Actor-couple Pulkit Samrat and Kriti Kharbanda are taking their relationship to the next level after dating for several years. And it’s going to be a “Punjabi affair”.

A source tells us, “They are from Delhi, so they want to get married in the capital only.” The celebrations will reportedly begin on March 13 and culminate on March 15 in Manesar, Haryana.

The source also said, “The families will have an intimate get-together in Delhi. The wedding ceremony will be high on music, dance, food and masti.” The couple has opted for a “subtle and classy” pastel theme wedding “as it reflects their personality”.

Samrat’s Fukrey gang, actors Varun Sharma and Manjot Singh, along with actor-couple Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal will be in attendance. “The other guests will be (actor) Farhan Akhtar [and wife] Shibani Akhtar, (directors) Zoya Akhtar and Luv Ranjan, and (producer) Ritesh Sidhwani,” says the source.

The couple have acted together in films like Veerey Ki Wedding (2018), Pagalpanti (2019) and Taish (2020).

Sangeeta Yadav (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 6, 2020)

Jolted by the death of his friend and independent filmmaker Bobby Pin, who had tested positive for Coronavirus in the US, actor Manjot Singh wishes a ‘miracle’ would restore normalcy.

Singh, who had worked with Pin in a short film, says, “He was one of my close friends and I had a great time with him in the US. He was very talented. It is saddening to learn of his demise. I just wish for a miracle to happen and everything goes back to normal, putting an end to people’s suffering.”

The Fukrey (2013) actor also feels sad about people not being serious enough about the pandemic, as he can still see many people roaming without a mask. “We are not understanding the gravity of the situation and people are being careless. When it happens in your family or friends circle, only then you realise how dire the situation is,” he adds.

For Singh, 27, the lockdown postponed his parents’ plan of shifting to Mumbai from Delhi. “I have been staying alone for the past four to five years and felt the need to have them with me. We were looking for a bigger house and when we finally locked everything, the lockdown happened,” he says, adding that his father wanted to come to Mumbai since long. “He loves to act and has done small roles in a few films. He is very passionate, maybe he will get more opportunities,” he signs off.

Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; May 23, 2020)

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

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

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

Even as the industry has ground to a halt, sources say Fukrey 3 in progress, Farhan-Ritesh ask Richa & Co to block October dates
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 25, 2020)

A sleeper hit on its release, Fukrey (2013) put the spotlight on Richa Chadha aka Bholi Punjaban and Varun Sharma. After the success of the two instalments of the comedy franchise, rumours are rife that the cast — which also includes Pulkit Samrat, Ali Fazal and Manjot Singh — is reuniting for the third edition.

Even as Bollywood has come to a standstill, producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani have been apparently supervising the progress of Fukrey 3 and recently asked the actors for a chunk of dates in October for the shoot. According to an insider, the creative team is currently giving finishing touches to the script.

"The team, led by director Mrigdeep Singh Lamba, had previously written multiple drafts, but they did not appeal to Farhan and Ritesh. When this idea was presented, they lapped it up, and the writers' team soon sat down to develop it further. The production house has reached out to the principal actors, asking them to block their dates in October. Since the film requires combination dates of five actors, the studio felt it was best to sound them off in advance. The pre-production will kick off as soon as the current situation stabilises."

Lamba remained unavailable for comment.

Manjot Singh on his co-star and the third instalment of his buddy comedy
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 23, 2019)

Manjot Singh, who made his debut with Dibakar Banerjee’s 2008 directorial Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!, going on to play one of the central characters in the Fukrey franchise, is basking in the success of his last turn. “This is the maximum screen time I have got in a film and I’m glad it has done well,” he says about the Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer Dream Girl, in which he played his best friend.

He adds that he bonded with his co-star over their Punjabi connection. “After Badhaai Ho and AndhaDhun, I was wondering what he would be like, but he never behaved like a star. He treated me like a younger brother,” Manjot shares.

By his own admission, he is getting more offers, but there’s a lot of stereotyping involved. “People think that if someone has done a comedy film, they become a comedian. But most of the comedy I have done was situational. Now, I am trying hard to break that stereotype and do something different,” the actor asserts, adding that people believe that Sikh actors are more suited for comedy. “It’s unfortunate. I’m hoping to break the stereotype with my acting skills. I’ve been told I am the Nawazuddin Siddiqui of Sardars, which I think is a big compliment,” he smiles.

