As Gunjan Saxena trailer reignites insider-outsider debate, Angad Bedi on how films are a collaborative effort and not driven only by stars
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 3, 2020)

The trailer of Janhvi Kapoor-fronted Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, which dropped on Saturday, received love and brickbats in equal measure. As the conversation around star kids continues, Angad Bedi — who plays Kapoor's brother in the film — dismisses the insider-versus-outsider debate, emphasising that a film is a collaborative effort at the end of the day.

"It's my film, too," he states, when we get on a call. The movie, helmed by debutant director Sharan Sharma, also features Pankaj Tripathi in a key role. "Everyone has a right to their opinion, but people are spitting fire against one another. The flak [that the film is receiving] is unfair. Every industry is competitive. I have auditioned for over 300 movies, and every rejection has been a learning experience. My role in Soorma [2018] led me to this film. I had gone to meet Shashank [Khaitan], who, in turn, made me meet Sharan. After I tested for the role, Sharan told Karan [Johar] he wanted me for the part. There are lakhs of people in the industry, so it's only fair that we all get a chance. Actors are like any other professional who work for a pay cheque."

He further adds, "I have made my career here, I make money from it to look after my family and in so many years, I have not had one bad producer. Of course, that’s my own trajectory and journey which is independent of someone else’s experience. I did Ungli, years ago, with him. There are lacs of people in the industry so it’s only fair that we all stand a fair chance."

The movie narrates the real-life story of the first woman Indian Air Force officer who flew into the combat zone for reconnaissance mission and casualty evacuations during the Kargil War. Amid the noise surrounding the film, does Bedi worry that people will forget the story of Gunjan Saxena's bravura? "The story is a celebration of human triumph and will-power. If you don't think you are good enough, no one else will. She made a place for herself when it was unthinkable. This is not just a celebration of women, but a tribute to the soldiers."

Though Bedi never met Saxena, he did spend time with Anshuman Saxena, he tells us. "Our director Sharan is a bright young boy and he got the crux of this character for me. If Gunjan's father gave her wings, her brother kept her grounded. Being an army man, he knows the realities of the job. For me the roughest was getting the right camaraderie with Janhvi. I had known her socially but through the workshops, we grew thick. Sharry (Sharan) would make us do lines together. Janhvi and I come from different worlds and over the film, she became a part of my family and that's the energy we needed to depict. We discussed our childhood."

Quiz him as a key cast member, how does he view the decision of releasing the film on Netflix. "As an actor, when I came to Mumbai I wanted to get a great part and excel at it. The change has already happened as we speak. When I want people to see my work, how else to go about it except the DTN release way. It was tragic how Angrezi Medium released and the next day theatres across the country shut down. Hypothetically, even if this were to be released at a theatre, I am not sure (till a vaccine comes) how many people will walk into a theatre to watch a film with such a strong fear hovering over their heads."

Chitrangda Singh explains why she is selective about work, admits direction is on her bucket list
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 15, 2020)

For Chitrangda Singh, the lockdown, enforced to deal with the Coronavirus pandemic, is a time to bond with her son Zorawar. “His safety is most important and it feels good to be around him,” says the actress from Delhi, admitting that after initially enjoying time off from work, the self-isolation is now weighing heavy. “You start out missing the outside, then reach a stage when you enjoy being home, then… Emotions are see-sawing.”

She shares that when she was growing up, a friend of her father’s told her that it’s good to be bored sometimes because this pushes you to explore and discover new things about yourself. “I’m sure when we look back at this time in future, we will think of all the good that came out of it,” she asserts. So, what has she discovered about herself? “That I can make a very good mud brownie cake anytime,” Chitrangda laughs, admitting that she’s baking again after years and has also done some charcoal sketches, which is another hobby she has gone back to.

She will next be seen in Sujoy Ghosh’s Bob Biswas opposite Abhishek Bachchan. It’s been almost two years since her last onscreen outing, Baazaar. The actress insists she’s being selective for a reason. “I was just waiting for the right project with the right people. I didn’t want to only play the emancipated woman, one who is either a superwoman or a seductress. If I’m not happy, it is difficult for me to show up at work every day. I am in a good space right now and happy that I took the time,” she reasons.

On the subject of her next, she says she’s been wanting to work with Sujoy for a while. “I love the way he portrays women in his films. We came close to working together once before, but it didn’t work out,” she shares, going on to rave about “amazing actor” Abhishek and how he underplays his role. “Saif (Ali Khan, her Baazaar co-star) is also a subtle actor with his own nuances. Ditto Abhishek, who is also a walking encyclopedia with so much to share.”

Chitrangda was shooting for the film in Kolkata when the outbreak brought everything to a halt. “I was supposed to start another film after wrapping up Bob Biswas around this time, but now everything has been pushed indefinitely,” she sighs.

In 2018, she turned producer with the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer, Soorma, a biopic on India’s former hockey captain, Sandeep Singh. She had also announced a sequel to it. Prod her on this and she says, “I have the rights to another person’s incredible life story, who is also a real-life hero. We have a director and writer on board and the script is being developed. We were waiting for some things to fall into place when the pandemic struck. It has been in limbo since, but the film will definitely be made. Stories of underdogs rising attract me and Soorma 2 will be no different. It won’t be a sportsperson, but the story is as inspiring.”

