Showing posts with label Rajesh Tailang. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rajesh Tailang. Show all posts
You can see a glimpse of Sridevi ji in Janhvi Kapoor-Rajesh Tailang
8:34 AM
Rajesh Tailang, an admirer of late Sridevi’s work, describes his Ulajh co-star Janhvi Kapoor as a natural in front of the camera
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; July 18, 2024)
Only weeks after the première of Mirzapur’s third season, Rajesh Tailang is counting the days to his next release, Ulajh. For the thriller, director Sudhanshu Saria has brought an eclectic cast together—Janhvi Kapoor, Gulshan Devaiah and Roshan Mathew hold centre-stage, ably supported by seasoned actors Adil Hussain and Tailang.
“All my co-stars in Ulajh are so sincere, and did such a good job. I don’t think I was as good an actor at their age. Roshan and Gulshan are thoughtful actors. They do a scene not just for the sake of it; they put a lot of thought and hard work behind it,” marvels Tailang.
Most of his scenes in the film are with Kapoor, whom he calls a natural in front of the camera. “She is hard-working and a natural. She is a supportive and grounded actor, which helps you as a co-star. We were all fans of her mother. You can see a glimpse of Sridevi-ji in her,” he says.
After Ulajh, Tailang will be seen in Bandish Bandits 2, a satire with Sakshi Tanwar and Gajraj Rao, and a ZEE5 series directed by Sudhir Mishra. This busy phase in his career is hard-earned. The actor, with a two-decade-plus career behind him, remembers the time when he faced repeated rejections in the industry.
“I have rejected work, but more than that, people have rejected me. But I have never been insecure because I have focused on my growth as an actor. When I didn’t have a lot of screen work, I did theatre and taught at NSD [National School of Drama]. When you work on yourself and your craft, the fragrance [of your hard work] reaches people.”
Mirzapur director Gurmmeet Singh joins hands with Fukrey director Mrigdeep Singh Lamba for Paan Parda Zarda
8:04 AM
Mirzapur director Singh teams up with Fukrey maker Lamba for Paan Parda Zarda, a gangster drama about opium smuggling
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 3, 2023)
There is something about gangster dramas that fascinates Gurmmeet Singh. It led him to helm Mirzapur, a gory tale of gang wars, greed and power. Now, the director has another gangster story up his sleeve, Paan Parda Zarda.
The series sees him team up with Mrighdeep Singh Lamba of Fukrey fame, and Shilpi Dasgupta as they tell the story of opium smuggling in central India. Mona Singh, Tanve Azmi, Rajesh Tailang, Priyanshu Painyuli and Tanya Maniktala star in the crime drama that rolled on September 27.
Singh, who serves as the showrunner and co-director, says that the Jio Studios’ production goes beyond guns and gore to explore family dynamics. “It has elements of love, action and family drama. Developed from an original story created by Shilpi Dasgupta, the interwoven relationships are key to this series,” he says.
Paan Parda Zarda is worlds apart from Lamba’s comedy franchise, Fukrey. The director is eager to try his hand at this genre as he says, “It’s a labour of love that has been created after years of research.” Writer Suparn S Varma adds that creating the show’s “romantic and violent world” was liberating.
The solution to rising violent incidents with dogs isn’t to keep them in captivity-Rajesh Tailang
8:42 PM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 21, 2023)
There has been a recent spike in incidents involving dogs biting strangers and strays behaving aggressively that have left people wary. Rajesh Tailang found out the authorities are planning on building pounds around the country. As an animal lover, the actor doesn’t agree with this idea and took to Instagram to appeal against it.
“I am a dog lover. In fact, I love animals. If I see an issue that is related to them, I try to use my voice to create awareness for them,” he says.
The actor’s friend, who is an animal activist, informed Tailang about this impending plan. While the 52-year-old isn’t sure if this plan is already in motion, he believes it is “good to talk about it before it actually starts happening, so that it can be stopped [in time]”.
He adds, “The solution [to the rising violent incidents with dogs] isn’t to keep them in captivity. Kab tak rakhenge? It is just not practical.”
In India, on a previous occasion, in order to curb the population of monkeys, people who spotted and caught the animals were given monetary compensation. Citing the example, the Dahan (2022) actor says, “I’m making a documentary on monkeys and as far as I know, this scheme wasn’t successful. Iss tarah ka tareeka kaamyaab hoga bhi nahin. There was a lot of money invested in the vaccination and birth control of dogs, but their population is still increasing. Dogs have always been living with humans and since they are not used to living separately from humans, they might get aggressive [in captivity].”
Check out Janhvi Kapoor, Gulshan Devaiah, Roshan Mathew in Ulajh
8:28 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (May 10, 2023)
Junglee Pictures, known for its widely acclaimed and loved spy thriller Raazi, is excited to announce the cast of their upcoming film titled Ulajh, a stylised international thriller, set in the prestigious and intriguing world of Indian Foreign Services (IFS).
To be by directed by National award-winner Sudhanshu Saria, the makers have given us a glimpse into the high-stakes world of International Diplomacy and unveiled a talented ensemble cast headlined by Janhvi Kapoor, Gulshan Devaiah and Roshan Mathew, and also starring Rajesh Tailang, Meiyang Chang, Sachin Khedekar, Rajendra Gupta and Jitendra Joshi. The patriotic thriller is set to go on floors by the end of this month.
Ulajh follows the journey of a young IFS officer, belonging to a prominent family of patriots, who gets embroiled in a dangerous personal conspiracy while far from her home turf. The film is written by Parveez Shaikh and Sudhanshu Saria, with dialogues by Atika Chohan.
