Deepika Padukone opens up on her memorable roles, Ranbir and Ranveer and the secret of her and Ranveer’s lasting relationship and a whole lot more in a candid conversation with Rajeev Masand and Anupama Chopra

The opening session of the Jio MAMI Movie Mela with Star, 2019 began with an engaging conversation between actor Deepika Padukone, the newly appointed Chairperson of MAMI, film critic Rajeev Masand and Anupama Chopra, Festival Director, MAMI. The focus of the chat was five of Deepika’s standout roles that the two leading critics love and are career milestones in her twelve-year illustrious career. When asked to count the number of films she has worked on a modest Deepika said, “I have never really worked towards keeping a count on the number of films I have done, but more about connecting with the work I have done. My acting process begins with the narration. While a great narration may not necessarily translate into a great movie, it helps me visualize the story and the character. It helps bring out the honesty of the script.”

The conversation then steered towards Deepika’s roles. The first character the critics chose was Veronica in her breakthrough film Cocktail. This role was offered to Deepika at a time when she was going through a lean period personally. Speaking about why she chose to play the character of the dynamic and complicated Veronica, Deepika explained, “I reread the script to understand why Imtiaz (Ali) thought that while I was drawn to Meera, I was actually ready for Veronica.” She further added that it was Homi’s sensibility toward this complex character that empowered her to play it. “After a point I was spontaneous in my takes; Homi had just stopped directing me. Veronica helped Deepika shed her inhibitions both as a woman and as an actor and explore a side of her that she did not know existed.”

Next up for discussion was Meenakshi (Meenamma) from Chennai Express, a role in which Deepika channeled her comedic muscle. Speaking about playing the nightmare scene from the film, Deepika said, “My energy was completely off that day. I could see that Shah Rukh Khan and Rohit Shetty were not happy with me and they were wondering how to make it work.” According to Deepika comedy roles are tricky, especially when there are many actors on different wavelengths.  These scenes cannot be rehearsed. The entire crew has to be tuned in to the comic timing. “You can’t prepare for scenes like these. It just happens spontaneously. But at the end of the day whatever you do with conviction becomes honest.” she said.

In the same year, Deepika portrayed Leela in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela. The critics chose the Panchayat meeting scene, which was Deepika’s first ever shot for Mr. Bhansali and also her first film with now husband, Ranveer Singh. She spoke about how stressful and unnerving it can get working with Bhansali sir’s impromptu ways of shooting a character and how she gave her best to keep up with him. Given his fetish for changing things till the last moment, Bhansali rewrote the script of the panchayat meeting scene, just as Deepika was getting done with hair and makeup. “While the writers were cajoling me on how I could shoot it in parts. I almost broke down.” she reminisced. On working with her husband, Deepika said. “He likes to discuss work and take it home. But not me. I like to be in a different head space on the set and at home.”

Speaking on her experience of working for the runaway hit, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Deepika commented director Ayan Mukerji’s working methods. “Ayan likes to have discipline on the sets,” she said. “The scene should be fun on screen but the actors off screen shouldn’t be fooling around.” Playing the on-screen journey of Naina, who goes from being a reserved, bespectacled girl to a stylish, fun-loving one, was something that Deepika enjoyed. “I had a lot of fun playing Naina. I saw a lot of her in me, and lot of me in her. Naina’s evolution is, in some ways, like my own; so, portraying her transformation wasn’t all that hard.”

When asked about the how two of her co-stars – Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh – differ in their methods of working, Deepika was quick to respond. “Ranbir doesn’t really have a process; he is very spontaneous. I have never really seen him ‘prepare’ for his role as such. He’s like me in that respect. Our approach is 50% rehearsed and 50% spontaneous. Ranveer, on the other hand, really gets into the process. He changes everything for the role – right from the car he drives, to the clothes and the perfume he wears. He’s a different person every six months, which is probably one of the reasons why our relationship has lasted so long; I never get bored.” she joked, leaving the audience in splits.

