Bollywood Film Fame Canada - Summer Edition 2 by Bollywood Film Fame Canada

BollywoodFilmFame.com

SUMMER EDITION #2

Relationships and more in MIMI

SAI TAMHANKAR

Taking Big Leaps

AMOL PARASHAR

RINKU RAJGURU ON

200 - HALLA BOL

Where has 2021 gone? Between trying to keep afloat with new challenges at work, trying to navigate the ever-changing landscape of COVID-19 and the parameters within which we can work, and everything else combined, we have all been trying to keep our heads above water. One of the things that have helped us out is the medium of entertainment - an escape for many of us. So, we are marking off the end of a memorable summer with the man who has donned the skins of many memorable characters - Amol Parashar, who seems to be making many leaps and bounds with each role he receives. He is nailing versatility and how. I speak to him about his journey through his characters and what being an actor truly means to him. We also watched some incredible films such as Mimi, and we talk to Sai about her friendship portrayed on screen in that film. And, of course, we also speak to Rohan Shanker, about writing for that film. -

We chat with Rinku Rajguru about the heavy-hitting, 200 - Halla Ho! And of course, many more talents who are experimenting their way through many characters, be it actors extraordinaire Alfeeya, Karan, Kushagre, or Raj Arjun. We thank those in the entertainment industry for giving us some moments of escape, in stressful and unprecedented times...and more. Until Next Time,

SAI TAMHANKAR

RINKU RAJGURU

KUSHAGRE DUA

RAJ ARJUN

KARAN KHANDELWAL

ROHAN SHANKAR

ALFEEYA DONNA

COVER STORY

TAKING BIG LEAPS:

AMOL PARASHAR

Interview By Armin S.

WATCHED AMOL PARASHAR’S TED TALK FROM A

FEW YEARS AGO, AND HE SAID “[W]HEN YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING, YOU CAN’T DO IT PART-TIME.”

THAT’S WHAT SOMEBODY HAD TOLD HIM WHEN HE WAS BEGINNING TO FORAY INTO THE WORLD OF

ACTING, TAKING A BREAK FROM HIS CORPORATE JOB. AN ENGINEER BY PROFESSION, AMOL INITIALLY GOT INTO ACTING TO PERHAPS “GET IT OUT OF HIS

SYSTEM” BUT SOON REALIZED, THIS WAS IT. AND

SINCE THAT TIME, HE’S GONE LEAPS AND BOUNDS, NAILING VERSATILITY WITH EACH CHARACTER HE

PLAYS. I TALK TO HIM ABOUT CALLING HIMSELF AN

ACTOR THE FIRST TIME, THE CONCEPT OF A ‘PLAN’ IN AN ACTOR’S LIFE, A JOURNEY THROUGH HIS

CHARACTERS, AND MORE. MUCH MORE OF A CONVERSATION PIECE, AMOL REALLY

DOES TAKE ME THROUGH HIS MINDSET WHEN IT COMES TO HIS WORK.

COVER STORY

I THOUGHT I WAS JUST TAKING A BREAK FROM MY CORPORATE JOB WHEN I CALLED MYSELF AN “ACTOR” THE FIRST TIME I think luckily for me, when I came to Mumbai, when I did theatre, or when I did my first film, or my first advertisement. At that time, I hadn’t made up my mind about whether I want to do this full-time.” It was more for fun, and to just live it out. Then, I can tell myself, that at least I tried it. I wanted to take that risk. Like, what if I came here and my skills didn’t match up to my love for what I wanted to do? But I was prepared for all that. I wanted to try and taste it and see if it even makes sense for me as a person. Thankfully, my experience wasn’t as horrifying as people make out about what it takes to be an actor. It wasn’t until a few months later that I realized that I needed to decide if this was still a break, because my break was taking longer and longer. There was a phase that I needed to ask myself the question – is the break over? Or is it something that I want to pursue further? I clearly decided to pursue it further. That’s when I started to call myself an actor. That’s when it became a profession for me, and that is when it turned into making a living for me.

