Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; June 3, 2019)

Over the next two months, Sanjay Gupta will roll out his next, a gangster drama, set in the ’80s and ’90s. The story revolves around the key events that turned Bombay into Mumbai, including the mills downing shutters, the murder of a key businessman, the nexus between politicians, cops, the underworld and the business fraternity, and the drama around the eventual changes in the city’s landscape.

It has taken the filmmaker six years to return to his favourite genre with a project that he had been aiming to make since 2013. His last film in the gangster space was Shootout At Wadala (2013) with John Abraham, after which he made Jazbaa (2015) with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Irrfan, and Kaabil (2017) with Hrithik Roshan.

Talking about his next project, the filmmaker told BT, “It’s a space that has always intrigued me. The story of this city that we live in has its roots in several key events like the mills shutting down and the first ever murder of an industrialist, which became one of the key factors that changed Bombay into Mumbai. I’ve always enjoyed documenting the history of this city’s underbelly. It’s taken me a while to research the subject and put everything in place. We’re yet to finish the casting, but we’re going on floors in July-August this year.” 

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; May 15, 2018)

From her first official appearance in a sequinned off-shoulder dress to a dramatic red carpet entry in a butterfly-inspired ensemble followed by a shimmering ivory gown, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has made heads turn with her sartorial choices at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival. Amidst her frenetic schedule, the actress spoke to us via Skype, straight from the French Riviera.

In the half-an-hour conversation, Ash chatted about her long association with the festival, her 15th red carpet walk for beauty brand L’Oréal and discussed films as well as fashion.

This is your 17th year at Cannes...
It’s been an incredible journey. I’ve so many wonderful memories. These last 15 years with L’Oréal have been great and I’m grateful to them for getting me to meet some wonderful women from our industry. We didn’t get too much time to spend with each other, but it still left an impact. To actually get to meet them in person and experience that we are one team accelerates the idea because of which I came on board. From ‘I’m worth it’, it was ‘you’re worth it’ and now, it’s ‘we’re worth it’. This has got a deeper meaning for me. This is a cosmetic brand and people believe we are always talking about skin care and fashion, but it’s a lot more than that. It’s about making women stronger and helping them believe in themselves. Shringar has been a part of our mythology, of being who you are as men and women. All of us need to first free ourselves of judging each other. Everyone has their own choices and we, as women, need to stop judging other women. If you do a lot of shringar, it doesn’t mean that you lack substance.

Have you ever felt people in the industry didn’t take you seriously because of your looks?
Fortunately, not. I’m thankful for that. The media has been there for me, right from the beginning. Along with that, I’ve worked with great talents from the time I started. I interacted with Mani (Ratnam), Yash ji (Yash Chopra), Rajeev Menon, Adi (Aditya Chopra) and Subhash ji (Subhash Ghai) so early in my career. My choices spoke to my audience. These filmmakers didn’t choose me for my physicality. They wouldn’t risk their career for it. My interviews took away a lot of pre-conceived notions, ideas and judgment. I have been school-girlish with my approach and choices. I was good at keeping with schedules. I would be sincere because of which sometimes, I just walked out of some great films. Maybe, I should have been fierce and allowed the schedules to just figure themselves out, as I saw with a lot of my colleagues who worked over the years.

How do you take the constant fashion policing that comes with your appearances?
That’s a part of being on a public platform. If you’re talking about the comments — whether it’s about the immense praise or critiquing — that’s just part of being a celebrity. That’s fine because it goes with the turf. I’m very easy with it. I don’t diss it or disrespect it. Experience is the best teacher, after all.

This year, you have Fanne Khan coming up...
Yes. I don’t care if it’s a character, a leading lady or a glamorous part. People forget I did Iruvar (1997) right in the beginning of my career. I played Shah Rukh (Khan)’s sister in our first film together (Josh, 2000) and I never had issues. I’m doing Fanne Khan because I like the larger idea of the film. There’s a girl who looks up to this pop star, which is played by me. But sometimes, when we idolise someone, we forget that they, too, have a real side to that person. We shouldn’t judge people on what actually are frivolous ideas. It’s important for me as a star to come out and speak about such issues in today’s day and time.

