Showing posts with label Avinash Tiwary interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Avinash Tiwary interview. Show all posts
It feels like every work that I do doesn’t get its due at that point-Avinash Tiwary
12:26 PM
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 14, 2025)
Avinash Tiwary recently wrapped shooting Ginny Weds Sunny 2, his first solo commercial film hitting theatres since Laila Majnu (2018). Though he found success over the past two years with shows like Bambai Meri Jaan, Khakee: The Bihar Chapter, and Kaala, and films like last year’s Madgaon Express and Sikandar Ka Muqaddar, Avinash feels something is still missing.
“Sab kuch hote hote kuch bhi fatt kyun nahin raha hai (why aren’t the projects making a big splash), I don’t get it. Most of my works have been loved by almost everyone who has seen them, but why such few people have seen them is something I don’t understand. It feels like every work that I do doesn’t get its due at that point, and then it happens later. Apne yahan jab tak Mumbai mein aawaz nahin hoti, logon ko pata hi nahin chalta ki kuchh hua hai,” he says.
Asked if recent OTT roles led him to choose the theatrical Ginny Weds Sunny 2, Avinash agrees it was to shed the ‘OTT actor’ tag. “The OTT actor tag only happened because there was Covid, but I was looking to do theatricals. Last year, I was doing a couple of films, which didn’t take off. That’s when I realized I need to take control of things to create a distinction that says I’m not just only on one platform,” he explains.
The actor further shares, “Theatre is going to be a larger part of my filmography. I was supposed to do a big production house film, which didn’t take off last year. If I want to have any relevance as an actor in this country, I need to be in the theatres.”
However, he still maintains equal commitment and respect for the web space, saying, “OTT is an opportunity to reach out to the audiences around the world. But theatres are a way to ensure that I have connectivity and relatability with the people in India.”
"A slightly stupid thing to do": Avinash Tiwary on being recorded secretly by a fan while working out at the gym
4:19 PM
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 16, 2025)
Avideo of actor Avinash Tiwary recently surfaced online, secretly recorded by a fan while he was working out at the gym. The fan, Arpita Thapa, captioned the clip, “Mtlb sorry @avinashtiwary15 for the sneaky clicks.”
Avinash took it sportingly and even reshared the video on his Instagram Story, writing, “Wasn’t part of my fitness plan.” However, the fan’s post drew criticism for invading his privacy and for recording him without his consent.
Reacting to the incident, the actor tells us, “First of all, we do need to value each other’s space, and this is what I told the girl who made that video also.” He adds, “She was getting a lot of bashing, and I told her, ‘Don’t worry; don’t listen to people,’ because I know she came with love, and isn’t a threat to me. But this can encourage a lot of people to do things like this.”
Avinash says, “I would always say that privacy is important. I didn’t want somebody to make a video like that. But I told her that now that you have made it, I know it has come because of love, and I respect that. It is sweet, but it seems a slightly stupid thing to do, honestly.”
Responding to online backlash, especially from those who feel this could have been perceived differently had a man recorded a woman, the actor says, “The boys are commenting saying, ‘hum kardein agar ye gender reverse, to?’ But tum ho threat duniya ke liye, ladkiyon ke liye. If such boys stalk someone, they are a threat, so there is a distinction,” he explains.
The video gave fans a glimpse into Avinash’s workout routine. Ask if he’s bulking up for a role, he replies, “I was always into fitness, it’s just that I change [the way I look] for the parts that I would play. But unfortunately, in our industry, we don’t recognize and value it.”
I have a problem with celebrating mediocrity-Avinash Tiwary
3:47 PM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; May 28, 2025)
Avinash Tiwary finds himself at an intriguing and unique phase in his career. While steadily building a repertoire of critically acclaimed performances across diverse genres, he hopes to make a space for himself within the exclusive club of new-gen actors who successfully blend stardom with craft.
‘It is the audience alone that got Laila Majnu back to the theatres’
The initial release of Avinash’s debut film Laila Majnu in 2018, was heartbreakingly brief. However, everything changed with its 2024 re-release — a success Avinash believes was entirely driven by the audience.
He shares, “It’s time I start focussing on how grateful I am that it was the audience alone who brought it back to theatres. After Laila Majnu found box office success, many producers began re-releasing and promoting their films. But we didn’t feel the need to do that — the love for this film came entirely from the audience, and we didn’t want to interfere with that organic connection.”
