Showing posts with label Paani. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paani. Show all posts
Whoever feels they want to be a part of Paani will come to me naturally-Shekhar Kapur
7:39 AM
Confident that his ambitious project on water scarcity will attract the right cast, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur on reworking the project with new producers
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; May 26, 2024)
It all began in 2002, when actor and award-winning filmmaker Shekhar Kapur first announced his desire to make Paani, an apocalyptic film on the scarcity of water. Delays in casting and finding a producer kept pushing his plans for the film. Despite all the unforeseen interruptions, the director never lost his desire to make Paani. In fact, with time and added research, the director has managed to develop the script further. After all the waiting, things are finally falling into place as Kapur finds a producer to back his ambitious project.
Kapur felt that after What's Love Got to Do With It, many in Hollywood believed that he had moved back to India, but his research on water issues got a financing company interested. “Paani is now being negotiated as an international film,” he affirmed.
In fact, he had recently visited the New York University Abu Dhabi to understand their innovative research on water desalination, wastewater treatment, water security and sustainability. “Everybody has read about my interest in water, as it is such a huge topic now. [The university] invited me to show me all the technology that they have as we are running out of water. Like how to take drinking water out of salt water in the ocean. They are also looking [to clean] brackish or sewage water,” said the actor-director, adding that his fascination with water problems started 15 years ago when he was studying about glaciers drying out.
“We always thought air and water were free until one day I came to Mumbai and found people selling cold, drinking water on the streets. The first story I ever wrote was about a man who travelled from a village to Mumbai and returned with stories of selling water. That’s where Paani developed — how some people, in times of water shortage, will be using it to control others. The story is told in a mythic way, with relationships running between them. Paani has a father, mother, brother, sister, long-lost love, daughter, and son — at the centre of it is a love story. Every relationship is connected to water, as is our relationship with love.”
Kapur informs that although Paani was supposed to be shot as a film, his vision could not be summarized in two hours, especially when new information is constantly being added.
“We haven’t decided yet whether it should be a feature film or a series. When I narrated it to the [funding company], they said I had enough material for a limited series,” he said, adding, “I don’t think the film is casting dependent. Whoever feels they want to be a part of Paani will come to me naturally.” While the cast is unclear, Kapur had earlier said that he will dedicate the film to Sushant Singh Rajput, who was passionately involved in the project until his untimely death in 2020.
Before Paani, Kapur will wrap up Masoom The Next Generation, a sequel to his 1983 film Masoom.
Priyanka Chopra is a role model and an inspiration for me-Addinath Kothare
8:17 AM
Vinay MR Mishra (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 1, 2022)
Actor-filmmaker Addinath Kothare had an eventful 2021. He shares that the year taught him “patience” and helped him mark his Hindi film debut with filmmaker Kabir Khan’s directorial, '83.
If that was not enough, last year also got him a new audience, courtesy social media, where he usually posts snaps of his chiseled body. “I have always been fitness-conscious, especially since I became an actor. However, it went to another level when I started working on the film Paani (2019),” shares Kothare. The movie — co-produced by actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas — had bagged the National Award for The Best Film on Environment Conversation.
“There was an emotional moment that happened when I was in the United Kingdom, shooting,” says Kothare, sharing a heartwarming anecdote involving Jonas. “Post shoot, when I came back to my hotel room, I found a bottle of champagne! It was sent by Priyanka. She is a role model and an inspiration for me. I strive to be like her. She has climbed to such heights and proved her mettle purely on her talent, and that gives me hope (that talent is valued),” he says.
Another girl, who is special to Kothare, is his daughter, Jiza. When asked what kind of dad he considers himself to be, he quickly responds, “Urmila (wife) is a Mother India, and I’m not yet Father India, but I am a fun father.”
My father is super protective and he didn’t want me to be caught up in the whole Bollywood thing-Ayesha Kapur
8:35 AM
Ayesha Kapur reveals why she stayed away from Bollywood, adds she is still open to acting
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 14, 2021)
It was a dream debut — a dream role with a dream cast — for Ayesha Kapur, who played a differently abled character in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Black in 2005, sharing screen space with actor Amitabh Bachchan. But other than that and a role in Sikandar (2009) as a child actor, Kapur has stayed away from films till date.
Talking about her life after Black, the 27-year-old, who grew up in Auroville, Tamil Nadu, says, “People back in Auroville don’t really watch films. People didn’t make a big deal about me having been in Black and being famous. I remember, only when I went to Puducherry would people recognize me and ask for autographs… And it would be embarrassing.”
She admits that her upbringing was different, and that is why she never let fame and money go to her head. “It was a little overwhelming, navigating all of that. But I am grateful for the opportunity to do the film,” she adds.
After the stellar debut, which got her multiple awards, it is rather hard to imagine that Kapur would not have got many more acting offers as a child actor. Here, she reveals that her father took a decision on her behalf to stay away from Bollywood.
“My father is super protective and he didn’t want me to be caught up in the whole Bollywood thing. They weren’t living in Mumbai and they didn’t want me to lead that life. At that age, one is very impressionable. People tell you that you are good and it could have had a negative impact on me,” she shares.
Kapur quickly adds that fame is not a bad thing in itself, but for a child, it is a different story. In fact, she reveals that in between school and college, she did spend some time in Mumbai, trying out an acting career, and that is when filmmaker Shekhar Kapur’s Paani happened. Unfortunately, the project never got made.
“It was a dream role for me. The film was both in Hindi and English, something I was very comfortable with as Hindi is not my first language… I had a three-film contract with the production house, and then the film got shelved and I broke the contract. My parents then insisted that I go to college, so I went back to studies,” shares Kapur, who is now an integrative nutrition health coach.
Currently based in Goa, she says living outside Auroville made her realise how difficult it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle on a daily basis.
“That also made me realise I want to be in this field. I graduated last year from Columbia University (USA) with Sociology, and I did a year long health and nutrition course. I help people achieve their health goals and be their healthier self,” explains Kapur, who also is the co-founder of an accessory company with her mother.
However, she admits there is still love left for acting. “My primary focus is the health and wellness field. But I am open to acting. I have not signed any agent yet. I have had people approach me, but nothing has materialised. I would only like to go through with it with the right kind of role,” she concludes.
Mumbai Police record Aditya Chopra’s statement in Sushant Singh Rajput’s suicide case
9:29 AM
V Narayan (THE TIMES OF INDIA; July 19, 2020)
Mumbai: The statement of filmmaker Aditya Chopra of Yash Raj Films was recorded on Saturday as part of the police probe into the suicide of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.An officer from Bandra police station said, “Chopra said his production house had signed Sushant for three movies of which two were completed. The third ‘Paani’ did not work out due to some creative differences between him [Chopra] and director Shekhar Kapur.”
Chopra reportedly told them that there were no issues between Sushant and him. DCP Abhishek Trimukhe confirmed that Chopra’s statement was recorded.
The police have also recorded statements of four doctors who treated Sushant for depression.
A police officer said they have gone through Sushant’s bank account and they had found a few transactions that were done by his girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty but it seems it was done with his knowledge.
