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Vikrant Massey reacts to claims of outsiders not getting enough opportunities in Bollywood

Vikrant Massey reacts to claims of outsiders not getting enough opportunities in Bollywood

Pink Villa16 hours ago
Vikrant Massey is among the most talented Bollywood actors working today. He is known for films like 12th Fail and Chhapaak. He recently spoke about the insider versus outsider debate in the film industry. This debate, which often grabs headlines, focuses on whether Bollywood favors those with film family connections (insiders) over those without (outsiders). Massey, considered an outsider himself, has shared clear and grounded views on this topic, dismissing much of the controversy as unnecessary noise.
Vikrant Massey Feels That The Insider-Outsider Debate Is All Social Media Talk
In a recent interview with Screen, Vikrant Massey called the insider-outsider debate 'social media chatter.' He said, 'This is only social media talk. It's done by people sitting outside the industry.' He believes that within Bollywood, the divide is not as stark as it seems online. Massey, who started his career on television with shows like Balika Vadhu before moving to films, emphasized that industry insiders don't focus on such labels. 'If you're part of the fraternity, nobody sees it like that. I'm a so-called outsider, and I've never felt that kind of discrimination,' he added.
Vikrant Massey Has Proven That Talent And Hardwork Can Break Barriers
Vikrant Massey's journey supports his viewpoint. Born in Mumbai, he began acting at 17, landing his first TV role in 2004. His film debut came in 2013 with a supporting role in Lootera. Over the years, he built a strong career with critically acclaimed performances in A Death in the Gunj and Haseen Dillruba. Despite not coming from a film family, Massey has worked with top directors and actors, proving that talent and hard work can break barriers.
What Vikrant Massey Felt About The Insider-Outsider Divide, In 2020
An earlier interview with Bombay Times by Vikrant has resurfaced after he dismissed the insider-outsider divide within the film industry in his recent conversation with Screen. 'Merit is given credibility today, but those from film families have an edge,' he said at the time. The actor then acknowledged that insiders may get a head start, but survival in Bollywood depends on delivering quality work. In another interview from the past, he admitted that nepotism exists, but it isn't an impenetrable wall. The success of Vikrant Massey is proof that outsiders can make it big today.
Vikrant Massey's Upcoming Movie Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan
Vikrant Massey's upcoming film, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, releasing on July 11, 2025, stars him alongside debutante Shanaya Kapoor.
Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more updates on Vikrant Massey and his upcoming movies.
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Konkona Sen Sharma on going from Life in a Metro to Metro In Dino: ‘I knew Irrfan isn't going to be there, that broke my heart'
Konkona Sen Sharma on going from Life in a Metro to Metro In Dino: ‘I knew Irrfan isn't going to be there, that broke my heart'

Indian Express

time21 minutes ago

  • Indian Express

Konkona Sen Sharma on going from Life in a Metro to Metro In Dino: ‘I knew Irrfan isn't going to be there, that broke my heart'

