Saqib Saleem, who was in Ahmedabad recently along with his actress-sister Huma Qureshi to promote Baby Do Die Do, which he co-produced, says, “It is extremely difficult to release a female-led action thriller in theatres. It’s not because the audience doesn’t want to watch such films, but because of the gatekeeping within the industry. The people who decide what gets into theatres often don’t allow these films to be mounted and released properly. I feel Huma is a phenomenal actor. She has consistently proved herself with projects like Gangs Of Wasseypur, Delhi Crime and Maharani. So why should she still have to struggle to get a major theatrical film? Hasn’t she earned that by now?”

He adds, “I have produced two films before this, Double XL and Single Salma. Both were backed by studios and although the reviews and audience feedback were positive, neither film got a fair chance in theatres. They didn’t get enough screens or the right show timings. Even for our latest film, when a studio had certain unreasonable demands, I just decided to do this on our own and told Huma, ‘Let’s make this film, we’ll think about everything else later.’ I was blessed to have an incredible team. The vision behind our production house is to build an ecosystem where talented voices get the opportunities they deserve. We want to create a platform for people we truly believe in. I may not always make the biggest films, but I will give artistes the freedom to express themselves. I’ll create an environment where their voices are heard, because that’s often what’s suppressed in this industry.”

Talking about the responsibilities that come with producing films, he says, “As a producer, my responsibility is to make sure the film reaches the right theatres and gets the right number of shows. It’s not easy, but I believe audiences don’t think about whether a film comes from a studio or an independent producer. They simply want a good story and a unique film experience. I am glad that Main Vaapas Aaunga, which is very different from the kind of films that are considered commercially successful today, found its audience in the second week. It gives me hope and shows that people want to watch different, unique films and not just formula-driven cinema.”

He adds, “Producing a film is a completely different ball game from acting. Acting is a demanding profession, but as an actor, your focus is largely on your character, dialogues and performance. As a producer, however, everyone on the set looks to you for answers. You’ll meet plenty of people who will discourage you, but you need to believe in yourself, build a good team, work sincerely, and not let the outside noise affect you.”

Saqib, who has played cricket at the under-19 level, says the sport continues to influence the way he approaches filmmaking, “Even today, I’m a cricketer in my head. I still feel like I can play for India, and I don’t think that feeling will ever go away. I’ll always consider myself a sportsperson because cricket was my first love. Sports taught me that you start from zero every single day. For every new film, I have to start from zero. I can’t carry the baggage of my previous success.”

He adds, “That’s why I always relate filmmaking to cricket. Cricket is about building the right team and bringing people together to achieve one common goal. Producing is the same; my responsibility is to bring together the right people. I tell my directors, ‘I believe in your style. Make the film your way.’ Similarly, I choose actors who I believe are exceptionally talented. For instance, Sikandar Kher is a phenomenal actor. The same goes for Chunky Panday and Seema Pahwa. I like to cast actors who are immensely talented but haven’t always received the recognition they deserve. That includes Huma too; she’s a phenomenal actor. She has consistently proved herself with projects like Gangs of Wasseypur, Delhi Crime and Maharani. So why should she still have to struggle to get a major theatrical film? Hasn’t she earned that by now?”

"It feels like yesterday,” smiled Abhishek Bachchan, recalling his film debut 25 years ago with Refugee (2000). The première of Refugee, held at Mumbai’s iconic Liberty cinema, will remain an indelible, landmark moment. The evening marked that he was ready to follow in the footsteps of his successful parents, actors Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan, but more importantly, it signified the beginning of a new identity for him.  

 

The date of his first première is at the top of his mind: “June 29, 2000,” he rattled off. The mix of nervousness and excitement meant he “couldn’t sleep the night before the première.”

Première day dawned with light showers, and Abhishek believed it to be an auspicious omen. As evening fell, all roads led to Liberty cinema. Opened in 1949, the first film to debut at the theatre was Mehboob Khan’s Andaz, starring Dilip Kumar, Nargis, and Raj Kapoor. On this evening, one of Kapoor’s granddaughters Kareena Kapoor Khan was making her debut alongside another star kid from a legacy family.

