Showing posts with label Do Patti. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Do Patti. Show all posts
Taapsee Pannu takes my mad ideas and runs wild with them-Kanika Dhillon
8:28 AM
Writer-producer Kanika Dhillon, whose Do Patti has become 2024’s most-watched OTT film, on how her creative synergy with Taapsee Pannu has led them to make the woman-led actioner, Gandhari
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; January 25, 2025)
There is no formula to a successful movie. But looking at writer-producer Kanika Dhillon’s filmography may make you think otherwise. With Do Patti (2024), she has delivered the most watched OTT film of the year, as per viewership data. In 2021, she achieved the feat with Haseen Dillruba. When we get on a call with her, that’s what we begin with: Has she cracked a formula to success?
“There is never a formula,” she laughs. “No subject is niche; the tryst is to make it accessible to a larger audience. That’s how even when I take a layered theme like domestic abuse, it has a large audience engagement. You have to determine early on who you want to reach out to. According to that, you determine the film’s syntax.”
Armed with these lessons, Dhillon has kicked off her next OTT film, Gandhari, helmed by Devashish Makhija of Joram (2023) fame. The two are as different as chalk and cheese. “It’s proven that the DNA of the most able babies are the ones that come from different bloodlines. Devashish is indie, and I’m [mainstream]. I think Gandhari will be the best baby,” says Dhillon.
It’s designed as a full-blown actioner led by Taapsee Pannu, who plays a mother out to rescue her abducted child. “I’m an action junkie. I watch two to three action films a week. What’s a gamble is doing an action film with a female at the centre. It’s not done often, but Gandhari will stand out because it’s also a compelling story.”
This is her sixth outing with Pannu after Manmarziyaan (2018), Rashmi Rocket (2021), the Haseen Dillruba franchise, and Dunki (2023). Working with the actor, she says, is great for a simple reason. “She takes my mad ideas and runs wild with them. Our sense of righteousness and rage have brought Devashish, Taapsee and me together. The hyper-masculine stories have taken over. Gandhari is perhaps the antidote we need.”
Even as male-led actioners are dominating the scene today, Dhillon notes that the tide is slowly turning. “The focus in the past year has been on stories. Of course, there are challenges with female-led films. The ambition is not always supported by the finance it deserves. But if a story is made on the correct budget and is engaging, you will get recognition.”
Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar dominate India’s 2024 streaming charts
7:59 AM
Javed Farooqui (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; January 24, 2025)
Prime Video and Netflix topped India’s 15 most-viewed Hindi streaming shows in 2024, while Disney+ Hotstar led in Tamil and Telugu, according to Ormax Media’s ‘Streaming Originals in India - The 2024 Story’ report.
The report emphasized the dominance of platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar, which collectively have an estimated 70 million subscribers. It highlighted the growing role of regional content and franchise-driven formats in shaping India’s streaming landscape.
Netflix and Prime Video each had five entries in the top 15 Hindi streaming shows. Mirzapur Season 3 was the most-watched Hindi series with 30.8 million viewers, followed by Prime Video's Panchayat Season 3 (28.2 million) and Netflix’s Heeramandi (21.5 million). The viewership estimates were based on primary data, according to Ormax.
In the non-fiction OTT category, JioCinema's Bigg Boss OTT Season 3 led with 17.8 million viewers. Netflix’s The Great Indian Kapil Show Season 1 ranked second with 15.7 million viewers, while SonyLIV's Shark Tank India Season 3 secured 12.5 million viewers.
The report also highlights a wide variety of unscripted genres, spanning TV extensions, documentaries, game shows, and reality formats driven by influencers.
Netflix also dominated Hindi direct-to-digital films claiming 11 of the top 15 spots, with Do Patti leading at 15.1 million viewers, followed by Sector 36 (13.9 million) and Sikandar Ka Muqaddar (13.5 million).
