Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; November 30, 2019)

Salman Khan’s upcoming film Dabangg 3 is back at the centre of a controversy. This time, it is for its title track Hud Hud Dabangg. The song shows sadhus shake a leg with the lead character of the film Chulbul Pandey (Salman) on the banks of a river. While Chulbul is seen doing his signature moves, some sadhus are also shown playing a guitar. A Hindu organisation has reportedly found the content objectionable and hurtful towards their religious sentiments. They have asked the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to refuse the certification of the film, which is directed by Prabhudheva. We reached out to the CBFC to understand if there has been a conversation between the religious outfit and them, but there was no confirmation on the same till the time of going to press.

Sharing her thoughts on the issue, the choreographer of the song Shabina Khan says, “The song features sadhus dancing with guitars. Now, these are not real sadhus! These are dancers in a sadhu get-up performing choreographed steps. We shot the song in Maheshwar in Madhya Pradesh. There were a few sadhus who had just gathered to see the shoot. You can see them standing in the background in the song.”

The choreographer says that there’s nothing objectionable about the song. Giving her reasons, she adds, “Actors have dressed up as sadhus and acted in Bollywood movies even in the past. We have seen Hema Malini teasing a sanyasi in the song Chal Sanyasi Mandir Mein from the Manoj Kumar starrer Sanyasi. Likewise, Mumtaz dressed as a sadhu was seen dancing opposite Rajesh Khanna in the song Gore Rang Pe from Roti. I think there is nothing disrespectful in the choreography of the song Hud Hud Dabangg. If people scrutinise each and every move like this then how will we make movies?” The controversy has been trending on social media for a couple of days.

Earlier, during the shooting of the film, Dabangg 3 had landed in another controversy, when the makers of the film were blamed for showing disrespect towards Lord Shiva. It began when pictures of a Shivling covered in wooden plank went viral on social media.

The actors are scheduled to begin shooting for the international director’s adaptation of Vikram Seth’s A Suitable Boy next month; Tanya Maniktala plays protagonist Lata; the project goes on the floors next month
Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 12, 2019)

Earlier this year, it was reported that Ishaan Khatter had opted to be a part of Vishal Bhardwaj’s next, based on Salman Rushdie’s Booker Prize-winning novel Midnight’s Children, over Mira Nair’s screen adaptation of Vikram Seth’s A Suitable Boy. Then Mirror was the first to inform that the young actor and the auteur had parted ways, albeit amicably, over creative differences. Now, Ishaan is back in Mira’s project, written by Andrew Davies (of Pride and Prejudice, War & Peace, Les Misérables fame).

For someone who began his acting innings with Iranian legend Majid Majidi’s Beyond The Clouds, making his Bollywood debut with Karan Johar’s Dhadak, Ishaan’s next move is keenly anticipated. “I hope I can satisfy Mira’s vision and give the global audience the character they deserve in Maan Kapoor (his character),” he says.

Ishaan will be joined by another powerhouse performer, Tabu. “Having worked with Mira previously in The Namesake, I am looking forward to another creatively challenged experience,” exults the National Award-winning actress. Interestingly, Ishaan’s brother Shahid Kapoor has worked with Tabu in Haider (2014), Vishal’s adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

The novel tells the story of a spirited university student Lata (played by Tanya Maniktala, earlier seen in the TV series Flames), coming of age in North India in 1951, at the time when the country is going to the polls for its first democratic general elections. While her mother is determined to find her a husband, Lata embarks on her own journey of love and self-discovery. Connected to her through their siblings’ marriage, the wayward Maan Kapoor (played by Ishaan) is determined to enjoy life to the fullest whatever be the consequences, much to the concern of his politician father. He is infatuated by the beautiful courtesan Saaeda Bai (played by Tabu) and the trio’s stories play out during a tumultuous period in India’s history, reflect the wider conflict between tradition and modernity.