ACTORS CAN’T MAKE PLANS By the time that I called myself an actor, I had already done a little bit of work. People had appreciated my work. That was when I started to build upon that work. A lot of younger people today don’t have that luxury, because I had a different mindset. For the first two years, I was not even stressed out. I mean, my parents were worried – they are still worried (laughs). It’s part of their profession as parents because it is an unstable profession. I don’t know what lies ahead for the next six months. I can be ready to make a project happen for me. I can hope and be prepared for projects. I can do good work now to make good things happen for me in the future.

THE EXPECTATIONS OF SOCIAL MEDIA Whether being on social media or interviews, those things are not as fun as acting can be but everybody is hooked onto social media now. We are all getting sucked into this and trying to put the best versions of ourselves forward. The only difference that actors have or people in this profession have is that there are so many more people to impress – if that is the purpose of social media. Thankfully, in the last couple of years, maybe because the medium is evolving or because of the pandemic, people are finally sharing not so impressive parts of their lives. They are connecting with people with not just their best moments, but with their sorrows as well. I don’t generally share my sorrows or disappointments on social media – just because I’m not that type of person. I do think it is healthy that people are moving away from trying to impress others, despite the pressure for actors to do that. I have had to talk to myself about this and pull back every now and then. You get yourself into a funk in trying to impress – and then you end up pretending to be somebody you are not. That can affect you. So, I can be a bit unpredictable on my social media and that’s the way I like it because I don’t like to create a bracket for myself.

COVER STORY

I CAN’T MAKE A PROJECT HAPPEN FOR ME.

COVER STORY

THINGS HAVE GIVEN ME THE MOST JOY WHEN I HAVE NOT EXPECTED [THEM]

THE CHARACTER, CHITVAN While shooting, it is difficult to know what you are doing because there is so much more to a character and a film than what I’m doing in that moment – whether it is how it is being shot, or the music that will be used, how that will be edited – it can change everything. My most famous character may be Chitvan from a show called Tripling. A lot of young people love it – I loved it. I was lucky to get that character. I give the makers the credit to give me that role. I was shit scared when I was shooting for it though. It is a fun character – the character doesn’t give a shit but I was shitting bricks. I wasn’t sure that it was working because with comedy, you can’t tell if something is working, because nobody is laughing on set. They all know the script. With stage, it’s easier because you are getting the audience reaction. You know what mood they’re in, whether the pace is lagging, what they’re finding funny. With films and series, I don’t know if the audience will find it funny because they are watching something three years down the road. I was very nervous while shooting for it and I had some sleepless nights for sure. Season 2 though, the same character, I knew that the character had worked – I was a different actor in the second season. I had become that person because I’d become easygoing about playing that character. That character gave me a lot of joy in life because of the reactions and the work that followed – post the release of the show.

I WONDER WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO OSMAAN …if he hadn’t died, what would have happened to his love story (Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare). He was going to, at some point, have a tragic end, if he hadn’t died. He was going to have his heart broken for sure at some point. I would have liked to see what would happen to him – this person who has fallen in love for the first time, and his ideas are so idealistic and his love is so poetic – it could change him for life. Because that can define the way you fall in love in the future.

CURRENT INSPIRATION AND BUCKET LIST ITEM I have realized that things have given me the most joy when I have not expected them – like Tripling. I hadn’t imagined that happening. I hadn’t imagined Alankrita casting me in Dolly Kitty…he was different from the work I had done. I’m an actor and it was great that she thought of me outside of the box people try to put me in. Most recently, I shot for the role in Sardar Udham Singh with Vicky Kaushal – they called me and said, “Bhagat Singh”. I thought…how did you think of that? Then, I saw myself on camera for the first time – like how did you even think of this? I would not have imagined that for me but I am an actor. I hope I have done justice to that part, but that just gave me so much joy.

INTERVIEW

Relationships and more: INSIDE ‘mIMI’ WITH

Sai Tamhankar Interview By Armin S.

