MUMBAI: For all the Bollywood buffs, here are some hot updates from B-town. Take a look-
Would love to make a tennis-based film: Shashank Khaitan
Filmmaker Shashank Khaitan has said that he would love to make a film which will be based on tennis.
Khaitan was interacting with media here at the launch of Tennis Premiere League 2018 along with Leander Paes and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on Saturday.
When asked whether he would like to make a tennis-based film, he said, "There have been less tennis players in our country on whom a biopic can be made but they are really good. We have Leander Paes, Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathy who has impacted current and past generation of budding players.
"They have brought glory for our country in the last 15-20 years so, I would love to look for a story which will suit backdrop of tennis and I would also like to make biopic on these players if I have an interesting take on their life because nowadays, we watch their matches and we know about their personal lives so, if I come across something interesting aspect of their life then, I will definitively try to write and direct it."
Reacting on the #MeToo campaign that has gained momentum in India, Khaitan said, "I think we all should support #MeToo campaign. There are so many people who have been victims of sexual harassment and through this campaign, they are getting an opportunity to share their stories. This takes a lot of guts.
"Earlier, if someone wanted to share something then, their voices were suppressed or they used to face criticism but now the time has changed and we can all support them. I hope all cases which are coming out are genuine and concerned agencies should investigate the matter and if an accused is found guilty then, he should be punished."
Khaitan's next directorial venture is titled Rannbhoomi. It stars Varun Dhawan in lead role and it is being produced by Dharma Productions.
It is slated to release in Diwali 2020.
'Dilwale Dulhania...' will always be a special film: Kajol
Actress Kajol says Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, which has clocked 23 years of its release in the Hindi film industry, will always be an incredibly special film.
Kajol on Saturday tweeted: "1,200 weeks and still running! thank you all for all the love that you have been showering on Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge for so many years! It was, it is and will always be an incredibly special film for all of us."
The film, which won 10 Filmfare Awards including Best Film, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Director at the 1996 edition of the ceremony, had also been running for 1,009 uninterrupted weeks at the Maratha Mandir, a single theatre cinema hall here.
Dilwale Duhania Le Jayenge was Aditya Chopra's maiden film as director.
It starred Shah Rukh Khan alongside Kajol, a blockbuster screen pair who appeared opposite each other in several films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, My Name Is Khan and Dilwale.
Kajol was last seen on screen in Helicopter Eela directed by Pradeep Sarkar.
Leena Yadav has brought out my best performance: Amyra Dastur
Actress Amyra Dastur says filmmaker Leena Yadav has brought out her best performance with Rajma Chawal.
"I love Leena. I think she has brought out my best performance till date. She is the definition of a ‘woman on the rise' and someone who truly breaks barriers. I'm really excited about Rajma Chawal, especially now that Netflix has decided to release it worldwide," Amyra told leading publications.
Rajma Chawal, starring Rishi Kapoor, Amyra Dastur and Aniruddh Tanwar, will be available on Netflix worldwide on 30 November.
"It is a wonderful feel-good-film and you will even see Rishiji in a different light. I have worked my hardest for this film and I am absolutely confident that people will appreciate my character, Seher and the film as a whole," she added.
Set in the chaotic, vibrant Chandni Chowk area in Delhi, Rajma Chawal captures the relationship between a father attempting to reconnect with his estranged son through social media, a new world for him.
Amyra will also be seen sharing screen space with actor Rajkummar Rao in Mental Hai Kya and Made In China.
Men should understand what consent is: Ayushmann
Actor Ayushmann Khurrana has supported the #MeToo movement by saying that men should understand what consent is.
Ayushmann visited the PVR Citi Mall here on Saturday to know the audience's reaction for his latest film Badhaai Ho.
Reacting to the #MeToo campaign that has gathered momentum in India, especially in Bollywood, Ayushmann told media, "The #MeToo movement is a good movement, but at the same time, I feel both parties should be given equal opportunities to share their account and to prove their innocence. Having said that, I feel women should be respected and they shouldn't be harassed.
"There should be stringent rules at every workplace. It is not only about workplace, but I think that the code of conduct should be followed in every sphere of society, be it our family or where we live."
Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi has announced the formation of a committee of four retired judges and a lawyer to examine all issues emanating from #MeToo, a movement against sexual harassment.
Actors like Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar and Hrithik Roshan have also taken a firm stand against their colleagues, who have been accused in sexual harassment cases.
Asked whether these kinds of measures are necessary to curb harassment at workplace, Ayushmann said, "I think we should have taken these measures long time ago, but whatever measures we have taken are absolutely correct.
"Women should feel safe whether it's in journalism or sometimes we go to shoot, our films are in outdoor locations. We shoot there till late nights and not a single woman should feel unsafe there and men should understand what consent is and without that, you cannot do anything to anyone.
"No one can touch other person without his or her consent and if anyone does that, then strict action should be taken against that individual."
The #MeToo movement gained momentum in India after actress Tanushree Dutta accused veteran actor Nana Patekar of harassment.
