Rajat Arora is scripting the sequel of the thriller, along with Part 3 of Shootout; he also has films with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Ekta Kapoor
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 22, 2020)

Bollywood writers have diverse opinions about the lockdown—with some finding much-needed time at home to write, while for others, the on ground scenario of Coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll on their creativity. Rajat Arora who has scripted films like Taxi No 9211, Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, The Dirty Picture and Kick to name a few, admits that some days are very good, and some very bad. “Sometimes, nothing happens for months; then, you get into the flow and write in one go,” he shares, adding that in the last few months, he has completed the script of Shootout 3, which will be directed by Sanjay Gupta.

The first two installments of the franchise were based in Mumbai — Lokhandwala and Wadala. “The third installment steps out of the city. It’s essential to go one up on the previous film. This is my first film for Sanjay and we quickly aligned with each other’s vision. We started in February and locked the script in four months,” says Rajat, who is now working on the dialogue as he revisits the gangster genre a decade after Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai. “I was offered several gangster films, but I didn’t want to repeat myself. I couldn’t say no to this one as it’s a great story, very different from what I have done so far.”

Rajat is also working on the sequel of Kick, Sajid Nadiadwala’s directorial, which will again be fronted by Salman Khan. He’s evasive on the subject, saying it’s work in progress. The 2014 action thriller had several crowd-pleasing one-liners like “Mere baare mein itna mat sochna, main dil mein aata hoon, samajh mein nahin” and “Aap Devil ke peechhey, Devil aapke ke peechhey, too much fun.” Are there more in store? “In Kick, Devil’s personality matches Salman sir’s and that’s how those lines came about. Nobody talks like this in real life, but you don’t want to disappoint a huge star’s fan base. Eventually, it’s the character that dictates the language,” he reasons.

Writing larger-than-life characters comes naturally to Rajat, as he has grown up watching Salim-Javed, Kader Khan, Vijay Anand and Manoj Kumar’s brand of cinema. “My childhood was full of larger-than-life characters and my writing just sums that up,” explains the writer of another Sajid Nadiadwala production, an official remake of the Telugu film, RX 100. It is being directed by Milan Luthria and will introduce Suniel Shetty’s son, Ahan, opposite Tara Sutaria. “A remake is like adapting a true story and this film is great, so you don’t want to ruin it. This is my eighth film with Milan and it’s been a good partnership.”

Besides the above-mentioned films, there are multiple others in the pipeline. “I’m writing another film for Sajid sir, one for Bhansali sir (Sanjay Leela Bhansali) and a third for Ekta (Kapoor), but I can’t talk about them right now,” he signs off, leaving one to speculate about these projects.

Producers rally around their crew, who’re forced out of work by the shutdown
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 2, 2020)

With the entire country and the world at large coming to a standstill due to the Coronavirus pandemic, it’s not surprising that Bollywood is already reeling from the after-effects. Release dates of upcoming films cannot be decided till there is clarity on when the lockdown will be lifted. Films like Looop Lapeta, Taapsee Pannu-starrer Rashmi Rocket, Satyameva Jayate 2, Shakun Batra’s yet-untitled directorial and Ek Villain 2, to name a few, which were in prep and gearing up to roll in the coming months, have been indefinitely postponed.

The run of those already in the theatres has been cut short abruptly. Several TV shows, web series and films which were in the midst of production have had to be halted mid-way. Ditto for films like Radhe, Atrangi Re, Gangubai Kathiawadi, Dostana 2, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Jersey, Mumbai Saga, Vidya Balan-starrer Sherni, Nikamma and Durgavati.

The producers of these films, TV shows and web series, are already calculating potential losses. They will be impaired by increased salary costs, along with expenses incurred on the sets that were already made and on capital. These losses are not even covered by insurance policies. Several filmmakers have had to exercise the Force Majeure clause (unforeseeable circumstances that prevent someone from fulfilling a contract) with their crew and suspend services until the lockdown is lifted.

Tanuj Garg, one of the producers of Looop Lapeta, an official remake of the Hollywood thriller Run Lola Run, said, “It is a testing time, whether you have a project up for release, in prep or under production. Everyone in the value chain has been affected by the uncertainty and the ticking fixed costs. Let’s hope that things normalise soon.”

In times of crises, the film industry has always stood together and this time too, it is no different. Sajid Nadiadwala has come forward to support the cast and crew of his projects, including the Tiger Shroff and Shraddha Kapoor-starrer Baaghi 3, whose theatrical run was interrupted, Ahan Shetty’s launch pad, the RX 100 remake - the film’s shoot had to be halted in light of the industry-wide shutdown - and the Akshay Kumar-starrer Bachchan Pandey, which was getting ready to go on the floors.

Bachchan Pandey is currently being scripted. Director Farhad Samji and his team were to go on a recce in a fortnight’s time. But now, the location hunt has been pushed to a later date. “A local crew was hired and their dues have been settled,” informed a source, adding that post-release dues of those involved with Baaghi 3 have also been cleared.

The RX 100 remake was being shot with around 250 crew members in Mumbai. Sajid has also cleared their dues on priority basis. “He even paid the technical team some advance as their livelihood depends on daily wages. The operations at his production house have come to a halt but there’s little that anyone can do about it except remain patient,” the source said.

Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; November 14, 2019)

After stepping into Bollywood with Student Of The Year 2, Tara Sutaria will be seen with the original ‘student’ from the franchise, Sidharth Malhotra, in the upcoming film Marjaavaan. While she plays the role of a speech-impaired girl in the film, offscreen, Tara loves singing and wants to pursue a career in music. In a candid chat with BT, she spoke about her Bollywood journey, singing aspirations and rumours of a link-up with Aadar Jain. Excerpts:

Sidharth Malhotra and you hail from the same on-screen school — Saint Teresa College (from Student Of The Year) — and have the same mentor, Karan Johar. Did that make it easy to bond?
Honestly, Sidharth and I rarely spoke about Student Of The Year (SOTY) on set. In fact, we had a lot of other things in common. Both of us are not from the industry and would talk about our families and siblings. Sid would tell me how he has changed as a person, since the time he joined the industry. And I told him that I wasn’t sure if I will change because I am extremely shy and reserved. I used to ask him about how he deals with filmi parties as I am new to the industry and feel scared at these events. He would share his personal experiences, and we got to know each other during the making of Marjaavaan. We tried to understand each other, as the film is very intense and we had to portray that kind of chemistry. Someone also told him that I sing well, so he asked me to sing a few lines. He loves music, and we connected over that, too.

Like your debut film, you are once again sharing screen space with a female costar; this time with Rakul Preet Singh...
(Cuts in) Ananya (Panday) and I had a lot more in common. We were making our debut together and were huge fans of the franchise (SOTY); both of us also have the star signs — Scorpio. On the other hand, Rakul (Preet Singh) has done so much work. I didn't know her at all, and we had very few scenes together. In our limited interaction, we spoke mostly about food. She would give tips about replacing ingredients that will help me make healthier choices. She was doing two shifts in a day and still wasn’t exhausted on the sets. It was interesting to see how she managed it all.

While Sidharth and Riteish Deshmukh have shared screen space in Ek Villain (2014), this is the first time you are working with Riteish…
Yes, but I did not have many shots with him. My character dies when his character comes into focus. Our scenes were mostly shot in the night. I remember him crawling on his knees as he played a vertically-challenged man. He had many funny stories to share and was very witty, which would lighten up the mood during the late-night shoot.

Milap Zaveri, who has directed Marjaavaan, is known for his sex comedies. Are you a fan of the genre? Which films of his have you seen?
I haven’t seen any sex comedies. I remember that he had shown me the trailer of Mastizaade (2016). I don't think I will ever do a sex comedy; it’s just not my thing.

Considering the fact that you are a trained singer, will we see you singing soon?
I wanted to be a singer; this (acting) was not a part of my plan. Whenever I see a photo of mine or read articles about me, I still can’t believe it. I am already promoting my second film and shooting my third… all of it feels like a dream. While this year, I focused on acting, next year, I will also look for opportunities in music. I want singing to be a huge part of my career next year. I idolise Barbra Streisand and Beyoncé, and am very old school when it comes to music and like 50s music. I want to see myself as a singer very soon.

Post SOTY 2, are you still in touch with Karan Johar? Do you consult him when you make your career choices? Also, you had got along well with Tiger Shroff. Do you manage to catch up with him?
I will always be in touch with Karan. He is very special to me. He calls us (actors of SOTY 2) his babies. If I need advice, especially when it is related to the industry, he is my go-to person. Even if he is busy, he makes sure that he is there for us. As far as Tiger is concerned, I have a special place in my heart for him. He is my first co-star and the first person with whom I could share everything. We will be friends forever. We two have a lot of things in common, and have lots to talk about whenever we catch up.

There is a strong buzz about you dating Aadar Jain. Do you want to clear the air?
I met Aadar at Karan’s (Johar) Diwali party last year. Well, he is very special to me, and we do go out a lot. We enjoy the same things. We have a similar taste in music and enjoy bingeing on good food. We also get photographed together, and I am fine with it as there is nothing to hide. We are very fond of each other and like each other's company a lot.

Like your debut film, your third film, the remake of RX 100, has an industry kid — Suniel Shetty’s son Ahan — stepping into Bollywood...
Yes, I am excited about it. Ahan is great to work with. The film a remake of RX 100, but our roles are very different from those in the original. We will be announcing the title of the film and releasing the first look very soon. We will start shooting the film in Mussoorie on the day that Marjaavaan releases. I had shot SOTY 2 there as well, so I will feel like a local when I am there (laughs!).

Prashant Singh (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 13, 2019)

Earlier this year, she bagged a dream Bollywood debut (with Student Of The Year 2; SOTY 2). The film put Tara Sutaria’s career on the fast track. As she admits: “The start has been great. The bonus of being part of Karan Johar’s production house is that they give you the best beginning and a fantastic platform to start off with. Then, it’s totally up to you how you take it forward.”

Now, Tara is readying for her second outing, Marjaavaan which, she says, is “very different from my first film”. “But the nervousness and excitement will be there with every film. It’s something that will never go away. So, there’s a lot to look forward to and a lot that people will see that they didn’t in SOTY 2.”