Ask him about Fukrey 3 and the actor shares, “It is a special film. After I won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Debut Actor for Oye Lucky…, I wasn’t getting the kind of roles I wanted. Fukrey was a turning point in my life. Writing on Fukrey 3 is almost complete and we should start shooting in 2020. The third part will be much bigger and funnier,” Manjot signs off.

Winning acclaim for his Dream Girl act, Manjot Singh rues the industry's practice to stereotype turban-sporting actors
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 20, 2019)

"Ayushmann [Khurrana] is the reason I said yes to the film," says Manjot Singh, who is seen as the protagonist's friend in Dream Girl. Such is his faith in Khurrana's choice of scripts that he agreed to be part of the Raaj Shaandilyaa-directed comedy even before the narration. "When I heard the synopsis, I was game. I don't believe in reading the script beforehand as the ones working on it are experts. I decide on projects basis the people I will be working with."

It was in 2008 that Singh burst on the scene with immense promise — the actor had bagged several awards for his role in the black comedy, Oye Lucky Lucky Oye (2008). A decade and a string of films later, the actor admits that his career has not shaped up the way he had envisioned it. He points out that the industry's tendency to pigeon-hole a turban-sporting actor as a comic sidekick leaves him with little room to explore different characters. "People perceive Sardars as character actors. What pinches me is that makers will approach me only for a comic role; they are not open to the idea of offering me a serious role. It hurts me that movies typecast Sardars as the funny guy. They think we can only make people laugh. I hope [filmmakers] make an attempt to break this stereotype. I am keen to portray roles that offer more than comic relief."

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 6, 2018)

Actor Varun Sharma’s 28th birthday bash at a Bandra club designed by Gauri Khan doubled up as a success party for his last release, Fukrey Returns, as well as a celebration for having bagged his upcoming films — Abhishek Dogra’s Fry-Day with Govinda and Dinesh Vijan’s Arjun Patiala featuring Kriti Sanon.

Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha were among the guests and remained inseparable, holding hands through the night. The couple caught up with Govinda, who arrived with daughter Tina and stayed on for a while as he chatted with Mika Singh, casting director Mukesh Chhabra and Salman Khan’s actor brother-in-law Aayush Sharma, who is making his debut with Loveratri this year.

The party was high on sibling revelry too, with Kriti Sanon and her singer sister Nupur, who is hoping for a Bollywood debut this year, hanging out with Raabta filmmaker Dinesh Vijan. Actors Huma Qureshi and Saqib Saleem arrived and left together, while the veteran trio of Burmawallah brothers — Abbas, Mustan and Hussain — also made an extended appearance. Shweta Rohira was one of the few exceptions among the guests in that she beat a hasty retreat the instant her ex-husband husband Pulkit Samrat showed up. The birthday boy’s Fukrey co-star, however, seemed to be enjoying himself in the company of Raaz Reboot actress Kriti Kharbanda, who was his constant companion for the night. Between raining kisses on Varun Sharma and interacting with his other Fukrey co-star, Manjot ‘Lali’ Singh, Pulkit made sure to twirl Kriti every time a Bollywood number came on.

Meanwhile, Varun Dhawan made a brief appearance on account of an early call-time the next day for his upcoming film with Anushka Sharma, but managed to schmooze with almost everyone. From tickling his namesake and Dilwale co-star and engulfing him in a dozen jaadoo ki jhappis for the paparazzi, Varun Dhawan made sure his 20-minute appearance was worth everyone’s while. And while he stayed away from the bar, he made sure to linger for some gupshup with filmmakers Sanjay Gupta and Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, as well as actors Vicky Kaushal and Prachi Desai.

Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; December 16, 2017)

It appears that the positive response to Fukrey Returns, which released last week, have the makers eager to capitalize on the success of the franchise. mid-day has learnt that producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani have already greenlit the third instalment.

