Showing posts with label Siddharth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Siddharth. Show all posts
While we’ve not done sorties in the sky, we did taxiing procedures in the MiG-Siddharth
9:16 AM
Siddharth says he approached ‘Operation Safed Sagar’ as a human interest drama that examines how the Indian Air Force’s mission affected the officers and their families
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; August 1, 2026)
Intent is the soul of every story told. And it’s that very intent that drew Siddharth to Operation Safed Sagar, also starring Jimmy Shergill and Abhay Verma. The Netflix series might be about the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) mission during the 1999 Kargil War, but to the actor, it’s more about the inner lives of the young officers who fought the battle.
Recalling his reaction when he read the script of the Abhijeet Singh Parmar and Kushal Srivastava creation, Siddharth told mid-day, “A lot of research had been done with a good heart and intent. By the time it came to me, it was very clear that it’s not a show about war. It’s not a show about action, or dogfights, or bravado in disguise. Those are elements of the story. But for me, it’s a human interest story. The individuals, their families, what the war did to them and what they did to change the course of the war is what Operation Safed Sagar is about.”
According to the actor, now is the right time to tell the story about the world’s highest aerial operation fought by the IAF. Why? Because of what long-format storytelling affords, he reasoned.
“We have not gone screaming about a crazy action [mission]. We’ve gone into understanding that there were young boys who went into battle for specific reasons. The altitude it happened at, the political climate at the time, the diplomatic situation on both sides of the border — [these factors] make it a layered story. Today we have the luxury of making something so detailed, thanks to long-format storytelling.”
For Siddharth, sitting in an MiG was an experience he had never dreamt of. “While we’ve not done sorties in the sky, we did taxiing procedures. [At such times,] you suffer from imposter syndrome because you’ve not done anything to deserve this honour. But the [IAF] trusted us; they gave us enough time and resources to do the research,” he shared.
The spirit of ‘Rang De Basanti’ (2006) could be felt in the student protests that ran across the country till July 25. Siddharth, who was part of the iconic movie, hopes that ‘Operation Safed Sagar’ too has a similar impact. “My hope is that in 20 years, you’ll be celebrating [this show] the way you celebrate ‘Rang De Basanti’. It will inspire young people to do good things,” he said.
Dia Mirza on Nadaaniyan backlash: "I feel there’s a culture of ‘eat the privilege’, which is harsh"
8:21 AM
Roopa Radhakrishnan (BOMBAY TIMES; April 3, 2025)
While she started her film journey as a background dancer in the Tamil film En Swasa Kaatre (1999), Dia Mirza hasn’t acted in any Tamil film so far. “I have no idea why I haven’t done a Tamil film yet; I would love to work here,” states the Bollywood actress, who was recently in Chennai. She speaks to us about her wish to be part of Tamil films, making her debut in Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (RHTDM) alongside Madhavan, the backlash against her recent film, Nadaaniyan, and more…
‘OPINIONS SHOULDN’T BE EXPRESSED AT THE COST OF SOMEBODY’S MENTAL HEALTH’
Addressing the backlash directed at Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor for Nadaaniyan, Dia, who was also a part of the film, states, “I have never been in favour of personal attacks and find them extremely disrespectful. Everyone is free to have an opinion, but it shouldn’t be expressed at the cost of somebody’s mental health. I’ve been concerned, especially for the younger actors, about the harshness of what’s being said. I feel there’s a culture of ‘eat the privilege’, which is harsh, because people have their own stuff to deal with.”
‘MANI RATNAM SIR CHANGED MY PERCEPTION OF STORYTELLING’
Sharing about her recent interaction with director Mani Ratnam, Dia says, “Mani Ratnam sir is one of my all-time favourite directors. We were recently on a flight together, and I was awestruck by him. I went up to him and said, ‘I don’t want to lose this opportunity to tell you how much I admire you.’ It was interesting to see how awkward he is with praise. His cinema impacted my childhood and influenced my perception of storytelling.”
‘I HAVE A DEEP REGARD AND RESPECT FOR ARVIND SWAMI SIR; SIDDHARTH IS PHENOMENAL’
The actress was part of IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack that featured actor Arvind Swami. Speaking about him, she says, “I didn’t get to share a scene with Arvind (Swami) sir, but I have a deep regard and respect for him. He is a phenomenal artiste. Another artiste I admire from here is Siddharth, who is phenomenal. I watched Chithha, a film he produced and acted in, and what a powerful film it was! The entire cast was so compelling.”
‘NAGARJUNA SIR WAS WARM, KIND AND ACCESSIBLE’
Dia is also all praise for actor Nagarjuna, who acted opposite her in her Telugu debut, Wild Dog. “COVID-19 had just started when we did the film, and we were all terrified. But Nag sir made the experience very easy, which says a lot about him. It can be extremely intimidating when you are working with a superstar, but he was the most accessible co-actor. He was so warm and kind. I also spent a lot of time with Amala ma’am. I’ve always admired her and love the work that she’s done for animal care,” she shares.
