For Sushmita Sen, a career in acting was never a part of the plan. Shortly after winning the Miss Universe title in 1994, she built a home and life in Los Angeles for three years. She was financially independent at a young age. She had a career in modelling sorted, perhaps looking at entrepreneurship thereafter. It was while she was visiting her parents in Delhi at one point time that filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt called her to meet, since he happened to be in the city. She told him over the phone, “If it’s for a role, I’m not interested. I can’t lie. It’ll show on camera." Bhatt insisted they have coffee, nonetheless. They met and he told her a few things flatly, “You don’t have to act. You have to play yourself, that is Sushmita Sen. Also, when did I say you’re a good actor, I’m a damn good director." The film he had in mind was about a Miss Universe getting stalked, which became Dastak (1996), a big-budget production, shot in Seychelles, Switzerland… It was the only film Sen planned to act in. She had thought she'd do this one film, and that's it. Without any prep - no dialogue coaches, workshops, acting instructor - she was, right away, called in for the film’s mahurat. She recalls, “I had mugged up my lines. I came out of the [vanity] van, and there were 40 media persons lined up for the shot. Bhatt Saab said, ‘Let them watch. It’s after all Miss Universe’s mahurat. Before I was to give my shot, he changed my entire scene. “It became about a woman dealing with a man lunching at a morgue, from whom she has to collect a dead body. I was 22. No acting experience. For two years, I’d been professionally trained to be a lady. Here, I was to show aggression, that I don’t understand, throwing my earrings at the morgue man. I wasn’t getting it right. Bhatt Saab began to tell [brother-partner] Mukesh, ‘Yeh kisko leke aaye ho? She doesn’t know anything!” It’s at this point she broke. She told Bhatt off, "I told you I can’t act. I’m done. You can’t insult me, in front of all these people." There was a showdown. Bhatt retorted, “That’s the anger [I was looking for]. Now show it in the film." "This is where Bhatt Saab is Bhatt Saab," Sushmita recalled. That wasn't all. The posse of 'media folk' around her were actually junior artistes, brought in, holding cameras, pretending to be press. From thereon, Dastak got almost entirely shot with her first takes, given how raw she was, as a performer, and how she might start looking fake during too many retakes.
18 November,2024 10:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSushmita Sen is one of the most loved actresses in Bollywood. The actress, who gained widespread popularity for her role in Shah Rukh Khan's 'Main Hoon Na', once revealed that Farah Khan had apologized to her because the final cut of the film barely featured her. The 1994 Miss Universe winner spoke about the unique trajectory and "small but powerful role" of her character, Chandni Chopra—a sentiment reaffirmed by the late film maestro Yash Chopra. Sushmita shared that 'Main Hoon Na' became career-defining because everyone “keeps going back” to the film. Recalling a pivotal moment during the film's final edit, Sushmita mentioned that director Farah Khan had apologized for her limited screen presence. Farah Khan apologised to Sushmita Sen for limited screen presence In an interview with 'Humans of Bombay', Sushmita revealed: “She (Farah Khan) called and said, ‘Sush, I have seen the final edit, and I have to apologize to you. Shah Rukh, of course, has the role, Zayed and Amrita have a role, but you are barely there.’ So I was like, ‘That’s okay, Farah. We had a deal—you kept your promise, and I kept mine. It’s done; now don’t worry about it.’ But inside, I was thinking, ‘Oh no, I am barely there!’ The ('Main Hoon Na') screening happened at Film City. My phone started ringing. And I didn’t know why Yash ji (Yash Chopra) was calling me. The whole gamut of the industry was calling. So, scared, I picked up the phone.” Yash Chopra praised Sushmita Sen for her work in Main Hoon Na She recalled the unexpected and heartfelt praise she received: "‘You have done amazing work; I could not take my eyes off you.’ Yash Chopra told me he wanted to see me in the second half of the film. I had avoided the screening, fearing disappointment since Farah Khan had mentioned my limited presence. But from the response, I knew something had changed. The role hadn’t changed, but the impact had. The role was still as small as it was, but it was powerful enough.” One of the most remarkable outcomes following the film's release was the transformation of its promotional posters. Initially, they prominently featured Shah Rukh Khan, Amrita Rao, and Zayed Khan. However, the posters were later revamped to spotlight Sushmita alongside Shah Rukh. This change was driven by the audience’s palpable demand to see her more prominently associated with the film. Sushmita shared: “The reaction of the audience was so intense that the first posters of 'Main Hoon Na' all over Bombay had Zayed Khan, Amrita Rao, and Shah Rukh, or Shah Rukh alone. By Saturday, after the film had released, there were posters of Shah Rukh and me everywhere. That is the power of people and audiences, and I have huge respect for that... The audiences were like, ‘We want her; we want to see her up there with him (Shah Rukh).’ Farah called me and said, ‘All the posters are being brought down, and new ones are being put up. You better go for a drive today.’ And I did.” About Main Hoon Na 'Main Hoon Na', Farah Khan's directorial debut, featured Shah Rukh Khan, Sushmita Sen, Suniel Shetty, Amrita Rao, and Zayed Khan. The film centers on Major Ram Sharma (played by Shah Rukh) undertaking a covert mission as a university student to protect a general's daughter, Amrita, from a treacherous soldier.
18 November,2024 10:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Sushmita Sen, who was last seen in the streaming crime-thriller series ‘Aarya’ season 3, believes in putting intentions to action. On Saturday, the actress took to her Instagram and shared a note. She wrote, “An inch of movement is better than a mile of intentions”. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sushmita Sen (@sushmitasen47) She also penned a note in the caption, as she called intention, a “powerful” too but she stressed on the importance of putting the intentions into movement. She wrote, “It’s amazing just HOW simple, the journey to achieving anything can be. Intention is a powerful tool, it helps with direction…but without movement, it’s a wasted tool. Move & claim your Inch now. ‘Inch by inch we cover the mile’ #move #littlesteps #giantleaps #hardwork #paitence #dreamsinaction #keepgoing #yougotthis #gentlereminder I LOVE YOU GUYS!! #happyweekend #duggadugga”. Earlier, the actress visited a dentist to treat her toothache. As she was clicked outside the dentist’s clinic, interacted with the paparazzi stationed outside the clinic, it was apparent that she had been injected with a heavy dose of local anaesthesia, as her speech was slurred. Despite being in pain, the actress greeted the paparazzi with her signature warmth and compassion. Meanwhile, on the work front, Sushmita was last seen in the International Emmy nominated series ‘Aarya’ in which she essays the titular role. She was also seen in the streaming biographical drama ‘Taali: Bajaungi Nahi, Bajwaungi’ in which she essayed the role of the transgender activist Shreegauri Sawant. The series, directed by Ravi Jadhav, covers the key moments in the life and struggle of Mumbai-based transgender activist Gauri Sawant. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 November,2024 10:26 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSThis Diwali witnessed one of the biggest box office clashes of 2024, as 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' and 'Singham Again' went head-to-head. Now, nearly three weeks later, box office numbers suggest that Kartik Aaryan’s horror-comedy is riding higher than Ajay Devgn’s 'Singham Again'. But was clashing his cop drama with the horror-comedy Rohit Shetty’s big mistake? Well, we’re not saying that—it’s Mr. Perfectionist Aamir Khan who believes 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' has the edge over the cop drama. Aamir Khan saying to Anees Bazmee - "unnhone Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 se takkar leke galti kar di" (referring to Singham Again makers) 💀🤐 pic.twitter.com/63QPcVqghw — sohom (@AwaaraHoon) November 17, 2024 In a short clip circulating on social media, Aamir Khan is seen speaking to 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' director Anees Bazmee, saying, “Unhone aapki 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa' se takkar leke galti kar di (They made a mistake by deciding to clash with your film 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3').” After about 17 days at the box office, recent collections as per Sacnilk.com suggest that 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' has minted ₹231.4 crore in India, while 'Singham Again' has collected about ₹231.26 crore. Rohit Shetty on 'Singham Again' vs 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' Rohit Shetty opened up about the success of his latest film 'Singham Again' and shared his views on its clash with 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3'. "I am very happy that people are liking this film. The film is running for quite long now. A good revenue is being generated for the theatres. People are going to watch this film. We tried to avoid the clash (with 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3'), but the only issue