Showing posts with label Ulajh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ulajh. Show all posts
The qualifier that I come from Malayalam cinema is not essential anymore-Roshan Mathew
9:14 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 22, 2024)
Actors working across regional film industries is no longer a novel concept, feels Roshan Mathew. The actor, who is currently shooting for writer-director Shahi Kabir’s second film, alongside Malayalam actor-filmmaker Dileesh Pothan tells us, “I think cross-pollination is fairly ordinary right now; I don’t think anybody looks at it as something exotic anymore. In a country like India, this opens up so many possibilities.”
The 32-year-old, who was last seen in director Sudhanshu Saria’s Ulajh, says the film felt different from his previous Hindi projects.
“How I was spoken about during Ulajh promotions was very different from the way I was spoken about when Darlings (2022) released. When Choked (2020; his Hindi debut) came out, almost every article read ‘This Malayalam actor is going to play the lead in Anurag Kashyap’s film’,” he says, adding, ”But with Ulajh, I loved how nonchalantly people just said ’This film stars Janhvi Kapoor, Gulshan Devaiah and Roshan’. The qualifier — that I come from Malayalam cinema — is not essential anymore.”
While film technicians have always worked cross-industry, Mathew muses that the language barrier might have limited actors initially. “Actors have to perform in languages they don’t necessarily understand. Fortunately for me, I know Hindi and Tamil; that’s why I worked in those industries, besides Malayalam. Now, Marathi actors are doing Malayalam films and (Tamil actor) Vijay Sethupathi has done major Bollywood films. I find it all very exciting,” he beams.
Roshan Mathew opens up on Ulajh’s box-office reception: "Hoping it finds more audience on OTT"
8:07 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 12, 2024)
Actor Roshan Mathew has had a fruitful stint in Hindi films so far. The actor, who started with Tamil theatre and has featured in Malayalam films, got an opportunity to showcase his flair with Anurag Kashyap’s Choked (2020). The 32-year-old then went on to star alongside Alia Bhatt in Darlings (2022), where his work came in for praise again.
Talking to us about Ulajh, his first Hindi theatrical release, Mathew says he is satisfied with the response the Jahnvi Kapoor-starrer has received. “In the times we are [in], we don’t have the luxury of a film just staying in theatres long enough so that people can trickle in and discover the film as word spreads,” the actor says.
Mathew is also grateful for the easy transition to OTT that big-screen films get these days. “Luckily, today, nobody has to wait years until it (a film) comes on a TV channel or you look for a pirated copy. I am hoping Ulajh finds more of its audience in the days to come as it stays in theatres and then when it comes later on OTT,” he says.
Do box-office numbers matter to the actor? “If I said it doesn’t affect me at all, I would be lying. We do movies because we believe in them. Who wants to make a movie no one watches? We ideally want everybody to watch it and enjoy it,” he answers.
The 32-year-old, however, does realise that not everything can be controlled. “You have to do your work with all honesty and give it your best shot — especially as an actor, in front of the camera. The rest of it is going to be unpredictable. Before this, there were movies I have been really excited about, projects I strongly believed in, but [those films] did not find an audience in theatres,” he wraps up.
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 842
11:09 AM
AURON MEIN KAHAN DUM THA, ULAJH FLOP BADLY; NEW HOLLYWOOD RELEASE, LAILA MAJNU MIGHT SURPRISE
Last week’s releases, Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha and Ulajh, had a horrible performance in cinemas, sending shockwaves in the industry. Everyone expected Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha to have a tough time but the hope was that it would open more than Sarfira (Rs. 2.50 crores) or in the same range. However, it opened at just Rs. 1.65 crores. Now, it was crucial for the film to have a 100% jump on Saturday. It would have not made the film a hit but at least, it would have had a respectable lifetime. Sadly, word of mouth was very poor. Hence, it collected Rs. 1.75 crores on Saturday and Rs. 1.85 crores on Sunday. It’s holding at around Rs. 55 lakhs on the weekdays and will have the first week collections of just Rs. 7.25 crores. Ideally, this should have been the first-day earnings of the film!