Five years ago, Chitrangda did a special song, “Aao Raja”, in Akshay Kumar’s Gabbar Is Back. Any other song in the offing? “No. I did that for Akshay and Mr Bhansali (Sanjay Leela Bhansali, producer). I am always open to experimentation and to doing something new. That’s also why I started writing and producing,” she points out. Direction next? “No plans yet, but it’s on my bucket list, as is wakeboarding. I tried it once and was horrible at it. But some friends tried it and found it exciting, so I want to get better at it. When things get back to normal, I’d like to take a trip to Bali maybe,” she signs off.

MID-DAY (December 31, 2019)

Chitrangda Singh has always been appreciated for her prowess as an actor. She has been part of a host of memorable films, like Yeh Saali Zindagi, Desi Boys and Inkaar, which have cut across genres.

The actor has also repeatedly proved that she has an excellent sense of the broader processes of film- making. Her maiden production, Soorma, which earned success, is testimony of her talent.

Soorma revolved around the life of hockey legend Sandeep Singh, and featured Diljit Dosanjh in the leading role, alongside Taapsee Pannu and Angad Bedi. The film captivated movie lovers and sports buffs, alike.

Now, as though she is offering cinephiles a delightful surprise at the end of the year, Chitrangda is set to take the Soorma franchise forward with a sequel. The plot of the second movie, we hear, is going to be inspired by a real-life hero, just like the first film was. The movie will have a strong emotional quotient too.

A source close to the actor says, “Chitrangda has always been drawn to strong scripts. Soorma 2 will be no different. She believes that a film’s success is dependent on a good set-up. She is zeroing in on the rest of the details pertaining to the film. It should be ready to go on the floors soon.”

Mirror reader Akshay Chandelkar shares his experience of meeting Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi actor Chitrangda Singh
As told to Kunal Guha (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 22, 2019)

I’ve been a major fan of Chitrangda Singh ever since I watched Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi in 2005. So, getting to meet her in person was an experience I will cherish forever. When I was introduced to her “as a techie from Pune”, she said was planning to visit the city the following week. “You didn’t need to travel to Mumbai,” she said, leaving me utterly speechless with her radiant smile.

I told her that I had taken a day off from work citing a “personal emergency”, which, in a way, was true. After all, it’s not every day that you get a chance to meet your life-long crush in a candid setting. We were at a compact office space in Andheri’s bustling entertainment district, which Chitrangda shared, was her office. “This is where I sit and work on scripts with my writers,” she said, adding that she’s presently developing another real-life inspired story after her debut as producer in Soorma, the biopic based on the life of Indian hockey champ, and now, sports minister of Haryana, Sandeep Singh.

As a die-hard fan, I was curious to learn why the actress had shied away from OTT platforms, which seem to be having a moment. “No web series for now, I have got offers to work in a few but I am a bit wary of them. It needs a lot better writing and time,” she said, with a disclaimer, “unless something really interesting comes up”.

On learning that Hazaaron Khwaaishein Aisi is my favourite film, she shared that her character in it was loosely based on Shaad Ali’s mother Shubhashini, who worked with tribals and whom the actor only met when the film turned 15 and director Sudhir Mishra hosted a party. “A lot of people connect largely with the love story and only those who are aware of the circumstances that prevailed during the Emergency, like Sudhir, understand the rest.”

In the age of oversharing, Singh happens to be one of those rare actresses who hardly reveals much about of her life on social media. While I knew that she loves musky scents and her favourite perfume happens to be Chloe, there’s little else that one knows about the actress.

“Social media gets a bit exhibitionist. ‘Oh, I look so hot while having coffee’. Of course, you do, so what? Everyone has their own comfort level about what they want to share and how much,” she says, adding that while she’s active on Instagram, her posts are largely related to work. “In fact, most of my friends and family are in Delhi. Here [in Mumbai], work gets you in touch with some people.”

Constantly shuttling between Mumbai and Delhi, the actor shares that she’s often mobbed by fans, who often want to click a selfie to share with their partners. “I always meet women who come up to me, requesting a selfie for their husbands.” While intrusive fans get her “thoda uncomfortable”, she admits that “every artist enjoys the attention”.

Another phenomenon that has become unavoidable for people in her fraternity is the need to be eternally prepared for the paparazzi. “It gets painful at times. I would be in a T-shirt and jeans all the time if I could have it my way, but now I have to carry my heels where ever I go,” she says, adding that excessive media attention extended to film actors is intrusive, and yet, contributes to their brand. “I would like to quote Rishi Kapoor who once said this about the media cramping one’s personal space: ‘Damned if they do, damned if they don’t’,” she says. 

Angad Bedi on his co-star in the upcoming Gunjan Saxena biopic
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 23, 2019)

Angad Bedi, who plays Janhvi Kapoor’s protective brother, Anshuman, in the Gunjan Saxena biopic titled Gunjan Saxena: Kargil Girl, describes his costar as a spontaneous actress and a lovely human being.

“I saw glimpses of Sridevi ji in Janhvi’s eyes. She is a natural performer but asks for retakes when she isn’t sure of the outcome,” the actor shares, admitting it pushed him to give his best shot. “We have some tough scenes together in the film, particularly the emotional ones. Even though we follow the narrative of the protagonist, it’s also the coming-of-age story of her brother, which spans from 19 to 21 years.”

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl is the story of the first Indian woman Air Force pilot in combat and Angad bagged the role in the film after producer Karan Johar watched his performance in Soorma, which featured him as a hockey player. “Something must have struck a chord because he got me to meet our director, Sharan Sharma,” he says.

