Showing posts with label Afshan Ashiq. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Afshan Ashiq. Show all posts
Gulshan Grover's son Sanjay returns home to make films
8:39 AM
Besides the Afshan Ashiq biopic, Sanjay Grover is also in talks for a big fat Indian wedding film; papa hopes to see him in front of the camera too
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 9, 2018)
He’s Bollywood’s iconic ‘Bad Man’ while for eight years his son was Hollywood’s go to guy. But now Sanjay Grover, giving into emotional pressure from papa Gulshan, has returned home to make movies here. He’s producing Hope Solo, the biopic of Afshan Ashiq, a woman footballer from Kashmir who later grabbed headlines as an alleged stone pelter. “It features Athiya Shetty and is the directorial debut of Rajkumar Santoshi’s former assistant Manish Harishankar. There’s another joint venture with some major Bollywood players revolving around a big fat Indian wedding that is in the fi nal stages of discussion,” informs Sanjay.
Gulshan is quick to add that he’d also like to see his son on screen, but as a lead actor. “Sanjay was offered a couple of films earlier, including the 2005 George Clooney-starrer Syriana, but he was too young then and I didn’t want him to get distracted and lose focus. But now he is ready to sail in two different boats,” papa beams.
A week before he graduated from UCLA with a degree in the ‘Business of Hollywood’ and ‘Business of Entertainment’, a chance encounter with former Chairperson of Metro Goldwyn Mayer’s Motion Pictures Group and co-CEO, Mary Parent, landed him a plum job at the Los Angeles studio as ‘Director, Special Projects’. “His office was on the same floor as Mary Parent who singled Sanjay out for his fearless, out-of-the-box ideas and approach to cinema. Even Saiwyn Quadras, writer of Mary Kom, Neerja and Parmanu, with whom he is collaborating on the Afshan biopic, is impressed, with his inputs to the script,” asserts the proud father who admits that while his acting jobs never gave him any stress, he was always tense visiting his son’s office at the MGM HQ. “I’ve made him pose for innumerable pictures within the premises like a gawky tourist till an embarrassed Sanjay banned my camera,” he guffaws.
Sanjay’s stint at MGM gave him the opportunity to dabble in diverse fields. While screening Hindi films and introducing Hollywood bigwigs to our cinema, he was also associated at the ground level with the making of films like The Hobbit, The Zookeeper, Fame and Creed. “My intention now is to combine the advantages of being involved with the production, distribution, financing and creatives of big studio Hollywood films with the Indian films I will produce,” he says. Papa adds that given the interest in India abroad, Sanjay who grew up and studied with star kids like Tiger Shroff, Shraddha Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Sooraj Pancholi and Athiya Shetty, has been designated by Hollywood studios to pinpoint Indian talent, particularly amongst the youngsters, for international projects. “Mary would say he was born in Bollywood and raised in Hollywood and she was right,” says Gulshan, revelling in the fact that after 15 years, he can hear his son’s voice echoing in his home, never mind if he’s chatting to friends or colleagues. “He’s the only family I have.”
Athiya Shetty to play Kashmiri footballer Afshan Ashiq in Manish Harishankar's Hope Solo?
7:51 AM
The
actress is gearing up to play Kashmiri student and footballer Afshan
Ashiq in her third Hindi film that is to kick off shortly and will be
shot entirely in the Valley
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 6, 2018)
Mirror was the first to report (December 5, 2017) that Gulshan Grover’s US-based son Sanjay had purchased the film rights to the life of Kashmiri student and footballer Afshan Ashiq, who was given the controversial tag of a stonepelter when a picture of her hurling a stone at security forces during protests in Srinagar went viral.
The 22-year-old, who is admired in the Valley for her passion for the sport, had met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti last year as she put together a team of women footballers and started training them. The biopic, titled Hope Solo, will be directed by Manish Harishankar, who has previously assisted Rajkumar Santoshi on Ajab Prem ki Gazab Kahani, Halla Bol and Phata Poster Nikla Hero, and is written by Saiwyn Quadras (of Mary Kom, Neerja and Parmanu fame).
Now, Mirror has learnt that Athiya Shetty has been roped in to play Afshan in the biopic which will roll this year and will be shot in Kashmir. The makers approached the 25-yearold actress over six months ago, but the paperwork was completed recently. “Unlike most Indian biopics, this film will not be a success story but an emotional journey that portrays one girl’s fight against a system. It will focus on several movements like Khelo India, a national programme for the development of sports in the country, and the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme for women empowerment. Afshan’s dream has always been to be a national-level goalkeeper and represent India in international womens’ football. The film will focus on these aspirations,” a source close to the development told Mirror.
Meanwhile, Athiya, who made her Bollywood debut opposite Sooraj Pancholi in the 2015 Salman Khan production Hero, which was directed by Nikkhil Advani, has always been a football fan and played the sport as a student.