Janhvi says, “When I was approached with the script, it instantly attracted me because as an actor, I am constantly looking for scripts that make me break out of my comfort zone. My character and the story have so many layers, emotions and parameters, which are challenging and exciting. I am looking forward to working with such talented co-actors and a development studio like Junglee Pictures for the first time.”
Director Sudhanshu Saria shares, “Junglee Pictures has picked yet another original, bold and daring film to bring to audiences and I’m so thrilled they’ve entrusted me with the task of helming it. In Janhvi, the film has found its beating heart and it’s going to be a treat for audiences to watch her along with the powerhouse performers.”
Amrita Pandey, CEO, Junglee Pictures, adds, “We strive to develop and create films in collaboration with creative minds who have a fresh and distinct voice. Having Sudhanshu on board for a film like Ulajh is a perfect fit. His creative sensibilities are unmatched. He has added nuances and layers to each character making the story so gripping. Getting together such a talented cast and a dynamic team of experienced writers and technicians who are contributing their personal touch to the film has been an invigorating experience.”
OTT feels like reading a novel, while films are short stories-Adil Hussain
8:30 AM
Adil Hussain on how OTT is set to get bigger and better, his upcoming projects and more
Eesha Thorat (BOMBAY TIMES; December 25, 2022)
A dil Hussain was recently in Delhi to be a part of the annual pop-culture festival Delhi Comic Con. The actor, who played Aditya Sahil in Star Trek: Discovery, spoke to us about his upcoming projects, how OTT has given good actors opportunities they didn’t have before, his favourite comics and more.
‘OTT IS SET TO GET BIGGER’
Having been a part of multiple OTT projects and with a few more lined up, Adil feels that while films are like short stories, OTT is like reading a novel as it gives creators more freedom to tell their stories.
“Because it has the liberty of giving creators longer formats and due to its sheer reach and expanse, we can go home with the smaller characters, who otherwise remain in the background, and explore their worlds. You can go home with someone playing a havaldar and see their world. We get to see so many good actors, who we wouldn’t have otherwise been aware of. Actors like Jaideep Ahlawat from Paatal Lok or Rajesh Tailang from Delhi Crime, who was my classmate at the National School of Drama, would not have gotten such opportunities if not for streaming platforms. Rajesh would’ve been playing some hero’s friend or a smaller role, which is a disgrace,” says Adil.
The actor adds, “Apart from that, audiences are now being introduced to different lifestyles and cultures. For instance, I have the freedom to watch a film like Kantara any time I’d like and on whichever device I want. So I feel OTT is not just here to stay but is set to get bigger and bigger. I feel lucky to be a part of this boom.”
‘VFX AND STORYLINE BOTH NEED WORK IN INDIAN SUPERHERO FILMS’
When asked about what he feels about a surge in films belonging to the action, adventure, sci-fi and fantasy genres (like Brahmastra, Minnal Murali or the upcoming Shaktimaan film), Adil feels that while it is a good start, creators need to work harder to achieve perfection.
“See, if I have two or three hours to watch something, I’d rather watch something that is very well done. Although I’d love to see Indian films making a mark in the superhero genre, and I can be biased towards an Indian cinematic creation, but I’d prefer giving marks to quality rather than just being a loyalist. In many Indian projects, I feel the VFX and storyline both need work,” says Adil.
Talking about his upcoming projects, he says, “There is one upcoming international project I’m doing with a popular streaming platform, but I’m not allowed to talk about it (laughs). I’m also doing a few films, which audiences shall know about soon.”
Since we caught up with Adil at a pop-culture convention, how could we let him go without knowing his favourite superhero? “I know new heroes have come in, but my favourites shall forever remain The Phantom and Mandrake The Magician,” he says.
I had never heard of Chaddi Baniyan Gang. I said, ‘Oh my god, really!’-Shefali Shah
8:37 AM
It’s like meeting an old friend, say Delhi Crime’s lead actors, who return to reprise their police officer characters in the second season of the award-winning drama series
Aastha Atray Banan (MID-DAY; August 21, 2022)
To be a woman means to multitask. Even if you are one of India’s most sought after actors with an international Emmy award under her belt.
Shefali Shah is at the Netflix Mumbai headquarters where we are to interview her about her return as DCP Vartika Chaturvedi, chief investigating officer in crime drama Delhi Crime’s second season. She is juggling a domestic hurdle on the phone with her family. Her sons Maurya and Aryaman, are unwell, as is her mother-in-law. She is instructing a staffer about medication and the day’s menu. Two minutes later, she takes on the first question with the focus and passion we expect from her.
Co-stars on the show, Rasika Dugal and Rajesh Tailang sit beside her, both hailed for their portrayal of officer Neeti Singh and Inspector Bhupendra Singh respectively. Core members of the show’s team that cracks a rape and assault case, inspired by the 2012 Delhi gang rape that led to the death of a 23-year-old woman, resulting in national outrage.
“Reprising a role is always interesting. It’s like meeting an old friend,” Dugal thinks, “You know them [the characters] fundamentally, but they have moved on with their lives. It’s a mix of familiarity and unfamiliarity. Also, they are responding to different events. Neeti starts off as a sincere, idealistic, and wide-eyed cop who wants to impress Vartika. Now, she is more lived in, and easy about her job. This [evolution] also comes with a bit of jadedness. I shadowed a real policewoman as prep for season 1, and then again for season 2. She seemed to be in the same position that Neeti finds herself in. I saw the difference in her from bring trainee officer to ACP,” says Dugal, a satisfied smile refusing to leave her face.
