Showing posts with label Mr & Mrs Mahi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mr & Mrs Mahi. Show all posts
Rajkummar Rao opens up about playing Sourav Ganguly in his biopic: "Being a left-handed batter is a different ball game"
10:57 AM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; July 15, 2025)
Getting Sourav Ganguly’s stamp of approval even before he has stepped into his shoes must be a huge boost of confidence for Rajkummar Rao. In June, the former cricketer, counted among India’s most successful skippers, called Rao “the right person” to portray him in his in-the-works biopic that will be helmed by Vikramaditya Motwane. He had added, “I don’t think anyone else can play me better than him.” Armed with this tall praise, the actor is set to begin training for the Ganguly biopic by October.
Ganguly’s words have brought relief as well as a sense of responsibility to Rao, who says, “I am relieved to hear that Dada [Ganguly] thinks I can portray him correctly on screen. It’s an extremely challenging role and a big responsibility. I’m nervous, but I will do my best not to let him down.”
The yet-untitled biopic was originally scheduled to roll by the end of July. However, Motwane and Rao will now take it on the floors only in January 2026. Reason? The filmmaker wants the script, currently in development, to be perfected down to the last detail — one that does justice to the sportsperson’s storied career.
The leading man explains, “Everybody is taking a lot of care in recreating Dada’s life for a theatrical experience. We have pushed the shooting to next year as we needed some time for the prep. It’s a big responsibility to play one of our most iconic heroes in cricket.”
This won’t be the first time Rao will hit the pitch for a movie. The actor played a failed cricketer-turned-coach in Mr & Mrs Mahi (2024). For the role, he had undergone cricket training and spent time with professional cricketers.
Tell him that will come in handy, and Rao disagrees, pointing out, “While I know how to play cricket, being a left-handed batter is a different ball game altogether. The muscle memory is all about being a right-handed batter. So, I need some time to practise. I have deliberately not met Dada yet. I want to meet him when we fully get into prep mode.”
While the biopic is slated for a December 2026 release, this year looks equally exciting for Rao, who is ready with his first production, Toaster, along with actor and his wife Patralekhaa. His mantra behind the banner is simple. “We want to produce stories that are unique in nature, [and don’t follow] the herd mentality.”
It can’t be that everything is spent on the star in a film-Rajkummar Rao
8:01 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 14, 2024)
Actor Rajkummar Rao criticizes celebrities who earn large sums of money while crew members receive inadequate compensation. Aware of the many debates happening currently, he makes a case for the crew working on a project. He argues for fair treatment in film economics: “We need to balance the film’s budget. Everyone deserves fair pay, especially writers who are crucial to storytelling.”
Rao also prioritizes storytelling over excessive demands on producers: “We shouldn’t burden producers. Our focus should be on telling the story well; money should be spent on that. It can’t be that everything is spent on the star in a film.”
After his success in Srikanth, where he portrayed entrepreneur Srikanth Bolla, the actor sees promise in smaller film budgets: “This year has been great with Srikanth, Mr & Mrs Mahi, and a couple of other films working. All you need is a great piece of content, and people will welcome it with open arms. It’s a wonderful sign for our cinema.”
Karan Johar, Mukesh Bhatt and producers’ unions to meet multiplex heads to discuss slashing ticket prices
11:10 AM
Aiming to increase footfall, KJo, Mukesh Bhatt and producers’ unions to meet multiplex heads today to discuss slashing ticket prices
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 14, 2024)
Bollywood has been witnessing a dry spell at the box office, which has jolted producers into action. Over the past month, members of the Producers Guild of India, Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA), and some Tamil and Telugu producers had three rounds of meetings with talent agents to discuss stars’ entourage costs (No frills is the new drill, June 8).
Today, the producers’ unions will have a big Bollywood meet-up with the heads of multiplex chains, including PVR Inox. On the agenda is a discussion about revising movie tickets to increase footfall.
Filmmaker Karan Johar and producer Mukesh Bhatt will be present from the Guild, as the parties contemplate a new price point and devise more promotional strategies to lure audiences.
A source tells us, “Most screens are running empty. A part of the reason is the steep ticket costs. Also, there has been a shift in the audiences’ mindset as they know a new release will be available on OTT after eight to 10 weeks. At such a time, it is imperative to lure them with reasonable prices. It was seen on Mr & Mrs Mahi’s opening day last month, when tickets were available at Rs. 99. Because of this, the film’s first-day collections were good. People are willing to step into theatres if the tickets don’t burn a hole in their pocket. That will be the focus of our conversation.”
