Showing posts with label Gabbar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gabbar. Show all posts
Workers on Gabbar sets allege non-payment of wages; union feigns ignorance?
7:39 AM
Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; November 24, 2014)
Right from uncertainty over the release date to the art director calling it quits, Gabbar starring Akshay Kumar and Shruti Hassan has faced many a hurdle. But, problems do not seem to have ended for the makers.
If the latest buzz is to be believed, workers on the film sets have not received their payment till date. A source says, “Many workers including lightmen, spot boys and others have still not got their dues though the shoot of the film has almost been wrapped up.”
A source associated with the project says payment for the last shoot schedule of the film is pending. “Many workers are still fighting for their payment. We have also spoken to the union about the same,” adds a unit hand.
The Allied Mazdoor Union, however, denied having received any complaints regarding the payment but ensured action in case of any grievance.
Producer Shabina Khan remained unavailable for comment.
Baby trailer should be out with Action Jackson on December 5-Akshay Kumar
7:51 AM
Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; November 15, 2014)
Akshay Kumar must be mighty pleased with the positive
response to his latest film The Shaukeens. And, after a comedy, the
actor is geared up for a film that is completely different from the
masala entertainers that he usually enjoys. We are talking about Neeraj
Pandey’s Baby. When quizzed about the film, Akshay said, “Baby is a
beautiful film. It has got nothing to do with Heyy Babyy. It is similar
to the genre of Bourne series and it is funny that my director named it
Baby! But there is a reason and you will get to know once you watch the
film. I was really surprised when Neeraj thought I could pull off such a
role. It is a great film.” Not just that, Akki also announced that the
trailer will release soon. “The trailer should be out with Action
Jackson on December 5,” The Shaukeens star confirmed.
After Baby, Akshay will return to his favourite commercial genre with Prabhu Dheva’s Singh Is Bliing. “Prabhu’s film is diametrically opposite from the other films I am doing right now. It is a typical masala entertainer more in the Rowdy Rathore space but the content is very different,” he said. Then there’s Brothers, a remake of Warrior, for which he will start shooting soon.
Is it a conscious decision to do diverse roles in a year? “I do four films a year and I don’t care about budget and stuff. I like to play different kind of characters and not just larger-than-life ones. I did Holiday which was kind of larger-than-life. Next year, I am doing films Airlift and Gabbar, which are character-driven, but on the other end, there’s Singh Is Bliing which is larger than life. So I am balancing myself,” Akshay signed off.
How Akshay Kumar helped Shruti Haasan overcome her vertigo
7:51 AM
Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 20, 2014)
Akshay Kumar has helped several terrified participants overcome their phobias on the sets of the desi Fear Factor when he hosted the reality show for two seasons. Even though the actor has now passed on the baton to director Rohit Shetty, Khiladi Kumar is still playing the role in real life.
During a recent shoot of a romantic song for the action flick, Gabbar, Akshay was faced with a 'frigid' co-star on the edge of a cliff. Shruti Haasan who has been battling a vertigo problem for years, was paralysed with fear and unable to react to director Krish's cues, till Akshay turned a knight in shining armour and calmed down the damsel in distress.
A source from the sets told Mirror, "Made to sit on a ledge, with a sheer 100-metre fall below her, Shruti was visibly terrified. Realising this, Akshay took over and calmed her down."
When contacted, the actress who is shooting for Tigmanshu Dhulia's Yaara in Bhopal, confirmed the news, saying, "Yes, it's true, I just couldn't emote initially. I wouldn't have had a problem if I'd been hitched to a harness but there I was, just on the edge of a cliff, without any support whatsoever and that gave me the shivers."
Considering her phobia, how did she manage to pull off the shot? "Akshay told me to take a deep breath and forget where we were. Thanks to him, I managed to sail through that moment of fear," she reminisces. "I even called up my dad (Kamal Haasan) after the shoot was over to tell him I had done it!"
When asked the reason for her vertigo, she said: "I really cannot pin it down to a specific incident. I've had a phobia for high altitude since as early as I can remember."