Konkona Sen Sharma and Irrfan Khan screaming at the top of their lungs on top of a Mumbai high-rise is a gift that keeps giving. That scene from Anurag Basu's Life… in a Metro 18 years ago summed up succinctly the spirit of the 2007 romantic anthology — there was pain, there was Mumbai, there was companionship, and then there was catharsis. It helped that Konkona was there too. Ever since her Hindi film debut in 2005, the actor has represented the modern young Indian woman, who relocates to Mumbai in order to chase work, freedom, and identity. Whether it's Madhur Bhandarkar's Page 3 (2006), Life… in a Metro, Ayan Mukerji's Wake Up Sid (2009) or Zoya Akhtar's Luck By Chance (2009), Konkona was navigating Mumbai as cluelessly and adventurously as a lot of us. Her real life also reflected her reel life, as Konkona moved to Mumbai from her hometown Kolkata in mid-2000s to pursue a career in movies. 'I really feel Mumbai is my home now. I've lived here for 20 years. It's a city, which like many big cities, has opened its arms to so many migrants from all walks of life. There are so many people here from outside here,' she tells SCREEN in an exclusive interview. Konkona is still trying to fit into Mumbai and make space for herself in the city, but she's at peace with that process now. 'Being an outsider gives a very unique and interesting perspective. It allows you to have some objectivity. And I enjoy being an outsider a little bit. The struggle to belong is a part of the human condition. You feel like you want to belong, you struggle to fit in to belong, and sometimes you don't want to belong to certain things. It's a way of expressing and identifying yourself,' she explains. Konkona is the only actor who's made it to Metro… In Dino, Basu's spiritual sequel to Life.. in a Metro. She wasn't surprised because going by Basu's impromptu style of working, she wasn't too clued in with the rest of the cast both the times. 'I have to say, I didn't really know very much, the first time around and the second time around also. There's not that much interaction between the four stories,' she reasons. But Konkona was aware the one actor who would definitely not be in the follow-up was her co-star from the first one, Irrfan, who in fact gave Basu the idea to make a spiritual sequel. 'I just knew Anurag is making this, so that's fine, I don't need to know anything else. In that sense, I didn't know who else is there. I just knew Irrfan is not going to be there this time, and that broke my heart,' she confesses. Konkona admits she missed working with Basu, despite his eccentric style of filmmaking. 'You can be very organized, you can have a hard-bound script, you can have all systems working in place. But that doesn't ensure a good film. It's the creativity, the artistry, the craft, and all of that is there in spades, where Anurag is concerned,' she says. 'I've been shooting for 20 years plus. In today's day and age, when you're shooting, very often, you're working here and the video village is there. Often, even your DOP (Director of Photography) is not operating close to you. You feel alone. But in this case, the director and DOP are right behind the camera with you, so it's instant communication, and you feel supported,' points out Konkona. Basu began writing Metro… In Dino with Konkona and Pankaj Tripathi's track, out of the four tracks featuring Anupam Kher-Neena Gupta, Ali Fazal-Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Aditya Roy Kapur-Sara Ali Khan. So he always had Konkona in mind for the part, but admits it was different directing her this time, since she was now also an established filmmaker. 'I was directing a director. The first two days, I asked Koko, 'Frame, all okay?' And I love her work as a director. So when you have respect for someone as a director, then you're completely nervous because there's another director on set,' says Basu, only for Konkona to dismiss him promptly. 'Don't believe him at all! I didn't do anything, I didn't say anything. There's nothing like that,' she says. Konkona, who turned director with A Death in the Gunj in 2016, followed it up with another critically acclaimed directorial, The Mirror, a segment in the 2023 Netflix India anthology Lust Stories 2. But unlike Anurag, she's a meticulous director, who has everything from the script, shot breakdown to workshops and rehearsals in place before she goes to set. 'Anurag is such a creative person, whether it's singing, dancing, acting, writing, or directing. He responds to the stimuli around him. When I'm directing, that's very difficult to do. I'm very scared because I'm not that experienced. I keep everything ready because I have to be prepared. Anurag is a visionary so not only him, but also everyone around him have the confidence that he'd pull it off,' says Konkona. But Basu doesn't mind giving some dialogues to Konkona in advance. He explains, 'Koko gets upset if I don't give her dialogues in advance. She has a problem. She still gets stuck in Bengali Hindi, between 'ki' and 'ka.' So I know I have to help her there a bit,' says Basu, much to Konkona's embarrassment. 'I've tried to blackmail, scold, and beg Anurag to give me the lines in advance,' says Konkona, laughing. That was the most crucial for her in a scene she had to do with Neena Gupta, who plays her mother in Metro… In Dino. 'I can see her scared even in a long shot. Koko's face is so transparent, which also makes her such a good actor. Whenever she's feeling upset and trying to hide it, that never happens,' says Basu. Also Read — 'Anurag Basu wanted me to compose for Saaya too, but Mahesh Bhatt didn't want to bet on a rank newcomer': Pritam Konkona agrees and says, 'I also feel Anurag really understands his actors well. There are things which I'm feeling but I'm not aware of, and he'd say, 'Feeling like this, na?' He can read my face. I'm trying to be well-behaved, but he can tell what's happening inside my head also. Now, what to do?' Metro… In Dino releases in cinemas on July 4.

