Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 31, 2019)

“Digital shows have a massive reach globally which is why I love them,” says Sapna Pabbi, who has appeared in digital series such as Breathe, Four More Shots Please, and The Trip, among others. “I am really grateful for the opportunities I have been blessed with in my career so far. I came to Mumbai without a plan and it’s been seven years and I’m still enjoying the projects I get to be a part of. I think, it’s the best time to be an artiste, thanks to the web. It has opened so many doors for me. Though, I believe that it is the content that matters over the platform, overall,” she says.

After her last web show, Bombers, Sapna wrapped a cameo for a movie, which was recently shot in London, UK, and earlier shot for a short film with Aparshakti Khurana. “Apar is such a natural entertainer. We had a lot of fun on the shoot. He is so talented. He kept us up through the night shoots with his acoustic sing-alongs,” says Sapna, who is also excited that her film Drive co-starring Sushant Singh Rajput finally releasing on an OTT platform tomorrow.

Ask the actor if she has been typecast in the industry and Sapna says, “I really haven’t thought about that. But I do get that ‘series girl’ often, and, of course, the Khamoshiyan (2015) actor stuck for a bit. The songs of the film are still very popular. Personally, I feel all labels are temporary assumptions, so I try not to take them seriously. I make the choice whether they stick or not. Working on the web show, The Trip, changed things for me. I went for content that I enjoyed and believed in rather than thinking about the platform. And I’ve continued to work by that motto ever since,” she signs off.

Subhash K Jha (DNA; April 5, 2017)

Gurmeet Choudhary, who famously played Lord Rama on the small screen, was seen in two back-to-back erotic thrillers. “I am so done with them,” he sighs.

He adds, “Not that I disown those films. For an outsider like me — I am from Bihar — getting into Bollywood was an ordeal. Making a name for myself on television was easier than finding a place in Bollywood. So when Bhatt Saab (Mukesh Bhatt) offered me Khamoshiyan and T-Series offered Wajah Tum Ho, I took them up without a second thought.”

However, Gurmeet’s fans reacted negatively to his erotic overtures. “I received a lot of flak for doing what I did. And so, my next release Laali Ki Shaadi Mein Laaddoo Deewana, will be a sweet and simple family film, the kind that Sooraj Barjatya does with Salman Khan. But I want to project the hero in the Maryada Purshottam mould, the way Salman Khan did in Hum Aapke Hain Koun...! and Hum Saath Saath Hain.”

Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; April 3, 2017)

Neha Maheshwri Bhagat (BOMBAY TIMES; November 28, 2016)

Gurmeet Choudhary refutes rumours of trouble in paradise and claims that he has no life without wife, Debina
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; November 20, 2016)

He was known as the 'Greek God' of Indian television and was popular for his bare body entry scenes on television. Continuing the streak on the 70mm screen, Gurmeet Choudhary claims that before Khamoshiyan no one wanted to touch him and how the film opened doors for him in Bollywood. He talks about his lifeline – Debina Bonnerjee, his upcoming film Wajah Tum Ho and more.

Were you happy with your blink and miss debut in Mahesh Bhatt’s Khamoshiyan?
I don’t have a background in films, I hail from a small town and was a television actor. Because TV supported me, I became a star overnight. I’ve done all the big hit shows you can think of. My career has been great, but it’s still difficult to get a break in Bollywood. In that case, Khamoshiyan opened the door of Bollywood for me. Before that, no one was ready to touch me. My debut got me my second film Wajah Tum Ho, which is being directed by Vishal Pandya. In my next film, people will get to see a lot more of me.

Why did you choose an erotic thriller for your second film?
Why not? As an actor, I see two things – who is the producer and the director. A good name increases your confidence. Vishal has given hits like Hate Story 2 and 3. His film’s content was powerful, and what more can an actor as for. When he told me the whole concept of the film, it excited me. Most films are good till the interval, post that, the storyline goes for a toss. However, this film will keep you at the edge of your seats till the end.

