Showing posts with label Fukrey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fukrey. Show all posts
Vipul Vig believed in me when I was a nobody-Varun Sharma
8:38 AM
Varun Sharma, who had promised his support to Fukrey writer Vipul Vig whenever he turned director, leads his filmmaking debut Rahu Ketu
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 7, 2025)
It’s not easy for an outsider to get a break in this industry. Varun Sharma knows that, having worked his way up in the movies. That’s why he is only too happy to support writer Vipul Vig, who is foraying into direction with Rahu Ketu. Sharma is fronting Vig’s comedy, thus staying true to the promise he had made to the writer when they both had met on the sets of Fukrey over a decade ago. “Fukrey launched both of us. Vipul and I had hit it off instantly, and bonded over our love for cinema and comedy,” recalls the actor.
While shooting for Fukrey (2013), Sharma had told Vig that whenever he decided to direct a film, he would help him in any way he can. Their friendship strengthened as they collaborated on Fukrey Returns (2017) and Fukrey 3 (2023). When Vig wrote the screenplay of his directorial debut, he couldn’t think of anyone except Sharma and his Fukrey co-star Pulkit Samrat.
Sharma adds, “Vipul believed in me when I was a nobody. We all made Choocha together. I’ve always believed in him and his quirky humour. When he told me he was ready to direct, I knew I had to be a part of it. This film is a celebration of our friendship and a realization of our innocent dreams. I’m thrilled that another [artiste] like me, who comes from nothing, is ready to begin a fresh chapter here.”
The comedy, which also stars Shalini Pandey, is currently being shot in Mumbai.
Manjot Singh clocks 15 years in showbiz; says "I still haven’t got my due"
8:50 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (January 30, 2024)
Manjot Singh, who debuted with Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! in 2008, calls his 15-year journey in the film industry “a roller-coaster ride”. While films like Fukrey made him a household name, the actor feels he hasn’t been able to prove his versatility as an artiste.
“Mujhe laga tha aur zyaada aur achcha kaam aayega (after Fukrey), par jo main chahta tha wo nahin aaya. So I had to convince my family that I had to move to Mumbai. Yahan aa kar dekha ki jo kaam aap karna chahte hain wo humesha kismat se nahin milega. You have to ask for it,” recalls Singh.
Eventually, he started telling people about the kind of work he really wanted to do. “But mostly the response was ‘Abhi hum kisi comedy film ke liye cast nahin kar rahe.’ This would hurt me because deep down I knew that I am capable of playing versatile roles,” he shares, adding, “It was only later that I started taking a stand and explaining to people ki zaroori nahin ki sardaar hai toh aap use comedy films mein hi dekho.”
While Singh accepts that the industry is changing slowly, he urges filmmakers and writers to see beyond the obvious. “They play very safe. I wish they start understanding that if an actor is capable of doing comedy, he might and can do an action role as well. It’s our job to mould ourselves as per the requirement of the script. And as makers, one should not only experiment with the script and characters, but also the actors they cast in those roles,” he says.
While 15 years might look like a long time, Singh believes he’s yet to get his due. “I don’t think the industry has failed me at any point because that would mean my journey here is over. But I have a long way to go as an actor. Iss industry me kisi ko jaldi mil jaata hai unka due aur kisi ko waqt lagta hai. But my time will come sooner or later,” he ends.
Mirzapur director Gurmmeet Singh joins hands with Fukrey director Mrigdeep Singh Lamba for Paan Parda Zarda
8:04 AM
Mirzapur director Singh teams up with Fukrey maker Lamba for Paan Parda Zarda, a gangster drama about opium smuggling
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 3, 2023)
There is something about gangster dramas that fascinates Gurmmeet Singh. It led him to helm Mirzapur, a gory tale of gang wars, greed and power. Now, the director has another gangster story up his sleeve, Paan Parda Zarda.
The series sees him team up with Mrighdeep Singh Lamba of Fukrey fame, and Shilpi Dasgupta as they tell the story of opium smuggling in central India. Mona Singh, Tanve Azmi, Rajesh Tailang, Priyanshu Painyuli and Tanya Maniktala star in the crime drama that rolled on September 27.
Singh, who serves as the showrunner and co-director, says that the Jio Studios’ production goes beyond guns and gore to explore family dynamics. “It has elements of love, action and family drama. Developed from an original story created by Shilpi Dasgupta, the interwoven relationships are key to this series,” he says.
Paan Parda Zarda is worlds apart from Lamba’s comedy franchise, Fukrey. The director is eager to try his hand at this genre as he says, “It’s a labour of love that has been created after years of research.” Writer Suparn S Varma adds that creating the show’s “romantic and violent world” was liberating.
If I can make you laugh, I can also terrify you on screen-Varun Sharma
7:34 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; July 3, 2023)
Varun Sharma, who made his debut as Choocha in Fukrey (2013), completes 10 years in the industry this year, and while he’s thriving in the comedy space, the Chhichhoreactor tells us that he’s ready to move on to the dark side and showcase different facets of his talent.
‘Comedy was never an agenda’
“When you are new to the industry, you are only looking for some interesting work to come your way. Comedy was never an agenda. I was a regular boy who used to stand outside in a queue of 400 – 500 people for auditions. Of course, comedy is something I personally enjoy doing as it gives me a lot of peace and happiness. Being a 90s kid, I have grown up watching slapstick comedies. But over the years, the genre has evolved, and today, we keep things very real and subtle and still make people laugh. While I have explored so many sub-genres, I am yet to try my hand at a dark comedy.”
He adds, “Initially, I never thought I could do comedy because I was doing theatre for four-five years back home in Chandigarh. After attempting comedy and with the kind of reaction I got, I realized it was fun to be a part of the genre and its sub-genres. Over the years, humour has evolved.”
‘Can anyone imagine me playing a serial killer?’
