"Somewhere in Wake up Sid, are bits and pieces of my life" – Ayan Mukerji

29.10.09 / Bollywood / Author: / Comments: (0)

He is B-town’s latest wonder-kid who struck gold with his very first film Wake Up Sid. We are indeed talking about the young and talented director Ayan Mukerji.

Ayan was recently on Bollywood Hungama’s celeb chat to interact with his fans and for all those who missed this fun-filled session, here are excerpts of the same.

Ayan Mukerji: Hi This is Ayan Mukerji only on Bollywood Hungama.com.

Jassi13: Hi, Ayan!! Thanks a lot for making Wake Up Sid! It’s a fantastic film! I enjoyed watching it with my parents. Though I’m a girl, there is a bit of Sid in me.

Even I’m lazy and irresponsible in life. I’m still being lazy though. I’m trying to change myself these days???
Ayan Mukerji: hi jassi… glad you liked the film, it feels really rewarding…don’t stress too much about your life… we’ve all been through phases where we’re taking it

easy… it all works out eventually.

Jassi13: After Dil Chahta Hai and Jab We Met, Wake Up Sid is the most trendsetting movie!! Please always direct more refreshing flicks like Wake Up Sid!..all the best.
Ayan Mukerji: I hear you jassi. Thank you.

Jassi13: After Dil Chahta Hai and Jab We Met, Wake Up Sid is the most trendsetting movie!! Please always

direct more refreshing flicks like Wake Up Sid!..all the best.
Ayan Mukerji: I hear you jassi. Thank you.

Jassi13: There’s a bit of Akash of Dil Chahta Hai in Sid of Wake Up Sid! Do you agree?
Ayan Mukerji: 1er… ya i see what you mean in a sense… but then again, there is a little bit of Sameer and Sid in him too!

priya64: hi ayan! I’m looking forward to watching Wake Up Sid! Whats ur fav song from the movie?
Ayan Mukerji: kya karoon is my fav priya.

Jassi13: What’s next after Wake Up Sid?
Ayan Mukerji: lots of travel and reading and movies jassi :-)

priya64: how was it working with Ranbir??
Ayan Mukerji: Ranbir is just too good to describe in this space! it was the best part of making Wake up… working with him…

Jassi13: Have you ever interacted with Nikhil Advani, Soham Shah and Tarun Mansukhani – Karan Johar’s protegees?
Ayan Mukerji: I’ve only interacted with Tarun… he was associate director on KANK and I worked under him… he’s so hard working. It’s impossible to keep up with

him… have not worked with the rest.

Priya64: which other actresses’ wud u love to work with and why?
Ayan Mukerji: I’d like to work with Kareena Kapoor… she just lights up the screen i think… and she’s got a very infectious energy about her… even when she’s not

at her best, she’s incapable of being boring…

Niraj: Ayan ji, Wake Up Sid is a good film but not as much as we expected from an assistant of greats like Karan Johar and Asutosh Gowarikar. 15-20 minutes

into the film I could predict the screenplay and the climax of the film. I hope as you said in Screen Newspaper Interview that after seeing films of Guru Dutt, Bimal Roy &

Manmohan Desai films you make better Hindi Films and won’t follow Hollywood as you have done in Wake Up Sid. Its my humble suggestion that do watch Raj Kapoor

Films and you will feel that with a message how can commercial cinema be made with song and dance and showmanship.
Ayan Mukerji: niraj, i hear you sir. Will definitely make an effort to watch all those movies… hopefully, you’ll like my next film more :-)

priya64: how old are u? You seem very young to be a director? Did u always want to get into directing?
Ayan Mukerji: that’s a good question. it was because i always wanted to be a film-maker and it was a wrong call i think to join engineering school in the first place.

But at that point, I was still figuring out how to break into the industry correctly…

Jassi13: but how did u break into the industry?
Ayan Mukerji: jassi… it’s a very long and boring answer to that question… to sum it up, i have some family in Bollywood, then i worked as an assistant director for

a few years… and then i made this movie! yup!

Jassi13: How is Karan Johar as your mentor and producer?
Ayan Mukerji: Karan Johar… before being a mentor and a producer… is a friend. He is like an older family member in my life. I think that affection and sense of

protection that you feel from someone in your family is always a part of our professional relationship as well. That makes it very nice.

Jassi13: How is Karan Johar as your mentor and producer?
Ayan Mukerji: Karan Johar… before being a mentor and a producer… is a friend. He is like an older family member in my life. I think that affection and sense of

protection that you feel from someone in your family is always a part of our professional relationship as well. That makes it very nice.

