Showing posts with label Sheetal Thakur. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sheetal Thakur. Show all posts
Vikrant Massey to recreate Musafir Cafe world with 20-room artist residencies
4:38 PM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; September 27, 2026)
Movies and shows have a way of turning fictional worlds into real-life destinations. From Rancho-inspired cafés in Leh after 3 Idiots (2009) to fans seeking out Friends’ iconic Central Perk, screen locations often become tourist attractions in their own right.
Now, fans of Netflix’s Musafir Cafe can step into the world of the show as Vikrant Massey, who plays Chander, has begun work on two real-life Musafir Cafés — one in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, and another in Uttarakhand — with his wife, Sheetal Thakur.
A source close to the development said the cafés are being designed along the lines of the one featured in the series. “Work has already begun on it. The idea is to recreate the café seen in the show, along with spaces where artists can stay and work. Around 20 rooms are being designed as residencies for artists,” said the source.
Massey said the idea took shape after the “euphoric response we got for the show”. While fans initially suggested that he open a Musafir Café in the hills, the actor was aware that “as fan service, several Musafir Cafés were already built after Divya Prakash Dubey’s book Musafir Café, [from which the series has been adapted], hit the shelf a decade ago”.
“I was chatting with Divya, Sharanya Rajgopal [show creator], and Vijay Subramaniam [founder of Collective Artistes Network] about how it would be a great idea to recreate the on-screen experience of the show in real life,” explained the actor.
The cafés will offer food, coffee, books, and spaces for visitors to unwind amid nature. Massey hopes they will give people a chance to escape the “hustle and bustle and chaos of the city” and work on projects. He plans to launch the cafés by “summer next year”.
Spots made famous by movies/series
- Central Perk Coffeehouse in Boston (American sitcom ‘Friends’)
- Twede’s Café in North Bend, Washington (‘Twin Peaks’, 1990)
- Polka Café in Anantnag, Kashmir (Vijay’s ‘Leo’, 2023)
- SH Khan Restaurant on Leh’s Mall Road (‘Dhurandhar’, 2025)
Vikrant Massey's paternity leave ends; resumes work on The Sabarmati Report
9:19 AM
After taking paternity leave earlier this month, Vikrant resumes work on The Sabarmati Report; political thriller to be wrapped up by next week
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; February 24, 2024)
In January, mid-day had reported that Vikrant Massey was headlining The Sabarmati Report that is centred on the real-life episode of the burning of the Sabarmati Express in 2002 (That burning question, Jan 17). While director Ranjan Chandel’s political thriller rolled in December 2023 in Ahmedabad, the leading man had taken a paternity leave in the first week of February to be by wife Sheetal Thakur’s side. We now hear that the new daddy has resumed the shoot that is underway at Madh Island.
On February 27, 2002, 59 Hindu pilgrims returning from Ayodhya were killed in a blaze in the four coaches of the Sabarmati Express near Godhra railway station in Gujarat. It had led to one of the worst communal riots in Gujarat. The Ektaa R Kapoor production sees Massey and Raashii Khanna play journalists who investigate the cause of the fire.
“Since January, Ranjan sir has been continuously shooting on a huge set in Madh Island, where art director Rajat Poddarr and his production design team have built replicas of trains and the Godhra railway station. Vikrant had informed the director beforehand that he would take a few days off in February as Sheetal and he were expecting. So, the schedule was planned such that Ranjan sir and DoP Amlendu Choudhury shot portions featuring Raashii, Ridhi Dogra and the supporting cast in that window. Vikrant was back on set a few days after welcoming his baby boy on February 7,” reveals a source.
If things go as planned, the director will call it a wrap on The Sabarmati Report next week. The source adds, “The editing has begun so that the movie can make its May 3 release.” Playing out over a decade, the narrative begins in 2002 and touches on events in 2007 and 2012.
I am taking a paternity leave as I have been shooting most of this year-Vikrant Massey
3:56 PM
Yesha Bhatt (BOMBAY TIMES; December 14, 2023)
Vikrant Massey, who is being applauded for his portrayal of Manoj Kumar Sharma in 12th Fail says he has “mostly chosen human interest stories and played the common man” in films since they resonate with him.
