Showing posts with label John Matthew Matthan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Matthew Matthan. Show all posts
We’ll definitely give Sarfarosh 2 a shot now-Aamir Khan
8:31 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (May 12, 2024)
At the special screening of Sarfarosh in Mumbai on Friday, Aamir Khan said that he has been trying to make a sequel to the classic for a long time and the team is now more than serious about developing the followup. The John Matthew Matthan-directed movie completed 25 years recently.
“I’ve been telling John (director) for many years to make Sarfarosh 2. Also, the film ended in such a way that we could make part two of this film. I’ve told John that if he writes a good story, then we can make a Sarfarosh 2. This time he told me he was trying,” Khan said. “I can commit one thing, that we’ll definitely give it a really serious shot now, coming up with the right script and the right kind of film for it (part two),” he added.
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HINDUSTAN TIMES (May 12, 2024)
Even as he awaits the release of his next, Sitare Zameen Par, Aamir Khan has already hinted at another film. At an event marking 25 years of his acclaimed film Sarfarosh, recently, he was interacting with the media when he was asked if there would be a sequel to his political thriller.
“Aapne hum sabke dil ki baat chheen li hai,” he responded with a smile, adding, “Main to kayi saalon se John (Matthew Matthan, filmmaker) ke peechhe pada hoon ki banao. Balki humne jo film ka aakhri scene hai, usme thoda sa feeling bhi di thi ki Sarfarosh 2 aane waali hai.”
The 58-year-old, who was with his co-stars from the film Naseeruddin Shah and Sonali Bendre, added, “I can commit about one thing, that we will definitely give it a really serious shot now of coming up with the right script and the right kind of film for it. So John, you will have to get to work here. Sarfarosh 2 banni chahiye — even I feel that.”
Sarfarosh was a right mix of realism and commercialism-Sonali Bendre
8:06 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; May 7, 2024)
During a visit to the capital in 1991, ad filmmaker John Matthew Matthan was taken aback by the sight of deserted streets in the early evening hours, police personnel checking all vehicles to assess and avert security threats. Delhi was on a high alert, which made Matthan realise that in Bombay, he had never heard of similar terror-related security concerns. It’s this realization that led to the making of Sarfarosh.
For his debut film, John – the writer, director and producer of Sarfarosh – had approached Aamir in 1992, but due to scheduling conflicts, the film finally went on the floors in 1995 and was released in 1999.
Aamir, who essayed the role of ACP Ajay Singh Rathod in the film, had mentioned in an interview that he agreed to do the film because he believed there were certain societal issues that needed to be addressed through cinema. On being asked if he was aware of the political implications of the film, he had said, “Ofcourse, that’s why I did the film.”
I can’t believe it’s been 25 years since Sarfarosh: Sonali Bendre
The actress told us, “I can’t believe it’s been 25 years since Sarfarosh. I owe Sarfarosh to my director John and nobody else. I had done ad films with John. He was so clear that he wanted me in that role. Sarfarosh was a right mix of realism and commercialism. Everything was just right in it. Though till date, I have not seen Sarfarosh. I have not seen any of my films. Now I see it in bits and pieces when it comes on social media.”
‘Naseeruddin Shah was initially considered for the role of Salim’
The director initially considered casting Naseeruddin Shah for the role of Salim, but the actor had declined to play a cop. So instead, John offered him the role of Gulfam Hassan, the ghazal singer, which Shah accepted. When it came to creating the villain for Sarfarosh, John said he needed a character with good access to places. During that period, only Pakistani cricketers and ghazal singers frequented the country.
The director told us, “I couldn’t have portrayed a cricketer as the villain in my film. So, I thought, why not a ghazal singer? Ghazal singers were often invited to high-profile gatherings, so I thought of using that for the plot.”
CBFC had asked the makers to remove Pak & ISI references
John recalled, “A few months before the film was submitted to the CBFC for certification, in February 1999, then-PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee had visited Lahore on the inaugural run of the Delhi-Lahore bus service. So, the CBFC wanted us to remove references to Pakistan and ISI. But after several discussions, the film was passed without any cuts.”
The film released on April 30, 1999, and shortly after, the Kargil war officially began on May 3, and went on till July 1999. John added, “I remember visiting the theatres in July; they were packed. People felt that the film was topical.”
