Showing posts with label Vikram Vedha. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vikram Vedha. Show all posts
My role in Rang De Basanti was only for 9 minutes but it added to my immortality as an actor-R Madhavan
8:30 AM
R Madhavan, who moves on to Dhurandhar with Ranveer Singh after Hisaab Barabar, states ensemble films have enriched his career over the years
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; January 23, 2025)
You’ll see me a lot this year,” promises R Madhavan when we call him to speak about Hisaab Barabar. The ZEE5 thriller is his first project of what will be a busy year, with De De Pyaar De 2, a rom-com with Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Dhurandhar in the pipeline. Incidentally, each of his characters is different.
“I want to do roles that I can relate to. I’ve had such varied life experiences that I know how a railway man behaves, as well as how someone in Decoupled [2021] does. My wife says, ‘You’ve done a comedy in English, dramas in English and Tamil, and action. Why can’t you make up your mind about who you are?’ That’s exactly who I am, someone who can’t make up their mind,” he laughs.
What drew Madhavan to Hisaab Barabar, also starring Kirti Kulhari and Neil Nitin Mukesh, is the story’s relatability. Ashwini Dhir’s directorial venture revolves around how a ticket collector uncovers a bank scam.
“History has seen that the moment the regime starts derailing the common man’s life, [he will fight back]. This has been explored beautifully in the film,” shares the actor.
After Hisaab Barabar, Madhavan will star alongside Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna and Arjun Rampal in Dhurandhar. The actor’s filmography is peppered with ensemble films despite the industry’s perception that they pose a risk to one’s stardom. Mention this, and he simply says,
“Imagine all the ensemble films that I’ve done. Now, imagine me not doing a Rang De Basanti [2006], or 3 Idiots [2009] or Vikram Vedha [2017]. Whose loss would it have been? Even though my role in Rang De Basanti was only for nine minutes, being part of such projects adds to my immortality as an actor. In 3 Idiots, I was playing second fiddle to Aamir Khan. But it didn’t upset my stardom in Tamil [cinema]. These are barriers that people in the industry draw around themselves to protect their own insecurities. I don’t have such insecurity.”
Madhavan recalls being advised against being a part of Anbe Sivam (2002) with Kamal Haasan. “Everyone said, ‘He is not known to share credit.’ But he bent over backwards to make sure that I got the role of a lifetime,” he recounts.
Meet Mansoor Ali Khan, Hrithik Roshan’s stunt double, who resembles Sushant Singh Rajput
8:35 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 25, 2023)
Pictures of stuntman Mansoor Ali Khan have taken the internet by storm. The reason? His striking resemblance with late actor late Sushant Singh Rajput. “Once or twice earlier, too, my picture has gone viral. But, never at this level!” Khan, who is actor Hrithik Roshan’s stunt double, tells us.
Ask if anyone has mentioned his resemblance to Rajput earlier, and Khan says, “Sushant aur main 2009 mein same martial arts teacher se training lete the. We would meet often in class. He wasn’t doing television at that time. People would tell me even then, ‘Tum dono ek jaise dikhte ho, ek hi jaisi height, physique aur personality’.”
Born in Delhi, Khan moved to Mumbai in search of better career prospects. His first film, he says, was Salman Khan-starrer Wanted (2009). “I was a stuntman in it. Then, I did Ek Tha Tiger (2012). My first film with Hrithik sir as a [stunt] double was Agneepath (2012). I went on to do Kaabil (2017), War (2019) and recently, Vikram Vedha (2022).”
He goes on to add, “I have been a stunt double for other actors too, but when I met Hrithik, mujhe unhone feel hi nahin karaya ki woh itne bade superstar hain. Hello bola aur gale mile, and we shot [for the scene]. Then, he told me, ‘Hum saath mein aur kaam karenge’. He didn’t say this just because I look the way I do... He is a kind person. He is caring and appreciates me.”
Even though it was commercially unsuccessful, mere liye Vikram Vedha bahut badi success thi-Sharib Hashmi
8:37 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 17, 2023)
Though Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan-starrer Vikram Vedha (2022) didn’t manage to earn the expected numbers at the box office, Sharib Hashmi feels the project benefitted his career. The actor, who played the antagonist in the Pushkar–Gayathri directorial, feels the movie helped him with an image makeover.
“I was overwhelmed with the response my character Babloo bhaiya got. Mehnat ki thi iss film pe. Pehli baar aisa kirdaar play kar raha tha. The directors really worked hard on my character,” he says.
The Family Man actor adds, “Vikram Vedha was a win-win for me. I played a supporting role, but I got appreciation messages from many people from the industry. Even though it was commercially unsuccessful, mere liye Vikram Vedha bahut badi success thi.”
Addressing the disappointing box-office numbers, the 46-year-old says they were “a mystery” for the team, too. “It had all the right things — Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan, comedy, action… When a film doesn’t perform as per expectations, it is saddening. It’s a different thing to be associated with a film that works, because one benefits from it. For example, in Scam 1992, I just had one scene and it got appreciation. I am only seen in the beginning, but even then people remember me,” he ends.
A list of top twenty five original Hind film grossers of 2022
8:54 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
THE KASHMIR FILES remained the biggest grosser of the year as far as outright Hindi films go though if the film did not get sponsored screenings, the business would have been less than the likes of DRISHYAM 2, BRAHMASTRA and BHOOL BHULAIYAA 2. It is impossible to tell what is the actual organic collection of the film but the facts say it is the highest grosser of the year. However, if all things were equal it would had been DRISHYAM 2 as the top outright Hindi film of the year.
