What other Bollywood stars and stalwarts couldn’t do out West—that is , find an honourable role in a big Hollywood film—Anupam has done many times. His part as a Pakistani father to stand-up comedian-turned-matinee-idol Kumail Nanjiani in the new hit film The Big Sick is earning Anupam renewed accolades all over the world.
Anupam is quite delighted by the attention,no stranger to it no doubt. But some more of it doesn’t hurt.
Nanjiani has been suitably effusive about Anupam.On some of America’s top talk shows Nanjiani has called Anupam a “Bollywood legend” and the “Robert de Niro of Indian cinema.”
And to think that Anupam almost didn’t do The Big Sick.
Recounts Anupam, “There was a problem with the work permit when I reached the US. And we didn’t know what to do next because the entire film was shot in 27 days.”
Anupam got the role of Nanjiani’s father because Nanjiani’s real father was keen on Anupam.
Recounts Anupam, “Kumail asked his father whom he would like to play him. Apparently Kumail’s father said my name without a second thought. But Kumail didn’t know how to get in touch with me and there was no time.The shooting was about to begin. Luckily they got in touch with me through a relative of mine Priyanka Mattoo.”
On hearing how keen they were to get him for the role Anupampersonally rang up Kumail Nanjiani. And what happened next could be the script for a hilarious film.
Says Anupam. “I rang up Kumail and said I was Anupam Kher. He said, “Ok” and hung up. He thought it was a crank call. I called him again and this time told him it was actually me and offered my services. Within no time it was firmed in.”
The big moment for Kumail’s father was when he visited the shooting to meet Anupam. “It was just two days before we wrapped up. Since Kumail’s father was so keen that I play him it was important that we meet. It was a very emotional moment.”
Interestingly Kumail made only one request . “Kumail wanted me to grow a French Beard since his father has one. I gladly complied.”
Anupam was very keen on doing the film. “I loved the idea. Though I had never seen his work I immediately warmed up to KumailNanjiani.And when I got to know I’d get to work with American legends like Holly Hunter and Ray Romano I felt it was one more opportunity to broaden my horizon as an actor, having worked earlier with the likes of Woody Allen,Ang Lee and Robert de Niro.”
Once on board Kher flew to the US, only to be stranded without permission to join the shooting. “There was an issue with my work permit . For 6 out of those 27 shooting days of the film I was stuck in New York without work.We almost thought I wouldn’t be able to do it. But then the permit happened.”
To Anupam’s delight the entire film was shot in a spirit of improvisation. “I suggested some changes and modifications in my character and script. And they were taken in the right script. The whole film was made in the improvisational spirit. Everyone was free to contribute ideas and suggestions.And the director Michael Showalter didn’t feel affronted by the contributions from all of us.”
The Big Sick is a worldwide hit and huge critical success. Anupam is rightly proud of it. “I am also proud of The Silver Linings Playbookwhere I got to share screen space with my idol Robert de Niro. The Big Sick is a very important film. It talks about racism, xenophobia, cultural isolation and the way Muslims are regarded with suspicion and distrust.And it deals with such serious issues with warmth and laughter.I love it.”

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Why On Earth Is Sushmita Sen Smoking A Cigar In Aarya’s First Look?

Season 3 of Aarya is being shot as you read this, and naturally Sushmita Sen is super-kicked about it, so kicked that she has put out a video where she is seen in the best Lady Boss version of herself.
Alarmingly, she is seen puffing away at a cigar, to complete her Badass Lady Boss image.
There was a time when women smoking cigarettes in Hindi cinema signaled vampishness. If a female actor was shown smoking it meant she had evil designs over the hero, and life in general.
Sushmita being Sushmita, a cigarette won’t do. A cigar it is, to go with her formidable image. The last Bollywood actor I saw smoking a cigar on screen was Premnath in the 1970s. Back then so many people didn’t die of cancer by smoking.
These are different far more dangerous and deadly times.
Sushmita is an iconic actor.She needs to be more careful about the image she projects . Smoking a cigar doesn’t enhance a woman’s(or a man’s) muscle power. Nor does it make her look cool.
About shooting for the third season of Aarya Sushmita says, “Aarya is synonymous with my name. I have lived as Aarya for two whole seasons and the love received by the audiences has only encouraged me to do more. Walking on the sets of Aarya Season 3 makes me feel at home and gives me a sense of empowerment. I’m grateful to the entire team at Disney+ Hotstar, Ram Madhvani Films and Endemol Shine India for the vision of creating Aarya and taking it to newer heights with every season.”
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Shah Rukh, Deepika, John Will Meet The Media On Monday At 4 pm(But There’s A Catch)

