Showing posts with label Gaslight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gaslight. Show all posts
I think I should have done more work-Chitrangda Singh
8:08 AM
Chitrangda Singh with her son Zorawar
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; June 19, 2025)
Between career breaks and some critically acclaimed roles, Chitrangda Singh has always chosen what brings her peace. In this conversation, she opens up about personal choices, professional learnings, and the joy of raising her son.
‘When I see some of my old films, I feel I could have done much better’
The actress is honest and realistic when it comes to analysing her own work, performances and choice of roles. She says, “When I see some of my old films, I say… damn, I just threw away the opportunity when I could have pulled it off in much better way. I felt like in some parts of Baazaar, I could have explored the character more. Slowly, you understand that what’s on the paper is not the character that you are supposed to play. The script is your guideline, but acting is beyond that. I worked much harder on Gaslight (on OTT), where I worked on the tone of the voice, the way she looked and moved.”
‘I didn’t like my performance in Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3’
Chitrangda mentions that after working on Modern Love Mumbai with Arshad Warsi, she learned to engage more deeply with her characters.
“I was lucky to have Sudhir (Mishra) direct most of my films (like Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, Yeh Saali Zindagi and Inkaar). The characters that I played in them are memorable. I also took away a lot from Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3, because I did not like my performance at all. Jo paper pe tha maine wohi kiya. As an actor, I should have worked harder in fleshing out the character. For me, that film is a very good example of what not to do. I wanted to hide under a bed when I watched it while dubbing for it. After watching Saheb, Biwi… I worked harder,” she admits.
Does she wish she had done more work? “Yes, I would want to do more work for sure, and I do feel that I should have done more work. A lot of people think that I am too choosy, but that’s not the case,” she explains.
‘I’ve no regrets about the breaks I took in my career’
Many believe that she’s based out of Delhi, however, the actress clarifies that she lives in Mumbai for work and shuttles between both cities, as her family lives in the capital. “People ask me, ‘Do you live in Mumbai or Delhi?’ So, let me put this out here that I live in Mumbai. Many people have family living in other cities, and you keep going back all the time, which I do, too,” she says.
‘Raising a child never felt like an effort’
When asked about raising her son, Zorawar (17), she says, “So many women are doing it. I don’t think I’m this one special case that it needs to be glorified. I don’t think it’s been tough, honestly. Emotionally, yes, it’s tough. But otherwise, I have the means to manage things, and I’m grateful for that. Raising my son has been the most beautiful part of my life. It never felt like an effort. I think that’s the one thing that keeps me rooted and keeps me happy no matter what. Everything else feels like a bonus because you have something which is so beautiful in your life anyway.”
My friends say, ‘You have such a crazy, wild personality’; it is dangerous when such tags get attached to you-Sara Ali Khan
8:22 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; October 5, 2023)
Sara Ali Khan has always spoken about how she doesn’t like to stick to her comfort zone as an actress and wants to explore every genre that there is. And the fact that actors often get stereotyped for doing certain roles is what deters her from stepping into similar roles, even if that would be an easy route to take.
The Zara Hatke Zara Bachke actress explains, “As an actor, my main desire has always been versatility. With my upcoming films like Murder Mubarak and then a period film where I play a freedom fighter (Ae Watan Mere Watan) mera woh sapna bhi saakaar ho hi raha hai. I feel lucky and privileged. Especially because of the kind of high energy, loud and bindaas girl that I am, you might not imagine me as a Meesha in Gaslight (her OTT release) or Usha Mehta in Ae Watan Mere Watan. My friends always say, ‘Sara, you have such a crazy, wild personality,’ and it is dangerous when such tags get attached to you. It’s harmful for an actor, because aisa nahi hona chahiye ki log mujhe ek hi roop mein dekhe aur usse zyada na dekh paaye.”
‘My daadi’s film choices have also been eclectic’
Ask Sara which of her roles her family has liked, and she says, “My daadi (Sharmila Tagore) really liked me in Gaslight. She thought it was quite a different film. I think her film choices have also been eclectic. She appreciates the challenge every now and then. Everybody in my family also like Atrangi Re.”
‘One must respect the director’s domain’
While her mom and dad are a huge support system, Sara says she makes independent career choices. In fact, her mother, Amrita Singh, hardly ever accompanies her on set.