The conversation then moved to one of her most loved and acclaimed roles in Piku – a movie that holds a special place in Deepika’s heart. “Given the chance, I would do the movie all over again,” she said fondly. “I miss Piku, I miss the experience of making the movie. We were all in a really good place when we were making the movie. I had gotten out of depression and things were looking up. We had sets that were fully functional – the house, for instance. Shoojit (the director) told us to go about our parts as if we were really living in the house, and the camera would follow us. In that sense, we really “lived” the film, and those moments were beautifully put together and presented to the audience.”

Speaking about her upcoming movie Chhapaak, in which she plays an acid attack survivor, Deepika said that the character stayed with her for quite a while even after the film was completed. It’s something, she said, that all actors experience. “The characters you play don’t just go away at the snap of the finger. They linger in your mind; they get pushed to the back as you start playing a new character; but they never entirely go away. Chhapaak was also a very physically draining movie; it would take at least three hours to put on the make-up every day and an hour to take it off. Even emotionally, it’s one of my most challenging roles yet and I’m looking forward to bringing it to audiences,” she signed off.

The festival is scheduled to be held from 17^th to 24^th October, 2019~

Mumbai, 30^th September 2019: India’s biggest film festival for cinematic disruption and discovery, Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star, is set to return with its 21^st edition. The platform announced its stellar film and talent lineup for the upcoming edition at a press conference held at JW Marriott, Juhu. The event was attended by MAMI Board of Trustees Zoya Akhtar, Vishal Bhardwaj, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Rohan Sippy, Kiran Rao, Ajay Bijli along with Festival Director Anupama Chopra and Artistic Director Smriti Kiran.

The Jio MAMI 21st Mumbai Film Festival with Star is the only festival in India that has become a fast emerging global platform in the last five years. The festival has transformed into the most sought-after event, helmed by contemporary professionals from the industry, attended by global stalwarts and supported by both Indian and International film communities. Through its innovative and well curated programming, the festival has increased its footprint worldwide. The festival has emerged as the most trusted partner for curating and connecting India to National and International content platforms. A platform that brings together both Independent and Mainstream cinema and educates audiences across the world. It has pioneered initiatives that fill gaps and has added value by showcasing the best of Indian and World cinema.

The eight-day festival scheduled to start on 17^th October boasts of over 190 films including over 50 debuts, 13 world premieres, spanning 53 countries and 49 diverse languages. Over the last five years, the festival has established itself as a preferred platform for anything cinema in the country. It brings together the best cinematic experiences for film enthusiasts and serves as a discovery and launch platform for its filmmakers. 

Highlights of Jio MAMI 21^st Mumbai Film Festival with Star:

• Buzziest titles of the edition:

The festival will open screens across the city to thousands of cinema lovers with some of the best cinema from India and around the world. A few of the big ticket films include Marriage Story by Noah Baumbach, Ad Astra by James Gray, Honey Boy by Alma Har’el, The Souvenir by Joanna Hogg, Midsommar by Ari Aster and Sorry We Missed You by Ken Loach.

• Excellence in Cinema Award 2019 (International) & Masterclass – Fernando Meirelles:

Multi-talented filmmaker Fernando Meirelles is the force behind the critically acclaimed Brazilian film – City of God.  He will be awarded the Excellence in Cinema Award 2019 (International). There will be aMasterclass withMeirelles on filmmaking and his new film The Two Popes moderated by Festival Director and acclaimed Film Critic Anupama Chopra.

• Excellence in Cinema Award 2019 (India) – Deepti Naval:

She made her debut with the movie Ek Baar Phir in the year 1979. Since then Deepti Naval has acted in more than 60 films. The actor, director, painter and photographer will be awarded the Excellence in Cinema Award 2019 (India). She is known for her substantial contribution to art and cinema, winning critical acclaim for her sensitive portrayal of characters that have emphasized the changing roles of women in India.

• Spotlight:

A specially curated out-of-competition section, Spotlight, showcases new and exciting work from both critically acclaimed and breakthrough Indian filmmakers. The section focuses on films that push boundaries and are an example of narrative ambition. This year, the section features five world premieres.

