Showing posts with label Kaagaz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kaagaz. Show all posts
I am not tagged just as an OTT actor now-Pankaj Tripathi
9:01 AM
Navya Kharbanda (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 19, 2024)
Actor Pankaj Tripathi, popular for playing crime lord Kaleen Bhaiya in the web series Mirzapur, is happy about breaking free from the OTT-actor stereotype after the pandemic.
“When cinemas were shut during the pandemic, Mirzapur rose in popularity. In fact, many of my films, such as Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, Ludo (2020), Mimi and Kaagaz (2021), were super successful on OTT. Though they were made for theatres, we had no other option but to release them on streaming platforms because of the lockdown,” says Tripathi, illustrating that this led to him getting labelled as an ‘OTT actor’.
“They would have worked well had they been released in theatres, too. However, I agree that I do have a lot of presence across streaming platforms. I often find myself in the most-watched category,” the 46-year-old admits.
Having said that, the actor’s assertion that he’s not just an OTT actor, is backed by his upcoming projects, which transcend the digital medium. “I was a part of OMG 2 and Fukrey 3 in 2023, and will be seen in Metro...In Dino. So, ab normal ho gaya hai. I am not tagged just as an OTT actor now,” he declares.
Tripathi, who recently headlined the streaming movie Kadak Singh, says his approach to picking projects isn’t really about the medium. “Main soch kar balance nahin karta har platform ke projects. I have so many franchises continuing, so I am just working on them. I go with the flow while choosing projects,” says the actor, who is gearing up for Stree 2.
Moreover, with the gradual return of normalcy and theatres seeing crowds returning, Tripathi stays optimistic about big screen projects. “The films that are releasing now have the ability to attract audiences to the theatres,” he wraps up.
You feel a sense of achievement when a High Court judge refers to your film for a verdict in a court case-Satish Kaushik
8:13 AM
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 28, 2022)
They say, cinema imitates real life. But sometimes, films influence real world, too. Case in point: Filmmaker-actor Satish Kaushik’s human drama, Kaagaz (2021), was recently used as a reference in the Delhi High Court. Recently, the court heard a plea where a woman appealed to rectify her date of birth incorrectly mentioned in her Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) marksheet.
Happy with the reference of the film in High Court, Kaushik says, “You feel a sense of achievement when a High Court judge refers to your film for a verdict in a court case. It shows how good cinema can influence society and bring healthy changes. In fact, after Kaagaz’s release, some people who were declared dead on official records, were announced alive by the district authorities in Uttar Pradesh. All this praise has encouraged me to tell the stories of trials and tribulation of a common man.”
In the judgement, the bench of Justice Chandra Dhari Singh quoted from Kaagaz, and said that the film “depicts the pangs and plight of people for papers at the pedestals of bureaucracy — the treatment that is meted out to poor people and how those without power and influence are made running from pillar to post”.
The Court also added that the movie was set in 1970s and it remains to be introspected how much the situation has improved 50 years hence. It directed the CBSE to correct the entries in the marksheet of the petitioner with reference to her corresponding birth certificate.
Kaushik’s film featured actor Pankaj Tripathi as a man fighting the system that declared him dead on paper.
As soon as I complete the first schedule of Kaagaz 2, I will try to show Salman Khan some of the rushes-Satish Kaushik
8:47 AM
Citing that masses prefer to watch their life play out on screen, actor-producer to turn Kaagaz into a franchise that showcases real-life incidents of the common man
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; July 3, 2022)
Satish Kaushik, who is currently filming the sequel of Kaagaz with Anupam Kher in Lucknow, intends to create a franchise of the same name. The actor, who is also producing the V K Prakash-directed venture, intends to make Kaagaz a series of films that revolve around the struggle of the common man’s socio-economic issues, and will establish the need for the government to change their perspective towards human rights.
Kaushik says, “[We want to showcase] that when the common man gets neglected by the system, he can seek justice. We will do this in an entertaining way, with drama, emotions, and humour. We will address economic issues and suggest solutions to problems. Today, people want to watch real stories related to real India, so we will take up various real-life incidents and dramatise them.”
Pointing out that Kaagaz, which revolved around a man who had been declared dead, effected change in the Uttar Pradesh administration, he says, “Many dead men were made alive in many district administrations, and that’s when I thought we could take this forward. In Kaagaz 2, I play a poor, but self-respecting clerk, who works in the water management department. He loses his beloved child, and gets justice with the help of characters played by Anupam and Darshan Kumaar.”
