Showing posts with label Yodha. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yodha. Show all posts
Sidharth Malhotra, Karan Johar to reunite for seventh time, for relationship drama
10:16 AM
Sources say Sidharth Malhotra to reunite with mentor Karan Johar for a relationship drama, marking their seventh outing since ‘Student Of The Year’
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 16, 2026)
It looks like 2026 is bringing a reunion of Sidharth Malhotra and his mentor Karan Johar. Two years after their last collaboration ‘Yodha’ (2024), the actor is in advanced discussions to front Dharma Productions’ new project.
Sources have told mid-day that the film — an emotionally charged drama that focuses on complex relationships — will be directed by Sharan Sharma, who previously helmed ‘Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl’ (2020) and ‘Mr & Mrs Mahi’ (2024).
A source said, “The studio is keen to collaborate with Sidharth again and feels that the subject suits his persona. He had liked the idea when it was shared with him last year. He gave a verbal go-ahead at the time, and wanted to read the script before committing formally. Now, it’s in the last stages of conversation.”
If all goes as planned, the film could go on floors by summer 2026 and will be shot in Mumbai.
It's 10 years too late now for self-doubt to kick in-Sidharth Malhotra
7:37 AM
Vinay MR Mishra (BOMBAY TIMES; May 1, 2024)
Sidharth Malhotra, who won accolades for his performance in Shershaah, has never shied away from taking up roles that make him push the envelope. Irrespective of the movie’s reception at the box office, the actor continues to make interesting career choices. After two years, he had a theatrical release with Yodha in March. Though there was a lot of anticipation around the action-drama, the movie didn’t do wonders at the box office.
In a conversation with us, Sidharth spoke about how he’s still proud of the film and that the fate of a movie doesn’t lead to self-doubt.
‘There is nothing to process’
Despite the movie's fate, Sidharth still stands by it. Ask him how he is processing the ramifications, and he replies, “There is nothing to process. It starts with giving out a quality product. Whenever I do a film, I want to be sure – is it a product that I am proud of. Do you bring the quality to it? Is there a narrative? Is there a storytelling? Is this something new that you are portraying and putting out? And for me, Yodha has ticked all those boxes. Whether it's portraying this action hero character, whether it's having a little bit of a cheekiness to him in certain sequences, or it's the compliments that one gets for the action, that one has done – that is the first aspect that a filmmaker or an actor looks for. The other aspect (the business), we don't have any control over it. We've had the best of the best in the business for over 30 plus years who still can't predict what's going to happen on that Friday. So, I'm just one of them and (just) happy that we have a quality product – whether it's the action, the tonality, or the music that worked for us in our favor.”
‘It's 10 years too late now for self-doubt to kick in’
This is Sidharth’s fifth film in a row that has not worked at the box office. During such time it can be difficult to continue sticking to one’s conviction. How does he ensure that the self-doubt doesn’t creep in? Ask him that and pat comes the response, “It's 10 years too late now for self-doubt to kick in. I have been here for more than a decade and I think it is part of the process. One is just looking to put out a quality product which Yodha, for me, ticks those boxes. That's the best an actor can do to present the film in the best way. There are many other factors that one doesn't have control over - the film was supposed to be released at a certain time – a lot of aspects which are beyond somebody's creative control.”
‘Kiara and I need to pick the correct script where both of us justify our roles’
Currently, Sidharth has no movies announced. The actor is taking time to access his next one and is ensuring that he does not rush. "There's lots (in the pipeline), whether which one will be first is the question. We're now getting the creators in place. I like to be more prepped and get the quality in place, which requires time. I think it's better to take your time than to rush into stuff," he shares.
Earlier in January last year, Sidharth had also confirmed a rom-com with his now actor-wife Kiara Advani. Ask him for an update about that one and he states, “Oh yeah, that's very much on the table. We can't say for sure, but we were very interested in working together and finding the correct script combination, where both of us justify our roles. Also, the audience gets to see us after Shershaah, which we got a lot of love for. It is about getting the correct elements in place.”
2024's first quarter is decent; Shaitaan is the true bonafide hit in the first three months
8:43 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
The industry has seen a pretty decent first quarter as the exhibition sector fared the worst as the biggest film of the quarter FIGHTER did not live upto expectations. But its been a steady run post FIGHTER and some films have managed to make a mark.
There is an issue with very little content. There are just ten films which have gone over 10 crore nett which is hardly a number and they are below. These will be the films with some sort of awareness or face value that were released in the first quarter.
The classifications of those ten main films are as follows.
Merry Christmas (FLOP): A mystery thriller film with vey little for theatres and a film that would only do well in Mumbai city even if liked. These sort of filsms will be available in hundreds for audiences on television at home.
Fighter (AVERAGE): The film is the highest grosser of the year but could not fair well in mass circuits. Its not about the planes or anything but the landscape has changed in these areas and its about raw and rustic films driven by the storylines rather than Hollywood type of action. TIGER 3 also had a similar struggle and Hollywood films are finding it tough going in the Hindi circuits. FIGHTER had stars and music but the appeal remained limited and its a lot to do with how much these mass circuits have changed post pandemic. If we take the fact that it did not release in Gulf then, there was an outperformance overseas. However, the final number does not suggest that as its without Gulf.
Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Ulja Jiya (SEMI HIT): The film did very well for its genre driven by the music. The music was not blockbuster but the fact that it had music and it was good enough which is more than what most films have. The was pushed by the buy one get one offer but it does look that offers will not help if the audience is not with the. So, the benefit of the offer is probably very limited.
Article 370 (HIT): The first HIT of the year which proved a SUPER HIT in Mumbai circuit. The film did extremely well for its budget but it was a costly acquisition and with streaming likely to be in house it was about India theatrical for recovery. Nevertheless, the film actually pulled it of very well.
