Showing posts with label Zack Snyder. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zack Snyder. Show all posts
I didn’t come here to play a doll. I came here to be an actor-Huma Qureshi
8:08 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; July 1, 2022)
Huma Qureshi recently clocked a decade in Bollywood. She had stepped into the industry with Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 1, which had released in June 2012. Today, even as she’s busy completing movies and shows at breakneck speed, she believes she has learned to strike the perfect work-life balance. In a conversation with BT, she talks about working non-stop and how the narrative for women and women-led stories has changed in the industry in the decade that she has been a part of this field. Excerpts:
The last two years have turned out to be interesting for you career-wise. At a time when there was so much uncertainty around us, you shot for a couple of projects between the two lockdowns. You were seen in Bellbottom and Zac Snyder’s Army Of The Dead and were appreciated for your performance in the web show Maharani. How do you plan to sustain that momentum for the rest of this year?
Opportunities and hopes come at the most unlikely times and from the most unheard of places. The two years, 2020 and 2021, were the pandemic years in public memory. Theatrical releases had virtually stopped and content on the OTT platforms was dictating the entertainment space. In that phase, I was clear that I won’t let this bog me down. I wanted to go out there and put out something great for people to see. When Bellbottom came to me, I eagerly took it up because it was the first film that went on floors post the global slowdown. The part was great, and it was an experience worth the risk we took. Subhash Kapoor’s narration for his web show (Maharani) had blown me away. I was certain that I wanted to do it. We shot it between two lockdowns amid so much uncertainty. What if this was my last piece of work? That thought ignited an entirely different passion in me. It liberated me in so many ways. And that is the thought with which I have surged into 2022. I’m trying out newer things, playing characters that are completely different from who I am.
You recently completed a decade in Bollywood. In these years, you have seldom played the conventional heroine — something that wasn’t the norm when you started out. What do you think helped you get this far?
I just do things that I naturally gravitate towards. At the outset, I didn’t have the luxury of choosing projects, neither was I launched on a grand scale nor have directors chasing me. I went through an entirely different journey where I auditioned to get work, I got replaced on numerous occasions and went through a grind, something that I wear like a badge of honour. I am proud of everything I endured to get this far. All that I have today has been earned with a lot of hard work and patience. It didn’t come to me. If you find my repertoire full of unconventional projects, it’s also because those were the choices I made from all that came my way. It was about choosing a role where I could not really see myself easily. I have never tried playing myself. The greatest compliment for me was to be told that I played an uneducated Bihari housewife like I belonged there, although I am a South Delhi girl. That is the fun of being an actor. I didn’t come here to play a doll. I came here to be an actor. I will do what it takes to play a part effectively. In the last year alone, I have worked with different directors and in content across various genres. Do I love songs and dances? Yes, I do, but I don’t want to do just that. I have a lot more to offer that goes beyond it. I don’t know what the new conventional norms are, but with our choices, if we have been able to redefine how a woman should be seen in a movie, we’re getting somewhere and exploring so many of her other facets.
A decade ago, it was a big deal for a heroine to shoulder a film on her own. Today, plenty of leading ladies, including yourself, are carrying films as well as web shows on their own. That’s a huge transition, don’t you think?
Yes, and it hasn’t come in easily. I can talk for myself. After I worked with Deepa Mehta on the show Leila, my perspective changed in a big way. It was such a turning point. Khoon chakh liya maine! The joy of leading a project is scary and empowering in the same breath. And she gave me that. Deepa made me believe that I can carry an entire show and be in every frame without boring the audience. She made me believe that I had it in me. When an opportunity presents itself, you rise to the occasion. The show opened doors for me to work with Hollywood bigwigs like Zack Snyder. It got me several good projects. Maharani was one of them. I am now leading a lot of stories which have a female perspective. This is Huma Qureshi 2.0. I want to call it that without sounding vain about it. I am not the same person I was back in the day. I am trying to do things differently. As an actor, the more fearless you get, the more this industry and the audience rewards you. I like reading and watching content. A few years ago, people had an issue with the phrase, web-series. I had seen that not only was it brimming with international talent, but it was also gearing up to take India by storm. The writing and the production standards were superlative. These are opportunities that have to be grabbed when they come to you. Doing my first show has hence, been a big turning point. Sometimes, merely doing things you like can have a domino effect on your life. It benefitted me in a big way.
