Showing posts with label Dulquer Salmaan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dulquer Salmaan. Show all posts
It was not till 2010, that we found a contemporary, urban language that defined us-Akarsh Khurana
2:41 PM
(From left) Akarsh, Dilshad, Akash, Meera, and Adhaar Khurana. Pic Courtesy/Akarsh Khurana
From studying mathematics, to stepping onto the stage, directing a film, and acting, Akarsh Khurana has been there and done that. In this edition of Arts Adda, the veteran is staying relevant in the game while borrowing from his 25-year-long journey
Shriram Iyengar (MID-DAY; June 21, 2026)
It is a busy afternoon while the cast and crew of Micro Theatre sets up their technical check on stage at antiSOCIAL in Lower Parel. Akarsh Khurana smiles, as he walks in; the tiredness of a battle-weary veteran of Mumbai traffic is hard to miss. “It feels like this city is at war with itself. I have grown up in Mumbai; a Bandra boy through and through, and yet, I find it tough to defend it these days,” he admits.
The conversation flows over cups of coffee, jokes, and insight into anecdotes and observations on everything from the stage to film.
Excerpts from the interview
Congratulations on 25 years. That’s quite an achievement...
It was in 2000 when we set up our production. Last year, we wanted to just celebrate. This year, it might be a reduced showcase.
Take us back to 2000, and your first production.
I was at St Xaviers’ College. Arghya [Lahiri] was a schoolmate, back from Arya Vidya Mandir in Bandra. One evening at Prithvi [Theatre], he suggested I submit a play to Thespo.
And, which play was this?
It was Brothers. I recall one of our lead actors contracted malaria two days before the opening, and I had to step in. Thankfully, we did well.
The perfect start for a 23-year-old on the stage…
Yes, but at a cost. The next season, I got more ambitious, and set up a production with 28 actors. We were literally booed off stage. I considered quitting theatre altogether.
So why didn’t you?
Back then, you had to apply in advance for dates at venues. Just then, the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) offered me two dates. Quasar Thakore [Padamsee], Arghya [Lahiri], myself, and a few others quickly put together a quartet of short plays which did spectacularly. That was a resurrection.
Going back to setting up Akvarious. What was the moment of epiphany?
It felt like a place I wanted to be in. The name, Akvarious, came from my father’s [Akash Khurana] writing company — a combination of his initials, and his star sign, Aquarius. But it was not till 2010, that we found a contemporary, urban language that defined us.
That language is not just in theatre. I remember it in Karwaan. How did you not get mobbed during the shoot?
We did. Do you remember that now famous scene of Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila [Palkar] and Irrfan [Khan] on the bridge? It is now called the DQ Bridge.
It had been built just a week before we arrived. Avinash [Arun, Director of Photography] and I picked it because it was an isolated place. Unfortunately, on the day of the shoot, there was a funeral in the village. Suddenly, hundreds of people were trying to catch sight of Dulquer [Salmaan]. Everyone else became almost irrelevant.
Two hilarious episodes occurred. Irrfan couldn’t reach his car, and just hopped on a passing local bike for a lift. The other incident was that Avinash and I were trying to set up a shot, and one over enthusiastic gentleman climbed up on my shoulder to take a picture of Dulquer (laughs). It was memorable.
Talk to us about the idea of curating theatre at a musical venue
They [antiSocial] approached us with the idea as they found that a few days in the week were slower at the venue. It sounded like a good alternative to experiment with subjects to suit the space. After a while of staging plays, we also stepped on board to help with the curation. The Micro Theatre itself is an interesting idea, and is mainly overseen by Jahaan Singh and Rayaan Khatib.
We want to build a community of theatre lovers, actors, and audiences. To do so in Lower Parel is an interesting project.
With your dad, and Adhaar, do you think of the legacy on stage?
I don’t think we consider legacy much. Even this community-building exercise is something we simply chose to do as an interesting experiment.
What is the ultimate objective?
The ultimate dream is to have my own venue. But it takes a lot. In this next five-year plan, it is something I would like to achieve.
I am serving the audience, not my ego-Harshvardhan Rane
9:50 AM
Kanksha Vasavada (BOMBAY TIMES; March 26, 2026)
Harshvardhan Rane, who is shooting in Ahmedabad for Force 3, joined us for a candid chat in his “urban” campervan.
The Sanam Teri Kasam actor says, “It’s my lucky 10-seater van in which I travel across India. While I have one van specifically designed for the jungle, this one is tailored for urban life and my daily shoots. I’ve always preferred a life of efficiency over typical luxury. So, I’ve transformed my van into a mobile workspace. It’s fully insulated and quiet, allowing me to conduct narrations and meetings with directors in total comfort while on the move, without sacrificing basic comforts like a washroom or a place to rest.”
‘Not here to impose my own wishes on the audience’
Harshvardhan, usually seen playing intense, serious characters, says, “The audience always knows what they want to consume; I am simply serving it. I am not purposely choosing it, but I’ve noticed that people gravitate most towards my deep romances and intense love stories. So, I am happy to serve that.”
He adds, “This is a commercial space, and my main goal is to get the audience into theatres. If I ever feel the need to express something deeply personal, there’s Instagram for that. Here, I don’t want to impose my own wishes; I want to deliver what works. People often ask me about my dream role, and I always tell them that my dream role is to be a profitable actor, someone who brings success to a project.”
