Showing posts with label Banaras. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Banaras. Show all posts
Mumbai mera shareer hai; Banaras meri aatma-Anubhav Sinha
9:25 AM
Meera Vohra (BOMBAY TIMES; August 12, 2025)
Today, we begin a new series – Hometown Diaries – where storytellers of Hindi cinema take us back to the places where their roots lie. With hearts full of bachpan ke kisse-kahaniyaan, they revisit the old, familiar lanes that have shaped their present. Join us as we kickstart this journey with Anubhav Sinha as he revisits Banaras ki galiyan.
When Anubhav Sinha recently revisited Varanasi, we accompanied him as he walked through the lanes of his old school, sipped chai at tapris, and stopped by iconic cinema halls. The filmmaker shares that this is the city that shaped both his memories and his movies. In the first chapter of our Hometown Diaries, Sinha tells us about his bond with the city and how it has influenced him in myriad ways – from his taste in cinema to his taste in food.
‘Main jo bhi hoon yahin se hun’
A visit to his alma mater, Government Queens Inter College, triggered a flood of memories – from his first day of school to playing cricket on the sprawling field. With a smile, he says, “Main jo hoon, woh yahin se hoon.”
The Bheed director fondly remembers the day he got admitted to the school. “My parents took me for admission. My mother had written the principal’s name on a small piece of paper and slipped it into my father’s pocket. Someone had told her it was a totka to make things go your way. When my admission was approved, I could see that glint in her eyes, like the totka had worked. That’s the kind of belief people had back then, that a name on paper could change your luck,” he laughs.
Sinha also recalls playing gend-tari, a local game where kids strike each other with a ball. “During monsoon, the moisture made it hit really hard (to play) but it was great fun,” he grins. One cricket match also stands out. “I lost track of time while playing, and when I looked up after scoring a run, I saw my father standing across the field. Instead of completing the run, I ran straight home. But I got a spanking later from my father for being late,” he laughs.
‘I miss the authentic Banarasi food in Mumbai’
Anubhav Sinha often finds himself craving the flavours of his hometown, Varanasi, especially the authentic Banarasi food he struggles to find in Mumbai. He fondly recalls his childhood visits to Basant Bahar, a local Varanasi restaurant where his father would take him and his elder sister. “We used to wait eagerly for the kaju-wala dosa. It was slightly expensive than the regular ones – Rs. 2 at the time – which was a lot back in the 70s. We’d feel bad later that papa had to spend extra for us,” he smiles.
The taste of jalebi and lassi brings back a flood of memories. “I only eat jalebi and lassi when I’m in Banaras, I don’t even remember the last time I had lassi in Mumbai,” he says, sipping from his second kullhar of lassi at Basant Bahar, the place where, he reveals, he had his first proper dining-out experience.
After his mother passed away, Sinha and his family turned to YouTube and recipe blogs in search of that elusive Banarasi taste. “We never thought we’d need to learn her recipes, it never occurred to us that maa wouldn’t always be around. But once she was gone, we missed her food terribly. We figured out how saunf is used in Banarasi sabzis, but there’s still a lot to learn to get that taste right,” he admits.
For special occasions like Holi, Sinha even flies down a cook from Banaras who brings with him local spices just to recreate the flavours of home. “The food tastes awesome. Ghar ki yaad aa jaati hai,” he says.
He also reminisces about his mornings spent at the city’s chai tapris, sipping on kullhar wali chai amid buzzing conversations. “It was never just about the tea. These stalls were the meeting grounds for most Banarasis, where everyone gathered – you’d pick up a newspaper, chat with strangers and discuss everything from local news to world politics,” he says.
Interestingly, Sinha found a similar culture in Rome. “Just like in Banaras, people there start their mornings with coffee, a croissant, and the newspaper. In Banaras, it’s tea and a newspaper at a tea stall. Uss akhbaar ki khabron se phir baat ka silsila shuru hota hai. These tea stalls across Banaras are such happening places,” he adds.
Sinha credits Varanasi for nurturing his love for music, literature, and his laid-back approach to life. The city’s warmth and unhurried charm have deeply influenced his interactions with people, even in a fast-paced city like Mumbai, where he now straddles two very different worlds.
The famed Banarasi attitude of ‘jo hoga, dekha jayega’ stayed with him. So did the spirit of connection. “My friends in Mumbai get surprised that I talk to everyone, from the building guard to the taxi driver. They ask, ‘Why do you chat with everyone?’ I tell them, it’s not planned. It just comes from within.”
He believes that ease comes from Banaras. “There, if you meet someone’s eyes, they’ll smile at you, no matter who you are or where you’re from. People are open, confident, and genuinely friendly. That spirit is something I carry within me, even now.”
Balancing the philosophies of both cities isn’t easy, he admits. “Mumbai mera shareer hai aur Banaras meri aatma hai. Inn dono ke beech mein ladai chalti rehti hai. But I am happy that even if I stay in a plush hotel, I like eating at a nondescript place. Being a Banarasi at heart, I am equally comfortable at five-star hotels and roadside dhabas.”
‘My fascination with films began in Varanasi’
Sinha also took us to Anand Mandir Cinema in Teliyabagh, the only single-screen theatre still running in Varanasi. “I brought the entire star cast of my first film Tum Bin (2001) here nearly 24 years ago because I wanted my hometown to see what I’d created. Their opinion mattered to me the most,” he recalls. The show ran to a full house, a moment that overwhelmed Sinha. “Back then, the theatre screened Hindi films too, contrary to only regional cinema nowadays,” he adds.
His connection with Anand Cinema goes back even further. “It was in the vicinity of my school, so one day I bunked classes and watched Love Story (1981), the Kumar Gaurav film, my first movie without my parents. Jab yeh silsila ek baar shuru hua, toh phir chalta raha. You could say my fascination with films began right here.”
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I am happy that even if I stay in a plush hotel, I like eating at a nondescript or no-frills place. Being a Banarasi at heart, I am equally comfortable at five-star hotels and roadside dhabas
In Varanasi, if you meet someone’s eyes, they’ll smile at you, no matter who you are or where you’re from. People are genuinely friendly. That spirit is something I carry within me, even now
I only eat jalebi and lassi when I’m in Banaras, I don’t even remember the last time I had lassi in Mumbai
I used to go early in the morning to fetch milk from a dairy in Kabir Chaura, where many music legends lived. While waiting for my turn, I’d hear them doing riyaaz. Woh sangeet ki aawaz abhi tak mere zehan mein hai. My love for literature also began here
My nationalism is different. Nobody can force that nationalism on anyone-Anubhav Sinha
8:28 AM
Anshul Chaturvedi (BOMBAY TIMES; December 31, 2024)
Anubhav Sinha’s first OTT project, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, hit some turbulence almost as soon as it took off, but held on to its flight path, broke through to calmer skies after a while, and coasted thereafter. The director looks back at 2024 from the lens of the series. The initial days were a mix of audience appreciation and unexpected trolling, he says, but as he looks back, he is happy at the reach of the show and the praise for his work, and wants to make more films on India’s intelligence agencies. Excerpts from a chat:
You entered the OTT space for the first time in 2024 with IC 814, and the series was talked about a lot, continues to be. What has been the feedback, other than the immediate controversy around release time?
