Showing posts with label Adnan Siddiqui. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adnan Siddiqui. Show all posts
Pakistan actor Adnan Siddiqui calls Fighter a ‘flop show’; Siddharth Anand trolled for '90% Indians' statement
8:38 AM
Navya Kharbanda (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 3, 2024)
For the last few days, Fighter has been the centre of attention for celebs from Pakistan, who’ve expressed disappointment with its anti-Pakistan narrative. The Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone-starrer is set against the backdrop of an air strike by the Indian Air Force in Pakistan.
While Pakistani actor Hania Aamir criticized the trailer, actor Adnan Siddiqui took a swipe at the Siddharth Anand-directorial, calling it a “flop show”. The film that was released on January 25, grossed over Rs. 250 crore worldwide in its opening week.
Now, Anand has found himself embroiled in a controversy. During a recent interview with Galatta Plus, he said that the concept of Fighter is “alien” to a large section of the audience in India. “How do you expect them to know what’s happening in the air? How much percentage of our population has a passport.” His comments (read quote box on the left) have triggered criticism on social media.
What’s the industry saying?
Public needs content. This defending by the director or even the social media trolling could add to marketing or awareness of the film, but won’t add to the box-office value at this point. Had the film been accepted by the audience, the collections wouldn’t have dwindled.
- Girish Johar, producer and film trade expert
The directors should be more responsible in what they say. Even if 90 percent [people] don’t go (travel in airplanes), aisa nahin hai ki kisi ko pata hi nahin ki plane kya hota hai. The box-office numbers for Fighter are going up again, thanks to worldwide collections.
- Atul Mohan, trade analyst
One shouldn’t bother about trolls, especially if it’s coming from Pakistan, because they are offended. The film is a direct attack on Pakistan and it’s based on facts. The overall collections are not good, as it’s not a raw film like Gadar 2 or a masala film like Pathaan (2023). Siddharth is right. It’s an urban film.
- Taran Adarsh, trade analyst
Award mil gaya for an original song, it is a big thing-Tanishk Bagchi
8:34 AM
Tanishk Bagchi says he is unfazed by comments on his latest recreation, Aap Jaisa Koi
Ashish Kumar Singh (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 4, 2022)
Tanishk Bagchi has constantly faced flak for recreating iconic Hindi film songs, but the music composer is unfazed by it. The 42-year-old found himself at the receiving end of a lot of trolling on social media for remixing the iconic melody Aap Jaisa Koi for Ayushmann Khurrana’s latest film, An Action Hero.
The original was sung by Pakistani pop star Nazia Hassan and was picturised on yesteryear actor Zeenat Aman in the film Abdullah (1979). In an exclusive chat, Bagchi tells us how he doesn’t let the negativity get to him, and that his sole focus is his work.
“I don’t have the time to look at social media or negative comments. I’m always occupied with my work. I get a song and then I move on to the next project. My work is my main passion and I do not focus on what everyone is saying. Award mil gaya na for an original song, it is a big thing,” says Bagchi, who bagged awards for his song Raataan Lambiyan from Shershaah (2021).
Social media users, visibly irked, took to Twitter to express their angst over the new rendition, picturised on Khurrana and actor Malaika Arora. Ask Bagchi his opinion on people remixing their own songs on Instagram and amassing millions of views — the latest being Pakistani girl Ayesha’s rendition of Lata Mangeshkar’s Mera Dil Ye Pukare Aaja — and he says every trend is a good thing, as long as people enjoy it.
“They are creating their own genre. However, the attention span of people is becoming short. Abhi reel 15 seconds hai, kal ko 2 seconds ho jayega,” he notes.
Bagchi also sheds light on the debate about songs being made specially for Instagram Reels.
“It’s a marketing gimmick. The rules keep changing. It’s good if a specific part of the song is being focused on,” says the musician, who is currently hooked to songs such as Calm Down, Pasoori, and Jhoom.
----------------------------------------------------
Nazia Hassan must be turning in her grave: Adnan Siddiqui takes jibe at Bagchi
Pakistani actor Adnan Siddiqui was among the many to express their displeasure over the remix of Aap Jaisa Koi, from An Action Hero. He tweeted, “Is there something in the air that the world has suddenly developed a penchant for ruining perfect classics? Even re-creation requires talent. Nazia Hassan must be turning in her grave. #AapJaisaKoi nahi..(sic)”
Sridevi's death: Boney saab was crying like a baby till 5 am-Adnan Siddiqui
11:24 AM
Adnan Siddiqui, the legend Sridevi's co-star in her most recent release Mom, was among the first few people to reach her Dubai hotel following the news of her death; says husband Boney Kapoor was inconsolable till the wee hours
Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; February 27, 2018)
As the country mourns the loss of its favourite superstar Sridevi, there are speculations surrounding her sudden death in Dubai. mid-day has learnt that Adnan Siddiqui, Sridevi's Pakistani co-actor from Mom (2017), was one of the first few people to reach the Jumeirah Emirates Tower after learning about her death on Saturday night.