There have been several Hollywood films with the concept of live screening of murders. So what’s so new about Wajah Tum Ho?
See, I cannot reveal the whole story, but the screenplay, dialogues are powerful and it is backed by logic. The twists and turns will be unexpected and every time you predict something it will be very different.

Do you fear being type cast as an erotic thriller actor?
The position I am in right now, is the aspiration of many people in the world. Whatever I am (I am not saying I am big), but it’s a place that many want to reach. I have never feared being typecast. Being typecast is also an achievement. If I really feared that, I would never have done a show like Ramayan. The show was a huge success so much so that people actually worshiped me and put money at my feet. So many people have done mythological shows, and they get stuck in that zone. I feel I have managed to alter my image so many times. After Ramayan, people fell in love with Maan Singh Khurana (His character in Geet Huyi Sabse Parayi), and then I did a lot of reality shows. There has to be some talent to even get type cast, right? If I can get out of the image of Ram at the age of 23 then why would I be scared of it now.

Are comfortable doing erotic thrillers?
If this movie was something like the Hate Story series it would have been called Hate Story 4. But that’s not the case. The scenes between Sana and me depict our love on screen, which is normal and goes with the story. Our film is not about sex. It’s a masala film and is a complete package.

Between Khamoshiyan and Wajah Tum Ho — how many offers did you get and how many did you reject?
I did reject two films with some big names and trust me had I given a nod for it, my career would have been over. I can’t say ‘no’ easily, but today I feel I made the right decision. I’ve never made an impromptu plan. My journey since 2008 (Ramayan days) has been planned meticulously. I have my goals etched on my bathroom mirror. I know I want to work with Rajkumar Hirani and Rohit Shetty some day. And if they say I have to run naked and reach their Bandra office right now, I’ll do it without a second thought. That’s how my planning works.

But your marriage was not on the list, right?
Debina and I were barely 18-19 when we got married. Some things you cannot plan. But I can confidently say that without Debina I would have never been successful.

Why do most people feel that she is the dominating one in your relationship?
I’ve never heard this before. But I’d say this, if with my wife dominating me I could reach here then it is a good thing. I want to be her ‘joru ka ghulam’ (My ‘wife’s slave). If a small town boy from Bihar can reach where I am now – it’s all because of Debina. She has supported me through everything. It was my dream to be a star and post marriage it became her dream too. My life is incomplete without her.

Then why did we hear all these rumours about your fights and that you and Debina were heading towards splitsvile?
As an actor, you have to face these things on a daily basis and it is not the first time. Whenever I get a script to act, Debina and I both read the script together and decide. When I was rehearsing for Wajah Tum Ho, Debina would give me the cues and pracice the dialogues with me. So how would she not know what I am doing in the film? Having said that, I am sure, if not, the the story would have been, ‘Why is Debina not affected by my intimate scenes? Is there nothing left between them?’ We’ve gone way beyond people’s imagination in our relationship.

Do you get tired justifying your relationship with Debina?
I am not tired but I feel bad, mainly because my family is from a small town. We may not get affected by what people say, but for them these things matter. So when they hear news like that, they call to find out if everything is okay. Just a few days ago back my folks called to find out if everything is okay in our life.

One television actress you want to work with again.
I would say Kratika Sengar. She is a good actor, down to earth and extremely talented.

One actress you don’t want to work with?
There’s no one like that. Given an opportunity I’d work with all of them again. Even Drashti Dhami, because we heard that you’ll don’t get along anymore. If there is work for us together, we’ll work. Why not?

Any plans to build the family ahead?
I love kids but we are so busy right now trying to build our careers. Plus we feel we are still kids and have a lot of growing up to do. So, we will be waiting a bit more for family planning.

Actor reacts to director’s barb hurled after he quit the film
Subhash K Jha (DNA; June 11, 2015)


Gurmeet reacts sharply, “I don’t know what sort of a performer they are looking for. But I seemed to fit their bill pretty well until recently. Suddenly, I am a non-performer just because I couldn’t adjust my dates according to their requirements?”

