Showing posts with label Samantha Akkineni. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Samantha Akkineni. Show all posts
Samantha Akkineni was planning to take a break from films to start a family, say actress’ friends
8:19 AM
Close associates of the actress quash rumours claiming that her unwillingness to have kids is what led to her divorce
Suhas Yellapantula (BOMBAY TIMES; October 11, 2021)
Ever since Samantha and Naga Chaitanya announced their separation last week, speculation about the reason behind the star couple’s decision to call it quits has been raging on unabated both on social media and in Tollywood circles. Things took a nasty turn when a retired doctor released a video, claiming that Samantha refused to have children to focus on her career, got abortions done twice and even proposed to have a child via surrogacy since she didn’t want to ‘ruin her figure’.
Miffed by the brouhaha triggered by the rumours, Samantha, who had maintained a dignified silence about the rumours circulating around her, finally decided to speak up. “Your emotional investment into a personal crisis has overwhelmed me. Thank you all for showing deep empathy, concern and for defending me against false rumours and stories that are being spread. They say I had affairs, never wanted children, that I am an opportunist and now that I have had abortions,” she wrote on social media.
Vowing that nothing can “break” her spirit, she added, “A divorce in itself is an extremely painful process. Let alone allowing me the time to heal. This attack on me has been relentless. But I promise you this, I will never allow this or anything else they say, break me.”
SAMANTHA WANTED TO WRAP FILM’S SHOOT BY AUGUST SO SHE COULD HAVE A CHILD: PRODUCER NEELIMA GUNA
Soon after Samantha broke her silence, several of her friends expressed their support and reiterated that rumours that she got an abortion done are false. Neelima Guna, who’s bankrolling Sam’s upcoming film Shaakuntalam, says the actress had expressed her wish to have a baby before she signed the project. “When we approached her for the film, Samantha was excited but said period films take time and that she may not be able to commit so much time for the film since she was planning to have a child. We told her that the preproduction was already done and it wouldn’t take much time. So, she agreed to come on board and told us that shooting has to be wrapped up by July or August since she plans to have a child,” says Neelima, adding, “Samantha kept telling me that this will be her last film since she wanted to take a break from acting and have a child.”
‘SHE READ BOOKS ON PARENTING AND WAS EXCITED ABOUT BEING A MOM’
When we reached out to some of Samantha’s friends, they confirmed that the actress was indeed planning to have a child. Make-up artist and Samantha’s close friend Sadhna Singh says, “Samantha was extremely excited about having children. She would even read books about parenting to prepare for motherhood. To spread such heartless rumours about her is despicable and disgusting.” She adds, “After the success of The Family Man 2, Samantha had got plenty of offers from Bollywood. Some of them were huge projects, but she said she wanted to have children and turned them down.”
Samantha Prabhu refuses to take alimony from Naga Chaitanya?
8:35 AM
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 3, 2021)
It’s over for Samantha Prabhu and Naga Chaitanya. The most-loved Telugu movie industry couple released a joint statement on their respective social media handles confirming their split. Samantha wrote: “After much deliberation and thought Chay and I have decided to part ways as husband and wife to pursue our own paths. We are fortunate to have a friendship of over a decade that was the very core of our relationship which we believe will always hold a special bond between us. We request our fans, well wishers and the media to support us during this difficult time and give us privacy we need to move on”.
Meanwhile, there are many reports that suggest that Samantha will be receiving Rs. 50 crores as alimony from the divorce, which she has supposedly refused. According to a well-placed source, Samantha was initially offered over Rs. 200 crores as a part of the marriage settlement, but she doesn’t want even a single penny. “Samantha, who is heartbroken and distraught, only needed love and companionship from this marriage and now that it is over, she doesn’t need anything else from it,” adds the source.
The couple’s love story began in 2010 when they worked together in Ye Maaya Chesave. They got engaged in January 2017 and tied the knot in Goa on October 7 the same year.
The rumours of their separation began when Samantha changed her name on social media handles — from Samantha Akkineni, she went ‘S’, which led to an uproar among her fans. Besides that, her absence from the Love Story success bash and the dinner hosted by Chaitanya’s family for actor Aamir Khan added fuel to the fire.
