Charting his battle with the cigarette, Aamir Khan reveals he has been puffing on a pipe for the past few months
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; November 6, 2018)

Aamir Khan had famously said that he would give up smoking cigarettes after the release of Dangal (2016). Two years down the line, the superstar has got rid of the habit — well, only partly. Talking to mid-day, Khan revealed that while he kicked the butt three months ago, he has been puffing on a pipe since. Turns out, it was one of his friends from outside the industry who introduced him to the gentleman's vice.

"One of my friends said that if I wanted to smoke, I should smoke a pipe. I liked it so much that I can't go back to a cigarette now. I tried one sometime back, but the moment I took a puff, I found the taste horrible," laughs Khan, who recently made a road trip from Lake Como to Milan especially to buy over a dozen pieces from a reputed pipe shop there. In fact, not too long ago, his Thugs Of Hindostan co-star Katrina Kaif had shared a picture of the actor puffing on a pipe, which went viral.

Having been a fairly heavy smoker in the past, Khan says he would find himself reaching for a cigarette every time his film was gearing up for release. "I quit smoking for two-three years when I was training for Dhoom 3 (2013). But then, I went back to it again. I tend to smoke more when my movie releases. Kiran [Rao, wife] would be affected by the cigarette smoke, but she isn't averse to the pipe. I even tried my hand at cigars, but did not find the experience satisfying."

The actor also reveals that ahead of the Thugs Of Hindostan shoot, he was worried that Amitabh Bachchan might be offended by his smoking. He apparently turned to good friend and Bachchan's frequent co-star Shah Rukh Khan for advice. "Shah Rukh told me, 'Amit ji is cool, you can smoke in front of him. If he scolds you, just run away.' Next thing you know, Amit ji and I are watching Wonder Woman during the shoot in Malta and he tells me, 'I heard you asked Shah Rukh if you can smoke in front of me.' I didn't know how to react," laughs Khan, adding, "But Amit ji was cool."

The real thugs behind Thugs Of Hindostan - Manushi Nath, Rushi Sharma and Sumit Basu - reveal how they spent three years to create the onscreen opulence
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 4, 2018)

The film is yet to conquer the box office, but the trailer of Thugs Of Hindostan establishes the film as a magnum opus, albeit differently from the ones we have been familiar with in Bollywood, so far. Sanjay Leela Bhansali's history-based fiction films are how we have come to see opulent sets and grandeur in the movies.

Thugs Of Hindostan is about a mysterious Hindustan, but has not delved into a specific geographic location or time period. We meet the people who created this era impeccably with a touch of fantasy that is rooted in reality. Manushi Nath (left) and Rushi Sharma (left; below) - costume stylists - spent a cumbersome three and a half years etching out the nuances of the look of each character as per their personalities.

"We have had a lifetime of work on this film. People in our teams got married, divorced, had babies and we were still doing Thugs...," laughs Sharma. Nath and Sharma, who have been professional partners for the last decade, worked on multiple films together, their next being the Kangana Ranaut-starrer Panga. The duo claims that Thugs was an experience hard to replicate because of the sheer expanse of the film's narrative. "It was a voluminous film to tackle. We put in an incredible amount of research and took plenty of trips to museums and libraries. Since we didn't find any photographic evidence, we went with paintings of the period, which is where we got the silhouette of the film. Our queries about the red army or the then British army were answered at the Victoria Albert Museum in London. We got our buttons and collars for the uniforms from the picture references they sent," explains Sharma.

Nath adds, "Photography was introduced to the world sometime in 1839, but our film was set [roughly] between 1795 and 1805. It's a tricky period because our research was substantiated by Dandyism [from the 1830s]; but back then there were no references to feature films. So, we kept going back to Beau Brummels' [American rock band from 1964] fashion sense when pants were worn higher and didn't have a fly; they had buttons on the sides. We stuck to the fabrics of the time and emphasised on the period-specific attire, which also demonstrated the influence of the silk route in India." They explain that it was pre-decided to give the film a pan-India touch without going into specifics of a geographic location.

The duo admits that it was toughest to nail Amitabh Bachchan's look in the film. "He is a Kisan-warrior who is waging a battle for freedom. He needed a structured and balanced look, so, we gave him a ferocious attire with softer fabrics. It was his armour that we struggled with the most. It was heavy and a nightmare to pull off because he had to do stunts, swing on ropes and fight with swords in it. So, we had to replicate it in a lighter fabric," adds Sharma. There were plenty of material options fo the armour explains Nath, but the stunt department rejected most of them. "Since the rubber material was melting in the heat, we eventually settled for an amalgamation of leather and rubber. The embossing was identical and painted to perfection."

