Neeraj Pandey discusses fate of Khiladi Kumar-starrer Crack and explains why he is holding off a Baby-led franchise on special forces
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 27, 2020)

Neeraj Pandey’s last directorial, Aiyaary, featuring Sidharth Malhotra and Manoj Bajpayee and revolving around the Indian army, did not live up to expectations. While many would blame it on the change of release date, with the espionage-drama pushed ahead by two weeks, the writer-director doesn’t mince words, observing, “It didn’t connect with the audience, so there was an obvious problem. We fell short when it came to telling the story in the best possible way.”

After Special 26 and Baby, Neeraj and Akshay were to reunite for a psychological-thriller titled Crack. There has been no news on the project after it was announced with a poster in 2016. “It’s on the back-burner with no immediate plans of revival. I was not happy with the script, but if I manage to crack something good in the future, I might (revive it),” he informs.

The duo made a formidable team, delivering content-driven films which worked commercially too. Is another reunion on the cards? “There has been no fall-out with Akshay, so, why the question of a reunion? I am moving on with Chanakya (led by Ajay Devgn) and he is doing other films. It’s a great responsibility for both of us and we have to wait for the right project,” he reasons.

With Rohit Shetty creating a cop universe on celluloid with Sooryavanshi, you wonder if Neeraj, who has directed films like A Wednesday, Baby, Naam Shabana and Aiyaary, is thinking of a spy universe. Neeraj retorts that contrary to popular belief, he is interested in “great stories” and not just the ones revolving around spies and special forces. “Be it Toilet - Ek Prem Katha (which he produced), Baby or M S Dhoni - The Untold Story, it’s the merit of the story and not the genre or backdrop that matters. The idea is to chase great stories which can be shared with a larger audience,” he explains.

Prod him if there are plans to turn Baby into a Special Forces series—the film was fronted by the Khiladi Kumar, one of his frequent collaborators—and the filmmaker says, “I don’t want to take the easy route. I will do it at the right time with the right script, something that is capable of taking the franchise forward, and figure out a mechanism to work it out,” he concludes.

Rounding off the year with a comedy about IVF, Good Newwz star Akshay Kumar says he constantly attempts different genres to stay relevant
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; December 24, 2019)

Going by the success of his movies, one would imagine that Akshay Kumar has cracked the box-office formula. And yet, look closely at his offerings, and they are anything but formulaic. With his interesting choice of movies — that range from a historical in Kesari to a sci-fi drama in Mission Mangal — Kumar has stayed relevant, giving the younger crop of actors a run for their money.

"It's fun to reinvent. I get bored easily; I learnt this early on in my career when I was doing only action films. Filmmakers were not offering me anything different," recounts the superstar of the days when he was itching to break his Khiladi Kumar image. "Fortunately, Hera Pheri [2000] turned things around, and since then I am trying to explore different genres. I am a greedy actor. If I am constantly changing my image, it is because I am enjoying it. I am not doing it to set an example."

After four releases in 2019, the coming year will be just as busy for Kumar with Sooryavanshi, Laxmmi Bomb, Prithviraj and Bachchan Pandey. "From action to horror to comedy and romance, I am blessed to have such diverse films."

Before he steps into 2020, Kumar will round off this year with Good Newwz that sees him reunite with Kareena Kapoor Khan. The film adopts a humorous approach to tackle the sensitive issue of IVF. "We have been careful [not to offend anyone], like we were while making Toilet - Ek Prem Katha [2017]. But the incident that we are depicting [mix-up of sperms] has happened in real life. IVF is an important subject, especially for families who cannot have children. Many working women who thought they would have to give up on their careers as their [biological] clock was ticking feel relieved because they have an option. Eight million babies have been born through [the assisted reproductive technology]."

KESARI has got huge television numbers on its premiere with 1.5 crore plus impressions. It is the highest for Akshay Kumar starrers in recent times if we don't count 2.0 (Hindi) which is on fire on satellite racking up around 5 crore impressions on 6 peak time viewings.

The numbers are higher than films like TOILET - EK PREM KATHA, PAD MAN, HOUSEFULL 3, GOLD, AIRLIFT etc. The best of this lot was TOILET - EK PREM KATHA with around 1.1 crore impressions. KESARI ranks third for the year after TOTAL DHAMAAL and 2.0 (Hindi) but its minimal margins and KESARI would not have been expected to put up these numbers as its not in that comedy or action genre but a war drama.

It remains to be seen where it goes on the television circuit and maybe the numbers of TOTAL DHAMAAL or 2.0 (Hindi) may be difficult to match but its a HIT for sure on satellite. In the all time list of television premieres it will be among the top ten.

The top ten television premieres of 2019 are as follows.
1. Total Dhamaal - 1,67,93,000 (Star)
2. 2.0 (Hindi) - 1,65,13,000 (Zee)
3. Kesari - 1,56,66,000 (Zee)
4. Luka Chuppi  - 1,25,00,000 (Star)
5. Junglee - 1,11,77,000 (Star)
6. Simmba - 1,11,02,000 (Zee)
7. Zero - 92,60,000 (Zee)
8. Kedarnath - 72,88,000 (Zee)
9. Race 3 - 70,85,000 (Zee)
10. Uri - The Surgical - 61,37,000 (Zee)

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; February 15, 2019)

She did not have a release last year, but 2019 will be action-packed for Bhumi Pednekar. Coming up first is Sonchiriya that has her playing a feisty girl from Chambal followed by the quirky comedy Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare. In the meantime, she has started shooting for Saand Ki Aankh based on India’s oldest woman shooters Chando and Prakshi Tomar, alongside Taapsee Pannu. The talented actress has also been roped in for the remake of Pati Patni Aur Woh (1978) in which she will essay the role originally played by Vidya Sinha. Here, the Toilet: Ek Prem Katha actress tells us about her slate of films, why she doesn’t miss being the glamorous commercial heroine and more...

Whether it’s films like Dum Laga Ke Haisha, Toilet - Ek Prem Katha or the upcoming Sonchiriya you have played strong characters in them. How do you go about picking the roles you want to play? 
I think these scripts choose me. Also, I am a strong person and I consciously relate to films empowering women. That’s because I come from a family which believes in it. I naturally go for such characters. The makers of Toilet - Ek Prem Katha and Sonchiriya have shown faith in me because of my earlier work. It is so flattering to play distinctive women from different parts of India. I am proud of that.

Don’t you miss playing Bollywood’s quintessential glamour girl?
In real life, I am so glamorous that I don’t miss it on celluloid. Bhumi, the person, is nothing like the characters she plays! I am a Mumbai girl, I love vanity, getting ready, and spending time taking care of myself. In front of the camera, I enjoy playing characters that are unlike me. It’s more challenging as I have to do a lot more work.

I don’t just want to play an urban girl — I’m not saying they don’t have problems, they also have their own battles — but as far as the glamour bit goes, I balance my life out. Also, I think the definition of glamour is flawed. In Toilet - Ek Prem Katha (2017), I was glamorous enough in the milieu that it was set. Besides, being glam would not be reason enough to get on board a film. Yes, I would want to be a part of a commercial film, but I’m not seeking it, just like I’m not seeking socially-relevant films. I don’t have a formula. Pati Patni Aur Woh remake could be that fun commercial film with glamour, fun and songs, but again I’m doing it because it’s a good story.

Have you seen the original Pati Patni Aur Woh?
Yes, and it’s a wonderful film. But our movie is a modern take on it. We as people have changed a lot and even the society has progressed a little. I can’t divulge more about it because it’s a remake, and it will take the fun out of it. All I can say is it will be completely different from the original.

Taapsee Pannu said that she was being considered for the role you are playing, in Pati Patni Aur Woh and now you are working together in Saand Ki Aankh. Is there any awkwardness between the two of you?
Not at all. Taapsee and I are great friends and we have started a wonderful journey together. Whatever happened (with Pati Patni Aur Woh) had nothing to do with me. Taapsee is somebody who has a lot of courage and she speaks out on what she feels right and what she doesn’t feel right about. I respect her views and thoughts.

How was it working with Konkona SenSharma in Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare?
This is my favourite script. It’s a quirky film. If you’ve seen Lipstick Under My Burkha, you’ll know what kind of movie this will be. Alankrita Shrivastava (director) is a brilliant woman, she finds these ladies who are warped, crazy, naive and who are survivors. That’s what I love about Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare. For me, this a true chick flick.