As per the insider, Samantha has turned her attention to her work to get over the personal trauma. “It’s not easy for her to get up and go to work. She is massively heartbroken. But she doesn’t want any project that she is associated with to suffer because of her personal life. She has always been a thorough professional and continues to be,” adds the source.
Recently, Samantha took to Instagram to dismiss reports about her relocating to Mumbai, saying, “Hyderabad is my home, will always be my home. I will continue to live here very happily.”
I wish women are given powerful roles & not portrayed as underdogs-Samantha Akkineni
8:03 AM
Lakshmi V, Sharanya C R and Sruthi Raman (BOMBAY TIMES; July 5, 2021)
After lockdown restrictions were eased across the country, Samantha Akkineni is back on the shooting floor. The actress, who is busy completing her Telugu and Tamil projects, has also made her digital debut recently and won a lot of praise for it. In a candid chat with BT, Samantha, who been a part of the film industry for over a decade now, speaks about how years of experience have shaped her film choices, her take on women-centric movies, and more. Excerpts:
Apart from the Telugu and Tamil film industries, you also ventured into the web space this year. Does being an actress with a pan-Indian appeal come with its own set of responsibilities?
Yes, absolutely. It comes with great responsibility for the reason that I have been in the industry for so long. Young people can get influenced pretty easily. The responsibility of it all really has pushed me to become the person that I am today. I don’t like shirking off responsibilities; I like taking them on, as hard as they may be at times. I have never been the person to take the easy route. I get hurt and sad, but I still end up taking the hard route.
When you are vocal about certain issues on a public platform, there are bound to be brickbats. How do you handle the repercussions that come with speaking your mind on issues that matter to you?
I have been in the industry long enough and I know these phases of love and hate. It does not surprise me anymore. But I wouldn’t say that it is not hard. I would not take bullying on social media lightly. It is definitely not easy. It could have a lot of repercussions on one’s mental health. So, I am not going to make it seem like it is a small issue. I can handle it, as I have experienced it over the years. Some others might not be able to, and they should definitely be able to seek help from friends and family.
So, what is your coping mechanism?
I have always given an appropriate answer to trolls, whether it is about something I wear or the work that I am doing. There has always been an answer to the questions that have been fired at me. But I have never been one to get down dirty in the mud.
You completed 11 years in the industry recently. Is there a difference between the Samantha who started out as a model for an ad film and the Samantha who shoulders big-ticket films today?
Well, I have always been very, very hardworking, but I have also been very insecure. I have had a lot of self-doubts. But over the years, that has changed. I have learnt to deal with my insecurities, learnt to take bigger risks.
Today, I’m confident; face my fears, deal with my insecurities head-on, and take bigger risks. These are the three biggest changes that I notice in me now.
Have your film choices changed? Do you look at scripts differently today?
Before, when I used to see scripts, I would ask myself if the film had the potential to become a big hit or not. If the answer was yes, I’d accept the offer. It was more like I was collecting hits in my kitty. But of late, I look for scripts that challenge me. The role has to excite me. It’s not about hits anymore; it’s about pushing boundaries.
Off late we’ve seen ‘women-centric films’ taste a lot of success at the BO. You’ve acted in a few yourself, what’s your take on them?
I believe women in lead roles are killing it, and this phenomenon is noticeable worldwide, across languages and industries. But I do wish that the roles that we are given are not just of underdogs; I want them to be of superheroes and heroines and the powerful. I’ve noticed that in women-centric films, the heroine is always portrayed as a weak girl who rises to the occasion. I wish that would change and we get portrayed from a position of strength. I believe that women should be headlining more films.
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I LOVE ALIA BHATT!
Every time I see an Alia Bhatt film, I can’t help but think how good she is. She is killing all the roles that she is being offered. She is setting the bar high, considering how young she is. I really loved her in Raazi.
