Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 26, 2018)

For 23 years, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, has been seen as Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol’s transcontinental love story which starts off on the Euro Rail and ends in a railway station in Punjab. Many real-life Rajs, having fallen in love with the idea of love after seeing the film, have hopped on a train hoping to find his Senorita while many Simrans waited to be serenaded with “Mehendi Laga Ke Rakhna.” I’ve often wondered if we’d have fallen so hopelesly in love with the on-screen couple without ‘kabab mein haddi’ Kuljeet Singh whom Simran was to be married off to.

Two decades later, Parmeet Sethi who played the role to perfection, informs how he’d learnt that the film’s director, Aditya Chopra, was looking for a guy like him, having seen him at a card party at his place. “Why like me? Why not me? I’m an actor too,” he shot back and immediately connected with Adi who, to his disappointment, told him that the TV series Dastaan had turned him into a ‘hero’ and that was not the image he had in mind for this character. Soon after, he learnt that Armaan Kohli had been signed.

The news was upsetting and disheartening and after three sleepless nights, Parmeet called Adi and pleaded with him, “This is your first film and it could well be my first film too. Give me one chance.” His earnestness got him the nod to a screen-test and Parmeet who had an idea about the story, turned up dressed for the part in knee-length cowboy boots and a leather waistcoat, jeans and a jumble of taavizes, a country gentleman ready for the hunt, knowing that he would go riding in the film. A delighted Adi admitted that the ‘look’ was bang on, but they still had to see how he came across on camera.

Parmeet was given a few scenes to enact. “Karan (Johar) was there too, along with Adi. One of the scenes were with Anupam (Kher) who played Raj’s dad and one with Shah Rukh too. Maybe there was one with Amrish Puri ji as well,” he struggles to remember, impressing everyone with his impression of a loud, brash, somewhat pompous Big Moose-like Kuljeet who was the polar opposite of him. And the role was his.

Parmeet had a considerate and supportive co-star in Shah Rukh who despite being an established star, realised that the debutant was nervous and was always ready for a retake if he wanted one. Kajol also was sweet, matter-of-fact and easy to work with. “The shoot was like a picnic during which the film just got made. It was a happy unit and the energy was infectious,” he smiles, admitting that in the original script, the film ended with Amrish Puri letting go of his daughter’s hand so she can chug off with her dilwale towards a new life. “I’ve heard that our last fight was incorporated at Shah Rukh’s insistence but I’m not sure how much that’s true.”

And even though Kuljeet was left battered and bloodied at the end, without his bride, the actor asserts that after the film’s release, he was flooded with compliments. Viewers, particularly up North, empatised and sympathised with him, calling him “apna bachcha”. Parmeet himself points out that Kuljeet’s character actually did not do anything wrong. “It was Raj who was trying to woo his mangetar away and when he learns this, he is justified in coming in his way. But Adi was sure I had to come across as the villain, because only then would Raj and Simran’s love story work,” he reasons.

The film has completed an uninterrupted 1200 week-run at Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir. The record had Kajol whooping, “1200 weeks and still running!” while Shah Rukh thanked his fans “for falling in love with us so unconditionally for so many years!” Parmeet admits that not even in his wildest dreams had he imagined his first film would still be playing after two decades or that he’d still be remembered as DDLJ’s Kuljeet. What if the story were taken forward? “Then, I’d wish for Kuljeet’s son to take away Raj’s daughter, that would be the perfect badla!” he laughs.

Lekh Tandon’s swan song, which would have marked his comeback after two decades, seems, in hindsight, like a precursor to the recent SC judgement on triple talaq
Khalid Mohamed (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 18, 2017)

Close to the weekend at an art gallery, the seasoned cinematographer Jehangir Chowdhury had updated me, “I’ve just completed shooting a film with a director who’s close to 90 as well as a first-time filmmaker who was Kundan Shah’s assistant.”

The director approaching the nonagenarian phase of his life was none other than Lekh Tandon, who passed away on Sunday, at the age of 89. Unbeknownst to most, the tenacious stalwart had completed filming Phir Ussi Mod Par, which critiques the triple talaq custom.