Mira points out that Vikram tells the story of a free India and our people with wit, clarity and love. “I’m deeply honoured to be the one bringing this intimate, epic tale of an unseen India to the world,” she asserts, adding the novel is more relevant today. “We’ll keep the history and dream of an alternate India alive,” promises the director of The Reluctant Fundamentalist and Queen Of Katwe.

Newbie Tanya is in a daze and admits it all “still surreal” to work with Mira. “I’m still understanding Lata and the complexities of her reality. I hope I can deliver. But, for now, I’m focusing on enjoying the process and just taking it one day at a time,” she smiles.

The shoot will begin next month. The team will be filming entirely on location, in palaces, streets and villages across northern India, in places like Lucknow and Maheshwar.

Sonakshi Sinha on dad Shatrughan’s ‘emotional decision’ to quit BJP, returning to Rajjo after seven years, getting extra picky about roles and rumours of a new love
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 11, 2019)

It’s past noon and Sonakshi Sinha is in the mood for questions. Flashing sunny smiles and looking stylish, she seems to be in a happy place. Wonder who put her there: Karan Johar, Salman Khan or Zaheer Iqbal?

Your father, Shatrughan Sinha, recently moved to the Congress after being associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party for years and you have openly expressed your support for his decision.
I am happy that he finally took the call. There’s no point being someplace where you are not happy, and our happiness lies in his. I hope that he does some good work with Congress. It’s an emotional decision for him, having been part of the BJP for so long.

Will you be campaigning for him?
I won’t be campaigning for him because of all the work I’m immersed in. And honestly, I don’t think they expect me to, knowing I’m apolitical.

Your next release, the multi-starrer Kalank, also features Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Aditya Roy Kapur, Madhuri Dixit and Sanjay Dutt. Doesn’t that make you insecure?
If everyone got insecure about multi-starrers then films like Ocean’s Eleven and The A-Team would never be made. Imagine Bruce Willis asking Sylvester Stallone how much screen time he has and vice versa. They would look at the larger picture, the story. That’s my reason for doing Kalank, along with my character Satya, a woman of substance who keeps the family together at any cost. All of us, whether it’s Madhuri ma’am, Sanjay sir, Varun, Alia, Adi or I, have all done some good work so we know the makers won’t short-change us in any way. Every character takes the story forward and I am happy that Karan (Johar, producer) and Abhishek (Varman, director) thought of me.

Last week you started Dabangg 3. How does it feel to be back as Ra j jo after seven years?
(Beams) Yes I did , and when I posted a picture from the first day’s shoot, many fan clubs made a collage of my looks from the two earlier films. I’m glad I look the same after nine years. I can play Rajjo in my sleep. I am what I am today because of a launch like Dabangg.

What is your first memory of the franchise?
My first day at work was for the look test. It was actually the first time that I sat for a professional hair and make-up session which I didn’t know much about. I even got my own vanity van.

And what was the reaction to Rajjo?
Everyone was zapped because her personality and way of dressing is so different than mine. But she’s been a lot of fun. I shot for Dabangg 3 in Maheshwar on the ghats of the river Narmada. It was a deja vu moment. I’d filmed “Radha Nachegi” from Tevar there.

Buzz is, your son in the film is all grown up now…
(Laughs) Not grown up really, but he is there, lurking somewhere.

And that there is another actress in the film...
There is, but don’t ask for details. Arbaaz (Khan, producer) is the right person to answer this.

You have also reunited with Akshay Kumar five years after Holiday: A Soldier is Never Off Duty for Mission Mangal.
Also, with Jagan Shakti (the director) who was an associate on (AR) Murgadoss sir’s films, Akira and Holiday. We always had a great equation and the rest of the cast too is fab (Vidya Balan, Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari). It’s about the Mars Mission; India was the first Asian country to reach Mars orbit and we were successful in the very first attempt. I am playing a scientist who helps make the satellite, put together by a group of women for the mission which is headed by Akshay’s character. We watched documentaries of the people who were a part of the mission to get the terminology right.

