Showing posts with label Abhishek Sharma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Abhishek Sharma. Show all posts
Jacqueline Fernandez, Neil Nitin Mukesh bag Abhishek Sharma's web show G.O.A.T.
8:42 AM
Fernandez set to team up with Ram Setu director Abhishek Sharma for her first web series
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 19, 2023)
Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez is poised to make her much-anticipated debut in the OTT realm with a project titled G.O.A.T. for Jio Cinema. A source from the production informed mid-day, “Jacqueline was the first option to do the series. She is headlining the series along with Neil Nitin Mukesh. The show will be directed by Ram Setu director Abhishek Sharma.”
While not much is known about the project, the source further revealed, “Their primary shoot is in Mumbai. We will be shooting in different parts of the city over the next four months.”
With filming scheduled to commence in November, the series promises to captivate audiences with its narrative and cast. The actor was last seen in a cameo role in the Emraan Hashmi-starrer Selfiee and has a film with Sonu Sood titled Fateh in the pipeline.
Hindustan mein jo sabse soft target ho sakta hai woh film industry hai-Anees Bazmee
8:28 AM
(L-R) Komal Nahta, Abhishek Sharma, Anees Bazmee, Mahaveer Jain and Vikas Bahl
HINDUSTAN TIMES (November 28, 2022)
The 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI), which ends today, saw a lot of topics being discussed in various sessions, workshops and masterclasses. One of the issues that was spoken about was the corporate culture in the film industry. The session, that had filmmakers Anees Bazmee, Vikas Bahl, Abhishek Sharma, Mahaveer Jain and trade analyst Komal Nahta as the guest speakers, also saw questions about whether the film industry truly had a mafia culture being addressed.
When a member from the audience member asked if the reason behind the industry being divided was a certain ‘heroine’ who recently raised the issue of ‘mafia culture’ in Bollywood, Bazmee answered, “Mujhe aisa lagta hai, Hindustan mein jo sabse soft target ho sakta hai woh film industry hai. You abuse it, say that nobody works here the entire day, and heroes and heroines do drugs. [If that is true] Then who are those actors who report to a film set at five in the morning, and keep working till three at night?”
The 60-year-old added, “Jitne ilzaam hain, aap saare laga dijiye. I have been in this industry for many years now, and there’s no workplace with as many beautiful people as this one.”
As for the narrative that drugs are prevalent among actors, Bazmee said, “Mujhe lagta hai jaan boojh kar kayi logon ke beech aisa bola gaya, taaki iss line ko badnaam kar do.”
He said, that people want to defame people in showbiz and make the profession look dangerous. “I am from the film line, and I am proud that I am not in any other line of work,” he added.
The filmmaker also mentioned that he feels it’s his duty to help new people in the industry in whatever way possible and so he always tries his best to guide them.
Ram Setu, the film, is a convergence of science, history, geography and the Ramayana-Abhishek Sharma
8:34 AM
From shooting over 16 months, to creating replica of Exosuit for underwater archaeology scenes, Ram Setu makers on giving shape to the Akshay-starrer
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; October 24, 2022)
For producer Vikram Malhotra, Ram Setu is more than the sum of storytelling, budgets and visual effects. “It is about heart and vision,” he says. Abhishek Sharma’s directorial venture sees Akshay Kumar as archaeologist Dr Aryan Kulshrestha who races against time to prove the existence of the Ram Setu.
Given the subject, the makers knew that detailed research would be key to telling the story. Malhotra says, “[We] consulted Dr Pushkar Bhatnagar’s book, Dating The Era Of Lord Ram, which is considered an authority on astrological understanding related to the Ramayana. Abhishek and team engaged with experts in the fields of archaeology, sonar imaging, carbon dating, geology, and marine exploration. The research team also studied ancient and modern history maps, including those housed in the museum at Thanjavur that have shed light on how the Ram Setu was depicted and how its name was changed to Adam’s Bridge under the British [rule].”
While Sharma wielded the directorial baton for the action adventure, also starring Jacqueline Fernandez and Nushrratt Bharuccha, Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi was brought in as the creative producer. “Dr Dwivedi played an important part in bridging the areas of history and spirituality with his extensive research over decades,” says the producer.
Announced in November 2020, the project went on floors in March 2021. “The film was shot over almost 16 months, and then the elaborate process of perfecting the VFX took over.”
For the director, the film was born from a single concern: “Through their imaging, NASA [National Aeronautics and Space Administration] showed that there is a bridge that exists. But no in-depth expedition has ever been commissioned underwater on Ram Setu,” he states.
Through the movie, Sharma wanted to explore the subject further. “Ram Setu, the film, is a convergence of science, history, geography and the Ramayana. In the film, we have shown — in a way that it appeals to the audience — how carbon dating is done on rocks and fossils under the sea.”
Authenticity was their top priority as they showed Kumar’s archaeologist character undertaking this ambitious task. “Akshay sir learnt everything patiently from the geologists and archaeologists who were with us at our filming locations. We’d consult them during the shoot. We first tried to use a real Exosuit [a specialised suit that enables archaeologists to stay underwater for long]. But since it is difficult to wear one and shoot, we had a replica made.”
Abhishek Sharma and Vikram Malhotra
Amazon Prime forays into film production in India with Akshay Kumar-starrer Ram Setu
8:19 AM
The film, which will be streamed exclusively on Amazon Prime Video after its theatrical release, also features Jacqueline Fernandez and Nushrratt Bharuccha
BOMBAY TIMES (March 18, 2021)
Akshay added, “The tale of this film is an incredible part of Indian heritage. It is something that has always intrigued me. To me, it embodies the most vital traits of our culture — determination, bravery, love, and above all, the value of our morals that create the social fabric of our India. I am looking forward to being part of this great story and taking it to our youth. And with the streaming service, we also have the chance to take this story, which represents the essence of Indian culture, to viewers across the world.”