Ask him if his friend Salman Khan will extend a helping hand for this second edition as well after having narrated a poem in the first film, and Kaushik says, “As soon as I complete the first schedule in Lucknow on July 17, I will try to show him some of the rushes. When we started shooting for Kaagaz 2, he was shooting for another film. But I informed him about it, and he responded with a thumbs-up [emoji].”
Kaagaz and Kaagaz 2 have been aptly titled as both films are about the power of official documents-Satish Kaushik
8:01 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; June 23, 2022)
Satish Kaushik knows how to strike a balance between his two profiles as an actor and filmmaker. If the actor makes you laugh with some of his performances in breezy entertainers, the filmmaker is also known for directing intense social dramas like Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain (1999) and his last directorial Kaagaz (2021). He is now backing Kaagaz 2, which went on the floor recently. Unlike the first instalment, which was directed by Kaushik himself, the second one will be helmed by renowned South filmmaker V K Prakash.
Ask the actor-filmmaker if the movie marks the beginning of the Kaagaz franchise, and he says, “Yes, it does. The aim is to highlight issues that are true to life with an emotional treatment and a dash of humour.”
Kaagaz 2 is part of the actor-filmmaker’s dream to create a brand that “tells stories of the common man’s problems and struggle caused by the negligence of our system”.
He elaborates, “Kaagaz and Kaagaz 2 have been aptly titled because the subject of both films is about the power of official documents. They make a positive statement about improving our system as the films do not only highlight issues, but also suggest solutions. The first instalment was about a common man being declared dead on paper and his struggle to prove his existence. On the other hand, Kaagaz 2 is about human rights violations. It showcases a common man’s struggle to get justice for his daughter, who loses her life due to a protest on the road.”
The film has Anupam Kher and Darshan Kumaar sharing screen space. “Anupam was the perfect choice to play Darshan’s father. He has been a dear friend of mine for many years and he is a great actor,” says Kaushik, adding, “Besides, he and Darshan look great as father and son.”
The filmmaker-actor will also be playing an important role in the film, which in his words, is “something that I have never attempted before.”
Satish Kaushik plans to title his next (remake of Nirnnayakam) Kaagaz 2; will reunite with friend Anupam Kher
10:04 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; September 1, 2021)
Actor-director Satish Kaushik has bought the rights to the National Award-winning Malayalam film, Nirnnayakam (2015), which starred Asif Ali and Malavika Mohanan. Satish will direct and act in the Hindi remake. What’s interesting is that he has roped in his friend, actor Anupam Kher, to play a pivotal character.
Satish shares, “I plan to title the remake Kaagaz 2. Like my last film Kaagaz, which revolved around a pertinent social issue, the story of the National Award-winning movie, Nirnnayakam, highlights an important social issue — human rights violation and the power of a common man to fight the system. I was moved by the thought and the concept of the film and decided to buy the rights to remake it.”
Satish Kaushik says, “There are two strong characters in the film along with a young couple. My friend Anupam Kher will be playing one of the roles. Anupam and I go back a long way. We met while we were studying at the National School of Drama (NSD) in 1975 and we have been friends since. It is always great to share a stage or screen space with Anupam. We have worked together in several films, including Uttar Dakshin and Ram Lakhan. Since our understanding as actors and friends is always in sync, I approached him for the remake of Nirnnayakam and I am glad he agreed.” Anupam has also acted in Satish’s earlier directorial ventures like Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja, Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain, Shaadi Se Pehle and Gangs of Ghost.
As an artiste, Satish has made a conscious effort to stay relevant even after so many years. He says, “Though I was quite active as a filmmaker, I never left acting. In the last few years, I’ve been part of films like Udta Punjab, Soorma, Chhalaang and my own directorial, Kaagaz. I strongly feel that I have adapted to the changing times and have reinvented myself. With the Hindi remake of Nirnnayakam and a couple of projects, I’m set to play some pivotal roles.”
Box Office India gives out Radhe's PVOD numbers
8:24 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
RADHE had a PVOD (Premium Video On Demand) released in India a couple of weeks back and the monetizing model proved to be a damp squib. This was not unexpected as the the way the film was priced up after it was certain there was no theatrical release pretty much showed that Zee Studios was not actually expecting much.