“Audiences today seek more choices—across stories, devices—and we’re here to meet that demand,” said Monika Shergill, Netflix India’s vice president, content. “The sheer convenience of streaming with improved accessibility and broadband and CTV market growth is leading to a revolution in how we consume our entertainment. Exceptional storytelling enhanced by quality subtitles and dubbing in several languages is enabling more stories to travel and be consumed by more audiences in India and around the globe."
She further noted, “At Netflix, originals like Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, Amar Singh Chamkila, The Great Indian Kapil Show, and blockbuster movie slates in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu have demonstrated how entertainment and experience can together become the key drivers of streaming growth.”
Nikhil Madhok, Head of Originals, Prime Video India, stated that Indian audiences are open to good stories regardless of language, format, or genre. He highlighted Prime Video's success in engaging audiences across languages with titles like Mirzapur Season 3, Panchayat Season 3, Inspector Rishi, and global hits like The Boys and The Rings of Power.
"We are in a unique time, a renaissance in Indian entertainment, where all kinds of stories are being told and all genres are being explored on streaming. We will continue to collaborate with the finest creators and storytellers from India and around the world to offer our customers some of the most dynamic, fresh, out-of-the-box stories," he said.
Last year, Netflix and Prime Video unveiled ambitious content slates. Netflix’s 2024 slate included 14 shows and eight films, while Prime Video India announced plans to release 70 series and films over the next two years.
In regional content, Disney+ Hotstar's Save The Tigers Season 2 (5 million viewers) and Prime Video's Inspector Rishi (4.9 million viewers) were the top Telugu and Tamil shows, respectively. Disney+ Hotstar dominated the top 10 lists in both languages, with four Telugu and seven Tamil entries.
Netflix’s Squid Game Season 2 became the most-watched international show of 2024 with 19.6 million viewers, securing its place as India’s all-time leader. Among international films, Prime Video’s Road House led with 6 million viewers.
While the report excluded YouTube Originals, it acknowledged the success of India’s Got Latent on Samay Raina’s YouTube channel, which could have ranked in the top three.
According to Ormax, the report evaluated the top original shows and films released in 2024 in Hindi, International, Telugu, and Tamil across parameters such as viewership, marketing buzz, and content strength. It focused exclusively on original content, excluding theatrical films, catch-up TV, sports, and other non-original streaming content.
(Crisp) Movie Review: DO PATTI by FENIL SETA
3:48 PM
Do Patti, which was released today on Netflix, is Kriti Sanon’s first film as a producer and also features her in a double role. Kajol and Shaheer Sheikh also star in this thriller. The plot is very intriguing and apart from the double role, there are many other tracks in the film to keep the interest going. A few scenes in the first half are quite impactful. However, it soon gets clear that the direction is not up to the mark. There is an interesting aspect in the film that the makers could have used to further enhance the mystery and suspense. Sadly, they fail to do justice to it. Some of the courtroom developments are also not easy to digest. Hence, even though there’s a twist in the end, the impact is very limited. Thankfully, Kriti Sanon rocks the show. She plays the distinct characters with panache and makes sure they seem poles apart. Kajol has limited screen time in the first half but as expected, she dominates the show. Shaheer Sheikh looks dashing and performance-wise, he’s first rate. Tanvi Azmi and Brijendra Kala (Katoch) lend able support. Prachee Shah Paandya (Shobhna Pundir), Rohit Tiwari (Niren; Saumya and Shailee's father), Chittaranjan Tripathy (Kumar; lawyer) and Sohaila Kapur (Justice Aruna Goel) are fine. Vivek Mushran (Deepak; Saumya and Shailee's chacha) is wasted. Manoj Bakshi (Tyagi; tourism minister) raises laughs. All in all, Do Patti is a disappointing film.
My rating - ** out of 5!
My rating - ** out of 5!
