Showing posts with label Pavan Malhotra. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pavan Malhotra. Show all posts
15 Years of Delhi-6: How could I receive death threats for making a film about national integration?-Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
8:17 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; February 21, 2024)
Delhi-6 won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration at the 57th National Film Awards in 2010. However, it was also a film for which Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra received death threats. Reflecting on the moment he learnt about the award, he wrote in his book, “Suddenly, the dark humour came back full circle: how could I receive death threats for making a film about national integration?” As the film completes 15 years, let’s take a closer look at it.
Delhi-6: What’s in the name?
During the research of the film, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and scriptwriter Kamlesh Pandey were walking in the lanes of Old Delhi and encountered a street fight.
Pandey, who stayed as a guest at Mehra’s Old Delhi house for a month, told us, “While roaming in the bylanes of Old Delhi, we spotted a 14 or 15-year-old boy getting cornered by other boys. They were about to hit him, when he said, ‘Haath na lagaiyo, Delhi-6 ka launda hoon main’. I loved that attitude! That’s when we changed the film’s title from Monkey Man to Delhi-6. Delhi-6 isn’t just a pin code of the Walled City; it is an identity.”
‘The characters are based on real people from Old Delhi’
Most of the characters in the film are based on real people. Pandey said, “Do bhai jinhone deewaar toh khadi kar li beech mein, lekin taana sunaate hain deewar ke paas se (referring to characters played by Om Puri and Pavan Raj Malhotra). Woh dono saath mein drink nahi karte thay lekin dono do glass rakhte thay. I met these two brothers in Old Delhi. We have included everything that Old Delhi residents do.”
The Venice Cut of Delhi-6
The film didn’t perform well at the box office in India. But six months after Delhi-6 released, Mehra and his team spent three days shooting a new beginning and modifying the ending.
In the new version, they retained what was in the original script so the audience would know from the beginning that Roshan (Abhishek Bachchan’s character) would die. The new version went to the Venice International Film Festival, where it got a late night slot in the main theatre.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Two climaxes were shot for the film: one in which Abhishek’s character Roshan dies as mob lynches him and another in which he survives.
- The pigeon, Masakali, wasn’t in the script initially. “(A R) Rahman kept humming Masakali, and made me hear the track in the middle of the night. After which, I added the pigeon Masakali to the script,” says Mehra
- The film premiered at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York
- Samir Chanda received the National Award for best production design for his re-creation of Old Delhi
- Scriptwriter Kamlesh Pandey met many girls in Old Delhi who would leave home in salwar-kameez and change clothes after leaving the area, Sonam’s character, Bittu, took inspiration from that
—With excerpts from A Stranger In The Mirror
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Every actor has that one song that makes them a star. For me, it was Masakali. Even after so many years, I am remembered as Masakali
- Sonam Kapoor
I've always found old Delhi to be a microcosm of India. It's as if India has shrunk, and everything that's in India has been placed within the Walled City. And that was my whole mindset as we were writing and filming Delhi-6. It's my favourite film, my favourite child.
- Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
There were too many challenges in shooting at the real location. So, we created sets in Sambhar near Jaipur and filmed there. From signboards, havelis and lanes to even posters on the walls - everything was a replica of what we saw in old Delhi
- Nitin Wable, art director
OMG 2 had to pay the price because of Adipurush-Pavan Malhotra
8:51 AM
Syeda Eba Fatima (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 8, 2023)
After actors Govind Namdev, Akshay Kumar and Pankaj Tripathi expressing their disappointment about their film OMG 2 getting an A certificate, another cast member, actor Pavan Malhotra, has voiced his dissatisfaction with the Central Board of Film Certification not giving it a U/A certificate.
The actor says the film may have suffered because of Adipurush, which faced intense criticism for hurting religious sentiments. “I’ve not watched it, but from what I have heard and understood, it’s because of what happened with Adipurush, that OMG 2 did not get the U/A certificate. Mera andaaza hai yeh,” says Malhotra, adding, “There was a lot of criticism around that film and people were hurt. So, somewhere, our film had to pay the price. Otherwise, at maximum, the censor board might have given it a 12+ or 14+ certificate.”
