Showing posts with label Dev Patel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dev Patel. Show all posts
Feudal settlement is being built for the final schedule of Dev Patel's The Peasants
3:17 PM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; January 24, 2026)
The production of Dev Patel’s The Peasant, which went on floors in December 2025, is progressing swiftly. Following a month-long schedule in Madhya Pradesh, Patel — who serves as the actor, director, and co-writer on the revenge drama — is set to call action on the final schedule in Mumbai in the second week of February.
Set in the 14th century, The Peasant is said to be a revenge-fuelled action drama centred on an Indian shepherd, who kills the mercenary knights that had ransacked his village. A major set, in keeping with the period, is currently being constructed in Film City, Goregaon, for the upcoming leg. Apparently, the set-up has been designed to reflect a densely populated feudal settlement, complete with narrow alleys, market-style courtyards, and an adjoining fortress.
Large crowd scenes and combat sequences will be filmed over the six-week schedule. A unit hand tells us, “You’re looking at hundreds of performers in costume, plus stunt teams working in close quarters. The set has to facilitate that. They had earlier done a rough shoot here, but this is the major leg.”
Handling the production logistics in the country is India Take One Productions, which had also worked on Patel’s breakout film Slumdog Millionaire (2008).
Did you know?
‘The Peasant’ was originally envisioned as a revenge thriller in an Italian setting. Director and co-writer Dev Patel later reimagined it against an Indian backdrop.
Dev Patel to fly down to Mumbai for his second directorial venture The Peasant in December
9:22 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 4, 2025)
In September, mid-day had reported that Dev Patel would be India-bound for his second directorial venture, tentatively titled The Peasant (Destination India for Dev, Sep 15). Sure enough, his December has been earmarked for Mumbai. Sources tell us that the actor and director will fly down to Maximum City to kick off the film’s first schedule, a 22-day stint.
Revenge and action dominated Patel’s maiden directorial offering, the acclaimed Monkey Man (2024), and they continue in his next as well. With The Peasant, he is creating a revenge-fuelled action thriller set in India of the 14th century and centred on a shepherd, who rises against mercenary knights.
Patel was in Delhi a few weeks ago for the final set of meetings, and filming will begin on December 1. A source close to the project revealed, “Since it is set in the 14th century, elaborate period-themed sets are being constructed in a studio at Film City, Goregaon. The team will begin with world-building and crowd sequences on December 1, and Dev will film his portions between December 15 and 20.”
The unit will take a Christmas and New Year break before regrouping for a marathon shoot that will begin on January 6 and go on till March-end.
Dev Patel moves Nepal shoot of The Peasant to Mumbai amid unrest in the country
9:22 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 15, 2025)
Dev Patel, who was to kick off The Peasant’s shoot in Nepal this month, has scrapped the plan amid the escalating unrest in the country. Instead, Patel, who will star in and helm the revenge drama, is India-bound. Insiders say that the actor and director will kick off filming in Mumbai in November, followed by schedules in parts of rural Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
A source close to the production told mid-day, “The safety of our cast and crew is our top priority. We could not risk delays or disruptions arising out of the political instability in Nepal. When the unrest worsened, we had to be pragmatic — India offers much of what we needed logistically and visually.”
Set in the 14th century, The Peasant tells the story of an Indian shepherd who takes a stand against a group of mercenary knights. Though the movie is set in India, the director had envisioned certain portions in some remote locations of Nepal. Explaining the choice, the source added, “Nepal has some ancient motifs, which would’ve fit perfectly in the story.”
Patel, who has been focusing on The Peasant, his second directorial venture, for many months, will begin with interior scenes in Mumbai. Another insider said, “It’s a demanding project, and Dev is keen to begin as soon as possible.”
When my pallu dropped at the party, I felt so naked-Vipin Sharma
8:29 AM
Vipin Sharma recalls how he wore a saree to Monkey Man party to internalise his trans character; discusses playing the role in Dev Patel’s directorial debut with ‘gentleness’
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 1, 2024)
When we get on a call with Vipin Sharma, he is recovering from jet lag after a month-long press tour of Monkey Man in the US. The world has seen and loved Dev Patel’s maiden directorial venture, but it remains unreleased in India. First things first, we ask him what’s happening with the India release. His answer is expectedly vague. “I don’t know. But I’ve never had a doubt this film will reach its audience.” Sooner or later, he adds. Later, we guess.