‘Rewarding online attention and not quality has resulted in absolute mediocrity’
Despite the positive turn with Laila Majnu, the actor remains clear-eyed about the broader realities of the industry. The challenges he faced earlier haven’t vanished. “I don’t think the challenges have changed,” he admits candidly, adding, “The system is still the same... Nothing has really changed.”
He credits his perseverance to personal resilience and a belief in age-old wisdom – ‘Stay in the game, play it and move forward — one step at a time’.
Speaking about the industry’s flaws, he points to the dominance of the “attention economy” in content creation. “If you have attention — whether good or bad — even if 950 out of 1,000 comments are negative, the sheer volume of engagement drives the algorithm to support you, leading to significant revenue,” he explains, adding, “We’re rewarding attention, not quality — and that says everything about the system. It’s led to widespread mediocrity, where real value holds little importance.”
‘We’ve reached a point where we fail to acknowledge true value’
Avinash laments how creators are often blamed without considering the audience’s role in shaping consumption patterns. “We sit and complain about the creators, but we don't want to take any responsibility as consumers. If consumers took responsibility, creators would be accountable too,” he says.
He points to the late Irrfan Khan, widely regarded as one of India’s finest actors, and asks, “How many of his films had ‘housefull’ cinema halls?” He adds, “Is it Irrfan’s fault? It’s the audience. We’ve reached a point where we fail to acknowledge true value.”
He criticizes the “bheed” (crowd) mentality, where popularity breeds more popularity, driven by manufactured FOMO rather than genuine appreciation. “My problem is the celebration of mediocrity,” stresses the actor, adding, “When consumers glorify mediocrity, it feels like you’re disrespecting your own sanity. But this is where we are today.”
‘When I walk into a room today, I sense a certain amount of admiration for my work’
Years of navigating the film industry have bolstered Avinash’s confidence. “I feel much more assured about myself, my craft, my skills, and my space in the industry. Top directors and producers have reached out to me, appreciating my work. I can definitely say that when I walk into a room today, there’s a certain level of admiration and respect for my work and me. I am grateful for the opportunities, but I am waiting for that one major film that will reach out to everyone. It’s a matter of time.”
He sees himself aligning with actors who balance stardom with strong character portrayals. He says, “Ranveer Singh, Ranbir Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal and Rajkummar Rao have the ability to pull off stardom while bringing depth to the characters they play. I would like to be counted among them.”
With characteristic wit, he adds, “For now, I’m a similar product at a much lower price (smiles).”
Unless it screams its presence, people don’t give it a chance. Laila Majnu went down that route-Imtiaz Ali
8:48 AM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; August 13, 2024)
Sajid Ali’s contemporary retelling of the Persian love story, Laila Majnu (2018), explored the junoon (passion) of forbidden and eternal love between Qais (Avinash Tiwary) and Laila (Tripti Dimri). Set in Kashmir, the story penned by Imtiaz Ali (Sajid’s elder brother and producer of the film) was appreciated by film enthusiasts, but it couldn’t succeed at the box office despite word of mouth and critical acclaim six years ago.
It barely lasted six days in theatres. Probably the biggest redemption arc for the ‘loved but unsuccessful’ movie, Laila Majnu, was welcomed with open arms by the audience when it was re-released in theatres recently.
‘Unless a film screams its presence, people don’t give it a chance’
Talking to us, Imtiaz Ali said, “We make films to be permanent. Unfortunately, the way exhibition works, films often get killed very early because of initial bias or prejudice from the audience. The period for release of a feature film theatrically is very narrow. Unless it screams its presence, people don’t give it a chance. Laila Majnu went down that route. Luckily, some films get a second chance like this.”
“It was euphoric for Kashmir to see the film play in theatres there’
The re-release started with Kashmir, where the film is set, and it holds a special place in Imtiaz’s heart. He shares, “It was very euphoric for Kashmir, it’s the land that has seen so much unrest and issues over the years but hasn’t been celebrated for a long time for its beauty and culture. Kashmir did not have theatres when Laila Majnu had released, and now, it is playing at a theatre in Srinagar. It is the audience who made this possible.”
‘I’m glad Laila Majnu has reached the category of films that are meant to have a long shelf life’
Laila Majnu barely lasted in theatres for six days in 2018. We have seen cult classics or blockbusters being re-released, but for a film that didn’t do commercially well to get a second chance is rare.
