Showing posts with label Sardar Ka Grandson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sardar Ka Grandson. Show all posts
I reminded Allu Arjun that he had told me during Sarrainodu that he wants to put Telugu cinema on world map-Rakul Preet Singh
8:27 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; April 23, 2022)
After a two year lull due to the pandemic, life is more than looking up for Rakul Preet Singh — be it with a string of films set to release in theatre this year or matters of the heart. In a conversation with Bombay Times, the actress opens up about the many exciting experiences she’s been through recently, like reuniting with Ajay Devgn after De De Pyaar De (2019) for Runway 34, which is also being directed and produced by the actor and headlining interesting projects featuring her in diverse characters. Excerpts…
Runway 34 is your second film hitting the big screen within a month. Isn’t that really exciting after a lull for over two years?
It’s a great relief to be back in the theatre… I’ve been missing it a lot. There have been times when the wait seemed too long, but now I am very excited because of the films that have been lined up for release this year. My role in each of these films is distinct, and they are all theatrical experiences.
So, the wait has worked in your favour. You have always emphasized the desire to play diverse characters from the beginning of your career. Do you see that happening now?
Well, if you ask me what excites me to go to the set, then this is precisely the reason — doing something different as an actor every day! If I am stepping into the shoes of a character I’ve never played before, then the amount of work it requires from me gives me an adrenaline rush. Besides, I am an actor, my job is not to just play myself in every film. Having said that, I would like to add that I want to do commercial films as well — the naach-gaana type. A movie like De De Pyaar De (DDPD) had immense scope to perform. I believe I can attain that kind of diversity; I hope the makers see that, too. I have been lucky with scripts that have come to me so far — right from DDPD, Sardar Ka Grandson to Attack and Runway 34. Fortunately, the films releasing this year will give a glimpse into the diversity that I have explored. I hope they will change the kind of scripts that come my way, and I am hungry for that.
You had said that when a movie releases in a theatre, it gives an actor a reality check. Do you worry about the box-office figures?
I would be lying if I say that I don’t. Like it or not, the box-office numbers define the success of a film. Personally, success, for me, is standing by a good project. However, your position in the market changes with the box-office numbers a film rakes in, even if your role is inconsequential. Sometimes, an actor may have delivered a great performance in a smaller film, but people don’t know about it because that project is not a box-office success. The influx of digital has changed that — the films and performances get appreciated, irrespective of the scale or lack of box-office numbers. There has to be a balance between the two, so don’t decide the fate of everyone associated with a film on the basis of the box-office numbers. It shouldn’t take away from the efforts put in by the director and the actors. We have been through challenging times in the past two years, and the need of the hour is to come together to support every film.
You are reuniting with your De De Pyaar De hero Ajay Devgn in Runway 34, and this time around, he is also directing the film. How was the experience?
It’s been an amazing experience. I have always heard that Ajay sir is one of the most technically-aware actors. Being directed by him was a novel experience. Runway 34 is not an easy film. He is producing, directing and acting in it… I don’t know how he dons multiple hats at a time. It’s difficult to shoot on a plane and capture that kind of turbulence and emotions. He had seven cameras in the cockpit to avoid missing out on any expression and used a real simulator cockpit. It was a completely new experience for me to see someone directing a difficult film and acting in it. The space I worked in with Ajay sir earlier was a slice of-life film, but Runway 34 is a serious and hard-hitting one, so the temperament was very different on the set.
So, who do you like more — Ajay the actor or Ajay the director?
Why do I have to choose? (laughs!). On a serious note, Ajay sir knows exactly what he wants. He is extremely aware, focused and there is so much to learn from him. He has been in the industry for so many years, so it’s amazing to learn the craft from his understanding of it.
You have struck a fine balance between Bollywood and South cinema. Earlier, the popular opinion was that Bollywood was the ultimate destination for every actor, but the scenario has changed today. How does it feel to see the regional cinema flourish and prosper today?