was that we had the theme of Diwali. Otherwise, we could have released the film anytime. After a week, both the films created revenue of over ₹300 crores, which is quite rare," Rohit told ANI. Anees Bazmee on 'Singham Again' vs 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' Anees Bazmee opened up about the success of his latest film 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' and also shared his views on its clash with 'Singham Again'. “It is a minute number. Such a small thing doesn’t make any difference. Koi film 2 ₹ zyada hai, aur koi kum... What matters is that both the films have done good business and brought huge crowds to the theatres," he said in conversation with Hindustan Times. About Singham Again & Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 cast Apart from Ajay Devgn, 'Singham Again' features Kareena Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Arjun Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, and Tiger Shroff. Meanwhile, talking about 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3', the movie boasts a stellar cast. In addition to Kartik Aaryan, the movie also stars Vidya Balan, Madhuri Dixit, and Tripti Dimri in lead roles.
18 November,2024 08:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe past year has truly showcased Aparshakti Khurana’s versatility as an actor. The actor started his acting career with Aamir Khan's 'Dangal' portraying the character of Omkar Phogat, he soon became a favourtie with his amazing screen presence and comic-timing.. On his birthday, let’s take a closer look at some of his standout films that highlight his range and talent. Stree 2 Recently, ‘Stree 2’ had a successful theatrical run, where Aparshakti reprised his role as Bittu. His comedic performance was not only widely appreciated but also played a key role in making the film one of the highest-grossing of the year. Berlin In ‘Berlin’, Aparshakti surprised audiences by playing a sign language expert, a role that further proves his versatility. The film has been praised since its release on OTT, and his nuanced performance in this unique role has earned him further recognition. ‘Jubilee’ Aparshakti’s portrayal of Binod Das in the OTT series ‘Jubilee’ last year earned critical acclaim, showcasing his depth as an actor and his ability to handle complex characters. These projects reflect the significant impact Aparshakti Khurana has had on Indian cinema. Looking ahead, he will be seen in the romantic drama ‘Badtameez Gill’ alongside Paresh Rawal and Vaani Kapoor, which is slated to hit theaters soon. Additionally, he has a documentary titled ‘Finding Ram’ in the pipeline.
18 November,2024 06:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentZeenat Aman is one of the most loved actresses of Bollywood. The actress is known for her sassy Instagram posts. Today, a day before her birthday, let's look back at the post where she has listed iconic roles she would have loved to play. Zeenat took to Instagram, where she shared pictures from her photoshoot. While sharing the pictures she said that her photos are of actress Audrey Hepburn inspired. Zeenat Aman's Audrey Hepburn-inspired photoshoot Zeenat took to the caption and wrote: "How do you like this look? I find it quite Hepburn-inspired! As a model and actor, creative collaborations are so interesting because you get to see yourself as others see you. It also involves trust and patience." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zeenat Aman (@thezeenataman) 9 roles Zeenat Aman wished to play She then went on to list roles she would've loved to play. Zeenat added: "Speaking of Hepburn has me thinking about all the talented actors whose work I've enjoyed over the years. Here's a list of iconic roles I would have loved to play: 1. Tanya McQuoid in White Lotus, played with dotty perfection by Jennifer Coolidge. 2. Rosie in Guide, played by the ever graceful Waheeda Rehman. 3. Anarkali in Mughal-e-Azam, played exquisitely by Madhubala. 4. Cesira in Two Women, played so unflinchingly by Sophia Loren. 5. Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada, played with icy nonchalance by Meryl Streep. 6. Shashi Godbole in English Vinglish, played masterfully by Sridevi. 7. Jessica Rabbit in Who Framed Roger Rabbit, seductively voiced by Kathleen Turner. 8. Miss Piggy in The Muppets, voiced by various artists over the years. 9. Anda by popular demand and for my own amusement - Moira Rose from Schitt's Creek, played by the brilliant Catherine O' Hara." She then concluded, "I just have to appreciate the acting prowess of all these women. They gave us characters that will resonate for decades. Who are the female characters in cinema and tv that have inspired you? Don't be shy to be creative with your suggestions!" Here’s wishing the legend, and a star, a very happy birthday!
