Showing posts with label Bheed. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bheed. Show all posts
Showing pandemic on screen: How have filmmakers grappled with this difficult phase & complex subject?
3:45 PM
Nandita Das’ Zwigato is the story of an ex-factory floor manager. After losing his job in the pandemic, he is forced to work as a food delivery rider and struggles to make ends meet
Three years have passed since the first Coronavirus lockdown. How have filmmakers grappled with this difficult phase & complex subject?
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; May 5, 2023)
From showing how relationships fared in the lockdown (Modern Love Hyderabad and Feels Like Ishq) to the financial struggle after people lost jobs (Unpaused and Zwigato) and the largescale chaos and uprooting caused by the first lockdown (Bheed and India Lockdown) – many movies and web series incorporated COVID-19 in their storylines. Three years since words like pandemic and lockdown became a permanent part of our vocabulary, we take a look at how pandemic stories were weaved into films and shows.
COVID STORYLINES EXPLORE RELATIONSHIPS IN A NEW LIGHT
Most of the shows which have pandemic storylines are about the spirit of humanity rising above the tragedy. Unpaused: Naya Safar uses the second wave of the pandemic as a major plot point and narrates five inspiring stories.
Geetanjali Kulkarni, who was in one of the episodes, spoke about filming a pandemic story, and said in an interview, “You feel heavy while shooting some scenes, as they remind you of things that either you have gone through or seen people close to you go through. But you have to keep your sanity and work.”
Nagesh Kukunoor’s episode My Unlikely Pandemic Dream Partner in Modern Love Hyderabad, starring Revathy and Nithya Menon, had an interesting story of a mother and a daughter living together during the lockdown. The show uses the background of the lockdown and pandemic to narrate the complexities of their relationship.
Revathy said in an interview, “I connected with the story immediately because mothers and daughters are very rarely portrayed in such a real way.”
‘A GOOD STORY PREVAILS AND FINDS ITS AUDIENCE’
In the episode Quaranteen Crush in Feels Like Ishq, director Tahira Kashyap Khurrana used the lockdown and quarantine period as a plot to narrate a love story.
Talking about filming during the pandemic, Tahira said in an interview, “The story of Quaranteen Crush is written by Gazal (Dhaliwal). When we were in Chandigarh, we developed the script and shot for three days. Prior to that, we did a lot of prep online. It was a new way of filmmaking for all of us at that time. We were a little jittery, but the process went really well.”
Commenting on the films and shows that have included COVID storylines, producer Girish Johar says, “From the last two years, filmmakers are facing this question that whether they should include COVID in the storyline or not. But now looking back at it after three years, while it is too early to relive tragedy, a good story prevails and finds its audience.”
The Family Man Season 2 ended with a scene mentioning the pandemic and the lockdown and it is being assumed that the third season will include COVID storyline. In 2020, several movie titles such as Coronavirus, One Weapon Corona and Corona – The Deadly Virus were registered, but the films are yet to be released or announced in most cases.
Madhur Bhandarkar’s India Lockdown follows four parallel stories of people stuck in the lockdown. Bhandarkar said in an interview that it was important for him as a filmmaker to document the trauma people have gone through, and he felt that after two years, people will definitely connect to the subject
In the episode My Unlikely Dream Pandemic Partner in Modern Love Hyderabad, Revathy and Nithya Menen explore the complexities of a motherdaughter relationship, as they are forced to spend time together during the lockdown
In the episode Quaranteen Crush from Feels Like Ishq, a teenage boy is seen crushing on a girl self-quarantining next door
Anubhav Sinha’s Bheed tells the story of the large-scale migration that was the result of the first country-wide lockdown. Sinha said he was primarily worried about two things – reliving the tragedy and making a black-and-white film. Reliving the tragedy through a series or a film is what most filmmakers are cautious about. So, even when a film or show includes the pandemic, it mostly is in the background and not the main story. Talking about the film’s performance, Sinha said in an interview, “People are writing pages and paragraphs (about their feelings of watching Bheed) and at the same time there is no one in the theatre. It is a bizarre feeling. I’m half happy and half intrigued.”
