It’s a wrap for Amitabh Bachchan and Emraan Hashmi’s upcoming thriller in Slovakia
Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 16, 2019)

On December 2, Amitabh Bachchan took off to Slovakia to shoot the action-packed climax of Rumi Jaffery’s upcoming thriller, Chehre, which also features Emraan Hashmi. Speaking to Mirror from the Central European country, producer Anand Pandit, relays, “After a recent snowstorm, the temperature dropped to minus 14. I didn’t think we’d be able to shoot with so much snow, but with the help of Slovakian and Polish authorities, and the dedication of the cast and crew, we have finished the shoot.”

The film, which kicked off in May, revolves around a group of friends, some of whom are retired lawyers. They meet at a bungalow in Shimla to play a psychological game. While the 77-year-old actor plays one of the lawyers, Emraan is a business tycoon. Bachchan, who was hospitalised in November, is unfazed by the biting cold. “We have all struggled, but there has not been a single day when Bachchan saab was not the first person on location,” Anand raves.

Earlier, speaking to Mirror (December 1), the filmmaker had revealed that he wanted the veteran actor to direct some scenes. Was he able to coax him to take to the director’s chair? “Bachchan saab understands every aspect of filmmaking. He has been giving inputs throughout the making of the film. He directed the chase sequences and the hand-to-hand combat scenes. We completed the combat scenes on Saturday and on Sunday, shot the last chase scene, which reminded me of Zanjeer, Deewar and Trishul.”

And it wasn’t all work and no play. After pack-up, they would all sit together and listen as Bachchan, Emraan, Rumi and Annu Kapoor turned story-tellers. “It felt like we had gone on a trip together,” Anand signs off.

TV actress Krystle D’souza on her B’wood debut with Amitabh Bachchan and Emraan Hashmi-starrer
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 9, 2019)

Krystle D’souza came into the limelight in 2011 with the TV show, Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai. Last week, the actress announced that she’s making her Bollywood debut with the Amitabh Bachchan and Emraan Hashmi-starrer Chehre, in which she is paired with the latter.

Admitting that it feels a bit surreal, Krystle hails it as a dream launch. “I’d always wanted to do films. And there couldn’t have been a better opportunity than to share the screen with Amitabh ji and Emraan,” she gushes, adding that she’d been offered films before, but things somehow never worked out. “But I got it all in my first film; a great character, interesting story, dream cast, and an amazing team.”

Point out that the transition from TV to films has not always been smooth for many and Krystle shares she has no reservations regarding her own foray. “Acting is my passion, the medium doesn’t matter. I’ve worked in TV and the digital platform and given my 100 per cent. I’m going to give my all here, too. There’s no pressure,” she insists, informing she’d been shooting for the film at a Delhi farmhouse since November 20 and returned to Mumbai only over the weekend.

The actress is particularly proud of how she landed the role— “The proper, hardworking way. I went through look tests, make-up, hair and clothes trial, did my scenes with director Rumi Jaffery and producer Anand Pandit, till they went, ‘She’s our Natasha’,” she recounts.

Days before Krystle came on board, Kriti Kharbanda had left the project citing date issues. Is this the same role? “I don’t come from films, so I had no clue what was happening. I can’t say if it is the same part, but good for me, right? I auditioned and was selected purely based on my talent,” she explains.

Considering that her close friend Ekta Kapoor launched her on TV, wonder if they had plans to replicate it for the big screen as well, and Krystle interjects, saying, “I’d want Ekta’s blessings, but I wouldn’t have wanted to be launched in her film. Because then, the assumption would be that I got the film because of our friendship.”

However, she would love to work with the TV czarina after Chehre. “It would feel like home. If not my first film, then a lot of films with them, maybe,” she chuckles.

Buzz was, she was approached for Ekta’s Naagin 4. Krystle laughs it off, clarifying, “I have never been approached to be the Naagin.” And will she return to TV? “What you do matters, not where you do it,” she concludes.