Unlike the “very young, fun, light and easy” film SOTY 2, Tara calls Marjaavan “a very emotional, dramatic, serious, tragic love story”. “I think I am very lucky to be able to do such a film as my second movie. It’s also exciting to play a character that can showcase so many different emotions, especially considering she is mute. She can hear, but can’t speak. I don’t think any other actor is doing such a part. So, it feels unique and rare, and it’s a great opportunity to show expressions and emotions without having any dialogue,” says the actor, adding: “Also, I have never died in a film before (laughs). That too was kind of exciting actually.”

However, the 23-year-old doesn’t feel any pressure, at least for the time being as she is “still very new to this whole game and understanding of the commercials and numbers”. She adds: “I only try and pay attention to the creative aspects of movie-making.”

Next up for Tara is Sajid Nadiadwala’s RX 100 remake. “I think it’s a very exciting time for women in every sphere including showbiz. There is no better time than now to multi-task and perform many roles. Among other things, I am definitely going to be singing in my films, and I am looking forward to it. It may happen in RX 100 remake or mostly, the film after that,” says Tara, adding that she hopes to create a niche for herself as an actor-singer.

“I feel Ayushmann (Khurrana) has done it beautifully, and I am sure others can, too. I would like to be the first person (female actor) who always sings her own songs,” says Tara, adding that she has grown up watching musicals and musical theatre. “I have performed a lot on the stage and always sung for myself,” she signs off.

Tara Sutaria fields questions on rumoured beau Aadar Jain, her sequinned sari, letting go of films that became hits & going from glam to girl-next-door
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 5, 2019)

When it comes to star-studded house parties, Tara Sutaria sure knows how to work the cameras and then some. Barely two months after reports emerged that she could be dating Aadar Jain, the Student Of The Year 2 debutante arrived at the Bachchan Diwali party with the actor, draped in a sari which has, incidentally, been spotted on Karisma and Kareena Kapoor (Aadar’s cousins) earlier. Presumably to contemporarise it further, Tara paired it with a décolletage-flaunting satin blouse. Online, the look found takers and haters in equal measure, depending on whether you’re listening to a millennial copywriter or a seasoned blogger.

“Manish (designer Manish Malhotra), very sweetly, designed that look for me. I love his sequin saris, they are famous,” the actress shares as she sinks into a comfortable chair at a suburban five-star. For this turn, she has opted for a pair of denim shorts, white sneakers and a Gopi Vaid jacket made of traditional prints, trims and embroidery.

She is relatively less forthcoming on the topic of her date, who had, not long ago, accompanied her to Malaika Arora’s birthday bash as well. “It’s important to say this, we enjoy going out and spending time together. Aadar is special to me and both of us are foodies, so we are going to be spotted at restaurants. We met for the first time last Diwali and have a lot of mutual friends.” But are they dating? “Well, we really enjoy each other’s company,” she reiterates evasively.

Previously, there had been link-up rumours with her Marjaavaan co-star, Sidharth Malhotra. Tara is quick on the uptake, saying, “Such rumours, and not just with Sid, started even before SOTY 2. They are annoying because they’re not true and there is nothing you can say to clarify. Now, I understand this comes with the job, so I take them with a pinch of salt. I got to know Sid because of Marjaavaan. Before that we had only met at parties. We realised that we were neighbours and had so much in common as we are both ex-Students and come from non-filmi families.”

Speaking of the ex-Students’ first film together, the actress will be seen in a de-glam avatar after a teenybopper turn in her debut “I connect with Zoya more than with Mia (SOTY 2), she is passionate about music and so am I,” she explains.

The film’s release date has been moved around a few times but Tara is unfazed. “I am new in the industry, so I don’t really understand numbers yet, but I am happy that it is releasing around my birthday,” she beams, going on to share that she was planning a prom-themed party for her 24th birthday on November 19. “But now I am leaving for Mussoorie on the 15th for my next film (RX 100 Hindi remake). Ahan (Shetty, co-star) is already there.”

She is excited about portraying her first grey character in the film. “Everyone wants to play safe when they are young and starting out. I never thought I would do the things I am doing in this film,” she gushes.

Tara was offered Sandeep Vanga’s Kabir Singh which could have been another South remake for her besides RX 100. Ask her if she’s glad she didn’t do the film considering the flak it received for its blatant misogyny and she says, “I don’t think I agree with that (the film’s misogynistic tone). It’s not a true story and I think everyone has the artistic right to show what they want in their film. Having said that, I also understand and respect everyone’s opinion. I couldn’t do Kabir Singh as I was shooting for SOTY 2 and had signed Marjaavaan at the time, but I loved Shahid (Kapoor) and Kiara (Advani) in it.”

Tara also had to let go of the role of Princess Jasmine in Guy Ritchie’s live-action adaptation of Aladdin featuring Will Smith as Genie.

Ask her if she wonders whether it would have been a better launch pad and the answer is a resounding ‘no’. “I have three films coming out in my first year in the industry. That wouldn’t have happened if I had done anything else. There is a lot to be grateful for with SOTY 2. People expected it to do crazy numbers, which I understand it didn’t, but it still did well. It will always be special for me as it’s my first film,” she asserts.

Sajid Nadiadwala, Milan Luthria take the launch pad of Suniel Shetty’s son, which also features Tara Sutaria, on the floors at a SoBo theatre
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 6, 2019)

After the Tiger Shroff and Kriti Sanon-starrer Heropanti, Sajid Nadiadwala’s launch pad for another star kid, Ahan Shetty, is ready to take off. The Milan Luthria directorial features Tara Sutaria as the leading lady opposite Suneil Shetty’s son and kicks off today at a single screen theatre in South Mumbai with a brief schedule.

