Showing posts with label Masaba Masaba. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Masaba Masaba. Show all posts
With my character, the Masaba Masaba 2 team wanted to build a new romantic hero-Neil Bhoopalam
8:05 AM
Neil, who is a Best Supporting Actor: Series nominee at mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards, says his soft-spoken character in Masaba Masaba 2 marks evolution of on-screen loverboy
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; February 17, 2023)
The character of Dhairya Rana in the second season of Masaba Masaba feels too good to be true. The kind, soft-spoken man, who puts his ladylove’s needs above his own, is a much-required change from the macho heroes we see on screen. So, when his love story with Masaba Gupta took centre-stage in the Netflix show, people lapped it up. Today, as Neil Bhoopalam is nominated in the Best Supporting Actor: Series category at the upcoming mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards, he says the makers’ intent impressed him.
“There has been an evolution since the times of Raj and other [romantic heroes] 20 years ago. Having said that, human emotions have remained the same. At first, Dhairya looks too good to be true. But characters [are made believable] by good writing. With him, the team wanted to build a new romantic hero,” he begins.
For the actor, his character’s reserved nature was initially difficult to crack, as it was at odds with his real-life personality. Bhoopalam elaborates, “Dhairya will choose the right time to voice his opinion; he will wait patiently for it. I, however, share my views [immediately].”
Even as fans await the third season of the romantic comedy, Bhoopalam is overwhelmed with the love he has received for his performance. “I was in New York for my play, and so many people recognised me straight away. They came up to me and said, ‘I wish I had a Dhairya in my life’.”
Cast your vote for the Hitlist OTT Awards
Neil Bhoopalam has been nominated in the Best Supporting Actor (Male): Series category for Masaba Masaba S02.
The other nominees are:
- Amit Sial (Maharani S02)
- Faisal Malik (Panchayat S02)
- Kulbhushan Kharbanda (Guilty Minds)
- Suvinder Vicky (CAT)
- Vaibhav Raj Gupta (Gullak S03)
There are 16 categories that the public can vote in. Log on to www.radiocity.in/hitlistott to cast your vote.
Voting lines close on February 22.
I did not get work because of my Insta posts, I got it because of Badhaai Ho-Neena Gupta
8:43 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; August 14, 2022)
Neena Gupta admits that she is in the best phase of her life with good work coming her way. Though there has never been any doubt about her skills as an actor, the roles she was offered weren’t matching her expectations, until Badhaai Ho came her way. The film opened the floodgates and marked the beginning of a new chapter in Neena’s professional life.
“I did not get work because of my Insta posts, I got it because of Badhaai Ho (2018). That film changed the course for me. I was recognized as a good actor and that got me more work and respect. It’s unbelievable at times to see such good work coming to me now. There was a time when I thought that nothing much would happen unless I made a film for myself. However, I am fortunate that things have changed today, because of OTT platforms and other factors. There are young filmmakers who are working on amazing subjects and older filmmakers who have changed their styles. I am in a very good phase in my life, workwise and otherwise,” she says.
‘PEOPLE ASK ME ABOUT DIRECTING A FILM, BUT I WANT TO ENJOY THIS PHASE AS AN ACTOR’
While Neena has directed shows like Saans, she has no intention of getting behind the camera any time soon. She explains, “People ask me about directing or producing a film and I say, ‘No, this phase has come after many years of hard work, as well as no work, so let me enjoy it fully.’ I am lucky, I am working hard, and I am very happy. My daughter Masaba has also grown up, so, I don’t feel guilty that I am working. She is extremely supportive and tells me to do as much work as I can because she understands that I didn’t get what I wanted to do for many years.”
‘THE TENDENCY TO SLOT ACTRESSES IN A PARTICULAR MOULD IS STILL PREVALENT’
Her newfound success has, in fact, made her immune to the way the film industry often slots actresses on the basis of their looks and glamour quotient. She shares, “The tendency to slot actresses in a particular mould is still prevalent. That still happens, although I have tried a lot to break it. Today, if you see my work, I am playing totally different characters in my projects. This is exactly what I did earlier, too, but because of this, I didn’t get work. However, fortunately, times have changed and so have people. They are offering and accepting me in varied roles. Having said that, even today, some filmmakers prefer to take a yesteryear heroine instead of me in a role, just like it was back in the day because she was more known in her younger days. It has happened — that I was offered a role and then I came to know that they have replaced me with another actress who was a bigger name in her heydays.”
She adds, “These things happen, but I don’t lose heart. If a director or producer thinks that a particular artiste is better for them, I am nobody to tell them otherwise. I am also not bitter about it because I am getting good work. Toh agar ek aadh cheez mein bura lagta hai toh itna bhi nahi lagta. If I crib, God will think that after having given me so much I am still complaining, so that would not be fair (smiles!).”
‘I ADMIRE A FILMMAKER’S WORK WHEN THERE IS A PURPOSE BEHIND THEIR FILMS’
Among the many films that she has taken up includes Satish Kaushik’s Kaagaz 2. Talking about it, she shares, “I liked the story of the film as it is socially relevant. I admire a filmmaker’s work when there is a purpose behind their films and they have something socially relevant to say.”
