Showing posts with label The Big Bull. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Big Bull. Show all posts
I am the biggest Feroz Khan fan, and Fardeen has his father’s screen presence-Sanjay Gupta
10:12 AM
Impressed after working with Khan on Visfot, maker Sanjay Gupta discusses the hardships indie producers face to release their films in today’s volatile market
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 5, 2024)
In Maximum City: Bombay Lost and Found, author Suketu Mehta described Bombay as “the city of dreams where nothing is as it seems”. Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta feels it’s an apt description of the city that plays a prime role in his next, Visfot. Mumbai’s contrasts—wealth and poverty, tradition and modernity, ambition and despair—became the perfect backdrop for the filmmaker’s desi adaptation of the Venezuelan film Rock, Paper, Scissors (2012).
“Mumbai is not just a backdrop; it’s the heartbeat of the stories I want to tell. It’s a city of dreams, but also of harsh realities. In Visfot, we continue my love affair with Mumbai, using the city’s gritty locales to the film’s themes of conflict and redemption,” shares Gupta.
The Riteish Deshmukh and Fardeen Khan-starrer plays out over a day, as two men from opposite backgrounds find their fates intertwined. It’s an unusual casting decision, considering Deshmukh is usually seen in comedies and Khan has returned to movies after a 14-year hiatus.
Gupta says, “I am the biggest Feroz Khan fan, and Fardeen has his father’s screen presence. I was delighted to work with him on this. When people watch the film, they will ask, ‘Why was this guy not around for a decade?’ He and Riteish bring a brilliant on-screen face-off.”
The producer found the right director in Kookie Gulati, who previously helmed The Big Bull (2021). “I was mighty impressed by The Big Bull and knew I wanted to work with him. Kookie has elevated the material with his incisive direction. I never needed to visit his set, he ran the show gloriously.”
Visfot is slated to première on Jio Cinema this week. Does it bother him that the action thriller is OTT-bound instead of getting a theatrical release?
“The film was made for OTT from the word go. We cannot undermine the power of OTT. During the lockdown, we saw how the viewing patterns changed.”
But it is a stressful market to release films in, when a movie’s success or failure is unpredictable. How does it affect independent producers? “It makes us feel alone. To be empowered to tell a story in its truest sense, you need immense logistical support. That becomes much harder in a shaky market. But this is also the time where passionate storytelling will take precedence.”
We had planned to shoot for 25 days, but R Madhavan finished his portions in 15 day-Kookie Gulati
8:17 AM
Eager to work with R Madhavan for years, Dhokha Round D Corner director is impressed by the leading man’s command over his craft
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 17, 2022)
After delivering The Big Bull last year, director Kookie Gulati dove right into the making of Dhokha Round D Corner. The thriller stars R Madhavan, Aparshakti Khurana, Darshan Kumaar and marks the acting debut of Khushalii Kumar. Gulati begins the chat by saying that he had signed the movie before The Big Bull came his way.
“It so happened that we shot The Big Bull first. When it was in post-production, we resumed discussions on this project. I had written this story because I wanted to explore a thriller in a confined space. It was a challenge to me as a director because you don’t need a big budget, big action sequences and lavish songs. You just need to tell a compelling story,” he states.
The movie, the teaser of which released recently, revolves around an urban couple — played by Madhavan and Kumar — whose lives turn upside down when a terrorist breaks into their home. For the director, collaborating with Madhavan was a big draw.
Gulati says, “He knows so much about his craft. Since he is also a director, he understands that space intimately. We had planned to shoot for 25 days, but Maddy finished his portions in 15 days. He understood his character so well and added nuances to it.”
Though thrillers are meant to be edge-of-the-seat affairs, Indian offerings have often been critiqued for being too predictable. Gulati says his attempt was to steer clear of tropes. “The genre is about twists and turns, and a big finish in the end. The end can’t be evident. This film goes into perceptions of good and bad, and explores the different shades of human nature.”
Kookie Gulati
I met Fardeen Khan and was taken by his transformation-Sanjay Gupta
8:33 AM
As Khan’s comeback vehicle Visfot rolls in Mumbai, producer Gupta on how the actor’s casting happened due to a chance meeting
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 14, 2021)
Two years ago, Sanjay Gupta’s agents in Los Angeles sent him the link of the Venezuelan film, Rock, Paper, Scissors (2012), which was the country’s official entry for the Oscars that year. The remake rights were up for grabs. After watching the drama, Gupta knew that it was the perfect recipe for a slick Bollywood thriller. That’s how he started his journey for Visfot, the Fardeen Khan and Riteish Deshmukh starrer that goes on floors today. “During the first lockdown, we commissioned writers Hussain and Abbas Dalal to [adapt] the film,” begins Gupta.
