Raveena Tandon on her part in KGF sequel, writing four shows that she’ll produce and bonding with family over video calls
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 29, 2020)

Last year, Raveena Tandon returned to mainstream Bollywood with an appearance in the recreated version of “Sheher Ki Ladki” for Khandaani Shafakhana. The ’90s chartbuster, featuring the actress alongside Suniel Shetty, had originally appeared in the 1996 action-thriller, Rakshak. But according to her, it was a one-off thing. “I love dancing, but I want to do more age-appropriate stuff now, something I can do with dignity and grace,” Raveena asserts.

Moving on to future endeavours, the actress informs that shooting of her upcoming project, the Yash-starrer KGF 2, is complete and only dubbing remains. “I am playing a politician, a strong character. She is the hero as well as the villain of the film, with a very interesting story arc,” Raveena informs, adding that she is also exploring writing. “I have completed four shows that have all been greenlit. I will be producing them as well.”

The actress is also kicked about her time on a reality show’s judges panel with Nach Baliye 9, in which she worked with director-friend Ahmed Khan and loved it. “You get to do a critic’s job and get paid well for it. Otherwise, it’s always us being judged. You also get to wear the best clothes,” she laughs, adding that incidentally, it’s where another one of her upcoming projects developed. “Ahmed discussed his next directorial, a comedy, with me during the show. He is an old friend and we share a comfort zone, so I didn’t ask many questions before saying ‘yes’. It was to go on the floors in June-July, but now, there is no clarity,” reveals Raveena, alluding to the Coronavirus-led uncertainty.

At home, she is happy to have got ample bonding time with family during the lockdown. “We work out and do yoga together on the terrace and play board games every night after dinner. I do miss seeing my parents, though,” she says. Speaking of family, Raveena became a naani again last year, when daughter Chhaya gave birth to a boy. And thanks to technology, she has been able to witness some memorable milestones. “I haven’t missed even one crucial moment, from him learning to crawl to his first tooth coming out. One of my daughters is in Goa, while one in South Africa, but we stay in touch through video calls,” beams the actress.

Ask her if younger daughter Rasha has shown any interest in an acting career and Raveena says, “Her main love is singing and she hasn’t shown any interest in acting yet. But the day she does, I’ll be there to guide her and help her stand on her own feet.”

Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; May 23, 2020)

They had the audience in splits with their funny antics in Fukrey (2013) and Fukrey Returns (2017). Since their first film together, Varun Sharma and Manjot Singh have been close friends. In fact, the two stay in the same neighbourhood and have the same set of friends. Considering their camaraderie, Manjot was stunned when Varun slammed the door, albeit a virtual one, in his face.

When Bombay Times pitted them against each other for an online game of Good Better Best, during a round we had Manjot standing at Varun’s doorstep, of course virtually, as the latter didn’t answer his calls. A funny conversation between the two ended with Varun slamming the door in Manjot’s face and asking him to stay home during the pandemic. Through this fun activity, they even tried to spread awareness about the need to follow the norms of social distancing.

The two actors also spoke about how they were keen for some good company while in lockdown mode. Varun said that the one person he would want to hang out with is his Khandaani Shafakhana costar, Sonakshi Sinha. “She is so much fun. We constantly pull each other’s leg,” he says. Meanwhile, the one on Manjot’s wishlist as his Coronavirus lockdown buddy was actress Kiara Advani. “I would’ve loved to be in a lockdown with her. I think she is really cute,” he confesses.

Indian movies used to have infamously awkward subtitles. Thanks to streaming platforms, they are getting a slick makeover
Sonam Joshi (THE TIMES OF INDIA; February 16, 2020)

‘Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to many more amazing films,” said Bong Joon Ho, director of the Korean film Parasite. The movie’s sweep at the Oscars has been hailed as a victory over that barrier.

After decades of neglect, subtitles are having a moment. In India, our infamously bad subtitles have inspired memes and parodies. But in the last few years, there has been a sea change in how subtitles are written, because of streaming platforms and new markets. Filmmakers and producers see them as a bridge to a wider audience.

“Subtitling is no longer just the domain of festival films. Now every film releases on a streaming platform sooner or later,” says Mumbai-based subtitler Jahan Singh Bakshi. “The volume of work has increased and the awareness among filmmakers and audiences has gone up. As cinema becomes global, how a film performs depends on how it’s been translated on screen.”

Subtitling is more complicated than literal translation. “It is about how to translate the essence of a dialogue for an English speaking audience,” says Bakshi, who has given Hindi-to-English subtitles for films and series such as Sacred Games, Badhaai Ho and Chhapaak. “You have to take liberties, due to cultural differences and line length. The challenge is to play with language in a way that even if you deviate from the text, you retain the emotion.”

Streaming platforms have clear guidelines for subtitles, with some preferring two or three-line subtitles in a single frame and others wanting their speakers identified.

It is important to understand the cultural context and the audience, says Kochi-based subtitler Vivek Ranjit, who has done Malayalam-to-English subtitles for films such as Angamaly Diaries and Lucifer. “I usually try to find proverbs, idioms and alternatives close to the situation,” he says. For instance, a scene from the film Jomonte Suvisheshangal where actor Dulquer Salmaan is playing dumb charades with Malayalam films was changed to Hollywood films matching his actions. Similarly, Bakshi changed an allusion to the actor Raj Babbar with Al Pacino in Khandaani Shafakhana.

Jokes and songs, which involve wordplay and local nuances, are the most challenging. “For instance, Malayalam lyrics are full of metaphors, and look silly when translated in English,” says Ranjit.

In India, subtitles have contributed to the wide popularity and commercial success of regional films such as Kumbalangi Nights, Charlie, Angamaly Diaries and Lucifer. Chennai’s veteran subtitler Rekhs, who has captioned over 520 films since 2010, says that subtitles are now a priority in the Tamil industry. “Viewers notice, and discern quality,” she says. She credits social media with advocating for better subtitles. Online pages such as Rally for Subtitles in Bengaluru and Mumbai Subtitles Database and ticketing platforms such as BookMyShow have started indicating if a film is playing with subtitles.

