First-time director Shilpi Dasgupta explains why she chose the actress for her film on sex education
MUMBAI MIRROR (August 1, 2019)

What prompted you to make a film on sex education?
I wanted to make my first film on the need of the hour. When we (Mrighdeep Singh Lamba and I) heard the story for the first time from Gautam (Mehra, writer), I just knew this is the story I want to tell. I grew up in Bhopal, and it is not what it is right now. It had these sex clinics being advertised on so many walls, and I always had some curiosity to get to know what is up with that side, but never got any convincing answers.

We’re telling this story with a lot of fun and humour, asking people to shed their shyness and talk about it. Population explosion, sex-related crimes are already active time bombs for India. Sex education is the only solution to the problem, but it will be effective only if we stop shying away from talking about it and repressing it.

We’ve made this film to kick-start a discussion on sex in India, making this a dining table conversation. For that we have approached the issue in a way that it does not sound preachy, and is entertaining for all the members of the family.

Was Sonakshi always the first choice?
Isn’t Sonakshi simply the best? She’s a talent house. Her films have always been family entertainers. To get this topic to be discussed within families, we wanted to have a household name associated with the film. She is much more than just a pretty face. Her face has a softness that gives positive vibes. We wanted people to see the girl-next-door running a sex clinic. But yeah, hats off to her, it takes a lot of guts to go around at a live street location, shouting the sexual disorders with a board just behind her back which has SEX written in bold letters. It would have been really difficult if Sonakshi wasn’t this brave.

Do you think the film will be able to bring a positive change in the society?
I don’t know if it will bring about a change or not but that’s not the point. The point is, are we ready to give ourselves a chance to enjoy a subject like this or not—see humour in our own lives and the way we live. We are a funny lot, highly emotional too, and so is this film. It’s a funny, emotional journey of a beautiful young mind that aspires to break free and ask questions. I hope the film strikes the right chord, touches hearts but also opens minds.

How would you like to describe the journey of your directorial debut?
I haven’t really got time to even think about it. It is really very overwhelming to have my debut film in the form of Khandaani Shafakhana. It has content that I want to share with everyone, and the issue for which I stand for. It has the perfect cast, including Sonakshi Sinha, Varun Sharma, Annu Kapoor, Nadira Babbar, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Priyansh Jora, who’s debuting with this film. And the very exciting debut of Badshah as an actor. I am so thankful to Mrigh (Mrigdeep Singh Lamba), Mahaveer ji (Mahaveer Jain) and Bhushan ji (Bhushan Kumar), who have supported the vision completely. The whole team of Khandaani Shafakhana made my debut as a director, a dream come true.

Gulshan Kumar and T-Series present, Khandaani Shafakhana, a Sundial production. Produced by Bhushan Kumar, Mahaveer Jain, Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, Divya Khosla Kumar, directed by Shilpi Dasgupta, the film is all set to release tomorrow.

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; July 30, 2019)

Writer Shilpi Dasgupta, who makes her debut as a director with Khandaani Shafakhana, seeks small-town stories. According to her, “Small towns are no longer small. The topography and demographics are changing, and the texture of these cities is no longer the same.” The film starring Sonakshi Sinha, Varun Sharma and Badshah encourages people to talk about sex and sexrelated issues openly. Excerpts from a chat:

What drew you make your directorial debut with a film based on this subject?
When one of my writers came to me with this story, I felt it had a lot of merit and I should attempt it as a director. I took a call instinctively. The story was convincing and exciting. I loved the one-liner description of the film, and eventually, I was happy with the screenplay. It’s a relevant subject in the society that we live in. It becomes more compelling when you go deeper into the nitty-gritties of the story. And, the fact that the discussion is sparked by a girl makes it more interesting. The only thing that we needed was a team that could support the film’s purpose, and gradually, we found them.