We have more women in film industry today due to amenities like vanity vans, bathrooms-Kajol
8:52 AM
It’s Kajol first time ever playing a cop, and Kriti Sanon’s first double role. Together they talk about navigating writer Kanika Dhillon’s unpredictable, scary world
Sucheta Chakraborty (MID-DAY; October 20, 2024)
I’ve always loved thrillers. Be it [those by] Agatha Christie, James Hadley Chase or Sidney Sheldon,” producer, author and screenwriter Kanika Dhillon tells us. “There are various artistes, directors and writers who have been influences, [for instance]—David Fincher, in the way he holds tension. I also really enjoy writing thrillers.”
Do Patti, releasing on Netflix this week, is her second thriller this year after the Taapsee Pannu-starrer Phir Aayi Haseen Dillruba, a sequel to 2021’s twisty Haseen Dillruba. Dhillon, however, is quick to point out the differences between the films.
“Hasseen Dillruba was a pulpy thriller, it was in-your-face, loud and unapologetic. Do Patti is more inward, subtler—its unpredictability creeps up on you. These films are at two different ends of the spectrum. I’m really enjoying the diversity and exploring these nuances within the larger genre of thriller,” she shares.
Dhillon has also co-produced the film with its star Kriti Sanon, and shares how the experience taught her of the importance of good collaborators. “It made me appreciate the kind of people I partner with [because] they have your back and you are in it together. One really values that as a new producer.”
Do Patti is a story of siblings, twins, played by Sanon, who do not have “obvious physical differences except for the length of their hair,” the actress points out.
“They were born and brought up in the same environment, and speak in a similar manner. It is their personalities, the way they react to things, their expressions, and their [respective emotional] baggage from their past, that was different.”
And then, there’s Kajol. “The writer and producer in me were doing cartwheels,” Dhillon tells us excitedly of the day the actress accepted the role. The character, a cop assigned to investigate a case involving Sanon’s characters, had to have a sense of authority and believability, especially since much of the story is told from her perspective
“The audience has to instantly connect with her and we knew that Kajol, as an artist, connects hugely with audiences across age groups and borders. [Getting her] was a big win,” the screenwriter admits.
“I have been offered the role of a cop before, but I didn’t want to do a throwaway [role] just because I hadn’t done it before,” shares Kajol. “It had to be done properly and in the right way. I felt that this was the right script for it. I loved it from the get-go.”
Though the script had enough to go by, the character underwent some alterations during the process of filming. “We got a little bit of a dialect and I think when you speak differently, you walk differently. Your entire body language changes,” Kajol observes.
Kajol and Sanon have worked together previously in 2015’s Dilwale. “A lot has changed in her since then,” chuckles Kajol about her co-actress. “Dilwale was [Kriti’s] second film and she’s done a lot more movies in this time. Experience takes its toll, allows you to grow up.” She admits that the Rohit Shetty film didn’t have too many scenes of them together and by comparison, Do Patti was “a more involved” experience. There was “a lot more meat [to work with]” this time around.
The younger actress recalls the time when they shot Dilwale as one when she was still making sense of the world of acting and film sets and was both reserved and in awe of the people and processes around her.
“I don’t think we broke the ice at that point because [we didn’t have a lot to go by]. I am glad that in this film we spoke about other things and discussed scenes.” Besides being a remarkable performer, Sanon points out how Kajol is honest enough to indicate if a co-actor can do better in a scene. “She’s open to things if it’s good for a scene and when there’s a little pat on the back from her, it just means so much.”
Kajol, from a film family herself, who has now effectively worked for more than three decades in the industry, speaks of some of the changes she’s been witness to over the years. Vanity vans, she says, have been a positive change. “We didn’t have them when I started work. It was ridiculously difficult to be on location and change clothes, or use the bathroom. One of the reasons I think we have more women in the film industry today is the proper amenities we have now. It has made a huge difference. I know it sounds small, but it isn’t.”
But there are things she misses about the old days too. “I think one of the great things was that we didn’t have mobile phones. It gave us a lot more freedom and because you didn’t have a phone, you had nothing better to do on set. So, you bonded. When you sat around on a set with another hundred people, you were bound to talk to somebody. And, your friends came over in between shots. I think at that time everything was not so specialized, so a 100-people unit was considered a really big unit. [The industry] has gone from being a small business to a big business. That’s the main difference.”
