Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; June 8, 2020)

Whether it is through the kind of roles she chooses or the gorgeous and glamourous pictures she posts on social media — Esha Gupta seems to be someone who is comfortable in her skin and brave enough to express herself freely. In a conversation with Bombay Times, the actress says that shooting intimate scenes is not as simple as it might seem, and she also tells us about the one actor she would like to do a sizzling photoshoot with.

Elaborating on shooting intimate scenes, Esha, who made her Bollywood debut with Jannat 2 (2012) and was later seen in Raaz 3 (2012), recounts, “In Raaz 3, there was a scene where Emraan (Hashmi) and I feel spirits around us. We have a near-death experience, and I am crying in the scene as I am petrified. In such a scenario, I had to kiss Emraan. Firstly, I was a newcomer, and then, it was a tough scene to crack as the kiss, and our expressions had to look convincing. I am glad that Emraan, who is very patient with newcomers, was my co-star.”

The actress adds that with people watching content made across the world, today, bold scenes on the big screen aren’t as big a deal as they used to be. She says, “I have kissed thrice on-screen — twice with Emraan and once with Vidyut (Jammwal).” Esha, who is extremely impressed with her Commando 2 co-star’s fitness and physique, says, “I would like to do a sizzling hot photoshoot with him. Have you seen him working out! The other day, he posted a video in which he was pulling a bullock cart by himself. He is one good-looking, macho man with an amazing physique. I would love to pose with him. We have done two films (Commando 2 and Baadshaho, 2017), and he is a good friend.”

Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; November 28, 2019)

During his long innings in Bollywood, filmmaker Vipul Amrutlal Shah has collaborated with established stars as well as newcomers. The filmmaker has not only helmed projects, but has also mentored first-time directors and new actors. In a conversation with BT, Shah spoke about upcoming film Commando 3, collaborating with Vidyut Jammwal and his plans to make Commando 4. Excerpts:

When you decided to make Commando in 2013, did you plan it as a franchise?
Commando has been one of the most difficult franchises because we wanted to start a unique action series in India with this. Action is a very expensive genre. We had a Vidyut Jammwal playing the lead, but to make it big, we needed resources. So, we decided to make at least three films under the franchise, and we planned to make every movie bigger than the other. The first film was based in a jungle, and it did well, so we shot the second in Bangkok on a bigger scale. This time around, we have shot Commando 3 in London. And looking at the results, I believe that probably Commando 4 is on the cards. Let’s see how big we can make that film.

You gave Vidyut a break in Bollywood with Force (2011) where he played the antagonist opposite John Abraham. Then, you signed him for the Commando franchise. Why did you think he was the right choice to shoulder a franchise so early in his career?
When I saw Vidyut’s audition for Force, I thought he was hero material, but, we filmmakers are greedy. We want what is best for the film. Force was my first collaboration with John, and a remake of a popular south film (Kaakha Kaakha). While I thought Vidyut deserved to be a hero, I launched him as a villain. During the course of the shoot, I was very clear that I will cast him as a hero and start an action franchise with him. The idea of Commando and how do we take it forward with Vidyut was playing on my mind constantly. Vidyut deserved to be the hero and that’s how Commando came into existence. It is a pleasure to work with someone who is gifted. Sometimes, when you work with newcomers, you feel responsible for their career. In fact, at some point in time, I would like to direct him. But, I want to find something unique for a collaboration in that space. Vidyut and I have exchanged a few ideas, but they didn’t materialise into a film. One of the ideas we discussed was to make a film without any action in it. There was not even a slap in the movie. However, I was not satisfied with the script, and so, we didn’t go ahead. I feel no actor should be limited to one genre. I think Vidyut deserves the opportunity to explore his talent in other genres as well.

When it comes to making the next film of an action franchise like Commando, do you feel the pressure to take it a notch higher every time?
No, it actually gives you more strength, because people already know the franchise, they are connected with it and want to see the next film. To try and better yourself is a process, which is constant. And that holds true for every project and not just a franchise. Sometimes you are successful, and sometimes you aren’t. No matter what the result is, you don’t stop that process.

In terms of the storyline, what can people expect this time around?
When we started making this film, the subject was such that people said, ‘You are a dreamer’. The film portrays that when the nation is under attack, Hindus and Muslims always unite and fight any challenge. This country is united because they live together in peace and harmony. A lot of people questioned my thinking. I am not a dreamer, but a realist. I think this is the best possible time to make a film like Commando 3. We talk about girls being at par with guys, and in this film, the audience will get to see the same. Adah Sharma and Angira Dhar will be matching up to an action star like Vidyut Jammwal. He is difficult to match up to, but both the actresses have done their stunts very well. I am also happy to introduce Gulshan Devaiah as the antagonist. The exchange of dialogues between Vidyut and Gulshan is one of the highlights of the film.

Though Vidyut has been a part of all the films made of the franchise, you have opted for a new director for each project. Why did you feel the need to do that?
I feel that every script requires a certain kind of treatment, and you have to select the right director for that particular story. For Commando 3, I felt that Aditya (Datt) was the best choice. If Deven (Bhojani, director of Commando 2), was directing Commando 3, he would probably see it as an extension of Commando 2. Aditya, as a new director, brings freshness to the table.

You have collaborated with actors like Akshay Kumar, John Abraham, and now, Vidyut Jammwal repeatedly, but that doesn’t seem to be the case with actresses…
I am working with Adah Sharma for the second time; she was a part of Commando 2, too. I have also worked with Katrina Kaif in Namastey London (2007) and Singh Is Kinng (2008). I had also met her for Namaste England (2018), but we felt that the role wouldn’t suit her, so we didn’t collaborate on that. I want to work with her again. In fact, I would also like to work with Aishwarya (Rai Bachchan), Priyanka (Chopra) and Sonakshi (Sinha) again. When I find the right script, I will reach out to them.

