Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; August 2, 2020)

It’s been three years since the release of Mubarakan, and the friendship between the lead actresses of the film, Ileana DCruz and Athiya Shetty, has only grown stronger. This Friendship Day, ‘Athu’ and ‘Ilu-Pilu’ as they fondly address each other, talk to Bombay Times about their camaraderie, what they bond over the most and how good friends help us better ourselves. Read On…

At the time of Mubarakan’s promotion (in 2017), both of you spoke volumes about how you got along with each other. But, given how actors have to quickly move on to their next project, very often, even after sharing a great bond, they don’t end up keeping in touch...
ILEANA: But, we did! I think our no-filter, nojudgment attitude is what bonds us.
ATHIYA: Yes, I agree. It’s also true that actors tend to move on after every project, so I didn’t think that we would stay in touch, but we got together from the word go. I remember, the first time I met her was when I had come for the screening of Rustom (2016). There’s a scene in the film where Ileana’s crying and it left me impressed. I went up to her and said, ‘Hey, you are such a good crier!’ Later, I was like oops… did I just say that, as that was the first time ever that I met her and interacted with her. It could have been a little more formal than that, is what I thought (laughs!).
ILEANA: But, that’s exactly her… no filters! Whatever is on her mind, she says it out loud. It is very rare to meet someone, who you can be yourself with and have no filters. I don’t have to think about what conversation to have with her. I can just be me.
ATHIYA: I feel that from day one, I have been able to trust her. I have told her things about myself and I know that she will keep it to herself. I have always looked up to Ileana for the way she presents herself. She is so full of grace and is a very honest person.

What is it that you bond over the most?
ATHIYA: Predominantly, it’s food! I remember on the first day of the shoot of Mubarakan, Ileana had baked coconut macaroons for me. She is a fantastic baker. Till date, I ask her for recipes, though she knows that I won’t try making them. During the London schedule of the film, we would go out on food outings together. I was like…this is the best co-star ever.
ILEANA: Her room was next to mine and that’s literally how I would get her out of her room. I would drag her out by planning food trails.

Your friends often make you a better person, as there is so much to learn and exchange from each other, even while having all that fun, right?
ATHIYA: So, Ileana has OCD and I honestly believe that after I met her, I developed that as well. If my hair was out of place during the shoot, or if there was even a strand of thread on my ghagra that no one spotted, Ileana would. She is very particular about everything and I developed those traits after I met her.
ILEANA: I am quite the opposite of Athiya. While she is free-spirited, I tend to overthink. She just throws herself in a situation and enjoys it, while I tend to sit upright and hold myself back. Thanks to Athiya, I have started being comfortable and letting myself loose. So, being with her, I have learnt to let go.

Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 5, 2019)

She played a city-bred girl in her first two films, Hero (2015) and Mubarakan (2017) and after a gap of two years, Athiya Shetty is back with Motichoor Chaknachoor in a new avatar. Essaying the role of a small-town girl for the first time, the actor is happy that her work is getting “validated”.

“The role was challenging, as I did step out of my comfort zone. People thought I couldn’t act, but I took a risk and tried something different, so it feels nice to be appreciated. It’s humbling and I feel grateful,” adds Suniel Shetty’s daughter.

The actor admits that she was initially intimidated after reading the script of the film. “I didn’t think I could pull off such a role, as I had only played a city girl in my earlier films. I wondered why the director offered me the role,” she shares, adding, “But after extensive workshops on lingo and body language, and with time, I gained confidence to perform, and it paid off. With this film, I threw myself at the deep end. But I needed that, and it has helped me grow. Now, I won’t be hesitant to take on such different roles.”

Athiya points out that her co-stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Vibha Chibber had made her feel “nervous”. The actor, who has taken long gaps in between films, says, “Some days are frustrating, while waiting for the right roles. But, in this career, one must have patience, which many dismiss. There are highs and lows in every actor’s career. Some days, you question yourself and your choices, and on other days, when you are shooting, you feel confident. It takes a lot to be successful in this industry. It takes hard work, perseverance and courage.” She reveals that she kept herself busy with dance and Hindi diction classes while waiting for the right opportunity.

