Showing posts with label Sarzameen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sarzameen. Show all posts
The only reason I got my first film was my surname-Prithviraj Sukumaran
9:35 AM
The actor opens up on how a surname may open doors in the entertainment industry, but talent sustains a career
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; April 9, 2026)
At a time when star kids continue to enter Bollywood, South star Prithviraj Sukumaran reflects on a similar trend in Malayalam cinema. The son of late actor Sukumaran, he candidly admits his surname opened doors, but sustaining a career takes far more.
“You are very privileged and fortunate. The only reason I got my first film was because of my surname. I didn’t even have to audition. The director just chose me. But your surname will only get you your first film. From there on, it’s all up to you. Come Friday, you are going to be judged by a very just, judicious, merciless jury called the audience,” he says.
Despite his success, the actor, who made his Hindi film debut opposite Rani Mukerji in Aiyyaa, remains grounded about his journey.
“I am truly aware that this life and these opportunities are not coming my way because I’m the most deserving. There are hundreds of people more talented and deserving than me. But now that I have this, it’s up to me to value it and make the most of it,” he says.
Offering perspective to newcomers, including his Sarzameen co-actor, Ibrahim Ali Khan, he shares, “Some of the biggest stars have not been able to make their sons or daughters big stars. Why? Because at the box office, you will be judged regardless of who you are. The interest might begin because of your surname, but it won’t sustain you. The interest in Ibrahim might have started because he is Saif’s son, but eventually, what would matter is his talent and skills.”
Boman Irani confirms new directorial ahead of birthday
9:56 AM
Natasha Coutinho (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 1, 2025)
Boman Irani, who made his directorial debut this year at the age of 65 with The Mehta Boys, says he has already begun work on his next film as a director. The actor, who turns a year older tomorrow, tells us he is consciously steering his sophomore project into a new creative space.
“After directing a family drama, I have decided to pick a completely different genre. Just because people liked the first one, I do not think I should stick to the same zone. I want to enjoy different worlds of cinema,” he says.
Interestingly, Irani and his son Kayoze both marked their directorial debuts this year. Kayoze’s film Sarzameen, featured Kajol, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Ibrahim Ali Khan. Speaking about the conversations they have had while navigating this new phase, Irani reflects on the realities of filmmaking: “Making a film is not easy. From the first line you write to finding someone who will back it financially, everything is a challenge. Casting is another game altogether, and then there is budgeting.”
When asked which actors he hopes to direct, Irani says the list is long: “If I name three, another three will feel bad... Directing Mr Amitabh Bachchan would truly be an experience for posterity. Just having the courage to tell him how a scene should go would be something.”
I stepped into the industry thinking ‘ho jaayega’-Ibrahim Ali Khan
9:11 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (October 27, 2025)
Actor Ibrahim Ali Khan has had a sobering first year in the film industry. After making his acting debut in Nadaaniyan in March, he starred in Sarzameen in July. In both films, reviewers criticized him for appearing “raw and unprepared”. Now, the actor admits that he probably rushed into his debut.
In an interview with Esquire India, the 24-year-old clarified that while he did not take his acting career for granted, he entered films thinking success would come easily. “I am not saying I took my chance for granted, but I stepped into the industry like, ‘Ho jaayega’. Of course, I was working very hard; I’m still working hard on my speech issue. But in a way, I feel I have rushed into those movies. I was 21 when I began shooting for it; others around me are doing it at 26, 27, 28. I now think I could have been more mindful of the scale of what was going to happen,” he said.
But for Ibrahim, whose parents, Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh, and grandmother, Sharmila Tagore, are all actors, his family legacy serves as inspiration whenever self-doubt creeps in. “When I feel unsure, all this (lineage) is a reminder of who’s at home. ‘You’re Saif Ali Khan’s kid. You have Bebo (stepmother Kareena Kapoor Khan) in your family. You should be able to do it. You should be smashing it, man,’” he added.
My dad and I making our debuts in the same year was unplanned-Kayoze Irani
10:26 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 3, 2025)
Actor Boman and son Kayoze Irani pulled off a rare feat this year — both made their directorial debuts only months apart. Boman helmed The Mehta Boys, which fetched a lot of acclaim earlier this year, while Kayoze directed Sarzameen, featuring Ibrahim Ali Khan in the lead.
