Showing posts with label Sanjay Mishra. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sanjay Mishra. Show all posts
I myself don’t understand why I have not been getting work on OTT-Sanjay Mishra
8:32 AM
Vishakha Pandit (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 18, 2025)
With a career spanning over three decades across films, television, and OTT, Sanjay Mishra has chosen to return to his theatre roots. The actor, last seen in Son Of Sardaar 2, recently stepped back on stage with Ghasiram Kotwal.
“I feel honoured to be back performing in front of a live audience with what is considered to be a very profound play,” he tells us.
On what drew him back to plays, Mishra explains, “I am keen to play different characters. Years into my career, I didn’t have anything new coming my way, so I turned to the stage. With plays, you instantly connect with the audience. The thrill and pressure to perform in front of a live audience can’t be described. In films, you can do multiple takes. But here, you have to deliver it to every seat. A director cannot sit and edit your performance.”
The 61-year-old’s last OTT projects were Bed Stories and Vadh in 2022. Asked why he has been absent from the streaming space, he says, “I myself don’t understand why I have not been getting work on OTT. Having said that, I have been focusing on films for a while; cinema do ghanta ki peshkash hoti hai. Meri samajh ke hisab se, maaro toh sixer hi maaro warna na maaro. Aisa koi role karne ka kya fayda hai jisko nibhane mei mazza bhi na aaye? Aur kaafi waqt se kuch interesting aaya bhi nahin hai.”
Despite his long career, Mishra insists he is still learning. “As an actor, I can only focus on my performance. If my movie does not earn money, what can I do? For me, I have tried my best. These days, there’s a shortage of good stories. One film works, the filmmakers focus on making sequels. Just because the first one worked doesn’t assure you the others will too. Some films are evergreen and can’t be remade or get sequels, like Sholay (1975) and Mughal-E-Azam (1960). It’s not something that’s just happening in Bollywood but also across the globe,” he says.
Meanwhile, the actor is immersing himself in his latest production, originally written and performed in Marathi in 1972. Now translated into Hindi, Mishra says he approached the adaptation with caution. “One has to try and keep the authenticity intact, but I try to break it a little. This is the case with any character that has been played before,” he concludes.
Faizan Bazmee on his directorial debut with Postman: "My father helped me learn things"
9:34 AM
Making his directorial debut with the drama ‘Postman’, Faizan Bazmee on exploring diverse genres even as he admires his father Anees’s command over comedies
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; August 12, 2025)
It’s not a case of like father, like son. One look at the poster of Postman is enough to tell you that Faizan Bazmee’s maiden directorial offering is poles apart from the comedies his father Anees Bazmee helms. “I love watching his comedy films. Writing comedies is difficult. I am still trying to build that skill. I want to be able to write all genres. But what I like about drama is that you can present a collage of emotions,” says Faizan, who has co-written the Sanjay Mishra-starrer with Shwet Parekh.
Three years ago, when the two friends cracked the idea of a postman delivering a letter that would change his life, they wanted to develop it as a feature film. But keeping the budget in mind, they mounted it as a short film instead. Finding a trusted actor and a producer is challenging for a first-time director. Did being Anees’s son ease the process for him?
“There is an advantage — people know me because of my father, and I can get contacts. But if you’re not focused on your work, no one will want to work with you. Even if I met Sanjay through him, if he didn’t like my idea and the story, he wouldn’t have done it.”
One wonders if there were discussions about Anees producing his maiden venture. Not at all, says Faizan, before adding, “My father helped me learn things. He made me work on other people’s sets more. I have worked as a second, third, and fourth assistant director. My father also tells me to watch as many films as possible.”
Sanjay Mishra returns to theatre with Hindi adaptation of Ghashiram Kotwal: "The goal is to provoke, not preach"
10:59 AM
Sanjay Mishra on returning to theatre with Hindi adaptation of political satire, ‘Ghashiram Kotwal’, that can spark dialogue
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 7, 2025)
Sanjay Mishra is looking forward to endless rehearsals, long monologues, and facing real-time audiences as he returns to theatre with the Hindi adaptation of Ghashiram Kotwal (1972), the iconic Marathi political satire by playwright Vijay Tendulkar. Be it on stage or on screen, the veteran actor is known for his subtle performances, understated realism, and improvisational flair. But he insists it’s the stage where he truly lets loose.
“Theatre is a space where you can be braver,” says Mishra, who plays statesman Nana Phadnavis in the production.
Directed by Abhijit Panse and Bhalachandra Kubal, the play is set in 18th-century Pune under Peshwa rule. The story explores the murky nexus between power, politics, and morality, charting the meteoric rise — and eventual fall — of a man willing to barter his morals for authority. Mishra says he had been seeking “something challenging and that allows growth” when the opportunity came his way.
“Ghashiram Kotwal is an iconic piece of theatre with immense cultural and political relevance. When I was approached for this Hindi adaptation, the strength of the material and the clarity of the director’s vision moved me. I felt it was the right time to return, and to do so with a play that holds a mirror to society,” he shares.