The total collections of the top 25 films amounted to 1859 crore and there will probably be another 5 crore nett to come from the films still running. So lets say a total of 1865 crore nett from the top 25 films. The same in 2019 was 3500 crore with the top ten films alone easily covering the 1865 crore of 2022. This 47% down from 2019; its a huge drop and the figures show the dire situation. Its a horrible scene outside the top five grossers.
Basically business has gone back ten years as in 2012 the top twenty five films picked up around 1950 crore while in 2011 it was 1500 crore. The overall picture is not too bad as there was KGF - CHAPTER 2 (Hindi) and RRR (Hindi) but this will not happen every year. If same time next year, we are up 50% it would be a good result and anything more will be a bonus. Obviously you want to see the major 25 films put up 3000 or 3500 crore like in 2019 but it may take longer to get there.
The top twenty five grossers of 2022 are as follows.
1. The Kashmir Files - 2,46,91,00,000
2. Drishyam 2 - 2,32,00,00,000 (52 days; Still Running)
3. Brahmastra - 2,30,23,00,000
4. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 - 1,81,65,00,000
5. Gangubai Kathiawadi - 1,26,32,00,000
6. Vikram Vedha - 79,53,00,000
7. JugJugg Jeeyo - 78,53,00,000
8. Ram Setu - 72,72,00,000
9. Samrat Prithviraj - 68,06,00,000
10. Bhediya - 60,25,00,000 (45 Days; Still Running)
11. Laal Singh Chaddha - 59,58,50,000
12. Bachchhan Paandey - 49,00,00,000
13. Raksha Bandhan - 45,23,00,000
14. Shamshera - 41,05,00,000
15. Ek Villain Returns - 39,74,25,000
16. Cirkus - 35,75,00,000 (18 days; Still Running)
17. Runway 34 - 33,51,50,000
18. Thank God - 32,98,50,000
19. Uunchai - 28,65,00,000 (59 Days; Still Running)
20. Heropanti 2 - 24,91,00,000
21. Doctor G - 24,33,50,000
22. Jersey - 20,46,50,000
23. Badhaai Ho - 18,97,00,000
24. Jayeshbhai Jordaar - 16,59,25,000
25. Jhund - 14,30,50,000
Saif Ali Khan calls Vikram Vedha’s failure ‘extremely disappointing’
8:15 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (November 22, 2022)
Actor Saif Ali Khan, in a recent interview, said it was “extremely disappointing” for him to witness the poor box-office performance of his film, Vikram Vedha.
In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Khan said Vikram Vedha was appreciated by many, and with him and actor Hrithik Roshan in the lead, it was expected to do well, but it didn’t. “The reason we should be very polite to each other is because nobody has any clue of what works and doesn’t work,” Khan added.
On being asked about the majority of Bollywood films not performing at the box office, the Tandav actor said, “I have no idea, but something is happening. People will continue to make movies. Prices will keep fluctuating because some of our pricing is insane. We pay people astronomically and the returns have been not good.”
He also said that only two per cent of the population actually pays to watch films, but if the number increases to 20%, it could make it a wealthy industry. However, he noted that people will have to make money to pay for films.
Overseas sees decent results in 2022; Brahmastra is the top grosser
2:57 PM
Box Office India Trade Network
The overseas market has seen decent results in 2022 and that is adding to the success of SOORYAVANSHI and '83 at the fag end of 2021. There have been eight films which have done decent or better business and they are BRAHMASTRA, LAAL SINGH CHADDHA, GANGUBAI KATHIAWADI, BHOOL BHULAIYAA 2, THE KASHMIR FILES, VIKRAM VEDHA, JUGJUGG JEEYO and EK VILLAIN RETURNS.
The HIT or better films in Overseas are BRAHMASTRA, GANGUBAI KATHIAWADI, BHOOL BHULAIYAA 2, THE KASHMIR FILES and EK VILLAIN RETURNS. LAAL SINGH CHADDHA can be called decent but with Shah Rukh Khan or Aamir Khan, who are the biggest stars by a distant, the number is dull as for these two stars, $10 million should come eyes closed even on bad content.
The performance in overseas is driven by numbers in US/Canada and the market here is very much like a big metro in India. So this pre pandemic content held its audience in US while the Indian market has gone into transformation post pandemic as the importance of centres outside the metros has emerged. BRAHMASTRA is the only film to cross $10 million but CIRKUS with a Christmas release will have to the potential to cross $10 million even though it will be a film more for the mass markets in India. The period will give the film a big boost and it could even challenge BRAHMASTRA if the film is good.
The top ten grossers overseas for 2022 are as follows.
