Producer Anurag Kashyap is a relieved man these days after his much-controversial film Udta Punjab managed to do good business at the box office. The filmmaker, however, believes his battle with the Central Board for Films Certification (CBFC) is not yet over. In a conversation with IndianExpress.com before the release of his latest directorial venture Raman Raghav, a psychological thriller, Kashyap shared his opinion on the CBFC, his obsession for making crime-based films and his annoyance over capping of freedom of expression.

Udta Punjab opened to a good response and has done a decent business at the box office. Was this expected after the controversy?

I think we got more business than we expected. And it will be not wrong to say it’s because of the controversy. Everybody became curious about the film. At the same time, it has also lost business because of the piracy. But, nevertheless, it has done well. I am very happy about the fact that it came intact and I think that’s where my role gets over. Now, I am completely focusing on Raman Raghav because it’s my film.

In an interview to a TV channel, Pahlaj Nihlani asked why is it that only films by Anurag Kashyap get stuck in CBFC. Why does CBFC have problems with only your films?

I don’t think CBFC ever had a problem with my films. I think our guidelines were built around certain kind of cinemas. He is the one who needs to change because people (like him) always have issues with anything that is discomforting and is real. Be it Gangs of Wasseypur, Dev D or Gulaal, they never got into any kind of trouble with the CBFC because they all were very intact. It’s a myth that my films get stuck in CBFC.

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Read Also: Why end of drugs will only leave Anurag Kashyap at a loss

But, what about Paanch?
Paanch was cleared by the censor board within eight-nine months. It was cleared by the revising committee. It came out intact and it could not release because the producer didn’t have the money to release it. Similarly, Black Friday was absolutely cleared by the censor board with zero cuts. But the court put a stay on it because the case was subjudice. There is no truth to the myth that my films have problem with the censor board. It’s mostly propagated.

What about your fascination with the subject of crime? Is that the only thing that fascinated you?

I want to say why is the rest of the country fascinated with the cheesy love stories, set in a wonderland. I want to ask why does this country want to watch everything that is not real. Why is it that only when I go out of the country, I find people saying my cinema is cinema. And I think the question needs to be asked to other filmmakers — how do they keep making the same films every time.

But personally why are you so fascinated with only crime. There are other aspects of life.

I am fascinated with anything that is real. Black Friday was not a crime film. Gulaal was a very political film. There is need to look at things. Why is Indian Express only obsessed with truth? Why doesn’t it write any random stories? Why your paper is not like other bullshit paper?

WATCH | Pahlaj Nihalani Is Intellectually Incapable Of The Position He Holds: Anurag Kashyap

It’s a point. But the thing is, Raman Raghav is based on the life of a serial killer. There are other filmmakers who chose subject like Paan Singh Tomar, MS Dhoni or Milkha Singh whose stories are more inspiring. Why is it that their stories don’t inspire Anurag Kashyap, but the life of a criminal does?

Why do we have to make biopic and alter it to turn them into heroes. We falsify biopics. We have not made a biopic which is not falsified. There is always an emotional manipulation in them. They are not real. A person’s journey is always full of rise and fall. But we don’t make it like that. We also condition it to Hindi cinema. There is a massive difference between biopics made here and outside. Why I am fascinated (with the subject of crime) and unapologetic because that is something which nobody will do. There are 10 filmmakers to make a film on Dhoni. But no one will do a film on Raman Raghav. Why don’t people want to engage with other thing. Why do they not want to engage with any thing that is discomforting. Humey bas achha achha dikhao taaki hum believe karey ki hum achhey world me jee rahe hain. Kya hum aise world me nahi hain jahan sab darey huey hain. Are you not living in a world of fear? Why don’t you have the courage to stand up for yourself? (That’s) because we are all being conditioned with everything around us to not stand up and speak what is there. It is an uncomfortable film to watch and it must be because only the discomfort is going to make the change.

Coming back to Pahlaj Nihlani. He says Anurag is a very egoistic man. And I want to point out because the way you yourself delayed the release of your film Ugly because you were not ready to accept the no-smoking warning as suggested by the board. You, after all, lost the battle in court.

