Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; July 1, 2019)

Towards the last leg of the year, Emraan Hashmi will slip his feet into Retd Air Commodore Kariyadil Cheriyan Kuruvilla’s (K C Kuruvilla) shoes for director Vijay Ratnakar Gutte’s next film, Vayusena.

The film is expected to go on floors in November and will be wrapped up in a start-to-finish schedule. The makers have already written to the government, seeking permission to shoot at a real airbase along with fighter planes.

Vijay confirmed the news to BT and said, “Emraan hasn’t played a character like this before, and he loves such roles. It was an instant nod from him. It’s a human interest story that starts with the 1971 Indo-Pak war and ends with the Indo-Pak Kargil War of 1999. We plan to film at a real airbase, and it’d be great if the authorities allow us to use real fighter planes to present the story correctly and realistically. We are hopeful that the permission will come through soon.”

The story begins when K C Kuruvilla was a Flying Officer at the age of 26. It’s said that during the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, he served with a Fighter Bomber Squadron in the Western Sector. On December 4, he carried out a strike mission over Chander airfield and successfully attacked enemy aircraft on ground and airfield installations.

On December 5, Kuruvilla flew another strike mission over Chishtian Mandi, scored a direct hit on the engine of a train and inflicted heavy damage to it, despite intensive anti aircraft fire. On December 6, 1971, he undertook a strike mission over the Dera Baba Nanak area and attacked enemy tank concentrations. During this attack, while making a second pass over the target, his aircraft was hit by the enemy’s anti-aircraft fire and it crashed. However, he survived to tell the tale. The film encapsulates Kuruvilla’s journey from this point all the way up to the Kargil War, when he was still in service.

The filmmaker reacts to an FIR lodged against him and the team of his film, The Accidental Prime Minister, in Muzzafarpur
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; February 15, 2019)

The Muzaffarpur Police has lodged an FIR against filmmaker Vijay Ratnakar Gutte’s The Accidental Prime Minister and its actors Anupam Kher, Akshaye Khanna and 12 others associated with the project. Following a directive from the district court, a complaint was lodged at Kanti Police Station earlier this week, after the court objected to noncompliance of its January 8 order in this regard.

The Accidental Prime Minister released on January 11 and was based on a book of the same name written by Sanjaya Baru. He was employed with the PMO and his book presented an account of the tenure of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. On January 8, the court had ordered the police to lodge an FIR against the film’s actors and 12 others based on a complaint filed by advocate Sudhir Kumar Ojha with a plea that the film presents Dr Singh and a host of other public figures in poor light. The complaint has named Anupam Kher, who played Dr Manmohan Singh, Akshaye Khanna, who played Singh’s media adviser Sanjaya Baru, and even those actors who played Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani and Lalu Prasad Yadav along with the film’s makers.

The advocate moved the court of Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate Saba Alam on February 4 to mention that the police had not complied with its order. A showcause notice was issued to Kanti Police Station through the Muzaffarpur senior superintendent of police and following this, an FIR was lodged under IPC sections 295, 153, 153A, 293, 504, 506, 120B and 34, which relate to promoting enmity among different groups, sale of obscene objects, insult with intent to provoke breach of peace and criminal conspiracy among other things. The complainant had alleged that Ojha felt hurt upon watching the promos of the movie, which was not released at that time, in which, he felt that public figures were portrayed in a manner that projected a poor image of India.

When we reached out to debutant director Vijay Ratnakar Gutte, who helmed the political drama, he told us, “Yes, I am aware that a complaint regarding our film has been filed, but none of us, who have been named, know the exact details of the complaint. The first time they raised a flag was before the release and only on the basis of what people saw in the trailer. I am shocked with these developments. The book on which the film is based has been in public domain since 2014. News channels have used its content for years and everyone knew about my film for about two years before it released. So, I don’t know what people are objecting to now and why. We tried something new with this film and we thought it will open gates for a different kind of cinema to be made in the country. I was under the impression that it had all worked out fine and after people saw the film, things have calmed down. But, this FIR has been lodged out of the blue and funnily enough, no one has officially communicated about it to us. At least, I have only heard about it from the media. After Padmaavat released, the issues around it subsided, but the story refuses to end in our case, even though the CBFC had passed the film with minor changes. I have had to face a lot of opposition with my very first film. It was a challenge to make it all look real, but I will never make a political film again in my career as a filmmaker.” 

