Latest news with #Haasil
India.com
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
This director did a miracle in a budget of Rs 4.5 crores, released 13 years ago, this film earned Rs 40 crore, film is..., lead actor is...
This director, who has made great films like Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster, Shagid, Bullet Raja, Raag Desh, and Paan Singh Tomar, has his 58th birthday today on 3 July. In addition to directing films, this director has also excelled in acting in numerous films. He made a lot of headlines by playing a negative role in Nawazuddin Siddiqui's superhit film 'Manjhi – The Mountain Man'. On this director's birthday, we will talk about the film that he made in a meager budget of just Rs 4.5 crore, and the film earned a lot at the box office. The late actor Irrfan Khan played the lead role in this film. This film was released 13 years ago. Let's know about it. Who is this director and his film? We are talking about the brilliant Bollywood director Tigmanshu Dhulia, who made his Bollywood debut in 1992 with the film Electric Moon. In 2003, the director made his first film, Haasil, starring Jimmy Shergill. However, we are referring to the 2012 film Paan Singh Tomar, whose story was written by Tigmanshu himself. This film was based on the real life of Paan Singh Tomar, which was highly appreciated by the audience. Irrfan Khan, Mahi Gill, Vipin Sharma, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui were seen in important roles in the film. It also premiered at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2010. This film was released in India on 2 March 2012. Earned 10 times the budget Tigmanshu Dhulia made the film Paan Singh Tomar on a budget of just Rs 4.50 crore. People loved Irrfan Khan's acting and the story so much that money started pouring in at the box office. The film's lifetime collection is Rs 40 crore, which is almost 10 times the film's budget. Tigmanshu received the greatest recognition from this film, following his previous directorial efforts, including Haasil, Charas, Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster, and Shagird. Last time Tigmanshu directed the film Yaara (2020), in which actors like Vidyut Jamwal, Shruti Haasan, Amit Sadh, and Vijay Verma were seen in important roles.
NDTV
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
A Tigmanshu Dhulia-Irrfan Jugalbandi, Why Haasil Remains A Cult Classic 22 Years Since Its Release
"Tumko yaad rakhenge guru hum..." When Irrfan delivered that line with his trademark smirk, it felt like a promise, a threat, a mic drop wrapped in North Indian swagger. The kind of line that echoed through hostel rooms and college canteens long after the credits of Haasil rolled. And who can forget the poetic guerilla warfare threat: "Wo gunde hain. Sarkari gunde. Hum krantikari hain. Tum log gorilla ho. Gorilla war kiya jayega." Advertisement - Scroll to continue Twenty-two years ago, on May 16, 2003, Director Tigmanshu Dhulia's cult debut Haasil arrived and redrafted the Bollywood rules in UP slang. Pure cinematic chutzpah that sounded like a revolution wrapped in pan masala and gunpowder. Long before streaming platforms made "gritty realism" into a buzzword, Tigmanshu Dhulia, backed by Irrfan, Jimi Shergill, Ashutosh Rana and a pitch-perfect supporting cast, pulled out a folding chair, planted it firmly in the Hindi heartland, and asked: "Ready for the real show?" I remember when Haasil first hit theaters, it barely made a splash. It was quickly buried beneath flashier Bollywood fare. But like a stubborn seed, it cracked through the concrete of indifference, and bloomed into that rare cinematic species we now call a 'cult classic'. Especially for the audiences of North India, Haasil wasn't just a film, it was a political thesis disguised as a campus romance. So, what lies beneath the making of Haasil 's legend? The trigger point of Haasil was a small news item about a smooth-talking thug from Mathura chasing a college girl. The plot is deceptively simple: a small town where life moves in its steady rhythm, and a young man in love caught in a world of jealousy, corruption, and conflict at a politically charged North Indian university. Tigmanshu Dhulia assisted filmmaker Shekhar Kapoor and served as casting director for the acclaimed Bandit Queen. It was on Shekhar's urging that Dhulia moved to Mumbai. But when Shekhar left for Hollywood, Dhulia was left to chase his own filmmaking dreams. After years of writing and directing for television, Dhulia chose to set his first film in Allahabad, the city he grew up in and knew intimately. Jimmy Shergill and Irrfan Khan in a film still Finding a producer for his first film was a