Showing posts with label Vishesh Films. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vishesh Films. Show all posts
Emraan Hashmi to reunite with Mukesh Bhatt for a twisted musical love story
10:49 AM
Sources say Emraan Hashmi, who was launched by Mukesh Bhatt, to reunite with the producer and director Vishesh Bhatt for a dark love story
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; February 19, 2025)
More often than not, the combination of Emraan Hashmi and producers Mukesh and Mahesh Bhatt has been a winner at the box office, from Murder (2004) to Gangster (2006) and Raaz: The Mystery Continues (2009). While the actor’s last collaboration with Vishesh Films was Raaz: Reboot in 2016, it looks like another association is in the offing. mid-day has learnt that Hashmi is in talks with Mukesh’s son and filmmaker-writer Vishesh Bhatt for a twisted musical love story.
The project will mark Vishesh’s second directorial venture after Murder 3 (2013). More importantly, it will be a homecoming of sorts for Hashmi, who hasn’t worked with his uncle Mukesh in over eight years.
A source says, “Emraan has been visiting Vishesh’s office for over a year as they have been in discussions for a movie. Last week, he was again spotted at their Khar office. While they have shortlisted a few stories, the one that has their attention is a modern love story with a dark twist, written by Vishesh. Things will be finalized by March.”
When mid-day reached out to Mukesh, who, along with his son, has continued leading the banner after his filmmaker-brother Mahesh stepped aside in 2021, the producer hinted at a possible collaboration. He said, “We’re looking at options, but it’s too early to talk about it. Vishesh is at the helm of it. He is now taking the banner forward, but yes, I will be there [to oversee] the music.”
If Anurag Basu doesn’t like script, we can make Aashiqui 3 with another director-Mukesh Bhatt
8:49 AM
Miffed about a song circulating as Aashiqui 3 track, producer Bhatt issues a public notice asserting his IP rights; says director and Kartik are ‘tentative’ choices until story is finalised
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; October 7, 2023)
Last month, an Arijit Singh number, which was doing the rounds of social media, was touted to be a leaked song from the soundtrack of Aashiqui 3. The claim was found to be baseless soon after. The incident was probably the reason why producer Mukesh Bhatt issued a public notice in a trade magazine last week, stating that Vishesh Films is “the producer and joint rightful owner of the intellectual property rights and derivative rights” associated with the popular film franchise. The notice further stated that any communication related to the franchise made without the production house’s involvement would be considered fraudulent and may result in legal ramifications.
While Bhatt understands the anticipation around Kartik Aaryan-led Aashiqui 3, he is seeing red at the song fiasco. He says, “No song has been composed yet. How can it be leaked? It was important to issue the public notice as I am the copyright holder and the creative fountainhead of the Aashiqui franchise.”
The producer is also miffed at the rumours surrounding the casting of Anurag Basu’s directorial venture. Several names—from Deepika Padukone to Katrina Kaif, from Fatima Sana Shaikh to Akanksha Sharma—have been thrown around as the love story’s female lead. “This is all rubbish,” asserts Bhatt.
“We will introduce a new [actor]. These [talent] agencies are throwing names of actresses as they want to promote their talent, but I don’t want my franchise to be a part of somebody else’s agenda.”
There was talk that Aashiqui 3 would roll by the year-end. However, Bhatt dismisses the idea, explaining that the script has yet to be finalized.
“Anurag is busy with Metro… In Dino. I want to be completely convinced about the script before we start anything.” It’s also heard that Basu may focus on the Kishore Kumar biopic with Ranbir Kapoor next year.
The Aashiqui franchise began in 1990, its success making Rahul Roy and Anu Aggarwal overnight stars. Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor repeated the magic in 2013 with Aashiqui 2. Naturally then, expectations are high from the third instalment.
“As of now, we have Kartik on board as the male lead. Everything is tentative till I get a script from Anurag. If it doesn’t come from him or if he doesn’t like the script, we can make it with some other director. Similarly, for some reason, if Kartik feels he doesn’t suit the character, he has the right to choose to walk out. Aashiqui and Aashiqui 2 didn’t depend on any external forces or star cast. We created stars with the films.”
Kartik Aaryan to star in Mukesh Bhatt and Bhushan Kumar’s Aashiqui 3
8:19 AM
The musical will be directed by Anurag Basu and the soundtrack will be composed by Pritam
BOMBAY TIMES (September 5, 2022)
The 32-year-old partnership, formed in 1990 with Aashiqui, between T-Series and Vishesh Films, continues with their new project, Aashiqui 3. Producers Mukesh Bhatt and Bhushan Kumar are set to reunite for the much anticipated third instalment of the Aashiqui franchise with director Anurag Basu. The music will be scored by Pritam and the film will star Kartik Aaryan in the lead. The team began the collaboration on a positive and spiritual note by seeking Lord Ganesha’s blessings during Ganeshotsav.
The Aashiqui franchise that revolved around love and relationships with some great music has remained in the hearts of the audience to date. Mukesh Bhatt said, “On the evening of August 16, 1990, a day before Aashiqui’s release, Gulshan ji (Gulshan Kumar) and I were very nervous, but the next day records were broken and history was created. Today with Bhushan, Pritam, Anurag and the heart-throb of the nation, Kartik, I assure everyone that Aashiqui 3 will celebrate love like never before.”
Bhushan Kumar said, “The movies (Aashiqui franchise), whose storyline and music is etched in our hearts it’s time to relive that again. We are ecstatic to announce Aashiqui 3 in collaboration with Mukesh ji, directed by my all-time favourite, dada Anurag Basu. The film is sure to have a fresh side to it while retaining its true essence. We couldn’t have found an actor better than Kartik, a true rockstar in every sense, after the massive hits he has delivered; he truly fits the part to a T. Music is an integral part in this romantic musical, and along with Pritam, we aim to raise the bar higher. Working with such a dream team is something I look forward to. I can’t wait to recreate the magic again.”
Talking about headlining the film, Kartik Aaryan shared, “The timeless classic Aashiqui is something I grew up watching, and working on Aashiqui 3, is like a dream come true. I feel privileged and grateful for collaborating with Bhushan sir and Mukesh sir for this project. I’ve been a big fan of Anurag sir’s work, and collaborating with him on this one is definitely going to shape me in many ways.”
