Showing posts with label Ridhi Dogra. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ridhi Dogra. Show all posts
Despite uncertainty over The Legend Of Maula Jatt's India release, Fawad Khan starts filming for his Bollywood comeback
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Fawad and Vaani kick start shoot for their romcom; Malaika and Ridhi to join the unit in London
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; October 6, 2024)
Although The Legend Of Maula Jatt has not yet received clearance to release in India, Fawad Khan has begun his return to Bollywood. The Pakistani actor and Vaani Kapoor kickstarted the shoot of their romantic comedy in London on September 28. “It is a 40-day schedule from start to finish,” a source said about the film directed by Aarti S Bagdi.
Tentatively titled Abir Gulal and produced by Vivek Agrawal of Udta Punjab (2016), Super 30 (2019), and Vikram Vedha (2023) fame, the film revolves around two emotionally wounded individuals who cross paths by fate, help heal each other, and eventually fall in love.
After Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016), this will be Khan’s first appearance in Hindi cinema. The ban on Pakistani artistes in India began after the 2016 Uri terror attack. “The movie is about a London-based chef [Khan] and a simple, traditional girl from India [Kapoor], who has come to visit the city,” said the source, adding that it is a simple yet well-crafted love story.
“[The cast and crew] will shoot across the city until November 10. Malaika Arora and Ridhi Dogra will join the unit in London. After that, Fawad will return to Pakistan, while the team will resume the shoot in Mumbai for a week. The principal shoot and songs are being shot in London,” said the source.
On October 17, 2023, the Bombay High Court dismissed a petition seeking an absolute or complete ban on Pakistani artistes in India, noting that it would hinder efforts to promote peace, unity, and cultural harmony.
I would start checking the calendar in advance to check which day is Holi-Ridhi Dogra
3:07 PM
Divya Kaushik (BOMBAY TIMES; March 24, 2024)
No matter how busy she gets, Holi is one festival that Ridhi Dogra never misses. The actress, who grew up in Delhi, hasn’t celebrated Holi in the capital in a long time. However, in Mumbai, she has never skipped the celebrations. “I love all festivals, but there is something special about Holi. For me, the celebrations have remained the same, over the years,” says the actress.
Ridhi adds, “While earlier, it used to be Holi parties with family, relatives and some friends in Delhi, in Mumbai, I am either attending a Holi party or celebrating with friends. I haven’t come to Delhi on Holi for years, as I am always busy with some work, but I make the most of one day off that I get.”
Recalling her childhood Holi celebrations, Ridhi says, “I have always enjoyed Holi with lots of colours and have never been one of those who prefer staying indoors on Holi. When we were kids, I remember we would always end up in a pool of coloured water, and there would be so many people in our colony roaming around with their faces painted silver. Also, Holi was one festival that would mostly come between annual exams, so I would start checking the calendar in advance to check which day is Holi. We would get around four days break for Holi in the middle of exams, and I always checked what exam is after Holi and how many days would I have to prepare as I would never miss celebrating Holi with my friends.”
Ridhi says she even enjoys playing with water balloons. “I think that is a part of Holi, and I enjoy that, of course, nuisance and misbehaviour of any kind are not acceptable on any day, but water balloons around Holi are predictable and fun. I also feel that we should let kids enjoy this, they should learn to enjoy every festival. I grew up playing Holi outdoors with family and friends, and it has always been so much fun; kids should also get to enjoy this way,” she says.
Vikrant Massey's paternity leave ends; resumes work on The Sabarmati Report
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After taking paternity leave earlier this month, Vikrant resumes work on The Sabarmati Report; political thriller to be wrapped up by next week
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; February 24, 2024)
In January, mid-day had reported that Vikrant Massey was headlining The Sabarmati Report that is centred on the real-life episode of the burning of the Sabarmati Express in 2002 (That burning question, Jan 17). While director Ranjan Chandel’s political thriller rolled in December 2023 in Ahmedabad, the leading man had taken a paternity leave in the first week of February to be by wife Sheetal Thakur’s side. We now hear that the new daddy has resumed the shoot that is underway at Madh Island.
