SCOOPS: Shahid and Arjun Kapoor in the running for 'Sharaabi', Taapsee Pannu has no regrets

After Kedarnath, filmmaker Abhishek Kapoor is currently busy putting together his next project. The Kai Po Che! director is making a film titled Sharaabi and although much details on the film aren’t known, reports suggested that Shahid Kapoor has been approached for the male lead’s part. But, we hear, SK has not been locked yet. Instead, Gattu is knocking on someone else’s doors, too, now. “The script has been offered to Arjun Kapoor as well. After Abhishek has a discussion with both the actors, he will decide on who would be the most appropriate Sharaabi for his film.” Till then, let the musical chairs continue!

Vidyut Jamwal presented two trophies at the DNA FPH Winners in Life Awards presented by DNA and FPH (Fellowship for the Physically Handicapped). The actor gave away laurels in the Corporate & PSU category, to Big Bazaar for incorporating accessible design principles in their stores and the Central Railway for being disabled-friendly. The ceremony felicitated differently-abled achievers as well as those who have supported them in overcoming challenges posed by their physical handicap.

Vidyut Jammwal, who is otherwise known as a tough guy with his sinewy physique and unique action sequences, showcased his gentle side at the DNA FPH Winners In Life Awards held recently. While celebrities are often in a hurry to leave, the Junglee actor not only enjoyed stand-up comedian Rajiv Thakur’s funny turn, but later also called him back on stage to boost his morale.  

Talking about the time when he used to fight in rings and come across people who ‘looked’ strong or ‘were stronger’ than him, he said, “Here, I see only strength and I’m glad I could come here and spend some time with you all.” After presenting the awards, Vidyut was patience personified. He also happily posed for and clicked pictures with the differently-abled and their families. He ensured that everyone who requested him for a selfie, went back with a smile.

Location plays a crucial role while shooting a film; it enhances the narrative.  And a seasoned filmmaker like Sujoy Ghosh surely knows that. If you watch the trailer of the crime thriller Badla, which has Amitabh Bachchan and Taapsee Pannu in the lead, you would also have noticed the breathtaking and scenic locations in the United Kingdom, where this film has been shot.  

Usually, it’s Bollywood’s romantic films that look for virgin locations. But Sujoy, who met us soon after the trailer launch, said that he realised how important it was for Badla to be shot in near-perfect locations in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He spoke of the relevance of filming at real locations rather than on sets in Glasgow.  A few portions have also been shot at the highlands of Scotland, Inverness and Aviemore adding to the beauty of the film.

After a while, the audience will be treated to a crime thriller by Sujoy, who excels in this genre. This murder mystery has been raising a great amount of curiosity, especially after watching the terrific interaction between Taapsee and the Big B. 

Badla, presented by Red Chillies Entertainment in association with Azure Entertainment, co-produced by Gaurav Verma and produced by Gauri Khan, Sunir Kheterpal and Akshai Puri, releases on March 8.

Tabu will be honoured at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA), which will take place next month. The actress has already received immense praise for her performance by the critics and the audience alike for her recent film AndhaDhun (2018). 

Previously, too, the powerhouse performer had bowled over the audiences with the unconventional roles that she essayed in films like Astitva (2000), Maqbool (2003), The Namesake (2006), Life of Pi (2012), Haider (2014) and Drishyam (2015) among others. The 17th edition of the festival will be held from April 11 to April 14, in which AndhaDhun will be the opening film. IFFLA will open with a tribute to Tabu and a discussion along with a screening of the Sriram Raghavan directorial.

Bhumi Pednekar has been making news for her social media posts of late. She promoted her last Friday’s release Sonchiriya in a unique way, which was also noticed by the film fraternity, besides the audiences. Considering that director Abhishek Chaubey had decided to keep everything under wraps till the dacoit drama opened in cinemas, the actress used behind-the-scenes stills and videos to create funny memes on herself, which went viral and also got media attention.  

Through the course of the movie’s marketing campaign, Bhumi regularly shared at least four memes on herself every week. While doing her prep for the film, in which she plays a girl from the 1970s in Chambal Valley, she resorted to novel training routines like using the chakki and the chulha, cutting the wheat, etc. to perfect her role. These hatt ke ideas used innovatively with interesting copy was extensively used to connect with the country’s youth who consume film content only on the digital platform.

Last month, Taapsee Pannu stirred a hornet’s nest when she spoke about how she was unceremoniously replaced by Bhumi Pednekar in the Pati Patni Aur Woh remake. Considering that actors normally don’t talk openly about films they’ve turned down, we asked if the Badla actress was perturbed about ruffling some feathers or upsetting the industry folk with her frank speak. “I didn’t do anything wrong. So, why fear? I’m not hitting someone below the belt or targeting someone personally. I’m just honestly saying that what happened was wrong and should not happen even to the people who did this to me,” she said, adding, “I could have called them back over their statements, I could have made it bitter, by putting out proof that I was asked to block dates. But that wasn’t my agenda. I was just calling out a wrong practice. After that, I spoke to the producers and they know what I did was repeat what happened. I’m not scared to say that I don’t regret it and I stand by what I said.”