At the première hosted by filmmaker J P Dutta, the Bachchan and Kapoor families were in attendance as was the who’s who of the industry. Abhishek shared, “I remember everyone [from the] film industry and the media was there. I walked in [and the first person] I met was Yash Chopra, who hugged me and gave me advice. I remember who was sitting next to me and how the show finished.”

Even as the show ended, the night had just begun for Abhishek, who went to celebrate his foray into Hindi cinema, with his friends. “We went to the Regal Room at the Oberoi Hotel. A dinner and party were hosted for the première. I was there until early in the morning with my friend Sikander [Kher].”

What he did next is the moment he remembers the most vividly. “While driving back at 7 am, we stopped at Marine Drive. I stood there for a while and took in the moment that I was going [to be an actor]. We also returned to Liberty to see if people had queued up to watch the film.”

That morning started the career of the actor, who would go on to have a long run at the movies; with memorable performances in Yuva (2004), Guru (2007), and Manmarziyaan (2018), among others, and who would foray into OTT before his peers did.  

Of course, that morning, Abhishek didn’t know any of this. All he had was one question: Is the audience liking his movie? He laughed as he recalled, “[Later in the day], I called Bebo and told her we should do theatre rounds [to gauge reactions]. We went to Gaiety-Galaxy and Chandan Cinema.”

Sikandar Kher, who has been in the business for nearly two decades, has done some significant roles, yet recognition has strangely evaded him.

In a candid chat with Bombay Times, the actor who recently received the Governor’s Award of Excellence from the state of West Bengal for his contribution to cinema, said, “It’s been 17 years that I’ve been working here as an actor, and it’s been great. I’ve experienced love, hate and even indifference in my career and that’s what makes this art truly addictive. I look at my journey and feel that I’ve kept learning, and sometimes the lessons have been painful. But that’s what’s shaping me and somewhere making me complete as a person.”

Sikandar won praise for his performance in Vasan Bala’s web film Monica O My Darling and had a pivotal role in the web show Aarya, headlined by Sushmita Sen. More recently, he was seen in Dev Patel’s directorial debut Monkey Man (which couldn’t release in India theatrically).

“I’ve had the privilege of working with some really terrific filmmakers that have contributed to my journey so far. I’m truly grateful for the mere fact that I get to continuously do what I love doing every day. Being busy as an actor is a blessing,” he shared.

The actor, who will soon be working with Sriram Raghavan in his forthcoming film Ikkis, says, “Sriram and I have been trying to work together for a while now and I’m glad it’s finally happening. I’ve always loved his language of cinema and been gripped and surprised while watching his films, he’s a maverick. Moreover he’s just a pleasure on set and that sets the energy for the entire crew.”

Set against the backdrop of the 1971 war, the film also stars Agastya Nanda.. Ask Sikandar whether the young actor reminds him of Amitabh Bachchan or Abhishek Bachchan, and he replies, “Agastya is respectful to everyone and has the right attitude towards his work. I can’t draw any comparisons to Mr. Bachchan nor Abhishek because he’s completely different. His energy, screen presence and aura are unique to him.”

It has been two weeks since Citadel: Honey Bunny dropped online. While the Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu-led spy thriller has received mixed reviews, the audience largely agrees on one thing – that Saqib Saleem is impressive as the antagonist KD. “It’s a little overwhelming when you don’t think of something too much and then that starts giving you love,” starts the actor, when we sit across from him for a chat.

He continues, "This is like a proper massy binge show. Which is why we started watching OTT, right? I had the most fun with the action. The action. Because as young boys, we've all grown up wanting to be action heroes, right? So when you get to do cool stuff, you really feel cool when you come back to your vanity van after you've done a scene. You feel exhausted, of course. But also just feeling like, ‘oh, I've done something awesome’. That child in you gets very happy.”

To him, joining the Prime Video series was a no-brainer as it gave him the opportunity to team up with director duo Raj-DK, who also co-wrote it with Sita Menon.