Besides, doing the film was a no-brainer as the filmmaker and she go a long way back. She adds, “We have known each other since the time Satish Kaushik ji was in Kirorimal College and I was in Janki Devi Mahavidyalaya. There is a bonding and friendship between us that cannot wither away just because we don’t meet or work with each other. When he approached me for the film, he didn’t ask me whether I wanted to do the film, but just said, ‘You have to do it.’ I feel proud that he keeps making socially relevant films, like Kaagaz.”
Bollywood will cast the 10 people they always cast-Masaba Gupta
11:06 AM
Feeling validated after the eponymous show’s success, Masaba says OTT content matches her sensibilities as she readies for comedy’s second season
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; July 26, 2022)
The couturier in Masaba Gupta believes in having fun with her designs and enjoying her craft. The actor in her, too, seems to follow the same philosophy. With 'Masaba Masaba' and her segment in 'Modern Love Mumbai', it’s easy to see that Gupta is enjoying expressing her creative side in front of the camera. She admits that the response to the opening season of Masaba Masaba made her feel validated as an actor.
“Modern Love got good reviews as well. That was even more comforting. I have grown up seeing a certain style of acting in Hindi cinema, which is typically an exaggerated form. So, I didn’t know that there is an audience for the subtle [performance] that I do. With OTT, a new style of acting is being appreciated. So, I feel validated. But I want to play a lot more with dialect and characters,” she shares.
For now though, it’s time for Gupta to become the character she has known all her life — herself — as she presents the second season of the Netflix comedy. While the Sonam Nair-directed series will see some familiar faces from the opening season in Neena Gupta and Neil Bhoopalam, actors Ram Kapoor, Kusha Kapila, and Barkha Singh have also joined the cast. Gupta notes that the upcoming edition touches on the subject of mental health.
“Mental health is a conversation that you cannot ignore in today’s day and age, but it has to be addressed [responsibly]. We have done it in a way that people will at least take the first step to tackle their mental health issues.”
A successful fashion house, an eponymous series, and a successful anthology. Is Bollywood the next stop for the designer-turned-actor? “I have a full life being an entrepreneur. Until it absolutely fulfils me as an actor, I won’t do [a film]. To be honest, Bollywood will do what it does — they will still cast the 10 people that they always have been casting. So, I hope to do a lot more work on OTT.”
We start developing the second season of a show when the first edition is in production-Tanya Bami
8:13 AM
With Netflix rolling out second season of Delhi Crime, Masaba Masaba and other hit titles, series head Tanya Bami discusses using audience feedback to amp up content
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; July 18, 2022)
More shows, homegrown or international, have fallen prey to the jinx of the second season than broken it. But Tanya Bami, series head, Netflix India, is confident as the streaming giant rolls out the second season of its successful offerings — Delhi Crime, Masaba Masaba, Mismatched, Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives, and many more. The key, she says, is superlative writing.
An obvious rule, but hard to follow. “Series writing is the most immersive and extensive process,” Bami begins. “We start developing the second season of a show when the first [edition] is in production. So, it’s tough for writers to come up with a meritorious season two that increases the scope of the story. At the same time, the signals from the audiences are important. Who did they engage with? How do we amp up certain parts?”
Many lessons, she says, are learnt by keeping one’s ear to the ground. Bami cites the example of Neena and Masaba Gupta’s popular series, Masaba Masaba. “In the first season, people enjoyed the mother-daughter chemistry. Every girl connects with it because you love your mom, but when she [delves] deep into your life, it makes you uncomfortable. So, we amped up such nuances and added a new dimension to their unique chemistry [in the upcoming instalment].”
One would assume that their trump card is Delhi Crime. The maiden season of the Shefali Shah and Rasika Dugal-starrer was adjudged the Best Drama at the 48th International Emmy Awards. Almost two years since the win, as the second edition gears up for release, the expectations are naturally higher. Ask her about the long gap between the two seasons, and Bami says, “We wanted to bring in its best version. So, if it needs a certain amount of deep-diving even after it is created, or needs a patch shoot or needs us to reimagine some things [in the story], we always support our creators. I am happy it has shaped up so well.”
The Indian OTT landscape is ever-evolving, making it the perfect ground for braver ideas and experimentation. “The lockdown opened people’s minds. Content from the South has become a rage. Indian audiences love their stars, so Ranveer vs Wild With Bear Grylls is doing well. People want us to present dynamic stories, new ideas and production quality that is equal to a theatrical movie. They also expect variety in terms of formats — so we have scripted [shows], and unscripted [originals].”
I am not trying to fit into people’s ideas of what I should be like if I’m an actor-Masaba Gupta
8:15 AM
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 13, 2022)
Fashion designer Masaba Gupta, who made her acting debut in 2020 with the series Masaba Masaba, wants her acting career to be a real deal instead of being a vanity affair. That’s because she is not trying to fit into any box.
“I have seen that when people are on set, they keep looking for ways to validate their presence as an actor. But I am just being myself,” asserts the daughter of veteran actor Neena Gupta. She adds, “I am not taking any extra measures to make my skin look anything different from what it is. I am not taking any extra steps to make my body look smaller than it is. I’m not trying to fit into any box. I am not trying to fit into people’s ideas of what I should be like if I’m an actor. I am trying to do justice to the roles I get.”
