Showing posts with label Deven Bhojani. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Deven Bhojani. Show all posts
We wish Satish Shah had been here to receive Padma Shri honour himself-Deven Bhojani
9:09 AM
Hasti Doshi (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 26, 2026)
Actor-director Deven Bhojani has paid a heartfelt tribute to late actor Satish Shah following his posthumous Padma Shri, saying the honour was long overdue but would have been even more meaningful had Shah been alive to receive it.
“Everybody knows Satish Shah was a great actor, but he was also a wonderful human being. He was a gem of a person and incredibly knowledgeable. You could bring up any subject — sports, politics, history, mythology or cinema — and he would always have something insightful and interesting to share,” Bhojani says.
Recalling their time together on Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, which he also directed, he says Shah’s off-screen personality was remarkably similar to his much-loved character, Indravadan Sarabhai. “He was just as mischievous in real life. He loved pulling everyone’s leg,” he says with a smile.
Sharing a fond memory from the sitcom’s shoot, Bhojani recalls that before signing on, Shah had requested to be packed up by 6 pm instead of working the long television shifts that often stretched from 9 am to 9 pm.
“We honoured that and made sure all his scenes were completed before six. But after a few days, once he had bonded with the cast, he would stay back till 9 pm anyway. I would jokingly tell him, ‘Satish ji, your pack-up happened at six. Please go home now because I need to continue shooting.’ He would just laugh and say, ‘You do your job.’”
Speaking about the Padma Shri, Bhojani says the recognition has been welcomed with overwhelming emotion by fans and colleagues alike. “After I shared the ceremony video on social media, so many people wrote that he should have received this honour years ago. We all wish he had been alive to experience this moment himself. It would have given him immense happiness, and all of us too,” he says.
Sarabhai vs Sarabhai team gets emotional as they recall working with Satish Shah
8:18 AM
Komal RJ Panchal, Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; October 26, 2025)
On Saturday afternoon, Hindi cinema lost one of its most spirited and versatile artistes. But to those close to him, Satish Shah was beyond what the audience saw on screen. At 74, he was a whizz-kid, his Sarabhai vs Sarabhai family tells mid-day. Shah passed away due to kidney related issues, his manager Ramesh confirmed with mid-day. The first people in the industry to know about the actor’s demise were his collaborators on Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, the 2004 sitcom that continues to be relevant.
“We were really close. All of us have been in touch with each other for all these years,” shares actor and filmmaker Deven Bhojani as he fights back tears.
Bhojani played the eccentric Dushyant on the show that featured Shah as the family’s patriarch, Indravardhan Sarabhai. A cool husband, a cooler father and the coolest father-in-law, with his signature mischief intact.
Sumeet Raghavan, who played his older son Sahil, says he was all that in real life as well. “He was the real life Indravardhan Sarabhai — a prankster. He used to pull a fast one, and I was his partner-in-crime. He would often tell me, ‘Sumeya, don’t let the child inside you die’. And he made sure that the child in him was always alive,” says Raghavan.
If Indravardhan and Sahil was always a team, his younger son, the poet and mama’s pet Rosesh, was mostly the subject of his shenanigans. Rajesh Kumar, who played Rosesh, is distraught when we reach out to him. “This is the worst hour for me. I still cannot process that Satish ji is no more. It feels like I have lost my father, a man full of life and humour. He made his name and left his mark as an actor,” Kumar says.
Shah enjoyed a prolific career spanning over five decades across films and television. He began his journey in mid-1970s and soon emerged as one of the most reliable actors in any ensemble, infusing energy and presence in characters, length irrespective. The ease with which Shah became one with the world he inhabited on screen, also reflected in his conduct on set. Bhojani, who was one of the directors on Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, recalls Shah’s display of respect for a first-time filmmaker.
“It was my first show as a director and I was a little sceptical thinking whether Satish ji would cooperate with me [or not]. But on the very first day, he made me feel comfortable. Regardless of how young I was, he respected the chair. He would, like a kid, ask me, ‘Is this [take] fine?’”
The void for the Sarabhai unit is not only of the man, they love, but also of the family member, who always surprised them with his knowledge and curiosity. Aatish Kapadia, the writer and co-producer of the show, shares, “He was the eldest, but the youngest. We would say, he’s the child of the group. Have a conversation with him about anything under the sun, and he would give you a [new] insight. To me, he was a whizz-kid,” he says.
At one point, Kapadia remembers Shah’s endearing reaction when he was offered Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. “He said, ‘Oh! Finally, I have to play myself.’ He would say he felt he was on a picnic every time he was shooting Sarabhai. The laughter would be so infectious. To me, he’s in the present. I can’t talk about him in the past tense,” he says.
Deven Bhojani to play male lead in OTT film starring Parineeti Chopra
10:25 AM
Revealing that he is playing the male lead opposite Parineeti Chopra in an OTT film, Deven Bhojani on how he initially judged the actor before warming up to her
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; May 6, 2025)
In February, Parineeti Chopra teased her followers on Instagram by sharing a picture with actor Deven Bhojani. Naturally, it aroused curiosity around the project. Now, months later, we have the answer, and from the horse’s mouth. Talking to mid-day, Bhojani reveals that the two have teamed up for an OTT film, which sees him as the lead opposite Chopra.
Tell him that’s an on-screen couple we didn’t see coming, and the actor elaborates, “We share a different equation in the film. It’s not a hero-heroine equation. But we are playing the two lead characters.”
Recent reports suggested that Chopra was headlining an OTT film helmed by debutant director Dhruv Tripathi. Bhojani is tight-lipped about the director and further details regarding the yet-untitled movie. All he is willing to share is that the film is not a comedy, a genre he has favoured over his 38-year career. That, and about his co-star.
The actor admits that before the film went on floors, he was skeptical about how Chopra would be as a co-actor. “Before the shoot, I wasn’t sure [how things would pan out] because she is a big Bollywood star, and here we were playing the leads in the film. So, I judged her a little before meeting her,” he smiles.
All his doubts, however, went out the window the moment they met. “We gelled from day one. I thought to myself, ‘Yeh toh ekdum cool bandi hai’. She is down-to-earth. We would gossip, laugh out loud, and we helped each other give our best.”
The OTT film comes as the latest addition in Bhojani’s pursuit of web offerings. He has enjoyed a golden run on television not only as an actor, but also as a director — having helmed the much loved shows, Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, and Sumit Sambhal Lega — but he is now single-mindedly focusing on digital entertainment.
The actor reveals that he has another web project in the pipeline. “I am leading a middle-aged love story. OTT creators know my talent and versatility. I am loving dabbling in different genres,” he says.
We would be happy about earning Rs. 35 per show-Deven Bhojani
8:25 AM
Kanksha Vasavada (BOMBAY TIMES; March 28, 2025)
“My life changed when my friend locked me in a room in college, where auditions for an inter-college theatre competition were happening,” says Deven Bhojani, who wanted to become a chartered accountant. The actor, who has done plays in Gujarati, Hindi, and English, adds, “Theatre gave me the exposure I needed and groomed me to become the actor I am today.”
‘We would be happy about earning Rs. 35 per show’
It didn’t take long for Deven to start enjoying doing theatre “more than accountancy.” He says, “I was a quiet and sincere student. But after my first audition (for the role of a lunatic) and calling out our director for his rude behaviour as a part of the act, I was offered a lead role in that play due to my confidence on stage. I started participating in various inter-college drama competitions and won the Best Actor award multiple times. I knew that I would be making a career out of it.”
Deven shares, “I did experimental plays after graduation and remember not being paid for around 40 shows. Then we were paid Rs. 35 per show, and we would be happy about it. Later, I started exploring commercial theatre and did many Gujarati plays. Three plays - Thank you Kokila, Ek Bija Ne Gamta Rahiye and Aavjo Vhala Phari Malishu - remain close to my heart. All these plays were written by Aatish Kapadia and produced by J D Majethia, which strengthened our friendship.”
‘You need to improvise while doing plays’
Talking about theatre being a medium of “constant learning”, Deven shares, “Theatre exposes you to so many aspects of life. Being on stage teaches you spontaneity, improvisation, discipline and being agile. Off stage, you travel to different destinations and are exposed to different kinds of audiences, which grounds you and shapes you as a person.”
He adds, “Every show is different, and it prepares actors for different audience reactions. I have done shows with the audience talking loudly during the play and shows where there was pin-drop silence during a very funny scene. I had to improvise on both occasions. The shows may start late or there may be a technical glitch during the show, but actors have to deal with it. So, theatre is very important for an artiste to grow.”
