MUMBAI MIRROR (May 1, 2020)

He wanted to live and die an actor - Subhash Ghai, Director, Karz and Kaanchi

For me, he was always Chintu, the hero of my first film as a producer, Karz, in 1980. Thirty-four years later, we did Kaanchi, my last film as a writer, producer and director With the passage of time, I have seen many actors looking old and jaded, but you cast them for the experience and nostalgia they bring to the screen. But Chintu surprised me. He brought to the Kaanchi song, “Thumka” the same zest and zing of Karz’s evergreen chartbuster, “Om Shanti Om”. There were rehearsals galore, 10-12 takes, but his energy never flagged. It spoke of the passion for cinema that he had inherited from his grandfather, Prithviraj Kapoor, a theatre legend, and his father Raj Kapoor, the greatest showman of Indian cinema. Chintu is a case study for future generations of actors on how to keep the magic alive and set the screen on fire, even after four decades.

Acting was in his genes, but he was a director’s actor. His never interfered and was always the obedient student. Also, he never acted, he simply reacted. To begin with, he was the proverbial chocolate box romantic hero. But in his second innings, when he returned after a decade, he was a revelation. He excelled in every role, be it that of the villain or an old man. Much like Amitabh Bachchan, who also came back with a bang.

Chintu was a doston ka dost who valued relationships. He had a lot of respect for my knowledge of cinema and my sense of drama. He’d reprimand me for not having made a film in five years. I had promised him that as soon as I got a script, I would make a film with him and a younger actor. He was excited, telling me he was waiting for the day.

I met him for breakfast in January and berated him for going to work. He replied saying he wanted to live and die an actor. He got his wish. The world will get more actors, but not another Chintu who was a wonderful human being.

—As told to Roshmila Bhattacharya
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Just one week after returning to Mumbai, he was reporting to work, on time - Emraan Hashmi, Co-star, The Body

It was my lifelong desire to work with Rishi Kapoor because I had grown up watching his films. I got my wish with The Body. We shot on a set in Mumbai for 45-50 days at a stretch, and I learned so much from him. He reinvented himself as an actor over the years and enlivened intense, conversational sequences in the film with his wit and spontaneity. We didn’t think he’d be able to allot dates for the promotions, but a week after returning to Mumbai from New York where he’d been undergoing cancer treatment, he was reporting to work on time.

Before he fell ill, he was asking after my son Ayan, who has beat cancer. It was bizarre because two months later he was diagnosed with cancer himself. When I went to meet him after his return, I thought he’d be frail from all the chemotherapy, but he looked super healthy and raring to go. I’m devastated today.

— As told to Ankita Chaurasia
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Whenever I was hurt, he would come running to check - Jaya Prada, Co-star, Sargam

Rishi ji may have been a hero for the world but for me, he was always my friend, Chintuji. He was my first Hindi film hero. On the first day of the film, I was both excited and nervous to be standing in front of a huge star who was smiling at me. He came up to talk to me and make me comfortable. He helped me get through long shoots. Since I had to dance barefeet, whenever I was hurt, he’d come running to check. He was fond of dancing and would give me a run for my money.

He was a brave man which is evident from the way he fought cancer. During his treatment in the US, I’d text him, assuring him that he’d be fine. It was a long journey, from Bobby to 102 Not Out. Each character seemed to have been written just for him.

—As told to Akash Bhatnagar
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He was a brilliant actor - Umesh Shukla, Director, All Is Well, 102 Not Out

He was a brilliant actor and a wonderful person with a great sense of humour. To me, he was like a friend and a brother. He’d say that he was enjoying his second innings as actor, adding, “Ab tak toh sweaters, pullovers pehen ke waadiyon mein gaane gaata tha...”

Rishi ji sought challenging roles and played them brilliantly, like Do Dooni Chaar and Kapoor & Sons. He was interested in new things and was encouraging of younger colleagues, like Jimit Trivedi, the chemist in 102 Not Out. If Jimit sat at some distance alone in between shots, Rishi ji would call him to sit with him and Amit ji. In the first half of the film, Rishi ji’s character is irritated with the chemist. But he helped make Jimit comfortable.

I visited him with writers Saumya Joshi and Abhijat Joshi when he was in New York for treatment. Rishi ji was so zindadil that we felt like patients in front of him. On March 18, I sounded him out on a new subject. He looked forward to resuming work.

—As told to Hiren Kotwani
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I was in college when Bobby released; a year later, it was still playing - David Dhawan, Director, Bol Radha Bol, Eena Meena Deeka, Yaarana, Yeh Hai Jalwa and Chashme Baddoor

Over the years, he became family. He was moohfat and would initiate a conversation rather than wait for you to start it. He was an endearing man who was passionate about films and food, in particular Chinese.

I was in college when Bobby released in 1973. When I joined FTII the following year, I’d pass the theatre and still see the film playing. My first film in Switzerland, Yaarana, was with him, and he insisted I buy a good watch as Swiss watches were the best.

He was very disciplined and quick to catch a mistake.

After his return from New York, we met him a few times.

—As told to Hiren Kotwani
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He was a Puckish prankster, rulate nahin the, bas chidate the - Poonam Dhillon, Co-star, Yeh Vaada Raha, Amiri Garibi, Tawaif

During our first film together, he was a big star and I was in awe of him. Once, while shooting a romantic song, he was doing silly things to distract me. You could never get into the ‘mood’ when he was around. He was such an effortless actor, the ultimate hero in romantic roles. People would tell me he was a bully, but for me he was a Puckish prankster, rulate nahin they, bas chidhaate they. His tweets reflected his wit and that he was upfront and outspoken. There was no diplomacy or artifice. He was professional in all his dealings and took his father’s legacy forward.