Imtiaz said, “Films that are subtle in their appeal are often not recognized for their worth immediately on their release. Sholay was such a film. It did not do great business in the first three weeks of its run. But nowadays, we don’t even have three weeks. If a film doesn’t do well in the first three days, it is removed from theatres. Laila Majnu was such a film. I am glad it has reached the category of films that are meant to have a long shelf life. This is a big lesson for all of us. Finally, it will get the recognition it deserved. This has restored my faith in making good cinema without worrying too much about packaging or the PR machinery.”
‘Why the film didn’t work when it released is still a puzzle to me’
Avinash Tiwary, whose portrayal of Qais (Majnu) in the film won him accolades, said, “The film was loved on OTT. I wish it had sustained a little more in theatres in 2018, but it couldn’t. However, the love for the film only kept growing over the years and resulted in the outpour that has been happening in Srinagar. This was my first film as a lead. I was a novice so didn’t have a perspective on why it didn’t work at the time. I still don’t understand what went wrong because whoever saw it loved it and loved my performance in it. Why we couldn’t attract the audience to the theatres back then is a puzzle. The film has a certain amount of purity to it. Letting the film grow organically has kept that sanctity intact. I used to hear people say that they want to gatekeep the film to retain its purity and not share it with the world. However, the Laila Majnu community kept growing over the years. It’s doing well in Kashmir, and I hope to see similar response from other parts of the country.”
The actor’s recent visit to Srinagar led to fan frenzy and re-release of the film there. He said, “There’s a certain kind of abandon, depth and maturity in that character of Qais that people find relatable. The film showed the Kashmir that perhaps they know of or want to see. The larger representation of Kashmir in our films is not something that the locals have liked. The youth of Kashmir felt that their voice and culture has been seen and heard in Laila Majnu.”
Speaking about an inside joke between him and his costar Tripti, he concluded, “I met Tripti recently in a gym. She couldn’t come to Srinagar because she was shooting but we joked about how both of us should finally get our due from our director Sajid Ali who was super tough on us during the shoot. Everyone appreciated and acknowledged us except for our director Sajid Ali. Tripti and I said, 'Ab toh Sajid ko bolna hi padega ke aap dononay kya kaam kiya hai.' (laughs).”
I have gained weight for Dongri To Dubai and I have a belly-Avinash Tiwary
8:00 AM
With Dongri To Dubai taking over a year to reach the finish line due to the pandemic, Avinash Tiwary discusses the challenge of staying in character all through the lockdown
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 13, 2021)
A long wait could well be the story of his life. After Laila Majnu (2018) took three years to hit the screens, it isn’t lost on Avinash Tiwary that his next, Dongri To Dubai, too is having a long journey to the finish line. The Amazon Prime Video offering, in the making since early 2020, has been affected due to the pandemic. He admits the wait is making him “lose my head a little.” But then, if one were to see the silver lining, don't good things come to those who wait? “I had committed to Dongri on November 1, 2019. I decided not to do anything simultaneously; this is the kind of show that demands your all. But then, the lockdown happened. We resumed work late last year, and now, there are rumours of another shutdown,” begins the actor.
Though he can’t discuss the details of his character, Tiwary plays a dreaded ’90s gangster in the screen adaptation of Hussain S Zaidi’s best-seller. Being one with the character for months on end hasn’t been easy for the actor. “We are aiming to complete the shoot by mid-year. We were told we will finish by mid-June. This is one of those roles and worlds that take a lot away from you - time, energy, patience. For me, it’s hard to sustain the emotional graph of character for a long period of time. It’s not a skill set I inherently possess, which is why I never dabbled in television. People playing the same character for years doesn’t work well for me. On this project, the physical, spiritual and emotional aspect for every character. I wore and maintained the physicality of this character all through lockdown. Emotionally, I can switch on when on set. Mentally, this character has played on my mind all along. Right now, I have gained weight and I have a belly. I don’t have vanity but people look at me and wonder what really happened. The beard and moustache is very 90s and that does stand out, making me feel out of place. It’ll all be worth it when the show comes out and people love it."
Eager to dive deep into his role, Tiwary says he devoured the book as part of his prep. “We made a few script changes during the lockdown. So once we went back to the shoot, I revisited the script.” However, it hasn’t been smooth-sailing after the lockdown. The filming was recently put on hold after five people in the crew tested positive for Coronavirus. “Amazon and Excel Entertainment have been on point with the protocols. I am testing twice a week. Parallelly at home, my father tested positive and is now in isolation.”