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 773
10:09 PM
2023’S FIRST QUARTER ENDS ON A FINE NOTE THANKS TO PATHAAN
The first three months of 2023 were a mixed bag. But the industry is breathing easy thanks to the super-success of Pathaan. Also, 2022 saw a lot of flops and ended on a low with the debacle of Cirkus. Hence, the few hits and average grossers in the first quarter spread smiles.
2023’s first release was Kuttey, starring Arjun Kapoor, Tabu, Radhika Madan and Kumud Mishra. The film carried limited buzz and failed due to average word of mouth. Pathaan, meanwhile, broke records left, right and centre. The Shah Rukh Khan-starrer was expected to do a business of Rs. 250-300 crores. But it managed to collect around Rs. 515 crores, thereby breaking the long-standing record of Baahubali 2.
A week after Pathaan came two small releases, Faraaz and Almost Pyaar With DJ Mohabbat. Both sank without a trace, though Faraaz got acclaim, more so after its Netflix premiere. Shehzada was released on February 17 and a lot was expected from the Kartik Aaryan-starrer. But it opened below expectations and flopped. Selfiee, starring Akshay Kumar and Emraan Hashmi, shocked the trade and industry with its very poor opening and lifetime earnings.
March, however, was better. Ranbir Kapoor-Shraddha Kapoor’s Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar did quite well, considering it was an urban romcom. Its lifetime collections are expected to be around Rs. 125 crores. These are very good numbers at a time when films are struggling to cross Rs. 40 or Rs. 50 crores mark. However, due to high costs, it’ll have to settle for an average verdict.
Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, starring Rani Mukerji, wasn’t a huge grosser. But despite being a niche film, it trended quite well and the word of mouth was very positive. If all goes well, it’ll cross the Rs. 25 crores mark. It was reasonably budgeted and the makers also recovered the entire cost of production from the sale of TV and OTT rights.
Bheed, directed by Anubhav Sinha, was a major disaster. Ajay Devgn’s Bholaa was released in the last week of March. A lot was expected from this film but it’ll be an average grosser at best due to high costs and mixed word of mouth. What also went against the film is that it was released in the month of Ramzan, which kept a section of the target audience away.
Speaking of Hollywood, the films that were released with expectations like Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania and Shazam! Fury Of The Gods, failed. John Wick: Chapter 4, meanwhile, was a pleasant surprise and it’ll enter the Rs. 50 crores club.
The industry now looks forward to the second quarter. Surprisingly, the month of May might not have a single major Bollywood release. But the industry will compensate for it with Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’s release on Eid, on April 21, and also with the releases of Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan on June 2, Prabhas’ Adipurush on June 16, Ajay Devgn’s Maidaan on June 23, and Kartik Aaryan-Kiara Advani’s Satyaprem Ki Katha on June 29.
It’s difficult for me to masala entertainers them because I start looking at gender bias-Anubhav Sinha
8:25 AM
Bheed director Anubhav Sinha on how he can no longer enjoy mainstream movies as he sees their underlying problems
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; April 8, 2023)
Since he began his second innings with Mulk (2018), director Anubhav Sinha has left the tricks and tropes of mainstream cinema behind. His offerings over the past five years, from Article 15 (2019) to Thappad (2020) and the recent Bheed, have been hard-hitting dramas highlighting society’s ills. He admits that not only as a filmmaker, but also as an audience, he doesn’t quite enjoy masala entertainers anymore.
“I loved Pathaan; it has euphoria. But now, it’s difficult for me to watch them because I start looking at gender bias, and [underlying] things like that. I have become a little cuckoo with such films, and need to correct myself,” shares the filmmaker.
Sinha recounts how during the making of Ayushmann Khurrana-led Article 15, which looked at caste divide prevalent in the country, he lent a gritty treatment to the film, despite the scope for adding commercial elements. Would he add any mainstream tropes to the movie if he was releasing Article 15 today, when high-concept stories aren’t working in theatres?
