Showing posts with label Shaad Ali. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shaad Ali. Show all posts
Ahan Shetty's next gets delayed by 5 months; makers replace director Shaad Ali
10:46 AM
After Ahan Shetty’s film is delayed by five months due to director Shaad Ali’s prior commitment, makers replace him with Tinu Desai
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 11, 2026)
In February, Ahan Shetty had revealed to mid-day that his next, an action love story directed by Shaad Ali, would go on floors by summer (We should start filming around March-April, Feb 2). But in the latest development, the yet-untitled film has been delayed by nearly five months.
Sources have indicated that Ali’s commitment to mentor Mani Ratnam’s next production caused the delay, eventually leading the makers to seek another director for Shetty’s film.
It turns out that Ali has been deeply involved with Ratnam’s project that is currently on floors. An industry insider revealed, “Since Mani sir’s film is not a short-term engagement, Shaad wanted his directorial feature with Ahan to be pushed. It became clear earlier this year that the two movies’ timelines would clash. So, the producers decided to part ways with Shaad and find another director. Tinu Desai, who last directed Mission Raniganj [2023], was roped in last week.”
Apparently the makers aren’t perturbed by the postponement, utilising the time to fine-tune the script and conduct intensive pre-production. As per the revised timelines, the film is expected to go on floors in August in Uttar Pradesh.
Ahan Shetty to star in Shaad Ali's intense romantic drama after Border 2
9:10 AM
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; February 2, 2026)
With Border 2, Ahan Shetty got a well-earned second shot at movies. As the war drama continues its strong run at the box office, the actor is not only relishing the fruits of his hard work but also building his line-up of projects.
He revealed to mid-day that he has signed three films, including one with director Shaad Ali of Saathiya (2002) fame. “It’s an intense action love story, something I’m returning to after Tadap [2021]. I like such intense characters and the depth they carry,” he shared.
Work on the yet-untitled project is underway, with Ali aiming to take it on floors by summer. “We should start filming around March-April. But dates are flexible right now. We’re sitting on the script and music,” revealed Shetty, adding that he is looking forward to surrendering to Ali’s vision.
“Shaad sir knows exactly what he wants. I’m excited to work with him because we understand each other. I think he’ll get a great performance out of me. I believe in completely surrendering to my director.”
Nitanshi Goel joins Ahan Shetty for Shaad Ali’s next
9:50 AM
Natasha Coutinho (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 6, 2025)
Reports of actor Ahan Shetty teaming up with filmmaker Shaad Ali for his next, a love story, have being doing the rounds. Now, we have learnt that actor Nitanshi Goel has come on board as leading lady.
A source connected to the film reveals, “The film is a love story based in Uttar Pradesh. Shaad completed the recce last month and has finalised his locations and other details. The film will be shot in and around Bareilly.”
As per the source, the announcement for the film will be made after the release of Border 2. “(Actor) Sanjay Dutt has also been approached for a pivotal role. Talks are on but nothing is finalized yet. Shoot is expected to start by February next year,” the source adds.
We reached out to Nitanshi, Shaad and Sanjay but they did not respond till the time of going to press.
Ahan Shetty’s action drama rolls in October
9:12 AM
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 8, 2025)
After signing on a love story with director Shaad Ali, actor Ahan Shetty has locked his next project as well — and it’s set to be an action-packed affair.
A source close to the development of the project tells us that the 29-year-old, who made his acting debut with Tadap (2021), will be seen in an action-drama next. “Ahan has signed an actioner which will be directed by renowned Bengali director Birsa Dasgupta, and is being produced by Shibasish Sarkar and Ribhu Dasgupta,” the source tells us, adding that the leading lady is currently being finalised, with an official announcement expected soon.
The yet-untitled film will go on floors this October, adds the source. Meanwhile, Ahan also has Border 2 in the pipeline, which will release next year. For Birsa, this collaboration will mark his directorial debut in Hindi films, although he has earlier directed Hindi web series such as Mafia (2020), Black Widows (2020) and The Magic Of Shiri (2024).
