Karan Johar: I have always paid male and female stars equally
Mumbai– Filmmaker Karan Johar says there are many verticals that need to be observed while paying male and female stars, but he has always paid them equally.
“There is a larger understanding of the economics of movies that sometimes is lesser known by people, who don’t understand the business and how it functions. Many times, people make sweeping statements about these things. I’m the first person who’ll always want to pay what is completely right, just, justified and valid. I’ve always done that. But I feel there is a larger understanding of budget versus the verticals that you sell on digital and satellite that are driven by different data,” Karan said, when the subject of gender pay gap in Bollywood came up during an interactive media session that Johar hosted along with Kareena Kapoor Khan and Alia Bhatt at MAMI Movie Mela in Mumbai on Sunday evening.
Karan added many women in the industry deserve more money than the men. “There are many women who deserve much more money than the men and there are men who have earned their chops because of their talent and tenacity, and with the work they have put in. So, it’s very subjective, and cannot be just put into a strong slot. While I’m all for equality and am among people who are always about equality, when it comes to love or paying people, there are larger optics to look at,” he explained.
Rakul Preet: My role in ‘Marjaavaan’ is like Rekha ji’s in ‘Muqaddar Ka Sikandar’
Mumbai– Actress Rakul Preet Singh insists she is not disappointed or miffed with producers over the length of her role in her upcoming release, “Marjaavaan”.
In the film’s trailer released a while back, Rakul Preet is seen in just one scene, while the film’s other leading lady, Tara Sutaria, gets substantial space.
“I am really happy with my role in the film. Do I look upset to you? I haven’t heard about these news reports,” said Rakul Preet, while interacting with the media at an event in Mumbai.
Rakul plays a dancer in “Marjaavaan”, and she says her role is an extended cameo in the film. “I will be seen in an extended special appearance but it’s a very strong role. During the trailer launch of the film, Milap (Zaveri) had said that my role is similar to Rekha ji’s role in �Muqaddar Ka Sikandar’ and Tabu ji’s role in �Jeet’ (1996). This film was offered to me while I was shooting �De De Pyaar De’. I thought I should try this kind of a role, too.”
She added: “As an actor, you don’t always get a chance to play a role that is not in trend over the past few years. �Marjaavaan’ has this 1990s and melodramatic feel. There is a touch of shayari (form of poem) and nazaakat (finesse) to my character and that’s the reason I did the role. I am happy the way it is.”
Janhvi Kapoor wants female versions of ‘Kabir Singh’, ‘Joker’
Mumbai– Actress Janhvi Kapoor says there should be more roles that portray the uninhibited side of women — like female versions of “Kabir Singh” or “Joker”.
“Times are changing, but I still I think we need to have a little less sanitised role for women. The best such role I can think of, in the Indian context, is the one played by Nutan in ‘Bandini’,” Janhvi said.
“There should be more roles that portray the uninhibited side of the female – roles such as the female versions of ‘Kabir Singh’ or the ‘Joker’,” she added.
The actress, who made her Bollywood debut with “Dhadak”, shared her views during a conversation at Jio MAMI Movie Mela with Star.
On why what she loves the most about acting, she said: “It makes me happy just to be in front of a camera. I love the travel and the experiences that come with the job,” she said.
The daughter of late icon Sridevi also looked back at the best practical acting advice she got.
“You just need to be alive, present, and receptive in the moment. The best acting often happens by mistake or in a spontaneous, unguarded moment. On a different note, I personally believe that we, as actors, bear the responsibility of delivering on the efforts of every single person on the set — right from the director to the spot boy. We owe it to them to give every scene our best,” she said.
Opening up about embracing social media, Janhvi said: “I am not very social-media-crazy either, although my team is always urging me to be more active. But I do love ‘The Avocado Show’ on social media; they put up a lot of very interesting stuff.”
Janhvi Kapoor: Mom always told me to be a good person
Mumbai– Actress Janhvi Kapoor says her mother, late actress Sridevi, always told her to be a good person from within.
“My mother would always tell me, whatever you think and carry in your heart, will show on your face. So it is important for an actor to be a good person from within because the camera captures everything,” said Janhvi, at a panel discussion of MAMI Movie Mela on Sunday in Mumbai, which was also attended by actresses Aananya Panday, Mrunal Thakur, and Radhika Madan.
Sharing her experience about attending the panel discussion, Janhvi said: “It feels really cool to be on such an official panel with so many official people. Discussing things was fun. I enjoyed it, I learnt a lot from so many people. It felt nice to hear about everyone’s experiences, as everyone is working so hard.”
“I am feeling motivated just by looking at their ambitions. It was an amazing experience and (there was) so much energy, I feel good,” said Janhvi, about participating in the panel hosted by Anupama Chopra and Rajeev Masand.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: Mani Ratnam is my guru
Mumbai– Actress Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan, who has worked in Mani Ratnam films such as “Guru” and “Raavan”, says that the veteran filmmaker is her guru, and that the decision to work with him is always an easy yes for her.
The actress will soon reunite with Mani Ratnam in a new film that will reportedly feature her in a double role.