Lasyapriya Sundaram (BOMBAY TIMES; January 11, 2019)

As his directorial debut, The Accidental Prime Minister, hits theatres today, BT catches up with Vijay Gutte for a quick chat about the film and why he chose a political movie to begin his filmmaking career with. Excerpts…

The Accidental Prime Minister marks your debut as a director. Why did you choose to open your innings with a film that revolves around politics? You could have played it safe and made a romance, comedy or action film...
The producer gave me the book, The Accidental Prime Minister, and asked me to reject it if I didn’t like it. After reading the book, I didn’t reveal my excitement and told the producer that I wanted to meet the writer, Sanjaya Baru (former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s media advisor). I met him for seven days and spent close to five hours with him every day. I wanted to tell the story after reading the book and interacting with him. We know everything about the White House, but we don’t know anything about our Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). I believe that others will now follow suit and make films that involve politics. In fact, so many biopics have been announced, including that of Indira Gandhi, Jayalalithaa and NTR. I picked out chapters from the book that talk about 10 years of Manmohan Singh’s tenure. The film chronicles his achievements and the problems he had faced. I have followed the book to the T.

Political films, especially in our country, are often slotted as propaganda tools. What are your views on that?
I am learning to deal with it. This book has been in the public domain since 2014. What many people found controversial has already been discussed on news channels. We have been making the film for the past two years. Its first look was revealed one-and-a-half years ago, but nobody objected to it at that time.

Have you told the story the way it was written, or have you taken a political stand in the film?
You have to tell the story the way it is. Otherwise, it will be wrong on my part. I have ensured that the spirit of the book is maintained. No filmmaker will go about his labour of love with the agenda that he wants to make a propaganda film.

Did you anticipate any opposition to your film considering it has strong political content?
I had a brief discussion with the producer before starting the film. He had consulted lawyers and found out if we could make a film based on the book. Since those things were taken care of, I didn’t have to worry about it.

Rudra Productions (UK) Bohra Bros in association with Dr. Jayantilal Gada (pen), present The Accidental Prime Minister. Produced by Sunil Bohra, Dhaval Jayantilal Gada & Bloom Arts Pte Ltd, the film releases today.

Akshaye Khanna on how he is undeterred by controversies around the film 'The Accidental Prime Minister', Anupam Kher's performance as Dr Manmohan Singh and his next Article 375: Marzi Ya Jabardasti
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; January 6, 2019)

Did you anticipate a backlash at the unveiling of The Accidental Prime Minister's trailer?
I don't think anyone can predict what is going to happen in the future. Considering it was a powerful trailer, a strong reaction was expected, but I am sure all controversies will be laid to rest once the film releases. While it is a political film, we have made it an entertaining one. We haven't deviated from what has already been documented in the book. The Accidental Prime Minister is not a biopic. It tracks a decade of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's reign in office. I am sure people will enjoy it once they see it.

There is chatter that the film is deliberately being released before the elections to run down Congress. Comment?
Like I mentioned earlier, if you make an authentic political film, reactions are expected. Frankly, I am not focussed on people's reactions; they can think whatever they want to. I have done my job as an actor and now I am going to promote my film with a proud heart. I genuinely love the film and I am sure people will appreciate it.

Did you meet Sanjaya Baru to prepare for your role?
No, I didn't need to. I read the book twice and watched his interviews to gauge the kind of person he is. I learnt that he is a colourful character and spoke with conviction; moreover, I was never trying to imitate him. Vijay Gutte [the director] had done all the research for me, all he requested me to do was follow his direction and I did just that.

How would you judge Anupam Kher's portrayal of Dr Manmohan Singh and how was it to work with him?
Manmohan Singh is a man of big stature and to interpret him is a great feather in Anupam's cap. It is an actor's interpretation of a person, who has been in public life, for more than five decades. I believe he has given an interesting performance and I am proud to be associated with it. As for working with Anupam, I enjoy his company and had a blast working with him. He kept me entertained with his stories. We even share a good chemistry in the film.