The film fetched 180 crore for all rights and this price included all rights for two other films (KAAGAZ and ANTIM). If we add the promotion costs then the acquisition goes to the 185-190 crore range. The SVOD (Streaming Video On Demand) and Satellite rights were at 150 crore for the three films. This meant the rest was left for PVOD, Overseas theatrical, music and miscellaneous which is not much the cover.
The PVOD release saw RADHE cover around 10-12 crore in the first week and this included the audience who subscribed for the film and those who also subscribed for the Zee platform at lower costs. Most of the audience for the film came from premium subscribers who had the platform. With 10-12 crore covered in one week, the lifetime would be around 15 crore which is under 30 crore nett if we look at it in box office terms.
The returns from PVOD are a disaster if we look at from the point of recovery for a major film though what is good or bad from a new revenue model like this is an unknown until more films are there to compare. Hopefully, there will not be many big films which go this way as there is no recovery. If a smaller film goes this way and gets 15 crore, it may not be too bad but the question there is can a smaller film actually collect so much and the the probable answer is no.
RADHE will get a recovery of 35-40 crore from PVOD, Overseas theatrical and music which will take it to 185-190 crore and there will be a little from ANTIM to come with music possibly adding most. KAAGAZ recovery is negligible from all sources. But again the problem here is the 150 crore from SVOD and satellite which has been shifted to sister companies like Zee5 and Zee TV which is just on paper and not actual recovery. The film may well cover 50 crore from satellite but the 100 crore value for SVOD is just a value and there is no chance of that sort of recovery from Zee5.
The plus is that it will push the Zee5 subscriber base up by around 30-40% but this is also because it has a far lower base than the likes of Disney+ Hotstar and Amazon. The aggressive push that Zee are doing with first RADHE and now also RRR on SVOD for a huge price and rumours more to come seems to be to challenge the three main platforms (Disney+ Hotstar, Amazon and Netflix) in India. But it is a long way off with Disney+ Hotstar closing on in 2 crore paid subscribers and Amazon at 1 crore plus. The release of RADHE on SVOD may take Zee to around the 50 lakh mark and continued heavy investments will take them further but eventually there will be a plateau.
The PVOD monetization model is a debacle as proved by RADHE but as long as the producers are getting the money there may well be a few others who will go this way while the Coronavirus situation remains. This is because for them, it does not matter how much the recovery is from PVOD or SVOD. For producers it releases the money stuck due to no theatres not being open.
Pehli baar jo mere bade poster lage the woh Mirzapur ke liye the-Pankaj Tripathi
7:58 AM
With a plethora of versatile roles, Pankaj Tripathi has often wooed audiences with his performances in many web shows and films, and he believes both mediums have their own USPs
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 22, 2021)
Long before OTT space became the go-to medium for entertainment, Pankaj Tripathi had started exploring the digital sphere – finding a new meaning and high for his career. The actor credits the medium for tapping his full potential, which the world of cinema overlooked, and believes that now is the time for the two mediums to coexist.
“OTT has played a very big role in shaping my career, and the position I am in today,” admits Tripathi, who embarked on his showbiz journey with a brief role in film, Run (2004), and has since come a long way.
The starting point
After a few fleeting appearances in films, he got noticed in Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur in 2012, and went on to do Fukrey (2013), Masaan (2015), and Newton (2017). But it is the OTT platform which got him his first big poster.
“Mujhe yaad hai ke pehli baar jo mere bade poster lage the woh Mirzapur ke liye the... I was doing cinema for so many years before that, and was part of many movies, but filmon ne kabhi woh nahi socha mere liye,” he shares, adding, “Gangs Of Wasseypur ke poster mein main chota sa kinare mein dikhta tha. And whenever I used to look at it, toh mujhe sirf main hi dikhta tha.”
Here, Tripathi clears that it wasn’t about the size but the presence. “Yeh nahi ki main apne ko poster pe dekhne ke liye mara ja raha tha, but who doesn’t like to see one’s presence on the poster,” he says.
The world of OTT gave him position and star power. “Unhone mujhe us layak samjha,” he points.
The OTT route to success
On digital space, Tripathi, 44, has carved a success story through varied characters, be it the dreaded gangster Kaleen Bhaiya of Mirzapur or the lovable lawyer fighting for the right in Criminal Justice.
Even during the lockdown last year, he had his hands full with projects including Ludo, Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, among others, releasing on the web.
“At a time when people were locked inside their house, looking for some entertainment, OTT rose to the occasion and gave something to look forward to. I was one actor whose six-seven projects released during that duration,” he reveals.