“Athiya is presently practicing football daily to step into Afshan’s shoes and has also been training as a goalkeeper. Her prep will also include learning Kashmiri and acclimatising with the accent,” the source adds. Last year, the actress, who is a New York Film Academy alumnus, had featured in the Anees Bazmee comedy caper, Mubarakan, alongside Anil and Arjun Kapoor. Hope Solo will be her third Bollywood film.
Sanjay plans to take Hope Solo to an international market and has locked a deal with a big-ticket worldwide production giant for the biopic. “Having studied the business of entertainment in Hollywood — the 27-year-old filmmaker has spent the last five years as Director of Special Projects with Metro Goldwyn Mayer — Sanjay is presently casting for the other prominent characters in the film,” the source adds.
Interestingly, Sanjay went to school with Athiya and Sooraj, as well as other Bollywood actors including Sonam Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor and Tiger Shroff.
Mirror was the first to report (December 5, 2017) that Gulshan Grover’s US-based son Sanjay had purchased the film rights to the life of Kashmiri student and footballer Afshan Ashiq, who was given the controversial tag of a stonepelter when a picture of her hurling a stone at security forces during protests in Srinagar went viral.
The 22-year-old, who is admired in the Valley for her passion for the sport, had met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti last year as she put together a team of women footballers and started training them. The biopic, titled Hope Solo, will be directed by Manish Harishankar, who has previously assisted Rajkumar Santoshi on Ajab Prem ki Gazab Kahani, Halla Bol and Phata Poster Nikla Hero, and is written by Saiwyn Quadras (of Mary Kom, Neerja and Parmanu fame).
Now, Mirror has learnt that Athiya Shetty has been roped in to play Afshan in the biopic which will roll this year and will be shot in Kashmir. The makers approached the 25-yearold actress over six months ago, but the paperwork was completed recently. “Unlike most Indian biopics, this film will not be a success story but an emotional journey that portrays one girl’s fight against a system. It will focus on several movements like Khelo India, a national programme for the development of sports in the country, and the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme for women empowerment. Afshan’s dream has always been to be a national-level goalkeeper and represent India in international womens’ football. The film will focus on these aspirations,” a source close to the development told Mirror.
Meanwhile, Athiya, who made her Bollywood debut opposite Sooraj Pancholi in the 2015 Salman Khan production Hero, which was directed by Nikkhil Advani, has always been a football fan and played the sport as a student.
“Athiya is presently practicing football daily to step into Afshan’s shoes and has also been training as a goalkeeper. Her prep will also include learning Kashmiri and acclimatising with the accent,” the source adds. Last year, the actress, who is a New York Film Academy alumnus, had featured in the Anees Bazmee comedy caper, Mubarakan, alongside Anil and Arjun Kapoor. Hope Solo will be her third Bollywood film.
Sanjay plans to take Hope Solo to an international market and has locked a deal with a big-ticket worldwide production giant for the biopic. “Having studied the business of entertainment in Hollywood — the 27-year-old filmmaker has spent the last five years as Director of Special Projects with Metro Goldwyn Mayer — Sanjay is presently casting for the other prominent characters in the film,” the source adds.
Interestingly, Sanjay went to school with Athiya and Sooraj, as well as other Bollywood actors including Sonam Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor and Tiger Shroff.
Gulshan Grover, son to kick off film on Afshan Ashiq
7:51 AM
Gulshan Grover teaming up with filmmaker son to take the story of the Kashmiri girl on floors next year
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 5, 2017)
Actor Gulshan Grover and his US-based filmmaker son Sanjay are set to kick off an international biopic, Hope Solo, on Afshan Ashiq, the Kashmiri girl whose picture during a street protest in the Valley went viral in April.
Afshan, 21, an undergraduate student and footballer is admired in the Valley for her passion for the sport. Earlier this year, she put together a team of women footballers and started training them. However, she was given the controversial tag of a “stone pelter” when a picture of her hurling a stone at security forces during street protests in Srinagar went viral.
“Kashmir and its stories inspire me. I have also wanted to bring my son back to Mumbai for a while now. Afshan recently met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, and discussed the project with her. With all approvals, we are ready to go on floors early next year,” Gulshan told Mirror, adding that the film will be an English-Hindi bilingual.
The film will be directed by Manish Harishankar, who has previously assisted Rajkumar Santoshi on the Ajab Prem ki Gazab Kahani, Halla Bol and Phata Poster Nikla Hero, and is written by Saiwyn Quadras (of Mary Kom and Neerja fame).
