Sushant Singh Rajput does not want to get attached to immaterial things and spends a good part of the week fishing, swimming and star-gazing when he is not shooting
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 1, 2018)

Even though he is juggling between the shooting of Nitesh Tiwari’s Chhichhore and promotion of Abhishek Kapoor’s upcoming Kedarnath, Sushant Singh Rajput admits that he tries to visit his second home in Pavana for three days once every week. “The sky is clear there and I can gaze at the stars through my telescope or go boating on the lake close to my place which is like a session of cardio in itself. I also enjoy fishing and swimming. On the terrace, I have a 5 x 5 golf carpet to practise my driver shot,” smiles the 32-year-old actor, quick to inform that his homes in Bandra and Pavana are both rented properties because he doesn’t want to get attached to immaterial things. “The only property that I own is on the moon, besides the Maserati which was a childhood dream.”

Interestingly, Sushant extends the same philosophy to acting. “I act because it fascinates me, there is literally nothing more to it. If you give me extra money, I’ll keep it. If you give me extra fame, I’ll use it wisely. But these are just by-products of my profession and not the reason I took it up,” he asserts, adding that his interests also lie in astronomy, artificial intelligence, exponential technologies and sustainable energy. “I am closely working with someone to create a knowledge structure for students and bring back the Vedic technologies. Sixty-five per cent of the kids entering kindergarten this year, if they work 20 years later, they will be dealing with technologies that have yet to be invented. So, we plan to enable them in things that will equip them for such challenges in the future. The idea is not to add or edit subjects or conduct tests but create a knowledge structure. I am also collaborating with NITI Aayog (the policy think-tank of the Indian government) and few globally renowned institutions to make things happen,” informs the actor.

Of late, Sushant is rarely spotted at B-town’s social dos and in B-town but is quite active on the social media, intriguing with his self-musings which range from science and life to everything in between. “It wasn’t intentional, it just happened. The change started while I was shooting for Kedarnath in the temple town and now I know exactly why I am doing what I am. It’s as simple as looking at the same thing differently through history, science or any other tool and making it far more exciting,” he reasons.

Speaking of Kedarnath and his long-time association with the director, the actor informs that after he quit television and in 2012 was working in theatre while toying with the idea of going abroad to learn filmmaking, Kai Po Che! happened. “TV actors are often conditioned to think that they are not as good as those working in films, but Abhishek was always very sure of me and his appreciation of my first shot gave me a lot of confidence. It helped me understand the importance of protecting and nurturing someone. I will always hold him in high regards,” says a grateful Sushant.

Kedarnath, like Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat in the recent times, has been targeted by fringe groups on grounds of love jihad and “hurting Hindi sentiments”. The film’s leading man argues that there is an informed and acknowledged government body, the Central Board of Film Certification, to look into these matters. “If there is a problem, it’s for them to demand that it be edited. Like Titanic, Kedarnath too is complete fiction with a real incident from a few years ago as the backdrop,” Sushant maintains.

Talking of controversies, his name cropped up in wave of Bollywood’s very own #MeToo movement when reports had suggested that he had behaved inappropriately with his Kizie Aur Manny co-star, debutante Sanjana Sanghi. The actress on her return to the country from the US, denied these allegations and cleared her co-star. “I felt I was misunderstood at the time. At the same time, the #MeToo movement is much needed and should be discussed. Of course, when such things happen at such a big scale there are bound to be casualties. I was the unfortunate one but I still believe that the more we discuss the subject, the better it is,” he rationalises.

Next year, Sushant has four releases — Abhishek Chaubey’s Son Chiriya, Tarun Mansukhani’s Drive, Mukesh Chhabra’s Kizie Aur Manny and Chhichhore. “Drive is set to release soon, and I hope the teaser of Son Chiriya comes out with Kedarnath in theatres. Chhichhore, which I am presently shooting for inside the IIT campus in Powai, has taken me back to my engineering days and helped me play the part well,” Sushant signs off.

