Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 11, 2020)

Socialising, partying, networking — this is something actor Tripti Dimri doesn’t believe in, despite being advised to do so. Add to that the ongoing debate on outsiders finding it tough to make it big in Bollywood.

Has it ever happened that she was finalised for a project, but later replaced by a star kid or someone with connections? “That has not happened with me, but I have heard about it. A lot of times, I was told ‘go to that party, build connections, that is how you get work’. I don’t believe in these things. I don’t believe me having a good equation with someone is going to get me work. If I am not talented and don’t know my job, then no matter what I do I will not get work. This is something people need to understand,” she tells us.

Dimri, 26, adds it must have worked for somebody, which is why this belief still persists, but says, “I don’t think I’m that person who can text people for the heck of work. I should be invested in that person, otherwise I won’t. I can’t beg for work. One day or the other, you will get work. In today’s day and age, there is work for everybody.”

While it’s her work in Bulbbul and Laila Majnu that got her noticed, not many people know the actor had actually started her film career with Shreyas Talpade’s Poster Boys (2017), starring Sunny and Bobby Deol.

“When I was new to Mumbai, I was auditioning for everything, be it television shows or music videos. I just wanted work at that point. In fact, my agency said I should not do Poster Boys, but I was like ‘I want to, tomorrow, I might not get this opportunity’. I am glad I did it, it got me noticed. This film gave me the confidence of being around so many people, the camera and interacting with people from the industry,” says Dimri, adding, “Whatever mistakes I make for myself, I don’t want to blame any other person later. And if it’s good, I want to take the credit.”

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; May 3, 2019)

Though Aftab Shivdasani and Shreyas Talpade have been a part of many comedies, their next outing, Setters, is based on the malpractices in the education system. While Shreyas plays a setter responsible for the criminal practices, Aftab essays the role of a cop who wants to bust the scam. In a candid chat with Bombay Times, the two spoke about being stereotyped as comic actors and dealing with social media. Excerpts:

Over the years, you both have been stereotyped as actors who are best suited for multi-starrer comedies. Setters being a crime thriller must have been refreshing.
Shreyas: People have almost forgotten that I started my career with films like Iqbal and Dor. They were serious films. Over a period of time, our association with comedies became really strong. After solely doing comedies for the past few years, I am glad I am doing something like this. I was pleasantly surprised when I was offered a subject and a role with grey shades. Every actor has an urge to do something else, reinvent himself and films like these give you that opportunity. People’s expectations from us are films like Masti, Grand Masti and Golmaal, so getting a serious film was refreshing. We have tried to play our parts with utmost sincerity and I hope that comes across.
Aftab: What Shreyas said is true for me as well. I started off with Mast and Kasoor and was appreciated for them. Then I did some love stories and comedies like Awara Paagal Deewana, Hungama and Masti, and people suddenly started identifying me with those genres. Yes, stereotyping happens to a certain extent. There is a perception that guys like Shreyas and I are more suitable for comedy films. Both of us were trying to find something that’s lucrative and substantial. You need a good script and a director to project you the right way. We hope we get accepted in a film like Setters, which will open the doors to more films like these. Also, it works both ways; a lot of actors, who are known for serious roles, don’t get offered comedies either.

What is Setters all about?
Shreyas: Setters is based on education and employment mafia. I think all of us have heard about this when we were in school or college…someone selling a question paper for a certain price. I had a perception that these leaks happen at a local level and maybe four-five people are involved in it. When I read the story, I told Ashwini (director Ashwini Chaudhary) that it’s quite an imagination and he corrected me by saying, this really happens. A massive mafia is involved in this. It’s structured and organised, comprising educated and tech-savvy people, who know how to crack the legal system. I am the ‘setter’ here, who’s a bad guy.
Aftab: I am the good guy, a cop, who is after this ‘setter’. It’s a cat-and-mouse game, more like catch-me-if-you-can. The story is about oneupmanship. We both have to be on top of our game to outdo each other. The kind of gadgets and technology the setters use are advanced, so, as someone in charge of security, we have to be one step ahead of them.
Shreyas: There’s no preaching here. It’s an entertainer based on a concept that’s real.

Aftab, after Great Grand Masti (2016), you disappeared from Bollywood in a way. Why did you go missing?
I did two South films and a British film after Great Grand Masti, which I didn’t really speak about because I wanted to test the waters. Even the English film is a content-driven, serious film, which will release sometime this year. I wanted to see what it’s like to work outside my comfort zone, which is Bollywood. Having said that, if I was offered interesting films here, I would have chosen them but I didn’t get any, so I waited for the right opportunity. When Setters came my way, I was excited to play a police officer, who wants to bust a racket and imprison the culprits.

Shreyas, people often look at you as a good fit for supporting cast. Do you think you have been slotted in this category?
That did happen to a certain extent with me. I am not from a film family or don’t have a film background, and when people like me are approached by seniors or friends in the industry, it isn’t easy for us to say no. They’ll say, yeh kar lena and you do it, even when you are not completely convinced about those films. You fear that agar woh bura maan gaye toh baat failegi ki yeh ladka akdu hai. You learn the hard way to be assertive. It’s your career after all. If you are not convinced about a film, what will you portray on screen? Certain films will work, certain won’t, but there came a point when I decided to take a break. I might as well tell stories that I am convinced about instead of acting in ones that I am not. So I got into production (Marathi) and then directed the Hindi remake of Poster Boys. I’d rather do what I want to do and, of course, you have to wait for a right script like Setters.