Crakk (DISASTER): The heavily budget action film for the face value but this sort of action content is just not relatable to the mass centres where it has to score.
Laapataa Ladies (FLOP): A ladies film looking by its name and which has trended well in its run holding well every week but it just could not find much of an audience. The trending of the film can be called respectable. However, that hardly matters when there are no overall numbers.
Shaitaan (HIT): The true bonafide HIT of the first quarter which did well all over. The film was a psychological/horror film but the family sentiments worked strongly for the film. The box office today is about reaching the mass and it's basically going back to the 80's. What happened here was when the big budgets were not there, the films catering to family sentiments emerged winners at the box office. Today, any genre will work as long as it has these family sentiments as this is where the reach will come from. SHAITAAN was devoid of music which is the other way to push the reach but still did the trick.
Yodha (FLOP): A urban action film on a hijacking and when a FIGHTER struggled for reach with the mass audiences, it was always going to be tough for this film. Action films made in Hindi for urban audiences have never done well although there maybe some exceptions but those will be very few if any.
Madgaon Express (FLOP): A Goa holiday/trip film which pretty much seals the fate in most of the country with the trailer itself. For some reason, the industry actually had hope for the film. The film did better in Mumbai circuit but even there, the numbers were still poor. Rest of the circuits were very dull.
Swatantrya Veer Savarkar (FLOP): A film on a Maharashtrian political figure which had no scope outside Maharashtra. The plus is that it will do around 15 crore nett in the state of Maharashtra which means some sort of acceptance here. But its a Hindi film and rest of India is extremely dull with practically no collections.
Crew (SEMI HIT/AVERAGE): The last release of the quarter which has done pretty well. The film has scored very well in North (NCR and East Punjab) and along with SHAITAAN is the only other film to do so. The film will have shortened run due to Eid which will hold back the numbers. It has had decent run nevertheless and is an out performer in Overseas.
Outside the organic Hindi movies, the dubbed SOUTH film HANUMAN proved to be a HIT while GODZILLA x KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE was also a HIT. The latter was just AVERAGE in Hindi circuits but the business in the South took it to HIT status.
Experts feel 2024's first quarter was average
8:27 AM
As we wrap up the first quarter of 2024, here is a look at Bollywood’s report card as shared by industry experts
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 2, 2024)
Four months into 2024, the Hindi film industry has been on a bumpy ride. Fighter, starring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, was expected to ring in the year with eye-popping box-office numbers, but slowly inched towards the Rs. 200 crore mark. On the other hand, films like Crakk, Yodha, All India Rank and Kuch Khattaa Ho Jaay left us wanting. In comparison, 2023 was a blockbuster one with Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Pathaan setting the tone for the rest of the year.
The year “hasn’t begun well” agrees trade analyst Taran Adarsh, adding, “We didn’t have a Pathaan kind of film, a Rs. 500 crore grosser, or even a film that touched Rs. 50 crore on day one. Fighter was a well-made film, but it didn’t live up to the expectations.”
DEARTH OF GOOD FILMS?
Films that took the industry by surprise with their performances were genre benders like actors Ajay Devgn’s Shaitaan, Yami Gautam Dhar’s Article 370 and Shahid Kapoor’s Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya. Their box-office collections show that they did exceedingly well.
Devang Sampat, Managing Director, Cinepolis India, remarks, “2024’s first quarter has been average, with no major hits; films like Shaitaan worked. I feel 2023’s first quarter was much better and a hit like Pathaan is still awaited. There are good titles coming up in 2024, which are a mix of Bollywood biggies and those from the south.”
Aditya Datt, director of the actioner Crakk, is proud of his film. But with “disappointing” footfalls in cinema halls, he is ready to move on. “Response to the film’s new age idea and action was amazing,” he says, as he’s feeling “optimistic” for its OTT debut. “The magic we crafted will more eyes watching and appreciating it.”
HIGH EXPECTATIONS
Another film which was praised by critics, had a big star cast, but still underperformed at the box office was Merry Christmas, featuring actors Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi. Producer Ramesh Taurani who bankrolled the film, elaborates, “We were expecting more in collections. Nevertheless, it’s okay, things happen. We did get a lot of praise and critical acclaim.”
HIGHEST GROSSERS of ’24 till NOW (All India collections according to trade estimates)
Fighter- Rs. 199 crore
Shaitaan- Rs. 137 crore
Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya- Rs. 81 crore
Article 370- Rs. 72 crore
Crew- Rs. 41 crore (still running in theatres)
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 822
9:54 AM
WILL MOVIEGOERS HOP ON THE MADGAON EXPRESS?
The performance of the last Friday’s releases was a mixed bag. Yodha put up disappointing numbers, despite the makers providing a buy-one-get-one-ticket-free scheme on Saturday and Sunday. The first-week collections will be around Rs. 22-23 crores and the film hopefully would cross the Rs. 30 crore mark. Bastar - The Naxal Story, on the other hand, is a washout. The last film of this team, The Kerala Story, collected Rs. 6.75 crores on Day 1. Bastar - The Naxal Story, in its lifetime, will struggle to cross 50% of the first-day collections of The Kerala Story and that says it all. However, Kung Fu Panda 4, as predicted last week, collected Rs. 2.50 crores, which is more than the day 1 collection of Kung Fu Panda 3 (Rs. 2.10 crores). The first week collections are expected to be around Rs. 16 crores and it’s bound to have a long run in cinemas. The collections can cross the Rs. 30 crore mark or even the Rs. 35 crore mark.
