Showing posts with label Phone Bhoot. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Phone Bhoot. Show all posts
Everybody had high expectations saying I am the ‘next big thing’... I felt I let people down-Siddhant Chaturvedi
8:12 PM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 10, 2024)
It’s been some time since Siddhant Chaturvedi won appreciation for his performance until his 2023 film Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (KGHK). After the Gully Boy (2019) fame, the actor saw a bit of a lull in his career. Then, he went MIA for a year with no media interactions and rare public appearances. In a free-wheeling chat over a video call from his holiday, the actor bares his heart, but refrains from sharing one thing — his holiday destination. Excerpts:
Is ‘relieved’ the word for KGHK working and getting good reviews?
It was long due after Gully Boy. I needed some motivation again... it’s been a while since it released, followed by Bunty Aur Babli 2 (2021), Gehraiyaan and Phone Bhoot (both 2022). The pandemic happened, I thought we were kind of losing touch with what was working. I had been working for three-four years, things were not happening. And especially after Gully Boy, everybody had high expectations saying I am the ‘next big thing’... I felt I let people down. I would also not blame my choices. Consumer behaviour changed. Big-scale films became front-runners, no one was ready to invest so much money on a newcomer. What I had shot for was just right before the pandemic, the films released after that. I was disappointed with myself, (and thought) where was it going? I finally needed a push like KGHK.
You decided to stay away from everything for over a year. What prompted you to do this?
I thought mere paas kuch hai nahi baat karne ke liye, aur mera kaam bolta hai. Jab kaam nahi bol raha with the audience, who has moved on to some new kind of cinema... and then there are YouTube influencers, creators. As a newcomer, you are put between 360 degrees of entertainment, where you have to compete with so much. I felt that putting stuff out on social media and being spotted is not who I am. I felt I need to work harder to choose the right things.
Weren’t you bothered about being out of sight, out of mind?
I feel overwhelmed with the love right now, but if people are scattered away, I am not going to stand and shout ‘I am spotted, I am going to the gym, I bought a new car’ — that’s not the kind of actor I am. There are so many of them already; everybody has a great life on Instagram. If everyone is an influencer, then who is influenced? I understood my vision is to be there on the screen — be it digital or theatrical. Obviously, the dream is to be at the box office, but whatever it is, cinema is my way of communicating with people. What would I have talked about? I can’t put pictures of my vacations or go to award shows who are just giving me one. Initially after Gully Boy, I loved the attention (on social media) as there was chatter, I was excited. Later, I realized I needed something substantial.
But social media is also looked at as a means of being in touch with fans and solidifying a fan base...
I have nothing against people who do that. Out of sight was on purpose. If I was out of mind and then came with an unexpected performance, it would blow your mind. I have faith in myself. I was nowhere before Gully Boy... suddenly people saw me on the map, I wanted that same effect.
Social media has two sides to it — a powerful tool and a breeding ground for trolls. You must have faced negative comments too. How do you look at it?
I saw them on Reddit. I go and read the gossip and blind articles. It is really disturbing.
They call it ‘spilling the tea’...
Yes. Pehle achha lagta tha padh ke, before I had made it, maza aata tha. Par jab khud ke baare mein hota hai toh aankhein khulti hain. They call me arrogant, cocky, overrated. I was underrated before Gehraiyaan (2022), overrated after it, and then they said ‘he has disappeared, bada aaya tha’. That really hurt. I take it in a good way, but after reading (such comments), I am not able to sleep at night. I sit at the same window where I sat and dreamt, and decide, I will show the world. Earlier, I almost wrote a reply defending myself from fake profiles, but just before sending it, I would be like ‘no yaar, let the perception be, it’s good to break it with work’. I don’t expect people to be soft on me because I have got the hard way in life. It is not easy to make it and even harder to sustain it.
I am fortunate that people can imagine me in diametrically opposite roles-Sheeba Chaddha
8:32 AM
Relishing playing diverse characters at this stage, Sheeba on essaying a no-nonsense boss in The Trial
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; July 18, 2023)
Sheeba Chaddha notes that she has been playing a mother on screen since she was 26, the remark telling of the industry’s tendency to typecast actors. But over the past few years, a wide range of characters has been coming her way—from an antagonist in Khuda Haafiz Chapter 2 - Agni Pariksha (2022) to a ghost in Phone Bhoot (2022).