We can’t go to pay our last respects but we are there in spirit.

—As told to Hiren Kotwani
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He had love in his heart even for his enemies - Paresh Rawal, cast member, Aa Ab Laut Chalen

My first film with Rishi ji was his debut directorial. We shared a good rapport ever since and talked regularly. Few people in the industry are as frank as him. But he had love in his heart for everyone, even enemies.

I could see that he liked modern cinema and discussing new ideas. He was equally passionate about the cinema of yore. His one pet peeve was something he had christened “har jagah coverage”. If a director wanted to take a shot from different angles, Rishi ji would get agitated, arguing that the “spontaneity would be lost”. He also preferred dubbing over sync sound.

There was a certain ease in talking to him; one didn’t have to worry about being manipulated. He had a whacky sense of humour, but he was a seedha, raja person at heart.

—As told to Hiren Kotwani
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Chintuji was one of the reasons Shah Rukh came on board - Guddu Dhanoa, Producer, Deewana

When we narrated the film to Shah Rukh (Khan), he asked who was playing the lead character. On learning it was Rishi, he exulted, “He is my favourite actor, I’m doing the film.” Chintuji was one of the reasons he came on board.

When we were shooting with Chintuji and Divya (Bharti), in Ooty, in between shots, we’d play cards. We didn’t have enough chairs one day, so Divya sat on the ground. He looked at her and asked “Tumko maloom hai, main tumse kitna bada hoon? Twenty years.” Despite the jokes, the age difference didn’t show on screen as he was so handsome man.

I last spoke to him during the release of his autobiography. .

—As told to Himesh Mankad

(L-R) Paresh Rawal, Divya Dutta, Darshan Jariwala, Abhimanyu, Mrunal Thakur, Vijay Raaz, Abhishek Banerjee, Sharman Joshi, Grusha Kapoor and child artist Ricky Patel

BOMBAY TIMES (February 20, 2020)

Director-producer Umesh Shukla and Sony Pictures Films India have joined hands for a hilarious family entertainer, Aankh Micholi. The film features Abhimanyu and Mrunal Thakur in the lead. Abhimanyu had recently won the Filmfare Best Debut Actor award, and this will be his second outing with the studio.

Apart from the two, the film, which will be shot across India and Europe, has an impressive line-up of actors, including Paresh Rawal, Sharman Joshi, Divya Dutta, Abhishek Banerjee, Darshan Jariwala, Grusha Kapoor and Vijay Raaz. It has been written by Jitendra Parmar.

Vivek Krishnani, Managing Director, Sony Pictures Entertainment India, says, “As a studio, we are always looking out for engaging and riveting stories that can not only charm the audience, but also evoke strong emotions. With such a stellar ensemble and Umesh in the driver’s seat, this Diwali will truly be a rib-tickling roller-coaster ride for viewers worldwide.” Umesh Shukla shares, “Aankh Micholi is close to my heart and I am proud to have been able to bring such an exciting cast together. Since it’s a family entertainer, we thought of releasing it on Diwali, and I can promise that the audience will be in for a laugh riot.”

Aankh Micholi, produced by Sony Pictures Films India, Umesh Shukla and Ashish Wagh’s Merry Go Round Studios, is scheduled to release this Diwali

Umesh Shukla is making a situational comedy next, film to roll next month
Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 12, 2019)

A year after 102 Not Out, which revolved around an elderly father-son duo, essayed by Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor respectively, filmmaker Umesh Shukla is gearing up to tickle the funny bone with a situational comedy, the tentatively-titled Namune.

According to our source, Umesh’s next directorial is an ensemble comedy about a group of crazy people who have their own quirks and idiosyncrasies. “Abhimanyu (Dassani), Mrunal (Thakur), Arshad (Warsi) and Paresh (Rawal) have been confirmed as the lead cast,” the source informed, adding that talks are also on to get Richa Chadha and Vijay Raaz on board.

Buzz is, the film will go on the floors next month and will be shot in India and abroad. Mirror reached out to Umesh, but he didn’t respond to our messages. 

BOMBAY TIMES (June 19, 2019)

Sony Pictures International Productions has an impressive slate of Hindi films for 2020. The line-up includes films across genres, from an action entertainer to a biopic thriller.

The studio has ramped up its production in India by collaborating with four leading filmmakers —Umesh Shukla (OMG Oh My God! and 102 Not Out), Sabbir Khan (Baaghi, Heropanti), Sajid Samji (director of Housefull 3 and co-writer of multiple Bollywood hits, including Judwaa 2, Singham and Simmba)) and Sashi Kiran Tikka (Telugu film Goodachari). All the four films will go on floors before the end of this year.

The studio’s aim is to develop strong in-house content by partnering with writers, directors, and creative production houses. Vivek Krishnani, MD, Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) Films India Private Ltd, says, “We are excited to work with such talented filmmakers, with whom we share a common vision, as we seek to become a content-led studio. With Umesh, Sabbir, Sajid and Sashi working on different subjects, we can’t wait to bring entertaining, clutter-breaking content to the audience.”

Laine Kline, head of Sony Pictures International Productions, shares, “India continues to be a top priority for us. These filmmakers epitomise what makes Indian cinema special, and their distinctive creative visions will elevate each project on our upcoming slate.”