‘Asking for free passes is disrespectful towards the medium’
Deven agrees not many people are “willing to pay for tickets” for a play. He says, “The return on investment in theatre is way less compared to other mediums. After months of rehearsals and preparations, and even after charging around Rs. 500 to Rs. 700 per ticket, it gets difficult to earn what you spend. So, the pay is less too. There are people who ask for free passes, which is disrespectful towards the artistes and the medium.”
He adds, “Despite all these challenges, watching an actor performing live is an altogether different feeling. Even if you see big stars on screen, it doesn’t match the excitement of watching them performing live.”
Talking about the difference in theatre back in his days versus ow, Deven says, "When we did theatre, we had to be loud and touched upon simpler topics. Today, with more exposure, audiences like experimental genres with subtle performances. I am glad that theatre is a medium people want to explore."
Any messages for the youngsters? Deven says, "Youth today need to find their own talent, rather than running behind fame and fortune. I see many youngsters attending theatre workshops, as they feel ‘it will help us be famous’, which is not what theatre is for. If you truly aim to become an actor, these are the last things you aim for."
I feel really good, says Deven Bhojani on Dushyant-Mircosoft memes
8:05 AM
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 23, 2024)
When the Microsoft outage brought the world to a standstill, Deven Bhojani’s tech-obsessed character Dushyant’s catchphrase “I’ll explain” from Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, became fodder for memers. Ask the actor-director how does it feel seeing his character be used for memes and he shares, “It felt good. As an actor, all my characters have become popular.”
This isn’t the first time that Dushyant memes have taken over the internet. He shares, “Last year, after the release of Oppenheimer, people made memes which said, ‘Only Dushyant can interpret the film Nolan conceived it to be’. After the budget was announced, memes like ‘Only Dushyant can explain Nirmala Sitharamam’s budget to public’ surfaced.”
With the show still receiving a lot of love, are there plan for season three and he says, “After the first season, people asked for season two. Producers J D Majethia and Aatish Kapadia and I eventually did make it, which was successful, but only to an extent. We set the bar too high and we’ve mutually decided that we’ll only work on a third season if we have an idea we are 110% sure will be loved by the audience.”
The 54-year-old feels there is a degradation in the level of Indian sitcoms over the years and explains, “We used to put out an episode once or twice a week. As creators and actors we had time for rehearsals and workshops. We had that kind of luxury. Now, we have daily comedies. It’s a challenge with no time to prepare. Quality is suffering.”
He also feels the art of family comedies has been lost with time: “There are successful weekly comedies, but they deal with a different kind of humour and have a different audience.”
I cannot use past tense for Vaibhavi Upadhyaya-Aatish Kapadia
9:45 AM
The cast of Sarabhai vs Sarabhai remembers the late actor’s confidence, friendly nature, and effortless portrayal of Jasmine
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; May 25, 2023)
While the second season of the cult show Sarabhai vs Sarabhai didn’t garner as much love as the first instalment, one character managed to stand out: Jasmine, played by Vaibhavi Upadhyaya, Khot nath kehti. On Tuesday, Upadhyay died in a road accident in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district while travelling with her fiance.
Mourning her untimely death, Rajesh Kumar, who played Rosesh in the popular show, said, “She was a mountain girl, although she is from Mumbai. I realised we had common friends after I met her on set. She had some of the toughest tongue-twisters in her dialogues, but Vabhavi would know them by heart after one glance and perform with absolute confidence. She had a photographic memory. Off camera, she loved listening to PJs; humour was her strong point.”
Sharing that she had a “girl crush” on Upadhyay, co-star Aishwarya Sakhuja shares that she knew of the actor through her actor-husband Rohit Nag. “I found her super attractive. I would always tell Rohit that she was my girl crush. The little interaction I had with her intimidated me, especially after I saw her craft. Vaibhavi was intelligent and well-informed; you could speak with her about anything under the sun and she would have an input. I [will always] remember her as this beautiful, vibrant person.”
Director-actor Deven Bhojani who had the pleasure of directing Upadhyay said, “Not a lot of people could do justice to the character of Jasmine the way she did”. “After a lot of auditions, we unanimously found our Jasmine in Vaibhavi. Any new actor joining the set would find it difficult, but Vaibhavi was friendly from the get-go. She was a brilliant actor who made my job as a director easy. She was confident, polite, humble, and ready to learn. She understood my need for reactions and gave me exactly what I was looking for [in a scene]. Maya Sarabhai [played by Ratna Pathak Shah] says this dialogue: ‘Yeh sochti Gujarati mein hai, translate Hindi mein karti hai, and bolti English mein hai.” And that is exactly what Vaibhavi was doing. She justified the character so well that Jasmine became one of the major highlights of season two,” said Bhojani, who played Dushyant in the sitcom.
“I cannot use the past tense for her,” says writer-director-actor Aatish Kapadia, who had initially noticed Upadhyay in another audition. “I was mesmerized by her performance. The élan and confidence with which she performed stayed in my mind, but the show never got made. When we were [casting actors] for the character of Jasmine, she was my first choice. We had some great scenes together. She was confident enough to stand up to goliath actors including Satish Shah, Rupali Ganguly, Ratna Pathak Shah, Sumeet Raghavan, and Rajesh Kumar. There cannot be another Jasmine.”
Aatish Kapadia, Aishwarya Sakhuja, Rajesh Kumar and Deven Bhojani
I kept forgetting my lines and couldn’t focus-Deven Bhojani
8:12 AM
Actor and director Deven Bhojani on returning to the sets of his ongoing television show Bhakharvadi and the new normal of shooting
As told to Kunal Guha (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 28, 2020)
Ever since the lockdown, I had not stepped out of my 14th floor apartment in Kandivali. Someone had told my wife that those who are overweight need to be extra cautious during the Coronavirus pandemic and she just would not let me go anywhere.
Having been in complete isolation until recently, you can imagine the concerns I had before returning to the shoot this Friday. I was worried and skeptical that not everyone would be as serious about social distancing. But the show’s producer J D Majethia took me through the arrangements, which included standard measures including the installation of foot-operated sanitiser pumps and wash basins for hand washing and having a nurse on set to monitor body temperatures. The entire unit was equipped with PPE kits, masks and gloves and J D came up with the idea of ensuring that everyone on set held an umbrella to ensure social distancing. Despite all these efforts, I am glad the production accepted my request to have a mock shoot a day in advance to crease out possible issues that may arise while shooting.
An obvious yet critical concern that surfaced during this mock shoot is‘where does one place one’s mask just before facing the camera?’ The solution was to keep it in a folder in one’s makeup kit, thus ensuring no one touches it. As an actor, it was tough to focus on work and initially, I was forgetting my lines for the first time in my career. I felt my focus was being swayed each time I noticed anyone touching anything on set. It all felt like a bad dream. During the shoot, characters were positioned at a distance and physical touch was avoided as much as possible.
A couple of network representatives were present on set too to ensure that safety precautions were taken and to call out those who unknowingly flouted rules. Even I am doing my bit to limit physical interaction. I have learnt to do my own makeup during the lockdown so now I not only do my own make up but also carry the kit around for a final touch-up before the shot.
Since my character on the show has a moustache, I grew one during the lockdown and even got rid of the wig, since it would mean that someone would have to help me with it. I have been managing costume changes (my character has 5-7 changes in every shoot) on my own. This includes wearing a dhoti as well. I have requested the costume department to leave my costume in my make up room a day in advance and my room is sanitised and equipped with water bottles only after the day’s shoot is complete. This ensures that no one has to enter my room when I am on set. We are also getting the bed sheets, curtains and cushion covers sent to the laundry a day in advance.
Scripts are also accommodating the current scenario. So while earlier we have had scenes featuring 12-14 characters at times, now most do not exceed 2 to 3 in a frame. Since the number of crew members were reduced keep up with suggested norms, the day’s output is lower than usual. But to meet telecast deadlines, screenplays are planned in such a way that we get to shoot a lot more double units which basically means shooting more than a scene simultaneously with fewer characters and small units. Of course, all this has to be accomplished without compromising on creativity, logic and entertainment quotient.
On set, I found myself dabbing sanitiser on every surface I touched, from props and furniture to my makeup kit. I even sprayed the chairs before sitting on them and also sanitized the microphone before I pinned it on. Even the lunch break was staggered in small groups, and we ate sitting separately. Instead of the usual buffet, separate boxes were provided. I missed lunching with my friends on set, and it was a bit weird sitting at a distance even while doing gupshup, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. I have also swapped the multiple cups of chai I have on set with kaadha which my wife made with turmeric, ginger and lemon. I also washed my own utensils (cups, glasses, bowls, tiffin box) and by the end of the day, I felt really knackered. I really wish this ‘new normal’ returns to the ‘original normal’ at the earliest.