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 833
10:27 AM
MR & MRS MAHI IS IMPRESSIVE; WILL MUNJYA MANAGE TO SCORE AT THE BOX OFFICE?
The box office came back to life last week with the release of Mr & Mrs Mahi, starring Rajkummar Rao and Janhvi Kapoor. The first day was aided by Cinema Lovers Day, when most theatres sold tickets for just Rs. 99. The industry expected the film to open at Rs. 5 crores but we had predicted that the figure could go higher. And that’s what happened. A day before release, the advance booking picked up big time.
Mr & Mrs Mahi ended up opening at a huge Rs. 6.75 crores. Since so many people saw the film on the first day, there was a small drop in the next two days. The Saturday and Sunday collections were Rs. 4.50 crores and Rs. 5.50 crores respectively. The film held well on Monday, collecting Rs. 2 crores and Rs. 1.65 crores on Tuesday. The first week's collections are expected to be around Rs. 23 crores.
If Mr & Mrs Mahi holds strongly on the second Friday, then it can cross Srikanth’s collections. That film’s lifetime earnings are expected to be around Rs. 47-48 crores. Srikanth got three open weeks, which Mr & Mrs Mahi sadly won’t get.
Meanwhile, the big release this week is Munjya. It is a part of the horror comedy universe that also comprises Stree and Bhediya. It stars Sharvari and Abhay Verma along with Mona Singh in a supporting role. The film’s release happened suddenly. Around two weeks ago, the makers announced that the film would be released on June 7. The teaser and trailer were dropped digitally and no event took place of the film at all. Sharvari, however, extensively promoted the film. Her gorgeous avatar during promotions and her sensuous avatar in the song ‘Taras’ from Munjya have been noticed. Munjya is also special as the lead character is completely done through CGI.
However, the awareness of the film is very limited. The trailer hasn’t clicked well and the reason why people are somewhat excited is because of the horror genre and also as it's connected with Stree and Bhediya. The opening is expected to be around Rs. 1 crore.
The Hollywood release of the week is Bad Boys: Ride Or Die. The previous film of the series, Bad Boys For Life, collected around Rs. 10 crores in its lifetime in India, which is a healthy total. But the buzz for this film seems limited. It might grow if word of mouth is positive. It’s a mass film and hence, its Hindi version also has a chance.
The box office came back to life last week with the release of Mr & Mrs Mahi, starring Rajkummar Rao and Janhvi Kapoor. The first day was aided by Cinema Lovers Day, when most theatres sold tickets for just Rs. 99. The industry expected the film to open at Rs. 5 crores but we had predicted that the figure could go higher. And that’s what happened. A day before release, the advance booking picked up big time.
Mr & Mrs Mahi ended up opening at a huge Rs. 6.75 crores. Since so many people saw the film on the first day, there was a small drop in the next two days. The Saturday and Sunday collections were Rs. 4.50 crores and Rs. 5.50 crores respectively. The film held well on Monday, collecting Rs. 2 crores and Rs. 1.65 crores on Tuesday. The first week's collections are expected to be around Rs. 23 crores.
If Mr & Mrs Mahi holds strongly on the second Friday, then it can cross Srikanth’s collections. That film’s lifetime earnings are expected to be around Rs. 47-48 crores. Srikanth got three open weeks, which Mr & Mrs Mahi sadly won’t get.
Meanwhile, the big release this week is Munjya. It is a part of the horror comedy universe that also comprises Stree and Bhediya. It stars Sharvari and Abhay Verma along with Mona Singh in a supporting role. The film’s release happened suddenly. Around two weeks ago, the makers announced that the film would be released on June 7. The teaser and trailer were dropped digitally and no event took place of the film at all. Sharvari, however, extensively promoted the film. Her gorgeous avatar during promotions and her sensuous avatar in the song ‘Taras’ from Munjya have been noticed. Munjya is also special as the lead character is completely done through CGI.
However, the awareness of the film is very limited. The trailer hasn’t clicked well and the reason why people are somewhat excited is because of the horror genre and also as it's connected with Stree and Bhediya. The opening is expected to be around Rs. 1 crore.