Big screen vs OTT
Amid conversations about OTT turning out to be a threat to the big screen, Tripathi, 44, emphasises on their USPs. “They both have their own good points. Theatre ka apna community viewing ka maza hai, aur OTT ka individual viewing ka ek alag anand hai,” he shares.
Asserting that both can exist together, he adds, “OTT space is not at all a threat to the big screen. They can coexist. Hum festival toh roz nahi manate na, cinema is that kind of festival. It is about community viewing,”
In the pipeline
Next, he has films such as ‘83, Bunty Aur Babli 2, Mimi and Bachchan Pandey in the offing, but he doesn’t know the fate or the release plan of his projects.
“I don’t know which of my projects will release first. I’ve no clue about it. Filhal log meri film, Kaagaz, dekh rahe hain aur appreciate kar rahe. I’m getting messages from everywhere,” he signs off.
After watching, Kaagaz, an IPS officer wrote that he’ll be sensitive to his cases-Pankaj Tripathi
9:22 AM
Pankaj Tripathi talks about how Kaagaz, about a man fighting the system, made an impact
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; January 25, 2021)
The mixed reviews notwithstanding, Pankaj Tripathi is glad that Kaagaz, his first film as the lead, is reaching audiences far and wide. In telling the real-life story of a farmer who was declared dead on paper, the actor believes that the ZEE5 movie has made many aware of the loopholes in the system.
“A senior IPS officer and his wife sent a letter to me, saying that after watching the film, they understood that they have to be kinder and more sensitive to the cases that come their way. Sometimes, they feel that a case is small, but the film made them realise how it might be [significant] to the one fighting it. It’s overwhelming to see that my film has made such an impact,” says Tripathi.
The Satish Kaushik-directed venture explores a mature love track between the actor and Monal Gajjar, who plays his wife. Tripathi, who has often expressed his wish to explore romance on screen, says, “I have two love stories lined up. I am an unromantic boring person in real life, so I hope to explore romance through this medium.”
I was never thought of as hero material-Pankaj Tripathi
8:08 AM
As he headlines Kaagaz, Pankaj Tripathi on how the film challenges conventional idea of leading man
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; January 14, 2021)
After a stellar year in 2020 that saw him shine bright in Ludo, Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, Mirzapur 2 and Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors, Pankaj Tripathi has started 2021 on the front foot with Kaagaz. Even as the Satish Kaushik-directed venture opened to a mixed response, the actor believes the movie holds significance as it challenges the conventional idea of a leading man in the Hindi film industry.
Ecstatic to take centre-stage in the narrative based on the real-life story of Lal Bihari, a farmer who was declared dead on paper, Tripathi says, “I was never thought of as hero material. I am an actor, and am considered a good one at that. But the film’s idea is redefining heroism in Hindi movies. This is a story of an underdog who fights the system.”
The actor observes how the evolving idea of a hero, and the existing star system have beautifully converged in Kaagaz — the project, after all, is backed by superstar Salman Khan. “I am glad Satish sir and Salman sir thought of giving me the chance to shoulder a film. It’s easy to pigeon-hole us into character parts, but they thought me worthy of pulling off the project single-handedly. That is a game-changing move. I hope this movie gives more producers the faith to follow suit,” he says.
I guarantee that for the next year, I’ll not play a gangster-Pankaj Tripathi
8:22 AM
Pankaj Tripathi is enjoying a long break and won’t resume shooting till January
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 16, 2020)
Pankaj Tripathi is basking in all the compliments he is getting for his performance as Sattu Bhai, a local gangster, in Ludo. “I just surrendered to Dada (Anurag Basu) who did all the work. He is a magician. I am in a state of zen; these things don’t affect me much,” he says, adding that his journey with Anurag is far from over.
Even though he is the link between the four stories in the film, Pankaj didn’t know anything about them while he was shooting. “I was only told the reason these characters were coming to meet me,” he shares, revealing that Ishtiyak Khan who played the inspector and Bhanu Uday as Bhanu, were his batchmates at the National School of Drama. “My one shot with both of them was nostalgic.”
Before the release of Ludo, the actor sneaked off on a road trip to Goa with his wife and daughter. They left on November 6 and returned on Friday, just in time to celebrate Diwali in the city. “It had been seven months since I stepped out of the house. Even though we live in a peaceful area in Mumbai, we needed a small outing to get some fresh air and relax in a different environment. Also, to catch up on my sleep,” he chuckles.