Bahut tareef aati hai. I’m not saying I’m endorsing it, but people in general believe this is my best work. I was with Naseer bhai recently and he doesn’t need to, but he was still saying how wonderful it was to make the show, and how people reacted to it. The reviews, too, were very kind to the show. So, I have no complaints about that. In terms of the audience love and press’s love, it was outstanding. The PR teams were constantly telling me that 10/10 reviews, not a single lukewarm review. I’ve been told by responsible people that this is the best show of the year. Aur mujhe zyada shows karne bhi nahi thay, ek karna tha, woh kar liya maine.
Do you agree with the view that it’s your best work?
That’s not my call. I don’t think my best work is my call, and I don’t think best work is an absolute measure... that there can be a measure to judge your best. It is the way sometimes people express love, and I don’t think it has any bearing on you or any of your other good work. I don’t take it very seriously. But two things happened – one, most people ended up calling it a ‘movie’, and my deduction is that because they binged it, it felt like a movie. And two, a very large percentage of the reactions said, ‘This is your best work’. I don’t know if there is a way to measure if it is. But it’s their way of expressing love.
You didn’t talk too much when the series released, perhaps because much of the public conversation veered off into what was probably a needless controversy. As you look back at the year, what stays with you from the whole thing?
I think it was such a huge hit. The actors get more feedback than us, because actors meet people on a daily basis. And also, the numbers that Netflix keeps telling me. It is probably their biggest hit of the year. And baaki haan, thodi bahut controversy thi, thoda shor tha. Ab you know how internet has become so... it has become very impossible to figure what a human being is saying and what a computer is saying.
You had made a point regarding the portrayal of the people from the intelligence services – that you brought them with their flaws, as they were as people, and not like some Avengers entity. In Hollywood films, like a Zero Dark Thirty or any other, they also struggle with their flaws, and that’s how things happen in real life. Perhaps our audiences are not as accustomed to the grey portrayal. Did the community ever get back to you? Because it’s easier to put a policeman or an intelligence officer as one of those heroes on a horse who just come and do everything.
There’s a shot when they get out of the aircraft in Kandahar – the first time the four of them walking in. That’s my most favourite image from the series, actually. So, I thought what we accomplished... How ridiculous is it that a plane which is carrying close to 200 people is hijacked by some people that we don’t know who, why for three days and they take it to a city called Kandahar, where Osama bin Laden lives, where Mullah Omar lives, who are also internally at war. How ridiculous is that situation! And guess what? We brought them all back!
Ever since I’ve worked in this series, I have studied a lot about spying and intelligence gathering and all. It’s not as easy as it sounds. I think the four guys that went to Kandahar did a fabulous job, all four of them. They were talking to extremely unreasonable people, but they got everyone back safe. I think we did fairly well. And you know, such mature people who at the end of it are discussing, did we win? But they got the people back and that’s what the series is.
When I did my research, I realized our agencies are quite fantastic. But you know, you can see anything in any light. And that’s okay. US mein filmein banti rehti hain unki agencies ko celebrate karne ke liye. Hamare yahan unko celebrate karne ke liye filmein hi nahi banti. Bahut rare. I can’t remember many. And the things that our agencies have done are outstanding, and I’m a fan. I think I’d love to make more films about their achievements.
Do you feel under pressure to reassert your pro-nation credentials?
By whom?
Just by the trolls, or random critics who can question your nationalism over micro points in a show?
No, I don’t even read them anymore. I used to when it started in Mulk. I used to, but not anymore. I am who I am. I have loved Gandhi all my life. I have loved Bhagat Singh all my life. I want to read Vivekananda. These are the stalwarts of this country.
My nationalism is different. Nobody can force that nationalism on anyone. I deeply love where I am from – Banaras. My company is called Benaras. I have been saying this for years that I am made up of two cities – Banaras and Aligarh. These are two of the most precious cities to me as an individual.
I don’t question anyone else’s nationalism. Yours can be different, mine can be different. You celebrate, I crib and I fix. As long as... Country is a word, country is a geopolitical word, it’s the society that we’re talking about. It’s a society that we live in. Country is people. If I think there’s something that I need to do to criticize some of those people, I will.
As to the controversy at the time of the release – I mean, when you’re receiving 40 calls a day praising this thing and calling it your best work and what not, then this noise, at the same time, obviously is not welcome. And there are moments when you’re disturbed. But no, I think I’ve learned to deal with it.
You’re not new to being disturbed.
Just the other day I was talking to somebody, and he said, ‘Anubhav, your films love India so much. Not many do’. I asked, ‘Why do you say that?’ He said, ‘Because a man is looking at his country in a manner that a 4,000-year-old, 5,000-year-old tradition bothers him and he says, let’s correct it.’
I’m a great believer of this country. And the more I travel, the more I think we are probably the greatest country in the world. But we need to fix some problems, and we will fix them. We are a very young country. We’ve only just begun. The US got liberated in 1776. What was it doing 75 years later? It was still struggling with slavery. It still had the long civil war coming up. India is way ahead of that in 75 years. And you know, it’s a 10,000 times more complex society.
Expectations will be higher now. Iss saal ka ye aap ka best work tha toh ek do saal rahega woh pressure thoda?
Haan, but I can’t pay much heed to it. Aisa bahut zyada seriously leta nahi main inn sab baaton ko, na apne aap ko. I like to be happy. I like to eat good food. I’m playing the piano from the past 18 months – learning. That’s my big high every day.
Are you calmer, or more cynical, as the year ends?
Both, interestingly. I was telling Sudhir bhai (Sudhir Mishra) the other day – I said, ‘I’m getting more cynical’. He laughed. But I find myself way calmer now. Like this time, I did not react to the controversy. I did not feel like it.
The calm of the cynic?
I don’t know what that is. What is a cynic? A cynic is one who foresees the futility of things, right? So ya, but it has no contradiction with calm. The more you live, the more you understand the futility of most things, and it makes you cynical. Wiser, cynical. I think wise and cynic are close to each other. Wisdom is a problem. And age gets you wisdom, you can’t help.
Has age got you wisdom?
Yeah, I think so.
Rajkummar Rao, Medha Shankr come together for hardcore action film Maalik
8:00 AM
Rajkummar set to attempt his first hardcore action film with Maalik; Pulkit-helmed venture to roll in Lucknow from September
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; July 4, 2024)
There is no denying that Rajkummar Rao is one of the most versatile actors of the current crop. Yet, in his 14-year career so far, he has attempted an action thriller only once with Hit: The First Case (2022). That’s going to change soon. Sources tell us that he has given his nod to Maalik, a hardcore action fare to be helmed by Pulkit of Bhakshak fame. The movie is expected to roll in September.