“In the last few years, I have played diverse characters. I am fortunate that people can imagine me in diametrically opposite roles. Some filmmakers have cast me in authoritative characters too, like the one in The Trial,” says the actor.
The Trial, created and directed by Suparn S Varma, ticked a lot of boxes for Chaddha. “I had never done a courtroom drama before. Kajol was a big reason for me to say yes. I had loved Suparn’s The Family Man 2. He is a director I hadn’t worked with before. So, it was a win-win in all [aspects].”
The experience of shooting with Kajol surpassed the expectations of Chaddha, who plays her boss in the Disney+ Hotstar drama. The actor is impressed by Kajol’s generosity and appreciative demeanour.
“Kajol is chilled out. She comes with an aura, and rightfully so—she is a remarkable performer. She is a team player, who is appreciative of everyone. She would compliment me about my look and my performance every time we had a scene together.”
It is a privilege to have done a film like Pippa so early on in my career-Ishaan Khatter
8:11 AM
Taking Phone Bhoot’s underwhelming run in stride, Ishaan feels lucky to shoulder war drama Pippa so early on in his career
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; December 10, 2022)
Flitting from one universe to another is one of the many joys of being an artiste. Ishaan Khatter knows it well, as he gears up for war drama Pippa, after the release of Phone Bhoot. The horror comedy may not have set the box office on fire, but it’s all a part of the learning for the actor, who says, “Phone Bhoot happened two-and-a-half years ago, when I was trying to find my groove. It was my first comedy. I wanted to see if my funny side could translate on screen. I hope it will be viewed by more people on OTT.”
Now, he is ready for a new battle. Director Raja Krishna Menon’s Pippa, based on the 1971 India-Pakistan war, is an adaptation of The Burning Chaffees by Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta. For Khatter, the movie stands out for its sheer scale and depiction of patriotism.
“Pippa is a big-screen spectacle. It was a dynamic experience to shoot the action scenes. It is a war drama told in a compelling and relevant way. It’s a patriotic film in the true sense; it’s not trying to be what it’s not. It is a privilege to have done a film like this so early on in my career.”
While the Mrunal Thakur and Priyanshu Painyuli-starrer was originally slated to release this month, it has now been pushed to 2023 summer. What led to the delay?
“The film is being worked on so that it can be in its best form before [reaching the audience]. Hopefully, there will be an announcement soon,” says the actor, who recently shot for an MTV rap music video with MC Square to celebrate the ongoing FIFA World Cup.
(Crisp) Movie Review: PHONE BHOOT by FENIL SETA
3:08 PM
Phone Bhoot rests on an interesting idea. The start is shaky but later it turns out to be a fun film. The pop culture references further enhance the humour element. Sadly, the film drops in the second half. The climax is unimaginative and anything but funny. Speaking of performances, Katrina Kaif is entertaining. Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ishaan Khatter, too, do well. They complement each other and though they go over the top, they don’t ham. Jackie Shroff, however, is okay as the villain. Sheeba Chadha is funny. Armaan Ralhan (Dushyant Singh) is fair. The Fukrey boys– Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma and Manjot Singh – are there for a scene. All in all, Phone Bhoot is a disappointment.
My rating - ** out of 5!
My rating - ** out of 5!
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 750
9:26 AM
ROCKING NOVEMBER’S SOLE WEAK FRIDAY IS HERE
The month of November is expected to be far more exciting than October, though Diwali and the related holidays were celebrated in the latter. This is because the films being released in November carry tremendous buzz and seem promising, be it Uunchai, Bhediya or Drishyam 2. This Friday, however, will stand out as all the films releasing seem weak and will have a tough time at the box office. My analysis:
PHONE BHOOT: It is a horror comedy, starring Katrina Kaif, Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ishaan Khatter. It is produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment and seems to be a youthful entertainer. The trailer was okay but gave a vibe that it can make for a fun watch. Also, Katrina has a huge following among the youth and she can pull in audiences. Though the actors promoted the film extensively, the buzz is limited. As a result, it’ll open at around Rs. 2-3 crores range.