“What I really enjoyed about them is that they're very collaborative people. They give actors the respect that, hey, we've cast you for a part. You exactly know what you're supposed to do. We've cast you because you're good. And they're not one of those directors who tell you how you should act. They just set the scene for you well. And whenever you give some feedback to them, they're not very reactive people. So when you give them feedback, it may just feel like, did I say the right thing or did I make sense at all? But when the material comes back to you, you see traces of your discussion. This is why they are people who've done so much quality work. It's very heartening to see that even after having such success, you're so collaborative and wanting to hear what the other person has to say. We were an eclectic bunch. Kay Kay Menon is a masterclass. You will read a line on script and you're like, okay, we'll do it like this. But he just finds this new, organic way to do it. And he would surprise you so much with his performance. Both me and Varun, in fact, we used to just keep looking at him. He is so much in sync with himself and his craft. The beauty of Varun is his excitement and the fact that he is still the same man. He still committed. He still wants to do one more take and do better. You enjoy when people really want to work. He feels like if you're taking one more shot, he could do better. And that attitude, I really love it. Because he's also had an interesting body of work behind him. And he's had his share of successes. But that thing hasn't diminished in him. That he really wants to give his best. Then we had Samantha. Who I've met for the first time she's a firecracker. I have so much love and respect for her. Because of course she was going through what she was otherwise. But at no point that became an excuse. It was like this big set is here to do this action piece and we'll pull it off. So I genuinely learned that about her and how to just keep going. I made good friends with Sikandar on this. To a point that I asked him to act in a film that I was producing. Everybody came in with that mindset: let's have fun, let’s do good.”

We quote to him a video that’s going viral of him and Kay Kay. “I get at least 10 tags a day on social media somewhere. But I'm very happy, yaar, this is what I hear, right? Ki agar memes banne lag jaye toh somewhere the shows hit home.”

Clearly, shooting the series was a creatively satisfying experience for Saleem. Yet, things took a different turn when it came to the show’s promotions. The actor was absent from all the events, beginning with the trailer launch to pre-release promotions. It got the internet talking about the 2020 episode when Disney+ Hotstar announced its seven-film slate, but did not invite two of the films’ leading heroes Kunal Kemmu and Vidyut Jammwal for the virtual event. At the time, the two actors had spoken about the lack of level-playing field in the industry. Evidently, things haven’t improved despite the discourse.

Saleem explains, “If you talk about my absence from the trailer launch to the premiere, I'm a very simple guy. So when you see the trailer you see that, of course, there's a certain narrative that these guys - the makers and the creators want to take. And they feel like it's in the betterment of the show. When I saw the trailer, I'm like, okay, this is the narrative you want to take. I would like to clarify it's not like I wasn't invited for the trailer launch. I decided, okay, I'll only talk when you show the impact of my character. I can only talk there. I love myself and respect myself. And I've worked really hard to be in the position that I am. So I really respect that position. So it's okay if there's a narrative you want to follow. I don't want to come walk in there and be detrimental to that narrative. I want the show to fare well. I also don't want people to ask me, what are you doing in this? So I'm like, okay, whenever the show's out, it's better to talk then. So there's no grouse or bad blood or animosity or anything of that sort. Yeah, they took a narrative that they wanted to take. And whether I agree or don't agree, it doesn't matter because the team wanted to take it. I thought, okay, let's wait this one out. I'm very sure of what the impact of my part is. Let the show come out. And today, the show's release has been two weeks and I have been on calls since 8.30 am. Usually people disappear after the release happens, right? So I just thought, okay, let's try this route. Do I blame the world for it or I crib about it and say, oh, how unfair? Not really. I don't take things like that. I've moved on. I'm starting to do my next now. I don't try and be like, oh, the industry's such a bad place. It's unfair for the outsiders. It's unfair for everybody."

We bring up the nature of the systemic disadvantage at play here. It’s widely believed that the industry has its cliques, and if you don’t belong to one of them, you get sidelined.

