It was indeed a dream come true for comic buff Saif Ali Khan, with the launch of a comic book especially dedicated to Fox Star Studio India’s forthcoming action-entertainer, Bullett Raja.
Two months ago, the makers of Bullett Raja captured the digital space by launching a unique novel series built around the central protagonist, Saif Ali Khan [AKA Bullett Raja]. Being a lover of comic books, Saif was so overwhelmed by the response that the graphic novel series received from fans, that he came up with the idea to bring it out in print. Capturing the true essence of UP mafia, the comic book titled, The Legend of Bullett Raja is set to hit the shelves soon.
To give the book an authentic feel, the comic is hand-drawn thus giving it a gritty and earthy essence. The book was launched amidst much celebration and glitterati on the lawns of Mumbai’s Taj Land’s End. The occasion witnessed the presence of the lead star cast of the film such as Saif Ali Khan, Sonakshi Sinha and Jimmy Shergill along with the bad boys of the film, Gulshan Grover, Ravi Kissen and Chunkey Pandey as well as the music directors Sajid-Wajid, writer-director Tigmanshu Dhulia and producers of the film.
The Legend of Bullett Raja sees Saif Ali Khan essay his on-screen role of Raja Mishra, a commoner who gets transformed into Bullett Raja – a notorious, care-a-damn attitude gangster. A faithful friend and a loyal lover, living life on his own terms, setting his own rules, commanding respect and fearing no one, Bullett Raja in his true inimitable style takes on the system that creates people like him in a compelling struggle for power and ambition, which will also be captured in the comic book.
The Nawab of Bollywood Saif Ali Khan spends a lot of his time in the British capital for holidays and film shoots. Just recently, the 43-year-old actor was filming for Sajid Khan’s upcoming comedy flick Humshakals in London and Portsmouth.
Khan met up with Bollywood reporter Sunny Malik at the UK headquarters of 20th Century Fox after a long day of shooting with co-stars Riteish Deshmukh and Tamanna here in London.
Saif Ali Khan’s latest film Bullett Raja is distributed by 20th Century Fox in the UK and coproduced by its Indian arm Fox Star Studios. Directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia, Bullett Raja sees Saif Ali Khan essay the role of Raja Mishra, a commoner who gets transformed into Bullett Raja – a notorious, care-a-damn attitude gangster. The action comedy also stars Sonakshi Sinha, Jimmy Shergil, Vidyuth Jamwal, Chunkey Pandey, Gulshan Grover, Ravi Kishan and Raj Babbar.
Congratulations on your first ₹ 100 crore film Race 2. Has your perception of the ‘100 crore club’ changed now that you are a part of it? Now it’s all about the ₹ 200 crore club right?
So it doesn’t matter to you? It does matter. The idea is to make a lot of money. It makes you a ‘star’ when your films do really well at the box office and earn ₹ 150 crores or ₹ 200 crores. It sounds good. People invest in you and you make sure that the films make money. It’s the business of our films.
You are in London for Humshakals. How has the filming been so far? I think Humshakals is the most commercial movie that I am doing. The kind of songs and comedy that we have in the film made me feel that I’m finally doing a film which has something for everybody, which is important. I mean, Cocktail was lovely but it wasn’t for everyone. Some people may find it a little highbrow and urban. India is a simple and poor country. Our people like happiness, comedy and dances in movies. It’s nice to play such a role in Humshakals.
Your next release is Bullett Raja. What is the film about? It’s an action movie. It’s a story of two friends who inadvertently, of course, have to end into a life of crime. But not just crime, it’s more of a political hit man kind of crime. It is set in UP where it’s almost legally acceptable that a minister will go around beating people.