The breaks in her career had led to reports of her being written off from the industry, but Athiya says she never paid heed to them. The 27-year-old actor didn’t want to sign films in a hurry. She adds, “One can’t predict anything in this industry. I was clear that after Mubarakan, I wanted to do films unlike my first two films. I wanted the opportunity to act, and work on myself. Everyone has their own destiny and everyone’s journey is different.”

Ileana D'Cruz points to the success of Mubarakan as the reason behind collaborating with Anees Bazmee again
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; November 10, 2019)

Even though critical reviews can be testimony, Ileana D'Cruz doesn't have to look too far from home to be reminded of the success of Mubarakan. "My family, that predominantly watches English films, loved Mubarakan. They continue to watch it once a week. Every time I go home, I see them watching it," says the actor when highlighting why it was a no-brainer to give a go at the chance to collaborate with director Anees Bazmee again. "When Anees ji offered Pagalpanti to me, I knew I would agree because working with him is a great experience. It's rare to find a director who understands you. He makes entertaining films."

Even though it's not easy to make a mark in an ensemble film like this Anil Kapoor and John Abraham starrer, D'cruz is unperturbed. "[When it's about a comedy], the more the merrier."

Four directors, who have set their last few films in their favourite cities, tell Mirror why they find themselves returning there every time they have a new story to tell
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 15, 2019)

SHOOJIT SIRCAR: ‘Everyone in Delhi is a character’

Location: Delhi

Films: October, Pink, Piku, Vicky Donor

Delhi is my favourite city because I did my schooling and college there, and also theatre. I know the streets, the people and the food. Chhole bhature and kulche are the first things my team gets for me every time I am there.

Everyone in Delhi is a character; they can be a part of every film. I’m comfortable with the milieu and the characters inhabiting it mirror the messages of my films. Vicky Donor was set in Daryaganj while Piku was in CR Park where I’ve lived. Pink reflected it’s dark side and the location was a character with an identity. October was set in the hotel industry there where I’d worked. I know the winters in Delhi quite well. There is no commercial reason for setting my stories in the Capital, it’s just for sentimental reasons… Out of love for my memories.


SRIRAM RAGHAVAN: ‘I wanted to capture bits of Pune which would completely change soon’

Location: Pune

Films: Andhadhun, Badlapur, Johnny Gaddaar

The first film I shot in Pune was for my FTII diploma film, a fantasy titled The Eight Column Affair, which was set in the popular local newspaper Maharashtra Herald and was shot in various locations, including MG Road (Main Street), St Vincent’s High School, the Kirkee War Memorial and the Herald’s press. I did my schooling and college in Pune. As a kid, I watched as many movies as I could, and have fond memories of cinemas like the West End, The Empire and Natraj, among others. It’s a beautiful city, and much easier and convenient to shoot in than Mumbai.

Geographically, Pune has helped me with scripts of my last few directorials, Johnny Gaddaar (2007) and Badlapur. Badlapur is an actual place between Pune and Mumbai. And while Andhadhun could have been shot anywhere, I wanted to capture a bit of the Pune which would completely change soon.

I shot parts of Andhadhun in the theatre Rahul 70MM, where I’ve seen classics like Jaws and Enter The Dragon, for cheap thrills.

The old Westend Cinema near Main Street was a wonderful theatre too. It had cane armchairs and a soda fountain. The theatre is long gone, and a hotel stands in its place now. We shot the interval scene of Badlapur in that very hotel.


ALI ABBAS ZAFAR: ‘I remember complete chaos when we shot in Old Delhi’

Location: Delhi

Films: Sultan, Tiger Zinda Hai, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan

The most important aspect about Delhi is natural and architectural beauty. I did my college there so my characters subconsciously land in Delhi. It is also because every location in a film is also a character.