Aftab, you started off as a child actor with Mr India. Do you think the chances of burning out are a lot more when a person starts out that early?
Isn’t that an advantage? I don’t look at it as a burnout; you get a head start. You gather experience with time and there’ no substitute for that. If you love what you do, you will never burn out. If I wasn’t an actor, I wouldn’t know what to do with my life. I am an extremely passionate guy and I am happy that I got an opportunity to start off at an early age. I developed a liking for the camera from a young age and decided that I will be around it till the time I die.

Does being a part of a certain group in Bollywood help in terms of getting work?
Shreyas: Yes, to a certain extent. Those things (hanging out with certain people) can get you one film at the most, but eventually, you will have to survive on your talent. If you are good at your work, you don’t have to worry about kal kya hoga?
Aftab: Your talent speaks for itself. There are so many people who have had successful careers despite not being associated with groups. They made it on their own. Social circles don’t forward your professional career. You shouldn’t get into a group because you want work. People shouldn’t know you for the amount of drinks you had with them, but the kind of talent you have.

What are your thoughts on the changing phase of paparazzi and domination of social media in India?
Aftab: People with millions of followers are popular on a virtual platform, which is social media. Does that translate to box office collection? No. They might get money to endorse a brand as a post, but are they happy making that as a career? If yes, then that’s great. But I think real popularity is when people will pay to watch your film because they genuinely like you for what you do and what you are. That’s true appreciation. I heard this beautiful quote, ‘This social media freak had thousands of friends on Facebook. But when he died, no one showed up at his funeral.’ All you get is RIP. It’s good to be on social media — use it, be on it, but that’s not the world we should be living in! It’s virtual. Don’t get lost in it.
Shreyas: I make it a point to call people on their birthdays instead of posting a message on social media. I believe in meeting my friends and extended family. My sister was surprised that I wasn’t on Instagram. It felt like a crime. I am on the platform now. I agree with what Aftab says, online validation might not translate into professional success. As far as the paps are concerned, people who work with us now say things like, ‘Sir, airport ke liye kaunsa shirt pehnoge?’

Aftab, you must be relieved that your family can see Setters as it’s been passed with a ‘U’ certificate. It’s something that’s not common with your films.
My last ‘U’ certificate film was in 2011. I haven’t had a ‘U’ certificate film for eight years! Setters has been certified ‘U’, not even ‘U/A’, so I am throwing a party for it. I do regret that over the years my audience shifted from ‘U’ to ‘A’.

Setters, produced by Lovely Films Production and NH Studioz, releases today. 

Meena Iyer (DNA; January 28, 2019)

Fabulous at 50? Is that how it feels?
It feels great. I really toil hard to look and be fit. So, I love all the appreciation that I’ve been getting for it. All I’m waiting for is some good work now. That’s the main reason you have to be fit in this industry, not because of anything else, but because it makes you think more positively. If you’re not, then all the negativity gets into your mind. I’m looking forward to an awesome year ahead.

Your neighbour and collegemate Ajay Devgn says he’s envious of your physique.
I remember, when we were in college, Ajay never worked out. His dad (Veeru Devgan), had built a gym for him. I used to go and meet him there. Just before his dad came, he would quickly spray water on himself to make it seem like he was sweating. He was naughty. I don’t know whether he is envious of my physique, but I think now even he’s fighting fit.

Just before Race 3 (2018) you got all motivated, didn’t you?
Yes, it was after I got a lot of pep talk from ‘Mamu’ (Salman Khan) that I really gave it my all. He has really influenced me a lot.

Salman observed that he has seen different phases in people’s careers. He often mentions how you (according to him) were a big star; even bigger than Akshay Kumar. 
I’ve spoken a lot about it in every interview. There have been times when I just didn’t feel motivated. I went into a shell. As I’ve said umpteen times before this, I’m the youngest in the family, so I have always been protected. Now, I’m standing up and trying to do things on my own. No one can help you. It’s only your attitude and hard work that takes you somewhere. So, Salman saw me going through that phase and he would always tell me the same thing that he told you. And I said, “Yeah Mamu. I know I didn’t realise it. I wasn’t competing with people and I was happy to be in my space and work.”

How come you two call each other Mamu?
We have been calling each other Mamu since a long time. I don’t know how it came up. Anyway, coming to the point, I told him that I didn’t know there was so much competition and everyone wanted to take away what you were doing because they wanted those kind of roles. Slowly, things started slipping out of my hands and it was a while before I actually realised that.

Then you start giving up and losing faith. But eventually I realised that I had to pick up the pieces of my career and just do the right thing. That’s what I started doing, before Poster Boys (2017). When that film came along, I was very excited about it, I was getting to do something so different. Besides working out, I was trying to prepare myself, for an interesting role and a great opportunity. The next thing I know, Salman offered me Race 3, and while doing that, I got Housefull 4. Good things started happening as people saw a change in my attitude. Everyone in the industry loves me, but work took its own time to come my way in the last few years. Whenever I meet people, I’m chilled out; neither do I have any issues with anyone, nor does anyone have any issues with me. So, it used to always confuse me why they don’t work with me. I guess, I had to show interest.

Given that you celebrated your momentous birthday just yesterday, do you look back at your career?
I do and think to myself as to why I gave up in life. Why wasn’t I prepared? Why wasn’t I ready for any kind of challenge in front of me? So, it makes me think, okay, I’ve been in the industry for 24 years, but I never took up any challenges in life till now. I used to work out even before I started my career, but not treating it like a challenge that I have to have the best physique.

You always knew you were good looking. Did you ever take that for granted?
I never thought that physique was an important part of being an actor. Till now, you’ve seen so many actors...

You have two of the best-looking and fit guys in your own home — ­Dharamji and Sunny. They are like role models for the whole world.
Eventually, when you realise it yourself, then you notice the role models around you. When you see their lives, you see that they, too, went through ups and downs in their careers, but they never gave up. My brother had four-five back surgeries, yet he fights it and works out.