MILI: It stars Janhvi Kapoor and tells an interesting story of a girl, who gets trapped in a freezer. It is a remake of the Malayalam film Helen and just like the original, the Hindi version is also directed by Mathukutty Xavier. It is co-produced by Boney Kapoor and this means that this is the first time that Janhvi Kapoor is working with her father. However, the excitement for the film is very low. Its opening will be around Rs. 50 lakhs and might go upto Rs. 1 crore, if the reports are very positive.
DOUBLE XL: It is the first production of Huma Qureshi and Saqib Saleem. Huma also stars in the film along with Sonakshi Sinha. As the title suggests, it is a story of two plus-sized girls. The film seems quite relatable but the trailer or the songs haven’t worked. The release is limited and it might struggle to even do Rs. 30 or Rs. 40 lakhs on the first day of its release.
BANARAS: It is a Kannada film dubbed in Hindi. It has no star cast and zero awareness. But as witnessed in the past, sometimes, these South dubbed films can spring a surprise. Hence, trade has decided not to write off Banaras as yet.
The month of November is expected to be far more exciting than October, though Diwali and the related holidays were celebrated in the latter. This is because the films being released in November carry tremendous buzz and seem promising, be it Uunchai, Bhediya or Drishyam 2. This Friday, however, will stand out as all the films releasing seem weak and will have a tough time at the box office. My analysis:
PHONE BHOOT: It is a horror comedy, starring Katrina Kaif, Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ishaan Khatter. It is produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment and seems to be a youthful entertainer. The trailer was okay but gave a vibe that it can make for a fun watch. Also, Katrina has a huge following among the youth and she can pull in audiences. Though the actors promoted the film extensively, the buzz is limited. As a result, it’ll open at around Rs. 2-3 crores range.
MILI: It stars Janhvi Kapoor and tells an interesting story of a girl, who gets trapped in a freezer. It is a remake of the Malayalam film Helen and just like the original, the Hindi version is also directed by Mathukutty Xavier. It is co-produced by Boney Kapoor and this means that this is the first time that Janhvi Kapoor is working with her father. However, the excitement for the film is very low. Its opening will be around Rs. 50 lakhs and might go upto Rs. 1 crore, if the reports are very positive.
DOUBLE XL: It is the first production of Huma Qureshi and Saqib Saleem. Huma also stars in the film along with Sonakshi Sinha. As the title suggests, it is a story of two plus-sized girls. The film seems quite relatable but the trailer or the songs haven’t worked. The release is limited and it might struggle to even do Rs. 30 or Rs. 40 lakhs on the first day of its release.
BANARAS: It is a Kannada film dubbed in Hindi. It has no star cast and zero awareness. But as witnessed in the past, sometimes, these South dubbed films can spring a surprise. Hence, trade has decided not to write off Banaras as yet.
Shahid Kapoor and I are becoming each other’s confidant-Ishaan Khatter
8:24 AM
From travelling together to seeking his guidance, Phone Bhoot star Ishaan Khatter says his bond with actor-brother Shahid has evolved after his foray into movies
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; October 26, 2022)
A guiding force can be an invaluable support in the early years of one’s career. For Ishaan Khatter, half-brother Shahid Kapoor has been his unflinching support system. Their relationship, he says, has evolved in the past few years as Khatter followed in the actor’s footsteps and forayed into movies. So does he seek career advice from Kapoor? Yes and no. While their career paths form a major part of their conversation, Khatter says their common interests bind them together.
“I always seek his guidance. He is an essential figure in my life, and has been a [source] of love and learning. I’m always looking to give him back the joy and companionship in whatever way I can. We are evolving into an interesting phase; we are becoming each other’s confidant as we can talk about more things now. Plus, we have similar passions. So, we go riding, and watch films together.”
When it comes to his choice of projects though, Khatter always follows his instincts. After unconventional projects in Beyond The Clouds (2018) and A Suitable Boy (2020), his creative instincts have now led him to Phone Bhoot, a horror comedy with Katrina Kaif and Siddhant Chaturvedi. The idea is to experiment at this point.