Sara shares, “Initially, I would ask my mom to come on my set, but then I realised it, without any offence intended, directors are quite possessive of their characters… not their actors but their characters. And since I realised that I have been very apprehensive about visiting an actor friend on their set. When you care about someone, for instance, if my mom or dad come on my set, then they might feel like telling me ki yeh take aise kar sakte thhe, ya vaise kar sakte thhe, and the director might not like it, and one must respect the director’s domain.”
(Crisp) Movie Review: GASLIGHT by FENIL SETA
2:20 PM
Gaslight, which has released today on Disney+ Hotstar, tells the story of a daughter looking for her father. Director Pavan Kirpalani succeeds in building up an eerie atmosphere. The film is majorly shot in a grand palace and the makers have made good use of the location. The suspense is unpredictable and the climax is nail-biting. Sadly, till the pre-climax, Gaslight moves at a slow pace and tests the patience of the viewers. Several jump-scare attempts are clichéd and beaten to death. Despite the run time of just 111 minutes, one would wish the film was shorter by 15-20 minutes. Speaking of performances, Sara Ali Khan puts up a sincere act and does especially well in the climax. Chitrangda Singh, as always, does well and keeps her performance subtle. Vikrant Massey is dependable and has a crucial role to play. Shataf Ahmed Figar (Sara Ali Khan’s father) looks dashing and performance-wise, he’s first-rate. Akshay Oberoi and Rahul Dev lend able support. Shishir Sharma (Doctor), Manjiri Pupala (Psychic) and Vinod Kumar Sharma (Padam) are decent. All in all, Gaslight is an average fare.
My rating - ** ½ out of 5!
My rating - ** ½ out of 5!
Sara Ali Khan keeps everyone awake; I felt Chitrangda Singh made me a better actor-Akshay Oberoi
8:15 AM
Akshay, who features in Gaslight, praises director for extracting a studied-yet-spontaneous performance
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; March 30, 2023)
Every actor looks forward to the combination of an exciting role and an encouraging director, when starting a project. Akshay Oberoi feels lucky he found it in his upcoming release, Gaslight, starring Sara Ali Khan, Vikrant Massey and Chitrangda Singh. Oberoi heaps praise on director Pavan Kirpalani, stating that joining creative forces with him has been his biggest take-away from the film.
“Pavan knows his script inside out. He knows exactly the shot he is looking for, yet he is open to the magic of the moment. So, when something goes [off-script], you realize, this is actually good. It’s a happy accident. Often, Pavan would say to me, ‘Okay, I got the shot I wanted. Now, surprise me.’ As actors, you are always looking to impress your director,” shares the actor.
The Disney+ Hotstar murder mystery revolves around Khan’s character, who returns to her family estate only to find that her father has gone missing. Oberoi says his co-stars were the cherry on top. While Khan was the live-wire on the set, he credits Singh for letting him shine. “Sara keeps everyone awake; she brings a wonderful energy to the set. I felt Chitrangda made me a better actor. There was an immediate sense of trust and comfort [between us].”
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 771
10:17 AM
WILL BHOLAA BE AJAY DEVGN’S NEXT BIG HIT AFTER DRISHYAM 2?
Ajay Devgn’s first major release of 2022 was Runway 34. It was also directed by him and despite having a promising storyline, it failed to work at the box office. However, 2022 ended on a rocking note for him as Drishyam 2 emerged as a huge blockbuster, collecting Rs. 233.52 crores. It did more than Brahmastra and that’s an achievement for a film that is not a typical big-scale film.
And now, Ajay Devgn is all set to present Bholaa to the audience. Like Runway 34, it is also directed by him and stars him and Tabu in the leading roles. Deepak Dobiryal, Sanjay Mishra, Gajraj Rao and Vineet Kumar feature in the film in supporting roles while Amala Paul has a cameo appearance. It is the remake of the Tamil hit Kaithi.
Bholaa’s campaigning began way back in November, with the unveiling of a sneak peek teaser. Another teaser was released in January followed by the trailer launch in March. The teaser got a very good response and heightened the buzz for the film. But the trailer failed to get the desired response. Moreover, the film looks like a mass entertainer, fit for single screens. The multiplex audience hasn't warmed up to the film yet. On top of it, it’s releasing in the holy month of Ramzan, when a section of the audience stays away. All these factors can prove detrimental.
Drishyam 2 opened at Rs. 14.92 crores. Bholaa is a bigger film but its opening will be around Rs. 10-11 crores. It releases tomorrow, on Thursday, to take advantage of the Ram Navami holiday. It’ll have a four-day weekend and if reports are positive, it can have a weekend of Rs. 40-50 crores. It also has negligible competition for the next 3 weeks. However, if reports are and also if it takes opening in single digits, it’ll struggle to even cross the Rs. 50 crores mark.