It’s great. I began my journey there and owe my learning and growth to Southern cinema. I also get my punctuality from there (smiles!). The amount of love I got from the industry and people is irreplaceable and to see that cinema flourish makes my heart happy. When I was shooting with Bunny (Allu Arjun) for Sarrainodu (2016), he said that he wanted to put Telugu cinema on the world map. So, when Pushpa released, I called him and reminded him of that. It’s heartening to see them do so well. Ultimately, that’s how it should be. The language should not be a deterrent or the deciding factor. Imagine the kind of varied content these industries can produce as one unit. Only we can do it because we are such a diverse country.
You have spoken about the importance of the three F’s — films, fitness and food in your life, now there is an ‘L’ as well (she is dating actor producer Jackky Bhagnani).In fact, in an interview, you had mentioned that you wanted to date a guy who was taller than you, and you should be able to look up to him even when you are wearing heels…
And that happened (laughs!). I think I send my message out to the universe. Love is important in everyone’s life. Having a partner is as normal as having friends and family. It’s a happy space to be in. Why does any relationship have to be baggage? No relationship, whether it is your partner, friends or parents, should give you stress in life. If it’s stressful, then it’s not needed.
When Naseeruddin Shah says, ‘I saw your work and you were fantastic,’ it’s an overwhelming feeling-Arjun Kapoor
8:17 AM
Actor Arjun Kapoor talks about having a busy 2021 and how focus on his personal life affects him, at times
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 27, 2021)
Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar (SAPF), Sardar Ka Grandson and Bhoot Police — actor Arjun Kapoor had a rather eventful 2021. Grateful to have received the chance to entertain audiences even during the pandemic, he says, “You have to be grateful and have humility in accepting that at a time when the world was in chaos, work was happening for me and I received love for it. It’s great to stay connected with the audience, reconnect with them and remind them that I’m here to act and earn my bread and butter by entertaining them.”
SAPF had a theatrical release and it earned him critical acclaim for his portrayal of a Haryanvi police officer. That made 2021 “a professionally satisfying year” for the actor. “My effort has been noticed by the upper echelon, who care about credible work,” says Kapoor, adding, “When Naseeruddin Shah (actor) says, ‘I saw your work and you were fantastic,’ or when Kumud Mishra (actor) says, ‘You didn’t even slip in your accent even once’, it’s an overwhelming feeling.”
The film “is still paying dividends”, admits the 36-year-old: “Even the critics have had a conversation about it. The film had its own share of ups and downs, and we had to wait a long time for its release, but eventually, it worked out.”
Apart from his work, he has also been in the news for his relationship with actor Malaika Arora. Quiz him if it bothers him and he admits, “Sometimes I feel it’s a little unfair, but it’s passable. I respect the boundary till a certain degree to which people can have an opinion, beyond which if they get too personal, I don’t enjoy it.”
Piracy is at an all time high in the age of OTT releases
8:18 AM
Black Widow to Shershaah, this year’s most-awaited films were pirated soon after their digital release. What makes OTT platforms so vulnerable?
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; August 29, 2021)
Ahead of their digital release in India, Black Widow and Cruella have both been available on pirated films’ websites here for months, following their international streaming release. Not just Hollywood, even the latest Bollywood flicks like Shershaah, AK vs AK, Mimi, Toofaan, Sardar Ka Grandson, and Roohi were immediately available on such sites post their digital release in India. Pirated versions of most films released on digital platforms are made available before or on the same day through links on WhatsApp and Telegram groups. In some cases — like Salman Khan-starrer Radhe, which released in May this year — pirates have been daring enough to even announce the sale of the movie on Facebook after its release and three persons were arrested under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act and the Copyright Act in this particular case.
People from the industry find piracy with regard to OTT releases especially worrying, as not only can the films be pirated easily after they release digitally, but also because illegally downloadable versions of the films are just as good in quality as the originals.
‘UNLIKE BEFORE, NOW QUALITY OF PIRATED FILMS AT PAR WITH ORIGINAL’
Yogesh Raizada, an exhibitor, says, “Easy availability of high quality downloads of latest releases is worrisome. Earlier, pirates would record in cinemas and only poor quality versions were available on pirated films’ websites. People used to also avoid watching pirated films because of bad quality.”