And does she feel more confident now, having conquered her fear? "Personally, I'd still avoid going too far up above sea-level. But if it is related to work, I can't say no. But Akshay has taught me how to deal with the situation if it crops up again."
Akshay Kumar is like a brother to me. But I can't afford him-Firoz Nadiadwala
8:04 AM
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 3, 2014)
Firoz Nadiadwala is gearing
up to cut into the box-office share of his friend-turned-foe Akshay
Kumar's films, Gabbar and Baby. Earlier, he had decided to lock horns
with Rajkumar Hirani's P.K. on December 19, but the latest buzz is that
the producer has now also registered January 23 as a release date.
Akshay's two films are also scheduled for a Republic Day week
opening.The duo fell out when Akshay refused to star in Hera Pheri 3 over financial issues. He kept Firoz waiting for a long time until he eventually settled for a new cast.
Feroz had then gone on record to say, “I first started discussing the third instalment of Hera Pheri with Akshay in 2006. I never wanted to make it without him. It's sad that we couldn't come to an agreement. Akshay is like a brother to me. But I can't afford him.“
While Firoz still maintains that Welcome Back will release in December, the film's director Anees Bazmee who flew to Dubai for the last schedule on Tuesday, says he'd prefer a January release. “I don't want to wrap up the film in a hurry. Welcome did well, I want Welcome Back to do better.“
A source added that a lot of post-production work is yet to be done. He says, “Anees is trying to convince Firoz to push the film forward by a week. If that happens he would be pitted opposite Akshay rather than Aamir.“
Will Akshay Kumar's Baby and Gabbar release on the same day - Jan 23, 2015?
8:11 AM
Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; September 1, 2014)
If sources are to be believed, two of Akshay Kumar’s films are releasing on the same day. Says a source, “The actor has quite a few big films lined up for release next year and two of his films, Baby and Gabbar, are releasing on the same day. This has left both films’ producers in a fix.” The source adds that both producers want to release their films on January 23, 2015.
“Gabbar’s makers had first announced January 23 as their release date. But now it turns out that Baby’s makers are looking at same date. With Akshay headlining the cast in both projects, it will be really difficult for him to promote these films. It makes sense for him to shift the release of one of his films or else they will eat into each other’s business,” says a source close to the actor.
On their part, the producers of Baby are said to be aware this problem and are apparently working towards ensuring that their film is solo release. “They had also asked Sanjay Leela Bhansali, producer of Gabbar, to shift the release of his film, but it seems that Bhansali is in no mood do so,” says the source.
Bhansali remained unavailable for comment, whereas official from T-Series, that co-producing Baby, confirmed that their film would release on January 23.
Chitrangda Singh shoots for item number in Akshay Kumar-starrer Gabbar?
8:46 AM
Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; July 18, 2014)
Chitrangda Singh has done an item number in the Akshay Kumar-Shruti Haasan starrer, Gabbar. Though the makers are tightlipped about it, sources state that she was pencilled in on the Khiladi’s recommendation.
Says the source, “The makers were looking for a known face to do an item number and Akshay came up with her name. Yo Yo Honey Singh has recorded the song for which the video was shot two weeks ago.” In her interviews, Chitrangda has always said that she has no qualms being part of such tracks. She did an item number in Joker (2012) and featured alongside Akshay Kumar in Desi Boyz (2011).
Directed by Krish and produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Gabbar is a remake of AR Murugadoss’ 2002 Tamil film Ramana, starring Vijaykanth and Simran. Krish maintains, “It’s too early to talk about anything.” When asked further, he suggested that we get in touch with the film’s producers.
The producers, Akshay and Chitrangada remained unavailable for comment.
Gabbar makers blame Neeraj Pandey's film for 'barging' into their release date?
7:58 AM
Subhash K Jha (DNA; April 17, 2014)
Believe it or not, Neeraj Pandey’s untitled film, starring Akshay Kumar which is yet to go on the floors, will be released simultaneously with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gabbar which too stars the actor.