“In Article 15, when Ayushmann’s character joins duty and a party is thrown for him, I could have had a Beedi Jalaile there. But I chose to have a guy there singing out of tune. It’s easier said than done, but if there ever was a genre where a political film could have action and great songs, there would be more films in the universe. But there aren’t any.”
(Crisp) Movie Review: BHEED by FENIL SETA
3:47 PM
Bheed tells an important story of the sufferings of migrants during the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. A few scenes are well-shot while the opening scene is shocking. The 112-minute-long film doesn’t bore but the execution by Anubhav Sinha is weak. The film is devoid of any hard-hitting moments. The climax is majorly disappointing as a few tracks end abruptly. Even the solution to the main conflict in the narrative is simplistic or rather, unimaginative. The performances, however, save the day. Rajkummar Rao puts up a genuine act, as always. Pankaj Kapur is natural. Bhumi Pednekar is dependable. Ashutosh Rana is decent. Kritika Kamra is strictly okay. Dia Mirza gets limited scope and is memorable towards the end. Aditya Srivastava (Rao Singh) performs as per his character’s demand. Omkar Das Manikpuri is passable but Aditi Subedi (alcoholic father’s daughter) gives a fine performance. Sushil Pandey (Driver Kanhaiya) leaves a mark. All in all, Bheed is a poorly made film.
My rating - ** out of 5!
My rating - ** out of 5!
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 770
9:11 AM
JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 TO SURPRISE THIS WEEK
Last week was a pleasant surprise as Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway held decently at the box office. It surprisingly saw a slight jump in collections on Tuesday as Wednesday was a partial holiday on account of Gudi Padwa. Wednesday collections were also strong and the film will end up with a lifetime of Rs. 15-17 crores, provided it remains steady in the second weekend. The collections aren’t huge but for a film like this, it’s reasonable, especially in the post-pandemic world. Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, meanwhile, dropped a bit on Friday but jumped on Saturday and Sunday. This film also did well on the weekdays and it is expected to collect Rs. 120-125 crores in its lifetime.
And this week, too, will bring smiles. John Wick: Chapter 4 is set to release today evening and the advance sales are very encouraging. It has proved to be a surprise as the earlier three films weren’t that big in India. John Wick 3 had collected around Rs. 11 crores while the first 2 parts had collectively earned Rs. 4 crores only. John Wick: Chapter 4, meanwhile, can collect as much as John Wick 3’s lifetime collections by Sunday or even by Saturday. It has the potential to cross the Rs. 25 crores mark. What will benefit the fourth part is that it’ll also release in Hindi. Moreover, the reviews from the West are very positive. It’s difficult to say how the series became this big all of a sudden but the studio and the exhibitors are not complaining for sure.
The other major release of the week is Bheed. It is directed by Anubhav Sinha and stars Rajkummar Rao, Bhumi Pednekar, Pankaj Kapur, Dia Mirza, Kritika Kamra and Ashutosh Rana. It is set during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic and hence, it’s releasing on the eve of the first lockdown.
Bheed, however, has been in the news due to its controversies. The teaser of the film drew sharp reactions as it compared the lockdown with the partition. Interestingly, T-Series was involved with the film then. But the criticism towards the teaser and also the belief that the film is ‘anti-government’ reportedly made T-Series back out of the film. Hence, the posters and assets that came later on didn’t bear the name of the production house. The trailer was then released and some days later, it was pulled down. It was up again but this time the voiceover of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was edited out, as were a few more references.
A section of people, however, is providing full support to Bheed. But the number of such people is very few. The film is meant for niche audiences and on top of it, it is in black and white. A large section of the audience will stay away from the film. Also, the lockdown is a painful memory which people probably don’t want to revisit.
Anubhav Sinha’s last film Anek opened at Rs. 1.71 crores. Bheed is expected to have a lesser opening. Good word of mouth can help the film to grow over the weekend.
Last week was a pleasant surprise as Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway held decently at the box office. It surprisingly saw a slight jump in collections on Tuesday as Wednesday was a partial holiday on account of Gudi Padwa. Wednesday collections were also strong and the film will end up with a lifetime of Rs. 15-17 crores, provided it remains steady in the second weekend. The collections aren’t huge but for a film like this, it’s reasonable, especially in the post-pandemic world. Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, meanwhile, dropped a bit on Friday but jumped on Saturday and Sunday. This film also did well on the weekdays and it is expected to collect Rs. 120-125 crores in its lifetime.
