For filmmaker Mohit Suri, the success of Saiyaara (2025) has brought a powerful realisation, that trusting instinct matters more than chasing industry formulas. He has been a part of showbiz for more than two decades now.

The director says Saiyaara’s journey felt liberating from the very beginning. “I remember the last day of the shoot. My producer (Aditya Chopra) asked me how I was feeling, and I said, ‘I feel liberated,’” he recalls.

Suri explains that after the success of films like Aashiqui 2 (2013) and Ek Villain (2014), he found himself increasingly chasing box-office numbers, and that pursuit slowly pushed him toward what he now calls formula filmmaking. “I tried everything possible,” he admits.

“I put action, I put two heroes, I tried a remix song, things I had never done before. I tried all the so-called tricks of the trade.” Yet the result, he says, didn’t quite work the way he expected, referencing his film Ek Villain Returns (2022), which didn’t perform well at the box office.

Saiyaara, however, marked a reset. Without the pressure of big stars or a franchise, the project gave the director creative freedom. “There was no sequel, there were no stars, there was no number to live up to,” Suri says, adding, “It was made on a small budget, so I just went and made a film which I thought was a good film.”

The result surprised even him. “Everything came, the opening, the success. So the learning from this is: just chase excellence, success will come by itself.”

The actor is out of Mohit Suri’s next, which pitted him against John Abraham, over creative differences
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 3, 2020)

Mirror was the first to report (January 6) that after Aashiqui 2 and Malang, Aditya Roy Kapur and Mohit Suri were all set to complete a hat-trick with the Ek Villain sequel. Titled Do Villain, the film also featured John Abraham in this battle between the baddies, with Disha Patani and Tara Sutaria as the leading ladies. The action thriller was to go on the floors this month and the actors had started prepping for their respective parts through video conferencing. Now, we have learnt that Aditya is no longer a part of the film.

“Adi was to sport multiple looks and had started working on his physique during the lockdown. But over the last month, there have been several creative disagreements between Mohit and him, following which they decided to part ways,” revealed a source close to the development, adding that the director does not like anything or anyone coming in the way of his vision. “The two used to be good friends once, but this has definitely affected the equation. Hopefully, it is temporary and Mohit and Adi will reunite soon.”

The Do Villain prep is complete, and the makers are contemplating multiple locations for the shoot. A recce is expected to commence soon and the hunt has already started for a replacement. The team is looking for an actor who can hold his own against John, who has a multidimensional character in the film. “There are several confrontations between the two villains and Mohit, Ekta Kapoor and other producers are looking to cast a young actor with the personality to carry off shades of grey. He will be locked in a fortnight’s time,” the source added. Aditya, who has two films up for release, has reportedly signed another project, which he will kick off soon. It will be his first film since the pandemic.

Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 25, 2020)

Mirror (January 6, 2020) was the first to report that John Abraham and Aditya Roy Kapur are teaming up for Mohit Suri’s Ek Villain 2, which will be produced by Ekta Kapoor and Bhushan Kumar. Disha Patani is John’s lady love while Tara Sutaria who plays a singer, is opposite Aditya, with both the heroines have an underlying shade of grey in this battle royale between two villains.

Now, we have learnt that Mohit is planning to create his own universe of villains, leading to a final showdown. “After a crossover of superheroes and super cops, Mohit is looking to explore the dark side of human behavior with this franchise,” informs a source, saying that like the cop-universe, wherein a new character is introduced in the film’s end credits, Mohit, too, wants to introduce a new villain in the upcoming action thriller, whose character sketch is currently being worked upon. “He is also contemplating changing the title from Ek Villain 2 to Do Villain.”

The film was to go on the floors in July, but with the future looking uncertain, following the Coronavirus outbreak, he is using the lock-down to fine-tune his script and is in constant touch with his actors over video calls.

Mohit’s 2014 action thriller, Ek Villain, featured Sidharth Malhotra and Shraddha Kapoor in lead with Riteish Deshmukh stepping into the antagonist’s shoes for the first time.

The actors are set to play the lead in Part 2 of Mohit Suri’s 2014 thriller; shooting is expected to kick off in June
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 6, 2020)

Mirror has learnt that five years after the Mohit Suri-directed Ek Villain, which featured Sidharth Malhotra, Riteish Deshmukh and Shraddha Kapoor, a second installment of the thriller is in the works. Titled Ek Villain 2, the Bhushan Kumar and Ekta Kapoor production will feature John Abraham and Aditya Roy Kapur as leads, with Mohit returning to the director’s chair.

According to a source close to the development, Part 2 is not a sequel but a new story that pits John and Aditya’s characters against each other. “It will also have an intense love story at its core,” revealed the source, adding that the makers are in the process of signing a top actress to be paired alongside the hero. “Both John and Adi had heard Mohit’s idea a while ago and were excited to come on board as the premise is something both haven’t explored before. The final narration took place recently, following which the two actors signed the film.”

While Riteish had grabbed eyeballs with his antagonist turn, the film was also praised for the music, with songs like “Galliyan”, “Banjara” and “Hamdard” acquiring chartbuster status. “Music will be a USP in Part 2 as well. Bhushan and Mohit are selecting the songs for the album, which will be locked soon,” added the source. The film will go on the floors towards the second half of 2020.

Mohit has another directorial, Malang, scheduled for release in February, and according to the source, he will move on to the pre-production of Ek Villain 2, which includes recce and finding the supporting cast, after that. The film will be the third collaboration for Mohit and Aditya after Aashiqui 2 and Malang, while it is the director’s first film with John.