Many avid streamers tell us they watch pirated content because it’s free and high definition versions are easily available. One user says, “I’m already paying for broadband. Now, if I start paying for every service that I use online, then what’s the point? Also, I don’t download pirated films. My friends send links.”
Another user says, “I don’t download Japanese, Spanish or Korean films, as in most cases the subtitle file is missing, and it is impossible to understand these without them. I only watch Hindi and English films on websites with pirated films.”
WHY DON’T FILMMAKERS COMPLAIN AGAINST OTT PIRACY?
Few arrests have been made related to OTT piracy, as according to Anyesh Roy, DCP, Cyber Cell, Delhi Police, they haven’t received any complaints yet. So, what is stopping the producers from taking collective action? Lawyers say that while streaming content and pirates have moved on to far better technologies, the law has not caught up yet and that’s why enforcement of the Copyright Act is difficult.
There are several steps that can be taken to stop piracy. Vivek Narayan Sharma, a Supreme Court lawyer, says, “Producers should contact the police if their film is pirated and ensure that an FIR is registered, so investigations can follow. The reason why producers stay away from any legal action is because of the long procedure, but film piracy is a mass violation of copyright. Platforms where these films are circulated should also be made a party to it and it is the liability of these platforms to remove the content. Last year, newspapers went to the Delhi High Court stating how their PDF copies were shared through chats and the court ordered that unauthorised dissemination be stopped. If producers or film bodies will contact the court or the government will step in to create a mechanism then it can be stopped. The court can give an injunction to stop its circulation on unlicensed platforms if it is pirated.”
Vivek Sood, a senior advocate of Delhi High Court says, “Piracy of content from streaming platforms can be stopped by three methods. First, better security of content which can’t be bypassed (and if they get to know about software which assists in piracy, they can contact the court). Two, make content easily accessible and cheaper. Third, take action against organised piracy rackets i.e. go to court to get websites blocked or complain against pirates, as any action taken sends out a message to others.”
On the other hand, an official from an OTT platform points out that when titles are released all at once around the world on streaming services, it instead helps address piracy and protects the creative community’s hard work. They add, “Platforms like ours have economical subscription plans which cost less than `200 a month, which also has helped in fighting piracy as people can watch content on their own terms without any hassles rather than resorting to piracy.”
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‘IT’S NOT DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE WITH SOFTWARE KNOW-HOW TO COPY FILMS FROM STREAMING WEBSITES’
As per an international publication, Black Widow star Scarlett Johansson’s recent lawsuit against Disney listed “piracy” as one of the reasons she was against the makers releasing the superhero film simultaneously in theatres and on digital platforms. The National Association of Theatre Owners, Los Angeles, in its statement issued in July, said, “Piracy no doubt further affected Black Widow’s performance, and will affect its future performance in international markets where it has yet to open. Pristine digital copies became available within minutes of release on Disney+. Black Widow was the most torrented movie for the week ending July 12. It is also available on myriad illegal streaming sites all over the internet. This was also the case for all simultaneous releases (Wonder Woman 1984, Godzilla vs Kong, Cruella, Mortal Kombat, etc).”
Sunny Nehra, a cyber expert, says, “Most streaming platforms use DRM protection. Pirates use screen recording and other tools specially developed to crack DRM. It is not that difficult to crack for software developers or those who work in this field.”
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CAN YOU BE ARRESTED FOR WATCHING A PIRATED FILM?
Let’s say your friend forwarded you the link to a movie downloaded from a pirated website or which was shared on an unlicensed platform. Or suppose you go on a pirated website to watch a film. Can either of these actions land you or your friend in jail? Vivek Sood, a senior advocate of Delhi High Court, says, “Downloading a film/web series/documentary from an unlicensed platform is a violation of intellectual property rights. But you can’t be arrested. Under Section 51 of the Copyright Act ‘reproduction of a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work in the form of a cinematograph film shall be deemed to be an infringing copy.’ However, Section 52 clearly states that private viewing is not an infringement. What does that mean? It means if you forward it to others or sell it, then it is an infringement and you can be arrested.”
However, Sood adds, “While you can’t be arrested, for watching pirated content, you can still be hauled up, restrained and the OTT platform which has the original content can even ask you to pay for the damage (fine) if you watch their content from an unlicensed platform.”