On February 27, 2002, 59 Hindu pilgrims returning from Ayodhya were killed in a blaze in the four coaches of the Sabarmati Express near Godhra railway station in Gujarat. It had led to one of the worst communal riots in Gujarat. The Ektaa R Kapoor production sees Massey and Raashii Khanna play journalists who investigate the cause of the fire.
“Since January, Ranjan sir has been continuously shooting on a huge set in Madh Island, where art director Rajat Poddarr and his production design team have built replicas of trains and the Godhra railway station. Vikrant had informed the director beforehand that he would take a few days off in February as Sheetal and he were expecting. So, the schedule was planned such that Ranjan sir and DoP Amlendu Choudhury shot portions featuring Raashii, Ridhi Dogra and the supporting cast in that window. Vikrant was back on set a few days after welcoming his baby boy on February 7,” reveals a source.
If things go as planned, the director will call it a wrap on The Sabarmati Report next week. The source adds, “The editing has begun so that the movie can make its May 3 release.” Playing out over a decade, the narrative begins in 2002 and touches on events in 2007 and 2012.
12th Fail actor Vikrant Massey begins shooting for The Sabarmati Report
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Sources say 12th Fail star Vikrant has begun shooting for The Sabarmati Report, which sees him as journalist investigating 2002 Godhra train burning case
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; January 16, 2024)
What would be a fitting film to continue Vikrant Massey’s golden run after 12th Fail (2023)? Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s directorial venture, one of the finest Indian movies of 2023 and a sleeper hit, is a tough act to follow. But it looks like Massey has found another powerful story, this time with producer Ektaa R Kapoor. The duo have teamed up for a political thriller titled The Sabarmati Report.
Beginning with the real-life episode of the burning of the Sabarmati Express in 2002, the movie then focuses on two journalists who investigate the incident and the cause of the fire. While Massey and Raashii Khanna play the reporters, we hear Ridhi Dogra—recently seen in Jawan (2023)—portrays a negative role.
On February 27, 2002, 59 Hindu pilgrims returning from Ayodhya were killed in a fire in the four coaches of the Sabarmati Express near the Godhra railway station in Gujarat. The incident led to one of the worst communal riots in Gujarat.
A source from the creative team reveals, “While The Sabarmati Report is based on the burning of the Sabarmati Express, the makers have completely stayed away from the Gujarat riots. Ektaa and director Ranjan Chandel, who previously helmed the acclaimed Grahan [2021], want to treat the subject with utmost sensitivity. When co-producer Amul Mohan and writer Aseem Arora first narrated the story to Ektaa, she was moved and told them that it was the best political thriller she had come across in years. Aseem’s story is loosely based on real-life incidents. It plays out over a decade, from 2002 to 2012.”
We hear Chandel took the film on floors in Ahmedabad on December 17 last year. The director has charted out a start-to-finish schedule.
“It was always planned as a 36-day schedule. Currently, the film is being shot near Madh Island, where life-size trains and the Godhra railway station have been recreated by art director Rajat Poddarr and his production design team. Chandel has chosen Amlendu Choudhury to serve as the director of photography.”
My priority is my career and not a companion right now; I have frozen my eggs-Ridhi Dogra
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Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; November 26, 2023)
Ridhi Dogra, who has kept away from the small screen for five years, is now focusing on OTT and films. She made her Bollywood debut with Lakadbaggha and was later seen in Jawan and Tiger 3. Ridhi says that lines are blurring for actors when it comes to working in different mediums, and the best way to move forward is to not carry any baggage.
“It pays to be patient. It is important to wait and pick up the right project. If I was in the 70s, and if I had played mother or guardian to a big Bollywood star in a film, my career would have been over. But today, things have changed,” says the actress who has also featured in OTT shows like Asur 2 and Mumbai Dairies 2.
While TV actors often complain of facing bias in other mediums, Ridhi says she hasn’t had any such experiences. “I did not carry the baggage of my past work on the sets. For a change, people welcomed me and shared how they knew about my background on TV. It was seen as an asset and not a limitation. I am glad that, as actors, we are not labelled or put into a category now because of different content on platforms. Sushant Singh Rajput had also done TV, but there was one director who believed in him. Similarly, I feel that for every five people who have preconceived notions about us, we need one person who believes in our work,” she shares.