“I am at [the early stages] of my career. I have been fortunate to get varied roles, and be accepted in most of them. There is a lot to explore [in terms of stories]. I feel enriched as an artiste when I [experiment]. I feel a sense of responsibility too. So, I am thoughtful about the choices I make.”
Phone Bhoot, directed by Gurmmeet Singh, teams him up with Kaif — someone he has admired for long. For Khatter, his rawness and her experience made for an interesting confluence. “She has so much experience as a star and actor, and has worked with interesting filmmakers. I was curious to see how it would be working with her. On set, she is hard-working and a thorough professional.”
I am trying to limit my choices; I’d rather do farming, cook, and take care of those who are suffering-Jackie Shroff
8:13 AM
Joining a bunch of young actors in Phone Bhoot, Shroff on being spontaneous, as they are, on set
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; May 20, 2021)
A look at the slate of films that he has been working on of late is testimony that Jackie Shroff has been increasingly interested in sharing screen space with the younger breed of actors. After collaborating with Aadar Jain in Hello Charlie, he will now be seen alongside Sidharth Chaturvedi and Ishaan Khatter in Phone Bhoot.
The younger lot of actors, he says, pose a challenge to artistes of his kind. “They have a positive energy on set, and are spontaneous. I also try to be like them and think on the spot. It is fun, almost like playing table tennis. You have to be constantly alert with these babies around you. They may seem to be all about play, but they are sincere about their job.”
Having enjoyed a run in cinema for several decades, he is now taking advantage of all that the web platform has to offer. “The web space presents beautiful stuff. I am often confused about what to take up, and what to let go of. I am trying to limit [my choices] because I’d rather do farming, cook, and take care of those who are suffering. Earlier, I didn’t have time because I was busy shooting. Now, I have time, and I want to do as my heart desires."
Death cover of Rs 25 lakh due to COVID-19 and hospitalisation cover of Rs 2 lakh have been provided-B N Tiwari, FWICE
8:21 AM
Phone Bhoot, starring Katrina Kaif, Ishaan Khatter and Siddhant Chaturvedi
With filming suspended, Guild VP distributes food to daily wagers; FWICE ensures studios bear treatment cost of those who contracted virus on set
Uma Ramasubramanian, Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 20, 2021)
The daily-wage workers, who had returned to Mumbai after the entertainment industry resumed work last October, have taken a beating again as the state government suspended filming till May 1. As they face economic strain while the Coronavirus cloud looms large, leading cine bodies have sprung into action to alleviate their troubles. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) is ensuring that the concerned production house bears the treatment expense for every daily-wager who has contracted the virus during the shoot of its project.
Sharing the details, Birendra Nath Tiwari, president, FWICE, says, “A death cover of Rs 25 lakh due to COVID-19 and hospitalisation cover of Rs 2 lakh have been provided. Recently, one of our members [who was working on a television show] met with an accident on his way back home, post 18 hours of the shoot, and lost his life. We ensured his family was given the Rs 25 lakh compensation, even though he didn’t die on the sets or due to the virus. He was an assistant art designer; we have offered the same position to his wife if she wishes to take it up. As far as the members who are not working are concerned, they can contact us if they [come down with the infection]. We’ll do everything we can, in our personal capacity.”
Manish Goswami, vice-president, Producers’ Guild, believes things will take a turn for the worse if the junta curfew is extended. “In my personal capacity, I am doing whatever I can for the daily wagers. I have distributed groceries among them,” he says.
Pappu Lekhraj, who provides junior artistes to Bollywood, says the Junior Artistes’ Association was happy to see the safety measures adopted by the production houses. “Yash Raj Films was shooting two major projects [Pathan and Tiger 3] in a bio-bubble; they were testing weekly and had put up all artistes at a Goregaon hotel. Excel Entertainment had mandatory bi-weekly RT-PCR tests on the sets [of Phone Bhoot and Dongri To Dubai], and it took care of anyone who came down with the infection. The chance of contracting the virus in such set-ups was negligible,” he recounts, adding that some television shows, unfortunately, cut corners. “They rely solely on antigen tests, which is not the right yardstick. Now, most serials have shifted base to Goa, Silvassa and Rajasthan. I appraise the safety norms [employed on sets] before assigning my artistes to them.”
