Rakul Preet Singh recalls her last day at work before the industry-wide shutdown, till March 31, came into force
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 21, 2020)

Earlier this week, Rakul Preet Singh shared a group selfie from an ad film shoot. The actress and the people around her posed with face masks and hand sanitisers. “Please don’t step out unless absolutely necessary! Could not cancel today’s shoot but the entire team took precautions! Don’t be paranoid but wise. Think positive and fight Coronavirus with a smile,” she wrote.

Harking back to the day, Rakul says, “Leaving home felt like going to war. We made sure that there was a doctor on set and a limited crew. It was the toughest shoot, considering the paranoia (around the outbreak). No one was allowed inside my van except my entourage.” Meanwhile, work on two of her upcoming films, the John Abraham co-starrer Attack and a yet-untitled project with Arjun Kapoor has been put on hold.

On March 15, film bodies including the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association, Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association and the Indian Film and TV Producers Council directed all film, TV and OTT productions to be halted till March 31 for safety reasons. As a consequence, Rakul informs, all her shooting dates have gone for a toss. “I was supposed to be shooting every single day during this time. All of that is now going to fall in April for both my films. On April 10, I was to start work on Thank God (with Ajay Devgn and Sidharth Malhotra). But now, I don’t know what’s going to happen. This is the longest break of my life,” she sighs.

Rakul, who made her Bollywood debut with Yaariyan in 2014, didn’t return to the Hindi big screen till Aiyaary four years later. “At the time of my Hindi debut, I was a naïve 20-year-old who didn’t know one had to be in Mumbai to find more work. I had started shooting for my Telugu debut by then, which became a hit. Before I knew it, I had signed two-three big films there and decided to stick around,” she explains.

She goes on to inform that she was supposed to feature in the M S Dhoni biopic, in the role that eventually went to Disha Patani due to scheduling conflicts. Neeraj Pandey’s Aiyaary, in which she featured alongside Sidharth and Manoj Bajpayee, gave her the impetus she needed to return to Hindi films. “During the four years away from Mumbai, I did 18 films down South. I understood that people didn’t know my body of work in Mumbai. I met everyone again and De De Pyaar De (Luv Ranjan’s production co-starring Ajay and Tabu) came my way. And I felt it was time to make the transition (back to Bollywood),” she says.

Ask her about the challenges of making it as an outsider and Rakul says, “When I decided to become an actor, I knew it wouldn’t be served on a platter to me but that’s the fun of it. Being an outsider, you might not get the first opportunity, but at the end of the day, it’s talent that survives. Alia Bhatt is one of the finest actors today, not because she is Mahesh Bhatt’s daughter. She has proven herself. Today, outsiders are welcomed so warmly, be it Ayushmann (Khurrana), Vicky (Kaushal), Anushka (Sharma), Taapsee (Pannu) or Rajkummar (Rao). I understand it will take time for me but you can either crib about it or you can work towards your goals. I choose the latter.”

Does she feel the pressure to stand out among the current generation of actors, like Ananya Panday, Janhvi Kapoor and Nushrat Bharucha? “I don’t get into these pressures. We all have our pros and cons and different personalities. There are bigger and better things to worry about,” Rakul signs off.

Rakul Preet Singh explains why screen time is inconsequential to her, promises more releases in the coming year and talks about being single in the city
Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 5, 2019)

Marjaavaan is your fourth film since your debut in Yaariyan five years ago. What makes you so selective?
I moved to Mumbai after the Miss India contest and landed Yaariyan. Two days after wrapping that, I rolled with my first Telugu film. Yaariyan took a year to release by when I’d signed three-four more Telugu films. Being young and naïve, I didn’t know I’d to live in Mumbai to get work here. I was to do M S Dhoni - The Untold Story, but the dates changed because of the length of Sushant’s (Singh Rajput) hair. Neeraj sir (Pandey, producer-director) offered me Aiyaary, before that opened, I’d got De De Pyaar De and before that released, I’d landed Marjaavaan. I moved to the city after De De Pyaar De and have already bagged four films.

Isn’t Marjaavaan a special appearance?
Milap (Zaveri, director) sold it to me saying, “This is my Rekha of Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, my Chandramukhi of Devdas.” Aarzoo is a tawaif of the ’90s with nazaaqat and shayari. I’ve grown up on characters like her but haven’t seen them lately. Arzoo has raw sex appeal as opposed to De De Pyaar De’s girl-next-door Ayesha. Plus, there are Milap’s bhaari bharkam dialogues. As for screen time, Rekha ji didn’t have a full-length role, neither did Tabu in Jeet. Even Chandramukhi was a supporting role. Yet, they are all remembered. I’d rather see a role for what it is than compare it with what it is not.

Didn’t you want Tara Sutaria’s lead role?
Both roles are great and different. If offered Zoya’s role, I’d have done it.

Buzz is, you’ve signed up Attack opposite John Abraham.
I’ve signed four films which will be announced by the month-end.

And you’ve started Shankar’s Indian 2 with Kamal Haasan...
Shankar sir is a visionary, always calm and knows exactly what he wants. Kamal sir is one of the finest actors, I feel blessed to work with them in a film.

When the first Indian released, you must have been six years old?
(Laughs) I saw it much later, after I started working in Telugu films. When I was a kid, Kamal sir’s Chachi 420 was a favourite. When working with those who know so much, you end up learning a little too, without much effort.

How nervous were you?
If it had been my first or second film, I’d have been nervous but now I’m more excited. I always wanted to do big films with big actors. I’m greedy, give me better co-stars, and I will do better.

It also has Kajal Aggarwal...
Kajal is in the flashback portions with Kamal sir. I’m with Siddharth, who plays the younger guy in the present.

Do you have a secret man tucked away?
In the last five years, I’ve been busy with 30 films, there was no time for romance. Had I met the right guy, I wouldn’t have turned him away, saying “Now, is the time to work.” Even my parents are complaining, “The whole world knows you’re single.” This Diwali, my mom told me to go party and find a guy for myself.