According to a source close to the development, a major chunk of the yet-untitled film will be shot in Mussoorie. “Ahan’s character runs a movie theatre there. The scene with which the schedule is starting has a lot of drama,” Milan shares, adding that recce for the schedule involved visits to a lot of cinema halls in the Maximum City, from Navrang to Aurora, Deepak and Novelty, but the team finally zeroed down on Central Plaza as it is neither vintage nor swanky and therefore fit the bill.

While the shoot begins with Ahan, Tara will join the team at a later date. “She will be present for lunch on the first day, but isn’t a part of the shoot,” the director informs.

A love story peppered with action, the film is an official adaptation of the 2018 Telugu hit, RX 100. Ask Milan about his choice of subject, and he says, “Doing a candy floss romance didn’t seem like the way to go for a guy like Ahan. Sajid and I come from a commercial background wherein films ride on drama, action and confrontations with twists and turns. I loved the original film and we have adapted it to suit Hindi audience’s sensibilities. It’s dramatic and an unexpected story.”

Admitting that there’s a sense of added responsibility while launching a new face, Sajid adds, “RX 100 is a different film from the ones we have made recently. That said, Ahan has prepped well and has done his homework. I feel it’s a great start and very nostalgic (the first film that Suniel signed as an actor was Sajid’s prduction Waqt Hamara Hai). I hope the audience will love his talent as much as Milan and I do.” For Milan, launching Suniel’s son isn’t a pressure point. “Suniel is a popular actor himself and has been around for a long time with a successful career. It’s like a bonus for our film. My job is to make Ahan do his job well,” he says.

Tara Sutaria looks back at her acting debut as she begins prep on her film opposite Ahan Shetty
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 6, 2019)

Tara Sutaria who made her film debut with Student Of The Year 2 alongside Ananya Panday and with Tiger Shroff as their leading man, is relieved that the cat is finally out of the bag. “It’s so nice that the film has released. All of us had been excited about it. The reactions have been mixed, but I am grateful for all the love we received,” the actress says.

The bouquets were naturally accompanied by brickbats, but Tara says she was ready for all outcomes. “I’ve been in this line of work for a long time, so I’m used to criticism. In this case, there was no pressure from the production house, but people had expectations given the film’s franchise status and the first part’s success. Ever since the film was announced, we’d been subjected to trolling and memes, so we were expecting some criticism. But it’s part of the process,” she reasons.

The actress has already wrapped up her second film— Marjaavaan opposite Sidharth Malhotra—and is getting into prep for the third, the RX 100 remake opposite Suneil Shetty’s debutant son Ahan. “My role in Marjaavaan is something no one else is doing right now. I didn’t expect to do my second and third film in the same year. It’s great to be busy. I finished promoting SOTY 2 and I got into the R X100 remake. We’ve shot a bit of the promotional material. Now we’re busy with readings and will go on floors in the next month or two,” Tara says.

Tara is also looking forward to a playback stint at the movies. “I hopefully get to sing in my third film,” she signs off. 

Deepali Singh (DNA; May 18, 2019)

On the day that her debut film Student Of The Year 2 (SOTY2) raced past the Rs 50-crore mark, Tara Sutaria was busy doing a photo shoot with another newcomer, Ahan Shetty, for their forthcoming film, the Hindi remake of the Telugu hit RX 100. “I just got off the phone with our director (Punit Malhotra) and Tiger (Shroff),” said the 23-year-old with a smile. It’s been eight days since SOTY2 released and the actress says the feeling is surreal. “Everyone is so happy with the response to the movie and I hope the love keeps coming our way,” she said. Over to the chirpy youngster who has two more projects in her kitty...

While there have been some positive reviews, there has been some criticism also along the way. How do you respond to the brickbats?
I feel constructive criticism should be welcome, especially the line of work we are in. There is always some feedback with every film, whether good or bad. I think there is a lot of learning to be taken from the criticism. I’m glad it’s there and it's absolutely welcome.

What has been your takeaway from your debut film? 
To keep it real. On sets or off, it’s really important to be yourself. The minute you’re not, it will show in your performance.

So, what’s the real Tara like?
Quite contrary to what people think about me! I’m goofy, clumsy and I think, I have a great sense of humour (laughs)!

Both your upcoming films, Marjaavaan and the remake of RX 100, are love stories…
Marjaavaan is dramatic, violent, and an emotional drama. It’s a completely massy film. The remake of RX 100 is, again, a different space for me. We have just begun work on it and I’m excited about it.

Speculations are rife that something is brewing between you and your Marjaavaan co-star Sidharth Malhotra.... 
From the day we met, people have been talking about our chemistry. Considering our film is a love story, it's amazing that we have that bond and we share a great friendship. Everyone knows we are neighbours. We hang out often. We share a lot of similarities as well.

So, you're not dating him?
He's super cute and sweet and I'm sure he will make for a great boyfriend, but I'm single!

In the remake of RX 100, you will be the senior, while Ahan is the newcomer...
Oh God, ya! We get along on so many levels. He's literally like me, it’s just that he’s a boy (laughs)!

