Latest news with #Swades
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Shah Rukh Khan drank village chaas without hesitation,' says Makarand Deshpande as recalls Swades shoot and SRK's generosity
Makarand Deshpande has always been an intense actor and recently opened up about the movie which he did with Shah Rukh Khan , Ashutosh Gowariker's 'Swades'. He recalled some behind-the-scenes incidents which made it very memorable for him in particular. Deshpande reflected on SRK's humility, creative involvement, and the emotional warmth that defined their reunion after 13 years. SRK's grounded gesture: He drank chaas without hesitation Deshpande reminisced while appearing on the Cyrus Says podcast when offered super star SRK a glass of buttermilk freshly fetched from a local village during the shooting of Yun Hi Chala Chal. SRK, despite being a star, would not refuse such an offering, and that was the moment when Deshpande truly believed to capture his down-to-earth nature. As said in the interview, SRK drank it 'bina kisi jhijak ke,' without flinching or fuss. Shah Rukh Khan took charge behind the scenes During the filming of the road-trip song, Deshpande described how SRK took on multiple responsibilities—driving the caravan, coordinating with the crew via walkie-talkie, and even helping choreograph moments. Deshpande jokingly called himself the 'brat' on set, enjoying the ride while SRK handled the logistics. He added that the idea for his hair movement during Kailash Kher's alaap came directly from SRK, who was invested in even the smallest creative details. A reunion after 13 years—and SRK remembered everything As reported by Indian Express, Deshpande was surprised by how much SRK remembered about his theatre work and indie film 'Danav,' despite not being in touch for over a decade. The actor said it felt like three people from different worlds, him from theatre, SRK from superstardom, and Gowariker fresh off 'Lagaan' coming together in harmony. SRK's cameo for Deshpande's indie film came with no price Deshpande also shared that when he requested SRK to appear in a close-up for his indie film 'Shahrukh Bola Khoobsurat Hai Tu,' the actor did not charge a fee. Instead, SRK told him to send his cameraman and offered his own car and camera for the shoot. As said in the podcast, SRK told him, 'You don't need to spend money. Just send your cameraman, I'll get the unit.'
Indian Express
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Shah Rukh Khan drank chaas from the village without any hesitation': Makrand Deshpande recalls shooting Swades song, how he made SRK do ‘all the work'
Actor Makarand Deshpande, who had worked with Shah Rukh Khan in the TV show Circus, witnessed the actor's rise to superstardom and reunited with him 13 years later in Ashutosh Gowariker's Swades. In a recent interaction, Makarand heaped praise on Shah Rukh's generosity and recalled how the superstar had kept track of his work and knew about many of the projects he had done over the years, even though they hadn't met in over a decade. Speaking to Cyrus Broacha about the same, he said, '13 years before we worked together in Swades, we starred in the television series called Circus. Me, Shah Rukh and Ashutosh Gowariker starred in the show. The first time that I met him was at a producer's office for the show. I was playing cricket in the compound of the building and I threw the ball so hard that Shah Rukh Khan thought 'ye pagal aadmi hai (He is mad).' Shah Rukh used to carry a camera and I realised he clicked so many of my photos. We developed a camaraderie during those days.' Makarand met Shah Rukh 13 years later during the making of Swades. By then, Shah Rukh had become the biggest star in Bollywood, but Makarand said his humility and kindness remained unchanged. 'But the point was after 13 years Swades happened and I wasn't in touch with him. By that time Shah Rukh had already become the Badshah of Bollywood and Ashutosh Gowariker had directed the iconic film Lagaan, but 'where is this Makarand Deshpande coming from?' I came from theatre, I did a lot in theatre for those 13 years. And it was like three people coming from three different worlds.' Makarand recalled Ashutosh taking him to Shah Rukh's vanity van and was surprised by how much the superstar knew about his body of work. 'The best thing that Shah Rukh said was, 'You had made a film Danav na?' I had made that one film and I was so pleasantly happy because he knew a lot about what I had done in those 13 years, so it didn't matter that we didn't meet for so many years.' Makarand also recalled another instance of Shah Rukh's generosity. He shared how he needed a close-up shot of the superstar for his small film Shahrukh Bola Khoobsurat Hai Tu, and Shah Rukh readily agreed—without charging anything. Makarand remembered their conversation and said, 'He told me, 'You don't need to spend money, just send your camera man and I will get unit. Then we also used his car.' He also recalled the Swades cameo where he featured in 'Yu Hi Chala Chal' with Shah Rukh. Makarand recalled that Shah Rukh did all the heavy lifting in the song — from driving the trailer to coordinating with the director. 'Saari mehnat uski thi, he had to drive the caravan, talking on walkie-talkie, coordination… I told him you will do everything. I liked that despite being the big star… he (did everything). I would ask for buttermilk from the village, I offered it to him and usne bina kis jhijak ke pee liya (he drank without any hesitation),' he recalled.