Two years after Judwaa 2, David Dhawan is returning to his ‘No 1’ franchise with a comedy that originally featured Govinda; says he sits down with his script every day at 7 am even today
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 3, 2019)

David Dhawan’s Coolie No 1, featuring Govinda and Karisma Kapoor, opened on June 30, 1995. Twenty-four years later, the filmmaker is gearing up to adapt the comic caper with son Varun Dhawan and Sara Ali Khan. The film kicks off on August 5 in Bangkok with Paresh Rawal stepping into the late Kader Khan’s shoes to play Sara’s father who is scouting for an industrialist son-in-law.

Speaking to Mirror, David informs that his journey with the coolie started in June 1994 when he flew out to Chennai to discuss a collaboration with Kamal Haasan. “Since Kamal was shooting, he asked me to see a Tamil film, Chinna Mapillai, directed by his friend as he thought it was right in my zone. I loved it and bought the remake rights (to make Coolie No 1),” he recounts, adding that he hadn’t expected the film to become a cult comedy. “I had enjoyed making it so I expected it to do well, but the audience’s reaction was phenomenal.”

With the film, David kick-started his No 1 franchise with producer-friend Vashu Bhagnani. Other projects in the series include Biwi No 1, Hero No 1 and Shaadi No 1. “It wasn’t planned. When I got a story revolving around a wife, Biwi No 1 happened and it went on like that with all the other films as well. They have an audience even today on TV,” he avers.

Prod him on his decision to adapt the film almost a quarter of a century later and he admits it was Vashu’s idea. The duo, friends since Coolie No 1, has been discussing a potential collaboration and when he suggested they remake this one, the idea appealed to David. “After re-watching the original, I started working on the script. For six months, I wondered if I should make it or not. Finally, I decided to adapt it. It’s actually a new film, I’ve worked on it for almost a year with the original writer Rumi Jaffery on the screenplay and Farhad Samji on the dialogue,” asserts David who is kicked about getting Paresh Rawal on board. “Kader Khan was outstanding, but Paresh is a great actor and I am sure he will portray the character differently.”

The editor-turned-producer-director moved behind the camera in 1989 with the Sanjay Dutt and Govinda-starrer Taaqatwar and is among the few directors from the ’80s who are relevant even today. Talking about how he remains in tune with time, David says, “My sons Varun and Rohit keep me young. We brainstorm on ideas with them telling me what to change and what to reject. These discussions help me evolve. We make films like a family,” he smiles. “I have made 45 films in 30 years and I want to make 50 more. I want to make young films because I still feel young. My guru was Manmohan Desai and I believe in making people laugh and in discipline. Even today, I sit down with my script at 7 am every day.”

David has directed actor-son Varun in two films, Main Tera Hero and Judwaa 2, and is now looking to score a hat-trick with him. “No one expected Varun to get into this mold of acting but he is very hard-working, understands my cinema and delivers what I want. Coolie No 1 is going to be great fun,” he beams, agreeing that living up to Govinda’s Raju will be difficult. “But I know Varun will come well-prepared. My brand of cinema is not easy as it’s difficult to make people laugh, and Varun knows it too.”

The new-age Coolie No 1 opens on May 1, 2020. What new can we expect from it? “I want to make a film people can see again and again. Also, Varun and Sara are a fresh pair,” he signs off with a smile.

Chehre director Rumi Jaffery recounts how Bachchan filmed 14-minute monologue in a single take on the last day of shoot
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; June 21, 2019)

It's not for nothing that Amitabh Bachchan is considered one of the greatest actors in the industry. Earlier this week, sound artist Resul Pookutty and producer Anand Pandit couldn't help but gush over the megastar on social media, congratulating him for pulling off a 14-minute-long take in one shot during the shoot of Chehre.

Rumi Jaffery, who has helmed the mystery thriller that also features Emraan Hashmi and Kriti Kharbanda, says he had deliberately left the climax for the last day of shoot, knowing that it would be a demanding scene. "It is one of the most intense scenes in the film where Amit ji's character sums up his feelings." Though the sequence was shot at a suburban studio on Tuesday, the director reveals that Bachchan and he pored over the material for days before rolling with it.

"We had been working on the scene for almost two days and had several discussions on the dialogues. On the day of the shoot, we went through the draft over and over again, checking if a word needs to be added or deleted. Once I said action, Amit ji started the scene. Everyone was so taken by his performance, it's as if no one even blinked throughout the scene," he laughs. At 14 minutes, it is easily one of the longest monologues from recent Bollywood outings.