Lastly, the film industry in India is gradually moving towards becoming one cohesive workspace that ropes in talent from film industries across the country. As someone who has worked in two films down South, do you find a change in the manner in which people now perceive actors who work across industries?
I think the change here is phenomenal. People have realised that there is a lot to learn from them. Industries like Tamil and Telugu are not talking down to their audience. In fact, they are pushing their boundaries. The stories are contextual, they pride themselves in the cultural references, they are deeply personal, nuanced and have a massive scale. The southern industries have done this repeatedly. The way things are going, multilingual projects are the in thing. For every actor and talent involved, the audience base increases. I feel thrilled that I did my second Tamil film, Valimai. I have learned so much by sharing screen space with Thala Ajith and Rajinikanth sir. Not just as an actor, but also as an audience member, I am excited about these big pan-India films. Why should we have so many boundaries within our country anyway? We need to shake things up a bit in these seminal times.
Huma Qureshi’s Hollywood film Army Of The Dead to release in May
8:21 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (January 31, 2021)
Last year, a lot of highly-anticipated films got derailed due to COVID-19 crisis, this included Hollywood filmmaker Zack Snyder’s zombie heist movie, Army Of The Dead, starring Huma S Qureshi. The film is finally releasing in May 2021.
Huma spent a large part of 2019 in the US, filming for it in Albuquerque and Atlantic City. She had a blast working on it as was evident from her posts on social media. According to sources, the actress has a pivotal role in the film and she plays a character called Geeta.
Known for films such as 300 (2006) and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Zack’s upcoming film release, which has been made on a budget of more than 90 million dollars, will release on a digital streaming platform in May.
Reportedly, the film, which also stars Dave Bautista and Ella Purnell, will see the director returning to the zombie genre, having made his debut with the Dawn Of The Dead (2004). Apparently, the filmmaker was planning to promote the film in India and even host a premiere here, however, now we have to wait and watch if the Coronavirus situation allows that to happen.
Democratization of content is very liberating and satisfying-Huma Qureshi
7:46 AM
Radhika Bhirani (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 26, 2019)
The year 2019 turned out to be a double dhamaka for actor Huma Qureshi and that’s not an exaggeration. She not only captivated the audience with her subtle, measured performance in Deepa Mehta’s dark dystopian series Leila, but also landed a role in Hollywood filmmaker Zack Snyder’s Army Of The Dead, slated for a web release.
And, what’s more? The 33-year-old even bagged a spot in a list of New Wave Actors in the US. “It has been a game changer. I feel excited and blessed to have got this opportunity, and be recognised for my work,” says Huma about Leila, a web series which gave her a rare platform to depict a range of emotions.
The web medium, she avers, has driven the changes in the tone and tenor of content, as well as opened up unprecedented opportunities for artistes to collaborate with people across the globe.“With new players entering the market (in the OTT space), it changes the entire dynamics. And that, as an actor, is exciting. You’re thinking of creativity in a whole different way, and you’re not dictated by conventional theatrical wisdom and constraints. That’s very liberating and satisfying,” says Huma.
The actor admits that the global recognition that she received after Leila’s success brought her the opportunity to work with Snyder. She says, “I think, I wouldn’t have got an opportunity to work with a director as big as Zack Snyder — who I have been such a huge fan of — had it not been for Leila. I feel like this is going to throw up opportunities for many, and it is happening in a democratic way. I call it the democratization of content globally.”
Huma was excited and pleasantly surprised when she featured in the New Wave Actors list by Film Independent. “It was quite surprising because we’re doing films in India and humko lagta hai ki hamaari duniya yahin hai... But it makes you realise that people are watching your work, and they are interested in what you’re doing. Whether it is Sacred Games or Delhi Crime, today, with the kind of shows we are doing, they’re being counted among all international shows, and we are making good quality stuff for the global audience,” she says.
However, the versatile actor is tight-lipped about her upcoming projects. Keeping the curiosity alive, she says, “Let the producers make an announcement.”