It's common occurrence in the West to make films or shows on political leaders or government institutions. Why do you think Indian directors shy away from replicating the same here?
The fact that filmmakers haven't already made films on the prominent historical figures, especially politicians, is testament to the fact that they don't want to rock the boat or cause a stir in the society. But I feel it must change. Being the largest democracy in the world, I have no inhibitions on being part of authentic political films. I am sure in the future we will see films on Narendra Modi or Amit Shah also. A film on Bal Thackeray is already in the works. The Accidental Prime Minister is based on a book [with the same name], which is written by a political commentator; and if one can write a book, why can't a film be made? Every other form of media has the liberty to criticise governments, politicians, but you cannot make a film? People have a right to opinions and they can be different. My only concern is why should anything be banned even before viewing it? In the end, the political class will have to give in and not snub this kind of creativity.

The Thackeray biopic is being produced by a member of Shiv Sena. What happens when a film like Padmaavat faces issues? Do you feel that filmmakers have no freedom of expression?
I am not a political commentator so, I do not want to talk about other people's films. I think there should be discussion or an open forum on why when it comes to films, the freedom of expression is curbed. The public need to decide and somewhere I feel the decision is made. The interest that this film has generated, shows that people want to watch films in this genre.

Upcoming film
Akshaye Khanna, who has been quite choosy about his projects off late, has a courtroom drama in the pipeline. He said, "I am working on a film titled Section 375: Marzi Ya Jabardasti. It is interesting as I am playing a lawyer for the first time."

Lasyapriya Sundaram (BOMBAY TIMES; January 8, 2019)

Akshaye Khanna has always made a mark with his performances. He started out as the quintessential leading man, but over the years, he not only impressed in supporting roles but also in characters that required him to play the anti-hero. Not one to follow the norm, when Akshaye’s films didn’t work, he took a break and took time off to find his way back,which he eventually did, but only with roles that challenged him as an actor. With The Accidental Prime Minister, the actor is all set to play a real-life character. In a candid chat with BT, Akshaye talks about why a political film needs to be made and released in India, why he never intellectualises acting and also elaborates on how acting is an insecure profession. Excerpts...

In The Accidental Prime Minister, you play Sanjaya Baru, media advisor to the then Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh. The trailer of the film shows you saying, “I don’t work for the party, I work for the Prime Minister.” Also, your character comes across as a cunning man. Looks like you had a lot of fun playing this role...
Yes, I did. Through the years, I have realised that when you have had fun playing a role, it comes across on screen. Even today, if you watch Dil Chahta Hai (2001), you will sense that we had a blast making it. Talking about The Accidental Prime Minister, my character is like that ingredient — salt. Politics has friendship, enmity, intrigue and even humour.

This film also has a lot of humour, which mostly comes through my character. The time I spent making this film with my director Vijay (Gutte) was enriching, and I think that it has made me a better actor. It is a role that he wrote for me. Sanjaya Baru was not as well known as Sonia Gandhi or Manmohan Singh. So, this was the only character which the director could create. All the other characters are real people. Vijay is a visual director. He had a clear image of what he wanted me to look like and people have seen that in the promo. If people like my performance in the film, I would give a lot of credit to my director.

You have been part of romances, dramas, action films as well as comedies. As an actor, when you are offered a film that belongs to the genre of political dramas, do you feel challenged, excited and even scared? Do you worry about the repercussions it might have?
When I first read the script, I sensed that it’s an important film in terms of how and why we haven’t made authentic political films in our country for all these years, despite being the largest democracy in the world. Had we not been the largest democracy, this question would have been slightly less significant. We need to be able to make all kinds of cinema. We have made films on Gandhi in the past, even I have made a film on Gandhi (Gandhi, My Father, 2007). Our constitution gives us freedom of speech and expression, and it is about time films like these are made. People should have the freedom to watch or not watch it. However, I was very unhappy with that draft because of the way my role had been fleshed out. I had a meeting with Vijay and I told him that it’s a fabulous script... it is an important film and he must make it. But I also told him that I didn’t like my role and I won’t do it. He then asked me about my thoughts on the role, and then I explained to him that the way I see it, the role has far more scope and potential. I told him to take as much time as he wanted because I wanted to be part of such a film. Vijay and Mayank (Tewari, writer) reworked the script, and what they came back with was something that I loved. Having said that, its good to be on the same page with your director, but it doesn’t mean that he has to take my permission for everything, because he is operating on a much larger vision. One must respect that; it is that vision that allows him to make the film. If a director has not already seen the film in his mind, chances are less that he will make a good film.