If you look at Rao’s upcoming slate, mainstream entertainers could well be his theme for the next few months. In August, his horror comedy, Stree 2, will hit the screens, followed by Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video. Maalik, which is being backed by Jay Shewakramani, is a natural extension.
A source reveals, “While Raj has carved a niche for himself with his solid performances, he hasn’t developed the image of a hero of the masses. With his next few films, he wants to explore that space. When Jay and Pulkit approached him for Maalik, Raj immediately gave his nod as the film will present him in a new avatar. It’s an emotion-driven, action entertainer that will see the actor performing high-octane stunts. He has begun working on his physique as the role demands a muscular frame.”
Medha Shankr, who made a splash with 12th Fail (2023), has been cast as the female lead in the story written by Pulkit.
The source adds, “The script required a soft, intelligent and sensitive actor who would be the perfect foil to Raj’s character. The shoot will begin in September in Lucknow, and then move to Banaras as the story is based there. Pulkit plans to wrap up filming over a three-month start-to-finish schedule.”
I was quite frustrated when I was doing films-Aasif Sheikh
8:28 AM
Akash Wadhwa (BOMBAY TIMES; January 20, 2024)
In Lucknow recently, actor Aasif Sheikh better known as Vibhuti Narayan Mishra from Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai! made the most of his visit to the city. "I usually do not eat a full meal but when I came to Lucknow and went to eat the famous delicacies at a local restaurant, after a long time I ate pett bhar ke," shared the actor, adding, "I have been to Lucknow so many times. I came here when my first film, Rama O Rama was released in 1989. Lucknow has a lot of heritage value. Also, I have shared a special bond with UP as both my parents are from Banaras. And since my father was a Kaamil in Urdu, which is a degree in the language, my tallafuz (diction) in Urdu is so clear to date. He always stressed on the 'aap' while addressing each other at home. We, as children, were not allowed to go casual in our language despite living in Delhi, which helped me a lot later in life, especially in my profession."
'I have been updating my comedy'
Starting as a villain in the industry, Aasif is now tagged as a comedian because of his long association with the show Bhabi Ji... "I do not want to break the mold of a comedian that I am tagged as now. I enjoy comedy and it is my comfort zone. As a break from comedy, I do serious roles now and then in theatre. I am not desperate to do a non-comic role as I have got a lot of variation in Bhabi Ji. I have played more than 350 characters on that show. I have been updating my comedy also over the years and do not let the fatigue come into my work. Today for an actor, the fight is to stay relevant," he says.
'I would like to take a break once Bhabhi Ji ends'
Being part of the show Bhabi Ji for almost a decade now, Aasif has a lot of plans in store when the show ends. "I would like to take a break once Bhabi Ji ends, at least for six months. I would like to do new plays which I have been wanting to do for a long time. I believe theatre gives you a lot of confidence as an actor, a lot of poise, good body language, and an outlook as it is a live medium," he says.
Reason for a shift from cinema to TV
When I used to do cinema, I always complained that I was not getting good roles. My main reason for doing television was to get that due respect for my work. Whatever I have right now is because of the medium. I did cinema for about seven years, but I earned the respect on TV. I was quite frustrated when I was doing films and when I was out of work for sometime.
10 Years of Raanjhanaa: Irshad Kamil visited Banaras ghats for inspiration; Javed Ali cut short Goa trip
8:32 AM
Soumya Vajpayee (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 21, 2023)
Penning the songs of Raanjhanaa (2013) was quite a journey for lyricist Irshad Kamil. From writing during a vacation and travelling to Benares to seek inspiration — there are a lot of fond memories associated with the film, he says. Talking about his most challenging song,
Kamil says, “There is a situation in the film where a song is picturized while marriage preparations are on. The director (Aanand L Rai) was sure that he didn’t want a typical marriage track. So, I cracked the idea of mukrees, a form of writing invented by Amir Khusrow (late poet-singer) and came up with Ay Sakhi.”
Sharing the kind of research he did before penning the songs, Kamil says, “I visited the Banaras ghats to get the feel of the Ganga. I also interacted with the people there.”
Talking about his most special track, Kamil says, “It’s Nazar Laaye. My wife, Tasveer, and I were holidaying when one evening I got a call from A R Rahman (composer) sir’s studio that they’d mailed me the composition and had to record the song the next day. So, I woke up at 5 am, finished the song by 8 am and went sightseeing at 9 am.”
Kamil enjoyed working with Rahman on the soundtrack: “He is full of musical wonders. Whenever I work with him, I learn something from him.”
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Soumya Vajpayee (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 21, 2023)
Singer Javed Ali recorded the song Tum Tak from Raanjhanaa (2013) in a jiffy. Interestingly, he wasn’t prepared when he was called for the recording by composer A R Rahman. “I was holidaying with my family in Goa when I got a call from Rahman sir. He wanted to record Tum Tak urgently. So, I had to cut my Goa trip short and travel to Chennai to record the song, while my family stayed back,” says Ali.
Sharing the recording experience, he adds, “When I reached there, Irshad sir (Irshad Kamil; lyricist) and Aanand L Rai (director) sir were there. Rahman sir had a tune, so Irshad sir added lyrics to the tune and I recorded it. We added some great variations to the song and I loved how I sounded in Tum Tak. It’s one of the best songs I’ve worked on.”
Bholaa: Ajay Devgn, Abhishek Bachchan make a new beginning in Banaras
8:13 AM
Ajay Devgn kicks off Bholaa’s UP schedule with theme song shoot; to film crucial dramatic scenes with Abhishek Bachchan during 10-day stint
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; December 9, 2022)
For Ajay Devgn, the past few weeks have been all about Drishyam 2. Now, as the crime thriller is enjoying a strong run at the box office, the actor has retraced his steps to the world of Bholaa. On December 6, he kicked off the Banaras schedule of the action thriller, which is an official adaptation of Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Tamil hit, Kaithi (2019). Over the 10-day schedule, Devgn will shoot two important elements — the film’s theme song, and dramatic scenes featuring Abhishek Bachchan who makes a special appearance.
We hear Devgn, who doubles up as the director on the Tabu-starrer, is first tackling the song. While Bholaa is set over one night as a released convict helps the cops catch gangsters in exchange for seeing his daughter, the track will delve into the titular character’s back-story — from his early years, to his romance with on-screen wife Amala Paul, and how things spiralled out of control, leading him to prison.
A source reveals, “The track has been composed by KGF - Chapter 2 music director Ravi Basrur, and choreographed by Ganesh Acharya. Ajay will can the number over the next four days. Simultaneously, Abhishek is filming some portions with a small team.”
