Shreya Mukherjee (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 7, 2020)

A new topic of controversy revolving around drug abuse in Bollywood has surfaced now. Recently, actor Kangana Ranaut alleged that 99% of Bollywood does drugs. Actor Dalip Tahil, who has been a part of the industry for almost five decades, says drugs are a menace across professions, genders. “It’s a malice that has engulfed our lives. So, you can’t just point fingers at Bollywood,” he says.

Not denying that there are drug links in Bollywood, Tahil, 67, says, “The film industry represents a microcosm of what is happening in the world. What’s this big expose that Bollywood does drugs? I’m trying to understand what’s Kangana’s motivation behind these allegations. She is a self-made top grade actor. She succeeded in this film industry despite the challenges that a woman has to face. But now, her statements are getting delusional. Once or twice she made her point, but now, it seems scripted.”

Reacting to Ranaut’s tweet requesting actors Ranveer Singh, Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal and director Ayan Mukerji “to give their blood samples for drug test”, Tahil adds, “Before she passes judgement on her colleagues, she should also get tested.”

R Balki makes an assurance after his Mission Mangal director, Jagan Shakti, underwent surgery for a clot in the brain
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 28, 2020)

Jagan Shakti, who made his directorial debut with the Akshay Kumar-fronted Mission Mangal , was admitted to Kokilaben Hospital on Saturday after he collapsed while socialising with friends in the city. A clot in his brain was detected and Jagan underwent surgery on Monday. His mentor, R Balki, who produced his debut film confirmed the news. “Jagan is doing well post the surgery and there is nothing to worry about now,” he was quick to add.

Mission Mangal was inspired by ISRO’s Mars Orbiter Mission and featured Vidya Balan, Taapsee Pannu, Sonakshi Sinha, Kirti Kulhari, Nithya Menen, Sharman Joshi and Dalip Tahil as scientists working on the project. Dalip admitted he was shocked when he heard the news and wishing the director a speedy recovery, promising to visit as soon as the hospital permits. “I heard Akshay was among the first to know and got Jagan admitted, taking charge of things,” he said.

“I heard Akshay was among the first to know. He got Jagan admitted to hospital and took charge of things,” says Dalip Tahil.

Sanjay Kapoor, who played Vidya Balan’s husband in the film was equally shocked. “He is such a fit guy. I’m praying for his speedy recovery,” the actor asserted.

Jagan was gearing up to kick off his next, Ikka, the official Hindi remake of the Tamil hit, Kaththi.

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 13, 2019)

Mirror had earlier reported (April 17) that A R Murugadoss started filming for his Rajinikath-starrer cop drama Darbar, in which Prateik Babbar plays the antagonist’s son, in mid-April. Now, we have learnt that the film also features Dalip Tahil as a senior officer to the South superstar’s cop.

“My character supports Rajini bhai’s drive to clean the city of goons. I started filming with him at a hotel in Goregaon,” informed Dalip, who has worked with Rajinikanth in the 1995 action crime film Aatank Hi Aatank. They had done another film together which didn’t release. “I was so happy to meet him after 24 years. I didn’t recognise him when he arrived on the first day as Rajini bhai is looking like a 25-year-old boy. He has maintained himself well. When I told him that, he had a good laugh,” the actor said, adding that his portions will wrap up with the Mumbai schedule. The Hindi-Tamil-Telugu trilingual also features Nayanthara. 

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; October 25, 2018)

With the #MeToo movement gaining prominence in India, many of our filmmakers and actors have woken up to the need for a safer working environment. Recently, actor Dalip Tahil took a written and visual consent from his female co-star before shooting a rape scene for a web show. Reportedly, Emraan Hashmi, too, has insisted on including a sexual harassment clause in his contracts, as well as that of his film’s crew.

The heightened sense of awareness around women’s safety on film sets has also sparked new conversations in Bollywood. Filmmakers have decided to modify the way Hindi films are made and how women are treated on the sets. Directors like Konkona Sen Sharma, Alankrita Shrivastava, Gauri Shinde, Kiran Rao, Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, Meghna Gulzar, Shonali Bose, Nitya Mehra, Nandita Das and Ruchi Narain recently formed a collective to take a stand against sexual harassment. Their male counterparts have also pledged support to the cause. As the #MeToo storm rages on, BT reached out to filmmakers and actors to gauge the measures they want to take while shooting scenes (especially ones that are intimate), and understand, whether a recorded consent by people involved in the shoot is the need of the hour. Here’s what they had to say:

We have to find ways and means of building a safe and secure environment. Over the years, we have been conditioned to work in a patriarchal set-up. The change in mindset will come with some sort of regulatory mechanism in place. So, it is important to have checks and controls. We shouldn’t be flippant about it and have a knee-jerk reaction. We need to have a clearly documented way forward. First, we need to understand what constitutes harassment, violation and how to escalate any instance or address a grievance.