Saif Ali Khan in London at 20th Century Fox UK headquarters
Bullett Raja is being distributed by 20th Century Fox in UK cinemas. Do you think that having such a renowned and well-known distributor will help the film in terms of reaching out to newer audiences or do you think that just depends on the content of your film? No, I think distribution is extremely important. I think the fact that they are connected so well in that amazing way and have that reputation is a plus for them. A lot of people are trying to enter the Indian market without understanding it. But the films that Fox is acquiring for production and distribution have a high chance of being successful. Someone is choosing the films correctly. America and India have different cultures. There is no connection. There is also no possibility that an executive from ‘X’ company will really understand anything. The best offer they will give you is that ‘We have a library of so many movies. Why don’t you remake one for us?’ That’s not really useful.
You usually team up with Eros International for your own productions. They recently started the trend of Indian movies in Russia again with your production ‘Cocktail’. Do you get involved in the distribution aspect of films that you are not producing like Bullett Raja? No I don’t. I also think that one should work with lots people. I just work on the philosophy of not putting all your eggs in one basket. Hopefully some other people know what they are doing.
How was your experience working with your director Tigmanshu Dhulia? It was really good. He is a very sensible guy. Something about him reminds me of Sunny Deol, not as a person but because of the kind of films he makes and likes. I think he was even involved in his production house. He likes films like Gaddar but at the same time he has an artistic side and makes films like Paan Singh Tomar. Actually, instead of calling him artistic I should call him good as a he is a good filmmaker. But I would like to nudge him into making more of a commercial movie. He took a tough character in Bullett Raja and made him funny. I mean my character is scared of flying, is charming and naughty with the girl. He is a great friend, has tremendous heroic qualities like bravery and loyalty but is on the bad side of the law.
It’s also a fresh pairing with Sonakshi Sinha for you after a long time. Was that a conscious decision? Variety is certainly the spice of life in terms of movies. It feels great. How stupid of me not to have worked with different actresses earlier. My pairing with Deepika is great and successful but dancing with Tamanna for Humshakals was fantastic and really cool. We were doing some really great steps and I really thought that it was brilliant. Even for Bullet Raja, Sonakshi has had very successful films but is very down to earth. When you speak to her, you feel like she is someone you have gone to school with, generations apart (laughs).
Does that bother you when people say that you are 40+? No, because I feel that I’m looking better, at least on most days I don’t know about today, than ever. When you are on top of your game, it doesn’t bother you. But when you aren’t it, will probably start worrying you. When you look in the mirror and you see too many lines and if someone points that out to you, you will feel bad. I feel that forty is the new thirty.
I still enjoy your movies from the 90’s. I am better now, I think. I do watch them and I think that I did work hard on them. I was watching something the other day where I was hanging off a bridge or something. It was Yaar Gaddar and I was hanging off the Navashima Docks Bridge. Then I had a rat song where I had a rat in my pant. I had to pull it out and say ‘Dekho Mera Chuha’.
What sets your film apart from similar genre films like Dabangg and Rowdy Rathore? Our film is actually not unlike Dabangg rather than Rowdy Rathore. That is a crazy take on a cop and this is a rather entertaining take on a Mafia guy. It’s not normal for a Mafia guy to behave like my character does. There is also a bit of a western vibe to it because it’s set in that environment. It’s much more entertaining than it should be in that sense.
Bullett Raja is released in UK cinemas this Friday, 29th November 2013.
Bollywood’s favourite baddie Gulshan Grover was pleasantly surprised recently when HRH Prince Charles asked for a DVD of the actor’s forthcoming action thriller film Bullett Raja during the Monarch’s recent visit to the Asian subcontinent. Gulshan promptly responded by informing Prince Charles that a special copy, complete with English subtitles, would be made for Him.
The Prince of Wales met with Gulshan at an exclusive sit-down black tie dinner in Mumbai during his promotional tour of India ahead of his trip to Sri Lanka for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The pair have met on several occasions, with Gulshan citing how much he admires the Prince for his extensive charity work both at home and abroad. After their meeting Gulshan contacted the film’s producer, Rahul Mitra, and asked that a DVD with English subtitles be made and urgently given to Prince Charles.