The Hollywood release of the week is Bad Boys: Ride Or Die. The previous film of the series, Bad Boys For Life, collected around Rs. 10 crores in its lifetime in India, which is a healthy total. But the buzz for this film seems limited. It might grow if word of mouth is positive. It’s a mass film and hence, its Hindi version also has a chance.
Janhvi Kapoor suffered her first injury while playing the inside-out shot. We had to take a four month break-Vikrant Yeligeti
8:17 AM
Getting Janhvi ready to ace the sport for Mr & Mrs Mahi, cricket coach Yeligeti on enabling the fit actor to develop athleticism for film
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; June 5, 2024)
When director Sharan Sharma approached Vikrant Yeligeti and Abhishek Nayar to get Janhvi Kapoor ready to face the ball on the cricket pitch for Mr & Mrs Mahi, he had a simple instruction. “He said, she needed to truly become a cricketer,” says Yeligeti, asserting that “everything that you see on the screen was done by her”.
“It’s all authentic, and to make that happen, Abhishek and I, who were the consultants on the project, enabled her to think like a cricketer. Abhishek was sure that she needed to be around cricketers. So, we took her to train with top cricketers so that she could learn how they think, and move, and notice their mannerisms. We told her what a wide shot is, and explained the situations in which a cricketer plays in a certain way. These things would enable her to understand the sport,” he shares, adding that once the ambiance became familiar to the young actor, they began to get her physically ready for the part.
“We went in with the knowledge that she is into weight training, and was practicing general fitness patterns, like people do. The thing that we had to take into consideration was that we needed to make her athletic. Weight lifting involves static movements, and we wanted her to move like a cricketer does. We needed her to run like an athlete, and that’s why we first brought in a conditioning coach who worked on her running technique. For the first few months, day in and day out, we focussed on the drills, and how she moved on the field, and aimed to make her run like a batter does after hitting the ball. We needed to build strength in her hip flexors, and enhance the mobility of her joints to facilitate a full range of motion. This would help her look elegant, and rhythmic while running.”
While the cardiovascular work was one aspect of her training regimen, Kapoor also had to enhance her power-movements, which help “batters hit the ball”. Her general fitness pattern—involving weight lifting and pilates—had enabled her to develop tremendous strength in her lower body. “Her stabilizers were absolutely on point,” says Yeligeti, further discussing the aspects that needed attention.
“If I have to differentiate between these sessions and a general lifting bout in the gym, I would discuss the tempo of the movements. In traditional sessions, involving movements like deadlifts, squats, and lunges, the tempo is generally slow. But when you want to build explosive power for a sport, as is demanded in cricket, you need to have speedy movements. They are quick and powerful. You need to move weights from one point to another swiftly. That’s the kind of pattern that she had to master. Cricket also involves movements that challenge the torso. So, we performed wood chops, and exercises that could be executed in different directions.”
In an interview with mid-day, the team behind the making of Kabir Khan’s 83 (2021) chronicled the extensive process put in place to make the cast camera-ready as they replicated the cricketing legends who brought home the World Cup in 1983. In distinguishing his task from that of the Ranveer Singh-starrer, Yeligeti highlights that they were not bound by a defined template when teaching Kapoor the sport.
“She didn’t have to look like anyone else. If Janhvi Kapoor became a cricketer, this is how she would look. We assessed her during the first week, and understood the skills that she had, and the ones that she needed to work on. Thereafter, we addressed her needs as we would [any other player]. Certain shots came easily to her, others needed work. There was no reference point when we started working with her.”
Kapoor’s journey, however, was not without challenges. “Tackling her injury became the central focus point for us. It’s rare [for someone] to have loose shoulders that pop out easily. One can’t do much about it. We had to tape her before every batting session so that we could keep her shoulders in a stable position. Of course, a lot of work on the stabilizer muscles was done, and we had to be mindful of the number of balls she was hitting, daily. Because everyone had to be cognizant of the fact that she could only play a certain number of balls, we had to ensure everything fell into place. We started to train in July 2021. She suffered her first injury a few months into training while playing the inside-out shot. We had to take a four-month break. We started training again thereafter, but, in a matter of six months, she suffered her second injury during the switch hit. Again, she had to go on a four-month break. Subsequently, we began to train with more precaution.”
