Showing posts with label Thank God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thank God. Show all posts
Makers opt for revisited versions of newer non-film songs
8:10 AM
Recreation of old classics for films is passé. Of late, makers are opting for revisited versions of newer non-film songs
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 28, 2023)
While recreations of old hit songs for Hindi films isn’t a new trend, of late, filmmakers are opting for recreations of relatively newer songs. In the recent times, a number of movies saw hit singles that released barely a couple of years ago get recreated. Singer Ali Sethi’s cult song Pasoori was revisited for Satyaprem Ki Katha recently. Earlier, Manike Mage Hithe, a hit single by Sri Lankan singer Yohani, was used in the Sidharth Malhotra-starrer Thank God (2022). Jehda Nasha, a viral song composed by the indie band Faridkot, was used in the 2022 film An Action Hero.
While the singles are still fresh in listeners’ minds, we wonder what makes filmmakers opt for their recreations. Varun Gupta, the man behind the marketing of big films, including Adipurush and Saaho (2019), says, “Recreations, if done with a bit of thought, make sense. The call lies with the producer, director and actors. For films that don’t have much music, such recreations help in promotions. But when a movie has original music, it’s not required.”
Earlier, the 2018 song Coca Cola Tu by singer Tony Kakkar was recreated for actor Kartik Aaryan’s Luka Chuppi (2019). Musician Harrdy Sandhu’s 2018 chartbuster Naah Goriye was used in 2020 for the Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer Bala.
Gupta feels that promotional songs that don’t feature in the film are a good marketing tool. “Coming up with a recreation just before a film’s release to get attention works at times. But is it a foolproof way of marketing a film? Not at all,” shares Gupta.
Pasoori’s recreation for Satyaprem Ki Katha was discussed widely. The announcement came barely a few days before the release and the film’s director, Sameer Vidwans, admits that they were prepared for the polarizing feedback. “Pasoori is a cult song. So if we recreated it, people were bound to react. We really wanted the song in our film’s soundtrack. Yes, it could have led to a negative impact on the movie, but we were sure that the song’s intensity will only add [value] to our film. I am glad it worked,” he says.
Focus on original music
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh doesn’t feel remakes help a film. “There’s so much original stuff we can do. Recreation has become a norm today. The makers feel if a song is already out, why not encash on its popularity? A really popular recent song, if recreated, will always draw comparisons with the original that’s still fresh in people’s minds,” he says.
Echoing the same sentiment, filmmaker Aanand L Rai, who produced An Action Hero, adds, “As a maker, I have accepted this and feel sorry. Recreations show our bankruptcy on the music front. It shows that we are unable to create something that is soulful or what people enjoy listening to. These things show that it is time for us to gear up and work a little more on our films’ music. It is a very important ingredient and we cannot borrow it every time. It is important to come up with originals.”
A good film will find its audience; everybody knows that Shershaah was a hit, or everybody was talking about Freddy-Rakul Preet Singh
8:36 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; February 27, 2023)
Rakul Preet Singh clocked in five releases in 2022 and one at the beginning of 2023. It’s obviously a busy time in her career. Lately, the actress has also been making news for matters of the heart as she is dating actor-producer Jackky Bhagnani. Rakul, who is enjoying this phase of her career, believes that her work will speak for her. Excerpts from a chat with the actress:
Right after the pandemic, you had five releases (in 2022) — Attack, Runway 34, Cuttputlli, Doctor G and Thank God. What do you think is working in your favour?
I don’t put much thought into what I have done right because I always live in the present. The moment my films release, it becomes the past. My energies are always on what I need to do next and how I can do better projects and grow as an actor. I am grateful that things panned out the way they have. I am also grateful to all the makers who believed in me as I got to do diverse films — from a commercial movie like Cuttputlli to a thriller like Runway 34 and the campus comedy Doctor G, in which I played a small-town doctor. What’s most important is the love of the audience because box-office numbers are driven by too many factors.
You have been doing South films long before the audience started consuming them widely across the country, the way they are now. Lately, there has been a lot of debate about the content of South films being better than Bollywood.
We are creating a debate where there is none. It’s just an outcome of there being so many platforms and the fact that everyone has an opinion on social media. South Indian cinema has been celebrated for the longest time on Hindi GECs (general entertainment channels), where people watch these films. It’s the influx of too much consumption during the pandemic, which is why it became a talking point, and I am glad because those films needed to be celebrated. Regional and Hindi cinema both are a part of the Indian industry, so there is no comparison. Today, if a film is good, it will find its audience. We should rather speak about the amazing time that we are in, where a great exchange of content, artistes and directors is happening, and the fact that we can make such great international-level cinema using talent across the country.
There are a lot of films releasing directly on OTT these days. Do you think your film Chhatriwali , which was released on OTT, would have done well in theatres?
No, I haven’t had that thought because it was never meant to be for the theatres. Today it’s not about which medium the film releases on. Everybody knows that Shershaah was a hit, or everybody was talking about Freddy. A good film will find its audience, whether it’s through OTT or theatres. Sometimes, good movies like Runway 34 get way more appreciation on OTT. Of course, the box-office numbers matter when a film is released in the theatres, but I think we understand that we are going through a re-correction phase currently, and the box office alone does not define whether the film is good, or whether you are good.
But it does matter when it comes to cementing your position in the industry, right?
Fortunately or unfortunately, it does to some extent. There has been a backlog of films for two years. Films are being released every week; sometimes, there are two releases. How do you expect the audience to come and watch every film? It’s an expensive affair. In the South, there is a cap that the government has on the pricing of the tickets, which you do not have here. So, they pick that one film a month but that doesn’t mean that your movie is bad. It just means that people possibly don’t have money right now. This can be one of the factors. While numbers give you a positioning, the industry realises that it’s a sensitive time today. So, your work is possibly not just looked through the prism of your box-office numbers.
You aren’t hiding your relationship with actor-producer Jackky Bhagnani. Recently, there was buzz about your marriage…
The thing is that I have always been vocal and whenever that conversation happens, I will be open. Given the films I am shooting and the ones Jackky is producing, where do you think we have the time? Whenever it happens, I will be the first one to announce it. As of now, we are extremely busy with our work.