Commenting on his meeting with the Prince, Gulshan said ‘I’m a great fan of HRH Prince Charles because of the charitable work he does. He’s constantly thinking of ways to do more for people, and not for people in the UK alone, but for people outside of the UK too. We’re discussing ways of doing some charitable events where I’ll use my popularity along with the strength, popularity and contribution of my fellow Bollywood stars.’
Bullett Raja brings together two powerhouses, director Tigmanshu Dhulia and Bollywood superstar Saif Ali Khan, supported by a multi-star cast led by Sonakshi Sinha, Jimmy Shergil, Vidyuth Jamwal, Chunkey Pandey, Gulshan Grover, Ravi Kishan and Raj Babbar.
In the film Saif Ali Khan is seen in a new avatar, Raja Mishra, a commoner who gets transformed into Bullett Raja – a notorious, don’t-give-a-damn attitude gangster. Bullett Raja has huge universal appeal and is sure to strike a chord with all audiences. The music has been directed by hit music-duo Sajid-Wajid.
With an engaging story full of twists, turns and tantalising action sequences, the film promises edge-of-your-seat entertainment with a generous helping of tongue-in-cheek humour and romance as Saif Ali Khan stars in and as the formidable Bullett Raja.
Bullett Raja is presented by Fox Star Studios India. It is a Brandsmith Motion Pictures and a Moving Pictures production. Bullett Raja will be released in cinemas from 29th November 2013.
Things haven’t changed much since Shakespeare’s times – when young male actors used to don women’s garbs and play Cleopatra or Desdemona.
With cross dressing getting immensely popular in B-town, actors such as Aamir Khan, Ritiesh Deshmukh, have created a new trend altogether! One of the most popular actors in Bhojpuri, Ravi Kishan will also be seen making a grand entry in this list!
Ravi Kishan who made an entry into Bollywood a few years back, will be seen in Tigmanshu Dhulia’s Bullett Raja which stars Saif Ali Khan and Sonakshi Sinha in the lead roles.
Buzz is that, this popular Bhojpuri actor, will be seen donning a woman’s look for a particular scene in the movie. Ravi Kishan who will be playing a woman for the first time on-screen, is seen in a green and pink choli along with a lot of jewellery including bangles, earrings and necklace.
When asked Ravi Kishan about his look of a woman in the film he said, “I have never done something like this before and I would give all the credit to Tissu bhai (Tigmanshu) for this. He makes it so easy for an actor thanks to his sheer clarity. I liked taking up the challenge and I hope the audiences will love my new avatar in Bullett Raja”
Bullett Raja is presented by Fox Star Studios India. It is a Brandsmith Motion Pictures and a Moving Pictures production. Bullett Raja will be released in UK cinemas from 29th November 2013.
Tigmanshu Dhulia’s upcoming raw action drama Bullett Raja, whose trailer launched on the 6th of November, is poised to showcase Saif Ali Khan at his rugged and feral best, in the heart of Uttar Pradesh. To perfectly hone his look, the stylish actor had to up his fitness ante and give a little Desi yet fit touch to his character, for which he went a tad OCD on the sets we hear!
Saif Ali Khan not only became a regular member of the local gyms in Lucknow but also transformed the crowded roads and alleys in the city into his gymkhana!. The actor took to working out not only before each scene, but also during and after at every free minute he got to constantly be in Bullett Raja mode! Quick pushups before each take, free weights during breaks, jogging and running on the roads despite the presence of crowds were all but a natural part of his shooting days.
When quizzed about his extreme dedication to his fitness for Bullett Raja, the actor opens up saying, “It’s very important to look good as it’s a visual medium. Bullett Raja is a contemporary character and the kind of lines he speaks, the kind of situations that he finds himself in, he has to physically also look like a tough guy, visually he has to look capable of being that tough.”
Well, now that’s fitness fanaticism for you!
Releasing on 29th November, Bullett Raja is premised on fictional mafia based in Uttar Pradesh starring Saif Ali Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Jimmy Shergill, Vidyut Jamwal, Gulshan Grover, Raj Babbar and Chunky Pandey.
