MUMBAI MIRROR (December 27, 2019)

Director Karan Vishwanath Kashyap discusses his upcoming film, the fun and feel-good Sab Kushal Mangal, the transformative role being played by Akshaye Khanna in it and the two debutants.

How did Akshaye come into the picture?
Akshaye was the first one to hear the script and come on board. I am extremely grateful to him because had he not believed in the potential of this film on paper, it would have never come to fruition. He was the driving engine to get this film started and he got Prachi Manmohan on board as producer, having worked with her previously and considering his relationship with Nitin Manmohan.

Were Priyaank Sharma (son of Padmini Kolhapure) and Riva (daughter of Ravi Kishan) cast because of their filmi backgrounds?
I get that question a lot. Look, pictures of Priyaank and Riva came through someone, but I was certain that if they didn’t fit the characters, I wouldn’t cast them. I was also lucky in that Prachi and Akshaye 100% backed me on this and they respected my creative vision.

People need to realise that this film wasn’t handed to Priyaank and Riva on a silver platter. After I saw their auditions, I realised that they have potential, but I told them a lot of work needs to be done. They were game for it.

We did workshops with them for months before the cameras rolled. In fact, I had given them an ultimatum that if they don’t become the characters of Pappu Mishra and Mandira (the film’s leads), they would not do the film.

It’s funny to talk about now because everything worked out, but they knew I was serious then.

You also ensured that the actors travelled in trains, auto rickshaws and mingled with people outside their friend circle.
I wanted them to come out of their comfort zone since the film is based in a small town and these characters are small town people. I must say, that both my actors have worked very hard and given it their best. No complaints, no questions, just single-minded determination and work. Seeing them on screen, you wouldn’t realise both of them were born and brought up in Mumbai. For that, I give them full marks.

Nitin Manmohan’s daughter Prachi, who’s debuting as a producer, is all praise for the actor and his co-stars in the film
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 25, 2019)

Filmmaker Nitin Manmohan’s daughter Prachi, who is making her debut as a producer with Sab Kushal Mangal, says the pressure of living up to the family name is intense. “I have to prove myself to my dad more than anybody else. The script was chosen by dad and Akshaye (Khanna). After reading the script, he said that he didn’t think there could be a better film for me,” she shares.

Yesteryear actor-producer Manmohan, who is remembered for essaying grey characters on the big screen, was Prachi’s grandfather. Ask her if she ever thought of getting into acting herself and she says, “I have been a production person since I was a child. When I was seven-eight years old, I was on the sets of Deewangee. There were stars like Ajay Devgn, Akshaye and Urmila Matondkar, but when I walked in, I saw my dad ruling the set. I told him that I wanted to be like him.”

She is all praise for the film’s leads, debutants Priyaank Sharma and Riva Kishan, and Akshaye. “I have worked with Akshaye before and no words can describe how amazing he is. Both the new kids are so hardworking. All of them have done justice to their characters,” she raves.

Calling production “the most thankless job”, Prachi says that if her father feels even 20 per cent proud of her, she’ll feel that she has done her job. Would she like to remake any of his films? “Laadla, that kind of love story is what I would want to do,” she responds.

Ravi Kishan’s daughter Riva on her B’wood debut with a comedy
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 29, 2019)

Mirror had recently reported (January 23) that actress Padmini Kolhapure and filmmaker Pradeep Sharma’s son Priyaank is all set to make his film debut with first-time director Karan Kashyap’s Sab Kushal Mangal which also features Akshaye Khanna in the lead. We have now learnt that the film which is being produced by Nitin Manmohan’s daughter, Prachi, will also mark the Bollywood debut of Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan’s daughter, Riva.

“Ravi sir and my family has a common friend in Moin Baig who showed us Riva’s pictures and she looked right for the part of a bubbly small-town girl. She really liked the script and immediately came on board,” informs Prachi, adding that Riva and Priyaank have been attending workshops for the last two months and getting along well.

An elated Riva says, “I was travelling to Los Angeles and London, when I got a call from Baig uncle informing that Nitin uncle wanted to meet me for a film. One of dad’s first movies, Army, too was with Nitin uncle. I’m enjoying the journey and learning so much from it. This film is like an unexpected gift,” says Riva.

The debutante adds that she always wanted to be an actor and had worked with Naseeruddin Shah’s daughter Heeba in the 2015 play Parindo Ki Mehfil. “Dad is happy I will be making my debut with actors like Akshaye sir and Priyaank. I can’t wait to start shooting from March,” informs Riva.

The situational comedy has also been written by Karan who has earlier assisted Shaad Ali on Bunty Aur Babli, Shimit Amin on Chak De! India and Mani Ratnam on Raavan. They will be shooting in Jharkhand in a start-to-finish, 45-day schedule.

The comedy, produced by Nitin Manmohan’s daughter Prachi, also features Akshaye Khanna
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 23, 2019)

Actress Padmini Kolhapure and filmmaker Pradeep Sharma’s son Priyaank Sharma is all set to make his film debut with first-time director Karan Kashyap’s Sab Kushal Mangal that rolls next month. Produced by Nitin Manmohan’s daughter, Prachi, it also features Akshaye Khanna in a pivotal role.

An elated Padmini told Mirror, “I’m excited. The atmosphere at home has always been non-filmi, there was no pressure on Priyaank to become an actor or a filmmaker. The choice is his.”

The doting mom recalled how even when he was in school, Priyaank was interested in dramatics and his teacher would always praise him: “He’s an avid movie buff and has done a one-year acting course from The Lee Strasberg Institute in New York.”

Prachi revealed that when her casting director sent her Priyaank’s picture, she recognised him instantly. “We had studied in the same school and in fact were in the same class,” she smiled, adding that since he suits the role perfectly, she was keen to cast him. “I spoke to dad, who is close to Tutu uncle (Pradeep), and Padmini ma’am. He told me that if I wanted Priyaank, I should go about it professionally. So, then, I went with my team to their house and gave him and his parents a narration. They laughed and laughed and immediately gave a nod to the film.”

The situational comedy has also been written by Karan, who has earlier assisted Shaad Ali on Bunty Aur Babli, Shimit Amin on Chak De! India and Mani Ratnam on Raavan. The story is set in Jharkhand, where they will shoot in a start-to-finish 45-day schedule which kicks off towards February-end.

“It’s been two months since Priyaank began his workshops, he knows the entire script by now. He is very hardworking and we can’t wait to begin,” Prachi signed off.