The filmmaker reacts to an FIR lodged against him and the team of his film, The Accidental Prime Minister, in Muzzafarpur
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; February 15, 2019)

The Muzaffarpur Police has lodged an FIR against filmmaker Vijay Ratnakar Gutte’s The Accidental Prime Minister and its actors Anupam Kher, Akshaye Khanna and 12 others associated with the project. Following a directive from the district court, a complaint was lodged at Kanti Police Station earlier this week, after the court objected to noncompliance of its January 8 order in this regard.

The Accidental Prime Minister released on January 11 and was based on a book of the same name written by Sanjaya Baru. He was employed with the PMO and his book presented an account of the tenure of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. On January 8, the court had ordered the police to lodge an FIR against the film’s actors and 12 others based on a complaint filed by advocate Sudhir Kumar Ojha with a plea that the film presents Dr Singh and a host of other public figures in poor light. The complaint has named Anupam Kher, who played Dr Manmohan Singh, Akshaye Khanna, who played Singh’s media adviser Sanjaya Baru, and even those actors who played Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani and Lalu Prasad Yadav along with the film’s makers.

The advocate moved the court of Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate Saba Alam on February 4 to mention that the police had not complied with its order. A showcause notice was issued to Kanti Police Station through the Muzaffarpur senior superintendent of police and following this, an FIR was lodged under IPC sections 295, 153, 153A, 293, 504, 506, 120B and 34, which relate to promoting enmity among different groups, sale of obscene objects, insult with intent to provoke breach of peace and criminal conspiracy among other things. The complainant had alleged that Ojha felt hurt upon watching the promos of the movie, which was not released at that time, in which, he felt that public figures were portrayed in a manner that projected a poor image of India.

When we reached out to debutant director Vijay Ratnakar Gutte, who helmed the political drama, he told us, “Yes, I am aware that a complaint regarding our film has been filed, but none of us, who have been named, know the exact details of the complaint. The first time they raised a flag was before the release and only on the basis of what people saw in the trailer. I am shocked with these developments. The book on which the film is based has been in public domain since 2014. News channels have used its content for years and everyone knew about my film for about two years before it released. So, I don’t know what people are objecting to now and why. We tried something new with this film and we thought it will open gates for a different kind of cinema to be made in the country. I was under the impression that it had all worked out fine and after people saw the film, things have calmed down. But, this FIR has been lodged out of the blue and funnily enough, no one has officially communicated about it to us. At least, I have only heard about it from the media. After Padmaavat released, the issues around it subsided, but the story refuses to end in our case, even though the CBFC had passed the film with minor changes. I have had to face a lot of opposition with my very first film. It was a challenge to make it all look real, but I will never make a political film again in my career as a filmmaker.” 

Danielle Petite and Aswini Kumar as Sonia and Rahul Gandhi

Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 9, 2019)

With the elections just a couple of months away, it’s raining politicians on screen. After The Accidental Prime Minister, based on Sanjaya Baru’s memoir on Manmohan Singh, and a series of films featuring Narendra Modi, including a biopic on the PM, Mirror has learnt that a film on Rahul Gandhi titled My Name Is Ra Ga is now being made. The film, which is nearing completion, starts with former PM, Indira Gandhi’s assassination in 1984 and ends before the upcoming election.

“My film starts with Rahul Gandhi’s childhood and continues to the present when he is mired in political controversies. It’s about his life as a student in the US to becoming the president of the Indian National Congress,” informs journalist-turned-director Rupesh Paul who has also scripted it based on encounters with those close to Rahul.

Rupesh says he has not got in touch with any political leader, including those from the Gandhi family, for permission because “all the information is in the public domain”. Reiterating that his film is based on facts, he says that “there is no need to get any clearance”. “If we keep the names aside, it’s a story of every man who has gone through multiple and repeated failures before tasting success. I was deeply inspired by his fight which I saw closely as a journalist,” shares the filmmaker.

Aswini Kumar plays Rahul while Himant Kapadiya will portray Modi in the film. “I wanted to get bigger names on board but in the current political scenario, everyone is wary. I am still trying to get a significant actor on board for the remaining portions,” Rupesh informs. Quiz him on censor trouble and he retorts, “I don’t think there will be an issue because the intention isn’t to malign anyone.”

