Showing posts with label Padmini Kolhapure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Padmini Kolhapure. Show all posts
Asha Bhosle, ‘I will only do Mai if Padmini is in it’-Padmini Kolhapure
8:20 AM
Natasha Coutinho (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 14, 2026)
Actor Padmini Kolhapure’s association with late singer Asha Bhosle goes beyond films; it is rooted in family. The two, who worked together in Mai (2013) — Bhosle’s acting debut at 79 — are connected through Padmini’s father, late Pandharinath Kolhapure, a first cousin of Bhosle and her sister, late singer Lata Mangeshkar.
“She introduced me to (late actor) Dev Anand, because of which I landed my debut Ishk Ishk Ishk (1974). I called her Asha atya [father’s sister in Marathi]. As a child, I remember her coming home every Diwali with a bag full of gifts,” she shares.
Talking about Bhosle’s decision to take on Mai, the 60-year-old reveals, “I remember her saying, ‘I will only do the film if Padmini is in it’.”
She also lists some of her favourite songs sung by Bhosle that were picturised on her. “Kabhi Kisiko Muqammal Jahan Nahi Milta (Ahista Ahista, 1981), Puchho Na Yaar Kya Hua (Zamaane Ko Dikhana Hai, 1981), Anari Ka Khelna (Woh 7 Din, 1983), and so many more,” she says.
Kolhapure fondly recalls more intimate memories: “On her last birthday, she gifted Poonam (Dhillon, actor-politician) and me saris from her personal collection. Her favourite dish was Mooga Mole Randai, a Saraswat dish from the coastal regions of Goa, Karwar and Mangalore. She especially loved the one my father would prepare.”
One of my biggest regrets is missing out on working with Amitabh Bachchan-Padmini Kolhapure
10:02 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; May 6, 2025)
Padmini Kolhapure is making her return to the small screen with the historical drama Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan, nearly 12 years after her last major television role in Ekk Nayi Pehchaan (2013). “It doesn’t feel like a long time has passed because people still tag me about Ekk Nayi Pehchaan. Social media has given longevity to all our work,” says Padmini. In an interview with us, the actress gets candid about the kind of roles that excite her now, shooting bold scenes back in the day and her niece, Shraddha Kapoor. Excerpts:
‘I’M QUITE IMPULSIVE ABOUT THE FILMS I DO’
Padmini has appeared in only a few Hindi films in the last two decades. She was last seen in Panipat (2019). “I did Panipat because I thought it would be a great experience to work with Ashutosh Gowariker, given the kind of films he makes. Similarly, I did Phata Poster Nikhla Hero (2013), because it was centred around a mother and son. I loved working with Rajkumar Santoshi. He’s such an actor’s director,” she says.
Ask her about being choosy, and she says, “Honestly, I’m not excited about a lot of projects that come my way. I’m quite impulsive. The story has to resonate with me, and even if it turns out to be the worst decision of my life, it just has to touch me. I did a Marathi film called Prawaas (2020). I really liked the narrative and also enjoyed working with Ashok Saraf.”
‘I HAD MY FAMILY AROUND ME WHEN I SHOT BOLD SCENES’
The conversation touches on Padmini having filmed a few bold scenes as a teenager in movies like Gehrayee (1980), Insaf Ka Tarazu (1980) and Prem Rog (1981), long before intimacy coordinators became the norm. When asked if an intimacy coordinator would have helped back then, she replies, “Maine iss baat par dhyaan bhi nahi diya. I had my family around me then. Besides, the entire unit felt like a family.” She also points out that earlier, even small gestures could spark an uproar.
Recounting one such incident, she says, “People made a hue and cry over the peck I gave King Charles on his cheeks. Aur abhi toh sab kuch chal raha hai . Back then, it was considered taboo,” she says.
‘SHRADDHA LOOKS AND CARRIES HERSELF JUST LIKE HER MOTHER’
Padmini also often finds herself addressing frequent comparisons to her niece, new-gen actress Shraddha Kapoor. Clarifying the resemblance, she says, “She looks like her mom, who is my sister. Shivangi and I resemble each other. In fact, at one point, we were often mistaken for twins. Now, just because I am in the public eye and Shivangi is not, people tend to think her daughter resembles me. Shraddha looks and carries herself just like her mother. Despite clarifying this so many times, people still refer to her as my daughter and say, ‘ Aapki beti bilkul aapke jaisi dikhti hai ’, so I’ve started saying thank you.”
‘I AM ENJOYING THE EXPERIENCE OF PLAYING RAJ MATA’
Padmini, who is gearing up for her TV show Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan, says, “I play Raj Mata and I am enjoying the experience. The last historical character I played was in Panipat, which I enjoyed. When you wear the costumes, your demeanour changes automatically, right down to the walk.”
‘Missed working with Mr Bachchan’
Padmini was reportedly part of the original cast of Silsila (1981) alongside Amitabh Bachchan and Parveen Babi. She was replaced by Smita Patil, but the role eventually went to Jaya Bachchan.
Looking back, the actress says, “One thing is for sure, I really missed out on working with Amit ji . It was probably one of my biggest regrets, as I have worked with everyone else, and he is the only actor I haven’t worked with.”
I never wanted to act; I’m the only graduate in our entire family-Tejaswini Kolhapure
9:22 AM
Debarati S Sen (BOMBAY TIMES; March 7, 2025)
Sisters, actors, and now co-stars—Padmini and Tejaswini Kolhapure recently shared the stage for the first time ever in the musical play Ammi Akhtari, that premiered last October and feature renowned ghazal singer Talat Aziz. While the sisters’ artistic journeys have been vastly different, their deep-rooted connection with performing arts remains unchanged. In this candid conversation at Padmini’s Juhu home, the sisters discuss theatre, family, and navigating comparisons.
We are like one unit, but we also argue: Padmini
Despite their close bond, working together came with its own set of dynamics. “It was comfortable yet casual and because it was us, our rehearsals weren’t too strict! But there was a lot of learning, especially in perfecting Urdu. Padmini guided me with diction and of course Talat Ji helped us both.”
Padmini adds, “There was also extra pressure! I felt if Tejaswini is loved on stage then it’d be like a reflection on me as well and it’d be vice-versa.”
Their sisterly camaraderie has always had plenty of fun moments. “Oh, we’re always arguing, and we keep nagging each other! Our elder sister, Shivangi, is also a nag—it just runs in the family!” Padmini laughs.
