Showing posts with label Anna Hazare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anna Hazare. Show all posts
Bollywood has always maintained good relations with whichever government is in power-Swara Bhasker
10:12 AM
Swara Bhasker talks about her mother’s classroom, the tweet that changed everything, and why celebrity worship culture will fail us every time
Jinit Parmar (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 26, 2026)
At 38, Swara Bhasker no longer separates her life as an actor from her identity as an outspoken citizen. She moved our interview forward so she could join Friday’s student-led education protest, a cause that, for her, begins at home. “This protest is very relevant to my family,” she says.
Bhasker grew up in Delhi between two forms of public service. Her father, C Uday Bhaskar, served in the Indian Navy for nearly four decades, while her mother, Ira, taught film studies at Delhi University and JNU for 43 years. “My mom always believed education should be public, government-funded, subsidised or free,” she says.
In fact, in 2017, many academics challenged the creation of the National Testing Agency, questioning why teachers were losing oversight of entrance examinations to a system driven by contracts and tenders.
Bhasker later studied English Literature at Miranda House and Sociology at JNU, trained in Bharatanatyam, and worked with N K Sharma’s Act One and the Indian People’s Theatre Association. “I have seen the guru-shishya parampara, modern Indian education and the progressive cultural movement,” she says. “I feel very blessed to have been a student in India.”
Cinema, cable TV and the cost of dissent
When Bhasker left Delhi for Mumbai in 2008, she imagined a career shaped by films rather than politics. Vishal Bhardwaj’s Omkara remains the benchmark. “Because I was a literature student, I had studied Othello, and then I saw what Vishal Bhardwaj had done with it. It was brilliant.”
Her love affair with cinema, however, began much earlier. “I always say Chitrahaar ruined my life,” she laughs. “My dad got cable installed, but I failed a maths test the next day, so he cut it in two days. I was obsessed with Chitrahaar and Superhit Muqabla. I wanted to be in that world.”
As films such as Raanjhanaa, Nil Battey Sannata and Veere Di Wedding raised her profile, her political voice grew louder. Bhasker insists there was never a conscious decision to become outspoken. “There was never one moment when I started being vocal,” she reflects.
“I came to Bombay during the Congress government and the Anna Hazare movement. India has a really vibrant culture of protest. So many actors used to write and tweet and give their opinion. It was just normal, part of being a citizen in a democracy. It was not an act of bravery. To share your thoughts or say this is the truth, all of this became an act of bravery only after 2014.”
After a series of posts following the 2014 general election – in which she’d pointed to the country’s socio-political fractures—triggered months of online abuse, she says the threats never altered her convictions. “You fight for what you love. I love this country, and I love the version of this country envisaged in our Constitution.”
The culture of industry silence
Her outspokenness has come at a professional cost, from the backlash over her open letter on Padmaavat to her opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act. Bhasker says many colleagues choose silence after seeing what she has faced.
“A lot of my friends would say, ‘Let your art speak.’ But how can art speak when you haven’t left any space for it to be created? Honey Trehan did create art, Satluj, but it didn’t even last two days on Zee5 and wasn’t even allowed a theatrical release. There’s so much censorship. Even when I wrote that open letter to Sanjay Leela Bhansali, more than one big director told me I shouldn’t have done that.”
She is unsurprised that Bollywood rarely takes political risks. “A producer is ultimately a businessman. I don’t expect great acts of bravery from commercial cinema. Bollywood has always maintained good relations with whichever government is in power.”
“Celebrities will grow a conscience when society does”
Bhasker’s advice to those finding their voice is, thus, rooted in collective action rather than celebrity. “The only way you can speak up and be safe is if everyone speaks up. But people should not depend on actors. Celebrity worship has ruined our politics and our films. Celebrities are products of marketing, money and glamour. They will grow a conscience when society grows that conscience.”
She is equally uncomfortable being placed on a pedestal herself. “Don’t make me your hero. Someday I will probably let you down because I am human. Don’t attach those kinds of hopes to anyone.”
Now balancing motherhood with a quieter phase on screen, she is completing The Illicit Dreams of Mrs Phalani, in which she plays 16 characters. She has also made peace with the labels attached to her. “I fought that activist tag for many days, then I said, ‘Give it to me. I am not going anywhere.’ I just hope I’m remembered as a person who had good and clean intentions and integrity.”
The media used to stalk celebrities once, but now they’re terrorizing them as well-Urmila Matondkar
8:22 AM
From sex symbol to samaj karam, the Rangeela star has always believed she would one day work for the people
Khalid Mohamed (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 6, 2020)
Actor Urmila Matondkar is just back in her Bandra apartment. After being followed by reporters and photographers all day, she has finally managed to escape them by leaving Matoshree, the residence of chief minister Uddhav Thackeray where, just minutes before, she was inducted into the Shiv Sena. Months of speculation about what the actor would do, ever since she contested in the general elections on a Congress ticket and lost, ended with her entry into the Sena.
“When I received a call from Uddhav ji, emphasising that we need to elevate the social and cultural standards of the Maharashtra Vidhan Parishad, it touched a chord with me,” Matondkar tells Mirror. “He has been doing tremendous work in dealing with so many difficult issues in the state. I didn’t need even need to give it a second thought to unequivocally say ‘yes’.” The actor, who has frequently been disparaged by Bollywood as a ‘vernie’ because of her Marathi accent, says she had often contemplated visiting Sena supremo Bal Thackeray at Matoshree, but never got around to it.