Interestingly, both their projects were direct-to-OTT releases. Mention this to Kayoze, and he beams, “It was completely unplanned. My father has always wanted to make a film, and has been writing for years. It just so happened that we also shot our respective films around the same time.”
The 37-year-old, who is prepping for his second directorial shares, “I was shooting in Manali, while dad was filming in Mumbai. It’s such a strange thing that our debuts happened this year.” Ask if he’s afraid of comparisons with his dad and the actor-director replies, “I’m very happy about it. It’s a distinction I don’t know of any other father-son duo achieving this.”
As for his next project, Kayoze tells us, “I’m going into it, thinking it’s my launch. My next is a comedy film; it’s in the process of being written and will go on floors next year, if all goes well.”
Before I turned director, it was sometimes tough for me to switch off the technician in me-Prithviraj Sukumaran
9:46 AM
The actor reflects on how his approach to acting has changed since he turned director, finding it easier to switch off the technical side and simply perform
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 30, 2025)
Actor-filmmaker Prithviraj Sukumaran has had two releases this year, first being the pan-India film L2 Empuraan, which he also directed, followed by his recent release Sarzameen. Ask if it becomes difficult to be just an actor on set after directing on another set, Prithviraj says it’s the opposite.
“I was having this conversation with SS Rajamouli (filmmaker) sir just the other day that, for some strange reason, before I turned director, it was sometimes tough for me to switch off the technician in me. I used to land up on locations multiple times and just be very aware of what they are trying to attempt there,” he says, adding, “But after having turned director, I find it very easy to just completely switch off that facet when I’m just acting.”
The 42-year-old elaborates, “Now, I just want to be told by the director what they’d like me to do. That’s what I enjoy the most. I don’t know if it’s a conscious flip that I’ve made, but ever since I’ve done my first film as a director, the easiest thing for me to do is land on a location, switch off the technician mindset, and just be the actor, and I completely enjoy that.”
Sarzameen featured the actor opposite actor Kajol. Interestingly, he started his Hindi film career with her cousin, actor Rani Mukerji in Aiyyaa (2012). Mention this to him and Prithviraj says, “Both of them are fantastic actors, so that makes things a lot easier for anyone working with them. I also think both of them are similar, because they’re very instinctive as performers. Both sort of rely on that momentary instinct when the director calls for action, which is wonderful for a co-actor, because each take seems like there is something fresh in it.”
I liked the idea and challenge of launching Ibrahim Ali Khan-Kayoze Irani
8:04 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 13, 2025)
Although Sarzameen opened to mixed reviews, actor Kayoze Irani is satisfied with the audience’s reaction to his directorial debut. “The reactions have been strong and the numbers good for the platform. I am overwhelmed,” he tells us.
The film stars actor Ibrahim Ali Khan and was originally meant to be his acting debut. Kayoze, who is actor Boman Irani’s son, explains, “I thought it would be nice if Ibrahim had a slightly different debut, I liked the idea of the challenge of launching him. [However,] we had a lot of injuries — Prithviraj sir (Sukumaran, actor) broke his knee, I broke my back, so it got pushed. It was not fair to keep [Ibrahim’s other film, Nadaaniyan] on hold, so that came out first.”
Interestingly, Ibrahim’s character has a speech impediment in the film; since his debut, the actor has opened up about dealing with a speech condition IRL as well. Ask Kayoze if the character was written with this in mind and he clarifies, “The stammer was part of the script even before we cast Ibrahim. When I met him, I realized he suited the character. It’s what we wanted.”
The 31-year-old also admits that he felt the pressure of handling what was supposed to be the newcomer’s debut, along with his own. “I’d decided that Ibrahim’s career was connected to mine; his success is my success, and the same goes for failure,” he ends.
(Crisp) Movie Review: SARZAMEEN by FENIL SETA
11:03 AM
Sarzameen, which has released today on JioHotstar, marks the directorial debut of Boman Irani's son, Kayoze. It is mounted on a grand scale; music is decent, the cinematography is first-rate, while the action and background score are cinematic. However, the plot is not upto the mark. On top of it, the various developments are difficult to digest. The twist in the climax must have sounded exciting on paper but it doesn't have the intended effect. In fact, it further brings the film down. Ibrahim Ali Khan does better here than Nadaaniyan but he has a long way to go. Kajol rises above the script and delivers a fine performance. Prithviraj Sukumaran, as always, delivers a sincere performance. His baritone voice is also well-utilized. K C Shankar is great as the antagonist. Jitendra Joshi (Ahmed Iqbal) lends able support while Boman Irani (I S Kanwar) is lovely in a cameo. All in all, Sarzameen suffers due to its script and direction.
