Television actor Sara Khan, known for her show Dhoond Legi Manzil, will now be seen on the big screen

Sara Khan who will be seen in comedy films Aman Ki Asha and Maaya, Vanilla and Strawberries, says while she enjoys the genre, she would like to play a serious role as well. “Comedy is an interesting genre. I have finished two comedy films. I enjoyed it. But I want to take up something very challenging and play a very serious character,” said she.

Aman Ki Asha has been directed by Neeraj Pandey and stars Ali Zafar and Yami Gautam. Sara Khan said that she plays Yami’s sister in the film. “I was in Singapore and someone called me saying that that I am apt (for playing) Yami’s sister. I told them that I don’t play character artists. But they said I could call it a parallel lead. I found the character very interesting. It is a Neeraj Pandey story and I said that I would try it,” she said.

The film has been shot in London, which is the actor’s hometown. This made it more enjoyable for her. “I was brought up in London and the entire shoot was in London. We were there for a month. I loved the experience. We finished our schedule in 22 days. We faced a lot of challenges. But it was a very good experience,” she said.

She will also be seen in Maaya, Vanilla and Strawberries, which stars Fukrey actor Ali Fazal and has been directed by Ravi Rai.

Talking about the kind of roles she would want to play in her future films, Khan said she is looking for performance-oriented characters. “In movies, I would like to go for something like Devdas or Dor. That is something challenging. Everyone does glamorous roles. It is tough to get something which is completely acting-oriented. Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit, Shabana Azmi used to play these roles so beautifully,” she said.

The two hotties appeared on the May covers of Hello! and Filmfare and raised temperatures with their super gorgeous avatars

Ali Zafar is not exactly the macho type. Watch him in Mere Brother Ki Dulhan and other films like Chashme Baddoor and London, Paris, New York and you will know what we are talking about. Very guy next door-ish, Zafar challenged people who so far believed that the cutie couldn’t get into the garb of a toughie. And guess what! He looks very rugged as he makes a perfect style choice for beating the scorching summer heat. How? He gives us the formula: simply go topless, pose in a way that presents a cool view of your muscles and sport those uber stylish aviators – isn’t Zafar looking sexy!

The two actors are not their usual selves on the covers of these glossies, and that makes the covers different from the rest….

David Dhawan’s remake of the 1981 classic comedy has not only won brownie points from the critics, but also managed to make impressive moolah in the first three days of its release

David Dhawan is back and how! The veteran filmmaker has proved once again that he has it in him to entertain the audiences, especially the youth even today. And he’s laughing all the way to the bank! Though the Ali Zafar-Siddharth-Divyendu Sharma starrer Chashme Baddoor was promoted well, it was quite difficult to predict how the movie would perform at the box office, considering the original Chashme Buddoor released on the same day and the ongoing IPL 6 craze too could’ve been detrimental to the film’s growth. But nothing of that sort happened – the film opened to positive response on the first day and the business witnessed an upward trend from Friday evening onwards.

Made at a budget of Rs 17 crores, the comedy flick produced by Viacom 18 Motion Pictures collected Rs 4.86 crores on Friday, Rs 5.76 crores on Saturday and Rs 8.12 crores on Sunday. Leading exhibitor-distributor, Akshaye Rathi feels, “David Dhawan’s comedy flick has become the surprise of the season! For the starcast it has, the film has outperformed the (fairly big) expectations that the industry had from it by making about Rs 18.74 crores over the weekend. Besides, its old school style of comedy is being appreciated unanimously across multiplexes and single screens by the youth and families alike at a pan-India level, which will ensure that it turns out to be a lambi race ka ghoda and has a glorious run over the next couple of weeks!”

With no major movies releasing in the coming weeks and positive word of mouth, Chashme Baddoor is expected to rake in decent moolah at the box office. Watch this space for more updates!

Photos: Yogen Shah

Bollywood’s comedy king shows us just why he is called that, with a fun remake of Sai Paranjpye’s classic

What? David Dhawan does not want to make comedies anymore? Yup, that’s what he told us just before the release of his latest comic caper, Chashme Baddoor. Wethinks Dhawan should change his mind! For he has delivered a super entertainer in the remake of Sai Paranjpye‘s 1981 hit, Chashme Buddoor. The film bears the Dhawan-Govinda stamp all over, and could’ve been just another one of his slapstick comedies with any other name, although the plot is more or less similar to the original.

