As The Body gears up for release after almost a year's delay, Emraan on how the team prioritised Kapoor's health above all else
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 20, 2019)

At a point during our chat with Emraan Hashmi, we ask him about Rishi Kapoor, his co-star in The Body. Is the senior actor as angry on set as he is on social media? "Far from it. I had the same perception based on his Twitter [feed], but he is a sweetheart," laughs the actor.

It is evident that Hashmi has grown fond of Kapoor in the course of making the thriller. The Jeethu Joseph-directed movie was slated to hit screens last year. However, that was not to be as the senior actor had to head to New York for his treatment. "I was in touch with Rishi ji during his treatment. So, I knew it would take some time. I have had a similar tragedy in my family, although the cancer was different. I knew it was treatable, more so because Rishi ji was strong. The makers patiently waited for him. It wasn't like anyone was thinking about the delay. Money was riding on the project, but everyone was forthcoming."

Hashmi believes that the film — an adaptation of the 2012 Spanish hit by the same name — is one of the most gripping scripts to have come his way. The actor was the first to hop on board the project. "The producers asked me to watch the Spanish film. [After seeing the movie], I knew I had to do it. This film is unpredictable. The director [Oriol Paulo] has also made The Invisible Guest, on which Badla was based. I choose films based on my gut feeling, and I had a strong instinct about this one."

Hiren Kotwani (DNA; February 27, 2019)

For someone who began her Bollywood innings with the masala fare Chashme Baddoor (2013), Taapsee Pannu seems to have set her career on a different trajectory with Pink (2016). Since then, not only has the actress been seen essaying stronger parts, but she also seems to have decided on her future course of action. In 2018, her performances in Mulk and Manmarziyaan made people forget duds like Dil Juunglee. There already is a buzz around her upcoming release Badla, which is helmed by Sujoy Ghosh and co-stars Amitabh Bachchan. Taapsee admits that she wants to better herself in 2019 with films such as Mission Mangal, Saand Ki Aankh and the bilingual project Game Over lined up in the coming months. Excerpts from a conversation with the actress…

You have kicked off 2019 on a good note, as Badla’s trailer has garnered a positive response…
The response is a validation of sorts — pretty much of what happened in 2018 — of my choices and work. It gives me the confidence and reassurance that people have accepted me. That’s why, this year, I am pushing a lot of boundaries, making it difficult for myself. I know the expectations will increase with every year, so I’m just pushing myself a little more in 2019.

You were supposed to do this adaptation of the Spanish thriller, The Invisible Guest (it wasn’t called Badla then), with John Abraham. But it was shelved...
It was never shelved. I was signed for the film. Apart from producer Sunir Kheterpal and myself, no one else from that team is a part of this movie now. Whatever associations were being tried, didn’t happen. We were constantly talking about who else we could rope in for the project. I remember approaching Sujoy because I felt it was a perfect script for him. But he refused. He was like, ‘I read this script but I’m not able to understand this part’, ‘it’s not my kind of film’. A few months down the line, I learnt that Sir is doing the movie along with Sujoy. I called and blasted the latter, saying that now that Sir (Amitabh Bachchan) was doing it, he was directing it. I still give him grief for that. But it’s good that it fell into place. This film couldn’t have had a better director and cast than it has now. This reaffirms the adage that whatever happens, happens for the best.

You seem to share a good equation with Sujoy...
We have been trying to work together for over three years now. I remember we started talking after Baby (2015). I don’t know how we began keeping in touch; he would randomly call me at 8 am, talk about something not related to any project we were thinking about and bid adieu. Then Badla happened. I’m happy that I’m finally collaborating with him.

There are very few directors whom I can call by their first names, like Sujoy and Anurag (Kashyap). Don’t be surprised if I work with them multiple times because of the rapport we share. I can pick up the phone and tell them, ‘Take me in your film’ or ‘This is a good script, please do it’. Hopefully, Sujoy and I will work together again.

Having kick-started your Bollywood career with Chashme Baddoor’s remake and a Judwaa redux a few years later, you have set your career on a different trajectory.
Maybe because these are the choices that came to me. There are so many beautiful girls who are brilliant in those roles, that’s why I’m probably pretty far in the queue and they don’t give me a chance to come in those films. I also want to look the glamourous diva kind of heroine. Hopefully, one day, I’ll be the backbone as well as the glam quotient. I think you reap what you sow. But I’m not complaining.

So, is it more satisfying to be the backbone of a movie?
As an actor, it’s definitely more satisfying. I think I can manage versatility in this zone. In the present scenario, you can manage so many types of genres as different characters are being written. If you have courage, you can’t fall into the trap of being stereotyped. Whether you cast me for a 10-15 minute role or for a two-hour one, it doesn’t matter. In Mission Mangal, I’m sharing screen space with so many actors. I’m not deterred that I’ll get two-three scenes lesser than someone else. The point is that the role should be such that people should remember it after walking out of the theatre.