Director Anurag Basu added, “Working with Vishesh Films is literally like coming home, and I am glad that I am directing Aashiqui 3. Bhushan ji and I have a long-standing relationship and every outing together is even more exciting than the last one. He is a solid collaborator, who I am privileged to have by my side. Aashiqui and Aashiqui 2 were emotions for the fans that have remained in their hearts till date, the aim is to carry the legacy ahead in the best possible way. It’s my first venture with Kartik Aaryan, who is known for his hard work, dedication, grit and determination, and I’m truly looking forward to this one.”
Music composer Pritam said, “The Aashiqui franchise is known for its great music. I am glad to be part of this amazing franchise, and I will try to take it to the next level.”
Vishesh Bhatt to back film on India's demonetization
8:58 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 8, 2018)
In a departure from the romantic dramas that the Bhatts are famed for, we hear Vishesh Bhatt is set to back a satire based on the demonetisation that was announced by the Indian government on November 8, 2016. A source close to the production house reveals, "Vishesh has come across an interesting script revolving around demonetization. The narrative starts on the day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi implemented the drive to abolish black money, and traces what it spiralled into eventually."
Two years since the development, the government's decision to implement demonetization has been a matter of serious debate. While the episode makes for compelling material, the source reveals that Bhatt is currently fine-tuning the script. "The project was conceptualised by Vishesh and his team. It will mark the Bhatts' first attempt at black comedy," adds the source. Though Bhatt has a few actors in mind, the casting process will kick off only next month before the project goes on floors early next year.
Vishesh Films turn 30; Bhatts throw a small bash & screening of Begum Jaan
8:08 AM
Vishesh Films' anniversary was a nostalgia trip that doubled up as the first preview screening of their upcoming Partition-drama
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 3, 2017)
Friends, family and former
colleagues converged at a suburban studio on Sunday, to raise a toast to
Vishesh Films which completed a three-decade run. The bash began at 7pm
with Salim Khan cutting a two-tier cake moulded like a film reel and a
clapboard. Bhatt protégés Deepak Tijori, Anu Aggarwal, Shraddha Kapoor,
Aditya Roy Kapur, Anupam Kher and Patralekha cheered from the sidelines,
along with Anu Malik and Hansal Mehta. Mukesh Bhatt's producer-son
Vishesh who'd organised the do told Mirror, “We live in a transitory
world so it's important to celebrate such priceless moments. We decided
to bring together everyone who has been a part of my family's landmark
journey.“
Mahesh Bhatt, the designated host for the evening, ushered
in his guests into a special screening of their upcoming production,
Begum Jaan. He recalled how after the back-to-back successes of Saaransh
and Naam, they were sitting in Salim Khan's house when he told Mukesh
that it was the right time for them to turn producers. “It was because
of him that Vishesh Films was born,“ he exulted, adding that it was
important to re-create the moment with people who had impacted his
journey.--------------------------
Aashiqui meets Aashiqui 2
MUMBAI MIRROR (April 3, 2017)
Mahesh Bhatt was in school
when he met Lorraine Bright, who was studying at a suburban orphanage
close to where he lived. It was love at first sight. When they were
caught, Lorraine was asked to leave.Her beau got her a room in YWCA and
enrolled her for a typing course, which later got her a job. After
landing two ad film offers, he asked her to marry him. She accepted,
changed her name to Kiran Bhatt and they had two kids, Pooja and Rahul.
Their love story translated on screen as Aashiqui, Bhatt's biggest
musical success. 25 years later, the Rahul Roy-Anu Aggarwal-Deepak Tijori
story got a sequel, featuring Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor.
Rahul was MIA but Deepak and Anu turned up to celebrate the day. Now,
Aashiqui 3 is being penned by Bhatt's daughter, Shaheen.
On Vishesh Films' 30th anniversary, Mahesh Bhatt revisits seven intensely personal dramas
8:19 AM
As Vishesh Films completes three decades on April 2, its lodestar, Mahesh Bhatt, talks about its latest offering and six intensely personal dramas that are cherished memories today
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 1, 2017)
BEGUM JAAN (2017)
This Partition drama is a new spring for Vishesh Films. After a few flops, a gloom had descended over the establishment which had the infrastructure and access to money, but the core from where my films had come had withered. That’s when I accidentally stumbled on this Bengali film, Rajkahini, whose director, Srijit Mukherji, was suggested to me by my writer Suhrita Sengupta.
I’d liked his work and when invited to see the film at a preview theatre, I dragged my reluctant brother, Mukesh Bhatt, along. I was devastated by it. The film shook me, my body and soul. I came out of the screening, hugged Srijit tightly and said, “As long as there are storytellers and filmmakers like you, the moral compass of the nation is intact.” In that embrace was born the narrative of Begum Jaan.
When Mukesh saw how overwhelmed I was by the film, he decided to remake it in Hindi. With all his caution and worldly wiseness, Mukesh Bhatt has taken many risks based on my gut instincts. He’s as much a gambler as me, without whom we would not have come this far.
ZAKHM (1998)
So many painful memories because this film was semiautobiographical, based on my proud origin of having a Hindu father, a Muslim mother and a Christian schooling. It was my last directorial and because it dealt with communal politics and the carnage post ’92-’93, my mother was concerned believing that by taking up for secular values, I’d upset the ultra right-wing forces. She died after the first schedule and I had to unmask her Muslim identity which she had hidden behind a sari, tika and mangalsutra when she was alive and had to tell the family that her last wish was to be buried.
She went into the grave as Shirin Mohammad Ali as she didn’t have her husband’s name attached to her. It was graceful of the man in charge of the burial ground in Byculla to let me perform the last rites after learning that I was a Hindu by the name of Mahesh Bhatt. When I stepped into the grave and turned her face towards Kaba, it was the most intimate time I spent with my mother who was no more. That became the defining image planted in the climax which touched the nation’s consciousness.
SADAK (1991)
I remember an enchanting night in Mysore’s Brindavan Gardens where we were shooting Nadeem-Shravan’s romantic track, “Tumhe Apna Banaane Ki Kasam” with a young Pooja Bhatt and the new star Sanjay Dutt. In between shots, I would be listening to a commentary on the Gulf War. Sanjay wondered why I was interested in something happening in Iraq. We had to finish the shoot before dawn becauses it was an expensive location but even though we stretched ourselves, one shot remained. I resigned myself to completing it elsewhere but Sanjay protested, saying, “We have to shoot it here.”