I have nothing against remakes-Yohani
8:10 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 27, 2022)
Yohani shot to fame with her Sinhala-language song Manike Mage Hithe, which currently holds over 200 million views on YouTube. A rehashed version of it found a place in the recently-released Hindi film, Thank God.
Ask what’s her take on recreations, and the singer-songwriter says: “I have nothing against remakes. I think they are a good way of making the younger generation listen to older songs. Otherwise, they wouldn’t even know a song exists.”
She goes on to highlight how her reach has expanded: “Look where my song has got me! I have the chance to connect with new listeners.”
Having gained fame almost overnight, with countless reels and renditions being made on her chartbuster, Yohani admits her life has changed completely. “It has been a very long journey in such a short time. I am so grateful. From being just a cover to now being in a Bollywood film... It speaks how far the song has come,” exclaims the 29-year-old, who has now moved to Mumbai to pursue more prospects in Bollywood.
And the industry, she says, has been very welcoming. “People here are really nice. The traffic is a bit of a problem in Mumbai though, but the food is amazing!” she adds.
Original singers of Jedha Nasha thanked me for putting their song in the film-Tanishk Bagchi
8:09 AM
Syeda Eba Fatima (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 18, 2022)
Music composer Tanishk Bagchi as well as the music record label have been facing flak for “recreating” and “ruining” another popular song. Case in point: Nasha. But the remake’s composer asks, “If recreations give exposure to independent artistes and put them in the limelight, what’s the harm in doing it?”
Bagchi goes on, “Log jaante hi nahin hain ki kisne gaaya hai wo gaana (Amar Jalal and Faridkot). However, recreating the song and picturizing it on (actor) Ayushmann Khurrana and (actor-dancer) Nora Fatehi will help the original singers gain recognition. We are simply becoming a window through which these people can enter the mainstream.”
Giving an example of another song, Manike, Bagchi says, “We did a recreation of Manike for Ajay Devgn’s film Thank God, and it was a bigger hit than the original song. It also helped its artiste, Yohani, who is an independent singer, get her due. So, if recreation is helping an artiste, why shouldn’t we do it?”
As far as the decision to recreate this particular song is concerned, the Raataan Lambiyan (Shershaah, 2021) composer says it was not his call: “The filmmaker and the original singers collaboratively took the decision to work on this track, and I was included much later when they asked for my help with the composition. And since it’s not my track, I have not made many changes to it. In fact, after reworking the composition, I sent it to the original singers, and they really loved it. They thanked me for putting their song in the film (An Action Hero) and said, ‘We want people to know that it’s our song’.”
Bagchi, who has worked on several recreations, including O Saki Saki and Dilbar, doesn’t see any harm in it because everyone gets the credit as well as the money: “I make it a point that the original singers get credit and royalties. Like with Jehda Nasha, we ensured that the original singers got to sing it. Had we made another artiste sing it, the criticism would’ve been valid.”
Except Sooryavanshi, all holiday releases post pandemic fail to work at the box office
8:08 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
The holiday releases have seen disaster results though it was off to a great start with SOORYAVANSHI last Diwali. Since SOORYAVANSHI, there have been five major holidays with four this year and one last year. Last year there was 83 on Christmas, which failed badly.
Then on Republic Day, there were no releases while Eid in April proved a total disaster with HEROPANTI 2 and RUNWAY 34 as both films took in just 58 crore nett combined. On the Raksha Bandhan/Independence Day, the industry probably saw its lowest point of all time as LAAL SINGH CHADDHA and RAKSHA BANDHAN took in just 105 crore nett combined with multiple holidays and on top LAAL SINGH CHADDHA was an event film.
Now Diwali is not much better as both RAM SETU and THANK GOD will hit 110 crore nett between them and that is best case scenario as final totals could be under 110 crore nett. The Diwali performance is not as bad as Independence Day as neither RAM SETU or THANK GOD were event films like LAAL SINGH CHADDHA.
There have been four event films post the pandemic and they are SOORYAVANSHI, '83, LAAL SINGH CHADDHA and BRAHMASTRA; two have worked while the other two tanked. BRAHMASTRA missed a holiday period; so, if it had worked out for this film and it got a Diwali or Raksha Bandhan/Independence Day, it could have done 15-20% more even with a clash.
The results of major holiday releases this year are as follows.
Eid
Heropanti 2 - 24,91,00,000
Runway 34 - 33,51,00,000
TOTAL - 58,42,00,000
Raksha Bandhan/Independence Day
Laal Singh Chaddha - 59,58,00,000
Raksha Bandhan - 45,23,00,000
TOTAL - 1,04,81,00,000
Diwali
Ram Setu - 75,00,00,000 (expected)
Thank God - 35,00,00,000 (expected)
TOTAL - 1,10,00,00,000 (expected)
Trade analysts say Ram Setu and Thank God may not be able to cross Rs 100-crore mark
8:36 AM
With big-ticket films Ram Setu and Thank God opening to moderate footfall, trade analysts say the Diwali releases may not be able to cross Rs 100-crore mark
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 28, 2022)
Diwali releases are synonymous with starry offerings that generate tremendous hype and heavy footfall, thus bringing in much box-office cheer. Even in the difficult year that was 2021, Rohit Shetty and Akshay Kumar’s Diwali offering Sooryavanshi brought hope to Bollywood. This year, all eyes have been on Kumar’s Ram Setu and Ajay Devgn-Sidharth Malhotra’s Thank God in the hope that the two festival releases may bring a wave of success in an otherwise underwhelming year for Hindi cinema.
The two-day collection of Ram Setu, which opened in about 2,900 screens, stands at Rs 26.65 crores, after it earned Rs 15.25 crores on Tuesday, following it up with Rs 11.40 crores on Wednesday. As per early projections, Abhishek Sharma’s directorial venture may earn close to Rs 10 crores on its third day. The film, also starring Jacqueline Fernandez and Nushrratt Bharuccha, may well see an uptick in the figures over the coming weekend.