I shot my first film, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, with Katrina Kaif and Imran Khan there. After that I went on to shoot at similar locations for Sultan, Tiger Zinda Hai and now Bharat. During Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, we were shooting in Old Delhi and I remember complete chaos when it came to security because 5000 people landed on the set. We had to lock the premises and couldn’t get out for a long time.

ANEES BAZMEE: ‘Makes sense commercially as we get subsidies’

Location: London

Films: Pagalpanti, Mubarakan

Whenever I visited London, I’ve loved the place and the weather. I have a lot of friends there who keep sending me food so there’s an emotional connect too. It also makes sense commercially as we get subsidies to shoot there. Besides, things just align whenever I’m shooting there.

We started shooting Mubarakan in February, when it is terribly cold. I shot outdoors at night for the first two days. It was difficult but we pulled through before moving indoors.

Pagalpanti will start on Sunday with a night schedule close to Carlton Gardens in Westminster. In the film, the jungle is supposed to be haunted, leaving the actors terrified of ghosts. We will also be filming at Allerton Towers, a 35-acre park in South Liverpool, as also Leeds, besides London. It is a 60-day schedule. I couldn’t to be back in my favourite city.

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; February 11, 2019)

Director Anees Bazmee headed to London on Friday to set the ball rolling for Pagalpanti. Anil Kapoor, John Abraham and Ileana D’Cruz will join him this week in time for the comic caper’s first schedule that kicks off on February 17. On the cards is a heavy-duty action sequence featuring the cast — including Pulkit Samrat and Kriti Kharbanda — that will be shot over two nights in suburban London. With the mercury dipping below 5 degrees Celsius at nights, the director acknowledges that it will be a physically demanding shoot.

“We kick off with an elaborate night sequence that will be shot in the countryside. Since it is cold in London at the moment, I decided to start with the toughest scene. I want people to complain most on the first day. In the case of Mubarakan (2017) too, I did the same,” laughs Bazmee, who has planned a 60-day start-to-finish schedule in London and Leeds.

While multi-starrers can be a challenge, the director says he enjoys the creative energy on the set. “[In my stories], every character is crucial to the plot. You take out one character and the film falls apart. In my experience, ensembles are based on honesty. You should know how to tell a leading actor, ‘Sir, iss scene mein aap kuch nahi karoge, aap peeche khade rahoge.’”

Quiz him if content-driven cinema has relegated masala films to the sidelines, and he dismisses the notion. “These are blockbuster movies that are meant for mass viewing. Such films never go out of fashion.”

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; December 18, 2018)

Three years ago, Athiya Shetty was launched by Salman Khan in Hero. Since then, she has acted in only one film Mubarakan (2017). Now, after lying low for some time, the star kid will be seen in Motichoor Chaknachoor where she is paired opposite Nawazuddin Siddiqui. The leggy lass tells After Hrs what prompted her to sign a comedy film again and on sharing screen space with the multi-talented Nawaz. Excerpts…

What has been your biggest takeaway while shooting for this movie? 
It was the best experience of my life. Some films just change you and this was one of them. I not only grew as a person but also as an actor. The role demanded a different energy, which helped me a great deal to become more confident about myself. I borrowed my character’s traits because I fell in love with who I was portraying. Though it was a tough role, there was a sense of ease that I’ve never felt in the past. I enjoyed all of those 16-hour days.

This will be your third film since you made your debut in 2015. Was it a a deliberate attempt on your part to take things slowly?
It wasn’t a conscious decision. I didn’t like the films that were offered to me. I loved this one as I knew it would challenge me as an actor. And I needed to be challenged.

What are the factors that you keep in mind while choosing a film? 
The script. And then the director. In the case of Motichoor Chaknachoor, I followed my instinct. I heard the script and there wasn’t any reason to say no. There was an immediate sense of excitement and nervousness. I was petrified. And sometimes you do things because it’s like taking a leap of faith. Moreover, the film was set in Bhopal and I had to speak Bundelkhandi, which was challenging, too.

