Showing posts with label Scotland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scotland. Show all posts
Ahan Shetty to headline Vikram Bhatt's horror film, 1920: Cold Winter
9:31 AM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; July 23, 2026)
Border 2’s success ensured that Ahan Shetty had a great start to 2026. Now, the actor is carefully choosing his next projects. While director Tinu Desai’s Sanki will be his next, it looks like Shetty is adding a horror outing to his kitty. We’ve learnt that the actor has given his nod to Vikram Bhatt’s 1920: Cold Winter, the sixth instalment in the 1920 franchise.
Sources have told us that the film is currently at the scripting stage. “This will be Ahan’s first brush with the supernatural genre. He wants to do a variety of roles, after being launched in the romantic action drama Tadap [2021]. That’s why he is carefully choosing movies that belong to different genres,” said a source.
Bhatt and producer Anand Pandit are hunting for the female lead. If things go as planned, the director will call action on the project by November. The source added, “They are looking for a reasonably known actor, not a fresh face. Soon, the producer-director duo will head to Scotland for a recce. Some portions of the film will also be shot in Shimla.”
The ‘1920’ franchise has had five instalments so far:
- 1920’
- 1920: Evil Returns
- 1920: London
- 1921
- 1920: Horrors Of The Heart
Diljit Dosanjh to play Indian Air Force officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon in Border 2
8:47 AM
Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh, who will join Border 2’s shoot in April
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; February 18, 2025)
The shoot of Border 2 is on in full swing at the Babina cantonment in Jhansi with leading men Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan and Ahan Shetty. mid-day has learnt that Diljit Dosanjh, the fourth pillar of director Anurag Singh’s war drama, is expected to join the unit in April.
While the makers have remained tight-lipped about the actors’ roles in the movie that chronicles a chapter of the 1971 India-Pakistan war, Dosanjh recently revealed on a podcast that he will step into the shoes of Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, an officer in the Indian Air Force, who was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra.
Sekhon was stationed at the Srinagar air base on December 14, 1971, when it was attacked by six Pakistan Air Force F-86 jets. The officer was recognised for his lone defence of the air base.
A source says, “Diljit is currently shooting for the Punjabi film, Sardaarji 3, in Scotland. He will begin his prep for Border 2 by March-end. Anurag has charted out a 20-day, start-to-finish schedule for him. They will shoot the talkie portions at the Bombay Flying Club in Juhu. The wide angle shots will be filmed in Kashmir, where replicas of the Folland Gnat fighter aircrafts will be used and the Srinagar air base recreated.”
Deol is said to reprise his character of Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri from Border (1997).
Ajay Devgn, Sanjay Dutt, Mrunal Thakur to begin shooting for Son Of Sardaar 2 in Scotland from July-end
8:22 AM
Sanjay, who featured in Son of Sardaar, roped in to play Ajay’s rival in the sequel; actors to kick off 50-day schedule in Scotland by the month-end
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; July 2, 2024)
When Ajay Devgn announced Son of Sardaar 2 almost 12 years after the original’s release, the questions about the cast were inevitable. Earlier, reports suggested that neither leading lady Sonakshi Sinha nor Sanjay Dutt would feature in the action comedy’s sequel. But now, mid-day has exclusively learnt that Dutt has been signed on for Vijay Kumar Arora’s directorial venture.
So, will the actor reprise his role of Balwinder Singh Sandhu aka Billu to Devgn’s Jassi? Yes and no. It turns out that the sequel is a fresh story, and doesn’t pick up where the original ended.
A source reveals, “That said, since the characters of Billu and Jassi were loved by the audiences, the two actors are expected to stick to their characters’ names. Their dynamics, however, will be different. While the two were at loggerheads with hilarious results in Son of Sardaar, this time, their rivalry will be intense, with Sanjay’s role leaning towards the antagonist. Off screen, the two actors are close friends, and Ajay has made sure that Sanjay has a fantastic role in the second part.”
Arora, who is a successful Punjabi director and served as the director of photography on Devgn’s Action Jackson (2014), plans to take the action comedy on floors around July-end.
“Ajay, Sanjay and Mrunal Thakur, who has been roped in as the female lead, will kick off a 50-day schedule in Scotland. It is famous for its castles, historic towns, lochs, and beaches, with many episodes of Game Of Thrones, and much of the Harry Potter franchise having been shot there. The direction team had done a recce earlier this year, and finalized the scenic towns of Glencoe and Glenfinnan, as well as sites such as the Culross Palace, Doune Castle, Preston Mill and Falkland Palace. The locations form a fitting backdrop for the kind of action and drama that the director has in mind. A few romantic songs featuring Ajay and Mrunal will also be shot in the country’s picturesque locales,” adds the source.