1. Brahmastra - $14,150,000
2. Laal Singh Chaddha - $7,640,000
3. Gangubai Kathiawadi - $7,470,000
4. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 - $5,880,000
5. The Kashmir Files - $5,710,000
6. Vikram Vedha - $5,100,000
7. JugJugg Jeeyo - $4,580,000
8. Ek Villain Returns - $2,450,000
9. Runway 34 - $1,900,000
10. Bachchhan Paandey - $1,850,000
It’s a myth that the era of remakes is over. I will continue to make them-Boney Kapoor
11:16 PM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; November 1, 2022)
During the pandemic, when several movie projects were put on hold, producer Boney Kapoor was neckdeep managing over half-a-dozen films. In 2019, he produced the Tamil film Nerkonda Paarvai, which was followed by Telugu drama Vakeel Saab with Pawan Kalyan in 2021 and since then, he has been actively working on multiple South movies between 2020 and 2021. His Tamil film Valimai starring Ajith Kumar that released this year enjoyed massive success. He also bankrolled the South remakes of successful Hindi films like Article 15 and Badhaai Ho this year. Now that he has wholeheartedly plunged into producing South movies, Boney has been winning a lot of appreciation from industry folks and the audience. At the moment, he is extremely excited about his upcoming production Mili (a remake of the Malayalam film Helen), starring Janhvi Kapoor in the lead. In a chat with Bombay Times, he talks about collaborating with his daughter for the first time, aiming to hit a century by producing 100 films and more. Excerpts:
You are collaborating with your daughter Janhvi for the first time with Mili. The premise of the film, where her character gets trapped inside a freezer, seems to be a solid performance-driven role. Is this what prompted you to cast Janhvi in this survival thriller?
I was approached by a producer to make this film and he wanted Janhvi for the part. Yeh film ek-do mahine se unke (Janhvi) manager ke paas thi. I had already been recommended to watch the original. When I saw it, I couldn’t control my tears and I jumped into this subject wholeheartedly. I chose director Mathukutty Xavier of the original film, who won the National Award for it. Even before the director was signed, I approached Manoj Pahwa, who saw the original and said yes. My daughter is an enthusiastic and hardworking actor. She insisted on shooting in an actual freezer where the temperature was as low as -8 to -12 degrees. In the second half of the film, she hardly has dialogues, and it is only through her expressions that everything is conveyed. I was sure she could pull off this part well, especially after seeing the kind of varied characters she has played in her previous films. The audience should wait and watch her in a full-fledged comedy film because that is her forte. She has fantastic comic timing and a sense of humour like her mother (Sridevi).
Through the pandemic, where there was uncertainty and work came to a halt, you were actively involved with several projects. In the last three years, you have worked on as many as eight movies in different languages. What has kept you going?
With Ajay Devgn-starrer Maidaan (which now releases on February 17, 2023) I would have had eight films released between 2019 and 2022. And then there are four-five films in the pipeline in different languages — Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam, including my third film with Ajith, which will release during Pongal in January next year. I just wanted to remain busy throughout. I have lost count, but I think I have done almost 50 films till now and I want to score a century! I want to be a Sachin Tendulkar or a Virat Kohli (laughs!). Talking about uncertainty in the business, I made Mr. India (1987) at a budget of Rs 3.8 crore, at a time when films were made on the budget of Rs 50 to 70 lakhs. People went to my father and said that your son has gone mad and they told my brother Anil that I was ruining his career as he would be invisible in a major part of the film. They also told him that through this movie, I only wanted to highlight Sridevi (as an actor). I poured in so much money into the project that at the time of the release, I was broke. But today, each and every character in the film has become iconic. I had faith in the project and I told Anil that you will be remembered as Mr. India till your last breath.
Everyone in the industry is aware of your generosity as a producer. But in today’s times, producers are focusing on tighter budgets and cutting costs. Have you also changed the way you approach a project?
Of course, I am a little more realistic now. I was madly passionate to the extent that I used to get indulgent at times. I am no more indulgent, but the passion is still there. Earlier, I would produce films independently, but today I have partners on board, so I am the custodian of their investment. All the films I have done in recent times have given good returns and this is how I want to continue. For Mili, I am happy that Zee Studios showed faith in me and trusted me. It has been a great partnership with them so far.
You have entertained the audience with original films as well as remakes. You introduced a South hit like Pokiri to the Hindi audience by making Wanted and gave the South audience the taste of Hindi cinema with remakes of films like Pink, Article 15 and Badhaai Ho. As someone who understands what goes into remaking a film, how do you look at the current scenario, where people are saying that remakes are not working at the box office anymore?
It’s a myth that the era of remakes is over. Well, that’s utter rubbish. Remakes have always been there. Back in the day, Aurat was made into Mother India and The Departed was the remake of Infernal Affairs. Likewise, Indecent Proposal was made into Judaai. Talking about the remakes of recent times, Vikram Vedha in Tamil was also called Vikram Vedha. It was dubbed in various languages as Vikram Vedha. It was available across all platforms for the audience to consume. So, when people sitting at home have consumed it already, then why would they go to a theatre to watch the film? Yeh same Jersey aur HIT: The First Case ke saath bhi hua. When I made Wanted, we worked on Prakash Raj’s character. The actor was new to the Hindi audience, so we shot again with him and added a few of his introduction shots... ki as a villain woh kaisa cruel aur sharp hai. After all, jab tak mera villain strong nahi hoga, my hero will not work! I am not saying I am the authority when it comes to remakes, as I have also gone wrong, but people cannot just make a statement that remakes don’t work anymore. As a filmmaker, I will continue to do remakes and I am looking forward to Mili.
Lately, several South films have worked wonders at the box office, while most Hindi films are struggling to draw the audience to the theatres. As a filmmaker, where do you think Bollywood is falling short?
It is happening because most of our filmmakers are driven and inspired by Hollywood. Today, filmmakers from the South are making films that our Hindi filmmakers like Manmohan Desai and Prakash Mehra once made — full-blooded commercial cinema. At that time packaging itni achchi nahi hoti thi, ab yeh log achchi packaging karke, achcha VFX daal ke bana rahe hai. In filmon mein taali maarne ki situation hai, seeti maarne ki situation hai, gaane, action, dialoguebaazi... sab kuch hai. Initially, South filmmakers were looking up to Bollywood, but today, our filmmakers are in awe of them. In that case, I think I made the right move of heading down South and making movies there at the right time.