The directors, too, are excited to join hands with the studio. Sabbir Khan says, “I am happy to partner with them, as I like their approach. We have been collaborators, right from brainstorming various ideas to penning the final draft of the script. They have a team of like-minded people, who are facilitating everything to make the right kind of films.”

Umesh Shukla adds, “I want to offer content that’s relevant, entertaining, funny and which conveys a message. Having known this team since 102 Not Out, I know that they have always tried to make meaningful cinema.”

Sajid Samji shares, “Working with an international studio is a big high, but what makes it truly exciting is that the entire team is approachable. Their faith in the director is encouraging. I also feel that I am in safe hands, as I know that they will do a good job; apart from producing the film, they will take its marketing and promotions to another level.”

On his part, Sashi Kiran Tikka notes, “As filmmakers, we look for opportunities to tell stories that inspire and move us. The life of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who was martyred in the 26/11 attacks, is one such story, and I’m grateful to Sony Pictures and G Mahesh Babu Entertainment for giving me this opportunity.”

Meanwhile, the studio is also gearing up for a big Hollywood line-up this year. While Men In Black: International released recently, the upcoming films include Spider-Man: Far From Home, Angry Birds 2, Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood, the Charlie’s Angels reboot and the sequel to 2017 hit, Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle.

Pulled off air during polls at the EC's directive, Eros Now's 10-part web series on prime minister - Modi - The Journey Of A Common Man - reinstated today
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 22, 2019)

On April 30, mid-day had reported that Eros Now, adhering to the directive of the Election Commission (EC), had pulled down Modi - The Journey Of A Common Man, a biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the polling tenure. With a day to go before the election results, director Umesh Shukla says that the web series will be reinstated on the OTT platform today.

"We have gone live with five episodes today. While we will release two fresh ones tomorrow, the last three episodes of the 10-part series will stream subsequently." Quiz him if the three-week delay will have an impact on the audience's response, and the director maintains an optimistic stance. "The audience is still interested in knowing about Modi's journey."

The Vivek Oberoi-starrer PM Narendra Modi - the release of which was also stalled by the EC during the seven-phase polling - hits theatres on May 24. But the filmmaker is far from threatened. "The creative aspect sets us apart from the film. Also, the movie-going audience is different from those who consume OTT content."

Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; March 29, 2019)

Only days after director Umesh Shukla announced that he will be using Shyam Ke Rogan Rele — the poem penned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi — in his web series, mid-day has learnt that singer Sonu Nigam has been roped in to render the verse. The director reveals that music composers Salim-Sulaiman and Nigam came together at a city studio yesterday to give shape to the song. “We wanted to present Modi ji’s bhajan and were looking for a soulful voice. We thought Sonu would do complete justice to the song.”

Shukla adds that the team chanced upon Modi’s works during their research for the 10-part biographical series for Eros Now. “We have used 10 poems, employing a different one in the end credits of each episode.” Ask him if he procured the necessary permissions, and he says, “We wrote to the PMO last June and were surprised to get an instant response. The PM said that he didn’t mind his works being used if they help in the enlightenment of society.”

Upala KBR (MID-DAY; February 13, 2019)

Almost like the flavour of the season, Indian politicians are ready to invade both big and small screens in abundance this election year. And as if three films to mark his laurels weren't enough, digitisation fan Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to get his own digital offering. mid-day has learnt that the politician's life will get a small screen adaptation by filmmaker Umesh Shukla, and writer and Censor Board member Mihir Bhuta.

Shukla tells mid-day that the 10-episode Eros Now series will not feature any celebrated faces. "The PM's story is the biggest star. If we cast a known face, the viewer will not connect with the story, and will search for the actor. So, we have cast good actors, instead," he says of the project that was "silently" under works for a year-and-a-half. "Music director Salim-Sulaiman are working on the series."

Touting his venture to be a window to tracing Modi's rise to power, Bhuta reveals that filming has already kicked off in the "real locations where Modi ji lived". "I am not interested in showcasing his work or political [agendas]. I'm interested in his personality. He has an amazing sense of humour, which few know about. He also has a deep interest in spirituality, not religion. The show follows his childhood and youth, the factors that influenced him, the way he was before, and how he emerged to be the person he is today. It concludes with him taking oath as the prime minister of India. We have started shooting in rural Gujarat, and are currently filming portions involving his youth, spent in Siddhpur and Vadnagar."

At Shukla's behest, the team employed three actors to play the PM across different stages of his life. Mahesh Thakur is set to play the politician from his journey to becoming the PM of India after his appointment as Gujarat CM. As a young adult, Modi will be depicted in the show by Ashish Sharma, Bhuta says.

He asserts that the show's release during elections is merely coincidental, and his film is unlikely to alter political opinions. Producer Sanjay Trivedi hopes to complete production work by March 15. "Everybody associated with this project believes it must reach all kinds of viewers."

Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; May 12, 2018)

After impressing the audiences and critics alike, Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor starrer 102 Not Out has received a special honour. Midday has it that President Ram Nath Kovind’s office has requested for a special screening of the Umesh Shukla-directed film at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Confirming the news, Shukla says, “It is a matter of great pride for any filmmaker for his film to be screened at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. I am curious to know the President’s views on the movie.”

After the makers received a call from the President’s office earlier this week, the film’s team has been working on the logistics of the screening. “It will take place either tomorrow or on Monday, and will be attended by the President, along with his family, and the members of the parliament.” Elated with the news, Kapoor says, “I would be more than happy to be a part of such great honour."

