Kurla's Naezy, on whose life Ranveer Singh's next film is based, debuts as composer in Aditya Chopra's 'Bank Chor'
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 7, 2017)

The inspiration behind Ranveer Singh's next film, 'Gully Boy', seems to have caught the fancy of the actor's mentor. Rapper Naved Shaikh, better known as Naezy, will make his Bollywood debut with Yash Raj Films' new film, Riteish Deshmukh-starrer 'Bank Chor'.

Known for his unique 'gully' style, he burst on to the indie music scene in 2014 with a DIY music video of his song Aafat that went viral and catapulted him into public consciousness as a voice to watch out for.

For the film song now, Naezy has dropped his distinctive rhymes in a first-of-its-kind epic rap battle, titled BC Rap Knockout: Mumbai vs Delhi, composed by Shameer Tandon and written by Varun Likhate. He will be joined by a young rap artiste from Delhi for the song-off, and also feature in its music video with Riteish and actress Rhea Chakraborty.

Excited about introducing Mumbaiyya rap in mainstream Bollywood, the 23-year-old says, "I am super stoked. They were looking for someone fresh, and when it's about representing the city, who else could do it better than a gully rapper? I am honored to be involved in the music video as well. I am looking forward to what will be my first appearance as a Bollywood rapper."

Composer Tandon says they have tried to pull off a hatke number: "A rap battle has never been done before in Bollywood, so it only made sense to get Mumbai's gully boy Naezy to do it. Usne dhoom macha di hai."

The track will be launched by May-end along with a promotional music video in the run-up to the film's release on June 16.

Producer Aashish Patil adds, "Bollywood has heard and loved Punjabi hip-hop in the recent past, but they are yet to be introduced to Mumbai's gully style. Naezy's rhymes have brought a street swag to our song."

Rohit Shetty on working with Singh, and the possibility of them coming together again
Upala KBR (DNA; September 27, 2016)

Ranveer Singh is on a high. His ad film Ranveer Ching Returns directed by Rohit Shetty has garnered millions of views on various social media platforms. Together it has reached an audience of over 100-crore. His popularity on social media matches that of King Khan, so he is worthy of the Singh is King title. Box office, wise when SRK and Singh clashed last year, Bajirao Mastani came out on top of Dilwale. And what could be a bigger high for Singh than in his next outing, he had the Dilwale director at the helm. Sitting behind his large desk at his Andheri office, Rohit talks about his actor and the possibility of a sequel of Ching Returns.

Do you know what numbers the ad has crossed on social media?
I never thought that the ad would become so big! So, it’s crossed 100-crore here also (laughs)? I think it was because a new format — a five-minute ad — that it became so popular. It happens a lot abroad… Actually they do it more with car products. Big directors come in, so this five-minute concept or film is always there. Ching wanted to create the same and they wanted something larger-than-life…

Everything that you do these days, is larger-than-life…
(Laughs) It was just an experiment as they wanted something like a Mad Max or Maze Runner so we were like fine, let’s try it on CG and work on it. We worked on it for two-and-a-half-months and it came out well. We now know that in India you can pull it off.

Will you do more ads?
Yes, this was my first ad. I have done the Bigg Boss series with Salman Khan as well, though. If the concept excites me and I can add to it, then I will direct an ad again, why not?

Ranveer is quirky, madcap, eccentric. You are not. How did you two gel?
YRF’s Ashish Patil came to me to direct this ad and they asked me to handle the production side. The script came to me after that and we made some changes. Ranveer and I met to discuss the concept. We had met earlier a number of times. He was very excited about doing this ad. The most important thing is that Ranveer is a very sweet, down-to-earth and nice guy. Everybody knows by now, that whatever he is doing is not to create a perception. He is not artificial. That’s the way he is — a harmless guy who speaks from his heart so immediately we gelled.

Off screen, you both share a certain camaraderie, too…
All the young boys of today have that trait. I don’t know, maybe I am becoming old (laughs). Today, Ranveer’s a star, but he doesn’t carry that aura or attitude on the sets with him. I believe that he doesn’t know how big he is. The first time he had come to my office was when I was making Singham. That Ranveer Singh and today’s Ranveer Singh has not changed a bit. He is the way he was. The boys of today now work round the clock, like how the way the big stars like Ajay (Devgn), Salman (Khan), Akshay (Kumar), Shah Rukh (Khan) used to work. You can see a younger version of them, hard-working and dedicated to their craft and that is why you will see them reach where the superstars of today are — with that attitude.

Any plans to direct Ranveer for a film?
I would love to direct him in a film. We are working on a few things, but haven’t finalised anything as yet. I want to do an out-and-out action film with Ranveer because I think, out of the younger lot, he’s one actor who can play a cop or an underworld guy or like in Bajirao Mastani, the father of an eight-year-old son. Out of the whole young lot, he’s the only guy who can pull off all these characters, which few people can understand. He has that versatility, body and structure. He is that one boy out of the younger lot who can pull off any role. Ranveer has that kind of talent to do it all.