Before starting work on the project, John will wrap up Sanjay Gupta’s gangster-drama, Mumbai Saga, and his Independence Day release, Attack. Work on the Satyameva Jayate sequel, which is up for an October release, begins in April. “John is planning to kick off Ek Villain 2 around June, but the date will be finalised once the entire team is on board,” the source shared.

Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; November 13, 2019)

It’s been 16 years since Riteish Deshmukh entered Bollywood, but despite his experience spanning more than a decade-and-a-half, the actor says that the new generation is keeping him on his toes. Ahead of the release of his next, director Milap Milan Zaveri’s Marjaavaan, he talks to BT about what’s stopping him from producing a Hindi film, why he has no plans to enter politics and how he is happy with the opportunities he is getting. Excerpts...

You play a dwarf in Marjaavaan. In Indian cinema, many actors have previously portrayed vertically challenged characters — Kamal Haasan in Appu Raja (1989), Anupam Kher in Jaan-E-Mann (2006) and Shah Rukh Khan in Zero (2018). Who among them was your inspiration while playing this character?
I didn’t have any inspirations as such, but each of these actors have been revolutionary in their approach to their movies. Almost 30 years ago when Kamal Haasan did Appu Raja, it was seen as something innovative. I am also thankful to Shah Rukh Khan. In fact, we were shooting Marjaavaan at the same time when Zero was being shot, and Shah Rukh was gracious enough to show us certain VFX shots from his film. He had the best equipment available and the production was also on a higher scale. Sometimes, budget can be a limitation and at such times, it is all about how smartly you pull it off. As a director, I think that Milap has shot intelligently.

What’s the toughest part of playing a vertically challenged person?
The most challenging part is shooting with the VFX. Of course, VFX has made it easy to a great extent. For example, actors no longer have to tie their legs behind and wear shoes on their knees to portray such characters. But still, it can be a daunting task. When two actors perform, one of them playing a dwarf, it’s important to maintain the right eye level. Though both actors would be standing while enacting the scene, they can’t look each other in the face. This means that they can’t see each other’s facial expressions. There were times when I used to check out how Sidharth (Malhotra) reacted to my lines on the monitor. And then, I would be like, ‘Achcha, tune aisa expression diya hai, toh mujhe mera expression change karna padega.’ Also, to achieve the desired result on screen, we used to give five different takes of the same shot.

Given that you play a vertically challenged character in Marjaavaan, were you apprehensive that it could turn out to be gimmicky?
No, I thought that the role was great. Imagine, someone comes to you and says, ‘I have a role for you. You are the villain, but you are vertically challenged’. I was like, ‘Wow!’ The character is not gimmicky, as he thinks too highly of himself. He might be all of 2 feet and 5 inches, but he thinks ki poora zaamana uske saamne dedh foot ka hai. He might be looking at people with his head up, but in his head, he is actually looking down on them.

For a long time, you were associated with comedies and romantic films. And then, you played the villain in Ek Villain (2014). Now, Marjaavaan, too, features you as the antagonist. Is this a deliberate attempt to change your image?
I am happy that new opportunities are coming my way. I am thankful, especially to Ekta Kapoor and Mohit Suri, as Ek Villain was a big turning point in my career. Today, I have got a similar opportunity and I am happy and thrilled about it.

Marjaavaan reunites you with your Ek Villain co-star, Sidharth Malhotra. Once again, you are pitted against each other on screen...
Sidharth and I met after five years for this film. I see a lot of maturity and poise in him. There’s also Tara Sutaria, who’s marking her second outing with this movie. I haven’t seen her debut film, but when I saw her on the set of our film, I was impressed with her confidence. That makes you wonder what you were thinking when you were just two films old. Today’s generation is well-prepared, and they keep you on your toes. It is inspiring to work with them. To perform without dialogues (Tara plays a mute character) and communicate with sign language is credible.

Taking off from your last answer, what was Riteish Deshmukh like when he was just two films old?
I didn’t want to be an actor when I started off. I was called to meet a few people, who were looking for a new face. After the first meeting, they asked me to fly down to Hyderabad, and when I went there, they offered me a film. I didn’t have any understanding of what a camera is, or what lighting is. I had to learn everything on the job. During the initial years, the critics had panned me. But, I see all those people as my teachers. I didn’t know that I would love being an actor so much. Else, I would have come better prepared. That way, I could have been better at my work when I started off. But God was kind, and the audience was kinder that they accepted me with all my flaws.

From acting to turning producer, you have come a long way. You have already produced two Marathi movies, when will we see you backing a Hindi film?
Hindi cinema is exploring a lot of interesting subjects these days. The content is so good that you get confused about which one to produce. I want to pick up the right script and plunge into Hindi film production soon.

Last year, your wife Genelia (actress Genelia Deshmukh) did a cameo in your Marathi production, Mauli. When will we see her making a comeback to Bollywood?
I hope she does it soon, as she is such a fine actor. She keeps reading scripts. She was interested in a couple of films, but they didn’t work out because of time constraints. She is getting offers from Telugu and Kannada films, and over the years, Genelia has picked up Marathi really well from my mother. So, she can definitely act in a Marathi film, too.

Do your sons Riaan and Rahyl watch your movies?
Not at all. I don’t think they know what an actor is. They only see dance videos online, and think that everyone’s parents dance in them. I remember Riaan visited the set of Housefull 4 one day. This was his first visit to a film set, and we were shooting for the song, Bala. He found it too noisy and just walked out. He told Genelia, ‘You told me that baba is working, but I didn’t see him working. He was only dancing.’ So, he doesn’t think that I work (laughs!).