There’s also an untitled comedy with Varun Sharma and you as siblings. It also features Badshah and reports suggest you might sing with him for it.
Again, I can’t divulge much. Yes, it’s a comedy with a strong message but conveyed with humour. It’s a role that people would probably not expect me to play. We haven’t discussed the song yet, but I don’t mind singing for it. I’ve already recorded five-six songs for my own album, but I haven’t had the time to shoot the music videos. I hope to release them this year.

Why have you become so choosy when it comes to films?
That change happened after Akira, my first solo film in the title role. And once you taste the blood, you can’t go back. That film empowered me, made me confident of my skills, and slowly, I started picking roles that challenge me as an actor.

Would you want to return to the action space?
I really want to, but nobody is making a woman-oriented action film. Maybe there aren’t enough subjects in that space. I had an amazing time learning different things for Akira and executing them. Please tell filmmakers to make an action film with me.

How do you address rumours that you are dating Notebook debutant Zaheer Iqbal?
(Laughs) By not addressing them. Kuch to log kahenge, logon ka kaam hai kehna, what else will they do? I have lots of friends, many of them are guys. Now if you want to link me with every one of them, it’s not my problem.

Scenic locations, friendly authorities and welcoming locals are some of the reasons why Madhya Pradesh has emerged as one of the hottest shooting destinations in the country
Saptaparna Biswas and Farzana Patowari (BOMBAY TIMES; April 7, 2019)

“Yeh wohi jagah hai jahan Hrithik Roshan ne magarmachh ke saath ladayi kari thi Mohenjo Daro film mein,” yells out the boatman at Bhedaghat of Jabalpur to the tourists he’s ferrying across the Narmada. Around 600 kilometers away from this site, in Maheshwar, fans of Salman Khan proudly brag, “Aaj bhai cycle pe nikle humare ghar ke saamne se.”

It’s just another day in Madhya Pradesh, where big-budget films, famous actors and grand sets have become commonplace, as more and more filmmakers are opting to shoot in the state. It’s not just the scenic locales that attract them towards MP, but also the hospitality of the locals, film-friendly infrastructure and wholehearted support from the state department of tourism. When we spoke to members from the industry, they told us that MP is actually topping the list of shooting destinations in the country.


‘THE TOURISM DEPARTMENT SUPPORTS FILMMAKERS’

A key factor, which has led many filmmakers and actors to trust MP for shoots, is the support extended by the local authorities for permissions and access to various heritage and protected structures. Harsh Dave, line producer, who is a part of the crew of Dabangg 3, currently being shot in Maheshwar, says, “The department that handles permissions for film shoots has been extremely supportive to all the teams that have shot in and around Indore. The permission to shoot at Ahilya Fort was granted much before the shoot had started. It was the same for the massive production of Kalank. The permission to shoot at Lal Bagh Palace, which can be seen in the first scene of the teaser, was also granted before the team had arrived. In fact, they also looked after the accommodation for up to 75 team members.” Syed Zaid Ali, a line producer from Bhopal, adds, “In states like Uttar Pradesh, one has to take permission from the local politicians, too. But in MP, not only does the government give permission easily, the people, too, are supportive.”

Even the shoot for the 2016 Oscar nominated Hollywood movie Lion – starring Nicole Kidman and Dev Patel – was conducted peacefully in the remote village of Khandwa. Line producer Pravesh Sahani recounts, “With great efforts and help extended by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism (MPT), we peacefully conducted the shooting in Khandwa and other regions. A local MPT officer was assigned to us for smooth transition through schedules, which was very helpful.”

“I had such an amazing experience in MP that I am planning to shoot my next movie here, too. I felt like I was shooting in a home studio, as the people and administration were so supportive. Also, the shooting cost in these cities is quite economical when compared to the metro cities,” says Amar Kaushik, director of Stree (2018).

