Showing posts with label Jalsa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jalsa. Show all posts
50 Years Of Chupke Chupke: The comedy of errors was shot in Amitabh Bachchan's Jalsa
9:14 AM
Compiled by Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 11, 2025)
Filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s breezy comedy of errors, Chupke Chupke (1975), which completes 50 years today, is nothing less than a cult classic. A Hindi adaptation of the Bengali film Chhadmabeshi (1971) is timeless for its simplicity, witty dialogues, situational comedy, and evergreen songs. Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sharmila Tagore, Asrani, Jaya Bachchan and Om Prakash make up the ensemble cast.
The plot follows a botany professor, Parimal Tripathi (Dharmendra), whose wife Sulekha (Sharmila Tagore) is in awe of her brother-in-law Raghav’s intellect (Om Prakash). A jealous Parimal takes it upon himself to break this aura, by fooling Raghav. He poses as a driver, Pyaare Mohan, who is obsessed with the purity of the Hindi language. Amitabh plays Parimal’s friend, an English professor named Sukumar.
SHOT IN JALSA
Amitabh once shared that the song Chupke Chupke Chal Re Purbaiya and a few other scenes were shot at his current Mumbai residence, Jalsa. The bungalow was previously under the ownership of producer N C Sippy.
HRISHIKESH’S IRE
Hrishikesh was quite a taskmaster on set. For the song Sa Re Ga Ma, music composer S D Burman had recorded three antaras (verses). But the director snipped the second antara because he was furious with Dharmendra reporting late for the song’s shoot. In another case of Dharmendra’s tardiness, Hrishikesh chose to retain a shot of the actor adjusting his trousers after exiting the washroom as “punishment.”
LANGUAGE CONUNDRUM
Much to Jijaji’s exasperation (Om Prakash), Dharmendra’s Pyaaremohan is fluent in pure Hindi. However, in the latter half of the story, Pyaare stammers and ends up speaking in Urdu instead. To this Jijaji observed, “Gusse mein naacheez haklata hai aur Urdu bolta hai.” This dialogue was spontaneously added by Dharmendra.
CHUPKE CHUPKE REMAKE THAT WASN’T
In 2013, there were reports about filmmaker Umesh Shukla working on an adaptation with writer Sajid and Farhad Samji. Paresh Rawal was set to star. Then, in 2019, it was reported that producers Bhushan Kumar and Luv Ranjan had acquired the rights to the original title and would remake it with actor Rajkummar Rao in the lead. There were also rumours of filmmaker Farah Khan returning to direction with actor Varun Dhawan playing Pyaare. But none of these movies have materialized.
AMITABH-JAYA INSISTED ON JOINING THE FILM’S CAST
The director had originally imagined having new faces playing Sukumar and Vasudha. But when Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan heard about the film, they insisted on being cast and even chose to forgo payment. Hrishikesh said the roles were too small, but they didn’t mind it.
From Aamir Khan's company, I’ve learnt the essence of meritocracy-Anmol Ahuja
3:35 PM
Sitaare Zameen Par’s casting director decodes how he steered clear of actors and scouted 12 individuals with intellectual disabilities, to stay true to their depiction
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 27, 2024)
Working with Aamir Khan can be a learning experience as well as a heartening reminder of one’s love for movies, says casting director Anmol Ahuja. As one of the founders of Casting Bay, Ahuja collaborated with Khan on Secret Superstar (2017), and now on two of his upcoming projects—Lahore 1947 led by Sunny Deol, and Sitaare Zameen Par that stars Khan and Genelia Deshmukh.
“From his company, I’ve learnt the essence of meritocracy. If you are good, you’ll make it and if you aren’t, you won’t. They cast for the character,” says the casting director.
Sitaare Zameen Par, an adaptation of Campeones (2018), is helmed by R S Prasanna. The Spanish film followed a temperamental basketball coach, who builds a team of people battling intellectual disabilities and takes them to the Special Olympics. Casting for the adaptation wasn’t easy. In Ahuja’s words, it was “heart-wrenching” as the casting team, over a year, interacted with intellectually-disabled people and realized their daily struggles.
“We were not looking for actors who could play intellectually-challenged people. We were looking for intellectually-challenged people, who could play the characters. The realistic side had to be matched with the character’s attributes. I remember one of my team members broke down after working on the project for three months. I told her that Aamir has been doing this for three years, and Prasanna, for five. Finding the right people took almost a year. We also had to convince the parents. The social trauma of these individuals can’t be put into words. When I was in Delhi University, there were no pathways for the blind. There is pain in them. We didn’t want to cast actors and ridicule their lived-in experience. They are special, but they are one of us—that’s the highlight of the story.”
After a scouting process that spanned January to December 2023, the team zeroed in on 12 individuals from across the country. For Ahuja, the blueprint was Jalsa (2022), in which he had cast Surya Kasibhatla, an actor with cerebral palsy. “I took a lot of time to find him. But that was casting for one; here, we had to find a whole team. The monetary and emotional support came from Aamir. We had to form connections with guardians and teachers of these kids. They were happy to help because they found us sensitive and empathetic.”
Shefali Shah, Rajkummar Rao, Ishwak Singh react as they win the 4th Mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards
8:32 AM
As edition four of the Mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards culminates, winners Shefali Shah, and Rajkummar Rao, among others, talk about how they craft their roles with intricacy to appease an evolved audience
Hiren Kotwani (MID-DAY; March 18, 2023)
The resumption of theatrical releases in the aftermath of the lockdown was expected to have spelt the death knell of streaming platforms, which saw unprecedented success during the pandemic. Exposing the fallacy of such notions, OTT releases — with their superlative content — continued to find favour among the masses in 2022, with fans now finding themselves drawn to their favourite web show characters.
Projects like Mukhbir - The Story of a Spy, CAT, and Monica O My Darling reaffirmed the place of thrillers in the digital space, while with shows like Rocket Boys, fans found reasons to celebrate the works of Indian scientists. If Abhishek Tripathi’s mundane life as the panchayat secretary of a small village was still interesting enough for fans of Panchayat 2 to consume, Shefali Shah’s act as the tough cop in Delhi Crime 2 had families come together for some late-night binge-watching.
Evidently then, when the Mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards returned with its fourth edition this year, web-watchers shared their love for their favourite films, stars and shows by voting in abundance. The late Rishi Kapoor and Juhi Chawla’s drama, Sharmaji Namkeen emerged to be the Best Direct-to-Web Film, while Lock Upp winner Munawar Faruqui won the Best Internet Sensation title. Chawla defeated the young guns to win the Best Supporting Actor (Film) title, and Shah took home two titles for Best Actor Series (Delhi Crime S02) and Best Actor Film (Jalsa).
“My character in Delhi Crime 2 is one of the most challenging ones, and yet the most rewarding too. Vartika became unprecedented after season one, so, though I was familiar with her, I was terrified to play her again, since there were big shoes to fill. The expectations were higher. I wanted to ensure that regardless of the case, she comes across as equally dedicated, driven, focused and unmovable when it comes to her duty. Yet the aspects that make her human should not be hidden.”
