Even though A R Rahman has made brief appearances in films, the Academy Award winner is all set to take up his first acting role in the Prabhudheva-starrer upcoming comedy, Moonwalk. Interestingly, he will be playing a film director named A R Rahman.

The film’s director, Manoj Nirmala Sreedharan, tells us, “When I pitched the idea to him, AR sir was game for the new experience. I told him the movie will be fun, and he said, ‘Let’s do it.’ He is extremely busy, but still took time away from all his projects and did this film.”

He adds, “Prabhu sir and Rahman sir are collaborating after so many years. So, there is so much excitement even for the two of them. It was that excitement that Rahman sir liked more than anything else.”

Sharing the experience of having Rahman as an actor on the set, Manoj says, “Prabhudheva sir, who is a director himself, was laughing watching Rahman sir perform. He enjoyed how natural Rahman sir’s acting was. Actually, the entire set was happy to see him act. We could see he was having fun, and I also think that has translated on screen.”

I’m chilled out, but I also give my 200 per cent to work,” shares Prabhudeva. The actor, who has several films in the pipeline, will next be seen playing a corpse in Jolly O Gymkhana. In a chat with us, he opens up about how his prep for dance sequences has changed over the years, and hints at his son’s entry into films...

Jolly O Gymkhana will be a different kind of film. I’m acting as a corpse, but I won’t be seen stiff all the time. There are scenes in which I had to wear roller skates. During the shoot, I fell down many times and got hurt, but it’s part of the job.

In the last one year, my son has developed an interest in films. He is a big boy now. I don’t give him any advice, but I told him it’s important to be hardworking, sincere, and disciplined to be successful not only in the film industry but in life as well.

People kept telling me, ‘Sir, you were the villain! We didn’t even imagine that.’ But there was no preparation for portraying the antagonist. The Greatest Of All Time was a full-on Vijay film. All three of us — Vijay, Prashanth and I — were happy to be working together. Prashant and I were in a holiday mood during the film’s shoot.

I will have to maintain my fitness or else it will get very difficult when I dance. Sleep is also important. So, I always exercise, even when I am travelling and shooting for films. I pay attention to what I eat, and I refrain from eating after 7 pm. If I’m doing a dance number, I start getting ready 15 days prior to keep up with the young dancers. I will also go through rehearsals for two to three hours every day. A lot of effort goes into making my dance look effortless.

I am giving 200 per cent for every film, but when a film doesn’t do well, I of course wonder why. That said, I can’t keep thinking about it, so I try harder next time. The entire team gives their all, but at the end of the day, the audience is the judge. We have to accept their decision and move ahead.

When we choreograph with 100 girls and 100 boys, we try to make it a safe workplace. Not just me, but everyone, including the director, the lightman, and the cameraman, make sure it’s a safe space for women. If there’s a problem, the team will take action. But bad instances have happened to women in some places, and this has to be corrected.

I recently saw Meiyazhagan and really liked it. There was something new in that film. I liked the choreography of the song Aayi Nai (Stree 2). I also like the songs that are being made in Telugu because they are very elaborate.

Vijay has taken the decision, and it is his wish. My conversations with him have always been about simple matters. We have never spoken about his political entry.

Days after mid-day had reported that Salman Khan was set to pursue his film commitments despite repeated threats to his life (Bhaijaan Won’t Be Bogged Down, October 17) comes news that the actor has taken on yet another project. Two years after he set off to Dubai for a tour with the top female stars of Bollywood, Khan is set to return to the country as part of a Middle Eastern tour. His first global performance on the international stage in the aftermath of fresh threats from gangster Lawrence Bishnoi will commence with an act on December 7. Actors, including Tamannaah Bhatia, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonakshi Sinha, Aastha Gill, Prabhudheva, Disha Patani, Maniesh Paul, and Sunil Grover, among others, will be part of this edition of Da-bangg: The Tour Reloaded.

Asserting that Khan wasn’t apprehensive about giving his nod to the international trip, his manager Jordy Patel—who also serves as the show’s organizer, along with Sohail Khan and Adil Jagmagia—says, “Security is arranged well by the Dubai police, and [in] crowded [areas] too. The cops take care of that. We will travel with our own security. Personnel will be appointed for each artiste, including Salman. He has been keeping up with all his professional commitments, and when we approached him for the show, he immediately agreed to be part of it. For Salman, the show must always go on. He has to keep shooting because he is committed to his work.”