SCENIC SITES GALORE

From hills, to ravines and spectacular waterbodies — all coupled with some unexplored heritage structures — MP has tons of scenic shooting locations to offer. Hari Ranjan Rao, MD of MPT’s film tourism board, explains “Since the 80s, many films have been shot in MP’s scenic locations. For example, Bobby was shot in Bhedaghat and Asoka in Pachmarhi. Director Prakash Jha has also explored the forests for films like Chakravyuh. Since the beginning, the green and lush natural landscape that has been a major attraction for filmmakers.”

Actor Aparshakti Khurana adds, “Our entire drive, from Indore to Chanderi, was so beautiful. We recorded so many videos of the lush green landscape. The Chanderi Fort is truly an underrated location. The beauty of these places kept our entire team captivated, and that is what came out in the movie as well.”


‘LOCALS HAVE OPENED UP THEIR HOMES TO HUNDREDS OF CAST AND CREW MEMBERS’

Besides the beauty of the state, the filmmakers unanimously agree that they are touched by the support of the locals. The director of the acclaimed movie Lipstick Under My Burkha, Alankrita Shrivastava, recalls, “We shot in the heart of the walled city of Bhopal, and though curious, the citizens never interrupted or disturbed us during our schedules.”

Director Debamitra Biswas Hasan, who recently shot the Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Athiya Shetty-starrer Motichoor Chaknachoor in Bhopal, says, “We shot in the BHEL colony and the way the people behaved there amazed me. They followed our guidelines religiously.”

Amar remembers how the locals of Chanderi accommodated the team in their own houses. “Around 300 hundred people would be watching our shoot from their windows and terraces, but not a single noise could be heard. I have seen people start hooting as soon as they see something exciting, but here nothing of that sort happened. People even offered us their houses to shoot in and made us feel at home,” he says.

Pravesh Sahani, line producer for Lion, shares a similar anecdote. “We had to house about 200 crew members in the town of Khandwa, and the people there responded warmly. They opened up their homes for us. Even the director of the film, Garth Davis, has fond memories of all his time spent in the state,” he says.

‘THERE IS NO DEARTH OF TALENT IN MADHYA PRADESH’

The fact that Bhopal and Indore have a very active theatre scene means filmmakers can get assistant directors, production team hands and supporting actors from these cities. Actress Aahana Kumra says, “While shooting for Lipstick Under My Burkha, half of the production unit and assistant directors turned out to be folks from the theatre circuit. Finding people for supporting roles at a short notice was never a problem either.”

Prakash Jha, who is credited with putting locations of MP on the film industry’s map, with Rajneeti, Chakravyuh, Aarakshan, and Jai Gangaajal, agrees, “Bhopal is a film city in itself. Besides beautiful locations and supportive administration, it also houses a great talent pool of youngsters, which should be fully explored.”

FILMS SHOT IN MP IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS

Dabangg 3

Motichoor Chaknachoor

Kalank

Stree

Sui Dhaaga

Sanju

Padman Lipstick Under My Burkha

Toilet — Ek Prem Katha

Jai Gangaajal

Mohenjo Daro

Tishnagi

Salman Khan kicked off third Dabangg film on Monday with the title song and 500 back-up dancers in Maheshwar; will be seen shuttling between two characters, local goon who turns into Robinhood cop
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 2, 2019)

Mirror (March 25) had earlier reported that the third installment of Dabangg which went on the floors on Monday in Maheshwar in Madhya Pradesh will be a cat-and-mouse game between Salman Khan and Kannada actor, Sudeep, who plays the antagonist. Now, we have learnt that for the first 13 days of the schedule the team will be based at Ahilya Fort where they are currently filming the title song, featuring Salman’s Chulbul Pandey in a larger-thanlife avatar and 500 back-up dancers. “This will be followed by an action sequence on bikes involving Chulbul and his brother, Makkhi (played by actor-producer Arbaaz Khan). It will end with a week-long shoot in Mandeshwar,” informs a source close to the development.

