Showing posts with label Anushree Mehta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anushree Mehta. Show all posts
Sunny Singh to be seen in neo-noir, comedy, and tragedy flick, Risky Romeo
10:40 PM
Sunny Singh with Abir Sengupta and Anushree Mehta; (right) Sunny Singh
Director Abir Sengupta on exploring a new genre with Risky Romeo, featuring Sunny
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; February 29, 2024)
After doing a slew of comedies, Sunny Singh is attempting something that has the potential of changing his image as a performer. Giving him a new direction with Ricky Romeo is writer-director Abir Sengupta, who is currently enjoying rediscovering his film in the post-production. The movie’s genre is a combination of neo-noir, comedy, and tragedy. The filmmaker says that mixing the three genres gives a refreshing spin to exploring heartbreak in the film.
“Sometimes, you feel your heart is broken, but did it really break? You don’t even know. Time not only heals your wounds but also reveals that it was all about closure, not a broken heart. The film captures the journey of self-discovery in the most unusual way. It’s a dark idea, but it has colours. We are trying to find humour in a dark situation,” says Sengupta, who also produces the film along with his business partner Anushree Mehta under Jaadugar Films, in association with Priyanka Mehrotra and Rameshchandra Yadav of PR Motion Pictures.
Crediting Singh for being willing to commit to his character and explore dark emotions, Sengupta shares how the actor got into his head to understand the character. “The character comes from a deep-rooted trauma. The prep was internal. We spent more than a month together to crack its mental space before going on floors. We spoke about everything under the sun. All those conversations helped him on set,” shares the director.
The filmmaker believes that Singh of Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2 (2015) and Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (2018) fame was always meant for more than delivering comic punchlines. “[I always felt] he could break into many shades. It was just a matter of [doing a project] that would bring out his other personalities and, at the same time, give the film an edge,” he says, adding that Singh’s performance is like a breath of fresh air.
With Risky Romeo, Sengupta has aspirations not only as a storyteller but also as a consumer of mixed genre stories. The filmmaker says he will consider it a win if Risky Romeo is able to widen the market for mixed genre films in the industry.
"I really want acceptance for this genre of neo-noir comic tragedy. I feel mixed genre films either completely blow your mind or the audience feels that it's better to watch when genres are explicitly mentioned like romance, comedy, drama so that it becomes simple for them to (comprehend). So, I want that even if there is an audience of 10 for mixed genres, it increases to 30 or 40 after Risky Romeo. I know so many filmmakers and writers, who have such unique voices, but they have fear of unacceptance. If that fear begins to reduce, a lot of new stories, interesting characters will start coming out," he says.
Mrs Undercover director Anushree Mehta to adapt celebrated retro classics Koshish, Bawarchi, Mili
8:42 AM
Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Mili, Bawarchi and Gulzar’s Koshish to be revisited by Mrs Undercover maker Anushree and producer Sippy
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; July 12, 2023)
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the ’70s cinema was the polar opposite of today’s offerings, their slice-of-life stories in stark contrast to our current trend of larger-than-life movies. And who captured the joys and anguish of everyday life on screen better than the late Hrishikesh Mukherjee, and Gulzar?
In an attempt to remind viewers of the charm of human dramas, Mrs Undercover director Anushree Mehta and her business partner Abir Sengupta are revisiting the noted filmmakers’ classics—Mukherjee’s Bawarchi (1972) and Mili (1975), and Gulzar’s Koshish (1972).
The duo are teaming up with producer Sameer Raj Sippy, grandson of late producer N C Sippy, who had originally backed the three gems. Mehta says the decision to adapt the classics came from a personal space.
“It is a huge responsibility as Koshish, Bawarchi and Mili are celebrated in India and across the globe. Gulzar saab and Hrishi-da set the standards of filmmaking for generations to come,” she shares. To Sengupta, the remakes are a way of introducing the new generation to the magic of the past.
He says, “These are the films we have grown up on and that the new generation should also witness, to know our rich cinematic legacy.”
The three adaptations are currently in the development stage. Once the scripts are locked, the makers will finalize the cast and the directors. With the remakes, Sippy says the idea is to retain the essence of the original stories while viewing them through a contemporary gaze. “We want to take the stories and bring them in today’s scenario, with a modern outlook.”
It’s way too late for us to realize that women protagonists can headline action and comedy movies-Anushree Mehta
8:37 AM
Debuting with Radhika’s spy comedy Mrs Undercover, director Anushree Mehta says leading ladies are pushing for change by attempting action on screen
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; April 1, 2023)
You often tell your most personal story with your first film. Anushree Mehta will agree, as she gears up for the release of her directorial debut, Mrs Undercover. The spy comedy, led by Radhika Apte, tells the story of a home-maker, who doubles up as an undercover agent.
“It’s a dedication to my mom and every home-maker who is undermined. Being a home-maker is such a thankless job,” begins Mehta, who has also penned and produced the ZEE5 film.
Unlike most women-led offerings that are set in a serious space, Mrs Undercover sees the director put forth her love for action and comedy. She lucked out with Apte, who immediately saw potential in the world she was trying to create.
“It makes no sense to tell the story in a morose way. I am a fan of masala Hindi movies; I whistle and clap while watching a film in the theatre. So, I want to be that filmmaker [who can] entertainingly deliver a message.”
In Hindi movies, the action genre has been largely male-dominated. However, with Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif standing shoulder-to-shoulder with their male co-stars in action blockbusters, Mehta is glad to see the tide turning. She says, “It’s way too late for us to realize that women protagonists can headline action and comedy movies. Some change is needed with generations. As filmmakers, we have a responsibility [to initiate change]. When Katrina and Deepika do action on the big screen, it pushes the envelope. When I was making the movie, I’d often be asked by my friends or neighbours, ‘Who is the hero?’ When I used to say Radhika Apte, they would still ask: ‘But who is the hero?’ A hero is your protagonist, irrespective of the gender.”
Adah Sharma & Naveen Kasturia bag Man To Man, a quirky comedy on sex reassignment surgery
7:41 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (April 21, 2019)
After the Punjabi film Sajjan Singh Rangroot, which starred Diljit Dosanjh and Sunanda Sharma, Jay Sahni, owner of Vivid Arthouse, is now set to join hands with Abir Sengupta and Anushree Mehta of Anushree Abir Entertainment. The duo had earlier backed the Bengali film Jomer Raja Dilo Bor. The trio unites to produce a Hindi feature film titled Man to Man.The movie stars Adah Sharma and Naveen Kasturia in lead roles and has been written and directed by Abir. It has been talked about for its quirky subject — sex reassignment surgery. The story sees Naveen falling in love and marrying Adah, only to later realise that she was a man who became a woman after undergoing a sex reassignment surgery.
“It's a great role. It’s something that no one has attempted before. The comedy will connect with people of all genders and ages,” said Adah. Naveen, who has been doing interesting work in the digital space, said, “I really liked the script and the director's passion for the project. The role that I was offered was different. I had fun portraying the same on the screen.”
Speaking about his first Hindi outing, Jay Sahni said, “We couldn’t have asked for a better beginning than this. We have a perfect combination of good content and an apt cast coming together. I have wanted to work with Adah and I got to do that in my very first Hindi film.” Anushree Mehta added, “Abir is also my business partner and as a company, our endeavour is to make sure that our content stands out. This film is one such dream come true.”
Man to Man, which is in the last stages of post-production, was shot entirely in Mumbai. Abir said, “This film is a tribute to the LGBTQIA+ community, which is trying to find acceptance from their loved ones as well as the society. I am grateful to the cast and crew of the movie, who helped me realise my dream.”
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