The obstacles notwithstanding, director Shujaat Saudagar intends to wrap up the shoot by mid-year. Post that, the actor -- who caught everyone's attention with Bulbbul (2020) and The Girl On The Train earlier this year -- can turn his attention to the two yet-unannounced projects that have come his way. “An entire year looks blocked for me. Between now and October, I am shooting everyday; so I am not complaining. Some top production houses have offered some great material to me in the recent month. I know good things are in the vicinity..."
Grateful as he is to be pursuing his passion for a living, he says there has been an attitude shift after the uncertainty of last year. In his words, 2020 made him realise “there’s more to life”. “The worldview needs an alteration. Our biggest actors have constantly glorified the fact that they are insomniacs. We have grown up on Filmfare and Stardust [interviews] where actors have projected a tunnel vision in terms of success. I have come to a point where I value a wholesome life. Even if 10 people say I am a great actor, it’s pointless if I am not there for my loved ones. I hope we can make a wholesome life aspirational."
95% of this industry are outsiders, 5% insiders, but mainstream is dominated by this 5%-Avinash Tiwary
8:30 AM
The actor, who tweeted about outsiders not getting equal opportunities, says that the nepotism debate is flawed. The casting process and what the audience consumes are also to be blamed, and not just star kids, he feels
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; July 20, 2020)
Recently on social media, actor Avinash Tiwary, known for his work in Sajid Ali’s film Laila Majnu and web films, Bulbbul and Ghost Stories, reacted to R Balki’s take on nepotism. A few days ago, in an interview talking about the debate on nepotism, Balki had said, “Find me a better actor than Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor and we’ll argue.” Addressing the filmmaker’s views, director Shekhar Kapur tweeted, “Have huge respect for you, Balki. But I just saw Kai Po Che again last night. Three new young actors at that time. And stunning believable performances by each (sic).”While writer and editor Apurva Asrani agreed with Avinash, filmmaker Anubhav Sinha defended Balki, and said, “I think what he meant was that they are both truly deserving stars despite their illustrious pedigree. And I agree with that.”
Speaking about his response to Balki and the nepotism discussion at large, Avinash in a chat with Bombay Times reasoned, “Everyone who is talented should get an opportunity. When I read Mr Balki’s statement, it almost said that yehi do log talented hain (Ranbir and Alia). I am not saying that look at me, I am more talented, but there are others who could be, but do they get a chance? I got my first film as a lead actor (Laila Majnu) after toiling for 15 years. I gave 21 screen tests for it and waited for three years for it to be made. Not many people can even afford to sustain this long. I am glad we have casting directors now, but how many casting directors cast the lead actors of a big film? Has Mr Balki found a casting director to cast his leads? The lead actors are often selected by the filmmakers. So, how would he know if there are better actors out there or not?”
He further explained, “Of course, Alia and Ranbir are brilliant actors and they would stand out even if they were outsiders. If Ranbir wasn’t from a film family, he would have probably taken 10 years to get a Rockstar, but he would have still bagged that kind of a film. Talent will shine through, and good work will be rewarded, but it isn’t a level playing field. Ayushmann Khurrana has taken eight or nine years to be a mainstream hero, Kartik Aaryan delivers 100-crore films today, but he too has been acting since 2010. That doesn’t happen with someone like Sara Ali Khan, who has a Simmba even before the release of Kedarnath. That’s an amazing privilege to have.”
Avinash, however, argues that we cannot blame the star kids here. “If my father was a big actor or producer, why wouldn’t I make use of my privilege? I hold the media and the audience accountable. The audience is the consumer. If they pay and watch cinema that is also being made beyond the mainstream, then it equalises things. Laila Majnu didn’t last in theatres even for a week. Why didn’t the audience go and watch Sushant’s Sonchiriya in theatres? It was a good film. Ab sab behti Ganga mein haath dho rahe hain. Ab yeh nepotism ka trend chal raha hai, so let’s talk about it,” he said.
The actor pointed out that the film industry is big enough to accommodate everyone, so the real issue lies in the casting of big-budget films. He explained, “Around 95 per cent of people in this industry are outsiders, 5 per cent may be insiders, but the mainstream is dominated by this 5 per cent, and all the eyeballs are on them. Most star kids assure filmmakers the returns as there’s so much media attention on them. The nepotism argument is flawed. We can’t blame a few individuals for nepotism. It’s the system and culture that needs to change. As an outsider, you are just happy to get an opportunity. My fight is not for validation. It’s for acknowledgement of my existence as an actor.”