As for working with Konkona, by far she is one of my most favourite co-stars. She is such a phenomenal actor, so down-to-earth and no pretense — she is just Koko. Every time I had a scene with her I was so excited, the comfort between us was so refreshing. I had come from a male-dominated set of Sonchiriya and this was completely the opposite. Both the experiences were enriching, but Dolly Kitty... was such fun — girl power all the way.

You have also bagged Karan Johar’s period film Takht...
Yes, and it’s a dream come true. For anybody who wants to be a part of movies, working in a Karan Johar film is a dream. It’s such an honour. I have high regard for him — he is a visionary, who changed the game in the fraternity. Also, I will be sharing share screen space with brilliant actors like Ranveer (Singh), Vicky (Kaushal), Kareena (Kapoor Khan), and Anil (Kapoor) sir and Jahnvi (Kapoor).

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; November 19, 2018)

Over the last few years, Akshay Kumar has made interesting choices. The Bollywood superstar has balanced his commercial outings with social dramas, both of which have been lapped up by audiences. Now, he is all set to share screen space with Rajinikanth in the mega-budget venture 2.0, which releases on November 29.

A sequel to the much successful Robot (Enthiran, 2010), it’s also the biggest Indian film ever made on a budget of over Rs 650 crore. Given that the first part fared extraordinarily well at the box office, even outside the South Indian market, we asked trade pundits about the expectations from 2.0.

AKSHAY: THE BIGGEST HIGHLIGHT
Akki plays the role of a mad scientist or crowman, the antagonist to Rajinikanth’s Chitti in the sci-fi. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh states that his character will be the ‘biggest highlight’ in the project. “This is possibly the first time a mainline actor has taken up a role like this. There’s a lot of curiosity about Akshay’s role after his look and the promos were unveiled. He’s playing a bad guy, but nobody has done a film on this scale before. So, there’s definitely huge anticipation and euphoria. This could be a game changer,” says Taran.

Producer-distributor N R Pachisia, too, echoes the same sentiment and says, “The film’s creatives (promos and posters) featuring Akshay are creating a buzz among viewers. The curiosity will also help the film in the North Indian markets. Akshay will be the surprise package in 2.0. It’s such a larger-than-life character.”

AN ALL-INDIA CONNECT
Barring Baahubali, South Indian films, which are usually dubbed in several languages including Hindi, don’t really work outside their own market. The trade feels 2.0, too, can also recreate the same magic as the SS Rajamouli film, thanks to the Pad Man actor’s presence. Taran asserts, “Akshay’s addition to the cast means that the film will appeal to a larger audience and is a huge advantage for the film’s Hindi market.” Pachisia adds, “If you see the first instalment of the franchise, it did exceedingly well even outside the South Indian market. Shankar, as a filmmaker, caters to the pan-India audience.”

Pachisia says, “It’s lovely to see a filmmaker who’s trying to make movies on such a huge canvas and at par with international standards. The layman is intrigued by the VFX work. 2.0 will open big across the country for sure.” He adds, “Karan Johar, along with Anil Thadani are distributing the film. They have always chosen quality products.” The two had also presented the Baahubali franchise, which went on to create history at the Indian box office.

2.0 WILL SURPASS AKKI’S EARLIER FILMS
Toilet - Ek Prem Katha, which released last year and collected over Rs 132 crore at the BO is Akshay’s highest-grossing film till date. But it will be a different scenario altogether with 2.0. Pachisia says, “The film is tracking really well, it is somewhere around Rs 34-35 crore. The scale and the format of the film are adding to the excitement.” Taran also agrees, “Although it’s too early to predict the film’s opening, it is expected to be in the Rs 30-35 crore range. That also means 2.0 will be Akshay’s biggest opener till date. His previous best is Gold (2018) which collected Rs 25.25 crore on the first day. 2.0 will easily surpass that.”

Earlier this month, Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Thugs Of Hindostan (TOH) had an unprecedented opening-day figure of Rs 52 crore (from all languages). Taran feels that the record will be broken, with the Rajini-Akshay film. He tells us, “TOH has not worked, so the audience is also hungry for a good film now. The start for 2.0 will be mammoth for sure. After that, it’s up to the content and how people take to it. 2.0’s collections from all combined languages will definitely beat TOH’s Rs 52 crore mark.”

The film is also reportedly being planned for a grand release in over 5,000 screens in India. But Taran reasons, “The screen count can be decided only a week before the film’s release. In all probability, the film will have a big release all over India.”

Pallabi Purkayastha (BOMBAY TIMES; September 18, 2018)

After exploring contrasting characters in Kaabil and Sarkar 3 last year, Yami Gautam is now gearing up for the release of her upcoming social drama, Batti Gul Meter Chalu, directed by Shree Narayan Singh, which deals with the issue of power theft. In an interview with BT, the actress talks about her headstrong character Gulnaar in the film, the camaraderie that she shares with her co-stars and how she is unfazed about sharing screen time with Shraddha Kapoor. Excerpts...

In Batti Gul Meter Chalu, you essay the role of a lawyer, who is pitted against Shahid Kapoor’s character, who is fighting against power theft in a town of Uttarakhand. What prompted you to take up this character?
I have two main reasons for taking up the role. The first one is a bit personal — I hail from a small town in Himachal Pradesh and was raised in Chandigarh, so, I am well-aware of these problems and how they affect the common man. The story isn’t just about getting excessively billed; I may have that kind of money, but it is unfair. Also, what if I don’t have the money to pay for something that I have not consumed? This has not happened to me or my family, but we have heard about such things. So, when I read the script, it took me back to my childhood. Secondly, Shree sir’s (the director) previous film, Toilet - Ek Prem Katha also revolved around a relevant social issue, but at the same time, it was entertaining and had humour. It’s the same with Batti… My character Gulnaar is strong, confident and speaks her mind. I know that my character has an impact on the story. The film is about three friends, but it finally ends up as a courtroom drama and that’s where Gulnaar is prominent and relevant.

This is the first time you’re working with Shahid Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor. Did you guys have any ice breaking session prior to the commencement of your shoot?
I don’t think you have to try and be friends with anyone. When I met Hrithik (Roshan) for the first time, before the shoot of Kaabil, you know what I told him? ‘Hi! I am Yami and I am nervous’. I was just being true to myself. When I spoke to Shahid, Shraddha and Shree sir, I was just being myself and meant what I said and that’s it; nothing else was required. I don’t think you have to be ‘friends’ to work with someone. Of course, we all were very friendly and had our shares of laughter and giggles. They were all too sweet to me and it was almost like welcoming a new member into the family. We were on the same page and had mutual admiration, in terms of our work, so we never felt the need to have an icebreaking session. I think there was no ice only (laughs!).

An actor like Shahid generally comes prepared on the set. Does his level of involvement in his role push you to up your game and perform better?
Towards the end of our shoot, Shahid told me, ‘You came really prepped’ and I said ‘Yeah, I had to, because you guys had already started shooting and you all knew each other from before’. I remember once I was rehearsing my lines for a scene in which he wasn’t there and he asked me, ‘What are you doing?’ I replied that I was rehearsing, to which he said, ‘Come, I will be the other character’. He is a very supportive co-star.

Whether it’s menstruation or the issue of power theft, nowadays, a lot of films are addressing issues that are usually brushed under the carpet. Do you think Bollywood has reached a stage where it is not scared to make bold statements?
Yes, we are not living under a tyrant and that’s what a democracy in the real sense means. You are putting across your point and you have the right to your speech and expression. Cinema is a very powerful medium and it’s not about attacking someone, it is about making people aware. It is very easy to attack someone, but how will it benefit the common man who is not aware of these things? It started with Vicky Donor, which was sort of a cult film in itself. It had a path-breaking script, which made people aware, but it didn’t attack anyone. Films like Pad Man, Toilet - Ek Prem Katha and Batti Gul Meter Chalu resonate with the audience. They are entertaining, too; it’s not like they are being preachy and trying to give you some ‘gyaan’.