I’m not so relieved even after the two vaccine doses-Neena Gupta
8:06 AM
Despite taking both doses of Covid-19 vaccine, Neena Gupta is not giving in to complacency, as she is still stressed about the virus being out there
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 10, 2021)
As the second wave of the pandemic eases its grip with Coronavirus cases on a decline, people are heaving a sigh of relief. However, actor Neena Gupta is still anxious as she feels that people should not let their guard down just yet. Currently in Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand, with her husband Vivek Mehra, she says that even after getting vaccinated, she is being very cautious.
“I keep hearing that people got Covid-19 even after vaccination, and I remind myself that even if I get it, it will be a milder infection. I tell myself to be positive. But when I go out and even for walks, I wear my masks at all times. I’m not so relieved even after the two vaccine doses,” the Mulk and Badhaai Ho (both 2018) actor shares.
Gupta, 66, tells us that the last couple of months have not been that easy for her, and she even fell sick due to the stress.
“I started having stomach issues. It was very troublesome. I called my doctor and he asked me if I was tensed, because stress affects your digestive system. And I said I wasn’t, because everything is okay here...,” she shares, quick to confess, “But then I realised that I have been sad. As I read and saw things, the fear that I might get the virus or that someone close to me can die, is still there. That stress continues.”
That said, the National Film Award winner is trying her best by staying occupied to keep bad thoughts at bay. “I cook a lot these days, so my mind is occupied. I don’t sit idle for a second so that I don’t [get the time to] think of the crisis. There’s a lot of stress we all have right now, but we have to deal with it and we have to be very careful,” she adds.
Another thing that’s keeping Gupta positive and adding to her happiness, is the response to her latest web film, Sardar Ka Grandson, and Gupta is lapping all the appreciation up.
“It was a very challenging role for me to play and I’m happy that people are appreciating it. Initially, when I was told I have to play a 90-year-old woman, I said no to the makers. I said I don’t want to play a nonagenarian right now. But when I heard the script, I got very excited, and I was like, ‘I want to shoot now’. It was a very beautiful script and my role is so nice, so there were no second thoughts,” says the actor, who co-stars with Arjun Kapoor in the film.
I could relate to my Sardar Ka Grandson character as I am also a walking talking time table-Rakul Preet Singh
8:11 AM
Sardar Ka Grandson actor on drawing parallels between her on-screen and off-screen persona in the film that celebrates grandparents
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; May 20, 2021)
As Arjun Kapoor’s love interest in the recently released web film, Sardar Ka Grandson, Rakul Preet Singh says she was reminded of the time she spent with her grandparents, listening to stories of how the world had changed, post-partition. “Filmming this was heart-warming because it has a beautiful emotional undertone. I connected with the story because, like the characters in the film, my grandparents also belonged to that part of the world [pre-partition Lahore]. I have grown up listening to stories from my grandparents. The film stresses on valuing your family.”
Singh could also draw parallels between the personality traits of her character, and herself. “Radha likes to get her work done correctly. I could relate to that because I am also a walking-talking time table, and particular about things,” she says of the film that narrates the story of a man who returns from the US to fulfil his ageing grandmother’s (Neena Gupta) last wish.
In the pipeline for Singh is Doctor G, starring Ayushmann Khurrana. “We were to start shooting in April but that didn’t happen. Once I wrap this up, I will begin my new film [in the role of a condom tester]. I am grateful for the opportunity to play such contrasting characters.”
