Showing posts with label Shiddat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shiddat. Show all posts
"I got to know at the last moment who my co-star was," says Radhika Madan on being paired opposite Akshay Kumar
3:21 PM
As her casting opposite Akshay in Soorarai Pottru’s remake sparked discussion over their 27-year age gap, Radhika says she chose the film for its powerful content
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 2, 2023)
When choosing projects, Radhika Madan has a simple rule — go by your instinct. That’s exactly what she did when she gave her nod to Kacchey Limbu, which dropped on Jio Cinema last month.
“[Before] saying yes to Kacchey Limbu, I heard all sorts of advice about the films that work today, and how young actors should position themselves. But I chose it because I knew in my gut that this is a film I should do. When a script like this comes, you have to remind yourself why you became an actor in the first place. It’s hard to take risks with such films, but I don’t want to win the race, I want to enjoy it,” she starts, evidently taken by the movie about sibling revelry.
While Shubham Yogi’s directorial venture — which had its première at the Toronto International Film Festival last year — aligns with the actor’s vision, her decision to team up with Akshay Kumar for the Soorarai Pottru remake seems uncharacteristic of her. The 27-year age gap between the leads was widely discussed on social media, especially since Madan has established herself as someone who wouldn’t conform to the lure of doing a star project just to have a big-ticket movie to her name.
“I was in love with Soorarai Pottru [2020], and the character essayed by Aparna [Balamurali]. I didn’t even know who was co-starring with me. I got to know at the last moment who my co-star was. My instinct was right [about the film]. After we finished shooting the remake, [the original] won five National Awards. I made the right choice of finding the right movie, regardless of who I am acting with.”
While she has the Soorarai Pottru remake and Sanaa in the pipeline, we wonder about the sequel to Madan’s film Shiddat (2021). Rumours are rife that she has been replaced by Parineeti Chopra. Madan clams up about it, only stating, “I have no idea about it. The makers are the right people to answer this.”
I created 60 versions of the track for Radhe Shyam-Manan Bhardwaj
8:24 AM
Manan Bhardwaj recalls working on the upcoming Prabhas-starrer Radhe Shyam which features a crucial situational track composed by him
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; February 28, 2022)
Manan Bhardwaj’s composition for Radhe Shyam underwent 60 to 70 iterations before it was approved by the producers for the Prabhas and Pooja Hegde-starrer. Bhadwaj reiterates repeatedly that it was a stroke of luck that his song, which was set against a unique situation, found a place within this narrative.
“We needed the song to suit a star like Prabhas. It had to also match his character. There were certain lines that we had to change because his character would never say things of that order. There were also [few challenges] in interacting with the directors from the South due to the language barrier,” says the composer, who was aboard the team composing for the Hindi version of the multi-language film.
He adds that while language was a barrier, they were advantaged by the fact that the music sensibilities of the composers across industries were similar. “The composers from the South had a rich music palette. I had initially assumed that since this features Prabhas, an actor who we’ve known as the Baahubali, I would need to include [lavish] sounds. But, the South film industry focuses a lot on the melody and quality of music. In fact, they will [invest] heavily in creating the right sound. So, we had to work on making a really melodious sound.”
Bhardwaj, who has worked across different music industries, says that while the South favours melody, the Punjabi industry prioritises lyricism. “However, at the end of the day, music is segregated into two categories — good and bad. That’s all that makes a difference,” says the composer, who joins artistes like Mithoon and Amaal Malik in creating the Hindi version of the soundtrack of the film that has been directed by Radha Krishna Kumar.
Bhardwaj’s last project, the Sunny Kaushal and Radhika Madan starrer Shiddat had him take charge as composer. Ask him how holding a small place in a mammoth project of this stature is different, and he says,
“When you get to work on the full film, you get to decide its musical palette, like I did while working on Shiddat. For a solo song, you’re just catering to the situation. That’s easier, but it’s nicer [to work on the whole project]. A music supervisor comes into play [for films with many composers]. They analyse the USP of every musician, and judge how that can be brought to the fore while keeping the director’s requirements in mind.”
While Arijit Singh, and Manoj Muntashir are reportedly involved in the music-making process, artistes including Anirudh Ravichander, and Krishna Kanth, are involved in the composition in other languages. Justin Prabhakaran has managed the score composition.
I have gotten voice notes of people crying after watching Shiddat-Radhika Madan
8:54 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 31, 2021)
Actor Radhika Madan is busy juggling several projects, and even celebrated Christmas by shooting for one. And while she feels like a “zombie”, she’s happy about the variety coming her way. “I have been juggling between two cities and have not slept,” she laughs, just before we get talking about the great year 2021 has been for her, professionally.