Vikrant, who came to Vadodara at the age of 20, spent a year shooting for the TV show Dharamveer. While in Vadodara, he even got to explore Ahmedabad quite a bit.
He says, “Dharamveer brought me to Vadodara and every time we would get some chutti, we would come to Ahmedabad. The expressway was newly constructed then. We would eat a thali and go around the city. Ahmedabad has a magical vibe to it and I love it.” Vikrant spoke to us when he was in Ahmedabad recently.
‘Human stories are the ones that hit me hard’
I have a natural tendency to pick human stories, the genres might differ, but I like characters I can connect with. I try doing different genres because at the end of it, we are in the business of cinema, but my core interest remains the same – I try to find human stories. Real people's stories resonate with the audience too and I feel there are so many powerful stories and inspiring characters that one can play. These are the kind of stories that hit me hard. I would like to believe that whatever I have today, is a bonus. I was an ordinary guy next door who aspired to find his place in showbiz someday. The love and attention that I have received from people is my biggest reward. So, I want to return all that love in the best way possible which is to represent them on the screen. It is a privilege if I can represent the common man on screen and look relatable.
Vikrant feels it is very challenging to make a film based on a true story and real people. As an actor, "I feel a sense of responsibility while doing such a film." Also, "I am not someone who plans too much in advance. I am a firm believer in the fact that you cannot plan an outcome. Most times, you can only go out and do your best. Some people say that I want to become a star, but I always say that success or stardom is a byproduct of good work. If your work is good and you are consistent enough, success will follow you."
‘I am not averse to doing love stories’
Our definition of romance has also evolved over the years and it changes every decade. What we felt was outstanding cinema 10 years ago seems borderline cringe now. It might also be because of our access to international cinema and OTT platforms. Both have changed the way we see and make films. Entertainment has become more global, we see new genres and formats of storytelling today.
I haven’t done many romantic films so far, because I haven’t got those many exciting scripts. Sometimes I feel like I want to tell common man stories of struggles, hopes, and triumphs more than I’d like to play a loverboy, but I am not averse to doing love stories. I am open to doing some interesting love stories.
‘I love watching myself on the big screen’
Television is very daunting and challenging. One of the reasons why I joined a TV show rather than doing theatre is because I wanted to learn on the go. You are making five episodes in seven days so there is very little margin for error as you are given far less time. Doing a web series is almost like making three films at the same time. Different mediums require different approaches, but for actors, it’s a bit easier to straddle different mediums. I love watching myself on the big screen. There are certain points where you love the longer format of storytelling as an actor as you can have an in-depth analysis and dissect your character. I would choose movies and web series any day over TV now.
‘I want to put my feet up and spend time with my wife now’
I am taking a paternity leave as I have been shooting most of this year. I want to cut down on the number of days I am away from home. Spending nearly 250 days a year away from home is a little too much for me, and I have done it for far too long. Now I want to put my feet up and spend time with my Sheetal (Thakur, his wife) and my family, but you never know - if something really exciting is offered, I might just change my mind.
We don’t consider ourselves celebrities. Ours was a regular middle class wedding-Vikrant Massey
8:09 AM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; March 26, 2022)
Vikrant Massey speaks about his recent hush-hush wedding with actress and long-time girlfriend Sheetal Thakur in Himachal Pradesh, their prior live-in relationship and his career. Excerpts…
You had an intimate wedding in Himachal Pradesh last month. It is a beautiful choice of destination for a wedding, but any particular reason why you chose that place?
I was born and raised in Mumbai. We got married in Himachal as Sheetal’s maika is there and my father was born in Shimla. My paternal side is from Shimla, too. We got married in Sheetal’s ancestral village called Jhabola, in Bilaspur district in HP.
Closely guarded celeb weddings have been following a certain pattern lately — similar designers picked for the outfits, candid photography, social media announcements, phone ban for the guests present and the works. You didn’t resort to it though.