Gurmeet controls his indignation and says, “It’s unfair to pull an actor down just because he is unable to do your film. I could not do Hate Story 3 as I have another film lined up during the same period. People can say what they like. I am too busy building my career and physique to be bothered by what anyone is saying.”

Gurmeet’s film debut in Khamoshiyan fizzled out. But he is unfazed. “I’ve a lot to do, lots to achieve as an actor. It’s sad that instead of encouraging me some elements are trying to pull me down. I don’t get angry. I have my kickboxing and martial arts to keep me calm.”

Neha Maheshwri Bhagat (BOMBAY TIMES; April 22, 2015)

Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; April 21, 2015)

AN ANALYSIS OF THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2015

The first quarter of the year is about to get over and have been pretty okay. The first quarter of 2014 had delivered hits in the form of Queen and Ragini MMS 2 and also a 100-crore grosser – Jai Ho. However, 2015’s first quarter has been poor. Films that were expected to fetch good numbers like Alone, I, Dolly Ki Doli, Shamitabh, Khamoshiyan, Roy etc turned out to be huge flops. What surprised many was how some of the films were made on an insanely huge budget. Hawaizaada and Shamitabh turned out to be disasters thanks to the costs involved. Both these films hardly attracted viewers and got entry into the list of ‘biggest disasters of recent times’. Roy opened well and might have recovered going by the opening weekend numbers. Sadly, the content was outright disappointing. It started dropping from Day 4 heavily, that left many shocked.

Thankfully, few films made a mark commercially. Baby opened on an average note but held up very, very well. Badlapur attracted people despite the violent theme. Same goes for NH10. Dum Laga Ke Haisha had a very poor opening. But it was a fabulous film and hence sustained beautifully, even during weekdays.

However, a big commercial hit is missing in the first quarter. The industry has suffered many such setbacks previously but sadly, lessons are never learnt. And everyone has to make an effort. The makers on their part should make films on reasonable costs (which is very much possible). This also includes not overspending on publicity. For instance, NH10 was made in 3-4 crores and almost 8-9 crores were spent on publicity. It is said that the film would have opened with similar numbers if the makers had spent even half the amount on publicity. Hence, correct and impactful marketing is the key. Just by going all out is not a guarantee that people will throng to see the film. And more important than the cost is the fact that makers should invest in good scripts. The success of NH10 and Dum Laga Ke Haisha has proved how people are ready to see different subjects. The multiplex wallahs on their post should bring costs down on an immediate basis. It’s shocking to see tickets priced at 300-400 bucks during weekends, for all kinds of films! Theatre owners should realize that they are bound to lose a chunk of audience by having such inflated ticket rates. Thirdly, the audience should be smart as well. There are times when genuine efforts go unnoticed just because those films weren’t ‘typical entertainers’. Audiences should realize that they should invest their hard-earned films on good films, whether or not it’s entertaining in the conventional manner.

However, there’s a lot to cheer. The next quarter promises some fabulous films like Detective Byomkesh Bakshy, Dharam Sankat Mein, Mr X, Gabbar Is Back, Piku, Mastizaade, Welcome Back, Bombay Velvet, Dil Dhadakne Do, Hamari Adhuri Kahani etc. Hope good times are here and they are here to stay!

Ali Fazal on being single, upcoming films and how he picks them...
Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; January 31, 2015)


You play the lead role in Khamoshiyan, but Gurmeet Choudhary’s making his debut in it. Do you remember your own debut?
I do. And it was a couple of years ago. And I wish I had attended acting school. This is my learning process. I constantly pick Gurmeet’s (Choudhary) and Sapna’s (Pabbi) brains. I am the cheat here. For me, my co-actors are more important than me. I am more excited about them than they are about themselves. I have found a great friend in my co-star Sapna Pabbi. Our body language is different from the conventional lead pair.

