Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 31, 2019)

“Digital shows have a massive reach globally which is why I love them,” says Sapna Pabbi, who has appeared in digital series such as Breathe, Four More Shots Please, and The Trip, among others. “I am really grateful for the opportunities I have been blessed with in my career so far. I came to Mumbai without a plan and it’s been seven years and I’m still enjoying the projects I get to be a part of. I think, it’s the best time to be an artiste, thanks to the web. It has opened so many doors for me. Though, I believe that it is the content that matters over the platform, overall,” she says.

After her last web show, Bombers, Sapna wrapped a cameo for a movie, which was recently shot in London, UK, and earlier shot for a short film with Aparshakti Khurana. “Apar is such a natural entertainer. We had a lot of fun on the shoot. He is so talented. He kept us up through the night shoots with his acoustic sing-alongs,” says Sapna, who is also excited that her film Drive co-starring Sushant Singh Rajput finally releasing on an OTT platform tomorrow.

Ask the actor if she has been typecast in the industry and Sapna says, “I really haven’t thought about that. But I do get that ‘series girl’ often, and, of course, the Khamoshiyan (2015) actor stuck for a bit. The songs of the film are still very popular. Personally, I feel all labels are temporary assumptions, so I try not to take them seriously. I make the choice whether they stick or not. Working on the web show, The Trip, changed things for me. I went for content that I enjoyed and believed in rather than thinking about the platform. And I’ve continued to work by that motto ever since,” she signs off.

Making her web debut with The Trip 2, Amyra Dastur on why it is refreshing to work with an all-women cast
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; October 2, 2018)

Amyra Dastur, who is the latest addition to the second season of The Trip, insists she couldn't have asked for a better show to mark her debut in the digital space. While one may assume her enthusiasm stems from the runaway success of the show's first season, her reasons are quite different. "I have grown up around women. My mom quit her job to take care of me, my aunt raised two daughters on her own. I always wanted to do a project that showcases the strength of a woman," asserts Dastur.

The Pondicherry shoot behind her, she has the highest regard for co-stars Shweta Tripathi, Sapna Pabbi and Mallika Dua. The industry has often perpetuated the notion that collaborations between female actors are accompanied by catfights and ugly showdowns. However, Dastur emphasises that she has had a better experience working with women.

"There was no b**chiness among us. I have worked with insecure actors before; you finish the project and hope to never work with them again. Men are more b**chy than women. This industry is sexist. I hope the attitude changes, but that will take time," she says, adding, "I have been in a situation where I was asked to tone down my acting so that I don't overshadow my co-actor."

Considering the rest of the cast knew each other having worked together in the previous season, did Dastur feel left out? "Never! Sapna and I have been friends since 2014, and have often taken trips together. Right from the start of the shoot, they asked me to blatantly tell them if I felt left out. We would constantly hang out in the vanity van together."

Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; November 8, 2017)

Her understated performances in Masaan (2015) and Haraamkhor (2017) made critics sit up and take notice. Before one could bracket her as an arthouse performer, Shweta Tripathi sprung back on the scene with The Trip - a web series that couldn't be further removed from her previous projects. Signing on a light-hearted show, she says, is a deliberate attempt to continuously surprise the audience. As she returns with the second season of The Trip, Tripathi talks about forging a deep friendship with co-stars Mallika Dua, Lisa Haydon and Sapna Pabbi, and the joys of travel.

Will The Trip 2 kick off from where the last season left off?
Considering the last trip constituted my bachelorette party, I don't know if my character will be shown as a married girl this time. We'll know once the show goes on floors in January. I've heard that it'll be a road trip in Rajasthan, but there's no confirmation yet. This season too will be about the characters discovering themselves during the trip. I think travel helps you grow as a person.

Are all the protagonists reprising their roles in the new season?
Mallika, Sapna and I are on board. Since Lisa just had her baby, I'm not sure if she will be joining us. I hope all four of us get back together because the last season was a great experience.

Did you stay in touch with them in the interim?
Sapna and I manage to catch up. We are total health freaks, so we meet over salads or coffee. She does Pilates and I've got hooked on to it because of her [laughs].

Have you met Lisa and her newborn Zack?
We had planned to meet her, but it didn't work out as she has been travelling a lot. But, she has been sending us baby pictures regularly. I have been quite busy too. I had to travel to Paris and Busan for the screening of Haraamkhor at their respective film festivals.