Shah listens to her intently. She admits she is “deeply possessive” about her character. “I think it’s one of the best things I have done. And I was anxious if I could fill those shoes again.” This is an actor who has only done stellar work in the interim, recently wowing audiences as a domestic help in Jalsa, and the mother of a domestic abuse survivor in Darlings.
“Vartika became larger than life—we made a show, we created her—we didn’t know she would go where she went. I thought to myself, ‘how can I top that?’ When I got back into the role on set, she came back to me... as if she never left. Slipping into the uniform does that to you,” Shah muses.
While in the show’s first season, Shah thinks, the trio was obsessed with solving the case, this time around, their approach is practical, because “they do this every day”.
For Tailang, like Shah, having a finger on the pulse of the character once again was a worry. “Things changed, the case has changed. But, Bhupendra isn’t a man to change. His struggle is to remain the way he is. For an actor, a character is not a statue you reveal. You sculpt it for the audience as you go along, revealing bits of it in every scene.”
This is not the first time that Tailang is dabbling in a crime drama. He has directed scores of episodes of Indian television’s iconic dramatised crime series inspired by real episodes, India’s Most Wanted.
This time, the trio is grappling with a gang that had caused havoc in Delhi in the 1990s. The Chaddi Baniyan Gang was notorious for attacking homes at night, especially those housing senior citizens. They’d wear little else, but underclothes and face masks, slathering their bodies with oil or mud to protect their identities and give the cops a slip. They would urinate or defecate at the crime scene before they left, some said, to mislead sniffer dogs, and their killings were almost always ruthless.
A bungalow in South Delhi has been attacked in season 2, and four bodies are found. Those summoned to the crime scene are aghast at the brutal behaviour of the culprits. Despite the criminal groups’ notoriety, Shah says, “I had never heard of this gang. I said, ‘Oh my god, really!’ As information arrived to me through the material for the show, I was able to understand that this kind of human behaviour is not isolated. It’s the result of everything that is happening around. It’s not about one bad person [responsible for it]. That’s the strength of Delhi Crime; it brings forth the social situations that influence certain happenings.”
All three actors agree that this show has helped them see the Indian police force in new light. It’s easy to play the blame game, Shah says. “The police are the punching bag each time something goes wrong. As a civilian, I too have been quick to reprimand the police. Now, I think I come from a place of empathy. [The show] humanises the police,” says Dugal.
How did you disengage from Delhi Crime?
Rasika Dugal: You can’t describe it, it’s entirely experiential. That’s the beauty of it
Shefali Shah: I got so engrossed, that there was nothing left to take back with me once I was done
Rajesh Tailang: The way I quickly got into character, is how I got out of it too
With Delhi Crime, I don’t see the pressure as high as it is-Tanuj Chopra
8:21 AM
Picking up the baton from Richie Mehta, 'Delhi Crime 2' director Tanuj Chopra discusses steering the Emmy-winning show ahead while tackling high expectations
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; August 9, 2022)
How do you take forward a show that has won the Best Drama Series at the Emmys? The job comes with a fair amount of pressure. But Silicon Valley-raised Tanuj Chopra, who picked up the baton from Richie Mehta, saw 'Delhi Crime 2' as a definitive next step after having helmed quite a few festival films. The obstacles were all there — the intensive research, the Coronavirus pandemic, and the high expectations. But today, Chopra feels “a sense of pride” on seeing how far the Shefali Shah and Rasika Dugal-starrer has come. In an exclusive conversation with mid-day, he walks us through the process of making the second season of the acclaimed series.
Edited excerpts from the interview.
How did Delhi Crime 2 come your way?
After Richie [Mehta] left the show, the producers were looking for a new showrunner-director to take the story and characters forward. The show is a huge hit. It has a specific style, and required a filmmaker with the [right] sensibility. The producers had seen my work over the years [through] film festivals. They asked me if I was interested in coming in and replacing Richie. I watched the show and loved it. It was an opportunity that I had to take up. To work with actors like Shefali, Rasika and Rajesh Tailang is an amazing opportunity.
Walk us through how you got started on the show.
[Netflix’s] brief was that we’ll do a new season and a new crime, but our characters will move forward. This, instead of introducing new characters. Richie had started working on the second season. The first thing I did was to take his notes, see his research and what he had come up with in the case files. After a lot of research, the goal was to give a vision of how the show could be. Then I worked with a team of writers to turn that vision into a script and screenplay.
Was the case chosen prior to you coming on board?
I took his [Mehta’s] case because that was already sold for the season. It was a case that Richie was interested in at that time.
What did your personal research entail?
We went through a lot of police files, spoke with detectives, reporters, SHOs [Station House Officers], and former DCPs. Taking case files and true crimes, and turning them into a show is a tricky thing. The hope is that all the research leads to an emotional truth that you can represent. We had built some goodwill, so people were responsive. They wanted to ensure that things are portrayed as correctly as possible.
Reports stated that Netflix was not happy with the outcome and had requested a reshoot.
Making a show is a difficult thing, sometimes things work and at other times, they don’t. The pandemic broke out in the middle of the shoot. Our production was stopped many times in the last two years. The second wave crushed a lot of things we were doing. Truth is that it has been very difficult to shoot, to work through a pandemic. At Netflix, they always love to hear what we are doing. When we finished our shoot, we had to go back and include a few more pieces. That’s all there is.