Saurabh: Hi Ayan..Heard great things about the movie..goin wth fr tonite.
Ayan Mukerji: hope you enjoy it saurabh.

Jassi13: Are you happy and satisfied with the positive response for Wake Up Sid?
Ayan Mukerji: yes, i am happy. But more than happiness, what I feel is just relief! Lot of responsibility one carries for other people when one makes a movie… I’m

so thankful to have that burden lifted off with the positive response! Maybe now they’ll actually let me make another movie :-) that feels good.

Minalh: did u have Ranbir in mind from the start?
Ayan Mukerji: yes, i always had Ranbir in mind.

Priya64: what’s ur take on Reality shows on TV? Would u ever be part of it if u are offered one?
Ayan Mukerji: i think reality shows are great fun to watch sometimes though I’ve had no time for them in the last 2 years. But i would never be a part of one ever.

I’m too private a person for that.

priya64: do u have any siblings? are u married??
Ayan Mukerji: i have 2 sisters, well technically, half-sisters… and no, i am not married!

Minalh: did u expect Wake up Sid to get the success its getting now?
Ayan Mukerji: minalh… to be honest, and i don’t mean to sound pompous at all so don’t take it the wrong way, but yes i did think Wake up Sid would work with

audiences… or at least a certain kind of audience. Lot of money and time at stake on a movie… would never have made it if I didn’t think it could be successful.

Soham: tell something about ur dream film..do u like the concept of remaking a film?
Ayan Mukerji: remakes don’t really excite me… I think its because although i love watching movies… with my own movies, i’m not that interested in following or

drawing from other movies… I’m more interested in drawing from life, or my sense of life to be more precise… does that make sense to you?

Soham: how any young star with no filmy family background can enter in the industry?
Ayan Mukerji: honestly soham, there isn’t any one answer to that question. I think the trick is to set a goal for oneself… however small it maybe… and then just do

everything to make it happen!

Soham: how any young star with no filmy family background can enter in the industry?
Ayan Mukerji: honestly soham, there isn’t any one answer to that question. I think the trick is to set a goal for oneself… however small it maybe… and then just do

everything to make it happen!

priya64: which of the khans is ur fav and why??
Ayan Mukerji: Shah Rukh Khan! Hands down! i can’t sum up why in words… I’ve always just loved him!

FenilSeta: Saw WAKE UP SID on Friday and loved the film a lot. It is still lingering in my mind! Hats off!
Ayan Mukerji: thank you so much fenilseta! Big smile on my face!

Niraj: Ayan ji, I would be highly obliged if you convey my message to Karan Johar Saab. I am a great fan and admirer of him and I am extremely disappointed and

hurt that such a great man like him goes to a leader of a political group folding his hands (as shown on tv news channels) and apologizing. He should have apologized on TV or in a press-conference. We are in awe of him and he has hurt a lot of fans like me by this. Thank you.
Ayan Mukerji: niraj, i will convey your message to karan. But you should understand that he did what he felt he needed to do at that point to protect our film. it is not possible to understand from the outside sometimes how much a film means to the people who have created it. Its like having a baby or something. And when someone threatens to hurt

Jassi13: Would you love to direct thrillers like Abbas Mustan?
Ayan Mukerji: jassi… i would love to direct thrillers but honestly i’m not sure I’m capable of it yet. still, lots of learning on the roads ahead… at some point in life,

maybe…

Benu: how did u go abt directing this movie any inspiration??
Ayan Mukerji: benu, the inspiration was simple. it was to write a movie about characters and situations and feelings that i personally understood and could totally

relate to. Somewhere in Wake up Sid, are bits and pieces of my life therefore. Everything else was an offshoot of that initial feeling.

Benu: how did u go abt directing this movie any inspiration??
Ayan Mukerji: benu, the inspiration was simple. it was to write a movie about characters and situations and feelings that i personally understood and could totally

relate to. Somewhere in Wake up Sid, are bits and pieces of my life therefore everything else was an offshoot of that initial feeling.