We don’t consider ourselves as celebrities, so I didn’t even think on those lines. I feel very awkward when someone calls me a celebrity. I know my reality. I know of these massive celebrity weddings, but ours was a regular middle-class wedding. Last minute tak tayari chal rahi thi. Our families took all the decisions aur humne shaadi karli. Shaadi mein kaafi faltu kharche hote hai. Hum woh sab cut karke ghar jaisi shaadi hi chahte the.
An intimate wedding in the mountains, minus all the fancy stuff and elaborate planning. Recently, Yami Gautam and Aditya Dhar, also tied the knot in a simple low-key style. So, is this what you always desired your wedding to be?
The idea was always to have only people who are really important to us present on our wedding day. It was a complete family affair. Yami (Gautam) also hails from Bilaspur district of Himachal. She got married there as well. Humara bhi wohi idea tha. We had decided a couple of years ago itself that shaadi jabhi hogi, toh ghar jaisi hi hogi. Both of us wanted it that way and we both chose her ancestral house for a reason. Sheetal’s grandmother is 108 years old and she cannot travel. Hum amma ke yaha hi shaadi karna chahte the, hence, the ancestral house. And it’s always good to take a break from the city.
Did you and Yami exchange notes on your respective weddings?
Yami is a dear friend. She knew about my wedding pehle se. Unko sab pata tha. Unhone tips bhi diye the. She was happy that shaadi Himachal mein hone wali hai, aur ghar mein hone wali hai. Now there are two Himachali brides around me. One is Yami and the other is my wife Sheetal.
Sheetal and you have been together for seven years before you decided to tie the knot. What binds you both the most and what makes this relationship tick?
I think it’s the common value system and worldviews that bring two people closer. This is in the beginning. Of course, later on, other factors also come in. She is someone I can talk to; she is down to earth and also keeps me grounded. She has been my biggest support system, the light of my family and my life. I can go on and on about it. Above all, the love we feel for each other draws us closer. Love supersedes everything, but I strongly believe that our value system binds us together. She makes the world a better place.
Did living in together help the relationship and the process that eventually led to marriage?
Yes! That was one of the best decisions we’ve taken. We decided to live in to get to know each other better. We decided to spend time together and that led us to marriage. We lived in for six years before tying the knot. It makes you responsible towards yourself, your actions as well as the other person who is sharing that space and life with you. There’s so much of personality growth that happens. Companionship is a constant roller-coaster going to be good and bad days.
After living in for six years, what made the two of you feel that now it is time to take the pheras?
Yehi cheez saal do saal pehle bhi ho jaati. But my priorities were different back then. Why not now? Our life is going great and we wanted to build our life together. Both of us and our families always wanted us to spend our lives together, so why not? There is no such thing as the right time. Aisa tha ki ab karni hai toh kar hi lete hai. There was no point in delaying it because not once did we ever have together. So, we decided chalo shaadi kar lete hai.
Moving on to your professional life, are you content with the roles coming your way?
I couldn’t be happier. I am living my dream. I always wanted to work in cinema, tell good stories and work with like-minded people. Woh ho raha hai. Results are not in your control. The stupidest thing one can do is set out on a journey hoping iska result yeh hoga. All you can do is set targets and work towards them. Whatever comes out of it is a blessing. I hope to challenge myself as an actor as there is this innate fear of being typecast. There is an effort to swim against the tide and chart new territories. Every film changes something for you, but A Death In The Gunj changed a lot for me. My TV shows have also contributed immensely to my growth. Be it Balika Vadhu or Baba Aiso Varr Dhoondo, had I not done those TV shows, I wouldn’t be here. Platform or medium is not important, content is. One thing always leads to another.
Vikrant Massey and Sheetal Thakur to have a traditional ceremony soon
8:23 AM
Harshada Rege (BOMBAY TIMES; February 16, 2022)
Vikrant Massey, who had a registered marriage with fiancée Sheetal Thakur on February 14, will tie the knot in a traditional ceremony soon. The two have been in a relationship since 2015 and got engaged in an intimate ceremony in November 2019. In an earlier interview with Bombay Times, the actor had said that they were supposed to tie the knot in 2020, but decided to push it ahead due to the pandemic.
