Showing posts with label Fukrey 3. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fukrey 3. Show all posts
I am not tagged just as an OTT actor now-Pankaj Tripathi
9:01 AM
Navya Kharbanda (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 19, 2024)
Actor Pankaj Tripathi, popular for playing crime lord Kaleen Bhaiya in the web series Mirzapur, is happy about breaking free from the OTT-actor stereotype after the pandemic.
“When cinemas were shut during the pandemic, Mirzapur rose in popularity. In fact, many of my films, such as Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, Ludo (2020), Mimi and Kaagaz (2021), were super successful on OTT. Though they were made for theatres, we had no other option but to release them on streaming platforms because of the lockdown,” says Tripathi, illustrating that this led to him getting labelled as an ‘OTT actor’.
“They would have worked well had they been released in theatres, too. However, I agree that I do have a lot of presence across streaming platforms. I often find myself in the most-watched category,” the 46-year-old admits.
Having said that, the actor’s assertion that he’s not just an OTT actor, is backed by his upcoming projects, which transcend the digital medium. “I was a part of OMG 2 and Fukrey 3 in 2023, and will be seen in Metro...In Dino. So, ab normal ho gaya hai. I am not tagged just as an OTT actor now,” he declares.
Tripathi, who recently headlined the streaming movie Kadak Singh, says his approach to picking projects isn’t really about the medium. “Main soch kar balance nahin karta har platform ke projects. I have so many franchises continuing, so I am just working on them. I go with the flow while choosing projects,” says the actor, who is gearing up for Stree 2.
Moreover, with the gradual return of normalcy and theatres seeing crowds returning, Tripathi stays optimistic about big screen projects. “The films that are releasing now have the ability to attract audiences to the theatres,” he wraps up.
With Sanjay Leela Bhansali, you can’t do a half hearted job. He knows if you are bluffing-Richa Chadha
8:17 AM
Looking forward to Heeramandi after a hit in Fukrey 3, Richa discusses how Bhansali makes actors tap into their true potential
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 17, 2023)
To Richa Chadha, Fukrey 3 was personally symbolic of hope. The comedy was shot just after India went through its darkest days of the pandemic. Today, as Mrighdeep Singh Lamba’s directorial venture has crossed the Rs 100-crore mark worldwide, the actor says it was the cast and crew’s deep attachment to each other that saw them through the hard times.
“Comedy is serious business. But what made it special was that we were all friends chilling, joking and eating together. The movie’s jokes are enhanced in a relaxed environment. This film never gives me pressure. You can’t enjoy comedy if you are stressed,” she says.
The franchise has given Bollywood two popular characters, Chadha’s Bholi Punjaban and Varun Sharma’s Choocha. Given the fan-following her gangster-turned-politician character enjoys, will Bholi Punjaban get a spin-off? “The makers have copyrighted [my character]. So, it might [happen] some day. One has to ask our director if and when.”
For now, she moves on to Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s maiden web series, Heeramandi. Chadha, who featured in his Ram Leela (2013), says working with the auteur is an experience that leaves artistes enriched, sometimes even making them realise their true potential.
“I got a call from Bhansali sir’s office; he said, ‘Come, meet me’ and that was it. No auditions, he just knew [he wanted me for the part]. I love working with him; it makes me better. He wants to explore your full potential. With Mr Bhansali, you can’t do a half-hearted job. He knows if you are bluffing. When he says, ‘I know you can do the scene better’, you wonder what can be added. Every day is a challenge, and you try to rise to the occasion.”
The Netflix series—starring Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Chadha, Sanjeeda Shaikh and Sharmin Segal—tells the story of strong-minded, powerful courtesans of pre-Independence India. But there is more than the gender aspect, says Chadha.
“Historical dramas are important for the cultural aspect they bring in. The art and culture of that time, and the knowledge that these women possessed became important to showcase [in the series]. At the end of the show, I walked away a better actor.”
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 799
9:58 AM
NATIONAL CINEMA DAY 2023 TO BE HELD TOMORROW; YET, NEW RELEASES WILL STRUGGLE
The National Cinema Day 2023 will be celebrated tomorrow in cinemas across the country. On Friday, October 13, the tickets will be sold for just Rs. 99 for all shows and in all theatres. Last year, the tickets were priced at just Rs. 75 and the response was maddening, to say the least.