Devgn is expected to wrap up the shoot of Rohit Shetty’s Singham Again next week, after which he will focus single-mindedly on Son of Sardaar 2. After the Scotland schedule is complete, the actor will start filming De De Pyaar De 2 in London.
25 Years of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai: I was concerned if people would accept seeing Shah Rukh Khan with anyone other than Kajol-Rani Mukerji
8:23 AM
Navya Kharbanda (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 16, 2023)
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai clocks 25 years today and actor Rani Mukerji, who played Tina in the film, says it feels “truly surreal because these are the people (the cast and crew) who I literally started my career with”. She adds, “What gives me immense happiness is the fact that we are such close friends. We are like family, whether it is my relationship with Karan (Johar; director) or Shah Rukh (Khan; actor).”
The film featured SRK, Kajol and her in the lead roles and Mukerji, 45, says she wasn’t sure if people would accept her alongside SRK on screen: “Right after I heard the narration, I shared a concern with Karan. I told him since Shah Rukh and Kajol were a part of DDLJ (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge; 1995) that was an iconic hit, would the audience accept Shah Rukh’s character — Rahul — falling in love with Tina? He said, ‘You don’t worry about it. As long as you are doing the film, you leave that worry to me’.”
Mukerji recalls shooting the title track in Scotland. “Karan was shooting our honeymoon shots. He saw that I wasn’t wearing a mangalsutra. He asked Manish (Malhotra; designer) for it, but since he didn’t carry one, Manish told my mum, ‘Aunty, aapka mangalsutra de do’. I wore my mum’s mangalsutra and shot,” she ends.
For Blind, Sonam Kapoor would do one rehearsal with her eyes closed-Shome Makhija
8:11 AM
With Sonam playing a visually-impaired woman in Blind, director Makhija recounts how she prepped with two differently-abled trainers for the role
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; July 1, 2023)
Shome Makhija knew that he would make his directorial debut with a thriller, given his experience as an associate director on Sujoy Ghosh’s 'Badla' (2019), 'Kahaani 2: Durga Rani Singh' (2016) and 'Typewriter' (2019). What he didn’t know was that Sonam Kapoor Ahuja would instantly be a part of his first feature.
“When we met at Sonam’s house the first time, we spoke for over a couple of hours about the film. At the time, she hadn’t seen the Korean original,” he says, recounting the inception of 'Blind'.
An adaptation of the 2011 Korean thriller of the same name, 'Blind' sees Kapoor as a visually-impaired woman who becomes a key witness in a crime and finds herself confronting a serial killer, played by Purab Kohli. For the prep, she relied on “alternate vision coaches” in Scotland.
“James Goldsworthy and Nadia Turnbull help people adapt to being visually impaired. Both lost their eyesight at a certain point in their lives. Now, they help people function [on a day-to-day basis],” says the director.
Kapoor was trained by the duo before the Jio Cinema film rolled in December 2020. They had training sessions on Zoom since the pandemic was going on at the time. “We went through every scene with them to make sure that the representation is authentic. We didn’t want to misrepresent differently-abled people. They asked us to tweak certain scenes that weren’t plausible. For instance, in a scene, Sonam was to talk to her guide dog lying on the bed. James and Nadia pointed out that a guide dog’s training doesn’t allow them to climb on any furniture. So, the dog wouldn’t sit on the bed.”
To the leading lady, playing a differently-abled person was both a challenge and a chance to push her boundaries as an artiste. She reported to the location in Scotland three days before the shoot to familiarise herself with the set-up.
“Sonam visited the apartment where her character is shown staying, three days before the shoot began. She learnt where everything is placed in the house. She’d always do one rehearsal with her eyes closed, checking whether she knew the places intimately. Also, we got her hand-painted lenses, and she couldn’t see properly with them. But Sonam wanted to [wear them] as they would help her play the part better.”
As cinemas reopen, Sujoy Ghosh to revisit release plan of Blind that was to mark Sonam Kapoor’s web debut
8:17 AM
With cinema halls opening doors again, Blind director Ghosh says he is rethinking release of film that was to mark Sonam’s web debut
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; October 25, 2021)
While makers of several films like Sardar Udham and Rashmi Rocket decided to go ahead with a scheduled OTT release despite the government having announced the reopening of theatres, Blind director Sujoy Ghosh has decided to revisit his plan. The Sonam Kapoor Ahuja starrer was to initially mark her web debut, but Ghosh admits that the team is now uncertain about their decision.
