MUMBAI: Here we bring you all the fresh news and happenings from the world of Bollywood.
I got my first negative review after 'Race 3': Saqib
Actor Saqib Saleem, geared up for web show Rangbaaz after the failure of multi-starrer film Race 3, says though he received his first negative review for the film, it offered him wide exposure.
"I got my first ever negative review and criticism after the release of Race 3. Before that, in all my films, whether it was Bombay Talkiesor Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge, people always said that I am a good actor. This was the first time when people made fun of my acting. I was depressed for quite some time," Saqib said.
"Then I came across Anupama Chopra's review where she said, 'The usually reliable Saqib Saleem is reduced to hamming and adding 'bro' after every dialogue'. The words 'usually reliable' somehow gave me a boost that at least people count me as a reliable actor and I went wrong with one film," he added.
He said he slowly gathered confidence from there.
Directed by Remo D'Souza, Race 3 released on Diwali. It features Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor and Bobby Deol among others.
Saqib said, "I had a great experience working in the film. I had unparalleled experience when I shared screen space with some of the iconic actors. No one makes a film with an intention to make a bad film, but Race 3 had a different journey. Though many people troll and criticise the film, we cannot deny the fact that it reached out to the small town audience."
"The film did not give me creative satisfaction like that of Bombay Talkies but I am learning a new thing with every film."
As the actor finished shooting of Rangbaaz and the trailer is getting a positive response, Saqib said, "I am eagerly waiting for people's reaction on the show. I really put a lot of hard work on this because after a long time I got a chance to go deeper to a meaty character like Shiv Prakash Shukla."
Rangbaaz, which also features Tigmanshu Dhulia and Aahana Kumra among others, will start streaming from 22 December.
Fatima Sana Shaikh heartbroken with 'Thugs...' failure
Actress Fatima Sana Shaikh's last release Thugs of Hindostan bombed at the box office, leaving her heartbroken and sad.
Despite the presence of industry giants like Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan and Katrina Kaif, Thugs of Hindostan fizzled out and both audiences and critics wrote it off for its weak storyline and direction.
Interacting with the media at Netflix web-series Selection Day premiere on Tuesday here, Fatima said, "Yeah.. it hasn't done well. It is very heartbreaking.
"It is very sad because we all tried to make a good film but unfortunately, it didn't do well. People didn't like it so, I am feeling very bad for it."
Fatima is currently working on a project with Rajkummar Rao on Anurag Basu's directorial -- a sequel to Life In A Metro, though she said, "I don't think it is called that."
The Dangal fam actress is looking forward to Selection Day which is a story of two brothers and their father who wants his sons to pursue cricket as their career.
"I am really excited and looking forward to see it because I found the trailer really interesting. I am also happy that lot of Indian shows are being made for Netflix and we (actors) are getting more opportunities. Even writers, directors and technicians.
"Now, we have lot of options in terms of viewing and performing. So, I feel it's great that such show and series are out," she said.
Speaking about her debut in Dangal which revolved around wrestling, Fatima said, "I run away from playing sports. It was the requirement for my film (Dangal) therefore, I had to do it otherwise, sports and I don't get along really well."
Film industry delegation meets Modi in Mumbai
A delegation representing the Indian film and entertainment industry met Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Monday, and pitched for lower and uniform rates of GST for the fraternity.
Actors Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn, filmmakers Karan Johar and Rakesh Roshan, Censor Board chief Prasoon Joshi and Producers Guild of India President Siddharth Roy Kapur were a part of the delegation that met Modi.
According to a PIB statement, the delegation gave Modi an overview of the vast growth potential of the media and entertainment industry in India, and said that this sector is poised to contribute in a significant way towards the Prime Minister's vision for making India a five trillion dollar economy in the near future.
The film fraternity members even pitched for lower, and uniform rates of GST, for the entertainment industry in India, apart from calling for the development of Mumbai as the global entertainment capital, through various initiatives and proactive approaches.
Modi said the Indian entertainment industry enjoys immense popularity across the world. It is one of the key elements of India's rising soft power status, globally, he added.
