Arbaaz Khan on Chulbul’s new love interest in Dabangg 3; reveals that Irrfan Khan, Randeep Hooda were first choices for Robin Hood cop
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 23, 2019)

Mirror was the first to report (July 16) that Mahesh Manjrekar’s younger daughter Saiee (left) is being launched opposite Salman Khan in the third instalment of his cop drama Dabangg. The actress plays the love interest of the 20-something Chulbul Pandey in the prequel scenes with Sonakshi Sinha as his better half Rajjo in the present day. “Salman has known Saiee for a while. He was sure she fits the bill perfectly as an innocent young girl and after seeing her perform, we know she’s exactly what we wanted for Dabangg 3,” asserts producer Arbaaz Khan.

The Dabangg franchise kicked off in 2010 with Abhinav Kashyap as the director. “When Abhinav narrated the script to me, I asked him why he wasn’t offering me the role of the Robin Hood cop. But more than Chulbul, he saw me as Makkhi, which was an extension of my role in Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na. He was looking to cast Randeep Hooda or Irrfan Khan as the lead then but neither of them had been finalised. I offered to produce the film for him and asked him what if we got Salman on board as Pandey ji. He was instantly excited and things quickly fell in place,” Arbaaz reveals.

Seven years after the sequel, Dabangg 3 rolled on April 1 this year, and Arbaaz points out that the moment Salman gets into uniform and glues on the moustache, he is Chulbul Pandey come to life. “The character fits him like a glove. Even Makkhi has evolved and is integral to the narrative, with different shades in the prequel and the present,” he says, refusing to divulge more.

Arbaaz has been quietly shooting for Priya Varrier’s upcoming film, Sridevi Bungalow, in which he has a special appearance. His character is a lot like who he is in real life. “I play an actor who comes to Priya’s rescue with an action sequence unlike any I have done before, designed by a stunt team from Thailand,” he exults. Prod him on the wink sensation and he says that while he was aware the clip featuring Priya had gone viral, he met her for the first time on the film set and found her to be a hard-working, focused girl. “That wink was a magical moment which got her noticed, but to have a career in this industry, she will have to do some interesting work,” he observes.

Meanwhile Dabangg 3, directed by Prabhudheva, has been on the floors for almost 70 days now. “We are only 60 per cent through. Shooting will wrap up by September end leaving us with three months for post-production,” the maker informs. Quiz him on the surprise element this time and pat comes the answer, “Sudeep (the Kannada actor who plays the antagonist).”

Arbaaz Khan says he greenlit Sridevi Bungalow only after he was assured movie wasn't cashing in on actor's tragic death
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; July 17, 2019)

Besides making news for being 'wink girl' Priya Prakash Varrier's Bollywood launchpad, Sridevi Bungalow has hit headlines owing to the controversy surrounding it. After the film's trailer dropped online, Boney Kapoor slapped a legal notice on the makers, alleging that the film appeared to cash in on his late wife and actor Sridevi's untimely death.

While the film's title was a bone of contention, he also questioned the sequence in the trailer that depicted an actor drowning in a bathtub. Arbaaz Khan, who plays a Bollywood superstar in the thriller, says that he agreed to be part of the project only after he was convinced that the makers had honest intentions.

"Almost 80 per cent of the film was shot when they approached me for a special appearance. Although I loved my role, I had reservations regarding the film considering [it was mired in] controversies. I voiced my concern to them as I didn't want to be associated with a project that may take undue advantage of something so unfortunate. But they guaranteed me that they weren't doing anything wrong. They even told me that they had registered the title before the demise of Sridevi. The makers sent me press clippings and interviews of the cast where they had clarified their stand," explains the actor.

Director of Priya Varrier’s Hindi debut is kicked to have the actor in his suspense-thriller, which has been in the news for its curious title
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 17, 2019)

Even as his upcoming film, the Salman Khan-starrer Dabangg 3, is under production, Arbaaz Khan has given his nod to Prasanth Mambully’s Sridevi Bungalow which features ‘wink girl’ Priya  Prakash Varrier in the titular role.

Confirming the news, Prasanth said, “In the film, Arbaaz ji plays a Bollywood superstar and his character is very important to the script. I really like him and think he suits the part well. In fact, he is called Arbaaz Khan in the film too. We have finished 80 percent of the shoot, and the remaining will be filmed in Mumbai in July.”

Refuting reports that his film is based on the late actress Sridevi’s life, the director revealed, “It is a suspense thriller with lots of mysteries and is not related to Sridevi. I had been busy writing this script for the last two years and even tried to cast Kangana (Ranaut) for the lead role but she couldn’t do the film because of her hectic schedule. I think Priya is apt for the character and has played the role well. I had selected her bearing in mind that the film can be released in South India as well.”

Prasanth went on to reveal that Priya plays an actress named Sridevi in the film. She goes to London to shoot for a film and the turn of events there changes her life. Objecting to the film’s title, Boney Kapoor had sent a legal notice to the makers. “We have received a notice from Sridevi’s husband. It instructs that Sridevi’s name must not be used or her biopic should not be made. But there are so many people named Sridevi. I cannot change my movie’s name. I have sent a reply to the notice stating all these things. I am yet to receive a response,” he signed off. 

Priya Varrier, whose wink in a Malayalam film made her an overnight sensation online, on life post-fame and upcoming B’wood stint
Hmesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 25, 2019)

Priya Varrier, who became a social media sensation as the ‘wink girl’ from the Malayalam film, Oru Adaar Love, now has her sights on Bollywood. The actress recently wrapped up her Hindi debut, Sridevi Bungalow, and has already signed a follow-up. Titled Love Hackers, the crime-thriller is directed by Mayank Prakash Srivastava and goes on the floors by May-end. It will be shot across Lucknow, Delhi, Gurgaon and Mumbai.

About her fame on the World Wide Web, the 19-year-old actress says that it was unexpected. “The wink was just a spontaneous gesture that we had in mind while shooting. Nobody thought it would get worldwide attention in such a short span. It was more of a shock than surprise. My family took some time to come to terms with it,” she admits.

While she had wanted to become an actress since childhood, Priya is determined to not let her showbiz career come in the way of education. “I recently gave my exams for the second year of B.Com, and have started the third year. I make it a point to not miss any exams,” she asserts.

She goes on to inform that her second Hindi film is a youth centric story which exposes the dark side of the cyber world. “I play the protagonist, who, with her knowledge, instinct and presence of mind emerges a winner after being trapped in an unfortunate situation. The story is based on real incidents,” she says. Mayank who is currently casting actors for other roles, reveals that casting an internet celebrity in a film on cyber-crime was the clincher. “Online security breaches have made society complex. The number of social media users in India is staggering but most are not aware of different forms of cyber-crimes. We are exploring that with the film,” he asserts.