I never wanted to act. I wanted to be in aviation: Tejaswini
Coming from a family deeply rooted in cinema and music, acting seemed like a natural choice. But not for Tejaswini. “I never wanted to act! I’m the only graduate in our entire family! I admired my mother and wanted to be in aviation, like her. I even worked with Jet Airways. But during training, my instructor told me, ‘You’re meant to act.’”
That set her on an unexpected path—participating in Miss India, modelling, and eventually entering TV and films. “Earlier, I’d visit Padmini’s sets and get bored. My only thrill was collecting autographs there because she worked with everyone in the industry! Theatre and working with Satyadev Dubey was actually an important part of my life,” she admits.
Padmini, on the other hand, embraced the craft early on. “Acting is an endless learning process—you never reach a point where you know it all. My father used to say that he spent his entire life mastering just one raag. It’s the same with acting.”
Earlier, comparisons with Padmini were very disheartening: Tejaswini
With Padmini being a well-established actress, comparisons were inevitable. “I didn’t feel the pressure, but others did,”
Tejaswini says. She explains, “Directors would say, ‘Padmini used to act like this, waise karke dikhao’. My response? ‘Then take her, why call me?’” Those comparisons took a toll. “In my early 20s, it was very disheartening. I withdrew for a while, went into a shell, but theatre and Satyadev Dubey’s encouragement kept me going. He always told me, ‘Your Mother India moment will come.’”
Over time, the comparisons faded. “People saw we’re very different,” says Tejaswini. “Padmini prefers commercial projects; I like offbeat roles. We have distinct identities. The kind of work I do, I don't think she’d be interested in. I like to take risks, she doesn't.”
‘We are always there for each other’
Beyond the stage and screen, the Kolhapure sisters share an unbreakable bond. “Padmini and Shivangi have been like mothers to me,”
Tejaswini shares. “When my daughter Vedika was 10 months old, I had to shoot and Padmini stepped in without hesitation. Later when Vedika was three, she took her to Abu Dhabi so I could focus on my flea market project. She has this trait of going out of her way to do things. She’s always there and she is the person that everyone in the family will go to for advice.”
Their niece, Shraddha Kapoor, also values their guidance. “She values our opinions, asks advice but eventually does what she likes!” says Tejaswini. “We’re tight-knit —Shivangi, Padmini, Shraddha, and I are always there for each other.”
Padmini, in turn, is a staunch supporter of Tejaswini’s work. “Tejaswini is a brilliant actor, and I’m not just saying that because she’s my sister,” she says. “Her performances in Paanch, Ugly, and Yes Papa were exceptional. She’s incredibly composed on stage, and she was outstanding in the English play The Graduate.”
Bringing Ammi Akhtari to life
For Padmini, Ammi Akhtari wasn’t an immediate yes. “When Saif Hyder Hasan offered the role, my first reaction was, ‘No way! Does he expect me to sing?’” she laughs. But once rehearsals began, she found herself enjoying the process. Tejaswini, who returned to theatre last year with The Graduate, was the one who convinced Padmini to take on the title role. “She was hesitant at first, but once we started rehearsing with Talat Aziz ji, it was mind-blowing!” she recalls. The play also marked a first for Tejaswini—her first full-fledged Hindi-Urdu theatre production. “I had to refine my Hindi because I grew up speaking Marathi and English.”
Ganesh Chaturthi has been one of the biggest binding forces of my life-Shraddha Kapoor
8:30 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; September 19, 2023)
It’s that time of the year when Shraddha Kapoor makes the most of festivities – with lip-smacking traditional food, family time and many devotional moments as Ganpati Bappa arrives for a day-and-a-half at her home in Mumbai. This year, too, the actress is looking forward to lots of “dhamaal” with her friends and cousins during this festive period.
The actress says, “Ganesh Chaturthi is a family tradition each one of us cherishes, especially my mom’s side of the family, because it brings together my extended family and friends.”
Shraddha says, “My mother’s side of the family has had a strong influence on my upbringing, and I am very close to the female heads of my family. This is a tradition that I want to continue and hope to carry forward.”
She spent most of her growing years at her maushi’s (Padmini Kolhapure’s) house in the same residential complex, which plays host to Ganpati every year and the festivities include “music, singing, cooking, feasting, lots of fun conversations… and a longing for the 1.5 days to stretch longer.”
Recollecting how the tradition began in her family, she shares, “It started after my aaji-aajoba (nani-nana) got married in 1962. The festivities are a blend of both their backgrounds. My aaji was from Mangalore, while my aajoba was from Kolhapur. So, even the food we have during Ganpati is a combination of delicacies from both the sides.”
The Stree actress credits the three main female members of her family for taking the festivities ahead in full throttle. “It’s the dynamic trio – my mom (Shivangi), Padmini maushi and Tejaswini maushi who get into the super women mode and take charge. My brother Siddhanth, cousin Priyank (Padmini’s son) and I look forward to feasting on varan bhaat, poori-bhaaji, modaks and kheer. We all sit on the floor and eat food served on banana leaves,” she says.
On a nostalgic note, Shraddha shares, “Siddhanth, Priyank and I would create such a ruckus. I feel so blessed to have been brought up this way with my huge family. Ganesh Chaturthi has been one of the biggest binding forces of my life, and it’s an aspect of my life that keeps me rooted. And now, we have our cousin Vedika (Tejaswini’s daughter), who is eight years old, joining our gang.”
She adds, “I have had a very strong connect with Ganpati Bappa since childhood. My faith in the divine is deeply rooted in him and he has been the most humbling force present through the ups and downs in my life”
‘My aaji used to make the most delicious modaks’
I have never made modaks, but I like to binge on them! It’s one of my favourite things to eat, and I light up every time I have one. Modaks are filled with my childhood memories, laughter and sweetness. The ones which my aaji used to make were the most delicious modaks in the world. The maximum modaks I think I have eaten in one go is probably four, but in a day, I must’ve easily had about eight!”
Prem Chopra, Padmini Kolhapure, Anu Aggarwal, Poonam Dhillon remember Saawan Kumar Tak
8:30 AM
Actors Prem Chopra, Padmini Kolhapure and Anu Agarwal, who had worked with the filmmaker, share some fond memories
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; August 27, 2022)
Producer-director-lyricist Saawan Kumar Tak, who was admitted to a suburban hospital in critical condition, passed away on August 25. He was cremated in the presence of close family members on August 26 in Mumbai.
The filmmaker, 86, succumbed to a lung infection, for which he was being treated for the last couple of days. He was known for films like Sanam Bewafa and Souten.
Padmini Kolhapure, who played central characters in his films like Souten and Preeti, says, “We had a great rapport, which extended beyond the journeys of these movies. We stayed in touch — over the years he came to watch my play and we would meet and talk. He was a lovely human being and so full of life.”