We rarely see a film with only big actresses. Have you and other heroines ever discussed doing a project like that?
We would love such scripts to be out there and presented to us. Maybe, I’m speaking for the whole fraternity. When we can sit collectively and discuss this, it will be a great experience. Everyone could give in their opinions. Over a period of time, men and women are happy to go with the true world of films and break away from the frivolity of wanting to just cling on to stardom or adages that come with the turf. I would like to believe that’s the reality. In my case, because I came into cinema from Miss World, I had the blast of stardom early on. I had made choices not consciously, but just being myself. I ended up doing my own thing and didn’t follow career patterns that existed before or after. I didn’t have the natural trajectory of a leading lady, which is why people believe I’ve changed a lot of pre-conceived thoughts. I never thought I’d get married in the middle of a movie. So, the poster had me as Aishwarya Rai and when the film released, it was Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. I’m glad the way it panned out because there was never much ado about it. Recently, a colleague asked me, ‘Why did you choose Jazbaa? Is that the comeback vehicle you wanted?’ It was just an idea, I liked the script and went by it. I don’t want to go by the book and be told how and what should be done. When I was joining Instagram, people were discussing what my day one numbers would be like. Do I look like that kind of a person? I don’t plan things to gain momentum or numbers. I don’t have that insecurity.

Would you be comfortable doing a web series?
Ideas were always there. Like about 10 years ago, people wanted to come up with a series on television and now, on hindsight, I should have probably dived in and it would have been the best venture in that space (laughs). It was around the time I got married, so I wanted to balance a lot of other things in life. The whole digital revolution is great because it goes on to show how creativity has taken over and helps everyone explore different avenues. I certainly have. The more we do that, the more excited our lives will be.

Irrfan Khan on his choice of cinema, how Bollywood and the West are vastly different in their perception of talent and language, and that he is in no danger of losing his apartment
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 4, 2017)

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; January 22, 2017)

Sanjay Gupta on the Kaabil-Raees box office clash and the unique working style of the Roshans
Meena Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 29, 2016)

It may be more than a month away but 2017 is already poised for a blockbuster opening, at least at the box office. Two of the year’s biggest releases, Sanjay Gupta’s Hrithik Roshan-starrer Kaabil and Rahul Dholakia’s action-thriller Raees with Shah Rukh Khan in the lead, are set to clash on the Republic day weekend. While neither side has shown interest in moving their dates – producer Rakesh Roshan has maintained that the weekend rightfully belongs to Kaabil since he announced the release date first; Raees makers argue they were left with little choice than to pick the same date as Kaabil.

“There are only so many Fridays in a year,” they had contented. However, Gupta, who is following up his last outing, Jazbaa, which was met with little enthusiasm, believes that the clash can still be averted.

What do you make of the clash?
I wouldn’t say I am in denial but I think the clash could still be averted. In all fairness, Rakeshji did announce the release date first. SRK is a man of principle, a man of his word, he is a Pathan. I can’t fathom SRK stepping on someone’s toes. I don’t know if the films will come on the same day or not but I definitely think they shouldn’t. If someone else had announced a film before him, there’s no way in hell that Rakeshji would release his film on the same date. That is the respect we need to accord one another.

You sound anguished…
Hrithik is 10 years younger than Shah Rukh. So I don’t see this as a competition. Shah Rukh’s competition are Salman (Khan) and Aamir (Khan). Both the films won’t do more than a Rs 150-crore in a week because we have a Rs 300-crore box office window at best. When Salman releases a film solo, he gets Rs 300 crore. Shah Rukh should be looking at getting Rs 300 crore for his film and I’m sure he is looking at that possibility. I don’t understand why he would restrict the business of his own film. This clash is also going to be detrimental to them.