But that doesn’t dim the excitement around Monkey Man that has been a much-discussed movie lately. Previously seen in Taare Zameen Par (2007) and Gangs Of Wasseypur (2012), Sharma portrays Alpha, the leader of a transgender community, who supports Patel’s character when he faces adversity. The actor, who had met Patel briefly when they shot Hotel Mumbai (2019) in India, says he didn’t audition for the part in the action fare.
“Dev told me that when he saw Hotel Mumbai in London, he immediately thought that he would write Alpha keeping me in mind. When we met for Monkey Man, I read the lines without thinking of Alpha as a trans person. I didn’t want to make it about gender [alone]. Human beings are all about their souls eventually.”
The actor acknowledges that as a cis-gender man, he did his own preparation for the role. It involved external factors like growing his hair and nails, but he focused more on the exercise of internalizing the part.
“At one of the parties during the film’s shoot, I wore a saree. At one point, my pallu dropped, and I felt so naked. The film’s AD [assistant director] Raghu Joshi saw my face as I screamed, horrified. He realized my anguish, which might be unnatural for a man, but for Alpha, it meant being stripped. There is a gender-fluid aspect to my personality, which I saw come out in this film. My love for the trans community comes through in the role, and I played it with gentleness.”
Patel might be a first-time filmmaker, but he had the passion and clarity of a seasoned director, says Sharma. “Now, Dev is family to me. His parents insist I meet them whenever I am in London. I stayed at their place in London. I admire Dev’s passion and humility. He was so compassionate to the cast and crew, never differentiating between a star and a crew member. He was solely driven by the story.”
Sobhita Dhulipala, Sikandar Kher join Dev Patel for Monkey Man’s premiere at Grauman Chinese theatre, Los Angeles
8:28 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 4, 2024)
While the Indian audience will have to wait for sometime before Monkey Man can make its way to theatres, Dev Patel’s maiden directorial venture is only a day away from its US release. On Wednesday, the action thriller had its premiere at the iconic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. Sobhita Dhulipala and Sikandar Kher, who play pivotal roles in the film, flew out on April 2 to attend the premiere.
Before heading to the US, Kher spoke to mid-day, expressing his excitement for the event. He said, “I am so excited to reunite with the entire cast and crew, and see the film together at the premiere. We got a phenomenal response at the SXSW [South by Southwest Film Festival] last month. Now, there is a sense of excitement for the film’s release.”
Kher and Dhulipala are staring at a hectic week ahead as they will begin press interactions today, followed by a team dinner. Over the next few days, the cast will travel across the US promoting Monkey Man.
Going by the early reviews, Patel has scored a winner with his directorial debut. The violent action thriller follows the journey of a man, portrayed by the actor-director, who embarks on a mission to avenge his mother’s death that was caused by corrupt leaders. His quest for vengeance takes an unexpected turn as he becomes a champion for the oppressed.
Not many people know this, but I keep listening to Bollywood songs on set while shooting-Hande Erçel
8:27 AM
In India for the first time, Turkish actress Hande Erçel says she would love to collaborate with Indian filmmakers
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; March 9, 2024)
One of Turkey’s biggest stars, Hande Erçel has a whopping 31.8M followers on Instagram, making her one of the most influential names in the Turkish film and TV industry.
In her first visit to India for FICCI Frames 2024, we caught up with the actress in Mumbai for an in-depth exclusive chat and even made her try the city’s iconic cutting chai! Deeply observant and excited about her first visit here, though it’s just for 4 days, Ercel spoke about Indian cinema, beauty standards for women, social media and more. Excerpts…
Turkish heartthrob Burak Deniz was here last year for this event and this year it’s you. Did you speak with him before getting here?
Yes, we spoke. He loved the food and he talked about it a lot. What struck him the most about India was the kindness and warmth in people here. They are extremely loving and it’s true. I was aware that people knew me here but didn’t know I was this popular. This is my first time here. I had heard a lot about Indian culture, people, and music. I had so much curiosity and wonder about India and the country surpassed my expectations. The weather’s good and I like bright sunshine over cold conditions, so this is perfect. It’s a short visit, but I went to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and liked it. I also hope to visit the famous Ganpati temple (Shree Siddhivinayak) and Dhobi Ghat in the city. It won’t happen this time but it’s a dream to witness the The Taj Mahal in Agra. It’s gorgeous.