I have always been apologetic for my privilege-Janhvi Kapoor
9:48 AM
With Mr & Mrs Mahi marking her eighth film, Janhvi on finding her place in Bollywood
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 3, 2024)
The last four years have been defining for actor Janhvi Kapoor, who says she has grown into her own after eight releases in the film industry.
“I am sure of what I have to offer on a film set. I never had this confidence before. When you spend so much time on a set and know that your skills are valuable, you feel reassured. When your work is appreciated by seasoned directors, you know you [will do well],” says the actor, whose recent release, Mr & Mrs Mahi, bagged Rs 11.5 crore within two days of its release.
Easily among the artistes that producers are willing to invest in, Kapoor—with films like Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, and Mili in her kitty—has been among the few female actors who have helmed the narrative of the projects that have come their way.
“As an actor, I can now play with a scene and add my nuances. I have always been apologetic for my privilege. But now, I am at a place where I know I have a lot to offer on a film set.”
Not one to give her nod to a project simply because it could “make me a star”, Kapoor will next be seen in Ulajh, which chronicles the story of a young IFS officer who gets embroiled in a dangerous conspiracy.
“I have done certain films because I wanted to be proud of the stories that I tell. Regardless of how these films are received on a Friday, they will matter in the long run. The choices I am making now will be noticed.”
Mr & Mrs Mahi's title comes from Navjot Singh Sidhu and his wife sharing same name-Sharan Sharma
8:48 AM
Sharan Sharma, Navjot Singh Sidhu and MS Dhoni
Mr & Mrs Mahi director recalls borrowing inspiration from Sidhu and seeking Dhoni’s approval on the title, as he makes a love story set against backdrop of cricket
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 1, 2024)
What if a woman marries into a family who encourages her dream? Out of this thought was born Mr & Mrs Mahi, the Rajkummar Rao and Janhvi Kapoor-starrer that opened to audiences yesterday.
Director Sharan Sharma says, “Usually, films focus on the achiever’s glory, but we wanted to navigate the journey of the support system around him/her. I found the idea of love [blossoming] in an arranged marriage endearing. These two have nothing in common and find their connection in cricket.”
The director and his writing partner Nikhil Mehrotra built the two Mahis—Mahima, a doctor whose talent for cricket is spotted by her failed cricketer-husband Mahendra. The story was anchored by two of Sharma’s favourite actors.
“Raj can be called a gift to cinema, given his promise towards his craft. When we started writing, we didn’t have names in mind. But Raj was a natural choice by the time we finished writing it. He is an evolved actor; he knows how to [explore] the psyche of a man who is weighed down by the insecurities of the world, and goes above and beyond to support his wife.”
After his maiden directorial venture Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl (2020), Sharma went back to Kapoor. To him, she was a natural fit for the role. “I wrote Mahima from the interpretation I had of the Janhvi I knew back then. She was an innocent, sweet puppy who followed people in her life until she found her voice. She brought that vulnerability. I needed an actor who would work hard and that’s her biggest virtue. She gave it her all, and became a cricketer from a person who knew nothing about the sport. I felt their chemistry while shooting—they were two goofy children playing in the park.”
Going by the title, the movie feels like a hat-tip to Mahendra Singh Dhoni. There’s more to it, says the director. “I’m a huge Dhoni fan, not just of his cricket, but his worldview. The film has a lot of his ideologies because they spoke to me. But the title comes from the endearing story about Navjot Singh Sidhu and his wife [Navjot Kaur Sidhu] sharing the same name. Once we came up with the title, we reached out to Dhoni for a go-ahead, and he responded with a yes quickly. I hope someday he will watch my movie.”
(Crisp) Movie Review: MR & MRS MAHI by FENIL SETA
12:19 PM
Mr & Mrs Mahi rests on an interesting idea. We have seen films about failed individuals coaching aspiring players to success. But here, the coach is the husband and that gives a novel touch. The first half has some sweet moments that keep the interest going. The intermission point is clapworthy. The second half, however, gets very predictable, probably as it comes at a time when we have seen too many sports films. A crucial character, which seemed to be there just for the heck of it initially, becomes very important. It happens too suddenly and hence, it's unconvincing. Rajkummar Rao, however, is terrific as always. Janhvi Kapoor proves her worth yet again; she looks convincing in the scenes where she's playing cricket. Kumud Mishra and Rajesh Sharma are dependable, as expected. Zarina Wahab is great but gets a raw deal. All in all, Mr & Mrs Mahi makes for a decent one-time watch.
