Latest news with #MeenakshiSundareshwar
Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Vivek Soni on Aap Jaisa Koi: ‘Any story told through the personal lens will touch people's heart'
Exuding old-school charm, the upcoming 'Aap Jaisa Koi' is a modern love story in which 'a buttoned-up older man falls for a feisty young woman'. Directed by Vivek Soni, it follows the story of Shrirenu (R Madhavan), a reserved Sanskrit teacher, and Madhu (Fatima Sana Shaikh), a spirited French instructor as they navigate layered family ties. The film produced by Dharmatic Entertainment will premiere on Netflix on July 11. Soni, who has earlier helmed 'Meenakshi Sundareshwar' (2021), featuring Sanya Malhotra and Abhimanyu Dassani, and is set to direct Ananya Panday's 'Chand Mera Dil', talks about directing R Madhavan and his creative process. Excerpts: Tell us about your journey from making social drama 'Bawdi' (2012) to directing a rom-com feature. I made 'Bawdi', a short film, as part of my film direction course from Whistling Woods International. I co-wrote 'Meenakshi Sundareshwar' with my friend Aarsh Vora. We developed it with Dharma and later Netflix came on board. In the case of 'Aap Jaisa Koi', Netflix approached Dharma with the story that's written by Radhika Anand and Jehan Handa. When they shared it with me, it was a 10-page-long story; I loved it. Both my feature films are love stories at heart and speak about different aspects of life. R Madhavan returns as a romantic hero after a gap. How did he come on board? After we finished writing the screenplay, we approached him and he liked the story. He is an actor who balances warmth and nuance in his performance. He also fits into the age bracket of the character — above 40. Have you done the de-aging for him? No. He just shaved his beard. Did you do any workshops for Madhavan and Fatima? We did readings together. I follow the process of meeting the actors individually first, going through the script, scenes and character graph. I did that separately with Maddy Sir and Fatima. Then we sat together and went over the script and details. It might come across as a cliché but the entire 36-day shoot with them was memorable. Your films 'Meenakshi Sundareshwar' and 'Love Storiyaan's Love on Air' (2024) episode, as well as 'Aap Jaisa Koi' are set in different parts of the country. The location is one of the most crucial aspects of the story. Before starting any project, I take into account the kind of landscape I am getting to explore through the story. This determines the costumes, sounds and visuals. With 'Meenakshi Sundareshwar', I explored Tamil Nadu. When I did 'Love Storiyaan', I got a chance to shoot in Meghalaya. For 'Aap Jaisa Koi', I wanted to explore Kolkata. Do you think romance as a genre lacks freshness today? There are good romantic stories told in Malayalam and Tamil cinema. When people go to a theatre, they want a spectacle. It is also about what's being consumed. However, I believe any story that's told through a personal lens is going to touch people's hearts. What are the things on top of your mind while you are writing or developing a project? One thumb rule is to give it a personal touch. For example, if it's the scene of a man proposing to a woman, the act should not come across as generic. Their individuality should reflect in that scene. From growing up in Rajasthan to making films in Mumbai, how did you make that journey? I'm from Rajasthan's Bhilwara. After I finished my schooling there, I lived in Kota to prepare for engineering. From 2004 to 2008, I studied at Hyderabad's ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education. After that I moved to Mumbai and worked in advertising. Later, I joined Whistling Woods International to study direction for two years. Are you inspired by any particular filmmakers? Since my childhood I have been a movie-buff. While preparing for this film, I revisited the works of filmmakers such as Satyajit Ray, Rituparno Ghosh, Aki Kaurismäki, Wes Anderson, Billy Wilder, Wong Kar-wai and Paul Thomas Anderson. It was an intuitive decision.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
R Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh's Aap Jaisa Koi release date out
R. Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh's romantic-drama Aap Jaisa Koi now has a release date. The film will start streaming on Netflix from July 11. The film has been directed by Vivek Soni who also helmed the romantic-comedy Meenakshi Sundareshwar (2021) for Netflix. It has been backed by Dharma Productions.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
R. Madhavan, Fatima Sana Shaikh's romantic-drama 'Aap Jaisa Koi' release date is HERE