Now, I’ve got more equipments in my gym (in the house itself). Today, I’m using the gym more than I ever have in my life. In fact, I finished my workout just half an hour before this interview.

So, this is the best place for me and I’m happy when I exercise. I enjoy my sessions and I feel guilty when I miss them or have a late night. That’s why there’s no way I will miss my workout.

I’m happy that I don’t have to lose anything, but only gain. That’s my attitude now. I’m looking at web series and meeting people, too. I’ve decided to call the directors I’ve met in my life and speak to them. I’ve done that in the past also, but maybe they didn’t take me so seriously then. I met Salman, Akshay, Sajid Nadiadwala and a lot of other people from the industry.

Eventually, something came out of it and they saw that I was hungry for work. And I guess, I look better at 50 then when I was 40 (laughs). Maybe I was not taking care of myself and getting carried away, leading the lifestyle of an actor, not looking into the serious aspects of it. I still have bad habits, but what to do? (Smiles)

You’re awesome as you are. We don’t want to make you Saint Bobby.
I’m not. I’m just saying (laughs). I wish I did... My kids wanted me to give up these habits. I’m blessed to have such a beautiful family. My older son, Aryaman, studies so hard. Recently, when I was going to Goa for a friend’s birthday, he didn’t want to come with me, because he wanted to study. I can’t get over that. Who wouldn’t want to go to Goa?

If one were to ask you to choose, do you have any special films? Are you partial to any movies of yours?
It’s not like that... Some films didn’t do well, but I was happy to be a part of them because of the environment I worked in and the people I met.

There are some movies I don’t think I should have done, but such projects are a part of every actor’s career. I still remember the first day of Soldier’s (1988) shoot. We were filming far away, it was about a two-hour drive from the hotel. It was hot, but the scene I did was so cool. I was walking out with one arm fractured, and suddenly I shoot a guy; it was such a cool moment.

I can also recall clearly the first shot that I gave for Barsaat (1995). The set was that of an old factory and I had to walk down the staircase. I will always cherish the memory because it was the first time I was facing the camera.

You were also seen in your father’s Dharam Veer (1977) as a child.
Yes, I did Dharam Veer also. But I was five years old then (smiles).

Talking about Soldier, one hears that producer Ramesh Taurani, who also co-produced Race 3, wants to make Soldier 2 with your son, Aryaman.
Ramesh ji keeps saying that. I told him to make Soldier Part 2 with me first and then make Part 3 with my son (laughs).

What do your dad and brother say to you now that you’re 50? 
Dad is so happy with the way I look now. He says, ‘Main toh thak gaya, lekin Salman ki baat tune maan li. Teri chaal hi badal gayi hai. Itna chauda ho gaya hai tu abhi! Achha lagta hai.’ He and my brother both are happy.  I guess, I’m still the baby of the house.

Madhureeta Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; June 9, 2018)

It’s not easy being a star son or a star brother either. But when this dishy Deol was launched in the mid-90s, he created quite a splash. He was a trendsetter of sorts, breaking away from the typical machismo mould of heroes with his long locks, flamboyance and those flashy blue-tinted glares (also known as ‘Barsaat glasses’). His career has seen highs and heartbreaking lows, but after four years of self-introspection and rejigging of plans, Bobs is back — in super shape, and packed with pluck and positivity. And he has lived up to the Deol bro code — to never give up! His stars are switched back on and he’s ready for the rerun to the spotlight with the action thriller Race 3. All thanks to Salman Khan, who nudged him to get back on track. In a chat with BT, Bobby bares his heart about his struggles, strengths, his current happy state of mind, and the new generation of Deols. Read on...

After 2012, you took a break, and then after a five-year gap,you were seen in Poster Boys (2017). Over the last year, we have seen a change in you — in shape and spirit. The Bobby Deol we are seeing now is super fit and fab, back in focus and back in the race, literally…
In Poster Boys, I played a character that no one would have thought that I could portray. The film helped me focus on work, and I worked so hard on it that even though it didn’t do well, I didn’t let it bring me down. I met Salman Khan many years ago, and told him that, ‘If there is something you think I can do, let me know’.

He said that he would think about it and he called me sometime last September. At first, I was nervous and wondering if he would like the way I was looking and if my fitness level was good enough. The makers were thinking of other actors to play the part, too, but Salman always wanted me for Race 3 (directed by Remo D’Souza). It’s because of him that I am so driven to work out and be in this shape. It was great fun shooting for such an action-packed film that’s got great stunts. Working with an ensemble cast was amazing.

Race 3 was just the jump-start your career needed, and now that you have stepped on the gas, I am assuming that there is no looking back. What were the learnings during your low phase?
Well, I’m going to be nervous on June 15, when the film releases; I know it is Salman Khan’s show, but for the first time, millions of people are going to see me… thanks to Salman (laughs!). I think you have to always stay focused and positive, if your positive energy dies out, like it happened to me for some time, then you can’t do anything. I believe that everyone has good days and bad days, but you can’t let the bad times beat you down. That is what I was doing with myself. One fine day, I looked at my kids and dad (who still wants to work at 83), and I asked myself… Why am I giving up? I told myself that I have to go out there and get work. Sometimes, I would see make-up vans parked and I would feel bad and wonder… when will I sit in this van again? That gave me the push and strength. Today, I hate sitting at home and I am happiest when I am at work. Because I almost lost it, I want to enjoy every moment of being on a set now. I don’t want this feeling to ever go away. Luckily, I never lost my fans. They wanted to see me. Wherever I went, I never felt that I wasn’t wanted. The love that they have for my family and me is amazing. I would always wonder why I wasn’t getting work. The problem was ‘me’, as I wasn’t taking care of myself. We all go through phases in life, but we have to come out of it. Then of course, Salman came into the picture and his encouragement took me to another level. I just love the man; he makes you believe in yourself.

