Showing posts with label Shankar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shankar. Show all posts
Game Changer’s editor Shameer Muhammed says he left film after working with Shankar
9:53 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (May 27, 2025)
Despite being one of the highly-anticipated releases of 2025, Ram Charan and Kiara Advani-starrer Game Changer did not live up to the hype and tanked at the box office. And now, some behind-the-scenes drama between editor Shameer Muhammed and director Shankar has also surfaced.
In a recent interview with Kaumudy Movies, Shameer spoke about how he had a terrible experience working with Shankar.
He revealed that he was unable to complete the editing of Game Changer: “I spent a year with that film. I went there for three years. It was in the last six months that I was told I would have to stay with them for another month. I had a sketch here, so I came at that time. When I was editing, the film was 7–7.5 hours long. I made it three and a half hours. After that, a new editor came in and shortened it to 2.5–3 hours.”
Elaborating on working with Shankar, Shameer said, “It was a terrible experience. I went there with great excitement, but things were happening in some other world there. He would fix one date for editing, but he would turn up only after ten days. The same pattern continued for several days, and I ended up staying in Chennai for 300–350 days. Then I left the film.”
Shameer added that he had to pass on several projects because of Game Changer. He eventually withdrew from the project because he did not want to give up working on Marco (2024) and Tovino Thomas’s Ajayante Randam Moshanam (2024).
After Shameer stepped away from the project, editor Ruben took over his role.
Today, I am sitting in the same room as A R Rahman; I feel like a kid in a candy store-Ram Charan
4:07 PM
Gearing up for Game Changer with Shankar, RRR star Ram Charan says Indian films getting global attention because of their rooted stories
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 21, 2024)
At this stage in his career, Ram Charan feels like “a kid in a candy store”. He considers himself fortunate to be collaborating with such talented filmmakers—be it S S Rajamouli, who gave him the blockbuster RRR (2022), or S Shankar, who is helming his next, Game Changer. In the upcoming political action thriller, the actor plays an IAS officer determined to combat corruption and promote fair elections. Charan says it was Shankar’s vision that drew him to the role.
“This film is special not only because of the story, but also because of the opportunity to work with Shankar sir, who brings a unique vision to everything he does. It’s a story that resonates with the current socio-political environment. I feel like a kid in a candy store because I am surrounded by people I have looked up to all my life. Today, I am sitting in the same room as A R Rahman; I’m grateful that I am starting a project with him in a month or two,” he says.
Life after RRR has been a joyride for the Telugu star. He says that the Oscar-winning film not only earned him fame beyond India, but also put Indian cinema firmly on the global stage.
“Films are a powerful medium through which we tell our stories, [show our] heritage, culture and emotions. Our struggles too are showcased, as are our victories—all done in an entertaining manner. The torchbearers for every film industry are the directors. Our stories are no longer just watched by the people from the diaspora, but by everyone across cultures! Our narratives are connecting with the world audience because we are keeping our stories rooted.”
After Kolaveri, we realized language is never a barrier-Anirudh
8:08 AM
M Suganth (BOMBAY TIMES; July 12, 2024)
Ever since he burst on to the scene with Kolaveri (3), in 2011, Anirudh has bcome one of the sought-after composers in Indian cinema. In 2023, he made his Bollywood debut with Jawan, and this year, his slate is filled with films featuring big stars, with Kamal Haasan-starrer Indian 2 being the first of those. In an exclusive interview, the composer opens up to us on the challenge of composing for a Shankar film, how he chose to deal with the pressure of comparisons to A R Rahman’s work in the original film, his learning from Jawan and more...
‘THE MAIN CHALLENGE WITH INDIAN 2 WAS PSYCHOLOGICAL’
Any sequel comes with extra expectations. More so if it is that of a cult film like Indian. So, the main challenge was to psychologically let go of such thoughts and enjoy the process. Contrary to popular belief, I find it very difficult to make dance numbers; I take the longest time to make them. Shankar sir’s vision is so huge that we have to match it sonically, which was a wonderful challenge to face.
‘SHANKAR SIR AND I JAMMED LIKE TWO FRIENDS’
It was a dream for me to even make music for one film. Being a ’90s kid, I always looked up to Shankar sir. So, when he told me I’d be his music director, it was indeed a special moment. The characteristic that differentiates him is that he already has a clear vision of what every song should speak about, and more so, how every frame of it will look. All the songs had specific themes even before we started composing them. Most of the songs of both Indian 2 and 3 were composed in 2017/18. In fact, all our sessions together were just like two friends jamming in my studio.
ON HANDLING THE PRESSURE OF COMPARISON WITH AR RAHMAN’S WORK IN THE ORIGINAL INDIAN...
Magic can never be recreated; one must create his or her own. From Day 1, it was a conscious decision to not take that pressure to heart and enjoy the process. Every film comes with the pressure of delivering bigger chartbusters than our previous outing. And we enjoy that pressure. It’s that pressure that makes us push the boundary every time. With respect to Indian 2, it was a series of enjoyable jam sessions with Shankar sir. Again, the emphasis was on different genres for different audiences. Fans of the original Indian’s patriotic soundtrack would appreciate Paaraa and Neelorpam. Kadharalz and Comeback Indian, on the other hand, were aimed at dance reel makers.
‘WITH JAWAN, I LEARNED LARGER-THANLIFE FILMS NEVER GO OUT OF FASHION’
Whether the film is made in Bombay or here in Chennai, the music comes out of Alwarpet (the Chennai locality where he has his studio). So, the experience with Jawan was similar to that of working on every other film. The takeaway was the happiness of entering a new market with such a big success. I’m ever thankful to SRK sir and Atlee for trusting in me. Working on the film, we learned that larger-than-life films will never go out of fashion. In fact, they will always be the most celebrated.
‘LANGUAGE BARRIER IS BEING BROKEN MORE AND MORE EVERY DAY’
Many composers and indie artistes work on a Bollywood film. Then, the score is done by someone else. So, that’s a pattern that works there. Here, we still have one composer who lives with the whole film. That said, immediately after Kolaveri, we (he and his team) realised language is never a barrier. And that barrier is being broken more and more every day.
‘SUCCESS COMES WITH TALENT, BUT THE REAL GAME IS SUSTAINING’
If one is talented, there will be a time that success beckons. But the real game is sustaining. And that is possible only if you update yourself with the times. Maybe I was today’s generation when 3 was released. But now, I know there’s a generation after me, and I make sure to keep myself updated. In fact, I am the eldest on my team. So, getting with the times is pretty organic and enjoyable.