‘There’s an intrinsic connection between an actor’s inherent qualities and the roles they attract’
Talking about onscreen image vs real personality, Harshvardhan, who is pursuing Psychology (Honours, currently in second year), says, “Concepts like the framing effect explain why audiences naturally associate an actor’s performance with their true character. Viewers once believed on-screen villains were genuinely bad people, and actors portraying mythological characters are treated like deities. I’ve accepted that storytelling creates its own reality. I believe there is an intrinsic connection between an actor’s inherent qualities and the roles they attract. Ultimately, certain traits are already within you, which is why those specific characters come to you and stay with you.”
‘I am getting good opportunities, need to respect that’
Harshvardhan started his career with Telugu and Tamil films. Is he open to doing south films now? He says, “Focusing on one thing at a time helps me stay sharp and do my best work. While multitasking works for some, I feel giving a single project my full attention is the only way to do justice. Even when a brilliant script comes along, it is difficult to say yes because a film isn’t just about the 30 days of shooting — it requires your presence long before and after the cameras roll. It’s amazing that people like Dhanush, Dulquer Salmaan, and Rana Daggubati manage so much at once. That level of commitment is incredibly tough.”
And what about OTT projects? He says, “Right now, I am getting good work and don’t want to disrupt the flow of what I am receiving just to satisfy a personal whim. When you are getting good opportunities, it is important to respect that and not just jump to something else for the sake of it. I am not here to chase every platform or medium just because I can.”
‘We must stay honest with our viewers’
Asked about how to bring more audiences to theatres, Harshvardhan laughs, “If anyone knew the secret to guaranteed success in this industry, they would be as wealthy as the world’s top businessmen. This business is very unpredictable. The most important thing we can do is to stay honest with our viewers. If you work based on genuine emotion, you have a much better chance of connecting with people. If you overthink everything and try to manufacture a hit, the audience will see right through it because they are very smart. They don’t want to buy a 'fake' product; they want something real. That’s how even social media works today. A video filmed on a basic phone from a remote place, without any fancy lights or cameras, can still go viral because it has a sense of reality. If your work is honest, people will gravitate towards it.”
‘Honesty and good content have worked for me’
Talking about Sanam Teri Kasam (2016), which didn’t do well at the box office initially, becoming a success after its re-release last year, he says, “There was a phase of re-releases where several films were back in theatres; but only some of them did well. So, people have not found out what is working. Honestly, I came to understand a great deal—because for eight years, I saw it reflected in people’s eyes wherever I travelled. My producer wasn’t sure about re-releasing the film. I told him, ‘Aap kuch mat karo, bas movie release karva do. I will just announce it on Instagram.’ We got just 25 theatres across the nation. But the next day, it was released in 1500 theatres, and within 24 hours, the ticket sales skyrocketed. I simply connected honesty with reality.”
He adds, “People rightly say that social media following has no connection with ticket sales. But in my case, that changed. Some people called it history, but some even called it a fluke until Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat entered the Rs. 100 crore club. Honesty, a realistic approach and good content have worked for me.”
‘The warmth I experience in Ahmedabad is unbelievable’
Harshvardhan, who has a good fan following in Ahmedabad, says, “This is the second time I’m experiencing this (fan love) in Ahmedabad. We came here on an unplanned visit after Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat was released to thank people for their love. The response we got here pushed us to do a whole tour. It may be because of the sweetness of the food, but the warmth is unbelievable. It keeps us motivated.”
Dulquer Salmaan, Pooja Hegde team up for Telugu romantic drama
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Dulquer Salmaan and Pooja Hegde to team up for the first time for a Telugu romantic drama; film expected to go on floors in late 2025
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; December 11, 2024)
For Dulquer Salmaan and Pooja Hegde, 2025 seems to be the year of love. While Salmaan is filming his romantic drama, Aakasam Lo Oka Tara, Hegde has the rom-com Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai lined up for release next year. Now, mid-day has learnt that the two stars are set to team up for a yet-untitled Telugu romantic drama.
“The makers were keen to cast a fresh jodi. Dulquer and Pooja have never shared screen space together despite being among the prominent names in south cinema. So, the makers felt bringing them together would add novelty to the story,” reveals a source. The project is expected to go on floors in late 2025.
In his 12-year career so far, Salmaan shone in several romantic dramas, from O Kadhal Kanmani (2015) to the much-loved Sita Ramam (2022). After back-to-back thrillers in Chup: Revenge Of The Artist (2022), King Of Kotha (2023) and Lucky Baskhar, he is excited to return to love stories.
Another insider says, “Dulquer enjoys exploring different facets of love through his offerings. He is charged about the romantic dramas in his line-up, considering they are starkly different from each other.”
The film will be a change of pace for Hegde, who will open the year with the action thriller, Deva, opposite Shahid Kapoor. She also has Thalapathy 69 opposite Vijay, and Suriya 44, followed by Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, led by Varun Dhawan.
Guns & Gulaabs was the perfect place to unleash my hopeless romantic self-Suman Kumar
8:48 AM
Guns & Gulaabs writer Suman Kumar breaks down how the idea of Raj-DK’s crime comedy originated from a teenage romance
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; August 31, 2023)
What did puppy love have to do with the crime-infested world of Guns & Gulaabs? A lot, as the audience witnessed in the show. Writer Suman Kumar admits creator duo Raj-DK’s (Raj Nidimoru, Krishna DK) series—starring Rajkummar Rao, Dulquer Salmaan and Adarsh Gourav—has its roots in teenage romance.