Talking about the Ali Fazal, Varun Sharma, Pulkit Samrat, Manjot Singh and Richa Chadha starrer, a source says, “They will return to essay the same characters, with the same quirks. While there was a gap of four years between the first two instalments, the third part is likely to hit screens by mid-2019.”

The source adds that director Mrighdeep Singh Lamba has been asked to begin work on the script already. The cast members have also been told to block their dates for filming next year. The third outing will kick off from where part two concluded. “Initial ideas being tossed around suggest that part three will show Bholi Punjaban contesting elections. She eventually becomes the chief minister of Delhi,” reveals the source, adding that the production house is eyeing a five-part series.

We reached out to the producers, but they remained unavailable for comment.

Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; December 13, 2017)

Bollywood, it appears, is set to get its first cinematic universe with the makers of Fukrey considering creating spin-offs of individual characters. Four years after they first introduced Delhi boys, Honey, Choocha, Lali and Zafar to the world, producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani are set to copyright the characters. The development comes close on the heels of the success of Fukrey Returns, which hit screens last week.

A source tells mid-day that the decision was fuelled by the audience’s reception to the second installment. “The franchise enjoys tremendous success. The audience connects with the characters. By copyrighting them via the government website, the makers plan to develop individual properties. They may consider creating spin-offs or even entire series. It’s too early to say anything,” says the source.

Fukrey features Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma, Manjot Singh and Ali Fazal. It also stars Richa Chadha in her much-acclaimed avatar, Bholi Punjaban. Chadha, in a previous interview to midday had stated, “The audience holds on to a role that appeals to them. Even if I play a variety of roles, I am still asked to narrate the dialogues of Bholi Punjaban during press interviews.”

Confirming the development, the spokesperson says, “It’s incredible that people have loved the film and the franchise. Only rarely are characters etched in the memories of viewers. The makers thought it would be interesting to copyright the characters and create independent properties.”

The makers have already tied up with Diamond Comics for the creation of a comic book, Chacha Chaudhri And The Fukrey Returns.

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; December 9, 2017)

Amidst their whirlwind promotional tour ahead of the film’s release yesterday, Team Fukrey Returns took some time off to go on a seaside date with BT on a beautiful breezy evening. The group, comprising lead actors Richa Chadha, Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma and Manjot Singh, owned Marine Drive with their antics as they posed exclusively for our cameras. We also took them for a drive around SoBo during which they spoke about their camaraderie, the Delhi vs Mumbai debate and their film. The lads joked that they considered Richa as one of them (read londa). The actress nodded in affirmative, as she made Manjot sit on her lap so that we all could fit in the car! Here’s what transpired on that hilarious journey. Excerpts...

Looks like Manjot is the baby of the gang. Having worked together in Fukrey,we’re sure that you all are extremely comfortable with each other. So, how was it reuniting for the sequel?
Richa: Manjot wants to be the baby. (Asks him) ‘Itni badi daadi ho gayi hai, tu bada kab hoga?’ As far as reuniting with these boys is concerned, I have worked with men, who were senior and serious, during the Gangs of Wasseypur. They used to discuss 1975 or 1982 mein kya hua. With the Fukras, I can talk and laugh about banal and crazy things. It could be with anyone — Ali (Fazal), Pulkit, Manjot or Choocha (Varun Sharma).
Varun: Fukrey was my debut film and I was thrilled to see myself in a movie. To reunite for the sequel was nostalgic. The chemistry we share off screen reflects on screen as well. We hope that people have jhamfaad fun this time around, too.

Pulkit, Fukrey had struck a chord with the youngsters, especially your song Ambarsariya. What can we expect from the sequel?
The story picks up a year after the events that unfolded in Fukrey. Bholi Punjaban (Richa) is out of the prison and she is back with a vengeance. It’s double the fun this time around. In Ambarsariya, I was trying to woo the girl (Priya Anand), but this time around, the song, Ishq De Fanniyar, shows us dating. However, there’s still no French kiss (smiles).