Recounting the ill-fated night, Siddiqui told mid-day, "I got a call from a journalist at around 11 pm asking if the news about Sridevi's death was true. I immediately called up Boney [Kapoor] saab and rushed to him." The actor says he reached the hotel to find the investigation going on and the room cordoned off. "I got to Jumeirah Emirates at around midnight. Initially, I was not allowed to go upstairs. At the time of the investigation, only Boney saab and Dubai officials were present. So, I waited in the lobby for about an hour."
It was only after the initial rounds of investigations were done that Siddiqui met Kapoor upstairs. "When everything was settled, Boney saab called me upstairs. He was there along with a family friend, his wife and a daughter. Boney saab was crying like a baby; he was inconsolable. I was with him until 5 am. He was under a lot of stress, so I advised him to rest, and then left."
The Pakistani actor had developed a warm bond with Sridevi and Kapoor while he was shooting with the former for Mom. So disturbed was Sridevi about not being able to meet him after the film's release, due to the ban on Pakistani artistes after Uri attacks, that she invited him specially for her nephew Mohit Marwah's wedding in Ras Al-Khaimah.
"When I landed in Dubai at 11 pm last week, I called up Boney saab and asked him if it made sense for me to come at that hour considering the function may have been over. He said, 'Even if the function gets over, we will wait for you'. So I drove for two hours to Ras Al-Khaimah," recollected Siddiqui, adding that true to her word, Sridevi was waiting for him. "I can't believe that I met her four days ago and now, she is no more."
I got to play Sridevi's husband, real life mein nah sahi, screen pe hi sahi-Adnan Siddiqui
7:52 AM
Usman Ghafoor in Lahore (MID-DAY; July 23, 2017)
A few years ago, when Adnan Siddiqui opted out of Yash Raj Films’s Mardani because the part that was originally offered to him was changed at the last minute, he thought Bollywood would never have any meaty parts for him. Then, Boney Kapoor’s Mom came along. Today, post the film’s successful release, this well-known Pakistani actor of hit serials such as Maat, Mere Qatil Mere Dildar and Doraha, some of which were also aired on Zindagi, has been lapping up accolades after acting with Sridevi, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Akshaye Khanna.
A Sridevi fan, Siddiqui says Mom meant acting alongside the veteran actress, especially playing Sridevi’s husband. “Real life mein nah sahi, screen pe hi sahi,” he chuckles.
Mom isn’t his first international acting assignment. Earlier, Siddiqui did a cameo in a Hollywood film, A Mighty Heart (2007), alongside Angelina Jolie. Back home, he has just released his first feature, Yalghaar. It is touted to be the most expensive film in Pakistan’s history.
Clearly, Siddiqui is on a roll. Yalghaar and Mom have scored big at the box office. My first question to him is obviously about his experience with the Bollywood crew and, particularly, Sridevi. “I’d be insane if I said I didn’t love the experience. And, honestly, I would’ve said so if I hadn’t loved it, I am that crazy!” Our conversation is briefly interrupted by a phone call. “It’s Boney sahib,” Siddiqui murmers, before he rushes to answer the call. He returns shortly, and begins to relate how he enjoys a “great rapport” with the producer. “We’re on the same page; we’re always exchanging notes on the film.”
Interestingly, Mom’s director (Ravi Udyawar) is a debutant, and so is Sajal Ali, another Pak import. Siddiqui attributes it to his producer. “You’ve to hand it to Boney sahib for trusting so many newcomers with his film.” Excerpts from an interview.
How did Mom come your way?
India se mujhe pehle bhi offers aa chukhein hain, but nothing excited me. I was approached for Mardaani (2014), for the villain’s part. Later, I was asked to play the cop instead. So, I refused. Last year, when the makers of Mom approached me, my instinctive response was, “I hope I am not wasted in the role.” I was concerned because I have worked hard, over the past 27 years, to get where I am. I didn’t want it to go down the drain.
You finally accepted the role, despite its length?
Roles aren’t big or small, but the actors are. I was convinced that I wasn’t looking at the length of the character as much as its significance to the plot. When I was told that it was Boney Kapoor’s film, and that I’d be playing Sri ma’m’s husband, I jumped with joy. I have always admired her work, her range as an actor, and her beauty. If you take her film Mr India (1987), for instance. She is a seductress in one song, a comedienne in another. She also makes you cry in that particular scene when she learns that the children are starving. Similarly, she had amazed me in Sadma (1983). I am proud of my Pakistani co-star Sajal’s performance also. I think it’s a great achievement for her that she got the chance to debut in a film that stars Sridevi, and yet she could hold her own.