Rekha in Muqaddar Ka Sikandar; Rakul in Marjaavaan

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; August 7, 2019)

Her social media profile describes her as, ‘Actor! In the process of turning dreams into reality!’ Even after six years and over 25 films in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu cinema, Rakul comes across as a fresh, relatively lesser-exposed face. De De Pyaar De, her recent Bollywood outing with Tabu and Ajay Devgn, got her noticed for her ability to balance the complexities of her character. With three more films — one each in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu — ready for release this year, Rakul is truly living her dream.

The actress spoke to BT about finding her feet in the movie business, and her journey so far. Excerpts...

You were noticed and appreciated for your performance in De De Pyaar De (DDPD), which is your third film in Bollywood. Have you had the time to soak in the attention?
I don’t know what it means to soak in the attention. Even the fact that I am an actor hasn’t sunk in easily. I am overwhelmed that the audience and the critics have liked my performance, and it felt great that I could hold my own in a film with Tabu and Ajay sir (Ajay Devgn). Honestly, I didn’t expect such good reviews while acting with these two stalwarts, I just knew that my role was fantastic. I saw DDPD a night before its release, and received messages from many people in the industry the same night. I thanked everyone the next day, starting with the director and the producer. They asked me why I was getting so dramatic. I wasn’t! I was happy that they considered me for the part. I’ve barely been seen in Hindi films, but they trusted me to pull it off. The conversations that have now begun are promising, and I hope things will change. I think you don’t really ‘arrive’; not here, not anywhere else in life. There’s a constant hustle and work that you have to do.

It’s been just six years since you began your journey in showbiz. However, looking back, does it feel like a long struggle, given that you had no background in films when you started out?
I started at the age of 18. For me, it’s been a long, but a good journey. The good part is that a film like DDPD came to me at a time when I could understand its emotional complexities. I don’t think I would have been ready to play a part like this in 2014 when I did Yaariyan and moved to Telugu cinema. I understood the business by being a part of it; I had no one who could explain things or show me the way. There was a time when I went for meetings in sports shoes; that changed with time. When you don’t get success overnight, you value it more, you stay grounded and work hard to sustain it. My first Telugu film opened many doors for me. I thought I might as well do the work coming my way than leave it and chase what’s evading me.

While you have done over a dozen films in South, you have had only three outings in Bollywood so far. Do you think that post DDPD, your career in Hindi cinema will steer in a new direction?
(Laughs!) I don’t know. I am okay with the fact that people didn’t know much about my work before they saw me in my last Hindi film (DDPD) because most of my Telugu films haven’t released here. It’s like actors who go to Hollywood; they may be fantastic here, but it takes time for people over there to notice them. There’s no point in saying, ‘Kaash jaldi ho jata’. I didn’t know much about Telugu films when I got my first offer. But that’s okay, it’s never too late to do anything. Look at the brighter side, if certain roles had come my way earlier, I would not have been as good. You need to have the maturity and ability to grasp the emotional arc required for some roles. Things always happen the way they are meant to. Today, I work for 300 out of 365 days in a year. In all these years, I was never sitting and looking for something. I just worked. About 18 months ago, when I started getting offers from Bollywood again, I felt that I could take some time off from my South films. I did Aiyaary (2018) for the experience of working in a Neeraj Pandey film. Even before it had released, I had signed DDPD and Marjaavaan; I hope the picture remains balanced henceforth.

With more offers coming from Hindi cinema, do you now plan to shuttle between the two industries (Bollywood and Tollywood)? The perception right now is that you are a South star trying to make in-roads here...
Hopefully, I will divide my time between Hyderabad and Mumbai throughout the year. It’s somewhat like Ajay Devgn’s famous leg split in his debut, Phool Aur Kaante (1991). Last year, I went crazy trying to manage my film schedules in both the industries. Bollywood works differently from South; it demands more time from an artiste. So, I have already slowed down my run in the South. I am trying to space out my films and focus more on my work here. Talking about perceptions, I have never been bothered about what others think. If there were misconstrued perceptions about me, I wouldn’t have landed a film like DDPD. There were no pre-set parameters in terms of what I could deliver in that film. The makers trusted me, and I made sure that I didn’t break their trust. That’s the least I could do as an actor.

Considering the fact that you didn’t have anyone to guide you, did you ever feel apprehensive about the professional decisions that you took?
Never, because I landed some good Telugu films. In any case, what did I really come here with? Nothing, except an army background, a family that runs on a fixed salary and Rs 2,000 as pocket money every month. I’ve only grown from that point; so, there has been no reason to feel apprehensive about the decisions I took in my career. Of course, people can sulk over the could-have-beens, but I have always trusted my gut instinct, and it has paid off. Having said that, I’ve not had the time to sit back and analyse these things. I’ve had three-four films releasing a year. So, I’d rather work hard and see the results.

So, who do you turn to for advice?
I seek suggestions from my parents and friends, but all the decisions are always mine. I think one should explore everything, because you just have one life. I am comfortable being all by myself. I find peace, and often, my answers in silence. Over the last four years, I’ve read a lot of spiritual books, which have drawn me to this state of being. Today, come what may, I am happy. My work doesn’t define my state of mind. The most honest answers for the most difficult questions come from within; you just have to be able to accept them.

Today, an actor is not just judged on the basis of their films. With the growing paparazzi culture and the pressure to look good at all times, do you fear being scrutinized? How do you deal with it?
We are scrutinized every minute; how much can you let these things affect you? I have never felt conscious, not even when I once stumbled and fell before the paps. I’m comfortable in my skin and don’t let anything affect me. Mostly, we are well turned-out, but at the end of the day, aren’t we just normal girls, who work in this industry? I don’t want to lose touch with the real me. It’s very easy to lose yourself in the noise around you. Believing in yourself and being comfortable with who you are, is the only way to sustain in this industry.