Directed by Prabhudheva, this time the cop caper is set in two different eras and will have Salman in two different looks shuttling between the past and the present. “In his back story, which is a kind of prequel, Chulbul will be shown as a local goon with a heart of gold and a lengthy flashback will cover his metamorphosis into a Robin Hood cop. The conflict in the present with Sudeep is connected to his past before Chulbul got into uniform,” adds the source, saying that despite being an actionthriller, the film will have plenty of drama and humour. “Everything that the brand is synonymous with has been retained and adapted keeping modern-day sensibilities in mind.”

Salman shared his excitement with a video on Twitter, minutes after Arbaaz and he touched down in Indore where they were born and where their grandfather worked during his tenure with the police force. The franchise took off in 2010 with Abhinav Kashyap at the helm and brought cop films back in vogue. The sequel, directed by Arbaaz, was equally successful. Prabhudheva who has picked up the baton this time around, had last directed Salman in 2009 in Wanted. While Sonkashi Sinha returns as Rajjo, Part 3 will have another actress in pivotal role who is a part of Chulbul’s past and has an integral role in carrying forward Dilip Shukla’s story. Music is by Sajid-Wajid. The film also features Rajesh Sharma in a pivotal role and Nawab Shah as the baddie alongside Sudeep.

“After the MP schedule, the team moves to Wai in Maharashtra for a marathon 80-day schedule. The plan is to release it in December, around Christmas. 

The actors’ third Dabangg film to kick off in Maheshwar with a start-to-finish schedule
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 21, 2019)

The third installment in the Dabangg franchise, in which Salman Khan and Sonakshi Sinha reprise their respective characters of inspector Chulbul Pandey and Rajjo, and South actor Sudeep plays the baddie, is going on the floors in April in Maheshwar, a town in the Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh. From there, the team will move on to Maharashtra. It will be shot over a period of four months in a start-to-finish schedule.

Producer of the franchise Arbaaz Khan, who has also played Chulbul Pandey’s brother Makkhi in the first two installments and directed the second one, confirmed the news, saying, “We start shooting in the first week of April in Maheshwar and later move to Wai and Mumbai.”

A source associated with the film added, “The team has also conducted a recce in Jaipur recently where a song was being planned, but a final call on that sequence is yet to be taken. Director Prabhudheva is currently busy with Street Dancer with Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor in London. Once he returns to India in mid-March, the Dabangg 3 team will begin prep for the shoot.”

Salman Khan has been busy wrapping up the last leg of Ali Abbas Zafar’s period drama, Bharat with Katrina Kaif, Jackie Shroff, Tabu and Sunil Grover on a set in Mumbai before he begins work on his next. Sonakshi recently kicked off Shilpi Dasgupta’s film that she is currently shooting for in Punjab with rapper Badshah and Varun Sharma, among others. After that, she moves on to Dabangg. Before reuniting on the big screen, Salman and Sona will perform together for the Da-Bangg dance tour in Dubai in March. 

The actor plays a genius entrepreneur in Anil Sharma’s comeback film also featuring the director’s son in his acting debut
Shravan Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 3, 2018)

Mirror had earlier reported (October 11, 2017) that Nawazuddin Siddiqui had joined the ensemble cast of Gadar: Ek Prem Katha filmmaker Anil Sharma’s next, Genius. Now, we have learnt that the actor will be essaying the role of a businessman in the romance-thriller that also marks the acting debut of Sharma’s son, Utkarsh.

Sharma, who is back to direction after five years — his last film was the Sunny Deol-starrer Singh Saab The Great in 2013 — informed Mirror, “Nawaz plays MRS, a successful businessman who has come up the hard way. The story revolves around two geniuses, Nawaz and Utkarsh, both characters with grey shades.”

