Showing posts with label Netherlands. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Netherlands. Show all posts
Manoj Bajpayee would often sit in our script reading sessions-Deepak Kingrani
4:45 PM
Winning praise for Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai, writer Kingrani on how Manoj played a key role in fine-tuning the social drama’s script
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; June 15, 2023)
In 2017, Deepak Kingrani left his cushy corporate job in the Netherlands to pursue writing. Six years on, the screenwriter is flooded with congratulatory calls for penning Manoj Bajpayee’s powerful social drama Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai. From earning in euros to moving to a creative job in Mumbai wasn’t a difficult shift, he says, as his passion for writing kept him going.
“I got to write Special Ops [2020], which was a fantastic experience. There wasn’t a single day when I regretted leaving my job for this,” smiles Kingrani.
Apoorva Singh Karki’s directorial venture, which sees Bajpayee as a lawyer, is based on the 2013 rape case against self-styled godman Asaram Bapu. Through the ZEE5 film, both Karki and Kingrani wanted to focus on sexual abuse involving godmen.
“Being a father to a daughter, I personally connected with the story. For us, the story began with the idea that we know [there are] bad guys. But when someone you worship and consider god-like breaks your trust, the betrayal and pain is far more. We are all spiritual people, and we don’t like how [faith] gets a bad perception because of these people,” says Kingrani.
What makes him happier about the success of Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai is that the screenplay was a collaborative effort, with the leading man bringing in his years of expertise. “Manoj sir has a rich experience of working with several directors and reading scripts. He’d often sit in our script-reading sessions. Sometimes he would tell me, ‘I need a strong dialogue here to convey the emotion,’ while Suparn [Varma, creative producer] would play the devil’s advocate.”
Saiyami Kher is training to participate in the Ironman triathlon in New Zealand
8:04 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; July 22, 2022)
Saiyami Kher will participate in Ironman 70.3 New Zealand, one of the toughest triathlons comprising a mix of swimming, cycling and running, which will take place in February next year. She had earlier tried to take part in the Ironman race in the Netherlands in 2020, but could not attempt it due to the pandemic.
The actress, who has already started training for the race in New Zealand, says, “I have always set fitness goals for myself. The full marathon (42kms) was ticked off the bucket list, but my next goal is the Ironman. I was disappointed when I couldn’t participate in the race in the Netherlands in 2020.”
Saiyami says, “It has also been mentally challenging to be self-motivated when clueless about the race course. Fortunately, things are better now.”
Her inspiration to take part in marathons has been model-actor, Milind Soman. She elaborates, “Milind Soman is the only actor to complete the Ironman challenge, which comprises four-km swimming, 180 km cycling and 42 km running. It’s the ultimate test of one’s physical and mental stamina that I hope to experience soon. I am attempting the half-Ironman in New Zealand in February 2023, which comprises a two-km swim; 90 km of cycling and; 21 km of running. Trust me, it is tough.”
Talking about the preparation for the half-Ironman in New Zealand, the fitness-enthusiast shares, “There are plans to club the Ironman with a cricket test series that I can watch after my race. I have already been training for it. I know the drill better this time around as I had trained for it two years ago. I have also bought myself a nice treadmill so that I can do my runs at home at my convenience.”
No matter how busy her acting schedule keeps her, Saiyami always finds time to train in sports. “The sportsperson in me will always stay alive. There is a sense of accomplishment with marathons and races; they give me a goal to work towards and keep me motivated,” she says, adding, “I always find the time to play or train, no matter how busy I am. I have just done a film where I am a cricketer. It was the best experience ever as I got to play cricket to my heart’s content.
My father and I are control freaks. It’s in a good way-Ira Khan
8:00 AM
Aamir Khan’s daughter Ira Khan talks about making her debut as a theatre director
Hasti Doshi (BOMBAY TIMES; November 21, 2019)
Ira Khan, daughter of actor Aamir Khan, is all set to debut as a director with a Greek theatrical play, Medea. In an interview with BT, the 22-year-old talks about her future plans, which include working in Bollywood and directing her father. Excerpts...
Your father is an actor and we usually see children following in their parent’s footsteps. But you have chosen to be a director. Was acting never on your mind?
I have always been very clear about wanting to get into direction. I do not want to act, as I don’t feel comfortable in front of the camera. Also, I don’t think I am a very good actor. Had I wanted to be one, I would have worked towards it, but I feel that production and direction are more interesting.
What were your childhood aspirations?
They still keep changing. There was a time when I wanted to be a painter, and then a teacher. At one point, I wanted to play football professionally. Then there was a phase when I wanted to be a photographer; in fact, I recently got myself a camera. I have even thought of becoming a farmer and setting up an animal shelter. In short, you name it and I have thought of taking it up as a career!
Having so many aspirations, at what point did you decide to be a director?
I haven’t decided yet, as I am going to be multiple things in life, and for now, I am into direction. I used to be a part of inter-college plays and had even directed this play when I was in college in the Netherlands. When I came back to Mumbai, I took up production work and one day, when I was at Prithvi theatre, I just felt that this stage was perfect to direct Medea. I chose this particular story because its plot and characters are interesting. The story does not belong to this age, yet the issues discussed in it are relevant even today.
How involved are your parents (Aamir and Reena) in your career?
They pretty much let us decide what we want to do. They just make sure that we are doing something good and not just sitting on a couch and watching TV. If there are any questions or suggestions, I do ask them, but otherwise, we are free to choose our own path.
If you get into movies, which genre would you like to direct?
Anything but horror (laughs!). I am very scared of horror films, so I don’t want to touch that genre. I would love to direct an action film.
Any particular actor you would like to work with?
It’s interesting how every time I watch a film, I think of how I would make the actors do certain scenes. So far, there’s no one actor on my mind, I’m excited to direct anybody at this point.
Do you wish to direct your father some day?
Maybe some day, when I have a better understanding of the craft. Working with somebody you know personally can be complicated, and that’s not specifically for my dad, but applies to everyone. I want to be sure of myself before I work with my dad because he is really well read, like everybody else in the family. So, when I’m sure about myself, I will think about directing him.
Being so young, how do you handle actors or difficult situations on the set?
Everybody has been nice to me on the set and they have all taken me seriously. I was worried initially, but there have been no such issues. As long as I am making sense and know what I am talking about, I don’t think that actors really care if I’m young or not.
What is that one quality you have picked up from your father?
My father and I are control freaks. It’s in a good way and I don’t mind being one. Once we are given some work or project, we are focused on it and forget everything else around. Like right now, I am directing this play and that’s all I have been doing for the past few months.
We hear your brother Junaid is interested in acting, is it true?
Yes, he is interested in acting.
You have been quite open about your relationship with musician Mishaal Kirpalani on social media...
I am okay talking about it. These things depend on individuals, whether they want to be open or not is their choice.
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