I told him it was impossible to carry the equipment to a distant location before daybreak. “I’ll do it,” he said, and lugging one of the huge archlights, turned to the lightboys and commanded, “Follow me.” They did and we got the shot before the sun came up.
DADDY (1989)
Not for nothing was I labelled the “autobiographical” filmmaker. I went through the attics of my life and shamelessly pulled out stuff others shudder to reveal to the world, including my battle with the bottle, to launch my 16-year-old daughter Pooja Bhatt as an actress in Daddy. It’s a film about an alcoholic struggling to reform for his daughter, part fiction-part real.
My wife Soni Razdan is away in Hong Kong with our newborn child and Pooja was staying with me in Juhu during the shoot. Every night she would rehearse her lines for the next day, perform them for me, then go to bed. One night, after she and the rest of the world had fallen asleep, I had a sudden craving to go to a bar and have a drink.
‘Who would know’, I asked myself. My wife was away and my daughter, asleep. A voice replied from deep within, “You can con the world, you can con your child, but how can you con yourself Mahesh Bhatt? You would know.”
I didn’t have that drink and it was a turning point for me in my struggle with alcoholism. The next morning, I rewrote the climax with Anupam Kher who played the alcoholic, being offered a drink by the baddie before going on stage and tossing the whiskey and the temptation away. What happened in life was transported to the movies. Celluoid has been my intimate diary and I’ve let the world into that space because there’s nothing to hide.
NAAM (1986)
After the critically acclaimed Saaransh and Arth, this was my first money-spinner. It enjoyed a golden jubilee run and brought back Sanjay Dutt after a string of disasters. It also put the spotlight back on Salim Khan after a split with his scriptwriter partner Javed Akhtar.
I have to thank Kumar Gaurav for making Naam possible for us. When I narrated the idea to his producer-father, Rajendra Kumar admitted it was good but then apprehensively turned to his son and pointed out that Sanjay Dutt’s role in this two-hero film was more powerful. “Why not do a film with you at the heart of it?” he suggested.
Without blinking an eye Kumar Gaurav replied, “If we’re going to make this movie, it has to be on this story.” Seeing his conviction his father agreed but ironically, Rajendra Kumar’s fears are confirmed because despite Kumar Gaurav’s brilliant performance, Naam is Sanjay’s show.
ARTH (1982)
The film was done and was the talk of the town. But there were no takers. The end —Shabana Azmi’s character Pooja choosing not to return to her philandering husband or jump into the arms of her lover who promises her the moon but opting to live alone as a single mother to her maid’s daughter—was too bold and unconventional for our Hindi film industry.
There was another problem. My narrative stood on the shoulders of two brilliant actresses, Shabana and Smita Patil, but the latter had moved out of the art house circuit into Bollywood’s A-list. She was convinced I’d been grossly unfair to her character, Kavita, pruning some of her best scenes to make her look like a lesser actress to build up Shabana. An uncomfortable silence stretched between us which I didn’t know how to bridge.
One day, I ran into her at Parkview Hotel. I’d gone to drop off playwright Vijay Tendulkar whom she’d come to meet. The staircase was too narrow to avoid a collision. She tried to walk away but I wouldn’t let her. “Smita, you can’t do this to me. You can accuse me of being a less talented director who could not do justice to your part, but to accuse me of being partial is unfair and you know it,” I entreated, looking into her eyes.
“How can you do this to me? Now I can’t even be angry with you. You’ve taken away all my anger,” she wailed. She went on to watch the film and liked it. And our almost-sour relationship had a happy ending.
SAARANSH (1984)
On the first day of the new year, when my colleagues, after a night of indulgence were still recovering from the hangover, I was at Mehboob Studio with my actors and technicians, and the entire Barjatya family, gearing up to take the first shot of my new film. I shouted, “Action” and in the foreground a telephone began to ring. A grainy image of Anupam Kher as BV Pradhan, a retired school teacher of 70, walked into the frame to pick up the receiver. A disembodied voice — mine — informed him that his only son was dead after being mugged while returning from an Independence Day celebration in New York. The shot was okayed in one take but instead of the usual claps and smiles I could see that my producers were uncomfortable.
Rajkumar Barjatya, speaking for his family, asked me respectfully if it was the right shot for the mahurat given that we were announcing an end. I pointed out that the essence of Saaransh was coming to terms with the finality of death and debunking the popular notion of immortality. With my words their concerns melted away as the true meaning of Saaransh asserted itself with the first shot.
After banking on sex and thrills for BO success, Mahesh Bhatt now wants to focus on quality
7:49 AM
Mahesh Bhatt admits Vishesh Films needs steroid shot, will oversee move to focus on content-driven cinema
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; March 16, 2017)
For almost a decade, filmmaker brothers Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt were known to unapologetically bank on sex and thrill to get a grip on box office success. From erotic thrillers like the 'Murder' (pictured below) and 'Jism' franchise to supernatural films like the 'Raaz' series, films emerging from the Vishesh Films banner have been commercially successful. But their last few films, 'Blood Money', 'Khamoshiyan' and 'Mr X', were washouts at the BO, and it’s believed that Mahesh felt it was time to reinvent themselves.
Vidya Balan-starrer 'Begum Jaan' is an outcome of this introspection, he admits. “The film marks a renaissance for Vishesh Films. It’s a new homecoming for me. This is the kind of cinema I was known for in my formative years. That withered away. I am privileged to have a filmmaker like Srijit Mukherji [director] on board,” he says. He agrees that the audience is bored of the kind of cinema they have produced in the last few years.
“We had become complacent. We felt everything was going well with our production house. We were making films that generated revenue since they were smartly packaged, but they looked like assembly line productions. The economic model was working, but we had lost an emotional connect [with the audience] for which we were known. It was as if we were cloning our own content,” he shares.
Bhatt knows the secret for a production house’s longevity is relevance through constant reinvention, when he says, “We were known as thinking leaders [of the industry] and that’s where we want to be. The audience gave us a reality check. We are now set to ride on new energy with content-centric cinema.”