Malhotra’s comedy Thank God started off relatively slower across 2,500 screens, with an opening of Rs 8.10 crores, before going on to add another Rs 6 crores to its tally on Wednesday.
Manoj Desai, executive director, G7 cinemas, says that while both movies are steadily making money at the box office, the figures aren’t on par with big-ticket festival offerings. “Ram Setu and Thank God are [almost] on equal footing right now. Neither of them is having house-full shows, which is why I feel [each of] their lifetime numbers won’t cross the Rs 100-crore mark. The problem is that the advance booking for single screens started only on Monday evening [while multiplexes opened last week]. People forget that single screens are major contributors [to the collections of] such films. Both movies recorded 70 per cent occupancy on the holidays,” he states, before adding that on Thursday, the occupancy could have dropped to 40-50 per cent.
The surprise winner this week was the Kannada film, Kantara, which continued the trend of south films dominating the box office. The thriller, which hit the marquee on September 30, has of late found a new audience in Hindi cine-goers, thanks to its strong word of mouth. Trade analyst Ramesh Bala says, “The Hindi version has earned Rs 30 crores. They are increasing the screen count on Friday. In Karnataka alone, Kantara has made Rs. 125 crores. The film may make an additional Rs 100 crore, if it sustains for three weeks in other languages.”
I would love to have my family here with me in Mumbai-Yohani
8:18 AM
The Sri Lankan singer, best known for the song Manike Mage Hithe, has moved to the city to pursue a career in Bollywood
Debarati S Sen (BOMBAY TIMES; October 28, 2022)
When Sri Lankan singer-songwriter-rapper Yohani created Manike Mage Hithe last year, little did she know that she would achieve international fame. Much has changed for the young singer since then, and now she is focusing on Bollywood. She has shifted base to Mumbai and is also learning to speak Hindi. In an exclusive interview with BT, she spoke about life in Mumbai and her future plans.
‘IT STILL FEELS LIKE A DREAM’
While Yohani did dream of singing for Hindi films, she didn’t think she would one day shift base to Mumbai. “I honestly didn’t think I would be able to sing for Bollywood. It all still feels like a dream. I’ve grown up listening to Hindi music and watching Bollywood films. I’m a big fan of so many artistes from India, and now I’ve got to work with a few of them. It still feels surreal,” she says.
‘TAKING LESSONS TO GET THE ACCENT RIGHT’
It is not easy singing in Hindi, she admits. “Singing in a different language is quite a challenge. Learning to match the accent changes my vocal texture, so I need to get that right. But I am taking classes and working towards that,” says Yohani.
‘IT IS DISHEARTENING TO SEE UNKIND WORDS ON SOCIAL MEDIA’
Fans, social media and critics do not take kindly to recreated songs and when we ask her for her views on this, Yohani says, “I personally don’t think about these things. If I like a song, I keep listening to it. Whether it is a remix or not does not matter to me. And I’m humbled by all the love and support that I got for Manike Mage Hithe, which is actually just my version of the existing Sinhalese song. I believe when artistes recreate music, they do not do it with any ill intentions. We do our best and put our heart and soul into the work. It is sometimes disheartening to see unkind words on social media. But we have to take it in our stride and strive to be better next time.”
‘I LIKE THREE-WHEELER RIDES IN MUMBAI’
Now that she has been spending a lot of time in Mumbai because of work, we ask her about the city. She says, “I like the three-wheeler rides (autorickshaw) in Mumbai, and I love how my team makes me feel at home here. The traffic is the only thing I dislike! I’d love to have my family here with me. But sadly, I don’t think they are going to move. My sister is a doctor and her work is mostly in Sri Lanka. Of course, they will come here from time to time to visit.”
‘EVEN THOUGH I DON’T FULLY UNDERSTAND HINDI, I FEEL THE MUSIC AND IT IS AMAZING’
Yohani has a long list of people she is a fan of in the Indian music industry. “I’m a huge fan of A R Rahman, Pritam, Arijit Singh, Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, Sunidhi Chauhan... the list goes on. Even though I don’t fully understand Hindi, I feel their music and it is amazing. I aspire to have a body of work like them one day.”
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 749
10:39 PM
BLEAK DIWALI AS RAM SETU AND THANK GOD UNDERPERFORM
The grand Diwali releases – Ram Setu and Thank God – were released on Tuesday, October 25. A lot of expectations were riding on them but sadly, looking at the collections on the first two days, Ram Setu as well as Thank God seem to have underperformed.
Ram Setu, starring Akshay Kumar, Jacqueline Fernandez and Nushrratt Bharuccha, was the bigger film. The hype was limited but due to Akshay’s presence and festival period, it was able to open at Rs. 15 crores. Incidentally, we had predicted last week that Ram Setu will open in the range of Rs. 15 crores. The word of mouth was mixed. While the film’s concept and climax were appreciated, the film was slammed for its script and lack of logic. As a result, the film dropped to Rs. 11 crores on day 2, though it was a holiday. The collections for Thursday are expected to be around Rs. 8 crores. In other words, the three-day collections are around Rs. 34 crores. The drop on day 4, Friday, will indicate if Ram Setu will be able to cross the Rs. 100 crores mark.
Thank God stars Sidharth Malhotra and Rakul Preet Singh, with Ajay Devgn in a supporting role. Its response was also mixed. The film’s first half seemed slow to many viewers and there were reports that some even walked out in the interval. The second half has got a fairly positive response due to the climax and the sizzling song ‘Manike’. Yet, the overall feedback is that the film is not bad but not too good either. Such kind of word of mouth has kept viewers away from theatres.
We had stated in last week’s edition that Thank God will open between Rs. 7 and 10 crores. And as expected, the film opened at Rs. 7.50 crores on its release day. On the second day, it dropped to Rs. 5.75 crores. If it has collected Rs. 4 crores on Thursday, it means it’ll collect Rs. 17.25 crores in 3 days. At this rate, it seems nearly impossible to even cross the Rs. 50 crores mark.