What were some of the challenges you personally faced?
How much time do you have? [laughs] Filmmaking is challenging. It has only been challenging from day one. I had to learn a new system, a new show, and its language. Then I had to work with my writers, actors, producers, and the platform. So, there were a lot of opinions to balance. To be able to incorporate everyone’s viewpoints in a way [without hampering] the vision, was tough. You are also exhausted physically, as you spend your days writing, and your nights producing. I was travelling a lot as we scouted locations.
Did you lose the drive amid the delays?
I should have, but I didn’t. I love the show and the actors, and believe in it. People think I am crazy, but things take time. They get better if you approach them slowly. I am well-suited for it.
Do you feel the pressure of making it to the Emmys?
When I started, we didn’t have the Emmy. It happened in the middle of the pandemic. Sometimes, it doesn’t strike me what the show means in India. That is a good thing. I don’t see the pressure as high as it is. I have been a filmmaker for long, and I am proud of my craft. I have a lot of excitement to show how much more the series can be.
Was there any performance that stood out for you?
Shefali Shah is a special actor and a force [to reckon with]. Her performance is strong [because] she is always emotionally present. Rasika Dugal is another dynamite performer who can do anything you ask her to do. Rajesh Tailang is a steady guy, who grounds the show with his presence. He hits the right notes every time, has a great blend of masculinity and softness. Gopal Datt, Anurag [Arora] and [the cast] are the heartbeat of our show. They found interesting ways to make their characters come to life. [That is true of] all my collaborators — visuals, music, editing. There is immense talent on display.
My aim now is to consistently make a lot of short films-Rajesh Tailang
8:17 AM
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 5, 2022)
It was last month that actor Rajesh Tailang released his eighth short film, Selfie, a musical based on a poem. Apart from acting, he says that he wants to concentrate on directing shorts as it helps him express himself. “Short films are a great way of telling a story because you can say what you want on a limited budget and in a shorter span of time. Even in a break of 15 days, I can easily make one. Then, I can direct four-five short films a year,” he shares, adding, “When it comes to acting, you have to express someone else’s vision. My aim now is to consistently make a lot of short films.”
Quiz him if directing a feature film is on the cards, and he says, “I want to direct at least one feature film in my life. But not right now, as it requires you to devote three years of your life to it due to its financial compulsions. Plus, acting is my first love and I cannot not do it for such a long time.”
The Delhi Crime and Bandish Bandits actor, however, adds that he has never solely depended on acting. He elaborates, “When you foray into other creative fields, they help you survive. I wrote, directed, and taught, all of which eventually helped me with my acting. When my acting career wasn’t in good shape, these things helped me survive, emotionally and financially.”
Tailang feels that it’s imperative for a creative person to dabble in as many art forms as possible. “When it comes to multiple creative fields, once you learn to appreciate and develop skills, it helps you. It’s important to explore across fields. We all have potential; we all have to explore,” he concludes.
I wrote my first poem when I was 17 and I would send them to the women I loved-Rajesh Tailang
8:17 AM
The actor talks about his first poetry outing and how lyricist Gulzar inspired his work
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 13, 2022)
Having carved a niche for himself with critically acclaimed projects like Mirzapur and Pagglait (2021), actor Rajesh Tailang is all set to mark his debut as a writer with a compilation of poetry, titled Chaand Pe Chai. Though he had no plans of publishing his work earlier, it was the response that he received from social media that nudged him to don the hat of a professional poet.
He elaborates, “With the onset of the digital age, I began putting up my poems online. That’s when people began reacting to them, which encouraged me. Thereafter, I started a YouTube channel, where I started a series on poetry called Chaand Pe Chai, primarily for love poems. That has taken the form of a book now.”
What makes this passion project even more special for him is a note penned by lyricist Gulzar on the cover. Talking about how the veteran inspired him, Tailang says, “My initial poems are largely influenced by Gulzar saab’s work. With time and maturity, I learnt to grasp his art, craft, approach, understanding, and philosophy and not his form and content. This book would have been released earlier, but I was waiting for him to write something on the cover. That’s my greatest blessing.”
So, how did he discover his passion for writing poetry? “Maine pyaar mein kavitayein likhna shuru kiya tha. I wrote my first poem when I was 17 and I would send them to the women I loved,” Tailang says.
Quiz him about the millennial audience’s appetite for yesteryear poets and the Bandish Bandits actor shares, “The age of social media and information has helped the young audience be acquainted with the works of legendary poets. But, we often end up taking this easily available information for granted. And sometimes, the information is wrong as well.”
OTT shows decode Delhi's diversity: "Delhi carries many cities within it"
8:23 AM
Abhimanyu Mathur (DELHI TIMES; September 11, 2021)
One would assume that a comedy about living independently, a satire on the lavish lifestyles of the elite, and a true-crime story of the most horrific gang-rape in recent memory would have nothing in common. However, the three do have one thematic connection – their geographical setting is Delhi. With the proliferation of web content over the last few years, there have been many shows set in the national capital. Filmmakers say that Delhi, as a location, offers contrastingly different landscape and architecture, ranging from small bylanes to broad highways and from crowded slums to plush localities and highrises. This means that shows set in Delhi are not just diverse in terms of locales but also themes and genres. The creative minds behind the various OTT shows set and shot in the capital tell us what makes Delhi so easy to depict in such diverse and new ways.