Were you concerned that your role might be slashed at the editing table, especially after relations between India and Pakistan got worse in September last year?
Never. I had full faith in Boney sahib.
It was reported that you and Sajal weren’t going to return to India for the remaining shoot, because you were concerned about your safety?
That was pure assumption. In fact, we got our visas despite tension at the borders. Boney sahib is a well connected person. He didn’t want us or his team to get into any awkward situation, and so decided to shift the shooting location to Bangkok. It must’ve been a tough choice, financially also, since he had to fly the cast and crew from India and us, from Pakistan. Earlier, the part in the film which is supposed to be Kashmir was shot in Georgia because being Pakistanis, we would not be allowed there. I often told Boney sahib that it was because of us that the film’s budget had gone up, and he’d comfort me by saying, “Arrey yaar, we are professionals, we don’t think that way!” It was a big thing for me.
You weren’t required for dubbing?
No, because Mom was shot in sync sound.
Where did the shooting locations take you in India? In an April 16, 2016 tweet, you said, “My stay at one of the most beautiful palaces in Jaipur, ‘Jai Mahal Palace’ was nothing less than royal.”
We shot in Delhi and Mumbai. But, you know, Boney sahib pampers his actors a lot. There was a gap of 10 days between our two shooting spells, so he planned trips for us in India. He told us visit Agra and Jaipur at his expense. He could’ve told us to hang in in our hotel rooms, but he wanted us to enjoy our time. He took care of everything for us, from our travels to our food. He had arranged a special cook for me, named Afzal, who would make sure I get halal meat.
Did you get any other offers during your stay in India?
I was called to audition for Mira Nair’s Broadway musical, which is loosely based on her own film, Monsoon Wedding (2001). It was for the role of Lalit, played by Naseeruddin Shah. As I was shooting for Mom in India, I had to give it a miss.
Shooting se darr nahin lagta hai, promotion se lagta hai-Sridevi
8:02 AM
Madhureeta Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; July 2, 2017)
She was a megastar, she
still is. An actress for whom the biggest filmmakers mounted lavish
projects, in an era that was massively male-dominated. Such was the magic
of this matinee queen. While she sensuously swayed in her classic
chiffons, million of hearts went aflutter. Sridevi could slip into being
Chandni or Charlie Chaplin with as much flair and brilliance. Or break
barriers, linguistic ones
too, and make a stellar comeback with a film (English Vinglish) after 15
years. Tell her all this flatteringly, and she looks back at you
casually and says, “I am very simple, all these praises scare me. I feel
like a newcomer.“
Comfortably settled on her couch for a long chat, sans make-up, her large eyes beam through her thick-rimmed glasses, as she talks about her upcoming film, Mom. And of course, she tells stories about how she raised her daughters as a superstar mom. Read on...
Mom is your 300th film, and you also complete fifty years as an actress. Is there anything about your career you would do differently, if you had a chance?
Not at all! I wouldn't want to change anything about my career. I hadn't planned any of this; it fell into my lap and I am grateful to God for it. I just want it to remain like this. My mom and I never thought that I would make my way into Bollywood. I was happy doing films down South. When my first Hindi film Solva Sawan (the 1979 remake of a Tamil film) was being made, I thought... 'Yeh picture toh South main hit ho gaya, so they are making it in a different language'. That's all. Then, I came to know that the film didn't do well and I went back to doing other Southern language films. It was as simple as that. Before Himmatwala (1983) happened, the producers had taken my dates for another Telugu film, and all of a sudden, they said that they weren't doing that movie anymore, instead, they were doing a Hindi film with Jeetendra. My first reaction was that if my Hindi debut was a flop, then why do they want me to do another film? They didn't bother to hear me out and went ahead with it. I kept thinking that these people are mad to be doing this (laughs!). I am glad that I did Himmatwala because after that, one film led to the other. Talking about Mom, the moment I heard it, I was drawn to the subject. It touched my heart. I had a good feeling about it and I always go by my instinct.
Your co-actors say that working with you is an opportunity of a lifetime. You were even called the first female superstar and I am sure many such titles rest on your mantle, and yet, you insist that you are a newcomer...
All these labels and praises scare me. I am very simple and I feel like a newcomer because I never stopped learning. I feel there is so much more to learn about the craft, in fact, this is just the beginning. Times have changed. In the earlier days, sometimes when we were on the set, we would ask the director, 'Sir, dialogues de do'. Meanwhile, the writer is sitting somewhere on the set and penning the dialogues. The team would tell us, 'Garam garam aa raha hai scene', but now, we can't function like that. The bound script is already with you, and you are well aware of the mood of the scene, your look, the clothes and everything else. But I guess, that was the style back then; people still did a great job and it worked in that era. Today, films are made differently and there are so many heroine-oriented movies. Filmmakers are willing to take chances, and explore these subjects. It is the best time to be in the industry and there is so much more I want to learn as an actress. I never went through a phase in my career when I said, 'This is enough; I don't want to do this anymore'. Acting has always been my passion.