Most of your films have won critical acclaim. Had you imagined this sort of appreciation this early your career?
Not in the least. I didn't know such films existed. I wanted to be the kind of actor who would wear a salwar suit and dance in the fields [laughs]. Now, as I attend film festivals, it all seems like a dream. I'm glad to balance my serious roles with something like The Trip, which is an opportunity to do something different.

Lead pair of John Abraham's long-in-the-making 'Satra Ko Shaadi Hai', Barun Sobti and Sapna Pabbi, hints at the film not seeing the light of the day
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; May 23, 2017)

John Abraham's big fat wedding on reel, 'Satra Ko Shaadi Hai', seems to have been called off for good. In the making for the past four years, the project stars 50-odd actors, with Barun Sobti and Sapna Pabbi in the lead. However, the duo have hinted that the film will not see the light of the day.

Barun, who is making a comeback to television with the third instalment of 'Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon', says, "I don't exactly know the status of that film, but I doubt it's ever going to come out. I finished shooting for it long ago."

His co-star Sapna says now may be 'too late' for a release given that it was initially slated to hit screens in 2015. "Earlier, I used to follow up with the director [Arshad Sayed] and the production house to find out the status of the film, but gave up after a point. Now it's too late, no? We had a lot of fun shooting, but I don't know the current status," she adds.

The film was supposed to be co-produced by UTV-Disney, but sources claim after the company folded up its Bollywood production arm, John has apparently not been able to arrange for funds for its release.

At the time of going to press, John remained unavailable for comment.

MUMBAI MIRROR (February 23, 2016)

When Sapna Pabbi was Goa-bound recently to attend a close friend's pre-wedding bash, she decided to extend the short vacation with a quick trip to Cape Town. "The couple haven't tied the knot yet so I don't want to reveal their identities and jinx it," the Khamoshiyan debutante told Mirror.

While in Goa, she soaked up the sun on Ashvem beach in a colourful bikini along with her Delhi-based lawyer friend, Prerna Arora. The gal pals were flatmates when the actress had first moved to the Maximum City. "As of now, I've gifted the soon-to-be-married couple with my presence," Sapna joked, adding that the duo was holding different functions in different states. "It's exciting," the beach bum exclaimed.

Born Into Brothels returns to Kolkata with Seema Biswas, Divya Dutta and Sapna Pabbi for a remake
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 18, 2016)

Ali Fazal on being single, upcoming films and how he picks them...
Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; January 31, 2015)


You play the lead role in Khamoshiyan, but Gurmeet Choudhary’s making his debut in it. Do you remember your own debut?
I do. And it was a couple of years ago. And I wish I had attended acting school. This is my learning process. I constantly pick Gurmeet’s (Choudhary) and Sapna’s (Pabbi) brains. I am the cheat here. For me, my co-actors are more important than me. I am more excited about them than they are about themselves. I have found a great friend in my co-star Sapna Pabbi. Our body language is different from the conventional lead pair.

Tell us about the character you play?
I play Kabir, a writer. He is a lonely character and a bit of a drunk but something saves him. He is stuck in the wrong motel and a mysterious girl is there. The characters I played so far, be it in Fukrey or Bobby Jasoos were light-hearted, subtle and those of a good boy. So much so, I don’t think the Bhatts wanted me!

How closely do you associate with your films?
For me, the film ends on the morning of the release. I haven’t seen any of my films — I only see a glimpse of it at the premiere. Khamoshiyan I watched a lot, because it was dubbed. After a point, it became irritating watching myself.

You haven’t seen 3 Idiots?
No, I haven’t. But now I will watch it as enough time has passed and because I am barely there in the film.

Why don’t you watch your films?
Because I am very critical about myself. I was hailed for Fukrey, it was a big hit. However, I think it was my shittiest performance. I remember telling director Mrighdeep Lamba to cut all my dialogues and make me a mute, I would have had a better impact that way than what we did... though it worked for the film.

What do you look for in a role?
At the basic level, I should not get bored! The script matters, not just your role and screen time.

Recently, you were linked to your co-star Sapna...
(Laughs) That was because of a gig we did as part of the promotions. As I said, we are friends.

Are you seeing someone?
I wish I was. I am a romantic at heart, I love being in love. But I guess I have kind of kept it all for the film. I have been working the whole year, and no regrets. But this Valentine’s Day, I will be alone.

Which actor do you admire?
Sanjay Dutt, he is my all-time favourite. My heart goes out to him. I wrote him a letter the first time he went to jail, I don’t know if he got it or not. He’s my superstar. Salman Khan is Bhai, he is sweet. Shah Rukh Khan is the producer of my film Always Kabhi Kabhi. He is one of the most honest people in the industry.

