If you have watched the much appreciated short series by TVF – Tripling recently, then you would not have missed the vivacious and goofy Chanchal the sister of Chandan and Chitwan. Today, we have the most talented and beautiful Maanvi Gagroo talking about films with me. So here are some excerpts from our fun chat.

What kind of movies you love to watch & how many in a day can you watch?
Oh, I can watch movies all day, every day! That’s why I love attending film festivals because you just go from one film to another. My favorite genre is drama. A film with strong characters and a good story about these characters. About real characters with real issues.

Since what age are you watching movies?
For a non-Bollywood family, my sister and I grew up on a fairly filmy diet. Both my parents are big movie buffs. I remember them showing us ‘Sound of music’, ‘Mary Poppins’ and ‘My fair lady’ as kids. They also loved giving trivia while the films were on. So yeah, there was always an interest in films.

How did your acting journey start?
Quite by chance actually. There were these auditions going on for a Disney show called ‘Dhoom Machao Dhoom’, I tested for a part on a whim, got the role and the rest, as they say, is history.

Your breakthrough role that made viewers sit up and notice you?
I think my first film ‘Aamras’. Although the film didn’t do well at the box office, I’d get great reviews. I remember all the reviews had mentioned and praised my performance and that was such a great feeling.

Tell me one movie that you remember where the main lead has done a great job?
I think Konkona Sen Sharma in 15 Park Avenue was outstanding. She played her part with such nuance and subtlety. It was a delight to watch her.

Have you ever imagined yourself to be a superhero and tried to wear your superhero cape and skirt and tried to save the world?
Nope, never. (giggles)

What is your secret fantasy when it comes to movies and movie stars?
It wouldn’t be a secret then, would it? (winks)

The most bizarre movie you have ever watched?
Tees Maar Khan (laughs). I am putting myself in a spot, but, I just didn’t get the film.

Don’t worry you are not alone (winks and laughs). Your favorite movie and why?
Revolutionary Road. I thought the idea itself had me impressed. And then the performances were so real and felt. I remember thinking the entire time how great it would be to play that part (of Kate Winslet).

The corniest dialogue you have ever heard?
Umm…(squints and thinks for a moment) I don’t remember which film but there was this scene where a police officer is reporting to his senior and it goes like this;
Junior cop : “Sir something is wrong”
Senior cop : “You mean something is not right?”
Yeah, that’s an actual scene in an actual film!

A movie dialogue you tend to use often or comes to your mind now?
I know all the dialogues from DDLJ (winks). See I told you I am total filmy (smiles).

Any filmmaker you would want to maroon in an island for making crappy movies?
Hahaha..too many man, too many!

Any actors you want to add with the director in the same island? (winks)
Oooh..all the good female actors so I can do all the films they’re getting offered.

Message to fellow movie buffs?
Don’t go by the frills of a film. I often find people going to the movies for the wrong reasons and then getting disappointed. And I find myself asking them “yeah what else did you expect? ” So my advice would be to watch a film for its story, script, and performances and not for the music or the locations it’s been shot at!

So tell me about your future projects?
My film ‘Tu Hai Mera Sunday’ is premiering at the BFI London Film Festival so I’m really looking forward to that. I’ve done a few ads which should be coming on air soon. End of the year I’ll also be traveling overseas with my play. And apart from that, I’m looking for more exciting work (smiles).

Wish you all the best for your future projects Maanvi and thank you for being a part of my chat series.

 

In the hordes of so many star kids in the industry, there is one girl who stands high because of her talent and talent only. I am not saying this because she is my bestie but she has truly defined herself in that mold. After entertaining us with Love Games, Mastram, and The Perfect Girl, I have Taasha Alisha Berry talking about her ‘filmygiri’! So here are excerpts from our conversation.

Welcome to LTFW Taasha, it’s a pleasure to have you back on my web chat (smiles)
Pleasure is all mine Shy (smiles)… and you know how I lovveeeeee to have a fun chat with you (animatedly and giggles)

Okay… I get that… so shall we start?
Yup… (hesitantly)

What happened? The Yup didn’t sound too confident.
I am still figuring what controversial stuff are you going to ask me this time (giggles)

Hmmm… don’t worry this will be plain fun…Okay so let me start with the first question
Okay.

Tell me what kind of movies you love to watch & how many in a day can you watch?
I love all kinds of movie except horror films hahaha get too scared! I can and have watched three/four movies back to back. Also, LOVEEE Hollywood TV shows and can finish entire seasons in a day. My mother, aunt and I have had movie marathons since my childhood!

Since what age are you watching movies?
Gosh, ever since I could remember! Everyone in my family loves watching movies so I started literally the minute I could! Hahaha

You being an actress… tell me one movie of actress that really moved you?
Nutanji in Bandini, Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music… so many more!