“Raj and I felt we needed to tell a feel-good [story]. He had a premise in mind: there is a small-town 14-year-old boy, who is a topper, until a city girl comes and replaces him. I told Raj-DK that we needed more. While researching, I came across opium smuggling, and thought it would be fun if this world collided with that of adolescence,” recalls Kumar.
That set the ball rolling on the Netflix crime comedy that packs in several themes, from teenage romance to childhood trauma and drug trade. Kumar felt like a child in a candy store because he loves writing romance.
“The theme in my mind was ‘Love hurts’. Arjun Varma [Salmaan] had [feelings for] Yamini [Shreya Dhanwanthary] that came back to hurt him. It was a similar case for other main characters too. I am more of a romantic than Raj-DK. Guns & Gulaabs was the perfect place to unleash my hopeless romantic self,” he smiles.
The writer is also happy that the show enabled him to explore gender fluidity through Gourav’s character, Jugnu, who comes out as a transgender person. Kumar says authenticity was key in the track. “As men who have no idea what it is to be a woman, writing this was a new experience. We spoke to gender experts and consultants. We didn’t want to strike a [false] note.”
I always wanted to learn an instrument. I have been learning ukulele for almost seven years-Mithila Palkar
9:08 AM
Soumya Vajpayee (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 21, 2023)
“Monsoon and music have a strong connect and I love them both,” says Mithila Palkar, in an exclusive tête-à -tête and photoshoot, as the actor, a music aficionado, admits that “music is an integral part of my life”. She adds, “During monsoon, I visit my nani’s home often, sit on a swing as it rains, put on my headphones and listen to music for hours. This is my favourite monsoon ritual and it’s meditative. I also get inspired to sing as it rains, and love when my nani cooks some amazing pakoras and bhajiyas.”
Mithila Palkar has been spending a lot of time honing her ukulele skills. “I always wanted to learn an instrument. While I wanted to learn the sitar, I thought of starting with the ukulele, which is also a string instrument,” says the actor, adding, “I have been learning it for almost seven years. My house has a music room and my maasa recently gifted me a keyboard. I do the riyaaz daily and find it very meditative. I am a self-taught musician. The internet has played a role in helping me learn music. I learnt playing the cups on the internet too.”
Sharing how her love for music developed, Palkar shares that her father introduced her to music. “He’s a die-hard music lover. He would sing while putting me to sleep. The culture of music has been in my house since I was a baby. My nana played the tabla, flute and other instruments,” she says.
The 30-year-old has had a couple of releases and she now wishes “to learn music formally”. Sharing how she and music are inseparable, Palkar says, “I am always singing, even when I’m on the set. When we were working together on a project, my Marathi co-actor Amey Wagh would get annoyed and say, ‘Rolling bolne tak tum gaati hi rehti ho! Mujhe toh focus karne do’. Also, when I was shooting for Karwaan (2018), Irrfan Khan sir (late actor) would call me Binaca Geetmala (a yesteryear radio show). DQ (actor Dulquer Salmaan) called me a jukebox. He would tell me what to sing.”
A lover of “Hindustani and Carnatic classical music”, the Ori Devuda (2022) actor is “yet to delve deep into western classical”. She adds, “I remember while growing up, I would wait for audio cassettes of M S Subbulakshmi (Carnatic singer) that my maasi would get for me from the US. I enjoy like retro Marathi and Hindi music. My favourite vocal combinations are Mohammed Rafi-Asha Bhosle and Sonu Nigam-Shreya Ghoshal.”
Maybe we’ll reach a time where OTT will have only shows, and films will be largely meant for theatres-Dulquer Salmaan
8:33 AM
Unhappy about films being demarcated as digital and theatrical offerings, Guns & Gulaabs actor Dulquer wishes that mainstream as well as unconventional movies find their place on the big screen
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; August 17, 2023)
Within the space of a week, Dulquer Salmaan would have made appearances on both our laptops as well as the big screen. His maiden web series, Guns & Gulaabs, drops online tomorrow, followed by the Malayalam movie, King Of Kotha, next Friday. To him, the fact that the two distinct stories are reaching audiences through different platforms shows that now is a good time for content.
“Wherever there is great content and whatever opportunities we get as actors, we will grab them,” he smiles.
It is this passion to tell unheard stories that brought him to Guns & Gulaabs, also featuring Rajkummar Rao, Gulshan Devaiah and Adarsh Gourav. The Netflix offering marks his OTT debut, but to Salmaan, the medium is secondary. What primarily matters is whether the story resonates with him. Raj-DK’s quirky crime comedy, set in the fictional town of Gulaabganj, delivered in that regard.
“You don’t look at which medium these stories are being played out on. You would rather do great work than think, ‘Oh, this is web. I will wait for a theatrical offering.’ Guns & Gulaabs was an easy choice to make because of how its world looked and how the characters were. It stood out from all the [offers] I was getting. We have had many serious series, but this was a clutter-breaker. I was the last one to come on board. I wanted to experience Raj-DK’s world. Also, I had been curious to see how long-format storytelling worked,” he says.
But every shift brings with it pros and cons. As much as Salmaan is thrilled about unconventional stories getting their moment in the sun, thanks to digital entertainment, he worries about the demarcation of films.
