Duo teams up for the first time for a social comedy that kicks off this November and will open on July 9, 2021
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 14, 2020)

After Deepika Padukone, Yami Gautam and Taapsee Pannu, Vikrant Massey is now all set to romance Kriti Kharbanda, in an “incredibly funny love story”, 14 Phere. The actor, who plays a small town boy, Sanjay, in this social comedy which unfolds in North India, says the story by Manoj Kalwani is fresh and answers several pertinent questions. “By the title, one can guess it’s about two weddings involving the same couple which makes it interesting,” he avers.

Vikrant has been prepping for the film for over a month over video calls with director Devanshu Singh and will jump into the shoot after completing two weeks of work on Haseen Dillruba. Point out that he is now getting to romance a new actress in every film and he guffaws, “That’s a good feeling and I’m looking forward to getting to know Kriti better through the making of this film.”

Shariq Patel, producer and CEO, Zee Studios, asserts that 14 Phere is an important film for them as it highlights how, in our country, weddings most often happen between two families and not just two people. “We needed a fresh pairing and are happy to have Vikrant and Kriti on board,” he says.

Meanwhile, Kriti has also started workshops with Devanshu. “I don’t think Aditi’s character works with my voice, so I am working on voice modulation. I like to bring something new to the table with each character and Aditi is today’s girl, with a voice and mind. The lockdown helped me shape the character. I got to stalk new people over the internet and pick up nuances for Aditi. I love her and would myself want to be Aditi after this film,” she laughs. She’s equally excited to work with Vikrant. “We met in March and chatted like we had known each other forever. I am looking forward to sharing the screen with someone who is as enthusiastic as me,” she says.

The film will be shot in Lucknow, Delhi, Jaipur and Mumbai and will go on the floors by November. It is slated to release on July 9, 2021. 

Writer-director duo Devanshu, Sudhanshu Singh explain why they retained #MeToo accused Gursimran Khamba's name in Chintu Ka Birthday trailer
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; June 4, 2020)

Back in 2018, the Vinay Pathak and Tillotama Shome starrer, Chintu Ka Birthday was dropped from the MAMI line-up after All India Bakchod (AIB) member Gursimran Khamba was entangled in the #MeToo controversy. However, two years later, the producer has been credited in the trailer of the film. Writer-director duo Devanshu and Satyanshu Singh stand by their final outcome. Satyanshu says, "Even when our film was suffering, we opted to stand by the movement by not claiming the film."

He adds that they didn't dispute MAMI's decision in 2018. "Considering we haven't spoken against MAMI's decision, means that we are supportive of the movement."

On probing further about acknowledging Khamba in the trailer credits, Satyanshu believes it is only "fair". "When this film was dropped, family members and friends were heartbroken. They wanted us to fight [for the film], but we maintained our silence. There is enough precedent in the past, where people in the wrong have [moved on] and done their thing. Khamba is a friend and I know the truth better than most people. I believe it is a fair credit," insists Satyanshu.

After being stuck in the cans for long, the light-hearted family drama, set in Iraq 2004, will finally see a digital release on Zee5. Writer-director duo insist they stuck their neck out for the film because of their faith in the project, they insist. Devanshu says, "It's not over confidence, we believed in the film when we wrote it back in 2007. It has stayed with us for 13 years, so one can imagine how special it is to us. On gauging the reaction of viewers, we agreed that the film is in indeed special. I am glad it is releasing digitally, but as directors, we understand the logistics."

As AIB-produced film is dropped from MAMI, Chintu Ka Birthday directors hope movie will find audience
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; October 10, 2018)

In light of the sexual harassment allegations against All India Bakchod (AIB) member Gursimran Khamba and inaction on part of co-founder Tanmay Bhat, the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) dropped the AIB-produced Chintu Ka Birthday from the line-up of the upcoming edition of the MAMI Film Festival. In its statement, MAMI announced that the decision stemmed from their desire to "find solutions to harassment and sexual misconduct in the workplace".

Directed by Satyanshu and Devanshu Singh, the film marked AIB's foray into feature films and was to premiere at the festival. The decision has understandably evoked mixed feelings in the director duo.

Satyanshu (left) said, "It is unfortunate that our film is suffering. But we need to look at the bigger picture. It's not a time to be angry about it because I believe something big [referring to the #MeToo movement] is going on."

When asked if they plan to appeal to the festival organisers to reconsider the matter, Devanshu said, "On one hand, we support the movement and my heart goes out to all the victims. But on the other hand, it is our first film. I am too new to know how the industry works." Satyanshu though remains optimistic: "I am sure our film will find an audience."

Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 24, 2014)

"Do ishq ki ijaazat, ilzaam ab hatado... Hum gair hain nahin, Ek baar to jatado..."

(Let love be my right, no longer a crime. Accept us as your own, for cnce atleast)

Satyanshu and Devanshu Singh, the brothers who penned the poems which Rajat Barmecha's character recites in Vikramaditya Motwane's Udaan, are back in the spotlight. But this time with not just a verse in a movie, but a movie.

The duo has directed a five-minute short film, Ishq Ki Ijaazat, which premiered online on Monday.

It revolves around a young lesbian duo, an old gay couple and a transgender with a lover. "We wanted to enter their homes and show the world that they're as normal as the rest of us. My brother had written the poem a while ago which we recently found in his diary. We couldn't get a more relevant topic to underline the discrimination against the LGBT community," says Devanshu.

The duo, being mentored by Vikramaditya Motwane and Anurag Kashyap, approached Huma Qureshi to do the voiceover. "We felt her voice had the right nazakat. We were sure we wanted a female voice for the soulful poem," he explains.

All the artistes and technicians have worked for free. Shekhar Kapur-AR Rahman's company, Qyuki, have produced the film and mobilised support online. "They have given us complete creative freedom as far as the film's content goes," Devanshu added.

What next? "Between Udaan and Ishq Ki Ijaazat, we made a 30-minute short film Tamaash which won the National Award, but nobody had the patience to watch it," he laughs.

"We've now written a script about a couple who despite difficult circumstances, cut a cake on their little boy's birthday. Both Anurag and Vikram have liked it and have asked us to direct. It will be our feature film debut and will be produced under their banner."