Bachchan will take centre-stage after the song is wrapped up. Though details of his special appearance are being closely guarded, sources tell us he plays a gangster on a mission to retrieve a lost contraband. “Abhishek will be seen sporting a rugged look, complete with a beard. While a large chunk of the movie has been shot on sets in Hyderabad and Mumbai, Ajay was clear that the confrontational sequences and the theme song would be filmed in real locations in Uttar Pradesh.”
The source adds that Bachchan’s character will feature more prominently in the Bholaa sequel that is in the works. If things go as planned, Devgn will call it a wrap on the movie by the month-end after another song and patchwork shoot.
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 750
9:26 AM
ROCKING NOVEMBER’S SOLE WEAK FRIDAY IS HERE
The month of November is expected to be far more exciting than October, though Diwali and the related holidays were celebrated in the latter. This is because the films being released in November carry tremendous buzz and seem promising, be it Uunchai, Bhediya or Drishyam 2. This Friday, however, will stand out as all the films releasing seem weak and will have a tough time at the box office. My analysis:
PHONE BHOOT: It is a horror comedy, starring Katrina Kaif, Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ishaan Khatter. It is produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment and seems to be a youthful entertainer. The trailer was okay but gave a vibe that it can make for a fun watch. Also, Katrina has a huge following among the youth and she can pull in audiences. Though the actors promoted the film extensively, the buzz is limited. As a result, it’ll open at around Rs. 2-3 crores range.
MILI: It stars Janhvi Kapoor and tells an interesting story of a girl, who gets trapped in a freezer. It is a remake of the Malayalam film Helen and just like the original, the Hindi version is also directed by Mathukutty Xavier. It is co-produced by Boney Kapoor and this means that this is the first time that Janhvi Kapoor is working with her father. However, the excitement for the film is very low. Its opening will be around Rs. 50 lakhs and might go upto Rs. 1 crore, if the reports are very positive.
DOUBLE XL: It is the first production of Huma Qureshi and Saqib Saleem. Huma also stars in the film along with Sonakshi Sinha. As the title suggests, it is a story of two plus-sized girls. The film seems quite relatable but the trailer or the songs haven’t worked. The release is limited and it might struggle to even do Rs. 30 or Rs. 40 lakhs on the first day of its release.
BANARAS: It is a Kannada film dubbed in Hindi. It has no star cast and zero awareness. But as witnessed in the past, sometimes, these South dubbed films can spring a surprise. Hence, trade has decided not to write off Banaras as yet.
The month of November is expected to be far more exciting than October, though Diwali and the related holidays were celebrated in the latter. This is because the films being released in November carry tremendous buzz and seem promising, be it Uunchai, Bhediya or Drishyam 2. This Friday, however, will stand out as all the films releasing seem weak and will have a tough time at the box office. My analysis:
PHONE BHOOT: It is a horror comedy, starring Katrina Kaif, Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ishaan Khatter. It is produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment and seems to be a youthful entertainer. The trailer was okay but gave a vibe that it can make for a fun watch. Also, Katrina has a huge following among the youth and she can pull in audiences. Though the actors promoted the film extensively, the buzz is limited. As a result, it’ll open at around Rs. 2-3 crores range.
MILI: It stars Janhvi Kapoor and tells an interesting story of a girl, who gets trapped in a freezer. It is a remake of the Malayalam film Helen and just like the original, the Hindi version is also directed by Mathukutty Xavier. It is co-produced by Boney Kapoor and this means that this is the first time that Janhvi Kapoor is working with her father. However, the excitement for the film is very low. Its opening will be around Rs. 50 lakhs and might go upto Rs. 1 crore, if the reports are very positive.
DOUBLE XL: It is the first production of Huma Qureshi and Saqib Saleem. Huma also stars in the film along with Sonakshi Sinha. As the title suggests, it is a story of two plus-sized girls. The film seems quite relatable but the trailer or the songs haven’t worked. The release is limited and it might struggle to even do Rs. 30 or Rs. 40 lakhs on the first day of its release.
BANARAS: It is a Kannada film dubbed in Hindi. It has no star cast and zero awareness. But as witnessed in the past, sometimes, these South dubbed films can spring a surprise. Hence, trade has decided not to write off Banaras as yet.
Once upon a time in Banaras: The Kashyap siblings and their earliest engagements with cinema
11:26 PM
How do three of a family all become filmmakers? Kashyap siblings Anurag and Anubhuti didn’t watch movies when growing up. They played Cinema Cinema, and making up stories was their favourite pastime
Heena Khandelwal (MID-DAY; October 30, 2022)
When most children their age would play ghar-ghar, the Kashyap siblings played cinema-cinema. “Carrom board coins would become my audience, and board games would turn into a make-shift auditorium. Sometimes I would cut out film posters [to make it more realistic],” recalls Anurag Kashyap, the eldest of three siblings, over a phone call.
What about the plot? “A magazine called Sarita carried a review section called Chanchal Chaya. I would read the review, make up the story and they [Anubhuti and Abhinav] would think that I watched all the films,” he laughs. “He would create random stories… ones with shock value,” adds Anubhuti, the youngest of three siblings.
“He would also draw and turn them into comics and novellas. These would be circulated among all the cousins during the summer vacations.” “One was titled Mr Huge Ho Gaye Fuse,” pipes in her eldest brother. “I had also created a character called Wonder Man. This was back in the 80s, much before Marvel.”
All three siblings—writer, director and actor Abhinav is the middle child—had very little exposure to cinema, partly because their father, an engineer with the Uttar Pradesh energy department, would be posted in remote areas. As a result, the trio grew up in Obra and Anpara, small thermal power colonies near Banaras. Also, cinema was considered a bad influence.
“Besides an occasional Amitabh Bachchan movie on screen,” shares Anurag, “we watched most films on VCR, with pirated cassettes. In fact, the version of Mr India [1987] that we saw was without the climax.”
Anubhuti was the first among them to explore her creative side; she co-wrote a play in college and acted in it. “It also travelled to some festivals, but that was it,” she says, adding that her options for adulthood were simple: Either study and make a career for yourself, or get married.
“None of us actually aimed at getting into movies,” she says. “An MBA seemed like a good option [for me].” After graduation, Anubhuti worked in the corporate sector in Pune and Mumbai for a few years.
Meanwhile, Anurag enrolled in a zoology course at Hansraj College in Delhi, but was exposed to world cinema at a film festival. He moved to Mumbai and was soon writing scripts for television serials and films. “I was young and arrogant,” he recalls, “and turned down a lot of work that came my way, thinking this was not what I wanted to be known for.” But Abhinav, who was in Mumbai to prepare for an MBA degree, saw it as a great opportunity and became a mainstream scriptwriter.
However, it took several years for Anubhuti to quit her job. “I had reached that point where I knew that if I didn’t realign [with my creative side], it wouldn’t happen later,” she says. “So I took a sabbatical. Anurag [who was wrapping up No Smoking in 2007] recognized my talent much before I did. He subtly nudged and manipulated me into joining films.”