Now, teenagers want pictures with me-Manoj Bajpayee
8:03 AM
As 'The Family Man 2' becomes a raging success, Manoj Bajpayee aka India’s favourite spy says the series has endeared him to a new section of the audience
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; June 8, 2021)
Where even the most successful series have buckled under the curse of the second season, Manoj Bajpayee’s The Family Man stands out as a proud exception. Over the past weekend, creators Raj-DK gave us a gripping story that beautifully blends political commentary and humour, while also putting the spotlight on the motivations and despair of the Tamil rebels. At the centre of it all is a stellar performance by Bajpayee as Srikant Tiwari.
Thrilled about the praise coming his way, Bajpayee says that the latest instalment has widened his fan base. “OTT has taken me to the generation that is growing up now. This generation was not really aware of my previous works. Now, 15 or 16-year-olds come to me, wanting a picture — that’s something I have not enjoyed before. The contribution of The Family Man to my career is that it introduced me to a new fan base.”
One of the early birds on digital entertainment, the actor believes the medium thrives on experimentation. “I have had my share of successes, but they were not consistent. OTT, on the other hand, gives a lot of space to an actor like me to explore and invent. If you’re not willing to evolve, you can’t sustain on this platform.”
A chat about the Amazon Prime Video offering would be incomplete without the mention of Samantha Akkineni. If Bajpayee’s Srikant is your everyday hero, trying to right the wrongs with his limited means, Akkineni’s Raji has similar motivations, but is unfortunately on the other side of the law. “I would say Samantha is better than me on the show. As are Sharib [Hashmi] and Priyamani. It gives me a lot of happiness when Sharib and Priyamani get their share of appreciation. I was mesmerised by the amount of hard work Samantha put into the show.”
The season finale hints that Srikant may take on the Chinese threat in the next instalment. But Bajpayee is unwilling to reveal much. “I don’t have a script in my hand, so I don’t know what [the third season] will be about. My directors have not spoken to me about it.”
I got really nervous seeing how amazing Samantha Akkineni was-Manoj Bajpayee
8:12 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (June 4, 2021)
After a two-year-long wait, the much-awaited new season of The Family Man has launched on Amazon Prime Video today. In a fun conversation with the not so ‘minimum guy’ himself, Manoj Bajpayee talks about what viewers can expect from the new season:
Fans are thrilled to watch you play Srikant Tiwari once again. What is it about this character that appeals to you the most?
In my journey as an actor, in the last 26 years, I have always preferred roles that portray me as a common man. Srikant Tiwari deglamorises the whole spy trope. He is an undercover agent who calls himself the James Bond of Chembur. For the world, his family included, he is a regular government employee — a common guy who worries about home loans, electricity bills and EMIs, and at the same time, is struggling to be a good husband and father.
What will be different in this season and what can fans expect from Srikant?
The new season is in a new zone altogether. It is definitely bigger and better. Srikant’s life has changed a lot and you will see him spending a lot more time with his family. He is not sure about the new changes and doesn’t know if his decision is right or wrong, so his conflicts and adjustments are something that the audiences will get to see and will relate to. They will also find answers to a lot of questions raised in the last season. Also, there is a new mission to save the country and a lot of action, drama and exciting twists and turns in store for our viewers.
You are known for your nuanced acting skills, which make your characters more relatable. How do you manage to make Srikant so relatable?
What helped me in making Srikant more relatable is drawing references from my own life as a husband and father, and also, from my friends’ marital life experiences. Of course, there are backstories and interpretations from my real-life interactions as well, which I tend to imbibe. These help me refine my character.
How was your experience of working with Priyamani and Samantha Akkineni?
Priyamani surprises me all the time. Not only is she a fantastic actor, but she is also a great learner and is very openminded. Samantha is dedicated and hardworking and I have huge respect and admiration for her. In fact, when I saw some raw footage of her scenes, I got really nervous seeing how amazing she was.