While Anupam Kher was recently seen as Manmohan Singh in The Accidental Prime Minister, the actor's brother, Raju Kher steps in to play the former Indian PM in this film. “After rejections from many actors (whom he doesn’t wish to name), I was surprised Raju sir agreed to play Manmohan Singh. He has given a different arc to it,” he says. What did he think of The Accidental Prime Minister? “I accepted the film but not its tone. The director should have done justice to the film by staying true to real-life incidents. But it has opened a new genre in Bollywood, giving us the courage to make political films.”

As he pens second part of Calling Sehmat that inspired Raazi, Sikka hints that Bhatt is keen to take the story ahead on the big screen
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; January 14, 2019)

Months after the phenomenal success of Alia Bhatt’s Raazi, Harinder Sikka — author of Calling Sehmat, the book that was adapted by director Meghna Gulzar for the big screen — reveals that he is working on the sequel, Remembering Sehmat.

While many may believe that the novel — that told the true story of a young Kashmiri girl who was sent as a spy to Pakistan in 1971 — doesn’t lend itself to a second part, the author insists the protagonist’s journey has enough fodder to warrant a sequel. “After I wrote Calling Sehmat in 2008, I spent another 10 years with her, on and off, depending on the little time she gave me. [The book will focus on] how she went into depression after the mission but fought her way out of it. It will reflect her personal journey since her return from Pakistan — how she never accepted her son as her own, and denounced public life. Dr Manmohan Singh offered her the Padma Shri, but she turned it down. The mysteries around her will be decoded in Remembering Sehmat. A portion will also include why she made me take two trips to Pakistan, during the decade that I knew her,” reveals Sikka.

Raazi made for a gripping big screen experience. It not only gave the audience an unlikely hero in the protagonist, but also gave Bhatt one of the most definitive films of her career. It’s not surprising then as Sikka says that he has discussed the sequel with her. “Multiple producers are interested to adapt the sequel into a movie. But as far as the casting goes, Sehmat herself had chosen Alia. I met Alia at the Ambani wedding, and did discuss this. She was definitely interested.”

The book, he reveals, is likely to be backed by Penguin and may hit the shelves later this year.

Akshaye Khanna on how he is undeterred by controversies around the film 'The Accidental Prime Minister', Anupam Kher's performance as Dr Manmohan Singh and his next Article 375: Marzi Ya Jabardasti
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; January 6, 2019)

Did you anticipate a backlash at the unveiling of The Accidental Prime Minister's trailer?
I don't think anyone can predict what is going to happen in the future. Considering it was a powerful trailer, a strong reaction was expected, but I am sure all controversies will be laid to rest once the film releases. While it is a political film, we have made it an entertaining one. We haven't deviated from what has already been documented in the book. The Accidental Prime Minister is not a biopic. It tracks a decade of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's reign in office. I am sure people will enjoy it once they see it.

There is chatter that the film is deliberately being released before the elections to run down Congress. Comment?
Like I mentioned earlier, if you make an authentic political film, reactions are expected. Frankly, I am not focussed on people's reactions; they can think whatever they want to. I have done my job as an actor and now I am going to promote my film with a proud heart. I genuinely love the film and I am sure people will appreciate it.

Did you meet Sanjaya Baru to prepare for your role?
No, I didn't need to. I read the book twice and watched his interviews to gauge the kind of person he is. I learnt that he is a colourful character and spoke with conviction; moreover, I was never trying to imitate him. Vijay Gutte [the director] had done all the research for me, all he requested me to do was follow his direction and I did just that.

How would you judge Anupam Kher's portrayal of Dr Manmohan Singh and how was it to work with him?
Manmohan Singh is a man of big stature and to interpret him is a great feather in Anupam's cap. It is an actor's interpretation of a person, who has been in public life, for more than five decades. I believe he has given an interesting performance and I am proud to be associated with it. As for working with Anupam, I enjoy his company and had a blast working with him. He kept me entertained with his stories. We even share a good chemistry in the film.

It's common occurrence in the West to make films or shows on political leaders or government institutions. Why do you think Indian directors shy away from replicating the same here?
The fact that filmmakers haven't already made films on the prominent historical figures, especially politicians, is testament to the fact that they don't want to rock the boat or cause a stir in the society. But I feel it must change. Being the largest democracy in the world, I have no inhibitions on being part of authentic political films. I am sure in the future we will see films on Narendra Modi or Amit Shah also. A film on Bal Thackeray is already in the works. The Accidental Prime Minister is based on a book [with the same name], which is written by a political commentator; and if one can write a book, why can't a film be made? Every other form of media has the liberty to criticise governments, politicians, but you cannot make a film? People have a right to opinions and they can be different. My only concern is why should anything be banned even before viewing it? In the end, the political class will have to give in and not snub this kind of creativity.