Being comfortable with who you are is commendable, but at the same time, one cannot overlook the fact that showbiz is a highly competitive world. With a constant influx of new faces and a limited number of projects, there is a lot of competition. Do you think not being overtly ambitious could work against you in the long run?
I didn’t set out to become No 1, and I don’t see the need to place a benchmark for where I want to reach eventually. That will happen if and when it has to. How can I say that this is where I have to be when I haven’t explored or experienced enough in my life? There’s so much to do. Maybe I am meant to go higher than a set target. Competition is great because it pushes you and doesn’t let you become lax. I’m competitive, but I don’t compete with others. It makes the whole picture negative. I play golf, and one can draw a clear parallel between the sport and life. It’s always your game; so, concentrate on the shot in hand, never get overconfident and never lose hope, because flukes can help you win. That’s how I lead my life.

Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 3, 2019)

After a successful debut with Yaariyan, Rakul Preet Singh disappeared from Bollywood, for almost four years, working down South with actors like Jr NTR, Mahesh Babu, and Ravi Teja. She returned only last year with Neeraj Pandey’s spy thriller, Aiyaary. The film bombed but Rakul stayed, standing out in the trailer of her next, De De Pyaar De, despite the presence of accomplished actors like Ajay Devgn and Tabu, thanks to her crackling chemistry with the leading man. Excerpts from an interview:

It’s been a while since we saw such a quirky take on relationships in Bollywood. How did you react during the narration?
As you just said, De De Pyaar De belongs to a quirky space, but end of the day, it’s also a very progressive film. Each character is well-etched and the premise is all the more relevant in today’s time when relationships are not defined by numbers. It’s about finding the right companion without age being a consideration. The subject has been treated light-heartedly, but there’s a strong emotional undercurrent. And despite the fact that the man is caught between his ex-wife and a much-younger woman he is dating, it’s a wholesome comedy that I can watch with my parents.

Have you ever fallen in love with someone older than you?
In real life, I’m waiting to fall in love. Older guy or younger, it doesn’t matter. (Smiles)

How was it working with two National Award-winning actors, Ajay Devgn and Tabu?
Ajay is sweet, grounded, warm and secure. He’s my senior but never once did he make me feel like a newcomer. Once I fumbled over a two-page dialogue but when I apologised, he told me, “Even I wouldn’t have remembered so much.” Tabu ma’am was also very encouraging. Whenever you work with someone who’s good at his/her job, it pushes you to do better because acting is all about action and reaction.

Why don’t we see you more often on screen?
I took a break between Yaariyan and Aiyaary, but since then I have been working non-stop. Soon after Aiyaary, I started De De Pyaar De and after that, Marjaavaan. I want to do lots of films and I’m hoping people want to see me more.

How do you deal with a failure like Aiyaary?
(Shrugs) That’s okay, only if you work, can you experience success and failure else it’s only success in your head. Just the fact that I’m getting to do what I want is a blessing. There are millions who want to be an actor and are yet to live their dream. I’m very spiritual in the way I deal with life. A film’s box-office performance is not in our hands. We can only learn from the journey and move on.

How was it reuniting with Sidharth (Malhotra, Aiyaary co-star) in Marjaavaan?
I share a good rapport with Sid because we are both from Delhi. Since we are friends, the chemistry is natural.

But Marjaavaan is a two-heroine film with Tara Sutaria…
It is, and I can’t talk much about the role. All I can say is that it’s different from De De Pyaar De.

What happened to Ramesh Sippy’s Shimla Mirchi, with Hema Malini and Rajkummar Rao. Apparently the film is complete...
Unfortunately, it’s stuck and I’m not too sure, what’s happening on that front.

So, what next? Another film with Luv Ranjan?
I can’t reveal anything till things are confirmed. Hopefully, I will sign something soon.

Having traded Hindi cinema for South films the past few years, Rakul Preet Singh says Ajay Devgn and Tabu-starrer De De Pyaar De may give her the impetus in B-Town
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; April 6, 2019)

After her Bollywood debut Yaariyan (2014), Rakul Preet Singh veered towards the South industry only to resurface in Hindi cinema last year with Aiyaary. The actor is now back on the scene with the Ajay Devgn and Tabu-starrer De De Pyaar De.

Reflecting on her career moves, she says, "I did not plan a break from Bollywood after Yaariyan. I had South films in hand and they did well, so one project led to another. But after Aiyaary, I asked myself why have I stopped doing Hindi films?"

Singh acknowledges that the Akiv Ali-directed comedy, which sees her play a 20-something in a relationship with a 50-year-old man essayed by Devgn, is the perfect fare to make her presence felt in mainstream Hindi cinema. That she has celebrated co-stars makes it all the more remarkable. "Ajay sir and Tabu ma'am were warm and welcoming. We had an enjoyable time during the shoot in London and Manali. Being foodies, we would scout the place for healthy treats."

Sharing screen space with two of the finest actors of the current generation can be intimidating, but Singh channelled it into a positive force. "It pushed me to put my best foot forward."

After the Luv Ranjan production, she has another Bollywood outing in the Sidharth Malhotra-starrer Marjaavaan. "I hope with De De Pyaar De and Marjaavaan, it is my year in Bollywood," she smiles.

Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; November 20, 2018)

She has had her share of fame down South. But now, with a number of Hindi films in her kitty, Rakul is all set to make her mark in Bollywood as well. In a chat with BT, the actress talks about her love for fitness, foraying into business and her search for love. Excerpts...