Absolutely not. Why should I not fight for what is my right? Which country in this world puts so many disclaimers on a movie? Why is it that my film is responsible for the incompetency of the health ministry? Why can’t they ban ITC from making cigarettes? Why can’t they just ban cigarettes? Because of the revenue. Why is my film carrying that message that they are incapable!

But, see, there is an opening note in Udta Punjab that we all should unite in fight against the drug menace. If you can write that, what is your problem putting a disclaimer?

The opening note or the end note is the disclaimer suggested by Constitution and the censor board. That is what I am saying a film should be without it. Who asks us to put disclaimers? It’s the government. Why are those disclaimers not in many things? Is my film more dangerous? I think every politician must come with a disclaimer that all my promises in elections might not be fulfilled. Will they come with the disclaimer?

Are you also against the pictorial warning on the cigarette packs?

I am against any kind of incompetency. I am saying if tobacco is a menace, ban it, eradicate it. Do they have the courage? They won’t do that because of the revenue. How is my film responsible? Nowhere in the world there is disclaimer, except in India. They want me to carry disclaimer against alcohol, speed driving, no animals were harmed. Have you seen the number of disclaimer they want me to add? Have you seen them anywhere in the world? Do you think we have been able to solve those issues as compared to the rest of the world? I simply do not agree with the cinematography act. It’s archaic, it’s ancient. I do not agree with ten-thousand things forced to do in the Constitution. I end up doing them because I am told to do that. I will still fight against them. I am not an idiot who will sit and take what others decide for me. So, I fight for my right. It’s not ego.

Whenever Nihlani is being questioned for his decisions, he just attributes it to the guidelines. Are the guidelines or is it Nihlani that is the problem?

The same guidelines passed Gangs of Wasseypur, that passed Ugly, Dev D and Gulaal without cuts. Guidelines have not changed. It’s the interpretation that has changed. Pahlaj Nihlani, according to me, is intellectually incapable of the position he holds. He is not a person who understands the guidelines or knows how to interpret them. There is more perverseness in him and his mind than there in the movies he examine. And it is his ego. In last four days, he has refused certificates to four films. It’s because of his ego that the High Court gave the judgment that you cannot cut films. So, he has started randomly refusing certificates. He did it with Haramkhor, Mohalla Assi…

So, what is the status of Haramkhor?

He has given us the letter which we will take to the Tribunal (Film Certification Appellate Tribunal). But the man just abuses his power. He can say anything in his justification. Why is that the whole industry united against him? Because Nihlani is the man who has done that to every filmmaker. I spoke up. His problem is, why did I speak up. Anyone who speaks can’t become egoistic.

Singer Sona Mohapatra is facing backlash from Salman Khan’s fans after she tweeted against the superstar’s remark on rape.

The “Ambarsariya” hitmaker said despite Salman being guilty of so many offences, people still look up to him.

“Women thrashed, people run over, wild life massacred and yet #hero of the nation. ‘Unfair’. India full of such supporters,” Sona tweeted.

Women thrashed,people run over,wild life massacred & yet #hero of the nation.’Unfair’.India full of such supporters pic.twitter.com/qrNkBZCWT1

— #SonaLIVE (@sonamohapatra) June 21, 2016

Salman in an interview compared himself with a raped woman when quizzed about the gruelling “Sultan” shoot, drawing sharp reaction from all quarters. (Also read: What Salman Khan said after the ‘raped woman’ comment went unreported)

The moment the 40-year-old singer tweeted she was greeted with abusive tweets from the followers of the “Sultan” star.

“@sonamohapatra Publicity k liye tweet kar dia…” a fan tweeted. (Also read: Salim Khan apologises for Salman Khan’s ‘raped woman’ comment)

Another wrote, “@sonamohapatra who the hell are you to decide on any of the cases? Are you a part of Indian Judiciary System? Let the Judge decide.”

To which Sona tweeted, “Dear Bhai Chamcha’s, You continue to prove my point with every perverted, sick, cheap message you write to me.”

Dear Bhai Chamcha’s,
You continue to prove my point with every perverted, sick, cheap message you write to me. HaHa pic.twitter.com/9lZAcydfHs

— #SonaLIVE (@sonamohapatra) June 21, 2016

Viacom 18’s VOOT is all set to launch a new comedy web series titled Shaadi Boys which has had its share of inspiration from Bollywood actor Neil Nitin Mukesh. Yes, the three leading characters of the show are named after the actor – Neil, Nitin and Mukesh.