‘M

imi’ really stole hearts, and what I talked about at length once I finished watching the film, was the way in which the film depicted relationships – relationships that did not fit into the categories we associate with Hindi cinema, especially. I speak to Sai about her role in ‘Mimi’, the beauty of the relationships in the film, and her equation with Kriti Sanon and Pankaj Tripathi.

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Congratulations on the success of ‘Mimi’. I have enjoyed it thoroughly – it is a feel good ﬁlm but it hits home. I want to talk to you about your journey in the entertainment industry, navigating the world of Marathi cinema, theatre. From the time that you started, in 2008, a lot has changed in this industry. The writing, characters have changed. What’s the biggest change you have seen that has really propelled actors like yourself forward? I think we are in such times now that the performances are the stars and not the person. I think it is an amazing, amazing change and an amazing sign to look forward to doing something amazing. You correctly said that the way we explore characters, women, it has changed. The definition of “heroine” has changed. A very good example of this would be – Parineeti Chopra and Sidharth Malhotra – Hasee Toh Phasee – it is a very unusual character for someone to lead the film. I thought it was such a welcoming change because you are not perfect in your life. You categorize heroes and heroines and say they have to be perfect and be good humans. In real life, you don’t operate like that. The essence of real life, to see things as they are, now that has changed and that is being converted into content, which is very exciting.

The definition of “heroine” has changed. The boom of the digital space has allowed for creativity and actors to come to the forefront again. I don’t want to take away from the quintessential hero from the 2000s but we are ﬁnally seeing – an actor yourself, an actor like Pankaj Tripathi. Where do you think the courage in the writing has come from? It is a team effort. It is not just from one department, or one area of filmmaking. I think audiences now are exposed to world content. I have world content at my fingertips and I think it is amazing because you get to watch what other people are doing. I think that sort of has had pushed us, motivated us, freed us to explore. I think it is a brilliant sign – it is not about what will work and what won’t. It is a sign of progress.

Let’s talk about ‘Mimi’ and the role of friendship. It’s high time that we can watch a film, we are just looking at human relationships, outside the “romantic” context. Tell me about your first impression about the relationships you felt when you first read the script. I think what I love the most is the bond between Pankaj ji’s character and Kriti’s character. It is so wonderful. It is beyond love, beyond friendship. You cannot label that bond. Laxman sir, and even Rohan, our writer, they have put this relationship in such an amazing place. Their presence in each scene explains their bond – they don’t have to use dialogues for it, they don’t have to use a scene dedicated to express or execute their relationship. In our lives, there are so many relationships that we cannot label. The relationships are just on par with humanity and love. That is what really excited me when I read the script – the way these two have handled relationships.

The most exciting part of a good script is seeing it come to life. You don’t see a checklist of what it takes to show a good friendship on screen. When you stop the shoot, what kind of relationship do you feel you have established with your co-actors that you believe translated well on screen? I think I have gotten extremely fond of Kriti and gotten extremely comfortable with her. Because we had a lot of scenes where I had to hug her, pull her, hold her hand. For this physical aspect of their relationship, she made it so easy for me. I think she is one of the coolest people I have met in my life. I adore that about her, and I have grown so fond of her. I have been in touch with Kriti on and off through phone – and these days, everybody is on set, at work, with one agenda – the output should be great. There are no personal interests. That is such a refreshing change. With Pankaj ji, there are so many things I learnt that I cannot even count them. He makes the co-actor jealous, insecure (chuckles) – this is also positive. Like, why can’t I do what he is doing? That helped me to be on my toes.

Did you get lost in the ﬁlm when you watched the ﬁlm or do you always become extremely critical of yourself? I am very critical of myself in real life as well, so I don’t watch too many of my films. It plays on my mind. It really disturbs my mental state. However, the first time I heard myself in Mimi, I had to look at the screen to make sure it was me. Hindi is not my mother tongue – I don’t think in Hindi. When I heard myself, probably for the first time, I said to myself, “good job, lady. This does not sound like you.” Thanks to my dialect coach for helping me through that.