• Aunty Sudha Aunty Radha | Dir. Tanuja Chandra | Hindi | Asia Premiere
• Cargo | Dir. Arati Kadav | Hindi | World Premiere
• Ram Prasad Ki Tehrvi | Dir. Seema Bhargava Pahwa | Hindi | World Premiere
• Shut Up Sona | Dir. Deepti Gupta | English | World Premiere
• The Churning of the Ocean (Samudra Manthan) | Dir. Kamal Swaroop | Hindi | World Premiere
• The Wayfarers (Raahgir) | Dir. Goutam Ghose | Hindi | India Premiere
• Oh That’s Bhanu | Dir. R.V Ramani | English, Malayalam, Hindi |World Premiere
  
  

❖     Dimensions Mumbai Jury:

The Dimensions Mumbai section showcases films by up-and-coming filmmakers under the age of 25. The lineup promises to offer stories that are sure to keep you at the edge of your seat. The Jury for the Dimensions Mumbai platform this season comprises a dynamic set of individuals from the filmmaking community – Actor Taapsee Pannu, Actor Avinash Tiwary, author and screenwriter Kanika Dhillon, screenwriter, director and producer Karan Anshuman and Film Editor Shweta Venkat Mathew.

• International Competition Jury:

The prestigious International Competition section shines a spotlight on new cinematic voices. It is open to debut filmmakers from all over the world. The top of the line Jury for the section is headed by world renowned filmmaker Hany Abu-Assad. His co-jurors are Julie Huntsinger – Executive Director of Telluride Film Festival, Mark Adams – Artistic Director of Edinburgh International Film Festival, Filmmaker Vetri Maaran and Zoya Akhtar – Director & Screenwriter.

❖     India Gold Jury:

India Gold will showcase breakthrough contemporary Indian films produced in India. The jury comprises Franklin Leonard – Film Producer, Cultural Commentator, Professor & Entrepreneur, Col Needham – Founder & CEO of IMDb, Christian Jeune – Director of the Film Department and Deputy General Delegate of the Cannes Film Festival and Grainne Humphreys – Festival Director of Dublin International Film Festival. The 10 films that have been nominated are –

• About Love | Dir. Archana Atul Phadke | India | 2019 | 90 min
• Bitter Chestnut (Khanaur) | Dir. Gurvinder Singh | India | 2019 | 100 min
• Bombay Rose | Dir. Gitanjali Rao | India, United Kingdom, France, Qatar | 2019 | 93 min
• Eeb Allay Ooo! | Dir. Prateek Vats | India | 2019 | 98 min
• Gamak Ghar | Dir. Achal Mishra | India | 91 min
• Invitation (Nimtoh) | Dir. Saurav Rai | India | 2019 | 85 min
• Just Like That (Aise Hi) | Dir. Kislay | India | 2019 | 109 min
• Pearl of the Desert (Maru ro Moti) | Dir. Pushpendra Singh | India, South Korea | 2019 | 82 min
• Aamis | Dir. Bhaskar Hazarika | India | 2019 | 108 min
• That Cloud Never Left | Dir. Yashaswini Raghunandan | 2019 | 65 min

• The Industry Program:

With its 21^st edition, the festival introduces a new initiative called the ‘Industry Program’ – a set of highly curated one-on-one sessions that industry professionals will have with Indian and international experts from the world of film. The idea is to bring the industry closer, learn from one another and crush all boundaries.

• Opening Film:

Filmmaker Geetu Mohandas’ much-awaited and acclaimed film Moothon is the Opening film of this edition. It is the first time in 21 years that a Malayalam language film will be opening the festival and it is the second time for the festival that a film directed by an Indian woman director has been chosen as the Opening Film. Geetu has mounted her film on a large and lavish canvas with a powerful cast headlined by the Malayalam industry dynamo Nivin Pauly.

Vishal Bhardwaj, Filmmaker and MAMI Board Member said, “Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star is a one of a kind film festival that creates a unique cinematic experience for movie lovers across the country. The lineup is so very diverse and vast. There is an interesting watch for every kind of film enthusiast. I am excited about everything that the festival has to offer this season.”

Zoya Akhtar, Filmmaker and MAMI Board Member said, “This is the most exciting time of the year for film lovers in the city. The festival is once again set out to put forth the best of world cinema and take the best of Indian cinema to the world. I am especially looking forward to being a part of the International Competition Jury. It’s an opportunity to engage with new and promising talent from across the world.”