And this week, too, will bring smiles. John Wick: Chapter 4 is set to release today evening and the advance sales are very encouraging. It has proved to be a surprise as the earlier three films weren’t that big in India. John Wick 3 had collected around Rs. 11 crores while the first 2 parts had collectively earned Rs. 4 crores only. John Wick: Chapter 4, meanwhile, can collect as much as John Wick 3’s lifetime collections by Sunday or even by Saturday. It has the potential to cross the Rs. 25 crores mark. What will benefit the fourth part is that it’ll also release in Hindi. Moreover, the reviews from the West are very positive. It’s difficult to say how the series became this big all of a sudden but the studio and the exhibitors are not complaining for sure.
The other major release of the week is Bheed. It is directed by Anubhav Sinha and stars Rajkummar Rao, Bhumi Pednekar, Pankaj Kapur, Dia Mirza, Kritika Kamra and Ashutosh Rana. It is set during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic and hence, it’s releasing on the eve of the first lockdown.
Bheed, however, has been in the news due to its controversies. The teaser of the film drew sharp reactions as it compared the lockdown with the partition. Interestingly, T-Series was involved with the film then. But the criticism towards the teaser and also the belief that the film is ‘anti-government’ reportedly made T-Series back out of the film. Hence, the posters and assets that came later on didn’t bear the name of the production house. The trailer was then released and some days later, it was pulled down. It was up again but this time the voiceover of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was edited out, as were a few more references.
A section of people, however, is providing full support to Bheed. But the number of such people is very few. The film is meant for niche audiences and on top of it, it is in black and white. A large section of the audience will stay away from the film. Also, the lockdown is a painful memory which people probably don’t want to revisit.
Anubhav Sinha’s last film Anek opened at Rs. 1.71 crores. Bheed is expected to have a lesser opening. Good word of mouth can help the film to grow over the weekend.
My role in Bheed will take people completely by surprise-Dia Mirza
8:27 AM
Playing a working mother from privileged class in Bheed, Dia says drama shows all shades of human behaviour that emerged during the lockdown
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; March 22, 2023)
Days into its release, the trailer of Bheed was caught in a controversy for comparing the state of migrant labourers during the pandemic-induced lockdowns to that of the refugees during the 1947 Partition of India. While the promo has since been altered, Dia Mirza believes that the film remains an urgent story at its core. She is proud to be part of Anubhav Sinha’s directorial venture that looks at the injustice that was meted out to the marginalized sections of society during the 2020 Coronavirus lockdown.
“Like most of Anubhav’s recent movies, Bheed is a thought-provoking film with a humane and moving script that focuses on not only acute social inequality, but also the power of the individual and the collective. It is set during the events of the COVID-19 lockdown that we still remember so vividly,” shares the actor, who is reuniting with the filmmaker three years after the acclaimed Thappad (2020). She promises that her role will “take people completely by surprise”.
In the drama also starring Rajkummar Rao, Bhumi Pednekar, Pankaj Kapur and Kritika Kamra, Mirza’s character represents India’s privileged class. She plays a working mother whose life changes drastically when the lockdown makes it impossible for her to get home to her child. Through her character that is compelled to make tough choices, the director shows how our morals are tested in trying situations. To Mirza, it is unlike any role she has played before.
“My character will be perceived as unusual because of the choices she makes due to her circumstances. What I love about Bheed is that it is driven by the characters’ nuances. You get to see all the shades of human behaviour that emerge during a crisis.”
Bheed marks the actor’s fourth movie with Sinha after Dus (2005), Cash (2007) and Thappad. She considers herself lucky to have found a like-minded collaborator in him. Mirza says, “I was all of 18 when I first worked with Anubhav on a music video that he was directing for a Sonu Nigam song. It has been so fascinating to watch his evolution as a storyteller, and I deeply respect his choices and craft. It is a privilege to be a part of his compelling stories.”