(Crisp) Movie Review: SARDAR KA GRANDSON by FENIL SETA
12:38 PM
Sardar Ka Grandson is a heartwarming tale of a grandson trying to fulfil his dying grandmother’s last wish. The trailer seemed somewhat promising. But the film has a lot to offer and is sure to touch the hearts of the viewers. What’s interesting is that the film is not entirely logical. Some things don’t make sense. However, director Kaashvie Nair gets it totally right when it comes to the emotional quotient. And this aspect of the film is so strong that all other shortcomings fall flat. Such conviction is rare from a film nowadays. We are living in times when filmmakers over intellectualize everything and fear critics and social media a lot. Hence, it’s refreshing to see Kaashvie going by what her heart says and even coming out with flying colours! Arjun Kapoor suits the part and does a fine job in the second half. This is his best performance in the last couple of years. Neena Gupta is the soul of the film. Though she reminds one of Rishi Kapoor in Kapoor & Sons, she ensures her part stands out. Rakul Preet Singh has a striking screen presence and rocks the show in the second half. Kumud Mishra and Shahid Lateef (Pakistani cop Rauf Khalid) are great in the roles of the antagonists. Kanwaljit Singh is dependable while Mir Mehroos (Chhote) is a surprise of the film. No backstory is given to his part and yet, it makes for a nice watch. Mahika Patiyal (Pinky; Amreek’s sister) leaves a mark while Masood Akhtar (Khan sahab, who owns the house) and Akashdeep Sabir (Contractor) are fair. Soni Razdan (Simi; Amreek's mother), Divya Seth Shah (Honey; Sardar’s second daughter-in-law) and Ravjeet Singh (Lovely) don’t get much scope. Finally, John Abraham and Aditi Rao Hydari are adorable. All in all, Sardar Ka Grandson is a surprise of the season. It’s a clean entertainer and deserves to be watched with the entire family. I wish that this one had released in cinemas as it could have been a success at the box office.
My rating - **** out of 5!
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 674
9:00 AM
WILL SARDAR KA GRANDSON MANAGE TO TOUCH HEARTS OF THE VIEWERS?
For nearly 11 months, we have been seeing some significant films releasing on OTT. Most of these films dropped on these platforms on a Thursday or Friday. The idea was that people would be free on the weekends and hence, would consume the content. The only film, however, that was released on a weekday was Laxmii. It premiered on a Monday, on November 9. But then it was the Diwali week and it was as good as a weekend.
However, Sardar Ka Grandson will drop on Netflix tomorrow, which is on Tuesday May 18. There’s no major holiday coming up this week and yet the streaming giant has gone for a mid-week release. The film stars Arjun Kapoor, Rakul Preet Singh and Neena Gupta. The trailer is lovely and tells the story of a matriarch in Punjab who used to reside in Pakistan before Partition. It’s her dream to go back to her ancestral house situated now in present-day Pakistan. Her grandson tries to fulfil her dreams. But when he fails to get a visa for her, he decides to relocate her house from Pakistan to Punjab!
Interestingly, Aditi Rao Hydari plays the younger Neena Gupta while John Abraham appears in a special appearance as her husband. John is also one of the producers of the film. Sardar Ka Grandson would have had a release in cinemas if not for the pandemic.
Sardar Ka Grandson, however, has a few challenges. The promotions have been very low-key. Usually, even for digital films, viewers are informed that the trailer will drop in a few days or the next day. In the case of Sardar Ka Grandson, the trailer was released suddenly without any intimation. The songs haven’t worked and many viewers are not even aware that it’s releasing tomorrow. Though the film looks heartwarming, one wonders how they have handled the track of relocating a house from one place to another. It defies logic and it’s important that the director has handled this sequence convincingly. There’s also another fear that perhaps, the makers have shown a bit too much in the trailer.
Sardar Ka Grandson might not get the desired viewership on Day 1. But as awareness would spread, more and more people are bound to watch it, especially if the response is positive. Even if the appreciation is not there, it is believed that it’ll end up getting lot of streams as there’s a dearth of new content online nowadays, especially in Hindi language.
People preach that one should forget the past and live in the present. But I remember my past a lot-Neena Gupta
8:02 AM
Playing the central character in Sardar Ka Grandson, Neena Gupta discusses how age is no longer a barrier for 60-plus women in showbiz
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; May 17, 2021)
Neena Gupta vividly remembers sharing the post on Instagram in 2017, seeking work. If she felt trepidation about how the post would be received, it was overridden by her frustration of not finding equal opportunities and her determination to pursue the craft nonetheless. “I remember when I posted that [message] a few years back, and I am grateful that I have so much work today. Please nazar mat lagao,” laughs Gupta, who fought her way back into the industry that would not acknowledge senior female actors, let alone write roles for them. A stream of noteworthy films with her in pivotal roles, and awards followed. And with it, came a lesson for Bollywood — the often-propagated idea that female actors have a short shelf life was a thing of the past.