Are you familiar with Indian cinema?
I loved watching this film called Black (by Sanjay Leela Bhansali). I like Indian actors a lot, too. I like Dev Patel (British actor of Indian origin) and Hrithik Roshan. I know Ranveer Singh and of course Aamir Khan, who is big in Turkey. I enjoyed PK and 3 Idiots. Not many people know this, but I keep listening to Bollywood songs on set while shooting. You’ll always find Bollywood music on my playlist. I would love to collaborate with Indian filmmakers.
You are one of the most followed Turkish actors on Instagram. Is that a pressure sometimes? To be constantly watched and judged.
It’s good pressure. It makes me more thoughtful, responsible, and inspirational by wanting to do good things for people. I ensure I separate my private and professional life. That can help you strike a balance between how much of you you put out there. I like to be sincere instead of putting on a mask and present a different persona online. It’s important to stay true to who you are as a person. I am aware of the pressure on women to always look perfect. Young girls look up to their screen idols and want to imitate them. That’s why I try to be as natural and organic on social media. I want to tell them that nobody’s perfect. Every woman is beautiful and distinct. We radiate beauty due to the light and warmth we have within, which matters the most. Believe in yourself.
Any person that you look up to?
Cate Blanchett is inspirational as an actor and a person. I like the way Anne Hathaway carries herself and most importantly my mother is my idol.
What are your thoughts on marriage?
Everything has a time. I believe in marriage. I would love to have kids and bring them up in a way that they do good for society.
Dev Patel, Sobhita Dhulipala, Sikandar Kher to grace Monkey Man's South By Southwest Festival screening
10:00 PM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 5, 2024)
Dev Patel’s directorial debut Monkey Man is among the headlining movies at the South By Southwest Film Festival (SXSW), finding a spot alongside Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt’s The Fall Guy, Anne Hathaway’s The Idea Of You, and Jake Gyllenhaal’s Road House.
While the SXSW Film Festival kicks off in Austin on March 8, Patel’s revenge thriller will première on March 11. Sobhita Dhulipala, Sikandar Kher, Pitobash and Vipin Sharma are expected to join the actor-director for the event.
With the première, first-time director Patel will kick off the movie’s promotions that will continue well into its April 5 release. A source says, “Monkey Man, which revolves around a guy rising from the slums to protect the weak, is a story rooted and shot extensively in India. The makers are clear to position it as an Indian story, and the promotional plan will include all its cast members. In the weeks leading up to its release, Dev will also promote the thriller across India.”
The Jordan Peele production also stars Makarand Deshpande and Ashwini Kalsekar.
My Monkey Man character left me feeling inspired and even more in love with cinema-Sobhita Dhulipala
8:32 AM
Mimansa Shekhar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 6, 2024)
For actor Sobhita Dhulipala, her debut Hollywood film Monkey Man has been a “roller coaster”. “My character has got a very distinct texture that’s unlike anything I’ve seen. It left me feeling inspired and even more in love with cinema. The action, the music, the style and the raw emotion. It’s going to be a sensory feast,” she says.
The film also stars Dev Patel and Sikandar Kher, and Dhulipala lauds Patel, who has directed the revenge drama. “He truly has exceptional taste in all things cinema. That, coupled with his enormous patience and passion to give his best in every department, is pretty phenomenal,” says the actor.
Having made strides with films such as Ponniyin Selvan I and II, Kurup (2021) and Major (2022), was Hollywood a natural progression? “I am entirely focussed on telling exciting stories, language and medium no bar. I draw motivation from my ability to submit to my instincts,” she says, adding that playing pivotal roles in the OTT series The Night Manager and Made in Heaven “upped my desire to embrace versatility as an actor”.
Dev Patel wraps up his directorial debut Monkey Man with a week-long shoot in Mumbai
8:08 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 25, 2022)
Dev Patel can heave a sigh of relief. His maiden directorial venture, Monkey Man, which stars Sikandar Kher, Sobhita Dhulipala and him, has reached the finish line. The actor-director, who had flown down to India earlier this month, conducted the final stint in Mumbai last week.
A source reveals, “Dev had a patch-shoot in Mumbai, consisting of scenes featuring Sikandar and him. Last week was an ideal time to film it before Sikandar moves on to Aarya 3 and Dev to the film’s post-production. The unit had cordoned off areas in Colaba for the shoot. Some scenes were also filmed in Madh Island, Lower Parel and Andheri over the seven-day schedule.”