Besides De De Pyar De (DDPD) with Ajay Devgn and Tabu, you are also reuniting with your Aiyaary co-star Sidharth Malhotra for Marjaavaan and playing Sridevi in the NTR biopic. 2018 seems to be ending on a great note for you...
My achievements are for people to appreciate and celebrate, not for me. I can either feel happy about what I have achieved, despite coming from a non-filmi background, or I can look at those who have achieved way beyond. When I look at Priyanka Chopra or Deepika Padukone’s journey and the kind of films Alia Bhatt is doing, I feel that I have just begun and there is so much more to do. But yes, I am grateful to work with some of the top names in cinema.

Your second Hindi film Aiyaary released four years after your debut Yaariyan, which did well at the box office. Why did you wait so long for your second outing in Bollywood?
I started shooting for my first Telugu film two days after I finished Yaariyan, but it released before the latter and became a big hit. Before I knew, I landed three big films in the South, and I felt, ‘Achha kaam aa raha hai toh le lo abhi’. By the time Yaariyan released, I couldn’t accommodate any Hindi film in my packed schedule. There was also a certain sense of stardom, as I was touted to be the next big face in the South. I have always believed that it’s better to be a star in one industry than be a struggler everywhere. So, it was a conscious decision to continue there and take time off whenever a great offer comes my way from Bollywood.

You are shooting for six films simultaneously, in various languages. How difficult is juggling not just films, but also industries?
I have done 16 Telugu films in four years and I’m used to doing several projects at a time. The only difference this year is that now, Bollywood has come in a big way. There isn’t much difference between the industries besides the fact that in the South, we start early and don’t shoot beyond 6 pm unless in dire situations. It’s the team you work with, that define your experience in any industry.

Tell us how different is your character in De De Pyar De from that in Marjaavaan?
DDPD is a new-age love story between Ajay sir and me. The age gap is part of the script. In Marjaavaan, I have a different role and I think that it will help me push the envelope.

Recently, we have seen an increasing number of actors playing their age on screen. Your take?
It’s a sign that the industry is maturing; we are seen as actors and not heroes or heroines. I have always believed that the script is the biggest hero, and that realisation is seeping in strongly now. Senior actors are understanding that cinema has evolved with great scripts coming in, and also, smaller films are doing well at the box office. Also, it shows that the audience is maturing and content will precede everything else.

Lulls are a part of every actor’s career. So, how do you handle a film’s failure at the box office?
Even if my film doesn’t work, I celebrate that Friday night. That’s because I know that there are so many people out there, who are vying for just one role. I want to celebrate the fact that I am getting to do something that I always wanted to do. And, if the film is a success, I believe that it’s not mine alone, it’s the entire team’s effort. A lot of effort goes into making a film whether it’s a hit or a flop.

You will be seen playing the legendary Sridevi in the NTR biopic. As an actor, do you feel a lot of pressure?
Playing Sridevi comes with a lot of pressure, because I know that I will be criticised. I have always said that I am not her; in fact, nobody can be her. We are just trying to replicate her to the best of our abilities. I will do my best and not bother about the rest.

With such hectic schedules, do you find time for love?
I am single and I don’t know why. My friends tell me that I don’t know how to play the game. I can’t flirt to save my life. Now, I feel the need to make it happen. I have asked all my friends in Mumbai and Hyderabad to find me a guy. I am a sucker for love.

What else are you passionate about?
I enjoy fitness, and have opened three fitness centres. I can look at a plate of food and tell you the amount of calories in it. I also see myself opening a restaurant a few years down the line because I love food. My dream is to go on a world tour to enjoy various cuisines.

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; February 15, 2018)

Rakul Preet Singh made her Bollywood debut with Yaariyan in 2014, after which she vanished from the scene. There was talk of her doing MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, but that fizzled out soon. And now, after four years, the actress will return to Hindi films with Neeraj Pandey’s Aiyaary. She has also bagged the lead role opposite Ajay Devgn in a yet-to-be-titled film. Here, the actress tells us why she was missing in action, and what prompted her return to Hindi films...

Why did you disappear after Yaariyan?
It wasn’t intentional, nor was it pre-decided that I am not going to do a Hindi film. It just so happened that two days after I finished Yaariyan, I started shooting for my first Telugu film. That released in November and by then I had started another movie in Telugu. And when Yaariyan released, which was exactly a year from the day we finished the shoot, I already had two-three films in the South. I was working every day, it was not like I was sitting at home. I felt I might as well do great films at one place, rather than go to Mumbai and look for good work. And whenever something great comes my way, I will do it. In three-and-a-half years, I did 16 films in the South.

There were reports of you being a part of M S Dhoni - The Untold Story? What went wrong?
I was supposed to do the Dhoni biopic with Neeraj (Pandey) sir, which I had signed. I had even been part of the readings, but unfortunately, I couldn’t do the film because there was a slight change in dates. I was shooting for three South films at that time and I couldn’t accommodate the change.

How did Aiyaary happen?
For Aiyaary, which is also directed by Neeraj, the team first asked, ‘Ab dates hai ki nahin’, I said abhi block karoge toh hai. It’s a good film to make a comeback with. It speaks content, it has a good starcast and it’s Neeraj sir’s.

The film focuses on Sidharth Malhotra and Manoj Bajpayee. Where do you fit in?
I play a software hacker in the film. That by itself means I would be part of an integral plot of the film —  you’ll realise when you see it. Of course, it’s not a love story, nor does the film talk about the life of a boy and a girl, but in a Neeraj Pandey movie, every character has some importance. And looking at his past films, just to be associated with his movie means either you are there for a reason or not at all. I feel it is more important for me to come with a good film at this point. A film that I would be proud of and is intelligent cinema. It’s not how much screen time you have, it’s what you do in that screen time that matters.

Does that mean you have a different approach for South films and Bollywood?
No, obviously I won’t play the second lead in Bollywood. I am playing the lead role in this film and would like to do good roles. But this is the kind of movie that doesn’t require dancing around the trees. It has songs which take the story forward, it has characters that are integral to the core plot. I am an army kid and I was more excited about being a part of the film which talks about the system and army.