Siddharth Roy Kapur, Founder and MD, Roy Kapur Films and MAMI Board Member said, “The Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star is a platform that gives new talent the recognition they deserve and the opportunity to begin their journey in the Indian filmmaking industry. Year on year we see some of the biggest names in the ecosystem coming back to showcase their films at the festival – a place from where they once started out. It goes on to show just how much of a community and support the academy has created for new and seasoned creators.”

Mr. Ajay Bijli, Chairman and Managing Director, PVR Ltdsaid, “It gives me immense happiness to see the way Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, 21st edition has been curated. PVR has always envisioned to offer quality and varied content to the viewers. The diverse film line-up will offer exemplary exposure to the movie enthusiasts. There is a significant increase in demand for interesting and innovative storytelling across India and, the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star will aptly cater to the same. India has an enormous creative pool, and we endeavor to offer them a platform to showcase their talent. With every edition, we could see an increase in enthusiasm and quality amongst the content creators. Facilitating, encouraging and instilling the movie culture in India has been the foundation of PVR’s business outlook since inception.”

A Star India spokesperson said, “At Star, we have always believed that compelling stories can inspire a billion imaginations and influence a better tomorrow. MAMI is a great example of doing just that with its curation of world class cinema. We are happy to associate with MAMI for the sixth year in a row and look forward to celebrating the power of stories.”

Anupama Chopra, Festival Director, MAMI said, “It is extremely humbling to see the support that we receive each year from the filmmaking community and the delegates. This is a platform that makes way for diverse cinematic voices. With each edition we aim to bring the world closer together through cinema.”

Smriti Kiran, Artistic Director, MAMI said, “The industry programme for me is key to this festival. The knowledge sessions and close door masterclasses that are designed, I feel will over time help our industry blossom. I am also excited about the way we have chosen the jury. All solid and influential film professionals who will not only weigh in on the films but also have the power to champion and discover the unbridled talent we have in our country.”

Payal Nijhawan, Head of Marketing, William Grant & Sons, said, “William Grant & Sons is extremely excited to bring alive the playfulness of Monkey Shoulder, and a delightfully peculiar Gin experience with Hendrick’s, at the Jio MAMI 21^st Mumbai Film Festival with Star. As with the very best in film making, these brands constantly disrupt convention, and re-write the rules of the category.”

Akriti Agarwal, C.E.O. Thirsty Beers and Thirsty City 127, said, “As a brand, Thirsty has always been an advocate for the arts in all forms. Possibly the most creative beer company, our crafted brews are themselves a work of art. . Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star is a melting pot of creative minds coming together each year to support the fine arts and this year, we at Thirsty couldn’t be happier to partner with a festival that shares our philosophy of prompting talent and endorsing creativity. It is with great pleasure we join hands with Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star to celebrate splendid cinema.”

Majid Majidi’s Beyond the clouds is a cinema where the art pours. Ishan Khattar’s debut is unconventional yet promising. He gets to do it almost all and is quite convincing. Malavika Mohana is decent too; she resembles a lot to Deepika Padukone. The soul of the film lies under the baseline story of humanity that evolves in the characters with the situations life throws on them.

Amir and Tara are siblings separated through circumstances. Circumstances indeed play an important role in shaping their journey in the film. Amir is a drug peddler who wants to make it big; Tara is somewhere looking for that strong emotional shoulder which she finds in a “Chhotu” immensely adorable and talented kid whose innocence wins you over and succeeds to bring you some smiles in this dark cloud journey.

The plot though a thriller loses its thrill and becomes a pure emotional rider; riding high on humanity. The action goes missing, the first chase scene is brilliantly shot in the lanes of Mumbai with a great background score raising your adrenaline rush; post this the adrenaline rush is lost and the film completely rides on the emotional moments; tormenting situations where the find peace in their broken pieces. There is betrayal, there is bonding, there is disappointment, there is hope. There is communication barrier yet they succeed to connect hearts.

What the film doesn’t loose is the vision of the director. His camera rides smooth and aesthetically. The scene on the rooftop of Dhobighat is a wow factor, the scene where the mother along with two daughters and Ishan individually perform their segment in the backdrop of the poster wall is commendable art. The film has the right cast, each character plays brilliant making this cloud shine.

Beyond the Clouds is straight from the heart; conventional yet unconventional.

Verdict: Silver Plus 3.5*s