Vikram Bhatt steps out of Vishesh Films’ office, to go solo as web series producer?
7:32 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 1, 2016)
A couple of days ago, filmmaker Vikram Bhatt moved out of the Vishesh Films office in Khar. Rumours are rife that the director has had a split with his mentors — Mahesh and Mukesh — after the seniors repeatedly favoured Mohit Suri for helming projects.
Those in the know tell us that Vikram has been operating from his tenth floor office in Lokhandwala’s swanky new building, Aston, since the past two days. Though currently busy with the editing of Raaz Reboot, the director stayed away from media interactions for the film that were held at the Khar office yesterday. Instead, it was Mahesh Bhatt, who considerately appeased scribes by talking to them about the film.
When asked about the split, Vikram replied via text message, saying, “No, no, not at all.” About his new office, he said, “When you are working on your own thing, you need your own workspace. I like the office. There is a vibrant energy to it.” Quizzed further about the fall-out, he retorted, “There is no split. I am 47 and need to look out for my daughter, Krishna, as well. I don’t have the IPR (intellectual property rights) to any of my films. I want to strengthen my production house, so that my daughter has some solid ground when she starts off. Maheshji is always there to guide me. He suggested me the name of my series. I will work with them whenever there is a good project that needs me.”
While Mahesh remained unavailable for comment, Mukesh Bhatt said, “Vikram is not our bonded labour. He is making his own web series, so he probably got his own space. In fact, he has always had a separate office for the last eight years. He is free to work with whoever he wants and whenever he wants. Just like Mohit is working with Balaji again for Half Girlfriend after Ek Villain. I won’t call it moving on.”
Unhappy with Mr X’s promotions, Bhatts won't let Fox market Hamari Adhuri Kahani
7:54 AM
Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; April 30, 2015)
If industry sources are to be believed, the box- office debacle of Emraan Hashmi-starrer Mr X has left the Bhatts angry and disappointed with Fox Star Studios, which had marketed the film.
The sci-fi thriller opened to just 10 to 20 per cent occupancy on the first day with collections estimated to be around Rs 4.50 crore. Now for their upcoming movie, Hamari Adhuri Kahani, they have decided to engage a PR agency apart from Fox for the promotions.
Confirming the story, Mahesh Bhatt says: “I am the leader, so I will not blame anyone for my mistake. But, yes, there were voices in my office which said that Mr X was not marketed well. The film’s failure to get a good opening was attributed to the signals that the marketing team was sending to the audience. But as good partners, Fox and Vishesh Films have sorted out all differences and are gung-ho about Hamari Adhuri Kahani,” he says.
He adds that they will constantly review the marketing plan for Hamari. “We have a long association with another agency and they would be giving expert opinions from time to time for the project,” Bhatt reveals.
Vijay Singh, CEO, Fox Star Studios, insists that they have a good partnership. “When a film doesn’t live up to expectations, it rightly forces everyone to understand what lessons one can take away, as our business is about hits and misses. Our next film together is Hamari Adhuri Kahani — a film that we truly believe in. Mohit Suri has directed an absolutely fabulous film that has been written by Mahesh Bhatt,” states Singh.
The Bhatts have their movie model right
7:51 AM
Meena Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 30, 2015)
Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and
his producer brother Mukesh Bhatt inherited their movie empire from
their father Nanabhai Bhatt. But their triumph lies in the fact that
they have personally contributed to the Bhatt school of cinema with
their creativity and have made it an indigenous brand
within Bollywood.
Their banner Vishesh Films, named after
Mukesh's filmmaker son
Vishesh, is today a trusted name in the market. If you check even their recent records - say from 2011 to 2014, one can clearly make note that this banner has had seven notable films with six different directors. Today, they release their Khamoshiyan, a film that has enviable music and a fresh star cast. Vishesh, who now holds the baton for this movie company, says he is in a happy place. Stating that his dad and uncle are the flag-bearers of the company, he humbly admits to being the 'go-to man'.
Asked to explain, Vishesh simply says, “I'm the bridge between the new creative talent we have been engaging and the more experienced think tank that we have at home. Our endeavour is not only to engage newer actors and filmmakers, but to also ensure that we do not repeat the genres. If you notice, the bouquet of films that we have given in the last three years has had a Citylights on one hand and a Jannat 2 on the other. Clearly, we are striving to strike a balance with the different cinema we are putting out.“ Summing up their achievements, the young turk adds, “Our movies have worked at the box office and have also found a place on the television viewership rating charts. Not to forget, the melody of our music has dominated before and after the films' release.“
Like indie
filmmakers, the Bhatts pride themselves on not being solely dependent on
a particular actor, director or technician. The production house, which
has been in the business for over 25 years, has given the Hindi film
industry an array of talent. The directors include Anurag Basu, Mohit Suri, Hansal Mehta, Vishesh Bhatt, Kunal Deshmukh and Vishal Mahadkar.
The list of actors is just as impressive with Emraan Hashmi, Aditya Roy Kapur, Esha Gupta, Shraddha Kapoor, Aditi Rao Hydari, Patralekhaa and Manav Kaul.
While it has nurtured music directors like Pritam, Ankit Tiwari, Mithoon and Jeet Gannguli and singers Arijit Singh and Palak Muchhal, it has also given the industry writers like Shagufta Rafique, Sanjay Masoom and Amit Masurkar.
Summer of 2015 will see the first 3D thriller - Mr X directed by Vikram Bhatt on April 17 followed by love saga, Hamari Adhuri Kahani directed by Mohit Suri on June 12.
Later in the year will be the release of Love Games, a romantic thriller by Vikram Bhatt and Vishesh's next in 2016.
Their banner Vishesh Films, named after
Mukesh's filmmaker sonVishesh, is today a trusted name in the market. If you check even their recent records - say from 2011 to 2014, one can clearly make note that this banner has had seven notable films with six different directors. Today, they release their Khamoshiyan, a film that has enviable music and a fresh star cast. Vishesh, who now holds the baton for this movie company, says he is in a happy place. Stating that his dad and uncle are the flag-bearers of the company, he humbly admits to being the 'go-to man'.
