Anurag Basu on future project, Jagga Jasoos, Metro sequel and next film, which was hit by the pandemic
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 12, 2020)

While many have been feeling angry, restless and caged-in during the Coronavirus lockdown, Anurag Basu’s friends have been messaging him, saying, “You must be happy because you’re always in a state of perpetual lockdown.” The director admits with a laugh that periodically, he does go underground for five-six weeks, when he cooks for the kids and goes into his corner. “When the lockdown started, I imagined it wouldn’t last longer than two-three weeks and compiled a long to-do list, comprising writing and other stuff. I haven’t even got started on it,” he sighs.

Well, for many, who were hurtling along at a crazy pace with little time for family, the last few months have been an eye-opener and life-changing. What about him? “Hamare liye yeh naya nahin hai; my life changed back in 2004 (when he was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia, a type of blood cancer, and the doctors gave him around two months to live). Since my wife Tani was seven months pregnant at the time with our elder daughter, Ishana, I set myself small targets, starting with three months, so I could see my child. Then, a couple of weeks more… a month, two months, six months, a year... Taking baby steps. I went back to the set while my chemotherapy was still on, wearing a mask,” he flashbacks.

He cheated the Big C and, in the process, his priorities and lifestyle changed. “Now, Ishana and Ahana (younger daughter) are imbibing it without me telling them to. Those who knew me earlier will tell you this one is very different, new and improved Anurag,” he chuckles, adding that it started with small changes and the process continues. “Poora insaan toh nahin badal sakta, but my concept of right and wrong changed.”

While on the topic, one wonders if Ranbir Kapoor confided in him when he learnt that his father, Rishi, had cancer. “He did. I was among the first few to know,” admits the filmmaker. “We discussed what line of treatment he should take. I shared the number of my doctor with him and they spoke to him and told me what they had decided.”

There were no conversations during the treatment, but after the senior Kapoor returned from New York, just before Ranbir’s birthday on September 28, they had dinner together. “Neetu ji spoke about the treatment, Chintu ji, like always, was in his element, trying to dig into cake. Since he was not allowed to have sweets, Neetu ji tried to keep him away and this led to a fight between them. It was very cute,” he laughs. They met last on Ranbir’s birthday.

On April 30, we lost Rishi Kapoor. The day before, his good friend, Irrfan Khan, who was also battling cancer, breathed his last. Anurag was distraught. He admitted that, on Irrfan’s urging, he had scripted a sequel to his 2007 musical drama, Life In A… Metro. Irrfan, who was hilarious as the socially inept bachelor boy Monty in Part 1, was the first actor to be signed on. “I know I’ll make Metro again, I just wish I could have made it with Irrfan, too,” Anurag sighs.

For now, there’s Ludo, which is completely ready and was to open on April 24. The on-going Coronavirus pandemic has delayed the release. “I completed it in a year,” he exults. That’s quick, given Jagga Jasoos took so long. “Jagga went completely out of control. But I had made Gangster in six months. Ranbir was very busy at the time, with Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Bombay Velvet and Tamasha, and I was just sitting at home. It was frustrating at that time, but I am not blaming anyone. Film hi aisi thi. I had entered a zone that took a lot of time,” he reasons, pointing out that it is easier to make films when you repeat yourself, but when you ask yourself what new to do, the answer takes a long time to present itself, particularly later in your career. What’s heartening is that, over time, more so during the lockdown, there have been lots of tweets, messages and positive reviews from those who caught up with it, finally. “It was not a flawless film. On the contrary, it had lots of flaws. But we are all proud of Jagga Jasoos.”

So, what next? Anurag shares that he has four subjects ready, but he’s not sure which one to go with. “That was one of the the things on my to-do list. I haven’t decided yet,” he admits. Is one of them the Kishore Kumar biopic? Anurag confirms the same, saying he has worked on the subject too long and too hard, to let it go and move on. “Too much energy and passion has been invested in it, which is why it keeps popping up,” he acknowledges, pointing out that the problem isn’t only about rights. “The family is keen to make the film, but there are lots of issues. I need support from someone to push it through. But whenever I make it, it will be with Ranbir.”

Meanwhile, is he happy with Ludo? “People who have watched it liked it. I remember Barfi! for all the fun we had while making it. Jab shooting mein mazaa aata hai, toh film theek hi ban jaati hai. We had a blast during Ludo, too, there was the same synergy and energy in the team,” he signs off on an ebullient note.

Anurag Basu on his next film, which features Abhishek Bachchan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Rajkummar Rao and Pankaj Tripathi, and other aces he has up his sleeve
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 20, 2018)

After the release of Jagga Jasoos in July 2017, Anurag Basu quietly started shooting a film on the streets of Kolkata. A leaked picture from the sets suggested the director has teamed up with Abhishek Bachchan for the first time in his career. While speculation is rife that it is a sequel to his 2007 film, Life In A… Metro, Anurag categorically refutes the rumours, saying, “It has multiple plots, but it is not a sequel to Life In A… Metro. The genre and story are totally different and fresh. We have yet to decide the title and will figure the release date only after we wrap up the film.” The film has a promising ensemble cast. “It features Abhishek Bachchan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Rajkummar Rao and Pankaj Tripathi in the lead,” adds the filmmaker but refuses to divulge any more details.