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BOMBAY TIMES (July 19, 2020)
Mumbai Police on Saturday recorded the statement of Yash Raj Films’ (YRF) head, Aditya Chopra, as part of their investigation into actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death by suicide on June 14. He was reportedly interrogated for over four hours. The police are yet to release the filmmaker’s statement.
However, according to reports, Aditya Chopra refuted the claims made by filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, who had said that Sushant had slipped into depression after Paani, a project backed by YRF, was shelved.
Sushant had reportedly signed a three-film contract with the banner, and starred in two of their productions — Shuddh Desi Romance (2013) and Detective Byomkesh Bakshy (2015). He was scheduled to work in a third project — Shekhar Kapur’s Paani — but it got shelved.
Over the past few weeks, Mumbai Police have recorded the statements of several industry colleagues and friends of Sushant, including actress Rhea Chakraborty (his girlfriend), Sanjana Sanghi (his co-star of his last film, Dil Bechara) and filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali. On June 28, the police had also questioned Shanoo Sharma, a casting director at YRF, in connection with the probe.
Meanwhile, the hashtag #ImmediateCBIForSSR started trending on Twitter yesterday, as netizens kept demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the actor’s death.
Sushant Singh Rajput's tribute: Every story, a part of his heart
8:07 AM
Tracing Sushant Singh Rajput's four ambitious projects, including Chanda Mama Door Ke, that faced roadblocks in the past few months and their way forward
Uma Ramasubramanian, Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 17, 2020)
With Chhichhore setting the cash register ringing last year, one would have expected Sushant Singh Rajput to ride the wave of success. However, trade data shows that four of his projects, which were in the pipeline, hit hurdles.The announcement of Rajput's Chandamama Door Ke had garnered much excitement, with the leading man even undergoing training at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 2017. However, the Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan-directed film was in a limbo for three years due to its high cost. "The sci-fi film was to be mounted on a budget of over Rs 100 crore. Sushant, the director and producer Viki Rajani were seeking investors till late last year. But the movie was indefinitely pushed because of their inability to raise the required investment," says a source close to the project.
Rajput's hopes of collaborating with Shekhar Kapur were also dashed. Their labour of love, Paani, was shelved after three years of discussion and intense prep. Kapur recounted in a live chat on Monday, "When the film was shelved, he cried a lot. I cried too…The producers said, 'We will not make Paani with Sushant. Paani will not be made.' I should have tried to make another film with him, which I didn't. I left India as I was upset."
Rifleman was among the last movies the actor signed. Abundantia Entertainment's project was based on Mahavir Chakra awardee Jaswant Singh Rawat. The film ran into legal trouble last year when the makers of 72 Hours: Martyr Who Never Died claimed they had the original rights for the biopic.
A source close to the studio informs, "We were awaiting legal clearance. The film was merely postponed and would have resumed at some point."
Curious to explore different forms of storytelling, Rajput had also announced a 12-part series about Indian geniuses to be backed by Innsaei Ventures, a content-generating platform launched by the actor with business partner Varun Mathur. "The series was to study the Indian legends Chanakya and APJ Abdul Kalam, among others. Given its vast material, the project was in development over the past two years. However, rumours abound that the series now stands cancelled," says an insider.
As reported by mid-day earlier, Ship of Theseus director Anand Gandhi was in talks with Rajput for his next project, Emergency. The ambitious nature of the movie, which revolves around a pandemic, meant that the development of the script took longer than usual. "In Emergency, Sushant was to play an anthropologist, a human culture scientist. He was deeply engaged with the material since its inception. We had also discussed my web series, Saheli. He was to play a lawyer in the project," reveals Gandhi.
The filmmaker adds that besides the two projects that are currently in the scripting stage, documentary filmmaker Khushboo Ranka had developed a sci-fi film keeping Rajput in mind. "He was to play an astronaut in it. It's too early to discuss how we will take these projects ahead; Sushant was deeply connected with these scripts," adds Gandhi.
Sushant Singh Rajput at NASA in 2017
Ten films…and then, curtain call: Sushant Singh Rajput leaves behind short filmography and long list of unfinished to-dos
8:26 AM
Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 15, 2020)
Sushant Singh Rajput was known as someone perennially brimming with ideas and young energy.
So, many didn't bat an eyelid while reading his last post on Instagram. Shared with a picture of his late mother on June 3, the post seemed like an inconspicuous observation in line with the general mood across social media feeds... until Sunday afternoon, when news of the actor’s suicide broke.
A student of metaphysics and spirituality, Sushant was a stickler for perfection when it came to his craft. He passed up six films and devoted six months to Shekhar Kapur's futuristic sci-fi romantic drama, Paani, which revolved around water wars. Prep for the 34-year-old actor meant reading and re-reading the script, understanding the character, his back story, where he was coming from and where he was headed. Talking to Mirror (September 14, 2015), he had pointed out that he could have six-pack abs but not for show, “because this guy lives in the Lower City, where everybody fights to get something to eat and then, there's no water”. It was only when he realised that M S Dhoni - The Untold Story would go on the floors before Paani, that he shifted focus to the biopic, spending 18 months ‘becoming’ the titular character with former Indian wicketkeeper Kiran More. “Complete immersion is important, more so when you're playing a real-life living character. Viewers must feel you are him and not pretending to be him," he had reasoned, admitting that there were times when he felt like he was talking like Dhoni.
During that interview, he was asked what if he could fast forward to 2040, when Paani unfolds, and he looked horrified, “I wouldn't even jump a year ahead, forget 25 years. I’m a control freak, which is why I can't sleep at night for longer than four-five hours. My friends insisted that I consult a doctor, who told me that I was excited and restless for no particular reason, which is why I couldn't sleep. Also, I was afraid that if I did, I would lose control.”
Sushant was a National Olympiad winner in physics, and having grown up in a large family, had learnt the value of money early on, when he couldn’t pursue his dream of going to Stanford University. Instead, he took the All India Engineering Entrance Exam (popularly known as AIEEE) and came seventh, securing a seat in the prestigious Delhi College of Engineering. However, he dropped out in the final year. “If I had waited another six months, I could have come to Mumbai with a degree. I take time to make decisions, but once it is made, there are no regrets or uncertainty,” he had pointed out.
Starting out with TV soaps like Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil and Pavitra Rishta, he made a smooth transition to films with Abhishek Kapoor’s Kai Po Che!, for which he bagged a Filmfare Award for Best Debut. With just 10 releases, his filmography is short but varied, with films like Shuddh Desi Romance, Detective Byomkesh Bakshy, PK, Kedarnath and his last release, Chhichhore, in which Sushant played a doting dad trying to revive his son from a coma caused by a suicide attempt.
Around the release of the Abhishek Chaubey-directed dacoit drama, Sonchiriya, the actor had told Mirror that he has 12 films in the pipeline. “It’s for me to decide what to do next…There is no film that I want to do that I can’t do,” he had stated confidently. His last film, Dil Bechara, an official adaptation of The Fault In Our Stars, was gearing up for a direct-to-digital release.
