Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; April 13, 2017)

Since 2009, Salman Khan has always greeted movie-goers on Eid with all his films proving to be record-shattering blockbusters. This Eid too, the superstar’s Tubelight is slated to hit theatres, but unlike previous years, he will have a competitor at the box office. The makers of Sunny Deol-starrer Bhaiyyaji Superhit, which has been in the making for almost six years, have also zeroed in on the festive date.

Bhaiyyaji producer Mahindra Dhariwal says, “We are in talks with distributors, who have warned us about Salman’s Tubelight. It’s a fact that he is a superstar, but we too are confident of our film and so, it doesn’t matter whoever comes alongside us.”

Dhariwal feels a festive occasion can accommodate two releases. “In the past, we have had many instances when two hit screens and both did well. Besides, we are presenting Sunny in a new avatar. He has a double role in the film and I am sure his fans will love him.”

The makers are eyeing around 2,500 screens. “The distributors are saying we may not get the desired number of screens, so we are okay with even 2,000 screens. I am not worried at all,” Dhariwal adds.

Sunny has also given his consent to an Eid release. “When I shared my plan with him, he said, ‘You are the producer and know best for the film. If you are fine with it, I am too’. I am aware they [Salman and Sunny] are good friends, but this clash won’t affect their friendship."

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 29, 2016)

It’s not just Sunny Deol’s dhai kilo ka haath which will be in action in Neeraj Pathak’s upcoming comedy, Bhaiyyaji Superhit, in which he plays a UP don, but his happy feet have been working overtime too. Mirror has learnt that the 59-year-old actor has been shooting five songs, back-to-back, with choreographer-friend Ahmed Khan at a suburban Mumbai studio.

“I made him dance two years ago on 'Gud Naal Ishaq Meetha' in Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru’s I Love NY. But this time Sunny will be seen in a completely different avatar. He’s wearing glares and a gamcha and sporting a mouchi. All the songs have been lavishly mounted with Sunny grooving with almost 200 backdrop dancers,” informs Ahmed who has been filming with the actor over the last week at several locations, including Filmistan Studio, Film City and the Imperial Grand Palace Hotel in Goregaon. “We will be filming for another five days and may also incorporate Sunny’s iconic 'Yaara O Yaara' step in one of the songs.”

He is quick to add that all the songs being shot in this dance marathon are distinctly different from each other, starting with the title track, “Bhaiyyaji superhitt hai”, there is a song during the Shivaratri festival, a romantic number with his leading lady Preity Zinta and him, a shaadi song and a final one which will be a real surprise. Prod Ahmed on Sunny’s reaction given that he’s never enjoyed reel life naachgaana, and Ahmed quips, “He’s loving it!”

The choreographer-turned-director who recently helmed a music video featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s wife, Amruta, has worked with Sunny in several films in the past, including Zor: Never Underestimate the Force, Fool N Final, Dillagi, Yamla Pagla Deewana and recently Ghayal Once Again. He admits that Sunny’s dancing after two years and to egg him on, the unit started clapping when he took the floor while filming for one of the songs. “He was so embarrassed he forgot the steps,” laughs Ahmed, who might even be shooting through the weekend to the New Year.

Ameesha Patel plays an actress and Preity, a small-town girl and Sunny’s wife, tries to emulate her. Sunny’s don speaks in Bhojpuri. “He has the unit in splits when he unintentionally slips into Punjabi in between his dialogues,” director Neeraj had told Mirror earlier (April 29).

The actress takes the lead in a fight sequence impressing with her punches
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 31, 2016)

Preity Zinta who plays Sunny Deol’s wife in Bhaiyyaji Superhit recently delivered a few punches of her own too. Sunny plays a don from UP in the film and in a scene the couple are cornered by the baddies. Before Sunny’s dhai kilo ka haath can pound him to pulp, the feisty actress took the fight forward, with her stronger half joining in.

Director Neeraj Pathak confirmed the news, saying, “Yes, Preity took cues from Sunny as he is known as Bollywood’s action hero. She trained under action director Vijayan who directed the action sequences in Dabangg,Wanted and Bodyguard. It’s raw, hardcore maar dhaad.”

Preity’s in-laws and husband, Gene Goodenough, didn’t get to watch the shoot but she excitedly shared pictures with them. Now, only a few scenes remain to be shot post Diwali for a wrap.

MID-DAY (September 19, 2016)

There are only two colours on Ameesha Patel’s mind these days — pink and white. That’s all we see on her these days, be it her endorsements, magazine cover shoots or Instagram posts. If one follows her social media accounts closely, they’ll realise that every other picture has her wearing pink. It is hard to miss the snap in which she is sporting a cute pink top, teaming it with white jumpers.