Many are also disappointment with the makers for not fighting enough for a U/A certificate for the film. But Malhotra says releasing a film is not as easy as it may seem. “It’s very tricky and there’s a lot of hassle involved. For instance, the dates are decided much in advance. Maybe the makers did not have enough time to fight for a U/A certificate. I’m happy audiences will be able to see the uncut version of the film when it drops on OTT soon,” he wraps up.
I met Yash Chopra, Subhash Ghai, Chetan Anand, Govind Nihalani, but nobody gave me work-Pavan Malhotra
8:27 AM
Soumitra Das (AHMEDABAD TIMES; February 15, 2023)
Be it plays, TV shows like Nukkad, acclaimed movies like Bagh Bahadur, Pardes, Black Friday and Rustom, or OTT projects, Pavan Raj Malhotra has aced every medium in his nearly four-decade long career. The veteran actor, who was in Ahmedabad to attend the Karnavati Literature and Film Festival 2023 as a speaker, was at his candid best during the session and spoke at length about his journey in showbiz. Excerpts:
‘I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BECOME SO SUCCESSFUL AFTER COMING TO MUMBAI’
I used to do a lot of theatre, but I never thought that I would get a chance to do films. I would think, Mumbai mein kaun mujhe kaam dega? My dad would always tell me, ‘Theatre kar ke kuch nahi hone wala, you must join our family business.’
In Mumbai, right from Yash Chopra, Subhash Ghai and Chetan Anand to Govind Nihalani, I met all big directors, but nobody gave me work. But eventually, I worked with many of them and I have learnt that jo aap ke hisse mein hoga, woh aap ko right time pe milega. Most of the work I did after that fell into my lap. I never thought that I would become so successful and I am grateful for all the love I have received.
Also, one important lesson that I have learnt over the years is that no matter how successful you become, you must remain grounded. The beauty of our profession is that it always keeps you on your toes and every role comes with a new challenge. There’s no such thing as going beyond the script, sab kuch script mein hi hota hai.
Also, it’s always a delight to work with filmmakers who have an eye for talent. For instance, who other than Satyajit Ray could have thought of Amjad Khan as Wajid Ali Shah in Shatranj Ke Khilari, especially after he had played Gabbar? I am also happy to see realistic cinema getting its due. So, the exposure that OTT has ensured for our audience has brought about a welcome change.
Fans say they have watched Jab We Met more than Sholay-Pavan Malhotra
8:29 AM
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 26, 2022)
Actor PavanRaj Malhotra is amazed that even after 15 years, people remember Jab We Met (2007), and, more importantly, his short role. He played the role of actor Kareena Kapoor Khan’s uncle, Prem Singh Dhillon, in filmmaker Imtiaz Ali’s movie.
“Initially, I wasn’t keen on doing the uncle’s role, but it was a good experience, as the director let me do my thing. There were a lot of improvisations. The line, ‘Maar maar ke tumba bana denge’, is mine. My dad would say that,” Malhotra recalls.
The 64-year-old feels that the film’s music, too, contributed to its success, as the songs were loved by all. “I have met fans who say they have watched Jab We Met more than Sholay (1975)! People love to watch re-runs of the film. A guy told me, ‘Jab low feel karte hain, tab Jab We Met dekh lete hain’. For audiences, it is a feel-good family film, something one can watch anytime. Though the premise is of a girl running away from home, there was no negative character in it,” he says.
Gulshan Devaiah talks about fronting Shiksha Mandal; working with Taapsee Pannu, Saiyami Kher
8:02 AM
Gulshan, who fronts Shiksha Mandal, on bagging Taapsee-led Blurr and his next with Saiyami
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 1, 2022)
Shiksha Mandal, which puts the spotlight on education scams in the country, is headlined by the ever-dependable Gulshan Devaiah. The actor says the ZEE5 series offered him yet another complex character to add to his filmography. “Aditya [his character] is an ordinary guy, but circumstances in his life force him to be the hero,” he says.
Working with actors he has admired was another reason to say yes to the project. “Pavan Malhotra and I used to meet at the gym. He has always taken a keen interest in my work. I had heard of Gauahar [Khan’s] reputation of [going beyond] a reality TV star and being a good actor. That is true.”