“I am a huge fan of thrillers, and I would like to explore something in this genre. Thanks to the OTT platforms for the kind of content they are churning out in such different spectrums today. They are banking on talent and are funding them to do what creatively satisfies them. I would like to do a thriller and play a dark role sometime soon. Imagine playing a serial killer, would anybody imagine me doing that? I have been telling my team ki aisa kuch interesting karte hai. A Varun Sharma who makes you smile and laugh can also terrify you as a bad boy on screen.”
‘Physicality for an actor varies from character to character’
“If a role requires me to have six-pack abs, then I will get it. Physicality for an actor varies from script to script, character to character. You cannot imagine a Choocha with a chiselled body. Personally, of course, being physically and mentally fit is really important. But at the same time, in whatever shape you are, you have to be happy at the end of the day. People come up to me and say, ‘You are very cute’, but no one says that you are very hot. Cuteness is also the new hotness; people should understand that (laughs).”
10 Years of Fukrey: Varun Sharma, Ali Fazal, Richa Chadha, Pulkit Samrat, Manjot Singh, Pankaj Tripathi go down memory lane
8:25 AM
The cast of Fukrey, which traces the story of four boys and their quest to make easy money, takes a walk down memory lane
HINDUSTAN TIMES (June 14, 2023)
Varun Sharma: My character, Choocha, brought me acceptance
By Sugandha Rawal
Fukrey clocking 10 years calls for a double celebration for Varun Sharma, who debuted with the film. “It’s one of the biggest blessings to have debuted with a character like Choocha,” the actor says, adding, “This film and my character brought me acceptance among the audience and the film fraternity. So, it will always hold a special place in my heart... Everything I have today is because of Choocha.”
While he has many special memories associated with the film, the one thing that stands out for Sharma, 33, is featuring in a poster for the first time ever. He recounts, “I called my mother and told her. There was pin drop silence for a moment, after which she blessed me. I realised, then, the true meaning of the phrase - silence speaks a lot.”
Ali Fazal: Fukrey got me noticed in Bollywood
By Kavita Awaasthi
A set full of pranks, fun BTS moments and lots of Dilli ka khana are some of the things that Ali Fazal associates with filming for Fukrey. The actor, who played Zafar, believes the film brought about a “fresh change” in Bollywood. “It was something unique that we were part of. It was revolutionary,” he tells us.
The 36-year-old is not only thankful for the film, but also for the “great friends” he made as well as for meeting his now-wife, actor Richa Chadha: “That is the best thing (laughs). Fukrey, to me, is more than just a film.”
Fazal credits the film for putting him on the map “in a big way”. “I did more meaningful films in Bollywood and not to forget, Mirzapur (web series), with Fukrey’s producers (Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani). It has been special,” he concludes.
Richa Chadha: The entire cast knew about me and Ali
By Syeda Eba Fatima
“You know how we listen to old Hindi songs because they give us a feeling of comfort and bring us together without us realizing? That’s what I feel about Fukrey,” says actor Richa Chadha, who won hearts as Bholi Punjaban. Talking about her role, she adds: “At the time, negative characters for women were mostly restricted to saas-bahu dramas. I always felt Bholi Punjaban was very unusual.”
But, the film changed her life in more ways than one — it was also the beginning of her love story with now-husband, actor Ali Fazal. “My relationship with Ali happened very organically. I’d converse a lot with him on set. We became really good friends and a few years later, we started dating,” she shares.
Was it difficult to keep the relationship under wraps? “The entire cast was pretty close. They all kind of knew,” says Chadha, 36.
Pulkit Samrat: We are all Fukras on the set
By Sugandha Rawal
Pulkit Samrat is “very proud” to be associated with the Fukrey franchise. But the actor, who played Hunny, admits nobody thought it would receive adulation of such magnitude.
“When we started, none of us thought Fukrey would be such a huge hit that we’d end up making it a franchise,” he says, adding, “As an actor, it is one of the greatest feelings to be a part of the team... Fukrey is life.”
Samrat, 39, feels the casting was on point and that was a big plus. “We are all Fukras on the set. Somebody is goofing up or bringing the house down. What you see on screen is exactly what is going on. Manjot is very jovial; one would always find him around food stalls. Varun is just like Choocha... Also, we all have a common Delhi connect,” he says.
With all eyes now on the third part, set to release later this year, Samrat says the soul of the original will remain intact. “We can promise that Fukrey 3 will be the biggest and best part,” he signs off.
Manjot Singh: Said yes without even reading the script
By Navya Kharbanda
Manjot Singh had already made his mark in showbiz with Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! (2008). But Fukrey, he says, is what gave his career an impetus. “This was the first film where I was one of the leads,” says the actor, who played Lali. “When I got a call for the role, even before listening to the script, I asked, ‘Main poster par hounga na?’ Our director, Mrigdeep Singh Lamba, said all four leads would be on the poster. So, I signed the film without reading the script,” he says.
Interestingly, Singh, 30, was cast even before the script was completed. “Mrigdeep knew I was his Lali. I was locked in his mind while he was still writing the script,” he reveals, adding that he’ll always be grateful for having landed the movie: “Yeh pehli film hai jisne humein bada banaya.”
Pankaj Tripathi: Mere character ne apni ladai khud ladi
By Rishabh Suri
Pata hi nahin chala kaise nikal gaye — this is Pankaj Tripathi’s reaction on his film, Fukrey, turning 10. The actor, who played Pandit, recalls how he did not have much to do in the first part; but as the story progressed, so did his character.
He tells us, “Fukrey franchise aur meri growth badi similar hai. Mere character ne apni ladai khud ladi, so much that the writers had to write more in the second instalment.”
Pandit, today, is remembered for his quick wit. But, the English lines he said were not part of the script! “Ek din set pe jab lighting chal rahi thi, someone said something, to which I replied, ‘He’s so vulgar’. Everyone started laughing. The director said, ‘Isko rakho film mein’,” chuckles Tripathi, 46.