Heard you loved the Raees teaser…
Raees is the kind of film that I would make. I’m looking forward to it. I want to see SRK playing a badass gangster, mouthing “Baniye ka dimaag and miyabhai ki daring”. I like his attitude. It is right up my alley. I was blown away with the first teaser.

Didn’t SRK and you start out from the same stable 25 years ago?
Yes, and I still believe in the Shah Rukh I have known since then. Both of us started out on the same sofa in the Sippy Films office. (SRK-starrer) Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman and Aatish (Gupta’s directorial debut) kicked off and released at the same time and were produced by GP Sippy. I may not have gone to Shah Rukh with a film, but, knowing the man he is, I don’t think he can ever play unfair. No one in the business can accuse him of that.

Was there a period of uncertainty after Jazbaa failed?
The phase between Jazbaa and Kaabil could’ve been trying but it felt like someone up there was looking out for me. I met Hrithik for a narration of Kaabil four weeks before Jazbaa released (October, 2015). He instantly said ‘yes’. Three days later, I met Rakeshji (Roshan), he approved of it too and came on board as the producer. The only glitch was that Hrithik could only shoot around July 2016 which would mean I’d be sitting at home for eight-nine months. I couldn’t afford to do that — in an ideal world, I’d be happy to concentrate on prepping for Kaabil — the situation almost compelled me to start another film in the interim to keep my kitchen running. It made me unhappy because that’s not the reason to make a film.

There was talk of a lot of people ‘warning’ Rakesh Roshan about collaborating with you and vice versa…
Rakeshji received a lot of unnecessary advice which he was kind enough to share with me. He was honest enough to name the people who had forewarned him. Similarly, I shared my apprehensions with him. We decided to wear blinkers and focus on Kaabil, go in with complete faith. Rakeshji is a senior and successful filmmaker. I decided that even if there was anything we disagreed on, I’d agree to disagree but never disrespect his views. A director-producer duo is like husband and wife, at least during the duration of the film they are making, and honesty should be the foundation stone in that relationship.

So you just went along with Rakesh Roshan’s vision for the film?
No, I’m saying that we disagreed on few things. I am old school. I respect my seniors. Rakeshji and I were working towards a common goal. You have to understand that there were three distinct, strong creative minds at work — Rakeshji, Hrithik and me. I learnt that every project is make-or-break for the Roshans. There is no limit to their perseverance. When we started filming, I’d get uncomfortable when Hrithik would check the monitor after every shot. I wondered why he’d do that when I was there but I realised that his quest for perfection came from the knowledge that once a shot is finalised, it stays for life. I appreciated his thought and came around to thinking like him. Hrithik was especially involved in Kaabil because he plays a visually impaired character. People have come up to me and said, “Sanjay this guy is amazing. He even looks blind on the film poster.” That is the hours of rehearsal Hrithik put in. I can’t take credit for it.

There were reports of you being unhappy with having Rajesh Roshan on-board as a music director?
On the contrary, one of the reasons I wanted to work with Filmkraft (the Roshan production house) was a chance to work with Rajesh Roshan. I am one of his greatest fans. Yaarana, Julie, Doosra Aadmi, Khatta Meetha… the man is a genius. I have grown up on his music and it was lovely to sit with him and experience his process.

Anirban Das (MID-DAY; May 9, 2016)

After hitlist reported about unit hands of Tigmanshu Dhulia’s Bullett Raja awaiting their dues three years after the film’s release (Wage-ing a war, on May 5), a few people associated with Sanjay Gupta’s last directorial, Jazbaa, have brought forth a similar complaint.

Sources suggest dialogue writer Kamlesh Pandey, screenplay writer Robin Bhatt, choreographer Ahmed Khan, director of photography Sameer Arya and a few others have not received full payment for working on the film, which hit theatres on October 9 last year. Unlike Bullett Raja, which misfired at the box office leading to losses for the makers, Jazbaa starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Irrfan did fairly well.