Vikram Malhotra, Founder and CEO of Abundantia Entertainment, said, “In India, mythology, religion and history are deeply intertwined. Ram Setu is a story formed on facts, science and historical heritage and is anchored in the deep belief of Indians since centuries. We are thrilled to collaborate with Amazon Prime Video once again for the opportunity to share this amazing story with a global audience.”
Akshay Kumar to begin Ram Setu from Ayodhya
8:38 AM
The actor is all set to visit Ayodhya; says Ram Setu is a bridge between generations past, present and future
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 15, 2021)
After wrapping up Bachchan Pandey, Akshay Kumar is all set to start shoot for his next, Ram Setu. And HT has exclusively learnt that the actor, along with director Abhishek Sharma and creative producer Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi, will fly to Ayodhya on March 18 to give the mahurat shot of the film from Ram Janmabhoomi.
While Kumar is away for a family vacation in Maldives, the film’s director tells us that the shoot is spread across multiple schedules over the next few months and 80% of the film will be shot in Mumbai.
Sharma also reveals that the actor will be seen in a new avatar. “Akshay sir plays an archaeologist and his look and character is inspired by several Indian and international professional archaeologists who work in the field,” he says, adding that the leading ladies — Jacqueline Fernandez and Nushrratt Bharuccha — play “strong, independent women” and their looks are being kept under wraps for now.
Interestingly, it was Dwivedi who came up with the idea of starting the Ram Setu journey in Ayodhya. “I suggested to Akshay that we should launch the production schedule with blessings from the holy temple of Lord Ram,” he says.
For Sharma, the journey of Ram Setu started back in 2007 when he “first read newspaper coverage about a court case related to a project to build a shipping canal in the shallow straits between India and Sri Lanka” and he found that to be an opportunity “to explore the truth behind an Indian legend.”
Sharma thanks Dwivedi for guiding the team in the right direction with the research process. “The idea was to gain a comprehensive understanding on the subject and create a film on this true story,” he says.
Set to embark on this journey, producer Vikram Malhotra asserts there’ll be “strict safety protocols in place.” He adds, “Akshay as well as Abundantia Entertainment have completed several productions during the pandemic. There’s enough learning to manage with controlled Coronavirus risks.”
Kumar rounds it off by saying, “Ram Setu is a bridge between generations — past, present and future.”
Akshay Kumar gets the go-ahead to shoot Ram Setu in Ayodhya
8:12 AM
Actor discussed his film with UP CM during latter’s visit to the city; Rahul Mittra, Umesh Shukla also want to film in the state
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 4, 2020)
“Set in today’s India, it’s the journey of the protagonist to discover if the Ram Setu is a myth or reality. Since Akshay and his director, Abhishek Sharma, want to present an accurate depiction, they want to shoot in real locations in the state, including Ayodhya, the birth place of Lord Ram. They want to kick off the film by mid-2021 in UP,” informed a source close to the development.
A day later, the CM had a meeting with several Bollywood filmmakers and actors at a city five-star hotel coordinated by producer Rahul Mittra. Among those present were Arjun Rampal, Umesh Shukla, Satish Kaushik, Honey Trehan, Pahlaj Nihalani, Boney Kapoor, Ravi Kishan, Anand Pandit, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Anil Sharma, Ravi Kishan, Vikram Khakkar and Jayantilal Gada.
OMG Oh My God director, Umesh Shukla lauded the CM’s ambitious plan to build a world class Film City, the biggest in India, on a 1000-acre plot on the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA), conveniently located within six kilometers of the Jewar International Airport at Greater Noida, and in close proximity to the metro and railway stations and the Bombay-Delhi expressway to facilitate things. “They have invited proposals from the film industry and within a year, the blueprint will be ready and construction will begin,” he informed, saying he would set one of his upcoming productions in the state.
Releasing my film in the theatres is a risk, but one worth taking-Abhishek Sharma
8:18 AM
Rachana Dubey (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 11, 2020)
After directing films like Tere Bin Laden: Dead or Alive (2010), Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran (2018) and The Zoya Factor (2019), Abhishek Sharma’s next, starring Manoj Bajpayee, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Diljit Dosanjh, titled Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari, is a family comedy. It will also be one of the first films to release in a theatre in the post-lockdown era. In a conversation with BT, the filmmaker shares his thoughts. Read on…
Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari will be among the first Bollywood films to release in a theatre in the post-Coronavirus lockdown era. While reopening theatres is a positive move, as a filmmaker, there are risks which you can’t overlook...
I always wanted my film to be released in the cinemas. I didn’t want an OTT release. I have grown up on the idea of watching movies in cinemas, not on phones and tablets. Cinema does not belong to the OTT space; it can go there, post release. I am glad the studio felt that my film deserved to be seen in theatres. I am sure theatres will gradually open across the country; they’re already working in some parts. Yes, my film is among the first few to take that leap of faith, and I sincerely hope it goes smoothly. It’s definitely a risk, but one worth taking. When you are among the first to test the waters, you don’t really know what’s coming your way. For years, going to a cinema hall has been a part of our habit. It’s time we went back to it.
Your last film, The Zoya Factor, didn’t find the kind of appreciation the makers would have liked it to. Post that, your next film finds itself to be among the first films to test waters in the post-lockdown phase. How important does that make Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari for you?
Every film is important and special for me. I was fresh out of Paramanu: The Story of Pokhran’s success when I made The Zoya Factor. The film before Parmanu... was The Shaukeens. The point is — it’s a roller-coaster that we are on to. Whether an audience will warm up to what you place before them is not in your hands, doing your best to make it well is. I feel the same pressure for all the films irrespective of whether my previous one was a flop or a hit. I try to not get affected by the outcome as much as possible. In fact, the outcome of my films has never dictated my equation with the people I work with. I deal with it as a professional: after every film, I look at what worked in it and what didn’t, make my notes and move on. You should not be dwelling on these things too much. In order to keep working, you have to have faith in your craft. The actors I have worked with have put their faith in my ability to deliver. And whether my previous film was a hit or a flop does not guarantee that my next will follow into its footsteps.
