Manjari Fadnis speaks to Saswati Sanyal about her time out from Bollywood and how she is busy soaking up the praise
She played the doe eyed beauty, Meghna to Imran Khan in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na.
Spotted and cast by Arindam Choudhary for her debut film Rok Sako Toh Rok Lo, this finalist Channel V popstar likes to take a step at a time. Away from the limelight for more than four years, Pune girl Manjari Fadnis doesn't regret the time spent away from the arc lights. "There was so much that kept me busy. I took up dancing classes, watched a whole load of films, so I could be back with a bang when the right role came along my way."
At a time when contacts and networking decide the casting for a film, doesn't she mind being just two films old in the industry when there were choices galore? "Well, whatever I had been offered so far wasn't at all interesting. Actually, I don't want to go wrong in my career decisions. It's okay for me to do less films than be associated with bad ones," Fadnis reveals with a smile.
Ask her about the camaraderie she shared with her co-stars on the sets of Jaane Tu.. and pat comes the reply, "We were sent for workshops to Panchgani where Aamir was also shooting for his Taare Zameen Pe. We were asked to address each other by our character names and initially that led to a lot of confusion. We would often forget to respond and that would lead to a major laughter session. The truth is we were actually in awe of Aamir's shooting which was going on simultaneously there. Genelia and I got along like a house on fire and Imran is a huge prankster. Initially I had thought he was the quieter types, but soon realized how wrong I was. We would crack up at his jokes and Abbas would give us angry looks to get us back on track."
Meghna in Jaane Tu.. plays a deeply emotional character in denial. She touched the audience's hearts as much as Jai's (Imran Khan). Even as the bouquets pour in, one wonders if it wasn't tough to understand the complex character? The lady takes a deep breath before saying, "Meghna is me. She is a positive person who takes on whatever comes her way with a smile. In fact, I could associate with her feelings which were so raw. She is a scarred person from within and yet she tries to be whole all the time. Her conflicting feelings struck a chord with me."
But wasn't all this emotionally tormenting for her while getting into the role? "It's all thanks to Abbas; his script was so fabulous that we didn't have to do any homework at all. We were spoon fed everything, every thought, every action was spelt out to us to the T. How Meghna thinks, what she thought about most of the time, what her body language conveys, everything was taught to me," she says.
Non-committal about the future, Fadnis says she's open to doing bold albeit meaty roles. "Bollywood has changed so much in the last few years, the concept of a lead role has almost vanished. Now it's all about characters and who makes the maximum impact to the audience. Right now, I won't think about being bold or anything, I just want to play safe," Fadnis offers.
Meghna's introduction in Jaane Tu.. is the actor's favourite scene, one that makes her feel beautiful inside out. "It's so ironic, that scene where she looks so sensitive and ethereal when Jai spots her for the first time and the vulnerability of the character, it's a wonderful moment in the film," recalls Fadnis a tad wistfully.
So what is her next project? "Well, I will just wait it out," she winks.
Sash
Friday, February 13, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
"I am not a social activist" says Aamir
Aamir Khan talks about films, politics, books and the special feeling about being an Indian.
You can run, but you can’t ignore the magic that runs in the air while he is around. The ‘thinking actor’, Aamir Khan, doesn’t need any introduction. His work speaks a lot about him. Aamir’s films 1947: Earth, Sarfarosh, Lagaan, Mangal Pandey — The Rising, Rang De Basanti, Fanaa, Taare Zameen Par and of course, Ghajini, show his ability to experiment as an actor in a world full of ‘formulas.’
Considered as one of the most ambitious Indian actors, Aamir has always made an effort to raise the bar. According to him, his belief in doing things differently has come a long way, “I don’t do different things; I try to do it in a different manner. I think every person should follow his/her dream and try and make it possible to create an ability to achieve it, backed by its practicality. There are hurdles in everybody’s life!”
Talking about the success his so called “different” movies have achieved, he says, “I think, the audience has really changed as they want to see a variety of cinema. Today’s movie-goers have matured and are practical. They don’t want the stereotyped stuff to be played and that’s why films with unusual subjects are being hugely appreciated and accepted.” Interestingly, the end result doesn’t really matter much for him.
He confirms, “For me, the process is more important, more joyful. I would like to have my entire concentration on the process right from the first step. But I would like to add, I am not a multi-tasker. I concentrate to focus my efforts on one task at a time.” The actor is famous for his views on a number of subjects like the Narmada issue, the Olympic Torch relay or the terror attacks in Mumbai last year.
“I am not a social activist. I feel if there’s any issue I feel strongly about, I should give a voice to it. Will I take up other issues in future? Yes, if and when I feel like.” Ask him what/who inspires him and he is quick to respond, “Gandhiji is one person who inspires me!” Currently shooting for 3 Idiots, Aamir is enjoying his stay in Bangalore. He adds with a laugh, “I am having a great time shooting at IIM Bangalore. Since I am also staying on the campus, I save on travel time and as a result I am finally getting time to sleep! Raju Hirani is an absolute delight to work with and so are the rest of the cast and crew.