Over the years, even when films have been panned, you have always been praised for your performance. Can you give us an insight into your craft?
I don’t think about acting. When someone starts a conversation about acting, I move back because I have never intellectualised it. Acting comes naturally to me. I read the script as many times as I need to read it. That’s about it, and then I am on the set. Till the clap is given, even I don’t know what I am going to do. I give myself a basic outline of how I will do it, but I don’t know what I am going to do. Whether it is magic or utter crap, it is for the director to decide.

You have acted in a war film like Border (1997), a romance like Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999), a film that explored friendship like Dil Chahta Hai (2001), thrillers like Humraaz (2002) and Race (2008),a comedy like Hulchul (2004) and biographical drama like Gandhi, My Father.Was there a method to the way you chose your films?
There has never been, but I can understand why that question is asked. There are some actors who have a method in the way they choose their films. If you see my filmography, the choices are random and there is no pattern to it. I don’t have a great body of work, but I have decent body of work. You can’t join the dots. My selection of scripts depends on instinct. Sometimes, my instincts are right and sometimes they are not. That’s all we have as professional artistes. We can consult others, but it’s only our gut that can tell us. After working for many years, that instinct gets honed.

Post Race (the first installment of the franchise), your films didn’t work. It was clearly a lull period for you as an actor…
Many of my films didn’t work. It was a lull period and there is no doubt about that. Why on earth would I even attempt to deny that? It’s a period that I wish not to dwell upon because it was a very unhappy one, but that is behind me now. When life throws tough challenges at you, then you need to sit back and absorb them. If you are unable to handle the situation, it’s unfortunate. Until a few days back, I was in a happy space. Life hits you hard again, but one has to go through it. Time is a great healer.

Do you think that today, because of the kind of films that are being made, you are getting the opportunity to play better roles as opposed to the 1990s, or even the early 2000s?
It’s a difficult question to answer. With time, everything evolves. As an individual too, one must evolve, especially being an artiste. Getting stagnant as an artiste can be dangerous. The tragedy of being an actor is that no matter how good or talented you may think you are, without a good script and director, you are nothing. That’s why it’s a unique art form in that sense. Filmmaking is a collaborative art form; individually you are zero, until everything around you is perfect. Acting is an insecure profession because you can’t do anything on your own. How a director uses an actor is the biggest gift that a director can give to an actor. See how Brian De Palma has used Al Pacino in Scarface (1983). Over the years, people have continued to allow me to be part of cinema. Every artiste has a lifespan. The artiste never knows when that day will come when the audience says, ‘We don’t want to watch him anymore’. I have gratitude in my heart because people still want to watch me.

You lost your mother last year. That must have a difficult period...
Losing both parents in a short period of time has been very tough. My mother was a very private person. If I speak about her on any public platform, she will not approve of it. So, I would like to respect that.

Akshaye Khanna on his upcoming political-drama, which he describes as a ‘mature entertainer’, the lack of desire to share his space with someone and being on a big high at the moment
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 3, 2019)

He’s agreed to the interview being pushed by half-an-hour. He will be there on the dot, we’re warned. He arrives 15 minutes earlier and is raring to go when you are shown into the hotel room. Here’s Akshaye Khanna, uncensored…

Your upcoming film, The Accidental Prime Minister, based on Sanjaya Baru’s 2014 memoirs of Manmohan Singh, has already stirred up much controversy. With the first spate of interviews, it has made it clear that it is a political film consciously coming in the election year. What’s your take?
I don’t have one. Yes, from what I’ve seen and read, I see a definite interest among the audience to see the film which from the outside and the way promo has been cut, may look like one that is out to court controversy, but when people see it, they will realise that it’s not true. Yes, we have made a political film, but it has not deviated from the book or from facts that are already in the public domain. We’re not showing anything new in terms of what people already know, have seen or heard. What we have made is a mature entertainer and I know people will come out of the theatre with a smile.

Vijay Gutte has said he approached you for the role of Baru because your family has a background in politics…
No, what he said is that Akshaye’s father (the late Vinod Khanna) was in politics so when I gave him the script, he understood it from the point of view of a film and maybe also a little bit from the political perspective. But that’s his opinion. I personally don’t agree with him. I read the newspapers, watch the news, but I don’t actively follow politics nor do I understand how it works. And I was not the first person he approached. He took the role to many actors. They all said “no” before he came to me.

