Showing posts with label Girish Kumar interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Girish Kumar interview. Show all posts
At heart I am still a Casanova-Girish Kumar
7:45 AM
Hiren Kotwani (BOMBAY TIMES; February 15, 2016)
Though the general
perception is that those born in Bollywood families have it easy, actor
Girish Kumar chooses to disagree. Son of producer Kumar Taurani, who
heads a music label and a production house with his brother Ramesh
Taurani, the young actor took three years to prepare for his debut,
Ramaiya Vastavaiya (2013), directed by Prabhu Dheva. It took him a couple
of years to pick his next Loveshhuda, directed by Vaibhav
Misra. Releasing this Friday, the film is about love stories that begin
in bed and end up, well...wherever they rightly should. In this
interview, the good-looking boy with a great bod, talks about romance,
being a Casanova and his 'complicated' relationship status. Read on...
It's been over two-and-a-half years since your debut Ramaiya Vastavaiya. Why such a long gap before your second film?
After my first film, I guess people wanted to see what I would do next. I wanted to work outside my home banner and got a few offers too, but they were not the right subjects for me. Ramaiya Vastavaiya did well for a film with a newcomer, it was one of the top three-four debut films of that year. It's unfair to compare a Prabhu Dheva-directed film featuring a debutant, to his films starring Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar. I think somewhere the industry didn't take me seriously. Thankfully, coming from an affluent family, I didn't need to rush into anything to earn my bread and butter.
How did you cope during that period?
Initially, I thought that like Varun Dhawan, Sidharth Malhotra and Alia Bhatt, I might have to wait for a year before the next release. It got tough when I didn't get a suitable film for a year and a half. There were times when I went into depression. But I had faith; I prayed and chanted the Hanuman Chalisa. All that brought me peace. Even after I got this film it took me a while to feel good about everything. I was still healing during the first schedule. Now I am happier and at peace.
Is it tougher for a producer's son in this industry, as compared to an actor's son?
Sons of actors and directors have it much easier. For a producer's son, it's way harder. My uncle (Ramesh Taurani) is a producer while my dad handled the music side of the company. So he's not too friendly with the actors. Also, star kids are not part of my social circle. While as an actor I shouldn't be as bothered about another person's investment, as a producer's son I believe you are responsible for the person putting money on you. I'm trying to make a separate identity for myself as an actor, which is beyond our company.
How did Loveshhuda happen?
Vijayji (Galani), who had come to meet my father with Vaibhav (Misra), told me he had a subject he'd like me to hear. I didn't like it and asked if they had anything else. Vaibhav narrated a concept that I liked and asked him to develop it. Three months later, he came back with a bound script. But by then Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania had released and our film had similar traits. So it had to be rewritten, with more focus on the two main characters. Halfway through the new narration, I messaged my dad saying I had got my second film.
Do you think the film's tag line 'Some love stories begin in bed' could keep the family audience at bay?
The tagline is cool and catchy, and in your face. But that's what the film is about and it is something which people will relate to. In this day and age, I don't think it's such a taboo. We are blind if we believe that these things are not happening. The idea is to make a film that is not overtly progressive, but not regressive either. It is about two consenting adults, their life and their bodies. If something happens between them, it's fine. If not, that's fine too. I don't think the concept is too bold; we all have physical needs, and the more we try to suppress it, we will be dominated by it.
On the personal front, you've not shied away from admitting that you've lived the life of a Casanova? Until you got married last year?
No yaar. I haven't got married. Chhodo abhi woh baat.. Let's just say I am loveshhuda, it's complicated.
So you are still a Casanova? Do you use witty one-liners to impress women?
At heart, always. Why not? I don't use lines, but go for the bull's eye. If I like a girl, I approach her directly, and say, 'I think you're hot. Wanna join me for a drink.' Though lines are flattering, everyone knows you're trying too hard. I am also a romantic at heart, but I keep it real and natural, it's my style. It always works. I have a decent sense of humour, which usually never fails me.
It's been over two-and-a-half years since your debut Ramaiya Vastavaiya. Why such a long gap before your second film?
After my first film, I guess people wanted to see what I would do next. I wanted to work outside my home banner and got a few offers too, but they were not the right subjects for me. Ramaiya Vastavaiya did well for a film with a newcomer, it was one of the top three-four debut films of that year. It's unfair to compare a Prabhu Dheva-directed film featuring a debutant, to his films starring Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar. I think somewhere the industry didn't take me seriously. Thankfully, coming from an affluent family, I didn't need to rush into anything to earn my bread and butter.
How did you cope during that period?
Initially, I thought that like Varun Dhawan, Sidharth Malhotra and Alia Bhatt, I might have to wait for a year before the next release. It got tough when I didn't get a suitable film for a year and a half. There were times when I went into depression. But I had faith; I prayed and chanted the Hanuman Chalisa. All that brought me peace. Even after I got this film it took me a while to feel good about everything. I was still healing during the first schedule. Now I am happier and at peace.
Is it tougher for a producer's son in this industry, as compared to an actor's son?
Sons of actors and directors have it much easier. For a producer's son, it's way harder. My uncle (Ramesh Taurani) is a producer while my dad handled the music side of the company. So he's not too friendly with the actors. Also, star kids are not part of my social circle. While as an actor I shouldn't be as bothered about another person's investment, as a producer's son I believe you are responsible for the person putting money on you. I'm trying to make a separate identity for myself as an actor, which is beyond our company.