How is it working with Neeraj?
With Neeraj sir, you really need to unlearn everything that you know. His style of shooting is realistic. He gives you complete freedom within the space and boundary of the character. It’s an interesting way of shooting. You need to understand every director’s style of shooting, adapt to it and deliver. Neeraj sir shot the film on real locations, not a single set was used. Even with the actors, he likes to keep it real, whether it is the lighting or makeup. While performing, you can’t be overacting, it needs to be subtle and natural. He would always tone down the make-up. He didn’t want any colours on the lips. Whatever we did, he would say tone it down. It had to look like we are real people.

What was your equation like with Manoj Bajpayee and Sidharth Malhotra?
My first day of shoot was with Manoj and he is amazing. I have grown up watching his films. He is an extremely talented actor and so comfortable to work with, very encouraging. He is extremely hilarious — he was the only one joking all the time on the sets! I learnt a lot from him. Sid, on the other hand, is a very easy-going guy. Both of us are from Delhi, which we realised while shooting and hit it off well on that note. He is non filmi, is grounded, has no airs about himself and is very hard working. 

Can you tell me about the film you are doing with Ajay Devgn and Tabu?
I have a glamorous role in the film, it’s the lead with Ajay sir. We have just wrapped up the first schedule and it is shaping out well. It came to me post the shooting of Aiyaary. I was in Mumbai when they did a photoshoot with me for the look of the character. They liked it and I was on. I have a meaty role in the film, but it’s too early to talk about it. All I can say is it’s a new age love story.

In an industry where competition is growing by the day and his contemporaries are getting to sing lesser number of songs, singer KK speaks to Deepali Dhingra about staying free of insecurities and fears
Deepali Dhingra (MID-DAY; May 25, 2014)

When KK was in school, one of his teachers advised to send his son to a music tutor to learn the craft as he had a good voice. “I went for exactly two days and gave it up,” laughs the singer, who has crooned some of the most melodious numbers in Bollywood, including Yaaron from Rockford, Koi Kahe from Dil Chahta Hai, Tu Aashiqui Hai from Jhankaar Beats, Aashayein from Iqbal and Khuda Jaane from Bachna Ae Haseeno. Pal, that beautiful number, which became a love anthem for many, was also delivered by this talented singer in 1999.

When we catch up with the musician at his Yari Road studio, it’s almost like meeting an old friend — he knows how to put you at ease. Guess the whole ‘media- shy’ image is a bit of a misnomer, although the Delhi-born singer does admit that he prefers to go unnoticed in crowds. “I’m not reclusive, but I feel that there should be something substantial for me to talk about,” he adds.

For somebody who admits to never being a prolific singer, KK says that he doesn’t know how he’s managed to survive for so long in the music industry. “People say one should be visible, but I haven’t done anything else besides singing. I’m happy if I get to sing five songs a month,” he says. He is grateful that music composers understood this side of his personality and cast him for their songs.

The year 2014 has been good for him, with songs such as Tune Maari Entriyaan from Gunday and Dil Aajkal from Purani Jeans getting a lot of attention from cine-goers. “Then there was a lovely song that didn’t get noticed from Parathe Wali Gali called Tere Bin Ho Na Sakega Guzara and Meri Ma from Yaaryian,” he adds to the list.

Unlike some of his contemporaries who sound bitter about the current musical scenario, KK has a different take. “As an artiste, I have only gained over the years, so I have only good things to talk about. Why would I want to say anything bad about new singers? One should appreciate what some of the new singers are doing and learn from them,” he adds. His focus has always been his music. “When I enter a recording studio, it’s like I have blinkers on. I keep my slate clean — I don’t think about what anyone else is doing,” he says.

Over the years, he admits to changing his approach towards his career, in some ways. He’s recently made his presence felt on Twitter, and is enjoying the feedback that he’s getting from his fans. “I think I kept KK, the singer, behind KK, the man for too long. I have started opening up now,” he says. There’s an added sense of rejuvenation, as the talented artiste, who has two albums to his credit, believes this is the right time for him to create some independent music again. “It might be just a single, but I feel like delving into my abilities as a musician,” says KK. Needless to say, his fans will be waiting to see what he comes up with.

Meena Iyer & Hiren Kotwani (BOMBAY TIMES; April 4, 2014)

Trade reports say approximately 46 films released in the first quarter of 2014 as opposed to 43 for the same period last year. However, there were only two clear winners — Queen and Ragini MMS 2. Gunday falls in the above average slot, Yaariyan and Hasee Toh Phasee made it to the average slot. And though Salman Khan’s Jai Ho crossed the 100 cr mark, it didn’t bring too much cheer to the distribution circles because the trade has started to expect the sun, moon and stars from Salman.

In Janary to March 2014 Bollywood collected 500 cr. In the corresponding period last year Hindi cinema collected 520 crores.

Check out the laundry list of disasters and you will realise that Bollywood filmmakers have more often got their formula wrong than right. Shaadi Ke Side Effects, Dedh Ishqiya, Sholay 3D, Mr Joe B Carvalho, Karle Pyaar Karle, Heartless, Miss Lovely, Ya Rab, Babloo Happy Hai, Om Dar-Ba-Dar, Paranthe Wali Gali, Kaho Na Kaho, Darr @ The Mall, Dee Saturday Night, Lucky Kabootar, Pyaar Ka Live Show, Anuradha, Gulaab Gang, Total Siyapaa, Bewakoofiyaan, Neighbours, W, Ankhon Dekhi, Gang Of Ghosts, Lakshmi, O Teri and Dishkiyaoon have created such a vacuum in the balance-sheets of producers, that some of them are still wondering why they ventured in the direction of these projects.