After delivering wonderful performances in Badhaai Do and Shiksha Mandal, Devaiah will round off 2022 with Blurr that sees him opposite Taapsee Pannu. For her maiden production, Pannu chose to adapt the Spanish thriller, Julia’s Eyes (2010), which revolves around a woman who has to investigate her twin sister’s death before she loses her eyesight.
Devaiah is happy about his first collaboration with the actor-producer. “I had a nice time filming Blurr with Taapsee and Ajay [Bahl, director]. Taapsee and I have good on-screen chemistry.”
For now though, he is focusing on his next with Saiyami Kher, which is produced by Anurag Kashyap. Teaming up with Kher has been a joy for him. “We had worked together on Unpaused [2020], but to do a full-length feature film with her is fun. We bonded over the script, and our love for cricket. Our partnership is like that of Sachin [Tendulkar] and [Rahul] Dravid.”
Some actors have not given a single hit but are seen are stars-Pavan Malhotra
8:31 AM
Pavan Malhotra shares his thoughts about the nature of stardom in Bollywood
Abhimanyu Mathur (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 17, 2022)
While there have been several onscreen projects about education scams in India — from Setters (2019) and The Whisteblower to Jugaadistan — actor Pavan Malhotra says his latest show is not “yet another web series on the education scam”. He says the story is important as it talks about how “undeserving people” take the spot of those more talented or deserving.
When we draw parallels with the nepotism debate in the entertainment industry, Malhotra acknowledges that this trend exists in Bollywood, too. “It happens in every profession, and not always because of nepotism. Often, the other person makes an error in judgment. Sometimes a producer feels a star is ‘saleable’ so he takes take him over another actor. And in films, everyone has their journey and destiny, so it becomes hard to pinpoint the reason why one is chosen over another,” clarifies the actor, who has received praise and critical acclaim, including a National Award. However, traditional stardom has eluded him — not that he is complaining.
Talking about the concept of stardom in Bollywood, the 64-year-old says, “There are some actors who have not given a single hit as a hero, but they have created the perception through the media that they are stars. Their films wash out at noon... Someone gives one hit in 25 films, but they are still seen as stars because of the perception that they have created.”
He adds that his philosophy is to act and be genuine, without worrying about the result. “I try to avoid repeating gestures and mannerisms. If you adopt a certain body language and it becomes a hit, all directors want you to repeat that. But I don’t want to... Your speech, mannerisms need to change with the character. The best actor is someone who can’t be mimicked. But the problem is if you don’t have a signature style, you won’t be a star. An actor who can’t be mimicked doesn’t become a star because nothing sticks with the audience,” he says with a laugh.
Akshay Kumar kickstarts shoot of Capsule Gill; hopes to wrap up UK schedule by August-end
8:13 AM
Akshay kickstarts shoot of Capsule Gill, based on Jaswant Singh Gill, hoping to wrap up the UK schedule by August-end
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; July 10, 2022)
Undeterred by the debacle of his last film, Samrat Prithviraj, Akshay Kumar has swiftly moved on to his next. The actor headed to England on July 4 to kickstart the shoot of the film, tentatively titled Capsule Gill. The film is based on former additional chief mining engineer, the late Jaswant Singh Gill, who saved the lives of 65 people trapped in a flooded coal mine in Raniganj of West Bengal, in 1989.
“Jaswant Singh Gill’s heroic rescue operation is counted as one of the most successful missions in the history of mining. The unit of Capsule Gill is shooting at a farm in the Yorkshire area [England] which had many deep coal mines,” informs a source close to the unit.
The last operating deep coal mine in the United Kingdom, Kellingley colliery in North Yorkshire, closed in December 2015. Directed by Tinu Desai, the film, also starring Parineeti Chopra, Pavan Malhotra, Ananth Narayan Mahadevan, Ravi Kishan, Kumud Mishra, Varun Badola, among others, is expected to wrap up the UK schedule by August 22.
“The 48-day first schedule, which kicked off earlier this week in England, will wrap up on August 22 with the rest of the cast. Akshay will shoot in England till July 31. He is currently shooting some dramatic action scenes with action director Parvez Shaikh. After the first schedule, shooting will resume from September across Mumbai, Amritsar, Raigarh and Raniganj,” adds the source.