Today, as she stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Arjun Kapoor as the central character of Sardar Ka Grandson, Gupta, 63, is proud to be a catalyst in the changing ways of the industry. “Things have changed for actors my age. Now, unique roles are being written for us, which never used to happen before.”
The Kaashvie Nair-directed movie sees Kapoor’s character leave no stone unturned to fulfil the wish of his grandmother, essayed by Gupta. In the Netflix film, her character Sardar is constantly seen reminiscing about the past — a trait that she identifies with. “People preach that one should forget the past and live in the present. But I remember my past a lot. There are some good memories, some bad, and some regrets. It doesn’t mean that when I go back, I ruin my present. If anything, I get [motivated] that I will not make those mistakes again,” says the actor, who has lived life on her own terms.
To do justice to her 80-year-old grandmother act in the family drama, Gupta had to sport heavy prosthetics. She admits that wearing the prosthetics and removing them was a laborious process. “After pack-up, everybody used to run home while I used to sit in my vanity van and remove my make-up. But this role is precious to me. Not everybody gets to play a central character. When you get something like this, you must dive into it.”
Writers and directors are making family entertainer genre younger and cooler, without any cliches-Arjun Kapoor
8:00 AM
Fronting Netflix film Sardar Ka Grandson, Arjun Kapoor says family dramas are becoming cinematic yet realistic to appeal to the audience’s evolving taste
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; May 14, 2021)
At the onset of our conversation, Arjun Kapoor reveals that he did Sardar Ka Grandson for his grandparents. The Netflix film revolves around Kapoor’s protagonist who arranges to have his grandmother’s ancestral home moved to Amritsar from Lahore after he is unable to take her to Pakistan.
“This film is my way of giving back to my grandparents, especially my granny who has just recovered from Covid. [It appealed to me] because I look at relationships from an emotional point of view; there is [no room for] practicality. For instance, my dadi [Nirmal Kapoor] has been asking me to come over for lunch. I keep explaining that it’s not safe, but she is driven by emotions and is not interested in the repercussions,” he shares.
The family drama, also featuring Neena Gupta and Rakul Preet Singh, may be a refreshing change of pace from the thrillers that have flooded the OTT platforms. Kapoor notes that the genre has taken a backseat in the past few years. “With new avenues opening up, many directors are exploring thrillers, horror and intense dramas. That said, Neena ji and my biggest hits have been family entertainers, Badhaai Ho [2018] and 2 States [2014]. Writers and directors are making the genre younger and cooler, and without any cliches. [You can’t give] the audience a fake, happy family. Viewers are intelligent, and you can’t lie to them. Our film is also cinematic in treatment because Amrik [his character] is trying to do the impossible. So, you have to make it cinematic yet believable.”
In having Lahore as one of the backdrops, the movie transcends borders to tell a human story. Asked about the strained relationship between India and Pakistan, he says, “We have to be humane and graceful. This film emphasises how humanity is above all else.”
For Sardar Ka Grandson, we went through 10 rounds of make up to get prosthetics right-Neena Gupta
8:08 AM
Neena Gupta decodes process of achieving a heavily-wrinkled look for her role of 80-year-old in Sardar Ka Grandson
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; May 4, 2021)
At 61, Neena Gupta is relishing the opportunities of playing author-backed roles and the creative responsibility they come with. Director Kaashvie Nair’s Sardar Ka Grandson sees her at the centre of the plot as Rupinder Kaur aka Sardar, the family matriarch. While etching out the character on paper was a delight for writers Nair and Anuja Chauhan, Gupta says slipping into the role of an 80-year-old was not a cakewalk.
Remembering how they zeroed in on her look, complete with wrinkled skin achieved by prosthetics, thick glasses and a beanie, she says, “The team left me astounded by the amount of effort they put in helping me get the perfect look. Sometimes, we went through 10 rounds [of make-up] to get the prosthetics right.”