Distributor Hemant Shah, attributes the long list of flops to poor content. He says, “The cost of the movies, with print and advertising, too has proved to be unviable. Also, on some days, the matches and exams added to the industry woes.” In the same vein, another distributor adds that no film is small vis-à-vis the cost. “People were depending on Madhuri Dixit’s two films, but they couldn’t run even one week. With the print and publicity expenditure going up, how long can one go on thinking that satellite rights will save the day for you.”

Case in point: Club 60, starring Farooq Shaikh and Sarika. Trade experts state it earned critical acclaim and filled up whatever little shows they had. “But the film got an offer of only 1 crore for the satellite rights,” says the distributor. 

HASEE TOH PHASEE led the box office charts last week as the other new releases had awful collections. HEARTLESS, BABLOO HAPPY HAI and YA RAB could not collect despite all three getting a 250 screen release. HEARTLESS was the best of the lot.

JAI HO is coming to the end of its run and may collected a little over 108 crore nett in the final. HOOM 3 3 has finished its run with a little over 261 crore. Below is the box office chart for the week ending 13 Feb 2014.

Box Office Collections (7 Feb 14 - 13 Feb 14)
Rank	Last Week	Film	Week	Screens	Nett Gross	% Drop	Total Nett Gross
1	New	Hasee Toh Phasee	1	1300	27,23,00,000	-	27,23,00,000
2	1	Jai Ho	3	700	3,83,00,000	-82.01	1,06,84,00,000
3	New	Heartless	1	425	85,00,000	-	85,00,000
4	New	Ya Rab	1	250	23,25,000	-	23,25,000
5	New	Babloo Happy Hai	1	275	21,75,000	-	21,75,000
6	4	Yaariyan	5	25	6,00,000	-83.33	31,10,00,000
8	3	Dedh Ishqiya	5	25	6,00,000	-88.00	25,26,00,000
7	2	One By Two	2	15	3,00,000	-98.92	2,80,00,000
9	5	Dhoom 3 (Hindi)	8	5	2,00,000	-80.00	2,61,23,00,000
10	8	Karar - The Deal	3	10	1,00,000	-35.00	4,00,000

ONE BY TWO had a poor first day collecting in the 50 lakhs nett range. The film fared poorly in all circuits with Delhi city and Punjab area recording best collections. The film has mainly been released at multiplexes with around 500 screens but looks set for a poor fate.

JAI HO grossed around 3 crore nett on its second Friday which is more than 80% down on last Friday. The total is now around 85 crore nett in eight days and the way the film is going it won't make it to 100 crore before the weekend is out unless collections double up either on Saturday or Sunday.

The film did not take a bumper opening but the the big holiday collections gave it a chance of a good total if it had managed to sustain but that has not been the case.

The second week practically being an open week has not helped much. JAI HO is now looking at a finish of around 110 crore nett which means the lowest Salman Khan grosser in the last three years.

Meanwhile, YAARIYAN will finish with around 30 crore nett business and is an average fare. AVERAGE And, DEDH ISHQIYA will finish with around 24 crore nett business and is a flop. FLOP

Newly appointed Censor Board CEO Rakesh Kumar says he is here keep a check on the growing vulgarity and violence
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 16, 2014)

CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) has a new CEO, Rakesh Kumar, an ex-employee in Indian Railways. In an exclusive chat with Mirror at his Cuffe Parade residence on Tuesday night, he talks about his plans to scissor the objectionable content. Excerpts:
 
What's the first thing on your agenda? There is a huge backlog of films that needs to be cleared as we are short-staffed. I had a meet-ngreet with a set of leading filmmakers. I have to look into their request of allowing online submission of film trailers for approval. Also, Censor Chief, Leela Samson, has asked me to keep a check on the growing vulgarity and violence in films.
 
What's your take on today’s films? The seriousness in content is missing. Filmmakers are pushing the envelope a bit too far. They tell us, “Whatever we show is happening in our homes.” But what is happening in their homes is not necessarily happening across the country. So it cannot be the yardstick. I seriously don't think Ranbir Kapoor should have shown his middle finger and bared his butt in Besharam. I also felt that given his reputation, Aamir Khan shouldn't have produced a cuss-loaded film like Delhi Belly (pauses).
 
Go on... My wife and I walked out of Agneepath in the interval because it was just too gory. Gangs of Wasseypur had terrible language and Vishal Bhardwaj retained Arshad Warsi's sex scene in Dedh Ishqiya despite us ordering him to blur it out. It was only when we told him that we’d be forced to make a police complaint, did he edit it out. After watching Shuddh Desi Romance, my five-year-old daughter asked me, “Dad, isn’t there too much love in this movie?" More recently, I went to see Yaariyan with her and came out visibly embarrassed. Now, I have decided not to see even a U/A film with my kid.
 
How do you plan to change things? I called a meeting of my Regional Officers and have told them that I am not happy with the way certain things are going.
 
Are you in favour of removing ‘No Smoking’ disclaimer? No, Anurag Kashyap has to follow the law of the land. He has challenged it in court but he is unlikely to win the case.
 
How will you make adult content suitable for TV viewing? If you have content like Grand Masti, I wonder how much would remain after we clip.
 
But the film did well... Then pornography, which has a huge market in India, should be included in films to make them work better in the box-office.
 
Buzz is, CBFC has been lenient with influential filmmakers… On the contrary, we have been lenient with low-budget filmakers. I was an observer at the Revising Committee. Kill The Rapist was cleared with an A certificate. I questioned if it should be given a certificate at all.
 
What's your view on the New Cinematograph Act? It isn’t radically different from the previous one, except that U-12 and U-15 code will be included in the theatres. But I doubt the extent of its implementation.
 
Do you think that CBFC is walking on a tightrope with every film having plenty of objectionable content? The problem is that the objectionable content is getting passed. This is making the filmmakers more audacious. If we can nip this trend in the bud, the results will show up sooner or later. Else I will be out.
 
