Showing posts with label Sharman Joshi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sharman Joshi. Show all posts
I missed Rohit Shetty’s energy on sets, Ajay Devgn’s intensity and calmness-Sharman Joshi
11:13 PM
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; February 7, 2026)
Twenty years is a long time to be away from a franchise you love. Naturally then, Sharman Joshi — who was part of Golmaal: Fun Unlimited (2006), which kicked off filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s comedy franchise — is itching to return to the world of Golmaal 5. “I’m likely to start working on it soon,” the actor told mid-day.
A lot has happened in the interim. Golmaal, led by Ajay Devgn, has had three instalments. Joshi wasn’t a part of them, with reports claiming that he had hiked his fees, which didn’t go down well with the producers. In several interviews, he claimed it was a miscommunication from his team that led to his ouster and he didn’t know until later.
Even as he has joined Golmaal 5 that will star Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Arshad Warsi, Kunal Kemmu, Tusshar Kapoor, and Shreyas Talpade, he wished he hadn’t lost the years. “I missed Rohit’s energy on sets, Ajay sir’s intensity and calmness. I missed Tusshar too. Rohit’s entire team is warm and inclusive.”
The comic caper will go on floors in late February. While rumours are rife that Akshay Kumar will play the antagonist, Joshi is keen to explore his on-screen dynamics with Talpade and Kemmu. “I [had seen] Shreyas’s work during intercollegiate competitions as our colleges were next to each other. I’ve been his fan since Iqbal [2005]. Kunal and I will reunite after Dhol [2007].”
The Good old days
‘Rang De Basanti’ (2006) completed 20 years of release last month. Remembering it, the actor said, “Last week, I was listening to the album, and all the fond memories came rushing back. Working on it was a fabulous journey.”
On ‘4 Idiots’
Sharman Joshi denied being approached for the ‘3 Idiots’ sequel. “I’ve not been informed about it so far, but I hope it happens,” he said.
Sharman Joshi opens up on making his Bengali film debut, Bhalobashar Morshum
9:20 AM
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 10, 2026)
Having made his mark in Hindi cinema, actor Sharman Joshi is now stepping into Bengali films with his next project, Bhalobashar Morshum. Speaking about the experience, he says, “I really enjoyed working on the film. We have a week’s schedule still left.”
Reflecting on the challenge of performing in a new language, the 46-year-old shares, “Bengali was completely foreign to me. I had both the English and Hindi versions of the script, so I used to read them together. The chief assistant director would sit with me before every scene, guiding me as I mouthed all my lines. I did it carefully, and even though I didn’t speak the language, I was able to emote in it.”
Ask if he learned any Bengali in the process, and Sharman quips, “I’m not good with languages, so there will be a dubbing artist. In fact, even in Hindi films, I hardly remember my dialogues. A theatre director once taught me to forget everything I’ve done before starting a new project, to carry no baggage from earlier work. That’s now become my practice.”
Alongside the Bengali film, Sharman is returning to his theatre roots this month. “I’m working on an English play that opens on January 25. It’s the language I’m most comfortable in, although I’ve done only one English play before. The play explores stories about the challenges a language imposes and the dialogue between theatre and an actor leaving the medium, where theatre is represented by a woman,” he explains.
Aamir Khan, Rajkumar Hirani eye 3 Idiots sequel; likely to go on floors by mid-2026
4:11 PM
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; December 25, 2025)
We may be days away from 2026, but Aamir Khan and Rajkumar Hirani are going back in time to 2009. Recently, we reported that the actor-director duo is teaming up with original cast members Kareena Kapoor Khan, R Madhavan, and Sharman Joshi for a sequel to their classic 3 Idiots (The idiots are calling, Dec 4). And it looks like things are progressing swiftly. We’ve exclusively learnt that Hirani is planning to take the comedy by mid-2026.
An insider shared, “Work on the script is going on in full swing. The premise for the sequel has been cracked, and it’s a matter of a few months before the screenplay is developed. The sequel to 3 Idiots will go on floors around June-July.”
So, where does that leave Khan and Hirani’s biopic on Dadasaheb Phalke, regarded as the father of Indian cinema? While rumours earlier suggested that the film would roll in January 2026, the ambitious plan has now been kept for another day.
A source revealed, “The script needed more work, and both Raju and Aamir were clear that unless the script captured Dadasaheb’s life in all its glory, they wouldn’t take it on floors. They aren’t in a rush.”
mid-day reached out to Hirani’s team, who didn’t respond till press time.
I have not been informed yet of 3 Idiots sequel-Sharman Joshi
2:36 PM
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 24, 2025)
Rajkumar Hirani’s directorial 3 Idiots turns 16 this Christmas, and the film is once again in news amid reports of a sequel featuring the original cast: Aamir Khan, R Madhavan, Sharman Joshi and Kareena Kapoor Khan.
Ask Sharman whether he has any inkling about the project, and the 46-year-old says, “On more than a couple of occasions earlier, there has been buzz that the 3 Idiots sequel is happening. I hope that this time around, it’s true, but I have not been informed yet.”
But does he think there is scope for continuation of the story of the three friends from the film? “I am in no position to know. Only the master, Raju (Rajkumar) sir, Abhijat (Joshi, writer) sir and Aamir would be working on it if there is potential,” he says.
A smile comes to Sharman’s face as he talks about 3 Idiots. The actor reveals that it was his 2001 breakthrough film Style that ultimately led him to Rajkumar’s film. “Raju sir had seen me in Style and thought that someday he’d cast me in some movie.”
One of the most talked-about scenes from 3 Idiots is the one where Sharman’s character attempts suicide.
Elaborating on the effect the scene had on the audience, Sharman shares, “People would call my parents asking if I was doing alright. Not just parents, but many kids, including my daughter, were moved by that scene as well. She was just four when we were at the premiere and she started crying while watching that scene. She didn’t stop until I held her in my lap.”
Doctor says Prem Chopra hospitalized over viral infection
10:58 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (November 12, 2025)
Veteran actor Prem Chopra was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai on Saturday due to a viral infection and age-related complications. The actor’s hospitalization was confirmed by cardiologist Dr Nitin Gokhale on Monday, and he shared that the actor is now recovering well.