This will be your second comedy after Mubarakan. Do you think it’s a tough genre?
It’s my favourite genre. I enjoy it so much. It is extremely tough, but when you’re performing, you can’t approach it like a comedy. Everything lies in the text, you just have to be honest to your character and dialogues.

Were you under a lot of pressure while working with Nawazuddin? 
He is an absolute genius. And he doesn’t even know it, which is the best part. He makes you extremely confident as an actor. I have learnt a great deal by just observing his method.

This is quite an unconventional pairing... 
That’s the beauty of the script and the two characters. We are ‘unconventional’ but it makes perfect sense once you watch the film.

Were you apprehensive that this will be perceived as a not-so commercial film, given that Nawaz plays the titular character? 
No! No other actor can determine your outcome. It’s your hard work, and how honestly you’ve portrayed your character.

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; April 19, 2018)

Anees Bazmee is the only director who has managed to cast chacha-bhatija Anil Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor in his film. The duo went on to entertain the audience with their antics in Mubarakan last year. Now, speculations are rife that Arjun will team up with Anees again for their second venture.

A source close to the young actor tells us, “Arjun enjoyed working with Anees bhai and he has been in touch with him.” When contacted, the director says, “I would love to collaborate with Arjun again. He is like family now and I think he has impeccable comic timing. We have been discussing a few ideas and we will surely be doing another film soon.”

There were also rumours that Arjun will step in place of Salman Khan in the sequel to No Entry titled No Entry Mein Entry. But Anees denies the reports, “There’s no truth to this. He is not doing that movie. But yes, we have met and talked about a few other films. Let’s see which one works out. I’ve around three-four scripts including a comedy entertainer and a thriller,” says the filmmaker.

JUDWAA 2 has got a huge television rating with over 1.5 crore plus impressions on first screening. The film which did very well at the box office grossing 132 crore nett is a blockbuster on television with a rating which is similar to DANGAL and the third best of 2017.

The film has easily beaten the likes of TOILET - EK PREM KATHA, JOLLY LLB 2 and TUBELIGHT. It has also beaten the Salman Khan starrer SULTAN from last year but that film has done phenomenal in repeat runs. It is by far the highest television rating for a Varun Dhawan starrer going 50% higher than DISHOOM. More than that it is the highest ever rating for a film which is a comedy. Although JUDWAA 2 is probably a Masala film it does gear towards the comedy genre. MUBARAKAN which is an outright comedy also did well with a solid 60 lakh impressions on first screening and is the highest rating ever for an Arjun Kapoor starrer. The film scored above the likes of BAADSHAHO, SHIVAAY and RAEES.

The top films on television in 2017 are as follows. The numbers are impressions which are the number of television sets viewing the film.
1. Baahubali 2 - The Conclusion - 2,60,54,000
2. Dangal - 1,62,54,000
3. Judwaa 2 - 1,52,66,000
4. Toilet Ek Prem Katha - 1,09,25,000
5. Jolly LLB 2 - 1,08,50,000
6. DJ - 1,05,34,000 (Telugu film Duvvada Jagannadham dubbed)
7. Tubelight - 1,02,61,000
8. Kaabil - 86,93,000
9. M.S. Dhoni - The Untold Story - 80,94,000
10. Mubarakan - 62,97,000
11. Shivaay- 62,92,000
12. Commando 2 - 61,36,000
13. Munna Michael - 59,26,000
14. Raees - 52,56,000
15. Baadshaho - 52,03,000

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

A rehashed version of Guru Randhawa's Tu Meri Rani will make its way into Suresh Triveni's Tumhari Sulu, at Arjun Kapoor's behest. The actor tells mid-day that he found the song suitable for the Vidya Balan-starrer. "I thought it would be a perfect fit. I told them to hear the song, and I am glad that they decided to use it," says Kapoor, certain that Balan will do justice to the romantic number.