Saleem reflects, “It's the way things work. A lot of people think about me that he's just a lazy actor. He doesn't work a lot. But to get each opportunity, you have to work really hard. So when things don't go as per plan as you thought that they would go with this opportunity. Does it feel bad? 100%. But it's just, I feel like there are two ways to look at life. One is to keep crying about how wrong I was. Like, okay, this happened to me. I tried this and this happened. Let me prepare better or do something different so that this doesn't happen to me again. I'm okay faltering. It’s not my mistake, but being in a situation. But can I avoid this going forward? Because it's going to be difficult. It's going to be very difficult with what you want to do. You want the whole country to love you. That's what you're aiming for, right? To make that happen, you'll cross several of these speed breakers. For the sake of your mental health, you say - nothing is easy in the world and see the positive side of it and start thinking about what to do next. I feel like everybody knows what they've signed up for. With the advent of OTT at least more voices are coming to the fore. Before this, when I came to Bombay in 2011, there was - either you did TV or films. And films were only options for theatrical films. Now, as an actor who's come from the outside, he's getting a chance to show his work to people, if the industry is still not wanting to see it. Do such work that the common man is saying, it's good. And if the common man is saying it's good, then somehow that will translate for more work. That's the only way. I don't wish this journey on anyone. I came here when I was 20. Right now I'm 36. It's been 16 years since I have reached this place. It's a very difficult road. On some days you feel am I doing the right thing? Because how you see yourself, a lot of people here don't see you. People always want to try to undercut you. That is the line of work we're in. They are always figuring, if he had this much last Friday, then he's worth this much right now. After a point, talent doesn't do much. No matter how good you are, it is a numbers game. So you focus on doing your bit and hoping people find you."

And people have. The actor cites the example of director Sudhir Mishra, with whom he is collaborating on a series. “It was therapeutic to work with Sudhir Mishra. He knocks on some interesting doors inside of you as an actor. He takes you to places and gives you the confidence the industry erodes from you,” says Saleem.

He is also producing films under the banner that he has rolled out with his actor-sister Huma Qureshi. “We’ve put together a couple of films that should release next year. I’m also developing a film for myself.”

While the Indian audience will have to wait for sometime before Monkey Man can make its way to theatres, Dev Patel’s maiden directorial venture is only a day away from its US release. On Wednesday, the action thriller had its premiere at the iconic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. Sobhita Dhulipala and Sikandar Kher, who play pivotal roles in the film, flew out on April 2 to attend the premiere.

Before heading to the US, Kher spoke to mid-day, expressing his excitement for the event. He said, “I am so excited to reunite with the entire cast and crew, and see the film together at the premiere. We got a phenomenal response at the SXSW [South by Southwest Film Festival] last month. Now, there is a sense of excitement for the film’s release.”

Kher and Dhulipala are staring at a hectic week ahead as they will begin press interactions today, followed by a team dinner. Over the next few days, the cast will travel across the US promoting Monkey Man.

Going by the early reviews, Patel has scored a winner with his directorial debut. The violent action thriller follows the journey of a man, portrayed by the actor-director, who embarks on a mission to avenge his mother’s death that was caused by corrupt leaders. His quest for vengeance takes an unexpected turn as he becomes a champion for the oppressed.

Actor, author, producer— Huma Qureshi likes juggling multiple roles. While the actor is happy at the positive response to the third season of Maharani, the producer in her has her hands full with Baby Do Die Do. Nachiket Samant’s directorial venture marks Qureshi and actor-brother Saqib Saleem’s second production after Double XL (2022). From what we hear, the film —starring her, Chunky Panday and Sikandar Kher — was wrapped up last month following a start-to-finish schedule in Mumbai.

So, what’s Baby Do Die Do all about? Sources tell us it’s a neo-noir crime comedy set in the underbelly of Mumbai. A source from the creative team reveals, “The film went on floors in December 2023 and principal photography was completed in February. Besides the principal characters, the cast includes Marathi theatre actors as Nachiket is a well-known Marathi director. Baby Do Die Do is a whodunnit set in the underbelly of the metropolis, where each character is grey and has ulterior motives. It’s quirky and smart, along the lines of Huma’s much-loved Monica O My Darling [2022].”

Through her production house, Qureshi wants to bring unheard stories to the fore—ranging from a meaningful film like Double XL that questioned body shaming, to a quirky movie like Baby Do Die Do.

“Huma and Saqib were excited when they heard the script, and immediately decided to back it. They loved how it’s a humorous take on everyday characters who find themselves dabbling in crime. The new producers have a content-first approach and this film aligned with their vision. Nachiket, who previously helmed Gachchi [2017] and Comedy Couple [2020], wanted to give it a realistic treatment. So, the movie was shot at real locations across the city, including in south and central Mumbai. Many scenes have been filmed on local trains with real commuters,” adds the source.

We hear the producer duo plan to take the film to the big screen before the year-end.