‘COMPARING ERAS IS A WASTEFUL EXERCISE’
I feel we are blessed to be in an age with so many new composers. Not just now, but from the time we started, there has been an influx of wonderful musicians all around the country. And I listen to everyone. Most of them are my buddies; we even share our softwares and instruments. Comparing eras is a wasteful exercise. As I said at the audio launch of Indian 2, nobody can be the next someone. We should aim to carve our own niche.
Anirudh on his 2024 films:
- Vettaiyan is a strong, rooted story with Superstar Rajinikanth. Fans can expect an earthy soundscape.
- Devara (starring Jr NTR) is a period seabased tribal film, which is also a new space for us.
- Vidaamuyarchi (starring Ajith Kumar) is a travel-based whodunit set abroad, so the sound of that would be more international.
On both Jawan and Indian 2 straddling the vigilante space:
Jawan was the next big step in my career, which we (he and his team) were patiently waiting for. And I’m ever thankful for the astounding success of the film and its music. Yes, both Jawan and Indian 2 straddle the vigilante space, but the vision of both directors was different, both storytelling-wise and music-wise.
Hindustani 2 is like our version of a Bond film-Ravi Varman
7:52 AM
Roopa Radhakrishnan (BOMBAY TIMES; July 10, 2024)
Ace cinematographer Ravi Varman, who has films like Barfi!, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Jagga Jasoos and Ponniyin Selvan to his credit, has shot Lyca Productions’ Indian 2, which hits screens on July 12.
Talking about working with Shankar again after their 2005 blockbuster Anniyan, the cinematographer says, “With Shankar sir, he always defines the boundary. He’s very clear and writes what is needed. Within that boundary, I can play, and he will provide all the technology that I may want to recreate his vision, which is so original.”
After the director had narrated the story, the cinematographer says it felt like “our own version of a James Bond film”. “Like the recent Bond films, every scene was an event, with each one having a unique setting, like a place without gravity, a yacht, a gold palace and so on. We even have a unicycle chase,” he reveals.
The film also is his third one with Kamal Haasan. Explaining the challenge involved in shooting an actor wearing prosthetic makeup, he shares, “Real skin has some moisture and is reflective, but with prosthetics, you get an unnatural shine. It requires sensitive handling of lighting and lensing.”
IT WAS MY DREAM TO WORK WITH SHANKAR SIR: BOBBY SIMHA
Immediately said yes when Shankar sir narrated the film to me, because it was my dream to work with him,” shares National Award-winning actor Bobby Simha, who plays a key role in Indian 2.
The actor, who has been part of Jigarthanda, Salaar, 777 Charlie and Petta, among others, calls working with Kamal Haasan a learning experience. “When we slightly get stuck, he gives an idea to add a minute smile and that smile would go on to make a difference. I learnt from Kamal sir to work on such details,” he says.
Indian thatha is like Superman. I’m against restricting him inside boxes like age-Shankar
8:57 AM
M Suganth (BOMBAY TIMES; July 9, 2024)
For the past three decades, the name Shankar has been synonymous with grandeur and big-budget commercial films. The filmmaker, who has been working on two high-profile films — Indian 2, the sequel to his 1996 blockbuster Indian, and Game Changer, his first Telugu film — almost simultaneously, talks to us about why he reunited with Kamal Haasan for Indian 2, why corruption is an issue that needs to be addressed, opting for Anirudh over AR Rahman, the criticisms directed at him and more. Excerpts:
‘INITIALLY, EVEN I FELT THAT I MIGHT BE REPEATING MYSELF IF I DID INDIAN 2’
After 2.0, I was thinking of doing another sci-fi film. It didn’t demand a big star. It’s a film in which the character was more important than the actor playing it. Like, say Spider-man. But its budget demanded a big star, so I had to drop it. That is when the idea of Indian 2 struck. You come across news about corruption constantly. It has not been possible for us to eradicate it. So, what if Indian thatha were to return now? That thought was interesting for me. But even I felt I might be repeating myself as the idea for a film did not form within me. But once I started thinking about what all I shouldn’t be doing for the sequel to not seem repetitive, I started getting ideas for angles that might be novel and true to life.
‘IF NO ONE CONSIDERS CORRUPTION TO BE A SERIOUS ISSUE, DOES THAT MAKE IT RIGHT?’
Why would there be news about corruption if people have moved on from considering it a serious issue? So, the problem still exists. Just a few think that it’s no longer an important issue. Also, if no one considers corruption as a serious issue, does that make it right? In fact, that’s when the need to create awareness becomes bigger. If it has become an issue that people have gotten used to and are not shocked about, it becomes a necessity to remind them again of its evils.
‘I CONSIDER INDIAN THATHA TO BE A SUPERMAN-LIKE CHARACTER’
I consider Indian thatha to be a Superman-like character. I’m against restricting him inside boxes like age. I see him not as an old man but as a superhero who happens to be old. Also, Indian thatha is the collective form of all our anger — from a teen to an 80-year-old — against a social evil. Does anger have an age?
Kamal sir actually wanted us to do a sequel right after Indian as he felt there were more messages that could be given through this character. But at that time, I didn’t have a story to take this character forward and I had told him I’d reach out once I got a premise. When this idea struck, I went to Kamal sir, and he, too, loved it. Frankly, neither of us went into an exploration of what the character’s age would be in the present. Because if we begin to obsess over details like age, we’ll miss out on the chance to see a character that’s a representation of our anger.
‘I DIDN’T WANT TO BURDEN RAHMAN WITH THIS FILM AS HE WAS WORKING ON THE BACKGROUND SCORE OF 2.0 THEN’
I’m interested in working with many composers. Each one has their own, unique flavour. Fortunately, I’ve a great rapport with Rahman. In this film’s case, I’d completed the shoot of 2.0 but had to wait for a year for the VFX work. So, during this time, I almost finished scripting Indian 2. Kamal sir, too, was ready to shoot. But Rahman had a heavy workload with the background score of 2.0, so I did not want to burden him by asking for songs for this film. I enjoy the kind of music that Anirudh is coming up with, so I decided to get him on board. His songs are catchy, and his background score is also good. He gives a variety of songs, from melodies to fastpaced dance numbers, so I felt he’d be apt.
‘I DON’T START WITH TECHNOLOGY, AND DON’T LOOK AT WHAT SOMEONE ELSE IS DOING’
I believe in my imagination. Everyone’s imagination is their own. I don’t see what someone else is doing. I just think of what I need to execute to bring my imagination to life. In fact, 2.0 had a huge budget and scale. After that, I didn’t think of doing a film that was bigger than it in terms of budget and scale. I focus more on the thought that I have after a film. If that thought demands a bigger scale, then the film will be of the required scale. I only look at what I feel I should do next, the idea that I’m excited about, and what the audience is expecting from me. I try to find a story that satisfies all these factors and work on it. I don’t start with technology. I never think, ‘Oh, this technology is available today, so let me create a couple of scenes that might need it.’ It’s the story that demands all that.