The Thackeray biopic is being produced by a member of Shiv Sena. What happens when a film like Padmaavat faces issues? Do you feel that filmmakers have no freedom of expression?
I am not a political commentator so, I do not want to talk about other people's films. I think there should be discussion or an open forum on why when it comes to films, the freedom of expression is curbed. The public need to decide and somewhere I feel the decision is made. The interest that this film has generated, shows that people want to watch films in this genre.

Upcoming film
Akshaye Khanna, who has been quite choosy about his projects off late, has a courtroom drama in the pipeline. He said, "I am working on a film titled Section 375: Marzi Ya Jabardasti. It is interesting as I am playing a lawyer for the first time."

A lot of brouhaha has erupted over the trailer of The Accidental Prime Minister. It’s an upcoming Hindi film on the tenure of Dr Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister. The movie is adapted from a book by Sanjaya Baru, who was PM’s media advisor then and makes a comment that he was made to take the position then by the Gandhis till the time their ‘heir’ Rahul doesn’t become fit to become the Prime Minister. Anupam Kher plays the titular role while Akshaye Khanna steps in the shoes of Sanjaya Baru.

As soon as the trailer was out, the critics started calling it a ‘propaganda film’. They also reacted sharply to the timing of the release – 3-4 months before the crucial Lok Sabha elections 2019! Moreover, it has Anupam Kher, who has always been a BJP fan. Some even reminded that Akshaye Khanna’s deceased father Vinod Khanna was also a BJP neta. And then shockingly or rather amusingly, the official Twitter and Facebook handles of BJP shared the trailer of the film with the caption, ‘Riveting tale of how a family held the country to ransom for 10 long years. Was Dr Singh just a regent who was holding on to the PM’s chair till the time heir was ready? Watch the official trailer of #TheAccidentalPrimeMinister, based on an insider’s account, releasing on 11 Jan!’ This move made the skeptics sure that the film is backed by BJP and is using it as a tool to attack the Congress and thwart their chances in the elections.

Riveting tale of how a family held the country to ransom for 10 long years. Was Dr Singh just a regent who was holding on to the PM’s chair till the time heir was ready? Watch the official trailer of #TheAccidentalPrimeMinister, based on an insider’s account, releasing on 11 Jan! pic.twitter.com/ToliKa8xaH

— BJP (@BJP4India) December 27, 2018

Before I go further and express my views on this topic, let me make it clear that I hate all political parties. I have reached a point where I have lost in trust in all of them. Everyone is the same, more or less. Meanwhile, I enjoy watching all kinds of films and am interested and curious to watch The Accidental Prime Minister. Like most other viewers, I don’t care if the events in the film are real or fictionalized, just like I didn’t care about the same factors while watching Padmaavat and Bajirao Mastani. I want to have a good time when I see the film. Period.

All the people attacking The Accidental Prime Minister come under the so-called ‘liberal’ category. I sided with them when they raised voices against those attacking Padmaavat and Udta Punjab. In case of Padmaavat, Karni Sena had revolted against the film and even attacked director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. They claimed that the film is not a true account and I, along with other liberals, asked ‘So what?’! We reminded these protesters about freedom of expression and that all the filmmakers have the right to artistic freedom. It’s unfortunate to see that the same liberal class forgetting all these virtues and making allegations on BJP and others for endorsing The Accidental Prime Minister.

If these liberals had issues with the timing of the release of The Accidental Prime Minister, why didn’t they raise their voice when Udta Punjab released 9 months before Punjab elections 2017? Or when Firaaq released a month before Lok Sabha elections 2009? I am not saying both these very well made films were propaganda films and funded by Congress. But the timing of the release raised questions among BJP loyalists and the liberal clout had brushed it aside. And now the tables have turned with the liberals opposing the release of this Anupam Kher-starrer. How is this fair? Why can’t this upcoming film have the same benefit of doubt as Udta Punjab, Firaaq and many other films?

Also, those trying to argue by reminding that BJP fans are a part of the film conveniently forget that Hansal Mehta is the creative producer of the film. He has raised his voice plenty of times against the current BJP government. He once joked that ex FTII chariman Gajendra Chauhan should be the next Prime Minister of India! How will these liberals explain his association with this ‘BJP-propaganda film’?

