Page 6 - FEB 2022

bollywood talkies
BADHAI DO

whether he found such movies risky, Rao says that all
he focuses on is a good story and his character in
the film. If he finds something challenging, something
that pushes him out of the comfort zone he goes for
it, the ‘Stree’ star said. HARSHVARDHAN Kulkarni
who has directed this movie earlier directed a risqué
comedy “Hunterr.” He has also made some notable
ad films that have strong narratives such as ‘Mom be
a girl’ series and Lenovo’s ‘Let your child reach the
stars.’ That is how Harsh got opportunities to work
with stars form the film industry such as Nawazzuddin
Shaikh, Akshay Kumar, Swara Baskar, Ayushman
Khurrana to name a few. Talking about the story and
the script of the movie, Rajkummar Rao says that
it had all elements of good story telling. It had an
unusual story, comedy, emotional elements all woven
into a sensitive fabric. Junglee films always pushes
boundaries he says. Some of the earlier movies of
Junglee films are ‘Talvar,’ ‘Raazi,’ ‘Bareilly ki Barfi’ to
name just a few. Rao has collaborated with them on
Capturing on the success of the movie ‘Badhai Ho’ two projects. Besides ‘Badhai Do,’ they have two more
that starred Ayushman Khurrana who was cast as the projects in the offing. ‘Doctor G’ and ‘Woh Ladki Hai
son who is embarrassed of his middle-aged mom, Kahan?’ Harsh says that Junglee Films have backed
Neena Gupta who gets pregnant, Junglee pictures the ‘Badhai Do’ team all the way and are aiming for
comes again with a unique ‘family story,’ ‘Badhai Do.’ a theatrical release. This film according to them needs
Rajkummar Rao and Bhumi Pednekar star in unique to be watched by everyone.
roles as a couple who enter marriage for convenience. Rao plays the role of a gay policeman, Shardul.
The film is a whole new take on the LGBTQ community Its one of the most layered characters he has ever
and is filled with romance and comedy. Speaking on played, Rao says. Speaking of his sexuality, /Rao says
the theme of the movie, Rao says that it is more about that focusing on his homosexuality is not the most
love than inclusion which is the principal theme of important thing in the movie. There is a lot more to
the movie. The ‘Badhai’ franchise as it is now called, it, he says. Of course, humor plays a great part in the
seems to be making movies that are totally out of formation of his character. Rao put on muscle for the
the box. At least with these 2 movies the themes are role. He says that it was not easy putting on mass for
fresh, not cliched. Speaking on the premise of the him as he is a vegetarian and not easy working with
film, Akshat Ghildal who wrote ‘Badhai Do’ and has Harsh who happens to be Rao’s senior from the Film
cowritten ‘Badhai Ho’ with Suman Adhikary says that Institute. This was the first time someone asked him to
it is kind of a spiritual sequel, a homage to ‘Badhai bulk up for a role, Rao says.
Do.’ Since the complexities are more, the humor has Rao and Harsh both feel confident about the film’s
been upped and the family is bigger. Ashat says that it success. They say that there will be something for
is two times more of everything. everyone to take home from the film. It is going to be
We seem to have a new breed of actors in the likes of a film that will make them think. It’s a story that has
Ayushmann and Rajkummar Rao. Films with a wonky been told form the heart and will touch the audience,
twist seems to appeal to these actors and they seem Harsh says.
to do very well with such films. It also leads to a whole
new genre of ‘experimental’ movies. When asked

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