There’s a perception that actresses are uncomfortable sharing screen time with their contemporaries. In Batti, you are doing just that with Shraddha Kapoor. Were you apprehensive about the length of your role or the fact that it is a two-heroine movie?
I don’t mean to sound condescending, but I think it is a very outdated thought. We are living in a modern era, so, we have to also think in a modern way. Your work speaks for yourself and it’s important that you don’t walk into a set or sign a film keeping these things in mind. And that’s only possible when you are secure as a person. I am very secure about myself. So, there were no qualms or apprehensions of any sort. Shraddha has a very good part in the film and both our roles are sharply defined. She has done her best and even I have tried to do justice to my role. So, there is no overlap of interest or intentions. I don’t think it is healthy for any actor to enter a set with that thought. A film is always made with ‘we’ and it’s never made with ‘me’; that’s something I learnt from Kaabil (smiles).

You have just wrapped up Uri with Vicky Kaushal, which is based on the 2016 militant attacks. Do you think, in the recent past, there have been many films in Bollywood with a central or an underlying theme of patriotism?
Uri is not a fictional story. It is something that has happened for real and marks one of the most important events in the history of the Indian Army. It was a very crucial operation. So, it is not just a story, it is something that we all must know. And I am not saying this because I am a part of Uri, but as an Indian. Wouldn’t you like to know what had actually happened and what it takes to step into the shoes of a soldier? I don’t think even a 100 films can do justice to their dedication towards the nation.

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; September 18, 2018)

Ever since her debut in Vicky Donor (2012), Yami Gautam has seen a lot of ups and downs in her career. Her films like Sanam Re and Junooniyat (both of which released in 2016) tanked at the box office, but others like Badlapur (2015) with Varun Dhawan won acclaim and Kaabil (2017) with Hrithik Roshan fared well at the box office. “Success and failure are part and parcel of life,” says the pretty actress.

Now, Yami will be seen as an independent career woman in her two upcoming films — Batti Gul Meter Chalu (BGMC) and Uri. While she portrays a lawyer in the former, which deals with the issue of electricity theft in rural India, she essays the role of an intelligence officer in the latter. Here, Yami tells us why she has no qualms about playing small but significant roles on screen, what prompted her to take up BGMC and more.   

BGMC is top-lined by Shahid Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor. Knowing that, what prompted you to do this film?
I think this is a dated concept that if I don’t have two or three songs in the movie, why should I do it? If you think in those terms, you cannot work. Times are changing and what’s important is what you are adding to the film. I play a lawyer in BGMC, which is a first for me. My character is that of a strong girl, who does what she feels is right and gives him (Shahid Kapoor’s character) back at the same level. Also, I had two strong reasons for doing this film.

What are they?
I was born in a small town in Himachal Pradesh and raised in Chandigarh. So, I was aware of this particular problem (theft of electricity). I have heard of some people being billed high. It’s not about it being unfair, it’s about not having the money to pay. The awareness of this grassroot problem was one reason to do the film. The other was Shree sir (director, Shree Narayan Singh). His Toilet - Ek Prem Katha dealt with a social issue, but it wasn’t preachy. He made it funny and engaging. It’s the same with Batti... It’s a social drama but it has humour. Shree sir has opened a whole new world of Uttarakhand and captured that flavour beautifully because he is from there. Also, as I said, I have never played a lawyer before and in college, I was studying law (laughs). I know BGMC is the story of three friends but it boils down to the courtroom drama and that’s where Gulnaar, my character comes in. I know the impact and prominence my character holds.

What kind of prep did you do for your role?
I didn’t watch many films (courtroom dramas), in fact not even one. For Kaabil (in which she played a visually-impaired girl) I had done that because the prep was different. For Batti... I decided to have a practical approach. I went to the Bombay High Court, sat quietly during a session and spoke to the lawyers later. I asked them is it the way it is usually shown in our films and they laughed. They said movies tend to depict a lot of drama which doesn’t happen in reality, but it’s there to some extent in lower courts. There is also some tongue-in-cheek humour that goes on. That’s why in the trailer you see me giving facts and figures while Shahid replies with cheeky answers. What I learnt from the court session was to have clarity of speech and confidence.  

How was it working with Shahid Kapoor?
Shahid is one of the best actors I have seen and he’s given some really good performances. He is very supportive as a co-star. The sync and synergy you need for a one-on-one argument where the director doesn’t want to cut, but wants you to go on can happen only if your co-star is supportive. Also, you don’t want to over rehearse because you need the spontaneity intact. When I saw Shahid on sets, I realised how he gave all those performances in films like Haider, Kaminey and Udta Punjab in which he was so intense. One day, I was reading some lines for a scene which did not feature him. But he asked me what I was doing and said, ‘Come, I will rehearse with you.’ That was really sweet of him. A good co-actor is someone who enhances your performance. And that only happens when the focus is not on yourself, but what is working for the scene. This is something that I learnt from Hrithik (Roshan).

Please continue...
There would be scenes (in Kaabil) where he delivered a perfect shot, but maybe I could have done a little better. He would say, ‘Yami, you want to try that again? What if you did it this way... it will look nicer’ and we would go for another take. Being selfless sounds easy, but one must try and achieve it.

Your next film, Uri, also has you playing a professional..
Yes! The film is about the surgical strike, and it is very special for me not only as an actor, but also as a person because all of us should know what had happened and what it takes to be in their (soldiers’) shoes.

You went in for a makeover for the film.
That was the director's call. When we were discussing the look, he said I should have shorter hair. I thought he wanted it shorter by one or two inches. However, when he shared the reference, I was shocked. He told me he didn’t see the character taking much time in vanity. She has so many important things to do that her hair cannot be curled, permed or textured. He told me I needed to have a sharp look, so I said let’s do it. But when I sat on the chair, I asked the hairstylist if I could take a second. She said there was no time and cut it! 

There was a phase when your movies like Sanam Re and Junooniyat did not do well. How did you cope with it?
Success and failure are both part and parcel of life. We, as actors, are accustomed to it and learn to handle it over a period of time. I have no regrets about what happened. I have always focussed on what comes ahead and I’m glad I have learnt from what has happened. Now, I pick projects that I’m passionate about and look forward to them.

Hiren Kotwani (DNA; September 17, 2018)

The spark in Shraddha Kapoor’s eyes is unmistakable. The actress is justifiably upbeat because she is fresh off the back of her superhit outing Stree and has Batti Gul Meter Chalu (BGMC), which releases this Friday. “For every film I do, I focus on giving it my 110 per cent and hope people will go to watch it and be entertained,’’ the light-eyed beauty says when we catch up with her for a tête-à-tête. She also tells us about her upcoming films, sweating it out for her turn as Saina Nehwal in the national badminton champ’s on-screen memoir, rumours of a link-up with photographer Rohan Shrestha, and more. Excerpts...

The success of Stree must have come as a career boost after your films last year didn’t fare too well...
I’ve never focussed on the results. Hits and misses are not in your hands. When a movie succeeds, it feels great. At the same time, I can’t be complacent about it. I have to keep working hard and do the best I can. I find it shocking yet amazing that Stree has become a blockbuster. I had hoped for it to do well, but didn’t know it would be such a huge hit.

Your next release is BGMC. What was your first reaction to the script?
My first reaction was, ‘Wow!’ The content is so special. It’s a well-written story on a prevalent issue about how power companies can affect big as well as smaller towns. This is the first time I’ve been offered something with a social connect. I had loved Shree Narayan Singh’s Toilet - Ek Prem Katha, which conveyed an important message in an entertaining manner without being preachy.

How was it working with Shahid Kapoor again after Haider?
It was a great experience — especially on something that is so different from our first film together. Haider was an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play, while this is a socially-relevant subject. It was great to explore this genre with Shahid. Having worked with him in the past, there was a comfort level that helped us essay our parts effortlessly.

Tell us about your experience of shooting in a small town like Tehri where the comforts you’re used to are not available easily.
As a matter of fact, I don’t want things to be available easily. I also need a good dose of nature every now and then to keep me calm. Uttarakhand is such a fabulous place that you feel you’re in heaven because there are no crowds, traffic and constant honking. I didn’t want the shoot to end. I just wanted to stay there and disconnect from everything. After the shoot or on a day off, I would sit in my balcony and lose myself to nature for hours. Even as a shot would be readied, I would take off to look around. I felt I needed it.