What made you say “yes”?
Actually, when I read the first draft even I said “no” because my role wasn’t fleshed out. But I told Vijay that this was an important film and he should go ahead and make it, he had my support. He asked me some questions, then asked for some time to write something for me. Mayank (co-writer Mayank Tewari) and he wrote for quite some time before they called me for another narration. This time I loved what they had done with the role and instantly said “yes”. I didn’t want to miss out on this kind of writing.

From the initial promotions and the fact that it’s coming on the same Friday as the film on Uri attacks, it seems that perhaps The Accidental Prime Minister was made consciously to run down Manmohan Singh and the Congress Party.
If you make an authentic political film, which talks of real people and real events, in a politically conscious country like India, it is but natural that people will react to it in different ways and there will be a collage of opinions. That’s to be expected and if it didn’t happen, I would have been disappointed. But at the end of the day, it’s just a film, not an earthquake or a Tsunami, so let us not get too carried away.

Are you saying this political film will not shake public opinion given its timing? If it had come in another year it may well have been treated as just another film but not when it’s coming five months before the elections…
This question is a valid one and bound to be asked, but unfortunately, no matter what I say, opinions have already been formed and my statement will not make even an iota of a difference. Let people think what they wish. This is too in-your-face to defend. As much as I may want to defend it, it’s better to move on.

Given how choosy you are, what was it about the film that caught your attention?
The director... the way he spoke, his thoughts and interpretation of things, intrigued me. Vijay never sounded like a first-time director and proved that on the set. I read the book twice, then, read the screenplay again and was amazed with the way Mayank and Vijay had cracked the book. That’s exactly what I told Rajkumar Hirani when I first heard the narration of Sanju. He had the whole of Sanjay Dutt’s life to write about and he chose exactly what was needed to make for an engaging script. Ditto with this one! There’s a maturity in the writing, no chichorapanti or nautanki, and my character is incredible. There’s a fifth reason too…

And that is?
We’ve seen films on the Buckingham Palace, the White House and 10, Downing Street, but never about the office of the Prime Minister of India. And I was convinced that people would be interested in an inside peek into this world and given that we are the largest democracy in the world, the time had come to open a door that had many, many locks on it. I was impressed that a producer had the vision, confidence, integrity and guts to spend money on a film like this one. After The Accidental Prime Minister, with the correct paperwork and permissions, you can make a film on anything.

Can we make a film on Godhra riots and would it be allowed to peacefully release it at such a time?
Have we not watched hundreds of films on the Holocoust, the darkest period in human history? And it’s the Jews who made them.

But they were not made when the Nazis were in power...
Who cares when they were made? The fact is that films have been made on the Holocaust and on the two World Wars. Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi showed Hindus and Muslims killing each other during the Partition. I myself have made a film on Gandhi on how he treated or rather mistreated his elder son, Hiralal. Nobody asked me such questions during Gandhi, My Father, even though there was no bigger and more respected political figure than Mahatma Gandhi. He was the Father of the Nation and nobody raised objections.

Today, as an author I can write what I want. Sanjaya Baru told the Prime Minister he was writing this book and was asked, “Tu mere baare mein likhega? Kadwa sachh bhi likega?” And when he said “Yes,” he was allowed to write the book and publish it. Manmohan Singh himself has read it, and though the PMO issued a statement against the book, no one sent Baru a legal notice. Had they taken him to court, no one would have bought the film rights to the book.

Getting back to your question, if one can write articles on Godhra, discuss it and analyse it, why can’t one make a film on it if it was to be made honestly and authentically? It’s a human story that happened. People come on TV every night and give gaalis to someone or the other, no one has a problem with that. But when it comes to films, it’s a big problem. That’s unfair, that’s hypocrisy!

Your father was in politics, during the time did you get an insight into politics?
No, politics doesn’t interest me.

If you were asked to campaign for a political party during the elections or given a ticket? Would you be open to it?
I campaigned once for my dad and I was miserable. After that I told him not to call me because I don’t like it, it’s uncomfortable, and I don’t want to be there. And he never did. I hope that answers your question.