That BJP endorsed the film by posting its trailer on their handles does raise eyebrows as this is a first. Also, there has been no consensus on whether the episodes in the film and book are real or fiction. The opening disclaimer in the film does state that the film is a fictionalized account. But the BJP’s caption calls it a ‘riveting tale’, as if suggesting that all that’s shown in the film is actually true. But publicly, they refuse to accept that and pretend to dodge this criticism. This is a standard BJP tactic. During incidents like lynchings, they’d try to project that they don’t support it. But then their minister would visit the funeral of the accused where a tricolour is kept on his mortal remains and communal speeches are given in the background. It is a way of indirectly sending a message to the support base that they endorse the killings of Muslims in a brutal manner. But they don’t directly say it and hence supporters can always argue otherwise. The same strategy is applied here – not directly endorse the film and yet do things like posting the trailer on Twitter and Facebook and make its stand known.

Congress thankfully has planned not to create problems and allow the film to release. As for the liberals, my only request is that they should act sensibly. While criticising BJP, don’t become a Congress supporter, especially when you don’t like the performance of the latter from 2004 to 2014. If BJP is trying to back this film, there’s nothing illegal in it. They are just using this film as a way of getting back at Congress. Tomorrow, Congress will also go all out if a film on Modi and his disastrous policies is out, just like how they gave their support to Udta Punjab. And finally, let’s not be hypocrites, accidental or otherwise, and let’s be fair!

‘Bid To Distract From Failures Of Modi Govt’
Akhilesh Singh (THE TIMES OF INDIA; December 29, 2018)

New Delhi: Days before its release, ‘The Accidental Prime Minister’ — a biopic based on former PM Manmohan Singh’s 10-year tenure in office — has kicked up a huge row with Congress denouncing it as a propaganda effort and the BJP saying the main opposition was being duplicitous in running down the film.

With the movie, based on a book by Singh’s former media advisor Sanjaya Baru, showing the UPA in poor light, BJP’s social media handles were quick to share the trailer of the film scheduled for a New Year release. BJP said it was a “riveting tale of how a family held the country to ransom for 10 long years”.

“Was Dr Singh just a regent who was holding on to the PM’s chair till the time heir was ready?” BJP asked. With well-known actor and BJP sympathiser Anupam Kher in the lead role, Congress leaders said the movie was a bid to distract attention from the failures of the Modi government.

“Sponsored a book before 2014, sponsored a movie before 2019 elections,” Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi said.

Senior leader P L Punia also said that the gimmick was intended to hide the government’s failures.

BJP picked on statements by some state leaders seeking a review of the film to say, “Why does Congress want to censor a film when the book was published way back in April 2014? Just because fewer people read books than watch a movie. Where are the champions of free speech and expression? Stand up for artistic freedom.”

BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya shared the stand of Congress leaders, including party president Rahul Gandhi, on the movie ‘Udta Punjab’ which was released just before the state assembly polls and which the incumbent Akali-BJP government felt was “politically motivated” to run down the state.

“Punjab has a crippling drug problem. Censoring ‘Udta Punjab’ will not fix it. The government must accept the reality and find solutions,” Rahul had then tweeted, Malviya recalled.

Reacting to the controversy, Kher said, “The more they protest, more publicity they will give to the film.”
------------------------------
Don’t intend to ban film in MP, says Kamal Nath

Bhopal: Hours after a spokesperson of Madhya Pradesh Congress said his party will not allow the screening of ‘The Accidental Prime Minister’ in the state, CM Kamal Nath said on Friday evening, “I have no intention to stop the screening or ban any film in MP.”

One of the spokespersons of the party, Syed Zafar, had told a TV channel that Congress will not allow the film’s screening in MP. Zafar said he had written a letter to the film’s director saying he shouldn’t have shown a “scholar prime minister, who prevented India from being affected by worldwide recession, in a poor light”. Zafar said he intended to write a similar letter to the censor board chairman urging him not to clear the film.

Later, another Congress spokesperson Narendra Saluja put out Nath’s statement on WhatsApp. “It’s a BJP-sponsored film and they want us to protest so that it gets publicity, but we are not going to do it,” said Saluja.

Kher on his toil to replicate Dr Manmohan Singh’s “husky” voice in next
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; December 27, 2018)

Anupam Kher did not need words to create a stir with a six-second-long video — one that saw him stepping out of a building in character as Dr Manmohan Singh — that he shared on social media in April. As though the deftness with which he had nabbed the mannerisms of his muse wasn’t reason enough to pique curiosity, Kher, only yesterday, further gave a glimpse of the precision with which he aped the former prime minister’s method of speech.