Ahan Shetty to star in Shaad Ali’s next; to go on floors in 2026
9:48 AM
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 14, 2025)
akash.bhatnagar@partner.hindustantimes.com
Besides starring alongside Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan and Diljit Dosanjh in filmmaker JP Dutta’s Border 2, Ahan Shetty has also signed his next project. The actor, who marked his Bollywood debut in 2021 with Tadap, will be seen in Shaad Ali’s next. The speculation started when a picture of Ahan with the director — known for helming films such as Saathiya (2002), Bunty Aur Babli (2005) and OK Jaanu (2017) — surfaced online.
Now, our source confirms, saying, “Ahan is collaborating with Shaad for his next film, which is a love story. The duo was spotted together at the airport as they were headed to Delhi for some work related to the film. The search for the female lead is currently on.”
The insider adds, “Ahan is currently shooting for Border 2. Shaad’s film is expected to go on floors next year.”
100 Years of Mumbai electric local train: When these filmi moments were captured on Mumbai’s trains
9:07 AM
As Mumbai’s electric trains marked a century, here’s taking a look at some films where the local trains played an important part in the narrative
Natasha Coutinho (BOMBAY TIMES; March 8, 2025)
Mumbai’s local trains are aptly known as the lifeline of the city. They cover the length and breadth of the city, packing in millions of passengers daily, pausing only for a few hours at night and back on track by early morning. Mumbai’s electric trains complete a century this February (the first electric-powered train in India operated between CSMT and Kurla on February 3). The local trains have also been used as a backdrop for several Bollywood films. We spoke to those working behind the camera about how they pulled off shooting elaborate scenes and songs amidst the unstoppable chaos of daily commuters.
‘We took a Mumbai local to Khandala for Ra.One’
Action director Parvez Shaikh, along with international stunt directors, worked on the massive action sequence on a Mumbai local in Anubhav Sinha’s Ra.One featuring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Shah Rukh Khan.
Parvez recalled, “We had to acquire various permissions to take the Mumbai local train to Khandala for the shoot. The main action sequences were shot there and then we also shot all the way from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to Churchgate and Borivali Station. It would have been inconvenient for commuters if we had shot the stunts involving SRK in Mumbai. Also, we wanted to avoid electrical wires in some shots. Kareena’s portions were shot by a duplicate on the real train and later filmed with her on a set in Mumbai. We used around 100 cameras all over the train for the sequence.”
‘The challenge was to create special moments in the train sequence’
The idea behind the romantic song Ishq Bulaava from Hasee Toh Phasee, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra, was to show the subculture of Mumbai that unfolds after office hours.
Director Vinil Mathew explains, “Ishq Bulaava came at a time where the lead characters begin to spend time together. We shot the sequence at Goregaon Station. The challenge was to create special moments in the train sequence despite the separate ladies and gents’ compartments. Hasee Toh Phasee was shot on a limited budget, so we didn’t have the luxury of blocking trains. We had 40 minutes to shoot, and it was a functional train, so we just blocked one bogie and completed our shoot.”
‘We got the first train of the day ready for our shoot’
Choreographer Longinus Fernandes recalls they visited various studios to find a set for Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire, but none matched director Danny Boyle’s expectations. Finally, they decided on CSMT for its architecture, ample space and lavishness and Jai Ho was shot over four days.
He said, “We received a lot of support from the railway authorities who ensured there was less crowd from 12 am to 5 am and they got the first train of the day ready for our shoot. We started with rehearsals five-six days prior to the shoot. Dev Patel and Freida Pinto were newcomers and dealing with such a crowd was something new for them as well, but Danny Boyle maintained that rawness that was evident on their faces.”
‘Aamir Khan missed getting hit by the train by one second’
Aamir Khan pulled off one of the most dangerous stunts in film history, which had him running towards a speeding train in Ghulam. Director Vikram Bhatt recalls that the scene was filmed at Sanpada Station.