“The translation has to be according to the flavour of the movie,” says Rekhs, who has even used emoticons in the subtitles for the Rajinikanth starrer Kabali. “For instance, for a period film such as Bahubali: The Beginning, I used phrases such as ‘did not’ and ‘cannot’ rather than the shortened version can’t and didn’t because it went with the flavour of the film.” Her own team has grown to 12 people, and works on subtitles in Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi, in addition to Tamil.

While some subtitling work is done by experienced professionals, a considerable amount is also handled by bigger companies. This includes subtitling for streaming platforms seeking to expand their audience through content localisation, releasing international titles with Hindi subtitles and dubs.

“It is easier to sell a film when you have subtitles done in multiple languages,” says Jyothi Nayak, SVP, Prime Focus Technologies (PFT). Subtitles are also popular with millennials. “The younger generation is on the go and on their smartphones and prefer the subtitled version,” says Nayak.

“As the OTT revolution picked up in India, the subtitling business has grown exponentially,” says Mohan Naidu, VP, Vista India, whose network of subtitling professionals has grown from a handful to over 500 today. Freelancers working with them earn anywhere from Rs 15,000 to Rs 75,000 working out of their homes, he says. PFT, which provides subtitling services for 13 languages, worked on 40,000 hours of subtitling last year, an increase of 50% as compared to the previous year. It has an in-house team of 350-400 professionals, and recruited 800-900 freelancers last year.

“Earlier subtitles were published from Hindi, regional and international languages to English, but now we see demand for regional language subtitling as well,” Nayak says. The highest demand is for subtitles in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Kannada and Malayalam.

Meanwhile, Rekhs is hopeful that Parasite’s win can also open doors here. “If a Korean film can be selected for the Oscars, so can an Indian film,” she says. “It depends on how it is translated. I’m sure there will be a National Award for subtitles soon.”

Sonakshi Sinha, who has been working non-stop for nine years, has now decided to do ‘one thing at a time’; says she’s excited about her digital debut
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 17, 2020)

After nine years as an actor in Bollywood, Sonakshi Sinha has changed a lot. Though she admits that she loves to “work non-stop” and is super dedicated to what she does. Sonakshi also insists that she doesn’t want to burn out. Therefore, the actor has decided that this year on, she will only work on one project at a time. In an interview, Sonakshi talks about her digital debut with a thriller, why she needs to not be “low-key” and why she prefers her work to speak for her. Excerpts:

What made you decide to do a web show?
After the stellar year I have had with four releases [Kalank, Khandaani Shafakhana, Mission Mangal, Dabangg 3] last year, I wanted to take up something only if it blew my mind, and this web show did that. It challenges me, and the story is thrilling. I didn’t have to think twice before taking it up. Plus, director Reema Kagti is so clear about her vision, and it’s a pleasure to be directed by her.

You recently learned to ride a bike for the same show. How has that experience been?
Wonderful. I have always wanted to learn how to ride, but with work being so hectic, and it being a little difficult to do so on the Mumbai streets, I never got a chance to ride a bike until now. My teachers, Sheetal and Shubhangi from a riding school are cool biker girls and taught me well. I have always liked bikes, but now that I know how to ride — I love them! Although, I am not a fan of speeding, just being on a bike is an exhilarating feeling.

What is that one thing that attracts mainstream actors like you to a digital show?
The content. I am hooked to watching shows on various OTT platforms, and I strongly believe their content is way better than most films today. And, as an actor, at the end of the day, I am only looking for things that will challenge me. I will always be an actor first — whether I choose to do films, digital shows, television or theatre. They are just mediums. I am not leaving cinema at all, just trying something new.

This year, you will complete 10 years in showbiz. How do you feel your career has panned out?
Recently, a survey revealed that I am the only actress who debuted in 2010s and has been a part of films that have collected ₹1,500 crores at the box office since then. It’s safe to say that my career panned out really well. I think I am a very hard working person. I have been super dedicated to my work and that has really paid off. I believe in keeping my head down and working hard. I have worked non-stop for the past nine years and this year, I have taken a step back and decided to do one thing at a time. It’s important not to burn out, I still think I have a long way to go. I’d rather let my work speak for myself, but having said that, I could work on my PR skills... I am too low-key for this business.

Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 18, 2019)

Actor Raveena Tandon’s songs are the kinds that connect the earlier generations with the millennials. Well, all these people are seen showing off their moves on the dance floor either on the songs which were originally picturised on her, or a new version of those songs featured in recent films.

For instance, Mohra’s (1994) Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast was reprised in Machine (2017); Rakshak’s (1996) Shehar Ki Ladki was remixed for Khandaani Shafakhana; and Dulhe Raja’s (1998) Ankhiyon Se Goli Maare has had a reboot for the upcoming film, Pati Patni Aur Woh.

Well, the actor says the remix game has made her songs “timeless”. She says, “Most of my songs have been remixed for current films. There’s Tip Tip Barsa Pani coming up, too in Sooryavanshi. I think it is great, as these are becoming timeless. They are getting a new life and a new beat for the new generation. Whoever is in the song ends up owning them, so I love it. And wherever I go, the new version of my songs are played. It’s awesome.”

Talking of new things, the actor is turning a new leaf in her career. She is turning a producer for the web. “There is a lot of interesting stuff happening on the net and I am working on four web shows. I have a team working on them and will stream our shows on popular platforms,” says the National Award winner.

Why web space? “There is so much you can experiment with, and so much you can say,” concludes Raveena.

WILL LAST-MINUTE POSTPONEMENT BENEFIT JABARIYA JODI?

Usually, the Friday before a big festival or national holiday is an empty week. Meaning, no significant Hindi film releases on such a Friday and it’s usually dominated by B-grade or very small, insignificant flicks. But tomorrow, August 9, will be different. It’s a week before the big national holiday, Independence Day, which shall see the release of two exciting films – Batla House and Mission Mangal. Yet, a medium-sized flick, Jabariya Jodi, will try it’s luck.