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 20, 2018)

Vishal Bhardwaj’s proteges Honey Trehan and Abhishek Chaubey, who have assisted the National Award-winning filmmaker on films like Makdee, Maqbool and Omkara, have joined hands to produce Hinterland. Set in the wilderness of India, the film is an official selection in the 12th Film Bazaar Co-Production Market and will feature Manoj Bajpayee and Gulshan Devaiah in lead roles.

The film goes on the floors after Honey has wrapped up his directorial debut, Raat Akeli Hai, which features Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Radhika Apte, next year.

The drama will be directed by Rahil Patel, who has previously assisted Abhishek on Dedh Ishqiya, Udta Punjab and the upcoming Son Chiriya that also features Manoj alongside Sushant Singh Rajput and Bhumi Pednekar.

“Hinterland is a completely untold story about a community that has not been given due justice. In the film I play a character who is torn between his love for his brother and his job, while also constantly struggling to survive. I have done a small but a significant role in Abhishek’s Son Chiriya besides being a big fan of his work. I have also known Honey for many years,” informs Manoj adding that he found the script unique and challenging.

He will start his prep closer to the shooting date. “I don’t rely on miracles on the set, so there will be a lot of physical and mental transformation that will go into this film in terms of the prep. Since we will be dealing with an unexplored area about which I can’t talk at length right now, the shooting is going to be quite tedious, but I am sure the result will be marvellous,” adds the actor.

Abhishek who is presently busy with the post-production of Son Chiriya is happy to be collaborating with his longtime associate Rahil. “Hinterland has been in development for a few years now and we’re extremely pleased about its selection in the NFDC Film Bazaar. It is exactly the platform that an exciting and brave film requires,” states the filmmaker. Honey, who is currently on the recce for his film Raat Akeli Hai, informs that Hinterland is presently in the developing stage.

“The story has a very strong message for the society and both Manoj and Gulshan suit their parts to the T. Casting for the actress is currently underway,” Honey signs off.

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 23, 2018)

Mirror (April 12) was the first to report that after a fallout with filmmaker Prernaa Arora, Abhishek Kapoor’s Kedarnath was taken over by Ronnie Screwvala. Soon after, came the announcement that the film would release on November 30. But Mirror has learnt that film will only open next year in March and Rohit Shetty’s Ranveer Singh starrer Simmba, which hits the cinemas in December, will now mark the Bollywood debut of Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh’s daughter Sara. Kedarnath features Sushant Singh Rajput as her leading man.

“With Ronnie’s Vicky Kaushal and Yami Gautam-starrer, Uri: The Surgical Strike, slated to release in January, and Abhishek Chaubey’s daku drama, Son Chiriya, also with Sushant, to open in February, Kedarnath has been pushed to March. However, the makers are yet to zero in on a specific date,” informs a source close to the development.

Soon after wrapping up the film in August, Abhishek had informed Mirror (August 7) that Kedarnath has been the toughest shoot he has been on. “The terrain and the weather were both daunting and taking a crew of 150 on a trek for a month to shoot is not an easy task,” he said.

He was all praise for his actors, asserting that he didn’t think anyone other than Sushant could have done what he has in this film. “He is special. We have an unspoken connection which translates into crackling chemistry on the sets. Sara is equally evolved and possesses her own brand of maturity; when the camera comes on, it’s like some higher inner power takes over. Together, they share an on-screen bond that’s unusually captivating and effortlessly fresh,” Abhishek had stated.

Other films releasing in the same month are the Akshay Kumar- Parineeti Chopra period drama Kesari based on the Battle of Saragarhi, John Abraham’s spy thriller Romeo Akbar Walter and the Shah Rukh Khan-produced revenge drama, Badla, featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Taapsee Pannu.

Bhumi Pedneker with Akshay Kumar in Toilet - Ek Prem Katha

As told to Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 10, 2018)

My debut film, Dum Laga Ke Haisha (left), required a lot of prep, starting with me putting on almost 30 kgs. Since I’m a Mumbai girl and the film was set in Haridwar, in the ’90s before globalisation came to India, I had to unlearn many things too to play Sandhya, a small town girl with simple dreams. For starters, I had to work on my lingo, as the chaste language spoken in Haridwar is very different from Mumbaiya Hindi and I was expected to converse like a local.