He shared, “It was one of the last scenes of the film and we shot in January, so it was really cold, and we shot over 9-10 nights. At Sanpada station we had the railway yard, garage and tin sheds on one side and the railway track on the other side. We shot the scene in such a way that Aamir and the train were running on the same side because we could not show the yard. Aamir missed getting hit by the train by one second and that was scary. After that I put my foot down that all the other stunts in the film would be done using VFX.”
‘We shot at Marine Lines and Andheri Station for Saathiya’
The young romance between Rani Mukerji’s Suhani and Vivek Oberoi’s Aditya in Saathiya (2002) that blooms on a Mumbai’s local train remains an audience favourite. Director Shaad Ali told us that in Saathiya one of the most important parts of the story was to show how their love story sparks while they are in two trains heading in opposite directions.
He said, “The scenes had to look dramatic and cinematic, with a touch of middle-class romance. Being a debut director I didn’t have a grand budget and had to wrap up the shoot in two days, so we worked on a 28-hour shift and shot at Marine Lines and Andheri Station. Crowd management was another task, as we had about 10,000 passengers at the station when we were shooting.”
I was asked to replace the word chaddi from Jungle Jungle Baat Chali Hai-Gulzar
11:26 PM
Natasha Coutinho (BOMBAY TIMES; November 14, 2024)
Celebrated Indian poet, lyricist, author, screenwriter and film director Gulzar has penned iconic children’s songs like Lakdi Ki Kaathi from Masoom (1983), Jungle Jungle Baat Chali Hai from The Jungle Book (1989) and Panga from Makdee (2002), the latter two composed by Vishal Bhardwaj. Not many know that even the popular prayer Humko Mann Ki Shakti Dena from Guddi (1971) was written by him. On the occasion of Children’s Day, in a chat at his Bandra bungalow, Gulzar spoke to us about some of his favourite works for children.
‘Many are not aware that the lyrics of Humko Mann Ki Shakti Dena were written by me’
Gulzar explains that the idea behind the song was to portray what a young schoolgirl prays for and how she expresses her thoughts. He says, “Humko Mann Ki Shakti Dena went on to become the morning prayer at many schools. Many people don’t know the lyrics were written by me. I was recently working with Shaad Ali (director) at the recording studio, and he mentioned that they used to sing Humko Mann Ki Shakti Dena in school. He was taken by surprise when Shankar Mahadevan mentioned that the lyrics were written by me. If you speak from your heart, it reaches children. Back then, the great Indian poet Kedarnath Singh had told me, ‘Your work has gone beyond your name, which is a great thing.’”
‘Writing for children isn’t about getting the grammar right’
Talking about how he develops the idea that connects with children, he cites the example of Lakdi Ki Kathi (Masoom), a song that has resonated with children across generations. “The idea came from the thought that if you make a child sit on a walking stick and call it a horse, they know it isn’t real, but they still enjoy the experience because of their imagination. It’s also important to use places that they are familiar with, for example, they have heard their parents speaking about visiting the sabzi mandi (vegetable market) or Mehrauli and so on. So, the song must have a familiar environment. Writing for children isn’t about getting the grammar right, it’s about throwing grammar out of the window and connecting with the child’s thought process. Children enjoy tongue twisters, what we give them in textbooks is boring.”
‘I was asked to replace the word chaddi from the song Jungle Jungle Baat Chali Hai’
Recalling a controversy over the lyrics of another popular song, he shares, “NFDC had some objection to the lines, Jungle Jungle baat chali hai, pata chala hai, arre chaddi pehen ke phool khila hai (The Jungle Book, 1989).
“I was told, ‘Gulzar saab ab aap poetry mein chaddi bhi le aayenge.’ There was a silly suggestion to replace the word chaddi with lungi. I asked them if Mowgli in The Jungle Book had put on anything else throughout the film? Ab chaddi ko kuch aur bolenge? Vishal Bhardwaj (music composer for The Jungle Book) has a knack for understanding children, he made films like Makdee and The Blue Umbrella, but didn’t find encouragement from the trade. Vishal himself is a little child for me.”