The film was shot in Lucknow and Georgia, with a chopper flown in from Italy for the action scenes. “We canned some good stuff, particularly the climax,” informs Angad, who plays an ordinance officer, a role that not only required physical prep but a physical transformation as well. “It is a fresh, clean shaven look, with really short army hair. Anshuman has a vulnerable face but a strong spine.”

Satish Kaushik, newly-appointed chairperson of the governing council for projects under Haryana Film Policy, wants to improve the exhibition sector too
Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 9, 2019)

Actor-director Satish Kaushik has been recently appointed as the chairperson of the governing council for projects under the Haryana Film Policy. This development is very satisfying for the Bollywood veteran who has produced a Haryanvi film, Chhoriyan Chhoron Se Kum Nahin Hoti, helmed by his assistant Rajesh Amarlal Babbar and released earlier this year in March.

Kaushik who has his roots in Danaunda village of Haryana’s Mahendragarh district, had been on board for the drafting of the policy from the onset. Pointing out that the state has come to the forefront in entertainment after the success of films like Dangal, Sultan and Tanu Weds Manu Returns, the new chairman is optimistic that they will be able to attract more filmmakers to the state with subsidies and incentives, as well as single window clearance for filmmakers, be it from the municipal corporation, roads, traffic or the police. Diljit Dosanjh’s Soorma and Rajkummar Rao’s Turram Khan have also been shot in the Northern state.

Kaushik points out that from the sports and architecture point of view, there are many heritage structures and places where films can be shot. “And the visual impact of the places you see in movies will make you want to visit them too. This will promote tourism and as more films are made in Haryana, a lot of people will get employment too,” he reasons.

The filmmaker rues that not only are lesser films being made in Haryana, even the exhibition sector is weak as there are not enough theatres. “Improving and increasing screens is on the agenda. We’ll set up a committee to look into distribution and exhibition,” he promises.

Kaushik goes on to say that there is ample talent in the state that is being nurtured through theatre in Rohtak and Hisar. “We already have a film institute in Rohtak and now want to set up a Film City in Haryana too, for which we are open to a partnership with a private firm,” he says, adding that that with its proximity to Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, there is abundant scope.

Rishabh Deb and Sushmita Jha (BOMBAY TIMES; May 3, 2019)

A doting mother, actress, producer and writer in the making – Chitrangda Singh dons many hats. From garnering critical acclaim in Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, to taking a sabbatical and later producing the biographical sports film Soorma, her career in Bollywood has been eventful. As a mother to 10-year-old Zorawar, her priorities in life have definitely changed over time, but her quest to do experimental roles and quality work continues. Chitrangda spoke to us about films, politics and why it is important to have an opinion. Excerpts:

We have seen you in very few films over the years...
It wasn’t a choice and neither was I being selective. I think it is about the kind of roles being offered to me. There would be a lot of stuff out there that I would love to do, but it doesn’t get offered to me. Sometimes the kind of stuff that is offered to me is something that I don’t want to do. So it is because of this that the audience has seen me in few films. Some people think now I only want to produce and don’t want to act. That’s not true. Once an actor, always an actor and I don’t have any qualms admitting that I am greedy for good roles. Currently, I am discussing a bilingual film with Mahesh Manjrekar, which is in Hindi and Marathi.

You produced Soorma, which was based on hockey player Sandeep Singh. What was the experience like?
Working as a producer was immensely satisfying and what made it even better was the response the film received. The audience loved Soorma. I am so glad that I could fulfil the promise that I made to Sandeep Singh. Bringing his story to the light and giving the audience an insight into his hard work and his life was very satisfying.

In your acting career, you have taken two long breaks. Was it difficult getting back to the screen?
These breaks that I took were not a strategy or planned. There were things that you need to prioritise. But during these breaks, I realised a lot of things. I realised how much I love doing cinema and how much I loved the whole process of cinema. I discovered different aspects of me. I started writing; I have already written two scripts. And I am extremely glad and thankful that even though I have been away, the audience has still been loving and kind to whatever work I have done.

Are you keen on featuring in a biopic yourself?
It would be the most memorable thing of my acting career if I get to play Smita Patil in her biopic. I have been told that I resemble her, and that itself is an honour to me. I would definitely love to do a biopic on her.

A lot of Bollywood celebs are campaigning for political parties these days and expressing their opinion on political issues. Given a chance, would you campaign?
I think it is a very individual choice whether you want to have an opinion on everything which is out there or not. Somewhere, because we are public figures, we can bring attention to important things and issues. We are asked for our opinions because we can influence someone. But at the same time, I don’t think we should have an opinion on everything for the heck of having one. When you are opinionated, there lies a huge responsibility that comes with what you say. There needs to be a lot of balance. But at the same time, you should be who you are. I think it is great that some people have come out and said exactly what they think, despite being trolled for the same.

There are a lot of public figures who also prefer to stay silent. Do you think they have a responsibility to speak up?
I don’t think you should chicken out of expressing an opinion simply because you want to please someone and you do not want to stand by something. But again, it’s an individual choice. If you ask me, I definitely think you should speak and stand by things that you believe in. Fear of something or someone shouldn’t stop you from stating an opinion. 