Television shoots finally roll with spot boys in PPE suits and actors in slippers provided on set
8:49 AM
The crew on the Umbergaon set of RadhaKrishn
As the TV industry returns to work after three months, mid-day brings dope from sets of Bhakarwadi, Santoshi Maa Sunaye Vrat Kathayein, RadhaKrishn about shooting in the post-Coronavirus world
Mohar Basu, Uma Ramasubramanian, Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; June 26, 2020)
On Thursday, actor-producer J D Majethia drove down to the all-familiar set of Bhakarwadi in Mira Road after 100 days. The joy of returning to work was tinged with an unusual sense of caution. Majethia — who, as the chairman of the TV & web wing of the Indian Film & Television Producers' Council (IFTPC), played an active role in enabling television producers to resume shooting — arrived on the set, with Deven Bhojani, an hour before the cast and crew to ensure the shoot kicked off on the right foot.
Day One began with the producer reiterating the guidelines to the team. Majethia had called only 30 per cent of the original crew, comprising actors Bhojani, Akshay Kelkar, Akshita Mudgal and Paresh Ganatra, and a handful of technicians. As a safety measure, the studio had lockers installed at the entrance. "Before they enter the set, they have to remove their footwear and wear the pair of slippers provided by us. We have provided umbrellas that everybody walks around with, thereby ensuring that social distancing is followed. We have marked everyone's position, and the actors and technicians have to sit in the designated areas. As per the guidelines, we also have a nurse on the set who checked everyone's temperature before letting them in," explains Majethia. While the actors had to mandatorily wear masks and gloves when not filming a scene, the technicians sported them all day long. The handful of spot boys present on the set wore PPE kits provided by the production house.
A quick look at the set revealed posters reminding one of the threat of the virus that looms large. "We have introduced a concept called share a sanitiser. Earlier, people would share gutkha, and smoke on sets. Now, we have banned them; they are only allowed to share sanitisers," adds Majethia. At lunch, the unit was served packed food and were required to eat at their designated positions, thus avoiding crowding.
Bhojani reported to the set with complete makeup and in costume. "All our make-up rooms were sanitised before we came in the morning. A make-up kit was delivered to me two days ago, which I promptly sanitised. I have learnt to do make-up during the lockdown. So, we came to the set ready for the camera," he narrates.
Even as they clocked nine hours of work, from 9 am to 6 pm, productivity on the first day was below par. "We did rehearsal, and then shot. The work is definitely slow, as everyone is careful," says Majethia.
Vehicles are fumigated before being allowed on the set
Motley Crew Shoots For Mythological
Miles away, in Umbergaon, actors Sumedh Mudgalkar and Basant Bhatt reprised their roles of Krishn and Balram in Siddharth Kumar Tewary's RadhaKrishn. A source reveals that a 20-member cast and crew was taken to Umbergaon a week ago, following which they practised the mandatory self-quarantine. Two sanitisation tunnels have also been built on the set as a precautionary measure.
Actor Kinshuk Vaidya, who plays Arjun in the mythological show, says, "The producers have looked after every aspect — from calling us a week in advance and keeping us in isolation to having a sanitisation regimen frequently during the day. The moment we are done filming a shot, we are required to sanitise ourselves and wear our masks."
Colors TV's offering Choti Sarrdaarni is expected to roll today while Star TV will take their daily soaps on floors by June 28. Among the shoots that started yesterday also included the Gracy Singh-fronted Santoshi Maa Sunaye Vrat Kathayein. A technician from the crew, on condition of anonymity, reveals that the makers have let go of a chunk of the crew to avoid crowding on sets.
"On the basis of the guidelines, they've decided that some of us are not needed anymore at work. But as daily-wage workers, we are all in a trying situation," he lamented.
Not Just Television
In Versova, actor Adah Sharma ventured out for the shoot of a commercial for a popular coffee brand, accompanied by her make-up artiste and hairstylist. She stuck to the basics, and says they were vigilant to not flout any rules. "My hair and make-up team were given instructions to not touch anything on set. I was conscious to not touch surfaces, and kept washing my hands at frequent intervals. After every scene, I would get back in the vanity van and wash my hands, as did my hair and make-up team."
Still from Bhakarwadi
Vipul Shah announces a slate of new projects
7:30 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (April 26, 2019)
Producer-director Vipul Amrutlal Shah, the man behind films like Aankhen, Waqt, Namastey London, Singh Is Kingg, Holiday, Force 1 and 2, and Commando 1 and 2, is all set to announce multiple projects. The line-up includes four films and two web series, which will be produced under his banner, Blockbuster Movie Entertainers. The projects that will tell diverse stories will be made by filmmakers Sankalp Reddy, Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan, Deven Bhojani and Mozez Singh. The makers have previously directed The Ghazi Attack, Lahore, Commando 2 and Zubaan, respectively. Vipul, too, will direct a movie. His directorial will be a true story that sees him explore a new territory. “All my films have tackled a range of topics. With my new film, I am once again handling a genre that I haven’t explored before. I am excited about it and cannot wait to start working on it,” says Vipul.
While Sankalp’s film revolves around a conspiracy theory about true events that changed Indian history, Sanjay will direct an action thriller. Deven’s movie is an emotional story of a man and a dog. “These films have diverse stories and are made by talented filmmakers, who have unique voices. I look forward to backing these projects” says Vipul.
Apart from this, the filmmaker is backing Commando 3, which has been directed by Aditya Datt. The film was wrapped up recently after schedules in London and Mumbai.
Meanwhile, Vipul is also stepping into the digital space. He is working on a novel by Gujarati writer Harkishan Mehta. The story, set in 1812-1855, is based on the life of notorious thug Amir Ali, who killed 719 people. Mozez Singh will create the other web show, which revolves around the human drug testing menace in the medical world.
After Khichdi and Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai, J D Majethia and Aatish Kapadia reunite for BhakharWadi
3:59 AM
The two are working on a new slice-of-life comedy series that revolves around two warring families
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 3, 2019)
After Khichdi and Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai, J D Majethia and Aatish Kapadia have reunited for another slice-of-life comic television series, titled BhakharWadi. Set in Pune, the show tackles ideological differences between a Marathi and a Gujarati family in a tongue-in-cheek manner.
“Like our previous projects, this one will be in the comic zone too with a social message. After a long time, a television show will ride on a huge ensemble as we have managed to rope in 19 known actors from the Gujarati and Marathi film industries. This show is a New Year gift from us to the audience,” said J D Majethia, who is co-producing BhakharWadi with Aatish.
Shooting for the show, which is fronted by Deven Bhojani, Paresh Ganatra and Jayesh More, kicked off on Wednesday at a suburban city studio. The makers are aiming to take it on air within three months on Sab TV. “The family audience often expects something quirky from us, and we have attempted to meet their expectations,” Aatish explained, adding that they chose the title BhakharWadi as an analogy to encapsulate the tiff between the two families.
While the idea for the story was conceived by Aatish, J D was involved in developing it into a full-fledged screenplay.
Rita Bhaduri passes away at 62, her co-actors remember her fondly
8:10 AM
Reza Noorani (BOMBAY TIMES; July 18, 2018)
A veteran in films and television, actress Rita Bhaduri passed away on Tuesday morning. Last seen on the TV show, Nimki Mukhiya, as the heroine’s grandmother, she is remembered by her co-actors as a positive force on the set and someone who inspired them to work hard. Bhumika Gurung, who plays the protagonist on the show Nimki Mukhiya, recalls, “Since she played a grandmother on the set, all of us started calling her daadi in real life, too. She was like family to us. I recall she would constantly fuss over about my sleeping habits.”
Bhaduri was on a dialysis since a while, yet she reported on the set until her last moment. “We all knew that she was unwell, but she never let it reflect in her performance. When I last spoke to her, I told her that I wanted to visit her, but she insisted that I focus on my shoot. She said, ‘I will meet you on the set and we will shoot together’,” she adds.
Veteran actor Arun Bali, who worked with Rita for seven years on the show, Kumkum, recalls her as someone who was a joy to work with. He says, “Rita ji was a person of the highest calibre. She was such an innocent human being. We worked together and she was such a terrific performer.” Bali also recalls that Rita had hit a rough patch in her life and was helped by CINTAA (Cine & TV Artists Association), however, as soon as she bounced back, she refused to take any further help from the body. In tears, he recalls, “She never accepted any unnecessary obligations from anyone. The world has lost a terrific human being today.”
Actor Sooraj Thapar, who worked with her on Ekk Nayi Pehchaan, says, “She was a one-take artiste. She was very strong and even at her age, she was driven to perform. Besides being a great co-actor, I remember the tasty meals she would cook for all of us and bring it on set. And not just one dabba; she would cook an entire pot-full of food and share it with everyone. It is indeed a sad day for the movie and TV industry.”