Quite piquantly, just as the principal scenes of the two-hour-long feature were wrapped up, in August, the Supreme Court struck down the practice which allows Muslim men to instantly divorce their wives. No extra scenes were foisted in. The legal reform will be quoted at the end of the film, which is currently in the final stages of post-production.

Shot on Mumbai studio sets, made to resemble a northern small-town, Tandon’s last film features TV star Jividha Astha, newcomer Kaif Khan and character actors Kanwaljit Singh, Parmeet Sethi and Govind Namdev.

The swan song of Tandon — whose oeuvre comprises 14 feature films and three TV serials, including Dil Darya, introducing Shah Rukh Khan, and a clutch of acting roles — has been inspired by real-life case studies of cavalierly divorced Muslim women.

Initially, he had devised the script for a TV series. On completing the writing, he believed it would work as his return to the big screen, after a hiatus of 20 years since the little-seen Do Raahain (1997), spotlighting Meenakshi Seshadri as an investigative reporter caught in the web of political skulduggery.

The director of such cherished entertainers as Professor (1962), Amrapali (1966), Jhuk Gaya Aasman (1968), Prince (1969), the sleeper hit Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaaye (1977), Ek Baar Kaho (1980) and Agar Tum Na Hote (1983), was the first to deal with the subject of surrogate parenthood with Doosri Dulhan (1993).

The drama, which was ahead of its time, revolved around a childless couple enacted by Sharmila Tagore and Victor Banerjee, who hire a surrogate mother, a sex worker, played by Shabana Azmi. Strong shades of the story went unacknowledged in the Salman Khan-Rani Mukherjee-Preity Zinta movie Chori Chori Chupke Chupke (2001), directed by Abbas-Mustan. It happens.

Chowdhury narrates that of late Tandon had moved towards themes within a social context. He adds, “Practically the entire unit worked on the project because we could never say no to him. He had given me my first break, with Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaaye immediately after I graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India. We’d have our different perspectives. On occasion he’d go with some of my suggestions. Example: the picturisation of the lullaby on Rameshwari and Madan Puri. He could be hot-tempered and he could be cool-headed. His forte was his screenplays, his lines of dialogue were simple, literate and effective.”

Soon after the devastation wrought in Mumbai by the rains of July 26, 2005, Tandon shifted from his ground-floor home in Bandra’s MIG colony to the Powai high-rise apartment of his daughter, Geeta Malhotra.

“We’re two brothers and two sisters. Dad doted on all his five grandchildren. I’m fortunate he chose to stay with my family in Powai,” Geeta states, muffling her tears. “Ever since my mother passed away seven years ago, he had developed a fear of staying alone. Also, he could never believe that the floods had destroyed his collection of books, which ranged from English classic novels and thriller paperbacks to tomes on the techniques of filmmaking. Recently, he was re-reading Rhonda Byrne’s selfhelp book The Secret.”

The daughter is confident that Phir Ussi Mod Pe, whose budget was pushed up beyond the demarcated Rs 3 crore, will find buyers. Tandon had self-financed it to a degree, partnered by his friend, businessman T Bajpayee. The two had collaborated on TV serials earlier.

According to the daughter, of his archive of works, Professor and Amrapali remained his favourites. He was always cheerful and didn’t suffer from any advanced age illnesses, till a sudden brain haemorrhage.

“He was never the same again,” she says, tears streaming, “Even when he was bed-ridden, we would trim his snow white beard which his grandchildren loved to play with.”

Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 5, 2017)

Mirror had earlier reported (August 30) that Sony’s drama, Pehredaar Piya Ki, was being pulled off the air in light of the online backlash surrounding its theme. The controversial show revolved around an 18-year-old girl, Diya (Tejaswi Prakash Wayangankar), who, compelled by circumstances, |marries nine-year-old Ratan Singh (played by Affan Khan), a hotel heir. On his deathbed, Ratan’s father Maan Singh tells Diya’s family that the couple should remarry to make the alliance legal when his son turns 21.

The show will be returning with a different name that is yet to be decided. While the female lead remains, her onscreen husband the second time around is a much older Rohit Suchanti.