18 November,2024 05:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentYesterday, Zeenat Aman started sharing a story about how she signed on for Raj Kapoor's Satyam Shivam Sundaram. The veteran actress, who is set to star in Bun Tikki, concluded her Instagram post by talking about how she reached the cottage where Raj Kapoor was staying, dressed in traditional clothing to embody 'Rupa.' Today, she continued her story and shared how she was officially inducted into the movie. Zeenat Aman says gold guineas given by Raj Kapoor were stolen She ended her caption yesterday saying, “When I reached The Cottage I was greeted at the door by John, Rajji's (Raj Kapoor) right-hand man. He looked quizzically at me but followed my request - ‘Saabji ko kaho ki Rupa ayi hai.'” Starting her story again, she stated, "Continued from yesterday Ever-reliable John delivered my message, and soon ushered me into Rajji’s view. Oh! How amused was the great director to see me dressed as a maimed village belle!" Talking about what transpired after she presented herself, Zeenat recalled, "I later learnt that he was very moved that an actress of my stature would go to such lengths to prove herself. When his laughter died down, Rajji excused himself to make a telephone call. Twenty minutes later, his most gracious wife Krishna ji was at the door with a handful of gold guineas in her purse. Rajji handed these to me with great aplomb as my signing amount… and so it was that I came to be Rupa." Zeenat Aman reveals Satyam Shivam Sundaram's money was stolen from her But the most shocking part of the story was undoubtedly the fact that the signing-on money was stolen from her home. The veteran actress said, "I held onto those guineas for decades until they were stolen from my home a few years ago. Still, given a choice between this memory and that gold, I will always choose the memory." "On another note, the image in my previous post depicts Rajji fixing my scars on set. The glue used to give me this appearance played absolute havoc on my skin for weeks! As for this wonderful picture of me with the Kapoors. I can’t for the life of me remember where it was taken! Any film buffs out there who can give me a clue?" She concluded.
18 November,2024 05:31 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWhen Taba Chake stepped into a director’s Mumbai office for a scheduled meeting, he recalled having come across a series of film posters, one among which caught his eye. Madras Cafe (2013) had been among his favourite movies, but it was only then that he learned that the man he was set to meet was the one who had helmed the John Abraham-starrer. “Until then, I didn’t know who Shoojit Sircar was,” recalls Chake. “Madras Cafe is a film that left me impressed. Apart from the fact that it is really nice, it also featured a [fine performance by] John Abraham, who doesn’t do artistic films. He was invested in the art and the role. It made me wonder which director made this person act so well,” recalls Chake, the musical backbone of Sircar’s latest film, the Friday release, I Want to Talk. Shoojit Sircar (right) Abhishek Bachchan in the film During the initial interactions, Sircar had curtailed the amount of film-related information that was to be shared with Chake. Having admired the musician’s work, especially his philosophy on life, Sircar, we’re told, did not wish to distract him with details relating to the narrative. “But, he dropped a few hints. They wanted five songs, but I ended up writing more than 15. When I finished the first draft, I sought details like the surrounding in which they were shooting, whether it was a dry area, and if [the protagonist] would be surrounded by vehicles. Visualising these aspects helps me compose. For example, if you listen to the song, Dil ghabraye, you’ll notice that it is a number that comes from the heart; a person wants to say something, but they know they’re simply talking to themselves because, perhaps, they feel rejected. Similarly, the song Musafir was [shot in dry land]. I wanted to retain that aspect. The film [revolves around] a man. Men are known to hide their emotions and pain. So, I wanted the song’s