Chopra has been admitted under the care of cardiologist Dr Gokhale. “He is a known case of cardiac ailment, and he also had a viral infection, and that’s why I’m treating him for the lungs. He is not in the ICU; he is in the ward,” Dr Jalil Parkar of Lilavati Hospital told PTI.
He went on to add, “He is 92 years old, and he has age-related issues because of which his recovery takes a little time. He should be fine in another three or four days and go home.”
Meanwhile, actor Sharman Joshi, who is married to the veteran actor’s daughter Prerana Chopra, said, “All good, thank you, just some tests, back tomorrow.”
His other son-in-law, actor Vikas Bhalla had told India Today: “It’s all age-related, and a regular procedure. There is nothing to worry about.”
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HINDUSTAN TIMES (November 13, 2025)
Actor Prem Chopra, 90, was hospitalized on November 10 due to age-related issues. His son-in-law, actor Vikas Bhalla, has now shared a positive update on his health while speaking to ETimes. “He’s doing fine and undergoing tests. He was hospitalized for routine check-ups because of age-related issues and post an infection. Luckily everything was clear. He should be back home tomorrow,” said Vikas.
He also shared that the actor was concerned about his fellow veteran Dharmendra, who was admitted to the hospital the same day. “When I visited him in the morning today, he was perfectly fine and happy, but of course, he was concerned about Dharmendra ji’s health,” Bhalla added.
Only Salman Khan, Rashmika Mandanna have full access to Sikandar's script
9:11 AM
In a bid to keep the film’s narrative confidential, supporting actors of Salman Khan’s Sikandar are being given access to only bit-sized portions of the entire script
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; January 10, 2025)
When the cast of the Avengers franchise participated in a mammoth promotional world tour for the 2019 actioner, a story that greatly amused fans was that only a handful of actors of the American multi-starrer were given access to the entire script. In a bid to ensure that the film’s contents did not make their way to the public domain before it hit screens, the makers had allowed most of the cast members access to only those scenes that featured them. Back home in India, matters are no different.
mid-day has it that while Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna, the lead actors of A R Murugadoss’ Sikandar, were kept abreast of the storyline, the film’s supporting stars, Kajal Aggarwal, Sathyaraj, Ananth Narayan Mahadevan, Sharman Joshi, Prateik Babbar, Nawab Shah, and Anjini Dhawan, were given limited access to the script.
Confirming the development to mid-day, an insider adds that the supporting actors have also been made to sign a non-disclosure agreement. “They are only being told about their scenes a few days before the filming leg begins. The makers are being secretive about the story and script as they want to keep everything relating to it confidential. Each aspect will be unveiled as a surprise, and fans will learn about the characters only when the first trailer is released,” says the source.
At a time when behind-the-scenes set images are making their way to social media without the knowledge of filmmakers, the measures being taken by Murugadoss and producer Sajid Nadiadwala seem appropriate.
“There has been speculation that the film is an adaptation of Murugadoss’s Tamil movie, Sarkar [2018], but it is not true. If audiences believe this film is a remake, they may create comparison videos on YouTube which may lead to unnecessary criticism. The makers have maintained that this is an original story, and the script has been put together by Sajid and Murugadoss.”
Given that the film features an array of actors across film industries, the makers are also taking measures to ensure that the crew adheres to a structured shooting schedule.
“Everything is being done in an organized manner so that nobody needs to [return to] reshoot any portion. The dubbing is also being done in the same way—once an actor shoots a scene, they complete the dubbing immediately. Currently, the last schedule is being filmed in Mumbai and will be completed in February, when crucial scenes with Salman and the antagonists will be shot.”
mid-day reached out to Murugadoss, but did not hear from him till press time.
15 Years of 3 Idiots: Aamir Khan gave 35 takes for 'Hum Science ki taraf se hain' dialogue-Rajkumar Hirani
9:03 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; December 27, 2024)
For years, after 3 Idiots was released, Rajkumar Hirani would bump into people at various places, and somebody would come up and say, ‘I studied medicine, but I’ve quit and am now learning music.’ Someone else said, ‘I’m becoming a writer.’ That even sometimes would scare him and he would think - ‘I hope they succeed. Otherwise, they’ll come knocking on my door one day saying, 'You taught us the wrong things'.
Rajkumar Hirani, however, admits that the film gave a lot of people the courage to pursue what they wanted to do. He says, "I always tell people there’s a difference between passion and obsession. Sometimes people feel passionate about becoming something - like a music director or an actor - and they think, ‘This is my passion.’ But passion alone isn’t enough. I keep telling them, passion is just a desire to be someone. Obsession is what matters. Are you putting in the effort every single day to hone your skill and craft? If you’re obsessed - if you’re getting up every morning and working towards your goal - then pursue it. That’s when you’ll succeed. Passion without effort won’t take you anywhere."
Rajkumar Hirani says that 3 Idiots is one classic example of a problem that exists in every household. There’s always a rift between parents and children about education. The resonance of this issue is very strong, and every household needs a solution to it. He feels that’s why the film resonated so well with people.
He explains, "Most parents could see, ‘Haan yaar, maybe we’re pushing our kids too much.’A lot of parents used to come to me and admit, ‘Maybe we’re pushing our children too much, and we shouldn’t.’"
I wanted to get into engineering but couldn’t: Rajkumar Hirani
3 Idiots origin story is somewhere in Rajkumar Hirani's own life. He says, "When I look back at my own life - when I was in school - I think I was a very, very average student, struggling. Kahan yaar, yeh mujhe trigonometry samjha rahe hain, mujhe samajh nahi aata. Kuch nahi samajh aata tha! I was very average, and then I went to college. I wanted to get into an engineering college, but that never happened. I couldn’t secure admission anywhere. So, I ended up studying commerce. But commerce didn’t interest me. Education, in general, was never interesting for me, you know. Commerce college was just 3-4 hours in the morning, which gave me a lot of time to do theater. I started doing plays - directing, acting, writing - and that gave me immense joy. I realized I was spending hours doing that every day. My dad noticed it too, and he said, 'You know what? This is what you really love. Go do this'. This was a very difficult thing for a parent to say back then, especially in a small town like Nagpur, in a conventional, middle-class family. For him to say, 'Okay, leave my business' - my dad used to sell typewriters - and encourage me to pursue cinema, was unheard of at the time. But he guided me. He said, 'Go to film school. That’s where you can learn. Learn the craft'.”
