Latest news with #QSQT
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
EXCLUSIVE! Aamir Khan: I am loyal to cinema first, and then to theatres
Aamir Khan Aamir Khan Aamir Khan Aamir Khan Aamir Khan 1 2 Breaking the mould is second nature to him. Now, in a bold move that challenges the norms of a largely risk-averse industry, Aamir Khan has chosen the pay-per-view model on his YouTube channel for his latest film, Sitaare Zameen Par (SZP) , which had released in theatres in June. This aligns with his decades-long pattern of being a disruptor – as an actor and filmmaker. In this freewheeling conversation with us, the superstar talks about access, affordability and the future of cinema beyond theatres. Aamir also confesses that he's not fearless, unlike what most would assume, and tells us why, at 60, comfort is not an option — ' ab comfort hai hi nahi, toh kuch karna padega .' Read on... A still from Sitaare Zameen Par How do you think the pay-per-view model gives more power and choice to both the audience and the producer? You are aware that we are able to reach only 2-3% of our population in the theatrical business, and this is for the biggest hit. For a film like Sitaare Zameen Par , around one crore people would have watched it by the end of its theatrical run. In the absence of enough theatres being built, this model is perhaps the only way to reach the vast majority of India, especially with rising internet penetration. In one stroke, this solves that problem for everyone. It's great for filmmakers because it strengthens them and empowers them to make better films. To be able to watch a movie, access and affordability are key. Was this model born out of that philosophy – to make both these points a reality? Today, cinemas in India, and here I am talking about the multiplexes, are trying to give a unique experience, but that costs money. So, over the years, theatres have evolved from the time when I started out with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (QSQT) . Back then, the average ticket price was Rs 10. Today, the ticket prices are not affordable for a large section of society. And multiplexes, because of the high cost and heavy investment (in terms of rent, etc), have also started catering to an audience who can afford to come there. So, who will cater to the masses? This model caters straight to the masses. Continues… In every press conference prior to my film's release in the past 10 years, I would be asked, ' Aap film bana rahe ho, jo masses hai woh kaise dekhenge ?' The answer to this and the pricing of tickets is not in my hands. I can't tell theatre owners who have invested a lot of money to go into a loss. If this model works, it will dramatically change the way we distribute films. From an economical point of view, I had strong OTT offers for SZP , if I were to accept that, it would have been a safe bet. I chose not to. I would rather earn Rs 100 from each Indian who watches my movie. Also, this is a great opportunity for younger filmmakers who are trying to break in and don't get a chance to showcase their work. It will give creative voices more freedom. It will give them the freedom to price their content the way they want to. You are a theatre loyalist and have spoken about 'protecting our theatres'. What are some ways exhibitors and filmmakers can work together to reimagine cinema-going as a more inclusive, feasible experience? Let me clarify, my loyalty is to cinema. Cinemas came first, then theatres came to serve cinema. Earlier, there was no theatre. Cinema dikhane ke liye pardah laga dete the , and it would be shown through a projector. Phir tent aaya, wahan dikhate the. Then permanent theatres came about. Cinema is what I am protecting, and emotionally, I am very tied to theatres. I believe that the theatrical experience cannot be replaced by anything else. When you are sitting in that dark space with 300 people around you, it's a group experience where you laugh and cheer together. Imagine watching Lagaan , where the whole theatre is cheering... abhi woh experience aapko ghar pe baithke apne family ke saath bhi nahin milega . I am loyal to cinema first, and then to theatres, clearly in that order. To answer your question, I think first of all, we need more theatres. In districts where there is no single screen, not even a single theatre, we should at least have one theatre. India needs many more theatres, but they should be economical theatres. Do you believe that, at some point, the theatrical business will start thriving again? Yes, of course. I really hope so. Do you think that, as makers, focusing on tier-2 and tier-3 cities is key, as therein lies the scope for theatrical recovery in India? Absolutely! I believe that we need theatres in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. The tier-2 cities have theatres, but as we go deeper, we don't. I also feel that it's not that people want to watch only action films in theatres – that was the feeling for some time. If that were the case, SZP wouldn't have done well, and Saiyaara wouldn't have been such a success. These are phases that keep coming and going. When I did Ghajini , everyone told me that you are doing an action film at a time when this genre was not working. It worked. I think audiences are interested in watching films irrespective of the genre. So, the genre of your film and how it fits with current trends and mood doesn't concern you? No, it doesn't. Stories that inspire me and affect me the most are what I gravitate towards. Stills from Ghajini and Dhoom 3 You've consistently been a disruptor — as an actor and a filmmaker. In an industry that often plays it safe, where does this creative fearlessness come from? No, no, there is a lot of fear. There is fear every time I am doing a film, and unfortunately, my choices are also unusual, but I can't help but make them. When I was doing Dangal , I felt that dus saal baad karte hain, abhi mein itna mota, buddha dikh raha hoon . Just before that, I had done PK and Dhoom 3 . People thought I am 30-35, they didn't know I am 55. I thought yeh film karoonga toh meri asliyat saamne aa jayegi (laughs). It was in my blood; I had to do it. I am not a fearless person. Before the release, you can't assume the film will work, at least my films. There were exceptions like Ghajini and Dhoom 3 , where you could say yeh kuch toh karegi . But with the unusual ones, it's difficult to tell. I go with my instinct and my heart. So, I am not thinking about what the audience wants to see. I am thinking mujhe kya banana hai. There's still this restless energy about you. Does that fuel your creativity? I suppose so. If the status quo is comfortable, I have no problem with it. But when it's not, then I want to do something to correct it. I am comfortable about being comfortable, but ab comfort hai hi nahi, toh kuch karna padega, haath pair marna padega , because in today's times it is difficult for creative people to make what they want to make. Unless you have a subscription model pre-sale, you can't greenlight a project. That's not a comfortable situation to be in for creative people. A still from Talaash Knowing the kind of connection and influence you have with audiences across generations, do you feel a certain sense of responsibility when you take on a film? I do feel a sense of responsibility, so I don't do films that propagate any thoughts, views or ethos which are not mine. At the same time, I also believe in having my freedom as an artiste, as that's how I always operated from the beginning. I have selected films that I wanted to do. Some of them worked, some didn't. Fortunately, most of them did. I have tried not to take the unnecessary load, ki meri har film 300, 500 ya 600 crore banayegi . I am not chasing that. Mujhe Talaash ki script pasand aayi aur mujhe pata tha yeh 500 crore ki film nahin hai, yeh 200 crore ki bhi nahin hai. In fact, I remember telling the team that I believe the film will do about 70 crores. It went on to do 95 crores. I did the film as I loved the story. Just because I knew it wouldn't break my Ghajini record, didn't mean I wouldn't do it. I can't think like that. This comes from my excitement as an artiste, and also because I can't keep doing the same kind of films again and again; I don't know how to do that. You said that you feel a sense of fear every time you embark on something new. Can you recall what you felt on the first day first show of QSQT ? I still remember that moment – I remember the premiere show of the film. My uncle (Nasir Hussain) had booked the balcony, and the stall was for the paid audience for the first day, 6pm show. And Shammi (Kapoor) uncle had come, in fact, he was the only star my uncle had called from the film industry. I remember walking into the film with no one recognising me, and when the film got over and I walked out, I was mobbed.