You come from an era when stars were super exclusive. Nowadays, they interact directly with the fans, they chat with their fan clubs, et al. How have you coped with this huge change?
It is an amazing change and it is for the better, as fans can communicate with their favourite actors and share their views; we can also know their reactions directly. Earlier, we did maximum two-three interviews and left the rest to the fate of the film. Now, the promotions have become so aggressive, but we have to change with the times. I always say this dialogue (borrowed from Dabangg), 'Shooting se darr nahin lagta hai, promotion se lagta hai'. I had to cope with it, I had no choice. I joined social media during English Vinglish (2012) because I was coming back on screen after 15 years and the team thought that I should be a more happening mom. Yes, earlier, there was a certain beauty in the exclusivity and privacy we had, but now, we are clicked everywhere and anywhere - at airports, restaurants, salons, gyms - and we always have to be on our toes and see who is around us. Today, even if we want to keep our life private, I don't think that it is possible.
Actors who have worked with you say that you take 'being private' to a different level. Are you really so reserved, or do you fiercely guard your private life?
Some people think that I am very arrogant, but I am genuinely a very private and shy person. I open up to people who are close to me, and with them, I am a different person. So, I think that at times, my shyness has been perceived by some people as arrogance.
Boney Kapoor is producing a film with you after long. We heard that your daughters, Jhanvi and Khushi, were also very involved. There must be a lot of excitement at home about Mom...
Boneyji is very excited. Yes, he is doing a film with me after 20 years, the last one was Judaai. He's on top of the world seeing the reactions Mom's trailer has garnered. It was like a home production, where all of us were involved. We were looking for some one fresh and good-looking to play my husband and Jhanvi showed us Adnan Siddiqui's (Pakistani actor) picture. We all liked him right away and reached out to him. The director of the film, Ravi Udyawar, is new and I am often asked why I am working with new directors. I say, 'Why not?' I am lucky that I got a chance to work with Gauri Shinde (English Vinglish) and now, Ravi. He had a great vision for Mom and he was so passionate about it that I couldn't imagine any one else doing justice to the film.
We also heard that Boney and you would barely interact while shooting for the film on outdoor locations. Now, that's a different level of professionalism...
Really? I don't think that it is a big deal. When I am shooting, I don't want to see my husband around or even remember that he is my husband; I just want to focus on my work. Yes, it's true that I barely conversed with him while shooting; we were staying on different floors and just wished each other good morning and good night.
When you are doing an intense role like the one in Mom, or maybe one of your older films like Sadma (1983) - do you feel emotionally sapped? How much of the character and the emotion do you carry back home with you after the shoot is over?
Actually, Sadma wasn't an emotionally draining film for me; it must have been for the audience. I was playing a woman who was like a child; it was Kamal Haasan's character that was intense and very emotional towards the end. Jhanvi saw the movie when she was around six years old and she didn't talk to me for three days. She told me, 'You are a bad mamma. You were so mean to him'. I think Mom was an intense film for me. One of my friends who met me during the shoot and afterwards told me that I was a different person while shooting for the film. She said, 'Even the way you were walking and talking had changed. Now you are back to what you really are'. Interestingly, I didn't even realise that. It is a very emotional character, so I guess somewhere, it must have consumed a lot of my emotional energy. For me, all this lingers while the film is going on. After that, I switch back to normal, or else my children will throw me out (laughs!).
As a superstar mom, did you find yourself struggling to give your daughters a normal upbringing?
I brought up my kids the way my mom raised me. She gave me a normal upbringing, and when I had children, I did just that. When I am on the set, I am an actress, but at home, I am like any other mom. Of course, I tried to guard them as much as I could, but they were clicked everywhere we went and we couldn't help that.
There is so much talk about Jhanvi's launch and she has a huge role model at home to look up to...
I know that there is a lot of curiosity about her launch, but I want to say that it will be very unfair to compare Jhanvi with me. I began as a child artiste, I had done 60-70 films and I knew a lot about shooting, camera and filmmaking by the time I was her age.When Jhanvi does her first film, people should judge her as an individual, instead of comparing her with me. My journey has been long. So, it will be unfair to compare a girl who is just starting out her career with someone who has done 300 films.
The thought that she will be in the same space that you have been in for so many decades... does that make you nervous?
I guess it is a different feeling though it has not started yet. I never thought that she will go through this. I thought that she will study, do something else and then get married. And I will be free (laughs!). Today, children have their own mind and I have seen how my mom supported me, so I will support her in whatever she is willing to do.
