Showing posts with label Mantra. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mantra. Show all posts
Lights, mic, action: How Bollywood, television stars are turning voice actors in the age of podcasts
4:43 PM
Actor Gajraj Rao decided to give podcasting a shot after Amit Doshi, Head, IVM Podcasts-Pratilipi, shared his vision for Chitthiyaan, a fiction anthology; BAFTA-nominated actor Adarsh Gourav recording for Desi Down Under, an Audible original coming-of-age series, also voiced by Prajakta Koli and Taaruk Raina; Marvel’s Wastelanders: Star-Lord, which released in June, sees Saif Ali Khan make his audio debut as superhero Peter Quill
You loved them on screen, now get used to hearing them on your phone. Bollywood and television’s darlings are turning voice actors, as fiction podcasts see bullish trend, making the business of listening fiercely competitive
Jane Borges (MID-DAY; September 24, 2023)
When audiobook giant Audible marked its entry into the country in November 2018, it did so in the most filmy-way possible—The bestselling non-fiction title, Mafia Queens of Mumbai: Stories of Women from the Ganglands, which it chose to lead with in its Indian audiobook roster, was recorded by actors Rajkummar Rao, Radhika Apte and Kalki Koechlin. It was, in a way, a sign of things to come.
Five years on, audio platforms have started creating original fiction and podcast content keeping stars in mind.
Since the beginning of this year, Audible has launched a robust slate of original fiction titles, helmed by some of the biggest names in the movie business. In February, the platform announced an association with Marvel Entertainment to bring a Hindi Audible series, Marvel’s Wastelanders, with a star-studded cast that includes Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Sharad Kelkar, Masaba Gupta, Prajakta Koli and Mithila Palkar.
“Following this, we dropped Social Distancing, written by Chetan Bhagat and voiced by Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi. Desi Down Under was another coming-of-age series voiced by Prajakta Koli, Taaruk Raina and Adarsh Gourav that explores cross-border storytelling,” shares Karen Appathurai Wiggins, VP and Head of Content, APAC, Audible, in an email interview.
Some of the other popular titles from the last few years include Kaali Awaazein by Amitabh Bachchan, who incidentally started his career with the All India Radio; The Sandman: Act I in Hindi, voiced by Tabu, Vijay Varma, Manoj Bajpayee, Adarsh Gourav, Kubbra Sait, Sushant Divgikar, Tillotama Shome, and Neeraj Kabi; Baby Doll starring Richa Chadha and Jaideep Ahlawat; and Sasuraal Wonder Phool helmed by Sanya Malhotra and Varun Sharma.
For an industry that’s still nascent and growing, adding actors to the mix has been good for being heard. For instance, Wiggins explains that in bringing a global franchise such as Marvel in Hindi, and with a localized star cast, the goal was to reach wider audiences.
“Since we wanted to bring these stories in Hindi, it became evident that we had to work with top-tier talent. Our aim was to ensure that the actors fully embody their respective characters and infuse their distinct personalities to bring these characters to life in a compelling way,” she says.
Late last month, IVM Podcasts’ announced its first-ever Hindi audio fiction anthology, Chitthiyaan, led by actor Gajraj Rao. Rao plays Prasad Joshi, who retires after serving in Indian Postal Services for 40 years. A box of undelivered letters that he receives from the post office, which coincides with his son’s decision to switch careers, sets Joshi on a completely different path.
“I’ve been an avid podcast listener for three to four years; my interest actually grew during the COVID-19 pandemic,” shares the actor.
Despite this, Rao admits being reluctant when approached for Chitthiyaan. “It was an entirely uncharted territory for me. It felt like stepping into a new realm,” he says, Amit Doshi, Head, IVM Podcasts-Pratilipi and the show’s director, Safura Ubaid, eased him into the process. “Their passion and enthusiasm were contagious, and I felt compelled to take the leap.”