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Actors Jitendra Trehan, Neelu Kohli, Shishir Sharma with a friend, Satish Shah, Abhay Bhargav and Jaya Bhattacharya at the funeral, which was held at 12 pm in AndheriJanuary 11, 1951—July 17, 2018
Rita Bhaduri’s friends recount stories of her talent, kindness and rare professionalism in the wake of her demise at age 67 in Mumbai
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 18, 2018)
Veteran actress Rita Bhaduri, who suffered from prolonged renal illnesses, passed away at 67 on Tuesday in Mumbai. “Her health started deteriorating two weeks ago and she succumbed to cardiac arrest,” her niece, Mini, told Mirror.
Anil Kapoor, who worked with the late actress in films like Beta, Ghar Ho Toh Aisa and Virasat, decribed her as “one of the finest talents to come out of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII)”. Shabana Azmi, the actress’s 1973 FTII batchmate, who kept in touch with her through their WhatsApp Group chats, informed that Rita had injured her spine during a shoot a month ago and subsequently contracted an infection for which she had to undergo surgery.
“She was in excruciating pain as she couldn’t be administered strong painkillers due to ongoing dialysis,” said Shabana, adding that their friends called her Tanuja because of her effervescence. “There was something cute and impish about her. She was a good student and had the prettiest face in the class. She was extremely photogenic, but I felt that she didn’t take her talent seriously. As a student, she was happy to be one of the yaars, chewing Paan Bahar and not caring about appearances. Her mother Chandrima Bhaduri, a veteran actress, was ambitious for her but Rita was content with what she had,” she added.
Zarina Wahab, another FTII batchmate and her co-star in the Rajshri film Saawan Ko Aane Do, couldn’t make it to the funeral, which took place at noon on Tuesday, due to work commitments, but promised to attend the chautha. “I had met her last a year ago,” she informed. Meanwhile Poonam Dhillon, who acted with her in the daily soap Ekk Nayi Pehchaan in 2013, recalled how once, Rita wasn’t feeling well but no one knew about it till she fainted. “Later, she admited she didn’t tell anyone as she didn’t want to disrupt the shoot.”
Anant Mahadevan, who worked with the late actress in the 1992 film Kamsin and many TV shows, remembered her as affable and lively yet a thorough professional. “We were frequent co-stars during the golden years of Indian television, our first interaction during a press preview of Phoolan in which she played the lead,” he reminisced.
One of Rita’s more recent colleagues, Juhi Parmar of the 2012 TV show Kumkum — Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan, has fond memories of her Rita maa. “She was such a zindadil, strong woman who brought food for me to take home for months when I didn’t have a cook. Spending time with her at her Lonavla home was one of my best New Year’s Eve memories for me,” she stated.
Rita’s daughter from the show Sunday Ke Sunday, Sadiya Siddiqui, recalls her as a voracious reader. “Her niece and I learnt kathak from the same guru, so I’m close to her family and was very possessive of her,” Sadiya smiled, while Kabir Sadanand, who’d first met Rita while auditioning for the show Thoda Hai Thode Ki Zarurat Hai, described their first meeting as his best day in the industry. “Despite years of theatre experience, I was scared. I reported at work at 7 am with an empty-stomach. She cooked eggs and offered them to me. When I politely refused, she said she was nervous on her first day too and I should toughen up,” he flashbacked.
Sanjay Kapoor shared screen space with Rita in his debut film, Raja, and swore by her screen presence. “The scene where her character has an outburst and she yells at her husband, ‘Kaat Mahindra Pratap kaat’... still gives me goosebumps,” he asserted while Indra Kumar, who directed her in Beta and Raja, remembered her as a “remarkable actor and a great human being”. Her Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa co-star Suchitra Krishnamoorthy described her “as a fine actor and a kind soul”.
Deven Bhojani, who directed her in the hit show Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai, was all praise for her portrayal of Ila bua. “She was fluent in various languages, disciplined and a zero tantrum actress.” Aatish Kapadia, the show’s writer and co-director, informed that she’d played the lead in the first serial he wrote, the 1987 Gujarati show Aagan Tuk. “When we offered her Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai, she came on board without enquiring about the role,” he marvelled while J D Majethia admitted that her character didn’t become as popular as the others but for her work was important. “She was the superstar of several Gujarati hits yet one of the easiest people to work with and a top choices in her age group for all production houses,” he stated. Aatish and Rita reunited for another show. “She’d hang around after packup to chat with me,” he smiled at the memory.
Rubina Dilaik was heart-broken she couldn’t meet the lady who’d feed the Chhoti Bahu unit dhoklas every month one last time. “We were planning to but couldn’t due to our schedule,”she rued.
Gulshan Grover, who studied alongside Anil Kapoor at Roshan Taneja’s acting school, recounted a lesser known facet from his senior. “She touched my heart with one of her improvisations in class, playing a Gujarati girl who would stop at a Malabari shop every day for bread and eggs. Salim Ghouse played the Malabari man and their romance was beautiful and tender, so unlike the usual hero-heroine love story,” he sighed.
Zama Habib, producer of Rita’s last show, Nimki Mukhiya, informed that she had not been shooting since the last 20 days due to the health issues. “She requested that we replace her but I refused to comply. I didn’t know she would never come back,” the maker signed off emotionally.
Reeta Bhaduri’s alma mater FTII paid tribute with a screening of the student film Safar, in which she featured with Tom Alter. “Students, staff and teachers stood in silence in her memory... It was the last film for both. Rita Bhaduri acted in over 70 films and around 30 TV serials,” it shared on Twitter
Sarabhai vs Sarabhai goes risqué?
7:54 AM
Aatish Kapadia, writer-maker of cult show, says he wouldn’t ever cross the line despite greater creative freedom that the Internet allows
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; May 8, 2017)
From television to the web, Aatish Kapadia and J D Majethia’s Sarabhai vs Sarabhai has come a long way. Fans are thrilled that the cult show is back for consumption after 12 years. In the promo shown to mediapersons last week, the characters — Indravadan, Maya, Rosesh, Sahil and Monisha — were seen trying to clean their house. Asked why, Sahil says, “Because we are a clean show”.
However, a few other lines in the video made us wonder if the makers have incorporated more sexual humour than before. Aatish says, “If you remember the earlier TV episodes, we had Go-go girls dancing, spoke about erectile dysfunction and what not. We did that earlier on TV and are now doing it on Hotstar. A lot of people told me that since the show will be digital, we have creative license. [But] We don’t need it, because we are not going to use cuss words. I don’t feel the need. It is funny for 16-year-olds.”
But will the adult humour be on par with what sex comedies these days offer? “In India, filmmakers don’t know what sex comedy means. What they show is ribald, college level humour. Sex comedy is not about eyeing the other man’s wife. That’s why in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, we spoke about erectile dysfunction, where a woman is telling her mother-in-law that her husband comes home tired every day. I didn’t use the word sex, but it is all there. The things, which we explored 12 years ago, I am doing with a little more ease now. I have never bothered about what people will say because I am not crossing a line,” he reasons.
Sumeet Raghavan, who plays Dr Sahil Sarabhai on the show, claims the content has been created in a tasteful manner. “We have dealt with taboo topics in the past. In one episode, the discussion was centered on my character’s so-called erectile dysfunction. Dushyant’s [Deven Bhojani] pants drop on seeing Go-go girls. And we have not taken any liberty because we are on a digital platform. We have subtly touched on topics, unlike most other shows,” he says.
Laughter Challenge used to get a TRP of 7 then while Sarabhai vs Sarabhai was at 1-Aatish Kapadia
7:49 AM
Sarabhai VS Sarabhai, the sitcom that redefined comedy in spite of low ratings, returns to a new screen
Kunal Guha (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 7, 2017)
As we enter the Mira Road
studio where the iconic show is being filmed, we notice that the
matriarch of TV's most loved family is at the end of her tether. An
incident has pushed her to consider leaving home. But as she barges out,
bag and baggage in tow, she stumbles upon the clutter her bahu has left
on the floor. “Monisha, tum iss ghar ko jaise rakhti ho, iss ghar ko
tumhe chodke chale jaana chahiye,“ she notes sarcastically. The director
interrupts, “Can you turn once after you complete the line?“ As she
obliges and berates her daughter-in-law with renewed enthusiasm, you're
reminded that this isn't the usual saas bahu fare. Sarabhai VS Sarabhai,
Indian television's classiest comedy, is back after a hiatus of 12
years and Mumbai Mirror dropped in on the sets to catch them as they
prepare for a new season which premieres on May 16.