Filmmakers want Delhi characters to be loud, have Punjabi accent-Amol Parashar
8:30 AM
The Sardar Udham actor says that he has lost out on roles of a Delhi boy despite being from the city
Akash Wadhwa (BOMBAY TIMES; February 4, 2023)
Tripling fame actor Amol Parashar, who is a popular face on OTT, has also received accolades for his performances on the big screen in movies like Sardar Udham and Rocket Singh: Salesman Of The Year, among others. A Delhiite, who resides in Mumbai now, Amol says, “Initially when I used to give auditions for the character of a Delhi boy, people would not like them at all.”
Amol says, “For quite some time, I didn’t understand what they wanted out of me as a Delhi boy but eventually, I realized that there is a stereotyped image of Delhi created in the minds of people from what is being shown in TV shows and movies like Fukrey and Band Baaja Baaraat. As a result of this, they expect me to also act in a similar manner.”
Amol adds, “The funny part is that even though main toh apne aap ko Dilli ka manta hun lekin filmein mujhe Dilli ka nahi maanti. I don’t get the Delhi boy type roles. And I have lost out on several roles of a Delhi boy despite being from the city. It was only after several rejections, that I understood that what makers want from me as a Delhiite, and that is being loud, talking in a Punjabi accent, etc (laughs).”
– Inputs from Snigdha Agarwal
My mother is the only in the world who is proud ki unka beta ek fukra aur chhichhora hai-Varun Sharma
8:42 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; October 15, 2022)
In the last nine years, Varun Sharma has explored various shades of comedy through some prominent films that he’s been a key part of. And yet, he’s not done with the comedy genre yet. While he’s more than willing to explore other elements of entertainment, he continues to be a hardcore comedy loyalist. The Fukrey actor believes, “It’s a genre that can never reach a saturation point.” In a chat with BT, he explores what makes humour a serious business and more. Excerpts:
In the last nine years, you’ve explored comedy with numerous filmmakers. Given that the brand of humour and its presentation changes completely with every filmmaker, how have you adapted yourself constantly in this space?
Every filmmaker is different and their style and approach towards humour or comedy are also unique to them. As actors, our job is to tap into their vision and make it come alive. The basics for an actor will always be the same. But you have to find your rhythm and your connection with the material in hand. You rely on the same set of tools but in varying degrees, depending on what a filmmaker wants. I think directors have a big role to play in how a comedy shapes up. It’s their medium, they know best what they want, and they will always extract the best from you. I’m fortunate to have been able to adapt to so many different directors and their styles of humour — like Mrigdeep Singh Lamba, Rohit Shetty and Nitesh Tiwari — they’re all so unique. Working with each one opens up a new door to learn and grow.
Comedy, particularly, works on a fine balance between great writing and an actor’s spontaneity. How do you achieve that balance?
When people say that ‘Comedy is serious and tough business’, it is true. Comedy looks easy, but it’s extremely tough to make people smile and laugh. Log aasani se nahi hanste. Even in our everyday lives, things have changed so much. Humour is changing with the times. The jokes, punchlines and timing that worked five years ago won’t work now, and what works today won’t work two years down. Because our sense of humour and what really puts a smile on our face or brings out a chuckle or two is rapidly changing. We have a different attention span, patience levels and slang. Films often try to adapt from real life it could be characters, gags or instances. They are drawn from something or someone that exists. Spontaneity is important, but I believe in preparing a lot as well. You have to get your structure perfectly; it can be enhanced spontaneously. Comedy as a genre works when people work in tandem. Comedy is not a one-man show. Woh ek akela aadmi aapko nahi hansa sakta. A punch becomes funny because of the reaction someone gives. It gets enhanced with the background music or the scene’s treatment on screen. The entire team has to be in sync for that to work.
Over the years, most of your contemporaries have switched genres and tried different spaces. You’ve been a comedy loyalist, exploring every hue it has to offer. What makes you do that?
I love comedy and I genuinely love to make people laugh. It’s a blessing to be able to do that and to go into a theatre and watch people reacting with laughter at a punch you delivered. Believe me, I used to do serious stuff like Anton Chekov’s plays in theatre. Auditioning for Fukrey was the first time that I tried comedy. When I started shooting, I started getting cold feet. I wasn’t sure if people would laugh. I have to credit Mrigdeep Singh Lamba for drawing out Choocha from me. When I saw people laughing in the theatres, I started crying because I was so overwhelmed. Koi khush hua mujhe dekh ke, koi hansa mere punch pe. So, even though I want to explore other genres, I will keep exploring comedy, too. So many people have warned me that I might get typecast. But I don’t want to jump into another genre unless I am excited with the content offered. I’m happy exploring what I love comedy. This genre has given me everything I have today. It would be unfair ki isko rok ke kuch aur attempt karun for the heck of it. And who says there’s only so much to comedies? I’m still learning. I feel that I don’t know if I can act. The day I start believing that I can act, I’ll be in deep trouble. As for trying something different, hopefully, next year, I will be doing something very different from what I’ve done so far.
Like every other genre, even comedy’s benchmarks have been upped, thanks to OTT channels. Plus, in Bollywood, it was a comedy that worked when nothing else did. Do these new benchmarks for comparison with your upcoming work scare you?
Honestly, as an industry person, I want everything to work. It’s important. Comedy as a genre doesn’t have a saturation point really. Like horror-comedy was not a genre that was explored much until a few years ago with Stree. It worked. It was an experiment that got mainstream acceptance. To me, it doesn’t make a difference. I feel we should do our work with complete shiddat, and not overthink these things because there’s no guarantee of what will work in future and why. Art is subjectively loved by people.
You recently completed the shooting of Fukrey 3. In nine years, this is the third time you’re playing Choocha. How do you reconnect with a part like that, especially when you’ve experienced so much in life and are in a different space as a person?
When people say things like, ‘Fukrey toh cakewalk hai, tumhare toh blood mein hai,’ I feel like telling them, it’s not that! Fukrey is the closest to my heart, and Choocha is a character that laid the foundation of my career here. The fraternal acceptance, more work, my house, my expenses, my life it’s a gift of that character. This film is the starting line of so many people’s careers. It’s a special feeling to revisit that space. When we started out, I remember all of us were so raw, and some of us so inexperienced. We were just happy that we would get to see ourselves on the big screen. Nine years later, we have become more aware, experienced, mature and evolved. I had to unlearn everything to be able to do Choocha again.
