Hindi cinema hasn’t quite explored the genre of action creature films. Siddhant Chaturvedi’s next, an ambitious film  by Netflix India, was to fill that gap. However, mid-day has now learnt that the project has been shelved. Sources revealed that budgeting became an issue for the film, which was to be helmed by debutant director Neha Sharma.

Tentatively titled Ramree, the two-hero movie was reportedly set in 1945 and to be produced by Ajay Devgn. A source said, “Work on the film had been going on for over a year. Given the subject and the period setting, it was an expensive project. For an OTT film, this would have set a benchmark in scale and imagination, but budget constraints caught up with it. Even though the platform heads were excited about the story, there was too much at stake financially. So, they decided to not move forward with it.”

Another insider shared that a movie being put on pause is a common occurrence in the streaming world, where a project is considered greenlit in the true sense only when it goes on floors.

“Ramree was an idea in development that did not move forward, a natural part of the creative process where multiple concepts are explored. While some take shape, some don’t,” added the source.

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Neha Sharma, who previously wrote ‘The Zoya Factor’ (2019) and ‘Tere Bin Laden: Dead or Alive’ (2016), was to turn director with this project

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Reports suggest that the two-hero film, tentatively titled ‘Ramree’, was to star Mohit Raina alongside Siddhant Chaturvedi

The ongoing clash between paparazzi and celebrities escalates as the latter express concerns over photographers making female celebs uncomfortable. Actors Mona Singh and Neha Sharma have joined the chorus, highlighting the inappropriate focus on women’s bodies and the anticipation of wardrobe malfunctions.

“They keep focusing on women’s bodies inappropriately. Will they do this to a man by zooming into their crotch when they’re walking? No, they won’t. But they do that to every woman. It’s really not cool,” Singh, in an interview to News18, said, and added, “It’s almost like they wait far some faux pas to happen.”

Sharma, on the other hand, told India Today, “Dikhna zaroori hai aaj ke time pe. As for the angles, it does get distasteful. As a woman, you also lose your freedom to dress the way you want to. When you are in the public eye, you do have to be careful as sometimes things go out of line.”

Trailing the celebrity life has usually made for popular content. A prime example is Keeping Up With The Kardashians, which not only kept viewers hooked for 20 seasons, but also made the Kardashian family famous for being famous. Closer home, Fabulous Lives Of Bollywood Wives (2020) tasted success with the format. Now, we hear a similar concept is being explored around the lives of actors Neha and Aisha Sharma.

Rana Daggubati, who launched his YouTube channel South Bay in March 2021, has envisioned a non-scripted reality series titled Shining with the Sharmas. The reality show joins South Bay’s roster that previously had the animated chat show, Why Are You, and Lakshmi Manchu’s talk show, among others. 

“The series is on the lines of Keeping Up With The Kardashians. It is shot entirely in their Bandra home [and will follow them] as they go about their day — from their gym workouts, to their projects and their downtime together. The peppy show [will highlight] the fragilities of the glam world. It aims to depict how the Sharma sisters navigate the strains of the industry,” says a source.

The series has been in the making for the past year, and is currently in post-production. If all goes as planned, the show will drop on the channel in June.

Slowly but surely, actors are returning to the big screen. After Akshay Kumar’s Bellbottom managed a respectable figure at the box-office, it has boosted the confidence of filmmakers to take the leap of faith. Among them is Kushan Nandy, whose Jogira Sara Ra Ra is nearing completion.

The director says the Nawazuddin Siddiqui-led film is set to be theatre-bound despite some OTT platforms vying for its premiere rights. Sources say that Netflix India and Amazon Prime Video had initiated talks with the makers over a month ago.

“We have got quite a few lucrative offers from digital platforms, but we are looking only at theatres. Jogira Sara Ra Ra is a fun, four-ticket film that families [will enjoy] on the big screen. Nawaz, producer Naeem Siddiqui, creative producer Kiran Shroff and I discussed it at length, and unanimously agreed on it. We are confident about the film doing well in cinemas — that’s the first and foremost reason we don’t want to take the OTT route,” says the director, who has reunited with Siddiqui after Babumoshai Bandookbaaz (2017).

