Showing posts with label Janki Bodiwala. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Janki Bodiwala. Show all posts
Janki Bodiwala reveals how she bagged Mardaani 3: "Had come to Mumbai for other work and did a YRF film"
10:48 AM
Actor Janki Bodiwala reveals she travelled from Ahmedabad to Mumbai for another job, but ended up bagging a role in Mardaani 3
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; February 4, 2026)
Sometimes talent is not the only factor; you need to be at the right place, at the right time. Janki Bodiwala, who plays a cop in Rani Mukerji’s Mardaani 3, will vouch for this. The actor was on a day trip to Mumbai and it surprisingly ended with her bagging the cop fare.
“I had gone to Mumbai for some other work. That very day, I got a call from Shanoo ma’am [Sharma, casting director], who asked me to audition for a part. I went [to YRF Studios], she helped me prepare, and then auditioned me. Later, when I was returning to Ahmedabad, she called and said that the [makers] had liked me and wanted me to come back. I thought to myself, ‘I had gone for some other work and now I’m doing a YRF film’,” she marvels, still surprised at how it all panned out.
If Bodiwala starred with Ajay Devgn in her maiden Bollywood film Shaitaan (2024), her second outing saw her rub shoulders with Mukerji.
“For the first two-three shots, I was quite nervous. But your co-actors’ energy helps you. She was so involved in her character that it set the tone on the set,” she says.
Off set, she saw a completely different side to Mukerji. “At the mahurat puja, she was there with her family. She was exactly how we are with our families. There was no hint of her stardom.”
I hope my Gujarati earns at least 50% of what the highest grossing film of this year did-Janki Bodiwala
11:21 PM
Kanksha Vasavada (BOMBAY TIMES; January 2, 2026)
2025 has been a year of milestones for Janki Bodiwala. With Vash Level 2 adding to her growing list of hit films, the actress, who won a National Award and completed 10 years in the industry, says, “I will forever be grateful to 2025.” Excerpts from a chat:
‘The feeling of winning a National Award is still sinking in’
For me, 2025 has been an exceptional year. At the beginning of the year, I was completely clueless about what would happen. But somehow, getting nominated for Shaitaan at several prestigious awards, winning some, and winning a National Award— all these things were unexpected. When I got to know that Vash had won the National Award for Best Gujarati Film, I was very happy. The very next moment, I got to know that I had won the National Award too (Best Supporting Actress), and I couldn’t believe it. That feeling is still sinking in. Taking my parents with me to the ceremony and standing in front of the who’s who of the entertainment industry felt like a dream.
‘Today, I realize how far I have come’
This year, I completed 10 years in the industry, with Chhello Divas also completing a decade. A decade ago, if I were to tell that Janki, who had just started her career, that she would achieve so many accolades in 10 years, I don’t think she would believe it. I don’t think anyone would, because the industry was at a very nascent stage. Today, I realize how far I have come, but there is still a long way to go. I remain grateful to Krishnadev Yagnik, who believed in me and gave me Vash, which led to Shaitaan and Vash Level 2, all of which made this year one of the best years of my life.
‘I want to build a different side of Janki’
In 2026, I want to press a restart button — for myself, my persona, and my career too. It is the beginning of a new decade for me. While I have received recognition and awards for whatever I have done in the past, now is the time to do something newer and bigger. I know most of it isn’t in my hands, but I will try and do different things. On the personal front, while I am an introvert and usually shy around people, I want to change that. I want to build a different side of Janki, who’s bolder. 2026 will start on an exciting note, as Mardaani 3 will be released soon. Also, having worked in Bollywood, I have had my own share of learnings and experiences. I will carry that forward while I enter the new industry.
