The big buzz in Bollywood
From fights and fallouts to debates around casting, subject and films’ titles, here are the rows that raged on this year
FALLOUT BETWEEN SANJAY LEELA BHANSALI AND SALMAN KHAN?
After repeated delays in the production of Inshallah, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali decided to shelve the film, which was to star Salman Khan and Alia Bhatt. According to reports, Sanjay and Salman had a big fallout and creative differences was one reason, but Salman set the record straight and told Mumbai Mirror, “...One thing I can say is that Sanjay won’t do gaddaari with his film. I want him to make the film he wants to make. Nothing changes between us as friends and I’m sure nothing has changed in Sanjay’s heart for me...
He and I will still work in future on a film, inshallah.”
LEGAL TUSSLE BETWEEN UJDA CHAMAN, BALA
Director Abhishek Pathak of Ujda Chaman filed a case against the makers of Bala for copyright violation. Both films were based on the similar subject of premature balding. Bala was to initially release on November 15, while Ujda Chaman on November 8, but trouble began when Bala was advanced to November 7 to clash with Ujda Chaman. The dispute was mutually resolved as Ujda Chaman released on November 1 and Bala, a week later.
ANU MALIK’S ENTRY AND EXIT FROM INDIAN IDOL
When singer Anu Malik, accused in the #MeToo movement, was reinstated as a judge in music reality show Indian Idol 11 in September, it courted backlash from Sona Mohapatra, Neha Bhasin, and Shweta Pandit, who were among those who accused him of sexual harassment. In November, he stepped down from the show after the National Commission of Women sent a notice to the channel.
ZAIRA WASIM BID ADIEU TO BOLLYWOOD
Just before The Sky Is Pink released, Dangal and Secret Superstar actor Zaira Wasim announced her “disassociation” from Bollywood, as she felt her relationship with religion was threatened. In a Facebook post, she wrote, “…I want to confess that I’m not truly happy with this identity, that is, my line of work. For a very long time now it has felt like I have struggled to become someone else.”
KANGANA RANAUT VS DIRECTOR AND CO-ACTORS
Actor Kangana Ranaut made her directorial debut this year with Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi. Krish Jagarlmudi, who co-directed Manikarnika the film, reportedly accused the actor of “hijacking” the film, leading to a bitter exchange of words. Mishti Chakraborty blamed Kangana for chopping off her role and Sonu Sood and Swati Semwal left the project.
KANGANA VS JOURNALISTS
Actor Kangana Ranaut got into an ugly spat with a scribe during the promotions of Judgementall Hai Kya. She accused the journalist of “running a smear campaign” against her and her film Manikarnika. Kangana’s sister Rangoli Chandel took to Twitter to further accuse the reporter of being biased. A section of entertainment journalists reportedly demanded an apology and decided to boycott the actor.
KJO’S DRUG PARTY ROW
Filmmaker Karan Johar’s party video landed into a soup when Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa, in an open letter, accused him and his Bollywood brigade — Vicky Kaushal, Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor and others — for allegedly “flaunting” their drugged state in it. He urged the Mumbai Police to file an FIR against the celebs. Karan stood his ground and said, “Would I be stupid to put up a video of substance abuse? My mother was in the same room, and she went back to her room. I was really angered with the responses that were coming in...”
KABIR
SINGH FACED FLAK FOR MISOGYNY, TOXIC MASCULINITY
The film raked up a debate on “glamourising misogyny and toxic masculinity”, and how Bollywood must be more responsible. Actor Shahid Kapoor stood by the narrative, and defended it, saying, “The first responsibility that an actor has towards the audience is to give them an honest portrayal…You’re meant to play characters and represent life the way it is.”
AGEISM DEBATE
Actor Neena Gupta sparked the ageism debate in Bollywood when she criticised the casting of younger actors Bhumi Pednekar and Taapsee Pannu as 60-year-olds in Saand Ki Aankh. “I love @bhumipednekar and @taapsee but I kinda wish older actors were cast in these roles. Could you imagine @Neenagupta001 and @AzmiShabana or Jaya Bachchan? #SaandKiAankh,” Neena tweeted, opening up the floor for talks on age appropriate casting.