Two years ago, the actor had flown down to National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to train as an astronaut to play one in a film, which he later opted out of, but not before buying a piece of land on the moon and promising to come up with his own space film. Then, as a part of his 50-dreams-to-realise list, he wanted to send kids for workshops at Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and NASA. He would regularly study constellations in the sky from the terrace of his Pavana home, also going fishing, boating and swimming in the lake close by. But he had clarilifed that both the Bandra apartment and this holiday home were rented. “The only property I own is on the Moon, besides the Maserati, which was a childhood dream,” he had informed.
During the lockdown, the actor was learning how to code for his love of computer games. He even listed down tried-and-tested methods to optimise Return of Investment on time, advising fans to get seven hours of sleep, meditate regularly, journal, exercise, optimise digital time and practice intermittent fasting to upgrade their quality of life. His words, "If you give me more money and fame, I will keep it because I am smart, but if I don’t get it, I won’t worry because I have enough already,” spoken during an interview, resonate as we bid him adieu.
Last year, he had confided that for his 33rd birthday on January 21, he had wanted to fly to Norway and paint the Northern Lights. It was one of the many things on his 150-to-do list that remained incomplete.
We are toying with the idea of naming the film, Vote Do, Paani Lo-Shekhar Kapur
7:38 AM
Shekhar Kapur. (Right) Sushant Singh Rajput was to play the lead in Paani before it was shelved
With water scarcity plaguing the country, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur revives his decade-old project Paani
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; July 5, 2019)
It has been almost a decade that the idea of Paani — a dystopian tale set in the future where water scarcity leads to wars — has been haunting Shekhar Kapur. While he appeared to make some headway in 2015 by roping in Sushant Singh Rajput as the lead, the film was subsequently shelved.
Cut to the present, Kapur is ready to revive his passion project. “Recently, upon seeing [the water crisis] in Chennai, those who were to invest in Paani came back to me and said, ‘Let’s make the film now’. What is happening in Chennai today is tragic. So, it’s not just the right time, but also imperative that the movie be made,” says the director, who intends to begin the casting process after wrapping up the web series adaptation of Amitav Ghosh’s Ibis trilogy.
Paani revolves around the mighty and powerful who exploit the poor in exchange for water. “[My film will depict] what happens when the few water companies become the most powerful entities in the world. Water becomes a weapon of economic, political and social control. [The leaders] will follow the practice of ‘Aap humko vote do, hum aapko paani denge’. I would like to make the film in parts, like Baahubali. We are also toying with the idea of naming the film, Vote Do, Paani Lo.”
Kapur, the brain behind gems including Bandit Queen (1994) and Elizabeth (1998), adds that a digital streaming platform had expressed interest in the venture. “They wanted to make a web series on the subject. But in my opinion, OTT channels like Netflix and Amazon don’t reach all sections of society. Movies are the best way to reach out to the common man.”
Despite being busy, Priyanka Chopra makes the time to give her feedback-Adinath Kothare
8:07 AM
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 21, 2018)
After the National Award-winning Ventilator, Kaay Re Rascalaa and Firebrand, Priyanka Chopra’s next Marathi production Paani, directed by actor-filmmaker Adinath Kothare, went on the floors on May 10. It is based on the real-life story of Hanumant Kendre from Nagdarwadi village in the Nanded district. Adinath stumbled upon it while watching Kendre on Aamir Khan’s television show, Satyamev Jayate, “His water-harvesting initiative, his struggle and what he did to save his village from a water crisis was remarkable. I was really moved by his interview and inspired to share his story with the world. This subject is a global issue and if you portray it in an art form, people not only understand it, but also start believing in it,” asserts Adinath.
He immediately got in touch with the show’s producer for Hanumant’s phone number. It was out of service and they didn’t have any other number. Adinath tried to get in touch with him through other means, including calling the police station in Nanded. “They gave me the number of a police station controlling the Taluka and from there I got the number of the police station in charge of the village and finally connected with Hanumant. I told him that I wanted to meet him for an interview and that’s how it all started four years ago,” the filmmaker reveals.
He entrusted his friend, writer Nitin Dixit, with the script. Nitin has earlier worked on Nila Madhab Panda’s Kadvi Hawa, which won a Special Mention at the 64th National Film Awards. “I saw how people had to walk four-five kilometres every day for water. But now they have water supply all year around. Hanumant has his own mineral water plant and even supplies to some of the neighbouring villages,” informs Adinath, who is also acting in the film alongside Subodh Bhave, Rajit Kapoor, Kishore Kadam, Girish Joshi and Rucha Vaidya.
Rashmi Kulkarni, creative producer at Priyanka’s production house, got the actress and her mother, Madhu Chopra, to hear the script. “They believed in the story and a first-time director. Despite being busy, Priyanka makes the time to give her feedback. It’s commendable,” Adinath says.
After the National Award-winning Ventilator, Kaay Re Rascalaa and Firebrand, Priyanka Chopra’s next Marathi production Paani, directed by actor-filmmaker Adinath Kothare, went on the floors on May 10. It is based on the real-life story of Hanumant Kendre from Nagdarwadi village in the Nanded district. Adinath stumbled upon it while watching Kendre on Aamir Khan’s television show, Satyamev Jayate, “His water-harvesting initiative, his struggle and what he did to save his village from a water crisis was remarkable. I was really moved by his interview and inspired to share his story with the world. This subject is a global issue and if you portray it in an art form, people not only understand it, but also start believing in it,” asserts Adinath.
He immediately got in touch with the show’s producer for Hanumant’s phone number. It was out of service and they didn’t have any other number. Adinath tried to get in touch with him through other means, including calling the police station in Nanded. “They gave me the number of a police station controlling the Taluka and from there I got the number of the police station in charge of the village and finally connected with Hanumant. I told him that I wanted to meet him for an interview and that’s how it all started four years ago,” the filmmaker reveals.
He entrusted his friend, writer Nitin Dixit, with the script. Nitin has earlier worked on Nila Madhab Panda’s Kadvi Hawa, which won a Special Mention at the 64th National Film Awards. “I saw how people had to walk four-five kilometres every day for water. But now they have water supply all year around. Hanumant has his own mineral water plant and even supplies to some of the neighbouring villages,” informs Adinath, who is also acting in the film alongside Subodh Bhave, Rajit Kapoor, Kishore Kadam, Girish Joshi and Rucha Vaidya.
Rashmi Kulkarni, creative producer at Priyanka’s production house, got the actress and her mother, Madhu Chopra, to hear the script. “They believed in the story and a first-time director. Despite being busy, Priyanka makes the time to give her feedback. It’s commendable,” Adinath says.
Priyanka Chopra's next Marathi film titled Paani
8:05 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 15, 2018)
After spending time abroad, shooting for her international projects, Priyanka Chopra wants to focus on her domestic ventures. She’ll join Salman Khan on the set of Ali Abbas Zafar’s Bharat soon, and is also looking forward to her next Marathi production, Paani. The film went on floors last week and is being helmed by actor turned-director Adinath Kothare, who is also part of Paani’s cast.