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; October 20, 2018)

There’s more to her than just a glamorous personality. She’s a talented artiste and now a film producer, too. Chitrangda Singh has donned several hats in her career that took off back in 2003. She admits that she wasn’t looking to be an actor, and hence wasn’t focussed on making it big in the profession. While her acting career hasn’t seen a high in a long spell, her first production, Soorma, has cemented her space as a film producer. In conversation with BT, Chitrangda talks about her forthcoming film, Baazaar, why only actresses are asked about catfights and why the #MeToo campaign has found approval in India, too. Excerpts…

Baazaar is your second release of the year, earlier, Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3 didn’t turn out as you would have wished for. Given that your role in Baazaar isn’t all that long, what sort of expectations do you have from the film?
It’s very important because every film counts. It either adds to you as an actor or just affects your career. It doesn’t always come out looking the way you expect it to. Your performance is not highlighted the way you wanted it to be. So, Baazaar is important, because Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3 didn’t get the response we expected. I wasn’t happy with the way things turned out for me in particular.

You also turned producer this year with Soorma, a sports drama. Your foray into production was unexpected.
Firstly, I think everyone knows that I wasn’t doing much work since 2014-15. I was also going through a bad patch in my personal life. While I was away from movies, I found time to work on ideas that I had written a long time ago and I started developing scripts. That’s the time when I met hockey player Sandeep Singh and because I was in a writing zone, I penned his story. It turned out to be an unbelievable idea for a film, better than anything I could think of. I decided to make the film and because I took the rights, I promised him that it will be made without any concoctions. So, eventually, I turned producer, but I was more involved with the creative side. It was a great learning curve and while you’re just on the creative side, it’s still a lot of work. It took us a while to find a corporate partner, because the response to the script initially wasn’t welcoming. A lot of biopics were in the pipeline at that time. Besides, no one expected me to produce a film. The thought was, ‘Arey, isko bhi producer banne ka shaukh chadha hai. Sabko producer banna hai.’ I heard that line quite often. I’ll give them the benefit of doubt, because people are hesitant till you don’t prove yourself, which is fair.

Is it tough to balance between acting and film production?
The worlds overlap to a large extent, which is why so many male actors have been doing it for years. It just gets you more ownership and control of a project that you anyway invest so much in. In the male actor’s case, it’s also their name and image that matters. With Soorma, I’ve just familiarised myself with the process of film production. It’s not that simple, you have to make a few films and experience things to learn what it is like to be a producer.

Women started making films as early as 1926 but even today, their numbers are dismal when compared to the men. Also, a woman’s entry into the filmmaking business is often met with scepticism.
I don’t blame people. I don’t want to make this about men and women. Both male and female actors will be asked as many questions if they change tracks. You need to prove yourself in the film industry. Once you’ve done that, no one asks questions. If Anushka Sharma wants to make a film tomorrow, no one will question her now. It takes time and a few films to get there. Yes, we do need more women to make films, which will make it look as normal as it is for men.

Although you have a relatively smaller role in Baazaar, do you think women, overall have been getting better-written parts than before?
The audience just doesn’t want to watch formulaic films anymore. There is a change and women are becoming more integral to the storytelling process. The characters don’t always have to be feminists and/or inclined towards women’s liberation. Take Alia Bhatt in Raazi for instance. You don't need a man to carry the plot ahead. This is the reality of life. That’s how important women really are.

At the trailer launch of Baazaar, Radhika Apte and you were asked about being comfortable with each other during the shoot. Two men working together seldom brave questions about being comfortable while sharing screen space. Why do you think such questions are posed only to women?
Were Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor asked the same question? I think it’s the nature of the profession. Actors, irrespective of their gender, are greedy and selfish about scripts and roles. They seek the best for themselves because they’re trying to impress the audience. They want to be seen, and seen well. Having said that, I don’t know why men are rarely asked questions about how it was working with their male co-star because they are just as concerned as women are about their role, work and space. I think women are asked such questions because they are perceived as people who fight. Probably, they really have to fight to get what they deserve because nothing ever comes easy for them. Women are anyway more expressive, volatile and emotional than men. Among my cousins, my brothers fought lesser than my sisters. It’s not about being sexist; it’s just that women are more vocal and expressive, and not in a negative way. It’s so refreshing that we’re fiery and spontaneous unlike most men, who are so prim, proper and practical.

Two years ago, you had stormed out of the film Babumoshai Bandookbaaz, because you didn’t agree with the kind of (intimate) scene you were asked to shoot.
I was crying on the set when he (Kushan Nandy, director) kept on telling me that I have to do as he tells me to. He was almost frantic when he jumped on the bed and started showing me how to rub myself against Nawazuddin Siddiqui. At one point, even Nawaz walked away from there. I don’t know if that is me being fiery; that’s just me. There was a female producer and a female make-up artist and everyone watched silently. It’s so strange. Today, I support Tanushree Dutta and everyone else who has spoken up about times when they experienced horrible things at work. Better late than never! You know what? It was being reported back then as well, but it wasn’t getting picked up. I think with the #MeToo campaign in the West, the cause has found some sort of approval here, too. I just hope men who are supporting this movement aren’t just doing it for the sake of sounding cool.

Why do you think women often choose to remain silent after hostile experiences?
In our society, it’s widely accepted that men need not be penalised for sexual exploitation. It’s just taken for granted. I know of mothers who would look away if their little girls tell them about being sexually targeted by someone. We hear of these stories, I have seen my friend go through this when I was in class eight. It’s in our nature to feel ashamed when something happens to us and not confront men when they wrong us. Now that we are talking, we have sent out a message that no one needs to be quiet, that the fabric of our society needs to change.