“Mani Ratnam is my Guru. He is probably one of the most amazing and brilliant directors of our country. I have had the privilege, honour and joy of working with him in the beginning of my career, and several times through it. So it was an easy yes for me to work with that kind of cinema brilliance and the character itself,” she said, while interacting with the media on Monday.
Talking about her latest collaboration with Mani Ratnam, Aishwarya described it as an experience she is looking forward to for multiple reasons. “Watch the film when it releases and have an experience, and take the journey we want you (audience) to take. We want to keep the viewers engaged. To say it all will filter down the magic of the film. That is why I never reveal the story. But (the film is) definitely an experience I am looking forward to for multiple reasons,” said Aishwarya.
Aishwarya was interacting with the media at the trailer launch of Disney’s “Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil”. She has dubbed for the title role character, Maleficent, in the Hindi version of the film, originally voiced by Angelina Jolie.
Talking about her experience of dubbing, Aishwarya said: “It is not difficult or easy, but this is the first time I have experienced dubbing for some other artiste’s work. So it was a new experience for me. I must admit that I got into it completely”
Nushrat: ‘Pyaar Ka Punchnama’ trapped me with similar roles
Mumbai– Actress Nushrat Bharucha says the image the “Pyaar Ka Punchnama” franchise created for her was the reason she was getting similar roles and films so far.
In an interview, Nushrat had said that the only thing which is hurting is she not getting different kind of roles.
“The image ‘Pyaar Ka Punchnama’ 1 and 2 had created for me. I was getting offered the similar kind of roles and similar films. And I felt that I dont want to do this. I want to do something I have not done before… I feel like why cant an actor be seen like an actor who can act in any sort of part and role,” Nushrat said.
She added: “Why does it have to be that you done this well you would only be able to do that. When you offer an actor a film he’s equally responsible to bring something more to the film than you have imagined right. And you should let him do that. That is part of an actors’s job too to kind of bring your character the way you see it and to give it a little more from their understanding, talent and craft.”
Nushrat said that the craft-building takes time.
“But you only build it if you are constantly going to be doing it. If you dont give it to me then how will I build my craft. It is two way street. You got to have that faith to take those initial steps towards your actor and trust your actor,” she said.
Mallika Dua: Very easy to get typecast in the industry
New Delhi– Actress Mallika Dua feels it is very easy to get pigeonholed in the industry, and says she wants to explore genres beyond comedy.
“I want to branch out beyond comedy. It is very easy to get typecast in this industry where so many people are eyeing for the same part,” Mallika told IANS.
“You don’t even come in the consideration set as there is a genre you are known for. I personally would like to do some darker roles, maybe something negative, something that does not require me to crack a joke and keep a smile constantly,” she added.
In the past, Mallika has featured in “Midnight Misadventures with Mallika Dua” and “The Trip”. She is also seen in Hotstar Specials’ “The Office — Season 2” as Kitty Kataria.
Created for Applause Entertainment by BBC Studios India, the 15-episode mockumentary focuses on typical office characters, and how they find themselves in atypical situations. It also stars Mukul Chadda, Gauahar Khan, Ranvir Shorey, Gopal Datt and Sayandeep Sengupta amongst others.
Talking about her role, Mallika said: “It’s a huge thing for me to a part of the official adaptation of internationally acclaimed show ‘The Office’ and to essay the role of Kelly Kapoor played by the very talented Mindy Kaling who has also written the original script of ‘The Office’.”
Katrina Kaif: ‘Bharat’ a great learning experience
Mumbai– Actress Katrina Kaif says she took up “Bharat” as a challenge, and is glad that it turned out to be a “great learning” experience for her.
In the Salman Khan-starrer “Bharat”, Katrina essays the role of Kumud Raina. She stepped in when actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas left the Ali Abbas Zafar project.
“The minute Ali approached me with the script, I said yes. My character in the movie is very strong and unusual and I had exactly 2 months to prepare for the role. I took it up as a challenge and I am glad that it has turned out so well and it ended up being unlike anything that I have done before,” Katrina said.
“Since the movie spans over decades, the team has done a lot of research on how the characters will look and I had to work harder so that I have a better command over the language. All in all it has been a great learning experience,” she added.
Also featuring Disha Patani, Sunil Grover and Jackie Shroff, the film is an official adaptation of the 2014 South Korean film “Ode To My Father”. It will premiere on the small screen on Zee Cinema on October 20.
Ishita Ganguly joins cast of supernatural show ‘Laal Ishq’
Mumbai– Actress Ishita Ganguly has been roped in for the supernatural show “Laal Ishq”.
She will play a character named Arshi, who is a doctor. The story of the episode featuring Ishita revolves around Arshi experiencing supernatural activities.
“This episode is by Shakuntalam production, which gave me my first break in the TV industry with the show ‘Shastri Sisters’. After five years, I got a chance to work with them in a series with horror elements,” she said.
“I always wanted to be a part of a good horror show, and this show is a great opportunity for me. During the shoot, there were some sequences where I got really sacred,” she added. (IANS)