Interestingly, the Punjabi singer's rendition was to be part of Kapoor' Mubarakan. It was shelved after the team realised it did not blend with the storyline. "I came across this track online and fell in love with Guru's voice. But, it didn't fit into our film's narrative," Kapoor says. Tumhari Sulu co-producer Bhushan Kumar is happy that the track landed in his lap. "Arjun made me hear it. Since we know Guru, we acquired the song's rights from him. It is a soulful rendition, and has been recreated to fit into our film."

DNA (August 23, 2017)

Crowded Fridays are no longer an isolated occurrence. We frequently face a flurry of releases on Friday. But the coming Friday will see four interesting Hindi films and two Hollywood biggies, The Hitman’s Bodyguard and Dark Tower, vying for attention. ​While Seema Kapoor, the late Om Puri wife, has decided to take her directorial debut Mr Kabaadi to a later date, September 8, the others are determined to weather the storm come what may.​

Leading this week’s gallery of eyeball grabbers are two bandook wallahs belonging to very different breeds of violence. Nawazuddin Siddiqui in Kushan Nandy’s Babumoshai Bandookbaaz culturally and geo-politically far removed from Sidharth Malhotra’s gun-slinging super-slicker in A Gentleman. But at the end of the day they are both trigger-happy heroes romancing sexy women, shooting down the baddies and revving up that highway in fast-flying automobiles.

A Gentleman’s co-director Raj Nidimoru says, “Our producers Fox-Star had announced this date (August 25) long back. There were no other films scheduled for that Friday when we announced A Gentleman. By and by, the others also came in for this Friday. I feel the other films that are releasing this week are in a completely different zone. I think every film will have its own audience. No film gets an all-clear solo release these days.”

Ajit Thakur, who produces this week’s third major release Sniff on behalf of Eros International feels the choices for producers to release their films has narrowed down markedly. “We have to release our film along with others in the hope that the unique content — Sniff is about a child detective — will be its USP.”

Aadar Jain, who gets his big launch this Friday in Yash Raj films’ Qaidi Band, expresses helplessness at the clutter of releases. “It’s not up to me to decide the release date. I think Yash Raj Films would be better able to explain the release strategy.”

Explains trade analyst Atul Mohan, “We had three back-to-back big-budgeted films Mubarakan, Jab Harry Met Sejal and Toilet - Ek Prem Katha. Usually, when one big film releases, the subsequent week is avoided by smaller films. But this time we had three biggies in a row which resulted in this pile. We have only 52 weeks to accommodate every film. We also have festive season beginning this week to be followed by Shraaddh when releases are avoided, which will take away two weeks. So the mad rush.”

Manish D Mishra (DNA; August 19, 2017)

In a small span of time, Athiya Shetty has emerged to be one of the coolest dressers in Bollywood. Be it her appearances at promotional events or at airports — her style exudes an air of chic, simplicity and ease. The tall and statuesque beauty talks about brainstorming with her stylist and the red carpet scene in India...

How do you and your stylist brainstorm?
My stylist Ami Patel and I have a styling group on WhatsApp, where we share images, references and cool things we like. Ami keeps my personality in mind while styling me and does that beautifully. I love the person that she is. I am very close to her. She encourages me to try different new things and experiment. I like to keep it simple and easy and she is somebody who I just get along well with both personally and professionally, and when you have both things, it’s a win-win.

Which is your favourite fashion era?
I wore some ’70s-inspired looks in Mubarakan. I love that decade, especially the flared denims and I am constantly in them. I love the crop tops too. It’s easy and comfortable and at the same time chic. I am still in that phase two years later.

How do you see your style evolution?
I think, I am more aware of what I want to be projected as and what suits me. I am more comfortable and confident. I think that happens as you grow older, what looks good on you and what doesn’t. I have become confident today and I’m trying to experiment a lot more. I am a very simple person and dress very simply in my personal life. I love boyfriend jeans and mom jeans and love pairing them with crop tops and keds. I like to keep it simple and classic.

What would you wear at the Met ball?
I think, it’ll be a pantsuit. (Smiles)

What’s your take on the red carpet scene in India?
I don’t take myself too seriously. People assume that I think about my clothes a lot, but I really don’t. Like this outfit (I’m wearing) we figured it out this morning itself. I like clothes and enjoy putting them together and have an eye for it. Also, it’s a teamwork. I feel that without Ami, I wouldn’t be as stylish as people consider me to be.