What’s unfortunate is that Thank God and Ram Setu are collecting such numbers during festival time. It was released at a great time and had the advantage of a six-day weekend. The trade and industry are wondering if the collections are poor in the holiday time, how will the film fare on the weekdays.
The grand Diwali releases – Ram Setu and Thank God – were released on Tuesday, October 25. A lot of expectations were riding on them but sadly, looking at the collections on the first two days, Ram Setu as well as Thank God seem to have underperformed.
Ram Setu, starring Akshay Kumar, Jacqueline Fernandez and Nushrratt Bharuccha, was the bigger film. The hype was limited but due to Akshay’s presence and festival period, it was able to open at Rs. 15 crores. Incidentally, we had predicted last week that Ram Setu will open in the range of Rs. 15 crores. The word of mouth was mixed. While the film’s concept and climax were appreciated, the film was slammed for its script and lack of logic. As a result, the film dropped to Rs. 11 crores on day 2, though it was a holiday. The collections for Thursday are expected to be around Rs. 8 crores. In other words, the three-day collections are around Rs. 34 crores. The drop on day 4, Friday, will indicate if Ram Setu will be able to cross the Rs. 100 crores mark.
Thank God stars Sidharth Malhotra and Rakul Preet Singh, with Ajay Devgn in a supporting role. Its response was also mixed. The film’s first half seemed slow to many viewers and there were reports that some even walked out in the interval. The second half has got a fairly positive response due to the climax and the sizzling song ‘Manike’. Yet, the overall feedback is that the film is not bad but not too good either. Such kind of word of mouth has kept viewers away from theatres.
We had stated in last week’s edition that Thank God will open between Rs. 7 and 10 crores. And as expected, the film opened at Rs. 7.50 crores on its release day. On the second day, it dropped to Rs. 5.75 crores. If it has collected Rs. 4 crores on Thursday, it means it’ll collect Rs. 17.25 crores in 3 days. At this rate, it seems nearly impossible to even cross the Rs. 50 crores mark.
What’s unfortunate is that Thank God and Ram Setu are collecting such numbers during festival time. It was released at a great time and had the advantage of a six-day weekend. The trade and industry are wondering if the collections are poor in the holiday time, how will the film fare on the weekdays.
I don’t want to do roles that have two scenes and one song-Rakul Preet Singh
10:44 PM
Playing a cop who is more successful than her husband in Thank God, Rakul says her Army background makes her choose strong female characters
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 25, 2022)
Only 10 days after the release of Doctor G in which she plays a feisty medical student, Rakul Preet Singh is ready with her final offering of 2022, Thank God. Her past four releases prove that her desire to do different roles is coming true. “I don’t want to be repetitive. Runway 34 is nothing like Doctor G, and Thank God is nothing like my last film. I want to do everything — from masala to hard-hitting movies,” she says.
Thank God, featuring Ajay Devgn and Sidharth Malhotra, belongs to the former category. But it goes beyond a laugh riot to ponder over our tendency to take things for granted. For Singh, the bigger draw was to play an honest cop, who is more successful than her husband, and unapologetically so. The actor says that she consciously chooses roles where the woman exercises complete agency.
“Being an Army kid, I have grown up with a voice. I operate like that in my personal space. I can’t be stopped from expressing my opinion. It reflects in the scripts I choose. I don’t want to do roles that have two scenes and one song. Thankfully, our generation of actors is working at a time when better parts are written [for women]. Films connect with the masses, and have potential to effect change. Thank God talks about the seven sins; it is about introspection and becoming a better person.”
The comedy reunites her with Malhotra after Aiyaary (2018) and Marjaavaan (2019). Stating that they bond over their Delhi roots, she adds, “He has had an incredible journey of making it big.”
In the last two months, Singh got a taste of both worlds — while Cuttputlli received largely negative reviews, Doctor G was celebrated for its progressive thinking. How does she process the feedback and apply it to her future work? “As an actor, I must give 200 per cent to a filmmaker’s vision and the story. If something doesn’t work, we feel bad, but we have to move on. My learning is always to find out how I can better myself. If someone says Rakul can’t act, I will take measures. I will give my all to my next [film].”
(Crisp) Movie Review: THANK GOD by FENIL SETA
5:57 PM
The makers of Thank God released two trailers and both ended up showing too many scenes of the first half. Hence, there is hardly any surprise element in the first hour. Secondly, the film has limited humour. A film of this sort should have made many more LOL moments, especially since it’s coming from Indra Kumar. On the plus side, the concept is interesting and explained in a very simple manner. The film has some touching scenes which keep the interest going. The twist in the tale in the final act is unexpected and makes for a great watch. Also, the chemistry shared by Sidharth Malhotra and Ajay Devgn is entertaining. Sidharth Malhotra gives a restrained but effective performance. Ajay Devgn, in a supporting role, is damn good. Rakul Preet Singh is decent and her screen time is lesser than that of Ajay. Seema Pahwa, Kanlwajit Singh and Urmila Kanetkar (Sidharth’s sister) leave a mark. Kiku Sharda, Sumit Gulati and Vikram Kochhar are funny. Nora Fatehi is quite sizzling; her song ‘Manike’ is well shot and choreographed. All in all, Thank God is a decent family watch this Diwali.
My rating - *** out of 5!
My rating - *** out of 5!
I live for my family's approval of my work-Akshay Kumar
8:31 AM
Akshay Kumar is all set to celebrate Diwali with family, while he looks forward to the release of Ram Setu tomorrow
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 24, 2022)
Actor Akshay Kumar is ushering in the festival of lights with the release of his film, Ram Setu. But, amid all the effort invested in his films and his infectious enthusiasm to keep going, he remains a devoted family man. Ahead of his film’s release, the 55-year-old gets talking about family, films and the Friday factor. Excerpts:
You’ve spent close to three decades in showbiz. Do you still get nervous before a release?
I don’t think that will ever change. It’s like giving an exam. You prepare the entire year for it, revise, write the exam and then wait for the result. So, Friday is like the result day. There is a good kind of nervousness to know what the result will be. That’s what makes every release special.