He tells mid-day, “We will decide [the further course of action] next month. At the end of the day, we all make movies for the big screen, right? That’s a high for a filmmaker. We have been thinking about [going ahead with] a theatrical release, but one doesn’t always get what they want. Suddenly, there is a plethora of films coming in. Shelf space is an issue. There is a list of movies lined up for release. Now, who has the income to watch four films a week? Many have been unemployed in the past year, and watching movies at a multiplex with the family can be an expensive [affair].”
Directed by Shome Makhija, Blind revolves around a visually impaired police cadet (played by Kapoor), who uses her senses to find a killer. The action-thriller, also featuring Vinay Pathak, Purab Kohli and Lillete Dubey, was shot in a start-to-finish schedule from December 2020, in Glasgow, Scotland. It was wrapped up in February this year. Talking about collaborating with Kapoor, Ghosh says, “Sonam is a brilliant actress, and is wonderful to work with.”
I hate the goddamn camera-Mamik Singh
7:58 AM
After a starry debut, Mamik Singh reveals why he stayed away from taking up too many projects
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 23, 2021)
Actor Mamik Singh, who managed to make his mark with his debut film, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992), soon disappeared from the silver screen, leaving his fans disappointed. While the actor did appear in a couple of TV shows, films and web series, his aversion to camera has always kept him away from taking up bigger roles. Opening up about his career, Singh tells us, “What I am doing now, or have done in the past is not something I am up to in life these days.”
Though the actor was offered several roles, he chose to do projects only if he felt like it. The 58-year-old explains, “Beech beech mein log mujhe bulate rehte hain, and people do come to me with offers saying, ‘sir aap aa jao, yeh karlo ya woh karlo’. And based on my mood, I go and do the projects.”
After his debut, the actor starred in TV shows such as Saahil, Maal Hai To Taal Hai, Aa Gale Lag Jaa, and Ssshhhh...Koi Hai. He was also a part of web shows such as Rangmanch, Scam 1992 – The Harshad Mehta Story and Who’s Your Daddy Season 2. But Singh insists that it isn’t his story anymore. He says, “I have been there, done that. Now, it is not my story.”
When asked why he feels that way, the actor is quick to reply, “Mere ko na phele shauk tha, na aaj shauk hai. I am not even interested in telling people about my upcoming projects. I never intended to do that when I started my career, and that is true even today. I was a very reluctant actor. I hate the goddamn camera.”
He asserts that if it wasn’t for his aversion, he would have done “150 films by now”. So how did he decide to be a part of actor Akshay Kumar’s BellBottom. He reveals, “The director (Ranjit M Tewari) came to me to play the role of Kumar’s brother. After some time, I agreed to be part of the film and left for Scotland with the team.”
However, the actor was miffed when many of his parts got chopped off during editing. “All the scenes about the relationship between the brothers didn’t make it to the final cut. I spoke with the director, asking him why he brought me to Scotland for such a small role,” he quips.
Now, Singh wants to shift his focus entirely and work for the greater good. “I am working on two things — an enterprise which will help animal and towards education, so everyone gets a fair chance to get ahead in life,” he signs off.
For Blind, we were starting at 3 pm and shooting until 4 am-Sonam Kapoor
8:12 AM
Sonam, who plays the central role in Sujoy Ghosh’s 'Blind', on filming the thriller in Scotland during the second wave of Coronavirus pandemic
MID-DAY (July 5, 2021)
From picnicking at Hampstead Heath during the summer to spending nights locked-down in her Notting Hill townhouse, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja has given a peek into her life in London in Vogue India’s July 2021 issue. However, it has not been all play for the actor. Earlier this year, Kapoor shot for director Shome Makhija’s Blind in Scotland. The film is a remake of the 2011 Korean thriller of the same name about an ex-police officer who loses her eyesight and becomes embroiled in a case.
To prepare for the Sujoy Ghosh co-production, she immersed herself in Zoom rehearsals, trained in fight sequences, and walked around the house with a blindfold on. She recalls wearing white lenses during the shoot that blocked her vision. “It was intense. We were starting at 3 pm and shooting until 4 am. You’d wake up and have one hour of daylight.” Still, she’s immensely proud of the film that lets her examine the experience of differently-abled people while playing “an empowered woman.”