Some believe that Pankaj is doing too many roles in the crime space and even the actor acknowledges it. “I agree that I’ve done several gangster roles. But in Gunjan Saxena, I was an army veteran and a father, and it was different. The audience was still reeling from my gangster turn in Mirzapur when Ludo came along. I’m seen so frequently on screen now that people get confused, there is so much to remember,” he laughs, adding that in his upcoming films, he’s playing a lawyer, a cricket team manager and a layman fighting for his rights. “I guarantee that for the next year, I will not play a gangster.”
Even after such diverse roles, Pankaj reveals that his most enjoyable role is yet to come. “I can’t describe it but I am still searching for it,” muses one of the busiest actors in recent times, admitting that the lockdown was a welcome break. “I was overworked and didn’t even realise it. I got a lot of offers in the span of two-three years and just kept taking them all. It was because I have a background in theatre that I didn’t burn out. Even during these eight months of lockdown I have had three releases, and Mimi, '83 and Kaagaz are releasing next year so even 2021 is pretty much locked from January to November,” he informs, adding that he is enjoying the break and is not at all eager to get back to work just yet. “I will resume shooting in 2021. I still have a lot of sleep to catch up on. Also, I want to visit my parents in my village as I haven’t been there for a long time due to Coronavirus. I will anyway be in auto pilot mode from January.”
I am doing a show with Ekta Kapoor again, feels like I am back home-Amar Upadhyay
7:46 AM
Hasti Doshi (BOMBAY TIMES; October 5, 2020)
Ask him about the reasons that spurred him to quit Kyunki... and Amar is quick to dismiss it, saying, “That’s in the past.” He explains, “I was young and did not want to play an older man at that stage. To add to it, people around me also kept saying that you should be playing a hero in films. So, when I took the step to quit the show, it felt like the right decision at the time, today, I feel differently about it — it wasn’t a wise decision! Having said that, I don’t regret the decision, because I have learned from the experience. When you are at the crossroads, you have to pick a direction and walk. Whether it is right or not, you’ll know only after you have walked down the path.”
The upcoming show is based on a story of a young girl marrying an older man, which will be played by Amar. Happy to have bagged the show, he says, “I keep reminding myself that when God gives you something, you should not throw it away unless he takes it away from you.”
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After 15 yrs, Amar Upadhyay teams up with maker to spread awareness about age-old practice
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 5, 2020)
“It is based on a real-life practice that still exists in northern states like Haryana. When I was approached for the show, I didn’t know much about it, so I went online and most of the stories had a tragic end. I was deeply moved. Our show sends out the right message, telling people that even while following this age-old practice, you can treat women well,” says Amar.
The show reunites Amar with Ekta after 15 years. He had last done a cameo in Kasautii Zindagii Kay. “We are friends and in 2015-’16, she had offered me a show, but at that time I was already committed to another. During the lockdown, I got a lot of offers, but this was the one I felt I should be associated with,” says the actor, who starts shooting by the second week of October.
Promising to bring a new Amar Upadhyay to the world, complete with a new look, he shares that he has been learning Haryanvi. “I have been speaking Hindi all my life, so I wanted to do something new. The language has swag, I love that,” he guffaws, admitting that carrying a show on your shoulders is a different high despite the fact that with all the competition around, you have to prove yourself almost immediately. Isn’t he worried venturing out in the midst of the coronavirus-triggered pandemic? Amar reveals that he is being guided by his wife Hetal, who is a doctor and frontline warrior. “Inhaling steam is the best precaution at this time as the virus gets stuck in nasal cavities. I keep my steamer-inhaler with me, using it every three hours,” he informs. During lockdown, cooking, washing dishes, binge-watching OTT content and morning walks kept Amar busy. In pre-Covid time, he had run into his neighbour, Satish Kaushik, while walking in the park next to their building. “When he told me that he was directing a new film, Kaagaz, I asked him if he had any role for me. To my disappointment, he told me that he had already finished the casting. The next day however, he caught me in the parking lot and offered me the negative role. I simply asked him what dates he wanted,” Amar reminisces.
Satish gave him a month to grow his facial hair and would video call him daily to check on the look. The film is being produced by Salman Khan. While shooting for Bharat, Satish had outlined the story to Salman who loved it and told him. “Ye meri ho gayi picture.”