The other release of the week is Dasara, a Telugu film which is being dubbed in Hindi. It stars Nani and the Telugu original version will have a huge opening. But the Hindi version will face a tough time. Two weeks back, the South dubbed film Kabzaa had released on a huge scale but opened at just Rs. 50 lakhs. Dasara might open in a similar range or even lesser.
Lastly, on Disney+ Hotstar, viewers will get a chance to see Gaslight, from Friday, March 31. It stars Sara Ali Khan, Vikrant Massey and Chitrangda Singh and is directed by Pavan Kirpalani. The trailer is strictly okay. But due to the star cast, it’ll get viewership.
Ajay Devgn’s first major release of 2022 was Runway 34. It was also directed by him and despite having a promising storyline, it failed to work at the box office. However, 2022 ended on a rocking note for him as Drishyam 2 emerged as a huge blockbuster, collecting Rs. 233.52 crores. It did more than Brahmastra and that’s an achievement for a film that is not a typical big-scale film.
And now, Ajay Devgn is all set to present Bholaa to the audience. Like Runway 34, it is also directed by him and stars him and Tabu in the leading roles. Deepak Dobiryal, Sanjay Mishra, Gajraj Rao and Vineet Kumar feature in the film in supporting roles while Amala Paul has a cameo appearance. It is the remake of the Tamil hit Kaithi.
Bholaa’s campaigning began way back in November, with the unveiling of a sneak peek teaser. Another teaser was released in January followed by the trailer launch in March. The teaser got a very good response and heightened the buzz for the film. But the trailer failed to get the desired response. Moreover, the film looks like a mass entertainer, fit for single screens. The multiplex audience hasn't warmed up to the film yet. On top of it, it’s releasing in the holy month of Ramzan, when a section of the audience stays away. All these factors can prove detrimental.
Drishyam 2 opened at Rs. 14.92 crores. Bholaa is a bigger film but its opening will be around Rs. 10-11 crores. It releases tomorrow, on Thursday, to take advantage of the Ram Navami holiday. It’ll have a four-day weekend and if reports are positive, it can have a weekend of Rs. 40-50 crores. It also has negligible competition for the next 3 weeks. However, if reports are and also if it takes opening in single digits, it’ll struggle to even cross the Rs. 50 crores mark.
The other release of the week is Dasara, a Telugu film which is being dubbed in Hindi. It stars Nani and the Telugu original version will have a huge opening. But the Hindi version will face a tough time. Two weeks back, the South dubbed film Kabzaa had released on a huge scale but opened at just Rs. 50 lakhs. Dasara might open in a similar range or even lesser.
Lastly, on Disney+ Hotstar, viewers will get a chance to see Gaslight, from Friday, March 31. It stars Sara Ali Khan, Vikrant Massey and Chitrangda Singh and is directed by Pavan Kirpalani. The trailer is strictly okay. But due to the star cast, it’ll get viewership.
We have all been Chitrangda Singh’s fanboys; I certainly was-Vikrant Massey
8:13 AM
Admitting to being an admirer of Chitrangda’s craft for long, Vikrant Massey thrilled to share the frame with her and Sara in Gaslight
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; March 23, 2023)
Most of his projects leave the actor in Vikrant Massey satisfied. But his upcoming film, Gaslight, has left the fanboy in him pleased. Director Pavan Kirpalani’s murder mystery sees the actor share screen space with Chitrangda Singh and Sara Ali Khan. He can’t stop thanking the makers for uniting him with Singh, whose work he has admired since Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2005) days.
“We three are different personalities, and I am glad we were brought together. Working with both of them was fabulous. Just the other day, we realised that Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi came [almost] 20 years ago. We have all been Chitrangda Singh’s fanboys; I certainly was. To work with her, see her process, and how she goes about a day on set [was a] learning experience,” says Massey.
The Disney+ Hotstar thriller traces Khan’s character who returns to her hometown only to learn that her father has gone missing. While Singh brought her wisdom on the set, Khan brought the exuberant energy of young blood. Though the two come from different schools of cinema, Massey notes that Khan has “tremendous potential” as an artiste.
“We all know of Sara’s energy. But when you work with someone who is so hungry and wanting to do so many things, that energy also rubs off on you. Her mere presence pushed me to do better.”