We are very cognizant of the sentiments of the Tamil people and Tamil culture, say The Family Man makers, Raj-DK
7:56 AM
Makers reiterate their love and respect for all; promise well-balanced portrayal of all parties concerned
BOMBAY TIMES (May 24, 2021)
Amazon Prime Video dropped the trailer of the much-awaited new season of its original series, The Family Man, on Wednesday. After the release of the first season in 2019, fans have been eagerly awaiting the next installment of the series. Going by the response to the trailer, the creators seem to have brought their A-game to the table and are all set to wow viewers. The creator-duo of the show — Raj and DK (Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK) — spoke to us about what this multi-lingual new season has in store. Excerpts:
What can you tell us about the show, which is much awaited by viewers across 240 countries?
Raj & DK: With the trailer trending on number one on YouTube for over two days straight, it was evident that fans from all over the world have poured their love for the new season. The trailer has already garnered a whopping 37 million views. We have created this series with all our heart. Years of work, especially through the pandemic, has been poured into creating this nine-part espionage drama series, which we are excited to share with our viewers. This season continues to build on the beloved Srikant Tiwari’s internal conflict of being a middle-class father and husband, while being a world-class spy, who is working for a fictional agency. The challenges that Srikant faces now are more complex and he steps up his game. The new season truly represents the linguistic and cultural diversity of India. It is genuinely a pan-India show. It also marks Samantha Akkineni’s digital debut, who will be essaying a brave character.
What makes this season special?
Raj & DK: The new season of the series brings the North and the South together. Building on the roster of an amazing cast from earlier, the new season features some popular faces from Tamil Nadu’s theatre circuit, too. With the use of intense action sequences and songs, the season portrays divergent views and complex characters very sensitively. This new season has the plot set in Mumbai, Tamil Nadu, London and France, with a defining story arc. We have worked with several subject-matter experts to build the finer nuances of the story. This brings to life our relentless pursuit of inclusivity and endeavours to showcase India’s richness through our stories. The show has been it strengthened by the commitment of the cast and crew — veteran actor Manoj Bajpayee immersed himself into preparing for the character, Samantha took dialect refining classes, learnt martial arts and performed every stunt herself.
Was the new season more challenging than your other projects?
Raj & DK: We are humbled by the love and appreciation that we received for season one. Fortunately, we completed the script for the new season, started shooting it even before we released season one. That saved us from the pressure of getting overwhelmed by audience expectations. However, we did listen intently to audience feedback, too, and fine-tuned the show to address the interests of viewers, while staying true to the nature of the show, characters and storyline. We have attempted to enhance the viewing experience for the audiences by making the scale bigger and stakes higher and have upped the ante on the action.
Amidst all this excitement, a certain section had reacted to the trailer saying that the portrayal of Samantha’s character, Raji, could hurt their sentiments. What do you have to say?
Raj & DK: Some assumptions and impressions have been made based on just a couple of shots in the trailer. Many of our lead cast members, as well as key members of the creative and writing team, are Tamilians. We are very cognizant of the sentiments of the Tamil people and Tamil culture and have nothing, but the utmost love and respect towards our Tamil people. We have put in years of hard work into this show, and we have taken great pains to bring to our audiences a sensitive, balanced, and riveting story — much like we did in the first season of the show. We request everyone to wait and watch the show when it releases. We know you’ll appreciate it once you watch it.
Actresses should make a conscious effort to ensure there are more women on sets-Samantha Akkineni
8:13 AM
Suhas Yellapantula (BOMBAY TIMES; March 2, 2021)
She may be one of the biggest superstars in Telugu cinema today, but Samantha Akkineni continues to nurture the desire to learn something new every time she steps on a film set. The actress has come a long way from being a shy girl-next-door in Ye Maaya Chesaave. Samantha says that relentless hard work is the secret behind her longevity as an actress.
“There’s no substitute for hard work. I know it might sound like a cliché, but I strongly believe in this. The moment you get comfortable in a position, you’re going to lose it for sure. So I’ve always approached every day as my first day at work. I go with the same energy and the desire to learn something new. I think that’s what kept me going for all of these years. It helped me get better as an actress and entertain audiences,” she says.
Having started out doing commercial films like most of her contemporaries, Samantha has found her own space in the last few years, where she’s been doing films that have strong, author-backed roles. The Jaanu star tells us that she’s used her stardom to make a conscious effort to bring in more women in her films, not just as actors, but also as technicians.