“This one year made up for the time spent amid the pandemic. I am grateful for all the releases that happened — Ray, Feels Like Ishq and Shiddat. I was fortunate... Every project was different from one another. I got to try varied characters, explore different emotions. I am having a blast right now,” says the 26-year-old.
We ask her about her experience releasing her first film — Shiddat — on an OTT platform instead of the theatres. To this, Madan says, “It has been great! We were one of the top 10 films on IMDb, and top-rated content on our OTT platform. The reviews from the audience have been great. For the first time, I realised that it is not only critics who review content on OTT... It is overwhelming. I have gotten voice notes of people crying after watching the film.”
Meanwhile, Coronavirus cases are on the rise again, and the new virus variant, Omicron, is a cause for concern for all industries. Does she feel the uncertainty creeping in again? The actor replies, “Uncertainty is a part of life. With this new variant, we are more cautious. There are only limited crew members. We are getting tested almost every alternate day, and not at all being casual about it. We are taking it seriously. Let’s hope for the best. The cases are rising, so it is scary, I won’t lie. But I am hopeful that we are taking as many precautions as we can.”
Artistes can’t depend on Bollywood for a chance anymore, feel Sachin-Jigar
8:15 AM
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 30, 2021)
In the last two years, the music industry was heavily impacted due to the pandemic, but it also made artistes realise that they needed to be self-sufficient. Composer Sachin Sanghvi of the musical duo Sachin-Jigar, who suffered from Coronavirus himself, shares how it gave him time to re-evaluate.
“It has been a good time for artistes to understand that they cannot depend on films or a chance from Bollywood anymore. Everybody has to find their own sunshine. We are living in such times that every artiste has a chance to become as popular as a film star,” he explains.
The pandemic opened them up to new ways of making music. The duo came up with the entire album of Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui in the lockdown. Jigar Saraiya adds, “We both have always made music in studio, but the pandemic brought out a new side of making music at home. All the songs were made online, and we were recording and sharing them with Abhishek Kapoor (director) simultaneously.”
Looking back at 2021, the duo agrees that it has been a fulfilling year, as they were able to cater to the masses as well as the critics through their music. “With Roohi, Shiddat and Bhoot Police, we were pretty massy with what we did. But with Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, we struck a balance between the masses and critics,” Saraiya tells us.
As for 2022, the has a jam-packed calendar, composing music for Dasvi and Bhediya along with two web shows and four Gujarati films.
One tweet from Amitabh Bachchan about my song changed things overnight for me-Yohani
8:08 AM
The Sri Lankan singer, whose song Manike Mage Hithe went viral, talks about finding fame and her musical journey so far
Debarati S Sen (BOMBAY TIMES; December 5, 2021)
From learning to play the guitar by watching videos online to becoming an overnight sensation with her rendition of Manike Mage Hithe, Yohani has come a long way indeed. Recently, the Sri Lankan music artiste toured multiple Indian cities and even made an appearance on the reality show hosted by Salman Khan for her popular track. In an exclusive interview with Bombay Times, the 28-year-old Sri Lankan singer-composer talks about how Amitabh Bachchan’s tweet about her song changed things overnight, her music, being a sportsperson and more. Excerpts:
You were in a band when you were in school. Tell us about your foray into music…
I was in the Western brass band and I played the trumpet and French horn, but back then, I was more into sports. I tried my hand at polo, swimming, synchronised swimming, Wushu and many other things. My parents pushed us to do many extracurricular activities. My mother enrolled me for piano classes, and that is how I got into music. Then, I picked up a guitar and learned how to play by watching videos online.
You created Manike Mage Hithe during a lockdown at home...
Yes, we were all quite frustrated with the Coronavirus pandemic, and I was experimenting in my studio with my instruments. Manike has always been a favourite of mine and I thought of making a TikTok video of it. Chamath came across this and invited me to do an official cover of it.
When did you realise that the song had gone viral?
I think it happened in stages. When the song first reached 25 million views, we were all very excited. Then one day, Amitabh Bachchan tweeted about my song, and things changed overnight.
How are you handling the sudden fame?
I am still adjusting to it. I’m humbled by the love and support. I’m also very grateful that we could tour India and perform for a live audience. They loved the music we played. Even though I was introduced to many people with Manike, I’m proud that I have a repertoire to perform for a live audience. I hope people like my upcoming music as well.
You have spoken about your love for Hindi film music many times. Recently, you debuted in the Bollywood music industry with the title track of Shiddat. How has that been?
We watch a lot of Hindi movies in Sri Lanka. We grew up watching Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan and often sing songs from Hindi films, too. I can’t describe what I felt when I got the opportunity to be a part of Shiddat’s new track. I had to learn the words and pronunciation in a day. I think I have to learn the language a lot more, and I am working on it. I look forward to doing singing more Hindi songs.
Which Indian musicians do you admire?
