Jabariya Jodi director Prashant Singh on how leading man Sidharth Malhotra rechristened movie that was originally named Shotgun Shaadi
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; July 20, 2019)

Call it a coincidence or what you may, but Sidharth Malhotra has mostly played urbane characters since he forayed into the movies with Student Of The Year (2012). In that regard, Jabariya Jodi comes as a breath of fresh air — he plays a gun-toting, groom-abducting Bihari character in the Prashant Singh-directed venture.

"This is precisely the reason we were keen on him," says Singh, who worked as an assistant to filmmakers Aanand L Rai and Onir before making his debut with the love story. "Sidharth took on the role to break the mould. We conducted workshops, but he also insisted on having a private tutor to get into the skin of the character. We too wanted to showcase him in new light. Casting an actor who has played such characters would have been the easy way out."

If Malhotra has the director to thank for a role that he has never attempted before, Singh too credits his leading man for suggesting the perfect title for the Parineeti Chopra starrer. "We were initially toying with the title, Shotgun Shaadi. When we were discussing options, I mentioned that it [the practice of groom kidnapping] was referred to as jabariya byah. It was Sidharth who came up with Jabariya Jodi."

Ekta Kapoor on her upcoming wedding film and the stories she enjoys telling through different media
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 7, 2018)

Veere Di Wedding had eyebrows raising with its first trailer thanks to its badass girl gang. You’re pushing the envelope with this film...
My co-producer Rhea Kapoor came to me with two other stories but I knew that this was the one because it’s not your typical ‘inspiring’ movie. But I wouldn’t say we are pushing the envelope because when four girlfriends get together, this is the way they’d act and react. I guess people are not used to girls discussing boys, drinking and having fun on screen so they’re flummoxed. It was cool for boys to discuss girls in Pyaar Ka Punchnama but when the gender changes, it becomes a dysfunctional, feminist film. If that’s the way it’s perceived, so be it. I know men going “aah” will watch the film, and the women going “oh” will definitely watch it too.

It’s heartening that you chose to wait for Kareena Kapoor to have her baby and get back to acting even though it meant delaying the film by a year.
Kareena was having a baby, that’s no reason for her to not have a career. But more than me, it’s Rhea who held on to the finances for so long. I had opted out, albeit reluctantly, because with two flops and three piracy issues, I had no money to put into movies. So though Veere Di Wedding is an entertaining film with a decent budget that’ll be covered through pre-sales, I had to exit because I was in a different career space.

Then?
Then, I went with mum (Shobha Kapoor) to buy a new car and she told me to buy the best one. I turned around and said I could do without a car, but I wanted this movie. So just before it went back into the market, mom called Anil sir (Kapoor) who assured her that this film would be made only by the girls.

You must enjoy taking risk. You took one earlier too with Lipstick Under My Burkha.
Every studio Prakash Jha (producer) had approached turned him down. Then, he ran into my brother Tusshar in Tirupati and told him he wanted me to take on the film for his sake. When director Alankrita (Shrivastav) came to show the film to me, she offered to wait but I sent her away. However, to my surprise, I realised that I liked the film’s language. I not only took it on but for the first time, gave three weeks to promoting it as the film needed a wide release. The biggest word of the decade is ‘acceptance’ and it’s important for us to accept that a section of our women are oppressed and need liberation.

You’re now collaborating with Bareilly Ki Barfi director, Ashwini Iyer Tiwari?
Yes, we’re doing two films, one she is mentoring, the other directing.

Why Sajid Ali’s Laila Majnu?
When Imtiaz sir (Ali) who’s scripted it, narrated this interesting modern-day adaptation of the eternal love story, I had to back the film. I don’t know how commercial it is as it doesn’t have stars but it has a soul and it’s wonderful to see Imtiaz sir take ownership for it.

Even though Abhishek Kapoor is your cousin, your mother had been against you collaborating with him on Kedarnath. You finally let the film go to Ronnie Screwvala.
I handle only the creative side of the business while mom looks after the finances. Every project has to be viable because being a public limited company, we’re answerable to the board and the shareholders. I was ready to produce Kedarnath even in that budget because I know it’s a wonderful film and having seen it, I can say that it’s going to be Ronnie and Gattu’s best film. It will make Sara (Ali Khan) a superstar and take Sushant (Singh Rajput) to another level.

You’ve also lost your Naagin to films…
Mouni (Roy) was getting good offers but was ready to turn them down if I wanted her to do another season of Naagin. But you have to let people grow and explore. She’s doing my biggest digital show.