Jabariya Jodi stars Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra and is directed by debutant Prashant Singh. It is based on the real-life groom kidnappings in Bihar. But the film overall is fiction and is said in an entertaining manner. The trailer is interesting and both the actors look in fine form. The humour works well especially the scenes of Jaaved Jaaferi, Mohit Baghel, Sanjay Mishra and Aparshakti Khurana. The same can’t be said about the previous week’s releases like Arjun Patiala and Khandaani Shafakhana. And even the popularity of the actors is more, notwithstanding that they have given a string of flops as solo actors. But at least they are known.

Music has also worked but only till an extent. As aforementioned, the star power of Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra is not as much today and hence, the buzz is very limited. The film was to earlier release on August 2 but got pushed less than a week before this scheduled release when the makers realize there’s not enough screen space. Khandaani Shafakhana and the Hollywood biggie Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw were to release on August 2 and the earlier films like Super 30 and The Lion King were still going strong. As a result, Jabariya Jodi makers found it sensible to push the film by a week ahead. This has been a good move as Jabariya Jodi is now a solo release. On the flipside, it will now only have a six-day week as August 15 falls on Thursday this time.

The limited hype means the film will open in the range of Rs. 2.50-3 crore. Jabariya Jodi more or less looks like a family entertainer. As a result, not just youth but even families will flock to cinemas if word of mouth is positive. Since it seems like a massy film, the chances of it working are there in ‘B’ and ‘C’ centres. So if the reports are positive, it can have weekend collections of around Rs. 12-13 crore which will help the film sustain in the weekdays. But if reports are bad, it will crash and will have no chance once Batla House and Mission Mangal hit screens. Even if audiences give thumbs up to Jabariya Jodi, it’ll still have a tough run at the box office from August 15 onwards.

The other two Hindi releases of the week are Rajeev Khandelwal-starrer Pranaam and a courtroom drama, Chicken Curry Law. Both these films are bound to flop. Pranaam seems like a 90s gangster drama. Chicken Curry Law, meanwhile, looks like one of those sleazy flicks that tries to pass off as a social film.

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

Khandaani Shafakhana could have been the fourth film in the Vicky Donor, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan and Badhaai Ho category. The story had so much potential. Imagine a young girl in a small town running a sex clinic – someone like Juhi Chaturvedi would have taken it to dizzying heights. Sadly, the writer fails to do justice as the script is very poor. Even the dialogues are nothing great. Most parts of the film is supposed to be funny but fails to evoke laughs. Moreover, the direction isn’t great and several scenes are disjointed. On the plus side, the message of the film is nice and the finale manages to raise few laughs. The performances are also decent. Sonakshi Sinha has done better in her previous solo films like Akira and Noor. Here, she’s watchable but not in good form. Her performance in pre-climax and finale are impressive. Varun Sharma is anything but funny. Kulbhushan Kharbanda is endearing. Priyansh Jora (named Lemon Hero in the film) is apt. Annu Kapoor is entertaining as always. Rajesh Sharma tries to do a Saurabh Shukla of Jolly LLB but somehow works. Nadira Babbar, Rajiv Gupta and others are strictly okay. Badshah is confident and even funny, but is letdown by the writing. All in all, Khandaani Shafakhana is a disappointment and waste of a great opportunity!

My rating - ** out of 5!

WILL SONAKSHI SINHA’S SMALL FILM BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND FAST & FURIOUS SPIN OFF?

The month of August will begin on a fair note for Indian audiences. Two medium-budget Bollywood films were to release tomorrow but one of them (Jabariya Jodi) was pushed ahead. Hence, now one Hindi film will be hitting screens along with a big Hollywood flick. My analysis:

KHANDAANI SHAFAKHANA: It is the story of a girl who is compelled to run a family-owned sex clinic. It’s in the Vicky Donor zone and attempts to question the taboos and myths surrounding sex in our society. Sonakshi Sinha features in the lead role along with Varun Sharma, Annu Kapoor and Kulbhushan Kharbanda. The film also features singer Badshah in a supporting role and it also serves as his acting debut. In keeping with the current trend, the makers have remixed iconic 90s song ‘Shehar Ki Ladki’ and roped in Diana Penty and the actors in the original version, Suniel Shetty and Raveena Tandon, in the music video. But the hype for the film is negligible. A similar female-centric film of Sonakshi Sinha, Noor, had opened at Rs. 1.20 crore. And last week’s Arjun Patiala opened at just Rs. 1.25 crore. Noor however seemed too urban and niche while Arjun Patiala’s prospects were also limited because of the spoof comedy genre. Khandaani Shafakhana at least seems a bit mainstream. Hence, the opening will be more than these two films but it won’t be more than Rs. 1.75-2 crore. From the trailers, it seems like a good product and if response is positive, it can grow substantially in the weekends and sustain well in the weekdays. Yet, with such a low opening, a lifetime of Rs. 18-20 crore is the maximum it can reach, which is not a good result for the film.

FAST & FURIOUS: HOBBS & SHAW: This is the part of the very popular Fast & Furious franchise, which has a following in India. But this is like a spin-off of the series and stars Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Idris Elba, Vanessa Kirby and Helen Mirren. The trailer as expected is spectacular and the film surely deserves a big-screen watch. It’s releasing in 3D and IMAX as well and these versions would surely get footfalls in hordes. However, the film’s buzz is limited since Vin Diesel is not casted. He’s like the face of the film in India and in his absence, the collections will suffer. Also, it has been awarded adults-only certificate. Fast & Furious 7 was also given ‘A’ certificate. However, that was the biggest film of the franchise, chiefly because it was the last film of late Paul Walker. Fast & Furious 7 opened at Rs. 12 crore while Fast & Furious 8’s full-day opening collections were Rs. 9 crore, with Rs. 5 crores from paid previews. Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw would be able to open in the range of Rs. 7-8 crore and has an outside chance of collecting Rs. 9 crore. The eighth part managed to earn Rs. 86.97 crore in its lifetime while part 7 collected Rs. 97.86 crore. In the absence of Vin Diesel, there’s no chance Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw can go beyond Rs. 65-70 crore.