After his current assignment, Anurag will team up with Kangana Ranaut for the third time, after Gangster and Life In A… Metro for a film titled Imali. “I’m not sure when the film will go on the floors because currently, both of us are tied up with multiple projects. But we will sit down soon and decide on the timeline, the film is happening for sure,” he asserts.

It has been Anurag’s dream to direct a Kishore Kumar biopic with Ranbir Kapoor playing the singeractor-filmmaker. He already has a script and screenplay ready but bring up the subject and he sighs, “Dukhti rag pe haath rakh diya, this one film I’ve really worked hard on. It took quite some time to research Kishore, but now with the script and screenplay locked, I could take it on the floors tomorrow if everything goes as planned.”

He admits that it would also be difficult to get a producer on board for Jagga Jasoos 2 but says he’d love to helm the sequel and insists there’s an audience for it too. “I wish I could convince someone to produce it for me or maybe God should give me enough money to do it myself,” smiles Anurag who currently is all set to returns as judge for the third season of Sony’s talent hunt show, Super Dancer.

He reveals that interacting with the families of participants coming from small towns helps him discover a different world. “There is a lot of positive energy on this set and I like being around with the team. Jagga Jasoos had such well-choreographed songs because this show changed my vision and boosted my creativity. Many people enquire about my dance class and a few believe I’m a choreographer. I take so much efforts to direct a film, but people recognise me today as the judge of a dance show,” he laughs, adding that TV is a great medium to reach the masses. 

Ranbir Kapoor on dad, dating, Dutt, and the idea behind his directorial debut
Mayank Shekhar (MID-DAY; July 16, 2017)

Ranbir Kapoor is a reluctant star. And we don’t mean it in the same way as many refer to Rahul Gandhi as a reluctant politician. A 24x7 actor, and in the case of Jagga Jasoos, a producer, Ranbir is very much out there — taking calls, doing interviews, on-camera, off-camera, through the evening, at Bandra’s Mehboob studio, where we meet. The reluctance has more to do with his laconic, reticent personality. He usually pauses during the interview, awaits the next question, rather than elaborately answering the previous one. That way, he reminds you more of Aamir Khan until, thankfully, Kiran Rao happened to him. And, as Ranbir admits it himself, he’s certainly nothing like Rishi Kapoor, his wildly exuberant father! Excerpt from the interview:

About a year ago, you’d said in an interview that you’re in a “pause or metamorphosis phase, somewhere between “what if” and “f*** it”. Still in the same state?
Well, no. At the time, I was also starting a new film, the (Sanjay) Dutt biopic, and I’m nearly completing it now. So I got to live a new person, and a new experience. I feel more alive now.

But what does “somewhere between ‘what if’ and ‘f*** it’” mean anyway?
I was a bit lost. I didn’t know how to understand and deal with failures. I didn’t know if the choices (I was making) were wrong. I was questioning my instincts. So you’re at that crossroad where you don’t know what’s happening, in terms of having control over your life. And I think that phase is really important — the confusion, turmoil, or to be stuck between ‘what if’ and ‘f*** it’. And it’s your own battle to fight. Some people come out of it sooner, some take time. Fortunately, the medium I’m in, films — which I love the most — changes me a lot, from phase-to-phase. Whether it’s the experience of (making) a film; or how inspired and excited I am (during the process). Dutt really gave me that.

You’d also mentioned that you were tired of seeing yourself on screen. Did this come from the fact that a lot of your films have followed very similar narratives: a lost boy, confused about everything, including love, finally comes of age. Was that choice in itself a coincidence?
I think that’s the phase I was in, earlier on. So those were the parts I was choosing. And those were the best parts being offered. Also, somewhere I was working with the same filmmakers — Imtiaz (Rockstar, Tamasha), Ayan (Wake Up Sid, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani), Karan (Ae Dil Hai Mushkil) — because they had stories to tell, that I wanted to be a part of. But yes, I have to change that. I can’t ‘come of age’ anymore! I can’t walk out of a marriage with tears in my eyes. I can’t pursue an ambition, be selfish, and have a girl make me realise what my true dreams are, so I can come back to her!

A year ago was also a time when three films of yours back-to-back had bombed, Besharam...
Bombay Velvet.

Also Roy. You were right on top of that poster. Now whether those movies were good/ bad is subjective. All that the film industry cares about is if you’re the star, then your poster must guarantee bums on seats in the first weekend.
To be honest, Besharam opened to Rs 21 crore on Day 1. So, we count that out. And even Roy, for whatever it’s worth, opened to Rs 11 crore. But yes, Bombay Velvet did not open well at all. And I do take blame for that. But as I said, I had no control over it. Bombay Velvet was a film I loved on paper; it was a film that I would stand by. But there is no formula. I don’t know what’s gonna work, or not.