Anu Agarwal, who was in her 20s when she headlined Khal Naaikaa, recalls, “Saawan ji was always very respectful. I was a young girl, with Aashiqui’s success behind me. He chose to cast me in the film over so many senior and more reputed leading ladies. He showed a lot of faith in me and made people see me as an actress who could deliver a good performance in a tough role like that. The industry’s perception of me changed after that. I will always be grateful to Saawan ji for that.”
Prem Chopra, who was at the funeral, adds, “We did five-six films together. When he told me recently that he wanted to make his next film, I had told him to go easy with things. He had so many creative pursuits. He took highs and lows in his stride and never stopped his work. He was an involved and evolved filmmaker. And a dear friend.”
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Padmini Kolhapure and Poonam Dhillon pay tribute to the filmmaker, 86, who died on Thursday
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 27, 2022)
Padmini Kolhapure
Actor Padmini Kolhapure, who worked with late filmmaker Saawan Kumar, as a child actor in Saajan Bina Suhagan (1978) and later in Souten (1983), says, “I remember great things about working with him. I used to call him Saawan uncle, because I was a kid back then. But when I did Souten as a leading lady, he said, ‘Khabardaar mujhe uncle bola toh!’ So, I started calling him Saawan ji.”
The actor, 56, adds that he always treated her like family. “We also did a film called Preeti (1986) together, which featured me and (late actor) Rajiv Kapoor, whose birth anniversary was also on August 25, and Saawan ji passed away on the same date. Life is unfortunate. The last time I met him was around 2019. He didn’t even call me and just came home,” says Kolhapure.
Poonam Dhillon
Poonam Dhillon worked with Saawan Kumar in his 1984 directorial, Laila. The actor says, “He went so suddenly. But I am glad he didn’t have to suffer. I did one film with him, but whenever we met, he was very affectionate. He stayed close to my house, and once in a while, we would bump into each other.” The 60-year-old adds,
“He was a charming, poetic man. The songs he wrote, his thought process, his dialogues... he was a very erudite man with great command over language. Whatever he made — films or songs — always had something catchy.”
What I did in Ram Teri Ganga Maili was nothing compared to what happens today-Mandakini
4:31 PM
Sweta Kaushal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 26, 2022)
The 1985 romantic drama film, Ram Teri Ganga Maili, which marked the debut of actor Mandakini, raised eyebrows upon its release because of her bold scenes. The shots of her breastfeeding a baby and bathing in a translucent saree were quite controversial in those days.
Ask her about the same and she says, “It was not a real breastfeeding scene; it was shot in such a way that it looked like one. The cleavage that is seen on screen was all technically done. But the way skin is shown in today’s times, that (the scenes in Ram Teri Ganga Maili) was nothing. We should not even be even talking about it. Nowadays, it is all about sexuality; my scene had a purity to it.”
Mention that actor Padmini Kolhapure claimed that director Raj Kapoor wanted to replace Mandakini in the film after shooting for 45 days, and the actor, 59, says, “I am not aware (of Kolhapure being approached for the role). I am only aware that Raj Kapoor wanted me, because he wanted a fresh face, not an established face. He said, ‘How can I cast someone as the pure Ganga if they have an established image?’”
She’s now set to make a comeback in showbiz after over two decades with her music video Maa O Maa. Has ever regretted being a part of any film? “I started with a high standard. My debut was with Raj Kapoor,” ends Mandakini.
I don’t think many actresses have had a career like Shashikalatai-Padmini Kolhapure
8:03 AM
Padmini Kolhapure fondly remembers veteran actress Shashikala, who passed away at her Mumbai home on Sunday
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; April 6, 2021)
Veteran actor Shashikala Om Prakash, popularly known as Shashikala, who was a part of over 100 films and has essayed many memorable characters, passed away at her Mumbai residence on Sunday. The 88-year-old actress was seen in movies like V Shantaram’s Teen Batti Char Raasta (1953), Bimal Roy’s Sujata (1959) and Tarachand Barjatya’s Aarti (1962), to name a few. Her other prominent projects included Anupama (1966), Waqt (1965), Gumrah (1963) and Khubsoorat (1980).
Born in Solapur, Maharashtra, Shashikala started working at an early age to support her parents. While she earlier shared screen space with actors like Rajesh Khanna, Nutan, Dharmendra, Rajkumar, Shashi Kapoor and Sunil Dutt, among others, in recent years, she also worked with Govinda, Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan. Her last few films include Chori Chori (2003) and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004). Earlier in her career, she often featured as the antagonist, while her second inning saw her making the transition into a sweet, doting grandmother on screen. Besides films, she also dabbled in television with shows like Sonpari (2000) and Kise Apna Kahein (2003).
Padmini Kolhapure, who also started out young as a child artiste, had worked with Shashikala in the film Ahista Ahista, in 1981. Padmini, at that time, had just blossomed into a leading lady. Remembering the actress, who she fondly called Shashikalatai, Padmini says, “I have always called her Shashikala tai as she was elder than me. We bonded while shooting Ahista Ahista. I was a newbie as far as playing the leading lady was concerned. Her grace before the camera, her poise and the way she played her part inspired me in a big way. I had the good fortune of having the chance to see her perform. I had seen many of her films, and the way she held the audience’s attention when she came on screen, was truly impressive. I don’t think many actresses have had a career like she did — she started in the 1930s and continued well into the new millennium. I think she was commendable as an artiste and also a wonderful human being. I remember while shooting Ahista Ahista, we would chat a lot between our shots and share laughs. We would talk about so many things, including some of her older films. She had a fabulous sense of style and was legendary for so many reasons.”
Talking about her last meeting with Shashikala, Padmini says, “It’s strange, but life takes people in different directions. When you’re shooting, you’re together all the time and then suddenly, you’re on your own. We drifted apart, too. Shashikala tai had her own films to work on, and I had my career, and eventually, my marriage and family life. We met several years later socially, but we didn’t lose our connection. We spoke like no time had gone by, and our special bond was still intact. This was a few years ago. Today, she has left the mortal world. I am going to miss her, but I also know that she will live in all our hearts through so many of her incredible movies.”
Shashikala, who shone in shades of gray, dead
8:08 AM
Avijit Ghosh (THE TIMES OF INDIA; April 5, 2021)
Shashikala, who left an indelible imprint playing characters that the audience loved to hate in the Hindi cinema of 1960s and 70s, passed away in Mumbai on Sunday. She was 88.