I admire A R Rahman a lot. The music that he created even a decade or two ago still feels fresh. I was listening to a playlist of his songs the other day, and each composition is so complex and beautiful. I grew up listening to his music and I still listen to it. It would be a dream come true to work with him one day. I also like Badshah, Divine, Honey Singh and Neha Kakkar; I feel a certain connection with them. I guess you could say that their vibe is great.
Energy on sets now is much happier, less stressful-Diana Penty
8:33 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 21, 2021)
Diana Penty is very selective about the films she picks, and this is something that gets pointed out to her often. But it has worked out well for the actor so far. Having done just seven films in the nine years of her film career, Penty says her “simple funda” is to enjoy what she does.
“I want to be excited with the projects I take up, wake up every morning looking forward to telling a story. As an actor, this is most important. And I think it’s a fair and honest way to work, for everyone involved,” shares Penty.
Her primary criteria for choosing a project, therefore, is the story. The Cocktail (2012) actor elaborates, “The story is the foundation of any film. I rely on my instincts a lot while reading a script. I usually know instantly if it is something I like.”
The 35-year-old has been working through different phases of the Coronavirus pandemic, and she admits it was “very stressful” in the beginning, trying to “control the uncontrollable”.
“But the more you do it, the more accustomed you get to it. The toughest part, in my opinion, was having to quarantine in a separate part of the house after a shoot. It was annoying and inconvenient. But now that most people are double vaccinated, things are easing up a bit. It’s still important to follow Covid-19 protocol on set, but the overall energy on sets now is much happier and less stressful,” says the actor, who was recently seen in Shiddat, which released directly on an OTT platform, since theatres were closed then.
Penty reveals that intense love stories have never been her thing, yet she ended up saying yes to the project.
“There was something very pure and real about the script. It was set within a landscape that is so relevant to the world we live in today,” she shares, adding that the ending drew her to the story the first time she read it. “It really stayed with me and that’s when I knew it was something I wanted to be part of,” Penty concludes.
The problem is not with playing a toxic character, but in glorifying him/her-Radhika Madan
8:08 AM
Radhika Madan, who headlines an intense love story in Shiddat, on being mindful of not passing off toxic relationships as passion
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 2, 2021)
Radhika Madan is excited and relieved in equal measure that Shiddat, which was held off due to the pandemic, has finally reached the audience. The Disney+ Hotstar offering is a classic story of opposites attract as her pragmatic Kartika falls in love with the emotional Jaggi, essayed by Sunny Kaushal. “Kartika has some shades of grey as well. She has complicated the concept of love so much that she doesn’t know what to do with it when it comes her way. In the world of dating apps where relationships start with swipes, and we want one person to tick all our boxes, we are not leaving enough room for love to bloom,” says Madan.
In telling an intense love story, director Kunal Deshmukh and the cast had the responsibility of ensuring that the characters don’t tread into a toxic zone. As the leading lady, Madan says she is mindful of how love should be depicted on screen. “The problem is not with playing a toxic character, but in glorifying him/her. With Jaggi, we ensured that he is pure. He isn’t a stalker. He is child-like, and is not afraid to be vulnerable. The motivation of the character is important.”
The actor will soon begin shooting for Aasmaan Bhardwaj’s directorial debut, Kuttey. The film is produced by her mentor Vishal Bhardwaj, who launched her in Pataakha (2018). Giddy with excitement about reuniting with the filmmaker, she says, “Vishal sir is family, and I used to hang out with Aasmaan every day during the shoot of Pataakha. It’s a matter of honour and privilege to be a part of his first film. I hope we all live up to the promise of the amazing script he has written.”
(Crisp) Movie Review: SHIDDAT by FENIL SETA
7:50 AM
Shiddat starts off very well and a lot happens in the first 20 minutes that completely engrosses viewers. However, the film goes downhill once the flashback portion starts. The director and writers adopt the 90s style of a boy harassing and stalking a girl to get her to fall in love and in today’s times, it looks out of place. The other major problem is the way they have tackled the illegal immigrant and deportation issue; there’s a major flaw here and it’s unbelievable how it got approved. What saves the film are a few touching moments, the music and performances. Sunny Kaushal is excellent and he’s sure to benefit from this film. We haven't had such a passionate lover in ages and he gets his act right. Radhika Madan is also a revelation and gives a fine performance. Mohit Raina is quite likeable and impresses yet again. More than the Sunny-Radhika love track, it’s the Sunny-Mohit friendship track that works more. Diana Penty is lovely in a supporting role. Vidhatri Bandi (Radhika’s friend) leaves a mark. All in all, Shiddat could have been a commercial, passionate love story, a rarity in today’s times. Sadly, due to its problematic first half and glaring loopholes, it turns out to be an average fare.
My rating - ** ½ out of 5!