'Chase excellence, and success will follow. Don’t chase money, because success doesn’t work like that'
When he got into the film institute, everything changed for him. He started getting scholarships and excelling at every level because he was enjoying what I was doing. He says, "That’s what we try to convey in the film: don’t push kids to do what they don’t want to do. If you chase something you truly enjoy, you’ll naturally excel at it. And if you excel at it, you’ll succeed. Rather than saying, 'Let’s do an MBA' or 'Let’s do finance because it pays well', but not enjoying it, you won’t excel, and success won’t come. That’s where the idea came from. We ended up coining the phrase - Chase excellence, and success will follow. Don’t chase money, because success doesn’t work like that. The process of writing is a long journey. You spend so much time thinking about the subject, reading about it. These ideas start forming in your head. You think, 'Okay, let’s say this', or 'Let’s put it this way'. It’s a journey where you create all these things."
'Boman Irani created the physicality of Viru Sahastrabudhhe with reference to his school teachers'
The character of the professor in 3 Idiots is one of the most memorable characters. But when it was offered to Boman Irani, he didn’t want to take on the role as he had already played the Dean in Munnabhai MBBS.
Hirani recalls, “He said it’ll look like the same. I said, but let’s do it differently. Physicality also will change. I said that you’re bald in that; we’ll give you curly hair in 3 Idiots. You didn’t have a mustache; we’ll give you a mustache. Let’s change your physicality first and do it differently. Boman really worked hard to create the character."
Then Boman thought of some school teacher he used to have who used to dress up in a particular way. So, Boman went and designed his own clothes for the character. He went to a tailor in Dadar and remembered how his professor used to wear his pants up to the chest. He also added a lisp to his character. He had certain people in his mind - his professor, some other people - their mannerisms, the way they walked, and everything.
3 actors who played the 3 Idiots were not Raju Hirani's first choice
The three actors who played the 3 Idiots were not Raju Hirani's first choice at all. The first set of people were actually much younger and were all new actors at the time. They had selected three actors and auditioned them separately. But somehow, when they were put together, they were not gelling well. There’s a certain chemistry between people, and somehow that wasn’t happening.
Hirani recalls, "And during that time, I remember Vinod (VVC, the producer of the film) had offered a film to Aamir. And Aamir asked him about the film he was doing. While Vidhu Vinod Chopra told him that the film is not good for Aamir as it was a much younger role, Aamir said, ‘Let me hear the script.’"
Rajkumar Hirani recalls, "So I remember going to Aamir's house, and I read the script to him. His first concern was also, ‘How will I look young? It’s a good script, but how will I look young?’ But somehow, when I met him, I felt Aamir has a very innocent, childlike face. I said, ‘If you can lose all this muscle’ - at that time, he was playing Ghajini and was very broad - ‘then you can look like that.’ We just took a chance. We took a leap of faith. He said, ‘Okay, I'll lose it.’ He lost all the weight and muscle and transformed himself. Then one trick we played was that we decided to cast the other actors a little older. You can’t have Aamir alongside someone who’s nearly 17. So, there’s a kind of suspension of belief that happens. Once you get into the story, you don’t really realize it. With Aamir and all these experienced actors coming in, it became a little easier. It’s always easier to work with experienced people than with newcomers."
Sharman Joshi's home was a spoofy take on 50s cinema
Rajkumar Hirani says, "If you look at older films, they often wallow in self-pity. Gaane bhi waise hi hote thay - bahut saare self-pity wale. Usmein hota tha - baap khaas raha hai, maa kitchen mein rehti hai, aur behen ki shaadi nahi ho rahi. It was kind of a spoof on that - ki iska ghar humein black and white filmon ki yaad dilata tha. What we didn’t realize was that it might come across as a little dark, and some people might not like it. I still remember someone walking up to me and saying, 'Aap hamara mazak uda rahe ho'. That’s when it struck me. I said, 'I had never seen it like that', but yes, it could be sensitive to some. The idea was just to add a little dark humour about how Indian cinema was portrayed back then."
"Cinema is a reflection of its time. For example, 1947 ke baad unemployment tha - lead hero unemployed hota tha, gareebi hoti thi, khana nahi hota tha. Then times changed - gold smuggling became a theme. Later, underworld dons entered storylines. Over decades, storylines have evolved."
'At one point, Rancho was supposed to go to Sikkim instead of Ladakh'
Talking about the Delhi to Ladakh journey, he says, "It's always the script that drives everything. As I said, I love Delhi in terms of its locations and interesting things, so we wanted to set it in Delhi. From Delhi, we wanted to show a journey where they’ve lost a friend and have to find him. First of all, it felt like, where would a person like Rancho go? He would go to a serene place, cut off from the world, because he went to college just for knowledge, not for degrees. He was there under someone else's name, so he would hide away and do his business quietly - do his research, become a scientist, and run a school. That place seemed like Ladakh. At one point, we had considered a location in Sikkim. We even scouted it. But setting it in Sikkim made the journey from Delhi too long. We would have had to set up the film in Calcutta, and Delhi felt right. So, we took this route: they would start from Delhi, go to Shimla (where he used to work), meet Jaaved Jaaferi’s character in Shimla, and then continue to Ladakh. That seemed like an obvious route to take."
'The price tag fiance of Kareena Kapoor's character was based on a real person'
Abhijat used to live in the US, and Rajkumar would go there to write with him. One day, they bumped into a person there who constantly talked about new brands.
He recalls, "Abhijat and I are quite uninterested in the way we dress. Abhijat even had a really old car. This man looked at us and said, 'Aap log aise rehte ho? Kuch brands pehna karo'. He even talked about starter brands. We still laugh about it. He said, "I’ll introduce you to some starter brands'. I asked, 'Yeh starter brands kya hote hain?' Abhijat and I believe that we have one life, so we should make great films, travel, and do what we love. He gave an amazing line - 'You have one life; live it up - try all brands'. That night, we laughed so much, and I decided Kareena’s boyfriend’s character should be the total opposite of Aamir’s Rancho. Rancho doesn’t believe in materialism, so we created a contrasting character whose entire life revolves around brands and prices."