It’s been 14 months since the last general elections, and since Matondkar quit the Congress. “If I was an opportunist, I would have defected within 14 hours,” she says. “I didn’t just lick my wounds on losing. I did some introspection, and told myself that I would continue, even as a social activist.” So why did she leave the party? Matondkar is guarded. “Its working style didn’t suit me. So with due respect to Mrs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, I withdrew. There was no acrimony; nor did I give out interviews criticising the party.”
Matondkar, now 46, believes she has matured a lot. “I had no illusions about being useful without an infrastructure,” she says. “It’s self-defeating to sit in an airconditioned room and tweet away constantly. I intend to work towards social upliftment in even the remotest corners of Maharashtra, with my Kashmiri Muslim husband [Mohsin Akhtar Mir] standing shoulder-to-shoulder with me. I am with a Hindu party in which inclusiveness and tolerance are vital components.”
I have known Urmila for two-and-a-half decades, and she’s always struck me as an actor who was dissatisfied with the roles offered to her. That she would some day venture into a profession that (at least in principle) promotes collective welfare, was a given. She has always respected her staff and never raised her voice when a film’s shoot has gone haywire. If a vanity van hasn’t been provided at a far-flung location, she’s taken it in her stride, and skipped meals and water to complete an arduous schedule.
The actor, who has faced the camera since she was five — one of her most memorable appearances was as a child in Masoom (1983) — has slaved around the clock to settle her now-ageing parents. That done, she withdrew prematurely from films and became almost reclusive. Then, she sprang a surprise four years ago, with her marriage to businessman-cum-model Mir, whom she has rarely spoken about.
“That’s not true,” she retorts. “I have close friends in Bollywood but Mohsin and I hardly ever attend those photo-op parties. I’ve always been more of a family person. My parents Shrikant Matondkar and Sunita Desai always encouraged me to work for the underprivileged.”
Switching off her incessantly-buzzing phone, Matondkar says: “I was weaned on the progressive films of Balraj Sahni, Nilu Phule, Shreeram Lagoo, Raj Kapoor and V Shantaram. There was a time when Nargis and Sunil Dutt would entertain the jawans in war time. Smita Patil was a member of the Seva Dal, but few know that I was a part of this grassroots organisation as well. When Anna saheb Hazare went on hunger strike in New Delhi in 2011, I was there to lend whatever little support I could.”
Despite acting in nearly a hundred films in various languages, Matondkar says she has stayed away from the machinations of the film industry. But she has no qualms talking about something that might be an uncomfortable past for a politician: Her reputation as a sex symbol. “The image of a sex symbol stuck like glue, which was fine by me,” she says with a smile. “Some heroines have to do 20 films to get there, but I got it at one go with Rangeela. Still, there was this gnawing feeling that I should give at least an iota of myself to samaj karam.”
Why did these feelings never come to the fore during her film career? She says, somewhat hastily, that heroines of that time were required to be glamorous, and nothing else. “Mercifully, the times have changed. In Bollywood, it didn’t matter that as a teen, I had read Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Gorky, Steinbeck and D H Lawrence. Or that I had studied at Ruparel College, scored 87 per cent in political philosophy, and firmly believed in Jeremy Bentham’s tenet of the greatest good for the greatest number.”
Has she said goodbye to acting? Matondkar says yes, unless an exceptional offer comes her way. “Frankly, the film industry has given me nothing,” she says. “Yet the way it has been vilified lately by the media as debauched and drug-addled, is preposterous. The media used to stalk celebrities once, but now they’re terrorizing them as well.”
Does she see herself as an MP in the future? Matondkar rules out such ambitions, saying she could have requested an MLC position for herself but preferred to join the Sena instead. Then, with a whoop of self-deprecating laughter, she surmises: “In the movies, I was a people-made star. Now, I hope to become a people-made leader, inshallah.”
Akshay Kumar's tweet delete saga proves how the BJP regime has compelled actors to be silent and s**t scared
9:33 AM
Before 2014, things were far simpler in India. If the government would go wrong, all sections of society would voice their complaints and anger. The then government run by UPA 2 with Indian National Congress having a lion share of this alliance, used to be perennially at the edge over the mounting criticism. It was the time when numerous scams had come to light, inflation was quite high and hike in the petrol and diesel price had burnt a hole in the pockets of the aam junta. No wonder, all strata of society would be speaking against the government policies. The members of our film industry were also not left behind. Though most of them would not speak about it a lot, they would once in a while speak their mind which would be in sync with the mood of the public.
Then came the BJP rule from May 2014, under the leadership of the dynamic Narendra Modi. Before the elections, Mr Modi and other BJP personalities promised the moon. They assured that the prices of fuel and other essential items would be brought down and with the return of the black money stashed abroad, things would get better in India in the economic front. It’s been four years now and though things have got better in a lot of departments, price hike remains a huge challenge. Recently, the rate of petrol touched Rs 84 and it sent shockwaves throughout the country. The common man began to ask the government about the ‘acche din’ and reduced prices that were promised to them.