“I feel bad about the labelling [of movies]. Sometimes when a film doesn’t find acceptance in theatres, people say, ‘This was an OTT film.’ When a film becomes massive online, the chatter is, ‘This should have been released in theatres.’ Who decides that? I’m hoping we can continue to draw audiences to theatres. Some [middle-of-the-road] films need encouragement [by way of footfall, otherwise] there might come a time when they won’t get made. All kinds of films must get made. Maybe we’ll reach a time where OTT [platforms] will have only shows, and films will be largely [meant for] theatres.”
Rana Daggubati apologizes to Sonam Kapoor; says comment was ‘misinterpreted’
9:17 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (August 16, 2023)
Actor Rana Daggubati’s recent comment at an event in Hyderabad about a certain “Bollywood heroine” wasting his friend, actor Dulquer Salmaan’s time on a Hindi film set grabbed a lot of eyeballs. Although he didn’t mention the name of the actor, fans quickly deduced that he was referring to Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, who starred alongside Salmaan in the 2019 rom-com, The Zoya Factor.
Taking on X, the Baahubali actor admittedly “regretted” that his words were “misinterpreted” and wrote, “I am genuinely troubled by the negativity that has been aimed at Sonam due to my comments, that are totally untrue and were meant entirely in a light-hearted manner.”
He apologized to Ahuja and Salman and added, “I express my heartfelt apologies to Sonam and Dulquer, both of whom I hold in great esteem. I hope this clarification puts an end to any speculation and misunderstanding.”
Ahuja had been facing the wrath of social media users when Daggubati shared an incident from the sets of The Zoya Factor. “While he (Salmaan) was standing in a corner with the spot boy, a big Hindi heroine who was doing that movie was engrossed in a conversation with her husband. Her lack of focus affected the shots’ quality, frustrating those on set.”
Bodyguard director Siddique passes away; industry mourns
3:33 PM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (August 10, 2023)
The death of Malayalam filmmaker Siddique Ismail, one half of the director duo Siddique-Lal, has left the industry mourning. The Bodyguard (2011), Vietnam Colony (1992) and Ramji Rao Speaking (1989) director suffered a massive heart attack and died on August 8.
Several stars took to social media to pay tributes to the late filmmaker. “Continuous departures of very dear ones…while experiencing the unbearable pain it causes… Homage to dear Siddique (sic),” actor Mammootty, a frequent collaborator of Siddique’s, wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Actor Dulquer Salmaan wrote, “The gentlest soul. The kindest human. A gifted writer/director. The most incredible humor hiding behind his soft demeanour. He gave us some of the most iconic films... This is an immeasurable loss (sic).”
Actor Kareena Kapoor Khan, who starred in Bodyguard, posted a picture of the late filmmaker on her Insta Stories, writing, “Will always remember you like this… You will be missed Siddique sir.”
In a Facebook post, filmmaker Fazil, who was Siddique’s mentor, wrote: “I have no words to thank you enough for the love and support you have given my family. Thank you for the beautiful memories. You and your smile will always remain in my heart (sic).”
I dread the day I hear my song being remixed without my creative inputs-Jasleen Royal
8:23 AM
Despite the acclaim she’s received for her Bollywood songs, Jasleen Royal says she’s keen to build her indie music repertoire, of which her track with Dulquer Salmaan is the newest addition
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; August 7, 2023)
Jasleen Royal has sufficient successful tracks behind her to keep fans intrigued about each new offering. However, her latest number, Heeriye, has become the talk of the town for more reasons than one. In this interview, Royal discusses creating the number that marks South star Dulquer Salmaan’s music-video debut, and why her songs are making fewer appearances in Bollywood films.
How did the idea of creating this track come about? And how did Dulquer come on board?
I have had this song with me for a while, but it was incomplete. I was attached to this one and did not want to give it to any [filmmaker]. I wanted to do it myself and have full control over what I could do. I reached out to Dulquer, and he told me that he [was my fan]. He said when his daughter was an infant, she would only sleep while listening to my song, Din shagna da.
I sent this song to him, and he said he loved it. While he was busy, I said I could wait for him. [Because he was coming on board], we obviously wanted to make this big. You’ll see that enough thought has gone into creating each frame.
A lot of people asked him why he decided to do this indie music video. And he’d say, ‘Art is art.’ He doesn’t segregate art on the basis of the platform. That is what I love about him, because a lot of actors are caught up in the game of positioning.
Because I was also donning the producer’s hat, I wanted everything to go well, and to make him feel welcomed. I didn’t want him to feel like this was a small project for him. My focus was on making him feel at ease, but he was cool.
What have you deciphered about cracking romantic numbers, given that the ones you make are always lapped up by listeners?
I don’t think about doing a romantic song or a sad song, in that specific way. When I made Ranjha, [I did so because] something was happening in my life. A close friend was going through a bad phase. She was living with me and I translated her pain into my song because it was getting overwhelming to see her.
So, I just think about what comes naturally to me. I don’t think about writing a chart-buster, or using tricks because something is [trending]. I made this song, and felt Arijit [Singh] would be the perfect choice for it. I was grateful that he agreed to sing it. So, the effort has always been to create something unique and something that I believe in.
How has the process of transitioning into production been?
Honestly, I’m sick of remixes. I don’t want to give the rights to my songs to any label anymore. I dread the day I hear my song being remixed without my creative inputs. I am frustrated with this trend. And because I don’t want to whine or complain about it, I am choosing to steer away from that direction and do something on my own.