EXISTENCE OF DIVERSE STORIES IN DELHI
Even as multiple OTT shows have been based in Delhi, almost all of them show starkly different shades of the capital. Reema Kagti, one of the co-creators of Made In Heaven, called Delhi “the wedding capital of India” while promoting the show in 2019. The show tells the story of two wedding planners handling the nuptials of Delhi’s filthy rich. The show’s other co-creator Zoya Akhtar added, “Delhi is a beautiful place to shoot. It’s differently cinematic. For the kind of story that we wanted to tell, we needed spaces like that.”
But Delhi was equally fitting as a setting for the Emmy Award-winning Delhi Crime, the show inspired from Delhi Police’s investigation of the infamous 2012 Delhi gang-rape. Rajesh Tailang, who played one of the policemen in the show, argues that even if it was a fictional tale, it would have been set in the capital. “Of course, this show had to be set in Delhi. The incident which inspired this show took place in Delhi. But even if it was a fictional show, this would have made sense being set in Delhi. It’s not as if women are only unsafe in Delhi but if you ask me for a comparative between Delhi and Mumbai, I’d say the problem of women being unsafe in an urban metropolis while venturing out at night is associated more with Delhi,” he says.
‘LONGER RUNTIME ON OTT ALLOWS US TO SHOW NEWER PARTS OF DELHI’
The depiction of Delhi in OTT shows has moved away from how the city was portrayed in cinema over the years. Instead of shots of India Gate or Qutub Minar that cinema had often employed to depict Delhi, web shows are moving beyond these usual suspects to depict newer parts of Delhi that had never found their way on to screens.
Filmmakers and writers attribute this to the longer run time that web series offer as opposed to feature films. “When you’re narrating a long format story, as a creator, you’re aware that you have the advantage of runtime. Hence, it doesn’t become too important to establish a city via the typical or iconic locations,” says Mayank Sharma, creator and director of Breathe - Into The Shadows. The series showcases neighbourhoods, roads and bylanes of various parts of Delhi, shot almost exclusively during the winters.
Mayank adds, “What I find interesting is for us to invest and spend time to show different settings and locations of Delhi that people have probably not seen or experienced yet. An unexplored or a new location demands shots that have to be contrived entirely from scratch, which brings freshness to the storytelling.”
‘AUTHENTICITY KEY WHILE SETTING A SHOW IN DELHI’
Creators say that authenticity becomes important when setting a story in a real place, in this case Delhi, particularly for the web medium. “Unlike a movie, which caters to a family crowd, web series are mostly consumed by individuals. Most people watch it on their laptops. They expect it to be real. So, the tone and language need to convey the same,” says Siddharth Singh, co-writer of Shaadi Boys, one of the first OTT shows set in Delhi.
And the creative minds behind these shows say they are willing to take extra pains to showcase Delhi as authentically as possible. While shooting for Breathe - Into The Shadows, Mayank and his crew made sure they shot at Delhi’s Ramlila. He elaborates, “We made sure that while the Ramlila mela was happening in Delhi, I flew with my core team and we captured the authentic visuals from the actual event itself, which added a lot to the authenticity of the scene, showcasing the way people celebrate that festival. Today’s audience can quickly make out the difference between what’s real and what’s made up. Hence, hands-on research is pivotal for realistic and engrossing storytelling.”
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OTT SHOWS SET IN DELHI
LIFE SAHI HAI: Four young friends, who decide to live independently for the first time ever, move to Delhi and live together, facing unpredictable challenges
MADE IN HEAVEN: Two wedding planners from Delhi discover a lot about themselves and the city’s society as they plan lavish and expensive weddings for the capital’s elites
SHAADI BOYS: Three aspiring actors, having failed in their Bollywood dreams, move to Delhi and decide to use their skills in Delhi’s lucrative wedding industry
DELHI CRIME: Set in the aftermath of the horrific 2012 gang-rape, the series follows the Delhi Police team that investigates and solves the case amid mounting pressure
THE AAM AADMI FAMILY: The comical tale of the Sharma family of Dilli trying to deal with their ‘middle-classness’ as they go about their day-to-day affairs
PATAAL LOK: The investigative thriller is about a disillusioned east Delhi cop, investigating a case of a failed assassination of a prominent journalist
BREATHE - INTO THE SHADOWS: A capital-based psychiatrist must commit a series of murders as ransom for his kidnapped daughter while the Delhi Police Crime Branch is hot on his heels
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‘DELHI CARRIES A LOT OF CITIES WITHIN ITSELF’
Even when some of the Delhi-based stories are similar thematically, a mere shift in geographical setting within Delhi makes them tonally different. So, while Made In Heaven and Shaadi Boys both deal with wedding planning, the former deals with the weddings of Delhi’s ultra-wealthy elites, the latter is set around west Delhi’s middle class shaadis. Filmmakers add that this diversity across Delhi allows them to retain the individuality of stories.
“The representation of Delhi in Indian cinema has either been tinted with a lens of nostalgia or set around almost a make-believe upper middle-class west Delhi world. But even though the cinematic representation has been two-dimensional, Delhi is not one city. It carries a lot of cities within itself. It carries a lot of different kinds of lives and cultures within itself,” argues Sudip Sharma, creator and co-writer of Pataal Lok.
The crime thriller follows a cop from ‘Jamuna paar’ – the part of Delhi that seldom finds cinematic mention. “In Delhi, they look at you a certain way if you are from a certain area,” continues Sudip, “You are immediately boxed in. Depending on whether your answer to the question ‘where are you from’ is Vasant Kunj or Patparganj, you are looked at differently. Where you set the story sets it apart from another story with a similar theme.”