"We don't know the exact details of her demise," Birendra Nath Tiwari, president, Federation of Western India Cine Employees told PTI while confirming the news.
The Solapur-born actor’s career spanned over six decades and 175-odd films and TV serials. Shashikala Jawalkar (later Saigal) endured a deprived childhood and struggled for years doing minor parts before finding a semblance of a foothold with V Shantaram’s Teen Batti Char Raasta (1953) and Surang (1953).
It was Bimal Roy’s Sujata (1960) where she lip-synced with Nutan, ‘Bachpan ke din bhi kya din thhey’, that drew attention and earned her a first Filmfare nomination for “best supporting actress.”
The Sixties was her most rewarding decade. Old-timers remember her fleeing sandals in hand to avoid her domineering mother (Lalita Pawar) in Junglee (1961) to sing, ‘Nain tumhare mazedar’, with Anoop Kumar. Shashikala earned a mindboggling eight Filmfare nominations (Sujata, Aayee Milan Ki Bela, Himalay Ki God Mein, Anupama, Neel Kamal and Phool Aur Patthar) and two awards (Aarti and Gumrah) for “best supporting actress”. She received a nomination every year from 1963 to 67.
For negative parts such as a manipulative sister-in-law or a woman in cahoots with the villain, she was the producer’s first choice. The movie that earned her major recognition was Rajshri’s debut production, Aarti (1963). “Shashikala gives a memorable performance as (the) bitter, scorpion-tongued sister-in-law,” said The Times of India review. In Phool Aur Patthar, she memorably essayed a dancer determined to get the man she loves (Dharmendra) at any cost.
In times when actors were tied down by an image, breaking the mold wasn’t easy. But Shashikala often delivered nuanced performances. In B R Chopra’s Gumraah, she played the mysterious secretary of Ashok Kumar. The role required her to keep the audience guessing and she succeeded with aplomb “playing a colorful role in a colorful manner”, as TOI wrote.
In Bimal Roy’s Anupama (1967), she was again excellent as a talkative girl who displays her sensitive side in the final reels. Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Khubsoorat (1980) too offered her the off-beat part of a married woman whose desire to dance is suppressed by a disciplinarian mother-in-law (Dina Pathak). In later years, Shashikala also acted in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and the TV show, Jeena Isi Ka Naam hai.
Among those who mourned her death on social media were Lata Mangeshkar, Padmini Kolhapure, director Anil Sharma and Farhan Akhtar. “She essayed every kind of role with felicity,” Mangeshkar tweeted in Hindi. Shashikala had received the Padmashri in 2007.
Images: Padmini Kolhapure’s son Priyaank ties the knot; Shraddha Kapoor, Anil Kapoor join in the celebration
8:18 AM
The actor, who got married to Shaza Morani on Thursday, will host another celebration in the Maldives next month
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; February 6, 2021)
Talking about the wedding, Siddhanth says, “Priyaank is more of a buddy than a cousin and I have known Shaza for many years. She ties me rakhi every year. They are perfect for each other. On Thursday, we had an intimate celebration at Shaza’s home after their court marriage. We made merry all evening. There was music, dancing and some delicious food to complete the celebrations. This is just the beginning. We have a dhamaal wedding ceremony, the traditional one, that will take place in the Maldives early next month.”
Apart from family members, Padmini’s Woh Saat Din co-star Anil Kapoor was in attendance for the celebration on Thursday with brother Boney Kapoor. Also on the guest list were, Juhi Chawla, Sunny Deol, Poonam Dhillon, Bhagyashree, Zaheer Iqbal, Suraj Pancholi and Zayed Khan among others. Shraddha Kapoor’s rumoured boyfriend, photographer Rohan Shrestha was also seen at the wedding.
Priyaank Sharma & Shaza Morani, dating since 16 years, to get married in 2021
7:57 AM
After 16 years, couple makes relationship official; court marriage in Feb, followed by traditional shaadi and white wedding in March
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 10, 2020)
Padmini Kolhapure’s son, Priyaank Sharma, who made his debut as an actor this year with Sab Kushal Mangal, will be tying the knot with long-time steady date Shaza Morani next year. “They have known each other since they were kids. They were in school together and stayed together in New York while pursuing higher studies. They have been in a relationship since 16 years and over the last few months, decided to make it official,” a source close to the family told Mirror.
The couple will have a registered court marriage towards the end of February 2021, followed by a traditional Indian wedding in March. “They are yet to finalise the venue for the wedding but both families are looking for a place on the outskirts of the city. It’s going to be an intimate affair with just family and close friends,” the source added.
The traditional wedding will be followed by a white wedding, with the bride and groom dressed in white, walking down the aisle hand-in-hand to exchange vows. “Both have been dreaming of a white wedding and will be living that dream in March,” the source shared.
Both families are excited about the upcoming wedding and have had several meetings over the last few months. Shaza is producer Karim Morani’s daughter and was an assistant director on Shah Rukh Khan’s Happy New Year. She aspires to be a director some day. Priyank’s father, Pradeep Sharma, has produced many films while his mother is an actress from the ’80s. He is Shraddha and Siddhant Kapoor’s cousin.
Dev Anand uncle rubbed brandy on my feet himself, trying to warm me up-Padmini Kolhapure
8:11 AM
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 26, 2020)
Padmini Kolhapure was just nine when she made her debut in Dev Anand’s Ishk Ishk Ishk. The 1974 romantic drama featured the evergreen actor in the lead opposite Zeenat Aman. It was Shabana Azmi’s first commercial outing, had the hunky Kabir Bedi and introduced Dev saab’s nephew, Shekhar Kapur, along with Zarina Wahab.
The daughter of renowed vocalist and veena player, Pandharinath Kolhapure, Padmini and her sister Shivangi, started out as playback singers. As the niece of Asha Bhosle, Padmini was mentored by singer-composer R D Burman, along with music directors Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Kalyanji-Anandji. The songs of Ishk Ishk Ishk were scored by R D, with Ashaji lending her voice to five of them. “There’s a moment in the film, maybe in a song, when I call out to Dev uncle, ‘Ei dost’ and he responds to my greeting with ‘Ei Munni’. I remember trying to imitate his inimitable style,” laughs the actress, who went on to become a powerhouse performer herself.