‘MY IDEA OF SUCCESS WAS CONNECTED MORE TO BOX OFFICE’
Speaking about how her idea of success has changed over the years, Dia says, “When I started out, my idea of success was connected more to box office and material gains. Over the years, I’ve realized that success is about showing up every moment with preparedness and an understanding of the medium that you are a part of. It’s about being able to offer your best self to the opportunity.”
‘As a teenager, I had the biggest crush on Maddy’
Talking to us about her first film, a remake of the Tamil film Minnale, which starred Madhavan and was directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, Dia shares, “Working with them was wonderful. I would attribute a big part of the love the film continues to receive to Harris Jayaraj’s music. Zara Zara (Vaseegara in Tamil) evokes an indescribable feeling. I’m still in touch with Maddy, but not with Gautham sir. As a teenager, I used to watch Maddy’s TV shows and had the biggest crush on him.”
Nowadays, women are influencing music industry, unlike in the past-Shilpa Rao
2:48 PM
Roopa Radhakrishnan (BOMBAY TIMES; February 7, 2025)
“As an artiste, it’s beautiful to see the audience connect with your music. Everything we create is for them, and when they sing and vibe along with us, it feels like everything has come full circle,” shares Shilpa Rao, who has kicked off 2025 with Edho Pesathaane, a melody she has sung with actor Siddharth for the movie Bun Butter Jam.
Interestingly, the song marks actor Vijay Sethupathi’s debut as a lyricist! In an interaction with us, the Kaavaalaa singer shares how women are influencing the music industry these days, why she wants to keep pushing boundaries and her preference for in-person recordings over virtual ones. Excerpts:
‘THINGS ARE SLOWLY BUT SURELY CHANGING FOR FEMALE SINGERS’
As a female artiste, one of the most important changes I have noticed is the greater exposure and opportunity for women in this field. When I started out, there were fewer places where women’s voices were given importance. I’ve noticed a change towards the breakdown of stereotypes over time. Things are slowly but surely changing for female singers. I hope we continue to move towards a space where stories and narratives are created that are fair and beneficial for all genders. These days, women are leading, creating, and influencing the music industry in ways that were uncommon in the past.
‘Vijay Sethupathi and Siddharth are incredible; I admire their work’
I didn’t get the chance to meet both Vijay Sethupathi and Siddharth while working on this particular song, but I’ve met them earlier, and those were memorable experiences. They are very knowledgeable, and our conversations covered topics like music, art, acting, and even food. We talked about how art has the power to bring people together emotionally, and they shared their thoughts on storytelling and how every form of art ultimately aims to connect with the audience. They are incredible artistes whose work I admire.
‘I CHOOSE TO SING A SONG IF I CONNECT WITH THE TUNE’
My process for choosing a song is very simple. I listen to the tune, and if I connect with it, I decide to go ahead. That’s exactly what happened with Edho Pesathaane. I will never forget the experience of recording it. Composer Nivas K Prasanna and I discussed the feelings expressed in Vijay Sethupathi’s lyrics, as it was more important to feel every word and allow that passion to resonate in my voice.
‘I WANT TO KEEP PUSHING BOUNDARIES WHILE STAYING TRUE TO MY ROOTS’
My current aspiration is to continue evolving as an artiste and explore new musical landscapes. I want to collaborate with diverse talents, experiment with different genres, and create music that deeply connects with listeners. Beyond that, I want to contribute to the growth of the music community by supporting emerging artistes and sharing what I’ve learnt over the years with them. I want to keep pushing boundaries while staying true to my roots, ensuring my music continues to inspire and resonate with people across generations.
‘IN-PERSON RECORDINGS PROVIDE A DYNAMIC ENVIRONMENT’
There is a huge difference between virtual and in-person recordings. I prefer recording in the studio with the composer and the music team. These recordings provide a dynamic environment as everyone, be it the engineer, producer, or composer, participates and exchanges ideas in real time. It encourages a more natural flow of creation. You can start experimenting, adjust your emotions, and work together to figure out what suits the song best.
I’d be a bigger star, but I rejected roles that needed slapping women-Siddharth
8:03 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (January 30, 2025)
Siddharth shared candid insights about his career choices during a conversation with singer-author Vidya Rao, his mother-in-law, at a literary festival held in Hyderabad recently. Addressing the evolving discourse around feminism, the actor, who tied the knot with Aditi Rao Hydari last year, opened up on the challenges he faced for choosing to stand up for gender equality.
“Firstly, I must confess I not only identify as a feminist, but I also identify as a feminist ally. And I’ve done this my whole life. We live in a world where the word feminism has become a trigger word. In fact, it’s become an abuse,” remarked the Rang De Basanti actor.
Reflecting on how his refusal to take up roles that glorified aggression and misogyny may have affected his box office standing, he revealed, “I used to get scripts where I’m slapping women, doing item songs, pinching somebody’s navel, telling a woman what she should do, where she should go, etc. I rejected them outright. Of course, I might be a far bigger movie star to day if I was differently wired.”