“The total amount due is more than Rs 20 lakh. They had reached out to Gupta and he has assured them that the dues will be cleared once he receives the payment from Essel Vision (which produced the film),” says a source.

However, those awaiting their remuneration are in a fix since there is no clarity over who is supposed to clear the dues. Pandey says, “I have not received the last instalment of my pay. We spoke to Gupta and he told us that all payments will be made once he gets a certain amount from Essel Vision. Essel Vision, on the other hand, has informed us that it is the responsibility of Gupta’s company.”

While Gupta remained unavailable for comment, Nittin Keni, CEO-Essel Vision, says, “Essel Vision was supposed to give the production and direction cost to Sanjay Gupta’s company, White Feather Films. We had made payments to him to make the film. He was supposed to enter into an agreement with all actors, writers, technicians and other members, and make the payments to them from the production cost we had given him. If he has not made the payments, then he should be questioned. We have informed the members, who have not received their payments, about this.”

Much has changed for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, post marriage, motherhood and now Jazbaa. The actor muses about it...
Upala KBR (DNA; October 13, 2015)

I last met Aishwarya Rai Bachchan before her marriage. To me, she was Ash then — bright, caring, confident and very down-to-earth. We have cried, shared gossip (and misunderstandings), advice (Ash is one of the most practical, intelligent actresses I know and a sensible advice-giver too) and exchanged notes on various issues from her roles to actresses not getting paid as much as big actors. ARB (as she’s known today) had done then what no actress would've dared to — ask for a consideration from the international overflow of profits from the film Mangal Pandey from Aamir Khan. It’s now 2015 and Ash’s film post marriage and motherhood, Jazbaa just released last week. This time, though I am meeting her as the Bachchan bahu and as a mother, our meeting is as warm as ever. Time is short (she’s doing another interview post mine), but then with Ash, time is always running ahead of her. I guess she manages to fit in an incredible amount of work in a short time, because she’s one of the most organised persons I've met. Over to ARB...

What’s your average day like?
Like any other woman’s normal day. You've known me for years; you know my day better than anyone!

When I knew you, you were single...
And then marriage and motherhood happened and with it came multi-tasking... So much changes after marriage, no? Before my marriage, I used to tell you that 24 hours a day are too few for me. But with marriage and motherhood. it’s the same thing — 24 hours are still not enough. But then, for sure, I have realised with experience, that, we as women have an amazing capacity to multi-task. With every phase of my life, I have managed to pack in that much more. You know me, nothing is in half-measures. I only take on in my life as much as I can, whatever that may be with absolute commitment. I give of myself whole-heartedly. That’s the key to my being and when I look around I am not the only one. Every working woman in their lives every day has the capacity to multi-task. Our capacity to multi-task is immense, which means our capacity is immense. It’s empowering to realise and recognise that.

You chose Sanjay Gupta’s Jazbaa as your first film post marriage and motherhood. You could've taken your pick from Aditya Chopra, Karan Johar...
It’s a subject that actors would gravitate towards and would be happy to do. One would be interested in working with the co-actors, like Irrfan, Atul (Kulkarni), Chandan (Roy Sanyal) and Shabanaji (Azmi), that I was getting the opportunity to work with. To work with a team of actors in a narrative like this, you know that there’s going to be an incredible commitment and integrity creatively every day. That’s fun and inspiring. You know me long enough and you know what I look for. I would grab an opportunity like this. I seek work, which can be creatively satisfying every day, and that happened with Jazbaa. To do this with Sanjay Gupta was a unique, exciting and intriguing combination. It’s nice to be curious and be surprised because one didn’t know how this combination was going to eventually roll out. Jazbaa’s not a predictable narrative. About the mother bit, I knew we were shooting in Mumbai, that’s all I considered.