This year, too, tickets have been fast filling. Surprisingly, Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan, which will enter its sixth week tomorrow, continues to be a preferred choice for moviegoers. Many of its shows are almost sold out, prompting exhibitors to increase its shows from tomorrow. The film is already an all-time blockbuster, collecting more than Rs. 550 crores. Yet, it continues to get an audience. Mission Raniganj, starring Akshay Kumar, didn’t work at the box office. But on National Cinema Day, it’ll have great collections, as evidenced by the sold-out shows. Fukrey 3 and The Exorcist: Believer, too, have an encouraging response. Thank You For Coming’s ticket sales have been gradually increasing too.
Shockingly, three films are releasing tomorrow and the ticket sales till now are poor. The biggest release is Dhak Dhak, produced by Taapsee Pannu and starring Fatima Sana Shaikh, Ratna Pathak Shah, Dia Mirza and Sanjana Sanghi. It is about four women bikers on a trip to Khardung La Pass. The idea is interesting and the trailer is also decent. Sadly, the studio partner, Viacom18 Studios, has barely promoted the film. The trailer was out just four days before release and the actors haven’t done any promotion. Taapsee, in fact, deleted posts related to the film as she’s reportedly miffed with Viacom18 for meting out stepmotherly treatment to her movie. It is said that the banner has recovered the investment by selling the rights to Netflix and hence, is giving it a token release in cinemas. The screen count is too low for a film of this scale.
It is believed that Dhak Dhak will also get an audience once the other preferred films sell out. Yet, due to limited release, the first-day collections would be less than Rs. 50 lakhs. The collections will further drop on Saturday due to the crucial India vs Pakistan match. The only hope is that the film turns out to be extraordinary so that it can see a huge jump in collections on Sunday. That can lead to higher collections on Monday than on Friday.
Two Hollywood films up for release are Dumb Money and Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie. However, due to negligible awareness and hype, it will get some collections only on Friday due to the offer.
The National Cinema Day 2023 will be celebrated tomorrow in cinemas across the country. On Friday, October 13, the tickets will be sold for just Rs. 99 for all shows and in all theatres. Last year, the tickets were priced at just Rs. 75 and the response was maddening, to say the least.
This year, too, tickets have been fast filling. Surprisingly, Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan, which will enter its sixth week tomorrow, continues to be a preferred choice for moviegoers. Many of its shows are almost sold out, prompting exhibitors to increase its shows from tomorrow. The film is already an all-time blockbuster, collecting more than Rs. 550 crores. Yet, it continues to get an audience. Mission Raniganj, starring Akshay Kumar, didn’t work at the box office. But on National Cinema Day, it’ll have great collections, as evidenced by the sold-out shows. Fukrey 3 and The Exorcist: Believer, too, have an encouraging response. Thank You For Coming’s ticket sales have been gradually increasing too.
Shockingly, three films are releasing tomorrow and the ticket sales till now are poor. The biggest release is Dhak Dhak, produced by Taapsee Pannu and starring Fatima Sana Shaikh, Ratna Pathak Shah, Dia Mirza and Sanjana Sanghi. It is about four women bikers on a trip to Khardung La Pass. The idea is interesting and the trailer is also decent. Sadly, the studio partner, Viacom18 Studios, has barely promoted the film. The trailer was out just four days before release and the actors haven’t done any promotion. Taapsee, in fact, deleted posts related to the film as she’s reportedly miffed with Viacom18 for meting out stepmotherly treatment to her movie. It is said that the banner has recovered the investment by selling the rights to Netflix and hence, is giving it a token release in cinemas. The screen count is too low for a film of this scale.
It is believed that Dhak Dhak will also get an audience once the other preferred films sell out. Yet, due to limited release, the first-day collections would be less than Rs. 50 lakhs. The collections will further drop on Saturday due to the crucial India vs Pakistan match. The only hope is that the film turns out to be extraordinary so that it can see a huge jump in collections on Sunday. That can lead to higher collections on Monday than on Friday.
Two Hollywood films up for release are Dumb Money and Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie. However, due to negligible awareness and hype, it will get some collections only on Friday due to the offer.
I am an actor, not a bottle of jam with a shelf life-Richa Chadha
8:26 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 12, 2023)
In an industry rife with stereotypes, Richa Chadha continues to defy conventions. From playing Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s mother in Gangs Of Wasseypur to a gangster in the recently released Fukrey 3, she has maintained a firm stance against conforming to traditional ‘heroine’ roles.
Therefore, Chadha is stunned when someone mentions “shelf-life” while talking about female artistes. She exclaims, “I’m not a bottle of jam!”