Your film is clashing with Ajay Devgn’s Thank God...
There is no clash. Let’s not refer to it as that. They are two films, with different appeals, releasing on the same day. It’s happened in the past and it will happen in the future. Fans will choose to watch the one that appeals to them the most or better still, watch both. The main objective is for our fans to enjoy the festival at the movies with friends and family.
Ram Setu is rooted in Indian mythology, something that invokes a million sentiments. Was it risky, in that sense?
Ram Setu is very proudly rooted in Indian history and culture. On the factual side, the team has relied on deep research to represent what is true and bring out several unknown facts. On the spiritual, sentimental side, we have not only remained emotionally respectful, but I can assure you that the values and beliefs associated with Shri Ram and Ram Setu are being uniquely upheld.
What do you feel is the riskiest thing you’ve done so far?
I guess it would have to be every action movie I’ve ever committed to. Sometimes, it’s not the big stunts that are the riskiest. I’ve been hurt performing simple stunts that stunt teams and even myself have taken for granted. The key is to be prepared every single time, check your weapons, cables, timing again and again and again. You can never be too careful in this industry.
Your statement on Koffee With Karan about there being a price for everything evoked a lot of laughs. But, are there projects you won’t do, even if offered all the money in the world?
There’s a price for everything. But, I’d never do something that wouldn’t bring joy or pride to my family. If it hurts, disgusts or disappoints them, my heart wouldn’t be interested. I live for their approval of my work, it just wouldn’t be the same if I knew any project didn’t give them a safe, happy feeling inside.
What are your plans for Diwali this time?
My family was busy studying in London, I was really looking forward to them returning to begin celebrations. There’s nothing quite like playing games with my wife (author Twinkle Khanna) and kids (Aarav and Nitara).
As someone who is busy round the clock, does your family complain about not getting enough time to spend with you?
I think they are busier than me, and I say that with immense pride. But, the one thing we don’t do is complain. Yes, we miss each other. But to be married for 20 years and still miss each other, it is a blessing right there. Nothing in this life is half as good without my family.
Philosophical things are best said with humour-Indra Kumar
8:54 AM
Believing that one’s craft should keep evolving, director says Thank God is his attempt to make comedies with heart, after mindless laugh riots
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 22, 2022)
Director Indra Kumar swears by something that the late lyricist Indeevar had taught him years ago. “He told me, ‘In the field of art, every 15 years, shake yourself up and remake yourself.’ I never forgot his words,” recounts the filmmaker. Thank God is his attempt at that. After several laugh riots, which include Masti (2004) and Total Dhamaal (2019), Kumar wanted to tell a more meaningful story within the premise of a comedy.
“In 2019, I realised it has been 15 years since Masti. I needed a change. I thankfully found a subject that resonated with me. Thank God has the usual comedic moments, but it is all heart.”
Through the Ajay Devgn and Sidharth Malhotra-starrer, the director explores how people are caught up in everyday life and take things for granted. The film, he hopes, will hold a greater sentimental value in the post-pandemic world. “Philosophical things are best said with humour. We are blessed with so much, but we sometimes don’t even stop to appreciate them. I want to send a message to the audience about being thankful for the everyday blessings. We wrote the film before the pandemic, but it is serendipitous that it is coming when the learnings of the pandemic are slowly setting in.”
While Devgn remains one of his favourites, Kumar is impressed by Malhotra. “He caught the essence of what I was making. Actors don’t readily want to play a flawed man, but Sidharth lapped it up.”
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 748
2:51 PM
WILL THE HOLLYWOOD RELEASE AND THE TWO BIG BOLLYWOOD RELEASES MANAGE TO LIGHTEN UP THE BOX OFFICE THIS DIWALI?
This year, the Diwali period will be unusual, from the box office point of view. The festival falls on Monday, October 24. And as per the trend noticed for 9 years, filmmakers shy away from releasing their films on the day of Diwali since people are busy with the Pooja and don’t venture to cinemas. The post-Diwali day usually is when a section of people celebrate the New Year followed by Bhaidooj day. However, this year, the New Year falls on Wednesday, October 26 and Bhaidooj on Thursday, October 27. There’s no holiday on Tuesday, October 25 but many will be taking offs. And this is the day when the Bollywood Diwali releases – Ram Setu and Thank God – will be released on the big screen. The timing is right since October 25, October 26 and October 27 can be counted as holidays. October 28 is a Friday which is a weekend. Hence, from Tuesday, October 25 to Sunday, October 30, it’s like a six-day weekend and possibly the best period for a Hindi film this year.
Ram Setu is the biggest film this week and it stars Akshay Kumar, Nushrratt Bharuccha and Jacqueline Fernandez. It is directed by Abhishek Sharma of Parmanu and Tere Bin Laden fame and as the name suggests, it deals with the iconic bridge that was built by Lord Ram to cross into Lanka. Ram Setu is an action thriller. The genre coupled with the mythology angle can make for a fine watch. Also, it has been mounted on a huge scale and we haven’t had a film of this sort in a long time.
However, the hype is limited. The makers have also not gone all-out. The trailer was released just two weeks before the release. The first day collections might be in the range of Rs. 15 crores. But knowing how the box office is nowadays and how Akshay’s recent films opened, an opening of Rs. 10 crores should be expected. If the word of mouth is positive, it can jump big time on Wednesday, after which, the sky is the limit for the film.
Thank God stars Sidharth Malhotra and Rakul Preet Singh, with Ajay Devgn in a supporting role. Directed by Indra Kumar, it is about a man struggling between life and death and how he gets some invaluable lessons. The film promises to impart important teachings in life but at the same time, it promises to be a complete family entertainer. Unlike Ram Setu, the promotions started very early, in the first week of September. The Hindi version of the song 'Manike Mage Hithe' features in the film and like the original, it is sung by Yohani. Sidharth Malhotra appears in the track along with Nora Fatehi, and it has grabbed eyeballs.