It is brave for an actor to come out and talk about his low phase and take the onus for it, but you did that. In one of your interviews, you also said that as human beings, we are not very strong people. It’s not easy being so honest, given that actors are constantly judged and scrutinized for their strengths and weaknesses and everything that they say and do…
Yes, I do believe that human beings are not perfect. We can’t strive to be perfect because we have egos, desires and wants. Everyone has weak moments; it’s only that people don’t talk about it. Personally, I don’t believe in self-pity and I see no point when people keep talking about… mere saath yeh hua, woh hua. Right now, I am in a happy space and life is moving in the right direction. Even if things don’t go the right way, I will still keep going on. I am blessed; I have a father who has given us everything, a mother who is like a pillar in our lives, a brother (Sunny Deol) who treats me like a son, my sisters (Vijayta and Ajeeta) who will give their lives for me, and a wife (Tanya), who is my strength and rock. She is younger than me, but treats me like a kid. And I have two lovely kids who are growing up. In the last few years, I have had enough time to spend with them. When I was growing up, my dad was extremely busy, so when I had kids, I decided that I wouldn’t take up so much work that it would leave me with little time for my kids. After all, what am I working for?

Do you think that at some point, the fact that you weren’t seen as aggressively ambitious as many other actors of your generation, was misconstrued by filmmakers as disinterest on your part?
I think that’s what happened. I hated that. I always wanted to work, but it’s just that I didn’t get on anyone’s case. I’ve realised that you have to show your intention to work all the time. In the last four-five years, I have gone and met people for work, but nothing came my way. I even met Sajid Nadiadwala, and he gave me Housefull 4 this year. In fact, I didn’t even realise that people believed that I was disinterested, until I heard the media talk about it. Then, I gradually started opening up and talking about it, as I thought that there was nothing to hide. On the personal front, I don’t like to get my family into the limelight; I feel that I need to give them that security. Today, everyone has an eye on what’s happening in our lives. Even when I go for events, I don’t take my kids along. I know that eventually, I will have to do it as they are growing up, but I don’t want to draw that kind of attention towards them right now. That’s been my upbringing; when I was growing up, my dad never took us with him. I was not allowed to go for award shows, though as a child, I always wanted to see the Filmfare Awards. We never followed that practice, hence, even later on, I didn’t end up going to award shows.

You’re working in some big franchise sequels like Race 3, Housefull 4 and Yamla Pagla Deewana 3. It seems like you are not picky about playing the solo lead, as long as you are part of a good project, right?
I don’t believe that I have to play the lead anymore. When I see some films, I realise that the other characters are often more interesting than the lead role. That’s what I am looking for. In Race 3, I have a great character, Housefull is a franchise too, where Akshay Kumar is the lead, but I have a good part in it. I’m looking for good roles, and I am open to playing negative or positive parts, as long as the role is meaty. In between, I was trying to do offbeat films; I was even growing a beard for two years. I was trying to do different kind of films as I thought that my career had stopped, so I might as well try different kind of cinema. However, I know that my fans want to see me in thrillers and stylised roles because in our country, an actor’s image takes over other things.

You got on to social media only last year; how do you deal with this huge change in the way that celebrities interact with their fans, sometimes by giving daily updates of their life and whereabouts?  Do you feel that the exclusivity that stars enjoyed earlier is missing now?
Yes, it is. The new generation doesn’t know that. They have grown up seeing everything in-your-face. For them, a star is a star only if you see them all the time. There were too many fake Bobby Deol accounts on social media writing rubbish, and the only way to tell people that those were fake accounts was to step in myself. I started on my birthday last year, and so far, I’ve had a good organic growth. It’s a new term we use nowadays, right? Earlier, we used to talk about organic food, now everything is organic (laughs!) Social media has opened up people; of course, it has its pros and cons. Earlier, people had this nervousness before approaching actors, today, anyone can say anything. I guess you have to change with the times.

Yes, times have changed, but what’s amazing about the Deols is that all of you have always stayed together, as one big family…
Yes, and I feel fortunate that I still live in a joint family with my parents. I wanted my kids to grow up in this environment. I have tried to inculcate in them, the kind of values that I have inherited from my parents. The value system has kept us strong and together as a family.

Do you bond with your sons over movies? Do they enjoy watching films?
Yes, sometimes we watch movies together, though my younger one Dharam (13) gets very affected by them. My older one Aryaman (16) is studious, I was nothing like him. I want my kids to study and not just think about a career in movies. It’s one of the toughest professions and it’s very cutthroat. You have to have the talent to make people to like you, only then can you survive. If you get into this industry and don’t have the talent, then, you will go nowhere. It’s not a forgiving profession. I know that my sons might eventually step into the movies, but right now, they are focused on studying. My little one is like my baby and I don’t want him to grow up.

Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; June 3, 2018)

A four-year break behind him, Bobby returned to acting with Poster Boys in 2017, and has not looked back ever since. Ahead of the release of Race 3, he reflects on what transpired in the interim

Before the release of Poster Boys last year, you took a four0year break. Why did you do so?
Although, it was made to look like that, the long break wasn’t planned. People said things like, “He’s happy, or he has a lot of money, so, why would he need to work? He’s lazy.” But, that’s not true. I realised [late] that work would not come to me at home, as it used to. I now needed to go out to get it. I stopped looking after myself. As actors, we have to maintain our body. Slowly, I started to hit a low, and suddenly, I was losing everything. I started pitying myself and drank every day. Alcohol is nice, but you shouldn’t overdo it. It takes away your pain for the moment, but, the next day, you wake up with a headache, and the pain is still there [laughs]. But, thankfully, all that is behind me. I have started believing in myself, and I am an actor who is raring to go. I don’t want to sit at home for even a single day.

