I am not a Nun or a puritan: Tanushree Dutta

With a power packed performance in her film “Rama The Savior”, in which she has been cast opposite Saahil Khan, Tansuhree Dutta has joined the league of action stars in Bollywood. Hadi Ali Abrar is directing the film, which according to Tanushree is not a mythological film but an out and out action adventure thriller. “I play the unconventional role of a strong girl called Sameera in this film. When I heard the script, I realized that I would be in comfort zone when I do the role”, quips Tanushree when I meet her at her cozy apartment for this interview.

Believe it or not, to prepare herself for the role and get into the skin of her character in the film, Tanushree even went through a crash course in taekwondo with the action director of the film Peter Han. “The role that I am doing in “Raama The Savior” has been inspired by Lara Croft in Tomb Rider. What I liked about the film is the fact that it is not a violent film and hence meant even for kids. I had to get my posture correct and undergo a lot of training in weight to shrink because the role needed me to lose my weight.”

Says Tanushree excitedly. “It is for the first time in my career that I am doing a role like this. I even refused to let a double do some of the toughest action sequences. Then harder that I was pushed I felt the better was my performance. The USP of the film was that though there was no scope to show my emotion, I had ample scope to show my anger. I am glad that I bagged the role since the choice was narrow for actresses who would be willing to do a role like this.”

Tanushree has no regrets that she agreed to do a film like this with a new director and a hero like Saahil Khan who has not been able to make his presence felt in Bollywood. “Today in Bollywood there is a different wave. Today a film like Bheja Fry has clicked in a big way whereas big films like Love Story 2050 and Drona has tanked at the box office because the perception of the movie going public is changing drastically. I feel that it would be very boring to play the same kind of role in film after film and decided to take a chance because I wanted to be part of the change that would bring me happiness.”

Tanushree is practical. “Look here. I know that the biggest of the banners and the heroes would not come to me because I do not have a mega blockbuster film behind me. However, the films that I have done till now have all helped me grow as an actress and prove that I am quite versatile because I have not played safe by resorting to being typecast as an actress.”

Tanushree says that just to keep her busy she does not believe in signing each and every film that is dangled in front of her. “I have said No to a lot of offers but I have no regrets. I do not deny that I have been also part of bad films like Speed too in the initial days of my career because I was told that jo dikhta hain who hi iss industry mein biktha hain, but I am happy that I did not ruin my career by doing a lot of bad films. If I had, I cannot even hope that a film maker like say Yash Chopra would ever approach me with an offer to cast me in his film.”

Tanushree recently got into a spat recently with Nana Patekar on the sets of Horn OK Pleass. Talking about then unsavory incident, she says. “Men have always their own way of controlling situations around them. One way of that is by forcing themselves on others. Even women do that. I as a person do not like to be controlled. I like keeping a distance from others in general. If I like a person, it is different. I am not a Nun or a puritan. Nor am I promiscuous by nature. I do not like people encroaching my private space at any cost. Just because I appear to be peaceful it does not mean that I do not have an aggressive side to me”.

Tanushree says that though there are people like Nana Patekar, with whom she did an item number for the film Horn OK Pleass and Shona Urvashi who had directed Saas Bahu Aur Sensex who have tried to break her credibility in the industry, she is happy that there are directors like Priyadarshan and Subhash Ghai who have only words of praise as far as her professionalism is concerned. “I have worked with Priyadarshan in Bhaagam Bhaag and Subhash Ghai in Good Boy Bad Boy. None of them has said anything against me. I may not be the best of the actresses around today in Bollywood but can vouchsafe for the fact that I have the psyche of a professional.”

'Raaz..' success story unveiled!

Raaz – The Mystery Continues' is the first smash hit of 2009! The movie is expected to gross Rs. 35 cr in its first week itself. Emraan Hashmi and Mohit Suri were in Pune to celebrate the phenomenal response

'Raaz – The Mystery Continues' (RTMC) is now a certified first smash hit of 2009. The film has grossed Rs. 21 crores in the first 4 days and the projections for week 1 are a massive Rs. 35 crores!! To celebrate the success of their film, director Mohit Suri and Emraan Hashmi were in Pune for a brief visit. States Mohit, "We have had excellent feedback from everywhere especially Pune since the release of the film. So we are here to celebrate the success with the people of this city!"