Have you ever imagined yourself to be a superhero and tried to wear your superwoman cape over your blouse and tried to save the world?
Hahaha YES! When I was a kid I loved playing these fantasy games, makeup stories and scenarios and act them out! Even now though would LOVE to portray a female superhero on screen!

What is your secret fantasy when it comes to movies and movie stars?
My secret fantasy when it comes to movies and movie stars is something quite simple actually – just want the opportunity to work in the best films with the best directors and best actors…haha not asking for much na? That’s the dream! But yeah a major dream of mine is to work with Wes Anderson!! In any of his films!

Wow! Okay tell me the most bizarre movie you have ever watched?
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Brilliantly bizarre film!

Your favorite movie and why?
I have many favorite movies! To name a few… Bandini, Sujata, Chandni, Moonrise Kingdom, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Prestige ! Mainly because all these movies have blown me away and made me want to jump into the screen and be a part of them! They inspire me and solidify my passion to be in the movies!

The corniest dialogue you have ever heard?
Oh god… um hahaha! This answer will get me into trouble!

A movie dialogue you tend to use often or comes to your mind now?
“Kitne aadmi the!” is what comes to mind right this second! Hahaha and also “Thappad se darr nahi lagta sahab, pyar se lagta hai.” But haven’t had the chance to use either in reality! Hahaha

Any filmmaker you would want to maroon in an island for making crappy movies?
Hahaha I think your aim is to get me in trouble!

Okay… let’s move ahead (winks). Any actors you want to add with the director in the same island?
Really Shai….? Hahaha You really want to get me in trouble!

Just trying hard so that you can give me a name (laughs) Okay… fine let’s move to your future projects… details?
I am currently prepping for a film which I am super excited about although can’t talk about it yet! The producers will make an announcement soon!

Okay cool… Any message to fellow movie buffs?
Keep watching, keep loving, keep obsessing! I know I can’t stop!

Nice… thank you so much for being a part of LTFW and may you achieve a lot of success with your future projects (smiles)
Thank you and yes all the best for your next novel ALFIE… I read the synopsis… it’s amazing… (smiles)

Hey thank you (smiles)
Waiting for the release… I want to read this book at one go… (smiles)

Thank you and I am sure you will definitely love it and thank you once again for being a part of LTFW!

Today in Let’s Talk Films With…. we have an interesting personality, he is a National Award-winning  editor, fellow writer, filmmaker and in the recent past a voice for LGBTQ community apart from being a good friend of yours truly. So here are excerpts from our conversation where Apurva bares it all;

Welcome Apu on Let’s Talk Tell us about your growing up days, your family, schooling, hobbies etc.
I was a creative child. I loved drawing caricatures. Some were even published in the ‘kids column’ in a local newspaper. I was also a sportsman, a runner and I won a medal every year at the sports meet. I enjoyed writing poetry, I participated in dramatics & elocution. I sucked at Maths & Physics but excelled in languages & history. Music class was the highlight of my day, while on annual day, I was sure to be up on stage, performing.

Were you a storyteller even during your growing up days?
Yes. I loved telling stories to my friends and family. Sometimes I’d stretch my imagination to spin a larger than life yarn, and then work hard to convince the listener. I would act out parts and sing songs; I was a Hindi film personified. I once remember telling my classmate that the hair on my head was a wig. I convinced him by spinning a yarn about shaving my head because I’m learning Sanskrit in a gurukool every summer vacation. He bought it.

How did the creativity bug bite you?
We lived in a joint family during my early years. There was a lot of fighting between the people in the house and I went through a phase where I needed more attention than I got. I discovered that a creative talent was always rewarded with attention. So I began winning prizes for elocution, craft and dramatics.

When did you realize that you are different from the other kids?
Never. Most kids experiment with all sorts of ideas in school. I did too. If I didn’t get along with some, I got along with some others. I always had my gang of buddies.

Were you ever bullied in school?
Not really. I had a teacher who was a bully. She would use the cane liberally and then make the kids drop their pants as punishment. She was a witch, but she was also made fun off. Kids always exact their revenge.

When did you fall in love for the first time and how was it?
It was at an inter school singing competition while at boarding. I was in an all boys school and this girls’ school participated too. She sang ‘Tumko dekha to yeh khayal aaaya’ and I was mesmerised. I ran back stage to find her, but she disappeared into a large group. 2 weeks later, I met her at church, during our Sunday school outing. Then we chatted every Sunday. I think it was love.  I also had this huge crush on my house captain. He was really good looking but he was also kind. I was feeling unwell during the march-past once and I tripped over and bled. He carried me all the way to the nurse. That must have been love too.