There were different challenges. “Podcasting and traditional filmmaking are distinct in several ways,” says Rao. “In podcasting, the script takes centre-stage. The responsibility of conveying the narrative falls heavily on the words and sound design, as there are no visuals to rely upon. It’s a medium that demands a deep appreciation for the art of storytelling through the auditory senses.
“I came to realise the intricacies involved in maintaining the audience’s engagement without visual aids. It’s about finding that delicate balance between delivering a compelling story while ensuring that the content remains intellectually stimulating.”
Doshi says IVM has always “believed in the power of audio fiction”. If the podcasting network took this long it was because, “we were looking for the right project with the right script and the right cast. Everything came together beautifully for this project.” An actor like Rao helming their fiction debut, Doshi says, has given them the much-needed boost. “Gajraj is phenomenal. His performance was incredible. Working with talent like that forced our entire team to raise the bar.”
For actors Aahana Kumra and Gaurav Chopra, who’ve voiced Hindi thriller podcasts I Hear You (Spotify) and Murder (Storytel) respectively, it was curiosity about the medium that lured them. “It was quite overwhelming,” confesses Kumra.
“I had never acted in front of a mic. This is nothing like dubbing. But when I started, I genuinely started enjoying it.”
As an actor, Kumra says, good work is usually hard to come by. “Podcast fiction has allowed me to discover different opportunities.” It also takes away from the obsession of how you look on camera. “For a change, I focused on how I sounded,” she says.
Chopra, who is the official Hindi voice for Thor (from the Avengers), says the opportunity came naturally because of his other audio work. “I tend to be a bit choosy about [audio] projects,” he says over a phone call.
“It’s something I do on the side, but still an extension of what I do as an actor. I still need to act when I am trying to recreate something for the audio medium… say, a scene where I am jumping or lifting something heavy. Because the medium is growing, it’s also interesting.”
Actor, model, anchor Suchitra Pillai, who was part of the Audible Hindi Original Chillahat, a story about a tragically orphaned heiress, shares this sentiment: “Yes, I definitely see myself exploring the medium in the future.” She recalls playing Sita in BBC Radio 4’s The Ramayana (1994), a 14-part series. “To be able to emote, tell a story, and keep listeners glued to their headphones helps actors push their craft,” she says, “and that’s why it makes it more interesting. It’s about getting things across just with your voice.”
With more people today turning to podcasting, she feels this is a good time for actors to experiment in the space. “For any artiste, especially an audio artiste, the only way is up right now.”
But podcasting is not everyone’s cup of tea, feels actor-director Mantra Mugdh, who runs the production house MantraMugdh and has collaborated on several audio podcasts—he is also artistic director of Marvel’s Wastelanders.
While he has noticed previously sceptical actors taking to the medium, audio OTT requires a bit of unlearning and learning. “This is a blind man’s television,” he says, “Your voice paints pictures on the canvas of the listeners’ minds. Most actors use multiple tools to convey their emotions, and the majority of those are related to the body. In audio dramas, all of these are useless. The eyes, the physique, the clothes, the style, the make-up—all go out of the window. All you have is your voice. And that’s where the magic lies. Of course, it is an added advantage if you are a celebrity. People might visit your show following a star, but they will stay only if the story is gripping enough and the performances are honest.”
While many believe that the audio market is currently saturated, Wiggins points to a FICCI-EY study, Audio OTT market size forecast in India FY 2021-2030, which “states that the market is expected to grow up to $1.1 billion in the next four years and up to $2.5 billion by the end of the financial year 2030”.
“In 2022, we saw a 39 per cent increase in paid member listening hours for our service in India and exponential growth in our free tier,” he says, “Given the popularity of our titles, we are bullish that this will continue. The recent success of our titles, such as Marvel’s Wastelanders: Star-Lord, stands testament to this upward trajectory… We anticipate this to continue as people increasingly take to audio-first services for entertainment, relaxation.”