The 33- year-old adds, “I run a business [too], so I don’t have the time to think about all the things and the vanity that come with the industry. I go back to my work quickly.”
Talking about her acting journey so far, she says, “It has been overwhelming because it has happened in a very unnatural way. When a lot of people make their debut, there’s a lot of fanfare around. They spend a lot of time taking care of their bodies, learning dance or training... [I would say] it’s such an interesting time because people who are not considered typical actors are getting a lot of work.”
Masaba’s debut project was inspired by her own life, and she followed it up with another web project, Modern Love: Mumbai. She confesses that she thought the role in her recent outing would go to “some well-known actor”. “To get work because of the fact that people think you can act and fit the role is a rare case in the industry. So it’s a great thing for me,” concludes Masaba, who feels she entered the industry at the right time.
What you are reading in Neena Gupta’s memoir was an expression of my affection for her as a friend-Satish Kaushik
8:14 AM
In Neena Gupta’s memoir, she mentioned that her actor-friend Satish Kaushik had offered to marry her when she was pregnant with Masaba. Kaushik tells us the story behind it...
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; June 18, 2021)
Actress Neena Gupta, who is known to be upfront and candid, recently released a book chronicling her life and certain anecdotes penned down in the book caught everyone’s attention and became a talking point. There was a part in the book where Neena mentioned how actor-director Satish Kaushik had offered to marry her when she was pregnant with Masaba so that her child would have a father figure.
In an exclusive chat with BT, Kaushik opens up about his equation with the Badhaai Ho actress. He reminisces, “Our friendship dates back to 1975 and the bond has been strong ever since. We fondly called each other Nancy and Kaushikan. I have known her family, too. We lived close by in Karol Bagh, Delhi. We were together at Delhi University and were quite active in theatre. Neena jab mere college aati thi, toh hamaare yahaan toh hungama mach jaata tha (laughs!). She impressed everyone even then — with her views and the way she carried herself. She later joined NSD, a couple of years after me. We struggled in our respective ways to make a mark in the film industry. We also did several films together, like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Mandi, and Teree Sang. Though we got busy in our film journeys, whenever we met, it was like a walk down memory lane. I have always applauded and respected Nancy for the way she bravely faced the challenges in her life, especially when she was pregnant with Masaba.”
Kaushik was among the few, who were privy to the news of Neena’s pregnancy. He says, “I used to appreciate the fact that a girl at that time decided to have a child out of wedlock. As a true friend, I simply stood by her and gave her confidence. Whatever you are reading in the memoir, it was all an expression of my affection for her as a friend. I was concerned about not letting her feel alone. At the end of the day, that’s what friends are for, right? As mentioned in the book, when I offered to marry her, it was a mix of humour, concern, respect, and support for my best friend in her time of need. I told her, ‘Main hoon na, tu chinta kyu karti hai?’ She was moved by the gesture and was in tears. From that day onwards, our friendship grew stronger. I am happy and proud that she is doing so well as an actor. She is a symbol of a strong woman in our society. She is now happily married to a great guy and a successful entrepreneur, Vivek Mehra and he is a great friend, too.”
Was he aware that Neena was planning to share this anecdote in her memoir? “She told me that she was writing about her life and if I had any objection. I replied, ‘Likh tu araam se. No problem’. I salute Nancy and the journey she has had,” says Kaushik, adding, “My wife, Shashi, knows about my equation with Neena, who is a regular at our home. She understands and respects our friendship.”
Nothing has changed for single moms; I don’t see many men raising children on their own-Neena Gupta
8:02 AM
Neena Gupta begins her autobiography Sach Kahun Toh by talking about the many labels stuck on her over the decades: the original rebel, unapologetic, self-confident. She then goes on to unpack this public persona to reveal someone “flawed... chipped... broken”. Sonam Joshi spoke to Gupta on navigating the industry without a mentor and keeping her career going through grit and hard work
Sonam Joshi (THE TIMES OF INDIA; June 13, 2021)
What made you write a memoir at this stage in your life? Was it the pandemic that made you look back?
I’ve been wanting to write it for almost 20 years and started writing it many times but stopped. Last year, I was here in my home in Mukteshwar for several months and looking back at my life. I was not preoccupied with anything. I didn’t have to go out anywhere to shoot. If I was not stuck here for 6-7 months, it wouldn’t have happened.
The title is Sach Kahun Toh but you’ve chosen to hide the identity of people with whom you had unpleasant encounters — a director who made innuendos about your body, a journalist who stole Masaba’s birth certificate for a scoop, a producer who expected you to spend the night in his hotel room for a role. Why is that?
There were two reasons that I changed the identity and names of people. One, I didn’t want to hurt the kith and kin of those people whose memories were not pleasant because it’s not their fault. Second was for legal reasons. I haven’t written this book to malign anybody, so I listened to the lawyers. I did conceal the parts that I was very ashamed of. Actually, I haven’t concealed a lot. I have forgotten a lot. Whatever I have written is the truth. Of course, people can say this is your side of the truth.
You write about feeling bad that you missed Masaba’s early years. What were the most challenging aspects of being a single working parent in the 1990s?
If you’re bringing up a child alone, there are bound to be problems and less quality time given to them. But that happens to all working women. It also happens when both parents are working. People have to leave their children in crèches. Sometimes I think all mothers are single mothers these days because they go out to work, then come back and cook, do the homework with kids, so it’s a difficult life.