When asked what is his take on the flak that Karan Johar has been drawing in the past month, he said, “Karan Johar gets a lot of flak for nepotism, but it was he, who cast me in Ghost Stories without even taking my screen test. I didn’t know him. I am not the kind to approach people easily either. So, I have seen both sides.”
Elaborating on his beginnings in showbiz, the actor said, “I started with a Doordarshan show for the acclaimed filmmaker, the late Lekh Tandon. In 2014, I did the TV show Yudh, starring Amitabh Bachchan. I thought it will change my life, but nothing happened as no one saw it. In 2015, I did a lovely ensemble film, Tu Hai Mera Sunday. I met Sajid (Imtiaz Ali’s brother) at the end of 2015 for Laila Majnu. They liked my screen test and verbally told me that I was their guy. I was barred from doing other work. But the whole of 2016 they kept auditioning other actors as I wasn’t mainstream enough. I remember telling Sajid that there could be better looking actors than me, but there’s no one who can play that part better. It took three years to make the film and within a week of its release, it disappeared from theatres. So, you are obviously upset. Aur kitna ladein? So, over the years, you learn to let go and focus on bigger things and life beyond movies.”
I don't want to sit with the part of Dawood Ibrahim for too long-Avinash Tiwary
8:04 AM
Having acquired mastermind's mindset for Dongri To Dubai, Avinash Tiwary eager to put consuming role behind him post-lockdown
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; May 6, 2020)
As an actor taking his initial steps into Bollywood, Avinash Tiwary knows that his next offering must be significantly noteworthy if he hopes to live up to the acclaim he received for his last film, Laila Majnu. Evidently then, he isn't willing to forgo the toil he put into understanding and acquiring the mindset of Dawood since early November when work on Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani's Dongri To Dubai first kicked off.After the shooting was stalled in March when the Coronavirus lockdown was announced, Tiwary says being attuned to the character for the forthcoming leg, is becoming increasingly arduous for him. "I hope we start [shooting] soon so that I can finish it. I don't want to sit with this part for too long. As much as it is liberating to be on the OTT platform, it is suffocating to be in this mould and state of mind. It eventually gets to you because you can't live in that space forever."
It was across several sets in Mumbai that filming for the screen adaptation of Hussain Zaidi's book began, only to come to a halt on March 17. "A lot of portions are still to be shot. Now, we have no idea when we will roll again."
Having an artiste as fine as Kay Kay Menon to share screen space with implies Tiwary has abundant opportunity to grow while working on the offering. "When I started out as an actor in theatre, I would idolise him. I try and learn from everything he does on sets."
This is a period of decision making paralysis-Avinash Tiwary
8:15 AM
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 5, 2020)
“I miss working. But this quarantine life isn’t new to me. I’ve been at home waiting for a long time for work to start flowing in. I really want to get back to the film sets because only when you work do you get better at it,” says Avinash Tiwary. He adds that he had been shooting for the screen adaptation of Dongri To Dubai when the announcement to postpone all shoots was made. With big ticket projects lined up, he was looking forward to an eventful 2020.
Talking about his project, the shoot of which got stalled, he says, “We had decided to stop shooting of Dongri on March 16 because we were a big set and we wanted everyone to be safe. Ours isn’t a profession where you can wear a mask and continue working. I had been growing a moustache for my character since November. I wanted to finish the shoot at one ago without breaks. With the kind of projects that I have, it’s an opportunity to excel.”
The Ghost Stories actor has never looked at productivity as pressurising. He shares, “Some people push themselves to be productive. That’s their way of filling the vacuum. Then there are people like me who are unaware of what needs to be done. Taking time to figure out what to do, for me, is more important than working out.”
Tiwary describes his life during the Coronavirus quarantine as a period of “decision-making paralysis”. “There are some days that are stressful and others that see a stronger me. I’m not able to focus because there’s an element of uncertainty. Time seems infinite now and that’s proving to be a deterrent. However, I completed a song that I had been writing for a long time. I also learnt a few magic tricks and I’ve been reading a few scripts. But they were quite uninteresting (laughs),” he signs off.
Everyone thought that I was talented because I was standing next to Amitabh Bachchan-Avinash Tiwary
8:01 AM
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 11, 2020)
Avinash Tiwary, who earned rave reviews for his performance in Laila Majnu (2018), believes that filmmakers now, have a certain faith in him and the fraternity’s attitude towards him has changed. “Earlier, people would want to work with me but they didn’t have the faith. But now, people are thinking that maybe, times have changed. I hear these things but I don’t understand them. I’m the same actor with the same talent, but now they look at me differently,” he says.