While he has previously featured in politically charged films such as Newton (2017) and Bahut Hua Sammaan (2020), Mishra believes theatre delivers its message differently. “Both mediums require honesty, but theatre offers a certain immediacy that’s very powerful. [When] playing a character like Nana Phadnavis on stage, I try to remain neutral in interpretation, while focusing on the humanity and contradictions within him. The goal is to provoke thought, not preach.”
He adds that the play’s themes remain timeless. “I believe that in today’s world, where people are more aware and engaged, this play can spark meaningful dialogue. That, to me, is the real strength of theatre.”
It’s a sharp shift from his recent comic role in Son Of Sardaar 2, but Mishra embraces variety. He shares, “From Ankhon Dekhi [2014] to Vadh [2022], Golmaal [2006-2017] to Bhakshak [2024], I’ve defied typecasting. I believe that an actor should remain unpredictable for growth. I’m drawn to stories, not genres.”
We’re targeting 5 lakh viewers before the film is even made-Open Theatre founder Anand Raaj
8:19 AM
A still from Andaman (2024), the platform’s first crowdfunded movie
Kicking off a new project in Arjun Bewakoof, Open Theatre founder Anand Raaj decodes how the platform enables viewers to crowdfund indie films
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 3, 2025)
Last year, filmmaker Anand Raaj launched Open Theatre, an audience-driven OTT platform that houses indie films. He says the platform was born out of the frustration he felt at indie movies constantly being sidelined by streaming giants and distributors. “We’re building a community-driven platform, where the audience isn’t just watching the film, but also contributing through backing and crowdfunding,” says Raaj, who tried the experiment with the platform’s first original, Andaman, last year.
Encouraged by the response, Raaj and Smita Singh, the platform’s director, are now setting the stage for their second film, Arjun Bewakoof, starring Sanjay Mishra.
Their business strategy is simple — through social media, they spread the word about the film in development, and invite investments from the audience. When the film is made and eventually released on Open Theatre, the profits generated by its pay-per-view system are directed to the investors. Raaj adds, “With Andaman, we had sold more than 50,000 tickets in two months, and we made the audience profit partners.”
Singh reveals that they have started Arjun Bewakoof’s marketing, even though pre-production hasn’t started yet. “We’re targeting five lakh viewers before the film is even made. If we can make a film and recover the cost through our audience, it becomes a viable model. There is a studio in the US [Angel Studios] that makes films primarily through audience participation. We believe we can create that kind of community. Since we started the campaign for Arjun Bewakoof, more than 30,000 followers have joined our page,” says Singh, adding that they have got investments from at least 1500 members and are aiming for a capital of at least Rs 2 crore.
Filmmakers go all out to capture the grandeur of the Maha Kumbh Mela
9:43 AM
Deep Saxena (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 24, 2025)
The ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) is not only attracting devotees and spiritual tourists, but also filmmakers, who are going all out to capture the grandeur of the unique congregation for their projects.
While filmmaker Bharat Bala is currently shooting his film Khoj with actors Abhishek Banerjee, Shahana Goswami and Neeraj Kabi, Telugu director Boyapati Srinu has already shot portions of the Nandamuri Balakrishna-starrer, Akhanda 2 — Thaandavam.
Actor Sanjay Mishra shot a campaign film for Uttar Pradesh Police on cybercrime, and French filmmaker Bruno Aveillan also visited the Maha Kumbh to shoot for a project. Several documentaries are being filmed at the event as well.
Rati Shankar Tripathi, a line producer for Khoj, tells us, “Bala is in Prayagraj since January 27. First, he shot for another documentary and then we started the film. The film’s title is apt as it’s about a search. We are shooting with small and big cameras without disturbing the public movement.”
Line producer duo Niraj Tripathi, who has worked on Akhanda 2, shares, “We had all the permissions in place and shot in gorilla mode to not disturb people. We filmed at the tents, akharas, near the Sangam and other parts of the city.”
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is a new kind of horror. It surprises you at so many places-Anees Bazmee
6:52 AM
Yashika Mathur (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 1, 2024)
Filmmaker Anees Bazmee’s directorial Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is in theatres now. Starring Kartik Aaryan, Triptii Dimri, Madhuri Dixit and Vidya Balan, the horror comedy, initiated by Bhushan Kumar, brings back the tale of Manjulika. While the star-studded cast adds to the maker’s confidence, Bazmee says that right from the film’s scripting stage, he had great hopes.
“This star cast is such that you feel confident by signing them on. But even before that, we had the confidence that we were working on something beautiful and special, and all the people joined us because they loved the story that we narrated to them. They loved their characters, too,” says Bazmee.
The first Bhool Bhulaiyaa released in 2007, while the second one, led by Kartik Aaryan, released in 2022 and was a blockbuster. Now, bringing the third instalment of the franchise does make the filmmaker want to give an even better version.