‘I have been working with physically challenged children since 1972’
Gulzar shares, “Since the time I made Koshish in 1972, I have been working with physically challenged children. Every year these children come down from Bhopal and I walk with them at the Mumbai Marathon. These children feel so happy when they appear on television and that gives me immense joy, too. I wish to continue working with children till I’m alive.”
'Inspired to write poems during Covid'
He says, "I wrote a poem on a crow during COVID-19, when death was surrounding us, ambulances were constantly passing by, people were wearing masks but this crow near my house, was busy building it’s nest. Hearing the little crows caw was so inspiring. I ended up writing 14 children’s poems that were published by my friend Sushil Shukla with illustrations by Allen Shaw."
Photo: Prathamesh Bandekar
I had to wear breast pads for Page 3, Ragini MMS 2-Sandhya Mridul
8:24 AM
Vinay MR Mishra (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 20, 2022)
You look vampish’ and ‘Thodi voluptuous body chahiye’ are a few things actor Sandhya Mridul had to hear about her body in the early noughties. Earlier this month, she even revealed how a filmmaker had asked her to get breast enhancement surgery for a film. “I said, ‘I am not changing my body for you. Tomorrow you’ll ask me to change my nose! I won’t do it’. Someone even told me, ‘Aapke toh boobs hi nahin hain’. For one film, they said, ‘We love you but we need you to have big breasts for the character’. So, I told them to pad me,” Mridul shares.
The actor admits that for Page 3 (2005) and Ragini MMS 2 (2014), she did get herself padded to look curvier: “For some scenes in Page 3, I wore [breast] pads. I had roles, like in Ragini MMS 2, for which I suggested the character should wear pads.”
Not one to budge from her beliefs about what she wanted from her career, Mridul tells us, “I have tried my best to not work for money. I’ve gone through difficult financial situations, but I have still not caved in.”
After 2007, she says, lack of work led her to “a phase of chaos”. “I could not see myself on the commercial side [of cinema]. I wasn’t able to fit in that heroine mould. But the kind of work I wanted was not happening,” says the 47-year-old, who has done hits like Saathiya (2002), which she had initially declined.
“Yash ji (Chopra, late filmmaker) said only I would do this role and I’d be good at it. He asked me to meet director Shaad Ali. He was so sweet! I ended up doing the film and enjoyed it,” she ends.
Shaad Ali to team up with RRR writer K V Vijayendra Prasad for a period drama
8:07 AM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; May 25, 2022)
When it comes to historical dramas, K V Vijayendra Prasad of Baahubali and RRR fame is one of the first writers to come to mind. The veteran writer was naturally Shaad Ali’s first choice as he decided to helm a period piece. While the director is currently giving finishing touches to Mister Mummy, featuring Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh, mid-day has learnt that Ali is simultaneously setting the stage for his next, a historical drama set in pre-Independence India.
A trade source reveals, “Shaad has the highest regard for Vijayendra Prasad’s work. After the success of RRR, he approached him to write a romantic drama. The two have discussed the concept, and are envisioning it as a big-budget project with action and romance. While the writer is developing the script, Shaad will begin filming only by 2023.”
The noted writer has his plate full as he develops the scripts of S S Rajamouli’s next with Mahesh Babu, the Rowdy Rathore sequel, and 1770 — Ek Sangram.
When mid-day reached out to Prasad, he confirmed the news, stating, “I am writing the script for Shaad Ali’s next, and will complete it in four months. You will need to ask him for further details.”
Ali, on the other hand, preferred to keep his cards close to the chest. “I am a huge fan of K V Vijayendra Prasad’s work. I have begun post-production work on Mister Mummy, and will start thinking about my next project once this film is completed. No historical [piece] for me yet,” said the director, who recently helmed Call My Agent: Bollywood (2021) and Bloody Brothers.
