Page 34 - FEB 2022

star bonanza

SUBHASH GHAI VAANI KAPOOR

Subhash Ghai in an interview recently revealed that Vaani Kapoor is on cloud nine after the success of her
movies without the’ masala’ of love, song, fight, movie, ‘Chandigarh Kare Ashiqui’ where Vaani plays
emotions, and several other elements of life are the role of a trans-woman, Manvi. Talking about how
amusing to him! The ‘Karma’ director ’36 Farmhouse’ she got int the skin of the character, the ‘Befikre’ star
for a digital platform. Ghai’s home production Mukta sys that first off, she was comfortable with playing
Arts is in collaboration with Zee Studio and is slated Manvi. She also says that she prepared a lot by getting
to make several films. The entry of Ghai who gave into the head of the character and collaborating with
us films like ‘Kalicharan,’ ‘Karz,’ ‘Karma,’ and ‘Taal’ her director and writers. Vaani says that Manvi was
as asked about whether he was inspired by a movie accepted by the trans community, and their validation
named ‘Falak.’ The story of that movie was written by meant a lot to her. She confesses that although she was
Salim of Salim-Javed fame. Ghai says that it is true comfortable with the character, she felt apprehensive
that his movie ‘Ram Lakhan’ indeed was inspired by about playing the role that represents a community
it, and he went on to make a grander version of the that has struggled and keeps struggling for their
same topic. space in the society. It was a huge responsibility, and
The ’Sanjog’ director says that several movies are the ‘Shuddh Desi Romance’ actor executed the role
retreatments of similar topics. For example, the
premise story of the Mehboob Khan classic, ’Mother with aplomb. When asked whether she felt insecure
India’ was adapted by several other classics like as an actor when she heard Ayushmann was going
Dilip Kumar’s ‘Ganga Jamuna’ or Prakash Mehra’s to be her costar? What if he walked away with all the
blockbuster starring Amitabh Bachchan, ‘Deewar.’ accolades?! Vaani very gracefully and authentically
Although the premise of both the movies are similar answers this tricky question by saying that feeling
the treatment, space and the relevance of the movies jealous or insecure towards a costar denotes that
are different, he says. ‘Ram Lakhan ’also has a similar one has no team spirit. The success of a movie, the
premise except that the treatment of the characters ‘War’ star says is a culmination of all actors and other
is different. Over the decades our values change people who make the film. She looked at this as an
and hence the movie metamorphoses into another opportunity to play such a meaty role. Feeling that
version. she has a greater role, or her costar has a better role
January 27th marked 33 years of the making of Ghai’s does not occur to her, Vaani confidently declares!
iconic film ‘Ram Lakhan’ that had an ensemble star Talking about ‘Befikre’ and its bombing in the box
cast of Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Madhuri, Dimple, office, the star says that she enjoyed doing the film
Amrish Puri amongst others. Talking about remaking no matter what and had a wonderful time with all
of ‘Ram Lakhan’ and ‘Khalnayak’ the ‘Pardes’ director who were associated with it. Talking of Ranbir Kapoor,
says that there is a great demand for the remake of she says that it seems that he is effortless and has a
both these films but hastens to add that Mukta Arts great persona. He seems authentic and she says that
will not be producing the remakes. Instead, he is she loves watching Ranbir’s movies. Her next release
planning to sell the rights of the movies to whoever is ‘Shamshera’. We look forward to more from this
wants to. beautiful and talented actor in the coming years!

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