Tell us about the character you play?
I play Kabir, a writer. He is a lonely character and a bit of a drunk but something saves him. He is stuck in the wrong motel and a mysterious girl is there. The characters I played so far, be it in Fukrey or Bobby Jasoos were light-hearted, subtle and those of a good boy. So much so, I don’t think the Bhatts wanted me!

How closely do you associate with your films?
For me, the film ends on the morning of the release. I haven’t seen any of my films — I only see a glimpse of it at the premiere. Khamoshiyan I watched a lot, because it was dubbed. After a point, it became irritating watching myself.

You haven’t seen 3 Idiots?
No, I haven’t. But now I will watch it as enough time has passed and because I am barely there in the film.

Why don’t you watch your films?
Because I am very critical about myself. I was hailed for Fukrey, it was a big hit. However, I think it was my shittiest performance. I remember telling director Mrighdeep Lamba to cut all my dialogues and make me a mute, I would have had a better impact that way than what we did... though it worked for the film.

What do you look for in a role?
At the basic level, I should not get bored! The script matters, not just your role and screen time.

Recently, you were linked to your co-star Sapna...
(Laughs) That was because of a gig we did as part of the promotions. As I said, we are friends.

Are you seeing someone?
I wish I was. I am a romantic at heart, I love being in love. But I guess I have kind of kept it all for the film. I have been working the whole year, and no regrets. But this Valentine’s Day, I will be alone.

Which actor do you admire?
Sanjay Dutt, he is my all-time favourite. My heart goes out to him. I wrote him a letter the first time he went to jail, I don’t know if he got it or not. He’s my superstar. Salman Khan is Bhai, he is sweet. Shah Rukh Khan is the producer of my film Always Kabhi Kabhi. He is one of the most honest people in the industry.

Tell us about your role in Fast and Furious 7?
I can’t tell you about the role except that I don’t play an Indian, I have a heavy accent and wear atrangi clothes. I remember the first day of my shoot was the first day of the movie. It was Paul Walker’s birthday. I was excited because Kurt Russell was there. A lot of actors are making special appearances — Tony Jaa, Jason Statham, etc. Jason is the main villain and the only guy I didn’t meet. The last we shot for the film was in Abu Dhabi after Paul’s death. He had shot 60 per cent but you will see him in the remaining 40 per cent too. We were taken to this VFX room, like The Matrix, there was one chair, LED globes, 17 cameras, animation graphics etc, and a Paul puppet.

What’s your Indo-American film For Here Or To Go about?
It’s about an Indian techie in the Silicon Valley and how during the green card scam, several people were asked to go back home. He waited for long to be called back and when he got the green card, he refused to go and became a big entrepreneur in India.

If offered a big Bollywood film and a Hollywood project at the same time, which one would you pick?
I wouldn’t know my natural reaction at that time. I know the Homeland people had approached me and were asking for dates that I had allotted for Khamoshiyan. So there was no question of doing that.

Sapna Pabbi lashes out against Vikram Bhatt as she reacts to his comments about her.
MUMBAI MIRROR (January 30, 2015)

Actress Sapna Pabbi, who is debuting in Khamoshiyan, has been blasted by filmmaker Vikram Bhatt (the writer of Khamoshiyan) and looks like she is in no mood to take it lying low. Vikram and Sapna's fall-out has been evident for a while and it started at the shoot of the film where Sapna after agreeing to doing some intensely erotic scene went back on her words. Vikram and Sapna's debate at the shoot over the bold scenes had resulted into a big argument and the subsequent fall-out between the two.

Sapna had realized that the scenes in the film were very important as sees plays a manipulative seductress who captures the soul of men and that she had physical relationships with two men - Gurmeet Choudhary and Ali Fazal. However, the incident has left a bad taste between the two and Vikram's comment on her has got Sapna going.