Talking about the kind of roles she chooses, Ridhi says, “The conventional route for any actor is to have patience and wait for the right roles in films. But, sometimes, it is not a bad idea to do something that will push you. Many people have expressed shock, and there are memes around my character in Jawan, but I am glad people are talking about it.”
‘I have frozen my eggs’
On the personal front, the actress has been single since 2019 (she was earlier married to Raqesh Bapat). Ask her if she misses having a partner, and she says, “Currently, I don’t feel the need for a companion in my life. Anyway, I have never planned my career or my personal life.” About having a baby, she says, “I have not decided when I would like to become a mother, but I have frozen my eggs. I did that a few years ago. I am in no hurry to get married and have kids. It will happen when it’s destined. As of now, I am happy with my career and the way it is going.”
I learnt so much from Shah Rukh Khan. He doesn’t take his position for granted-Ridhi Dogra
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Navya Kharbanda (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 24, 2023)
Ridhi Dogra considers her recent outing, Jawan, a “huge blessing” and calls working with actor Shah Rukh Khan a “dream come true”. Playing the role of Kaveri amma, an elderly person who acts as Khan’s guardian, the actor says, “I learnt so much from Shah Rukh. He doesn’t take his position for granted.”
However, the 39-year-old reveals that during the entire shoot, she was racked by anxiety. “Every time I was on the set, my days were anxiety-driven. When you’re not the primary character, you don’t know what the output will be. You don’t want to make stupid choices and [can only] hope that whatever you signed up for, comes true,” she explains.
The Lakadbaggha actor tells us that she was “never scared to approach” director Atlee. “He was well aware that I had a lot of anxiety. I shared it with him and was always met with a lot of comfort.”
Dogra doesn’t regret her decision to play an older person, as she wanted to take on “challenging roles”. She adds, “I’ve seen a lot of labels being put on actresses. Early on, I had made a decision to challenge myself and bend the norms in my own small way. And the first step was to take up such roles.”
Ridhi and I have never actually fought; most amazing thing about our bond-Akshay Dogra
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Navya Kharbanda (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 30, 2023)
Sibling duo, actors Ridhi Dogra (38) and Akshay Dogra (41), feel their bond is like a “rubber band”. “No matter how much we are going in the opposite direction, we end up coming together eventually,” says Akshay, as the two speak to us during a Raksha Bandhan special shoot.
Biggest argument
Ridhi tells us, “Recently, we had a disagreement, and that was probably the first time we fought in our entire life.” To this, Akshay adds, “Thoda bahut irritate hona is different, but we have never actually fought. That’s the most amazing thing about our bond.”
MOST CHERISHED GIFT
“I have only one tattoo and it was a gift from him. I love everything that he’s given me, but this tattoo has to be my favourite present. This was many years ago, though, so I think it needs a redo,” quips Ridhi.
For Akshay, the most special gift he has received from Ridhi is a perfume: “It was so nice, but the bottle broke. That was heartbreaking.”
No secrets!
“We are sibling goals,” exclaims Akshay, adding, “If we have told each other anything, it always stays between the two of us.”
Ridhi is quick to chime in: “But, if I give him an exciting news about work, it goes to four other people. I always tell him it's unfair!” Her brother chuckles and adds, “I am an over-sharer and I get excited. If I am proud of that person, I will tell other people.”
Professional advice they have given each other
“We get each other,” shares Ridhi, adding, “Since we are in the same profession, we can talk about many things that other people may not understand. It’s also important that we are able to rant in front of each other. I told him once, ‘Be careful and don’t trust people.’”
Akshay, on the other hand, says, “The one advice that I give her is, ‘Be patient and stay the course.’”