Apart from Kaagaz, Amar has a cameo in Abhishek Bachchan’s Bob Biswas, for which he shot in Kolkata in January. He also has Anees Bazmee’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. “I play Kunwarsa, the king’s son who is married to Tabu,” he reveals, adding that the much-anticipated sequel featuring Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani in the lead, is half complete. “We plan to resume shooting by the last week of December or the beginning of January. Taking the whole crew to Lucknow isn’t easy during this time. There’s about 25 days of work left and if things go well, we will follow this schedule, otherwise push it by a month,” he signs off.
Depiction of rural India needs to go beyond the caricaturish portrayals for comic relief-Pankaj Tripathi
8:02 AM
Pankaj Tripathi, whose next Kaagaz is set in rural India, believes Hindi cinema has failed to present villages authentically on screen
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 11, 2020)
With several big projects — including Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, Ludo and '83 — under his belt, it is surprising when Pankaj Tripathi says that he holds Kaagaz closest to his heart. But the actor has his reasons — he believes that in telling the real-life story of Lal Bihari, the Azamgarh-based farmer who was declared dead on paper, the Satish Kaushik-directed film wonderfully captures the earthiness of rural India. While Bollywood films have discovered the charm of small-town stories in the recent years, Tripathi says that the industry has yet to wake up to its rural counterpart.
"There's a large part of India, and a beautiful one at that, which remains unexplored on the big screen. There needs to be a better depiction of rural India; it needs to go beyond the caricaturish portrayals for comic relief. There are many underdog stories of relentless work and perseverance waiting to be told," argues the actor.
He is proud that Salman Khan recognised the merit of the narrative and agreed to back it. "Kaagaz was a journey that took me back to my time in Gopalganj [his village]. I hope the film will mark the beginning of many such stories," he adds.
As green zones open up, multiplex chains are in talks with a portable theatre company to screen films?
8:45 AM
As green zones open up across the country, multiplex chains are in talks with a portable theatre company to screen films in small towns
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 8, 2020)
As the country entered its third round of Coronavirus lockdown extension earlier this week, the government relaxed certain restrictions in the areas identified as green zones. This has sparked a conversation in the exhibition sector that the theatrical screening of films, with adequate precautionary measures in place, may be resumed in the near future in these areas. But, of the 300 districts designated as green zones, 240 do not have theatres. In such a scenario, leading multiplex chains appear to have turned to PictureTime Digiplex, a portable theatre company, to revive the cinema-going practice."Even a leading chain like PVR has theatres in only 68 towns. In such a scenario, they would want to reach out to the green zones as soon as possible. So, our portable theatres will be required more than ever, and we can set up about 25 new ones in a month. We are in talks with two of the three leading multiplex chains," says Sushil Chaudhary, MD and CEO, PictureTime Digiplex, presumably referring to PVR, Inox and Cinemax.
If given the green-light to function, the portable theatres will have to adopt several safety measures. "No rules have been laid out yet in order to start cinema in green zones, but we have started preparing for the same. We are planning a sanitisation tunnel, where the audience will be sanitised, and their temperatures checked. The seats will also be spaced out with dividers in between, in keeping with the practice of social distancing."
With Salman Khan by my side, I am still hopeful for a good theatrical release for Kaagaz-Satish Kaushik
8:36 AM
Satish Kaushik on his comeback as a director being road-blocked by corona
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 13, 2020)
In 2002, while filming Mujhe Kuchh Kehna Hai, Satish Kaushik read about Lal Bihari, a farmer from Amilo, Azamgarh, whose uncle had bribed an official to declare him dead so he could usurp his ancestral property. For 19 years, Lal Bihari tried everything possible, from abduction and bribery, to fighting elections and filing a case, to prove that he was alive and finally, the court ruled in his favour. Later, Lal Bihari prefixed his name with ‘Mritak’ (deceased) as a reminder of his struggle to exist, and founded the Uttar Pradesh Association Of Dead People to highlight cases like his.“I was fascinated by his story and kept the newspaper cuttings. When real-life stories like Mary Kom and Paan Singh Tomar started finding their way to the screen, I decided it was time to bring Mritak Lal Bihari out from my files,” recounts the actor-director, whose black comedy Kaagaz, based on the story, is ready. When Coronavirus outbreak led to the lockdown, Satish had just two days of work left, and was waiting for his leading man, Pankaj Tripathi, to return from an outdoor shoot. The duo was to discuss promotional strategy as well.