When Ranjha came out, it brought me financial stability. I could take this risk, because I can’t sit and fear that someday someone will take my song, tweak one or two lines, or add one new word, and call it their composition. I think that is ridiculous.
Meezaan Jafri to step into Dulquer Salmaan's shoes for Hindi remake of Bangalore Days
8:29 AM
Vinay MR Mishra (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 21, 2022)
The spiritual sequel of 2014’s sleeper hit Yaariyan, we have exclusively learnt, is a Hindi remake of the Malayalam film Bangalore Days (2014). Earlier we had reported that Yaariyan’s director Divya Khosla Kumar will be seen acting in the sequel alongside actor Pearl V Puri, who will make his Bollywood debut with the film. The two will play cousins in the remake, which is about three cousins moving into a city together.
Furthermore, we have learnt that actor Meezaan Jafri is on board as one of the primary roles. This is Jafri’s third film after Malaal (2019) and Hungama 2 (2021).
Jafri will step into the shoes of actor Dulquer Salmaan in the Hindi remake. “He plays a biker in the film and has several stunts in the screenplay,” an insider mentions.
Moreover, as per our information, Bengali actor Yash Dasgupta, who has been part of a few Hindi TV shows like Na Aana Is Des Laado, will also mark his Hindi film debut with the movie helmed by Vinay Sapru and Radhika Rao.
Dasgupta will be seen as Kumar’s romantic interest in the movie.
“Divya wanted to remake Bangalore Days for a really long time. Yaariyan is all about bonds and camaraderie, so it seemed perfect to have the remake as the sequel. The team has already shot for the first schedule in Shimla. The second schedule is currently on floors in Mumbai,” a source close to the production reveals.
Bangalore Days was one of the highly acclaimed Malayalam films, which was also remade in Tamil in 2016 as Bangalore Naatkal.
We reached out to Kumar, Jafri and Dasgupta for a comment, but none replied till the time of going to press.
I think being a little exclusive works in my favour-Dulquer Salmaan
8:18 AM
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 10, 2022)
It was in 2018 that actor Dulquer Salmaan marked his Hindi film debut with Karwaan. He went on to star in The Zoya Factor (2019) alongside Sonam Kapoor Ahuja. And three years later, he’s working on two Hindi projects — a film by R Balki and a web series, Guns And Gulaabs.
Quiz him about his sporadic work in the Hindi film industry, and Salmaan says, “I hear the same complaint from every industry I work in, which is actually very sweet. I’m humbled that the audience misses seeing me on screen.”
However, he’s quick to add that he doesn’t believe in over-exposure. “I’d rather have them miss me than be like, ‘Oh no! Not him again! We just saw him last month. How many more films will we see him in?’ I think being a little exclusive works in my favour,” he shares.
In February, Salmaan, who made his acting debut with the Malayalam movie Second Show (2012), completed a decade in films. Recalling his early days, the actor, who is the son of superstar Mammootty, says, “I came into the industry literally terrified, insecure and completely unsure of my future. I used to wonder if people would be open to watching me on screen for two hours. I didn’t want to do remakes, sequels and bilinguals. If you told me 10 years back that I would go on to work in four languages and be recognised and accepted, I wouldn’t have believed you.”
Having been a part of a slew of successful films, including Bangalore Days (2014), O Kadhal Kanmani and Charlie (both 2015), the 35-year-old feels more “secure as an actor and a person” today. “I can look after my family and provide for them. It’s been amazing so far and my fingers are crossed for the next ten [years]. And I can finally watch myself on screen now,” Salmaan ends with a laugh.
The final decision on Dulquer Salmaan’s movie ban will be taken in our general body meeting-FEUOK
8:16 AM
Deepa Soman (BOMBAY TIMES; March 23, 2022)
Actor Dulquer Salmaan’s announcement on releasing his latest film Salute on an OTT platform was met with both bouquets and brickbats by the film fraternity. Though the actor had released a film that he had produced directly, on OTT in 2020, Salute was the first in which he starred as the lead and also produced. His fans were excited, but bodies like Film Exhibitor’s United Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK) weren’t impressed, and were quick to announce on March 15 that they will be ‘banning’ his films from theatres.
It’s been a few days since the ban was reported, and now we hear that FEUOK is planning to take its final decision on the same in their general body meeting, which will be held in Kochi on March 31.
FEUOK secretary, Sumesh Joseph tells us, “We have not made the final decision on this yet. The first announcement on the ban was based on the reactions we had in our executive body meeting. Salute was supposed to be released in theatres on January 14. Posters and cut-outs were placed in theatres, and some of them even sold online tickets for the movie. However, the producers later decided to change the release date due to Omicron. After that, all of a sudden, we began noticing hoardings announcing its release on an OTT platform. That’s how we came to know about it. The production house didn’t even hold a discussion on this with us.”
Apparently, the members felt that Dulquer’s production house should have discussed the situation with them. “We could have tried to understand their side of the story,” says Sumesh, adding, “That’s when we felt action should be taken against this move. We decided not to cooperate with him, and the first announcement from our side was an instant reaction as a result of it.”
FEUOK members are not cooperating with Dulquer’s films at the moment, says Sumesh. “Some of them are supposed to release next month, but nobody from our group has taken an advance or entered into an agreement with his production house. FEUOK’s executive body has 22 members, and its total strength is 280 members. As we have a general body meeting coming up on March 31, we have kept the final decision pending till then,” he explains.