He acknowledges that Bellbottom’s performance has strengthened their resolve further. “Kudos to Akshay Kumar, Vashu Bhagnani [producer] and their team for taking this step! It’s a courageous call and shows us the way forward.”

Luckily, the makers of Jogira Sara Ra Ra — also featuring Neha Sharma — have the advantage of time. While the director completed the talkie portions in April, two songs have yet to be shot. Nandy hopes that by the time he calls it a wrap on the slice-of-life movie, the situation will have further improved. 

“We will shoot Nawaz’s song by the end of September, and the other, with Neha, in early October at a Mumbai set. The post-production and background mixing are underway,” says the filmmaker, hoping to reach the finish line soon. The makers will zero in on a release date after the songs are shot.

Kushan Nandy’s Jogira Sara Ra Ra, a slice-of-life film about an oddball couple, is a departure from his last outing, Babumoshai Bandookbaaz (2017). The director, weary from the action thriller’s dark theme, says he was more than happy to switch to a lighter subject. “I had exhausted myself with the serious and dark [story]. I wanted to experiment with a fun subject,” he states.

The two movies may be poles apart, but the filmmaker found himself envisioning Nawazuddin Siddiqui as the leading man again. Nandy, who wrapped up Jogira Sara Ra Ra’s shoot in Uttar Pradesh last month, acknowledges that their second collaboration has brought them closer. “Nawaz has become a habit for me. We have an unspoken tuning and understand each other completely. It helps if the director and actor are in sync. I can assure you that the audience hasn’t seen Nawaz in such an avatar before; it’s a quirky role.” 

The movie features Neha Sharma as Siddiqui’s love interest.

Actors Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Neha Sharma, the main lead of the Kushan Nandy helmed film Jogira Sara Ra Ra, canned a few scenes of the film in Banaras, on Monday. The entire cast and crew drove down to Banaras for a day’s shoot in the city from Lucknow.

According to Sandeep Bharadwaj, line producer, “The shooting happened at major landmarks of the city, as the characters enacted by the main lead, along with their reel family visit Banaras for a brief sojourn, in the film. So the shooting happened on the ghats, mainly Scindia Ghat, in the adjoining lanes of the ghat and at a famous lassi shop.”

Bharadwaj adds, “A song sequence was also canned on a bajra (boat) in the midst of River Ganga. Due to Coronavirus safety protocols being followed, only a few members of the crew were present.”

Later Neha Sharma, who was seen in Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, shared a video of the famed Ganga aarti which she witnessed from a boat, on her social media account, mentioning, “There is no better way to end a film shoot.” She was also seen taking pictures of the picturesque scenes around her. Actress Zarina Wahab, who will be seen as Nawazuddin’s mother in the film, was also part of the film shooting in Banaras.

The fresh wake of Coronavirus cases may have curtailed movement in London, but for the makers of Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Sangeen, it is work, as usual. Isolated as they are while shooting in a bio-bubble in the UK city, the unit, says leading man Siddiqui, is growing increasingly comfortable with the new normal.

“There was a sense of fear, but we are following the precautions and shooting in a confined atmosphere with a small unit. Here, everyone wears a mask, except the actors, because none of our members are interacting with outsiders. We head to our rooms after the shoot. I am now more confident [about filming] because tests are conducted every week,” says the actor, adding that the industry will benefit by accepting the new normal. The shooting stint, he informs,  commenced 20 days ago, and wraps up within the next few days. 

Jaideep Chopra’s directorial venture reportedly marks rapper Raftaar’s debut as a music score composer for cinema. 

The psychological thriller is the first movie being filmed by Siddiqui amid the pandemic, and has him join hands with Elnaaz Norouzi again after Sacred Games. “This thriller is very interesting and I am excited to be working with Elnaaz again. After this film, I will work on a romantic movie with Neha Sharma. I want to explore all genres of cinema, and play characters that engage me, as an actor. If I play a typical hero, I will get bored.”