Can you ever outgrow Choocha?
I have an emotional attachment to the role. It’s a part of my life and my everything. For five years after my debut, people didn’t know my real name. In the last four years, Sexa from Chhichhore is the only other name that people have known me as. Otherwise, I’m Varun for them. I often tell my mother that she’s probably the only mother in the world who is proud ki unka beta ek fukra aur chhichhora hai. I don’t think and I don’t know if I can outgrow Choocha’s character. It’s too close to me.
The number of female songs has shrunk drastically in the last decade-Sona Mohapatra
8:21 AM
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 9, 2022)
The fact that gender disparity still exists in showbiz has been lamented by many artistes. Singer Sona Mohapatra, too, acknowledges the gap in terms of opportunities, pay, and more. “The biggest problem with the Hindi film industry is that the number of female songs has shrunk drastically in the last decade. It’s like they’ve decided the female perspective in songs is irrelevant, and only men’s emotions need musical celebration,” she notes.
The singer adds that even in duets, the woman’s part sounds mostly like an afterthought or chorus. “The female solo songs are only reprise versions, never shot for cinema or promoted. Did you notice how Ambarsariya was the only song in Fukrey (2013) that was just a montage cut from the film rushes (raw footage)? Every other male song was shot like a music video. Despite that, and being the fourth in line during promotions, Ambarsariya continues to fuel the Fukrey franchise,” she elaborates.
“Lesser opportunities ensure that women are the lesser ‘brands’, and they are paid much less even in the concert circuit,” explains the singer, who urges women to “take charge of their careers and collaborate with creative people to make something the world will value”.
Meanwhile, her musical documentary feature film, Shut Up Sona, is set for release in India after winning at international film festivals as well as the National Film Award. “The catalyst to producing the film myself came from wanting to own my narrative and create opportunities when I saw nothing of significance coming my way from the industry,” she ends.
I’m not foolish to say that everything I’ve chosen has worked out-Richa Chadha
8:09 AM
Richa Chadha talks about the factors that drive her decision of signing a project
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 12, 2022)
Actor Richa Chadha has earned the reputation of doing unconventional work in her 14-year-long career. But she admits that despite making offbeat choices, not all projects have done well.
“It is different when I get involved with something right from its inception, like Masaan (2015), for instance. There are also times when I choose projects that come to me. But I’m not foolish to say that everything I’ve chosen has worked out. I have also been naive to think that if I work with a particular director because his intent is good, the film will also be good,” admits the actor.
Chadha explains, from wanting to work with the people involved, or liking a script to signing work due to free time, there are various factors that drive her decision to take on a project. “With films such as Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! (2008), Gangs Of Wasseypur (2012), or [my latest film] Madam Chief Minister (2021), it was different,” she says, and adds, “For instance, I really felt that the story (of Madam Chief Minister) needed to be told, particularly by somebody like me, who thinks of herself as an ally. I hardly charged any money for the film; it was more like a token amount. But sometimes, you choose a movie because your agency tells you, ‘Aapke paas dates khali hain’.”
The actor goes on to talk about some roles that one can’t say no to, case in point — her cult character Bholi Punjaban from the Fukrey franchise. “Sometimes, you have to do a film because you are part of the prequel. I am part of the Fukrey series and no matter which other projects I do, that character is iconic and I still have to reprise it,” Chadha, 35, ends.
The new film is not part three, instead it is the fifth part of the Fukrey franchise-Ali Fazal
8:30 AM
Ali Fazal on resuming shoot for Fukrey franchise with girlfriend Richa Chadha and keeping the humour fresh
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 7, 2021)
Although Ali Fazal announced his new Netflix outing Ray earlier this week, fans are eagerly waiting for his comic caper Fukrey, that returns for a third instalment. Expected to be shot through summer across pockets of North India, the Mirzapur actor says, “The new film is not part three, instead it is the fifth part of the franchise. But, the highlight of the film is all of us coming together again.”
While the cast, crew and audiences are kicked about the reunion, the primary concern of the Mrighdeep Singh Lamba outing that resumes after five years is to crack the humour. “The jokes, like our lives should evolve. The events of the world will decide how because I can’t explain the evolution of humour. It is mature and unscathed,” explains Fazal, adding that as an artiste he is sensitive about the kind of comedy they put out in the hypersensitive social media climate now. “While Fukrey never used punch-down humour, we are mindful of what we are laughing at while script-reading or filming. I cannot predict what will make me laugh, but I’m mindful of the corruption that will try and make me censor the horizons of my mind. And that I am guilty of. We read scripts without judgments, but a bad joke is a bad joke.”
Featuring Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma, Manjot Singh and of course Fazal’s girlfriend Richa Chadha, who in an earlier interview confessed to mid-day that Fukrey is special because this is where it all started for them. With a broad grin Fazal says, “Life has a long way to go. I am thankful for all that I have received and lost. It all goes hand in hand.”
Ali Fazal & I are excited about moving in together. But once we do, maybe we will tear each other apart-Richa Chadha
8:23 AM
When soon-to-wed actors Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal aren’t romancing each other, they’re fighting off trolls
Kunal Guha (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 18, 2020)
When actors Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal had to postpone their nuptials due to the Coronavirus pandemic, they were glad they hadn’t fleshed out their plans. “Our cards were about to be printed,” says Fazal, adding that it would be difficult to set a revised date just yet. “This year has been manhoos. People are ignorant to assume that things will magically get better after December 31, especially since we continue to top the Covid charts,” says the actor who will next be seen in an adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Death On The Nile.