Sometime around 2012, you had said that Jhanvi will not be an actress. How did that change?
At that time, she was younger and I thought that I could mould her and tell her what I wanted her to do (smiles!). Then, the shock dropped on me like a bomb. I thought that there is no running away from this and I have to face it. When she told me that she wanted to be an actress, I told her that there will be many problems and it won't be an easy ride. It is a very tough world out there and being an actress comes with a lot of hard work and sacrifice. As a mother, I obviously thought, 'Why should my child go through this? I have worked so hard for so many years... ab sab settle ho gaya. Let them have a peaceful life'. Having said that, I believe that whatever I am today, I owe it to this industry. I have so much respect for it. Stardom has never been easy and even going ahead, it won't be. If Jhanvi has made this choice, I have to be there for her. I will take it up positively and give it my 100% as a mom. My close friends tell me that I have to be strong about it and take care of myself. Well, it looks like I have to prepare myself more than her. With Jhanvi doing films, it feels like I am starting all over again.
Comfortably settled on her couch for a long chat, sans make-up, her large eyes beam through her thick-rimmed glasses, as she talks about her upcoming film, Mom. And of course, she tells stories about how she raised her daughters as a superstar mom. Read on...
Mom is your 300th film, and you also complete fifty years as an actress. Is there anything about your career you would do differently, if you had a chance?
Not at all! I wouldn't want to change anything about my career. I hadn't planned any of this; it fell into my lap and I am grateful to God for it. I just want it to remain like this. My mom and I never thought that I would make my way into Bollywood. I was happy doing films down South. When my first Hindi film Solva Sawan (the 1979 remake of a Tamil film) was being made, I thought... 'Yeh picture toh South main hit ho gaya, so they are making it in a different language'. That's all. Then, I came to know that the film didn't do well and I went back to doing other Southern language films. It was as simple as that. Before Himmatwala (1983) happened, the producers had taken my dates for another Telugu film, and all of a sudden, they said that they weren't doing that movie anymore, instead, they were doing a Hindi film with Jeetendra. My first reaction was that if my Hindi debut was a flop, then why do they want me to do another film? They didn't bother to hear me out and went ahead with it. I kept thinking that these people are mad to be doing this (laughs!). I am glad that I did Himmatwala because after that, one film led to the other. Talking about Mom, the moment I heard it, I was drawn to the subject. It touched my heart. I had a good feeling about it and I always go by my instinct.
Your co-actors say that working with you is an opportunity of a lifetime. You were even called the first female superstar and I am sure many such titles rest on your mantle, and yet, you insist that you are a newcomer...
All these labels and praises scare me. I am very simple and I feel like a newcomer because I never stopped learning. I feel there is so much more to learn about the craft, in fact, this is just the beginning. Times have changed. In the earlier days, sometimes when we were on the set, we would ask the director, 'Sir, dialogues de do'. Meanwhile, the writer is sitting somewhere on the set and penning the dialogues. The team would tell us, 'Garam garam aa raha hai scene', but now, we can't function like that. The bound script is already with you, and you are well aware of the mood of the scene, your look, the clothes and everything else. But I guess, that was the style back then; people still did a great job and it worked in that era. Today, films are made differently and there are so many heroine-oriented movies. Filmmakers are willing to take chances, and explore these subjects. It is the best time to be in the industry and there is so much more I want to learn as an actress. I never went through a phase in my career when I said, 'This is enough; I don't want to do this anymore'. Acting has always been my passion.
You come from an era when stars were super exclusive. Nowadays, they interact directly with the fans, they chat with their fan clubs, et al. How have you coped with this huge change?
It is an amazing change and it is for the better, as fans can communicate with their favourite actors and share their views; we can also know their reactions directly. Earlier, we did maximum two-three interviews and left the rest to the fate of the film. Now, the promotions have become so aggressive, but we have to change with the times. I always say this dialogue (borrowed from Dabangg), 'Shooting se darr nahin lagta hai, promotion se lagta hai'. I had to cope with it, I had no choice. I joined social media during English Vinglish (2012) because I was coming back on screen after 15 years and the team thought that I should be a more happening mom. Yes, earlier, there was a certain beauty in the exclusivity and privacy we had, but now, we are clicked everywhere and anywhere - at airports, restaurants, salons, gyms - and we always have to be on our toes and see who is around us. Today, even if we want to keep our life private, I don't think that it is possible.
Actors who have worked with you say that you take 'being private' to a different level. Are you really so reserved, or do you fiercely guard your private life?
Some people think that I am very arrogant, but I am genuinely a very private and shy person. I open up to people who are close to me, and with them, I am a different person. So, I think that at times, my shyness has been perceived by some people as arrogance.