You come from a family with political background and even campaigned for your brothers (Dhiraj amd Amit Deshmukh). Have you ever thought about entering politics yourself?
Politics is not like a restaurant, ki acting ke saath woh bhi chala liya. It is a full-time commitment. You need to actively participate in it, right from the grassroot level. Having said that, I never knew that I would be an actor. One day, an opportunity presented itself and I took the plunge. I am enjoying what I am doing right now. My brothers are doing well in politics, and I am totally aware of what’s happening in my country and the state.

Riteish with brothers Dheeraj and Amit Deshmukh

Riteish Deshmukh on why he’s not interested in rajneeti despite being Vilasrao Deshmukh’s son, what he finds fascinating about the Tanaji chapter in history, and fourth instalment of Dhamaal
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 11, 2019)

His mood is as cheerful as the red jacket he is wearing. With the sun on his back and the calming blue of the sea before him, Riteish Deshmukh sits back to take our salvos. And this time, he is not three-and-a-half foot, but all of five feet and nine inches tall. Excerpts from an interview:

Your last release, Housefull 4, was panned by all the critics as abysmal in its efforts to raise laughs. Did that worry you?
We knew what we were getting into with this franchise. May be the critics didn’t like it. But from its first Monday, the audience took over and then, there was no stopping it. Sometimes, we get carried away by what people are saying on the social media, but it is equally important to see what is happening on ground. People in large numbers have enjoyed and one must acknowledge that.

You once said that the adult comedy genre had reached its saturation point. Do you fear the same happening with family entertainers like Housefull?
It reached a saturation point from the perspective of the audience. The kind of material that I was offered at one point had nothing new to offer, it was all so monotonous. As far as comedies, there is still a lot of scope. For example, Housefull 4 was about reincarnation. And I would like to be a part of films which explore new dimensions in this genre.

You have another film with Sajid Nadiadwala, Baaghi 3, in which you play Tiger Shroff’s cop brother.
We were half way through the Housefull shoot when I got a call from Sajid. He wanted me to hear the script of Baaghi 3. I was surprised by the offer, but when I heard the narration, I discovered it’s an extraordinary story and was on board immediately.

This Friday, you have another release coming up in Marjaavaan and writer-director Milap Zaveri describes your character, Vishnu, as the Raavan of his plot. Would you agree?
(Laughs) Milap calls me the Raavan of his life. It’s a synonym for evil… the ultimate obstacle in one’s path. Gabbar was the Raavan of Sholay, likewise, Vishnu is the Raavan of Marjaavaan.

Did you take on the film for the challenge of playing a three-and-a-half foot baddie?
It all came together as a package. Yes, the role is challenging and blended well with the narrative. It doesn’t work when you have a great character in a bad script. I had to do every shot five times and act against the green screen. When I spoke my lines, I couldn’t look my co-star in the eye because our eye-lines didn’t match. Though technology helped, we didn’t go the whole hog like Zero (SRK’s space drama) due to budget constraints.

Do you think Ek Villain opened new avenues for you as an actor. Before that you were mostly cast in comedies?
That was off-beat casting at the time and I agree that it opened new doors.

Marjaavaan initially was perceived as a sequel to Ek Villain.
Was it? But when you see the film, you will realise that it is a distinctly different story. Calling Marjaavaan, Ek Villain 2 is like calling Ram Balram a sequel to Sholay because both films featured Amit ji (Amitabh Bachchan) and Dharmendra ji.

Mohit Suri is spinning a sequel now…
(Shrugs) Well, I died in the first film, so I can’t be a part of the sequel. But I am looking forward to it.

You have announced a film on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj…
We have reworked it a bit and should lock the script soon. With a subject like this, it’s a huge responsibility to get everything right which is why the scripting took longer than expected but we should go on the floors next year.

Ajay Devgn’s Tanhaji is about his commander-in-chief, Tanaji Malusare, who fought various battles alongside Shivaji Mahara j. Won’t there be an overlap?
It’s a great chapter from our history and I am looking forward to Ajay’s film. In school text books, there’s just a paragraph on Tanaji. So it’s important to know what he stood for, learn about his bravery, his love for his land and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. I am fascinated with this chapter.

Despite coming from a family of politicians, you have managed to keep yourself away from rajneeti…
I am my own person and while I respect everyone’s views, my job is to act in films, and that’s what I am doing. I leave politics to my brothers.

But weren’t you ever attracted to power?
I have seen it all my life, so power has never really been attractive. I am happy acting, that’s power for me.

Has your script selection changed after becoming a father? What are the dining table discussions like with your wife (Genelia D’Souza)?
My script selection is still the same. As far as dining table discussions go, we discuss everything that a husband and wife do—from what our kids eat to what happened at their schools and our gym. We even read scripts together.

Finally, is Housefull 5 and a Dhamaal 4 in the works?
It’s too early to think about Housefull 5, but I hope it happens. And we have discussed an idea for Dhamaal 4. I am sure Indu ji (director, Indra Kumar) is working on it.

Attempting a masala entertainer in Marjaavaan, Sidharth Malhotra on why he won't be bogged down by the fate of his last few releases
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 11, 2019)

It is not easy to associate Sidharth Malhotra with over-the-top, dramatic films considering he has shown a proclivity towards urbane roles, so far. "But I am an actor," smiles Malhotra, arguing that his next, Marjaavaan — a masala entertainer at its core — is a necessary step. "I grew up watching Sunny Deol and Sanjay Dutt, and I was happy Marjaavaan has that flavour which hasn't been explored by me. It's my job as an actor to do something that makes me uncomfortable."