Speaking about the USP of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, Bazmee says, “I think it’s tough to mention one USP. Ek toh the talented cast — Kartik, Vidya, Madhuri ji and pandits ka trio (actors Sanjay Mishra, Ashwini Kalsekar and Rajpal Yadav). Then, bahut khoobsurat kahaani hai, it’s a new kind of horror. It surprises you at so many places. And above all, Madhuri and Vidya ji ke saath khoobsurat gaana hai, Ami Je Tomar 3.0. There are a lot of USPs.”
Bazmee recalls how the movie evoked a positive feeling since day one. “When we shot the first scene and edited it, we got a good feeling. We felt it was looking good and everyone was in their character. The first two-three days of shoot were crucial, because everyone was coming together for the film after playing different characters [in different films]. For instance, Kartik did Chandu Champion. Vidya was in her character since day one. When we took the first shot of Madhuri, everyone on the set clapped for her,” he says.
Replacing Vijay Raaz in Son Of Sardaar 2 wasn’t easy-Sanjay Mishra
8:24 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (October 23, 2024)
Sanjay Mishra recently joined the cast of actor Ajay Devgn’s upcoming project Son Of Sardaar 2. The actor was offered the role as a replacement for actor Vijay Raaz, who faced an ugly exit from the film, with both him and the producers narrating different versions behind this decision.
When asked about stepping into Raaz’s shoes, Mishra told India Today, “I am done filming for Son Of Sardaar 2. All of this is a part of the business, to be very honest. I did the film because I got a call from Ajay Devgn. One call from him and that’s all it takes for me to say yes to him. He’s a close friend and has been there for me in tough times. Not just that, replacing Vijay wasn’t easy.”
Speaking about Raaz, Mishra added, “He’s a phenomenal actor, as we all know. At the back of my mind, it was surely playing that I needed to perform and deliver my best, especially because I replaced a fine actor like Vijay. We are also friends and will remain. I’m a fan of his work, and he’s amazing at what he does. This instead motivated me to better my performance, so I don’t disappoint my audience and Ajay, who always shows faith in me.”
Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak had earlier said that Raaz was ousted due to his ”behaviour” on set. Raaz had responded saying, “The only misconduct from my end is I didn’t greet Mr Ajay Devgn.”
Logon ko nahin pasand aayi, nahin dekhi, says Raghav Juyal on Yudhra's box office failure
9:47 AM
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 8, 2024)
Actor Raghav Juyal was on a roll with the success of Kill and Gyaarah Gyaarah this year, but his third release — Yudhra — failed to make a mark at the box office.
“Nahin pasand aayi hogi logon ko to nahin gaye honge dekhne. It’s as simple,” the actor says, adding, “If Yudhra had come first, I might’ve been disappointed but people recognized the actor in me with the previous two projects.”
But the 33-year-old asserts that Kill “changed my life completely”. Delving into serious and villainous roles, Juyal made a conscious decision not to do comedy. He explains, “To break an image, you need to do a path-breaking character. TV had also become monotonous for me. I wasn’t getting to try different things and the risk had reduced. It feels good to see that after 14 years people have realized that I am a good actor. It’s difficult to be patient for this long.”
Talking about how patient he has been over the course of his career, he adds how Yudhra was shot during the lockdown, but released after a gap of five years. “So, that time was stressful, just waiting for your films to get released for four-five years and for people to notice that you can act... Some of my art films are still in the box, including one with Ranvir Shorey (actor), a film with Namit Das (actor-singer) and one with Sanjay Mishra (actor),” he signs off.
Is it fair to sacrifice talented artistes at the altar of shoddy scripts?
8:20 AM
Talented actors are trolled and criticized for taking certain roles, but is it right to question only the performances?
Syeda Eba Fatima (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 8, 2023)
Sometimes, poor scripts are elevated by great performances. But, what do you expect when best of actors are given sketchy characters in a badly written story? Case in point: Gajraj Rao in Bholaa, Sanjay Mishra in Jogira Sara Ra Ra and more. Such actors, known for their versatility, were reduced to frivolous characters in certain projects, which left their fans, and audience at large, disappointed. The bigger question is: Is it fair to sacrifice talented artistes at the altar of shoddy scripts? Industry experts help us decode.
Actors state their reasons
‘FOCUS ON WHAT’S GOOD FOR ME’
Gajraj Rao says he’s “very selective” with picking films, thus he doesn’t regret taking up any role. “If I start getting bothered by what people like to see, I won’t be able to survive in this industry. I feel, you’re the best judge of your work, so I only focus on what I think is good for me,” he says.
‘CAN ONLY DO WHAT’S OFFERED’
Renuka Shahane was highly criticized for Govinda Naam Mera (2022), but she doesn’t take “vague opinions” seriously. “If you tell me that this role wasn’t good enough for me, it does not make sense to me. How is it going to change anything for me? I can only do what’s being offered.”
‘HAVE TO PUT BREAD ON THE TABLE’
Ronit Roy, who played Kartik Aaryan’s father in Shehzada, opines that decisions are often determined by several factors. “I have to create a balance between the films I like and projects that will facilitate putting bread on the table. I never feel short-changed because I sign the film knowing what my role is,” he says.
‘MAIN KYUN NA KARUN?’