A source associated with the show says, “It’s a new storyline to ensure it doesn’t run into any more controversies. Diya is still older than Ratan but the age gap isn’t as much as the last time. The shoot has kicked off in Rajasthan. Parmeet Sethi’s character, that of Ratan’s father, will be played by a new actor. The show will go on air in November.”
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Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; October 5, 2017)

Pehredaar Piya Ki found itself in an unenviable spot of being one of the most controversial shows, when it was aired in July. Slammed for its objectionable content that revolved around an 18-year-old woman getting married to a nine-year-old boy, the show was pulled off air in August after the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting led by Smriti Irani intervened in the matter.

Now, the team has returned with their latest offering. The promo, which was released yesterday, sees lead actor Tejaswi Prakash in her Diya avatar. Rumours suggest that the new show is a sequel to Pehredaar, with a time leap of 10 years.

However, speaking to mid-day, Prakash insists that it has "nothing to do with our last show". "This one will have a new name and a new concept altogether. We are not showing any flashbacks, nor are we showing a time leap where the boy [character of Ratan Maan Singh] who I was married to, has grown up. We don't want another controversy," she says matter-of-factly.

Point out that the central characters of the previous show have been retained and she says, "Pehredaar Piya Ki was a much-talked about show. So, the producers decided to retain the names of the characters this time too. That way, it would be easier for the audience to connect with these characters."

Ask Prakash her viewpoint on the controversial show and she measures her words carefully. "In hindsight, I do believe that a lot of things could have been done differently. But I am happy that we have rectified it. I am glad that the producers stood by us and the channel also gave us another chance. We have managed to put together this one in barely 20 days," she says of the show that will be aired in November.

John Abraham was planning to make a film on Gama Pehelwan
Sarita A Tanwar (DNA; July 16, 2016)


John confirms, “Yes, I have. Because Salman was making a film on wrestling. Aamir was making a film on wrestling and even though Parmeet Sethi has actually written the most beautiful script, now is not the time to make that film. I would love to revisit it at some point of time, but not for now because it’s too soon.”

B-Town hasn’t had a film on wrestling in the last few decades and now, with two coming in the same year, it makes sense to give another film on the subject a break. John nods, “That too with two big superstars. I am very happy to see that films are being made on sports, but would it really help seeing a third one?”

A wrestling film might be off the table for now, but John is fascinated by the sports genre, and that will never be off the table. He says, “I came into this industry because I saw Rocky 4 and Sylvester Stallone. He is my idol, that’s why I made a film called Rocky Handsome. I’d love to see a film on boxing and I think it’s a sport that’s universal. In terms of sport, I’d like to work on boxing and football films.”

Upala KBR (DNA; December 14, 2015)


Maneesh Sharma
Band Baaja Baaraat (2010)
and Ladies vs Ricky Behl (2011)
Anushka has done not only my debut film Band Baaja Baaraat, but I was also very involved with the casting process of Adi’s Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. I was an associate director when Adi was looking for a new girl for the film. I was the one responsible for the casting and was meeting various girls. At that point, it was under wraps that it was for an Aditya Chopra film. We were casting it as a YRF film. During one of these screen tests, in comes this girl… I was playing table tennis and perspiring a bit. When Anushka saw me, she was initially a little disgusted seeing my sweaty self, but then as we got talking, we became comfortable. My first impression of her was — here’s this girl who has come to audition and there was a strange self-assuredness and confidence. I have met lots of young talent since then and most have been nervous, but Anushka was professional, practical and gave it her best shot. I have always found this self-assuredness of hers very non-filmi. This attitude she has carried in her personality and for me, that’s the best part. I told Adi, ‘I think we have found our Tani’. He asked me ‘Why do you say that?’ I said, ‘Because she’s such a natural.’ Anushka has such a baggage-less way of performing in front of the camera which is her USP. Adi told me that Anushka acchi hai, but we should not stop our hunt. I next met Anushka at one of the fashion weeks in Delhi. It was a good stop for fresh talent, so I got an all-access backstage pass. I asked her to give me a perspective on the other girls I was meeting there. She knew they were potential competitors, but yet she participated whole-heartedly and was very fair to all the girls I met, who’s good and what the model excelled at. I told her, ‘I hope you realise that I am still looking for a new girl to play the part,’ and Anushka looked at me and said simply, ‘That’s all about destiny.’ That had a lasting impression on me. Her mixture of innocence, confidence and integrity played on me in a big way. I came back to Mumbai, told Adi and as they say… the rest is history. Maybe because we almost started our careers together, I had that connect with Anushka. She sets herself apart as a presence. In the first couple of years of her starting out, she couldn’t communicate too well with the normal audience, but I had faith in her. When we started Band Baaja Baaraat, I was adamant that Anushka play Shruti Kakkar, we now just had to figure out our Bittu. There was never any doubt in terms of her integral talent and it just became better and better. She was doing a film with Aditya Chopra and Shah Rukh Khan at just 19. She could have been a precocious kid, but she came without any baggage. Maybe because I have grown up with Anushka with regard to our careers, I am a little biased towards her.