Jassi13: What do you think of Taran Adarsh’s review of Wake Up Sid? Are you satisfied with his review?
Ayan Mukerji: Taran was very kind to us with his review. yup i’m happy with it.

priya64: did u take up any special courses for direction?? Or was it just after assisting u decided u wanted to direct a movie?
Ayan Mukerji: priya, i learnt everything i know on the job…. two movies as an assistant director and a few tv commercials…

N_Vashi: don’t you think the word ‘Bombay’ has been used all the time in the film and not at least once the name ‘Mumbai’ I think if Niranjan Iyengar would have

used both these names then it would have been a little more justified even though I don’t agree with the fuss about the name of cities
Ayan Mukerji: actually, Mumbai has been used in the film as well. The magazine is called ‘Mumbai beat

Sojib: is “WAKE UP SID” resembles ur life?
Ayan Mukerji: sojib, Wake up Sid doesn’t resemble my life in a very conscious or direct fashion… i was very far from being a failure in academics…but there are

parts of life as i understand it that are there in the film. the characters and situations are not me, but they are close to me.

priya64: are u computer savvy?? do u tweet or have an face book account?
Ayan Mukerji: I’m savvy…. but i don’t do face book or twitter… it’s a bit of a conscious decision… i feel like it takes up too much time in your life… and i would

rather devote it to other pursuits… but i keep hearing that I’m missing out. People seem to be having a lot of fun out there.

Ayan Mukerji: thank you for logging in. i hope you guys enjoyed the film, and for those who didn’t… well, next time perhaps i’ll get you on my side :-)

Abhay Deol enthralls audiences at the 11th Osian’s Cinefan Film Festival

29.10.09 / Bollywood / Author: / Comments: (0)

Abhay Deol, who impressed one and all with his superlative performance in Dev D earlier this year, took part in the second New Stream Panel discussion at the ongoing 11th Osian’s Cinefan Film Festival. The talented actor, who has created a niche for himself doing off-beat roles time and again, was present at the New Stream Panel discussion along with his Dev D co-star Kalki and director Anurag Kashyap.

The New Stream Panel discussion is a new introduction in the Festival, where crew members of some off-beat films made in the mainstream genre share their insights with the audience. Speaking at the discussion, Abhay said, “I was able to emote well in the film because Anurag gave me the freedom to do things naturally and spontaneously.”

Abhay also said that festivals like Osian’s Cinefan Film Festival provide a perfect platform to serious actors like himself who do not fit in the larger-than-life roles and are not picked up by makers of art cinema who think he belongs to commercial cinema.

The actor, apart from his acting assignments, is also busy with his production house- Forbidden Films, which is all set to make an action film called Basra set in the Iraqi city of the same name.

BCCI mum on player-lensmen fracas

29.10.09 / Cricket / Author: / Comments: (0)

MUMBAI: The Cricket Board on Thursday
keep mum on the fracas featuring a few junior India players and lensmen before
the second day-night encounter against Australia at Nagpur on
Wednesday.

“We don’t have any plans to talk to the team management.
If there is any change in this status, we will let you know,” said a
spokesperson for the BCCI when contacted on the matter.

News
photographers and young India players Virat Kohli, Amit Mishra and Praveen Kumar
had an altercation near the boundary line following protests by the lensmen that
the knocking about by the players near the rope was endangering their costly
equipments.

The players did not heed to the photographers’ request
and continued to knock the ball around, much to the consternation of the
shutterbugs who got into a verbal argument at the new VCA Stadium in Jamtha on
the outskirts of the Orange City.

‘Less ODI would prolong Sachin’s career’

29.10.09 / Cricket / Author: / Comments: (0)

NEW DELHI: Sachin Tendulkar should cut
down on his limited over appearances to prolong his Test career, feels former
Australia captain Allan Border.

“I have high esteem for Tendulkar and
his achievements in international cricket. But I think, it would be better for
him to appear in fewer limited over matches, including one-dayers. It would help
him to prolong his Test career,” Border said.

Border, who made 11,174
runs for Australia from 156 Tests, feels Tendulkar’s ability to handle pressure
is the mantra behind his success in international
cricket.

“Representing your country for 20 years in international
arena is not a small achievement. There is always a lot of pressure on an
international cricketer and I must say Tendulkar has managed it beautifully,”
Border said.

Tendulkar, who has till date scored 12,773 runs from 159
Tests, since making his debut against Pakistan in Karachi way back in
1989.

“Like many others, his career was also disturbed by injuries.
But even after many ups and downs, Tendulkar still has the same passion and love
for the game,” said Border, who is here as the brand ambassador of Airtel Delhi
Half Marathon to be held on Sunday.

“Tendulkar is a player who always
looks for improvement. It would be very difficult for others to climb to his
stature,” the former left-handed batsman said.