‘Game Changer is my way of returning love of Telugu fans’
Thanks to producer A M Rathnam, who dubbed every single film of mine from Gentleman till Boys in Telugu, many people in the Telugu states have been following my work right from the beginning. I feel I owe something to that audience, and I have been wanting to do a film in their own language. Projects like a film with Chiranjeevi sir and a Telugu remake of Nanban didn’t materialize. With Game Changer, I finally got the opportunity to do a Telugu film. It’s my way of returning the love that they have been showing me. It’s a mass film that will have all the elements that audiences expect from my film.
On his writing process...
Once I arrive at an idea, I start thinking it over and expanding it. Later, I discuss with my assistants and turn it into a screenplay. Then, I bring in the dialogue writers. They read more than us and write in an even more detailed manner, in a language that’s powerful. So, even if we write a script, when our thoughts go through a writer’s mind and come out, they get a new flavour. But we have to rework it to use it for a medium like cinema. So, I do a rewrite, which is a huge process that can take 200-240 days. I begin this simultaneously as we start preproduction work and somehow manage to finish it right before we begin shooting.
‘Social media criticisms don’t bother me’
I do follow social media. Earlier, we used to look at newspapers, radio and then TV for feedback. Now, you do that with social media. Since it’s also part of this particular story, I had to keep track of it. But like everything else, this medium, too, has both good and bad. So, we have to pick and choose what’s constructive and ignore the rest. You just have to go to the profile of the person posting a negative comment to get an idea about the person, so you can easily ignore it if you find it not constructive. So, criticisms on social media don’t bother me. The criticism about me highlighting a specific caste also doesn’t hold. But some people want to view my films only through the prism of caste. With both Gentleman and Anniyan, the story decided the Brahminical milieu, which served as a contrast to the actions of the protagonists. I never want to be for or against any particular community. My films are made only from the common man’s point of view.
CBFC instructs director Shankar to delete shot of a woman’s cleavage from Kamal Haasan's Indian 2
8:23 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 8, 2024)
S Shankar’s Indian 2 seems to be the latest film subjected to the Central Board of Film Certification’s (CBFC) snip-happy attitude. Only recently, it was reported that the CBFC granted a ‘U/A’ certificate to the Kamal Haasan-starrer after suggesting several changes. Among the changes directed was the removal of a shot of a woman’s bust.
The scene in question apparently arrives at the 34th minute of the vigilante drama. A unit member of the movie told mid-day, “It is a small change, but why are movies at the receiving end of such needless changes? To snip a shot or beep out abuses is just an attempt to sanitize cinema. This shows the ongoing debate between preserving traditional values and allowing artistic expression.” The other modifications reportedly include removing the label ‘Bribe market’ in a scene and replacing seven expletives.
The sequel to Shankar’s Indian (1996) takes the story of Haasan’s character Senapathy forward, as the aged freedom fighter-turned-vigilante resurfaces to battle corruption and social injustice. Siddharth, Rakul Preet Singh and Kajal Aggarwal also star in the action fare that will be released in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi.
I got to tick two names off my checklist with Indian 2-Rakul Preet Singh
2:25 PM
Roopa Radhakrishnan (BOMBAY TIMES; July 7, 2024)
“I am elated to be a part of such a legendary franchise,” says Rakul Preet Singh, who plays a major role in Indian 2, produced by A Subaskaran of Lyca Productions. The actress vividly remembers the impact the original Indian (1996) had on her.
“After watching it, I was like, ‘Wow, what a film’. It is one of those films that you remember for the kind of impact it had on society. I never imagined that there would be a sequel to that film and that I’d star in it. So, I’m just extremely happy to be part of such a grand film that could be the voice of the country,” she says.
Rakul is also elated that she got to tick two names off her wish list by working in the film, which is set to hit screens on July 12. “When you become an actor, there’s a checklist of people that you want to work with one day. With Indian 2, I got a chance to work with two of those people – Kamal Haasan sir and Shankar sir! I admire the work ethic of both these stalwarts in their respective spaces. On the first day, Kamal sir’s prosthetics makeup took four to five hours. We were shooting in the outdoor heat of Chennai. We were sweating without wearing any prosthetics, but Kamal sir went about it calmly. A person of that stature doesn’t need to take on so much hardship at this point in his career, but he’s pushing the boundaries with his work and that too with a happy smile,” she gushes.
She calls Shankar “a delight to work with”. “He has such clarity of thought. It’s not easy to handle so many people and such huge sets, but the calm and composed attitude with which he goes about it is just amazing,” she says.
The actress is all praise for her costar Siddharth, who she’s paired with in the film “We all know that he is a talented actor. Otherwise, it’s not easy to complete two decades in an industry that is so cutthroat. He is an extremely easy person to work with, as he is friendly, enthusiastic and always happy,” she says.
‘I relate to my character a lot’
“My character in the film is that of a headstrong and focused girl. She is very sorted and clear about what she wants. She voices out whatever she feels. I relate a lot to her because parts of her are also how I am in real life,” says Rakul.
We have a couple of directors in mind for Nayak 2, but nobody has been finalized-Deepak Mukut
8:28 AM
Sequel to Nayak, which saw Anil’s character being CM for a day, in the works; maker says it will begin where political film ended, with leads expected to reprise their roles
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; May 17, 2024)
Can an honest man change the governance system? Director S Shankar explored that idea with his debut Hindi film, Nayak: The Real Hero (2001), led by Anil Kapoor. Over 23 years on, the political thriller is set to have a sequel. Deepak Mukut, who previously produced Dhaakad (2022) and Thank God (2022), has bought the rights—including that of intellectual property, adaptation, and copyright of prequel and sequel—of the 2001 film from its producer AM Rathnam. Work on the sequel’s script is underway.
A remake of Tamil movie Mudhalvan (1999), Nayak told the story of Kapoor’s TV presenter character Shivaji, who is challenged by the state’s chief minister—essayed by the late Amrish Puri—to take over his job for a day. Shivaji, in his short term, gains tremendous popularity as he brings about much-needed changes and takes a hard stand against corruption. The film ended with the protagonist being elected as the chief minister and the state developing under his governance. So, what will Nayak 2 revolve around?
A source tells us that the second instalment will take off where the first part ended. “The film will examine what happens to Shivaji and his family after he has been in power. It will again explore themes of corruption, bureaucracy, and above all, the power of people.”