Your favourite designers and why?
I am not such a designer person. I like shopping at different places and it depends on what catches my eye. My current favourite is Bibhu Mohapatra. I wore Prabal Gurung for the first time recently and loved it.

Do you enjoy shopping?
I don’t like shopping, I get tired and impatient. I am not a shopper, but I love clothes and accessories. I hate trying on clothes. I am a very lazy shopper. When the Mubarakan team used to shop in London, I would just sit and chit-chat.

Do you have a liking for any accessory?
I love keds — have more than 100 pairs — Adidas Original, Nike and Yeezy. You have to convince me to wear high heels.

Which city according to you is the fashion capital of the world?
New York is very personality driven. Their outfits speak for who they are. NYC is more versatile and find all kinds of people.

Who are your style icons?
I love Kendall and Gigi — admire their confidence, grace with which they carry their clothes. It’s not like she’s wearing an expensive dress. She’ll just wear a white T-shirt, but pulls it off beautifully.

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 11, 2017)

As Arjun Kapoor's comic caper, Mubarakan, continues to win accolades from moviegoers, murmurs about Anil Kapoor outshining the actor continue to grow louder. This turn of events is rather interesting, given that Arjun plays a twin role in the film, which paired him alongside his uncle for the first time.

But Arjun Kapoor argues that director Anees Bazmee always wanted the spotlight to be on the senior actor. "It was how the film was designed," he says, adding, "On paper, his role was meant to be funnier. He is supposed to be the one with better dialogues, punchlines and humour. My characters, on the other hand, create conflict. Isn't it obvious that he will have a better part? He is the comedy factor." Pointing out that the senior actor has several years of experience to his credit, Arjun says pitting him against the veteran is unfair. "His body of work is exemplary. I chose to do this film because he was a part of it. I worked with Anees and Anil to learn, evolve and mostly enjoy [myself]. My only job was to do my role well."

The actor laments that despite being treated to a good film, people wish to enquire about a brewing animosity. "Who is jealous of their own chachu? It's ridiculous. But I take this with a pinch of salt," he says, asserting he is happy that film critics have appreciated his work. "I did not do this film to outshine him."

Subhash K Jha (DNA; August 11, 2017)

The failure of some recent highly-anticipated biggies has had a Domino Effect on Anees Bazmee’s family-oriented comedy Mubarakan which is well on the way to becoming one of the bigger successes of the year.

The film opened on a lower scale and went on to become bigger with each passing day. In the following week of the release, additional shows were added in several centres. Despite reduced screens in the second week, the film continues its triumphant march at the box office with rock steady collections even on working weekdays — a phenomenon that has taken industry pundits by surprise.

So, what’s the secret of this startling turn-around? Says trade guru Komal Nahta, “It’s a good film and is growing due to a great word of mouth. Traditionally, Anil Kapoor has never been known to be an initialwaala star. The flopping of other films released during the same period has also helped Mubarakan remain steady in the second week.”

Trade analyst Atul Mohan adds, “Mubarakan is a family entertainer, or as we say, paisa vasool. Such movies do take time to grow. The release of Jab Harry Met Sejal in the subsequent week did put Mubarakan on the back seat for a couple of days, but at the end of the day, good content always works in the long run. The cinema-hungry audience felt the film is worth their money. In Mubarakan’s case, it’s all about slow and steady winning the race!”

Anil, who is one of the highlights of Mubarakan, isn’t surprised by this turn of events at the ticket counters. He says, “Mubarakan is not my first film that had a low start at the box office. My other films like Judaai, Taal and No Entry had a subdued start too and went on to become big successes. I’ve never looked for instant success. I really enjoyed my character; Kartar Singh is destined to be iconic just like my characters in Mr India, No Entry, Nayak, Ram Lakhan and TV series, 24. I played characters in these films who are remembered to this day. Even now people call me Lakhan from Ram Lakhan or Kishen from No Entry.”