Tell us about your role in Fast and Furious 7?
I can’t tell you about the role except that I don’t play an Indian, I have a heavy accent and wear atrangi clothes. I remember the first day of my shoot was the first day of the movie. It was Paul Walker’s birthday. I was excited because Kurt Russell was there. A lot of actors are making special appearances — Tony Jaa, Jason Statham, etc. Jason is the main villain and the only guy I didn’t meet. The last we shot for the film was in Abu Dhabi after Paul’s death. He had shot 60 per cent but you will see him in the remaining 40 per cent too. We were taken to this VFX room, like The Matrix, there was one chair, LED globes, 17 cameras, animation graphics etc, and a Paul puppet.

What’s your Indo-American film For Here Or To Go about?
It’s about an Indian techie in the Silicon Valley and how during the green card scam, several people were asked to go back home. He waited for long to be called back and when he got the green card, he refused to go and became a big entrepreneur in India.

If offered a big Bollywood film and a Hollywood project at the same time, which one would you pick?
I wouldn’t know my natural reaction at that time. I know the Homeland people had approached me and were asking for dates that I had allotted for Khamoshiyan. So there was no question of doing that.

Sapna Pabbi lashes out against Vikram Bhatt as she reacts to his comments about her.
MUMBAI MIRROR (January 30, 2015)

Actress Sapna Pabbi, who is debuting in Khamoshiyan, has been blasted by filmmaker Vikram Bhatt (the writer of Khamoshiyan) and looks like she is in no mood to take it lying low. Vikram and Sapna's fall-out has been evident for a while and it started at the shoot of the film where Sapna after agreeing to doing some intensely erotic scene went back on her words. Vikram and Sapna's debate at the shoot over the bold scenes had resulted into a big argument and the subsequent fall-out between the two.

Sapna had realized that the scenes in the film were very important as sees plays a manipulative seductress who captures the soul of men and that she had physical relationships with two men - Gurmeet Choudhary and Ali Fazal. However, the incident has left a bad taste between the two and Vikram's comment on her has got Sapna going.

When questioned, Sapna lashed out saying, "Vikram Bhatt is a filmmaker and not a passion peddler and I did not expect them to have such strong, bold scenes in the film. I did them because I realized that the film demands it. However, Mr. Bhatt should know that I'm no Sunny Leone." Looks like Sapna - Vikram's cold war is snowballing into a huge fight.

Khamoshiyan releases on January 30.

MUMBAI MIRROR (January 28, 2015)

MUMBAI MIRROR (January 23, 2015)

Mahesh Bhatt's production Khamoshiyan that stars Gurmeet Choudhary, Sapna Pabbi and Ali Fazal is an erotic film that has the actors shed their inhibitions to pull off extremely steamy scenes with each other. The theme of the film, that sees a mysterious woman seduce two men with her body and charm and capture their souls, required the actors to do some intense and romantic love-making scenes. And Mahesh Bhatt feels that all the three actors have been very gutsy to pull these scenes off.

Mahesh Bhatt says, "It is extremely difficult to do such scenes. It requires actors to let go of their bodies completely in front of the camera and these three actors have done so effortlessly. Sapna has managed to play the role of a woman who gives her body to men who think she is in love with, only to manipulate them later. Ali plays a helpless guy addicted to Sapna's charm and body and wants her at any cost despite her being married. Gurmeet on the other hand wants to possess Sapna's heart and body but doesn't realise that it is Sapna who is manipulating him to take control of his heart and body. It is an interesting sexual chemistry and relationship that the actors have."

Khamoshiyan releases on January 30.

Mahesh Bhatt on the importance of introducing newcomers and the need to keep away from established actors
Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; January 22, 2015)


Your film has got an ‘A’ certificate. Are you okay with it?
Actually, I am very happy that we have finally come of age. There was a time when films were given ‘A’ certificate, and mutilated. I used to feel very bad about how disrespectful we are as a nation to adults who we feel are not capable of seeing the kind of content we make in Hindi cinema. In this age of Internet, the content that individuals can access is far more shocking and mindboggling compared to what we can put on screen. In such an age, our cinema is far behind. We have a censor code and we can only go so far, and not beyond the prescribed limit. I appreciate the efforts by CBFC keeping in time with changing values. In the last 10 years, more changes have taken place than 3000 years ago.