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Pataal Lok makes the distinction between the different parts of Delhi based on the class inhabiting them, labelling them as pataal lok, dharti lok, and swarg lok respectively
The curious case of accountability: Where do actors stand?
8:32 AM
Actors opine on whether they should be held responsible for being in objectionable scenes. While some say they shouldn’t, others believe everyone involved is culpable
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 30, 2021)
The controversy around recently released web series, Tandav, took a turn after Supreme Court refused to grant protection to Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub from arrest in several FIRs against him for allegedly hurting religious sentiments in a scene featuring the actor, who, dressed as lord Shiva, was seen mouthing lines about ‘azaadi’. The SC cited the reason that he accepted the contract after reading the script and that he would be held accountable, which now has opened up a debate about what happens to an actor who is simply portraying a character on screen.
Actor Shreya Dhanwanthary asks, “Doesn’t everything hurt everybody’s sentiments? Where do you draw the line?”
Maanvi Gagroo doesn’t thing it’s an actor’s responsibility. The actor adds that it is not even a director’s responsibility. “I am not a big fan of censorship in general, but in a country like India, there needs to be some regulation,” she says.
Rajesh Tailang feels that actors should not be held responsible in situations like these. “Actors have no role in this. It is primarily the responsibility of content creators. I think the copyright holder should be held accountable, actors are not copyright holders,” he adds.
Ever since the development, many have even pointed out that this questions the very foundation of the word and function of acting.
It is a grey area feels Adil Hussain, while adding, “Once you have read the script, you know that this is what this particular project is talking about. So, it depends on which country you are living in, what are the predicament and circumstances and how sensitive you have to be. But at the same time, I don’t believe in censorship. It is important that films do not operate from a space of blaming.”
On the other hand, actor Bidita Bag feels that this indeed is something that actors should be mindful of. “Everyone involved with the project including actors should take some responsibility. Why joke on religion when you know that people are not ready. Religion is a sensitive topic in our country. So why make a joke on it when you know that there is a possibility of a backlash,” she asks.
Echoing similar sentiments, Tailang adds, “Yes, censorship is very limiting, but I think it should be self censorship and as a responsible artiste, you take into consideration everyone’s sensibilities.”
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Rajesh Tailang
The actor feels that actors should not be held responsible in situations like these. “Actors have no role in this, I feel. It is primarily the responsibility of content creators. So I think the copyright holder should be held accountable na, actors are not copyright holders. Jo uske perks leta hai, uski hi zimmedaari hai, if I think logically,” he adds.
Shreya Dhanwanthary
“Doesn’t everything hurt everybody’s sentiments ? Where do you draw the line? So religion is the only place you are drawing the line? Is that very clear? Are you sure?” asks actor Shreya Dhanwanthary.
Adil Hussain
“It is a very grey area. It is a tricky one,” feels Adil Hussain, while adding, “Once you have read the script, you know that this is what this particular project is talking about. So it depends on which country you are living in, what are the predicament and circumstances and how sensitive you have to be. But at the same time I don’t believe in censorship, it is important that films what they talk about does not operate from a space of blaming.”
Maanvi Gagroo
The actor says she personally thinks that it is not an actor’s responsibility. In fact she adds that it is not even a director’s responsibility.
We are not ‘Simmba’ or ‘Singham’. We are normal human beings, we don’t have antennas, says Nirbhaya case officer on Delhi Crime
8:16 AM
December 16, 2020, was the eighth anniversary of the Nirbhaya incident. Chhaya Sharma, on whom Shefali Shah’s Vartika Chaturvedi was modelled in Delhi Crime – speaks about the show, police portrayal on screen, what has changed in the country post Nirbhaya and more
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; December 18, 2020)
Delhi Crime, based on the investigations that went into the brutal gang rape of Nirbhaya on December 16, 2012, leading to her subsequent death, won the best drama series at the 48th International Emmy Awards, last month.
Ever since the series has been released, Chhaya Sharma – former DCP South Delhi, who led the special investigation team that cracked the case and on whom the character of Shefali Shah’s Vartika Chaturvedi is based —has been getting calls from curious people from across the world, who have many questions for the police officer. One caller even wanted to know “if she’s for real”, while another wanted to hear just how she sounds. Yesterday — the eighth anniversary of the Nirbhaya incident — Sharma, currently posted as Director, Central Vigilance Commission in Delhi, spoke to us about the show, Delhi Crime and more.
Chhaya Sharma was not very keen on meeting (the writer-director Richie Mehta) for the show, but it was her former boss, former Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar, who convinced her.
She says, “I was initially not very keen. When I spoke to Richie for the first time, he was quite excited about the project and was ready to come to Mizoram (where she was posted then). But I told him that we’ll meet in Delhi when I’m there. Incidentally, the next time when I went to Delhi, he was there and when I met him, I found that he meant business, and he was quite serious about the project.”
Sharma says that she wasn’t initially convinced “that many would believe that it’s a positive police story of how the police detected and investigated a sensational case. However, Richie was open and was willing to tell the story from a different perspective.”
She adds, “Most of the people working on films or documentaries about the police system aren’t aware how police departments actually work and that’s why I used to tell Richie that he should go to police stations, just sit and observe how things work. I think he went to all the spots and police stations. In fact, he even went to meet doctors and visited the hospital.”
