a certain degree of combustibility. Bhumi and I have explored a different side of our personalities,” says Kapoor.
When I would head to Mithoon's recording studio, I would feel like I was part of a mehfil-Sukhwinder Singh
8:32 AM
Pointing out that the Shamshera team approached the music-making process in a collaborative manner, Sukhwinder Singh on being Ranbir’s voice
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; July 11, 2022)
In giving voice to Ranbir Kapoor’s Balli in Shamshera, Sukhwinder Singh chanced upon an opportunity he had been seeking for long. “Working with a composer like Mithoon is desirable for every singer. When I would head to the recording studio, I would feel like I was part of a mehfil. I had heard that this was the manner in which Raj Kapoor [worked with his team]. After experiencing it, I wish that each project can be approached in a similar manner. In this process, everyone is given the chance to present their idea and enhance the final work. The team is also receptive. If I suggested that I would like to try something different, they were always keen to let me give it a shot,” says Singh, adding that occasionally witnessing the shoot at director Karan Malhotra’s behest worked in his favour.
“I have three songs in the film. Parinda is symphonic. Mithoon belongs to Pyarelal ji’s [Sharma] family. His father [Naresh Sharma] was among the best music arrangers we’ve had. Mithoon has a great understanding of how to mix music. Parinda is played against the film’s background score, across scenes of romance, action and drama. It has been designed to enhance the film’s score. Creating one piece that’s suited for different aspects was a new, but enjoyable process,” says the singer of first of three tracks rendered by him.
“The other two are earthy songs that are heavily influenced by drums, and needed a performance. I believe, that’s a gift I have — regardless of whether I am on the stage or in a studio, I am always performing in accordance with the character.”
Shamshera marks Singh’s fresh collaboration with Kapoor, for whom he previously sang Kar Har Maidaan Fateh (Sanju).
Up next, he joins hands with Vishal Bhardwaj’s son Aasmaan, for his upcoming directorial venture, Kuttey. “I have sung for his father, and I was the first choice for him.”
Singh is currently also creating a music master-class at the behest of a production. He intends to teach students aspects relating to the lifestyle of musicians as part of the course as well. “I intend to make this educational and entertaining, and not complicated. I am also working on creating pure folk music with international musicians.”
I worked with Vishal and Aasmaan Bhardwaj simultaneously. They are poles apart-Tabu
7:50 AM
Having known Vishal’s son Aasmaan since he was a child, Tabu on forming an actor-filmmaker relationship with him as they teamed up on Kuttey
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; June 17, 2022)
Can there be too much of a good thing? Not for Tabu. The actor, who has delivered some of her most nuanced performances in Vishal Bhardwaj’s films, has reunited with the director for Khufiya. But Vishal isn’t the only Bhardwaj on her résumé. It’s not surprising that when the filmmaker’s son Aasmaan Bhardwaj decided to turn director with Kuttey, he knocked on Tabu’s door. Having shot with the father-son duo on the two projects over the past few months, the actor says they are worlds apart.
“I worked with Vishal and Aasmaan simultaneously. They are poles apart. It’s outstanding to collaborate with Vishal again. You wish the film goes on to have a great destiny, but for me, the experience of working with him is more important. Khufiya is a classic Vishal film with his signature touch,” she says of the espionage thriller.
From Maqbool (2004) to Haider (2013), Tabu has become a familiar part of the filmmaker’s world. Walking into Aasmaan’s film, she was keen to see what the new blood would have to offer. The actor is impressed after having shot for the black comedy that also stars Naseeruddin Shah, Konkona Sen Sharma, Arjun Kapoor and Radhika Madan.
“I have seen Aasmaan as a child. But when he offered the script to me, he met me as a director. On the set, we have a director-actor relationship even though I have known his family for so many years. He allows me to [put forth] my point of view, and we discuss it. It’s nice to see his clarity of vision.”
To Tabu, Kuttey and Khufiya — though belonging to different genres — are an extension of the kind of movies she believes in. “I have always felt liberated [doing layered roles]. I want to experience different parts, without thinking about how they will [affect] my career. Now, characters have become more layered, but I have been playing such roles since the beginning.”
The problem is not with playing a toxic character, but in glorifying him/her-Radhika Madan
8:08 AM
Radhika Madan, who headlines an intense love story in Shiddat, on being mindful of not passing off toxic relationships as passion
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 2, 2021)
Radhika Madan is excited and relieved in equal measure that Shiddat, which was held off due to the pandemic, has finally reached the audience. The Disney+ Hotstar offering is a classic story of opposites attract as her pragmatic Kartika falls in love with the emotional Jaggi, essayed by Sunny Kaushal. “Kartika has some shades of grey as well. She has complicated the concept of love so much that she doesn’t know what to do with it when it comes her way. In the world of dating apps where relationships start with swipes, and we want one person to tick all our boxes, we are not leaving enough room for love to bloom,” says Madan.