What was your greatest takeaway from a socially-relevant film like Batti Gul Meter Chalu (BGMC)?
As an actor, I felt it was a great opportunity to be a part of a film that can stimulate Indians’ thinking about issues in the country today. If people connect with this movie, it will make a big difference.

What scope does your Lalita 'Nauti' Nautiyal have in a story that revolves around Shahid's character?
BGMC is as much the story of the two friends as it is of Shahid’s Sushil Kumar Pant and how an important issue affects one of them. Lalita has a strong conscience from the beginning, she never approves Sushil’s ways or the fact that he is a kapti lawyer. She stands for what she believes is right and wants to fight for justice for their friend.

You also have Saaho with Baahubali star Prabhas coming up...
It’s also my first bilingual project. It’s a challenging film because, after every scene in Hindi, I have to do it in Telugu, which I have never spoken before. I would spend hours mugging my lines. It’s amazing working with a director and a team who are so passionate about cinema. I haven’t done a movie or a role like this before. And, of course, working with Prabhas is a great experience.

One hasn’t heard much about the biopic on Saina Nehwal since its announcement. What’s happening on that front?
It’s going on floors this month and I’m eagerly waiting to put my best foot forward. I feel badminton is the second most difficult sport after basketball. It’s a huge challenge to play the sport professionally, like Saina. When you see her in action on the court, she is in a fast forward mode. It’s an extremely rigorous and exhausting task and I’m giving it all I can.

Usually, actors working in onscreen memoirs only focus on that project. Did prepping for this one get tougher since you had alluring subjects like Stree and BGMC?
There are no rules for prepping for a bio. Every actor has their own way of working. You know the director’s vision and you have to come up with the best possible way to do justice to it. Since last year, I’ve been practising badminton off and on. Even on days that I wasn’t shooting, I would train in the mornings.

According to the grapevine, photographer Rohan Shrestha is the man in your life. Is that true?
I’m not bothered by link-up rumours. It’s the part and parcel of being an actor. I’m happy focussing on acting. It would be a cliché to say that I’m married to my work and films. I will just say that I don’t want to speak about my personal life.

Director Shree Narayan Singh rewinds to the time his upcoming film, Batti Gul Meter Chalu came to a standstill and the lessons he has learnt from that phase
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; September 17, 2018)

In less than a week, Batti Gul Meter Chalu (BGMC), starring Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor and Yami Gautam, will be out in cinema halls. The film has seen a rather tumultuous journey to get this far. The shoot came to a screeching halt in just a few weeks of it going on the floors in February this year. Reason: reports attributed it to a lack of finance and other complications. The shoot didn’t commence until the beginning of June. Precious time and actors’ dates were lost in the interim. Director Shree Narayan Singh’s hopes dwindled with every passing day, until the issues were resolved and the shooting was reinstated.

Recalling the phase, the two-film old director says, “I am emotionally attached to my work. If the film hadn’t started rolling again, I would have slipped into depression. Those three months when we couldn’t shoot, Shahid and I would talk to each other every day; we would share our anxieties and worries over the film. Each time we saw an article or heard something from here and there, we made it a point to call each other. That phase strengthened the bond I share with him. My wife, on the other hand, stopped asking me questions because she realised I might flare up if prodded too much. I almost stopped talking to everyone at home. I couldn’t sleep and would just spend the nights sitting in the puja room of my house, hoping for a miracle. Ek time aisa aa gaya ki main socha suicide kar loon. But when we started shooting again, things slowly returned to normal. The project was salvaged in time. I just think that no one ever starts a film to bring it to a halt midway. Circumstances were such ki jo hua, uska bill phat gaya hamari film pe.”

Shree now looks at the entire episode as a learning experience. Ask him to elaborate on the ‘lesson’, and he says, “I picked up the dos and don’ts of this business. Main toh uss zamane ka aadmi hoon jiske liye film sarvopari hoti hai, paperwork etc bas naam ki cheezein hain. But today, I’ve learnt that whenever you get into co-productions, you have to first get your money in. Dosti aur emotions mein aake I didn’t give credence to paperwork. But now I know that I have to keep my emotions at bay and get everything in writing. I will work by the book and not repeat these mistakes.”

The director admits to spending sleepless nights even now, albeit with a difference — and that is because he’s adding finishing touches to his film. Shree, once an IAS aspirant, hasn’t gone home for days, trying to complete the last leg of post-production. When asked what draws him to socially-relevant subjects, given that both his films — BGMC and Toilet - Ek Prem Katha — are set in small-town India and have underlined important issues, he says, “I belong to Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh. People living in metros are not aware of half the issues that people like me have faced while living in a small town. Sheheron mein logon ko nahi pata ki ghar mein 15-18 ghanta bijli nahin hona kya hota hai. I know what it is to virtually survive without electricity in the middle of summer. I’ve seen how difficult life can be for women, whose houses don’t have toilets. So, when someone narrates a story like Batti Gul Meter Chalu or Toilet - Ek Prem Katha, I get drawn to it. I feel that I’ll be able to put my heart into films like these.”

Shree may not be the first filmmaker to attempt socially-relevant films, but he has contributed to making contemporary Hindi cinema more socially aware. Bring this up and he says, “Earlier, people had set their minds on a particular kind of films, but today, they watch different stuff. With A-list actors also happy to work in films that have an underlying theme or have something more to offer, it increases the reach of such stories. When big stars like Akshay Kumar or Shahid Kapoor say something, people pay more heed and become aware of small town India and its problems. As a filmmaker, you feel you have done something for society while trying to entertain.”

Bhumi Pedneker with Akshay Kumar in Toilet - Ek Prem Katha

As told to Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 10, 2018)

My debut film, Dum Laga Ke Haisha (left), required a lot of prep, starting with me putting on almost 30 kgs. Since I’m a Mumbai girl and the film was set in Haridwar, in the ’90s before globalisation came to India, I had to unlearn many things too to play Sandhya, a small town girl with simple dreams. For starters, I had to work on my lingo, as the chaste language spoken in Haridwar is very different from Mumbaiya Hindi and I was expected to converse like a local.

I also had to learn how to do household chores and how to cook. Making rotis and chai may sound mundane, but it’s tough if you haven’t done it before. I’m a pampered child still living with my parents and the workshops were all about making me become less urban.

I went to Haridwar two weeks before the shoot and spent a lot of time with our local line-producers’ families. I would clean utensils and look after their children. I also visited the local beauty parlours to get a manicure or a facial and earrings and chains off carts as part of the character building. I also learnt to lip sync my lines. Earlier, I would also lip sync Ayushmann’s (Khurrana) lines.

For the last song, “Tu Meri”, we rehearsed for days because dancing was tougher for me back then with all the extra weight. Two year later, for “Gori Tu Latt Maar” in Toilet - Ek Prem Katha with Akshay Kumar, we had to tell a story through the song and that required me to work on my expressions. Since I enjoy dancing, I didn’t consider this a task. However, learning the khari boli for the film, was one. Interestingly, every film I’ve done required me to work on the dialect and accent. Fortunately, I’ve been able to pull it off.

For Toilet - Ek Prem Katha, I also travelled to places like Bhopal to meet women who had left their husbands because the house had no toilet. I also learnt to ride a cycle. When I was young, I’d met with an accident while cycling but acting helped me conquer that fear and today I can proudly say I’ve progressed to learning how to ride a scooty. I’ve also learnt how to milk a cow and fetch water from a well. These may sound trivial, but they enhance the characters you play further.

For my upcoming film with Sushant Singh Rajput, Son Chiriya (below), I had to carry pots of water on my head and walk barefoot around Aram Nagar in Andheri to understand the ordeal of the women living in Chambal. Takht, my first historical, will also require a lot of prep.

Meena Iyer (DNA; August 27, 2018)

A lean and super-fit Shahid Kapoor bounces (yes, bounces) into his office dressed, in a pair of black shorts co-ordinated with a stylish black tee. He gracefully accepts the compliments he receives for his athletic avatar. Chomping on a meal of boiled veggies, he sighs and adds, “This is what you have to eat to stay fit.”