Bullett Raja is presented by Fox Star Studios India. It is a Brandsmith Motion Pictures and a Moving Pictures production. Bullett Raja will be released in cinemas from 29th November 2013.
Sonakshi Sinha talks about her latest film, Bullett Raja, also starring Saif Ali Khan and Jimmy Shergil.
This is your first time working with Saif Ali Khan. Were you excited for this opportunity? I think we make a very fresh pairing, I have wanted to work with Saif for a while now and was very excited to get the chance in Bullett Raja. Saif is a great actor and is so committed to his roles, I am very happy with how we look together on-screen and I would love the opportunity to work with him again.
Your role in the film is of a struggling Bengali actress, what did you think of your characters look in the film? This is the second time I am playing a Bengali girl. But my character in Lootera was drastically different; I was playing a girl from the ’50s, who is a Zamindar’s daughter. In Bullett Raja, I am playing a contemporary Bengali girl. I loved my look for this role; it has a very traditional feel and there was a certain grace to it. Once I was in the costume, everyone was shocked to see how Bengali I looked. I wish the sequence we shot in that costume was a little longer, because I did not want to get out of it.
After having so much success so early in your career with your films, do you feel under pressure with every new release? There’s no pressure actually. I really like what I do and if I think of it as pressure it would really bog me down. I feel I’m in the right place at the right time because there are a lot of films right now where, for me as an actor, there’s something I can give to them. So I truly believe I’m in the right place at the right time.
Do you feel overshadowed by your co-stars? Does less visibility bother you? Never. I do my work to the best of my capacity. I don’t pick a role looking at its length. I take up a film because I would like to see it. People notice me, appreciate my work and dancing skills, so where’s the question of being overshadowed? No one has any complaints.
How would you describe this phase of your life? I’ve come in at the right time and I’m getting films with great roles. It’s fabulous.
No one has ever heard of any stories of you fighting over a role or anything of that sort. I’ve never had to fight for a role. Call it my ego or my self-respect, but I won’t pick up the phone and call a producer and fight or ask for a role. That’s not me. I’ve always got the best and my work speaks for itself.
But you’re always the Indian girl. Don’t you want to break that image? People see me like that. I may play an Indian girl, but each role is different. If I’m offered a film where I need to play an urban character, I will. But these roles work for me. I’m not stuck in a rut and neither do I feel the need to break the norm. When a female star plays western roles only, no one asks her these questions. At 25, I can proudly say that I’m successful.
Bullet Raja releases in UK cinemas through 20th Century Fox on 29th November 2013.
International urban music artists RDB are set to raise the adrenaline level with their latest track in Fox Star Studios high-rolling, high-stakes must-see action entertainer, Bullett Raja titled ‘Tamanche Pe Disco’.
Here Surj from RDB talks about the song and working with Saif Ali Khan and Sonakshi Sinha:
How did you get on board with Tamanche Pe Disco? It all started with a call from Sameer Gogate, who put us in touch with one of the producers of Bullett Raja, Nitin Ahuja. He had requested a track from our music bank given the short deadline. As we do, we showcased them a couple of different numbers but a pre-made version of Tamanche Pe Disco was selected.
How was it working with Saif and Sonakshi? These superstars are very grounded. Saif was extremely focused on how he wanted the music and had a real flare for hearing a hit! After seeing our takes at the shoot, he insisted we did one scene with him for the song and it was a pleasure working with him. Sonakshi, as well as being stunning in person, was very humble and great to interact with.
The song has a very rustic yet a very contemporary beat, what was the concept behind it? We tried a slightly different approach for this song and used the lyrical knowledge of Raftaar to give it more of a UP flavour. The music still has the signature RDB sound.
What was your inspiration for the track? The theme of the movie had some part to play with the composition of the track as well as the trademark UP gangster lifestyle.
How did Raftaar and Nindy come onboard? The song required female vocals and who better to suit than Nindy Kaur. Raftaar not only added to the theme of the song with his lyrics but uplifted the track further by adding his rap performance to parts of the track. Nindy and Raftaar are a killer combination.