Madhureeta Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; May 3, 2018)

He was the ultimate lover boy of the 70s and 80s. Good-looking, charming, talented and believable, along with the enviable touch of the mighty Kapoor lineage. He had that effect on screen that made the lovely ladies go ‘oooh’ in the aisles. That was Rishi Kapoor. Cut to current day, those covetable traits haven’t lost colour, but within that same actor, a new one is born. Rishi Kapoor reloaded. At 65, he’s picking his roles with relish and shining in characters that are challenging him like never before. The upcoming 102 Not Out, directed by Umesh Shukla, starring Amitabh Bachchan along with him, is another proof of that. The actor talks to BT about his learnings from Mr Bachchan, the audience’s changing appetite in cinema and how he can’t help but call a spade a spade, whether he’s talking about films, fans or family. Read on...

Would you say that at 65, you are at a superb stage of your career? Do you find yourself challenging the actor in you now more than ever?
I have never been offered such characters and roles in my entire career. The first 25 years, I was only singing songs and serenading the heroine; enough of playing a loverboy, I am over the hill for that now. The roles that I am doing currently are varied and challenging. I find it fantastic that someone like me can do such contrasting films like Do Dooni Chaar (2010), Student Of The Year (2012), Kapoor & Sons (Since 1921) (2016), and even play characters like Rauf Lala in Agneepath (2012) or Dawood in D-Day (2013). These roles are tough but that’s the beauty of it, as I you have never done this in my life. This is what challenges and excites me as an actor.

The fact that you don’t have to conform to any type of role or genre, in order to cement your success or reinforce stardom, makes it even better, right?
There was a spell in between when some people wanted me to play a father, but I didn’t want to. There is nothing in it for me, and I told them that I am too expensive for it, and I can’t play a father, who is reprimanding his son or daughter. So, I don’t do those roles, unless they are very prominent like the one in Patiala House (2011). It has to be a well-defined character and it has to be one of the most prominent characters in the film. Right now, I am happy with what I am doing. My plate is full; I have films like Mulq, Rajma Chawal, Jhootha Kahin Ka, and some other projects in the pipeline that will go on the floors soon. I feel like I am internally and externally all charged up. In fact, why now? I was always charged up to take on challenging roles, but I never got an opportunity.

Today, good parts are being written for actors. Prominent filmmakers are pushing their boundaries and taking chances with subjects, unlike what we have seen in years. The leading man can be anything from 20 to 75 years old, it doesn’t matter…
(Cuts in)… Yes, because today, content is king. Earlier, cinema in India was only youth-oriented; it was all about song, dance and romance. Now, the people who watch films at multiplexes go with a different sensibility, and the rickshawala who watches films in a single screen theatre has his own sensibility. That audience (single screen) will always be there in India, the maar pitaai and even the crude humour will always remain. But the audience that has emerged because of the multiplex wants better films. They want different content, as they are exposed to social media, world cinema and international shows. The world is their oyster. Today, our content is directly in competition with Western cinema; hence, we need to give the audience the best. We have made a film like 102 Not Out, which challenges the basic norms of filmmaking. There are 76 and 65-year-old actors in the lead, there is no female lead, no romance, song or dance. We are waiting to see how the audience reacts to it.

Talking about your 76-yearold co-star, Amitabh Bachchan, was it nostalgic working with him again after a gap of 27 years?
Our journey began 42 years ago with Kabhi Kabhie. Thereafter, we have played brothers, friends and now, father and son. When I heard the story idea, it was very exciting to see how a father sends his son to an old-age home. Later, when I heard the whole script, I was bowled over. To have Amit ji as a costar is always a dream. I don’t even need to say it; he is such a wonderful co-artiste, friend and relative. We worked together after 27 years, but the moment we rehearsed, we knew that we were on the same wavelength. Of course, we are older and our reflexes might have jaded, but I learnt another lesson from Amit ji while working on this film. Generally, when I am working, I tend to learn from my seniors and juniors. Every time, I take a lesson home from some actor or the other, and this time, it was him. It is amazing to see how he enters into a character, and how he romances and flirts with it. That is how he fine-tunes it and brings out the nuances. After the first few shots, it is bingo! Throughout the film, he conversed with our director Umesh Shukla, in the little Gujarati that he knows. The script of this film was endearing and new. For me, the challenge was how I can develop this character and what his body language should be. I am not playing Rishi Kapoor anymore, so I had to look different, too.

In your autobiography, you have said that in your younger days, you worked very hard to measure up to Mr Bachchan’s level of performance. After 27 years, did you push yourself as hard while working with him to bring out your best?
Yes, Mr Bachchan is such a professional that there is no mediocrity about that man, though some people might say so. They are absolutely wrong. He challenges you to perform better.

While there are several professions that have a retirement age, the beauty about being an actor is that as long as someone is writing a role for you, you can keep going on…
It wasn’t really like that earlier; it is something that is happening now. With actors like Mr Bachchan who are still doing such great work because roles are written for him, things are changing. Earlier, as actors grew older, they would retire and sit at home. But now, the whole trend has changed, like it is in the West. Look at actors like Clint Eastwood and Robert Redford; Eastwood did a romantic film like The Bridges Of Madison County (1995) along with Meryl Streep, at the age of 65.