He assured the delegation that the Union Government is supportive of the media and entertainment industry, and would consider the suggestions positively.
This is the second such meeting in the year after a delegation met Modi in Delhi in October.
Kapur, who was a part of the past meeting, had told to leading publication in a recent conversation, "The main agenda to discuss with the PM was what the entertainment industry in India can contribute as a soft power of the nation around the world and how it would be wonderful if the government could encourage this industry in very tangible ways to be able to grow and thrive."
He said issues like low screen density in the country need to be taken care of.
"We are a very underscreened country. The taxation levels in the country are extremely high (they are in the top bracket when it comes to GST), there is double taxation on the film industry because the local bodies have a right to impose their own tax on the industry. So, if all these impediments to the growth of the film and TV industry can be removed, we see a boom in the quality of content being created and in the reach of that content and in our ability for us to take the India story around the world.
"The PM was very open and forthcoming. He did say he believed that this was the case. So, we are very hopeful about this," Kapur had told a publication on the sidelines of the International Film Festival of India last month.
Directing is like a worker's life, says Kangana Ranaut
Kangana Ranaut, who took over the reigns as director of her forthcoming film Manikarnika - The Queen of Jhansi, says directing a film is like leading a worker's life, but she had fun while she was at it.
Kangana interacted with the media at the trailer launch of Manikarnika - The Queen of Jhansi along with her co-actors Ankita Lokhande, Mishti and Suresh Oberoi, as well as producer Kamal Jain, writer K.V. Vijayendra Prasad and music composers Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy here on Tuesday.
The Queen star stepped into the film's original director Krish's shoes after he departed the project due to what has been blamed on scheduling conflicts and creative differences.
Asked whether she wants to pursue direction in the future as well, she said, "I was telling my sister yesterday, I don't know what it is about me that I really love working as a technician as no actor wants to be out in the sun as opposed to being in the air conditioned van.
"No actor wants to be sweaty where 80 people are asking you like 100 questions. No actor wants to do recce of locations when you can simply be in your luxury suite. I don't know what it is about me that I am so comfortable in this job that there is nothing more that I love than directing, even though I don't get to wear make-up and I don't get any special treatment."
She added, "It is absolutely a worker's life to be honest but there was something so amazing about this job. I don't know why people consider it a job. It is just so much fun. I think acting is more like a job but directing is just like having fun. I hope I get more chances to do this and I hope I continue doing this because this seems like my first love."
In past interviews, Kangana had said it was her dream to play the role of Rani Laxmibai in her film career.
How does it feel now that her dream is fulfilled?
She said, "A lot of people tried to make it (film) and before Kamalji (Jain), there was another producer who had approached me for a similar subject. I worked on that script for two years as well, but then we didn't get additional producer to produce the film and that project didn't materialise. So, I had serious setbacks with this, but eventually we came up with this film.
"Therefore, I feel today is a very special day for all of us because we have made it."
Asked if she has learnt anything new after playing the role of Rani Laxmibai or whether her perception about the warrior queen has changed after doing this film, she said, "I haven't learnt as such after doing this film because we have heard so many stories about her since our childhood days. My only brief to our costume team or music team was that to match up to her legacy because it is too larger than life and nothing is good enough. The kind of stories we have heard about her bravery is absolutely amazing.
"There is one scene in the film where she jumps off her fort with her child on her back and rides a horse but while doing that scene, we were literally drained... There is nothing which seems good enough. Therefore, I feel even if we can live up to the audience expectations, then it will be good enough."
The film, set for release on 25 January 2019, is produced by Zee Studios in association with Kamal Jain and Nishant Pitti.
'Manikarnika' looks like bits from a Bhansali product
Finally it comes. The trailer of the beleaguered historical Manikarnika - The Queen Of Jhansi brings to us a furious, ferocious and feral Kangana Ranaut, who tells the 'gora log', "We both want Jhansi. But you want to rule. I want to serve."
Well, precisely. The Rani of Jhansi was passionately dedicated to her kingdom. We don't see much of that dedication in the trailer. Much of it is devoted to displaying its leading lady's skills on horses and with swords. The trailer gives us an epic primer on ‘Kangana Rides The Horse', ‘Kangana Swats The Enemy', ‘Kangana Bays For Blood', so on and so forth.