It’s been 15 years since Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, but your career didn’t quite add up to the promise you showed in your debut film.
When I look back at my filmography, I, too, feel that it’s a little too random. Maybe, the reason is that I didn’t look to become an actor and so I didn't have a strategy. Luckily, I debuted with a film like Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi. Then, I took a six year break, because I wasn’t looking to work at that time. Eventually, I realised acting is my true calling and I came back here. I’ve been in and out of the profession since then. When you stay away from your work space for too long, you suffer. Six years is a very long time to pick up from where you left off. I made some big mistakes — I refused some really big films, which I shouldn’t have. The breaks I took to sort out my personal life also took a toll on my repertoire, but I am grateful that my work has been decent enough to keep me relevant. That’s the reason I continue to find work and now, produce films. I think I have got far more acknowledgement than the volume of work that I have done.

What do you think kept you going during your tough times?
I didn’t have a choice; I just had to keep going. The one thing that kept me happy and excited was cinema and that’s probably why I started writing. I’ve penned two scripts — a love story and a children’s film. I plan to make at least one of them next year. I also produced a film which saved me in a way. I had to find something to keep me excited. This is just the amount of perfection you can possibly manage in a lifetime.

Former India hockey captain Sandeep Singh, on whom the film was based, is ready with a new story to take the series forward
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 19, 2018)

The Diljit Dosanjh and Taapsee Pannu-starrer Soorma, which revolved around the story of former India Captain and hockey player Sandeep Singh, is gearing up for a sequel. Singh has informed Mirror that he is ready with a new story to take the series forward and is currently in talks with various production houses.

“I have been getting a lot of messages from fans, who enjoyed watching my life’s journey on screen, to take it forward with a sequel. Work has started on the project but right now, we are unsure if the original team will return for the second film, which will start where the first part ended. It will also feature flashbacks from my story that were shown in part one,” Singh revealed, adding that he had been working on the story of the second film with his brother Bikramjeet and a few cousins who had played an important part in putting together Soorma.

The first film was directed by Shaad Ali and was shot in Singh’s hometown of Shahabad in Haryana.

When quizzed about whether Diljit will reprise the title role, the sportsman said, “It’s too early to say for now, but we will know soon.”

Riya Sharma and Unnati Joshi (BOMBAY TIMES; October 9, 2018)

Chitrangda Singh has faced her share of struggles when she ventured into a completely new field — production. The actress spoke to us about the kind of work she chooses to do as an actor and producer, the challenges she faced as a producer and her experience of studying at Lady Irwin College in Delhi.

‘COLLEGE WAS TOO MUCH WORK, I DIDN’T HAVE ANY FUN’
Chitrangda was a Science student before she chose to pursue Home Science in college. She recalls, “I stayed in the college’s hostel for three years. Maine Home Science ye sochke li thi ki being a Science student for so long, I was tired of studying. I thought I don’t want to work this hard, so Home Science leni chahiye. Somebody had told me that it is easy and I didn’t bother to check if that’s true. Admission mil gaya, and that’s when I realised we need to study everything in Home Science — from Zoology, Botany, Chemistry and Textiles to cooking and stitching. I was like, I can’t believe I have jumped into a bigger well from the one I was trying to jump out of. But it was a good experience. I wasn’t excited about the course, but it didn’t turn out to be the way I thought it to be. It was too much work though. I was making night suits for kids and I was stitching blouses so I wasn’t really having any fun.”

‘AS A PRODUCER, I LOOK AT THE VIABILITY OF A PROJECT IN TERMS OF WHETHER PEOPLE WOULD WATCH IT’
Chitrangda’s last project, Soorma, was her first film as a producer. She tells us that when she picks a project as an actress, she looks forward to working with the director. But when she is producing, the first thing she looks at is the viability of the project. “As an actor, you look at the director, and then the producer. Next, you see whether the project would make enough money or not. Being an actor, you are focused on the creative side of the film. As a producer, you look at the viability of the project in terms of whether people would come and watch it. For me, the transition from an actress to a producer had its hiccups. It was not smooth in the beginning, to be honest. I had to learn the business aspects of the industry. I was more excited about the creative side of films, which is something that I had been a part of since day one,” she tells us.

Many actresses who have turned producers have accepted that it is not easy to be a female producer in the industry. “It wasn’t smooth. I don’t know how fair it is to say this, but there is a reason why people give you a bit of a tough time. Being an actress, I didn’t know the business end and people had their doubts. It takes time to prove yourself and show people that you understand the project you are backing. Other than that, I have been very lucky as I haven’t faced many problems,” she shares.

‘SAIF HAS A MEAN SENSE OF HUMOUR’
Her next movie Bazaar releases next month, and she plays Saif Ali Khan’s wife in the film. “It was lovely working with Saif. He has got amazing timing as an actor and he makes it look very effortless. It is because he rehearses and puts a lot of work into it. He is fun on sets and has a very mean sense of humour which sometimes amazes me, but he is wonderful,” she signs off.
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‘WE, AS A SOCIETY, SHOULD SUPPORT TANUSHREE DUTTA’
At a recent event in Mumbai, Chitrangda spoke out in support of Tanushree Dutta. “If it is the truth and even if you speak about it after five years or 10 years, we must listen to it, give importance to it and do justice to it. I support Tanushree. She has taken 10 years to talk about it. In rape or molestation cases, most of the times, the victim doesn’t feel confident to speak about it immediately. But whenever they want to express themselves, then as a society, we should support them and give them a hearing at least.”