“In my film Oh Baby! (2019), my executive producer, marketing head, director and assistant director were all women. We (women) just need a chance to prove our worth and I think actresses should make a conscious effort to ensure there are more women on sets. Women have always been pitted against each other, but we’re much stronger when we come together and it’s high time that happens. I feel this new decade will be all about women,” she says, with optimism.
Having spent 11 years in the industry, Samantha says if she’s going to give her nod to a new project, she will need to be fully convinced that it’s the right script for her. “If there isn’t a challenge, I’m not interested anymore. It’s been 11 years now. People pay a lot of money to come to the theatre and for the theatrical experience. If I’m not going to give them something that was better than my last, I shouldn’t be working at all,” she says, bluntly.
In an interview last year, Samantha had hinted that she may retire from the industry after a year or two. The actress, however, clarifies that she’s not ready to hang up her boots just yet. “I will always be connected to the film industry in some way or the other. I spent 11 years of my life doing this and it’s something that I happen to be good at, so I’ll always be a part of making films,” she says, signing off.
These debutants will grace the screen in 2021/2022
8:20 AM
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 4, 2021)
Every year, Bollywood is deluged by talented new actors. But 2020 was an unusual year and many actors’ dream of their much-awaited debuts remained unfulfilled. Now, with things slowly getting back on track and films slated for release on the big screen, many up-and-coming talents are set to be introduced in tinseltown. Here is an introduction of all those who are set to enter the Hindi film industry this year.
Manushi Chhillar
(first from top) The former Miss World is making her acting debut with period film, Prithviraj. She will be seen alongside Akshay Kumar in the film directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi and which is based on the life or Prithviraj Chauhan. She is playing the role of Prithviraj’s love interest Sanyogita in the period drama.
Ajey Nagar
(second from top) He enjoys massive popularity in the online space, and is known to his army of fans by the name CarryMinati. He is now all set to enter Bollywood with Ajay Devgn- Amitabh Bachchan starrer MayDay.
Shalini Pandey
(third from top) The actor, who rose to fame after starring in Telugu film, Arjun Reddy, is all set to step into the Hindi film industry with Ranveer Singh starrer Jayeshbhai Jordaar. The film is being helmed by debutant writer-director Divyang Thakkar.
Ahan Shetty
(fourth from top) The son of Suniel Shetty is all set to make his presence felt on the silver screen with Tadap. The Milan Luthria-ditected film is the remake of 2018 Telugu film RX 100 and also stars Tara Sutaria.
Lakshya
(extreme right) The TV actor, known for his shows Adhuri Kahani Humari, Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya, Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil and Porus, is making his entry in Bollywood with Dostana 2. The Karan Johar-prodoced film also stars Kartik Aaryan and Janhavi Kapoor.
Isabelle Kaif
(right; on top) After years of speculation, the younger sister of actor Katrina Kaif is finally being launched by Salman Khan in Kwatha opposite Aayush Sharma. Isabelle She had made her acting debut in a 2014 film called Dr. Cabbie starring Kunal Nayyar, Vinay Virmani, and Adrianne Palicki. She also played a small role in this Indo-Canadian production co-produced by Salman Khan.
Ahaan Panday
The cousin of actor Ananya Panday is reported to make his debut this year with a superhero film which stars Ajay Devgn. The film being directed by Shiv Rawail, grandson of the legendary H.S. Rawail and son of Rahul Rawail, is being planned as a franchise with Pandey as a superhero and Devgn as a super-villain.
Krystle DSouza
(middle; below) The TV actor known for her shows Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai, Ek Nayi Pehchaan and Brahmarakshas, is graduating to films and will be seen in Chehre. The Rumi Jaffery-directed film also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Emraan Hashmi, and Rhea Chakraborty.