Anubhuti joined the team of researchers working on Bombay Velvet, which released much later in 2015. “It involved watching many films,” she laughs. Around the same time, scriptwriter Raj Kumar Gupta was making his directorial debut with Aamir (2008), and was looking for an assistant director. Anubhuti came on board. Later, she assisted Anurag on Dev.D (2009) and Gangs Of Wasseypur (2012).
“All the people who worked with me and went on to become directors—such as Neeraj Ghaywan and Vasan Bala—stayed with me only because of Anubhuti,” says Anurag. “I am chaotic, but she would handle me as well as them.”
After Gangs Of Wasseypur, Anubhuti stopped assisting and moved in the direction of short films. “The first was Let Stalk, my take on stalking, which never saw the light of day,” she says. “Then I wrote and directed Moi Marjaani [about a single mother and her encounter with love].”
It took almost a decade for Anubhuti to stake her claim to the spotlight. It came with the Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer Doctor G, which released earlier this month. The movie revolves around a male medical student stuck in the Gynaecology department.
“The script came to me in 2016, but the following three years saw a lot of ups and downs in the production company Junglee. We were just about to start shooting when the pandemic happened,” she says. Anubhuti also directed the web-series Afsos (2020).
Has Anurag been a support system in Bollywood? “He would have, had he known,” she confesses. “But I never shared any of it [struggles] with him.”
“We are the kind of siblings who hug each other a lot, but never really talk,” says Anurag. “Actually, it is not easy to talk with me around,” interjects Anubhuti, mentioning that during conversations, she is more of a listener than a talker. “I am the one who talks a lot,” explains Anurag. “She is usually worried about me, and wants updates about my life.”
Their style of cinema also differs from each other. While Anurag’s work is best described as dark, Anubhuti’s lens sees shades of grey; Abhinav makes mainstream potboilers. “Anubhuti is far from the cancel culture,” says Anurag. “She sees everyone as a work in progress, and believes everything is forgivable.” Similarly, their personalities are different too.
“While I grew up on world cinema,” says Anurag, “Anubhuti feeds off on real experiences. I have mad energy, while Anubhuti is calm.” “I am also very lazy,” interjects Anubhuti, adding that Anurag can write endlessly, but she needs a lot of pushing. “I am very independent, but I’m also happy doing nothing and I have no hurry in life.”
In an industry where nepotism is brought up every Friday, the Kashyap siblings wanted nothing to do with each other. “I have produced a lot of films,” says Anurag. “Anubhuti could have made a film [with me] long ago, but she wanted to make it on her own. Even Abhinav chartered his own path; he is very enterprising. The credit goes to our parents. We were all told that once we complete our education, we would have to make our own living. And we did.”
Mirzapur season 3 to go on floors in Mumbai on June 24
8:16 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 13, 2022)
The wild success of the second season of Mirzapur in October 2020 paved the way for Kaleen Bhaiya and Co. to return for a third instalment. Even though Amazon Prime Video officially announced the third season only in April this year, the production team had begun the groundwork on the Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Shweta Tripathi Sharma and Rasika Dugal-starrer since early 2022. Now, it is learnt that the series — which revolves around a gangster family in Uttar Pradesh — will go on floors in Mumbai on June 24.
Sources tell mid-day that the cast, including Vijay Varma and Isha Talwar, began workshops last week. “The first leg will be shot across the suburbs. A chunk of the crime drama will be filmed at a set in Film City, Goregaon. After the Mumbai leg is wrapped up, creators Karan Anshuman and Puneet Krishna will take the action to Banaras. The final locations, however, have yet to be locked,” reveals a source.
The major action sequences have been included in the Mumbai schedule. The source adds, “The actors will train over the next week with action choreographers for the portions.”
Women actors on TV have more shelf life as compared to male actors-Mouli Ganguly
7:44 AM
Meera Vohra (BOMBAY TIMES; January 12, 2022)
Kaahin Kissii Roz actor Mouli Ganguly, who was in Banaras for the promotion of her TV show Bal Shiv recently, says she is blessed to be back in the city. “I had come to the city as a child with my parents. Though it was a very short visit, I have very vivid memories of the place. I remember I had gone for a boat ride on a full moon lit night. The boat was decorated with flowers, later I got to know that it was Kartik Poornima, the day Dev Deepawali was celebrated. This time also I got the chance to savour everything the city is famous for.”
Mouli, whose career has spanned two decades, says, “OTT has given actors, especially TV actors, a big platform to show their potential. Television is a restrictive medium as it works under certain rules. TRP is a major factor and the content follows accordingly, so creativity is affected. One moves within a structure in television. Films again are too big a gap where TV actors are called for roles that don’t do much to their career and that don’t excite me at all. So, I am happy doing TV shows. OTT platform is like a bridge between television and films. Every actor irrespective of gender, age and looks is getting a platform in web series. The possibility is there, which is a beautiful feeling for actors.”
She goes on to add, “Despite restrictive nature of the medium, women actors on TV have more shelf value as compared to male actors. Today, the female protagonist in a show is not a 16-year-old, but still that show is the most popular one. Now there is a possibility of playing one’s age. Once I met a very good male theatre actor who was part of the film Lagaan, he was really upset that women actors get all kinds of roles on TV while he is not able to bag such roles as he looks a certain manner.”
Multi-city promotional leg of Shefali Shah’s upcoming series Human cancelled amid rising cases
8:47 AM
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; January 7, 2022)
The year begins with a pause. Owing to the spike in the number of positive Coronavirus and Omicron cases, many ongoing promotional activities of films and series have been cancelled. The makers — Vipul Amrutlal Shah and Mozez Singh — of the Shefali Shah-starrer Human had planned multi-city tours but have now changed their minds.
Plans for the Disney+ Hotstar series involved holding public events in Ahemdabad, Bhopal, Indore, Lucknow, Delhi, Kanpur, and Banaras. A source reveals, “Since the project is close to Shefali’s heart, she wanted to go all out for promotions. The cast of the show has now dropped all their city visits and on-ground promotions.”
The trailer, released on December 28, received “fabulous responses by the audience, fraternity, and critics alike”. “The show will remain close to my heart since it has given me the opportunity to play a character with interesting shades — complicated, unpredictable, and indecipherable. It’s unfortunate, but to ensure everyone’s safety we had to cancel [city-tours],” added Shah.
The thriller, starring Shah and Kirti Kulhari, explores the dark and twisted world of human drug trials. The series is set to release on January 14.
Rati Agnihotri meets son Tanuj Virwani after staying apart for 20 months in the pandemic
8:13 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; December 11, 2021)
When Tanuj Virwani dropped his mother, actress Rati Agnihotri, at the airport in March 2020, little did he know that he would not get to see her for well over a year-and-a-half. The actress was stationed in Poland with her sister during the Coronavirus pandemic. Rati recently returned home and celebrated her birthday with her son and husband yesterday.