It now remains to be seen if Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha manages to cross the Rs. 10 crore mark. Ulajh, meanwhile, opened at just Rs. 1.15 crores. It jumped to Rs. 1.65 crores on Saturday and by collecting Rs. 1.95 crores on Sunday, it edged past Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha’s third-day collections. Ulajh is now collecting around Rs. 50 lakhs on the weekdays and will collect around Rs. 6.25-6.50 crores in the first week.
The holdover releases like Deadpool & Wolverine, Bad Newz etc. aren’t collecting as much and hence, it’s a tough time for theatres. To tide over this bad time, the Multiplex Association of India is once again celebrating Cinema Lovers Day on Friday, August 9. As part of this celebration, the tickets will be sold for Rs. 99 on Friday and Rs. 199 on Saturday and Sunday. Earlier, Cinema Lovers Day got a huge response but that won’t be possible this time.
Yet, a small Hollywood film will manage to bring some smiles to the exhibitors. It Ends With Us releases tomorrow with paid previews happening today. And the advance ticket sales have pleasantly surprised one and all. Usually, such small Hollywood romantic films have a very niche audience. But It Ends With Us has generated excitement. The audience is aware that tickets have lower prices over the weekends. Yet, the urgency is such that the paid previews, which have normal rates, are fast-filling. If the paid previews + day 1 collections are Rs. 1 crore, it’ll be a great result for the film and then it’ll hang around in cinemas for many weeks.
The other Hollywood release Borderlands might also get some footfalls. The new Hindi releases – Ghuspaithiya and Aliya Basu Gayab Hai – will sink without a trace.
Lastly, Laila Majnu will have a re-release tomorrow across India. It bombed badly when it was released in 2018 but over the years, it has achieved a cult status. Last week, it was released in Kashmir and drew house full crowds. Hence, it is expected to have a similar performance tomorrow, with lower ticket prices also proving to be an advantage.
Last week’s releases, Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha and Ulajh, had a horrible performance in cinemas, sending shockwaves in the industry. Everyone expected Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha to have a tough time but the hope was that it would open more than Sarfira (Rs. 2.50 crores) or in the same range. However, it opened at just Rs. 1.65 crores. Now, it was crucial for the film to have a 100% jump on Saturday. It would have not made the film a hit but at least, it would have had a respectable lifetime. Sadly, word of mouth was very poor. Hence, it collected Rs. 1.75 crores on Saturday and Rs. 1.85 crores on Sunday. It’s holding at around Rs. 55 lakhs on the weekdays and will have the first week collections of just Rs. 7.25 crores. Ideally, this should have been the first-day earnings of the film!
It now remains to be seen if Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha manages to cross the Rs. 10 crore mark. Ulajh, meanwhile, opened at just Rs. 1.15 crores. It jumped to Rs. 1.65 crores on Saturday and by collecting Rs. 1.95 crores on Sunday, it edged past Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha’s third-day collections. Ulajh is now collecting around Rs. 50 lakhs on the weekdays and will collect around Rs. 6.25-6.50 crores in the first week.
The holdover releases like Deadpool & Wolverine, Bad Newz etc. aren’t collecting as much and hence, it’s a tough time for theatres. To tide over this bad time, the Multiplex Association of India is once again celebrating Cinema Lovers Day on Friday, August 9. As part of this celebration, the tickets will be sold for Rs. 99 on Friday and Rs. 199 on Saturday and Sunday. Earlier, Cinema Lovers Day got a huge response but that won’t be possible this time.
Yet, a small Hollywood film will manage to bring some smiles to the exhibitors. It Ends With Us releases tomorrow with paid previews happening today. And the advance ticket sales have pleasantly surprised one and all. Usually, such small Hollywood romantic films have a very niche audience. But It Ends With Us has generated excitement. The audience is aware that tickets have lower prices over the weekends. Yet, the urgency is such that the paid previews, which have normal rates, are fast-filling. If the paid previews + day 1 collections are Rs. 1 crore, it’ll be a great result for the film and then it’ll hang around in cinemas for many weeks.