Is there a particular reason you have set Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari in the 1990s?
The original draft was not set in 1995, but it had heavy pop culture references dating back to the 1990s. The innocence of that era is charming, and that was a big factor in setting this story in the 1990s. The absence of social media made life so different. People had privacy and the cat-and-mouse chase between people happened in the open, not on a virtual playground. Today, even kids are on social media, and there is no privacy. Setting the story in the 1990s added a layer of humour emanating from real circumstances of those pre-social media days. If a wedding detective was working today, he probably would discover things even without stepping out of his house. Where’s the fun in it? The build-up became more interesting when we pushed the story back to the 1990s; it’s got that Basu Chatterjee and Hrishikesh Mukherjee flavour in its humour.
Manoj Bajpayee is selective about his characters and he isn’t someone who veers towards comedies easily. What do you think attracted him to this one?
I call Manoj our national treasure. He found the character interesting from the word go. He had really liked Tere Bin Laden... for its humour. So, he trusted me with this film. He felt that I had the right sensibility to present him without making it look bad — with all the get-up, dancing and the works. After working with him, I know why he is one of the finest we have in India. He believes in following a process. He spoke to me about the character at length. He gave it flesh and blood. In fact, we even created a background for the character, which later helped the story. It was fun working with someone so invested in his process and the film.
The first set of audiences will see theatres are safe, says Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari director Abhishek Sharma
8:15 AM
With Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari likely to be first new release to hit screens, director Sharma is hopeful of people returning to cinemas
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; November 9, 2020)
Theatres across Mumbai, the heart of the entertainment sector, are slated to lift the curtain this week after an unprecedented eight-month shutdown. Trade buzz indicates that Manoj Bajpayee, Diljit Dosanjh and Fatima Sana Shaikh's Diwali offering, Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari, may be the first new release to hit the marquee. As distributors and the makers are in the midst of charting the way forward, director Abhishek Sharma is keeping his fingers crossed. "Mumbai and Punjab are big markets for Hindi movies. We hope ours will be the first film to release," he says.
With the threat of the virus looming large and people being wary of going to public places, the first release may have its share of disadvantages. However, the director maintains an optimistic stance. "As far as I understand the mood of the country, people have been stuck at home for far too long and want entertainment. So, I hope it will translate into film business," he states, adding that cinemas are stringently following the standard operating procedures (SOPs). "The first set of audiences will see how the environment is completely safe, and that, in turn, will boost public morale. I am positive our film will grow through word of mouth."
The comedy, which sees a wedding detective hot on the heels of a prospective groom, is Sharma's ode to the good old '90s. "When Shokhi [Banerjee, writer] narrated the story, it was set in the current times. I suggested that we set the story in the '90s as there was no Internet or social media then. The idea of a private detective worked in such a premise. The film's humour is similar to that of Basu da's [Chatterjee] movies."
I don’t get upset about nepotism & unfairness-Fatima Sana Shaikh
8:18 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; November 7, 2020)
In a chat with us at the beginning of the lockdown, you seemed anxious about not having a single film release since your Diwali release in 2018. And now, you have two films coming out almost simultaneously.
I am so relieved that finally kuch toh aaya itne time ke baad. People must have thought I had left, woh do picturein karke (laughs!). Frankly, I have worked hard and now when people are watching the songs and trailers of both the films (Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari and Ludo), I feel happy and relieved that baat aage badhi. Also, I am over that feeling of anxiousness. A lot of things have happened since our last chat. The world around us has changed. Ab mujhe apni bahut saari problems choti lagti hain. I feel I am in a better place than so many others. I am grateful for that.
Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari directed by Abhishek Sharma is a comedy set in the 1990s. You play the girl who the men — Manoj Bajpayee, the brother and Diljit Dosanjh, the lover — are fighting over. What drew you to this film?
It was a combination of things. The cast is brilliant. I loved the script. I’ve also loved Abhishek Sharma’s films — Tere Bin Laden (2010) and Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran (2018). The project ticked many boxes for me. Plus, the era is familiar to me. I’m a 1990s kid. I belong to that generation. It’s an urban character and it didn’t feel like this was too far off. What I also feel is that emotions are the same, irrespective of which time zone the story is set in. The tools to connect and communicate change, but we still say the same things. I got a lot of help from the film’s writing. It was nuanced. My character is from a simple, Maharashtrian family. She’s sincere and shaant, but she has another side which she keeps away from the family.
You were juggling Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari and Ludo at the same time. Was that too much to handle?
Frankly, there was no struggle. With Ludo, one had no clue what we were shooting the next day. Dada (Anurag Basu) always asked us to trust him and to go with the flow. I followed his instructions to the T and now whatever it is, it’s his doing entirely. He drew out the performances from all of us. But I have to admit that I had fun working with him. With Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari, I was stressed to deliver my best while enacting scenes with so many talented names. There was no room for me to fumble. The only difficult task at hand was to bring in the Maharashtrian accent and internalise the qualities of the character I am playing. But I didn’t have to switch on and off much between my roles in both the films. Other than these things, I am still figuring out what sort of an actress I am. I think I am learning a lot on the sets of my films, while I am doing scenes. I don’t know much about the artiste in me. I hope I find her soon, bas woh karte karte kahin barbaad na ho jaaoon.
Does acting make you feel liberated; does it give you room to let your real emotions pour out without anyone noticing?
I think I am more comfortable playing characters than playing myself. While playing a part, you can be who you want to be without being judged. Even if you are expressing your own emotions on the screen while doing that, it’s still something that you’re enacting which is written by someone else. No one will judge you for that. I feel very liberated in front of a camera. I can be anything and anyone. There is nothing better than having the chance to live so many lives and emotions in one lifetime.
