The Start of Munnabhai Series

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A director par excellence who not only gives blockbusters on Box office but also creates characters that stays for years and generations to come. Munnabhai, Circuit, PK, Chatur, Rancho are just the start of a battalion of characters that will be followed by many, the director would be creating in his future projects. Rajkumar Hirani is just 4 films old and is the most bankable director in the current scenario of Bollywood business. While the audience is waiting for the third installment of Munnabhai series, it is no less than an interesting story of how Rajkumar Hirani conceived Munnabhai MBBS. It started when Hirani was involved into theater in Nagpur with friends from various background specially from medicine. That naturally got him entry into medical college hostel and exposure to their lifestyle. Co-incidentally, in his personal life too he got exposed to doctors and hospitals due to series of illness in his family. All this inspired Hirani to write a story about 3 medical students.  After many drafts, Hirani finally etched a story of a gangster, where the plot begins with the gangster having a very severe headache. He visits a Doctor for medication. In the hospital, he is put through number of checkups and tests – CT Scan, MRI, Blood test, Consultation etc. To his surprise, on waking up the next morning, the headache completely vanishes and that’s when he realizes that it was just a hangover. However, he also realizes the amount of money he has spent and earned by the Doctors in the whole process. He concludes that even Doctor’s make money in a not so correct way, even he does the same but the former earns respect and he doesn’t. This experience triggers his decision to be a doctor and join a medical institute. Here begins his journey on a road to become a Doctor. But to Hirani, his script seemed to be cruel towards Doctors and hence he changed the narrative to suit all sensibilities, and these changes made it to the final print of the film. Munnabhai would’t have been Munnabhai without Sanjay Dutt. Surprisingly, he was not the first choice. Hirani wanted Anil Kapoor to be Munnabhai. It then shifted to Vivek Oberoi. The scale of the film got bigger when Shahrukh Khan was approached. Shahrukh not only showed interest to come on board but also put in a word to Aishwarya to play the role later played by Gracy Singh. But as fate and cinema desired, the role finally landed in the lap of Khalnayak of Bollywood and Sanjay Dutt didn’t leave any stone unturned to be the ultimate Munnabhai. This also started a strong friendship between Dutt and Hirani which is now heading towards a high point with the Director making a biopic on the actor. Rajkumar Hirani did hit a bulls eye with his first film, where ALL was literally WELL.

Source: My First Film by Rajkumar Hirani – Film Companion

When Ajay Devgn and Abhishek Bachchan said - Once Upon a time...when we were YUVA!

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Two actors connected not just by being from the same industry but also are accounted as good friends. Their bond still stands strong beyond the mechanics of Bollywood. While Ajay Devgn has etched his mark as a powerhouse performer, Abhishek Bachchan has carved a niche for himself. These two artist came together for the first time in the movie – Major Saab but not as actors but as Actor (Ajay Devgn) and Production boy (Abhishek Bachchan). With junior Bachchan being a fresh pass out from college was asked to work in the production team for his home production film Major Saab. No experience at hand, Abhishek still took over the duty to support his father in the company that was not going through the best of times. Ajay Devgn , the lead star of the movie was requested to adjust his dates for few days of shoot in Australia due to Director’s ill health. Ajay reached earlier before the team as he was already in other part of the same country holidaying with family. Abhishek who followed the order of going to the airport to receive Ajay and Kajol realized at the n-th moment that he hadn’t booked a car for the star couple to take them to the airport. However, bribing an Indian taxi driver with a photo opportunity with the film Star – Ajay Devgn, he managed to arrange the travel. On reaching the Hotel, Haqeeqaat hit him when he realized that no room was booked for the couple. With no clue of the Golmaal happening behind him, Ajay asked Abhishek to join him for a drink which a shy Jr. Bachchan avoided by saying ‘No Sir’. Tackling the situation, Abhishek made them sit in the lobby while he rushed to his own room and threw the entire luggage out of the window to make way for Ajay Devgn to use the room without him getting the hint of it being Abhishek’s room the previous night.  Ajay again tried to cross the LOC of a formal relation and asked Abhishek for a drink which Abhishek again politely said ‘No’ to. With no room for himself, on a chilly winter night, Abhishek slept on a bench on the footpath to avoid the embarrassment of his goof up. Following the physically and emotionally heavy day, the next day when Ajay asked him for a drink, the stressed out Abhishek readily agreed but on a condition that the fact of him drinking should remain unknown from his father. In other words, no Bol Bachchan of his drinking to reach Mr. Amitabh Bachchan. This embarked the friendship of trust and respect between Ajay Devgn and Abhishek. The incident still evokes laughter among both these artist but surely Abhishek would have freezed in the moment with the blunder that he tactfully avoided and relief he faced once settled to rejoice the moment with Ajay Devgn over couple of cheers. This is surely a story that both can recollect and say that Once upon a time..when we were Yuva!