What were some fun moments on the set while shooting the song? Every shoot is a great and unique experience, but I think this one was the fastest arranged shoot ever. The track was made within three days after which the whole shoot was arranged in two. Within a week the track was composed, paid for, excepted and shot. Only in India!
How does the track compare to what you have done earlier? Tamanche Pe Disco represents the first time RDB has collaborated with Saif. The track also moves away from our trademark Bhangra / Punjabi beat as we experiment with a UP flavour so our fans are in for a real treat!
Who are the key musical influencers in your life? We would definitely say our father, our late brother Kuly and each other in the team.
What are the future projects in Bollywood that you are working on? We have five upcoming projects, two of which are with new up and coming casts and the other three are with A-list stars. Our main highlight is that we are now officially releasing our collaboration track with T-Pain on the 21st of November with Universal in India and Three Records internationally. Our Album is also set to release in December.
Fox Star Studios has released the first song from their next release Bullett Raja. Tamanche Pe Disco has been composed and sung by British music group RDB – consisting of Manjeet Ral, Surjeet Ral, Nindy Kaur and Raftaar.
Tamanche Pe Disco features Saif Ali Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Jimmy Shergill and RDB. Bullett Raja is set to release in UK cinemas on 29th November through 20th Century Fox.
One of Indian cinema’s most versatile actors Saif Ali Khan will return to the silver screen in a never before seen avatar as a high-rolling, high-stakes gangster in this year’s must-see action entertainer Bullett Raja. Releasing on 29th November, Bullett Raja is presented by Fox Star Studios India and produced by Brandsmith Motion Pictures and Moving Pictures.
Bullett Raja sees Saif Ali Khan essay the role of Raja Mishra, a commoner who gets transformed into Bullett Raja – a notorious, care-a-damn attitude gangster. A faithful friend and a loyal lover, living life on his own terms, setting his own rules, commanding respect and fearing no one, Bullett Raja in his true inimitable style takes on the system that creates people like him in a compelling struggle for power and ambition.
Bringing together two powerhouses, director Tigmanshu Dhulia and Saif Ali Khan, supported by a multi-star cast led by Sonakshi Sinha, Jimmy Shergil, Vidyuth Jamwal, Chunkey Pandey, Gulshan Grover, Ravi Kishan and Raj Babbar, Bullett Raja has huge universal appeal and is sure to strike a chord with all audiences. The music has been directed by hit music-duo Sajid-Wajid.
With an engaging story full of twists, turns and tantalising action sequences, the film promises edge-of-your-seat entertainment with a generous helping of tongue-in-cheek humour and romance as Saif Ali Khan stars in and as the formidable Bullett Raja.
Bullett Raja is presented by Fox Star Studios India. It is a Brandsmith Motion Pictures and a Moving Pictures production. Bullett Raja will be released in UK cinemas from 29th November 2013 through 20th Century Fox.
So it doesn’t matter to you?
It’s also a fresh pairing with Sonakshi Sinha for you after a long time. Was that a conscious decision?
I still enjoy your movies from the 90’s.
Things haven’t changed much since Shakespeare’s times – when young male actors used to don women’s garbs and play Cleopatra or Desdemona.
This is your first time working with Saif Ali Khan. Were you excited for this opportunity?
How would you describe this phase of your life?
International urban music artists RDB are set to raise the adrenaline level with their latest track in Fox Star Studios high-rolling, high-stakes must-see action entertainer, Bullett Raja titled ‘Tamanche Pe Disco’.
The song has a very rustic yet a very contemporary beat, what was the concept behind it?
Who are the key musical influencers in your life?
One of Indian cinema’s most versatile actors Saif Ali Khan will return to the silver screen in a never before seen avatar as a high-rolling, high-stakes gangster in this year’s must-see action entertainer Bullett Raja. Releasing on 29th November, Bullett Raja is presented by Fox Star Studios India and produced by Brandsmith Motion Pictures and Moving Pictures.