A source says, “This is the fourth Marathi venture from Priyanka’s production house, Purple Pebble Pictures. The movie is based on a true story of a man and his village, Nagdarwadi, situated in drought-affected Maharashtra.” Besides Adinath, it also stars Rucha Vaidya, Subodh Bhave, Kishor Kadam, Girish Joshi and Rajit Kapur.
When contacted, Chopra, who backed Marathi hits Ventilator (2016) and Kaay Re Rascala (2017), tells mid-day, “At my production house, we want to tell good stories, give new talent a chance and entertain the audience. There are many stories that reflect the realities of the world we live in and I believe it’s important to showcase them and bring that message to more people in a way that they can connect with. Paani is one such story and we’re looking forward to working with Adinath.”
Interestingly, the title, Paani, was copyrighted by Shekhar Kapur. But since his film didn’t take off, Chopra procured the necessary permissions to use the title for her film. “She thought Paani was perfect for her film,” adds the source.
If Aditya Chopra offers me a film that he thinks I will do a good job in, I will do it-Sushant Singh Rajput
8:53 AM
Sarita A Tanwar (DNA; May 29, 2017)
Sushant Singh Rajput has delivered a massive hit with M S Dhoni - The Untold Story, but for some reason he is not spoken about in the same breath as Varun Dhawan, Arjun Kapoor and Sidharth Malhotra. He did not have a dream launch. He made his debut with Kai Po Che, with an ensemble cast. He won Best Debut that year. He did two films after that all with YRF (Shuddh Desi Romance and Byomkesh Bakshy). Then, he had a fallout with Aditya Chopra and walked out of Paani after waiting for almost a year. He was told his career would be over. He delivered his first Rs 100 crore film with his next release. However, the industry is not acknowledging and celebrating his success like it should. And he understands this. He accepts it and perhaps, secretly enjoys it. Because that allows him to be the dark horse. Here he talks about the i chapter, the nepotism in the industry and “being Shah Rukh Khan” in his head. Read on for excerpts...
Working on your sixth film. Are you still trying to come to terms with the film industry?
I think it’s easy to understand. People talk about nepotism but I think we are just touching the subject superficially. We are just saying that outsiders find it hard to break into the industry and insiders get it easy, that’s the first thing. No one talks about how your successes and your failures are perceived and that is nepotism, too. If I do something and that’s going and you say...
Please explain..
It is not that insiders are not good, they are. But I also did something which is good but you would just punctuate that hundreds of times and you justify it. And the insiders would do anything and so nobody would question them because he or she was good. But that doesn’t take away from somebody else who was good, too. But that is there and just the room of that faith, hear what I am saying. Some failures are easily forgotten, some aren’t.
You mean that your failures are highlighted more, and your success is not celebrated as much?
I think all this is also nepotism. Anybody who says it isn’t, is either very ignorant or very powerful. That is it. I have no complaints because I have done five films that I wanted to do, I have signed some as well. Not that I didn’t have options... so, I can’t complain. But at the same time, I know that no matter how good friends I am with somebody, if my films don’t work...
...you won’t get offered their films, but you will get invited to their parties, correct?
(Smiles) Yes, that is something that has started happened lately. I am invited to parties. So I finally feel that I’ve arrived. I wouldn’t name him, but this maker just offered me a film after we had a tiff last year and just because my last film did well. It is such simple mathematics and there is nothing wrong to it. It is a money-making thing and if you are saleable — I don’t mean to emphasise that we need to network to get work — but it is expected and sometimes necessary.
SRK and you both hail from Delhi, both made it big after working on TV. Have you subconciously imbibed his style? You are accused of having a Shah Rukh Khan hangover.
Really? If it is working, I won’t complain. (Pauses) If that is true, then it is probably because we had the same acting teacher — Barry John. In fact, I got a chance to finally do a dance song in Raabta and I did his signature — arms spread — move. I’ve always wanted to do it. Because I am a big Shah Rukh fan. He’s the only reason I started.
You have often said that.
I remember coming to Swades ka set, to get his autograph, and I couldn’t meet him unfortunately. I had come from Delhi, he was shooting in Mumbai And a few years later I was dancing behind him when I was with Shiamak and I said, ‘Hi’ and he said ‘Hi’ back. And then, a few years later, when I made my debut, we were at the IIFA, he called me to his room, we sat there for 45 minutes and chatted. I was like, ‘This is it. I can’t get beyond this.’
You and SRK also have the Aditya Chopra connection. Though your experience hasn’t been as nice as his. Do you regret waiting for so many years for Paani to take off?
Yes. It was very unfortunate because I remember saying no to many films I really wanted to do at that point of time, just because I trusted somebody who was telling me, ‘No matter what, the film will be made.’ I can also understand that I am a newcomer and a filmmaker is putting in so much money, so he will have doubts, but it doesn’t take away the fact that if you decide not to do that film, you cannot not give me another film just because you know I have said no to so many films. That didn’t happen.
Did you really struggle with the decision to walk out of the film?
No, that was a very easy decision. I see few changes in myself that have happened in last four years. I am completely fearless about the consequences. I just don’t care. You will have a great time working with me because there are things I am sure of — I am professional and if you ask me to do nine things, I will do 10. You will be happy, but if it’s anything else that doesn’t contribute to what we are trying to do, then I will not take that sh*t, no matter how big or small you are. As simple as that. I think everybody who works with me, knows this and appreciates this.
How long did you wait for Paani to take off?
That was 11 months of the second year since making a debut. I did three films before that in one year and then I just had one year of doing nothing. But I shouldn’t say I wasn’t doing anything, because I was spending time with Shekhar and that did a lot for me. After waiting for nine months, in the tenth month, I got to know that it won’t happen. I waited for another month, so I would get another film but it didn’t happen. I said, ‘Fine! Let’s find out for myself.’
Did you feel you’ve burnt your bridges with him?
That’s for him to decide.
Shraddha Kapoor also had a problem with Aditya Chopra, but he recently offered her Thugs Of Hindostan. So maybe he doesn’t have that ego, and he will approach you if he has a film for you.
If he offers me a film that he thinks I will do a good job in, I will do it.
People get attracted to your success, not you-Sushant Singh Rajput
7:57 AM
Madhureeta Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; March 17, 2017)
Today, he's having a field
day his. Years ago, entry into Bollywood (Kai Po Che) from television
was nothing short of a wild card entry. A master stroke of sorts. Soon
after, Sushant Singh Rajput stumbled for a bit and got brickbats for it
too, but with his stellar performance as M S Dhoni, he changed that into
the finest willow. Yes, he excitedly admits he is single, while
shrugging off rumours of link-ups. The man who lives in the moment, is
looking forward to his next, Raabta. He talks
to us about the chances he has taken, his myopic view on life and how
he's realistic about stardom.
We wouldn't be wrong if we said you tapped your potential the most by far to play M S Dhoni...
I know that I have the capacity to do in depth research for a character. Even for Detective Byomkesh Bakshy, I knew everything about the Calcutta of the 1940s. I had even watched the Byomkesh Bakshi series, but I think that analysis doesn't somehow put you in a better position as an actor; it only gives you a right or a wrong perspective. For M S Dhoni - The Untold Story, I had a strong visual reference, so even if I didn't sit down and analyse Dhoni, I'd know how he sits, talks or plays cricket. Of course, I watched nearly 1,000 hours of video footage. Fifteen days before the shoot, I stopped doing everything else. I was just playing games. I came up with 250 multiple choice Q&As to figure what Dhoni would do in various situations. So once I was on the set, I knew this is Dhoni in a given situation.