Dev Patel’s directorial debut Monkey Man is among the headlining movies at the South By Southwest Film Festival (SXSW), finding a spot alongside Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt’s The Fall Guy, Anne Hathaway’s The Idea Of You, and Jake Gyllenhaal’s Road House.

While the SXSW Film Festival kicks off in Austin on March 8, Patel’s revenge thriller will première on March 11. Sobhita Dhulipala, Sikandar Kher, Pitobash and Vipin Sharma are expected to join the actor-director for the event.

With the première, first-time director Patel will kick off the movie’s promotions that will continue well into its April 5 release. A source says, “Monkey Man, which revolves around a guy rising from the slums to protect the weak, is a story rooted and shot extensively in India. The makers are clear to position it as an Indian story, and the promotional plan will include all its cast members. In the weeks leading up to its release, Dev will also promote the thriller across India.”

The Jordan Peele production also stars Makarand Deshpande and Ashwini Kalsekar.

That too much of anything is bad, applies also to the deluge of digital content that came our way post the OTT boom in India, more so in the period following the pandemic. Earlier this year, according to a study by Accenture, 77% consumers in India admitted feeling overwhelmed by the number of streaming services to choose from. Additionally, 41% unsubscribed from at least one of the top five OTT platforms. With new shows and films dropping almost every week — the question is: could this explosion of content cause quality to suffer at the hands of quantity?

The Family Man and Scam 1992 actor Sharib Hashmi agrees. “This was bound to happen. We need to keep a check on the quality or else we’re going to dig our own grave. People take 10 minutes to discard content if they don’t like it because there are a thousand other shows and films to watch,” says Hashmi.

Echoing similar sentiments is Aarya and Monica O My Darling actor Sikandar Kher. He notes, “Quality and quantity have been such a subject of discussion over the world. You go to the West or anywhere — I’m sure tonnes of projects are being made, and not all of them will be of quality.”

India’s growing OTT base (353 million to 424 million; as per an Ormax report from 2022-end), signalling that demand exists, must be taken with a pinch of salt. With lavish promotional strategies and budgets to mount projects on, quality content — of the kind that once kicked off the OTT revolution — may not stand a chance.

Expressing this worry, actor Sunny Hinduja says, “Earlier, with fewer options, good shows got more attention. Now, there’s so much content that good stuff might go unnoticed if it’s not promoted well or doesn’t have famous people,” he says.

However, actor Pankaj Tripathi, the headlining star of one of India’s OG web series, Mirzapur, brushes off that fear: “Log dekh lenge. They decide within minutes what they like or don’t. Woh itne sab mein se achcha dhoondh lenge. Aur aisa nahin hai ki promote nahin hua toh log nahin dekhenge.”

Indeed, shows sans any big names have suddenly started finding themselves in limelight. It happened with Scam 1992 in 2020 and Kohrra has received similar acclaim since its release in July.

Actor Harman Baweja, who surprised everyone with his turn in Scoop this year, says that he has always believed good content can never get “buried”.

“Be it less promotions, lesser-known platforms or even lesser-known actors. Eventually, good content will always rise to the top. OTT gives opportunities to so much more talent, because, typically on the big screen, one looks at film economics, which work very differently,” he opines.

Rasika Dugal explained, “OTT is a thriving, competitive space. Every month, there is a new show, with new actors and directors. That, to me, is a sign of change. I think it’s a positive environment. It’s nice to see different genres.”

The brouhaha over censorship of web content and crackdown on intimacy on screen and strong language has left actor Sikandar Kher perplexed. The Aarya (2020) actor says, “I don’t think there should be any censorship. There can be ratings, like how they have it abroad — PG-13, 17 and so on. At the end of the day, you are an adult and should be able to make your own decisions around what you want to watch.”

But what of the contention that swearing and sex scenes might sometimes just be bunged in by makers to draw eyeballs? The 41-year-old responds, “When you watch something, you get to know whether people are giving gaalis for the sake of it or showing stuff just like that.” He adds that viewers wouldn’t watch a project if a certain element doesn’t contribute to its quality: “If it is all over the place, it wouldn’t manage to attract people.”