Coming from such fine lineage, which is deeply rooted in Indian cinema, did you ever take anything for granted in your 20s and 30s? Or did you strive and struggle to get the best that was out there?
Nothing comes easy. People say there is nepotism, but I beg to differ; there is nothing of that sort. You are actually chosen by the people. There can be producers pushing their sons to become actors. They make five-six films, but when none of those work and they still keep pushing them, it is stupidity. They are probably talented, but sometimes, the audience just does not accept you. They don’t want to see you. Maybe I was lucky that people liked me in my films and I worked hard and kept doing more work. You can’t force yourself to become an actor and you can’t force yourself on people. An actor is the choice of the public, and they will make you what you are. They have to appreciate you and like you. When you do your first film, you will be compared to your predecessors, and that’s an ordeal for any young actor. The audience has to choose you; otherwise nothing works in your favour to become a star.

102 Not Out is a film is about a father and son. While raising your kids (Riddhima and Ranbir), did you see traces of your father (Raj Kapoor) in you?
My father was a very busy man. We spent most of our childhood with my mom (Krishna Raj Kapoor), not that my father did it on purpose. He would work in films outside his banner, and whatever he earned, he would put it into his own films. Of course, we were never deprived of basics like love, comfort and good schooling. We were taught how to deal with the world. Whenever my father had the time, we would travel with him to places like Japan and London. So, he tried to make time for us, but we were mostly with my mother. Similarly, while I was a busy actor, I would never work in the month of May, when my kids had school vacations. Twice a year, we would go on family holidays, I have never deprived them of that. When Ranbir and Riddhima were very young, they would come to my outdoor shoots, so that we could spend time together. When they started growing up, I thought that they needed more exposure, so I took them around the world. When my children were ready to fly, I let them and then they were on their own.

Talking about your son Ranbir, he is a huge star who has made different choices right from the start of his career. You must be proud of the kind of actor he has grown into…
Of course, I am proud of my son’s choices, they might be off the curve, but he was very clear at the beginning of his career that he didn’t want to do what the others did. If I had to guide him, I would never let him do films like Wake Up Sid (2009) and Barfi! (2012). But he did those films and proved his critics wrong. Every actor has ups and downs, you win some, you lose some. That’s okay, as long as you are a good actor, and you have the potential to be a star, that’s what matters.

Do you ever sit down and have discussions with Ranbir about love and life?
No, we don’t talk about love, life and all that. I can’t be very informal with my son as I was raised that way, I don’t know if it is good or bad, but I am like this and my children know it. Of course, I give them all my love, they are my children, but I am not that kind of an informal father, who can crack jokes and talk about girls with my son.

You took a brief break (23 days from Twitter), did you miss it? There are very few senior actors like Mr Bachchan and you, who have taken to this medium with such keen enthusiasm. How do you find this new-age way of connecting with your fans?
I was holidaying in the US when I was cut off from Twitter, because someone tried to hack into my email account, and when that happens, they temporarily discontinue the account. I don’t really chat as much with my fans. In fact, most of the time, I am fighting with them. I am not a pleasurable guy on Twitter, who is out there pleasing his fans. Honestly, I am terrible at it. I don’t even promote my films as I don’t find that exciting. I know I should do it, but I have no patience. Earlier, I hated giving autographs and now everyone has a camera, so everyone wants photographs. That’s even worse.

Though everyone will agree that on social media, you come across as extremely expressive, funny and fearlessly vocal about your views…
Well, I am that way; even my autobiography is like that. I am an honest and blunt man, and I believe that a fact is a fact. If something has to be said, I will go ahead and say it. I always call a spade a spade.

Worried that his otherwise song-less film wouldn't appeal to the audience, Amitabh Bachchan reveals how he conceived Badumbaa track for his upcoming film, 102 Not Out
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; May 3, 2018)

If you run through Amitabh Bachchan's Twitter timeline, you'll notice his penchant for the term 'Badumbaa'. It wasn't surprising then that when it came to conceiving a song for his upcoming film with Rishi Kapoor, 102 Not Out, the megastar resorted to his catchphrase.

"Badumbaa is a cry of happiness. How many times can we say zindabad and yay? Badumbaa is something that the youngsters can say aloud when things go right," says Bachchan, introducing his fans to a new concept, not for the first time in his career.

Like the word, the song too was Amitabh Bachchan's brainchild. A whiz at marketing films, the megastar felt that the movie — which didn't have a female lead or any songs then — would fail to pique the youths' curiosity. "The film doesn't have a leading female actor. Initially, there were no songs either. I used to wonder how we could lure the youth to watch the film about two ageing guys," recollects Bachchan. While director Umesh Shukla felt the script had no scope for a song, Bachchan came up with Badumbaa.

"I wanted to create a song that the youngsters could chant," says the actor, who has composed the track and sung it with Kapoor. This isn't the first time that he has played a pivotal role in a film's soundtrack. Bachchan had provided valuable inputs to Jahan Teri Yeh Nazar Hai (Kaalia, 1981) as well as Shava Shava (Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, 2001). "Initially, the songs were not the way you hear them today. I suggested changes which were then included."