Do you think this whole obsession with the star system is antithetical to huge risk-taking; has that taken us back over the years?
Not at all. I can’t follow somebody else’s career path. In my career, what’s always paid off have been the risks. When I’ve done something formulaic like Besharam, I’ve always fallen flat on my face. I just go by gut instinct, which was the same that made me sign on Rocket Singh, Wake Up Sid, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Rockstar, Rajneeti, and Barfi. And it was the same instinct that made me sign on Besharam and Anjaana Anjaani. So, this is the person I am. I am going to have lots of failures in my life; hopefully I’ll have some successes too. But I can’t really plan anything. I’m just spontaneously living my dream.

Is it then more about the craft, parts, performances, in terms of living the dream, as it were?
Not at all. You need bums on seats. I’m not here to prove to people that I’m a great actor, and that I only get great reviews, and awards. At the end (of the day), it’s about box-office collections — about how many people know you as a star, and come to see you in a movie. But I have a long way to go. I’m still struggling to find that rhythm. And I hope that I struggle for a long time. The day it gets a little easy, I might get contented.

Speaking of distinction between star and actor, you have attempted to bridge the two. For instance, your dad says you actually went back to acting school in the US simply to get the stammer right for Jagga Jasoos.
It’s my job as an actor to do my preparation. Eventually the audience has to connect with my character. And if my character stammers, I’d try to get it right. I can’t look foolish on screen. But, that’d be the same if I was a driver — I would have to know how to drive, both a manual and an automatic car, not a big deal. As for the star-actor issue, or trying to become a star while remaining an actor, I think you just have to become capable at your job. Everything else follows. If you’re honest, a good person, and your intentions are correct, you will become a star. You can’t really concentrate on ‘ki mein star kaise banoonga’, and begin to design things around it; I don’t think that works out well for anybody.

You went to Lee Strasberg school (in New York) and studied method acting. How much of that have you applied in your films?
Not much, you know. Having come back home after an under-grad course in direction (from the US), I was around 20, a star-kid, getting attention from a lot of directors willing to work with me. But I was too young then. My father asked me if I might want to go back to the US and do something for a year. I went to the Lee Strasberg Institute for nine months, to learn the ‘method’ (style/school of acting). It’s not something I thoroughly endorse myself. I think acting is not something you can learn. In a practical form, yes (it helps) that you’re working with other actors, doing scenes, and so you’re putting it (the craft) into a method. But the Strasberg or Stanislavsky ‘method’ ( acting) itself is not something I buy. As an actor, you have to develop your own method — if you’re intelligent, have had good exposure in life, and can surrender to a moment, or material. You don’t need a curriculum or syllabus.

Would you do drugs to play Sanjay Dutt, for instance?
(Laughs) It’s acting, and you have (an actual) sense of it, it always helps, and might seem truer. But I’m not really going to kill somebody to know what it feels like for a scene! I’m not that deep into the ‘method’. Playing Dutt, I’d want to see how I can get into the soul of the character. The look is easy…


The look, which leaked online, was frickin’ nuts!
Yeah! We worked really hard at it, doing four months of prosthetic (make-up) trials, lots of disappointments, thinking that it’s not going to work out. But you need to put in that time and effort. It’s a daunting task to play someone like Sanjay Dutt, who everybody knows anyway.

We met Dutt recently; he said he was astounded to see you during the shoot.
It was surreal for me. You’re acting like him, and the director calls cut, you look up, and suddenly there’s Sanjay Dutt actually sitting behind the monitor! But then I’d got so obsessed with him. Every time I’d see him, I’d start observing him like a hawk — the way he scratches his beard, twitches his eye, drinks water, hugs… It'd become a bit of a sickness for me. But that obsession is necessary for acting, or any form of art — that madness to get something right. You may still fall flat on your face, but it's necessary.

The other biopic you were working on was Kishore Kumar's, with Anurag Basu. We saw you in the Asian Paint ad recently, where you were clearly channeling Kishore, you even looked like him in it. True?
Yes, Prasoon Pandey had directed that ad, and his reference was Kishore Kumar. But I was really upset that the Kishore biopic didn't happen at the time. It's such an amazing story waiting to be told, and he's such a genius. He's also someone that many in today's generation have forgotten. At that time, we didn't get the permission from certain real-life people to use (the story). It was a bit of a bu***r. But I hope that film gets made, and I'd love to play Kishore Kumar.

As stars, inaccessible Kishore, or Dutt, for that matter, held much aura/mystique around them. The way you've played out your career so far — not on social media, never done TV — is there a conscious attempt to take stardom back to how it once used to be, there being distance between audience, work, and the person?
Well, I'm trying to. And yes, that is the intention. But it's really hard, because today, people want data. They want to consume things, and if they like you, they want info on you, and talk to you, since there is access.

I think that really comes in the way of your job, especially if you're an actor, because you're not yourself on screen. You're playing different parts. I may be wrong, and maybe the order of the day is to be on social network, market yourself, and have direct contact with the audience. It's my natural instinct to stay away from all of this. And I'm happy. My life is more peaceful, simpler. I've fewer things to pretend about.