Her last release Tum Bin 2 didn't enjoy a magical run at the box office, but that doesn't seem to have dampened Neha Sharma's spirits. She has moved on to her next: a cameo in what appears to be a breezy entertainer. BT caught up with the actress, who has just returned from London after the film's shoot packed up.Here are excerpts from a candid chat...

Your last release, Tum Bin 2, didn't have an impressive run at the box office. How did you tide over it?
We had a lot of expectations, and when something doesn't pan out as planned, it bogs you down. But I have put that film behind me and I'm looking forward to a lot of new things. Success and failure are a part of life and we should take both in our stride. You should not let either affect your head or heart.

After playing the female lead in Tum Bin 2, you are doing a cameo in a multi-starrer like Mubarakan...
Well, cameos can also leave an impact. I can never forget Juhi Chawla's special appearance in Andaz Apna Apna. It set the tone of the film. Being a part of Mubarakan has been a great learning experience. At this point in my career, I just want to do a lot of work. There's a line-up of interesting projects, but I cannot speak about them right now.

Talking about doing a lot of work, are you very ambitious?
I am ambitious, but for me, success isn't about being No 1. It's about having the liberty to choose the roles you want to do. I always take time before agreeing to a project. Also, ambition alone can't take you to the top; persistence and talent are just as important.

As an artiste, what do you think is your shortcoming?
I am not the kind of person who looks at what's lacking. I celebrate what I have. That's the joy of life. I always put my best into everything I do. The idea is to outshine my previous performance.

While you have not had many outings in Bollywood, you have worked in quite a few South films. Do you feel it's relatively easier to find work there?
Be it South or Hollywood, you'll create a space for yourself only if you are good.

Considering that age is equated with an actress' shelf life in this industry, do you feel any pressure?
We're actresses, not products. Also, acting doesn't come with an expiry date. Look around, there are so many leading ladies who have shattered that myth.

Do you regret any of the choices you've made so far?
Not at all. Every film has taught me a lot. The disheartening part is when your film doesn't make the kind of money that you expected it to make, because a lot of lives are dependent on it.

Your sister Aisha also wants to become an actress. Having been in the industry for a few years now what kind o guidance are you giving her?
(Laughs) I can barely figure out my own career. Aisha, like every other youngster, is trying to discover herself and figure what she wants to do. She is a bundle of talent and one of the most intelligent people I know. I am sure she will find out what's best for her. As an elder sister, I always tell her, 'You don't choose the film, the right film will choose you'.

If industry murmurs are anything to go by, Neha Sharma, who plays the leading lady in Tum Bin 2, could soon be paired with Arjun Kapoor in Mubarakan, a comedy set against the backdrop of a wedding. It's a pivotal special appearance, in sync with the mood of the film that also features Arjun's uncle Anil as his reel chacha.

Directed by Anees Bazmee, the film features Arjun in a double role, with Athiya Shetty and Ileana D'Cruz playing his two leading ladies. “For a while, we were hunting for the third girl in the story. It's a small part, but important to the narrative. The role is of a girl who will briefly romance one of Arjun's two characters. Talks are in advanced stages with Neha. Modalities are being worked out,“ says a production hand.

If all goes well, Neha could join the cast next week in and around Delhi, followed by a schedule in London early next year. We reached out to Neha and the producers for a confirmation, but neither chose to respond.

She has stars in her eyes. Yeah, the twinkle of a thousand stars. And the sparkle of a newbie, even after a smashing debut down South and a string of Bollywood films in the last decade. A week before her next release, Tum Bin 2, an all-heart romantic film, she sits daintily for a long chat. Behind all that petite prettiness is a girl with steely resolve, who without batting her long lashes, says, “I don't want someone else to be the God of my life.“ Well yes, her films haven't struck gold at the box office in BTown, but who knows, this dreamy-eyed damsel is looking for diamonds in the sky. Read on...

