Latest news with #Hichki
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Director Siddharth P Malhotra reacts to the news about Kiara Advani playing Meena Kumari in the biopic
Kiara Advani, Siddharth P Malhotra and Meena Kumari There's a buzz doing the rounds that actress Kiara Advani has been approached to portray the iconic Meena Kumari in an upcoming biopic. Reports claimed that director Siddharth P Malhotra saw Kiara as the perfect choice for the role of the legendary actress, and had already narrated the script to her. According to sources, Kiara who is currently pregnant and recently made waves with her debut at the Met Gala, is said to have loved the story and may soon give it a green light. However, when we reached out to Malhotra, he clarified the rumours, and said, 'This is all a hypothesis. I am in New York now and I will be back in Mumbai by the end of July, and only then will I start with my narration. I am going to lock Kamal Amrohi's casting first. Until then, I won't move on to casting for Meena Kumari ji's role.' Director Siddharth P Malhotra, known for films like Hichki and Maharaj, acknowledged that rumours around the biopic's casting continue to circulate. 'Every now & then, rumours surface of a certain Bollywood actress being approached for the biopic. I don't think before September we can officially announce Kamal Amrohi & Meena ji's casting,' he said. When asked if Kiara had been in discussions with him for the role at any point, Malhotra said, 'We have had conversations about possibly doing it. She is pregnant & will deliver in some time. Now in the last few months before delivery, it is unrealistic to discuss this.' Malhotra has officially secured the rights for the film, which aims to bring to life the epic real-life love story between celebrated actress Meena Kumari & legendary director-screenwriter Kamal Amrohi.
Indian Express
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Thappads, ragging would happen': Siddharth P Malhotra recalls assisting Vidhu Vinod Chopra, dad asked Kareeb director to ‘grind' him
Filmmaker Siddharth P. Malhotra, who has made his mark with films like We Are Family, Hichki, and most recently Maharaj, opened up about his early days in the industry, working under celebrated director Vidhu Vinod Chopra. In a candid conversation with Cyrus Broacha, Malhotra shared memories of being an assistant director on Chopra's 1998 film Kareeb, calling the experience both demanding and unforgettable. 'He is a genius but at the same time, he wants what he wants,' Malhotra said. 'So I remember that all of us as his assistants were very enthusiastic, and he was like, 'Who can swim here?' And I was like, 'I can swim.'' What followed was a far cry from what they'd expected. 'As assistants, we had no idea that we were going into the water to hold one rope, because he wanted a thousand candles to be aligned while Bobby Deol is in the water. So all the people who practically knew swimming were below water, holding the bloody rope so that the song Chori Chori Jab Nazrein Mili could happen.' Malhotra recalled the the intensity of working under Chopra. 'I remember as an assistant, a call used to come and then I used to run, go somewhere and then come back… ragging would happen, thappads would happen, everything happened,' he said. Despite coming from a prominent film family, he is the grandson of veteran actor Prem Nath and related to Raj Kapoor and Prem Chopra, Malhotra insisted no special privileges were afforded to him. In fact, he revealed that his father personally requested Chopra to make him work hard. 'My father made a call to Vinod and asked him to grind me as an assistant,' he said. 'And Vinod once laughingly said, 'Your father has asked me to raggado him, so I'm doing that.'' Also Read | 'I thought Vidhu Vinod Chopra would hit me': Ram Gopal Varma says 12th Fail director 'believes he's the best filmmaker', Anurag Kashyap recalls quitting his film Malhotra also reminisced about a personal milestone in Chopra's life that coincided with the making of Kareeb. 'I think it was at that time he had just married Anu [film critic and author Anupama Chopra], so the temperament was still high then. But now it has come down,' he said. 'I really love him though. The way he uses the camera, I don't think anyone else can.' Vidhu Vinod Chopra most recently directed 12th Fail, a film that was met with widespread critical acclaim and went on to become a sleeper box office success. The film won accolades for its storytelling, Chopra's direction and editing, and a standout performance by Vikrant Massey.