Rohan Nayak, co-Founder of Pocket FM, a global audio series platform, references a survey conducted among 9,616 Internet users in India. “It unveiled some intriguing trends in audio content consumption preferences,” he shares over email. “The dominant format turned out to be audio series, with 41 per cent of respondents indicating a preference for it. Music came in a close second at 29 per cent, while audiobooks and podcasts were favoured by 20 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively.”
Rising screen fatigue, he says, has contributed to its popularity. “The audio series concept is in an experimental phase, and we anticipate a wave of innovations in the near future.” At present, Pocket FM has more than 15 series that have garnered over 100 million plays, with another 15-20 series surpassing 50 million plays. Nayak says that instead of cherry-picking from the existing bundle of movie actors, who are also stellar voice artistes, Pocket FM has been looking at bringing new talent to the fore. “At the heart of our thriving audio series library is our vibrant creator community, which comprises both talented writers and voice actors,” he says, “Our mission is clear: To identify, nurture, and elevate new artistes and writers, transforming them into audio celebrities in their own right.”
Mugdh doesn’t feel that actors are stealing jobs away from existing voice artistes. What, he feels, it will do is make the space more competitive and democratic. “Voice artistes are industry veterans, and visual actors will have to strive to bring out their ‘sound’ performance to find a way into the listeners’ hearts through their ears, and carve out their place. Mind you, the voice industry has a massive following, and listeners are accustomed to a certain level of performance. If you fall short, be ready for criticism.”
With inputs by Hiren Kotwani
Suchitra Pillai and Karen Appathurai Wiggins
Some scenes were extremely physical although it is an audio medium. By the end of the day, we would lose our voice-Prajakta Koli
8:04 AM
Actor-influencer Prajakta Koli discusses the world of audio medium with her latest series, Desi Down Under
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; May 23, 2023)
Adarsh Gourav describes her as a “ball of energy”, and we couldn’t agree more. Prajakta Koli has the energy to do it all — from making YouTube videos that made her an internet sensation, to featuring in films, and most importantly, spreading the good word. There is no denying her youth icon status with the impact she has had with her conversations about mental health, body positivity, education and climate change.
Now, the actor-influencer talks about her first audio series Desi Down Under on Audible, which she had signed before Marvel’s Wastelanders, her connection to Australia, and the need to pick up swimming.
Edited excerpts from the interview.
Have you been Down Under?
I went to Melbourne for a work commitment. I haven’t been to the places we’ve talked about in the show. I wish to visit Australia because I didn’t see much of the country during that trip.
Was it easier to imagine the show’s setting because you’ve been to Australia?
I didn’t feel the need to make that connection because in the studio, Mantra [Mugdh, director] made it a visual affair for us. He travelled to Sydney before we started recording, and captured the sounds from Bondi beach, of people playing, chilling or fighting on the beach, and of conversations at the airport. The world was created for me when I started recording.
Can you tell us more about the series that revolves around three lifeguards?
Desi Down Under is about friendship between three people, love so beautiful that it scares you, and healing. It is about getting out of your comfort zone and seeing what you are capable of. I fell in love with it even before we began recording.
Do you have any experience in surfing?
I cannot swim to save my life. If I did [swim], I would be the one in need of saving [laughs]. While recording, Mantra told us to put our mind and body into it. I would have my headphones on with my eyes shut, and [make these sounds] to indicate that we are visualizing the wave. I have never surfed in my life, and was blindly following what Mantra was telling me. That said, I’d love to try surfing. When people ask the one life-saving skill I should have, I say swimming.
How was the experience of recording with Adarsh Gourav and Taaruk Raina?
Taaruk and I didn’t record together because our dates never matched. Mantra allotted one day where Adarsh and I recorded all our important scenes together. I remember the first time we were recording a tough scene, I have never seen anyone switch so quickly. We were having a regular conversation, and the next moment, Adarsh jumped in the deep end. Another thing I learnt from him was how aligned he is with everyone. He’d meet me midway in a scene, and was collaborative. He would listen to what Mantra was saying, and chip in what he thinks the character might do. It was a beautiful way to see collaborations happen. From him, I also learnt when to stop. He’d know when his body was giving up. Some scenes were extremely physical although it is an audio medium. By the end of the day, we would lose our voice.