In the course of the lockdown, the industry was under the radar for nepotism, alleged drug addiction and more, following the death of Sushant Singh Rajput. As someone from a non-film family, you had a stint as a child actor, and now, you are a leading lady. How did all those conversations and news reports make you feel?
These things don’t affect me at all. People have time to talk about this today. Tomorrow, they will find some new topics to discuss. I don’t get upset about nepotism and unfairness. Every industry and every generation has seen things which are unfair. It has always been about the survival of the fittest. Nepotism is a part of every industry, not just cinema. If I have gone through the struggle, made a lot of effort and created a space under the sun, I would like my child to be the next in line for the space that I created. I wouldn’t like him or her to go through the grind. It would be totally unfair if there was no opening for outsiders. We have Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Manoj Bajpayee and others who are stars, despite being outsiders to the business. I am getting work. Siddhant Chaturvedi is an outsider whose work speaks for itself. So many of us have been embraced by this industry. So, what is the point of cribbing? We knew when we entered that there will be an Us v/s Them situation; it was an unfair game from the word go. If you want things to change, you will have to make the change yourself. That will create a tomorrow which is different from today. Being bitter is not an answer to anything. Voicing opinions is great, attacking is not.
You’ve been in Dharamshala for two months now. How does stepping out in the new normal feel?
It feels normal; as humans, we adjust and adapt so quickly to things around us. As a race, we have seen so many things and braved it all to tell the tale. Wearing a mask is second nature now. Six months ago, it would have felt like an ordeal. It doesn’t hurt anymore.
Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari is a situational comedy with a unique story, so it was right up my alley-Manoj Bajpayee
8:09 AM
Attempting a laugh riot in Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari, Manoj Bajpayee discusses why he steers clear of slapstick comedies
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 3, 2020)
Leaving behind the quiet charm of Uttarakhand where he spent the better part of the lockdown, Manoj Bajpayee has returned to Mumbai in time for the promotions of Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari. The actor says greenlighting the laugh riot — featuring Diljit Dosanjh and Fatima Sana Shaikh — was a no-brainer. "It's not a slapstick comedy. It's a situational comedy with a unique story, so it was right up my alley," reasons Bajpayee.
According to the actor, the film's strength lies in its solid story by writer-director Abhishek Sharma. "Abhishek is a no-frills guy. If someone doesn't point you to him, you won't know he is the director. The humour in the film is observational. I play a wedding detective who gets a kick out of finding the flaws in potential grooms. The laughs in this film are genuine; there are no gimmicks. Some people are great at slapstick comedies — Charlie Chaplin, for instance, but he was always saying something far bigger than the film itself."
The actor had a dream run with The Family Man last year. His next digital outing, the Netflix film Mrs Serial Killer, almost seemed an anomaly, given his judicious choice of scripts otherwise. "Not every film will be a landmark, but my character in the movie was crackling. Above all, I have great admiration for Shirish Kunder [director]. His potential remains untapped, and he is waiting to break out," says Bajpayee.
While four biographies on Bajpayee are being developed, there was also talk about a biopic being made about his journey from Belwa to Mumbai. "Who'd want to watch a film about me? I have given the biographers all the liberty, but I don't want to be [creatively involved in] any of them. I am a worshipper of democracy, so anyone can write whatever they want. My career has been a roller-coaster ride, but I'm happy with where I am and who I am. Life may knock me down, but it won't be long before I get up and start running again."
I’m a sleazy Shah Rukh Khan fan who stalks him on social media-Fatima Sana Shaikh
8:44 AM
Fatima Sana Shaikh on having the superstar on her wish list, hounding Anurag Basu for another film, paragliding misadventures in Bir, and being scared about resuming work
Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 28, 2020)
Unlike her peers who documented every detail of their lockdown life on the social media, Fatima Sana Shaikh chose to go off the radar, and when rules were relaxed, took off to a friend’s home in Dharamshala to do what she loves—trek, click, and chill. She has been in the hills for two months, and only now, on her team’s insistence, has been posting regular updates of her adventures there.
She was last seen in India’s paragliding capital, Bir, but one didn’t get to see outtakes of her cruising in the sky. “I did paraglide; it started very smoothly, and I felt like a bird. I was asking the person in charge what kind of customers irritated him the most and he replied that the ones who got scared and threw up. After 10 minutes, I started feeling sick myself and told him I wanted to get back on the ground. He was sweet enough to switch off the camera and let me throw up privately,” she chuckles, pointing out that because of the sudden altitude change, the body goes into shock.
She admits that the Coronavirus triggered pandemic, followed by the countrywide shutdown, which hit work schedules for a toss was annoying initially, but she quickly got used to staying at home. “You can be home even when the whole world is working, but that causes anxiety. This time, since the industry had ground to a halt, there was no question of lagging behind. Now, I’m scared to go back to work,” confesses Fatima, who wrapped up the shoot of her upcoming release, Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari, just as the clock struck 12, the day before the lockdown came into effect.
The actress plays a Marathi mulgi in this year’s Diwali release and admits that getting the dialect right was easier than learning Haryanvi for Dangal since she was born and brought up in Maharashtra. “My worry was keeping up with the stalwarts. Since I entered the film late, and had to get into reading sessions immediately, I was convinced that veterans like Annu Kapoor, Supriya Pilgaonkar, Seema and Manoj Pahwa, as also my more accomplished co-stars, Manoj Bajpayee, and Diljit Dosanjh, would think I was a novice if I fumbled my lines, so, I was over prepared,” she laughs.
Would she ever hire a private investigator to spy on a prospective groom, you wonder, and an incredulous Fatima retorts, “After going through heartbreak, my stalking skills are unbelievable. I only have to scan social media timelines to learn everything there is to know about a person—whose pics they ‘like’, their location, everything.”
In the trailer, one sees her character’s transform from a sanskari ladki who is the embodiment of the ‘Bhartiya Naari’ into a rebel who fights her detective brother at every step. In real-life too, the actress shares a similar relationship with her brother. “We are always squabbling, though during the lockdown, he helped me shoot from home. I love him; he is a sweet boy,” she says fondly.