And Neil Nitin Mukesh himself, who was last seen in Bejoy Nambiar’s directorial suspense thriller Wazir with megastar Amitabh Bachchan, has been roped in for a cameo on the show.

Actor Purab Kohli recently wrapped up the shoot for his musical drama Rock On 2!! at the iconic location of Gateway of India in Mumbai. Rock On 2 team were shooting for the final song from the film at the location.

Purab, who will be seen reprising his role of a drummer in the sequel, loved shooting for the song at the Gateway of India and is very excited to have the audiences see the sequel.

“Rock on 2 yes, has finally come to an end after a long stint. When you all see the film you will get to know why the shooting was spread out so much. We finished shooting last week and what a lovely way of wrapping the shoot at the Gateway of India. I think people should really look out for that song, it is going to be a smashing success this year. Actually, it’s my personal favorite song and I hope people will love it too. I think it was really symbolic for us to finish our shoot at the Gateway of India, I don’t think there was any film shot there in recent time,” Purab said.

Along with Purab, Rock On 2 brings back the earlier cast of 2008 film Rock On including Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal and Prachi Desai. Shraddha Kapoor is a valuable addition to the cast in the sequel along with Titli actor Shashank Arora who will be seen in a supporting role.

The movie has been produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani. The musical trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy have composed the music of the film and is directed by Shujaat Saudagar.

A remark by Salman Khan, made during an interview session on Saturday, has created a controversy, with the National Commission for Women (NCW) demanding an apology from the actor, failing which, he will be summoned for an explanation.

During the interview about his upcoming film Sultan, the 50-year-old, while describing the gruelling shoot for the film where he plays a wrestler, reportedly compared the experience to that of a “raped woman”. While talking about lifting a 120-kilo man ten times, the actor allegedly said, “When I used to walk out of that ring, it used to be actually like a raped woman walking out.”

The remark went viral on Monday, creating a social media furore, with #InsensitiveSalman trending. However, his critics and fans seem divided on the issue after it emerged on Tuesday that his quote being shared is incomplete. Khan, it is believed, realised his faux pas as soon as he passed the remark and admitted to it. What he said, thus, was: “When I used to walk out of that ring, it used to be actually like a raped woman walking out… I don’t think I should have (pauses). It feels like the most difficult… I couldn’t take steps. I couldn’t take steps.”

See Pics: From 1998 to 2016: Salman Khan and his many controversies

While Khan has remained silent on the issue, his father, noted screenwriter Salim Khan, took to Twitter to apologise on the actor’s behalf. In one tweet, he said, “Undoubtedly what Salman said is wrong, the simili, example and the context. The intention was not wrong.” He followed it up with, “Nevertheless I apologise on behalf of his family his fans & his friends. Forgiveness is to pardon the unpardonable or it is no virtue at all.”

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While the film industry has maintained a silence on the issue, social media is divided. Academic Madhu Kishwar, for instance, said over a series of tweets, “Appalled at the hungama over @BeingSalmanKhan statement. I find nothing objectionable in it. Such expressions commonly used even by women. Fact that @BeingSalmanKhan statement being blown out of proportion shows the vehlapanti of feminists breasbeating over flimsy issues.”

Khan has previously been accused of physically abusing his then girlfriend Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan. The actor is also an accused in a case of hunting the endangered black buck. His biggest controversy has been the hit-and-run case where he was accused of running over people sleeping on a pavement in Bandra, in a drunk state. The High Court has given him a clean chit in the case.

“Love you, Udta Punjab!”

It’s Tommy Singh’s voice in the audience — raspy, grating and heroin-muffled; a silhouette that has sounded the wrap with a rock n’ roll salute. This is a moment of epiphany just before the lights go up in a packed Nawanshahr cinema hall. It is the precise point when in your head you can cut to ASI Sartaj (Diljit Dosanjh) having a go at Tommy (Shahid Kapoor) in the lock-up and screaming in anger: “Sara Youth Kharab Karta…bh*****d (You’ve spoiled the entire youth of Punjab)”. As this young man in shorts and t-shirt with a dabbi-wala parna (casual turban made of chequered fabric) wrapped around his shoulders swags out of the hall along with others, a small group lingers on.