This makes 'Raaz TMC' not only the most expensive horror film in Bollywood history but also the first smash hit of 2009!! Very few films in recent times – like 'Ghajini' and 'RTMC' have been a hit across the country, proving that good content has the power to appeal across strata – demographically as well as geographically. No wonder the producers of the film SONY BMG and Vishesh Films are in the seventh heaven.

Mukesh Bhatt, producer of the film, said "No one and nothing can stop a great product from doing its magic on the audience. All the audience care about is whether the film appeals to their sensibilities and is entertaining at the same time. 'RTMC' did just that…and the figures speak for themselves."

Shridhar Subramaniam, MD of SONY BMG, presenters of the film, is extremely happy with the opening. "It's a very special moment for SONY BMG, since the very first film we have co-produced has made history. Our association with Vishesh Films started with a bang with the music of 'Jannat', and with 'RTMC' we have taken it to a new height. This shows how effective the combination of Vishesh Film's creative and production expertise is and SONY BMG's path-breaking marketing. "

'RTMC' has been released across a 1000 screens. Everyone from producers to exhibitors and distributors is in celebratory mood. The film has delivered more than it had promised and has exceeded expectations for sure.

The strong word of mouth is the main thing that's worked in 'RTMC's favor. It's an unprecedented start in comparison to almost every other film released during this month till this very day. 'RTMC' is the biggest opener for Emraan Hashmi, Mohit Suri and more over for Vishesh Films ever. Mahesh Bhatt has stated, "Vishesh Films has produced close to 50 films – and many of them have been landmark films in terms of box office collections. But 'RTMC' has surpassed all of them. The weekend gross of RTMC is equivalent to the first week gross of 'Jannat'!!" Even from overseas, the response has been overwhelming as Dubai has clocked in huge numbers since the first screening.

Kercy Daruwala MD of SONY Pictures Entertainment India, distributors of the film in India, has said, "It's a great start! 'RTMC' has been a great success all over and we are only too proud to be associated in this venture with Vishesh Films. We're looking forward to many more such successful projects."

The very first film review by India's foremost Trade Analyst and Reviewer Taran Adarsh has given it a thumbs up! – "The story [Mohit Suri] is absorbing and Mohit treats the subject like a veteran, as if he knows the genre very well. There're moments that make your heart beat faster, you watch the events with eyes and jaws wide open…On the whole, 'Raaz - The Mystery Continues' is rich in the horror quotient and that is one of its major USPs, besides the highly competent performances by its principal cast and a lilting musical score. At the box-office, this one will continue the winning streak of Mahesh Bhatt and Mukesh Bhatt's Vishesh Films."

All of this is based on very real and first hand reactions of the nation's Bollywood fans and proves that 'RTMC' as a film has completely clicked with the audiences. Right from the first trailer, audiences have been waiting to watch Emraan Hashmi, Kangana Ranaut and Adhyayan Suman create magic on screen. Indeed, the performances are stellar and the film guarantees no disappointments whatsoever for anyone.

Akshay Kumar in Imtiaz Ali’s next movie

Vipul Shah and Akshay Kumar share a great chemistry. Apprently after the success of Namastey London duo has decided to do more films together. Their last comic flick Singh Is King is being directed by Anees Bazmee. Vipul’s one film is already under production and he is planning his next again with Akshay.

It is believed that after Singh is King Vipul will be producing two films, while London Dreams will be directed by himself and for the other film he has signed Imtiaz Ali.

Though script and other important things are yet to be finalized but the director and actor has already been finalize. Jab We Met fame Imtiaz Ali has been signed to direct his next movie that will star Akshay as main lead.

Imtiaz is working on Saif Ali Khan Deepika Padukone starer film. When asked about it Imtiaz confirms “Yes we are in talks now. It will be a love story once again. I am yet to finish my script. The film will be produce by Vipul Shah. I won’t be able to talk anything more than this.”