Showing posts with label Pukaar - Call For The Hero. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pukaar - Call For The Hero. Show all posts
Action is the biggest genre in Hollywood, but here, it is dismissed as mindless cinema-Vipul Shah
8:12 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; March 2, 2017)
They may have been friends
for decades, but on the set of their upcoming film Commando 2: The Black
Money Trail, producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah and Deven Bhojani, who
is making his directorial debut in Bollywood with this film, were true
blue professionals. The camaraderie, they say, would start only when the
camera stopped rolling. Recounting those moments in an informal chat
with Bombay Times, the duo throws light on their collaboration...
Deven, as someone synonymous with comedy, what was your reaction on being offered an action film?
Deven: While it's natural for people to associate me with my comic roles on TV, not many know that I've been directing shows for the past 15 years and have explored various genres. I had earlier directed a mini action-drama series, Pukaar, for Vipul. But still, when he offered me the film, I was taken offered me the film, I was taken aback and told him that I needed time to think it over. Vipul knows my capabilities as we've been friends for a long time now. Also, I realised that there couldn't be a better beginning than Commando 2 to help me break the mould.
Did you watch action films to draw inspiration?
Deven: Many directors speak about their inspirations, but I don't relate to it. I'd rather go with the flow than emulate somebody else's work. Firstly, I don't watch many films and to add to it, I have a poor memory. Also, I don't conform to generalisations - in my case, the perception is that one who does comedy can't direct an action film.
Considering the fact that the original, Commando: A One Man Army, was received well, did you feel any pressure while directing the second installment?
Deven: I did. After all, I have to take the franchise to the next level. Besides, I am also directing Vidyut (Jammwal), one of the best action heroes today. A lot of money has gone into making this film. I didn't worry about the box-office figures when I was shooting, the pressure builds up after that. Having said that, I am not too ambitious. I want to contribute to cinema in my own little way. I don't aspire to bag an Oscar or a National Award. If I bag one, it would be nice, but that's not my goal. I just wanted to become a film director and I am glad to be one today.
Vipul, was your friendship with Deven instrumental in getting him on board as the director?
Vipul: I keep my personal and professional life separate. For example, I haven't cast my wife (Shefali Shah) in most of my films. I won't go to her unless the role demands it; the same rule applies to Deven as well. We have known each other since our college days; he is like a brother, but you can't work on the basis of friendship. If I had offered him something he wasn't comfortable with, he would have made a bad film, which would have been detrimental for the entire project. Since he has a certain screen image, the decision to have him as the director might seem misplaced, but I am against stereotyping people. Alfred Hitchcock was not aggressive, but he made the best horror films of all times.
Deven: Nobody is doing anybody a favour. Friendship helped only because Vipul knows my capabilities better than outsiders. Dosti mein birthday gift dega koi - maybe an expensive watch or a diamond set, but not a film.
Vipul, why did it take three years for the sequel?
Vipul: I have to redefine action if I am making a series of action films. It's challenging because you don't want to repeat the stunts. Unfortunately, people write off this genre as maar-dhaad films. Comedy is tough in terms of getting the timing right, but action is tough on the whole team.
Isn't making a film without any big name a huge risk?
Vipul: If you have a strong script and a good actor, I don't see why a film with a newcomer cannot work. Also, I wouldn't have reached so far if Amitji (Amitabh Bachchan) or Akshay Kumar hadn't agreed to do Aankhein when I was new. Every newcomer should get a fair chance, the industry is unfair to outsiders. People called the first installment of Commando a C-grade film as it featured a new guy. It's offensive to judge a film, just because the actor doesn't belong to an illustrious film family. Newcomers risk their career by entrusting you with it and it's a big responsibility, because if something goes wrong, they suffer more than anybody else. It's immensely satisfying when the risk pays off. I find casting only stars limiting, as it feels like a safety net. Am I not capable of making a successful film on my own?
Unlike Hollywood, Bollywood doesn't take the action genre seriously...
Vipul: Action is the biggest genre in Hollywood, but here, it is dismissed as mindless cinema. The amount invested in an action film is huge. Our mindset is the problem. It's changing, but it needs to change faster. A Hollywood film is reviewed better than a Hindi film unless it has big stars. What Keanu Reeves does in John Wick is considered A-class, but it's substandard if Vidyut does the same. I am not calling John Wick a bad film, but the same perspective won't be applied to a film like Commando. Somebody has mastered the art after 20 years of hard work and is putting his life at risk. Don't rubbish it just like that.
Deven, as someone synonymous with comedy, what was your reaction on being offered an action film?