That’s a huge compliment!
You can’t pin any tag on Ranveer. He can do action as well as comedy or play a loverboy or do a Dil Dhadakne Do or an OTT commercial, masala Rohit Shetty film or a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film. Ranveer fits any character. Ranveer is the superstar of the next generation and the biggest reason is his connection with the audience. He has a connect with the masses — the way he behaves, puts himself out, the way he interacts with people, comes and dances — that makes the masses think that he’s one of us. A guy from the chawl can think Ranveer is his hero and a girl from Peddar Road can also think he’s her hero. That makes a superstar. Shah Rukh and Salman have that quality. And Ranveer has that. When we had the ad shown at Chandan there were over 500 people and he met each one of them. They would have carried him home and told another 10 people about it so 5 lakh people would know that Ranveer sab ke saath aisa dance kiya. And he’s genuine.

When’s the second ad coming?
If the second ad happens, it will only happen after a year or so. We made 30-second ads for TV, which aren’t out yet. This was a new concept and it clicked in a very big way. We shot the ad in just three days; and one day, we shot round the clock. We did the action in the morning and shot the song from evening to morning and then after two hours, we again started working. And let me tell you, at no point, was Ranveer’s energy level going down. On the contrary it was increasing (laughs), especially at night. My team and I are very energetic too, so he was fitting in well. We had a few references but exactly how it would shape up nobody knew.

Saqib Saleem on his film choices and the roles he would like to do
Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; August 2, 2016)


Are you happy with the response you have got for your role in Dishoom?
Yes, it’s been overwhelming. I had got excited about the role because I was playing a cricketer. Though I couldn’t pursue cricket as a career I eat, breathe and live the sport. So when this film happened I thought this is my dream — to be somebody who I always wanted to be. When I read the script, Rohit (Dhawan, director) and I were discussing that we should model the character on somebody so that it becomes easier on us. So Viraj Sharma was modelled on Virat Kohli. It’s not a biography on him. I have only tried to imbibe his aggressive intent on the field (he is a soldier on the ground) in the character.

Did you meet Virat?
Yes, I had gone to see an IPL match. I am a huge supporter of Royal Challengers, Bengaluru. After watching one of their matches, I met Virat and told him that I am playing this character fashioned on him. He seemed interested and said he will watch.

What prompted you to do the music video Tum Ho Toh Lagta Hai ?
I have always maintained that music videos and web series are opportunities for actors and technicians, who haven't been able to do films together, to collaborate and make something exciting. I have never worked with Taapsee before, so I thought let's try this. I got a call from the makers who told me that the song is composed by Amaal (Malik) and sung by Shaan. When I heard the song, I liked it, it was a nice melody. So, I did it, and people have liked the chemistry between Taapsee and me.

Now you are doing a film together?
When we were shooting for the video, we used to speak about how we should do a film together and now we are doing it. It’s a love story and we are shooting in London.

Did you know Taapsee before you did the video?
We had met at a couple of events. They were formal meetings. I didn't know anything about her. But she is from Delhi and so am I. I don't know whether it was that connect, but when we started shooting and got talking, we just couldn't stop. The director had to tell us calm down and concentrate! Taapsee is an easy person to work with. When you are working with somebody, especially on a love story, you have to know the person and connect. Otherwise it becomes difficult to emote. During the making, we realised we had a lot of things in common — the way we look at films as well as other things. She seemed to be on the same wavelength, which made it easy to shoot the video.

Have you become good friends?
Yes, she is a nice and sweet girl. But if you are hinting at anything else, that's not the case (laughs).

What is happening with Dobaara, the remake of pysho-thriller Oculus?
Dobaara is almost done. We have some songs pending to be shot. We are looking at a year-end release.

How was it working with your sister Huma?
It was a very exciting film for me because Huma and I were working together for the first time. Every film is special, but this became extra special. We always thought we will work together, but didn't think it will be so soon. Both of us liked the script, decided to do it and see who is the better actor in the family!

Was it easy shooting with her?
The first two days I didn't know what was happening. I will be honest, I thought she is my sister, how can I act with her. However, since Huma and I know each other so well, we just got into the groove — everything seemed natural and real. Being real siblings helped. Though our relationship in the film is different from what we share in real life, that connect really helped and we could do those scenes with each other.

Actors generally shy away from playing gay characters, but you played one in Bombay Talkies. Didn't you have any apprehensions?
I am an actor, and I have to act that out. I thought I did a decent job. Now you see a film like Kapoor & Sons where Fawad's (Khan) character is homosexual. There is Aligarh where a senior actor like Manoj Bajpayee is playing something like this. I don't think we should stop ourselves from playing any character. Also, there's nothing wrong in being gay. We should judge the film by the script, not determine what we want to do on the basis of the sexual preferences of the character.