Talking about the film, Jalsa, Shah says, “Ruksana is fiercely protective of her kids, which I identify with, and hence, I could justify the things she does. There is an unpredictability to the character, but, she thinks from her heart, like a mother would.”
Rajkummar Rao, who took home the title of Best Actor for Monica O My Darling, was celebrated for the portrayal of Jayant Arkhedkar, who suffers the consequences of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Rao says of his win, “To be honest in the situation without intentionally trying to create [humour] was a big challenge, because, as an actor, you become greedy. You begin to think that there is this playground and [there is room to] make things funnier. But, I had to find that right balance in my performance to serve the genre. It needed to be a controlled performance and I had a great time following Vasan’s [Bala] vision. He is an exceptional filmmaker. It’s a layered script, but the way Vasan made the film made me so proud of him. I can’t wait to associate with him again.”
TVF’s Arunabh Kumar, whose offering Panchayat 2 won in the Best Creator/Showrunner category and also in the Best New Season segment, said, “I have been following the Radio City and mid-day Hitlist OTT Awards from the first season and would wonder when we would win. With your faith and trust, we will keep telling better stories.”
Taking home the title for Best Actor (Series), Rocket Boys actor Ishwak Singh reflects on his portrayal of Dr Vikram Sarabhai, and says, “I learnt so much as an actor and about filmmaking.”
The award goes to...
Best New Series: Mukhbir - The Story Of A Spy (ZEE5)
Best New Season: Panchayat S02 (Amazon Prime Video)
Best Adaptation (Book/Series): Mukhbir - The Story Of A Spy (ZEE5)
Best Direct-to-Web Film: Sharmaji Namkeen (Amazon Prime Video)
Best Actor (Male) Series: Ishwak Singh (Rocket Boys, Sony LIV)
Best Actor (Female) Series: Shefali Shah (Delhi Crime S02, Netflix)
Best Supporting Actor (Male) Series: Suvinder Vicky (CAT, Netflix)
Best Supporting Actor (Female) Series: Tillotama Shome (Delhi Crime S02, Netflix)
Best Actor (Male) Film: Rajkummar Rao (Monica O My Darling, Netflix)
Best Actor (Female) Film: Shefali Shah (Jalsa, Amazon Prime Video)
Best Supporting Actor (Male) Film: Gajraj Rao (Maja Ma, Amazon Prime Video)
Best Supporting Actor (Female) Film: Juhi Chawla (Sharmaji Namkeen, Amazon Prime Video)
Best Ensemble Cast (Series): Shantanu Shrikant Bhake (Pitchers S02, ZEE5)
Best Non-Fiction: Indian Predator: Murder In A Courtroom (Netflix)
Best Creator/Showrunner: TVF (Panchayat S02, Amazon Prime Video)
Top Internet Sensation: Munawar Faruqui (Lock Upp winner)
The character I come the closest to is Shamshunissa in Darlings-Shefali Shah
8:43 AM
Fetching Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor nominations for Delhi Crime 2, Jalsa and Darlings in the upcoming mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards, Shefali Shah discusses the role that showcased her funny side
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; February 5, 2023)
It’s rare for actors to find roles that speak to them, but not for Shefali Shah. The actor, who is reigning digital entertainment with direct-to-web movies and series, has bagged three nominations in this year’s mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards. She reprised the role of Vartika Chaturvedi in Tanuj Chopra’s Delhi Crime 2. The actor effortlessly played the sorrowful and helpless maid trying to seek justice for her daughter in Vidya Balan-starrer Jalsa. Who can forget the quirky and quick on her feet Shamshunissa from Darlings?
Thrilled to have had wonderful projects to her name in the year that went by, she says, “I am glad I stuck to my instinct. People have finally recognized that I could be playing the kind of roles that I am playing [now] and headline projects. I feel grateful. I won’t say I am satisfied because I have a long way to go and I have just begun.”
It is indeed time for Shah to reap the benefits of her hard work. The actor believes that the projects turned out great because everyone—writers and directors—were “ready to delve deeper into the human psyche”. “My experience on all three films were extremely enriching. I have to give it to the writers and directors who could finally envision me in these parts, playing my age, leading projects, being a part of the primary ensemble cast and trust me with these kinds of characters. I hadn’t done work like [I did in] Darlings or rather I haven’t been offered work like that, so it was fun. Working with these people in Jalsa has been inspiring,” says the actor, adding that it was scary to return on screen as Vartika in the second instalment of Delhi Crime.
“It has become too large.” The first edition of Delhi Crime won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series in 2020.
Shah, 49, is glad that storytellers are keen to depict reality and tell stories about women who do not necessarily fit into the age bracket of 18 to 22. “It feels gratifying [to see] all the appreciation translating into work.”
Ask her to pick her best work in 2022, and she is quick to say that she had special bond with the quirky woman of Darlings. “There is a perception that I am a serious person, but that has to do with the roles that I play. In fact, the character I [come] the closest to is Shamshunissa in Darlings. I have a quirky, wicked and funny side to me, which was fun [to bring out on screen]. The script was well-written and I love the genre,” says Shah, who is thrilled to be acknowledged at the Hitlist OTT awards.
“Awards are important because they are the recognition of appreciation. It is something that will stay with you forever. I will be lying if I say awards are not important.”
Cast your vote for the Hitlist OTT Awards
Shefali Shah has been nominated in the Best Actor (Female): Series category for Netflix’s Delhi Crime, Best Actor (Female): Film for Amazon Prime Video’s Jalsa and Best Supporting Actor (Female): Film for Netflix’s Darlings. The other nominees are:
Best Actor (Female): Series
- Amruta Subhash (Saas Bahu Achaar Pvt Ltd, ZEE5)
- Fatima Sana Shaikh (Modern Love Mumbai, Amazon Prime Video)
- Huma Qureshi (Maharani S02, SonyLIV)
- Masaba Gupta (Masaba Masaba S02, Netflix)
- Sakshi Tanwar (Mai: A Mother’s Rage, Netflix)
- Shriya Pilgaonkar (The Broken News, ZEE5)
- Shriya Pilgaonkar (Guilty Minds, Amazon Prime Video)
Best Actor (Female): Film
- Alia Bhatt (Darlings, Netflix)
- Deepika Padukone (Gehraiyaan, Amazon Prime Video)
- Huma Qureshi (Monica O My Darling, Netflix)
- Triptii Dimri (Qala, Netflix)
- Vidya Balan (Jalsa, Amazon Prime Video)
Best Supporting Actor (Female): Film
- Ananya Panday (Gehraiyaan, Amazon Prime Video)
- Bhumi Pednekar (Govinda Naam Mera, Disney+ Hotstar)
- Juhi Chawla (Sharmaji Namkeen, Amazon Prime Video)
- Radhika Apte (Monica O My Darling, Netflix)
- Swastika Mukherjee (Qala, Netflix)
There are 16 categories that the public can vote in. Log on to www.radiocity.in/hitlistott to cast your vote. Voting lines close on February 22
Have you heard of female actors pulling each other’s hair-Shefali Shah
8:38 AM
Shefali Shah quashes the notion of two female artistes not getting along, says it’s ‘media hype’
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 21, 2022)
Shefali Shah has spent almost three decades in the film industry, infusing life into varied characters. Whether in her web show Human, alongside Kirti Kulhari, or web films Jalsa (co-starring Vidya Balan) and her latest, Darlings, with Alia Bhatt, the actor has been lauded for the camaraderie she shares with her female co-stars. But Shah admits she’s often perplexed about this notion that no two female actors can get along.