Neither of the two big projects are willing to move out of the coveted January 26, 2015 slot. A source close to Bhansali says, “We decided that Gabbar is perfect as a Republic Day release.We took a call on the release three months ago. Its theme is socio-political reform. It’s the story of one man’s crusade against corruption. Akshay, who has been doing a string of action-adventure entertainers, would be doing a film very relevant to the nation’s conscience. And what better slot for this film than Republic Day?”
Livid at Neeraj’s film ‘jumping in’ out of the blue an insider from the Bhansali camp fumes saying, “They have not even shot a single frame and have decided to barge into our release date without any consideration for our film? It’s highly unethical. We are not moving out at any cost. But we want to know how a film’s release can be announced without shooting a single frame?”
Neeraj, who is currently in Mauritius hunting for locations for his untitled Akshay-starrer, says, “Fortunately or unfortunately release dates are a great event in the box-office calendar. We’ve chosen to reserve January 26 as the release of our film although we haven’t even started shooting the film.” When informed of the Gabbar release on the same day, Neeraj replies, “I am not aware of which other films are releasing that day. If Gabbar is also releasing on that date, we are fine with that.”
Akshay Kumar-Emraan Hashmi to clash on Republic Day 2015?
8:05 AM
DNA (April 11, 2014)
While Akshay Kumar’s Gabbar is scheduled to release on Republic Day next year along with another film of his (Neeraj Pandey’s untitled film), he will also be clashing with Emraan Hashmi’s Mr X which is also slated to release on the same day. While Gabbar is an action-drama directed by Krish and an official remake of the 2002 Tamil film Ramana, Mr X is the story of an invisible cop played by Emraan and directed by Vikram Bhatt.
While Akshay Kumar’s Gabbar is scheduled to release on Republic Day next year along with another film of his (Neeraj Pandey’s untitled film), he will also be clashing with Emraan Hashmi’s Mr X which is also slated to release on the same day. While Gabbar is an action-drama directed by Krish and an official remake of the 2002 Tamil film Ramana, Mr X is the story of an invisible cop played by Emraan and directed by Vikram Bhatt.Akshay Kumar blasts at Gabbar makers for clashing with his film with Neeraj Pandey?
8:10 AM
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 10, 2014)
When the actor came to know that both his films will clash at the theatres, he was not amused especially as the decision was made without consulting him.
A source close to the development told Mirror that Akshay had a heated conversation with Shabinaa regarding the same.
“Akshay is sure that if both the films release simultaneously, the conflict will only divide his audience,” said the source. “Shabinaa was taken aback by the conversation and Akshay’s anger but she promised to look into the matter,” added the source. So will Bhansali bow to Akshay’s wrath and take one for the team? Only time will tell.
Kareena Kapoor livid at rumours of an item song in Suriya's next
8:11 AM
Subhash K Jha (DNA; April 9, 2014)
A few days ago, the internet was abuzz with rumours that Kareena Kapoor
Khan is doing a sizzling item song with the Tamil superstar Suriya in
his film Anjaan. The story, that went viral in no time, also had the
film’s director Linguswamy being quoted as saying that this would be
Kareena’s entry into Tamil cinema.Reacting sharply to the story the actress says, “I don’t know where such baseless stories come from. I haven’t signed any such film. I don’t even know who Suriya and Linguswamy are. I’ve never seen them. I’ve zero interest in acting in non-Hindi films whether it is down South or in Hollywood.”
Kareena says it’s her career policy to not do films in a language she doesn’t speak or understand. “How can I emote in a language that I don’t know? I was offered beautiful scripts by the late Rituparno Ghosh in Bengali. I never could bring myself to work with this brilliant filmmaker because of the language barrier, and now he is gone.”
The actress says she has turned down some of the biggest South Indian films throughout her career. “I love the work that’s being done in South Indian languages as well as in Marathi and Bengali. But I’ll have to learn these languages to act in them.”
She also refutes any interest in doing item songs in any language. “Even in Gabbar, the number is a guest appearance and a romantic song. And I did it for my friend Shabinaa Khan who is the film’s co-producer.”
Kareena Kapoor plays Akshay Kumar’s wife in Gabbar?