In the last couple of years, several films revolving around taboo subjects, including sex, have been made in Bollywood. A film like Vicky Donor, in many ways, was path breaking. Did you think there would be comparisons?
I don’t think the films can be compared. I just felt that the timing of this film is right. India is waking up to a lot of things and we are ready to discuss things, or at least address them. There is a revolution of sorts around us, because now we are seeing people questioning things. Social media, even with all its flaws, gives you the freedom to ask questions. I can file an RTI and seek answers from the authorities. The system is changing, and so, even society needs to change its ways. Today, children are encouraged to ask questions in schools instead of mugging what is placed before them. We are evolving as a society, but it’s a slow process. Although there was a digression of sorts a few years ago, cinema has now begun to celebrate the non-hero, the non-larger-than-life entities. People are happy to watch something that is relatable. Actors like Rajkummar Rao and Ayushmann Khurrana are leading films because they are the faces of relatable cinema. I don’t feel bad that people are comparing my film with Ayushmann’s film, Vicky Donor. That film broke new ground, but my film presents a larger picture.

Sonakshi, in her interview, mentioned the fact that she was initially hesitant to mouth lines that had to do with sex on a set that was full of men. How did she come around?
For a while, Sonakshi and I were the only women working on this film. Gradually, more women joined in and the set had a fair number of men as well as women. By and large, films are not even a mirror of what our society is today. People are living in a comparatively liberated environment, yet, when you try talking about sex openly, they are uptight. When I told my mother about the subject of Khandaani Shafakhana, she was taken aback. She had her reservations like a lot of other people in our country, who are averse to talking about something so basic. As for Sonakshi, I think after her initial hesitation, she came around beautifully. She handled the role and the dialogues with confidence and comfort. She was one of those few people, who saw the whole point of the film. While shooting, she let go of her star image and became Baby Bedi.

Your film is set in Hoshiarpur, Punjab. A large part of our country has a stereotypical idea of machoism, which deters people (mostly men) from speaking openly about issues related to sex...
A victim is the one who suffers, and in most cases, it’s the woman. Our conditioning is so deep-rooted that even education can’t change it. Andh vishwas is deeper than rationale. We’ve tried to question the stigma around sex and having a woman talk about sex-related issues helps drive home the point. If someone doesn’t feel like having sex or has a problem while doing so, he or she should be able to speak up and have a dialogue. Not too many people notice this, but youngsters hit puberty much earlier today. Girls and boys go through hormonal hurricanes when they’re 10 and 11, but when do they really get sex education? They might be getting sex education around the time they are 14, but what should they do in the interim? The body goes crazy with hormonal changes and that’s the time when being able to talk to an adult helps. The lack of understanding pushes them to discuss things with friends, who are in the same boat as them. Or else, they search for answers on the web, and you know the imagery that search engines throw up when you type the word sex. That’s the reason parents have to be aware that education is not just gyaan about the birds and the bees, but it’s about being able to have an open and judgement-free discussion with their child. This is necessary, so that, their child grows up to be responsible about sex-related issues and brings any untoward behaviour to the family’s notice if it occurs. The situation in villages is even further away from the conversations we are having here. So, the more we talk about the subject in popular culture, the easier it will be for people to accept the change.

Badshah clears the air after calling Kartik Aaryan an ‘overrated’ actor; also admits that he is still unsure about his own acting career
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 29, 2019)

Badshah tops the Bollywood hit list with chartbusters like Kapoor & Sons’ “Kar Gayi Chull”, “The Humma Song” from OK Jaanu and “Tareefan” from Veere Di Wedding. Now, the musician-singer makes his acting debut as a pop star in Khandaani Shafakhana. Quiz him on how the makers coaxed him to face the camera for a feature film and he laughs, “They actually had to ‘coax’ me. It all began when Mrig sir (Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, who is producing the film with Bhushan Kumar and Mahaveer Jain) narrated the script to me. I liked what I heard and went with the flow. I still don’t know how I finished the film. Sonakshi (Sinha), Choocha (Varun Sharma), Shilpi ma’am (director Shilpi Dasgupta) and Mrig sir all helped. In fact, it was Sonakshi who, when I confided in her about the acting offers I was getting, told me to go for it. And now, I am making my debut with her.”