nightmare, but Dhulia didn't give up. He kickstarted the dream with a bit of crowdfunding. For the romantic lead, he was looking for someone who looked cultured, well-mannered, and sincere. When he met Jimmy Shergill at filmmaker Shaad Ali's house, he knew right away Jimmy was the one. Having lived in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, and Delhi, Jimmy instantly understood the story's vibe and rhythm. "I told Tigmanshu if I don't do this movie, I am going to haunt you...I have to do this movie because nobody can do this movie better than I do it. Nobody can make you feel the vulnerability," Jimmy says in an old interview from the making of the film. Then they auditioned for the female lead and were truly impressed by Hrishita's [Bhatt] performance. For the role of the right-wing student leader, Dhulia had only one name in mind: Ashutosh Rana. A junior from his days at the prestigious National School of Drama (NSD), Rana was on board right away. The choice made perfect sense. Ashutosh had a strong command over Hindi, the kind needed for fiery speeches and the forceful tone. The role demanded a certain authority and Dhulia knew exactly how to tap into Ashutosh's persona and play to his image. With most of the casting done, the key villain role was still open. Dhulia had his heart set on Manoj Bajpayee. Satya had hit big, and Manoj was a star. Dhulia knew that if Manoj said yes, the film would instantly gain weight and saleability. He went to Manoj and narrated the role. "Manoj listened and then gently turned it down saying he wasn't ready to play a villain at that point in his career," Dhulia mentioned in an interview with NDTV. Manoj's refusal left Dhulia with only one other choice, none other than Irrfan Khan. A casting choice that, in hindsight, feels less like a Plan B and more like fate stepping in. Irrfan had been quietly hustling for over a decade. Familiar on television, overlooked by cinema. His brilliance was waiting to be seen. It was as if Haasil had always belonged to him, and the universe was just waiting to reveal it. As the discussions over the film began, the title was also finalised, "I remember the title came to my mind at his rented Evershine Nagar flat... brainstorming twenty years ago," Dhulia had tweeted remembering Irrfan. There was no producer yet. The ones who promised to back the film, backed out. Dhulia had planned to shoot the film's climax at the iconic Kumbh Mela(2001) in Allahabad which was near. Dhulia recalled in a 2003 interview to during the film's release, " Haasil 's script had a certain deadline. The climax had to be shot at the Kumbh Mela... At this time, my friend Amita Sehgal, now the film's executive producer, got some money from her family and friends -- about Rs 4-5 lakh. We took our actors to Allahabad and shot the big scenes, the moving shots and everything and came back and edited the footage. Then we started showing this footage to people; that's how the film started." Irrfan Khan in a film still Dhulia used "guerrilla-style cameras" in the Kumbh and told the actors to run into the crowd. People around were confused, wondering who the guy was, running with a girl and shouting. The shots were wide and real, capturing the true energy of the Kumbh. The climax of Haasil was the first to be shot. The rest of the film followed. It wasn't plot-driven. There wasn't a rigid script; much of it lived in Dhulia's mind, meant to be improvised on set. Everything hinged on storytelling and the way characters spoke and interacted. As the shooting schedule drew near, Irrfan struggled to find the tone and mood the role demanded. Dhulia had chose Allahabad as the film's canvas, drawing on the city's authentic pulse to bring the story to life. Reflecting on those days in an old interview with Lehrein Retro, Irrfan recalled Tigmanshu's words: " Yaar Irrfan, role ko lah jana... In Allahabadi slang, lah jana means to utterly mesmerise everyone." Before shooting began, Irrfan wanted to spend time soaking in the city's vibe. He asked Tigmanshu to take him to Allahabad early. Once there, he began meeting students and university leaders to soak up the character's true colours. But when Tigmanshu reached Allahabad to shoot his debut film, he was met with a storm of hostility. Local authorities and some student leaders of Allahabad University didn't let him film on campus. Reflecting in an old interview, Tigmanshu had recalled, "I faced immense struggles making this film, releasing it, and bringing it to the audience. I grew up in Allahabad, and yet when I arrived there to shoot, I found a calculated political game in motion-a carefully woven conspiracy. I had come as an excited kid making his first film