Your last film Youngistaan released two years ago. Tum Bin 2 is happening after a long gap...
Sometimes, things are inevitable, and there is only that much you can plan. I want to do different kinds of roles, and films that make a difference to my career. And that takes time. Tum Bin 2 came at the right point in my life and I knew that I wanted to do this. Anubhav sir (Sinha, director) gave me the DVD of the first film, but I decided not to see it as I didn't want anything to influence me. Of course, there are things from the first film that have been revisited. They are like tributes to it, like Jagjit Singh's soulful song Teri Fariyad. The love story here is more contem porary, but finally, it's about romance that never ages.

In reality, are you a romantic at heart?
Yes, I am a diehard romantic and passion is my second name. I guess some times it's a bit too much. I love reading beautiful stories. I love poems and yes, I fantasise about someone writing beautiful lines for me. In a way, I do believe in a fairy-tale romance. I might sound unreal, but I don't want to burst that bubble.

You made your debut (2007) with a Telugu film (Chirutha), and you have seen highs in the South film industry. Were you shocked when your Bollywood career didn't take off as well?
You don't know what happens when you fail unless you have seen it. So yes, it wasn't easy to understand. For me, everything until my first Bollywood film (Crook: It's Good To Be Bad, 2010) had worked. So I thought...Oh! It's going to be like that! I was aware that there could be a downside, but I had never given it much thought. On the day Crook released, I asked Emraan (Hashmi) and director Mohit (Suri) for the BO numbers. I saw it and asked them, “Does this really happen?“ It took a while to sink in. After failure, I knew what it meant to be successful, and I realised how people around you change when you are successful.

Do people really change, or does your perspective change?
Yes, when your films are doing better at the BO, people are more receptive towards you and they treat you better. As a person, I have never changed through my highs and lows.

In that way, your career in the South film industry must have been easier. Maybe more accepting, too?
I had a dream debut in the South. Everything fell into place, and I got so much praise and adulation. Later, I realised that there are 50,000 people or more coming to Mumbai every day to become an actor. There are so many new faces getting launched every Friday. The number of people trying to make it in the South industry is lesser; though I think now it has become tougher there, too. There is way more competition here in Bollywood.

You have said earlier that just talent and good looks are not enough for a newcomer...
Yes, I still believe that no matter how talented you are, people will not show faith in you unless there is proof of your success. For that, it is important for your film to work at the box office. Everyone wants to know what the fate of your last film was. I also want to do exciting roles and I want people to see me on screen and remember me for my performance. I don't want to be remembered for just dancing around the trees and appearing in a song.

Sometimes, that one song could help grab eyeballs. A-list actors do that, too...
Until now, I wasn't looking at it that way. A lot of people tell me that they don't get to see me enough. I understand your point that it is important to be on people's minds, otherwise they won't think of me as an option. I have been asked if Tum Bin 2 is my comeback film. The point is that I didn't go anywhere; sometimes the whole cycle of a film (from the time of signing to release) takes a while.

With no one backing you, finding your way around must have been a struggle...
Well, it is obviously easier when you have 10 people who matter, talking about you. At least, you will get talked about and noticed sooner. There are so many films that don't even reach out to people. When actors of Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan's stature talk about your film, it reaches out to more people. You might be doing good work, but how will the audience know about it? I am not saying that someone needs to constantly back you, but the initial push can make a big difference.

I believe that you have inhibitions about getting too intimate on screen?
I come from a small town, so it takes time for me to get comfy with a lot of things.Somewhere in my head, I am a tad more conservative than usual. I am slowly trying to get over it, but you can't take out small-town mentality from a person. Those roots will always be there. I have drawn a line for myself, and I know how much I can do and what I can't.