In keeping with his past performances on the tour, Khan’s four-hour set is expected to have a blend of music, comic acts, and dance performances. The first act will be held at the Dubai Harbour Experience, which has a capacity of 25,000 viewers, with another show scheduled at Jeddah, where Khan is expected to perform to a 70,000-strong crowd.

“This edition will mark the third show of Da-Bangg in Dubai, and will be held at a beautiful outdoor venue overlooking the Dubai skyline. Only premiere international shows happen here, and an Indian concert like ours will take place here for the first time. While the Middle Eastern tour kicks off in Dubai, we will also announce shows in Qatar, Bahrain, and Doha, when we have the dates of the other artistes. We are trying to cover all the cities in the Middle East,” he says, adding that with 40 shows behind them, the team attempts to match international acts while delivering every new performance. 

“Apart from paying attention to the visuals, sounds, and graphics, we keep changing the line-up of artistes so that Salman [performs] with someone new every time. We plan to add more shows in London and the USA in May and June next year,” he says, adding that tickets for the shows are already on sale.

Considering the multiple projects he has in his kitty, Khan, however, will need to deftly fill his date diary. The preferred days by the international organizers, says Patel, are Fridays, when the actor is required in Mumbai to shoot for the ongoing reality TV show, Bigg Boss.

“On December 7, he will not shoot for the reality show. But, on other days, he will go back and forth, and be part of the tour as well as Bigg Boss.”

Kicking ass on screen can be a thrilling affair. Kajol is discovering it as she shoots Maharagni: Queen of Queens, helmed by Telugu director Charan Tej Uppalapati. In May, the actor had unveiled the film’s teaser that saw her in a fierce avatar as she took on baddies single-handedly. On the surface, Maharagni is a revenge story with the protagonist rising against all odds to claim power. There is more to it, promises Uppalapati. He says that at its core, it is a story of women empowerment, while exploring the parent-child bond.

The director, who kicked off the shoot in Hyderabad in February, shares, “In today’s times, women are an avatar of Goddess Durga, and have the qualities of Lakshmi and Saraswati. Kajol plays Maya, a woman who rises from Dharavi’s slums and becomes one of the most powerful women in Maharashtra. The central theme is about loving your parents. Through the movie, we want to tell the audience to take care of their parents.”

In her three-decade-plus career, Kajol flirted with Tamil movies with Minsara Kanavu (1997) and Velaiilla Pattadhari 2 (2017). Maharagni marks her first pan-India offering, with the director shooting it in Hindi and planning to dub it in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada. Making it an anticipated project is its powerful cast that includes Naseeruddin Shah, Prabhudheva, Samyuktha Menon and Jisshu Sengupta.

“I wanted to tell a story that everyone across India would connect to. So, I [roped in] actors from different states. Kajol ma’am is leading a [mainstream] action entertainer like this for the first time. When I narrated the script to her, she was excited. I am a director from Hyderabad who has come down to Mumbai to do something; it’s only because of Kajol ma’am’s support and guidance that I could do this. Once she gets into the character, she is immersed in it, and is a fabulous actor. She spends time on the sets and lives the character.”

With a chunk of Maharagni shot in Hyderabad, the unit will begin the final schedule in Mumbai next month. Uppalapati is particularly excited about presenting his leading lady in an action avatar for the first time. “Kajol prepped [hard] for the action sequences. For me, action has to make sense and [go beyond] looking good. There should be an emotion behind each action set-piece.”

What can top Salman Khan shaking a leg on screen? The actor shaking a leg with south superstar Chiranjeevi. Last month, mid-day had reported that the production team of God Father had begun erecting a set at the Golden Tobacco factory for a special song (Two films come together for Salman, July 18). Now, it is learnt that the two superstars recently filmed the dance number over a week, under the supervision of choreographer Prabhudheva.

In God Father, which is an adaptation of Malayalam movie Lucifer (2019), Khan has stepped into the shoes of Prithviraj Sukumaran. Khan — who has an extended cameo — plays mercenary Zayed Masood, who is a close associate of a powerful politician, essayed by Chiranjeevi. While the original film did not have a song featuring the two characters, director Jayam Mohanraja specially requested for a track to be created that would do justice to the star power of Chiranjeevi and Khan.