Is there no gender-based pay parity on TV and OTT? Celebs speak up
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In an earlier interview, actor Raveena Tandon made heads turn with her statement that female protagonists get paid more in the TV industry, and even OTT is slowly catching up. Navya Kharbanda speaks to some prominent names from the small screen and digital medium to weigh in on the issue of pay disparity and share their experiences
Navya Kharbanda (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 14, 2023)
Amit Sadh
The television industry has provided fertile ground for female protagonists to shine and to be the centre of the show. TV has given them a chance to get the same respect and recognition as their male counterparts. In fact, I agree that OTT platforms have also disrupted the traditional power dynamics of the Indian film industry. There is no doubt that we’ll be creating a level playing field for women to showcase their talent and creativity.
Karan Tacker
In television, whoever is the lead of the show gets paid more. Whoever brings in the most viewership for the show will be paid in accordance with that; it doesn’t matter what their gender is. I look at it in terms of, ‘Who’s running the show?’ I’ve never been in a situation where someone got paid more than me or when I’ve been paid more than someone. In the projects that I’ve been involved in, pretty much everyone gets paid according to what they bring to the table and they seem to be happy about it.
Nakuul Mehta
The TV industry is primarily a medium where actors, producers, directors and almost every artiste are women. If not more, female protagonists do get paid equally as their male counterparts. In a time when pay disparity has existed in mainstream cinema for years, the television industry is definitely paving the way for women to be equally valued and paid for their hard work. Time has surely taken a reverse turn, as women are far more valued now and are being paid better than they were earlier.
Erica Fernandes
The TV and OTT industries have been game-changers for female artistes. In most cases, female actors on TV get paid equally or more than men. This is a positive step towards gender equality in the entertainment industry, as it shows that women are valued for their work and talent. However, it is also important to remember that sometimes people are paid according to their experience and worth. It is not always a reflection of how hard one person has worked compared to the other. This is not the case for everyone and pay inequality is still a major issue in many industries. It is important to recognise and address this problem if we want to create a more equitable society.
Aahana Kumra
I don’t think that female protagonists get paid more or equally in the OTT industry. Maybe it happened with Raveena Tandon (who starred in the web show Aranyak) because she’s already a Bollywood star. People also get different treatment because of their background. When you come from a mainstream cinema background, you come with the mindset that, ‘Oh, I’m already a star in Hindi films, and I’m moving to OTT, so I should get a higher pay’. I don’t think that happens with other actors; in fact, I don’t think I get equal pay.
Divyenndu
In television, now and always, especially since the whole Ekta Kapoor era started, women have been at the forefront. Since then, they’ve been getting paid more because they play the leading roles. It’s a commercial business and at the end of the day, whoever is in the driver’s seat will get paid more. Gender isn’t really the deciding factor here. Whoever can attract more viewers will have a higher price. It is a very clear business principle: whoever controls the market will control the price.
Maanvi Gagroo
I don’t think female leads are paid equally or more than their male counterparts in the OTT industry, unless the woman is a significantly bigger star. The pay disparity scenario has changed from what it used to be 10 years ago. However, I don’t think there’s been a blanket change across the industry. Also, it differs from one project to another. There are times when I get paid more, and sometimes my co-actors are paid more. And the inequality is not just about the actor’s fee but also things like hotel, vanity van, flight, etc. that again vary for different actors.
Ridhi Dogra
In this profession, no project will be similar to another because of the people attached to it. I’ve experienced the difference in storytelling, as we see a lot of stories being told about women in OTT. The characters for women on TV and OTT are quite empowering. But in terms of pay parity, I do feel that OTT still has a long way to go. With TV, it is definitely true that women are paid equally or even more than their male counterparts. I’ve worked on both mediums, so I can speak for both industries. If you’re headlining a project and you’re the biggest star, then you will automatically be paid more. And talent is, unfortunately, not respected as much in our industry as marketing is.
Kavita Kaushik
It’s true that women are paid equally or more in the TV industry and I’m sure of it because I started my career on the small screen. I don’t think, unless I was a star kid, I would have been given a role like Chandramukhi Chautala in movies. I was paid a bomb during my tenure on (TV show) FIR. In fact, I think I was the highest-paid actor on TV at that time. In films, less performance-oriented roles are given to women. However, in my 20 years of career, I’ve seen that women are always considered important script-wise on television. I’ve never done any mainstream Hindi films, and whenever something was offered to me, the payment used to be peanuts, like almost no money.