Are you self-critical?
Yes, I am. As actors, we have to be. Sometimes even when I am performing on stage, I am not aware that it's me. I carefully use all my tools as an actor to convince myself that it's not me, and if I do that well, it works.
But are there moments when you can't convince yourself? Is there some sort of disconnect then?
As actors, we're conscious about it, but we can't plan everything. Some moments just happen. I was reading a book called Actors At Work in which Kevin Spacey was talking about Al Pacino and Dog Day Afternoon. He spoke about how he gave 51-52 takes for a scene. I don't know why our industry thinks that one-take actors are really good. Maybe they just have good memory and are confident, that's about it. Sometimes, after 10 takes you feel you are being repetitive and you want to try something different. And then, something special happens. It's tricky but it can also hugely change the moment in the scene.
After a great start with Kai Po Che, there were lows that followed. Did you feel down and out when things didn't go as planned?
No, I never felt low. First of all, I don't think about the past or future. For me, it's all about today. What matters is whether I am excited about a film or not. This is the litmus test for me. Shuddh Desi Romance was very exciting. Likewise, PK for those 15 days of shoot was thoroughly enjoyable. Interacting with Shekhar Kapur for those seven-eight months (for Paani) was wonderful, though the film didn't materialise. When I came to Mumbai, I had made a bucket list of directors. Some of the people I've worked with and some, who I am working with now, are part of that list.
At a certain stage in your career, decisions were driven by monetary reasons. It was probably a matter of survival. Have you gone past that phase?
Money was important when I was growing up. I have a big family with four siblings. I also wanted to go to a good university but I couldn't, and back then, I felt that this was an unfair world. Then, when I came to Mumbai, I was living with six-seven guys in a flat in Versova, but I don't remember complaining or regretting it. We would wake up at 4.30 am to do martial arts, head home, and step out for Shiamak Davar's classes for dance practice. In the night, we all would huddle and chat or watch movies. Those were amazing days, so I never look back and think of that time as my struggling phase.
So, when did your life change gears?
Once I started doing television, my life changed. The thing about success is that once you reach where you want to, you could get immune to it and then wonder what next. If this is what success is, then I don't want to be successful. I want to enjoy my life 365 days a year. For Detective Byomkesh Bakshy, I slogged a lot but the film didn't do well. M S Dhoni - The Untold Story did well and I felt okay. So just for the sake of a few days and weeks, I can't screw up the year. I am very myopic, I don't see that far. When people say that they have cracked the code to success, it feels so wrong because there could be so many right ways of doing something. So, if I make Pink with a different point of view, you would still probably be moved as an audience.
Earlier, TV stars were perceived differently. In recent times, filmmakers have increasingly opted to cast them in movies. Though we haven't seen as many success stories...
I was told that 25 years ago Shah Rukh Khan did it. He could do it because at that time, he was not on television every day for 30 minutes; he appeared twice a week. Television itself has changed so much over the years. Also, I think that people now have become more open to the idea of watching TV actors on the big screen. As for the success of TV actors in films, that's a chance. When I was offered Kai Po Che, I also had six-seven offers as a solo lead, but I chose the one I did for my debut. Having that clarity at the right time is what I call chance.
How different is the stardom you enjoyed on the small screen compared to being a movie star? Have attention and adulation changed you?
Yes, to a certain extent, because I would sit here in this hotel and read books for hours, but now, I know I am being watched. Also, because of technology, you can be bajaoed and scrutinised by everyone. So yes, my way of functioning has changed a bit, but the way I look at myself hasn't. When I was on TV, I used to walk on the roads, go to malls and people would recognize me. They do that even now. I guess what has changed are the pay cheques (laughs).
Ever embarrassed about a role you played on TV or in a movie?
When I came to Mumbai, I was doing plays with Nadira Babbar. There was a play where I was supposed to go on stage and say my lines for two minutes, after which Ashish Vidyarthi was to take over. I missed the cue and those two minutes seemed like 10 years. That was awkward. In the initial 19 years of my life, I was a real introvert and I couldn't talk. So, all this that I am today seems like an impossible dream. I can't believe that 15 years down the line, I can sit and talk to someone and answer questions.
Have you thought of directing a film?
Yes, I will probably direct a film sometime soon. I am also thinking about acting in it.
After being in a live-in relationship for close to seven years, you've been single for over a year now. Does it get lonely at times?
Even when I was living with my family, I would feel lonely at times. I have experienced that the more you take yourself seriously, the lonelier you feel. When I was in school, I was allowed to play my video game from 4-5.30 pm and every day I would wait for those few hours. I've lived the last 10 years like that... waiting for those few hours of my own time. Once I engage myself in work, nothing else bothers me.
You are among the most eligible bachelors in Bollywood. And you're often linked to some of the lovely ladies from the industry. More recently Kriti Sanon, your co-star from Raabta...
When you are successful, you get talked about a lot. If you fail, people will stop talking about you. I'm aware that people get attracted to your success, not you.
So, are you single?
Yes I am! Can't you see the excitement? (laughs).
We've heard that you would like to have a biopic made on your life...
No, that is not true. Someone once asked me which biopic would you like to work on next, and I said, 'Why would I want to work on another biopic? If I want to do that, I will do my biopic 10 years down the line.'
We wouldn't be wrong if we said you tapped your potential the most by far to play M S Dhoni...
I know that I have the capacity to do in depth research for a character. Even for Detective Byomkesh Bakshy, I knew everything about the Calcutta of the 1940s. I had even watched the Byomkesh Bakshi series, but I think that analysis doesn't somehow put you in a better position as an actor; it only gives you a right or a wrong perspective. For M S Dhoni - The Untold Story, I had a strong visual reference, so even if I didn't sit down and analyse Dhoni, I'd know how he sits, talks or plays cricket. Of course, I watched nearly 1,000 hours of video footage. Fifteen days before the shoot, I stopped doing everything else. I was just playing games. I came up with 250 multiple choice Q&As to figure what Dhoni would do in various situations. So once I was on the set, I knew this is Dhoni in a given situation.
Are you self-critical?
Yes, I am. As actors, we have to be. Sometimes even when I am performing on stage, I am not aware that it's me. I carefully use all my tools as an actor to convince myself that it's not me, and if I do that well, it works.
But are there moments when you can't convince yourself? Is there some sort of disconnect then?
As actors, we're conscious about it, but we can't plan everything. Some moments just happen. I was reading a book called Actors At Work in which Kevin Spacey was talking about Al Pacino and Dog Day Afternoon. He spoke about how he gave 51-52 takes for a scene. I don't know why our industry thinks that one-take actors are really good. Maybe they just have good memory and are confident, that's about it. Sometimes, after 10 takes you feel you are being repetitive and you want to try something different. And then, something special happens. It's tricky but it can also hugely change the moment in the scene.