My rating - ** out of 5!
My rating - ** out of 5!
S S Rajamouli chooses large backdrops as he excels at telling a story through big, visual stroke-Prithviraj Sukumaran
8:47 AM
Sarzameen actor Prithviraj Sukumaran, who will also be seen in SS Rajamouli’s next, opens up about on how both films are shaped by their strong stories, not their big canvas
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 24, 2025)
Banner and co-stars are hardly ever the criteria for actor and filmmaker Prithviraj Sukumaran when choosing a film. It has always been the script. That’s what drew him to Sarzameen as well — that it stars Kajol and is backed by Karan Johar are a bonus.
The actor shares, “I prefer to keep it straightforward. If a script appeals to me and I mean as a film lover, not as an actor or a filmmaker, that’s the first yes. From there, many things can make me say no. But with Sarzameen, everything was a yes at every step. I read the script in 2022. At that point, Kajol and Ibrahim Ali Khan weren’t attached. After reading it, I immediately called Karan Johar, who suggested that I speak to Kayoze [Irani].”
With his debut feature film, director Kayoze Irani attempts a complex human drama about the troubled relationship between a father and son, set against the backdrop of Kashmir. How does a seasoned actor like Sukumaran place their trust in a first-time filmmaker?
“For me, the number one requirement in a director is clarity — do they know how they want to tell the story they’ve chosen? It might be completely different from how I would tell it, that’s fine. What matters is clear vision. You can judge that quickly in a conversation. Kayoze had a vivid and focused idea of what he wanted to say.”
It’s fascinating how Sukumaran has two films mounted on a big canvas — the upcoming JioHotstar film, followed by S S Rajamouli’s SSMB29, easily among the most ambitious movies of India. He is unperturbed by their scale.
“Scale can never be the story; it’s just the canvas. Rajamouli sir chooses large backdrops because he excels at telling a story through big, visual strokes. Sarzameen has a big canvas; it has Kashmir, the army, and insurgency. But the story is human. The intricate character dynamics — my character’s relationship with his son, with his wife — were nuances [we] discovered as we shot.”
Soon, the actor will move to director Meghna Gulzar’s Daayra. He reveals that the film, which sees him opposite Kareena Kapoor Khan, has been the easiest yes he said. “Usually, you hear a narration and take some time to process it. With Meghna’s film, the narration was three-hour long, and right there in that room, I said, ‘I am doing this’. It’s a cracking script.”
Ibrahim Ali Khan has the most complex character in Sarzameen-Kayoze Irani
9:08 AM
Director Kayoze Irani on transforming Ibrahim Ali Khan from chocolate boy to complex anti-hero in Sarzameen with hair designer Darshan Yewalekar
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; July 13, 2025)
Shedding the chocolate boy image often takes actors years and multiple films. From R Madhavan and Shahid Kapoor to even Aamir Khan, many have spent a significant part of their careers trying to move beyond the boy-next-door label. However, with his second outing Sarzameen, following his romantic debut in Nadaaniyan, Ibrahim Ali Khan is already looking to break that mould.
How, you ask? Writer and director Kayoze Irani had a clear vision for how his characters evolve through different timelines in the upcoming film. With technical support from celebrity hair designer Darshan Yewalekar, the transformation became sharper and truer to the character.
While Irani attributes much of Khan’s looks to his Pataudi lineage, he set out to portray “a boy shaped in a forge and raised in a cantonment” by changing the character’s appearance over time. “Iggy is handsome, charming, and gorgeous. But what I wanted from him, character-wise, was less of Ibrahim and more of the role,” says Irani.
Khan plays Harman, the disciplined son of an Indian army officer, who later goes rogue and joins a militant group. In the initial part of the story, the character is shown as “someone who is correct, proper, and disciplined. Then I wanted to shift gears. I wanted him to break out and be rebellious. Darshan and I focused on ideas that would give him this rugged and very masculine look.”