This week, two diverse films will try their luck in cinemas. The biggest one is Madgaon Express. It marks the directorial debut of Kunal Kemmu and stars Pratik Gandhi, Divyenndu, Avinash Tiwary and Nora Fatehi. The comic caper’s trailer has been well-received and it promises to be a crazy, youthful entertainer. However, the film looks more of an urban flick and not a mass comedy like Dhamaal, Dhol etc. The songs also haven’t worked. The opening, hence, will be in the range of Rs. 1.50-2 crores. On the first day, viewers can get one ticket free on every ticket and this might boost the earnings. A good word of mouth can help the film earn well. The Holi holiday on Monday, March 25, will also benefit.
Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, meanwhile, will have paid previews from tonight, Thursday, March 21 and a full-fledged release from tomorrow. It is directed by Randeep Hooda and also features him in the role of the freedom fighter. The film got into controversy last year when Mahesh Manjrekar revealed that he was supposed to direct the film and he left the project due to interference by Randeep. The producers also got into a tiff with the actor. The issue was then resolved. Meanwhile, Veer Savarkar is a controversial figure and as a result, the trailer has received polarized reactions.
Swatantrya Veer Savarkar’s buzz is limited but it won’t have Bastar - The Naxal Story’s Rs. 35 lakhs type disaster collections on day 1. The number will be slightly more as a section of the audience will be curious to see the film. This target audience’s response is important if the film needs to have a good run in cinemas.
Swatantrya Veer Savarkar will also be released in Marathi.
The performance of the last Friday’s releases was a mixed bag. Yodha put up disappointing numbers, despite the makers providing a buy-one-get-one-ticket-free scheme on Saturday and Sunday. The first-week collections will be around Rs. 22-23 crores and the film hopefully would cross the Rs. 30 crore mark. Bastar - The Naxal Story, on the other hand, is a washout. The last film of this team, The Kerala Story, collected Rs. 6.75 crores on Day 1. Bastar - The Naxal Story, in its lifetime, will struggle to cross 50% of the first-day collections of The Kerala Story and that says it all. However, Kung Fu Panda 4, as predicted last week, collected Rs. 2.50 crores, which is more than the day 1 collection of Kung Fu Panda 3 (Rs. 2.10 crores). The first week collections are expected to be around Rs. 16 crores and it’s bound to have a long run in cinemas. The collections can cross the Rs. 30 crore mark or even the Rs. 35 crore mark.
This week, two diverse films will try their luck in cinemas. The biggest one is Madgaon Express. It marks the directorial debut of Kunal Kemmu and stars Pratik Gandhi, Divyenndu, Avinash Tiwary and Nora Fatehi. The comic caper’s trailer has been well-received and it promises to be a crazy, youthful entertainer. However, the film looks more of an urban flick and not a mass comedy like Dhamaal, Dhol etc. The songs also haven’t worked. The opening, hence, will be in the range of Rs. 1.50-2 crores. On the first day, viewers can get one ticket free on every ticket and this might boost the earnings. A good word of mouth can help the film earn well. The Holi holiday on Monday, March 25, will also benefit.
Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, meanwhile, will have paid previews from tonight, Thursday, March 21 and a full-fledged release from tomorrow. It is directed by Randeep Hooda and also features him in the role of the freedom fighter. The film got into controversy last year when Mahesh Manjrekar revealed that he was supposed to direct the film and he left the project due to interference by Randeep. The producers also got into a tiff with the actor. The issue was then resolved. Meanwhile, Veer Savarkar is a controversial figure and as a result, the trailer has received polarized reactions.
Swatantrya Veer Savarkar’s buzz is limited but it won’t have Bastar - The Naxal Story’s Rs. 35 lakhs type disaster collections on day 1. The number will be slightly more as a section of the audience will be curious to see the film. This target audience’s response is important if the film needs to have a good run in cinemas.
Swatantrya Veer Savarkar will also be released in Marathi.
(Crisp) Movie Review: YODHA by FENIL SETA
1:56 PM
Yodha starts on an entertaining note and without wasting any time, the focus shifts to the main conflict. A lot happens in the first hour and interestingly, it doesn't follow the template of the conventional hijack films. Sadly, the film gets too confusing and technical. The intermission point will leave viewers wondering what exactly is happening in the film. Things get clearer in the second half; still, a few aspects will go over the heads of the viewers. The climax fight, meanwhile, is too similar to that of a recent film. Sidharth Malhotra, however, looks quite cool doing action and it was heartening to see whistles and claps in his scene in the climax. Raashii Khanna puts up a superb act. Disha Patani shines in the second half. Kritika Bharadwaj (Tanya Sharma) is the surprise of the film. Sunny Hinduja (Rafiq), Tanuj Virwani (Sameer Khan), Chittranjan Tripathy (S N Dhingra) and Sanjay Gurbaxani (Indian Head of State) lend able support. Farida Patel (the mother) is wasted. All in all, Yodha fails to impress due to its complicated narrative.
My rating - ** out of 5!
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 821
8:38 AM
WILL THE NEW RELEASES ALSO BRING CHEER TO THE INDUSTRY?
Last week’s Shaitaan has emerged as a big hit. It was expected to open well but very few could predict pre-release that it would collect Rs. 15 crores on the first day. The collections got a boost due to the Mahashivratri holiday and yet, the collections didn’t fall or remain the same on Saturday. The film collected Rs. 19 crores and Rs. 20.50 crores on the second and third day respectively. The Monday drop was normal – Rs. 7.50 crores. The film is expected to collect around Rs. 80 crores in its first week and depending on the performance in the subsequent weeks, the lifetime earnings can be in the range of Rs. 125 crores and Rs. 145 crores. For a mid-sized film, these collections are extraordinary.