The other Hollywood release Borderlands might also get some footfalls. The new Hindi releases – Ghuspaithiya and Aliya Basu Gayab Hai – will sink without a trace.
Lastly, Laila Majnu will have a re-release tomorrow across India. It bombed badly when it was released in 2018 but over the years, it has achieved a cult status. Last week, it was released in Kashmir and drew house full crowds. Hence, it is expected to have a similar performance tomorrow, with lower ticket prices also proving to be an advantage.
(Crisp) Movie Review: ULAJH by FENIL SETA
11:31 AM
Ulajh is a rare film about the Indian Foreign Services and hence, it stands out in the initial portions. A few scenes are well executed and the climax keeps one on the edge of their seats. But overall, the direction is not upto the mark as some developments are confusing and difficult to comprehend. The suspense is predictable as well. Janhvi Kapoor, however, delivers a sincere performance and is especially quite good in the climax. Gulshan Devaiah rocks the show. Roshan Mathew is hardly there in the first half but leaves a mark after the intermission. Rajesh Tailang is terrific and his casting adds a lot to the film. Meiyang Chang and Adil Hussain lend able support. Jitendra Joshi (Prakash Kamat) is good but is let down by the writing. The other actors who do well are Rushad Rana (Shahzad Alam), Rajendra Gupta (Manohar Rawal), Natasha Rastogi (Saroj Bhatia; Suhana's mother), Alyy Khan (Ambassador Kazi) and Jaimini Pathak (Sanjeev Bajpai). All in all, Ulajh fails to entice.
My rating - ** out of 5!
My rating - ** out of 5!
After Badmaash Company, I was offered only Assamese musician roles-Meiyang Chang
9:17 AM
Meiyang, who stars in spy thriller Ulajh, notes that Hindi movies have evolved beyond the stereotypical parts he’d be offered years ago
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; August 2, 2024)
It’s a special Friday for Meiyang Chang as Ulajh hits the screens, the actor’s first theatrical release in six years. There were many reasons to say yes to Sudhanshu Saria’s directorial venture, led by Janhvi Kapoor. For starters, it was a spy thriller told from the perspective of diplomats.
He says, “The diplomatic perspective hasn’t been done before. Sudhanshu said he wanted to present me in a [new] light. I changed my way of talking and walking.”
If the material gripped him, Chang drew further creative satisfaction from his co-stars, particularly Kapoor. “Janhvi and I have some good scenes together. She is hard-working and improving with each film. When I paid attention to her choice of films, [I saw that] if she has done 10 movies, eight have stories in prominence.”
How does he then view co-star Gulshan Devaiah’s remark about not vibing with Kapoor and sharing a strictly professional rapport? “That’s fine. In all the interviews, everyone wants to only say good things, and that becomes the audience’s expectation. If you [vibe with a co-star], great; if you don’t, it’s a test of how professional you are and how well you can act.”
Throughout his career, Chang has multi-tasked, from singing to hosting and acting. He notes that the acting offers have improved and are in sharp contrast to the stereotypical roles he would get earlier.
“There is much better work coming to me today. After Badmaash Company [2010], I was offered only Assamese musician roles because I am from the north-east. The characters had no dialogues. This happened for many years. I had to wait. TV and singing kept me occupied.”
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 841
11:26 PM
WILL AURON MEIN KAHAN DUM THA AND ULAJH BRING SOME RESPITE AT THE BOX OFFICE?
The mega clash between three big films is on for the long Independence Day weekend. Before that, the trade is hoping that the two mid-sized flicks are able to score at the box office when they release tomorrow.