After a great start with Kai Po Che, there were lows that followed. Did you feel down and out when things didn't go as planned?
No, I never felt low. First of all, I don't think about the past or future. For me, it's all about today. What matters is whether I am excited about a film or not. This is the litmus test for me. Shuddh Desi Romance was very exciting. Likewise, PK for those 15 days of shoot was thoroughly enjoyable. Interacting with Shekhar Kapur for those seven-eight months (for Paani) was wonderful, though the film didn't materialise. When I came to Mumbai, I had made a bucket list of directors. Some of the people I've worked with and some, who I am working with now, are part of that list.
At a certain stage in your career, decisions were driven by monetary reasons. It was probably a matter of survival. Have you gone past that phase?
Money was important when I was growing up. I have a big family with four siblings. I also wanted to go to a good university but I couldn't, and back then, I felt that this was an unfair world. Then, when I came to Mumbai, I was living with six-seven guys in a flat in Versova, but I don't remember complaining or regretting it. We would wake up at 4.30 am to do martial arts, head home, and step out for Shiamak Davar's classes for dance practice. In the night, we all would huddle and chat or watch movies. Those were amazing days, so I never look back and think of that time as my struggling phase.
So, when did your life change gears?
Once I started doing television, my life changed. The thing about success is that once you reach where you want to, you could get immune to it and then wonder what next. If this is what success is, then I don't want to be successful. I want to enjoy my life 365 days a year. For Detective Byomkesh Bakshy, I slogged a lot but the film didn't do well. M S Dhoni - The Untold Story did well and I felt okay. So just for the sake of a few days and weeks, I can't screw up the year. I am very myopic, I don't see that far. When people say that they have cracked the code to success, it feels so wrong because there could be so many right ways of doing something. So, if I make Pink with a different point of view, you would still probably be moved as an audience.
Earlier, TV stars were perceived differently. In recent times, filmmakers have increasingly opted to cast them in movies. Though we haven't seen as many success stories...
I was told that 25 years ago Shah Rukh Khan did it. He could do it because at that time, he was not on television every day for 30 minutes; he appeared twice a week. Television itself has changed so much over the years. Also, I think that people now have become more open to the idea of watching TV actors on the big screen. As for the success of TV actors in films, that's a chance. When I was offered Kai Po Che, I also had six-seven offers as a solo lead, but I chose the one I did for my debut. Having that clarity at the right time is what I call chance.
How different is the stardom you enjoyed on the small screen compared to being a movie star? Have attention and adulation changed you?
Yes, to a certain extent, because I would sit here in this hotel and read books for hours, but now, I know I am being watched. Also, because of technology, you can be bajaoed and scrutinised by everyone. So yes, my way of functioning has changed a bit, but the way I look at myself hasn't. When I was on TV, I used to walk on the roads, go to malls and people would recognize me. They do that even now. I guess what has changed are the pay cheques (laughs).
Ever embarrassed about a role you played on TV or in a movie?
When I came to Mumbai, I was doing plays with Nadira Babbar. There was a play where I was supposed to go on stage and say my lines for two minutes, after which Ashish Vidyarthi was to take over. I missed the cue and those two minutes seemed like 10 years. That was awkward. In the initial 19 years of my life, I was a real introvert and I couldn't talk. So, all this that I am today seems like an impossible dream. I can't believe that 15 years down the line, I can sit and talk to someone and answer questions.
Have you thought of directing a film?
Yes, I will probably direct a film sometime soon. I am also thinking about acting in it.
After being in a live-in relationship for close to seven years, you've been single for over a year now. Does it get lonely at times?
Even when I was living with my family, I would feel lonely at times. I have experienced that the more you take yourself seriously, the lonelier you feel. When I was in school, I was allowed to play my video game from 4-5.30 pm and every day I would wait for those few hours. I've lived the last 10 years like that... waiting for those few hours of my own time. Once I engage myself in work, nothing else bothers me.
You are among the most eligible bachelors in Bollywood. And you're often linked to some of the lovely ladies from the industry. More recently Kriti Sanon, your co-star from Raabta...
When you are successful, you get talked about a lot. If you fail, people will stop talking about you. I'm aware that people get attracted to your success, not you.
So, are you single?
Yes I am! Can't you see the excitement? (laughs).
We've heard that you would like to have a biopic made on your life...
No, that is not true. Someone once asked me which biopic would you like to work on next, and I said, 'Why would I want to work on another biopic? If I want to do that, I will do my biopic 10 years down the line.'
Sushant Singh Rajput regrets Shekhar Kapur’s Paani never taking off
8:03 AM
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; September 23, 2016)
Shekhar Kapur’s Paani starring Sushant Singh Rajput has been long in the making. Set in a futuristic world where water is controlled by multinational companies, the film was supposed to go on the floors in 2013, but it has constantly been delayed.
While Yash Raj Films, which was producing the film, has neither denied nor admitted buzz about the film being shelved, the actor regrets that Paani is no longer working out for him. “For almost a year, I was preparing for it. I rejected a lot of offers to work on it. The time I spent with Shekhar was like doing 10 years of an acting course. It was the most exciting period of my career as it was an ambitious project. I regret that it’s not happening, it taught me a lot and made me mature as an actor.”
Sushant is curently busy promoting M S Dhoni - The Untold Story. His last film, Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! (2015), received a lukewarm response. The actor realises that this time there is big money riding on his shoulders. But he is unafraid of failing. “I want to fail, but it should not be a mediocre failure. It should be massive. Ek ehsaas karne ke liye it is important to fail badly and destroy me as an individual. At the same time, I don’t want mediocre success either. I want to be part of films where I can take risks. My agenda as an actor is to learn and grow every day. I am not here for money or fame. If that were the case, I wouldn’t have quit television. I don’t aspire to be a star. I never came to this industry to be the number one star. I wanted to be a number one actor.”
Shekhar Kapur locks Raman Raghav 2.0 actress Sobhita Dhulipala for his Paani?
7:42 AM
Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; June 7, 2016)
Shekhar Kapur’s Paani, which has been in the making for over a decade, seems to be in revival mode. Earlier this year, Yash Raj Films apparently pulled out of the ‘forever’ project following creative differences with Kapur. However, the filmmaker’s recent meeting with model-turned-actress Sobhita Dhulipala has sparked rumours of a possible resurrection of the project — and casting of the leading lady. So far, only Sushant Singh Rajput had been signed for Paani.
A source says, “Sobhita is making her acting debut with Anurag Kashyap’s Raman Raghav 2.0 starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Those who have seen her work have appreciated her and recently, she even met Kapur for a long chat.”
The meeting took place at a suburban hotel, reveals the source, adding, “Shekhar was heard discussing a film project with her. However, it is not known if they was about Paani or another film. The meeting went on for a couple of hours.” Shekhar remained unavailable for comment.
There have been speculations about many actresses being considered for Paani, but without a confirmation from the filmmaker’s end. Reportedly, Shekhar is trying to get a major film studio to back his film after YRF abandoned it. Meanwhile, there is buzz about Sobhita being in a relationship with a Bollywood actor. She has confirmed it without revealing his identity.