My rating - *** out of 5!
My rating - *** out of 5!
Dharma Productions make you feel valued. Your vision is respected-Nikhil Mehrotra
11:12 PM
Contrary to belief that writers have little agency in filmmaking, Mr & Mrs Mahi writer Nikhil Mehrotra says makers adhered to his vision when roping in Rajkummar-Janhvi for the sports drama
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 30, 2024)
Writer Nikhil Mehrotra has three sports dramas in his resume—Dangal (2016), Panga (2020) and the upcoming Mr & Mrs Mahi. But he refrains from slotting them in the genre. To him, the sport is secondary.
“The story is about people and their emotions. If Panga was just about kabaddi, would it land? No, it had to be a woman’s story who leaves the sport and returns to it. With Mr & Mrs Mahi, I was excited about telling the story of cricket and a couple,” he explains.
Starring Rajkummar Rao and Janhvi Kapoor, Mr & Mrs Mahi revolves around a doctor whose husband—a former cricketer—discovers her talent for the game. The drama marks Mehrotra’s reunion with director Sharan Sharma after Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl (2020). “It’s a blessing working with people who understand what you are trying to say even before you say it. He is aligned with my vision.”
Unfortunately, writers are often perceived to be at the bottom of the rung, having little to no say on how their material shapes up on screen. But Mehrotra says he has been lucky with Sharma and the studios he collaborated with so far. “My opinion has always mattered. Take this film for example—my opinion was sought on casting. I was expected to be there at the shoot. Dharma Productions make you feel valued. Your vision is respected, and when it is put on screen, your opinion is sought. I’m grateful to have only worked with those who value others’ creative opinions.”
This film marks the writer’s return after the polarizing Bawaal (2023), which was deemed insensitive by many for drawing parallels between a married couple’s woes and the horrors of the Holocaust. A year on, as he looks back, how did the discourse affect him?
“It impacts a writer. A part of society loved it. When I met creators and writers, they asked a lot of questions. We had expected that when we wrote the film.” But is there room to make an outrageous film today? “Outrageous can have many interpretations. Due to social media, the flak and opinions have multiplied. So, we are more mindful.”
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 832
11:09 AM
WILL CINEMA LOVERS DAY HELP MR & MRS MAHI?
The nearly 7-week long dry period in Bollywood is about to end tomorrow with the release of Mr & Mrs Mahi. It stars Rajkummar Rao and Janhvi Kapoor and is directed by Sharan Sharma of Gunjan Saxena fame. It is produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and Zee Studios and is a story of a cricket-crazy couple.
Mr & Mrs Mahi’s trailer caught attention and so did the song ‘Dekhha Tenu’. Janhvi Kapoor’s enticing sarees and other clothes have kept her as well as the film in the news. However, the male lead – Rajkummar Rao – is no doubt a fine actor but is not an instant crowd-puller. As a result, the hype for the film is limited.
In a normal scenario, Mr & Mrs Mahi would have opened at Rs. 3-4 crores. But the film has got a boost thanks to the Cinema Lovers Day offer. Most theatres across the country will sell the tickets for all films for just Rs. 99. In the past, such an offer has helped several films. Mr & Mrs Mahi, too, will benefit and already, the advance booking has been encouraging.
If all goes well, Mr & Mrs Mahi will open at around Rs. 5 crores and it could even go higher. But the real test of the film will be on Saturday when the rates will be back to normal. This is when the film has to hold strongly. If that happens, Mr & Mrs Mahi will be able to sail through.
The other major release is Savi, starring Divya Khossla, Anil Kapoor and Harshvardhan Rane. The awareness of the film is limited. Also, Anil is the biggest name in the film and he is neither seen in the poster nor in the promotional campaign.
The nearly 7-week long dry period in Bollywood is about to end tomorrow with the release of Mr & Mrs Mahi. It stars Rajkummar Rao and Janhvi Kapoor and is directed by Sharan Sharma of Gunjan Saxena fame. It is produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and Zee Studios and is a story of a cricket-crazy couple.