Do you think you faced more scrutiny as a single mother in the public eye? Have things changed now?
Nothing has changed. There is no acceptance. I have not seen many men bring up a child on their own, they usually get married. As for scrutiny, I once read an article by Dev Anand. He said that if you are a public figure, you have to accept that people will be curious to know about you and trouble you. Look at what happened to Diana. I get a lot of nice comments about my work so I have to accept the other rough part too.
After directing shows like Saans and Pal Chhin, you talk about being sidelined by the saas bahu show wave. Did it make you feel very resentful at the time?
No, I had my fill. I was successful and made some beautiful series like Son Pari, Saans, Pal Chhin and Siski, which were much ahead of their time. I thought my time would come again. Saans was a dream part. I was not happy with the small roles I was getting at that time, and a friend said, ‘Why don’t you make something for yourself if you feel no one is giving you a proper role?’ I had no interference and directed it, designed the costume and sets. I tried making Saans 2 with a pilot but nobody is buying it. One day, I think they will. I am still hopeful.
About the saas-bahu shows, people lapped them up because they also go through these things in their life and identify with them. I was showing very real life characters, and people didn’t want to see that reality up close.
You describe Badhaai Ho as your big break at 60. Was it also the turning point for how older female actors are seen on screen?
I think the success was quite shocking for me. It was the break I had been looking for in the past 30 years. I think that film mattered a lot to me and I think it is going to help a lot of older actors and actresses. Older male actors still got some good characters but there was nothing for actresses. Now I have some good projects in my hand. Things have changed because of OTT platforms and people are experimenting.
In 2017, your post about looking for good parts to play went viral. But you reveal that you initially felt ashamed that people would think you were in dire straits. Now four years later, are you happy that you were honest enough to put it out there?
Yeah, I am happy that I put that post out. Speaking the truth never harms you in the long run though it may harm you now.
I stopped doing shows for two years after my brutal yacht fashion show-Masaba Gupta
9:17 AM
As her eponymous series earns her Best Actor (Series) nomination at mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards, Masaba Gupta talks about how the climax was inspired by her ill-fated fashion gala
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; January 25, 2021)
Though assumed to be a popcorn entertainer, Masaba Masaba challenged the unrealistic beauty standards set by society and the stigma surrounding a failed marriage. The autobiographical series also gave us a confident actor in couturier Masaba Gupta. "Initially, I assumed it would be like Keeping Up With The Kardashians, and was instantly uncomfortable about a camera following me around. But a large chunk of the show is scripted, and that made me say yes to it. We took a year to put the project together," begins Gupta, who has earned a nomination in the Best Actor (Series) category at the mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards.
Ashwini Yardi that she wouldn’t cross a few lines. "I don't care much for my imagery, nor does my mother [Neena Gupta]. But we didn't want to compromise on others’ privacy. I was waiting for people to pass it off as an average show. What presumably worked was us taking a dig at ourselves."
The climax depicts Gupta picking up the pieces after her fashion show turns out to be a disaster. Ask her if the sequence was inspired by one of her real-life events, and she recounts, "A few years ago, I had done a show on a yacht. The place was suffering from overcapacity, and people were stuck on the lower decks. Almost 70 people were stuck on the landing area, trying to get on board. When the yacht began moving, people got sea-sick. Hardik [Pandya] was our show-stopper. It was a brutal experience; I stopped doing shows for two years after that. The only solace was that the collection sold well."
Did you know?
As a teenager, Masaba Gupta aspired to become an actor before she found her calling in fashion designing.
Cast your vote for the Hitlist OTT Awards
- Masaba Gupta has been nominated in the Best Actor (Female): Series category for Masaba Masaba.
The other nominees are:
- Kirti Kulhari: Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors (Disney+Hotstar)
- Prajakta Koli: Mismatched (Netflix)
- Shreya Chaudhry: Bandish Bandits (Amazon Prime Video)
- Shreya Dhanwanthary: Scam 1992 (Sony Liv)
- Sushmita Sen: Aarya (Disney+Hotstar)
- Log on to www.hitlistottawards.com to cast your vote.
- You can also vote via SMS. Send HITLIST <space> category name <space> your choice (a/b/c as on the website) to 57575.
- Voting lines close on February 9
I believed you’ve to be of a certain height, skin colour to be a star-Masaba Gupta
8:04 AM
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 20, 2021)
A known and established name in the fashion world, Masaba Gupta tried her hands at acting last year with great results. Her debut, a semi autobiographical web series, Masaba Masaba, was received well and though there are upcoming seasons planned for it, the designer-turned-actor wants to branch out now.
“I don’t want to play myself on screen anymore except for Masaba Masaba. I want to make sure that whatever role I choose, I can show the many layers and dimensions that I have. What I really want to do next is an out-and-out intense drama. I am going to pick stuff that will make me uncomfortable. I want to do something that shakes me up,” shares Gupta.
The 32-year-old, who is the daughter of actor Neena Gupta, says she is looking forward to 2021 and taking up new acting projects.
“A lot of people think I don’t want to do fiction but I totally do. I don’t want to take up everything and anything that comes my way. I need to enjoy it. For as long as I can, I will continue to juggle, I enjoy multitasking. I really want to make sure neither acting nor fashion suffers,” she says.