The show's producer, J D Majethia ushers us to 'Maya's bedroom' - a tastefully furnished space. “We scoped through 20 shooting floors and changed three set designers to ensure we got the look right,“ says Majethia. Since Omung Kumar, who designed the previous set, was busy directing Sanjay Dutt's comeback, they had to contend with Varsha Jain, credited for designing the set for the musical Beauty and the Beast. The decision to return, Majethia tells us, germinated on June 29, 2016, when the team met at actor Satish Shah's house for a party. Discussing their popular sitcom was routine. But on this occasion, when Majethia suggested a comeback, the team agreed. A group photo was tweeted with the announcement that the “Sarabhai family is planning something“ and it broke the internet. “It was amongst the 50 best shows on IMDB, surpassing even Friends once,“ prides Majethia.
At this point, the show's writer, co-director and co-producer Aatish Kapadia joins us. That the show features a sharp-witted father (Indravadhan), a society doyenne of a mother (Maya), a son who strives to please everyone (Sahil), his dysfunctional brother (Roshesh) and a “middle class“ daughter-in-law (Monisha) is all Kapadia's doing. “Actually, they are all based on my extended family,“ he says with a smile. “When I was asked to come up with an urban comedy, I wanted to lampoon this cultural milieu that I was familiar with as I have relatives living in South Bombay,“ shares Kapadia, who also wanted to break stereotypes. “People have this notion that women in South Bombay can't be good homemakers but those with a modest upbringing would surely be nipurnn (multi-talented). I've had SoBo cousins who come to Goregaon and ask if this is Madh Island,“ laughs Kapadia, who remembers his show as the lowest rated one on the network. “Laughter Challenge used to get a TRP of 7 then, while we were at 1,“ he remembers. Two years after the show went off air and the channel began airing reruns is when it became popular.“The Kyunkis, the Kusums and the Kahanis were ruling the roost then, so the initial reaction we received was 'saas bahu comedy kar rahe hain'. We didn't know the outcome of the show and eventually, were asked to shut shop,“ remembers Sumeet Raghvan, who plays the dutiful son Sahil, even while he identifies more with Indravadhan's character in real life.
While their last season was dominated by
the classist exchange between Maya and her bahu Monisha, played by Ratna
Pathak Shah and Rupali Ganguly respectively, Kapadia scripts a new spin
in the upcoming season. “The bone of contention cannot be Sahil
anymore, as he has now become a father. So the new conflict is about the
upbringing of the child,“ he explains, elaborating how Maya feels that
Monisha is ill-equipped to take on the responsibility. Pathak Shah still
identifies with her sardonic Maya Sarabhai. “I don't say everything I
think of but the world gives you enough opportunities to be sharp and
sarcastic as you are constantly confronted with stupidity,“ she says,
hopeful that the digital medium (in which her show will be launched)
won't be a letdown like television today. “When TV began with shows such
as Idhar Udhar and Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, I believed that TV would be a
game changer and will explore ideas films didn't have the space for. But
we've only resolutely marched backwards,“ adds Pathak Shah. This
creative recession in TV wasn't lost on Kapadia who loves taking a dig
at saas-bahu sagas. “In the first season, Monisha was addicted to a soap
called Uska Pati Sirf Mera Hain, in this season we have Roshesh acting
in a soap called Bahu machchar, Beta khachchar,“ laughs Kapadia.
But an actor who bagged Sarabhai for being well-entrenched in daily soaps was Rupali Ganguly. “I was cast in negative roles earlier; Aatish cast me after seeing me in a scene in Sanjivani where two characters are talking and I'm standing in the middle with an aarti in my hands. It was a 3.5-minute-long scene where I had no dialogues and I was only making faces, which, Aatish felt, lent itself to comedy,“ remembers the actress, who, like her TV avatar, is a bargain hunter. Another lead who identifies with his TV avatar is Satish Shah, whose wife complains that he's become more like Indravadhan Sarabhai at home. “I took myself to believe that I'm not unlike Hägar the Horrible - a mixture of mischief and innocence. Indravadhan was intended to be more vicious. But then, Aatish and I had a long discussion about 'why can't this guy be a lovable rascal' and he loved the idea,“ says the actor who feels that Kapadia's writing leaves no scope to improvise. “In my earlier roles, I'd meddle with the choreography of the scene and improve the dialogues if required - since I'm seen on screen, if the show doesn't work - they will say Satish Shah's show didn't work. But I didn't have to do that here. Now, I just act which is called economy of labour,“ says the actor who turns 66 next month and has taken “voluntary retirement from acting“ as his “bucket list is over“.
At this point, the scene being shot features the show's quirky attraction - Roshesh, played by Rajesh Kumar. The character who rose to fame for his distinct drawl, is narrating a poem. “Subuk subuk pen ghiske handwritten parchi mat banana, tum tum fim fim type karo, printout ka hain zamana,“ he says in his quintessential “momma's boy“ style. “Initially, I was allowed to read out the poems, now I have to memorise them,“ says the 41-year-old actor who discovered the voice for this character accidentally. “I was sitting on a commode and was shitting both ways as I had two days to get the voice right. That is when my voice echoed in the toilet and I cracked it. For two days, I spoke to everyone in that voice,“ shares Kumar, who powered through several retakes to get a nod from co-director Deven Bhojani, who also plays the son-in-law Dushyant on the show. “Initially, as a director, I was a bit scared as Satishji and Ratnaji are very senior actors. But when I am on the director's chair, I won't give up without extracting the best from an actor. We are also keen on sticking to the lines because Aatish writes in a rhythm and even if actors alter it minutely, the meaning changes,“ explains Bhojani, before Kapadia steps in to offer an example, “If the line is 'Kya Fark Padta Hai' and they say 'Fark Kya Padta Hai', it's not the same. The first is rhetoric and disdain while the second is a question.“
As the clock strikes seven, the team is at the end of their 12-hour shift. While they settle down for a script reading session for the next day's shoot, a last round of chai is called for. Before we leave, we see Kapadia mimicking Maya and Monisha, leaving the cast in splits, as they imagine how the scene will materialise on screen.
The show's producer, J D Majethia ushers us to 'Maya's bedroom' - a tastefully furnished space. “We scoped through 20 shooting floors and changed three set designers to ensure we got the look right,“ says Majethia. Since Omung Kumar, who designed the previous set, was busy directing Sanjay Dutt's comeback, they had to contend with Varsha Jain, credited for designing the set for the musical Beauty and the Beast. The decision to return, Majethia tells us, germinated on June 29, 2016, when the team met at actor Satish Shah's house for a party. Discussing their popular sitcom was routine. But on this occasion, when Majethia suggested a comeback, the team agreed. A group photo was tweeted with the announcement that the “Sarabhai family is planning something“ and it broke the internet. “It was amongst the 50 best shows on IMDB, surpassing even Friends once,“ prides Majethia.
At this point, the show's writer, co-director and co-producer Aatish Kapadia joins us. That the show features a sharp-witted father (Indravadhan), a society doyenne of a mother (Maya), a son who strives to please everyone (Sahil), his dysfunctional brother (Roshesh) and a “middle class“ daughter-in-law (Monisha) is all Kapadia's doing. “Actually, they are all based on my extended family,“ he says with a smile. “When I was asked to come up with an urban comedy, I wanted to lampoon this cultural milieu that I was familiar with as I have relatives living in South Bombay,“ shares Kapadia, who also wanted to break stereotypes. “People have this notion that women in South Bombay can't be good homemakers but those with a modest upbringing would surely be nipurnn (multi-talented). I've had SoBo cousins who come to Goregaon and ask if this is Madh Island,“ laughs Kapadia, who remembers his show as the lowest rated one on the network. “Laughter Challenge used to get a TRP of 7 then, while we were at 1,“ he remembers. Two years after the show went off air and the channel began airing reruns is when it became popular.“The Kyunkis, the Kusums and the Kahanis were ruling the roost then, so the initial reaction we received was 'saas bahu comedy kar rahe hain'. We didn't know the outcome of the show and eventually, were asked to shut shop,“ remembers Sumeet Raghvan, who plays the dutiful son Sahil, even while he identifies more with Indravadhan's character in real life.