Asserting that her craft means a lot to her, Kapoor is increasingly specific about the roles she takes on. While she acknowledges that depiction of women on screen is improving, there’s still a long way to go for an equal industry. “The pay gap is ridiculous. I can stand up to it, but then I don’t get those roles, and I’m okay with that. I can afford to do that. I realised over the past two or three years that I have no right to judge anybody. I’m privileged, so making difficult choices isn’t really f**king difficult.”
It was a surreal shoot, hope this isn’t the new normal-Lara Dutta
8:16 AM
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 17, 2020)
Shooting in a global pandemic sounds daunting, but actor Lara Dutta Bhupathi reveals the challenges during this unusual time were dealt with professionalism and personal attention on the sets of the film Bellbottom.
She says, “Initially, it was normal to feel a little anxious considering Coronavirus cases are rising rapidly in India. But I was reassured to see all protocols in place. Ours was the first film to be shot after the lockdown, but despite the nervousness we were all eager to get back to work. We took a chartered fight to Scotland.” Directed by Ranjit M Tewari, the spy thriller was shot extensively in Scotland. Producers Vashu Bhagnani, Jackky Bhagnani and Deepshikha Deshmukh ensured the cast and crew felt safe, on and off the sets.
Talking about the efforts of the producers, the actor adds, “The entire unit was tested in Mumbai and after landing, we were tested again and sent to a two-week quarantine. As we were all together, it did not feel we were imprisoned. Akshay (Kumar) and Deepshikha brought their kids and so had I. So, we all spent time together, kept the circle tight and safe for each other and the children. It gave me a sense of security.”
Thrilled about returning to work, the actor admits that to be a part of the first film to be shot after the lockdown felt “hugely gratifying”. She says, “When shooting finally began, I was the first actor on the sets. I felt grateful to be on a set where every single precaution possible was taken, sanitisation was meticulous and the cast and crew were checked every day. Everything was secure, right from the food delivery on sets to the drivers who took us to and fro.”
While she calls it a “surreal experience”, she also hopes “this is not going to be the new normal”.
My age doesn’t affect me, it’s others that it concerns-Akshay Kumar
10:06 AM
Actor Akshay Kumar, who’ll turn 53, says that either via popularity, opportunities, hard work or age, every actor has a shelf life
Monika Rawal Kukreja (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 6, 2020)
Be it contributing to areas hit by natural disasters, or trying a genre that not every actor would take the risk of doing — Akshay Kumar loves to take the lead in everything he does. Even when it’s about actors resuming work during the Coronavirus crisis, he was the first one to step out for an ad shoot and now, he’s among the first actors to shoot for a feature film, Bellbottom, during the pandemic. In an exclusive chat, the actor talks about the new normal, his birthday plans and why he, too, feels theatres should finally open.
Almost a month of filming in Scotland, how’s the new normal on a film set been?
I’m a very lucky man to be one of the first actors in the world to shoot a feature film in these times. But, I’m aware that many are struggling the world over, and I wish them the best, to get through this year. It’s not easy but never give up.
Anything that you’re missing on set?
What I miss the most is hugging and shaking hands with those I respect, love and admire outside of my bubble. That’s something what makes me sit back and remember how warm and welcoming life was before this pandemic. But health and safety comes first. This version of life isn’t forever, it’s just for now. So, we all need to focus on self, social and societal improvements.
Is it a relief to have your family by your side or is there a sense of worry too?
I’m blessed that my whole family is with me. First thing we did after the quarantine was take a walk in the park and played with this one tennis ball my daughter luckily carried with her. Of course there’s a sense of worry even though it’s much safer in Scotland right now — Covid is around every corner — but all we can do is be sensible, take precautions and move on with our lives safely.
We saw your promo of Into the Wild with Bear Grylls... how was the experience?
Bear and I were destined to meet. We’re like brothers from other mothers, or ‘two peas in a pod’ like he’d say (laughs). Any adrenaline wild junkie would be obsessed with everything he does. We believe in the same training, have so much passion for nature, stunts and pushing ourselves to our limits, age playing a factor only when we allow it to.
You recently shared a video urging people to help the lesser privileged in these crisis. What hit you hard?
I felt our local vendors had no one speaking for them, so it was just a simple appeal to the public, as we all have a bhaji wale bhaiya, a fruit wale uncle, bread wale bhaiya etc, who’re a part of our lives and if we can help them, by just buying from them, we can all come out of this pandemic together.