Hindustan Times
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Kiara Advani in talks for Meena Kumari biopic? Makers set the record straight
Rumours have been swirling about Kiara Advani being considered for the role of Meena Kumari in her biopic, with reports suggesting she is also impressed with the script. However, filmmaker Siddharth P Malhotra, who owns the rights to Meena Kumari's life story, has stepped in to quell the speculation, urging fans to await the official announcement and refrain from jumping to conclusions. Also read: Kiara Advani approached for Meena Kumari biopic, may mark return to acting after pregnancy with film on 'Tragedy Queen' Earlier in the day, it was being reported that Kiara Advani is in talks to play Meena Kumari on the big screen in the biopic.(AFP) Siddharth P Malhotra, known for his work in Maharaj and Hichki, took to Instagram on Tuesday to clear the buzz around the film and shut down speculations around Kiara getting on board the project. 'Would appreciate for the media to avoid conjectures on the casting of Kamal aur Meena the script has only gotten ready and as we have a cast and more, we will only be more than happy to officially announce it,'he wrote. The director added, 'Until then request everyone to avoid conjectures until they hear officially from us.' The director shared they will announce the news officially soon. Earlier in the day, it was reported that Kiara Advani is in talks to play Meena Kumari on the big screen in the biopic, and might be the first film she does after her pregnancy. Sources were quoted as saying, "Kiara has been approached for the ambitious project and was given a narration some time back'. It was stated that Kiara has 'loved the narration', but 'the actor is yet to sign on the dotted line and give a final nod'. The report also claimed that the film's team feels that 'Kiara is the perfect choice for the role, given the blend of her appearance and acting skills'. What do we know about the film Last year, Saregama, along with Bilal Amrohi and its other partners, announced a biopic based on Meena Kumari's love story with her producer-husband Kamal Amrohi in a joint Instagram post. At that time, it was shared that Kamal and Meena would chronicle their 20-year journey, starting from their first meeting when she was just 18 and he was 34, to the creation, filming and release of the classic Pakeezah. It is believed that AR Rahman, Irshad Kamil, Bhavani Iyer and Kausar Munir are attached to the project. Meena Kumari, also known as Mahjabeen Bano, is regarded as one of the finest female stars in Hindi cinema history. She worked in hits such as Baiju Bawra (1952), Parineeta (1953), Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai (1960), Dil Ek Mandir (1963), Kaajal (1965), Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962), Phool Aur Patthar (1966), Mere Apne (1971), and Pakeezah (1972). She died weeks before the release of Pakeezah, aged only 38. Meena got married to Kamal (Amrohi) in a secret ceremony on February 14, 1952. Kamal was an Indian filmmaker and screenwriter, known for films like Mahal. He established his own studio known as Kamal Amrohi Studios in 1958.
News18
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Deepika Padukone's 8-Hour Shift Request Isn't New, Says Siddharth P Malhotra: 'Kajol, Rani Did It Too'
Siddharth P Malhotra supports Deepika Padukone's 8-hour shift demand, reveals Kajol and Rani Mukerji made similar requests years ago. Calls media chatter 'publicity'. Last month, reports surfaced that Deepika Padukone had opted out of Sandeep Reddy Vanga's upcoming film Spirit, allegedly due to working condition concerns—including a request for an eight-hour workday. The development came eight months after the birth of her daughter, Dua Padukone. Weighing in on the matter, filmmaker Siddharth P Malhotra—who helmed Junaid Khan's debut film Maharaj and directed Rani Mukerji's comeback film Hichki—stated that such requests are not new and have existed in the industry for years. 'We finished Hichki, the whole film, in 28 eight-hour shifts," Malhotra told IANS. 'Whether it was Rani (Mukerji), the kids, the cameramen or the spot boy, everyone finished in that time." Hichki, produced by Yash Raj Films, marked Rani Mukerji's return to the screen after the birth of her daughter Adira in December 2015. Recalling that emotional period, Rani had said, 'For 14 months, I have been there in front of her face. So I kept asking myself, 'Is it going to be worth it?'" She even confessed to 'howling in the car" on her first day back on set. Malhotra explained that every project comes with its own expectations and timelines, but the concept of eight-hour workdays isn't unprecedented. 