Almost half a century later, Padmini is grateful she started her new innings with her Dev uncle. “Not every filmmaker takes such good care of child artistes, but in his production, I was a star. Once, when I was driving to the location in Kufri with my father, we were hit by a heavy snowstorm. Since the wipers were not working, the driver of our jeep couldn’t see ahead and had to open the windscreen. We were shooting high up in the mountains and cars back then didn’t have heaters. By the time we reached, I was frozen. When Dev uncle heard this, he came running and rubbed brandy on my feet himself, trying to warm me up. He was so loving and caring, full of life and energy, and yet so chilled out,” she reminisces fondly, admitting that she had always been a fan of Dev Anand, mesmerised by the music of films like Guide , Hare Rama Hare Krishna and even Darling Darling that not many remember. “When I started interacting with him, I discovered that he was an even better person than what I had expected.”
Eight years later, they reunited for Swami Dada and Padmini recounts that there was only one awkward moment when he told her that he wanted her to smoke a bidi. “Dev uncle, I don’t think I will be comfortable doing that,” the teenager wailed. Decades later, she acknowledges that another director might have insisted on her lighting up, but Dev saab simply nodded, “Okay, just hold the bidi in your hand, you don’t have to puff it.” Remembering him as an “amiable and flexible” filmmaker, Padmini shares that while Dev saab would explain a shot to her in his distinctive style, he was okay with her doing it her way.
Dev saab and she did not work again, but Padmini would often drop by at his office for a chat. “He had a very disciplined lifestyle and retained his youthful looks and charm till the end. In all the years that I knew him, he didn’t change. He was an actor, a filmmaker and a gentleman with an undying passion for his craft,” she avers, recalling that in the two films they did together, not once did she see him leave the set, except to grab a bite during lunch time. “Those days there were no air-conditioners or coolers. But he never took off his trademark cap, muffler and jacket. While others would stand by the table fans occasionally to cool off, he was impervious to everything. I will always remember Dev uncle as a man who loved films, who loved weaving celluloid dreams,” she says.
Had he still been around, he would have turned a sprightly 97 on September 26. And Padmini and I would have sung “Chal Saathi Chal, Chalta Jaaye Har Ek Pal… Hey Parbat Pukare, Aa Mere Pyare, Peechhey Na Reh, Aage Nikal…”
Like a hero, Rishi Kapoor saved me from fire-Padmini Kolhapure
8:10 AM
As told to Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; May 1, 2020)
It is hard to believe that I will not see him again, in person. The worst part is that I couldn't be there with him and his family for the final rites. I met him in the latter part of 2019. He was jovial. I remember looking at him and thinking that the worst phase of his life is behind him. There wasn't an iota of [weakness] in his eyes. One couldn't, from his body language, gauge that he was enduring any pain or difficulty. The unfortunate turn of events was unexpected.
More than being his co-star, I was a fan. I loved Rishi and Neetu, as a couple, and wouldn't miss a single film of the duo. For me, the turning point [in my career] came when I signed a movie with him. Rishi was the one who recommended my name to Nasir Hussain, and that's how I landed up in Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai.
The first shot that we did together was for the song Poocho na yaar kya hua. I remember it vividly. I had to do a dance sequence and then hug him. I was shivering because I was a fan.
We shot [Hoga tumse pyara kaun] on a train, and it was a surreal experience. It was hot, and we were trying to look our best, and do the best that we could. Unfortunately, my scarf caught fire, and, like a true hero, Rishi ran towards me and rescued me.
He was a foodie. I'd get prawns and fish curry to the sets and we would eat together. More than him, we loved his Punjabi lunch that Neetu would send. Neetu would send healthy food, but she never knew that he'd, in fact, be eating his co-stars' meals.
He is going to be missed. My heart goes out to Ranbir and Ridhima.
If we all knew what works in this industry, everyone’s success ratio would have been 100 per cent-Priyaank Sharma
8:03 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; December 25, 2019)
Born to an actress and a film producer, it was easy for him to become another example of the industry launching one of its ‘kids’. However, in his bid to make it on his own, Priyaank Sharma decided to choose a project outside his father’s banner and find his calling before collaborating with his parents, Padmini Kolhapure and Tutu Sharma, professionally. In a chat with BT, the newcomer, who will debut in debutant director Karan V Kashyap’s Sab Kushal Mangal, stresses on the importance of fighting one’s own battles and why his parents didn’t let him start out too young in the business. Excerpts...Padmini Kolhapure kicked off her career as an actor when she was still in school. Your father made his first film when he was all of 21. By that standards, aren’t you a little late in terms of starting out?
My mother didn’t want me to visit film sets or attend fraternity gatherings when I was a kid. She believes that children are fragile and naive, and that kind of exposure can ruin their raw energy and thoughts. So many filmmakers had approached my parents to cast me, but my mother never gave in. And today, I am glad that she didn’t. She gave me room to grow up, and discover things when I was actually more prepared. That has made me the person I am. When I started shooting for Sab Kushal Mangal, she only came for the mahurat shot because she wanted me to work without feeling conscious. When she saw the trailer and gave me a tight hug, I realised how happy she was to see me chase my dreams. She can be quite critical in her assessment, but sometimes, the mother in her overtakes everything else. Even if she hasn’t said so, I know that I have a long way to go; in fact, when I recently saw the film, I felt that I could have done so many scenes better.
Given that your parents were not keen to let you start out as a kid, when did you tell them that you want to become an actor?
I was still young, though technically, I wasn’t a kid. I was always drawn to dramatics and that had prepared my parents for this decision long ago. So, they weren’t surprised when I told them, and didn’t behave like pushy parents. On the contrary, they both took turns to caution me about the industry and the profession. They made me more aware of the cons — the long hours, the toll it takes on an individual, mentally and emotionally, lack of social life and public scrutiny. When they realised that I was sure about my choice, they stood by me while I assisted filmmakers and auditioned for roles.
Do you feel that you missed out on anything because your parents didn’t let you hang out on sets or meet the fraternity at parties?
No, I don’t think so. I was an inquisitive child and I had too many questions about everything. Each time mamma saw me digressing, she would redirect me to my studies. Even when she came to my school, she would only enquire about my studies, though the teachers were happy to tell her about my skills in dramatics. When I grew up and gradually started meeting people, many were surprised that Padmini Kolhapure even had a son that old and that he didn’t behave like a star kid. To answer your question, it only worked to my advantage.
You decided to make your acting debut with a family comedy like Sab Kushal Mangal, when the industry is going through a phase of dramatic transition. So, what drew you to this film?
