BOMBAY TIMES (September 20, 2016)

Kaif’s team claims she didn’t back out
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 17, 2016)

The much-speculated reunion of ex-flames Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif for upcoming rom-com, Fuddu, has come to a naught. The two were supposed to recite shayaris for a romantic track in the film, but the actress has apparently pulled out of it. The film in question is the directorial debut of Sunil Subramani, who has assisted Anurag Basu. It was the filmmaker who convinced Ranbir to be part of his protégé’s project. Sunil and Ranbir, too, go back a long way.

A unit hand says, “The makers had approached them to recite a few couplets. Ranbir obliged, but Kat backed out. The producers tried their best to get her on board, but she wasn’t comfortable doing it. Their next film, Anurag’s Jagga Jasoos, is a commitment they are both deeply invested in, so they can’t back out from that. But, Fuddu was a favour for a friend and she decided not to keep her side of the promise.”

Katrina’s spokesperson, however, maintains, “She was supposed to do a voice-over for Fuddu, which she recorded long ago. She hasn’t backed out of it.”

The film’s producer, Pradeep Gupta, on the other hand, confirms that the actress ditched the offer: “It is sad that Katrina couldn’t be part of the project. But, in any case, I am sure her best wishes are with us. We are glad Ranbir could make time for our film.”

Interestingly, the film’s poster also credits Ranbir alone for the shayari; there is no mention of Katrina anymore.

Upala KBR (DNA; March 30, 2016)


Not Daisy Shah. The Jai Ho debutante last seen in Hate Story 3, now makes her debut in a play directed by award-winning director Pradeep Gupta.

Says a source, “Daisy has signed the contract and is currently doing readings with the director and cast. It’s a period play with the language in chaste Urdu. She is learning the diction from some of her close friends. She wants to speak it fluently as she knows that if she doesn’t, she will be ripped apart by critics. She has never acted in a play before and wants to be completely sure that she can deliver.”

Apart from that, there’s also a lot of classical dancing involved which the actress is learning now. The source adds, “Daisy’s character is the central lead and the play is named after her. While she’s a courtesan who entertains the public, she is not a tawaif.”

Daisy says, “It’s too early to talk about it. Currently, I am doing readings and perfecting my Urdu diction. I wanted to get into theatre as I feel people take you more seriously than as a film actress.”

Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; October 4, 2014)

Pradeep Gupta (right), producer of Fuddu, is a hassled man. He alleges that screenwriter Manoj Tyagi has been harassing him for a while now. Says Pradeep, “One year ago, I met Manoj and we wanted to work together. I was keen to make a film on Sarabjeet Singh’s life and I asked him to develop the script. He came up with some ideas for this film, but I did not like them initially. Soon after, Subhash Ghai announced his film on Sarabjeet, so we decided to not make that film, as there was no point in making another movie on same subject.”

After a few months, Pradeep is said to have assured Manoj that he would work with him on another project, especially since he had paid Manoj Rs 5 lakh in advance. “Meanwhile, I liked the concept of Fuddu and decided to go ahead with this film. Accordingly, I asked writer Pawan Kumar to write the script. Then all of a sudden, Manoj called me and asked me about my film. He started out by speaking cordially, but later on, accused me of cheating him by not offering him another film. What’s more, he is now demanding a payment of Rs 3 lakh from me. But I cannot give him the money as I have not worked with him at all. In fact, he should return my money. When I told him this, he abused me and I am now going to register a case against him in Delhi and Mumbai.”

When contacted, Manoj, who has won two National Awards — one each for Page 3 and Aparahan — denied that he had had any argument with Pradeep.