I was just not looked at, maybe because I was Naseeruddin Shah’s wife-Ratna Pathak Shah
8:27 AM
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 11, 2022)
Actor Ratna Pathak Shah, who has been part of critically acclaimed films such as Mandi (1983) and Mirch Masala (1987), says that besides being part of the commercial cinema space, star system also penetrated the art film circuit back in the day. And that, she believes, is what kept her from working frequently: “Our filmmakers weren’t adventurous when it came to casting. They always chose the ones who grabbed eyeballs. In art cinema, it was all about Naseeruddin Shah (husband), Om Puri, Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil.”
Shah rues the dearth of opportunities for her other contemporaries, too: “It was much later that (actors) Pavan Malhotra and Pankaj Kapur got the parts they deserved. Supriya (Pathak; actor and sister) never got the parts she deserved. And I was just not looked at, maybe because I was Naseer’s wife, and they thought I was not interested in working. Thankfully, that’s done with and dusted.”
The Thappad (2020) actor heaves a sigh of relief, as she’s getting to work at a time when most people have retired. “My skill has improved in the last 20 years. Maybe that’s why I’m getting the kind of roles that you see me doing,” Shah ends.
In films, we have this thing that we need six songs. On OTT, it is like sex scenes daal do-Pavan Malhotra
8:22 AM
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 29, 2022)
The OTT platforms have revolutionized entertainment in more ways than one in India. But actor Pavan Malhotra feels that there are teething issues that need to be worked on, even in the web medium.
Talking about the formulas that exist on the web, the actor, who has done OTT projects such as Grahan and Tabbar, says, “In films, we have this thing that we need six songs. On OTT, it is like sex scenes daal do. [I feel] it is going through teething problems. And it is the middle ground between films and TV.”
He continues, “But kabhi-kabhi gaali kuch zyada hoti hai needlessly. I feel uncomfortable using so many expletives, some of which are totally unnecessary in a particular scene. I am not saying that gaali-galauj nahin ho sakti hai, but you can’t sell your content on that alone.”
That said, Malhotra does feel that the new medium has been a rather welcome change for actors like him. “It’s a good time. The audience, which is now so exposed to international content, also wants to see that standard here, and that is what is pushing makers to do better,” he explains.
So how has life changed for him since his highly rated series from last year? “It is good, but in my career, success and fame happen in spurts. It happened during Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro (1989), then Black Friday (2007), Jab We Met (2007)…But then sab thanda ho jata hai.” says the actor.
“You need to have very strong PR machinery. Even now, when you say Pavan Malhotra, people are like, ‘Who is he?’ And only when you tell them about my films, do they remember,” Malhotra signs off.
15 Years of Black Friday: Aditya Srivastava, Pavan Malhotra recall working on the unforgettable classic
7:59 AM
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 9, 2022)
As filmmaker Anurag Kashyap’s Black Friday completes 15 years, actor Aditya Srivastava recalls how tough a period it was for them when the film was facing release problems. The film premiered at the 2004 Locarno International Film Festival and was supposed to release the same year in India. However, after a petition filed by a group accused of the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts challenging the film’s release, Bombay High Court issued a stay. It finally hit cinemas on February 9, 2007.
“The mileage that it would have got with an immediate release would have been great. But that didn’t happen. It is sad that hume uss waqt se guzarna pada. Had it released [when it was supposed to], the film would have benefitted more, but the delay hampered it,” shares Srivastava.
Calling it a milestone in his career, the actor says, “It was an important film for me. When it was planned, I wasn’t meant for the role of Badshah Khan, I think Kay Kay (Menon) or Naseer bhai (Naseeruddin Shah) was supposed to do. Somehow it came to me.”
Based on the 1993 blasts, the film was a rather sensitive story. But Srivastavs says he had no apprehensions as he had complete faith in Kashyap.
“I believed in Anurag Kashyap, that he would pull it off. No one can deny his talent. As an actor, you look for good script and good roles, and that is how it was for me. The ensemble was so interesting. It was a dream role for me,” he concludes.
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Black Friday is a film very close to Pavan Malhotra’s heart. The actor, who played the role of Tiger Memon in it, found it a difficult one, but he is happy that people have often told him that he totally nailed the role.
Talking about the prep for the Anurag Kashyap-directed film which chronicles the events that led to the 1993 bombings in Mumbai, and the subsequent police investigation, Malhotra says, “I had the script first. Anurag told me to read Hussain Zaidi’s book Black Friday: The True Story of the Bombay Bomb Blasts. He said that the script was very close to the book and it would help me build the character.”