‘The Playboy...' is like 'Sholay' of short films: Siddiqui
Director Tariq Naved Siddiqui, who is gearing up for the release of The Playboy Mr. Sawhney, says the short film is like Sholay of short films which has a big budget and numerous actors.
Siddiqui was interacting with media to promote his short film along with producer Karan Arora on Saturday.
Talking about casting of the film, Siddiqui said, "This film's cast includes Jackie Shroff, Arjan Bajwa, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Divya Dutta, Neetu Chandra, Manjari Fadnis, Pitobash, Samir Kochhar and Sudhir Mishra."
"The film's duration is about 25 minutes, but it's like a Sholay of short films because cast of this film is really huge and I haven't seen a short film till now which has such a huge star cast. We have also shot it like a feature film."
Talking about the storyline of the film, Siddiqui said, "The subtext of this film is basically a love story of a man who is perceived as a playboy. Jackie Shroff plays the lead character and Arjan Bajwa plays his younger version.
"We often consider someone as a playboy, but at the end of the day, he is also a human being. Through this film, audiences will be able to see different aspects of the so-called 'playboy'. The film also has some strong women characters and I am sure women are going to love this film."
Talking about the growing popularity of digital platform, Siddiqui said, "Nowadays, audiences have less attention span so, there is immense demand for shorter content on digital platform as the consumption of audience has increased over the last few years, especially, among the younger generation.
"Now it doesn't matter what's the duration of your film. Now what matters is the subject of your film and how it will impact the audience."
Producer Karan Arora said his film is fulfilling not just creatively, but commercially as well.
"Acceptance of audiences and the current trend have made this format of short films commercially viable now. This is our first production in this category and has been not just creatively fulfilling, but commercially as well."
The Playboy Mr. Sawhney starts with a young man (Tahir), who is facing problems with his girlfriend and seeks advice of his grandfather (Jackie) in the matters of love and life.
The film will be released by Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films on 24 October.
‘Jalebi' actor Varun Mitra eyes family entertainers
Actor Varun Mitra, who has made his debut with Jalebi, says he would love to work in family entertainers.
Asked about his favourite genre of films, Varun told a publication, "Since I am just starting my journey, I really ask questions to myself on the kind of films I would like to be part of. But family entertainment is definitely one of them, especially the kinds we are making these days. I so wish to be a part of a film like Kapoor & Sons."
Is there a biopic that he wishes to be a part of?
"I want to be a part of a sports biopic. Sportsmen inspire me and I think all of us for that matter. There are so many icons whose story is untold. I want to narrate one of them," said Varum.
Being a cricket fan, while he desires to play Virat Kohli on-screen if given an opportunity, he said, "When I watched the biopic on Mahendra Singh Dhoni, I was blown away by his personal journey. We only get to see the story of their achievement and failure on TV and newspaper. But in personal life, their story is so different."
Besides that, he wants to work with director Ram Madhvani, who brought alive the real story of slain airhostess Neerja Bhanot on screen with Sonam Kapoor-starrer Neerja.
Varun has worked with Madhvani in an ad film in the past.
"I would love to work with Ram Madhvani as he will always remain my favourite director. I have worked with him in an ad film in Sri Lanka and I realised that he brings the best out of me as an actor. I think if we work together, it will be great director-actor collaboration," Varun said.
Being a Delhi boy, Varun had no ambition to struggle in Bollywood to become an actor. However, when he finally found his true calling in acting, he packed his bags and shifted his base in Mumbai to build his career in the entertainment industry.
"I think I lost interest in my earlier profession and in a corporate job because I had no passion for it. I was doing it just to earn money. When I decided to become an actor, it was risky and exciting at the same time because I was leaving my comfort zone, but I was entering a world that I desired to be part of.
"I started with ad films, and with each assignment, I grew as an actor. That process is ongoing."
He feels fortunate to have been a part of a film like Jalebi under the mentorship of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt.
Bulleya singer unveils his first indie single
"Bulleya" fame singer Amit Mishra has released his first independent single "Vacation".
Amit, along with his band members Nishith Hegde and Ashwin Shriyan, has collaborated with Amit Mishra Project (AMP) for the song. AMP is an entity that brings diverse talent on board and encourages them to bring independent music to the forefront.
For "Vacation", drummer Rahul Hariharan joined Amit and his team. Its video was shot in the islands of Trinidad.
On the song, Amit said in a statement, "I am very excited to launch my new single 'Vacation' under AMP featuring Nishith Hegde, Ashwin Shriyan, Rahul Hariharan and myself. It has been a pleasure to collaborate with these illustrious musicians and the entire process that underwent in creating the composition has been a great experience."
"I have always supported fresh talent and the culture of bands in India. Through our music and our collaborations, AMP wishes to bring back the trend," he added.
TV gave me money, fame, name: Neena Gupta
Veteran actress Neena Gupta, who worked in TV shows like Saans, Siski, Saat Phere and Kamzor Kadii Kaun, says working on the small screen gave her money, fame and name.
"When I came from Delhi to become an actor there were only films and no TV. Working in films is an aspiration for all actors. When I did not get roles in films then I did TV and got a chance to play all kinds of roles. TV gave me money, fame and name," Neena told the leading publication.