The Tooth Pari: When Love Bites actor is happy with the way one good project is leading to the other in the web space. Kher, who will star in the Indian version of Citadel, says, “I am dubbing for it. We have almost wrapped it up. Raj (Nidimoru, one half of the filmmaker duo Raj & DK) saw Monica O My Darling (2022) and called me to his office the next day to offer this role.”

The team of the Indian version of Citadel may be two schedules down since taking the series on floors in January, but director duo Raj-DK are now looking at its most critical leg. Come July, Varun Dhawan, Samantha and Sikandar Kher will begin the third stint, which includes filming the action sequences. But one has got to prep hard before having a face-off with the baddies.

Actors Dhawan and Kher are undergoing a three-week rigorous training programme with stunt coordinators from Hong Kong and Los Angeles, which will make them action-ready.

With a focus on hand-to-hand combat, weapon training, and overall physical fitness, the camp aims to equip the actors with the skills necessary to bring the action sequences to life. The boot camp was kicked off in Andheri last week.

A source reveals, “A team of four stunt coordinators is teaching Varun and Sikandar the execution of intricate action set-pieces, including bike stunts. They will also undergo ammunition training to familiarize themselves with different firearms, their safe handling and techniques. The spy thriller will have elaborate fight sequences, and Raj-DK felt the actors should be thoroughly trained beforehand, leaving no room for last-minute changes or errors during filming. First-aid experts and action analysts are also present. They closely monitor the sessions, assess potential hazards, and implement safety measures to create a foolproof environment during the imminent shoot.”

To ensure homogeneity in terms of the look, the Indian team has exchanged notes with action director James Young, who worked on the US version of Citadel, featuring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas.

Amazon Prime Video and the producers have apparently issued a strict no-phone policy at the training site. The source adds, “This has been put into place to ensure that all participants remain fully committed to their training. The boot camp goes on for almost eight hours a day.”

Leading lady Samantha, however, is not a part of the sessions since she is tied up with the promotions for Kushi. We hear her training has different specifications, and will be done at a later stage.

Returning to India after a shoot, Sikandar Kher intended to skim through the script of Monica O My Darling during the flight. But a few pages in, he was sucked deep into the quirky world of Vasan Bala’s neo-noir comedy.

“When I was in Indonesia shooting for a movie, Monica O My Darling’s casting team said Vasan wanted to talk to me. So, we had a Zoom call, he sent me the script, and I requested him to give me 10 days [to respond]. When I was flying back, I opened the script on my phone just to see what [it entailed]. In under an hour, I had finished reading the script on my phone,” laughs Kher, who plays Nishikant Adhikari in the Rajkummar Rao, Huma Qureshi and Radhika Apte-starrer.

On the surface, his character is an entitled, cold-hearted man, but the actor lent wit and irreverence to make him almost likeable. Kher, who has been nominated in the Best Supporting Actor: Film category for the mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards, says Bala gave him the freedom to shape his character the way he wanted.

“Vasan ropes in actors who can bring something to the character. He likes to be surprised by his actors. I figured that Nishikant is from a broken family, and is bitter that he has not gotten his due in the company. So, I [lent him an air of] disdain.”

Kher is glad that with projects like Aarya and the Netflix film, he has been able to prove his mettle as an artiste. “I’ve been acting for 16 years. I was hoping that this day would come at some point. [Monica] had a wide reach, and people enjoyed the film.”

Sikander Kher has been nominated in the Best Supporting Actor (Male): Film category for Monica O My Darling.

The other nominees are:

- Amit Sial (Qala)

- Anil Kapoor (Thar)

- Gajraj Rao (Maja Ma)

- Naseeruddin Shah (Gehraiyaan)

- Roshan Mathew (Darlings)

There are 16 categories that the public can vote in. Log on to www.radiocity.in/hitlistott to cast your vote.

Voting lines close on February 22.

The new year is all about work for Sikandar Kher, who has begun filming the third instalment of Aarya. As the actor joined Sushmita Sen and director Ram Madhvani on the set in Mumbai, he was welcomed by the team with a sweet note that referenced Al Pacino’s iconic lines from Scarface (1983): “The eyes, chico. They never lie.”

The note presumably hints at the impact that Kher made with his brooding act as Daulat, a man of few words.

Kher is naturally thrilled to return to the gritty world of the Disney+ Hotstar offering. “It is great to bring back a character I have lived with for two seasons,” says the actor.