All these films fall under the commercial, massy zone. Do you want to explore smaller, more niche projects as well? 
Cinema has no boundaries these days. All kinds of films are doing well. I'm constantly thinking about what I want to do next. There are so many people I want to work with. It's a great time, as a woman, to be a part of this industry. Women are directing, producing, writing and acting in movies. I want to work with all these women.

Hiren Kotwani (DNA; May 15, 2019)

For quite some time now, speculations have been rife that former Miss World Manushi Chhillar is gearing up for her Bollywood debut. According to trade buzz, she had landed a plum project and was being groomed for her big break. However, contrary to popular perception, it isn’t opposite Ranveer Singh.

Now, we have learnt that the erstwhile beauty queen will foray into Bollywood as Akshay Kumar’s leading lady in a Yash Raj Films production. Apparently, Manushi will play Sanyukta to AK’s Prithiviraj Chauhan in the mega-budget extravaganza, which will be helmed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi. According to a source, “Everything is being kept hush-hush for now and the announcement will be made at the right time. Presently, Manushi is undergoing all the necessary training for her debut.”

Interestingly, the leggy lass was offered the Hindi remake of the Telugu hit RX 100 opposite Suniel Shetty’s son Ahan, which is the latter’s launch pad. “However, Manushi felt that venturing into Bollywood with another newcomer would be too much of a pressure. She felt making her debut opposite an established star would be a better bet,” adds our source.

We contacted YRF, but the studio’s representative declined to comment.

The actress is gearing up to train with a dialect coach for her third film, which goes on the floors in July, and will see her play a small-town character for the first time opposite Ahan Shetty’s male lead
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 8, 2019)

After finishing work on her debut film, Student Of The Year 2, and the follow-up, Marjaavaan, Tara Sutaria is gearing up to start shooting for the official remake of Telugu action thriller, RX 100, which marks the Hindi film debut of Suniel Shetty’s son, Ahan. The actress will start her workshops with director Milan Luthria and a dialect coach next week at producer Sajid Nadiadwala’s office in Mumbai.

According to a source close to the development, unlike her first two films, the actress plays a smalltown character in the yet-untitled project and as part of her prep, she will attend a two to threeweek workshop to get a better grip on the Hindi dialect. “Her character is raw and multi-layered. She speaks in a certain way throughout the film, and the team will primarily work on this aspect,” the source added. Soon after, Tara will be joined by her co-star for another workshop. “The final leg of pre-production comprises of joint scriptreading and actor-director bonding sessions. Ahan will be seen performing most of the action in the film, which is more on the realistic side with hand-to-hand combats,” the source informed, adding that stunt director Stefan Richter, who worked on Sajid’s directorial debut, Kick, is doing Milan’s film as well.

The film is slated to go on the floors in July and will be shot in Mussoorie, apart from a brief schedule at a studio in Mumbai. Buzz is, Tara, who is a trained singer, is giving playback for a song in the film. However, while talking to Mirror (May 6), the actress had said, “I hope I get to do it in the film.” 

Tara Sutaria on why she crushes on two Students; reveals she was to do Guy Ritchie’s musical with Will Smith but ended up shooting a Hindi song with him
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 6, 2019)

There is a definite hangover of the original in Student Of The Year 2. The audience’s tastes have evolved in seven years…
I admit there are many similarities, but the differences are also huge. For example, the focus is on a not-often-seen-before sport like kabaddi. Even the music, dances and Tiger’s (Shroff) action is unique. Despite evolving tastes, there are some films we want to watch and SOTY 2 is one of them.

You debuted as a child star in 2010 with Big Bada Boom, did sitcoms like The Suite Life of Karan & Kabir and Oye Jassie and Raell Padamsee’s stage version of the John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John 1978 musical Grease. Was movies the logical next step?
I’ve trained in music and dance all my life, so I wanted to be a part of the arts but wasn’t consciously thinking of Bollywood. Theatre was my home, I was raised performing on stage, there’s nothing more beautiful than that. Grease, which you mentioned, was my favourite stage production, and to play Sandy Olsson was a dream. I wish someone would adapt it on screen, I’d jump at the opportunity to feature in it again. To answer your question, I wanted to be a singer. But when I was 20, I met Karan who asked me if I was interested in acting, they were scripting SOTY 2. I instantly agreed as I’m a huge fan of the original and after graduating in Bachelor of Mass Media (BMM) from St. Andrew’s College, I auditioned for the role. It’s been a whirlwind since.

Tiger and you must bond over Michael Jackson?
We do, but I have many other idols like Priyanka Chopra who has made us proud as Indians and as women.

Why do you keep saying Tiger’s ‘good boy’ image is a facade?
(Laughs) Tiger has two sides to him but it’s only when he is comfortable with you that he reveals his true self, which is funny and naughty. He is also very sweet. On my first day of shoot in Dehradun, during a dance sequence, I sprained my ankle. He pulled up a chair, put my foot up and massaged it. We hardly knew each other then and I wasn’t expecting it. As my first co-star, he’ll always be special. It’s no secret that I have a crush on Tiger.

But on Karan’s talk show you confided that you don’t have a crush on a current student but on an ex-student. Sidharth Malhotra?
Sid and I live close by so we hang out together. He’s very busy and so am I but it’s nice to have someone close by. We have a lot in common, he’s wonderful! We are friends… good friends.