Makers of Do Patti construct set with a huge chess board and flashing lights for promotional song shoot
2:44 PM
Kriti Sanon goes above and beyond to facilitate a promotional song for her first production film, Do Patti
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; October 13, 2024)
Every first is a cherished memory, whether it’s one’s first love or first job. For Kriti Sanon, the actor-turned-producer, Do Patti marks her debut behind the camera. The National Award-winning actor has joined forces with writer-producer Kanika Dhillon for the direct-to-OTT film, which also stars Kajol and Shaheer Sheikh. Sanon plays a double role in the film. Although the pressures are high, she appears to be ticking all the right boxes to ensure everything is perfect before the release. Earlier this month, they released the song Raanjhan; and have now wrapped up filming another promotional track.
“Kriti has been a hands-on producer, immersing herself completely in the creative experience,” a source reveals, noting that both Dhillon and Sanon have been involved in every aspect from scripting to casting.
“She was involved as much as Kanika in securing Kajol for the project. Do Patti is also Kriti’s first thriller, so she’s particularly excited about it. In fact, she met choreographer Vijay Ganguly a few weeks before the shoot to discuss the finer details of the number, which will also feature Kajol and Shaheer.” Tanishk Bagchi has composed the new track, a lively dance number “with a huge chess board and flashing lights.”
The song captures the deep, dark, and dangerous mood of the thriller. The source further shares that, since the movie is scheduled to release by the end of the month, “a set was constructed overnight at a studio in Juhu by late production designer Rajat Poddar.”
They plan to release the song next week, following the trailer launch on October 14. Do Patti tells a twisted tale about twin sisters who harbour secrets. “Kajol plays a police officer trying to uncover the truth in an attempted murder case set against the backdrop of the fictional town of Devipur in Uttarakhand. The story is narrated from Kajol’s perspective. Shaheer, who is making his Bollywood debut with this film, portrays Kriti’s love interest,” the source continues.
The film, which also stars Tanvi Azmi, is set to release on Netflix on October 25. The principal shooting was completed in December, with only a few songs left to film.
Kanika Dhillon plans a cinematic universe with Taapsee Pannu’s Haseen Dillruba and Kriti Sanon’s Do Patti characters
8:46 AM
Writer-producer Kanika plans to create female-led cinematic universe with crossover between Taapsee’s Haseen Dillruba and Kriti’s Do Patti characters
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; June 29, 2024)
Ever wondered what would happen if Kangana Ranaut’s quirky Bobby from Judgementall Hai Kya (2019) met Taapsee Pannu’s fiery Rani from Haseen Dillruba (2021)? Writer-producer Kanika Dhillon often finds herself toying with that thought. In recent times, the screenwriter has given Hindi cinema many strong women on screen, be it in Manmarziyaan (2018), Kedarnath (2018) or Haseen Dillruba. Now, it is heard that Dhillon, who has turned producer with the upcoming Do Patti, is considering creating a cinematic universe populated by some of these characters. Like in YRF’s spy universe, these stories will be distinct, yet see the characters crossing paths with each other.
One could argue that in terms of the genre their films belong to, the characters are far removed from one another. But what unites them is that they are fierce, decisive, and not ones to shy away from making mistakes.
A source reveals, “Haseen Dillruba emerged as the most-watched Hindi film on Netflix in 2021, leading the makers to create the sequel, Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba. Then, there is Do Patti that sees Kajol as a cop chasing down Kriti Sanon’s character Saumya Sood. Kanika is planning to create a crossover universe with certain characters soon.”
Having launched her production house Kathha Pictures in 2023, Dhillon has chalked out plans for the way ahead.
Eager for the new chapter, she says, “My women are imperfect, strong-headed, and make stupid decisions. There is a natural tendency to create these characters that resonate with people. I have some strong female-led stories in the pipeline, but it’s a bit early to talk about the star cast.”
Is there a plan to build a cinematic universe comprising these characters? Say, a crossover between Pannu’s Rani and Sanon’s Saumya?