Despite such a huge rise in petrol prices, the Bollywood industry has been silent this time on the whole. The ease and fearlessness with which they would write against government’s decision can’t be seen anymore. This led to an embarrassing situation for superstar Akshay Kumar recently when his February 2012 tweet went viral. It read: “Guys, I think it’s time to clean up your bicycles and hit the road! As per sources, expecting another petrol price hike”. The netizens began asking why the superstar is no longer making such amusing but thought-provoking tweets since the petrol prices have hit the roof again. The criticism was mounting to such a level that Akshay decided to delete this tweet. He hoped this would save him from accusations of double standards. Sadly, that’s not the case as his tweet has got screenshot and has also been archived. There’s one more tweet of Akshay Kumar mocking the fuel price rise that’s still available. The deleting of the 2012 tweet got him even more criticism and hence that’s why he has probably chosen to retain this other tweet, as of now.
Couldn't even get to my house at nite for all of Mumbai was queuing up for #petrol before the prices rocketed again.— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) May 16, 2011
Just like Akshay Kumar, even Amitabh Bachchan has made some interesting jokes on petrol price, in the pre-Modi era. Then there were others like Ashoke Pandit, Anupam Kher etc who too had dissed the Congress for hurting the common man with their rise in prices. Both of them have made it clear many times that they have a lot of soft corner for BJP and Narendra Modi. Hence, they can’t be expected to now write about fuel rise now and thereby hurt their idol. But what has prompted Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar to go mum now?T 753 -Petrol up Rs 7.5 : Pump attendent - 'Kitne ka daloon ?' ! Mumbaikar - '2-4 rupye ka car ke upar spray kar de bhai, jalana hai !!'— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) May 24, 2012
The answer is simple. In today’s times, criticizing the BJP government and Modi is akin to criticizing the country. The BJP troll army is huge, shameless and are ready to go to any lengths while attacking their ‘prey’. Most of them are faceless and fake ids but still when a planned troll attack is done from thousands of such troll twitter and Facebook handles, it can easily give a shiver down the spine of these celebrities. Aamir Khan knows it very well. His famous intolerance speech in November 2015 became a talking point. He was criticized left, right and centre like never before. In the same month, Shah Rukh Khan was also mercilessly targeted for his views on the political and communal climate in India. Aamir in fact had participated in Anna Hazare's movement in 2011 which was also against the then Congress rule. Can you imagine Aamir attempting something similar in today's times?
These nameless, faceless trolls don’t simply post negative comments. They go a step further – they’ll spread fake news about that particular actor. Their families won’t be spared either. Recently, when Swara Bhasker held a placard to protest against the gruesome Kathua rape, she faced criticism of another level. A photoshopped tweet was put out that stated that Swara protested against the Kathua for publicity and money. Also, last month, journalist Rana Ayyub, a fierce critic of Narendra Modi, had the most traumatizing experience of her life when photoshopped tweets was put that made people believe that she has made anti-India comments. Moreover, her phone number was leaked and a pornographic video was widely shaped where her face was morphed onto another woman.
So how exactly is BJP responsible for the wrongdoings of these trolls? Well, the problem is that it’s an open secret that all these slut-shaming campaigns have the backing of the BJP leaders. Many of them, for instance, shared Rana Ayyub’s fake tweets and refused to delete despite hunderds of twitter users explaining to them that it’s fake. Many people who regularly troll are followed on Twitter by none other than Narendra Modi himself. This gives them an added boost to target the critics of the government. Moreover, it has increasingly come to light that the BJP IT Cell is actively perpetrating such campaigns against celebrities to ‘teach them a lesson’.
In such a scenario, it is understandable that Akshay Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan and other celebrities are quite scared and would think thousand times before saying anything remotely against BJP. After all, they don’t want their Twitter notifications to be filled with hate-filled messages. They don’t want rape threats for the women in their families or their numbers getting leaked or worse of all, their morphed porn videos getting circulated. They don’t want ignorant public sharing their ‘I hate India and Indians’ photoshopped tweets and be seen as traitors and anti-nationals. All this can lead to extreme psychological trauma and break even the toughest of people. Also, the industry has seen how Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan were tortured. Even the recent agitations against Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period film Padmaavat was possible because of the BJP government’s inaction which indirectly motivated the protestors to go all out, even attacking a school bus full of scared children. As a result, it is completely understandable the silence of our Bollywood stars.
Ironically, in the West, it’s US President Donald Trump who has come to power owing to his right-wing views and for promising lots and lots of stuffs. And even he’s unable to perform well but the Hollywood film fraternity is not scared. They openly mock and criticise him and his policies. Even during the Academy Awards, he was the butt of many jokes. Some of the biggest stars like Meryl Streep has made it clear that he’s unjustified with his viewpoints. But then, Trump’s troll army is not as brazen and shameless like the BJP troll groups. Right now, in Bollywood, it’s only the not-that-famous celebrities like Swara Bhasker, Vishal Dadlani, Prakash Raj, Pooja Bhatt, Shruti Seth etc attacking the government. They are not that huge and can take the risk. But Akshay Kumar can’t. As mentioned above, it’ll lead to personal trauma. Also, what if the protestors come to the streets and try to stop the release of his film? Crores of money is at stake when the film’s release is due and such protests can hurt everyone involved with the film, not just the actor in question.
But how long will this go? Slowly and steadily, these tactics of the troll army won’t work with the same intensity. Already, one can see around that more and more people are trying to verify fake messages that they receive on WhatsApp and social media. Fact-checking websites have mushroomed and are doing great job in instantly alerting people about fake news being spread by the troll army. Cyber-crime laws are strong and if celebrities take action against the mischief mongers, it can lead to a fear among these criminals. Hopefully that time will come soon and we shall once again get to see our celebrities without much fear rightfully criticising the government!