While their relationship is yet to be formalised, Chadha and Fazal have already become a part of each other’s families. Chadha, who’s presently shooting in Lucknow, has been regularly dropping in at Fazal’s family home for baingan ka bharta and peeli daal, while Ali, who has been living alone in Mumbai since the lockdown started, raves about the karela sabzi Chadha’s mom sent him recently. Unlike most couples who’ve endured turbulent domestic lives during this time, theirs has been rather pleasant. “We barely get enough time together. So whatever time we do get, we cherish it,” says Chadha. “We’re excited about moving in together. But once we do, maybe we will tear each other apart,” she adds, with a laugh. The actress shares that the shelter-in-place order sometimes made her feel like she was in a long-distance relationship with Fazal, even though they were in the same city. “If I had to stay over at his place, I would have to find a sitter for my cats, and if he had to stay over at mine, his workout routine would be disrupted.”
The couple first met when they were paired opposite each other in a film which, incidentally, never got made. But their first onscreen collaboration Fukrey forged a friendship based on their common love for “films and all weird things,” says Chadha. Fazal vividly recalls the meeting, which was like a meet cute in a romcom. “I was a bit of a fan already. I remember we were just chilling at the Excel office terrace and she walked in. She seemed cool and also witty,” he says. The actress remembers the same encounter a bit differently though. “He was trying to do a pull-up,” she says, with a laugh, and he shoots back with: “It was a very measly effort… it clearly wasn’t my day.”
As it turns out, it was during the promotions of the same film that the two “hit it off”. Fazal remembers a flight he took with Chadha, where both were seated across the aisle from each other and ended up exchanging handwritten notes, right from take-off to landing. But pencilled on these notes weren’t sweet nothings, as one might imagine. “Atrangi baatein ho rahi thi, about the universe and other metaphysical stuff,” he says with a smile. “I had never met somebody who was spiritually so centred,” he adds.
Over the years, the duo has come to accept and appreciate each other. “I love most things about him — the superficial stuff like how he looks, sounds and acts, and also the intellectual things,” Chadha says. “He’s a rare specimen: Someone who is deeply respectful and cultured. He’s also a true-blue feminist and it’s not just some woke quality he has recently acquired on Twitter.”
Fazal also credits their chemistry to the fact that they’re “different people”. “I discover something new about her every time we interact, and that’s beautiful,” he says. If there was one thing they could change about each other though, Chadha would have Fazal be more organised, while Fazal would have her be more punctual. “I don’t like watching ads, so I turn up for movies 20 minutes late,” she reasons. “But one out of ten times, the movie starts by the time she arrives and that’s a felony for me,” he protests.
Being an inter-faith couple in 2020 isn’t a point of contention, feels Chadha. Alluding to the recent uproar over the jewellery ad that depicted an inter-faith family, she says: “My life is like that ad. I’ve got so much love from Ali’s family, and he from mine. I feel sorry for those loveless people who have a problem with someone else’s marital choices.” The 33-year-old actor feels that much of the outrage on Twitter is manufactured. “In our country, the freedom to choose our life partner is enshrined in the Special Marriages Act,” she says.
Both Chadha and Fazal have strong opinions, and both ensure their voices are heard, particularly on social media. So far, at least, Chadha shares, there have been no “real-life consequences”, except for trolling.
“Once I had posted about a job, and there were so many derogatory comments, I actually had to sift through them to find the two genuine applicants who were interested,” says the actor, who now equates online heckling with “a healthy snack”. For his part, Fazal prefers to zone out. “The way I look at it, it’s just an icon on my phone; it doesn’t have the power to mess with my life,” says the actor whose recent web series was threatened with a boycott hashtag by trolls as a sort-of retribution for his posts supporting the anti-CAA protests. “Fortunately or unfortunately, we have to return to these platforms, because there are a lot of voices that can and must be heard.” he says. “The internet was, after all, supposed to drive positive change.”
As for the recent attack on the film industry, Fazal says, “People must understand that the industry represents workers from different parts of the country. We’re here just for work.” Chadha adds that the constant badgering by certain sections of the media has even got the common man concerned about the work culture in the industry. “People are angry now and I don’t think they can be fed this diet of ‘look what happened here’. I hope the narrative will change soon.”
Often referred to as “Bholi Punjaban” — her character’s name in Fukrey — Chadha feels being typecast “is a double-edged sword”. “You can cash in on it too. Bholi could bag a car battery commercial, for example, where she’s in a jeep,” she says. “As for busting stereotypes, it will be easier once one builds a stronger one-on-one connection with one’s audience.”
Recently, Chadha has been in the news for filing a defamation case against actor Payal Ghosh. She won a moral victory when Ghosh had to tender an unconditional apology and delete all defamatory posts about her. But Chadha insists she’s not the fighting sort. “I was forced to file a case, which was preventable. I didn’t start this. It was an act of defense, not aggression.”
New-age films demand that we poke fun in a responsible way-Pankaj Tripathi
8:32 AM
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 23, 2020)
While the ’90s were called the era of loud slapstick humour, the last few years have seen a huge change in the quality of comedy in films. With a number of deft actors in films, the landscape of comedy has changed.
And one of those actors is Pankaj Tripathi, who has proved his acting prowess with dramatic and comic roles. At times, even if he had limited screen time, he managed to leave a crucial impact in the films he featured in, and has brought a change in how the industry views comedy. A source says, “For instance, in films like Bareilly ki Barfi (2017) and Nil Battey Sannata (2015), Tripathi’s characters had a humorous undertone but commands respect. The actor has been systematically redefining the genre, sans loud laughs or action. He is known for creating comedy with subtle body language and playing around correct timing of comedy with minimal required expressions. In an industry that’s waking up to recognise his charisma as an actor, writers are writing comedy scenes keeping him in mind.”
Talking about comic roles and films, the actor says, “Every piece of work has to make a point. That’s the whole point of art. Though ’90s fare had a certain brand of comedy, the new age films demand that we poke fun more responsibly and make comedy say something effective. In such a scenario, comedy films have to offer more than just laughs and fun. Similarly, actors are expected to bring more to the table. I am glad I got the chance to do some memorable comedies such as Stree (2018), Fukrey franchisee, among others. Now that was a new-age fun film where the endeavour was to be more than simply funny. I hope to do more of such films that make one laugh but where jokes are not limited to hand gestures or funny faces. There is a larger theme and point to be made.”