Exhibitors told me ‘Who will see a film about people who don’t look like them?’-Anubhav Sinha
4:01 PM
Upset about Anek’s underwhelming run, director Sinha says he had a nagging feeling that mainstream audience wasn’t ready to see north-east actors on screen
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 28, 2022)
With Mulk (2017), Article 15 (2019) and Thappad (2020), Anubhav Sinha married content and commerce. But his hot streak stood broken with Ayushmann Khurrana and Andrea Kevichusa-starrer Anek. When we sit down to chat with the filmmaker, that’s where we begin. “When I made Anek, no one was questioning me. I had three back-to-back successes, so everyone felt I knew something. That isn’t true. Nobody knows anything. When I told Ayushmann the story, he lobbied for it. I wanted to do another film first, but everyone liked this project more,” he says.
Walking into the film that champions inclusivity, Sinha worried whether the mainstream audience would accept north-east actors on screen. “I had the nagging feeling that mainstream India will be put off looking at faces they are not used to. The Hindi accent [used] is not regular either. Within four days of releasing the film, I was in Istanbul with an acclaimed political journalist. He said the reason you made the film is the very reason the [audience] isn’t watching it. It broke my heart further. When I spoke to exhibitors, they said, ‘Who will see a film about people who don’t look like them?’”
Confident of his material, the filmmaker states that a good film always lives on. “It has dropped on Netflix, so it will find more viewers.”
The movie’s political leaning could be a deterrent at a time when the language of Hindi cinema is changing amid the saffron wave. But Sinha believes a movie about mainland authoritarianism should find takers. “The mainland thinks they are India. But I chose the north-east to tell that story. Starting from Mulk to Article 15, there were questionable scenes from the point of view of the State. I am not referring to the current regime, but to the State in general. The CBFC, however, has always been kind to me.”
Anek’s underwhelming response, fortunately, hasn’t shaken Sinha’s belief in his stories. His production house is backing several powerful movies — from Bheed to Hansal Mehta’s Faraaz, from Sudhir Mishra’s Afwaah to an anthology. “I am trying to find a different formula for theatrical release. A film like Faraaz or even Anek is not playing the same game as say, a Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. I am working on a formula whereby films shouldn’t be denied the opportunity of being in theatres because that’s where the captive audience is. That captivity is a choice at home. It shouldn’t be denied to a film.”
It’s going to be very difficult to find a good reasonable release window-Anubhav Sinha
8:18 AM
Deep Saxena (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 6, 2022)
Anubhav Sinha is in no hurry to venture into making an OTT series anytime soon. The Mulk (2018) and Article 15 (2019) director shares, “I have a lot of pressure from my team to come up with a series but I’m in no race to do what everyone else is doing.”
However, the filmmaker, who will be shooting his next project in Lucknow soon, admits that he is open to the idea of OTT. “When I find something very exciting and apt for the platform, then I will surely make one or will produce it,” he tells us, adding, “Now that I have become a writer-director, I prefer to go forward when I have a story! Currently, I am taking up projects which have a voice and are related to our society. That’s more the reason that I started to write or co-write, own the project and then execute it to my best ability.”
Sinha’s last film, Thappad (2020) released two weeks before the cinemas shut down due to the pandemic. Two years after, he feels the scenario regarding releasing projects has changed.
“It’s going to be very difficult to find a good reasonable release window. We have around 5,500 screens and fighting for it is the huge backlog of Hindi, Hollywood and now the dubbed south films as well. South films, too, eye for a pan-India release now, especially after the success of Anubhav Sinha (2021). So, it will not be easy to get a solo release. Big films are pitched against each other in the coming months,” he says.
Sinha, however, is not concerned about the fate of cinemas, which he feels will certainly co-exist with the streaming ecosystem. “In West, we have so many big OTT platforms with big-budget content on them. But cinemas still exist. India is no different. So, it will be on a case-to-case basis, and films that are made for cinematic experience will surely hit the theatre first,” he asserts.