Deven: While it's natural for people to associate me with my comic roles on TV, not many know that I've been directing shows for the past 15 years and have explored various genres. I had earlier directed a mini action-drama series, Pukaar, for Vipul. But still, when he offered me the film, I was taken offered me the film, I was taken aback and told him that I needed time to think it over. Vipul knows my capabilities as we've been friends for a long time now. Also, I realised that there couldn't be a better beginning than Commando 2 to help me break the mould.
Did you watch action films to draw inspiration?
Deven: Many directors speak about their inspirations, but I don't relate to it. I'd rather go with the flow than emulate somebody else's work. Firstly, I don't watch many films and to add to it, I have a poor memory. Also, I don't conform to generalisations - in my case, the perception is that one who does comedy can't direct an action film.
Considering the fact that the original, Commando: A One Man Army, was received well, did you feel any pressure while directing the second installment?
Deven: I did. After all, I have to take the franchise to the next level. Besides, I am also directing Vidyut (Jammwal), one of the best action heroes today. A lot of money has gone into making this film. I didn't worry about the box-office figures when I was shooting, the pressure builds up after that. Having said that, I am not too ambitious. I want to contribute to cinema in my own little way. I don't aspire to bag an Oscar or a National Award. If I bag one, it would be nice, but that's not my goal. I just wanted to become a film director and I am glad to be one today.
Vipul, was your friendship with Deven instrumental in getting him on board as the director?
Vipul: I keep my personal and professional life separate. For example, I haven't cast my wife (Shefali Shah) in most of my films. I won't go to her unless the role demands it; the same rule applies to Deven as well. We have known each other since our college days; he is like a brother, but you can't work on the basis of friendship. If I had offered him something he wasn't comfortable with, he would have made a bad film, which would have been detrimental for the entire project. Since he has a certain screen image, the decision to have him as the director might seem misplaced, but I am against stereotyping people. Alfred Hitchcock was not aggressive, but he made the best horror films of all times.
Deven: Nobody is doing anybody a favour. Friendship helped only because Vipul knows my capabilities better than outsiders. Dosti mein birthday gift dega koi - maybe an expensive watch or a diamond set, but not a film.
Vipul, why did it take three years for the sequel?
Vipul: I have to redefine action if I am making a series of action films. It's challenging because you don't want to repeat the stunts. Unfortunately, people write off this genre as maar-dhaad films. Comedy is tough in terms of getting the timing right, but action is tough on the whole team.
Isn't making a film without any big name a huge risk?
Vipul: If you have a strong script and a good actor, I don't see why a film with a newcomer cannot work. Also, I wouldn't have reached so far if Amitji (Amitabh Bachchan) or Akshay Kumar hadn't agreed to do Aankhein when I was new. Every newcomer should get a fair chance, the industry is unfair to outsiders. People called the first installment of Commando a C-grade film as it featured a new guy. It's offensive to judge a film, just because the actor doesn't belong to an illustrious film family. Newcomers risk their career by entrusting you with it and it's a big responsibility, because if something goes wrong, they suffer more than anybody else. It's immensely satisfying when the risk pays off. I find casting only stars limiting, as it feels like a safety net. Am I not capable of making a successful film on my own?
Unlike Hollywood, Bollywood doesn't take the action genre seriously...
Vipul: Action is the biggest genre in Hollywood, but here, it is dismissed as mindless cinema. The amount invested in an action film is huge. Our mindset is the problem. It's changing, but it needs to change faster. A Hollywood film is reviewed better than a Hindi film unless it has big stars. What Keanu Reeves does in John Wick is considered A-class, but it's substandard if Vidyut does the same. I am not calling John Wick a bad film, but the same perspective won't be applied to a film like Commando. Somebody has mastered the art after 20 years of hard work and is putting his life at risk. Don't rubbish it just like that.
My wife Priyanka rules my world-Rannvijay Singha
7:46 AM
Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; June 3, 2016)
Rannvijay Singha started his TV career as a contestant
on the first season of Roadies and then went on to host it. He also did
several other reality shows like Splitsvilla and Squad Rann, which
became hugely successful. However, his foray into films with London
Dreams was followed by Action Replayy, Mod and 3AM haven't exactly set
his movie career rolling in a big way. Here he talks about what keeps
him rooted to television, his interest in web series and more.
What keeps bringing you back to Roadies and Splitsvilla?
I was 20 when I did the first show of Roadies. I started my journey with it, I have grown up with it. The show's an integral part of me — all the adventure, travel, meeting people who want to prove themselves, realising their potential... I like that journey and I myself get to do crazy things. I started Splitsvilla with Raghu and Rajeev producing it and then we handed over to other people. Last year, I came back co-hosting the show with Sunny (Leone) and it did well.
Doesn't a feeling of deja vu set in?
