Showing posts with label Kaash. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kaash. Show all posts
I was told that I’m beautiful, but I asked myself, can I act? That question often played on my mind-Dimple Kapadia
8:38 AM
Enjoying the current phase of her career at 65, Dimple Kapadia thrilled that audience’s appreciation has quelled her doubts
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 4, 2023)
Halfway into the year, Dimple Kapadia has already given us three projects. She kicked off 2023 with Pathaan, in which she played mentor to Shah Rukh Khan’s character, following it up with Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, and the crime drama, Saas Bahu Aur Flamingo. At 65, Kapadia is busier than ever before. How does she view her career at this stage, having come from a generation where female actors had short shelf lives?
“I’ve been blessed. I have no reason to be where I am today. It has given me so much happiness that people have appreciated my work. I was always told that I’m beautiful, but I asked myself, can I act? That question often played on my mind. So, when I started my second innings [in the early ’80s], I wanted to do Sadma [1983], and not Sagar [1985]. But destiny had other things in store for me. Probably God knew that I was not ready to do a Sadma.”
In her latest Disney+ Hotstar series, Kapadia—as a matriarch who runs a drug cartel—strikes a balance between warmth and villainy. “There is a certain vulnerability to her that came through despite her craziness,” she reflects. It saw her reunite with director Homi Adajania, who believes that he can’t do any piece of work without her. Is she the Queen Bee on his set? “Whoever said that I’m a star on Homi’s set is talking rubbish,” she laughs.
“I am supposed to check what he wants to eat and get him his khana. I do all that because I love being with him and working with him. I love his madness, that’s what we bond over.”
In her five-decade career, Kapadia has given us memorable roles in Rudaali (1993), Dil Chahta Hai (2001) and Christopher Nolan’s Tenet (2020). The chase was always to do different kinds of cinema, she says.
“When I did Kaash [1987], I was told, ‘How can you play a mother of a seven-year-old? You should do glamorous roles. People will start typecasting you.’ But I never feared that I would be typecast. What mattered to me was that I tried to do my best in a given role.”
After doing 220 films, I’m known as Tiger ka baap-Jackie Shroff
7:58 AM
Jackie Shroff on the best phase of his career, being proud of all that his kids have achieved and reuniting with buddies Sanjay Dutt and Manisha Koirala after 20 years
Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 4, 2019)
In the Hindi film industry, there are few things as consistent as the unassuming side of Jackie Shroff. When asked how he picks roles today, the 62-year-old actor shrugs, “Pehle dost aate the... A cameraman’s assistant would ask for help, entreating, ‘It’s just two days work, meri life ban jaayegi.’ On occasions, Subhash ji (Ghai) would ask for 10 days and you can’t say ‘no’ to the boss and at times a subject like (Mahesh Bhatt’s) Kaash would come along and I’d do it. So, I did films for friends, for the production house, even for money and that’s still the case today.”He is just as matter-of-fact when taking stock of his career, pointing out that he can fit in anywhere, from the terrorist in Mission Kashmir to the intelligence chief in Romeo Akbar Walter (RAW), from the aiyaash in Devdas to the superstar in Rangeela. “It doesn’t matter if the role is big or small, whether I’m named first in the credits or second. I didn’t care for these things,” he asserts and you recall how often he’s played the hero’s elder brother or best friend. “I never wanted to upstage anyone. Doosre ka pair kaat ke apun lamba banne ka kya matlab hai?”
But wouldn’t things have turned differently if he wasn’t quite so accommodating, you wonder, and he informs that his character in RAW was inspired by the agency’s founder-director RN Kao. “The current RAW chief praised my performance. What more do I want?” Jackie exults, adding with a smile that even South supermo Rajinikanth played his younger brother in Uttar Dakshin. “Sab mere chhote bhai bante the. I’m a Turkish Gujarati, so my bone structure is a little bigger, even Anil’s (Kapoor) face is small.”
In his next, Prassthanam, Jaggu plays Raghu, the royal guard. The film reunites him with the film’s producer and lead actor Sanjay Dutt and actress Manisha Koirala after 20 years. Their last outing was Kartoos. “There was a free flow of energy because for us, it was like picking up from where we had left off. Even though the industry is a small world sometimes it takes years for friends to meet and working together takes even longer. We love each other intensely but don’t need to say it aloud. Ishq ka zyada izhaar karo toh kharaab ho jaata hai,” he maintains.
Over the years, Jackie has acted in around 13 languages, from Bhojpuri, Punjabi, Oriya and Bengali to Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Gujarati and Konkani, and considers the present to be the best phase of his career. “My son (Tiger Shroff) is the youngest action hero in the world and I’m known as Tiger ka baap today. After doing 220 films, I’m known as Tiger ka baap,” the proud father beams, adding, “My daughter Krishna is running her gym, interesting roles are coming my way, what can be better than this?”
Considering that his daughter has assisted on films, why isn’t she pursuing a career in films? “Salman (Khan) wanted to make a film with her, many others also asked, but my daughter is not interested in an acting career,” he signs off.