Fatima landed the film when she bumped into friend Abhishek Vyas and complained to him that she was jobless. He took her for a narration, where the film’s director Abhishek Sharma offered her his jacket because she was cold. “Before I knew it, I was on board. On the sets, Abhishek, Manoj sir and I were the three musketeers. I was going through some issues at the time and they helped me deal with it. Even now, I keep messaging them and they motivate me. Unlike my non-industry friends, they understand the challenges and empathise with me,” relays the actress, who has another release next month in Anurag Basu’s Ludo. “I’m more excited than anxious about two back-to-back releases because my last film had opened in 2018,” she adds.
Talk about the crime anthology and Fatima lights up. “The shoot was a breeze. I’ve played such strong characters that people, especially in small towns, take a while to recognise me as Fatima. Raj (Rajkummar Rao, co-star) can also go around incognito. Together, we danced at the baraats of strangers and went about town without getting mobbed,” she exults, remembering how Raj would groove to Mithun Chakraborty’s “Gun Master G9” song from Surakksha during the shoot.
Though she has only one scene with buddy Sanya Malhotra in the film, Fatima was happy to reunite with her. “Also, working with Dada (Anurag Basu) is so much fun, but I am not satisfied with the limited time we got together and have been hounding him since, for a full-fledged film,” she admits, adding that she’d have happily exchanged places with Raj’s Mithun fan or Pearle Maaney’s nurse.
The actress plans to return to the Maximum City in the first week of November, and has three films lined up. “There’s a romance, a revenge-drama, and a film whose genre I am yet to figure,” she chuckles, saying she wants to try everything to figure out her aces and weaknesses. But when it comes to co-stars, she has only one person on her wish list. “Mera pyaar, Shah Rukh Khan. I’m a sleazy SRK fan who stalks him on social media, writes, ‘I love you’ on his posts and expects a reaction, and watches all his interviews, even those from his kids’ school graduation,” she signs off.
We are figuring out how we can make a film in a world with Coronavirus-Abhishek Sharma
8:09 AM
Director Abhishek Sharma says John Abraham-starrer Ray delayed, not dropped; discusses how pandemic affects the production
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; July 24, 2020)
After their last collaborative effort, Parmanu, delivered appreciable results at the box-office, John Abraham and Abhishek Sharma are set to reunite for Ray, which the director describes as a "film set in a different space". "I had a great experience while working with John. Ray is a special film and is an attempt at exploring a new genre. It is a contemporary [movie] that is not set in Mumbai," Sharma tells mid-day of the film that is currently being scripted.Like it has with several Bollywood ventures, the pandemic has played mischief with their plan to kick off the shoot in January 2021. Sharma reveals that the offering will now roll after Abraham wraps up his prior commitments that have been affected due to the lockdown. "He is yet to work on Mumbai Saga and Satyameva Jayate 2. Hence, we are taking baby steps. Also, now we face a fresh challenge. There are guidelines that must be followed. We are figuring out how we can make a film in a world with Coronavirus, without making the film too expensive. Making a film in the stipulated budget while following guidelines is a task."
His last film, the Dulquer Salmaan and Sonam K Ahuja offering based on the sport of cricket, was hit-wicket at the box office. Lamenting the fact that The Zoya Factor failed to perform well despite its fresh pairing, he says, "We didn't get the kind of response that Chhichhore and Dream Girl did at the box office. These films released around the same time. We also didn't procure enough screens, which played a big role [in contributing towards its lacklustre performance]."
I’ve really missed working with John Abraham-Abhishek Sharma
8:47 AM
Abhishek Sharma reunites with his Parmanu actor-producer for a unique film which is being scripted; director is simultaneously editing a wedding comedy
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 18, 2020)
After Tere Bin Laden and Parmanu, Abhishek Sharma’s next directorial is Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari, a comedy featuring Manoj Bajpayee, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Diljit Dosanjh. With multiple films opting for direct-to-digital release, buzz is, this, too, will take that route given that the shoot wrapped up two days before the nationwide Coronavirus lockdown was announced. However, Abhishek, who is currently working on the post-production, insists it will be a theatrical experience. “But till theatres open, we can’t set a release date,” he sets the record straight, reasoning that after all that we are facing, a family comedy is something the audience would want to watch. “In India, going to the theatre is an outing and comedies make you laugh. Plus, our film is set in the ’90s, the age of innocence, and will take you on a nostalgic trip.”
The Zee Studios production has Manoj playing a private investigator hired by the bride’s family to do a background check on the groom, Suraj, played by Diljit. “You could call it a ‘revenge comedy’ given the one-upmanship between these two,” laughs the director who has been working on the edit during the lockdown with his editor, Rameshwar Bhagat, who is in Goa. “He’s been sending me scenes on a secure server, but all the back and forth can get irritating and I would want to be back to the editing room soon.”Meanwhile, Abhishek’s debut directorial, Tere Bin Laden, celebrated its 10th anniversary on July 16. Set against the backdrop of the 9/11 terror attacks, the satire struck a chord with many, but Abhishek recalls that it was banned in Pakistan. “Dubai had a problem too, till I personally flew down and screened it for the Sheikh who loved it,” he reveals, pointing out that 2010 was a gamechanger of sorts in Bollywood. “Apart from Dabangg, several small budget films; mainly satires like Tere Bin Laden, Peepli (Live) and Phas Gaye Re Obama, made an impact.”
In 2016, Abhishek made a sequel to his debut film. Tere Bin Laden: Dead Or Alive, which tanked at the box-office. “And we learnt that we should let sleeping men lie,” he admits with a chuckle, adding that there are no plans to take the franchise forward.
Post Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari, Abhishek is gearing up for a reunion with his Parmanu actor-producer, John Abraham. Ray, a drastically different love story, explores a new genre for the Indian audience and is a character very close to Abhishek’s heart. “In the Navrasas, there is a ras called ‘Adbhut Ras’ and we will be touching on that emotion. It’s a challenge for John and me to make a film that is so unique, but we want to bring this idea to the screen,” he asserts.