Your dad, on the other hand, is a social media star, because he basically doesn't give a s***. We read your foreword for his autobiography, where you hope that you don't become a dad like him. Now that's being just as publicly honest as he is.
I can't be like my father. He's one of a kind. He's so honest, which is which is admirable. He’ll have no guilt or baggage in his life. He’ll always be a free man. We’re all, at some level, hypocrites. If there’s a political question at a press conference, I’ll have a hypocritical answer, or I’ll clam up, or wriggle out of it. But he won’t. And he regards himself as junta. So if he has an opinion on politics, sports, entertainment, ban on a certain food, he will give it. He feels he has that freedom of speech. Unfortunately he’s an actor, so that gets blown out of proportion, or gets taken too seriously. I don’t think I have that frankness, openness.

Are you more like your mother in that sense?
My personality is more like hers than my father’s. My sister (Riddhima) is more like my father.

Did you also grow up being closer to your mom?
I think that’s true (for kids) in most Indian families, where the father is away at work, and is a strict person. Growing up, we hardly saw our father. Back then, they used to do two shifts a day, six movies a year. We could only see him during holidays — in Ooty, Kashmir or Switzerland. He’d be shooting there, and we needed a holiday, so we’d go where he was.

You have spoken about how marital problems between your parents really affected you as a kid. Does that remain a sore point still?
Not at all. Besides the problems they went through, the greater thing is how they came out of it. I still see so much passion, love and respect between my parents. My father is still so possessive about her. My mother is still so inquisitive about how he’s doing. It’s been 38 years. So, no, I don’t think there’s a scar. I feel happy when I see them together. They’ve found a healthy companionship.

According to psychology, a possible fallout with parents having marital issues, and the kid being too close to the mother, is that as an adult that child turns into a “love avoidant” — as against a “ love junkie”, which mostly happens when you’ve been neglected by parents while growing up. Do you find yourself being either?
No, I think I’m different with different people, and different phases. Everybody wants attention, companionship, and to feel loved.

I’m talking in terms of relationships.
Relationships only. There are varying degrees of what you expect (from a person). As you grow older, you understand more about life, and how much you have to give (back) in a relationship. What I was like while dating a girl in school, and what I am now, and what I will be to my girlfriend later or my wife, will be very different. There is no way to measure it. But there is a different sense of evolvement so far as love in my life is concerned.

Do you go on dates with people outside films, or regular folk, as it were?
Unfortunately I don’t. I’m so obsessed with my films, my life at the movies, and working through the year, that I don’t really get to meet people, unless I travel, or it’s a chance encounter. Usually the only people you get to meet are from the (film) industry. And mostly you interact with actresses. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. Film people are amazing, but I’d like to, you know, go on a date…

With an architect, or a doctor…
Yeah that’d be lovely. I think it’ll be hard for that person though, because of the kind of lives we live. There’ll be a lot of insecurities. But if you meet somebody who’s sorted, and if you’re yourself sorted…

How would you even meet them? Surely you're not Tinder, unless you have a fake account there as well, like the one on Instagram.
Unfortunately, or fortunately, I’m not on Tinder. Wahan tak ki naubat aayee nahin abhi tak!

You make it sound like it’s a bad thing to be on Tinder.
No, actually, I shouldn’t say that. It’s not a bad thing to be on Tinder. Tinder is doing good to people — it’s getting them together. But I’m happy falling in love with my own company. I’ve always been like that. I don’t mind traveling, having breakfast, lunch, dinner, alone. Sure, being with someone is amazing. There is nothing more beautiful than that. But being alone is something I also enjoy very much.

Would you consider yourself a loner, in that sense?
Not dramatically, but yeah. I’m constantly in a bit of a meditative state — I don’t have a thought (in my head), or stress, anxiety problems, or insecurities. So I’m at peace with myself.

You’ve spoken about how it bothers you that you’re considered a Casanova, when you’re really not.
It used to bother me before. But I’ve also understood that this is how show-business and media operate. The media made me a star even before I deserved it. So this is a small price to pay. I’ve dated actresses, so there’ll be some interest over where you had dinner, or went on a holiday. It comes with the territory. There was a time I used to get bitter about it. I was hating on them going, “How dare they?” But now it’s fine. As long as people don’t judge me for what’s written about.

Of course they will.
But I have no control over that. I can only hope my work over-rides all of it.

Have you ever had a personal publicist?
I never had a PR person because I really don’t know how to play the game. If I knew how to market myself, I definitely would. I don’t know how to be exciting; apart from the parts I play. Films give me an outlet to express myself, and become interesting. I like to become non-interesting after, so I can save the interesting parts for my movies. My personality is boring. I am an introvert.