It wasn’t meant to be. Not with Aditya Chopra. But I’ll make Paani for sure-Shekhar Kapur
9:35 AM
Subhash K Jha (DNA; June 5, 2016)
For the moment, Shekhar Kapur is busy helming a television series on Shakespeare but is still pragmatic about his pet project: Paani. Here, he speaks about the collaboration with Yash Raj Films for the film, not taking off. “It is true I am no longer doing the film with Adi (Aditya Chopra). But that doesn’t mean I won’t be doing this film. I’ve lived with the project for many years now.”
He explains the reason for the YRF pullout. “See, you have to understand that Adi is not only a producer, he is also a very accomplished filmmaker with extremely independent ideas on cinema. Adi and I are both fiercely individualistic filmmakers. We just couldn’t agree on the way Paani should be made.” What Shekhar leaves unsaid is that the budget which Shekhar required to make Paani was not agreeable to YRF or its head honcho.
Sushant Singh Rajput, who was last cast as the lead actor in Paani lost out on several projects (see box) because of this film’s delays. Says Shekhar, “We spent close to two years planning the project together. But it wasn’t meant to be. Not with Adi. But I’ll make Paani for sure.”
FILMS SUSHANT LOST OUT ON
Befikre
A source told us that SSR had been Adi’s first choice for the film, not Ranveer Singh
STATUS: Unreleased
Fitoor
He let go of the film, because the dates were clashing with Paani. The role went to Aditya Roy Kapur
STATUS: Flop
Ram-leela
His YRF contract held him back from signing on this film, which went to RS.
STATUS: Superhit
Sushant Singh Rajput feels betrayed by Aditya Chopra?
7:52 AM
The actor has cut ties with Yash Raj Films; also, the banner is no longer producing Paani
Chaya Unnikrishanan (DNA; December 10, 2015)
When Sushant Singh Rajput bagged his first Yash Raj
film Shuddh Desi Romance, the banner was eager to sign the actor for two
more projects. Which it did.
Choices, choices!
Rajput’s next film after SDR was YRF’s Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!, that had him in the titular role. All was well and his third film with the banner was supposed to be Paani directed by Shekhar Kapur. In fact, Sushant opted out of his Kai Po Che director Abhishek Kapoor’s next, Fitoor, to be a part of Paani. However, the twist in the tale is that YRF has backed out. They are no longer producing the film. And Shekhar is left in the lurch with his ambitious project. Sources say that he is now looking for an international producer to back his film.
The long wait
Shekhar, who had been waiting three years for the film to roll (it was in 2012 that YRF tied up with the director), it must be a huge setback. After all, he put his career on pause for three years and now, it seems like a waste. As it is, the director is known to invest a long time in one film and the fact that it has again hit a roadblock, can’t be easy on him, especially when he waited, trusting Aditya Chopra.
In limbo
But it’s Sushant, who has more reason to feel betrayed by the Chopra scion. First, he let go of Fitoor because his dates were clashing with Paani. Then he was approached for Ram-Leela before Ranveer Singh, but couldn’t take it up because of the YRF contract.
The last straw
However, it was losing Befikre to Ranveer that got his goat. Says an insider, “Adi had promised Sushant Befikre and then gave it to Ranveer without informing the SDR actor. This upset him and he has decided not to associate with YRF anymore.”
A spokesperson for YRF said, “Sushant is no longer a part of our talent team. We wish him all the best in future endeavours.”
I am taking Paani out of India; Indian makers don't feel strongly for water scarcity-Shekhar Kapur
7:49 AM
The filmmaker says Indian producers don't feel strongly about the water scarcity issue; meanwhile is all set to revolutionise cinema with a 13-minute short on Buddha
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 26, 2015)
Shekhar Kapur whose
futuristic fantasy drama, Paani, has been in the making for 11 years,
has finally decided not to set it in India. The film which deals with
water scarcity and features Sushant Singh Rajput and Ayesha Kapoor in
the lead now has been shelved several times in the past for various
reasons.The Bandit Queen (1994) director is now planning to shoot it abroad in 2016 and is looking for international funding. “Indian producers don't feel strongly about the issue of water scarcity so I didn't want to take the risk of making the film with such makers,“ Kapur told Mirror, adding that he is looking for a producer who not only believes in him but also the premise of the film.
Meanwhile, the 69-year-old writer-director has started working on a 13-minute film Buddha. It is on the period of enlightenment when Siddhartha distanced himself from all materialistic things to find the true meaning of life. “It will help the viewer enter his mind, look at the world through his eyes and come back,“ Kapur explained, adding that this will be possible when the viewer wears a 'Virtual Reality' headset that offers him the opportunity to choose perspectives and even situations he wants to view. “Every viewer can watch the same film differently. 'Immersive Viewing' is the next big thing and makes you wonder about the future of content creation,“ raved the filmmaker who was the guest speaker at the session on VR Technology and New Film Narratives session at the NFDC Film Bazaar in Goa on Monday.
Best known for films like Masoom, Mr India and Elizabeth, which was nominated in seven categories at the Academy Awards, Kapur admitted that he had always wanted to make a film on Buddha but realised that a three-hour narrative could be too long in today's times while a shorter format would find it difficult to get screen time. “There are only 8000 screens in India and if one big Bollywood film takes up 5000 screens, there is little left for the remaining 15 languages. The only way our cinema can survive is by empowering our filmmakers,“ he reasoned.
He pointed out that today everyone carries a screen in his pocket and can watch films on the handset. “People all over the world are creating content on their smartphones and will soon be using the VR technology to customise film viewing further. It helped me explore what happened to Buddha during and after his enlightenment,“ he added. “I'm trying to give the audience a feeling of what could have happened in his mind, how he saw the world and, how it changed for him.“
From her statues Cleopatra looked like Jennifer Lawrence-Shekhar Kapur
8:25 AM
Shekhar Kapur is scouting for an actress to play Cleopatra in his TV series; also working on a series on William Shakespeare
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 17, 2015)
Shekhar Kapur is all set for a royal reign on television. The writer-director recently announced a "huge" TV series on Cleopatra and is currently scouting for an actress to play her. "I'm travelling all over the world. I may have to change my email id soon with all the pictures flooding in," he laughs. "It took me eight months to find Cate Blanchett to play Elizabeth. I hope I find my Cleopatra sooner."
The role has become synonymous with Elizabeth Taylor after she starred in the 1963 historical. Shekhar is looking for a younger actress to play her from the age of 18 to 39. "She was not Egyptian but of Greek descent. From her statues, Cleopatra looked a little like Jennifer Lawrence which is not to say that we'll be going to her, she would be too busy," he says. Shekhar points out that everything we know about the Queen was from the Romans who saw women as subordinate to men and hated her. They believed she was an evil seductress who made Julius Caesar and Marc Antony fall in love with her. The series will re-image her history and show her as a brighter, richer and better administrator-ruler than the men of her time. "I see her as a powerful woman, a conqueror, like my Elizabeth and Bandit Queen. The series will retell her story," he asserts.