However, the trailer and concept of the film have received a mixed response. Some found the jokes and VFX tacky. It is believed that the elite, urban crowd have not taken too well to what the film has to offer. As a result, it will have to rely on the single-screens and B and C centres to score. What goes in favour of Thank God is that it looks like a clean film and such movies work big time in Gujarat, especially during Diwali. It can take an opening between Rs. 7 and 10 crores. Some industry insiders are predicting that it can even open better than Ram Setu. Although it looks like a long shot, it’s not impossible either.
Lastly, Warner Bros released its Hollywood Diwali dhamaka today, October 20. Titled Black Adam, it belongs to the DC Universe and stars Dwayne Johnson. The excitement was there for the film and as a result, it has taken a fine opening. Most shows in IMAX and 4DX versions have been sold out or are 60-80% full, which is a great result. The day 1 figure is expected to be in the range of Rs. 5-7 crores. It’s a good first day number but from hereon, the film faces a struggle as, during the weekend, viewers will stay away due to Diwali preparations and also because there’s the India vs Pakistan match on Sunday, October 23. If the word of mouth was positive, it would have had a chance to excel from Tuesday onwards.
Unfortunately, the word of mouth is quite mixed. Nevertheless, the wide release, a good first day opening and zero competition till Tuesday will mean that the film will put up a respectable number and despite the release of Thank God and Ram Setu, it’ll get shows in the multiplexes. A lifetime collection of Rs. 40-45 crores will be apt, considering the reports.
This year, the Diwali period will be unusual, from the box office point of view. The festival falls on Monday, October 24. And as per the trend noticed for 9 years, filmmakers shy away from releasing their films on the day of Diwali since people are busy with the Pooja and don’t venture to cinemas. The post-Diwali day usually is when a section of people celebrate the New Year followed by Bhaidooj day. However, this year, the New Year falls on Wednesday, October 26 and Bhaidooj on Thursday, October 27. There’s no holiday on Tuesday, October 25 but many will be taking offs. And this is the day when the Bollywood Diwali releases – Ram Setu and Thank God – will be released on the big screen. The timing is right since October 25, October 26 and October 27 can be counted as holidays. October 28 is a Friday which is a weekend. Hence, from Tuesday, October 25 to Sunday, October 30, it’s like a six-day weekend and possibly the best period for a Hindi film this year.
Ram Setu is the biggest film this week and it stars Akshay Kumar, Nushrratt Bharuccha and Jacqueline Fernandez. It is directed by Abhishek Sharma of Parmanu and Tere Bin Laden fame and as the name suggests, it deals with the iconic bridge that was built by Lord Ram to cross into Lanka. Ram Setu is an action thriller. The genre coupled with the mythology angle can make for a fine watch. Also, it has been mounted on a huge scale and we haven’t had a film of this sort in a long time.
However, the hype is limited. The makers have also not gone all-out. The trailer was released just two weeks before the release. The first day collections might be in the range of Rs. 15 crores. But knowing how the box office is nowadays and how Akshay’s recent films opened, an opening of Rs. 10 crores should be expected. If the word of mouth is positive, it can jump big time on Wednesday, after which, the sky is the limit for the film.
Thank God stars Sidharth Malhotra and Rakul Preet Singh, with Ajay Devgn in a supporting role. Directed by Indra Kumar, it is about a man struggling between life and death and how he gets some invaluable lessons. The film promises to impart important teachings in life but at the same time, it promises to be a complete family entertainer. Unlike Ram Setu, the promotions started very early, in the first week of September. The Hindi version of the song 'Manike Mage Hithe' features in the film and like the original, it is sung by Yohani. Sidharth Malhotra appears in the track along with Nora Fatehi, and it has grabbed eyeballs.
However, the trailer and concept of the film have received a mixed response. Some found the jokes and VFX tacky. It is believed that the elite, urban crowd have not taken too well to what the film has to offer. As a result, it will have to rely on the single-screens and B and C centres to score. What goes in favour of Thank God is that it looks like a clean film and such movies work big time in Gujarat, especially during Diwali. It can take an opening between Rs. 7 and 10 crores. Some industry insiders are predicting that it can even open better than Ram Setu. Although it looks like a long shot, it’s not impossible either.
Lastly, Warner Bros released its Hollywood Diwali dhamaka today, October 20. Titled Black Adam, it belongs to the DC Universe and stars Dwayne Johnson. The excitement was there for the film and as a result, it has taken a fine opening. Most shows in IMAX and 4DX versions have been sold out or are 60-80% full, which is a great result. The day 1 figure is expected to be in the range of Rs. 5-7 crores. It’s a good first day number but from hereon, the film faces a struggle as, during the weekend, viewers will stay away due to Diwali preparations and also because there’s the India vs Pakistan match on Sunday, October 23. If the word of mouth was positive, it would have had a chance to excel from Tuesday onwards.
Unfortunately, the word of mouth is quite mixed. Nevertheless, the wide release, a good first day opening and zero competition till Tuesday will mean that the film will put up a respectable number and despite the release of Thank God and Ram Setu, it’ll get shows in the multiplexes. A lifetime collection of Rs. 40-45 crores will be apt, considering the reports.
In 10 years, one thing that hasn’t changed about me is that I am never happy with my takes-Sidharth Malhotra
8:50 AM
As he completes a decade in Bollywood, Thank God star Sidharth says an actor’s versatility and longevity are true measures of success
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 15, 2022)
Sidharth Malhotra stands for that classic Bollywood dream, where a rank outsider comes to Mumbai, and over time, builds a name for himself. Ten years in the industry and some hits later, the actor is chasing one thing — versatility. “An actor strives for love. We aren’t chasing box-office numbers,” he says, ahead of his Diwali release, Thank God.
“When 10 years after a film releases, people know your dialogues, you feel satisfied. In the past decade, the one thing that hasn’t changed about me is that I am never happy with my takes. I like to know that I can do better. When I see my filmography, I tell myself, ‘Let’s pick different genres.’ I don’t want any two of my characters to look the same. I have consciously worked towards that. But then again, no one knows how this business works.”