Won’t the certificate affect the selling of satellite rights?
No, because there is a separate toned-down version for TV, just like the way airlines have a modified version because all age groups are there. Images and sounds not ideal for universal consumption are deleted and made suitable for wholesome consumption.

Tell us about the casting.
The credit goes to Karan Darra. He saw Sapna Pabbi in 24 when he was recuperating from dengue in Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital. He liked her and wanted to cast her. Even Ali (Fazal) was his idea in fact he insisted that we cast him. The youthful look of the film is because of him. Gurmeet (Choudhary) was recommended by Mukesh Bhatt’s wife, who is an avid TV viewer.

Khamoshiyan is an erotic thriller...
I would like to believe it is the reinvention of the same idiom that we discovered in the 21st century with Raaz. However, instead of a man in the centre with two women, here there’s a woman with two men. It’s a triangular drama with some sprinkling of the supernatural. Somebody aptly described the film as a supernatural and love story movie side-by-side, a difficult feat for a writer-director to achieve. The film is essentially the story of an author who goes in search of his next book, stumbles upon a woman with complications and a paranormal relationship.

What is it about newcomers that attracts you?
I prefer to work with newcomers because of their zeal and enthusiasm. We talk about new people and yet work with the old ones. We need to be brave and dare to work with fresher talent. Otherwise, your quest for safety and security makes you repetitive. You are like a frog stuck in a little cesspool.

You rarely work even with the ones you have introduced and are established...
That’s because I am always looking for new people and my commitment to them is absolute. Old people come back to work with us but we don’t lean on them. That can have a crippling impact. You launch a new person, and he/she becomes a star because of the overwhelming support and it can become a dicey situation for your own psychological and economic safety. That’s where your own fire to find people starts diminishing.

You must be proud of the people you’ve introduced...
Yes. Everyone from Anupam Kher, Nadeem Shravan, Mohit Suri, Vikram Bhatt, Anurag Basu, Bipasha Basu, Pooja Bhatt, the list is endless. Besides, there are innumerable technicians like Saeed Qadri, singers Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Atif Aslam. But they become stars because of what they have inherently. My company helps them flower.

Do actors you’ve introduced want to work with you again?
Yes, John (Abraham) keeps sending me messages that he would give his right arm to work with me after Jism. Ajay (Devgn) and I did an exceptional film (Zakhm). He, too, messages me. That is their way of expressing affection, but it doesn’t mean I should land up at their doorstep the next day and say, ‘Let’s do a film!’.

Music’s been a hallmark of your films...
I learnt this from my boss Raj Khosla. An Indian film with great music has more chances of sailing home to safety. I feel this is a lesson we learnt very early in the 90s with Aashiqui. Ever since then, we have been adhering to this formula, though it’s very difficult. Now, music comes from various sources instead of one person. It’s a collective view of a song. Music is a good precursor for a film. For instance, there is awareness of Khamoshiyan. It is going to open well and with the kind of mathematics we have, it will romp home by the weekend.

Your take on the new generation of actors?
They have a superior understanding and are more cinema-literate. Performances are exceptional. They are head and shoulders above the previous generations. But it takes time to groom people and nudge them to their own potential.

Will we ever see you directing a film again?
No, I am doing this job with great excitement. It is comforting and fulfilling to create destinies rather than films because movies have a shelf life. Human lives touch other human lives. I am taking a balcony view and playing a far more challenging job than merely directing.

Among the newbies, see anyone with the passion that you had?
I don’t think you should humiliate the present generation by the yardstick of yesterday. We were the by-products of that time. There are young filmmakers who are very passionate and creating their own idioms. I look forward to Mohit Suri’s Hamari Adhuri Kahani.

Your thoughts about the subjects being made today, considering you made films that were ahead of their time?
Well, I don’t see that kind of human drama exploring the heart in all its complexities in the times we live in. There is an urgent need to return to that and I am glad I have done that with Hamari Adhuri Kahani, which I have written.

Your thoughts on Alia Bhatt...
Alia is in the driving seat. She is self-made and created her own brand. She is a self-sufficient girl of today, a star in her own right. I am proud of what she has achieved without her father’s help. She is really a chip of the old block!

What was your reaction to Pooja Bhatt separating from her husband Manish Makhija?
She is the captain of her fate. It’s her life. She decides I stand by her decision.