Siddharth Jadhav was brutally trolled for his cringe acting in Rohit Shetty’s Cirkus (2022). He admits that sometimes actors sign up a film only to collaborate with a director and banner. “Kabhi kabhi achche logon ke saath kaam karna bhi impactful hota hai. That’s why I took up Cirkus and Radhe (2021), which had Salman Khan in the lead and was directed by Prabhudheva,” he says.
There are several factors at play, say trade experts
‘NOT THE ACTOR’S FAULT’
Taran Adarsh feels that actors’ judgement can in no way be blamed for a script misfire. “Actors very well know what they are signing up for. Nobody is cheating or lying to them or making false promises. This used to happen earlier when there was no hard bound script, but that’s not the case anymore,” he says.
LOST IN TRANSITION
Atul Mohan explains how at times, the character’s strength gets lost in script-to-screen transition. ”Paper par jo hota hai, wo bahut exciting hota hai. I’ve been part of so many narrations where the director described a character in such a way that any actor would get convinced. But it did not translate well in the final outcome.”
Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan jo bhi tha, mere liye bahut achha tha. Rates badh gaye me-Raghav Juyal
8:28 AM
Raghav Juyal says the Salman Khan-starrer has been a blessing for him; also talks about his days of struggle and why it wasn’t a ‘bad phase’
Vinay MR Mishra (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 7, 2023)
His latest Bollywood outing, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (KKBKKJ), may not have fared well at the box office, but for Raghav Juyal, the film has been a stroke of luck. The actor admits that his market value has boosted ever since he featured in the Salman Khan-starrer. With three big releases lined up, including films with producer Guneet Monga Kapoor and filmmaker Karan Johar, the dancer-turned-actor is liking how his career trajectory seems to be coming along.
All is well
Juyal played Khan’s brother in KKBKKJ and he admits that it was a great deal for him. “I am not in the league to worry about crores. For me, doing a 100-crore movie is enough. I don’t know what Salman Khan thinks about it. But for me, it has been good. You are as good as your last release. Jo bhi tha, mere liye bahut achha tha. Rates badh gaye mere,” Juyal shares.
Pushing the limits
The actor recalls pushing his limits for the film. “I worked double shifts for the movie. I would sleep in the vanity van and I even shot when I had dengue,” he recalls. While he is back to auditioning for other projects, he mentions how KKBKKJ was the only film for which he didn’t audition. “Bhai (Khan) called me,” he states.
Rejection se darr nahin lagta sahab!
Many actors find auditions intimidating, especially the criticism from casting directors that comes along. But Juyal looks at it differently. Recalling the time when he started auditioning for films while he was having a great ride on TV, he says, “Wohi (criticism) toh chahiye tha… I had a ghar, a car and everything was fine. I was getting crores on TV. But I like it when people point out my flaws. I’ve been rejected in auditions. When I started acting, main Sanjay Mishra (actor) ke ghar par pocha lagane ke liye bhi tayyar tha, as my motive was to learn.”
Waqt waqt ki baat hai
Juyal came to Mumbai in 2011 for a dance reality show and he’s amazed with how things turned around for him, professionally. “Main dancer banne aaya tha. Yeh sab kuch (career as an actor) bonus chal raha hai,” he quips. Back in the day, the 31-year-old worked at a dance studio. “I would stay back in the studio at times. It was jannat for me, as I got to practise all night and there was no rok-tok. There were struggles, but I never romanticised them. Ek vada pav mein pura din chalta tha. Back then, I used to live with 25 guys in a room. But I never looked at it as a bad phase. It was fun,” he reminisces.
68th Filmfare Awards: Salman Khan was at his witty best with co-hosts Ayushmann Khurrana and Maniesh Paul
8:43 AM
THE TIMES OF INDIA (April 28, 2023)
“They didn't let me be a ‘Miss’ and nobody made me a ‘Mrs’,” says actor Alia Bhatt’s character in an iconic scene from ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ in which she discards a written speech, calls for a chair onstage, sits on it, takes off her shades, looks the world in the eye and delivers an impromptu heartfelt talk. For channelling a 1950s’ Kamathipura sex worker with nuanced dignity, Bhatt—the white-swathed leading lady of the Sanjay Leela Bhansali movie—won a Black Lady for best actor in a leading role (female) at the 68th Hyundai Filmfare Awards 2023 with Maharashtra Tourism held at BKC’s Jio World Convention Centre on Thursday. The widely-acclaimed biopic was the undisputed queen of the evening, earning several trophies, including best film and best director for Bhansali.
Rajkummar Rao took home the best actor in a leading role (male) award for his meticulous portrayal of agay man in a sham marriage in director Harshvardhan Kulkarni’s heartfelt dramedy ‘Badhaai Do’.
The ceremony aptly began with the national anthem and Maharashtra’s minister of tourism, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, along with Amruta Fadnavis, wife of deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, lit the inaugural lamp.
“Maharashtra was always the film capital of India. To provide further momentum to the state to sustain its reign as film capital in the future, we are going to launch a single window system for movies soon,” said Lodha.