“It has been two years since we celebrated mom’s birthday at home. It’s crazy! I had never thought that it would take this long to see my mother again in person. She was expected to return in August, but her pet needed a passport, which pushed things to September. Eventually, my aunt requested her to be around till Diwali. She only returned to Mumbai in the second week of November,” says Tanuj.
Rati says, “It has taken very long for us to be able to spend this time together. I had to set my emotions aside, looking at the way things were unfolding all over the world. Tanuj didn’t want me to travel until things got better in Mumbai, although I got vaccinated much earlier. I’ve never been away from my child for anything longer than two months; this was almost two years. I travel often, but this journey was hard on both of us and yet, a much smaller sacrifice in comparison to what so many suffered.”
On the day she returned to Mumbai, Tanuj landed at the airport to surprise his mother, who thought he was busy shooting. “I had a shoot scheduled in Banaras, but it was cancelled at the last minute, and I didn’t tell mom. I surprised her at the airport instead, and there we were, crying and smiling at the same time. She was looking tired and yet so happy. The house has suddenly gone from being a bachelors’ pad to a home. Her presence was missed. Although I wasn’t too well, we had an intimate celebration for my birthday also a few days ago. We had a good weekend at our farmhouse, too.”
Rati adds, “When I came out of the airport, I just wanted to go home and sleep in my bed. I saw my husband waiting outside and then, out of nowhere, Tanuj popped out. It became so dramatic! I was overwhelmed with emotions to see him. We went home and chatted till sunrise. I might have to travel again, but not immediately. I just want to be with my child.”
Talking about her birthday celebrations, she says, “I left the planning to Tanuj. I am not a party person, so that was out of the question. I like being with my family on birthdays. Tanuj had taken the day off for me and that’s the best present he could have given me.”
Images of Kumbh Mela and political rallies have really angered me-Amyra Dastur
8:10 AM
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 16, 2021)
Amyra Dastur had been shooting for her upcoming web series when the announcement to stall shoots came about. Though worried about the uncertainty looming large, she says that she has happily accepted the lockdown-style restrictions imposed in Maharashtra. “I’ve two perspectives on the move, one as an actor and working girl and the other as the daughter of a doctor who is working on the frontline every single day,” she says.
She adds, “I am definitely saddened by the news. Shoots help me earn my bread and butter and so, seeing the projects I am in, like Dongri To Dubai, being halted in the middle of shooting definitely upsets me.”
Dastur reveals that the current situation takes her back to 2020 and once again. “Looking at my dad stressing out because his hospital has no beds with more and more patients coming in just breaks my heart,” she states.
Vexed at the recent gathering at the Kumbh Mela, she cannot stop expressing her disappointment in people and their tendency to take the pandemic lightly. “People are really not listening and I do not just mean those in Maharashtra. Images of people celebrating Holi in Banaras, the gathering at the Kumbh Mela and political rallies have really angered me,” she says.
Talking about the need to stay safe and act in a responsible manner, she says, “I understand Maharashtra has insanely high cases and our state is awaiting the restocking of the vaccine. But if the rest of the country acts like Coronavirus does not exist, then it is going to be a never ending cycle of infection.”
I am going to learn self defence once I recover-Malvi Malhotra
7:58 AM
The actress, who has been discharged from the hospital after a brutal knife attack, admits that the support of her parents has helped her come to terms with the ordeal
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; November 3, 2020)
Malvi Malhotra was in the news after being stabbed by producer Yogesh Kumar Singh for allegedly rejecting his marriage proposal. The 23-year-old Udann actress was rushed to a suburban hospital and discharged two days ago. The latest development is that Singh has been remanded to judicial custody. Malvi says, “I am feeling better now. The first thing we did after I returned home was say a prayer. My parents are with me. They are scared to leave me alone and want to ensure that I am safe. They have told me that they want someone to be with me all the time.”
‘MY FATHER TOLD ME, DARR KE MAT JIYO’
The gruesome attack has not deterred Malvi from continuing her career in showbiz. And while her parents are justifiably worried, they aren’t asking her to quit either. The actress says, “My parents won’t stop me from working. My father told me, ‘all we want is your security. Darr ke mat jiyo, but apni security bhi rakhna bohot zaroori hai’. Even the Mumbai police have offered to provide me with security for two months till the case is on.”
‘IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME FOR THE WOUNDS TO HEAL’
While the actress is back home, it will take a couple of months for her to recover and get fit enough to resume work. “It will take me about two months to recover. My left hand was severely injured, as my little finger was almost dislodged due to the knife attack. The medical team performed two surgeries on the finger. Judd hi nahi rahi thi. Thodi si bach gayi thi because of which it was there. Had that not been the case, I would have lost my little finger. The doctors somehow managed to put it together after two surgeries,” she says.
Continuing, Malvi says, “For the time being, I have to keep my hand suspended high up to avoid any swelling. Once my stitches heal, I will undergo four weeks of physiotherapy, to primarily regain strength and movement in that finger. The cut on my right hand is very deep. The knife incision in my stomach was about 1.5 inches. It will take some time for the wounds to heal.”
‘I WILL BE FINE ONCE I START WORKING’
All Malvi wants to do now is to recover and return to the set soon. She says, “Fortunately, I had been shooting nonstop ever since shoots resumed post the lockdown. I shot for a music video in July in Banaras and another one in September. I went to Dubai for work, too. I was scheduled to shoot the remaining portion of my Tamil film in November, which is on hold now because of this incident. However, my director and team have been very considerate. They told me that they would wait for me to recover and resume the shoot. I had to begin shooting for a Telugu film in January. I just hope that they don’t cast another artiste for my part. I think I will be fine once I start working. I am trying to stay positive because that will aid my recovery.”
‘I PITY THE PERSON WHO DID THIS TO ME. IT SHOWS HIS CRIMINAL BENT OF MIND’
Malvi has vowed to learn self-defence post her recovery. “Fear toh hai. Aagey bohot precautions lekar chalna hai. Par main apni zindagi darr ke nahi jee sakti. I have to be brave. My dad has told me to learn self-defence, so that I am better prepared to face any untoward incident and take care of myself. I want to be physically strong so that I am able to fight if anything unfortunate happens. I pity the person who did this to me. It shows his criminal bent of mind. All I seek now is justice.”
Image: Chandan Roy Sanyal resumes shooting with Sanjay Mishra for Woh Teen Din in Benaras
8:14 AM
Chandan Roy Sanyal talks about resuming shoot for Raj Ashoo's Woh Teen Din also starring Sanjay Mishra
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; July 19, 2020)
While Sanjay Gupta has delayed the shoot of Mumbai Saga and other filmmakers are still contemplating their next move, director Raj Ashoo has already set up camp in Benaras for his next. The filmmaker has taken his cast and crew to complete the shoot of the Chandan Roy Sanyal and Sanjay Mishra-starrer Woh Teen Din.