Meanwhile, you’re going mental with Kangana Ranaut from next month?
No one has made a film like Mental Hai Kya in India before. It talks of mental illness and the madness inherent in all of us with a level of irreverence. I needed two actors without inhibitions for it. Rajkummar (Rao) and Kangana were always part of the script because it takes courage to let go. I wouldn’t make the film without Kangana. I like the way she owns her space and asks pertinent questions. If she didn’t, she’d be just a prop. But she also respects the writer and director and doesn’t cross the line.

Your choice of films is fascinating. There’s also a biopic on ‘Amul Man’ Dr Varghese Kurien?
I’ve been waiting to make this film for 10 years. At one time a big star showed interest, but things didn’t work out and I went back to TV. It’s still as relevant because Dr Kurien was the first to utilise village women as untapped resources to trigger the White Revolution. I’m excited to be telling one of India’s biggest success stories with Shree Narayan Singh sir. I don’t know about versatility, but I enjoy telling different stories and have had over 1 lakh episodes aired on TV. I believe every story chooses its medium and today I have the opportunity to dabble in all three platforms.

What’s happening with Ken Ghosh’s XXX?
I really like that film because more than sex, it’s a look at today’s world. But many feel the content is too adult. It’ll be sad if I can’t release it.

There’s another wedding film, Shotgun Shaadi...
That’s my Grease Lightning (a 1977 American biographical film of champion race driver Wendell Scott) in today’s times with Sid (Sidharth Malhotra). Set in a small town of North India, it’s my most massy film.

Meanwhile, there’s a real wedding happening, Sonam Kapoor’s. Tell us about it?
Sonam and I only share a surname, we’re not related so all I can tell you is that I’ve lost my producer to her sister’s wedding. (Laughs) But no stress, I wish her all the best.

And when is Ekta di wedding happening?
Two years after Sallu (Salman Khan) bhai’s.

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; May 4, 2018)

After Hrs was the first to tell you that Sidharth Malhotra and Ekta Kapoor are teaming up for their second movie together after Ek Villain. Titled Shotgun Shaadi, the film revolves around the issue of groom kidnapping that’s prevalent in Bihar. Also known as ‘Pakadua Vivah’, this phenomenon sees potential grooms being abducted by the bride’s family and married by force to avoid dowry. Sid plays a thug in the film, which is likely to go on floors shortly. The actor has started prepping for his role.

SID’S BULKING UP!
Sid, who naturally has a lean frame, will change his look for the film. A source says, “Sid will be putting on weight for the film, but only in the form of muscle. He wants to have a fit and toned physique for Shotgun Shaadi. He has been gymming consistently and has also taken to aqua exercises for the same.”

LEARNING THE LANGUAGE
Along with his physical transformation, Sidharth is also working on the language and diction. “He has hired a language coach who’s helping him learn a Bihari dialect and get the accent right,” adds the source.

Hiren Kotwani (DNA; April 15, 2018)

In January, Sonu Sood had announced his plans to make Sarvggun Sampanna, a film based on the kidnapping of men for forced weddings in Bihar. The actor, who forayed into production with Tutak Tutak Tutiya and Kung Fu Yoga, was kicked about the realistic subject. 

However, even before Sonu could finish the casting, it seems like someone else has ‘kidnapped’, or should we say hijacked, the same idea. Trade sources say that Sidharth Malhotra’s Shotgun Shaadi is reportedly based on groom kidnapping. So, we hear that the Dabangg actor has decided to call off his project.

He had discussed his film with Arjun Rampal, with whom he bonded during the shoot of J P Dutta’s Paltan. He wanted to cast his new buddy as a Bihari gangster in the film. Subsequently, Sonu was planning it with Akshaye Khanna, but the latter was busy with The Accidental Prime Minister and flew to London in a tearing hurry telling all his other producers that he would revert at a later date.

“Considering that Akshaye was recently seen as a cop in Mom and Ittefaq, the team thought it would be interesting to see him in such a role,” says a source.

Even as Sonu was putting together his film, came the news of Shotgun Shaadi being made with Sidharth. In the subsequent weeks, the former bagged Rohit Shetty’s Simmba, which stars Ranveer Singh in the title role. “Sonu is currently working on Paltan and Kangana Ranaut’s Manikarnika - The Queen Of Jhansi. Next month, he will begin shooting for Simmba. He also has committed time for the promotions and marketing of these films. He didn’t want to rush and make Sarvggun Sampanna to release it first. So, he decided to let this pass and plan another film with a fresh subject instead,” says our source.

The actor-producer isn’t the only one who has to abort a project because someone else is also making a film on the same subject. A few months ago, Ajay Devgn changed his mind about making a movie on the Battle Of Saragarhi, after Akshay Kumar started Kesari with producer Karan Johar.