The film will mark Khan’s return to Bollywood after 11 years. While Deshmukh was his first choice for one of the leads, Khan’s casting happened by chance. “When we were still looking to cast the other lead, I met Fardeen and was taken by his transformation. He is so hungry to get back to the saddle, and has worked hard to lose oodles of weight. Riteish watched the film first, post which he read the script. He felt the script was better.”
The filmmaker has handed the directorial baton to Kookie Gulati, who helmed The Big Bull earlier this year. “The Big Bull made me marvel at his skill of handling the subject in two hours. I reached out to congratulate him, and sent him Visfot’s script.”
Gulati is thrilled to bring his interpretation to the remake. “It’s a story of how things can go crazy over a day. It will be fun filming on the streets of the city,” he says.
The movie will be shot in Bandra, Andheri, Girgaum and Dongri. Bhushan Kumar, who is backing the project with Gupta, says, “Kookie has a sense of emotions, and can ground the story while creating a big-screen extravaganza.”
While Abhishek is far more jovial on the set, Amitabh Bachchan sir is professional and humble-Kookie Gulati
8:03 AM
Months after directing Abhishek in The Big Bull, Kookie works with Big B on Chehre song
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; August 25, 2021)
When director Kookie Gulati wrapped up The Big Bull with actor-friend Abhishek Bachchan, he had little idea that he would be collaborating with his father Amitabh Bachchan within a few months. The director, who has helmed over 300 music videos so far, says giving shape to the title track of Chehre was special for obvious reasons.
“Anand Pandit [producer] and Rumy Jafry [director] were looking for a director to helm the title track. Abhishek suggested my name. It was an emotional moment for me when I shot with Bachchan sir. After we filmed the video, I folded my hands and bowed to him,” says Gulati.
Having worked closely with the father-son duo, the filmmaker says they are more alike than different. “While Abhishek is far more jovial on the set, Bachchan sir is professional and humble. He would call me Kookie sir. But the moment the camera rolls, their involvement is 200 per cent. They transform into their characters.”
Working with the veteran actor has been a lesson in dedication for Gulati. “We were to shoot for four to five hours, but Bachchan sir got so involved that he shot for far longer. He shared his inputs. For a shot, I wanted the camera to move while he remained stationary, but Bachchan sir said he would walk, thus conveying more through his body language. His suggestion [enhanced] the sequence.”
Ajay Devgn loved Hanjugam so much that the director and he reshot the sequence-Gourov Dasgupta
8:10 AM
Impressed by Gourov Dasgupta’s romantic ballad Hanjugam, Ajay Devgn acquires it for Bhuj; reshoots entire sequence to do justice to the new number
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 15, 2021)
Believing that there’s a powerful story left untold from the Gujarat chapter of the 1971 India-Pakistan war, Ajay Devgn is ensuring that there is no misstep in the creation of Bhuj: The Pride Of India. The actor — who plays Indian Air Force squadron leader Vijay Karnik in the ambitious war drama — had shot a large chunk in Hyderabad earlier this year, with the final schedule taking place in Mumbai in June. But Devgn didn’t bat an eyelid before reshooting a song after he came across music composer Gourov Dasgupta’s Hanjugam.
Director Abhishek Dudhaiya had filmed another love ballad, featuring Devgn. “During the music sessions of The Big Bull [which was produced by Devgn], Ajay sir heard Hanjugam. He immediately said that he wants it for Bhuj. Later, I was told that they had already shot another song, but Ajay sir loved this track so much that the director and he reshot the sequence,” exclaims Dasgupta, thrilled that the actor went the extra mile for his composition. He adds, “Something like this hardly ever happens in the industry. I was overwhelmed and full of gratitude when I heard this.”
The romantic number, rendered by Jubin Nautiyal and penned by Devshi Khanduri, was shot at Mehboob Studio over three days. “Bhuj is my third collaboration with Ajay sir after Total Dhamaal [2019] and The Big Bull,” adds the musician. The period drama, also starring Sanjay Dutt and Sonakshi Sinha, traces how 300 women from a Gujarat village helped the IAF reconstruct an airbase destroyed in the bombings.
Ajay Devgn has my best intentions in mind. I have an immense responsibility towards him-Abhishek Bachchan
8:04 AM
Having spent two decades in the industry, Abhishek Bachchan still gets anxious before his film’s release
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 17, 2021)
It has been over a year since the Coronavirus crisis hit India, and thus began the rise of online streaming platforms. With theatres shut for most part of the last year, and even now, many films meant for a theatrical release took the OTT route. Abhishek Bachchan had not one, but two of his films — Ludo and The Big Bull — released digitally. The best thing about such releases, says the actor, is the fact that the hype around numbers doesn’t take place as is the case with big screen releases.