Talking about each other, what’s that one quality of your co-star that you find most fascinating?
Pulkit: Richa is very knowledgeable, she can make you feel like an idiot. She knows a lot, is a good orator, has good command over languages and you can have a healthy debate with her. There will be disagreements, but she will listen to you. At the end of the day, it’s like aaj humne kya sikha? Varun inspires me a lot. Put him in any tricky situation and he will come out victorious. Manjot achcha hai (all laugh). The most fun we have is when we all get together to make fun of him; he cracks terrible jokes.
Richa: I never make him feel like an idiot! Pulkit is a typical Punjabi boy — he is protective and he likes to feed people — he gets us the food we like. Just the other day, he got broccoli manchurian for me, which Manjot ate. Also, he doesn’t like to eat alone. So, the credit of us eating together goes to him. He’s a gentleman. Even during promotions, he takes care of us. As far as Varun is concerned, usko dekhte hi hasi aati hai. He is very hard-working; Manjot is the bakra in the film and in real life.
Manjot: Inka din nahi dhalta, mujhse pange liye bina. They are all very sweet to me.

Work ceases to be work when you are with your friends, right?
Richa: That’s true. I’ve never had an experience like this before; we didn’t even know ke picture shoot kab ho gayi.
Manjot: The Fukrey franchise is an addiction, we are pampered and spoilt by Excel Entertainment (production company). I don’t know what I’ll do after the film releases. We hope that people like the sequel and demand a third installment.

What was the vibe on the set during breaks?
Pulkit: We shot in the months of November and December in Delhi when it was freezing cold. So, during breaks, we would sit in front of a fireplace with a quilt.
Varun: All of us eat together. We didn’t have a single meal on our own, except for Manjot, who never shared his food (laughs). Even now, he hasn’t offered us the fruit that he has been nibbling on.

Since your film is set in Delhi, do you think there are any differences between Mumbai and Delhi Fukras?
Varun: Fukrey fukrey hotay hain. Language could be different, but dil same hota hai. Fukron ki zindagi umeed pe nahi, jugaad pe kaayam hai.
Richa: Delhi Fukras have more time. For Mumbai’s Fukras, life is busier and there’s so much traffic! We had so much time in Delhi for ourselves.

Continuing the Mumbai vs Delhi debate, what are the major differences between the two cities?
Pulkit: Delhi has the best food when compared to any other city in the country. We also have winters! On the other hand, you’ll find medical stores in every nook and corner of Mumbai, which is great. Of course, now you have those 24/7 stores in Delhi too, but not as many as in Mumbai. Plus the cycle pe garma garam chai and idli that you get in Mumbai, you won’t find it in Delhi.
Varun: Mumbai has no open roads and no playgrounds in schools. There’s severe space crunch. In Delhi, you can discover an internal route where tum gedi maar sakte ho. Raat ko Marine Drive pe Punjabi log shaayad gedi maarte honge. If you listen to loud music in cars, you know a guy is with a girl.

MUMBAI MIRROR (December 4, 2017)

Fukras Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma, Manjot Singh and Ali Fazal will now be spreading their jugad by opening a restaurant in Mumbai for college students. The eatery takes a cue from the theme of the Fukrey franchise and the new film, Fukrey Returns.

While the film’s characters hopped from one famous Fukra spot in Mumbai and Delhi to another, they realised the need for a place that is affordable yet offers a varied range of delicious food for forever broke college students.

Confirming the news, actor Pulkit Samrat said, “We are naming our restaurant ‘Lukkha’ because we have seen the Fukra spots where people eat cheap food while standing in the sun. We are providing them the same food in air conditioned spaces and a good atmosphere in a good area.”

Listing the unique features of the ‘lukkhas’, Pulkit said, “We thought we would provide unlimited Beer. But with a condition. You can drink as much as you want in a limited amount but if you use the washroom you’ll pay again. So that’s an interesting angle for Fukreys. Vada pav is a staple food for students in Mumbai, so we have thought of making it interesting by introducing variations in Vada Pav like Chinese version, Italian version and Masala vada pav and an authentic version. Also, one Vada pav which will be a healthy one with multigrain bread and sweet potato filling. So there are other interesting things that we are planning for the same.”

Produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar, Fukrey made a huge buzz in 2013, winning hearts with its unusual concept and emerged as a hit at the box office.

When a sequel to the Mrighdeep Lamba-directed film was announced, everyone was delighted. While the audience was curious to witness the story of Hunny, Choocha, Lali, and Zafar going forward, the trailer of the film added to the excitement.