You didn’t shy away from talking about how you were unceremoniously replaced by Bhumi Pednekar in Pati Patni Aur Woh remake...
I voiced my opinion because that was an unprofessional thing to do to an artiste. For an actor, time is money and every day counts. I felt wronged that a month before the shoot, I was told that I wasn’t a part of the film anymore and someone had been signed earlier. My idea was to call out that practice, so that the next time, people think twice before they do it to an actor.

Having begun working with Bhumi on Saand Ki Aankh, was there any awkwardness?
No. The day this news came out, Bhumi was shocked. I had said that it’s a great role and whoever does it, would be lucky. I was travelling and when I landed, I had got a call and message from Bhumi. In fact, we had even begun prepping for Saand Ki Aankh. She said that she didn’t know I was offered the film. I had a word with her. Since then, we don’t discuss work on the sets. We have so many other things to do.

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 31, 2018)

Barely out of his Thugs Of Hindostan act, Amitabh Bachchan is expected to dive headlong into the shoot of Sujoy Ghosh's next, Badla. Rumours suggest the superstar will be seen playing an investigative agent in the murder mystery that also features Taapsee Pannu. An adaptation of the Spanish thriller Contratiempo (2016), Sujoy Ghosh is said to have modified the script to suit the Indian audiences' sensibilities.

A source reveals, "Sujoy was certain that the story should appeal to those who've watched the original as well. So he retained the basic premise of the Spanish movie and built the story on from there. The characters have been changed dramatically from the original. Bachchan plays a field agent solving the murder mystery." The actors leave for London on June 5 to kick off the shoot. Released as The Invisible Guest in certain countries, Contratiempo revolves around a businessman who is accused of murdering his mistress.

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; September 22, 2017)

John Abraham soon begins shoot of his next production, a remake of the Spanish film The Invisible Guest, in which he plays a lawyer. However, there is a role for a young male protagonist, which John is looking to cast. It’s an important role. It is the role of one of the four characters, However, the role is of a guy who gets murdered, while his girlfriend is arrested for the same. Sooraj Pancholi and Harshvardhan Rane are in contention to play the boyfriend.

Looks matter
John has recommended the two young actors for the boyfriend’s role. Says a source, “The role requires a good-looking hero. It might not be the lead role, but it’s a parallel lead in the thriller. John, being the producer, is keen on casting either Sooraj or Harsh. John, a fitness enthusiast, wants a fit actor for the role, and he happens to be close to Harsh.”

Date dilemma
Another source claims that Harsh has a better chance of bagging the role. “Sooraj has signed Prabhu Dheva’s film, which should roll sometime next month. So he might not have the dates for this film. Obviously, that gives Harsh an edge.”

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; September 21, 2017)

John Abraham will produce and act in the official remake of the Spanish thriller The Invisible Guest. But this remake will happen with a twist!

There are four principal characters in the original film — the girlfriend who gets killed, the boyfriend who’s framed, the mother and father of another guy who has been murdered by the couple in an accident. It is learnt that John and Lakshya (the director) have decided to turn the whole plot on its head.

Says a source, “The film will have the same characters, but instead of the female protagonist, her boyfriend gets murdered, and she is framed for it. John will play the lawyer. In the original, the lawyer was a female character. Only the angle changes a bit, not the characters.” A curious case of role reversal...

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; September 19, 2017)

After Hrs was the first to tell you that John Abraham and Taapsee Pannu were being paired opposite each other in a thriller adapted from the Spanish film The Invisible Guest. Now, we can confirm that Kriti Sanon has replaced Taapsee in the film to be directed by debutante Lakshya.

It’s not a date issue or price issue that led to this change, as it is, in most cases. There’s a tale behind this development. Says a source, “The film is being jointly produced by John Abraham Entertainment, KriArj Entertainment and Sunir Kheterpal. There was a disagreement between the makers regarding the female lead.”

Sunir, who had the rights to the Spanish thriller, had promised the role to Taapsee much before KriArj came on board. John, who has previously produced Rocky Handsome for Sunir, was in agreement with the choice of the leading lady. But once KriArj came on board, they wanted a change. Debate and discussion followed and it was decided that Kriti is a better choice for the role. John also agreed and then the film was offered to Kriti, who came on board.”

This won’t be the only film that Kriti will be doing with KriArj. “Prernaa Arora and Arjun N Kapoor loved Kriti’s performance in Bareilly Ki Barfi and they have signed her for one more film they will produce now,” adds our source. The film rolls this year end.

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; August 18, 2017)

After Hrs was the first to report that John Abraham is all set to produce a thriller and has bought the rights of a Spanish film that will be remade in Hindi. Now, we can tell you that it is a film that released earlier this year. Says an insider, “It’s a Spanish film called The Invisible Guest. John watched the film and absolutely loved it. He feels Bollywood doesn’t make good suspense thrillers, and this will be a perfect one to remake.”

Prernaa Arora and Arjun N Kapoor will be co-producing the film along with John Abraham Entertainment. The movie will star Taapsee Pannu as one of the leads. It rolls around December-January and will be helmed by debutant director Lakshya.