Gulshan Devaiah — the surprise package of Badhaai Do — says he has received a phenomenal response to his character ever since the film released in theatres on February 11.

The actor, who plays Guru Narayan, a lawyer and Rajkummar Rao’s love interest in the film, adds, “The kind of love and appreciation that the film — and the character I play in it — have been receiving is wonderful. ”

He says that his part in the film was deliberately kept a secret. “Even my friends were surprised when they saw the film and me in it! No one had an idea that I was doing this film, while I also kept it under wraps, and I think that is working in our favour. A lot of people are pleasantly surprised that I suddenly appear in the story. They had some great things to say like ‘we wish there was more of you in the film’.”

In a chat with us, Gulshan talks about his chemistry with Rajkummar, working with director Harshavardhan Kulkarni again after Hunterrr (2015) and playing a character that leaves an impact on the audience despite his brief screen presence.

When Gulshan read about Guru Narayan in the script, he says what struck him was how comfortable the character was with himself. “He doesn’t have issues accepting who he is. He is a person who is happy with himself. Most of the time, we have issues because we don’t accept many things about ourselves and that makes us insecure, Guru doesn’t have any of those insecurities. Guru is secure, happy and content. He doesn’t feel that he needs to hide from society for who he is,” says Gulshan.

Gulshan adds that Guru’s character might appear for a brief period of time, but he’s a significant part of the film. “He is important to the plot of the film because it does affect Shardul (Rajkummar’s character in the movie) and changes him,” he says, adding, “The audience’s response to the character, and the chemistry between him and Raj’s character, is amazing. They are accepting the fact that there is wonderful chemistry between two men. Love is love and people are enjoying the performance for what it is without getting too judgmental about it — even if they can’t relate to it. For example, I am a straight man, but when I see a beautiful moment created between a same-sex couple, I enjoy that moment for its beauty. I am hoping that we have managed to create that kind of a beautiful relationship on screen and that’s why people are enjoying it so much. It is effective as it is able to make people forget the sexual orientation of the two people and find beauty in the relationship that they share.”

One of the best compliments that Gulshan’s received so far about his chemistry with Rajkummar in the film is that “you two are so good that you should do a romantic film together.”

The actor says that their chemistry was effortless. He explains, “When you work with good actors who are extremely professional and secure then you don’t have to try to create anything, the chemistry just shows on screen. Raj is a fine actor, trained and extremely professional, he is very secure in the place where he is, so we could create something together and it was fun. I love Raj as an actor and he is also a person who is leading by example. He is a trendsetter and source of inspiration for many, including me, so working with him was very delightful.”

Gulshan says that he got to shoot for just about two-three days with the cast and had the best experience. “I have known Sheeba Chadha (who plays Rajkummar’s mother in the film) for over 10 years, but this is the first time I worked with her. I just shot one scene with her, but I enjoyed it. I like Bhumi, I find her very cool. For me, the most fun part was shooting the pride parade scene where Bhumi and I are on a truck and I got to play some music of my choice to make Bhumi dance,” shares Gulshan.

After Hunterrr, this is the second time Gulshan worked with director Harshavardhan Kulkarni and he says that the creative process of working on the character is slightly easier when you understand the director’s vision. “Harsh and I had made one whole film together, so I understand his sensibilities, how he directs and what he expects. The point was to stay true to the writing of the film. Even if I was making a special appearance, my job was to give my best. So I just tried to be as truthful as possible to the script and Harshavardhan’s vision,” says Gulshan.

Junglee Pictures’ Badhaai Do is directed by Harshavardhan Kulkarni, and written by Akshat Ghildial and Suman Adhikary. The film is now playing in theatres.

After the National Award-winning blockbuster Badhaai Ho, Junglee Pictures brings the second part of this franchise titled, Badhaai Do
BOMBAY TIMES (March 9, 2020)

As the name suggests, Badhaai Do is a family comedy that revolves around an unlikely relationship and promises double the fun and emotions. While the story and characters of Badhaai Do are different from that of Badhaai Ho, there is an endearing common theme between both the films.

