Manushi Chhillar, who has had an eventful 2022 with the release of her debut film Samrat Prithviraj earlier this year, wrapped up her upcoming project, the geo-political drama Tehran alongside action star John Abraham, with back-to-back night shoots for 15 consecutive days! The film that went on-floors a few months ago, was shot exhaustively across Glasgow, Mumbai and Delhi. The third schedule of Tehran began in the last week of September and she shot over a period of 15 days, consisting of rigorous night shoots through the bylanes of Delhi.
Sharing her amazing experience of the shoot, Manushi says, “I want to learn and grow with every project that I get an opportunity to do. I want to constantly evolve into becoming an actor who is formidable in her craft and dependable to deliver performances that hopefully touch the hearts and minds of audiences. Tehran is one such film.”
She adds, “Shooting for Tehran was an enriching experience. I learnt something new every single day! In the run-up to the film’s wrap, I was only shooting nights! So, I might have ended up with 15 sleepless nights but I was satiated as an artiste because I got to understand the craft so differently, primarily because the genre is so exciting. This was my first long night shoot schedule of my career and I enjoyed it every single night.”
The gorgeous actress further says, “I have to thank my director Arun Gopalan and producer Dinesh Vijan for the opportunity to shine in their vision. I’m glad I found them as collaborators and mentors in my Tehran journey. I’m happy that I had a co-actor like John. He is a thorough professional and a gentleman and it was a pleasure to work and learn from him.
The action thriller, inspired by true events, marks the feature directorial debut of ad filmmaker Arun Gopalan and is produced by Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films.
Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif celebrated her first Karva Chauth with Vicky Kaushal following their wedding in December, last year. The actress took to her official Instagram account to share photos with Vicky. She dropped pictures with her in-laws as well.
The first photo showed Katrina and Vicky posting on the balcony of their residence. The second one showed them posing with Vicky’s parents.
The couple posed together in the third one whereas Katrina was performing the rituals in the last photo. She wore a bright red saree with embellished borderwork. “Pehla (first) Karva Chauth,” she wrote in her Instagram post.
Priyanka Chopra commented on her post saying, “Congratulations so beautiful ????,” whereas Zoya Akhtar wrote, “Happy 1st Karvachauth.”
Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal tied the knot last year in December in an intimate wedding in Rajasthan. They dated privately for a couple of years before getting married. In a recent interview with Pinkvilla, Katrina said, “Marriage is a big change in anyone’s life. You’re now sharing your life with a person, and you are living together. It’s been really beautiful, really wonderful. Of course, he has been away a lot on shoots, as have I.”
The actress added, “That’s always the thing with any two actors who are in this profession where there’s constant travel. You do get less time together. But he is just a very very wonderful person, and I think it’s nice to have a person like that in my life.”
On the work front, Katrina Kaif will next star in Sriram Raghavan’s Merry Christmas with Vijay Sethupathi. Her next release in theatres is PhoneBhoot with Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ishaan Khatter. She also has Tiger 3 with Salman Khan slated for April 2023 release. The actress has also signed Farhan Akhtar’s next Jee Le Zaraa with Alia Bhatt and Priyanka Chopra.
Meanwhile, Vicky Kaushal will next star in Meghna Gulzar’s Sam Bahadur with Sanya Malhotra and Fatima Sana Shaikh. He also has Laxman Utekar’s next with Sara Ali Khan and YRF’s next with Manushi Chhillar.
Tahira Kashyap Khurrana is a writer and has exuded grace in every situation that life had to offer. In an initiative aimed towards community building called ‘The Circle of Happiness’, organised by the real estate firm Rustomjee, Tahira Kashyap Khurrana shared the stage with eminent American psychiatrist Dr. Robert Waldinger, who is the director of the longest study on happiness conducted by Harvard, and India’s first paraplegic DJ, Varun Khullar on ‘Finding Happiness through Hardship & Struggle’ in Mumbai.