You have worked with established actors as well as fresh talent. How do you balance it out?
It is always great to work with people like Akshay Kumar and John Abraham. I have also worked with Salman Khan, Amit ji (Amitabh Bachchan) and Ajay Devgn. They are amazing and it is always a privilege to work with them. When it comes to newcomers or the young bunch, I like the kind of energy they bring with them. They want to go all out to prove themselves. Which is why I introduced Aditya Roy Kapur with London Dreams (2009) and I had cast Freddy Daruwala as the negative lead in Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty (2014). In Force 2 (2016), we had Tahir Raj Bhasin, and in Commando 3, we have Gulshan Devaiah, who has done an excellent job as the antagonist.

Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; November 23, 2019)

A trained martial artiste, it comes as no surprise that Adah Sharma loves performing stunts in her films. The actress will be seen doing some high-octane action sequences in her upcoming film, Commando 3. In a conversation with BT, she spoke about her bond with co-star and fellow martial arts enthusiast Vidyut Jammwal, how she used her martial arts training for self-defence and the kind of man she wants in her life. Excerpts:

In the trailer of Commando 3, we see you doing action, you also upload videos performing martial arts on social media. What is it about martial arts that’s most appealing to you?
Since childhood, I have been inclined towards dancing and physical training. I like anything that’s related to dance and gymnastics. I feel that dance and action are similar, as both involve choreography. It is also about timing, discipline, focus and pushing your limits. I am trained in Kathak, where you do your chakkars and come back to the same spot. In action, too, you do your kicks and return to the same spot. My inspiration has been my mother. Not only did she train me in Kathak, but also in Kalaripayattu and Mallakhamb.

Did you learn any new forms of martial arts for Commando 3?
For the film, I worked on my Kalaripayattu skills. I undertook training in Silambam, which is an art form from Tamil Nadu. I also learnt to use nunchucks. I polished my sharpshooting skills, too, which I had trained in during Commando 2. I play an encounter specialist, and so, I had to look like a pro. If you aren’t confident while holding a gun, it shows on the screen. I enjoy shooting as it feels like meditation. You take a deep breath, hold your breath and pull the trigger. You need to concentrate a lot during the process. In the film, I am also doing hand-to-hand combat.

Knowing martial arts also helps you with self-defence. Have you ever faced a situation where it has come to your rescue?
When I was in seventh grade, I was walking home after my tuitions. There were a few boys who were throwing stones at me. I turned back and asked them to stop doing that, but they didn’t listen. I told them once again, but this time, one guy came too close to me and asked, “Kya karogi?” At the time, I remember my uncle had taught me, Tai Chi. I used one of the moves and hit him on his face. The next thing I remember seeing was his hand on his face, and the palm soaked in blood. I freaked out and started walking briskly. I never turned back to look at him.

Your co-star, Vidyut Jammwal, is a trained martial artist, too. Did the two of you bond over this?
Vidyut is one of my closest friends today. We became friends on the sets of Commando 2. Yes, we did start talking to each other about our love for fitness and martial arts. However, it is his sense of humour that we bonded over a lot. In terms of fitness, I must say that his physical and mental strength inspires me. He does push-ups using glass bottles. With his physical strength, the bottles could get crushed, but he keeps his body light enough with his mental strength. I am always surprised with the way he breaks bricks with his bare hands.

Has your role as Inspector Bhavana Reddy evolved in the sequel?
In Commando 2, she was a corrupt cop. She was evil as she would even kill people for a branded, expensive bag. This time around, she is a serious cop. However, we have retained her funny antics. The character still has that sense of humour, as people had liked it. This time she is a lot stronger.

In Commando 2, you had Esha Gupta as your female co-star, this time around you are sharing screen space with Angira Dhar. Is it important for you to get along with your co-stars and have a friendly equation with them?
Yes, we did. I feel during any film project, you should get along with all your co-stars, especially female co-stars. If, as a woman, you don’t respect another woman, how can you expect men to respect women? So, I have great respect for all my female co-stars. Not only them. I also respect all the women who work behind-the-scenes, day and night to make us actresses look beautiful and make it possible for us to nail the characters we play on screen.

On the personal front, there was a buzz that you were dating a businessman.
(Looks surprised) Who is this businessman? I am very much single. I want to urge my fans to find the right guy for me. I need a man who can make perfectly round dosas and the best chutney. He should love animals, do backflips and should be a happy person.

Actor Vidyut Jammwal on Junglee which opens on April 5, his first gangster drama and taking Commando forward
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 24, 2019)

2019 promises to be a busy year for Vidyut Jammwal with three films releasing within a span of eight months, the first being Junglee Pictures’ Junglee, which opens on April 5. Directed by Chuck Russell, the family adventure revolves around the special bond between man and beast. Vidyut who plays a vet and stumbles upon an international poaching racket at his family elephant reserve, describes Junglee as his most ambitious film yet.

“Poaching is one of the biggest social evils threatening the existence of animals across the world so it’s a fight for a cause,” points out the actor for whom working with animals was an enriching experience. “It is difficult as one has no idea how they will react to a particular situation. And you need to be real with your emotions because they feel you and hear you, is what I understood during the shoot. You need to have a clean heart to bond with them.”

Chuck Russell makes his Hindi film debut with Junglee and Vidyut considers himself fortunate to have got the opportunity to work with the director who is known for his Hollywood blockbusters like Arnold Schwarzenegger’s action-packed Eraser and the slasher fantasy A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors.

“Everyone is going West for films, but here an acclaimed director from Hollywood has placed his bets on me. Chuck launched Dwayne Johnson with The Scorpion King and he is currently the biggest movie star in the world. He also gave Jim Carrey his biggest break in The Mask. I’m hopeful that Junglee will be the film for me. It is his dream project and in me he saw the potential to break into this zone,” Vidyut exults, asserting that Chuck understands Indian Culture better than most Indians and has huge respect for it.

The 38-year-old actor spent a lot of time with elephant whisperers to get in sync with the animals he had to connect with, emotionally. “This particular relationship is built on understanding, you can’t command it. We have not made any films around animals in the last 25 – 30 years and thanks to Junglee the audience will experience a different world. The thrill is similar to The Jungle Book but the treatment is different. It’s the kind of film that I wanted to see when growing up,” he smiles. The film will represent the Indian martial arts, Kalaripayattu, on an international platform for the first time. “The trailer will be out by mid-February.”

