Sonu Sood Interview

Sonu Sood, a familiar face in Hindi movies, has become a huge hit in the Telugu film industry.

The tall and lean actor has had a good 2008 having done Hindi films like Jodhaa Akbar, Singh is Kinng and Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi.

He is also basking in the unprecedented success of the recently released Telugu film Arundhati, one of the runaway hits in the beginning of 2009.

Sonu was brilliant as Pashupati and especially as aghora (he plays a tantric) he sent shivers down our spine.

The unpretentious, friendly and warm actor talks about Arundhati, his role as Pashupati and acting in Telugu films.

Why Arundhati?

I was on the lookout for a new role. When I met the producer (Shyam Prasad Reddy) and director (Kodi Ramakrishna), the role was that of a bouncer. They wanted me to play an aghora and I did not know who an aghora was. The producer and director then showed me some sketches. The only thing I knew was that I would be working with a team which had done its homework. I signed the role purely on instinct.

Besides the script, weren't you influenced by big names like Shyam Prasad Reddy and Kodi Ramakrishna?

The script was the main reason to sign the film. The names were also important.

My make-up alone took 4-5 hours'
You've put in a high-voltage performance as Pashupati. Did you do any homework for it?

I saw photographs of aghoras given to me by the production unit. I didn't get much reading material on them, though. I was a bit confused on whether to underplay or overplay but the director knew what he wanted. In the end it was spontaneity on the sets.

A role on reincarnation, a tormented spirit wreaking vengeance -- did you think that such a role would work in today's age of science and rationality?

Yes, I did have some hesitation. I did have this question in my mind on how to convince people with the supernatural element. All the people who worked on the script were fully charged and they had the conviction that they could do it. So I believed in that conviction and the supernatural theme connected with the audience.

How challenging was it to play the character?

It was not easy. My make-up alone took 4-5 hours and it was tedious maintaining it too. In fact it was a challenge. At times we used to shoot continuously for many hours without a wink. Physically it was tiring. And I used to have rashes on the body because of the make-up. I suffered from backache as well. All this made me think of never doing something like this again. However after seeing the success of Arundhati, I have to rethink my decision.

I did Jodhaa Akbar and Arundhati simultaneously. And both the characters were totally different. When I returned to Jaipur (for Jodhaa Akbar) after shooting for Arundhati, I would tell Ashutosh Gowarikar (director Jodhaa Akbar) and his team about playing the aghora. I think it's some supernatural force which helped me do it.

'I even scared myself when I watched the film in the theatre!'
You were able to induce fear and terror. Your body language and expressions were so apt especially in the scenes as aghora. How did you manage that?

I even scared myself when I watched the film in the theatre! I think the word 'action' did the trick. I think it's destiny which made me play Pashupati in the film. My sister who would come to the sets to watch the shoot told me, 'I couldn't see you bhaiyya; I could see only the character.' In fact the character was so overpowering and strong that I couldn't see anything else.

Did the character haunt you later? Were you able to shed it easily from your mind and body?

It wasn't easy. The character stayed with me for quite some time.

Arundhati is faring very well. Did you anticipate its success?

I believed in the film and knew it would be appreciated. But what I didn't realise was that it would break records. It's been a great learning experience. It has also proved that if you believe in yourself, you can do wonders and create history.

'The technicalities I learnt in the Tamil and Telugu film industries helped me in the Hindi film industry later on'
You have been playing the baddie (Ashok) as well as essaying some good roles (Super, Athadu, Mr Medhavi). What challenges you as an artiste? Does playing roles with shades of grey give you more scope as an artiste?

I never wanted to be typecasted. That's why I do different roles. Every role is challenging. It is important for an actor to explore all phases and to learn.

How did you adapt yourself to Tamil and Telugu films? What about the language barrier?

When I started doing these films, there was no choice. I was an engineer who got into acting and the scripts were good. The technicians in the South were brilliant. I learnt the words, then the lines -- the whole process. It was like a new classroom with new teachers. The technicalities I learnt in the Tamil and Telugu film industries helped me in the Hindi film industry later on.

'People say I'm choosy but the role has to excite me'
Are you working on any Telugu projects?

I have done a movie (Bangaru Babu) with Jagapathi Babu where I play a positive role. I am listening to scripts though I haven't signed any films yet.

Will you juggle Hindi and Telugu/Tamil films?

I will juggle between Hindi and Telugu films. I enjoy working in the Telugu film industry. I plan to work in two Telugu releases in a year.

How selective are you in choosing scripts?

People say I'm choosy but the role has to excite me. It has to be a character which makes me get up without an alarm.

Can we know something about Sonu, the man in real life...?

Well I am from a small town Moga (Punjab). I never thought I would get into acting. Thanks to my family's support, I am where I am today in the film world. I am a shy person, I don't party. I play the guitar, watch movies, play with my six-year old son, spend time with my family and also play cricket.

source:rediff.com

SRK at the Golden Globe Awards

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan spoke to NDTV at Universal city in Hollywood just as he was stepping out for the Golden globe awards.