Well, we know. But we’re not here to talk about his food. The agenda for our meeting is his career, his second baby and his next release Batti Gul Meter Chalu (BGMC), all of which is being animatedly discussed at this juncture. Over to Sasha:

What kind of feedback are you getting for BGMC?
BGMC is the kind of movie that is significant to people who live beyond Mumbai. So, the reaction of those around me isn’t relevant. The reason we made this film is because there is a certain section of the junta beyond your regular metropolis, who face a shortage of electricity. When I met director Shree Narayan Singh, I learnt from him that he comes from that world and is familiar with the real issues that people in such places face. So, he’s able to tell stories in a real manner. For example, I didn’t know the problem of sanitation in our country until I saw the trailer of Shree’s previous work, Toilet - Ek Prem Katha (TEPK). He didn’t want to set BGMC in a city, but in a place where the issue was more relevant. And until I heard this script, I didn’t know how grave the problem of electricity or the lack of it was. Around 32 million people don’t have a single light bulb in their homes. When I learnt about this, it came as a huge shock to me.

You play a lawyer in the film. Are you scrupulous or unscrupulous?
In the beginning, I’m a kapti (unscrupulous) lawyer who is only interested in making moolah. Most often, he’s only interested in doing out-of-court settlements and earning a quick buck. Then something happens to his friend and he realises that he should do something about the problem that is being faced by many. Then, I become a conscientious guy who decides to fight for people.

You speak differently, too...
The shooting of this film was a learning process. The dialogues revealed so many facts and figures that I realised lack of electricity is a widespread problem. My effort while doing this movie was to be nothing like myself (a city person), but reach the grassroot reality. While practising the line that mentions ‘facts and figures’, I used to say ‘phacts’ just like the locals there would pronounce the word. Mira (my wife) would ask me, ‘Are you sure about the character you are playing?’ And I would tell her that where this man comes from, the language he speaks, this is how it is. In Mumbai, if the power goes off for an hour, we wonder what is happening. On the other hand, there are places where people can’t afford or are not getting electricity at all. It’s a widespread problem that needs to be addressed.

Coming back to my first question, what kind of reactions did the trailer get?
We’ve got nice reactions. It’s a well-cut trailer, it’s funny, there is entertainment, love, friends, drama, strong dialect and an issue that is genuine. In today’s times, that is exciting. People want to get a feel of different parts of the country. This entire generation is in the process of discovering our roots. Most of the films you see being made and appreciated these days are grounded in reality, whether relationship-based or issue-oriented. BGMC falls in that category. This is interesting for me, coming next after Padmaavat, in which I played royalty. Also, I’ve never portrayed a character on screen that’s so local and raw.

While shooting for this film you regularly posted pictures of Tehri on social media.
BGMC is close to my heart. It was stalled for about a month and it took a while to get it back on track. The director and I are passionate about this project as it’s a story we want to tell and a film that we believe in. We had a lot of fun becoming these people and going to new places. New Tehri, where we shot, is a three-hour drive from Dehradun. It’s a quaint little town in the middle of Uttarakhand. I kept posting pictures online daily because every morning was so beautiful out there that I wanted to share it. I hadn’t heard about the place before, many people are not even aware about it, but it deserves to be visited. It has major electricity issues. Places that are higher in altitude have a lot of basic problems, like water can’t be drawn from the lake without power. Plus, it’s very cold there, minus two and three degree Celsius in the night. We were staying in one of the local hotels, so there was no internal heating or hot water. Once you are in bed, you feel the cold weather outside. I had three heaters, yet I was freaking out. I’m someone who follows a healthy diet, but the next day I would often say, ‘Give me chai, give me pakoras...’

Tackling issues through films is becoming a way of life for you, right?
I closely felt the world the film is set in. I’ve done two movies that are real and rooted. Haider, which was set in a conflicted state like Kashmir, was about a person’s emotions and the issues that he grapples with, though the core was Shakespearean. Then, Udta Punjab was about the drug problem in Punjab. Both films gave me immense love from the people we made them for because we told their stories without fictionalising them. When the trailer of TEPK came, I realised how grave an issue open defecation was. It enlightens you about things you’re not aware about. I’m fortunate that directors like Shree, Vishal (Bhardwaj) and Abhishek (Chaubey) as well as writers like Siddharth-Garima go to these places and want to tell stories that need to be told. Shree and Sidharth-Garima didn’t want to make BGMC into a documentary, they wanted to tell the story through all the gamut of emotions that they want you to feel. It’s not a personal story, but it’s woven like that... the journey may be personal, but it’s about a pertinent issue that many people in the country are facing.

For instance, I saw a video on YouTube about a sabziwala having committed suicide because his electricity bill was too high and the private company refused to admit that it could be a problem at their end. So yes, the film addresses real issues. I want to see how it turns out and how people react after watching it.

This year began on a big note for you, with a huge hit like Padmaavat.
BGMC is about an issue, Padmaavat had become an issue.

So, career-wise, are you happy and secure?
I’ve got two releases in September; Batti Gul... and my baby (smiles). I hope I’m geared up. It’s the second baby for us, and this is my 32nd or 33rd film. It’s daunting because so much is happening.

You are in a unique position. Hrithik Roshan, John Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan came before you and Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor came after you.
I’m like Ajay Devgn, who entered the industry in Phool Aur Kaante (1991) with his legs astride two motorcycles, doing the perfect split. So I’ve got one leg in the slightly older generation and other one with the slightly younger generation. I often wonder where do I go (laughs).

You’ve got a diverse range of subjects like the Arjun Reddy remake that is action-packed.
Yes. There’s also a sports biopic that I’ll be doing with Raja Krishna Menon (of Airlift and Chef fame).

Are you happy with the way things are going?
Yes, two significant developments are happening at this stage. One is the creative growth and the other is the reach. It’s important to balance that. I don’t want to do films that have a wide reach but don’t give me any creative satisfaction. I want to tell stories, discover myself as an actor and reach out to as wide an audience as possible. I don’t want to limit myself to any space. The idea is to find new characters to play and new stories to tell. BGMC could have been made offbeat like Haider, but when a film is so pure, it limits its reach. It’s something we wanted to take to a wider audience, because that’s what you need to do if you want cinema to grow in the right direction.

Mira told me you have to make it happen. In TEPK, the hero gets married to a cow because he’s so scared of his father. In BGMC, my character is a harami. I asked Shree if there could be thoda gaana, thoda dance.. and he was like ‘Yes, the character is enjoying himself’. Thoda masti and fun toh chahiye, sirf issue issue karenge toh film serious ho jayegi. This character plays it on the front foot. After a controlled and restrained Rawal Ratan Singh in Padmaavat, this is in your face, a badtameez kind of guy.

This sees you and Shraddha team up again, a tried-and-tested pair after Haider.
The good thing is that people saw us together and liked us. I hope we will be lucky the second time as well. This film gives us more scope than Haider because that had a different set of dynamics. Shraddha has a wonderful energy, we were comfortable and had fun doing the songs. Moreover, she is looking good in the film. She is playing an interesting character.

You told us how Mira asked you about the dialect when you’d practise your lines at home. What did she have to say about the trailer?
She loved the trailer. She had loved the script, too. She had read it before me as I was busy shooting. Later, she insisted that I go through it. She told me, ‘You’re a star, so maybe you don’t know. But I’m from Delhi and electricity is a big issue on that side. You have to do this film.’ Earlier, the movie was supposed to be set in a city. Later, even though it was set in a small town and the script was rewritten, the core idea remained the same. It was about a flawed guy who chooses to fight against electricity theft, high bills and privatisation. Electricity doesn’t reach places that need it the most like schools and hospitals. So, it’s a grassroot-level subject. Mira told me you have to make it happen.

Months after wife tweeted how people defecating in the open ruined her morning walks, Akshay Kumar funds bio-toilets at Juhu beach; teams up with Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray to install the toilets. Spends about Rs 10 lakh on the loos
Chaitanya Marpakwar (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 3, 2018)

Eight months after actor-turned-author Twinkle Khanna got trolled for tweeting how people defecating in the open ruined her morning walks, a row of bio-toilets funded by her husband, superstar Akshay Kumar, were opened for public use on Juhu beach. Twinkle’s tweet -- “Good morning and I guess here is the first scene of Toilet Ek Prem Katha part 2 #WhenYourWalkGoesDownTheToilet” – in August last year was liked and retweeted several hundreds of times. But it was also criticized for insensitivity towards slum-dwellers who have no choice but to use the beach as a toilet in the absence of public loos.

