Showing posts with label Regina Cassandra. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Regina Cassandra. Show all posts
I can’t play a Punjabi girl, but a Punjabi girl can play a South Indian-Regena Cassandrra
10:29 AM
Abhimanyu Mathur (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 15, 2025)
While she started with Tamil cinema, actor Regena Cassandrra has done substantial work in Hindi, too, ranging from the web series, Rocket Boys, to the film, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga (2019).
However, the 34-year-old, who will next be seen in Jaat alongside Sunny Deol, says that “being a South Indian in this industry isn’t easy”. She tells us,“I started working at the age of nine. Over the last 25-odd years, I’ve done ads, short films, and movies and have a certain sense of understanding of what goes on.”
Elaborating, she says, “When I audition for any project in Hindi, they look at my language skills. Can this girl talk in Hindi? How does she sound when she talks? It is imperative. They let a bit of the accent stay only if I’m playing a South Indian. But when it comes to the South industry, there are so many North Indian girls who have become big names in Tamil and Telugu films. We don’t care whether they can talk in Tamil or not.”
And hence, she has lost out on roles in both industries: “I’ve missed out on so many roles because my Hindi was not up to the mark. Like, I can’t play a Punjabi girl, and that’s ok. But, a Punjabi girl can play a South Indian girl. It has happened to me. Someone else was chosen over me for a project in the South, and same person was chosen over me in the North as well. Where do I go?”
Saiyami Kher, Ayesha Khan & 7 other actresses join hands with Sunny Deol for Jaat
10:52 AM
Eight action heroines join Sunny Deol’s Jaat; Saiyami Kher, Regena Cassandra and others to perform stunts and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the leading man
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; February 10, 2025)
We are used to seeing Sunny Deol as a one-man army in most of his actioners, from Ghayal (1990) to Gadar 2: The Katha Continues (2023). But it looks like his upcoming film, Jaat, will be an exception. While Gopichand Malineni’s directorial venture sees the actor as a common man rising against the system, it has been learnt that as many as eight female actors will join him in his fight against the baddies. Veteran actor Zarina Wahab has an emotionally powerful role, while Saiyami Kher, Regena Cassandrra, Bandhavi Sridhar, Moumita Pal, Vishika Kota, Praneeta Patnaik, Doulath Sulthana and Ayesha Khan will be seen in action avatars, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the leading man.
From what we’ve heard, it was Malineni’s idea to depict them as action heroines alongside Deol. A source says, “When Gopichand decided to make Jaat as an action extravaganza, he was certain that the women would be depicted as brave fighters and an equal to the hero. Regena and Saiyami have several high-octane fight sequences in the movie. Telugu film actors Bandhavi and Doulath, who were seen in Masooda [2022] and Madham [2020] respectively, play upright cops in the multilingual movie. Moumita, Vishika, Praneeta and Ayesha, who were recently seen in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 [2024], Ashtadigbandhanam [2023], Sita Ramam [2022] and Gangs Of Godavari [2024] respectively, complete the cop brigade. These actors will be seen in fierce avatars, performing hand-to-hand-combat, using guns, and taking on baddies in the action sequences.”
The unit began shooting Jaat in Hyderabad in June 2024. While Deol is currently filming Border 2, having finished most of his Jaat portions, the director is currently shooting with the leading ladies. “Sets have been put up in Ramoji Film City, while the outdoor scenes are being canned in Aziz Nagar and Krishna Nagar in Hyderabad. Currently, Praneeta is filming her portions. Sunny is expected to join the unit next month for a patch shoot,” adds the source.
The April 10 offering—that will be released in Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, and Tamil—also stars Randeep Hooda and Vineet Kumar Singh.
Saiyami Kher, Regena Cassandra and Ayesha Khan
In massy movies, female parts are shabbily written-Regina Cassandra
8:21 AM
Regina Cassandra opens up on the challenges of starring in a massy film and why Ajith’s Vidaamuyarchi was different
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; February 9, 2025)
Regina Cassandra has had a great start to the year, with her film Vidaamuyarchi, opposite south superstar Ajith Kumar, hitting theatres this week. We sit down with the actor to discuss her character—an adventurous, thrill-seeking woman who keeps everyone on their toes. Cassandra says filming with Ajith was her biggest motivation for taking on the project.
“This is the first Tamil superstar I’m working with. The journey has been enriching. I trusted director Magizh Thirumeni to write me a character I could do justice to. He was confident I’d be able to pull off the layered role. He cleared all the doubts I had about the script. Usually, in big-budget superstar films, they don’t give you much importance, scenes get cut, and things could go wrong, but my director made me feel that no one else could have played the role but me,” explains Cassandra.