Shashank Udapurkar feels working on Anna was life-changing; gears up for Sambhaji biopic
4:23 PM
Shashank Udapurkar, who played Anna Hazare in his recently released biopic Anna, has another surprise for the audiences. The actor-director plays Sambhaji, son of Chhatrapati Shivaji, in his biopic that will release soon.
Talking about Anna, the film may have not been a huge box office grosser but he’s happy that it got him a lot of recognition and appreciation. And most importantly, it changed him as a person. Shashank reveals that he could see a change inside him as a human being after doing Anna. Anna Hazare’s praise that he felt like seeing his own flashback in the film was like an icing on the cake for Shashank.
Convincing Anna Hazare for the biopic was a challenge too. Many filmmakers had approached him for a film on his life but he had turned them all down. He even refused Shashank initially, instead urging him to make a film on Mahatma Gandhi or Swami Vivekananda. Shashank says, “I convinced Anna ji by pointing out that Vivekananda and Gandhiji are like God for us but our generation believes that he can end corruption in our country. I promised him that I’ll deliver his message in the film. And then he gave his consent to make the film.”
Preparing for the character of Anna was a mighty challenge. Shashank adds that he earlier never understood why Aamir Khan would take 2 years or even more to essay a character. But doing Anna made him realize that one has to forget everything and live the character mentally and physically. Increasing 10-12 kgs for the character was easy but what took time for Shashank was to reach the simplicity of Anna Hazare.
Isn’t it too much of a coincidence that both Anna and Sambhaji are biopics? Does Shashank have a special liking for such films? Shashank makes it clear: “The benefit of biopic is that these are well-written characters and people already know the final result. Hence, we get the reactions immediately. After all, biopics are made and appreciated throughout the world.”
Shashank speaks highly of the youth and feels the challenge of the filmmakers have increased today because of them and their exposure to all kinds of cinema. “The youth today is the best audience. They have all the mediums to not only see Indian films but also world cinema. Their judgement is fast.”
With Anna turning out to be a decent fare, one looks forward to Shashank’s next. Here’s hoping it turns out to be an impressive fare!
Arvind Kejriwal gives makers of Anna a royal snub
3:02 PM
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; October 15, 2016)
Anna Hazare’s disillusionment with his one-time protégé, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, continues. The makers of the social activist’s biopic allege that when they approached Kejriwal for a preview and a tax-free status, the Delhi CM gave them the royal snub.
In 2011, Kejriwal was part of Team Anna anchoring a series of nationwide agitation against corruption. When Anna went on an indefinite fast for the passing of the Jan Lokpal bill, it was on Kejriwal’s insistence that he had called it off.
The film’s producer Maninder Jain says, “We approached Kejriwal to see the film. We also requested him to make it tax-free. But there was no response from him.”
He adds, “We later sent an e-mail to him and he replied, saying he has forwarded the request to Manish Sisodia, one of his minsters.”
When Anna was informed about it, he apparently said that he did not expect anything from his former blue-eyed boy.
The makers say Anna does not want to say anything on the matter and unnecessarily get involved in a controversy. “The state government is considering making it tax-free, but Kejriwal has no time for us.”
Written and directed by Shashank Udapurkar, who essays the role of Anna, the film’s cast includes Tanishaa Mukerji, Govind Namdeo and Sharat Saxena.
Self-confessed film buff Anna Hazare fails to recognise Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone
8:15 AM
Subhash K Jha (DNA; October 5, 2016)
While the cast of The Kapil Sharma Show decided to
tone down their antics in deference to social activist Anna Hazare’s
age, Anna decided to have some fun. He was at his indulgent best even
when Ali Asgar and Sunil Grover inflicted their drag act on him.What could have turned into an odd union of two entirely opposed public figures turned out to be an exceptionally interactive session where Anna took time off to indulge in some horse-play with the comic actors. But he also spoke about issues that mattered to him, such as youth power, collective protest against injustice, fasts-unto-death, etc.
Says a channel source, “Anna was on Kapil’s show to promote a biopic on his life that is being released this month. He spoke about his love for cinema before samaaj-kalyan took over his life. Apparently, Anna was the first-day-first-show kind of movie buff.”
So Kapil conducted a movie quiz on Anna Hazare. The Gandhian instantly recognised Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthimala, but failed to recognise Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone.
In fact, one of Kapil’s quips had us in splits. He said to Anna, “Let me sit next to you. Even those who sit with you become chief ministers these days.” We hope Kejriwal was listening in
Anna Hazare to attend the trailer launch of his biopic Anna
7:52 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (September 24, 2016)
The teaser of the upcoming
biopic Anna, based on Anna Hazare's life, has received a positive
response from viewers. Now, to extend his support, the social activist
will be present at the trailer launch, which is scheduled to take place
today. Despite his busy schedule, Anna has agreed to attend the event and share his experiences.
Director and actor
Shashank Udapurkar not only looks like the social activist, but also has the same mannerisms. He says, “I am grateful to Annaji for giving me an opportunity to make a
film on this life. It's quite commendable that he has taken out time
from his hectic schedule to attend the trailer launch.“
The film, which also features Tanishaa Mukerji, Sharat Saxena and Govind Namdeo, has been shot in real locations, including Anna's native village, Ralegan Siddhi.