"Amit ji and I thought that the scene went on for around six minutes. It was only when the assistant checked the duration that we realised it had run to 14 minutes. We were all shocked and asked him to double check it. I don't think any other actor would be able to do this; it is sheer dedication and years of experience at play." Proud of the veteran's feat, Rumi Jaffery admits it would be a pity if the sequence doesn't make it to the final cut in its entirety. "The decision will be taken on the editing table. As a filmmaker, I would hate to cut anything from this sequence. But if the need arises, we will have to take a decision."

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 7, 2019)

After the Sujoy Ghosh-directed revenge-drama Badla, which also featured Taapsee Pannu as lead, Amitabh Bachchan started shooting for his first Hindi-Tamil bilingual, Tera Yaar Hoon Main, with South actors S J Suryah and Ramya Krishnan in early April. Now, we have learnt that the Big B, along with Emraan Hashmi, will kick off shooting for Rumi Jaffery’s next directorial on May 10 in Mumbai.

“It is a mystery-thriller that revolves around a group of friends, some of whom are retired lawyers. They meet at a bungalow in Shimla and play a psychological game. It’s an intriguing story with Bachchan saab as one of the lawyers, while Emraan plays a business tycoon. This is the first time that the two actors are working together. We are constructing a huge set of the bungalow at a Malad studio,” informs producer Anand Pandit.

Rumi, who has previously penned films in David Dhawan’s No 1 series including Coolie No 1, Hero No 1 and Biwi No 1 as also Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge, had last directed the 2012 comedy-drama Gali Gali Chor Hai, which was headlined by Akshaye Khanna. Interestingly, this is Bachchan’s third outing as a lawyer after playing Deepak Sehgal in the Shoojit Sircar produced 2016 social-thriller Pink and Badla.

The film also features Annu Kapoor in a pivotal role. “Rumi has given the final touches to the script that has been penned by a group of writers. We will begin the reading sessions from Tuesday while he has already begun prep. We will wrap up the Mumbai schedule on June 12,” informs Anand.

Meanwhile, Emraan will next be seen in The Body alongside Sobhita Dhulipala, while Bachchan will feature in Ayan Mukerji’s Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt-starrer Brahmastra and Sairat director Nagraj Manjule’s Hindi debut, Jhund. 

Rumi Jaffery-directed drama has plenty of twists and turns in the plot and goes on the floors in May
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 9, 2019)

After a seven-year break, the writer of films like Coolie No 1, Hero No 1 and Chalte Chalte, Rumi Jaffery is returning to direction with Khel featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Emraan Hashmi in the lead. Annu Kapoor and Saurabh Shukla will play pivotal roles.

Rumi had last directed the Akshaye Khanna and Mugdha Godse-starrer, Gali Gali Chor Hai (2012), besides Life Partner (2009) and God Tussi Great Ho (2008). Big B had played God in Rumi’s debut directorial. A source connected to the film reveals that Rumi is currently on a recce up North. “Shooting will start by May 13. The film is an intense drama with important courtroom sequences. It is titled Khel (game) because of the various twist and turns in the plot,” informs the source.

Reportedly Bachchan will play a judge and this will be the first time he is sharing screen space with Emraan. Producer of the film Anand Pandit remained unavailable for comment despite several calls and messages. Rumi said he is busy at an event in Lucknow and will make an announcement soon.

Upala KBR (DNA; May 31, 2017)

It just might be Abhishek Bachchan’s year. The actor has reportedly signed six films so far. At least three films will see him as characters with special abilities or traits.

In Prabhu Dheva’s Lefty, he plays a man who does everything left-handed, in Sanak, he plays a man with a bad temper. And in Priyadarshan’s next (tentatively titled Bachchan Singh), he plays a man who can get anything he wants when he claps his hands! He also plays a corrupt, paan-chewing cop (like his father Amitabh Bachchan did in Shahenshah, years earlier), who suddenly discovers he has superpowers.

Priyadarshan confirms, “We start shooting for the film from November this year. The film has been written by Rumi Jaffrey and produced by Rajat Rawail. It’s a fantasy fiction film, humorous, something along the lines of Mr India and The Mask.”