While acting has always been her first love, Gupta reveals it was because of her mother that she didn’t take up that as a profession. Also, she had preconceived notions about how actors in Bollywood have to be.
“I have always believed that you have to be a certain height, certain skin colour, certain look to be a star. Whenever you saw them they were well turned out, they made no mistake. I think it is the democratization of stars that we see today. We can look at them and be like, ‘hey that person looks like my cousin or reminds me of my mum’ but they are really big stars,” Gupta says.
She also asserts how now there is no escaping a good actor and she wants to be known as one. “I don’t know how to tell a good script from a bad one. I have a good gut and I’m intelligent enough to trust my gut. I’ve been an audience and I know what people like to watch,” she says.
2020: The year of the other actor
8:23 AM
Niharika Lyra Dutt - Paatal Lok
Sure, the unlikeliest leads shone on the small screen. But 2020 was really about discovering faces you would've inevitably missed at the movies
Mayank Shekhar (MID-DAY; December 31, 2020)
Who was the face of 2020 — cinema and series included? No doubt, Pankaj Tripathi! Just look at the year he's had, while the world was reeling in darkness. He offered inimitable lightness of touch across platforms — as the travel agent Tony in Angrezi Medium, Ovi Mahajan Sr in the Hollywood blood-fest Extraction, reprising Kaleen Bhaiya in the desi blood-fest Mirzapur 2. Or playing its opposite, the lovable, colonel father in Gunjan Saxena; carrying forward the immense charm in Anurag Basu's Ludo, and the solid series, Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors.
Likewise, how could you take your eyes off Jaideep Ahlawat in Paatal Lok, or Jitendra Kumar in both Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan and Panchayat. Or not fall for the easy-going Pratik Gandhi as Harshad Mehta in Scam 1992, or Shreya Chaudhary in Bandish Bandits (even the male lead Ritwik Bhowmik), apart from veterans Naseeruddin Shah, Atul Kulkarni, especially the quiet Sheeba Chaddha.
Leads and even key supporting cast apart, ones who stood out in 2020 though, I think, were second/third row, pretty much unknown actors, in relatively bit parts, shining still, as they got to explore their roles further.
Which is what a series (as against a film) allows for. In that sense, this was the year of the casting director, besides content, being king. I couldn't help but notice with immense joy some fresh faces, who'd be relegated to walk-on parts, or 'junior artistes', if you may, in traditional Bollywood!
Chandan Roy (Vikas), Faisal Malik (Prahlad), Panchayat
Yes, this is the glowingly warm show about the urban gram sachiv (Jitendra Kumar) and the rural prashan pati (the great Raghubir Yadav). But you take away the two adorable bumblers Vikas and Prahlad, who hang with the lead characters, and Panchayat (on Amazon Prime Video) would lose half its punch (lines/moments)! They're so good. But who are they? Exactly! Hope to see more of them.
Niharika Lyra Dutt (Sara), Swastika Mukherjee (Dolly), Paatal Lok
Paatal Lok (on Amazon Prime Video) is a deathly gritty series about deceitful, greedy men and the madness they're capable of. For heaven's sake, you get hit really hard by Sanjiv Mehra (Neeraj Kabi), Hathi Ram (Jaideep Ahlawat), young Ansari (Ishwak Singh), or quite literally, Hathoda Tyagi (Abhishek Banerjee). And then the two phenomenal women show up — Sanjiv's young love-interest Sara (Niharika Lyra Dutt), and his disturbed wife Dolly (Swastika Mukherjee) — the softness of their screen presence blows you away, way more. How's that even possible? Evidently is.
Hemant Kher (Ashwin), Scam 1992
What's there not to endlessly admire about the ensemble cast of the financial thriller on SonyLIV, where everyone brilliantly plays somebody who existed in real life — from BSE's Big Bull Harshad Mehta (Pratik Gandhi), business reporter Sucheta Dalal (Shreya Dhanwanthary), down to the sharp CBI officer Raghavan (Rajat Kapoor). But Harshad's earnest-looking brother, Ashwin (Hemant Kher) — man, did they get the actual guy (who's alive) to play the part, or what? That's what I thought. He's that great!
Rytasha Rathore (Gia), Masaba Masaba
Sure the quasi-reality series Masaba Masaba has got to be about Masaba, and in equal measure her mom Neena Gupta. And then, on occasion, in this six-episode Netflix show, Masaba's friend Gia walks into the screen, performing like there's no camera before her, and I can't help but wonder: Why haven't I seen her before? Or have I!
Dibyendu Bhattacharya (DSP Ghosh), Undekhi
Ghosh Babu is the sort of a portly yin to the yang of muscular Haryanvi/Punjabi drunk affluent goons hosting a wedding in Manali over yet another crime series, Undekhi (on SonyLIV). The entire cast stands out for pulling off through performances, what portions of the script lacks in its coherence, sometimes. You notice gems of a turn — from Papaji (Harsh Chhaya), daughter-in-law to be (Apeksha Singh), her videographer friend (Ayn Zoya), her fiancé (Ankur Rathee), his badass brother from another mother, Rinku (Surya Sharma)…. But Bengali DSP Ghosh (Dibyendu Bhattacharya) has all your attention — through and through!