Have you met the former CEO Pankaja Thakur? Yes, I met her at her Wadala residence. It is a norm to meet your predecessor before taking charge.
 
Why wasn’t her stint not increased beyond three years? Office politics was one of the reasons. She had come from Customs and maybe will go back.

2 MEDIUM BUDGET FILMS UP FOR RELEASE TOMORROW!

It would be an interesting Friday as 2 medium budget films, with limited but significant buzz, are all set to release tomorrow. My views:

DEDH ISHQIYA: This is the sequel to the successful Ishqiya and marks the return of the characters of Khalu and Babban, essayed by Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi. Vidya Balan is missing but Madhuri Dixit, Huma Qureshi, Vijay Raaz, Manoj Pahwa and others are new additions. Madhuri looks absolutely beautiful, at least from the promos. Huma seems to have quite an aggressive role, which should make for a fun watch. Also, Arshad-Naseer’s bantering should be quite funny, as in the first part. Sadly, the film’s buzz is very limited. Not a single song has worked which is a shocker considering that Ishqiya album was a hit, mostly because of the popularity of Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji and Ibn E Batuta. Promotion has been limited which also hasn’t helped the film much. A poor-to-average opening is hence expected. However, the film can be very well made and if that’s the case, it can grow significantly from Day 1 evening or Day 2 onwards.

YAARIYAN: It marks the directorial debut of Divya Khosla Kumar, T-Series head honcho Bhushan Kumar’s wife. The film looks super-rich thanks to its appealing production values and locales. It has an all-new star cast with Gulshan Grover and Deepti Naval playing supporting roles. The film is not just about college and hostel fun but also has an emotional angle that is expected to touch a chord. What has surprised many is that the film was made on very low costs, despite being shot in some challenging locations and despite boasting of rich production values. The album is a chartbuster, with Sunny Sunny and Baarish already topping the charts. But again, the excitement for the film isn’t immense and it’s the music primarily that has helped the film gain mileage. Also, the vulgar jokes haven’t gone down well with a section of audiences. Many found the entire bit a cheap copy of Student Of The Year! Yaariyan’s opening too won’t be huge but if response is positive, it can attract youth in hordes. Also, it has almost no competition next week.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE DEDH ISHQIYA OR YAARIYAN AND WHY? DO LET ME KNOW!

Hiren Kotwani and Parag Maniar (BOMBAY TIMES; January 8, 2014)

The title Yaariyan was initially registered by Saif Ali Khan. However, Bhushan Kumar thought it suited their subject’s genre and requested the actor-producer for the title. Saif graciously obliged.

Before she started shooting, Divya Khosla Kumar had taken her script to Aamir Khan for his feedback. When he told her that it was a great idea for a film, she was thrilled.

When Himansh Kohli was a small boy, an astrologer had read his palm and told his parents that he would grow up to become an actor.

Shreyas Pardiwala was approached by the production house on a social networking site. But he thought that it was a fake message and ignored it initially.

Dev Sharma was working as a trainee assistant on Krrish 3 when he got a call from the production house to meet them for a look test.

While shooting in the chilly climes of Darjeeling, the cast suffered frostbites when they had to walk in knee-deep snow at one point of time.

Himansh had an encounter with a poisonous snake while shooting for a sequence in South Africa. Thankfully, he didn’t get bitten.

Shreyas, who was still studying in college when they were shooting, used to take his books on the set. Sometimes, Nicole Faria helped him with his studies.

Before the shooting began, Divya devoted almost an entire year to casting and workshops for her actors.

The first-time director took keen interest in every aspect of the film, right from the characters’ looks to the costumes, locations and set.

While several talents in the industry vouch for their ‘Godfathers’, the cast of the film termed their director as their ‘Godmother’, since that’s what she was on the set.

Despite being caught up with the film, Divya ensured that her son was around all the time. She’d even joke that her son Ruhaan (oneyear-old when they started filming), was the real producer as he was more on the set than her husband.

The team also shot a schedule at Lachen, located 13,000 feet above Leh. Of course, Divya’s producer-hubby was very stressed and concerned when she told him that they’d be shooting at the location where temperatures dropped to near zero.

Gulshan Grover was like an elder brother to the young cast and allowed them to use his plush hotel room as and when they liked it.

During the making of the movie, the principal actors became such thick friends that they apparently were even considering buying a flat together so that they can spend more time with each other.

Yo Yo Honey Singh has done a special song, Sunny Sunny, for the film. The producer wasn’t impressed with the original ABCD number, so he requested Honey Singh to add some rap to it.

Yaariyan, produced by TSeries, releases on January 10.

Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; December 8, 2013)

Divya Khosla Kumar, 32, considers herself more talented than pretty and uses her spectacles to hide her looks. She is simple, sensitive and strong, but loves being pampered by her husband Bhushan Kumar. She is inspired by the women in her life, be it her mother or mom-in-law and would like her hard-working husband to give her more undivided time. She is a dedicated mother to her two-year-old son Ruhaan and considers him the real producer of her upcoming film Yaariyan more than her husband, as he was always on the set with her. Over an hour-long conversation with Bombay Times, she talks about her strong mother, her empathising mother-in-law and why she and Bhushan never talk about his father. Excerpts:
 