A source reveals, “It’s a gangsta song — a rap-cum-clubhouse number composed by Thaman S. The makers have spared no expense to make it a grand affair. Art director Suresh Selvarajan built a sprawling set of about Rs. 4 crore at the Vile Parle studio. Prabhudeva has given signature steps to each actor, and designed the song in such a way that their camaraderie reflects on screen.”

The source adds that though Prabhudheva was busy with his commitments in Chennai, he flew down to Mumbai, at Chiranjeevi’s behest. “The song is shot against the backdrop of a vintage European palace, complete with domes and chandeliers. Over 150 international dancers were roped in for the shoot.”

In 2019, Rowdy Rathore (2012) co-producer Shabinaa Khan had revealed that a sequel to Akshay Kumar’s hit action-comedy was on the cards. While the news brought cheer among the superstar’s fans, little was known about its development thereon. Now, almost a decade since the Prabhudheva-directed venture hit the screens, the makers are poised to present the sequel. The film is being scripted by Baahubali (2015) and RRR writer K V Vijayendra Prasad. While Rowdy Rathore was a remake of the 2006 Telugu hit, Vikramarkudu — which was written by Prasad — the sequel will only be developed in Hindi.

The 2012 film saw Kumar in a double role, as petty thief Shiva and ASP Vikram Singh Rathore. A trade source reveals, “Sonakshi Sinha will reprise her role of Paro. While the principal characters of Shiva and Paro are expected to remain in the sequel, the story will not pick up where Rowdy Rathore ended. This will be a completely new narrative. The script will be ready in the next few months, and the movie is expected to go on floors in the end of 2022.”

Veteran writer Prasad confirms that he has been working on the script since the past few months. “I am currently writing the Rowdy Rathore 2 script. Bhansali saab [Sanjay Leela Bhansali, producer] approached me to write the sequel. I should be able to complete the script soon,” he says, refusing to divulge details about the plot. Asked whether Prabhudheva will return to helm the second instalment, he says, “I am not aware about the director.”

Mission Kashmir’s dance number Rind Posh Maal featuring Hrithik Roshan, catapulted choreographers Bosco-Caesar into limelight. Like other choreographers, including Farah Khan, Ahmed Khan and Remo DSouza, Bosco Martis will progress to film direction with his debut film Rocket Gang, a horror dance-comedy.

Talking about his directorial debut, which stars Aditya Seal and Nikita Dutta, Bosco says, “In spite of the pandemic, we sailed through, battling all the challenges that were thrown our way. Every time we shot for Rocket Gang, we were extra cautious and ensured all the social distancing norms were followed. I always wanted to direct a genre-defining movie. As a director, the story to me is most important. I was certain that the movie I wanted to make would be extremely entertaining and involve a lot of dancing. I think this will be the first time that the Indian audience is going to see this combination of horror, dance and comedy. When I say horror, it’s not scary horror, but there’s a little bit of fantasy involved.”

He adds, “We have a solid group of choreographers-turned-directors who have had a fabulous run at entertaining the country. Farah Khan, Remo DSouza and Ahmed Khan are successful choreographers who have turned directors and delivered massive hits. I’m glad that I have the opportunity to join the bandwagon, but there’s no pressure at all. I am looking forward to entertaining the country with my stories which I’m sure is every filmmaker’s goal.”

Speaking about his favourite dancers from the industry, Bosco shares, “There are a lot of good dancers in the industry — Hrithik Roshan, Shahid Kapoor, Tiger Shroff. I also feel Ranbir Kapoor is a very natural dancer, and the way he performs is effortless. Prabhudheva is a legendary dancer from the Indian fraternity who completely blew my mind. I would record his videos and try to copy his moves. They’re all great dancers. They have their unique styles.”

He’s known for his nimble footwork, but in his Tamil film with Santhosh Jayakumar, Prabhudheva will be playing a physically challenged person who uses a prosthetic leg. “That was one of the reasons why Prabhudheva was hooked to the script,” says the director, who released the first-look poster of the action entertainer, titled Poikkal Kuthirai, recently. He explains, “He plays Kathiravan, a physically challenged person, a doting father, who is forced to face a tough situation. It’s a difficult situation to handle even for a normal man, and his physical disability doubles the challenge for this character.”