All eyes now are on the three major releases tomorrow, two in Hindi and one in English. The biggest release is Yodha, starring Sidharth Malhotra, Raashii Khanna and Disha Patani. It is produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and is a hijack drama. The film was shot way back in 2021-22 and was scheduled to release in September 2023 and later December. Due to overcrowding, it moved to March 15. The trailer was launched two weeks back mid-air in a grand fashion. The promo is interesting while the songs are decent. But the excitement among the public is minimal and they would adopt the wait-and-watch strategy. Hence, the opening won’t be huge and would be around Rs. 4-5 crores. It might go higher if moviegoers come out in huge numbers in the evening and night shows. It’ll need a positive word of mouth to grow on the weekdays and sustain.
Bastar - The Naxal Story reunites The Kerala Story team – actor Adah Sharma, producer Vipul Shah and director Sudipto Sen. It is about the Naxalite movement and how it has wreaked havoc in the country. The trailer is quite disturbing. The Kerala Story also promised a lot of uncomfortable moments and this factor appealed to the audience. But the same kind of curiosity is missing with The Kerala Story. Due to negligible buzz, it has got very limited shows. The opening will be around Rs. 1 crore and the makers can hope for a terrific word of mouth so that it gets a good jump from Saturday.
Finally, Kung Fu Panda 4 will also see a release tomorrow. It is a successful animation franchise and probably the second biggest in India after Frozen 2. Kung Fu Panda 3 had a very delayed release in India and yet, it collected Rs. 32 crores. This stunned the industry since animated films rarely do well in the country. Hence, the expectations are immense from Kung Fu Panda 4 and the advance ticket sales are also healthy. Kung Fu Panda 3 opened at Rs. 2.10 crores and the fourth part’s day 1 collection might surpass this figure.
Last week’s Shaitaan has emerged as a big hit. It was expected to open well but very few could predict pre-release that it would collect Rs. 15 crores on the first day. The collections got a boost due to the Mahashivratri holiday and yet, the collections didn’t fall or remain the same on Saturday. The film collected Rs. 19 crores and Rs. 20.50 crores on the second and third day respectively. The Monday drop was normal – Rs. 7.50 crores. The film is expected to collect around Rs. 80 crores in its first week and depending on the performance in the subsequent weeks, the lifetime earnings can be in the range of Rs. 125 crores and Rs. 145 crores. For a mid-sized film, these collections are extraordinary.
All eyes now are on the three major releases tomorrow, two in Hindi and one in English. The biggest release is Yodha, starring Sidharth Malhotra, Raashii Khanna and Disha Patani. It is produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and is a hijack drama. The film was shot way back in 2021-22 and was scheduled to release in September 2023 and later December. Due to overcrowding, it moved to March 15. The trailer was launched two weeks back mid-air in a grand fashion. The promo is interesting while the songs are decent. But the excitement among the public is minimal and they would adopt the wait-and-watch strategy. Hence, the opening won’t be huge and would be around Rs. 4-5 crores. It might go higher if moviegoers come out in huge numbers in the evening and night shows. It’ll need a positive word of mouth to grow on the weekdays and sustain.
Bastar - The Naxal Story reunites The Kerala Story team – actor Adah Sharma, producer Vipul Shah and director Sudipto Sen. It is about the Naxalite movement and how it has wreaked havoc in the country. The trailer is quite disturbing. The Kerala Story also promised a lot of uncomfortable moments and this factor appealed to the audience. But the same kind of curiosity is missing with The Kerala Story. Due to negligible buzz, it has got very limited shows. The opening will be around Rs. 1 crore and the makers can hope for a terrific word of mouth so that it gets a good jump from Saturday.
Finally, Kung Fu Panda 4 will also see a release tomorrow. It is a successful animation franchise and probably the second biggest in India after Frozen 2. Kung Fu Panda 3 had a very delayed release in India and yet, it collected Rs. 32 crores. This stunned the industry since animated films rarely do well in the country. Hence, the expectations are immense from Kung Fu Panda 4 and the advance ticket sales are also healthy. Kung Fu Panda 3 opened at Rs. 2.10 crores and the fourth part’s day 1 collection might surpass this figure.
Yodha's shoot was executed with the action director after 6 months of prepping to the T-Sagar Ambre, Pushkar Ojha
9:44 PM
Yodha directors Sagar and Pushkar break down how Sidharth prepped for six months, perfecting knife-fight and hand-to-hand combat sequences in confined spaces, for the hijack thriller
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 6, 2024)
Sidharth Malhotra has forged a bond with action movies after Shershaah (2021). It’s not surprising then that he followed up the war drama with Mission Majnu (2023), Indian Police Force and now, Yodha. But the upcoming hijack thriller, backed by Karan Johar, is worlds apart from the actor-filmmaker’s last collaboration, Shershaah.
The leading man says, “Yodha is fictitious whereas Shershaah was based on a real-life war hero. Yodha’s plot hinges on a stressful situation—who do you save, yourself or your countrymen? It delves into the quick-thinking mind of soldiers, their discipline and selflessness. The men in uniform have a protective instinct, and that spirit is captured in the film.”
Debutant director duo Sagar Ambre and Pushkar Ojha’s thriller—also starring Raashii Khanna and Disha Patani—showcases how a suspended officer of the special unit, Yodha Task Force, takes on a group of hijackers. Considering a chunk of Yodha is set inside an aircraft, Ojha says the action required months of meticulous planning.
“We storyboarded the idea to the finest detail. Then, a fight choreographer sat with us and added to it. When Sidharth entered the scene, he first did the action on a mock set,” he recalls.
Before arriving on the set, Malhotra underwent a six-month prep. Action choreographer Craig Macrae, who orchestrated the fight sequences in Pathaan (2023) and Jawan (2023), designed set-pieces that involved knife techniques and hand-to-hand combat, which could be pulled off in tight spaces. Considering this genre is his forte, the actor proved to be a quick learner. In addition, he committed himself to a rigorous fitness regimen and diet plan to adopt a lithe frame.