She claims Ajith set a precedent on set with his behaviour. Besides working hard, he treated everyone around him with respect. “He is an inclusive person. Usually, in mainstream, massy movies, they shabbily write female parts. You realize the quality of the writing by seeing how well they write the characters, irrespective of the language. That’s why I trust my directors. However, some directors have let me down. Then I feel detached from whatever I signed up for.”
When asked why she hasn’t been seen much in Hindi cinema, she laughs, saying people feel that way about her in every industry. “I have three films lined up. Two are complete and ready for release, and the third is almost finished,” says Cassandra. Her next film is Jaat, directed by Gopichand Malineni and starring Sunny Deol and Randeep Hooda.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui said, ‘For you, it’s Hindi, for me, it’s English. Each of us has our reason for taking time’-Regina Cassandra
8:40 AM
Having wrapped up Section 108 shoot, Tamil actor Regina Cassandra praises co-actor Nawazuddin for helping her crack Hindi dialogues
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 9, 2023)
Last month, Nawazuddin Siddiqui announced kicking off the shoot of Section 108 in Delhi, by sharing a video from the film’s set. A month on, it’s a wrap on the crime thriller that sees the actor as a lawyer, with Regina Cassandra essaying the role of an insurance investigating officer. For Cassandra, who predominantly works in Tamil and Telugu cinema, Rasikh Khan’s Hindi directorial venture marks her pursuit of interesting stories, language no bar.
“Our shoot covered extensive locations in Delhi, Noida, and Gurugram. Working with Nawaz sir, an actor I admire, felt like a dream fulfilled. He brought his unique perspective to the project, and I had plenty of insight to contribute as well,” says the actor.
In 2019, Cassandra made her Hindi film debut with Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga. The actor went on to shine in Rocket Boys with her portrayal of Mrinalini Sarabhai, and Farzi. As she attempts her second Hindi feature film, she admits that working in her second language hasn’t been easy, but credits Siddiqui and Khan for being patient with her.
“I used to engage in discussions with Nawaz sir and Rasikh Khan before each scene. That made the process comfortable. I mentioned that it might take me some time because Hindi is my second language. But Nawaz sir reassured me, saying, ‘For you, it’s Hindi, and for me, it’s English. Each of us has our reason for taking time,’” recalls Cassandra.
Sharing screen space with him, she says, is as good as a masterclass in acting. “I loved learning from him, consciously and subconsciously picking up on cues.”
Sayani Gupta, Gulshan Devaiah, Pratik Gandhi etc talk about essaying queer characters of impact
9:52 AM
Navya Kharbanda (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 19, 2023)
REGINA CASSANDRA
I’m very happy to be someone who was in the initial phase of the evolution of the film industry. There has always been an audience for these stories but now, there’s more awareness. It was so surprising when a few years ago, a girl came up to me and said, ‘Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga (2019) was my gay awakening’. It made me feel so happy that my role had actually impacted a set of people.
SAYANI GUPTA
A lot of people were scared of and said no to playing the queer character in Margarita With A Straw (2014) that I eventually did. Not doing a part like this is pure dumb. I did not care about the acceptance of the audience — I did it because it was a good part and a great script. The younger and even the older generation are becoming much more aware, open and inclusive now. Cut to 2023, people have become way more accepting and I believe my character in the film contributed to it.
GULSHAN DEVAIAH
In Badhaai Do (2022), I was just sincere and honest with the script, and it impacted the audience in a way. For instance, I was in Dehradun (after Badhaai Do), and coincidentally, Raj (Rajkummar Rao) was, too. So many times, elderly women would come to us to appreciate the film and say that we made a great couple on screen. We underestimate our society. It really depends on how things are communicated to people.
PRATIK GANDHI
The Indian audience is also understanding that it is much more beyond sex. Indian cinema, too, has also evolved in showcasing LGBTQIA+ stories with sensitive representation of characters. As opposed to earlier, when queer characters would be comic devices, now, it is more real and in-depth. The gay characters Ranveer (Brar, chef) and I played in Modern Love Mumbai were not at all typical. They were instead very simple and true to their own selves. The LGBTQIA+ community are our own and don’t need to be spelled out differently. The way Manzu (his character) stood for himself and tried explaining to his family and the way he manoeuvred around it was very real. Pyaar sirf pyaar hota hai!