They pick up on their interval-time discussion about a youth in their village, who like Balli, a character in the grip of addiction in the movie, was overwhelmed by the detox and ran away from the “nasha-mukti kendar” (de-addiction centre) more than once. As the ushers prepare for the next show, the group holds on, discussing minute details about an addict’s constant craving for water and the urge to inflict harm as depicted in the movie. Then one among them draws the final conclusion with affectionate pity: “Nasha na bande de damag cha phas janda (Addiction takes root in your head).”

Interestingly, the conversation about Punjab’s most seething crisis has the ordinariness of Delhiites discussing their traffic woes. This is everyday reality.

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Inside or outside the theatre, a newly-minted “miniplex” barely 12-km from Bhagat Singh’s ancestral village, Khatkar Kalan, there’s no palpable anger over the state of affairs or even at any supposed insult to Punjab.

“This movie is a trailer, the real Udta Punjab is out there… asi te roz vekhi da, bhaji (we witness it daily). Why will we be shocked,” says Manpreet, a student of  RK Arya College in the neighbourhood.

All through the movie’s two-hour runtime and even amid horror-filled scenes, sounds from the audience rush to fill the hall with quips and laughter. The profanities draw the maximum applause, and even the druglord’s wretched sidekicks evoke a few chuckles with their wimpish clumsiness as they abuse Alia Bhatt’s character inside a dimly-lit village safe house.

In fact, right at the beginning, as a lengthy disclaimer pulls up and stays on screen longer than you would expect it to, the censor’s carefully vetted draft is cut to size with a loud jeer: “Oh badi angrezi paa ti shuru cha! (So much English right at the beginning).” The audience has no patience for it.

As Shahid Kapoor plays the Range Rover-riding, “Chitta” (heroin) snorting alpha dog on screen, someone innocently remarks, “Chitta-chutta amiran layi theik aa, sade gariban layi shishiyan wadiya (Chitta is for the rich, injectable drug cocktails work best for poor people like us).”

The hall packed with young men, with only a handful girls, has several flaunting their “Gabru swag”. But as the movie fearlessly tackles the drugs hot-potato, the audience doesn’t seem half as rattled as the political class.

In fact, as life in small town Punjab catches up with the movie’s hype, it is not for an escape from reality. Rather, it’s for a matter-of-fact reaffirmation of the times, for  tallying real stories with the reel depiction.

While Udta Punjab garners critical applause and commercial success since its release following a month-long battle between the film’s producers and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), two other Hindi films are still fighting for censor board’s nod. While one is titled Haraamkhor, Shlok Sharma’s directorial debut that has been produced by Guneet Monga, the other is director Neeraj Pandey’s Saat Uchakkey that has Manoj Bajpayee in the lead role.

Haraamkhor has been reportedly refused certification for its theme — it tells the story of a relationship between a teacher and a student. Saat Uchakkey, however, has been held up for use of cuss words. Bajpayee said the film is of humour genre where cuss words have been used to present the milieu of the characters.

“The film is set in Chandni Chowk in the early years of post-liberalisation era. It tells the story of seven friends who are trying to get rich overnight. They are a bunch of local buffoons,” explains Bajpayee, adding that “censorship” needs to be replaced by “certification” at the earliest.

Sharma, whose film was selected for screening at Mumbai Film Festival last year, said the film “is a sensitive portrayal of a tumultuous relationship with no titillating visuals”. “The theme is traditionally a taboo but it happens. At no point do we glorify it. And we tell the story from the innocent point of view of two young ten-year-old boys,” said Sharma.

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Watch Video: What’s making news

Interestingly, one of CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani’s productions, Andaz, is based on the same theme. The makers of the two films have now approached Film Certification Appellate Tribunal and are hoping for a positive result. “We are glad that Saat Uchakkey does not have a release date yet, but we hope to release it as soon CBFC clears it,” said Bajpayee.

The CBFC has also come under fire for refusing a certificate to Malayalam film Kathakali. The Film Employees’ Federation of Kerala, a body of Malayalam film directors and technicians, staged a dharna Monday outside CBFC’s regional office in Thiruvananthapuram after the Sijo Kannanaikkal-directed film was refused a certificate on grounds of nudity.