I consciously chose this film. My parents are from the industry, and so are my maternal cousins (Shraddha and Siddhanth Kapoor), aunt (Tejaswini Kolhapure) and uncle (Shakti Kapoor). I could have had that flashy and flamboyant launch that people often talk about. In fact, I was prepping for something like that. I took up MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) for three months and had piled on a few kilos for a film, but before we could finalise it on paper, Sab Kushal Mangal came my way and my instinct said that I should go ahead with this instead. I didn’t want a particular kind of launch, but just something that works for me. Also, I am a huge fan of Akshaye Khanna and he was part of this film. So, the project ticked all the boxes. In this film, I’ve not come with all guns blazing. There’s a lot more to showcase, but I’ll go one film at a time.
At a time when most newcomers use their first outing to showcase all their skills, why would you choose to go one film at a time?
There are no set rules here. If there was one, and if we all knew what really works, everyone’s success ratio would have been 100 per cent. For me, this was a personal choice. You have to trust what you do. I chose Sab Kushal Mangal after I heard the script. It was a challenge to understand my character’s psyche because he’s a small-town boy who finds a job in Delhi. The world of a person like that is alien to me. So, I decided to take the plunge and give it my best. One of the biggest pluses was to have about 60 scenes with Akshaye Khanna. Our director has worked for 25 years in the industry; he’s commendable.
Your mother was one of the top actresses of the 80s and was seen on the big screen (in Panipat), a month before you make your debut. Does it make you apprehensive that you might be compared to her?
I don’t want to think about it because it’s a lot of pressure to handle. If I can be half the actor that she is, I am home and I know that. But I don’t want to approach my work with that negative thought. Yes, people will compare us and expect me to act well, but I don’t want to see that with a negative mindset. I confide a lot in my mother and she is my buddy. I look at her with a lot of pride and awe. I saw her in Panipat, pulling off a negative character with such ease. I was assisting Rajkumar Santoshi on Phata Poster Nikhla Hero (2013). Someone sent her a wrong monologue and Raj ji was losing his cool. She asked him to read out the correct one to her twice, and she pulled it off in one take without any rehearsal. She blew my mind away because here I am, mugging up lines for weeks. She’s become a refined performer with all her hard work. I aspire to be a good actor like she is.
Shraddha and Siddhanth Kapoor were always there for me-Priyaank Sharma
8:24 AM
Priyaank Sharma explains why he never really missed having a sibling and that his dream film would be with his producer dad, actress mother and the extended family
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 12, 2019)
Priyaank Sharma, who debuts with the romcom Sab Kushal Mangal, the first release of 2020, reveals that he was inclined towards dramatics since he was in school but decided on becoming an actor only after a detailed discussion with his parents, producer Tutu Sharma and actress Padmini Kolhapure. “I watched films and mimicked actors but conversations with mom and dad were about studies, food and what one was doing,” he informs, adding that despite formal training in acting and filmmaking from a New York-based institute, the real learning happened while assisting Rajkumar Santoshi on Phata Poster Nikhla Hero, in which Padmini played Shahid Kapoor’s mother. “I worked closely with Raj sir on the scripting too. He was juggling multiple scripts and I learnt about drama, comedy and other zones of commercial cinema.”Once, while trying to grasp the different aspects of filmmaking, he gave his mother a different page for her scene and she rehearsed her lines. It was when the camera rolled that everyone realised the mix-up. But Padmini, being the talented actress she is, improvised on the set and got the scene done without delay.
His co-star in his debut film is Akshaye Khanna and Priyaank admits he’s a fan of his work. During the shoot, Akshaye was like an elder brother who guided him at every step. “We had multiple conversations and that gave me a lot of confidence. We have around 60-65 scenes together,” he says.
Cousins Shraddha and Siddhanth Kapoor have also been promoting the Prachi Nitin Manmohan-produced film on social media and Priyaank says they share a warm relationship. “I have never missed having a sibling of my own, because Shraddha and Siddhanth were always there for me. They are very protective of me and call up every other day to check on me,” he smiles, recalling how, when they were kids, the trio would always come up with some dance or drama performances during family get-togethers and parties. “It was more in the Michael Jackson and Sridevi zone, and even today, we perform when together.”
Scan through his Instagram account and you will find a picture of him and Siddhanth posing against a Salman Khan poster. Priyaank laughs, “This was in bhaiyya’s room; he has Bollywood posters up on his walls. Our childhood was all about MJ, Salman and Shah Rukh Khan. We kept getting clicked with their posters,” he confides.
High on his wish-list is a “family film” with his entire khandaan - mom Padmini, cousins Siddhanth and Shraddha, aunts Tejaswini and Shivangi, uncle Shakti Kapoor and his dad as a producer.
Apart from acting, the debutant is also passionate about mixing music and has performed as a DJ at private parties. “I wanted to play music as a kid, so the next step was to collect money, get a console and start mixing songs. I never accepted bookings from public spaces, but have played for family and friends,” he smiles.
Priyaank has been spotted with Karim Morani’s younger daughter, Shaza, many times and has even posted pictures with her on Instagram. Quiz him on this and he says shortly, “That’s my personal space, let’s not go there.”
Image: 1300 dancers feature in the Panipat song ‘Mard Maratha’
7:59 AM
It was shot over 13 days at an opulent set erected in Karjat
MUMBAI MIRROR (November 12, 2019)
Ashutosh Gowariker’s upcoming war epic, Panipat, featuring some of the most talented actors of the industry, is undoubtedly one of the most hotly anticipated film of the year.
With its historical setting and majestic sets, as seen in the trailer of the film, Panipat has already captivated the audience and now its first track, “Mard Maratha” is all set to release. The song has been shot on an extensive scale, replete with Peshwai ambience with a grand Ganesh idol in the background, and a whopping 1300 dancers, including lejhim dancers from Pune and authentic bull dancers.
Choreographed by Raju Khan, the song has been shot across 13 days, at regal life-size set of Shaniwar Wada in Karjat, constructed by art director Nitin Desai for the film. A refreshing song with a mix of Hindi-Marathi feel to it, “Mard Maratha” features some of the pivotal actors of the film like Arjun Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, Mohnish Bahl, Padmini Kolhapure and is composed by maestros, Ajay-Atul.
Speaking about composing this high-energy track with traditional flavour, the musician duo says, “The song celebrates the richness of the Maratha regime. We wanted to create a song which not only has a traditional feel to it but can also be enjoyed by all kinds of audiences, regardless of their age and taste in music. So, keeping that in mind we have created “Mard Maratha” in such a way that it appeals to one and all.”
The duo further adds, “The energy of the song and the way Ashu Sir has shot it, brings out the forgotten opulence of the Maratha regime and is a visual treat.”
The film is based on the third battle of Panipat, which is one of the most epic battles in the history of India that took place on January 14, 1761 at Panipat.