The ceremony, which marked the debut of Salman Khan as host and presenter at Filmfare Awards, packed enough of his signature moments to power an imaginary post-credits sequence in which the onstage actor gives his onscreen self a run for his box office collection.
Six days after the release of his latest flick ‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisiki Jaan’, Khan replicated the dance moves in the song ‘Naiyo Lagda’ from the film. Mike in a bracelet-clad hand, tongue in cheek and eyes on the prize, he was at his witty best with co-hosts Ayushmann Khurrana and Maniesh Paul.
“Without them, actors would be ‘nirvastra’ (uncovered),” said Khan while introducing the nominees for best costume design. “You understand ‘nirvastra’?” Khan asked Paul. “Yes sir, I have been ‘nirvastra' on many occasions,” came the reply.
Amid a sea of stars on the red carpet, actor Sanjay Mishra—who won the best actor (critics’ award) for his portrayal of a debt-ridden pensioner in the film ‘Vadh’—stood out with his silver beard and sunglasses.
Here, heads turned when statuesque models in cocktail gowns and glam ghagras posed for cameras and bobbed when music composer Anu Malik, who was flanked by his two daughters, broke into spontaneous Govinda and Salman numbers on cue. “Oonchi hai building. . . ,” Malik sang, snapping his fingers.
The whistles and cheers that ensued in the wake of each of the evening’s powerhouse performers—Vicky Kaushal, Govinda, Tiger Shroff, Janhvi Kapoor and Jacqueline Fernandez—matched cinema halls playing films starring the evening’s superstar host.
Those who dropped in early caught a sneak peek of Shroff’s parkour moves as he leapt off the stage and onto a mattress on the floor several times over.
The highlight reel included octogenarian actor Prem Chopra—the leading villain of many a Hindi film from the ’60s—winning the Lifetime Achievement award. “Prem. Prem naam hai mera. Prem Chopra,” said Chopra, reminiscing his iconic line.
The 68th Filmfare Awards 2023 is presented by Hyundai Motor India as the Title Partner, Destination Partner Maharashtra Tourism, Co-presented by Vimal Elaichi.
Janhvi Kapoor sets the stage afire at the 68th Hyundai Filmfare Awards 2023
Govinda mesmerizes the audience with their magical moves
Daughter feels that Nawazuddin Siddiqui can do justice to Kanhaiyalal in his biopic
8:47 AM
On Kanhaiyalal’s 40th death anniversary, daughter discusses following up the upcoming docu with a biopic on the iconic baddie
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; August 15, 2022)
In April 2021, mid-day had reported that Kanhaiyalal’s daughter Hemaa Singh was making a documentary on the late actor, who had become a popular villain in Hindi cinema between the ’50s and ’60s, most prominently as Sukhi Lala in Mother India (Big B, Dharmendra ji have paid tribute to dad, Apr 7).
On his 40th death anniversary yesterday, Singh said that the documentary — that sees Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Salim Khan, Javed Akhtar, Naseeruddin Shah, and many more paying tribute to her father — is in the final stages of being acquired by an OTT platform. Now, to offer a complete retelling of his contribution to cinema, Singh is writing a biography that she hopes to adapt into a biopic.
“In the documentary, we could only depict his life on the silver screen. My biography will give a lot of insight into the man behind the actor. It will showcase him as a family man, a benefactor who helped his relatives and the needy,” she says.
While the documentary has been helmed by Pawan Kumar, Singh will wield the directorial baton for the biopic. “Through the biopic, people will know about his love for writing and theatre, how he loved food, and was a champion of Marathi cinema. When he came to Mumbai, he didn’t want to become an actor.”
On her wish list to play Kanhaiyalal on screen are Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Sanjay Mishra. “I think Nawaz could do justice to Babuji. That said, there are many fine actors out there. I’d love to cast a top star,” she says.
Kanhaiyalal and Hemaa Singh
Aamir Khan goes to Rajasthan to shoot for a cameo for his production Pritam Pyare, which stars Junaid
7:51 AM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; May 13, 2022)
Laal Singh Chaddha may be his all-important project right now, but you can count on Aamir Khan to be just as involved in his other productions. In early May, he flew out to Rajasthan to shoot a cameo for his production, Pritam Pyare, which is led by actor-son Junaid Khan. The web series rolled in Lucknow, followed by a schedule in the Jhunjhunu district in the desert state.
Word is that the project is being helmed by one of the superstar’s associates from Aamir Khan Productions. “Aamir joined Junaid and the team in Rajasthan on May 1. He shot for a song, and some hospital scenes in Bagar over the week. Aamir, Junaid and co-actor Sanjay Mishra filmed their portions near the heritage property, Grand Haveli and Resort, located in old Nawalgarh. Some scenes were also canned around the Koolwal Kothi hotel in the city,” reveals a source.
It is heard that the superstar’s cameo influences the narrative of the quirky, small-town drama. Besides the web series, Junaid has Maharaja in his kitty, which marks his Bollywood debut.
mid-day reached out to Aamir’s team, who refused to comment.