Anupria Goenka (Nikhat), Criminal Justice 2
No, I can't remember Anupria Goenka from Padmaavat, just noticing it on her IMDb. Likewise she was more or less a fleeting presence (by way of impact) in Asur (on Voot ), and you watched her in Aashram (MX Player) in the same year. Once she's familiar to the audience from Criminal Justice 1, you catch her so naturally matching wits with Pankaj Tripathi on Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors (on Disney+Hotstar) and go: What a find! This is to take away nothing from the star of the show, Kirti Kulhari, widening her range from the breezy Four More Shots Please, with what's probably the most painfully felt performance of the year. And, hell, how on-point is Jisshu Sengupta as the top lawyer.
Isha Talwar (Madhuri) In Mirzapur 2
Without an exception, everyone on Amazon Prime Video's iconic Mirzapur series is by now a star in their own right, known as well by their screen names — Guddu (Ali Fazal), Munna (Divyenndu Sharma), Bablu (Vikrant Massey), Beena Ji (Rasika Dugal), Golu (Shweta Tripathi)… Yet, Isha Talwar shows up as a young politician Madhuri Yadav in Season 2, with a quiet strut, and damn, you sit up, and take notice.
Vikas Kumar (ACP Khan), Ankur Bhatia (Sangram), Aarya
Ram Madhvani's delightfully dark, authentic adaptation of Dutch series Penoza (on Disney+Hotstar) of course gave Sushmita Sen a new lease of life, in a heavy part that she probably wasn't offered even at her peak. Sikander Kher's solid too. But I'm talking about discovering faces. And, well, how do you replicate the swag coupled with vulnerability of the cop (Vikas Kumar) investigating a drug/murder case, and the rich brat (Ankur Bhatia), navigating the law. Blown, totally.
Riddhi Dogra (Nusrat), Asur
Of course Asur on Voot Select is Arshad Warsi's comeback, in every way. And a launch-pad of sorts for young Barun Sobti. Like with all the major Indian series, the ensemble cast is killing it too. Sometimes though, I suspect, it's just about a presence on screen — the fact that they're there; not even doing or saying much, but looking every bit in the moment. That's what viscerally draws you in towards them. That was Riddhi Dogra as a mid-level CBI officer to me. Just there!
Why can't we have women centric films in such times?-Neena Gupta
7:55 AM
Neena Gupta proud that The Last Color, Kiara Advani's Indoo Ki Jawani have hit marquee when big films are shying away from theatres
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; December 12, 2020)
In the month since Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari became the first Bollywood movie to pursue a theatrical run post the pandemic, Hindi films have shied away from the big screen, instead seeking the safety of a direct-to-web release. At such a time, two women have come forward to place their bet on cinemas - Neena Gupta's The Last Color and Kiara Advani's Indoo Ki Jawani hit the screens yesterday.
"I have no idea what Indoo Ki Jawani is about. But why can't we have women-centric films in such times? Going by the title, I assume Indoo Ki Jawani is totally different from our film. So, the audience will have a variety to choose from. I had never thought that my film would release in the middle of the pandemic. It's a brave decision taken by the producers," says the actor, who leads the Vikas Khanna-directed movie.
Adapted from the master chef's book of the same name, The Last Color explores how a nine-year-old tightrope walker befriends Gupta's Noor, a widow, thus bringing hope and colour to her life. The movie - a window into the age-old taboos surrounding widows in Varanasi and Vrindavan - has won acclaim at several international film festivals, including the Palm Springs International Film Festival. "Our movie doesn't have a hero per se, nor does it have songs. It won't be a blockbuster, but the story is close to my heart."
Gupta, who had a good run this year with Panga, Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, Panchayat and Masaba Masaba, is looking ahead to a busy 2021. "It's strange that these roles didn't come my way when I was younger. So, women belonging to my age group can look forward to a lot of work." She has wrapped up the shoot of Sardar & Grandson, and Dial 100. "I will head to London for the Goldfish shoot. The second seasons of Panchayat and Masaba Masaba are lined up."
With Masaba Masaba, we were raw and honest in our storytelling-Masaba Gupta
7:52 AM
In a freewheeling chat, Masaba Gupta talks about her print prowess, the future of fashion and her recent show
Prerna Gauba (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 5, 2020)
“I think I have always seen the copy market as flattering,” says designer Masaba Gupta, in a proclamation often not expected from a creative professional whose designs are extensively copied in the market. But perhaps, Gupta thinks differently, explaining which, she adds, “We are a bit ahead of the copy market, as a brand we churn out new stuff very often. And the copy market is a great sign of what really works. What is a bigger trend than a copy going viral?”
No wonder, the meticulous attention paid to details has made her a sought-after designer and served her well when it comes to the art and craft of making quirky and fun ensembles. However, this time she picked an unconventional oeuvre — acting. Gupta was recently a part of a reality show (Masaba Masaba) that showcased herself and her mother, actor Neena Gupta playing themselves. “I think it worked because it was real with a little spice of life. We were raw and honest in our storytelling,” she says.