While their last season was dominated by
the classist exchange between Maya and her bahu Monisha, played by Ratna
Pathak Shah and Rupali Ganguly respectively, Kapadia scripts a new spin
in the upcoming season. “The bone of contention cannot be Sahil
anymore, as he has now become a father. So the new conflict is about the
upbringing of the child,“ he explains, elaborating how Maya feels that
Monisha is ill-equipped to take on the responsibility. Pathak Shah still
identifies with her sardonic Maya Sarabhai. “I don't say everything I
think of but the world gives you enough opportunities to be sharp and
sarcastic as you are constantly confronted with stupidity,“ she says,
hopeful that the digital medium (in which her show will be launched)
won't be a letdown like television today. “When TV began with shows such
as Idhar Udhar and Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, I believed that TV would be a
game changer and will explore ideas films didn't have the space for. But
we've only resolutely marched backwards,“ adds Pathak Shah. This
creative recession in TV wasn't lost on Kapadia who loves taking a dig
at saas-bahu sagas. “In the first season, Monisha was addicted to a soap
called Uska Pati Sirf Mera Hain, in this season we have Roshesh acting
in a soap called Bahu machchar, Beta khachchar,“ laughs Kapadia.But an actor who bagged Sarabhai for being well-entrenched in daily soaps was Rupali Ganguly. “I was cast in negative roles earlier; Aatish cast me after seeing me in a scene in Sanjivani where two characters are talking and I'm standing in the middle with an aarti in my hands. It was a 3.5-minute-long scene where I had no dialogues and I was only making faces, which, Aatish felt, lent itself to comedy,“ remembers the actress, who, like her TV avatar, is a bargain hunter. Another lead who identifies with his TV avatar is Satish Shah, whose wife complains that he's become more like Indravadhan Sarabhai at home. “I took myself to believe that I'm not unlike Hägar the Horrible - a mixture of mischief and innocence. Indravadhan was intended to be more vicious. But then, Aatish and I had a long discussion about 'why can't this guy be a lovable rascal' and he loved the idea,“ says the actor who feels that Kapadia's writing leaves no scope to improvise. “In my earlier roles, I'd meddle with the choreography of the scene and improve the dialogues if required - since I'm seen on screen, if the show doesn't work - they will say Satish Shah's show didn't work. But I didn't have to do that here. Now, I just act which is called economy of labour,“ says the actor who turns 66 next month and has taken “voluntary retirement from acting“ as his “bucket list is over“.
At this point, the scene being shot features the show's quirky attraction - Roshesh, played by Rajesh Kumar. The character who rose to fame for his distinct drawl, is narrating a poem. “Subuk subuk pen ghiske handwritten parchi mat banana, tum tum fim fim type karo, printout ka hain zamana,“ he says in his quintessential “momma's boy“ style. “Initially, I was allowed to read out the poems, now I have to memorise them,“ says the 41-year-old actor who discovered the voice for this character accidentally. “I was sitting on a commode and was shitting both ways as I had two days to get the voice right. That is when my voice echoed in the toilet and I cracked it. For two days, I spoke to everyone in that voice,“ shares Kumar, who powered through several retakes to get a nod from co-director Deven Bhojani, who also plays the son-in-law Dushyant on the show. “Initially, as a director, I was a bit scared as Satishji and Ratnaji are very senior actors. But when I am on the director's chair, I won't give up without extracting the best from an actor. We are also keen on sticking to the lines because Aatish writes in a rhythm and even if actors alter it minutely, the meaning changes,“ explains Bhojani, before Kapadia steps in to offer an example, “If the line is 'Kya Fark Padta Hai' and they say 'Fark Kya Padta Hai', it's not the same. The first is rhetoric and disdain while the second is a question.“
As the clock strikes seven, the team is at the end of their 12-hour shift. While they settle down for a script reading session for the next day's shoot, a last round of chai is called for. Before we leave, we see Kapadia mimicking Maya and Monisha, leaving the cast in splits, as they imagine how the scene will materialise on screen.
Action is the biggest genre in Hollywood, but here, it is dismissed as mindless cinema-Vipul Shah
8:12 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; March 2, 2017)
They may have been friends
for decades, but on the set of their upcoming film Commando 2: The Black
Money Trail, producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah and Deven Bhojani, who
is making his directorial debut in Bollywood with this film, were true
blue professionals. The camaraderie, they say, would start only when the
camera stopped rolling. Recounting those moments in an informal chat
with Bombay Times, the duo throws light on their collaboration...
Deven, as someone synonymous with comedy, what was your reaction on being offered an action film?
Deven: While it's natural for people to associate me with my comic roles on TV, not many know that I've been directing shows for the past 15 years and have explored various genres. I had earlier directed a mini action-drama series, Pukaar, for Vipul. But still, when he offered me the film, I was taken offered me the film, I was taken aback and told him that I needed time to think it over. Vipul knows my capabilities as we've been friends for a long time now. Also, I realised that there couldn't be a better beginning than Commando 2 to help me break the mould.
Did you watch action films to draw inspiration?
Deven: Many directors speak about their inspirations, but I don't relate to it. I'd rather go with the flow than emulate somebody else's work. Firstly, I don't watch many films and to add to it, I have a poor memory. Also, I don't conform to generalisations - in my case, the perception is that one who does comedy can't direct an action film.
Considering the fact that the original, Commando: A One Man Army, was received well, did you feel any pressure while directing the second installment?
Deven: I did. After all, I have to take the franchise to the next level. Besides, I am also directing Vidyut (Jammwal), one of the best action heroes today. A lot of money has gone into making this film. I didn't worry about the box-office figures when I was shooting, the pressure builds up after that. Having said that, I am not too ambitious. I want to contribute to cinema in my own little way. I don't aspire to bag an Oscar or a National Award. If I bag one, it would be nice, but that's not my goal. I just wanted to become a film director and I am glad to be one today.
Vipul, was your friendship with Deven instrumental in getting him on board as the director?
Vipul: I keep my personal and professional life separate. For example, I haven't cast my wife (Shefali Shah) in most of my films. I won't go to her unless the role demands it; the same rule applies to Deven as well. We have known each other since our college days; he is like a brother, but you can't work on the basis of friendship. If I had offered him something he wasn't comfortable with, he would have made a bad film, which would have been detrimental for the entire project. Since he has a certain screen image, the decision to have him as the director might seem misplaced, but I am against stereotyping people. Alfred Hitchcock was not aggressive, but he made the best horror films of all times.
Deven: Nobody is doing anybody a favour. Friendship helped only because Vipul knows my capabilities better than outsiders. Dosti mein birthday gift dega koi - maybe an expensive watch or a diamond set, but not a film.
Vipul, why did it take three years for the sequel?
Vipul: I have to redefine action if I am making a series of action films. It's challenging because you don't want to repeat the stunts. Unfortunately, people write off this genre as maar-dhaad films. Comedy is tough in terms of getting the timing right, but action is tough on the whole team.
Isn't making a film without any big name a huge risk?
Vipul: If you have a strong script and a good actor, I don't see why a film with a newcomer cannot work. Also, I wouldn't have reached so far if Amitji (Amitabh Bachchan) or Akshay Kumar hadn't agreed to do Aankhein when I was new. Every newcomer should get a fair chance, the industry is unfair to outsiders. People called the first installment of Commando a C-grade film as it featured a new guy. It's offensive to judge a film, just because the actor doesn't belong to an illustrious film family. Newcomers risk their career by entrusting you with it and it's a big responsibility, because if something goes wrong, they suffer more than anybody else. It's immensely satisfying when the risk pays off. I find casting only stars limiting, as it feels like a safety net. Am I not capable of making a successful film on my own?
Unlike Hollywood, Bollywood doesn't take the action genre seriously...
Vipul: Action is the biggest genre in Hollywood, but here, it is dismissed as mindless cinema. The amount invested in an action film is huge. Our mindset is the problem. It's changing, but it needs to change faster. A Hollywood film is reviewed better than a Hindi film unless it has big stars. What Keanu Reeves does in John Wick is considered A-class, but it's substandard if Vidyut does the same. I am not calling John Wick a bad film, but the same perspective won't be applied to a film like Commando. Somebody has mastered the art after 20 years of hard work and is putting his life at risk. Don't rubbish it just like that.
Deven, as someone synonymous with comedy, what was your reaction on being offered an action film?
Deven: While it's natural for people to associate me with my comic roles on TV, not many know that I've been directing shows for the past 15 years and have explored various genres. I had earlier directed a mini action-drama series, Pukaar, for Vipul. But still, when he offered me the film, I was taken offered me the film, I was taken aback and told him that I needed time to think it over. Vipul knows my capabilities as we've been friends for a long time now. Also, I realised that there couldn't be a better beginning than Commando 2 to help me break the mould.
Did you watch action films to draw inspiration?
Deven: Many directors speak about their inspirations, but I don't relate to it. I'd rather go with the flow than emulate somebody else's work. Firstly, I don't watch many films and to add to it, I have a poor memory. Also, I don't conform to generalisations - in my case, the perception is that one who does comedy can't direct an action film.
Considering the fact that the original, Commando: A One Man Army, was received well, did you feel any pressure while directing the second installment?