The action thriller, set in India, revolves around Patel’s character who emerges from prison to seek revenge on those who upended his life years ago.
Confirming that the film has been wrapped up, Kher says, “We had already finished shooting the major part of the movie; only some bits were left. It was a hush-hush shoot. Monkey Man is going to be a thrilling movie.”
The Slumdog Millionaire (2008) star has written Monkey Man along with Paul Angunawela and John Collee. The movie has been garnering interest after Netflix acquired it last year.
Dev Patel helps stop knife fight in Australia
8:11 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (August 4, 2022)
Dev Patel, along with his friends, broke up a knife fight between a man and a woman outside a convenience store in Adelaide, Australia, on Monday. A local news station reported that the man was stabbed in the chest, but is expected to survive.
The Slumdog Millionaire actor’s representative issued a statement to a Hollywood publication, that read, “We can confirm that in Adelaide, Dev Patel and his friends witnessed a violent altercation that was already in progress outside of a convenience store. Dev acted on his natural instinct to try and deescalate the situation...The group remained on site to ensure that the police and ambulance arrived. There are no heroes in this situation and sadly this specific incident highlights a larger systemic issue of marginalized members of society not being treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.”
---------------------------------
HINDUSTAN TIMES (August 4, 2022)
Actor Dev Patel is being lauded for successfully stopping a knife fight in Adelaide, Australia. His representative confirmed the news in a statement to Variety.
According to Australia’s 7News, a man and a woman were fighting in the street outside a convenience store when the man was stabbed in the chest. He is said to have survived.
“In Adelaide, Dev Patel and his friends witnessed a violent altercation outside of a convenience store,” the actor’s representative said, adding, “He acted on his natural instinct to try and de-escalate the situation and break up the fight. The group was successful in doing so and remained on site to ensure that the police and the ambulance arrived.”
The statement from Patel’s team stressed that “there are no heroes in this situation and sadly this specific incident highlights a larger systemic issue of marginalised members of society not being treated with the dignity and respect they deserve”.
“The hope is that the same level of media attention this story is receiving (solely because Dev, as a famous person, was involved) can be a catalyst for lawmakers to be compassionate in determining long-term solutions to help not only the individuals who were involved but the community at large,” the statement said.
Patel, who’s starred in films including Slumdog Millionaire (2008) and Lion (2016), has been on a brief hiatus since playing the lead in The Green Knight (2021). He has projects such as Monkey Man and The Wonderful Story Of Henry Sugar in the pipeline.
The exposure that Monkey Man will give me is going to be like nothing before-Sikandar Kher
8:36 AM
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 13, 2022)
Apart from inclusivity, diversity and equal representation of communities and races in Hollywood, the conversation about the need for Asian writers to write Asian characters for a realistic depiction of the community has gained ground.
However, actor Sikandar Kher, who is all set to make his Hollywood debut with Monkey Man, a thriller directed by the BAFTA Award-winning actor Dev Patel, believes, “It doesn’t really matter where the writer is from. Hollywood, much like Bollywood, has brilliant writers. If you want a certain kind of point of view for a character or want someone with more knowledge about a subject, then that’s a separate conversation.”
But the Aarya actor notes that film industries across the globe have become a level playing field: “Today, it’s all about diversity and inclusivity, everywhere, unlike before. You’ve got Parasite (2019), a Korean film that won the Academy Award for Best Picture. So, if a film is good, people will watch it.”
On a parting note, the 40-year-old says he looks forward to showcasing his work to a new audience: “The exposure that the film will give me is going to be like nothing before. The West is a different market altogether.”
Coronavirus third wave: After star-studded months, Delhi’s shoot calendar wiped clean
8:22 AM
Showbiz was in overdrive in the last few months, but shoots have come to a grinding halt amid rising cases, especially in NCR
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; January 10, 2022)
In the last few months, Delhi saw over 10 projects being shot and many big stars were flying in and out of NCR. Now, with the third wave of Coronavirus well on its way and a steep rise in cases, things have changed overnight. This month, a number of major films were supposed to be shot in Delhi, but now they are either on hold or planning to shift locations. Line producers in states like Punjab and Uttarakhand say that some projects have shifted there from Delhi and Mumbai and more might follow suit.
Not just Bollywood, film producers say that India has lost out on several international projects also in the last two years due to COVID.