Madhureeta Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; April 29, 2018)

He’s 76 and not out. And the way he’s batting in every inning, for a long time, he will be on the field, sportingly. And what’s striking is that, after a 49-year-long career, Amitabh Bachchan still has the gusto of a young actor and the curiosity of a newcomer. That’s what makes him a master of his craft and keeps him ahead of the curve. For the past 10 years, he’s been enthusiastically writing a blog every day, and his colossal following on social media is something that few can boast of. In his upcoming film 102 Not Out directed by Umesh Shukla, he plays a 102-year-old spirited father to Rishi Kapoor, in a unique story that’s based on a Gujarati play. In a quick chat with BT, he shares his past experience of working with his 95-year-old co-actor Zohra Sehgal, he tells us what he appreciates most about Rishi Kapoor and how he feels he’s a friend to his children. Read on…

What was your first reaction on knowing that director Umesh Shukla was keen to cast you as a 102-year-old man? He told us that you didn’t take more than 10 minutes to agree to do the film. Have you met people of that age?
Yes, I agreed immediately. It was an unusual concept where a 102-year-old father wants to send his 75-year-old son to an old age home. There are more elements to the story, but this point itself was so attractive. I have met people of that age. In my film Cheeni Kum directed by R Balki, the lady who played my mom’s role, the late Zohra Sehgal, was 95 years old. She was a renowned theatre artiste and I knew her sister (Mumtaz) and her from years ago. On set, she was incredibly vibrant and more excited than all of us. As soon as we would pack up, she would ask, “Where is my drink?” When the film was over, she told me, “Amitabh, you owe me some champagne.” When Umesh was discussing the character with me, the brief he gave me was that he didn’t want him to be depicted as a frail old man with a walking stick and a trembling voice. This film is based on a Gujarati play where the same characters (played by Rishi Kapoor and Big B) were staged by actors in their 30s.

So, did you draw references for your part from what you fondly remember of Zohra Sehgal’s persona?
Well, some things always stay with you. Zohra Sehgal and her sister were prominent theatre artistes. They were all associated with Prithvi Theatre. Back then, Prithviraj ji (Prithviraj Kapoor) was associated with all these talented theatre artistes and my family’s association with him is from that time. Whenever he came to Allahabad, my babuji (Harivansh Rai Bachchan) and he would spend time together and sometimes, the entire troupe would come over to our house. After the play would get over, Prithviraj ji would call my father across and they would have poetry sessions. We would all go and watch his plays; Zohra ji was a part of that era. She was always so full of life that you couldn’t ever tell just how old she was.

The song Badumbaaa was your idea and execution, too. What inspired you to create a song for this movie?
During the last schedule, when we were shooting on the balcony, it started raining and we had to stop our shoot. At that point, I thought that we should have a song that’s full of life, which would serve as an attraction for the audience. I told Umesh, ‘Let me create something and if you like it, we will see what we can do with it’. I have always been a great fan of Caribbean, Rhumba and Samba, so I composed something, put music to it and sang it. I called two of my young friends, Rohan and Vinayak, who are music directors in their own right. They assisted me, as I can’t understand the technology that is used now. They added the sound to it and we recorded it. Badumbaaa is something I just invented on Twitter, because every time there is some achievement or moment of rejoicing, for instance, when India wins a match, how do you express your joy? So, Badumbaaa is a form of expression. We got Amitabh Bhattacharya to write the song, and I asked him if we could include the word Badumbaaa in the structure of the song. He was able to do that. In the song, Zumba, Zumba are his words, but Badumbaaa is mine (smiles).

Rishi Kapoor and you have starred in several films before this, you first worked together 44 years ago in Kabhi Kabhie (1976), and after that, in Amar Akbar Anthony, Naseeb, Coolie and Ajooba. What was the feeling of sharing screen space with him after 27 years?
We are professionals and artistes. We love our job and the movie that we are doing. Our job on the set is to accomplish what we are asked to do. And if we know the actors personally and if we have worked with them before, there is a sense of comfort. So, having worked with him in so many films before, there is no question of not feeling comfortable. Apart from that, it is not like we were meeting after 27 years. We live in the same city and we are in the same profession. For us, it was like another working day.

Any aspect of Rishi Kapoor as an actor that you distinctly remember from the older days?
He is a tremendous artiste. One thing I appreciate the most about him is that I have never seen any other artiste lip sync a song the way he does, he is brilliant at it. You can actually feel that he is singing the song. It is very difficult to do, as half the time, we are trying to remember our steps and the lyrics, and we forget about focusing on our facial expressions. Chintu ji is immaculate at lip-synching. And Ranbir (Kapoor) does it the same way; when he sings a song, you can’t find a fault in it.

At 76, you have a glorious career to boast of and a great innings ahead. You have also have stayed relevant with the times, whether it is your presence and impact on social media, or the kind of films you choose to do. Has it been a conscious effort to stay ahead of the curve?
Ten years ago, someone told me to write a blog. I wrote a line and I got a response. I wrote four lines and got some more responses. Ever since then, I have been writing my blog every day, without a miss.

Does writing give you a deep sense of fulfillment?
It gives me an opportunity to connect with my fans who I now call EF (Extended Family). Earlier, they didn’t know me, and I didn’t know them. They didn’t even know each other. Through the blog, the EF community knows each other personally, they even travel from different parts of the country and meet each other. The EF of that city accommodates those visiting in their homes. It is impossible to respond to each and everyone on my blog and Twitter timeline, but yes, I read their responses and it is interesting because you get another view point of yourself. Everything is not always good and flowery on social media; there is abuse, negativity and criticism, too. I think if you are in a medium like this, you have to be mature enough to deal with it. I absorb all that. Some of the criticism and feedback are valuable and I acknowledge them. I try and rectify myself if I have made a mistake. So yes, there is negativity and one must accept it. I don’t block or delete any one. I have some brilliant minds who write on my blog, who do great analysis of the work that I do, and I often share that with my directors. We often incorporate their ideas, too.

At your age, you could probably feel physically restrained to do some roles, but do you ever feel emotionally or mentally fatigued to get into a character and give it your best?
No, why should I? If it’s going to be exhausting, then I wouldn’t be working in the film in the first place. Once I have committed to a film, I have no reason to behave like that. Why should my passion change or lessen over the years, it’s my job. It’s my profession and I have been in it for so long. If I have taken up a job, I’m obliged to give it my best shot.