Santhosh reveals that Prabhudheva has been practising walking with the prosthetic leg since June. “We are using a prosthetic leg for his character, and so, he had to learn how to walk using that. First, he started training by tying up one leg, and using a walker and a stand. Then, we fixed the prosthetic leg and he’d walk with that. It was quite tough to achieve balance and there were times when he would fall down,” says the director, adding, “We got in touch with an international company which makes prosthetic limbs for athletes to understand the process of fixing the leg, walking with it and removing it. We visited their office and the professionals there taught Prabhudheva how to walk, climb and even stop walking with the prosthetic leg. He started training in mid-June and practices even now, before and after shoot, during breaks and even when he is at home. He has totally nailed the character.”

The film, which also stars Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Raiza Wilson, and Prakash Raj among others, is 50 per cent complete. “We will resume shoot in a few days in Chennai,” he informs.

It’s been over a year since Disha Patani has had a film release. Malang had hit the screens in February 2020, after which she was seen in a dance number in Baaghi 3. Her recent outing, Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai that has her opposite Salman Khan, released largely on the digital medium, with a theatrical run in a select few countries. The actress feels fortunate to have a film release in these tough times and hopes it spreads cheer among movie lovers. In a chat with BT, she talks about her equation with her co-star Salman Khan, how she grew up watching films with her father in theatres and how her past experiences have toughened her up to deal with the challenges of showbiz. Excerpts:

Frankly, it is a blessing to even have a release during a time like this. Be it on OTT, cinema halls or television, I just hope the film reaches as many people as possible. The times are grim, and I hope the film leaves people entertained. Personally, I have enjoyed watching Salman-starrers on the big screen. My dad loves watching films, and he would take us to watch movies in theatres every Saturday. So, the weekend was meant for watching films even if we were repeating a film. One of my early memories of watching a Salman-starrer is Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! I also enjoyed watching Wanted. I have seen the film multiple times.

I feel it is always a bit intimidating when you are working with such an experienced actor. This time it was a little better for sure. He was very chilled out and would make everyone laugh. He’s very easy-going and humble and there’s a lot to learn from him.

This is the first time I am doing a comedy part. As an actor, I am always prepared, but comedy is all about the situation and on-the-spot improvisation. I haven’t done this before and it was a little hard for me. What also helped is that Prabhudheva sir, being an actor himself, would perform the scenes and show me, and that would help me understand what he wanted in a particular shot.

My dad enjoyed watching Dabangg. He was entertained seeing reel cops dance and fight on screen, amongst other things. In fact, he doesn’t miss a chance to watch a Bollywood cop film every time it releases.

(Laughs!) While growing up, we had to study a lot. I wanted to be an air force pilot, however, things didn’t work in that direction for me. Ours was quite a strict household, but this helped me be independent right from the beginning. My sister and I would play sports. While I used to play basketball, she would literally play every sport (laughs!). The introduction of sports in your curriculum while growing up helps you deal better with success and defeat. There are a lot of lessons you learn as a kid while playing sports. Our father made sure that we weren’t lagging behind in anything. From fixing a broken car to giving it a push in the middle of the road — he used to encourage us to do our own stuff.

I was 18 when I shifted to Mumbai. Initially, I was modelling and living alone in an apartment. My past experiences helped me deal with success and failures on my own, as I didn’t have people around me to share my highs or lows. I could easily cope up with the situations. In the lockdown, when people took to doing household chores, I could manage it well, because in the beginning, when I lived alone, I would clean my own house, do the laundry, go for auditions, then come back and cook. In this pandemic, we’ve learnt that we don’t need much help from outside. It’s also taught us that we need to be strong from the inside (emotionally) and take charge of things. I think, in the course of this journey through the pandemic, a lot of people learnt to be independent and started liking their own company, which I don’t think they enjoyed as much in the past.

Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai, starring Salman Khan, Disha Patani, Randeep Hooda and Jackie Shroff and directed by Prabhudheva, was supposed to have a major theatrical release. However, with the ongoing pandemic and theatres being shut, the film is being released in the pay-per-view digital format along with a theatrical release in 40 other countries. Talking about the movie releasing in these times, director Prabhudheva says, “This is indeed a tough time for all of us, and we are all dealing with it in our own way.”