in his own city, but what happened to me was nothing short of sabotage. Those opposing the shoot told me-something I learned later-that I couldn't portray the university in a negative light. That's why, in Haasil, I made the choice never to name the city. Nowhere in the film do I mention Allahabad." This was a time of intense turmoil for Dhulia. He battled tirelessly to convince everyone, but couldn't shoot the film extensively in the city as he had envisioned. Yet, it was in this storm of setbacks, shattered plans and Dhulia's unwavering courage that Irrfan found a spark and his inspiration. He recalled in a 2003 interview to Lehrein Retro, "When we went to Allahabad, it happened that they said, 'You must leave, you can't shoot here... pack your bags and go back... and who knows when we'll shoot again... what will happen... because we don't have the budget to keep coming back over and over.' The way Tishu handled that situation mujhe pahli baar bahaduri shabd ka arth samajh mein aaya our mujhe laga kaise lah jana hai role ke liye (that's when I first truly understood what bravery really means. And I thought, this is exactly how I need to approach this role and mesmerise everyone." And mesmerise he did, leaving everyone spellbound as Ranvijay Singh. Later, many university scenes in the film were actually shot at locations in Pune and Mumbai, cleverly transformed to resemble Allahabad University. But the spirit of Allahabad was there unmistakably. Haasil broke the Bollywood mould with its raw, unpolished vibe unlike the cliches Bollywood is known for. Dhulia's sharp, off-the-cuff Allahabadi banter was utterly captivating. In a way, Haasil was like Romeo and Juliet, but set against student politics, simmering caste rivalries, power struggles, and sharp Allahabadi one-liners. Remember the scene when Ranvijay (Irrfan) teases an angry man holding a gun- "Ek baat suno pandit, tumse goli woli na challai. Mantar phoonk ke maar diyo saale." Irrfan crafts a villain that's cool yet reckless, charming yet menacing delivered with effortless confidence. Take this line: Tiwariji aap mast rahiye, jyada phantom na baniye. Or Gaurishankar's sharp threat to Ranvijay: " Do minute ka maun hoga tumhari yaad me. Tumhare launde aakar gana gayenge - 'Chalte chalte mere yeh geet yaad rakhna.' Bas! National holiday hoga ka tumri yaad me?" Or the unforgettable exchange between Ranvijay and Anirudh (Jimmy Shergill): Ranvijay: Matlab sex -vex ho gaya kya?? Aniruddh: Nahi bhaiya, usko is nazar se nahi dekha kabhi. Ranvijay: Nazar ka hi toh khel hai sab. Warna saala dil toh humara bhi saaf hai. Bhagwan ne humein aisi aankhein de di hain, kya kahein! Irrfan Khan embodied the brooding anti-hero. His eyes did half the acting. His pauses did the rest. His restrained dialogue delivery felt less like lines and more like slow, deliberate daggers. Even the side characters who were usually irrelevant in Hindi films felt important. Like everyone had a motive and a moment. Haasil also gave Hindi cinema a dialect and a texture making the Hindi heartland feel raw, real, and effortlessly cool, years before streaming platforms caught on. And the great thing was that telling the story of a region where abuses are practically punctuation, the film told its story without using any expletives. The shooting was over. But the journey of releasing the film wasn't easy. Despite the buzz from industry screenings and trial shows organised tirelessly by Tigmanshu Dhulia, the film found no takers. "At every trial, people loved what they saw," Dhulia recalled. "But they all asked the same question-'There's no star. How will it run?'" The original producers had backed out. It was only later that Shyam Shroff of Shringar Films stepped in and gave Haasil a lifeline. Made on a modest budget of Rs 4 crore, Haasil released quietly on May 16, 2003, with barely any promotion and minimal publicity. Critics praised the performances, especially of Jimmy, Ashutosh and Irrfan, but weren't too kind to the story and script. Theaters didn't see packed houses. But slowly, something began to shift. Haasil caught fire, and gradually, genuine applause began emerging from the viewers, from college dorms, hostel corridors, and chai stalls across the Hindi heartland. Word spread. Lines from the film became inside jokes. The character of Ranvijay became Irrfan's breakthrough, searing into screens and hearts alike. In the years that followed, Haasil earned the rare title of a 'cult film'. And perhaps, a trace of this character quietly echoed in many of Irrfan's performances that followed. In an interview, Tigmanshu Dhulia was asked when he first realised his debut film had turned into a cult movie. He answered, "The moment