She does films selectively and that’s a good thing. Anushka has achieved a position where she can choose to be selective. She is working with the best directors we have today and while she’s most passionate about her films, yet films are not the be-all and end-all for her. She loves to spend time with her family and friends and travel. Today, she can just take time and choose the scripts she wants to do and believes in. Anushka has an admirable integrity. The film she chose to produce first, shows that. Strangely, Anushka never surprises me that much while performing a scene. Her high degree of performance is a layered craft. As an actress and a director, we have an equation — we don’t talk much while shooting. I have to just say one line and she understands what I am trying to convey. We kind of know what’s expected, our connection is so strong. She stems from a place so honest and from the gut and heart, that individually, she strikes the right chord.

Zoya Akhtar
Dil Dhadakne Do (2015)
I met Anushka at Shah Rukh’s home at a party thrown by Gauri on their terrace. She and I hung out and spoke for some time and I found her refreshingly unaffected and unassuming after Band Baaja Baaraat’s success. I just liked her and connected with her energy and knew that at some point that I wanted to work with her. Anushka is a delight to work with — very easy and relatable. She’s into what she does and really cares about your film. There’s a mutual respect between us. Dealing with her was very simple. During the shooting of DDD, we would often dock at a town or city for a day, when we were not shooting. People would go out. Once in Rome, she was out for the day and it started raining. I called and told her that we can’t shoot the scene and if she could come back and shoot on board. Anushka came back and was ready in just half an hour! I think Anushka is doing very well in her career and making the right choices. I really look forward to working with her again.

Vishal Bhardwaj
Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola (2013)
Though I loved Anushka right from Band Baaja Baaraat, I can’t forget her very impressive debut in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. She is one of the finest actresses among the new lot and always the first choice for Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola. Anushka is a very professional actor. She did a very difficult ‘drunk’ scene opposite Pankaj Kapur in a completely sober state. Anushka not only stood her ground against an experienced actor like Pankaj Kapur but also delivered a layered, finely-nuanced performance way beyond her age and experience in the film.