Definitely, because you see the same kind of thing happening between two-three people that has happened before. If I was a CEO of a bank sanctioning things, getting a deal done everyday, then it would be monotonous. Here even though I am doing the same thing, I am dealing with different people in different settings and in different countries like Brazil, Australia, Africa, Bhutan etc. That's the reason Roadies is on for 13 years and Splitsvilla for nine years. Every season we give it to a different creative team, which brings in their own personality. We keep changing ideologies and theories and keep it exciting.
Between Roadies and Splitsvilla, which would you choose?
Roadies. But this year Splitsvilla is unique with the theme where women rule. Ours is not a developed country and things are not the same for men and women. Our show being targetted at youth will impact them. I am seeing a lot of contestants who are respectful and chivalrous, the kind women would want as their ideal men. Indirectly, millions of kids watching them will realise this is the way to be with women. Though it's an entertainment show, subconsciously it will be engraved on their minds. In Roadies when I chose my team, out of five people, three were girls - I wanted to show that you don't need boys to win. And this is the need of the hour in our country. Through the show we want to tell the world that women should be treated as princesses.
Who rules your world?
My wife (Priyanka) rules my world!
Since you have been dealing with the youth in your shows, have you seen any changes in the generation over the years?
Yes, now the youth is more passionate about what they want. They are not happy with 'hogaya toh sahi, nahi hua toh sahi' attitude. They want to win respect among core groups, family and friends. They have seen how good their lives can be if they achieve something — they can get to host shows, foray into films, etc. So they are over ambitious and over possessive, but it is not bad when compared to the youth that is being lazy.
While you are a big name in reality shows, why you have stayed away from fiction after Pukar?
I would love to that kind of fiction which has a definite ending. Pukar was only for 24 episodes with a start and end. Also, I have done a few films with Vipul Shah who had directed the series. Even the serial was shot like a film and people like Raj Babbar and Adah Sharma were associated with it. I am not interested in the other kind of fiction shows where the story stretches — even if you watch it after 10 days, you'll find it hasn't moved. I would rather do a web series, which is edgy and fast-paced.
Are you doing a web series?
I am working on it. I have one called Squad Rann which is about adventure and sports. It's aimed at making the youth active. Even my brother Harmeet Singha is doing a series Aisha.
What happened to the film Mango in which you have worked with your brother?
Only Abbas Tyrewala will be able to tell you about it, but yes it was an amazing experience working with my brother. He is five years younger to me and would always be with me. Working with him was like a natural experience though he doesn't play my brother in the film.
Though you were part of several movies, none of them clicked in a big way. Is that the reason you have veered more towards TV?
My first movie, London Dreams released in 2009 and I was lucky enough to share screen space with Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn. I have been getting offers, but a few scripts have intrigued me enough to be a part of the movie. Of course, television is my first love and I will keep going back to it. I am what I am because of Roadies. I have done shows like Squad Rann and Rann VJ Run and I think television certainly reaches a wider audience as compared to movies.
Aamir Khan replaced me in Kesar Bhina play while it was on tour-Deven Bhojani
8:19 AM
The actor-director is busy adpating an American sitcom and working on the script for his directorial debut in films
Kunal Guha (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 19, 2015)
Deven Bhojani is known to
some as Gattu (from Baa Bahoo Aur Baby), to others as Patel (from Office
Office), but to most as Karima (from Dekh Bhai
Dekh). Presently, the actor is directing the Indian adaptation of
Everybody Loves Raymond (Sumit Sambhal Lega), whilst simultaneously
working on the script for his directorial debut in feature films, an
untitled action film for Vipul Shah's Sunshine Pictures. “He liked my
work in Pukaar and decided to let me direct a film,“ says Bhojani.
Pukaar, the mini-series he directed, starred Rannvijay Singha and Raj
Babbar, and concluded in February this year.
Leaning back on his chair at Vipul Shah's Andheri office, he credits Gujarati theatre for teaching him all that he has learnt. Bhojani discovered his calling for the stage as a commerce student of NM College. “My TV debut was in Malgudi Days when it used to be a one-episode story. I was cast for the story of Nithya,“ he reminisces. “Mahendra Joshi, who'd direct most of our plays, referred me to Arundhati Rao, whose husband, the late Shankar Nag, directed the show. She also got my reference from Naushil Mehta, who had written a sex comedy called Doctor Doctor, where I shared the stage with Paresh (Rawal), Apara Mehta and Darshan Zariwala,“ he says, adding he was only 17 then.
Bhojani's move into direction was accidental and he first wielded the megaphone when the director of Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka had to temporarily take off because of a personal emergency. Bhojani has since directed Sarabhai VS Sarabhai and Instant Khichdi, both raking in a cluster of TV awards.