Picture Credit: Facebook Actors and Fatima Sana Shaikh's upcoming romantic family drama titled 'Aap Jaisa Koi' is all set to stream from July 11 on Netflix. Director Vivek Soni shared; "Aap Jaisa Koi is a film about breaking free from the walls we build around ourselves. It's about embracing the awkwardness and vulnerability of love. " The film celebrates connection, companionship, and the beauty of discovering 'barabari wala pyaar' in the most unexpected circumstances. It stars Madhavan as Shrirenu, a reserved Sanskrit teacher, and Fatima as Madhu, a spirited French instructor. The film brings together two opposites in a story that's as much about family and belonging as it is about romance. Soni added that working with Netflix again after "Meenakshi Sundareshwar" has been a fulfilling experience. "I'm excited to present a love story that's tender, messy, and intimate, one that embraces vulnerability without losing its charm and breeziness. It quietly questions the roles we fall into in relationships and reflects the quiet courage it takes to truly let someone in. With R. Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh bringing so much heart to their roles, the film reflects the authenticity that Netflix viewers truly connect with." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo The director concluded by saying the film is a "modern romance that speaks to the need for real connections in today's world." Ruchikaa Kapoor Sheikh, Director of Original Films, Netflix India, said that Aap Jaisa Koi is a romance drama about love that sprouts amidst fallen hopes and gated traditions. "With Vivek Soni's captivating visuals, it boasts beautiful performances by R. Madhavan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Ayesha Raza, along with a stellar ensemble. The film attends to the complexities of love with tender strokes." Sheikh added: "Dharmatic Entertainment, the masters of romance on film, have told this classic tale in a contemporary fashion. It is part of a strong slate of films we're bringing to Netflix this year, each with a unique voice and perspective." Producers at Dharmatic Entertainment add, "At Dharma, we've always believed in the magic of love-but love that evolves, that questions, that unlearns. Aap Jaisa Koi explores what modern relationships look like when people begin to confront their conditioning and redefine what equality and intimacy truly mean." "With Madhavan and Fatima bringing warmth and honesty to these characters, and in partnership with Netflix, we're proud to present a film that's honest, heartfelt, and deeply human. It's a story that speaks to a new generation - about love that grows up, not just glows up." Produced by Dharmatic Entertainment's Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta and Somen Mishra, the film will start streaming from July 11 on Netflix.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
R. Madhavan, Fatima Sana Shaikh's romantic-drama ‘Aap Jaisa Koi' to stream from July 11
Mumbai: Actors and Fatima Sana Shaikh's upcoming romantic family drama titled 'Aap Jaisa Koi' is all set to stream from July 11 on Netflix. Director Vivek Soni shared; 'Aap Jaisa Koi is a film about breaking free from the walls we build around ourselves. It's about embracing the awkwardness and vulnerability of love.' The film celebrates connection, companionship, and the beauty of discovering 'barabari wala pyaar' in the most unexpected circumstances. It stars Madhavan as Shrirenu, a reserved Sanskrit teacher, and Fatima as Madhu, a spirited French instructor. The film brings together two opposites in a story that's as much about family and belonging as it is about romance. Soni added that working with Netflix again after 'Meenakshi Sundareshwar' has been a fulfilling experience. 'I'm excited to present a love story that's tender, messy, and intimate, one that embraces vulnerability without losing its charm and breeziness. It quietly questions the roles we fall into in relationships and reflects the quiet courage it takes to truly let someone in. With R. Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh bringing so much heart to their roles, the film reflects the authenticity that Netflix viewers truly connect with.' The director concluded by saying the film is a 'modern romance that speaks to the need for real connections in today's world.' Ruchikaa Kapoor Sheikh, Director of Original Films, Netflix India, said that Aap Jaisa Koi is a romance drama about love that sprouts amidst fallen hopes and gated traditions. 'With Vivek Soni's captivating visuals, it boasts beautiful performances by R. Madhavan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Ayesha Raza, along with a stellar ensemble. The film attends to the complexities of love with tender strokes.' Sheikh added: 'Dharmatic Entertainment, the masters of romance on film, have told this classic tale in a contemporary fashion. It is part of a strong slate of films we're bringing to Netflix this year, each with a unique voice and perspective.' Producers at Dharmatic Entertainment add, 'At Dharma, we've always believed in the magic of love—but love that evolves, that questions, that unlearns. Aap Jaisa Koi explores what modern relationships look like when people begin to confront their conditioning and redefine what equality and intimacy truly mean.' 'With Madhavan and Fatima bringing warmth and honesty to these characters, and in partnership with Netflix, we're proud to present a film that's honest, heartfelt, and deeply human. It's a story that speaks to a new generation — about love that grows up, not just glows up.' Produced by Dharmatic Entertainment's Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta and Somen Mishra, the film will start streaming from July 11 on Netflix.