8:16 AM
Subhash K Jha (DNA; April 5, 2014)
It’s not just a song appearance for Kareena Kapoor in Akshay Kumar and Shruti Haasan starrer Gabbar. It’s a full-fledged role.
A friend of Kareena reveals, “Bebo plays Akshay’s wife in the film. She is killed before the film begins. So, Akshay keeps remembering her in flashbacks. The role is like that of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Aditya Chopra’s Mohabbatein. The film’s leading lady played a kind of spirit that appears through the film. Likewise in Gabbar.”
In the original Tamil film entitled Ramanaa Simran had played the role that Kareena has just completed in Gabbar.
Says Kareena’s friend, “Bebo and Akshay share a fabulous rapport. They’ve played husband and wife in Aitraaz. She agreed to do so again because her character propels the story forward.”
Kareena Kapoor extends olive branch to Sanjay Leela Bhansali?
8:05 AM
DNA (April 3, 2014)
Kareena Kapoor has trod on many filmmakers’ fragile egos by turning down their films and the disgruntled list has grown quite long. Today, she’s on a mending-bridges spree. A source says, “Kareena had turned down Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela, because of dates issue and lived to rue the day when it became a huge hit. So when producer Shabina Khan, who is co-producing Gabbar, apparoached Kareena to do a song in the film, the actress jumped at the chance. Apart from Shabina being a friend, Sanjay is co-producing the film. Kareena saw this as a chance of patching up with the temperamental director is known not to forgive or forget. Apparently, she has been sending him feelers, now that he is casting now for his historical Bajirao Mastani and has even asked her Singham 2 co-star Ajay Devgn (who is being considered by Sanjay as the main lead in the historical) to put in a word for her.” Is Zoya Akhtar too, next?
Check out sizzling Kareena Kapoor shooting for Gabbar
9:23 AM
MUMBAI MIRROR (March 31, 2014)
Mirror lensman Raju Shelar managed to capture actress Kareena Kapoor shooting a special dance number for the film Gabbar at Kamalistan Studios, Jogeshwari. The set was decorated with Diwali lanterns and Kareena looked sexier than ever, even exposing her curves. Between shots, she was glued to her phone and didn't socialise much. Gabbar has been written by Ghajini-director A R Murugadoss and
has Akshay Kumar and Shruti Haasan in the lead.
Akshay Kumar shoots for Gabbar in college during exams; staff angry
9:38 AM
Bella Jaisinghani & Hemali Chhapia | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; March 23, 2014)
Mumbai: Trouble erupted inside the Wilson College campus on Saturday as staff members protested against a film shoot that was underway during the HSC examination. Board officials as well as the Gamdevi police arrived on the premises but allowed filming to continue since the college authorities and the collector had granted permission.
Actor Akshay Kumar was shooting on the premises. His bodyguards tried to prevent the TOI photographer from taking pictures although they have no authority over the college campus property. The actor was not reachable for comment.
A professor, who called the HSC board as well as Gamdevi police to complain, said, “Three examinations were scheduled through the day but shooting continued with impunity. Board and police officials declined to intervene, saying the collector had allowed the shoot. However, I don’t see what involvement the collector has in church property. Moreover, police permission is required and that was not obtained.”
Principal V J Sirwaiya said only three students were taking the exam. “Ours is a 5.5-acre campus. The exam was taking place in the northern end, the shoot was happening at the southern end. A board official was present,” he said.
The incident follows a longstanding dispute between college authorities and professors who have been “protesting the entry of mafia elements” into the Wilson College hostel and campus, which comes under the Church of North India. Activists have stepped in to prevent the “commercialization” of church property.
--------------------------
Wilson College principal says HSC board has no
rules barring films being shot during exam hours. Teachers and
education inspector complain to state education board seeking action
Kranti Vibhute (MID-DAY; March 23, 2014)
Akshay
Kumar will probably wonder why he keeps making news for the wrong
reasons on weekends and that too for no apparent fault of his. On
Saturday the entire team of Gabbar —an under production film that stars
Kumar, was pulled up by the state education department for shooting a
sequence of the movie inside the premises of south Mumbai’s Wilson
College at a time when some students were appearing for the Class XII
board exams and many college students too were sitting for their annual
examinations.