Sanjay said that the focus was to take Hope Solo to an international market. “Having studied the business of entertainment in Hollywood, I am coming home to make some interesting films with a content-focussed slate soon. Indian movies today are better than before, but we continue to be unable to reach global audiences at the same scale that a Hollywood film does. We will bring to light an inspirational drama that is based on a young Kashmiri girl who wants to play football.” The 27-year-old filmmaker, who has spent the last five years as Director of Special Projects with the Hollywood studio Metro Goldwyn Mayer, adds that he also plans to bring Hollywood directors to helm stories focussed on unconventional Indian content.
Sanjay, who went to school with Bollywood actors including Sonam Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Athiya Shetty, Tiger Shroff and Sooraj Pancholi, hints that any one of them would make a great Kashmiri heroine. “We are presently in the process of casting a leading lady for the film,” Sanjay signs off.
Actor Gulshan Grover and his US-based filmmaker son Sanjay are set to kick off an international biopic, Hope Solo, on Afshan Ashiq, the Kashmiri girl whose picture during a street protest in the Valley went viral in April.
Afshan, 21, an undergraduate student and footballer is admired in the Valley for her passion for the sport. Earlier this year, she put together a team of women footballers and started training them. However, she was given the controversial tag of a “stone pelter” when a picture of her hurling a stone at security forces during street protests in Srinagar went viral.
“Kashmir and its stories inspire me. I have also wanted to bring my son back to Mumbai for a while now. Afshan recently met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, and discussed the project with her. With all approvals, we are ready to go on floors early next year,” Gulshan told Mirror, adding that the film will be an English-Hindi bilingual.
The film will be directed by Manish Harishankar, who has previously assisted Rajkumar Santoshi on the Ajab Prem ki Gazab Kahani, Halla Bol and Phata Poster Nikla Hero, and is written by Saiwyn Quadras (of Mary Kom and Neerja fame).
Sanjay said that the focus was to take Hope Solo to an international market. “Having studied the business of entertainment in Hollywood, I am coming home to make some interesting films with a content-focussed slate soon. Indian movies today are better than before, but we continue to be unable to reach global audiences at the same scale that a Hollywood film does. We will bring to light an inspirational drama that is based on a young Kashmiri girl who wants to play football.” The 27-year-old filmmaker, who has spent the last five years as Director of Special Projects with the Hollywood studio Metro Goldwyn Mayer, adds that he also plans to bring Hollywood directors to helm stories focussed on unconventional Indian content.
Sanjay, who went to school with Bollywood actors including Sonam Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Athiya Shetty, Tiger Shroff and Sooraj Pancholi, hints that any one of them would make a great Kashmiri heroine. “We are presently in the process of casting a leading lady for the film,” Sanjay signs off.
Ileana DCruz, Kriti Sanon, Athiya Shetty eye biopic on Kashmiri footballer Afshan Ashiq
2:08 PM
Film on Kashmir's peace-loving youth icon Afshan Ashiq, accused of stone-pelting earlier this year, to go on floors in January
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; September 25, 2017)
Kashmiri footballer Afshan Ashiq hit headlines in April this year when the player, 21, was photographed hurling a stone at policemen during a street protest in the Valley.
Considering Ashiq had always vociferously taken a stand against violence, the picture signified how tension in the state had driven the youth to frustration and despair. Even after the fateful event, she has stoically maintained that while she stands by her actions of that day, she does not endorse violence as a solution to Kashmir's problems.
Now, we hear, the football star's journey is being brought to the big screen by director Manish Harishankar in a biopic titled Hope Solo. Having previously assisted Rajkumar Santoshi, he has also helmed Chaarfutiya Chhokare (2014) and Laali Ki Shaadi Mein Laaddoo Deewana (2017). Buzz is, Kriti Sanon, Ileana D'Cruz and Athiya Shetty are the front-runners to portray the youngster, who is currently a part of Mumbai's PIFA Colaba FC.
Harishankar tells mid-day, "When I met Afshan, she spoke about the struggle she had to face to start playing football in Kashmir. Everyone, including her parents, were against the idea. Ladki hai, football kaise khelegi? She had to fight her parents and the society to realise her dreams. Living in Kashmir, she was bold enough to wear football jerseys with the Indian emblem on them."
Harishankar reveals that Ashiq considers American soccer goalkeeper and two-time Olympic gold medallist Hope Solo as her role model and hence, the title. "Also, when you see her story, you will realise that Afshan is the only hope of Kashmir and its youth," he says about the girl, who had taken it upon herself to train the women's football team in Kashmir last year.
Quiz him if he has approached Sanon, D'Cruz and Shetty for the project and he says, "All I can say is that we are in talks with few actresses. The actress needs to be tall and have an athletic frame to pull off the role of a sportsperson." The director adds that the chosen actor will have to train in the sport before the film goes on floors in January.
Harsihankar hopes to spread a strong message about women empowerment with the biopic. "Our films have rarely touched upon the youth of Kashmir and their point of view. Afshan is bringing that to the fore — she is young and she wants to play for India. Her voice represents that of the Kashmiri youth."
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