I’m looking for an image change, says Deepak Dobriyal
New Delhi– Actor Deepak Dobriyal, who is fondly remembered as pappiji from “Tanu Weds Manu” franchise, says he wants for an image change and is looking for “serious scripts”.
Asked if he wants to change his image by portraying serious characters on screen, Deepak told IANS here: “Yes, because I they (filmmakers) have tied to one image … Comic roles keep coming. I don’t want to do it deliberately. But this is the requirement of the films. I am looking for serious scripts.”
Deepak has played supporting roles in films like “Tanu Weds Manu”, “Tanu Weds Manu Returns” and “Hindi Medium”.
But does he feel like an under-utilised talent in Bollywood ?
“No. I’m getting good and likeable work. I’m happy,” he added.
Deepak was here to promote his forthcoming film “Kaalakaandi” starring Saif Ali Khan, which is slated to release on Friday.
Didn’t feel the connect with ‘Race 3’ role, says Saif
New Delhi– Actor Saif Ali Khan says he was offered a role in the third installment of the “Race” franchise, but didn’t take it up because he didn’t feel the connection with the part he was offered.
“(Producer) Ramesh Taurani said I’m making a completely different movie this time with a totally different story. I was offered a part but Salman Khan is the best thing to happen to anybody. He’s the biggest star in the country,” Saif said at a press conference here.
“I didn’t feel a connection myself with the part I was offered. So, I decided to do something else.”
Saif was seen playing a protagonist in “Race”, which released in 2008 and was also a part of the “Race 2” in 2013.
The “Phantom” actor was here to promote his forthcoming film “Kaalakaandi”, which will hit the screens on Friday.
Women need confidence to talk about sexual harassment: Esha Gupta
New Delhi, Jan 10 (IANS) Actress Esha Gupta, who will deliver a lecture on sexual harassment to young girls, says the issue needs to be spoken about and women need the “necessary confidence and awareness to raise their voices”.
Esha has been approached by Delhi University to address the issue of sexual harassment. She will be meeting and speaking to the young girls about sexual harassment, things they face while making and how to tackle it, on January 15 here, a statement said.
“Sexual harassment at workplaces has been happening to women from the time women were allowed to work alongside men,” Esha said in the statement.
“People understand it as a part and parcel of being working woman. There are girls who come out and talk about it today but in many cases there are girls who don’t speak about it at all for the fear of being shamed,” she added.
Esha wants women to learn to be vocal about every issue they face “because civililsation begins with a woman”.
She will next be seen in “Aankhen 2” on the silver screen.
Vidya Balan to play Indira Gandhi on screen
Mumbai– Acclaimed actress Vidya Balan will play former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi onscreen in a project based on journalist-author Sagarika Ghoses book “Indira: Indias Most Powerful Prime Minister”.
“I am happy to have acquired the rights to Sagarika Ghose’s ‘Indira…’, because I have always wanted to play Indira Gandhi. I haven’t decided yet whether it should be a film or a web series, but that will take a while anyway,” Vidya, a National Award winner, said in a statement on Tuesday.
Ghose, elated about signing the contract, wrote: “Most excited to see ‘Indira’ on-screen!”
She also called Vidya an “ace”.
The book, published by Juggernaut Books, is a no-holds-barred biographical portrait that looks for answers to lingering issues: from why Indira Gandhi revoked the Emergency to her son Sanjay’s curious grip over her; and from her bad marriage and love affairs to her dangerous religious politics.
“Indira: India’s Most Powerful Prime Minister” was pitched by the publishers to the film and screen community at the Word to Screen Market 2017, organised by the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.
Ekta Kapoor’s niece faces nepotism attack
Mumbai– Young actress Anchal Sharma, who is making her big acting debut with the upcoming web series “Haq Se” by Ekta Kapoor, faced questions on nepotism from the media.
During the trailer launch of the show “Haq Se” here on Wednesday, she was asked whether getting an opportunity in an ALTBalaji production was an easy ride for her since she is the niece of Ekta. Though the question made her look very uncomfortable, Ekta tried to give an explanation.
To answer the question, Anchal said: “See, Ekta always encouraged new talents, so I just cannot walk in to her office and say that I want to act. I had to go through a process of audition. Of course, she is an inspiration for me but I auditioned for several other projects of ALTBalaji but I was not accepted. So I think it is an honour for me that she believed in me to play the character.”
Giving an explanation how she is a big supporter of talent, Ekta said: “First time I saw her audition that came from director Imtiaz Ali for ‘Laila Majnu’ (an upcoming film). Since she did not look like the character, I said no to her and then I mentioned to Imtiaz that she is my niece. Later Rhea (Kapoor) showed me Archana’s audition for ‘Veere Di Wedding’ and said that she is ‘outstanding’. However, this time she fits the part so I cast her in the show.”
The evening was graced by director Ken Ghosh, actor Rajeev Khandelwal, Rukhsar, Simon Singh and Pavail Gulati, among others. The show “Haq Se” will soon be streaming on ALTBalaji app and the website. (IANS)