The biggest out of the two is Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha, starring Ajay Devgn and Tabu. Shantanu Maheshwari and Saiee M Manjrekar play their younger versions in this musical drama which also stars Jimmy Shergill. It is directed by Neeraj Pandey, known for slick thrillers and this is the first time he’s making a mature love story. The trailer is okay and sadly, the songs haven’t worked at all. As a result, the buzz for the film is limited. The opening will be poor and the hope is that it’ll open better than Akshay Kumar’s latest film Sarfira which opened at Rs. 2.50 crores.
The other release is Ulajh, starring Janhvi Kapoor, Gulshan Devaiah, Roshan Mathew, Meiyang Chang, Rajesh Tailang and Adil Hussain. It is a rare Hindi film about the Indian Foreign Service. The trailer is intriguing and it promises an edge-of-the-seat thriller. The casting is enticing as well.
But just like Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha, the subject seems to have limited appeal and even here, the music hasn’t become a rage. Hence, the film has chances but only in urban multiplexes. It has got lesser showcasing and its first-day collections will also be less than the Ajay Devgn starrer. Ulajh hopefully would open at around Rs. 1 crore.
Meanwhile, Deadpool & Wolverine, as predicted in last week’s edition, opened at Rs. 21 crores. However, it didn’t see a big jump on Saturday when it collected Rs. 22.50 crores. On Sunday, the earnings should have been more. Instead, it dropped to Rs. 21.50 crores. This made it clear that it’ll see a huge drop on Monday. And that’s what happened when it collected Rs. 6.75 crores. The film will collect around Rs. 85-90 crores in the first week. It should see a jump in the second weekend and again, it’ll drop sharply in the weekdays and this will go on until Independence Day.
The mega clash between three big films is on for the long Independence Day weekend. Before that, the trade is hoping that the two mid-sized flicks are able to score at the box office when they release tomorrow.
The biggest out of the two is Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha, starring Ajay Devgn and Tabu. Shantanu Maheshwari and Saiee M Manjrekar play their younger versions in this musical drama which also stars Jimmy Shergill. It is directed by Neeraj Pandey, known for slick thrillers and this is the first time he’s making a mature love story. The trailer is okay and sadly, the songs haven’t worked at all. As a result, the buzz for the film is limited. The opening will be poor and the hope is that it’ll open better than Akshay Kumar’s latest film Sarfira which opened at Rs. 2.50 crores.
The other release is Ulajh, starring Janhvi Kapoor, Gulshan Devaiah, Roshan Mathew, Meiyang Chang, Rajesh Tailang and Adil Hussain. It is a rare Hindi film about the Indian Foreign Service. The trailer is intriguing and it promises an edge-of-the-seat thriller. The casting is enticing as well.
But just like Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha, the subject seems to have limited appeal and even here, the music hasn’t become a rage. Hence, the film has chances but only in urban multiplexes. It has got lesser showcasing and its first-day collections will also be less than the Ajay Devgn starrer. Ulajh hopefully would open at around Rs. 1 crore.
Meanwhile, Deadpool & Wolverine, as predicted in last week’s edition, opened at Rs. 21 crores. However, it didn’t see a big jump on Saturday when it collected Rs. 22.50 crores. On Sunday, the earnings should have been more. Instead, it dropped to Rs. 21.50 crores. This made it clear that it’ll see a huge drop on Monday. And that’s what happened when it collected Rs. 6.75 crores. The film will collect around Rs. 85-90 crores in the first week. It should see a jump in the second weekend and again, it’ll drop sharply in the weekdays and this will go on until Independence Day.
Janhvi Kapoor came after us, and there was no getting away from her-Sudhanshu Saria
8:09 AM
Revealing that Janhvi chased makers to bag Ulajh, director Saria says he chooses women-led stories to strike a balance in gender politics
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 25, 2024)
Some directors are a ball of nerves days before a film’s release. In contrast, Sudhanshu Saria enjoys this window, as his Ulajh is little over a week away from its release. “Right now, I feel the same joy that I felt when I first read the draft that Parveez Sheikh wrote. Ulajh belongs to a genre I have not worked in before. The setting of Indian Foreign Services [IFS] was so compelling. Bravery and patriotism come in all shapes and sizes; that was the idea of the story,” he smiles.