Laila from Raees was shoved down my throat-Ram Sampath
8:46 AM
Etti Bali (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 4, 2020)
The insider-outsider debate has opened a Pandora’s box in the Hindi film industry. Even musician A R Rahman and sound designer Resul Pookutty spoke about facing rejection in Bollywood post their Hollywood stint. Now, music producer and composer Ram Sampath, who has given music for films such as Delhi Belly (2011) and Fukrey (2013), opens up about favouritism in the industry and how only a select few have the final say.
“Bollywood is a bunch of clans and as a music composer, you end up working for one of them. Unlike the West where there are studios, professional executives, a pipeline to launch talent and a pride in systems that nurture future stars and reward the meritorious, here, the shots are called by a few interconnected families, with rare exceptions,” he says.
Having composed music for advertising campaigns and pop songs, Sampath felt the need to take the leap into Bollywood as “having a few successful Bollywood films under your belt makes life much more tenable as a professional”. He shifted gears with Khakee (2004). What followed was requests to copy songs. “I can’t recall a single enjoyable experience of working with producers in Bollywood, except Aamir Khan. Everyone else has a contract that takes away your rights before you play a single note, or shop for third party music behind your back, or have limited budgets and unlimited changes,” he shares. His wife, artiste Sona Mohapatra, recently tweeted about his plight. “Getting a ‘Laila’ shoved down my throat in the last film I scored, Raees (2017), despite the initial brief being to make a dance song like my own, ‘Aisa Jadoo Dala Re’, was a blow,” he says.
The composer, who started working at the age of 16 to support his family, has now found solace in other activities. “With Sona’s help, I’ve been focussed on living a well-rounded life,” he says, adding, “The independent music scene is bursting with new talent and now is a good time to revive the music scene outside of Bollywood.”
When Varun Sharma slammed the door in good friend Manjot Singh’s face
8:02 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; May 23, 2020)
They had the audience in splits with their funny antics in Fukrey (2013) and Fukrey Returns (2017). Since their first film together, Varun Sharma and Manjot Singh have been close friends. In fact, the two stay in the same neighbourhood and have the same set of friends. Considering their camaraderie, Manjot was stunned when Varun slammed the door, albeit a virtual one, in his face.
When Bombay Times pitted them against each other for an online game of Good Better Best, during a round we had Manjot standing at Varun’s doorstep, of course virtually, as the latter didn’t answer his calls. A funny conversation between the two ended with Varun slamming the door in Manjot’s face and asking him to stay home during the pandemic. Through this fun activity, they even tried to spread awareness about the need to follow the norms of social distancing.
The two actors also spoke about how they were keen for some good company while in lockdown mode. Varun said that the one person he would want to hang out with is his Khandaani Shafakhana costar, Sonakshi Sinha. “She is so much fun. We constantly pull each other’s leg,” he says. Meanwhile, the one on Manjot’s wishlist as his Coronavirus lockdown buddy was actress Kiara Advani. “I would’ve loved to be in a lockdown with her. I think she is really cute,” he confesses.
Lockdown Diaries: Sona Mohapatra goes live for fans
8:33 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 2, 2020)
Coming a close second to the barrage of exercise videos that have flooded social media news feeds amid the lockdown are live concerts from folk of the music fraternity. Joining the growing league of musicians enthralling fans from home is Sona Mohapatra, who recently conducted a contest for her fans, urging them to identify three looks from her music videos, and guess the songs they featured in. The first 20 to answer correctly were told to make a song request, and name a person they'd want to dedicate it to.
At a live concert to be held today at 4 pm, the singer along with composer-husband Ram Sampath, will belt out the numbers.
Mohapatra says, "Apart from performing these songs acoustically, we also plan to share a few behind-the-scenes anecdotes of working on our albums and films like Delhi Belly, Talaash, and Fukrey, and shows like Satyamev Jayate and Coke Studio. Fans will be able to ask us questions. We can engage with each other and share feedback." She urges individuals to take to such forms of communication while practising social distancing. "Human contact in these tough times is welcome."
Fukrey 3 shoot to begin in October?
8:45 AM
Even as the industry has ground to a halt, sources say Fukrey 3 in progress, Farhan-Ritesh ask Richa & Co to block October dates
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 25, 2020)
A sleeper hit on its release, Fukrey (2013) put the spotlight on Richa Chadha aka Bholi Punjaban and Varun Sharma. After the success of the two instalments of the comedy franchise, rumours are rife that the cast — which also includes Pulkit Samrat, Ali Fazal and Manjot Singh — is reuniting for the third edition.Even as Bollywood has come to a standstill, producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani have been apparently supervising the progress of Fukrey 3 and recently asked the actors for a chunk of dates in October for the shoot. According to an insider, the creative team is currently giving finishing touches to the script.
"The team, led by director Mrigdeep Singh Lamba, had previously written multiple drafts, but they did not appeal to Farhan and Ritesh. When this idea was presented, they lapped it up, and the writers' team soon sat down to develop it further. The production house has reached out to the principal actors, asking them to block their dates in October. Since the film requires combination dates of five actors, the studio felt it was best to sound them off in advance. The pre-production will kick off as soon as the current situation stabilises."
Lamba remained unavailable for comment.
I haven’t done one naach gaana film, it’s a miracle that I exist in Bollywood-Richa Chadha
8:20 AM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; January 22, 2020)
Not someone to mince words, Richa Chadha says it like it is. Ahead of the release of her next, director Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari’s Panga, she talks to BT about her film career, relationship with actor Ali Fazal, casting director woes and why freedom of speech is important. Excerpts...You feature in Panga alongside Kangana Ranaut. Given the fact that you have never been a conformist, your choice of this film is quite apt...
Not just me, I think it holds true for every independent, opinionated woman. When you voice your thoughts freely, even normal things are perceived as ‘yeh toh pangey le rahi hai.’