In the last decade, have you made friends in the industry?
I haven't made too many friends here, as I haven't worked in a million films. I have a relationship with those I have worked with. I will always feel like an outsider, as I don't belong from here, and I have not grown up with everybody else here. The actors who are from the industry might have it easier, but their gratification is lesser. For me, when someone on the street knows me, acknowledges my work and likes me...the joy is bigger. The problem is that if you are not from here, you don't have 10 people in your friends' circle who knows 10 more people who are making films. Everything I have got is on my own and I want to hold on to that. I know that networking is important in the industry, because that's the only way people will know that you exist. It has taken me a while to understand this. You can't just do a film and sit at home and think that work will come to you.

Does fear of failure elude you?
I don't fear failure. It doesn't get worse than what I have been through already. How bad can it get? Hereon, it gets only better. Like they say, once you've hit the bottom, the only way is up. One quality you need to have to make it here is perseverance, and I have that. Lot of people just give up, but the ones who stay for that one last match, are the ones who will stick around till the end. My debut happened when I was in college, so I realised my passion for acting only after my first film. I studied to be a fashion designer, being an actress was never the plan. I don't believe much in destiny, but I think this was meant to be. I came from nowhere; and we were a non-filmi family. While growing up, I didn't watch too many films or go to theatres. For my family, me doing a film was as alien as going to Mars.

You really don't believe in destiny?
Well, I think there is too much dependence on destiny. If something works right for someone, people casually say that luck played its part. Yeh destiny mein tha. People who succeed might be doing some thing right and that can't be overlooked. You can't make it in life just because you are plain lucky. I know that I have to work really hard to reach my goals. I want to shape my life the way I want it to be. I don't want someone else to be the God of my life. I heard Mahesh Bhatt say something in an interview, and those words have stayed with me all along. He said, 'If you don't decide what you want to do, someone else will do it for you.' That's not a good feeling. I want to do it my way, for better or worse. I won't give anyone else the control of my life.

Your father (Ajit Sharma) is a politician. Do you have such inclinations?
I would love to help my father in whatever way I can. I come from a small town, so when I see him doing so much for the place, I want to be a part of all that. But I can't really get into politics. I don't follow it closely, but of course, politics is a part of conversations at home. So, I will say that I am politically aware, but not politically inclined. I would like to stay away from it.

Aditya Seal has come a long way from the teenager played Manisha Koirala's who admirer in Ek Chhotisi Love Story. The 28-year-old guy sitting before us bears only a faint resemblance to the cute boy in the 2002 film. Emotionally too, he has wisened up. Aditya admits that like his character in Tum Bin 2, he has also seen it all - failure, heartbreak and the agony of unexpressed love. As the actor gears up for another innings in Bollywood, BT catches up with him for a candid chat. Excerpts...

Why did you choose acting instead of joining your family business?
I hoped to be a cricketer, but an injury killed my dreams. My father has produced and acted in a Garhwali film, so in a way, he opened the doors of this profession for me. He tried to induct me into our family business, but it didn't interest me.

You joined the business?
Yes, but I was unproductive. I'd just watch videos on my laptop, chat with my uncles and leave. I wanted to be in a profession that gave me an adrenaline rush. Also, my father never forced me to join the business. He wanted me to pursue whatever made me happy. My mother was a bit insecure then, but is supportive now.

People recall you as Manisha Koirala's teenaged admirer from Ek Chhotisi Love Story (2002)...
The film was ahead of its time, but people do recall it. I once met Anil Kapoor, and shyly told him that I'm a huge fan. Since he has worked with Manishaji, I thought I should tell him that I have also done a film with her. When I told him about Ek Chhotisi Love Story, he said, “You're that guy!", in his usual excited tone.

Was it tough for you in school after that film?
People in school did talk about the film, but it didn't affect me. I was just a kid, I didn't know anything. It's only after going to college that I realised what had happened.

Didn't your parents object to Ek Chotisi Love Story?
My family did not get the time to make enquiries about the film. I auditioned for the role, and 24 hours later, I was informed that I had been selected. I was asked to report to the set the next day itself. I had no clue about what was being shot, but I was never exposed to anything that wasn't suitable for my age. In fact, I was kept away when the bold scenes were shot. I've not met Manishaji after that, but I felt sad when I heard about her battle against cancer.