Priyan shares more about the film. “Before the interval, Abhishek plays a corrupt cop and then turns a saviour of sorts with powers. He has the power of clapping to get what he wants but he realises it later. It’s my first masala film. While we have tentatively called it Bachchan Singh, we may change the name later,” he adds.

The filmmaker is gearing up to direct his two films this year — a Tamil film in June and Bachchan Singh. “My Tamil film is a rural human drama dealing with social issues and will start in June. After I complete that, we start Bachchan Singh in November.”

Parag Maniar (BOMBAY TIMES; March 21, 2014)

Writer-director Rumi Jaffery is all set to helm Contract Lover, which will be the Hindi adaptation of a Chinese film. Rumi had watched the Chinese original while on a flight to Hong Kong and couldn’t forget it. “I have lived with the subject for long and felt that the plot was right to be adapted into a Bollywood romcom with fresh faces. I have retained the spirit of the original, but revamped the narrative,” he says.

The film is being backed by Rajesh Bhatia, the managing director of Woodpecker Movies, which has bought the remake rights of the Chinese film. Bhatia says, “With Rumi’s expertise, we hope to blend both, fresh subject and fresh faces, and come up with a perfect cocktail.”

Neha Maheshwri Bhagat (BOMBAY TIMES; December 23, 2013)

Armaan Kohli, after being evicted from Bigg Boss spoke to Bombay Times about his bad boy image, Sofia Hayat’s complaint and his closeness to Tanisha Mukherjee.
 
What’s the status of your relationship with Tanishaa Mukerji? Viewers were privy to cosy moments between you two. We would generally chat about the events that took place during the day when the lights went off. I will agree that in Tanisha, I found a great friend and my affection for her is more than for anybody else. She is my priority as a friend. We both come from families with a film background and hence, I would not like to comment on it any further. I would meet her after seven days, once the show is over.
 
Do you see a future with her? We haven’t planned anything. If at all things progress, I would like to keep it private.
 
But often relationships don’t last once you get out in the real world. We are mature people and know better how to handle things. She is a very dear friend and I would want her to win the show.
 
People feel that you have been disrespectful towards women. I am a mamma’s boy and that says it all. I can’t be disrespectful towards women. I feel women are superior to men. If I have wronged a woman, I have apologized and touched her feet.
 
You seem to have inspired men who expect their wives and girlfriends to be like Tanishaa and face their tempers by being docile. I think Tanisha should be an inspiration to all these women then. She is strong, independent and has her head firmly on her shoulders. And if they become like us, I’d also request them to end every argument within three minutes like we did inside the house.
 
While you didn’t acknowledge a certain Tanya Singh, she spoke openly about your relationship with her. What do you have to say about it? There is no equation. I have more female friends than males. We were friends. I was and am still single, both when I had walked inside and out of the house. If I had been in a relationship, I would have announced it. Why hide it? I have not lived-in with her. I stay with my parents.
 
What have you learnt from Bigg Boss? I feel like a winner. I reached the top six and have survived inside the house for 97 days. This is a huge achievement for me. After staying away from my mother and my mobile phone, I am proud of myself. The show has taught me calmness, patience, compatibility, compromise, being friends with people who badmouth me, and the ability to listen. It has taught me to be a better man.

Your temper issue has become a talking point. I entered the house to play the game. I am good to the good and worse to the bad. It’s reel life, not real. You are being recorded by cameras right from the time you wake up to the time you sleep. Isse badi acting toh ho hi nahi sakti. You are bound to react when you see people badmouth and bitch about you. And I want to be the bad boy now, but in reel life. I hope that I get negative roles, now. Everybody had a temper. Some displayed it in a subdued manner, others were loud. In real life, you have the option to leave the situation, but that’s not an option with the housemates.
 
Don’t you have a temper problem? I don’t. I believe I have been the target for all 14 contestants right from the beginning. They were all insecure about me. I have not fought with eight out of 20 participants. I have made some genuine friends like Tanisha, Andy, Sangram Singh, Elli Avram and Kamya Punjabi.
 
Your ex-girlfriend Ayesha Jhulka spoke about your temper and said that if a girl lodged a complaint against you, it must be true. Comment. Ayeshaji is a wonderful human and I wish her good luck. May God bless her. If she has given such a statement, she knows more than me. She is married and with kids and hence, I would not talk about it any further.
 