SEVERAL BIG PROJECTS ON HOLD AMID THE THIRD WAVE
Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Kartik Aaryan, Alia Bhatt and many other celebs have filmed in NCR in the last two-three months. This month, Salman Khan and Parineeti Chopra and others were expected to shoot in Delhi, but now the projects are on pause.
Line producer Ravi Sarin says, “Sooraj Barjatya’s Uunchai (starring Parineeti Chopra, Amitabh Bachchan) was expected to begin its Delhi schedule this month, as was Salman Khan’s Tiger 3, but both have been postponed. There was a big web series which was to be shot in Delhi, but due to night curfew, weekend curfew, and gathering limit, it has been relocated to Punjab.”
Sriram Raghvan’s upcoming film (titled Merry Christmas and starring Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi) was to start shooting in Delhi soon, as well as Action Hero (starring Ayushmann Khurrana); both have been rescheduled. Line producer Javed adds, “There were several web series and films scheduled for now and the impact of the third wave is visible. Currently in NCR, Noida has relatively less strict rules, but navigating around night curfew is an issue.”
Shoots in other parts of the country have been affected as well. Gynandera Singh, a line producer, who handles projects in Uttar Pradesh, says, “Currently in UP, only two-three projects are being shot in and around Lucknow. A couple of projects are scheduled for next month, however, it will depend upon restrictions.”
An industry source adds, “Shooting of several projects in Mumbai were recently halted because crew members tested positive.”
There were several projects scheduled to be shot in the northeast. Line producer James Handique says, “A Bollywood film was scheduled to shoot in Meghalaya and Assam in January-February, but it has been postponed. Another film from the south was expected to shoot in Arunachal Pradesh and action sequences were planned, but that has also been postponed.”
SHOOTS ARE BEING RELOCATED TO PUNJAB AND UTTARAKHAND
Nitin Pundir, a line producer who handles projects in Uttarakhand, says, “Currently, two web series are being filmed in Uttarakhand, one starring Himansh Kohli. We also got to know that several big projects are relocating to Uttarakhand. During the first wave, after film shoots in many places were cancelled, shoots shifted to Uttarakhand, and it is likely to happen this time also.”
Manish Walia, a line producer who handles film shoots in Chandigarh and the rest of Punjab, says, “As of now, there are no restrictions on film shoots in Chandigarh and the rest of Punjab. In fact, a big film director is currently shooting in Chandigarh. However, there is a lot of uncertainty. We got to know that some projects have relocated to Punjab from Delhi, Mumbai and more will follow, but things can change any minute. Diljeet Dosanjh will be shooting for his film in Amritsar in January end. Till now that project is still on.”
INDIANA JONES 5, SHANTARAM AMONG SHOOTS THAT INDIA MISSED OUT ON AMID THE PANDEMIC
The pandemic has affected multiple foreign projects which were scheduled to be shot in India. Producer Dileep Singh Rathore says, “We did location scouting for Indiana Jones 5 and it was to be shot in Jaipur, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur. The film was to come to India at the end of 2020 and shoot till late 2021. However, it was halted due to the second wave and eventually, the location was moved to Morocco. It was a huge loss for those in India who were supposed to work on it.”
He adds that several other international projects are considering shooting in India, but the final outcome will depend on the Coronavirus situation.
Indian producers of foreign projects say that in countries like Italy, films were shot despite a high number of cases, but the same model can’t be replicated in India. Producer Pravesh Sahni says, “A seven-day mandatory home quarantine for all overseas travellers has been announced recently. Even earlier our quarantine rules were quite strict. If a foreign actor is coming to India for a shoot, they will not spend seven days in quarantine. Foreign crew members and actors are ready to get tested as many times as needed, but they don’t want to quarantine.”
Talking about projects that moved out of the country, he says, “A major project which couldn’t be shot in India was Shantaram. We created sets in Bhopal and the team was supposed to come to India in 2020. Now the series has shifted to Australia, and they made sets to show India. Dev Patel’s film, which was to be filmed in Mumbai, shifted to Indonesia and Shekhar Kapur’s What’s Love Got to Do With It, which was to be filmed in Delhi and Amritsar, has also relocated.”
Sikandar Kher gains 12 kilos for Dev Patel's Monkey Man
8:50 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 1, 2021)
Set to feature in Dev Patel’s directorial venture, the Hollywood film, Monkey Man, Sikandar Kher is en-route to gaining 12 kilos. The actor acknowledges that in an industry that considers physical appearance to be of primary importance, willingly going out of shape can be a daunting task.