The maker of the film, which is based on the life of a Kathakali dancer, has been asked to snip two scenes — one where the protagonist is beaten up in a state of undress and the other where he removes his clothes and walks into a river. The latter is the film’s climax. The CBFC officials have also asked them to edit out cuss words.

All set to romance Anushka Sharma on screen in Phillauri and basking in the success of Udta Punjab, actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh is all set to deliver Sardaar ji 2 this Friday.

Dosanjh was in Chandigarh for a concert and regaled the audience with his hit tracks. While Mumbai is definitely calling and signing him up, Dosanjh emphasised that he would never stop doing Punjabi films.

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“Nothing has changed post Udta Punjab. I am still the same,” says Dosanjh. Meanwhile, the shooting for Phillauri – an uncommon love story set in Phillaur, Punjab is on. The film is being directed by Anshai Lal. As for Sardaar Ji 2, Dosanjh assured that it “will be better than part one.”

For the first time, Dosanjh will be seen in a double role in this flick, directed by Rohit Jugraj and starring Sonam Bajwa and Monica Gill.

Actor Arbaaz Khan is standing by his brother Salman Khan on the ‘raped woman’ comment controversy. Arbaaz feels that though Salman’s intention behind his comments were not wrong, the superstar should issue a clarification on what he said because that has currently landed him in hot waters.

Defending Salman, Arbaaz said, “There are certain things which we say while talking and it is important to see the intention with which it was said. There is no doubt that whatever Salman said, the intention was not wrong. It was a comparison quite akin to someone saying there was a huge mountain on my shoulders or I worked like a donkey. Now, will the usage of the word ‘donkey’ make animal activists upset? Sometimes, certain things you say are out of context and the meaning which is not bad. But if you become over sensitive over it, then it will become a controversial issue. I am sure Salman must have realised the comparisons that he made was not maybe appropriate and for that if he feels the need to apologise, he will apologise or not apologise, it’s up to him. I don’t think it is fair if I say he has to apologise or not.”

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Commenting on the need for Salman to issue a clarification to settle things, Arbaaz said, “If he has said something out of context and if by mistake he said it then maybe he should give a justification. But I don’t think I am entitled to make a comment and say he has to apologise. I hope he gives a clarification for whatever controversy has happened because it is important to give an answer as people look up to him. He has lot of followers and is a youth icon. So if he has made a statement that doesn’t look appropriate and is not sounding pleasant to ears, then in time he will give a statement.”

Arbaaz also expressed his displeasure at being asked to comment on every issue of Salman. “Not every question or every incident that happens with Salman, I am answerable to. Whether Salman is getting married or not, who is Salman’s girlfriend, what is salman saying…Salman is a 50-year-old man. He says things to media and lives his own life. I am asked you know what Salman said? I have not kept a GPRS on Salman to track him or know what he has been doing. I didn’t know and couldn’t comment until I heard it in the evening,” said Arbaaz.

Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan says veteran actor Anil Kapoor, with whom she has starred in films like “Tashan” and “Bewafaa”, is like family to her.

“For me, Anil ji is like family. I have worked with Anil ji, Arjun Kapoor and now Sonam (for ‘Veere Di Wedding’)…” Kareena told IANS.

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The 35-year-old actress will be seen sharing screen space with Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar and Shikha Talsania in the upcoming all-girls film “Veere Di Wedding”.

Asked about her equation with Sonam, Kareena said: “I feel like her sister because I am protective and I am really fond of both Rhea and Sonam… I am deeply fond of Anil Kapoor because I treat him like family.”

Udta Punjab, which witnessed a big hype upon its release, has received a mixed response at the box office so far, say trade experts.

The film is nearing the Rs 50 crore mark, but entering the Rs 100 crore club seems to be an uphill task especially since a buffet of films including Anurag Kashyap’s “Raman Raghav 2.0” and Hollywood movie “Independence Day: Resurgence” are set to hit the screens on June 24.

The Abhishek Chaubey directorial, which released on June 17 and has been co-produced by Phantom Films and Balaji Motion Pictures, faced problems in seeking a release certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), who first suggested as many as 89 cuts in the movie. Later, the Revising Committee slashed it to 13 cuts.