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 693
3:51 PM
WILL NO TIME TO DIE COLLECT BETTER THAN SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS?
We have been reporting since July 2021 about the multiple Hollywood films that have been released in India after the second wave subsided. And now, the biggest Hollywood release of 2021 will be out tomorrow – No Time To Die. It’s the 25th James Bond film and stars Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Léa Seydoux and Ana de Armas.
No Time To Die was supposed to release in April 2020 but was pushed to November 2020 due to the pandemic. Since cases didn’t subside by November, it was again postponed, this time to April 2, 2021. And finally, it will now be released in the United Kingdom, India and many other countries on September 30 and in the USA and Canada on October 8. The film carries tremendous buzz as the trailers have been exciting. Also, it’s the last film of Daniel Craig in the role of James Bond. This has made it even more special.
In India, too, there’s a lot of hype for No Time To Die, even among the masses who’ll consume the film in dubbed versions. Another special aspect of No Time To Die is that it’s the first Bond film to release in 3D! This would further pull audiences to cinemas. Many Hollywood films had a delayed release in India and hence were out on pirated websites. As a result, films like Fast & Furious 9, Jungle Cruise, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, etc could have collected far more but their business was not so encouraging since many viewers had already seen it in their homes.
However, the first release of September, Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings, had a release in India on the same day as in the rest of the world. Also, unlike other Disney films, it was not released simultaneously on digital. So, the pirated copy was not available on the day of release. Audiences had to go to cinemas to watch the film in all its glory. Skeptics had claimed that the collections would be affected as there’s a lot of fear over going to cinemas. But they had to eat their words as Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings opened at Rs. 3 crore in India, more than the day 1 collections of Akshay Kumar’s Bellbottom!
This shows that if there’s an exciting Hollywood film up for release and it's not available online, viewers would come to see it in cinemas for sure. James Bond is loved by both the youngsters and the older generation. Hence, its opening might be higher than that of Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings. In three days, Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings had collected Rs. 10.75 crore and it remains to be seen if No Time To Die is able to cross this figure.
The other release of the week is Shiddat, which will premiere digitally on Friday, October 1. It stars Sunny Kaushal, Radhika Madan, Mohit Raina and Diana Penty and is directed by Jannat director Kunal Deshmukh. The trailer is decent and the soundtrack has some melodious songs. The awareness about the film is low but it can find an audience as it’s releasing on Disney+ Hotstar, which has the maximum subscribers. Mohit Raina’s presence will also help once it’s out. He was seen in Mumbai Diaries 26/11, a recently-released web series by Nikkhil Advani. Audiences loved him in the show and his fans and admirers would definitely check out Shiddat to see him.
We need a film like Shiddat as it bridges that gap between evolving ideas of love across generations-Sunny Kaushal
8:17 AM
Sunny Kaushal, who fronts Shiddat, says the intense love story bridges the gap between old-world love and modern dating culture
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; September 17, 2021)
According to Sunny Kaushal, Shiddat could well be a lesson on love for the millennials. The actor is aware that the intense love story, featuring Radhika Madan and him, may be incongruous with the modern dating culture that is dominated by right-swipes, break-ups and ghosting. “We live in a frivolous world. When this pure love story came my way, I wanted to do it. We need such a film because it bridges that gap [between the evolving ideas of love across generations],” says the actor, sounding like an old-world romantic.
The premise of the Kunal Deshmukh-directed venture may be hardly novel — the leads fall head-over-heels in love after meeting in Paris, but Madan’s character is engaged to someone else. However, Kaushal says the dramatic arcs of the characters set it apart from other romantic dramas. “The most important thing was to understand my character’s motivations. Today, it’s not easy to hold on to somebody. We, as a generation, like to move on when things are not working out. But here, I was portraying a guy who is sure about what he wants. It was a challenge to get into that mindset. That said, it was written so beautifully on paper that [the transition] became relatively easier.”
The film, though initially slated for a theatrical run, is set to drop on Disney+ Hotstar. The change of medium doesn’t matter to the actor, who reasons, “I have only started out now. It’s not as if I have a huge fan-following. I think digital platforms have come as a saviour in the pandemic.”
For a moment, I thought Mumbai had forgotten that the virus still exists-Radhika Madan
8:20 AM
Radhika Madan is unhappy that many in Mumbai are not wearing masks while outside
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 18, 2020)
Radhika Madan, who had flown off to Delhi in May, returned to Mumbai in August. She has a couple of days’ work left on Shiddat and shooting was to resume in September. “I wanted to get back into shape, watch the rushes and plan my graph accordingly, so, I came back a month early from Delhi. But in the present scenario, I don’t think the shoot is happening anytime soon,” she sighs.