The director hopes that in this grim situation, the film brings some respite to movie lovers. He says, “Through this phase, content on the digital medium has kept the audience hooked. We can’t really venture out or spend time with our friends, so I feel that films like Radhe... can work as a stressbuster in such a scenario. We had hoped that it would release in theatres here as well because it was envisioned as a film meant for the big screen. Unfortunately, the situation is such that it will largely be a digital release.”

Prabhudheva’s association with Salman goes back a long way. He had directed the 2009-release Wanted, in which Salman played Radhe, too. The film went on to become a huge success and swung Salman’s career to the top again. “He was a big superstar when we started working on Wanted. I don’t believe that Wanted revived his career, in fact, Boney (Kapoor, producer) sir and Salman sir gave my career in Bollywood a boost,” says the shy filmmaker.

Prabhudheva says, “I have a lot of love and respect for Salman sir. He has his own persona, and whatever our styles are, I have always loved him. By now, we are aware of each other’s working styles and patterns. This makes our job easy. Each moment that I spend with him on set is memorable.”

Between all the work before Radhe’s release, Prabhudheva says that he has been watching films across all genres to keep himself distracted amid the pandemic. “During this phase, the one new thing that I have learnt is to appreciate and enjoy the simple things in life,” he shares.

With uncertainty looming large over the industry, he hopes to get back to direction with a new project in December and is looking forward to the release of multiple films that will have him playing various roles. He says, “I am acting in a few Tamil films, and four of my films are complete. We are waiting for normalcy to be restored, so that they can be released.”

While, as a director, he has also worked with the likes of Akshay Kumar, Shahid Kapoor and Ajay Devgn, ask him if he is thinking about working with fresh talent in the industry, and he says, “Every year there are new actors and a fresh lot of talent that comes into the industry. The current crop of actors is hard-working and talented. I will be happy to work with any of the new actors as and when I get an opportunity.”

His pursuits are not limited to acting in films and shows alone. Randeep Hooda’s love for horses and wildlife photography keeps him just as busy and, at times, away from the crazy rat race in Bollywood. Two decades into the business, and Randeep who has created a niche in the industry, still feels that there’s a lot left to explore. Randeep, who will be seen as the antagonist in Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai headlined by Salman Khan, talks about his second release in the course of the pandemic and more. Excerpts:

During the last wave of the pandemic, I had done whatever I could to help people. Back then, people didn’t have basics, daily amenities, and so many had been laid off from their jobs. This time, the fight is for oxygen. I have been associated with Khalsa Aid for many years now. We decided to tackle the most important and immediate requirement - oxygen concentrators. Some patients can manage with these devices at home for their oxygen requirement. By getting hospitalised, they occupy beds that can be used for critical patients. Concentrators are fewer in number. So, we decided to help out with it. Once a patient reaches out to us, we either home deliver it or have someone from their side pick it up from us. We collect it back once the patient is alright and pass it to the next one who needs it. We’ve got a tremendous response. Today, everyone is trying to help. In fact, I was also planning to go on the ground and assist, but I was asked to refrain from it to avoid chaos. So, I am doing whatever I can from home.

Well, as an artiste, you don’t have much control over the timing of a film’s release. There are bigger problems at hand and people are suffering a lot more than a film not making it to theatres on a preset date. So, one does not feel much about it being delayed. In the past, I have been guilty of preparing for a film for two-three years, and after that, things didn’t move. So, waiting is okay for me. During the last wave of the pandemic, my international project Extraction released and I was happy that we were able to entertain people and take their minds off a gloomy situation temporarily. Around the same time this year, we have Radhe... it doesn’t matter if it’s a year late.

Salman and I have hung out together and we have a friendship that goes back years. We get along well and I really like the guy. There is a camaraderie there which exists off-screen, too. I am very happy with my collaborations with Salman. I was chasing him in Kick, I trained him in Sultan and I am now testing him in Radhe... I think this progression was all planned by him (laughs!). The camaraderie on screen works out well when both the actors concentrate on their parts. Radhe... is an action entertainer and a story of cleaning the city of a drug ring, something that was being talked about last year. It’s an action entertainer. I worked with a cool action team from Korea and a team from the South, which, I would agree, is quite a blend. Prabhudheva keeps it simple and it’s not taxing to work with him. It’s a quintessential story about the good and bad guy and how the bad guy is taken down.