Did you have your fair share of heartbreaks? How did you overcome them?
By immersing myself into work. By creating something new. I think that your relationship with yourself is far more nourishing than one with someone else. Yes, you must love another with all your heart, and if you lose that person, you must cry for the loss. But after you hit rock bottom, you should start climbing up again. You take the learnings of that relationship along. I have no regrets. Each person, each experience, has strengthened my character.

When did you decide to support the LGBTQ cause and where do you think it will lead in the future?
There is no LGBTQ cause for me. There is my truth and my right to live my truth with dignity. When I see people applying confused, outdated morals on my choices, I feel very angry. I speak out because I want them to leave me and my truth alone.  If every person is truly living his dream, he won’t bother about what another is doing with his life. It’s only because our society is filled with unfulfilled desires and dreams that there is resentment. And while I understand their resentment, I also believe they have no right to meddle with my life.

Do you see any hope of getting the 377 Act scrapped anytime sooner?
Yes. Hope is all we have, and we must never give up. As long as we are not hurting another, resenting another, we are good. We must live out truth and do it with pride. The more we remain hidden, the more that people will imagine weird ideas about us. Most people are not bad, they are just ignorant. That’s why we must be ourselves before them, so they can see that we are not some alien creatures from another planet. When they see that our hearts are the same, our dreams are the same, our problems are the same; they won’t dwell on the difference of orientation. Your sexuality after all is just one part of your personality.

Is India ready to accept same-sex unions? How is the vibe amongst your colleagues and general people around?
You have to first accept yourself. The more you hide, shy away from your truth, cover up who you are; the more people mirror your fears. Live as you are. Let the staggering numbers show. Let society see that you are not ashamed. You may say, how does one do that, when homosexuality is still considered a crime? Yes, all sex outside the desire to procreate is considered a crime, but doesn’t that make everyone a criminal. Even those that indulge in some harmless oral pleasure?
But just being gay, outside your bedroom, is no crime. As long as you’re not fornicating on the floor of your family dinner party, there is nothing to be afraid of!If you want change, then stop fearing the ignorant. They will slowly understand that a large chunk of society chooses differently and that variety is ok!

Would you being in the movie field help you to educate the society about equal rights through your creative work?
Yes. If you look at my filmography, especially in the last 6-7 years, all the films I’ve been associated with have highlighted an important social issue. ‘Jalpari’ addressed female infanticide, ‘Shahid’ was about how our justice system was being abused to push a communal agenda. ‘Citylights’ was about the migrant problem of the big city, while ‘Aligarh’ addresses deep rooted homophobia in our society. Each film has made some kind of impact and these films go far beyond opening weekend numbers. They are recorded testimonials of our times; they can be referenced for generations to come.

We have seen many people attempt LGBTQ subjects in movies but none of them find acceptance amongst the audience. Why is it so?
That’s not true. Many have found patronage. Like I said, these films might not find large numbers on the opening weekend, but they have excellent lifetime earnings.  ‘Aligarh’ for example premiered in Busan and then London Film festival in October 2015! It has continuously been a talking point since then. It’s release in India, last Feb, came with its share of buzz and debate. And today, it’s still making waves. It gets written about after people watch it on DVD, on downloads, in festivals and at seminars in colleges. The film continues will continue to live till its subject is not dealt with properly by society. The numbers in its lifetime are staggering. Munch more than the commercial potboiler that made noise and money in the first week of release, but wasn’t ever remembered again.

We see many straight individuals who support LGBTQ movement on their social profiles but have also seen them laughing at gay characters while watching a LGBTQ-themed movie. Do you feel we are a society of hypocrites? (I have seen people laughing and calling names while watching Aligarh as well as I Am when Rahul Bose is smooching Arjun Mathur in the movie)
That’s because they are uncomfortable with their own feelings. They think if they don’t berate it or laugh at it, they will appear gay. It’s ignorance and nothing else. I don’t feel bad about it. More people are watching and saluting gay characters in the mainstream today. More leading men are gay today than ever before. I am genuinely hopeful.

There are so many closeted gays who get married because of societal pressures. What advice do you want to give them?
Don’t advise them. Don’t lecture them. They did what they thought was right. Many gay men live a lonely, singular existence. They often succumb to a heterosexual marriage out of a desperate need for a companion. Sadly, they will understand themselves in due course that short term escapes help no one. On our part, we need to do our bit. We need to form healthy companionship of our choice. Once we have accepted ourselves, we need to work towards gaining acceptance from our families and our loved ones. Once we have that, we are a force. Those that are considering marriage will then be able to see that there is an empowered community that they could choose instead. Change yourself, don’t bother about the others.

What are your upcoming projects? Any dreams of becoming a director in future?
I’m writing Simran for Hansal. It’s stars the talented Kangana Ranaut. I’m also writing a semi autobiographical film that I might direct. Let’s see. One step at a time.

It was a pleasure having you on our chat series, I wish you all the luck in all your future creative endeavors (smiles)
Thank you (smiles)