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

First-time director Shilpi Dasgupta explains why she chose the actress for her film on sex education
MUMBAI MIRROR (August 1, 2019)

What prompted you to make a film on sex education?
I wanted to make my first film on the need of the hour. When we (Mrighdeep Singh Lamba and I) heard the story for the first time from Gautam (Mehra, writer), I just knew this is the story I want to tell. I grew up in Bhopal, and it is not what it is right now. It had these sex clinics being advertised on so many walls, and I always had some curiosity to get to know what is up with that side, but never got any convincing answers.

We’re telling this story with a lot of fun and humour, asking people to shed their shyness and talk about it. Population explosion, sex-related crimes are already active time bombs for India. Sex education is the only solution to the problem, but it will be effective only if we stop shying away from talking about it and repressing it.

We’ve made this film to kick-start a discussion on sex in India, making this a dining table conversation. For that we have approached the issue in a way that it does not sound preachy, and is entertaining for all the members of the family.

Was Sonakshi always the first choice?
Isn’t Sonakshi simply the best? She’s a talent house. Her films have always been family entertainers. To get this topic to be discussed within families, we wanted to have a household name associated with the film. She is much more than just a pretty face. Her face has a softness that gives positive vibes. We wanted people to see the girl-next-door running a sex clinic. But yeah, hats off to her, it takes a lot of guts to go around at a live street location, shouting the sexual disorders with a board just behind her back which has SEX written in bold letters. It would have been really difficult if Sonakshi wasn’t this brave.

Do you think the film will be able to bring a positive change in the society?
I don’t know if it will bring about a change or not but that’s not the point. The point is, are we ready to give ourselves a chance to enjoy a subject like this or not—see humour in our own lives and the way we live. We are a funny lot, highly emotional too, and so is this film. It’s a funny, emotional journey of a beautiful young mind that aspires to break free and ask questions. I hope the film strikes the right chord, touches hearts but also opens minds.

How would you like to describe the journey of your directorial debut?
I haven’t really got time to even think about it. It is really very overwhelming to have my debut film in the form of Khandaani Shafakhana. It has content that I want to share with everyone, and the issue for which I stand for. It has the perfect cast, including Sonakshi Sinha, Varun Sharma, Annu Kapoor, Nadira Babbar, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Priyansh Jora, who’s debuting with this film. And the very exciting debut of Badshah as an actor. I am so thankful to Mrigh (Mrigdeep Singh Lamba), Mahaveer ji (Mahaveer Jain) and Bhushan ji (Bhushan Kumar), who have supported the vision completely. The whole team of Khandaani Shafakhana made my debut as a director, a dream come true.

Gulshan Kumar and T-Series present, Khandaani Shafakhana, a Sundial production. Produced by Bhushan Kumar, Mahaveer Jain, Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, Divya Khosla Kumar, directed by Shilpi Dasgupta, the film is all set to release tomorrow.

Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; August 1, 2019)

Television actor Priyansh Jora, who has been part of shows like Tu Mera Hero and 24, is all set to make his Bollywood debut. He will play a pivotal role in the Sonakshi Sinha and Badshah-starrer, Khandaani Shafakhana.

Priyansh is happy that his big-screen debut is with a film that talks about an issue — sex being a taboo subject in our society. He says, “My work on TV helped me land this role. Of course, I went through auditions, but what matters is that I bagged a film, which is meaningful and gives me scope to perform.”

About working with Sonakshi, he says, “She is a senior actress, but she was very chilled-out on the set. That helped me relax, too, and work better.”

In the film, Priyansh plays a lemon soda juice stall owner, who lends support to Baby Bedi (Sonakshi), who inherits her uncle’s sex clinic. Ask him about the message of the film, and he replies, “I feel that the subject is extremely relevant. In India, most men refrain from talking about sexual problems because of the male ego. On the other hand, most women are too shy to open up, as they have been told from childhood that it is a taboo subject. It is important that we have normal conversations about sex; our children shouldn’t grow up thinking that it’s something that shouldn’t be spoken or discussed about. During my growing-up years, when we would crack jokes on sex, the grown-up women in our families would tag us ‘non-veg guys’. The point is, when somebody cracks jokes on sex or discusses it, nobody understands that the more open one is about it, the easier it is to solve problems around it.”

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; July 31, 2019)

She’s having a busy year, diving from one film set to another. From performing to a redux version of Helen’s song Mungda and playing the resilient Satya in Kalank, she’s moved on to portray a girl who runs a sex clinic in Punjab, in the upcoming Khandaani Shafakhana directed by Shilpi Dasgupta. In the wings are films like Mission Mangal, Dabangg 3 and Bhuj: The Pride of India. Not one to complain about living out of a suitcase, Sonakshi Sinha, in a conversation with BT, spoke about why she’s been averse to the idea of talking about sex, why the conversation around the subject is important and how Bollywood could pat itself on its back for mirroring several social realities. Excerpts:

The year has been one of mixed emotions for you. Kalank didn’t do well at the box office, on the personal front, the election results didn’t swing in your parents’ (Shatrughan and Poonam Sinha) favour. On the brighter side, it is evident that you are experimenting with different kind of movies and enjoying the space you have created for yourself…
This is life! I’m enjoying this path that I’ve carved for myself. I love being a different person in every film. I’m an actor and this is what I live for. This is the track I always wanted to have in my career. Every film has its fate and you have to be prepared for the best and the worst. People had such high expectations from Kalank, but its box-office result is something that we should all learn from. I just believe in doing my best because the rest is not in my control. My honesty and discipline for the craft continue to bring me work. When something does well, you feel great and when it doesn’t, you feel the pinch, but you can’t dwell on it. Reinvention has been the key to survival, and I do that on a personal level. Change is the only constant and cinema is going through a lot of changes right now.