For him, success isn’t just about stardom, but about staying true to his beliefs. “Today, people tell me I was respectful to women, I was good to parents, I was good with kids, and I looked cute. Their kids can watch my films from 15 years ago,” he added, stating that such appreciation feels more fulfilling than charting at the box office.
Ninety percent of the words I speak to Aditi Rao Hydari are ‘sorry’-Siddharth
8:54 AM
Newlyweds Siddharth and Aditi Rao Hydari spilled the beans on their nok-jhonk, inside jokes and lovers’ tiffs in a recent interview
HINDUSTAN TIMES (September 19, 2024)
On Monday, September 16, actors Aditi Rao Hydari, 37, and Siddharth, 45, gave a sweet surprise to their fans as they dropped their wedding pictures on social media. The couple looked lost in love in the ethereal setting of the ceremony that took place in a 400-year-old temple in Wanaparthy, Telangana. Now, the newlyweds have spilled the beans about each other’s quirky habits, in a video interview with Vogue India on Tuesday.
Revealing who in the relationship is the first person to apologise and say sorry after a fight, Aditi said it was her. However, Siddharth showed disagreement to the claim, interjecting, “I do so many things wrong every five minutes. Ninety percent of the words I speak to her are ‘sorry,’ and the remaining 10 percent are ‘thank you’.”
In another revelation, Siddharth shared that Aditi wakes him up “against my wishes and without my consent”. She was seen countering the claim by reasoning that waking up with the sunrise is important. A begrudging Siddharth was seen clapping back playfully in the video: “I wake up reluctantly and in tears that my day has begun. Now, the one person in the world who relishes this moment, almost like taking candy from a baby, is this person (Aditi),” he said.
The couple, who fondly referred to themselves as “Mrs & Mr Adu-Siddhu” in carousels of loved-up pics that they posted for their wedding, met on the sets of the 2021 film Maha Samudram. Their romance began there, with rumours of a relationship beginning to do the rounds in 2022, which the couple confirmed in March this year, when they announced their engagement in social media posts.
I got to tick two names off my checklist with Indian 2-Rakul Preet Singh
2:25 PM
Roopa Radhakrishnan (BOMBAY TIMES; July 7, 2024)
“I am elated to be a part of such a legendary franchise,” says Rakul Preet Singh, who plays a major role in Indian 2, produced by A Subaskaran of Lyca Productions. The actress vividly remembers the impact the original Indian (1996) had on her.
“After watching it, I was like, ‘Wow, what a film’. It is one of those films that you remember for the kind of impact it had on society. I never imagined that there would be a sequel to that film and that I’d star in it. So, I’m just extremely happy to be part of such a grand film that could be the voice of the country,” she says.
Rakul is also elated that she got to tick two names off her wish list by working in the film, which is set to hit screens on July 12. “When you become an actor, there’s a checklist of people that you want to work with one day. With Indian 2, I got a chance to work with two of those people – Kamal Haasan sir and Shankar sir! I admire the work ethic of both these stalwarts in their respective spaces. On the first day, Kamal sir’s prosthetics makeup took four to five hours. We were shooting in the outdoor heat of Chennai. We were sweating without wearing any prosthetics, but Kamal sir went about it calmly. A person of that stature doesn’t need to take on so much hardship at this point in his career, but he’s pushing the boundaries with his work and that too with a happy smile,” she gushes.
She calls Shankar “a delight to work with”. “He has such clarity of thought. It’s not easy to handle so many people and such huge sets, but the calm and composed attitude with which he goes about it is just amazing,” she says.
The actress is all praise for her costar Siddharth, who she’s paired with in the film “We all know that he is a talented actor. Otherwise, it’s not easy to complete two decades in an industry that is so cutthroat. He is an extremely easy person to work with, as he is friendly, enthusiastic and always happy,” she says.
‘I relate to my character a lot’
“My character in the film is that of a headstrong and focused girl. She is very sorted and clear about what she wants. She voices out whatever she feels. I relate a lot to her because parts of her are also how I am in real life,” says Rakul.
Aditi Rao Hydari ties the knot with Siddharth in Telangana?
9:01 AM
Priyanka Goud (BOMBAY TIMES; March 28, 2024)
Speculation about actors Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth’s secret wedding made headlines yesterday, with reports of the couple tying the knot at Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Wanaparthy, Telangana, spreading like wildfire in the morning. While there was no official confirmation from either Aditi or Siddharth, the word in Wanaparthy is that the couple did tie the knot.
According to a resident, “The wedding ceremony was an intimate affair held between 4 am and 9.30 am. The temple was closed to visitors from the evening before. Rituals were conducted by priests from Tamil Nadu. The temple trustee handled all the arrangements.”
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HINDUSTAN TIMES (March 28, 2024)
Actor-couple Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth have reportedly gotten married. They tied the knot at a temple in Telangana on March 27 in an intimate ceremony that saw only close friends and family in attendance.
Aditi and Siddharth got married at Srirangapur’s Sri Ranganayakaswamy temple in Wanaparthy district, according to a GreatAndhra report. Aditi’s family has a special connection with the wedding venue as the actor’s maternal grandfather was the last ruler of Wanaparthy Samsthanam. The priests were called in from Tamil Nadu to officiate the ceremony as Siddharth’s roots are from there.