It is a process of education, because for too many years, men have had it easy. We have to build a framework in the next few months. Hollywood does that, because they shoot scenes that are explicit in nature. Workshops are held to train actors to shoot a scene in the nude. I think we need to understand from other industries as to how they address these issues. Also, it does not apply only to the world of cinema, but it is about ensuring that all working environments are safe. – Hansal Mehta, filmmaker (directed films like Omerta)


I have shot such scenes before. It is done like a job and with a lot of mutual respect. I am anyway very sensitive about these things. My actors talk to me about it the moment they experience any discomfort, as that’s the kind of equation we share. My actors generally know everything regarding their role in the film and how things are going to be depicted. But if actors want a recorded consent for themselves, I wouldn’t mind it. We must respect the personal boundaries that we all have. – Leena Yadav, filmmaker (directed films like Parched…)


I feel that a central code of conduct must be put into place with regards to certain representation of women in films and their involvement in films, especially in case of scripts with such sensitive scenes. Collectively, it helps when a centrally accepted rule is put into place instead of sporadic selfthought actions, as that creates a sense of disorganisation, which only beats the purpose. – Yami Gautam, actress


From Satyameva Jayate, I have chosen a path where I will not have such scenes in my films. Having said that, it’s very important that everyone acts professionally and responsibly about these things. Everyone should know what they are signing up for. There should be no confusion. Even in the past, when I have shot intimate scenes, it has been with the artiste’s consent, and were shot aesthetically. I have stuck to what everyone was comfortable with. It’s better to make it clear in the script and if someone wants it written in black and white in their contracts too, it’s fine. It’s better if they know and agree to abide by what they are consenting to. – Milap Milan Zaveri, filmmaker (directed films like Satyameva Jayate)


I can understand the fear that Dalip Tahil must have felt and hence, he did what he did, but I will not do that with an actor. In fact, I would not even do such a scene if I don’t trust my co-actor. I don’t believe in written and video proofs, because I have a great rapport with my co-actors — male and female. For me, acting is a process of understanding life and it’s sacred. So, I wouldn’t do anything to make it look or feel incorrect to me or to anyone else. I will perform all my scenes as an artistic representation of what has been written in the script, and not for any other purpose, whatsoever. – Adil Hussain, actor


Personally, I will take legal counselling and follow guidelines set by the studio and the production house in this regard. Eventually, what has come out of this is that, like there are guidelines in corporate structures, there will be some in films, too. The #MeToo campaign has made everyone aware and more sensitive. I am sure everyone was in sync with what Dalip Tahil did. Everyone needs to be aware of what is being done and we must follow all the necessary steps to ensure work goes on smoothly with everyone’s consent. – Suresh Triveni, filmmaker (directed Tumhari Sulu)

I have never felt the need to shoot anyone’s consent so far. I mean, I started out in the movies with a film like Dushman that had some really challenging scenes. With the #MeToo campaign, you need to be careful. If someone feels the need to take some precaution like Dalip has taken, I don’t see any harm in that. He’s only taking precaution. Shooting any scene requires mutual trust. Every actor knows every scene they have to shoot in absolute details. We go as per the script and the demand of our characters. Sahejta barkarar rakhna zaroori hai and for that, to make yourself feel secure, it’s perfectly alright to seek your co-star’s consent in writing or on camera. – Ashutosh Rana, actor

The thought of shooting a consent before and after a rape scene or an intimate one, never occurred to actors of my generation. We were more worried about giving the right shots and the right expressions. Rape scenes are played up on expressions and camera angles. It’s unnecessary to ask a co-star for her feedback and her consent, because when we are narrated scripts, everything is mentioned in it. If it’s required and actors are comfortable, they will do it. There are so many people around on a set; how can anyone go beyond a set parameter for shooting a scene? I just think that in today’s scenario in particular, an actor, male or female, should complain immediately if he/she is feeling uneasy about doing a scene. It’s more important to have a safe environment in the work space, which includes film sets. No scene is shot without an actor’s consent anyway. – Prem Chopra, actor