I also had to learn how to do household chores and how to cook. Making rotis and chai may sound mundane, but it’s tough if you haven’t done it before. I’m a pampered child still living with my parents and the workshops were all about making me become less urban.

I went to Haridwar two weeks before the shoot and spent a lot of time with our local line-producers’ families. I would clean utensils and look after their children. I also visited the local beauty parlours to get a manicure or a facial and earrings and chains off carts as part of the character building. I also learnt to lip sync my lines. Earlier, I would also lip sync Ayushmann’s (Khurrana) lines.

For the last song, “Tu Meri”, we rehearsed for days because dancing was tougher for me back then with all the extra weight. Two year later, for “Gori Tu Latt Maar” in Toilet - Ek Prem Katha with Akshay Kumar, we had to tell a story through the song and that required me to work on my expressions. Since I enjoy dancing, I didn’t consider this a task. However, learning the khari boli for the film, was one. Interestingly, every film I’ve done required me to work on the dialect and accent. Fortunately, I’ve been able to pull it off.

For Toilet - Ek Prem Katha, I also travelled to places like Bhopal to meet women who had left their husbands because the house had no toilet. I also learnt to ride a cycle. When I was young, I’d met with an accident while cycling but acting helped me conquer that fear and today I can proudly say I’ve progressed to learning how to ride a scooty. I’ve also learnt how to milk a cow and fetch water from a well. These may sound trivial, but they enhance the characters you play further.

For my upcoming film with Sushant Singh Rajput, Son Chiriya (below), I had to carry pots of water on my head and walk barefoot around Aram Nagar in Andheri to understand the ordeal of the women living in Chambal. Takht, my first historical, will also require a lot of prep.

Manoj Bajpayee on his upcoming action-thriller and how he is ready to direct a film now
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 11, 2018)

After almost a month-long holiday in Los Angeles with actress-wife Neha and daughter Ava, Manoj Bajpayee is back in the city, gearing up for the release of Nikkhil Advani’s action thriller Satyameva Jayate. “This break was long overdue. My daughter’s vacation was on and we wanted to go where we hadn’t been before. We explored the City of Angels and had a blast,” beams the actor who enjoys spending time with his family and even helps with the household chores. “I also like to read, watch films and shows, and work out a bit.”

Getting back to work, the actor admits that the primary reason behind signing Satyameva Jayate, besides his role of DCP Shivansh, was the producer. “It is a story about two opinionated characters intelligently trying to outdo each other. I hadn’t done a massy commercial film in a while and this one was perfect. One doesn’t need to dig too deep to understand what’s happening,” reasons the National Award winning actor.

Is hardcore violence the way to tackle corruption and molestation, you wonder, and he agrees there are better ways. “But it’s not a filmmaker’s job to give solutions or show the right way. He is just telling a story from any character’s perspective. In our film, one character is bound by duty and the other does not believe in that person’s duty and so the conflict. What is right and wrong is for people and the law to decide, not filmmakers,” states Manoj, adding that being a peaceful person he could identify with the DCP.

The actor who turned producer with Mukul Abhyankar’s 2018 psychological thriller Missing is now producing Bhonsle which revolves around a retired head constable. “It’s a script that I’ve been a part of for four-and-a-half years. When I couldn’t find a producer for it, I became one of the producers myself as it’s an important story that needs to be told. We’ll do the rounds of the film festivals and then release it theatrically next year,” he informs, adding that there are no other productions on his platter at the moment and he’d want to direct now. “The thought keeps crossing my mind but so far the acting offers have been so tempting that I couldn’t think about it seriously. But if there is a script that forces me to take a plunge, I’ll go for it.”

He will next be see in Love Sonia,a film about child-trafficking. “It’s shaped up well,” he smiles with satisfaction. There’s also Gali Guliyan co-produced by his Satyameva Jayate co-star Amruta Khanvilkar’s husband Himmanshoo A Malhotra. “It is an internationally acclaimed film that has won several awards. I play a mechanic from Chandni Chowk whose psychological journey’s been the most difficult to portray but it’s also my best performance,” he raves.