INTERVIEW

RINKU RAJGURU ON ʻ200 – HALLA HOʼ Interview by Armin S. Photo Courtesy of ZEE5 Global

Directed by Sarthak Dasgupta, starring

Amol Palekar, Rinku Rajguru, Barun Sobti, Sahil Khattar, Saloni Batra, Upendra Limaye, Flora Saini and Indraneil Sengupta in lead roles, 200 – Halla Ho captivated audiences on the ZEE5 platform. Inspired by true events, this ZEE5 Original film narrates the powerful tale of 200 women who jolt the nation out of its indifference towards years of caste oppression and injustice. Set in the context of atrocities against women, the film captures an incident where 200 women took law and justice into their own hands and lynched a gangster, robber, serial killer, serial rapist, in open court. I had an opportunity to sit down and chat with Rinku Rajguru about the film, expectations, and her experience of shooting a film that gave a voice to the oppressed.

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INTERVIEW

We seem to be stuck in the same old ideologies from the past”

I REALIZED THAT, THANK GOODNESS, OUR CINEMA, OUR SERIES, ARE FOCUSING ON ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT AND WE ARE UN-SUPPRESSING VOICES NOW. HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN YOU WERE FIRST APPROACHED FOR THIS PROJECT?

To say so honestly, it feels bad that even in today’s day and age, we have to talk about not discriminating based on caste, not inflicting harm on individuals who identify as “Dalit”, to not rape women. When I was offered this film, I was initially shocked. This film is based on a true event – that this was something that actually happened here. I decided then and there that I wanted to be a part of this film and I wanted this to reach people – that we need to improve and make many more changes. We have progressed so much in technology and other things, but we seem to be stuck in the same old ideologies from the past. I am very happy that I am a part of this film.

HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE IT DOESN’T IMPACT YOU, THE REAL LIFE INCIDENT BEING FILMED THE WAY IT IS, AFTER YOU LEAVE SET?

It doesn’t impact me in that sense because I know how certain things work in certain societies in India. This is what has happened for many years. Books, films – have been made about such issues. But when I was on set, I was Asha and Asha only. Once I removed my makeup and left for the day, I was back to my real life. But you learn a lot. The scenes we do every day, that definitely leaves an impact – you go home and say, this was the scene today, to your mom or dad. Like, why do people do this to women? I used to pose that question to my parents after my days on set.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE REACTION TO THE TRAILER AND THE FILM SO FAR?

Those who have watched it, have indicated that it just feels so real and authentic. There are very few films on people who identify as Dalit. It gives a voice to people who may be oppressed by society, as you said.

WHAT WAS THE SHOOTING EXPERIENCE LIKE, GIVEN THE TIMES WE ARE IN TODAY, AND THE SHEER MASS NUMBER OF THE CAST?

It was a wonderful shooting experience but of course, because of COVID-19, there was distance between everyone. Before, we used to laugh and sit together and have lunch. We didn’t have that. With each actor,, I had different emotions, different scenes. I always wondered who the next scene was with. I love being on set, I love being around people – it always is a ton of fun for me.

GIVEN ALL OF THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE IN MARATHI CINEMA, DO YOU THINK WE ARE FINALLY IN A DAY AND AGE THAT WE ARE SEEING MORE VERSATILITY IN THE KIND OF CINEMA WE ARE SEEING, REGARDLESS OF LANGUAGE?

I never think what kind of cinema it is – a film is a film, regardless of the language. With that background, there is something that needs to be said. I will work in a Bengali film, or a Marathi film, or a Hindi film. As you said, ZEE5, and other platforms, are now reaching a global platform – regardless of language.

INTERVIEW

A Chat With

KUSHAGRE DUA Interview by Armin S.

He rose to fame with Divya

Drishti, and continued on his pathway through different characters with shows like Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin. Now he has Mehndi Hai Rachne Waali, and plays Sunny. He has amassed a fan following with the different roles he has played so we get down to chatting with him about his work so far.