In telling an intense love story, director Kunal Deshmukh and the cast had the responsibility of ensuring that the characters don’t tread into a toxic zone. As the leading lady, Madan says she is mindful of how love should be depicted on screen. “The problem is not with playing a toxic character, but in glorifying him/her. With Jaggi, we ensured that he is pure. He isn’t a stalker. He is child-like, and is not afraid to be vulnerable. The motivation of the character is important.”
The actor will soon begin shooting for Aasmaan Bhardwaj’s directorial debut, Kuttey. The film is produced by her mentor Vishal Bhardwaj, who launched her in Pataakha (2018). Giddy with excitement about reuniting with the filmmaker, she says, “Vishal sir is family, and I used to hang out with Aasmaan every day during the shoot of Pataakha. It’s a matter of honour and privilege to be a part of his first film. I hope we all live up to the promise of the amazing script he has written.”
I was blown away when I saw the poster of Kuttey-Konkona Sen Sharma
8:15 AM
After working with Vishal Bhardwaj on Omkara, Konkona on collaborating with his filmmaker-son Aasmaan on Kuttey
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; September 27, 2021)
That some of the industry’s finest actors are set to come together for Aasmaan Bhardwaj’s directorial debut, Kuttey, can presumably give us a fair idea of the script’s merit. The cast includes his director-father Vishal Bhardwaj’s favourites — Tabu, Naseeruddin Shah, Konkona Sen Sharma and Radhika Madan — alongside Arjun Kapoor, Kumud Mishra and Shardul Bhardwaj. Sharma’s enthusiasm for the film is evident as she exclaims, “What a wonderful script Aasmaan has written!”
The actor is eager to see what the new blood has to offer. “I have a cameo in the film. I was blown away when I saw the poster. He has written a fantastic script; it is complicated and interesting. I’m looking forward to start shooting for this one,” says the actor, who previously worked with Bhardwaj senior on Omkara (2006) and his production, Ek Thi Daayan (2013).
According to Sharma, she is in the best phase of her career now as digital entertainment has brought a plethora of roles to the fore. “Be it Geeli Pucchi where I play somebody from the LGBTQIA+ community who is also a Dalit, or essaying a [wife] cheating [on her husband] in Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare [2020] — we get a lot more variety because of OTT platforms. Earlier, we only had films. Now, there are different formats by way of anthologies and mini-series. If you view it from the audience’s perspective, there is a section that prefers realistic content while some like to see fluffy romance. Because of OTT, they too have more choices.”
After Vishal Bhardwaj, now his son Aasmaan makes a film on a story by Ruskin Bond
7:47 AM
Twenty-year-old Aasmaan’s third short film is an adaptation of the writer’s short story, The Thief
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 16, 2016)
Eleven years after Vishal Bhardwaj’s Blue Umbrella, based on Ruskin Bond’s 1980 novel of the same name came out, the writer-filmmaker-composer’s son Aasmaan’s third short film, an adaptation of Ruskin Bond’s story, The Thief, is ready to take wings.
The 20-year-old filmmaker started work on the script in early February
last year and even though the shooting schedule looked much longer on
paper, Aasmaan wrapped up the film with a seven-day shoot that was
followed by four-five days of patchwork. “The schedule was spread over a
month between July-end and the beginning of August since it was raining a
lot,” he recalls, adding that his short, also titled The Thief, is now
one of the 38 official selections for the category of “Viewing Room” at
the 10th edition of NFDC’s Film Bazaar in Goa this year.A record 202 films, including 131 fiction features and 33 documentaries, were submitted to the Viewing Room which serves as a mentoring platform for films-in-progress to find sales agents, film festivals, buyers, distributors and financing.
Aasmaan, currently a screenwriting student at the School of Visual Arts in New York, has already completed two short films – The Identities, featuring Kalki Koechlin, Vivaan Shah and Harish Khanna which released in 2013, and Murder On The Deccan Express, featuring Vivaan Shah and Aneesha Joshi, which released in 2015.
The Thief features Chandan Roy Sanyal, Rahul Kumar and
Aditi Sharma in a special appearance and is the story of a boy who goes
through a change of heart. Prod Aasmaan on how similar he is to his
protagonist and he guffaws, “Like him, I have learnt many things by
making mistakes but I wouldn’t say that I have gone so far as to steal
from another person.”Aasmaan believes that his prolific father who has co-produced the film along with singer-wife Rekha and co-written it with him and Aditya Nimbalkar has been a crucial part of his cinematic journey. “It is because of him that I am so passionate about filmmaking. I want to be more like him. I wanted to join the army before but my father’s decision to make Makdee exposed me to this world,” the youngster signs off.
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