When the film's trailer dropped online, netizens pointed out similarities with Malhotra's hit flick, Ek Villain (2014). "That's just because both movies star Riteish [Deshmukh] and me. The sur of this film is different. This is a classic good-versus-evil story. The comparison doesn't bother me because Ek Villain gave me a lot. I hope this film is able to do the same."

The action drama arrives at a crucial juncture in his career — his last five outings have failed to strike gold at the box office. Ask him if it makes him insecure, and he chooses to be pragmatic. "In the past seven years, I have experienced it all — the highs and the lows. So, I am not fearful. Now, I focus on being a working actor, who wants to bring in a larger audience. I have consciously not allowed the fate of my past films to affect my current choices."

Instead of being disheartened by failures, Malhotra views them as learning lessons. "I'm not insecure about my failures. Thomas Edison, who invented the bulb, got it right at the 180th attempt. Similarly, I am learning how not to make a bad film. Every time a film hasn't worked, I have tried to understand why — was it the release date, or the wobbly script? This learning matters. At the end of the day, I am still working because filmmakers see [potential] in me."

Sidharth Malhotra says thanks to the highs and lows he faced in his career so far, he is ‘fearless and confident’ now
Prashant Singh (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 10, 2019)

It’s more than palpable in actor Sidharth Malhotra’s demeanour that he is kicked about playing a “quintessential Bollywood hero” in his next, Marjaavaan. “It’s been a great experience, something that excited me a lot,” says the actor, who has been going through a lull of sorts, in terms of his box office standing. But the Delhi boy isn’t worried as he puts things in perspective. “Nobody knows the formula for a successful, hit film,” he says, as he talks about completing seven years as an actor. He also talks about his love life, saying he only wants the audiences’ love now. Excerpts from an interview:

This year, you completed seven years in the industry. How have things been?
I won’t say I am satisfied. I am still very hungry. In my head, I feel it’s just the beginning. I am grateful for the start I got because not many get that, especially since I come from a non-film background. I think during my initial years, I was just following the trends or going wherever I was getting pushed [around] in terms of films. Now, of late, when things are getting difficult, I feel challenged and so, I am becoming more independent and following my instinct.

From the outside, it looks like you have had a roller coaster ride…
Yes, I’ve had some amazing highs and lows, which moulded me as a person and an actor. I’ve pretty much gone through all emotions in the industry. At this point, I’m not thinking about the past — be it my hit or flop films. That has made me calmer and more aware of how this industry functions. I’m more charged, focused, and hungrier for work than I ever was. From now on, the attempt is to make films for a larger audience, for the middle class film lovers who are emotional people. If I can entertain them and create a niche, that would be great for me as an actor.

Talking of Marjaavaan, it looks totally different from what you have done till now?
I’d like to keep changing the zones and [kind of films] films that I do. Every time somebody says, ‘what you are doing is different’, I feel great that I look fresh, and am not repeating myself. With Marjaavaan, I go back to the zone of Ek Villain (2014) and Brothers (2015), but in a much larger-than-life way, with lots of action and dialogue-baazi. For the first time, I play a quintessential Bollywood hero like the ones I grew up watching — be it Sanjay Dutt, Sunny Deol or even [Amitabh] Bachchan saab’s films. It’s for the first time that I have been presented like a hero, who is beating up 50 people for love. Now, I am looking forward to the audiences’ response.

After a great start in the industry, things didn’t seem to go your way when your last few films didn’t do well at the box office. What does that do to you as an artiste?
Honestly, I feel it was important for me to experience the highs as well as lows in my career — from being praised to partly written off. For someone like me, who is not from a film background, it gives me immense strength as I have enjoyed the highs and also overcome the lows. Now, I know how both feel. Nothing is alien to me anymore. I feel the biggest fear is the fear of the unknown. When that fear is not there, I look at things positively ke, ab kya darna hai, I have experienced everything. Now, there’s nothing unknown to me and that kind of relaxes me.

So, are you saying that failures have only emboldened you?
Yes, now, I am more fearless, confident. Also, there’s something that people like about me, which is why I am getting work. Producers are not my uncles and aunts who are putting money on me. I think the trick is to not look back. No major actor can say that all his/her films went their way. The ratio to hits and flops is off that way, and I am no different. But now, I am used to films that don’t go my way. The idea is to not let that fear dictate your present work and choices.

Your new film, Marjaavaan reminds a lot of the cinema of the ’70s-80s with heavy-duty dialogue-baazi etc. Was it interesting for you as an actor?
It was a totally new experience for me. I am a fan of that kind of cinema from the bygone era that would have larger-than-life heroes. And I certainly enjoyed this experience for the first time in my career. Our film that is a love story — despite being set in today’s day-and-age — will give you the flavour of the ’70s and ’80s. I feel that kind of cinema is actually the base of modern-day Indian cinema. Essentially, our film is an intense love story, wherein it was exciting for me to see one lover kill the other. But the big question is: how and why? And that’s why you have to see the film (smiles).

Also, till date, you haven’t had many stints with ‘massy’ movies…
In a way, Marjaavaan is an answer to that because in the film, I play to the gallery and appeal to the ‘mass’ audience. I hope that they come in [huge] numbers, like this kind of cinema and open up a completely new avenue for me. I have worked in Brothers and Ek Villain in the past too, and I feel I want to explore this zone even more, may be once a year.