How did Loveshhuda happen?
Vijayji (Galani), who had come to meet my father with Vaibhav (Misra), told me he had a subject he'd like me to hear. I didn't like it and asked if they had anything else. Vaibhav narrated a concept that I liked and asked him to develop it. Three months later, he came back with a bound script. But by then Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania had released and our film had similar traits. So it had to be rewritten, with more focus on the two main characters. Halfway through the new narration, I messaged my dad saying I had got my second film.
Do you think the film's tag line 'Some love stories begin in bed' could keep the family audience at bay?
The tagline is cool and catchy, and in your face. But that's what the film is about and it is something which people will relate to. In this day and age, I don't think it's such a taboo. We are blind if we believe that these things are not happening. The idea is to make a film that is not overtly progressive, but not regressive either. It is about two consenting adults, their life and their bodies. If something happens between them, it's fine. If not, that's fine too. I don't think the concept is too bold; we all have physical needs, and the more we try to suppress it, we will be dominated by it.
On the personal front, you've not shied away from admitting that you've lived the life of a Casanova? Until you got married last year?
No yaar. I haven't got married. Chhodo abhi woh baat.. Let's just say I am loveshhuda, it's complicated.
So you are still a Casanova? Do you use witty one-liners to impress women?
At heart, always. Why not? I don't use lines, but go for the bull's eye. If I like a girl, I approach her directly, and say, 'I think you're hot. Wanna join me for a drink.' Though lines are flattering, everyone knows you're trying too hard. I am also a romantic at heart, but I keep it real and natural, it's my style. It always works. I have a decent sense of humour, which usually never fails me.
I've already played the Casanova and playboy for real-Girish Kumar
7:42 AM
Girish Kumar's upcoming romcom suggests that relationships today begin with a one-night stand; admits that being a 'star son' is emotionally tough.
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 21, 2016)
Girish Kumar, who debuted in Bollywood with Prabhu Deva's romcom, Ramaiya Vastavaiya, in 2013 dropped off the radar despite being offered four films in the last three years. Choosing to sit at home instead of settling for films he was sure would tank, producer Kumar Taurani's ladla learnt how emotionally challenging it is to be a star kid.
"I debuted with a good film which worked at the box-office but the industry did not welcome me. I had a nervous breakdown and constant meltdowns. It's been an extremely tough, emotional journey," admits the 26-year-old actor, pointing out that it's difficult for a child of the industry because everyone presumes his Mr moneybags dad will make a film for him. "But that's not what any of us want and there are innumerable star sons who have not lived up to their father's or family's legacy. The pressure of living under the shadow of another person is insane."
He admits his dad can't understand what all the stress and fuss is about and often wonders if Girish is being too hard on himself. "It bothers him but I don't want anyone to say that my father is producing a film for me," he says. He will be seen next in Loveshhuda, whose tagline suggests that relationships these days begin in bed and end in love. Ask him if his offscreen relationships also started with one-night stands and he guffaws, "I've already played the Casanova and playboy for real. But all the stories about my women are for me to know and for you to wonder. I don't mind it as long as my mother doesn't find out what I'm up to."
He believes his co-star, Miss India 2013 Navneet Kaur Dhillon, is a natural on screen. "Navneet's not had any formal training in acting or dancing. We've become good buddies," he says. The chemistry between them is evident in "Aaj phir peene ki tammana hai", a rip off of the Lata Mangeshkar number from Guide, and the tipsy "Total Talli".
Meanwhile, with the censors on his mind, Girish refused to say the cuss word chu**ya and was censored by his director Vaibhav Misra. "He was hell bent on me using it and we ended up having a huge spat which spilled over to the unit. Soon everyone was giving gaalis and I realised how naturally the word slips out. I ended up listening to my director for the rest of the film," Girish admits with a sheepish smile.
He admits that he has no plans of going behind the camera. "I'll stick to acting and will follow my heart," he signs off, not before admitting that writing is the most under-rated and under-paid profession in Bollywood.
With Arjun, Varun, Sidharth the competition is tough-Girish Kumar
7:39 AM
Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 18, 2014)
Girish Kumar, son of producer Kumar Taurani, is in Mauritius filming an yet-to-be-titled urban romcom. It is being directed by debutant filmmaker Vaibhav Misra.
The actor's first film was the Prabhu Dheva directed Ramaiyaa Vastavaiya which was produced by his father. But now he has stepped out of the home banner and is cautiously testing the waters.
"I took a year to sign my second film as all the offers that came along were so predictable and boring," he sighs. "This film is in a fairly realistic space about a guy meeting a girl at a turning point in his life. I could connect with the emotions he goes through."
He insists that he is proud of the fact that though his father launched him, he has nothing to do with his second film which is being produced by Vijay Galani of Veer and Ajnabee fame.
He admits that the young crop of actors have made the game tougher. "Look at the kind of films Varun (Dhawan), Arjun (Kapoor) and Siddharth (Malhotra) are doing. It's crazy and inspiring. But the competition is tough. I need to be extremely careful about what I choose to do," he says, quickly adding that he's not feeling insecure or threatened. "I know my strengths and weaknesses."
The frown turns into a smile when the subject veers towards his co-star, former Miss India Navneet Kaur Dhillon.
"We have been shooting for over a month together. She's so confident in front of the camera. I was seriously impressed!" he raves.
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