You have had major career shifts. How do you decide what you wish to do next and make that switch?
It is a joint effort [based on several factors]. The first factor is how I am feeling doing what I do because I love my job. I am still learning and making mistakes, but overall, I love my job. The next factor is what my team has to say. I will always bounce thoughts off my family, friends, confidants, and my audience. For example, I started speaking about climate change early last year. Until then, I used to speak about education, body positivity, and mental health. When the opportunity came my way through UNDP [United Nations Development Programme], I sat down with my team to figure if I could do this. I rely heavily on [all of them] when it comes to work.
When I started my career, I received a lot of criticism for my speech and voice-Amit Sadh
8:15 AM
Making his audio debut with Batman — Ek Chakravyuh, Amit Sadh credits the director for roping him in to lend his voice for series
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; May 31, 2022)
Drowning in the barrage of visual content, it is interesting to train your eyes — in this case, your ears — to the audio medium. Earlier this month, Spotify released the audio series Batman: Ek Chakravyuh, voiced by Amit Sadh, who plays the cape-wearing vigilante billionaire. Dipping his toes in the medium for the first time, Sadh says he was pleasantly surprised when he was approached for it, as he was often critiqued for not having a great voice.
“When I started my career, even in television, I received a lot of criticism for my speech and voice. So, I practiced and worked hard. However, in the last couple of years, a lot of people have been complimenting my voice. Although, I still wonder whether they are joking or telling the truth.”
Crediting Mantra Mugdh, who directed the audio series, for honing his skills and guiding him through the rough patches of voice-overs, he says, “Mantra identified and believed that I was worthy to lend my voice to this iconic character. I came with my set of exuberance, hard work, and ethics, and believe I didn’t let anyone down.”
Considering how important it is to conserve one’s voice while working on an audio medium, most actors tend to practice restraint, but Sadh thinks differently. “I don’t believe in self-preservation as an artiste. I was committed to the process. I submitted to Mantra because I trust him. Not only is he good at this, but he is also a very fulfilled artiste. I don’t believe in conserving my voice. I wanted every line, word, and scene to come out well,” he says and adds that whenever he was faced with a challenge, Mantra guided him with example.
“There were instances where a nudge from Mantra was enough to [get on the right path]. At times, I even asked him how to perform a line and simply copied him. It was an isolated, personal experience — where you are in a cubicle studio and microphones can even listen to your breath. It was fascinating because it takes you in a loop and cuts you from the world.”
It is often observed that content when dubbed tends to lose its original essence. English content, when dubbed, in the Hindi language tend to incite laughter. While understanding the train of thought, Sadh believes “the writers of Batman: Ek Chakravyuh have done a splendid job”.
“It is tough. Although the language is Hindi, we’ve used few words in English because even if Bruce was from India, he would speak a bit of English. Even though the language used is not generic, it is understandable and in sync with the world [of Batman]. Having said that, Bruce is still Bruce, he did not become Bahadur,” says the actor of the audio series that was created in eight languages.
Having discovered the world of audio shows, Sadh has actively been listening to podcasts. “The first book I listened to was Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey. It’s a powerful book, which is also available in his voice. I heard it while filming for something. It was surreal,” says the actor, who has wrapped up the shoot of the third instalment of Breathe: Into the Shadows.
My heart breaks when children think Hindi, as a language, is not cool-Shweta Tripathi
8:29 AM
Lending her voice to Batman: Ek Chakravyuh podcast, Shweta on how the language helps it reach a wider audience
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; May 10, 2022)
From Mirzapur and Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein, it is evident that Shweta Tripathi Sharma loves taking up dark roles. She believes such parts offer her the opportunity to explore deeper as an artiste. Naturally then, the Batman series is right up her alley. Tripathi is ready to bring the story of Batgirl to listeners with the Spotify podcast, Batman: Ek Chakravyuh. Talking to mid-day, she explains the challenges of recording for an audio medium, and why the Batman series is close to her heart.