I couldn’t believe that one could make money from something they enjoy-Arshad Warsi on dancing for a living
7:48 AM
As told to Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 18, 2017)
I started working at 15 or 16 as I was eager to earn. My first job was in the developing department of a photo lab. I worked with chemicals to develop pictures from the rolls due to which the skin on my hands started to deteriorate so I left the job after a while.
I was back at work in a couple of months, this time selling cosmetics to five-stars and pharmacies for which I would get paid on consignment basis. In hindsight, I think that’s where I got my early lessons in acting as I would lie through my teeth to sell those products. That gig didn’t last too long either as it wasn’t my chosen career path.
Then, (DJ/choreographer) Akbar Sami saw me dancing in a nightclub with some friends and approached me, asking if I’d like to do shows with him. I had always enjoyed dancing but didn’t know I could get paid for it too so I wasn’t too keen on it initially as I was only interested in making money. Then, I watched the troupe perform and was a convert. When I got paid, I couldn’t believe that one could make money from something they enjoy (laughs). I stuck it out for a long time and eventually became a choreographer myself.
Once, Akbar was choreographing a play and when he was busy with something else, he asked me to take over. The director and producers were really pleased with my work as that was the first time we’d used recorded music, which was unusual then. I worked with slow tracks like Elvis Presley’s “Fever” at a time when makers used fast beats for impact. After that, I choreographed many musicals for Alyque Padamsee and Bharat Dabholkar among many others and even took part in the World Dance Championship in which I represented India.
I did a lot of odd jobs but dancing was where I actually got paid. For every show I would get between Rs 500- 600. I don’t remember what I did with my first salary, but I did buy my first car for Rs 75,000 from the money I had saved over the years. I had won a bike before that after winning the All India Dance Championship. That was my regular ride till I bought my car. Maria (Maria Goretti, wife) would sit behind me with bags of my costumes.
At one point I realised that there were many who wanted to learn dance so I started my own dance studio called ‘Awesome’. I would take classes from Monday to Thursday and focus on theatre on weekends. To earn more money, I also began choreographing ads and even assisted Mahesh Bhatt on films like Kaash and Thikana. Filmmaking was fascinating and I was impressed with Mr Bhatt. He was the kind of person I aspired to be like. But how long can you live on conveyance expense? I quickly went back to dancing and choreographing plays and commercials.
One fine day, God smiled at me and I got a movie offer. I used to host small Saturday night parties at my pad and Joy Augustine came to one with another friend. He was impressed with the way I was interacting and spoke to ABCL (Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Ltd.) about me. I was asked to send some pictures, I sent some really amateur ones as I was petrified of acting. But surprisingly, I still landed the lead in Tere Mere Sapne. I went to the set four days before I was asked to report and spent time watching Pran Saab in action. That was my crash course in acting. I took to the medium like fish to water.
I went on to script and produce a film, Hum Tum Aur Ghost, in 2010. Some day, I wish to direct one too. I’ve written a script and those who have heard it have liked it. I am hoping to get a good producer and an actor so I can now live out this dream.
(Crisp) Movie Review: KAASH by FENIL SETA
7:59 AM
Kaash is presented by Irrfan Khan and Mira Nair and directed by latter’s nephew Ishaan Nair. Without being too dramatic or over the top, Kaash puts forward its point and that is its biggest strength. Lots of films have explored the idea of side effects of break ups and Kaash makers make sure that their film stands out from the rest. Also, rather than basing their film in north India as is the trend nowadays, the makers bring a welcome change as most of the story takes place in Kutch, Ahmedabad and the deserted highways of Gujarat. This gives a fresh appeal to the film. Each character is well written and exudes empathy. Varun Mitra (Aadil) is a powerhouse of talent. Kavya Trehan (Khushali) is extremely lovable while Nidhi Sunil (Samira) is promising. Shikha Talsania (Lucky) brings to the film much more than just laughs. And there’s a cool special appearance by Kalki Koechlin (Elizabeth aka Leela) that adds a lot of depth (and entertainment) to the film. I hope to catch this film again when it releases in theatres!
My rating - **** out of 5!
Mira Nair's nephew Ishaan Nair comes to MAMI with debut film Kaash
7:39 AM
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 21, 2015)
Fashion photographer Ishaan
Nair's directorial debut Kaash, will premiere in India at the 17th MAMI
Mumbai Film Festival partnered by Mumbai Mirror.
Ishaan, who is Mira Nair's nephew, speaking from Tokyo where his film is competing for the future film award for debut director in the Asian category, admits his protagonist, Aadil, a photographer, is a lot like him. He takes off to meet a girl, Khushali, he's connected with on the internet after his relationship with a rising Bollywood starlet, Samira, goes kaput. “I was a photographer in New York who moved to India, got into a relationship with a beautiful, talented but dusky actress. She was struggling to make it in a fair girl's world in Bollywood, she came close to making it, but I got left behind,“ he says, admitting his film touches on the colour bias but is dramatised enough to not be too close to reality.