The designers unanimously agreed that it was fun to design for Aamir Khan's character Firangi Mallah. When asked if they took influences from Feste - the court jester from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and Nath says, "We only took his opera glass as a memoir from the play. We went back to several characters from literature to cull him out. He is jester-like, which is why you will find the parallels."

Nath and Sharma are hopeful that a few inventions made on the film will be used in other films of a similar palette. "There were six departments working relentlessly on the costumes. One of the things we designed were leather jutti-shaped shoes which were moulded on sports shoes to make action comfortable for the actors. When we shot water stunts in Malta, the clothes started losing colour because of the excess chlorine in the water. It was madness," says Sharma. They further explain that as audience, we are used to seeing opulence of the royal variety and so they tried to adopt a different strategy. "For a fantasy world, one need not always wear an 80 kilo zardosi lehenga. Opulence can be established in lighter fabrics, with simple silk aztec work on lehenga," says Nath.

While the costume department had the monstrosity of expanse to deal with, art director Sumit Basu (left), who was also the set designer of Manto, had to build two ships which could float on water. "Getting the correct world was necessary, but building a ship was exhausting. I researched about the working of a ship and studied the wind because we couldn't fake a ship. Making the outline of a ship is easy, but it was a challenge to create a functional deck, especially with the canons in place. We took it a step further by designing the artillery and the weapons were replicated from paintings. No one has experimented like this in Bollywood," said Basu.

In an earlier interview with mid-day, Basu had said that cost was a major concern while building the ship but it was important to maintain authenticity. Basu adds, "Authenticity was our focus. The production house did not cut corners at any point; in fact, they trusted me entirely and never questioned my judgment. Crores have gone into the making of the ships but the product on screen looks worth it."

When asked about the obvious similarities with Pirates Of The Caribbean, and he says, "Pirates was never a reference point for us. In fact, I haven't even watched it or Game Of Thrones. Obviously, there are shows with similar elements - pirates, ships and sea stunts - but that doesn't mean we intended to replicate it. We take it as a compliment than we've achieved a visual worth comparisons."

Unable to make the 30-minute climb to reach the picturesque Thugs Of Hindostan locations in Thailand, actor Amitabh Bachchan on the “regal” treatment meted out to him
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 30, 2018)

Given that there’s a lot riding on his upcoming ambitious project, Thugs Of Hindostan, director Vijay Krishna Acharya has left no stone unturned in ensuring his offering proves to be a visual delight for viewers. The filmmaker took his crew to the exotic locations of Malta and Thailand to shoot crucial scenes of the Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan starrer.

Bachchan tells mid-day that while he couldn’t initially comprehend Acharya’s insistence on filming in Thailand, he was taken by the place’s beauty when he arrived on set. “The location was awe-inspiring. It’s a massive cave, almost 20 to 30 storeys high. While shooting in certain locations, we had many [uncalled] visitors. Huge snakes would appear suddenly from the rocks. Often, people on the sets played pranks by throwing rubber snakes [on one another],” reminisces the actor.

The cave was meant to be Bachchan’s character Khudabaksh’s secret spot. However, for the megastar, reaching the location implied navigating a cumbersome 30-minute long walk. “It was [a] mountainous [region], so we had to climb. I have breathing problems. I tried to make the journey a couple of times, but it was not happening. They [unit] generously made me a Palki. I was lifted and taken to the location, looking very regal,” he reveals.

Filming at Thailand’s Koh Poda Island left Khan equally astonished. “When I arrived for the first time, I was taken aback by the beauty. It also felt like a real hideout. It had a massive cave, with a huge ceiling, and a flowing river,” he says.

After the Malta schedule of his film, director Ali Abbas Zafar is looking forward to more romance and action in Abu Dhabi next month
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 27, 2018) 

Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif wrapped up the Malta schedule of their period-drama Bharat over the weekend with a romantic song. The lead jodi, dressed in desi wear — he in a black sherwani and she in a green lehenga — caught everyone’s eye. After a short break, the team will head to Abu Dhabi in September to continue with the shoot.