Sid (Ali Zafar), Jai (Siddharth) and Omi (Divyendu Sharma) are three perpetually broke lukkha college friends and roommates who are wooing the same girl, Seema (Taapsee Pannu). While Sid is the calm and studious type, Jai is an all-out perv and Omi the shaayar is similar, too. Of course, all three are ‘good at heart’. Seema keeps escaping to her daadi‘s Goa home to avoid an arranged marriage, and the story unfolds in Goa with many funny situations, parodies and a predictable ending.

Writer Renuka Kunzru has done a decent job of adapting the screenplay into a modern one, but the nuances of the classic are just not to be found. The new version is a loud romcom – a far cry from Paranjpye’s subtle one.

But in Dhawan’s film, the dialogues are the hero – actually funny and not just trying to be. Writers Sajid-Farhad have shown tremendous talent here. The witty – and sometimes crude but not cheap – lines keep the audiences entertained even when the film slows down in parts and gets monotonous. Editing by Nitin Rokade is bang on, except at one place when a ‘sher’ is cut abruptly.

Ali Zafar returns in a comedy after the 2011 hit Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, except this time, he gets the girl. He gives a restrained performance and is easy on the eye. But does he match up to the youthful charm of the handsome Farooq Shaikh in the original? Far from it! Siddharth’s acting is decent, but he seems more at home with his intense performances like the ones in Rang De Basanti and Striker. But it’s Pyaar Ka Punchnama actor Divyendu Sharma who steals the show as the shaayar. This boy delivers a punch in almost every line and every scene, standing tall among the other actors who come with some experience. Hats off to him!

Zafar, Sharma and Siddharth obviously have worked on their tuning and show great camaraderie. As for the chemistry between Ali and Southern hottie Taapsee Pannu, it’s not too happening and maybe it was supposed to be that way.

Taapsee, a real-life software engineer, is a natural PYT, but there’s nothing memorable in her performance except maybe the line ‘Dum hai, boss!’, and her bike riding. She does merge into the comedic situations well, to her credit. But Deepti Naval’s Miss Chamko is not what Taapsee is reprising. In fact, it’s the exact opposite of her character.

Rishi Kapoor as Joseph Furtado is nothing like Chashme Buddoor‘s lovable Lallan Miyan (Saeed Jaffrey), but Furtado charms you and has some of the best lines. So does Lillette Dubey as the boys’ landlady, Josephine. Kapoor and Dubey’s romance is more endearing and it could’ve had some more meat. And strangely, the famous Chamko sequence between the lead pair in the 1981 film is here used in Joseph and Josephine’s parallel love story. Really, was it even needed? You don’t need to take everything from the original just for the sake of it, do you?

The other veterans in the cast, Anupam Kher (in a double role) and Bharti Achrekar are spot-on with their comedy.

It seems like David Dhawan knew all along what Vidya Balan’s Silk told us in The Dirty Picture – that it’s all about entertainment, entertainment and entertainment. And Chashme Baddoor is entertainment at full blast! But don’t watch it if you hold the original movie too close to your heart.

The ‘No.1’ filmmaker talks about his new-age comedy film, kids – Varun and Rohit, why the Judwaa remake didn’t materialise, his fondness for Karan Johar and Govinda, remakes, sequels and much more!

David Dhawan’s Chashme Baddoor (CB) opens this Friday, but he’s as relaxed as ever. The filmmaker’s funda is quite simple – If one film doesn’t do well, there’s always another one to look forward to, and that’s the simple law of average! As promised, here’s part 2 of the interview with the ‘No.1’ director. Excerpts:

You’re known to work with only A-listers, unlike Karan Johar, who launched not one but three newcomers in Student Of The Year. Is this the Karan effect – you working with young actors in Chashme Baddoor?

Hats off to Karan! Kai Po Che! also had new actors. Naye actors ko chance dena chahiye. Someone has to do it, right? Rajshri’s gave Salman Khan Maine Pyaar Kiya. After making movies all these years you feel there’s nothing left to prove.

So aren’t you bored of making only comedy films?

I am, but when you see CB you’ll know I have done something different, even though it’s a comedy. The film has a unique charm. And let me tell you I’ve made this film in a holiday, masti mood, but without compromising on the script.

Why didn’t you cast Varun (Dhawan) in CB? There are rumours that he’s doing a cameo in the film…

Varun was already busy working on his debut film. I’m directing a film for him this year produced by Ekta Kapoor and Rohit (Dhawan) will assist me on that. It’s a South remake.