His former girlfriend was the catalyst behind his road trip with a girl who exuded exuberance and made him fall in love with life again, like Khushali. Seventy per cent of the film has been shot in Mumbai, the rest in Gujarat in 35 days. Torn between the past and the present, Kaash is a beautifully crafted journey of a boy exploring love, himself, and the endless possibilities of 'if only'.“
There's an interesting back story about Kaash. On his travels, Ishaan stopped at a sleazy guest-house which went by the name of Hotel Akaash. But the light had dimmed on 'a' and it ended up as Hotel Kaash and gave him his title.
The film is a collaboration between Mira Nair, Irrfan Khan, Sailesh Singh and Shimit Amin. Talking about it, Mira says, “Ishaan has a sure voice and a deeply sensual eye, I knew he would make a superbly confident first feature film.“
Ishaan admits that he was making a wild amount of money as a photographer, yet, on every vacation, his aunt would tell him that his calling was film. “She even guided me on what kind of a story to tell the first time but it still took me five years to get the film on the road,“ he says.
He gives the credit for getting it going to rolling to another mentor, Shimit, who lived in his neighbourhood, liked his photographic work and like Mira, kept urging him to make a film, approaching different producers for him and even mentoring his editor, Shreyas Beltangdy.
The film stars newcomers Varun Mitra, Nidhi Sunil and Kavya Trehan in the lead, and Kalki Koechlin in a special role. Ishaan reveals that it was Irrfan Khan, whose wife Sutapa Sikdar is associated with the project, who insisted on fresh faces over Bollywood names.
He's hoping to bring his film to the Indian theatres in January-February 2016, and says fervently, “Kaash logon ko yeh film pasand aa jaaye.“
Ishaan, who is Mira Nair's nephew, speaking from Tokyo where his film is competing for the future film award for debut director in the Asian category, admits his protagonist, Aadil, a photographer, is a lot like him. He takes off to meet a girl, Khushali, he's connected with on the internet after his relationship with a rising Bollywood starlet, Samira, goes kaput. “I was a photographer in New York who moved to India, got into a relationship with a beautiful, talented but dusky actress. She was struggling to make it in a fair girl's world in Bollywood, she came close to making it, but I got left behind,“ he says, admitting his film touches on the colour bias but is dramatised enough to not be too close to reality.
His former girlfriend was the catalyst behind his road trip with a girl who exuded exuberance and made him fall in love with life again, like Khushali. Seventy per cent of the film has been shot in Mumbai, the rest in Gujarat in 35 days. Torn between the past and the present, Kaash is a beautifully crafted journey of a boy exploring love, himself, and the endless possibilities of 'if only'.“
There's an interesting back story about Kaash. On his travels, Ishaan stopped at a sleazy guest-house which went by the name of Hotel Akaash. But the light had dimmed on 'a' and it ended up as Hotel Kaash and gave him his title.
The film is a collaboration between Mira Nair, Irrfan Khan, Sailesh Singh and Shimit Amin. Talking about it, Mira says, “Ishaan has a sure voice and a deeply sensual eye, I knew he would make a superbly confident first feature film.“
Ishaan admits that he was making a wild amount of money as a photographer, yet, on every vacation, his aunt would tell him that his calling was film. “She even guided me on what kind of a story to tell the first time but it still took me five years to get the film on the road,“ he says.
He gives the credit for getting it going to rolling to another mentor, Shimit, who lived in his neighbourhood, liked his photographic work and like Mira, kept urging him to make a film, approaching different producers for him and even mentoring his editor, Shreyas Beltangdy.
The film stars newcomers Varun Mitra, Nidhi Sunil and Kavya Trehan in the lead, and Kalki Koechlin in a special role. Ishaan reveals that it was Irrfan Khan, whose wife Sutapa Sikdar is associated with the project, who insisted on fresh faces over Bollywood names.
He's hoping to bring his film to the Indian theatres in January-February 2016, and says fervently, “Kaash logon ko yeh film pasand aa jaaye.“
Kalki Koechlin to play French traveller; speak her mother tongue in Ishaan Nair's Kaash
7:43 AM
Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 2, 2015)
Mirror (July 9) was the first to report that Mira Nair's nephew Ishaan is turning director with a film being produced by Irrfan Khan.
The film, titled Kaash, is a love story within a road movie and Kalki Koechlin is a familiar face in a cast of mostly newcomers.
Interestingly, the French-origin actress plays a Gaelic traveller who takes the protagonists on a journey across Gujarat which changes their lives. And according to a source close to the film, the actress will be speaking French in the film. "It is a multi-lingual film.The Mumbai portions are entirely in English while in Ahmedabad the characters speak Gujarati. Kalki's character comes from France, so most of her dialogues are French. She recently shot her portions in the Rann of Kutch."
When contacted, Ishaan told Mirror, "I've known Kalki since I was a photographer; she was one of the first celebrities I clicked. She is perfect for the part and she readily agreed to come on board. It will be credited as a special appearance."
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