Don’t you think women are often conditioned to not take pangas, be it at home, workplace or society at large? Even putting across your point can sometimes be misconstrued as being rebellious...
We are not sheep. Sheep need shepherds. We should not be confused about who we are. Everybody is entitled to an opinion and we should be able to express it. This is what democracy is all about. If an issue is troubling your heart, you should be able to say it.
What is it like to work with people who may have contradicting political ideologies? Does it have any bearing on you as an actor?
Vivek Oberoi (her co-star in a web series) and I have discussed everything — from the Trump presidency to India to Brexit, and we never agree on things, but at least, I feel comfortable to have that discussion with him. It is perhaps because I have worked with him longer. Kangana and I, we never discussed politics. We just didn’t. Also, ours is a democracy. You work with people you may or may not agree with.
With the kind of diverse content that we are seeing in our movies and other platforms, isn’t it an exciting time for actors like you, who have always been experimental?
The boom in the digital space has helped a lot of actors. Shefali Shah, Neeraj Kabi, Amit Sial.. these actors are finding good work and their visibility makes me happy. They deserve to be stars in their own right. I have done a lot of supporting roles in my career and I have no issues with that. I didn’t come into the industry with the news of a big affair or a famous boyfriend that the media won’t stop talking about. I didn’t have a producer dad. I had to start somewhere, and I feel that I have done well for myself. I haven’t done one naach gaana film and it’s a miracle that I exist. I am glad to have proved a lot of people wrong.
While a lot is changing in the industry, stereotyping still happens. For instance, we have rarely seen you in glamorous roles. Do you agree?
Does stereotyping happen? Of course! The casting directors need to know that. I feel certain casting directors are more destructive to outsiders than producers. They have their prejudices. Barring Honey Trehan who insisted that I should be in Fukrey (2013), I have never been cast by a casting director in any of my films. Honey pushed me to do Fukrey when other casting directors told me not to do it as they wanted to plug their own people. Writer-filmmaker Kanu Behl auditioned me for Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye (2008). He was Dibakar Banerjee’s assistant director (AD) then. He saw me in a play and wanted to cast me. Filmmaker Vasan Bala auditioned me for Dev D (2009) through someone’s reference. He was also an AD with Anurag Kashyap. From that audition, I got Gangs Of Wasseypur (2012). As far as being glamorous is concerned, I’ll be that off the screen. That’s my motto. Because on screen toh mar jayenge na log. Saavli ladki? Glamorous?
Your first attempt at stand-up comedy was well received. It also revealed that you are good with imitating people’s voices. Many wondered why you haven’t been approached for voice-over opportunities yet?
I did stand-up for fun as I wanted to do something that was scary. As far as voiceover is concerned, again, that’s the problem of casting directors and how myopic the industry is. I wonder why they haven’t seen that side of me. Recently, I was dancing at a party and some film colleagues asked me, ‘Wow, you can dance! Since you did Fukrey, we weren’t sure if you could.’ People still come to me and ask if I can speak English as I did Gangs Of Wasseypur. I don’t care about what these people say anymore.
Your actor-boyfriend Ali Fazal was in the audience for your stand-up show. Was it comforting or unnerving?
Ali is a sweetheart. He was expected to reach at 8 pm for the show, as I was to perform at 8.30. He showed up at 6.30 with coffee and cookies for everyone. He is extremely supportive. I couldn’t have asked for a better man in my life. Our relationship is a great creative partnership. No one that sees us together feels like it’s a mismatch. It wasn’t unnerving to have him in the audience at all. My friend, Ali and my brother Pranav were all sitting together. I made jokes about my family, too. It was nice that people liked it and were pleasantly surprised by my comic side.
You said somewhere that it was a miracle that Ali and you found love in each other...
I said it’s a miracle because it’s rare to find like-minded people who share certain core values and have similar interests like poetry, music, films and literature. Ali is also progressive and liberal. To find someone like that in your industry is rare. Also, we never expected to end up together. It happened organically.
Have the two of you thought about marriage?
We don’t have time. If we were to talk about marriage, it will be like... I don’t have dates in March, May is too hot, we are shooting a film in June, it rains too much in July... It will become like a line production job. We are waiting and chilling, and we are in a happy space.
Ali is working with Gal Gadot. Was there even a pinch of jealousy to see your man working with one of the hottest women in the world?
Not at all. That film has such a great cast. It has Armie Hammer and he is also hot. Ali and I never get jealous about these things. We are partners who are excited about each other’s careers. I am so happy that he is getting such good work abroad. People are seeing what an incredible actor he is.
As an industry, aren’t we gradually overcoming our bias for fair skin?
Why don’t you ask Bhumi (Pednekar) and me? Yes, the situation is better now, as we do have duskier actresses, but just observe this. An actress who gets launched at 20, look at her skin tone at 34. It’s completely different. What happened there?
We’ve told Mrighdeep Singh Lamba we’ll lock him in a room-Pulkit Samrat
7:54 AM
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 6, 2019)
A day full of interviews might seem tedious for some actors, but Pulkit Samrat finds the experience “therapeutic”. He goes on to talk about the Fukrey franchise, being a part of Anees Bazmee’s team, his equation with Kriti Kharbanda, everything except…Why Pagalpanti?
Every promo or song ends with ‘An Anees Bazmee Film’, and that’s what appealed to me. I grew up watching his No Entry and Welcome, and today, I’m a part of his film’s poster. It gives me goosebumps.
What’s special about Anees?
Most senior directors don’t give you a script or a narration personally, but Anees sir sat me down and gave me a proper narration, twice. Once we started shooting, Kriti (Kharbanda) and I were the only new entrants as Anees sir has worked with the rest before. I was intimidated about doing a film with Anil Kapoor, John Abraham, Saurabh Shukla and Anees sir. But John and Arshad treated me like a kid brother—covering for me and protecting me, advising and appreciating me. It was an addictive, productive team and none of them made Kriti and me feel like raw, uncooked rice.