Even though the cast may be intimately familiar with their characters, Madhvani ensured that they were thoroughly prepped before they faced the camera. “We did readings and workshops,” adds Kher.

In the crime drama, his character has had one of the most interesting graphs, going from a loyal bodyguard to the family’s patriarch, to becoming a pillar of support to Sen’s Aarya. He promises there will be surprises in the coming edition.

“Daulat has been evolving in the previous seasons. So, as the story progresses, new layers will be added, not just to my character, but to most of the principal players in the narrative.”

At a time when Bangalore had emerged as India’s Silicon Valley that had been churning out promising start-ups in the world of tech, the tale of four entrepreneurs taking the plunge into business had aptly caught people’s attention. With TVF (The Viral Fever) bringing back Pitchers for a second season, seven years after its first airing, mid-day has learnt that a new member hops aboard the Zee5 offering.

“Pitchers is an iconic show which should not have taken this long to return. But now that it is back and I am part of it, I could not have been more thrilled,” gushes Sikandar Kher, adding, “The show inspired many entrepreneurs, and I have immense respect for what the team has managed to achieve.”

This edition will also see Ridhi Dogra play a pivotal role.

Actor Sikandar Kher, who is currently single, says he wants to become a father soon.

“I want to be a father to a daughter. I believe that anyone who has a daughter is extremely fortunate. I think women are amazing. They are the strongest, provide stability and support in your life,” Sikandar says, adding that he has spent several days considering surrogacy.

So, what is stopping the 41-year-old? “Well, the thought of surrogacy has crossed my mind because so many people have had it done or are having it done. But my only thing is that a child needs a male and a female influence in their life. A female influence is very important for a person’s growth. Male energy is important as well, but it is different. The child should have someone like a mother too,” says the actor, who was last seen in Monica, O My Darling.

So, does that mean that Sikandar is seriously pondering the idea of getting married anytime soon, which is something his parents (actors Kirron and Anupam Kher) are often seen asking him on Instagram? And he says getting married is not as simple as it sounds.

The actor says, “A lot of the time, when there is an initial attraction, we mistake it for love. Love is companionship; fights bhi hongi, but when you wake up in the morning, and you will [still] be able to love that person [then that’s love]. There should be growth. It’s important to live together for a while before you commit to marriage.”

He jokes, “I want to get married once, pani puri thodhi khana hai.”

Meanwhile on the work front, Sikandar will soon begin filming for the third instalment of web series Aarya, which he is looking forward to.

The words of Vasan Bala, who billed Sikandar Kher as a ‘dynamic appearance’ in Monica O My Darling, seem to have taken an almost prophetic turn. The actor is being praised for his short but memorable role in the noir murder mystery. “It’s overwhelming. Every time I get an [appreciation] call or message, I am in a state of disbelief,” he beams.

While the actor forayed into movies in 2008, it is only in the past few years that he has earned credibility. But he has no regrets about the missed opportunities. “I don’t think I am getting my due after a long time because everyone has a different journey. All that matters is you keep getting work,” says Kher, who saw several dry spells in his career before his appearance in 24 (2016) won him audience’s love.

He followed it up with Aarya. “There have been times when I haven’t had work for one or two years. I look back at the time with gratitude because, at least, I didn’t have the stress of paying rent, or where my next meal would come from. These things teach you to value the love you get.”

Up next, he has the tentatively-titled Monkey Man, which sees him share screen space with actor-director Dev Patel.

Tried-and-tested is not quite Vasan Bala’s style. After the action comedy, Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota (2018), the director brings forth a neo-noir crime comedy with Monica O My Darling. For the Netflix film, he has rounded up an eclectic cast comprising Rajkummar Rao, Radhika Apte, Huma Qureshi and Sikandar Kher. The recently released teaser further built the intrigue around the movie, while giving little away about its plot.

Kher, who has evidently enjoyed his first brush with the genre, describes the film as a “totally entertaining” fare. “Monica O My Darling is a neo-noir crime comedy that shows the dapper style of thrillers and comedies. In Hollywood, there have been [noir crime comedies] like Pulp Fiction [1994], Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels [1998], The Talented Mr Ripley [1999], Catch Me If You Can [2002] and RocknRolla [2008]. These classics are untouchable. We have seen very few of them in Bollywood. This movie is like an homage to those classics,” states the actor.