BANI J
Shows and films can help impact society and promote inclusivity. With the amount of content coming out and the exposure such stories and characters are getting, Indian audiences are surely watching. I’m glad that my character in Four More Shots Please! showcased very simply that queer people exist and that their stories deserve respect. It’s also important that the portrayal isn’t demeaning or caricature-ish.
I never made enough attempt in the Hindi space to network-Regina Cassandra
8:33 AM
Regina Cassandra feels it’s unfair to say it has been a ‘struggle’ finding work in Bollywood
Syeda Eba Fatima (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 4, 2023)
Having carved a niche in the Tamil and Telugu film industries, actor Regina Cassandra forayed into Bollywood with Ek Ladki ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga (2019). However, it took three years for her to land another Hindi project — the web show Rocket Boys season 2 — followed by Shoorveer and Jaanbaaz Hindustan Ke.
Is it easier to bag work in the web space compared to films? “For me, it’s work at the end of the day, whether it’s in the OTT space, Hindi films or TV shows,” she tells us, adding, “OTT isn’t a conscious choice as such. It was like, ‘Do I want to do this or not?’”
As far as touching base with the ‘right’ kind of people in Bollywood is concerned, Cassandra says she cannot do anything that doesn’t come naturally. “To say it’s been a struggle to find work in the Hindi film industry would not be right, because I never made enough attempt in the Hindi space to network,” says the actor, seen in the recent web show, Farzi.
Cassandra is aware of what it takes to be an actor in Bollywood, but she feels networking isn’t her cup of tea: “I’d rather not have a conversation with someone with the thought, ‘I need to network with this person because I can do his movie’, running at the back of my mind. For me, networking has to be organic. If I know I’ve to talk to someone because they were doing a film and need to see me, I’d just freeze. I will never be able to be myself.”
Some people are ignorant and they don’t find anything insulting about the tag ‘south actor’-Regina Cassandra
8:25 AM
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 24, 2022)
As someone, who has worked primarily in Telugu and Tamil films, the tag ‘south actor’ does bother actor Regina Cassandra. She feels that such labels are often used in a derogatory way. “People don’t understand what terms to use. Some are derogatory when they say ‘south actor’ and it does bother me. Some people are ignorant and they don’t find anything insulting about it,” the actor says.
She goes on to share how the prefix, ‘south actor’ before her name, bothers her. “I am from south India and if I keep hearing it (my regional identity) all the time, I feel like saying, stop it. I think there’s no need to say, south actor... just actor works fine,” she says.
Cassandra, however, feels that things are changing for good, as many actors are transcending the regional identity and emerging as pan-India stars.
“No one has seen so many actors from down south on a pan-India level. The inclusiveness that is happening in the industry now will change things, and in a few years, there won’t be anything like south actor, north actor,” the 31-year-old says.
The actor, who was seen in a cameo in Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa in 2019, ventured into the web space recently with a Hindi project, Rocket Boys: “This was my first big project in Hindi. I couldn’t have asked for a better one to mark my beginning on the web. All great things take time.”
"They provide narrative edge, grab eyeballs": Why regional stars are in demand on Hindi OTT
8:23 AM
As makers and content crossed cultural barriers to open up to talent beyond Bollywood, the past year saw stars from regional films take over the Hindi web space
BOMBAY TIMES (January 4, 2022)
RIGHT PERSON, WITH OTT WE HAVE AN OPEN FIELD TO CHOOSE TERRIFIC ACTORS WHO FIT THE ROLE: MAKERS
Hansal Mehta, who directed Pratik Gandhi in Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, says, “We (filmmakers) have always wanted to cast the right person for our shows/films, and because of OTT we now have an open field. Pratik was cast because he’s a terrific actor who also happened to be a Gujarati (like the character he played). Even The Family Man 2 used so many actors from the South film industries, which gave the narrative an edge. Sacred Games also used so many Marathi industry actors. It’s a great trend.”