Amol Parashar
In showbiz, there is no fixed pay scale or grade. An actor’s fee is negotiated based on the value they bring to a project through their skills and brand value. As much as we’d like to believe that it should be based more on the former, it’s mostly the latter — the belief that a certain person will bring in audiences and more eyeballs to the project. If my co-star is more famous than me (according to the producers), they’ll definitely be paid more, and vice versa. Since this value is subjective, it’s prone to biases and inaccuracies. No two actors will be paid equally in a project, irrespective of gender, unless they negotiate together, which is a rare occurrence. That is how this business works.
It was extremely gratifying to work with Shah Rukh and Salman Khan-Ridhi Dogra
8:46 AM
The actress talks about exploring the digital medium and making her foray into films
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; July 23, 2023)
After television, Ridhi Dogra has been exploring other mediums. In the last couple of years, not only did she foray into the OTT space, but has also managed to bag interesting roles in films.
‘I am my own product, I am my own start-up’
Ridhi, who’s been a part of TV shows like Maryada: Lekin Kab Tak? and Savitri, did her last fiction show Qayamat Ki Raat in 2018, before she took a break to make her web debut with Asur: Welcome To Your Dark Side, followed by The Married Woman. Given that some TV actors have taken a break to change tracks in the past, we ask Riddhi what makes this break mandatory.
“I think that’s because we don’t have the culture of agents in our country,” she says, adding, “Ideally, when you tell an agent about changing the medium, they guide you and tell you what to do. But, here you are on your own. It is your process, and you decide what you want to do, which requires time. I decided to work on myself and my craft and become a stronger artiste. I always say I am my own product, my own start-up, and I have always believed that whatever success I get, waqt se pehle na kisiko kuch mila hai, na milega. I believe in shukar and sabar.”
Talking about how OTT helped her get into films, she says, “I got my first film, Lakadbaggha, because of Asur. I give OTT a lot of credit. I have a purpose in mind about what I want to do as an artiste, and I need the means for it. I don’t know what I would have done if OTT had not come along. I think I would have changed professions.”
‘It was extremely gratifying to work with Shah Rukh and Salman’
Excited to be a part of big-budget commercial Bollywood films like Jawan and Tiger 3, Ridhi says, “These projects gave me an opportunity to work with actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Nayanthara, Deepika Padukone, Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif and directors like Atlee and Maneesh Sharma. It was extremely gratifying to work with them. When you are on a journey, it’s nice to see these people, who have probably reached the pinnacle and are still grounded and authentic.”
‘After my marriage ended, I shifted the focus on myself’
Riddhi’s professional transition began at a time when she got divorced from Raqesh Bapat in 2019. “I was giving so much of my time and energy to that relationship at the prime of my career. I got out of the marriage and then shifted the focus on myself, which is why the change happened. OTT happened because I took charge of who I am. I consciously decided to stay close to my family members when I am in the city. I need to live close to somebody I love. Otherwise, yes, it can get lonely,” she says.
‘I am a little too giving. I like making a relationship my centre’
Is she open to investing in a new relationship, or does she want to focus on work? She answers, “A relationship takes that focus away from my work because I am a little too giving. I like making a relationship my centre. And I do it willingly, it is not like I am forced to do it. I want to crack the balance where I am able to give everything to my work and also my relationship. My relationship is not my whole world, and neither is my work… I want to strike that balance.”
There’s a certain laziness in this industry-Ridhi Dogra
8:21 AM
Ridhi Dogra finds it ‘sad’ that in India, talent isn’t recognized until it is appreciated internationally
Navya Kharbanda (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 14, 2023)
Having carved a place for herself in the television industry, actor Ridhi Dogra made her big-screen debut earlier this year with Lakadbaggha. The film is set to have its European premiere later this month at the 20th Indisches Film Festival Stuttgart (Germany). While Dogra is thrilled, she feels it’s “embarrassing and sad” that good content is only noticed in India when it’s appreciated elsewhere.
