logo
Naseeruddin Shah shouted at me after watching my shows, recalls Amruta Subhash: ‘I would rather see you failing'

Naseeruddin Shah shouted at me after watching my shows, recalls Amruta Subhash: ‘I would rather see you failing'

Hindustan Times10-06-2025

Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah had a few words to say to Amruta Subhash after watching her performance on stage. In an interview with The Lallantop, Amruta shared that she was expecting 'Naseer saab' to praise her acting and was already quite proud of herself that she earned applause on stage. Instead, she got a scolding from him when Naseeruddin said that he is 'concerned' for her after seeing the performance. (Also read: Amruta Subhash was rejected from a dance group because of her skin colour: 'Started believing that I wasn't beautiful')
During the interaction, Amruta went on to recall the scenario. She shared that during her performance, there was one specific part where her character had to cry, and she would make sure to elicit applause from the audience in that bit. One day, when she noticed that Naseer saab was present, she did the same, and it made her feel proud. Interestingly, Naseer Saab sat for a second show of the play too.
After the play, she met him at the tea shop. She added, "He came to me, and he was like, 'Amruta…' I was like, 'Yes sir', and he said, 'I watched your play' and the proud me was like, 'Okay and?' He then said, 'Beta, I am concerned.' I was shocked. I was like I received so much applause for my work, why is he so concerned?'
He then told me, 'Beta, I watched both the shows, and you did the same thing for claps.' He was very angry. He said in a higher tone, 'I would rather see you failing doing something new rather than doing the same thing again and again for claps, okay?' I was like, 'Okay, sir, sorry.' He asked whether the character even needed to cry. He said you're forcing yourself on the character and not letting it explore anything new. You will be repetitive as an actor. Your career will be over. That incident changed things in me and shifted something in me.'
Amruta is a National Award winning actor who has worked in Killa, Vihir, Contract, Raman Raghav 2.0, Gully Boy, and Dhamaka. She was most recently seen in Chidiya which also stars Vinay Pathak, and Svar Kamble. Directed by Mehran Amrohi, the film hit theaters on May 30.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

'Maine dekha ki...' This star once make SHOCKING revelations about Sushant Singh Rajput's death, felt it was only..., his name is...
'Maine dekha ki...' This star once make SHOCKING revelations about Sushant Singh Rajput's death, felt it was only..., his name is...

India.com

time31 minutes ago

  • India.com

'Maine dekha ki...' This star once make SHOCKING revelations about Sushant Singh Rajput's death, felt it was only..., his name is...

In the glitzy yet sensitive world of Indian cinema, some names are known not just for their creative genius but also for the storms they occasionally stir. One such celebrated filmmaker, who once collaborated with the late Sushant Singh Rajput on a project that still resonates with fans, found himself in the eye of a public outrage. His words, intended or misinterpreted, sparked widespread backlash, opening old wounds and raising questions about respect, timing, and empathy. Bollywood Director… Here we are talking about director Dibakar Banerjee, who is a well-known Indian director, producer, and screenwriter. Before entering the film industry, he worked in advertising for a long time as a copywriter, creating commercials for major brands. In 2006, he made his directorial debut with the film 'Khosla Ka Ghosla,' featuring powerful actors like Anupam Kher and Boman Irani. With this film, Dibakar demonstrated his ability to convey significant themes with simplicity. It was well-received by audiences and won the National Award for Best Hindi Film in 2007. However, Dibakar's name has also been associated with controversy. He drew media attention for his film 'LSD 2,' but an even bigger uproar occurred when he commented on the death of Sushant Singh Rajput. His remarks angered many, leading to social media backlash and trolling. The Time When Dibakar Gave His Opinion On Sushant Singh Rajput In a YouTube interview with Siddharth Kannan, Dibakar expressed his views on Sushant's death, stating that people were more interested in sensational gossip rather than genuinely mourning the loss. He noted, 'When Sushant died, there was a lot of speculation in the news regarding the cause of his death. I needed to distance myself from it all. I was listening to everything, lekin tab maine dekha ki log bas masaledar gossip hi dhundh rahe the, maine kisi ko bhi nahi dekha shok ya uske liye gham manaate hue. There was no conversation about how a young actor had passed away. Everyone was more focused on conspiracy theories—who provided drugs to Sushant, who was responsible for his death. Where were the tributes? Where were the discussions about the impact of his films? Those who genuinely loved him should have held screenings of his movies and talked about them.'