As part of his prep, Mrighdeep helped him create a back story for his character Gabru, who comes from a small village in Punjab and changes once he makes it big. Quiz Badshah on his career choices and he reveals that he wanted to be an astronaut, a basketball player and even an administrative officer at different points in his life, though music was always his first love and acting never figured in the list. Is he open to more turns in front of the camera now? He confides that he’s not sure though he has liked another script. “I will take the scripts to someone who knows better, then take a call. Meanwhile, I’ll make a lot of music,” he smiles.

Badshah begun his music career as ‘Cool Equal’ and informs that this was his E-mail ID. Soon after, he realised that he needed a better stage name. Shah Rukh Khan’s film Baadshah had released around the time and being a die-hard fan of the actor, he named himself after its grandiose title.

He was in the news recently after referring to Kartik Aaryan as an “overrated” actor on Karan Johar’s talk show. Bring it up and he guffaws, “I don’t know why I named him, maybe because we were talking about Kartik during the break. It just came out but the fact is that he is a brilliant actor with a very good script sense. When I told Kartik, I was acting, he joked, ‘Beta, ab tu dekh.’”

Badshah recently rapped for Salman Khan’s Dabangg 3 song “Munna Badnaam Hua” and says he loves being around the actor. “Salman sir’s parties are among the best in town. Composers Sajid sir and Wajid sir were kind enough to call me, I’ve even written some of the lyrics. It will be one of the biggest songs of the year,” he promises with a smile.

Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 3, 2019)

Debutant director Shilpi Dasgupta’s yet-untitled slice-of-life film features Sonakshi Sinha and rapper-singer Badshah who will be making his acting debut. Now, Mirror has learnt that the duo is all set to recreate Jasbir Jassi’s hit song from 2003, “Koka”, on screen. The film’s team is retaining Jasbir Jassi’s voice with some rap portions by Badshah in Tanishk Bagchi’s recreated version. The original video had featured Mugdha Godse.

A source close to the development informed that the folksy number is being used as a celebratory track with Sonakshi and Badshah, along with Varun Sharma and other actors grooving to the catchy beat. “Choreographed and directed by Vijay Ganguly, it was recently shot at a resort in Panvel,” added the source.

Sonakshi confirmed the news, saying, “Yes, ‘Koka’ is a peppy, foot-tapping number, one of my favourites, and we had a great time shooting it.”

Her co-star added that it has been a pleasure to revisit Jasbir Jassi’s magic, a full-throated Punjabi celebration of Sonakshi’s character, her crazy family and circle of friends. “Tanishk has done a great job with urbanising the folk sound and it’s definitely going to be the new jam this wedding season,” he promised.

The film is produced by Bhushan, Kishan and Divya Khosla Kumar, Mahaveer Jain and Mrighdeep Singh Lamba. And Bhushan asserted that the recreated version fit in perfectly. “The backdrop is Punjab and the characters are happy-go-lucky people. They celebrate their happiness in full-on masti and in keeping with the flavor and characters, ‘Koka’ was the apt song to take forward,” he reasoned.

Badshah on rejecting two promising offers before role of singer-rapper in Sonakshi Sinha-starrer came his way
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; May 9, 2019)

For an artiste who had often discussed his desire to venture into acting, revered rapper Badshah turned down way too many promising projects, including Vicky Kaushal's role in Lust Stories (2018), and that of Diljit Dosanjh in Good News.

"I rejected them because I wasn't confident enough," says the singer, who found common ground with his on-screen avatar in débutante director Shilpi Dasgupta's currently untitled forthcoming film. "I play a Punjabi singer-rapper in my debut movie, which is [like] playing myself. My character is only more flamboyant than I am, and that was easy to nab. The premise seemed comfortable, and I was intrigued with the character."

Never one to shy away from facing the camera in his own songs, Badshah says doing so for a feature film is a different ball game. "That I am camera-friendly helped, but, it's really tough to act. There are various emotions which need to be portrayed."

Leading lady and good friend Sonakshi Sinha has been sharing her insights with the musician. "She made my job easy, and me, comfortable. Apart from that, Shilpi and Mrighdeep Lamba [producer] made the environment welcoming too. I am relishing this phase of my career."

On the work front, the rapper recently collaborated for a track with Sony YAY! for their show, KickO & Super Speedo. He created a special children's track titled #GoKicko. "I am a kid, who refuses to grow up. Since childhood, I have been fascinated by superheroes and animated characters. The song gave me an opportunity to revisit my childhood."