Did the fact that you would be playing a mother also convince you to accept the part?
No. Yes, I am more equipped to play a mother’s part with my personal experience, but it’s also about being a socially responsible woman. When you see mine and Shabana’s parts and the things that we are talking about in this film… It’s a thriller and it’s also about the goings-on in society and each one’s take on it and what people go through in each given situation. That’s what drew me to the subject. These things need to be spoken about in a variety of films without bracketing them into genres — films for people to see, talk and think about. Thereby, it’s topical and hence, the excitement to do the film. If I was offered this film five years ago as an actress, I would have loved to do it. I would have played a mother according to what I would have imagined it to be and interpreted it according to what Sanjay or the script dictated and take it from there. But today, I know there is the honesty of experience and hence my nuances come from a very real core. We always say for actors experience is the best tool to be equipped with and I recognised that while playing Anuradha Varma in Jazbaa. As a working mother challenged with such a situation, I wouldn’t wish it upon any human being and what she goes through, but yes, being a mother definitely was a plus. Of course, it wasn’t pre-planned in that context.

Did you miss Aaradhya while shooting for Jazbaa?
Interestingly, the way I planned it and today in hindsight, I am so glad that Jazbaa is the movie that I chose because of the pace at which we did the film. As I was doing the film I realised that of course, Sanjay is also a father of a four and two-year-old so there are so many things that could be said unsaid. Also, because of the way we timed our days — when I would ask him if I could start early and come on the sets from home after getting ready as I wanted to drop my daughter off to school every day — he would plan the day accordingly. If there were days he couldn’t plan it, he would ask me to come early. We could work it out and that worked perfectly for me because once I am on the sets I am fully committed to my work. I don’t like bringing my personal life to work or to the director. And with Aaradhya’s growth spurt also, she has very naturally embraced all this so I have found my balance because she has found her balance — of how a working mother works, how her day rolls, how I drop her to school myself. I go for my shoot and then after pickup she joins me so that little drive where she wants to have her nap while travelling... then she’s with me in my trailer. Very often there were day shoots and in the evening she would be with me as we would be going back together. I had arranged for my dinner and home-cooked meals so everything was sorted and we were together throughout the making of the film. I am glad because she is going to be almost four now in November and she’s understood the dynamics of a working mother. And I thank God for that because I hadn’t probably foreseen all this. Every day for me was the first. I have never had kids before, so I don’t know how it’s going to roll out… I am learning every day and obviously trying to commit to giving all of myself every day. That is more important because it’s all still new. I know my professional turf and wrap myself around whatever surprises that situation might give.

You are like the female Aamir Khan — very selective about scripts — and directors are known to  change their scripts for you. Did you get Sanjay Gupta to change his?
It’s wonderful to be able to contribute the way directors have always allowed me to. I have always done that since the beginning and acknowledge that. Most filmmakers till date have given me that liberty, indulged me, allowed me or just accorded me that mutual respect. It is respectful to allow people to share their opinions. It’s wonderful that I have enjoyed that relationship and I have been allowed that opportunity. I will give my creative viewpoint because it’s never about me individually. My opinions will be about everything — script, parts of the story and my directors recognise that. I must admit that Sanjay has been wonderful about it, too. Sanjay has been superlative in allowing for that. Sanjay is also Abhishek’s friend and my husband would jokingly tell him, ‘Gups you have always dealt with guys in testestrone-filled movies and we know the dudes you have been working with,’ but I told Abhishek that I would have an opinion and brainstorm creatively and constantly. So Abhishek would tell me that it would be interesting to see Gups and me on that turf. And after every schedule I would tell Abhishek that you will be surprised. And he would be surprised that there were no fireworks. I said nothing because Gups is open-minded, he has no ego hassles, is totally cool about suggestions, if he sees the sense in it, he’s totally on board and that has been great for Irrfan, Shabanaji and me as everybody has an opinion. The exercise felt natural.

Your last release was Guzaarish five years ago. Tell us about the Jazbaa journey. What has changed in Bollywood?
I know everybody keeps telling me that so much has changed in these five years, but honestly? This change was already happening. There has been a bigger spurt in social media, a lot more communications and websites, reviews and critics… It’s all more digital, not so much prints, exhibitions have increased a lot more these last years, the kinds of recovering opportunities for films have been immense, so I feel it has creatively liberated filmmakers and writers.