Besides his much spoken-about fight against corruption, the biopic, which will be distributed by SPE India in India, will also feature incidents from his childhood, something which people are not aware of.
Anna, presented by The Rise Pictures Pvt Ltd and produced by Manindra Jain, releases on October 14.
The film, which also features Tanishaa Mukerji, Sharat Saxena and Govind Namdeo, has been shot in real locations, including Anna's native village, Ralegan Siddhi.
Besides his much spoken-about fight against corruption, the biopic, which will be distributed by SPE India in India, will also feature incidents from his childhood, something which people are not aware of.
Anna, presented by The Rise Pictures Pvt Ltd and produced by Manindra Jain, releases on October 14.
Real to reel: Check out Shashank Udapurkar as Anna Hazare in the biopic Anna
7:49 AM
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 2, 2016)
Inspired by the life of Kisan Baburao Hazare aka Anna Hazare, writer-director-actor Shashank Udapurkar started scripting a biopic, Anna, three years ago. The physical transformation to look like the social activist started eight months before they started shooting. The film rolled last June and continued till July 2016.
"I lost around eight kg to play the 22-year-old Anna who was in the army then, living on salads, oats and fruits. Later, I put on almost 12 kg to look like the Anna of today. I played badminton twice a day to stay fit," informs Shashank, who refused to resort to prosthetics, turning instead to his make-up man Vikram Gaikwad.
"My interaction with Anna helped me with the prep, being a Mahrashtrian myself the lingo was not a problem," he beams, adding that when Anna saw the stills he complimented Shashank saying he looked a lot like him.
Censors ask Charlie Kay Chakkar Mein makers to delete reference to Anna Hazare
7:49 AM
Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; October 29, 2015)
Makers of an upcoming Naseeruddin Shah-starrer, Charlie Kay Chakkar Mein, have decided to approach the Censor Board’s revising panel for certification after the examining committee asked for quite a few words to be muted, including a reference to social activist Anna Hazare.
“We had sought an ‘A’ certificate as the film deals with drug abuse and homicide among other issues. However, the five-member panel, which watched the final cut, objected to a passing mention of Anna Hazare even though his name hasn’t been used in an offensive way. The dialogue goes like this: ‘Tumko kya zaroorat thi itna sach bolne ki? Kya Anna Hazare ne tumko kaha tha yeh kaam karke aao?’ They don’t understand that we are not insulting him,” says producer Karan Arora.
This apart, the Board has asked the makers to mute nearly a dozen cuss words as well as a scene in which a girl snorts drugs. “If we are getting an adult tag, there shouldn’t be any problem with the usage of commonly used cuss words like saala and chu** ya. If I remove those or Anna Hazare’s name, the essence of the scene will be lost. Moreover, they didn’t have any objection to a scene showing a group of boys sniffing narcotics, but want us to delete the portion showing a girl taking drugs,” adds Arora.
The makers, however, are ready with the edited version since the film is slated to release next week. “If I want to release my film on time, I need to get the certificate three days in advance. We will have to attach it and send copies to various centres. Practically, I have only six days to release it. We will approach the revising committee, but are prepared for the worst,” he says.
Anna Hazare has a fan moment with Tanuja on the sets of his biopic
7:45 AM
Tanishaa is a feisty journalist in this official biopic on the activist.
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 10, 2015)
Social-activist Anna Hazare had a fan moment when Tanuja dropped in on the sets of the biopic being made on the 78 year-old's life. The veteran actress had decided to pay a visit to her daughter, Tanishaa Mukerji, who will be seen as a feisty journalist in the film. She was filming a sequence in Ralegan Siddhi, Anna Hazare's hometown in rural Maharashtra with Anna himself, when Tanuja dropped by, unannaounced.
"Anna admitted that he was Tanuja's fan and had watched several of her films, including Baharen Phir Bhi Aayangi, Jewel Thief and Haathi Mere Saathi, while serving in the army. He also invited the actress for a home-cooked meal, insisting she return for a traditional Maharashtrian feast," revealed a source from the sets.
Tanishaa was surprised by her mother's impromptu visit but admits it was fun. Shashank Udapurkar's directorial went on floors on Tuesday with the famous Jan Lokpal bill rally being recreated on the first day of the shoot. The as-yet-untitled film traces Anna's life from his childhood days to enlisting with the army and the return to his hometown to raise his voice against corruption.
Tanishaa, one of the participants of Bigg Boss Season 7, says that she is enjoying her long conversations with Anna, who led movements to promote rural development, increase government transparency and punish corruption in public life. "This film will be his official biopic," says the actress who plays a TV reporter.
Tanishaa Mukerji to play a prominent role in Anna Hazare biopic
7:43 AM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; August 4, 2015)
Tanishaa Mukerji will be
seen playing the role of a journalist in the upcoming biopic
of social activist Anna Hazare. The Hindi language film will be directed
by Shashank Udapurkar.
Tanishaa added, “It's a story close to Anna Hazare's real life. He has approved it and so this will be his official biopic. At his age, he has inspired a whole generation of youth and I found that extremely fascinating.“ Since it's a political drama, we wondered if the actress was apprehensive on signing a project that could run into controversy. However, Tanishaa nonchalantly replied, “I have never shied away from controversies. You can make it my middle name.“
This is a comeback film of sorts for the actress whose last major film was Sarkar Raj (2008).