His turning point came last year in the form of Shershaah (2021). While the film’s success has taught him much, the actor says that his long run in the movies has been his biggest teacher. “These 10 years have transformed me. I have learnt so much about how a film is made. I feel more empowered to give my point of view to my directors. We all have to buck up and deliver so much in the next two to three decades. Success can’t be judged in 10 years. If in 20 years, I am still here, and people remember my movies and dialogues, I will know I have made it. At the moment, I am nowhere close to being satisfied.”
The actor’s desire to explore different genres has led him to Thank God, also starring Ajay Devgn and Rakul Preet Singh. Malhotra says he was keen to try his hand at comedy. “When you work with Indra Kumar [director], you learn so much. There is much to laugh about here, but the film says a lot about karma and life. This is not a leave-your-brains-at-home comedy. This film has the balance of humour and emotional graph. I’ve learnt about comic timing. Ajay Devgn is another great actor to work with.”
Malhotra’s personal life is making as much news as his professional life. We can’t let him go without asking him about his rumoured April 2023 wedding with Kiara Advani. “Marriage is a personal choice that as and when it will happen, people will come to know. Such things can’t be kept under wraps.”
Bringing Manike Mage Hithe into a Bollywood film would also help Yohani-Tanishk Bagchi
8:09 AM
Composer on reviving Sri Lankan singer’s lockdown hit, Manike Mage Hithe, and enabling her to make her industry debut
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; September 12, 2022)
One among the most popular independent songs that caught music aficionados’ attention during the lockdown is headed to Bollywood. Tanishk Bagchi has revived Sri Lankan singer Yohani’s Manike Mage Hithe for Thank God, starring Ajay Devgn.
“Different artistes are now thriving, and the audience is accepting new singers, and new sounds with open arms. We knew this song [was gaining attention], so we decided to use it. Bringing it into a Bollywood film would also help [Yohani],” Bagchi tells mid-day, adding that since the original was designed with finesse, he decided to retain the essence of the song.
“It did so well because it is a good track to begin with. We wanted to retain her vocals in it. Since she is from Sri Lanka, her Hindi [pronunciation] wasn’t powerful enough. But, she practised and did it quite well. I expect this rendition to perform well among the masses,” says Bagchi, of the song that features Nora Fatehi.
The musician, who already has an enormous line-up of movies in Bollywood, has his eyes set on the South film industry. “I have already pitched to them, and am waiting for a response. I am waiting to work on a film in which I can get [control] over the background score music, as well as the songs.”
Covid-19 grips Bollywood; what’s at stake?
8:19 AM
A rise in Coronavirus cases in B-Town pulls the plug on film releases and shoots, leaving the industry in stress
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 5, 2022)
It’s back — the uncertainty, coupled with financial losses amid what is being touted as the third wave of Coronavirus. Celebs such as John Abraham, Ekta Kapoor, Delnaaz Irani, Drashti Dhami, Sumona Chakravarti and Prem Chopra have tested positive and film releases have been pushed, including that of RRR and Jersey.
As expected, people from the film industry are worried about the movies that are currently in various stages of production. According to reports, a few crew members tested positive on the set of actor Deepika Padukone’s Gehraiyaan, and as per rule, the shoot had to be stalled.
Trade expert Atul Mohan says everyone will be on the back foot now. “This will instil fear in actors to not go out and shoot for at least 10-15 days. There has been a sudden rise in cases and the economic repercussions will be there. Jersey got affected, and now, the entire year’s calendar will get disturbed. More states are going to shut down theatres,” he reasons.
We have learnt that the trailer launch of Gehraiyaan, which was supposed to take place in Alibaug, Maharashtra, has been cancelled, too. Also, a concert that was planned in Mumbai for Prabhas’ Radhe Shyam has been called off.
Producer Anand Pandit, who has a film, Thank God, coming up, says looking at the soaring number of cases in Bollywood, things seen to have gone out of control: “Fortunately, my production is complete. The film’s last day of shoot was two days ago and the rest of the work starts in March, so we will wait and watch. But, production is going to be severely impacted for everyone else.”
The atmosphere on the sets has also become fearful. Ravi Sarin, line producer for several films and web projects in Delhi, says the crew members have been sent home and all work has stopped. “We can’t shoot anything with just 20 people on set, so everything has been cancelled,” he says.
Trade analyst Joginder Tuteja says that things will need to be watched for at least a couple of months. “It’s not just the film industry; even the common man is prepared for such ups and downs now. There’s no uncertainty like the first wave. [I am sure] this wave will subside soon and we will be able to bounce back,” he ends.
This can’t keep going on forever. We’ve to be able to defeat the virus-Rakul Preet Singh
8:27 AM
Rakul Preet Singh is worried about Omicron harming livelihoods in film industry
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 4, 2021)
With four films lined up for release this year – Attack, Runway 34, Doctor G and Thank God, actor Rakul Preet Singh feels 2022 is going to be “a super important year” for her. Talking about it, she says, “I’ve been waiting for my work to come out. I’m glad that four of my films have announced their theatrical release dates. Hopefully, there will be more releases.”
However, the surge in Coronavirus cases is a matter of concern for Singh, much like anyone else. Worried that the theatrical release of many films might be delayed again, she adds, “A lot of people have been struggling with getting their films out. There’s so much money riding on each film. The livelihoods of so many people, apart from actors, directors and producers, depend on films.”
Currently, the fear of an impending lockdown affecting film schedules and shutdown of theatres all across the country is looming in the air. And the 31-year-old prays for brighter days. “The rise in Omicron cases is a sad reality. Everything is unpredictable. All we can do is hope that people get vaccinated, take necessary precautions and follow protocols. This can’t keep going on forever. We’ve to be able to defeat the virus,” she shares.
The film industry suffered significant losses over the last two years due to the pandemic. Ask her if she feels that showbiz is mentally prepared for another wave, and Singh says, “I guess, yes. However, the industry may suffer a hit again. The films that released in 2021 did well. We were all going back to our normal lives. But we have to wait and see what the future has in store for us.”