While in Bollywood, stars enjoy massive fan-following, the superstars down South are also worshipped by their fans. Recently, there was a video doing the rounds where fans showed their love by pouring milk on your car. Did you expect such kind of love?
(Laughs!) I was surprised to see that reaction. As much as I have enjoyed working with actors here (Bollywood), I have loved working with actors down South, too. They are so professional and concerned about the film and the way their character is shaping up. It is my experience, sincerity, honesty and dedication towards my work that people are seeing and hence, they want to work with me.
I jokingly asked Pushkar and Gayatri, ‘Why didn’t you make Vikram and Vedha women?’-Radhika Apte
8:29 AM
Undeterred by her short screen time in Vikram Vedha, Radhika says film’s relevance in today’s times made her say yes to Hrithik-Saif starrer
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 7, 2022)
As the title suggests, Vikram Vedha, which sees a cop in pursuit of a gangster, is a Saif Ali Khan and Hrithik Roshan show all the way. You’d wonder why an actor of Radhika Apte’s calibre — reliable as ever and lending gravitas to her scenes — would do the two-hero project. Did the promise of a commercial success make her say yes to the actioner?
“It’s a good film, and that matters to me. So many times, you are part of a film, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you like the film. Here, I like the film,” she smiles. “As for the body of work, no matter what your resumé has, success means so much in our industry. It makes you a bit relevant suddenly. Your commercial viability depends on your box-office success.”
Though the industry is evolving to depict women exercising agency on screen, one of the problems of male-driven masala movies is the little screen time it offers to its leading ladies. Director duo Pushkar-Gayatri’s movie falls into that trap. “I knew the story was about two men. My part was always going to be small. That said, it’s not about screen time. I loved working with Gayatri and Pushkar. I jokingly said, ‘Why didn’t you make Vikram and Vedha women?’ They told me there will be a next time. Would I like to be in films that offer me more scope and time? Definitely.”
For now, she is happy with how the movie perceives morality, depicting the thin line that separates the good and bad. “Vikram is darker than Vedha; that’s what I loved about the movie. I am tired of watching good and bad based on society’s ideas and mandated moralities that make no sense to me. People are extreme and intolerant across the world. The film is relevant for the times we are living in.”
Another source of joy for Apte was reuniting with her Sacred Games (2018) co-star. She says a lot of “uninhibited” conversations went into creating the on-screen couple. “I loved working with Saif. He is well-read, funny and straight-forward. He speaks his mind, and as a co-actor, he is receptive to your viewpoints. The one thing we brought in consciously to the couple was equality in their dynamics.”
Advance booking discounts to special Friday offers: Movie tickets are set to get cheaper, but not every day
8:18 AM
While theatres won’t be dropping ticket rates to a uniform price of ₹75-100, they are open to rolling out more promotional offers on a per-movie basis
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; October 7, 2022)
On September 23, cinemas celebrated India’s first-ever National Cinema Day in multiple states, with many theatres lowering their ticket prices to Rs. 75. With houseful boards back at several cinemas and people even watching movies back-to-back through the day, it was evident that lower prices can bring the audience back to theatres. As a result, cinemas are now discussing the need to reassess the current ticket pricing model. Several also offered movie tickets for a special festive price of Rs. 100 last Monday till Thursday, and many are planning to experiment with an affordable price model in the long run to sustain this momentum.
However, based on their learnings over the past two weeks, stakeholders say that while there will be “no uniform lower ticket price”, they are planning to offer discounts and promotional prices on a per-movie basis. Here’s more:
‘FLAT CHEAPER PRICES EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK DOES NOT TRANSLATE INTO HIGHER FOOTFALL’
According to Rajender Singh Jyala, Chief Programming Officer, INOX Leisure Ltd, “Even though we are still in the experimental phase, we have observed that last week’s footfall was higher than normal pricing days, but it wasn’t the same as National Cinema Day. The reason is that National Cinema Day was just one day, and so people didn’t want to miss it. When the promotional offer was spread out over five days, they must have thought, ‘if not today, then we can watch the film some other day’.”
Kunal Sawhney, COO, Moviemax also said during a recent discussion in Mumbai that keeping uniform lower prices is definitely not the way ahead, based on their observations from south India, where film ticket prices fall in the Rs. 100-200 slab on all days. He said, “A film’s ticket price can be fixed depending on the experience that film is providing. The right product has to be given at the right price.”
Regular, popular, blockbuster and mega blockbuster – prices are often decided on the basis of which category a movie falls in. Recently, for example, while Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan: I’s ticket prices fell in the regular category, Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan-starrer Vikram Vedha’s ticket prices were revised from the blockbuster to regular category.
ADVANCE BOOKING DISCOUNTS TO SPECIAL FRIDAY OFFERS: EXPECT MORE PROMOTIONAL PRICES
For releases like the Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Goodbye, some cinemas lowered ticket prices on Friday, while for Ajay Devgn’s Drishyam 2, moviegoers got a 50% discount on advance bookings for a day. Jyala says, “In discussion with the makers, cinemas will keep offering lower rates on specific days for films or will roll out promotional offers.”