‘I prefer celebrating 31st with my loved ones at home’
I am not a party person; I am an out-and-out introvert. Since 2010, I have had, like, six friends, and most of them have moved out of the country. Pichhle teen saal se main aur meri dost 12 baje ek swing pe baith ke New Year welcome karte hain (laughs). Then, I wear a mask and take a stroll around CG Road to see how people celebrate the night. I like to be surrounded by my loved ones while welcoming the New Year. That’s how it will be this year as well.
Janki shares, "On January 1, 2025, I was clueless about what I would do. But today, I am sure of how I will start my 2026. So, there is a big difference—I have clarity about what I want to do. 2025 started and ended on very different notes for me. The year also taught me not to expect anything and to keep working hard towards my aim. When you do that, everything else follows, so it’s important to believe in the process."
On her hopes for the Gujarati film industry, she shares, "This year has shown what our industry is capable of. All the films have been received well. In 2026, I want to do a good film that caters to all kinds of audiences. Also, I hope it earns at least 50 per cent of what the highest grossing film of this year did (smiles)."
Ananya Panday exits Choomantar due to scheduling conflict
9:23 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; December 11, 2025)
Adding a Maddock Films’ entertainer to her filmography may not happen as soon as Ananya Panday had expected. While the actor was supposed to lead Choomantar along with Munjya (2023) find Abhay Verma, sources have now told mid-day that Panday is no longer attached to the fantasy romance. Reason? Scheduling conflicts with the second season of Call Me Bae, we’re told.
It turns out the change was made recently after it became clear that Panday’s 2026 commitments would overlap with the timeline of Tarun Dudeja’s directorial venture. A source revealed, “The team of Choomantar is aiming to begin filming in January 2026. That clashes with Call Me Bae 2, which recently went on floors. So, Ananya and the makers of Choomantar decided to part ways, with the promise of working soon.”
Following her exit, the makers are said to have restructured the cast. We’ve learnt that South actor Sreeleela and Janki Bodiwala of Vash Level 2 fame are expected to lead the film with Verma.
The source added, “A mock shoot with the trio happened last week. The fantasy romantic drama has been in preparation for several months, and workshops are likely to begin next week.”
Final schedule of Ajay Devgn, R Madhavan, Jyotika's supernatural thriller begins
8:50 AM
Ajay Devgn's upcoming supernatural thriller also starring Madhavan moves to Andheri to film crucial scenes over the final 15-day leg
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; September 8, 2023)
Ajay Devgn’s upcoming supernatural horror thriller, also starring R Madhavan, has entered its last shooting leg in Andheri. A source close to the development tells mid-day that the duo, along with actor Jyotika are filming “songs and dramatic portions” in this ongoing 15-day leg.
“It’s been a hectic time for Ajay as he has been [shooting] several movies back-to-back. For this leg, they have about four days’ worth of work left. Prior to this, the cast and crew were shooting in and around London, including Bedford and Windsor. The two-month schedule in July and August saw them film important scenes, including some action. More than 90 per cent of the film was shot then, and after their return, they resumed shooting in Mumbai immediately,” says the source.
While a title is yet to be arrived at for the Vikas Bahl-directed venture, the source reveals that the film is an adaptation of the hit Gujarati offering, Vash, directed by Krishnadev Yagnik. It also featured Janki Bodiwala, who also stars in this edition that marks her Hindi film debut. While Hitu Kanodia played the role of her father in the original, Devgn slipped into the part in this version.
“In stark contrast to his previous roles, Madhavan sports a new look in this edition as a crafty and ruthless antagonist. The good versus evil psycho-thriller is full of twists and turns and sheds light on black magic as well. Just like Devgn’s last film Drishyam 2 was altered to suit a new audience, this film too will have a pan-India appeal. It follows a family man who fights to protect his family when they head on a vacation.”
Devgn has previously dabbled in the genre with films like Ram Gopal Varma’s Bhoot (2002) and Soham Shah’s Kaal (2005). Devgn is expected to kickstart Rohit Shetty’s cop franchise, Singham 3 in mid-September, while this offering is expected to hit the screens on March 8, 2024.
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