“Earlier, traditionally, the film’s trailer would come out six to eight weeks prior to its release; now we get a shorter window. By the time the film is out, as an actor, the excitement goes out of the window because of all the nervousness around initial reactions to the film,” he says and quips, “But, I have to admit that on a scale of one to 100, if theatrical is a 100, with films coming out on streaming platforms directly, nervousness level is at around 98.”
The 45-year-old notes how in case of theatres, the opening day and weekend collections, and this whole number game at the box-office consumes an actor.
“But in case of the web, they don’t release this kind of info. So, it’s a sustained release. There’s no pressure to watch it first day first show, it’s going to be available. That’s the only thing slightly lesser — the pressure to meet opening day figures. Rest of it is pretty much still the same,” he explains.
Having spent two decades in the film industry and played a variety of roles on screen, Bachchan admits that even today, he gets anxious before the release of films.
He reasons, “At times, there are months and years of collective hard work and sacrifice that go into making a film. And suddenly, the product is not going to be yours anymore. You hand it over to the audience.”
Last year his web debut, Breathe - Into The Shadows and then Ludo, were received well by viewers. This year, The Big Bull, opened to mixed reviews and Bachchan is happy. He directs all the praise towards the film’s co-producer, Ajay Devgn. “He has my best intentions in mind. I have an immense responsibility towards him. I was so lucky, it was a wonderful script and actors would give an arm and a leg for a role like this,” he says.
(Crisp) Movie Review: THE BIG BULL by FENIL SETA
7:40 PM
The Big Bull is a fine effort and its treatment makes it clear that it would have been great to watch it on the big screen. The film is 154 minutes long but keeps one interested from start to finish. A lot is happening throughout the film and the makers don’t let viewers to feel bored even for a second. The first half is fine but the second half is better, with the climax being unexpected. On the flipside, the film, at places, moves too quickly and certain developments are never explained properly. And of course, the biggest issue is that one can’t help but draw parallels with Scam 1992. That was much better executed and moreover, since almost all have seen that web series, one knows the story more or less. Hence, the surprise factor is missing from The Big Bull. Speaking of performances, Abhishek A Bachchan, as expected, rocks the show. He keeps his act restrained and doesn’t go overboard. And that works very well for his character. The manic laugh scenes, however, should have been avoided. Ileana DCruz is hardly there in the first half and it’s in the second half where she delivers a great performance. Her bespectacled look is quite cool. Nikita Dutta is adorable and plays a lovely character with panache. Sohum Shah, as expected, is dependable and an absolute natural. Same goes for Supriya Pathak Shah. Saurabh Shukla and Ram Kapoor have limited screen time but leave a huge mark. Mahesh Manjrekar and Samir Soni are fine in their cameos. Kannan Arunachalam (Venkateshwar) is excellent and has a crucial role. Shishir Sharma (Rajesh Mishra; Meera's boss), Lekha Prajapati (Tara; Viren's wife), Hitesh Rawal (Kantilal), Sumit Vats (Hari), Tripti Shankhdhar (Ashima; who meets Meera in the train) and Rio Kapadia (NCC MD Singh) are fair. The song 'Ishq Namaza' is soulful and is well shot. All in all, despite the comparisons with Scam 1992, The Big Bull deserves a watch for the performances, drama and unexpected climax.
My rating - *** out of 5!
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 668
10:33 AM
LOCKDOWN DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN; 2 WEB FILMS TO ENTERTAIN AUDIENCE THIS WEEK
On Sunday, Maharashtra government declared lockdown-like restrictions from Monday April 5, 8:00 pm onwards. As part of these curbs, all theatres were asked to shut shop till April 30. It dealt a huge blow to the cinema sector as Maharashtra consists of crucial centres like Mumbai and Pune. The state contributes nearly 30-35% of box office in India. Hence, with theatres shut in this state, there’s no way Hindi films can afford to release. 2 April releases – Chehre, scheduled for April 9 and Bunty Aur Babli 2 scheduled for April 23 release, were already postponed a week before. After the lockdown announcement, Sooryavanshi, scheduled for release on April 30, was also indefinitely pushed ahead. It remains to be now seen whether the May releases also got pushed. The chances of it are there especially if cases don’t reduce soon enough.
Meanwhile, this week will see the release of two films, straight on digital. The first one is The Big Bull. It stars Abhishek Bachchan, Ileana DCruz, Nikita Dutta, Sohum Shah and others and is co-produced by Ajay Devgn. Directed by Kookie Gulati, it is a fictionalized account of infamous stock broker Harshad Mehta. The film releases today, on Disney+ Hotstar, at 7:30 pm. It was supposed to come out last year. But it was pushed ahead due to the super-success of the web series, Scam 1992. It was also based on the life of Harshad Mehta. The show got an unprecedented response. The makers of The Big Bull, reportedly, felt that if their film came out around the release of Scam 1992, it’ll lead to a lot of negativity and comparisons. Hence, they decided to wait it out.