Rajkumar Hirani
PK (2014)
My first encounter with Anushka was when she messaged me during Band Baaja Baaraat asking me when I would like to watch the film. I had to politely decline saying I wasn’t in town. Later, when I heard that the film was very good I went one night to the theatre to watch it, I came back completely blown by it. I called her after that saying how much I loved it. Then, when I was writing for PK, I decided that Anushka was the right girl to play Jagat Janani Sahni or Jaggu. I bumped into her at a trial of Rockstar. After the trial, I went to her and told her that I had written a script and would like to meet and talk to her about it. She didn’t reply, but kept on talking about some scene in Rockstar and how it made her cry. I was like ‘Oh, she’s not responding!’ but she continued talking and not once mentioned my script. I thought, maybe she wasn’t interested. When I got a call from her the next day asking, ‘Did you offer me a film? I am sorry I was completely ignoring what you were saying as I was into this and that.’ She was surprised that I didn’t want to do an audition or even do a reading with her, but I was very sure that only she could do it. Anushka is a wonderful actress to work with. It took us some time to complete the film but she was there everyday, sitting and reading. She is involved in everything, from the way she would do her look to her character. We made her change her hairstyle and she was so excited that she wanted to cut it short but because she was doing Bombay Velvet, she couldn’t as there would be continuity problems. Every person has a different way of working, Aamir and Boman love rehearsals and with Anushka, we did lots of rehearsals and she was always there. I knew what path she was taking. She would be sitting and rehearsing quietly in a corner and doing her bit. She is very dedicated. If she has an issue about something, she will call and ask me ‘Can we do it like this?’ She’s involved and yet, not pushy. Anushka has a very interesting voice and she uses that well. I saw NH10 and think it’s her finest work till date, PK included. I loved her in BBB, it’s what made me take her in PK, but I was blown by her performance in it. She made you scared, especially in the last scene. To do a manly scene like that for a girl is very tough and yet, because you believe in what she’s doing, you are rooting for her. Anushka is still a middle-class girl from a small town. She still hasn’t got so used to all the glamour and fame. I wish she stays like that forever.

Nikhil Advani
Patiala House (2011)
Anushka is an anomaly. She’s extremely headstrong. She came to my office when she was signed by YRF for a three-film deal, so I thought she wasn’t doing films outside. I felt I had to speak to Adi. She called me up and asked me why I did that? Her whole point was – ‘Why do people assume I cannot make decisions by myself?’ I thought I was making the right moves from one producer to another and not offending anybody, but she was like, ‘Pick up the phone and speak to me! You don’t have to go through layers to contact me.’ Even now, when I want to pitch stuff to her, I just send her a message and she messages back. I find that a very endearing quality in her. She keeps in touch with the people that she’s worked with. What struck me about her, is her approach to their work. Anushka becomes like an AD on the set, thinking not only what’s best for her own characters, but things which contribute to the film as a whole. Yet, she is very caring about her films and character and the people she loves. She’s extremely bindaas about whatever she does. She says that her private life is nobody’s business and sticks to that. She may be called an ice maiden because of that, but she is ‘take it or leave it’. Certain things are off-limits and she’s very clear about her boundaries which few are allowed to transgress.

Parmeet Sethi
Badmaash Company (2010)
"I had seen Rab Ne… and seen this very Indian girl (Anushka Sharma) when Adi suggested her name for my film. I was unsure as I didn’t know how she would perform. Her Badmaash Company character Bulbul Singh was very bold, outspoken and sexy and the complete opposite of the image she had in RNBDJ. But then, the actor in me, questioned me and pointed out that people did the same thing with me and typecast me. When I met Anushka for the first time in the YRF office, she was very talkative. She started chattering and I realised that this is exactly the character that I wanted. I don’t have to direct her — she was such a motormouth! I was like wow! That was my first impression of her. Through the making of the film, I discovered that Anushka has so many layers to her. According to me, she is the best actress in Bollywood today. She hasn’t got her due yet though she’s doing great in her career. The beauty of Anushka is that she understands what you want effortlessly. Just a nudge and in the next shot, she will give you exactly that. She is spontaneous and natural as an actor. she has just gone from strength to strength in her career. Being selective is good for her as she wants to make the right choice in scripts. She carried NH10 on her shoulders, made the real moves and on a low budget.