Incidentally, exactly a week earlier the actor’s bodyguard was booked for slapping a doctor in full public view.
According to some teachers of the college who preferred to remain anonymous, the principal of Wilson College had agreed to rent out the premises for the shooting, despite the fact that the Sanskrit paper of the Higher Secondary (HSC) board exam was scheduled from 3 pm at the college. Moreover, around 150 students from the First and Second Year Arts faculty also appeared for their exams in the morning.
A senior teacher reportedly filed a complaint to the state education board as well as at the Gamdevi
police, following which the cops stepped in.
A professor from the college alleged that the shooting started at 7 am and disturbed both college students appearing for the annual exams and the three students appearing for their board exams. College authorities, however, denied this and said the shooting had started only at 10 am just after the college exams ended.
College authorities admitted that the institution had rented out the premises to Kumar’s unit on Sunday as well, cancelling college level exams. “Agreed that only three students were appearing for the HSC exams today, But it is a board examination. How can the college allow a film to be shot on the premises on such a day?” said a professor.
When contacted, VJ Sirwaiya, Principal of Wilson College, said, “Our college premises is spread across five acres. The shooting took place in the southern end near the basketball court. The board exam was happening in the new building, which is quite a distance away. Only three students were appearing for the HSC examination anyway. So there was no major issue. Also there is no rule that during board exam we cannot hold any event in the college. There are a few teachers whose private tuition business I have stopped so they are trying to malign the college.”
Pradeep Abhyankar, registrar of the college said, “The college exams were in the morning. The shooting started after 10 am when the exams had ended.”
However, speaking to sunday mid-day B B Chauhan, Education Inspector, South Zone, said, “It does not matter how many students were appearing for their board exams. A college cannot allow a film to be shot in the premises during this time. We will submit a report to the board and seek appropriate action.”
Laxmikant Pandey, chairman of the Mumbai Divisional Board, said, “I will ask the concerned inspector to report about the alleged activities during exams."
Several attempts to reach producer Shabinaa Khan went in vain as she didn’t reply to either SMS or calls.
Incidentally, exactly a week earlier the actor’s bodyguard was booked for slapping a doctor in full public view.
According to some teachers of the college who preferred to remain anonymous, the principal of Wilson College had agreed to rent out the premises for the shooting, despite the fact that the Sanskrit paper of the Higher Secondary (HSC) board exam was scheduled from 3 pm at the college. Moreover, around 150 students from the First and Second Year Arts faculty also appeared for their exams in the morning.
A senior teacher reportedly filed a complaint to the state education board as well as at the Gamdevi
police, following which the cops stepped in.
A professor from the college alleged that the shooting started at 7 am and disturbed both college students appearing for the annual exams and the three students appearing for their board exams. College authorities, however, denied this and said the shooting had started only at 10 am just after the college exams ended.
College authorities admitted that the institution had rented out the premises to Kumar’s unit on Sunday as well, cancelling college level exams. “Agreed that only three students were appearing for the HSC exams today, But it is a board examination. How can the college allow a film to be shot on the premises on such a day?” said a professor.
When contacted, VJ Sirwaiya, Principal of Wilson College, said, “Our college premises is spread across five acres. The shooting took place in the southern end near the basketball court. The board exam was happening in the new building, which is quite a distance away. Only three students were appearing for the HSC examination anyway. So there was no major issue. Also there is no rule that during board exam we cannot hold any event in the college. There are a few teachers whose private tuition business I have stopped so they are trying to malign the college.”
Pradeep Abhyankar, registrar of the college said, “The college exams were in the morning. The shooting started after 10 am when the exams had ended.”
However, speaking to sunday mid-day B B Chauhan, Education Inspector, South Zone, said, “It does not matter how many students were appearing for their board exams. A college cannot allow a film to be shot in the premises during this time. We will submit a report to the board and seek appropriate action.”
Laxmikant Pandey, chairman of the Mumbai Divisional Board, said, “I will ask the concerned inspector to report about the alleged activities during exams."