'It's been happening for years. When I'd shot with Kajol in 2010, she used to do eight-hour shifts. She made it very clear she'd either come from 10 am to 6 pm, or 7 am to 2 pm, or for an eight-hour shift at night. Rani also did the same. Deepika isn't demanding anything new." Kajol recently supported the same practice in an interview with PTI, stating, 'I didn't work for 20 or 30 hours. I was always very clear that we would work a certain amount only, and my mom (veteran actor Tanuja) also backed me up big time on it." Addressing the controversy around Deepika's exit, Malhotra added, 'If I need an actor and am confident I can finish the film within those working hours, I'd work with them even for six hours a day. This isn't actor-specific. People are just gaining publicity in the name of Deepika Padukone. She's asking for family time, what wrong is she demanding?" He also remarked that if Vanga required longer hours from his female lead, the director could always adjust the schedule accordingly or cast someone else. 'If the director can't accommodate the timeline, they can simply choose to work with another actor," he said. Following Deepika's reported exit, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga has signed Animal breakout star Triptii Dimri as the lead opposite Prabhas in Spirit. The film, backed by Bhushan Kumar's T-Series, is scheduled to release in cinemas next year. First Published:
Economic Times
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
‘What wrong is Deepika demanding?': Kajol and Rani did 8-hour shifts too, says director Siddharth P. Malhotra as Bollywood debate heats up
Agencies Deepika Padukone's reported exit from Spirit over her request for an eight-hour workday has reignited debate on humane work hours in Indian cinema. Director Siddharth P Malhotra defended her stance, citing past examples like Rani Mukerji and Kajol who also worked limited shifts post-motherhood. Last month, reports broke that Deepika Padukone had stepped away from Sandeep Reddy Vanga's much-anticipated Telugu cop drama Spirit . The reason? Her request for an eight-hour workday. The demand, made just eight months after the birth of her daughter Dua Padukone, sparked debate across the industry and social media, with many questioning whether actors should dictate such terms in big-budget productions. Now, director Siddharth P Malhotra has come out in her support, pointing out that such working conditions are not only reasonable but have long existed in the industry. Speaking to IANS, Malhotra recalled wrapping his 2018 film Hichki —starring Rani Mukerji—in just 28 eight-hour shifts. The film, produced by Aditya Chopra under Yash Raj Films, marked Rani's return to the screen after giving birth to her daughter Adira in 2015. 'For 14 months, I have been there in front of her face. So I kept asking myself, 'Is it going to be worth it?'' Rani had shared in a past interview, reflecting on her emotional struggle as a new mother rejoining work. But Malhotra confirmed the working hours were kept tight and clear. 'She's asking for family time, what wrong is she demanding?' he asked bluntly. 'People are just gaining publicity in the name of Deepika Padukone.' Malhotra also pointed to his debut film We Are Family (2010), in which lead actor Kajol, a mother herself at the time, insisted on fixed working hours. 'When I shot with Kajol in 2010, she used to do eight-hour shifts. She made it very clear she'd either come from 10 am to 6 pm or 7 am to 2 pm,' he said, underscoring that the practice predates the current noise around Deepika's decision. Kajol recently echoed this sentiment to PTI, stating, 'I didn't work for 20 or 30 hours. I was always very clear that we would work a certain amount only, and my mom (veteran actor Tanuja) also backed me up big time on it.' Malhotra believes that directors should match their production plans with the availability of their actors—especially when such conditions are set transparently from the outset. 'If Deepika Padukone has made these conditions clear right from the start, then the director shouldn't work with her if it doesn't suit them,' he said. 'If I need an actor and am confident I can finish the film within those working hours, I'd work with them even for six hours a day.' He added that if Vanga's vision for Spirit required longer working hours, he was within his rights to recast. And that's exactly what has happened: Vanga has now brought Animal star Triptii Dimri on board as the lead opposite Prabhas in the film. While the industry is known for grueling shifts and punishing timelines, the conversation sparked by Padukone's stance opens a new chapter—one that addresses work-life balance, especially for women returning to work post-motherhood.