The filmmaker also reveals that he was keen to cast the 43-year-old actor even as he worked on the script. “I wanted somebody who could play the character brilliantly so I approached Nawaz. While shooting, he added nuances and portrayed the character with finesse. We had been in talks to cast Nawaz for a long time. After several telephonic conversations, we met and he liked the script,” Sharma revealed, adding that he and the actor met when the film was being shot in October 2017. “I had wrapped up the 30-day first schedule in Mathura and Vrindavan when we met. He came on board and we were shooting his portions by November-end, wrapping up the film in February after shooting with Nawaz in Mumbai, Indore, Maheshwar and Mauritius.”

When asked about his choice of script, the filmmaker said that he wanted to make something that was relevant to the recent times and that it took him two years to develop the script. “I wanted to make a film with young actors as I am now focused on films that are a bit different from the kind I have made before. This one is a complete entertainer,” Sharma says.

R Balki on the stigma attached to menstruation, getting Akshay Kumar to wear a sanitary napkin and convincing Amitabh Bachchan to do a cameo\
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 10, 2018)

Two years after tackling a gender-bender in the Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor-starrer Ki and Ka, filmmaker R Balki returns to the marquee with another unusual subject that strives to bring the stigmatised topic of menstruation into the mainstream. Excerpts from an interview:

After Cheeni Kum, Paa, Ki and Ka, you’re carrying forward the tradition of telling unusual stories with Pad Man...
Tackling subjects that haven’t been touched upon before has always been the biggest motivation for me. Filmmaking is a laborious process. If you have to spend one year on it, it better be something that has never been done before.

In some parts of India, women aren’t allowed to enter temples and even the kitchen when they are menstruating. Will this film help change such obsolete practises?
The film doesn’t preach, it’s an entertainer that talks about beliefs and rituals that have been followed for years without much thought while menstrual hygiene has been ignored. We are creating awareness about that.

Did Twinkle Khanna, who debuts as a producer with the film, offer any inputs?
A film is made by a team of people. Twinkle was the one who first met Arunachalam Muruganantham (the real-life Pad Man) and thought it was a good idea to make a film on him. I had never done a biopic before but I like writing my own stories so I figured I could at least write a script based on the idea. Swanand Kirkire and I have co-written the script.

The script is reportedly inspired by Twinkle’s short story from her book, The Legend Of Lakshmi Prasad.
No. Her story and the film are different adaptations of Muruganantham’s life. The story and the script were worked on simultaneously.

Let’s flashback to your first meeting with Arunachalam Muruganantham?
It was hilarious. I wish I could make a seven-hour movie to incorporate all his stories. He told us about his struggles and there were so many lateral thoughts. He’s a very simple man. Akshay spent a lot of time with him too but he didn’t ape Mr Muruganantham’s mannerisms, choosing to interpret his personality in his own way instead. That is Akshay’s remarkable achievement – he’s given it a new feel without losing the spirit of the character.

The trailer shows Akshay trying on a sanitary napkin. It’s very unusual to watch a mainstream hero attempt something like that.
Nobody was willing to try his pads, so Mr Muruganatham decided to do it himself. It’s a part of his story and we had to dramatise it to capture it in its full glory.

What was it like shooting in the small town of Maheshwar in Madhya Pradesh?
It’s beautiful and wonderfully maintained, including the Ahilya fort and Narmada river. It is a worthy role model for other Indian villages and small towns. We wrote the film there and have shot it in the interiors.

Why Sonam Kapoor and Radhika Apte for the female leads?
People see Sonam as a fashion diva but here she plays a character that is possibly the most difficult one in the film because it demanded tremendous sacrifice in terms of helping the protagonist. Radhika is already known as a great performer and in real life, she’s the opposite of the conservative woman she plays. For her to get into the skin of the character was a revelation. Both Sonam and Akshay bagged National Awards while shooting for this film,. It was the second last day of our shoot and all of us ate a lot as part of the celebrations.