Onscreen kiss between same sex actors will never be normalized-Mugdha Godse
8:23 AM
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 17, 2022)
Onscreen representation of homosexuality might have become a frequent phenomenon in Hindi films and web shows, but the hoopla surrounding it doesn’t seem to wane off. Needless to say, actor Mugdha Godse’s onscreen kiss with her co-actor Shruti Seth in the web series Bloody Brothers, which released last month, grabbed the attention of many.
“Anything like this will never be normalized,” sighs Godse, adding, “I knew it would be the talk of the town. So, making it look good was my aim.”
Ask her if she had any apprehension about shooting for the scene and she says, “There were many mixed feelings initially to perform the scene. But eventually, we became comfortable and got into our characters. Shruti had rightly said, ‘performance triumphed discomfort’.”
Godse, however, shares that she isn’t open to doing bold scenes that are intended to only grab eyeballs. “In our cinema, many makers put bold scenes to amp up the masala quotient. Very few do it with real aesthetic sense,” she says, adding, “I’m not up for nudity or too many bold scenes. Comfort is important while performing any scene.”
And while filming such intimate scenes, being surrounded by a safe and trustworthy crew is paramount for the 35-year-old. “For instance, in Bloody Brothers, our crew was not only trustworthy, but super helpful and kind, too. Shaad (Ali, director) knew what exactly he wanted and he designed the scene [in such a way that] discomfort took a back seat,” she elaborates.
With the changing landscape in the Indian content scenario, Godse’s glad that filmmakers are ready to accept actors like her in lead roles. “My priorities as an actor remain the same. What have changed are cinema and the film industry. Tall, dusky and non-commercial faces are not cast as vamps only today,” she signs off.
Satish Kaushik, who quit smoking on Veeru Devgan’s insistence, picks it up again for Bloody Brothers
8:01 PM
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; March 17, 2022)
The things actors have to do for a role sometimes go beyond their personal choice. Filmmaker-actor Satish Kaushik, who was flitting between the decision to smoke or not, finally relented for the love of art despite his health issues. Playing a don in ZEE5’s Bloody Brothers required the actor to smoke cigars.
“Shaad [Ali, director] said that the cigar could give my character an edge and style. I have a bit of bronchitis issue, [so I was worried], but he let me take the final call,” informed Kaushik and added that he often sipped warm water after every smoking scene.
“I realised that the smoke of the cigar surrounding my character would make it look interesting [on camera]. I usually mouth-fagged and timed it well to ensure that I looked convincing as don.”
The actor had quit smoking when he set out to direct Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1993). “I quit smoking after shooting for the train robbery sequence in the film. I remember Veeru Devgan was on top of the train, and I was standing below, smoking while briefing him about the scene. He threatened to stop shooting until I stopped smoking. That’s how I quit the habit,” reminisces Kaushik.
Longevity comes from embracing your age and the person you are-Rani Mukerji
8:28 AM
Rani discusses how she has no qualms playing mother to 10-year-old in Bunty Aur Babli 2, and the joy of teaming up with Hum Tum co-star Saif Ali Khan
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 13, 2021)
For someone who is recovering from a knee injury, Rani Mukerji is surprisingly upbeat as she promotes Bunty Aur Babli 2. The wacky energy of her film and the fact that it reunites her with Hum Tum co-star Saif Ali Khan after 13 years probably keep her going. But above all, she is happy to be Babli all over again after the 2005 hit. “When Bunty Aur Babli was first developed, we wanted to take the franchise forward. Shaad [Ali, director] wasn’t convinced. Adi [Aditya Chopra, producer] kept the story for a long time, looking for a director who would make it his own. Finally, it was Varun [V Sharma, director] who whipped up a fantastic screenplay. It is not a regular comedy; it has its heart in the right place,” she begins.