He spoke about the honor of being called on to present an award at the Golden Globes and of the darling of the event the film 'Slumdog Millionaire' thats based in India.

NDTV: Shah Rukh Khan you are usually at the receiving end at such events, today you are giving away the prize, the first time for an Indian actor at the Golden Globes- Hollywood's biggest award night, second only to the Oscars. What does this mean for SRK and for Indian cinema?

Shah Rukh Khan: Now you are making me nervous. I am not being humble, but I truly believe that the Western audience is now looking at Indian cinema. I am one of the faces of Indian cinema at this point of time, and they picked on me and asked me to come and represent the country. It is a great honor. A lot of graciousness on the part of the Golden Globes. I am representing the country. Great honor. I get to present Slumdog Millionaire. It's even more heartening because A R Rehman is there, it is shot in India. I have presented KBC. I would take it as a rehearsals for Indians to present awards here to start with and inshahallah in the future bring some films here and at the Oscars and win some of them during my time so I can come and attend some ceremonies and clap for our own films.

NDTV: What does this mean for SRK the brand after all the golden globes is watched in over 160 countries the world over.

Shah Rukh Khan: I have never understood this SRK brand Every body always asks me that. I am just an actor trying to get some emotions right. I have been working 20 years now. These big events always make me realize how long I have been working It's a good thing. I believe that I can represent the country. I believe in hope, happiness, goodness smiles entertainment, and freedom. If somewhere along my line of work I have to represent my country then I believe my country stand for all that. And I hope I do not let it down. I do not know about my own brand, I am not too much of a net worker a socialize. To be honest, I get I get embarrassed about wearing a suit and going on the red carpet. That is the simplicity that I have always maintained in life. I am just going to go there and do what they tell me to. Personally, I do not know what happenings to SRK brand but the brand of India I think is going to make waves in creativity and the film fraternity as the years go by.

NDTV: And your thoughts on the contenders for best film? On one hand you have the big studio products with big names like Brad Pitt as Benjamin Button, and on the other the underdogs, the small budget indie productions featuring actors many may not have heard of like Slumdog.

Shah Rukh Khan: It's nice to have a mix I think, I've seen Benjamin Button, I love Brad Pitt, for an actor of his caliber to start doing the kind of stuff he's doing now, certainly so different from what you know Brad Pitt for, also the film with the Coen brothers, I think that was really good, he acted fantastically in that, it's very heartening to see stars like him, and on the other hand I think Slumdog Millionaire is a brilliant film itself, it's set in India. So I feel really closer to it, it's got Anil Kapoor, it's got AR Raman, and I think if anyone deserves an award it's AR Raman from our country, so I hope I'm not the only the first Indian on stage for Golden Globes, the second one joins me soon and wins an award inshallah. But yeah, it's always nice to have this mix, and perhaps this is the kind of stuff, which should happen for the awards in India too. You have an interesting mix of cinema and films, and you don't know which one is going to take off that night. Because it keeps you on your toes and also it keeps variety alive. So it's really nice that you have big names, like you mentioned, and you have relatively unknown people who won't be unknown, I think Dev Patel is really good in the film, Danny Boyle is not unknown, I'm a big fan of Danny Boyle, so all that put together is exciting because there's variety and you don't know who's gonna win till the last minute. Something like this should happen in the Indian awards also. The Indian awards I feel run on one level. They become predictable. Thought I win most of them that is the only predictability I do not want to change.

NDTV: the last few moths the world has seen 2 images of Mumbai. One the terror attacks and two at the box office with slumdog millionaire.What do you think of the portrayal of your city/Mumbai in the film?

Shah Rukh Khan: We cannot isolate the attacks only on Mumbai there are attacks taking place all over the world. Different cities get targeted unfortunately at different times. It has happened in Delhi, Gujarat we have suffered everywhere. It is a reality we have to live with and fight. On the other hand cinema gives you hope. Films like slum dog millionaire, within all the grime and the dust and hardships of India and Mumbai there is a lot of hope and love. It seems like a Hindi film to me when I see Slumdog Millionaire and that is what we stand for. The country stands for that despite all the stress and hardship, problems the cash registers will flow because we are warm and loving people .If you want a comparison, Indian cinema stand for just that. Slum dog millionaire stand for that. It leaves you with the thought that what ever happens in any part of the world it is happening all over the world and what we do not let go of is hope and happiness.

NDTV: A R Rehman has been called the Mozart of India but now he has been nominated for a Golden Globe. Is Rehman putting us on the map, finding global acceptance that was long over due?

Shah Rukh Khan: Absolutely, I think some of the miss worlds and universes- Aishwarya Rai and Sushmita Sen, I am talking only in terms of the media, creative world and the modeling
world . We got very far on the world map because of the presence of these two ladies and then further on lots of girls have done very well for us. I think Rehman is a true genius. He has been working hard for years and has been going some really different kind of music. I have been working with him and am very fond of him. I think that is time that some one like Rehman, if he is recogonised internationally it would be rightly so, deservingly so. If there is some one who has to get a golden globe from India for the first time then there is no one better than Rehman to get it so inshahallah. Even if he does not get I think he is the Mozart of the world not just of India.