Asked to comment on this development, the spokesperson of Dulquer’s production house tells us, “As of now, we haven’t received any official communication regarding these developments. Once we get it, we will make decisions accordingly.”
Dulquer Salmaan breaks silence on Salute's OTT release after Kerala exhibitors boycott him
8:21 AM
After Kerala exhibitors boycott him for taking digital route with Salute, Dulquer says backlog of theatrical releases led to the decision
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; March 22, 2022)
The release of one’s passion project should be a reason to rejoice. But Dulquer Salmaan, whose production Salute dropped on Sony LIV over the weekend, finds himself in a quandary. The investigative thriller was initially slated to hit theatres on January 14, but had to be deferred due to the third wave of the Coronavirus pandemic. The actor-producer then decided to take the OTT route — a move that has irked the Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK). As a result, the FEUOK has decided to boycott Salmaan’s upcoming movies.
“I understand where they are coming from. These are peculiar times because of the lockdown and COVID-19. Amid this, OTT platforms have become popular,” begins Salmaan.
While the actor’s last two releases Kurup (2021) and Hey Sinamika hit the marquee, he reasons that a digital premiere appeared to be a prudent move for Salute. “A large volume of films is awaiting release. Most films are getting a window of one or two weeks before the next movie [hits the marquee]. Right now, it’s a phase of transition before we reach normalcy. So, we will have to choose the films that can go to theatres, and the ones for OTT. Over time, the balance [will be restored]. I only have goodwill towards theatre owners. There is no bigger excitement than releasing a movie in cinema halls.” The decision will reportedly be presented in the FEUOK’s general meeting by the month-end.
Director Rosshan Andrrews’ Malayalam film sees Salmaan as a cop who is hell-bent on getting to the bottom of a case, while being tailed by his colleagues. “I wasn’t seeking a cop role, but when this came my way, I wanted to do it. It felt rooted,” he says.
Up next, he has R Balki’s Chup, which sees him return to Hindi cinema after three years. Though happy to juggle Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi films, Salmaan doesn’t take the label of pan-India actor too seriously. “I don’t understand the term. A film travels on its own merit. I don’t know if we should package a film such that it matches the sensibilities of [the audience] across the country. I just go by the script. I want to keep surprising my audience.”
Mrunal Thakur heads to Russia to commence her maiden Telugu project, Lieutenant Ram, opposite Dulquer Salmaan
8:32 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; February 17, 2022)
Last August, it was announced that Mrunal Thakur would make her Telugu debut with Lieutenant Ram opposite Dulquer Salmaan. Almost six months on, Thakur is ready to travel back in time to the ’60s for the period drama that sees her play a character named Sita. The actor left for Russia on Tuesday to kick-start the first schedule of Hanu Raghavapudi’s directorial venture that will be released in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam.
Little is known about the trilingual, except that it is an intense love story. “The team’s first stop is St Petersburg. The cast and crew commenced shooting on Wednesday, kicking off a week-long schedule in the port city. Though this marks Dulquer and Mrunal’s first collaboration, they have a wonderful on-screen chemistry. Mrunal, who has solely concentrated on Hindi films over the past four years, is happy to foray into the south industry with this project,” says a source.
On the Bollywood front, she will soon be seen opposite Shahid Kapoor in the sports drama, Jersey. Umesh Shukla’s Aankh Micholi and Raja Krishna Menon’s ambitious war drama Pippa are also in the pipeline.
Dulquer Salmaan and Geeta Basra test positive for Covid-19
8:05 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (January 22, 2022)
Actor Dulquer Salmaan announced on Thursday that he has tested positive for Coronavirus. This comes just a few days after his father, veteran star Mammootty shared on social media that he, too, had contracted the virus.
Taking to Instagram, the Kurup (2021) star shared his health update. He wrote, “I have just tested positive for Covid-19. I’m isolating at home and have mild flu symptoms, but am otherwise ok... This pandemic is not over and we must stay vigilant. Please mask up and stay safe (sic).”
Meanwhile, on the work front, the actor’s upcoming film, Salute, was pushed due to the surge in the number of Covid-19 cases. It was scheduled to release on January 14.
Another celeb down with Covid-19 is wife of former cricketer Harbhajan Singh, actor Geeta Basra.
On Friday, she informed her fans of her diagnosis on Instagram. She posted, “After being so careful and trying to dodge this damn thing for 2 years, the virus finally caught us (sic),” she wrote. Alongside the update, she posted a picture of her resting on the bed.
Dulquer Salmaan’s next is a Bollywood thriller
8:10 AM
Anna Mathews (BOMBAY TIMES; May 28, 2021)
While reports have been doing the rounds since January, it has now been confirmed that Dulquer Salmaan will be seen in his third Bollywood movie. This time he is set to work with R Balki, whose earlier films include Cheeni Kum and Paa, among others with Amitabh Bachchan, and Akshay Kumar-starrer Pad Man.
While cinematographer P C Sreeram on social media tweeted the news, Dulquer, too, confirmed the news. “I was hoping to start the shoot right after my Telugu film, but the situation has turned out like this,” said Dulquer, who was shooting in Kashmir in April for Hanu Raghavapudi’s multilingual Tho Rasina Prema Katha. “I will leave it to the makers to say more about the new film, because the title and cast have not been finalised yet,” he added.
P C Sreeram had tweeted on Tuesday night, “My next project with Balki will have Dulquer Salman. It’s a psychological thriller. Eagerly waiting to start work (sic).” He has worked on all of Balki’s earlier films. According to reports, this project will get underway in July and is set against the backdrop of Mumbai’s monsoon.