Recounting an incident that happened not very long ago, the 36-year-old says, “There was a director who once offered me a part to be a wife opposite an actor who was 70. I had just turned 30 then; I didn’t have much to do in that film, and I also didn’t want to ruin my chances by being paired opposite a 70-something man.”
So when she told the same to the director, he said, “‘Khud kaun si heroine ban jaayegi ab, Nawaz ki maa bani, phir Bholi Punjaban’. That director is nowhere today, and he told me what he thinks of women by using words like ‘tumhari shelf life’ as if I were a bottle of jam!”
I embraced my gap-toothed smile and my struggles with weight, knowing that many could relate to them-Varun Sharma
8:17 AM
As Fukrey 3 becomes a hit, Varun on how he owned his imperfections and changed the idea of a Bollywood hero
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 9, 2023)
Disbelief, gratitude, joy— Varun Sharma admits he has been a mixed bag of emotions over the past few days. His latest release Fukrey 3 has become a hit, earning almost Rs 85 crore at the domestic box office.
“On one hand, there is immense gratitude for the overwhelming love, and on the other hand, there is disbelief that this is happening to me. Fukrey is more special than other films to me because it gives the sense that life has come a long way,” beams the actor.
It has been a commendable journey for Sharma, who burst on the scene as Choocha, the pudgy, goofy character in the buddy comedy, Fukrey (2013). He shone brighter with his impeccable comic timing in big-ticket films like Dilwale (2015) and Chhichhore (2019). But his success stands for something bigger.
In showbiz where perfection takes centre-stage, Sharma is the kind of hero we need more of—one who doesn’t subscribe to the idea of six-pack abs or machismo. He believes that his trajectory, from being the side-kick to securing the lead role in Fukrey 3, is testament to the fact that most Indian men look like and identify with him. “I realized early on that perfection is overrated. Being imperfect can be incredibly beautiful too.”
The actor says that early on in his career, people would often remind of his imperfections. He was told that his gap-toothed smile and weight issues would be hindrances in the glamour-obsessed industry. But the artiste in him knew better.
“It’s an industry of artistes. Shouldn’t your ability to act well be the most important thing? I embraced my gap-toothed smile and my struggles with weight, knowing that many out there could relate to them. Men have told me that women in their lives see me as the alternative over the hyper-masculine imagery we have created in pop culture. I was always called a softie, and I am. I am happy being the funny, affable guy in movies. This norm of what a Bollywood hero should be has changed drastically. I don’t have six-pack abs, and I am hoping we build a world for our men where being all heart counts as much as physical appearance.”
(Crisp) Movie Review: FUKREY 3 by FENIL SETA
11:36 PM
Fukrey 3 rests on a bizarre and crazy storyline. But hats off to director Mrighdeep Singh Lamba as he pulls off such a plot with conviction. His direction is so good that viewers won’t ask for logic as they would be too busy laughing their guts out. Special mention should also go to writer Vipul Vig for his taut script and hilarious dialogues. Sadly, there are sequences where the film drops. The film suddenly gets serious in the pre-climax and it looks awkward in a comic caper like Fukrey 3. Moreover, the toilet humour becomes too much after a point. When it comes to the performances, Varun Sharma dominates the show. The film is nothing without him though others also do well. But he’s in a different league. Pankaj Tripathi comes next and is simply adorable. His English dialogues are too funny. Richa Chadha, as expected, rocks the show. Pulkit Samrat underplays his part well (watch out for his six-pack abs). Manjot Singh, too, gets to shine. The actors playing Dhingra and Natasha are surprise packages. All in all, Fukrey 3 is a paisa-vasool crazy entertainer!
My rating - *** ½ out of 5!
My rating - *** ½ out of 5!
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 797
11:16 AM
WILL FUKREY 3 BE A BIGGER HIT THAN FUKREY RETURNS?
The last week was poor for the box office as the new releases – The Great Indian Family, Sukhee and Expend4bles – sank without a trace. All eyes are now on this week, which will see the release of two interesting films, belonging to diverse genres.
Fukrey 3 stars Pulkit Samrat, Richa Chadha, Varun Sharma, Manjot Singh and Pankaj Tripathi. Ali Fazal, who was also cast in the first two parts, is missing this time. The film was originally scheduled to release on December 1. The makers had planned to shift to avoid a clash with the biggie, Animal. They speedily grabbed the September 28 slot once Salaar’s makers decided to shift from the date. Fukrey 3 now enjoys a five-day weekend as it releases on a Thursday, which is a partial holiday due to Eid and Ganesh Visarjan. Monday, October 2, is a National Holiday on account of Gandhi Jayanti.