“Yes, why not? There are a lot of strong, messy female characters in my upcoming movies. At the same time, Rumi from Manmarziyaan, Rani from Haseen Dillruba, and Bobby from Judgementall Hai Kya were loved. I’m hoping the [upcoming parts] will receive as much love. So, isn’t it the best time to bring unique stories and strong characters to cinemas?”
I was told, ‘It’s too soon for you to turn producer’-Kriti Sanon
10:28 PM
Gearing up for Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya’s release, Kriti discusses looking forward to her maiden production later this year and battling people’s skepticism
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; February 9, 2024)
What happens when a guy and a humanoid robot fall in love? Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya’s one-line idea held the promise of a breezy romantic comedy—just the kind of subject that Kriti Sanon, a self-confessed sucker for love stories, was looking for.
“People aren’t writing love stories well. Yet, here was one with a unique conflict. I wanted to know what happens when a human being falls in love with a robot, and when you put this love story in the middle of an Indian family. I was entertained during the narration. I was feeling the romance, the laughs and the aww moments,” she smiles.
Those who gauge films by box-office numbers may argue that heavy-duty action movies are dominating the scene. But who doesn’t want a dose of love once in a while, the actor counters. “Time and again, I revisit Friends because sometimes you want to watch something light and refreshing. This is an entertainer, which you can watch with your family, friends or your valentine.”
What further added to the charm of Amit Joshi and Aradhana Sah’s directorial venture is the actor’s easy chemistry with leading man Shahid Kapoor. “Chemistry is a two-way [affair]. It shouldn’t be that only I am giving to the scene. In this film, Shahid gave so much because I was playing a robot, so I had to be restrained,” she laughs.
After the romantic comedy, Sanon has The Crew with Tabu and Kareena Kapoor Khan, and the thriller, Do Patti, with Kajol. The latter also marks her production debut, as she joins an increasing list of female actors, including Anushka Sharma, Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt, who juggle their successful acting careers with production. Yet, she reveals that the decision was initially met with skepticism.
“I was told, ‘It’s too soon for you to turn producer.’ What’s the logic? My reason to turn producer was more about supporting scripts and being more involved than I am as an actor. I got into production because I enjoy the creative side of it. It’s also something new. Every now and then, you have to shift gears and do something that you don’t know. I like being a newcomer in some ways and learning everything from scratch. Acting is something I learnt on the job. So, production felt like the next step.”
Theatres are back and box office business is not going anywhere-Kriti Sanon
8:29 AM
Kriti Sanon talks about branching out as a producer and her hopes and aspirations for 2024
Navya Kharbanda (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 2, 2024)
After bagging a National Award for Mimi in 2023, actor Kriti Sanon is gearing up for another great year. “I’m really looking forward to 2024. I’ve almost completed three films, which will release this year. It will start with a really quirky love story with Shahid (Kapoor, actor) releasing in February,” says Sanon, adding, “Then, there is The Crew with Kareena Kapoor Khan and Tabu ma’am. The third one is Do Patti, my first production that will release on OTT sometime this year.”
Sanon doesn’t believe in resolutions but for 2024, she wants to focus on “living a lot more”. “I want to spend quality time with my family and have a life beyond work because in the last year, I worked on projects back to back. I also want to focus on quality over quantity as an actor,” says the actor, who made her acting debut with Heropanti (2014).
For Sanon, wearing two hats at once has been fulfilling and “the right set of people” have helped her manage it well. “As an actor, you’re more involved in your character, whereas in Do Patti, I’ve enjoyed turning it into a script — going through various drafts, music and other aspects of its journey,” says the 33-year-old, adding that she has always been “extremely fascinated by every aspect of being a producer”.
As a producer, what is her assessment of the current industry landscape? “Theatres are back and [box-office business] is not going anywhere. Digitally, too, a lot of films have done well. The common factor for these projects has been good content. The audience looks for something unique or larger than life,” she explains.