the calls started pouring in. The offers to sign me for new projects. When ' Haasil fan clubs' sprouted up on Orkut (a social media platform now defunct) overnight. Suddenly, everyone from university halls to college corridors was buzzing about the film's dialogues. Even stand-up comedians like Raju Srivastava and Sunil Pal were mimicking Irrfan's character on TV, and it blew up. That's when I knew something had clicked." For some reason the film wasn't sent to the National Awards but Irrfan went on to win the Filmfare Award. Long before the accolades, he alone knew this was the breakthrough he had been waiting for. After watching a few scenes in the editing room, Irrfan had declared that this villain will be remembered like Gabbar Singh of the iconic Sholay. Maybe not quite, but Haasil did for Irrfan what Sholay did for Amjad Khan. It marked him as a powerful new presence on big screen. At the time of Haasil's release, Irrfan had reflected, "People won't be able to forget my character in this film. It will stay with them for days. This is the true reward for all my years of hard work and struggle." If you read the interviews of Tigmanshu Dhulia or the reviews, you'll realise no one, during the making or right after its release, sensed the impact Irrfan would have. But Irrfan felt it in his bones. Though not his first role, Haasil truly introduced us to his powerhouse talent. Despite its commercial failure, Haasil gave Dhulia a strong foundation to build many memorable films in the years ahead. Twenty two years later, the lines from his debut are still quoted. The scenes are still revered. And the legend of Haasil lives on, not in box office numbers, but in the hushed awe of every fan who stumbled upon it and whispered, "Ab toh yeh jung hogi." Share
India.com
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet actress who made debut with Shah Rukh Khan, was Shahid Kapoor's first heroine, later quit industry due to..., her name is..., married to...
Meet actress who made debut with Shah Rukh Khan, was Shahid Kapoor's first heroine, later quit industry due to..., her name is..., married to... In the unpredictable world of Bollywood, fame is always fleeting. A celebrity who would be winning hearts one day might become totally irrelevant and vanish in thin air the next day. However, in a place where many celebrities come and go, there are a few celebrities who remain etched in our memory despite their active contribution to the industry. There is one such actress who is an example of this. Starring opposite big names like Shah Rukh Khan and Shahid Kapoor, this girl wasn't a household name or a blockbuster star, but her early work in Indian pop culture and cinema is still remembered by people who grew up watching her films. Born on 10 May 1981 in Mumbai, Hrishitaa Bhatt made her debut in the film Ashoka (2001) in which she appeared with the 'Badshah' of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan. For this film, Rishita also received the Zee Cine Award for Best Debut Actress. Her next film was 'Dil Vil Pyar Pyar' (2002) which was liked by the people, but it didn't make a mark at the box office. After this, Hrishitaa worked in films like 'Jawani Diwani', 'Shararat', and 'Haasil' However, the performance that rose Hrishitaa Bhatt to fame was when she appeared in a hugely popular music video 'Aankhon Mein Tera Hi Chehra' by the Aryans. The song, which came out in 1999, was a blockbuster and Shahid's first appearance in front of the camera. Shahid was only 17 when he had his first on-screen romantic pairing with Hrishitaa, who became his 'first heroine' — a tag that has remained with her over the years as Shahid became one of the leading Bollywood actors. With the success of the music video, Rishita moved over to films. She made her entry into Bollywood in 2001 with Asoka alongside Shah Rukh Khan. In the subsequent years, Rishita acted in movies such as Haasil, Shararat, and Jawani Diwani, sharing screens with the stars Jimmy Shergill and Hrithik Roshan. Although Hrishitaa worked with top names in Bollywood and was a powerhouse of talent, she couldn't make a mark in massy films or become a household name. Coming to her personal life, Hrishitaa tied the knot in 2017 with Anant Tiwari top diplomat for the United Nations, in an intimate wedding ceremony with only her family and friends as guests. Today, she stays low-key but active on Instagram, where she has a following of more than 1 million fans. Although she is not acting anymore, her ageless beauty and poise continue to mesmerize her dedicated fans.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Did you know Babil Khan once SPAT chewing gum on his late father Irrfan Khan's face?