Irani reveals that Khan’s hair and beard go through the most transitions in the film. “He has the most complex character in the film. [To showcase] the many layers in his character, we went from big beard, small beard, long hair, short hair, to rugged looks. I wanted to stay away from the ‘chocolate boy’ looks and Pataudi genes, so we went all out. I didn’t want him to have that amazing hair and be cute at all.”
Irani says the best part was Khan’s involvement from day one. “Ibrahim was always focused on being the character, not just the hero.”
He adds that the styling was essential to reflect the baggage the character carries and the new world he steps into. “Every aspect of life plays into it — from what you wear, how you walk, to how you carry yourself. That’s how the character finds depth. The character’s psychology always drove the visual identity.”
Yewalekar, who was presented with a detailed script, put together a mood board mapping all of Khan’s transitions.
He explains, “Kayoze’s brief was very clear. He wanted the audience to believe the character is in different phases of his life just through his looks. It is always a challenge to transform a good-looking, camera-friendly, and chocolate boy into the kind of character he needed to be for this film. From day one, I felt we had to be hands-on. Our homework was solid. In fact, even when the shoot reached the halfway mark, we sat down again and discussed more ideas.”
Ibrahim Ali Khan to star in a love story opposite Rasha Thadani
9:38 AM
Sources say Nadaaniyan debutant Ibrahim Ali Khan set to star in a YA love story with Rasha Thadani; film to roll in October
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 30, 2025)
With his debut film Nadaaniyan behind him and two movies in post-production, Ibrahim Ali Khan isn’t wasting any time commencing work on his next. Sources close to the production reveal that the actor is set to star in a love story opposite Rasha Thadani, who, like Khan, made her debut earlier this year.
While the name of the director remains under wraps, insiders say that the two leads have begun prepping for the yet-untitled movie.
“Ibrahim and Rasha have been doing reading sessions and workshops. The makers were clear that they didn’t want only a glamorous pair, but two actors who could tap into the awkward, exhilarating energy of first love. Rasha and Ibrahim clicked from the first meeting,” shares a production house insider.
The love story will be Khan’s second attempt at the genre after the widely criticized Nadaaniyan. A source shares, “While he debuted with a rom-com, Ibrahim will be seen in intense roles in Sarzameen, and Diler that features him as a marathoner. After those two outings, this film with a coming-of-age arc will focus on the softer and more relatable side of him.”
The shoot is expected to begin in October and wrap up early next year.
India-Pakistan conflict: Sarzameen, Lahore 1947 to drop Pakistan references
10:41 AM
Amid India-Pakistan ceasefire, sources say Kajol’s Sarzameen being redubbed to drop Pak references; Lahore 1947, which revolves around Partition, being reviewed by the makers
Mohar Basu, Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; May 14, 2025)
Even though a ceasefire is in place between India and Pakistan, the after-effects of the military conflicts can be felt across the board, including in Bollywood. The buzz in the industry is that several high-profile projects are being reviewed or undergoing significant rewrites to remove any references to Pakistan from their scripts.
Among the first to be impacted is Kajol and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s political thriller Sarzameen. The team is now reworking key sequences. “The film never explicitly made a reference to Pakistan, but it’s set in Kashmir, and certain scenes were interpreted as politically sensitive in the current climate. They were to release the film on May 30, but now, they are redubbing some parts,” said a source close to the production.
Another movie that must determine how to navigate the situation is Sunny Deol’s Lahore 1947. Sources shared that Rajkumar Santoshi’s directorial venture, centred on a Muslim family relocating to Lahore after Partition, is being internally reviewed.
An insider said, “The film is in sharp contrast with the sentiment of the nation and is being re-looked at. The team needs to decide how to make it work without compromising the story or being insensitive, given the current situation.”
Pathaan (2023) and Tiger 3 (2023), the last two offerings from Yash Raj Films’ spy universe, had prominent characters hailing from Pakistan. For their future films, we have heard that many writers will take a cue from Pathaan, where John Abraham’s antagonist Jim creates his own terrorist network with no links to any country. “The approach is to shift focus to shadowy terror networks and rogue agencies without geographical identifiers,” said a source.