Mukerji believes that Khan and she have matured, just like their on-screen characters. “Saif was a little childish when I met him on the sets of Hum Tum [2004]. Today, he is mature and sorted. We have rediscovered our chemistry with this film. This time, we brought our love and respect on screen. I admire him as an actor; his comic timing is impeccable. We fed off each other’s energies. Our common ground this time was that we were both parents. So, we exchanged notes.”
Well, it appears our Hum Tum characters grew up. Probably the right time to ask if there will ever be a sequel to the romantic drama. “For now, no. But I hope there are more Bunty Babli sequels in the offing.”
Letting go of their vanities, Khan piled on the kilos to play the average Fursatganj middle-aged man while Mukerji plays mother to a 10-year-old in the con caper. That must be refreshing compared to 10 years ago, when vanity was sacrosanct to an actor’s existence. “Today, it’s liberating how movies have changed and how actors are viewed. Earlier too, I did Black [2005] and Yuva [2004] where I didn’t care about my characters’s [appearance]. I like interesting parts because longevity comes from embracing your age and the person you are. I don’t want to convince the audience otherwise. That said, I’ve done a glamorous film after so long.”
People ask me, ‘Why don’t you write a biography?’-Satish Kaushik
7:55 AM
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 9, 2021)
With a number of projects lined up, filmmaker Satish Kaushik is grateful for “good times”. He has been shooting all over India for projects. “Working with the younger lot is exciting. Today, experienced people have to impress the younger generation, too (laughs). This year, has been hectic, but fun,” he says.
Kaushik’s mantra in life is that his roles should be relatable. His performances in films like Udta Punjab (2016), Soorma (2018), and the web show Scam 1992 have got him better work of late, he shares. “More than comedy, my character roles connected with the audience. Now, I am getting negative and serious roles, as well. Today, the audience wants to be surprised by actors, so you have to adapt yourselves. Going forward, I am doing a series with director Shaad Ali and my role will shock people,” he says.
Kaushik, who has been in the business for three decades, has many interesting experiences and stories. He admits, “People ask me, ‘Why don’t you write a biography?’ When they hear anecdotes about my struggles and growth, they want more. Back in the 80s, there was no alternate to entertainment, apart from films. Today, there are so many avenues. I have been thinking about writing a biography. It will be funny and inspiring, because it will be about a person of my nature and looks, who got into films and made a name.”
Moreover, the filmmaker recently sung a song called Chatar Patar, which is about being old school in this new age. “I have sung songs before, including on stage, but this was fun. The idea was to present my thought and nature with simple lyrics about life. Something that common people can be relatable. Besura aadmi bhi gaa sakey aisa gaana,” he quips.
Check out Richa Chadha's look in Call My Agent: Bollywood
8:15 AM
As she teams up with Ali for Call My Agent: Bollywood, Richa Chadha says director Shaad encouraged them to improvise and up the humour
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 28, 2021)
Most associate Bollywood with glitz and glamour. But with Call My Agent: Bollywood, director Shaad Ali is set to showcase the chaos and confusion that ensues in the movie business. Like its original material — the popular French show, Call My Agent — the Indian version too will see many stars from the current lot in special appearances. In an episode, real-life couple Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal will be seen playing themselves but with a twist, as they keep taking potshots at each other.
A fan of the French comedy, Chadha says she jumped at the idea of featuring in its Indian adaptation. That her character was far divorced from her real-life personality only added to the charm. “It was a blessing to be shooting opposite Ali. I love the French show, and I am happy someone thought it could work in the Indian setting,” she says.
The actor, who has displayed her funny streak in the Fukrey franchise as well as One Mic Stand, says the director encouraged them to add their own touch to the comic scenes. “Shaad was so open to ideas. He allowed us to improvise and come up with comedic lines. He is cooking up a treat.”
The series will be headlined by Rajat Kapoor, Aahana Kumra, Soni Razdan and Ayush Mehra.