Ulajh revolves around a young IFS officer who becomes a pawn in a high-stakes conspiracy. While the spy thriller includes a fine cast of Gulshan Devaiah, Roshan Mathew, Adil Hussain and Rajesh Tailang, it puts Janhvi Kapoor front and centre. The National Award-winning director underlines that he consciously tells stories with women protagonists—be it his series Big Girls Don't Cry, or his upcoming film Sanaa.
“I like the idea of a balanced world when it comes to gender politics. In Ulajh too, this is her story, and yet little is affected by her gender. She is a hero who happens to be a woman. Parveez made the original choice, and I took it forward. The traditional notion is that action is about muscles, so, it is a male category. But spy films are about smarts. Movies like these expand the idea that there cannot be a gender lens in genres. All genres can belong to all actors.”
For Saria, the film’s highlight is Kapoor, who matched his passion every step of the way. “Janhvi got wind of this script existing. She came after us, and there was no getting away from her. I was excited that I found a passionate partner. When I met her, I loved that she was willing to be a part of my process; nothing scared her. We did extensive workshops to make sure the part and the film fit her like a glove.”
In a much-needed change, Ulajh also features names of all writers prominently on the poster. Saria credits the studio for taking that rare call.
“It’s wonderful to see Junglee Studios pamper their creative talent. We collectively felt the important thing in Ulajh is its story. I laud the studio for doing its bit in correcting the fact that historically writers’ work is undervalued.”
You can see a glimpse of Sridevi ji in Janhvi Kapoor-Rajesh Tailang
8:34 AM
Rajesh Tailang, an admirer of late Sridevi’s work, describes his Ulajh co-star Janhvi Kapoor as a natural in front of the camera
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; July 18, 2024)
Only weeks after the première of Mirzapur’s third season, Rajesh Tailang is counting the days to his next release, Ulajh. For the thriller, director Sudhanshu Saria has brought an eclectic cast together—Janhvi Kapoor, Gulshan Devaiah and Roshan Mathew hold centre-stage, ably supported by seasoned actors Adil Hussain and Tailang.
“All my co-stars in Ulajh are so sincere, and did such a good job. I don’t think I was as good an actor at their age. Roshan and Gulshan are thoughtful actors. They do a scene not just for the sake of it; they put a lot of thought and hard work behind it,” marvels Tailang.
Most of his scenes in the film are with Kapoor, whom he calls a natural in front of the camera. “She is hard-working and a natural. She is a supportive and grounded actor, which helps you as a co-star. We were all fans of her mother. You can see a glimpse of Sridevi-ji in her,” he says.
After Ulajh, Tailang will be seen in Bandish Bandits 2, a satire with Sakshi Tanwar and Gajraj Rao, and a ZEE5 series directed by Sudhir Mishra. This busy phase in his career is hard-earned. The actor, with a two-decade-plus career behind him, remembers the time when he faced repeated rejections in the industry.
“I have rejected work, but more than that, people have rejected me. But I have never been insecure because I have focused on my growth as an actor. When I didn’t have a lot of screen work, I did theatre and taught at NSD [National School of Drama]. When you work on yourself and your craft, the fragrance [of your hard work] reaches people.”
Due to high cost of shooting in Delhi, makers shift to Lucknow, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh
8:26 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 14, 2024)
If you’ve seen Delhi in any film or web show in the last one year, chances are that it’s not the city, but a recreated set in Lucknow or some place in Madhya Pradesh. Shooting in the Capital is expensive. Given the soaring costs, we have learnt that many films that were supposed to be shot in Delhi over long schedules are now being moved to other cities.
For instance, actor Aamir Khan’s Delhi schedule for Sitaare Zameen Par has been cut. A source says, “Instead of a month, the team will only shoot in Delhi in July for just 8 to 10 days now.”