Filmmakers believe that casting regional actors in OTT series basis their talent has been possible as there’s no pressure to cater to the box-office. Says Raj Nidimoru (of Raj & DK, creators of The Family Man), “Our series gave us the freedom to go beyond language. Priyamani, Samantha and Neeraj Madhav have been reintroduced to Indian audiences thanks to Hindi OTT. Films have certain restrictions in terms of box-office that OTT doesn’t, no one has to speak Hindi for the sake of it. Almost 50% of The Family Man 2 was in Tamil, but that didn’t hamper the series. Actors can express themselves the best when they get to be themselves and this will lead to people opening up to more talent from across India in the Hindi OTT space. ”
HINDI WEB SHOWS OFFER SCOPETO EXPERIMENT: REGIONAL STARS
Actors from regional industries may enjoy demi-god like stature that their theatrical releases bring them, but that hasn’t stopped them from taking the Hindi OTT route. Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who debuted in the Hindi web space this year, says, “As an actress, I want to push boundaries. Raji (her character in The Family Man) allowed me to explore a new dimension and I wanted to take this risk for my growth. This decision paid off and helped me get closer to a much wider audience and opened up new avenues.”
Venturing into Hindi OTT space has earned them a new fanbase, who are watching the actor’s regional content as well. Says Parambrata Chatterjee, “Many people have told me that after having watched my Hindi web shows, they are now watching my Bengali films with subtitles. This synergy allows actors from language industries to explore the Hindi content space.”
For regional actors, the medium doesn’t matter since the work culture is almost similar. Roshan Mathew adds, “It’s heartening that casting agents are now looking at actors from various regional industries for Hindi web shows. Now that Malayalam cinema has pan-India acceptance, actors from our industry are taken seriously. Having lived in Mumbai for several years, I am comfortable with Hindi and familiar with the shooting process. When I did Anurag (Kashyap) sir’s Choked, it did not feel any different than working in a Malayalam film.”
Most regional actors believe that since the core audience has shifted loyalty to OTT, the platform has become more important. Paoli Dam (below) says, “OTT is proving to be a gamechanger for regional actors — look how things turned out for Pratik Gandhi after Scam 1992. Audiences now want content-rich work and OTT is providing that, and us actors the scope to experiment with our craft.”
Amruta Subhash feels the amalgamation of industries “has made us do some out of the box work. Collaborations are leading to challenging creative opportunities.”
STREAMING SOON
The year 2022 will continue to have more regional heavyweights in the OTT space. Frontlining this trend will be Rana Daggubati set to star in a web original titled Rana Naidu alongside uncle and veteran actor Daggubati Venkatesh; Vijay Sethupathi in Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK’s next, tentatively titled show, Fake with Regina Cassandra (who also has Project Hawk and Rocket Boys in the kitty), Prithviraj Sukumaran is doing a Hindi web show directed by him, Trisha will appear in a Telugu show Brinda, to be dubbed in Hindi and Shrenu Parikh will star in Damaged 3.
Says Rana, “I was always interested in doing a web show, but didn’t know how to go about it or what story to tell. When I was offered the adaptation of Ray Donovan, I jumped at the chance. From the time I became an actor, I knew that there will be some story that Venky and I will tell together, something that’s not cliched but cool. This is going to be special.”
Regina Cassandra, who is set to mark her debut in Hindi OTT in 2022 with a slew of web shows, says, “With Hindi OTT shows, the makers have to reach out to a wider audience, so regional actors are courted by showrunners. It’s business at the end of the day. Thanks to OTT, there is no north-south divide anymore.”
— Inputs by Suhas Yellapantula, Rachana Dubey, Renuka Vyavahare, Anna Mathews, Shruti Jambhekar, Shreyanka Mazumdar and M Suganth
REGIONAL STARS IN HINDI OTT
- Samantha Ruth Prabhu (Tamil/Telugu): The Family Man2
- Neeraj Madhav (Malayalam): Feels like Ishq
- Roshan Mathew (Malayalam; below): Choked
- Parambrata Chatterjee (Bengali): Bulbbul, Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi, Black Widows and Aranyak
- Jisshu Sengupta (Bengali): Typewriter, Skyfire, Criminal Justice2:Behind Closed Doors
- Swastika Mukherjee (Bengali): Paatal Lok, Medically Yours and Black Widows
- Pratik Gandhi (Gujarati): Scam 1992- The Harshad Mehta Story
- Paoli Dam (Bengali): Bulbbul,Raat Baaki Hai
- Wamiqa Gabbi (Punjabi): Grahan
- Rinku Rajguru (Marathi): 200 Halla Ho, Hundred
- Aaditi Pohankar (Marathi): She, Aashram
- Amey Wagh (Marathi): Asur, Cartel
- Amrutha Subhash (Marathi): Bombay Begums
Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga is Sonam Kapoor's story; narrated from her perspective-Regina Cassandra
8:16 AM
Regina Cassandra, love interest of Sonam Kapoor’s Sweety in Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, on why she didn’t negotiate for more screen time
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; February 7, 2019)
A quick glance at the reviews of Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga will reveal that both cinephiles and critics alike would have liked to see more of Sonam Kapoor’s on-screen love interest. Seated before us days after her movie hit screens, we ask Regina Cassandra why she chose against negotiating for more screen time. “When we started discussing [the film] there was some talk of giving Kuhu [her character] more to do in it. But, at the end of the day, it is Sweety’s [Kapoor’s character] story and is narrated from her perspective. I am glad I could add to it,” she says, certain that director Shelly Chopra Dhar and writer Gazal Dhaliwal sketched her part with “great love and care”.There may have been apprehensions, we presume, when a film on same-sex love was to mark the Bollywood debut of the celebrated South actor. Yet, Cassandra can only cherish the fact that the “fun film” is a step further in making the taboo subject, part of everyday conversation. She confesses she didn’t have to look too far when finding reference points for her role. “I have friends who are lesbians; they’re bold and outgoing, and openly hit on women. They are also unabashed and unapologetic, and that’s also how my character is. She grew up with the confidence [and freedom] to be who she wants to be. So, it was important to show Kuhu as someone who is comfortable in her skin. It wasn’t about portraying a lesbian relationship, but, more of showcasing a love story. That it involved two women was incidental. No one calls a regular love story a heterosexual love story.”