If I were to show someone Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi and then Aao Raja, people wouldn’t believe it’s the same person-Chitrangda Singh
8:24 AM
Attempting her first murder mystery in Gaslight, Chitrangda says she has avoided being stereotyped by playing varied roles
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; March 22, 2023)
Gaslight marks many firsts for Chitrangda Singh. Pavan Kirpalani’s directorial venture not only marks her maiden murder mystery, but also sees her collaborating with Sara Ali Khan and Vikrant Massey, two co-stars who hail from different schools of acting. Additionally, the Disney+ Hotstar offering is perhaps one of her few films that demanded intense prep.
“We underwent an acting workshop. Our coach, Rupesh, sat with us separately to work on our individual tracks because the makers wanted an air of awkwardness [between the characters],” begins the actor.
Kirpalani has helmed thrillers like Ragini MMS (2011) and Phobia (2016). Singh says that the director’s strength lies in the way he develops his scripts. “A good thriller has to have good writing. I don’t think people will get all the nuances in Gaslight during the first watch. There is no spoon-feeding because Pavan doesn’t believe in it.”
Joining creative forces with Khan and Massey was the cherry on top. “Vikrant has done far more work than me, as has Sara. I have done very little work for the time I have been around,” she reflects.
In her 18-year career, Singh has attempted varied projects — from Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2005) to Yeh Saali Zindagi (2011). But she admits that people have tried to pigeon-hole her. “People thought I was too stunning [to play Mary] in Bob Biswas, but I was convincing. If I were to show someone Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, and then Aao Raja [dance number in Gabbar is Back], people wouldn’t believe it’s the same person. But it all boils down to acting.”
If you are around Sara Ali Khan, you can’t have a bad day-Akshay Oberoi
8:15 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; February 13, 2023)
Akshay Oberoi, who has been seen in a string of interesting OTT projects in the last few years, got a chance to work with Saif Ali Khan a few years ago. Now, he will be seen sharing screen space with Sara Ali Khan in the movie Gaslight. The actor, who has recently wrapped up the shoot of the film, says his co-star is hard-working, quirky and fun.
He says, “Sara is a bundle of energy on the sets. She keeps hopping from one place to another, and we would not have wanted it any other way. Nobody around her can have a bad day. Also, she’s a very hard-working actor, so it’s great to feed off such energy on sets. ”
Interestingly, Akshay has also shared screen space with Sara’s father, Saif Ali Khan, in Kaalakaandi (2018). The actor says he has spent more time with Saif than with Sara. He says, “I spent more time with Saif, as it was just the two of us shooting together for 20 days. I discovered that we had similar tastes in music and movies. On the other hand, Gaslight features many more actors. It’s more of an ensemble hanging out.”
Talking about the similarities between the father and daughter, Akshay shares, “They both have a lot of energy. Saif and Sara are humourous and constantly crack jokes, which helps lighten the mood on the set. They are a lot of fun to work with. I think Saif is one of the best actors of our time and is hugely experienced. I am sure Sara has seen her father’s passion and inherited it, too.”
I had a great time playing the part in Gaslight and collaborating with Pavan Kirpalani-Akshay Oberoi
8:57 AM
In a bid to prepare for the part of a man belonging to the royal family for Pavan Kirpalani’s Gaslight, Akshay Oberoi dug his head into a bunch of mystery novels
Hiren Kotwani (MID-DAY; January 22, 2023)
In a bid to prepare for the part of a man belonging to the royal family for Pavan Kirpalani’s Gaslight, Akshay Oberoi dug his head into a bunch of mystery novels. “Those books included all the information I needed. I understood the perspective of both the victim and the murderer. And, since I have always been an avid reader, it was a bonus for me to have got this change,” says the actor, adding that it was the genre of murder mysteries that led him to cultivate love for reading.
“I was a big fan of the film Clue, directed by Jonathan Lynn, and starring Tim Curry. They made a board game based on it, and I used to play it all the time. Then I would try and create my own kind of whodunits with my friends,” he says, adding that he admires the works of Agatha Christie and Stephen King.
Kirpalani, says Oberoi, is among the most capable filmmakers to helm a movie belonging to this genre. “[My character], Rana, is a unique person, and comes from a different space. His personality has many shades. I had to study him, and what aspects made him unique and intriguing. I had a great time playing the part and collaborating with Pavan.”
