BOMBAY TIMES (May 9, 2017)

Raaz Reboot debutante signed for Atithi sequel after Haydon walked out of film at the last minute
Shilpi Sampad (MID-DAY; October 1, 2016)

Lisa Haydon’s sudden exit from Atithi In London had left director Abhishek Pathak fuming and fidgety about finding a replacement with the film almost ready to roll. And while his legal team is at work to send a notice to The Shaukeens actress, he has zeroed in on the one-film-old Kriti Kharbanda as leading lady. Kartik Aaryan plays the hero in the sequel to the 2010 comedy, Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge.

Kriti, who debuted with Emraan Hashmi-starrer Raaz Reboot that released a fortnight ago, did a screen test for Pathak’s film last week. Says the director, “For us, it didn’t matter if she was one-film-old. We were looking a pretty girl who can act and deliver a convincing performance. After her screen test, we knew we had found our actress. She looks perfect with Kartik.”

The mahurat shot will be canned today and the shooting will begin by early next week. The story revolves around a young live-in couple (Kartik and Kriti) based in London and how they are at their wits’ end following the entry of two uninvited guests, Paresh Rawal and Tanvi Azmi into their house.

Lisa reportedly pulled out of the film following marriage plans and a livid Pathak said her exit had caused a huge financial setback since the set construction and visa work had been completed. He, however, refrains from divulging details on the losses he has suffered. “My legal team is now putting it together, so I cannot give you even an approximate figure. But, every plan, big and small, went for a toss (after Lisa walked out of the film),” he says.

The newly engaged actress reportedly walked out of Abhishek Pathak’s new film ten days before it was scheduled to go on the floors
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 29, 2016)

A day after news of Lisa Haydon’s engagement to her telecom tycoon beau, Dino Lalvani, surfaced we hear that the 30-year-old actress may now land in a legal tussle with the makers of Atithi In London. In the wake of the impending nuptials, Lisa who had signed on to play the female lead in the Abhishek Pathak film (Mirror, August 19) reportedly backed out ten days before the film was to go on the floors on September 24, hitting the shooting schedule for a toss. The film features Paresh Rawal and Tanvi Azmi as the atithis that Lisa and her onscreen love, Kartik Aaryan, were supposed to deal with.

“We had locked Lisa for the role, exchanged contracts and even got her visa ready. The set was ready in Filmalaya studio but we got a call from her manager ten days before the schedule that Lisa wasn’t interested in doing the film anymore. Suddenly, I hear from someone that she’s getting married which is why she can’t do our film. We had everything ready, from visas for the entire crew to locations. Now all that money is down the drain. My crew’s work permit visa is valid only for a limited period so I don’t know what to do now,” Pathak fumed, adding that Lisa made some “strange demands” initially but her backing out of the film was the final straw. “One day she told me that she couldn’t lip-sync for any of the songs. She was aware that it’s a commercial film and it would have songs but we complied, agreeing to go ahead with it.”

The filmmaker maintains that Lisa’s “unprofessionalism” has cost him dearly and that he plans to sue her. “These people come from abroad and don’t understand how people put in effort, sweat and blood to make a film. We shouldn’t be entertaining people who don’t understand the value of money that a producer puts into a film. The contract was handed over to her team long ago but they kept delaying signing it because she had other plans. Her agency had stated multiple times in mails that she was doing our film; she had sent us her passport details for the London schedule as well. We had already locked dates of senior actors like Pareshji (Paresh Rawal) and Tanviji (Tanvi Azmi), my London crew had been booked. We’re taking legal action against Lisa. Her talent management agency should take responsibility for this mess,” Pathak asserts.

Meanwhile, the London schedule of the film has been pushed forward by a week. “We are hoping to start by October 20. We are also hoping to lock a new girl soon,” Pathak signs off.