Kamal Gianchandani, President, Multiplex Association of India (MAI), told us, “There is a lot of experimentation being done by various cinema operators at this point. Disney, Dharma, and other studios, who have films playing in theatres, have been very supportive in this regard. We are constantly listening to our customers and other stakeholders in the business. We have always taken ticket pricing and other similar decisions keeping the interest of consumers and all stakeholders in mind. We will continue to do so in the future.”
I upped my performance to match Hrithik Roshan's-Rohit Saraf
8:29 AM
Fan-boy Rohit Saraf says Vikram Vedha co-star Hrithik’s dedication to craft was a lesson for him
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 5, 2022)
In stark contrast to his loverboy character in 'Mismatched', Rohit Saraf plays a criminal in Vikram Vedha. The actor, who plays Hrithik Roshan’s brother, says rubbing shoulders with him was a “dream come true”.
“Every aspiring actor needs co-actors who can encourage you. I am relatively new in the industry, and Hrithik Roshan, for me, was that guy. I upped my performance to match his. We often hear about our co-stars’ personalities. Everyone had told me that Hrithik sir is well prepared for every shot, and indeed his preparation is amazing. He is on point, and so dedicated to his craft that what he does with each scene [is magical]. When he is on set, he is not Hrithik Roshan. He is [his character] Vedha. It was a huge learning experience for me. To achieve his brilliance will take years of practice, but to see the process up close and personal was fascinating.”
If Roshan taught him to up his act on screen, he also taught him the importance of being empathetic to his crew, behind the scenes. “He ensures his co-actors are taken care of as well. When we did scenes together, he would look at not just his close-ups on the monitor, but mine too.”
Certain that this film portrays another aspect of his skill set, he adds, “I am chasing versatility, and the film takes me to every nook and corner of the country.” Saraf’s last project, Mismatched 2, released recently, and featured Prajakta Koli.
(Crisp) Movie Review: VIKRAM VEDHA by FENIL SETA
7:29 AM
Vikram Vedha is as good as the original and is a justified adaptation. The script is the same but Pushkar-Gayatri have made suitable tweaks here and there and have also convincingly set the film in Lucknow. Manoj Muntashir’s dialogues are sharp while Sam C S's is electrifying and enhances the mass element. But the most memorable part of the film is the interactions between the two principal characters. The way it’s executed and also the manner in which the actors have performed is seen to be believed. Sadly, the film has certain shortcomings. It’s lengthier than the original and at some points, the interest drops. A few developments are not explained properly which is strange since this is a film where even the most random and minor aspects have some relevance. Speaking of performances, Hrithik Roshan is outstanding, to say the least. He gets into the skin of the character and has delivered an award-winning performance. Usually, one tends to draw parallels with the actor who performed a similar role in the original version. In this case, one won’t be able to do so as the superstar has not aped Vijay Sethupathi at all and has interpreted it in his style. And the result will stun even the staunch fans of the 2017 film! Saif Ali Khan, too, puts his best foot forward. His personality and talent make him apt for this role. The chemistry shared by the two is too good. Rohit Saraf looks dashing and puts up a fine act. Radhika Apte and Yogita Bihani do well in supporting roles. Sharib Hashmi, as always, is memorable. Manuj Sharma (Deepak) leaves a mark. All in all, Vikram Vedha is a paisa vasool fare!
My rating - *** ½ out of 5!
My rating - *** ½ out of 5!
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 745
11:58 PM
WILL VIKRAM VEDHA EMERGE AS ANOTHER HIT FILM OF BOLLYWOOD?
Brahmastra is a hit and has brought a lot of happiness into the industry. Now, all eyes are on Vikram Vedha, starring Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan. It is the 2017 remake of the same name and just the original version, it is also directed by Pushkar-Gayatri. Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan have stepped into the shoes of Vijay Sethupathi and R Madhavan respectively. Radhika Apte, Rohit Saraf and Sharib Hashmi also feature in this movie.
The teaser of the film was very well received and it made it clear that the film is promising. The trailer confirmed it. Many expected the film to open at Rs. 25 crores plus. However, it doesn’t seem to be happening and the first-day earnings should be in the range of Rs. 14-15 crores. As per the trends nowadays, the public is adopting a wait-and-watch strategy for this film. Hence, the advance booking is satisfactory but nowhere near Brahmastra. What has gone against the film is that it doesn’t look like an ideal family film. Also, the song ‘Alcoholia’ got noticed but didn’t become a chartbuster.
On the positive side, the response from the special screenings and media previews is unanimously positive. It has given hope that even if the morning and afternoon shows perform poorly, the film will pick up in the evening and night. Moreover, Sunday, October 2 is the Gandhi Jayanti holiday and then there’s Dussehra on Wednesday, October 5. The collections on these two days can be huge. Also, it has no competition till Diwali. Hence, if the public accepts the film, it’ll run in cinemas for 4-5 weeks successfully.
The other release of the week is Ponniyin Selvan - Part 1. It is a Tamil film, which will be dubbed in Hindi. Directed by Mani Ratnam, it stars Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Trisha, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sobhita Dhulipala, Jayaram, Prakash Raj and others. Due to the sprawling star cast and association of A R Rahman and Mani Ratnam, the excitement for the Tamil version is incredible. Hence, it’s sure to have a record opening down South. The Hindi version, however, will struggle to cross even the Rs. 1 crore mark on Friday.
Finally, there’s Plan A Plan B on Netflix. It stars Riteish Deshmukh and Tamannaah Bhatia and is directed by Shashanka Ghosh. The trailer looks fresh and it can make for a nice romcom.