Producer Mukut confirms the project’s development, and says that the team hopes to make an announcement soon. The script is being penned in such a way that Kapoor and Rani Mukerji are expected to reprise their roles, while other actors will be brought in to essay principal characters.
“We are planning the sequel, and taking the story forward with the [existing] characters. I bought the rights a long time ago from producer A M Rathnam. We are writing the script right now with the leads in mind and [incorporating] other actors too. As soon as the writing is complete, we’ll decide the way ahead. We have a couple of directors in mind, but nobody has been finalized,” he shares.
Mukut has initiated discussions with Kapoor and Mukerji, but they are in the nascent stage. “We’re in talks with some actors. As far as introducing actors [into the film’s universe] is concerned, it depends on how the characters shape up and who will suit them.”
I wasn’t the first choice for Nayak-Anil Kapoor
2:30 PM
M A Fahad Hussain (BOMBAY TIMES; February 24, 2024)
In an exclusive interview with us, Animal star Anil Kapoor, who was in the city recently, talks about his memories of Chennai, cherished moments with Tamil film stars like Rajinikanth, and more...
Talking about his interest in working on Tamil films, Anil says, “I’ve acted in Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam films, but I haven’t had the chance to do a Tamil film yet, and it has always been on my bucket list. I’m surprised that while there are so many talented directors in Tamil cinema, no one has offered me a role till date.”
He also expressed , “I’m open to working with directors of all levels of experience. Sometimes, filmmakers have chosen me and sometimes, I have made a choice. My journey in films has been diverse, ranging from newcomers to well-established and successful filmmakers. When I hear a compelling story and all the pieces fall into place with the right people involved, that’s when I decide to take on a film.”
‘I HAVE NO ISSUES IN ASKING FILMMAKERS FOR WORK’
I’ve gone out of my way to approach filmmakers whose work I admire, and express my interest in collaborating with them. I have no issues asking for work. For instance, when the Hindi adaptation of Shankar’s Mudhalvan (Nayak) was being made, and K Viswanath ji was planning the Hindi version of Swathi Muthyam, initially, they had other actors in mind. However, I approached them and asked why I couldn’t be part of these projects. Despite not being their first choice, I’m glad I pursued them and requested that they cast me in those films — Nayak and Eeshwar, respectively. I’m so happy that I did those films, because they went on to become cult films in Hindi.
‘TAMIL FILMS PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN SHAPING MY CAREER’
The foundation of my career was built on successful Tamil films, many of which had great stories written by the legendary K Bhagyaraj ji. Movies like Woh 7 Din (Andha 7 Naatkal), Beta (Enga Chinna Raasa) and Mohabbat (Thooral Ninnu Pochhu) were particularly successful. I also shared one of Bhagyaraj ji’s scripts, which my friend took from me, and they made a successful film out of it. These Tamil films played a major role in shaping up my career.
I also have many memories and friends from Mumbai, particularly younger actresses I worked with. Some of them, like Kushboo, Jyotika, and Nagma, chose to settle down and get married in Chennai.
ON HIS MEMORIES OF DAYS SPENT IN CHENNAI
I have fond memories of being friendly with Balu Mahendra ji. He introduced me to Pratap Pothen, and we often visited his house. Exploring the studios in Chennai — AVM, Gemini, and Vijay Vahini — was quite interesting. Staying at the Chola Hotel and having dinner with Rajini ji there are some of my cherished moments in Chennai.
I feel fortunate that the music for my film, especially the songs from Pallavi Anu Pallavi, turned out to be the best. I’ve also spent a good amount of time in A R Rahman’s studio. Working with Rahman ji on iconic films like Pukar, Taal, Slumdog Millionaire, and, of course, Nayak was a great experience. Also, my favourite Ilaiyaraaja’s music in Virasat.
‘SPB JI WAS ONE OF THE NICEST HUMAN BEINGS I’VE EVER MET’
One of my most favourite memories is meeting S P Balasubrahmanyam saheb. I’ve done a Telugu film (Vamsa Vruksham, in 1980), and he dubbed for me in Telugu and Kannada. We became very close, and I admired him a lot. He was one of the nicest human beings I’ve ever met in my life — talented and humble. I learned about staying grounded and being down-to-earth from him. He was truly a gift from God.
On the controversy around Animal
In anything creative, there will always be people who agree and disagree — that’s the nature of creativity. It’s rare for everyone to love something completely. This applies to all creative endeavours. Having seen it all, nothing surprises me anymore; these things happen. The key is to enjoy success, learn from the past, and focus on the future. Forget about what’s behind you and concentrate on the present for a hopefully good future.
My story would’ve been different if I’d started today as an actress-Shriya Saran
10:39 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; December 30, 2023)
In Hindi cinema, Shriya Saran doesn’t have as many films to boast of in her filmography, but in the South film industry, the actress made a mark long before we started cheering for pan-India films. When it comes to Bollywood, it is the Drishyam franchise that the audience identifies her with. In a chat with us, Shriya talks about how she wished she had got similar recognition in Hindi cinema, the opportunities the OTT medium offers and more.
‘B-Town thought I had South Indian features’
Talking about starting her career down South, Shriya, who hails from Haridwar, says, “I wanted to do South films because I felt the industry was very welcoming. They thought my features were a mix of South and North, whereas the industry folks in Mumbai thought I looked very South Indian.” Even though she has worked with top stars from the South, Shriya points out that she didn’t get the much-needed recognition as an actor in Bollywood.”
‘My work in the South industry never reached the Hindi audience’
Explaining why her work didn’t reach a wider audience, she says, “Today we are living in the times of OTT, which wasn’t the case back then. Jo main kaam South mein kar rahi thi, woh kaam Bollywood audience tak pahuchta nahi tha. Back then, we didn’t have access to movies across languages, the way we have today, thanks to OTT platforms. And South films did not release pan-India at that time. This is why people in Mumbai didn’t know much about my work. My professors from my college in Delhi refused to accept that I was an actor down South. My father had to convince them and tell them that I was working with stars like Chiranjeevi and Nagarjuna, so that they could consider my low attendance in college and allow me to sit for my exams.”
‘Earlier, there was a lot that was lost in translation’
Shriya, who was seen in S S Rajamouli’s Oscar Award-winning pan-Indian film RRR (2022), is glad that the audience is receptive towards different kinds of cinema in various languages now. “Earlier, there was a lot that was lost in translation, which doesn’t happen today. Thanks to people like Mani Ratnam sir, who I guess was one of the first filmmakers to have released a film in multiple languages. Even Shankar sir (maker of films like Sivaji: The Boss, Enthiran and 2.0) did that. All cinema is under one umbrella today,” says Shriya, who hoped her films like Sivaji: The Boss (2007), Manam (2014), Chatrapathi (2005) and Tagore (2003) had a pan-India release.