When questioned, Sapna lashed out saying, "Vikram Bhatt is a filmmaker and not a passion peddler and I did not expect them to have such strong, bold scenes in the film. I did them because I realized that the film demands it. However, Mr. Bhatt should know that I'm no Sunny Leone." Looks like Sapna - Vikram's cold war is snowballing into a huge fight.

Khamoshiyan releases on January 30.

Meena Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 30, 2015)

3 MODERATE RELEASES THIS FRIDAY

After the big clash last week, this Friday would see the release of 3 medium-budget films. An analysis on these movies:

KHAMOSHIYAN: It is produced by Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt and marks the directorial debut of director Karan Darra and TV star Gurmeet Choudhary and Sapna Pabbi of 24 fame. Ali Fazal too features in the film. The trailer of the film is alright but the songs are absolutely melodious. And it has caught on big time and because of that, there is hype for the film. Also, it has erotic and horror content which always have been big crowd pulling factors especially when associated with hit music. Also, the costs are reasonable. Khamoshiyan can have the best opening this week although the competition from last week’s release Baby can affect its prospects at certain urban areas.

HAWAIZAADA: This film rests on an interesting tale of Shivkar Talpade, who flew the first aircraft 8 years before the Wright Brothers. Not much information is available on this man and hence, almost 90% of the film is fiction. Ayushmann Khurrana plays the leading role and Mithun Chakraborty and Pallavi Sharda too feature in the film. It is directed by debutant Vibhu Puri, who has assisted Sanjay Leela Bhansali and who was to make Chenab Gandhi at one point. The film looks fascinating, visually appealing and Ayushmann seems to have done a fine job. Songs sadly haven’t worked. Also, it doesn’t look exciting enough and isn’t a typical entertainer of sorts. Moreover, the film is almost 158 minutes long. Excitement for the film is very less and it seems that it’ll have a tough time at the box office.

RAHASYA: It stars Kay Kay Menon, Tisca Chopra, Ashish Vidyarthi and is directed by Manish Gupta. It is inspired from Aarushi Talwar Murder Case but real names haven’t used. In fact, the Talwars had objected to this film and even slapped a case on the makers. But the Bombay High Court squashed the case. The trailer looks interesting but the promotions have been negligible. Many don’t even know that it’s releasing. Sadly, it’ll vanish without a trace.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE KHAMOSHIYAN, HAWAIZAADA OR RASHYA? DO LET ME KNOW!
-------------------------
BABY ROCKS BUT UNDERPERFORMS!

The Akshay Kumar-starrer Baby has been loved by the audiences. It is long and devoid of so-called typical entertainment. Yet it works big time and its climax is just terrific. However, it’s shocking that Baby hasn’t really attracted audiences in hordes. In certain pockets, it has worked but in places like Bihar and Rajasthan, the collections are poor.

It is bewildering that a film like Baby hasn’t found success. It is the most appreciated Akshay film in years and I am talking of audiences, not critics. Sadly, India is a diverse country and what works in Mumbai might not work in Bihar. Maybe because it’s not a typical entertainer with songs, music, comedy, many didn’t venture to see the film. Moreover, the costs of Baby are high and it seems that it might not be able to achieve commercial success. Very unfortunate!

Subhash K Jha (DNA; January 28, 2015)

He may look all macho but TV star Gurmeet Choudhary is painfully shy around women in real life. In fact, it took an intervention by wife Debina Bonnerjee to convince him to go ahead with love-making scenes with actress Sapna Pabbi for his debut flick, Khamoshiyan.

He laughs, recalling the pep talk, sharing, “When I was seeing Debina, I could never bring myself to say ‘I love you’ to her. It was she who had to finally say, ‘You’re trying to tell me that you love me, right?’ Thank God, she got it out of me. Otherwise I may have never been able to let her know my true feelings.”

He adds, “She has always been very encouraging. She’s an actress herself. She understands this business. She knows everything I do, whether a love sequence or a fight sequence, that it’s all make-believe.”

And what did Debina have to say about his performance? Gurmeet says, “We’re both much too close to the film to be objective about the film and my performance.”