“However, Monkey Man is the biggest opportunity that has been given to me. It is a step forward in reaching out to a new audience. I wanted to give it my all. The film requires me to have a bulky figure, and I have worked hard to alter my structure to suit the role. Life has thrown this huge opportunity at me, and I am working hard to stay true to the character,” says the actor, adding that he has always paid heed to his appearances in cinema.
“I try to look, think, and act like my characters. It won’t be wrong to say that I like to get under the skin of every character. The change is a gradual process, but I feel confident enough to tell you now that my part in Monkey Man is [the person] that I am, at the moment,” says Kher, adding that he went on a calorie-surplus diet, and trained to achieve the required frame.
The action thriller has been written by Paul Angunawela, and John Collee, along with Patel.
There are some casting directors who look out for you. Seher Aly Latif did that for me-Sikandar Kher
8:16 AM
Sikandar Kher dedicates his role in Dev Patel’s Monkey Man to the late casting director
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 7, 2021)
Hollywood and its rigorous casting processes may be tough to crack, but Sikandar Kher is all set to make his international debut with Monkey Man, which marks the directorial debut of Brit actor Dev Patel.
For Kher, who auditioned for the role five years back, the stint is a tribute to Seher Aly Latif. The casting director-producer, 40, who was battling kidney issues, breathed her last on June 7 after a cardiac arrest. “There are some casting directors who look out for you. Seher did that for me. I have [often] gone for auditions in her office and have wonderful memories of her.”
Kher says that if it weren’t for Latif, he would have never found his big break. “No one would have known about me, if not for her. She played a huge role in making my [career]. Seher introduced me to Dev and pushed him to consider me [for the role]. I owe everything to Seher.”
As an actor, I think what works for me is my love for risk taking-Sobhita Dhulipala
8:19 AM
Sobhita Dhulipala, who recently shot for Dev Patel’s Hollywood directorial debut, says this “is the greatest era for potent crossovers in all fields”
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 17, 2021)
She has a Malayalam film, a Telugu-Hindi bilingual movie, a Tamil magnum opus, a Hindi film and the second season of an OTT show up and coming, but that is not all for Sobhita Dhulipala. “I worked my lungs out for years to be worthy of these opportunities and now that I am here, I choose to pour my blood and soul into it,” says the actor revealing that Hollywood was always on her mind. And, now, we have learnt that she is starring in the Hollywood actor, Dev Patel’s debut directorial, Monkey Man.
“I am happiest when I am creative and this is a very special and passionately made project. As an actor, I think what works for me is my love for risk-taking,” she says.
Talking about the project, Dhulipala reveals, “I had auditioned for it almost five years ago and I got a call back in a few days for a screen test with Dev. I remember, it was on the day I was leaving for the Cannes Film festival with my first film Raman Raghav 2.0 (2016). All these years later and many turns in the journey of the film and our individual lives later, looks like we belonged with each other all along. What appealed to me about the project is that it’s a collaborative spirit, a young and rather eccentric approach to the story and most certainly the people involved.”
With the Coronavirus pandemic last year, the Made In Heaven actor shot for Monkey Man in Indonesia for four months. She states, it was “incredibly wholesome and introspective”. She adds, “Last year was the closest I have been to my own self, my family and my pursuits. I shot for Monkey Man during a global health crisis, which has its share of inconveniences but that aside, I didn’t find my journey during the film particularly challenging or difficult.”
With a number of Indian actors making their presence felt globally, ask her if expectations are a concern and she replies: “It is the greatest era for potent crossovers in all fields. I am too much of a wayfarer to feel bogged down by expectations on any front. It’s a short, short life. Gratitude and passion will light my path,” she concludes.
My friends used to send the notes over WhatsApp if I am shooting during school time-Sunny Pawar
8:25 AM
As his latest release Chippa drops online, Lion discovery Sunny Pawar discusses juggling thriving film career and studies
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 12, 2020)
The most striking memory we have of Sunny Pawar is his endearing recreation of the Lion King scene at the 2017 Academy Awards with host Jimmy Kimmel. The child actor, now 11, is grabbing eyeballs again with his performance in Chippa, which dropped on Netflix."The best part about Lion [2016] and Chippa was that I could travel to the international film festivals and meet renowned celebrities. Shooting for Chippa in Kolkata was a novel experience, even though it was my second time in the city. It is pulsating with tradition and rich culture," marvels Pawar, who gorged on Kolkata's famous street food.