She adds, “These films were pan-Indian films as they were not limited to one kind of audience. The subjects they revolved around were pan-India. Drishyam, too, was a pan-India story, where the idea was about protecting your family.”
‘OTT has certainly shown us a shift in storytelling’
Talking about the changes digital platforms have brought about and what she misses about the earlier times, she says, “I wish OTT platforms were there when I started off because the actors working today have such amazing opportunities. The audience base is massive, and even with one show, you can go places. OTT has certainly shown us a shift in storytelling. I feel that if I had started out in today’s times, in the presence of OTT, social media and pan-Indian films, my career would have been a different story. Having said that, those days were also magical, beautiful and raw in their own way.”
‘It’s been a major shift for my husband Andrei’
Shriya married her Russian boyfriend, Andrei Koscheev, in 2018. She shares, “It’s been a major shift for him. He’s a sales head with a corporate firm and travels from Andheri to Thane to his office every day. It’s a very different life for him. He had a countryside house overlooking a lake and mountains, drove a convertible car and even went sailing. However, he loves his time in India. He only eats Indian food now, like roti-sabzi and also loves golgappas.”
South Indian filmmakers do their research very well for the films-Piyush Mishra
8:07 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (December 20, 2022)
Actor-singer Piyush Mishra did not mince his words while talking about why south Indian films are faring better than Bollywood nowadays.
In a conversation with ANI, the Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) actor said, “Directors of south Indian films are more intelligent, have more IQ and are more innovative compared to us (Bollywood filmmakers). It’s our foolishness that we are working on the same formula forever.”
Citing the example of Pushpa: The Rise (2021), Mishra said that while the film has a typical genre, the way it was presented to the audience made all the difference. Adding more about his tryst with the south film industry, the Tamasha (2015) actor said, “I also worked in a south Indian film named Indian 2 (Tamil film) with (director) Shankar recently. In my first experience working with him, I realised how innovative he was. He presents the same concept in a variety of ways and represents the culture better.”
He also noted that languages like Tamil and Malayalam are “very old languages” and parts of “very old cultures”, making the filmmakers do their “research very well”.
On being asked whether impactful Hindi films are still being made, the 59-year-old shared, “No such films are being made in north India.”
I pursued Shankar for Nayak as Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan passed it up-Anil Kapoor
8:29 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 7, 2021)
It wasn’t a big box-office hit, but Anil Kapoor’s Nayak (2001), the story of a common man who is Chief Minister for a day, connected with people over the years to emerge as a cult film.
As it completes 20 years of its release today, the actor recalls how he wasn’t the first choice for it. “I pursued Shankar (director) after Nayak was passed up by both Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh (Khan). To this date, I’m glad I did,” reveals the 64-year-old.
“All we knew while making the film was that it would be something special. Something for the ages. We had no clue it would gain the kind of traction that it did. I think it’s the subject matter that is just so relatable. The people, the government and the tensions therein will always remain a topic of great interest,” says the actor.
Nayak also starred late Amrish Puri, Rani Mukerji and Jonny Lever among others. Kapoor says every moment of shooting the film was memorable. “I remember the fight scenes, each of which felt like a film in its own. We did not have the technology that we do now, it was all hard work and choreography. I remember the junkyard fight scene in which I had to fight with almost no clothes on and for me that was really challenging and new,” he confesses.
Kapoor denies that actors only look forward to films that will do well. “I think an artiste is compelled to continue making art regardless of how it is received. And at the end of the day, it’s about what the audience connects with. You just keep going,” he adds.
It's South remakes galore in Bollywood
8:27 AM
Be it great action or just stories well told, southern films are inspiring retellings
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 3, 2021)
Remaking hit South Indian films seems to be a sure shot at success for Bollywood filmmakers. While this has been true for a while, the upcoming slate of remakes of several Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam films is proof that Hindi filmmakers are not hesitant to find inspiration from their brethren in the south.
Recently, Salman Khan bought the Hindi remake rights of Thalapathy Vijay’s Tamil film, Master. Reportedly, he will also star in it. While Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan are all set to star in the Hindi remake of the Tamil film Vikram Vedha.
Ranveer Singh and director S Shankar are teaming up for the Hindi remake of the 2005 Tamil blockbuster, Anniyan. Aditya Roy Kapur will step into the shoes of Arun Vijay for the Hindi remake of the Tamil film Thadam. Janhvi Kapoor will be seen in the Hindi remake of the Malayalam thriller, Helen. Ajay Devgn has confirmed he will do the Hindi remake of the Tamil film, Kaithi. And Akshay Kumar will star with Rakul Preet Singh in the Hindi remake of Tamil thriller Ratsasan.
So, what attracts Bollywood to remakes, despite knowing many in the audience would have seen the original? “Makers and actors are drawn to South Indian hits because stories that have already struck a chord with the audience are a safe bet,” shares producer Anand Pandit. However, he adds this trend is not new, as South Indian films were remade in Hindi from the ’50s. “A film like Azaad (1955) that established the late Dilip Kumar saab as a comic legend, was a remake of Tamil film Malaikkallan. In fact, Dilip saab starred in many remakes of South Indian films such as Ram Aur Shyam (1967) and Aadmi (1968). In the ’80s too, Jeetendra ji starred in many hit South Indian remakes,” Pandit observes.
In fact, many feel these films offer something fresh. “Some Malayalam films are world class,” says actor Aakanksha Singh, who has starred in Tamil, Telugu and Kannda films.
Besides, many of these films are in the action genre, which is a big draw for Bollywood. Shailesh Kapoor, Ormax Media, points out that all southern remakes Salman Khan starred in, be it Ready (2011) or Wanted (2009), were in the action or action-comedy genre. “There’s a lot of audience interest in the kind of action that southern films have, which is very distinct and superior,” he explains.
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh feels the appetite for such films was built because of the dubbed versions of southern language movies on satellite TV over the years. “I don’t think Bollywood lacks originality and that’s why it’s heading south for inspiration. I think if good content is made in any other language, it’s absolutely fine to adapt it to suit the Hindi-speaking audience,” he says.