On the other hand, actor Janhvi Kapoor’s Ulajh couldn’t make it to Delhi due to budget constraints. “Earlier, it was to be shot in Delhi for around two weeks. But the budget was overshot in London. So, the makers shifted the shoot to Bhopal. They will either recreate Delhi or will base the plot in Bhopal now,” the source adds. Even the Arshad Warsi and Akshay Kumar-starrer Jolly LLB 3 that was supposed to be shot in Delhi is now being shot in Ajmer.
Sharing a break-up of how shooting in Delhi looks like now, a source says that while shooting at the Rajiv Chowk metro station costs Rs. 2 lakh per hour, the international airport costs Rs. 12 lakh for four hours.
A production head, on condition of anonymity, adds: “If you want to shoot at Rajiv Chowk for four hours, Rs. 8 lakh go to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. GST ki baat agar nahin bhi karte hain, tab bhi Rs. 2.36 lakh go to the New Delhi Municipal Council and Rs. 1 lakh to the parking guys. Around Rs. 2 lakh go to the Delhi Police for security. So, you can do the math.”
The insider adds that makers now tell writers to not write a script around Delhi: “The haveli in Chandni Chowk that would earlier cost Rs. 25,000 is now given for Rs. 4 lakh a day.”
It’s not easy
A source says, “Delhi is an expensive city. Owners of bungalows have hiked the prices due to the soaring demand. Plus, the hotel costs are high in Delhi. While a stay in a five-star hotel in Delhi would cost Rs. 10,000, in Lucknow, it might cost Rs. 5,000.”
Line producer Navmeet Singh adds, “Hotels and travel are expensive in Delhi, which results in less work here. I am planning to change my centre of work and setting things up for shoots in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.”
Lucknow is the new Dilli
The makers of actor Ajay Devgn’s Raid 2 are recreating Delhi in Lucknow. “They shot in Delhi for four days, including India Gate, and then moved to Lucknow for 47 days. At least 20-25 films are being shot in Lucknow, thanks to the subsidies and quick permissions,” a person from the production team says.
Filmmaker Aanand L Rai’s Nakhrewaalii also followed suit. “The team shot in Lucknow for 40 days and recreated Delhi there. That was cheaper. They wanted to shoot in a bungalow in Barakhamba Road that’d cost them Rs. 1 lakh a day. Aanand got that for Rs. 30,000 in Lucknow,” says the source.
Janhvi Kapoor pushed me a lot; I’d complain to her about her incessant questions-Sudhanshu Saria
8:24 AM
Teaming up with Janhvi on Ulajh, director Sudhanshu Saria says the more you answer her queries, the better she becomes as a performer
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; November 2, 2023)
Some directors leave a lasting impression on their actors. For Janhvi Kapoor, Sudhanshu Saria may well be that director. On wrapping up the shoot of Ulajh in September, the actor had dedicated a post to him, thanking him for making her believe in herself. Mention this to Saria, and he says that he too has walked away from the thriller deeply impressed by his leading lady.
Some directors leave a lasting impression on their actors. For Janhvi Kapoor, Sudhanshu Saria may well be that director. On wrapping up the shoot of Ulajh in September, the actor had dedicated a post to him, thanking him for making her believe in herself. Mention this to Saria, and he says that he too has walked away from the thriller deeply impressed by his leading lady.
Ulajh—which revolves around an Indian Foreign Services officer who gets embroiled in a controversy—also stars Gulshan Devaiah, Roshan Mathew, Meiyang Chang and Sachin Khedekar. Coming on the back of Mili (2022) and Bawaal, the thriller reiterates Kapoor’s affinity for unheard stories. Saria calls their partnership immensely fulfilling, as she pushed his creative boundaries.
“My actors felt comfortable enough to challenge or be skeptical about a nuance [or a scene] that didn’t sit right with them. Janhvi pushed me a lot [creatively]. On days, I’d complain to her [about her incessant questions] and she would give me a look as if to say, ‘You wanted this.’ It was the best kind of partnership as we challenged each other.”