News18
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Makrand Deshpande On Jaan Abhi Baaki Hai: 'The Film Doesn't Try To Impress, It Wants...'
Last Updated: Makrand Deshpande opens up about his role in Jaan Abhi Baaki Hai, praising its honesty, emotional depth, and message of truth and resistance. Releases Aug 1. Veteran actor, playwright, and director Makrand Deshpande—known for his versatile performances in acclaimed films such as Swades, Satya, Makdee, Malang, and RRR—is set to appear in the upcoming emotional drama Jaan Abhi Baaki Hai, slated for release on August 1. Directed by Satyajeet and produced by IJM Productions, the film explores love, family, and the bittersweet ache of nostalgia through the eyes of small-town India. Speaking about what drew him to the project, Deshpande shared that it was the 'honesty" of Satyajeet—both as a writer and a director—that moved him. 'That alone was enough to convince me to be part of the project," he said. 'There was something raw and real in the way the story was told. It didn't try to impress; it simply wanted to be heard. And that sincerity was refreshing." Known for his grounded performances, Deshpande revealed that his preparation for the film didn't involve any elaborate process. 'I didn't do anything specific. My approach is always rooted in honesty and truthfulness. I don't believe in layering performances unnecessarily—if you trust the moment, the moment takes care of you," he said. 'And in this film, every scene had its own pulse, its own truth to respond to." One particular moment that left a lasting impression on the actor was a scene involving the Indian national flag. 'That moment, holding the national flag of our country while being filmed, really stood out," Deshpande recalled. 'There was a deep emotional undercurrent that I hadn't anticipated. It stayed with me long after the scene was done." The actor also praised the film's cast and the sheer audacity of its vision. 'The young cast really impressed me—they actually fit the age group they were playing, which rarely happens. I also admire the fact that someone from outside the industry took on the challenge of making this film. It takes a lot of heart and fearlessness to do that," he said. He added that the trailer carried 'scale, energy, and conviction," and that he 'absolutely loves the title of the film." But what does Deshpande hope audiences take away from Jaan Abhi Baaki Hai? 'It's the resistance for truth that I want the audience to feel," he said. 'In today's times, standing up for what's right isn't easy—but it's necessary. If the film can ignite even a small spark of that courage in someone, I believe we've done our job." Jaan Abhi Baaki Hai features a talented ensemble including Pranjal Shandilya, Swapnil Singh, Brijendra Kala, Rajesh Jais, Rohit Pathak, Ashok Kumar Beniwal, and the late Bikramjeet Kanwarpal. With its heartfelt storytelling, grounded performances, and emotional honesty, the film promises to be a poignant exploration of identity, love, and the quiet resistance found in everyday life. First Published: July 20, 2025, 19:51 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Shah Rukh Khan injured while filming for King, flown to US for treatment, resting in UK: report
Shah Rukh Khan has suffered a back injury on the sets of his upcoming film, King. The actor, who was last seen in Rajkumar Hirani's Dunki, has been working on his next film with director Siddharth Anand and was reportedly shooting in Mumbai when the injury happened. According to India Today, the actor travelled to the US for treatment. Now, he has relocated to the UK, where he is recovering. He is accompanied with his family. A source told the publication that the injury is minor and the actor is recovering well. However, the filming of the action thriller is currently halted and will resume in September. Due to the injury, SRK's planned trip to Sri Lanka has also been postponed. This is the second time when the actor has injured his back. Previously, during the making of Boney Kapoor's 2002 film Shakti, the actor hurt his back. At that time, he was operated in a hospital in the UK. He was diagnosed with prolapsed disc. He eventually opted for an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery which had a disc inserted in his spine. Soon after, he shot for Ashutosh Gowariker's Swades. Recalling an incident from the set where he dropped him from his bike, his co-star Daya Shankar Panday told Friday Talkies, 'This was the same time when Shah Rukh Khan was suffering from severe back pain. So much that he had a physio on set.' ALSO READ | Allu Arjun can't be blamed for fan's death during Pushpa premiere, says Vishnu Manchu: 'Watching