Pawar's life has witnessed a turnaround post the Oscar-nominated film. With his father who doubles up as his manager, he sifts through the offers carefully, and has so far been part of Sacred Games, the Marathi film Aa Bb Kk and the short film, To Remember Me By. Even though he considers himself "blessed" to have got such exposure at an early age, juggling films and school is not easy. "Most shoots were scheduled during my vacations. On the rare occasion that I would be required to shoot during the semester, the director used to provide a letter to the school for permission. My friends used to send the notes over WhatsApp. When I would resume school, I used to work doubly hard to catch up on my studies."
Four years since Lion, he rues that he has lost touch with co-stars Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman. "Dev and Nicole were nice to me during every interaction. After Lion, I haven't been able to connect with them regularly. I look forward to working with them again in the near future."
Dev Patel comes to Mumbai for recce and research on his directorial debut
8:09 AM
Oscar-nominated actor is in the city for recce and research on his directorial debut, a revenge-thriller set in modern-day India
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 22, 2020)
After Christopher Nolan, Robert Pattinson, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Game of Thrones stars Emilia Clarke and Rose Leslie and American actress Andie MacDowell, another Hollywood actor, Dev Patel, is in India. According to a source, the 29-year-old actor is in Mumbai on a work trip for about 10 days. “Dev is keeping a low profile as he is here for recce and research for his directorial debut, the tentatively-titled Monkey Man. He is also meeting producers to explore potential collaborations,” informed the source.
Co-written with Paul Angunawela and John Collee, Monkey Man is reportedly a revenge-thriller set in modern-day India and deals with mythology. According to Variety, it revolves around the Kid (played by Dev), who emerges from prison to enter a world marred by “corporate greed and eroding spiritual values”.
Mithun Chakraborty’s youngest son, Namashi, who makes his Bollywood debut with Rajkumar Santoshi’s Bad Boy, ran into the Oscar-nominated actor at a suburban restaurant over the weekend. “I was having dinner with Amrin (Qureshi, co-star) and stylist Priyanka Mishra when I spotted Dev. As I am a fan, I went up to him and asked for a picture. He graciously obliged. When I told him that I am an actor as well and that my film is releasing soon, he wished me luck,” Namashi said.In 2016, Dev filmed Hotel Mumbai near a SoBo college. The film released in India in November 2019 and also featured Armie Hammer, Nazanin Boniadi and Anupam Kher. It revolved around the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai.
Hotel Mumbai was a story worth telling, since in many parts of the world, it remains forgotten-Anthony Maras
8:07 AM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; November 29, 2019)
Australian director Anthony Maras, whose film Hotel Mumbai is based on the 26/11 terror attacks on Mumbai, tells BT why he thinks it was a story worth retelling. Excerpts from a chat...
Hotel Mumbai was always bound to be a difficult watch, as it reopens old wounds. Why would people, especially those in Mumbai, want to revisit a tragedy they have struggled to overcome? Did this thought cross your mind while making the film?
The survivors and martyrs of 26/11 showed extraordinary courage and selflessness in the darkest of times. You had regular everyday people from all walks of life, from all parts of the world and from all races, religions and social classes risking their own lives to save one another. I feel theirs is a story worth telling, especially since in many parts of the world, it remains unknown or forgotten.
Why did you choose Dev Patel in particular to play Arjun? He is predominantly a British actor. Did you at least initially think of casting a local Indian actor instead?
Words cannot describe what a fulfilling creative experience it was to work with Dev Patel, and to watch him breathe life into the character. From our first meeting, I felt that he had all the qualities needed for this most delicate role. I am extremely proud of his work and of all the cast we have bought together for Hotel Mumbai — including the many local Indian actors, including Anupam Kher, the four actors who played the terrorists, Adithi Kalkunte, who played Arjun’s wife, and Nagesh Bhosle and Vitthal Kale, who played the heroic police officers who mounted a rescue attempt.
As an Australian filmmaker, how difficult was it for you to get the facts and nuances right of a film, which is based on the events that occurred in Mumbai? What were the prep and research like?