Meena Iyer (DNA; April 20, 2019)

In her nine-year-old career, Sonakshi Sinha has delivered many superhits and a few super duds. Now, she is a tried-and-tested player who filmmakers have come to depend on. They know that whatever the fate of the film at the box office, Sona will bring something substantial to the table.

Happy that she has made this journey without too many cuts and nicks, the Dabangg 3 star speaks of how quickly time has flown. And, how she has gone from a greenhorn to a ‘learned’ actress, who can take most things in her stride.

Over to the striking-looking Sona, who knows how to fit in.

You had mentioned earlier how it was nice to be a part of Kalank.
It was fantastic to be a  part of such a talented and versatile ensemble cast. Working with Dharma Productions and Sajid Nadiadwala sir was amazing.

What drew you to Satya (your character in Kalank)?
It’s one of those rare roles that just falls into your lap. I’m very happy that Abhishek Varman saw me playing Satya, because she is a strong character, she’s like a glue that holds the family together. She’s a strong, self-sacrificing woman who will do anything to make sure her loved ones are fine. Those are the values I relate to and to be able to portray such a character is a gift.

You’ve had the fortune of playing strong parts, from Rajjo in the Dabangg franchise to Akira (Akira, 2016) and Happy (Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi, 2018). So why did Satya appeal?
It’s so empowering to enact a role, around which the film revolves and which takes the story forward.

Were you perturbed when some of your films didn’t fare as well commercially as they were expected to?
No. I think by the time a film releases, I’ve moved on to the next and I put all my energy and positivity into the new movie. Of course, you feel bad when your film doesn’t do well because that’s what all of us are working towards. But I love the fact that my performances were appreciated in all the movies. I took risks, some paid off, some didn’t in the way I would have liked them to. But I’ve learnt a lot from all my films. And, honestly, that’s something that adds to your repertoire, to your craft, and in a way, helps me move forward and do better for my next project.

So, the experience is more amazing. I’ve worked with such diverse directors with such different styles of working. I feel it’s a learning experience for me and that helps me get ahead.

For someone so young and pampered, how does this level of maturity come in?
I don’t know. I’ve been a very calm person for most of my life. I’m the kind of person who will not take unnecessary stress. I like to do my work in a calm and composed manner. Plus, over the years, you learn. When I came in nine years ago, I didn’t know anything in spite of being born in a film family. I had no interest in acting or cinema or anything of that sort.

So, for me, it was a new thing as well. People won’t believe, but it’s true. Whatever I’ve learnt, is all on the job. The people I worked with taught me so much. So, it has been a learning process and I hope that continues because that’s what helps you grow as a person and also as an actor.

You have struck a balance between two generations of stars. We see you paired opposite Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn and also with the younger lot like Ranveer Singh and Aditya Roy Kapur.
Yeah, I’m glad I have struck that balance. Because that opens up a whole range of work for me to explore. Not just that, but I’ve also been able to strike a balance with the films I’m doing, the so-called commercial subjects and the so-called niche at the same time.

Besides Kalank and Dabangg 3, which are your new lot of movies?
I’m doing an as-yet-untitled project with T-Series and Mrighdeep Singh Lamba (Fukrey, Fukrey Returns), which is being directed by Shilpi Dasgupta. It’s a comedy with a message. If there’s anything you need to get across, put it in a humourous way and people will take much more notice of it.  Again, it’s an amazing role for me. It’s something that people were not expecting me to do. Even I was not sure if I would be able to pull it off. But once I did, I enjoyed myself. There’s also Mission Mangal and Bhuj: The Pride Of India.

How were the dynamics with Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan on the sets of Kalank?
Amazing! They’ve been my friends even before we teamed up for this film. In fact, I’ve known Varun from my school days. Moreover, we have the same wavelength when it comes to work ethics, which is great. Alia is someone I really admire, I think she is one of the most talented actresses today. So, it was nice working with them. When you have actors you appreciate and admire so much, it becomes that much more fun. Doing a scene with her, you just up your game, you’re just feeding off each other’s energy... and that translates into all the more good energy of the movie.