Edited excerpts from the interview.
You’ve had a brush with audio medium before.
I had this knowledge beforehand that acting is not done only through your body, it is also what you hear. Once, I couldn’t dub for an ad because I was travelling for a shoot. That made me upset. For me, the voice completes a performance. I had also done an animation show called Birds Like Me before any of my acting gigs. Since then, it has been on my mind to give my voice to characters. When Batman: Ek Chakravyuh was offered to me, I couldn’t say no. It was a different experience altogether. It’s a solo act where there is no co-actor to give cues. There are a lot of things I have learned, which I will now take to my set.
Are you a Batman or DC comic fan?
I am a fan of Christopher Nolan’s Batman series. He is one of my favourite characters. When I started reading the script, I [started] understanding Batgirl more.
Had this been a visual show, would you have been more excited to take that up?
I want to do both audio and video. I want to wear a costume. Performing with Christian Bale and the entire cast would be on another level. Of course, I am the one to replace Anne Hathaway [laughs]. I usually get a lot of dark content. Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein, Mirzapur, Laakhon Mein Ek — they are all real and rooted shows. When I began reading the script of Batman: Ek Chakravyuh, I realised it is also dark. When I went to Mantra’s [director] studio and heard the sound effects, [I realised] it is an immersive experience. Everyone who has heard it, says they could imagine it visually. If we managed to create imagery through voice-overs, then I think the job is well done.
Since this is an audio show with heavy action, it must’ve been challenging to record.
Barbara Gordon is a cop. I had to figure out my character’s pace and pitch. When the Hindi version of Jurassic Park had come out, the dialogues went: “Bhaago, bhaago, Tyrannosaurus aa raha hai” [laughs]. I didn’t want to do a show like that. It needed to sound more convincing than that. Also, I like to keep my acting restrained. In this scenario, the emotion has to be conveyed through your voice without help from any other department — hair, make-up, or lighting. Your voice, sound effects and direction are the only things at your disposal.
Do you watch the Hindi dubbed version of movies? Often, they are hilarious.
I usually prefer to watch [offerings] in the original language — be it Squid Games, or Money Heist. The emotion you find in the original language is different. So, there is a sense of responsibility when you are dubbing something.
People watch dubbed movies, but the audio medium has a niche audience. Do you think the show will find many takers?
Batman and his world have a lot of fans, but [so far] they may be unable to follow it fully because of a language barrier. So, they will be excited about a [Hindi version]. My heart breaks when children think Hindi, as a language, is not cool. We should take pride in our language. For example, at an international film festival, a French director will speak in French, and he will have an English translator. In contrast, if an Indian director doesn’t know how to speak in English, he will struggle to speak the language. The effect may be lost on the listeners. I am hoping that the coolness of The Batman in Hindi will bring in a lot of listeners.
(Crisp) Movie Review: MANTRA by FENIL SETA
9:57 AM
Mantra talks about a dysfunctional family and how it’s patriarch (Rajat Kapoor) tries to keep the members together and from his chip brand, King Chips, from shutting down. The story is set in 2004 in Delhi and talks about various issues – influx of the multinational companies, competition in market from a bigger brand, marital problems, women safety, moral police, downside of anonymous chatting on internet etc. Somewhere it packs in too much in the film and that’s where the film falters a bit. But overall, it’s a decent attempt that keeps viewers engaged from start to finish. And the film boasts of a great cast. Rajat Kapoor might seem like he’s re-enacting his Vinay Sehgal act from Corporate. But overall, he manages to impress and bring emotional depth to his character that works. Kalki Koechlin is amazing as always while Shiv Pandit is good but should have had more screen time. Adil Hussain, like in Parched, steals with a show by appearing in just one scene. Lushin Dubey is okay while the actors playing Rajat’s friends and his younger son do a fine job. Mantra is mostly crowdfunded and its impressive how a rich-looking film can be made in less than 25 lakhs! Despite the shortcomings, it deserves a watch, at least once, for its unconventional plotline, performances and effort!