Navdeep Singh
NH10 (2015)
I first bumped into Anushka at Anurag Kashyap’s office but I don’t think she remembers that meeting. I had sent across the NH10 script to her and while she had read the script earlier, she couldn’t do it as she was busy with Bombay Velvet. Then she contacted me and asked me to come over to her house for a meeting. I was very impressed and taken aback by how open and honest she was the first time I met her. She was not starry at all and easy to connect with. The other producer had asked me to give a particular pitch, but I gave her the real pitch and she was happy about that. Anushka said, ‘You have told me the truth, now I really want to do it.’ As a producer, she is totally supportive. She was the only producer on set and gave us whatever resources we needed. She’s totally supportive as a producer and very hands-off creatively. Best combo ever. Before the shoot, we had workshops for a month. We shot the film in Gurgaon near Haryana and parts of it, at a village near Jodhpur in Rajasthan. The locales were gritty and real and I was worried if she could handle it, being a star. But Anushka is very fit physically and zero-fuss and handled it all with aplomb. She is up for just about everything. Though we had a body double we didn’t end up using her as most of the stunts have been done by Anushka. Once while shooting in Haryana, a mob of 3000 men surrounded our car. It was on our fifth day of shoot and I was terrified for Anushka. I thought now we can’t shoot the film. There were just a few cops and couldn’t really do anything. We sat inside the car and just locked the door. Anushka was completely calm while I was panicking sitting in the backseat with the cameraman and looking out. Anushka just sat calmly and asked, ‘Itne saare log hamein dekhne aaye hain?’ As an actress, Anushka’s willing to go that extra distance and be vulnerable on screen. She let herself look dirty, muddied up and mascara running down her face which few actresses would do. Anushka is not afraid of showing her vulnerability on screen which is a great quality. She does not hide behind a shield or mask. So, I connect to the person as opposed to the star. She’s talented, dedicated and hard-working, combined with her ability to be vulnerable as an actor. The whole shoot was memorable! All I will tell Anushka is, “Stay real!”

Neha Maheshwri Bhagat (BOMBAY TIMES; March 20, 2015)

Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 2, 2014)

Zoya Akhtar has brought Parmeet Sethi back from a seven-year hiatus. He plays a baddie in her upcoming film, Dil Dhadakne Do. The actor was last seen in the short story, Puran Mashi, in Sanjay Gupta's Dus Kahaniyaan in 2007.

A source close to the film told Mirror, "Parmeet was really surprised when he got a call from Zoya. But at the same time, he was thrilled too because he had loved her two earlier films, Luck By Chance and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. He did not take long to give his nod to the project."

When we contacted Parmeet, his wife Archana Puran Singh confirmed the news saying, "Yes, my husband is a part of Zoya's next. He was not worried about the length of the role as it's such a good offer. It will be lovely to see him back on screen. He had put a brake on his acting career when he started writing his directorial debut Badmaash Company."

Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; May 12, 2014)

Salman Khan and John Abraham have both set their eyes on producing a film on Gama Pehlwan (1880 - 1963), billed as the greatest wrestler of his time. Puneet Issar, who had directed Sallu in the 2004 film Garv, will be directing the actor’s production. Meanwhile, John has asked Parmeet Sethi to direct his film.

Interestingly, both parties claim that they were unaware of each other’s plans. Puneet Issar says, “I have been working on the subject for five years. I registered the script in 2011 with the Film Writers Association. Even the titles Gama, The Great Gama, Rustam-e-Gama, Pehelwan and Great Gama are with us.”

On the other hand, Sheel Kumar, John’s producer partner, said that they have also registered titles for the film. Parmeet said that he was shocked to hear about Salman making a film on the same subject. “I have been working on the subject for three years and the film will soon go on the floors. The titles that we have registered are The Great Gama and Rustam-e-Hind Gama. I don’t understand how two producers can register the same title.”

While John will play Gama’s role in his home production, Sohail Khan will play the lead in Sallu’s film. Puneet says, “Salman suggested Sohail’s name and he has been getting in shape for the last one year. We even have the support of the All India Wrestling Federation. We will be shooting in Patiala.”

In the past...
Salman and John had a fallout after the Rockstar stage shows in 2006. Apparently, Sallu had suggested that actors should take a pay cut in lieu of the poor collections and John had refused to do, thus upsetting Khan. The two made up when John made an appearance on Khan’s TV show, Bigg Boss, in 2011 while promoting his film Desi Boyz.

Harshada Rege (DNA; March 29, 2014)

John Abraham is one actor who puts his money where his mouth is. The actor believes in being fit and that sports education should be part of the curriculum in schools. He’s not just a sports enthusiast, but also a co-owner of Delhi Waveriders, which won the Hockey India League this year. On the movie front, after putting his weight behind films like Vicky Donor and Madras Cafe, the actor is now seeking inspiration from the world of sports. Three of the films that he is producing will focus on sports and sportsmen, who have been recognised for their achievements. He says, “I’ve always strongly supported sports and fitness and with these films I attempt to put the spotlight on subjects that have long been ignored in India.”