The film’s makers say they’ve set the clock by you as you’re so punctual. That’s opposite of your dad, Shatrughan Sinha. 
(Laughs). Yeah, just the opposite. I’ve always been a stickler for punctuality. If you tell me to come for a party at 9 pm, I’ll be there at 9 pm on the dot. There will be nobody else and I’ll be the first one there. Even my friends are shocked and ask me ‘Why do you go to a party on time?’ But when it comes to work, I believe that everybody’s time should be respected. I’m an actor and being paid to do a certain job, so I have to be punctual because the entire unit is there. They’ve all come, done their job and set up everything for me. So, I should be there too. I don’t like it when people take others’ time for granted.

MUMBAI MIRROR (April 15, 2019)

Anil D. Ambani owned Reliance Entertainment’s Big Synergy has teamed up with three exciting filmmakers to create a mega-entertaining web series, Paan Parda Zarda.

Walky Talkies is the joint venture of three successful filmmakers—Mrighdeep Lamba (Fukrey, Fukrey Returns), Gurmmeet Singh (Mirzapur, Inside Edge) and Shilpi Dasgupta (untitled under-production film with Sonakshi Sinha and Badshah).

After garnering accolades for their films and web series, the trio has come together, with Reliance Entertainment’s Big Synergy, to create Paan Parda Zarda—an intoxicating love story set amidst the opium trade barons of Central India, from the arid landscapes of the Maalwa plateau to the princely kingdom of Bhopal.

Reveals Shilpi Dasgupta, “The series brims with extraordinary, real characters—intense pride, devious deceit, violent retribution, but above all, majestic love. Paan Parda Zarda is a sensory overload that will leave audiences numb in its aftermath, much like a hit of the opiate that has been deployed to win wars and change fortunes in Asia for centuries. Indeed, much of the history of our region has been dictated by whosoever has controlled opium.”

“Paan Parda Zarda reflects Big Synergy’s ambition to create path-breaking fiction content. With our current and prospective collaborations with A-List creators in Bollywood and regional markets, we’re all set to entertain viewers with top-notch content,” said Rajiv Bakshi, the CEO of Reliance Entertainment’s Big Synergy.

The upcoming series is being helmed by producer Namit Sharma, who said, “Set against a fresh, unseen milieu, the series has all the elements of an epic tale that straddles human drama, organised crime and political machinations. But at its heart, is a beautiful love story.”

This amazing pairing with the director of Mirzapur leaves no doubt that the audience can expect the most thrilling Indian web series. 

Singer-rapper in debutant director Shilpi Dasgupta’s slice-of-life entertainer fronted by Sonakshi Sinha
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 11, 2019)

After delivering several chart-toppers in recent years, Badshah is ready to explore a new territory. Mirror has learnt that the rapper-composer is making his acting debut with debutant director Shilpi Dasgupta’s yetuntitled project, a slice-of-life entertainer. It is fronted by Sonakshi Sinha and features Varun Sharma, Annu Kapoor, Kulbhushan Kharbanda and Nadira Babbar in pivotal roles.

According to a source close to the development, Badshah, who is to join the cast in Punjab soon, will be playing a character close to his real selfa famous singer who is out-and-out Punjabi. Admitting that he has taken a leap despite being “extremely nervous,” the rapper said, “This year I have undertaken many firsts, including my debut as a producer and now as an actor. Bhushan ji and Mrigh (Bhushan Kumar, Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, producers) convinced me that the role was perfect for me. It’s a unique film and it brings a smile to my face. Getting to work with Sonakshi was like a bonus as she is a dear friend.”

Bhushan reiterated his confidence in his choice of actor, saying, that he has worked with him on several projects in the past and knows his traits well. “When I read the script and the character sketch, the only person who came to my mind was Badshah. Just like his screen persona, he is a jovial and funny Punjabi guy. It took a while to persuade him to take up the role, but I am glad he finally came on board,” he signed off. 