Speaking about Katrina, who stepped into the project after Priyanka Chopra’s sudden exit, director Ali Abbas Zafar told Mirror, “Salman and Katrina’s chemistry is unmissable. This was Katrina’s first schedule with Salman for Bharat and an important one for us because it sets up both their characters strongly. We shot a romantic song with them and one featuring Nora Fatehi, along with some elaborate action sequence. There will be more action and romance in Abu Dhabi next month.” The team kicked off the film in July with a circus sequence set in the 1960s at Filmistan Studio with Salman doing some daredevil motorcycle stunts and Disha Patani as a trapeze artiste.

Learning Spanish for Bharat, Nora Fatehi says sharing screen space with the superstar marks her big break in movies
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; August 14, 2018)

Having landed a role in the big-ticket film Bharat, Nora Fatehi is aware that the Salman Khan starrer could well be the inflection point in her career. While the period drama traces India's journey from its Independence in 1947 to today, the actor - who will be seen in the mid '80s portion of the film - is currently learning Spanish to add authenticity to her part. "Since my role requires me to speak in Spanish, I thought of picking up the language. I haven't hired a tutor, but I am learning it from a close friend," says the Morrocan-Canadian actor, refusing to divulge details about her character in the film that also features Katrina Kaif and Disha Patani.

With the unit of the Ali Abbas Zafar directed-venture currently shooting in Malta, Fatehi is expected to join them by month-end. Stating that "an opportunity to work with Salman doesn't come every day", the actor says that a big-screen outing with the superstar will help her showcase her acting skills. "Bharat is a big project for me, and I want to give my best to it. I am grateful to Salman, Ali and producer Atul Agnihotri who thought I was perfect for the character. Working under Ali's direction will be a wonderful experience."

Four years and a string of dance numbers — including Dilbar in Satyameva Jayate - later, Fatehi points out that bagging Bharat has reinstated her faith in hard work. "It hasn't been an easy journey, but I feel that perseverance ultimately pays off."

Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 11, 2018)

Salman Khan, who has been busy wrapping up his gameshow Dus Ka Dumdaar Weekend, kicked off the shoot of Bigg Boss last weekend. The reality show is returning with its 12th season. Since the theme is jodis, the 52-year-old host revisited some iconic film jodis. The show will air from September 16.

“The channel wanted to announce the theme in an interesting way and he incorporated some of his signature dance moves from popular hits. With the cameras rolling, Salman made an impromptu inclusion of his famous 'Jawaani Phir Na Aye' towel step from Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and went on to add the Dabbang hook step. He even hummed his current favourite, 'Dil Diyan Gallan' from Tiger Zinda Hai,” informed a source from the set which was plastered with posters of the Anil Kapoor-Jackie Shroff-starrer Ram Lakhan, his own pairing with Shah Rukh Khan in Karan Arjun, Hema Malini’s dual turn as Seeta and Geeta and Sholay’s Jai and Veeru.

The show’s new season aims to break the stereotype of husband-wife, boyfriend-girlfriend, often associated with jodis, by suffixing it with ‘Vichitra’. The inmates of the house will be related to one another, be it saas-bahu, uncle and nephew, boss and employee. Like always, there will be a mix of celebs and commoners and it will be shot in Lonavala.

Mirror had earlier reported (July 25) that the makers are targetting a mid-September premiere. Bigg Boss has been returning to TV in October for the last three seasons. The finale is expected to be in December-end.

Salman has hosted nine seasons. The first one was ‘circuited’ off by Arshad Warsi, with Shilpa Shetty taking over in season two. Amitabh Bachchan also enjoyed a term as the pop philosopher with Salman stepiing into the fourth season, passing the baton to Sanjay Dutt in season five before returning to it.

Meanwhile, the actor left for Malta on Friday to kick off the second schedule of Ali Abbas Zafar’s Eid 2019 release, Bharat. The actor was accompanied by mom Salma, sister Alvira and brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri who is also a co-producer. he film. Katrina Kaif who steps in for Priyanka Chopra joins them.

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; August 4, 2018)

Salman Khan has his date diary full, with as many as five movies lined up back-to-back. The Race 3 actor had told After Hrs that after Ali Abbas Zafar’s Bharat, he has Prabhudheva’s Dabangg 3, Sajid Nadiadwala’s Kick 2 and Sohail Khan’s Sher Khan coming up, one after the other. Apparently, he is also in advanced talks with Sanjay Leela Bhansali for a film. Now, the shooting schedules of his two projects have been swapped.