Does he view her death as murder or suicide? "It was suicide. Octavian Augustus, the Caeser then, defeated her in battle and wanted to take her to Rome in chains to destroy her myth. But before he could do so, she died with a snake—the symbol of spirituality, infinity and motherhood— at her breast. Even in death she stole the show from Augustus. He was a great ruler but no one remembers him. They remember Cleopatra and the myth she created," he reasons, adding that he is in talks with four channels and hopes to start filming soon.
But before Cleopatra he will film another TV series on William Shakespeare. "It's the Bard's life story. I have Baz Luhrmann's screenplay writer, Craig Pearce, who worked with him on The Great Gatsby, Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge!, collaborating with me," exults Shekhar, pointing out that today's feature films are all about franchises. "They are entertaining but not the best stories. The best dramas, like Breaking Bad and Orange Is The New Black are playing on TV. Even in India, people are hooked on western TV series which are drawing the best directors."
With his futuristic fantasy drama, Paani, expected to set a shooting date by October, how will he juggle three projects? "Only two episodes of the TV series, House Of Cards, playing on Netflix was directed by executive producer David Fincher. After that, it's a new director every week. I will direct the first two episodes, then, since I have conceived and worked with the writer, I will oversee the two series and focus on Paani," he says.
I am a control freak; can't sleep for more than 4-5 hrs - Sushant Singh Rajput
7:54 AM
Sushant Singh Rajput doesn't sleep much but isn't spending sleepless nights over his current projects or the seven scripts he has in hand
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 14, 2015)
Sushant Singh Rajput has
already done six months of prep on Shekhar Kapur's futuristic sci-fi
romantic drama, Paani, revolving around water wars. Prep meant reading
and re-reading the script, understanding the character, his back story,
where he's coming from and where he's going.
The role also requires a physical transformation since this character needs to be skinny. “He can have a six-pack but not for show because this guy lives in the Lower City as everybody there fights to get something to eat. And then, there's no water,“ Sushant reasons, adding that when he realised that M S Dhoni: The Untold Story would go on the floors before this one, he switched gears to focus on the biopic.
Paani's been in the news for years. So when is it finally going to take off? “A film with a budget of over Rs 120 crore takes time. But I have been told that in October they will tell me exactly when it will start. I gave up six films for this one.“ he reveals.
If he could fast forward to 2040, which is when the film unfolds, what would he want to see... and flee from? “I wouldn't even jump a year ahead, forget 25 years. I'm a control freak which is why I can't sleep at night for longer than four-five hours. Prodded by my friends, I consulted a doctor and I was told that I was excited and restless for no particular reason which is why I couldn't sleep. Also, I was afraid that if I did, I would lose control,“ admits Sushant, who is gearing up to get into action with Dhoni.
Besides these two films, there's also Dinesh Vijan's love story. But hasn't Alia Bhatt walked out of the film? Who's replaced her? “That's not my job to know, I don't sign a film on the basis of the heroine. For me the script is the priority, followed by my equation with the director and the pay cheque. In this case, I don't think the script has changed or I would have known,“ he quips.
Meanwhile, Sushant has given the nod to seven scripts and admits he might end up doing at least three of these films. “By the end of the year there should be some announcements,“ he promises. “The filmmakers wanted to make them immediately but I told them to hold on till the Dhoni biopic was halfway through and they had fixed a timeline. Otherwise there would be more talk about delays,“ he smiles, refusing to divulge more.
The role also requires a physical transformation since this character needs to be skinny. “He can have a six-pack but not for show because this guy lives in the Lower City as everybody there fights to get something to eat. And then, there's no water,“ Sushant reasons, adding that when he realised that M S Dhoni: The Untold Story would go on the floors before this one, he switched gears to focus on the biopic.
Paani's been in the news for years. So when is it finally going to take off? “A film with a budget of over Rs 120 crore takes time. But I have been told that in October they will tell me exactly when it will start. I gave up six films for this one.“ he reveals.
If he could fast forward to 2040, which is when the film unfolds, what would he want to see... and flee from? “I wouldn't even jump a year ahead, forget 25 years. I'm a control freak which is why I can't sleep at night for longer than four-five hours. Prodded by my friends, I consulted a doctor and I was told that I was excited and restless for no particular reason which is why I couldn't sleep. Also, I was afraid that if I did, I would lose control,“ admits Sushant, who is gearing up to get into action with Dhoni.
Besides these two films, there's also Dinesh Vijan's love story. But hasn't Alia Bhatt walked out of the film? Who's replaced her? “That's not my job to know, I don't sign a film on the basis of the heroine. For me the script is the priority, followed by my equation with the director and the pay cheque. In this case, I don't think the script has changed or I would have known,“ he quips.
Meanwhile, Sushant has given the nod to seven scripts and admits he might end up doing at least three of these films. “By the end of the year there should be some announcements,“ he promises. “The filmmakers wanted to make them immediately but I told them to hold on till the Dhoni biopic was halfway through and they had fixed a timeline. Otherwise there would be more talk about delays,“ he smiles, refusing to divulge more.
Hrithik Roshan is the most replaced actor of today?
8:01 AM
DNA (June 12, 2015)
Though Hrithik Roshan seems to be the first choice for
several directors, they end up making the film with other actors. A
lowdown...
Shhuddhi
Karan Johar’s film was planned with Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor Khan as the lead. But at some point, he walked out. Aamir Khan was supposedly approached, Salman Khan was signed, but ultimately, the buck has stopped at Varun Dhawan.
Paani
Shekhar Kapur’s Paani was first planned with Roshan Jr. A futuristic film on water scarcity would have looked amazing on Hrithik’s filmography but the actor wasn’t in the mood to time travel for water. Sushant Singh Rajput swiftly replaced him, but now the buzz is that the film has been shelved..
Kabir Khan’s next
The film is yet to be titled but it has already exchanged hands. Kabir Khan was very keen to work with the Greek God in his next film but before we could hear an announcement, he apparently got replaced by Salman Khan since Krrish ke paas waqt nahi hai. His Mohenjo Daro has blocked all his dates and so he cannot spare any.
Sushant Singh Rajput and Abhishek Kapoor to team up again?
7:42 AM
Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; March 25, 2015)
The gossip mills are buzzing about Sushant Singh Rajput’s possible reunion with Abhishek Kapoor aka Gattu, who had launched him in Kai Po Che! (2013).
The actor was supposed to work with his mentor in Fitoor, but according to reports, he was tactfully elbowed out of the project. Sushant had kept himself free for the film, which was consistently pushed ahead — from October 2013 to March 2014 and then July 2014 — and he signed Shekhar Kapur’s Paani and Dibakar Banerjee’s Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! Consequently, he had to opt out of Fitoor over clash of dates and Aditya Roy Kapur replaced him.
Recently, when Abhishek saw the trailer of his upcoming whodunit, he called up Sushant and spoke about teaming up on a future project, says an industry source. “They are eager to work together after Fitoor is wrapped up. But it’s too early to give out the details of their conversation,” the source adds.
Sushant is also looking forward to reuniting with Abhishek. “Of course I want to work with him, but nothing is confirmed as yet,” he says.
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