You can mock my looks or ignorance, but don't label me a racist-Sonakshi Sinha on recreating a classic, reuniting with Ajay Devgn and why Rajjo’s world feels like home
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 4, 2019)

After featuring in the recreated version of “Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu” in Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi, Sonakshi Sinha is stepping into Helen’s shoes yet again for Total Dhamaal. In Indra Kumar’s multi-starrer comedy, the actress will be seen swinging her hips to the yesteryear classic “Mungda,” along with one of the film’s leads, Ajay Devgn. The song is directed by Kookie Gulati. “It’s a coincidence that my last performance to an iconic song also happened to be Helen aunty’s. It’s great that we can repackage these iconic songs and present them to today’s generation,” the actress said.

When asked if she feels the pressure to live up to the original’s success, Sona explains that the approach is never to imitate. “Helen aunty’s grace and charm are unmatched, and it would be foolish to even try to copy her. Our version is a dance number with spruced-up music, lots of choreography and it’s nothing like the original song,” she added.

The song marks a reunion of sorts for the actress and Ajay, who have previously shared screen space in films like Son of Sardaar and Action Jackson. “Since this was a dance number, I got the chance to pull Ajay’s leg as he hates dancing,” Sonakshi smiled, adding that her costar is one of those people who can pick up a conversation from where they left off, no matter how much time has lapsed. “It’s always a pleasure working with him.”

Next up for Sonakshi is another multi-starrer, the Abhishek Varman-directed Kalank, in which she is a part of the acting lineup alongside Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Aditya Roy Kapur, Madhuri Dixit and Sanjay Dutt. “This is my second association with Dharma (Productions), and I am excited about it because the story is beautiful, and the role is challenging. Sharing the screen with such stellar actors makes it even more special,” she said, refusing to divulge further details about the period drama.

Then, there’s a yet-untitled comedy that she started shooting in Punjab with co-star Varun Sharma. “It’s my director, Shilpi Dasgupta’s debut film, but it doesn’t really feel like one. It’s a wonderful story about a street-smart, independent girl making her way through the many challenges that life throws at her. You can call it a slice-of-life or a coming-of-age film. Varun plays my brother in it and keeps me thoroughly entertained on the set,” she informed.

Mirror had earlier reported that Salman Khan is returning as Inspector Chulbul Pandey with Dabangg 3 which will feature Kannada actor Sudeep as the antagonist. The first installment of the franchise had marked Sonakshi’s debut in 2010, and the actress is charged up to be back as Rajjo in the cop-drama. “It certainly feels like home because that’s where it all began. My life changed after Dabangg. I found my calling with it. I can’t wait to begin shooting for it. The film goes on the floors by March-end,” she concluded. 

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; January 18, 2019)

After Dharma Productions’ big-budget period drama Kalank, Sonakshi Sinha has given her nod to her second project this year. The Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi heroine has greenlit a slice-of-life drama, which will be backed by T-Series and will also mark Fukrey director Mrighdeep Singh Lamba’s foray into production. Written by Gautam Mehra, it will be helmed by debutante Shilpi Dasgupta.

A source tells us, “It’s a yet-to-be-titled ensemble movie with Sonakshi leading from the front. She plays a typical Punjabi from Hoshiyarpur, who loves her family a lot and tries to strike a balance between them and her dreams. It is the no-holds-barred journey of a girl, who breaks taboos and opens minds in the process.”

The Ittefaq actress evinced interest in the project after the narration. The source adds, “Sonakshi has an author-backed role. The rom-com will also feature Varun Sharma, Annu Kapoor and Kulbhushan Kharbanda. Casting is underway for an actor, who will play Sona’s love interest.”

The movie goes on floors on January 25 in Punjab and will release on August 2 this year. Confirming the news of her signing the project, Sonakshi says, “I’m extremely happy to be part of a film, which is so close to the world around us. I will get to step into the shoes of a small-town girl, and face the hilarious, madcap challenges thrown at her. It’s full of flavour, fun and emotions. I am looking forward to this journey.”

Mrighdeep tells us, “When emotions are combined strongly with laughter, it’s a story worth one’s time. The movie explores the extraordinary dreams of an ordinary girl in a madcap world.” Producer Bhushan Kumar adds, “It is a slice-of-life film with a superb ensemble cast that will make you laugh, cry and fall in love with every character.”