News18
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Kareena Kapoor Said Salman Khan Is 'A Very Bad Actor': 'I Don't Like Him'
Last Updated: Kareena Kapoor said that Shah Rukh Khan was her favourite of the three superstar Khans in Bollywood. Kareena Kapoor Khan, one of Bollywood's most versatile actresses, has shared the screen with the three Khans—Shah Rukh, Salman, and Aamir—delivering memorable performances and box office hits. However, while Shah Rukh Khan reigns as her favourite and Aamir Khan comes second, Kareena doesn't think Salman Khan is a good actor, based on an old interview. In an earlier interview with Umesh Jivnani, Kareena didn't hold back while expressing her honest take on the three Khans. 'I'm totally in love with him. Don't even ask me about him because if I start, I won't stop talking about him for hours. Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh are the only two actors I admire," she said. Kareena Kapoor appreciated Shah Rukh Khan's 'boy-next-door' charm and added that this appeal makes girls want to take him home to meet their parents. She mentioned that SRK's acting amuses her. As for Aamir Khan, Kareena said, 'Aamir's good. I really liked him in Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke and QSQT, but out of the Khans, I'm a total Shah Rukh fan." While Kareena appreciated SRK and Aamir's acting chops, she said Salman Khan was not a good actor. She opined, 'I'm not at all a Salman fan. I don't like him; he's a very bad actor. I tell him that he hams all the time." Kareena Kapoor has worked with the three Khans for films of different genres. With Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena starred in Asoka (2001), where she played the fierce Kaurwaki opposite SRK's warrior king. Later, in (2011), she played a modern, playful role in this sci-fi adventure, showcasing their chemistry in a contemporary setting. Kareena's collaboration with Aamir Khan has been particularly impactful. 3 Idiots (2009), where she played Pia, became a cultural phenomenon and remains one of Indian cinema's most iconic films. In Laal Singh Chaddha (2022), their chemistry shone again in a heartfelt story spanning decades. Her pairing with Salman Khan has been more frequent. In Bodyguard (2011), she played the strong-willed Divya, and their on-screen bond contributed to the film's massive commercial success. They also co-starred in Kyon Ki (2005) and Main Aurr Mrs Khanna (2009), showing a mix of romance and drama. Together with the Khans, Kareena has displayed her range, be it romance, drama, or comedy, cementing her legacy as one of Bollywood's enduring female stars. First Published:
Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
When Kareena Kapoor expressed her love for Shah Rukh Khan and strong dislike for Salman Khan: ‘Don't even ask me about him…'
The Khans have ruled Bollywood for decades. But beyond box office dominance, they have also won the admiration of many leading ladies in the industry. Several actresses have not only worked with them but have also spoken about the joy of sharing screen space with the iconic trio. Kareena Kapoor is one such star, fortunate to have collaborated with all three Khans. However, did you know there was a time when Kareena was in awe of Shah Rukh Khan but didn't care much for Salman Khan? In an old interview with she candidly shared her early impressions of the Khans during her initial years in the industry. Also Read: Kareena Kapoor gets a private concert from Saif Ali Khan, son Taimur as she misses Guns N' Roses, see photos While Kareena openly expressed her deep admiration for Shah Rukh, she was equally candid about her dislike for Salman. Speaking about SRK, the actress said, 'I'm totally in love with him. Don't even ask me about him because if I start, I won't stop talking about him for hours. Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh are the only two actors I admire. There is something about Shah Rukh that is amazing. He has that very boy-next-door appeal, which makes every girl want to take him home to her parents. His performances touch me.' On the other hand, while talking about Salman, she said, 'I'm not at all a Salman fan. I don't like him, he's a very bad actor. I tell him that he hams all the time. Aamir's good, I really liked him in Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke and QSQT, but out of the Khans, I'm a total Shah Rukh fan.' When it comes to working with the Khans, Kareena Kapoor has shared screen space with Shah Rukh Khan in Asoka, and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. With Salman Khan, she has starred in films like Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Bodyguard, and Kyon Ki. Her collaborations with Aamir Khan include Laal Singh Chaddha, Talaash, and 3 Idiots.