Despite his directorial laurels, Bhojani's landmark achievement was playing an autistic child in Baa Bahoo Aur Baby, a show that survived five years and made his character Gattu a household name. Bhojani says, “There were tiffin boxes, kites and even rakhis with Gattu's face on them. But the funniest story is when a friend went to buy a goat for Bakri Eid and the butcher demanded a hefty sum since the goat was very 'Gattu'.“ He laughs at having becoming an “adjective for someone who is very healthy“.
After nearly 700 episodes when the show ran its course, Bhojani was burnt out and needed a break. “I was also the creative director on the show, so I had 10 people pouncing on me each time I reached the sets. From which blouse is right for whom to which storyline needs development, everything needed my attention. The show was like a well and I was a frog. I needed to get out and see the world,“ says the actor, who headed off for a filmmaking course in the US just after wrapping up the show in 2010.
He signed up for a direction course at the University of Southern California, impressed by the fact that the programme invited guest speakers like Steven Spielberg, James Cameron and George Lucas. But the one speaker who actually left him teary-eyed was someone quite familiar. “Aamir Khan was to come for a talk and screen Peepli Live,“ remembers Bhojani, who had worked with Khan before. When Khan was about to begin his talk, he was surprised to spot Bhojani and got off the stage to hug him. Khan also shared with the audience how his break in acting could be credited to Bhojani. Bhojani says, “I had done a play about army life called Kesar Bhina. I was also doing my articleship - mandatory for CA aspirants at the time. So when the play went on tour, I didn't get leave to travel. Aamir, who worked backstage then, replaced me on the tour. Since I had to give him the handover, I got to know him for the first time.“ Years later, Bhojani was cast in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar when Khan saw him in a film called Kafila and referred him to Mansoor Khan.
“My passion for direction also began with Jo Jeeta, since I assisted Mansoor Khan, after Farah Khan, who assisted him in the first schedule, got busy with choreography,“ he says with a smile. Post Jo Jeeta.., Bhojani's career took off as he was flooded with acting offers. David Dhawan's Andaz, Mahesh Bhatt's Naraaz, Vikram Bhatt's Janam, Laurence D'souza's Sangram and a string of other films saw Bhojani play the “hero ka dost“, a typecast he didn't mind at the time.
“Mujhe shaadi karni thi, ghar lena tha, paise kamane the. (I had to get married, buy a house, make money.) So I accepted every film. I barely remember all the names. I would just ask, 'how much will I get paid per day?'“ laughs Bhojani. He ticked off “shaadi, gaadi and ghar“ from his list before turning selective about work.
Today, Bhojani is excited about his upcoming TV show, Sumit Sambhal Lega which is to go on air soon. He says it will be a 'first of its kind' on many counts. “Just like in the West, we're conducting technical rehearsals, stage rehearsals, script readings with the cast where the entire team brainstorms on how a scene can be improved. There's no ego, and everyone is cumulatively working towards a better product,“ he says of the show, where Namit Das is playing the lead role that was essayed by Ray Romano in the original.
Leaning back on his chair at Vipul Shah's Andheri office, he credits Gujarati theatre for teaching him all that he has learnt. Bhojani discovered his calling for the stage as a commerce student of NM College. “My TV debut was in Malgudi Days when it used to be a one-episode story. I was cast for the story of Nithya,“ he reminisces. “Mahendra Joshi, who'd direct most of our plays, referred me to Arundhati Rao, whose husband, the late Shankar Nag, directed the show. She also got my reference from Naushil Mehta, who had written a sex comedy called Doctor Doctor, where I shared the stage with Paresh (Rawal), Apara Mehta and Darshan Zariwala,“ he says, adding he was only 17 then.
Bhojani's move into direction was accidental and he first wielded the megaphone when the director of Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka had to temporarily take off because of a personal emergency. Bhojani has since directed Sarabhai VS Sarabhai and Instant Khichdi, both raking in a cluster of TV awards.
Despite his directorial laurels, Bhojani's landmark achievement was playing an autistic child in Baa Bahoo Aur Baby, a show that survived five years and made his character Gattu a household name. Bhojani says, “There were tiffin boxes, kites and even rakhis with Gattu's face on them. But the funniest story is when a friend went to buy a goat for Bakri Eid and the butcher demanded a hefty sum since the goat was very 'Gattu'.“ He laughs at having becoming an “adjective for someone who is very healthy“.
After nearly 700 episodes when the show ran its course, Bhojani was burnt out and needed a break. “I was also the creative director on the show, so I had 10 people pouncing on me each time I reached the sets. From which blouse is right for whom to which storyline needs development, everything needed my attention. The show was like a well and I was a frog. I needed to get out and see the world,“ says the actor, who headed off for a filmmaking course in the US just after wrapping up the show in 2010.