The actress admits that her parents weren’t sure she should get back to Mumbai just yet. But she assured them that this is the new normal and they have to get used to it while taking all precautions. “I had some initial apprehensions myself till I did a few campaigns. There were sanitisation machines and oximeters all around and temperature checks were being done regularly. I saw my team after six months, they were unrecognisable, outfitted in PPE kits. I couldn’t even hug them, we had to be content with a namaste. Everyone looked like an alien, I hope this will change soon,” Radhika says fervently.
And how has Mumbai changed in the last three months? “There’s more traffic. For a moment, I thought Mumbai had forgotten that the Coronavirus still exists. I live next to a beach and see a lot of people there, not wearing masks or even maintaining social distance. It makes me terrified and frustrated since we are still in the midst of a pandemic,” she shares, saying that, on her part, whenever she sees someone flouting the rules, she reminds them of the new norms. “The authorities need to take charge and news channels need to highlight this. Since nobody is pointing it out, the fear is going away, and that puts all of us at a risk, especially those with serious health issues.”
Meanwhile, Radhika has signed a couple of projects that require a lot of training and will take up a large part of the remaining year. Prod her for details and she zips up. With the shoot of Shiddat still uncertain, does she plan to go back home? “I don’t want to travel unnecessarily, it’s not safe for my parents and I would have to quarantine myself for 14 days and could be called back in those two weeks. Even though the city is unlocking, I haven’t stepped out unless it is for work. Not even for a haircut or to get my eyebrows done,” she laughs.
I’d jump with joy if someone gave me an action film-Diana Penty
8:17 AM
Diana Penty on future plans, reuniting with Dinesh Vijan after her debut and why she hasn’t unleashed her domestic goddess online
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 18, 2020)
Diana Penty, whose peers utilized the Coronavirus-triggered lockdown to tap into their painting, singing, dancing or even cooking skills, confesses that she was unable to do so. “I felt bad about it in the beginning, but it’s not a competition. There is so much to do in the house, especially when you don’t have outside help, and only so many hours in a day. So, there was no time for additional stuff,” the actress explains, adding that she isn’t following a workout routine either. “I have realised that to some extent, doing chores around the house is like exercising. I will resume workouts when everything opens.”Besides getting the house in order, cleaning, sorting out her cupboards and wardrobes, Diana is spending a lot of time with her mother and hopes that a situation like the pandemic never arises again. To help combat the health crisis, she has also been working closely with the Salaam Bombay Foundation to provide safety gear and hand sanitisers to the police. “This is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to them. They have been on the frontline of the pandemic since the beginning and ensured that the lockdown was successful,” she asserts, adding that she started out with the police station in her neighbourhood and took it to others across the city. “We have covered over 10 police stations in Mumbai that needed these two things on priority. We are going to support more and more police stations across the city.”
On the work front, Diana will next be seen in Dinesh Vijan’s Shiddat. “It’s a special film for me as it has brought Dinesh and me together again after my debut film, Cocktail. I loved the script, which was pleasantly surprising. As a fan of the romcom genre, I never expected to be so drawn to an intense love story. We are almost done filming and only a little patchwork remains,” she informs. She may not have unleashed the domestic goddess in her online during the lockdown, but the actress did read a couple of scripts.
When asked if she has zeroed in on her next project after Shiddat, the answer is “no”. Why so selective? “I think that is a misconception people have about me. I want to be a part of films that I would enjoy watching, and there needs to be an organic connection with the script. I follow my instincts at work and don’t overthink,” she reasons, adding that she would love to do an action film. “I would jump with joy if someone gave me an action film. It’s a difficult genre that requires a lot of prep and hard work, but I would love a full-on action project,” Diana admits.
The conversation takes her back to the action sequence she pulled off in the John Abraham-fronted Parmanu. “It made me realise that even a small scene requires a lot of homework. I learnt kick-boxing and a bit of martial arts for this one and after the prep, I could feel every single muscle in my body I didn’t even know existed,” the actress reminisces.
I should be more out there and try to beat Jacqueline Fernandez-Mohit Raina
8:26 AM
As Devon Ke Dev Mahadev returns to the tube as part of the lockdown line-up, Mohit Raina discusses how his reclusive nature is at odds with showbiz
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; May 31, 2020)
Five years after it was first telecast, Devon Ke Dev—Mahadev is returning to television as part of the lockdown line-up. The mythological series made Mohit Raina, who played the titular role, an overnight sensation. His popularity can be gauged from the fact that Priyanka Chopra's aunt had stated then that Mahadev would be the ideal partner for her niece.Even as he has graduated to movies and web outings, Raina considers the television show the turning point of his career. "It got me noticed. I am thankful for the immense love I still receive from fans," he says.