The action-packed period drama is produced by Sunita Gowariker and Rohit Shelatkar’s company, Vision World, features Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Kapoor and Kriti Sanon in lead roles. Helmed by Ashutosh Gowariker, the film is slated to release on December 6, 2019.
R K Studios razed, the iconic gate stays
7:44 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; August 22, 2019)
It was 71 years ago in the month of August when Raj Kapoor shot Aag (1948) with Nargis, the first film to be produced under his banner R K Films. The movie, shot at the iconic R K Studios in Chembur, gave birth to Raj Kapoor’s company and studio that went on to live for generations, even long after he passed away. In August last year, the filmmaker’s son Rishi Kapoor announced that he and his siblings had decided to sell off the studio, which faced irreparable damage in a fire in 2016.The studio, which had seen innumerable films and TV shows being shot in its premises, was also home to the Kapoor family’s annual Ganeshotsav in Chembur. Last year, Raj Kapoor’s eldest son, actor Randhir Kapoor, had told us that it was indeed the last of the celebrations in the studio, which had by then, changed hands. When we visited the site of the studio recently, we found that apart from the iconic gate, nothing of the studio really remains. Its canteen (frequented by stars of yore), the shooting floors and recording studios have all been demolished to make way for a plush complex. However, the gate of the studio will be maintained by the new developers as a memory of Mumbai and Hindi cinema’s iconic cinema landmark.
When we reached out to Randhir Kapoor, he said, “I am sad to see everything has been razed. However, the place will always hold a special place in our hearts because it’s been a part of our lives. It was my father’s legacy. When the studio got terribly damaged in that fire, we had to take a step back and think. Such decisions are not easy to arrive at. It was economically not viable for us to keep the studio, repair it and maintain it because we did not have many takers for the studio floors. The shoots have all moved to the Western suburbs. So, it only made sense to let R K Studios go. The gate, I’m told will stay as is and will continue to remind people of RK Studios. We will be thankful to the developers for that.”
Actress Padmini Kolhapure, a Raj Kapoor discovery, shot several films at the RK Studio, including her debut Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978). When we told her about the studio floor being razed, she reminisced the times when she would spend her days working at the studio. “Today, so many memories attached to R K Studios are coming back to me. It’s sad that now whenever I pass Chembur, I won’t find the studio there, but in Raj uncle’s words, ‘The show must go on’. The memories will live on forever. I shot a lot of films there, so much so that I could call the studio my second home. Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Prem Rog (1982), Rahi Badal Gaye (1985), Yeh Ishq Nahi Aasan (1984) are some of my films I vividly remember shooting for at R K Studios. I feel a stronger connection to the place because I was an R K Films’ heroine. We shot 30 per cent of Prem Rog in the studio at Chembur. We had set up massive sets for the songs. I can never forget those days when we filmed Mohabbat hai kya cheez and Yeh galiyan yeh chaubara there. I was virtually living there. Raj uncle would treat us to such amazing food, and their canteen was phenomenal, too. He would often open the theatre for me to watch some of his classics like Awara (1951) and Shree 420 (1955). He loved cinema and he wanted people to acquaint themselves with it. Raj uncle’s cottage (where he would sit and talk to us), his Holi parties, the recording rooms, the canteen — there's no corner of R K Studio that I don’t remember and that I won’t miss. Whenever I travelled to Pune, I made it a point to go past the R K Studios because I would bow before the Lord Shiva idol they have at the entrance. The studio formed a great part of the city’s legacy and I will miss it each time I pass the bend where it once stood.”
Simi Garewal, who had worked in Raj Kapoor’s Mera Naam Joker (1970), had also made a documentary on the legendary filmmaker's life. She said, “I always thought men go, but their monuments and buildings remain. Now, both have gone. But the memories will remain as long as we live. I don’t mourn the end of R K Studios, the films we made there will remain forever.”
Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, who shot a song for his last film, Jab Harry Met Sejal (2017) at the studio, told us, “R K Studios is a hallmark in progressive Indian filmmaking and it’s my privilege to have filmed there. Although it is sad to know that it does not exist physically anymore, it will live on in the ethos of Indian filmmaking forever. I would also like to point out that things change, and filmmaking techniques have changed a lot as well, so from time to time, such hard news is inevitable. I shot a song of Jab Harry Met Sejal there, and I visited the make-up rooms as often as possible in the memory of all the great film personalities like Raj Kapoor and others, who have spent time there.”
The Kapil Sharma Show: When Anil Kapoor wooed Padmini Kolhapure with food
8:33 AM
MUMBAI MIRROR (July 12, 2019)
Kapil Sharma had some surprise guests on his talk show, The Kapil Sharma Show. Actress Padmini Kolkapure and her brother-in-law, actor Shakti Kapoor, along with Krushna Abhishek and the host, took everyone on a laugh-filled trip down memory lane. When quizzed by the host on rumours that Anil Kapoor had been given the responsibility of getting her dates for Woh Saat Din, his first Hindi film as leading man, she quipped, “Yes, that’s true. And Anil got them too, quite easily, because he wooed me with these huge lunch boxes filled with tasty food every day.” So, now we know, the way to Padmini’s heart is through her stomach.Raving about the “fantastic” film, Shakti then went on to reveal that the tiffin boxes now come to his home from Anil’s as his daughter Sonam and his son Siddhanth are buddies. “So, whenever there is good food at their place, we get sent these tiffin boxes.”
The trio then played a game whereby they had to name an actor after a vegetable they most resembled. Govinda was likened to a tomato because “he wears the most fashionable clothes” while Shatrughan Sinha got adrak (ginger) because he’s “kadak”. Jeetendra was likened to a radish because of his white clothes while Johny Lever was dhaniya (coriander) because you got it for free when you go shopping for veggies. Now, that’s some food for thought.
Nanda wondered briefly if she would be able to pull off a role meant for Meena Kumari-Mohan Churiwala
8:13 AM
Besties, Waheeda Rehman and Nanda
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 30, 2019)
Their friendship started on the wrong footing. Waheeda Rehman was shooting Guru Dutt’s Kaagaz Ke Phool at the now defunct Central Studio and on another floor Nanda was filming Naya Sansar. They bumped into each other on the staircase. Nanda ji who had loved her performance in Pyaasa , paused with a friendly greeting but lost in her thoughts, Waheeda ji passed by without even a smile in acknowledgment. Later, in Filmfare, Waheeda ji clarifed she hadn’t heard her, but Nanda ji at the time perceived it as a snub and was deeply hurt.