This will be Dulquer’s third in Bollywood. He was earlier seen in Karwaan, which had him alongside Mithila Palkar and Irrfan, and The Zoya Factor opposite Sonam K Ahuja.
Irrfan Khan wanted to learn more and wouldn’t shy away from asking questions-Mithila Palkar
6:46 AM
Mithila Palkar, who co-starred with Irrfan in Karwaan, talks about sharing screen space with an actor she was in awe of, and remembers being surprised by the late actor’s curious nature
By Mithila Palkar (BOMBAY TIMES; April 26, 2021)
‘HE WOULD ASK ME A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THE DIGITAL MEDIUM WORKED’
I had my first dialogue of the first schedule of Karwaan with Irrfan sir... that was a daunting task. Like everyone else, I was a huge fan and was always in awe of him. I was extremely intimidated by him, not because he made me feel that way, but out of the respect that I had for him. He was like a film school in himself. It took me a while to come to terms with the fact that I am not his audience, so it was important that I don’t laugh at what he is saying, but react to it. Apart from that, he was just a lot of fun to work with. What struck me was that he was extremely receptive to new things. He would ask me a lot of questions about how the digital medium worked. After Karwaan, he was probably planning to work in something on those lines, so he was really curious to know about this medium, how you get your audience and all of that.
It was amazing that the three of us – DQ (Dulquer Salmaan), Irrfan sir and I – were from different realms of the industry. There was so much to share and learn. The heartening bit was that Irrfan sir was so curious, always wanted to learn more and wouldn’t shy away from asking questions if there was anything that he was unaware of. In fact, he was happily intrigued about how the entertainment space is moving in the digital medium.
‘SOME DAYS, I WOULD GO ON THE SET JUST TO WATCH HIM WORK’
He used to call me Binaca Geetmala because I would keep singing between shots. Even on days I wasn’t required on location, I would go just to watch him work because that was like being at a film school. We all know how amazing he was at his craft.
‘ONE THING I LEARNT FROM IRRFAN SIR WAS TO BE A BETTER LISTENER’
As an actor, something I learnt from Irrfan sir was to be a better listener. When you listen is when you can give something back, and acting is all about give and take. Even in a scene where someone is holding a gun to your head, you have to react to the situation and be aware of your co-actors. It’s an important life lesson, too, but as an actor, it’s essential to listen to others.
‘IT FELT INCOMPLETE TO PROMOTE KARWAAN WITHOUT IRRFAN SIR’
Throughout Karwaan, we three were a unit travelling together, and then, to suddenly promote it without him by our side, felt incomplete (Irrfan was unwell at that time). Dulquer and I would take turns to write to him and tell him that we are missing you; we felt the void even then. It’s hard, even now, to talk about him not being with us anymore.
— As told to Harshada Rege
My fans even follow me to my car. But I do not think too much about it-Dulquer Salmaan
8:30 AM
One of the few stars to have a dedicated women fan association, Malayalam sensation and The Zoya Factor hero Dulquer Salmaan underplays his popularity among the ladies
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; September 18, 2019)
One would assume that adulation rests easy on Dulquer Salmaan's shoulders — after all, he has witnessed it up-close since childhood, courtesy superstar father Mammootty, and gone on to amass a legion of fans of his own. But broach the subject of his immense popularity among women — he is one of the few stars to have a women's fan association, All Kerala Dulquer Salmaan Fans And Welfare Association — and he sheepishly grins, "The fans are sweet. They are there on the set, at events and even follow me to my car. But I do not think too much about it."
In the seven years since he burst on the scene, his love for acting has seen him dabble in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu cinema. After a tepid start in Bollywood with Karwaan (2018) last year, Salmaan is ready to follow it up with a mainstream offering, The Zoya Factor, opposite Sonam K Ahuja. "Sonam loves fashion, so she always has something to say about my outfits and how I should rock them, especially now, during promotions. Her comments are motivating and positive," he says, aware that he has to make a sartorial statement when around B-Town's resident fashionista.
Though the movie — based on Anuja Chauhan's book — is set in the world of cricket and sees him play the skipper, Salmaan admits he is not an avid follower of the sport. "But I catch up on the Indian Premier League. I am a Chennai Super Kings fan." Juggling thriving careers across four industries means he is left with little time for personal life. The actor, a father to two-and-a-half-year-old Maryam, says, "I will balance my South commitments with my Bollywood outings, but I want to work at my own pace. Dad always used to be busy with his commitments. So, I am actively trying to find that balance between work and home. Of late, I haven't been able to spend enough time with Maryam, who has just learnt to talk."
Sonam Kapoor has a bigger fan base, more people will watch the film-Dulquer Salmaan
8:06 AM
Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; September 10, 2019)
He made his Bollywood debut with Karwaan alongside Irrfan last year. While the movie was critically acclaimed, it did not exactly fare well at the box office. Now, Malayalam superstar Dulquer Salmaan, who got rave reviews for his maiden Hindi outing, is gearing up for his next, The Zoya Factor. Based on Anuja Chauhan’s book by the same name, the movie will see him play a cricket captain. The day we met the actor, he had come straight from the airport, having flown in from Kerala. The 33-year-old opened up about his role in the film, how the market since the time his superstar father Mammootty did Hindi movies has changed for South actors, and why he has no qualms being part of a project that revolves around the female lead.