But the makers moved the Bombay High Court which overruled the CBFC-recommended cuts to the film and cleared it for release with just one cut and three disclaimers by the filmmakers.

After minting Rs 33.80 crore in its opening weekend, “Udta Punjab” witnessed a decline of over 50 per cent in its numbers on Monday, according to trade analyst Taran Adarsh.

“’Udta Punjab’: Friday Rs 10.05 crore, Saturday Rs 11.25 crore, Sunday Rs 12.50 crore, Monday Rs 4.50 crore. Total: Rs 38.30 crore. India biz,” Adarsh posted on Twitter on Tuesday.

The film, which stars Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Diljit Dosanjh, is based on drug abuse in Punjab.

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“The hype didn’t work at all (for ‘Udta Punjab’) because even after so much controversy, it is clear that public was shy of coming to theatres. They thought that the film features a lot of abusive language. Particularly, the ladies have refrained from coming to watch the film. The whole theme of the film is lost in vulgarity,” trade expert Amod Mehra told IANS.

“Right now, it should first cross the Rs 50 crore mark. Rs 100 crore mark looks difficult. All the hype has actually backfired at the makers because ultimately the film had a very bad taste and people are reluctant to go to see the film,” he added.

Adding to that, Delhi-based distributor Joginder Mahajan said: “The film has not received good response in single screens. It has only managed to get footfall at multiplexes. The film is getting the same response that ‘Dev. D’ and ‘Delhi Belly’ received upon their release.”

It would be interesting to see whether “Udta Punjab” will be able to survive at the box office in its second week when it will face stiff competition from “Raman Raghav 2.0”, “Shorgul”, “A Scandall” and “7 Hours to Go”. The line up also includes Punjabi film “Sardaar Ji 2” and Hollywood’s highly anticipated project “Independence Day: Resurgence”.

“I feel ‘Independence Day’ will steal the limelight. If we look at the response that Hollywood films have received in the domestic market in the last few weeks, then ‘Independence Day’ is a clear winner. Even expectations are there from ‘A Scandall’. ‘Udta Punjab’ will definitely lose screens and its business will get affected,” Mahajan said.

Mehra said it would be good if “Udta Punjab” will be able to recover its production cost in the coming days.

“If the film will be able to recover its production value in coming days, then that will be good. Chances are strong that ‘Udta Punjab’ will get wiped out by this Friday,” he said.

Shedding more light on the box office response to “Udta Punjab”, distributor Rajesh Thadani told IANS: “The collection of ‘Udta Punjab’ is pretty decent considering its genre. For a dark film, the response is quite good. If the film manages to sustain in weekdays, then nothing like it.”

Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor, who effortlessly essayed the character of a nonagenarian in “Kapoor & Sons”, is now confused over a new role.

Rishi tweeted saying that he heard a “superb script” and cannot decide what role to opt for.

Heard a superb script. Perhaps a film I will say yes to after a long time. Cannot decide which role to opt for. All three good parts.

— Jawani Deewani (@chintskap) June 20, 2016

“Heard a superb script. Perhaps a film I will say yes to after a long time. Cannot decide which role to opt for…,” he said in a tweet on Monday.

Actor Shahid Kapoor, who was once popular for being Bollywood’s chocolate boy, has come a long way. But he believes that after delivering a powerhouse performance in “Kaminey”, he lost the track.

“After ‘Kaminey’, I think I lost the track. So after ‘Haider’, I did not want to repeat the same mistake. With due respect to the kind of support and appreciation I received for ‘Haider’, I wanted to do better roles. I’m happy I didn’t have to wait much and got a chance to perform in ‘Udta Punjab’,” Shahid said at the success party of “Udta Punjab”, which released on June 17 after a tussle with the censor board.

“Since I have done ‘Kaminey’, one thing I have realised is that the youth wants to watch something different. However, we are scared to experiment with new ideas,” he added.

Shahid played a contrasting double role of Charlie and Guddu in Vishal Bhardwaj’s 2009 film “Kaminey” with ease. And now, his role of a drug addict rockstar named Tommy Singh in “Udta Punjab”, which got leaked online before its release, has been lauded by many.

“We are genuinely upset about the leak. We are thankful for the massive support we got from media and people. Even though the leak happened, it is the biggest opening in my career. However, I feel if the film wasn’t leaked, it could have earned 20 to 25 per cent more,” he said.