“I wanted to come after the Gunjan Saxena biopic and ’83 since both big films feature Pankaj and Kaagaz is his first solo hero film. With Salman Khan agreeing to present it after listening to the story while we were shooting Bharat in Malta, I was gung-ho about my directorial comeback. It is performed and photographed beautifully. Then, Coronavirus hit our plans for a six,” sighs Satish, adding that Salim Khan and Lal Bihari saw the film at a trial and loved it.When does he see the film opening now? “It will depend on the new lineup. With the big films waiting for a more opportune date, smaller films like ours may get a window earlier. It’s too premature to decide, but with Salman by my side, I am still hopeful for a good theatrical release.”
It probably started with Aamir Khan in Dangal, or Shah Rukh Khan in Dear Zindagi-Pankaj Tripathi
8:32 AM
With over 10 films in his kitty this year, Pankaj Tripathi dismisses the tag of character actor in Bollywood
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 22, 2020)
With content driven films defining new-age cinema, Pankaj Tripthi is evidently enjoying his time in the sun. In his kitty this year are 10 films, including Salman Khan-backed Kaagaz, which will see him essay the role of a leading man. Tripathi doesn't take the term 'character actor' kindly. He jokes, "Toh leading man character nahin play karta?"
"Ten years ago, character actors would play stock roles, like a lawyer. But such characters earned me roles like Madhav Mishra [from Criminal Justice], which was nuanced. To give credit where it's due, writers and directors are widening the horizons of story-writing. Every actor is pursuing [quality] characters over screen space," says Tripathi.
Ironic as it may seem, the importance given to character actors over superstars was a trend that kicked off when the latter decided to take the back seat. "It probably started with Aamir Khan in Dangal, in which he is not the hero. Or, likewise, with Shah Rukh Khan in Dear Zindagi. Today it is necessary to lift all characters, not just that of a hero. All I am hoping is to have fun in great films, regardless of who is paired with me or opposite me. As an actor, I get a lot of peace and a good night's sleep only when I feel gratified with my work. And, only once in a while do great films like '83 and Kaagaz come your way. It's time for actors to pursue characters and not [chase] the tag of a leading man. There's enough and more room for everyone."
I get two film offers on a daily basis-Pankaj Tripathi
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Pankaj Tripathi, who has seven releases this year, including his first lead role, is looking forward to a 40-day break from work in June
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 9, 2020)
Pankaj Tripathi, who made his Bollywood debut in 2004 with the Abhishek Bachchan-starrer Run, is gearing up for his biggest year at the movies yet. In 2020, the actor will be seen in as many as seven films. One of them is the Satish Kaushik-directed Kaagaz, backed by Salman Khan, in which he plays his first lead role.
Then, there is Kabir Khan’s Ranveer Singh-fronted ’83, Anurag Basu’s Ludo, Sharan Sharma’s Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, Anubhav Sinha’s Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai, Laxman Utekar’s Mimi, Homi Adajania’s Angrezi Medium (cameo) and Indrajit Lankesh’s Shakeela. “The last two years have been really busy. I have been working continuously and feel tired now. I am in a burnout-type situation. My theatre experience is helping me pull it off,” says Pankaj, adding, “I get two film offers on a daily basis, but I have decided to take it slow for now.”
In June, Pankaj embarks on a 40-day break. “All I plan to do in that duration is spend time with family, travel and plan future projects. I love to travel so I will go for a holiday somewhere. I haven’t been able to spend much time with my daughter in the last few years. Every time I return from a shoot, I see that she has grown two inches taller. Yesterday, I had an off from work, so I cooked for her. It was good fun,” the actor smiles.
He goes on to reveal that Salman, with whom he shared screen space in Dabangg 2, will see Kaagaz in a few days. “I was so involved in this film, that I spent entire 40 days of the schedule on location in Sitapur and knew things pertaining to even costume continuity. I would wake up at 5 am and shoot till late evening,” he reminisces.
Image: Satish Kaushik meets Rajinikanth
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Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 23, 2019)
Actor-director Satish Kaushik bumped into Rajinikanth at the Sunny Super Sound studio when the South star was in the city. He admits he met the Thalaiva after almost two years. “I had gone for the screening of Kaagaz, my film with Pankaj Tripathi. It was to start at 6 pm but on reaching the preview theatre, I was told that the screening had been delayed by 15 minutes as Rajini sir was watching something,” informs Satish. He was happy to wait and was downstairs when Rajini came and met him warmly. “It’s amazing how someone of his stature can be so humble. It feels so good. And what’s even better is that he has always been like this,” the veteran gushes, adding that they didn’t talk about work.