While we can’t change Call My Agent's story, we have added a Bollywood touch to Amal-Aahana Kumra
8:21 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 28, 2021)
It was quite a surprise to see Aahana Kumra up her glam quotient for Netflix’s Call My Agent: Bollywood. Adapted from the hit French show of the same name, the series, written by Abbas and Hussain Dalal, sees the actor as a talent agent in a company financially reeling from the sudden death of its founder.
“I have been fond of the [original],” says Kumra, adding that she is thrilled “to bring forth what goes on behind the scene”. “As someone who knows what goes into making actors, this is definitely going to be fun to watch. Given that this is also an untapped subject, I am excited to see the response from the audience.”
The actor will be playing the role of Amal Ahmed, based on the character Andrea Martel, originally played by Camille Cottin, who is a great blend of vulnerability and sass. Kumra says Andrea and Amal have inevitable similarities, but there’s a desi touch to her. “Shaad [Ali, director] had a distinct vision for the character. While we can’t change the story, we have added a Bollywood touch to Amal. She is as Mumbaikar as one can be. So, we made her quirky and full-on filmi.”
Having been an integral part of casting before being an actor, Kumra says she added real-life experiences to lend authenticity to Amal. “When you do a show like this, you have to bring forth the hustle that agents put to get actors good roles and at times cover up for them. I know first-hand how tough it is to sell an actor. I will always remember the work they put in to get us everything we do.”
Indians are more expressive than the French, so, there was no need to tone down Call My Agent remake-Aahana Kumra
8:03 AM
Aahana Kumra says the character in Call My Agent is outspoken
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; January 4, 2021)
With her first attempt at comedy with Sandwiched Forever behind her, Aahana Kumra has trained her eyes on her next, the remake of the coveted French offering, Call My Agent. A tale brings to the fore the goings on at a talent management agency, as employees navigate tricky situations to cater to their high-profile celebrity clients.
But, will the desi adaptation be an earnest portrayal of what transpires in the show business? "We haven't toned it down at all. Shaad [Ali, director] says that Indians are more expressive than the French, so, there was no need to tone it down. My character, Andrea is showcased as one who is 'out there'. While the role has been adapted for an Indian setting, she is as [outspoken] as the original character is," says Kumra.
Apart from a stellar cast, including Rajat Kapoor, and Soni Razdan, several artistes play cameos in the show, says Kumra. "At one instance, when the actors were together, it felt like the entire industry had collected," says Kumra, adding that Farah Khan and Tigmanshu Dhulia also feature in it.
Shaad Ali & I sat on the train together while I choreographed Chhaiyya Chhaiyya-Farah Khan
8:12 AM
After a cameo in Masaba Masaba, Farah Khan faces the camera again for director-friend Shaad Ali's desi adaptation of Call My Agent
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; November 10, 2020)
If her cameos and appearances on chat shows are any indication, Farah Khan is a riot on screen. Understandably then, months after she faced the camera for Masaba Masaba, the choreographer-director has taken her place under the arc lights again for Shaad Ali's Indian adaptation of Call My Agent.
Though she has not seen the original French workplace comedy, Khan says that all it took was a call from Ali for her to come on board. "I am doing the cameo only for Shaad. I have known him since he was Mani sir's [Ratnam] assistant in Dil Se [1998]; we sat on the train together while I choreographed Chhaiyya Chhaiyya. We went on to work on many of Mani sir's movies. I remember we used to be the only Hindi-speaking people in a Tamil crew," she laughs as she walks down memory lane.
The adaptation — featuring Rajat Kapoor, Soni Razdan, Aahana Kumra and Ayush Mehra as four talent managers — will have real-life celebrities in each episode. While Khan played a snooty director in the Netflix show featuring Masaba and Neena Gupta, her role in the latest outing is closer to her off-screen avatar. "I play myself in this web series. The role reflects who I am, complete with my sarcastic one-liners. Sarika and Akshara Haasan shot for the episode with me."