Will we see you doing more films this year?
If I had my way, I’d do two-three films every year. But God has not given me my way for a long time now. If the universe gives me three films a year or one film every three years, it’s not in my hands, I have to be patient, wait for the right scripts and be excited about what I am doing. Right now, I’m on a high because the best film of my career is up for release. It’s an incredible time for me. And to answer your question, I will have three films this year.

One of them is Section 375: Marzi Ya Jabardasti which I’m told is finally on course...
I’m starting the film this month. It’s my first courtroom drama, a tough role so I’m nervous, but it’s a good script.

Both you and your brother, Rahul, have always looked to do something different and with so many avenues opening up, this seems like a good time to come back?
I don’t like being clubbed with anyone, be it my father or brother. I am my own person. As far as opportunities go, it’s a fantastic time for creative people. Today producers have to book shooting floors months in advance because so much work is happening, be it films or TV, web series, advertising, theatre or stand-up comedy. The whole world is one with great crossovers happening. As long as I can speak the language, I would love to explore too.

What keeps you busy between projects?
I’ve been working since I was 19, that’s all I know how to do, so I don’t like it when I’m not working. But I’ve had several such bouts and have come to realise that it’s also an important part of an actor’s life as it helps one grow. I need my time-off when I enjoy doing nothing. I would hate a life in which I’m constantly busy. I salute those who when they are not working, are partying. I would collapse in 24 hours flat, I need my aaraam.

A few weeks ago, you lost your mother. Do you feel the vacuum that you spoke about when your dad passed away?
My dad was a public figure but also a very private person. My mother was a very, very private person. I never spoke about her when she was alive, she would not want me to speak about her after she is gone. It’s a terrible loss and the only way to console myself is with the thought that it’s 10 times worse for parents who lose a child in their lifetime.

Is there anyone you would like to share your life with?
No, I don’t want to share my life with anyone, I would like to keep it mine. Neither do I have the desire to share anyone’s else life. Many of my friends can’t be alone for even a few hours. It’s normal to want to have people around but it doesn’t bother me. People ask me how I can you spend so much time by myself. I tell them, “I can spend much more time alone, now go.”

MUMBAI MIRROR (December 27, 2018)

Akshaye Khanna will play Sanjay Baru, the media strategist to former PM Dr Manmohan Singh in The Accidental Prime Minister. According to unit sources, getting Akshaye on board took a little time but once the versatile actor signed on for the role, his dedication and commitment to the film took everyone in the unit by surprise.

Right from the look that he sports in the film to the mannerisms, especially his walking style, Akshaye worked on everything. The sources add that his costume trials went on for months and his debonair look in a series of stylish suits had women swooning in London and Delhi where the film was shot.

While it is common for most actors to demand seven-star accommodations even if they are four hours away from the location, Akshaye surprised the team by announcing that he would stay at the location itself and cut the travel time and instead use the time to prepare for the role. Major portions of the film have been shot at Victorian locales of Skipton, United Kingdom. The location has many modest chalets spread across the 3500 acres of the vintage property. Akshaye spent most of his time on sets to be in the middle of things. When director Vijay Ratnakar Gutte was busy shooting, the actor would spend time with creative producer Hansal Mehta. It was a common sight to see the two strolling across the location, constantly talking and discussing.

Akshaye had claimed that the film will be his priority, so say many actors at the time of signing of the film but he has stayed true to his word, and has not appeared in any other film till the release of The Accidental Prime Minister.

Sanjay Baru was at the PMO and had the advantage of a ringside view of the political developments during the UPA 1 regime. Sanjay Baru later penned the best seller The Accidental Prime Minister. Largely based on the book, the movie is directed by debutant director Vijay Ratnakar Gutte, is produced by Sunil Bohra, Bloom Arts & Dhaval Gada.

The trailer of The Accidental Prime Minister is out today.

Rudra Productions (UK), Bohra Bros in association with Dr Jayantilal Gada (pen), present The Accidental Prime Minister. The film is produced by Sunil Bohra, Dhaval Jayantilal Gada and Bloom Arts Pte Ltd. 