In IIM, Bangalore, I play badminton and chess with the students. It’s fun!” His passion for cricket was well noticed when he was spotted with Sachin Tendulkar at the IPL matches last year, but not many would know about Aamir’s well-thumbed, eclectic collection of books ranging from P.G. Wodehouse, Gore Vidal, Mushirul Hasan’s volume on the Partition, Vijay Nambisan’s take on Bihar, Salman Rushdie’s The Ground Beneath Her Feet, Pico Iyer’s Falling Off The Map to a collection of the masterpieces of patriotic Urdu poetry that he safely stacks beneath his chessboard! What is he reading right now? “I’m reading a great book called India After Gandhi, by Ramchandra Guha. It is a book on Indian History post 1947. Must say, it’s very informative!”
You can run, but you can’t ignore the magic that runs in the air while he is around. The ‘thinking actor’, Aamir Khan, doesn’t need any introduction. His work speaks a lot about him. Aamir’s films 1947: Earth, Sarfarosh, Lagaan, Mangal Pandey — The Rising, Rang De Basanti, Fanaa, Taare Zameen Par and of course, Ghajini, show his ability to experiment as an actor in a world full of ‘formulas.’
Considered as one of the most ambitious Indian actors, Aamir has always made an effort to raise the bar. According to him, his belief in doing things differently has come a long way, “I don’t do different things; I try to do it in a different manner. I think every person should follow his/her dream and try and make it possible to create an ability to achieve it, backed by its practicality. There are hurdles in everybody’s life!”
Talking about the success his so called “different” movies have achieved, he says, “I think, the audience has really changed as they want to see a variety of cinema. Today’s movie-goers have matured and are practical. They don’t want the stereotyped stuff to be played and that’s why films with unusual subjects are being hugely appreciated and accepted.” Interestingly, the end result doesn’t really matter much for him.
He confirms, “For me, the process is more important, more joyful. I would like to have my entire concentration on the process right from the first step. But I would like to add, I am not a multi-tasker. I concentrate to focus my efforts on one task at a time.” The actor is famous for his views on a number of subjects like the Narmada issue, the Olympic Torch relay or the terror attacks in Mumbai last year.
“I am not a social activist. I feel if there’s any issue I feel strongly about, I should give a voice to it. Will I take up other issues in future? Yes, if and when I feel like.” Ask him what/who inspires him and he is quick to respond, “Gandhiji is one person who inspires me!” Currently shooting for 3 Idiots, Aamir is enjoying his stay in Bangalore. He adds with a laugh, “I am having a great time shooting at IIM Bangalore. Since I am also staying on the campus, I save on travel time and as a result I am finally getting time to sleep! Raju Hirani is an absolute delight to work with and so are the rest of the cast and crew.
In IIM, Bangalore, I play badminton and chess with the students. It’s fun!” His passion for cricket was well noticed when he was spotted with Sachin Tendulkar at the IPL matches last year, but not many would know about Aamir’s well-thumbed, eclectic collection of books ranging from P.G. Wodehouse, Gore Vidal, Mushirul Hasan’s volume on the Partition, Vijay Nambisan’s take on Bihar, Salman Rushdie’s The Ground Beneath Her Feet, Pico Iyer’s Falling Off The Map to a collection of the masterpieces of patriotic Urdu poetry that he safely stacks beneath his chessboard! What is he reading right now? “I’m reading a great book called India After Gandhi, by Ramchandra Guha. It is a book on Indian History post 1947. Must say, it’s very informative!”
'Victory' director miffed with critics
IANS 'Victory' should have been reviewed by cricket lovers:
Subhash K. Jha
Mumbai, Feb 12 (IANS) Miffed with critics for panning his "Victory", director Ajitpal Mangat alleges that his film was badly treated by reviewers as they disliked cricket and the lead actor Hurman S. Baweja."Critics are very important nowadays when watching a film is such an expensive thing. And, I think, a film about cricket should've been reviewed by critics who at least didn't dislike the game,"
Mangat told IANS in an interview. "Most reviews are talking about Hurman's performance. There's more to 'Victory' than the leading man's performance. My film shouldn't have been panned just because Hurman's first film didn't do well. You can't poison the audiences' mind against the film," he added. The debutant director asserted that top-notch cricketers were impressed with the cricket scenes. "Some critics said the cricket scenes were not shot well. That's not what Yuvraj Singh, Jayasurya and Sachin Tendulkar said," Mangat said.
Excerpts: Q: How much do you think Zoya Akhtar's "Luck By Chance" affected your film?
A: Honestly, I thought my film won't get affected because we belonged to different genres. But I was apprehensive about the two heroes (Hurman and Farhan Akhtar) being compared.
Q: You mean because both Hurman and Farhan were doing their post-debut films?