When did you decide you wanted to come out of that phase?
My family is chiefly responsible for that. My wife [Tanya] would often tell me, ‘Look at how you’re looking. You need to look after yourself.’ My kids were growing up; I was worried they might think that their father was not doing any work, and sitting home all the time. I didn’t want their friends to question them about me, and wanted to be the best role model for them, just like my father [Dharmendra] has been to me. Then Shreyas Talpade came to me with Poster Boys. It may have not done well at the box-office, but I was appreciated. That instilled confidence.

What kind of changes did you introduce in your approach to your career?
I started to think positively. After Poster Boys, we were going to start work on Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se. I took to physical training and started eating mindfully. I haven’t consumed sugar in two years, except when I occasionally indulge in chocolates. I have been off wheat too. I had interacted with Salman [Khan] casually at a celebrity cricket league. We’d been in touch thereafter. Once he told me, “Dekh, jab mera career nahi chal raha tha to main, Sanjay Dutt, aur tere bhai [Sunny] ke peeth pay chadh gaya.” So, I casually said, “Mamu, mujhe tere peeth par chadhnay de.” And, one day, he called and said, ‘Shirt utarega?’ I said, “Mamu, main kuch bhi karunga.” And that’s how Race 3 happened. Shooting for the film was great. Despite being a superstar, Salman is selfless. So, inevitably, everybody on the set became like that. He set the precedent. I am sad that the shoot got over because I enjoyed being part of it. Once, I had a vertigo attack on set, and I could see that everyone was concerned. Anil [Kapoor] too is such an inspiration.

It’s very rare for an established actor like you not to get work.
Work was always there. But the films I was offered weren’t the kind I wanted to do. Also, it’s not that I didn’t approach people for work. But most of them said, “Dekhte hain, kuch karenge.” I met Sajid Nadiadwala around 18 months ago, and that’s how I am part of Housefull 4.

Your nephew, Karan, is making his debut. That must feel great?
Sunny bhaiya has taken it upon himself to direct the film, so that’s a tough job. He got the best out of me in Dillagi [1999, Bobby-starrer directed by Sunny]. I am sure he will get the best out of his son.

POSTER BOYS featuring Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol and Shreyas Talpade has emerged a surprise HIT on television with impressions on its first showing which beat films like RAEES and BAADSHAHO. The film had fared very poorly at the box office with collections of just 11.64 crore nett and it is rare for such a low grossing film to get over 50 lakh impressions on first viewing and this is not including dubbed Telugu films which score without a theatrical release.

POSTER BOYS has the 12th highest rating of the year and if we take out the two Telugu dubbed films then it is in the top ten. The other surprise is COMMANDO 2 but that had double the collections of POSTER BOYS at the box office. The top films on television this year are as follows. the numbers are impressions which are the number of television sets viewing the film.
1. Bahubali 2: The Conclusion - 2,60,54,000
2. Dangal - 1,62,54,000
3. Toilet Ek Prem Katha - 1,09,25,000
4. Jolly LLB 2 - 1,08,50,000
5. DJ - 1,05,34,000 (Telugu film Duvvada Jagannadham dubbed)
6. Tubelight - 1,02,61,000
7. Kaabil - 86,93,000
8. M S Dhoni - The Untold Story - 80,94,000
9. Shivaay - 62,92,000
10. Commando 2 - 61,36,000
11. Munna Michael - 59,26,000
12. Poster Boys - 53,33,000
13. Raees - 52,56,000
14. Baadshaho - 52,03,000
15. Badrinath Ki Dulhania - 49,68,000

Poster Boys surprisingly turns out to be a fine entertainer and a comic caper. The film however doesn’t start well and beginning 30 minutes are quite a drag. But once the ‘poster boys’ bump into each other and begin their mission, the fun begins and it continues right till the end. It’s not the funniest film or anything of that sort – it’s just a nice funny film that gives you your money and time’s worth. It’s also interesting to see the references to the past films of Deols like Border, Ghayal, Soldier etc! Sunny Deol as always is too good and it’s such a pleasure to see him screaming and beating the baddies. I could never get tired of it! Bobby Deol makes a great comeback. Initially, he looks a bit uncomfortable but later, he contributes to the laughter. Shreyas Talpade is a big surprise – he holds on to himself despite the presence of the Deols and does very well. Do gives these poster boys a chance – they’ll definitely tickle your funny bone!

My rating - *** out of 5!

PERIOD OF SMALL, NOT-SO-EXCITING FILMS BEGINS!

After the release of the biggie Baadshaho last week, the upcoming few Fridays won’t be as exciting. Films with low buzz are going to release and try their luck. Tomorrow, two such films are about to release. My views:

DADDY: It is based on the dreaded ganster-cum-politician Arun Gawli and features Arjun Rampal in the lead role. It is directed by Ashim Ahluwalia, who earlier directed the festival film Miss Lovely. Initially, when the film was announced, there were apprehensions whether the film will be really worth it and whether Arjun is the right choice. But surprisingly, the trailers have been interesting. The film looks like a rich product and Arjun looks kickass! This has increased the buzz of the film but only to a small extent. Also, Arun Gawli is not that famous and is not known throughout the country. Only a section of Mumbaikars are aware about him. The opening of the film will be poor and if response is positive, it can grow but only till an extent.