Kher says that replicating the faint voice synonymous to Singh for The Accidental Prime Minister took three months to nab. “I used techniques I had learnt when studying drama. The process affected my throat, because Dr Singh’s voice is husky and thinner [than mine]. I would gargle often, and practise exercises for my voice. It was the toughest thing I have had to do as an actor,” says Kher.

A unit hand reveals that Kher also watched over 400-hours of footage of Singh to study his mannerisms. “Some of the videos included tapes from Republic Day parades and conferences.”

Anupam Kher on being an Indian actor working abroad, and on essaying his most challenging role yet
Anuka Roy (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 23, 2018)

Anupam Kher is about 15 minutes late for our meeting, but that gives us enough time to study his tastefully-decorated office in Andheri. The walls of Kher’s cabin are lined with trophies, and there are two huge photographs of the actor receiving the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.

Soon enough Kher steps into the room, apologizing profusely for his tardiness. He is dressed in a light pink shirt, denims and sneakers, and has just returned to Mumbai after wrapping up a shooting schedule of New Amsterdam. Kher plays a neurologist, Dr Vijay Kapoor, in the hit US show that is set in a fictional public hospital. The National School of Drama alumnus has also been praised for his work in the British mini-series Mrs Wilson. “It is important to keep challenging yourself as an actor as well as a person. You need to test your capabilities and that can only happen if you choose to do difficult things,” says the 63-year-old about one of the best phases of his life. However, ask him about how he copes with the constant travelling and getting into the heads of numerous characters, and he nonchalantly answers: “There’s nothing to it, really. Work never tires me. And, I always remember those years when I did not get work. At that time I had promised that I will never complain when I get work.”

Kher has been working on international projects for quite some time now. His first project was Gurinder Chadha’s 2002 film Bend It Like Beckham. After that, he went on to star in Chadha’s Bride And Prejudice, Woody Allen’s You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger and the Academy Award-nominated Silver Linings Playbook. He has also been nominated for this year’s British Academy Television Awards for his work in The Boy with the Topknot, which is an adaptation of author and journalist Satnam Sangher’s memoir. But, despite picking up interesting roles in several international projects and spending half his time abroad, Kher prefers to describe himself as an “Indian actor working abroad”. “Phir bhi dil hain Hindustani. Jab tak David (Dhawan) ki film nahi karunga ya Neeraj (Pandey) ki koi film nahi karunga, mazaa kaise ayega? (Unless I do a film with David or Neeraj, I won’t have fun),” says the actor.

Kher will be seen next in The Accidental Prime Minister. The film is based on Sanjaya Baru’s book of the same name. Baru was a former advisor to prime minister Manmohan Singh, and Kher essays Singh’s role in the movie. The former FTII chairman has been vocal about his political leanings and was initially apprehensive about accepting the film. “I had first said no because my personal opinions, initially, were more important than the actor’s point of view. Then I read the book and the script, and realised how difficult it was to portray Dr Singh. And I said to myself that ‘This is going to be the most challenging role I have ever done’.”

Kher says that he read about Manmohan Singh and watched videos featuring him for over eight months, and he still thinks it is quite difficult to replicate the way the former prime minister walks. “That was among the things that really got me intrigued about the man. He is tough to get a handle on. But I played a 65-year-old when I was 28 (in Mahesh Bhatt’s Saaransh), so that also pushed me to take on this role. I thought the very least that would happen is that people would criticise me,” says Kher.

Kher says that his generation of actors is lucky to have experienced both a relatively quiet time and the technological era in their careers. “Today if you don’t make it as an actor, you have no excuse. You can make your own film on your mobile phone and exhibit your talent. At the same time you have to be consistently brilliant if you want to survive.” 

Debutant Vijay Gutte reveals why he chose to adapt a controversial book, refutes rumours of censor trouble
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 17, 2018)

How did you come up with the idea of adapting Sanjaya Baru’s 2014 memoir of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, The Accidental Prime Minister, as your first directorial?
Sunil Bohra (producer) had the rights since 2014 and offered the film to me. I read the book and requested a meeting with Sanjaya Baru. We discussed it for seven straight days and by the end of this marathon discussion, I felt like I was working at the PMO myself (Baru, an ex-journalist and political commentator had been the media advisor and the chief spokesperson of Manmohan Singh during his first term in office from May 2004 to August 2008). I love the way this power game works and since I was always inclined towards politics, my interactions with Sanjaya convinced me that we could turn his bestseller into an amazing film.