The actor was to make her debut in this industry with the upcoming thriller Aankhen 2, which is yet to go on floors. “I was game to be part of that film. But it wasn’t working out. This [offer] came out of nowhere. Shelly was determined to get me on board. I am proud of this choice. These stories need to be told.”
Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga is a nudge for all those parents-Sonam Kapoor
8:10 AM
As father-daughter duo brings to the screen Bollywood's first mainstream lesbian love story, Sonam and Anil Kapoor talk about what love and acceptance means and what change they hope the film brings
Aastha Atray Banan (MID-DAY; February 3, 2019)
When we first meet Anil and Sonam Kapoor last Sunday at Mehboob Studios, and asked them pointed, direct questions about their coming-out-of-the-closet movie, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, they suggest we watch the movie first. "We want the audience to go through their own journey as they see it, and not talk too much about the premise beforehand," Sonam tells us, while apologising, sending us back without an interview. In retrospect, watching the film proves to be a good idea.
Sonam plays Sweety, a girl from Moga, a small town in Punjab. Dad Anil Kapoor plays a garment manufacturer. Other members of the house include a conservative grandmother, hot-headed brother, a friendly cook and a man Friday. But Sweety has a secret: she is lesbian, and has fallen in love with a woman she meets at a wedding. What we liked most about the movie was that along with Sweety's track, which is about being accepted as an openly gay girl in a small town, where the LGBTQi concept is still alien, it has parallel stories that are about the same issue: being accepted for who you are.
Anil's character has an age-old desire to be a chef, and Rajkumar Rao plays an out-of-luck writer, who wants to step out of the shadow of his famous Bollywood producer father. "At the core of it, it's [the film] about acceptance, and love. But it's also about different manifestations of love - father and daughter, and friendship. It's about how love and acceptance have to go hand in hand. You can't love someone for what you want them to be, you have to love someone for who they are," says Sonam, as we sit with her and Anil on the afternoon of the Friday release. Kapoor Sr says, "It's about not stereotyping, or judging someone. Bachha toh mera bachha hi hai na. As a parent, don't think what people will say - at the end of it, if she is happy, I am happy. Most parents just need a nudge." At this point Sonam adds, "This movie is a nudge for all those parents."
We tell her it could be the best movie she has done till date, and ask if she ever thought she was brave as a mainstream actor for deciding to play a homosexual lead? "But if an actor like me, who you say has some kind of influence, doesn't do it, how will we ever make this issue mainstream? I don't consider it brave. For me, it was about thinking like this. Art - be it a painting or book or a movie - always reflects society, but sometimes, a piece of art comes along that could change the way people think. Even if it makes a difference to one life - if one child finds acceptance, what an impact that would be!"
The movie, devoid of any sermons or explicit scenes, does what very few LGBTQi movies may manage - it makes the issue at hand, the only thing you focus on. "Indians are not culturally okay with physicality, so we wanted to make this love story palatable. If it was a love story between a boy and girl, we wouldn't ask why there was no overt PDA. It's easy to sensationalize a film like this. But this issue at hand is so important that anything else would have taken away from it. We had to make queer love, which is an unfamiliar one for smaller towns, familiar, by setting it with characters and settings you recognise," says Sonam.