Digital Foray
Fashion’s now popular digital plunge was taken by Gupta years back, when she started launching collections on her social media platforms and wants to keep it that way for now. “For now, we are launching all our collections on Instagram. You have a much larger reach and cost is less,” adds Gupta. Would things change after the pandemic for her design house. She says, “I’m a big believer that things don’t change 100%, we always want a sense of similarity in what we see. Consumers will question what they are buying and why they are buying. We have to now create clothing and products that are friendly to the e-commerce space.”
Is sustainability a gimmick?
With sustainability being the buzz word, many designers are changing their design sensibility and going eco-friendly. So, what does she think of the concept? “Truth of the matter is sustainability costs money, it’s easy for people to turn back and ask. But I’m doing whatever I can with the money I have. Sustainability is a loosely used word. Right now, we are trying to survive in a respectable way. We are working from home and reducing the carbon footprint,” she concludes.
Masaba Masaba depicts that women, no matter how successful, aren't taken seriously-Masaba Gupta
8:26 AM
Happy with the response to her acting debut, designer Masaba Gupta says eponymous series tackles gender bias, body shaming despite breezy treatment
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 7, 2020)
In the week since Masaba Masaba opened to mixed reviews, the show's muse says she has been flooded with messages on social media. "We wanted to deliver a series that is snackable," says Masaba Gupta, whose life forms the foundation for the Netflix offering.
Shouldering a six-part series can be unnerving for someone who has never flirted with acting before, but the designer is assured in front of the camera. "After seeing the first cut, my mom [Neena Gupta] said I was good. I passed the acting test because I had the common sense to not get over-ambitious. With this show, I wanted to shatter the idea that designers faff in the name of work. People told me they didn't know fashion requires work. Secondly, it's necessary to humanise celebrities; they have their own hardships. The show depicts the unfortunate fact that women, no matter how successful, aren't taken seriously."
Having battled body shaming in her early years, she is glad that the Sonam Nair-directed project shatters the conventional idea of beauty. "It gives a boost to the dreams of young girls who don't have conventional bodies or feel they don't have the face to be on screen."
The cliff-hanger indicates that a second season is in the offing. Ask her if she will juggle acting with designing here on, and she says, "Fashion can never take a backseat. But if something good comes my way, I'm game."
I apologised to Masaba for stopping her from being an actor-Neena Gupta
8:24 AM
Proud of couturier-daughter's debut in Masaba Masaba, Neena Gupta says she was anxious about working with her
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; August 30, 2020)
Despite acting for almost four decades in films, television, theatre and web shows, Neena Gupta admits she harboured fears when approached for Masaba Masaba. Her cause of concern — daughter Masaba who is making her acting debut with the Netflix series. "I was skeptical about how we would play ourselves on screen. Masaba had never acted before, so I wondered if she could pull it off," reasons the veteran.
The series is a scripted version of the ace designer's life as she navigates her professional and personal journey. Even as she guided Masaba during the initial readings, Gupta refrained from providing one too many tips. "During script readings, Masaba would go too fast. I had to tell her to pause and understand every nuance. [But once the cameras rolled], I did not interfere in any scene."
Having watched the show, the veteran says that Masaba has come alive on screen. "I apologised to her for stopping her from being an actor," says Gupta, who knew her daughter harboured aspirations of joining Bollywood. However, Gupta had then dissuaded her by telling her that she would be stereotyped in films. Now, she hopes Masaba will give acting a shot while handling her business.
Though the show borrows heavily from their lives, Gupta was certain that she did not want to offend those close to her with the offering. "From our first meeting with writer-director Sonam Nair and showrunner Ashvini Yardi, we drove home the point that we did not want to be bitter about anyone. But my husband [Vivek Mehra] may be offended as the actor playing him looks much older," she laughs.
There is no reference to Masaba's father, Vivian Richards in the series. Probe her on it, and she says, "There was no need [to mention him]. The story does not begin from her birth, but at a later stage in her life."
Everyone told me Masaba Masaba is a mistake-Ashvini Yardi
8:36 AM
Showrunner Ashvini Yardi on why her Netflix series, Masaba Masaba, will prove everyone wrong
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 27, 2020)
It was a big relief for Ashvini Yardi — showrunner and producer of Masaba Masaba — when the trailer of her latest outing on Netflix dropped online. She had a hard time making people understand the concept of the show. In a chat with mid-day, she says, "People think it is a mockumentary, but it is a scripted show with a blend of fact and fiction. It was a unique format that I envisioned while working on it. Usually, there are too many no-go zones while making a biopic; the family often doesn't let you showcase things you want to and whitewashing becomes a norm. This format allows you to explore the grey areas."Yardi was always clear on roping in a female director and it took her six months to zero in on Sonam Nair, who also contributed on the show as a writer. "Masaba Gupta and Neena ji are fierce, no-nonsense women and I was sure most men won't be comfortable with that vibe or [be able to] depict it correctly." She says Nair, who has previously helmed Gippi (2016) and Kaafir (2019), had the right quirk for it.
"Masaba is a designer, I was worried about her acting skills," confesses the showrunner and hoped that she had Neena ji's genes. "Masaba was confident she could pull it off and she has surpassed our expectations." But there were other things that plagued Yardi's mind. "Everyone told me the show is a mistake [owing to its atypical format and lead]. My main focus was to prove people wrong. Masaba is an unusual personality with unconventional looks. An Indian-Caribbean lead in a mainstream show will set a new benchmark. It will shatter the set ideas of leading ladies and casting," explains Yardi, adding that despite being a feminist show delivered by women, she wanted it to appeal to both men and women.