Debina, in fact, has a role in Khamoshiyan. But Gurmeet can’t reveal what she plays. “All I can say is, she comes at a crucial juncture in the plot. She makes a difference to the lives of the characters, including mine.”

MUMBAI MIRROR (January 28, 2015)

MUMBAI MIRROR (January 23, 2015)

Mahesh Bhatt's production Khamoshiyan that stars Gurmeet Choudhary, Sapna Pabbi and Ali Fazal is an erotic film that has the actors shed their inhibitions to pull off extremely steamy scenes with each other. The theme of the film, that sees a mysterious woman seduce two men with her body and charm and capture their souls, required the actors to do some intense and romantic love-making scenes. And Mahesh Bhatt feels that all the three actors have been very gutsy to pull these scenes off.

Mahesh Bhatt says, "It is extremely difficult to do such scenes. It requires actors to let go of their bodies completely in front of the camera and these three actors have done so effortlessly. Sapna has managed to play the role of a woman who gives her body to men who think she is in love with, only to manipulate them later. Ali plays a helpless guy addicted to Sapna's charm and body and wants her at any cost despite her being married. Gurmeet on the other hand wants to possess Sapna's heart and body but doesn't realise that it is Sapna who is manipulating him to take control of his heart and body. It is an interesting sexual chemistry and relationship that the actors have."

Khamoshiyan releases on January 30.

Mahesh Bhatt on the importance of introducing newcomers and the need to keep away from established actors
Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; January 22, 2015)


Your film has got an ‘A’ certificate. Are you okay with it?
Actually, I am very happy that we have finally come of age. There was a time when films were given ‘A’ certificate, and mutilated. I used to feel very bad about how disrespectful we are as a nation to adults who we feel are not capable of seeing the kind of content we make in Hindi cinema. In this age of Internet, the content that individuals can access is far more shocking and mindboggling compared to what we can put on screen. In such an age, our cinema is far behind. We have a censor code and we can only go so far, and not beyond the prescribed limit. I appreciate the efforts by CBFC keeping in time with changing values. In the last 10 years, more changes have taken place than 3000 years ago.

Won’t the certificate affect the selling of satellite rights?
No, because there is a separate toned-down version for TV, just like the way airlines have a modified version because all age groups are there. Images and sounds not ideal for universal consumption are deleted and made suitable for wholesome consumption.

Tell us about the casting.
The credit goes to Karan Darra. He saw Sapna Pabbi in 24 when he was recuperating from dengue in Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital. He liked her and wanted to cast her. Even Ali (Fazal) was his idea in fact he insisted that we cast him. The youthful look of the film is because of him. Gurmeet (Choudhary) was recommended by Mukesh Bhatt’s wife, who is an avid TV viewer.

Khamoshiyan is an erotic thriller...
I would like to believe it is the reinvention of the same idiom that we discovered in the 21st century with Raaz. However, instead of a man in the centre with two women, here there’s a woman with two men. It’s a triangular drama with some sprinkling of the supernatural. Somebody aptly described the film as a supernatural and love story movie side-by-side, a difficult feat for a writer-director to achieve. The film is essentially the story of an author who goes in search of his next book, stumbles upon a woman with complications and a paranormal relationship.

What is it about newcomers that attracts you?
I prefer to work with newcomers because of their zeal and enthusiasm. We talk about new people and yet work with the old ones. We need to be brave and dare to work with fresher talent. Otherwise, your quest for safety and security makes you repetitive. You are like a frog stuck in a little cesspool.

You rarely work even with the ones you have introduced and are established...
That’s because I am always looking for new people and my commitment to them is absolute. Old people come back to work with us but we don’t lean on them. That can have a crippling impact. You launch a new person, and he/she becomes a star because of the overwhelming support and it can become a dicey situation for your own psychological and economic safety. That’s where your own fire to find people starts diminishing.