Reportedly you were dating Rohan Mehra earlier?
Rohan and I have known each other for a very long time. We have a lot of mutual friends too.

Your second film, Marjaavaan, is with Sidharth…
There’s a third film now (Hindi remake of the 2018 Telugu action-drama RX 100), which I kick off in two weeks with Ahan Shetty. It’s a blessing to be doing three films in my first year. I’ve just wrapped up Marjaavaan, an emotional, dramatic, violent love story which was quite a change from the light-hearted SOTY 2. When I heard the script for the first time I wondered if I’d be able to do it as it’s such a different world. The girl in the RX 100 remake is also completely different.

Buzz is, you’re singing in the RX 100 remake too.
I want to do everything related to music. I love singing and I hope I get to do it in the film.

Why did you let Shahid Kapoor’s Kabir Singh get away?
It didn’t work out because we had so much left to shoot of SOTY 2, but I am glad I did Marjaavaan soon after.

Weren’t you supposed to play Princess Jasmine in Guy Ritchie’s upcoming musical fantasy Aladdin with Will Smith as the genie?
I’d even started training for it in London but SOTY 2 was on, and there was a lot happening here. Still, training with everyone there was a lifetime’s experience while SOTY 2 is a dream come true.

But you ended up doing a song with Will Smith in your debut film.
(Laughs) Yeah, it was such a pleasant surprise. Life works in funny ways.

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; May 6, 2019)

Mumbai girl, Tara Sutaria is confident and talented. At the age of 23, she has years of experience as an artiste. She’s worked in plays, anchored TV shows and acted in two serials when she was a kid. She is also a trained dancer and singer, who has performed at competitions and operas and is well versed in dance forms like classical ballet and Latin American. In short, she was more than prepared to take the plunge when a single meeting with Karan Johar landed her the part in Student Of The Year 2 (SOTY 2). The actress takes us through her journey so far and what lies ahead:

Unlike a lot of newcomers who don’t have a film background and have to face years of struggle before they get a break in the industry, you seem to have had a relatively easier entry into showbiz. Do you agree?
Yes, it’s been like a dream, not a struggle really. Yes, things tend to be tougher for people who’re not from this business, but I got lucky. Also, let’s not divide the industry into outsiders and insiders. If you look at the people who have been launched so far, there are more ‘outsiders’ doing well than the ‘insiders’. Karan (Johar) didn’t know me and had never seen me perform, but he knew of me. Luckily, the one meeting that I had with him at his old office was enough to set things in motion. He was warm and sweet. I remember I even sang for him. He told me to complete my graduation and come back to test for Student Of The Year 2, which was being written at that point. It all fell into place after that. For the test, I shot two scenes with Punit Malhotra and got the part.

On Karan Johar's chat show, you came across as someone with a lot of grace and poise. Was it a part of your prep or does it come naturally to you?
I have always been very mature. That comes from performing on stage from a very young age. As a singer and dancer, you deal with situations that other kids don’t, which makes you a lot more mature and prepares you for a lot of things. My mother is a grooming and etiquette professional, and that is evident in the manner in which my twin sister Pia and I have been raised.

You wanted to be a singer at one point in your life. How did acting in films take over?
I was four years old when I wanted to become a singer. The good part about our household was that there was a lot of focus on arts; my family is deeply into it. So, after school, we always had extracurricular activities lined-up. That opened us up to a whole new world, which exists outside the curriculum, something that’s also been highlighted in Student Of The Year 2. That experience while growing up helped me a lot while shooting this film. Also, I was doing musical theatre in my teens. When I was in college, I started getting offers to act in movies. At that time, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. Before finishing college, I met Karan and things have been great ever since. Today, I feel nervous and excited in equal measure. We’re all excited to share what we have been working on for an entire year.

In his interview, Tiger told us that there is a world that exists in SOTY 2, which is very different from the gloss and the glamour that’s associated with the franchise. What are your thoughts on it?
I agree with Tiger. When we were talking about our roles before the film was rolled out, there was a definite reference to Betty and Veronica (from Archie comics). The characters Ananya and I play haven’t been carved like the girls you see in most light-hearted films. These are young, strong women. They have a graph and each time you think you can predict their next move, they will surprise you. My character is independent, strong-willed and does what she thinks she needs to do. She knows exactly what she wants. Like most of us, she makes mistakes, learns from it and redeems herself.

Even before your first film has released, you’ve bagged two more movies. With around 19 newcomers ready to step into the industry this year, do you think you have an edge over them?
I do realise that everyone does not get what I have got. I remember thinking that I will have this one big film release this year. But even before I knew, I had wrapped up my second film, Marjaavaan. In a few weeks, we will start work on RX 100’s remake. So, it’s a busy and wonderful time in my career. To answer your question, all the girls who have been launched in recent times are doing such different kind of work that there is no room for comparison. I don’t think we’re in a contest here. We will all experiment with genres and find our way. If you are doing what you wanted to do and the way you wanted to do it, the rest doesn’t matter. There’s room for all of us.

Talking about having an edge, do you think Ananya has an advantage over you given that she’s an industry child?
I don’t really know whether someone can have an edge merely because they are from the industry, as everything boils down to talent and the drive that you have to get what you want. The way you pursue your dream depends on every individual. I don’t know why people constantly compare artistes.