He signed up for a direction course at the University of Southern California, impressed by the fact that the programme invited guest speakers like Steven Spielberg, James Cameron and George Lucas. But the one speaker who actually left him teary-eyed was someone quite familiar. “Aamir Khan was to come for a talk and screen Peepli Live,“ remembers Bhojani, who had worked with Khan before. When Khan was about to begin his talk, he was surprised to spot Bhojani and got off the stage to hug him. Khan also shared with the audience how his break in acting could be credited to Bhojani. Bhojani says, “I had done a play about army life called Kesar Bhina. I was also doing my articleship - mandatory for CA aspirants at the time. So when the play went on tour, I didn't get leave to travel. Aamir, who worked backstage then, replaced me on the tour. Since I had to give him the handover, I got to know him for the first time.“ Years later, Bhojani was cast in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar when Khan saw him in a film called Kafila and referred him to Mansoor Khan.
“My passion for direction also began with Jo Jeeta, since I assisted Mansoor Khan, after Farah Khan, who assisted him in the first schedule, got busy with choreography,“ he says with a smile. Post Jo Jeeta.., Bhojani's career took off as he was flooded with acting offers. David Dhawan's Andaz, Mahesh Bhatt's Naraaz, Vikram Bhatt's Janam, Laurence D'souza's Sangram and a string of other films saw Bhojani play the “hero ka dost“, a typecast he didn't mind at the time.
“Mujhe shaadi karni thi, ghar lena tha, paise kamane the. (I had to get married, buy a house, make money.) So I accepted every film. I barely remember all the names. I would just ask, 'how much will I get paid per day?'“ laughs Bhojani. He ticked off “shaadi, gaadi and ghar“ from his list before turning selective about work.
Today, Bhojani is excited about his upcoming TV show, Sumit Sambhal Lega which is to go on air soon. He says it will be a 'first of its kind' on many counts. “Just like in the West, we're conducting technical rehearsals, stage rehearsals, script readings with the cast where the entire team brainstorms on how a scene can be improved. There's no ego, and everyone is cumulatively working towards a better product,“ he says of the show, where Namit Das is playing the lead role that was essayed by Ray Romano in the original.
Deven Bhojani will direct Commando 2?
9:05 AM
Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 23, 2015)
TV actor Deven Bhojani is
known for his exceptional comic timing in shows like Sarabhai Vs
Sarabhai and Office Office. Now, Mirror has learnt that the
writer-director-actor has been roped in by Vipul Shah to helm the sequel
to his 2013 sleeper-hit, Commando. The film will roll this
film will roll this summer and is pegged as a 'worthy followup' to its
predecessor, starring Vidyut Jammwal and Pooja Chopra.The makers who had roped in Vidyut for his in Vidyut for his skill in martial arts, are yet to take a call on whether he will return in Part 2. “The cast will be finalised in April,“ says a source close to the development, “Deven has been working on the script over the past few months. The action-romance will have a fresh storyline.“
When asked why the comedian was chosen to direct an action film, the source reasons, “Deven directed the TV show Pukaar - Call For The Hero for Vipul. It had extensive action sequences and was well-received. That made Vipul confident that he'd do a good job with Commando 2. They collaborated several times in the past and share a comfort-level.“
We texted Vipul but he remained unavailable for comment.
Contaminated water delivered by 'mistake' by Bisleri to Vipul Shah's sets
7:38 AM
After spotting dust particles, strands of hair and what looked liked traces of blood in the sealed bottles, the producer is demanding compensation
Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 2, 2015)
Filmmaker Vipul Shah's
(Waqt, Singh is Kinng) production house, Sunshine Pictures,
has sent a written complaint to Bisleri International for dispatching
bottles containing dust particles, red 'blood-like' traces, and hair to
the set in Madh Island where the crew is currently filming the TV show,
Pukaar.
The letter, of which Mirror has a copy, states that in November, Rannvijay Singha, the lead actor of the show, found a foreign body floating in a 250 ml Bisleri bottle taken from a box of 25. After the other boxes were opened, crew members discovered suspicious foreign bodies floating in the sealed bottles, one of which looked like a long strand of hair.
Aashin Shah, one of the senior executives from Vipul's production unit told Mirror, “Not just dust particles, a vendor told us that he had also discovered cigarette butts in a sealed Bisleri bottle! We were horrified and immediately brought this to the notice of the company. They told us to speak to the vendor which we did, but no action was taken. They simply apologised.”
In January, crew members discovered red particles that looked like blood inside one of the bottles. “We had to replace all 24 cartons,” informed Shah, adding that though a complaint was once again registered, the company didn’t seem interested in addressing the issue.