Rumours of their romance started swirling after the duo worked together in the 2021 Tamil-Telugu film Maha Samudram. Aditi was previously married to actor Satyadeep Misra (2009-2013).
We also tried reaching out to the couple individually but received no response, neither was an official statement put out by the couple till the time of going to press.
There was a plan to screen the film in Bengaluru, but it got cancelled-Siddharth
4:02 PM
Day before Karnataka bandh, the Tamil actor was addressing media when protesters disrupted the event. Sid addressed the same on Insta
Sridevi S (BOMBAY TIMES; October 2, 2023)
What happened?
On Thursday evening, a day before the Karnataka bandh, during a press conference of actor Siddharth, a few members of a pro-Kannada organization protesting over the Cauvery water-sharing issue between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka barged in and disrupted the event. They questioned the organizers about hosting the screening of a film starring a Tamil actor (Chithha).
In fact, before the disruption, Siddharth, who has dubbed for the film in Kannada, was addressing the press in Kannada. The actor maintained his silence throughout the disruption, and then thanked the press with folded hands, in Kannada, for their support before walking out mid-way.
The incident has led to backlash from Tamils on social media. Some even posted about ‘providing similar treatment to Kannada films releasing in Tamil language in the next few months’.
What Sid said...
Speaking about the incident during an Insta-live session, Siddharth said, “I’d screened my film to many, including the media, in Kochi and Chennai. There was a plan to screen the film in Bengaluru, and host a similar show for Kannada actors that night. I had also plans to show the film to about 2,000 students ahead of the release. But everything was cancelled as a mark of respect to the bandh. We incurred a huge loss, but beyond that, it was disappointing that we couldn’t share a good film with people there,” he said.
“You all saw what happened there. It happened in front of many cameras. I don’t want to talk about it. When the film is getting a good response, I don’t want to talk about anything to distract the attention. There’s no relation between my film and the issue. I believe my social responsibility will show up in the films I make spending my money,” he concluded.
I ASSURE YOU, IT WON’T HAPPEN AGAIN: SHIVA RAJKUMAR
Posting a video, Shiva Rajkumar said, “On behalf of my industry, I would like to apologize to Siddharth. I’m deeply saddened by the incident and I assure you, it will not happen again. Kannadigas are warm-hearted and good people. They love all films and languages. Kannadigas are known for embracing diverse cinema.”
TROUBLING ARTISTS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED: PRAKASH RAJ
Taking to X, Prakash Raj wrote: “Instead of questioning all the political parties and its leaders for failing to solve this decades old issue.. instead of questioning the useless parliamentarians who are not pressurizing the centre to intervene.. Troubling the common man and Artists like this can not be accepted.. as a Kannadiga .. on behalf of Kannadigas. Sorry #Siddharth (sic).”
The truth behind celebs getting papped
2:26 PM
We decode the spotting culture, as paps reveal how they know whereabouts of celebrities
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 16, 2022)
Click, upload. Click, upload. Be it outside a gym, airport or cafe, social media feeds are filled with celeb spottings 24*7. Stories are weaved just by viewing these snaps and reels — fashion, dating life, body language, pretty much everything makes it to news headlines, too. But is there any magic mantra by which the paps get to know about the whereabouts of celebs? Here’s an explainer by three popular paparazzi: Viral Bhayani, Yogen Shah and Manav Manglani.
‘WE KNOW CAR NUMBERS BY HEART’
Most of the time, Manglani says, they research to track celeb movements, usually around their movie releases. “We know that the stars will come out to promote their project, we know where they are shooting, we know their car numbers by heart. And the PR managers also tell us where the celebs will be at what time,” Manglani tells us.
Meanwhile, Shah says the restaurant spottings happen on the tip of the owners of the joints: “The day the actors get to know that these things are happening, they will stop going to that restaurant.”
‘SPOTTING KAR DO, PAISA LE LO’
“We have to chase the big celebs. The others call you to pap them,” says Bhayani, adding that sometimes it gets overwhelming for them. He adds that many non-A-listers, too, call them up and say, “Humari spotting kar do, paisa le lo”.
A well-placed source also reveals, “Big celebs don’t care about spottings. But others use this as a tool through which corporate heads notice them, and pay them for favours.”
TOP OF THE ‘PAP’ CHAIN
Bhayani shares that these days, a lot of “producers also put pressure” to snap actors who are part of their movies “to increase project visibility”. Whose spottings are most in demand? “Actors Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Alia Bhatt, TejRan (Tejasswi Prakash and Karan Kundrra) and Shehnaaz Gill. Rakhi Sawant involved in some banter or Uorfi Javed doing something crazy are also in demand. And as for who people don’t want to see, even at the airports — most senior, prolific actors,” he says.
PRESS ‘DELETE’ PLEASE!