With his team of writers, he is currently working on the third draft, discussing the script with John almost every week. “We wanted to start shooting early next year, but that will change because everything has moved now. John has prior commitments to wrap up first. That gives me more time on prep. I can’t wait to get back with John, I’ve really missed working with him,” he confides.
Recalling an incident from Parmanu, he narrates how John, despite being a big star, worked tirelessly to put a set together after it was destroyed by a storm in Jaisalmer. “He could have easily returned, leaving me with his double since it was a wide angle shot of people running around. It’s great when your lead actor and producer stands by you so staunchly,” he murmurs overcome by emotion.
Manoj Bajpayee turns wedding detective in Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari
8:45 AM
Actor goes sleuthing in a Diljit Dosanjh-Fatima Sana Shaikh romcom
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 2, 2020)
On Christmas Eve last year, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Diljit Dosanjh and Manoj Bajpayee came together for their first collaboration, a comedy titled Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari, helmed by Abhishek Sharma. The film kicked off on January 6 in Mumbai.Mirror was the first to report (February 14) that Fatima is playing a Marathi mulgi in this Zee Studios production. Now, we have learnt that Manoj is a ‘wedding detective’ in the film. In India, this would refer to a private investigator who, once a match is arranged, is hired to do a background check on the prospective groom to ensure that he is financially sound, not an alcoholic, a womaniser, or worse, already married. Sometimes, the snooping and the digging extends to the bride-to-be as well to ascertain that she is not involved with anyone else.
Confirming the same, Manoj informs that they had lots of fun shooting for this humorous film and working with the Parmanu and Tere Bin Laden director was a joy. “Abhishek is a fun-loving guy who does not carry any baggage. In fact, he doesn’t even take himself seriously yet is very clear about what he wants to make. That fascinated me about him,” adds Manoj, all praise for the ensemble cast, including Manoj and Seema Pahwa, Diljit and Fatima. The family comedy is set in 1990s Mumbai and offers an interesting take on arranged marriages. The team recreated chawls and vintage libraries at Filmcity. “There was innocence before the world was exposed to social media. Since there was no Facebook or Instagram, wedding investigators were hired to stalk people,” Abhishek had explained earlier. Manoj informs that the shooting is over and work on post-production will start soon.
I am in the hills with my family. There can be no better setting-Manoj Bajpayee
8:28 AM
On April 23, Manoj Bajpayee will bring in his 51st birthday in Uttarakhand, where he was shooting for upcoming project when lockdown was announced
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 22, 2020)
On Thursday, April 23, Manoj Bajpayee will ring in his 51st birthday in Uttarakhand. There is not the slightest hint of regret when he speaks of missing out on a big celebration in the Maximum City with friends from the film fraternity. The actor was shooting for a web project in the Northern state, with wife Shabana and daughter Ava beside him on a brief vacation, when lockdown was enforced across the country. He couldn’t be happier that it will be a quiet, his-kind-of-a-birthday. “I am in the hills with my family. There can be no better setting,” he says over the wire, adding that the best birthday gift would be to witness the Coronavirus pandemic subsiding worldwide.During this welcome break, Manoj has been doing a lot of reading and occasionally goes out on short treks. “The only problem is that we’re not allowed to go out of the compound here, and as all the houses are far apart from each other, there is hardly any human contact,” he sighs.
Cut away in the hills, he is also worried for his and wife Shabana’s parents, who are all alone in Delhi, with no one to take care of them. “We are constantly in touch with them and have asked friends to check on both our parents,” he shares anxiously.
The actor, who headed for the mountains after wrapping up his next, the family comedy Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari, is all praise for its director, Abhishek Sharma. “We hit it off really well and are still in touch. The lockdown has come as a blessing to Abhishek, who lives alone and loves to write. I have already told him that I want to be associated with his future projects, too,” informs Manoj, heaping compliments on his co-stars, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Diljit Dosanjh, as well.
Fatima, he points out, “comes from a middle-class family and despite her recent successes, has held on to the values she grew up with”. “That’s what makes her special. We stay in touch through video chats these days,” he informs, adding that Diljit is a ‘quiet monster’. “He stays silent most of the time, but intermittently, he will pull a fast one on you. He is a huge star up North and a true Punjabi at heart,” Manoj raves.
Speaking about his Special 26 and Naam Shabana director, Neeraj Pandey, the actor insists their friendship goes beyond films. “We meet irrespective of whether we are working together. That’s what friends do, right?” he avers.
So, is he going to be a part of the filmmaker’s next, the ambitious period drama, Chanakya, with Ajay Devgn in the lead? “I would like to be a part of every one of Neeraj’s films. But we are busy with our own plans right now.
Manoj promises, “The day we do something together, we will let everyone know.”
The actor had told Mirror (May 6, 2019) earlier that he is producing and acting in a film about a forgotten genius who is slowly losing his mind. The film, to be directed by his Aligarh writer Apurva Asrani, was supposed to go on floors by the end of last year. Bring up the subject and Manoj says, “Apurva wasn’t happy with the draft and was still reworking it when the lockdown happened. He is someone who goes with his own flow and mood. So, we let him be. We just hope that by the time this shutdown ends, he is done with the script. The film will surely be made, but only when Apurva is ready.”
As a producer, Manoj has also taken some fresh writers-directors under his wings for future projects. “We are planning on taking them on the sets, one by one, as and when we find collaborators and corporate houses who will help us make these films,” says Manoj, who, after more than 25 years in the industry, insists that the journey has been very fulfilling.
However, he admits that of late he has been missing the good old days, the bonding and camaraderie he enjoyed with directors like Shekhar Kapur, Mahesh Bhatt and Ram Gopal Varma, as also his theatre days in Delhi. He prophesises a big change in the film industry, post the lockdown. “The world is going to be a very different place. People and Bollywood will have to adapt to these changes. I’m really concerned and hope that we can get back on our feet quickly,” he signs off.