POSTER BOYS: It is the remake of the Marathi film of the same name, produced by Shreyas Talpade. The Hindi version is not just directed by him but also features him as an actor along with Sunny and Bobby Deol. From the trailer, it looks like a nice, simple entertainer. Again, the buzz for the film is limited. Moreover, the film’s production values are poor and not something that would be fun to see in theatres. Poster Boys’s opening will be bad but better than Daddy. Regardless of whether it works in cinemas, it is bound to work on television.

WHICH FILM WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE AND WHY? DO LET ME KNOW!

Acknowledging that his career failed to soar as expected, Bobby Deol says he's making a new beginning with Poster Boys
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; September 5, 2017)

Even though he has several commercial successes to his credit, Bollywood actor Bobby Deol acquired the image of an artist whose acting prowess couldn't earn him sufficient screen time.

Deol, who last featured in the 2013 comedy, 'Yamla Pagla Deewana 2', alongside father Dharmendra and brother Sunny, is still trying to comprehend what went wrong in his career. "I did absolutely nothing over the last four years. I don't know what went wrong. Either I was not appealing, or, the roles that I wanted to be part of, did not come my way. I laid low since I was losing the plot," he tells mid-day.

After enduring what he describes as the "most frustrating and depressing phase" of his life, Deol is now focusing on his forthcoming release, Poster Boys, which also features Sunny and Shreyas Talpade. The star son calls this outing an effort to "start from scratch". "I have come out stronger and exorcised the demons in my mind."

That Deol 2.0 is indeed determined about this second inning is evident when he says he is looking forward to portraying "character roles" and will not restrict himself to films that feature him as the leading man. He credits Talpade, also a producer on the film, for showing belief in his work. "Shreyas helped me when I was frustrated. He believed that I could pull off the role of a small town man. Bhaiya [Sunny] and I are doing things we have never done before."

An unkempt facial fuzz that Deol had sported over the past few years had given cinephiles reason to believe he was losing interest in his work. But, he clears the air, saying the look was for a role in a film that never took off. "The beard kept getting longer while the project stayed in the backburner. One day, I decided to go clean, knowing the film would never roll." There was also talk of him turning DJ, but Deol terms his foray into music as a figment of someone's imagination. "I read those reports, they were untrue."

DNA (September 1, 2017)

Sunny Deol has a reason to rejoice. His new movie, Poster Boys, which is a remake of a superhit 2014 Marathi film by the same name, has just been given an all-clear by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) with one verbal cut.

The film addresses a sex-related issue, but in a mature manner. Says a source from the CBFC, “It’s good to see intelligent directors taking on sex-related issues. Recently, we viewed Shubh Mangal Saavdhan. In that, too, we did not find a single shot or dialogue to be objectionable, although it dealt with the subject of erectile dysfunction. Now, in Poster Boys the theme is vasectomy. But the treatment is light and suitable for family-viewing. We’ve given the film a U/A rating with one verbal cut.”

Interestingly, real-life brothers, Sunny and Bobby Deol, star in Poster Boys. Shreyas Talpade, who played the lead in the Marathi version of the movie, turns director with this film. Says Sunny, “When Bobby and I came on board we were very clear that there will be no double-meaning or vulgar dialogues. A film can make a socially-relevant point on a taboo subject without losing the family audience.”

After Toilet: EK Prem Katha and Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, Poster Boys will bring out a subject that is never addressed in films, unless we go back to IS Johar’s satire on vasectomy, Nasbandi, in the 1970s.

Sunny on reinventing himself, dearth of acting offers and why dance rehearsals still scare him
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; August 29, 2017)

The reticent Sunny Deol has loosened up, he is no longer the introverted guy he used to be. The actor is now social media savvy, doesn’t shy away from speaking his mind or taking on an unorthodox subject like vasectomy in his upcoming film, Poster Boys, for that matter. “I go by the director’s vision. I can sense a good script from the way he narrates it to me,” begins Deol about his upcoming comedy, when we catch up with him on a rain-soaked afternoon at his Juhu studio. “Shreyas is making his directorial debut, but, I had no reservations about him calling the shots. Bob (brother Bobby Deol) and I had a blast shooting for the film. You’ll see me in a new light. They even made me go on a pouting spree,” he laughs.

This is not the first time the actor has attempted to tread a new path. He tried to do it with Mohalla Assi a few years ago, but the film did not see the light of day owing to run-ins with the Censor Board. “We have not given up on it. The sad state of affairs is a reflection of the times we live in.”

Broach the subject of censorship in India and he states that he fails to see why the Censor Board comes down heavily on films. He argues, “Everything is out there on the Internet and TV. There is so much of rabble-rousing on news channels too, these days. But, films get blamed for it.”

The battle against the Censor Board would have been much easier, if there was a sense of unity in the industry — something that is glaringly lacking: “If we are united, we can always battle it out together.” Deol cites the case of his career-defining film Ghayal (1990), which was given several cuts by the Board. “Initially, we were angry and ready to fight. But then, we kept our egos aside and sat down to have a dialogue. What was eventually edited, did not affect the narrative of the film at all.”

Over the last few years, the actor has had a handful of big screen outings. Ask him why he does not get too many film offers despite his acting prowess and he reflects, “I’m still trying to figure what keeps filmmakers away from me. Maybe, my image… I am ready to take on all types of roles. There is no apprehension about trying something new.” As an afterthought, he quickly adds, “Except when it comes to dance.” Deol’s two left feet is legendary in the industry and he has no qualms in admitting that he is “no Hrithik Roshan”. With unabashed honesty, he says, “Dance rehearsals scare me, but over time, I have conquered my fears. 90 per cent of us are not dancers, everyone cannot be a Hrithik. We just enjoy the music and let the energy out.”