During the filming of the Arjun Kapoor and Rakul Preet Singh-starrer in Mumbai, Patiala and Amritsar, Gupta would religiously arrive on the set two hours before the call time, thus giving the make-up artistes ample time to perfect her on-screen avatar. “They also made sure to experiment with different kinds of materials so that the prosthetics wouldn’t hamper my performance. We braced ourselves for long and painful sessions. Hard work and dedication went in to create my look,” says the senior actor, who plays grandmother to Kapoor’s US-returned Amrik. The Netflix slice-of-life drama revolves around Amrik’s efforts to fulfil his grandmother’s wish of visiting her ancestral home in Lahore.
557 trees have been planted, one in the name of each member of Sardar Ka Grandson’s cast and crew-Neena Gupta
9:00 AM
With one sapling for each member, Neena Gupta says Sardar Ka Grandson’s unit led plantation drive in Northeast state to mark film’s completion
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; April 27, 2021)
After the shoot of Sardar Ka Grandson kicked off in Mumbai in November 2019, the story of the Arjun Kapoor, Neena Gupta and Rakul Preet Singh-starrer had led the unit to Patiala and Amritsar before the lockdown brought the filming to a halt. On resuming work on the final schedule post last year’s lockdown, first-time director Kaashvie Nair and the team decided to do their bit for the environment, considering the world was reeling under the pandemic.
Gupta, who plays the matriarch in the family drama, reveals that instead of having a wrap-up party, the cast and crew celebrated the film’s completion by having trees planted in Arunachal Pradesh. The Northeast state was chosen as it is one of the few regions in India that is home to sun bears, a rare breed of bears. “557 trees have been planted for sun bears in West Siang, Arunachal Pradesh, one in the name of each member of the cast and crew. I am overwhelmed by the commendable effort made by the unit to support such a good cause, and hope that everyone continues to do their bit in saving the environment. It is the need of the hour,” says the senior actor.
Set to have a digital premiere on Netflix next month, Sardar Ka Grandson sees Kapoor’s US-returned protagonist go to any lengths to fulfil his grandmother’s last wish of visiting her ancestral home in Lahore.
Today, the world is very different. The form of entertainment is regardless of the size of the screen-Arjun Kapoor
8:05 AM
Arjun Kapoor feels the pandemic has changed how content is consumed by audiences
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 24, 2021)
Theatres have closed yet again in Maharashtra, and Delhi is in a curfew. Naturally, direct-to-OTT releases are picking up momentum again, as they did in 2020.
Now, Arjun Kapoor will make his web debut as his film, Sardar Ka Grandson, releases on an OTT platform. The actor has been in showbiz for seven years now, with each of his films getting a theatrical release, including Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, which had finally hit theatres in March. Kapoor, however is optimistic about his latest film releasing on the digital medium. “It seems exciting to know my film will be released on a streaming platform and consumed by millions across the world. It will be an opportunity for it to be seen in different languages,” he says.
The film was meant for theatres, but the current situation has changed it all. The 35-year-old, who is in Goa to shoot for his next with Mohit Suri, adds, “It was meant to come out in theatres when I signed it and was with the emotion of being presented on the big screen. But today, the world is very different. The form of entertainment is regardless of the size of the screen. I am excited that it is going to transcend screen size...and will be a newer form for me as an actor,” says Kapoor.
What makes the actor okay with even an OTT release for his film is the fact that it will take his performance to a new audience. “I will be able to connect with far more people across the world, and not just our fans or the Indian film consumption base,” he observes.
“It opens more horizons and allows us to tell our stories to a person living in Germany or Argentina, or Africa or Egypt. They can now watch it on these platforms. It is available far more quickly and easily changes the dynamics of telling the story. It becomes much more tangible, and a human story that transcends boundaries. That is what actually our film deals with too,” Kapoor adds.
Being a Punjabi, I could relate to the chaos of the family in Sardar Ka Grandson-Arjun Kapoor
8:13 AM
Arjun Kapoor says he gave his nod to Sardar Ka Grandson as he identified with family dynamics shown in Kaashvie-directed film
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; April 22, 2021)
The universe of Sardar Ka Grandson is one that Arjun Kapoor knows intimately. The actor says director Kaashvie Nair’s story about an extended Punjabi family — complete with its affections, arguments and anecdotes — struck a chord with him. “Being a Punjabi, I could relate to the chaos of the family. I was born and brought up in a similar environment. So, I loved the idea of putting out such a family for the world to see,” says the actor, pointing out that he has previously played a Sardar in Mubarakan (2017) and a Punjabi boy in 2 States (2014). “The challenge of playing this character differently from the previous roles excited me.”