While Twinkle, who boasts of 31.2 lakh followers on Twitter, had subsequently tweeted that a public toilet was located just minutes away from the spot where she photographed a man defecating, the BMC on Monday said even the toilets sponsored by her husband will only partly solve the problem and that three or four more such toilets will have to be installed to make Juhu and Versova beaches open defecation free.

BMC officials said that Akshay teamed up with Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray for installing the toilets and spent around Rs 10 lakh. The toilet has six seats, three each for men and women, and a separate row of urinals. “The toilets have bio-digester so there will be no stink. The toilets will bring a lot of relief to not just the local slum dwellers, but also to visitors,” said Assistant Municipal Commissioner, K-West ward, Prashant Gaikwad. At the moment, there is only one public toilet at the main entry of the 6 km beach.

The BMC last year launched a campaign to eradicate open defecation and the Quality Council of India on July 6 declared the city ‘open defecation-free’. However, it’s clear that it was a misleading tag and that open defecation remains a problem in the city. Akshay last year co-produced and acted in a movie titled Toilet - Ek Prem Katha. The movie, also starring Bhumi Pednekar addressed the problem of open defecation, especially in rural areas, and won the lead actors a lot of acclaim.

According to the data available with the municipal corporation, there were 117 major open defecation spots in the city. Most of these spots were located in plots owned by government departments and agencies. The BMC claims that most of these open defecation spots have been dealt with.

According to the Swachh Bharat Mission guidelines, there should be a toilet seat for every 30 users. Based on this calculation, the city needs around 1.36 lakh toilet seats to cater to the 63 per cent of its population living in slums. Mumbai is 60,000 toilet seats short of this target.

BOMBAY TIMES (October 9, 2017)

Did you notice the extra 'L' in Qarib Qarib Singlle? Even if you missed it, you couldn't have missed the extra 'R' in 'Irrfan', the movie's lead actor. Both are spellings suggested by celebrity astro-numerologist Sanjay B Jumaani. Jumaani is in a feel-good phase currently, what with 2017 beginning with his clients, the Ambani-led Mumbai Indians, picking up their third IPL, the good run of Judwaa 2, and Newton being selected as India's entry for the Oscars apart from its Box Office success ­ all projects that have been influenced by Numerology.

Jumaani, who has done this math for many Bollywood films, is as upbeat about Qarib... as he was about Hindi Medium. He explains, “According to Numerology, the English word 'Medium' in the film added up to 24, or 6 ­ Venus ­ that stands for entertainment. 'Hindi' was spelt in Hindi. The same formula was used in Toilet ­- Ek Prem Katha; 'Toilet' added up to 24, and is a lucky number for Akshay Kumar. Judwaa 2 is also spelt as per numerology and has done very well for Varun Dhawan, whose name also adds up to 42 (6). Jumaani's client list includes Limca record holder Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma; Prenaa Arora, the producer of Rustom and Toilet -­ Ek Prem Katha; Rajkummar Rao, the star of Newton, which came after his other hit, Bareilly Ki Barfi, which also starred Ayushmann Khurrana (notice the spellings again). Both Prernaa and Rajkummar have added letters to their names on Jumaani's suggestion.

From Hrithik's debut blockbuster Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai, which had two extra 'A's, to the extra 'G' in 'Dabangg', to the extra letters in Singh Is Kinng and Singh Is Bliing, Numerology has helped Bollywood score at the Box Office. Jumaani, who chucked his 17-year-old struggling sales job within months of adding a couple of letters to his name, was recently awarded the Icon Of The Year 2017 by well known cricketer and former Indian wicket keeper, Kiran More, and Mr Sahai from WBR Corp. The award recognises people's contribution to their respective fields. “I'm grateful to my dad, the award presenters, Ekta Kapoor, Rakesh Roshan, my team, and the lakhs of followers of Numerology, who are mostly common people,“ says Jumaani.

Deepali Singh (DNA; March 24, 2018)

When we spoke to Deepti Naval a few days ago, the actress was gearing up for the 75th show of her play, Ek Mulaqat, based on the love story of Sahir Ludhianvi and Amrita Pritam. But that’s not all that the veteran artiste is busy with. In fact, Deepti, who already has a couple of books under her name, is in the middle of writing her next. “Earlier, I had published books of my poetry and short stories. Whenever a show comes, I take a break, but then I get back to my writing,” she says, refusing to divulge any further details about her new work.

The actress believes that today, content is king, and it’s a good time for stars as well as actors to showcase their prowess. “With the kind of subjects being explored these days, both are getting to do what they want. It’s not art house cinema anymore. It’s interesting cinema which is presented commercially and that’s what I like about it,” she adds. Talking about the recent films, she admits that she liked Toilet - Ek Prem Katha. “That was the last movie I saw in the theatre and I loved it! Now, I want to watch Pad Man. I think Akshay (Kumar) is doing great work — something which is so necessary — in his own commercial way. Hats off to him for picking these subjects! I love the fact that he’s choosing to tell such stories, pointing a finger at them and saying, ‘Look, here is a problem, let’s tackle it’. I like that kind of spirit,” she says.

The veteran actress has kept her passion for movies alive with her performances in movies such as NH10, Listen... Amaya, and Tevar among others. “I have been reading a lot of scripts and I’m waiting for The Boy With The Topknot to release in India,” she says of the movie based on the memoirs of British journalist Sathnam Sanghera. “It’s the first time I got to speak in my mother tongue, Punjabi, in a film. I enjoyed that immensely,” she says. Deepti admits that at her age, interesting roles are hard to come by. “After doing movies like Memories in March, Listen... Amaya, and The Boy With The Topknot, I’m hopeful that interesting characters will come my way, where I get to play my age, but don’t have to do anything stereotypical,” she concludes.

Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; March 21, 2018)

Yesterday, the goings-on in the Bollywood film fraternity attracted the wrath of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena found Raj Thackeray. In a bid to urge the opposition to unite for a ‘Modi-mukt Bharat’, the politician not only criticized the government’s decision to accord a state funeral to Sridevi after her death, but also claimed that Akshay Kumar’s recent ventures, Pad Man and Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, were part of a covert propaganda for government schemes. “Akshay Kumar is not even an Indian citizen. He holds a Canadian passport and Wikipedia describes him as an Indian-born Canadian actor,” he said, questioning the actor’s involvement in films that further the cause of Indians.

Pad Man director R Balki, whose film is based on the life of social entrepreneur Arunachalam Muruganantham, says a biopic cannot be part of any propaganda. “My film is based on someone’s life, so it obviously cannot be anybody’s propaganda. I don’t know what he [Thackeray] has stated, but these films are important,” Balki said.

Asserting that the projects led to positive conversation around important topics like opendefecation and menstrual hygiene, the director says that few ventures have “achieved what these films have”. “They have spread awareness about important issues, and have done it in a way that few other ventures could.”

In an interview to mid-day, Kumar had highlighted the importance of using cinema to create awareness about social issues. “I made Pad Man with the hope that families could become aware of the importance of menstrual hygiene. Nobody is interested in speeches or documentaries. They are interested in learning about a subject through films.”

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; March 11, 2018)

In two years, Prernaa Arora has managed to produce four films. Come 2019 and there are a few ready to release in quick succession as well. Here, the producer discusses the importance of success and failure and explains how she embraces both. Over to her...

AKSHAY SIR HAS BEEN LIKE A MENTOR
Prernaa has already delivered three films with Akshay Kumar (Rustom, Toilet - Ek Prem Katha, and Pad Man) and all of them have brought in over Rs 300 crore cumulatively at the box office. “That is something we are proud of. Akshay sir has been like a mentor and we trust him implicitly. His choices speak volumes of the kind of cinema he believes in and I also want to deliver good content to the audience. Getting to do three films with Akshay sir in such a short span is an achievement.”

We had heard from a birdie that she is producing a few more movies with the Khiladi. She confirms the news, “Yes, I’ll be doing my next set of films with Akshay sir. Working with him is a blessing and I will continue making as many movies with him as I can.” We probe her if they would be social dramas as well and she tells us, “We at KriArj respect Akshay sir so much that we don’t question him on any of his choices. So whichever genre he decides, we will follow.”