Kaabil had a scene featuring Yami Gautam and Shootout At Wadala had a scene featuring Kangana Ranaut and John Abraham. There are a few points filmmakers should ensure. To begin with, while reading a script, every actor is made aware of the details of the scenes. On the set, respect and dignity should be maintained. The scenes should be shot aesthetically, without making any actor uncomfortable. Usually, there are CCTV cameras and a crew shooting behind-the-scenes moments on the set. So, if any actor is uncomfortable, it will be noticed. They can also voice their concerns during readings, prior to the shoot. These days, even contracts mention everything clearly. So, there is no need as such to record someone’s consent separately on camera. – Sanjay Gupta, filmmaker (directed films like Kaabil, Shootout At Wadala)

What Dalip Tahil did only goes on to show that everyone is wary of what is happening today. It stems from the fact that some people are using the #MeToo campaign for wrong reasons. There’s a reason why so many influencers have come forth and said that the campaign should be used in the right direction and should not involve any personal agendas. We should not let the campaign lose steam. At the same time, there is a lot of speculation among the actors and they’re just trying to be safe than being sorry later. The industry is at the cusp of change — it will go through corrections, changes and dents. Eventually, policies that will come out of these will be in everyone’s interest. No actor will then feel scared about any situation or filming any scene. Social campaigns are for social change and that takes a while. Instances like Dalip Tahil’s throw us off a bit, but this is part of the push and pull that happens in the process of a social change. – Abhinay Deo, filmmaker (directed films like Blackmail, Delhi Belly)

What Dalip is doing makes sense, but all these areas are covered contractually. And why not? Maybe this is a way to go about it. Whenever we shoot an intimate scene, first and foremost we ensure that the actors are comfortable. It’s also done in a closed environment where there are fewer number of unit hands, except for the DOP, the director and maybe the sound person. I discuss all my scenes threadbare with my actors and go ahead with the shoot only when they are comfortable. – Sriram Raghavan, filmmaker (directed films like AndhaDhun)

– With inputs by Lasyapriya Sundaram and Renuka Vyavahare

Girl & Friend Hurt, Claim He Abused Them And Crowd
THE TIMES OF INDIA (September 26, 2018)

Mumbai: Actor Dalip Tahil (65) was arrested on Sunday by Khar police for drunk driving and rash driving after he rammed his car into an autorickshaw, injuring a girl travelling in it with her friend. Tahil was later released on bail. The girl told TOI that Tahil pushed her and her friend when they confronted him about the crash at Linking Road, Khar.

Tahil aka Tahilramani started his career as a stage actor and is known for performances in ‘Gandhi’ and ‘Shaan’.

His Creta hit the auto at Khar Danda around 8.45pm. “The auto seat moved ahead and my friend and I were nearly flung out. The seat hit the back of my neck,” said the girl. “The auto driver brought the vehicle under control. The car stopped for a moment before speeding ahead.” The auto driver and two passengers decided to chase the car and confront the motorist. “There were Ganpati processions and the traffic did not allow the car to speed away. We caught up with it near IndusInd Bank on Linking Road. My friend got off and ran towards the car, even as it was moving, to yank open the door. He fell on the road between the car and divider. Fortunately, the motorist stopped or my friend would have been seriously injured,” she added.

“When Tahil stepped out, he was rude and abusive. He refused to admit his car had hit the auto and instead accused us of lying. As a crowd started to gather, my friend called up the police. We did not allow Tahil to leave. He took a swing at my friend and then at me, but we both dodged him. He then pushed us,” she said. Tahil did not spare the crowd too, the girl claimed. He abused them, she said, and dared them to do what they could. “People were requesting him to move his car so Ganpati processions could move ahead. Eventually, cops took him to Khar police station in a van. We were told to follow in the auto,” she said.

An FIR was lodged against Tahil under provisions of the IPC and Motor Vehicles Act. “Police did not tell us if a blood alcohol test was conducted and what the reports showed. We were at the police station till 2am, completing formalities but the actor was in the same condition,” she said.

Tahil’s phone was switched off on Tuesday when TOI tried to call him for a comment.

