Hungry for content more than money: Sidharth Malhotra

Agencies
November 5, 2017

Mumbai, Nov 5: In his six-year-long career, Sidharth Malhotra has featured in a romantic comedy, a thriller, a sports drama and a murder mystery and the actor says his choice of films clearly shows his greed for good content.

The actor says he always wanted to explore new things in his career and is happy with the way his journey in films has turned out be.

In an interview with PTI, Sidharth says, "This is the period where I am hungry for content more than the money aspect of what I would get from a film.

"If your filmography is interesting and has enough variations and you are not trying to sell something typical, whether it does well or not is secondary, what matters is exploring new things."
The 32-year-old actor insists earning good money was never his aim.

"I have never done films for money, brands of course (is for money). I have never buckled with a producer or director for a film. I did films because I wanted to be part of a film.

"I have never made an issue of what I get paid as an actor. For me it depends on the budget of the film, you want to be more sensitive as well to the producer, it is a business after all," he says.

Sidharth's latest release "Ittefaq" may have got mixed reviews, but the actor says he was aware that the film was not the one to make it to the '100 crore club'.

"Ittefaq" which is a remake of 1969 movie of the same name, is the story of an acclaimed writer (essayed by Sidharth) and a young homemaker (played by Sonakshi Sinha), who become the prime suspects in a double murder case.

And police officer Dev (played by Akshaye Khanna) must figure out who's telling the truth when both offer conflicting stories about the events of that fateful night.

The film did a business of Rs 4.05 crore on day one.

"It is not a film where you look at the numbers (box office collection), I know it is unavoidable. The film was made on a tight budget, we have other revenues of recovery like satellite rights or digital rights. So the box office profit will be done by the weekend.

"It is not a film to boast money wise, as the numbers are not going to be (high). The film is all about these three characters and their performances," says Sidharth.

The actor says, he was first offered the film sometime in 2014 and feels glad that the movie came back to him.

"I was offered this film after 'Hasee Toh Phasee'. If you look at zone wise it was similar (referring to thriller, murder mystery space). I was committed to 'Ek Villain' and I felt it made no sense to do two back-to-back films in the same space. I was like will do it afterwards.

"Luckily, nothing happened in between and then they (director Abhay Chopra and producer Juno Chopra) came to me. I think the film was meant for me as they did not cast anyone for two and a half to three years."

One of the main reason for Sidharth to do "Ittefaq" was his love for his character 'Vikram Sethi'.

"It is not typical, he is an unpredictable person who gives you a high in the climax. This character has so much to hide and show at the same time. I found it interesting to play this part," he says.

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News Network
January 2,2020

New Delhi, Jan 2: Hoping her cinematic voice can help bring about lasting change in how society perceives acid attack survivors, actor Deepika Padukone says her latest film Chhapaak should ideally be so impactful that there won't be need for another story on acid violence.

After all, cinema is in itself such a powerful medium, Deepika told news agency ahead of the release of the film, which is based on the life of acid attack survivor and activist Laxmi Agarwal.

The idea behind the social drama is to invoke empathy and understanding rather than paint women who have undergone the ordeal as victims, the actor, who has also produced the film, said in a telephonic interview from Mumbai.

"Beyond the gruesomeness, the violence and all of that, there is a story of the human spirit and hope. That's why we're telling the story," she said.

Deepika, 33, said it was a story that spoke to her and she felt pride in attaching herself to the project.

Chhapaak, directed by Meghna Gulzar and featuring Vikrant Massey, is the second mainstream film to focus on the subject after 2019 Malayalam movie Uyare starring Parvathy Thiruvothu.

"I hope we won't have to constantly tell stories on acid attack survivors for us to see change. I hope with our film we begin to see that change for ourselves as a society and for acid attack survivors.

"If we don't, then we've done something wrong as a society. Cinema in itself is such a powerful medium that hopefully just through this one film we will hopefully be able to see that kind of change and impact," Deepika said.

The actor said there was not much planning behind the decision to back the film financially.

"Sometimes certain films need a little more hand holding, a little more love and support. I felt like I would be adding a little more value as a producer.

"This is a film I'm very proud of, not just from the script point of view but even in terms of the story and its message," she said.