NEVER EXPECTED BIG NUMBERS FROM PARI
Her latest release Pari has received a thumbs up from the critics. However, talk about its numbers and the producer says, “We never expected Pari to bring us huge numbers. We knew that we were catering to a niche audience. When you call something a horror movie, you have already lost the family audience. But it’s a brave film and I’m happy everyone has acknowledged our effort.”

ANUSHKA IS FANTASTIC
Pari was her first association with Anushka Sharma and Clean Slate Films. Prernaa is all praise for the actress. She exclaims, “It needs a lot of courage for a big star like Anushka to come and try out something like this. She never really cared about not looking good on screen. She was so focused and because of all these reasons, Pari will remain one of my most special films.”

Ask her if they are in discussions about another collaboration and Prernaa replies, “Yes, we are definitely working together on many more films. I am starting my next with Clean Slate soon and together, we will make an official announcement. The best thing is that our wavelengths match. Anushka and Karnesh (Sharma) wanted to make Pari just the way I had thought of. They are extremely polite and nice people.”

I VALUE RELATIONSHIPS
If you take a look at the films Prernaa has produced, you notice that she has repeated a lot of filmmakers and actors in her projects. “I value relationships more than anything else,” she responds. “I know the nature of the business is somewhat harsh, but I’m someone who would stand by the relationships that I have made. For example, Akshay sir and KriArj will collaborate on two more movies now. We don’t question him because we have that understanding. We know if Akshay sir is coming to us with a film, it will be a fabulous script. We have reached that level of understanding with Anushka, too. I had always wanted to work with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and now, after Fanne Khan, we have locked her for two other projects which we will announce soon. Shahid’s next with us, post Batti Gul Meter Chalu, also begins this year. It has to be a collaborative process and most actors know that, although some completely fail to understand it. Eventually, it boils down to how you are to people and how they are to you. They are big stars because they are kind and caring towards their producers and everyone else. Maybe, this is why they have even maintained their position for the longest time.” But she also believes in partnerships with several filmmakers, she admits. “Shree Narayan Singh and I are like one family.”

SRK IS A PERFECT ROLE MODEL
Apart from the ones she's working with, we ask Prernaa to pick another actor she wants to team up with and pat comes the response, “It has to be Shah Rukh Khan,” she smiles continuing, “I’ve always been a huge admirer of his work. I met him recently and was charmed by the way he communicates. It was a fan-girl moment for me. I could barely speak but he made me feel so comfortable. He is a wonderful person who respects your views. He is such an intelligent man and a perfect role model. Given a chance, I’d love to do a film with him someday.”

PEOPLE SHOULD UNDERSTAND THEIR MARKET VALUE
A lot of producers have debated that the cost of production increases enormously when a male actor charges an exorbitant fee. In an interview, Sonam Kapoor had stated that actors should charge according to their solo opening figures. Prernaa echoes that sentiment. “When you are budgeting a film, you think about the remuneration of an actor first because at times, someone quotes a really huge price and quite often, producers have to give in to their demands. But everyone should have a clear understanding of their market value. You can’t charge a certain sum if your films aren’t able to bring in those numbers at the box office. You cannot be selfish, you should take care of the producer too.”

GEN-Y IS VERY SORTED
She also adds, “The younger generation is extremely sorted and they are so particular about their viability that they understand for a film to do well, it needs to be made on a certain budget. They have a positive attitude towards everything and an amazing clarity on the math of the business.” Among the Gen-Y actors, she is keen to work with Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh.

KEDARNATH IS A WORK IN PROGRESS
Ask her about the whole Kedarnath episode and Prernaa refuses to divulge too many details. She says, “Yes, there’s work in progress. We’re working out things. Right now, I don’t want to say anything further.”

I KNOW HOW TO HANDLE FAILURE
Till now, all her films have managed to become successful or break even at the box office. But, how will she handle things if a movie doesn’t work well? Prernaa answers, “These are two sides to a coin. I am happy that my films are successful. Tomorrow, if my movie doesn’t work, I am well prepared for it. But thank God, I haven’t yet faced a situation like that. If you love success, you should know how to embrace failure too,” she signs off.

After several intense films, Akshay Kumar eager to return to his favourite genre
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; February 21, 2018)

While the country is lauding him for starting the much-needed dialogue on menstruation with Padman, Akshay Kumar has already gone back in time - the actor is currently shooting for the 1897 war drama, Kesari. The year ahead will see the superstar in the sci-fi flick 2.0 with Rajinikanth and Reema Kagti's Gold.

After doing a slew of intense films including Toilet - Ek Prem Katha (2017), the actor says he is yearning to work on an out-and-out comedy. "It's been a while since I have done a full-on comedy film. It's a genre that I really enjoy working in," says Kumar. Point out how he will be back to tickling the audience's funny bone with Housefull 4, which is expected to go on floors by the end of the year, and he says, "I am looking forward to that film. Housefull 4 is going to be like a three-month vacation. For me, it's like a reunion of old friends." The fourth instalment of the comedy franchise will see Akshay Kumar reuniting with Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan and director Sajid Khan.

A quick look at his filmography indicates how the actor has dabbled in various genres in the last few years - from a comedy like Housefull 3 (2016) to a thought-provoking film like Airlift (2016) and an actioner in Gabbar Is Back (2015). Kumar reveals it has been a conscious decision in order to survive in an industry that is quick to pigeonhole an artiste.

"I don't want the media to typecast me. Earlier, I was trapped with the image of an action hero. I couldn't experiment as they [the audience] wouldn't accept me in a different avatar. That phase of my career impacted me deeply. That's why I constantly change the kind of films I do," he reasons.

Although he is glad with the success of his last outing, Kumar says Pad Man hasn't been able to fully remove the stigma attached to menstruation. "There is a section of the audience, in places like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, who are hesitating to go for the movie. I noticed that men are not allowing their wives to watch it. I want to break that with the film."

WILL PAD MAN EMERGE AS A BIGGER SUCCESS THAN TOILET – EK PREM KATHA?

Akshay Kumar is on a roll and how since the past couple of years. Ever since he worked in Special 26, he has got addicted to films that are entertaining but not necessarily mindless and cater to the intelligentsia as well. Later on, he did Baby, Gabbar Is Back, Rustom, Airlift, Jolly LLB and Toilet – Ek Prem Katha and all of these flicks have not only earned a lot of money but has also got him newfound respect. Continuing this tradition, the actor is now back with Pad Man, a film that should also work big time!

Pad Man also stars Sonam Kapoor and Radhika Apte and is directed by R Balki, known for his urban-centric stories. But with Pad Man, he takes a departure and tells a rural-based story, inspired from the life of Arunachalam Muruganatham. He made low-cost sanitary napkins for women and rose to prominence and his story was initially documented by Akshay’s wife Twinkle Khanna in her second book The Legend Of Lakshmi Prasad. She then approached him for a film on his life and after some cajoling, he relented. Pad Man hence also marks Twinkle’s debut as a film producer in the truest sense.

The Pad Man trailer seemed a bit underwhelming but everyone was unanimous in admitting that the film surely has promise. The 140 minute flick promises entertainment and also loads of enlightenment. Even if the film fails to achieve commercial success, its major contribution has been the fact that it has made discussions on sanitary pads easier for people. Last week, ‘Pad Man Challenge’ was initiated wherein actors posed with a sanitary pad in order to break the taboo. Aamir Khan did it and then Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, Tiger Shroff, Ayushmann Khurrana, Katrina Kaif, Anushka Sharma, Rajkummar Rao, Anil Kapoor etc also gave their support to this wonderful initiative. A few dubbed it as a publicity gimmick and yes, this movement indeed is for publicizing Pad Man. But one can’t deny that each time a celeb is taking the ‘Pad Man Challenge’, the idea that menstruation is normal gets hammered in a more impactful way.

Talking about the box office, Pad Man is coming solo, after Aiyaary got postponed. Padmaavat is still running successfully and would retain a sizeable number of screens. Nevertheless, the buzz is there for the film and the opening surely would be in double digits. It remains to be seen if the opening can beat Toilet – Ek Prem Katha’s first day figures, which stood at Rs. 11.34 crore. It will also be interesting to see if Pad Man can go past Toilet – Ek Prem Katha’s Rs. 132.07 crore collections and thereby emerge as Akshay Kumar’s biggest grosser. With no real competition in the next couple of weeks, Pad Man can surely earn considerably, provided the word of mouth is positive!