Ojha adds, “The shoot was executed with the action director after six months of prepping to the T. Safety is a must. If the process is followed correctly, the scene can be shot without any glitches. Sidharth put in way too many hours to get it right. The sequences look slick because he was fully familiar with it. The action pieces look great on screen.”
But a film can’t rely solely on action. The director duo was aware that the story’s emotional hook has to be equally strong. Co-director Ambre says they crafted Malhotra’s character Arun as a family man. “Arun is a true soldier. He has an ailing mother, a loving wife and is a family man, but still, the nation comes first for him. When his patriotism is questioned, something changes in him.”
Pushkar Ojha and Sagar Ambre
Karan Johar would not hand potential franchise to a couple of newcomers, if he doesn’t believe in them-Tanuj Virwani
8:38 AM
Tanuj Virwani on working with Sagar Ambre and Pushkar Ojha in Sidharth Malhotra-led Yodha
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; March 3, 2024)
It took Tanuj Virwani more than a decade to realise his wish of being a Dharma actor, but he is pleased that when the inevitable happened, it was for a good role. The actor plays a pivotal role in Yodha, a hijack thriller led by Sidharth Malhotra. Virwani says the world created by director duo Sagar Ambre and Pushkar Ojha was drastically different from his web shows.
“Since I’ve largely been doing web work, I got used to a certain style of working. There, [we’d] shoot six to seven pages of dialogue a day. On the set of Yodha, right from the rehearsals to blocking the scenes, nothing was rushed.”
Virwani believes the director duo have earned their stripes, having been assistant directors on Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan (2023) and several big projects. Their years of experience had sufficiently prepared them for their maiden directorial venture.
“Karan [Johar, producer] is not going to hand over the reins of a new potential franchise to a couple of newcomers, if he doesn’t believe in them. [They seemed like] seasoned players. When you rise through the ranks by assisting on prime projects, you learn so much on the job. They [didn’t] step on each other’s toes. At no point did I get contradictory feedback from either; they were always on the same page. Also, if one was directing me in a scene, the other would not be on set.”
With the thriller largely set inside an aircraft, the actor says most of his scenes involved shooting against a green screen. “You have to use your imagination in such cases. But the directors gave live audio commentary on set. I was reacting to whatever they were throwing at me.”
People who were with us kept saying to me, ‘No dieting in Amritsar’-Raashii Khanna
8:37 AM
Raashii Khanna, who celebrated her birthday on November 30, ticked ‘a visit to the Golden Temple’ off her bucket list
Navya Kharbanda (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 4, 2023)
It was Raashii Khanna’s 33rd birthday on November 30, and she got to fulfil a long-pending wish of hers — to pay a visit to Sri Harmandir Sahib or the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Now back in Mumbai after the two-day trip, the actor gets candid on the “serene” experience.
“I have been wanting to visit the Golden temple for a very long time now. I went there when I was younger, but I always wanted to do it properly — take a snaan (dip) in the sarovar (holy water) and do the Amrit Vela (early morning meditation), which is usually [done from] 2 am to 4 am,” she tells us, adding, “On my birthday eve (November 29), I reached Amritsar with my family and friends. We went to the Golden Temple and took a dip. On my birthday morning, we did the Amrit Vela.”
The Farzi actor goes on to add that everything felt complete in that moment. “My birthday was so peaceful this year. When I got out of the temple, I thought to myself, ‘This is what I wanted’. I wanted to do this with my family and I was very happy to be able to do it this year. The feeling is out of the world.”
When in Amritsar, Khanna didn’t miss a chance to explore the city’s markets as well as the culinary delicacies available there. “We bought some beautiful dupattas and suits. Also, I had heard so much about the food. I had the Amritsari kulcha, which was amazing. People who were with us kept saying to me, ‘No dieting in Amritsar’. I ate a lot. I was okay with all the butter and ghee they put because I work out a lot,” she quips.
Though she rang in her special day in Amritsar, Khanna did not miss out on her tradition of planting saplings on her birthday. She reveals that she had never intended on going public about her initiative, but it was her team that persuaded her. “I am a private person,” she continues, “My team noticed that I am an environmentalist at heart. They said that I should post about it. I plant saplings every now and then, but it has become a tradition on my birthday.” She goes on to talk about the impact of her posting about planting trees, saying: “A fan club recently told me that they also started planting because I do it. At that time, I felt I do have an impact. I am happy that I made this a tradition.”
In terms of work, the actor is awaiting the release of her film Yodha, co-starring Sidharth Malhotra and Disha Patani. “I think the film has been postponed again because the makers want to avoid clashes as there are so many big films releasing in December. I think we will come out with it in March next year. I am really excited for it,” she signs off.
Merry Christmas vs Yodha: Karan Johar's cryptic message triggers new debate
8:59 AM
Rishabh Suri (BOMBAY TIMES; July 19, 2023)
The trend of box-office clashes isn’t new in Bollywood. But a clash among filmmakers over a movie’s release date seems to be the norm. Filmmaker Karan Johar, who is producing the Sidharth Malhotra-starrer Yodha that releases on December 15, recently said that studios and producers should “stand united in these tough theatrical times”.
The cryptic post hinted at Johar taking a dig at the makers of the Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi-starrer Merry Christmas, which is also slated for a December 15 release.
Amused by Johar’s post, filmmaker Onir tweeted, “Big Bollywood releases get so upset when there is another big budget release the same day and they talk about how we should all care for each other in the industry, but don’t think for a second when they deprive a small budget indie film of a tiny number of good shows to survive (sic).”
Merry Christmas co-producer Ramesh Taurani says, “Mujhe nahin lagta mere liye bola hoga Karan ne.”
RAMESH TAURANI , CO-PRODUCER OF MERRY CHRISTMAS:
As far as clashes are concerned, there are enough screens in India these days. Also, both our films are completely different in terms of the genres, so both will do well.