Several attempts to reach producer Shabinaa Khan went in vain as she didn’t reply to either SMS or calls.
Art director of Akshay Kumar-starrer Gabbar quits due to Shabinaa Khan's acid tongue?
8:02 AM
Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; February 11, 2014)
If sources are to be believed, designer and co-producer Shabinaa Khan
has been rubbing people the wrong way. It is being said that Wasiq Khan, the art director in her film Gabbar, has quit the project due to
irreconcilable differences.What makes this news more interesting is the fact that he is not the only one to have had problems with Shabinaa.
Within a week of the film going on the floors, this Akshay Kumar-Shruti Hassan starrer, which is being produced by Viacom18 Motion Pictures and Sanjay Leela Bhansali along with Shabinaa, tasted controversy: sources said that five crew members walked out of the film, owing to her short temper and high- handedness.
Then there was news about Shraddha Kapoor being asked to opt out of Gabbar as the actress didn’t have dates to spare.
A source says, “A lot of crew members have quit the film because of Shabinaa Khan. And this time around, she didn’t ask them to leave; they quit on their own because they couldn’t deal with her acid tongue anymore. She is known to insult people on the sets and this isn’t the first time she’s facing such problems — she had people walking out during the making of Rowdy Rathore as well.”
When contacted, Wasik said that he has opted out of the film due to personal reasons. “Shabinaa and I are like family – it’s just that I had to come to Delhi for some personal work and that's why I am no longer doing the film. I have recommended some names to them,” he said.
Shabinaa Khan echoed his statement. “There’s no truth to this. Wasiq had to rush to Delhi and take a month off, so he is not able to do the film,” she said.
But our source maintains that this is not the case. “A lot of people on the sets are scared of her because of the way she treats people.”
Sunil Grover aka Gutthi to play parallel lead with Akshay Kumar in Gabbar?
8:09 AM
Garima Sharma (BOMBAY TIMES; January 8, 2014)
After the hullabaloo that surrounded his exit from Comedy Nights With Kapil, comedian Sunil Grover seems to be forging ahead in showbusiness with measured strides. After he severed ties with the TV show, which got him national popularity as Gutthi, it was reported that the actor will host his own comedy show on a rival channel.
But, it looks like television was not the only thing on his mind when he decided to go solo. Sources confirm to us that Sunil will be an integral part of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film Gabbar. The film, which also stars Akshay Kumar and Shruti Haasan, will see Sunil play the parallel lead. “Only the monetary negotiations remain. He has been signed as Sunil and not as Gutthi. It will be interesting to see him play a character like this, post his long stint as Gutthi,” the source revealed.
Shraddha Kapoor out of Gabbar?
8:14 AM
Meena Iyer (BOMBAY TIMES; December 11, 2013)
Shraddha Kapoor, who had committed to be the leading lady of Akshay Kumar’s Gabbar, has been asked to leave the film by producer Shabina Khan. Sources say that the actress has genuine date problems. She is currently shooting for Mohit Suri’s The Villain and Vishal Bhardwaj’s Haider. However, the schedule of the latter has gone slightly topsy-turvy. Shahid Kapoor told us that he wasn’t going to be shooting for the film through most of December and that he may even take a short vacation before he resumes shooting.
Gabbar is set to roll on January 8, 2014 with Akshay having given his producer bulk dates. At this time, Shraddha will be in Kashmir shooting with Shahid for Haider. So, she is in a soup over her dates. However, the good-natured and professional actress volunteered to accommodate Gabbar alongside her other two commitments. She even offered to somehow make adjustments. But an insider says that the makers failed to understand how she could be in Kashmir by day and Mumbai by night.
Also, Haider is being shot in winter and the weather in the Valley would naturally be affected because of the extreme cold. So, in other words, there’s a good chance that schedule could spill over. With everything being so unpredictable, Shabina apparently felt it was best if Shraddha walked out of Gabbar.
It is said that Shraddha had first committed to Gabbar and then signed Haider. However, she didn't foresee a date overlap. We messaged Shabina for her version. She replied saying, “Yes, I have asked Shraddha to leave my film. She has a date issue. And I didn’t want her to put two producers — Vishal and me — in a fix.”