NDTV: Shahrukh, you mentioned being nervous about going on to the red carpet. The last time Aishwarya Rai was on such an international stage she got a lot of flak for what she was wearing, what designer she chooses etc, is that the same with men?

Shah Rukh Khan:I am going naked, I have decided not to wear any clothes because no clothes means no criticism. I do not know what to wear. I have spoken to Karan. I have a black suit that I have been wearing for the past 7 years. I take it out, get it dusted and ironed and I wear that. It is the safest. There are many wonderful people at the golden globes who are telling me that I should wear Indian clothes but my son does not like me wearing Indian clothes. So I am just going to wear a black suit and a black tie and hope I do not look like a waiter there. I hope that they will recogonise me and I pass off normally. It is the safest thing to do when y0ou are in America and Europe.

source:ndtv.com

Interview- John Abraham

In hit film "Dostana", John Abraham flaunts his well-toned body on Miami beaches and when the camera panned lovingly over him, many men and women almost swooned. But the actor says he never shies away from talking about his body.

"I'm never ashamed of talking about my body. Though at times I do feel like a meat shop," John told in an interview.

"I wonder how audiences will react to my physicality in my next release 'Aashayein' where I've lost 30 pounds," he added.

John admits he's quite a family man. He shot in Philadelphia for Kabir Khan's film "New York" and was quite homesick. So he brought his parents over and had a great time.

"My parents were over, but I wouldn't let my mom cook here. I pampered her, looked after her like a little baby. That's what one is supposed to do with one's parents, specially when they get old, no? I think I'll take them to Boston too. Dad is an architect; so he loves to check out the buildings and architecture," he said.

Excerpts:

Q: Correct me if I'm wrong, but the film is called "New York"; why were you shooting it in Philadelphia?

A: Because the topography is similar. A lot of films located in New York are actually shot in Philadelphia. I was shooting for three long months and if it wasn't for my parents and brother and sister-in-law and Bipasha visiting, I'd have gone crazy. When they all came to see me, I stopped feeling homesick. I was away for so long sometimes when I woke up I forgot where I was. Before Philadelphia, I was in Miami shooting for "Dostana" for three months.

Q: Homesick?

A: Now I go to Boston for Abbas Tyrewala's film. When I'm away what I miss most is the home-cooked food. My parents were over, but I wouldn't let my mom cook here. I pampered her, looked after her like a little baby. That's what one is supposed to do with one's parents, specially when they get old, no? I think I'll take them to Boston too. Dad is an architect; so he loves to check out the buildings and architecture. But before Boston I come back to Mumbai to do a film "Hook Ya Crook" with David Dhawan..

Q: You're a good son.

A: I'd really want to believe I'm a good son.

Q: How was the shooting in Philadelphia?

A: Gruelling, but very satisfying. I shot the most emotionally and physically exhausting scenes of my life. Frankly, I haven't done an action film since "Dhoom". It's a genre I really enjoy. "New York" has very effective action. I not only had a lot of running around to do, but I enjoyed myself. At this point of my career I just want to push myself beyond the limits.


Q: By wearing the briefest briefs and giving an interview on why you wore it!

A: Oh, that was an endorsement for "Dostana". And, besides, I'm never ashamed of talking about my body. Though at times I do feel like a meat shop.

Q: So why go on and on about your body?

A: I am proud of my physique. But I feel I'm also good with emotions. In fact, I perform the best when I'm unhappy. I function best when in angst.

Q: Happy to be a gay icon?

A: I've been told that. And I accept it very graciously. But women have reacted as strongly to me in "Dostana" as men. Some have reacted to the sensuality; others to the fitness. But everyone has a query about my body. Very often I don't know how to react. Initially, it was fun to be regarded as a body beautiful. I wonder how audiences will react to my physicality in my next release "Aashayein" where I've lost 30 pounds.

Q: "New York" is your second film with Kabir Khan?

A: I loved doing "Kabul Express" with Kabir. I loved shooting in Afghanistan. I'm a sucker for pain and agony. Now I'd love to shoot in Iraq. My grandfather was from Iran. My mother's cousins are in Iran.

Q: Neil Nitin Mukesh, who's shooting with you in Philadelphia, has great respect for you.

A: He's like my younger brother. I love him for the fact that he dotes on his parents. He's a wonderful kid with a great future. We spend a lot of time together.

Q: Is Deepa Mehta's "Luna" with Rachel Weisz off?

A: Deepa and I haven't spoken about it. As for "Komagata Maru", I'd still be willing to play the other lead because it's as important as Akshay Kumar's role. It's always a pleasure working with Akshay. He's a very positive person. We get along beautifully.

Q: What else have you signed?

A: Only Abbas Tyrewala's film. Beyond that I haven't really opened my account book, I'm happy doing films I'm completely convinced about. I'd love to work with Anurag Kashyap again (after 'No Smoking'). I can talk to him for hours. Like me he's happy doing his own thing. I'm an off-roader while other actors are on the highway.