However, Avinash is practical and feels that the film industry changes every few years with the influx of new talent. He explains, “Five years down the line, their perception about me will change again. It’s about how relevant I can stay and how they will look at me. I’m in an unknown territory. I don’t know how the industry functions.”
The actor, who was last seen in the digital anthology film, Ghost Stories, says that he wants to reach a place where his name is enough to pull the audience to the theatre. “People were excited for Ghost Stories because there’s a Karan Johar in it. They are excited for The Girl On The Train because of Parineeti Chopra and Aditi Rao Hydari. The same thing had happened with Yudh. Everyone thought that I was talented because I was standing next to Mr (Amitabh) Bachchan. But from here on, I want to get into a space where I can get the audience to come and watch me. That’s something that I’m striving for,” he elaborates.
Avinash shares that he’s still getting used to the ways of showbiz and often finds himself questioning his next step. “When you don’t have a film, you can urge them to give you one opportunity. Now that I have done a couple of films, I don’t know what to do next. I used to keep wondering if I’ll ever get a film. Imtiaz (Ali; filmmaker) sir had once said to me, ‘I can only do the films that I’m allowed to and you can only do the films that come to you’. And that’s the biggest truth,” he signs off.
I thought Karan Johar wouldn’t even know me-Avinash Tiwary
7:54 AM
Avinash Tiwary reveals that following a major accident, he feared his career would come to an end, but soon, offers started pouring in from big production houses
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 27, 2019)
Laila Majnu (2018) may have had a lukewarm response at the box office but its protagonist, Avinash Tiwary’s performance received rave reviews. The actor, who has his hands full, reveals that being an outsider, he didn’t have films served to him on a silver platter post the accolades he received for Laila Majnu. “For the first four months, I was sitting at home. There were about eleven scripts that came my way which was a novelty for me, and a validation that so many people wanted to work with me but they weren’t the projects that I wanted to do,” he says.
He says that he’s “enjoying this phase a lot now”. Talking about the time when filmmaker Karan Johar approached him for digital anthology film, Ghost Stories, he shares, “I got a call and I was told that Karan wants to work with me in Ghost Stories. I couldn’t believe it because I’m not his kind of actor. I thought Karan wouldn’t even know me. He hasn’t watched Laila Majnu. He told me that he heard of me and had been wanting to work with me but he didn’t know how to reach out to me!”
Avinash reminisces about the time when he feared that his career will come to an end following a major accident. “After Laila Majnu released, I went on a trip along with a few of my friends. I met with an accident there. I fell off the bike and my face was bruised that made me think that my career is over. I was bedridden for a month and a half. With red eyes and a huge scab on my face, I had to go for the look test for ’83,” shares the actor who also reveals being offered a comic caper with a big banner “that didn’t work out”.
Commenting on landing plum projects, he says with a smile, “At the same time, I tested for Bulbul (web show). The casting guys had to put makeup on my face to hide the scar and I got the part somehow. After a while, The Girl On The Train came my way. I had worked with Ribhu (Dasgupta; filmmaker) earlier. He said that there’s not a lot of money but the part is great, and so I did that.”
Nobody knows the real story of Laila and Majnu. This is not Romeo and Juliet-Tripti Dimri and Avinash Tiwary
7:59 AM
Renuka Vyavahare and Lasyapriya Sundaram (BOMBAY TIMES; September 4, 2018)
Actors Tripti Dimri and Avinash Tiwary are Sajid Ali’s Laila-Majnu. They’re excited about the fact that they’re being launched in the film Laila Majnu, produced by Imtiaz Ali and Ekta Kapoor. In a freewheeling chat with Bombay Times, the young artistes discuss their ideas of love and the relevance of their forthcoming film in times of online dating and romance. Excerpts from the two actors’ first ever interview for a print publication...
More often than not, people associate the story of Laila-Majnu as if it’s an Indian version of Romeo and Juliet.
Avinash: Nobody knows the real story of Laila and Majnu. This is not Romeo and Juliet. That was written by William Shakespeare, this is a Persian story and there have been so many interpretations of it.
Tripti: Laila and Majnu are referred to as the Indian Romeo and Juliet. Even though these names have featured in songs and even conversations, people don’t know who they are. Their story is about finding and losing yourself in love. Clearly, their love was impactful for people to talk about it in songs and films over the years.