The traditional wedding too will be a low-key affair with just family members and a few close friends in attendance. While Vikrant, who began his showbiz journey with television, has been a part of films like Lootera and Chhapaak and several web shows in recent times. Sheetal, too, has been seen in a few web shows. We reached out to Vikrant, but he did not respond to our text messages.
Vikrant Massey and his fiancée Sheetal Thakur to tie the knot later this year
8:32 AM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; February 4, 2022)
Vikrant Massey will tie the knot with his fiancée, actress Sheetal Thakur later this year. We hear the two will get married once he finishes the shoot of his upcoming film Gaslight with Sara Ali Khan. Vikrant, who has been a part of films like Lootera and Chhapaak, and several TV shows and web series, got engaged to Sheetal in an intimate ceremony in November 2019. The two have been in a steady relationship since 2015.
The actor, in fact, spoke about his wedding in an earlier interview with Bombay Times. He had said, “Agar lockdown nahi hota toh meri shaadi ho chuki hoti. That’s one thing that pushed me back by a few months. I was supposed to get married to Sheetal in 2020. ” The actor had also said that he hoped to tie the knot in 2021. However, the second wave of the pandemic in 2021 further delayed the wedding plans, but this year seems to be it.
Vikrant, who had shared screen space with Sheetal in a web show, had posted pictures of his new house and housewarming puja on social media last year, which led many to believe that he was married. However, he was quick to caption it ‘not yet married’. Our source revealed, “As soon as he finishes his shoot, he will get married this year. ” We reached out to the actor, but he didn’t respond till the time of going to press.
2021 will be jam-packed with work, but I can take a week out for my shaadi-Vikrant Massey
8:16 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; February 21, 2021)
He fits into the category of those who successfully forayed into Bollywood after winning popularity in the television industry. But what’s striking about Vikrant Massey is that unlike television where he played supporting roles, on the big screen, he took it a notch higher. Last year, he was seen in a lead role opposite Deepika Padukone in Chhapaak, a film that won him immense attention. In 2021, with his upcoming films he will be seen playing significant parts.
About the prominence he received thanks to Meghna Gulzar’s directorial, Chhapaak, he says, “I can say that post that film, the world around me has definitely changed. Suddenly logon ko aisa lagne laga hai ki… Yaar, yeh toh ab bada actor ban gaya hai.”
Vikrant says, “In fact, I started to see this change steadily post my projects like A Death In The Gunj (2017), Chhapaak and a web show that I did. Thanks to projects like these, now people have started taking me a little seriously. I am getting interesting scripts now.”
This year, Vikrant is looking forward to Haseen Dillruba and 14 Phere where he plays a protagonist opposite Taapsee Pannu and Kriti Kharbanda, respectively. There is a huge responsibility that comes with shouldering a project as the male lead, but that doesn’t scare him. He explains, “I am someone who has always believed that one works better under pressure. So, when the stakes are higher with bigger names attached to the project, there is a sense of responsibility which I want to believe brings out the best in me.”
While things are moving at a smooth pace for him on the professional front, and he’s loving the space that he is currently in, on the personal front, there is exciting development, too. The actor took to social media to reveal his brand-new house in Mumbai where he’s moving in with his fiancée, actor Sheetal Thakur. If it wasn’t for the lockdown that delayed plans for many, the positive changes in his personal life, too, would have happened sooner. He shares, “Agar lockdown nahi hota toh meri shaadi ho chuki hoti (sighs!). That’s one thing that pushed me back by a few months. I was supposed to get married to Sheetal last year, but the good thing is that I have this year to look forward to now. I am back to work in full swing and 2021 looks quite jam-packed, but come on, shaadi ke liye ek hafta toh nikaal hi sakta hoon, yaar. Hopefully, God willingly, 2021 is the year I am getting married!”
Ask him if his parents are eagerly waiting to see him tie the knot and he is quick to add, “Mere parents toh apni hi life mein bahut busy hai. Woh kehte hai ki beta shaadi pe kab aana hai buss bata dena (laughs!).”