Acutely self-aware, he also points out how his ‘dhai kilo ka haath’ image will not leave him. “It does not bother me. Anything happens, irrespective of whether it is related to me or not, and my dhai kilo ka haath memes flood social media. At least, I can make people chuckle.”

After Poster Boys, the actor will focus solely on Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se — a film that sees the three Deols reuniting. While the trio graces the screen, the youngest generation of the family — Karan — too is gearing up to take the family’s lineage ahead with Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas. With three generations in films, one assumes that dinner table conversations revolve around cinema. “Very rarely,” says Deol. “We don’t talk films at all, except the occasions when we are part of the same project.”

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; August 25, 2017)

Who would have thought a mainstream film on the subject of open defecation would have people flocking to the theatres? But that’s exactly what’s happening with Toilet - Ek Prem Katha. The film starring Akshay Kumar has crossed Rs 100 crore and is still holding strong. A couple of years ago, Piku, that had Amitabh Bachchan’s character obsessed with his bowel movements, was a money-spinner.

From constipation to open defecation, sperm donation to erectile dysfunction, vasectomy, menstrual hygiene — topics that were considered taboo in Bollywood are now in the forefront with Hindi cinema undergoing a paradigm shift. Filmmakers and A-list actors are no longer shying away from making movies that deal with personal and intimate issues.

In fact, Akshay’s next, Pad Man, is about a man who made a low-cost sanitary pad making machine, Ayushmann Khurrana, who made his debut playing a sperm donor in Vicky Donor is now suffering from erectile dysfunction in Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, while the Deols — Sunny and Bobby find themselves in a bind when their pictures appear on the poster of vasectomy in Poster Boys.

Change for the better
Amul Mohan, trade anaylst and Editor, Super Cinema says, “Filmmakers, actors and audiences are looking for new content all the time. Also, content with a little bit of shock value that makes people realise their mistakes or shortcomings is in vogue. Toilet - Ek Prem Katha (TEPK) took head-on a situation like open defecation. How you weave that story around normal parameters of a Bollywood film makes all the difference as it’s working well.”

Akshaye Rathi, exhibitor, attributes it to the fact that India as a country as well as people’s mindset has progressed a lot over the years. “This is mainly because the globe is shrinking. There is exposure to content from media — Internet, TV films, etc. from across the world. And since for the longest time, there were no such taboos or boundaries there, that has trickled down to mainstream India. As a result, a lot of things that were spoken behind closed doors earlier, are now commonly discussed.” Aanand L Rai, who is producing Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (SMS), avers that society is ever-changing and growing, and cinema is a platform that reflects this change in the society. “It’s a give and take relationship between audiences and makers, now. We take one step ahead and they give us the courage to take a leap and go and try Piku, TEPK, SMS, etc,” he shares.

The game-changer
While Bollywood has made films on sensitive and topical subjects in the past, too, they were mostly experimental and niche. Vicky Donor was the first mainstream film to bring to light the issue of infertility with the hero playing a sperm donor! Granted, with Ayushmann playing the lead, but the film directed by Shoojit Sircar was a sleeper hit that year. “I didn’t expect the film to be accepted so well. I thought the youth might like it, but never thought families will go together and watch the film because it is such a taboo topic and adult in nature. But saas, bahu, maasi, father, daughter everyone went to see the film, laughed, cried and enjoyed it,” Shoojit says. However, back then, it wasn’t easy for him to make the film. “People, even those from the fraternity didn’t have faith in how it will turn out. A-list actors turned it down, saying how can there be a film on a sperm donor,” reveals Shoojit, adding that these kind of films are difficult to pull of and have to be dealt with sensitivity. “Vicky Donor could have easily gone on the other side of the ring and become a slapstick comedy. As for Piku, a film just on bowel movements and constipation, talking about the colour of sh*t could have been disgusting. It’s up to you how you treat the film,” he Shoojit.

Actors are all for it
At a time when A-list actors turned down the role of a sperm donor, Ayushmann embraced it and now as an established actor, he has taken on the role of a guy with erectile dysfunction. “As a newcomer, I was surprised when I was approached, but when I saw the script, I liked it. Now, my life has come a full circle with this role as a person who suffers from — I won’t say erectile dysfunction, but performance anxiety. I’ve no reservations about playing such roles as long as I trust that the filmmaker will present it in the best manner possible.” Akshay, who lent his name both to TEPK and Padman, in an interview said, “If you are talking about issue-based stories like Toilet - Ek Prem Katha, I think being a successful actor by the grace of God, if my association gives the film a better mileage and if the story intrigued me, I do it.”

Talking point
While TEPK has begun a conversation on the issue of open defecation, the youth is piqued with the trailer of SMS. They are curious to know the problem Ayushmann’s character undergoes with his fiancee. Says Amul, “While people may not discuss issues like these at their dinner tables, these have become talking points when friends and family get together. They may praise or disregard the film, but the conversation has started.” Agrees Bhumi Pednekar, who starred in TEPK and is part of SMS, “We live in a time when, especially in our society, we don’t speak about a lot of things. And then, you watch a film that speaks about it and the talk becomes easier. Films like Pad Man, Toilet and others start a conversation which should have started 20 years ago, so I definitely feel these films should be made. It helps our society evolve.”

The icing on the cake is these films are being welcomed by the audience. RS Prasanna who has helmed the hit Tamil film Kalyan Samayal Saadhal, the original of SMS almost four years ago, says the youth of new-age India is confident about questioning themselves. “They relate with these stories,” he shares. And as Amul puts it, “Films that were earlier considered niche have now found a sweet spot where it is translating into box-office success.”