South remakes
1. Jersey
Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Mrunal Thakur, Pankaj Kapur
Director: Gowtham Tinnanuri
2. Anniyan
Starring: Ranveer Singh
Director: S Shankar
Producer: Dr Jayantilal Gada (Pen Studios)
3. Vikram Vedha
Starring: Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan
Producer: Neeraj Pandey (Friday Filmworks), Reliance Entertainment, YNot Studios
4. Tadap
Remake of: RX100
Starring: Ahan Shetty, Tara Sutaria
Director: Milan Luthria
Producer: Sajid Nadiadwala
5. Good Luck Jerry
Remake of: Kolamavu Kokila
Starring: Janhvi Kapoor
Director: Siddharth Sengupta
Producer: Aanand L Rai
6. Jelen
Starring: Janhvi Kapoor
Director: Mathukutty Xavier
7. Shehzada
Remake of: Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo
Starring: Kartik Aaryan
Director: Rohit Dhawan
Producer: Ekta Kapoor
8. U-Turn
Starring: Alaya F
Director: Arif Khan
Producer: Ekta Kapoor
9. Comali
Starring: Arjun Kapoor
Producer: Boney Kapoor
10. Soorarai Pootru
Director: Sudha Kongara
Producer: Vikram Malhotra (Abundantia Entertainment), and Suriya, Jyotika, Rajsekar Pandian (2D Entertainment)
11. Kaithi
Starring: Ajay Devgn
Director: Jagan Shakti
Producer: Reliance Entertainment
12. Naandhi
Starring: Ajay Devgn
Producer: Ajay Devgn, Dil Raju
13. Hit
Starring: Rajkummar Rao, Sanya Malhortra
14. Dear Comrade
Producer: Karan Johar
15. Thadam
Starring: Sidharth Malhotra
Director: Vardhan Ketkar
16. Mumbaikar
Remake of: Maanagaram
Starring: Vikrant Massey, Vijay Sethupathi, Tanya Maniktala
Director: Santosh Sivan
Anniyan copyright row: South Indian Chamber of Commerce reacts to Producer V Ravichandran’s complaint against director Shankar
8:21 AM
Bharti Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; April 22, 2021)
Chairman of the SICC, Ravi Kottarakara, confirmed that V Ravichandran has filed a complaint claiming that he is the sole owner of the rights to Anniyan and that filmmaker Shankar cannot remake it.
While in his letter to Shankar, Ravichandran had said that remaking or copying the plot of the said movie without permission will be illegal, Shankar, in his reply, had claimed that he has the right to exploit the script the way he wants to and that the rights were never assigned to the producer of the film.
Talking about the dispute, Ravi Kottarakara said, “Since V Ravichandran is a member of our association, we have received his complaint, we will be writing to director Shankar, asking for his reply to the alleged complaint.” However, he also added that usually, a film’s rights rest with the producer, and pointed out that this film was released in 2005. He further said that there have been instances when a producer is paid a certain amount if a remake is made of the film. “But I would not like to comment in this case; we will wait for Shankar’s response,” he added.
Kamal Haasan will resume work on Indian 2 in January 2021
8:07 AM
Deferred due to the pandemic, Shankar's Indian 2, starring Kamal Haasan, to go back on floors in January
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; December 10, 2020)
After the Coronavirus pandemic disrupted their schedule, Kamal Haasan and S Shankar will resume work on their much-awaited film, Indian 2, in January 2021. The sequel to the 1996 film Indian, backed by Lyca Productions, will also mark the reunion of the two artistes after 24 years.
The actor-director duo had wrapped up three schedules of the vigilante action thriller by October 2019, in time to meet the 2021 deadline. For their fourth schedule, Haasan and Kajal Aggarwal began shooting in EVP Film City, Chennai by February 2020, but it was halted mid-way due to an accident on set that claimed the lives of three technicians and injured several. Before they could reassemble, the pandemic struck, delaying the film indefinitely.
Putting rumours to rest, a unit hand reveals that Indian 2 is definitely in the offing and the production is figuring out the logistics of the grand shoot adhering to safety protocols. "We intend to begin shooting by January or February 2021 in Tamil Nadu. It is a challenge for the production team, especially since the film will be shot across many locations - in India and abroad - and require several actors and big set-ups."
Co-actor Zakir Hussain, who plays a corrupt businessman from Gujarat in the film, confirms that the shooting will commence in 2021 and is kicked about working with Haasan. "Our next schedule will be from 2021. Kamal Haasan is a seasoned actor and a thorough professional. Despite being from the South, he [emotes] beautifully in all languages. He even spoke Gujarati effortlessly," says Hussain.
Crane accident kills 3 on the sets of Kamal Haasan-starrer Indian 2
8:47 PM
BOMBAY TIMES (February 21, 2020)
The South film industry is in a state of shock after a lighting truss came crashing down on the set of Shankar’s Indian 2. While three technicians died, 11 others were injured. Lyca Productions, which is bankrolling the Kamal Haasan-starrer, released an official statement expressing their grief over the unfortunate accident and identified the three personnel who lost their lives as Krishna (assistant director), Chandran (art assistant) and Madhu (production assistant).Talking about how the tragedy unfolded, a source from the production unit, on condition of anonymity, told us, “Shankar was filming a sequence with Kamal Haasan and Kajal Aggarwal at EVP Film City, when the lighting truss fell from a height. The technicians were changing the lighting when the truss came crashing down. Three died on the spot. The team always has an ambulance on hand, and the injured were taken to the hospital without losing much time. Shankar, Kamal and Kajal, who were near the spot, were unhurt.”
Though everyone working on the film is covered by insurance, the source added, “Subaskaran, Chairman of Lyca, has already reached from the UK. We can’t put a price tag on the lives that were lost, but the production house will offer financial support to their families.”
Kamal Haasan tweeted, “Although I have met and overcome several accidents, the mishap that happened today is brutal. I stand alone having lost three of my comrades. More than my pain, the anguish of their families will be several times more. I partake in their anguish as one among them. My deepest condolences to them.”
Kajal had earlier tweeted, “Words cannot describe the heartache I feel at the unexpected, untimely loss of my colleagues from last night, Krishna, Chandran and Madhu. Sending love, strength and my deepest condolences to your families. May god give strength in this moment of desolation,” she wrote.
Angamuthu Shanmugam, general secretary, Film Employees Federation of South India, said, “We always insist that every film crew takes insurance, but only few do that. From what I have heard, this (Indian 2) crew had used industrial crane and involved non-members. This was also against our rule. Using this type of crane in a place like EVP Film City, which lacks basic facilities, was taking a risk. We always request film crews to shoot only with our members and equipment.”
— With inputs from Sharanya CR, Lakshmi V and Thinkal Menon
Even Rekha ji didn’t have full-length role in Muqaddar Ka Sikandar-Rakul Preet Singh
8:26 AM
Rakul Preet Singh explains why screen time is inconsequential to her, promises more releases in the coming year and talks about being single in the city
Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 5, 2019)
Marjaavaan is your fourth film since your debut in Yaariyan five years ago. What makes you so selective?