The slice-of-life film revolves around the hilarious interaction between a passenger and rickshaw puller played by Sanyal and Mishra, respectively. To ensure a smooth filming process, Sanyal flew to Benaras two days prior to the shoot and will be in the city for 10 days. The shoot is set up in Chunar, a small town in the district of Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh.
Stepping out after four months due to Coronavirus lockdown, Sanyal says he is tad paranoid, but excited to begin work. Sharing pictures of his experience in Banaras, he says, "Stepping out after four months, I feel like a beginner. I'm relieved that the makers are handling the safety of the cast and crew wonderfully. It is amazing to be working with Sanjay Mishra for a film that has such a unique story."
Will film and TV shoots be stalled in Mumbai following the Coronavirus outbreak?
8:37 AM
Rachana Dubey and Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; March 15, 2020)
The COVID-19 epidemic has impacted life across the country, including Metros like Delhi and Mumbai. On Friday, the Maharashtra government announced that gyms, malls, cinema halls and swimming pools will be closed till March 31 to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Film releases, live shows, concerts and sporting events have also been postponed. In keeping with the ongoing situation, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) is planning to put all the film, TV and ad-film shoots on hold for a few days as a preventive measure.
FILM BODIES TO MEET TODAY
FWICE’s President Birendra Nath Tiwari told BT, “Shoots for films, TV shows and ads are like public gatherings, and masks and sanitisers alone won’t help in such a situation. For the sake of people’s lives, we, too, can stop work for a few days.” In fact, FWICE has been speaking to various producers’ bodies regarding this. A meeting between members of the Indian Motion Pictures Producers’ Association (IMPPA), Western India Film Producers’ Association (WIFPA), Indian Film & Television Directors' Association (IFTDA) and FWICE will be held today to decide a plan of action.
‘WE WANT TO DRAW UP A WORKABLE PLAN’
Ashoke Pandit told BT, “The idea is not to put a blanket stop on work. We want to draw up a workable plan to ensure that if individual producers, technicians and actors decide to continue work, they are safe. Having sanitisers, masks and medical help at hand and maintaining hygiene are crucial and sets will be monitored for that. More than 50 per cent of this industry works on daily pay packets. Those workers will suffer a great deal if shoots come to a complete halt,” he told BT.
FWICE has already written to producers, requesting them to refrain from shooting in countries affected by COVID-19. They have also been asked to report if any individual who has travelled from a COVID-19-affected region is present on their set. Feroz Khan, the chairman for health and safety vigilance in the FWICE, said, “A few film shoots are on in Lucknow and Banaras, but they are following strict regulations. Anyone with any symptom of COVID-19 is being sent to the nearest medical facility with their payment cleared up to that day.”
TV SETS IMPLEMENT STRICT MEASURES
Meanwhile, the television industry has also implemented measures to fight the situation. While shoots can’t be stalled because of telecast demands and a paucity of bank of episodes, the makers and the crew of TV shows have come together to spread awareness. The Indian Film and TV Producers Council (IFTPC) has issued a directive to all producers, asking them to take the necessary precautionary steps. J D Majethia, chairman of IFTPC and the producer of TV show Bhakharwadi, said, “We have requested broadcasters to urge producers to educate their crew and also maintain hygiene on their sets. We are putting up posters in two-three languages with simple instructions about precautionary measures. We are also encouraging those suffering from any COVID-19 symptoms to bring it to our notice so that we can help them get immediate medical attention. We already have doctors visiting sets to check every worker thoroughly. Those who aren’t feeling well will get paid leaves. We have also requested junior workers to not send in their replacement, which happens in most cases, so that there is no confusion regarding who is working on a given day”.
‘THOSE UNWELL NEEDN’T FEAR PAY-CUTS’
Siddharth Kumar Tewary, producer of RadhaKrishn, shared, “We have asked the office staff to work from home. Those who can’t, like the ones working in the post-production and edit departments, are advised to report only when there is work. On the set, you will find everyone with a mask on. We have ensured that bottles of sanitisers are kept at every 10 to 15 feet. We have also formed a team that ensures that everybody washes their hands and sanitises them frequently. Actors’ make-up rooms, lunch area and bedrooms are disinfected and cleaned every half an hour.”
Kinnari Mehta, producer of Maddam Sir, told us, “Apart from providing sanitisers and soaps, we have instructed each and every member of the unit to practise respiratory hygiene. We also make sure that people bringing food for the unit are wearing gloves all the time. Everyone wears a mask during the shoot and post it.”
Mahesh Pandey, producer of Vidya, says, “We have ensured that sets are cleaned frequently. We have also distributed masks and sanitisers to everyone. Anyone who has been feeling under the weather has been asked to take an off without any fear of a pay cut.”
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TV SHOW TO AIR AN EPISODE ON CORONAVIRUS
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is currently shooting an episode on the epidemic. Dilip Joshi, who plays Jethalal in the show, says, “Coronavirus is a pandemic and, unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation doing the rounds. So, our producer Asit Kumarr Modi and the creative team have decided to spread awareness through our show.”
There's no need to subject kids to vulgar language-Ali Fazal
7:50 AM
Ali Fazal on reimagining Mirzapur scene after, as per contract, he refuses to use expletives in front of children
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 20, 2019)
Ali Fazal has been stationed in Banaras over the past few weeks, shooting for the second season of his hit show Mirzapur. The actor plays a gun-toting and expletive-spewing gangster, Guddu Pandit, in the Amazon Prime crime thriller that offers a hard look at the lawlessness of the region. While Fazal has had no qualms about using foul language in front of the camera, understanding well enough that it is the demand of the character, the actor recently put his foot down when a scene required him to hurl expletives in front of kids.
A source informs that on the day of the shoot, Fazal read the sequence and immediately expressed his reservation to the team. "Since the dialogues were heavy on expletives, Ali was clear that the scene can't include kids. He reasoned that Mirzapur is an A-rated show and is strictly for the audience above 18 years of age, and it wouldn't be right to expose children to such language. Ali is dead against the use of vulgar language in front of children; it's even a part of his contract."
Confirming the development, Fazal explains, "We expose our children to too much negativity anyway. They can totally do without the use of vulgar language around them. The show has a certain milieu and there is a sturdy context for the language we use on the show. Those above 18 will have the emotional and social maturity to understand the intent. But young children are impressionable and there's no need to subject them to this when we can avoid it. Kids should be protected as much as possible. Additionally, it's also our responsibility to not allow kids to watch such content at home."
I've been [dead] against this idea of two human beings not being equal because of their place of birth-Anubhav Sinha
10:01 AM
In less than a year, Anubhav Sinha has made films on two burning issues: the anti-Muslim environment and the broadening caste divide. He talks to us on changing tracks, from Dus and Ra.One to Mulk and Article 15
Ekta Mohta (MID-DAY; June 23, 2019)
In 1949, while writing the most important book in the country, Dr BR Ambedkar made some bits autobiographical. In Article 15, he put his thoughts and personal experiences to paper and spoke of the birthright of citizens: no citizen can be discriminated against on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex and place of birth. In 2014, a few Hindu men from Badaun, UP, who hadn't read that section, raped two teenagers and hung them out to dry from a mango tree. In 2017, filmmaker Anubhav Sinha sat down to write his first draft of Article 15, a story that includes all of that, and a story that has been 2,000 years in the making.
