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Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
North vs South mindset isn't the right step forward: Ayushmann Khurrana
I've found my niche is championing real men who are endearing, relatable, and flawed, but also heroic. It has not narrowed my choices. It's my personal ambition to be very original, says Ayushmann. Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana was recently in Ooty, shooting for Thama (the forthcoming film in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe), and spoke to us about his experience filming for the first time in Tamil Nadu, why there shouldn't be a north vs. south mindset in the film industry, on Hindi cinema's evolution in the post-pandemic era and more… Have the lines between the north and the south film industries blurred of late? The north vs. south mindset isn't the right step forward for the Indian film industry. We're moving towards a more unified Indian film industry. It's an exciting time to be an actor, as collaboration is becoming the cornerstone for change. We saw what Atlee did with SRK in Jawan and what Nag Ashwin did by bringing together Prabhas and Amitabh Bachchan sir in one frame! These projects are bringing together the best of both worlds! Your films like Vicky Donor , Article 15 , Andhaadhun , and Badhaai Ho have been remade in Tamil. Have you seen any of these? What did you think about them? I have seen some of the remakes, but I can definitely say that these films being remade in the South is definitely a moment of incredible appreciation for me as an artiste. There is no bigger validation than seeing my films crossing over and entertaining people across my country. Any south film that you'd love to remake? I'm not really a believer of remaking films. I feel once a film is made, we should let that be. It's my personal choice to not look for remakes and keep an eye on new and unique concepts that people have never seen me in before. I'm sure there are a lot of films that could be remade in Hindi, but I would love to do original content, like how I've been doing so far. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo You're working with Rashmika Mandanna, who is from the south. Do you see any difference between working with an artiste from the south vis-à-vis someone from Bollywood? Working with Rashmika has been a delight. She brings a fresh energy to the set, which is needed when you have hectic shoot days. She ensures she knows all the nuances of her scene before she steps on set. Her work ethic is incredible. In terms of the acting process, every actor has a different process and that is not restricted to the industry they come from — but what remains constant is the commitment to the craft. These days, we routinely hear that Hindi cinema is no longer the force it used to be. Do you think there's truth in this opinion? Hindi cinema delivered all-time blockbusters with Pathaan , Jawan , and Animal in a span of 12 months. We also had Stree 2 and Chhaava recently. I guess that answers the question! Every industry goes through its churn, and Hindi cinema, like any industry, is going through an evolution where it will shape a new identity in a post-pandemic world. What's your take on the notion that the films that were successful before COVID, especially the ones revolving around middleclass lives, aren't theatre-friendly anymore? The pandemic has precipitated a change in content viewing patterns. No one wants to watch something that's been seen before or, for lack of a better word, vanilla. Anything mediocre won't work anymore. To me, that's exciting because it gets us out of our comfort zone. Look at Laapataa Ladies , 12th Fail , The Kerala Story , Munjya or Sita Ramam — these were rooted stories, not hugely budgeted extravaganzas, and they still found their audience. So, if the story hits home, people will show up. You have an identity as a representative of the middle-class man. Has this image narrowed the stories that come to you? I've found my niche is championing real men who are endearing, relatable, and flawed, but also heroic. It has not narrowed my choices. It's my personal ambition to be very original. A good film will bring in audiences, and I try to look for the best scripts that our industry is making. In Thama , the audience will see me in a different avatar yet find the quirk that they see in my movies, which has become my calling card! On his experience shooting in Ooty... Ooty provided the perfect backdrop for Thama . Every time you turn your head, you see greenery and mountains covered with clouds. This is also the first film I have shot in Tamil Nadu. I have always been a fan of the hospitality and culture of the state. We had a tight schedule, so I didn't get time to visit popular spots in Ooty. However, I had good local cuisine. I can't wait to return and visit the place properly.
Mint
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
‘Akshay Kumar has invested money': Priyadarshan reacts to actor suing Paresh Rawal for quitting Hera Pheri 3
After Akshay Kumar sent a legal notice to Paresh Rawal, demanding ₹ 25 crore in damages for 'sabotaging' Hera Pheri 3, director Priyadarshan stepped up in support of Akshay Kumar. He revealed that Paresh, who exited the franchise, never informed him about the decision. Talking to Hindustan Times, Priyadarshan said that Akshay has the right to sue Paresh Rawal as he invested in the film, buying the rights for it from producer Feroz Nadiadwala. The director said, 'I don't know why this happened because Paresh didn't inform us. Before starting the film, Akshay asked me to check with both Paresh and Suniel and I did and both were onboard.' 'I don't have anything to lose but Akshay has invested money and that could be the reason why he is taking this action. Paresh Rawal hasn't spoken to me till date,' he also added. Priyadarshan has worked with Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal alongside Suniel Shetty in Hera Pheri (2000). However, Neeraj Vora took over for Phir Hera Pheri (2006). Priyadarshan returned for the third instalment in the franchise, Hera Pheri 3, which previously promised to reunite the old cast, including Akshay, Paresh and Suniel in the role of Raju, Baburao Ganpatrao Apte and Ghanshyam. Besides, Hera Pheri 3, Priyadarshan also worked with Paresh and Akshay in the upcoming movie, Bhoot Bangla, a part of Maddock Horror Comedy Universe. Earlier today, reports claimed that Akshay Kumar and his company, Cape of Good Films, sued Paresh Rawal for quitting Hera Pheri 3. As per their claims, Paresh behaved unprofessionally by quitting Hera Pheri 3 after signing a contract and starting the film shoot in April this year. Before this, Paresh confirmed his exit from the film, citing that he simply didn't feel like doing the film. While there were reports that he left the project due to creative differences, he clarified by rejecting such claims. 'I wish to put it on record that my decision to step away from Hera Pheri 3 was not due to creative differences. I REITERATE THAT THERE ARE NO CREATIVE DISAGREEMENT WITH THE FILM MAKER . I hold immense love, respect, and faith in Mr. Priyadarshan the film director,' Paresh Rawal wrote on X( formerly Twitter). Amid this, an insider told HT, 'Paresh displayed a blatant disregard for professional integrity or commercial morality. If he wanted to not do the film, he should have said so before signing the legal contract, accepting the signing amount and making the producer spend so much money on the shoot.' 'It is high time Bollywood actors realise that like Hollywood, producers here too will no longer give in to the whims of an actor walking in and out of a film as he pleases,' the source added. 'Paresh himself announced doing the film on his X handle in January, he participated in all pre production planning, shot for a day (including the teaser promo) willingly. When he never expressed dissatisfaction at any point, for him to now suddenly play with the emotions of the fans of this franchise and inflict losses on the producer is clearly in bad faith,' the unnamed also said.