Tanishaa added, “It's a story close to Anna Hazare's real life. He has approved it and so this will be his official biopic. At his age, he has inspired a whole generation of youth and I found that extremely fascinating.“ Since it's a political drama, we wondered if the actress was apprehensive on signing a project that could run into controversy. However, Tanishaa nonchalantly replied, “I have never shied away from controversies. You can make it my middle name.“
This is a comeback film of sorts for the actress whose last major film was Sarkar Raj (2008).
Joy of being in politics and acting is that there is no age limit-Anupam Kher
7:54 AM
Chandna Arora (BOMBAY TIMES; October 4, 2014)
"I've been typecast as an
honest man, and this is the only kind of typecasting I don't mind,“ says
Anupam Kher, getting ready to, therefore, give some straight, honest
answers. This is in reference to his upcoming film Ekkees Toppon Ki
Salaami, in which he plays a scrupulously honest municipal worker who
gets embroiled in a corruption case, which kills him -and that's just
where things begin. Otherwise, says Anupam, honesty is what he lives by,
since he finds it “exhausting“ to be dishonest or fake - and he's quite
honest about his political beliefs. “I feel honesty has to have a face.
If Modiji (PM Narendra Modi) at this stage is the face of aspiration,
similarly in cinema, Balraj Sahni was associated with honesty ...
There is so much corruption, but when they want a symbol of an honest
man, without sounding boastful, they think Anupam ko le lete hain, aaram
ho jayega,“ he says. Excerpts from the ensuing thrust and parry:
In this typecasting as an honest man, aren't you often cast as a helplessly honest man?
An honest man is always helpless, because it's been cool to be dishonest. But I always say, it's cool to be honest today. I believe in it - a triumph is always about a weak, honest man who triumphs in the end. Honesty does not have a majority.
Speaking of honesty and majority, why didn't you contest the elections (his wife Kirron did for the BJP and became the Chandigarh MP)?
I'm very happy doing what I'm doing; I don't think I'm prepared to devote my time to politics. When I am, I'd like to give it 100%. I'm not in the frame of mind, and I'm too greedy an actor to do that. In my own way, if I go for a debate, I speak the common man's point of view, even though I'm seen as a high-profile actor. I'm also an eternal optimist. I'm not an escapist - I do understand a situation, so I always feel there's a possibility of goodness in life. I'm not a cribber, or someone who criticises. People who criticise are not doers. I'm a doer. Therefore, I'm proud of a PM who comes across as a doer. Within these 150 days, people can go to town saying, 'yeh nahin hua, woh nahin hua', etc, but I have great hope.
You say you're an optimist, a realist, a doer. Then why not get into politics to effect the change you want to see?
When I feel I have the time, I'd like to give 365 days to it, (do) what Kirron has done - she's almost settled there now. But I'm mentally greedy as an actor. I have just discovered, in the last three-four years, what kind of person I am. I think when men and women reach their early 50s - and this is my own theory - you either like yourself or you don't. I like myself.
You've discovered yourself now, after all these years?
Because I have a great sense of wonder about life. I don't take it for granted. I'm not a stereotype who has set answers. That's why I have no set answer for your politics question - what I'm saying is the truth. I'm too excited about wanting to direct, writing a film. I have discovered now that I can relax as an actor. I don't have to constantly prove ki kuch kar ke dikha deta hoon. I now have the security of an actor. Initially, mujhe lagta tha yeh bhi kar leta hoon, woh bhi kar leta hoon - I was walking fast nowhere. Now, I'm walking slowly somewhere. If you like yourself, there are so many things to be done, and you take your own time. I'm just at the interval of my life. I have many years yet to do politics. But the joy of being in politics and acting is that there is no age limit - you should just have the intention of doing things.
Actors in the film industry are usually wary of expressing their opinions on the issues of the day, politics especially. Is it a function of this new-found security that you've been speaking out and getting involved?
That's not true - it's not just now. I've always been the most vocal person socially about things that I feel are important. I was one of the only actors who stuck his neck out for Anna's andolan, or when I felt Kejriwal was wrong about certain things. The best thing about life is that you can be yourself -it's the easiest and the most difficult thing. Maybe I grew up in a family where people said what they felt. That doesn't mean I have to hurt somebody, but I think the burden of camouflaging is too much. (You keep thinking) 'What do I want to say? But I shouldn't say it, but no...' Why no? It's perfect, it's alright. People who pretend, don't like themselves. That's why , they want to be somebody else.
Is this confidence the reason why you engage now in a public debate?
No, it's because I'm not afraid of failure.That's my biggest strength. Only fear of failure makes you do things you don't want to do. Ten years back, I did a play based on the disasters of my life, called Kucch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai. That play took away the fear of failure from me, because I was telling the world what was wrong with my life. You're telling the world my left leg is thicker than my right, I'm bald, or I can't speak English as fluently or with the correct pronunciation - then people have nothing to frighten you with. Your shortcomings are shortcomings only if you feel they're shortcomings.
But this doesn't happen consciously. I've been able to analyse it over the years and can talk to you about it. The fact that I was 28 and did a 65-year-old man's role (in Saaransh), apart from the necessity of getting work, means that many years later, people say, 'He was 28 when he played a 65-year-old man's role!' Strangely now, they tell me, 'toh same lagte ho itne saare saalon se'. Same lagoonga na, main toh reversal mein jaa raha hoon. Log 28 se 65 pe jaate hain, main toh 65 se peechhe ja raha hoon! Famous people are frightened people.
Of what, losing fame?