Asked to explain, Vishesh simply says, “I'm the bridge between the new creative talent we have been engaging and the more experienced think tank that we have at home. Our endeavour is not only to engage newer actors and filmmakers, but to also ensure that we do not repeat the genres. If you notice, the bouquet of films that we have given in the last three years has had a Citylights on one hand and a Jannat 2 on the other. Clearly, we are striving to strike a balance with the different cinema we are putting out.“ Summing up their achievements, the young turk adds, “Our movies have worked at the box office and have also found a place on the television viewership rating charts. Not to forget, the melody of our music has dominated before and after the films' release.“
Like indie
filmmakers, the Bhatts pride themselves on not being solely dependent on
a particular actor, director or technician. The production house, which
has been in the business for over 25 years, has given the Hindi film
industry an array of talent. The directors include Anurag Basu, Mohit Suri, Hansal Mehta, Vishesh Bhatt, Kunal Deshmukh and Vishal Mahadkar.The list of actors is just as impressive with Emraan Hashmi, Aditya Roy Kapur, Esha Gupta, Shraddha Kapoor, Aditi Rao Hydari, Patralekhaa and Manav Kaul.
While it has nurtured music directors like Pritam, Ankit Tiwari, Mithoon and Jeet Gannguli and singers Arijit Singh and Palak Muchhal, it has also given the industry writers like Shagufta Rafique, Sanjay Masoom and Amit Masurkar.
Summer of 2015 will see the first 3D thriller - Mr X directed by Vikram Bhatt on April 17 followed by love saga, Hamari Adhuri Kahani directed by Mohit Suri on June 12.
Later in the year will be the release of Love Games, a romantic thriller by Vikram Bhatt and Vishesh's next in 2016.
I love the fact that Emraan is not filmi & obsessed with opening weekends-Kunal Deshmukh
8:06 AM
Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; August 28, 2014)
Kunal Deshmukh, 32, is
patient, cool and loyal and totally consumed with only making films. He
is more practical than emotional and is always in search for a story .
While ambition is extremely attractive to him, he is excessively
self-critical and finds it difficult to push himself. Over an hour-long
conversation, ahead of his first con revenge drama Raja
Natwarlal, he talks to Bombay Times about his mentor Mahesh Bhatt, his
favourite star Emraan Hashmi and how he has grown up in the last one
year.Excerpts:
How did you become a director?
I was 21 and had just returned studying filmmaking from NYU. One of my closest friends from school is Sahil (son of Kumkum Saigal, who is the executive producer in Bhatt films and is also Mahesh Bhatt's real sister). Through Sahil, I met Mohit Suri who was his cousin. We were partying at Goa on one New Year, when Mohit said to me, 'I am starting a film in a few months. It will be fun. Come work with me.' And I started assisting Mohit and was his assistant for three films - Zeher, Kalyug and Woh Lamhe. And that's when I met Bhatt sahab. He deconstructed Indian cinema for me completely, as I still had that chip on my shoulder of having gone to film school abroad and been exposed to international cinema, thinking that we should also make films like theirs. Bhatt sahab understands India and knows it from the grassroot level. I was so exposed and influenced by him from a young age, which is why my films have a touch of him when it comes to areas of human conflict. And while he broke me down, he also gave me the confidence to think that I could find my voice. I then made my second film Tum Mile that did not do as well as my first film. I didn't know what I did right in Jannat that it did so well. I had got lucky with a lot of things, but I thought it was so easy to make a hit film and then when people didn't like my second film, it was a rude shock. I remember walking down from the old Vishesh Films office at JVPD and going to Contemporary Arts & Crafts and I just started crying. When I went back up, Bhatt sahab said to me, 'I am glad you faced this failure and have owned up to it. It's only when you own up and say that I am the director and the film did not do well as I failed, is when you can move ahead.'
Why did you move out of Bhatts to make Raja Natwarlal?
Bhatt sahab would often push me to have my own voice. And deep down, after doing three films with the Bhatts, I felt that it had stopped happening for me. I was making just a particular type of cinema and I was not challenging myself. I felt that I needed to move out and figure out things on my own, otherwise I would have been just another director in the Bhatt camp. Raja Natwarlal is a film that cannot be made with the Bhatts. If you look at the heart of Raja..., it's a great con film. I don't think they would like to make a con film. They have a tried-and-tested way to make a film that is budget-driven and they are very clear about what they want to or not want to make. And while my mentor still is Bhatt sahab, I moved out as I just wanted to grow up and be able to feel that henceforth, all success and all failures would be mine.
Talk about Mahesh Bhatt?
He is the strongest person with a voice, that I have ever met. At the same time, as a teacher, he is not trying to make you like him. He is this irreverential person, who is anti-establishment with pathbreaking thoughts. He is constantly living on the edge. He never takes off for a weekend or a holiday. He is the teacher I was looking for, who helped me discover what I wanted to do. He is very young in his head, and emotional. He is such an intelligent person, but he just brings 15% of that into the producer Mahesh Bhatt. He can do great cinema and revolutionise it, if he puts his heart and soul into it. Every film that he has put his heart into has been a gem, be it Raaz, Murder, Gangster, Jannat or Aashiqui 2. It was a difficult decision for me to move out of the Bhatts to follow my own path. But he sat me down and had a conversation. He said, 'Kunal, we were two people in life that met and had a particular journey together, and our paths will again cross in the future. If you ever need me, I am just a phone call away.' And that he is. I have gone and pitched him my one lines and he has never made me feel differently, given that I am not doing a film with him. I played Mukeshji my songs and he was very happy.
All your four films have been with Emraan Hashmi. What is he like?
He is extremely reserved and does not let you in easily. I too, have only gradually got to know him. We didn't do dinners till the second film. I didn't hang out with his family until the third film. He is very fierce and people don't see it, but he has this burning desire to shine through and that is what I love about him. No matter who tells him what, he doesn't care. He is such a strong fighter. I love that he is not filmi and is not obsessed with Hindi movies and opening weekends. What I don't like about him is that he is lazy. He can push himself and has started doing that. He is extremely talented and secure and can afford to sell himself better.
You are in a relationship with your associate director Sonali Rattan. Talk about her?