The script is the king…
Yes. It was always was... in our hearts. We wanted and were trying for it, but I guess it’s all cyclic... if the returns allow for it the investors find the confidence to allow the creative people to find their expression. Logically, no film can be a flop because you can the subject make within a controlled budget. Gups said that with Jazbaa we are home because of the way it was planned and the deals made. So, when you know you are secure, you make your subject accordingly. Certain films are expensive because of that genre, but then people will invest accordingly. Today, the BO business is more transparent with the audiences than it used to be. Hence, there’s a larger sense of security and it’s exciting for us all creatively because it just means more subjects and stories can be told. Koi darr nahi. Plan your budget, make it and your film will be a success. The world has opened up so many different territories and markets. With corporatisation people have recognised these opportunities and that has grown at an incredible pace in the last decade and possibly more in the last five years. I have not gone anywhere. I have always been aware of it and I know exactly what’s happening! (Laughs)

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is one of the most beautiful and popular actresses of the industry. Her presence was definitely missed in these five years when she took a sabbatical from acting. Hence, there has been a huge curiosity surrounding Jazbaa, that marks her return to the big screen. And the film might fail to deliver but Aishwarya makes her presence felt and gives a wonderful performance. She is ably aided by Irrfan Khan who brings a new version of Hindi film herogiri!

The story of the movie: Anuradha Verma (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) is a successful lawyer who knows how to win a case, by hook or by crook. She is a single mother and one day, her daughter Sanaya (Sara Arjun) gets kidnapped. The kidnapper doesn’t demand any money. Instead, he compels Anuradha to fight a case as ransom. Her ‘client’ is Niyaz (Chandan Roy Sanyal) accused of raping and killing Sia (Priya Banerjee). Anuradha takes the help of her friend Yohan (Irrfan Khan), who is currently suspended on bribery charges, to get to the bottom of the case and also to help her get her daughter back.

Jazbaa has a very ordinary beginning. Anuradha exercising on a Mumbai promenade doesn’t really give a very exciting start to the tale. But no time is wasted by the makers and from the first scene itself, the principle narrative is set in motion. The kidnapping happens soon and very unexpectedly. Yohan’s entry is hilarious and Irrfan really takes the film to another level. What makes things interesting is Jazbaa doesn’t remain a tale of a lawyer who’s being compelled to fight a case. It also becomes a murder mystery, forcing viewers to think who must be the killer. The intermission point is dramatic and nicely executed. The second half is where a lot of developments take a place and it’s here that the film falls. The storyline is great but it’s not directed well. Too much emphasis is given to style that actually backfires. Few crucial scenes look too filmy and one wonders how the makers allowed something like this to happen. The climax is definitely a shocker and unexpected. But it could have been better directed. The very final scene leaves a smile on one’s face though.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan makes a great comeback with an author backed role. She looks stunning as always and proves her worth as an actor. She leaves a strong mark in some scenes, especially the intermission point. However, it won’t be wrong to state that Irrfan Khan does overpower her. The actor is in top form and looks extremely dashing. And performance wise, he is simply first rate. He sounds damn good mouthing the whistle worthy one liners. Shabana Azmi (Garima) has an important role in the film and she is simply terrific. Chandan Roy Sanyal is over the top. Sara Arjun is fine. Siddhanth Kapoor (Sam) gets to play a very interesting character and he does fine. Jackie Shroff (Mahesh Maklai) is strictly okay. Priya Banerjee is stunning and is promising. Atul Kulkarni and Abhinmanyu Singh are good in their small roles. Kaizad Kotwal (Dr Satish) and Ankur Vikal (Vijay) leave a mark. Others are good.