Have stars ever asked you to delete pics? “We are very pally with celebs now. But until a few years back, it used to happen a lot. Like an actor exiting a maker’s office would say, ‘Please let announcement happen first’. But we also don’t click celebs who don’t want us to, like actor Siddharth (who threatened the paps when they clicked him exiting the same salon as rumoured girlfriend, actor Aditi Rao Hydari),” Manglani concludes.
Kamal Haasan’s Indian 2 back on floors after being stuck in production limbo for two years
8:39 AM
M Suganth (BOMBAY TIMES; August 27, 2022)
The shoot of director Shankar’s Indian 2, starring Kamal Haasan in the lead role, was halted in March 2020, following a fatal accident on the set, and the lockdown imposed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Later, disagreements over the budget of the sequel to the 1996 blockbuster between Shankar and the producers resulted in the film getting stuck in production limbo, with some even wondering if the project had been dropped.
Earlier this June, following the success of Haasan’s Vikram, actor, producer and politician Udhayanidhi Stalin had announced that he and the producers of Indian 2 had discussed the possibility of restarting the film. Shankar has resumed the shoot of the film on Wednesday.
“Good morning Indians, we are glad to announce that the remaining shoot for Indian 2 is commencing today! Need all of your support and wishes (sic),” tweeted the Endhiran filmmaker.
“While Haasan will be joining the team in September, some of the other stars, including Kajal Aggarwal (who is returning to films after the birth of her child in May), Siddharth and Priya Bhavani Shankar, will resume work in the next four days,” reveals a production source.
Siddharth has the power to express just through his eyes-Parvathy Thiruvothu
7:46 AM
South star Parvathy on her 'jugalbandi' with Siddharth as they team up for 'Navarasa'
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; July 26, 2021)
It’s a rare cinematic treat to see South stars Siddharth and Parvathy — fierce performers on screen and free thinkers off it — share a frame. Their “jugalbandi”, as Parvathy calls it, will soon be evident in Navarasa, Netflix’s anthology that studies nine different human emotions through its nine stories. The actors are set to headline Inmai, directed by Rathindran R Prasad, which has the theme of fear.
“Siddharth has the power to express just through his eyes. He could be still, but I would be able to feel what he is [trying to say]. That made my job much easier,” says Parvathy, recollecting her virtual prep with the Jigarthanda actor that began late last year after the project was announced. “It was a great jugalbandi. Siddharth and I did several Zoom calls before we came on the set. Our shift from the virtual world to the physical world [was seamless]. We slid into the shoot with zero friction.”
From actors Revathy, Vijay Sethupathi and Suriya to filmmakers Karthik Subbaraj and Gautham Vasudev Menon, the brightest talents of the South Indian film industry are attached to the project. Revered filmmakers Mani Ratnam and Jayendra Panchapakesan have brought them together for the project that has a noble cause at its heart — to raise funds for the film industry workers who were hit hard by the pandemic. Happy to do his bit for the fraternity, Siddharth says Prasad has woven an intriguing tale. “People’s curiosity will be [piqued] when they hear the word ‘Inmai’. It means something that is not there.”
I had offered Farhan Akhtar a role in Rang De Basanti-Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
3:52 PM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; January 13, 2021)
Farhan, who had gained considerable ground as a filmmaker and an actor, playing an array of urban characters, turned the narrative in his favour when he signed up to play Milkha Singh. The industry sat up and took note of the fact that he had more to offer as an artiste than had been explored up until then. Talking about the leading man of his upcoming film, Rakeysh says, “For me, he was always a complete actor. Yes, as an actor, there are roles that are made for you and some that may not be for you. But a good actor can get under the skin of any character. I had complete confidence in Farhan when we cast him for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. Deep down, my instincts had told me that he will elevate the role and take it notches higher. It turns out that he didn’t play Milkha Singh, Farhan Akhtar became Milkha Singh.”
It took Rakeysh and Farhan a few years to collaborate again for Toofaan. “This time, it was the other way around,” says the filmmaker, adding, “Farhan had a story in mind. It was written out. The screenplay had not been worked out till then. But when Farhan shared the thought with me, I liked it and we decided to work together on it.”
Rakeysh goes on to share an interesting anecdote about Farhan with us. “Not many know that I had offered him the role that went to Siddharth (south actor) in Rang De Basanti. Farhan was amused when I sent him the script. He was a new-age director with Dil Chahta Hai and Lakshya behind him. We would bump into each other at a club in Bandra. From my limited interactions with him, I could sense that he has an actor within. He’s always searching and is trying to get more out of himself in every film. This was 15 years ago. I had seen an actor in him right then.”
When I heard Escaype Live's story, I knew it was brilliant. It's like Black Mirror-Shweta Tripathi
8:12 AM
After Mirzapur 2, Shweta signs Escaype Live that explores dark side of social media
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 5, 2020)
As much as she would like to bask in the success of the second season of Mirzapur, Shweta Tripathi Sharma's date diary doesn't give her the opportunity. The actor has to dive into the make-believe world of Escaype Live that rolls in Umbergaon later this month. Evidently unwilling to let go of her character in the popular crime drama, she begins the chat saying, "I am excited to see where Golu [Gupta] goes from here. Her life can never be normal after what happened in the last two seasons."