Diana Penty on being the unconventional Bollywood debutante
Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; August 20, 2016)


Why the long break after Cocktail?
There wasn’t any plan or agenda on my mind. Even Cocktail wasn’t planned. My life, in terms of the work I have done so far, wasn’t planned. I was doing advertising and mass media in college. I was studious and wanted to do my Master’s when modelling just happened. I got signed on by an agency. I was one of the few people in college, who was earning while studying. I could pay for my own expenses and I was financially independent. Then the film came... unplanned. I was modelling in the US and then I came, auditioned and the next day, I was on.

You must’ve had a lot of offers...
Mine was a very unconventional journey for a debutante. I guess I am the unconventional Bollywood heroine because I waited it out. It wasn’t like I completely disappeared from the scene. I was doing modelling, endorsing and making appearances. At the same time, I was meeting people and reading scripts. I just had no hurry or pressure like other newcomers to sign projects. Then, three years later, I started shooting for Happy Bhaag Jayegi.

Didn’t you like anything offered to you at that time?
Nothing really excited me. For me, I decide things instantly. If a script I read, connects with me and I have a gut feeling that I should do it, I will do it. Happy Bhaag Jayegi was that film. Unfortunately, nothing else that was offered to me were anything substantial enough for me to say yes to. My gut wasn’t saying yes to anything and I don’t like forcing myself to do anything because it will just be for the heck of it. I cannot do a film for the wrong reasons or because people want me to do a film.

Do you regret losing out on that much time?
No. It’s not such a bad thing. It’s possibly a very bad business plan because I didn’t take the advantage of my debut film.

Most debutants’ second film come after a gap of two years anyway...
I haven’t ever kept a tab on what’s going on and who’s coming up with a film after how many months. But now that you said it, it’s fine. Mine came after four years. Big deal!

At least now, you won’t wait that long anymore. Right?
No, I think I would like it to be faster this time round. I will do a film only if I want to do one. But if it takes a little while, it’s fine. I’m trying to work on it quicker for sure. I have met more people this time. You get the ball rolling and it kind of makes it quicker. But I am very particular about enjoying and being sure of what I’m doing. Otherwise, I know I would not be giving my 100 percent to the film.

Happy Bhag Jayegi looks like a quirky film.
I haven’t heard of anything or even seen anyone attempting a film like this in Bollywood. So that appealed to me. I wanted to do this because it is so new to me. I was like ‘Wow, this is a crazy chick who runs away from her wedding and ends up in an unknown place where she doesn’t know anybody’. It’s a situational comedy of errors and I wanted to do this. Happy is totally the other extreme of Meera and that’s also another reason I took this up.

Who are you more like in real — Meera or Happy?
I have some characteristics of both. But I’m probably closer to Meera as a person. I’m more measured and practical. I think 500 times before I say or do anything. I am quite reserved in my own way. But I do have some characteristics of Happy as well. I am quite stubborn, independent and I don’t take things lying down. You just can’t get me to change my mind (smiles). I live my life on my own terms, but I am not a loudmouth. I can’t be a drama queen.

One public perception about you that you don’t agree with?
People generally feel I am measured and boring. When I meet someone for the first time, I don’t say much and it takes me some time to gel with anyone. It comes across as somebody who is unfriendly. People think I’m bitchy because of that. But it’s not that. I am just more reserved. I have friends who now tell me that they thought I had an attitude problem when they met me for the first time. But then again, now everything’s so different because they know me. So that’s a misconception because it’s just a personality type. I’m an introvert.

Any friends from the industry?
I take really long to make friends and I guess I haven’t been here long enough to have friends in the industry. But I have good working relationships with whoever I have worked with so far. I take time to open up to people and get comfortable with them. I can’t make friends just like that, especially at this stage of life.

Are you doing Atithi In London?
I was offered the film, but I am not doing it.

BOMBAY TIMES (August 20, 2016)

The actress will be playing the leading lady in Abhishek Pathak's next, a modern love story set in London
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 19, 2016)

While rumours suggested Happy Bhag Jayegi's leading lady Diana Penty was the top contender to be cast opposite Kartik Aaryan in Abhishek Pathak's upcoming film, Atithi in London, Mirror has learnt that Lisa Haydon has been roped in for the part. The modern love story revolves around a London-based couple, with Paresh Rawal stepping as the troublesome guest.