“There’s a certain laziness in this industry (showbiz),” she says, adding, “People don’t see talent for what it can be, but for what it is. We need people around us to tell us, ‘Arre iss mein kuch baat hai’. The moment that happens, we are convinced to put our money on someone safely.”
The actor, who has also done web projects such as The Married Woman (2021), Asur and Badtameez Dil, admits that transitioning from one medium to another hasn’t been easy. She is now set to share screen space with actors Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan in Jawan and Tiger 3, respectively.
Ask if she faced any obstacles bagging these projects, and the 38-year-old says, “Playing a role onscreen isn’t the challenging part, but figuring things off camera is a task. You just want to act, but then you have to be a marketing person, too. You realize that the film industry, which claims to be a creative field, is actually such a closed setup and business-minded. Makers want to put their money on actors they are comfortable with.”
Now, I’ve become a little too careful. But earlier, I’ve made a fool of myself in love-Ridhi Dogra
8:40 AM
After Asur, Ridhi Dogra discusses taking on romantic drama Badtameez Dil, which also throws light on body-image issues
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; June 20, 2023)
“I am all about love,” says Ridhi Dogra gleefully, who has added a rom-com to her resume with Amazon miniTV’s Badtameez Dil. But it wasn’t only love in the air as the actor was juggling it with the shoot of the mythological thriller, Asur. While both shows were intense, the actor admits that playing a naïve romantic woman was tougher than playing a forensic officer. So, how did she straddle the two contrasting worlds? Over to Dogra as she talks about romance, roles and more.
Edited excerpts from the interview.
Badtameez Dil revolves around modern-day love. What is your take on it?
I don’t think love is modern or old, it’s a universal emotion and is always relevant. Love is not so much about the things we do, but it’s about the values that we carry into a relationship. Be it GenZ or millennials or boomers, the key to love is to have the right set of values — integrity, loyalty, trust, friendship and respect. I don’t think swiping left and right [on dating apps] is love. But at the end of the day, everybody is looking for it. We have all become thick-skinned, independent and strong, but I guarantee you everybody is looking for a pair of eyes to connect with.
Would you make a fool of yourself in love?
Why not? Now, I’ve become a little too careful. But [earlier], I’ve made a fool of myself in love. I’ve seen only what I wanted to see. I see the good in people. I was just reading something that Oprah [Winfrey] said: When someone shows you the first time how good they are, why do you not believe them? Why do you have to see it 29 times to believe them? I give people — whether it is friends, colleagues or romantic [partners] — a lot of chances. I keep looking for the good in people.
Asur and Badtameez Dil were shot at different times. Was their back-to-back release a coincidence?
We started shooting Asur a little before Badtameez Dil, and then there was a bit of an overlap. Barun [Sobti] and I have known each other for a few years. When we went to shoot Badtameez Dil, it was as if a portal had opened up — we were laughing and improvising. When we went back to Asur’s shoot later, we would crack up. But since we are both professional, we could [slip into the roles] in a few minutes. We shot both series in 2021, but a lot of work was held back due to the pandemic. It was a bonus for Asur; the team got time to edit it, and by the time it dropped online, AI became a relevant subject.
Which show was more creatively satisfying?
Oh, come on! I am an actor, I can never say this was better than that. I’ve always played strong, opinionated women who stand up for something. [During my television years], channels used to take us to tier 2 and 3 towns where I used to meet a lot of women and homemakers. Early on, I had decided that even if I do less work, I want to play characters that stand for something. That is the way I thought when I did Maryada, Asur, or even A Married Woman.
If both show were creatively satisfying, which one was more challenging?
Badtameez Dil had a completely different lens. I have been around for a while, but I have never had a whole show seen through the lens of love. For me, this was more challenging. I have gone out of my way to make Liz [character’s name] look like she had body-image and self-worth issues. These were not said in dialogue, but reflected through the character. I wanted her to look uncomfortable [with herself], but a third person seeing her will find nothing wrong with her. If I am ever to do a rom-com again, I will do it only if I am able to break some norms with it. We have seen enough stories of women going from ugly duckling to a swan, and as soon as she became beautiful, she got the hero. But I didn’t want to do that.