Even though the duo has never collaborated, they share a great equation. “Earlier, when Rajini sir would come to Mumbai for a shoot, Javed sir (Akhtar), he and I would get together. Once we met at Sridevi’s birthday party. I was a young director then, directing Sridevi, and he was a superstar. But he spoke to me really nicely,” Satish reminisces, revealing how they almost worked together. “When he learnt that I had a script revolving around a bus conductor, he suggested I narrate it to him. Unfortunately, that never happened, but the chance meeting brought back some fond memories.”
Salman Khan steps in to produce Satish Kaushik's directorial comeback Kaagaz
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Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 9, 2019)
After Bharat in which he played the captain of a naval ship, Satish Kaushik is reuniting with Salman Khan in a different capacity. The actor has come onboard as producer for the Pankaj Tripathi-Monal Gajjar starrer Kaagaz, which marks Satish’s return to direction five years after Gang of Ghosts.An excited Satish exults, “Salman is the film’s good luck charm and it all happened because of Bharat. One day, last August in Malta, we were discussing Salman’s role in promoting good cinema and talent and in the course of the conversation, he asked me what I was working on. I told him about Kaagaz and he loved the story. I asked him if he’d like to present the film and he immediately agreed. I narrated the script to him after returning to Mumbai, and we started filming in October. I am happy to inform that Salman Khan is on board as a producer.”
Set in UP, it is inspired by the real-life story of Lal Bihari, a farmer declared dead on paper when his relatives connived with a corrupt official to snatch his land. “I am directing a film after a long time and have tried to reinvent myself. Stree, Badhaai Ho and Article 15 are new-age cinema and Kaagaz belongs to that space. Pankaj has done a brilliant job. The film is very close to my heart and I am grateful to Salman for supporting my vision. After Tere Naam I couldn’t make another film with him, I am glad that we have collaborated on this one. When he saw the rushes, he reacted, saying, ‘Sir, iski copy nikalo,’” Satish added proudly.
And what’s the news on Tere Naam 2? “I know the audience is waiting for it, I have something on my mind, but I haven’t sounded out Salman yet. For now, it’s all about Kaagaz,” he signs off.
Image: Check out Pankaj Tripathi shaking a leg with Sandeepa Dhar in Kaagaz
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Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; December 29, 2018)
His menacing act in Mirzapur behind him, Pankaj Tripathi has returned to his dancing boots. After having revealed to mid-day that he was taking inspiration from Govinda for his first dance number in the Shakeela biopic, Tripathi will be seen at the fore of an item song in Satish Kaushik’s Kaagaz.
Pointing out that few in the industry are aware of his love for dance, the actor says, “I can easily catch the rhythm of a song, and don’t take time to learn the choreography. I didn’t need to rehearse too much for this song since it has one hook step. The rest is freestyle.”
Kaushik tells mid-day of his currently untitled number, also featuring Sandeepa Dhar, “When Pankaj told me he would dance at events in his village, and when he was in theatre, I decided to explore this side. He has an inherent rhythm, and brought the humour that the track required, because of his comic timing.”
Talking about his song, choreographed by Ahmed Khan and composed by Pravesh Mallick and Asim Abbasi, he says, “Item songs normally have women at the forefront. We revisited that.”
Sonu Nigam releases YouTube clip favouring government’s demonetisation move
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Soumya Vajpayee Tiwari (MID-DAY; November 17, 2016)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s demonetization drive may have sent the people of the country into frenzy, with social media platforms buzzing with news of the inconvenience faced by citizens. Yet, celebrated figures, including those from the film fraternity, have voiced their support in favour of the move. The latest to join the bandwagon is singer Sonu Nigam, whose three-minute video, Kaagaz, features a narration in support of the drive.
“I wanted to console people who are suffering because of the move or spending long hours in the shouldn’t be insensitive towards those who unfortunately have a lot of cash at home or are compelled to transact only in cash due to the nature of their business. At the same time, I applaud the effort of our PM, because this move was done for a better India. This video will showcase these arrays of emotions,” he informs.
Kaagaz has been directed by Milap Milan Zaveri and was put together in less than 36 hours. “Milap came up with beautiful concept. A friend, Raju Singh, did the background music. It is not gimmicky or preachy,” says the singer.
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