That is always there. In this profession, failure and success are very public and visible. You're very fragile, insecure, and I don't blame people for it. But I came from a lower middle-class family, and I'm giving an interview to a big paper in a car and the AC's working and I'm talking about what a success I've made of my life - what else does one want? Life is beautiful! It's a lethal combination of being optimistic and not having a fear of failure. I'm at the top of the world.
How does being famous change a person's political outlook?
First of all, I love to be famous - to be recognised, I love people's love, giving autographs, photos, seeing my pictures in the paper, etc. That excitement is always there and remains. But that does not change my political outlook - I react from my heart. If at some stage, I feel the ruling government is doing something wrong, I will speak about it. I spoke about it when Congress was in power, when I joined Anna's movement. It's not easy to be in the profession I am and take on the government. The fear of vindictiveness is there - a raid... Uss waqt mere ghar pe pathrav bhi hua tha. But it was so comical. Those 60 people who came to throw stones at my house - I sent my manager and my team to shoot them (on film) and at some stage, I will screen this - the main leader was saying, 'Anupam Kher zindabad! Anupam Kher zindabad!' Suddenly someone from behind shouted, 'Arre ullu ke patthe, murdabad bolna hai.' It was then that he said, 'Anupam Kher murdabad!' That was the most amazing thing. That's why I also look at the comic side of every situation in life. Things can change and I'm passionately vocal about it. I'm not a cribber, but I'm also a teacher somewhere - and teachers are also givers. I was very happy Modiji talked about how teaching is the most thankless job, apart from a mother's job. But in my profession, when you teach, you learn the most, because you discover what you know, and what you don't.
Practically, is there any scope for honesty in politics?
There is a possibility. The system has become so corrupt in the last 60 years. I say this without blaming anybody in particular... A friend was telling me, 'Yaar, log tang aa gaye hain Modiji se, time pe bulata hai'. It should be a good thing! 'Tang aa gaye hain, bahut honest aadmi hai' - yeh hamara pattern ho gaya hai. There is always hope that you can be honest, a doer, make things happen. Dishonesty is a shortcut. You should be known for the person you are.
In this typecasting as an honest man, aren't you often cast as a helplessly honest man?
An honest man is always helpless, because it's been cool to be dishonest. But I always say, it's cool to be honest today. I believe in it - a triumph is always about a weak, honest man who triumphs in the end. Honesty does not have a majority.
Speaking of honesty and majority, why didn't you contest the elections (his wife Kirron did for the BJP and became the Chandigarh MP)?
I'm very happy doing what I'm doing; I don't think I'm prepared to devote my time to politics. When I am, I'd like to give it 100%. I'm not in the frame of mind, and I'm too greedy an actor to do that. In my own way, if I go for a debate, I speak the common man's point of view, even though I'm seen as a high-profile actor. I'm also an eternal optimist. I'm not an escapist - I do understand a situation, so I always feel there's a possibility of goodness in life. I'm not a cribber, or someone who criticises. People who criticise are not doers. I'm a doer. Therefore, I'm proud of a PM who comes across as a doer. Within these 150 days, people can go to town saying, 'yeh nahin hua, woh nahin hua', etc, but I have great hope.
You say you're an optimist, a realist, a doer. Then why not get into politics to effect the change you want to see?
When I feel I have the time, I'd like to give 365 days to it, (do) what Kirron has done - she's almost settled there now. But I'm mentally greedy as an actor. I have just discovered, in the last three-four years, what kind of person I am. I think when men and women reach their early 50s - and this is my own theory - you either like yourself or you don't. I like myself.
You've discovered yourself now, after all these years?
Because I have a great sense of wonder about life. I don't take it for granted. I'm not a stereotype who has set answers. That's why I have no set answer for your politics question - what I'm saying is the truth. I'm too excited about wanting to direct, writing a film. I have discovered now that I can relax as an actor. I don't have to constantly prove ki kuch kar ke dikha deta hoon. I now have the security of an actor. Initially, mujhe lagta tha yeh bhi kar leta hoon, woh bhi kar leta hoon - I was walking fast nowhere. Now, I'm walking slowly somewhere. If you like yourself, there are so many things to be done, and you take your own time. I'm just at the interval of my life. I have many years yet to do politics. But the joy of being in politics and acting is that there is no age limit - you should just have the intention of doing things.
Actors in the film industry are usually wary of expressing their opinions on the issues of the day, politics especially. Is it a function of this new-found security that you've been speaking out and getting involved?
That's not true - it's not just now. I've always been the most vocal person socially about things that I feel are important. I was one of the only actors who stuck his neck out for Anna's andolan, or when I felt Kejriwal was wrong about certain things. The best thing about life is that you can be yourself -it's the easiest and the most difficult thing. Maybe I grew up in a family where people said what they felt. That doesn't mean I have to hurt somebody, but I think the burden of camouflaging is too much. (You keep thinking) 'What do I want to say? But I shouldn't say it, but no...' Why no? It's perfect, it's alright. People who pretend, don't like themselves. That's why , they want to be somebody else.
Is this confidence the reason why you engage now in a public debate?
No, it's because I'm not afraid of failure.That's my biggest strength. Only fear of failure makes you do things you don't want to do. Ten years back, I did a play based on the disasters of my life, called Kucch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai. That play took away the fear of failure from me, because I was telling the world what was wrong with my life. You're telling the world my left leg is thicker than my right, I'm bald, or I can't speak English as fluently or with the correct pronunciation - then people have nothing to frighten you with. Your shortcomings are shortcomings only if you feel they're shortcomings.