Sikandar Kher joins the team of Pitchers 2
8:28 AM
As TVF Pitchers returns after seven years, Kher joins team that surveys the world of business
Hiren Kotwani (MID-DAY; December 5, 2022)
At a time when Bangalore had emerged as India’s Silicon Valley that had been churning out promising start-ups in the world of tech, the tale of four entrepreneurs taking the plunge into business had aptly caught people’s attention. With TVF (The Viral Fever) bringing back Pitchers for a second season, seven years after its first airing, mid-day has learnt that a new member hops aboard the Zee5 offering.
“Pitchers is an iconic show which should not have taken this long to return. But now that it is back and I am part of it, I could not have been more thrilled,” gushes Sikandar Kher, adding, “The show inspired many entrepreneurs, and I have immense respect for what the team has managed to achieve.”
This edition will also see Ridhi Dogra play a pivotal role.
I don’t know why people think this (that Ridhi Dogra is the reason behind his breakup)-Raqesh Bapat
8:25 AM
Vinay MR Mishra (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 12, 2022)
Actors Raqesh Bapat and Shamita Shetty, referred to as #ShaRa by fans, officially announced their breakup last week, after months of speculation. Bapat’s ex-wife, actor Ridhi Dogra, also put up a post stating how she has been receiving hate for the split. And Bapat is “shocked” by the entire episode: “I don’t know why people think this (that Dogra is the reason behind his breakup). She has been getting crap for no reason. And it hurts me when somebody talks this way to a dear person of mine. No third person can break a relationship. It is only up to the two people in the relationship.”
Calling his current equation with Shetty “great”, Bapat mentions that they will “always be cordial”. He adds, “It was one of the most beautiful phases of my life... And we realized not all people are the same in terms of their nature, how they look at life. If something doesn’t work out, it’s not necessary to be spiteful.”
The Qubool Hai actor admits that the “pressure” from their fandom did affect their relationship. “It’s not just two people who were involved, there’s a family of fans who are involved in it. I think this was like a marriage of two people with respect to the fans. So, it was our responsibility to not hurt them and tell them that it is not working out, and that we appreciate the love they gave us,” Bapat tells us.
The 43-year-old also confesses that the two “dealt with it (the breakup) very maturely.” “There was no crying or sobbing. It was just two people, who loved each other, taking a decision that’s best for each other,” he concludes.
I am writing my own script. Ekta Kapoor told me to pursue it as an actor’s life is short lived-Ridhi Dogra
8:12 AM
Divya Kaushik (BOMBAY TIMES; April 24, 2022)
After almost a decade of acting and making a name for herself in the TV industry with shows like Maryada: Lekin Kab Tak?, Savitri, and web shows, Ridhi Dogra has now started writing scripts. The actress says that while her focus will be on acting, she has taken up her interest in writing seriously.
She tells us, “I am developing scripts when I am at home. After being an actor for some time, you have an idea of what you want to do in the long term. Writing is second nature to me, it has been therapeutic and after a certain time in the industry, you know that you can tell a story. I am writing my own script. Ekta (Kapoor) told me that if you have something other than acting, pursue it, because an actor’s life is short-lived. I was always interested in writing and thought why not take it seriously and make something out of it. ”
‘DELHI WOMEN WILL RELATE TO MY SCRIPT’
Ridhi, who grew up in Delhi, says that her first script will be centred around the city and her experiences there. “I think your writing is a reflection of who you are as a person and your experiences. Delhi has shaped me, it has played an important role in making me the person that I am today, so there will be a lot of Delhi in the script. Also, I think many writers, filmmakers find Delhi fascinating because of its thriving culture and social scene. My story will be based on women in Delhi, it’ll be a voice of women in the city, it will have a message for them,” says Ridhi.