Source: Yaaron Ki Baraat – Zee TV

Rejected Student becomes a teacher – Manoj Bajpayee

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An actor par excellence recognized by his endless acting talent enhances tevar of any scene and contributes majorly to the credibility of a film. Manoj Bajpayee , the Satya of Bollywood is a powerhouse actor who has not only impressed Aligarh but swept the entire nation with his graph of acting.  As much as he is clear about his roles in films, he was also clear about being in this industry from childhood. From interviews of industry stalwarts like Naseerudin Shah, Raj Babbar and others, one name that stood like a common force behind them was Rashtriya Natya Vidyalaya (National School of Drama – NSD). With Academy’s name engraved in his thoughts, Manoj grew up with the aim of enrollment in NSD and flagging off his career as an actor. He joined Delhi University as he needed a graduate certificate to be eligible for getting into NSD. He also immediately got himself involved with the college street theatre group to be near to the craft. With dreams and aspirations, he applied for NSD but as a major disappointment, Manoj faced rejection that shattered him completely.  Deep into the tragedy, his friends feared of him committing suicide. They went to the extent of taking turns to be by his side and hold his hand while sleeping to ensure Manoj doesn’t jump off to void the sadness. During this heartbreaking time, he got an opportunity for a 365 theatre workshop. His friend paid for him to keep Manoj engaged in an activity that can distract his mind from the failure. Post his spectacular involvement in the theatre workshop, he again applied for NSD the following year but unfortunately the result was same – Rejected. With the burden of heavy heart, Manoj Bajpayee set out to again to struggle. Here came Barry John, the famous Indian theatre Director and teacher who selected him for a Hindi Play. Impressed by his talent and dedication, Barry John employed the shool Manoj Bajpayee to be his assistant in the classes to teach acting to kids. Not the one to give up that easily, Manoj Bajpayee again applied for NSD the next year. This time again he faced rejection but this denial was different. This time he was not under qualified but overqualified to be a student. Manoj Bajpayee was hired to be a professor of acting on the basis of his credibility and acting prowess which filled the bill of being a teacher.  With life taking a U-turn in every sense, failed student becoming an epitome for the role of teacher, Manoj Bajpayee gave an answer to every face that raised the question of ‘Kaun?’ to him. Out from the Pinjar of failures, Manoj Bajpayee raised above all with his talent and sheer passion for cinema that led him to become the Aks of strong characters in Hindi cinema.

Source: The Anupam Kher Show – Manoj Bajpayee and Tabu

Singham Ajay Devgn creates Golmaal

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The Diljala of the industry who not only excels as a versatile actor but also known for fighting for the right. His performances have always been rewarded with Phool sans kaante. With the kind of roles that Ajay Devgn has performed on screen, he comes across as an intense and dedicated actor which he surely is. However, there is a side of him that the cast and crew of most of his films has witnessed and fallen prey to as well. The prankster is Ajay is known for the Golmaal he creates on set. It was during the shooting of the film 'Himmatwala' directed by his friend Sajid Khan in Ramoji Rao studio in Hyderabad, Ajay figured that the location is listed in one of the haunted places in India. Knowing that Sajid is not a Himmatwala in that department and is extremely scared of ghostly activities, Ajay didn’t hesitate to take advantage of the situation. To what seemed like a scene totally out of a horror film, a scary message made its way on Sajid Khan Room’s mirror. It just wasn’t enough to satisfy the prankster in our Son of Sardar who then opened the flap of the AC in Sajid's room, plugged a small Walkie - Talkie inside the flap, recorded a voice from a female junior artist calling out for Sajid in her terrifying voice. When Sajid came to the room post a hectic shoot schedule, he noticed the mirror with the message which immediately made his nervous system weaken. While this was not enough, as soon as Sajid was about to sleep, the Walkie-Talkie pushed out the voice to make Sajid sweat in fear. The message on mirror and the planted ghost successfully casted its terror to make Sajid run to the Singham for rescue. However, Ajay didn’t stop here. Ajay made Sajid believe that as per his visit to a Baba nearby, sleeping with underwear over his shorts would negate the effect of ghost. Unaware of Ajay’s intention and bullied by his own desperation to get the ghost out of his way, Sajid Khan believed Ajay and slept in the mentioned hilarious way. It won't be wrong to say that Ajay Devgn's pranks are scarier than any ghost on the set. The embarrassing story definitely made to the list of memorable experience that Ajay Devgn and Sajid Khan would share it with their friends saying 'Once Upon a time in Hyderabad' !