The trailer of The Big Bull was finally released on March 19. Many felt that it’ll be slammed by Scam 1992 fans and also by the anti-nepotism gang that nowadays assembles to troll a film featuring a star kid. Thankfully, the trailer was interesting and the negativity was negligible. Abhishek seems to be in great form. His interesting quotes and his antics during promotional interviews have also got a fine response on social media and it has further added to the film’s hype in a small way.
The other release is Hello Charlie, starring Aadar Jain, Elnaaz Norouzi and Jackie Shroff. The premise is hilarious. It’s about Jackie Shroff’s character who dresses up as a gorilla to evade arrest. The madness begins when a real gorilla comes into the picture. The film is produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani and it’s all set to release on Amazon Prime on Friday April 9. The trailer is funny and it left everyone by surprise. After all, this film hardly made any noise when it was in production and hence, the expectations and even awareness about the film were negligible. If the film turns out to be a fun entertainer, it’s sure to find a good response and trend on digital.
The last three years have been satiating-Abhishek Bachchan
8:35 AM
Abhishek Bachchan reacts to The Big Bull being releasing on the OTT platform instead of theatres
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 4, 2021)
"I have always had a blast at the movies, but the last three years have been satiating,” starts off Abhishek Bachchan, who is gearing up for the release of his next film, The Big Bull on Disney+ Hotstar, next week. Admitting that his phase post-Manmarziyaan has been rewarding, he says, “Bob Biswas [the prequel to 2012’s Kahaani] and [Dinesh Vijan’s] Dasvi are reminders that people haven’t pigeonholed me into an image. The fact that writers and directors found me worthy enough to play Bob Biswas itself is fantastic. Dia [Annapurna Ghosh, director] and Sujoy [Ghosh, writer-producer] showed immense faith in me.”
Sujoy, Shah Rukh Khan (co-producer), and Netflix will lock on a release date once edits are done, informs Bachchan. “[Shooting for] the film was fun because I could work in Kolkata and put on weight with abandon. The fact that I looked like Bob helped in pulling off the complex character.”
While Bob Biswas was made as a direct-to-OTT original, we ask him if forgoing a theatrical release of The Big Bull bothered him. Insisting that the film was originally planned for the theatres and that producer Ajay Devgn changed his mind, he says, “The pandemic changed the circumstances. Ajay told me during the lockdown that there was an uncertainty about how the pandemic will play out. He had the foresight of saying everything about it is for the big screen. It is meant as a spectacle but let us make sure we reach the audience. It’s a big-screen experience and I hope the energy translates on the small screen.”
I am capable of so much more. I haven’t done more films by my own choice-Ileana DCruz
8:33 AM
Agreeing that she has taken it slow so far, Ileana D’Cruz is raring to go as she slips into heavyweight role in The Big Bull
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 1, 2021)
In a film like The Big Bull where the protagonist transforms from an underdog we root for to a drunk-on-power billionaire, Ileana D’Cruz’s character is of prime importance — she serves as the story’s moral compass. Playing a no-nonsense journalist who exposes the country’s biggest financial scam in the Abhishek Bachchan-starrer, D’Cruz says she tried to lend authenticity to her character that is modelled on Sucheta Dalal. “Our film is inspired by true events, and we’ve made our own version of it. My character is married to her work. I put my own spin to the role without looking up for references. It was crucial to maintain a balance; where she is a strong woman, she also encounters intimidation and is taken down by powerful people. There’s a certain insanity to Hemant Shah [Bachchan’s character] that had to be evened out [through my part],” she says, describing her role as the movie’s turning point.
The Kookie Gulati-directed drama brings the actor back on screen after her 2019 release Pagalpanti. Asked if she is satisfied with the way her career has panned out, D’Cruz takes a pause before saying, “No, I am capable of so much more. I haven’t done more films by my own choice, but now, I will push ahead and do better. I won’t trade my restlessness and hunger.”
The year looks promising for the actor, who has Unfair And Lovely with Randeep Hooda lined up. As someone who has battled body dysmorphia for a long time, she acknowledges that the film about unrealistic beauty standards is close to her heart. “There were moments when I broke down while filming a scene. It amazes me that people discriminate basis colour. I feel honoured to do a film that triggers a dialogue. I didn’t put my own anxiety into the role; a film set is liberating as [it lets me] play someone else.”