The theatre shutdown is also a big concern... as an actor and a producer, any thoughts?
Various sectors including airlines, malls, gyms etc. have started functioning with precautions, it’s about time theatres get a go-ahead. Not only will this help bring some stability to the film industry but also help so many people’s livelihood who’re associated with multiplexes, plus it’ll also bring the audiences some cheer in these drab times.
You turn 53 on September 9... Does age make you think that things would change for you?
My age doesn’t affect me, it’s others that it concerns. Every actor has a shelf life. Do I need to worry about that now? Well, I hope not.
So, what special birthday plans?
You’ll have to ask my wife and kids. I’m hoping my masterchef of a son makes me his cheesecake or cinnamon buns. Also, I’m shooting that day and Bell Bottom team is super cool.
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Akshay kumar to launch Fau:G
On Friday, Akshay Kumar announced he’s launching a multiplayer action game, Fearless And United: Guards, FAU: G, to support PM Narendra Modi’s Atma Nirbhar movement. “With FAU:G, I hope as the youngsters play the game, they'll also learn about the sacrifices of our soldiers and also contribute to the families of the martyrs,” the actor said in a statement.
The social vice is the villain of the story in John Abraham's Gorkha-Aseem Arrora
9:11 AM
Writer Aseem Arrora’s actioner is a tribute to the Gorkha regiment
Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 14, 2020)
The nationwide lockdown coming in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak was believed to be the best time for screenplay writers. Aseem Arrora busts the myth. The writer of the Akshay Kumar-starrer Bellbottom, the Ek Villain sequel, the John Abraham-fronted Gorkha and Luv Ranjan’s urban comedy, says he works maximum six hours a day as against the usual 14-16 hours. “I have to look after my two-year-old son Shivaay who wants to play all day,” he sighs.Akshay’s espionage drama will roll in Scotland in a few days. Last Wednesday, the entire crew left for London, from where they headed to Scotland. Since commercial flights are not operational, the makers arranged for chartered flights to London. Each crew member is being given a safety kit comprising PPE, masks, sanitisers, oximeters and other mandatory essentials. “Bellbottom is set in the turbulent ’80s when the intelligence agencies of countries like China and Pakistan were very active. We were just 10 odd years old then, with RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) becoming independent of the Intelligence Bureau, so it’s amazing that we could neutralise threats to India’s security. The film is inspired by real events,” he informs. As for the title, Aseem says, “It is set in an era when bell bottoms were in fashion and the connection our protagonist has with them, is all I can say for now.”
Aseem’s interest in espionage and the army stems from his Sainik School background. “I couldn’t clear the (NDA) National Defence Academy exams because I didn’t have the perfect eyesight and had to leave after three years,” he rues, adding that his fascination with the uniform, discipline and dedication remained and motivated him to read more on the subject. “The idea of Bellbottom came when I stumbled upon a piece of information during my reading. Since not much literature was available, I contacted those who could tell me more,” he says, adding that while intel officers never reveal their real identity as their acts of bravery are contradictory to their image and the agency’s operations, the film will share some names and give these real heroes their due.
Aseem is equally passionate about Gorkha, an action thriller which pays tribute to the Gorkha regiment of the Indian Army. Set against the premise of an army background, the story is set in hinterland of India and has a strong emotional quotient. The film addresses a social vice that John, a polished, educated guy who finds himself in a world totally alien to him, fights. “The social vice is the villain of the story,” says the scriptwriter who has also authored a book on the mananimal relationship and the poaching menace. “It’s a story of a forest ranger and a tiger cub,” he reveals. When asked if he has spoken about it to John, who’s previously campaigned to save tigers, Aseem says, “I was already in talks with another production house before I met John. But in due course of time, I will talk to him about it.”
Work in the time of Coronavirus: Bollywood goes around the world to shoot amid pandemic
7:57 AM
With Akshay Kumar set to kick off Bellbottom in Scotland, filmmakers consider overseas locations for shoots; Aamir Khan to take Laal Singh Chaddha to Turkey, Shakun revives Sri Lanka plan for Deepika Padukone-starrer
Uma Ramasubramanian, Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 6, 2020)
Even as the Unlock India plan continues, one phase at a time, filmmakers are contemplating taking their projects abroad due to the ease of shooting and flexible safety restrictions. The idea has got a boost with India undertaking the Air Bubble agreement with the UK, US, France, Germany and the UAE. Among the first Bollywood projects to roll will be Akshay Kumar's Bellbottom. The spy thriller — that features Vaani Kapoor and Lara Dutta — is expected to go on floors this month with the 120-member team flying to Scotland in private jets.Taking a cue from Kumar, Aamir Khan is gearing up to take Laal Singh Chaddha to foreign turf. The setting is a crucial element in the Advait Chandan-directed venture as the narrative traces India's important political and cultural milestones as witnessed by the protagonist. A source reveals, "Aamir is planning to recreate Punjab in Turkey and Georgia as the former has brought the crisis relatively under control. The team is in the process of locking locations via virtual recce and will head there when the travel restrictions ease. The pending Ladakh schedule will possibly be shot in Kargil before that."