You must be proud of the people you’ve introduced...
Yes. Everyone from Anupam Kher, Nadeem Shravan, Mohit Suri, Vikram Bhatt, Anurag Basu, Bipasha Basu, Pooja Bhatt, the list is endless. Besides, there are innumerable technicians like Saeed Qadri, singers Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Atif Aslam. But they become stars because of what they have inherently. My company helps them flower.

Do actors you’ve introduced want to work with you again?
Yes, John (Abraham) keeps sending me messages that he would give his right arm to work with me after Jism. Ajay (Devgn) and I did an exceptional film (Zakhm). He, too, messages me. That is their way of expressing affection, but it doesn’t mean I should land up at their doorstep the next day and say, ‘Let’s do a film!’.

Music’s been a hallmark of your films...
I learnt this from my boss Raj Khosla. An Indian film with great music has more chances of sailing home to safety. I feel this is a lesson we learnt very early in the 90s with Aashiqui. Ever since then, we have been adhering to this formula, though it’s very difficult. Now, music comes from various sources instead of one person. It’s a collective view of a song. Music is a good precursor for a film. For instance, there is awareness of Khamoshiyan. It is going to open well and with the kind of mathematics we have, it will romp home by the weekend.

Your take on the new generation of actors?
They have a superior understanding and are more cinema-literate. Performances are exceptional. They are head and shoulders above the previous generations. But it takes time to groom people and nudge them to their own potential.

Will we ever see you directing a film again?
No, I am doing this job with great excitement. It is comforting and fulfilling to create destinies rather than films because movies have a shelf life. Human lives touch other human lives. I am taking a balcony view and playing a far more challenging job than merely directing.

Among the newbies, see anyone with the passion that you had?
I don’t think you should humiliate the present generation by the yardstick of yesterday. We were the by-products of that time. There are young filmmakers who are very passionate and creating their own idioms. I look forward to Mohit Suri’s Hamari Adhuri Kahani.

Your thoughts about the subjects being made today, considering you made films that were ahead of their time?
Well, I don’t see that kind of human drama exploring the heart in all its complexities in the times we live in. There is an urgent need to return to that and I am glad I have done that with Hamari Adhuri Kahani, which I have written.

Your thoughts on Alia Bhatt...
Alia is in the driving seat. She is self-made and created her own brand. She is a self-sufficient girl of today, a star in her own right. I am proud of what she has achieved without her father’s help. She is really a chip of the old block!

What was your reaction to Pooja Bhatt separating from her husband Manish Makhija?
She is the captain of her fate. It’s her life. She decides I stand by her decision.

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 21, 2015)

Karan Darra's erotic love triangle, Khamoshiyan, has all the ingredients of a spookfest : A mysterious leading lady, haunting melodies and an eerie house set in surreal Kashmir. Sachin Bole, the film's VFX supervisor, reveals that the house was actually created in a Mumbai studio.

Plans to shoot in Kashmir were shelved after last year's flash floods. The crew returned to Mumbai from a schedule in Cape Town and continued with the filming. Bole says, "The 'Kashmir' that you seen from the windows of the house are just chroma screens."

Sachin is a part of the Prasad EFX team which having worked on many 3D horror films like Haunted, Horror Story and Raaz 3, was prepared for the live-action requirements of the script.

The supernatural thriller stars Gurmeet Chaudhary, Ali Fazal and Sapna Pabbi and features more steamy scenes than scary ones.

"Khamoshiyan is not an out-and-out horror film," admits Bole. "The visual effects have been used to take the narrative forward and highlight the supernatural elements."

He reveals that while the first half doesn't have many VFX thrills, post interval the film is full of compositing sequences which will send shivers down the spine.

The highlight of the film is the climax which reveals a ferocious creature, a terrifying mix of makeup and digital effects. "It has no costumes to cover it up. We have created the creature's skin digitally, using very basic make up. When its face turns from left to right, the digitally created skin layers shift too. It's very interesting," Bole explains.