Never in my wildest dream did I expect that someday I will be the face of a project-Sanjay Mishra
8:15 AM
Deep Saxena (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 12, 2022)
After his National School of Drama course, when actor Sanjay Mishra took up acting in early ‘90s, his only quest was to do impactful roles.
“My aim was just one — film chahe jaise bhi ho, people must say ‘Aap bahut acche thhe’, be it a comedy any other genre. Never in my wildest dream did I expect that someday I will be the face of a project. But, Ankhon Dekhi (2014) changed the game, followed by Masaan, Dum Laga Ke Haisha (both 2015) and Kadvi Hawa (2017). Thankfully, ab toh kamaal ka kaam aa raha hai,” he says while shooting in Lucknow.
He continues, “It’s rare that makers look at actors like us as a leading face of a project. Mukhya patra ke roop main log dekhte jaroor hain but himmat bahut kam log karte hain. But slowly, now it has started to happen. Drift has happened and the taste of audience has changed too. Hero, heroine ke alawa bhi ab kahaniyaan hain… due to which, now big productions houses see us as a leading face!”
Mishra further adds, “The best thing that happened to me is that so-called success came to me slowly but surely — warna log pagla jate hain (laughs). Climbing step-by-step, I kept my feet on the ground. And, that’s the reason I enjoy doing short films exploring deeper characters. The hunger to do new things keeps me going.”
The 58-year-old has an interesting mix of projects in his kitty. “I have shot for Rohit Shetty’s Cirkus, Anees Bazmee’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Colour Blind, Woh Teen Din... I shot a lovely film in Leh-Laddakh besides Teachers Day and Fugitive in Dehradun. Some more projects have happened but aajkal woh non-disclosure sign karwa lete hain sab…” he shares.
Last seen in 36 Farmhouse, Mishra laments that with the overflow of work, often he doesn’t have time to meet his family, “and my kids are solely dependent on their mother as I cannot give them time.”
Anupam Shyam passes away at 63 due to multiple organ failure
8:46 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (August 10, 2021)
Veteran actor Anupam Shyam passed away on Sunday due to multiple organ failure. He was 63. The actor, who was a part of the TV show Mann Ki Awaaz Pratigya 2, needed dialysis thrice a week. But he was glad to be working. Producer Rajan Shahi said, “I remember when we started with Pratigya season 2, he was extremely happy to work again and play his favourite character Sajjan Singh. He was always so lively and full of enthusiasm and will be remembered for his remarkable performances. I’m deeply saddened by his demise.”
Anupam Shyam, who hailed from Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh, started his career in 1993. He has been a part of Bollywood movies like Dastak, Dil Se…, Lagaan, Golmaal and Munna Michael.
Talking about the demise of Anupam Shyam, Masaan actor Sanjay Mishra says it’s like he has lost a family member. “He was like an elder brother to me, who always stood by me. Woh mere dukh aur sukh dono mein shamil rahte thay. When my father was ill, he reached before me and was present at the time of his death. Similarly, during my wedding, he was always around. No important occasion of my life was complete without him. He was an inspiration for all of us, especially his lehja and sense of humour. I always looked up to him for his comic timing. The only regret I have is I could not talk to him before his death though he had messaged me two days ago,” Sanjay shares.
On TV, apart from Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya, Anupam Shyam has also done shows like Rishtey, Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo, Doli Armaano Ki, Krishna Chali London and Hum Ne Li Hai Shapath. His co-actor from Agle Janam... Ratan Rajput recounts, “After pack-up, I used to sit and talk to him. He was fun-loving, but we had some interesting and deep conversations, too. He always shared his good experiences as well as the bad ones for me to learn from. Once he said, ‘Aap actor bankar parde par kya karte ho, usse jyada asal zindagi mein aap kya karte ho, voh jyada maaine rakhta hai.’ Those were some wise words that he shared, which I will never forget.”
Ratan adds, “We stayed in touch even after the show ended.”
I’ve been fascinated by the circus and I loved that Rohit Shetty decided on the title Cirkus-Sanjay Mishra
7:54 AM
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 18, 2020)
Sanjay Mishra recently shot near the Ganges for an upcoming film titled, Andaman (above), set against the backdrop of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, and revolving around a quarantine center in a remote village. The actor plays a saint in the social drama and his track is inspirational. The film marks the directorial debut of Smita Singh. “I came on board to support new talent,” asserts the veteran actor, pointing out that since the Covid-19 outbreak, many films are being made on personal experiences. “This one too will be relatable and touch on issues like depression due to job loss, struggle to earn a living and the like. Out of nowhere Corona came and changed our lives, throwing many of us into a dark abyss.”
During the last eight months, Sanjay, a self-confessed workaholic, spent time with his family which was satisfying but he admits that he missed being on a film set. “Like all Indians, I read books, worked from home, cooked meals as life suddenly went silent. I was a bit disturbed initially by the empty streets. But now, I’m all charged up and back to work,” he exults. He has four films— Gwalior, Holy Cow, Death On A Sunday and Kutub Minar — up for release and he is looking forward to seeing the audience returning to theatres.