What kind of roles would you to explore now?
I would love to play a negative guy, play the villain. It is always interesting to have shades to your character.

Any plans of doing a web series?
Yes, something interesting has come up, but I have to finish reading the final draft. I have an offer for a series from Ashish Patil of Yash Raj Films. He has in a way launched me, so if I like it, I will do it. I am not averse to any medium.

In their new web series, Sex Chat With Pappu And Papa, Y Films is giving Indian audiences a sex education lesson with a fun twist
Aastha Atray Banan (MID-DAY; July 17, 2016)

"When Ashish Patil [head of Y Films] came and told us why he wanted to make a show about the embarrassing questions a child asks, he had a personal anecdote to narrate,” says Anand Tiwari, who plays Anand Watsa or Papa in Y Films’ Sex Chat With Pappu And Papa. He came home one day and found his son jumping on the bed saying f***, f***, f***… over and over again. His wife told him that their son had heard her saying it on the phone and had been parroting it ever since. “Kids today are so smart and have so many questions. This series will try and answer some of them sensitively and without making anyone cringe,” he says.

Sex Chat with Pappu And Papa, that debuts on Y Films’ YouTube channel on Tuesday, tells the tale of the Watsa family, where Tiwari as Papa and Kabir Sajid as Punit or Pappu are planning to give India a fun sex education chat. Shot in 10 days, the show of five episodes also stars Sachin Pilgaonkar as Vishwanath Watsa, who is daddu, and who also gets an education along the way. They talk about issues that all children have questions about — masturbation, the origin of babies, periods and homosexuality — in an easy and uncomplicated way.

“Why we cast Kabir, who is just seven years old, is because times have changed. Children as young as him are exposed to all that’s around them in a de-sensitised manner, so they need to know about all this,” says Tiwari. But Sajid, who you will have seen in advertisements and the Shahid-Alia starrer Shaandaar, had no clue what they were chatting about. “That’s because we didn’t want to disturb the acting process too much. When he watches it later, he will get it,” says Tiwari. Sajid says with a grin, “I didn’t understand anything. I just spoke the dialogue. But, how did he mouth the dialogues in such a believable way if he didn’t know head or tail of what they were talking about? “That’s because I am very serious about acting,” Sajid says matter-of-factly, and everyone cracks up.

His mother, Shireen, who is accompanying him, explains, “I am a biology professor and have taught at the university. You wouldn’t believe it, but most of the time college students don’t even know the basics of the reproductive system. So, when I read the script, I knew there was a need for such a show. I too have two sons, and I relate to this.”

Sajid may have not understood the lines he was spouting, but he has asked his mom some of the questions that the show hopes to tackle — like where do babies come from and what are sanitary napkins used for, which Shireen described tactfully as “adult diapers for ladies”. “So, we had a conversation where I told him what the show was about and that right now, all he needed to worry about was remembering the lines. That’s all,” says Shireen, who got a lot of calls from concerned parents who watched the trailer and were aghast that she had allowed her son to do the show. “I told them that as educated parents, we should be talking to our kids about sex and sexual habits."

At this point, Tiwari says, “That’s why the tagline of the show is ‘sharmane ki kya baat hai’. Ever since we released the trailer a few days ago, we have been inundated with comments such as ‘now we can just make our kids watch this!’” Tiwari shares that the show, though directed at the teenage and young adults, will help everyone. For example, in the episode that deals with homosexuality, we deal with the grandfather’s bias too and both Pappu and Daddu get a lesson in how homosexuality is not wrong at all.”

And, in the episode on masturbation, though the focus is on the male habit, they do admit that women do it, too. Tiwari laughs, “Of course, we do! It’s about each and every one of us.”

Upala KBR (DNA; June 2, 2016)

The chemistry between Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor is undeniable. But the two haven’t been seen on screen together post-Gunday. Award shows, roasts and endorsements aside, their bromance has been sorely missed by audiences, for the mad energy they bring about when united.

We now hear that the two will act in a web series, directed by debutant helmer Ashish Patil, who also happens to be the Business and Creative Head at Yash Raj Films (and Y Films, Talent Management, Brand Partnerships).

Says a source, “Ashish has also written the series, a romantic-action-drama that will attempt to showcase the bromance between Ranveer and Arjun apart from some slick action sequences. It will also feature a hot B-Town actress. Last year, Y Films came out with two web series — Man’s World and Bang Bajaa Baraat. This year, it launched the raunchy web series Ladies Room. The target audience of the web series is the youth and who better than Ranveer and Arjun, who are hot favourites, at the moment? Many filmmakers have been dying to cast the duo, but finding the right script has been an issue.”