Pathaan has effectually discredited the efficacy of media interactions to promote a film. The film’s lead actors Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and John Abraham did not conduct any press or portal interviews to promote the film.
And yet Pathaan is a blockbuster.
This weekend the Pathaan producer Aditya Chopra of Yash Raj Films took a call on behalf of the Pathaan team to do one media meet at the Taj Land’s End in Mumbai on Monday January 30 at 4 pm.
The three principal actors and director Siddharth Malhotra will address the media.
But here’s the catch: the media will not be allowed to ask any questions. There will be no Q& A s or one-on-one interactions.This basically means that the Pathaan team will have an opportunity to say what it wants to the media. But the media will have no say.
Make what you will of this one-way traffic.
A source close to Yash Raj informs me that this is the pattern regarding the media that Yash Raj will follow for future releases: no press meets no promotional engagements.
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Fake Projects of Pathaan Director Being Planted In Media

Siddharth Anand Denies Considering Any Project With Deepak Mukut
A word of caution to those marketing and publicity wizkids who think it’s okay to plant fake stories on (fake) projects with the Pathaan director.
It is not.
Such baseless announcements are meant only to raise the equity of the producers with whom Siddharth Anand’s name is linked. One such producer whose name has cropped up after the spectacular success of Pathaan is Deepak Mukut.
There were reports everywhere that Siddharth Anand’s next would be with Mukut.
Turned out to be a false rumour.
A source in the know informs, “Siddharth now has to complete Fighter starring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone for Yash Raj.Then he is committed to direct the sequel to War 2 for Yash Raj films. They will then start work on the next film in the Pathaan franchise. There is no scope or room for any outside projects for Siddharth Anand. So every announcement that you read of a new film to be directed by Siddharth Anand for an outside producer is likely to be a hundred percent fake.”
When I asked Siddharth Anand about the supposed project with producer Deepak Mukut he promptly replied, “NOT AT ALL.”
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Pink Director’s Next Featuring Yami As A Crime Reporter To Stream From February 16

Anniruddha Roy Chowdhury whose Pink featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Taapsee Pannu was one of the most important films of 2016, is all set to release his next Hindi film.
Entitled Lost, Anniruddha’s film , based on true events, will see Yami Gautam Dhar(that’s what the actress calls herself after her marriage) as a crime journalist. LOST is an emotional social thriller that represents a higher quest, a search for lost values of empathy and integrity.
Inspired by true events, Lost is a story of a bright young woman crime reporter in her relentless search for the truth behind the sudden disappearance of a young theatre activist.

Lost
Says Aniruddha “The shoot of LOST has been an incredible journey. I have been eager for the release of our hard-worked venture. The film is a realistic highlight of media in a social context and I am sure that it will give the audience a compelling watch. I am curious about its release and see the responses it shall get. I hope they will welcome it with open hearts.”
Yami Gautam Dhar who plays the lead of the crime reporter says, “I can’t be happier and more proud of the film’s selection for the opening night at CSAFF. I feel like its one that the people will connect to and will be the one that you cannot miss, especially in the current age and time. I have loved playing this role because it was such a special experience, it allowed me to explore so many layers of emotions as an actor and the entire team has worked really hard on it. I genuinely cannot wait for the film’s release, especially to see the reactions of the audience to it.”
The crime investigation drama boasts a stellar cast. Along with Yami, the film will feature Pankaj Kapur, Rahul Khanna, and an ensemble of younger talent, including Neil Bhoopalam, Pia Bajpai, and Tushar Pandey, in pivotal roles.
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