What’s National Award-winning director Hansal Mehta’s role in the project?
He’s the creative producer and helped me stay calm. He taught me how to be patient on set and had an important role to play in the casting, which took nine months to lock. Hansal saw the journey through with me.

Was it difficult getting Anupam Kher, who is affiliated to the BJP, on board to play Manmohan Singh?
I gave Anupam Sanjaya’s book and showed him a poster I had conceptualised. He loved it and agreed to do the film on the condition that he liked the script. I worked on it for three months with Mayank Tewari (co-writer) and sent it to him. He instantly came on board.

And Akshaye Khanna?
Akshaye is a thinking actor and being from a family that has been in politics, he understood both the script and the rajneeti. But he took his time to give his nod. He wanted to know minute details of everything that had happened during Manmohan Singh’s tenure. I was careful not to show him Sanjaya’s picture as he was the only character I could play around with. I couldn’t fictionalise Manmohan Singh, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi and others who are public figures, but people don’t know Sanjaya; I could give him a cinematic touch.

Wasn’t the film to open on December 21 with Shah Rukh Khan’s Zero. Why was it pushed to next year?
We were not able to finish the post production as I was working simultaneously on the Hindi and English versions. Also, there is a huge amount of VFX involved. We wrapped up the shoot on October 27 and I thought the final print would be locked in 30 days. That didn’t happen.

Buzz is, the film ran into censor trouble.
I am still locking the final cut after which we will go to the censors.

What if you are asked by the CBFC to get a NOC from Manmohan Singh and other political leaders shown or mentioned in the film?
There is no such law. We can go to the High Court and get the film released without getting a NOC. Did they ask for a NOC from Bhagat Singh during The Legend of Bhagat Singh? Manmohan Singh as a PM was a public figure, so no one can take away my right to make a movie on his tenure.

Following a resurgent Congress’s recent wins in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, won’t it be difficult for you to ensure a smooth release in these states?
These are just assumptions because I don’t know what is going to happen. None of us knew that the Congress would win in these states. If there are problems, we will face them when the time comes.

But it will release in the election year. Doesn’t that make you apprehensive?
Patriotic films release around Independence Day or Republic Day, action films around Eid. Likewise, releasing a film on politics in the year of elections is a well-thought-out decision.

But since the story touches on several scams that took place under the reign of Congress, you’re playing with fire…
Everything happened in the public domain, whether it was 2G, 3G, or the coal scam. There was something wrong which is why the Congress lost the last election by the biggest ever margin. It’s all there in the film but tackled sensitively. And at the end of the day, it is an entertaining film, not a documentary.

What next?
For the last year-and-a-half, I was only focussed on making an honest film. This is the first time a film like this has been made in India or even the world as it’s on people who are still active in politics and will soon go out to ask people for votes. So, I haven’t had the time to think about the next thing. 

Deepali Singh (DNA; August 14, 2018)

Anupam Kher, who essays the role of Dr Manmohan Singh, in The Accidental Prime Minister, feels that like a lot of other people, the erstwhile PM must also be apprehensive about how he will be portrayed in the film. “I did not want to meet him because I’d rather study him from the material that is there, otherwise, I would’ve thought unhone chai aise pee thi, haath aise hilaya tha’, and I will try to incorporate that. People have also played Mahatma Gandhi without meeting him and they did a brilliant job,” reasons the actor.

Having always been an ardent admirer of India’s current PM, Narendra Modi, did his political ideologies ever come in conflict with his on-screen role? “I’m a professional actor and I don’t bring my personal viewpoints to work. Otherwise, I would not have been able to do so many roles. I admire Mr Modi, but that does not mean I don’t like Dr Singh,” he states.

One thing that the Padma Shri recipient believes he can say for sure, is that the economist will be immortalised after this film “in a good way”. “Dr Singh was India’s Prime Minister for 10 years and everybody knows him. It makes my job extremely difficult as an artiste, but that’s the joy of it,” he says. Anupam is confident that after watching the movie, the politician would want to meet him. “And thank me for portraying him so brilliantly,” he smiles, adding that he is saying all of this in humility. “The journey of me portraying him has also, strangely, brought me closer to him, because when you’re studying the person so much, you discover many things. I had to internalise the character,” says the 63-year-old, who’s currently stationed in New York to shoot for the medical drama, New Amsterdam.

BOMBAY TIMES (April 5, 2018)

The political drama The Accidental Prime Minister, based on the book by Sanjaya Baru, commenced principal photography in London on Monday. The film, which features Anupam Kher in the lead role, traces the making and unmaking of the former Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh. Ever since the first poster of the movie released a few months ago, the striking resemblance between the veteran actor and the former PM has become a talking point.