In the film, the protagonist has been put into a North Indian milieu as opposed to the real-life story’s South Indian. Any particular reason behind transplanting the story?
I fictionalised it because it would be difficult to have a South Indian man speak pure Hindi. It would have been equivalent to mocking the language. Pad Man is not about South or North but about a person’s achievements.

Amitabh Bachchan has been a part of all your films. Is a reunion on the cards soon?
He has played a cameo in this film; it is an important part.

Reports claim that Kangana Ranaut will play an amputee in your next that also features Bachchan.
This is all fabricated news. I’m not making any such film.

Back when you made Cheeni Kum, risqué subjects were few and far between. You are still on that brave and bold path.
With these films, especially Pad Man, we are trying to do away with the shame attached to themes like menstruration. But at the same time we are not trying to make it ultra-cool.

You are reportedly producing a film for wife Gauri Shinde with Sridevi in the lead.
That’s also a figment of someone’s imagination. Why would we hide it if it was true? I’m really upset when I read all this.

Pad Man clashes with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavat on Janaury 25. Worried?
Our film was supposed to release on Republic Day from the outset. It’s a free country and if people insist on a particular day, nobody can stop them. However, it is silly to clash in a small industry; there are enough dates for everyone. It’s not the wisest thing for films to clash.

Radhika Apte on new projects, debutant co-star Rohan Mehra and reuniting with Sriram Raghavan, Anurag Kashyap
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 4, 2018)

Radhika Apte who is known to be experimental in her choices and gives her nod to very few films, spending a lot of time in London with husband Benedict Taylor, surprisingly has her filmi platter full this year. Pad Man, with Akshay Kumar and Sonam Kapoor, is coming up this Republic Day weekend, followed by Baazaar featuring Saif Ali Khan, Chitrangda Singh and debutant Rohan Mehra. She has just completed Anurag Kashyap’s short film for the Love and Lust anthology and is looking forward to films with Dev Patel and Sriram Raghavan next. Over to the busy-bee actress…

Does working in big-budget films like Pad Man and Bazaar with A-listers like Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan take you one step up, professionally?
Pad Man for me was a start-to-finish schedule. We stayed in Maheshwar for a month and wrapped it up with Akshay working eight hours a day which was amazing. It was all quick. With Baazaar we filmed all over Mumbai, every day we were on the move, and the film took time to complete. With big films you reach more people, that is the only difference.

Akshay recently shared a video quizzing you on his films and joking about the fact that you didn’t remember much.
We stayed in this small resort which grew its own plants and didn’t have room service so the crew ended up eating together. Akshay’s table was the most fun as everyone was cracking jokes. Even on set he would surprise me or throw me off with his innovative ideas. He is really funny and this video was just an example of his sense of humour.

The film also features Sonam Kapoor. Was there one-upmanship? Can two actresses really get along?
I don’t believe in that cliché, just like I don’t agree that women are bad drivers.

Did the film require any special prep given that you play a woman from Madhya Pradesh?
Since it is set in a small village, I had to drape the sari right and tie my hair in a certain way. I worked on the accent with Swanand Kirkire (lyricist, playback singer) who is from Indore and is the film’s co-writer.

Pad Man is inspired by the life of Arunachalam Muruganantham, a Tamil Nadu-based social activist who revolutionised menstrual hygiene in rural India by creating a machine for low-cost sanitary napkins. Any apprehensions touching on a stigmatised subject?
Tell me one woman who doesn’t have periods. It’s the most fundamental reality of the world. Today if we shy away from discussing menstrual hygiene tomorrow we will shy away from giving birth.

You have co-written Anurag Kashyap’s portion Love And Lust. Is more writing on the cards?
It’s kind of Anurag to say that I have co-written the film. It was a collaborative effort and a lot of the scenes were improvised. The film is a product of my discussions with him. Usually actors work with a written script but Anurag wanted to experiment so we tried things differently.