The first film touched our hearts with the equation of the four guys and tickled our funny bone with the banter between Choocha and Bholi, the trailer of Fukrey Returns makes it even more interesting.

The songs from the film, “Mehbooba”, “Peh Gaya Khalara” and “Ishq De Fanniyar”, have added to the excitement among the audience. The film hits theaters on December 8.

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 13, 2017)

Four years after the release of Mrighdeep Singh Lamba’s coming-of-age comedy Fukrey, Ali Fazal, Varun Sharma, Pulkit Samrat, Manjot Singh and Richa Chadha are set to return with the sequel. Mirror has now learnt that producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani have recreated the iconic song, “O meri Mehboobo”, from Manmohan Desai’s 1977 fantasy-adventure, Dharam Veer, which had featured Dharmendra, Jeetendra, Zeenat Aman and Neetu Singh.

“It’s the first song in the film and comes at a crucial point in the narrative as Part 2 starts exactly one year after the original ended. Richa’s lady don, Bholi Punjaban, is in jail and Hunny, Choocha, Lali and Zafar are enjoying life, believing the past is behind them, when lives spirals downwards. It is picturised on the four boys,” informs Ritesh, adding that composer Prem Hardeep who had scored “Kala Chashma” for Nitya Mehra’s Baar Baar Dekho sent them scratch with the hook line being “O meri mehbooba”.

Ritesh loved the song and Raftaar has rapped for the recreated “Mehbooba”. The makers have retained the original hook line, “O meri mehbooba mehbooba mehbooba, tujhey jaana hai toh jaa teri marji mera kya.” “We are even trying to retain Mohd. Rafi’s voice, it’s a great song and I hope everyone likes this version,” says Ritesh.

With so many classic numbers like “Tamma Tamma”, “Humma Humma”, “Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast” and “Hawa Hawaii” among many others being recreated, has reworking old classics become the new trend? “I don’t know about trend as it depends on the film and it’s requirement. It worked for “Kala Chashma” and for Judwaa 2. Even in Don we kept “Khaike Paan” and “Yeh Mera Dil”. Thanks to technology we can retain the melody while making it slightly more contemporary,” the filmmaker explains.

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 3, 2016)

The 2013 comedy, Fukrey, had ended with Bholi Punjaban (Richa Chadha) landing up in jail following a well thought of ploy by the four boys — Pulkit Samrat, Ali Fazal, Manjot Singh and Varun Sharma. In the sequel, said to be a funny revenge saga, Bholi returns from prison and won’t spare the men who duped her. Going by the story itself, the spotlight this time round is on Richa, and that doesn’t seem to have gone down well with the other actors.

Word from the corridors of Excel Studios is that the four male leads are still renegotiating their remuneration even as the film is set to roll a fortnight later. The boys aren’t too happy that a female actor has been handed a better deal in what is a quintessentially bromantic film.

A unit hand informs, “Payment to talent is based on their market value and their role in a film. Since Richa has a big part to play, she has been offered a lump sum amount. She has signed the contract and started prepping, which involves losing a lot of weight.”

Ali had green- lighted the movie before his Hollywood film, Victoria & Abdul, was announced. He returns to India on November 11 and is yet to sign the contract, we hear. Pulkit, who apparently was the most commercially viable actor of the lot till last year, has suffered a setback after his last outing, Junooniyat, didn’t fare as expected, adds the unit member.

“Manjot, too, had a bit role in Azhar, which bombed at the box office. Though Varun last did Dilwale, Fukrey will help revive his mojo. None of them intends to back out of the project, but they are all yet to sign on the dotted line. They’re talking money and aren’t happy with Richa being paid more.”

While Varun refused to comment, Ali’s spokesperson reasons that since he has been out of India since August, he will sign the contract once he is back. Pulkit’s spokesperson maintains, “He has signed the contract and will start shooting in mid-November.”

The team takes off to Delhi on November 17 and the film’s first schedule begins on November 19. Ali is expected to join the shoot three days later.

An Excel insider, on the condition of anonymity, quips, “Arguments over payment are commonplace. These are minor hitches that eventually become irrelevant in the long run.”