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MEMORABLE SHOWS, DIFFERENT ROLES. WHICH CHARACTER WOULD YOU LOVE TO HANG OUT WITH IF YOU COULD?

See, all the characters are unique and each character has at least one great quality so I’d love to hand out with really all of my characters together because I think you can learn from all of the characters.

WHICH CHARACTER WOULD YOU AVOID?

I wouldn’t avoid any character, yaa. Being into this field, it is experimental. I love to experiment with all my characters, with all the shades they have. I mean, this is what actors want. So, I would not want to avoid any characters. Also, at the stage I am at as an actor, I like all my characters. All the grey shades, be it dark, be it not, I’d like to keep experimenting with everything.

MANY ACTORS WILL SAY THAT THEIR CO-ACTORS KIND OF BECOME FAMILY. WHICH ONES STILL FEEL LIKE FAMILY?

it’s not easy to come out of the character”

I would say Divya Drishti – all the actors, the production team, Mukta (Dhond) maam – everybody still feels like family and I really do miss them a lot. The bond I shared with my co-actors was really something and so far, I don’t share that bond yet with any of the other co-actors so far. If it happens, that would be great.

WHEN YOU COME OUT OF A SHOW, HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO COME OUT OF THAT CHARACTER AND THE HEAD SPACE OF THAT CHARACTER?

When a show ends, and when a character comes to a close, when you have played that character for months and 25 days per month, it’s not easy to come out of the character. It takes time, how much time, I don’t know. When I got Mehndi Hai Rachne Wali, I still feel like Romy was still in me (from Divya Drishti). It’s ultimately up to the next character. Now, I play Sunny and I’ve been playing him for a few months so I feel like him and can relate to him more than initially. When the next show starts, that’s when the old character starts to fade away.

WHEN YOU PLAY A CHARACTER FOR 18 HOURS A DAY, HOW DO YOU SWITCH THE CHARACTER OFF WHEN YOU GET HOME?

When you play a character for fourteen hours a day, not eighteen hours, it’s hard to get out of the character at home. I don’t think it’s that easy. Even when we go home, it’s hard but it gradually wears off because you are home in your own surroundings then, with your family, your friends…it takes time, but it changes.

INTERVIEW

RAJ ARJUN LIVING EACH CHARACTER

Interview By Armin S.

I can hold my own existence, my own personality, and play someone else as well.

ne of the aspects of Raj Arjun, the actor, that I truly admire is his ability to become his character completely – whether it be his role in ‘Secret Superstar’ or in ‘Dear Comrade’. I’m curious to see how he feels about the characters he has played, the lives he has lived, and how he moves on. Truly a memorable chat this one. 26 BollywoodFilmFame.com

You have always played memorable characters. How did you realize your dream was to step into the lives of so many people? I have to take you back in my life and start from my childhood. I was a very shy and reserved guy from the beginning. I was fascinated and impressed by some of the lives and people around me. I used to feel at the same time that I should be like this, behave and talk like this. Some people are so ideal in your life so you want to be like them but you can’t be like that. This was happening since my childhood and all – I thought I should become this and that, which I couldn’t do. Later on, when I started shifting, I realized that I was fascinated by acting. That’s when I got an opportunity to play the kind of roles and characters which used to influence me. What I wanted to become in life, I couldn’t be, so I started becoming that on screen. When I started going into that person’s life, without going out my life as well, I was not leaving my basic nature as well. I can be the way I am – I can hold my own existence, my own personality, and play someone else as well. That’s how I started going into someone else’s life and coming back into my normal life where I am comfortable. I started feeling amazing that within one life, I was living so many lives. That’s how this process started. I learnt the process behind this in theatre – how to go into someone else’s life and come gradually out of it and start living out of it. I thoroughly enjoy it.