Similarly, in the live-action shots, when the stomach muscles contract and the posture changes, the graphics move in sync with the form. "The climax is truly unique," he promises.

The only actor they have animated for the film is Ali Fazal. "When he's taken over by the creature, sparks of fire emit from his mouth. This was created digitally," says Bole.

Now that's some fiery exit! Or is it?

Prakriti Kakkar’s new track, Katra, from the film Alone, is grabbing eyeballs for its sexy visuals and her sultry voice. The young singer talks about bagging the project and her future plans
Deepali Dhingra (MID-DAY; January 18, 2015)

Singer Prakriti Kakar, who has lent her voice to the title song of the 2013 movie Boss, may not be a stranger to playback singing, but the songstress had not got a chance to display her vocal prowess at a major level, till now. However, her career received a major boost when the makers of the movie Alone launched the video of her song Katra mere week after its audio launch last month. The song has stormed to the top of music charts and has also been appreciated for its sensuous lyrics and soulful vocals rendered by Prakriti and singer/composer Ankit Tiwari.

Recalling how she managed to bag the chartbuster, she says, “I had recorded Bheegh Loon for the movie Khamoshiyan for Ankit Tiwari. He called me back to the studio to sing Katra and told me that even though he isn’t sure whether the song is in my comfort zone, he feels that my voice texture will suit the track. I fell in love with it and gave it my best shot. Today, people have compared it to Aa Zara from Murder 2 and Zara Zara from Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein, my favourite songs. So, there can’t be a bigger compliment than that,” adds Prakriti, who is playback singer Akriti Kakkar’s younger sister.

She has a couple of songs in the kitty, but isn’t ready to disclose them yet. However, she is excited about a new single which she plans to launch online soon.

Prakriti realised her love for music early on in life. “Since my mother was a music teacher, the atmosphere at home was very ‘musical’. We moved to Mumbai from Delhi as my sister Akriti wanted to become a playback singer. I learnt Hindustani classical music and my twin sister Sukriti and i have been performing at various corporate and public shows for the past four years now.” Ask her what her newfound suc

Roshmilla Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 14, 2015)

For over six decades, the haunting notes of Lata Mangeshkar's evergreen classic Aayega aayega, aayega aanewala aayega have echoed through our collective consciousness, bringing back memories of an ethereal Madhubala on a swing in the garden, before disappearing into the mists of time. The song has come to be synonymous with Kamal Amrohi's directorial debut, Mahal, and after the film's release in 1949 played on Radio Ceylon everyday.

Sixty-five years later, we will hear Aayega aanewala again, playing on the radio, during a dramatic point in Karan Darra's directorial debut, Khamoshiyan, setting the theme for the supernatural thriller. "We have bought the rights to the original song from Sa Re Ga Ma and have got permission to use a slice of it in our film," informs Mahesh Bhatt.

Madhubala was just 16 when Kamal Amrohi, against the advice of everyone, cast her as Kamini. Ashok Kumar who was almost double her age played Hari Shankar, an aristocrat who stumbles into the haunted mansion, comes face-to-face with his lookalike's portrait and comes under the spell of this mysterious miss who appears and disappears at will. "We also have a ghostly, beautiful woman in our film and a man who is drawn to her," informs Bhatt, adding that the 'mahal' has transformed a huge hotel in the wilderness with few occupants.

Mahal, made on a modest budget of Rs 9 lakh, was the third highest grosser of 1949. And it made Lata Mangeshkar a household name. In keeping with the trend of the times, in the first batch of records Aaayega aanewala was credited to Madhubala's character, Kamini. But when the song first played on All India Radio, mesmerised listeners called in to enquire about the singer's name. AIR called up the record company before announcing Lata Mangeshkar's name on air and made her an overnight star, much like Mahal's teenage leading lady.

"This song is a timeless work of art and by weaving it into our narrative we are offering a salaam to the filmmakers, actors and singers of the bygone era who gave Hindi cinema its place in the spotlight," asserts Bhatt.