Rekha's gun-wielding fans turned up on Umrao Jaan sets, Muzaffar Ali recalls how he made them a part of shoot: Umrao Jaan re-release
Rekha's gun-wielding fans turned up on Umrao Jaan sets, Muzaffar Ali recalls how he made them a part of shoot: Umrao Jaan re-release

Indian Express

time3 hours ago

  • Indian Express

Rekha's gun-wielding fans turned up on Umrao Jaan sets, Muzaffar Ali recalls how he made them a part of shoot: Umrao Jaan re-release

For those who have seen Muzaffar Ali's melancholic opus Umrao Jaan, with Rekha inhabiting the titular role like a faded dream, it is nearly impossible to move beyond its spell. The film simmers, its frames soaked in poetry, its sorrow rendered with grace. Rekha's performance aches tacitly, Asha Bhosle's voice weaves through Shahryar's verses like silk through smoke, and the Urdu… it breathes. And now, for those who have only heard of its legend, scratches of its songs, the verses of ghazals played late into the night, it is a moment to look forward to. Umrao Jaan returns to the screen on June 27th, inviting both the old lovers and the curious new to lose themselves once again. In a conversation with SCREEN, at his equally sumptuous villa in Juhu, Ali reflected on what first inspired him to adapt Umrao Jaan Ada, the novel on which his film is based. 'My passion has always been Awadh, Lucknow, its people, its culture,' he said. 'That's what I carried with me, even when I was in Calcutta watching Satyajit Ray at work. He was deeply devoted to Bengal, to its spirit. And I knew then, I wanted to do something about Awadh, to tell one of its stories. The idea was always about this girl, set a hundred years ago, yet facing something timeless. Torn from her roots, raised and sold into a kotha. And from there, becoming a creative force in her own right, shaping her own story. That moved me.' He found that story in Mirza Hadi Ruswa's Umrao Jaan Ada, 'a book,' he said, 'that truly inspired me.' Responding to Rekha's remark in an old BBC Urdu interview, where she humbly claimed she did nothing to deserve the National Award for Umrao Jaan, crediting instead the film's triumph to the craftsmen and technicians behind it, Ali agreed with her sentiment, yet offered a deeper view. 'Of course,' he said, 'she had to prepare on many levels. Language, singing, dancing. Yes, there were people to guide her, but she performed beyond expectations.' Expanding on this, Ali reflected, 'You see, Rekha understood from the very beginning that this film would matter. She sensed that it would give her a chance to express something deep within her. She honoured that instinct from the first frame. Working with her was a gift, because this film is woven from quiet emotions. And it takes an actor like her to absorb those feelings and translate them onto the screen.' Also Read | Rekha and Umrao Jaan: The story of women who learn to live with broken hearts Recalling another moment from the shoot, Ali spoke about an incident Farooq Sheikh once recounted, when a group of Rekha's fans reportedly turned up with guns, eager to catch a glimpse of the shoot in progress. Laughing, Ali said, 'It wasn't as scary as it sounds. But yes, there was a little episode. We were shooting in Malihabad, and some locals, clearly excited, showed up wanting to watch. So I let them in.' 'They were thrilled,' he smiled. 'And later, I even cast them in the film. You see, I made them all decoys, using the very same guns they'd brought.' Speaking about Sheikh, whom Ali had earlier directed in his debut film Gaman, he said, 'Farooq was a remarkably natural actor. He brought a sense of realism to his roles. He wasn't like anyone else I could have imagined.' 'There was a softness in him,' Ali continued, 'an aristocratic grace paired with a subtle sophistication. And yet, nothing about him felt 'filmy.' Even in Gaman, he carried a different kind of rawness, windblown, a little lost. In Bombay, people often grow hard. But Farooq held on to his gentleness, that innocence. That's what I needed in my characters, and he brought it beautifully.' While talking about Sheikh and Rekha, it is impossible not to mention the legendary song 'In Aankhon Ki Masti Ke', which was shot in long takes, as if the camera were soaking in all the grief and romance that hung in the air. Explaining this visual choice, he said, 'You have to bring out the meaning of the words, you have to bring out the language of the face, or the story on the face. So I think the face became a very important element; the stories are in the eyes. You have to dwell on that to be able to tell the story. You couldn't have had a quick, fast-paced film or too many movements. The movements are any way happening within the frame.' There is also a certain perception among audiences that Umrao Jaan was, even if subconsciously, inspired by Kamal Amrohi's Pakeezah. However, Ali denied any such influence, saying, 'I don't think Pakeezah had anything to do with this film. Because, you see, the character has a different look and feel. The film also has a different style. I don't think you'll find any frame where you feel it's inspired by Pakeezah. Except for the fact that this is a courtesan, and that was a courtesan. But that was a very commercial kind of treatment of the subject. In this, the treatment is very individualistic and abstract.' As the film gears up for a re-release, he shared how the entire cast and crew are planning to come together to watch the film with the audience, to live it all over again and witness its reception now. He also mentioned that the film might be best suited for OTT, as it's a reflective, mood-driven piece, ideal for personal, intimate viewing. But for now, he's glad it isn't on any platform, as that absence has created a thirst among audiences to see it again on the big screen. And as a filmmaker, what more could he ask for, 44 years after its release?