After that there’s Power, Mahesh Manjrekar’s ode to the iconic Hollywood film The Godfather. Shooting is over, the film is presently in post-production. “It’s a romantic gangster film and also features Shruti Haasan, Sonal Chauhan and 50 theatre artistes. I’d describe it as a mixture of The Godfather and Devdas,” Vidyut informs, adding that Mahesh loves gangster films and this one takes him back to the Vastav zone. “It was challenging for me because I have never ventured into the ‘bhai’ territory. And while no one can play a gangster better than Sanjay Dutt, my director gave me a lot of confidence.”

As he gears up for Commando 3, the action star underlines the fact that he is the only movie star whose debut film has turned into a successful franchise. “I’m proud of the fact but at the same time, I know the responsibility of spearheading the franchise. I didn’t enjoy Commando 2 as there were some issues with the script which we have tried to rectify in the third instalment,” he says.

Aditya Dutt who directed the Rajeev Khandelwal thriller, Table No. 21, is on board and Vidyut promises that this Commando is nothing like the earlier two films. “A major chunk of the film has been shot in London and the team is now busy with the shoot in India,” he says.

Vidyut has carved a niche for himself in the action genre but performing his own stunts, leaves one open to accidents. The actor informs that training every single day keeps him away from injuries. “I was a martial artiste before becoming an actor. If everyone around you is well trained, the chance of getting injured is low,” he reasons, recalling how when he first moved to Mumbai he’d practice on Juhu Beach and trained with several like minded enthusiasts from humble backgrounds who thanks to their hard work and talent are certified stuntmen today and help him design the action sequences in his films. “Fifteen years, and even today we get together to train every day at 5.30 am.”

After Junglee, is a Hollywood film with Chuck on cards now? “We have not spoken about the future as the focus was on Junglee,” he concludes with an enigmatic smile.

Actor in the list of top six martial artists in the world; promises to wow in his upcoming family-adventure, Junglee Pictures’ Junglee, with the use of seven unique weapons
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 31, 2018) 

Looper, a coveted platform in the US, recently released a list of top martial artists across the world. Vidyut Jammwal is the only Indian to be featured in this prestigious list, among the top six. Speaking to Mirror about this unique achievement, the actor admits it’s a matter of great pride. “I’m humble enough to know that I’m not better than anybody, and wise enough to know that I’m different from the rest. Kalaripayattu is what gives me this belief,” he asserts.

Born into a family that practises the ancient Indian martial arts form, Vidyut started learning Kalaripayattu when he was just three years old and today can emulate the masters by balancing his entire body on a lone spear (pic above). “There are no cables involved, it’s all about activating the core. Kalaripayattu is not about building the body, it’s about harnessing your inner strength,” he explains, admitting it requires years of training, months of single-minded dedication and hours of daily practice to not just pull off these exercises but understand the philosophy, which makes Kalaripayattu unique. “It can kill, and it can heal too!” Vidyut reiterates.

His knowledge and skills in this martial arts form give him an advantage as an actor too because he can showcase action which has never been seen on screen in India or internationally. Pointing to two of his favourite stunts, Vidyut reminisces how he summersaulted over a moving car in Commando and in its sequel, flew to the top of a car and below it, without a harness or using a stunt double.

The actor admits that being too tall and too big, it’s difficult for him to fit into small spaces, yet in every one of the nine films he’s done so far, he’s overcome this challenge. “From wriggling into an AC duct to squeezing out of a small window in a hospital and even a car, I have done it all,” he beams, saying when the mind is willing the body automatically follows.

He goes on to point out that when Tom Cruise does a stunt in a Hollywood film, it costs big but while neither the original Force nor Commando 1 and 2 were lavishly mounted films, his daredevilry in them has been appreciated. “Today, people across the world acknowledge that it’s not about how much we spend but what we create that makes the difference,” he argues, and is quick to add that he admires Cruise who has made so many impossible missions possible over the years, maintaining the consistency in his action even at 50-plus and doing stunts with the same proficiency as when he was younger.

So, what sets Vidyut apart from other martial artists? It’s that he brandishes weapons, be it swords, sticks, guns or the urumi, which he uses to devastating effect in his upcoming family-adventure, Junglee Pictures’ Junglee. “The urumi is a sword with a flexible whip-like blade originating in South India. It is one of the most difficult weapons to master because one stands the risk of injuring oneself. So, it is taught last in Kalaripayattu and is a speciality of the Indian martial arts. I’ve used the real thing in the film,” he informs proudly.

He has used seven different weapons in Junglee which has just wrapped up, including the otta. “Kalaripayattu is the only martial arts to use the otta or elephant tusk. It’s difficult to wield and as dangerous as the urumi,” he admits. In the film, the actor has an elephant as his co-star and asserts that the well being of the animal was top priority on the sets. “The toughest thing when working with animals is keeping them safe if you are not using too many computer graphics. The producers and Chuck (Russell, director) were very careful we did not even leave even a scratch on the animals during the shoot,” he informs.

Chuck, who has to his credit Hollywood biggies like The Mask, Scorpion King and The Eraser, is gung-ho about his hero, saying it’s great to see Vidyut being noted as the rising star in action films across the world. “He has a rare combination of cinematic charm and killer moves that will make him unstoppable after Junglee. What really distinguishes Vidyut is his deep knowledge of Kalaripayattu and his understanding of its philosophy to not just use it to protect and fight, but heal too,” applauds Chuck, happy to have created a role for the actor in his film that plays to his unique action style while advocating a positive message. “I can’t wait for audiences to see it on screen.”