After two years, I’m home for longer than a week-Vikrant Massey
8:52 AM
Vikrant Massey rings in his 33rd birthday today with his mom, and fiancée Sheetal
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 3, 2020)
Vikrant Massey, who turns 33 today, is excited to be celebrating the day with his family after a long time. “I have been spending my birthday on the sets for the past six-seven years. Since 2018, I have mostly been out of the city, as most of my films have been shot outdoors. After two years, I’m home for longer than a week,” shares the actor, who is living in with his fiancée Sheetal Thakur. “I’ll cook pav bhaji, I have bought all its ingredients, and maybe kheer as well. But probably, my mother and Sheetal will end up doing all the cooking,” he laughs.Unlike many of his restless colleagues, Vikrant doesn’t mind the Coronavirus lockdown. “I am not constantly checking the clock to see how much time I have left. I’m reading scripts and books at leisure, writing in my journal and doing the household chores,” he informs, adding it is also giving Sheetal and him time to bond.
Earlier, the actor was scheduled to shoot in Haridwar with Taapsee Pannu for Haseen Dillruba around this time. “We would have finished the film in two weeks. Now, my schedule for the year has gone for a toss,” sighs Vikrant, whose next release with Yami Gautam, Ginny Weds Sunny, has been pushed as also a new project that the actor was supposed to do.
The actor started the year with Deepika Padukone’s Chhapaak, revolving around an acid attack survivor. The film did not do well commercially, but Vikrant insists it resonated with some people. “We always knew it wouldn’t get big numbers; it wasn’t made for that. But with the digital platform and our tie-ups, we have reached our target audience,” he states.
It’s been seven years since Vikrant debuted in Hindi cinema as Ranveer Singh’s friend in Lootera. Now, with lead roles in his kitty, does he feel he is finally getting his due? “I started with TV and for film producers to sign me, means I got my due even back then. I played the hero’s friend in a couple of films and directors like Zoya (Akhtar), Konkona (Sen Sharma) and Meghna (Gulzar) spotted me in them and gave me bigger roles. The industry has been very kind to me,” he asserts.
Vikrant Massey finds his 'great companion' in Sheetal Thakur
7:46 AM
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 5, 2017)
Vikrant Massey, who made his presence felt as the affable Rana in Zoya Akhtar’s ensemble comedy-drama Dil Dhadakne Do, is now gearing up for Konkona Sen Sharma’s directorial debut, A Death In The Gunj, in which he has a pivotal role. Things are decidedly looking up for the 29-year-old actor on the personal front as well. Vikrant, who has been dating model-actress Sheetal Thakur for over a year now, recently celebrated the milestone with a quite dinner in suburban Mumbai last month. Sheetal shared a picture of Vikrant planting a peck on her cheek. “One year down, forever to go,” she gushed.
“It wasn’t a celebration but just a random dinner to mark the occasion. Sheetal and I met a year ago through a common friend and hit it off instantly. We are extremely happy with each other,” says Vikrant, who plays a Bihari boy in Mohit Suri’s Half Girlfriend which features Arjun Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor in the lead. He will also be seen in Prakash Jha’s Lipstick Under My Burkha, which, incidentally, also features Konkona.
The couple’s respective social media accounts are replete with pictures of them vacationing in Bali and weekend getaways to Lonavala. They went out camping at Uttan, a coastal town just north of Mumbai in the Thane district of Maharashtra, to bring in the New Year while Christmas was marked with a house party.
“We are private people and prefer not to speak about our relationship. There are many things I really like about her but above all she is a great companion,” Vikrant smiles.
The actor was previously rumoured to be dating actress Shruti Haasan but he had denied it to Mirror (November 21), stating, “She’s just a dear friend. Unfortunately, if you’re spotted with someone, people immediately assume that you’re dating.”
Next up, the couple is said to be taking their relationship to the next level with an engagement, but Vikrant denies it, stating that they are taking each day as it comes. “Both of us are concentrating on work right now and are in no hurry to take the plunge. It will happen when it has to,” he sings off.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)