Tahira says, “It is an absolute delight to share a stage with Dr. Waldinger and Varun. I did have breast cancer. But I cannot say that my problem is bigger than someone who’s having a financial problem or a relationship problem. Problems aren’t bigger or smaller, it all depends upon one’s life state. If a person’s life state is strong, they can brave any situation. I also practice Nichiren-Buddhism where the significance of each life is given a lot of prominence. Of course, we cannot brush the problem under the carpet but we can deal with it in a positive manner with a change of perspective.”
India’s first paraplegic DJ, Varun Khullar, further added, “When I met with an accident, I used to question, ‘Why me?’ But once I accepted everything, things changed.” Dr. Robert Waldinger further added, “We wrongly consider aging as a process of decline but as we grow older, we get better at doing things.”
It is breast cancer awareness month and Tahira Kashyap Khurrana has always championed awareness regarding early detection and continues to emancipate women all around the world to speak up, share and own their journeys.
On the work front, Tahira Kashyap Khurrana has also recently completed directing her first feature film Sharmajee Ki Beti.
Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007) is remembered today for many reasons, be it the super-hit song ‘Hare Ram Hare Krishna’, humour or the unforgettable and thrilling climax. The performances of many actors were memorable from Akshay Kumar to Rajpal Yadav to Vidya Balan. But there’s one more actor who left a huge mark – Jimit Trivedi. His scenes with Akshay Kumar were a highlight and we are not surprised when he told us that even today, people address him as ‘Goti’ as Kumar calls him in the movie.
As Bhool Bhulaiyaa completed 15 years on October 12, Bollywood Hungama exclusively spoke to Jimit Trivedi about the film, working with Akshay Kumar and a lot more.
Did you know that Bhool Bhulaiyaa has completed 15 years?
No. Thank you for reminding me. I am not active on social media for a long time. That’s why I had no idea. Otherwise, I would have known after seeing people tagging me in the anniversary posts.
How did you bag the role?
It’s a long story. I was doing a play called Ba E Mari Boundary. It served as the turning point in my career and was a huge hit. A very close friend of mine, Naushil Mehta, who’s also a writer, called to tell me that we have to do a play for the Prithvi Theatre Festival. The name of the play was ‘Hu Tane Gamu Chu?’. Prithvi Theatre is an actor’s playground. It always gives you creative satisfaction and so, I readily agreed. I was in Rajkot and we adjusted the dates. It was a Wednesday and the show was scheduled to be held on Sunday. I had just 1 ½ days to prepare. It had just two characters and was about their journey from the ages of 10 to 70. We were given to freedom to experiment. So we went all out and decided to essay as many as seven characters. We also incorporated the 2006 Mumbai train blasts track. When it was staged at Prithvi Theatre, viewers loved it. On the second day, I learnt that Neeraj Vora is the play’s producer. Until then, I was unaware! I was so consumed by the creative satisfaction I was getting that I didn’t even bother to enquire who was producing the play, how much will I be paid, etc (laughs).
Nausheel Mehta introduced me to Neeraj Vora. A month later, he called me to inform me that there was a role for me in a Priyadarshan film. He asked me whether I’ll be interested to do it. For me, it was a very big thing as working in Hindi films was a dream. I was like, ‘Neki aur pooch pooch’! I instantly gave my nod. So it’s all thanks to Neeraj Vora that I got an entry into Bollywood. If not for him, I don’t know how I would have managed to enter the industry.
Neeraj Vora told the makers, ‘Yeh waala role yehi ladka karega’. Neeraj Vora then narrated to me the story and explained to me my characters and my scenes with Akshay Kumar. He assured me that I’ll enjoy it. And he was so right. Film kab shuru hui aur kab khatam hui, mujhe pata bhi nahin chala. The rest is history. People still remember me as ‘Goti’ (smiles)!
For how many days did you shoot for Bhool Bhulaiyaa?
I shot for 40 days.
How was it to work with Akshay Kumar?
