DEEPIKA PADUKONE: I Don't Want to be Associated with the 100 Crore Tag

For the actress who started the year with a 100-crore-success in Race 2, one can well expect many more centuries for her before the close of year.

“See honestly, 100 crores and talks around that isn’t something that I think of. In fact it actually strikes me only when people SMS me stating that my film has done so and so business. Otherwise I am not consciously fretting over such matters,” smiles Deepika.

The fact still remains that with Race 2 turning out to be her biggest grosser since her debut flick Om Shanti Om (that had collected close to 80 crores back then), it is given that she would have bigger successes lined up with Ranbir Kapoor, Shahrukh Khan, Rajnikanth as her co-stars.

Says Deepika after a brief pause, “Yes, there are big numbers coming in but then as an actor, I have also gained a lot from Love Aaj Kal and Cocktail. It is great that my films are associated with these 100 crore clubs but if you ask me, I don't want to be associated with the 100 crore tag.”

Though she may be not be running after the ‘100 crore’ tag, the fact remains that during last half decade, she has made enough progress to be in close vicinity of other top actresses, Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif. Isn't her endeavor now to make that dash towards the Number One slot?

Without biting the bait, Deepika brings in her own argument, “See, everyone wants to make the most of the opportunity that comes their way. I want to be the best in what I do; really that's all that should always be the case. I want people to acknowledge my hard work in the films that I do. I go with my father’s advice, he has always told me to just put my head down and allow things to follow by themselves.”

Well, going by the pace at which Deepika is finding her journey towards the top while also gaining acknowledgment as an actress, guess her father's advice is indeed coming in handy.

|TOP|

Films with Priyadarshan and David Dhawan on Hold

When contacted, Ameesha didn't deny the news.

“We are not bound by any timeframe,” she says, “We have given them given them their time and don’t want to make them hurry. We don’t want our production house to come out with a product that doesn’t satisfy the audience. We don’t want to make a film just for the heck of it. The first priority is to get the right script with everything in order so that we work together on something good.”

Ameesha does acknowledge that it was always going to be some time before something concrete is indeed finalized.

“We knew that Priyanji had Rangrezz and Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal to finish while Davidji had to release Chashme Baddoor. They were also clear from the very beginning that they had assignments to look after. I too was busy and didn’t have time. They have been more than understanding and I have reciprocated as well,” she details.

She is now looking forward to beginning her new films after the Cannes screening of Shortcut Romeo followed by its release.

“There is Bhaiyaaji Superhit that I would be beginning work on with Sunny Deol. Then there is Desi Magik which would go on floors soon. I am also looking at a couple of more scripts that can creatively satisfy me. Quality of role is far more important than me occupying center stage. Otherwise I have done films that were revolving around me but were forgotten. That doesn’t fly,” says Ameesha in a matter-of-fact tone before signing off.

|TOP|

SHRUTI HASSAN: Another Star Daughter to be Re-Launched

However the word is that it wasn't a straightforward walk in the park for her to step into the film. Apparently, quite a few star-daughters were in consideration for the role before director Prabhudheva and producer Kumar Taurani zeroed her in for the part.

“Honestly, we were on a hunt to get a star-daughter opposite Girish Kumar for the film,” confesses Kumar Taurani who is launching his son with Ramaiya Vastavaiya, “We did contact a few actors as well, both from North as well as South whose daughters were looking at getting into the world of films.”

Three girls were counted in but then Taurani as well as Prabhudheva felt that they were way too young before they could be roped in as a leading lady.

“We must have screened thousands of girls and reached out to multiple agencies. However kuch baat nahi ban rahi thi. Ultimately we did shortlist two girls and even did a photo session with them. Now it was Prabhudheva who was not hundred percent happy with the results,” Taurani continued.

With time running out, the final name that came to the producer’s mind was Shruti Hassan.

“I strongly felt that we were getting the best of both worlds,” he smiled, “We now had a star-daughter who looked good and could also act. Her many films down South have been a testimony to that. Prabhudheva too felt that we could think of her for the film. I spoke to her, brought her on board, did a look test and there she was in the film shooting for us in no time.”

Now here is hoping all the effort, time and energy that went into bringing a heroine for Girish in Ramaiya Vastavaiya turns out to be worth it.

|TOP|

NEIL NITIN MUKESH: Shortcut Romeo is My Catch Me If You Can

“Yes, this is a remake of a South film but then if you look at the original, even that doesn’t have the kind of narrative seen in Hindi remakes today. I mean you won’t see something that is unbelievable or over the top. It is a thriller rather than a hardcore action film. Moreover, the director (Susi Ganesan), who had also helmed the original, has further taken the story five times ahead. Yes, there are all the ingredients of entertainment but then at the core of it, it is a very intelligent film,” says Neil who is also elated with the fact that the film is finding an entry into Cannes Film Festival.

Though the title does give an impression that this is one of those tapori outings, Neil is quick to acknowledge that the film is far away from any taporigiri that one would expect.

He laughs, “Yeah, I was kind of expecting such reactions. I mean everyone assumed that I was doing some kind of a roadside romcom and no one knew that it was actually a thriller. Today I am extremely happy with the way the film has turned out. It is a big film which has been quite well shot. It is my first action entertaining film. Also, with all due respect to all the action entertainers, this one has a much more enthralling cat and mouse story. It is a roller coaster with a beautiful love angle thrown in. The kind of mood that dominates the screen is on the lines of Catch Me If You Can.”

No wonder, one can see that he has adopted an altogether different body language for the film.

“Now if you hand over a toy to a child, you expect him to play with it, isn't it,” he winks, “With a character like this I am bound to have fun. Very rarely in one’s career does one get an opportunity to play such a character. As I said earlier though, there would still be some sensitive side of me in place as well. I tend to offer certain vulnerability to each character that I portray on screen. As an actor I have enjoyed doing that in each time around, be it while playing Johnny, Spider (Players), One Shot Nandu (Lafangey Parindey) or Parag (Jail) in that past. If you notice, majority of these are dark and edgy characters,” he says.

Well, we would like to see what is in the offering with Shortcut Romeo that has Ameesha Patel and Puja Gupta as the leading ladies.

|TOP|

AKSHAY KUMAR: Has Half-a-dozen Films Ahead

“Yes, I am constantly on the move. There was a time when Bollywood was thriving on comedy films and I too did that in quick succession. Now that action is being demanded by the audience, I am working on a few such films belonging to that genre,” said Akshay.

In the months to come, it is quite apparent that he is moving from typical hero-heroine stuff. Also, his line up of films (Milan Luthria's Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai 2, Anthony D'Souza's Boss, A.R. Murugadoss's Thuppakki remake, Punit Malhotra's Gutka and Sajid-Farhad's Entertainment) indicates that he is no more sticking to only comedy or action.

“See, I have to be proactive about immediate future as well. This is the reason why I am mixing action (Boss, Thuppakki remake) with drama (Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai 2). While there is also a comedy in the form of Sajid-Farhad's film, Gutka would be in a packaged-entertainer zone. Who knows, there could well be a romantic film round the corner as well,” hints Akshay.

In fact, talking of romance, one can see that he is breaking quite a few other rules as well. Apparently, he doesn't have any leading lady opposite him in Boss.

“That's right, but then at times it is agreeable as well, isn't it,” smiles Akshay, “If after being in the industry for over 20 years I don’t move away from the clichés then what's the point in gaining such experience? There is no fun in running behind these clichés.”

We agree.

|TOP|