An admirer of Abhishek Chaubey, Manoj is happy to have worked with the director in his next daku drama, Son Chiriya, also featuring Sushant Singh Rajput and Bhumi Pednekar. He plays a dacoit. “I have seen Ishqiya, Dedh Iskqiya and Udta Punjab only for Abhishek and loved them. What a director and storyteller! Also, a great human being, someone I’d like to hang out with,” he says.

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 27, 2018)

Stationed in Chambal until May this year for the Son Chiriya shoot, Bhumi Pednekar returned to the Madhya Pradesh district last week to visit the Abhyudaya Ashram. Inspired by the works of the residential school that provides education and teaches the children employable skills to curb the rampant prostitution in the state, the actor has decided to lend her support to the cause.

A source says, “Bhumi headed to Chambal on Wednesday to spend the day with the kids. Besides interacting with them and showering them with gifts, she also had a word with the administration department of the school about its progress. She is deeply invested in the cause and wants to create awareness about the challenges faced by the young girls of the community.”

It was during the shoot of the Abhishek Chaubey-directed dacoit drama that she had learnt of the Morena-based school. Established in 1992 to fight the prostitution of girls, the ashram — which is funded by the Ministry of Women and Child Development — provides education to the kids, thus opening up job opportunities for them.

Bhumi Pednekar on why being slotted in small-town screen turns isn’t restrictive
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 12, 2018)

Riding high on the success of her last two releases, the Akshay Kumar-starrer Toilet: Ek Prem Katha and Shubh Mangal Saavdhan with Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar is in a happy space. In April, she wrapped up Abhishek Chaubey’s Son Chiriya and admits Shekhar Kapur’s Bandit Queen was a reference point for her prep but won’t reveal if she’s playing a dacoit in this film.

“I prepped for three months, getting the dialect and body language right, but there’s more to my character than just placing her in a certain region. When I started shooting in the Chambal ravines in January, I didn’t know what to expect as we haven’t seen much of the terrain in films, with the exception of Bandit Queen and Paan Singh Tomar. It was a surreal experience,” the 28-year-old actress reminisces, pointing out that while the landscape is harsh and arid, there’s also hope, serenity and beauty. “It was one of my toughest films, but all of us would look forward to the shoot. I was motivated by Sushant (Singh Rajput) and Manoj (Bajpayee) sir, they’re phenomenal!” she says.

She also heaps praise on former costar Akshay, saying, that she found a life coach in her hero who made her understand that along with success and stardom, money and power, one needs to be grounded, dedicated, happy and respectful towards people. “He taught me some big life lessons and is a great role model.”

Her mentor, however, is her Dum Laga Ke Haisha and Shubh Mangal Saavdhan co-star Seema Pahwa who schooled her for her debut film and enriched her as a person. “I love her,” Bhumi adds.

Point out that while she’s known for her histrionics, she’s also got slotted as a small-town girl on screen despite the glam pictures she’s been posting on the social media from her recent vacation in the US. Taking the criticism head on, she says, “As an actor, I want to try everything and I’m sure I will at some point. And while all my characters so far may come from the same social stratum, they have all been diversely different. I’m a Mumbai girl and had never lived in any small town till my first film happened. Playing a city girl will come naturally to me.”

Bhumi put on 28 kg for her debut love story, knocking off all the extra weight in just six months later on. She laughs that with all that ‘shape-shifting’ experience, she can easily pursue an alternative career as a dietician or a nutritionist. “Gaining weight was emotionally tough as I couldn’t tell anyone about the film and they were wondering if I was eating too much because I was depressed. Losing it was equally difficult as I had to cut myself off from everything, be on a strict diet and work out a lot. I didn’t want to lose out on a role because I couldn’t ‘fit’ in,” she reasons.

Talking about new projects, buzz is, she’s bagged Anurag Kashyap’s sports drama Womaniya which is about two real life shooters, also featuring Taapsee Pannu. She suddenly turns reticent, saying shortly, “There is a lot happening this year but I like the filmmakers to make the announcements. It’s all pretty grey right now.”