Legendary band Chennai Strings Orchestra, which has performed with AR Rahman, record a song with Mannan Shaah

Anju Maskeri (MID-DAY; April 8, 2018)

Music director Mannan Shaah is somewhat of an anachronism in today's day and age. He doesn't like digitally composing his songs. He would rather fly down to Chennai from Mumbai, or even London for that matter, collaborate with 30 musicians over a song, irrespective of the time it takes, and return feeling creatively high. "I have always been fascinated by symphony orchestras and it was my dream to record one," says the 30-year-old, who began his career as a singer in 2011 with Vipul Shah's Kucch Luv Jaisaa. His desire to record with a symphony orchestra was fulfilled five years later when he turned composer for Commando 2. The song Tere Dil Mein, sung by Armaan Malik, was a product of a 16-piece symphony orchestra.

No one-man army
It's been a year since, but the exhilaration is fresh. In fact, during the telephonic interview - Shaah is in Dubai recording a song with Atif Aslam - he tells us that next month, he will be roping in a 32-piece symphony band from Chennai Strings, a legendary orchestra group that has performed with the likes of Ilayaraja and AR Rahman. "Certain songs require a depth and intensity which only a live symphony orchestra can create," he says.

Tere Dil Mein was one such. Set in an idyllic setting, it was a romantic number composed to tug at heartstrings. "I wanted it have a soulful vibe along with a sense of grandeur, for which I tried to seek out orchestra bands in the city," he says. The search came to a dead end when he realised that Mumbai barely has a culture of large ensembles. Recording with independent musicians who play cello, violin and viola and then training them before the actual recording, would be cumbersome, he thought. It was then that his music arranger Prasad Sashte, a senior sound engineer in Bollywood, suggested collaborating with the Chennai band for the song. "I still remember how they got it right in the first take. May be, it comes with years of experience. But I was stunned," he recalls. What Shaah was mesmerised by was the passion with which the musicians, most of whom are in their 50s and 60s, played. That the players are willing to share invaluable inputs to elevate the quality of a song makes the session a two-way street where eclectic exchange of ideas take place. "Performing with multiple musicians at the same time on the same podium is something else," he gushes.
The sessions normally follow a format where initially they record the song with the entire 16 or 32-piece orchestra together to generate a tonal quality. After that, individual takes are recorded from each player. Shaah says he normally has four players on the viola, another four on the violin, two on double base and the rest on cello. The individual bites are used for layering the song to lend it texture. In terms of logistics, the studios need to be large and the microphones sharp. "The positioning of the mic is paramount in capturing the voice quality and tones," he says.

A large investment
He admits that such a venture requires a good amount of investment in time, effort and money. "I have no problem with the time and effort. It's a learning experience. When it comes to money, it takes a musically-inclined filmmaker to realise what such an orchestra can bring to the table," he says.

Fortunately, Shaah says he has worked with like-minded filmmakers such as Vipul Shah who have happily parted with resources. "What happens in such collaborations is that many souls get attached to the song and that's what makes it timeless. Take for instance, Jatin-Lalit's songs from Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge or A R Rahman's Bombay. They continue to live." The challenge, however, lies in securing dates and timing to get so many musicians under roof. "That's really the biggest hurdle but we don't see it as one because it's so exciting and always worth the effort," he says.

The digital makeover
Back in the 60s and 70s, Shaah says such orchestra bands were the rage. It's the onset of technology that led to their slow death. "I think technology has just made us lazy. Honestly, we put in only 20 per cent effort that musicians and composers would put back in the day," he says. He recalls an incident when he was composing a club song in Commando 1, titled Lutt Javan with legendary drummer and arranger Ranjit Barot. The latter's studio, he says, was old and hadn't been upgraded since the '90s. "He hadn't changed anything. And when I asked him why he hasn't upgraded to new technology, he said 'if I do, I will stop playing these instruments myself'." The problem with digitally created songs, feels Shaah, is the tonal quality. It lacks nuance and sounds monotonous. Having said that, not all songs lend themselves to an orchestra. "It's mostly romantic songs or those with a Sufi vibe that work best," he says.

The two biggest blockbusters on television this year have to proved to be two dubbed Telugu films. BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION was expected and set an all time record high. The film ran riot on television with even its repeat run being higher than the second best film DANGAL. The big surprise was DJ which also managed to do get over 1 crore impressions and beat many big Hindi films like TUBELIGHT, KAABIL and RAEES.

The Telugu dubbed films fare very well on television but it is around the 50 lakh impression mark and repeats hold a little lower than that but DJ just went to another level on first screening. DANGAL had a good first screening but on repeats its not fared as well as the other big film of last year SULTAN. SULTAN now can be easily called the biggest hit on television of the films released last year. DANGAL is also behind Aamir Khan's 3 IDIOTS and PK also taking into account repeat viewings but is better than DHOOM 3.

COMMANDO 2 and NAAM SHABANA were the surprise HITS on television while the two Akshay Kumar films proved to be SUPER HITS compared to last year when AIRLIFT and RUSTOM did not fare well on television. TUBELIGHT also fared much better on television than in theaters with a good opening and a few repeats managing decent numbers but the repeat numbers are unlikely to come again further down the line. BADRINATH KI DULHANIA was about fair while the other theatrical HIT this year HINDI MEDIUM proved to be a flop. The top films on television this year are as follows. The numbers are impressions which are the number of television sets viewing the film.
1. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion - 2,60,54,000
2. Dangal - 1,62,54,000
3. Toilet - Ek Prem Katha - 1,09,25,000
4. Jolly LLB 2 - 1,08,50,000
5. DJ - 1,05,34,000 (Telugu film Duvvada Jagannadham dubbed)
6. Tubelight - 1,02,61,000
7. Kaabil - 86,93,000
8. M S Dhoni - The Untold Story - 80,94,000
9. Shivaay - 62,92,000
10. Commando 2 - 61,36,000
11. Munna Michael - 59,26,000
12. Raees - 52,56,000
13. Baadshaho - 52,03,000
14. Badrinath Ki Dulhania - 49,68,000

Elina Nayak (BOMBAY TIMES; December 9, 2017)

What was meant to be a fun, casual interaction with her fans turned ugly for Adah Sharma, recently, when one of the men in the crowd thought it was totally okay to ask her to kiss him! ‘No’, she said, firmly. But the “middle-aged, married man” went on a rant, shamelessly, and no one stopped him.

