Arjan Bajwa on playing elder brother to the actor in Sandeep Vanga’s Hindi directorial debut
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 19, 2019)

Arjan Bajwa, last seen as an antagonist in Akshay Kumar’s Rustom, is playing elder brother Karan to Shahid Kapoor’s titular Kabir Singh in Sandeep Vanga’s Hindi directorial debut, which is a remake of the director’s 2017 Telugu drama Arjun Reddy.

Arjan admits that he hadn’t seen the original till Sandeep approached him with a part in the Hindi remake. “Sandeep has known me from my Telugu work. He told me about a beautiful scene from Arjun Reddy, where the brothers are arguing about something. He insisted that I watch the scene. I fell in love with the film instantly,” he explains.

And what was it like working with his screen sibling? “We spoke about everything except movies. It’s healthy to discuss life and family. We hit it off from the first day, as I have also known him for years socially. Shahid and I had an easy camaraderie,” he informs.

Prod him on his three-year hiatus from Hindi films and he says it wasn’t intentional. “This is an answer all the producers and directors who almost cast me should give. It’s happened so many times—some thought I was too good looking for a part, others figured I wasn’t very road-side for another role. I was given vague reasons,” he shares.

Buzz is, he is playing a taxi-driver in his next. “That film is directed by Anuradha Tiwari and is still in the works. She is doing something in the international, out-of-the-box space in which I have transformed myself. She is upbeat about me playing something different. I hope other directors follow suit,” he says.
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Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; June 19, 2019)

Arjan Bajwa, who has acted in films like Fashion, Guru and Rustom, will be seen in a pivotal role in Kabir Singh. The actor will play Karan Singh, the younger brother of Kabir Singh (Shahid Kapoor). It’s interesting how director Sandeep Reddy Vanga finalised him for the role.

Arjan says, “I have been part of many Tollywood films, and that’s how Sandeep knows me. He was on the lookout for someone who could play Shahid’s brother, and was adamant that I should accept this role because I resembled him. However, before offering me the role, he wanted me to watch the original Telugu film (Arjun Reddy), which was also helmed by him. When I watched it, I was surprised to see that Karan Singh was mild and soft-mannered, unlike me. I was apprehensive initially, but I finally gave my nod to the film, as I felt that with a few inputs from my side, I would be able to pull off the role.”

So, how was it working with Shahid? Arjan replies, “I have known Shahid for many years, but this is the first time we are working together. Kabir Singh was a wonderful experience and somewhere, Sandeep’s conviction that we resemble each other, helped us bond better.”

Fourteen songs, four cities and four unlikely couples come together for a musical romance
Roshmilla Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 23, 2015)

Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 18, 2014)

Mirror (November 13) was the first to report that Citylights actress Patralekhaa has been signed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali for a film to be directed by Anuradha Tiwari. Now, we have learnt that the makers have roped in Amit Sadh (of Kai Po Che fame) as her leading man.

A source close to the unit revealed that while this unusual love story unfolds across several cities in the North, Patralekhaa and Amit's track is set in Delhi. "Their characters belong to the city's elite," says the source, adding that though Bhansali is busy shooting Bajirao Mastani, he is completely clued in to what Anuraadha is up to.

One more pivotal character is yet to be cast. "The screening process is underway and by the year end, they should have the girl," informed the source.

The film goes on the floors early next year. 

Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 18, 2014)

On November 13, Mirror brought you the news that Patralekhaa has bagged a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film. Anuradha Tiwari, who wrote the story and screenplay of films like Heroine, Fashion and Jail, will direct the film.

The latest is that Sharman Joshi has been signed to play the male lead opposite Patralekhaa. The actor, who will play a theatre director in the film, was Bhansali's first choice.

"Sharman fits the role to a T and Bhansali was sure of the casting," said a source close to the development, adding, "Bhansali and Sharman go back a long way. Bhansali loves Sharman's work. They had a three-hour-long meeting and the topic of conversation soon veered towards Sharman's earlier films."

The film, which was to kick off in January, has now been rescheduled and will go on floors on Bhansali's birthday, February 24.

Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 13, 2014)

Patralekhaa, who made an impressive debut early this year in Hansal Mehta's Citylights, has bagged another film. Mirror has learnt that the actress will star in an upcoming romantic drama. The film will be made under Sanjay Leela Bhansali's banner.

Revealed a source close to the unit, "After Citylights where she featured alongside real-life partner Rajkummar Rao, Patralekhaa was waiting for something equally good to come her way. And then this film happened."

The source adds that Bhansali was closely involved in the casting process and he was of the opinion that her's would be the perfect face for the intense romantic drama that is set in Mumbai and Banares.

Said the source, "The script has been written by Anuradha Tiwari who will make her directorial debut with this film. Currently, they are in talks with several actors for the male lead. The film will go on floors in January next year."

Confirming the same, Patralekhaa told Mirror, "It actually feels like a dream to have got an opportunity to work under Bhansali sir's banner--that too in my second film. It's an interesting role, and is quite different from the part I played in Citylights. I am looking forward to this film."