Border also expects a
keen contest between India and Australia in the ongoing seven-match ODI series,
but feels the hosts have the momentum after last night’s comprehensive
win.

“After thrashing Australia in the second match, India certainly
has gained the momentum. But both the teams are evenly powerful and I expect a
close finish, probably a 4-3,” the 54-year-old Aussie said.

Riding on
skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s breathtaking 107-ball 124, India crushed
Australia by 99 runs to claw their way back into the series, which is now
levelled at 1-1.

“India would have a slight edge because they know
the environment. And it is always difficult to deal with so many injuries while
playing such a long series. It’s very important to keep the key players fit,”
Border said.

Australia’s injury woes deepened when wicketkeeper Tim
Paine was ruled out for the rest of the series after he broke his finger during
the second ODI in Nagpur.

“The team (Australia) is still going though
a transition period after retirements of players like Shane Warne, Adam
Gilchrist and Justin Langer. It is always difficult to fill the void,” Border
said.

He also lavished praise on India captain Dhoni for his
leadership qualities.

“Dhoni is a aggressive captain and he has
brought about that attitude in the squad. He is leading by example like what he
did in the last match. He is also getting support from his team-mates,” Border
said.

India waiting for Bhajji to hit his straps

29.10.09 / Cricket / Author: / Comments: (0)

MUMBAI: India notched up a
comprehensive 99-run victory over the world’s No.1 One-day team Australia at
Nagpur on Wednesday, which may lead to glossing over some gray areas by the team
management.

One of those shady areas in an otherwise outstanding team
effort was the bowling of Harbhajan Singh, the feisty off spinner who seems to
have hit a plateau in the ODIs against Australia are concerned.

The
Punjab bowler, whose exploits with the bat in the company of Praveen Kumar
nearly brought off a sensational victory in the first ODI at Vadodara on October
25, has looked innocuous in his bowling in the two innings so far against
Australia.

Figures of one for 57 and one for 62 do no credit to a
bowler who is seen as the trump card for India in the slow bowling
department.

Not just the lack of success, but the way the Australian
batsmen have tackled him is an indication that his wicket drought is no flash in
the pan.

Overall since his first match against the top team in 1998,
Harbhajans record against Australia, as compared to his overall one in ODIs, is
nothing much to boost about.

In 30 ODIs so far against Australia,
Harbhajan has bowled 270 overs and grabbed only 26 wickets at a high average of
close to 50.

His strike rate of a wicket every 62 balls and an
economy rate inching close to the 5-run-per-over mark is also a giveaway to his
lack of penetration or effectiveness against the free-stroking batsmen from Down
Under.

In the last two years, since the seven-match rubber at home in
October 2007, Harbhajan Singh’s best effort against the four-time World Cup
winners is two for 38 at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2008.

He has
only one other two-wicket haul, two for 43, during the earlier best-of-seven
contest to show for in his last 14 matches over the last two years against
Australia.

On six of those occasions he went wicket-less and he has
conceded over 50 runs on half a dozen times in the period under
consideration.

However, Harbhajan’s lack of success against Australia
has not been a worrying factor for the Indian think tank.

Asked
whether he was happy with the way Harbhajan bowled last evening at Nagpur,
Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said “he indeed was, barring a couple of
overs.”

“Well I’m quite happy. I thought he bowled two bad overs, the
first over he bowled during Power Play when he went for 12 or 13 odd runs and
one more over in the middle.

“If you take those out his line and
length were very good,” Dhoni said after his swashbuckling knock of 124 that
flattened the Aussies.

Backing the offie to the hilt, Dhoni further
said that Harbhajan looked to be regaining his rhythm.

“He was
getting purchase out of the wicket and quite consistent with his length, so I
was quite happy as he was also getting into his rhythm,” the Indian skipper
said.

After the first ODI and on the eve of the second Dhoni said
that Harbhajan was bowling well but still a bit short of what he was capable of
and the team was confident he would bounce back soon.

“He’s an
experienced bowler. He’s not bowling at his best but is still bowling well.
Everyone goes through such a patch. The kind of individual he is, he always
bounces back.

“He also loves changes. We have confidence in him. He’s
batting well but we would like to see him bowling better than what he’s doing.
But we are not too much worried about that,” he said.

The Indian team
would certainly benefit hugely if Harbhajan can regain the form, with which he
had mesmerized Australian captain Ricky Ponting and retired wicket keeping great
Adam Gilchrist in the past.

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