At 31, you said by 25, you’d want to have a movie, as a director, out of the way; at 34, are you close to checking that box?
I always feel I’m close, but then I get lazy. I have a brilliant idea, which I’ve been sharing with my director friends, and others who’re close. I just don’t have the strong discipline, and gift, to write. It’s still definitely on my to-do list — a big ambition. Having said that, the more I work with good directors— (Anurag) Basu, (Raju) Hirani, Ayan (Mukerji) — I realize how far away I’m from it. I just don’t want to direct a film, since I’ve said it, or it’s cool. I want to be good at it. I want a story that I wish to express myself through. I think I have it…

So you do have the idea for your directorial debut.
Yes, I do. The genre is fantasy-romance. I don’t mean fantasy in the sense that it’d take the audience away to another time or place that they can’t connect with. I mean a love story with a fantasy quality — that’s idealistic, magical. I’ve always leaned towards the genre.

MID-DAY (May 22, 2017)

For the past four years, Anurag Basu has been planning a biopic on music legend Kishore Kumar starring Ranbir Kapoor. However, the filmmaker's wish to make it three in a row with the actor — after 'Barfi' (2012) and upcoming release, Jagga 'Jasoos' — may not materialise.

Basu has revealed he might make the Kishore biopic with another actor if RK is unable to give dates. Dismissing rumours of the project being shelved, he told PTI, "I don't know with whom I will make the film and when exactly. After Sanjay Dutt biopic, Ranbir will be busy with another film, [Ayan Mukerji's] 'Dragon'. I don't want to wait for too long for my [much-delayed] film, so if Ranbir can't give dates this year, I will go with someone else."

Basu is keen to start the film by this year-end. His next, 'Jagga Jasoos' starring Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif, is slated to hit screens in mid-July. "We will start promotions two-three weeks before the release. The trailer will be out by May-end. There are over 25 songs in the film. It's a musical and we have to convey that to the audience," he added.

BOMBAY TIMES (February 27, 2016)

BOMBAY TIMES (December 30, 2015)

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; November 23, 2015)


Ranbir confirms, “That film is shelved. We wanted to make that film. It was one of the most interesting stories Dada (Basu) and I had in mind. But it didn’t work out and we aren’t making it anymore.”

There was not just one, but a few major problems which led to this development. Ranbir reveals, “Firstly, we didn’t get the cast we wanted for the film. Then there were issues with the script. Family members were not happy with the script and it was just not working out. So all these factors played spoilsport. Otherwise, it could have been a great film.”

But there is another biopic that Ranbir is gearing up for. The film on the life of Sanjay Dutt which goes on floors later next year or early 2017, directed by Rajkumar Hirani. After Ranbir wraps up Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Ayan Mukerji’s superhero film. “I have to remodel my body structure to look like Sanjay Dutt in the film. So we will be working on that. I don’t know how much weight and muscles I have to pile on, but there was a phase in his life when he bulked up, was bald, so Raju Sir and I will sit and discuss all that soon.”

Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; February 25, 2015)

Ever since the pictures of actress Leena Chandavarkar kissing Supreme Court lawyer Ram Jethmalani went viral, her phone hasn't stopped ringing. The yesteryear actress has been getting calls and messages with people asking her embarrassing questions and commenting on the matter but she maintains that she doesn't care.

Explaining the sequence of events on stage, she said that she required support to climb the stage, as she was feeling giddy and asked Jethmalani for help, who readily agreed. Post that, on stage the latter asked the actress if he could kiss her and she being his huge fan said yes.

She says, "People are feeling sorry for me, but all I want to tell them is that 'Na umr ki seema ho na pyaar ka koi bandhan'(smiles)."

Talking about Jethmalani she says, "He is 92 years old and full of life. He might appear stern but has a warm heart. I have always been inspired by his encouraging speeches."

"As far as the matter about me being Kishore Kumar's wife is concerned, I consider him my guru and he always said that don't think about what others think of you. If you have no regrets about doing something then everything else is immaterial," she adds.

Meanwhile, the actress has already written memoirs of Kishore Kumar. She says, "We have given the film rights to Anurag Basu and I don't know why the film is getting delayed. Initially, the lead actor had not been cast but after Ranbir Kapoor -- who has a great sense of humour and comic timing -- has come on board, the film should have begun."

"If no one makes a film on Kishore Kumar, we certainly will. He was such a colourful personality that multiple films should be made on his life," she adds.

And what about working in films? "I am open to it," she admits.

Ranbir Kapoor comes out of hibernation to talk about his weaknesses and his desire to be known as a good human being more than an actor. Excerpts from an interview
Shubha Shetty Saha (MID-DAY; August 24, 2014)

Q. You have turned businessman after collaborating with Saavn, a digital music company...
A. Yes, I am very excited as I have become a creative collaborator with them and I can call myself a small investor in the firm. They were in the USA earlier and now they are launching it in India.

Q. Talking about music, which is your favourite genre?
A. Old Hindi film songs. As an actor I often use music to evoke a certain kind of feeling in me. Music, to me, is life. I have been lucky to have worked with people such as AR Rahman and Pritam. I am a big fan of Arijit Singh and Mohit Chauhan. They are the ones who do all the hard work and we actors end up getting all the credit.