music to tell the story. [I wanted the listener] to feel thirsty, as though they needed water while hearing it. That’s also how I felt when I was composing it.” Amid a spate of film songs that may appear all too similar, Chake’s compositions are a breath of fresh air. Listening to the soundtrack of Abhishek Bachchan’s I Want to Talk, we’re reminded of the novelty introduced into the industry by Gehraiyaan composers Oaff and Savera, who took Bollywood by storm upon the film’s 2022 release. Chake says it was this novelty in his music that caught the attention of Sircar. The director, he says, appreciated that he refrained from discussing oft-explored subjects of love and heartbreak, choosing instead to create meaningful music. “He said that though he has seen many independent artistes at work, he felt that my song-writing gives hope to people and boosts [their morale] during negative situations. This is why he said this project belonged to me. He said he could visualise my face and hear my voice while thinking about the film.” Although Chake celebrates the addition of this film to his resume, he wasn’t seeking a project of this nature. “I’m happy living my life independently, and am doing quite well. I am doing several shows each day and have been busy with song-writing assignments throughout the year. Several tours and collaborations are also underway, so I am always busy. While I never imagined a project like that coming my way, I have been keen to compose. I thought I’d get an offer for one song, but bagging the entire film was a huge [accomplishment].”
18 November,2024 04:55 PM IST | Mumbai | Sonia LullaOne’s blockbuster re-releasing in theatres can be a sweet reminder of the long way they’ve come in their career. But filmmaker Rakesh Roshan is still feeling the Friday jitters, ahead of the November 22 release of Karan Arjun (1995). “It’s a test for me and filmmakers to see whether those emotions work with today’s younger generation,” he explains. Hrithik Roshan and Ranbir Kapoor Jitters or not, the director agrees that a re-release is the perfect way to celebrate the Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Rakhee-starrer’s 30th anniversary that is due in January 2025. Very few films since have been able to bring the two Khans together in the same frame. “Shah Rukh and Salman are still the biggest superstars. The film is talked about even today. There are memes of the dialogues, ‘Bhaag Arjun bhaag’, and ‘Mere Karan Arjun aayenge’,” says Roshan, proud of how the film has found a place in pop culture. One could attribute it to the film’s story that was gripping yet demanded suspension of disbelief—two brothers, essayed by Salman and Shah Rukh, are killed mercilessly by their menacing uncle and take birth again to seek revenge. Will the theme of reincarnation hold today? Roshan thinks so. “Even if I made this story today, people might have believed it because it’s a fairytale. Make what you think is not possible. The audience knows it’s not possible, but they get immersed in the storytelling.” He further reveals that Shah Rukh didn’t buy into the reincarnation plot. “Though he wasn’t convinced with the plot, he wanted to do it. After the film became a hit, he said, ‘I was absolutely wrong.’ Then, he also made Om Shanti Om [2007],” Roshan laughs. Rakesh Roshan The director made Karan Arjun with two up-and-coming stars, something that many filmmakers today believe is next to impossible. “Singham Again has five heroes,” Roshan cuts in. In fact, he has a simple mantra that he thinks would convince stars to headline a two-hero film. “If you want to make a two-hero film, you make it balanced. In Karan Arjun, I made sure both the characters had equal meat. I’ve been an actor. So, I knew that if I was offered a film where my role was even slightly weak, I wouldn’t do it.” So, if he made Karan Arjun today, who would he cast? The director admits that revisiting the movie won’t organically come to him at this stage. “If someone wants to revive the film, I’m up for it. There are many actors who will be magical on screen together. For Karan Arjun, Hrithik [Roshan] and Ranbir Kapoor would be my choices,” he grins.