For a better purpose
With film shoots stalled in the state, Ketan Rawal — who is among the biggest vanity-van suppliers in Bollywood — has deployed about 10 vans to Marol, Malad, Dahisar and Ghatkopar, where they are being used by frontline workers. Cops on COVID-19 duty have been utilising them to change, have meals and use the restrooms during their long shifts. Each vehicle is demarcated into three distinct areas that can host up to 10 people. Rawal has about 30 more vans that can be assigned to frontline warriors, should the suspension of shoots continue.
Huge set of cave being created at Film City for Phone Bhoot's second schedule
8:28 AM
Elaborate set being erected in Film City before Kaif, Ishaan and Siddhant kick off second schedule of Phone Bhoot
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; March 5, 2021)
It’s ghostbuster time for Katrina Kaif, Ishaan Khatter and Siddhant Chaturvedi again. The trio, who had kicked off Phone Bhoot in Goa last December, are readying for the second schedule of the horror comedy. Sources suggest that the production design team is working hard, building a set at Film City in Goregaon for the upcoming schedule.
“A huge set of a cave is being created at Film City. While a few indoor scenes are on the cards, a major chunk of the proceedings will be filmed at this site. Gurmmeet Singh [director] has charted out a 20-day schedule and procured the combination dates of his three leads. If all goes as planned, Katrina, Ishaan and Siddhant will report to the set tomorrow,” reveals a source.
The horror comedy, which sees the central characters as ghostbusters, was announced last July and immediately piqued the audience’s curiosity, thanks to its interesting casting. Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani serve as producers on the project. mid-day reached out to Excel Entertainment, which remained unavailable for comment.
Katrina Kaif ready to pack a punch with Tiger 3
8:27 AM
Ahead of Tiger 3 rolling next week, Kaif undergoes 14-day training with South Korean stunt artistes to pull off action scenes
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; March 4, 2021)
The worlds of Phone Bhoot and Tiger 3 may be as different as chalk and cheese, but Katrina Kaif is juggling them with ease. The actor has begun her prep for the third instalment of the successful Tiger franchise, which will go on floors on March 8 with Maneesh Sharma at the helm. Kaif intends to be fighting fit for her role of former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agent Zoya Humaimi, especially since the first schedule will see her perform heavy-duty stunts alongside co-star Salman Khan.
It is heard that the actor shoots for the Ishaan Khatter and Siddhant Chaturvedi horror-comedy during the day, and heads to Yash Raj Films studio in Andheri in the evenings to pick up kickboxing and hand-to-hand combat for the espionage thriller.
“Maneesh has requested his leads to be action-ready for the Mumbai leg of the shoot. So, over the past fortnight, Salman and Katrina have been working hard, upping their fitness level. While Katrina is continuing her daily regimen with trainer Yasmin Karachiwala, she is additionally training with a South Korean crew, which specialises in martial arts, for the stunts,” reveals a source.
It turns out producer Aditya Chopra has had the team specially flown down for Kaif’s training as he wants the thriller to be an action spectacle. Meanwhile, a South African stunt team is working with Khan.
There’s no rivalry between Ishaan Khatter & me, there’s bromance-Siddhant Chaturvedi
8:11 AM
Siddhant Chaturvedi says he shares a healthy competition with Ishaan Khatter and their relationship comprises friendship and brotherhood
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; December 10, 2020)
Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ishaan Khatter are two of the most promising young talents in Bollywood. The boys are good friends, but given that they both belong to the new breed of actors, there’s obviously talk of competition between the two. And interestingly, they will be seen together for the first time in the horror-comedy Phone Bhoot with Katrina Kaif.