‘I WANT MY WORK TO SPEAK FOR ME,I DON’T WANT TO BE DEPENDENT ON HOW POPULAR I AM ON SOCIAL MEDIA’
The actress adds that currently her entire focus is on work and in doing things that make her happy. She has even kept a low profile on social media and says that she doesn’t want to be a part of the rat race. She often corrects people when they address her as an influencer. She says, “I believe that if you do a good show that speaks volumes for you more than any kind of promotion on social media, so I would let my work do the talking.”
She adds, “I don’t want to be in any rat race. I don’t want to put any kind of pressure on myself. It is a personal decision. In the last two years we have lost so many talented people, we’ve seen them succumbing to that pressure and how people in our industry are pulled down. I feel that I have seen too many film stars who are put in a bubble by the industry, media and then pulled down. I don’t want to put my energy there. If it means it is going to be a longer route for me, I have no problem. I want to be like Zohra Sehgal, I want to keep acting, I don’t want to be dependent on how popular I am on social media. I keep telling people who call me for collaborations that I am not an influencer, I am an actor,” says Ridhi.
Milind Soman to play martial arts trainer in Anshuman Jha’s Lakadbaggha
8:37 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; February 14, 2022)
After Ridhi Dogra and Anshuman Jha, Milind Soman has joined the cast of the action drama, Lakadbaggha. The actor essays the role of a martial arts expert in the movie that went on floors in Kolkata last December. “Every aspect of the story is well thought-out. I loved how intrinsically Krav Maga is incorporated in the script,” says Soman.
While Jha specially trained in Krav Maga for six months under the guidance of expert Tsahi Shemesh, Soman has picked up the basics of the art. Always game to test his physical prowess, the fitness enthusiast says shooting for the film was a strenuous experience. “I’m playing a Bengali martial arts instructor and Anshuman’s father. The shoot schedule was intense. The choreography is specially devised to highlight this martial art.”
Though it’s an adventure film, director Victor Mukherjee says the story focuses on the father-son relationship. “The relationship between Milind and Anshuman’s characters is the core of the film. We are excited to showcase Milind in a never-before-seen avatar.”
A second edition of The Married Woman is inevitable-Ekta Kapoor
7:55 AM
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; March 30, 2021)
In the three weeks that The Married Woman dropped online, the Ridhi Dogra and Monica Dogra-fronted show has won praise for its nuanced portrayal of same-sex love in a society that unfortunately burdens women with expectations and conditioning. Elated at the series’ success, the creative team at ALT Balaji is apparently discussing rolling out a subsequent season. “The series has generated tremendous buzz, which, in turn, has encouraged the makers to take the story ahead,” says a source close to the project.
The true win for producer Ekta Kapoor is that the show has sparked a conversation on women’s agency. Kapoor hints at the possibility of a second instalment as she says, “The Married Woman is trending as one of the most-watched shows, which is heartening. With the kind of numbers that the [offering] has got, I don’t want to say anything at this moment, but [a second edition] is inevitable.”
Based on Manju Kapur’s novel A Married Woman, the Sahir Raza-directed series also features Imaad Shah, Ayesha Raza and Nadira Babbar, among others.
Monica Dogra to headline Ekta Kapoor-backed queer love story in her maiden web series, A Married Woman
7:51 AM
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; January 16, 2020)
“It’s a Dogra takeover,” says Monica Dogra, who is making her web debut opposite Ridhi Dogra in the upcoming up series, A Married Woman. The digital show is inspired by Manju Kapur’s book by the same title. This isn’t the first time Kapur’s words have served as fodder for lovers of theatrics — her previous book, Custody inspired Ekta Kapoor’s Yeh Hai Mohabbatein.
“I am excited to debut in the digital entertainment with a meaningful subject,” says Monica, who will be seen as an artist in the queer love story. “The digital space has made room for the exploration of sensitive and necessary story-telling,” adds Monica, who has films like Rock On (2008), Dhobi Ghat (2011), Fireflies (2012), David (2013) among other, to her credit. “I have been known to tackle taboo subjects through my music. But this project gives me an opportunity to dive in through a [different] medium.”
Set in 1992, Zee5 and ALT Balaji’s A Married Woman captures a love story that blossoms during a political unrest. It will also mark Ridhi’s web debut.
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