By now, you have seen successes as well as failures in your career. Do you feel your highs and lows have enriched you as an actor?
You know, the other day, I was telling a friend that jab yeh light bulb invent hua tha toh Thomas Alva Edison ne kam se kam 170 times attempt kiya and he got it right the last time. When he was asked how he kept up despite being unsuccessful so many times, Edison said: ‘I learnt how not to make a bulb that many times, and figured out how to make it only on the final attempt.’ Likewise, there is no formula for hit films, but I believe in the concept of learning — in every department of filmmaking — from your failures. I have also learnt the importance of story-telling, writing, release dates, production and having a correct team etc. That’s the experience I take away from a film.

In the future, do you see yourself trying your hands at other aspects of filmmaking?
I want to produce [movies] in the future and will then use all the experiences that I have gathered from my films to — hopefully — make a smooth, correct and better product. Sometimes, you do spot certain alarming things in a film, which gives you an indication that it’s not correct, but as of now, I am only involved in my films as an actor and don’t have much control over things. But as an actor, I am still up for trying new things. So, looking forward is the only way. And the idea is to work harder, and try to entertain different people as much as possible, in different ways. That’s why I am equally excited about Shershaah as well, which is a biopic [of Kargil War hero, late Captain Vikram Batra].

You are an outsider in the industry. So, when you face setbacks, do they become difficult to handle? How do you keep your sanity intact?
I think it’s about learning from other people’s journeys. I remember going online and looking up big superstars and their big releases. I saw how Mr [Amitabh] Bachchan had biggies such as Zanjeer (1973), Deewar (1975) and Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978) in the ’70s but there was a lull before that and even after that. Even Shah Rukh Khan faced it towards the late ’90s. So, I feel every actor goes through such a phase, and I am no different. That gives me some kind of a semblance that I’m not the only one, who this is happening to. It has happened to the biggest of stars. Anyway, this is a highly unpredictable profession.

By now, you must have got used to the link-up tales? Or do you still get bothered?
You know, I come from a family where people are salaried, and for whom security at work is very important. I think a part of me is longing for that kind of acceptance at work and that’s consuming most of my personal time as well. I have nothing against all the beautiful women [that I am linked with], but not everything that you read is true. Right now, I’ve the platform and opportunity to create stuff and be remembered for that. Fortunately, I have the understanding also to modify my craft, scripts and stories. That’s taking most of my time and I am enjoying that part of my journey, wherein I am focusing on myself, my craft, my professional life, and my movies.

Of late, you have been linked with Tara Sutaria and Kiara Advani…
Right now, the only thing that I am longing for is audiences’ love. I have had my relationships in the past but they are part-and-parcel of our profession. I genuinely feel that at present, I am more hungry and focused than I was even when I was launched or was struggling as an actor. I am single and am only mingling with people professionally. I think of late, my personal life has taken a back seat as I am being written about only for my professional stuff. You can say that I want love from not just one girl but all my female fans and audiences in general (laughs).

Playing a vertically-challenged antagonist in Marjaavaan, Riteish Deshmukh on how the film was physically demanding
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; November 10, 2019)

His filmography may be dominated by comedies, but Riteish Deshmukh likes to throw a curveball when you least expect it. After a spate of comic turns, the actor will be seen as the villain in Marjaavaan, which also stars Sidharth Malhotra.

Remind him how his psychopath killer turn in Ek Villain (2014) won him much acclaim, and Deshmukh states that the two antagonists are poles apart. "Rakesh Mahadkar [his character in Ek Villain] is, the boy next door, easily forgotten in a crowd. But Vishnu in Marjaavaan is a 180-degree turnaround from that. He is vertically challenged, but larger-than-life, arrogant and brash," he says, adding that empathy is the key to portraying troubled characters. "I try to find the emotional core. I need to understand why he is the way he is."

Understanding the psyche of a grey character can be challenging. But Deshmukh points out that shooting as a vertically-challenged character was equally arduous. "We had to film every shot from five different angles. Besides being on my knees all the time, I had several restrictions. I remember shooting for a sequence that comes right before the intermission in which I am required to stand in the muck. Once the director said cut, I was covered in muck, right from my knees to the thighs. I had to wait in that state for my next shot. In such scenarios, the performance is not the challenge. But, sitting in dirty, wet clothes for three nights becomes difficult and irritating."

Up next, he has an actioner in Baaghi 3. Having spent 15 years in the industry, Deshmukh says he only greenlights projects that "excite" him. "Even when attempting a comedy, I ask myself, if I can do something different [from what I did the last time around]."

Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 8, 2019)

The year 2018 was a year of “rebirth” for filmmaker Milap Milan Zaveri. His directorial outing, Satyameva Jayate (2018), brought the genre of massy entertainers back. His upcoming release, Marjaavaan, is the next step in that direction. With the Sidharth Malhotra starrer, Milap intends on paying another tribute to yesteryear filmmakers such as Mukul Anand, Subhash Ghai, Rajkumar Santoshi, Manmohan Desai and Prakash Mehra, whose films he has watched growing up. “After Mastizaade (2016), there was a complete lull. I was written off and people refused to even meet me. It was as if I had committed treason. I had to fight and convince people to prove that I can also make an angry film or a drama. I’m enjoying this phase a lot, where my films are all about action, drama, masala and dialogue baazi,” says Milap.

Ask him about the inspiration behind Riteish Deshmukh’s character of a devious dwarf in Marjaavaan and he says, “Years ago, I had heard that Subhash Ghai sir was doing a film with Amitabh Bachchan called Deva, which got shelved. Lilliput sir (M M Faruqi) was supposed to be the villain in the film. I thought that having a midget villain would be so unique!”

Talking about the women in Marjaavaan, he elaborates, “The women have a lot to do in Marjaavaan. I agree with the criticism that Satyameva Jayate had. Unfortunately, Aisha (Sharma) didn’t have a very strong part. But Marjaavaan has two very strong female protagonists — Tara Sutaria and Rakul Preet Singh. Tara is the heart of this film. Rakul in Marjaavaan is like Rekha in Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978) or Tabu in Jeet (1996). She has a very powerful role with dramatic dialogues and scenes.”