Check out Fatima Sana Shaikh's Marathi mulgi avatar in Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari
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Actress plays Marathi mulgi in a family comedy, set in the ’90s, and revolving around arranged marriages
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 14, 2020)
On Christmas Eve, Abhishek Sharma announced his next directorial, Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari, which features Manoj Bajpayee, Diljit Dosanjh and Fatima Sana Shaikh. The film went on the floors on January 6, with the team shooting silently in Mumbai ever since. Mirror has now learnt that after playing Haryana wrestler Geeta Phogat in Nitesh Tiwari’s Aamir Khan-starrer Dangal, Fatima will play a Marathi mulgi for the first time in this Zee Studios production.
As part of her prep, the actress trained for over a month with her language coach to get her diction right. According to a source, “Abhishek also conducted several readings with her and they worked on her body language to align with the character’s before taking the film on the floors.”
Abhishek, who has previously directed Parmanu and Tere Bin Laden, informs Fatima’s Tulsi is a multi-layered character. “She has a dual personality, for which we needed an actor who could be vulnerable, mysterious and assertive with equal ease,” he shares, adding that his leading lady’s “infectious enthusiasm keeps us all energised on set”.
The family comedy is set in 1990s Mumbai and is a different take on arranged marriages. “There was innocence before the world was exposed to social media. Since there was no Facebook or Instagram, wedding investigators were hired to stalk people,” explains Abhishek. “The team recreated Mumbai chawls and vintage libraries to set the ambience and a part was shot on the set in Film City,” the source informed. The film’s leads are shooting the rest of their scenes at real-life locations including a railway station in South Mumbai. Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari will wrap up by mid-March and the makers are targeting to release it later this year.
I don’t use money as excuse to do a film-John Abraham
10:51 AM
John Abraham on how to ensure longevity in the industry and why he wants to go easy on workouts
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 10, 2020)
Mumbai Saga, Attack, Satyameva Jayate 2… Going by the line-up, 2020 will mark the return of John Abraham, the action hero.Well, barring Attack, which is purely an action entertainer, the other two have elements of action but are not strictly in this genre. Satyameva Jayate 2 tackles social issues in an entertaining way, while Mumbai Saga is the true story of gangster Amar Naik. I wouldn’t say it works or is a safe bet, but it’s something I enjoy doing and with a lot of ease.
Apart from Tiger, no younger actor owns this space like Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Hrithik Roshan and you. What’s your USP?
Every action hero has a different positioning and I revel in the raw and real. People like to see me as this larger-than-life guy who bangs heads against the wall, lifts and smashes bikes and cars and takes down a lot of people at one time. And I enjoy playing to the gallery sometimes.
Satyameva Jayate played to the gallery and succeeded in its novelty. But will the exaggerated machismo, which is rooted in ’80s cinema, work a second time? The appeal seems to have waned with Marjaavaan...
While we will continue to play to the gallery in our quest for a larger audience SMJ 2 will be very different in its treatment. The original was primarily a film for the masses. This time, we aim to get the classes in, too, by tackling relevant issues. In the action, too, we are steering clear of what was done in Part 1 or in Marjaavaan. John Abraham will still do what someone believes he can, but I promise, it won’t be over-the-top, and it will be super-entertaining.
Buzz is, it’s going to be John versus John versus John. In short, you are playing a triple role.
I hope that’s true, but Milap (Zaveri, writer-director) is still in the process of developing certain characters and he might like me to play other roles, too. But that’s still up for a lot of discussion. So, I can’t say if there’s going to be one, two or three of me in the film.
While you evolved as an actor with films like Parmanu, Batla House and Madras Café, Pagalpanti pulled you down, which was disappointing for the audience.
It was disconcerting for me too. I’m not going to pass on the buck or get into postmortems. I enjoyed making Pagalpanti and I stand by it. The other three films were my productions and while, as an actor I want to entertain, as a producer, I want to make meaningful films. I consciously separate the two, but when they come together, it’s an explosive combo. I’m walking on eggshells with Attack, asking myself if the audience will accept it, but backing my debutant director, Lakshya Raj Anand all the way. It’s a risk, but I believe people are tired of the regular action films and I want to effect a change. I’m not afraid of failure. You are insecure only if you feel the pressure to succeed.
You gave two years exclusively to your own production, Parmanu. Then, just when everyone was beginning to believe you’d focus on one or two films a year, comes a spate of announcements. Have you gone back to being just an actor with the producer taking a backseat?
In advertising, I learnt that half of what you spend goes waste, you just don’t know which half. From all these announcements, I really don’t know which ones will finally go on the floors. I like to take my time with my films, my own productions are all curated over three-four years and are high on content. Nothing is a proposal. As an actor, I love the scripts of both SMJ2 and Ek Villain 2. I wouldn’t force a sequel just to make some money.
Many actors, who have turned producers, have confessed to doing certain films to raise funds for a passion project, a new house, a farm and such-like.
I don’t use money as an excuse to do a film. That would be disastrous in the long run. I believe if you treat money as a by-product and the film is the central issue, the probability of your longevity is higher. I do films because I want to. But I charge what I think I deserve. I’m not putting a gun to a producer’s head. If he feels I am not worth it, we go our separate ways, else we work together. Sometimes I make certain choices, like Pagalpanti, and I stand by them. If our film failed, it’s not the end of the world. Will I stop doing such films? No. If I get a script that I’m entertained by, I will do it.
The word ‘content; has made a comeback in our cinema…
(Laughs) Better late than never.
How does that feel for the man who gambled with Vicky Donor, Madras Café, Parmanu and more recently, Batla House?
I wish they had woken up to this 15 years ago or that I had come 15 years later. That way, I could have bypassed the earlier motions of filmmaking. Ten years ago, if you made a content-driven film and it failed, you would say, “Thank God, I’m making a commercial film next, maybe that will work.” (Smiles) Today, it’s the reverse.