‘IT IS VERY IRRITATING TO SEE A CHARACTER IN WRONG POLICE UNIFORM’
Sharma had seen the unedited versions of Delhi Crime. She says, “Stories on police officials should be shown as how they are in real life, which is almost never the case in films. We are not ‘Simmba’ or ‘Singham’. We are not larger than life. We are not super humans. We are normal human beings, we don’t have antennas. Whatever detective skills we have, we acquire it (while working). And with due credit to Richie, he has shown the investigation right. I was also very happy that he chose Shefali for the role because she is an actor whose work I have followed,” adding, “Richie told me, ‘I chose Shefali because your eyes are similar’ (laughs).”
Not just Richie and Shefali, who sought her inputs, the costume team members of the show also used to send her photos of the police uniforms to check if they got them right. She says, “I told them that it’s the police uniform, be careful. It is very irritating to see a sub-inspector in a DIG’s uniform and a DIG in a sub-inspector’s uniform.”
‘I TOLD RICHIE TO TELL THE ACTUAL STORY’
Richie had interviewed every member of the Special Investigation Team, from the former Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar, who was also a consultant for Delhi Crime, to the sub-inspectors and constables. Sharma says, “He took my version, my ACP’s version, my inspector and sub-inspectors’ versions, and then he came with the first draft. He asked me if I wanted to have a look at it, but I was busy with my work. So I broadly told him that you have got all the versions, now tell the story as it is. I told him that this is a positive story and it should be told as such.”
Shar ma adds, “I was answerable to the victim’s family and the court. I’m not interested whether the story is told or not, but I didn’t want it to be something that it is not. Whatever is presented in a series or a movie creates a perception in the minds of the public. And it is very difficult to tell them, ‘see, it is not like that’.”
‘DELHI CRIME GOT THE ATTENTION IT DESERVED’
Sharma is happy with the way the show has been made. She says, “I was happy to note the way in which our efforts and hard work were highlighted in the series. A lot of respect was shown in the scenes related to the victim. The challenges and travails of some of our smaller teams in the fields were well captured. Some character amalgamations were done for cinematic purposes, but the efforts put in the telling the story – in its nearly original form, yet keeping all sensitivity on track – was amazing. It was a job done well.”
Talking about the characters, Sharma says, “Denzil Smith (who played Shefali’s husband in the show) never met my husband, but he played his role superbly because Richie had done his research well. Adil Hussain was superb in displaying the suave and competent Delhi CP Neeraj Kumar. Rajesh Tailang and Jaya Bhattacharya did equal justice to their characters. Most actors who spoke to me had based their work on Richie’s research and that’s why we can see an equation between characters in the series.” Richie did a careful study of the case and characters for over five years, Sharma adds.
We learnt about the pressure that police personnel face; so many decisions that they have to take, say Delhi Crime actors
8:01 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; November 27, 2020)
I MET CHHAYA SHARMA FOR TWO HOURS, BUT IT WAS NOT ABOUT REPLICATING HER ON SCREEN. IT WAS ABOUT CREATING VARTIKA CHATURVEDI AS A PERSON: SHEFALI SHAH, WHO PLAYED VARTIKA CHATURVEDI, DCP SOUTH
Shefali Shah's Vartika Chaturvedi is based on Chhaya Sharma, former DCP South, who led the probe. Shefali says, “I met her just once for two hours and I had so many questions about the investigation and she graciously answered all of them. Before me, Richie had met Chhaya mam, Neeraj Kumar (the then Commissioner of Delhi Police) and other officers several times and a lot of research went into creating the character of Vartika Chaturvedi. For me, it was not about replicating Chhaya Sharma. It was about creating Vartika as a person, but with the same values and the same work ethics.”
Shefali adds, “Not just now when the series has won Emmys, but Vartika Chaturvedi has always been very close to me. It is one of the most important characters of my life. I am extremely possessive and consumed by this role, I don't think you can leave behind a character like hers.”
Shefali says that when she landed at the Delhi airport to shoot this series, “I had this really strange feeling in my stomach because this was the city where this crime happened.” She says, “And when you go from the airport to the city, you cross all those areas where the crime had happened — Mahipalpur, Vasant Kunj bus stop — and it was so uncanny. In fact, when I left Mumbai to shoot for this series, I was told by the three men in my life — husband and two sons — to not go out at night. We were shooting at real locations, it was an uncanny feeling. There was this sense of dread that it all happened where we are shooting.”
WHAT I LEARNED FROM NEERAJ KUMAR WAS THE KIND OF PRESSURE THAT HE WAS GOING THROUGH: ADIL HUSSAIN WHO PLAYED KUMAR VIJAY, CP DELHI
Adil Hussain says that he is thrilled and feels vindicated that the series has won an Emmy. He says, “The most important aspect of this series is that it generates empathy. I remember in 2012, I was shooting in Delhi when we heard about this horrific crime. I was extremely disturbed and I was glad that people came out on the streets to question the police. But years later, when I did this series, I realised the work police was doing. The best part of art is that it makes you see the other side of the story. We must hold police accountable when they are not efficient, but at the same time, we must empathise with them.”
Talking about his role, Adil says, “I had met Neeraj Kumar and we had long sessions a couple of times. Basically, the easy part was that he or any of those people (investigating the case), who were in a prominent position at that time, were not public figures. Their faces and personalities were not known and that was to my advantage as in I didn’t have to fit in to a particular public image. I only had to maintain the dignity and the stature of the Delhi police commissioner. But what I learned from him (Neeraj Kumar) was the kind of pressure that he was going through to protect his subordinates and the bureaucratic pressure on him. Those things were what I understood from him.”
He adds, “I remember after the series was released, Chhaya Sharma told me that she liked my character and complimented me.”