How did you become an actor?
I was born and brought up in Delhi. My mom was a teacher and my dad owned a small printing press where we printed visiting cards. They have their own house now, but until I was in the 10th, we lived in a rented place. I was always very studious and intelligent. I once remember coming back and telling my mother that there was not even a single book left in the library that I had not read. Even though we were middleclass, my parents always got me what I wanted. The only regret I have is that I would always tell my papa to get me a cycle and he did not, so I don’t know how to ride a cycle. I was very innocent and seedha-saadha and would never go out for parties and never had any boyfriends, even though half my school boys were after me. I was always clear that I did not want to let down my parents. I would get a lot of blank calls in my house and some boys would write letters in blood. I used to enjoy it, but my parents would feel bad. I was popular amongst boys, so girls never liked me. While doing my B.Com Honours, I started modelling at 18 for print ads. My mom, being from an army background, was okay with me modelling, even though my dad was not that comfortable. I was 20 when, despite everyone advising her against it, my mom allowed me to shift to Mumbai all alone. Even though I did not know a single person in Mumbai, I packed my bags and came here. My mom had this confidence that I would never do anything wrong in life. In my first year of living in Mumbai, I travelled in trains and changed seven PG accommodations as I had some very fast girls sharing my PG. Within my first year, I got a music video with Salman Khan. I also did a video with Abhijeet Bhattacharya. I first got a South film and auditioned to get my Bollywood break with Anil Sharma’s Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Sathiyo with Akshay Kumar, Bobby Deol and Mr Bachchan. That film released in December 2004 and by February 2005, I had got married to Bhushan Kumar.
 
How did you meet Bhushan? I met him at Anil Sharma’s house as he was doing the music of that film. He started messaging and hounding me. Sometimes, I would get four messages before going into the shower and by the time I came out, there would be four more messages. He invited us for his sister’s wedding in Delhi. My mom met him and liked him instantly for his humility and pushed me to get married to him. Despite his achievement, his innocence reflected on his face and I too liked that and I agreed to marry him.
 
Talk about Bhushan? He is a very down-to-earth person, practical and very hard-working and I really admire the fact that he has dedicated his whole life to paying tribute to his father. He keeps so busy that till date, we have never had lunch or dinner together. Sometimes I tell him, ‘Why can’t you take an off?’ As a wife, I am very adjusting and want to give him his freedom and let him live his life the way he wants to. I don’t like that he doesn’t take me on a holiday. I would like him to be more loving towards me. For instance, when we are at home, he will only talk about Yaariyan even at 11 at night and that irritates me. He will tell me, ‘But it is your film I am talking about.’ Even though it is my film, I cannot discuss it anymore. He is emotional, but will not show it. He is strong and I have never seen him cry till date. I cry at the drop of a hat though he doesn't like it. He has a temper, but the good thing is that he will make up soon after and will say, ‘I am so stressed, so please understand.’ I also don’t like to stretch things too far. If he is rude, it hurts me. On Karva Chauth, I was fasting for him and he said something very rudely to me in his room and it hurt me. I cried, but I’m adjusting. He will never continue a fight and that is his quality. I think he likes my innocence, my honesty and simplicity.
 
Talk about your mother? My source of inspiration are the women in my life. My mom has faced numerous adversities, but she is brave and I look up to her for the way she handled it. The kind of faith she has in God is amazing. My nani was an army man’s wife and ran her own jewellery business from home. I get my creativity from her. I also respect my mom-in-law a lot. She comes from a normal middle-class family and despite the fact that she did not know a word of English, she has risen so much and now she handles T-Series in Delhi. I like her more than I like Bhushan. As a woman, she is understanding and I discuss all my issues with her. I always tell her, ‘You understand me more than my husband.’ It’s difficult to find mom-in-laws like that. I have always been a good daughter and try to be a good daughter-in-law and always listen to whatever she says. Both my mom and mom-in-law are strong women. I am too sensitive and have a long way to go vis-a-vis them.
 
Who are you most attached to? My son. I can sleep without Bhushan, but I can’t sleep without my son.
 
Does Bhushan ever discuss his father Gulshan Kumar with you? His father was a genius and it is not possible to be like him. Bhushan is nowhere close to his father. Post his father’s death, when he was 19, he changed his lifestyle and worked extremely hard. He doesn’t talk about his father or show his feelings. And I don’t touch upon it as it is a sensitive topic. I don’t think he discusses it even with his mom. If there is something coming on TV about his father, I immediately look at his face and get troubled. His father was a visionary. His vision was also to grow T-Series into films and reach every house and that is what Bhushan wants to do and is his tribute to his father.

Why did you take to direction? I came here to achieve something in life and not to get married. I came here to satisfy my creative thirst. And I am really proud that I have made this film without assisting any director. It’s a fact that the industry is shellshocked seeing my trailer and they will be more shell-shocked when they see the film. My husband is also flying these days as he has seen the film. If he didn’t like it, he would not promote it. Sometimes I feel very bad when people say, ‘Oh, she is Bhushan’s wife and it must be so easy for her’. But I want to say that it has been eight years since my marriage and had it not been difficult, it would not have taken me this much time to make a film. It’s been a long struggle. After I married Bhushan, I felt that the best way to channelise my creativity would be to make a film. I did a course in cinematography from Mumbai because he did not want me to go away to New York, as he would then have to stay without me. Also, he did not want me to assist anyone, so I started doing editing at our office. One day I told him, ‘Give me a music video. I want to direct it.’ He gave me Agam Nigam’s video (Sonu Nigam’s father) and I did it and it became a blockbuster hit. I then did many videos and landed up doing 20 of them before I got trained in direction and production.

How was it to work with Salman?
Salman was very nice to work with. He is a very sweet person. He has gone through so many ups and downs that has made him strong and deep. He is a very good human being.

What does Yaariyan mean to you?
I am ambitious. And more than pretty, I consider myself talented. I would often hide my looks behind my specs. My son Ruhaan was on the set with me and he was just one when I started directing. Bhushan came for only four days during the shoot. So I feel that my son is the true producer of the film. It’s difficult to be a mother and even tougher to be a director. I was doing both together. If it succeeds, it will not just be the success of the film, but of the principle that a girl without stooping down and compromising on her morals, keeping her dignity intact, can do it in this man’s world. And that if you are intelligent and talented, every woman can reach where she wants to. We women are stronger than men and need not feel insecure. Even if it takes longer, your destiny will always come to you. I consider myself God’s child. I came to Mumbai to achieve my destiny and I have to achieve it with this film. There is no other way.