“The whole thing about women against women… I haven’t seen any of it yet. Maybe it is media hype. Have you heard of [female] actors pulling each other’s hair, or b*tching about each other? I mean, who have you heard fought like this? I really don’t know where this comes from,” she tells us.
The 49-year-old reveals there has always been a sense of unity in the industry: “When an actress does well or gets an award, it is a victory for every actress. All actresses are paving paths for each other, particularly in an industry that was once male-dominated.” Here, she is quick to point out that the industry is no longer male-dominated.
“I take immense pride in working with the women I’ve worked with till now. It has been a treat to work with them... This whole thing of two actresses fighting or having jealousy is bulls**t,” she asserts, adding, “It’s sweet that people are praising me for this (camaraderie with female co-stars), but I don’t need a medal for this. It’s the least we can do while working with each other.”
That aside, the actor is looking forward to exploring the highs and lows of a new case and unravelling a mystery in the second chapter of the web series Delhi Crime. She admits the show, which won the top prize at the International Emmy Awards 2020, will always have a special place in her heart. “My character Vartika Chaturvedi becomes a human from a hero, in this season,” she says.
Ask if the team feels any pressure to meet the audience’s expectations after delivering a hit first season, and she says, “The new season comes with a different case, a different director and a new narrative. So, trying to compare the two [seasons] is just unfair… It is not a competition with the first season. We have to make a really good show. Why should there be any comparison?”
I remember Vidya Balan from Hum Paanch, and my first thought was, ‘Who is this sunshine?’-Shefali Shah
8:25 AM
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 19, 2022)
The thriller-drama Jalsa, released yesterday on Amazon Prime, marks the first collaboration between actors Vidya Balan and Shefali Shah. Balan, who plays a journalist in the film, lauds her co-star and says, “I always enjoy watching Shefali [on screen]. I was thrilled that we got to work together on this project. It’s fulfilling when you work with an actor like her. Unfortunately, we don’t have too many scenes together.”
Shah, on the other hand, talks about how the Sherni (2021) actor inspired her professionally and personally. She says, “I remember her (Balan) from Hum Paanch (TV show), and my first thought was, ‘Who is this sunshine?’ I’ve met her before at parties and screenings, but we never interacted closely. We occasionally used to call each other up if we liked one another’s work. Not only is she an amazing actor, but also a beautiful human being. She’s a woman who inspires [everyone].”
Balan, who has been in thrillers such as Kahaani (2012) and Te3n (2016), reveals that she is fascinated by the genre: “I love edge-of-the-seat thrillers. It’s one of my favourites. I’d like to qualify Jalsa as a dramatic thriller, and I think this is a very unique space for me as I get to delve into the grey (area) with my character for the first time.”
The Suresh Triveni directorial sees Shah playing a raging mother. Happy that a mum’s role is more nuanced in today’s time, the 49-year-old says, “Unfortunately, much like real life, mothers are identified by the relationship they share with the primary character, and not by who they individually are. A mum is now a full-fledged character, and that is coming across [more clearly now] because of the writing and making. I’m a mum, and there’s both good and ugly in me.”
The theatres have opened up now and a slew of movies are lining up for a big screen release. Ask them if they are apprehensive about Jalsa’s release on OTT and not in theatres, and Balan, 43, says, “Not at all! It’s meant for the global audience. Both the story and the narrative are universal. I’m very happy that we’re able to take it to 240 countries.”
Shah agrees and adds, “When a film is released on OTT, it will be there for posterity, and its fate isn’t determined by the collection it makes on the first weekend. We all want to be a part of global cinema.”
(Crisp) Movie Review: JALSA by FENIL SETA
7:35 PM
Jalsa starts on a shocking note. The trailer thankfully doesn’t give out an important plot point. Hence, be prepared to get a jolt in the first 15 minutes. Sadly, from here on, the film fails to take off. A few scenes are exceptional. However, the long length and slow narrative takes away the impact. Moreover, the reason why the film is named ‘Jalsa’ is laughable. It’s sad that such a nice title has gone waste. Speaking of performances, Vidya Balan, as expected, is in superb form. Shefali Shah adds a lot to the film with her presence. Seeing both these powerhouse performers together is also a saving grace. Rohini Hattangadi is too good in an author-backed role. Surya Kasibhatla (Aayush) is adorable. Kashish Rizwan (Aalia) is decent. Vidhatri Bandi (Rohini George) is a surprise. Mohammad Iqbal Khan (Maya’s boss Aman Malhotra), Shrikant Yadav (More; cop) and Ghanshyam Lalsa (Pradeep; cop) are fair. Manav Kaul is wasted. All in all, Jalsa is a disappointment despite the fabulous performances by Vidya Balan and Shefali Shah.
My rating - ** out of 5!
My rating - ** out of 5!
I experienced the impostor syndrome; wondered how could Shefali Shah come on board within 24 hours-Suresh Triveni
8:05 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; March 17, 2022)
It’s taken adman Suresh Triveni a period of five years to put together and craft the thriller Jalsa. The film features Vidya Balan, who also headlined the cast of his directorial debut, Tumhari Sulu, and Shefali Shah, whose work he has closely followed. The film revolves around an incident that impacts the lives of two women from different economic and social strata, which leads to a clash. The film premieres on Amazon Prime Video tomorrow in India and across 240 countries and territories worldwide.
Talking about the driving factors behind Jalsa, Suresh says, “One is the practical side, which comes down to ‘Tumhare paas Vidya aur Shefali ke dates hain, tum abhi shoot karlo!’ The second is that after Tumhari Sulu, there were various labels being attached to me and I had begun to take myself far too seriously. I took a break and got back to advertising for a while. I started working on some scripts; Jalsa was one of them. I realised that if an idea continues to talk to me even six months after I first thought of it, there is something there.”
Jalsa’s trailer, evidently, touches upon victim-blaming, class divide and the perceptions that are formed as a result, apart from several other topics. When asked if that was a conscious call, Suresh says, “Stories are glued together by conflicts, and that comes from some sort of a divide. Otherwise, we’d be in a neutral world with no stories to tell. Yes, victim-blaming is a part of the conversation in this film, but I do not believe in writing anything with an agenda. I’d find myself in another profession if I was doing that. This story has allowed itself to happen a certain way. And I am a huge believer in the term ‘conflict’, which fans so many things in a narrative. What you incur is your own take-away from a film.”
