Hiren Kotwani (DNA; April 15, 2018)

In January, Sonu Sood had announced his plans to make Sarvggun Sampanna, a film based on the kidnapping of men for forced weddings in Bihar. The actor, who forayed into production with Tutak Tutak Tutiya and Kung Fu Yoga, was kicked about the realistic subject. 

However, even before Sonu could finish the casting, it seems like someone else has ‘kidnapped’, or should we say hijacked, the same idea. Trade sources say that Sidharth Malhotra’s Shotgun Shaadi is reportedly based on groom kidnapping. So, we hear that the Dabangg actor has decided to call off his project.

He had discussed his film with Arjun Rampal, with whom he bonded during the shoot of J P Dutta’s Paltan. He wanted to cast his new buddy as a Bihari gangster in the film. Subsequently, Sonu was planning it with Akshaye Khanna, but the latter was busy with The Accidental Prime Minister and flew to London in a tearing hurry telling all his other producers that he would revert at a later date.

“Considering that Akshaye was recently seen as a cop in Mom and Ittefaq, the team thought it would be interesting to see him in such a role,” says a source.

Even as Sonu was putting together his film, came the news of Shotgun Shaadi being made with Sidharth. In the subsequent weeks, the former bagged Rohit Shetty’s Simmba, which stars Ranveer Singh in the title role. “Sonu is currently working on Paltan and Kangana Ranaut’s Manikarnika - The Queen Of Jhansi. Next month, he will begin shooting for Simmba. He also has committed time for the promotions and marketing of these films. He didn’t want to rush and make Sarvggun Sampanna to release it first. So, he decided to let this pass and plan another film with a fresh subject instead,” says our source.

The actor-producer isn’t the only one who has to abort a project because someone else is also making a film on the same subject. A few months ago, Ajay Devgn changed his mind about making a movie on the Battle Of Saragarhi, after Akshay Kumar started Kesari with producer Karan Johar.

Mihir Bhanage (BOMBAY TIMES; January 31, 2018)

Sonu Sood’s easy charm is contagious. Getting into the family business would’ve been the obvious choice for him, but passion for films brought the engineering graduate into showbiz. In a candid chat, the actor-producer spoke to us about films, fitness and more. Excerpts:

This year is quite a busy one for you with Manikarnika - The Queen Of Jhansi and Paltan in store...
When you start getting a lot of work, you have to be choosy, because a film might take you a step ahead or pull you back by two. This year, I am doing Paltan, Manikarnika - The Queen Of Jhansi and another period film, Kurukshetra (Tamil), so the year is busy.

Do you prefer period films?
Be it Shaheed-E-Azam or Jodhaa Akbar, I have always liked being a part of period films. Perhaps my upcoming films are extensions of that fascination. In Manikarnika, I play Sadashiv, a warrior, while in Kurukshetra, which is one of the most expensive films being made, I play the role of Arjun.

Did Paltan, in some way, help you realise your dream of joining the Army?
We shot for two months in Ladakh and lived the life of soldiers. I couldn’t join the Army, however, the dream of donning the uniform was fulfilled in this film. I have now started respecting our soldiers even more.

Initially perceived as the tough guy, you’ve experimented with a variety of genres, including comedy. Was it tough breaking the ‘angry young man’ image?
I was always into comedy. Even in college, I would come up with pranks and jokes... I think fusion works. Take Dabangg’s Chhedi Singh for example. In the script, the role was very serious, but I added a bit of comedy and it clicked.

There were reports of you collaborating with your Paltan costar Arjun Rampal again...
It’s a film called Sarvggun Sampanna. We are still in talks with Arjun. He is shooting somewhere, but once he is back, we will have a concrete plan in place. The film is a light-hearted comedy based in Bihar.

Sports biopics have found favour in Bollywood. Even you are producing a biopic on PV Sindhu...
I feel sports biopics are the need of the hour and Sindhu is someone who brought badminton into focus. I found her story very interesting. We have locked the script and will start approaching actors now.

Is there anyone specific in mind?
I would love it if Deepika Padukone plays the role. She has a badminton background, so we won’t have to work much on that. Or maybe a new girl who is also a badminton player.

After working with Jackie Chan, are there any more plans of collaborating with international artistes?
I think you can’t plan these things. If it has to happen, it will. I remember saying in an interview around 10 years ago that I wanted to work with Jackie and that happened. Let’s see if I get to work with any other international stars in the future.

You must’ve fond memories of working with Jackie...
He is one of the most special people in my life. I spent a year shooting with him and there were times he used to cook for us after pack-up. I mean, this was the same guy we’ve grown watching on screen and he was cooking meals for us. You don’t see that often.

Many stars are venturing into socially relevant cinema. Would you be doing something similar?
I would love to! In fact, I want to make a film on the problems that the people of Punjab are facing.

Many youngsters today are of the opinion that a chiselled body guarantees a role in Bollywood. What do you think of this perception?
A good physique doesn’t guarantee success in the industry. Today, gyms are filled with good-looking guys, but not all of them have the mental strength or passion to reinvent themselves if they become actors. Also, maintaining your physique is a tough job and requires dedication.

How do you do it?
For me, there are only 22 hours in a day. No matter what, I dedicate the remaining two hours to fitness.

Have you been on the receiving end of nepotism?
Well, I knew it was going to affect me because people connected to the industry will always have it easy. Having said that, I also know that my kids will have it a little easy if and when they get into the industry. I have had my share of struggles, but I have no regrets. I have always taken this process as a learning experience.

How is the experience of working with Kangana Ranaut in Manikarnika?
Not just Kangana, but the whole team is brilliant. I’ve seen the rushes and I think it’s going to be the biggest film of the year.

Actors in a comedy set in UP and Bihar that is set to roll in March-April
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 10, 2018)

Actor-filmmaker Sonu Sood is ready with his next production. Titled Sarvggun Sampanna, it will feature him and Arjun Rampal in the lead and is being directed by Karan Kashyap who has served as an assistant on films like Bunty Aur Babli, Chak de! India, and Raavan.

“It’s a comedy set in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar which revolves around these two guys. We have been working on the script for the past eight-nine months. We’ll cast the actress soon,” confirms Sonu. He had bonded with Arjun over fitness while shooting for J P Dutta’s Paltan in Ladakh. “I felt Arjun could do justice to the role, which is really powerful. Arjun has loved the script.”

The film will be shot in March and April while the actors are scheduled to begin with reading sessions and workshops once Arjun returns from his Jharkhand trip. “Sonu had recently visited Farrukhabad, which is near Lucknow, to inaugurate a gym dedicated to his late mother, Mrs Saroj Sood. During the trip, he also decided to do a recce of the city and nearby places with the film’s director. Sonu was excited about the script as most of his college friends are from Bihar and he has been to the state a couple of times. They even plan to source costumes from UP and Bihar to make the characters look authentic,” informs a source close to the development.

Meanwhile, Sonu who is currently shooting for the Kangana Ranaut-starrer Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, admits that he had always wanted to produce films. “When I was shooting for my first film, all my co-actors would tell me that I was headed in that direction but I never thought it would happen. But I learnt the craft in the course of the 70-80 films I have done across languages and realised that producing films would allow me to tell stories of my choice,” he says, explaining that it’s easy to act and produce a film simultaneously. “That lets you understand the script and the role well and helps design the film accordingly.”

Next up on production front for Sonu is a biopic on ace badminton player P V Sindhu. “The team has locked the script and is currently scouting for an actress to play the titular role,” adds the source.