The third season of Four More Shots Please was to go on floors in April, with a portion to be filmed in Italy. Director Tannishtha Chatterjee reveals she has been taking updates from friends in the United Kingdom and Italy to understand the situation. "Shooting abroad is safer, but one must consider the rules of quarantine. If my unit has to be quarantined for 14 days, the budget will get affected. Also, the bigger chunk of the show is set in India. So, we have not determined when we will shoot."Director Shakun Batra is handpicking a team of 50 that will fly to Sri Lanka for the shoot of the yet-untitled relationship drama, featuring Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ananya Panday. "On August 1, Sri Lanka opened the airports for tourists again. Shakun is hopeful that India will resume flights to the country by November," says a source.
Akshay Kumar chalks out a seven-film plan
8:33 AM
Actor to kick off spy thriller in August, followed by historical, love story, action comedy, besides a Diwali release and 2 new films in 2021
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 20, 2020)
Recently, the actor announced his intentions to fly off to the United Kingdom/Scotland in August to kick off his new espionage-thriller, Bellbottom. A true-life story of an Indian spy, the film is set in the ’80s and was to roll in September. However, with the virus hitting plans for a six, the Ranjit Tewari-directorial will be the first to take off now.
One of the few actors who’s consistently had four releases a year, he’s all geared up to get back into action after a forced break of five months in 2020.“The reason he decided to film Bellbottom first is that the narrative does not require too many crowd scenes or large-scale action. Akshay usually wraps up a film in 40-50 days. This one will be shot abroad for a month, followed by minor spells on a set in India. If all goes as planned, it should be complete by the end of September. The team is currently awaiting permission to take off for foreign shores,” informed an inside source.
After this, Khiladi Kumar will move to a historical action drama, Prithviraj, which had ground to an abrupt halt in March following the announcement of a countrywide lockdown. “Around 40 per cent of the shoot remains and Akshay is looking to resume work from October-end. The historical needs to be mounted on a certain scale and so the makers are in no hurry to join the race to the finish,” pointed out the source.
The actor, who has a ‘special’ role in Aanand L Rai’s next directorial, Atrangi Re, which also features Dhanush and Sara Ali Khan, was to start work in April. “It is an outdoor shoot across the country, which is why they’re yet to decide on the dates. It’s just two weeks’ work for Akshay and once the situation improves, he will work the film into his schedule,” says the source.Finally, there is the Sajid Nadiadwala-produced and Farhad Samji-directed Bachchan Pandey, which was also supposed to go on the floors in April. Now, the action-comedy is expected to roll around December-January. “The screenplay and dialogue of this out-and-out entertainer with lavishly-mounted songs and action scenes, is locked and everyone, including leading lady Kriti Sanon, is excited to get started,” said our source, adding that Akshay will be taking breaks after every film. “He has a team in place to ensure that all SOPs are strictly followed by everyone. Safety will be the priority on the set.”
Next year, he has Ekta Kapoor’s action-comedy, a Telugu remake lined up, and also a film with Maneesh Sharma. The actor’s next big-screen appearance will be in Rohit Shetty’s thriller, Sooryavanshi, which has been announced as a Diwali 2020 release. He plays the titular role of a cop in the Anti-Terrorist Squad and will be joined by Ajay Devgn’s Singham and Ranveer Singh’s Simmba. The film was gearing up for a March 24 release till Covid-19 put paid to all plans.