‘Would be amazing to explore projects here' actor Alia Bhatt gets candid about the city
‘Would be amazing to explore projects here' actor Alia Bhatt gets candid about the city

New Indian Express

time6 hours ago

  • New Indian Express

‘Would be amazing to explore projects here' actor Alia Bhatt gets candid about the city

From the poised and sophisticated teen girl in the film Student of the Year to milestones like portraying the unapologetically strong Gangubai Kathiawadi – which earned her a National Award, and stepping into motherhood, actor Alia Bhatt's professional and personal arc is something all of us have witnessed over the years. One such milestone in the journey was her initiative to start a sustainable clothing brand for children and mothers – Ed-a-Mamma. Recently, the brand, in partnership with Reliance Retail, opened their first store in Bengaluru aiming to bring sustainability and conscious living to the city. 'Bengaluru has a vibrant and conscious community, and I hope it becomes more than just another brand here; I hope it becomes a part of the city's larger conversation on mindful, sustainable living,' she shares. She started it before becoming a mother, unmindful of the significant changes she would have to incorporate post the life-altering event. 'Becoming a mother has only deepened my connection to the brand in such a personal and powerful way. I'm always thinking about comfort, texture, safety, softness, and even how easy something is to put on and remove,' she says. Besides her entrepreneurial journey, she also gets candid about her potential entry into the Kannada film industry. 'I have always admired the storytelling and creativity coming out of Karnataka,' she says, adding, 'Whether as an actor or even on the production side, it would be amazing to explore and collaborate on projects.' Sharing a special bond with the city, she adds, 'Even though my visits to Bengaluru have been short, they have been full of love and warmth. The food, the energy, the city have always been welcoming.' Adorning many hats as an actor, mother, singer, and entrepreneur she embraces the challenges and laughs them off. 'The biggest challenge for me is time – there's never enough of it! But I'm learning to prioritise and be fully present in whatever I'm doing at the moment,' she laughs. As the store comes into its own, Bhatt is hopeful of it bringing a change. 'In Bengaluru, I believe our planet-friendly approach will really resonate, encouraging families to make better and kinder choices. It's about planting seeds of change, one product at a time, and the 'garden city' feels like the perfect place to do that,' she says.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store