Babil Khan, son of the late Irrfan Khan, reminisces about his father's legacy and their bond. He recalls a mischievous childhood incident where he accidentally spat chewing gum on Irrfan's face during a film shoot. Babil also shared a heartfelt tribute on the fifth death anniversary of his father, remembering Irrfan's strength and grace in facing life's challenges. Babil Khan , son of the late legendary actor Irrfan Khan , made a heartfelt entry into Bollywood with his debut film Qala. Even five years after Irrfan's passing, Babil continues to remember his father with deep love and emotion. While his Instagram account is filled with priceless childhood memories and touching tributes to his "baba," Babil has often spoken about the bond they shared. A Mischievous Childhood Memory However, did you know that he once spat chewing gum on Irrfan Khan's face? Yes, you read that right! In an interview with RavanSpeaks, Babil Khan recalled a memorable childhood moment from when he visited one of his father Irrfan Khan's film sets. At the time, young Babil didn't fully understand what his father did for a living. He shared that he was a mischievous child, often running around the set without a clue about the seriousness of the work going on. In a candid confession, Babil recounted how he once accidentally spat chewing gum onto his father's face during a take. Instead of getting angry, Irrfan calmly used the moment to explain the importance and cost of filmmaking, helping his son understand the value of the craft. Irrfan Khan's Legacy: A Cinematic Icon Irrfan passed away in 2020 after his tough fight with a neuroendocrine tumour and was known for his work in both Bollywood and Hollywood. His filmography includes Piku, Life In A Metro, Haasil, Paan Singh Tomar, Maqbool, Haider, The Amazing Spider-Man, Life of Pi, and Jurassic World. Babil's Emotional Tribute on Irrfan's Fifth Death Anniversary On April 29, 2025, as the world marked the fifth death anniversary of Irrfan Khan, his son Babil paid a heartfelt tribute, reflecting on the strength and grace with which his father lived. Remembering Irrfan as both a warrior and a gentle soul, Babil spoke of how his father faced every challenge life threw at him—whether he wanted to or not. In a deeply emotional statement, he said, 'Baba walked this earth, swam the waters, marched into battles that were thrown at him regardless of his wishes. He was a warrior with a heavy foot that transformed into a prophet with steps so light he could walk on air.' His words captured the essence of Irrfan's resilience, humility, and the lasting impact he left behind. Irrfan Khan's Battle with Cancer and Untimely Passing In 2018, the versatile actor Irrfan, who was known to bring life to his characters, was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer . He was treated in the USA for a year, and in 2019, he came back to India. Irrfan was then admitted to Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, where he was treated for his colon infection. Sadly, at the age of 53, the stellar actor passed away, leaving behind his sea of fans with his body of work and memories engraved for a lifetime.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shoojit Sircar recalls Irrfan Khan; says, 'I just feel some of his best work was yet to come'
, this name is synonymous with versatility, dedication, and devotion. His love for his craft and passion for his work were reflected in every role he played, in every character that he brought to life. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Though a couple of years ago, Irrfan left the mortal world, he left behind a legacy of cinematic gems. However, according to , who was a dear friend of the actor and worked with him in ' Piku ,' Irrfan had more movies in him; his best was yet to come Speaking to us, Shoojit Sircar confessed how he really wanted to work with Irrfan Khan more. 'I would have done anything,' he mentioned. Remembering the late star, he added, 'I think I just feel some of his best work was yet to come.' He quoted all the work that Irrfan did in his career span were 'extremely rewarding.' 'But I think his best was just about to come,' emphasised the filmmaker. In our conversation, Shoojit narrated how his first meeting with Irrfan was a brief encounter. 'I met Irrfan through . The two had done 'Haasil.' I was doing my first film, and I wanted to meet Jimmy Shergill, who was in 'Haasil.' During that time, I had a very brief meeting with Irrfan - a purely a hello, hi meeting,' said Shoojit. He continued, 'Then I think, one day suddenly he called me up, he said, I want to speak to you. He came over and we sat, and because we were working on a similar script, similar subject, and then we connected. Irrfan wanted to know my treatment of my film and everything else, and I told him. He told me his treatment, and that's how we connected instantly.' Speaking further about the bond they shared, Shoojit said, 'I mean there was something, I know this for a fact that something else hooked us, you know, something else it was beyond words that I can't explain, that made us sit together, talk for hours and hours.' Tired of too many ads? go ad free now After Irrfan, Shoojit is planning to work with his son, Babil. He described him as a 'brilliant boy,' and said, 'Soon you will see me collaborating with him.' Audience already look for Irrfan in Babil and it would be a treat for them to see him working with the 'Piku' filmmaker.