Being a part of Bala’s quirky world is not easy. Kher says that his prep involved understanding the eccentricities and motivations of the characters. “The characters are all so nuanced that one cannot do justice to his part without getting an in-depth understanding of the other [roles]. Vasan has created such layered and colourful characters that getting into their skin was fun. We did multiple readings because everything is intricately interconnected [in the narrative].”

Pulp Fiction

Actor Sikandar Kher considers his father, veteran actor Anupam Kher, more of a friend than a parental figure. “My parents (actors Anupam and Kirron Kher) have always been there for me. My rapport with my father is more like that of friends. He is very positive and motivating,” the Aarya actor tells us.

The wisdom he receives from his father is invaluable to him. Calling Anupam an “institution in himself” as the actor completes 40 years in the industry, Sikandar adds, “He was an actor before he became my father. And for me, he will always be an actor first.”

Ask what inspires him the most about his father, and Sikandar says it is his courage and unconventional choices: “He was ahead of his time in many ways. At times, some of the roles he picked were characters that actors his age would have refrained from playing on screen... He has been witness to how the acting landscape has changed over the years.”

While the 40-year-old knows that his parents are always there for him, he avoids discussing work with them unless everything is finalised. “My father is not detached from my career, but my work is my work. I don’t discuss it with my parents until I have signed a project and started shooting for it, because things don’t always materialize. I always feel that they won’t take it well. They will feel low if that happens. So jab tak set pe nahin jata, I don’t tell anyone. That’s how the industry functions,” he says.

Sikandar, who made his debut in Woodstock Villa (2008), has been through many highs and lows professionally. After nearly 14 years in showbiz, he abides by a simple philosophy — which was also taught to him by his father. “The biggest and only advice I have got from him is, kaam karte raho, kaam se kaam milta hai. I truly believe in that,” he says, adding that the tough times taught him how “nothing is permanent”: “So, keep your head down, don’t lose hope and just keep at it. You have to keep reinventing yourself. That’s the truth and reality of life.”

Dev Patel can heave a sigh of relief. His maiden directorial venture, Monkey Man, which stars Sikandar Kher, Sobhita Dhulipala and him, has reached the finish line. The actor-director, who had flown down to India earlier this month, conducted the final stint in Mumbai last week.

A source reveals, “Dev had a patch-shoot in Mumbai, consisting of scenes featuring Sikandar and him. Last week was an ideal time to film it before Sikandar moves on to Aarya 3 and Dev to the film’s post-production. The unit had cordoned off areas in Colaba for the shoot. Some scenes were also filmed in Madh Island, Lower Parel and Andheri over the seven-day schedule.”

The action thriller, set in India, revolves around Patel’s character who emerges from prison to seek revenge on those who upended his life years ago.

Confirming that the film has been wrapped up, Kher says, “We had already finished shooting the major part of the movie; only some bits were left. It was a hush-hush shoot. Monkey Man is going to be a thrilling movie.”

The Slumdog Millionaire (2008) star has written Monkey Man along with Paul Angunawela and John Collee. The movie has been garnering interest after Netflix acquired it last year.

Actor Sikandar Kher is on a career high. After receiving acclaim for his performance as Daulat in the Emmy-nominated web series, Aarya, the actor now has several projects in the pipeline, including Monica, O My Darling, actor Dev Patel’s directorial debut and the third season of Aarya.

But, Kher admits that none of this has come easy to him and he has had to strive to get himself good work. Even today, the actor has no qualms about approaching directors for projects. “I am always hungry to be a part of content that resonates with me and the audiences, and I am more than ready to go the extra mile to achieve these roles through their directors,” says Kher, who debuted in 2008 with the film, Woodstock Villa.

Given that many actors, seasoned as well as newcomers, are not always comfortable with the idea of walking up to a director or producer for work, one wonders how Kher manages to overcome such apprehensions.

To this, the 40-year-old says, “There is really nothing to lose. Going and asking filmmakers for work is always a good thing. There have been instances where I have met them and wonderful things have happened, but there are also many whom I have met and not worked with yet. But yes, there is hope that I will get to work with them soon.”