As for my parents, they gave the elections their best shot. It didn’t work out, but they have moved on from it. They’re strong individuals and they don’t let these things affect them for too long. I imbibe that quality from them.

So far, you’ve stayed away from roles that require you to get intimate on screen with your co-actors. In fact, you’ve always said that you would like to stick to films that are family entertainers. Cut to a film that talks about sex and sex-related issues openly. That is quite a leap...
(Laughs!) That’s one of the reasons why I was almost not going to do the film. Like everyone else, I thought of sex as a taboo subject. I was almost ready to say no when I heard the one-line concept, but the script of this film made my change my mind. It’s one of the cleanest family entertainers offered to me. My track record will tell you that I don’t work in films that I can’t watch with my family and friends comfortably. Working on this film was an eye-opener for me. Before we started shooting, I was wondering how I would mouth the lines around sex in front of so many men on the set. But once the camera was rolling, it became easy, there was no air of formality and everyone seemed normal about it. This film is for family viewing, although it talks about a general mentality that we have towards sex... ki wo gandi baat hai, uske baare mein khullam khulla baat nahi karte. We’re just trying to cure people’s minds and open it up a little more. Sex is one of the most natural things to happen between individuals and it’s the reason we’re all here. If you can treat cold and cough openly, I don’t see why there should be a problem curing an ailment relating to sex. I don’t understand usko gupt rog kyun kehte hain. Sexual disorders are also bodily disorders. I can never be a part of something that sensationalises things or presents me in a cheap manner. The best part is that this film has been made by a female director. If the story could help me to change my mind, I’m sure it can help others, too.

Your film is set in Punjab and plays on the discomfort people have while talking about sex. A woman running a sex clinic only makes matters tougher. Now that you have been through the process of the entire film, have you delved deeper and thought about why sex is often considered such a bad word in our society?
Look, I think that the reason we don’t discuss sex-related issues openly, is because we have been raised in that manner. While we were growing up, elders make it amply clear in their own way that it’s a bad thing or sometimes, they simply brushed the discussion aside, pretending that it was not important. In this film, we are just trying to drive home the point that there is no harm in speaking about a problem that you have. In fact, people attach gender to a person addressing the issue. Sexologist to koi bhi ho sakta hai, as long as the person can help you find a solution to your problem. As a society, we should impart knowledge about sex, just the way we impart moral values. Eventually, people will stop making a big deal of it.

Today, things are changing. In schools, sex education is imparted early on. It will hopefully bring about a big change in the way the new generation views this subject. Your thoughts?
Sex education is a must in schools; only then can we make everything else around it seem normal. Why leave it to self-discovery, which sometimes can make kids go astray? If we educate youngsters about sex at the right time, they can make more informed choices, they can be clearer about their sexual orientation, be sensitive towards other people’s sexual preferences and most importantly, practise safe sex.

When was the first time you had a conversation around sex with your peers and parents?
The conversation with peers happened very early in life. It’s a natural part of your growing up years in school and college. You become aware of a lot of things because of those open conversations that you have with them. But I’ve never had a conversation around sex with my parents. It’s just never happened. Trust me, I’m not the only one. There’s a large population of this country that has not spoken to their parents openly about sex because the subject has a strange awkwardness attached to it. That’s why people seek information outside, when it should be given to them at home. I hope when my parents see this film, they can have that chat with me and then, we will break that wall (laughs!). Only thing is that it’s a few years too late, no?

Moving on to matters of the heart, many of your peers are in a relationship, and some have even tied the knot. Have you found your Mr Right, or, are you so focussed on work that you have no time for love?
So many of my peers have found their partners and I’m very happy for them. I’ve just realised that everything I chase evades me. I’m like any other girl who has thoughts and dreams about romance and relationship. I love the idea of being in a relationship and I could be in one forever. I miss having a relationship in my life, but at this point, I’m not chasing love. Love will have to come looking for me.

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; July 30, 2019)

Writer Shilpi Dasgupta, who makes her debut as a director with Khandaani Shafakhana, seeks small-town stories. According to her, “Small towns are no longer small. The topography and demographics are changing, and the texture of these cities is no longer the same.” The film starring Sonakshi Sinha, Varun Sharma and Badshah encourages people to talk about sex and sexrelated issues openly. Excerpts from a chat:

What drew you make your directorial debut with a film based on this subject?
When one of my writers came to me with this story, I felt it had a lot of merit and I should attempt it as a director. I took a call instinctively. The story was convincing and exciting. I loved the one-liner description of the film, and eventually, I was happy with the screenplay. It’s a relevant subject in the society that we live in. It becomes more compelling when you go deeper into the nitty-gritties of the story. And, the fact that the discussion is sparked by a girl makes it more interesting. The only thing that we needed was a team that could support the film’s purpose, and gradually, we found them.

In the last couple of years, several films revolving around taboo subjects, including sex, have been made in Bollywood. A film like Vicky Donor, in many ways, was path breaking. Did you think there would be comparisons?
I don’t think the films can be compared. I just felt that the timing of this film is right. India is waking up to a lot of things and we are ready to discuss things, or at least address them. There is a revolution of sorts around us, because now we are seeing people questioning things. Social media, even with all its flaws, gives you the freedom to ask questions. I can file an RTI and seek answers from the authorities. The system is changing, and so, even society needs to change its ways. Today, children are encouraged to ask questions in schools instead of mugging what is placed before them. We are evolving as a society, but it’s a slow process. Although there was a digression of sorts a few years ago, cinema has now begun to celebrate the non-hero, the non-larger-than-life entities. People are happy to watch something that is relatable. Actors like Rajkummar Rao and Ayushmann Khurrana are leading films because they are the faces of relatable cinema. I don’t feel bad that people are comparing my film with Ayushmann’s film, Vicky Donor. That film broke new ground, but my film presents a larger picture.