Ajay Devgn calls me only when he knows something is special-Abhishek Bachchan
8:11 AM
Bringing a fictionalised tale inspired by Harshad Mehta in The Big Bull, Abhishek Bachchan says moral responsibility to not glorify the protagonist rests with the director and actors
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 30, 2021)
In early 2019, Abhishek Bachchan’s neighbour-friend Ajay Devgn called him to discuss a film he was producing. “He calls me only when he knows something is special. He is like an elder brother. Out of my love and respect for him, it’ll be a blind yes,” begins Bachchan, recounting how director Kookie Gulati, writer Arjun Dhawan, Devgn and he came together to create the world of The Big Bull, and its principal character Hemant Shah. “Kookie had a clear vision about the journey of a man with big dreams. He wanted it to be an emotional journey for the audience rather than [delving] into the technicalities of the story.”
But a fictional narrative inspired by the life of stockbroker Harshad Mehta poses a cardinal problem — how does one maintain the character’s essence while being careful not to glorify him? “I don’t know if the moral responsibility of the subject [rests with] the writers. Storytellers shouldn’t bother with morality. When the producers, actors and the director step in, that’s when the moral responsibility steps in. I was clear in my initial discussions that if Hemant is aspirational, he also has to be shown as a flawed man. Hemant initially lives in a chawl, and then owns an apartment with a swimming pool in the balcony. He is so taken in by the world he has created. He has human frailties, and I like the fact that he slips. We have not tried to whitewash him. The audience has come of age, and wants our heroes to be real and flawed.”
Hansal Mehta’s Scam 1992, centred on the same subject and starring Pratik Gandhi in the lead, took the nation by storm last year. Bachchan knows that topping it will be a tough act. “All my life, I have been compared to the best in the business. It doesn’t frazzle me,” smiles the star son.
True to his generous nature, Bachchan says he loved Scam 1992. “It’s such a well-made show. But in terms of design and intention, series and movies are different disciplines. A web series has the liberty of time, and hence, will have depth and detail. In cinema, you have to make the story pacy. The two shouldn’t be comparable.”
Ajay Devgn suggested Abhishek Bachchan’s name for the role in The Big Bull-Kookie Gulati
8:16 AM
From producer Ajay Devgn not playing the lead to having to tackle comparisons with Scam 1992, The Big Bull director Kookie Gulati talks about his passion project
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 26, 2021)
When Kookie Gulati was working at Dalal Street in the early ’90s, young recruits would run to catch a glimpse of Harshad Mehta, their version of a superstar. With The Big Bull a fortnight away from release, the director says that the Abhishek Bachchan-starrer is a heavily fictionalised tale of the stockbroker who took the Bombay Stock Exchange by storm. “I leave it to the audience to [form their opinions] on the character. I have highlighted that he had grey areas, but he had good intentions that were corrupted by the situation,” he begins.
Gulati credits producer Ajay Devgn for casting Bachchan in the titular role, which he believes is a masterstroke. “The character journeys from the grass-root level to become [a billionaire] with swag. The actor would have to lend intensity to the performance. Ajay sir suggested Abhishek’s name for the role, and I jumped at it.”
Why didn’t Devgn lead the cast, considering he was producing the movie? “The character was younger. Plus, he would’ve taken three years to start shooting [given his date diary]. But for Ajay sir, it was about getting the right actor for the part. He believes that an actor shouldn’t be cast just because of his stardom; he has to justify the role. Here, I had a star producer who encouraged me to be honest to the story.”
Some may view the film as India’s version of The Wolf Of Wall Street (2014), but Gulati says the stories couldn’t be farther away from one another. “The world, lifestyle and aspirations are so different. My character will never want to buy a yacht. For him, dining at Taj’s most expensive restaurant is a high point.”
Closer home, viewers have been drawing comparisons with Hansal Mehta’s Scam 1992 that dropped online last year. Mehta recently dismissed these comparisons, tweeting that multiple tales can be told on the same subject. Gulati shares the filmmaker’s sentiment as he says, “People will see the difference between their series and our movie. The gaze is completely different. It was gracious of Hansal Mehta to tweet that, and shower us with love. We are all here to tell personal stories, and encouraging one another is important.”
I worked in the stock market from 1990 to 1992-Kookie Gulati
8:04 AM
Sharing Abhishek Bachchan’s first look from The Big Bull, director Kookie Gulati on bringing his interpretation to Harshad Mehta’s securities scam
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 19, 2021)
In what may turn out to be a definitive part, Abhishek Bachchan has slipped into the titular role of The Big Bull, which is said to be inspired by the life and times of Harshad Mehta. Naysayers may be quick to draw comparisons with Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, but director Kookie Gulati says he has brought his own interpretation to the securities scam that shook the country in 1992, even fictionalizing the narrative where necessary.