Cut to the first day of Kala Bazar which featured both actresses. When writer-director Vijay Anand was introducing them, Waheeda ji responded with spontaneous warmth, but her usually affable co-star was more reserved remembering the earlier slight. It took a few days for the ice to thaw, but soon, both actresses were turning up on the set an hour before call time just so they could chat. And over many conversations and shared secrets, a lifelong friendship was cemented.
Kala Bazar had Waheeda ji as Dev Anand’s leading lady and Nanda ji as his younger sister. And while she carried off the role with effortless ease, by then Nanda ji, who had started her career as a child artiste, was tired of playing the baby and sister. Mohan Churiwala, a close associate of Dev saab, recalls that when the actor-filmaker approached her to play Sapna in his 1960 production, she sighed, “You are also giving me behen roles.” With her words echoing in his ears, the following year, in Hum Dono, he cast her as one of his leading ladies, along with Sadhana.
Nanda ji played Ruma, Major Verma’s wife who has a heart ailment and so cannot undergo any kind of emotional shock, which is why when he goes missing in action and is presumed dead, his lookalike Captain Anand is forced to masquerade as him. “The film had been planned with Meena Kumari and Mala Sinha and when he offered her the role, she wondered briefly if she would be able to pull off a role meant for Meena Kumari. It was a flawless performance,” raves Churiwala, pointing out that even in Kala Bazar for the scene in which the police come to arrest Dev saab, she cried without glycerine and the tears continued long after the shot was over.
Dev saab then cast her as one of his teen devian in the ’65 musical romance, flirting with her, crooning “Aise To Na Dekho” and eventually choosing to marry her simple typist over his genteel, moneyed benefactor Simi and the glamorous but lonely actress Kalpana. While on marriage, Nanda had made a pact with her bestie Waheeda that they’d marry on the same day and would continue with their dosti ever after. “And it won’t be an arranged marriage for us… Say some kind of a love marriage,” she had giggled.
Waheeda ji tied the knot with her Shagoon co-star Kamaljeet aka Shashi Rekhi on April 27, 1974. Nanda ji found love with filmmaker Manmohan Desai. The couple even got engaged, but after his untimely demise she never married and lived alone till her death on March 25, 2014.
She had gone on a self-imposed hibernation in the ’70s, returning to the screen in ’81 with Ahista Ahista, followed by Prem Rog and Mazdoor. “I’m fortunate that I featured in all her three comeback films. Nanda tai was a fabulous actress and the scene in Prem Rog where she berates me for not admitting that I’m in love with Dev (Rishi Kapoor) just before the song 'Meri Kismat Mein Tu Nahin Shayad' still gives me gooseflesh. And unlike many senior actors, she never offered advice, simply enhancing your performance with hers,” says Padmini Kolhapure.
Waheeda ji has fond memories of how her friend would burst into loud laughter without provocation but only in the company of people she liked. Padmini, too, remembers her as a warm woman, fun to be with. “Those days there were no vanity vans so between shots, I’d stroll into her make-up room. While I sat, she, once she was in costume, could never sit still. She’d stroll around the room, chatting animatedly. Nanda tai, Shashikala ji, Ashalata Wabgaonkar ji and I had all grown up in typical Maharashtrian families and when we were together, we only spoke in Marathi and found lots of things we had in common,” she smiles.
After Mazdoor in ’83, Nanda ji was rarely seen even in public, choosing to stay out of the limelight. But even today, those who knew her well remember not just her shy smiles but also her sense of fun. For me, she’s as much the weepy sister of Toofan Aur Deeya and the wheelchair bound romantic of Aaj Aur Kal as she is glam queen of Jab Jab Phool Khile and the cold-blooded murderess of Ittefaq who can kill with a look or an ice pack.
Nanda with Dev Anand in Hum Dono; with Padmini Kolhapure in Prem Rog
Padmini Kolhapure's son Priyaank Sharma to make his acting debut in Sab Kushal Mangal
8:16 AM
The comedy, produced by Nitin Manmohan’s daughter Prachi, also features Akshaye Khanna
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 23, 2019)
Actress Padmini Kolhapure and filmmaker Pradeep Sharma’s son Priyaank Sharma is all set to make his film debut with first-time director Karan Kashyap’s Sab Kushal Mangal that rolls next month. Produced by Nitin Manmohan’s daughter, Prachi, it also features Akshaye Khanna in a pivotal role.An elated Padmini told Mirror, “I’m excited. The atmosphere at home has always been non-filmi, there was no pressure on Priyaank to become an actor or a filmmaker. The choice is his.”
The doting mom recalled how even when he was in school, Priyaank was interested in dramatics and his teacher would always praise him: “He’s an avid movie buff and has done a one-year acting course from The Lee Strasberg Institute in New York.”
Prachi revealed that when her casting director sent her Priyaank’s picture, she recognised him instantly. “We had studied in the same school and in fact were in the same class,” she smiled, adding that since he suits the role perfectly, she was keen to cast him. “I spoke to dad, who is close to Tutu uncle (Pradeep), and Padmini ma’am. He told me that if I wanted Priyaank, I should go about it professionally. So, then, I went with my team to their house and gave him and his parents a narration. They laughed and laughed and immediately gave a nod to the film.”
The situational comedy has also been written by Karan, who has earlier assisted Shaad Ali on Bunty Aur Babli, Shimit Amin on Chak De! India and Mani Ratnam on Raavan. The story is set in Jharkhand, where they will shoot in a start-to-finish 45-day schedule which kicks off towards February-end.
“It’s been two months since Priyaank began his workshops, he knows the entire script by now. He is very hardworking and we can’t wait to begin,” Prachi signed off.
Veteran actress Padmini Kolhapure joins Panipat cast
8:03 AM
Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; October 9, 2018)
Earlier this year, it was announced that Arjun Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Sanjay Dutt will team up for Ashutosh Gowariker’s mega-budget war drama Panipat. Now, the team has a fresh addition to the cast — veteran actress Padmini Kolhapure.
Our source reveals, “Padmini has been roped in for the role of Gopika Bai, Sadashiv Rao’s (Arjun Kapoor) sister-in-law.” Gopika Bai was the daughter of Bhikaji Naik Raste of Wai and was married to Nana Saheb Peshwa (the son of Bajirao and Kashibai). Her childhood was consumed by the observance of religious fasting and rituals. On becoming Nana Saheb’s wife, her extreme self-interest to secure her family’s position became both her strength as well as her weakness. She wanted to ensure that her son Vishwas Rao became the next Peshwa.
Producer Sunita Gowariker said, “I feel excited that Padmini has joined this cast. She is not only a dear friend but also a good actress. She is perfect for the role.”
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