Music is disappointing. There’s no scope for music in Jazbaa and thankfully, the makers haven’t obstructed the narrative with too many songs. The 2 songs that are there get over in a jiffy. Amar Mohile’s background score is exhilarating. Sameer Arya’s cinematography is spellbinding. Mumbai has been captured beautifully. Javed-Aejaz’s action is realistic. Kamlesh Pandey’s dialogues are smart and are bound to raise laughs and claps. But at some places, the dialogues sound unreal. Shin-Yeon Won’s story (the film is inspired from Korean film Seven Days) is superb without doubt. But Sanjay Gupta and Robin Bhatt’s screenplay is faulty at places. Sanjay Gupta’s direction also doesn’t quite help. He should have opted for a simpler narrative. Too much of style and effects can ruin the show and that’s what happens with Jazbaa. He had a great story and actors in hand. If only he had kept the style in check, Jazbaa would have turned out to be a much better film!

On the whole, Jazbaa is equipped with a nice story, great performances and some nice moments. But the execution isn’t great. Too much emphasis is given on style and effects that doesn’t really help. Few dialogues are very filmy and the makers should have tried keeping the film as realistic as possible for a better effect. It’s an average fare and worth watching especially for Aishwarya and Irrfan fans.

My rating - ** ½  out of 5!

 

It has been 32 years since he debuted as a `Hero' and Jaikishen Kakubhai Shroff, better known as Jackie Shroff, says it is yet to sink in
Noyon Jyoti Parasara (BOMBAY TIMES; October 9, 2015)

WILL AISHWARYA’S COMEBACK FILM HIT THE BULLSEYE?

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is one of the most beautiful, talented and popular actresses of Bollywood. But she took a break from films thanks to the birth of her daughter Aaradhya. Her last film Guzaarish released in November 2010. Now she is back after 5 years with Jazbaa, directed by Sanjay Gupta. It’s a remake of a Korean film 7 Days and also co-stars Irrfan Khan, Shabana Azmi, Jackie Shroff and Chandan Roy Sanyal. From the promos, the film looks like a slick thriller. Aishwarya looks great but surprisingly, it is Irrfan who impressed the most in the trailers. His look is damn cool and his one liners are bound to raise loads of whistles and claps in theatres. Songs are average and haven’t become chartbusters. And the weak music score is one of the big reasons why Jazbaa hasn’t created tremendous excitement. A section of viewers even ridiculed the green tinge in the film. But Irrfan and the makers have assured that it’ll look great when seen in cinemas.

Nevertheless, the excitement is moderate as of now. The opening will be strictly okay and only if the response is positive, it can grow. It’s just 2 hours long and with Singh Is Bliing underperforming, it can get sufficient number of screens to make a mark. Also, it has no major competition till Shaandaar’s release on October 22. Aishwarya is a great actress and here’s hoping she makes a super comeback with Jazbaa!

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE JAZBAA AND WHY? DO LET ME KNOW!

BOMBAY TIMES (October 8, 2015)

Hiren Kotwani (BOMBAY TIMES; October 6, 2015)

Joginder Tuteja (DNA; October 6, 2015)


Plain business
“In fact, the release is turning out to be a really planned one in Pakistan,” informs our source, “From day one, the makers of Jazbaa (Zee Studios) were clear that Pakistan was a territory they had to explore. It doesn’t have anything to warrant any kind of argument, resistance or protest against it. It is a dramatic thriller and there is no controversial content whatsoever in there, that would have been influenced by the political relationship between the two countries. It is a pure and simple business decision for distributors in Pakistan and producers in India. Period.”

Strategic opening
No wonder, Jang Group, one of Pakistan’s largest media conglomerates, has acquired the film. “It can’t get bigger than that,” says Akash Chawla of Zee Studios after inking the deal, “It is a huge strategic tie-up that we have hit upon. We are seeing one of the largest ever Bollywood releases in Pakistan.” With over 50 screens already reserved for the Sanjay Gupta starrer, this Friday is expected to be huge for Jazbaa.