After working with Rohit Shetty on films like the Golmaal franchise, All The Best and Dilwale, Sanjay is excited to reunite with him. He features in Cirkus, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors with Ranveer Singh and Varun Sharma in double roles, and Pooja Hegde and Jacqueline Fernandez as the female leads. He will join the gang before the month ends. “People expect a lot from me in a Rohit Shetty film, so I’m focusing a lot of energy on this character. I’ve been fascinated by the circus all my life and I loved the fact that Rohit decided on the title. It’s a laugh riot,” he promises.
Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh see a rise in film shoots amid the pandemic
8:29 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; October 16, 2020)
With the nation gradually opening up amid the Coronavirus pandemic, several filmmakers are eyeing hill stations for shooting. It seems that the hills have become a safe haven for B-Towners. Among the first few to resume the shoot, Shahid Kapoor has already wrapped up Jersey’s Dehradun schedule. Priyadarshan’s Hungama 2, starring Shilpa Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Meezaan Jaffery and Pranitha Subhash, is being shot in Manali. While Himachal Pradesh is now granting film shoot permits, Uttarakhand, which allowed film shoots in June, has seen higher numbers.
‘GIVEN PERMISSIONS FOR OVER 50 SHOOTINGS IN UTTARAKHAND’
Officials from the Uttarakhand Film Development Council say they have seen a confident return of filming in Uttarakhand in the last couple of months. K S Chauhan, Nodal officer, Film Facilitation Office, Uttarakhand, says, “From the end of June till now, we have given permissions for over 50 shootings, which includes films, web series, video songs and so on. Almost every day, I get three to four queries from big production houses for permission. They want to know if it’s safe to film in Uttarakhand or not, and we are assuring them that they can visit and shoot with all safety measures in place.”
Last month Sanjay Mishra shot for a film at Garhi Cantt and Shakti Kapoor shot for The Dark Jungle in Mussoorie, Maldevta and Dehradun. Sources say as schools in Dehradun are closed, production houses are even getting to shoot there, something which didn’t happen often earlier. Rati Shankar, a line producer, says, “From web series to films, everyone is coming to the hills for shooting — be it Himachal or Uttarakhand. Due to these film shoots, technical staff members who had left during the lockdown have also come back and joined their crews. Currently, we are handling two projects — one is a web series and the other project is a movie, which needs to be shot higher in the mountains. We are finalising a location for it.”
PRIVATE PROPERTIES FOR ACTORS, ENTIRE HOTELS BOOKED FOR CREW
In the pre-COVID days, actors used to stay at hotels, but now private properties are being booked to minimise exposure. Mayank Tiwari, a line producer says, “For instance, Shahid Kapoor, who is currently shooting for Jersey in Dehradun, is staying at a private resort. Similarly, there are hotels for crew members, where no outsiders are allowed and it is fully booked for the crew.” Nitin Pundir, another line producer, adds, “We are renting resorts for 25-26 days. This is the most prominent change that we have noticed during the current shoots as stars are trying to avoid exposure as much as possible.”
SANITISATION SERVICE PROVIDERS FROM DELHI ARE BEING HIRED
Before visiting hills, the entire cast and crew is being tested for COVID-19, and then weekly tests are organised to ensure that the whole crew is safe. Even though there’s no mandatory rule now to carry a COVID-19 negative certificate, they are still doing tests before visiting. For these film shoots, they are also hiring sanitisation service providers from Delhi.
SAFETY MEASURES BEING TAKEN
- COVID-19 test before visiting the hills
- Stars booking private resorts
- Entire hotels are booked for crew, no outsiders are allowed
- Sanitisation services are hired from Delhi
Had it not been for OTT projects, I’d be doing character roles in films or lead in TV shows-Shweta Basu Prasad
8:17 AM
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 8, 2020)
“OTT has given work to actors like me,” says actor Shweta Basu Prasad, who has five projects coming up this year on various online platforms. “I have never been this busy in my life. This is common for every actor like me who are getting good roles. Web projects give respect to writers who then create characters that can shine, so content has become king and due to that, actors like me are getting really substantial roles. Had it not be for OTT projects, I’d be doing character roles in films or lead in a TV show. Before The Tashkent Files (2019), I didn’t get good enough roles but now I am.” She has been enjoying doing projects on OTT including short films and web shows.
Prasad was noticed as a child actor in Makdee (2002) and Iqbal (2005) and recently was seen in Badrinath Ki Dulhania (2017), and the TV show Chandra Nandini (2016-2017).
Having being exposed to world cinema since childhood, she is glad that finally audiences are able to enjoy good content from around the world. “I am also enjoying watching actors like Neena Gupta, Pankaj Kapur, Kumud Mishra, Sanjay Mishra playing lead roles in OTT shows. It is a great time to be an actor as everyone is experimenting. (Actor) Vijay Varma said, that now actors are not feeling insecure that their prime is getting wasted. That time nikal raha hai as everyone is getting good work. People of all ages and all kinds of images are getting work, provided you are a good actor. In fact, in the pandemic taught us that we need art - books, music and cinema - to survive and this is the time,” she says.