I like to make brave fashion choices on the red carpet-Huma Qureshi
8:00 AM
Huma Qureshi talks about everything from style to international projects, Diwali plans and link-up rumours
Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 28, 2019)
Huma Qureshi has been in Los Angeles since July this year, filming Zack Snyder’s larger-than-life zombie thriller, Army Of The Dead. She returned to the Bay only on Friday to celebrate Diwali with family and friends, catching the flight home as soon as they wrapped up. “Everyone was asking me to stay back and celebrate Halloween, but I wanted to bring them here to show them what I would have missed had I stayed back,” she laughs. And while the jet lag is yet to wear off, Huma couldn’t have been happier, having reunited with her pet, Streak, and brother, Saqib Saleem, after almost four months.
“I was gone so long that I was afraid Streak wouldn’t remember me. But to my surprised delight, he was so excited to see me that he didn’t even let me shoot a proper video. It was also good to finally meet Saqib. We had not seen each other for five months, since he had taken off in May to shoot for ’83,” relays the actress.
She goes on to add that though she has been away from home turf for a while, she has been doing her bit to promote Bollywood in the West. “Every morning, while getting my make-up done, I would put on the latest Hindi film song and tell the team that this was what was trending back home. By the time the shooting came to an end, they were all hooked to our desi tunes,” the actress chortles and admits that this was all part of a well-thought out plan. “Now that I have landed this opportunity, I want to represent my country and promote it in my own way,” she points out.
So, is the next stop Hollywood? “I have worked pretty hard to make my way in. What’s the point of backtracking now? They are doing some pretty interesting work out there and as an actor, it is liberating to not be bound by language or territory,” Huma avers.
She recently made it to the New Wave Actors list, released by Film Independent, an organisation that recognises diverse performances, for her turn in Deepa Mehta’s dystopian drama, Leila. Huma admits that the honour means a lot. “I had to turn down quite a few lucrative Bollywood projects for that series, and all along, I wondered if it was worth the risk. This inclusion is a validation of sorts,” she acknowledges, enthusing about her recent project. “Working with Zack has been such a treat. I told him he is big in India and he admitted he knows that,” she laughs.
However, she is quick to add that she hasn’t bid adieu to Bollywood and is hoping to land a romcom soon. “This is home. No matter where I go, one leg will always be in India,” the actress asserts. For now, the only thing on Huma’s agenda is to catch up on all the Hindi films she has missed over the months. “I am asking for suggestions and recommendations as I compile a to-watch list. The next one week will be pretty laid-back as I want to doll up in festive finery, visit friends, gorge on sweets and not think about work,” she reveals with a smile.
Then, she plans to take off to Delhi to take a look at the oldest branch of her dad’s 40-year-old restaurant, Saleem, which she helped renovate and reopen while shooting in the capital last year. Reiterating that she would be in the hospitality business if not an actress, Huma says they plan to expand. “It’s not business, it’s a legacy now which both Saqib and I want to be a part of. We have started a tiffin service in Mumbai and hopefully, the restaurant will be here by next year. In fact, we want to open outlets all over India,” she says, quickly crossing her fingers.
But doesn’t being in the food business make counting calories that much more difficult? “Not at all,” she negates. “I like having a good time, and food is obviously a part of it. But as an actress, I have a certain responsibility. So, being fit is important as well. I enjoy working out, the goal is not to lose weight but maintain fitness.” However, she says, her frame, helps her be relatable. “I don’t want to do anything drastic. It makes young girls aspire to unachievable standards of beauty. Anyway, there is already so much pressure on them and as a middle-class Delhi girl following her dreams, I want them to believe that they don’t have to look a certain way to be successful,” insists Huma.
While on the topic, does she see the body positivity movement hitting Bollywood anytime soon? “Our actresses, be it Malaika Arora, Masaba Gupta or Sonakshi Sinha, have always been comfortable in their own skin and dress for themselves,” she points out matter-of-factly.
Talking about her own sartorial choices, the actress says that she likes to let her films do the talking, especially when it comes to events like the Cannes Film Festival. “I’m not insecure about my looks. I know I can look glamorous and if required, I can be the girl-next-door as well. But I like making brave fashion choices on the red carpet. My brief to my team is that I should not look like everybody else, my personality has to shine through,” she maintains.
