Give comedy its due
Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar credited filmmakers Priyadarshan, Rajkumar Santoshi, and late Neeraj Vora for making him understand comedy, the genre he thinks still hasn’t got its due in the film industry.
Sharing his learning from some of the greatest filmmakers he has collaborated with, Akshay said, “I have worked on around 150 films, and I have worked with around 70 directors. But there is a tuning with Priyadarshan; it’s fun to work with him. I have learnt a lot of comedy from him. Rajkumar Santoshi is also one of the directors from whom I have learnt a lot. There was another late director and writer, Neeraj Vora.
These are the three people, if I got to know even the ‘C’ of comedy, it’s because of them,” the actor said.
Akshay’s best comedies
Paresh Rawal, Akshay Kumar, and Suniel Shetty in ‘Hera Pheri’; Priyanka Chopra, Akshay Kumar, and Salman Khan in ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’; Rajpal Yadav and Akshay Kumar in ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’; Katrina Kaif and Akshay Kumar in ‘Welcome’
Stop the ‘fake film’ factory
Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui has criticised the kind of films being produced in Hindi cinema today, saying many lack honesty. Speaking at a recent event, the actor stressed that filmmakers must avoid misleading audiences and remain truthful in their storytelling. “Samaaj ko galat disha mein le jaane ki zarurat nahi hai. Sacchai bahut important hai, aur sacchai har insaan aaj ki date mein jaanta hai,” Nawazuddin said. He added that viewers are aware of the narratives being pushed in cinema today. “Nahi, jhoothi filmein ban rahi hain hamare yahan. Fake filmein ban rahi hain. Duniya mein kya ho raha hai, sab jaante hain.”
Devnagri boliye
Sachin Pilgaonkar
Veteran actor Sachin Pilgaonkar believes the contemporary culture of film industry excludes the use of Hindi in conversations and writing, leading to actors not knowing how to speak in the language. Sachin, during a session at the Red Lorry Film Festival, rued that filmmakers and writers “think and write in English”. “The director is explaining to them [actors] in English, they think in English, they write in English. Devanagari mein koi nahi likhta, sab English mein likhtein hain aur uske baad Roman mein dialogue likhe jaate hain. We should know how to read Devanagari. We should know how to read and write Hindi or Hindustani for that matter,” he said.
Movie business and global tension
Raashii Khanna
Raashii Khanna has expressed concern about how escalating global conflicts could impact the film industry. While promoting Ustaad Bhagat Singh, Raashii said rising geopolitical tensions may eventually affect audiences’ spending on entertainment. “I was talking to a friend recently about the future of films. A war has begun, and I don’t know how people are realising that we’re going to face inflation in the future. Films are like a luxury. When there’s no money, films will not be our first priority.”
Cinema for the public
Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Filmmaker Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari voiced her concern over the diminishing state of “middle-of-the-road” cinema, saying audience support and dedicated screen space will ensure its survival. She said that she aim to continue making the kind of unique films that she is making. “We have the power in our hands to encourage cinema that makes us like us. So, if any of our cinema is coming out, it needs word of mouth as that is such an integral part; no amount of marketing can beat that.”