Chitrangda had also walked out of Babumoshai Bandookbaaz, citing discomfort shooting intimate scenes with co-star Nawazuddin Siddiqui. “That was my stand to walk out of the film. I believe that nobody gave importance to that matter that time. But that doesn’t matter, because now the media is doing an amazing job. The #MeToo movement shouldn’t be just about copying the West.”

— IANS

With the recent spate of biopics, Mirror investigates whether Indian filmmakers can strike the balance between fact and fiction
Kunal Guha (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 26, 2018)

While directing Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, a 1992 documentary on the maestro’s life, filmmaker Gulzar quizzed him on his relationship with his stepmother. This was to also understand why the renowned vocalist fled home at an early age. “He told me, ‘Woh meri roti mein ghee kam dalti thi. But I only needed an excuse to run away because I wanted to learn music and not go to school’,” says Gulzar, adding that if he had misrepresented this chapter from Joshi’s life on celluloid in order to heighten the drama, it would not have been entirely honest. “If I had made that into ‘sauteli maa zulm karti thi’, that would be wrong,” says Gulzar. “The authenticity of such incidents is important. If you try to reconstruct them just to make them emotionally-loaded, gadbad ho jati hain.”

In this season of biopics, this is a glaring pitfall many filmmakers choose to ignore. Sanju, based on actor Sanjay Dutt’s life, is a prime example. Despite raking in a whopping Rs 339.93 crore, the film has been panned for being a PR exercise, which looks at Dutt’s tumultuous life through rose-tinted glasses. Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani’s protestations that Sanju isn’t a whitewash job, appears to have fallen on deaf ears. Evidently, the constitution of Indian biopics borders on hagiography or a glorified portrayal of a life less ordinary. As sociologist Shiv Viswanathan says, they “theoretically, degenerate between bad history and bad hagiography”. And this unique blend of fact and fiction, with a dash of sparkle dust, renders a compelling narrative of rising above circumstances. Juggling between sensitive tribute and glorified portrayal, biopics have become a box office favourite, and Bollywood biggies are leaning in to translate the lives of everyone — from celebrated astronauts to accidental politicians to controversial writers — onto the big screen. But are they accurate depictions?

Keeping it reel
Most biopics rest on three planks: Biography, myth and folklore. “For a biopic to be successful, myth and history have to reconcile in the narrative. It cannot just be a linear narrative,” says Vishwanathan, adding that “describing Sanjay Dutt as an ordinary, everyday person would result in a boring watch”. But Sanju is not the first biopic to be selective about fact and fiction. Veteran cricket writer Prem Panicker recalls Azhar, based on former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin’s contentious life, as an attempt to clean up his tarnished image. The 2016 film delved into the cricketer’s life and detailed the part when he was banned from First Class cricket on match-fixing charges. “While the film’s climax acknowledges that he took money, it says he did so with the benevolent intention of exposing corruption in the sport. This transmutes it into pure fiction, as it never happened,” says Panicker, adding that Mani Ratnam’s multiple National Award-winner Nayakan (1987), was loosely based on gangster Vardarajan Mudaliar’s life “but it was never endorsed as a biopic”. When one claims to make a biopic, says Panicker, “the liberty of playing around with facts is considerably limited”.


Consensual creative liberty
Shaad Ali, who has directed Soorma, based on hockey player Sandeep Singh’s life, believes that “a filmmaker is allowed to take creative liberties if the subject is kept in the loop. But if you do it without their consent, you may end up with a breach of trust or contract.” That the hockey player was paralysed, waist down, following a freak shooting accident that threatened to end his career, provided Ali with “a readymade dramatic point”, eliminating the need to create one. But he did make minor alterations to fit his narrative. For instance, Singh’s comeback match was in the 2007 Men’s Hockey Champions Challenge, but in the film it is shown as a ‘Commonwealth Championship’. Also, Singh’s onscreen avatar (played by Diljit Dosanjh), is seen scoring three consecutive goals in the decisive final of a tournament that India didn’t even qualify for.

“If you took creative liberties, you wouldn’t be making a biographical film,” says Shyam Benegal, who directed Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero. While Netaji’s extraordinary life offered enough fodder for Benegal to not have to resort to fictionalisation, the final product didn’t go undisputed. “Quite a few people believe that Netaji hasn’t died, even to this day,” says Benegal, adding that ‘mythifying’ heroes is not unusual in Indian society. “Also, an entire political party refused to accept he was married and insisted he was a Brahmachari. This, despite his daughter being invited to attend various government events.” Clearly, even sticking strictly to facts gleaned from books doesn’t always validate a biopic.

Holding out for heroes
Why one biopic works and another doesn’t, depends on various factors. Shibasish Sarkar, CEO of Reliance Big Entertainment, feels that stories “told in an aspirational manner, do well”. His studio is backing forthcoming biopics such as Super 30 (where Hrithik Roshan will play mathematician Anand Kumar) and Chanakya (with Ajay Devgn playing the strategist). Sarkar thinks Indians have been “raised to follow idols and seek out stories of heroes”. He says: “We aspire to follow in the footsteps of heroes. Many are aware of [former Indian skipper] Dhoni’s success, but not many are aware of his journey to greatness, and that can be a great hook.” Even Krish, maker of the forthcoming Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, feels this is an important factor to determine the success of a biopic. “Everyone knows the story of Lakshmibai, but how many know that her actual name was Manikarnika? People usually know things at a superficial level,” he says. “Everyone knows about Gandhi, but when you watch the movie, you learn so much more about his personality.”