The source adds that Y Films wants to produce bold films that challenge conventions and cross boundaries and cover all genres — thrillers, comedies, romances, chick flicks, capers. “Everything is still under wraps and the web series with the Gunday boys is still in nascent stages and talks are on to procure both these actors’ dates as it’s a busy year for them.”

Ashish Patil doesn’t deny the developments but smiles and says, “No comments. Stay tuned to Y Films.”

TWO’S COMPANY

Arjun Kapoor and Fawad Khan have been offered Abhishek Varman’s next film Kalank and are considering it. The film will be produced by Karan Johar and go on floors later this year. If the two actors agree, this will be their first film together. The two-hero action drama will have two heroines, who are yet to be finalised. Arjun, who has worked before with Abhishek in Two States, and loves working with him. Currently, the actors are having script narrations.

Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; July 16, 2015)

The release of Yash Raj Films’ Bank Chor has been pushed ahead by two months due to date issues of lead actor Riteish Deshmukh.

Sources say the actor hasn’t been able to devote time to the shoot of two promotional songs for the upcoming comedy since he is caught up with other projects. Another reason is that the makers apparently did not get a solo release window in August as per plan.

A source says, “The film was scheduled for an August release as the shoot wrapped up in March. But it has been pushed to October now as Riteish won’t be available before next month and the promotional songs have to be finalised too. The makers also want to avoid a clash with other films and are looking at release dates in October.”

Riteish could not be reached for a comment while Ashish Patil of YRF says, “Yes, the Bank Chors are still planning their heist. So, we will respond at a later stage with an official announcement on the release date.”

Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; August 22, 2014)

After dropping Kapil Sharma from Bank Chor, Riteish Deshmukh and Vivek Oberoi have been roped in to star in this Yash Raj Films production.

Sources say that the two actors have been giving their inputs in the creative meetings for the film and that producer Aditya Chopra has now given instructions to the team that he doesn’t want them to attend these sessions.

A source close to the project says that the film’s team has already had too many meetings. “When Kapil Sharma was on board, there were many changes and a lot of discussions was happening. Now that the film is about to go on the floors, there have been some more meetings. But Aditya Chopra now wants very few people to attend these meetings; he doesn’t want every other person to be a part of the creative team’s meetings,” says the source.

The source also says that after Riteish Deshmukh and Vivek Oberoi were signed on for Bumpy’s upcoming film Bank Chor, they evinced a keen interest in attending these meetings. Also, since both of them have done comedy before, they were giving their inputs freely. But Aditya Chopra has apparently instructed the team to no longer involve the actors in these meetings,” adds the source.

Ashish Patil, CEO, Yfilms, and producer of Bank Chor, said, “Untrue! Filmmaking is a creative and collaborative process at YRF and inputs are always welcome. The final call on incorporating ideas rests with the director.”

Riteish and Vivek remained unavailable for comment, but director Bumpy said, “I think that all inputs should be heard. This brings objectivity to the table.”

Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; July 10, 2014)

With Riteish Deshmukh’s last cinematic outing in a negative role (read: Ek Villain) winning appreciation for the actor, it looks like he is now open to playing different characters.

It has now emerged that Riteish has replaced Kapil Sharma in the Yash Raj Film, Bank Chor. Says a source, “After Kapil was shown the door by YRF, the search for a new Bank chor was on in full swing and a lot of names were considered for the project. Now Riteish has been finalised as the lead in the film. The film is scheduled to go on the floors immediately as it is scheduled to release early next year.”

Ashish Patil, business and creative head, Y Films, says, “Riteish is one of the most exciting actors to work with today. From playing a villain to doing action in his upcoming film, Lai Bhaari, there’s nothing he can’t do. With Bank Chor, Riteish will be starring in a film that plays to his strength: comedy. He will bring to film a scale, madness and weight that it deserves.”

On his part, Riteish says that he loved the film’s script and that’s what prompted him to give a nod to the project. “I loved the script and the character. I’ve always liked to push the envelope with my choices,” he says.

The film is a comic-caper, that tells the story of three people trying to rob a bank when everything goes wrong and how they get caught in a labyrinth of cops, industrialists and corrupt politicians.

In a recent development, YRF & Kapil Sharma have decided to part ways mutually. Y Films’ “Bank Chor” will now go on floor without him.

Ashish Patil, Business & Creative Head, Youth Films, Talent Management & Brand Partnerships at Yash Raj Films, speaking on this development said, “We will look forward to working together in future when the time is right.”

“Bank-Chor” is a comic-caper, that tells the story of 3 morons trying to rob a bank who pick the worst day possible when everything that can go wrong, goes wrong and how they’re inadvertently caught in the crossfire of cops, industrialists and corrupt netas. “Bank-Chor” is directed by Bumpy and produced by Ashish Patil.

Watch this space to for more announcements on this front soon!

YASH RAJ FILMS