Siddhant, who has been shooting for his upcoming film co-starring Deepika Padukone and Ananya Panday, finds the healthy competition flattering. He says, “I am glad to know that we are being looked upon as these upcoming talented actors. Rivalry between us? Yes, on the football field (laughs!). Beyond that, there is no rivalry; he is like my brother. There’s more bromance. Also, there is competition, but it’s very healthy. If he knows something, he’ll help me with it and vice versa. The relationship we share comprises friendship and brotherhood.”
Siddhant also shared how the two enjoyed hanging out in Goa recently. He said, “Ishaan was also in Goa when I was shooting there, so we hung out almost every day. We played football on the beach and had a great time. He is a fitness freak, so we worked out together as well.”
Comedy is one of the hardest things to crack-Ishaan Khatter
8:07 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; November 29, 2020)
In the two years that Ishaan Khatter has been a part of the industry, he has made some unconventional film choices, which have helped him stand out and make a mark. He debuted with Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi’s Beyond The Clouds, played a taxi driver in Khaali Peeli and is gearing up for an unusual comedy with Katrina Kaif and Siddhant Chaturvedi, titled Phone Bhoot.
Talking about what drives his professional choices, Ishaan says, “I’m mostly driven by instinct. There’s a great desire to reinvent and push myself into a space that I haven’t explored before, and to learn with each film. That largely dictates my choices. I want to work with certain people and I crave for experiences I can grow with. The opportunity a film gives me as an actor and the people I would possibly get to work and create with are major motivators. Other than that, it’s all about what the script makes me feel. It could make me laugh, cry, grip me or fascinate me — as long as it moves me in some way.”
Talking about his experiences as an actor, he shares, “You’ll obviously have challenging experiences with the different choices that you make. Certain scenes and characters are more difficult than others as far as connecting to them or accurately portraying them is concerned. I think that in the larger scheme of things, self-preservation is crucial. To constantly be in a healthy mind space and be consistent in your work can be challenging. As an actor, most people agree that comedy is one of the hardest things to crack. It is in equal parts exciting and challenging for me.”
When asked whether he feels that making unconventional choices pays off, he says, “Conventional and unconventional are relative terms. These are labels given by other people. When you are making a choice, these aren’t necessarily the things that you’re thinking of. But having said that, yes, a lot of actors are known for their unconventional choices, so to say. But at the same time, it’s important to be truthful to yourself and make choices that are an honest representation of who you are as an actor or an artiste. I think that’s more important.”
I want to live all the characters that crowd my imagination-Siddhant Chaturvedi
7:56 AM
Siddhant Chaturvedi, explaining why he is moving from a con caper to a domestic noir, a horror comedy, and an action film
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 24, 2020)
He is still remembered as Gully Boy’s rapper, MC Sher, but now Siddhant Chaturvedi can look forward to the release of his second film, the sequel to the 2005 comedy, Bunty Aur Babli, which pairs him alongside Sharvari Wagh and also features Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji in the lead. He reveals that Part 2 bridges the generational gap between two con couples. “It’s been around 15 years since the original and a lot has changed since. A family entertainer, it is about aspirations and corruption, and appeals to all age groups. I can’t wait to con everybody,” laughs Siddhant, who has five different guises in the film which involved a lot of prosthetics.
Meanwhile, the actor has been busy filming Shakun Batra’s next, which pairs him with Deepika Padukone and also features Ananya Panday. Shooting in Coronavirus times, he admits, is a different experience because everyone, including the director is masked. “It’s a little weird not knowing how your cameraman or light dada looks, but I’m glad to be back on the sets,” he exults, describing the yet-untitled film as a domestic noir, which captures the nuances of people and relationships. “The scale is quite big and Shakun is trying to push the boundaries of Indian cinema,” he points out, admitting that while he has grown up watching Hindi films, he was more inclined towards world cinema over the last five years. “This film is in that space. Shakun and Zoya (Gully Boy director, Zoya Akhtar) come from the same school of filmmaking, but both have their own vision.”
Quiz him about working with Deepika and he admits that despite his nervousness, the shoot was smooth. “She submits herself completely and makes the character believable. I am living out my dream in every possible way,” he raves.