Kajol plays a cop for the first time in Do Patti; picture from the shoot location out
8:58 AM
mid-day lays its hands on pictures from Do Patti shoot that sees Kajol playing a cop for the first time in her 31-year career; the actor chases Kriti Sanon’s character in the thriller
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; October 18, 2023)
For the past 12 years, we’ve seen Ajay Devgn roar on screen as the no-nonsense cop Bajirao Singham, a role that he is reprising in Singham Again. But it looks like he has another fierce cop right at home. One hears that Kajol plays a tough-as-nails police officer in Do Patti, which also stars Kriti Sanon and Shaheer Sheikh. Sanon and writer Kanika Dhillon’s maiden production went on floors on August 18 with a brief shoot in Mumbai, before the unit headed to Nainital. On Saturday, the unit wrapped up the Uttarakhand schedule.
mid-day laid its hands on a few pictures from the shoot, which have Kajol sporting the khaki uniform and shades. Those in the know say that the actor plays a fiery character in Shashanka Chaturvedi’s directorial venture. That’s not surprising considering Dhillon has a knack for writing strong-minded female protagonists—be it Rumi from Manmarziyaan (2018), or Rani in Haseen Dillruba (2021).
A source reveals, “Kajol portrays a tough-talking, sassy police officer from north India in the mystery thriller. Kriti’s role is equally exciting. In the movie, Kajol’s character is in hot pursuit of Kriti, chasing her across Mussoorie, Landour and Nainital. In her three-decade career, the actor has essayed diverse roles, but the opportunity to play a cop never arose before. She was immediately drawn to this complex role.”
While Kajol was an integral part of the Uttarakhand schedule, Sanon and Sheikh joined her last week. “The two actresses filmed some dramatic scenes. Brijendra Kala too was a part of these sequences. On Saturday, the unit wrapped up the schedule with a party,” adds the source.
The film’s third leg will begin in Mumbai by the month-end. It is Kajol’s third Netflix offering after Tribhanga (2021) and Lust Stories 2. In July, the actor made her web series debut with The Trial.
Everybody wondered whether it would work out but Kajol loved the story-Kanika Dhillon
8:41 AM
Determined to go big with her maiden production, writer Kanika discusses how she roped in her first choices Kajol and Kriti Sanon for Do Patti
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; July 18, 2023)
Writer Kanika Dhillon remembers that in the initial years of her career, she would spend considerable time figuring out the right contacts that would help her find her footing in the industry. Right then, she promised herself that if she rose to a position of power, she would build a platform for writers so that they could focus on their craft instead of chasing contacts. Katha Pictures, the production house that she launched last week, is the realization of that belief.
“I want the growth of my production house to be linked to grooming of new writers,” begins Dhillon, asserting that unheard stories will be at the centre of her productions.
Dhillon has found one such story in Do Patti. The writer—who has penned Manmarziyaan (2018) and Haseen Dillruba (2021), among others—announced the launch of her banner with the mystery thriller that will star Kajol and Kriti Sanon. She says that Sanon was so impressed by the story that she decided to join her as a producer.
“I was in touch with Kriti way before I even finished the script. That’s how I have functioned while writing the last three-four films. I reach out to the actors before I finish writing a story because I write to the actor’s strength,” explains Dhillon.
Getting a nod from Kajol is not easy. But Dhillon was certain that when it came to her maiden production, she had to dream big. “I’ve been a fan of Kajol ma’am. Everybody wondered whether this would work out, but I thought this is my first film, and I should be ambitious and unafraid. So, I went to Kajol ma’am to narrate the story, and she loved it.”
Through her scripts, Dhillon has championed strong, unconventional female characters. It’s only natural then that as a producer, she wants to bring more women to the forefront. “[Recently], I was hiring a few women as my executive producers. I was told, ‘Ma’am, how will we get a woman in this role? They can’t negotiate, they are emotional.’ I said, ‘Can’t you see you are talking to a woman? I am the boss!’ I have told my production house members to make sure we hire women in the team.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)