What about the alleged violence with Sofia Hayat, who filed an FIR against you? Something that could have been sorted within 90 seconds was blown out of proportion. Had I wronged Sofia, I wouldn’t have been inside the house again. As per the format of the show, you cannot touch a person, let alone hit him/her.
 
But the cops charged you with sexual harassment and molestation after viewing the tape. I can’t comment on the case as of now. All I can say is that one can’t touch a person. You give me a few more days and I will give you my side of the story.
 
Do you think inadequate food supply and less sleep also triggers anger? I have lost 14 kgs but I won’t say that food wasn’t enough. I was content with the food and slept well. I guess the waking and eating at the right time helped me lose weight. Maine dabaa ke khaaya.
 
Many feel that Salman Khan favoured you throughout while others, especially Kushal Tandon bore the brunt. I beg to differ. He took my case on two occasions. I believe Kushal came under the hammer more probably because he did more wrong. It’s Salman’s opinion and I am nobody to question his judgment. He has always made us understand a situation and warned us for our betterment.
 
Any message for Kushal? Kushal is a baby and gets carried away most of the times. He is like my younger brother and a good boy. I hope he changes to become a better man and we get to see his good side more.
 
What will you do different if given a chance to go inside the house again? I would like to laugh a lot and make other inmates laugh a bit. I would like to dominate the house. I had a don’t-mess-with-me attitude right since the beginning. But no, I don’t regret anything.
 
Bigg Boss seems to have done you good in terms of bringing you back into the limelight. What are your future plans? I will come back with a vengeance to do more work. I am not very keen on doing television. I have two home productions lined up and will feature in Rumi Jaffery’s movie. I will now be after Salman Sir for a job. Hopefully, I should get four to five movies. 
--------------------
Mehul S Thakkar (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 23, 2013)

You regret what happened five days ago? I don’t even remember what had happened since the stress level in the house is very high.
 
You don’t remember being arrested by the Lonavala on a complaint filed by your Bigg Boss copartcipant Sofia Hayat for assualt and sexual harassment ? The format of the show is such that no one is allowed to touch anyone. Had I hit Sofia, you think I would have been allowed to return to the house. Once I get permission to hold a press meet, I’ll show what really happened.
 
So you think what happened was a publicity? I wish Sofia happiness but she made an issue out of a tissue.
 
But you often came under the scanner for your temper? I have never done a reality show before this. So in front of the 100 cameras I behaved exactly as I would off camera. When I entered the show, I had said that I would treat the inmates the way they treated me. If someone uses foul language, how can I keep quiet? Every action has a equal reaction.
 
There has been a lot of Armaan bashing by the ex-contestants. Your former girlfriend Ayesha Jhulka even called you a woman beater… Jitni mooh, utni bakwaas. I can’t really stop that. I am the biggest momma’s boy and I have said this on the show. There’s a very thin line between the good and the bad side.
 
Have you changed since you entered the house? Yes, when I went in there, I was out of control. After after spending so many days inside, I am more patient and calm today. I have developed the ability of listen to people which should help me all my life.
 
Is Tanishaa Mukerji responsible for this change? Are you in love with her? I have no idea at this point in time. She is a very dear friend who has stood by me and done a lot for me. But falling in love takes some time. It can’t just happen in two months. But whatever happens, we will stay friends.
 
It is said that Tanishaa’s family members are not happy about the relationship... Whatever they say is right. We belong to the same fraternity and they are part of the family. All I can say is that I am very lucky to have found a friend like Tanisha.
 
Your dad, Raj Kumar Kohli, told Mirror that you are not doing much and that he needs to discuss with your future with you… The first call I made when I came out was to my dad. I couldn’t meet him when I was taken to the police station and I’m waiting to apologise to him for giving him so much trouble.
 
An astrologer on the show said that you will be good in production. Any films of your father’s that you wish to remake? There are some 40 odd films. I would love to remake dad’s Naukar Biwi Ka, Jaani Dushman and Raaj Tilak.
 
Getting evicted in the last week must be painful? Yah, it’s sad but no regrets. Surviving for over 90 days is an achievement on its own. In my eyes, I am a winner.