Boney Kapoor is producing a film with you after long. We heard that your daughters, Jhanvi and Khushi, were also very involved. There must be a lot of excitement at home about Mom...
Boneyji is very excited. Yes, he is doing a film with me after 20 years, the last one was Judaai. He's on top of the world seeing the reactions Mom's trailer has garnered. It was like a home production, where all of us were involved. We were looking for some one fresh and good-looking to play my husband and Jhanvi showed us Adnan Siddiqui's (Pakistani actor) picture. We all liked him right away and reached out to him. The director of the film, Ravi Udyawar, is new and I am often asked why I am working with new directors. I say, 'Why not?' I am lucky that I got a chance to work with Gauri Shinde (English Vinglish) and now, Ravi. He had a great vision for Mom and he was so passionate about it that I couldn't imagine any one else doing justice to the film.
We also heard that Boney and you would barely interact while shooting for the film on outdoor locations. Now, that's a different level of professionalism...
Really? I don't think that it is a big deal. When I am shooting, I don't want to see my husband around or even remember that he is my husband; I just want to focus on my work. Yes, it's true that I barely conversed with him while shooting; we were staying on different floors and just wished each other good morning and good night.
When you are doing an intense role like the one in Mom, or maybe one of your older films like Sadma (1983) - do you feel emotionally sapped? How much of the character and the emotion do you carry back home with you after the shoot is over?
Actually, Sadma wasn't an emotionally draining film for me; it must have been for the audience. I was playing a woman who was like a child; it was Kamal Haasan's character that was intense and very emotional towards the end. Jhanvi saw the movie when she was around six years old and she didn't talk to me for three days. She told me, 'You are a bad mamma. You were so mean to him'. I think Mom was an intense film for me. One of my friends who met me during the shoot and afterwards told me that I was a different person while shooting for the film. She said, 'Even the way you were walking and talking had changed. Now you are back to what you really are'. Interestingly, I didn't even realise that. It is a very emotional character, so I guess somewhere, it must have consumed a lot of my emotional energy. For me, all this lingers while the film is going on. After that, I switch back to normal, or else my children will throw me out (laughs!).
As a superstar mom, did you find yourself struggling to give your daughters a normal upbringing?
I brought up my kids the way my mom raised me. She gave me a normal upbringing, and when I had children, I did just that. When I am on the set, I am an actress, but at home, I am like any other mom. Of course, I tried to guard them as much as I could, but they were clicked everywhere we went and we couldn't help that.
There is so much talk about Jhanvi's launch and she has a huge role model at home to look up to...
I know that there is a lot of curiosity about her launch, but I want to say that it will be very unfair to compare Jhanvi with me. I began as a child artiste, I had done 60-70 films and I knew a lot about shooting, camera and filmmaking by the time I was her age.When Jhanvi does her first film, people should judge her as an individual, instead of comparing her with me. My journey has been long. So, it will be unfair to compare a girl who is just starting out her career with someone who has done 300 films.
The thought that she will be in the same space that you have been in for so many decades... does that make you nervous?
I guess it is a different feeling though it has not started yet. I never thought that she will go through this. I thought that she will study, do something else and then get married. And I will be free (laughs!). Today, children have their own mind and I have seen how my mom supported me, so I will support her in whatever she is willing to do.
Sometime around 2012, you had said that Jhanvi will not be an actress. How did that change?
At that time, she was younger and I thought that I could mould her and tell her what I wanted her to do (smiles!). Then, the shock dropped on me like a bomb. I thought that there is no running away from this and I have to face it. When she told me that she wanted to be an actress, I told her that there will be many problems and it won't be an easy ride. It is a very tough world out there and being an actress comes with a lot of hard work and sacrifice. As a mother, I obviously thought, 'Why should my child go through this? I have worked so hard for so many years... ab sab settle ho gaya. Let them have a peaceful life'. Having said that, I believe that whatever I am today, I owe it to this industry. I have so much respect for it. Stardom has never been easy and even going ahead, it won't be. If Jhanvi has made this choice, I have to be there for her. I will take it up positively and give it my 100% as a mom. My close friends tell me that I have to be strong about it and take care of myself. Well, it looks like I have to prepare myself more than her. With Jhanvi doing films, it feels like I am starting all over again.
Revealed: Casting Adnan Siddiqui in Mom was Sridevi daughter's Jhanvi Kapoor's idea?
9:09 AM
After spotting Pakistani actor Adnan Siddiqui in a Michael Winterbottom film, the teen insisted that he be cast in the actress comeback film as her husband
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 18, 2017)
It was two years ago when Sridevi’s 19-year-old daughter, Jhanvi Kapoor, had first watched Michael Winterbottom’s critically acclaimed 2007 film, A Mighty Heart.