‘It took Nida Fazli a year to write Hoshwalon’
About the iconic song Hoshwalon from Sarfarosh, the late lyricist Nida Fazli had said in an interview, “Director John Matthew Matthan asked me to get Jagjit to sing it, initially composed by Jatin-Lalit. But after he heard it, Jagjit refused to sing it because the metre and rhyme were out of sync. But Aamir wanted only Jagjit to sing for him. So I spoke to Jagjit again. Eventually, he agreed on one shart – that he would compose it.”
John shared with us, “It took Nida Fazli ji a year to write Hoshwalon.”
DID YOU KNOW?
• Sarfarosh was listed 33rd among Variety’s top 100 films of the week in 1999.
• Nawazuddin Siddiqui played a small role in the film.
• There have been multiple discussions to make a sequel to the film
• The film was shot in Mumbai and Jaisalmer. While Gulfam Hassan’s haveli was the Mohangarh Fort, Mirchi Seth’s den was the Mandir Palace in Jaisalmer
Movies Interrupted: Films that were announced but have either been called off or put on hold indefinitely
7:57 AM
Hiren Kotwani and Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 14, 2019)
For over a year, we’ve been hearing about John Abraham stepping into Aamir Khan’s shoes for the sequel of Sarfarosh, under the aegis of director John Matthew Matthan. However, there’s been no word on the project, even as reports of the actor’s next lot of movies has been making news. When quizzed on the subject recently, the actor admitted, “I won’t comment more on it but it is not happening at this point of time.” The director reiterated this, “Yes, the film is not happening at this point of time.” But was quick to add, “I am working on the script and I plan to make it sometime.”
Diljit Dosanjh and Yami Gautam’s untitled comedy, directed by Haroon Mirza (son of veteran filmmaker Aziz Mirza), has apparently also been put on hold. Shooting was to start next month but according to a source, the Punjabi star is apprehensive about doing another laugh riot after his last outing, Arjun Patiala, failed to laugh its way to the bank. After his Bollywood debut, the multi-starrer Udta Punjab, even his sports drama, Soorma, didn’t get the numbers the makers had expected, even though it earned the actor praise for his portrayal of hockey player Sandeep Singh, while Welcome To New York received less than a warm welcome.We tried contacting producer Ramesh Taurani, but he remained unavailable for comment. However, the source informed that the shoot has been cancelled.
Sushant Singh Rajput was so excited about telling the story of an Indian astronaut’s space mission that he went to NASA for a training session. However, the film, Chandamama Door Ke, seemed as unviable for investors as the mission to Mars seemed to the Indian government at one time. While Mars Orbiter Mission did become a reality, Sushant’s film, to be directed by Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan (the director of Lahore), didn’t take off.
The actor is still keen to go into space but until that dream materailizes, he is making do with looking beyond the earth’s stratosphere through a high-end telescope that he bought for the film.
When quizzed on the Chanda... odyssey a source informed Mirror, “We don’t know if the film will happen someday but right now, it is definitely on hold.” Meanwhile, Chandrayaan 2 was successfully launched last month.
Riding the remake wave, the Hindi adaptation of the Kannada hit, Kirik Party, was announced last year. The campus romcom had a fresh jodi, Kartik Aaryan and Jacqueline Fernandez. But buzz is, the Luka Chuppi actor wasn’t too excited by the way the Hindi version was scripted. After some back and forth, Kartik opted out of the project in March this year. There’s been no news of another actor signing up for it since. Even Jacqueline is said to have given up on this party that wrapped up even before it started.
Then, there’s a film that has come to a halt after a long-drawn out battle. Rajkumar Santoshi’s epic the Battle Of Saragarhi with Randeep Hooda spearheading it as Havildar Ishar Singh has run out of steam after two years. Some blame it on the National Award winning filmmaker’s obsession for shooting from every possible angle and asking for several retakes, which resulted in the budget escalating.Meanwhile, a television serial, 21 Sarfarosh — Saragarhi 1897, and Akshay Kumar’s Kesari, on the same subject — the historic 1897 battle in which 21 Sikh soldiers fought 10,000 Afghan invaders — made it to the screen making Santoshi’s producers wary.
Producer Rahul Mittra says, “We pulled off an ambitious launch event with three of the then Cabinet ministers giving the clap, but eventually, creative differences came in the way and someone else made a film on the same story.”