‘Metro... In Dino' advance booking report: Anurag Basu's film sells 18,500 tickets for day 1, aims for Rs 3-3.50 crore opening
‘Metro... In Dino' advance booking report: Anurag Basu's film sells 18,500 tickets for day 1, aims for Rs 3-3.50 crore opening

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

‘Metro... In Dino' advance booking report: Anurag Basu's film sells 18,500 tickets for day 1, aims for Rs 3-3.50 crore opening

Anurag Basu 's big ensemble film 'Metro... In Dino' has hit cinemas today on 4th July, 2025. Starring top talents like Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan , Pankaj Tripathi , Konkona Sen Sharma, Ali Fazal, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Anupam Kher, Nina Gupta and Saswata Chatterjee, the film has been in the news for quite some time. Now, its advance booking numbers give us a first real look at how it might fare. A strong cast, but tough competition 'Metro... In Dino' is seen as a spiritual sequel to Basu's much-loved film 'Life In A Metro'. The new film also explores urban stories and tangled relationships, something the first film was praised for. However, it isn't releasing alone. The film faces direct competition from the Hollywood giant 'Jurassic World: Rebirth'. It also runs alongside holdover hits like 'F1', 'Sitaare Zameen Par' and 'Maa', which still have their audience. Even so, 'Metro... In Dino' has got good screens thanks to the curiosity it built before release. Advance booking falls below hopes According to a report by Pinkvilla, 'Metro... In Dino' has sold around 18,500 tickets across top national chains for its opening day. While that might sound okay, it is actually much lower than what trade experts expected. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like "진작 할 걸… 임플란트 개당 30만원으로 웃음 되찾았습니다!" 튼튼한 임플란트_강남치과의원 지금 문의 Undo As the report points out, 'the movie should have had double the number of tickets sold for the opening day, if not more; since it is firstly the sequel of an acclaimed film like Life In A Metro, and secondly because it is a pricey film that really requires strong theatrical performance to breakeven. ' Eyeing a Rs 3-3.50 crore day 1 collection The report further mentions that, going by these bookings, the film is looking at a Rs 3 crore to Rs 3.50 crore net opening in India. The final numbers will depend on spot bookings and how viewers react once shows start. The film will now hope for strong word-of-mouth to boost collections over the weekend. Many of Basu's past films have slowly won over the audience after release, so there is still a chance this one might pick up in the days ahead. A costly film that needs a big worldwide run 'Metro... In Dino' has been an expensive affair. As per Pinkvilla, the film was first approved at a budget of Rs 65 crore, but reshoots pushed the cost of production up to Rs 85 crore. Add another Rs 15 crore spent on print and advertising, and the total cost has touched around Rs 100 crore. Luckily, the film has already recovered about Rs 70 crore from non-theatrical revenue. But that still leaves a good chunk to be made from theatres. Needs at least Rs 75 crore worldwide to break even The report also explains, the movie needs to gross at least Rs 75 crore worldwide to ensure that the movie doesn't lose anyone associated with the film, any money. This means it must earn well globally so that the makers get around Rs 30 crore share needed to cover the remaining costs. With its slow start in advance bookings, the film will be banking on audiences to come in through the weekend and beyond. Now, everything rests on how viewers take to 'Metro... In Dino'. Will they connect with its stories and characters like they did with 'Life In A Metro'? Or will the strong competition make it harder for the film to grow? With a rich cast and Anurag Basu's knack for telling human stories, the film still has plenty of promise. But it now needs solid word-of-mouth to make sure it sails smoothly at the box office.

Jurassic World Rebirth USA Box Office: Scarlett Johansson's film debuts with USD 30.50 million, emerges 6th biggest opener of 2025
Jurassic World Rebirth USA Box Office: Scarlett Johansson's film debuts with USD 30.50 million, emerges 6th biggest opener of 2025

Pink Villa

time7 hours ago

  • Pink Villa

Jurassic World Rebirth USA Box Office: Scarlett Johansson's film debuts with USD 30.50 million, emerges 6th biggest opener of 2025

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