Deven: I did. After all, I have to take the franchise to the next level. Besides, I am also directing Vidyut (Jammwal), one of the best action heroes today. A lot of money has gone into making this film. I didn't worry about the box-office figures when I was shooting, the pressure builds up after that. Having said that, I am not too ambitious. I want to contribute to cinema in my own little way. I don't aspire to bag an Oscar or a National Award. If I bag one, it would be nice, but that's not my goal. I just wanted to become a film director and I am glad to be one today.
Vipul, was your friendship with Deven instrumental in getting him on board as the director?
Vipul: I keep my personal and professional life separate. For example, I haven't cast my wife (Shefali Shah) in most of my films. I won't go to her unless the role demands it; the same rule applies to Deven as well. We have known each other since our college days; he is like a brother, but you can't work on the basis of friendship. If I had offered him something he wasn't comfortable with, he would have made a bad film, which would have been detrimental for the entire project. Since he has a certain screen image, the decision to have him as the director might seem misplaced, but I am against stereotyping people. Alfred Hitchcock was not aggressive, but he made the best horror films of all times.
Deven: Nobody is doing anybody a favour. Friendship helped only because Vipul knows my capabilities better than outsiders. Dosti mein birthday gift dega koi - maybe an expensive watch or a diamond set, but not a film.
Vipul, why did it take three years for the sequel?
Vipul: I have to redefine action if I am making a series of action films. It's challenging because you don't want to repeat the stunts. Unfortunately, people write off this genre as maar-dhaad films. Comedy is tough in terms of getting the timing right, but action is tough on the whole team.
Isn't making a film without any big name a huge risk?
Vipul: If you have a strong script and a good actor, I don't see why a film with a newcomer cannot work. Also, I wouldn't have reached so far if Amitji (Amitabh Bachchan) or Akshay Kumar hadn't agreed to do Aankhein when I was new. Every newcomer should get a fair chance, the industry is unfair to outsiders. People called the first installment of Commando a C-grade film as it featured a new guy. It's offensive to judge a film, just because the actor doesn't belong to an illustrious film family. Newcomers risk their career by entrusting you with it and it's a big responsibility, because if something goes wrong, they suffer more than anybody else. It's immensely satisfying when the risk pays off. I find casting only stars limiting, as it feels like a safety net. Am I not capable of making a successful film on my own?
Unlike Hollywood, Bollywood doesn't take the action genre seriously...
Vipul: Action is the biggest genre in Hollywood, but here, it is dismissed as mindless cinema. The amount invested in an action film is huge. Our mindset is the problem. It's changing, but it needs to change faster. A Hollywood film is reviewed better than a Hindi film unless it has big stars. What Keanu Reeves does in John Wick is considered A-class, but it's substandard if Vidyut does the same. I am not calling John Wick a bad film, but the same perspective won't be applied to a film like Commando. Somebody has mastered the art after 20 years of hard work and is putting his life at risk. Don't rubbish it just like that.
Commando 2 release pushed due to demonetisation; will now hit screens on March 3
8:03 AM
Neha Maheshwri Bhagat (BOMBAY TIMES; December 3, 2016)
Here's another film that has
changed its plan of action because of demonetization. BT has it that
Commando 2, starring Vidyut Jammwal and Adah Sharma, has been pushed by
two months. Originally slated to release on January 6, it will now hit
screens on March 3. Last week, erotic thriller Wajah Tum Ho also
postponed its release date by a fortnight.
Director Deven Bhojani confirms, “Demonetization has affected movie biz. For the past few days, we have been contemplating a more viable release date for Commando 2; obviously, we don't want the box-office collection to get affected. We were planning to come out with the trailer in a few days, but that too has been postponed. Coincidentally, the film is also about Vidyut's journey to curb the black money problem - it makes the story more relatable and topical.“
Director Deven Bhojani confirms, “Demonetization has affected movie biz. For the past few days, we have been contemplating a more viable release date for Commando 2; obviously, we don't want the box-office collection to get affected. We were planning to come out with the trailer in a few days, but that too has been postponed. Coincidentally, the film is also about Vidyut's journey to curb the black money problem - it makes the story more relatable and topical.“
Coincidence?: Commando 2 is about a mission to trace black money & a Prime Minister who wants to eradicate corruption
7:57 AM
Vipul Shah's upcoming espionage thriller not only revolves around a commando on a mission to trace black money but also has a PM who wants to eradicate corruption
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 10, 2016)
When Vipul Shah was
listening to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation on
Tuesday night, when he announced demonetising Rs 500 and Rs 1000
currency notes in a bold attempt to counter the black money in the
economy, the filmmaker was struck by a feeling of déjà vu. His second
upcoming sequel after Force 2, Commando 2, targeting a January 6
release, also revolves around black money and was scripted two years
ago.His director, Deven Bhojani, who has co-written the script along with Pink writer Ritesh Shah and Vipul, shares that Vidyut Jammwal who returns as the commando is on a mission to trace black money which has been siphoned to banks abroad. “Commando was a simple, well liked film, when we decided on a sequel, the idea was to combine action and intelligence in an espionage thriller. Ritesh touched on the subject of black money during a brainstorming session and both Vipul and I agreed that the subject was relatively unexplored and timely. Little did we know it would prove to be so timely,“ Deven laughs, admitting that like many others across the country, his family too got a little paranoid after the PM's breaking news till he pointed out that they had till December 30 to exchange the defunct notes and weren't hoarding extra cash.
So are there any politicians in their film? Vipul admits there are. And is there a PM who wants to bring about change? Deven acknowledges there is. And will they incorporate the current scenario into their plot? “No, the film is ready and Vidyut has already cut his hair and moved to his next so there's no chance of incorporating anything,“ says Vipul. “But I'm all for Modiji's brave step and those who are cribbing about long queues and no exchange at petrol pumps should remember a malice like this can't be eradicated overnight. As part of our research, we learnt how black money is generated and made to disappear from the system. The whole modus operandi is explained as the money travels from one country to another in an important sequence in the film.“
4 months spent conceptualising the action for Commando 2
7:59 AM
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 11, 2016)
Vidyut Jammwal, who began
shooting for Vipul Shah's Commando 2 from mid June, recently shared a
picture of him filming a stunt sequence in Bangkok. Speaking to Mirror
from the Thai capital, Vipul revealed that he, along with director Deven
Bhojani and stunt director Franz Spilhaus, spent four months
conceptualising the action for the film. Deven, in fact, went to Bangkok
45 days prior to scout for locations.
“We've shot two such sequences so far, one in a 35-storeyed building in Bangkok which at present isn't occupied by anyone. Vidyut is trained in Kalaripayattu and Mixed Martial Arts and the skills have been put to good use,“ Vipul admitted, adding that when his hero saw the final rushes he couldn't resist sharing his elation on the social media.
The other action sequence is a chase shot over five-six days. “We have covered the market, roads and many others locations in Bangkok,“ informed director Deven and added, “I will start filming some action sequences with the girls (Adah Sharma and Esha Gupta) soon. And in between all the hard work, I manage to pull off a prank or two.“
“We've shot two such sequences so far, one in a 35-storeyed building in Bangkok which at present isn't occupied by anyone. Vidyut is trained in Kalaripayattu and Mixed Martial Arts and the skills have been put to good use,“ Vipul admitted, adding that when his hero saw the final rushes he couldn't resist sharing his elation on the social media.
The other action sequence is a chase shot over five-six days. “We have covered the market, roads and many others locations in Bangkok,“ informed director Deven and added, “I will start filming some action sequences with the girls (Adah Sharma and Esha Gupta) soon. And in between all the hard work, I manage to pull off a prank or two.“
Aamir Khan replaced me in Kesar Bhina play while it was on tour-Deven Bhojani
8:19 AM
The actor-director is busy adpating an American sitcom and working on the script for his directorial debut in films
Kunal Guha (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 19, 2015)
Deven Bhojani is known to
some as Gattu (from Baa Bahoo Aur Baby), to others as Patel (from Office
Office), but to most as Karima (from Dekh Bhai
Dekh). Presently, the actor is directing the Indian adaptation of
Everybody Loves Raymond (Sumit Sambhal Lega), whilst simultaneously
working on the script for his directorial debut in feature films, an
untitled action film for Vipul Shah's Sunshine Pictures. “He liked my
work in Pukaar and decided to let me direct a film,“ says Bhojani.
Pukaar, the mini-series he directed, starred Rannvijay Singha and Raj
Babbar, and concluded in February this year.