With a powerful combination of female actors in the film, starting with Vidya and Shefali, we wonder what Suresh had in mind as a brief for their roles and how he went about striking a fine balance between their characters and what they eventually get to convey through the film.
Bring this up, and Suresh says, “Shefali came on board after reading a much earlier draft of the film. I experienced the impostor syndrome because I’m a huge fan of her work, and how could she simply say yes to my project within 24 hours. I couldn’t believe it. I had narrated the film to Vidya before she came on board. Both these artistes are gut-oriented, and if they feel something is correct, it is so. Hence, my brief to them was to own the character they’re playing. As a director, I am not one to give micro-directions on what to do in a scene. Telling someone to own their job is a brilliant ploy to make them work at their best. Vidya’s character had to be someone who’s opaque, someone you can’t see through. You don’t know what they are saying, thinking and eventually, writing. I’ve seen such journalists. With Shefali, that brief was to bring a sense of pride in her character. If someone asks her, ‘Tum bai ho?’ She says, ‘Nahi, cook hoon.’ She even dresses up well to work because she’s working at a good place. Both these women have a sense of pride and opacity. You can’t decipher their minds easily.”
Both Tumhari Sulu and Jalsa have a strong female gaze. When asked how he has managed to get it right on both occasions, Suresh says, “I am no authority on gender-based gaze, but I do feel that a situation makes different people react differently — sometimes because of the gender and sometimes because of who they are as people. I don’t look at gender as a lens. In fact, the term ‘woman-centric’ is something I want done away with because when there are two men leading a story, it’s not a man-centric film, is it?”
There have been thrillers after Kahaani, but it continues to be a benchmark-Vidya Balan
8:18 AM
Madhureeta Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; March 16, 2022)
She says she is a greedy actor. The fierceness with which she bites into every role, bringing alive every character she portrays and owning it wholly, we couldn’t agree more with Vidya Balan. It’s her greed for great roles, and the audiences’ hunger to see more of her on any platform that maybe, results in the making of some unforgettable cinema. Vidya leads the show, along with Shefali Shah, in the upcoming, Jalsa, a thriller drama that releases on Amazon Prime Video on March 18. In a conversation with us, she shares her views on women in cinema, in the OTT space, in society, and how the concept of stardom is changing. Here’s a Vidya-view on all these subjects that matter…
This year marks 10 years of Kahaani, a landmark film of your career, and for our cinema. It came at a time when thrillers were far and few in Bollywood, leave alone a woman leading the show with such a compelling story. Ever since, we have had several more, and some of those featuring you. It is indicative of the changing narratives in our cinema, and of course, how you continue to do roles that defy stereotypes and redefine trends.
I was a bit taken aback when you said 10 years of Kahaani. I didn’t realise that, wow! It just seems like yesterday. You are right when you say that there weren’t many thrillers being made back then. And with Kahaani, you had a thriller with a woman at the centre of the story, and not just that, a pregnant woman. People just didn’t know what to expect from it. For Sujoy Ghosh (director), it was a challenge to put the film together. A lot has changed since… now there is a wide range of women’s stories being told. It is so exciting, though I have to say that I hope that the tag of the ‘woman-centric film’ is done away with at some stage. In Jalsa, you have two women leading the story, but it’s a kind of story that could happen to anyone. It is about one incident that just changes your life. Maya (my character) is a journalist. She is self-righteous, and here she is thrown into a sudden situation. It is easy to pronounce judgements on others, but now she is at the receiving end. Every character in this film is under the stress of being judged or judging themselves. Talking about Kahaani, yes, there have been other thrillers, but I think even today Kahaani is a benchmark.
A lot of female actors don’t subscribe to the term ‘woman-centric’ role/movie. In many of your finest films, while you were leading the show, it was the subject and story that took center stage. To put it simply, the subject was the hero, and hence, the films drew the kind of audience they did. Subjects have no gender, so here, the actresses are right in having a problem with the term ‘woman-oriented’. Your view?
I totally agree, and I love the way you have articulated it; I have never been able to articulate it like that. Yes, subjects have no gender and I think universal subjects appeal to me. When the story is not restricted to a gender, and it is about people and humans, it draws me. Like when I first heard the story of Jalsa, I said, ‘This could happen to anyone.’ That’s what hits you hard — the story.
You play a journalist in Jalsa. Over the years, your journey with the media has been interesting. For this part, did you draw any references from your interactions and relationship with the media that you have shared all these years?
Maya is not an entertainment journalist, so there was no exact reference point for me there. A lot of journalists we see around us, and credible names who you think are beyond blemish, are also human. When the camera turns towards them, and they are confronted with certain situations in their life, it would be interesting to see how they would deal with it. Maybe a better way of putting it would be, when the lens of judgement is on them, what happens? Will they crumble? It is easy to put others on the stand, but what happens when you are on the stand, what are the calls that you will take, and what are the choices you will make? Everyone has secrets, and everyone knows their truth — this is the crux of the story and the narrative of every character in the film.
You have worked with director Suresh Triveni in Tumhari Sulu, which was in a very different zone. Jalsa seems to be an intense drama. Is he trying to make a social commentary through this film?
I stay away from any sort of commentaries, but different people will have a different take away from the film and story. At times, people will find layers in everything, and yet, sometimes, they will find nothing at all, so it is subjective. Jalsa is a gripping story, with oodles of drama. I don’t think it is trying to make a commentary. I think it will leave you feeling, ‘Oh, my god, this could be me.’
Currently, there is a lot of conversation around how the digital space has given female actors ample opportunity to play diverse roles, a chance to break the mould, take risks et al . In this case, would you agree that you were ahead of the game, as what we are talking about today — the chances and variety of roles, you took that leap for the big screen long before we were rejoicing in this new wave of content on OTT?
May I say that it is very easy for everyone to now say that. ‘Oh, the OTT space has opened up opportunities for women’. They are basically mitigating the value of the journey that the Hindi film heroine’s arc has gone through. I don’t think the OTT wave has changed anything for women alone, I think it changed the way we view content, and therefore, it has changed content. Obviously, because of that, there is a wider variety of stories being told, and different genres being explored. I think what the OTT space does is that it offers you an intimate, personal experience. When you go into the theatre today, the difference is very stark. You go into the theatre to get the big-screen, heroic, larger-than-life experience. On OTT, you have the luxury of when and what you want to watch. It troubles me when people talk about the OTT space being a game-changer for female actors or female story writers. I don’t think that’s true at all. I am credited with being at the helm of things, but even that, I believe, is about timing and being at the right place, at the right time. And I am not the only actor who has been doing that. Most importantly, there have been others who have followed it up, and we are all in it together.
So, the choices of films that you are making now are irrespective of the medium?
Absolutely! I am medium agnostic. I am a very greedy actor. The platform depends on the content and what sort of film will appeal to what audience. I believe that Jalsa will appeal to a universal audience, it is not just for the Indian audience.