TARAN ADARSH, TRADE ANALYST:
We live in a democratic country and no one has a monopoly on a date. I feel both the films (Yodha and Merry Christmas) are quite different from each other. I hope the issue gets sorted out.
ANIL SHARMA, DIRECTOR:
Gadar 2 aur OMG 2 (both will release on August 11) bahut alag hain. Main apni film ka second part paise ke liye nahin bana raha hoon. Back in 2001, Gadar and Lagaan also released on the same day (June 15).
VIVEK RANJAN AGNIHOTRI, FILMMAKER:
I am an independent filmmaker, so I am not into all that (his film The Vaccine War releases alongside Salaar on September 28). Had a Jawan released with it, you could call that a clash.
Tareekh pe tareekh: Bollywood plays musical chairs
8:22 AM
As some big-ticket films shuffle their release dates, experts feel more “shifts” are in the offing
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 6, 2023)
From films managing to lure audiences back to cinemas to new ticket pricing strategies, the year has been eventful for the Hindi film industry. With everything falling in place, makers are not taking any chances, even with release dates. In the past two months, several films have pushed their releases — be it for a “great end product” or due to the domino effect of one big-ticket project getting postponed .
Take, for instance, the Ranbir Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna-starrer Animal, whose release was recently pushed from August 11 to December 1. Murad Khetani, co-producer, tells us, “We want to give a great end product to the audience and don’t want to take away from our director’s eventual vision.”
However, Fukrey 3 and Meghna Gulzar’s Sam Bahadur are also slated to release on the same date. And Ronnie Screwvala, producer of the latter, is in no mood to push it. “Our date was already announced. It’s the content that works today, not just the Friday opening,” he shares.
Experts help us decode the constant reshuffling and its long-term impact on other films, too.
MORE SHIFTS IN THE OFFING?
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh predicts more shifts in releases due to Animal getting postponed: “Whenever a big film gets pushed, like Adipurush from January to June, and now Jawan, other releases in the month get automatically shifted.”
Khetani adds that filmmakers’ pursuit for a certain standard of product has also impacted these decisions. “Makers have to get the film ready with a certain standard in terms of VFX, sound or post-production. Hence, a lot of dates have been moved,” he explains.
THEATRES REACT
A multiplex representative, without wishing to be named, shares his optimism: “It means audiences get to enjoy a wider range of movies over a longer period of time.”
But Manoj Desai, executive director, G7 Multiplex and Maratha Mandir cinema, feels otherwise: “We don’t have other films to screen when something gets postponed.”
Jawan
Original Date: June 2
New Date: September 7
Animal
Original Date: august 11
New Date: December 1
Fukrey 3
Original Date: November 24
New Date: December 1
Dream Girl 2
Original Date: July 7
New Date: august 25
Yodha
Original Date: July 7
New Date: December 15
On his 38th birthday, Sidharth Malhotra plays rapid fire; answers interesting fan questions
8:42 AM
As the Shershah actor turns 38, here’s a special something to make his fans go ‘dil maange more’
Monika Rawal Kukreja (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 16, 2023)
The kind of fandom that actor Sidharth Malhotra enjoys is unmatched! His loyal fanclubs never miss an opportunity to ask their favourite star questions that let them know him better. As Malhotra celebrates his 38th birthday today, we have a little something that will make his fans happy. As it had been quite some time since the actor did an #AskSid session on Twitter, we asked him to answer some fan questions we’d received on Twitter during a recent interview with HT City. Check out how Malhotra spilled the beans in this rapid fire round...
After Shershaah, are you and Kiara Advani doing director Shashank Khaitan’s next?
Hahaha, all in good time. We want to make a certain announcement in a proper way. As and when all the things are in place, it will be announced. So far, I think I have enough and more for my audience with a busy 2023 and three different big projects coming up.
If a remake were to be made of an Amitabh Bachchan film, which one would you want to be a part of?
I am a big Bachchan fan. It’s so funny that you talk about him because this is the first time in Mission Majnu that I get to portray a character which is from the ’70s. So, our references for silhouette of shirts and pants were a lot from Bachchan sir’s earlier body of work. Not that I have tried to emulate him but I feel he’s a true hero and star in the action zone. It’s actually very difficult for me to pick any one film. I love them all, from The Great Gambler, Zanjeer to Deewar, Kaalia. With Mission Majnu, I have lived little bit of his times, his look and his era in my head.
Three things on your bucket list for 2023
To do a superhero film or a play a superhero character. Maybe produce a film, or get involved as more than an actor on a project. And third, try to take up some interesting project, internationally.
When would you be back with stubble or full grown beard?
They should ask (filmmaker) Rohit Shetty for that. Indian Police Force is a massive show, so we’re taking a while to shoot at different locations and different sets. Whenever my fans have seen me in the recent months, it’s all thanks to Rohit sir and the IPF look. We still have more shoot left to finish. Then people will see me in a different avatar.
What’s next after Mission Majnu, Yodha and Indian Police Force?
Something very interesting is brewing, which is in the pipeline right now. As and when we have the correct title, we will make the announcement.
You’ve slowed down in your film promotions post-pandemic. Why aren’t you more active on social media?
Oh really? They’re finding a difference in me pre- and post-pandemic? There’s more energy being put into content development or working on a project to make it more polished and certain level in quality, as my endeavour is always to contribute to my movies. But, thank you for reminding me, I’ll do a quick chat on social media soon.
When are you doing an out-and-out love story?
Oh, actually that’s number four on my bucket list this year (laughs). I’m with my fans on this, and as I said, we’ll make it soon... it’s all in the pipeline, hopefully soon we will let everyone else know.
We loved your chemistry with Shraddha Kapoor in Ek Villain. Would you team up with her for Malang 2?