I ﬁnd actors fascinating because they get to live different lives. Which lives do you hold closest to your heart? I find actors’ lives fascinating as well and charming because they really get the opportunity to live different lives. What else can you ask for? If you can fulfill the wish to play different characters as an actor, what else can you wish for? I really think that I am the blessed, chosen one that I am able to do what I really wanted to do in my life and fulfil the wish of my soul in this way. This is food for my soul that I am living lots of lives in one life. Every life I live, at that particular moment, I am present at that time. That becomes closest to my heart because that is my life at that time. I cannot think of something that has happened before, or something that is coming. It is my duty, my religion, that I have to pamper that life in that present moment. I cannot think about another life. While living that life, this is the best one I have lived, is what I think. Once it goes, I have to look for another life, because that is my satisfaction process. After a time, another life becomes closer to me. For a father, or a mother, every kid is very close to their hearts. This same applies to me also. When I got Secret Superstar, Farookh became closest to my heart. When I did Thalaivii, I was like Veerapan. With the characters, they all end up living inside me but they are all sleeping now.

Which one of your characters would you invite over for dinner and why?

(Chuckles) I don’t only invite them for dinner. I live with them. I sleep with them. I eat with them. I wear the clothes they are supposed to be wear. I think like that. I try to be who they are. This process starts from the moment that a project is assigned to me. If the script is not ready, my imagination automatically starts working when I sign a project. My process starts at a very early stage. It is a psychological process. This is what my Dharma is, what I was born for. I want to be busy in that life, that I don’t have time myself, when I sign a project. This is how each life is lived and I thoroughly

enjoy that process. I don’t send the characters anywhere to call them for dinner – they are always inside me totally. But when I am assigned to another life though, the other lives are left for some time. That can be painful. When I am shooting from one life to another life, that can be painful for me because I become really connected and I feel emptiness when I am leaving a life.

Which character of yours could you never be friends with? Any character, any role given to me, I have to fall in love with that. You have to understand that somebody is rude and cunning, he would not hate his own personality. He would not hate himself, unless he is depressed. Usually, we love the way we are and live the way we are. We are not changing ourselves in normal cases. We think we are right. We are the heroes in our lives. If all my life, I have played negative characters, those lives are also very close to me. Those characters were ideal for me, and I felt I was not doing anything wrong in those characters. For that person, he thinks he is the most ideal person. All my characters who may be negative, they may be unpleasant for people but not for me. I love all my characters.

When you are playing a character who is nothing like you and goes against the grain of who you are as a person, how do you understand them? I started doing theatre at a very young age. We were taught how to go inside a character and how to open up the pages, slowly. I am never in a hurry to go inside their lives. I try to understand the character slowly. It is not a lazy process. You have to keep thinking and gradually, other pointers may come to your mind. Everyone has written books on their own philosophy on their own characters. But every actor has their own theories on understanding their characters. I have not locked up any process – it is different part to part.

What’s next on the horizon for you?

I am fortunate and blessed enough that in life, I have been given what I want to do. I wanted to play the different roles. I wanted to see different kinds of lives. I did not want to get stuck in a particular zone. You will see in Sabka Sai on MX Player, directed by Ajit Bhairavkar, who is a very passionate and hard working director. After that, you will see a film called Thailavii, which is a film on J Jayalalithaa – Vijay is the director and he is most wonderful. I have already worked with him before on projects, including Watchman. He has made the film to reach another level. You won’t just see performances, or script – you will see each and everything related to cinema. A beautiful film called Love Hostel is also on the horizon with Drishyam Films, known to have films at different film festivals but also great content driven films as well. They are associating themselves with Shah Rukh Khan’s company, Red Chillies, for this. I think it will be great when it comes out – the cast includes Bobby Deol, Sanya Malhotra, and Vikrant Massey with me. I am looking forward to that too. It is directed by the amazing Shanker Raman, who is a cinematographer as well. It was great hard work – we did this during the pandemic, and all the hard work will show through. The subject is beautiful and very close to my heart. Excel Entertainment’s Yudhra will be coming out shortly after. I can’t reveal much about it right now but you will be seeing in that. A Telugu web series named Jhansi is up as well; and a Hindi web series. That’s a lot coming and two or three short films that you will notice as well.