Keeping busy
Professionally, she has been in both Benaras and Mumbai for the last three months shooting her upcoming film, Bhaiyyaji Superhit. When back in the city, she spends her time planning the next schedule of her home production, Desi Magic. The schedule was delayed after Ameesha’s business partner Kunal Goomer changed the film’s script and upped its scale. Her positive approach helps her stay calm. Besides acting, she also involves herself in other processes of filmmaking.

Twice the fun
A unit hand informs that the actress gave out valuable tips to them on set of Bhaiyyaji Superhit for a scene in which Sunny had to shoot a double role scene. She herself is playing a double role in Desi Magic so her knowledge came handy on the set. But mostly, the cast of the former is thrilled to see Sunny and Ameesha’s off screen camaraderie and on screen chemistry.

BOMBAY TIMES (August 5, 2016)

BOMBAY TIMES (July 24, 2016)

MID-DAY (May 5, 2016)

Ameesha Patel talks about turning producer with Desi Magic, reuniting with Gadar co- star Sunny Deol on screen and the fun of being single

How is your maiden production, Desi Magic shaping up? There was a lot of buzz around it after you released the teaser.
Desi Magic is turning out to be better than what was planned and imagined. My business partner, Kuunal Goomer, who came up with the concept and is keenly involved with every aspect of this film, decided to delay the film’s release by over a year — it was a decision that we weren’t really happy about initially. However, with all the changes that he has made to the project, he has taken it to a whole new level. The team is extremely happy with the film and we are looking at completing it in approximately three months. And does the time frame to make and release a film really matter? I don’t think so. What matters is how the film has shaped up when it hits theatres and not how long it took to be made. I can name several films that have only been in the pipeline for five years or so with nothing progressing post an official announcement. The audience goes to the theatre on the merit of a film’s content.


How were Zayed Khan and Saahil Shroff as co- stars?
I am highly fortunate to have been working with two great, good looking, cool guys who were highly professional. I couldn’t have asked for better co-stars in Desi Magic. They were just tailor- made for their characters.

How is your other film, Bhaiyyaji Superhitt, with Gadar (2001) co-star Sunny Deol progressing?
Sixty per cent of it has already been shot. Sunny is the most amazing of all my co-stars till date; he is a great human being. Hopefully, our on-screen chemistry will work wonders again.

How was the experience of working with Bhaiyyaji Superhitt director Neeraj Pathak? Is he a taskmaster?
Oh, he is just amazing. He knows what Sunny and I can do; he gets the best out of us. He has created an out and out commercial entertainer. Preity Zinta, who is also playing one of the lead roles, is someone I am really fond of. And then there is Arshad Warsi. He is terrific as always.

Why have you been away from the big screen all this while?
It was a purely professional decision, but now, I am all geared up for a comeback.


Mehul Atha, director of Desi Magic, belongs to the ad fraternity. Did he come with a different vision?
Unlike many others, Mehul focusses more on characters than stylised shots. He has several big ads to his credit and is extremely thorough with his work. I am sure he will make a mark in the industry after Desi Magic releases.

You and Kuunal appear to be positive and strong minded...
You have hit the nail on the head. Yes, Kuunal is very strong minded and positive, and I can confidently say that his thoughts, vision and plans will be the talk of the industry in the near future. He and I believe in doing everything with utmost positivity.

What is more appealing to you — acting or producing?
They are equally appealing and challenging, to be honest. I would like to do both. Working in films under other banners is more important for any actor than sticking to home productions. And making good films under one’s own banner is a challenging task. I am hopeful, with time, our production house will rise to the challenge and deliver.

You got your first break with Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000). Any plans to give struggling actors a chance to make it big through your production house?
Post Desi Magic, we would love to launch new talents for our other projects.

Was turning producer on your to-do list?
No, it was never on my to-do list. In fact, it was Kuunal who forced me into this! But I am happy that I went ahead with his foresight. I couldn’t have asked God for more; I am in a very happy space at the moment.

What about the news of you being offered a TV show in America?
It is one of the top 10 shows on air today, but I declined it since it would have taken up all my time. At the moment, I am happy with my production venture and also busy doing a film with Sunny. There was no way I could leave India for several months on end.

Who among the present Bollywood actresses do you admire?
I am proud of the way Kareena Kapoor Khan and Alia Bhatt have done for themselves. They deserve every bit of the success that they have earned. Hats off to Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone as well for the wonderful work they are doing and making us proud.

You are known to be a fitness freak and your trainer is said to be the best in the business...
Yes, Klinton Rebello is one of the best trainers, who mentors Olympic athletes. He deserves credit for my fitness.

What is your beauty secret?
I do not believe in starving myself and abusing my body. But I feel blessed to have genes of my mother and grandmother, who are extremely beautiful women. Not having too many vices also helps.