The 39-year-old filmmaker, who is also slated to make NTR (on actor politician N T Rama Rao), feels biopics are often tinged by the larger-than-life aspect of their subjects. “NTR is treated like a prophet in Andhra Pradesh, and you cannot say anything [negative] about him. Everyone knows his story. He is both, a myth and a real person, so a film must reflect that — which means exhaustive research and treading with caution,” says Krish who considers Nag Ashwin’s Mahanati (on the life of actress Savitri) to be the “gold standard” in biopics.


Literary deductions

While working on the 1988 TV series Mirza Ghalib, Gulzar remembers how he managed to recreate the Urdu poet’s personality through his writings — his letters and published works. And Nandita Das, who will make her directorial debut with Manto, on Urdu writer Saadat Hasan Manto, followed a similar perocess. Das believes it is essential to retain the subject’s personality without whitewashing his flaws. “I have made no attempt to put Manto on a pedestal, like most biopics end up doing. He is fallible and full of contradictions, like all of us,” says Das.

But retro-fitting facts to elevate a personal account can actually be a dangerous thing. Panicker feels deliberate ‘lapses’ can be accepted by future generations unquestioningly as the truth. “What are you leaving behind as a record of your times? Why assume that art only exists in the moment, and has no resonance for the future?” Panicker asks, adding that his opinion of French courts, for instance, was partly formed by the writings of Alexandre Dumas. Viswanathan, on the other hand, feels that in India, a biopic is a clear combination of myth and history, and can never be just one or the other.

So who would make for a winning subject for a biopic? “Anyone who is a caricature of themselves,” says Vishwanathan, adding that late actor and politician Jayalalithaa would be a strong contender. “Her life as a corrupt chief minister is so sordid that it makes for great cinema. When an income tax office once raided Jayalalitha’s house and visited the bathroom, he saw that the tub was made of gold. He said, ‘I couldn’t even wash my hands as my sense of hygiene was vioilated’.” But there are those who feel sticking to facts will not render a compelling narrative. Mayank Tiwari, who is adapting Sanjaya Baru’s The Accidental Prime Minister, based on former PM Manmohan Singh, feels that “any biopic, no matter how sincere, will ultimately remain what it is: a story. But human life isn’t a story as such. I am not saying one should make up facts or create drama where there is none. But in the end, we are making a film, and the idea is to engage the viewer with as much truth and integrity as the writer/director can muster.”

Rohit Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 22, 2018)

Earlier this year, on July 13, actress Chitrangada Singh turned producer with Soorma, the biopic on Indian’s former hockey captain Sandeep Singh who was paralysed after an accidental gunshot in 2006 but defied the odds to return to the playing field. Encouraged by the positive response, she is now planning to produce another sports biopic.

A source close to the actress told Mirror that the idea is still in the nascent stage, but she has liked a riveting emotional story and is in talks with her team to bring it to the screen. “She is planning to roll with it early next year with some known faces,” adds the source.

Chitrangada was last seen in the third instalment of the Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster franchise as Sanjay Dutt’s love interest. The film opened on July 27. She is now looking forward to the Nikkhil Advani’s crime drama Bazaar, alongside Saif Ali Khan, Radhika Apte and newbie Rohan Mehra. The film is set against the backdrop of stock market. 

Taapsee Pannu to gift Soorma costume to player who impresses her. Over the upcoming weekend, Pannu will take to her Facebook account to initiate a contest urging players to share videos showcasing their hockey skills and drills
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 1, 2018)

When training with young hockey enthusiasts to perfect her act in Soorma, Taapsee Pannu was taken aback by the dedication the athletes harboured for their sport. The hockey jersey, she says, was always an element of pride for them, who spoke about the blue tee with passion.

Pannu is now motivated to gift her jersey from the film to a hockey enthusiast. She hopes her gesture would in turn encourage them to pursue the game further. Pannu says, "The young athletes had worked hard to earn that jersey. I had decided while shooting that I would help one young dreamer head in the right direction. My jersey is merely [a costume] for the film. But I hope it pushes them to try and earn one of an [actual] team."

Over the upcoming weekend, Pannu will take to her Facebook account to initiate a contest urging players to share videos showcasing their hockey skills and drills. "I am looking for an honest, passionate and interesting applicant — someone who genuinely wants to dive into the field of hockey, and wishes to follow his/her dream. I love it when people show me hockey tricks, especially because I too have learnt a few. So, if I find some epic trick videos, that will be a bonus," she says.

Soorma has a great and an unbelievable story to tell. After all, the way hockey legend Sandeep Singh made a stunning comeback is nothing sort of a miracle. And the first half is so nicely directed that one expects Soorma to be one of the best films of the year. But shockingly, the film goes downhill in the second half, when it should have gone on a high. There were several scenes that would have made a huge impact if it were given a massy and dramatic touch, the way it was done in the first hour. But for some strange reason, director Shaad Ali executed it in a very bland manner, diluting the impact heavily. The performances save the day to an extent. Diljit Dosanjh is very lovable and puts his best foot forward. Whether he’s romancing or awing everyone with dragflick or when he’s down and lost hope, Diljit essays all these moods very well. Taapsee Pannu is brilliant, in the first half, but in the second half her character suffers due to weak writing. Angad Bedi has an important part and enhances impact in few scenes. Vijay Raaz is the surprise element. He’s sure to bring the house down in single screens with his one liners! The title song has an exhilarating feel but is badly utilized in the movie. All in all, an average fare!