For Milap, repeating the success of Satyameva Jayate with Marjaavaan is even more significant because he wants to deliver a hit film for Sidharth. “He hasn’t given a successful film in almost five years. His last hit was Kapoor & Sons (2016), but it was an ensemble film. He hasn’t had a big opening. I sometimes wonder why he’s doing the films he does. Two of his biggest openers were Ek Villain (2014) and Brothers (2015), both of which were massy, action-oriented and had angry characters. I wanted to bring back that Sidharth to the screen,” Milap signs off.

Writer Farhad Samji discusses the surprise elements of the third Baaghi film, which is an intense action-thriller infused with comedy
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 21, 2019)

Mirror was the first to report (June 12) that Riteish Deshmukh has come on board Baaghi 3 to join Tiger Shroff and Shraddha Kapoor. The actor plays the former’s brother, a cop, in the Ahmed Khan directed action-thriller. The film produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, went on the floors on September 10, in Mumbai, with an action scene featuring Tiger and around 400 cars. Writer-turned-director Farhad Samji, who has penned the third instalment of the franchise, is confident that along with Tiger, Riteish will surprise the audience with his performance.

“Riteish has always been known for his comedy, yet he impressed as the psychopathic antagonist in Ek Villain. Unlike the previous two instalments, Baaghi 3 has a generous dose of humour and the character Riteish portrays complements his comic timing,” Farhad informs, but is quick to add that despite all the laughs, at its heart, the film is an outand-out intense action-thriller. “It slips into serious action after a certain incident and Riteish is one of the catalysts in the plot. He and Tiger are like the Ram and Lakhan of our film.”

Farhad goes on to reveal that the leading man of the film is sharp and hard-working. “Tiger possesses the lethal combination of aggression on screen and humility off it. He is a sorted kid, with lots of promise and is a huge hit with youngsters. I am impressed with the way he gives his 100 per cent to all his films,” Farhad points out.

The film marks Shraddha’s return to the franchise after the first instalment, which released in 2016. The actress plays an air-hostess this time around and will be seen in some action sequences alongside her leading man. “This girl is a gutsy and free-spirited character. She also shares an interesting relationship with Riteish in the film as he is not just Tiger’s brother but married to Shraddha’s sister (played by Ankita Lokhande),” Farhad reveals.

The film’s next schedule is slated to kick off in Serbia next month. A major chunk will be shot in the Eastern European country. “All the central characters will be a part of this shoot which is slated to go on till December,” informs Farhad.

Scheduled for a March 2020 opening, Baaghi 3 also features Satish Kaushik as Riteish’s senior colleague.

Milap Zaveri on his muses, mentors, massy action entertainers and why he is done with sex comedies
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 23, 2019)

After the 2018-action thriller, Satyameva Jayate, with John Abraham and Manoj Bajpayee, the trio of Milap Zaveri, Nikkhil Advani and Bhushan Kumar are teaming up for Marjaavaan, featuring Sidharth Malhotra, Riteish Deshmukh, Rakul Preet Singh and Tara Sutaria. Director Milap Zaveri insists that his next is a commercial entertainer, and unlike his previous ventures, a love story with hummable music. Excerpts from an interview:

How different is Marjaavaan from Satyameva Jayate?
Well, it is a massy action film - angry, powerful and emotion - alalong the lines of those made by Mukul Anand, Subhash Ghai and Rajkumar Santoshi. While Satyameva Jayate was a bromance between John and Manoj, Marjaavaan is a love story with lots of action, dialoguebaazi and some beautiful tender moments. It also has a midget villain in Riteish’s character, who has a dark sense of humour.

What was the idea behind cutting the antagonist down to size, literally?
Years ago, Subhash Ghai started a film called Devaa with Amit ji (Amitabh Bachchan) as the hero, and Mr Lilliput as the villain. The project didn’t materialise but that detail stayed with me. The greatest antithesis is making a larger-than-life guy short in stature.

And what made you cast Riteish?
I made my debut as a director with Riteish in Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hain and I was the one who recommended his name to Mohit (Suri) as the bad guy in Ek Villain. He was known for his comic timing back then and I felt that this would make it a surprise casting. While writing Marjaavaan, I was clear I’d approach Riteish only if the character had something more to offer than what he’d already done in Ek Villain. Something he couldn’t refuse.

With Riteish and Sidharth on board, did the thought of spinning a sequel to Ek Villain which you had written, cross your mind?
That’s a Balaji franchise and I believe Mohit (Suri, director) is already developing a script for Ek Villain 2. Marjaavaan’s world is very different.

We haven’t seen Sidharth in a commercial space like this before…
Sid’s character is modelled on the lines of Amitabh Bachchan in Deewar, Sunny Deol in Jeet and Jackie Shroff in Hero. Raghu is a rugged, intense guy who walks around with a match-stick in his mouth and spouts some smart one-liners.

Very Vijay from Deewaar?
Raghu is like a homage to Amit ji’s Vijay in Deewar. Vijay played around with a rope, Raghu with a maachis, which is an indication of how volatile he is.

Sidharth’s last few films haven’t worked at the boxoffice. Does that add to the pressure?
Shahid’s (Kapoor) last few films hadn’t opened well and then Kabir Singh brought in record numbers. Likewise, for Sushant. Sonchiriya didn’t work, but Chhichhore is doing wonders. Everyone goes through a low phase and needs someone to believe in them. Sid has a strong voice and is a dramatic performer. The audience loved him in Ek Villain and I hope they will like him in my film, too.