While most actors would be flattered to have fans and paparazzi following their every move, in Raina's book, that may not be necessarily a good thing. Known to guard his privacy, the reticent actor prefers to stay away from the public glare. "That's my nature. I prefer not to be socially visible. I want to lead a normal life as far as possible. One can only talk about something when s/he has a project that is up for release, otherwise there is not much to say."
As an afterthought, he takes a good-humoured dig at his co-star as he quips, "I should be more out there and try to beat Jacqueline Fernandez who has over 40 million followers on Instagram."
The actor recently shared screen space with her in the Netflix film, Mrs Serial Killer. He recounts that when Mahadev was at its peak, producer Farah Khan had got her kids, Anya, Diva and Czar, to meet him as they loved the show. "Later, I connected with her at Punit Malhotra's birthday party. She invited me home for tea, and offered me the role of the cop."
Raina, whose recent digital outings include Bhaukaal and Kaafir, is keen to balance Bollywood with the web world. He has wrapped up Kunal Deshmukh's Shiddat: Journey Beyond Love. "It was slated to release in September, but with the turn of events, I don't know how things will play out."
There’s definitely something special about a working birthday-Diana Penty
8:11 AM
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 5, 2019)
After her special appearance in Khandani Shafkhana and her glamourous avatar at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, Diana Penty took off to Glasgow, Scotland to shoot for her next project. We learnt that she flew a day prior to her birthday (November 2) and was in the flight for most part of her birthday.
“It was almost a working birthday for Diana, who will shoot for her next film Shiddat in Glasgow. She flew there for the first schedule of the film and felt it was the best birthday gift she could get. She is excited to kick start the whirlwind journey on her special day. Diana believes in new beginnings and starting a schedule of her next film is just that for her. The well-timed schedule of Shiddat seem like a perfect way to bring in her birthday. After rom-coms and dramas, this is her first intense love story and she is working with producer Dinesh Vijan once again after her debut in the 2012 film Cocktail.”
Diana says, “I usually spend my birthday with family and close friends, but this year I was travelling on the day. There’s definitely something special about a working birthday, it’s the perfect way to bring in the new birthday year! Shiddat is a special film and I look forward to kick-starting the first schedule in Glasgow.”
When Sanya Malhotra bags a project, I get excited and celebrate for her-Radhika Madan
8:43 PM
Dhaval Mehta (DNA; August 24, 2019)
Her first TV show Meri Aashiqui Tumse Hi was a hit, but once it was over, Radhika Madan decided to step into Bollywood. And it wasn’t a dreamy outing. For her debut, Vishal Bharadwaj’s Pataakha (2018), the actress had to gain 12 kg and was given a bedraggled look, complete with frizzy hair. For her second outing, Vasan Bala’s Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota opposite newcomer Abhimanyu Dassani, she had to master action. About her not-so-glam entry, she says, “This made my base strong and I realised that looks are not important and just have to focus on my craft. The best thing Vishal and Vasan sir did was help me get rid of my inhibitions as an actor.”
As her third project, she has a big one in her kitty — Angrezi Medium with Kareena Kapoor Khan and Irrfan, no less! Not surprisingly, Radhika calls it a dream team. “Kareena and Irrfan were a big help. Homi sir (Adajania) is the coolest director that I have ever worked with,” says the actress. She confesses that she was awestruck by Kareena. “I played it cool in front of her when I met her. However, on the other hand, I was ecstatic! But she made me so comfortable.” As for working with Irrfan, she states, “I got to learn the craft from the man himself. I couldn’t have asked for more. There was so much to learn every day.”
Radhika’s good run in the industry so far makes it seem like taking the risk of quitting TV at the peak of her career has paid off. “I was getting a lot of projects and producers were offering me a lot of money. But, I was adamant that I wanted to do films and they would say, nothing is going to happen,” Radhika recalls, adding, “I had to choose between getting comfortable, earning good money and chasing my dreams. And, I chose my dreams.” Though she bagged a project with one of the most renowned filmmakers Vishal, it wasn’t smooth sailing for her, as MKDNH was shelved for one-and-a-half years. “That was an extremely difficult period in my life. At the end of the day, everything worked out quite well,” she smiles.
It’s a given that star kids get a dream launch. Radhika believes that though they have access to a good debut, only someone who is talented can stay in the industry. “I am happy to be part of the era where characters are getting appreciated and talent is recognised,” says she. As for her take on the competition with other contemporaries, she says, “One person cannot do everything and there is space for everyone to co-exist. When Sanya bags a project, I get excited and celebrate for her. Everybody should get their due and it’s not like, I’ve to pull someone down to get ahead. I am only focussing on my work at the moment.”
Radhika’s next post Angrezi Medium is Sunny Kaushal starrer Shiddat “I’m really excited about that,” she signs off.