On every set, people talk to me about Malayalam films-Roshan Mathew
8:34 AM
Roshan Mathew, whose movie Paradise is premièring at MAMI Film Festival, on juggling Malayalam and Hindi cinema
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; October 29, 2023)
By now, Roshan Mathew is accustomed to his films going to international festivals. Weeks after his relationship drama Paradise won accolades at Busan International Film Festival, it is set to première at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. Mathew remembers instinctively being drawn to the Malayalam-Sinhala-English film, but he also had a concern.
“I liked the script, but to me, it also felt similar to the couple’s story in my Hindi debut, Choked [2020]. There are no [striking] similarities, except that both films explored the differences between a couple. But I liked the script so much that I wanted to do it anyway,” says the actor.
A meeting with revered Sri Lankan director Prassana Vithanage was all it took to assuage his concerns. “I realized he was intending to do something so different from what I was thinking that all of my concerns were invalid. He wanted to explore the relationship between this couple and the land they end up in.”
Mathew will follow up Paradise with the Hindi offering, Ulajh. The actor, who predominantly works in Malayalam cinema, is finding his feet in Hindi movies with Choked, Darlings (2022) and the upcoming Janhvi Kapoor and Gulshan Devaiah-starrer. The choice to work across languages brings with it the opportunity to collaborate with diverse actors and tell varied stories.
“Ulajh moves at a pace that I haven’t explored before; it is an out-and-out commercial film. Gulshan is an actor, who has inspired me with several of his characters. So, I was excited about him being there. Jahnvi is a dedicated, hardworking and passionate co-actor. She was extremely prepared. It’s lovely when you know your co-actor has one priority and that is to get the best version of the scene on that day.”
While working on Bollywood projects, it hasn’t escaped him how Hindi-speaking viewers have warmed up to Malayalam cinema. “Every time I am on the set of a Hindi project, lots of people walk up to me and instantly start talking about the Malayalam films that they have watched. It’s a great feeling. Malayalam cinema is in a great phase right now,” says the actor, who has featured in acclaimed Malayalam films like Kappela, Moothon, and C U Soon.
I never imagined that Janhvi Kapoor and I would be paired together as we have different sensibilities-Gulshan Devaiah
8:11 AM
Ulajh actor Gulshan Devaiah, who never expected to work with Janhvi Kapoor because of their different sensibilities, says he is impressed by her hard work
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; October 16, 2023)
There is a flip-side to a successful first season—it raises the audience’s expectations from the subsequent edition. Gulshan Devaiah will agree. The actor, who is gearing up for the release of the second season of Duranga, admits he was as nervous as he was excited about it.
“This is the first time that [my show] has got a second season, so I was happy. [But] I didn’t want to be complacent, which is good, because it made me pull up my socks,” he says.
What made the ZEE5 crime drama all the more special was that it reunited him with director Rohan Sippy.
“He gave me one of my first opportunities in Dum Maaro Dum [2011]. So, it was nice to come back to him 12 years later as his leading man.” The actor also considers himself lucky to have found good co-stars in Drashti Dhami, Barkha Bisht and Amit Sadh.
Good co-stars are a boon to an actor’s pursuit of excellence. Devaiah found that in his Ulajh co-star Janhvi Kapoor as well. From believing that they will never share screen space, to being deeply impressed by her, it has been quite a ride for the actor.
He shares, “I briefly met Janhvi during the promotions for Ghost Stories [2020] and found her funny. That’s a good first impression one can have of anyone. I never imagined that we would be paired together in a film because we have different sensibilities. Whenever two people with contrasting styles come together, it can be interesting. When we met, she mentioned a few nice observations about my character. She is extremely hardworking. I couldn’t do the amount of things that she does in a week.”
Check out Janhvi Kapoor, Gulshan Devaiah, Roshan Mathew in Ulajh
8:28 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (May 10, 2023)
Junglee Pictures, known for its widely acclaimed and loved spy thriller Raazi, is excited to announce the cast of their upcoming film titled Ulajh, a stylised international thriller, set in the prestigious and intriguing world of Indian Foreign Services (IFS).