Q. Why do you have this love-hate relationship with the media? You are not exactly approachable, since you haven’t even hired a publicist.
A. I love the media. A lot of stardom that I have today is thanks to the media, which put me on a pedestal. It’s the media that encouraged me in my initial days and they have been very kind to me. But since I don’t have a publicist and I am not on social networking websites, it is easy to misconstrue whatever is just hearsay, and write about that. It used to be very annoying, but then I started thinking that it is better to create an aura of mystery around me. Let my films do the talking. I am an introvert and I find it very hard to attend press conferences where everyone seems to be more interested in who I am, than what I am doing. But that’s okay. I realise that more people are interested in your personal life once you become popular. It is good for you as an actor. Some reports still bother me as once they are out, people believe it and judge my character. I feel bad about it, but I hope my work will override everything.

Q. Isn’t there a danger of being misunderstood if you keep to yourself in spite of being a public figure?
A. I have a long time to make myself understood. I am not here for a short span. I am in it for the long run. I think this is the only way to be. Over the years, I have managed to create this air of mystery around me. I have also realised that the competition around is so stiff that I just need to put my head down and concentrate on my work. I can’t let anything bog me down. Yes, I do get rattled when my parents are involved in the loose talk that people indulge in. I feel bad — if you don’t know me, how can you judge me? But that’s not really so sad. I am not a cry baby. As I said, I am grateful for the things I have today.

Q. Why are you so averse to social media?
A. I feel that if you have a voice and you express something, you are often misunderstood. If you post a picture or comment, it is exaggerated 10 times over and I don’t want to get into that confusion. I would rather connect with my fans through my films.

Q. Don’t you think this can work against you, being a star?
A. You know, before I started working, my mother used to be worried about how I will be able to cope, considering my shy nature. I know as a star, you have to be out there. But I get to channelise and express myself through the characters I play. I prefer to keep my personal life under wraps. Once the camera is switched on, I find a purpose to express myself. I like the way I am.

Q. What else works in your favour as an actor?
A. You can’t always depend on being at the right place at the right time. Your vision about the world helps. It all depends on who you want to be and how unabashedly you want to entertain the audience. And yes, being a good human being. It is very important to be true to your work and be right in your intentions. I am not saying I am the greatest person around. I have my flaws, but I am trying to be the best human being out there.

Q. Is it true that you will star in a biopic on Sanjay Dutt, which will be directed by Rajkumar Hirani?
A. It would be fascinating to work with Mr Hirani, but there is no offer as yet. Moreover, Sanjay Dutt’s life would be interesting to play. He has had the most engaging, traumatic, heartbreaking, ballsy life.

Q. And the Kishore Kumar biopic?
A. We are working towards it. We planned this even before Barfi. But we are waiting for permissions from certain families to come through. Hopefully we will get it soon.

Q. But do you really have dates to spare? Your itinerary seems choc-o-bloc.
A. I am not as busy as it seems. I have not had a release since Besharam, which was last October. I sit at home most of the time and I travel as much as I can. When I had just started, people would approach me with interesting scripts. But now people think that I only work with friends, which is not true. I am looking to work with new people, new minds. I hope through this interview people will know that if they have an interesting script, I would love to read them.

Q. You had recently mentioned that you would like to make a short film on your grandfather, Raj Kapoor.
A. Yes, I did say that his life would make an interesting biopic, but now I think he would need more than a short film. In fact, I think if I had to do a short film, I would want to do it on the three Khans. Get them to sit together and record their conversation for eight minutes. That would be something.

Q. You recently bought a new property. Are you planning to move in with Katrina ( Kaif)?
A. I am happy living with my parents. I have enough space for myself and I also get enough privacy. But the house is under redevelopment and I am moving out for a short time till the house is ready. I don’t think I would want to talk about who I will move in with. Yes, I want to get married and start a family soon, but now I am married to my work.

Anurag Basu opens up about Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Jagga Jasoos and the Kishore Kumar biopic
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 26, 2014)

Your last film, Barfi!, released two years ago...
(Interrupts) And Jagga Jasoos will hit theatres in April/May 2015. So what?

Why such long intervals between releases?
RK (Ranbir Kapoor) was committed to Bombay Velvet and Tamasha and I had agreed to shoot in the gaps between these shoots. But post September we will go ahead full throttle and the film will be done by the year-end.

Did RK recommend Kat (Katrina Kaif) for the female lead?
No, if that were the case, she would have starred in every RK film. I've wanted to work with Kat for a while now. She was supposed to do Barfi!, but Ileana D'Cruz went on to do the role.

RK and Kat broke-up while shooting for Jagga Jasoos. Now, they are back together. Did their personal equation affect your shoot?
Break-ups and love stories don't affect my shoots. When actors are with me, they just shoot my film.

Priyanka surprised us in Barfi! with her performance. Is Kat too going to pull a rabbit out of her hat in Jagga Jasoos?
Kat will rediscover herself with this film. She had to do the action herself since she has scenes with RK who is doing the stunts himself. And she's doing a fab job.

Govinda, who plays RK's dad, has a history of reporting late for shoots. Did that bother you?
No. It was RK's idea to cast him. We've both grown up on his films. My question to RK was: Will he agree to play your father?