Still incensed at the whole incident, a fuming Adah recalls, “It happened when I was in Mumbai, waiting to catch a flight to Goa. Before boarding my flight, a live interaction with my fans who had come from different cities was arranged. It was there that this 30-plus, married man asked me to kiss him publicly. His audacity to ask me to kiss him was shocking enough. But even after I said ‘NO’, he had the gall to ask me, ‘Why? You kissed in Commando 2 and also had a 1-hour-45-minute kiss in Heart Attack. I’m like your brother or father — what’s the big deal? I’m asking to kiss me on my cheeks’.” Explaining why she didn’t take him to task then and there, Adah adds, “I’m usually a very positive person and I stay away from controversy. So, I didn’t react or say much else at that time. I thought there were so many other amazing fans there, who had come all the way from so many cities just to meet me. By reacting or creating a scene there, I didn’t want to ruin their experience. But later, when my friends saw my outburst on Twitter and read about the incident online, everyone asked me why I didn’t slap the shameless guy.”

Adah chose to let it go then, she took to Twitter to express her outrage when the snubbed ‘fan’ got online to troll her for “insulting” him for asking her for a “harmless kiss”. Imagine that! Wait, there’s worse. He even managed to find some like-minded people who drummed up support for him and joined in trolling the actress, proving yet again that the internet and the anonymity it offers is just what this breed of ‘ugly Indians’ need to expose what they’re really hiding under their sanskari public image. “I did not want to continue to dwell on this ugly incident, thus kept quiet. But I had to speak up for myself when the guy started trolling me for denying him a ‘harmless kiss’. But my tweets about a ‘no being a no’ and a woman’s right to decide who she will kiss or not seem to have been lost on his ilk. Soon, many joined the troll and wrote disgusting stuff like, ‘Great @adah_sharma Did you tell the same to @purijagan when he narrated you the same scene in your debut film Heart Attack? Just asking!’ or ‘It’s just a kiss, what’s the big deal?’,” says Adah.

“Well, I want to tell all those people out there again that what I do, who I kiss is my choice. It’s a woman’s choice —whether she is an actor or not! And, when I kiss on screen it’s is a character I play, that’s not the real me, not the ‘Adah Sharma’. As an actor, it’s my job to portray characters; that doesn’t mean that’s what I am doing all the time in real life. Get a life! In my debut Bollywood film 1920, I was possessed and I killed people. So, does that mean I can come kill you in real life?” she lashes out.

Adah is quick to add that a few such loonies aside, she’s happy that she has some ‘real amazing fans’ and that makes her let go of such incidents. “I have a lot of lovely, young fans, like this school girl I know from Hyderabad. I want fans like her, and all those young men and women who look up to me, to know what happened; why I said what I said, and what they too should do when they come across such incidents,” she says.

Vidyut Jammwal on being happy and from a rare species, why he’s okay with not dating a famous heroine, and counselling troubled teens
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 23, 2017)

You established yourself as a leading man with Commando and went on to feature in its sequel. Why compromise on screen time now by doing the ensemble film Baadshaho?
It’s a high-on-testosterone film with three alpha males, lots of action and excitement. In a racy heist-thriller every character leads to the chase and the steady progression of the larger story.

You weren’t insecure about Ajay Devgn and Emraan Hashmi hogging the screen?
I have a lot of respect for Ajay sir, who’s moved from being a great performer to an action star seamlessly. He is not pushy or aggressive and doesn’t insist on things being done his way. Emraan is a quiet guy and Milan Luthria an impulsive director. Since they’re all my seniors, my job was to watch and learn. I had a great time and I’d love to do an ensemble film again.

If a director wants to take the action hero in you and make him a lover boy, would you be game for it?
A few days ago, someone asked me what kind of girls I like. I said it doesn’t matter if she’s tall or short, fat or thin, I have no type, either for films or for women.

Is there a game plan to become a more successful, mainstream Bollywood actor?
I’m happy that people love me for whatever I’ve done — whether it’s taking off clothes onscreen or setting a benchmark in martial arts. Baadshaho is an amalgamation of everything I’m known for and more. People describe me as an actor or a martial artist, I describe myself as “happy”. I never stress or worry about the future. A fortnight ago, I spoke to my mother and we recalled how I’d come to Mumbai as a model with the dream of becoming India’s top action hero. Today, I am India’s action hero and everyone knows I’m an extremely skilled actor. The dream has been fulfilled. Everything else is a bonus.

In that case, what goals are you setting for yourself now?
The bottle stunt I did recently can be done by only four people in the world according to official records. (Vidyut recently shared a video of himself balanced on four beer bottles and doing push-ups, crediting body-mind control and Kalaripayattu since the age of three for mastering the skill). Instead of worrying about my career and competition, I learn to do things that no one else in the world can do.

What about validation from your peers; dating a famous heroine and being invited to the best filmi bashes?
(Laughs) You’ll never see me at a party because I am so busy being me, I have no time for all that. I’m not a regular actor, I’m from a different species. I know a lot of actors try to ape others, even copy their look. But let me tell you, the most difficult thing is to find yourself. I don’t surround myself with people who believe that Bollywood is the best place to be. And when it comes to the leading ladies, once you love yourself, you can be with anyone.

Your initiative to teach self-defence in schools and organising fitness camps in Mumbai are quite popular. Is it an alternative career?
I don’t promote them and I don’t charge a penny. I go to schools and colleges, interact with teens who suffer from mental illnesses. I met a 13-year-old boy recently who was suicidal because his parents were threatening to throw him out of the house for scoring 52 per cent. After a long conversation with him, I told him to try skipping. Maybe he’d become the best in the world in it or in anti-gravity yoga. I assured him he’d find his inner talent. It’s the same in Bollywood. Filmmakers and actors stress over not hitting the Rs 100-crore mark, there’s so much pressure. I tell them “it’s okay” and to take up a new skill.

You’ve also started workshops for women who’ve survived sexual abuse…
And rape. Women have great instincts when it comes to knowing how a man is behaving around them. I use martial arts to train girls in how to channelize those instincts.