The unit is now demanding compensation for the “embarrassment“ caused and reimbursement for replacing entire cartels of contaminated bottles. “We have already discontinued their services because of the lack of customer support and have notified other industry members about the same,“ said Shah. “Our legal team is now processing papers to take them to court.“
Mirror reached out to the Quality Control Manager of Bisleri's Mumbai plant. She admitted that she was aware of the case but refused to comment, saying, “Please talk to our plant manager.“
The plant head, Ashish Raval, said, “Yes, there was a particular batch (305) which was not meant to be in circulation. By mistake, it was dispatched. Those units have now been recalled.“
The letter, of which Mirror has a copy, states that in November, Rannvijay Singha, the lead actor of the show, found a foreign body floating in a 250 ml Bisleri bottle taken from a box of 25. After the other boxes were opened, crew members discovered suspicious foreign bodies floating in the sealed bottles, one of which looked like a long strand of hair.
Aashin Shah, one of the senior executives from Vipul's production unit told Mirror, “Not just dust particles, a vendor told us that he had also discovered cigarette butts in a sealed Bisleri bottle! We were horrified and immediately brought this to the notice of the company. They told us to speak to the vendor which we did, but no action was taken. They simply apologised.”
In January, crew members discovered red particles that looked like blood inside one of the bottles. “We had to replace all 24 cartons,” informed Shah, adding that though a complaint was once again registered, the company didn’t seem interested in addressing the issue.
The unit is now demanding compensation for the “embarrassment“ caused and reimbursement for replacing entire cartels of contaminated bottles. “We have already discontinued their services because of the lack of customer support and have notified other industry members about the same,“ said Shah. “Our legal team is now processing papers to take them to court.“
Mirror reached out to the Quality Control Manager of Bisleri's Mumbai plant. She admitted that she was aware of the case but refused to comment, saying, “Please talk to our plant manager.“
The plant head, Ashish Raval, said, “Yes, there was a particular batch (305) which was not meant to be in circulation. By mistake, it was dispatched. Those units have now been recalled.“
Pukaar will leave people enthralled, engaged and entertained-Vipul Shah
7:43 AM
MUMBAI MIRROR (November 25, 2014)
After a long hiatus Vipul Amrutlal Shah will be back on television with Pukaar, a series that promises to get the 70mm straight into your television...
Pukaar promos are looking rather impressive, what are your expectations from it?
Television as a medium has a lot of scope of getting bigger and better, I am just attempting my bit in giving that to them. Here's a never seen before story, said in a way that will impress the audience after a long day of hard work, straight in their living room.
There was Commando, Force and Holiday on the silver screen and now there is 'Pukaar'. Why this fascination for the armed forces?
Why not? There is something extremely fascinating about the armed forces. After all, not everyone has it in them to leave their loved ones, live in extreme conditions and protect what they treasure.... It is this life they lead that makes them heroes, makes them gentlemen and makes them pillars of the society. And when in trouble, we are bound to fall back on these pillars for support. That is exactly the premise...
A premise you are set to turn grand, with your production standards we hear...
Of course, when I have the means then why should I not give it my all. We are a well-oiled system at work, on sets and I am used to working like that, so I have just brought that back into the small screen. Yes, the budgets and standards are higher than that seen on television but I have in no way gone overboard. Yes, I am setting a high standard but that's well deserved. After seeing all the reality television, we believe that our true-to-its-word fiction should make up for things! What I want to give the audience is a movie they come home to, except like most movies it is not a two and a half hour affair, it is a 24 hours film on television.
That explains the death-defying action?
As a filmmaker I believe in pre planning, rehearsals, only then any action can be well executed and can be death defying. So Deven, Allan Amin, Rannvijay and I sat together to plan, rehearse and design actions. Like there is this sequence where Rannvijay is chasing someone, and he has to take a leap, I told them the 15 storey building is looking too dangerous, so they relented and did it on a 20 storey building without a body double! While that did leave me with my heart in my mouth, I am assured all that my cast and crew have done for the series, will leave the audience enthralled, engaged and certainly, entertained.
I did Pukaar because it was being made like a film-Rannvijay Singha
7:37 AM
Rannvijay Singha talks about his debut fiction show and his films
Namrata Thakkar (DNA; November 20, 2014)
Rannvijay Singha has hosted reality shows and acted in
quite a few films. Though he is a popular face, the Roadies host still
has a long way to go as far as Bollywood is concerned. Yes, he has few
films lined up but for now the good looking actor is gearing up for his
first fiction show Pukaar: Call For The Hero. We caught up with
Rannvijay to find out more about his serial..
You were supposed to join the Indian army but destiny had other plans for you. In Pukaar you play an army officer. Has life come full circle for you?
It has…it’s like homecoming for me. My father is still serving in the Indian Army. He is a Lieutenant General and he is serving in Syria. My chacha is a Major General and my younger chacha is Colonel. So it seems like all their desires and wishes have been granted and I am getting to live an army officer’s life, at least, briefly. The fact is that I do know all the nitty gritty that goes into being an army officer and that has helped me in playing this character.