Is love on the horizon for you?
I guess men don’t find me worthy of them. Jokes apart, I am currently focussed on my work. Maybe, a year or two down the line, I will think of a relationship. But doing good films is my priority now.

Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 29, 2016)

MUMBAI MIRROR (March 28, 2016)

BOMBAY TIMES (December 12, 2015)

Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; July 31, 2015)

Neeraj Pathak’s Bhaiyyaji Superhit, which was announced four years ago and shelved soon after over budget issues, has been pulled out of the cold storage. Buzz suggests that shooting for the film has started recently. It stars Sunny Deol, Preity Zinta, Ameesha Patel, Arshad Warsi, Mithun Chakraborthy and Shreyas Talpade.

A source says, “The film had been canned due to financial constraints. But now, it has got a new lease of life. The team had a brief schedule in Mumbai recently and will head to Banaras next month. The script and star cast remains what it was earlier.”

The film had been shelved apparently because Neeraj had asked producer Fauzia Arshi to raise the budget by a crore after 15 days of shooting and she didn’t agree to proposal. Some other reports suggested that the director had approached Subhash Ghai to fund the project without Arshi’s knowledge, which led to a dispute and eventually, pushed the film to the cans.

Neeraj confirms the development, adding: “We are back on track and will release the movie early next year. All actors as well as the crew members are excited about wrapping up the film as early as possible.”

Upala KBR (DNA; May 22, 2014)

Films
I am doing two films right now, one is called Bhaiyyaji Superhit and the other is Happy Ending, and I had nothing to do with what it’s called. It’s a film with Saif. You will be hearing about me doing some other movies soon but as of now, it’s just about the IPL and the elections. It’s the first time since 1984 — it’s been the most decisive elections for India with the BJP emerging as the single largest party with such a big majority.

Politics and elections
I had said seven years ago that I would like to see Mr Modi as Prime Minister. I started off as his biggest critic. Post Godhra, there were only negative thoughts in my head about him being communal. But when I started going to Gujarat to shoot etc and meeting other people there, especially the Muslims, and the stories I heard from them and the development that I saw around them made me see him in a different light. And you know what? The Supreme Court has given him a clean chit so who are we to judge? If the highest court in the country says something we must go by that, and secondly, it’s not the first time that we have had riots in India. We have had riots from 1984 to Kashmiri Pandit issues to the Godhra riots to the Muzaffarnagar riots — we have had all these issues but who, after falling down so badly, has gotten up and taken care of his state and done something for the people? So that means there’s a future with this person and that was the only reason that I really started leaning towards him and becoming a fan of his. The way the Gujarat machinery works, it would be great if India could be like that. We would be that Golden Bird once again people talked of and poets wrote about. I just hope that people don’t expect him to do everything in one day and just give him some time!

Production time
I am going to make a lot of movies. Ishkq In Paris will not be the only film I ever make. It was a great learning experience and I think I am ready to come back bigger, better and stronger.

Writing on the wall
People ask me if I will write again. I was more of a default writer for IIP, trying to help and finish in time. Preity, the writer, is not really the type who would write a love story — I will write something else so I hope you see something different. I have a few things that I am working on...

IPL and my team
It’s been seven years and finally my team is doing well. I am thanking God for it and am very happy with the way they are shaping up. I am even more happy because the Punjabi spirit is a happy and aggressive one. And the Punjabis supported us through thick and thin.We have been very lucky this year and also we have worked very hard. We have new strategies and we spent our whole money on the IPL. We have always been a very young team and Kings XI Punjab has always found new talent. We have 20-year-olds. They are kids to me. All are young players and it’s a very young team. The only bummer is that we have been travelling a lot and it’s so hot! I can take -10 degrees but I can’t take 45 degrees. My hands swell up and I am sweating and it’s tough but when the fours and sixes come I am very excited! I am just keeping my fingers crossed and praying to all the Gods that this time let it come to us.

I, me, myself
I am passionate about whatever I do. If I don’t like something, then I have minus 1,000 per cent interest in it. So if you want to make me do something I don’t want to do, then I feel bad for you. But if I like doing something then I give it everything. I always wanted to do different things because it would scare me to live this perceived image that people have of me. This image kept getting bigger and bigger but I remained the same person. Our DNA doesn’t change. I wanted to do movies, though my mother used to tell me as a child I wanted to be everything but an actress. I became that and then it became like a job for me. Being an actress gave me everything but it also scared me as I always wanted to do other things. In acting, you are giving your voice, name and energy at that moment to a character, so it’s a creation of someone’s imagination — that is not you! I am the kind of person who wants to put my feet on the ground but head in the clouds.