Leaning back on his chair at Vipul Shah's Andheri office, he credits Gujarati theatre for teaching him all that he has learnt. Bhojani discovered his calling for the stage as a commerce student of NM College. “My TV debut was in Malgudi Days when it used to be a one-episode story. I was cast for the story of Nithya,“ he reminisces. “Mahendra Joshi, who'd direct most of our plays, referred me to Arundhati Rao, whose husband, the late Shankar Nag, directed the show. She also got my reference from Naushil Mehta, who had written a sex comedy called Doctor Doctor, where I shared the stage with Paresh (Rawal), Apara Mehta and Darshan Zariwala,“ he says, adding he was only 17 then.
Bhojani's move into direction was accidental and he first wielded the megaphone when the director of Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka had to temporarily take off because of a personal emergency. Bhojani has since directed Sarabhai VS Sarabhai and Instant Khichdi, both raking in a cluster of TV awards.
Despite his directorial laurels, Bhojani's landmark achievement was playing an autistic child in Baa Bahoo Aur Baby, a show that survived five years and made his character Gattu a household name. Bhojani says, “There were tiffin boxes, kites and even rakhis with Gattu's face on them. But the funniest story is when a friend went to buy a goat for Bakri Eid and the butcher demanded a hefty sum since the goat was very 'Gattu'.“ He laughs at having becoming an “adjective for someone who is very healthy“.
After nearly 700 episodes when the show ran its course, Bhojani was burnt out and needed a break. “I was also the creative director on the show, so I had 10 people pouncing on me each time I reached the sets. From which blouse is right for whom to which storyline needs development, everything needed my attention. The show was like a well and I was a frog. I needed to get out and see the world,“ says the actor, who headed off for a filmmaking course in the US just after wrapping up the show in 2010.
He signed up for a direction course at the University of Southern California, impressed by the fact that the programme invited guest speakers like Steven Spielberg, James Cameron and George Lucas. But the one speaker who actually left him teary-eyed was someone quite familiar. “Aamir Khan was to come for a talk and screen Peepli Live,“ remembers Bhojani, who had worked with Khan before. When Khan was about to begin his talk, he was surprised to spot Bhojani and got off the stage to hug him. Khan also shared with the audience how his break in acting could be credited to Bhojani. Bhojani says, “I had done a play about army life called Kesar Bhina. I was also doing my articleship - mandatory for CA aspirants at the time. So when the play went on tour, I didn't get leave to travel. Aamir, who worked backstage then, replaced me on the tour. Since I had to give him the handover, I got to know him for the first time.“ Years later, Bhojani was cast in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar when Khan saw him in a film called Kafila and referred him to Mansoor Khan.
“My passion for direction also began with Jo Jeeta, since I assisted Mansoor Khan, after Farah Khan, who assisted him in the first schedule, got busy with choreography,“ he says with a smile. Post Jo Jeeta.., Bhojani's career took off as he was flooded with acting offers. David Dhawan's Andaz, Mahesh Bhatt's Naraaz, Vikram Bhatt's Janam, Laurence D'souza's Sangram and a string of other films saw Bhojani play the “hero ka dost“, a typecast he didn't mind at the time.
“Mujhe shaadi karni thi, ghar lena tha, paise kamane the. (I had to get married, buy a house, make money.) So I accepted every film. I barely remember all the names. I would just ask, 'how much will I get paid per day?'“ laughs Bhojani. He ticked off “shaadi, gaadi and ghar“ from his list before turning selective about work.
Today, Bhojani is excited about his upcoming TV show, Sumit Sambhal Lega which is to go on air soon. He says it will be a 'first of its kind' on many counts. “Just like in the West, we're conducting technical rehearsals, stage rehearsals, script readings with the cast where the entire team brainstorms on how a scene can be improved. There's no ego, and everyone is cumulatively working towards a better product,“ he says of the show, where Namit Das is playing the lead role that was essayed by Ray Romano in the original.
Leaning back on his chair at Vipul Shah's Andheri office, he credits Gujarati theatre for teaching him all that he has learnt. Bhojani discovered his calling for the stage as a commerce student of NM College. “My TV debut was in Malgudi Days when it used to be a one-episode story. I was cast for the story of Nithya,“ he reminisces. “Mahendra Joshi, who'd direct most of our plays, referred me to Arundhati Rao, whose husband, the late Shankar Nag, directed the show. She also got my reference from Naushil Mehta, who had written a sex comedy called Doctor Doctor, where I shared the stage with Paresh (Rawal), Apara Mehta and Darshan Zariwala,“ he says, adding he was only 17 then.
Bhojani's move into direction was accidental and he first wielded the megaphone when the director of Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka had to temporarily take off because of a personal emergency. Bhojani has since directed Sarabhai VS Sarabhai and Instant Khichdi, both raking in a cluster of TV awards.
Despite his directorial laurels, Bhojani's landmark achievement was playing an autistic child in Baa Bahoo Aur Baby, a show that survived five years and made his character Gattu a household name. Bhojani says, “There were tiffin boxes, kites and even rakhis with Gattu's face on them. But the funniest story is when a friend went to buy a goat for Bakri Eid and the butcher demanded a hefty sum since the goat was very 'Gattu'.“ He laughs at having becoming an “adjective for someone who is very healthy“.
After nearly 700 episodes when the show ran its course, Bhojani was burnt out and needed a break. “I was also the creative director on the show, so I had 10 people pouncing on me each time I reached the sets. From which blouse is right for whom to which storyline needs development, everything needed my attention. The show was like a well and I was a frog. I needed to get out and see the world,“ says the actor, who headed off for a filmmaking course in the US just after wrapping up the show in 2010.
He signed up for a direction course at the University of Southern California, impressed by the fact that the programme invited guest speakers like Steven Spielberg, James Cameron and George Lucas. But the one speaker who actually left him teary-eyed was someone quite familiar. “Aamir Khan was to come for a talk and screen Peepli Live,“ remembers Bhojani, who had worked with Khan before. When Khan was about to begin his talk, he was surprised to spot Bhojani and got off the stage to hug him. Khan also shared with the audience how his break in acting could be credited to Bhojani. Bhojani says, “I had done a play about army life called Kesar Bhina. I was also doing my articleship - mandatory for CA aspirants at the time. So when the play went on tour, I didn't get leave to travel. Aamir, who worked backstage then, replaced me on the tour. Since I had to give him the handover, I got to know him for the first time.“ Years later, Bhojani was cast in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar when Khan saw him in a film called Kafila and referred him to Mansoor Khan.
“My passion for direction also began with Jo Jeeta, since I assisted Mansoor Khan, after Farah Khan, who assisted him in the first schedule, got busy with choreography,“ he says with a smile. Post Jo Jeeta.., Bhojani's career took off as he was flooded with acting offers. David Dhawan's Andaz, Mahesh Bhatt's Naraaz, Vikram Bhatt's Janam, Laurence D'souza's Sangram and a string of other films saw Bhojani play the “hero ka dost“, a typecast he didn't mind at the time.
“Mujhe shaadi karni thi, ghar lena tha, paise kamane the. (I had to get married, buy a house, make money.) So I accepted every film. I barely remember all the names. I would just ask, 'how much will I get paid per day?'“ laughs Bhojani. He ticked off “shaadi, gaadi and ghar“ from his list before turning selective about work.
Today, Bhojani is excited about his upcoming TV show, Sumit Sambhal Lega which is to go on air soon. He says it will be a 'first of its kind' on many counts. “Just like in the West, we're conducting technical rehearsals, stage rehearsals, script readings with the cast where the entire team brainstorms on how a scene can be improved. There's no ego, and everyone is cumulatively working towards a better product,“ he says of the show, where Namit Das is playing the lead role that was essayed by Ray Romano in the original.
Deven Bhojani will direct Commando 2?
9:05 AM
Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 23, 2015)
TV actor Deven Bhojani is
known for his exceptional comic timing in shows like Sarabhai Vs
Sarabhai and Office Office. Now, Mirror has learnt that the
writer-director-actor has been roped in by Vipul Shah to helm the sequel
to his 2013 sleeper-hit, Commando. The film will roll this
film will roll this summer and is pegged as a 'worthy followup' to its
predecessor, starring Vidyut Jammwal and Pooja Chopra.The makers who had roped in Vidyut for his in Vidyut for his skill in martial arts, are yet to take a call on whether he will return in Part 2. “The cast will be finalised in April,“ says a source close to the development, “Deven has been working on the script over the past few months. The action-romance will have a fresh storyline.“
When asked why the comedian was chosen to direct an action film, the source reasons, “Deven directed the TV show Pukaar - Call For The Hero for Vipul. It had extensive action sequences and was well-received. That made Vipul confident that he'd do a good job with Commando 2. They collaborated several times in the past and share a comfort-level.“
We texted Vipul but he remained unavailable for comment.
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