No cricket
When asked if these films will be made back-to-back, he says, “We are still in the pre-production stage and these projects are on paper for now.” The actor knows that none of these are formula films, but is keen to make a movie that in Bollywood language would be called hatke. He says, “I believe that content is king. Audiences are evolving and as filmmakers we shouldn’t take their intelligence for granted.” However, none of the three inspiring tales come from the world of cricket. It’s especially surprising considering the fact that one of John’s good friend is Mahendra Singh Dhoni (a movie on MSD’s life is already being planned by Neeraj Pandey). Though the actor doesn’t have any plans to make a movie based on cricket or cricketers as of now, he says he could probably attempt that in the future.

Footie fever
John starred in Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal (2007) directed by Vivek Agnihotri. It was based on football. Bipasha Basu was seen opposite him in the film that failed to create any buzz at the box-office. Now the actor will be seen playing football on screen once again, but this time Shoojit Sarcar will be in the director’s seat. The movie titled 1911 is a true story about the Mohun Bagan team. The movie, which has been written by Soumik Sen (director of Gulaab Gang), is based on Mohun Bagan’s victory over East Yorkshire Regiment in 1911. They became the first native team to have won the IFA Shield by defeating Yorkshire. The Indian players were dressed in dhotis and were barefeet, while the British wore shorts and boots.

Throwing a punch
Wrestle-mania: Next on John’s list is Gama Pehlwan. The movie will be directed by Parmeet Sethi and is another real-life story based on the life of wrestler Ghulam Muhammad Butt, who was popularly known as the Great Gama. After Independence in 1947, Gama moved to the newly created state of Pakistan. The John Bull Belt winner remained unbeaten till death in his career spanning over 50 years. The actor certainly has the physique for the role and we’re sure he’ll bulk up some more.

Professional racing
Dhoom again? John will take his love affair with bikes a step further by paying the mean machines an ode through a film. In December, the actor posted a tweet that read, ‘We need a serious film on motorcycle racing... Am planning one!!! Need feedback’. The post was followed by a picture of the International Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy), which is known to be extremely dangerous because of the high speeds on narrow, twisting streets and lanes flanked by stone walls and buildings. After Dhoom 2, this will be John’s second ride on bikes in films.

Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 6, 2014)

John Abraham has landed a heavyweight role— one of the most famous wrestlers of the country, Gama Pehlwan, better known as the Great Gama.

A biopic on the John Bull Belt winner who remained unbeaten till death is in the offing and actor turned director Parmeet Sethi, who wielded the megaphone for Shahid Kapoor-Anushka Sharma starrer Badmaash Company, will be helming the project.Apart from playing the lead, John will be producing the film under his home banner, JA Entertainment.

Parmeet, who also calls the film a sports biopic, confirmed the development and said, “Yes, I am going to direct a film on Gama Pehlwan for John and I am looking forward to it. It’s going to be a very credible film.”

One of the reasons why Parmeet went to John is the kind of films John has been producing- Vicky Donor and Madras Cafe in particular. “John wants good cinema. And that is what I intend to put on the plate.”

The film will be shot mainly in North India. John and Parmeet plan to put the film on floors sometime later this year.

The two go back to the days when they shared screen space in Kaal (2005). The duo later became thick friends on the sets of Baabul (2006).

Parmeet was first noticed in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) in which he played the character of Kuljeet, an arrogant alpha male betrothed to Kajol aka Simran.
 
ABOUT GREAT GAMA PEHLWAN
Gulaam Mohammed alias Great Gama Pehlwan was the best wrestler in the country in those times and remained unbeaten till he died on May 21, 1960. Born in Amritsar in 1882, Gama was awarded the World Heavyweight title in 1910. Gama was also known for having lifted a 1200 kg stone that was lying in Nazarbaug Palace near Mandvi. The stone that has now been kept at Baroda Museum in Sayajibaug is two-and-a-half feet in height.