Any filmmaker you wish Varun to work with in his career?

Rajkumar Hirani. He’s a brilliant filmmaker who perfectly blends comedy with emotion. Even Anurag Basu is very good. I hope Varun gets the opportunity to work with these people.

Does he ever discuss his projects with you or seeks your advice?

If he asks me, only then I give it. If you give it without asking, he says, ‘I know what I am doing’. (Laughs) Yeh bhi hota hai! The new generation is different.

Will you direct the Chupke Chupke remake?

No. If at all I want to remake any film, I’ll remake my own films. But then again, I feel apni hi film ka remake kiya toh kya kiya.

The remake of your musical blockbuster Aankhen is also happening…

Yes, producer Pahlaj Nihalani kuch kar rahe hai us film ka.

Why are you not making a sequel to your films?

It’s not easy. Partner could have been a great sequel, but we couldn’t finish the script and we were not happy with whatever work was done on the script. Later, Salman Khan also got busy. Even Judwaa could be a great sequel.

Yeah, but Sajid Khan said he couldn’t take your brand of comedy (Judwaa) forward…

Obviously – It’s not easy! Sajid spoke to me about it. Salman won’t do it now because he wants to do different cinema. It’s difficult to imagine the Judwaa remake without Salman.

Is there a sense of competition between you and your filmmaker son, Rohit?

No, because Rohit is doing films with different sensibilities and I’m doing films with my sensibilities. But he does help me a lot. He’s a well-learned man.

If both Rohit’s and your film get nominated for Best Film at an award ceremony then…

Then there’s competition! (Smiles)

So disagreements happen between you and Rohit? Do you ever guide him if you think he’s taking a wrong step?

On the contrary, he feels I’m wrong (Laughs).

Does it ever happen that you’re halfway through a film, take for instance, Rascals and you realise that it’s not going in the right direction?

Yes, kaafi baar hua hai and that’s suicidal. As far as Rascals is concerned, I felt I picked the wrong script. And working on the wrong script with all your heart is like murde mein jaan daalne wali baat.

Any plans of working with a big star after CB?

Right now my focus is only on making a film with Varun.

Will it be a typical David Dhawan film?

Yes! Uske saath bhi toh ek banani chahiye na? (Laughs) It’s full of comedy, action and drama.

What’s the movie title?

Main Tera Hero

Why don’t you make it Main Tera Hero No 1?

(Laughs) Nahi yaar… that’s reserved only for Govinda!

While the buzz is that Ali Zafar is unable to be a part of the film’s promotions because of visa issues, the actor vehemently denies these rumours

Ali Zafar is quite surprised with reports doing the rounds that he is not able to promote his next film Chashme Baddoor because of visa problems. The Pakistani actor claims that he has faced absolutely no problems when it comes to travelling to India. Things have been pretty much smooth for him and he has always been greeted with great warmth.

But then, what is it that has kept him so busy that he couldn’t spare time for his upcoming release co-starring Divyendu Sharma, Taapsee Pannu and Siddharth; a laugh riot directed by David Dhawan. Well, Ali reveals he had to give the promotional activities a miss because he is busy shooting for his next film, Aman Ki Asha opposite Yami Gautam, directed by E Niwas. Zafar would have been with his Chashme Baddoor team had the movie’s release not been postponed from February to April 2013, and by then he had already given his commitment to the makers of AKA. Well, now you know why the stud is missing from having a gala time with his CB co-stars…

The original Chashme Buddoor star celebrates his 65th birthday today

Farooq Sheikh was born on March 25, 1948. He is a popular actor, television host and a philanthropist. He was born to Mustafa Shaikh, a Mumbai based lawyer and Farida Shaikh, a Parsi in Amroli in Gujarat’s Baroda District near Naswadi village. His involvement was mostly with parallel cinema with directors like Satyajit Ray, Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Ketan Mehta.

He acted in many notable films like Satyajit Ray’s Shatranj Ke Khiladi (1977), Manmohan Krishna’s Noorie (1979), and Sai Paranjpye’s Chashme Buddoor (1981). His most successful paring was with actor Deepti Naval, his co-star in Chashme Buddoor. The film has been remade by funnyman David Dhawan and stars Ali Zafar, Siddharth, Dibyendu Sharma and South hottie Taapsee Pannu. But the gossip mills are rife with stories that both Farooq and Deepti are not very happy with Dhawan’s remake.