Meanwhile, Aanand L Rai’s Manmarziyan, planned with Aayushmann and her, ended up with Taapsee Pannu, Abhishek Bachchan and Vicky Kaushal. She has no regrets. “It’s a great script and I’m glad the film is finally complete. I’m excited to watch it. I got to do Shubh Mangal Saavdhan with Aanand sir and I know we’ll re-unite for another film. Our sensibilities match and I look up to him. Maybe they can make a sequel to Shubh Mangal... so Ayushmann and I can complete a hattrick,” she laughs.

Apparently she’s found an admirer in Sanjay Leela Bhansali? Bhumi agrees that SLB has been showering love on her since her first film and that they have been in touch. “I’ve been his diehard fan since Khamoshi and with every film, I’ve loved him even more. Hopefully I will get a chance to work with him someday,” she says.

Bhumi Pednekar on the challenges that she faced while playing a dacoit in her next
Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; July 6, 2018)

Bhumi Pednekar won a lot of praise for her realistic performance in Zoya Akhtar’s anthology from Lust Stories. The actress, who will be seen next in Abhishek Chaubey’s Son Chiriya, is kicked about her upcoming project.

She tells us, “This is one film where people have come together with the intention of just being part of a lovely story. Everyone was trying to ace what they were supposed to do. I’ve never seen a set like that, where people were so calm and happy.”

Against all odds
The entire team camped in Chambal for a few months to wrap up the project. Bhumi says, “We shot in tough conditions as there was extreme weather and we were in the middle of nowhere. I came back burnt, my skin was peeling off, but none of it deterred me. Son Chiriya has been my most difficult, yet fulfilling role.”

Along with Sushant Singh Rajput’s look from the film, her first picture from the sets, too, made its way to the Internet. Although she hasn’t spoken about her character, we hear she also plays a dacoit. The Shubh Mangal Saavdhan actress points out, “People haven’t seen Sushant, me or Manoj (Bajpayee) sir looking like that. They will either be pleasantly surprised or they’ll be taken aback.”

A realistic dacoit drama
While dacoit dramas were quite prevalent in the ’70s, over the years, there have hardly been such films. The last memorable movie in this genre was Shekhar Kapur’s Bandit Queen (1994), which was based on the life of bandit-turned MP, Phoolan Devi. In an earlier interview, Manoj Bajpayee, who featured in the movie, had said that Son Chiriya is for the younger generation who may not have watched the Seema Biswas-starrer. Bhumi hopes ‘it turns out to be true’. She says, “Once the trailer is out, viewers will understand the kind of work that has gone into it. Every movie is tough; people put in their heart and soul in it. But for this film, we prepped for four months. Abhishek (Chaubey) has a great vision. Sushant (Singh Rajput) and I never saw a single frame or even went up to the monitor and checked how the shot had turned out.”

Abhishek, who has helmed Ishqiya, Dedh Ishqiya and Udta Punjab, is known for adding a realistic touch to his movies. Like his earlier works, Son Chiriya, too, will have cuss words. Bhumi reasons, “I don’t think abusing is a big deal. This is how people talk in the smaller parts of India.” Quiz her if our society is getting more comfortable with women abusing on screen and she replies, “People are gradually accepting women with power. I admire Ekta Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Indra Nooyi, who have held their ground and put our country in the spotlight. I want to do the same with my films. I’ve been fortunate to be a part of movies that comment on so many existing issues in an entertaining way. Son Chiriya also makes a comment on a lot of such issues.”

Ashutosh Rana on the virtues of working with new talent and his upcoming films
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 18, 2018)

Aushtosh Rana, who rose to fame with villainous turns in Dushman (1998) and Sangharsh (1999), is back in the race. Over the next two years, the actor will be seen in significant roles in Rohit Shetty’s Simmba, Tigmanshu Dhulia’s Milan Talkies and Anubhav Sinha’s Mulk. In his next release, Dhadak, he plays debutante Janhvi Kapoor’s upper-class, narrow-minded landlord father.

“I share a great relationship with Karan Johar’s production house and (director) Shashank Khaitan who has strived to explore my full potential as an actor. My character in Dhadak is magnetic, viewers will be drawn into his psyche,” he says from Hyderabad, where he’s shooting with Ranveer Singh for the cop-caper, Simmba.