For now though, Tripathi has to trade the lanes of Mirzapur for the dark world of social media. She teams up with South actor Siddharth for the 10-part technological thriller, which follows five youngsters as they attain overnight stardom on a live-streaming app. "When I heard this story, I knew it was brilliant. It's like Black Mirror; it [studies] how social media affects people psychologically and emotionally. We are exploring the good, bad and ugly side of social media. The Netflix film, The Social Dilemma, points out how we have become a commodity in this technology-driven world. We are influencers, but are also being influenced. If we are not cautious, we will lose sight of reality." The series marks her reunion with director Abhishek Sengupta after the second season of Laakhon Mein Ek.
Tripathi adds that through one of its tracks, the show wonderfully explores an unconventional romance. "We will delve into the subject of falling in love with a transgender man. The writing is so sensitive that it will make people look beyond class, caste and gender, and appreciate the human qualities in them. For me, messaging is important in a story."
South star Siddharth returns to Hindi entertainment with Escaype Live
7:56 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 3, 2020)
After making his Hindi movie debut with Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Rang De Basanti (2006), Siddharth has charted his Bollywood career judiciously, cherry-picking only two projects — Chashme Baddoor (2013) and Leila (2019) — in the interim. Now, the South star is set to return to Hindi entertainment with the 10-part tech thriller, Escaype Live. The web series, created by TV producer Siddharth Kumar Tewary, traces five youngsters who use a popular live-streaming app that promises overnight fame and fortune, in a bid to escape their mundane lives.
Through its protagonists, the show — written and co-directed by Tewary — explores the impact of the internet and social media on the youth. "I pick projects that I instinctively relate to; the script has to move me. Siddharth and Abhishek Sengupta [co-director] have built the story such that it honestly depicts Indian youth's affinity to the internet. I am excited about the scope of the show and how it will present me to the Hindi audience," says the actor.
The series, which will eventually be sold to a digital platform, is slated to go on floors mid-October at Swastik Bhoomi Studio in Umbergaon. Though he understands that shooting amid the Coronavirus pandemic comes with its share of responsibilities, Siddharth is happy to dive into work. "We need to do our bit while ensuring that we adopt every necessary safety protocol," he states.
Wisdom and love are what we all need at this time of #CoronaCrisis-Kamal Haasan
7:55 AM
Suganth M (BOMBAY TIMES; April 23, 2020)
Many musicians and celebrities have come out with songs during the ongoing lockdown. And today, Kamal Haasan is all set to release the Tamil song, Arivum Anbum, which will be “a song of hope, positivity and love in these testing times”. Kamal has written and sung the song, apart from directing its video, which features several South Indian artistes. We talked to the actor-director about why he chose to make this track, composed by Ghibran. Excerpts...
As a politician, you have been vocal in expressing your views about the Coronavirus pandemic. So, what made you make a song as well?
There is a certain psychiatry in music. We, as children, are trained to become peaceful with music, and this starts with the mother’s lullaby. It might sound funny, and at times, it doesn’t even have lyrics, but it instills peace and calm in the child. It lulls them into calmness and that is the idea of the song.
What does the song address?
It will tell you what we can be, what we have already been… it’s a reminder and an anthem of hope. We need it now because we are worried about what will happen next. Things are going to change and we will have to convince ourselves that we can adapt. The song is a reminder of what we are capable of. This virtual collaboration has made me proud of my tribe, not just locally, but internationally... the tribe of artistes who are doing so much. And this is just the beginning.
At a time when the less-privileged are facing an existential crisis, do you think that it is possible to spread positivity and hope through a song?
I have my own way of calming my people, who have been neglected. This may definitely not feed them, but in case they are lonely and living in dire conditions, somewhere, this piece of music will help them stay positive.
Is the title of the song, Arivum Anbum, your way of saying that love and wisdom will be constant in the face of such a calamity?
I believe in the ‘meme’ — not what you see in trolling, but memory. Genes might get diluted over a span of generations, but a sincere saying/thought will live for thousands of years. Hence, Arivum, meaning wisdom and intelligence, and Anbum, meaning love, which are all-encompassing words, are what we need at the time of such a crisis.
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KAMAL’S COLLABORATORS
The celebrities who have collaborated on this song include Anirudh, Ghibran, Shruti Haasan, Siddharth, Shankar Mahadevan, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Andrea Jeremiah, Bombay Jayashri, Sid Sriram, Mugen Rao, Devi Sri Prasad and Lydian Nadhaswaram.
Coronavirus lockdown: Kamal Haasan set to release anthem, which he has written, sung and directed
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Kamal Haasan on writing, singing and directing a song that features several leading South Indian artistes and will be out on Thursday
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 22, 2020)
Amid the lockdown, Kamal Haasan is doing his bit by providing food, milk and vegetables to those in need, reaching out to even the most remote villages. “I am barred from going out of the house because of my age, but there are people in my party who are helping me take essential items to the needy,” says the 65-year-old actor-turned-politician, adding that he is also keeping his creative side active by “writing a script with a friend of mine,” but refuses to get into the details.