I moved to Mumbai after the Miss India contest and landed Yaariyan. Two days after wrapping that, I rolled with my first Telugu film. Yaariyan took a year to release by when I’d signed three-four more Telugu films. Being young and naïve, I didn’t know I’d to live in Mumbai to get work here. I was to do M S Dhoni - The Untold Story, but the dates changed because of the length of Sushant’s (Singh Rajput) hair. Neeraj sir (Pandey, producer-director) offered me Aiyaary, before that opened, I’d got De De Pyaar De and before that released, I’d landed Marjaavaan. I moved to the city after De De Pyaar De and have already bagged four films.
Isn’t Marjaavaan a special appearance?
Milap (Zaveri, director) sold it to me saying, “This is my Rekha of Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, my Chandramukhi of Devdas.” Aarzoo is a tawaif of the ’90s with nazaaqat and shayari. I’ve grown up on characters like her but haven’t seen them lately. Arzoo has raw sex appeal as opposed to De De Pyaar De’s girl-next-door Ayesha. Plus, there are Milap’s bhaari bharkam dialogues. As for screen time, Rekha ji didn’t have a full-length role, neither did Tabu in Jeet. Even Chandramukhi was a supporting role. Yet, they are all remembered. I’d rather see a role for what it is than compare it with what it is not.
Didn’t you want Tara Sutaria’s lead role?
Both roles are great and different. If offered Zoya’s role, I’d have done it.
Buzz is, you’ve signed up Attack opposite John Abraham.
I’ve signed four films which will be announced by the month-end.
And you’ve started Shankar’s Indian 2 with Kamal Haasan...
Shankar sir is a visionary, always calm and knows exactly what he wants. Kamal sir is one of the finest actors, I feel blessed to work with them in a film.
When the first Indian released, you must have been six years old?
(Laughs) I saw it much later, after I started working in Telugu films. When I was a kid, Kamal sir’s Chachi 420 was a favourite. When working with those who know so much, you end up learning a little too, without much effort.
How nervous were you?
If it had been my first or second film, I’d have been nervous but now I’m more excited. I always wanted to do big films with big actors. I’m greedy, give me better co-stars, and I will do better.
It also has Kajal Aggarwal...
Kajal is in the flashback portions with Kamal sir. I’m with Siddharth, who plays the younger guy in the present.
Do you have a secret man tucked away?
In the last five years, I’ve been busy with 30 films, there was no time for romance. Had I met the right guy, I wouldn’t have turned him away, saying “Now, is the time to work.” Even my parents are complaining, “The whole world knows you’re single.” This Diwali, my mom told me to go party and find a guy for myself.
Rekha in Muqaddar Ka Sikandar; Rakul in Marjaavaan
People didn’t ever forget me entirely. I guess I stayed at the back of their minds-Chunky Panday
8:45 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; September 1, 2019)
In the 80s and 90s, the audience saw him lip-synching the classic, So Gaya Yeh Jahan from Tezaab (1988) and matching Govinda move-fora-move in Aankhen (1993). Chunky Panday, who returned to the lives of cinegoers with characters like Aakhri Pasta in Housefull (2010), is now juggling his schedule between multiple films, two of which present him as a villain. While it may not be easy to laugh at oneself, it’s an art that he has mastered and is gradually passing on the tricks to his 20-year-old daughter Ananya, who made her debut this year with Student Of The Year 2. In a chat with BT, Chunky discusses his current phase in the industry, his daughter’s acting career and what his mistakes have taught him. Excerpts…
Your new innings as an actor is in full force with films like Prassthanam, Jawani Jaaneman and Housefull 4, where you play diametrically different characters. Is this the most satisfying time of your professional life?
Yes, it is. I am also doing a Marathi film called Bhangarwala in which I play an Arab; after seeing that, I don’t think they will let me enter Dubai (laughs!). Before this, the only regional cinema I had tried was Bangladeshi (laughs even more), which means I’ve also done Bengali films.
I’ve been a great fan of Pran, Mehmood, Amjad Khan, Kader Khan, Shakti Kapoor and Amrish Puri. I can’t ever dream of coming close to these guys and the characters they’ve immortalised. Deva Katta, who made the original Prassthanam, felt that I could play the grey character in his story. I’ve just tried to remember the masters of such characters in Indian cinema while playing this one, with the hope that I, too, can achieve that glory.
Given that you are being offered performance-driven parts now, would you say that you’re finally coming into your own?
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that. We are actually living in the golden phase of this craft. Today, newer platforms have opened up avenues for actors. If you realise, I haven’t done much work in about 30 years as an actor. I may have 94 films to my credit, but only about 75 have been released. I am less exposed and also lucky to get the characters I have today. Also, people didn’t ever forget me entirely. I guess I stayed at the back of their minds. The second innings started with characters like Aakhri Pasta and that Nepali guy in Apna Sapna Money Money (2006). The intention was to impress the younger audience. The subsequent characters, like the ones in Begum Jaan (2017) and Prassthanam, are bonuses. I would like to believe what my wife Bhavana often says when we fight. She says, ‘There is a little devil hiding in you and you are evil personified.’ That’s a statement every wife makes when the couple fights, but I took it a tad bit seriously and decided to prove her right (Laughs!). My wife was petrified to see my look in Begum Jaan. Ananya was taken aback, but impressed. Doing negative characters had some impact at home. My younger daughter (Rysa) and wife didn’t talk to me for days after Begum Jaan released. I played a devilish guy who feeds dogs to people, while at home, I am a dog lover. When I grew a beard for that part, my daughters refused to come close to me, because I wore this weird look on my face, unlike the daddy they knew. And my wife? She refused to kiss my cheeks or hug me. So, coming into my own has not been easy.
How has this new phase changed you as an actor?
It’s made me a lot more confident, but I would say that the directors, too, had a huge role to play. To do Prassthanam and Housefull 4 in the same year is a big deal for me. I was stepping into the comedy franchise, which is almost like home to me, after doing two badass characters. The after-effect of playing those parts was that I was finding it hard to slip into Aakhri Pasta (his character in Housefull 4). The transition between roles was a challenge. Your mind tends to get confused, and you need the director’s support. I am not the greatest actor on earth, and I depend a lot on my director. Even for Prassthanam, I depended a lot on Deva Katta. If left to me, I will do the same navrasas in every film. I can trust the actor in me, but I need a chance to show something new every time. That new thing is the director’s take on the character. I always ask for that.
Jackie Shroff, Gulshan Grover, Sanjay Dutt — a bunch of your colleagues from the 1980s and 1990s — seem to have a better repertoire today than you did. As a leading man in the 1990s, why did you drop out of the scene, that, too, soon after a hit like Aankhen?