Tell us a bit about Sajid Ali’s vision for the characters of Laila and Majnu.
Avinash: The film talks about eternal pagalpan. Pyaar main jo pagalpan hota hai, it addresses that. What happens when two people come together and there is a conflict, which eventually prevents them from being together? The name of my character is actually Kais. He is sorted. He is not ambitious. His father is a rich man and he believes that he doesn’t need to work for money. He wants to travel and see the world. But his love for Laila becomes his passion and motto in life. The film narrates the story of Kais becoming Majnu. That’s what we have not seen in films.
Tripti: In the film, Laila likes attention from the boys. She is not after one particular boy. Laila knows she is pretty and how to use her charm to get work done from people. She is naive yet clever. Her innocence lies in the fact that she thinks she is smart. She is not modern at all. Having been born in Kashmir and lived there, she is not fully aware of the world outside of that. She is almost like a caged bird. In fact, she is the kind of girl who will not leave the cage even when its door is left open. She is comfortable with her surroundings, but also has the curiosity to explore the world outside. The character is also very inspired by films.
Avinash: Laila and Majnu are part of folklore. The film is based in Kashmir. I think it’s a great attempt to recreate the same world of the folklore in contemporary times. It was a huge challenge to recreate the innocence of those times. People who use these dating apps are looking for a soulmate, too. Eventually, everyone wants to move beyond something that lasts only for a few days, weeks or months and want a partner forever. I am a true believer of ‘forever love’. There are people who have met on these apps and also gotten married.
Tripti: I don’t think you can find your soulmate on dating apps. In my opinion, they are only for hook-ups.
Bollywood is known for making rebellious love stories. Do you have any favourites?
Tripti: I have always loved Shah Rukh Khan in that avatar. In fact, I wanted to marry him after watching Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998). I want to be the lady Shah Rukh Khan of the industry. I wonder why not enough films are made about a girl pursuing a guy. A girl can fall madly in love with a guy, too!
Avinash: In the case of Majnu, he is not rebelling for love but fighting against the world for it. That’s the kind of rebel I like.
So your film does not reiterate the Majnu stereotype?
Avinash: We wanted to make sure that he didn’t come across as a loser, but according to Sajid (Ali, the director) he is the biggest loser. That’s because he lost everything and then found himself. Majnu’s character in this film is not similar to the ones portrayed in earlier films. I found his interpretation as positive because Majnu is territorial and animalistic. He fights against the social structures that he is caught in.
As outsiders, who have made a foray into Bollywood, what’s your take on the new breed of star kids?
Tripti: Janhvi Kapoor was amazing in Dhadak and I think she deserves all the attention she is getting. If I was a star kid, I would have asked my parents to launch me.
Avinash: But I don’t think what we have got here is any less. We are being launched in a film that’s been penned by Imtiaz Ali, directed by Sajid Ali and produced by Ekta Kapoor. With Imtiaz and Ekta coming together, imagine the kind of exposure this film might get. They are two ends of a spectrum! It’s a starry launch in the true sense.
How do you view the journey leading up to your Bollywood debuts?
Avinash: I am from Bihar. I was seven years old when I came to Mumbai. I did my schooling and college here. I was studying engineering when I truly realised that I wanted to act, so I went to Delhi and then New York to study acting and theatre. I came back to Mumbai from New York, thinking the world is waiting for me, but it was a long wait before things fell into place for me as an actor.
Tripti: I was born and brought up in Delhi, but my parents are from Uttarakhand so I call myself a Pahadi, not a Delhite. I think they took me in this film because of my pahadi roots. I never wanted to be an actor. I wanted to be a tennis player and then a TV actor. Acting in films happened by chance.
Did you guys undergo any special preparation for this film?
Tripti: We had to get the Kashmiri accent right so we had a diction teacher for that. We spent a lot of time with Kashmiris to observe them and get their mannerisms right.
Avinash: We reached Kashmir 15 days before the shoot to understand the culture because the film is based there and it shows a lot more than the picturesque locations. For a Mumbaikar to adapt to that culture, accent, and be one of them, was a challenge. Sajid told me that my real test was to go to Jamiya Masjid, pray namaz and pass off as a Kashmiri.
How was the experience of shooting in Kashmir?
Avinash: People in Kashmir are wonderful and so heart-warming! Sadly, there are no movie theatres in Kashmir anymore so people there won’t be able to watch this film. I hope that changes.