Sonali has been assisting me right from Jannat. She too, was in college with Mohit and is a year-and-a-half older to me. We were close friends for a really long time, but started dating only last year, post Jannat 2. We are still best friends and have a great working relationship. I always tell her that she is far more talented and much more natural at filmmaking than I am. What will take me 5 hours takes her just one hour. Even though I am extremely dependent on her, I have told her that there will be a point very soon when she will stop learning from me and that is the time she should be an independent filmmaker. I can't give her enough credit, even though she is the one who is actually living the film with me every single day and it's very hard to be in a relationship with someone like me, who does not switch off from work at all. She is brighter, smarter, emotional and naturally gifted. I am not egoistic at all and have told her that I don't really mind producing or being an EP on a film that she directs. I love her for her love for life and that is one similarity I see with her and Bhatt sahab. They are just alive all the time. I am drawn to her clean heart and honesty. I love the fact that I feel challenged by her. Of course, she needs to be way more patient and less emotional in this line. Apart from our common interests, she loves me for my honesty. She doesn't like the fact that sometimes I will not confront people and will try my best to evade a fight. She will pick a fight with even a rickshawallah if she has to.
Any plans of getting married?
We have just started dating and are right now very happy, but I do see myself getting married to her. Once this film gets done, sooner or later, I would have to figure out what next.
How difficult was it emotionally to be on your own?
I am a Maharashtrian and was born and brought up in Mumbai. My dad was in the merchant navy and my mom did theatre and a little television. He then got into his own shipping business and last year, my parents moved to Jakarta. This was also the time that I moved out of the Bhatts to be on my own. So, the last one year has been about change and finding myself. It was a good change and I feel that it should have happened to me a few years back. I was spoilt and I could just leave everything to my parents, right from food to petrol to everything else. I used to wake up and leave the house and never had any problems of running the house. My growing up happened in the last one year, and I am loving it. I love not being taken care of and all the messy problems that come with running your house, including paying your bills or seeing whether vegetables are there or not. This one year has really helped me understand who I am. In the Vishesh Films system, I was just a cog in the wheel. Now I am not. It took me a little time to find my bearings, feeling a little alone and a little scared on the way. I had the fear of failure and the fear that I would have to return back to Bhatt sahab with my tail between my legs and say, 'I am sorry. Please take me back.' But I didn't want to do that. I did promise Mukeshji, 'I would come back, but I would come back so successful that I would only add to you.' I didn't want to come back as a failure.
How did you become a director?
I was 21 and had just returned studying filmmaking from NYU. One of my closest friends from school is Sahil (son of Kumkum Saigal, who is the executive producer in Bhatt films and is also Mahesh Bhatt's real sister). Through Sahil, I met Mohit Suri who was his cousin. We were partying at Goa on one New Year, when Mohit said to me, 'I am starting a film in a few months. It will be fun. Come work with me.' And I started assisting Mohit and was his assistant for three films - Zeher, Kalyug and Woh Lamhe. And that's when I met Bhatt sahab. He deconstructed Indian cinema for me completely, as I still had that chip on my shoulder of having gone to film school abroad and been exposed to international cinema, thinking that we should also make films like theirs. Bhatt sahab understands India and knows it from the grassroot level. I was so exposed and influenced by him from a young age, which is why my films have a touch of him when it comes to areas of human conflict. And while he broke me down, he also gave me the confidence to think that I could find my voice. I then made my second film Tum Mile that did not do as well as my first film. I didn't know what I did right in Jannat that it did so well. I had got lucky with a lot of things, but I thought it was so easy to make a hit film and then when people didn't like my second film, it was a rude shock. I remember walking down from the old Vishesh Films office at JVPD and going to Contemporary Arts & Crafts and I just started crying. When I went back up, Bhatt sahab said to me, 'I am glad you faced this failure and have owned up to it. It's only when you own up and say that I am the director and the film did not do well as I failed, is when you can move ahead.'
Why did you move out of Bhatts to make Raja Natwarlal?
Bhatt sahab would often push me to have my own voice. And deep down, after doing three films with the Bhatts, I felt that it had stopped happening for me. I was making just a particular type of cinema and I was not challenging myself. I felt that I needed to move out and figure out things on my own, otherwise I would have been just another director in the Bhatt camp. Raja Natwarlal is a film that cannot be made with the Bhatts. If you look at the heart of Raja..., it's a great con film. I don't think they would like to make a con film. They have a tried-and-tested way to make a film that is budget-driven and they are very clear about what they want to or not want to make. And while my mentor still is Bhatt sahab, I moved out as I just wanted to grow up and be able to feel that henceforth, all success and all failures would be mine.
Talk about Mahesh Bhatt?
He is the strongest person with a voice, that I have ever met. At the same time, as a teacher, he is not trying to make you like him. He is this irreverential person, who is anti-establishment with pathbreaking thoughts. He is constantly living on the edge. He never takes off for a weekend or a holiday. He is the teacher I was looking for, who helped me discover what I wanted to do. He is very young in his head, and emotional. He is such an intelligent person, but he just brings 15% of that into the producer Mahesh Bhatt. He can do great cinema and revolutionise it, if he puts his heart and soul into it. Every film that he has put his heart into has been a gem, be it Raaz, Murder, Gangster, Jannat or Aashiqui 2. It was a difficult decision for me to move out of the Bhatts to follow my own path. But he sat me down and had a conversation. He said, 'Kunal, we were two people in life that met and had a particular journey together, and our paths will again cross in the future. If you ever need me, I am just a phone call away.' And that he is. I have gone and pitched him my one lines and he has never made me feel differently, given that I am not doing a film with him. I played Mukeshji my songs and he was very happy.
All your four films have been with Emraan Hashmi. What is he like?
He is extremely reserved and does not let you in easily. I too, have only gradually got to know him. We didn't do dinners till the second film. I didn't hang out with his family until the third film. He is very fierce and people don't see it, but he has this burning desire to shine through and that is what I love about him. No matter who tells him what, he doesn't care. He is such a strong fighter. I love that he is not filmi and is not obsessed with Hindi movies and opening weekends. What I don't like about him is that he is lazy. He can push himself and has started doing that. He is extremely talented and secure and can afford to sell himself better.
You are in a relationship with your associate director Sonali Rattan. Talk about her?