You’ve begun prep for Hollywood filmmaker Chuck Russell’s action-adventure, Junglee, which is produced by Junglee Pictures and revolves around a man and an elephant…
I’ve been slow signing movies because I only do films I believe in. When I watched the final cut of Commando, I told myself, “Wow, what a body, Vidyut Jammwal!” After Part 2, I was grateful for all the opportunities and love coming my way. Now, I’m all geared up for Junglee, ready to roar. The whole world is going to be shaken up by this Junglee!

One of the burning issues of our country is black money. It is believed that billions of rupees have been stashed abroad. While demonetization announced on November 8 was an attempt to bring into the economy the black money present in the country, Commando 2 gives an idea how the black money stashed overseas can be brought back. The idea is great and it got a boost thanks to demonetization which is still one of the hot topics. What’s great is that the film has some great characters and has a superb story to tell. The flipside: It’s not told well! Commando 2 hence turns out to be an average flick!

The story of the movie: Karan (Vidyut Jammwal) is a top commando who is inducted into the special cell. Thanks to his interrogation, it is revealed that Vicky Chadda (Vansh Bhardwaj), who is responsible for laundering the black money, is in Malaysia. He gets arrested along with his wife Maria (Esha Gupta) and is transferred to a safe house. Karan along with Bakhtawar (Freddy Daruwala), Bhavna Reddy (Adah Sharma) and computer expert Zafar (Sumit Gulati) are given the responsibility of getting Vicky safely back to India. However, once they land in Malaysia and meet Vicky and Maria, they realize that things are not as simple as they seem. Moreover, Karan and Bakhtawar both have hidden agendas that can put their mission in jeopardy.

Commando 2 doesn’t have a great start – a montage in the beginning talks highly of demonetization, immediately making it seem like a pro-government film. Karan’s entry as expected is action-packed and the said sequence ends very well. From here on, the film turns out to be a fast-paced, interesting fare full of action, drama and intrigue. The manner in which Karan’s team is introduced and their adventures in Malaysia’s safe house make for a fine watch. The intermission point is a shocker – nobody can predict that coming. Post-interval however, Commando 2 goes the same way as producer Vipul Shah’s earlier film Force 2 – it goes into an unbelievable space. Things become too convenient. What’s more, like Force 2, it also has a scene shot like a first-person shooter game towards the finale but it’s not as well executed as in Force 2. Also, there are far too many twists and turns and double crossings that fail to ignite interest. The climax however is exhilarating and the patriotic angle does work to an extent.

Vidyut Jammwal proves yet again that he’s not just someone who can just do action well. If given a chance, he can carry a film on his shoulders and can do all that a typical Hindi film hero is supposed to do. Esha Gupta plays the difficult role with élan. She looks smoking hot. Adah Sharma initially is quite irritating as the Hyderabadi corrupt cop. But later, she turns out to be one of the most endearing characters especially when she opens up about her ordeal and kicks butt. Freddy Daruwala is alright and too serious but it works for his character. Sumit Gulati has a good screen presence. Vansh Bharadwaj leaves a huge mark. Thakur Anoop Singh (KP) is strictly okay and is there in the film only for a crucial fight with Vidyut. Adil Hussain and D Santosh are good in their cameos. Shefali Shah (Home Minister) seems totally in her character. Satish Kaushik, Suhail Nayyar and Siddharth Kher are fine.

Music has zero scope and thankfully, there are no songs at all in the film. Prasad Sashte’s background music is exhilarating. Manasi Aggarwal’s costumes are rich and glamorous, especially the ones worn by Esha and Adah. Chirantan Das’s cinematography is good and highlights the action quite well. Franz Spilhaus’s action is obviously one of the highpoints in the film. Though nothing new as compared to the first part, it makes for an exciting watch. Ritesh Shah and Suresh Nair’s story is fine and very topical. Dialogues are simple and funny, when it comes to Bhavana’s lines. Screenplay is faulty as there’s too much of twists happening that ruin the show to an extent. It’s great that all the principle characters are well written and each has a significant screen time. The girls are not just bystanders but are very much part of the action and madness happening. Deven Bhojani’s direction is good but doesn’t help much in simplifying the proceedings. Also, the unconvincing script makes matters difficult for Deven and he fails to mask it. He has the potential and here’s hoping he does better in his next project!

On the whole, Commando 2 is a topical film as it talks about black money. The performances are fine and as expected, it’s fun to see Vidyut beating up baddies in his style. Sadly, the film has too many twists and turns and double crossings which fail to make an impact after a point. A film like this will have cinematic liberties but Commando 2 has too many of them. This one is an average flick and can be seen if you are in a mood for some action extravaganza minus the logic. At the box office, this one is going to be an underperformer just like the first part!

My rating - ** ½ out of 5!

Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; March 3, 2017)

Censor Board suggests trimming down one action scene in Vidyut Jammwal film for UA certification
Subhash K Jha (DNA; March 3, 2017)

The Central Board Of Film Certification (CBFC aka the Censor Board) would like you to believe that action flick Commando 2 has some of the best stunts Bollywood has seen. So much so, they want to certify it as suitable for viewing by children. Accompanied by an adult, of course.

“The Board felt that kids should enjoy the action in Commando 2. Only one suggestion was made — cut one lengthy action scene — to get a U/A certification,” says our khabroo.

Producer Vipul Shah feels it’s only fair and sounds eager to comply. He says, “The action in my film is neither gruesome nor bloody. I am glad the Board saw this.”

Shah’s a rare breed. He insists he has never had an issue with the Censor Board or its chairperson. He says, “I realise they are just doing their job. Pahlaj Nihalani is not the first chairperson to be doing his job. With him at the helm, I’ve had no problems whatsoever. It may be fashionable to attack him. But I’ve no contribution to make to this trend.”

ANOTHER DRY WEEK ON THE CARDS BEFORE BADRINATH ROCKS THE SHOW!

After Jolly LLB 2’s success, the next 2 weeks were disappointing as all the major releases – The Ghazi Attack, Running Shaadi, Irada and Rangoon – failed. Rangoon especially was a big time failure. It’s a big-budget period drama but the film failed to strike a chord with the audiences, which is what was predicted in the last week’s Bollywood Talk as well. Monday collections were highly shocking and the film might not even cross the 20 crore mark.