There are many reasons I would say yes to a film — it has to primarily offer something new and exciting for me to do. I don’t like repeating myself. Of course, working with friends is an incentive. A scale like that of Extraction is something that also ticks a box. Primarily, I seek a story that should be something worthy of my time. I have worked with over 20 new directors in my career, so that has never been a constraint. At this stage in my career, with a few experiences in the past, the rest of the people attached to a film also matter a lot now. I have had many movies which didn’t get the perception and the release that they deserved.

The longer format is interesting indeed, and I am doing a show, too. But the long format shooting is a new thing for me, and I don’t know yet if I am excited. Shooting for one show is like filming three-four films. This is a new territory and no doubt that new things are being explored. But I am not switching to the digital platform entirely. I still have that excitement about watching a film and being collectively infected with people’s energies in a cinema hall. That medium is still something! Over my career of two decades, I have delved into all sorts of roles across genres — villain, hero, satellite character — the work involved is the same in all these. I have to be truthful to the script, and the rest will happen. A lot of content comes my way, and some of it really excites me. I have enough on my plate to keep me busy; in fact, dates sometimes are an issue now. But I have a good blend on my table.

Well, I am in the process, I guess. That’s all. That’s my answer — we are all progressing in life and let’s see where it takes us.

Prabhudheva’s upcoming directorial, Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai, starring Salman Khan, has set a precedent by becoming the first film to adopt the new hybrid model of release amid the second wave of the pandemic.

Sharing his excitement about the simultaneous release of his film in theatres and on the OTT space via a pay per view system, the choreographer-director says, “This is the first time that most of us are experiencing new format of content consumption as a part of the new normal. It is going to be experimental to have this film have a hybrid release. We all are adapting to what comes our way.”

During the first lockdown last year, the shoot of Radhe had to be stalled and could only resume in October, 2020. Ask him if the long break affected the continuity of the process of filmmaking and he says, “The shoot for only two songs and some work was left, 98% of the film was done before lockdown. When we resumed again, we knew what we wanted to shoot. So, we wrapped up everything as soon as we got the chance to shoot...”

The film marks his third collaboration with Khan after Wanted (2009) and Dabangg 3 (2019). Prabhudeva reckons that he has seen Khan transform and evolve over the years. “His persona as a star has only evolved with time. He also understands the pulse of the audiences really well. With so many years of experience in the industry, he has mastered it and so, as a superstar, he knows what people want and he does that,” he ends.

As India reels under the second wave of Coronavirus, social media is flooded with pleas seeking medical help. Disheartened by what’s happening all around, actor Disha Patani feels that this is the time when everyone needs to stay safe and just try and help each other as much as possible.

“It has been a tough time for everyone, more so for those who’ve been struggling with basic necessities. It’s painful to see so much suffering all around, but what we can do to make it less difficult is take precautions, mask up, get vaccinated and extend help to all those in need,” says the actor.

Hoping for normalcy to resume soon, Patani, 28, adds, “We all are in this together and I pray for everyone’s safety and well being. I hope we, and our country comes out of this crisis as soon as possible.”

On the work front, while the shoots have once again come to a screeching halt, the actor prefers to focus on the positive side and looks forward to entertaining the audiences through her next film, Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai, alongside actor Salman Khan. “The multi-platform release was our best option given the existing situation at hand. Theatre owners had appealed to Salman sir to get them out of this slump by releasing his movie in theatres. So, along with releasing it in regions where theatres aren’t shut, the audiences can watch the film from the comfort of their home too,” says the actor, adding, “I feel glad that we are able to entertain the audience in such tough times”.

This is Patani’s second collaboration with Khan after Bharat (2019), and talking of her experience, she says, “He’s a great human being and always makes everyone comfortable. He’s so inspiring and I’m very grateful that I got the opportunity to work with such a superstar once again.”