You play a 102-year-old father in the film. In real life, did your role as a father change as your children grew older?
I think the relationship any father shares with his children is an individual choice. Every father behaves in a particular manner with his children. I feel like I am a friend to my children. Well, of course, you will have to ask them whether I am a friend to them or not, but I talk frankly and freely to them. We discuss subjects and attitudes which are young, old, and topics connected with my work. I ask them about the current music scene, where they went out and all that. There’s an old saying…When the son wears the father’s shoes, they become friends.

Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; April 27, 2018)

Director Umesh Shukla believes in telling simple stories with a profound message. While his last film, OMG — Oh My God!, was a satire on the state of religion in our country, this time around, he is back with a touching story of a father and son. In a chat with BT, the filmmaker, who has worked extensively in Gujarati theatre, talks about bringing the two stalwarts — Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor — together after 27 years, why he is least worried about the number game and the message that his upcoming release, 102 Not Out, conveys. Excerpts…

Your last directorial, All Is Well, released three years ago. What took you so long to make 102 Not Out?
I was looking for the right script. I want to offer content that’s relevant rather than give into pressure. I don’t want to make movies for the sake of money. I want to make movies that entertain and convey a message. There was a phase in the industry when everybody was making biopics or films on sports; I didn’t want to fall into that trap. I have written, directed and acted in several Gujarati plays and I feel that there are some good subjects that need to be explored. 102 Not Out is adapted from a Gujarati play that I produced. While working on the play, I realised that it’s a character suited for Mr Bachchan. Saumya Joshi — the writer-director of the play — and his wife took almost a year-and-a-half to convert it into the film. When I met Bachchan saab, he told me that he loved OMG... and asked me what I was working on next. I narrated the crux of the story and he gave his nod within 10 minutes. That was my ‘Oh My God’ moment (smiles). Just like Mr Bachchan, Chintuji (Rishi Kapoor), too, agreed to do the film 10 minutes into the narration.

Working with two huge stars comes with its own set of challenges. How different is their approach towards acting?
Their working style is totally different. Bachchan saab does a lot of homework and is in tune with his character. He is a method actor, but it never shows in his acting. If a scene requires him to be happy, he will be in that mood. But if he is shooting a serious scene, you will find him sitting quietly. Chintuji is spontaneous, but he is always thinking of improvisations. Both come from different schools of acting, but jab rehearsal kar ke take lete the, dono ki bonding aisi thi ki kabhi aisa lagta nahi tha ki woh log 27 saal ke baad ek saath kaam kar rahe hain.

In the film, Amitabh Bachchan’s character is 102 years old, while Rishi Kapoor plays his 75-year-old son. What made you confident that a story revolving around senior citizens will strike a chord with the youth?
It’s a youthful film, it’s just that the central characters are old. It’s a love story between a father and son. It would have been preachy and the message wouldn’t have come out so beautifully if I had cast younger actors. The play has been running for six years and 70 per cent of the audience are youngsters. The message of the film is, ‘Logon ki life mein happiness ka quotient zyada hona chahiye. With that, the rest can be managed.’

The film shows a father trying to send his son to an old age home. Is it an attempt to turn the tables on children, who abandon their parents when they grow old?
The film is about living your life to the fullest despite difficulties. It shocks me when I hear about students committing suicide after failing in examination or people ending their lives after being spurned in love. On the other hand, there are people suffering from serious diseases who yearn to live normally, but sadly, their bodies don’t support them. Aapko itni khubsoorat life mili hai, but you don’t want to enjoy it over petty issues. People are stuck in their past and keep complaining that ab woh maza nahi raha. I would like to tell them, ‘Mazaa abhi bhi hai, but you have locked yourself and invited loneliness’.

Your film OMG was a success at the box office. Do you feel pressurised to recreate the same magic at the box office?
I knew that OMG... would get noticed, but I hadn’t anticipated its box-office success. Even today, I don’t understand the business aspects because I don’t think in that direction. A film made with utmost honesty and good intent will always touch the audience’s heart. I believe in good and bad films rather than hits and flops. If it’s good, it will do well at the box office. I am happy if people call my film a good movie, even if it doesn’t fare well at the box office.

You will soon start working on the OMG... sequel. Are you going to throw light on other aspects of religion this time?
There are many issues, but I don’t want to make a film highlighting the problem. I don’t want to do that just because we know that the sequel will rake in money. The makers of Munnabhai took time to return with a sequel, and it was better than the previous film. The second installment should be better than the original.

While a film like PK drew a lot of flak from certain sections for questioning religious blind faith, your film, too, faced trouble, but not of that magnitude. There is always a fear of how people will react when it comes to a subject as sensitive as religion, right?
Main lucky hoon ki main itna bada star nahi tha ki mujhe unn logon ne chhod diya. Uss waqt bhi threats aaye the, utne nahi aaye tha, but andar se threats mili thi. Logon ne bola tha ki jeena mushkil ho jaayega. Kuchh logon toh ne anti-OMG plays bhi banaye the aur uske videos bhi viral hue the. But then, everyone is entitled to their opinions. It wasn’t an anti-God movie or else we wouldn’t have shown Krishna in it. It was about wrong beliefs. It was a thin line, and had we overstepped it at any point or improvised it too much, it would have led to serious problems. That didn’t happen because it was a balanced film.