The trailer, which drops today, sees Bachchan transform from the wide-eyed Hemant Shah, eager to make his mark in the world, to the unstoppable force that sends Bombay Stock Exchange to new heights. Sharing the actor’s first look with mid-day, Gulati says, “My father had forced me to join the stock market, straight out of school. I worked in the stock market from 1990 to 1992. Since I had seen it all first-hand, it was easy for me to take the reins of this story. For me, it was important that the authenticity of the story isn’t compromised.”
The director recreated Bombay of the early ’90s for the Disney+ Hotstar film that also stars Ileana D’Cruz, Nikita Dutta and Sohum Shah. Gulati adds, “The entire team, from my DoP [director of photography] to my assistants to the production designer and stylists, pooled in to bring the ’80s and ’90s alive for the audience.”
Have OTTs become a dumping ground?
8:19 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 30, 2020)
OTT platforms emerged as a saviour for everyone during the lockdown. With theatres closed, they gave makers a chance to release their films.
While the ups were numerous, the downs are now in full effect. It started with Sadak 2, which boasted of a cast such as Sanjay Dutt and Alia Bhatt, but didn’t meet the hype. Akshay Kumar’s Laxmii, too, wasn’t welcomed with open arms. Drive, starring Sushant Singh Rajput, also released last year to a cold response. Rumours suggest that an OTT platform, set to release Varun Dhawan-Sara Ali Khan’s Coolie No 1, has demanded a screening for their content team.
The question arises: have OTT platforms realised that maybe they were being treated as a sort of dumping ground?
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh says it would be wrong to call these platforms that. “Like hits and flops at box office, likes and dislikes on OTTs are part of the game,” he says.
Makers, on their part, too, refuse to admit that OTT platforms are being used to just get a project off their back. Anand Pandit, who has backed Abhishek Bachchan-starrer The Big Bull, says, “It is unfortunate that some films were not received well by the public. That doesn’t mean OTTs are dumping grounds. It’s very difficult to sell a film there. We have only a few major OTT players in India. They all need only one new film in a quarter, or one film in two months. Whereas theatres have two-three coming out every week.”
What’s interesting is that smaller films such as Lootcase managed to garner eyeballs instead. The director of the film, Rajesh Krishnan says, “The audience is extremely discerning and aware of their choices. You are competing with the best content from all over the world.”
Aparna Acharekar, programming head, ZEE5, on her part, says, “Now, there is accessibility to content, which was earlier limited to select circles of film festivals.”
As for the OTTs being overused by makers, she says, “OTTs pay significant amount of money to either acquire or produce these films, and hence it’s not completely true. If we produce, then we have complete creative control. Also, none of us declare what subscriptions/hits we got.”
We were not meant to be perfectly sculpted statues-Ileana DCruz
8:14 AM
Ileana D’Cruz on learning to accept her ‘beautifully flawed’ body, taking on an 80-day fitness challenge to give herself a goal during the lockdown, and what made a recent visit to the US ‘liberating’
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 21, 2020)
In an interaction with Mirror (August 10), Ileana D’Cruz had shared that she’d been away from her parents for eight months because of the pandemic and would take the first flight out to the US to meet them once travelling is feasible again. Soon after, she followed through with the plan, and says it was “liberating”.
“In Mumbai, I had gotten so used to being at home for five months that when I reached there, I felt like I could breathe again. I went out and basked in the sun after what felt like ages,” she reminisces, adding that being with her parents after such a long time was emotionally overwhelming. “Normally, I’m a positive person, but with everything that had been happening, the moment I saw my family, I broke down. It was a huge relief spending time with them. I didn’t want to come back.”
The actress returned to the city in September, to give herself enough time to quarantine before resuming work on The Big Bull, with Abhishek Bachchan. Through October, Ileana shot for the film at intervals, before wrapping up her shoot towards the month-end. She then set off to Karnal with Randeep Hooda to kick off a romcom, Unfair And Lovely. “The story focuses on our country’s obsession with fair skin and how at times it gets prioritised over things that matter. It’s an issue we have been battling for years. We are treating it in a lighter vein, not preachy or heavy, but without taking away from the sensitivity of the subject,” she assures, excited about her fresh pairing with Randeep, who she describes as an “amazing actor” who will be seen in a “completely new avatar in the film.”
As part of her prep, she spoke to locals in Haryana to get the accent, look and behaviour right, taking some inputs from her Haryanvi co-star as well. “He was quite impressed with how quickly I acquired their personality traits,” she chuckles. The actress celebrated her birthday on November 1 on the set and was surprised with a cake. Taking everyone’s safety into consideration, she didn’t blow out the candles and chose paper plates to distribute it around. “But my focus was more on work than celebration. I wanted to finish the film ASAP and go back to my family,” she says fervently.
Keeping up with her plans, the actress flew down to the US, soon after wrapping up the schedule of the film this week.