Hirani recalls that hum science se hai scene had 32 takes. He says, "I remember a funny incident, and while we were shooting that scene, Aamir would always laugh during the narrations. Every time we reached the line, 'Hum science ki taraf se hain', he would crack up. On the shoot day, it took 35 takes because after every take, Aamir would laugh, then Madhavan would laugh, and then Sharman would laugh."
Did You Know
--Ranchhoddas Shamaldas Chanchad - Rancho, whose real name was Phunsukh Wangdu - is quite an unusual name. How did they come up with this? He says, "We always wanted to create quirky names so the characters would be remembered, rather than giving them very standard names. It was Abhijat Joshi who came up with this name."
I feel a new mentalist is born-Sharman Joshi
8:12 AM
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 7, 2024)
Six years ago, actor Sharman Joshi watched an act on mentalism by Bhupesh Dave. Intrigued, he decided to start learning it and now, he is coming up with his own show with Dave, titled Braintertainers.
“I was just zapped and amazed by Bhupesh’s show. After that, we met often. I asked him how he does it, but he said that the tricks of the trade can’t be shared. So, I started training under him. During the pandemic, we started jamming. That’s when we came up with our show, which is happening on June 2,” says Joshi.
However, taking up this new art form had the 45-year-old’s family members doubt the decision initially. “Like me, they, too, were surprised and skeptical. This was a completely new arena that I had no idea about. But then, I convinced myself because I really wanted to do it, and eventually they got convinced too,” he says, adding that he has already done a mock show in front of some college students and got a great response. “I feel a new mentalist is born,” he smiles.
Joshi adds that his show is meant for teenagers and young adults. But he has already planned to expand his audience. “I am planning to do a magic show for kids in the future. We would depict the whole journey of how magic first appeared in the world, to how it came to India,” shares Joshi, adding that he would love to get back to acting with a return to the Golmaal franchise. “It is really special to me. I would be really happy to be a part of it,” he says.
Sexual assault is not exclusive to the film industry; it is rampant everywhere-Mona Singh
8:20 AM
Fronting Kafas, Mona Singh on how the show talks about mental health and sexual assault
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; July 4, 2023)
Mona Singh had probably one of the most promising debuts with Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin in 2003, following it up with an interesting mix of projects in television, movies and digital entertainment. Her latest series, Kafas, might be the bravest and most challenging work in her two-decade career. An adaptation of British miniseries Dark Money (2019), the Sony LIV offering revolves around a married couple who keep mum about their child’s sexual abuse case in exchange for money. In conversation with mid-day, Singh talks about child abuse, the importance of sex education in schools, and parenting.
Kafas revolves around a child abuse case. Have you personally known any cases?
I have heard of cases from my friends where a watchman from the school or [the residential building] has misbehaved. Nowadays, kids are aware of the good touch and bad touch because of the sex education imparted in school. I remember I had gone to a friend’s house for Raksha Bandhan, and her children didn’t hug me. That is when I learnt that they’ve been taught in school not to hug strangers. It is brilliant and makes you more aware of how to be around children.
What do you think would be the best way to tackle the issue?
Parents should develop a friendship with their children so that they are not scared to tell their parents anything. If you maintain a distance from your children, that is wrong upbringing. My sister is like a best friend to her daughter and son; they tell her everything.
Your character overlooks the case of child abuse for money. Did you disagree with her?
One cannot really say if my character was right or wrong. So much of it was circumstantial. Tough times call for tougher decisions. My character and her husband [Sharman Joshi] couldn’t have fought against such an [influential] superstar in the industry. They would have a lot of pressure on them. There is also the [fear] of dragging their son’s name through the mud. Kafas sparks conversation around issues of mental health and sexual assault that have been deemed taboo.
Do you think in our judicial system, it is difficult to get justice when there is little proof? Like what happened during the #MeToo movement?
The only way is to be fearless, speak up and stand up for what you feel is right. Hats off to all the women who revealed their personal stories! It is sad what women have to go through. Sexual assault is not exclusive to the film industry; it is rampant everywhere.
You play a mother who takes hard decisions and is ridden with guilt. How did you go about the role?
The best thing about OTT is that before you start shooting, you get a bound script in hand. You have [countless] rehearsals, readings and workshops. By the time you start shooting, you’ve got in the skin of your character. We had lots of sessions with Sahil [Sangha, director]. He was sure that Seema [her character] won’t be verbose; she will be quiet and soaking it all in. Every time you see her, you will notice that she is going through an internal battle. We had also made this corner in the room where the paint is peeling off the wall, and Seema blankly stares at it every day. There were so many layers to her—from fighting for what is right, to understanding what she did was wrong, and living vicariously through her son. I have seen many mothers push their kids into Bollywood.
Did you ever feel the pressure to do something while growing up?
My parents never forced anything on me. I wanted to be an actor, but my father was clear that I had to finish my graduation first. I have seen so many mothers push their kids into acting. Mikhail [Gandhi, child actor] is a born actor. He is so good with his studies, and his parents are chilled. He reminded me of my school days and how my parents were with me.