John Abraham no more part of Sarfarosh sequel
8:01 AM
Months after declaring his presence in Sarfarosh sequel, John Abraham no longer part of the film; director claims he 'never confirmed casting'
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; May 15, 2019)
It was only last August that John Abraham, a self-confessed fan of Aamir Khan, confirmed that he would be stepping into the superstar's shoes for the sequel of Sarfarosh (1999). The actor had said, "We are still working on the script [of Sarfarosh sequel], but yes, it's happening with me. We plan to go on floors next year." Cut to nine months later, things seem to have gone downhill for the John Matthew Matthan-directed venture. mid-day has learnt that Abraham is no longer part of the cop drama.A source reveals, "The actor was in touch with Matthan over the past several months as he was developing the script. The two were said to be co-producing the film. However, the economics of the project is not working out, which is why it hasn't gone on floors yet. On his part, John has committed to other films. He is currently shooting for Anees Bazmee's Pagalpanti. From July, he will start work on Rensil D'Silva's yet-untitled drama revolving around bike racing."
When mid-day reached out to Matthan about the turn of events, the filmmaker remained evasive about the casting. "I never confirmed that John is doing my film, nor did I mention any other actor's name to the media. I am not aware of what he has said. We were in negotiation, but, as of now, nothing has materialised. I am currently giving the finishing touches to the script. Only once we sign someone will I be able to comment on the casting."
Abraham's spokesperson said, "We were in discussion with John Matthan for Sarfarosh 2. But things didn't work out. We wish the best for the project."
Yes, Sarfarosh 2 is happening with me-John Abraham
8:01 AM
John Abraham confirms stepping into Aamir Khan's shoes
MID-DAY (August 4, 2018)
Days after mid-day had reported that John Abraham would replace Aamir Khan in the second instalment of Sarfarosh (1999), the actor confirmed to reporters that he, indeed, was working on John Matthew Matthan's venture.
Abraham promised that the action-drama would be distanced from the original. "John Mathew Matthan and I are co-producing the film. We are still working on the script, but, yes, it's happening with me. We plan to go on floors next year. He is probably the only director whose house I went to after seeing Sarfarosh and said, 'Man what a film'."
Sarfarosh, also featuring Naseeruddin Shah and Sonali Bendre, chronicled the story of an Indian police officer's quest to stop cross-border terrorism. It opened to critical acclaim and went on to win the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. When asked if he is apprehensive about stepping into Khan's shoes, Abraham said, "I'm, in fact, excited. I love Aamir Khan. It's a challenge, but it's a different character and different story, even though the ethos is the same. It's going to be very exciting."
The actor's line-up of films - beginning with Satyameva Jayate releasing on August 15 - includes Batla House, and RAW: Romeo Akbar Walter. "Batla House will be the most explosive film you've seen. It'll show how polarised the world is, and it's straight in its face. If [viewers] accept Batla House, it will be the most successful film," he says.
Directed by Nikkhil Advani, the film features Abraham as the cop who led the Batla House encounters, which occurred in September 2008 against Indian Mujahideen terrorists in Jamia Nagar, Delhi. "It's an honest film and Nikkhil is an honest director. We have got something so explosive in our hands and we will treat it with a lot of caution," the actor adds.
Abraham recently shot for the first schedule of RAW: Romeo Akbar Walter, directed by Robbie Grewal. The actor said there will be 18 different looks of his in the spy thriller and the shoot was "pretty intense."
He says his line-up of films resonates with what he wants to do as an actor-producer. "This is probably an inflection point in my career where I can say, at least in terms of the cinema that I'm getting out as a producer, as an actor, the next five years are probably [going to be] my best years," he signed off.
John Abraham to step into Aamir Khan's shoes for Sarfarosh sequel?
8:07 AM
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; July 31, 2018)
Only a year ago in the midst of an interview, Aamir Khan was taken aback to know that a sequel to his 1999 hit venture, Sarfarosh, was in the pipeline. Expressing excitement over the development, he had then stated that he would be delighted to slip into his celebrated role of ACP Ajay Singh Rathod. However, in a unique turn of events, the role has apparently fallen into the lap of John Abraham.
mid-day has it that director John Matthew Matthan is already in talks with Abraham for the action drama, with this version shedding light on the Naxal movement in India. "Abraham and Matthan are in advance talks for the film. The sequel will revolve around the Naxal movement and red corridor in India. The first instalment touched upon this topic in passing. There is a possibility that it will take off from there," says a source close to the development.
The film, we hear, is expected to go on floors after Abraham wraps up his prior commitments. "As of now, the team is looking for production houses to back the venture."
When contacted, Matthan simply said, "I am scripting Sarfarosh 2 now, but it is too early to give out any details. We are in talks with a few actors. I can't confirm the cast."
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