Twist in tale: Narcotics bureau files case against Rhea Chakraborty, others
8:52 AM
Rajshekhar Jha (THE TIMES OF INDIA; August 27, 2020)
New Delhi: In a new twist to the alleged suicide case of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) registered a case on Wednesday to probe allegations of drug dealing and consumption involving the actor’s girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty and other friends.
When contacted, director general, NCB, Rakesh Asthana said, “An investigation has been put into motion and a five-member SIT (special investigation team) has been constituted to probe the case.”
The case has been registered on the basis of some documents, WhatsApp chat screenshots and a requisition letter sent to NCB by the Enforcement Directorate, sources said.
Director ED, Sanjay Mishra, is learned to have written to Asthana on Tuesday requesting to investigate the narcotics aspects of the case. The ED is probing charges of financial irregularities in the case.
Reacting to the reports, advocate Satish Maneshinde who represents Rhea Chakraborty said, “I am surprised the NCB has stepped into the case now when ED and CBI are already investigating. She is ready for a blood test anytime.” He also questioned the leak of chats bearing Rhea and her brother Showik’s signatures of August 10.
The operations unit of NCB under deputy director K P S Malhotra has been handed over the case. The Mumbai zonal unit will assist the team, an officer informed. “A preliminary inquiry was conducted at NCB. Initial findings and WhatsApp chats indicate a prima facie offence under sections of the NDPS Act is made out,” Malhotra told TOI.
Meanwhile, hotelier Gaurav Arya broke his silence amid allegations linking him to the matter. His lawyer Manu Sharma told TOI there is no substance in the allegations linking his client to Rhea. “Firstly these allegations that my client supplied any contraband to Rhea are false and baseless. He has had no contact with her for more than three years,” Sharma said in a statement.
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Agency acting on ED’s info on ‘deleted WhatsApp messages about banned drugs’
Somendranath Sharma (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 27, 2020)
Acting on information provided by the Enforcement Directorate on Rhea Chakraborty’s WhatsApp chats allegedly related to “banned drugs”, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Wednesday registered an offence against the actor under sections 20, 22, 27 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
These NDPS sections pertain to consumption of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances and abetment and criminal conspiracy. The alleged link has surfaced in connection with the criminal probe being conducted in Sushant Singh Rajput’s death.
The NCB Director General Rakesh Asthana held two rounds of meetings and directed his officials to file a case after going through the evidence.
They said the case was registered by the agency’s Operations Unit which is headquartered in Delhi. The unit has pan-India jurisdiction. A special team under the supervision of NCB Deputy Director (operations) KPS Malhotra has been constituted and officials from both Delhi and Mumbai units will carry out the investigation.
An official from the NCB said the ED had retrieved deleted WhatsApp data of Rhea’s phone and had come across information indicating that she was in touch with some people dealing in drugs. “The ED has shared names of these people and we will question all of them. It is important to know how the drugs were being procured and who the clients are. It is premature to reveal anything at this point and we have just registered an offence,” the official said.
Rhea’s lawyer Satish Maneshinde has vehemently denied the drug link allegations made against the 28-year-old actor. “Rhea has never consumed drugs in her life ever. She is ready for a blood test,” he had said.
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‘Time of death, last meal missing from PM report’
Abhishek Sharan (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 27, 2020)
The CBI on Wednesday quizzed late actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s former cook Neeraj Singh, his friend Siddharth Pithani, and an employee of an Andheri hotel where he allegedly stayed for several weeks. The CBI team is also trying to find out if there was any delay in conducting the autopsy on June 14-15. As per officials, the report allegedly did not cite the probable time of the death and the actor’s last meal. The CBI has also questioned a former staffer to verify if a SIM card used by Rajput was procured using his ID.
Image: Chandan Roy Sanyal resumes shooting with Sanjay Mishra for Woh Teen Din in Benaras
8:14 AM
Chandan Roy Sanyal talks about resuming shoot for Raj Ashoo's Woh Teen Din also starring Sanjay Mishra
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; July 19, 2020)
While Sanjay Gupta has delayed the shoot of Mumbai Saga and other filmmakers are still contemplating their next move, director Raj Ashoo has already set up camp in Benaras for his next. The filmmaker has taken his cast and crew to complete the shoot of the Chandan Roy Sanyal and Sanjay Mishra-starrer Woh Teen Din.
The slice-of-life film revolves around the hilarious interaction between a passenger and rickshaw puller played by Sanyal and Mishra, respectively. To ensure a smooth filming process, Sanyal flew to Benaras two days prior to the shoot and will be in the city for 10 days. The shoot is set up in Chunar, a small town in the district of Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh.
Stepping out after four months due to Coronavirus lockdown, Sanyal says he is tad paranoid, but excited to begin work. Sharing pictures of his experience in Banaras, he says, "Stepping out after four months, I feel like a beginner. I'm relieved that the makers are handling the safety of the cast and crew wonderfully. It is amazing to be working with Sanjay Mishra for a film that has such a unique story."
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