To be by directed by National award-winner Sudhanshu Saria, the makers have given us a glimpse into the high-stakes world of International Diplomacy and unveiled a talented ensemble cast headlined by Janhvi Kapoor, Gulshan Devaiah and Roshan Mathew, and also starring Rajesh Tailang, Meiyang Chang, Sachin Khedekar, Rajendra Gupta and Jitendra Joshi. The patriotic thriller is set to go on floors by the end of this month.
Ulajh follows the journey of a young IFS officer, belonging to a prominent family of patriots, who gets embroiled in a dangerous personal conspiracy while far from her home turf. The film is written by Parveez Shaikh and Sudhanshu Saria, with dialogues by Atika Chohan.
Janhvi says, “When I was approached with the script, it instantly attracted me because as an actor, I am constantly looking for scripts that make me break out of my comfort zone. My character and the story have so many layers, emotions and parameters, which are challenging and exciting. I am looking forward to working with such talented co-actors and a development studio like Junglee Pictures for the first time.”
Director Sudhanshu Saria shares, “Junglee Pictures has picked yet another original, bold and daring film to bring to audiences and I’m so thrilled they’ve entrusted me with the task of helming it. In Janhvi, the film has found its beating heart and it’s going to be a treat for audiences to watch her along with the powerhouse performers.”
Amrita Pandey, CEO, Junglee Pictures, adds, “We strive to develop and create films in collaboration with creative minds who have a fresh and distinct voice. Having Sudhanshu on board for a film like Ulajh is a perfect fit. His creative sensibilities are unmatched. He has added nuances and layers to each character making the story so gripping. Getting together such a talented cast and a dynamic team of experienced writers and technicians who are contributing their personal touch to the film has been an invigorating experience.”
National Award-winning director Sudhanshu Saria to direct espionage thriller Ulajh
12:15 PM
BOMBAY TIMES (December 16, 2021)
After enjoying the box-office success with one of the biggest family comedy-dramas, Badhaai Ho, Junglee Pictures Limited, also known for producing high-concept and entertaining films like Raazi, Bareilly Ki Barfi and Talvar, is all set with its next titled Ulajh — a stylised espionage drama with high scale production.
To be fronted by an A-list actress, the film is a high-octane, female-led spy thriller and is expected to be an edge-of-the-seat, visual delight with twists and turns. The studio has joined hands with director Sudhanshu Saria who won a National Award for his film Knock Knock Knock (2019). Sudhanshu has previously directed the critically-acclaimed film Loev, and is currently working on two series, including the third season of Delhi Crime, which will stream on leading OTT platforms.
Ulajh, penned by veteran writer Parveez Sheikh of Queen and Bajrangi Bhaijaan fame, is a script that has generated a lot of excitement and anticipation within the industry. The film will be one of the few female-led espionage thrillers to be shot extensively in scenic international locations and will go on floors in 2022. The movie follows a female protagonist from a prominent family of patriots, who gets embroiled in a dangerous personal conspiracy while she is far from home turf on her first international posting.
Sudhanshu shares, “In a time of perfection and superheroes, it’s wonderful to have a script that dares to look at the themes of failure and redemption in a relevant and gripping way. Parveez has written an edge-of-the-seat thriller with a phenomenal female protagonist, and I can’t wait to bring it to life for audiences worldwide.”
A spokesperson from Junglee Pictures adds, “Ulajh is a high-concept script with a strong female protagonist, which promises to keep you gripped till the end. Action, drama and Sudhanshu’s flair for showcasing unique concepts is the perfect mix for this thinking thriller, and we are extremely excited to bring this stylised drama to the audiences.”
Junglee Pictures is set to enter 2022 with an exciting slate of films from various genres, including Badhaai Do, Doctor G, Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan, Dosa King and Ulajh, to name a few.
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