INTERVIEW

An Interview of Firsts

Karan Khandelwal: Interview By Armin S.

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INTERVIEW

For me, it is always family first.

First time facing a camera

I had no fears in facing the camera because I was always dancing on stage since I was a child. I did a lot of stage shows, award shows, and reality shows. So there was no camera fear, and it was a very normal thing for me to do, to face the camera.

First time facing rejection and how you dealt with it

I’ve faced rejection a lot. A few years ago, I went for an audition and they would reject me saying I was ‘unfit’. It would make me feel really bad that I kept being rejected for that reason. I then realized that it was because I was unfit for the actual character. I started to groom myself, go to the gym, and started moving forward. I face rejection now too. Before, it was much harder for me to deal with rejection but now, I understand why rejection happens – you don’t fit the character so it’s very normal nowadays.

First time feeling accomplished

When I first got Saath Nibhaana Saathiya, I was very happy because I got that after about three or four years of working through auditions. Finally, I got the chance to prove myself and show my acting skills. That was a very different feeling of happiness. I didn’t party or anything but I slept really well that my dreams had finally begun to come true.

First time you truly felt happy in the profession

When I first Siddhi Vinayak, because after Saathiya, I was craving a very good role that had not happened for about 1.5 years. When I got my character of Rajeev Kundra, I was really happy because there was a variety of emotions to him. I was very happy that this was the right profession for me.

The ﬁrst person you call when you get good news

I remember calling my dad and my mom then. Even now, I call my mom and my dad first whenever there is good news. I then call my brothers. Then, I call my friends.

The ﬁrst thing you do in the morning

I actually have hot water with vinegar in it. Vinegar is very good with hot water – that helps with detoxing the body.

The ﬁrst lesson you learnt in the industry

I learnt that you cannot get too emotionally attached to things – I get very emotionally attached to characters, to work, to people, but in this industry, you cannot do that.

INTERVIEW

Inside of

ROHAN SHANKAR’s Head: The Writer Interview By Armin S.

e have come to the point in the entertainment industry when we have started to recognize that writing is king – and Rohan Shankar has definitely proven his mettle as a writer – be it in Luka Chuppi or his latest, Mimi. I try to get inside his head and talk to him about his process, the journey from writing to the big screen, and more.

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r of

INTERVIEW

‘MIMI’ When did you first realize you had a knack for writing, specifically writing the kind of films you are writing today? I always wanted to write but I was not getting an opportunity to. Earlier I used to write stories which had good plots but not much of an entertainment quotient. I kept on writing but later, I thought that I should write some scripts which should be commercially viable. So while writing Luka Chuppi, I realised I should make my script more entertaining and relatable to the audience. I found my strength while writing that film.

As a writer, do you ever get attached to a particular character? Who are you closest to?

More than attached you can say protective about the characters I write about.

More than attached you can say protective about the characters I write about. For example in my first film, Lalbaugchi Rani, I got too attached with the character of Sandhya, the protagonist. It's something like you want the character to feel that struggle but at the same time you want it to get out of it very soon as well. In Mimi, I also got attached to Mimi's character , as I was feeling worried about Mimi. And this protective nature is the reason why you create a character like Shama (in the movie Mimi) who will stay there with the protagonist during all the ups and downs. In Luka Chuppi, I was very attached with Guddu Shukla and later on I became protective of Rashmi Shulka as well. So, writing is very complex as you are the one who is writing the plot that takes your character to trouble and at the same time, you are also the one who has to help them to get out of the trouble.

When your writing translates on screen, do you let it go or constantly think about whether the scene looks the way you wanted? I am always on set when the scene is being filmed, so I kind of know how it is going to look. I am a kind of writer, who wants to be a part of every process while making the film. I always suggest if I feel like something is not going in the right direction, for example if the backdrop is not looking good or any other thing, with respect to which I wrote the script, then I will always suggest making a change. It’s entirely the director's call after that. They are the ones who give me that freedom to express.