In Vikram Vedha, Saif Ali Khan, Hrithik Roshan are on par with each other-Rakesh Roshan
8:28 AM
Asserting that Vikram Vedha is distinct from Tamil original, Rakesh Roshan says thriller scores because of directors’ fresh voice and leads’ performances
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; September 28, 2022)
In his decades of experience as a filmmaker, Rakesh Roshan has firmly held on to a belief — for a film to be successful, it must reflect the director’s unique voice. “If people come out of a screening and say, ‘Kya picture banayi hai’, it means the director has put his stamp on it. If you don’t see that, the movie won’t do well,” he asserts.
He is happy to observe that Pushkar-Gayatri’s next, Vikram Vedha, fulfils that criterion. The noir thriller is among the most anticipated Hindi movies of the year. It not only brings Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan together, but also sees the south directors foray into Bollywood with an adaptation of their acclaimed 2017 Tamil offering of the same name.
It has become common for Hindi filmmakers to turn to the south for remakes. But Roshan credits Pushkar-Gayatri for giving a distinct identity to the Hindi adaptation that sees Hrithik’s gangster Vedha pitted against Khan’s cop character.
“I had seen the Tamil Vikram Vedha before. After I watched Hrithik and Saif’s movie, I didn’t feel it was a remake. The directors have changed some sequences and added elements to make it a new film altogether, while retaining its [essence]. There are many Hollywood remakes, too, but how a director presents the film [matters].”
Roshan saw the first print on Friday with actor-son Hrithik, going in for a repeat viewing on Monday. The “riveting” screenplay, and the stellar performances stayed with him. “As Hrithik’s father, I may [sound biased]. But as a director, I can tell you that Saif and Hrithik are on par with each other in the film. If there was a slight imbalance in their performances, the movie wouldn’t have worked.”
So impressed was he by Khan that the filmmaker sent him an appreciation message right after the trial. “I messaged Saif, saying, ‘The film would have been incomplete without you.’ He replied saying that is good news. After the first screening, I hugged the directors and told them, ‘You’ve made a mind-blowing film. Now, you can sleep [after months of working].’”
After success of National Cinema Day, tickets to be available for Rs. 100 this week
8:28 AM
As cinema owners reduce ticket rates again, industry experts explain the reason behind slashed prices and the way forward
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 27, 2022)
On National Cinema Day (September 23), movie buffs thronged cinema halls, as the tickets were modestly priced at Rs. 75. From Brahmastra being sold out in almost all theatres, to Chup: Revenge Of The Artist and Dhoka Round D Corner, every film benefited. Now, to mark the festive period, film tickets will be priced at ₹100 till September 29.
TEST THE WATERS
Rajender Singh Jyala, chief programming officer, INOX Leisure, tells us, “After a positive response to the Rs. 75 plan, we thought of experimenting some more. We wanted to see if lower ticket prices get the same response again or if it was just a one-day phenomenon. If it gets the same kind of response, we can discuss about this (low ticket rates) with the stakeholders.”
Films such as Chup: Revenge Of The Artist managed to rake in the moolah due to the cheap pricing, says director R Balki: “It doesn’t immediately position itself as a mass film. The Rs. 75 pricing opened us up to the fact that so many people want to come to the theatres; it’s only the high ticket prices that keep them away.”
PEOPLE VS PRICES
The focus should be on getting more people to the theatres, than just making one ticket expensive, feels exhibitor Akshaye Rathi. “I hope the movie-going business can go back to being more accessible,” he shares.
FESTIVE HIKE
The festive period is usually accompanied by hiked ticket prices, as big films usually release around this time. So, why reduce the prices? Trade analyst Taran Adarsh says it’s because people are in the mood to spend during this time. “They travel, shop and watch films. When you keep ticket for as low as Rs. 75 and Rs. 100 on weekdays, it’s a great idea.”
What cannot be missed is the fact that the ticket prices have only been reduced until September 29, so two big films that release on September 30 — actors Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan’s Vikram Vedha and filmmaker Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan: I (PS 1) — will not be available for Rs. 100 per ticket.
Jyala emphasises that producers feel if the budget of a film is high and the ticket prices are low, the recovery won’t happen: “Hence, Vikram Vedha and PS 1 will play at a regular price.”
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After the success of National Cinema Day, some cinemas are selling tickets for as low as Rs. 100 as a special Navratri offer, and some are planning to experiment with an affordable ticket pricing model in the future too
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; September 28, 2022)
“Would you go to watch more films at cinemas if tickets cost less?” – when we asked moviegoers this, almost all of them responded positively. And guess what? Multiplexes are listening and hence it was not just on last Friday (National Cinema Day) when tickets cost only Rs. 75 or this week when all films playing in theatres will cost you only Rs. 100 (offer lasts till Thursday), but cinemas are planning to experiment with an affordable pricing model in the long run.
‘LOT OF EXPERIMENTATION BEING DONE BY CINEMA OPERATORS’
Following the two-year hiatus due to the pandemic and later due to high ticket prices, when moviegoers registered a record of over 65 lakh consumers in a day on National Cinema Day, it led to discussions on lowering average ticket prices and hence the experimenting phase in cinemas has begun.
Kamal Gianchandani, President, Multiplex Association of India (MAI), says, “There is a lot of experimentation being done by various cinema operators at this point. Disney, Dharma and other studios, who have films playing in theatres, have been very supportive in this regard. We are constantly listening to our customers and other stakeholders of the business. We have always taken ticket pricing and other similar decisions keeping the interest of consumers and all stakeholders in mind. We will continue to do so in the future.”