As a result, Fukrey 3 has a golden chance to score. The first part, Fukrey, was a sleeper hit, collecting Rs. 34.86 crores, though it starred newcomers. The sequel, Fukrey Returns, was a surprise, as it had a huge opening of Rs. 8.07 crores. Thanks to great word of mouth and the popularity of the franchise, it ended up collecting Rs. 77.90 crores. Hence, due to the brand value, hype and great week, trade and industry are hoping that Fukrey 3 can cross the Rs. 100 crore mark. It is expected to open at around Rs. 10 crores. If all goes well, it’ll end up collecting Fukrey Returns’ lifetime in its first week. However, if word of mouth is poor, the collections might drop even before the end of the extended weekend.
The other major release of the week is The Vaccine War. It is directed by Vivek Agnihotri, who delivered the blockbuster, The Kashmir Files, last year. As the title suggests, it is a story of how India managed to produce an effective Covid-19 vaccine. The film marks the return of Nana Patekar to movies. Besides Nana, The Vaccine War also stars Pallavi Joshi, Raima Sen, Sapthami Gowda (of Kantara fame) and Anupam Kher.
The makers showed the film in many cities in the USA and also to certain sections in India. The response has been very positive. However, the buzz for the film is very limited. The Kashmir Files had generated a lot of curiosity due to the controversial subject. That kind of intrigue value is missing when it comes to The Vaccine War.
The Kashmir Files opened at Rs. 3.36 crores. The Vaccine War might open in the same range. If the reports are positive, it’ll see a jump and emerge as a profitable venture for the makers.
The last week was poor for the box office as the new releases – The Great Indian Family, Sukhee and Expend4bles – sank without a trace. All eyes are now on this week, which will see the release of two interesting films, belonging to diverse genres.
Fukrey 3 stars Pulkit Samrat, Richa Chadha, Varun Sharma, Manjot Singh and Pankaj Tripathi. Ali Fazal, who was also cast in the first two parts, is missing this time. The film was originally scheduled to release on December 1. The makers had planned to shift to avoid a clash with the biggie, Animal. They speedily grabbed the September 28 slot once Salaar’s makers decided to shift from the date. Fukrey 3 now enjoys a five-day weekend as it releases on a Thursday, which is a partial holiday due to Eid and Ganesh Visarjan. Monday, October 2, is a National Holiday on account of Gandhi Jayanti.
As a result, Fukrey 3 has a golden chance to score. The first part, Fukrey, was a sleeper hit, collecting Rs. 34.86 crores, though it starred newcomers. The sequel, Fukrey Returns, was a surprise, as it had a huge opening of Rs. 8.07 crores. Thanks to great word of mouth and the popularity of the franchise, it ended up collecting Rs. 77.90 crores. Hence, due to the brand value, hype and great week, trade and industry are hoping that Fukrey 3 can cross the Rs. 100 crore mark. It is expected to open at around Rs. 10 crores. If all goes well, it’ll end up collecting Fukrey Returns’ lifetime in its first week. However, if word of mouth is poor, the collections might drop even before the end of the extended weekend.
The other major release of the week is The Vaccine War. It is directed by Vivek Agnihotri, who delivered the blockbuster, The Kashmir Files, last year. As the title suggests, it is a story of how India managed to produce an effective Covid-19 vaccine. The film marks the return of Nana Patekar to movies. Besides Nana, The Vaccine War also stars Pallavi Joshi, Raima Sen, Sapthami Gowda (of Kantara fame) and Anupam Kher.
The makers showed the film in many cities in the USA and also to certain sections in India. The response has been very positive. However, the buzz for the film is very limited. The Kashmir Files had generated a lot of curiosity due to the controversial subject. That kind of intrigue value is missing when it comes to The Vaccine War.
The Kashmir Files opened at Rs. 3.36 crores. The Vaccine War might open in the same range. If the reports are positive, it’ll see a jump and emerge as a profitable venture for the makers.
I don’t think Bholi Punjaban’s character would have been as interesting had she not been a woman-Richa Chadha
8:23 AM
Counting herself lucky to reprise Bholi Punjaban’s role in Fukrey 3, Richa says filmmakers must create edgier parts for women
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 23, 2023)
In her 15-year career, Richa Chadha has brought diverse characters to the screen. Undeniably, Bholi Punjaban from the Fukrey franchise remains her most memorable role. The actor believes the character’s abandon and fearless nature make her stand out. As she reprises her role in the upcoming Fukrey 3, Chadha says that she has been fortunate to play such a character considering the Hindi film industry is usually hesitant to write edgy parts for women.