But this doesn't happen consciously. I've been able to analyse it over the years and can talk to you about it. The fact that I was 28 and did a 65-year-old man's role (in Saaransh), apart from the necessity of getting work, means that many years later, people say, 'He was 28 when he played a 65-year-old man's role!' Strangely now, they tell me, 'toh same lagte ho itne saare saalon se'. Same lagoonga na, main toh reversal mein jaa raha hoon. Log 28 se 65 pe jaate hain, main toh 65 se peechhe ja raha hoon! Famous people are frightened people.
Of what, losing fame?
That is always there. In this profession, failure and success are very public and visible. You're very fragile, insecure, and I don't blame people for it. But I came from a lower middle-class family, and I'm giving an interview to a big paper in a car and the AC's working and I'm talking about what a success I've made of my life - what else does one want? Life is beautiful! It's a lethal combination of being optimistic and not having a fear of failure. I'm at the top of the world.
How does being famous change a person's political outlook?
First of all, I love to be famous - to be recognised, I love people's love, giving autographs, photos, seeing my pictures in the paper, etc. That excitement is always there and remains. But that does not change my political outlook - I react from my heart. If at some stage, I feel the ruling government is doing something wrong, I will speak about it. I spoke about it when Congress was in power, when I joined Anna's movement. It's not easy to be in the profession I am and take on the government. The fear of vindictiveness is there - a raid... Uss waqt mere ghar pe pathrav bhi hua tha. But it was so comical. Those 60 people who came to throw stones at my house - I sent my manager and my team to shoot them (on film) and at some stage, I will screen this - the main leader was saying, 'Anupam Kher zindabad! Anupam Kher zindabad!' Suddenly someone from behind shouted, 'Arre ullu ke patthe, murdabad bolna hai.' It was then that he said, 'Anupam Kher murdabad!' That was the most amazing thing. That's why I also look at the comic side of every situation in life. Things can change and I'm passionately vocal about it. I'm not a cribber, but I'm also a teacher somewhere - and teachers are also givers. I was very happy Modiji talked about how teaching is the most thankless job, apart from a mother's job. But in my profession, when you teach, you learn the most, because you discover what you know, and what you don't.
Practically, is there any scope for honesty in politics?
There is a possibility. The system has become so corrupt in the last 60 years. I say this without blaming anybody in particular... A friend was telling me, 'Yaar, log tang aa gaye hain Modiji se, time pe bulata hai'. It should be a good thing! 'Tang aa gaye hain, bahut honest aadmi hai' - yeh hamara pattern ho gaya hai. There is always hope that you can be honest, a doer, make things happen. Dishonesty is a shortcut. You should be known for the person you are.
Anna Hazare finally greenlights project on his life
7:48 AM
Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; April 16, 2014)
Anna Hazare has now agreed for a film to be made on his life. Produced by Aniruddh Gaikar, the biopic will be directed by Marathi actor-turned-director, Shashank Udapurkar.
Udapurkar, who recently worked in a film titled Sambhaji Raje, has been tailing Anna for the past one-and-a- half year in a bid to get an insight into his life.
The filmmaker confirms the news, but is tightlipped about who will play Anna in the film. “We are yet to finalise the same. We will announce the name after the elections as Anna is currently busy with other commitments,” he says.
Many filmmakers have approached Anna, but the activist was apparently not keen to have a film made on his life. “After seeing Anna at Ramlila Maidan, I was inspired to make a film on him. It will trace his life from the age of 9 till date,” he says.
Udapurkar will shoot the film in Ralegan Siddhi, Mumbai, Delhi, Kashmir and Ladakh. “We will shoot at real locations — be it his childhood, army days or his return to home town and the fight against corruption,” he says.
Sanjay Pathade, Anna’s advisor, confirms, “It is going to be the first biopic on Anna, and he has consented to the same after a few meetings with Udapurkar.” He adds that most films dealing with Anna’s life are documentaries that only revolve around his work.
Pathade also points out that Anna hasn’t suggested any names to the makers.
Anna Hazare has now agreed for a film to be made on his life. Produced by Aniruddh Gaikar, the biopic will be directed by Marathi actor-turned-director, Shashank Udapurkar.Udapurkar, who recently worked in a film titled Sambhaji Raje, has been tailing Anna for the past one-and-a- half year in a bid to get an insight into his life.
The filmmaker confirms the news, but is tightlipped about who will play Anna in the film. “We are yet to finalise the same. We will announce the name after the elections as Anna is currently busy with other commitments,” he says.
Many filmmakers have approached Anna, but the activist was apparently not keen to have a film made on his life. “After seeing Anna at Ramlila Maidan, I was inspired to make a film on him. It will trace his life from the age of 9 till date,” he says.
Udapurkar will shoot the film in Ralegan Siddhi, Mumbai, Delhi, Kashmir and Ladakh. “We will shoot at real locations — be it his childhood, army days or his return to home town and the fight against corruption,” he says.
Sanjay Pathade, Anna’s advisor, confirms, “It is going to be the first biopic on Anna, and he has consented to the same after a few meetings with Udapurkar.” He adds that most films dealing with Anna’s life are documentaries that only revolve around his work.
Pathade also points out that Anna hasn’t suggested any names to the makers.
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