Sonali has been assisting me right from Jannat. She too, was in college with Mohit and is a year-and-a-half older to me. We were close friends for a really long time, but started dating only last year, post Jannat 2. We are still best friends and have a great working relationship. I always tell her that she is far more talented and much more natural at filmmaking than I am. What will take me 5 hours takes her just one hour. Even though I am extremely dependent on her, I have told her that there will be a point very soon when she will stop learning from me and that is the time she should be an independent filmmaker. I can't give her enough credit, even though she is the one who is actually living the film with me every single day and it's very hard to be in a relationship with someone like me, who does not switch off from work at all. She is brighter, smarter, emotional and naturally gifted. I am not egoistic at all and have told her that I don't really mind producing or being an EP on a film that she directs. I love her for her love for life and that is one similarity I see with her and Bhatt sahab. They are just alive all the time. I am drawn to her clean heart and honesty. I love the fact that I feel challenged by her. Of course, she needs to be way more patient and less emotional in this line. Apart from our common interests, she loves me for my honesty. She doesn't like the fact that sometimes I will not confront people and will try my best to evade a fight. She will pick a fight with even a rickshawallah if she has to.
Any plans of getting married?
We have just started dating and are right now very happy, but I do see myself getting married to her. Once this film gets done, sooner or later, I would have to figure out what next.
How difficult was it emotionally to be on your own?
I am a Maharashtrian and was born and brought up in Mumbai. My dad was in the merchant navy and my mom did theatre and a little television. He then got into his own shipping business and last year, my parents moved to Jakarta. This was also the time that I moved out of the Bhatts to be on my own. So, the last one year has been about change and finding myself. It was a good change and I feel that it should have happened to me a few years back. I was spoilt and I could just leave everything to my parents, right from food to petrol to everything else. I used to wake up and leave the house and never had any problems of running the house. My growing up happened in the last one year, and I am loving it. I love not being taken care of and all the messy problems that come with running your house, including paying your bills or seeing whether vegetables are there or not. This one year has really helped me understand who I am. In the Vishesh Films system, I was just a cog in the wheel. Now I am not. It took me a little time to find my bearings, feeling a little alone and a little scared on the way. I had the fear of failure and the fear that I would have to return back to Bhatt sahab with my tail between my legs and say, 'I am sorry. Please take me back.' But I didn't want to do that. I did promise Mukeshji, 'I would come back, but I would come back so successful that I would only add to you.' I didn't want to come back as a failure.
Hansal sir, Rajkummar Rao and I are a family-Patralekhaa
8:04 AM
Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 2, 2014)
Patralekhaa who will be making her Bollywood debut with National Award-winning director Hansal Mehta’s Citylights, talks about landing her debut film after several years of auditions, her three-film contract with the Bhatts, and says she is game for doing bold films like Murder.
Weren’t you apprehensive about making your debut with a film as unconventional as Citylights?
Not at all, when Hansal sir broke the news to me over the phone that I’d been confirmed I couldn’t stop crying. I didn’t have to think twice about giving my nod to the film. My only apprehension was whether I would be able to pull it off. Citylights wasn’t a regular song-and-dance film in which I’d be made to look prettier but I took the plunge. And I think after the film is released my life is going to change, and for better.
Where did you meet Hansal?
I’m from Shillong and have spent most of my life in a boarding school in Assam and later a high school in Bangalore. I came to Mumbai to complete my graduation from HR College and started auditioning for films and commercials. I was in touch with a casting agent who was holding auditions for Citylights. Having done ads, I was confident of facing a movie camera. It was an anxious wait but I finally the call from Hansal came.
Hansal is known for putting his actors through a gruelling process before he starts shooting. How did you prep up for Citylights?
Before we started the training, Bhatt saab (Mahesh Bhatt) called me to his office and said, “Just follow the character’s graph. She is an optimist who is capable of overcoming the worst.” I kept that in my mind. Rajkummar (Rao) and I stayed with a Rajasthani family for over a week to observe their mannerisms, learn the local dialect and understand their way of life.
Buzz is, Rajkummar and you are more than just co-stars and have been seeing a lot of each other even off the sets?
Hansal sir, Rajkummar and I are a family. Period.
Do you have a contract with Vishesh Films?
Yes, I have a three-film contract with the Bhatts.
If they were to offer you a Murder or Raaz, would you accept?
Why not? I am an actor and I have absolutely no reservations doing what the script demands. If the story is appealing, I will definitely take it up. I have chosen to make my debut with an unconventional film so I am not expecting conventional things to happen to me. I’m proud of my choice.
Bhatts to launch Gurmeet Choudhary in Bollywood
7:50 AM
Parag Maniar (BOMBAY TIMES; April 27, 2014)
Television actor Gurmeet Choudhary, currently seen in a reality show, will make his Bollywood debut with Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt’s Vishesh Films. He signed a three-film deal with the Bhatts after turning down the lead role in a 90s hit remake. Says Gurmeet, “I can’t divulge any details about my debut film, but it will go on floor soon. The Bhatts have assured me a good launch. I look up to them and will seek their guidance.”
As a child — he hails from Bhagalpur, a small town in Bihar — Gurmeet had just one dream: to be an actor. He felt it was important to do television as the medium was a good platform for a budding actor. “Shooting 12 scenes in a day and working continuously helped me sharpen my acting skills. It also gave me confidence to face the camera,” he says. The Bhatts, we can see, are impressed. Says Mahesh Bhatt, “Gurmeet is a star in the making. We see a lot of potential in him; that’s why we have roped him in for three films.”
---------------
Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; April 27, 2014)
Gurmeet Choudhary is the latest TV actor to make the big leap to films. The actor, who has been talking about making a Bollywood debut, has been signed by Vishesh films. Gurmeet has bagged a three-film deal with the banner that has given a break to several newcomers including TV actors. Sources say that it’s not an exclusive deal and Gurmeet is free to do other films but his debut will be with Vishesh Films. An excited Gurmeet says, “I am very happy with my role. The Bhatts have successfully launched so many actors till date. Mukeshji and Mahesh Bhatt are guiding me like family. I am not at liberty to talk about the projects, but I am sure the audience will approve of my choice.” The actor best remembered for his roles as Maan in Geet Hui Sabse Parayi and Yash in Punarvivaah had participated and won Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5. He is currently seen in Khatron Ke Khiladi 5 with wife Debina Bonnerjee.