In his first-ever comical theatre role, Tahil turns counsellor to those with suicidal tendencies
MID-DAY (September 15, 2016)

Dalip Tahil is set to step onto the floorboards in a light-hearted role for the first time. The veteran actor will be seen in the English play, Can I Help You?, in which he will play an amusing yet endearing character.

The drama premieres on September 18 at the Tata Theatre, NCPA. Written and directed by Abhishek Patnaik, the cast includes Anant Mahadevan, Darsheel Safary and Bhavna Pani. Says Dalip, "On stage, I have mostly done serious stuff, but this time, it's a light-hearted role. It is not a funny caricature, but there are lots of moments that will make you chuckle."

Can I Help You? is about a retired insurance agent (played by Tahil) living in Darjeeling, close to a suicide point, and how he ends up becoming a counsellor and saves lives. His character is called Ramakant Surajdas Dhanvantari Lal. As the name is a tongue-twister, he is simply called Don since he has the unique record of selling over 100 life insurance policies in a calendar year.

"He is the don of life insurance policies, not of the underworld," guffaws Tahil, adding that indigenous writers should be encouraged in theatre. On the film front, the actor was in Georgia recently for the shoot of Abbas-Mustan's thriller, Machine. "I am back working with my favourite directors. I have done several films with them including Baazigar (1993), Soldier (1998) Ajnabee (2001) Chori Chori Chupke Chupke (2001) and Race (2008)."

Deepali Singh (DNA; August 15, 2016)


Although Darsheel, a second year BMM student from HR College, has acted in numerous plays throughout his school and college days, this is his debut on commercial stage. “The director approached me for the play and I was carried away by the script when I heard it. I have been wanting to do a full-fledged play for a long time and this seemed perfect,” says the teenager. Darsheel plays an aspiring cricketer, Rikhav, with a lot of issues. “Although I have been doing amateur theatre for a long time, with this play, I’m getting to learn a lot. I’m discovering how I can make this brash character likeable to the audience,” he says.

To add to that, he’s got great company. Stalwarts of theatre, including Dalip Tahil and Anant Mahadevan are part of the play too, and Darsheel says he couldn’t have asked for better co-stars. “These people are textbooks of drama. All I need to do is watch and learn and hopefully, be as good as them in future,” he adds. With just a month left for the play’s premiere, Darsheel says he’s really excited but is bound to feel the pressure on the day of his debut on stage. “I’m at an age where I can experiment. My dad told me to gain as much knowledge as I can before I get back to the big screen,” he says. And when will that happen? “Movies will happen when they have to. I’m waiting to grow up some more and for the right script to come along,” he signs off.

MUMBAI MIRROR (March 26, 2014)

For Shyam Benegal’s 10-part series on the making of the Indian constitution, Samvidhaan, which airs on Rajya Sabha TV, costume designer Pia Benegal underwent meticulous research based on archived photographs, newspaper clippings, documentaries and also interviews on All India Radio.

After all, the task was to recreate historical figures including the likes of Dr. Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel.

When informed about a project, Pia quickly formed a team consisting of two assistants, four stylists and six tailors, who began working on the project six months prior to the shoot.

The fabrics she chose included cotton, linen, khaki and wool. “I got the shock of my life when I was told that there will be 264 characters in all. Later, they reduced it to 165,” she says, adding, “For instance, Gandhi’s costume was easier to design as having done it in the past, I knew just the place to source the dhoti, the glasses and his wrist watch from,” she smiles.

However, the most troublesome one was designing the look for Muhammad Ali Jinnah (Narendra Jha). “Jinnah was extremely particular about his wardrobe. He was a dapper guy who wore fine suits, sourced from London, which had broad stripes, as well as crisp bandhgalas. Now where would I find those? We get only narrow ones these days,” she laments, adding, “My search, which also involved dabbling with some Italian fabrics, ended at a local shop of an Indian brand!”

The ideology behind the designs for Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (Dalip Tahil) was similar too. “For Nehru, we avoided dark colours, sticking to light and vibrant hues, while keeping the accessories minimal and ministerial,” she reveals. While for Hansa Mehta’s (Ila Arun) character, a special handloom saree, bearing the colours orange, white and green was made. “And to be historically accurate, we ensured she wore it in the traditional seedha pala style.”

Sachin Khedekar, who plays the part of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, had to look fuller as he had lost a lot of weight and was reluctant to put on. “So we used a lot of layers while sticking to darker hues like brown, beige and grey to match his outlook,” she reveals.