Oh wow! I like that they’re now asking me for specific films. It’s so exciting to see their level of excitement and love. Well, I don’t know what Malang 2 is about but Shraddha for sure. Whenever we meet, we’ve always spoken about doing a film or project together. Now, it’s up to a director to come up with a film and a story that both of us feel extremely excited about.
Have you and actor Disha Patani performed action together in Yodha?
Yes! Disha is someone who loves action genre, which I realized while shooting Yodha. People will be very happy to know that she’s done some really cool moves and action bits in the film.
Hopefully, Mission Majnu will mark a new version of me, in the avatar of a spy-Sidharth Malhotra
8:52 AM
Armed with learnings of the past 10 years, Mission Majnu star Sidharth says he is now drawn to realistic characters
Hiren Kotwani (MID-DAY; January 14, 2023)
Looking back on the past 10 years elicits mixed feelings in Sidharth Malhotra. He is both content and hungry for more. From being a rank outsider who landed Student Of The Year (2012), to becoming one of the popular actors of today, it has been a steady climb, filled with learning and discovery.
“When I started out, there was a lot of nervousness and anxiety. I learnt it all on the job, understood what steps to take, and how to improve in terms of performance or choice of films. I also learnt that intention is what matters. If you are true to the genre, and give your best in terms of the script and performance, [it brings results],” reflects the actor.
If the last decade saw him finding his feet, the next few years will be about building “the 2.0 version”. Netflix’s Mission Majnu is the first step in that direction. “Hopefully, Mission Majnu will mark a new version of me, in the avatar of a spy. After Shershaah [2021], I look forward to getting the same love from audiences and gratification for the [espionage] thriller.”
Director Shantanu Bagchi’s offering, set against the backdrop of the 1971 India-Pakistan war, sees Malhotra as an R&AW agent who goes undercover to the neighbouring country to find information about their nuclear weapon facility. What instantly struck a chord with the actor was the story — inspired by true events, yet told through fictional characters.
“After playing Captain Vikram Batra, this is my endeavour to play a hero who can never come out and say what he has done for the country. It will tell the audience about the people who continuously work behind the scenes to protect us. Sacha Baron Cohen’s The Spy [2019] and Steven Spielberg’s Munich [2005], both based on true stories, seemed close to our film. This is not a spy who goes all guns blazing; he is not James Bond. He had to struggle — sometimes pretending to be a tailor, at other times, a plumber — to get that vital piece of information,” explains the actor.
After the success of Shershaah, he appears to be gravitating towards portraying heroes who serve the country. While Mission Majnu sees him bring a real-life agent’s story to the screen, he will play a man in the uniform in Yodha and Rohit Shetty’s Indian Police Force.
“In Yodha and Indian Police Force, I play fictional characters. I find it more engaging to play characters that are realistic, or inspired by real life.”
I thought only certain people got to be a Dharma heroine-Raashii Khanna
8:35 AM
Elated to star opposite Sidharth in Yodha, Raashii says actioner proves that meritorious outsiders can bag Karan Johar’s films
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; January 10, 2023)
'Yodha' marks a big win for the child in Raashii Khanna. After making her Bollywood debut with Madras Cafe (2013), the actor veered towards the south film industry. A decade on, she has returned to Hindi cinema to fulfill her childhood dream — of featuring in a Karan Johar production.
“With Yodha, I had to pinch myself to believe that I could call myself a Dharma heroine. I got to fulfill my childhood fantasies, where [I] wanted to look pretty and be part of a glossy film,” begins the actor.
To Khanna, a Johar movie always felt out of reach. However, starring alongside Sidharth Malhotra in Sagar Ambre and Pushkar Ojha’s directorial venture made her rethink her preconceived notions.
“[Initially] I thought only certain people got to be a Dharma heroine. I didn’t think it was easy for people who come from outside to bag such films. So, the fact that I am in this film, opens doors for others. You don’t necessarily have to be a part of a certain [background] to be a part of a Dharma film. Work so hard on your skill set that your talent cannot be dismissed,” she states.
At its core, 'Yodha' is a mainstream actioner. Khanna, however, notes that the movie doesn’t sideline its female characters. “Usually, in such glossy films, there is not much for a female actor to do. But in Yodha, there is a lot of responsibility on my character.”
If my character in Yodha works, it will push us to build a franchise-Sidharth Malhotra
8:28 AM
Gravitating towards actioners after Shershaah, Sidharth says hijack thriller Yodha has the potential to become a franchise
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 24, 2022)
Sidharth Malhotra has had his share of action films, from Brothers (2015) to Marjaavaan (2019). But it was the highly acclaimed Shershaah (2021) that pushed him further into the genre. The actor will soon be seen deep-diving into the genre with Yodha, which marks Dharma Productions’ advent into the universe of big-budget actioners. While director duo Sagar Ambre and Pushkar Ojha wrapped up the final schedule in Manali in September, they are currently giving finishing touches to the 2023 release.
The opportunity to perform elaborate stunts, coupled with the potential of a franchise, makes Yodha a win-win situation for Malhotra. The actor says, “Action is a genre that calls for a big scale and [makes for] a spectacle. The beauty of action is that you don’t enjoy it as much on the small screen; you like it king-size. Yodha is a thriller based on a hijack. If the character works, it will push us to build a franchise.”
The hijack drama also features Disha Patani and Raashii Khanna in key roles.
I have always been a secure actor, and I didn’t view Bollywood as a destination-Raashii Khanna
8:27 AM
Returning to Hindi entertainment nine years after her debut film Madras Café, Raashii on playing a sociopath in Rudra
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; February 22, 2022)
When we get on a call with Raashii Khanna, who is promoting her upcoming show Rudra - The Edge Of Darkness, our conversation begins on an unusual subject — luck versus hard work. In 2022, the actor has three marquee projects. She kicks off the year with the crime thriller that marks Ajay Devgn’s OTT debut, before moving on to Raj-DK (Raj Nidimoru, Krishna DK)’s series headlined by Shahid Kapoor and Vijay Sethupathi. She will round off the year with Sidharth Malhotra and Disha Patani’s Yodha.