Helmed by prolific ad filmmaker and director of Hunterrr (2015), Harshavardhan Kulkarni, the film will bring on the screen the fresh pairing of National Award-winning actor Rajkummar Rao and powerhouse performer Bhumi Pednekar. Rajkummar plays the role of a Delhi cop, who is the only male police officer in a mahila thana, while Bhumi plays the role of a school PT teacher, much to her family’s stress. Unlike each other, yet made for each other, the film is the about the goofups that follow when they meet and their lives intertwine in more than one way.

Director Harshavardhan Kulkarni says, “I have always admired the kind of films that Junglee Pictures has made, so when they came to me with this social comedy, I was instantly on board. Just like the delightful Badhaai Ho, the milieu of this film remains the same, but with a fresh set of characters and a completely new, zanier situation.”

Akshat Ghildial, who wrote Badhaai Ho and won awards for its crackling dialogues, is penning this one too, along with Suman Adhikary whom the idea originally came from. Akshat said, “Suman came up with this interesting idea, and since I have a great relationship with Junglee, I shared it with them. They liked it immediately. And then, Harsh came on board. We had great fun developing it and hope that the audience has an equally good time watching it.”

Talking about her role, Bhumi says, “Badhaai Ho is one of my favourite films in recent times, and it is really exciting to take this franchise forward. For me, the script is one of the best that I have ever come across, and I immediately wanted to do this film. My character again is strong, independent and author-backed, and it gives me a lot of scope to bring a very different and cool character to life. This time, too, the film will say something extremely relevant and relatable, but in a hilarious manner. I’m also excited to share screen space with Raj for the first time.”

Rajkummar adds, “I have played a cop before, but never with this perspective. I look for layered characters and this is a perfect match. My character is surrounded by strong women at home and work, and that adds immense depth to his personality. Junglee Pictures’ Bareilly Ki Barfi was a fabulous experience for me. Badhaai Do is a reunion in many ways.”

Amrita Pandey, CEO, Junglee Pictures, said, “Junglee Pictures believes in telling rooted Indian stories that not only entertain you, but also move you in many ways. Badhaai Ho was just that for us. And that being a high-concept comedy, it was logical for us to expand the canvas to tell more such stories. Cultivating the right synergy on films like these is the key, and with Akshat and Suman’s writing and Harsh’s vision, Badhaai Do is really one of the best stories for us to tell.”

The film is all set to go on floors in June and to release by early next year.
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Headlined by Bhumi Pednekar and Rajkummar Rao, the Junglee Pictures production will be directed by Harshavardhan Kulkarni and goes on the floors in June; is targeting an early 2021 release
MUMBAI MIRROR (March 9, 2020)

After Junglee Pictures’ 2018 sleeper hit, Badhaai Ho, bagged two National Awards, Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and Best Supporting Actress (Surekha Sikri), Mirror (August 12, 2019) had reported that producer Junglee Pictures is all set to take the social-comedy forward with a second instalment. We have now learnt that Bhumi Pednekar and Rajkummar Rao will headline the second part in the franchise, titled Badhaai Do.

Directed by prolific ad filmmaker and Hunterrr director Harshavardhan Kulkarni, Badhaai Do is a family comedy, which revolves around an unlikely relationship. The earlier film revolved around accidental parental pregnancy, the lady in question being the 40-plus mother of two boys in their 20s and was universally liked and feted. While the story and the characters will be different from that of the first part, the two films are connected by a common theme. While Raj plays a Delhi cop, the only male cop in a mahila thana, Bhumi essays the role of a school PT teacher, much to her family’s stress. Unlike each other, yet made for each other, the film is about the goof-ups that follow when they meet, and their lives intertwine in more ways than one.