Featuring Angelina Jolie, Dan Futterman and Will Patton in lead roles,
the Brad Pitt co-production was an official adaptation of Mariane
Pearl’s memoir of the same name, which followed the kidnapping and
murder of her journalist-husband Daniel Pearl by the Al Qaeda. In the
star-studded film, Jhanvi was awestruck by Irrfan Khan and Pakistani
actor Adnan Siddiqui’s cameos. A year ago, when her filmmaker dad Boney Kapoor was on the lookout for an actor to play Sridevi’s husband in his upcoming home production, Mom, Jhanvi pointed in Adnan’s direction.
“Boney was considering other options but Jhanvi, who has followed Adnan’s work in Pakistani cinema extensively, showed her dad A Mighty Heart and made sure he agreed to do a look test. Boney was impressed and had his team get in touch with Adnan, who immediately agreed to come on-board,” a source informed.
Sridevi, last seen in Gauri Shinde’s English Vinglish in 2012, is returning to the big screen with the woman-centric thriller directed by Ravi Udyawar which also features Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Pakistani actress Sajal Ali as her 18-year-old stepdaughter.
Adnan and Sajal had already got their visas to film in Delhi, where the first schedule was to kick off. But it was rescheduled in the wake of Uri attacks of September 18 and India’s ban on Pakistani artistes. A two-month schedule in freezing North Georgia, wrapped up in January. Jhanvi was present on the sets along with sister Khushi. Shooting resumed again in March with the last leg being wrapped up in Bangkok.
“Jhanvi got to interact with Adnan and Sajal. The unit enjoyed long lunches and dinners, bonding like a big happy family,” the source added.
Presently, the film is being dubbed in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam with Sridevi dubbing for all of them. “The film will be promoted widely, globally and in India. The Pakistani cast’s visas are in place. Sajal is expected to be in Mumbai soon. We’re hoping Adnan will be present too,” the source added.
Sajal Ali, Adnan Siddiqui granted visas to shoot for final schedule of Sridevi's Mom
8:03 AM
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 21, 2017)
Sridevi’s home production Mom, the followup to her much–loved comeback
film English Vinglish, kicked off in March last year. The Delhi-based
mother-daughter drama, directed by Ravi Udyawar and featuring Nawazuddin
Siddiqui and Akshaye Khanna in significant roles, was shot in the
Capital and in a two-month schedule in Georgia last May. It was nearing
completion with just the climax and a song left to be shot when tensions
between India and Pakistan following the Uri attacks flared up, leading
to a call of ban on Pakistani artistes. Now, Mirror has learnt that the
film’s team is finally ready to resume shooting after Pakistani actors
Sajal Ali and Adnan Siddiqui, who play Sri’s daughter and husband
respectively in the film, were granted visas to shoot in India after
several attempts.A source associated with the team revealed to Mirror, “It’s been about four months since the team has been waiting to wrap up the final schedule. In September, following the Uri attacks and the surgical strikes, Sajal and Adnan’s visas were rejected several times. Now they have obtained a visa for a month and will be flying to Delhi to shoot the final scenes and a song in February. The team is planning to wrap up the schedule by February 14 and release the film by May this year.”
While Adnan has appeared in several TV serials back home like Mere Humdum Mere Dost, Meray Qatil Meray Dildar and was also a part of the Angelina Jolie-starrer A Mighty Heart, Sajal is known for her TV shows including Gul-e-Rana, Tum Mere Kya Ho, Kis Se Kahoon and Mehmoodabad Ki Malkain.
Actor Vikas Verma, who plays the negative lead in the film and is currently in Switzerland shooting for an Arbaaz Khan film, confirmed the news, saying, “Yes, they (Sajal and Adnan) are required for the final scenes and have finally got a visa for a month to complete the shoot. It’s a very important scene and we have been looking forward to film.”
Meanwhile, the Mom team has also been gearing up to celebrate Sridevi’s 50 years in the industry this year. The source adds, “The plan is to have a party on the sets after the shoot and a bigger party is being planned for later where all her industry colleagues from over the years are expected to show up.”
Sridevi's next Mom hits a roadblock as it stars 2 Pakistani actors?
9:25 AM
The film was nearing completion, was abruptly halted
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 20, 2016)
Work on Sridevi's next, Mom,
which kicked off this March in Delhi and was just a day away from
wrap-up has come to a screeching halt in the wake of the ongoing
Indo-Pak tensions. Directed by Ravi Udyawar, the film also features
Pakistani actors Adnan Siddiqui and Sajal Ali as Sri's husband and
daughter respectively in
their Bollywood debut. While Adnan has appeared in several TV serials
back home and was also a part of the Angelina Joliestarrer, A Mighty
Heart, Sajal is known for shows including Gul-e-Rana and Mehmoodabad Ki
Malkain.