I TRIED TO CAPTURE THE MAN BEHIND THE UNIFORM WHILE DOING THIS ROLE: RAJESH TAILANG, WHO PLAYED BHUPENDRA SINGH, INSPECTOR
Rajesh Tailang, who had worked with Richie Mehta before Delhi Crime, says that when they started working on this project, they didn’t of course imagine that it will get an Emmy. “Ek vision tha Richie ka, uss pe sab log saath mein kaam kar rahe thay. We, who are from Delhi, are emotionally attached to the series because we were here in 2012. Almost 20 years back, I used to direct India’s Most Wanted, so I had an idea of how the Delhi Police functions. My character is based on Rajendra Singh, whom I had met several times and that was my preparation for the character. Rajendra Singh has retired as ACP a month ago.”
Rajesh adds, “I tried to capture the man behind the uniform while essaying the role of Bhupendra Singh. Just because someone wears a uniform, it doesn’t mean that the person behind that uniform ceases to exist. He has his personal issues and is trying to strike a balance between his personal and professional lives. When we see police portrayal on screen, it is either Simmba or a villain. There is nothing in between.”
Rajesh says that he wanted to understand from police officials how they deal with the dichotomies they face. "Main yeh samajhna chahta tha ki main police ka hoon, aur criminal mere saamne hai. Saza dena toh police ka kaam nahi hai, woh court ka kaam hai. Kabhi kabhi aise cases aate hai ki woh (police) saza dena chahe, lekin woh law se bandhe hue hain. Toh aapka ek struggle hota hai — aapke emotions ke saath aur aapki duty ke saath. Aur ek public pressure hota hai ki aap turant saza de do. Ek achcha officer toh wohi karta hai jo in sab officers ne kiya iss case mein, ki aap ek full-proof case banao.”
SPENDING JUST FOUR DAYS AT A POLICE STATION WAS A LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE: RASIKA DUGAL, WHO PLAYED NEETI SINGH, A PROBATIONARY OFFICER
Rasika Dugal says that being Neeti Singh was a special experience for her. “It reminds me of my college days. The kind of idealism Neeti has, the kind of world view she has to make the world a better place with her sincerity and hard work — I used to have that idealism when I was a student of Delhi University at LSR. Neeti Singh makes me revisit that idealism.”
Talking about the preparation for her role, Rasika says, “I shadowed an IPS officer who was a probationer because Neeti Singh is at the same position. I felt it would help me understand what their day looks like, how they function and what are the things that they learn everyday when they are in training. So, I hung around with her. Just spending four days at a police station was a lifechanging experience. There are so many decisions that a police personnel has to take, so many people come for help. It was fascinating for me to be a part of that world even for four days.”
She adds, “As the show progressed, Neeti was also beginning to realise that the system is not as simple as she probably thought from the outside. There are many things that you have to negotiate, there are several disappointements, and your idealism takes a beating. I was very fortunate to find officers who gave me time and allowed me to be a part of their day.”
Rasika says the same officer whom she shadowed gave her feedback on the role. “When I called her after the show came out, she told me that ‘in terms of protocols, you got it absolutely right’ and as an artiste, it means a lot. Especially when playing a police officer, my desire is to get every detail right.” Rasika says that Delhi Crime gave her a chance to work with the most sensitive collaborators that she knows. She adds, “The kind of sensitivity that Richie brought to his writing and direction is something for which I have huge admiration for. Having had the opportunity to collaborate with people like this is a very special experience in my creative journey.”
My son's glad I am unlike my character in Selection Day-Rajesh Tailang
8:21 AM
Nominated for Best Supporting actor for Selection Day, Rajesh Tailang on sharing his work with son
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; March 8, 2020)
Elated to have been nominated for the Best Supporting Actor (Male) category at the mid-day and Radio City Hitlist Web Awards for Selection Day, Rajesh Tailang tells mid-day, "I have received awards for my role in Delhi Crime, but frankly, the character of Mohan Kumar is closer to my heart."
Having explored several projects that saw him be part of different departments that tackled crime, Tailang says Selection Day offered him a part he hadn't given a go at. "More often than not, I am cast for positive roles, but that gets boring. Characters with shades of grey give an actor more scope to portray [his skills]."
He also took home a lesson or two about parenting. "My character is unlike me. He is passionate about cricket, and ultimately wants what is best for his children. At times, it is important to give kids freedom," says the father to an 11-year-old son. After Delhi Crime and Mirzapur, both of which hinged on violence, Tailang is glad that he could finally show his son his work as an actor. "He was happy that I am not like Mohan, in real life," he laughs.
More About Selection Day 2
- While they did so abundantly on camera, the cast and crew also played cricket in between shots
- The scene that sees Mohan arrive in Mumbai and walk into a stadium is Tailang's most cherished
- Cast Your Vote For The Hitlist Web Awards
- Rajesh Tailang has been nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category for Selection
Day 2
The other nominees are:
- Vinay Pathak (Made In Heaven; Amazon Prime)
- Neeraj Madhav (The Family Man; Amazon Prime)
- Sharib Hashmi (The Family Man; Amazon Prime)
- Pankaj Tripathi (Criminal Justice; Hotstar)
- Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub (Rangbaaz Phir Se; Zee5)
- Gopal Dutt (The Office; Hotstar)
- There are 14 categories that the public can vote in. Log on to www.hitlistwebawards.com to cast your vote
- You can also vote via SMS. Send HITLIST <space> category name <space> your choice (a/b/c/d as on the website) to 57575
- Voting lines close on March 9
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