The Abhishek Chaubey directorial, based on drug abuse in Punjab, minted Rs 33.80 crore in its opening weekend

Recalling her struggling days in showbiz, Bollywood’s dancing diva Madhuri Dixit-Nene said that earlier she used to feel that she doesn’t fit in the “perfect” size of heroines. But the actress now believes that she has “accomplished” the goals she had set for herself.

The actress got nostalgic during an episode of the popular dance reality show “So You Think You Can Dance ‘Ab India ki Baari'”, which she is co-judging with choreographers Bosco Martis and Terence Lewis.

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Co-hosted by Rithvik Dhanjani and Mouni Roy, “So You Think You Can Dance ‘Ab India ki Baari’” is an Indian adaptation of the popular international format “So You Think You Can Dance”.

When Mouni quizzed Madhuri about one of her statements where she said that she does not consider herself to be pretty, Madhuri said: “Those were my early struggling days and I used to feel I don’t actually fit into the ‘perfect’ size of heroines back then in Bollywood.

“And I used to think that way majorly because of the continuous criticisms I used to face from outsiders. But that didn’t deter my path to success and I worked hard and I think I have accomplished what I had set out for.”

Madhuri, who made her acting debut in 1984 with “Abodh” has remained a prominent part of the entertainment industry for over three decades now.

Ace filmmaker Subhash Ghai has become a fan of “Udta Punjab”, a film which revolves around the drug menace in the Indian city of Punjab.

He congratulated the director, Abhishek Chaubey, for the film.

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The filmmaker, who has given cinematic gems like “Karz”, “Ram Lakhan”, “Khalnayak” and “Pardes”, also shared that the film has put the focus on a “national burning issue”.

“Watched ‘Udta Punjab’, it’s a real tribute to national burning issue and cause ‘Say No To Drugs’. Well made Abhishek Choubey. Congrats,” he said.

“Baahubali” and “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” fame writer KV Vijayendra Prasad has been roped in to pen the script of the sequel to the 2001 hit political thriller “Nayak”.

Produced by Eros International and Deepak Mukut, the sequel will see Anil Kapoor again as the lead alongwith some fresh faces.

The sequel will be a political satire with romance as the backdrop.

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“‘Nayak’ created ripples on its release and was one of the most successful political satires of its time.

“It’s the apt time to plan the sequel in the current political milieu. And we can expect only the finest writing with Vijayendra Prasad ji on board who has given two of Bollywood’s biggest releases last year – Baahubali and Bajrangi Bhaijaan,” said Sunil Lulla, Managing Director, Eros International Media Ltd said in a statement.

“Nayak”, which starred Rani Mukerji in the female lead, was the remake of S Shankar’s successful Tamil film “Mudhalvan”.

Choreographer-filmmaker Remo D’Souza says he doesn’t want to act in films.

D’Souza, who has helmed films like “F.A.L.T.U.” and “ABCD: Any Body Can Dance” and has choreographed for films like “Chameli”, “Bajirao Mastani” and “Dilwale”, says he is happy with what he is doing right now.

“I absolutely don’t want to act and I am happy with what I am doing right now,” he told IANS.

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“As fas as coming onscreen is concerned, I am doing ‘Dance +’,” he added.

The filmmaker will be seen as a super-judge for the dance-based reality show “Dance +” for Star Plus channel.

On the work front, D’Souza is prepping for the release of his upcoming superhero film “A Flying Jatt”, which stars Tiger Shroff, Jacqueline Fernandez and Nathan Jones.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui is one actor who has maintained a fine balance between commercial and serious cinema, but he says it’s a myth that all mainstream commercial films don’t have a good story.

Nawazuddin has entertained the audience with his power packed performances in films like “Gangs of Wasseypur”, “Manjhi: The Mountain Man”, “Badlapur”, “Kick”, “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” and others.

“It is important to explore every genre as an actor. It’s a myth that commercial films don’t have a good story, look at ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’,” Nawazuddin told PTI.

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The 42-year-old actor will continue doing all kind of films as it challenges and excites them.

“I would balance it out by doing both mainstream commercial and alternate cinema and small films. Commercial films help me in getting attention of audience for my other films,” he said.