Did you try connecting with her?
I did, but failed. Manishaji and I had only six scenes together. I remember, there was a scene where my character slits his wrist and she comes to see him. Since there was time for her to come on the set, I went off to sleep on the bed where we were supposed to shoot the scene.When I opened my eyes, I saw her sitting in front of me, with a pigtail and no make-up. I've never seen a more beautiful woman in my life.

After that, you returned as the second lead in Purani Jeans (2014) and now, Tum Bin 2...
Purani Jeans didn't click, and so, I didn't expect to get selected for Tum Bin 2. Why would anyone bet their money on me when my films haven't worked? I gave three rounds of auditions for Tum Bin 2, and botched up the last round because I went over-prepared. Then one day, Anubhav (Sinha, director) sir called me and said that I might land the role. Later, he took me to Bhushan Kumar's office, and we inked the deal there. I took the contract and headed to Shirdi with my family to thank God.

How did you deal with failure so early on in your career?
Though Purani Jeans didn't do well, I was praised for my work and I expected good offers to come my way. But when that didn't happen, it pulled me down for a while. There were times when I needed friends to cheer me up. My mother suggested that I join the family business, but that didn't help. On some days, I would just sit in my room, watch movies and ponder about what had gone wrong. Eventually, I spoke to my well wishers and we decided to start from scratch. The plan was to look for the kind of roles played by Aditya Roy Kapur - pivotal characters, though not the lead. I was deeply hurt when I couldn't even find those. I stopped moving around for a bit, but then channeled my energies into training for taekwondo and B-Boying. And then, Tum Bin 2 came my way.

Most romantic films these days have intimate scenes, but the promo of Tum Bin 2 looks like an exception...
It's an emotional film about the kind of love that is felt, but never expressed. There are many heavy moments in the film, many dilemmas that our characters face. But we've not shot some thing that is remotely suggestive, because in stories like these, emotions do what physical proximity doesn't. We couldn't let anything go over board, not even something like touching my co star Neha Sharma's cheeks.

Isn't repeating the success of Tum Bin a tall order?
Yes, it's a huge benchmark. The names of the actors, the songs and scenes of that film are often quoted to us. I was really small when Tum Bin released, but when I saw it after signing this film, I realised why people still remember it. It's a bit unnerving, but I hope we're at least a patch over the old film.

Did you tap into your own experiences while emoting on screen?
I didn't, but like my character, I have also felt strongly for a girl and I know she too had feelings for me. However, neither of us said anything. This was about 10 years ago. So, I know how it feels to love someone and not say it. The first time I touched her was when she hugged me at her birthday party. I felt weak in the knees. I've never felt that way about anyone. Can you believe it, I still remember her phone number by heart.

You're such a hopeless romantic!
I haven't kept in touch with her. It's an incomplete story and I want it to stay that way. Several girls came into my life after her, but that spark was missing. I don't know if she and I will feel the same way if we meet again. I treasure that old feeling and so, that story is best left incomplete.

How do you react when girls hit on you?
I feel shy. When they pay me a compliment, I run away, though ideally, I should be complimenting them in return. I'm not good with that.

What are your plans after Tum Bin 2?
I'm figuring out. Right now, Tum Bin 2 is the focus.

Bollywood first sat up and noticed Anubhav Sinha about 15 years ago, when his directorial debut, Tum Bin, became a surprise hit. Though he went on to experiment with many genres and even turned producer, his technical brilliance often eclipsed his other accomplishments. As Anubhav gears up for his next directorial, Tum Bin 2, he tells us that while he is essentially a storyteller, he's no longer fighting the image of being a sound technician. Excerpts...