Having shot two films in the pandemic, Sinha, 56, has multiple projects lined up. “Anek and Bheed are ready for release. Then, I have director Hansal Mehta’s Faraaz and Ratna’s (Sinha, his wife) film that we have produced. It’s an anthology that I will be shooting in Lucknow after Sudhir Mishra’s story segment is completed. My comedy film Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai (shot in 2018) is also completed, and we hope it will also release soon, but probably with a new title.”
He also hints that his next project will again be a film he is writing. “But, before that I will take a break, as I have started feeling that I am overworked now,” he ends.
I ensured Shardul is not a caricature. He is a strong, macho guy, who is gay-Rajkummar Rao
8:33 AM
The actor says that Junglee Pictures’ Badhaai Do– which is now in theatres – is one of the best films of his career and hopes that it brings some change
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; February 15, 2022)
What drew you to Badhaai Do?
Harsh (Harshavardhan Kulkarni, the director) and I are from the same film institute (FTII, Pune). I knew him as he was my senior there. I loved the story of Badhaai Do, the moment he narrated it to me. It’s brilliant. It’s one of the finest scripts that I have read. I can say that this is one of the best films of my career. Be it Bhumi Pednekar and I doing our readings together or everyone on set, we all were in sync. It was so much fun making this film. We had the time of our lives. People may say it’s just one film but Harsh, Bhumi and I; we are going to be friends for life.
Apart from telling a great story, what is it that you hope the film will achieve?
The film tells an important story in a fun, interesting way. It matters how a story is told. The humour’s clever. Along with being entertaining, the latter half of the movie is extremely moving. I can vouch for the fact that people will remember this film for a long time. Though we have come a long way, there’s still a lot of stigma and prejudice against gay people. We are hopeful that this film will bring about some change. I am not saying things will change overnight but if even some people think differently because of our film, it’s great.
As a straight man playing a gay character, how did you approach the role of Shardul?
As an actor I want to do everything. That’s my job. I am devoted to my characters. I don’t want to restrict myself. I have so many friends who are gay so I had had reference points. I tried to understand what they expect from society and their experience of coming out or being closeted. Also as an actor, you borrow a lot from your own perspective on things and people. I ensured my character Shardul is not caricaturish. He is a strong, macho guy, who is gay. There are so many gay men out there who are like Shardul.
There’s more to Shardul than his sexual orientation, isn’t there?
What happens to Shardul happens to so many of us. We want to become something but due to family and societal pressure, we don’t end up doing that and we are not happy. Shardul dreams of becoming Mr India and works towards it but due to family circumstances, ends up taking a government job. He does it with sincerity but deep down he has that regret of not being able to pursue his dreams.
What makes the movie a family entertainer, according to you?
It embodies the spirit of a typical middle class Indian family. One from Shardul’s side, the other, Sumi’s. I didn’t face this but most Indian families start putting pressure on their kids to ‘settle down’ once they cross 30. Sumi and Shardul are stuck in the same situation and that’s what makes it interesting. Both are raised a certain way. Shardul comes from a joint family. He is pampered and protected because he is the only son in the family. Both are conditioned to follow the middle class values and situational humour stems from that.
What’s your take on the film’s portrayal of a middle class family?
We have tried to be as realistic as possible. Be it mannerisms or values. Most of the dialogues are taken from real life. Akshat Ghildiyal our writer, has borrowed lines that he overheard in his own family. Raised in a joint family, I have seen this world closely but no one pressurised me to get married. My chachiji and buajis were different in that sense but this was definitely relatable.
What was it like to work with Bhumi?
Bhumi is a rockstar. I admire her for the way she is. Other than being a phenomenal actor, she is kind and supportive. We just finished shooting another film together (Anubhav Sinha’s Bheed) and working with her is like getting to spend time with a close friend. Our bond is only getting stronger with every film. She is someone who I can talk to about anything, not just work related. We do shit talk and that’s the best form of friendship. You don’t need a topic to talk about. We are constantly laughing when together. The same rapport you will see in the film, where we are more like friends so that helped. The readings and rehearsals also broke the ice. I figured she is so chilled out that shooting with her would be a breeze.