“While audiences appreciate women in risqué, villainous roles, writers and filmmakers seem hesitant to provide them with these opportunities. We need to break this stereotype and encourage the creation of edgier characters for women,” she states.
Playing a gangster in the Varun Sharma, Pulkit Samrat, Manjot Singh and Pankaj Tripathi-starrer has been a joyride for Chadha. Happy that OTT offerings depict women in their myriad shades, she believes mainstream Bollywood needs to follow the cue and move away from creating one-dimensional roles.
“Women in mainstream Bollywood are more than capable of carrying complex, edgy, and risky characters. Parallel avenues often have grey female characters, but not so much in mainstream Hindi films. I don’t think Bholi’s character would have been as interesting had she not been a woman.”
Teaser and announcement clashes seem to have become the newest concern for makers
3:21 PM
Syeda Eba Fatima (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 8, 2023)
The announcement of actor Ranveer Singh reportedly replacing actor Shah Rukh Khan in the Don franchise was supposed to coincide with Singh’s birthday (July 6). But, the teaser launch of actor Prabhas’ Salaar led Don 3 makers to push their plans. There has been no news of a new date yet. While box-office clashes are common, teaser and announcement clashes seem to have become the newest concern for makers.
“When two teasers are released simultaneously, the audience’s attention gets distributed,” says director Anees Bazmee. Producer Ramesh Taurani says while marketing a film, his team “tries to figure out what else is coming out the same day to avoid the clash” as this also helps them “avoid any comparisons”.
Director Mrigdeep Singh Lamba, who postponed the release of Fukrey 3 to avoid a clash with another big-banner film, says social media plays a huge role here: “Social media is too crowded, as there are a lot of fan-made teasers. Hence, we avoid releasing a teaser in such a situation.”
Calling the teaser clash “sheer foolishness”, trade analyst Komal Nahta says, “It’s just a one-minute video. If two of them come out on the same day, heavens won’t fall.”
My good looks are becoming a hindrance to the kind of work I want to do-Pulkit Samrat
3:18 PM
Pulkit Samrat says layered, complex roles — which he is keen on taking up — are not offered to him much
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 8, 2023)
Having spent over a decade in films, actor Pulkit Samrat is grateful for the films he’s done. But, he rues not being considered for more layered characters and blames his “good looks” for being the biggest challenge when it comes to getting the kind of roles he desires.
“Over the years, I have realized that sometimes, my good looks are becoming a hindrance to the kind of work I want to do,” the 39-year-old continues, “When people think about a hero, singing, [fighting] against the world and winning the girl, all that stuff comes to me. But, there is a lack of layered and thoughtful characters, and more thoughtful films, which I’m very fond of.”
Taking the small screen route to enter showbiz, Samrat made his film debut with the romantic comedy Bittoo Boss in 2012 and shot to fame with the Fukrey franchise. Going forward, the actor hopes to tilt the needle in his direction through his upcoming films.
“With my roles in Made In Heaven (web series) and Fukrey 3, I hope people will see both sides of me and offer me stuff that has more to do with my presence on the screen rather than just my looks,” says Samrat, stating that he is “very hungry for challenging roles”: “I got a chance to play a very different character in Bejoy Nambiar’s Taish (2020). He saw something in me that I could play and people loved it. I hope I get to do more such things, so that I can surprise people and myself.”
The actor admits work has been slow after the pandemic, but is now picking up pace. “Bahut sara kaam karna hai kyunki bahut sara pyaar chahiye mujhe. After the lockdown, everything has been a little slow. Now, things are back to normal and you will see much more of me,” he wraps up.
Tareekh pe tareekh: Bollywood plays musical chairs
8:22 AM
As some big-ticket films shuffle their release dates, experts feel more “shifts” are in the offing
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 6, 2023)
From films managing to lure audiences back to cinemas to new ticket pricing strategies, the year has been eventful for the Hindi film industry. With everything falling in place, makers are not taking any chances, even with release dates. In the past two months, several films have pushed their releases — be it for a “great end product” or due to the domino effect of one big-ticket project getting postponed .
Take, for instance, the Ranbir Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna-starrer Animal, whose release was recently pushed from August 11 to December 1. Murad Khetani, co-producer, tells us, “We want to give a great end product to the audience and don’t want to take away from our director’s eventual vision.”