Sonakshi, in her interview, mentioned the fact that she was initially hesitant to mouth lines that had to do with sex on a set that was full of men. How did she come around?
For a while, Sonakshi and I were the only women working on this film. Gradually, more women joined in and the set had a fair number of men as well as women. By and large, films are not even a mirror of what our society is today. People are living in a comparatively liberated environment, yet, when you try talking about sex openly, they are uptight. When I told my mother about the subject of Khandaani Shafakhana, she was taken aback. She had her reservations like a lot of other people in our country, who are averse to talking about something so basic. As for Sonakshi, I think after her initial hesitation, she came around beautifully. She handled the role and the dialogues with confidence and comfort. She was one of those few people, who saw the whole point of the film. While shooting, she let go of her star image and became Baby Bedi.

Your film is set in Hoshiarpur, Punjab. A large part of our country has a stereotypical idea of machoism, which deters people (mostly men) from speaking openly about issues related to sex...
A victim is the one who suffers, and in most cases, it’s the woman. Our conditioning is so deep-rooted that even education can’t change it. Andh vishwas is deeper than rationale. We’ve tried to question the stigma around sex and having a woman talk about sex-related issues helps drive home the point. If someone doesn’t feel like having sex or has a problem while doing so, he or she should be able to speak up and have a dialogue. Not too many people notice this, but youngsters hit puberty much earlier today. Girls and boys go through hormonal hurricanes when they’re 10 and 11, but when do they really get sex education? They might be getting sex education around the time they are 14, but what should they do in the interim? The body goes crazy with hormonal changes and that’s the time when being able to talk to an adult helps. The lack of understanding pushes them to discuss things with friends, who are in the same boat as them. Or else, they search for answers on the web, and you know the imagery that search engines throw up when you type the word sex. That’s the reason parents have to be aware that education is not just gyaan about the birds and the bees, but it’s about being able to have an open and judgement-free discussion with their child. This is necessary, so that, their child grows up to be responsible about sex-related issues and brings any untoward behaviour to the family’s notice if it occurs. The situation in villages is even further away from the conversations we are having here. So, the more we talk about the subject in popular culture, the easier it will be for people to accept the change.

Badshah clears the air after calling Kartik Aaryan an ‘overrated’ actor; also admits that he is still unsure about his own acting career
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 29, 2019)

Badshah tops the Bollywood hit list with chartbusters like Kapoor & Sons’ “Kar Gayi Chull”, “The Humma Song” from OK Jaanu and “Tareefan” from Veere Di Wedding. Now, the musician-singer makes his acting debut as a pop star in Khandaani Shafakhana. Quiz him on how the makers coaxed him to face the camera for a feature film and he laughs, “They actually had to ‘coax’ me. It all began when Mrig sir (Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, who is producing the film with Bhushan Kumar and Mahaveer Jain) narrated the script to me. I liked what I heard and went with the flow. I still don’t know how I finished the film. Sonakshi (Sinha), Choocha (Varun Sharma), Shilpi ma’am (director Shilpi Dasgupta) and Mrig sir all helped. In fact, it was Sonakshi who, when I confided in her about the acting offers I was getting, told me to go for it. And now, I am making my debut with her.”

As part of his prep, Mrighdeep helped him create a back story for his character Gabru, who comes from a small village in Punjab and changes once he makes it big. Quiz Badshah on his career choices and he reveals that he wanted to be an astronaut, a basketball player and even an administrative officer at different points in his life, though music was always his first love and acting never figured in the list. Is he open to more turns in front of the camera now? He confides that he’s not sure though he has liked another script. “I will take the scripts to someone who knows better, then take a call. Meanwhile, I’ll make a lot of music,” he smiles.

Badshah begun his music career as ‘Cool Equal’ and informs that this was his E-mail ID. Soon after, he realised that he needed a better stage name. Shah Rukh Khan’s film Baadshah had released around the time and being a die-hard fan of the actor, he named himself after its grandiose title.

He was in the news recently after referring to Kartik Aaryan as an “overrated” actor on Karan Johar’s talk show. Bring it up and he guffaws, “I don’t know why I named him, maybe because we were talking about Kartik during the break. It just came out but the fact is that he is a brilliant actor with a very good script sense. When I told Kartik, I was acting, he joked, ‘Beta, ab tu dekh.’”

Badshah recently rapped for Salman Khan’s Dabangg 3 song “Munna Badnaam Hua” and says he loves being around the actor. “Salman sir’s parties are among the best in town. Composers Sajid sir and Wajid sir were kind enough to call me, I’ve even written some of the lyrics. It will be one of the biggest songs of the year,” he promises with a smile.

Crediting Lootera for changing the game for her, Sonakshi Sinha talks about how her upcoming films strike a balance between content and commerce
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; July 22, 2019)

After Khandaani Shafakhana, Sonakshi Sinha has her plate full with Mission Mangal, Dabangg 3 and Bhuj: The Pride Of India. It is easy to see how her outings belong to diverse genres — if the August 15 release is a sci-fi drama, the Dabangg franchise is as mainstream as they come, and the Ajay Devgn-Sanjay Dutt starrer, a larger-than-life war offering. But before you think it's a conscious move, Sinha says that she is simply fortunate that filmmakers trust her with such varied characters.

"Over the years, filmmakers know the kind of roles that will suit me. When I started out, I was the quintessential Hindi film heroine, and the only films that were offered to me were masala entertainers. But after Lootera (2013), the perspective changed. My character in Bhuj... is a strong woman. Vicky Donor (2012) and Shubh Mangal Saavdhaan (2017) dealt with sex-related issues and were fantastic scripts. But for the first time, a story on a similar issue is being narrated in Khandaani Shafakhana from a female protagonist's point of view. So, it's an interesting time in my career."

The actor is upbeat about Mission Mangal as much for its subject as for it being a female-led project. "It celebrates the spirit of womanhood. It was a moment of pride to be associated with the film." She is quick to add that the third edition of Dabangg, which reunites her with Salman Khan, holds a special place in her life. "It is because of Salman Khan that I am here today. He never asked me if I wanted to do Dabangg; he just told me that I am doing it. After that, there was no looking back."