Dabangg 3 will take Kick 2’s slot
In an earlier interview with us, Sajid had revealed that he plans to go on floors with Kick 2 in January 2019 and release it during Christmas. But now, Dabangg 3 might take that spot. Says a source close to the superstar, “Kick 2 is getting pushed by a few months because Salman begins Dabangg 3 only around this December. The first schedule of Arbaaz Khan’s production will happen simultaneously with the last leg of Bharat’s shoot. January onwards, Salman gets completely into Chulbul Pandey mode and the makers will finish it by March end. He will move onto his next movie only after wrapping up the cop drama.”

The source adds, “Bharat is being readied as a big Eid bonanza. Kick 2 will possibly not be ready for a Christmas 2019 release, so in all probability, Arbaaz and Salman might release Dabangg 3 on that date.”

Change in Bharat’s schedule
The earlier plan was to begin D3 alongside Bharat, next month. Our informer adds, “Salman began shooting for Bharat in July. He was supposed to kick-start Dabangg 3 from mid-September. But he begins shooting for Bigg Boss 12 around the same time. Also, the shooting schedules of Bharat have changed a bit. The team needs a little more time to wrap up the ambitious film because of the scale it’s being mounted on. They will fly off to Malta this month and then shoot in different parts of Delhi, Punjab and Mumbai from September to December.”

It was a collective decision taken by the team to avoid pressure on the superstar. “Bharat is a physically-exhausting project that involves a lot of prosthetics, stunts and VFX. That’s why everyone thinks it’s wise to finish the period film first and then move on to another, so that it doesn’t take a toll on Salman’s health.”

DNA (July 30, 2018)

When the cast of a movie is headlined by Hindi cinema’s icon, Amitabh Bachchan and Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, you know that it is one of the most-anticipated films of the year. From the start, Thugs Of Hindostan (TOH), directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya aka Viktor, has been the talk of the town for its lavish scale, larger-than-life sets, imaginative shot-taking and huge mounting. The film, which will see the two megastars sharing screen space for the first time, has got Yash Raj Films (YRF) pulling out all the stops to ensure that this project gets a massive canvas. The movie that will open in cinemas this Diwali also stars Katrina Kaif and Dangal girl Fatima Sana Shaikh in key roles.

CUSTOMISED CREATIONS
Apparently, in Malta, Viktor created a world where fantasy and reality seemed to merge visually. Says a source, “The director needed a pristine, unseen location and a setting where two huge ships could fit in. The ships were built by international teams that were experts in constructing such set-ups for Hollywood films.”

FORTY-FIVE DAYS IN MALTA
The long schedule was hectic. “The crew stayed in the island country for 45 days and shot at various locations, making it one of the most-expensive outdoor schedules in the history of Indian cinema,” adds the source.

DNA (August 16, 2017)

After shooting extensively on the high seas in Malta for their upcoming film, Thugs Of Hindostan, Aamir Khan and writer-director Vijay Krishna Acharya aka Victor found that India and the European island nation have a unique connect. Says a source from the film’s unit, “Malta is home to Camino Island, a famous spot known for its pristine blue lagoon and visually stunning scenery. While researching locally, Victor found that the name, Camino, actually comes from cumin — a term to denote jeera, the Indian spice. In the late medieval era, when sea faring and the spice trade with India had picked up pace with Spain, the Netherlands and rest of Europe, Indian spices were traded at extremely high prices and were sought after. As Malta was an outpost for this trade, cumin became a reference point for such trading ships. This unique bit of history intrigued Victor and Aamir a fair bit. Always a history buff, Aamir actually made a trip to this lagoon, a popular local holiday spot, to see it and explore on foot.” The source adds that slices of history from India’s sea faring past overlap with local folklore in Malta often, which made the entire shoot schedule in the island quite interesting for the film’s crew.

DNA (May 29, 2017)

Now that casting has come to a close, Yash Raj Films’ Thugs Of Hindostan (TOH) is finally ready to set sail in Malta. The project, which stars Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif and Fatima Sana Shaikh, goes on floors as soon as June 5.

The first schedule will begin aboard two massive, specially constructed ships docked by the Maltese seaside. Writer-director Vijay Krishna Acharya shares, “The set of the film is in a high-security water zone, with restricted access. Both ships have been built in the early 18th century-style, complete with cannons and other weapons. An international crew has been hard at work, creating these elaborate ships in Malta. Most of the portions filmed on board these ships will involve high-octane action.”

WHY MALTA?
Set off the coast of Southern Europe, Malta is an island nation of Europe with relatively unexplored ocean side scenery.