However, the actor still tried to get in touch with people who knew Memon. “Someone who said he knew Memon and said he was flamboyant and liked to dress well. And that he used to eat supari... After the film released, people told me that I played the role to a T. I was exactly how he was. I hadn’t met Memon, and yet cracking the role and people appreciating it even today is a big compliment for me.”
Malhotra says that his role, despite not having many scenes in the film, left a massive impact. “Memon ka role sabse kam hai in terms of scenes. But he still stands out. He’s the lead. It was a good experience working on this,” the actor adds.
Crediting Kashyap for pulling off a casting coup with actors like Kay Kay Menon, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Zakir Hussain, Asif Basra and Gajraj Rao, Malhotra says, “The shoot went very smoothly. I had once asked Kashyap that in all his films he ends up choosing the best and he told me, ‘Main leta hi hun aise logo ko jo [talent se] bhare hote hain’.”
Playing a Sardar comes naturally to me, but I use a different body language for all my characters-Pavan Malhotra
7:58 AM
Despite being cast as a Sardar in multiple projects, Pavan Malhotra on how he never repeats himself as he garners praise for his role in Tabbar
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; November 9, 2021)
No matter what role he plays, Pavan Malhotra wears his characters like second skin. Once done, he moves on to the next, unlike those who take months to get in and out of characters. The actor calls them “frauds”. “I can only act when the camera is switched on. Why should I act in real life? People who claim to be stuck in a character for three months and need a therapist to get out of a role only sound nice. I played a rapist in Brother In Trouble (1995). It doesn’t mean I will go out and behave that way,” says the actor, whose latest web outing, Tabbar has been making waves.
The Supriya Pathak-starrer on Sony LIV revolves around a retired constable who pushes the boundaries to save his son from the consequences of an unfortunate incident. Does he believe in crossing the line to protect his family? “While the show doesn’t talk about drawing a line, in real life, pampering [or safeguarding] children too much will be detrimental for them. They have to be taken to task, so they are prepared for life,” says Malhotra, who — like his previous series Grahan — portrays a Sardar in this one. But the actor insists that he has never repeated his characters. “My character in Jab We Met was different from the Sardar I played in Mubarakan, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Badmaash Company, or the recent Grahan. I am a Punjabi, so it comes naturally to me, but I ensure to use a different body language [for all my characters].”
Having started his television career with Nukkad, Malhotra believes that some shows should not be remade, especially the 1986 gem. “The ideologies of people have changed with every generation. It’s sad that the children today are not aware of their history but ask them about brands, and it’s at the tip of their tongue,” says the actor, adding that youngsters nowadays wouldn’t relate to the lessons in Nukkad.
Pavan Malhotra opens up about his relationship with Delhi-based artist Seema Kohli
8:00 AM
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 3, 2018)
Veteran actor Pavan Malhotra, who has delivered memorable performances in films like Imtiaz Ali’s Jab We Met, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Bhaag Milkha Bhaag,
and Anurag Kashyap’s Black Friday, among others, has found
companionship in Delhi-based artist Seema Kohli, 58, whose repertoire
encompasses a wide range of media including murals, experiential
installation performances, films to installations and sculptures.
“We grew up in the same area in Delhi and I have known her since our college days. We bumped into each other again a few years ago. Maybe God had planned it this way, as we kept meeting and calling each other. I keep visiting Delhi so that we can meet despite our busy work schedules. She comes to Mumbai in her spare time,” Pavan told Mirror.
The 60-year-old actor goes on to add that he may be a more familiar face between the two, but Seema is the real star.
“She is a brilliant mind and I’m nowhere close to her. She is well-read, she writes, is a sculptor, a painter, and a poetess. She’s also very spiritual and has delivered lectures at so many universities in the US,” he says, adding that above all, she is a good person.
On the work front, the actor informs that he recently wrapped up work on two upcoming films. “One is Anubhav Sinha’s Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai, and the other one is called Flight. I am also doing a film with Ashwini Choudhary for which I start shooting in November. Then, there is Gandhi Of Thakurganj, which is currently being filmed in Lucknow,” he signs off.
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