Mr & Mrs Mahi’s trailer caught attention and so did the song ‘Dekhha Tenu’. Janhvi Kapoor’s enticing sarees and other clothes have kept her as well as the film in the news. However, the male lead – Rajkummar Rao – is no doubt a fine actor but is not an instant crowd-puller. As a result, the hype for the film is limited.
In a normal scenario, Mr & Mrs Mahi would have opened at Rs. 3-4 crores. But the film has got a boost thanks to the Cinema Lovers Day offer. Most theatres across the country will sell the tickets for all films for just Rs. 99. In the past, such an offer has helped several films. Mr & Mrs Mahi, too, will benefit and already, the advance booking has been encouraging.
If all goes well, Mr & Mrs Mahi will open at around Rs. 5 crores and it could even go higher. But the real test of the film will be on Saturday when the rates will be back to normal. This is when the film has to hold strongly. If that happens, Mr & Mrs Mahi will be able to sail through.
The other major release is Savi, starring Divya Khossla, Anil Kapoor and Harshvardhan Rane. The awareness of the film is limited. Also, Anil is the biggest name in the film and he is neither seen in the poster nor in the promotional campaign.
Chhota Bheem And The Curse Of Damyaan, meanwhile, is the first live-action film of the series. The earlier parts trended well but at very low levels. A 2012 animated film with the same name collected Rs. 4.05 crores and that’s the highest a movie of this series has collected. The live-action Chhota Bheem And The Curse Of Damyaan has a very poor buzz. Despite the Rs. 99 ticket offer, the bookings are not there. As a result, it’ll face a tough time.
Lastly, Aranmanai 4’s Hindi version has got a limited release. The original Tamil version, which was released a few weeks ago, was a huge hit. The Hindi version, however, can work only in a few pockets.
Lastly, Aranmanai 4’s Hindi version has got a limited release. The original Tamil version, which was released a few weeks ago, was a huge hit. The Hindi version, however, can work only in a few pockets.
Triptii Dimri pips Janhvi Kapoor to bag Pushpa 2’s special dance number
8:19 AM
Sources say Animal star Dimri has pipped Janhvi to bag Pushpa 2 - The Rule’s special dance number along the lines of Oo antava
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 29, 2024)
Undeniably, the most catchy song of 2021 was Oo Antava from Pushpa: The Rise - Part 01, thanks to Devi Sri Prasad’s composition and Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s sensuous moves. Last week, the makers of Pushpa 2 - The Rule had a discussion about who should be roped in to front a similarly styled dance number. We’ve heard that Janhvi Kapoor and Triptii Dimri were the contenders, and after much deliberation, director Sukumar and the makers zeroed in on Dimri.
Two reasons apparently drove the decision. A source reveals, “The song has to be shot immediately. So, the actor in question would have to report to Hyderabad soon for a seven-day shoot. Since Janhvi is busy with Mr & Mrs Mahi’s promotions and will do a week of post-release promotions, Triptii seemed the practical choice. Her surge in popularity after Animal’s [2023] success was another reason.”
Ganesh Acharya is choreographing the piece. “Triptii will have two days to prep before the shoot kicks off this weekend,” adds the source. Allu Arjun’s August release has created much anticipation among the audience. Yesterday, the makers teased a new number, titled The Couple Song.
We attempted Suryakumar Yadav’s shots; at one point, Sharan said, ‘You got his scoop shot right!’-Janhvi Kapoor
9:22 AM
From attempting Suryakumar’s shot in climax to dislocating her shoulders, Janhvi breaks down her two-year toil for cricket drama Mr & Mrs Mahi
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 27, 2024)
“Who isn’t a Mahendra Singh Dhoni fan,” exclaims Janhvi Kapoor, when we sit down for a chat before the release of Mr & Mrs Mahi. The upcoming drama sees the actor play a doctor, whose husband—essayed by Rajkummar Rao—discovers her potential to be a cricketer. The film’s title is fitting in a country that has legions of Mahendra Singh Dhoni fans, and a timely one at that, considering the buzz that the cricketer might officially retire from the sport soon.
“Don’t say that,” interjects Kapoor, whose admiration and respect for the game has grown manifold in the past two years. “I did intensive physical prep. I’d go to either Bhandup or Powai for net practice. The gym and conditioning workout wrung me out. In the evenings, I would be back for another two hours of practice. I dislocated both my shoulders. If this is what merely two years did to me, I can’t imagine where Thala [Dhoni] is at,” she smiles.