Source: Yaaron Ki Baarat – Zee TV

Chase - Panti for Kriti Sanon

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Tall, Beautiful and talented are only some of the words that describe the actress who made an impact in Indian film industry with just two films. Kriti Sanon has biggest directors expressing their desire to work with her and she has definitely built a Raabta with the audience in a short time. However, her entry in to Bollywood can be termed as destined considering the long amount of months that her first film Director Sabbir Khan spent in chasing this beauty. While Tiger Shroff was locked for making his debut in Heropanti, Sabbir Khan was on a look out for a fresh face to cast opposite Tiger. The day when Sabbir had scheduled a meeting with his team to brief them with his requirement from the new talent, he spotted Kriti in a toothpaste advertisement while surfing through Television channels before leaving from home for the meeting. Her screen presence immediately made an impact on the director. Sabbir ended up briefing the team to find Kriti. Through the agency of the brand, Sabbir came to know about Kriti and her background but also the fact that she was already signed for a movie and hence blocked with regards to dates for shooting. Leaving it at that note, Sabbir moved forward with his search for the leading lady of his film. Few months later, Sabbir got the news that the film Kriti was suppose to act in is not happening any more. Escalated and hopeful, Sabbir got in touch with the agency but again to his disappointed Kriti got signed for a Telugu film opposite Mahesh Babu. Finally patience of Sajid Nadiadwala, the producer of the film gave up and he gave an deadline to Sabbir to lock the new face before a certain date. One day before finalizing from other short listed new comers, still with the thought of Kriti being the actress of his film, Sabbir requested Sajid Nadiadwala to make a call to the agency and enquire about Kriti as he didn’t wish to have a regret in future for not giving chance to the probability. Fortunately for everyone, Kriti was in Mumbai as she had a break time post the shooting of first schedule of her Telugu film. The team called her for the audition the next morning. Kriti managed to impress the film maker by her reaction to the flow of the script narration and her dialect. Without wasting any time, Sabbir immediately drove Kriti to Sajid Nadiadwala’s office and broke the news to her 10 min before meeting the successful producers that she is going to sign the film. Though for Sabbir and others associated with the film, the search for Kriti was months long but on the flip side, for Kriti she bagged the film in half a day. Showcasing her whistle baja performance in the very first film, Kriti proved that she was here to stay. While Kriti Sanon continues to be the choice of celebrated film makers, with her powerful presence on and off screen, she is successful in making the crowd sigh - Mann Ma emotion Jage Re !