Speaking about the project, Anupam Kher said, “The opportunity to portray a contemporary personality like Dr Manmohan Singh in The Accidental Prime Minister is an immense challenge for me as an actor. He is part of the 24/7 media era, and the world knows his persona minutely. I have been internalising this character for the past few months. I look forward to translating that effort into cinematic reality.”

The movie is directed by debutant Vijay Ratnakar Gutte, along with Hansal Mehta as the creative producer and also features Akshaye Khanna as Sanjaya Baru, the former media advisor to the PM. The script is written by Mayank Tewari, who recently won the Asian Film Awards for India’s official Oscar’s entry, Newton.

The Accidental Prime Minister, produced by Bohra Bros, is slated to release on December 21, 2018.

MUMBAI MIRROR (March 13, 2018)

For his next cinematic outing, critically acclaimed actor Akshaye Khanna is gearing up to portray the role of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s media advisor and chief spokesperson Sanjay Baru in Vijay Ratnakar Gutte’s directorial debut The Accidental Prime Minister. The film has Anupam Kher in the role of Dr Manmohan Singh.

Director Vijay Gutte admitted that he was blessed to make his big screen debut with “some of the finest talents in the Hindi film industry like Akshaye and Anupam ji.”

Speaking of his newest project, Akshaye told Mirror, “I am thrilled and excited to be a part of a venture which will be path-breaking and a game-changer on many levels.”

While the 42-year-old actor has not yet had the “privilege” of meeting Baru, he added, “The balance (between the two biggest political parties of India) in the narrative which he (Baru) gave to the book is admirable.”

When asked about his role, Akshaye elaborated, “Having a role in the film is secondary. I think it is an important movie and even if my role in it was insignificant, I would have still done it,” quick to clarify that his role in the film is “outstanding” and the screenplay “divine”. When asked if the making of the film and its release were timed to suit the upcoming 2019 general elections, Akshaye insisted that there was no such agenda behind the endeavour. “It is very natural to suspect a hidden motive behind the making of a political thriller of such gravity and scale. But I love the way my director and the entire team of the film have been approaching the movie which is without any political inclinations,” the actor insists.

When prodded to talk about the film in greater detail, director Vijay Gutte says, “This film is a celebration of the Indian democracy and its innate resilience across diversities. It seeks to champion truth as its only agenda.”

The film is produced by Bohra Brothers and Rudra Productions and goes on the floors on March 31 in London. It is slated for a December 21, 2018 theatrical release and is based on the bestselling book The Accidental Prime Minister.

Anupam Kher, who plays Manmohan Singh in biopic, says he's unperturbed about politicians taking offence to movie
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; August 12, 2017)

A black and white poster of Anupam Kher in the get up of Manmohan Singh piqued the curiosity of cinephiles when it was unveiled in June, given the actor's uncanny resemblance to the former prime minister. Kher, who portrays Singh in the cinematic adaptation of the latter's then media adviser Sanjaya Baru's book, The Accidental Prime Minster, says he's bound by contract to keep from spilling details about the film.

Yet, he tells mid-day, "This is among the most important roles that I will play in my career spanning 500 films. The first look was important, as we wanted to give it a realistic feel. I have always said that an actor's challenge lies in reinventing himself. That is why I am looking forward to this one. It is a difficult role, but then, why should the job be easy?"

The book kicked up a storm when it hit shelves in 2014, with Singh, then in office, saying he felt stabbed in the back by Baru, who apparently used his access to the Prime Minister's Office to pen the book. Kher, however, doesn't seem perturbed with suggestions his film may attract the wrath of those in power.

"Nowadays, controversies sell. Media houses also like to pursue a controversial story or person. We all have the freedom of expression. That should not be taken away from anyone. Last year, we stood together for Udta Punjab [when the Censor Board was against the film] and, I hope, the industry comes together for any film or filmmaker in the future." Helmed by debutante director Vijay Ratnakar Gutte, the film will kick-off in November and is expected to hit screens in December 2018, ahead of the next general election in 2019.

MUMBAI MIRROR (June 7, 2017)

The Accidental Prime Minister is a political-drama that re-animates for the silver screen the 2014 memoir of the same name by Sanjaya Baru (PM Manmohan Singh’s media advisor).

Producer Sunil Bohra, who’s production house Bohra Bros aspires to make path-breaking cinema, has chosen this subject for his next film and has entrusted the film to debutante director Vijay Ratnakar Gutte.