I call Narendra Modi dangerous-Hansal Mehta
9:15 AM
Roshmilla Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 21, 2014)
Fresh
from his National Awards victory, we expected Hansal Mehta to be
jubilant when we met him at the Vishesh Films headquarters. But the
filmmaker, who is putting the finishing touches to his next film City
Lights, was his usual stoic self and prepped us for the conversation
with a preview of some of emotional scenes from the film. Excerpts: Weren’t you planning a break after Shahid?
Yes, I wanted a few months of R&R but as soon as I read the script, I knew I had to do City Lights. I may have lived in Mumbai all my life but as a filmmaker I’m sensitised to the pain of the migrants who constitute a large part of the city’s faceless population. I had attempted something similar years ago with Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar and am often told that I should remake the film. This is better. City Lights is as intense a film as Shahid but more accessible.
How is it more accessible?
Shahid was a great story and real too, but unfortunately in our country we don’t like watching a film about a Muslim protagonist. City Lights is a work of fiction revolving around a family, with a thriller element thrown in. With a good production house backing my vision, it’s my best work till date.
Ajay Bahl who was to direct it earlier opted out following creative differences. Didn’t that bother you?
Well, I’d been warned that Bhattsaab (Mahesh Bhatt) would interfere, that Vishesh Films has an established success ratio and I’d have to follow their model of filmmaking. But in a career spanning 15 years and 10 odd films, this has been the best production house I’ve worked with. I had complete creative freedom and was not under any kind of pressure to compromise. I wouldn’t have anyway.
The non-compromising attitude must have created professional hurdles in the past?
Oh, I have compromised a lot and learnt from each failure. Initially, there was a voice telling me what not to do but I suppressed it to such an extent that over time I became a comatose filmmaker. I had a family to feed and I convinced myself that I had the capability of making meaningless films. Only after Woodstock Villa did I go on a break to take stock of things. Shahid showed me a new path and I’ll continue my journey on the same with City Lights.
You seem to have found a muse in Rajkummar Rao?
At 29, Rajkummar has shown a lot of integrity to his craft, playing unconventional characters from the beginning of his career. We’re both outsiders to the industry who have to prove ourselves every time we set out to make a film. But with him by my side, the journey doesn’t seem so difficult. When I meet other actors I wonder how I am going to work with them.
After this can you go back to making formula films?
I don’t know… I don’t think so….My heart won’t allow that.
What if a film fails?
Films don’t fail, budgets do. I’m aware that only if I make a commercially viable film will I get more work. So I’m very careful about my budget. I hope the National Award (Best Director for Shahid) will give me a certain amount of freedom to make films the way I want to.
You’ve been working on another biopic for several years now. Have you spoken about it with the Bhatts?
No, right now I’m completely focussed on City Lights. I take things as they come. There is no compulsion to sign a film. I have a house and a car. My children are getting a good education. What more do I need? Besides, I definitely need a break.
Your son, Jai, is following in your footsteps?
When he was 17, he told me that he wanted to make movies. So, I requested Anurag (Kashyap) to train him. He was my only assistant on Shahid and now is helping me meet my City Lights deadlines.
Mahesh Bhatt calls you the most dangerous filmmaker...
(Smiles) I call (Narendra) Modi dangerous. Period.
Mahesh Bhatt-Ramesh Taurani fight over rights to the title Raaz 4
8:01 AM
Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; January 20, 2014)
It was recently announced by Vishesh Films that Vikram Bhatt will be
directing their next film Raaz 4. But the film seems to have run into
trouble with news emerging that Ramesh Taurani has rights to the title.
When contacted, Mahesh Bhatt said that they have already announced the
film and that work on the film will progress as planned. “The Raaz
franchise is our prized asset,” he said.
However, producer Ramesh Taurani had a different story to tell. “The first instalment of the franchise was made in 2002 and back then, Mahesh Bhatt and I were co-producers. As a result, we have joint ownership of the title, Raaz 4. So while Vishesh Films are credited with making the second and third part of the Raaz franchise, I will make the fourth instalment. In fact, we will soon be announcing the cast and crew of the film,” he said.
When we mentioned this to Mahesh Bhatt, the producer said that since they announced the film first, the title lies with them. “I don’t care about the registration procedure anymore. Earlier when my daughter Pooja Bhatt had registered the title ‘Thank You’, the Indian Film And Television Producers Council chose to buckle under pressure from the other side, represented by Anees Bazmee. Now they can’t be taking a stand against me on this issue as well. I have no qualms about questioning their standing and authority. If Thank You does not belong to Pooja, Razz 4 does not belong to Ramesh Taurani,” he said matter-of-factly.
With Raaz being one of the most successful franchises under the Vishesh Films’ banner, it will be interesting to see the outcome of this battle.
It was recently announced by Vishesh Films that Vikram Bhatt will be
directing their next film Raaz 4. But the film seems to have run into
trouble with news emerging that Ramesh Taurani has rights to the title.
When contacted, Mahesh Bhatt said that they have already announced the
film and that work on the film will progress as planned. “The Raaz
franchise is our prized asset,” he said.However, producer Ramesh Taurani had a different story to tell. “The first instalment of the franchise was made in 2002 and back then, Mahesh Bhatt and I were co-producers. As a result, we have joint ownership of the title, Raaz 4. So while Vishesh Films are credited with making the second and third part of the Raaz franchise, I will make the fourth instalment. In fact, we will soon be announcing the cast and crew of the film,” he said.
When we mentioned this to Mahesh Bhatt, the producer said that since they announced the film first, the title lies with them. “I don’t care about the registration procedure anymore. Earlier when my daughter Pooja Bhatt had registered the title ‘Thank You’, the Indian Film And Television Producers Council chose to buckle under pressure from the other side, represented by Anees Bazmee. Now they can’t be taking a stand against me on this issue as well. I have no qualms about questioning their standing and authority. If Thank You does not belong to Pooja, Razz 4 does not belong to Ramesh Taurani,” he said matter-of-factly.
With Raaz being one of the most successful franchises under the Vishesh Films’ banner, it will be interesting to see the outcome of this battle.
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