It was superb. I was amazed to see that he was so professional and grounded. He’s quite the pro at understanding the technicalities of filmmaking. For me, it was a new world. I had seen film stars on the big screen. Seeing them in front of me was a surreal experience.
I won’t say I was conscious or nervous but I was very alert. And the shoot happened in a very disciplined manner thanks to Priyadarshan sir. The shooting used to begin and end dot on time as per the plan.
And Akshay sir made me very comfortable. Even today, when we meet, he greets me very warmly. I remember he had come to see my play with Paresh Rawal sir called Kishan v/s Kanhaiya. I played Lord Krishna in this play and Akshay sir played the same role in OMG Oh My God (2012). He met me and joked with me. He told me, ‘Main tera role karne waala hoon’. I also meet him on the sets of OMG Oh My God. He was so chilled out. He must be meeting so many people. Yet, he remembers me and whenever he sees me, he’ll call me and talk to me. Otherwise, after so many years, several stars might pretend to not recognize you. He’s not like that at all. Hence, I have the deepest respect for him.
You feature in the song ‘Allah Hafiz’ along with Akshay Kumar. You both are seeing dancing on the bus and in the boat. Was there any memorable experience or accident that occurred while shooting this song?
No. Frankly, I had no idea that there was going to be a song featuring me in the film! I assumed the shoot is over. But one day, the production team informed me to report for the song shoot. Again, I had zero idea about how a song is filmed. That also proved to be a new experience for me. And as you said, we shot atop the bus and in the boat. It was a fun experience. Anyway, Akshay Kumar was doing most of the dancing. I was just following him!
You were not present in the film’s climax. Were any of your scenes cut at the editing table?
No, nothing was cut. But maybe, the makers had more scenes featuring me which were not shot. So what happened was that Akshay Kumar had completed the promotions of Heyy Babyy in London and had flown down to Jaipur. This was a time when I was doing a daily soap as well as a play. In the morning, I completed the shoot of the serial and later, also did two performances of the play. The next day, I flew to Jaipur for Bhool Bhulaiyaa’s shoot. By the time I returned, I was dead due to exhaustion. I had to be taken in a wheelchair as I was diagnosed with mumps. I had no energy at all. For a week, I was completely bedridden. I was constantly in touch with Priyadarshan sir and his assistants. Realizing that flying back to Jaipur is not possible for me, they created sets in Mumbai. So, the scenes where I jump into the water, the ‘Goti’ scene and even the sequence where Akshay and I pee together were all shot in Mumbai. Maybe, if the shooting had happened in Jaipur, they might have added a few more scenes of mine.
Did you visit cinema halls to check the audience’s reaction?
Yes, I did. From my family, I was the first one to come on the big screen! So all of us had gone together to watch the movie. We were a group of 50! I remember I was watching the film and also paying attention to the reactions of my family members and that of the audience in the hall. I was constantly interacting with my group and my mind was diverted. I was thinking if I am looking fine in the film. Kyunki pehli baar maine apne aap ko screen pe dekhatha! A lot of such thoughts were going through my mind. Due to these reasons, I couldn’t see the film properly. And it’s been 15 years and till date, I have not watched the film in one go, from start to finish.
But I got a lot of love and it continues even today. A lot of memes of my scenes are going around on social media. Someday, I’ll sit down and watch the film.
Did you get more offers from Bollywood?
I was offered a role in 3 Idiots (2009). I got a call from Rajkumar Hirani. It was the role of the boy who irons clothes in the hostel.
That was the character named Millimeter…
I don’t remember the name of the character. But I was offered that part. Then, before Bhool Bhulaiyaa, I was called for Rajpal Yadav’s role in Vipul Shah’s Waqt – The Race Against Time (2005). However, due to various reasons, I couldn’t do these films. Nevertheless, the filmmakers started calling me for work as they had noticed me. And that was bound to happen as it was a big film, starring Akshay sir. People also enjoyed it a lot. At that time, I didn’t know about PR as I was new.