Sadly, the tally of flops is set to increase this Friday too. Commando 2 is the big release starring Vidyut Jammwal, Esha Gupta, Adah Sharma, Shefali Shah and Satish Kaushik. It’s the second part of the Commando series, the first part which released way back in 2013. It was an underperformer and yet, it’s surprising that the makers made a part 2 of it, just like how they made Force 2 when the first film had flopped. Force 2 still had popular actors like John Abraham and Sonakshi Sinha and hence had a decent opening. Commando 2 doesn’t look that great and moreover, Vidyut is not as popular as John though it’s a treat to see him doing action. Vidyut’s chemistry with Adah or Esha is hardly sizzling. Songs haven’t worked and it’s shocking how they have come up with a bed remixed version of Bhool Bhulaiyaa song Hare Ram Hare Krishna. Even if the reports are positive, it will be a tough task for the film to recover costs.

The other 2 releases – Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai and Luv Shuv Pyar Vyar – will be washouts. Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai stars known actors like Arbaaz Khan, Manjari Fadnis, Himansh Kohli and Ashutosh Rana. But the trailer is not exciting at all. Moreover, the film is 170 minutes long.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THESE FILMS AND WHY? DO LET ME KNOW!

Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; March 2, 2017)

Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 2, 2017)

How do I single out my most dangerous stunts when nothing I’ve ever done is boring and ordinary, regular or mundane? Everything has to be new and daringly different. I won’t punch or kick like I’ve seen another guy doing. When you are not from the industry, you have to prove yourself every time by doing something that will shock and silence everyone. For me, the silent treatment from the industry is amazing because it means there’s been a blast!

Commando 2 (2017)

There are 25 big stunts in the film. We had planned to do 38 but ran out of space. We’ll up the numbers in Part 3. The biggest of them, and my favourite so far, is the one where I climb three floors of a building.

Normally, action heroes across the world climb up one floor and jump down. I climbed up three flights, using a regular ladder to haul myself to the first floor, then pulling it up with all my strength to place it against the wall and climb the second and then the third floor before leaping back to terra firma. It took me three months of rehearsals to pull this off and it’s the scariest thing anyone can attempt. After seeing it, I’m sure the whole world is going to ask, “How did he do it?”

In the earlier film, I had jumped over a moving car coming straight at me with a flying front somersault. I’ve done this stunt live at stage shows without cables and got plenty of claps. Four years later, you will see me slide below a moving car. Thanks to all those years of practising yoga, I did a full back bend and went under. I could see the engine… Every nut, bolt and wire... The first time I went through very slowly and just scraped through. The second time, I went faster and the third time I zipped through!


Commando (2013)

I had squeezed through the window of a car in Commando: A One Man Army. It was important to squeeze through at the right time so I didn’t hit my head on the bar. Given my size, it was near impossible but I made it possible through timing, flexibility and conviction.

In the sequel, we’ve taken it a notch higher. I squeeze through the small window of a real building. We had rehearsed the stunt in Mumbai but when we reached the location, I realised that the window was too small. But I was still convinced I could do it, and I did. The mind went through the window first, and then the body.

What made it all the more difficult for me is that I’m taller than most actors. I’ve seen Jackie Chan and Tony Jaa do it, but Jackie is five-foot-five-inches and Tony an inch taller while I’m five-foot-eleven-and-a-half inches, besides being a big muscular boy. I had to squeeze all my muscles through that small space without hitting my chin. It was all about timing! I’ve often been asked how I get into small spaces and have pointed out that being a non-filmi kid, I have to be able to grab every opportunity that comes my way. Give me an opening — a small window — and I’ll get in.

Bullett Raja (2013)

I didn’t have much to do in this Tigmanshu Dhulia-directed film but there was one particular stunt that caught the eye.

I was supposed to climb on to this guy’s shoulder and decapitate him. Instead of choking him with my hands, I used my legs to bring him to his feet.


Force (2011)

Nishikant Kamat’s action-thriller was a remake of Gautham Menon’s 2003 Tamil hit, Kaakha Kaakha. It was my first Hindi film and I caught the eye with my individualistic, distinctive style of fighting.

The stunts I did then no longer seem so difficult in retrospect but I remember the body roll I introduced in the film when I take on these huge black guys. One of them was six-feet-six-inch tall. I got on him, rotated around his body and brought him to the floor.

Since it was well appreciated, I repeated it in Commando, doing the body roll twice. In Part 2, I not only rolled but rotated around the guy before bringing him down. There’s a natural progression even in the action sequences.

I also took the ‘wall back’ to another level of difficulty in an attempt to make it more visually challenging in my upcoming espionage thriller. In Force, I had climbed a wall, done a back somersault and landed on the floor. I repeated it in Commando and then in the sequel, I climbed the chest of a guy standing in front of me instead of an immobile wall, and then got the guy behind me with my leg.

What made the stunt two times more difficult was that I had to be careful not to injure the guy whose chest I climbed in the ribs and not kick the one behind me in the head. I had to be careful of other people’s lives while pushing the benchmark.

MUMBAI MIRROR (January 23, 2017)

Joginder Tuteja (DNA; January 9, 2017)

If you thought that the current season was an exception when it came to sequels, think again! While one saw Rock On 2, Tum Bin 2, Force 2, Kahaani 2 and Chaar Sahibzaade — Banda Singh Bahadur arrive one after another in back-to-back weeks, come March, as many as four sequels are on the way. This, when the release calendar is still being prepared and more could be added to the list.

Commando 2: March 3
Vidyut Jammwal-starrer Commando did decent business at the box office. The film had boasted of some never-seen-before action and now producer Vipul Shah is coming back with the film’s sequel. This time around, Vidyut has Esha Gupta and Adah Sharma for company. The film also marks the feature film directorial debut of Deven Bhojani, who is changing tracks from comedy to hardcore action.