18 November,2024 04:53 PM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaGive him a fascinating role, and director Prakash Jha will happily leave his place behind the camera and face it instead. An example is his latest short film, Amar Aaj Marega, which has been selected for the Indian Panorama section at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI). The Rajat K-directed venture will première at the festival in Goa on November 24. What prompted Jha to front the project? He points to the quirky story that revolves around a 62-year-old widower, who is convinced that he has lived his life to the fullest and plans to end it. “It’s a quirky movie. Amar has decided to end his life after a small celebration with a close friend [Saurabh Sachdeva]. When the friend learns of his plan, he gets scared and starts calling people home. Then they all sit and decide whether Amar should die or not, even discussing the method of his death,” says Jha. Acting is not new to the National Award-winning director, who featured in Saand Ki Aankh (2019) and Matto Ki Saikil (2022). To him, it’s a joy to bring another director’s vision to life. “When Rajat approached me, I thought it was a good concept. The film being screened at IFFI is good for him as he is a first-time filmmaker. I love encouraging debutant directors. First-time filmmakers are the best. Even in Matto Ki Saikil, debutant Mohammed Gani made a beautiful film.” Though busy with Aashram’s fourth season, Jha says he will always make time for acting. It comes with a simple condition—the role should enhance the story. “If I say yes to a role, it should be pivotal. Otherwise, I get approached for many parts, including cop roles. But I don’t need acting as a profession; I do it purely out of love. Directing and writing will go on,” he states.
18 November,2024 04:52 PM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRVeteran filmmaker Rakesh Roshan will not be directing any more films. Yes, you heard it right! The veteran filmmaker has announced his retirement in a recent conversation. The producer confirmed that he will be backing the superhero film 'Krrish 4', starring actor and his son Hrithik Roshan. The film will be made under the banner of Filmkraft Productions, but he has decided to step down from directorial duties. Rakesh Roshan announces retirement from direction Rakesh Roshan, in an interview with 'Bollywood Hungama', opened up about his plans to give himself a rest by stepping down from directing films. He confirmed, “I don't think I'll be directing any further. But I'll surely be announcing 'Krrish 4' very soon.” Siddharth Anand to direct Krrish 4 Earlier this year, 'Fighter' director Siddharth Anand reposted a fan edit featuring Hrithik Roshan in and as 'Krrish' with the caption, “He's coming back,” on his X handle and wrote, “Yup, he is.” This led fans to wonder if, after directing Hrithik Roshan in 'Bang Bang', 'War', and 'Fighter', he will yet again take the director’s chair for Hrithik Roshan’s 'Krrish 4'. Well, Rakesh Roshan made 'Krrish' into a cult franchise, and taking over the already exciting film to deliver what the audience expects is not going to be easy for any director. About Rakesh Roshan’s journey Rakesh turned producer by launching his home banner, Filmkraft, in 1980. After initial hiccups, the production house delivered successful films like 'Kaamchor' and 'Shubh Kaamna'. The veteran took yet another plunge and became a director with 'Khudgarz' in 1987. As a director, he was known for massy dramas like 'Khoon Bhari Maang' (1988), 'Kishen Kanhaiya' (1990), 'Karan Arjun' (1995), and 'Koyla' (1997). He shifted his focus to direction from 1990 to 1999 and launched his son Hrithik Roshan with 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai' in 2000. He wrote, directed, and produced the cult classic. Rakesh enjoyed a fantastic career as a director. After the success of 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai', he directed Hrithik Roshan in the 2003 superhero film 'Koi... Mil Gaya', its sequel 'Krrish' (2006), and 'Krrish 3' (2013). It was a successful franchise. 'Krrish 4' is also in the making. Rakesh's last production was 'Kaabil' in 2017, headlined by his son Hrithik and Yami Gautam.
18 November,2024 04:47 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