Sharvari
The actor, who was seen in web series ‘The Forgotten Army- Azaadi Ke Liye, is making her Bollywood debut with Bunty Aur Babli 2. Sharvari will be paired opposite Siddhant Chaturvedi in Bunty Aur Babli 2, which revolves around two con couples - Siddhant-Sharvari, and Rani Mukerji-Saif Ali Khan. The sequel will take a leap of 10 years, from where the original ended.
Rashmika Mandanna
(extreme right) The actor has starred in Telugu, Kannada and Tamil films, is headed the Hindi film industry way. She will be seen in Mission Majnu. The film stars Sidharth Malhotra as a RAW agent.
Samantha Akkineni
The actor, who works in Tamil and Telugu films, will be entering the Hindi entertainment industry with web show Family Man season 2 with Manoj Bajpaayee, Priyamani, and Sharad Kelkar.
Raj and DK were clear that my character in The Family Man is no James Bond-Manoj Bajpayee
2:39 PM
Nominated in Best Actor (Male) category in the upcoming Mid-day and Radio City Hitlist Web Awards, The Family Man actor Manoj Bajpayee on exploring relationships in the show that revolves around an intelligence agent
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; February 14, 2020)
The barrage of offerings available online may be deceptive, but the growth of the web platform in India is still considered to be in a nascent stage. And even though it may be argued that the crop of Bollywood actors who forayed into the digital medium did so rather early, Manoj Bajpayee admits that several offers had come his way before he gave his nod to The Family Man.
"It was clutter-breaking," he says of the Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK (Raj & DK) offering that tells the tale of a middle-class man secretly working as an intelligence officer. The positive reactions to the Amazon Prime Video series was testimony that Bajpayee had expectedly packed enough punch into his subtle act as the protagonist. "This kind of a storyline has not been seen on any platform. Raj and DK have a sparkling style of writing, and I was sure they could craft it uniquely. Some stories are about a few [assorted] scenes, but, in this case, the writing, [as a whole], was fresh. I was lured," says the actor, adding that as is demanded of a finite series, each character was beautifully etched.
A tale about a man secretly working for an intelligence agency would seem like fodder for those with a keen interest in solving mysteries. But Bajpayee points to the dramatics in his character's relationships, when highlighting the element that strongly impacted him. "The scene where [my character] fights with his wife, and they then move from one room of the house to the other, was [improvised]. A lot of these interpersonal scenes evolved while we were on set, and the experiments worked for viewers. The character's transition, from being a common man to one who serves an intelligence agency, was delicious to explore. Raj and DK were clear that this guy is no James Bond. Men working in intelligence departments are ordinary-looking guys doing extraordinary work. De-glamorising him was necessary to give viewers a sense of reality, including his middle-class lifestyle, which comprises small cars, basic schooling for children and a crazy work schedule."
Bajpayee can't reveal too much about the second instalment, but promises that new entrant Samantha Akkineni will be the "head-turner". "We have many new actors from across India and it will be a fitting second season."
More About The Family Man
- The hospital seen in the show was a real one. The inauguration of a cancer ward was being done in between the shooting stint. The staff had requested Bajpayee to help inaugurate the ward, and he happily obliged.
- Co-director Krishna DK plays Nikhil, whose character is inspired by one of his entrepreneur friends, Anupam Mittal.
- Vijay Vikram, the actor playing Ajit, also apparently lends his voice to Bigg Boss. In between shots, he would rush back to dub for the running episodes of the Salman Khan-hosted show.
Cast Your Vote For The Hitlist Web Awards
- Manoj Bajpayee has been nominated in the Best Actor (Male) category for Amazon Prime Video's The Family Man. The other nominees are:
- Arjun Mathur (Made In Heaven; Amazon Prime)
- Nawazuddin Siddiqui (Sacred Games S02; Netflix)
- Vikrant Massey (Criminal Justice; Hotstar)
- Dhruv Sehgal (Little Things S03; Netflix)
- Mohit Raina (Kaafir; Zee5)
- There are 14 categories that the public can vote for. Log on to www.hitlistwebawards.com to cast your vote.
- You can also vote via SMS. Send HITLIST <space> category name <space> your choice (a/b/c/d as on the website) to 57575
- Voting lines for public open: February 14; close: March 8
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