The series features a slew of cameos where actors play exaggerated versions of themselves. While Kiara Advani and Farah Khan make an appearance in the trailer, Yardi says she is saving most for the series itself.
I ran the script by Rhea Kapoor because as a producer, she represents girl power-Masaba Gupta
8:00 AM
Admitting that she harboured dream of being a heroine in her teenage years, ace couturier Masaba Gupta on enjoying brush with acting in the eponymous series
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; August 24, 2020)
If fate had given in to a 14-year-old's wish almost 17 years ago, the Indian fashion industry would have been bereft of the talent of Masaba Gupta today. The ace designer reveals that as a teenager, she wanted to follow in actor-mother Neena Gupta's footsteps. "I wanted to act since I was 14, but I was dissuaded by my mother for various reasons. She told me I would be stereotyped. Back then, I wanted to be an actor for the sake of vanity. I wanted to have people fussing over me in the make-up van," laughs Gupta, surprised at how destiny works in mysterious ways.Today, she finds her desire fulfilled as she headlines Netflix's Masaba Masaba. "I was relaxed in front of the camera. I am as content with what I did as I am critical," says Gupta, who is open to more acting offers. "I will act because I enjoy it. My business puts food on the table, so there is no compulsion to act."
Directed by Sonam Nair and created by showrunner Ashvini Yardi, the series sees Gupta going through a personal upheaval while trying to create a new collection. She reached out to buddies Sonam K Ahuja and Rhea Kapoor for tips. "I ran the script by Rhea because as a producer, she represents girl power."
The show makes no mention of legendary West Indies cricketer-father Vivian Richards. "The narrative picks up from the middle of my life. If there is another season that focuses on my early years, there will be a reference to him."
Rumoured beau Satyadeep Misra plays her husband in the series. Probe her on their rumoured romance, and she says, "Satyadeep is calm and gentle. He is a special person. The joke is that I am guarded about my personal life, but I have made a show on my life."
Image: Kiara Advani to be seen in a cameo in Masaba Masaba
11:03 AM
Kiara Advani to be seen in a cameo in Masaba Masaba; plays a "self-obsessed version" of herself in Netflix mockumentary headlined by ace designer
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; August 11, 2020)
Stars and couturiers are a classic case of can't live with them, can't live without them. Netflix's fictionalised series Masaba Masaba — which follows the stellar rise of Masaba Gupta as one of the biggest names in Indian fashion — also looks at the blow-hot-and-cold equation between designers and actors, sprinkling it with a generous dose of humour.
The series sees Kiara Advani play a typical Bollywood diva. Thrilled to collaborate with the streaming platform after Lust Stories (2018) and Guilty, the actor says she gave her nod in a heartbeat when producer Ashvini Yardi approached her for the cameo. "It was a fun and quirky role," says Advani, taken by the mockumentary style of the show.
In a sequence in the Sonam Nair-directed project, Advani's character is shown stepping into one of Gupta's stores to hand-pick an outfit for an event, where she has to look "drop-dead gorgeous." The scene highlights the inane questions that the B-Town star asks — 'Will this make me look thin? Do I have to drape it a certain way? Will the paparazzi get my right profile in it?' — while the designer tries to find the perfect ensemble that will be approved by the fashion police.
"Since it's a unique show, I was more than happy to do a cameo. I play a self-obsessed version of myself. It's like doing a spoof of yourself," laughs Advani, adding that sharing screen space with the "super chilled-out" Gupta was a delight.
The series, which drops online on August 28, traces the ace couturier's journey as she navigates love, life, career and friendships. It also marks her first on-screen outing with actor-mother Neena Gupta.
I had a gala time shooting with Neena and Masaba Gupta; they are down to earth and funny-Sonam Nair
8:52 AM
With Masaba Masaba ready to drop online, director Sonam Nair on completing the post-production of Netflix show during the lockdown
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; July 7, 2020)
After wowing us with her creations featuring bold prints, couturier Masaba Gupta is set to showcase her acting skills with the eponymous series, Masaba Masaba. The Netflix show will mark her on-screen union with actor-mother Neena Gupta. While the shoot was wrapped up well ahead of the lockdown, director Sonam Nair has been supervising the post-production remotely in order to meet the deadline."Thankfully, we had locked the edit, background music, and other creative aspects before the lockdown," states Nair, adding that dubbing for the series, without the advantage of a home studio, was a logistical nightmare. "I had to supervise the dubbing session over video calls. It was strange because the three key players — the actor, the sound designer and I — were operating from different locations. I could neither see the video nor hear [the dubbing] clearly, but we made the best of the situation."
The director adds that she missed out on the joy of watching the final cut of the show with her team. "As the director, I have to check the final picture before locking it. Since I don't have a studio, I checked it on my laptop and greenlit it. Given the current circumstances, I realised that things will not be as perfect as they could have been."
The trailer of the show — which is inspired by the designer's life — is expected to drop online in the coming weeks. "I had a gala time shooting with Neena and Masaba; they are inspirational, down-to-earth and funny," says Nair.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)