The Netflix film, also featuring Rakul Preet Singh, Neena Gupta and Kanwaljit Singh, follows Kapoor’s US-returned protagonist who will go to any lengths to fulfil his grandmother’s last wish. According to the actor, a family entertainer is the perfect foil for these grim times. “The world always needs stories that will make you smile. The film [highlights] the familial bond. If you consider what we are going through today, we are all trying to survive for each other and our family. As entertainers, if we can make you feel happy for three hours, I count that as a blockbuster.”
Ranveer Singh and Parineeti Chopra are two people with whom I share a kinship-Arjun Kapoor
8:02 AM
Arjun Kapoor says theatres, OTT platforms must co-exist as he straddles distinct mediums with Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar and Sardar Ka Grandson
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 16, 2021)
Arjun Kapoor has two distinct projects on his plate — where Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar hits the big screen this Friday, Sardar Ka Grandson will be his first Netflix original film. Naturally, we start our conversation with the primary difference between the two mediums — the lack of box-office pressure in digital entertainment. “This is the first [digital outing] for me, so I’ll know the answer in due time. But today, a film opening in theatres is not as much about the box-office numbers as it is about bringing people back to cinemas,” he says.
For Kapoor, the black comedy is a departure from his mainstream offerings. He admits that working with director Dibakar Banerjee changed his understanding of filmmaking. “He chases artistic integrity. He can tap into something inside you that even you don’t know exists. At the start of the shoot, he told me, ‘I might not be your best friend, but I will find the best performance inside you.’”
That the film reunites him with his first co-star Parineeti Chopra is a bonus. “Ranveer [Singh] and Parineeti are two people with whom I share a kinship. We started out as two people who had no clue about filmmaking, and 10 years on, we have retained that innocence.”
Interestingly, Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar features Jaideep Ahlawat, Neena Gupta and Raghubir Yadav, each of whom has made his mark in the web world. Asked about how he views the demolition of the star system in the OTT era, Kapoor says, “Bollywood and OTT must co-exist, and not try to outdo each other. More than the star system and battle of mediums, it’s important to focus on the diverse stories that will come to the forefront. Actors and their craft can’t be gauged by numbers all the time. Be it Anushka Sharma producing shows for OTT platforms or Saif Ali Khan starring in Sacred Games, people are now crossing over wonderfully.”
I love the way Neena Gupta carries herself off and on camera-Arjun Kapoor
8:06 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 27, 2021)
There haven’t been many films in Bollywood that explore the special bond grandparents share with their grandkids. Sardar Ka Grandson, which stars Neena Gupta and Arjun Kapoor in that dynamic, is set to tap into that this summer on Netflix.
Amazing, is how Kapoor, 35, describes his experience of working with Neena Gupta, aged 61. “I am working with Neena ji for the second time, so we didn’t have to break the ice. My mom and I used to watch her TV show Saans many years back. She’s been a fine actor, and I love the way she carries herself off and on camera. Her energy has enhanced my energy and performance,” says the actor, who plays the role of Gupta’s US-returned grandson, Amreek Singh.
Gupta says Arjun is ‘very dedicated’ to his work. “He’s very fun and committed, and comes on set on time, knows his lines. We gelled and had a great time.”
It is in this phase of her career that things finally seem to have taken off for Gupta “When director Kaashvie Nair narrated the story about the journey of a US-return grandson who wants to fulfil the last wish of his grandmother, I couldn’t believe it, and I said I want to shoot it right now. I am also getting other work which is better than what I have done all my life. I am thankful and not bitter about not getting roles when I was much younger.”
On making his debut on OTT, Kapoor says “In this post pandemic world, it is exciting... I have an opportunity to be seen in different languages, with subtitles, and have a touch point across the globe.”
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