Do you think your family will be most critical about you show?
My family is critical about everything I do. At the same time, none of them is from the industry so they kind of respect all the hard work that I have put in but in this case they might come up with, ‘you know this is not possible’ or ‘aise thodi na hota hai.’ They may say you should have done this or you should have used that language. You know army officers usually speak a lot in English. But the thing is as soon as I start doing that with my character, I will be alienating a lot of people who don’t understand that. So, sometimes when you’re doing a show which is made for entertainment, you need to make sure that people understand what you’re doing or saying. I don’t know if army officers talk like my character Rajveer Shergill does in the show but then that’s only because we want the audience to understand what we are trying to convey. Also, we are not using a lot of lingo which is used in the army as only army personnel will understand that.
Pukaar is an hard-core action show. Did you undergo any training for the same?
The thing is I have always been very active all my life with martial arts and stuff like that. Last year, I did a show called Rann VJ Run where I practiced Parkour and all my Roadies experiences and the life that I led before that thanks to my Dad, has been used here. Also, Vipul sir (Vipul Amrutlal Shah) knows me since London Dreams and Action Repalyy days. He knows my ability to do different things and we have used most of my capabilities in a good way during action sequences. Of course, I did lot of cable practices, martial arts flexibility and also spent some time with Vicky Arora who is a martial art fight choreographer. Few days before the shoot, we would choreograph the fight scenes so that on the day of the shoot it’s less time consuming and easy.
Was it easy for you to play the role of Rajveer Shergill?
Having knowledge about something doesn’t mean it will be easy when you do it. I know how to hit a sixer but in reality to do that it’s tough. You have to put all your knowledge into practice. There are dialogues which are intense. I have a lot of intense scenes with Raj Babbar who is playing my father and even action sequences are tough. Nevertheless, when you do tough things, you feel better, you get a better self satisfaction and you’re happier. But yes it’s tough. It’s actually a very gruelling schedule. If you equate the kind of work we are doing, we are actually shooting 12 films. Twenty four hours of a movie are being shown in one hour episode each. If you put that together then it’s 12 full-fledged two hour movies we are shooting in a span of eight to nine months. That means we are shooting every day back-to-back. It’s very intense but we all are consumed by it so it’s good.
Are the makers planning to take things forward and come up with season 2?
That purely depends on Vipul sir and the channel. But yes they are already hinting at season 2 because we are not going to extend the series like other serials. How we are different from the other daily soaps is that our show will have a definite end. The kind of equipment used on the show, the people involved in the show and the scale at which the series has been shot is all larger-than-life. A lot of movies you see won’t have such production quality and action sequences. If we do it in these 24 episodes, we will achieve what we want and then we can go forward and make another season. But we won’t drag it like a daily soap.
Did you watch action shows to prepare for your role?
There is no picking up cues when you’re already working with a guy who has made films like Commando, Holiday and Force. So in the action genre Vipul sir is a success. What I watch generally are shows like Homeland, Breaking Bad, Modern Family and Prison Break. I like series which are like mini movies because they have great production scale, amazing performance and plot.
Lastly, will you be focusing only on television henceforth or would you be working in films as well?
This is my debut in television fiction. I have never acted on small screen and I was never going to because what you see on Indian television an actor would do it only because it’s a steady source of income and popularity. As actors they were not satisfied. I did Pukaar because firstly we were making it like a huge film. Even the performances are very natural like in a film. Not over the top or dramatic. That’s why I did it. As for films, 3 A.M. released recently and I am doing another film which is releasing on January 16. It’s called Sharafat Gayi Tel Lene with Zayed Khan. As soon as Pukaar finishes, few films are lined up for which I will shoot in March and April. Also, I have done a film with Abbas Tyrewala called Mango which has Swara Bhaskar, Monali Thakur and Chandan Roy Sanyal toh wo bhi release hogi. Movies are happening side by side. There are a few Punjabi films as well but I have asked them to shoot it with someone else or wait a little bit.
Visibility on TV could boost Aarya's career-Raj Babbar
7:48 AM
Raj Babbar on reel and real life family drama, elder son Arya's stint on reality television and the status of his relationship with younger son Prateik
Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 10, 2014)
You are returning to television after nearly a decade, has the medium evolved since?
Yes, I played Bharat in a few episodes of BR Chopra's Mahabharat. People have become more proficient since. I've always been a prolific actor, always felt the need to learn, evolve and entertain people, irrespective of whether it was through films, theatre or television. When Vipul came to me with the 24-episode Pukaar - Call For The Hero, I was moved by the delicate father-son relationship. So full of love... and conflict.
Could you relate to it because it's a lot like your relationship with your own sons, Aarya and Prateik?