I had no option. I arrived on the scene in 1987. Govinda had come a year earlier, and in quick succession, we had Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn. There was one new face every year. My honeymoon got over in no time with so many heroes arriving on the scene. My solo-hero films did average business, but the multi-starrers did very well. In this industry, you should never underestimate or overestimate anyone. When I went to Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh’s wedding reception, I met filmmaker Shankar. He remembered me instantly, but it took me a while to recall that he was assisting a South filmmaker on Jai Shiv Shankar — a film I did for Rajesh Khanna’s company, which never released. Imagine, Shankar was an assistant on that film! So, you cannot discount anyone. I have seen things change overnight for people, from good to bad and terrible to great. I always feel that one should maintain a balance with people. Don’t write them off and don’t chase them crazily.
But didn’t you get almost written off when you decided to work in Bangladeshi films?
It was a phase of a meltdown. I was thinking of switching careers. I had the biggest hit in the country, Aankhen, to my name but I didn’t get much work after that. I moved to Bangladeshi films and kept doing films there because they worked. I was just running away from myself. I somehow wanted to continue being an actor, because if I didn’t, then I would have to find an alternate profession. It was Bhavna who got me back here. She told me that even in Bangladesh, people know me as Chunky from Bollywood. Filmmaker Harry Baweja gave me my first role during that phase in Qayamat: City Under Threat (2003). Things changed from there. There are times when you ask yourself why certain things happened and what went wrong. I think I made a lot of good choices, but I also made many mistakes; I was meant to make them. For instance, I left Tridev (1989) for another film. Everyone makes mistakes and learns from them. Today, if I get a great character, I do it, no matter what. I wish I was as wise a few years ago. It took me some soul searching and introspection to be like this. I was getting characters even back then, but my mind was not ready for them. Today, I am thick-skinned, and I have no ego. I change my colours like a chameleon, and I can laugh at myself. That makes life easier for an actor.
Isn’t it strange that when you decided to come back, the work didn’t really come from the friends who you often hang out with?
It didn’t come from friends because I have never depended on them to give me work and I don’t like bringing work between us.
While you are clearly enjoying your second innings, your daughter Ananya has started her career…I am damn excited for her. I was also scared about that at one point. The most important thing for any actor is to be accepted by the audience. I’ve always told this to Ananya because there’s just that much advice I can dole out. She’ll have to figure her way through this on her own, making her own choices and her own mistakes. I’ve always told her that no one can ever predict the box-office success of a film, because a billion people decide that. I stopped worrying when I saw Student Of The Year 2 at a private screening. Bhavna and I were sure she would find acceptance. There’s no harm in being excited and optimistic, but one should never get carried away.
Ananya has entered the industry at a time when actors have to face pressure beyond box-office performance of their films. Social media pressure is a major aspect today...
Yes, the golden phase of show-business has its own perils. I’m proud of my daughter’s initiative to fight social media bullying instead of giving in to it. It’s a nasty thing that affects so many people. Someone had to bell the cat and Ananya has taken the lead. She’s 20 and doing something brave for her age. Today, I just hope that she enjoys everything she does. She did well academically, but she’s learning things now, and things that will help her survive in an industry like ours. She did her formal training in acting, but no university can teach you things that Bollywood can. And trust me, it teaches you too many lessons very quickly.
Link-ups with co-actors happened in the 1990s, and they happen even today. Within six months of her debut, Ananya has already faced such a situation...
Yes, she got linked very early on in her career, but as they say, you live and die by the sword. It happened then and it happens now. You can’t control it, whether you’re married or single. I only tell her to take it in her stride, what else can I advise her on this? Even as an actor, when she asks me my opinion on her scripts, I don’t say much, because I want her to make her decisions and stand by those, forever.
Rakul Preet Singh all set to romance Siddharth in Indian 2
8:17 AM
Lakshmi V (BOMBAY TIMES; July 24, 2019)
The cast of Shankar’s Tamil film Indian 2, starring Kamal Haasan in the lead, is getting bigger by the day. The film will now see Rakul Preet join the cast. The actress was recently seen in the Bollywood film De De Pyaar De with Ajay Devgn. Indian 2 also stars Kajal Aggarwal, Aishwarya Rajesh and Priya Bhavani Shankar.A source says, “Rakul was excited when she was offered the role because it’s a Shankar-Kamal Haasan combination. She will be paired opposite Siddharth in the film, and she will join the team from August.”
I would have loved to do Shankar's Indian 2, but I didn't have the dates-Ajay Devgn
8:29 AM
Amid rumours that Ajay may join forces with Rajamouli, actor on why he opted out of Haasan's Indian 2
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; February 15, 2019)
Late last year, reports suggested that Ajay Devgn may make his Tamil debut with Shankar's Indian 2. It was heard that the actor was approached to play the antagonist to Kamal Haasan's moral vigilante in the sequel to the 1996 hit, Indian. While the rumours died a natural death, there is renewed chatter about Devgn being South-bound after all - this time, with the Baahubali maker, S S Rajamouli. Buzz is that the actor will be seen in the director's mega-budget film, tentatively titled RRR, that features Ram Charan Teja and NT Rama Rao Jr.With the spotlight on his possible South collaborations, Devgn - currently neck-deep in the promotions of Total Dhamaal - opens up for the first time on why he had to let go of the Haasan starrer. "I would have loved to do Shankar's movie, but I didn't have the dates. He wanted to shoot the movie right now. [But] I am stuck with Tanhaji."
Although rumours had then suggested that the actor had turned the film down as he was not keen on portraying a grey character, he insists it cannot be further from the truth. "For an artiste, there are no shades of grey, black or white - the more layers you have in a role, the better it is. I loved doing movies like Khakee (2004) and Company (2002) where my negative characters were appreciated. I would love to play such roles again. [Having said that], I cannot say if it [the part in Indian 2] was grey or not because I am not doing it now; it's somebody else's role."
Not surprisingly, the actor turns evasive when the conversation steers towards his rumoured outing with Rajamouli. Ask him about the project, and he offers a pithy, "No comments."
However, a trade source reveals that Devgn, who had previously done the Hindi voice-over for Rajamouli's Makkhi (2012), is in advanced talks for the action drama. "Ajay has been approached for a pivotal role. It's not a cameo as has been reported. While Rajamouli has begun the first schedule with Ram Charan and NTR Jr, Ajay is likely to shoot his portions after wrapping up Tanhaji."
Kajal Aggarwal, Kamal Haasan and Shankar at the launch of Indian 2
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)