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

Madhureeta Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; February 8, 2018)

When Akshay Kumar essayed the lead role in Toilet - Ek Prem Katha, we thought he had broken barriers. In his upcoming film, he wears a pink underwear with a sanitary napkin to drive home a point. Now, the actor is breaking ground. Some memes and mimes are calling it a ‘period’ film, we call it a landmark movie. It’s a film about the hygiene around a woman’s monthly cycle, a subject that men and women should have discussed together eons ago. It is about time they break the ice and bury the taboos. And it is about time that our superstars portray the real superheroes on screen. Move over, Superman and Batman, apna very own Pad Man is here. On the eve of his movie’s release, Akshay Kumar shares his thoughts on the asli hero (Arunachalam Muruganantham), the power of good cinema and the influence of the superwoman in his life, Twinkle Khanna. Read on…

This isn’t the story of the typical Bollywood hero, and neither is it a topic that is comfortably and openly spoken about. Tell us about your first reaction when Twinkle discussed it with you...
I believe in Twinkle’s decision, and I also believe that women understand things faster than men. So, when she told me the story and expressed her desire to make it into a film, I said, ‘Let’s go ahead and do it’. When I was trying to reach Arunachalam Muruganantham (the inventor of a low-cost sanitary pad manufacturing machine on whom the movie is based) to discuss it, he didn’t respond to me. Finally, Twinkle got through to him and he heard her out. Muruganantham doesn’t like talking to men, he believes that they are slow in such matters and it takes them a long time to understand.

The Pad Man challenge that has actors and people across society posing with a sanitary napkin in their hand has gone viral on social media. Was it your idea? It is indeed quite a movement on a subject that barely gets attention otherwise...
The whole idea started while we were shooting for Pad Man. We had taken some local actors for the shoot, and they had to hold a sanitary pad in their hand for a sequence, but they ran away because they didn’t want to do it. They said, ‘Hum paap ko apne haath mein nahin lenge’. That line stuck with me. Today, we have to break that belief and other taboos associated with it. When a man holds a sanitary pad in his hand and says that he is not ashamed of it — that is where the mindset begins to change. For me, Pad Man is already a hit, and it is not because of how much the film could earn, but because we have started a conversation that was much needed. The other day, I overheard a group of six-seven men talking outside my vanity van, and the topic of their discussion was sanitary napkins. Prior to this film, I have never heard men talk about sanitary napkins. Subjects like periods and sanitary napkins were spoken about in hushed tones. Twinkle’s conviction in the story gave me the power to do this film. Even when we were shooting the scene where I am wearing the pink underwear, it took me precisely 30 seconds to get into the part. Once Balki (director) started rolling the camera, it didn’t matter. Even if I have to wear pink underwear or a pad again, to bring awareness on menstrual hygiene, I will do it.

In an interview, Twinkle had said that humour, if used well, can explain and address almost any issue. Even while making a film like this, humour comes handy, right? While talking about serious social subjects, there is a fear of sounding too preachy…
You have to be true to the subject and the film. Yes, the film is entertaining, and there are emotions, songs, drama and tragedy, but we have treated the topic of menstrual hygiene with sensitivity and not tried to make fun of it. After Toilet - Ek Prem Katha released, I was told that a lot of people stopped going to villages to give bhaashans on things like shauchalay ghar pe banao, shauchalay saaf rakho, biwi ke liye yeh karo, woh karo... All they do is, raat ko parda (screen) lagatey hain aur Toilet - Ek Prem Katha dikhaate hain. Nobody is interested in listening to bhaashans, you’ve to talk to people in the way they understand best. The power of cinema is such that it enters deep inside and you can’t forget it. For instance, at some point, you must have read about the incidents that Airlift was based on, but I am sure that most of us wouldn’t remember it too well. But when it is made into a good, commercial movie, it stays with you. That is the impact of cinema.

Did Twinkle play a major role in your process of getting into the skin of the character? Did she spend a lot of time talking about how she has imagined your character, given that it’s her story and it is very close to her heart?
She was very involved as a producer. We always talk about a lot of things. Twinkle reads a lot, so she has more to tell me and I have a lot to learn from her. Whatever I have learnt on menstrual hygiene while making this film, I have learnt it from her. Before this film happened, I had never held a sanitary napkin in my hand. While growing up, no one in my family had told me to even buy one. I was aware that five-six dino ke liye periods aate hain. That’s all I knew. Somewhere, it is a man’s fault, and somewhere it is not entirely, because a subject like periods was not discussed in our homes from the beginning. Our mothers and sisters kept it a secret from the men of the house. That is the way it was, but we have to break those barriers in our minds, too. Men didn’t realise that periods is something that they need to know about and understand.

Talking about breaking barriers, you have spoken about how you have ‘deconstructed’ yourself. That’s a term that you have used in the past to describe the trajectory of your career. So, is a film like Pad Man a part of that effort?
I think that today, even if I am doing a film like Housefull, I will deconstruct myself and change the whole way of looking at it. When your work becomes your passion, everything changes. I wait to wake up in the morning and go to work. I ensure that I wrap up one film in two-and-a-half months, so that I can move on to my next film. That way, there is no time to get bored, because after shooting for a film for four months, it could get boring. I don’t give myself a chance to get bored of what I am doing.

But you were disciplined and hard-working even at the start of your career. At some point, you probably started believing that you had more potential than what we had seen. Could that be one of the reasons that urged you to rethink the choices in your career?
Yes, I was always disciplined, but when I started out, my purpose was to earn money. I think after movies like Sangharsh and Jaanwar (both in 1999), something changed for me. Then, acting ceased to be just a job and it turned into a passion. I started loving the process. Before that, it was like… chalo, let’s earn money. I will do some stunts, hang on to a helicopter, sing songs and go home. Also, at that point of time, I didn’t know any better. In a way, the industry folks and the media are also responsible for the switch that happened inside me. I was constantly called an action hero and my directors said that they wouldn’t cast me in a film, which had no action. I still remember that after looking at the rushes of one film, a director said, ‘Yaha movie dip khaati hai, ek kaam karo, Akshay ka action daal do’. I had become an actor who quickly filled in that space, so if the movie dipped at some point, they added my action scenes or songs there. So, a lot of things are responsible for the way I started viewing my career.

In one of our previous interviews, you had said that, ‘Every 10 years, there is a bus that drives into the next decade, and it is important to get on to that bus’. Well, we know that you are on that bus, but you are even driving it smoothly and the control is in your hands. That is different…
Well, actually, the 10-year-bus is a bigger bus; there is a mini bus which runs every year. It is important to catch both the buses. Sometimes, if you miss the mini bus, the next year will be a little difficult. But no worries, you will get a chance to hop on to the mini bus the year after that. The bigger bus is the one that you can’t miss, because that will be a big problem. This is how I view any kind of career, not just acting or the movies business.

Lastly, are you glad that you pushed the release date of your from January 26 to February and averted the big clash with Padmaavat? It just made better business sense, right?
I didn’t do it just from that point of view; I did it because of friendship. I have known Mr (Sanjay Leela) Bhansali for long and I have done two successful films (Rowdy Rathore and Gabbar Is Back) under his production. I couldn’t say ‘No’ to him. Most importantly, Padmaavat has gone through a lot and a huge amount of money has been invested in it. That money belongs to my industry, the movie industry. It is important that we support each other. Our industry needs to understand the fact that if any film works, it means the price and value of every actor and technician will rise considerably. With every film that works, the stock of the industry goes up. What generally happens here is that, when one actor or director’s movie doesn’t do well, I have heard people say, ‘Nahin chala, achcha hua’. They are not realising that the Bollywood stock will start dipping and it will obviously affect every actor in the industry. I wish to see a time when there is togetherness in the industry, so much that when someone’s movie is a hit, the rest of them rejoice and celebrate. If it doesn’t do well, they should mourn it, too. I feel blessed that I am getting so much support for my film and I am very thankful for that. If there is any kind of support that I can give any film, I will do it wholeheartedly. Any good and positive business person would think this way. Every film that works strengthens the industry.