In Jalsa, we have two actors (who happen to be women) who are superb at their craft — Shefali Shah and you — leading the show. It again points to the steady and positive change that we are seeing around us and in our cinema.
Yes, it is because of changing mindsets and evolving audiences, but most importantly, it is reflective of the change happening in society where women are taking centre stage. Today, women are in charge of their own life stories, which is why we are seeing much more of those stories in our cinema.
Do you feel that the concept of stardom has changed, or has been redefined in the current times? And the audience is willing to watch the actors they admire on any medium, as long as they have a great story to tell?
Yes, I think the concept of stardom has changed. The larger-than-life quality of stars has changed over time because of their accessibility on social media. The OTT platform has also created a new breed of stars. If you like an artiste, you will watch what they have to offer on any platform. I don’t think the previous success of a film of an actor has actually mattered ever for their fans. Also, today, I think it’s how exciting your trailer is and what it makes the audience feel is what determines whether they will watch the film or won’t.
Two of your big films released on OTT in the last two years, Shakuntala Devi and Sherni. While releasing a film on a digital platform could be a new experience, do you miss the excitement around a theatrical release, where the box-office numbers keep coming in on a Friday, and there is all that hysteria around it?
Not really. Honestly, it’s the best thing to have happened to Shakuntala Devi and Sherni. Our films were ready, and we had a platform. Both were loved and were very different films, and so is Jalsa. Whether a film is releasing in theatres or OTT, I still feel butterflies in my stomach until I know how the audience is responding to the film. It’s the same nervousness. It’s like you are showing your Simba to the world. The first time you hold your baby out to the world, it will always make you nervous, no matter where and how you show it.
Now, the roles written for women are not in the context of or in relation to the men in the story-Vidya Balan
8:12 AM
Vidya proud to see the changing dynamics of women on screen as she brings a female-led drama in Jalsa
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; March 12, 2022)
There’s joy in finding a director who nudges you out of your comfort zone, pushes you to find the gumption in you. For Vidya Balan, Suresh Triveni could well be that director. After bringing the charming Tumhari Sulu (2017), the two have switched gears to tell a hard-hitting story in Jalsa. “Suresh has pushed me out of my comfort zone with this film,” smiles Balan.
The actor is one of the fierce voices in Bollywood who doesn’t shy away from a brave story, but she admits that she was taken aback by her character in Jalsa. “Here, I delved into the grey zone the way I have never done before. When Suresh narrated the story, I wasn’t sure I wanted to do the film because it required me to embrace the grey shades. Like Maya Menon [her character], I want to be seen in a certain way. There has been an inner goodness to the roles I have done so far. Even Maya Menon is a good person, but you don’t know how you’ll react to a certain situation until you are confronted with it.”
The Amazon Prime Video offering revolves around a news channel investigating the hit-and-run case of a young girl. While Shefali Shah plays the victim’s mother, refusing to give up until justice is delivered, Balan plays a noted television journalist keenly following the case. The actor had initially turned down the role, but the pandemic made her do a rethink. “The pandemic changed the way we look at ourselves and life. I felt ready to do Jalsa then.”
A Balan film assures you of certain things — a powerful story, honest performances and strong women at its core. The actor, over the past 16 years, has played a key role in propagating women-led films. She is happy to see the shift in terms of the roles written today. “When I did Ishqiya [2010], there were many so-called female hero films. It has been changing slowly. Now, the roles written for women treat women as people, and not in the context of or in relation to the men in the story. They are getting more nuanced.”
I don’t want to play a mother to 25, 30 or 40 year olds anymore-Shefali Shah
8:05 AM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; March 12, 2022)
Outspoken, eloquent and dignified, Shefali Shah embodies the qualities that also represent her costar Vidya Balan in their upcoming film Jalsa, which is slated to release on Amazon Prime Video on March 18. In a chat with Bombay Times, Shefali talks about ageappropriate casting, the evolution of Hindi cinema and battling self-doubt despite being an actress with an impressive body of work. Excerpts:
Vidya Balan and you play parallel leads in your upcoming film Jalsa, directed by Suresh Triveni. What is it about this script that appealed to you?
Jalsa is about human conflict, not just with each other but an internal conflict too. It shows how one incident changes the lives of everyone around it. It sheds light on what people think they may do in a certain situation, their sense of morality and how it all starts changing because of the circumstances. I may sound pompous, but I genuinely believe that Jalsa is one of the best films I have seen.
Could you elaborate on the parallels drawn between Vidya Balan and your character? So far, all we know is that she plays a journalist and you are employed in her house as a cook.
Yes, Vidya plays a journalist and I work in her house. It’s not the most intimate relationship because they are distant from each other. If I tell you more, I risk giving away the story, but I can say that Jalsa is a drama-thriller and not just a thriller. Everyone will have a different take on it as art is subjective, but they will be compelled to think about what they would do if they are found in this situation.
What was it like to work with Vidya?
I not only admire Vidya’s work, but I admire her as a person as well. I was thrilled to know that I was going to collaborate with her. Unfortunately, we don’t have a lot of scenes together, but just sharing screen space with her was special. She is an amazing person — warm, caring and so giving. It’s always a pleasure to work with good actors because it only makes your work better.
Given your extensive body of work, what do you look for in a script at this point in your career?
I am finally getting lead roles and parallel leads and I want to stick to that. I am not saying that I will never be a part of an ensemble, but it needs to be something like Monsoon Wedding. When I read a script, it has to touch me and turn my world upside down. If it does that to me, I am going to say yes.
When an actor of your calibre says that they are finally getting lead roles after all these years, do you think it took you way longer to get here than you had anticipated?
Honestly, I had stopped anticipating or expecting because I didn’t think that it would go anywhere. It has taken me forever to reach here. However, I cannot complain. After Delhi Crime, things have changed. The last two years have been great. And it’s only going to get better for me.
For talented and deserving actors to get their due in this industry, what do you think needs to change?
The change is ongoing. Earlier, when we got narrations, there was a hero and a heroine and, in some way, we were all related to them. You could be a mother, chachi, sister or friend. They didn’t have individual full-fledged characters. Also, it was all very age-related. Today, that is changing. With OTT coming in, some of the best shows have been led by women, internationally. These female characters are complex, deep and nuanced. And most importantly, these are age-appropriate roles.
Speaking of the need for age-appropriate casting, leading men in their 50s still romance women in their 20s and 30s. Women, on the contrary, are often perceived as non-leads once they cross a certain age, aren’t they?
If the actors and actresses are choosing to play these roles, who are we to comment? Nobody is putting a gun to anyone’s head and forcing them to act with XYZ whatever the age gap. I have never had a problem playing a mother or a supporting role as long as it’s a full-fledged character. My issue is why define a character merely on the basis of his or her relationship with the leads? In the past, I have played mother to a person much older than me. But at this point, I want to say, listen, I don’t want to look younger than my age. I do have children who are 18 and 19, so I am comfortable playing a character like that. But I don’t want to play a mother to 25, 30 or 40-year-olds anymore.