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 4, 2017)

The last seven months in Bollywood have been marked by a distinctive onslaught of remixes of ’90s hits. Shaad Ali recycled A R Rahman’s foot-tapping composition “Humma Humma” from mentor mani ratnam’s 1995 film Bombay for his Aditya Roy Kapur-Shraddha Kapoor love story OK Jaanu in January. It was followed by Badrinath Ki Dulhania, which saw Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt borrow tunes and moves from Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit’s “Tamma Tamma”. Come March, Abbas-Mustan’s romance-thriller Machine which launched the former’s son Mustafa, threw it back to Mohra’s “Mast Mast”. Then, there are upcoming films like Lucknow Central, Tumhari Sulu, Baadshaho and Poster Boys falling in step with Monsoon Wedding’s folksy “Kaavan Kaavan”, Sridevi’s iconic “Hawa Hawaii”, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s ghazal-qawwali “Mere Rashke Qamar” and Daler Mehndi’s “Kudiyan Shehar Diyan” from Arjun Pandit respectively. And the name that binds them all together single-handedly is Tanishk Baagchi.

Speaking to Mirror earlier (June 6) the 30-year-old composer had been disarmingly evasive as he argued that remixes have been around for a long time, pointing to Shefali Zariwala’s “Kaanta Lagaa”. But Apoorva Mehta, CEO of Dharma Productions which produced OK Jaanu and Badrinath Ki Dulhania, says that recreations come with the pressure of expectations. “But Tanishk’s compositions are fresh, with a vibe that connects with the youth, and simultaneously are a perfect tribute to the original,” he explains.

Shabbir Ahmed, who has worked with the music director on “Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast” as an additional lyrics writer, raves about his passion and sound quality. “He catches the right musical notes and dances in his seat to get the feel of his tune,” Shabbir laughs at the memory.

Nikkhil Advani, the producer of Lucknow Central, who went a step further and got Tanishk to further remix Arjunna Harjaie’s recreated version of “Kaavan Kaavan” for promotions, had been so confident about the composer’s talent, that he’d been recommending him all over town even before he hit pay dirt. “I think filmmakers are reaching out to him because he has executed so many recreations successfully,” Nikkhil reasons, adding that Tanishk’s original stuff is just as fantastic. He’s just heard two tracks Tanishk scored for Lucknow Central and two more for Baazaar, including “Kem Cho, Majama” for Saif Ali Khan who plays a Gujarati stock broker in the film. “He is not only extremely knowledgeable about music but the way he approaches a song, whether recreated or original, is unique,” Nikkhil avers.

Surprisingly, Tanishk himself isn’t too kicked about recreations. T-Series head honcho Bhushan Kumar who offered him “Mere Rashke Qamar”, also agrees that they should be collaborating more on original music. “But we are here to entertain and it’s a public demand we are fulfilling. I’ve explained to him that he is not just remixing an original track but recreating it. He works really hard on these compositions, changing the tune and even the antaras but retaining the original feel. He is doing a great job,” applauds Bhushan.

Abbas who knew Tanishk even before he entered the film industry says Mustaan and he have several of the youngster’s original compositions. “Since he was doing the entire Machine album we also asked him to recreate “Tu Cheez Badi”. We believe these recreations are making the originals even more popular. Tanishk will compose even for our next which we are currently scripting,” promises the man in white. For his sake we hope that this time he will be allowed to give his own mast mast tunes.

Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; July 24, 2017)

Ajay Devgn is lending a helping hand to good friend Shreyas Talpade for his directorial debut, Poster Boys. The actor will lend his voice to the trailer of the film that stars the Deol brothers — Sunny and Bobby along with Talpade in lead roles.

Confirming the development, Talpade says, “Ajay bhai has been aware of Poster Boys since its inception. When I showed him the first cut of the trailer, he was happy with the way it had shaped up. He could not stop laughing.”

Poster Boys is inspired by a real-life incident about three men, who are shocked to find their pictures being used as part of a vasectomy campaign. As Devgn is known for his comic streak, Talpade felt including his voice to the antics of the protagonists would provide added interest to the comedy. Adds Talpade, “He has always been supportive. I am honoured that he’s part of my directorial debut.”

The film, slated to release in September, is a remake of Talpade’s 2014 Marathi production of the same name, which was directed by Sameer Patil and starred Dilip Prabhavalkar, Hrishikesh Joshi, Aniket Vishwasrao.

Devgn and Talpade, who have earlier worked in Golmaal 3 (2010) and Golmaal Returns (2008), are currently shooting for the fourth outing of the franchise.

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 19, 2017)

Daler Mehndi’s hit song, “Kudiyan Shehar Diyan” from Rahul Rawail’s 1999 action-packed drama Arjun Pandit is on its way back to public memory with Shreyas Talpade’s Poster Boys, the official Hindi remake of the actor-producer’s 2014 Marathi film by the same name. The song’s recreated version, choreographed by Ganesh Acharya, will feature Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Elli AvrRam and Shreyas himself.

“We wanted a vibrant and energetic track for the opening sequence as it sets the tone of the film. When someone suggested this number, all of us unanimously agreed it fits the bill and has great nostalgic value since it comes from a Sunny paaji film even if it didn’t feature him earlier. And we thought of recreating it with Daler paaji,” Shreyas told Mirror.

The new version has been composed by Tanishk Bagchi, who has previously worked on “Tamma Tamma” for Badrinath Ki Dulhania, OK Jaanu’s “Humma Humma” and “Mast Mast” for Machine. Neha Kakkar accompanies Daler on the vocals. Shreyas informs that Acharya has worked with the Deol brothers before and is familiar with their strengths and weaknesses as dancers. “Sunny sir and Bobby will have a cute signature step. Masterji (Acharya) suggested that the choreography be recreated in an interesting manner, just like the song,” adds the 41-yearold actor-filmmaker.