Badrinath Ki Dulhania: March 10
The film is more of a franchise outing than a sequel, per se. When director Shashank Khaitan made his directorial debut with a much smaller Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya, the film’s super success came as a pleasant surprise. Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt were returning after Student Of The Year and now, Karan Johar is aiming to score a hat-trick with the same team. The film is being pitched as a fun entertainer.

Sarkar 3: March 17
Sarkar was a success. And while Sarkar 2 remains Ram Gopal Varma's highest grosser at the BO, the collections were just about decent due to high costs involved despite the presence of all three Bachchans. Expectations are high for the third installment. Amitabh Bachchan returns and along with him, Manoj Bajpayee, Yami Gautam, Amit Sadh, Jackie Shroff and Ronit Roy.

Naam Shabana: March 31
This is something unique. Seldom has one seen or heard about a prequel being made in Bollywood. However, it's happening for Naam Shabana which has Akshay Kumar taking a backseat after Baby and Taapsee Pannu's character getting prominence as a central protagonist. Neeraj Pandey is backing the film and director Shivam Nair (with thrillers like Maharathi and Bhaag Johnny to his name) calling the shots.

Second installments didn’t work well at all this year at the BO
DNA (December 24, 2016)

Kahaani 2, the last of the sequels in 2016, has released. The film has done fairly well, but it’s nowhere close to the figures expected right from the very first day. Although, the fate of the Sujoy Ghosh film starring Vidya Balan and Arjun Rampal flick is slightly better than the other sequels released this year.

Hit Housefull
“2016 has been so horrible for sequels that even a decent outcome of Kahaani 2 is fair enough,” says a trade expert, “Just look at the manner in which sequels like Rock On 2, Tum Bin 2, Raaz Reboot, Force 2, Ghayal Once Again and Great Grand Masti folded this year. They couldn’t even do half the business of what the last installment had done. There is only one clear hit (Housefull 3) among sequels with the majority turning out to be flops and disasters, it is high time that the entire business model behind sequels is re-looked at.”

Sequels needed?
The impact has been felt most when it comes to expensive sequels. “It is one thing if a film doesn’t live up to expectations and doesn’t perform, totally another when a film doesn’t even open well, despite the sequel/franchise tag attached to it. When you are not even doing better than your predecessor even on the opening day, it is quite apparent that it was a fallacy to even bring a sequel on floors. Clearly, audiences are not interested,” the trade expert adds.

Not interested
In certain cases, the theatrical promo itself sealed the fate for the film. “Tum Bin 2 is a clear example of the audience just not being interested. Also, Tere Bin Laden - Dead or Alive. Audiences didn’t even bother to check these films out,” points out a trade analyst. The biggest difference in the opening day collections of a sequel with its predecessor was evidenced in case of Great Grand Masti and Raaz Reboot. Grand Masti opened at Rs 12.5 crore while Great Grand Masti did just Rs 2.5 crore. That’s a difference of Rs 10 crore. No other sequel in history has underperformed to such an extent. Raaz Reboot, too, had a similar fate.

The maximum growth evidenced by a sequel was in Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh and Abhishek Bachchan-starrer Housefull 3 (Rs 15.2 crore) which brought in Rs 1.5 crore more than the last in the series.

Sequels lined up for 2017
Hopefully, 2017 will be better for sequels. The year begins with Jolly LLB 2 and the Akshay Kumar-starrer is expected to open much better than Arshad Warsi’s Jolly LLB (Rs 3 crore). For the sequel trend to continue, Commando 2 and Sarkar 3, which release immediately after, need to do well. Then there is the prequel to Baby, Naam Shabana. “The ‘baap’ of them all is going to be Baahubali 2 — The Conclusion, though, which should bring back the respect and credibility that a quality sequel should ideally boast of,” says a prominent filmmaker, “Then, of course, there are big-ticket sequels like Golmaal Again and Judwaa 2. These will be big for sure but then need to be blockbusters in order to warrant further sequels. As for a film which should give good enough ‘takkar’ to Baahubali 2 - The Conclusion for the crown of best sequel of 2017, it is going to be Robot 2.0.” Thankfully, there is much to look forward to before 2017 comes to a close, what with Salman Khan’s Tiger Zinda Hai coming after Ek Tha Tiger.

HOW THEY FARED

Day One collections of sequels and their predecessors, and then the lifetime and verdict of the sequels

Better than last in the series

Housefull 2 [13.7 crore] and Housefull 3 [15.2 crore] - Difference: +1.5 crore [Lifetime collections: 109 crore. Verdict: Hit]

Kahaani [3 crore] and Kahaani 2 [4.25 crore] - Difference: +1.25 crore [Lifetime collections: Awaited. Verdict: Awaited]

Force [5 crore] and Force 2 [6.05 crore] - Difference: +1.05 crore [Lifetime collections: 40 crore. Verdict: Below average]

Kya Super Kool Hain Hum [7.12 crore] and Kya Kool Hain Hum 3 [8.15 crore] - Difference: +1.03 crore [Lifetime collections: 31 crore. Verdict: Flop]

Tum Bin [0.20 crore] and Tum Bin 2 [0.60 crore] - Difference: +0.40 crore [Lifetime collections: 3.5 crore. Verdict: Flop]

Rock On [1.75 crore] and Rock On 2 [2.02 crore] - Difference: +0.27 crore [Lifetime collections: 11.5 crore. Verdict: Disaster]

Worse than the last in the series

Grand Masti [12.5 crore] and Great Grand Masti [2.5 crore] - Difference: -10 crore [Lifetime collections: 14 crore. Verdict: Disaster]

Raaz 3 [10.25 crore] and Raaz Reboot [6.3 crore] - Difference: -3.95 crore [Lifetime collections: 30 crore. Verdict: Flop]

1920 Evil Returns [4 crore] and 1920 London [2.5 crore] - Difference: -1.5 crore [Lifetime collections: 15 crore. Verdict: Below average]

Tere Bin Laden [0.75 crore] and Tere Bin Laden - Dead or Alive [0.75 crore] - Difference: 0 crore [Lifetime collections: 3.35 crore. Verdict: Disaster]