However, Fukrey 3 and Meghna Gulzar’s Sam Bahadur are also slated to release on the same date. And Ronnie Screwvala, producer of the latter, is in no mood to push it. “Our date was already announced. It’s the content that works today, not just the Friday opening,” he shares.
Experts help us decode the constant reshuffling and its long-term impact on other films, too.
MORE SHIFTS IN THE OFFING?
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh predicts more shifts in releases due to Animal getting postponed: “Whenever a big film gets pushed, like Adipurush from January to June, and now Jawan, other releases in the month get automatically shifted.”
Khetani adds that filmmakers’ pursuit for a certain standard of product has also impacted these decisions. “Makers have to get the film ready with a certain standard in terms of VFX, sound or post-production. Hence, a lot of dates have been moved,” he explains.
THEATRES REACT
A multiplex representative, without wishing to be named, shares his optimism: “It means audiences get to enjoy a wider range of movies over a longer period of time.”
But Manoj Desai, executive director, G7 Multiplex and Maratha Mandir cinema, feels otherwise: “We don’t have other films to screen when something gets postponed.”
Jawan
Original Date: June 2
New Date: September 7
Animal
Original Date: august 11
New Date: December 1
Fukrey 3
Original Date: November 24
New Date: December 1
Dream Girl 2
Original Date: July 7
New Date: august 25
Yodha
Original Date: July 7
New Date: December 15
Pankaj Tripathi’s new #workgoal: Maximum four projects a year
4:48 PM
Deep Saxena (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 15, 2023)
Pankaj Tripathi, known as a versatile performer, has expressed his desire to strike a better work-life balance. Amid his busy schedule, the actor has made the decision to limit himself to a maximum of “four film projects a year”, allowing him to focus on the quality of his work and personal development.
The 46-year-old shares, “I will complete Main Atal Hoon on July 7 and then on July 9, I will join the cast of Stree 2. I am shooting for 360 days in a year aur main asal zindagi mein itna vyast rehne wala aadmi nahi hoon.”
Tripathi attributes his ability to portray diverse characters to his background in theatre and is grateful that he has not been typecast. But, he acknowledges his limitations. “Acting is such an art ki aap utna hi kharch kar sakte ho jitna aapke andar jama hai. So, you need to refill your earnings (life experiences and observations) which I am not able to do at present,” says the actor, wishing to spend time with his family and a couple of months in his village doing farming.
Despite this newfound goal, Tripathi has an array of releases lined up. “I have around six projects slated for release this year, including OMG 2, Fukrey 3, Mirzapur 3, Murder Mubarak, Kadak Singh, Gulkunda Tales, Father and Metro... In Dino,” ends the actor, adding that “a gap of 15-20 days between projects is also important to prep better”.
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.
It is a struggle, juggling Bollywood and Hollywood; I should take advice from Priyanka Chopra-Ali Fazal
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Actor Ali Fazal says he has had to turn down a number of Hindi projects owing to commitments in the West
Syeda Eba Fatima (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 10, 2023)
Earlier this year, actor Ali Fazal confirmed that he is not a part of Fukrey 3 — a decision he calls his “biggest regret so far”. But, this isn’t the only film he had to turn down.
He tells us, “There was a project being helmed by Homi Adajania, one of my favourite directors. I’ve been a big fan of his work, but I couldn’t be a part of what he was making.”
The actor, who has made a mark in the West with projects Victoria & Abdul (2017), Death on the Nile (2022) and the recently release Kandahar — co-starring Gerard Butler — adds, “Half my time goes in Hollywood and the remaining I spend in India. It becomes a bit of a struggle when you’re alone, trying to dabble with these two industries. I wish I had a reference point... Maybe I should take advice from Priyanka Chopra (Jonas, actor)!”
Jonas, who he looks up to, has in the past spoken about struggling with the perception that she’d cater only to the south Asian audience and people outside of the diaspora may not be interested in watching her. Has he faced a similar struggle? The 36-year-old says it is the “obvious first thought” one would have when entering a new industry. “But, with time, the industry [in the West] has started to realize [that we can interest a larger audience] and evolve accordingly,” he says.
In fact, his character in Kandahar is quite fluid. “You won’t be able to tell if he’s from India or the subcontinent. He speaks four languages. That character could be anything. I’m glad these kind of characters are being written and I’m getting to play them,” says Fazal, who will be seen next in Vishal Bhardwaj’s OTT film, Khufiya.