"Kartik is surprised by a middle-aged couple who are his relatives and are in the Queen's City for some work. While Pareshji plays the male lead, talks are on with Supriya Pathakji to enact the role of his wife," Abhishek had informed Mirror earlier (July 14).

A source reveals, "Lisa plays a London girl and came on board this week. Kartik and Paresh were signed much earlier and the team was on the lookout for an Indian girl born and brought up abroad. Lisa fit the bill perfectly. Her character takes on odd jobs to make a living and afford a decent lifestyle in the expensive city. She is expected to shoot between the first week of September and mid-October in London and its outskirts. The atithi's arrival causes an upheaval in the household as the couple is already facing a cash crunch."

The film's spokesperson confirmed that she had been approached for the film.

Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; August 1, 2016)

The names of Diana Penty and Lisa Haydon have been tossed up for the leading lady part in Atithi In London, seemingly a sequel to 2010 comedy drama, Atithi Tum Kab Jaaoge. However, the makers might just choose another fresh-faced actress opposite Kartik Aaryan.

A source says, “The story revolves around a young, much-in-love couple saddled with an unwelcome guest. The production team is looking for a fresh pairing to show some fiery chemistry between them. Diana and Lisa are in the race to play Kartik’s reel ladylove.”

Diana’s spokesperson denies the buzz about her doing the film. The actress will be marking her second big screen outing with Happy Bhag Jayegi, four years after her debut, Cocktail. As far as Lisa goes, a source suggests the makers are keen to cast her for her accent since the film is set in London. Lisa remained unavailable for comment.

Sources close to the film’s producer, Kumar Mangat, however, insist it’s neither Diana nor Lisa: “The actress is yet to be finalised. So far, only Kartik, Paresh Rawal and Supriya Pathak [who will play the older couple overstaying their welcome at the young couple’s house] are on board.”

The first part starred Ajay Devgn, Konkana Sen Sharma and Rawal, who played the unwanted guest.

Paresh Rawal will play one half of an exasperating couple who barges into the London home and lives off Kartik Aaryan and his live-in girlfriend, turning it topsy turvy.
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 14, 2016)

After Pyaar Ka Punchnama, Akaash Vani and Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2, Kartik Aaryan will be collaborating with Abhishek Pathak on a fourth film titled Atithi In London. It will be directed by Ashwni Dhir.

"The story revolves around Kartik who lives in London and is surprised by a middle-aged couple who are his relatives and in the Queen's City for some work. While Pareshji (Rawal) plays the male lead, talks are on with Supriya Pathakji to enact the role of his wife," informs Abhishek.

He is quick to refute rumours that the film is a sequel to Ashwni's 2010 comedy Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge? That had Ajay Devgn and Konkona Sen Sharma playing a Mumbai-based miya-biwi who are saddled with an unwelcome guest from Gorakhpur. Lambodar, who was played by Paresh, not only refuses to leave their apartment, but gets Puneet fired from his film and his wife Munmun almost sacked.

In the end they discover that their 'atithi' is actually the paternal uncle of their neighbour from 'B' wing and not their family.

"This 'atithi' is a completely different story and not a sequel or a remake, with new characters and another setting," asserts Abhishek, adding that a 50-day schedule will kick off in London and New York next month.

When asked if Ajay would be making an appearance in this film, Abhishek says shortly, "No comments," but adds that Kartik has begun prepping up. "He is a dear friend and extremely popular. We wanted a young vibe and he fits the bill," informs Abhishek who is currently on the lookout for an actress to cast opposite the 27-year-old actor. "It's a modern love story. The younger couple are living together in London when the older couple barges into their home and offers the audience plenty of laughs."

Paresh plays a Punjabi and Abhishek promises it's something he has never done before. Ashwni and writer Robin Bhatt are currently working on the script and should be able to lock it in the next few days.