The 59-year-old says she did a lot of work on the small screen.
"I used to get small and useless roles in movies. Then I thought I should do just TV and today the fan following I have is because of working on television," added Neena, who is currently enjoying the success of her latest release Badhaai Ho.
The actress will next be seen in Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, which also stars Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra.
Shruti Haasan meets Rahman at his LA studio
Actress-singer Shruti Haasan says she spent an incredible evening with Grammy and Oscar winning Indian musician A.R. Rahman in his studio in Los Angeles.
Shruti on Sunday shared a photograph of herself along with Rahman on Instagram and captioned it: "Incredible evening spent with the legend A.R. Rahman in his amazing LA studio! music and more music surrounds my life. Blessed."
Details if she will be collaborating with the musician are still under wraps.
On the acting front, Shruti will reportedly be seen in the upcoming film Sabaash Naidu along with her father Kamal Haasan.
The spy comedy adventure is co-produced, directed and written by Kamal.
Sanjay Dutt is one of the finest actors: Jackie Shroff
Veteran actor Jackie Shroff has praised actor Sanjay Dutt, with whom he will be sharing screen space in the upcoming remake of Telugu film Prasthanam and said that he is one of the finest actors in Bollywood.
Jackie has previously worked with Sanjay in movies including Khalnayak, Mission Kashmir, Kartoos and Eklavya - The Royal Guard.
Asked about working with the Munna Bhai M.B.B.S star, Jackie told a publication, "Have known Sanju before the films. Right from day one till now he remains the same. His child-like quality to make people laugh in the most adverse situation and when it comes to work he is one of the finest actors we have."
He added, "Always a pleasure to share screen space with him whether it be Khalnayak, Mission Kashmir, Kartoos, and nowPrasthanam."
To be produced by Sanjay Dutt Productions, the film is being remade in Hindi by director Deva Katta, who also helmed the original.
The film also stars Manisha Koirala, Ali Fazal and Amyra Dastur.
Richa Chadha to belly dance for Shakeela biopic
Actress Richa Chadha is working on her belly dancing skills for a special promotional song for a biopic on south Indian glamour actress Shakeela.
Richa plays the titular role in the movie, directed by Indrajit Lankesk. She is training under the guidance of Mumbai-based belly dancing instructor Shaina Lebana.
Richa has been taking lessons from Shaina on belly dance for the past three weeks and will be training for some more weeks.
"The song that I'm learning belly dancing for will be a part of the promotions of the film. I have always loved learning newer forms of dance. Belly dancing is not only very attractive and graceful but is also a very tough dance form to learn and adapt," Richa said in a statement.
This is not the first time Richa has attempted the dance form. She used to take belly dance tutorials three years ago.
Tanushree gave me courage to come out with my story: Rahul Raj
Actor Rahul Raj Singh has alleged sexual harassment by writer Mushtaq Sheikh. He says actress Tanushree Dutta, who spoke about her harassment, gave him the courage to address his "demon".
"I didn't realise I was the first male victim (of sexual harassment) to come out. Believe me, there are so many others boys like me who come here to become an actor and are subjected to a kind of exploitation they had never imagined or even heard of," said Rahul.
"Why do we presume that only women get sexually exploited? Men too are raped, brutalised, harassed and bullied."
Rahul felt it was important for him to let the world know what Sheikh had subjected him to.
"He has been shamed. That was my motive. He will think many times before trying this (sexual advances) on other unsuspecting youngsters who come to Mumbai with stars in their eyes. I was only 19 when this happened to me. Can you imagine my confusion and shock?"
Rahul wants to make it clear that his protest has nothing to do with the perpetrator's sexual preference.
"I have many gay friends. And I am totally relaxed with them. My problem is with the pressure tactics. You can't bully a young man or woman into sleeping with you. That's a gross misuse of power."
Rahul remembers himself as bewildered callow 19-year old.
"At that time, Mushtaq Sheikh seemed a big name and a good way to find my way into cinema. He used to hang around with Shah Rukh Khan and Ekta Kapoor. I thought he could get me work. But after I refused his overtures, I rapidly started losing all hope of work. It was like a big signboard in front of me: 'Give in or get out'."
Rahul has been hanging on for 10 years.
"So much has happened to my life. I lost my film career. I lost opportunities on television. My personal life went through turmoil. If I had work I may not have gone through what I did. But what is done is done.
"Thanks to the courage of one lady, Tanushree Dutta, who spoke about her harassment, I also found the courage to address my demon. I am glad I got it out during Dussehra, which is the time good conquers over evil."
What next?
"I am going to Cine & TV Artists Association with my case. But no. I am not taking any legal action against my harasser. He has been named and shamed. That is enough for me.
"I spoke on behalf of all small-towners who come to Mumbai with stars in their eyes only to be treated like trash. Perhaps the voices of victims of sexual misbehaviour who are now speaking up, would give dignity to newcomers in the entertainment industry who have nowhere to go when a powerful man misuses his power."
(SOURCE : IANS)
Add new comment