Debutant Vijay Gutte reveals why he chose to adapt a controversial book, refutes rumours of censor trouble
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 17, 2018)

How did you come up with the idea of adapting Sanjaya Baru’s 2014 memoir of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, The Accidental Prime Minister, as your first directorial?
Sunil Bohra (producer) had the rights since 2014 and offered the film to me. I read the book and requested a meeting with Sanjaya Baru. We discussed it for seven straight days and by the end of this marathon discussion, I felt like I was working at the PMO myself (Baru, an ex-journalist and political commentator had been the media advisor and the chief spokesperson of Manmohan Singh during his first term in office from May 2004 to August 2008). I love the way this power game works and since I was always inclined towards politics, my interactions with Sanjaya convinced me that we could turn his bestseller into an amazing film.

What’s National Award-winning director Hansal Mehta’s role in the project?
He’s the creative producer and helped me stay calm. He taught me how to be patient on set and had an important role to play in the casting, which took nine months to lock. Hansal saw the journey through with me.

Was it difficult getting Anupam Kher, who is affiliated to the BJP, on board to play Manmohan Singh?
I gave Anupam Sanjaya’s book and showed him a poster I had conceptualised. He loved it and agreed to do the film on the condition that he liked the script. I worked on it for three months with Mayank Tewari (co-writer) and sent it to him. He instantly came on board.

And Akshaye Khanna?
Akshaye is a thinking actor and being from a family that has been in politics, he understood both the script and the rajneeti. But he took his time to give his nod. He wanted to know minute details of everything that had happened during Manmohan Singh’s tenure. I was careful not to show him Sanjaya’s picture as he was the only character I could play around with. I couldn’t fictionalise Manmohan Singh, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi and others who are public figures, but people don’t know Sanjaya; I could give him a cinematic touch.

Wasn’t the film to open on December 21 with Shah Rukh Khan’s Zero. Why was it pushed to next year?
We were not able to finish the post production as I was working simultaneously on the Hindi and English versions. Also, there is a huge amount of VFX involved. We wrapped up the shoot on October 27 and I thought the final print would be locked in 30 days. That didn’t happen.

Buzz is, the film ran into censor trouble.
I am still locking the final cut after which we will go to the censors.

What if you are asked by the CBFC to get a NOC from Manmohan Singh and other political leaders shown or mentioned in the film?
There is no such law. We can go to the High Court and get the film released without getting a NOC. Did they ask for a NOC from Bhagat Singh during The Legend of Bhagat Singh? Manmohan Singh as a PM was a public figure, so no one can take away my right to make a movie on his tenure.

Following a resurgent Congress’s recent wins in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, won’t it be difficult for you to ensure a smooth release in these states?
These are just assumptions because I don’t know what is going to happen. None of us knew that the Congress would win in these states. If there are problems, we will face them when the time comes.

But it will release in the election year. Doesn’t that make you apprehensive?
Patriotic films release around Independence Day or Republic Day, action films around Eid. Likewise, releasing a film on politics in the year of elections is a well-thought-out decision.

But since the story touches on several scams that took place under the reign of Congress, you’re playing with fire…
Everything happened in the public domain, whether it was 2G, 3G, or the coal scam. There was something wrong which is why the Congress lost the last election by the biggest ever margin. It’s all there in the film but tackled sensitively. And at the end of the day, it is an entertaining film, not a documentary.

What next?
For the last year-and-a-half, I was only focussed on making an honest film. This is the first time a film like this has been made in India or even the world as it’s on people who are still active in politics and will soon go out to ask people for votes. So, I haven’t had the time to think about the next thing. 

BOMBAY TIMES (April 5, 2018)

The political drama The Accidental Prime Minister, based on the book by Sanjaya Baru, commenced principal photography in London on Monday. The film, which features Anupam Kher in the lead role, traces the making and unmaking of the former Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh. Ever since the first poster of the movie released a few months ago, the striking resemblance between the veteran actor and the former PM has become a talking point.

Speaking about the project, Anupam Kher said, “The opportunity to portray a contemporary personality like Dr Manmohan Singh in The Accidental Prime Minister is an immense challenge for me as an actor. He is part of the 24/7 media era, and the world knows his persona minutely. I have been internalising this character for the past few months. I look forward to translating that effort into cinematic reality.”

The movie is directed by debutant Vijay Ratnakar Gutte, along with Hansal Mehta as the creative producer and also features Akshaye Khanna as Sanjaya Baru, the former media advisor to the PM. The script is written by Mayank Tewari, who recently won the Asian Film Awards for India’s official Oscar’s entry, Newton.