Ananya and you became friends while shooting the film. Did you guys ever fight?
It’s amusing to think that people expect actresses to fight while making a movie. We get along very well and have a great relationship. I am lucky to share my first film with Ananya and Tiger. It’s sad that people find it hard to digest that two new actresses didn’t fight with each other. In the West, women empower each other. Ananya and I are Scorpions, but we’re different from each other, which helped us share so much. We got along from the word go. She’s the best first co-star for me. There was so much in common between us — our first film, first song, first magazine shoot — we did everything together.

Would you call yourself an ambitious and competitive actor?
(Smiles!) I don’t get swayed by anything because I’ve been seeing the world of showbiz from close quarters and it’s a different space. Thanks to my exposure to theatre and arts, I have evolved as a person. I can handle people and situations well. Yes, I am ambitious, but not competitive, and people shouldn’t put the two together. Honestly, I don’t know what being competitive really is. I have been raised with a twin sister. We have only learnt to love a fellow woman and to help one another in all situations. Probably, there is room for competition, but it should be healthy.

Earlier in the interview, you’ve mentioned that you’ve wrapped up Marjavan.There’s buzz about the chemistry you share with your neighbour Sidharth Malhotra…
Marjaavaan is a violent and emotional story. It’s diametrically different from SOTY 2. The journey has been great on this project as well. I was lucky to have found a co-star like Sidharth. I feel close to this team as well, and they’re all great to work with. Though, initially, Sidharth and I didn’t shoot together a lot; we became good friends as we went along. We shared a lot of notes. He was an ex student and I was the current one (referring to SOTY). He’s also my neighbour, so we always have a lot to talk about.

Do rumours of an affair with Sidharth get into the way of your friendship with him?
No, it never gets awkward. He’s a mature guy and we both know and understand the fact that speculations and conjectures are a part of this business. You can’t shy away from them. The best way to deal with it is to get used to it, which we both are.

What about the relationships you’ve had in the past?
I can just say that, yes, I have been in love before. It’s a beautiful feeling to be in a relationship. I am old fashioned when it comes to love and relationships, and I like it that way. I believe in love completely, and I seek true love all the time. With my experience, I can just say that love does make the world go round. As of now, I am not in a relationship. Suggestions in that space are welcome!

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; April 16, 2019)

Actors lending their voices to songs is quite common in Bollywood. Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Alia Bhatt, Parineeti Chopra, Priyanka Chopra and Shraddha Kapoor amongst others have crooned their filmi numbers, thereby giving additional value to their respective tracks. Now, newbie Tara Sutaria is all set to join their ranks. The actress will make her singing debut in filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala’s RX 100.

Says a source, “Tara left everyone pleasantly surprised when she sang Lag Jaa Gaale at the trailer launch of Student Of The Year 2. After the youngster crooned on the Koffee With Karan episode in which she appeared with her two fellow students, Tiger Shroff and Ananya Panday, most of her makers woke up to the fact that this girl could sing well. But there is always someone who does it first. In Tara’s case, it happens to be the makers of RX 100. She will render the romantic number, which will be picturised on her in the action remake that marks Ahan Shetty’s debut.” Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, which is backing the project, was instrumental in doing so. The source adds, “Sajid discussed the idea with his director Milan Luthria. When they informed Tara, she happily agreed. She is a trained vocalist and wants to cut an album in the near future.”

RX 100, which goes on floors in June, will be shot in Dehradun and Mussoorie.

Sajid Nadiadwala’s search for Ahan’s heroine is over
BOMBAY TIMES (March 26, 2019)

Director Milan Luthria, whose The Dirty Picture (2011), had fetched Vidya Balan the National Award for Best Actress, has roped in Tara Sutaria for his yet-untitled next — a remake of the Telugu hit, RX 100. Currently in the pre-production stage, the film will go on floors by June 2019.

The production house, Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, had earlier announced Ahan Shetty’s Bollywood launch with this movie. Ahan has been undergoing intense training in action, and now that Tara has also been confirmed, the team is ready to kick-start the project, which will be presented by Fox Star Studios.

Sajid Nadiadwala shares, “We have found our leading lady and I must say that Tara is a proficient actor. I feel that Ahan and Tara will make an interestingly romantic pair. We will begin shooting in June.”

The makers are optimistic about Ahan and Tara’s on-screen jodi, as it’s a fresh pairing and also, as performers, they’re both raw and ready.

Milan Luthria adds, “The plot of the film is intriguing. It’s a love saga that will leave the audience surprised, and both the leads have strong parts. I have seen Tara and Ahan perform together during the workshops and they share sizzling chemistry. We’re set to go now.” As part of pre-production, the filmmaker, along with writer Rajat Arora and some members of the crew, recently did a recce in Dehradun, Rishikesh and Mussoorie.

Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 14, 2019)

Suniel Shetty’s son, Ahan, is set to kick off his acting debut, a yet-untitled Milan Luthria directorial produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, in May this year. For his launch vehicle, which comes almost four years after his sister Athiya’s first film Hero, Ahan is prepping for his character with bike-riding lessons and acting workshops.

According to a source close to the development, the film’s team is currently on a recce. “Besides the cast, it’s important to get the locations right. The plan is to set the film in Rishikesh, Mussoorie and Haridwar. The script is a blend of romance, action and drama and Milan wants the film’s treatment to be raw and real,” the source added.