Meanwhile, Haasan has written and recorded a song titled “Arivum Anbum” which talks about hope, positivity and love during these trying times. It is composed by Ghibran and the music video which he has also directed, features actors, singers and composers, including Anirudh Ravichander, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Devi Sri Prasad, Shankar Mahadevan, Shruti Haasan, Bombay Jayashri, Siddharth, Lydian, Andrea, Sid Sriram and Mugen besides him.
“Any artiste sitting idle wants to do something today. I had angst and anger to vent, which led to this song. We wanted to create an anthem,” the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awardee states, agreeing that music is important for mental health as well. “It is not just a healer, but also a teacher. It’s easy to remember; there’s a reason why film songs are so popular. Chants assist our memory.”
If I have to get work by keeping quiet, I don’t need that work-Siddharth
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Suganth M (BOMBAY TIMES; December 29, 2019)
It’s been an eventful year for Siddharth; 2019 marked his transition from boy-next-door to an action hero in the South industry and the actor has also been in the news for voicing his opinion on various social and political issues. In a candid chat, the actor, who has been a part of Bollywood films like Rang De Basanti (2006) and Chashme Baddoor (2013), talks about being vocal on social media and shifting gears in his career. Excerpts:
Based on your interviews and social media posts, you are seen as someone forthright, who believes in voicing his opinion on various social and political issues. Have you always been like this?
Yes, nothing about me has changed. It’s unfortunate that we are living in such a dark time when every day, something happens that makes your blood boil and you can’t believe it’s happening in the India you grew up in. So, it has more to do with the India that I’m living in right now than my personality or my films.
Aren’t you worried about the impact this attitude might have on your profession?
If I have to get work by keeping quiet, I don’t need that work. I have got so much from cinema. I’m also at an age where I’m not 21 years old, right? So, I’m not worried about being called a kid who’s speaking too much. I’d feel guilty if I don’t speak out. I don’t want to be the quiet majority of this country. I’m very fortunate that God and this country have given me a lot. If a person in privilege like me doesn’t speak out, then what’s the fate of the country? It’s my personal choice. I’m not lecturing anybody on how to live their life. I don’t know any other way to live my life.
So far, I have not had any problems because of voicing my opinions in my career. I don’t think I will have any now either. Because that’s not how I’ve got all my films. If I’d made any compromises and tried to get work, then, I might have to say, ‘Things are going good, so why rock the boat?’
But has anyone from the South industry advised you to stay mum lest it affects your films?
I’ve done 30-plus films as an actor. I’ve worked in five languages. I produce my own films. I never depended on the permission of the industry to be in it. That’s why I’ve only done the films that I’ve wanted to do. And, I don’t think I’m taking a stand or a tone that’s unreasonable or disrespectful. I’m just speaking out as a voting, tax-paying citizen, as somebody who is genuinely concerned over what’s happening in my state and country. I’ve not built my career on a certain kind of behaviour. So, till now, not even one person in the industry has asked me to remain silent.
What about political aspirations?
I don’t aspire to be a politician. People who talk like me cannot be in politics. For that, you have to be more diplomatic and know how to say the right thing at the right time. I know how to speak the truth and I do that. If I don’t speak out, I’d feel guilty
After Sivappu Manjal Pachai and Aruvam, even Takkar, seems to have you in an ‘action hero’ role. Is this a conscious decision?
If I keep selecting films according to my exposure, intelligence and world view, I’m alienating a lot of people. For a few years, my way of planning my career was keeping myself as the benchmark and selecting what films I want to watch. The idea was to not dominate in the business but participate in it. Now, there are certain scripts that I want to do over the next 5-10 years, which may need bigger budgets. And to get those budgets, I need to play a certain kind of role to get an extra kind of audience for my films. I have looked back at history and tried to see how the actors who I grew up loving, did it. As an actor you keep evolving, though your core personality remains the same. I’ve always fought to be called an actor and not a hero because I want people to clap for what my character does in the film. That’s why it’s taken me a long time to accept this kind of commercial cinema. But, as I said, I need to be a little more dominant.
Even Rekha ji didn’t have full-length role in Muqaddar Ka Sikandar-Rakul Preet Singh
8:26 AM
Rakul Preet Singh explains why screen time is inconsequential to her, promises more releases in the coming year and talks about being single in the city
Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 5, 2019)
Marjaavaan is your fourth film since your debut in Yaariyan five years ago. What makes you so selective?
I moved to Mumbai after the Miss India contest and landed Yaariyan. Two days after wrapping that, I rolled with my first Telugu film. Yaariyan took a year to release by when I’d signed three-four more Telugu films. Being young and naïve, I didn’t know I’d to live in Mumbai to get work here. I was to do M S Dhoni - The Untold Story, but the dates changed because of the length of Sushant’s (Singh Rajput) hair. Neeraj sir (Pandey, producer-director) offered me Aiyaary, before that opened, I’d got De De Pyaar De and before that released, I’d landed Marjaavaan. I moved to the city after De De Pyaar De and have already bagged four films.