Marjaavaan plays out against the backdrop of Ram and Raavan. Were you disappointed you couldn’t release it in the Dussehra week, as planned?
Not really, because we would have never been ready on time, given the special effects needed for Riteish’s character. Also, there’s no shame in admitting that Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff’s War is humongous. And since we are targeting the same audience, business would have been badly divided. Any good story is timeless. We have a solo release now on November 8 with a couple of partial holidays in the week. What else could be better?

Tell us something about your partnership with John Abraham and Nikkhil Advani?
John is my Hulk, my superhero. He picked me up from oblivion and gave me a chance to stage a comeback while Nikkhil is my mentor. My kind of cinema is very different from his, but he has the vision to support me. It was Nikkhil’s sister Monisha who bought the script of Marjaavaan from me even before I had written Satyameva Jayate. She was the backbone of Satyameva Jayate too. I’m equally grateful to Bhushan sir (producer Bhushan Kumar) and Madhu (producer Madhu Bhojwani).

You team up with John again for the Satyameva Jayate sequel. With so many cop films and action entertainers up for release next year, what sets your film apart?
John wasn’t a cop but a vigilante in Satyameva Jayate and the anger against corruption in the police force connected with people. Part 2 is not a continuation of the original, but a new story with a larger issue and more action. We start shooting by the year-end or early next year.

And Divya Khosla Kumar returns as the female lead…
When I was writing the script, I heard that Divya ma’am was interested in acting again and since I felt the role suited her perfectly, we approached Bhushan sir and her.

You have directed and written several sex comedies. Is the genre dead?
An adult comedy, Veere Di Wedding, did well, so there’s hope yet. I admit we overkilled the genre with Mastizaade, Kya Kool Hai Hum 3 and Great Grand Masti, all coming in the same year. But I’m sure, if Indu ji (Director, Indra Kumar) makes Masti 4, there will be takers for it. Success depends on the trailer and marketing. How exciting the film looks…

Would you revisit the genre?
No, never, I’ve reached saturation point. And while the genre may get you box-office numbers, it doesn’t earn you any respect.

Sidharth Malhotra on his hits and misses at the box-office, living the dream of an actor, and why he is not keen on a digital debut yet
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; August 4, 2019)

After making his debut in 2012 with Karan Johar's Student Of The Year, Sidharth Malhotra often referred to as the chocolate boy of Bollywood, has tried to experiment with his choice of roles and scripts. While romance seems to be his forte, the actor, 33, says he likes to add layers to his characters. In a conversation with mid-day, Malhotra talks about his choices, his views on box-office failures, why he is not ready for the web and his dream role.

Edited excerpts from the interview.

It has been seven years since Student Of The Year released and you made your debut in Bollywood. You've had a few hits and misses over the years. How do you see your journey?
I had an amazing launch [with Student Of The Year], experienced the high of hits like Ek Villain (2014) and some that didn't pan out as expected, but that's what we call experience. None of the superstars that I grew up seeing have had perfect a record of hits. They have also experienced ups and downs in their career with respect to their movie choices. That is how I would describe my career as an actor as well—some films will work and some won't. In every generation, there have been only a handful of actors who have been accepted by the audience; and I am lucky that despite being an outsider, having no godfather in the industry, people have accepted me as a lead actor.

You've made some interesting adaptations to don the character of Abhay Singh in Jabariya Jodi.
Abhay Singh is the stark opposite of what I am in real life. I won't say that I have a business of 'picking up boys', I may have picked up a few girls in the past (laughs), but I was excited to do a character that is far removed from my past and personality. He is a colourful yet strong character, who wears a baali [earring], chews paan [betel] and smokes chillum. For roles like these, you cannot come unprepared on set because that will show on camera, so I put in a lot of prep work. I had a tutor train me in the language for two months. I am all about trying new things. From the styling of the character to the body language, colouring my hair and even getting used to wearing a gamcha was like adding layers to my character. I got to explore a lot playing this character.

Hypothetically, if you fell in love and circumstances were not ideal, would you kidnap or elope with her?
[Laughs] Hopefully, I will be suitable enough to get everyone's permission. Most parents like me, so I might charm my way into my future in-laws' homes and hearts. I don't think that nowadays, especially in cities like Delhi and Mumbai, with the lifestyle we lead, parents would want to go against their children's wishes. Yet, if I was born and raised in a different state, city or village, depending on how strongly I feel for the girl, I would think and react accordingly. I might fight for her.

Despite the highs and lows, you have often experimented with your choice of roles.
I have always plunged into a script from the viewpoint of the story and character, whether it's Ek Villain, Brothers (2015), Ittefaq (2017) or Jabariya Jodi. The decision was never based on whether it suits me as a hero or not. I have given a bit of myself to every character I played and often challenged myself in new situations. While some worked in my favour, a few didn't. My conscious decision has always been to do something that will encompass a much larger audience like with Jabariya Jodi. The film is a massy entertainer which caters to the issue of pakadwa vivah [groom kidnapping], the drama and also showcases a love story.

From playing Abhay Singh in JJ to Captain Vikram Batra in Sher Shah how do you flit from one character to the other with such ease?
That's what I enjoy as an actor and what drew me to the profession of filmmaking [Malhotra worked as an assistant director to Karan Johar in My Name Is Khan]. I grew up watching Shah Rukh Khan romance in the '90s, and [Amitabh] Bachchan Saab doing action in the '70s-'80s; now, I am living the dream by portraying similar characters—be it romancing in Jabariya Jodi or doing action in Marjaavaan [film with Riteish Deshmukh and Tara Sutaria]. It's exciting for someone like me to be able to don varied characters.