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; July 22, 2019)

Varun Sharma forms a solid part of the supporting cast of all his films and has managed to carve out a space for himself in Bollywood. He’s popularly addressed as Choocha, the name of the first character he had played on screen. Year 2019, has been busy one for the actor; he’s been shuttling between sets and slipping in and out of various characters. Varun will be seen in three distinctly different films in the next few months, starting with Arjun Patiala that opens this week. Over to the actor:

Year 2019 has been a busy one for you; three of your films — Arjun Patiala, Khandaani Shafakhana and Chhichhore — are ready for release and Roohi Afza is being shot right now...
As a teenager, I used to read celebrity interviews in which people would often say, ‘I have a few good films in my kitty’. I feel very happy that today, I, too, can say that. I do have a few interesting films in my kitty. I will always cherish the year 2019 in my life because I’ve literally lived out of a suitcase, travelled from one set to another and played such a variety of characters, which is a dream for any actor.

Your first release this year is Arjun Patiala, a spoof comedy set in Punjab. It’s a popular genre in the West, but relatively new to Bollywood. Does it make you nervous?
I agree that it is a new genre for Bollywood and is something that has worked well in the West. I am a fan of films like Scary Movie and Deadpool, which are popular in that genre. Comedy can be a lot more fun if you try something unique. With Arjun Patiala, we’re not making fun of any other film or the police department or a community. We’re just making fun of our own film. We’ve used some common industry jargons, which infuse a lot of humour in various situations in the film. If this one works, trust me, there will be many more films in this genre.

You play a buddy cop, Onida Singh, in this film. It’s an addition to your list of quirky character names like Choocha in Fukrey, Sexa in the upcoming Chhichhore. How different is this one from your previous characters?
Onida Singh has a back-story. His parents couldn’t buy a TV and instead had a son, who they named after the brand. It’s different from all my past characters from the word go. I’m really lucky that I get some whacked out names for my characters in films, which is one of the reasons why they are remembered by the audience. Like I’m called Sexa in Chhichhore. I really like such character names. I’ve met a lot of quirky people while growing up in my home city, Jalandhar. I’ve stayed in those Punjabi colonies and hung out with some really funny people. I love it when I get to play quirky characters on screen that have peculiarities.

The week after Arjun Patiala, you have another comedy film, Khandaani Shafakhana releasing, which revolves around a girl and her tryst with running a sex clinic in Punjab. The trailer reminds you of Ayushmann Khurrana’s Vicky Donor...
Khandaani Shafakhana tries to break taboos around sex. We’re not aiming to clear the air on a particular problem related to sex. We’re basically trying to open conversations around it. We want people to speak up if they have a problem. Sometimes, not knowing enough about sex can lead to bigger troubles. We just want people to be okay to talk about sex. It’s dangerous to not know about it. In this film, I play Sonakshi Sinha’s supportive brother, who is such a vella; he’s busy trying to grow his hair. This film is special for me because Mrighdeep Lamba directed me in my first film (Fukrey) and this is his first outing as a producer.

It’s a general perception that men can’t have sex problems, and even if they do, it’s far harder for them to address it and deal with it. This also comes from a misconstrued idea of machoism. While growing up in Punjab, did you ever have a conversation pertaining to sex with your elders?
I’ve seen sex clinics tucked inside lanes near bus stands and stations; I’ve crossed them but never entered any of those clinics. It’s true that we don’t talk about sex. I didn’t get any sex education when I was growing up. Our conditioning was such that we could never discuss it even with our peers. Desires and problems had to be tackled at a very personal level. We had to educate ourselves on matters relating to sex on our own. Urban cities are a lot more progressive, because kids here are often given sex education at the right age. It’s true that men don’t believe that they can have sexual disorders. Sometimes, when people know they have a problem, they hide it from their spouse, which leads to broken marriages and chaos in their marital lives. In an entertaining way, we’ve only tried to tell people that it’s essential to talk about sex.

Sometimes, just talking about sex-related topics helps in understanding the subject better and coping with problems, if there are any. Right?
Look, even though we believe that we are a progressive society at large, we read sexologist’s columns in newspapers but never tell anyone that we’ve read it. We fear that people will judge us. When I have kids, I would like to keep a line of conversation on this open, because I want them to have frank chats with me about their problems when they face hormonal havocs.

You have been playing funny characters in all your films so far. While this is your forte and you seem to enjoy it, are you only being offered comic characters in movies because filmmakers think that you have cracked it in this genre?
I won’t ever stop working in comedy films because all the comedies that I’ve worked in are different from each other. I have done many comedies, but none of my roles are repetitive. Yes, I want to try other genres and I’ve really wanted to do that for a long time. But that does not mean that I will steer away from comedies in the bargain. I’ve done theatre where I did only serious roles and from the very first film, I’ve only done funny characters. It’s tough to make people laugh and I realised that after my first film. I also felt that I have it in me to make people laugh. It gives me a beautiful feeling when I do that. Of the offers that come my way, 80 per cent are for comic characters and the remaining 20 per cent are a mix and often don’t work out. The actor in me wants to try new genres, but I guess I’ll have to wait.

Do you ever fear that people will find it difficult to accept you in a serious role?
If I do it correctly, they will accept me. I am often asked me if I am scared to be typecast in this space. People don’t hesitate to call me a comedian. I am not a comedian; I am an actor who excels in a specific genre. I’m in no hurry to pick up a serious character and prove a point to anyone. The day I am convinced about a part that I like, I will take the plunge. But I will not tear away from a genre that has worked well for me so far. Finding acceptance is an issue and a challenge that every actor faces. Our personality traits show up in all the characters we portray on screen. The only constant in my life is the effort that I put in to register every character I play.

Star rapper Badshah on why he bided his time before making acting debut with Khandaani Shafakhana
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; July 13, 2019)

Put him behind a mic and he will dole out a chartbuster. But Badshah confesses that he didn't feel as confident facing a camera until Khandaani Shafakhana came his way. After turning down several promising roles — including the one Vicky Kaushal played in Lust Stories (2018) and Diljit Dosanjh in Good News — the rapper is finally making his acting debut with the Sonakshi Sinha starrer.