The exploits of this memoir embraces clandestine events to open aberrations that made up for the first and second term of UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government. And there are mentions of the reported scandals, scams and other details on the white-paper leadership. This thrilling political feature is bound to have the audience glued to the screen.

The lead is played by the legendary Anupam Kher, a household name who is known for his monumental contribution in defining the Bollywood landscape for 35 years, both in mainstream as well as theatre. Kher has also represented our nation on the global playground with multiple Golden Globe and Oscarn ominated movies.

Gutte says, “I’m obliged to get a hold on this story. I truly believe that it has to be told with honesty and integrity. Also a script as magnanimously relevant as this needed a perfect actor. I feel that the depth of maturity and demeanour required to portray the prime minister can only be embodied by the versatile veteran Anupam sir.”

Kher, on his part, adds, “Acting the role of anyone in contemporary history is extremely challenging as comparisons are bound to be instant and inevitable. But I’ve always revelled in challenges. From my first film Saaransh I’ve always looked forward to the experience of portraying PM Manmohan Singh.

Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 17, 2015)

"I was disappointed with my performance. Those days there were no monitors on the set and when I saw what I had done during the dubbing, I wanted to choke myself. I was so gawky and amateurish but Noorie did really well," Farooq Sheikh had reminisced in an interview, revealing that thanks to a weekly show on Doordarshan, he had started sparking off curiosity on the streets, and this love story, the surprise hit of '79, made him even more famous.

However, Farooq candidly admitted that, as an actor, he never created mass hysteria, but his co-star, Poonam Dhillon, took off like a rocket after Noorie. "Ramesh Talwar, who had introduced me to IPTA (Indian People's Theatre Association) and was associated with the film, was confident it would work. He was the only one who believed that," Farooq had laughed, adding that Talwar was equally confident that Poonam, who had been introduced in Trishul and was playing the lead in this film, would make it big. "She was a pretty face so half the battle was won anyway."

Over a quarter of a century later, the actress in question informs that she had been in the 10th standard when she did Trishul for a lark and after that had gone back to her studies. When Noorie was offered to her she was far from excited, even after she was told that some really established actresses were vying for the role. The academically minded Poonam only gave her nod to her second film, albeit reluctantly, when the director, Manmohan Krishna, agreed to shoot in one start-to-finish schedule during her vacations so that she would not have to bunk classes.

Trishul had been shot in Delhi and Poonam had stayed at a five-star hotel. Noorie was filmed in the beautiful but inaccessible Bhaderwah Valley of Kashmir and she was put up in a hostel. It was actually a school that was closed for the holidays and hence bunk beds had been dragged into the classroom. There was no room service but cooks had been flown down to prepare meals. There were no attached bathrooms, a few common toilets serviced the entire unit staying there.

"Hot water often ran out and I was teased by Rajiv Rai and Rajeev Sethi, who were Manmohanji's assistant directors, about whether I had taken a bath or not," chuckles Poonam, who was the youngest in the crew and the most inexperienced actor amongst the cast which boasted of theatre veterans like Bharat Kapoor and Geeta Kak. "The budget was small but spirits were high. There was plenty of camaraderie and no starry tantrums. Rameshji would help out with the rehearsals and the villagers opened their homes to us, supplying us with a steady stream of kawa. Till today, I share a great bonding with everyone who was part of that shoot."

It was a simple love story of a Noorie and Yusuf, with an unhappy ending after the beautiful Kashmiri girl catches the eye of her fiance's boss. Bashir Khan gets her father murdered, rapes Noorie who then commits suicide, fatally shoots Yusuf who dies on his beloved's grave. He is finally killed by her pet dog, Khairoo. "I was an unwilling film heroine but the look and Khayyam saab's songs caught on in a big way. People liked my performance too, I even got nominated for the Filmfare award for best actress, and to this day I am remembered as the Noorie girl," smiles Poonam, who is equally picture perfect even today.

The rape scene, aesthetically shot but still darkly disturbing because a sweet, pure girl is brutally violated, is what makes Noorie unforgettable. But Poonam remembers another scene because she just couldn't get the dialogue right.

"I must have given at least 20 retakes. Farooq and Manmohanji thought I had forgotten my lines despite my telling them that I was word perfect. I kept slurring over them because in an effort to cure a bad cough and cold, I had drunk almost half a bottle of cough syrup which had left me groggy and disoriented. Today, whenever I read the warning on a medicine bottle, I remember Noorie and how I overdosed," she sighs off with a shiver.