My man has to be all mine or never mind-Shraddha Kapoor
9:54 PM
Shraddha Kapoor gets candid about mohabbat, movies and death by chocolate cake.
Roshmilla Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 27, 2013)
Before Aashiqui 2, no one would have questioned Shraddha Kapoor's five-scene appearance in the recently released Gori Tere Pyaar Mein. But today, many are wondering why Aashiqui 2's Aarohi had to return as Imran Khan's blink-and-miss Tam-Brahm fiance.
Buzz is that she did the film for free hoping it'd be her ticket to the Dharma camp. "No, It was a friendly appearance for Punit (director Punit Malhotra). I loved working with Punit and Karan Johar. People liked my South Indian look," says Shraddha
From the South to the North, Shraddha has just returned from Kashmir after the first schedule of Vishal Bhardwaj's Haider. Going by recent reports, locals of the Valley are still miffed about Kashmir being passed off as Manali in Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, and are no longer all right with a Bollywood film crew disrupting their daily lives. And two days ago, the Kashmir schedule of Bhardwaj's film came to a standstill owing to protests by locals.
However, Shraddha is hardly perturbed. "I had been to Ladakh, but this was my first trip to the Valley and it was like being in paradise. I was mesmerised by the beauty of the Valley and did not feel any bad vibes. I can promise that in our film Kashmir will be Kashmir. I'm playing a local girl and reached a day earlier to observe the locals and their unique sing-song way of speaking."
Her co-star in Haider, Shahid Kapoor, is all set to sacrifice his hair for the role. But few know that Shraddha had a close shave as well. She was supposed to chop off her tresses for Mohit Suri's The Villain. "My character in the film is a bit tomboyish who rides around in a Bullet. Since I am not too fond of wearing wigs, we discussed a haircut but eventually decided against it," she says adding, "I am having a blast shooting with Sidharth Malhotra. My character here is very different from what I played in Mohit's earlier film Aashiqui 2."
No doubt she is happy romancing Siddharth onscreen, but she has also signed Gabbar with Akshay Kumar, who is much older than the actress. Ask Shraddha about it and pat comes the reply: "I've idolised Akshay for years. Moreover, I found the script of Gabbar so entertaining that there was no way I would have let the project go."
Aashiqui 2 is one of the biggest hits of the year. So why hasn't she signed another film with Aditya Roy Kapur? "We haven't been offered any films together after Aashiqui 2," she retorts. And is Aditya more than a costar? "We're friends. Period," she laughs.
So, what is the way to Shraddha's heart? "Just be honest and true to yourself," she says. Can we get a little more specific for all those aashiqs out there? "I have a huge appetite and I love ghar ka khana, particularly fried rawa. Also, ghar ka chai. Get me both and we can have a tea party," she quips.
Ask Shraddha if she is as prolific in her ghar ka kitchen as she is onscreen and she admits to two specialities, Maharashtrian style mutton curry and Death by Chocolate Cake—something that tastes so divine, that it will take you straight to heaven, she sounds confident.
And if someone were to betray her would he go straight to hell, like Luv Ka The End? "Cheating is a definite no-no. My man has to be all mine or never mind!" she states emphatically.
One man who is completely hers is daddy dearest Shakti Kapoor who has been so happy post Aashiqui 2 that he can't stop smiling. "He did a cameo in my first film, Teen Patti. I was so nervous that I goofed up a couple of takes till he put me at ease," she reminisces.
Growing up, did it ever bother her that she was the daughter of an onscreen baddie? "No, my dad was both an iconic villain and a popular comedian. So, I could only be proud of him. I loved his Crime Master Go Go act in Andaz Apna Apna and Raja Babu's Nandu," she says.
She must be equally proud of her aunt, Padmini Kolhapure. Which of her films, if remade, would she like to star in? "I wouldn't dare star in a remake of her films. Maasi was so good. Fortunately my favourite film is Prem Rog and it can't be remade. It is impossible to replicate what Raj Kapoor did with that movie."
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