What is the chemistry between your characters?
It starts with an arrangement. Then they become roommates and eventually become good friends. They come from a similar background so they understand each other better. They also share the same problem (living closeted lives). They are always there for each other. What they have for each other is love, just not the romantic kind. If you are sad when someone is hurting, that is love and Shardul and Sumi share that equation. Sumi is worried for Shardul because he has always been in his shell.
This new wave of commercial Hindi cinema is courageous enough to tell stories that are deeply personal yet universal, isn’t it?
I think the credit goes to the makers for being so brave. It is they who are backing these stories. This change was needed. Cinema is a powerful art form. We cannot keep telling the same stories year after year. We need to push the boundaries. Also these stories aren’t preachy. They are humourous and entertaining. Stories that weren’t told earlier or even discussed publicly are coming to the forefront now. This was needed. Our film will inspire individuals who are afraid to come out and families, who aren’t ready to accept them. Our film talks about acceptance – of self and others. Someone’s sexual orientation doesn’t define them. There’s more to an individual than that. While people have become more understanding now, we have a long way to go. Our film tries to push the envelope.
OTT vs cinemas, is the new raging debate. What’s your take on it?
As an actor I want people to watch my films, be it on OTT or at theatres. The power of OTT is only rising with every passing day. A theatrical experience however, cannot be replaced or recreated. I am so glad that Badhaai Do, a film that I am so proud of, is in theatres. With COVID cases going down, people are also waiting to watch a good movie in theatres. It’s our job to serve you good content and Badhaai Do is just the right film for it.
Now, the wish is to play my last innings well-Virendra Saxena
8:51 AM
Deep Saxena (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 7, 2022)
Veteran actor Virendra Saxena shares his secret mantra of getting all his performances right. The actor feels that his life experiences and small-town upbringing mirrors in the characters played by him in a career spanning 37 years.
“I was raised amidst many hardships which taught me the actual life lessons. And probably, that’s what reflects in my performances. With your experiences, emotions, observations of life, your surroundings and small-town environment which you don’t get in big cities and metros you get to go deep in understanding the roles you play,” says the Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (2018) actor.
The 64-year-old, who was busy shooting for filmmaker Anubhav Sinha’s Bheed in Lucknow, adds that to keep himself relevant, he makes conscious efforts and stays fit so he can easily play roles younger to his age.
The actor is happy with the kind of work he being offered and says, “Now, the wish is to play my last innings well.”
Saxena says that he does not believe in doing a lot of work. “For actors of my age, as it is there is less work, so I know that those who offer me roles are the ones who really want me in their projects. I am sound enough on monetary front, thankfully, so no stress! I only work when the role is really good or the pay-cheque is high. I try to balance both but at times you can’t refuse your friends so you have to work in projects even if it pays less. Kyonki Mathura, UP, ka banda hoon isliye emotional ho jata hoon.”
Talking about his personal life, Saxena, who is married to actor-writer Samta Sagar, says, “Her play got made into TV serial Gudiya Hamari Sab Pe Bhari. Samta’s other play Jana Tha Raushanpura is being made into a film while rights for Mini Humesha Mere Saath Rahegi have been bought too. As there are just the two of us, so we don’t care much about money.”
On working with Mulk (2018) director, he says, “I have good relations with Anubhav (Sinha, director). His first play was with me in Aligarh and even stayed with me when he came to Mumbai. I’m happy with his current films. He is like a younger brother and the way he treated me during this project was a very emotional experience for me.”
Rajkummar Rao forgoes honeymoon to shoot for Anubhav Sinha’s Bheed in Lucknow
8:55 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 17, 2021)
It was the perfect culmination to their 11-year love story as Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa tied the knot in a dreamy wedding in Chandigarh on Monday. Staying true to their fiercely private nature, the couple hosted an intimate ceremony that saw only close friends and family in attendance. But for those who thought the newlyweds will dash off to an exotic location for a honeymoon, you may be disappointed. Rao, who plays the leading man in Anubhav Sinha’s Bheed, will report to work on November 18, only three days after his D-day.