I want to make Majnu aspirational for people-Avinash Tiwary
7:58 AM
Hiren Kotwani (DNA; August 30, 2018)
Avinash Tiwary, who made his Bollywood debut as part of an ensemble cast in the light-hearted Tu Hai Mera Sunday (2016), will now be seen as the lead in Sajid Ali’s Laila Majnu. Scripted by acclaimed filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, who is also backing the film along with Ekta Kapoor, it’s a contemporary retelling of the classic love story. The Mumbai lad, who quit engineering in the fourth semester to pursue a career in acting, tells us about struggling for 13 years before landing his big break and the challenges of playing a man crazy in love. Excerpts...
How did you bag Laila Majnu?
In December 2015, the casting was underway for the film. I met Sajid, who told me that he’d liked my audition, but they were yet to take the final call. Eventually, in 2017, I was signed on for the part.
After debuting in Tu Hai Mera Sunday, the struggle and waiting for a second film must have been tough.
I had quit engineering and joined Barry John’s Acting Studio. After that, I went to New York Film Academy and started doing short films since 2005. I kept myself busy. By the grace of God, something or the other kept coming. So 13 years down the line, I can say I have started off now.
Tell us about your first meeting with Imtiaz Ali.
It was in 2016; he was gracious enough to call me home. Back then, I thought I had almost been selected for his movie, but still wasn’t entirely sure. I was nervous, but he was so humble. He asked me if I would like to have tea. Then, headed to the kitchen and made it himself. I just couldn’t believe it. I’m a huge fan of Imtiaz. Every time I see his films, I want to be a part of them.
What kind of guidance did he give you?
We did a lot of workshops before we started shooting. Imtiaz (Ali) sir attended all of them and would always tell me that I needed to feel for the character and understand where he was coming from before saying the dialogues. He also trained me how to lip-sync for songs.
Imtiaz has written the film but what were Sajid’s inputs as the director?
Sajid has lent the story a fresh voice through the dialogues. He approached the movie in a unique way. He is one of the most important forces behind the film.
What do you think makes this love story relatable to today’s audiences?
If it wasn’t, you wouldn’t be hearing Laila Majnu in every second song. They are a part of our being. I think, our generation, too, should have a Laila Majnu.
While the trailer gives a glimpse of Majnu’s madness after his separation from Laila, it seems debatable considering people’s practical mindset today when they don’t think twice before breaking up and moving on.
You feel people don’t feel so strongly for another person in times of Tinder? Everyone finds their own functions of practicality in cinema. Which is why Laila Majnu is an epic classical love story. If every love story was like that, then there would be no difference. As for Majnu’s madness, when was the last time you saw a guy go really crazy in love in a film? Our movie shows that jo junooniyat hai, woh kissi din nikale, toh kaisa hoga. I want to make Majnu aspirational for people. He is so liberated from the clutches of society. Today, we are stuck in a zone of vanity.
So what do you think takes Majnu to the brink of madness?
That is something I spent most time figuring out. After about seven-eight days of shooting, it finally struck me. Maybe this is my justification, but three things come to my mind. For instance, I have had a heartbreak and after four years, my ex-girlfriend and I happen to meet. She is sitting in front of me, a song plays in the background, but I’m still missing her. We make adjustments in life but what if you’re not able to make that compromise? What happens then? Usually, to console someone, it is often said, ‘Waqt guzarta hai, badalta hai.’ Lekin agar waqt guzarta bhi nahin aur badalta bhi nahin, tab kya? When we’re talking about the trappings of society, we know they exist, but still, we can’t let go. Which is why I said I want to make Majnu aspirational. We’ve become a hashtag generation. After four years, when something new comes up, we move on.
What was the most challenging part about playing Majnu?
We started with the second half first, where I have long hair and beard. I had to look thin, so initially, we thought we could get the look with loose clothes. But 15 days before the shoot, we felt it wasn’t working. So, I lost about 12 kilos in a fortnight. I would have an egg white, some clear chicken soup, cucumbers, carrots and some supplements for vital vitamins. I’d do all the physical activity. Initially, we had the workshops in the mornings and I would work out in the evenings. I also had a lot of black coffee during that time, which is not the most healthy thing. But I had to look weak. As the film was being shot continuously, I had to also transform back into the happy cheerful Majnu for the first half, which we started shooting within days of completing the second half. It took a while for me to get into the groove, but when there is so much at stake, you just have to do it.
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