Making movies on our fight for independence redefined the idea of patriotism for us, say filmmakers and actors
8:43 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (August 15, 2022)
‘THE ROLE OF BOSE CHANGED ME AS A PERSON, AS WELL AS AN ACTOR’
The role (of Subhas Chandra Bose in Shyam Benegal’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero) changed me as an actor and as a person as well. It was academically enriching. Until that role became my second nature, we didn’t start shooting for it. In fact, the character stayed with me even after the film was made and released in theatres. As a part of the prep that went for around six months, I read as many books as used for reference to the script. In fact, I lived the character for almost three years. It, by far, remains my best work. As we complete 75 years of Independence, I feel the younger generation must go back to read about our leaders, or at least watch films to be aware. — Sachin Khedekar, actor Subhas Chandra Bose
‘WORKING ON FILMS ON BOSE AND GANDHI BOOSTED MY PATRIOTISM’
Over the years, I have been associated with several films dealing with our national leaders. (My directorial) The Making Of The Mahatma depicted Gandhi’s evolution into becoming an unparalleled national figure. He managed to mobilise people in an extraordinary way. My other film, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero, showed how he mobilised Indians living outside India, like Singapore, Malaysia, etc. to fight for India’s freedom even from the outside. Both these stories are very different from each other and working on these films clearly boosted my patriotism as these are the people who fought against great odds for so many years. The research and the shooting process left me touched. — Shyam Benegal, director
‘THERE SHOULD BE A SPECIAL PERIOD IN SCHOOLS WHERE STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT THEIR DUTIES AS CITIZENS’
When you do a film on a freedom fighter, it leaves a huge impact on you. Going back to that history makes you realise how important it is for an individual to do something more for the nation. You live the character for 60-70 days of shoot and that influences the kind of vision you have for your country. I am lucky to have played Bhagat Singh (in Shaheed-e-Azam). My mother, a history professor, used to share books on our fight for independence. Right from my school days, I would read and watch such films. For everyone who is associated with a patriotic film — be it the technician or the audience — it changes everything. For me, Independence Day is not just about hoisting flags, but touching the lives of fellow Indians. There should be a special period where students learn about their country, their duties as a citizen and humanity. These things will prompt the newer generation to think more about the nation. — Sonu Sood, actor
‘I HOPE A DAY COMES WHEN THE WHOLE WORLD BECOMES ONE NATION’
For Rang De Basanti, apart from understanding the ideologies that the freedom fighters believed in, I didn’t do much research for my role (of Rajguru). But just hearing their stories inspired all of us. The kind of sacrifices our men made for our country… everyone has the right to freedom and these brave men fought for that. For me, patriotism means respect and love for the land you live on. It also means to respect and love the others who live on the land. I hope a day comes when the whole world becomes one nation — Sharman Joshi, actor
‘PATRIOTISM MEANS DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE’
I always wanted to make a film about the armed revolution and the young guns of India who stood up against the British Raj because it made me wonder why these 20-something boys picked up the gun and walked to the gallows for the country with a smile. Patriotism means different things to different people. I wouldn’t call Rang De Basanti a patriotic film; it was about a generation waking up. You want to make the country perfect? Dirty your hands with running the country.
We all criticize the machinery like fence dwellers. When I found myself in the director’s chair, I felt I had a chance. — Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, director
‘BIOPICS ON FREEDOM FIGHTERS REMIND US OF OUR DUTY TO OUR COUNTRY’
When I made Bharathi, I wrote the screenplay with the intention of bringing Subramania Bharathiyar’s multifaceted nature on screen. Bharathi’s inability to work under a feudal king, joining forces with other extremist leaders in the freedom struggle, composing songs about nationalism and independence, resisting the British rule through newspapers and cartoons, his emphasis on women’s emancipation... I wanted the film to talk about it all. When you make a biopic on someone like Bharathi, it doesn’t stop with being a documentation of a life of a personality, but also becomes a film that reminds us of patriotism and our duty to the nation. — Gnana Rajasekaran, director
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Subodh Bhave who played Bal Gangadhar Tilak in Lokmanya-Ek Yugpurush, says, “When you portray the character of a great patriot like Tilak, you get a better understanding of the country. Their stories are so inspirational that you become more sensitive towards situations and people.”
— With inputs from V Lakshmi, Onkar Kulkarni, Preeti Atulkar, Rachana Dubey, Ruman Ganguly, M Suganth and Sunayana Suresh
Every actor worth their salt would consider it a privilege to work with the talented Paresh Rawal-Manasi Parekh
8:08 AM
Actor Manasi Parekh credits writers for meaty roles and change in audiences tastes
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 22, 2022)
She is on cloud nine with the reception of her recent Gujarati film, Dear Father. Calling the experience “incredible”, actor Manasi Parekh remarks, “Every actor worth their salt would consider it a privilege to work with the talented Paresh Rawal sir (actor), who has done over 150 films. It was great to have a substantial role that gives takkar to his character in the film.” Though the team knew the film would work, they were surprised with its response.
Parekh has been an actor since 2004, with a number of hit TV shows, including Kitni Mast Hai Zindagi, Gulaal and Sumit Sambhal Lega to her credit. Later, she debuted in Hindi films with Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019). “I am at an interesting juncture in my career. My Hindi film career is a few years old that started with Uri, which I was happy to be part of. The usual trend is that actresses in their 20s do many Hindi films and in their 30s, things would peter out, but that is not the case anymore. In fact, now there are so many interesting roles out there for my age group,” says the 35-year-old.
Parekh gives credit to the writers and audiences who have accepted actors “who are not playing a quintessential, good-looking actress”. “I always had wonderfully etched out roles in the TV shows I did. But back then, I didn’t get film offers and maybe koi specify requirement hogi. And after Uri, people have been offering good roles. Moreover, my experience, marriage, and motherhood have added value to my performances. Earlier, actresses were told if you want a career, you can’t marry or become a mother. But my career surged post marriage,” says the actor, who will be seen in Jab Khuli Kitaab, co-starring Aparshakti Khurana.
Having starred in some acclaimed Gujarati films, Parekh is thrilled with the growth of Gujarati cinema. “There is an overarching trend of audiences and their tastes changing. The lockdown and pandemic, too, have amplified things. Today, people are ready to watch films in any language. Pehle Bollywood zyada dekhte the, but now they have become more open to different languages,” says Parekh.
She adds, “There are many exciting things happening in Gujarati cinema. After doing Gol Keri (2020) and Dear Father, I am now shooting a film with (actor) Sharman Joshi and another Gujarati film with (actor) Ratna Pathak Shah. Suddenly, a number of mainstream Hindi actors are stepping into Gujarati films. While the south industry is established, Gujarati is still growing. It is exciting to be part of this growing industry. That is a telling sign of changing times.”