After wrapping this film around mid-December, Siddhant will jump into a horror comedy, Phone Bhoot, which pairs him with Katrina Kaif and also features Ishaan Khatter. “It’s a hilarious script; we had a blast during the readings, there’s going to be some solid jugalbandi between the three of us. We want it to be the next pop culture,” he exults, excited to enter this world with a completely different look.
He also has an action film lined up in the new-year and admits that it’s his favourite genre. “I’ve trained in mixed martial arts and taekwondo and it’s difficult holding back from sharing the training videos. The film was supposed to be announced before the pandemic, hopefully you’ll hear of it soon,” he says, unwilling to divulge more. Is he open to negative roles too? “How do you know I am not playing one in any of these films?” he laughs, quick to add, “I want to be a hero first, then, I’ll think of negative roles.”
It’s interesting to see him switch genres and Siddhant says that he’d be bored repeating himself. “I want to try new things, live all the characters that crowd my imagination. I don’t want people to slot me, I want them to experience something new every time they enter the cinema halls. The real Siddhant Chaturvedi will be discovered only through interviews,” he shares, adding that he rediscovered his love for training at home and healthy home-cooked food during the lockdown. “I went back to my roots. Kicking, Boxing and taekwondo helped me get in shape.”
Ali Abbas Zafar reveals that he plans to shoot Katrina Kaif superhero film across four countries
8:24 AM
Hoping to take Katrina Kaif-led superhero film on floors next year, director Ali Abbas Zafar charts out elaborate recces across Dubai, Poland, Georgia
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; October 21, 2020)
His production Khaali Peeli behind him, filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar is now giving undivided attention to his yet-untitled superhero film with Katrina Kaif. The director, who is currently scouting for locations in Dubai, has envisioned the actioner as a larger-than-life story that traverses several countries.
"We have locked locations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Soon, I will head to Poland and Georgia for the recce. We plan to shoot it across three to four countries," says Zafar over phone from the emirate. Poised to give Bollywood one of its first female superheroes, the writer-director was certain at the outset that the story will be rooted in an Indian setting. "We'll shoot a chunk of the film in India. We need mountainous terrain for those portions, and have zeroed in on Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi."
A week into the recce, the filmmaker admits scouting has become an arduous task in the new normal. "Every location demands a Coronavirus test. So, it has become more time-consuming and heavy on the budget," he says.
While Kaif has previously displayed her physical prowess in the climax of Tiger Zinda Hai (2017), shouldering an out-and-out action film is a different ball game. The actor will have to undergo rigorous training before the superwoman in her can take flight. Quiz him on when he plans to roll the movie, and Zafar says, "My film demands an elaborate set-up. So, we will take it on floors only next year after Katrina wraps up Phone Bhoot and Tiger 3. She has been working out to maintain her agility, but as soon as she allots her dates, we will begin her physical prep."
I have been waiting for years to work with Katrina Kaif-Ishaan Khatter
7:54 AM
Ishaan Khatter on collaborating with Katrina Kaif as he hopes to kick off Phone Bhoot shoot by the year-end
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; August 6, 2020)
While he waits for A Suitable Boy to drop on Netflix India, Ishaan Khatter has bagged his fifth project — Phone Bhoot, a quirky horror comedy to be helmed by Gurmmeet Singh. "I have explored neither comedy nor horror, so it's a new territory for me," says the actor, who had an enviable albeit unconventional movie debut with Majid Majidi's Beyond the Clouds (2017).
The Excel Entertainment production has him teaming up with Katrina Kaif and Siddhant Chaturvedi. Khatter turns into an endearing fanboy as the conversation steers towards Kaif.
"Katrina is a senior in terms of her work and experience, and I look up to her. I have been waiting for years to work with her. She is the quintessential glamorous diva. The photo-shoot we did together was a riot, and I imagine we will be bringing our different energies to the set when we start shooting." The actor, however, is most excited to collaborate with Singh as he shifts gears from thrillers like Mirzapur and Inside Edge to a comedy.
Despite the uncertain times of Coronavirus, the studio hopes to kick off the shoot later this year. "By the time we start shooting, I hope the situation will have improved. Though we will adhere to the guidelines, as actors, we can't be too caught up with safety and sanitisation because it will then reflect in our work," states Khatter.
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