Bobby Jasoos took away half your title. That must have upset you...
Before we locked this title I knew Vidya had a film coming up called Bobby Jasoos. Many detective films have been made before and they've had jasoos in the title. No stress!

So how different is your jasoos film?
It's not entirely in the detective space. It's a mish-mash of many genres and RK as Jagga will bring a smile on everyone's face.

And you and he have started a production house together...
RK and I became close friends during Barfi! and wanted to take the bond further.

Will you do films under this banner with only RK?
Yes, but I am free to collaborate with other stars and production houses.

Next, you go into the Kishore Kumar biopic?
I don't know. RK and I are committed to do that film but he needs to put on weight before getting into Kishoreda's shoes. Getting his look right is going to take time. We'll need to go into it with an undivided block of time, of atleast six months.

Have Kishore's wife, Leena Chandarvarkar, and his sons, Amit Kumar and Sumeet Kumar, given their nod to the project?
The permission has been taken.

Disappointed because you missed the Oscar bus in Barfi!?
Oscar is not the end of the world. Barfi! got enough acclaim in many festivals which define international cinema.

Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; April 14, 2014)

Sources say that Ranbir Kapoor has been approached by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Rajkumar Hirani to play the role of Sanjay Dutt in a biopic.

Hirani is apparently working on the project along with writer Abhijat Joshi. It has been learnt that the Kapoor scion has already had a couple of meetings with Chopra and Hirani to discuss the same.

However, a source close to the actor says, “Nothing has been finalised as yet.” Hirani, who visited Dutt every other week along with his writer during the actor’s parole, is said to have enough details to put together a biopic.

A source says, “Hirani interviewed Sanju’s family members and some of his friends to get more inputs on the actor.” Jointly produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Sanjay Dutt’s production house, this film will be the latter’s second project after Hasmukh Pighal Gaya. The film is likely to go on the floors in March next year.
Reports also suggest that Ranbir Kapoor was considering playing the role of Kishore Kumar in a biopic that was supposed to be directed by Anurag Basu. One will have to wait and watch to know which biopic he will finally sign on.

Manyata Dutt and Vidhu Vinod Chopra were unavailable for comment.

Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; March 11, 2014)

Soumik Sen, 38, is sharp, eloquent and has a great sense of humour. Like a true emotional Bengali, he loves his music, food and Satyajit Ray. This journalist-turned-director is the writer, music director and director of Gulaab Gang and is a complete Madhuri Dixit bhakt. Over an hour-long conversation before the release of his film, he spoke to Bombay Times about his discerning mother, the non-vegetarian Madhuri Dixit versus the vegetarian Juhi Chawla and why he believes a woman can beat a man hands down on all counts. Excerpts:
 
How did you become a filmmaker?
I was born and brought up in Kolkata. After studying at St Xavier’s, I did my masters in Economics from Delhi School of Economics. I did a brief stint at the World Bank, after which I became a business journalist and produced a business show on television, where I was required to research, write and interview people for the programme. I disliked Delhi as a city and after five years of being a journalist, I took a transfer to Mumbai, as I wanted to write films. I met Raj Kaushal, who was a friend’s friend and told him that I wanted to write films. He gave me my first film to write Anthony Kaun Hai, which Raj himself directed. I then wrote the Kishore Kumar biopic and spoke to Ranbir Kapoor. This is before Barfi. And then Anurag came on board to direct it. In the meantime, I wrote Gulaab Gang and have directed it. My next film will be a biopic based on the life of PC Sorcar, which I have written and will be directing too. 

Tell us about your family?
I am the only child and being a single child helped, as I got all the attention of my parents. My parents are both retired now, but my dad used to work for Eveready batteries. I grew up in a joint family in Calcutta. If you are a Bengali there, there are two things naturally ingrained in you, one is Tagore, the other, Ray. Which is why I feel Bengali filmmakers have an advantage. Ray is not a part of our syllabus, but he is a part of our bloodstream. We all aspire to be Ray even though we don’t have 1/100th of his talent. He is the greatest filmmaker this country will ever have. I was put into Hindustani musical training at the age of eight and into learning sarod at 14. I played cricket for my school and state. Sourav Ganguly was my senior and house vice-captain, though, I never got to play with him. I would be a voracious reader and had a school band and was also into Shakespearean theatre. Joining Delhi School of Economics was the worst thing in my life. I loved economics, but their approach was way too mathematical. It lacked the human content. I remember I used to doze off in class. I was horrible in D School. I just didn’t like the place and found it just too boring. Every Monday, we would have a unit test. I got 8 out of 80 in the first year in one of the subjects. But, I was clear at a very early age that I had to be economically self-sufficient. And that at no point in time should my parents get the feeling that I am not financially secure, and that I can secure them. But they should not ask how I am getting that money as far as it was legally earned. My dad stuck to one company all his life, so it took him time to adjust to the thought that I could give up my job as a journalist one fine day to just write. When I told my parents that I wanted to make a film, they looked down upon it as I was not planning to make a Bengali intellectual film, but a Bollywood commercial one. At that time, ‘Bombay chala gaya’ was looked down upon. Now it’s exactly the opposite, where if you are a Bengali who has made a film in Mumbai, they look at you as a big achiever, be it Shoojit Sircar, Anurag Basu or Sujoy Ghosh.