When do you stop writing? How do you know you are done writing?

After I complete making one or two drafts, and finally reaching the climax, I stop for a while and if I am satisfied with the same, I take it to the producer or director. When I feel that I am done, I want my script to be seen from a very different perspective, be it from my wife, the producer, director, or friends. And then I try to make changes if I feel that it can be implemented. Basically, I am not done with the writing till the last day of the shoot, some or the other things keep on improvising for good when we shoot the same.

What kind of script/genre do you want to attempt next?

I want to attempt a horror-thriller kind of script, something really dark yet gripping; because that genre is not very much made in Hindi cinema.

INTERVIEW

GETTING TO KNOW

ALFEEYA DONNA Interview By Armin S.

ALFEEYA DONNA WEARS

MANY HATS AND HER RECENT FILMS HAS EVERYONE TALKING. SHE STARS IN ‘JIHAD’, A FILM WHICH HAS WON AROUND FIFTY-EIGHT AWARDS THROUGH THE FILM FESTIVAL CIRCUILT AND WAS ALSO SCREENED AT THE PRESTIGIOUS CANNES FILM FESTIVAL IN 2018. IN OUR INTERVIEW WITH ALFEEYA, I ASK HER ABOUT HER JOURNEY FROM WHEN SHE WAS YOUNGER AND THE EVOLUTION TO THE PERSON SHE IS TODAY.

INTERVIEW

WHEN ONE IS TALENTED AS AN ACTOR, SINGER, DANCER YOU HAVE AN EXTRA EDGE OVER OTHER ARTISTS IN PRESENTING YOURSELF AS A PACKAGE.” ALFEEYA, YOU WEAR MANY HATS. WHICH HAT DO YOU ENJOY WEARING THE MOST AND WHY?

All. I’m passionate about all that I do. Just like a mother can’t choose the best amongst her babies, similarly, I can’t choose the best amongst the paths I have chosen.

TODAY, CREATIVE PEOPLE ARE FINDING DIFFERENT WAYS TO ENHANCE THEIR SKILLS, GIVEN THE CURRENT PANDEMIC. HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC IMPACTED YOU IN HONING YOUR SKILLS?

I made sure to utilise my time in just learning new skills and polishing on my current skills. I worked out a lot, took care of my health, studied various subjects doing many courses online, did a lot of “riyaaz” (practice), worked on my acting skills, read books, and all that. I also grew spiritually.

MANY OF US HAVE DREAMS OF PERFORMING WHEN WE ARE YOUNGER. WHAT DID YOUR DREAMS LOOK LIKE WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD AND HOW WERE YOU ABLE TO NURTURE THEM TO THIS DAY?

I come from an educated business family background so entrepreneurship runs in my blood so running a business was always preplanned and honestly, I enjoy it. One day I had a calling that I was born to be an artist and realised I was passionate about acting, singing, dancing, so I took this path too.

LET'S TALK ACTING AND SINGING. HOW DOES ONE HELP THE OTHER?

Both are forms of art, which provide entertainment to the audience and need to be performed with passion and dedication. When one is talented as an actor, singer, dancer you have an extra edge over other artists in presenting yourself as a package, not leaving any knots untied, especially in today’s world when competition is high and nepotism still continues to prevail.

'JIHAD' SCREENED AT THE PRESTIGIOUS CANNES FESTIVAL. WHEN YOU FOUND OUT, WHAT WAS THAT MOMENT LIKE FOR YOU?

We were all thrilled. I remember I had just returned to India, from USA from a film festival where I had won the best actress award and the team broke the news to me telling me to pack my bags again and get started with all the preps. It was a wonderful experience being there at Cannes - the film was greatly acclaimed there.

WHAT'S NEXT ON THE LIST OF THINGS TO DO?

Many projects are in the pipeline, some movies and songs ahead!