My rating - *** out of 5!
I have two films at MAMI this year-Shiv Pandit
8:30 AM
Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; October 14, 2016)
Shiv Pandit is on cloud nine. Two of his films Loev and Mantra will be screened at the upcoming Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI), Film Festival. While Loev directed by Sudhanshu Saria is competing in the Gold Section, Mantra helmed by debutant Nicholas Khargonkor will be screened at the India Story section. Shiv enthuses, "I always had this wish that if I ever attend MAMI it will be with my film. Now, I have two films and both are completely different."
While, Loev is about the growing romance between two men, Mantra is the story of an industrialist and his dysfunctional family that gets affected when an MNC takes over the company.
Best known for the film Shaitaan, it was at a time when Shiv was doing films like Boss and Mumbai Delhi that he met the director of Loev. "He just happened to meet me casually, because we are from the same school. He had no desire to cast me, he didn't even want to tell me the story because he thought I do only commercial films. I had to force it out of him. But when I heard it I found it interesting and we decided to do it," says Shiv.
Didn't he have any apprehensions about doing a film on homosexuality? "The film is about love - sexuality and gender doesn't matter. The whole object of the film is that just because the word love is spelled differently it does not mean it's not love. It's the emotion which is the focus. My character is in love with another person and it's an emotion that works in a mysterious way." Yet, they had to shoot the film in secret, given the political climate and the fact that society doesn't deem it fit. "We didn't want to get into any hassles since our production was tight," says Shiv, who feels the film helped him lose all his inhibitions. "I used to do a lot of theatre where there are no retakes.That excitement was lacking in films. But Loev was challenging because I had never explored this territory," he adds.
The film has been screened at various international film festivals in Germany, Mexico, America and London among others. Not only has it won acclaim, It has been hailed as a progressive Indian film from a Western stand point.
And now, Shiv is eagerly looking forward to the response the film gets in India. Talking about Mantra, Shiv says that he didn't think twice about taking up the role as it had stars of calibre like Rajat Kapoor, Kalki Koechlin and Adil Hussain. "Also the film is inspired from a real incident and is about fractured inter-personal relationships, which is interesting," he signs off.
Anurag Kashyap is the reason I'm here-Shiv Pandit
7:44 AM
Shiv Pandit on his new film, 7 Hours To Go, his filmi foray which was preceded by false starts and why he'd readily do even a one-scene part in a Kashyap film
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 23, 2016)
Shiv Pandit who features in Saurabh Varma's investigative thriller 7 Hours To Go alongside Sandeepa Dhar, Natasa Stankovic and Varun Badola, takes on the role of a cop for a third time after TV show FIR and Akshay Kumar-starrer Boss.
"It's just a co-incidence but I love playing a police officer; it's a matter of great pride and honour. It also allows me to do a lot of action sequences, which I really enjoy. Raaste mein police kabhi rokti hai toh it helps," jokes the actor who celebrated his 32nd birthday on June 21 while promoting his new film in Delhi.
"It's a blessing to be working on your birthday when you love what you do so I am really grateful. We finished the promotional rounds pretty late and headed to the hotel's club to celebrate for a while," he says.
Shiv made his big screen debut with Bejoy Nambiar's Anurag Kashyap-produced 2011 thriller, Shaitan. When asked if there's a reunion on the cards, the actor reveals, "Nothing has been offered to me since but I will promptly take up anything Anurag has for me, even if it's for just one scene. He is the reason I am here and I will always be thankful to him for giving me that fabulous launch," he says, adding that he has a long way to go as an actor.
"I am barely surviving in the industry but I am happy that people are making films with me. I still have to prove myself trade-wise," he confides, adding that sometimes he feels he hasn't worked hard enough and isn't getting the kind of appreciation he seeks, "But then, I am extremely passionate about my work and don't know what else to do," he reasons.