You made your Bollywood debut with Karwaan, which was not a mainstream commercial film...
(Cuts in) Yes, but, I have done stuff like that in other languages, too. When I hear different ideas, I gauge how much I like the script and the concept. I don’t particularly think how big or commercially viable the film is. If there is honesty in an idea, I like to do it. I wasn’t planning on entering any industry in that sense. Even OK Kanmani (2015) for Mani Ratnam was a small Tamil film. I look at content. The Zoya Factor has great content, which is also commercial. Even in Malayalam, some films are small and not mainstream, while the others are. I try to balance it out. I go by gut instinct. I don’t think too much about a debut film. If it’s good and people like it, they will like you. If they don’t like the movie, they won’t like the performance either.
Was it disappointing when Karwaan didn’t work at the box office?
No, we were not pitching it like a big film. It was a small sweet idea and we never expected it to do commercial film numbers. But, it was received well, and critically liked. It did decent numbers, we were all happy — not shocked or surprised. It has got a lot more love now when it released on a digital platform recently.
In The Zoya Factor, you are opposite Sonam Kapoor aka Sonam K Ahuja, who is a big name in Bollywood. Didn’t you have apprehensions that the film would be more about her than you?
No, I don’t mind. I did Mahanati (Telugu) with Keerthy Suresh, which is the biopic of South actress Savitri. The film is only about the girl, but I loved that my character had so much to do. He was kind of grey, almost negative in some scenes. Sometimes, I look at how good the project, as well as my role, are. Finally, the movie is the hero. If it does well, viewers will watch it and in turn, I will be seen. Sonam has a bigger fan base, so more people will watch the movie and I will be introduced to more audiences. So, I don’t take it negatively. I think it’s a plus.
What prompted you to sign the movie, to begin with?
I liked my character. I felt there was lot of scope for me to perform. I’ve never done a sports film before, it’s the first time I’m playing an athlete of any kind, so that was interesting. There’s a nice graph to it. Sonam’s and my character are opposites — she believes in luck and he believes in hard work. I liked all that. I felt it’s different from what I’ve done.
Did you read the book before signing the film?
No, I hadn’t, though I had it in my bookshelf. When they signed me, they said if you haven’t read the book, don’t. Because we want you to hear the screen adaptation. So, I read it after hearing the script initially. It is more detailed. It’s good that I didn’t read it before.
How interested are you in cricket?
You can’t ignore it in India. I have grown up around it. Street cricket is happening everywhere. I shifted from Kochi to Chennai when I was seven and the first thing I saw was kids playing cricket all the time. I made a lot of friends in the neighbourhood like that. And even in school, the sport was big. I went to college in America and there were a lot of Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis. It was nice to get together, watch cricket and support different teams.
Is your role fashioned on any cricketer?
No, we have not based it on any cricketer, but in Anuja’s writing there are some glimpses of MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. My character’s got qualities of the best captains. The production got me a lovely coach and I would train with him when I was in Mumbai. Even when I would go to Kochi for my Malayalam film’s shoot, the coach would come down there and we would practise.
Several South superstars, including your father Mammotty, have forayed into Bollywood, but they haven’t been able to sustain. What do you think is the reason?
What happens with us is all of us come from a core market — I am established in Malayalam and somewhat in Tamil. So, it’s about how you weigh your options. If you have better scripts there, you do them. It all depends on what comes your way.
And sometimes, it’s difficult to say no to the progress you’ve made there. You can’t ignore that. Even now, if I take a long gap from Malayalam films, that can affect the progress I’ve made for so many years. So, that priority has to be there. When I do a film from another language, I try to find a movie that can be shot in two months. I don’t know who to compare myself with because I don’t know other actors who are juggling many industries.
Besides, the market has changed a bit now. It has become bigger, the number of screens has increased, there is OTT platform, worldwide markets, so it has helped us grow in terms of size, budget and viewership. You can push the film around the country even if it’s subtitled. We released Bangalore Days (his superhit Malayalam film) with subtitles across South and some stations in Mumbai and Delhi. It got that viewership. That is possible now. There are a lot of Malayalis everywhere, which was not the case earlier.
Prabhas has just made his Bollywood debut with Saaho...
Yeah, but that’s a bilingual movie, so, he’s not losing his focus there. It’s when you completely step away that it gets tricky. But I am trying to balance it.
Dulquer Salmaan is a thorough gentleman-Sonam Kapoor
8:11 AM
After romancing hottie Fawad Khan in Khoobsurat, Sonam Kapoor on working with South sensation Salmaan in The Zoya Factor
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; September 7, 2019)
The jury is still out on whether Zoya Solanki — her character in The Zoya Factor — is a good luck charm for Team India, but Sonam Kapoor aka Sonam K Ahuja appears to be lucky as far as co-stars are concerned. Only five years after she had girls going green with envy as she romanced Fawad Khan on screen in Khoobsurat (2014), Kapoor will now be seen wooing South star Dulquer Salmaan in the screen adaptation of Anuja Chauhan’s book by the same name.
The Malayalam actor, who forayed into Bollywood with Karwaan (2018), enjoys a huge female fan following. Talking about her first collaboration with Salmaan, Kapoor says, "Dulquer is so good-looking and a thorough gentleman. Working with him was a delight, especially romancing him while shooting the track, Kaash. We have different vibes as individuals, but together we had a great time on the set as many comedy of errors kept happening throughout the shoot."
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