Cinema, at least the kind that I’m doing, has just one destination: a theatre near you-Ajay Devgn
8:17 AM
The actor says it was a better time when he didn’t have to choose between OTT and theatres
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 6, 2021)
Two of Ajay Devgn’s productions — The Big Bull and Tribhanga — have already premiered on OTT platforms amid the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic and both received good response, too. Clearly, the actor-producer believes in the potential of the web space.
However, he’s someone who has been a quintessential big screen hero all his life, and also owns a theatre chain. How does he look at the face-off between OTT platforms and theatres in the future, when the Coronavirus situation gets better? Will he make it a point that each of his film gets a theatrical release only?
“Cinema, at least the kind that I’m doing, has just one destination — a theatre near you. I want the films I’m doing to be enjoyed on the big screen. I cannot debate on the merits of cinema halls versus OTT platforms, because the reality is that both will coexist,” admits the De De Pyaar De (2019) actor.
The 52-year-old goes on to add that of course he wants theatres to retain the importance they hold, both for the actors and audiences.
“As the owner of a theatre chain, I want cinemas to flourish. I want my staff to have employment and be happy, though what I want may be different from the reality. So, one can only hope and pray that we come back to a pre-Covid phase, where we had no tough choices to make,” says Devgn, who has been in the film business for three decades now, and has cemented himself as one of the most popular actors.
From quirky comedies such as the Golmaal franchise, to intense dramas like Omkara (2006) and hit actioners like the Singham series, the superstar has never really stuck to any one genre.
And he calls it a “well thought of strategy” that he never wanted any one image for himself.
He tells us, “I’ve been like this from the start of my career. I jumped from commercial to middle-of-the-road cinema, from art-house films to over-the-top comedies. If you’re an actor, you must go through the entire gamut. And, there’s not one kind of cinema that I enjoy. Every genre has takers.”
Even now, a variety of films including Maidaan, MayDay and Thank God feature on his upcoming list. Besides full-fledged projects, Devgn would also be seen making special appearances in Gangubai Kathiawadi, RRR and Sooryavanshi.
The actor continues, “Forget the past, what I’m doing now is also a mixed bag. Maidaan is a biopic with a football-backdrop, MayDay is an aviation thriller. I’m eagerly looking forward to the next instalment of Singham. And, when Golmaal happens, once again, there’ll be a mad hatter’s party, as we know franchises like Singham and Golmaal have their ever-so-faithful audience.”
Ajay Devgn-Sidharth Malhotra starrer Thank God deferred again
8:07 AM
Having resumed filming in January, Thank God delayed again; producer Pandit says safety of crew most crucial
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 21, 2021)
While he awaits the theatrical release of his production, Chehre, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Emraan Hashmi, producer Anand Pandit’s other project, Thank God, has also been affected by the second wave of the Coronavirus pandemic.
A shooting stint of the Ajay Devgn, Sidharth Malhotra and Rakul Preet Singh-starrer was slated for this month, but has now been deferred due to the lockdown.
“We had planned another schedule in the end of April, but given the prevailing situation, production has come to a standstill. We don’t know how things will pan out in the coming days, so we can’t think of making any plans. Everyone needs to take the necessary precautions and follow the guidelines. Safety of all is of utmost importance,” says Pandit.
After Total Dhamaal (2019), Indra Kumar wields the directorial baton again with Thank God. There had been talk of the slice-of-life comedy and the cast since 2019. It finally went on floors only this year.
On January 7, Devgn had confirmed on social media that he was part of the film, which would kick-start its first schedule on January 21.
“We shot with Sidharth and Rakul. Ajay was to join later as he was keen to wrap up his directorial venture, Mayday first,” adds Pandit. Malhotra had shared from the set a sneak peek, which saw him in the role of a cop.
“We will have to juggle dates yet again when we begin anew,” says Pandit who is co-producing Thank God with T-Series, Kumar and Ashok Thakeria.
“It’s a wait-and-watch situation for filmmakers till the current crisis ebbs. I would also like to give Chehre the theatrical release it deserves,” adds Pandit, who also backed the recently released drama, The Big Bull, starring Abhishek Bachchan.
Whether my talent has been tapped is subject to the film and audience-Sidharth Malhotra
8:09 AM
Sidharth Malhotra says he is satisfied as an actor today and is excited about his upcoming projects
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 24, 2021)
He’s got quite a variety on his plate now, and Sidharth Malhotra is only too happy for it. While he started shooting for a comedy, Thank God, with Ajay Devgn, his thriller Mission Majnu has also went on floors.
He says he likes to mix up genres, and on whether he’s got enough opportunities to prove his talent till date, he adds, “Whether the makers have tapped into my talent or not is subject to film-to-film and the audience. There should be more concentration on stories first and then the execution, because if either of them falters, then the projects don’t work.”
Talking more about it, he says he is indeed “satisfied, happy and excited” as a creative person and as an actor today. “Indra (Kumar, director) Ji has done an immense amount of light-hearted films and he is donning a new avatar with Thank God. Mission Majnu is an inspiring story of India’s history and it is being helmed by a very experienced ad filmmaker,” says the 36-year-old.
Malhotra had stepped out for work before these two films as well, to finish some patch work for his next, Shershaah. Talking about his experience getting back on set, he says, “I didn’t step out during the extreme time of the Coronavirus pandemic. Luckily I’ve not been directly affected by the virus. One can do a lot to keep their immunity up, have a good lifestyle, a great diet, something which I anyway believed in. But people need to take all precautions. I am taking them too, I’m not being foolish.”
2020 as a year was tough for everyone, and more so for the film industry, with even work from home not possible for pending projects. The actor is sad that a lot of people lost their lives, “There was a lot of confusion. Work came secondary, as at one particular point everyone’s work got stuck but yes if we talk about today now, entertainment business is yet to come back.”
Getting the audiences back to theatres safely is what’s on the industry’s mind, Malhotra elucidates, “As a film person or even as an audience it is of concern, that you hope you can find a safe way to get people to the theatres, which we do have. I think the worst is over, and we are looking forward to this year,” he says.
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