He also reveals that his foray into films was preceded by a fair share of false starts. "I was offered a big film while I was doing FIR but on the day I was to sign on the dotted line, I was told I was over-exposed and couldn't do the film. I felt bad but it proved to be a turning point. I sat at home for a year and a half after that, waiting for the right project. Having said that, there have been some interesting shows in the last two-three years, like 24, I'd love to be a part of shows like that," he adds.
When asked if he had to undergo any kind of training for 7 Hours To Go which is inspired by real events and revolves around a hostage crisis, he says, "I am always in decent shape so nothing much had to be done on that front. But we have shot for some amazing action sequences that have come out really well."
Shiv will next be seen in Mantra, with Kalki Koechlin and Rajat Kapoor, an International film tiled Loev, and another Saurabh Varma directorial, titled Solid Patels, which was announced a while ago. What caused the delay? "We have already shot for 80-90 percent of the film but the producers wanted to release 7 Hours To Go first. Solid Patels will release soon," he concludes.
I loved The Lunchbox and it would be great work with Irrfan Khan-Golshifteh Farahani
8:53 AM
Iranian actress-singer-musician Golshifteh Farahani to romance the actor in an upcoming musical
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 23, 2015)
Earlier this month, Irrfan Khan in an interview to Mirror (May 15) had admitted that the reason he became an actor was to explore love. "It has taken me a long time to make my presence felt as a romantic lead. I'm glad for the opportunity even if it's come late in life. I cannot be a lover boy now but I can be a lover," he had quipped with a straight face.
Now, the actor is all set to romance Golshifteh Farahani in Qissa director, Anup Singh's upcoming musical, Mantra. The 31-year-old Iranian actress-singer-musician, currently resides in Paris and her repertoire boasts of films like Body of Lies, Exodus: Gods and Kings, About Elly and Just Like A Woman. She recently posed nude for the cover of a French celebrity magazine.
"When Anup and I were at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival last year we walked into the screening of a Middle-Eastern film, My Sweet Pepper Land and were floored by Golshifteh. I told Anup she was our girl and he asked why she'd ever say yes to us?" reminisces Irrfan. When a nervous Irrfan approached her, she smiled and said, "I loved your film, The Lunchbox and it would be great to work with you."
The actor, who is currently shooting for his Hollywood film, Inferno, based on Dan Brown's novel of the same name, can't wait to start shooting with her. "I was mesmerised when I first saw her, her beauty is like poetry," he rhapsodises. "Anup and I had instantly known that she would be the right fit for the role. We got her on board even before the festival ended," he says.
Currently, Golshifteh is filming with Johnny Depp for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Lies, the fifth instalment in the hit fantasy franchise which will open in 2017. She will fly down to Mumbai by the year end to start filming her Bollywood debut.
"Mantra is a love saga based on a folklore and will be completely shot in Rajasthan," informs Anup whose last directorial, the Irrfan Khan starrer Qissa won the Netpac Award at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Rajat Kapoor-Kalki Koechlin to play a father-daughter in Mantra, based on late 90s
7:45 AM
Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 24, 2014)
Kalki Koechlin's romantic
comedy Happy Ending is in theatres right now, but the actress is set to
return to serious subjects.She has given her nod to a project titled Mantra, which is being developed at the co-production market of NFDC, currently underway at IFFI, Goa. The film will be directed by Nicholas Kharkongor, who had earlier helmed the short film, Fair And Lowly.
Mantra is set in the late 1990s when the Indian economy was liberalised to let in global players. Rajat Kapoor plays an industrialist whose life is affected by the changing markets. And Kalki will be seen playing his daughter.
Confirming the same, Rajat told Mirror, “My character runs a successful business till international players become competitors. Its effect on my family is symbolic of the transition India was going through at that time. Between the late 90s and early 2000s, the face of the country changed completely.“
Rajat and Kalki had earlier collaborated on the play, Hamlet The Clown Prince, helmed by the actor with Kalki playing Ophelia.
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