If I have to set a film outside India, I will only do it at a place that I know well-Sujoy Ghosh
8:28 AM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; October 12, 2019)
Those familiar with director Sujoy Ghosh’s work are mostly in awe of his film’s setting. Kahaani was gorgeously shot in Kolkata and Badla was set in Scotland.Talk about the way he used the backdrop of Kolkata so aesthetically for Kahaani, and the director explains that he prefers shooting in places that he is familiar with. “I missed shooting in Kolkata during Badla, but that film demanded a certain setting and Scotland was perfect. I haven’t travelled much in life. Within India, I am very familiar with Kolkata and Mumbai, outside of that, I have travelled around the UK. If I have to set a film outside India, I will only do it at a place that I know well, hence we chose Scotland for Badla. Also, my stories decide the setting. For instance, the characters in Badla are independent people, who do their chores like cleaning, cooking and all that on their own. I needed an environment which supported that. In India, most of us don’t do all that, so a location outside our country worked for it. The story leads the way, even when it comes to picking the location to shoot at.”
Arjun Rampal hops onboard supernatural thriller revolving around serial murders
7:55 AM
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; September 17, 2019)
Arjun Rampal may have his hands full with daddy duties, but he is squeezing in time to sit for script narrations. The actor has greenlit his next, a supernatural thriller titled Anjaan - The Unknown. The movie, co-produced by Rahul Mittra and Raju Chadha, will see Rampal play a cop in hot pursuit of a serial killer.
Mittra, who previously collaborated with Rampal on Daddy (2017), says that the script is a mix of a whodunit and horror. "Set in a hill station, the film revolves around three girls who are found murdered under mysterious circumstances. Arjun essays the role of a cop who investigates these killings and finds a common thread linking them all," he narrates.
The Amitendra Vats-directed venture will go on floors in January. "We will be doing recces in Scotland and Uttarakhand, before deciding on the final location. Simultaneously, we are finalising rest of the cast," says Mittra, adding that Rampal was their first choice for the lead. "As soon as he heard the script, he said yes."
Randeep Hooda unable to recollect last 48 hours
7:42 AM
That’s the premise of the actor’s next film, which is set to kick off in Scotland with cast and crew from the United Kingdom
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 13, 2019)
Randeep Hooda has been a busy guy. After wrapping up Imtiaz Ali’s #AajKal, featuring Kartik Aaryan and Sara Ali Khan, the actor is gearing up for the Sanjay Leela Bhansali-produced yet untitled thriller in October with Mukkabaaz actress Zoya Hussain. Now, Mirror has learnt that Randeep has given his nod to another thriller, the tentatively-titled Rat On The Highway. It will be directed by debutant Vivek Chouhan.
“Randeep plays an advertising professional who is unable to recollect the last 48 hours of his life. He is in the middle of a highway, trying to piece it all together. This film was originally conceived by Sunil Saini, Sunny Deol’s manager. I really liked the concept and suggested we reach out to Randeep as we needed an actor par excellence. Fortunately, he loved the script too,” informs filmmaker Mohaan Nadaar.
The film kicks off in Scotland soon. Randeep will reach the location three days early for a workshop. “We start shooting in Arbroath (a former royal burgh and the largest town in the council area of Angus in Scotland) with all permissions in place. Randeep has been working on his look with the director who has 25 years of experience as an ad filmmaker. He’s worked on this film for the last three years,” adds Mohaan.
Besides Randeep, the entire cast and crew is from the United Kingdom. They will be shooting with three cameras, with Randeep mouthing lines in both Hindi and English. Most of the filming will happen at night with the makers hoping to wrap up the actor’s portions in 24 days.
Pankaj Tripathi shoots for '83 shoot despite fracture
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Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 25, 2019)
While Ranveer Singh and his boys kicked off the shoot of ’83 in London with gusto, Pankaj Tripathi — who essays the role of team manager P R Man Singh — is battling an injury. The actor, who fractured his ribs last month during his Scotland vacation, has reported to the film’s set despite the severity of his condition.
Tripathi says, “I have been advised against lifting weights, and making sudden movements. We also have a physiotherapist on the set to attend to my injury.”
He adds that keeping his condition in mind, director Kabir Khan is currently filming scenes that are not physically demanding. “Ranveer and the cast have stopped hugging me, fearing they will hurt me,” he jokes.
Image: Check out Pankaj Tripathi holidaying with family in Scotland
7:56 AM
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 7, 2019)
Before he kicks off his next in a week’s time, Pankaj Tripathi has whisked off wife Mridula and daughter Aashi to London and Scotland for a two-week holiday. The actor who was recently seen in the Kartik Aaryan and Kriti Sanon-starrer Luka Chuppi, has also shot for Super 30, which is headlined by Hrithik Roshan, spearheads Satish Kaushik’s Kaagaz and also features in the Shakeela biopic, among other projects. “Thanks to a busy schedule, I had not taken a break since the last two years. Mridula likes Scotland, while Aashi is a fan of Sherlock Holmes. So, late last month, we left for our trip which began with a week in London where we visited the Sherlock Holmes Museum among other places, before heading to the Scottish vales and lochs. All three of us are history buffs and there is a lot to learn here,” the actor informed from Stirling, a city in central Scotland.