When mid-day reached out to YRF amid rumours that their upcoming films, War 2 and Alpha, are being reviewed in light of recent events, the spokesperson said, “There is no truth to any of these claims floating. Alpha, War 2, and Pathaan 2 have no Pakistan connection. War 2 and Alpha have already been shot and there are no changes being made because there are no changes to be made. Tiger is an Indian spy, Zoya is married to an Indian spy. So, there is no question of the [Tiger] franchise being in any uncertainty.”
Not all movies with a war backdrop are under the scanner, though. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War — starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal — remains untouched. A trade analyst explains, “Bhansali has positioned his story in a timeless, almost mythical space. The film is set between 1960 and 1965, with the wars serving only as the backdrop. The love story takes centre-stage.”
Don’t see, don’t hear?
A day after Pakistani actor Mawra Hocane was removed from Sanam Teri Kasam’s (2016) cover on music apps, Mahira Khan has met the same fate with Raees (2017). The cover of the film’s album on Spotify now features only Shah Rukh Khan. Meanwhile, the music of Fawad Khan’s Abir Gulaal has been pulled down from Spotify and Apple Music.
Ibrahim Ali Khan's debut plans leads to delay in Kajol's first release of the year
5:21 PM
With Kajol and Ibrahim Ali Khan’s Sarzameen deferred in order to launch the newbie with Nadaaniyan, the senior actor’s first release of 2025 will be Maa in June
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; February 12, 2025)
A busy 2025 is in store for Kajol, who has three projects lined up. The actor’s first offering of the year, Sarzameen, which also stars Ibrahim Ali Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran, was to release over the Republic Day weekend. But a change in Khan’s debut plans has had a ripple effect on Kajol’s line-up. Sources say that with Nadaaniyan set to be the youngster’s launch vehicle, Karan Johar’s production Sarzameen has been delayed by a few months.
An insider tells us that Sarzameen, helmed by Kayoze Irani, was wrapped up by the end of 2023. “The film revolves around the sensitive topic of terrorism in Kashmir, with Ibrahim essaying an intense character. Karan, who has backed both Sarzameen and Nadaaniyan, felt it would be better to launch Ibrahim as a romantic hero and lined up director Shauna Gautam’s Netflix rom-com for a summer release. That also gives Kayoze the time to revisit his film, as Karan wants certain tweaks in it. The Kajol and Ibrahim-starrer will release probably in late 2025,” says the insider.
As a result, Kajol’s first release of the year will be Maa. Vishal Furia’s directorial offering is currently in post-production.
The source adds, “It’s backed by Ajay Devgn. The superstar-producer has been involved in the creative process, and is planning to take the psychological horror film to the big screen in June or July. Kajol also has Charan Tej Uppalapati’s Maharagni.”
My advice to Ibrahim Ali Khan? Follow your heart, stay honest-Sara Ali Khan
8:06 AM
Madhureeta Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; September 13, 2023)
Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh’s son Ibrahim Ali Khan is gearing up to make his big Bollywood debut soon. Ibrahim, who worked as an assistant on the sets of Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani, will reportedly be making his debut with director Kayoze Irani’s Sarzameen, where he will share screen space with Kajol. His sister Sara Ali Khan, who has had a good run at the movies this year, is evidently excited about her brother’s upcoming debut.
Ask her what advice she’s giving Ibrahim as he gets ready to step into the world of showbiz and she says, “We don’t chat much about work and cinema at home, but the advice I would give him is what my parents gave me – follow your heart because there is a truth to that. There will be a lot of noise around you, but you have to stay honest and follow your path because that other person’s path you admire already has his/her own journey.”
Talking about why brother Ibrahim should ensure he stays true to himself, Sara says, “Don’t lie, because the camera will catch it and that is something I have learnt. For me, being myself comes easy. Even Ibrahim is a different person, he is honest, and his heart is in the right place, and that is what he really needs.”
Ibrahim isn’t the only star kid all set for his Bollywood debut. He is joined by the likes of Suhana Khan, Khushi Kapoor, Agastya Nanda and Ahaan Panday.
But competition is something that B-Town stars have always dealt with, “Of course, there is competition, but there is also work for everyone. I feel secure where I am and the audience today is intelligent and directors know exactly what they want. So, I think we all need to have conviction in our own skill set.”
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