A source from the team informed Mirror, “After Delhi, we had a two-month schedule in Georgia in May. The remain ing portions will most probably be shot in Mumbai but it's unlikely to happen anytime soon given the current situation. We're waiting to hear about the final schedule.“ Boney Kapoor, who's produced the film, confirmed that a day's work remains on the film but refused to say when he plans to release it.
A source from the team informed Mirror, “After Delhi, we had a two-month schedule in Georgia in May. The remain ing portions will most probably be shot in Mumbai but it's unlikely to happen anytime soon given the current situation. We're waiting to hear about the final schedule.“ Boney Kapoor, who's produced the film, confirmed that a day's work remains on the film but refused to say when he plans to release it.
If I think I can do what Shah Rukh Khan does here, it will be stupid-Adnan Siddiqui
7:55 AM
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; June 17, 2016)
Pakistani TV superstar Adnan Siddiqui, who finally makes his Bollywood
debut in a Sridevi- starrer after turning down a few films here, reveals
why he was skeptical about doing this project tooAfter Fawad Khan, another Pakistani actor is set to make India his second home. Television star Adnan Siddiqui kick-starts his Bollywood journey with Sridevi-starrer Mom after having rejected quite a few offers from several ace filmmakers here. That includes films like Rani Mukerji’s Mardaani and erotic thriller Jism 2 featuring Sunny Leone.
Even when he was approached for Mom, Siddiqui was in two minds about doing it. “Initially, I was nervous about working with Srideviji, but her kindness made it easy. She reacts perfectly and puts you at ease. She is a great actor and extremely humble. That shows her class and what she has achieved. I have learnt a lot of things from her,” says the 46-year-old.
But he didn’t know Sridevi when he was offered the film. What made him finally sign it? “The fact that I would be able to rub shoulders with an experienced actress like Sridevi,” Siddiqui gushes, as the fanboy in him comes to the fore. He adds, “Also, the banner, belief in the producer (Boney Kapoor) and director (Ravi Udyawar). But most of all, Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Though I have no scenes with him, I can at least put in my resume that I have worked with him,” he chuckles.
The actor, who recently wrapped up work on his TV shows, Mere Humdum Mere Dost and Vasl, explains why he passed up Mardaani despite it being a YRF production. “It’s not about the production house; it’s about the role I am offered. If they had offered me the role of the antagonist in Mardaani, I would have lapped it up, but they wanted me to play a cop who didn’t even have 20 minutes on screen. It was barely a five-minute thing and I can’t accept that, no matter what production house it is. I need a role that’s challenging and suits me. Mom is a family drama, something a strong family man would like to do. No person, banner or production house can make a movie. It is the whole team that has to be good. Of course, in this business you cannot predict anything, but I am keeping my fingers crossed,” he says.
Does it worry him that it is a female-oriented project after all? Siddiqui says, “While I am of the same age as the Khans, they are still not my contemporaries. It would be stupid to think that I will get a role like they do. I am creating space like Irrfan, Kay Kay Menon or Manoj Bajpayee and a few other character actors. If I think I can do what Shah Rukh Khan does here or, for that matter, what Fawad does in Pakistan, it will be stupid. You have to be aware of where you stand.”
Nawazuddin Siddiqui shares screen with Sridevi, dances with Amy Jackson, to spend bday in Cannes
7:57 AM
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 5, 2016)
Nawazuddin Siddiqui chooses to keep his role in Sridevi-starrer Mom "a surprise for the audience'' but is happy to share nuggets from the film's last shooting schedule in Delhi. "It's a special appearance but I still have a few days of work left that will take place during the Mumbai schedule. Filming with Sridevi, who I have been watching over the years, was a dream come true. Most of my scenes are with her," exults the 41-yearold actor.
He's also kicked about working with Akshaye Khanna who he thinks has an "amazing comic timing". "Then, there is Pakistani actor Adnan Siddiqui (TV shows Mere Humdum Mere Dost and Aahista Aahista, currently on air in India). He's making his Bollywood debut but has a big fan following in Delhi," Nawaz informs, excited about shooting in unusual locations like Barakhamba road, Agrasen Ki Baoli and Jama Masjid. "It was refreshing."
Nawaz confirms that his upcoming films will see him do something he's never attempted before. "Rajeev Surti has choreographed my songs for Sohail Khan's Ali and Rahul Dholakia's Raees. While the latter features a dance number, Ali will have romantic songs picturised on Amy Jackson and me. Dancing is new for me but I'm happy that the songs were shot without many cuts, it helped me put my best foot forward," he says.
There's also cause for some celebration for the Raman Raghav 2.0 actor. Next week, the Anurag Kashyap-directed film makes its way to the Cannes Film Festival for a premiere. It coincides with his birthday week. This is his eighth film to be screened at the prestigious film festival.
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