100, 112, 120, OR 150 – CINEMAS TO DECIDE ON KEEPING THE TICKET PRICE LOW
Rajender Singh Jyala, Chief Programming Officer, INOX Leisure Ltd, says, “This week is an experiment to see if people will come on weekdays at this price. After Thursday once the numbers are in, we will analyze it and decide our next step.”
Does this mean that cinemas will continue to keep lower prices? “Yes, we are experimenting with this. Will it be 112 or 120 or 150 and so on that’s what we will decide. But 75 and 100 are too low to sustain. Big budget films will not be able to recover with this price,” he adds.
NO DISCUSSIONS WITH BIG BUDGET FILMS ON KEEPING 100 SLAB
Recently, when Mani Ratnam visited cinemas for an event, it was reported that there was a discussion on keeping tickets for Rs. 100 only for his upcoming release Ponniyin Selvan: I. However, Gianchandani has denied this.
He says, “This is not true. There has been no such request from Mani Ratnam. He is fully supportive of all ticket pricing-related initiatives that are being taken by the cinema operators.”
Similarly, there were other reports saying that the makers of another upcoming release Vikram Vedha have suggested the same but Jyala says that there has been no such discussion with the makers of this film.
After National Cinema Day, exhibitors to now reduce Vikram Vedha’s ticket prices to lure viewers
8:43 AM
After audiences flock to the theatres on National Cinema Day, exhibitors decide to reduce Vikram Vedha’s ticket prices to lure viewers
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 26, 2022)
On September 23, multiplexes and single-screen theatres across the country celebrated National Cinema Day by slashing ticket prices to Rs 75. The response was overwhelming, with most shows of Brahmastra: Part One — Shiva running to full capacity. The spike in audience footfall was noted by distributors and exhibitors, who are considering making admission costs more affordable. While director Ayan Mukerji has announced that Brahmastra tickets will be available at Rs 100 during the Navratri festival, exhibitors have decided to cap Vikram Vedha ticket prices at Rs 450.
With the advance booking having opened over the weekend for the Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan-starrer, the admission cost at single screens is between Rs 100 and Rs 200. Multiplexes are priced slightly higher, beginning at Rs 300 and going up to Rs 450. Trade sources say that ordinarily, ticket costs for an anticipated movie like Vikram Vedha would’ve ranged from Rs 500 and Rs 750 at multiplexes.
A trade insider says, “Exhibitors want to continue the Brahmastra boom. Since director duo Pushkar-Gayatri's actioner is a masala movie with the potential to draw the audience, leading multiplex chains as well as single-screens have actively ensured that the rates are pocket-friendly.”
For Vikram Vedha, Hrithik Roshan learnt the finer details of handling multiple kinds of weaponry-Pushkar
8:35 AM
With Hrithik’s character evolving into a dreaded gangster, Vikram Vedha director duo discuss how actor trained for weeks in hand-to-hand combat and handling AK-47
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; September 17, 2022)
At its heart, Vikram Vedha is a story of morals, of the fine line that divides good and evil. The most interesting character then is Vedha, a dreaded gangster who had his own reasons to turn to a life of crime. When Hrithik Roshan came on board as the antagonist to Saif Ali Khan’s cop character, the actor had to take extensive weapon training to do justice to the role.
In keeping with the noir thriller’s mood, writer-director duo Pushkar-Gayathri wanted the action sequences to be gritty. Action director Parvez Shaikh and his team worked closely with Roshan for the stunts, particularly two elaborate sequences.
A source reveals, “In the film, there are several gang wars and gun fights, leading to the final face-off between Saif and Hrithik’s characters. Hrithik shot a major portion of the action scenes in the back-lot of Khalifa Industrial Zone in Abu Dhabi, on a set that resembled the streets of Lucknow and Kanpur. One sequence, which sees him wielding a sword, came easy to the actor as he had previously trained in sword-fighting for Jodhaa Akbar [2008]. However, he had to train for almost three weeks before he shot the remaining two set-pieces. While one sees him in a hand-to-hand combat with Saif, the other has him taking on an entire gang single-handedly with a pistol and an AK-47. Since Hrithik knew how to operate a pistol, the focus was on making him adept at handling the rifle.”
The director duo, who had helmed the 2017 Tamil original of the same name, believe it will be a treat to see Roshan in a ruthless avatar. “Vedha starts off as an amateur, and develops into a gangster who is feared by all. Hrithik learnt the finer details of handling multiple kinds of weaponry. As Vedha grows [older], the weapons he uses get an upgrade too,” explains Pushkar.
Gayathri adds, “The attraction for us, as directors, is the way Hrithik emotes through his eyes. There can be a lot going on in the frame, but when Hrithik acts, his eyes speak louder than words.”
Every time, we would ponder over the many takeaways Vikram and Betaal's tales had, say Pushkar-Gayatri
8:17 AM
Having grown up on Vikram-Betaal’s fables, director duo Pushkar-Gayathri on reimagining it as a cop-gangster story in Vikram Vedha
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; September 6, 2022)
Most writers will tell you that their films, regardless of the genre, germinate from a personal place. It isn’t any different for Pushkar-Gayatri who are foraying into Hindi cinema with the ambitious Vikram Vedha, starring Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan. Those who have seen the 2017 Tamil original of the same name — featuring Vijay Sethupathi and R Madhavan — can gauge that the cop-versus-gangster story has its roots in Vikram-Betaal.