Star power
“Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has a huge fan following in Pakistan and with Jazbaa bringing her back in action, it was quite rudimentary to have her arrival announced in style. As for Irrfan, he is a global star today. When other countries are accepting him with open arms, there was no reason why Pakistan won’t do the same,” a trade observer adds.

Meanwhile, the Middle East too has raised such a huge demand for the film that an Arabic version of Jazbaa would have a day-and-date release in these territories as well.

BOMBAY TIMES (October 5, 2015)

Singer Vipin Anneja talks about his latest track, Jaane Tere Sheher Ka, from the film Jazbaa
Sonil Dedhia (BOMBAY TIMES; October 2, 2015)

Upala KBR (DNA; September 30, 2015)


Keeping appearances
She has been making appearances. As the face of new brands and supporting her hubby Abhishek Bachchan’s kabaddi team. And now, she has given the nod to performing at the opening of the Indian Super League (ISL) football tournament. This one is for the hubby. Abhishek Bachchan’s team Chennaiyin FC plays on home grounds in Chennai on October 3.

Perfect plan
Abhishek is the co-owner of Chennaiyin FC along with Vita Dani and cricketer MS Dhoni. Ash was approached to perform and decided that it would be perfect as she would already be there to support Abhishek’s team.

Musical medley
Says Jazbaa director Sanjay Gupta, “It’s going to be a gala event with glittering performances by many celebrities, but Ash is doing the grand finale. She will be seen to a medley of her songs from various hit films — including Crazy Kiya Re from Dhoom 2, Dola Re from Devdas and a song from Robot. Shiamak Davar is choreographing her act. The Aaj Raat Ka Scene Banaa Le from Jazbaa has also been incorporated.”

Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; September 30, 2015)

Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; September 23, 2015)

When Sanjay Dutt walked out of Pune’s Yerwada jail on a month-long parole, he set tongues wagging about his frequent leave — the actor has been out of prison for around five months in two years. Faced with a barrage of criticism for ‘misusing’ his ‘status, influence and popularity’ as a Bollywood star, the actor is trying to keep a low profile this time round, claim sources. He has been spotted only twice since his parole period began.

Says a source, “Sanjay applied for parole in June citing ill-health of his daughter, Iqra. He wants to avoid the media at all costs. His frequent leaves of furlough have invited a lot of criticism from various quarters. Many felt that he was getting special treatment because of his status and clout.” The actor was seen on the sets of Sanjay Gupta’s Jazbaa and more recently, at Salman Khan’s Ganpati festivities. Dutt was lodged in prison in May 2013 after he surrendered before the TADA court following his conviction in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case.

A source close to Dutt, however, argues, “Sanju is not trying to fight shy of media attention. It was a conscious decision on his part to spend more time with family, especially the kids. He went out on a couple of occasions as it was necessary.”

In October 2013, Dutt was granted furlough for 14 days, which was extended by a fortnight. In January 2014, he was granted parole for 30 days, which was extended by 60 days. He was again granted a 14-day furlough in December 2014, which was not extended following massive criticism.

Dutt was unavailable for comment.

Upala KBR (DNA; September 15, 2015)


Of the song, director Sanjay Gupta says, “Kahaaniyaan is in a happy space — about life and taking on new challenges. It’s the first visual in the film on the title sequence and talks about a fit, happy, single mother working out, waking up her daughter and getting her ready for school, making breakfast, going to court, etc.”

Gupta adds that the song will reveal how Aishwarya is one of the fittest actresses around. “When we started shooting for Jazbaa, everybody from my family to my friends would have just one question for me: Has Aishwarya lost weight? And I would tell everybody to calm down. I knew they’d shut up when they saw this song.”

He adds, “We shot for a day at Bandra Reclamation with the Mumbai skyline as the backdrop. Normally we do exercises like cardio/stretches for an hour or so, but for the song, Aishwarya had to do cardio throughout the day. We were pressed for time, there was no time to relax in between shots.”