Showing posts with label Amritpal Singh Bindra. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Amritpal Singh Bindra. Show all posts
I find bhasad very entertaining, says Bad Newz director Anand Tiwari
8:23 AM
Making his theatrical debut with Bad Newz, director Tiwari on how his comedy is influenced by David Dhawan’s brand of cinema; credits KJo for scaling up the film
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 20, 2024)
Anand Tiwari admits that in the days leading to a film’s release, he usually becomes a ball of nerves. “I’ve done everything I could, and now it belongs to the audience,” he says of Bad Newz, starring Vicky Kaushal, Triptii Dimri and Ammy Virk. For his first big-screen offering, the director has created a comedy about heteropaternal superfecundation—it revolves around a woman, who becomes pregnant with twins fathered by two different men.
The story’s novelty drew him, he says. “I loved the draft that Ishita [Moitra, writer] wrote. First, my business partner, Amritpal [Singh Bindra], and Sumeet Vyas tried to [expand on] it, then we got Tarun Dudeja [writer].”
In the past, Tiwari directed OTT offerings, including Love Per Square Foot (2018), Bandish Bandits (2020) and Maja Ma (2022). Bad Newz, with its laugh-out-loud moments, has a different tonality from his past creations.
“I find bhasad very entertaining,” he laughs. “We grew up on David Dhawan films. Messed-up relationships give Bad Newz a tonality that goes beyond the central topic. There are many more layers in it. I come from a big family; I have rejoiced in my family’s bhasad. So, I enjoy the nuances of family dynamics. As a Matunga boy, I grew up on comedies that played at Gaiety-Galaxy. It helps me be the storyteller I am. Somehow, we make fewer comedies now.”
Reuniting with long-time friend Kaushal after Love Per Square Foot must have been reassuring. But where does friendship end and work begin?
“On set, Vicky is my actor, and when we call it a wrap, we are friends. I have worked all my life with close friends. I never take the fact that I am Vicky’s friend for granted. He needs space and time, and as his collaborator, I give him that.”
Before we end the chat, we have to talk about the hit song, Tauba Tauba that has Kaushal displaying some smooth moves. “I’m glad it’s a rage. But everything that’s catchy about the film comes from Karan Johar. He has given me the biggest theatrical debut I could’ve imagined. Getting Karan Aujla [singer] was his call; all the actors came because of him. It’s gracious of Ishita and Karan to let us fly with a script that she wrote. The film should be liked foremost, but I also want it to do well at the box office. When someone trusts you this whole-heartedly, you want to do the best you can.”
Karan Johar's web show on back-burner as the makers refused to part with its adaptation rights?
8:14 AM
Sources say Karan Johar has put web show, inspired by Call My Agent, on hold after Applause Entertainment picks up remake rights of the French comedy
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 7, 2020)
In March, mid-day had reported that Karan Johar was reworking his Netflix production, which was inspired by Call My Agent, after the makers of the popular French series — Mother Production and Mon Voisin Productions — refused to part with its adaptation rights (KJo goes back to the drawing board, March 12). Now, Sameer Nair's Applause Entertainment has reportedly procured the remake rights of the comedy. The Indian adaptation will apparently be helmed by Shaad Ali while Hussain Dalal and Abbas Dalal will share the writing duties.
Owing to the latest development, it is heard that Johar, who was co-developing the series with Amritpal Singh Bindra, has put it on the back-burner. "The offering was reimagined in the past six months. What started off as a fictional show focusing on the workings of Matrix, one of Bollywood's biggest talent management companies, was rewritten as an industry story about warring production houses. However, with another studio developing the desi adaptation of Call My Agent, this outing is being put on hold unless the team finds a new hook point."
mid-day reached out to Bindra, who did not respond till press time.
Naseeruddin Shah was a clear choice since we began writing Bandish Bandits-Anand Tiwari
8:45 AM
(From left) Amritpal Singh Bindra, Naseeruddin Shah, Anand Tiwari
Making a musical series for an OTT platform, creators Amritpal Singh Bindra and director Anand Tiwari could think of no one but Naseeruddin Shah for a pivotal role in Bandish Bandits. The Love Per Square Foot director says the veteran actor "adds value to the script".
"Naseer sir was a clear choice [to play the grandfather] since we began writing the script," says Tiwari, adding "We were clear about roping in someone who could showcase his stature and gravitas the moment he walked into the frame without uttering a word." Shah was the obvious choice, chimed in Bindra.
The makers accept that they had apprehensions before approaching Shah for the role. "We know he is picky about his roles, but [I'm glad] it resonated with him at the end of the day," says Tiwari as he firmly believes that every artiste wrestles with the idea of what art means to them until s/he identifies with it. "[Naseer sir plays] a morally upright grandfather [and a Hindustani classical musician]. He showcases varied character shades."
Set in Jodhpur, the Amazon Prime Video 10-part series introduces newcomers Ritwik Bhowmik and Shreya Chaudhary as Radhe and Tamanna respectively. Bandish Bandits will also mark musicians Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Qureshi and Loy Mendonsa's debut in the digital entertainment. "We signed Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy because we wanted a blend of classical, pop, and contemporary music," says Bindra of the musical drama that unfolds on August 4.
Ayushmann Khurrana's brother Aparshakti to play villain in Babbu Ki Jawani
2:13 PM
Subhash K Jha (DNA; November 7, 2015)
He was to debut in Aamir Khan’s Dangal (given the secrecy around the project, he won’t say as what), but Aparshakti Khurrana is now set to be launched in Bollywood as a villain with a film called Babbu Ki Jawani. And the newcomer has no qualms admitting he got the latter role thanks to his brother. He says, “I admit UTV gave me Babbu Ki Jawani on Ayush bhaiyya’s reccomendation.”
Directed by newcomer Amritpal Singh Bindra, BKJ has Karan Wahi playing the leading man. But the younger Khurrana, a state-level football player, is cool with playing the villain. “I’d love to shock people by playing a negative character. With the dense eyebrows I think I can pull it off,” he says.
He quips, “I won’t say BKJ is a perfect start or a dream launch. I had great fun being mean in the film and I learnt a lot on the job. I wish there was a Karan Johar to do a Student Of The Year with me. That would been really cool.”
“Not too many newcomers get dream launches. My brother was lucky with Vicky Donor. I saw no point in getting carried away and thinking I have my career is made just because I’m Ayushmann Khurrana’s brother. I decided to start with a quirky film,” he continues.
He is practical enough to admit he has limited Bollywood options. “Neeraj Pandey’s production Saat Uchakke is the first project that came my way and I couldn’t say no to it. That role I got totally on my own merit. In this industry no one cares whose brother I am.”
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