My rating - ** ½ out of 5

WILL SOORMA GO THE BHAAG MILKHA BHAAG WAY?

The first significant film of the second half of 2018 is all set to release tomorrow. Soorma, based on the Hockey legend Sandeep Singh, will be trying its luck at the box office. The plot is very interesting but the limited buzz can play spoilsport.

Soorma stars Diljit Dosanjh in the lead role. Taapsee Pannu and Angad Bedi also feature in important roles in this flick directed by Shaad Ali. Chitrangda Singh debuts as a producer. The trailer is interesting but has shown too much about the plot. At the same time, it intrigues viewers as to how Sandeep Singh managed to get back on his feet after the ghastly accident, especially when the doctors had given up all hope. If this bit is handled well, Soorma can turn out to be a terrific flick and get thumbs up from the audiences too. Songs, by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, are melodious but haven’t worked.

Sadly, the excitement for the film is very limited. Sanju, released two weeks ago, is still going super strong and trade and industry feel that it’ll eat into the business of Soorma. As a result, the opening would definitely be quite poor. But the film can pick up if the reports are positive.

Sports biopics can work big time, especially if they are inspirational. In the recent past, films like Mary Kom was a decent success, M S Dhoni – The Untold Story and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag were huge hits while Dangal is Bollywood’s biggest grosser. Parallels will be drawn with Bhaag Milkha Bhaag when it comes to Soorma as both flicks has a turbaned sportsperson as the lead. While Bhaag Milkha Bhaag had generated tremendous excitement pre-release which in a way helped the film achieve massive commercial success, the same is not the case for Soorma. But if audience’s appreciation is there, it can perform the same way at the box office (though not cross the Rs 100 crore mark), like the Farhan Akthar starrer!

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE SOORMA AND WHY? DO LET ME KNOW!

As Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Soorma depicts hockey legend Sandeep Singh's unrequited first love, makers change character's name, at player's behest
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; July 2, 2018)

With Soorma, Diljit Dosanjh has brought the real-life journey of hockey legend Sandeep Singh to the big screen. From Singh being wheelchair-bound for two years after being hit by an accidental gunshot in August 2006, to him leading the Indian team to victory at the 2009 Sultan Azalan Shah Cup - the Shaad Ali-directed biopic stays true to the events that occurred in Singh's life.

The film also sheds light on his unrequited first love. Although the other actors in the film play real-life characters, Taapsee Pannu's part - Singh's first girlfriend - has apparently been rechristened, on his request.

Before he met his now-wife Harjinder Kaur, Singh was said to be in love with a Punjabi girl, who also shared his ardent love for the sport. While the makers have depicted the love story, they have changed the girl's name to Harpreet, in a bid to protect the woman's identity. A source says, "The trailer shows that Taapsee's character, Harpreet dumps Sandeep after learning of his paralysis. This is a lesser-known chapter of Sandeep's life. After that, Sandeep's family friend Harjinder walked into his life, and the two fell in love. She stood by him like a rock through the ordeal, till he fully recovered and was back on the field. The duo got engaged two years later at Sandeep's hometown Shahabad and got married in 2008."

A source from Soorma's creative team says, "The makers have changed a few details of Taapsee's character, including her name. They had to keep the woman's identity under wraps as she's married to someone else. She encouraged Sandeep to take up hockey seriously. Since Soorma is inspired by a real story, the makers have tried to keep the script as authentic as possible, with just a few tweaks."

Set to replicate the bond that the brothers and hockey players shared in Soorma, Angad on how his character is a defining one
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 18, 2018)

The sincerity with which Angad Bedi speaks about Bikramjeet Singh isn’t lost on us. Slipping into the role of former Indian national hockey captain Sandeep Singh’s brother in Soorma, Bedi asserts that it was Bikramjeet’s sacrifice that enabled Sandeep to reach heights. “Bikramjeet couldn’t pursue hockey because of his injuries, so it was important for him to see his brother in the Indian jersey,” Bedi tells mid-day.

Pointing out that after Sandeep suffered a spinal injury, Bikramjeet worked two jobs to ensure he got back on the field. “Bikramjeet brought Sandeep up and trained him. He did two jobs so that he could send his brother to Holland for treatment. Sandeep’s return to the game was his life’s motive. It was Bikramjeet’s sacrifice that enabled Sandeep to play for the country.”

So strong is the warmth between the brothers that even when Bedi went to Bikramjeet’s house to interact with him, he found it splashed with pictures of Sandeep’s victories. “Sandeep’s success was Bikramjeet’s dream. The dream that the two brothers harboured was integral to the film.”

Having understood the bond they shared, it was, perhaps, imperative for the actor to replicate it for reel with co-star Diljit Dosanjh, who slips into the role of protagonist Sandeep. “In Diljit, I found a brother,” Bedi says, adding, “When we first met, we gave each other the longest hug that two unknown people [could share]. I harbour the same love for him that my dad does for me. I passed that energy onto him. I’m certain, it will show on screen.”