Releasing this week, with actor Ayushmann Khurrana in the lead, Sinha tells us that his film is actually based on several incidents. "When you see the film, and if you've been reading newspapers, you'll see all those cases. Government data tells you it happens once a day." In the film, the teenagers are raped and murdered because they demand a raise of three rupees. "When I wrote this, my CFO, Dubey ji, who is a Brahmin, said, 'Nahi sir, aisa nahi hota.' So I called a friend from Delhi, whose been a journalist for 20 years, and put her on speakerphone. She said, 'Within 15 minutes from Delhi, this could happen to a girl for three rupees.' It's not about three rupees; it's about 'I will tell you what you deserve. And if you have a voice against it, I will show you your place'."
After 20 years in the entertainment industry, and after making films such as Ra.One, Dus and Tum Bin, it appears that Sinha has finally found his place. Last year's Mulk, with actors Rishi Kapoor and Taapsee Pannu, showed the rills between Hindus and Muslims, simmering and poisoning over 70 years. As the son of Benares and the alum of Aligarh Muslim University, Sinha is an insider in both worlds. "My father's best friend was a Muslim, and he would eat with us in ceramic plates, while we would eat in steel plates. One day, my elder sister and I protested. Mom realised that we also cook mutton. So, we changed it inside the house."
What started out with regular housecleaning has now grown to include his mulk. "There was too much going on in the country at that point vis-à-vis Hindus and Muslims, and I was sick and tired of it. There was a narrative being built, which started with some headlines in the newspapers that by the year 2000 and X, there will be more Muslims in India than Hindus and some sh*t like that. And I wanted to have a voice and I did." But, it isn't like he had a sudden change of heart. His concerns were "brewing" and niggling at the back of his mind his entire life. "I always saw the wrong in things that were happening around me, whether it was class politics, caste politics, or more than the two, gender politics. I've been [dead] against this idea of two human beings not being equal because of their place of birth. There is no reason why society should not offer [someone] the same opportunity as somebody who was born 200 yards away. These are questions that you want to ask society and ask yourself. And if you can weave a story that can encompass all of that and still make an engaging viewing, then you have a movie."
In recent times, Sinha attributes his change in sensibilities to a specific activity. "I had stopped reading. I come from Benares, where music and literature are very rich. And then I became an engineer, and the whole relationship with literature was lost. And then I came to Mumbai, where I was into another art form, which I had no idea about. So, I was learning lensing and editing and blah and blah, trying to survive and make a place for myself. Somebody asked me, 'Is there something new that you started doing in the last five years?' I've started reading again. I accept and recognise that now I get attracted to a very different kind of material than what I used to sometime back." These include dog-eared copies of Republic of Caste by Anand Teltumbde, Joothan by Omprakash Valmiki, Humans by Tom Phillips, and books by Mahatma Gandhi, whom he lovingly calls "the first Indian rock star."
Article 15, in its heart, reflects his library. "I belong to a caste that doesn't belong to any of the four varnas from Manusmriti. But because Kayasthas are educated people, we are considered upper caste. So, I was never personally affected by it in an adverse manner, but I could see where [someone from] a lower caste would treat himself differently. Because that's what he's told and that's what he believes and, worst of all, that's what he accepts. When a sabziwala came to our house, the way he would try and not touch anything. The bai at home, it's okay if she washes your utensils, but it's not okay if she uses them. It's a bizarre mix of caste and class politics. And, it's not only a UP thing. Now it has reached a medical college in the heart of Mumbai."
He thinks the world has consciously divided itself into superiors and inferiors. "For thousands of years, the world has been aligning itself into this wide inequality that we see today. There is a dialogue in Mulk, which, according to me, is the best line in the film. 'Agar sab log barabar ho jayenge, toh raja kaun banega?' We have this mean, vicious streak to be the king. That's the problem. Nobody likes the same size." None of us want to be Indians, firstly and lastly, the way Dr Ambedkar imagined.
On Sinha's Bookshelf
After Narendra Modi, film on Yogi Adityanath to hit the screen soon
7:43 AM
Nakkash director says Kumud Mishra's role 'heavily inspired' by UP chief minister, Yogi Adityanath
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 3, 2019)
Even as projects centred on Prime Minister Narendra Modi have been barred from screening amidst the ongoing election, Bollywood remains undeterred in telling stories about political figures.
In the latest development, actor Kumud Mishra — who has previously featured in Airlift (2016) and Rockstar (2011) — will be seen playing a character inspired by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Nakkash. The film, set in Banaras, apparently revolves around the idol makers of the holy city.
Unwilling to divulge too many details about the role, director Zaigham Imam describes Mishra's character as a "local leader of Banaras." "The character is heavily inspired by him [Yogi Adityanath] and he is presented in a positive light. It is such designed that the audience will enjoy his presence," he says.
The drama, he reveals, has got the go-ahead from the censor board ahead of its release next month. Ask him if he is worried about the film courting controversy, and he says, "It is one of the main characters in the narrative and will move the audience. Let the film do the talking upon its release."
Ali Fazal uses the pseudonym of Mir Fateh when battling real-life wrestlers as part of prep for Mirzapur
7:48 AM
Fazal uses the pseudonym when battling real-life wrestlers in the interiors of Banaras as part of prep for his gangster act in the web show, Mirzapur
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 31, 2018)
If his physical demeanour is anything to go by, Ali Fazal has certainly put in a fair share of toil to slip into his role of a gangster in the upcoming web series, Mirzapur.
The actor, we hear, is now referred to as Mir Fateh in the interiors of Banaras, and no, that isn’t the name of his character in the show.
Fazal, we learn, used the pseudonym to be part of the underground fight clubs of Delhi and Bhadohi, a task he undertook to do justice to his act. A source tells mid- day, “Ali plays the role of Guddu Pandit, a gangster who is set to take over a lawless land where arms and drugs are traded. Since Ali has not essayed a grey character on screen, he immersed himself into this role. So much so that apart from going through a gruelling physical transformation, he also turned up at underground fight clubs, or ‘clans’.”
It was Fazal’s friend who helped him discover this facet of the city, and the actor began to turn up at the fights in utmost secrecy to understand the techniques of underground fighters. “He even participated in two matches, and landed up bruised on set.” Fazal confirms the news to mid-day, adding that he wouldn’t advise another actor to partake in the kind of practice that he did, for the Amazon original. “Shooting for Mirzapur has been scary, yet adventurous. But, I would not recommend this to others. To them, I’d say, ‘Try acting and forget the method’.”
He, however, does admit that the ropes he picked up, like “saving yourself during a fight,” helped him enhance his act.
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