Apart from the outdoor shoots, a brief schedule has been set aside for a Mumbai studio. The film is scripted by Rajat Arora, who has previously worked with Sajid on Kick. “Though the basic premise has been adapted from the Telugu film, RX 100, Rajat has reworked the script to cater to a pan-India audience,” the source added.

Buzz is, just like the 2014 action film, Heropanti, that marked the debuts of Tiger Shroff and Kriti Sanon, Sajid plans to launch Ahan with a female debutante.

Incidentally, Suniel had received his first pay-cheque in the industry from Sajid, for his second production, Waqt Hamara Hai. “Though Balwaan was my debut film, it was Waqt Hamara Hai that I had signed first, in 1992. Sajid is a friend and a father figure for Ahan,” Suniel said. 

Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; January 18, 2019)

Director Milan Luthria has been entrusted the responsibility of launching Suniel Shetty’s son Ahan on the big screen. While some may be bogged down by the pressure, the filmmaker argues he is armed with the best possible script — the star kid will be seen in the remake of the Telugu sleeper hit RX 100 (2018).

“RX 100 caught our attention amongst many other scripts. But this story stood out since the film has been appreciated. The idea was to provide Ahan with a film that is gripping and entertaining. We were looking for a complete package. It’s in the space of action-drama, a genre I wanted to tap into,” says Luthria.

While he is busy with pre-production, his leading man has begun prep for the actioner. “Ahan has been attending acting workshops, and training in stunts and fitness. He is focussed on his job, and is waiting for his first day of shoot. Suniel is a good friend and is excited for his son’s debut; we want to give it our best shot.”

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; November 26, 2018)

Come 2019 and Bollywood will welcome yet another industry kid. Suniel Shetty’s son Ahan is all set to be launched under Sajid Nadiadwala’s banner. The young actor will be seen in the Hindi remake of the hit Telugu action drama, RX100.

Recently, Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment announced that filmmaker Milan Luthria has been officially locked to direct this project. And now, the ace producer has got the writer of Kick, Rajat Arora, on board to script the film. A source says, “Sajid wants to make sure Ahan gets a good launchpad as he is close to the Shetty family. So, when they were looking out for a writer to pen the script for the Hindi adaptation, he immediately called Rajat and signed him on.”

Confirming the same, Rajat tells us, “I have worked with both, Milan and Sajid, earlier on various projects and I’m looking forward to work on this action-packed film. They have an extraordinary vision for any project that they’re working on. My experience with both of them individually has been unique and this amalgamation will be thrilling. All of us are excited for it to start.”

Rajat and Milan have previously worked on Taxi No 9211 (2006), Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai (2010) and The Dirty Picture (2011).

BOMBAY TIMES (November 15, 2018)

Recently, filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala announced that Suniel Shetty’s son Ahan Shetty will make his Bollywood debut in the Hindi remake of the Telugu film, RX100. Now, director Milan Luthria, who is known for his action-thrillers, has been roped in to helm the film.

Says Milan, “Remaking a cult film like RX100 is thrilling for me for reasons more than one. First, it marks the debut of the charismatic Ahan Shetty. Next, it’s a riveting and haunting story ripe for a remake. And of course, it has Sajid as the producer — the perfect support a director can ask for. It goes without saying that I can’t wait to embark on this journey that promises to be challenging and exciting at the same time.”

Talking about his collaboration with Milan, Sajid says, “I am very happy that Milan will be directing Ahan. Action and drama are his forte and I am confident that Ahan is in safe hands. We strongly believe in empowering upcoming talent. I have seen Ahan grow and I feel he is ready now. Whenever I have launched a new talent, I have taken complete responsibility, like I am launching my own kid.”

Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment has a splendid line-up in 2019, which includes Nitesh Tiwari’s Chhichhore, Kalank and Housefull 4 that will release in Diwali, as well as Super 30. Baaghi 3 is also in the pipeline.

BOMBAY TIMES (October 11, 2018)

Filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala, who has given hits like Judwaa 2, Dishoom and Housefull 3, is all set to launch Suniel Shetty’s son Ahan in Bollywood. In the past, Sajid has launched Tiger Shroff in Heropanti, and has also worked with him in the Baaghi franchise.

Interestingly, in the early 90s, Suniel Shetty gave one of the earliest hits of his careers — Waqt Hamara Hai — a film that was produced by Sajid’s banner, Nadiadwala Grandson. Now, after 25 years, Ahan is starting his career with the same banner. Talking about it, Suniel says, “It seems just like yesterday, when I started off with Sajid. He first spotted me as an actor. Now, he is my first and only choice to launch Ahan. That’s how much I respect him and his passion for cinema.” Ahan adds, “I feel blessed that the start of my career is actually a continuation of the journey that Sajid sir and my dad share. This gives me more strength to live up to their expectations. I feel more responsible.” Sajid, who is known for his discerning skills while green-lighting projects, shares, “Since I am launching Suniel’s son, I feel as responsible as I would for my own son. After working on umpteen scripts, we finally identified and purchased the rights of the Telugu film, RX 100, which we are now customising for Ahan’s debut. The subject of the film is ideal for a dream debut. Ahan is a very hardworking and focused individual.”