The “Kahaani” actor will be seen next in Anurag Kashyap’s “Raman Raghav 2.0”, which is based on the psychotic serial killer Raman Raghav who operated in Mumbai during the mid-1960s.

The powerhouse actor plays the title character while Vicky Kaushal reprises a cop. The film will open in theatres on June 24.

“His (Raman Raghav) thoughts were very different from normal human beings. He had logic behind every murder. He had a justification for every murder he committed. It is hard to believe why he did it (killing people). He is not correct socially and ethically.

“It took some time for me to absorb his ideology, logic. Playing this character was mentally exhausting for me. I have tried my best to do the role convincingly,” he said.

To get into the skin of the character, the “Gangs of Wasseypur” actor did proper research, like reading about him (Raman Raghav) and about various psychopath killers across the world to understand their mindset.

In the past, Anurag and Nawazuddin have worked in films like “Black Friday”, “Gangs of Wasseypur”, “The Lunch Box” and others.

“I am thankful to Anurag for giving me unusual and unexpected roles. Anurag is a very talented filmmaker and his films are appreciated by people. I am hopeful ‘Raman Raghav’ will do well,” Nawazuddin said.

Salman Khan is often known for his laid back and relaxed attitude but surprisingly director Ali Abbas Zafar says the superstar was completely dedicated while working on “Sultan”.

“He (Salman) was not laid back at all. On paper he knew he can’t afford to be laid back as he had to work hard for this film as he is racing against a steam engine…In wrestling, weight goes up and down. Physically, this film has been very challenging,” Ali told PTI.

Even after going through the grueling training sessions and workouts in the gym, according to Ali, the 50-year-old actor never complained.

“Only on hard days he used to say can I have an ice cream… But the day he was done he had four ice creams,” Ali added.

The “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” star had to alter his weight from 100 kgs and then as per the instructions of Ali, he came down to 90 kgs and then to 82 kgs.

“At the age of 50 to do all this within six to eight months takes a lot of hard work. Even when he was not working on sets he had to train for four hours. This is phenomenal for an actor enjoying such stardom,” he said.

Apparently “Sultan” is the first sports film that Salman has done in his career.

“This is Salman’s first sports film and you do make some changes keeping his personality in mind. We wanted to make “Sultan” with him only. Whatever changes happened, it happened on the sets not on script level,” he said.

“His understanding and experience helped us to make a better film. He did small changes and not the big things,” he added.

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The “Dabangg” Khan loves to flaunt his chiseled body on screen and “Sultan” required him to wear “langots”, considering the fact that he plays a wrestler.

The “Gunday” helmer reveals that Salman was initially shy to wear a langot.

“He is a very shy guy. He is very conscious about his body. He is the poster boy for everyone in the gym. Salman Khan is the bible of body building,” he added.

When Ali narrated the story to Salman he knew in 40-50 percent of the film he will be seen in langot.

“He (Salman) had to wear it as it is the demand of the character. If you are a wrestler you have to wear it and get into the mud pit,” he said.

“He was avoiding wearing it for the longest time. We asked the coach to tell him to wear langot… He got convinced that his guru has told him to do so,” he added.

On the day of beginning the shoot, Salman was not willing to wear langot as there were 6,000 people.

“He (Salman) was feeling shy to come out. I convinced him. I told everyone on the sets to keep quiet. Then later he was feeling so hot that he liked wearing the langot,” Ali said.

“It (scene) has come out well he looks good in it. His body type is of a wrestler. It’s just the mental block that he had but when he saw the shot (with langot) he joked about it saying he is the first male actor to wear a bikini,” he added.

Also starring Anushka Sharma in the lead, “Sultan” produced by Yash Raj Films releases this Eid.

Actor Irrfan Khan says his upcoming socio-political drama “Madaari” is extremely special for him and he wants to promote the film in every part of the country.

The 49-year-old “Piku” star is set for a Pune visit to promote “Madaari”.

“Madaari’ is very special film. The subject of the film is very intriguing and it is a story I want to take to every nook and corner of India. I am looking forward to visiting Pune,” Irrfan said in a statement.

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The movie, helmed by “Drishyam” director Nishikant Kamat, also stars Jimmy Shergill.

It will arrive in theatres on July 15.