Confirming the news, Bhumi says, “Badhaai Ho is one of my most favourite films in recent times and it is really exciting to take this franchise forward. For me, the script is one of the best that I have ever come across and I immediately wanted to do the film. My character again is strong, independent and author-backed, and it gives me a lot of scope to bring a very different and cool character to life. This time too, the film will say something extremely relevant and relatable but in the most hilarious manner. The film has its heart rooted in family values. With each character I have portrayed I have tried to push the envelope and I look forward to doing that with this role too. I am excited to share screen space with Raj for the first time. He is an artiste I have always wanted to creatively collaborate with.”

Rajkummar, a National-Award winning actor too, is delighted to be a part of the project. “I have played a cop before but never with this perspective. I look for layered characters and this one is a perfect match. My character is surrounded by strong women at home and at work and that adds immense depth to his personality. Harshavardhan and Bhumi are both dear friends and extremely talented artistes. Junglee Pictures’ Bareilly Ki Barfi was a fabulous experience for me. So, Badhaai Do is a reunion in many ways,” says Raj.

Harshavardhan informs that he has always admired the kind of films that Junglee Pictures have made. “So, when they came to me with this social comedy written by Akshat (Ghildial) and Suman (Adhikary), I just flipped and was instantly on board. Just like the delightful Badhaai Ho, the milieu of this film remains the same but with a fresh set of characters and a completely new zanier situation. I am so looking forward to this edition being brought to life by Rajkummar and Bhumi, two of the most talented actors,” says the director.

Akshat, who wrote Badhaai Ho and won awards for its crackling dialogues including Filmfare’s Black Lady, is penning this one too, along with Suman, whom the idea originally came from. “Suman came up with this interesting idea and since I have a great relationship with Junglee, I shared it with them. They liked it immediately. And then, Harsh came on board. We had great fun developing it and hope that the audience has an equally good time watching it,” Akshat says.

Junglee Pictures CEO, Amrita Pandey adds, “Junglee Pictures believes in telling rooted Indian stories that not only entertain you but also move you in many ways. Badhaai Ho was just that for us. And that being a high-concept comedy, it was logical for us to expand the canvas to tell more such stories. Cultivating the right synergy on films like these is the key, and with Akshat and Suman’s writing and Harsh’s vision, Badhaai Do is really one of the best stories for us to tell. With fantastic actors like Rajkummar Rao and Bhumi Pednekar, Junglee Pictures is really excited to take the franchise of Badhaai Ho forward with Badhaai Do.”

Badhaai Do is set to go on floors in June and will release by early 2021.

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 1, 2015)

Harshavardhan Kulkarni is busy penning a sequel to his directorial debut, Hunterrr, which will bring Gulshan Devaiah and Radhika Apte back together in reel life, a year after the two tied the knot in the film.

"My character, Mandar, was a terribly insecure man in Part 1, till he found Tripti (Radhika Apte) who accepted him with all his flaws. In the sequel we will not go down the rocky track of the married couple fed up of each other. We saw that already in Tanu Weds Manu Returns," points out Gulshan, admitting that the director has discussed not one but two storylines with him. "The screenplay is currently being written and the film should roll by January. It will be wilder, crazier and completely different from the first film."

Hunterrr released in March 2015 and most of the characters and the ensemble cast from the original adult comedy will be retained. "But we're still figuring out how and where they will fit in the new 100-minute script," Gulshan says.

The actor reveals that the makers had initially thought of making it as a TV mini series. But since we don't have online formats like Netflix in India, Kulkarni decided to make it as a film. "He is categorical that if even one person feels that the screenplay is not good before we roll, he'll trash the project without a second thought," insists the Bengaluru-born actor who is remembered as Karan 'KC' Choudhary in Shaitan.

There was a plan to take Shaitan ahead too, without Gulshan, whose character dies in the original. "But that sequel didn't work out and luckily, I now have another franchise-worthy project in hand," smiles Gulshan who is currently filming the dance-drama Cabaret, with Richa Chadha.

BOMBAY TIMES (March 17, 2015)