people scream gives you a high' Previously, the actor incurred a major injury on sets of Yash Chopra's Darr. He fractured his three ribs and left knee. He had also suffered an injury on the sets of Rakesh Roshan's film Koyla. The knee injury worsened during the making of the 2011 film Ra-One. He had to undergo a surgery to ease the pain. In 2007, he injured his left shoulder during the shooting of an action scene in Dulha Mil Gaya. The same shoulder was injured once again when he was shooting for Karan Johar's 2008 film, My Name Is Khan. In 2013, he hurt his shoulder badly for which he had to undergo a surgery. He was treated in London. King, directed by Siddharth Anand, will also feature Shah Rukh Khan's daughter, Suhana Khan. This will mark her big-screen debut after her debut film The Archies on Netflix. Apart from Suhana, the film also stars actors Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Anil Kapoor and Abhay Verma in important roles.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
James Gunn gets his Superman right, he's awesome and predictable all at the same time
The cinema hall was filled with quite a varied demographic — Kids who were over the moon when handed the 3D glasses, parents who were glad they could take some time off from their work, and some random wanderers who were wary about DC taking another crack at the most iconic character of all time (sorry Batman). But James Gunn achieved something in the first 5 minutes of the film, which the previous films didn't even aim for — the need to show this all-powerful alien as just a human being, flawed, weak, broken, but determined. Superman stands for hope, and David Corenswet shoves so much of it down your throat that you finally understand why every kid who ever pretends to be a superhero wears the red cape; it's like why every kid always draws a red race car. Because Superman is the original saviour, and everyone after that is just an imitation (I mean, Homelander is just Superman from Injustice). Gunn and Corenswet made no attempt at reinventing the wheel; all they did was tell the story which has existed forever about the man in the sky who looks over all of us. When we first see Superman zoom through icebergs and blast off towards Metropolis, something changes within the viewer. Suddenly you aren't the accountant for that big firm, or a critic (yours truly), or someone worried about the presentation they have to give tomorrow. You turn into a kid, a child who wants nothing else but to become that person on the screen because the narrative pulls at certain rusted strings of your heart. Gunn's obsession with leaving nothing to the imagination and putting it all out there works spectacularly, portraying a very human Superman without relying on Clark Kent. It is a commendable feat. He doesn't need to take off his cape for you to believe that he is vulnerable. The suit, the single twirled hair strand, and the character's inherent need for saving everyone (I mean, he dived towards the ground at supersonic speed to save a squirrel), all these things make up a very convincing argument that we never needed a shirtless Henry Cavill looking for clothes (he stole those, by the way; no one talks about that). Cavill was great, and his charisma as a supreme metahuman will forever be appreciated, but I think it's time to acknowledge the fact that the narratives were never able to handle his gravitas. He was the singular part of the frame which made sense, and everything around him was just underwhelming. ALSO READ: Justin Bieber album Swag review: Bieber needs to take notes from Pritam and keep it simple Gunn already knows that people will show up for Superman; it's like Indian producers betting on Shah Rukh Khan. If he is in the film, people will come because, well, it's the guy from Swades (probably not what people say), and Gunn knows that he doesn't need to build any more hype; what he needs to do is elevate everything around the character. Lois, the Justice Gang, the perfectly written character of Jimmy Olsen and, of course, the mad scientist Lex Luthor – these are all characters that don't take anything away from Superman but rather add to his lore. They help make the story more layered and feasible; they help you connect with the audience. In a child's mind, Lex becomes the guy your parents tell you about when they need you to sleep; Mr Terrific becomes your best friend who sits with you in school; Lois is the love of your life, and in turn, you become Clark Kent and Kal-El at the same time, ready to take flight right there in the cinema hall. The gripping story, which jumps from act to act as swiftly as turning the page of a comic, is paired with amazing songs, which, in all