Even the best of actors can be nervous or consumed by self-doubt. Does that happen to you as well?
Yes. Every time I go on a set or take up a project, I have this constant fear that the director will say action and I am going to stand there all dumbfounded. I always feel that I have taken up this project, but now what am I going to do? Strangely, this works very well for me. I am my biggest critic. I question myself. I am not easy to please. I never revisit my work. I never see the monitor when I am shooting because I know I will find faults and won’t like myself.
First look of Vidya Balan & Shefali Shah-starrer Jalsa unveiled
8:36 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (February 28, 2022)
Amazon Prime Video today announced the release date of its upcoming Amazon Original Movie Jalsa. The streaming service also unveiled the intense first look of the lead actors — Vidya Balan and Shefali Shah. The movie is directed by Suresh Triveni and is jointly produced by Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar of T-Series, Vikram Malhotra and Shikhaa Sharma of Abundantia Entertainment and Suresh Triveni. The film will have a global premiere on the streaming service on March 18.
Manish Menghani, Head, Content Licensing, Amazon Prime Video, said, “When selecting stories, we look for authenticity and freshness. Stories that are nuanced and beyond conventional storytelling are finding viewership worldwide. In a fine blend of drama and thrill, Jalsa offers a truly differentiated story, made better by performances from a brilliant cast. The film marks another milestone in our long-running, successful collaboration with Abundantia Entertainment after titles like Shakuntala Devi, Sherni, Chhorii and more. We are delighted to play home to another one of Vidya’s stellar performances, that audiences are sure to love.”
Vikram Malhotra, Founder and CEO of Abundantia Entertainment said, “Impactful storytelling blended with engaging entertainment is at the core of what we do. Featuring two of the finest actors of our times, Vidya Balan and Shefali Shah, Suresh has woven Jalsa into a brilliant narrative of complex emotions, well-etched characters and a gripping pace. I am also excited to extend our successful partnership with Prime Video after Shakuntala Devi, Sherni and Chhorii and look forward to the global premiere of Jalsa across 240 countries and territories across the world.”
The film is touted to be an engaging and captivating tale of conflict, as shown through the life of a top-line journalist and her cook. The movie promises spellbinding performances and a nerve-wracking storyline that will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you intrigued.
Nobody knows that there is a humorous and wicked side to me. Darlings explores that-Shefali Shah
8:11 AM
Creatively satisfied after shooting for six projects in 2021, Shefali discusses why working on Paatal Lok co-director’s next, 3 Of Us, has been enriching
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; January 20, 2022)
Shooting six projects in a year can be quite a handful. How does one go from one film to another without feeling spent? If you’re Shefali Shah, you see each project as an opportunity to embrace a new character. “I did six projects last year,” she exclaims, almost surprised that she packed in Delhi Crime 2, Human, Darlings, Doctor G, Jalsa and 3 Of Us in the same year. “I have always been choosy. But after having such a line-up, I have to wait for something better. I am dying to go back on the set, but [the project] has to be as rich as the ones I have done till now.”
The actor, who began the new year with medical thriller Human, is now looking forward to Darlings. Alia Bhatt’s maiden production venture is special to Shah as it gave her the rare opportunity to showcase her comic timing. “I somehow have this serious image. Nobody knows that there is a humorous and wicked side to me. Darlings explores that.”
Where she can capture the essence of Darlings with a few adjectives — “It is wicked, dark and hilarious” — the actor chooses her words more carefully when describing 3 Of Us. “It’s complex, but the whole film seems so simple,” she reflects.
Director Avinash Arun, who is making his Hindi feature film debut after the much-acclaimed Paatal Lok (2020), has roped in Jaideep Ahlawat opposite Shah. “The story is so delicate. We shot in the Konkan region, which is stunning. The film is in Hindi, but has a Maharashtrian backdrop. It comes from the culture of Malgudi Days, but it’s not exactly like that.”
It is evident that she is impressed by Arun’s passion for his craft. “Avinash is an emotionally rich person to be able to create something like 3 Of Us. We both were completely in sync. If I would deliver a shot in a certain way, he would say, ‘Why don’t we try it differently?’ I would say, ‘I will do it, but I think the first one goes better.’ Sure enough, the moment he’d call cut after the shot, we used to look at each other and say, ‘Let’s go with the first one.’”
My film was released along side Kal Ho Naa Ho, Munna Bhai MBBS and LOC. It was bad timing-Iqbal Khan
8:17 AM
Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; November 13, 2021)
Iqbal Khan, who began his career as a film actor more than two decades ago, moved to television. In the coming months, Iqbal will be seen in Jalsa with Vidya Balan and also in a Punjabi film. Recalling his days when he just started with movies like Fun2shh: Dudes In The 10th Century and Bullet: Ek Dhamaka, Iqbal says, “I had dreams like everyone when I came to Mumbai. There were many actors who shot for projects, but the films were never released. Then there were those who got promised a film, but the film did not take off. In my case, I was lucky that my films were released in theatres. Unfortunately, they were released when big films like Kal Ho Naa Ho, Munna Bhai MBBS and LOC: Kargil were released. Obviously, when a superstar’s film releases, it will get more screens than a small film. It was just bad timing. So, after the two films, I waited for almost a year to bag new projects, but nothing happened. I had to make a living out of my profession and make arrangements for my next month’s rent. That’s when I got an offer for a TV show and I grabbed it. The rest is history.” After that, he did several shows as the lead, but today he is happy to balance TV, movies and OTT.
Much has changed in showbiz over the years for the better, Iqbal says. “It’s more professional now and people are clear about what they want, and they discuss the script in detail with you. Also, it’s more content-driven now and makers want to explore newer things with actors. I am enjoying this phase. Filmmakers want to work with good actors and try out new subjects. My film Jalsa has a strong script and it was great working with a thorough professional like Vidya Balan,” he says.
So will TV take a backseat now that he is busy with other mediums? “I can never be thankless because TV has given me a career. I do get a bit disappointed when a good TV show has to change its script because of the ratings game, but whenever that has happened, I have only tried to give it my best and worked with full conviction,” says Iqbal, who has been a part of shows like Kaisa Ye Pyar Hai, Kahiin To Hoga, Chhoona Hai Aasmaan, Waaris, Tumhari Pakhi, Pyaar Ko Ho Jaane Do, among others.
Ask the actor if he feels like life has come a full circle, and he says, “No, I don’t see it as my work life coming a full circle. I love what I do, but I am not in any race to reach somewhere now. I have to earn my bread and butter and, in the process, have a positive effect on people. I want to direct or produce a project someday. But, there is no race to become wealthy or famous. I feel though my initial days were tough in Mumbai, God has been kind to me. There were times when I didn’t have money to recharge my phone or think of eating dal-rice at night, but I am not the only one. Everyone goes through such struggles,” he says.