And what are her thoughts on the #MeToo movement in Bollywood? “There’s no system in place yet,” she sighs. “Maybe I’m being an idealist, but I want people to know that it’s not okay to exploit another person, be it physically, financially or emotionally. There’s a need for a safe working place. Both my recent projects had a lot of women on sets and it creates a comfortable space. But at the same time, we shouldn’t make little boys feel bad for their gender. So many of those wrongly accused had their work and careers questioned. Their livelihood was at stake. That’s wrong too, no?”
While she is candid throughout, Huma clams up when the conversation veers towards her personal life. She’s been putting up lovey-dovey posts for director Mudassar Aziz, wearing her heart on her sleeve, literally, on his birthday, but ask her if a wedding is on the cards and pat comes the reply, “All I can say is that I’m happy to be surrounded by supportive people—family and friends.” But what about the wagging tongues? “Let them keep speculating,” she shrugs.
I auditioned for Army Of The Dead on Friday; got the offer on Tuesday-Huma Qureshi
8:06 AM
Heading to LA for her maiden Hollywood outing, Huma Qureshi recounts how she landed Zack Snyder's big-ticket film, Army Of The Dead
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 16, 2019)
The excitement in her voice is palpable as Huma Qureshi heads to Los Angeles to shoot for the upcoming Zack Snyder film, Army Of The Dead. If she has had a promising year with the Netflix series, Leila, the next two months will be just as significant as she shares screen space with Dave Bautista and Theo Rossi in the thriller."I've always believed in growing, essaying different characters and having many experiences because they make you a better artiste. It's a great opportunity for me to explore such varied genres," she says, pointing to the diverse worlds that the Deepa Mehta show and the Snyder film belong to. Not many have the good fortune to make their Hollywood debut with the filmmaker, who is the brain behind superhero films like Justice League (2017) and Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice (2016).
Admitting that a Hollywood outing was not on her radar, Qureshi is surprised at how swiftly things progressed during a chance visit to Los Angeles in May. "I was in LA for some work and was asked to go for this audition [by her manager]. I thought of giving it a shot and went for it on a Friday. I came back to India the very next day. On Tuesday, they called and offered me the film," she laughs, before adding, "We start workshops right away. There will be a lot of work before the camera starts rolling."
The multi-million zombie thriller — that revolves around a group of mercenaries who venture into the quarantine zone to pull off a heist amidst a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas — seems far divorced from Qureshi's previous endeavours. But the actor admits that Snyder was reason enough for her to greenlight the project. "The idea of working with an amazing director like Zack is exciting, considering the films he has helmed. This genre is vastly unexplored for Indian audiences. Now is the time for successful experimentation. As an actor, it is gratifying to try your hand at something that has never been done before.
Huma Qureshi bags Zack Snyder's Army Of The Dead
8:01 AM
Huma Qureshi hops aboard Zack Snyder's Netflix drama - Army Of The Dead, based on zombie outbreak
MID-DAY (May 30, 2019)
Huma Qureshi has boarded the cast of filmmaker Zack Snyder's next directorial, Army Of The Dead. The actor, 32, joins Guardians Of The Galaxy fame Dave Bautista in the Netflix project, which will mark Snyder's return to direction after a gap of two years. The streaming giant announced the news in a statement.Incidentally, the filmmaker, known for his work on DC films Man Of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice and Justice League, made his directorial debut 15 years ago with zombie horror, Dawn Of The Dead. Other newcomers in the cast include Ella Purnell, Ana De La Reguera and Theo Rossi.
Army Of The Dead is set following a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas, when a group of mercenaries take the ultimate gamble, venturing into a quarantine zone to pull off the greatest heist ever attempted.
Joby Harold, Shay Hatten and Snyder are writing the screenplay from a story developed by the filmmaker. Principal photography is set to begin in July. Snyder is also producing the project along with wife Deborah and Wesley Coller through their Stone Quarry production company.
Qureshi is currently gearing up for the release of her dystopian drama series, Leila. The show will première on June 14.
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