You've said that Tum Bin 2 is not a sequel to your debut. Why this title, then?
When I made Tum Bin, we were nobodies. It was my directorial debut, Bhushan Kumar's first film as a producer, and the main actors were also new comers. The film released in the midst of biggies like Lagaan, Gadar - Ek Prem Katha, Aks, Yaadein and Dil Chahta Hai. We got barely 100 screens, but the film was appreciated. In 2012, after social media became popular, many people asked me why I was not making a sequel. That's also the time franchises started getting made in Bollywood. When Bhushan also asked the same question, I decided it would be a good idea to helm it after a big movie like RA.One.

Go on...
We spent a lot of time, deciding which story can be titled Tum Bin 2. A random love story with a good soundtrack wouldn't have justified it. So, I revisited the first film, and based on the elements that the audience liked about it, I started working on this story.

Why did you opt for lesser-known actors?
The idea was to cast newcomers. Ideally, even the heroine should have been someone lesser known, but Neha Sharma's screen test was so fantastic that I made her an exception.

What motivated you to make this film?
It's a strange phenomenon worldwide. If a director is technically competent, his storytelling is always questioned. Take for instance, Michael Bay, who has directed Pearl Harbor and the Transformers series. When I made Dus and Cash, I'd often hear people say, 'Anubhav is a good technician. He shoots very well'. But I never took these as compliments. I know that essentially, I'm a director. The urge to prove myself as a storyteller is always at the forefront. I didn't work hard on making Tum Bin 2 look good, instead I focussed on the story, characters and moments. I feel I've won the battle.

Has life come a full circle with the sequel?
Yes, more so, because I was planning to make another film. I started with a Rs 3 crore film and my last directorial was a Rs 100 crore-project. When I stopped directing for a few years, I felt I should start a new cycle by helming another project. Tum Bin 2 is the first film of that cycle.

Why did you take a break from direction?
The whole country took note when I was making RA.One. Many wanted it to win, many didn't. No film of mine had received so much attention. To begin with, Shah Rukh Khan is larger than life. Also, the film was much bigger than both of us. Somehow, I started seeing myself as a director of big films. It took me some time to change that thought process. In the past year-and-a-half, I have become wiser. I'm not interested in the size of the film anymore, it's the story.

Do you think RA.One attracted a lot of negativity?
I don't claim to be the best filmmaker, but during the making of RA.One, I used to tell Shah Rukh that the hype is too much. The audience was expecting him to step out of the screen, which was impossible. When we made the first teaser, the brief was that nothing should register. But a tabloid ran a story of how the film was copied from various Hollywood flicks. In hindsight, it all looks a little too concerted.

There was also buzz about sequels to Dus and RA.One...
I feel proud that of the six films I made, three are franchisable. Not many make such films. I read a quote, 'As long as you want to tell a story, make the film that gets made first'. Each film has its own destiny.

So, what's next?
I have written some exciting stuff. I know the three films I want to make next, but don't know which will get made first. I will have a clearer picture in a month. I've decided to make more films now. I've been a little lethargic, but it's time to change that.

Pregnancy, though one of the most beautiful experiences in a woman's life, is no cakewalk. Even if you are faking it. Neha Sharma would know. The leading lady of Anubhav Sinha's Tum Bin 2 had a gruelling time shooting for the film with a heavy prosthetic belly throughout her 41-day schedule in Scotland.

Interestingly, Neha's pregnancy shoot was supposed to get over in a day, but for some reason - call it a jinxed shot, if you want - it would never pan out well. Finally, the actress ended up carrying the baby bump around till the last day of the schedule, when they got that perfect shot.

Says a source from the set, “Given the heaviness of the kit, Neha actually felt like a pregnant lady and exhibited the same body language. It came naturally to her.“

Ask the actress about her '41-day pregnancy' and she explains, “I had to wear a heavy prosthetic belly to the set almost daily. One day , the boys (her co-stars) wore it for fun, but took it off immediately. They couldn't bear the weight for more than a couple of minutes. So, imagine my plight.“

It's for nothing that they say moms are special.