Which of these movies will recreate the magic once again on the big screen on April 5? Do tell us what you think, BollywoodLifers!

After a two-year sabbatical, the ‘No.1′ director David Dhawan is back with Chashme Baddoor. The veteran filmmaker talks about his attempt to recreate the original comic caper Chashme Buddoor that re-releases on the same day as the remake, and the controversy surrounding the film. He also chats about his sons Varun and Rohit Dhawan, his favourite stars Salman Khan and Govinda, the Rascals debacle and more…

David Dhawan’s last film Rascals bombed badly at the box office. Has the ‘Nizam of nonsense’ reached the end of his career, asked everyone. To make matters worse, Dhawan himself declared that he shouldn’t have made the film. If that wasn’t enough, the media ruthlessly trashed his work, saying his jokes no longer evoked the laughter they did a few years ago. Perhaps the signs were lit up then – his films with favourites Govinda, Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt didn’t set the cash registers ringing. And since DD himself admitted some time ago that he needed to reinvent his style of filmmaking, he is set to prove himself all over again with his ‘old wine in a new bottle’ formula – the remake of Chashme Buddoor (CB). We had a free-wheeling chat-a-thon with the funny man…

Why a Chashme Baddoor remake?

I was in two minds actually, considering that it’s a 30-year-old film. But when the production house Viacom 18 Motion Pictures asked me if I’d be interested to direct it since they have bought the official rights of the original film, I agreed. I feel the original Chashme Buddoor has a unique charm. It’s not that I’ve made Don or any other classic. Chashme Baddoor is a small film. The film doesn’t have successful and established stars. When you have a big star, you can just incorporate four dumdaar scenes, good songs, one item number, good action scenes and that’s it … picture nikal jaati hai. Also, today’s energy and pace is different. I’ve made Chashme Baddoor in a holiday, masti mood, but without compromising on the script.

Your brand of comedy is different. Was it difficult to adapt to today’s style?

I agree, but it wasn’t difficult, because I go with my instinct and we keep rehearsing and improvising scenes on the sets. If you don’t change, the public will change you.

Sai Paranjpye is unhappy with the CB remake – she feels you will not be able to do justice to her classic…

I’m surprised she never told me that, considering we know each other very well. I haven’t robbed anybody’s script. Viacom 18 has bought the official remake rights of the original film. I have just directed the film.

Rakesh Bedi, who was part of Chashme Buddoor recently said in an interview that while directors call their remakes a ‘tribute’, he feels that they lack original content. Comment.

Rakesh is a very dear friend. I’m sure he must have said that! Writing an original script is a lengthy procedure. I know I can do full justice to my own films if I think of remaking them… blockbusters like Raja Babu, Shola Aur Shabnam or Aankhen. There are so many remakes being made of late, take for example Salman’s Wanted, Ready, Bodyguard… even Rowdy Rathore is a South remake, frame by frame. We remake their films, they remake ours. We are very influenced by the West. You cannot chaapo the film as it is. You have to rewrite it and add new things.

Who do you think can be another Govinda or Salman from today’s generation?

I doubt if there can be another Salman or Govinda. The benchmark they have set is too high. Ek sadi mein ek Govinda aur ek Salman aate hain.

Why don’t you make a new film with Chi Chi?

Not now, because he’s busy and I’m also busy with Varun and Rohit… I need to focus on them too.

Varun is considered one of B-town’s youngest and popular heartthrobs and has lot of potential as an actor. Do you think he can be the next Salman Khan?

That he has to prove…

Is there a sense of competition between you and Rohit?

No, because Rohit is doing films with different sensibilities and I’m doing films with my sensibilities. But he does help me a lot. He’s a well-learned man.

Any ‘number 1’ films from you?

It’s just a title. Had we not selected the title Chashme Baddoor, there wouldn’t be so much discussion on it (laughs). The original film is re-releasing on the same day, but before you ask me, let me tell you, I’m not worried. I wish both the films do well at the box office.

Were you disheartened with the Rascals debacle?

Not really, yaar. I wasn’t disappointed. Ajay Devgn and Sanjay Dutt‘s roles were meant for young actors – that’s where I made a mistake. Bahot mehnat se banayi picture lekin.

Watch this space for David Dhawan interview – Part 2!