Anurag has spoken about another film you will collaborate on and for which you will be prepping for eight months.
There is a film I plan to do with Anurag next year. I hope it happens because we have been talking about it for so long. I’m not sure about the prep yet but I will do whatever it takes because the script is wonderful.

You have worked with two newcomers, Rohan Mehra in Baazaar and Akash Thosar in Love and Lust. Did you offer them any advice?
Rohan knows the industry since he was born. I’m sure he knows more about it than me. He’s a sincere and sweet boy and I really enjoyed working with him. He’s given so much time and effort to the film, his dedication is commendable. I haven’t seen Sairat yet, I must be the only one who hasn’t seen Akash’s film in Maharashtra, and I met him directly on set. Anurag has captured some stuff that is very Akash. He’s a young boy and a bit shy at times. Anurag has moulded the character according to his personality. I will catch Sairat soon.

Having worked with Sriram Raghavan in Badlapur, how’s it teaming up again with him for the upcoming Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer?
Working with Sriram is a pleasure, he’s always so excited. He told me about this character and if I’d do it. I didn’t have any hesitation at all. The character is very different from Badlapur.

Buzz is, there’s a film with Dev Patel on the cards.
Yes, I’m doing a film with Dev which I will announce soon.

What is the status on your horror film with Phantom which was shot in a graveyard?
I’ve completed it, hopefully it will release by March.

Shilpi Sampad (MID-DAY; April 8, 2017)

"You remember the last scene in Neerja where we showed her ashes being scattered? I am at the same spot now,” exclaims Sonam Kapoor as we connect with her after the much acclaimed biopic on braveheart Neerja Bhanot bagged the Best Hindi Film honour. The actress, who is shooting for Akshay Kumar- tarrer Pad Man in Maheswar (Madhya Pradesh), also got a special mention for her performance in the gritty biopic.

Evidently overwhelmed by the news, Sonam admits she is “very shocked”. “Initially, I didn’t understand what the award was for. Then Anupam [Kher, actor] uncle told me he’d won it for Saaransh (1984) and Daddy (1990), and that the jury award is the most coveted honour. I am grateful to the Bhanots, (director) Ram Madhvani and team Neerja for believing in me.”

She believes the best way to celebrate is to work and says her family is ecstatic. “Dad (Anil Kapoor) has been my guiding light; he said he’ll accompany me to the awards function as my date.”

Actress is set to begin work with Akshay Kumar on R Balki’s next
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 30, 2017)


Sonam Kapoor has been living it up in her favourite city – London – with friends and family. The 31-year-old actress, who took off to the Queen’s City on March 23 to ring in mother Sunita’s 60th birthday has been partying with sister Rhea, cousin Anshula, businessman-boyfriend Anand Ahuja and UK-based designer friends, Tamara Ralph, Michael Russo and Anooshe Mussarat.

And while the actress also caught up with her Veere Di Wedding co-star Kareena Kapoor for lunch in London on Sunday (Bebo was vacationing with husband Saif Ali Khan), the two are not rolling with their Shashanka Ghosh-directed drama until June. Instead, Sonam is set to fly out to Indore to shoot with Akshay Kumar for R Balki’s Padman. The film features Radhika Apte as Akshay’s wife and details about Sonam’s character have been kept under wraps. When contacted, Balki categorically dismissed rumours of Sonam playing the role of a journalist.

The film, based on Arunachalam Muruganantham, the inventor of a low-cost sanitary pad-making machine in India, had kicked off with Akshay shooting solo in the Madhya Pradesh Capital last month.

Akshay’s wife, former actress and bestselling author Twinkle Khanna, who is making her production debut with the film, is also expected to be in the city. A large production unit has been at work in Maheshwar, a town in the Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh 90 km from Indore and home to one of India’s oldest hand-loom fabric traditions. Padman is being shot at real locations, including the river-side temples, ghats, forts and palaces.