I got addicted to power on the small screen-Mohit Raina
7:36 AM
Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; June 14, 2019)
Mohit Raina, who became a TV heart-throb with his chiselled physique after his outing as Shiva in the television serial Devon Ke Dev... Mahadev, made his big-screen debut earlier this year with Uri: The Surgical Strike. Now, the good-looking actor is set to foray onto the digital platform with ZEE5’s web series Kaafir, which is inspired by the true story of a Pakistani woman who crosses over to India with her little daughter, and gets imprisoned. Mohit plays a journalist who helps bring them justice. Here, he tells us about his digital debut, and why it took time to make the transition from TV to films...
Has life changed after Uri: The Surgical Strike?
Yes, I guess so. Filmmakers are looking at me differently. They approach me with various kinds of scripts, which they feel I will be able to do.
Why did it take so long for you to make the transition from TV to films?
That’s because on TV you have a lot of exposure on a regular basis. You need to disconnect and reconnect with the market because they are different platforms. TV’s demands are different from those of films. It took me some time to understand and relate to these demands and slowly, steadily make them (filmmakers) believe that I could portray some nice and different characters.
Now you are making your digital debut with Kaafir, which again has you portraying an intense character.
I had heard the story of Kaafir a while back and it was nothing close to the other subject (Uri). When Siddharth (P Malhotra, producer) approached me and narrated the script, I was looking forward to doing it because it would let me showcase different emotions. This is a story which was waiting to be told for more than 10 years. Bhavani Iyer, who is the writer, has been working on it for 13 years. I feel fortunate to be a part of it. This is more about human emotions and drama. I was sold in the first minute as to how could a person be so selfless and giving. He gave precious time and invested years of his life to bring a smile and happiness to somebody else who was a stranger.
You play a journalist in the series? Did you take any inspiration?
The profession is just the backdrop — he is a journalist and then he turns out to be a lawyer. What was important was the human journey and emotions.
Is shooting for a web series different from films and TV?
It’s absolutely different. Kaafir is an eight-episode series; but while shooting, you really don’t know which part is for which episode. You have to constantly be in sync with emotions. It’s not a start-to-finish schedule like a film where you shoot and join the dots. You have to be particular about your emotions and need to know the entire script.
How was the experience of shooting in Himachal?
It was good because we were shooting outdoors and we got a lot of time to devote to our work. Plus, we got to work in a natural environment. We used to shoot in a small town called Kalpa, which has a limited population. So, the locals were really helpful — we used to get home-cooked food. Conditions were tough, but they were workable.
You are doing a romantic film Shiddat next..
Yes, I am looking forward to it. I will start shooting for it soon.
You have a great female fan following, but we didn’t see you doing any romantic show on TV. Why?
Because I got addicted to power on the small screen (he played Shiva in Devon Ke Dev Mahadev, Ashoka in Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat and Havildar Ishar Singh in Battle of Saragarhi) and enjoyed it too much. But now, it’s time to explore those options.
Are you taking a break from the small screen?
As of now, I am exploring different avenues. If something great comes my way, I will see.
Diana Penty, Radhika Madan, Mohit Raina, Sunny Kaushal in Jannat director Kunal Deshmukh's next
7:57 AM
Kunal Deshmukh whose last directorial was the Emraan Hashmi-starrer Raja Natwarlal in 2014, is back with a love story. This one features Radhika Madan, Sunny Kaushal, Diana Penty and Mohit Raina and is titled Shiddat - Journey Beyond Love. While Radhika is opposite Sunny, Diana has been paired with Mohit. Produced by Dinesh Vijan, it will go on the floors in September and will be shot across Punjab, as also Paris and London.
“It has two parallel tracks focussing on the journey of both couples. The story has been written by Sridhar Raghavan and Dheeraj Rattan with dialogues by Dheeraj as well. The film will have a summer 2020 release,” informed a source close to the development.
When asked why a love story, Vijan jokes, “Well I got married recently, so I’m feeling like it, but on a serious note in this day and age where love is taken so lightly, it’s difficult to imagine the lengths people would go to for it. Shiddat is a not only a story about love but the distance one travels for it. The passion that overcomes maybe all senses or logic to do things that you wouldn’t usually imagine, the belief in something with all your heart and the drive to Shiddat.”
Incidentally, Radhika is currently shooting for another Dinesh Vijan production, the Homi Adajania-directorial Angrezi Medium in which she plays Irrfan Khan’s daughter who wants to go abroad for higher studies. Sunny is currently filming Sneha Taurani’s debut directorial, Bhangra Paa Le and will be seen next in Kabir Khan’s sport drama '83. Mohit made his film debut with the Vicky Kaushal war drama, Uri: The Surgical Strike last year. Diana, who was launched by Dinesh in Cocktail (2012) was last seen in Mudassar Aziz’s Happy Bhag Jayegi (2016).