With Bollywood moving the digital way, have you considered experimenting with a web series?
I haven't really ventured or thought about it because there's so much I am already getting to do in films. Web shows still have a long way to go in India. It is a new phenomenon and our audience base is not as big as the west, neither are the characters or the budgets of these films. While the growth is evident, it will still take a while for showrunners to provide us with attractive characters and stories that will compel us to make the switch. Right now, I am very happy with my line-up of movies and scripts I am working on.

As told to Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 29, 2018)

I love that as an actress I get to play different people in every film, travel to places across the country and the world and learn a lot of things along the way. There’s so much work that goes on behind the scenes to make a film, and then, over a weekend, its fate is declared. It may not always be a hit or even get noticed, but I reiterate, it’s a lot of hard grind.

Currently, I’m training for the biopic on badminton champ Saina Nehwal. I begin my training at 6 am with my coach Eshan Naqvi who is also my co star in the film. He’s a fantastic being, a professional shuttler himself and has been helping me pick up the game quickly. I’ll continue practice even after the film wraps up. I enjoy the sport and being a morning person, I like waking up at 5 am. This way I maximize my day.

One of my biggest challenges was Remo D’Souza’s ABCD sequel. I started prep around five months before the film went on floors since I had to match steps with professional dancers. Even my co-star Varun Dhawan is a superb dancer and knew that I could not fall short. I trained in Krumping, B-Boying, Hip-hop and a lot of other contemporary dance forms and was happy the effort translated well on screen.

One film that got me really excited about the prep was Ek Villain, also featuring Sidharth Malhotra and Riteish Deshmukh, because I had to learn how to ride a Bullet. The team had arranged for biking lessons and though it took me some time to learn how to ride, once I did I was very comfortable on the mean machine and even did my own stunts in the scene where my character Aisha is thrown out of the window. Despite the fact that I was in a harness, it was something new and exciting. I also performed some daredevil stunts for Baaghi with Tiger Shroff.

I played a fashion designer in Batti Gul Meter Chalu and to carry off the role convincingly, I learnt from the film’s stylist how to take measurements. I enjoy doodling and that came in handy while making sketches. One of my closest friends is a designer, so it was nice to get his sensibility though my character, Lalita Nautiyal, had no sense of coordinating her look even though she believes, she is pretty cool and hip. It was fun experimenting with quirky looks and learning to speak the Kumaoni dialect of Uttarakhand where the story unfolds. We did lots of readings with our writers and the focus during the shoot, was to get the lingo and the accent right.

For Haider (left) too, another film with Shahid set in Kashmir, I had to work on my accent. Also, there’s a scene in the film where I had to knit while speaking my lines. Vishal (Bhardwaj) sir was very particular that I should know how to knit so I would look comfortable holding the needles and handling the wool. So, before we started shooting, I actually got a teacher who would come home every day and teach me how to knit.

More recently, for the Haseena Parkar biopic, since I had to play a much older woman, I had to wear a body suit and had silicone prosthetics in my mouth. It took me around 45 minutes every day to get into my get-up and once I did, it was difficult to talk.

Flashbacking to the Aashiqui sequel, my character Aarohi, moved to Mumbai from Goa so I had to understand and relate to her small-town upbringing. She’s a singer and though I didn’t sing for that film, since I love music it helped me relate to her. I remember my first meeting with Mohit (director Mohit Suri). I had oil in my hair and was wearing glasses. And it was this girl-next-door look that bagged me the film. He felt I was perfect for the part after seeing me so casually dressed in person.

Before I wind up, I have to point out that prep is not just about physical transformation and learning new skills. You also need to relate to a character at an emotional level. For Luv Ka The End that released in 2011, I was playing a heartbroken young girl who is out to seek revenge. And believe me, that was one tough prep.


The actress with Sidharth Malhotra in Ek Villain; in Aashiqui 2 (right)

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 14, 2018)

Fresh off the box-office success of her last production, the Shashanka Ghosh-directed Veere Di Wedding featuring Kareena Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhasker and Shikha Talsania, Ekta Kapoor recently announced a sequel. Now, Mirror has learnt that the filmmaker has also simultaneously kicked off work on another sequel.

Three years after the Shraddha Kapoor and Sidharth Malhotra romance-action-drama Ek Villain, Ekta has commissioned a bunch of writers to work on a new romance-drama which will be a follow-up to the earlier film. This year, she is set to co-produce the upcoming projects of four leading directors — Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, Imtiaz Ali, Alankrita Shrivastava and Shree Narayan Singh — with Ashwiny’s drama being the first to roll. The fifth film will be the second instalment in the Ek Villain franchise.

The original, directed by Mohit Suri, had featured Riteish Deshmukh as the villain and Prachi Desai and Kamaal R Khan in special appearances. The sequel will comprise of an entirely new cast with the exception of Sidharth who is expected to return as the leading man, and will be helmed by a new director. While the original had been loosely based on the Korean action-thriller I Saw The Devil, which released in 2010, the second film is an original script.

“Work on Ek Villain 2 has just kicked off. The premise of the original is great for a potential franchise,” a source from Balaji Motion Pictures informed Mirror, adding that Ekta is very fond of Sidharth and the two frequently discuss films.

In an interview to Mirror (May 7) Ekta had said that Shotgun Shaadi with Sidharth, set in a small town in North India, is her most massy film yet. “It’s my Grease Lightning (the 1977 American biographical film) in today’s times with Sid,” she had said.