On October 1, Ileana took to Instagram to share how she had dealt with body image issues and learnt to accept her “beautifully flawed” body. Pointing out that she has always been vocal about this issue, she confides that there are still days when she wakes up feeling great about herself and days when she hates the way she looks. “Acceptance is something that I have been working on for some time now. That post reflected my state of mind then. I had been working out a lot at the time, keeping myself healthy, physically and mentally,” she says, quick to add that we put constant pressure on ourself to look a certain way and need to pull away from that image. “If I look in the mirror and see that I am a bit lumpy, I should be okay with it as it is normal. It’s okay to have a little bump, some scars too, as they add to your character, make you who you are. One needs to be forgiving towards oneself, understand that we were not meant to be perfectly sculpted statues. We are flawed and imperfect as that is what makes us who we are.”
Ileana’s love for fitness is evident from her social media handle. Even during the lockdown, she kept her fans updated on her fitness regime. She insists her documentation is not just to inspire others but also to motivate herself to work harder and further. “During the lockdown, I took an 80-day fitness challenge and after hitting a few breaks, finally completed it this month. It really worked for me, helping me centre myself. Being at home alone for months, I needed something to push me and this challenge gave me a purpose. Now, I am searching for the next challenge,” she concludes.
I think real-life characters find me; I like to relive their journeys through the stories I tell-Hansal Mehta
7:50 AM
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta on his fascination for real-life characters as he explores stockbroker Harshad Mehta's life in Scam 1992
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; October 9, 2020)
Hansal Mehta believes the most powerful stories are found in the everyday life. After giving us stories of real-life characters in Shahid (2013), Aligarh (2015) and Omerta (2017), the director has now explored the rise and fall of stockbroker Harshad Mehta in Scam 1992. "I think real-life characters find me; I like to relive their journeys through the stories I tell," begins Mehta.
The director wanted to make a film that demystified the 1992 stock market scam as early as 2012. However, the plan was put on the back-burner as he trained his focus on Shahid. A call from Sameer Nair of Applause Entertainment in 2017 made him revisit the subject. "A story like this has much to say and the long-format storytelling does justice to it," he says of the Sony LIV show that is based on Debashis Basu and Sucheta Dalal's book, The Scam: Who Won, Who Lost, Who Got Away.
Ask him if frequent collaborator Rajkummar Rao was his first choice for the protagonist, and Mehta says, "I had spoken to Rajkummar, but he was busy. It gave me an opportunity to work with Pratik [Gandhi] who is a phenomenal and authentic actor. As a Gujarati man, I have been able to explore the world that I am familiar with. I spent 80-odd days of the shoot talking in Gujarati."
Mehta is unperturbed that the story will also be brought alive in the Abhishek Bachchan-starrer The Big Bull. He believes that the vision of the two projects will differ despite the same theme. "They have made a film while this is a series; naturally, the form of storytelling will be different. I am looking forward to watching The Big Bull, I want to see what they have done with the story."
The Big Bull makers to appoint COVID watchdogs
8:27 AM
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; September 26, 2020)
The makers of The Big Bull are set to commence work on the final schedule from mid-October. To ensure a safe working environment for the cast and crew, producer Anand Pandit has decided to appoint COVID-19 watchdogs on the set of the Abhishek Bachchan and Ileana D'Cruz starrer.
"The industry has to get back on its feet, but we cannot afford even a minor slip when it comes to guarding ourselves against the virus. At no point will the safety of my unit take a backseat during the shoot. Abhishek has fully recovered from the Coronavirus and is fighting fit," emphasises the producer.
He explains that a group of medical experts will be present throughout the shoot, monitoring the sets to make sure that the necessary safety norms are being adopted. "We will also have medical assistance on the premises," he adds.
The set of the financial crime drama — inspired by the life of stockbroker Harshad Mehta — will have sanitisation tunnels, and filming will be conducted in adherence with the government regulations.
I am fine and ready to get back to work-Abhishek Bachchan
8:37 AM
Abhishek Bachchan, raring to go after recovering from Covid-19, feels industry will see change
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 3, 2020)
After spending close to a month in an isolation ward for Covid-19 treatment, on August 8, actor Abhishek Bachchan announced he’d tested negative. He was soon discharged and even attended the engagement ceremony of filmmaker J P Dutta’s daughter Nidhi, a few days ago.
Talking about his frame of mind post Covid-19, Bachchan says, “I am fine, thank you for asking. Ready to get back to work!” In July, Abhishek and most of his family — his father, actor Amitabh Bachchan, wife, actor Aishwarya Rai and daughter Aaradhya — were diagnosed with Covid-19. Ask how he kept his spirits up in that difficult time and he replies, “The love, affection, concern and prayers of our family, friends and well wishers (helped). (I) listened to the medical staff, tried to be a good patient.”