The director, we are told, is already in Lucknow setting the groundwork for the Bhushan Kumar-backed social drama that also features Bhumi Pednekar. A source reveals, “Anubhav sir had planned the schedule in such a way that Bheed can kick off immediately after Raj’s wedding. It is one of the director’s most ambitious movies to date. Given the milieu and setting of the film, he felt November and early December would be the best time to shoot it. When the director discussed the schedule with Raj, he understood the time constraints and immediately agreed to honour the commitment before going on a honeymoon with Patralekhaa. The film, owing to its subject, is special to the actor; he was blown away by the script.”
As the title suggests, the drama will feature multiple crowd sequences for which the production has procured the necessary on-ground permissions. The source adds that Rao has been prepping for the film over the past few weeks. “Anubhav sir held readings with the cast through October to ensure that the actors are completely familiar with their characters and the universe of the film. Raj had informed the team about taking a week off for the wedding. He is expected to land in Lucknow today.”
Sinha has apparently charted out a start-to-finish schedule in the Uttar Pradesh capital.
Hansal Mehta and Anubhav Sinha are currently in their 2.0 version-Rajkummar Rao
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Thrilled to collaborate with Sinha on Bheed, Rajkummar says director has been raising the bar with thought-provoking films since his 2018 offering Mulk
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 5, 2021)
There is hardly an actor in Bollywood who doesn’t have Anubhav Sinha on his wish list right now. The director is set to join forces with Rajkummar Rao for the social drama, Bheed. Rao can hardly control his excitement about being Sinha’s leading man.
“I have wanted to work with him since Mulk [2018]. Hansal sir [Mehta] and Anubhav sir are currently in their 2.0 version, where they are making great films and raising the bar. Anubhav sir and I have been talking for a while [about a possible collaboration], but it didn’t work out until Bheed,” he says. The film, also featuring Bhumi Pednekar, is set to roll in Lucknow later this month.
The drama aside, Rao has the theatrical release, Badhaai Do and Netflix original Monica O My Darling in the pipeline. Having built his career around content-driven films like Shahid (2013) and Newton (2017), he was among the first few stars to make out-of-the-box stories mainstream. With the OTT boom giving a further boost to content, he says his platform-agnostic attitude has held him in good stead.
“As actors, we are never thinking of the medium. What matters is our performance, the character, and that film. My process doesn’t change. Actors like Jaideep Ahlawat and Pratik Gandhi were always wonderful, but they never got the opportunity to showcase their talent [until streaming giants came about]. [The co-existence of] cinemas and OTT will trigger healthy competition, and push us to do better. I have never been insecure about competition or my stardom. I am grateful that I get paid to do what I love the most in the world. In the pandemic when the meaning of life and death has become so apparent, isn’t it better to do what you love and be happy?”
The actor is delighted that first-day collections have become a thing of the past, and a film’s merit is now of prime importance. “But the reopening of theatres will bring back the Friday figures. That said, if a film is good, people will watch it, regardless of the medium it is on.”
Bhumi Pednekar joins Rajkummar Rao in Anubhav Sinha’s Bheed
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Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; October 25, 2021)
If all goes as planned, Bhumi Pednekar will team up with writer-filmmaker Anubhav Sinha for his next venture, titled Bheed. The movie features Rajkummar Rao as the male protagonist, and like the filmmaker’s previous ventures, including Thappad, Article 15, and Mulk, revolves around a socially relevant topic that has seldom been tapped in Hindi films.
Anubhav, who wrapped up Anek with Ayushmann Khurrana in the course of the lockdown, was recently in Lucknow with his team for scouting locations for the shoot that commences in a few days from now. The actors are expected to join the team sometime post Diwali.
Bhumi, who has wrapped Raksha Bandhan with Akshay Kumar, will be teaming up with Rajkummar as his leading lady for the second time after Junglee Pictures’ Badhaai Do, the sequel to the 2018 National Award winning film Badhaai Ho. We reached out to Anubhav Sinha for a confirmation, but he didn’t respond to our queries till we went to press.
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