Source: Heropanti team - ETC Bollywood Business - Komal Nahta

The Kahaani from Vidya Balan to Parineeta

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An actress par excellence who stands out in the bhool bhulaiya of Bollywood with her outstanding choice of Kahaani of films to work on, Vidya Balan is not the conventional heroine but a respected actress of the film world. The germ of an actress was instilled in Vidya Balan from a very young age that made her dress like Madhuri Dixit and dance on her songs. Playing the role of one of the sisters in the popular daily ‘Hum Paanch’ and with over 90 ads along with music videos, Vidya Balan managed to put her initial steps into the glamour world. While shooting for an ad shoot assignment in Chennai, the model coordinator offered Vidya to audition for a Malayalam film opposite the celebrated actor Mohanlal. Vidya grabbed the opportunity and before she knew, she started shooting for the film. Due to unfortunate circumstances the film got shelved after the first schedule and Vidya was termed as 'Jinxed'. This started a series of mishaps with Vidya being replaced in almost all the films that she was signed on. Though anger and disappointment creped in but she never questioned her faith in god. Her talent and dedication made Pradeep Sarkar who had directed her for the music videos asked her to audition for Parineeta. A film starring Saif Ali Khan and Sanjay Dutt produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. While Pradeep Sarkar and others associated with the film were convinced with Vidya Balan, it was Vidhu Vinod Chopra who demanded test after test to examine her that led to putting Vidya into dilemma. Binod Pradhan, the ace cinematographer who had captured Vidya earlier too during her ad shoots was also the cinematographer for Parineeta gave a sound advice to Vidya of not getting bogged down by tests but enjoy being in front of camera like the way she did during her ad assignments. Taking the advice seriously, Vidya gave her best shot without any pressure and left the rest for universe to decide.  While Vidya was at an Enrique concert with her friend, she got a call from Vidhu Vinod Chopra who asked to speak to her at that moment without any delay. And he finally broke the good news to her and signed her for Parineeta. It was truly a Kismet Connection. There was no looking back from there. Vidya established herself in the industry and made everyone fall in her Ishqiya. It won’t be wrong to say that witnessing the talent and unconventional personality of Vidya Balan on screen; it’s natural to sigh Ooo Laa Laa!

Source: Rendezvous with Simi Garewal - Vidya Balan and Look Who's Talking with Niranjan Iyengar - Vidya Balan

With Kajol on Set - Kya Kya Hota Hai !

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With versatility in genes and acting in DNA, this actress ruled the charts when it came to showing her skills in variety of roles. There is nothing gupt about the talent Kajol possess and hence created hulchul in the industry from the moment she entered. While she had the privilege to work with directors of diverse sensibilities and in films of different genres, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai remains one of the most celebrated films of Kajol. Though Kajol is most comfortable in her own space and fixed set of friends which often makes her come across as not so warm person which is contrary to her real self but she does stand by her friends in time of need. It was the first day of shoot of Karan Johar's directorial venture ‘Kuch Kuch hota Hai’ and he was quite nervous to pull off the mega project. Karan Johar being the fun loving and lovely person, was under extreme pressure and not sure of the crew taking him seriously. Judging the same, Kajol told Karan Johar to shout at her in the very first scene as a pre planned strategy. Taking into consideration the image of Kajol as being a tough person, shouting at her would set the perception in people's mind for Karan Johar as a director who has hold on his actors and in turn the film from the very first shot. Jumping over the opportunity and first shot being from the song Koi Mil Gaya, Karan shouted on Kajol in front of the unit for a silly reason that led to pin drop silence on the set. Unfortunately, not being able to hold on to their own plan beyond a few seconds, both the actors along with Shahrukh Khan who witnessed the entire drama burst out laughing spilling their own beans. But this made the comfort level between them set its tone that later resulted into a great camaraderie between Kajol, Shahrukh and Karan. While filming for the song ‘Yeh Ladka Hai Deewana...’ in Mauritius one of the shot required Kajol and Shahrukh to ride a Bicycle. While Kajol and Shahrukh were riding the bicycle parallelly, something got a miss with Kajol and she fell flat on her face. With the sudden accident, everyone in the crew and specially Karan and Shahrukh got extremely worried for the actor friend. Surprisingly even after a bad fall there wasn’t even a scratch on her face but as soon as she woke up post her fainting, she couldn’t remember anything. It was one of those filmy situations with a dialogue – “Mein Kaha Hu?” Not able to control their emotions in a funny yet serious situation, Shahrukh and Karan planned to trick Kajol in believing that she was one of background dancers from Mumbai who was dancing in the last row. But to their dismay and kindness of god on Kajol, the only person she remembered was her boyfriend then and husband now - Ajay Devgn. Post speaking to him and a little more rest, Kajol regained from her Ghajini moment and joined the team with full force. With no doubt, the audience went Fanna over the cute as well as matured character of Anjali. The funny yet emotional behind the scene happenings didn’t affect the film from creating a milestone and everyone went drooling over Kajol that made them say - Kuch Kuch hota Hai...tum Nahi Samjhogi!

Source: Rajeev Masand Interview with the Team of My Name is Khan and Directors Roundtable, 2016 with Rajeev Masand