honesty, was expected of Gunn. Music is one of the most important instruments in film, as it can express so much without words, and understanding that was one of this film's greatest assets, as the original Superman theme by John Williams plays in all the perfect moments, and the scale of the composition changes with the scene and what is required. You can't just slap the same theme everywhere, but if you play around with the number of instruments and tweak the pomp and frills for the more subtle moments, you have in your hand a fits-all-size background score. As Superman takes on Ultraman, The Engineer, a Kaiju from Pacific Rim, and Luthor himself, he tries to balance his complicated relationship with Lois Lane (the Gen Z were truly dialled in during this), and both David and Rachel Broshanan pull off the iconic interview scene insanely well as they give an insight into the minds of both a journalist and a superhero, who think they are doing the right thing, as their respective definitions tear through their actual relationship. But we do get to see a more hands-on Lois, as she teams up with Mister Terrific and does her best to save her beau, and Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific is a superhero performance for the ages. Remember how I told you that Gunn made Superman better by elevating everything and everyone around him? Well, Mister Terrific was the main ingredient of that perfect dish. He is quick and smart and does not shy away from acknowledging his own greatness, and his narcissism doesn't seem all that bad when you pair him up with a character like Guy Gardner, played by Nathan Fillion. The star who has voiced several animated characters in the past, some with a connection to the superhero world, achieved the full-of-himself persona of Guy right to the tee. Guy, in some ways, is like the Peacemaker; he wants justice to be served but cannot for the life of him think about anything apart from that. His beliefs of what is right and wrong are somewhat skewed, but he still tries his best to expand his sensibilities (even though that bowl cut makes it pretty hard). ALSO READ: Jurassic World Rebirth movie review: Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey film keeps heart both pounding and beating Now this film also has some of the classic superhero movie problems that arise in all narratives that deal with powerful individuals muddling the line between being a hero and playing a god. Jarhanpur, which is a fictional country from DC Comics, is 'saved' by Superman, an act that lays the foundation of the entire story, but the portrayal of the people of the country is problematic. Tattered clothes, crippling poverty, and that trademark yellow tint, which makes the entire thing kind of questionable. Now one could argue that Gunn was trying to adhere to the original literature, but could he have handled it in a more tasteful way? Definitely. This brings us to the biggest problem with the movie, and, in my opinion, the only one) — Gunn makes no attempt at reinventing the wheel and stuck to what he knew about the characters, which in turn did something the director was probably not hoping for. Because the film feels like a comic book issue, it's predictable and linear, as there are no real twists or moments that make you wonder whether Superman will be able to beat the odds. Then because the director has to focus on several different characters, trying to give any real depth to any one of them is difficult. In Gunn's attempt to tackle such a famous story and character, he ends up making a film which creates problems for itself. You feel like a kid while watching it, but you soon realise that maybe adulthood is better. You love the various different characters, but all of these great heroes and villains are taken away from you too soon. Maybe this story could have been a duology; maybe this movie just wanted to give us context about the new DC. Even so, with all its flaws and problems, Superman comes off as a genuine attempt; ironically, Gunn can be accused of trying to be something his protagonist wants to be, a human. A human being who keeps making mistakes but still doesn't feel like stopping. It's an engaging watch and, in my opinion, just the thing DC needs to kick things off in this new era. People seem to forget that the previous reigns made multiple films, both stand-alone and ensemble, and still couldn't get it right, so you can't really complain when the new kid on the team fails to complete his century while the veterans struggled to even get off the mark. It's supposed to be entertaining, and it does a beautiful job at that, and I am sure that Gunn and DC are going to figure out the cracks in the system soon.