You get work due to your work, not who you know-Akshay Oberoi
8:24 AM
Akshay Oberoi on how an actor’s performance leads to makers believing in them and it’s not just about their name
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 17, 2022)
Though his work has mostly been on the web, Akshay Oberoi admits that transitioning between films and OTT is easier now more than ever.
The Inside Edge actor explains, “After acting for almost a decade, having done different roles in all kinds of formats, the experience I gained from working on projects for OTT is unparalleled. One of the biggest lessons that I learnt is one should start appreciating working in any kind of situation.”
Ask him why didn’t filmmakers notice him until the OTT boom, and he replies, “It is tough to convince filmmakers that you are a good artist until your work is out there for them to see. If you show them what you can do, they take a bet on you. There is talk of nepotism, but often actors get work because of their work and not who they know or where they come from. I am an example of that and I am proud of that.”
Oberoi, who’s looking forward to his next film Gaslight co-starring Sara Ali Khan, did web projects even before it was the talk of the town and says he was never apprehensive. “I was trying to have an acting career and OTT offered that to me. Until then, the industry was a bit closed off and only certain people were getting jobs.”
He adds that even if people felt he had performed well, offers didn’t come his way. “It was important for me to keep working to run my house. When OTT opened up, I was able to do some real and interesting performances like in High or Taj in Flesh, a bisexual person, a drug addict and sex trade owner. Filmmakers got a chance to see me in different roles and eventually cast me in more interesting roles. People began noticing me when Gurgaon released on OTT which brought a pivotal change [to my career],” he ends.
Vikrant Massey delays his honeymoon and begins shooting for Gaslight within days of marriage; says "My wife is upset"
8:04 AM
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; March 14, 2022)
Vikrant Massey and Sheetal Thakur’s love story had the perfect culmination as the two tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Bilaspur, last month. A dreamy honeymoon would have been the ideal follow-up. But the actor had to trade honeymoon in an exotic country for long working hours at Rajkot instead. Within days of the nuptials, Massey headed to Gujarat to shoot for Pavan Kirpalani’s Gaslight.
So, it’s not surprising that he begins the chat with: “My wife is upset.” Currently filming with Sara Ali Khan and Chitrangda Singh, Massey hopes to make it up to his wife soon. “Ideally, we would have liked to take a month off, but there are certain commitments that you have to fulfil. It’s a balancing act. I spent four days at home after the wedding. After that, I have been shooting. I will make it up to Sheetal. She has been supportive, but there are moments when she complains like any wife would.”
The actor was keen to work with Pavan Kirpalani for long. Things fell in place only with the upcoming thriller. “We were to collaborate on Bhoot Police [2021]. However, things kept going back and forth, and I had to drop out of the film eventually. I am glad this has finally happened,” he says, adding that co-star Khan is “a vibrant energy on the set.”
He kicked off 2022 with Love Hostel that tackled the rampant honour killings in our country by telling the love story of Massey’s Ashu and Sanya Malhotra’s Jyoti. Despite its brave theme, the film received mixed response. “A lot of people have bashed the film. But that’s the beauty of films — there are so many interpretations. Criticism doesn’t bother me because I see them as different perspectives. I neither disregard nor take any of them seriously. Everyone has the right to voice their opinion.”
The actor adds that filming the ZEE5 drama took a toll on him. “I was so disturbed that I wanted to take therapy throughout the filming. The timing of the film also held significance. The subject is relevant in the times that we are living in.”
Chitrangda Singh to kick off prep for suspense drama Gaslight with Sara Ali Khan, Vikrant Massey
8:10 AM
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; December 20, 2021)
Only weeks after the digital premiere of Bob Biswas, it’s work calling Chitrangda Singh again. The actor is set to begin the groundwork on her next, Gaslight, which sees her sharing screen space with Vikrant Massey and Sara Ali Khan. “We will start readings and workshops soon, as the project is set to roll in February,” says Singh.
Little is known about Pavan Kirpalani’s directorial venture except that it’s a suspense drama revolving around three key characters. Probe Singh on details of the project, and all she is willing to reveal is that she will sport a distinct look. “This is a completely different look. I won’t be able to reveal much as it’s a suspense drama. [As a filmmaker], Pavan Kirpalani is so unpredictable. That makes him interesting because you don’t know what he will come up with next. All I can say is that you wouldn’t imagine me doing such a film.”
Kirpalani’s last offering was the Saif Ali Khan and Arjun Kapoor-led horror-comedy, Bhoot Police.
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