Since I was seen a lot on screen over 2 two years, it was a conscious decision to take a step back-Pankaj Tripathi
10:16 AM
Pankaj Tripathi explains why he kept a low profile in the first half of 2023 and what kept him busy
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 12, 2023)
Pankaj Tripathi has kept a low profile in the year so far. The actor admits that staying away from the limelight was a deliberate move. “Since I was seen a lot on screen over the last two years, it was a conscious decision to take a step back. I am a low-key person. I just work and head back home. I have many projects releasing in the second half of 2023. So, I thought it is better for me to keep it low-key in the first half of the year,” Tripathi tells us.
The 46-year-old adds that with projects like Gulkanda Tales, Mirzapur season 3, OMG 2, Fukrey 3, Murder Mubarak, Father and Metro... In Dino releasing this year, “work-wise, everything is on track”. Sharing what kept him busy, the actor says that contributing towards the development of his village, Belsand (Bihar), over the last few months gave him a lot of satisfaction:
“The school where I studied was a primary school. Since it has now become secondary, it needed some work. So, the principal reached out to me. That’s how I got involved in bettering its infrastructure. I also got a solar system installed.”
Tripathi adds, “The main reason for me to get involved was to inspire the students studying there. I also helped them build a library.”
The actor feels it’s his way of staying connected to his roots. “It was important for me to contribute towards the development of my village because my life’s foundation was laid there. Whenever I get time, I head to Belsand. My parents still stay there. Last year, I supervised the planting of 500 trees in the area with the help of the local authorities. It gave me satisfaction,” he ends.
Box-office forecast: What 2023 has in store
8:51 AM
After Bollywood’s cautious recovery and shock and surprises in 2022, this year promises a smorgasbord of hotly anticipated projects. How will they fare?
Ashish Kumar Singh (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 20, 2023)
In 2022, Bollywood came out of Covid crisis and tried to stand up on its feet with films such as Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Drishyam 2, Brahmastra, The Kashmir Files among others proving to be profitable. Even as the ‘Boycott Bollywood’ brigade marched on social media, pan-India projects including KGF 2, RRR, and Kantara roared at the box office. But will Bollywood be able to bounce back and come out even stronger in 2023?
While the year has an impressive line-up with movies such as Selfiee, Shehzada, Bholaa, Pathaan, Dunki, Sam Bahadur, Fighter and Animal already making noise for all the right reasons, it’ll be interesting to see how they fare at the box office.
Talking of what may or may not work, members of the fraternity feel that 2023 will majorly be about Shah Rukh Khan with his three projects - Pathaan, Jawan and Dunki lined up for release, even though Salman Khan has Tiger 3 and Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan dropping back-to-back.
“All eyes will be on SRK. Pathaan is going to be a complete package, thanks to director Siddharth Anand. Also, rumours of cameos by Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff have created a hype,” feels trade expert Atul Mohan, adding that Jawan is expected to succeed at the box office given the record of director Atlee down south.
Looking back, trade analyst Taran Adarsh says, “There were a lot of shocks and surprises last year. We are going to see the same in 2023, which is packed with films with very interesting stars and equally interesting subjects.”
After a long time, the year ahead will also see a slew of mainstream actors having multiple releases, from Akshay Kumar, Ranbir Kapoor to Kartik Aaryan and Sidharth Malhotra. “Kartik Aaryan and Ranbir Kapoor are in that phase of their careers where they are doing the movies they love. Kartik is definitely going to be in the top three actors this year in terms of popularity,” says Mohan.
As for Ranbir, given that he had a mixed 2022 with Shamshera and Brahmastra, 2023 could be crucial, with Animal and Luv Ranjan’s Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar. “You can expect both to hopefully cross 100-crore mark each at the box-office,” says Adarsh.
Another actor the industry is placing all its bets on, is Akshay Kumar. “Selfiee and OMG 2! are commercial films and will see Akshay in an entertaining manner, something people love,” says director Milap Zaveri, adding that 2023 is going to be about masala entertainers.
“Kartik Aaryan’s Shehzada and Ajay Devgn’s Bholaa will hopefully set the box office on fire. Then, Prabhas and Kriti Sanon’s Adipurush is definitely going to be one of the biggest highlights of 2023. Despite the film facing flak, the movie is going to open big,” Zaveri says.
Actor Ajay Devgn, meanwhile, will follow up the success of Drishyam 2 with Maidaan and Bholaa, feels trade expert Komal Nahta. “Besides the big-budget releases, Fukrey 3 is also expected to draw audiences into theatres. Since it’s the third film in the franchise, so it’ll be bigger and more ambitious,” says Nahta.