There is so much of the talented actress' efforts to appear queenly, the trailer barely offers a glimpse of the impressive supporting cast, namely Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni, Suresh Oberoi and others who flit by in this steamroller view of a woman warrior's day-out binge. Threadbare thunder in a fancy teacup.
Alarmingly and annoyingly, the film wears a thick and heavy Sanjay Leela Bhansali hangover. In the way the camera zooms in and pans the long stretches of the battle scenes, we were taken back to Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani. In fact one of Kangana's derring-do in a battle sequence here, she gambols over her army to strike was a move identical to Ranveer Singh's in Bajirao Mastani.
So is Kangana's Jhansi Ki Rani, Bajirao or Mastani or both?
It's a highly derivative world created by people who seem to have the resources but not the vision. We could do with a lot more chutzpah when recreating such an important chapter from Indian history.
It's not all a wash-out, though. Kangana seems to convey sufficient fire and elasticity. Her accent is a downer, though.
This is the way the trailer moves: uplifting one moment down to being a disappointment the next. Let's hope the film is not as uneven in tone.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan encourages differently-abled kids
Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan says every person is differently-abled because everyone has different abilities and gifts.
Aishwarya addressed students, teachers and parents at the Annual Function of Special Kids, hosted by Narsee Monjee Educational Trust, here on Tuesday.
"I feel everyone who is present here is differently-abled because we all have different abilities, different gifts but we have the blessing to realise our potential... That is, by far, the best medal we all can give to ourselves and we all can experience. So, kudos to all the participants. May God bless you," the actress said.
Aishwarya thanked the teachers and trainers who worked with the children.
The mother of one of them said extra-curricular activities give students an opportunity to realise their potential.
She said, "It gives an opportunity to these beautiful kids to participate and realise their potential, dream and more than anything else to build friendship that sports encourages you to experience."
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan next will be seen on-screen along with her actor husband Abhishek Bachchan in Anurag Kashyap's Gulab Jamun.
'Baaghi 3' to hit screens on 6 March 2020
The third instalment of the successful action franchise Baaghi, starring Tiger Shroff, will release on 6 March 2020.
Tiger joined the franchise, which started in 2016, as Ronnie the rebel. The second part came out this year. The actor will return as the much-loved character of Ronnie in 2020.
"And round three is on! Sajid Nadiadwala's Baaghi 3 will be out on March 6, 2020. This one's for you Baaghians," Tiger tweeted on Wednesday.
Even before the release of Baaghi 2, Sajid Nadiadwala announced Baaghi 3.
After launching Tiger in Heropanti in 2014, Nadiadwala introduced the revolutionary side of the actor as an action hero with Baaghi.
Produced by Nadiadwala under the banner of Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, Baaghi 3 is co-produced by Fox Star Studios and directed by Ahmed Khan.
(Source: IANS)
Dolly ki Doli actor Paras Saluja turns a producer
Actor Paras Saluja, who was last seen in Dolly ki Doli, has turned a producer. He has opened a production house named Icarus Tourism and Media Services Pvt Ltd (Icarus Media).
He is producing three projects, one is a feature film and the rest two are series.
The feature film, Life Behind Bars, is based on criminals and their life behind the bars, what all they go through, and much more.
The animation series, The Name is Tiger, is a high end animation cg International series about a six-year-old guy and a tiger, their bond, struggle and their amazing journey. Operation 16 is all about 16 secret operations. The 16 massive episodes are being shot in Dubai, Sharjah, London, Hong Kong, and Macau.
On talking about becoming a producer he shared, "Business is in my blood . I’m a business entrepreneur before I’m An actor. I’ve always been inspired by real life stories and I plan to make all my projects on the real life incidents but in a fictional way without hurting the sentiments of any religion. Hence I decided to make a move towards Production"
He further shares, "Producer has his own responsibilities of his own and so does the actor. There’s no less or more efforts .It’s a team work and all the components used in the film Prodction are equally important.
Add new comment