After the release of Bhool Bhulaiyaa, did people on the streets started addressing you as ‘Goti’?
It still happens! Wherever I go, I am called ‘Goti’. People know me as ‘Goti’ (and not by my real name).
And do you mind?
Not really. Initially, it was a bit awkward obviously to be addressed as ‘Goti’ by people. And some admirers tend to cross the line too. But being actors, we can’t react to it. Or else, it can result in negative publicity. I guess I had to pay the price for being famous. I paid the price and am still getting the returns (smiles). I later came to terms with it as I realized ki log pyaar se ‘Goti’ bularahe hai.
What are your upcoming projects?
My next Gujarati film will go on floors soon. Apart from that, I have finished working on a Hindi web series. It’ll be out next year.
You started your acting journey by working in plays. Would you like to get back on the stage?
In 2019, I had done a comeback play after 8 years, called Aane Bhi Do Yaaro. Iccha toh bahut hai. But it’s tough to accommodate a play, along with my other projects. Hopefully, I’ll do one soon in near future.
The year 2023 will see Shah Rukh Khan return to the silver screen with three massive releases – Pathaan, Jawan and Dunki. In June 2022, his production banner Red Chillies Entertainment officially announced the massive action entertainer Jawan, which will see him headline the project along with Vijay Sethupathi as the antagonist and Nayanthara as the leading lady. SRK was stationed in Chennai for a while to complete major shoot portions of Jawan. He shot for a month before returning to Mumbai on Sunday. Now, it is being reported that the last schedule will commence in Rajasthan.
As per a report in a media portal, Shah Rukh Khan and Nayanthara will head to Rajasthan soon for a 20-day schedule before they call it a wrap. The preparations are underway and the makers are ensuring high-level security for the shoot. As Nayanthara welcomed twins with her husband Vignesh Shivan, the makers of the films are figuring out the dates in order to commence the shoot. The crucial portions will be shot in Rajasthan.
Shah Rukh Khan recently took to Twitter to inform that he had a blast for a month in Chennai. He even had some time to meet Rajinikanth and Vijay. The actor’s tweet read, “Wot a 30 days blast RCE team! Thalaivar blessed our sets…saw movie with Nayanthara partied with @anirudhofficial deep discussions with @VijaySethuOffl & Thalapathy @actorvijay fed me delicious food.Thx @Atlee_dir & Priya for ur hospitality now need to learn Chicken 65 recipe!”
Shah Rukh Khan had shot an action sequence in Chennai with 200 women. The film also have a cameo of Deepika Padukone who was seen with Atlee and SRK during the shoot.
Red Chillies Entertainment presents Jawan, starring Shah Rukh Khan in the lead and produced by Gauri Khan. Jawan will be released on June 2, 2023, in five languages making it Shah Rukh Khan’s first pan-India film.
R Balki is an unabashed Amitabh Bachchan fan. The filmmaker now says he is more than willing to make the Bachchan biopic.
“But who will play the role of Bachchan? There is not a single actor in this country who would dare to step into those shoes. I would love to make the biopic. But there is no one I can get to play Amitabh Bachchan,” said Balki.
Not even AB Junior? “Abhishek? Is he crazy to do something so foolhardy? Of course, Abhishek would never play his father on screen. He knows it’s impossible for anyone to play the Mega Bachchan, not even his own son. Just like Tiger Shroff would never play his dad Jackie. Or Raima Sen playing Suchitra Sen…won’t work!”
Balki is currently working with Abhishek Bachchan in Ghoomer. And yes, that too will have Sr. Bachchan in a role. His condition thereby can be implied that no one but Bachchan Sr. himself can step into that role.
“I cannot make a film that doesn’t have Mr. Bachchan in it,” declared Balki.
Is Sr. Bachchan his lucky mascot? “Calling him my lucky mascot would be very pedestrian. Mr. Bachchan is much more than that. I don’t have the words to describe his place in the history of Indian cinema.”
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