“The core of Vikram Vedha’s story is inspired by the famous folklore. As children, we both grew up listening to the stories of Vikram and Betaal, and every time, we would ponder over the many takeaways their tales had,” says Pushkar.
The stories have again found a modern-day adaptation in the upcoming neo-noir thriller, in which Khan plays the conscientious cop Vikram, in pursuit of Roshan’s gangster character, Vedha. When Vedha shares a thought-provoking story in each interaction before slipping away from Vikram’s grasp, it slowly changes the cop’s perspective of good and evil.
Gayatri elaborates, “The film’s treatment draws references from these legends, where every time the two characters face off, they are at crossroads. We were fascinated with the dynamics shared by Vikram and Betaal. So when we started writing the story, we adapted that nostalgia into these characters.”
I feel like I am being stereotyped or pigeonholed-Rohit Saraf
9:14 AM
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 3, 2022)
Known for his chocolate boy image, Rohit Saraf has a strong fan base. But the actor feels he is being typecast, and that’s something he is trying to wriggle out of. “I feel like I am being stereotyped or pigeonholed,” Saraf says, adding that he understands the reason behind it. “The producers and directors don’t see me as somebody who can play a heartland part. It is also because of the way I look, carry myself, speak and the kinds of parts I have done before… they have all been urban. While the characters were different, they all come under one umbrella, which is urban,” he says.
After featuring in Dear Zindagi (2016), Saraf went on to do projects such as Hichki (2018), The Sky Is Pink (2019), Ludo (2020), Mismatched and Feels Like Ishq. Referring to these outings, the 25-year-old shares, “They (filmmakers and audiences) have seen me in urban roles. If I keep feeding them with that kind of content, they will end up imagining me in just that. Having said that, I hope I can change that (the perception) with Vikram Vedha (his upcoming film). It (his role) is something I have not done before. I am keen to see how the audience and filmmakers receive it.”
With every step in the industry, he is fulfilling his dreams, and the actor admits that he is daring to see bigger ones now. “It might sound cliché, but every single project that I am choosing to be a part of or I am getting to be a part of is teaching me something,” Saraf ends.
Fighter: Hrithik Roshan’s 12-week transformation regimen commences
9:03 AM
With Siddharth Anand’s film on the Indian Air Force being penned by ex-Army officer Ramon Chibb, sources say cast and crew are aspiring to make film a visual delight
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; September 4, 2022)
By employing the knowledge he gained as an ex-Army officer, filmmaker Ramon Chibb has been helping Bollywood producers make movies that closely resemble reality. After serving as the creative consultant (army affairs) on Aamir Khan’s Laal Singh Chaddha, Chibb’s next project is the Hrithik Roshan starrer, Fighter, also based on the Indian Air Force.
Chibb’s association with the film is only fitting, given that his father served in the Indian Air Force. Also, Chibb was part of the Kumaon Regiment. For Fighter, Chibb takes on duties as screenplay writer, and shares story-writing credits with Siddharth Anand.
A source says, “Ramon’s knowledge of the Indian armed forces is detailed. He is known for creating television content on the Armed Forces, and has produced and directed Mission Udaan-Inside the Indian Air Force, Mission Navy and Mission Army. He wrote the plot of Fighter keeping the two leads, Hrithik and Deepika Padukone, in mind.”
Filming for the project kicks off on November 15 with high-octane action and dramatic sequences picturised on the two stars. The fact that the offering will showcase India’s first aerial action sequence has made it an anticipated one.
Physical prep has been on for a while, says the source. “Hrithik has started toning up to sport a lean frame. He will also don a crew-cut as Air Force pilots do. He has started his 12-week transformation regimen and will shed the weight that he had put on for Vikram Vedha. Fighter is a VFX-heavy film. Siddharth has kept the action realistic and believable.”
Meanwhile, Ramon and his wife, Anku Pande have acquired the rights to replicate the story of Col Narendra Kumar for the celluloid. Col Kumar was an Indian soldier who helped the Army during 1984’s Operation Meghdoot.
Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan are generous actors and have a deep understanding of the craft, say Pushkar-Gayatri
8:43 AM
Foraying into Bollywood with 'Vikram Vedha', acclaimed director duo Pushkar-Gayathri say Roshan and Khan gave their best to every scene
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; August 27, 2022)
The buzz around 'Vikram Vedha' was inevitable. Since the project was announced in 2021, fans were eager to see Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan face off in the noir thriller. The success of the 2017 Tamil original of the same name only heightened the intrigue around the Hindi adaptation. Naturally then, the teaser of Pushkar-Gayatri’s directorial venture — that dropped online earlier this week — became a talking point among fans and in industry circles.
“We are overwhelmed with the love and positivity that the teaser received from the audience,” say the director duo.
Inspired by the Indian folk tale of Vikram and Betaal, the neo-noir thriller sees an honest cop, Vikram — essayed by Khan — in a cat-and-mouse game with Roshan’s gangster character Vedha. Vikram finds his perspective about good and evil changing as Vedha narrates three stories to him during their interactions.
That Pushkar-Gayatri excel in creating noir thrillers is evident in the success of the Tamil original, and their recent offering Suzhal: The Vortex. Their foray into Bollywood couldn’t have been with better collaborators, they say, heaping praise on the leading men.
“At the outset, the producers and we were looking for the best possible actors for the roles. Naturally, Hrithik and Saif were the top choices. Both are generous actors and have a deep understanding of the craft. It was always about making the scene work. As actors, they were so involved in the script that we were all perfectly in sync.”
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