So what’s the secret that is propelling her in the right direction — luck or hard work? “It is luck,” she says, without skipping a beat. “Now, I often hear people say, ‘Arre, yeh kahan se kahan pahuch gayi.’ I am working hard but that’s not just it. I have so many actor friends who are trying to get roles, but opportunities aren’t coming their way. Personally, I am hard on myself. I want to utilise every day to the fullest so that when I look back, I have the assurance that I gave it my best.”
The actor began her chapter in showbiz with Madras Cafe in 2013. In the nine years since, Khanna has not featured in another Hindi film, instead making her presence felt in the south movie industry. “I didn’t get the kind of roles I wanted to do in Bollywood. In the south also, it wasn’t a smooth sail initially. There was an entire year when I did nothing. I didn’t want to sign up for films that wouldn’t do anything for me. I have always been a secure actor, and I didn’t view Bollywood as a destination. I decided that I will do Bollywood only when the role is that good.”
The Disney+ Hotstar series, which is an official adaptation of the British crime drama Luther, delivered on that count. Khanna reprises the role essayed by Ruth Wilson in the original, a sociopath helping Devgn’s cop character to understand the crimes. “I didn’t want to watch Luther. I wanted to create the character of Aaliyah all by myself, without taking any inspiration from the original. I play a sociopath, and most crime films we watch are based on psychopaths. There’s a world of difference between the two. Sociopaths have emotions. I watched Hannibal [2001] and read psychology books to create the character. I auditioned alongside over 200 people. This is a role that doesn’t need a pretty face to fill a space, doesn’t need a star. After so many years, someone said, ‘Chalo act karke dikhao.’”
What does she hope to achieve with this show? She takes a pause before saying, “I don’t want to be known for my face and my body. I want to be a solid actor whose versatility should be remembered. An actor is defined by what their audience thinks of them. I want to be known for holding people’s attention in good parts.”
She credits leading man Devgn for being a pillar of strength. “Before I started the show, I was told he doesn’t talk much. We needed to vibe, given the chemistry between our characters on paper. There is a war of belief systems between Aaliyah and Rudra. I remember when I walked in on day one, he was so warm and kind. We spoke about our lines and how they should be done. We all relied on Ajay sir a lot.”
I’m excited to be a part of Yodha; Bollywood and regional cinema share the same passion for the craft-Raashii Khanna
7:59 AM
Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; December 22, 2021)
Raashii Khanna, who started her career with the film Madras Cafe (2013) and went on to do films in the South, is elated. The actress has been signed for Karan Johar’s upcoming project, Yodha, and will soon start shooting for it. Raashii says, “I’m excited to be a part of Yodha, which is a Dharma Productions film. I can’t disclose details about my role at this point, but I’m looking forward to shooting for it in January.”
Raashii, who received appreciation for her role in the Malayalam film Bhramam opposite Prithviraj Sukumaran earlier this year, has a busy year ahead. Apart from Yodha, she has two web shows and a Tamil film with Dhanush titled D44, which will release next year. Talking about juggling work in Hindi and South cinema, she says, “Bollywood and regional cinema share the same passion for the craft and create interesting content. They also have some great technicians and actors. However, since cinema is often a reflection of society, there are some basic cultural differences you find apart from the language. As an actor, the approach to a character also differs to make it more relatable to a particular region.”
Raashii is happy to have worked with stars like Ajay Devgn (in the web series Rudra - The Edge Of Darkness) and Shahid Kapoor (Raj & DK’s untitled web series) this year, and is now looking forward to working with Sidharth Malhotra in Yodha. She’s acted with South stars like Mohanlal, Naga Chaitanya, Varun Tej, Vijay Sethupathi, Vijay Devarakonda and Prithviraj.
She says, “When you work with established actors, you learn a lot from their experience. There is always so much to learn in the way they prepare for a role or the way they approach a scene. I have been blessed to have had such opportunities.”
Raashii shares, “The one thing you realise when you work in the South is the way they worship their actors. There’s always so much responsibility on their shoulders because they are larger-than-life for their fans. I still have so much to achieve in my career.”
Talking about how different it is to work in a web series as opposed to films, she says, “The experience of working in a web series is very different from working in a film because the characters in the former are very well-defined and take you into a different world. It’s gratifying as an actor, especially when you work with dynamic directors like Raj and DK (Raj Nidimoru, Krishna DK). I have definitely grown as an actor. They respect women and are careful about not stereotyping or demeaning women in any way.”
Raashii also feels that OTT platforms are making way for good content. She says, “I feel the emergence of OTT platforms is revolutionary because they have opened doors for so many technicians and artistes. It has also opened a new world for the audience in terms of content. Having said that, the experience of watching a film in the theatre remains unmatched for various reasons. I feel that OTT and films will happily co-exist in the future and along with watching content on web platforms, people will continue to go to a theatre to watch a film. The last two years of the pandemic have been challenging because as actors we took major risk shooting without masks. I am happy that the production houses took great safety precautions, which is why I could finish shooting for my films and web shows.”
The actress is hopeful that 2022 will bring her even more exciting opportunities. She says, “Whenever I approach a role, I feel it should have a certain importance in the script and have the capacity to help you leave an impact on viewers even if there’s less screen time. It is essential to make an impact as an artiste rather than just fill space on the screen. But that stage also comes with time and right now, I am in that phase of my career, when I can choose my roles. I genuinely believe that apart from destiny, hard work and perseverance can take you places.”
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