Arjun Kapoor who is also receiving praises for his portrayal of Karan and Charanjit in the film, says, “Every film finds its audience and Mubarakan has been defying the odds and sustaining because of the love of the audience nationwide.”

Sarita A Tanwar (DNA; August 3, 2017)

Ileana D’Cruz has two releases in 2017. One released last week and she is now gearing up to promote her next — Baadshaho. She made her Hindi film debut with Barfi, which also had Priyanka Chopra. Since then, Ileana has acted in many two heroine films — Main Tera Hero with Nargis Fakhri, Happy Ending with Kalki Koechlin, and Rustom with Esha Gupta. Her last release Mubarakan had Athiya Shetty and her next Baadshaho features Esha Gupta. There has never been talk of any catfights between her and her female co-stars. No fight, no argument, not even a snide remark here and there. Almost too good to be true.

Picking the right role
The roles she has picked have had a big part to play in this. She admits, “I have always felt that I have had the better role in all the films, which is why I am completely secure. The day I do a film with another actress where I am positive her role is far better than mine, it will affect me. I’d be looking at her shots and all that. But I don’t think I would do a film if I knew the other girl’s role is better than mine. I am doing a film now with Esha (Gupta). I have a complicated, different role. I still compare the roles. I am like: If I was given this role and the other one, which one would I choose. And I know, I would still choose my role.”

‘I have been super secure’
So, what’s the key to her friendship with her co-stars? “I have been super secure. I make my own decisions and don’t let anyone influence me. So, I am completely content. If someone has an issue with me on the sets, I am like, ‘Fine, peace. I do not have the energy to fight with you.’ I am fairly easy-going, but I won’t take crap from anyone.”

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; July 29, 2017)

In Anees Bazmee’s Mubarakan, it’s not just Arjun Kapoor who is sharing screen space with his chachu Anil Kapoor for the first time, it is also Sanjay Kapoor’s maiden outing with his elder brother. And that too, as Anil’s bade bhaiyya! “Yes, I play his older sibling, but have still managed to look younger than him. Anil ki tamanna poori ho gayi, at least in the movie I play his elder brother,” grins Sanjay, who has an interesting, funny scene with Anil.

After 25 years...
Despite being in the industry for over 25 years, Anil and Sanjay have never worked together. “We haven’t even done a photoshoot together, except for one where Boney, Anil and I were together on a magazine cover. Anil and I had gone on a world tour together way back in 1997 along with Amitji (Bachchan), Shilpa (Shetty) and Manisha (Koirala) where we spent quality time together. We never wanted to play our brother card, but this film required us as siblings,” elaborates Sanjay.

It was meant to be
Sanjay was in London when Anil was shooting for the film. And they needed an actor to play Arjun’s father. “Anil called me and said there’s an interesting role and you’ll like it. It will be great fun. More than anything else, I did it because the scene was with Anil. Also, Anees had directed It’s My Life that I had produced, and I share a great equation with him,” says Sanjay.

Family ties
Though he shot only for one-and-a-half day, Sanjay says he had a good time on the sets. Ask him if he felt emotional working with Anil and he says, “The entire family was together in London. We were there to celebrate Sunita’s (Kapoor) 60th birthday. Being on a holiday or working with family is always emotional.”

No screen time with Arjun
Though he plays Arjun’s father in the film, he doesn’t share screen space with his nephew as his character dies early on. “Yes, I have kept that for the future. Sabhi ek saath nahi hoga na? I have to work with Arjun, Sonam, Harshvardhan and also Mohit (Marwah). I didn’t want to give everything in the first film,” he quips.

The wife’s pleased, too
Another first for Sanjay in the film is playing a sardar. He shares, “Maheep (his wife) is a sardarni. Her father is happy that I donned a turban for the film. Now, her brother and father look up to me. They have a good-looking sardar as a son-in-law! So, I have taken care of that side of my family, too!”