Vidya Balan is like a human dynamo-Iqbal Khan
8:30 AM
Iqbal Khan on sharing screen space with Balan in Suresh Triveni’s Jalsa
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; September 5, 2021)
It was a dream come true for popular television actor Iqbal Khan when he was offered a challenging role in a Suresh Triveni-film. Triveni has earlier helmed Tumhari Sulu (2017). But, the icing on the cake was sharing screen space with Vidya Balan.
“Although my role is kick-ass, had he asked me to play a lamp post also, I would have,” said the actor, who became an overnight sensation after his television soap Kaisa Ye Pyar Hai became a hit.
Jalsa, set to hit theatres in 2022, is a hard-hitting drama that studies the different classes of society, and it is this story that finally sealed the deal for Khan.
“It is a powerful, unique and edgy tale of mighty characters and trying circumstances, and Suresh Triveni is too good to say no to,” said Khan, adding, “I always wanted to work with Vidya. Doing a film with her and being directed by Suresh is like sone pe suhaga. Vidya is like a human dynamo. The energy she brings to the sets is unparalleled.”
I really want to know what it will be like to share the screen with Vidya Balan-Shefali Shah
8:07 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; August 23, 2021)
In matter of a month, Shefali Shah went from being the director of a short film featuring her to a pivotal character in Alia Bhatt’s first production, Darlings, director Anubhuti Kashyap’s Doctor G (backed by Junglee Pictures) with Ayushmann Khurrana, and being a parallel lead in director Suresh Triveni’s Jalsa, co-starring Vidya Balan. The latter went on floors recently.
Calling her choices impulsive and instinctive, the actress elaborates on what she looks for in a project. She says, “I don’t know the boxes, but it has to turn me inside out; it has to hit me in the gut. My decisions are impulsive and instinctive, not based on any math of where this film can take me and what it can do for my image. If I find it churning my insides, I do it.” She adds, “Professionally, I have not been in a happier space than this. But I waited really long for it, so be it. Things have changed and I am being offered strong lead and parallel lead roles.”
Shefali shares, “I have some fabulous scripts to work on and really good directors to team up with. People write roles for me which is great. You know, I was lucky to have found appreciation for my work, but it didn’t translate into what I wanted. Waiting for something worthwhile was tough, but after a certain stage of maturity, I realised that the work I wanted to do would come rarely, but I also knew it would be worth the wait.”
Shefali, known for her stellar performance in the Emmy Award-winner Delhi Crime, is looking forward to Jalsa as it will have her sharing screen space with another powerhouse performer. “I really want to know what it will be like to share the screen with Vidya Balan, who I admire tremendously,” she says, adding, “I adore her, totally. I have met her a few times in the past socially, but we have never collaborated on something. Jalsa is the perfect story for that.”
Besides the excitement of teaming up with a contemporary, the actress is working with the new-generation actress Alia Bhatt as a co-star and producer. Shefali says, “Darlings, a fantastic project by Jasmeet K Reen, is in such a fun space. Alia, Vijay Verma and Roshan Mathew... It’s a fun team to work with. It’s also a genre that I have never done before. In fact, people have an image of me being this very serious person, so I think they will be surprised to see this wicked dark comedy.”
Vidya Balan to start shooting for Jalsa on Monday; Rohini Hattangadi and Shefali Shah to join her by month-end
8:08 AM
Vidya to kick off Jalsa shoot on Monday, with Gandhi actor Rohini Hattangadi and Shefali Shah joining her by the month-end
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; August 14, 2021)
What does it take to bring three National Award-winning actors together on screen? Director Suresh Triveni has the answer — a compelling script. The filmmaker recently announced Jalsa, which sees Vidya Balan, Shefali Shah and Rohini Hattangadi share screen space. While the director kicked off the project on Thursday with the secondary cast, Balan will commence shooting on Monday.
“After the feel-good Tumhari Sulu [2017], Suresh has taken on an intense subject with Jalsa. It’s a hard-hitting drama that studies the different classes of society, and how one influences the other,” says a source. In his second outing with Balan after the delightful Tumhari Sulu, Triveni has rounded up an eclectic cast by roping in Hattangadi. “The senior actor has been active in Marathi showbiz, featuring in serials and movies. She was, however, missing from the Hindi film circuit and was last seen in Bejoy Nambiar’s David [2013]. Suresh was keen to cast her in Jalsa, and was thrilled when she came on board.”
Balan will film her scenes over the next few days, post which Shah and Hattangadi will join her. The trio have some powerful scenes together, which will be filmed by the month-end. The drama, backed by Vikram Malhotra, will be shot over a start-to-finish schedule across various locations in Mumbai.
Amitabh Bachchan returns home after 21 days in hospital, Abhishek yet to be discharged
8:14 AM
THE TIMES OF INDIA (August 3, 2020)
Mumbai: After 21 days in hospital, superstar Amitabh Bachchan beat Coronavirus and returned home on Sunday. His actor son Abhishek (44), who was admitted to Nanavati Hospital in Vile Parle on the same day as his father on July 11, continues to be hospitalized due to comorbidities.
The 77-year-old veteran actor was discharged after his latest Covid-19 test came negative. An ambulance from the hospital dropped Amitabh to his Juhu bungalow, Jalsa, on Sunday evening. “I have tested Covid-, have been discharged. I am back home in solitary quarantine,” the senior Bachchan tweeted. He also thanked his friends, fans and particularly the hospital staffers for their support in helping him recover from the infection. Sources said the actor was not completely symptom-free and continued to suffer from body ache and weakness that is known to linger in many Covid patients.
Abhishek took to Twitter on Sunday to inform that he was still in hospital. “I, unfortunately due to some comorbidities, remain Covid-19 positive and remain in hospital. Again, thank you all for your continued wishes and prayers for my family…”
A day after Amitabh and Abhishek’s hospitalisation, actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and eight-year-old daughter Aaradhya had tested positive on July 12. While they initially chose to self-isolate at home, they got hospitalised on July 17 after both developed fever. Both were discharged on July 27 after they tested negative, but continued to be quarantined at home. Amitabh’s wife and actor Jaya Bachchan had tested negative along with their daughter Shweta Bachchan Nanda and her family members.
Abhishek’s tweet that his father was discharged after a negative report once again underlined the question of repeat testing before discharge. A doctor involved in Covid care said patients can continue to test positive due to the residual virus in the body. “That can happen up to four weeks, but doesn’t necessarily mean the person is still infected or spreading the infection. One need not wait for a negative report if he/she is symptom-free. In cases where symptoms persist, we do carry out repeat tests,” the doctor said.
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Amitabh Bachchan shares news on social media; son Abhishek adds that he continues to be COVID-19 positive, and in admission
Shirish Vaktania (MID-DAY; August 3, 2020)
Amitabh Bachchan has been discharged from Mumbai's Nanavati Hospital, where he was being treated for COVID-19, after a 23-day stay. His son, Abhishek first broke the news of him testing negative, on social media. Later, Big B shared: "I have tested COVID negative and have been discharged. I am back home, in solitary quarantine."