But the hard work paid off. The actor is jubilant that she earned director Sharan Sharma’s nod of approval while filming the climactic match. “We attempted some of Suryakumar Yadav’s shots, and at one point, Sharan said, ‘You got his scoop shot right!’ He doesn’t let you go easy. A compliment from him is a big deal.”
In front of the camera, she had Rao, another artiste she deeply trusts. The two have reunited after Roohi (2021). “I have immense respect for Raj. He is a secure actor who puts what is best for the scene before everything else. From the last time I worked with him to now, I am a lot more confident of what I have to offer.”
Considering Mr & Mrs Mahi releases days after the 2024 Indian Premier League ends, one might be concerned about cricket fatigue. The current uncertain nature of the Hindi movie market doesn’t help either. How does Kapoor make sense of the change that Bollywood is witnessing?
“I am certainly liberated in some ways. Anything can happen—films that had hopes pinned on them bombed, unexpected hits happened. I’m sure a good film will get its due now more than before. The anything-can-happen scenario has kept us from being overconfident. We’ve made a good film. But we’re neither over-expecting nor defeatists. We have reconciled with the idea that despite whatever the immediate result might be, there will be love in the long run. I’m not worried about instant validation.”
We used only five lines from original song’s antara; won't call Dekhha Tenu a recreation-Jaani
8:31 AM
Having revisited the 2001 track Shava shava for Mr & Mrs Mahi, musician Jaani on creating Dekhha tenu for the Janhvi Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao starrer
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; May 20, 2024)
Asked to tweak the popular 2000s ditty Shava Shava to create a bit-sized cover version, musician Jaani found himself so indulgent that he ended up creating an entire four-minute track.
“[As we worked on it] we felt the desire to keep listening to the song. We began to contemplate how things would be if we made a full song instead of the cover version we were [instructed] to create,” he says of the Mr & Mrs Mahi track, rechristened Dekhha Tenu.
The plot of the film, starring Janhvi Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao, warranted the inclusion of the Punjabi language, he says.
“The original song also has elements of the Punjabi language, and I didn’t want to tamper with the soul of the song. When revisiting a song, if people change too many aspects of it, it begins to sound strange. I feel it is futile to disturb people’s experience when remaking a song. I was sure that I wanted to make Dekhha Tenu a [full-fledged] Indian number with a great melody, and an element of Qawwali. While this number has all these aspects, it is also an urban track. Today, we have to create a number that appeals to Gen-Z, so, while we need to plan the addition of traditional Indian instruments like the tabla, we also have to ensure that the guitar is in tune with the song.”
While the track traces back to producer Karan Johar’s Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gham (2001), the musician is reluctant to label it a rehashed offering. “There were perhaps only five lines that comprised the original song’s antara that we used. We created a new song out of those lines, and in dual languages. So, I wouldn’t call this a recreation,” he says, adding that his teammate has penned the second song, Tu Hai Toh, of the film.
“Both songs are beautiful. After a long time, we will witness such soulful and romantic numbers in cinema.”
Dekhha Tenu has been rendered by Mohammad Faiz.
I feel I am good at falling in love-Janhvi Kapoor
2:22 PM
After headlining solo outings Mili and Good Luck Jerry this year, Kapoor says she is eager to be part of a romantic drama
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; November 24, 2022)
Her debut film Dhadak (2018) may have been an intense love story, but then on, Janhvi Kapoor has been primarily shouldering varied dramas — from a biopic in Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl (2020) to a black comedy in Good Luck Jerry, and the survival thriller, Mili. While the films have given her creative satisfaction, she is now itching to experience the frothy world of romantic dramas.
“I miss it, I am dying to do an out-and-out love story. I want to romance someone [on screen]. I feel I am good at falling in love,” she laughs.
Guess the actor will have to wait a while before her wish is realised, because up next, she has the comedy-drama, Mr & Mrs Mahi. Reuniting with Rajkummar Rao after their horror comedy Roohi (2021) has been a pleasure for Kapoor.
“He is one of the finest actors in the country, and I am honoured to get the opportunity to work with him. This film is special to us because its heart is in the right place. The aspiration is to be as good as him, as an actor.”
Besides the Sharan Sharma-directed venture, Kapoor has Bawaal that sees her team up with Varun Dhawan.
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