Whenever she is on set, one can be assured of her famous home-cooked biryani. "I had carried a big pot of mutton biryani; the team was thrilled," she laughs. Though originally planned as a two-day shoot, she wrapped up her portion within a day, and headed to the Bigg Boss shoot on Monday.
Karan Johar's web show on back-burner as the makers refused to part with its adaptation rights?
8:14 AM
Sources say Karan Johar has put web show, inspired by Call My Agent, on hold after Applause Entertainment picks up remake rights of the French comedy
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 7, 2020)
In March, mid-day had reported that Karan Johar was reworking his Netflix production, which was inspired by Call My Agent, after the makers of the popular French series — Mother Production and Mon Voisin Productions — refused to part with its adaptation rights (KJo goes back to the drawing board, March 12). Now, Sameer Nair's Applause Entertainment has reportedly procured the remake rights of the comedy. The Indian adaptation will apparently be helmed by Shaad Ali while Hussain Dalal and Abbas Dalal will share the writing duties.
Owing to the latest development, it is heard that Johar, who was co-developing the series with Amritpal Singh Bindra, has put it on the back-burner. "The offering was reimagined in the past six months. What started off as a fictional show focusing on the workings of Matrix, one of Bollywood's biggest talent management companies, was rewritten as an industry story about warring production houses. However, with another studio developing the desi adaptation of Call My Agent, this outing is being put on hold unless the team finds a new hook point."
mid-day reached out to Bindra, who did not respond till press time.
I have said yes to three scripts in these three months-Neena Gupta
8:24 AM
Besides developing memoir, Neena Gupta utilises the lockdown to zero in on her next projects, including a Shaad Ali film
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; June 30, 2020)
Miles away from Mumbai, Neena Gupta has been spending the Coronavirus lockdown in the picturesque hills of Uttarakhand. Besides giving shape to her autobiography, the actor has utilised the time to sift the scripts coming her way."The lockdown has been a productive period for me. I have said yes to three scripts in these three months," says Gupta, who was last seen in the much loved web series, Panchayat. She refuses to divulge details of the projects she has zeroed in on, but her excitement about collaborating with director Shaad Ali gets the better of her. "I read about five to six scripts. I am not allowed to talk about the three films I have said yes to, but one of them is with Shaad Ali. I am looking forward to the project. I plan to return to Mumbai only when I have to resume work."
Until then, the actor is only too happy to reflect on her life as she develops the memoir. Her search for a like-minded author, who will help her in shaping the autobiography, ended with a Bengaluru-based journalist. "Afsha Khan Jayapal is helping me put the book together. One of my friends recommended her. It was quite toxic to go back to some of my memories. But when writing a book, one needs to revisit their past. The outline is almost ready. We are looking for an apt title."
Bunty Aur Babli 2 is somebody else's thought-Shaad Ali
9:42 AM
Bunty Aur Babli director Shaad Ali on handing over the baton for the sequel
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; February 6, 2020)
When the sequel to Bunty Aur Babli was announced last month, there was much talk about Abhishek Bachchan not reprising his role. Reports also suggested that Shaad Ali, the director of the 2005 hit, had refused to helm the latest instalment featuring Rani Mukerji, Saif Ali Khan, Siddhant Chaturvedi and Sharvari as he was busy with his web series, Pawan & Pooja.Rubbishing the rumours, the filmmaker says that he is only too happy to hand over the baton to his former assistant director and now debutant director Varun V Sharma. "My work [in the universe of Bunty Aur Babli] is done. It's somebody else's thought and story; he has written the script. So, let him do the sequel and I am sure he will make a good movie. I don't have any regrets about not doing it. I was never meant to direct the sequel," he states.
Ali is currently dividing his time between Pawan & Pooja, and the biopic on his grandmother, freedom fighter Lakshmi Sehgal. "It's my dream project. I have passed on the baton of writing to somebody else as I was too close to the project. The script is ready. I am fine-tuning the creative [aspects]."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)