Varun Dhawan's calendar has six releases in two years; no dates to spare till 2020?
8:37 AM
Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; March 17, 2018)
Since the time Varun Dhawan made his debut six years ago, he has had a neat box office record. From the looks of it, his future seems rosy. One look at his upcoming projects and it seems he’s also the busiest Gen-Y star today.
Says a source, “Varun has as many as six films lined up. He has already given his nod to them and has no dates free till early 2020.”
Our source reveals, “October will be the first of the lot to release next month. Varun is currently in Chanderi shooting for Sui Dhaaga opposite Anushka Sharma. He will take a few weeks off from it and be back around March end or first week of April to kick-start the promotions for the Shoojit Sircar film.”
For the next year or so, the actor will juggle his frenetic shooting schedules with promotional activities. Adds the source, “Post October, he returns to shoot Sui Dhaaga and wraps the movie by June. Around July, he starts shooting for Abhishek Varman’s period drama Shiddat. He will finish the first schedule and then be back for the promotions of the Sharat Katariya directorial that releases on September 28. Once that hits the screens, he will return to filming Shiddat. The exact dates of the schedules have not been finally locked but the team plans to finish principal shooting by January next year.”
After that, Varun reunites with his ABCD 2 director Remo D’Souza for a dance flick. “He will first take a few weeks off to train in different dance forms for this one. They start rolling the film around March next year. It’s scheduled for a November 2019 release,” informs the source.
The star will also play the lead in Karan Johar’s ambitious project — Rannbhoomi — which will be directed by Shashank Khaitan. “It’s a revenge war saga and will be mounted on a huge scale. The team is finalising everything — right from the location to the look, and the way they plan to shoot this VFX-heavy film. That process will take at least another year because Shashank is currently busy finishing Dhadak. Rannbhoomi is set for a Diwali 2020 release. So, the team will have enough time to get the film ready.”
Varun is keeping his dates free to accommodate the movie but in case it’s delayed by a few more months, then he might shoot his home-production. “David Dhawan wants to make a film with his son, but he needs time to get the script in place. His films are usually quick, so the actor might finish this one in between Remo’s film and Rannbhoomi. It all depends on when KJo plans to start his project. If it happens first, then the home production will kick off after that.”
The teenage heartthrob certainly has busy two years ahead!
Karan Johar not in a rush to find Sridevi’s replacement in Shiddat?
8:03 AM
Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; March 12, 2018)
After Sridevi’s untimely demise two weeks ago, speculations have been rife that Karan Johar, who had signed her on for one of his production ventures, Abhishek Varman’s Shiddat, is looking for her replacement. However, a source close to the filmmaker, says, “Karan was extremely fond of Sridevi and they shared an amazing relationship. He doesn’t want to rush to find a replacement right away. That is certainly not on his priority list.”
When After Hrs had met KJo some time back, he had told us, “I’m so happy that Sridevi is doing a film with us, although I’m sad I’m not directing it. As we talk, they are doing their photoshoot for the announcement.” Everything was set, when tragedy struck. “The whole celebration behind the announcement is futile for Karan now. It’s just two weeks since Sridevi’s death. Karan will sit with the team next week and then decide who they want to approach for the role that was offered to Sridevi. All other speculations are baseless,” added the source.
In fact, the director is regularly in touch with the Kapoors, and supporting his protégée Janhvi, whom he is launching with Dhadak. “Karan has given instructions to the whole Dhadak team to ensure that good care is taken of Janhvi. He is also keeping a check on everything.”
Sonakshi Sinha’s role in Shiddat will be shorter than Alia Bhatt’s role?
7:55 AM
Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; October 6, 2017)
Karan Johar has put together a brilliant ensemble for his ambitious venture Shiddat. Set against the backdrop of the India-Pakistan Partition, the period film stars Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Sonakshi Sinha, Sridevi and Sanjay Dutt. While there’s a love triangle between Aditya and Varun and Alia, where does that leave Sona? Here’s the goss!
SHORTER ROLE
Sonakshi has a smaller part to play in this period drama. Says a source, “Sonakshi always knew her role is shorter than Alia’s. Without giving away the story, we can reveal that her role is an important one. She is paired opposite Aditya, who later falls for Alia”
NO ISSUES
Right from the narration stage, Sona was informed about the length of her role. “She is extremely fond of Karan (Johar) and she’s also done Ittefaq with his banner. Despite her role being short, it’s not a cameo or an extended special appearance. Instead, it impacts Aditya’s character and is extremely important. She had no issues with the screen time,” adds our source.
THE HINDU-MUSLIM ANGLE
Since the film is set in the Partition era, the makers are going to play up that angle and how the country was shaken post the announcement of the Indo-Pak partition. That will play a major part in the whole Sonakshi-Aditya equation.
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