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.
There’s a fan who plants trees on my birthday every year-Pankaj Tripathi
8:28 AM
Pankaj Tripathi on making a mark in the industry and why he likes being addressed with his on-screen names now
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 16, 2022)
From being just another face on screen to now playing pivotal roles — actor Pankaj Tripathi has come a long way. He confesses that earning a name in the industry wasn’t easy. “If today people call me by my characters’ names, I like it. But around seven years ago, I’d feel bad because people didn’t know my name. They would say, ‘Aap actor ho, uss film mein Sultan ka role kiya tha.’ Today, everyone knows my name, but because they love my characters so much, they deliberately address me by my on-screen names,” says the 45-year-old, who recently shot for Fukrey 3.
Considering his fan base has grown over the years, there must have been some memorable fan moments, too. “There’s a fan who plants trees on my birthday every year,” Tripathi shares, as he goes on to recall an incident. “While I was shooting for Fukrey 3 in Delhi, a fan kept shouting for around three hours, exclaiming that he’s a big fan of mine. I couldn’t click a picture with him as I was in my look, but I later got a handwritten note delivered to him,” says the 83 and Mimi (both 2021) actor.
Ask if his fans’ love and expectations ever put pressure on him to deliver consistently and the Mirzapur actor agrees. “Logon ki ummeedein badh gayi hain, uss trust ko bas barkaraar rakh paun [that’s all I want]. People tell me they listen to me and watch my videos on YouTube. Jab itna sammaan milta hai, main emotional ho jaata hoon,” he ends.
Ali Fazal drops out of Fukrey 3 due to date clash with Vishal Bhardwaj's Khufiya?
7:54 PM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 4, 2022)
Fukrey is special to Ali Fazal for several reasons. While the comedy marked one of his first hits, it was on the film’s set that he had first met his now-fiancee Richa Chadha. Surely then, dropping out of the third instalment of Fukrey must be a tough decision for Fazal. Sources say that the actor, who is shooting for Vishal Bhardwaj’s Khufiya, is hard-pressed for time and has no option but to let go of Mrigdeep Singh Lamba’s directorial venture, which will go on floors next week.
The makers’ plans to kickstart the comedy — first in March 2020, then in February 2021 — were disrupted twice over by the pandemic. A source reveals, “Ali was busy till early February with the shoot of Kandahar, and promotions of Death On The Nile. Keeping his commitments in mind, Vishal sir lined up Khufiya for February. Meanwhile, Mrigdeep Singh Lamba got the combination dates of Richa, Pankaj Tripathi, Varun Sharma, Pulkit Samrat and Manjot Singh, and is eager to roll Fukrey 3. It’s an unfortunate turn of events, but Ali won’t be a part of it as he is busy with the thriller till March-end.”
We hear another actor won’t be roped in to play his character of Zafar. “The story will be tweaked to justify Ali’s absence. He won’t be replaced,” adds the source.
I don’t understand budgeting at all; we are creative people who want to develop stories-Richa Chadha
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Eager to roll out her studio’s maiden film, Richa divides her time between acting and production
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; December 27, 2021)
Walking into it, Richa Chadha knew production would not be an easy affair. But her passion to tell unheard stories led her to launch Pushing Buttons Studios with Ali Fazal earlier this year. Chadha, who has a few acting commitments lined up, says she is learning to juggle her acting and production duties.
Set to roll their maiden film Girls Will Be Girls, she says, “We are in an advanced stage of development. It will be an Indo-French co-production. I have also written a film, so we will produce that as well. Right now, I am dividing my time between being an actor and a producer. I don’t have to shoot until January, so I will be focusing on production. When Ali gets here, I will give him the production responsibility, and go to shoot my film.”
Girls Will Be Girls, to be helmed by Shuchi Talati, has received the Aide aux cinemas du monde grant from France. The grant aims to support foreign filmmakers in their endeavour to tell unique stories. Asked how proficient she is in budgeting, Chadha candidly admits, “I don’t understand it at all. I don’t have to because there are people who [handle this aspect]. We are creative people who want to think, write and [develop stories]. Hopefully, other people will jump in and help us with the [financial aspect].”
The next year will start on a high note for the actor, who will kick off the shoot of Fukrey 3. “It will roll in early January or February. The story is ready, as is the team. We had to take a break because of the lockdown.”
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