True. Content films are commercial today…
And commercial films are niche. Content is the star. Typical proposals and formulae are not selling any more. We introduced Ayushmann Khurrana seven years ago, I will launch another newcomer and I will convince studios to put their money on young directors and different stories. Besides Attack, I’m working with Nikkhil Advani on Gorkha, which takes off next year. It’s one of the most hard-hitting films I’ve done. Then, there’s Ray with Abhishek Sharma which I can proudly claim is unlike anything you’ve seen before in Indian cinema. Appreciation for a film like Batla House means there’s a lot of pressure on me to perform better and choose the best. The audience today sees me as an intelligent producer and hopefully, an intelligent actor and not just John Abraham, the body (Laughs). That’s a relief; I can go easy on my workouts now.
Talking about physicality, the image of you coming out of the ocean in only a pair of trunks in Dostana is imprinted on the audience’s mind even after a decade...
If I had to give anybody credit for that film, it would be Karan Johar. He handled the subject with so much care and sensitivity. I went to hear it with absolutely no expectations and was laughing throughout the narration. By the end of it, I told myself, “This is really funny, it would be fantastic to do it.” Recently, on Abhishek’s (Bachchan) birthday, I posted a picture of us pouting. It was brave of him to give me a kiss.
And it was brave of you to reveal a lot more for the camera…
When I look back on my introduction scene, I think, “Ufff, how was I so brave to pull down my trunks!” But it was a light, breezy film. It wasn’t vulgar; we got away with it.
Check out Manoj Bajpayee, Diljit Dosanjh, Fatima Sana Shaikh in Abhishek Sharma's Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari
8:06 AM
Manoj Bajpayee unites with singer-actor for director Abhishek Sharma's quirky comedy revolving around wedding detective and the prospective groom
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; December 24, 2019)
Even as he awaits the release of Good Newwz, Diljit Dosanjh has signed his next Bollywood project, Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari. The quirky comedy sees Dosanjh's character — a prospective groom — engage in a battle of wits with Manoj Bajpayee who plays a wedding detective.
Director Abhishek Sharma, who developed the material with the two actors in mind, says the film will beautifully highlight their contrasting personalities. "Diljit essays the role of an eligible bachelor who is planning to get hitched. His character lands in a soup when he crosses paths with Manoj sir, who plays a wedding detective. It's an interesting family comedy with a heavy dose of satire," says the director, adding that Fatima Sana Shaikh completes the trio.
The filmmaker, who is currently organising workshops with the lead cast, reveals that the story is set in the '90s. Reason — Sharma intends to capture the "innocence of people" before they were exposed to social media. "The story is relevant to that era as we didn't have Facebook or Instagram to stalk people then. That's why wedding investigators were hired."
Shariq Patel, CEO, Zee Studios, reveals that the movie will roll in Mumbai in the first week of January and is eyeing a release by end of 2020. "It's a new concept with a powerful cast," he shares.
I have a cool look in The Zoya Factor that millennials will relate to-Angad Bedi
7:45 AM
Sharing his avatar from The Zoya Factor, Angad Bedi on how his style has been modelled on former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 27, 2019)
His role of a sportsperson in Inside Edge, coupled with his lineage, has ensured that Angad Bedi is all too familiar with the world of cricket. Now, the actor will be seen as a cricketer again in the Sonam K Ahuja and Dulquer Salmaan starrer The Zoya Factor. While Anuja Chauhan's book by the same name — on which the film is based — had Robin Rawal as the quintessential superstar of the team, Bedi says the cinematic adaptation has delved deeper into the character."On the surface, Robin is an alpha male. He is scoring runs and winning matches, and by extension, has all the players looking up to him. But when there's a switch in the captaincy, he feels cornered, and this insecurity makes him human and real. Abhishek [Sharma, director] has given a complex behaviour pattern to the part," says Bedi of his character that is at loggerheads with protagonist Nikhil Khoda in the narrative. "I love the graph of the character — it starts with glory and success, and moves to dejection and failure. The high and lows resonated with me."
In keeping with the flamboyant act, the makers gave him a vibrant look, replete with a prominent tattoo, mohawk hairstyle and ear piercings. Bedi says his look will remind fans of former England batsman Kevin Pietersen. "It is a cool look that millennials will relate to. If you see sports stars today like [Cristiano] Ronaldo, Virat [Kohli] or if you go back in time, Kevin Pietersen, they [sport a similar look]. Robin wears expensive fashionable clothes, likes flashy cars and knows that he is the cynosure of all eyes. He is aware of his stardom."
I call Dulquer Salmaan DDG [Drop Dead Gorgeous] considering his female fan following-Abhishek Sharma
7:45 AM
Author Anuja Chauhan and director Abhishek Sharma on how they adapted Dulquer Salmaan and Sonam Kapoor-starrer The Zoya Factor for Bollywood
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; August 22, 2019)
While author Anuja Chauhan's other works have also been picked up for cinematic adaptations, she's glad that The Zoya Factor will be the first to hit screens. "It is my first novel. I wrote it a decade ago and it is all coming back," she smiles, happy with the way the Sonam Kapoor aka Sonam K Ahuja and Dulquer Salmaan starrer has shaped up. A rom-com revolving around cricket, the book was shaped by her own experiences of working in an ad agency. "I have shot with Mohammed Azharuddin to Virat Kohli."Director Abhishek Sharma, who adapted the bestseller with Chauhan, says it has been a difficult process. "Writing a screenplay is a different ball game as compared to writing a book. While a novel is subjective, we wanted to be objective."
Sharma says the roles were tailor-made for Salmaan and Kapoor. "I call Dulquer DDG [Drop Dead Gorgeous] considering his female fan following. He surprised me with his talent. As for Sonam, she fits the character perfectly. We couldn't think of anyone else."
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