A: Yes, and compared unfavourably. But for reasons completely unknown to me the critics decided to take off on my film. Why? Because I'm not from the industry and I don't fraternise with big stars? My film shouldn't have been panned just because Hurman's first film didn't do well. Most reviews are talking about Hurman's performance. There's more to 'Victory' than the leading man's performance. You can't poison audiences' mind against the film.
Q: You're giving too much important to reviewers?
A: Critics are very important nowadays when watching a film is such an expensive thing. And I think a film about cricket should've been reviewed by critics who at least didn't dislike the game.
Q: So what worked against your film, cricket or Hurman?
A: I definitely think it was Hurman. Some critics said the cricket scenes were not shot well. That's not what Yuvraj Singh, Jayasurya and Sachin Tendulkar said. I had told Hurman that the critics would be very harsh because I'm an outsider. They hate my lead actor for some reason.
Q: So you think "Victory" would've been better received without Hurman?
A: I can't say that. All I can say is I'm happy I chose him. Hurman is a fine actor and he has done the cricket scenes very effectively. Sections decided to hate the film even before seeing it.
Q: Apparently you and Hurman were at loggerheads during the film's making?
A: Not true at all. We had absolutely no problem with one another. I don't know why my film was punished. I don't belong to a film family. I don't know about the workings of the industry. I thought filmmaking was only about making a film. Whoever has seen "Victory" has liked it. Unfortunately, not enough people were encouraged to see the film. The critics were terribly harsh on me.
Q: Do you think "Luck By Chance" was treated too kindly?
A: I haven't seen Zoya's film. I'm sure she has made a good film. But why was my film rammed? All of us have slogged hard on "Victory". Why are you ripping it when I know I've made a good film? Just because my film doesn't have a superstar in the lead? Just because my actors are not media savvy? Just because I'm not close to powerful sections of the industry and don't wine and dine with the who's who? Whatever the reason, I'm very hurt. I made a film on cricket and we all love the game. So why slam a film on the game? IANS
Subhash K. Jha
Mumbai, Feb 12 (IANS) Miffed with critics for panning his "Victory", director Ajitpal Mangat alleges that his film was badly treated by reviewers as they disliked cricket and the lead actor Hurman S. Baweja."Critics are very important nowadays when watching a film is such an expensive thing. And, I think, a film about cricket should've been reviewed by critics who at least didn't dislike the game,"
Mangat told IANS in an interview. "Most reviews are talking about Hurman's performance. There's more to 'Victory' than the leading man's performance. My film shouldn't have been panned just because Hurman's first film didn't do well. You can't poison the audiences' mind against the film," he added. The debutant director asserted that top-notch cricketers were impressed with the cricket scenes. "Some critics said the cricket scenes were not shot well. That's not what Yuvraj Singh, Jayasurya and Sachin Tendulkar said," Mangat said.
Excerpts: Q: How much do you think Zoya Akhtar's "Luck By Chance" affected your film?
A: Honestly, I thought my film won't get affected because we belonged to different genres. But I was apprehensive about the two heroes (Hurman and Farhan Akhtar) being compared.
Q: You mean because both Hurman and Farhan were doing their post-debut films?
A: Yes, and compared unfavourably. But for reasons completely unknown to me the critics decided to take off on my film. Why? Because I'm not from the industry and I don't fraternise with big stars? My film shouldn't have been panned just because Hurman's first film didn't do well. Most reviews are talking about Hurman's performance. There's more to 'Victory' than the leading man's performance. You can't poison audiences' mind against the film.
Q: You're giving too much important to reviewers?
A: Critics are very important nowadays when watching a film is such an expensive thing. And I think a film about cricket should've been reviewed by critics who at least didn't dislike the game.
Q: So what worked against your film, cricket or Hurman?
A: I definitely think it was Hurman. Some critics said the cricket scenes were not shot well. That's not what Yuvraj Singh, Jayasurya and Sachin Tendulkar said. I had told Hurman that the critics would be very harsh because I'm an outsider. They hate my lead actor for some reason.
Q: So you think "Victory" would've been better received without Hurman?
A: I can't say that. All I can say is I'm happy I chose him. Hurman is a fine actor and he has done the cricket scenes very effectively. Sections decided to hate the film even before seeing it.
Q: Apparently you and Hurman were at loggerheads during the film's making?
A: Not true at all. We had absolutely no problem with one another. I don't know why my film was punished. I don't belong to a film family. I don't know about the workings of the industry. I thought filmmaking was only about making a film. Whoever has seen "Victory" has liked it. Unfortunately, not enough people were encouraged to see the film. The critics were terribly harsh on me.
Q: Do you think "Luck By Chance" was treated too kindly?
A: I haven't seen Zoya's film. I'm sure she has made a good film. But why was my film rammed? All of us have slogged hard on "Victory". Why are you ripping it when I know I've made a good film? Just because my film doesn't have a superstar in the lead? Just because my actors are not media savvy? Just because I'm not close to powerful sections of the industry and don't wine and dine with the who's who? Whatever the reason, I'm very hurt. I made a film on cricket and we all love the game. So why slam a film on the game? IANS
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