Days before he tested positive for Coronavirus, his web debut, Breathe - Into The Shadows, had dropped and was well-received by audiences. “The response has been overwhelming. More than what I expected. We always work hard and then pray that the audience likes your work. The team of Breathe believed in the director Mayank Sharma’s vision, and we had a good script, but eventually the audience decides. That’s why I say we hoped for the best,” says an “overjoyed” Bachchan, adding, “I’m so humbled and thankful to the audiences and the entire team. Playing a negative role is very tough. First, because the negativity doesn’t come naturally to me, so you need to put in that much more work to make it look convincing. As actors, you need to go out more on a limb when playing a character like that, so I feel it’s tougher.”
With a number of films releasing on OTT, including his upcoming film, The Big Bull, he feels while the box-office barometer might be absent, actors will still be required to deliver “in terms of performance”. As for change, he says, “One possible change, and dare I say a good one, could be that it would lay more importance on whether the actor is suited for the role. But there are many films we make that require a ‘star’ to be in them.”
A part of the industry for 20 years, Bachchan asserts he speaks from experience. “Contrary to popular belief, commercial film acting is not easy at all. To convincingly do some things ‘commercial cinema’ demands is immensely challenging. But, now without the box-office barometer, directors and producers will possibly cast a film on its requirements in terms of casting. An actor’s life will still be decided every Friday. They will still be required to deliver — either at the box-office or in terms of performance. At the end of the day, the audience will still decide and they are the final word!” he signs off.
The Big Bull is inspired by the stock market, not Harshad Mehta-Anand Pandit
8:33 AM
The Big Bull producer Anand Pandit unfazed about similarities with Hansal Mehta's Scam 1992
Uma Ramasubramanian (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 29, 2020)
"Abhishek Bachchan is raring to resume work," says Anand Pandit, co-producer of The Big Bull, which is loosely based on the 1992 financial scam in the Indian stock Market. Coincidentally, Hansal Mehta's Sony LIV series titled, Scam 1992, also deals with the Harshad Mehta scandal. But the producer is confident that his movie is different. He says, "The Big Bull is inspired by the stock market, it is not based on any one particular individual." He refuses to comment on the similarity between the two films as he has "only seen the teaser," and has no information about the storyline.Set to release on Disney+ Hotstar, the film was to initially roll in July, but it was pushed back after Bachchan tested positive for Coronavirus. "While Abhishek is keen to start shooting, he wants to ensure that precautions are being taken. The safety of the cast and crew is top priority. We are working out the modalities now. Most likely, the shoot will take place in mid-September. We only have a few days of shoot left, It will be wrapped up soon," says Pandit.
OTT releases back in theatres: A viable option?
8:48 AM
We ask experts about the feasibility of OTT-to-theatre releases
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 27, 2020)
Divided opinions
Shibasish Sarkar, CEO, Reliance Entertainment, says it depends on the choice of the platforms. “When a producer has sold the rights of his movies, they lie with the OTT platforms. If they want to release, they may... Unless it’s not in the contract, it’s not the producer’s choice,” he tells us.
Earlier this year, Baaghi 3 had just released when the Coronavirus outbreak hit the country and theatres had to be closed. Actor Tiger Shroff had told us then that they were hoping to come back to theatres, even after it came on an OTT platform. “The bigger picture is the safety of people... Let’s see once the situation settles; perhaps we may re-release,” he had said.
Meanwhile, producer Anand Pandit, who has decided to release his film The Big Bull on OTT, says he is up for re-release of such films theatrically. “Why not? It depends on the contract you have, and also whether it’s viable... But you have to do your analysis. If your films is more B- and C- centric, single screen type, then it is a good thing to consider; they might not have seen it on OTT,” he reasons, adding, “Producers could also buy back the rights, but not at the same price.”Director Tigmanshu Dhulia, whose film Yaara released directly on a digital platform recently, says chances look slim. “It depends on when theatres will open, and how much content is there to exhibit... There might be some chance of these OTT films releasing, but it’s slim. So much money will have to be put on marketing,” he says.
Theatre owners, on the other hand, are apprehensive if OTT-to-theatre releases would work. Manoj Desai, executive director of G7 Multiplex and Maratha Mandir cinema, Mumbai, says, “If people are getting to watch films in their bedrooms, why would they come to theatres? The public won’t come to theatres in the beginning when theatres reopen as everyone is scared. Also, we don’t know what kind of [social distancing] guidelines we’d get, like seat people keeping one vacant in between. How will a couple sit? They would prefer to watch it comfortably on digital... I have three theatres with a capacity for 1,000 people; it will come down to 450. How will I accommodate everyone? I will have to incur charges on air conditioning and maintenance, too.”
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