How did Sonam work on her chemistry with actor Regina Cassandra, who plays her love interest in the movie? Anil asks, "This, even I want to know!" Sonam smiles wryly. "To be honest, it was like working with a male actor. It was where the 'acting' came in. I am definitely not in love with any male actor I have worked with. At times, you have to work with people you can't connect with, and romance them. But I could relate and connect with Regina, who is a really cool chick."
We end by asking them what they hope the LGBTQi community can take away from this movie, and Sonam says, "I think they will see this movie and know that there is a mainstream character that is not a caricature of them."
Regina Cassandra joins Anil, Sonam Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao in Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To Aisa Laga?
8:00 AM
The actress joins Anil and Sonam Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao in their next film
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 10, 2018)
South actress Regina Cassandra was to make her Bollywood debut in Gaurang Doshi’s Aankhen 2 alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Arshad Warsi, Arjun Rampal and Anil Kapoor. But after an announcement in August 2016, the sequel hasn’t taken off.
Now, Mirror has learnt that the actress who has worked in a number of Tamil and Telugu films, is a part of another Bollywood biggie. She has been signed for debutante director Shelly Chopra Dhar’s upcoming family drama, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To Aisa Laga, which has the father– daughter duo of Anil and Sonam Kapoor teaming up for the first time, and Rajkummar Rao.
A source from the sets revealed, “Regina has been paired opposite Rajkummar’s character. She has begun shooting in Patiala.”
I didn't want my debut to unfold in this way-Regina Cassandra
7:38 AM
South actress Regina Cassandra shrugs off the wardrobe malfunction at the launch of her Hindi film
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 19, 2016)
On Wednesday evening, when 25-year-old South actress Regina Cassandra took to the stage to perform at the launch of her big Bollywood debut — Aankhen 2 — her sheer black gown rode up, revealing more than intended, and sent the paparazzi into a tizzy. The following day, pictures of the wardrobe malfunction were splashed online even before the first shot was taken.
"I definitely didn't want my debut to unfold in this way. It was a terrible mishap. I got off the stage with a 'Oh my God! What just happened!' The entire team was extremely supportive and I told myself, 'It's okay', and have moved on," says Regina.
She forayed into acting at 14, debuting with the Tamil film Kanda Naal Mudhal in 2005.
Having worked in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films in a career spanning over a decade, the actress reveals that she wasn't always comfortable with being in the spotlight but the joy of portraying different and challenging characters trumped over her fears eventually. "Everything about acting excites me. In this sequel, I'm the link between the two male leads," she informs.
Before the drama unfolded, Regina met one of her co-stars, Amitabh Bachchan, for the first time.
"He introduced himself on stage. I had watched Aankhen eight years ago and, being a sucker for heist films, there was no way I was going to say 'no' to the sequel," says the modelactress, pointing out that she recently featured in the Tamil thriller, Rajathandhiram, which also revolved around a jewellery shop robbery.
Ask her if she worries about being sidelined in a formidable star cast and she points out that she'll get to learn a lot while rubbing shoulders with the Big B, Anil Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, Arjun Rampal and Ileana D'Cruz.
She takes off to London on January 1 for a monthlong schedule of the film, followed by an April shoot in South Africa.
The Chennai girl has no plans to shift base, yet. "I have three Tamil and one Telugu release lined up. I am now going to shuttle between Kochi, Madurai and Hyderabad. I am constantly on the move," she signs off.
Aankhen 2 to clash with Golmaal Again during Diwali next year
8:21 AM
Shilpi Sampad (MID-DAY; August 18, 2016)
The sequel to 2002 heist thriller Aankhen is set to go on floors next month with a few new entrants to the franchise.
Sources close to the project reveal that the makers have locked Diwali 2017 for release, a date already booked by Rohit Shetty for Ajay Devgn-starrer Golmaal Again. What’s more, both films star Arshad Warsi.
Producer Gaurang Doshi says, “Diwali is a big release window where two films can easily co-exist and do well. I am confident about my film; Golmaal Again should also do well.” Joining Amitabh Bachchan and Arjun Rampal in part two of Aankhen are Anil Kapoor, Arshad and Ileana D’Cruz. It will also mark the Bollywood debut of South actress, Regina Cassandra.
So far, only Big B’s name had been confirmed while names of Ajay Devgn, Katrina Kaif and Shahid Kapoor had been tossed around. Part one featured Akshay Kumar, Rampal and Paresh Rawal as Bachchan’s partners-in-crime along with Sushmita Sen.
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