Filmmakers will have to pull up their socks to bring people back into theatres-Sharman Joshi
8:10 AM
Yesha Bhatt (BOMBAY TIMES; January 17, 2022)
Sharman Joshi, who has been a part of the industry for the past 20 years, believes in pushing his boundaries as a performer. He has been appreciated for his nuanced performances in films like Rang De Basanti, 3 Idiots, Ferrari Ki Sawaari and Misson Mangal. He worked in Gujarati theatre for over a decade before taking up a sabbatical. Sharman is now all set to make his debut in Gujarati films. In a free-wheeling chat, Sharman talks about the changing face of content creation and his career choices. Excerpts:
‘FOR ME, A FILM’S STORYLINE MATTERS NOT ITS GENRE’
The actor, who has tried his hand at various genres, says, “Comedy and romantic films generally resonate with the audience. Thrillers and horror films might not have the same mass appeal, but they have their niche audience too. I believe in the storyline of the film not the genre. It’s the first narration of the film that I rely on. If it works then it does, if it doesn’t work then it’s very rare that I have gone back to it. I am an instinctive actor. Mostly, it’s my first instinct that dictates my choice of work.”
‘IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO BRING THE AUDIENCE OUT OF THEIR COMFORT ZONE AND BACK TO THE CINEMA HALLS’
Pointing to the popularity of content on OTT platforms, Sharman says, “Filmmakers will have to pull up their socks. With OTT platforms across bringing content that’s out-of-the-box, it will be more difficult to bring the audience out of their comfort zone to watch a film. We have to give them something more.”
IT’S AN EXCITING PHASE FOR THE GUJARATI FILM INDUSTRY, IT FEELS NICE TO BE A PART OF IT’
The actor, who started his career with Gujarati theatre, is excited about his debut in Gujarati films with Jalso Karo Jayantilal. “The Gujarati film industry is going through a transformative phase. There are new narratives and the possibilities of commercially viable films are strong now. This got me excited too and I wanted to explore this platform for my creative satisfaction,” he says.
He further adds, “I have been involved with Gujarati theatre for a long time. In fact, I started my journey from there. I feel, Gujarati films have just been an extension of it, but it so happened that Gujarati films in those days were not being made at the scale that they are being made now.”
Sharman says, “After working in theatre for 10 years along with doing Hindi films and then taking a sabbatical from theatre, I finally decided to work in Gujarati films.”
‘NOTHING MATCHES THE THRILL OF BEING ON THE STAGE’
While Sharman is busy with films, he often looks back at his theatre days with a lot of fondness. “Though I have worked in different mediums, I really enjoy being on the stage. There is no better excitement, challenge or high than a solid stage performance. It gives you instant gratification when it goes well. At the same time, you receive brickbats when it does not go well. This process can be ruthless but that’s the beauty of it,” he shares.
‘SHOOTING IN THE NEW NORMAL IS BOTH CHALLENGING AND EXHAUSTING’
Speaking about shooting in the new normal, he says, “There are a certain number of people required on the set for smooth functioning. But now we have fewer people on the set and that makes work really challenging and exhausting too. It might look glamourous, but everyone on a set has a job to do. Hopefully things will come back to normal soon.”
On its 15th anniversary, Rang De Basanti team reveals what makes the film timeless
8:19 AM
Thought-provoking and riveting, Rang De Basanti tugs at our hearts even after 15 years of its release. Here’s throwing light on the ingredients of its success
Kavita Awaasthi & Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 26, 2021)
What is it about Rang De Basanti (RDB) that makes it relevant even after 15 years of its release? Is it the heartwarming story of the five friends? Or is it the performances by the actors — Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi, Atul Kulkarni, Kunal Kapoor, Siddharth, to name a few? Or is it the music by AR Rahman? We get talking to the RDB team to know what makes the film eternal.
Kunal Kapoor: Played Aslam Khan
For me, the most important message in the film is that it talks about not being cynical and complaining but taking responsibility and bring about change. I actually used to be an assistant with Mehra, and I was an assistant when the script of RDB was being written. So I was looking forward to working on the film as an assistant. But then I decided I was passionate about acting and joined a theatre company. A year-and-a-half later, they were casting for RDB and I called Mehra and told him I’d like to audition. He thought the audition was great, and after a few more auditions, I was on.
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra: Director and co-producer
RDB has grown to be more than a film. Even when it was released, it had a huge impact — not just on cinema goers but on the collective consciousness of the nation. The film has remained evergreen, and I don’t know how to describe it but it is a humbling experience to see your work remain relevant.
It was a salute to young generation along with being a wake-up call. That the film is completing 15 years, one part of me is so happy, yet there is a part which is not very happy because the film is still relevant. The cause it spoke about, the voice it had, if you look around, it looks like so much has changed but nothing has changed. It is an endless process, and I am not blaming or pointing fingers but I hope one day, RDB becomes irrelevant. It says, a lot needs to be done and we need to participate in the idea of India.
Sharman Joshi: Played Sukhi Ram
Rang De Basanti is one of the films closest to my heart. The subject is still topical and it will always be. It turned out to be a cult film. It was an exceptional film but a difficult one, too.
The difficult part was how the past and the present would work out. There’s one scene I remember; when we are in a jeep and all of us are high on alcohol and Aamir turns to his left and sees Chandra Shekhar Azad riding on a horse. It was so beautifully imagined and shot.
I’d auditioned for this part, and back then, in the early days of my career, it was a dream to be cast there and then. After acting for two-three scenes, I got an okay from Mehra. I was so happy that I went to my car and started screaming with joy.
Prasoon Joshi: Lyricist and dialogue writer
I was collaborating with Aamir for a product campaign, and he asked me to write the dialogues. Simultaneously, Rakeysh sort of talked about the lyrics. It’s a challenge, writing lyrics and dialogues together. I remember, I was in Goa and finished the dialogues in 15 days, and cracked the mukhdas.
Picking one song is very difficult, all are special for special reasons. I remember Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji watched the film, came out and gave me a hug and told me, ‘Sooraj ko main nigal gaya’ (lines from the song Rubaru). He himself was a poet and was very moved by the line. The song, Luka Chuppi, was originally not in the film. There was just a background score that was supposed to play during R Madhavan’s character’s funeral. I was sitting with Rahman and told him, what if this was a game of hide and seek between a mother and a son. This song was then written to composition.