Isn’t Marjaavaan a special appearance?
Milap (Zaveri, director) sold it to me saying, “This is my Rekha of Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, my Chandramukhi of Devdas.” Aarzoo is a tawaif of the ’90s with nazaaqat and shayari. I’ve grown up on characters like her but haven’t seen them lately. Arzoo has raw sex appeal as opposed to De De Pyaar De’s girl-next-door Ayesha. Plus, there are Milap’s bhaari bharkam dialogues. As for screen time, Rekha ji didn’t have a full-length role, neither did Tabu in Jeet. Even Chandramukhi was a supporting role. Yet, they are all remembered. I’d rather see a role for what it is than compare it with what it is not.
Didn’t you want Tara Sutaria’s lead role?
Both roles are great and different. If offered Zoya’s role, I’d have done it.
Buzz is, you’ve signed up Attack opposite John Abraham.
I’ve signed four films which will be announced by the month-end.
And you’ve started Shankar’s Indian 2 with Kamal Haasan...
Shankar sir is a visionary, always calm and knows exactly what he wants. Kamal sir is one of the finest actors, I feel blessed to work with them in a film.
When the first Indian released, you must have been six years old?
(Laughs) I saw it much later, after I started working in Telugu films. When I was a kid, Kamal sir’s Chachi 420 was a favourite. When working with those who know so much, you end up learning a little too, without much effort.
How nervous were you?
If it had been my first or second film, I’d have been nervous but now I’m more excited. I always wanted to do big films with big actors. I’m greedy, give me better co-stars, and I will do better.
It also has Kajal Aggarwal...
Kajal is in the flashback portions with Kamal sir. I’m with Siddharth, who plays the younger guy in the present.
Do you have a secret man tucked away?
In the last five years, I’ve been busy with 30 films, there was no time for romance. Had I met the right guy, I wouldn’t have turned him away, saying “Now, is the time to work.” Even my parents are complaining, “The whole world knows you’re single.” This Diwali, my mom told me to go party and find a guy for myself.
Rekha in Muqaddar Ka Sikandar; Rakul in Marjaavaan
My debut Hindi film was fun yet conveyed to everyone that I can act and fit in both worlds-Taapsee Pannu
7:49 AM
As told to Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 22, 2019)
I was working in films down South when I got a call from Mumbai. David Dhawan was remaking Chashme Baddoor and wanted to know if I would be interested in being a part of the film. They were looking for a girl like Preity Zinta for the role of Seema and going by the character sketch, Telugu director Puri Jagannadh recommended my name for the role. When I first met David sir in Mumbai, I wasn’t sure if I was in contention but by our second meeting, we had mutually agreed on the film and I was given an idea of the script, my scenes and my look. David sir had a particular look in mind and we experimented with my hair, clothes and styling. Our third meeting was in the city for the shoot.I was super excited because I was going to be speaking in my mother tongue on camera for the first time. Since I was entering the Hindi film industry, it took longer than the usual time to get ready as I was being extra cautious. Even after I was all prepped up, there was a long wait as I had to enter the scene at a certain point, Ali (Zafar), Divyenndu and Siddharth who played Siddharth, Omi and Jai respectively, were done with their lines. I think the scene came before the interval and I had just one short dialogue. I was already nervous and as I waited for my turn, my anxiety escalated. I have no clear memory of my first shot even though I remember everything that happened before and after it. I don’t usually look at the monitor, but on that day, the team insisted I check out my performance, hoping it would calm my nerves.
My family doesn’t usually accompany me on a film set either. I am an extrovert and the unit becomes my extended family. In this case as well, I went out of my way to be comfortable with everyone and vice versa. This, over the years, I’ve realised is the only way to remain sane and happy at work.
It took some time for it to sink in that I was actually doing a Hindi film because I had just stumbled upon the offer. So initially, though I was speaking my lines in Hindi, I was performing like it was a Tamil or a Telugu film. The approach is the same, but then, I told myself that this being my language, I could do much more with the scenes and slowly started to improvise, adding personal touches and giving unscripted reactions during the filming.
I think Chashme Baddoor was the perfect Bollywood launch for me. Had I started out with a film like Baby I would have landed up with only small supporting roles while a Pink would have typecast me as a serious and off-beat actress. My debut Hindi film was fun yet conveyed to everyone that I can act and fit in both worlds.
Rakul Preet Singh all set to romance Siddharth in Indian 2
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Lakshmi V (BOMBAY TIMES; July 24, 2019)
The cast of Shankar’s Tamil film Indian 2, starring Kamal Haasan in the lead, is getting bigger by the day. The film will now see Rakul Preet join the cast. The actress was recently seen in the Bollywood film De De Pyaar De with Ajay Devgn. Indian 2 also stars Kajal Aggarwal, Aishwarya Rajesh and Priya Bhavani Shankar.A source says, “Rakul was excited when she was offered the role because it’s a Shankar-Kamal Haasan combination. She will be paired opposite Siddharth in the film, and she will join the team from August.”
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