The Accidental Prime Minister, produced by Bohra Bros, is slated to release on December 21, 2018.

MUMBAI MIRROR (March 13, 2018)

For his next cinematic outing, critically acclaimed actor Akshaye Khanna is gearing up to portray the role of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s media advisor and chief spokesperson Sanjay Baru in Vijay Ratnakar Gutte’s directorial debut The Accidental Prime Minister. The film has Anupam Kher in the role of Dr Manmohan Singh.

Director Vijay Gutte admitted that he was blessed to make his big screen debut with “some of the finest talents in the Hindi film industry like Akshaye and Anupam ji.”

Speaking of his newest project, Akshaye told Mirror, “I am thrilled and excited to be a part of a venture which will be path-breaking and a game-changer on many levels.”

While the 42-year-old actor has not yet had the “privilege” of meeting Baru, he added, “The balance (between the two biggest political parties of India) in the narrative which he (Baru) gave to the book is admirable.”

When asked about his role, Akshaye elaborated, “Having a role in the film is secondary. I think it is an important movie and even if my role in it was insignificant, I would have still done it,” quick to clarify that his role in the film is “outstanding” and the screenplay “divine”. When asked if the making of the film and its release were timed to suit the upcoming 2019 general elections, Akshaye insisted that there was no such agenda behind the endeavour. “It is very natural to suspect a hidden motive behind the making of a political thriller of such gravity and scale. But I love the way my director and the entire team of the film have been approaching the movie which is without any political inclinations,” the actor insists.

When prodded to talk about the film in greater detail, director Vijay Gutte says, “This film is a celebration of the Indian democracy and its innate resilience across diversities. It seeks to champion truth as its only agenda.”

The film is produced by Bohra Brothers and Rudra Productions and goes on the floors on March 31 in London. It is slated for a December 21, 2018 theatrical release and is based on the bestselling book The Accidental Prime Minister.

Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; February 26, 2015)

Almost a fortnight after the Sharib Hashmi-starrer 'Badmashiyaan' was embroiled in a copyright violation case, the makers are said to have opted for an out-of-court settlement to facilitate the film’s release — albeit delayed by a week.

The Delhi High court had restrained the distribution and exhibition of the film’s trailer after Multi Screen Media (MSM) and Kaleidoscope Entertainment Pvt Ltd claimed it to be a copy of the Korean film, Couples, on which their yet-to-be-released film Mango is based.

Yesterday, VRG Motion Pictures, which has produced Badmashiyaan, and MSM mutually decided to settle the issue out of court. "The terms and conditions of the contract are being worked out. The lawyers will decide on the amount today so that the film can release by next week," says a source.

Badmashiyaan’s star cast — Sharib, Sidhant Gupta, Suzanna Mukherjee and Karan Mehra — have been seen promoting the film in spite of the legal trouble.

The film's producer Vijay Gutte confirms having decided on an out-of-the-court settlement. "Before the terms and conditions are chalked out, we cannot divulge anything," he says.

MID-DAY (February 11, 2015)

The Delhi High Court has put brakes on the promotions of Badmashiyaan following allegations of copyright infringement. It has restrained the distribution and exhibition of the film’s trailer after Multi Screen Media (MSM) and Kaleidoscope Entertainment Pvt Ltd claimed it to be a copy of the Korean film, Couples, on which their yet-to-be-released film Mango is based.

The production house claims that the court granted them relief on the basis that they have exclusive rights to the Hindi remake of Couples (2011). Interestingly, the Korean film in question is itself a remake of the 2005 Japanese film, A Stranger of Mine. While Mango went on the floors in 2013, Badmashiyaan was filmed last year.

Pleading ignorance about the court order, Vijay Gutte, producer of Badmaashiyaan, says: “We have not received any notice or court order from anyone. We have been promoting our film since a month.”

Advocate Rizwan Siddiquee, who represents VRG Motion Pictures that has produced Badmaashiyaan, states no notice was served or any claim made for any alleged copyright infringement. He adds that the restraining order has neither been served to the makers nor were they aware of any such proceedings. “They are now keen to see the grounds on which the court order seems to have been granted for alleged copyright violation without hearing my client or even viewing the film. While my client is duly seeking service of the order copy, we have already started preparing to challenge the said order,” he says.