Rishi Kapoor on his legacy, his father and his son, and why acting is more enjoyable now
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 25, 2018)

When watching the trailer of your upcoming film 102 Not Out, noting the changing expressions, mood swings and subtle inflections in the voice, one realises that playing a 75-year-old character couldn’t have been easy.
It was a challenge but that makes it exciting for an actor. Umesh (director Umesh Shukla) and I took the character forward from Saumya Joshi’s original play, giving him creased shirts two sizes large and shoulders stooped from the tension he’s lugging around. Babulal Vakharia is khadoos, depressed and in denial. His 102-year-old father who aspires to be the world’s oldest man, wants to send him away to an old age home because he’s the most depressed man around. Herein lies the conflict and the story of the film.

What made the journey more interesting was Preetisheel Singh’s make-up. While playing a 90-year-old man in Kapoor & Sons I’d relied on prosthetics, this time it was just a wig, moustache and Amit ji (Amitabh Bachchan) complementing me with his getup. It wasn’t an easy walk-on part but no character actor has it easy because you’re not running around trees, serenading the heroine.

When the character requires you to be low, does the emotion spill over into real life?
Babulal’s not low, he’s straitjacketed with a short circuit, picky about details, bound by timetables and finicky about rituals.

Are you that finicky in real life?
Not like Babulal, who’s an eccentric, an extremist. I’m a normal person who takes life as it comes. In his case his life is disrupted if his routine is disturbed.

You’re in an interesting phase in your career with films like 102 Not Out, Mulk and Rajma Chawal, taking elderly characters out of the stereotype and towards newer horizons...
It’s a bloody high! I’m finally getting to play characters and not just be Rishi Kapoor. The Kapoor in Kapoor & Sons was not Rishi Kapoor. Ditto Santosh Duggal in Do Dooni Chaar, Romy Rolly in Luck By Chance, Rauf Lala in Agneepath and Iqbal Seth in D-Day. Even DCP Ravikant Phogat in Aurangzeb was an exciting role but it was a boring film and flopped so no one saw it. I keep changing Rishi Kapoor’s face all the time. I’m looking for challenges because all my life I only sang songs and romanced heroines. As I tell my wife, I’ll even lose weight for a film if I must but not just for the heck of it.

Even in your prime you were seen as an actor who could deliver…
But except for Prem Rog, Tawaif and Damini the rest were just romantic roles in films shot in Ooty, Kashmir and Switzerland. Back then we didn’t experiment. Even now the front benchers want maar dhaad — such films will always run in India — but we also have a new multiplex audience that is cinema literate and looking for different content. Films are no longer about song and dance, romance and the youth. For me content has always been king and I welcome this change.

What was your relationship with your father, Raj Kapoor, like?
He wasn’t just my father but also my guru who taught me the ropes and introduced me twice, in Mera Naam Joker and Bobby. I was in awe of him which was born out of love, respect and admiration. He was Raj Kapoor; there was a halo around his head. Till we completed school, we hardly saw him because he was busy making films. We didn’t know he was a popular actor-director, but we knew he was an important man because everywhere we went, people would look at us. Even in this hotel, if we came for dinner without a reservation, we got a table easily because of him. We never misused that privilege but he remained an awe-inspiring figure even when I was working with him.

Was he a jovial man?
No, he was a serious man whose work was his nirvana. But he was a kind father who went away too soon.

Has Rishi Kapoor changed with time?
Why would I change? Am I not doing good work? Have I not lasted in this industry for 45 years?

I meant as a person, not an actor...
I am a difficult man and not easy to get along with. I’m God-fearing and ritualistic. I pray twice a day, I’m bound by tradition and I am conservative. I’m also a big boozer.

And as a father?
I’m a loving father now but there was a time when my son and I didn’t get along because I was so busy. I’ve never given my son the liberty of being on back-slapping terms with me. There was this invisible glass pane between us… It’s like history repeating itself as it seems almost like my equation with my father. Now, I want Ranbir to get married, have some kids, so I can be a grandfather and make up for everything there.

Both of you are passionate about acting…
That’s the family trademark. Ranbir is the fourth generation of Kapoor males in the industry. In 107 years of Indian cinema, our contribution has been 90-plus years. Films are our livelihood, that’s the only thing I know how to do, but I also enjoy it and I am a hardworking actor. The Kapoor surname or Bobby, which I got because my work was appreciated in Mera Naam Joker, didn’t make me an overnight star. There are many Kapoors who didn’t make it, we were chosen by the people. There is no nepotism in films.

Please elaborate…
Well, perhaps I didn’t sleep on the road and didn’t starve because I came from a well-to-do family, but I also struggled as much as my contemporaries. Maybe not for a break but later to regain ground. Zanjeer released in the same year as Bobby and romance made way for action. I had to struggle to withstand such cyclones and that’s no mean feat. Today, thanks to my autobiography, Khullam Khulla, I’m getting invited by big corporate houses and even Google to tell my inspirational story.

Like you, Ranbir isn’t afraid to go against the ‘hero’ image…
(Smiling proudly) Yes, and the reactions to his new film Sanju have been phenomenal. All the calls and messages I’ve been getting since morning are about him. He always wanted to be an actor but told his mother that he wouldn’t wear a twisted cap on his head and have 40 dancers suddenly appear behind him. He wanted a different career graph and took on serious films like Wake Up Sid and Rocket Singh. Some films, like Jagga Jasoos and Bombay Velvet, failed, but no actor has a 100 per cent track record. But as the saying goes, ‘Form is temporary, class is permanent’.