In cinema, you are only as good as your last project-Sharman Joshi
8:21 AM
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 5, 2020)
In his 20-year-old career, Sharman Joshi has been appreciated in a number of roles including Rang De Basanti (2006), Golmaal (2006), Life in a... Metro (2007), 3 Idiots (2009), and Ferrari Ki Sawaari (FKS; 2012), among others. And though people appreciate his talent and versatility, he has not been seen in as many films.
Joshi talks about the challenges in his profession, and says, “Choices mein galti ho gayi ho toh, please give me another chance (smiles). We are all humans and make errors. In this profession, you are only as good as your last project. Some films don’t turn out the way you expect them to. Post FKS, three of my films — War Chhod Na Yaar (2013), Gang Of Ghosts and Super Nani (both 2014), didn’t turn out the way they were on paper. That was a bit of a setback for me and disappointing, too. To emerge out of a setback, one needs a lot of effort, patience and luck. I am glad I got Mission Mangal last year.”
Having been an actor for so long, Joshi knows what it takes to make it work. Ask him about favouritism and nepotism in the industry, and he says, “To get a break in the industry can be quite exasperating and disappointing but that is the challenge all of us have taken on. It is the same with any competitive profession, including sports. In the film business, people want to work with a certain set of actors and that is fair as you want a team that is on the same page as you are and in sync with you. I can’t point fingers at someone if he or she is working constantly with one person. I did two films back-to-back with Mr (Rajkumar) Hirani and Mr (Vidhu Vinod) Chopra as they liked me as an actor and I was more than happy to be part of their films.”
Joshi is happy with the response to the second season of his web show Baarish and has a few films lined up for release including director Umesh Shukla’s Aankh Micholi. He is also looking forward to shooting filmmaker duo Abbas-Mustan’s thriller for an OTT soon. “Thrillers are their forte and I am excited about the project as I wanted to work with them,” he concludes.
Time to begin OTT shoots: Abbas-Mustan to procure permissions to begin shoot for their series Penthouse?
8:58 AM
Sources say Abbas-Mustan in the process of procuring permission from Film City to start work on Netflix series, Penthouse, by August
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; July 15, 2020)
After the television industry, the OTT players are now taking baby steps towards resuming work. It is learnt that director duo Abbas-Mustan are in the process of procuring permission from the managing director of Maharashtra Film, Theatre and Cultural Development Corporation (Film City) to kickstart the shoot of their Netflix series, Penthouse, featuring Sharman Joshi.
A source reveals, "For the first stint, the makers want to erect a huge set of a penthouse at Filmistan in Goregaon. While the logistics have been worked out, the production house is awaiting the greenlight from Film City. The director duo is eager to begin the shoot by mid-August." The psychological thriller — which was to originally go on floors in April — marks the digital debut of the filmmakers.
When mid-day reached out to Abbas-Mustan, they remained evasive as they said, "There are many exciting things in the pipeline, but it's work in progress. Right now, it's important to focus on staying safe. The safety of our team and fellow industry members is of highest priority."
I hope producers and writers think of me when developing romance dramas-Sharman Joshi
8:06 AM
Restricted to comic roles on the big screen, Sharman Joshi hopes web series Baarish 2 will change his image
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; May 12, 2020)
The first season of Baarish had viewers rooting for an unusual couple in Sharman Joshi's Anuj and Asha Negi's Gauravi. A year later, the duo is back with the second instalment, examining the different facets of love. While he is often seen tapping into his comic side on the big screen, Joshi believes "the old-school romantic" in him is most creatively satisfied when bringing a love story to life.
"Of late, there is a lot of cynicism around love stories, in society. If you look around, many relationships are falling apart, divorces are on the rise, but that doesn't mean love doesn't exist anymore. [At such a time] I think we should revive love stories because that is the only thing that keeps us all going," shares Joshi.
It is rather unfortunate then that he has had limited opportunities to explore the genre on the big screen, instead being pigeonholed in comic roles. "It's not in my hands. [After this project], I hope producers and writers think of me when developing romance dramas."
For now though, he is proud to have an Ekta Kapoor project on his resume. The actor notes that Kapoor is equally at home in both, digital and telly world, despite the different language of the two mediums. "Ekta constantly reinvents herself. There is so much on her plate right now, and yet, she gets into the details of every show personally. It is wonderful to have such a passionate producer."
Image: This Diwali, play Aankh Micholi with this crazy, hilarious family
8:24 AM
(L-R) Paresh Rawal, Divya Dutta, Darshan Jariwala, Abhimanyu, Mrunal Thakur, Vijay Raaz, Abhishek Banerjee, Sharman Joshi, Grusha Kapoor and child artist Ricky Patel
BOMBAY TIMES (February 20, 2020)
Director-producer Umesh Shukla and Sony Pictures Films India have joined hands for a hilarious family entertainer, Aankh Micholi. The film features Abhimanyu and Mrunal Thakur in the lead. Abhimanyu had recently won the Filmfare Best Debut Actor award, and this will be his second outing with the studio.Apart from the two, the film, which will be shot across India and Europe, has an impressive line-up of actors, including Paresh Rawal, Sharman Joshi, Divya Dutta, Abhishek Banerjee, Darshan Jariwala, Grusha Kapoor and Vijay Raaz. It has been written by Jitendra Parmar.
Vivek Krishnani, Managing Director, Sony Pictures Entertainment India, says, “As a studio, we are always looking out for engaging and riveting stories that can not only charm the audience, but also evoke strong emotions. With such a stellar ensemble and Umesh in the driver’s seat, this Diwali will truly be a rib-tickling roller-coaster ride for viewers worldwide.” Umesh Shukla shares, “Aankh Micholi is close to my heart and I am proud to have been able to bring such an exciting cast together. Since it’s a family entertainer, we thought of releasing it on Diwali, and I can promise that the audience will be in for a laugh riot.”Aankh Micholi, produced by Sony Pictures Films India, Umesh Shukla and Ashish Wagh’s Merry Go Round Studios, is scheduled to release this Diwali
Sharman Joshi has seen me grow up-Sonakshi Sinha
8:10 AM
Nirali Kanabar (DNA; September 25, 2019)
Sonakshi Sinha and Sharman Joshi’s camaraderie and love-hate relationship in Mission Mangal was something to watch out for. The 3 Idiots actor played a scientist who’s a virgin and cannot find a suitable bride. Every prospective girl his family looks for, gets married to another man. However, he meets Eka Gandhi (Sonakshi) at ISRO, falls in love with her at first sight and finds ways to woo her.