How did Gulaab Gang happen?
I actually wanted to do a ‘Western’ which is a big film experience on the big screen. Anurag Basu and Sanjay Leela Bhansali give their audiences that. Sholay would be the best Indian example of a Western. Every Western has a protagonist and antagonist. And the underdog will take down the really powerful guy. Also, Mirch Masala was a massive influence. I believe that men are not big enough to empower women. And actually, if women are financially independent, men become redundant in their lives. So we wanted to create a masala film, where men are almost irrelevant. I have always been a massive Madhuri fan. I presented the film to her completely avoiding eye contact with her. I had written this film keeping only Madhuri in mind and she said yes. If Madhuri had not said yes, this film would not have happened.
 
How different are Madhuri and Juhi to work with?
Madhuri is somebody I can watch the Gunda video with. Gunda is a cult classic starring Mithun Chakraborty and it is so bad that it is so good. It is a D-grade film, but Madhuri gets it and loves it. I introduced her to it while shooting. Juhi is far more prim and proper. She is fun, but in a formal way. Madhuri is much more spontaneous than Juhi. Juhi is a lot more studied, conscious and puts in a lot more thought. Madhuri is incredibly professional. She will be there for a 5 am shot at 4.45 am with her makeup on. We had no stunt doubles or body doubles for any of the shots. Madhuri is non-vegetarian, Juhi is vegetarian. I remember when my associate director came to meet me for the interview, I asked him only one question, ‘Are you vegetarian?’ He said no. I said, ‘You are in.’ But I am way too grateful to Juhi to allow me to break her mould.


Who are you most attached to?
My mother. She is a very strangely crazy person and I am a lot like her. She is extremely loving and gets into these fits of this tempestuous anger, has a giving heart and likes to keep everybody happy. She also has a very discerning eye for music, art and cinema and she is a no-nonsense person when it comes to her telling you what she likes or doesn’t like. Of course, she has the Tagore hangover which every Bengali has. While she likes my singing voice, she would like me to call her more often. Boys cannot have conversations with mothers like girls can. My wife talks to her more than I do. She was a master in Sanskrit, but devoted a lot of her life to my cultural and emotional upbringing. I know that she could have done more with her life, but she sacrificed it for me. And, of course, she is a great cook. She came here and I made her meet Madhuri who immediately touched her feet. My mom immediately said, ‘See her upbringing.’ The best thing I like about my mother is that she keeps me grounded. The first time my picture came out with Madhuri in the paper, she called me to say your hairline is receding. The other anchor in my life is my wife. The day I took my first shot of Gulaab Gang, I had three missed calls from her. I called her back hoping that she would ask me about the shot. But she said, ‘Do you have Ramesh’s new number?’ He is the guy who delivers gas. That is life and it is brilliant.

Are Bengali women dominating?
I like dominating women as they are more competent. Also, versus physical power, you give the woman the same training as a man and she will beat the shit out of him.

Kishore Kumar has an inordinate fan following, but the director of Gulaab Gang,Soumik Sen, is such a big fan that he chooses to be called ‘Bangdu’ (what Kishore Kumar called his protégé in Padosan) by his own fans on Twitter. Much as you expect from a true-blue Bengali, he has written 3 Bengali biopics that will be made by the end of 2015
Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; February 19, 2014)

PC SORCAR: To be directed by Soumik Sen himself.
SOUMIK: This is the story of the legacy of magic being passed on from the father to the son and the untold story of the greatest magician in the world. (Senior PC Sorcar, pictured left, died in 1971. PC Sorcar Junior, pictured right, is who we know today as PC Sorcar). He is my friend and I have his permission to make this film. The film will be shot in Kolkata, Japan and Brazil and I will start working on it as soon as I am back from Brazil, as I am going there for the football World Cup.
 
1911: To be directed by Shoojit Sircar starring John Abraham.
SOUMIK: This true story is based on 3 things that happened in 1911. The National Anthem was sung for the first time in the Indian National Congress. The capital of India shifted from Calcutta to Delhi. Rabindranath Tagore turned 50. What makes this story interesting is the fact that all these 3 things are related to that match where Mohun Bagan (the Indian Calcutta team) defeated the British Yorkshire Regiment 2:1, that too playing barefoot against their opponents in full boots.

KISHORE KUMAR: To be directed by Anurag Basu starring Ranbir Kapoor.
SOUMIK: I am fascinated by making Bengali biopics, but nobody is closer to this script than me. I am a devotee. My one reason for writing Kishore Kumar was Martin Scorsese. I see the biopics Scorsese has done and the kind of people he has chosen and I have always wanted to tell him, ‘Wait till you see the life of this guy. You ain’t seen nothing.’ Richard Attenborough made one on Chaplin, somebody made Peter Sellers, somebody else made Jim Morrison. None of them compare with Kishore Kumar. He is the cumulative talent quotient of Elvis, The Beatles, Chaplin and Michael Jackson put together.