Ask him what kept him from the big screen for so long, and he admits, "The fear of rejection affects everyone. The trailer has received a positive response, which has inspired confidence in me. People love me for my music, and I hope they accept this side of me, too."

Before reporting to the set on Day One, Badshah reveals that he sought the advice of good friend and singer-turned-actor Diljit Dosanjh. "His advice to me was 'Just be yourself'. I was like, 'Yeh kya bol raha hai?' But I understood this lesson after a week or so; I realised that you don't need to pretend in front of the camera."

The Shilpi Dasgupta-directed social comedy revolves around a woman who inherits a sex clinic. The rapper-actor says that the film, in a humorous vein, attempts to initiate a dialogue about sex in a society that shies away from the subject. "We have to eradicate the stigma around sex. During my school days, I never got the chance to talk to my parents [about the subject]. We would discuss it among friends, but each of us was as educated or uneducated as the other. It is important that parents talk to their children about the importance of safe sex. With our film, we intend to break the taboo."

On the music front, his latest single, Paagal, has reportedly set a record for being the most-watched video within 24 hours on YouTube by garnering 75 million views. "We wanted to put our music on the global map. It feels nice to have achieved that."

Pallabi Purkayastha (BOMBAY TIMES; July 10, 2019)

“Sex ko sex hi bologe, aur kya bologe?” comes the response from Badshah when asked about his take on sex-related problems — the subject of his debut film, Khandani Shafakhana directed by Shilpi Dasgupta. As a rapper, he’s nailed it with his string of hit songs that have music lovers grooving all around, and now, he’s making his debut as an actor with this movie, which also stars Sonakshi Sinha. In a candid chat with BT, the singer-actor, whose real name is Aditya Prateek Singh Sisodia, talks about sex and the taboos around it, recalls how he couldn’t discuss the topic with his parents back in the day, and how he doesn’t try too hard to create the image of being a rap star. Read on:

You have been a successful musician for quite some time, and with this film you are entering new territory. What was the feeling like being on a film set as an actor?
Mujhe pata hi nahi chala kab main set pe gaya and when my part was wrapped up. It just happened. The producers narrated the script to me and I liked it. I didn’t even know if I was doing the film, but the producers said, ‘Nahin, tu yeh movie kar raha hai’. I said okay, then went ahead and did it. To this day, I don’t understand what’s happening (laughs!). It is a good feeling, but I am not able to describe it.

You were offered other movies in the past as well, so what made you choose this one? Does it have something to do with the fact that you play a rockstar — something that is very close to your real-life persona?
Even for this role, I didn’t know if I could pull it off. I understood the character and yes, it is close to what I am in real life, though 10 times louder. He is all over the place — the way he plays (his music), the way he speaks and the way he treats people. But I am happy with this role and I got a great team to work with.

This film has a lot of senior and popular artistes (Sonakshi, Varun Sharma, Annu Kapoor and Rajesh Singh). Was it intimidating for you to work with such an experienced team?
When I heard that Annu Kapoor and Rajesh Singh are in the movie, mujhe darr laga tha, but when I walked on to the set, I knew what I was supposed to do. Then Annu sir walked up to me and asked, ‘Pehli baar acting kar rahe ho?’ and I asked him, ‘Haan, lag raha hai kya?’ To which, he replied, ‘Nahin, lag hi nahin raha ki pehli baar acting kar rahe ho’ (laughs!). So, that was very encouraging.

The film is about a subject which has a social stigma attached to it. And when women discuss such topics openly, it evokes a shocking reaction from people. Is the film attempting to deal with breaking such taboos?
Yes, that is the issue we have tried to tackle in this movie. It’s the age-old thinking that girls cannot and do not talk about sex. Also, we have huge a generation gap. Our generation is far more aware of sex-related problems as compared to our previous generation. It is this gap in thinking that we are trying to bridge through this film, because there is no other way to put it. Sex ko sex hi bologe, aur kya bologe? I think that is how it should be and the sooner we start talking about it without any inhibitions, the better it is. We have projected that idea in a humorous way because reality can get overbearing at times, and that’s when humour comes into play.

This movie is about ED (erectile dysfunction), sperm donation and other sex-related problems. In recent years, we have watched some fine other movies on these topics. Did you think there will be comparisons?
When I heard the script, I thought, ‘Vicky Donor jaisi lag toh rahi hai’, but when I read the script, I was genuinely convinced that this film is different. See, our movie is not about the problems, it is about the mentality pertaining to it. It shows that these problems are real and one must get them properly treated. Also, it is not specific to any one problem, it covers a broad spectrum.

Talking about breaking the taboo around sex, during your growing-up years, did you ever discuss the subject with your parents?
Absolutely not, and that is why this project appealed to me a lot. Agar meri itni frank conversation hoti about sex, toh mujhe yeh mudda hi nahin lagta. We could not talk about sex with our parents, which is why we could not understand so many things — like the importance of using a condom, and the fact that some of the disorders to do with sex are curable. Sex problems discuss karne se aapka manhood nahi chala jayega.

As a rapper you have a certain image which is flamboyant and OTT. While we know that you need to create that image for your fans through music videos and on social media, is this your real self? If not, does it get tiring to put up a show that is not entirely true?
If you are going to put up an image, it is eventually going to get tiring, because there will be days when you will feel, ‘I don’t want to dress up this way and step out of my house’. If you go through my airport looks, you will observe a pattern — main woh kapde roz pehenta hun (laughs!). I can’t bother to get all dressed up just because I will get clicked by the paparazzi. Main aisa hi hoon aur meri image waisi hi hai jaisa main banda hoon. It is only when I feature in music videos that I try and put up a show and be a bit flamboyant, because that is something that you are selling to the audience. In the music industry, you have to be a bit aspirational and relevant as well.