Weren’t you apprehensive about being a part of a multi-starrer?
As a viewer, while watching a film, I don’t count how many scenes or dialogues an actor had, it’s the impact of the scene that matters. As long as I’m convinced about my part, the length or the genre doesn’t matter. My character, Chandu, thinks he is smart but he is actually dumb.
That would make him different from Vikas Gulati aka Hunny. What’s the status on Fukrey 3?
(Laughs) Ask Ritesh (Sidhwani), Farhan (Akhtar) and Mrigh (Mrighdeep Singh Lamba). We’ve told Mrigh we’ll lock him in a room and throw away the key until he comes out with a script. A good portion has been written. We are being careful as we don’t want to mar the franchise. It has been seven years of highs and lows. There was a phase just before the release of Fukrey Returns, when things were not working out for me. I was disturbed, wishing I’d played my innings differently. But I’m happy now. I still remember my seat number in the theatre where I watched No Entry and the scenes that made me laugh. To be a part of that team is an out-of-the-world feeling. The idea is to keep moving forward, irrespective of hits or flops.
You’re reuniting with Kriti after Veere Ki Wedding and with Urvashi Rautela after Sanam Re. Has your equation with them changed since?
I’m happy to be paired with Kriti, she’s a spontaneous actress and endearing on screen. We are together in Taish also though not opposite each other. It is difficult to find this kind of comfort level with co-stars and I am lucky to have found it with her. She is my best friend…
And Urvashi?
Hello… Hello… Hello…
The connection breaks and Pulkit since has gone missing.
Ayushmann Khurrana never behaved like a star-Manjot Singh
7:49 AM
Manjot Singh on his co-star and the third instalment of his buddy comedy
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 23, 2019)
Manjot Singh, who made his debut with Dibakar Banerjee’s 2008 directorial Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!, going on to play one of the central characters in the Fukrey franchise, is basking in the success of his last turn. “This is the maximum screen time I have got in a film and I’m glad it has done well,” he says about the Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer Dream Girl, in which he played his best friend.He adds that he bonded with his co-star over their Punjabi connection. “After Badhaai Ho and AndhaDhun, I was wondering what he would be like, but he never behaved like a star. He treated me like a younger brother,” Manjot shares.
By his own admission, he is getting more offers, but there’s a lot of stereotyping involved. “People think that if someone has done a comedy film, they become a comedian. But most of the comedy I have done was situational. Now, I am trying hard to break that stereotype and do something different,” the actor asserts, adding that people believe that Sikh actors are more suited for comedy. “It’s unfortunate. I’m hoping to break the stereotype with my acting skills. I’ve been told I am the Nawazuddin Siddiqui of Sardars, which I think is a big compliment,” he smiles.
Ask him about Fukrey 3 and the actor shares, “It is a special film. After I won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Debut Actor for Oye Lucky…, I wasn’t getting the kind of roles I wanted. Fukrey was a turning point in my life. Writing on Fukrey 3 is almost complete and we should start shooting in 2020. The third part will be much bigger and funnier,” Manjot signs off.
People expect me to do a role like Bholi Punjaban where I have punch lines-Richa Chadha
8:14 AM
Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; October 5, 2019)
Richa Chadha’s last release, Section 375, was critically-acclaimed and she won rave reviews for her turn as a lawyer alongside Akshaye Khanna. However, people felt that she did not get much scope to perform as the courtroom drama was dominated by Akshaye. But, Richa is unperturbed. “I think it’s a childish thing to say, as it depends on the story. When I did Gangs Of Wasseypur, nobody said that Manoj Bajpayee’s role was meatier. That’s because people have started expecting me to do a role like Bholi Punjaban (Fukrey) where I have the punch lines. This is kind of a stereotype in the viewers’ minds. I don’t take it seriously. As far as the narrative of the film is concerned, I don’t have a balanced role and that happened after the edit, as there were some things that had to be taken out from my side of the story. And, honestly, he (Akshaye) is a senior actor who has been around for many years. I don’t know what the problem is,” she retorts.
The actress finds it ironic when audiences watch the most ordinary movie where the woman has nothing to do except a song, a couple of scenes, and don’t have a problem with it. “They confuse a real-life persona or a previous role that the actor has done. Every role can’t be the same. In Masaan, a lot of people told me, ‘Aapke toh dialogue nahi the’. I think Masaan and Section 375 have been my most low-key roles,” she shares.
Next, she will be seen in the second season of Inside Edge, in which she essays an actress who owns a cricket team. “Zarina Malik is quite the boss lady and in this season, she will be showing all her shades and true colours. I had fun because playing an actor when you are one, you can add a lot of things to it,” says Richa, who was appreciated for her performance in the first season of the series. She reasons that after seeing her as an actor who does only rural parts, people liked her as a sophisticated ambitious woman. “They like seeing me in a different avatar,” she smiles.
Recently, the trailer of Saand Ki Aankh, in which Taapsee Pannu and Bhumi Pednekar play women in their 60s, sparked off a debate about whether older roles should be played by senior actresses like Neena Gupta and Shabana Azmi. The Badhaai Ho actress even tweeted, “Hamari umar ke role toe kamsekam humse kara lo bhai (sic).”
Incidentally, Richa started off her career playing an older woman in Gangs Of Wasseypur. When asked about her take on it, she said, “Mine was a transition from a younger to older role. And I can’t say anything without watching the film. I don’t understand the market, but filmmakers have a certain compulsion. I empathise with Neena ma’am — what she is saying. At the same time, when she wins an award for Best Actress for Badhaai Ho, when Gajju ji (Gajraj Rao) becomes an overnight star even though he has been in the industry for so long or when Seema Pahwa, whom we have seen in Hum Log, is shooting non-stop and has date issues, I am so happy. All their points are valid,” she says and adds, “I take this opportunity to congratulate Shabana ji who will be doing a web series of Steven Spielberg, Dimple ma’am (Kapadia) who will be seen in Christopher Nolan’s film. They are doing such amazing work at their age, it is seriously cool,” she signs off.
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