Dhadak comes four years after Shashank directed Ashutosh in Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania in which he played Alia Bhatt’s disapproving Punjabi father. “When you’re working with actors like Varun Dhawan and Alia you need to be on your toes, they rejuvenate you. And while Janhvi and Ishaan are young, you cannot be laidback around them either. They have mastered the skill of being in front of the camera. For someone experienced and considered a good actor, they never let me feel relaxed. They have shown me that age doesn’t matter, edge does. Working with Janhvi and Ishaan helped me sharpen my skills, it’s a great way to not grow old as an actor,” he says.

Ashutosh, who has also worked in Tamil, Telugu, Marathi and Kannada films, admits that the new-age audience is receptive to unique content and will enjoy seeing him alongside Manoj Bajpayee and Sushant Singh Rajput in Abhishek Chaubey’s dacoit-drama Son Chiriya. “Honey Trehan (casting director) and Abhishek called me last year and narrated the most brilliant story I’ve ever heard. It’s a character as special as the one in Dushman and Sangharsh,” he promises.

The 50-year-old actor admits that goodwill goes a long way at the movies, recalling how Tigmanshu rang him up 16 years after Haasil to offer him Milan Talkies. Likewise, Anubhav Sinha, with whom he had filmed a TV show, Shikast, in 1994. “He told me he was making Mulk and I had to be a part of it,” Ashutosh beams.

It was Mahesh Bhatt, who wrote Dushman and Sangharsh, who had first identified his potential and took him on for the TV show Swabhimaan. “In the first scene he wrote for me, he gave an 11-minute sequence where Rohit Roy and Chanda Ruparel sat quietly while I performed a 10-page scene. It was a three-camera set-up and a great start to my career,” he reminisces.

The National School of Drama alumnus has wrapped up Ismail Durbar’s Tigdum And Chicken Curry. He will be portraying four different characters – a Kathiawadi Gujarati who owns islands, a Mumbaikar living in a Worli chawl, a Nawab who speaks chaste Urdu, and a wannabe don who has ended up being the Nawab’s translator.

Ashutosh thanks his actress-wife Renuka Shahane for her constant support saying he’s fortunate to be her husband. “If I ever hit a low, she helps me forget it immediately,” he signs off with a smile.

Bhumi Pednekar waxes eloquent on Abhishek Chaubey’s dacoit drama
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 4, 2018)

Bhumi Pednekar, who recently wrapped up Abhishek Chaubey’s Son Chiriya alongside Sushant Singh Rajput, has convincingly metamorphosed into a female dacoit in the Chambal ravines in the ’70s. In keeping with the hinterland setting and timeperiod, the actress’s character, described as “bold yet vulnerable,” will be seen in simple saris and long-sleeved blouses with minimal makeup even as she wields guns. Her path crosses that of another dacoit from the region, played by Sushant.

“While the film’s team shot in Chambal for the last three months in sweltering heat — the temperatures would sometimes shoot up to over 40 degrees in the jungles — the actress prepped for her part by learning the Bundelkhandi dialect and interacting with the local women. The film wrapped up last week. Bhumi plays a young widow,” a source added. The Ronnie Screwvala production also features Manoj Bajpayee in a pivotal role.

Meanwhile, Bhumi gives her director all credit for her new screen avatar. “Abhishek is a master at creating characters and has crafted iconic protagonists through his films (Ishqiya, Dedh Ishqiya and Udta Punjab). My look is a stroke of genius. It was his vision that created a character who exudes vulnerability and yet is strong, gritty and bold. Working with Abhishek and Sushant has been one of my most fulfilling creative collaborations,” says the actress.

Sudip Sharma, who has co-written Son Chiriya with Abhishek, had earlier informed Mirror (June 3, 2017) that he had visited Chambal and interacted with reformed dacoits from the era as part of initial research. “Some of them have more than 80 murder charges on them. Everyone has heard horror stories about the dacoits of Chambal, but I’ve realised the reality is quite different from what Hindi films portray. We aim to capture that reality,” he had informed.