Recently, in a chat with us, Sharman admitted that he was equally besotted by the Dabangg actress in real life. “There weren’t any blooper moments as such; but off-screen also, I was equally besotted by Sonakshi. So, yeah, it helped me to perform my part easily,” he mentioned.
In a conversation with Sonakshi, when we brought up Sharman’s statement, the Kalank star revealed a connection that they share. Sona laughed and said, “Sharman is very kind. His family and mine have known each other for many years. He’s literally seen me grow up. I hope he doesn’t mind me saying this!”
Adding that she was happy to share this film with him, Sona told us, “The whole track with him turned out to be nice. I didn’t expect it to be so funny and quirky. Even when I saw it in the film, I really enjoyed it.”
Zee Media Newsroom
I’m back in the game because of Mission Mangal-Sharman Joshi
8:16 AM
Dhaval Mehta (DNA; September 9, 2019)
Sharman Joshi is currently basking in the glory of Mission Mangal as the film has done exceedingly well at the box office. Based on Mass Orbiter Mission, the project has almost made it to the Rs 200 crore club. The 3 Idiots actor says excitedly, “I heard the audiences applauded and stood up in theatres when Mangalyaan completed the mission.” Here, he talks about the success of the movie, the rough patch while doing solo films and being completely rejuvenated now.
Mission Mangal proved to be among the biggest movies this year...
I’m absolutely elated and on top of the world! It was a unique subject made in an entertaining way by R Balki, Akshay sir (Kumar) and Jagan (Shakti, director). They managed to find a balance between learning and at the same time made it a huge commercial success. I am back in the game because of this movie.
What made you choose the film despite the limited screen presence?
The credit goes to Jagan and Balki sir for what they have written. The script was all there. The first time I heard the brief and read the script, I was excited. Initially, some of my friends were skeptical about what the film would portray about Mars. I told them that we will capture the technical aspects of the mission and also about the personal and professional lives of the people.
The banter between you and Sonakshi Sinha received a lot of appreciation...
I’ve always admired Sonakshi. The first time I met her was when she was still a child and I had gone to meet her mum (Poonam Sinha) regarding a film. I always thought she was pretty and looked forward to working with her.
You have been part of cult films like Rang De Basanti (2006) and 3 Idiots (2009). Do you feel you have underachieved or made bad choices as an actor?
Akshay sir keeps saying that success of a film is 70 per cent luck and rest 30 per cent is script, hard work and everything else put together. I get where he is coming from. After Ferrari Ki Sawari, I believed that I chose the right scripts. It was sheer bad luck that they failed at the box office. And naturally, it impacted me. I was not chasing to be the centre or the whole and sole of films because many times actors falter while doing that. I was focussing on scripts then and even now and they were all ensemble projects.
So, was it a wrong perception that you only wanted to do solo films?
After Ferrari, which was a solo film, which other solo film did I do? Gang of Ghosts, War Chhod Na Yaar, Super Nani were all ensemble films. I was not chasing solo films but I didn’t want to do them just for the sake of it.
Have you been relegated to being just a comic actor?
I’m extremely proud that people think I am a good comic actor. I’ve never felt any lesser on being called that. The audiences are maturing and the producers are taking chances. I think comedy is among the most difficult forms of emotions to create. It requires you to be clean and naked in front of the camera and there is only so much a director can do.
What are your upcoming projects?
I have Pawan Puja coming up, which is directed by Shaad Ali and produced by Siddharth P Malhotra. I just hope that more luck shines in my favour this time around as an actor and want to entertain the audiences.
Mission Mangal was the most tantrum free set I have been on-Kirti Kulhari
8:03 AM
The actress is happy she overcame reservations about ensemble casts but would appreciate it if co-star Akshay Kumar gets her name right
Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 1, 2019)
Kirti Kulhari was visibly upset at the trailer launch of Mission Mangal, when her co-star Akshay Kumar, who was also the emcee for the event, addressed her as ‘Kriti’. “When I glared at him, he was like, ‘I am so scared of you, man, why do you do that?’” the actress relays with a chuckle. When he tried to defend himself by explaining that he has been shooting for Housefull 4 with two Kritis (Sanon and Kharbanda), she shut him up saying it’s no excuse for getting her name wrong.
Name-related hiccups aside, Kirti admits it was a blast working with the Khiladi Kumar. “My biggest takeaway is that you don’t have to be serious while making an important film. You can also have fun,” she asserts, adding that it was the “most mastikhor” Akki who imparted this gyaan to her. She never subscribed to the actresses-can’t-be-friends stereotype
but was admittedly in for a pleasant surprise. “These are big names—Vidya Balan, Akshay, Nithya Menen, Sonakshi Sinha, Taapsee Pannu, Sharman Joshi, H G Dattatreya—but it was the most tantrum-free set I have been on,” she exults.
Kirti goes on to reveal that she had reservations about working in a multi-starrer after fronting Madhur Bhandarkar’s Indu Sarkar. “I wondered if I’d have enough to do as an actor. But I had a special appearance in Uri: The Surgical Strike and managed to get something out of that too. So, I knew if I do my work with honesty, I’ll stand out,” she shares, adding that Vidya is someone everyone gets along with and she bonded the most with Nithya. “We hit it off while travelling together to Goregaon. Taapsee was occupied with a sports league at the time, so we didn’t get a chance to speak much.”
In the film, the actress plays Lucknow girl Neha Siddiqui, who is entrusted with the responsibility of Satellite Autonomy. Explaining her role in the mission, Kirti elaborates, “I make the satellite self-dependent in space so that it can sustain without outside interference.” Her character’s personal life reflects the individuality accorded to her by her profession. “Neha is Muslim, and, in the film, you’ll see how she struggles to find a house. She’s also dealing with a divorce,” she adds.
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