Her song, Seeti Maar, from the film, is already a rage and Patani couldn’t be happier about it. “It was pretty difficult prepping for the song because it was the first time I was working with Prabhudheva sir (director of the film). But he was very patient with me. It was a different choreography but was so much fun,” says the actor, who also has films such as KTina and Ek Villain Returns in her kitty.

Admitting how opportunities to show off her dancing skills on the screen, makes her “very happy”, Patani shares, “My character in a film matters the most but if I get a good song in the film, then it does make me very happy because I love dancing.”

In Kick (2014), Randeep Hooda played a cop in pursuit of Salman Khan’s character Devil. Seven years on, the tables have turned as Hooda slips into the role of a drug lord, who is being hunted down by Khan’s encounter specialist, in Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai. In keeping with Prabhudheva’s filmmaking style, the action sequences between the central characters are the movie’s highlight.

The actor reveals that while filming a dramatic scene featuring Khan and him in a restroom, the director had the brainwave of extending it into a high-stakes action sequence. “The washroom fight sequence between Salman and me was imagined by Prabhu sir and Korean action director Myeong Haeng Heo on the spot. We did not rehearse,” he shares, before pointing out that the setting was hardly conducive for kicks and punches. “It was difficult to perform as the place was surrounded by glass; there was water all over and the floor was slippery. But we completed the scene without major injury.”

The cop drama, also featuring Jackie Shroff and Disha Patani, marks Hooda’s first collaboration with the filmmaker. While Prabhudeva’s movies are known for catchy dialogues that draw hoots and claps from single-screen audience, the actor observes that he also has an imaginative approach towards stunts. “Prabhu sir is quick, simple and creative. He performs the scenes in front of us, showing us exactly how he wants it to play out.”

Salman Khan and Jacqueline Fernandez have been a part of some chartbusters, including Jumme Ki Raat and Hangover from Kick (2014) and Heeriye from Race 3 (2018). And now, the duo will feature in a special dance number in Khan’s upcoming Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai, called Dil De Diya.

Admitting that their fans will be in for a treat, as the energetic song’s teaser has created quite a buzz, Fernandez, who will be seen doing a mix of Indian and contemporary dance moves, says, “Every time I collaborate with Salman, it is simply the best. His energy is contagious. Dil De Diya from Radhe is one of my favourite songs of all time. It is completely different from all my previous dance numbers. Also, having the dancing legend Prabhudheva sir behind the lens directing me was a surreal experience. We had so much fun shooting for it. I just had to do this one, and I can’t wait for people to see it.”

Talking about his experience, director Prabhudheva, shares, “Jacqueline’s glamour and persona on screen is just exceptional; and everyone knows it. She was our only choice for this song. I knew she would do a phenomenal job, and we are certainly thrilled with the outcome. She did complete justice to the choreography, and I hope everyone likes it too!”

Days after releasing a trailer that promises an entertaining film, the makers of the Salman Khan-starrer, Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai, will be unveiling the movie’s first song today. Titled Seeti Maar, the track features Disha Patani with Salman, grooving to the high-energy beats — a teaser of the song was also seen and heard in the promo, which was released a few days ago. The trailer piqued the audience curiosity ever since its launch. Salman Khan fans, who have been looking forward to this film since last summer, are now eagerly waiting to watch it on Eid this year. Even before the launch of the song, social media users have been creating their own versions of the track from the little that was heard in the trailer. The energetic dance number has been composed by Devi Sri Prasad and penned by Shabbir Ahmed. Kamaal Khan and Iulia Vantur have lent their voices to the number, while Shaikh Jani Basha has choreographed the moves.

The film, evident from the trailer, is the story of Radhe (Salman) taking on the drug mafia. The action drama also features Randeep Hooda and Jackie Shroff in pivotal roles.

Talking about the song, Prabhudeva, who has directed the film, said, “We wanted a peppy, dance number, so I told sir (Salman Khan) about the Allu Arjun song (Seeti Maar from the Telugu movie DJ Duvvada Jagannadham), that was composed by Devi Sri Prasad. There was excitement and nervousness in equal proportions as the original had featured Allu Arjun, so there would be comparisons. But we have tried our best, which is the most important thing. We also have Disha in the song, who is an excellent dancer.”