The film, which releases on January 10, will be Deepika's first release in two years and comes after her marriage to frequent co-star Ranveer Singh.

The actor said she used the time to creatively replenish herself.

"It was about finding a film worthy of putting out there. It's not that work at my end had stopped. I was constantly looking for scripts that challenged and excited me.

"I would look at it as time for creative fertility. It's important to nurture yourself. The work that goes on behind the scenes... most often we're constantly on a film set, but whether it's meeting with writers and directors, looking for scripts... That is also part of the creative process and that's what I've been doing."

The title Chhapaak instantly evokes the image of acid being splattered, and Deepika said the director wanted a word for the film's name that could also lend itself to a song.

"I think she said 'chhapaak', which is the sound of a splash, is something that could adapt or lend itself beautifully to a song. Perhaps, it also has to do with fluidity. So on one hand, liquid is known to take different forms, a liquid such as this (acid) can change someone's life forever," she said.

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News Network
June 2,2020

Kolkata, Jun 2: Artistes of the Bengali film industry are trying to get the best out of their creative side amid the lockdown, with many of them giving shape to innovative concepts and ideas to hook the audience.

A short film 'Grub Ne Bana Di Jodi', with RJ-actor Mir Afsar Ali in the lead, transcends boundaries to bring couples from around the world together on one platform, as they engage in discussions on food and culture.

The shot-at-home film, directed by Satrajit Sen, has Ali giving couples tasks to test their culinary skills.

"This is the time to try new concepts and that, too, without the usual technical support. There is no box office pressure, and people can take their own sweet time to watch the film on YouTube," he said.

Actor Vikram Chatterjee, who recently completed the shoot of 'Pabitra Puppies', a web series about seven friends bonding over video games, said it was an "altogether different experience" with no crew to assist him at home.

"The shooting process was complicated but we had a lot of fun. I was in Mumbai when the lockdown was imposed.

Coordinating with the director and other cast members wasn't easy, but this phase has taught us how to overcome challenges," Chatterjee said.

The series, also starring Sohini Sarkar and Saayoni Ghosh, will be streaming on Hoichoi soon.

Director Shieladitya Moulik's third outing on YouTube, amid the lockdown, has garnered good reviews.

The short film 'Eye Candy' tells the story of a blind couple who had been finding ways to connect with each other.

"I wanted to talk about long-distance relationships, and the problems faced by couples in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, but not without a twist. I hope the viewers enjoy the short," Moulik said.

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Agencies
January 6,2020

Kochi, Jan 6: A trial court on Monday framed charges against Malayalam film actor Dileep and other accused in the case of alleged abduction and molestation of a south Indian actress in 2017.

The actor and nine other accused were present in the additional special sessions court in Ernakulamwhen the charges were framed against them.

All of them have denied the charges.

On Saturday, the Court had dismissed a plea filed by Dileep, seeking to exclude him from the list of accused.

The Court had admitted the prosecution argument that there is prima facie evidence against him in the crime and dismissed the plea of the actor, who is eighth accused in the case.

The court had also not allowed a plea by the actor to grant him 10 days time to file the appeal in a higher court in the light of the Supreme Court order in November 2019 that the trial should be completed in six months.

The court is hearing the case in-camera.

On December 19, Dileep, along with his lawyers and a technical expert, had examined the contents of the electronic records at the closed room of the court.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had directed that the actor be allowed to inspect the records to enable him to present an effective defence during the trial.

In February 2017, the actress was allegedly abducted and molested by the accused.

Seven people, including the key accused 'Pulsar' Suni were arrested in connection with the actress' abduction case.

There are 10 accused in the case.

The entire act had allegedly taken place in a moving vehicle, which was filmed by the accused to blackmail her.

Dileep was subsequently arrested and arrayed as an accused in connection with offences under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and IT Act.

The top court had directed that the trial in case be concluded expeditiously, preferably within six months from the date of the judgement.

A woman judge is hearing the case.

In February 2019, the High Court, while considering a plea seeking to transfer the case to a Sessions Court headed by a woman judge to conduct the trial, had ordered the CBI special court Judge-III Ernakulam Honey M Varghese to complete the trial expeditiously.

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