The Tripathis were in Edinburgh for a few days, then went to the Highlands. “Everything is so green and serene here, I have switched off my Mumbai number as the plan is to chill,” Pankaj admitted, adding that he is binging on local delicacies, in particular the smoked salmon. “But my wife is a vegetarian so we have rented an apartment where she can cook her own dinner. We have masalas from London and buy groceries from the local market. It’s ironic, bahar dekho toh Scotland hai, but the minute we reach home, I can smell Indian cooking,” he laughed.
Ranveer Singh is a cricket crazy guy, with a good batting technique-Balvinder Singh Sandhu
8:26 AM
Balvinder Singh Sandhu, member of India’s 1983 winning cricket team, is coaching Kabir Khan’s players
Natasha Countinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 15, 2019)
Kabir Khan’s sports drama, 83, based on India’s World Cup cricket win, flags off in mid-May with Ranveer Singh stepping into the shoes of then skipper, all-rounder Kapil Dev. Veteran cricketer Balvinder Singh Sandhu, who was part of the winning team, has been training Ranveer and his onscreen teammates over the last few months, and is all praise for the actor. “Ranveer is a cricket crazy guy, with a good batting technique evident on the first day itself. His bowling was a little rusty, but after three-four days he was running well and executing the action required,” the former fast bowler raves. “We are working on improving his technique to make him look like Kapil Dev and not Ranveer Singh.”Prod him on the prep and he informs that they practise two cricketing shots every day. “Ranveer was supposed to train for an hour a day, but high on energy and keen to learn, he stays back for two-and-half-hours. He has been busy the past few days, but will resume training in the coming week,” he informs.
They begin shooting around May 15 in London and Scotland. It’s a 100-day schedule, and towards March-end they will have a 10-day bonding and training session in Dharamshala. They will also train in Mumbai for a week. “I treat all the actors like actual cricketers and follow the same techniques that I do at the National Cricket Academy,” says the coach who is currently in Patiala training Ammy Virk who plays him on screen.Virk says he’s 95 per cent ready and trying hard to get his cricket right to make his Sandhu believable. “I’m looking forward to getting to know Ranveer better during the training sessions. Since we will all be living together for three-four months, it’s important to know each other. Sandhu sir will be on the sets all the time which will make my work easier,” he says with relief.
Sandhu himself is also happy with the progress of the other actors. Jiiva who plays Krishnamachari Srikanth, has his manager, a cricketer himself, helping him with his technique while Chirag Patil who plays his cricketer-father Sandeep Patil, has been hitting the ball well. “Kabir Khan is the actual captain of this team, friendly, open to suggestions and very patient,” he smiles.
Flashbacking to the memorable final in ’83 when India took on West Indies at Lord’s, Sandhu says getting the first wicket of Gordon Greenidge was the big high. “That gave us hope that we could win the Cup.”
Kunal Kapoor, Kalki Koechlin team up for Amin Hajee's Koi Jaane Na?
8:34 AM
Actor-writer Ameen Hajee gears up to make his directorial debut with the film
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 1, 2018)
Mirror has learnt that Kunal Kapoor and Kalki Koechlin are teaming up for a thriller to be directed by actor-writer Amin Hajee. Hajee who is making his directorial debut, played Bagha in the Aamir Khan-Gracy Singh starrer Lagaan and Vir Singh in Mangal Pandey: The Rising. He has written the screenplays for films like Shah Rukh Khan’s Swades and Mimoh Chakraborty’s Haunted-3D.
A source close to the development reveals that the film produced by Mohaan Nadaar is titled Koi Jaane Na and shooting begins towards the end of September. “It will be shot majorly in Scotland in a month-long schedule with some portions in Panchgani later. Kunal plays a writer who doubles up as a vigilante,” informs the source, adding that Kalki’s role is being kept under wraps for the moment and Hajee has been consulting mentor Ashustosh Gowariker about how to go about his directorial debut.
This is the first time Kunal and Kalki are teaming up for a film. Kunal will be seen next in Reema Kagti’s sports drama, Gold, in which he plays a hockey player.
Kalki plays a music producer in Zoya Akhtar’s musical Gully Boy, which also features Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt.
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