Probably. It's the story of every household. Rannvijay Singh plays my son in the show, an army officer. He has good intentions but the father beleives that his approach is an incorrect one. Don't we all face this friction in our families?
What was your reaction to Aarya entering the Bigg Boss house?
I was shocked! I learnt that he was doing the reality TV show just two days before he entered the house. I asked him if he'd be able to deal with all the chaos inside and he told me was fully prepared. Now, if I'm not shooting, I try to catch the show. He's playing the game well. He's honest and genuine, which is what I advised him to be. I guess the visibility on the show will give his career a boost.
Prateik's career too hasn't taken off, do you dole out advice to him too? Or make calls to producer friends?
Both Aarya and Prateik know that they have to look out for themselves. You can't flaunt your clout to get anyone work. Prateik discusses work with me, we are in constant touch. He recently told me about a Bengali film he's doing. He's very passionate about his acting career, bahut josh hai usme. My children know their weaknesses and assets. I've taught them to read themselves well.
Why don't we see you in more films?
I've been shooting 10 hours a day for Pukaar for the last three months. I was thinking of taking a break but then Tevar came along. These young actors are so talented that you feel young working with them.
You lost from the Ghaziabad constituency by a huge margin in the last Lok Sabha elections. Is your political career over?
Politics was never my profession. It will always remain a social commitment, something I do for the betterment of the film industry. I'm still committed to certain issues which remain close to my heart.Am I done with politics? (Laughs) Let's just say I still have a long way to go, abhi to main jawaan hoon!
Yes, I played Bharat in a few episodes of BR Chopra's Mahabharat. People have become more proficient since. I've always been a prolific actor, always felt the need to learn, evolve and entertain people, irrespective of whether it was through films, theatre or television. When Vipul came to me with the 24-episode Pukaar - Call For The Hero, I was moved by the delicate father-son relationship. So full of love... and conflict.
Could you relate to it because it's a lot like your relationship with your own sons, Aarya and Prateik?Probably. It's the story of every household. Rannvijay Singh plays my son in the show, an army officer. He has good intentions but the father beleives that his approach is an incorrect one. Don't we all face this friction in our families?
What was your reaction to Aarya entering the Bigg Boss house?
I was shocked! I learnt that he was doing the reality TV show just two days before he entered the house. I asked him if he'd be able to deal with all the chaos inside and he told me was fully prepared. Now, if I'm not shooting, I try to catch the show. He's playing the game well. He's honest and genuine, which is what I advised him to be. I guess the visibility on the show will give his career a boost.
Prateik's career too hasn't taken off, do you dole out advice to him too? Or make calls to producer friends?
Both Aarya and Prateik know that they have to look out for themselves. You can't flaunt your clout to get anyone work. Prateik discusses work with me, we are in constant touch. He recently told me about a Bengali film he's doing. He's very passionate about his acting career, bahut josh hai usme. My children know their weaknesses and assets. I've taught them to read themselves well.
Why don't we see you in more films?
I've been shooting 10 hours a day for Pukaar for the last three months. I was thinking of taking a break but then Tevar came along. These young actors are so talented that you feel young working with them.
You lost from the Ghaziabad constituency by a huge margin in the last Lok Sabha elections. Is your political career over?
Politics was never my profession. It will always remain a social commitment, something I do for the betterment of the film industry. I'm still committed to certain issues which remain close to my heart.Am I done with politics? (Laughs) Let's just say I still have a long way to go, abhi to main jawaan hoon!
Vipul Shah wants the title Pukar for his TV show but the rights belong to Boney Kapoor
7:38 AM
Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 25, 2014)
Producer Vipul Shah got into a bitter fight with Pooja Bhatt over the title Holiday which he wanted for his Hindi remake of the Tamil action thriller, Thuppakki. Pooja refused, but Vipul got approval from the Indian Motion Picture Producer's Association (IMPPA) and went with the title, Holiday: A Soldier is Never off Duty.
Now, the filmmaker wants the title Pukaar - Call For The Hero for a TV show he is producing with Adah Sharma and Ranvijay Singh in the lead. But the rights of the title with Boney Kapoor. "I cannot think of another title, this one sums up my show perfectly," says Vipul.
He says he has had a word with Boney who has no problem parting with the title.
When contacted Mirror, Boney revealed that he had got the title for his Anil Kapoor-Madhuri Dixit drama from the Bhatts. "Even Wanted (his film with Salman Khan) was with another producer, I think it was the Nadiadwalas. In this industry you have to look out for each other," Boney says.
However, Vipul ponts out that the final decision rests with the association. IMPAA's President, TP Agarwal, insists that if Vipul and Boney have no issues, the association will happily give the title to Vipul. "The problem arises when the previous owner is reluctant to part with the title," he asserts.
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