Being a dance guru himself, what brief did he give his choreographer? Prabhudeva says, “Every time we shoot a song, we pour our heart and soul in it. When people accept it, the song becomes a hit. For this track, I told my team members that the dance number has to have some great moves. Moreover, it is a movie headlined by a superstar, and people are waiting to see Salman sir dance. The set, lighting, choreography and everything else was just right, and everyone has given it their 100 per cent.”

Amyra Dastur, who was busy with her Hindi and Telugu projects for some time, is looking forward to her Tamil release, the psychological thriller Bagheera. This is her first Tamil film after six years, and the actress admits she was thrilled when she learnt that actor-choreographer-filmmaker Prabhudheva is the lead in it. In a chat, Amyra, who was seen in the Sanjay Dutt-starrer Prassthanam (2019), talks about her experience of working in the film, takeaways from the Coronavirus lockdown, being vocal about social causes and more. Excerpts:

In Bollywood, he is looked upon as a director and choreographer. It was great to act along with him; his tips on performing based on different camera angles and other technicalities were helpful. There’s a fantasy sequence in the film which has a small dance bit as well. I was actually scared to dance with him. The incredible dancer that he is, I think he’ll make any dancer look bad on screen.

I shifted to my parents’ house during the lockdown. I loved helping my dad, who is a doctor. Like many others, the experience changed me as well. It has made me a simpler person. It has helped me to take life as it comes without any expectations.

There are people who don’t want to react to unjust things that are happening around us and that’s their personal stand. I react whenever I feel something isn’t right, and to react, a person should be knowledgeable about social and political happenings. I’m careful about what I post. Everyone has the right to express their opinion and I’m happy to do it cautiously.

I think the restrictions might create problems in getting more people to make content in India. Cinema is an art and when you start imposing restrictions, we won’t be able to showcase many things to the global audience.

For the longest time, I had wanted to be associated with the film industry but didn’t know what I was cut out for. Exactly a year before I landed Dabangg 3, I confided in my parents (Mahesh and Medha Manjrekar) that I wanted to act. But I was still very young, so they advised me to wait, work on myself, figure out my strengths and take a step forward only when I had a clear goal. So, for that one year, I did a lot of training and took a look test for Khushi whose personality was a lot like mine.

In April 2018, we got the call from Salman sir (Khan) and he was the first to inform us that I would be a part of Dabangg 3. He then shocked us with the revelation that I was the first person he had thought of after the character had been fleshed. To prepare for my part, I trained with Juuhi Babbar Sonii and took dance classes with Master ji (late Saroj Khan). For a year since that call, my life revolved around my parents, the gym and training.

Still, before going on the set, I was really nervous, my heart pumping almost out of my chest. As a child, when I would visit dad on his sets, everyone would pamper me. Now here, I was supposed to behave like a leading lady? Would I be able to pull it off, I wondered apprehensively. However, the second Prabhu sir (Prabhudheva, director) said, “Action”, I was transported to another place and even though I am really shy, I had never felt so comfortable before. I forgot that there were so many people watching me with huge expectations. I just went with the flow. Amazingly, it all felt so familiar and all the long hours of training paid off. My childhood experiences of being on a set had prepped me up for this moment I had dreamt of for years. And it was finally happening! It was all a haze which disappeared the moment Prabhu sir said “Cut”.

My first shot was the scene where Salman sir’s Dhaakad meets Khushi for the first time in her room. It was a close-up shot and I goofed up my line. I was petrified, wondering what to do next while everyone around was telling me to continue. My mind all messed up, I rattled off my dialogue in one go. Surprisingly, it was okayed in the first take, my goofiness working in my favour.

After the shot, Salman sir told me how proud he was of me. He gave Prabhu sir a crooked smile and a nod and applauded me. My parents were there, their eyes welling up as they watched me on the monitor. It was such a beautiful moment, exactly the way I had dreamt, not wanting to let anyone down.

On the second or maybe the third day, I had to wake up at 4 am, do my hair and make-up, and shoot all day. It was a very difficult scene. The next day was a repeat. Normally, I crib a lot and get cranky if I don’t get proper sleep, but here I was up myself, making coffee and excited to see what the day would bring. That’s when, not just me, but everyone around realised that this was what I was meant to do for the rest of my life. I have to say that acting has brought me out of my shell. I’ve become more sociable. I interact with everyone on the sets, even pull pranks.