Abhishek, who had also tested positive at the time, and was admitted alongside Big B, will continue to stay in the facility. "I, unfortunately, due to some co-morbidities remain COVID-19 positive and in hospital," Abhishek shared.
After news of Big B testing positive hit headlines, fans of the actor across the country conducted rituals to pray for his well-being. Bachchan's ardent fan, Sanjay Patola, who created a temple in Kolkata for the superstar, continually conducted a havan since his admission. "For me, Bachchan sir is God. As he has been discharged today, it is a big day for me," he told mid-day.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's manager Archana Sadanand's lehenga catches fire; Shah Rukh Khan jumps to the rescue
8:46 AM
Quick-thinking Shah Rukh Khan jumps to the rescue of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's long-time manager Archana Sadanand, after her lehenga catches fire in Jalsa Diwali bash
Vinod Kumar Menon, Upala KBR (MID-DAY; October 30, 2019)
Leading publicist Archana Sadanand escaped a freak fire accident during a Diwali party at Amitabh Bachchan's Juhu home Jalsa thanks to Shah Rukh Khan's presence of mind.Sadanand, who has represented Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for over a decade, sustained burn injuries to her hands and right leg after her lehenga came in contact with a diya. She is recuperating at Nanavati Hospital.
Sources in Nanavati Hospital told mid-day that Sadanand, who was admitted in the wee hours of Monday, is kept in isolation in the ICU to prevent infections. Doctors said she sustained 15 per cent burns. Khan also suffered minor burns.
The Bachchan Diwali party is among the most coveted in town and had Bollywood A-listers and the Ambanis in attendance. The accident happened very late, when there were few guests around, said sources.
"It was just after 3 am and a few guests were still around," an insider told mid-day.
"Archana was with her daughter in the courtyard when her lehenga caught fire. Those around were stunned and didn't know what to do. Shah Rukh had the presence of mind, rushed to Archana, and put out the fire. He, too, sustained minor burns while dousing the flames with a jacket. His only thought was to put out the fire."
Hospital sources said Sadanand is under the care of Dr Devyani B Venkat, a plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgeon, who recently joined Nanavati after returning from the US. Dr Venkat is the daughter of renowned gastroenterologist Jayant Barve, who treats Bachchan Sr.
Sources said Sadanand is almost like family for the Bachchans.
When mid-day contacted her, Dr Venkat refused to comment. mid-day's attempts to contact the Bachchans and Khan were also unsuccessful till press time. Hospital sources, however, said Sadanand was recovering well and was even made to walk for a few minutes inside the isolated ICU on Tuesday. She is not allowed visitors as of now.
Additional Commissioner of Police (West) Manoj Kumar Sharma told mid-day, "We have been intimated by Nanavati Hospital about the admission of the patient. The local police recorded her statement, where she confirmed it was an unfortunate accident."
Jalsa's entrance lit up with kandeels for the party
Prateeksha, Janak, Ammu, Jalsa, Mansa: How the Bachchans are an island unto themselves...
8:00 AM
Bringing you interesting asides on the multiple addresses of Indian cinema’s most famous family, who owns five bungalows in Mumbai’s JVPD Scheme
DNA (November 6, 2017)
Hollywood cinema icon Marlon Brando owned an island called Tetiaroa in Tahiti. And our own Indian cinema icon Amitabh Bachchan has made a little island for himself and his family at Mumbai’s Juhu and Vile Parle Development (JVPD) Scheme, a place that is one of the prime real estate areas in the maximum city.
The proximity of four of those five bungalows, three of which — Ammu, Jalsa, and Mansa — are just separated by compound walls, and Janak that is one lane away, definitely makes it seem like the Bachchan family has earmarked an island for themselves. Of course, Prateeksha that is a few furlongs away completes the quintuple count of residences.
Meet Prateeksha
Amitabh Bachchan’s first famous address in Mumbai. The place continues to remain a landmark on Juhu’s busy 10th Road. It was ‘attached’ when the Hindi cinema legend got into a financial mess post the launch of his production company ABCL in the mid-’90s. However, he managed to avert the auction bid when he paid back all the monies he owed with interest to his borrowing bank.
Our source says, “Though he lives in Jalsa currently, Prateeksha has a special place in the Big B’s heart. Even today, he drops in here every morning after his walk. He has a special room here — in memory of his parents, Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Teji Bachchan. It is almost like a place of prayer and one or the other family member comes here to spend a few hours each day.’’
Inconspicuous Ammu
Bang next to Jalsa, Ammu is the most inconspicuous of the Bachchan abodes. Sheltered by trees, the compound wall is low. Since the ground floor is leased out to a global bank, hardly anyone looks at the rest of the edifice. However, it is said that above the bank is where Abhishek, Aishwarya, and Aaradhya spend time.
Jalsa: The current residence
Yes, this is the place outside which huge crowds throng each Sunday. At 5 pm, the living legend steps out to wave and do a namaste to the countless fans who assemble here from across the world.
The place is diagonally opposite the J W Marriott Hotel and it is said that at 5 am, Bachchan often crosses the street to use the hotel’s gymnasium.
Jalsa was originally called Mansa. However, a vaastu expert, apparently, asked the B family to change it to Jalsa.
This is the place Amitabh Bachchan got in the early ’80s; around the time he did Satte Pe Satta (1982) from the producer of the film N C Sippy. The cost of the bungalow was reportedly adjusted against his fees for the film.
Jalsa was home to Ajitabh Bachchan for a while
Jalsa was also residence to Ajitabh Bachchan, his wife Ramola, and their three daughters for a short while. At this time, Amitabh and family were still living in Prateeksha. However, after a while, Ajitabh left because he found the place “unsuitable.’’ In fact, Amitabh is said to have sold off this place for a certain price. But when Jaya, who was very attached to Jalsa, asked her husband to get the place back, AB Sr apparently paid the builder double the price and got it back for his missus.
The brand new Mansa
Exactly behind Jalsa is Mansa. This is the latest acquisition of the Bachchans. The place originally belonged to a film financier. And when Mr B evinced an interest in the plot, the financier was ready to sell it to the legend. The deal was brokered by a yesteryear filmmaker’s son (who also resides in Juhu).
The lawns of Mansa are where the Bachchans host the guests for their Diwali and Holi parties. On other days, this is Aaradhya’s playground.
Janak, where the junta goes to meet the Bachchans
Janak is the official Bachchan office. This place is separated from the Bachchan official residences by JVPD’s Road No. 11. It is said that when the Big B wants to get to work, he just walks across from Jalsa to Janak via Mansa. Yup, that entire stretch provides him complete privacy. Janak is where the Bachchan staff sits. This is also the place where the media interactions with the family happen.
Two of the upper floors at Janak are private spaces earmarked for the Piku actor. He likes listening to music here. He also has his favourite musical instrument, the piano, occupying a place of pride at Janak. If you are lucky, you can hear the strains of the piano being played very proficiently by the legend. Of course, if you compliment him, he will shrug it off, saying, “Oh, you flatter me! I’m just about learning to play.”
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