We did extensive research over a year-long period, to try and understand the many and varied complexities and perspectives of this attack. Together with my team, I interviewed dozens of survivors in India and across the world, including hotel guests, staff members, security force personnel and police. We pored over thousands of pages of evidence from Ajmal Kasab’s (terrorist) trial, including witness statements, confessions and transcripts of satellite communications between the terrorists and their handlers. We also interviewed Kasab’s lawyer for further insight. We stayed at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel for over a month, interviewing staff members and walking the same corridors, kitchens and hallways where the tragic events took place. We nurtured a strong collaboration over four years with our Indian production partners, to do all we could to ensure authenticity on all fronts. We did this out of respect to the story, and out of a sense of immense responsibilities to all those affected.
The film very briefly shows a different side of the terrorists, their realisation of being used as pawns. Was that an attempt to empathise with them and was it necessary to include this in the film?
The terrorists who carried out 26/11 did not show up out of nowhere. They were recruited from hundreds of initial prospects and underwent systematic training and brainwashing. To understand what drove these young men is essential to understanding a key reality of the attacks, and in no way justifies their actions.
Has any portion of the film been actually shot at the Taj hotel?
Wherever possible, we shot on location — such as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, behind St. Xavier’s College where Hemant Karkare (the late chief of Mumbai’s Anti-Terrorism Squad) and his men were ambushed, and the Colaba Fishing Village, where the gunmen first arrived. Shooting in the interiors of the Taj was never a possibility given that it is a functional hotel. However, we shot in the exterior of the hotel and its surrounding streets.
Misconceptions around Sikh community post 9/11 promoted Dev Patel to play a sardar in Hotel Mumbai
7:41 AM
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 25, 2019)
The British-Indian actor Dev Patel’s next outing is in Hotel Mumbai, a realistic movie based on the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai. The film is a rendition of the series of events from the terror attacks, focusing on the extraordinary courage that people showed that day while trying to stand up for each other. The films depicts stories about the staff members of a luxury hotel, who saved many lives due to their swift action and presence of mind at the time of the brutal terrorist attacks. Dev, who plays a Sikh in the film, is modelled on a few staff members from the hotel.
Interestingly, the actor convinced his director, Anthony Maras to make his character a Sikh in the film. A source says, “Dev’s insistence stemmed from the fact that post 9/11, Sikhs were often misunderstood. So, with the film, he wanted to bring forth a licit representation of the community on screen. Growing up as an Indian in a post 9/11 world, Dev is aware of the glares that South Asians receive, which stems from lack of knowledge about their cultures. The film attempts to change that. There’s a striking scene where Dev reiterates the importance of wearing a turban for their community. Dev was insistent that the story be retained as it adds nuances.”
Dev explains, “I wasn’t on for the film initially, and I was just meeting Anthony to know more about my role. When I met him, it turned into a seven-hour long session. We spoke in detail about the film, the incident, and that’s when I told him to make my part Sikh. Having seen how the world treated turbaned men with beard after 9/11, I needed to help eradicate these prejudices. That’s why it felt important to make this part Sikh.”
Dev Patel and I became each other’s emotional support-Anupam Kher
7:40 AM
Kavita Awaasthi (HNDUSTAN TIMES; November 21, 2019)
Actor Anupam Kher is ecstatic that the 501st movie of his career is Hotel Mumbai — a film that celebrates real-life heroes of the 26/11 terror attacks in the city. “In today’s tech-driven world, we are losing out on human emotions. This film taught me to have compassion for unknown people. We are on an online pursuit constantly, losing out on humanity. We are apprehensive about strangers, we don’t trust people. The film taught me that one should be courageous. It’s important to be compassionate,” opines the 64-year-old.
Initially, Kher was sceptical about doing the film, as earlier offerings on this subject, were “bad”, according to the actor. Director Anthony Maras is a “sensible, compassionate man, who has research for the film”, feels Kher, saying, “While he was telling a tale of terrorism, he was talking about the courage of ordinary people. That aspect hooked me and I wanted to be a part of this film. We did workshops where he wanted us to feel what people must have gone through while they’re trapped in the hotel. To evoke emotions, he showed us real footage of the shoot, and would play sounds of gun shots without warning. Shooting for the film was mentally, emotionally and physically exhausting.”
Kher enjoyed working with Hollywood actors Dev Patel and Armie Hammer. He says, “Dev is a wonderful boy. After shooting, we would chat and became each other’s emotional support. We became a family.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)