Sapna Pabbi who has gone topless for her debut film admits to her growing friendship with her director
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 5, 2014)

BOMBAY TIMES (December 21, 2014)

Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; November 29, 2014)

With curtains coming down on the shoot of Karan Darra’s Khamoshiyan, the cast and crew had a wrap- up party in Cape Town, South Africa, on Sunday night. Giving them company at a local pub was filmmaker Mohit Suri, who also happened to be in the same city that night.

The grapevine suggests that the lead pair Gurmeet Chaudhary and Sapna Pabbi, along with Karan went on a drinking spree although they had to catch an early morning flight to the city. Inebriated, they headed straight to the airport, only to be debarred from boarding their plane, say sources.

A source reveals, “There was a minor ruckus at the airport. They were all very drunk and Gurmeet threw up near the airline counter. The airport staff was in no mood to let them board the flight but later, gave in to their requests.”

Karan confirms about having taken his cast out for a drink but denies knowledge of any commotion at the airport. “I have worked with Mohit all my life and as he was happy about my debut film, he wanted to buy me a drink. So we did go out drinking. But everything at the airport was smooth. I don’t know about Gurmeet throwing up as I was busy with the check-in,” he adds.

Gurmeet, too, refuted the allegation of being drunk and vomiting. He says, “I have been travelling and working round the clock, and was a little unwell. I don’t drink at all. This rumour does not have any truth to it.”

Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; May 30, 2014)

If sources are to be believed, actor Ali Fazal might just feature in the upcoming episodes of popular American TV series, Homeland. The actor, who was recently in the news when he bagged a role in The Fast and the Furious 7, has apparently been offered a part in the TV show. What’s more, actress Sapna Pabbi, who played Anil Kapoor’s daughter in the Indian version of the show, 24, may also be a part of Homeland.

Says a source, “Ali Fazal and Sapna Pabbi auditioned for the show, Homeland. Sapna has apparently been offered the role of a medical student while Ali too has been offered a role in the show.”

But the source adds that the two actors are still in talks with the show’s production house. “The auditions are currently on and nothing has been finalised as yet. In any case, both of them have other commitments lined up, so they are still figure out their schedules and confirm anything,” says the source.

Ali Fazal remained unavailable for comment whereas Sapna Pabbi’s spokesperson too remained tightlipped about the news. “It’s too early to say anything right now,” was the spokesperson’s response.

BOMBAY TIMES (April 30, 2014)

In India, festivals and weddings are celebrated with fun and fervour. Not surprising then that Disney India’s next, Satra Ko Shaadi Hai, revolves around a big, fat Indian wedding! The movie, announced today, will be produced in association with John Abraham’s JA Entertainment and Shoojit Sircar’s Rising Sun Films. With an ensemble cast of 50 actors, the story is based in Bhopal and aims to capture a desi shaadi in its entirety — inflated egos, rooftop romances, messed-up arrangements, generation gaps, dance, music, family bonding and an overdose of emotions. Directed by debutant Arshad Syed, the film will have newcomers Barun Sobti and Sapna Pabbi in lead roles.

Says John, “We ensure that we bring our audience stories that are original, innovative and delivered by the best in the business. Weddings have a deep emotional connect with every Indian and we loved the manner in which Arshad’s script has captured its true essence.”

“Satra Ko Shaadi Hai promises to entertain audiences of all ages and will depict a wedding like never before,” adds Siddharth Roy Kapur (Managing Director, Disney India).

An equally excited Shoojit says, “With the studio’s significant experience and robust distribution network and John’s charm available to this project, I, on my part, will help the director deliver his vision.”

The film is slated to release in 2015. 
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Subhash K Jha (DNA; April 30, 2014)

In his first production Vicky Donor, John Abraham had done a special promotional song. Now in his next production, quirkily titled Satra Ko Shaadi Hai, he will make a guest appearance but this time, it is not a song.

The film is a small-budget whimsical rom-com directed by writer Arshad Syed who penned another witty marital comedy Shaadi Ke Side Effects. SKSH is shot entirely in Bhopal and stars television actor Barun Sobti (of Iss Pyar Ko Kya Naam Doon), Harshvardhan Rane (model-turned-actor who has done three Telugu films), Ridhima Sood (seen in Ballad Of Rustom) and Sapna Pabbi (Anil Kapoor’s daughter in 24).
Shedding light on the film, co-producer Shoojit Sircar says, “It’s set in Bhopal during a wedding and shows the fun ride that ensues. It’s about two different families, their problems, confusions and disputes... all the drama, tension and humour comes tumbling out.”