Aamir Khan the only daring actor: Vishal Bhardwaj
Mumbai, Oct 28 : Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj says though superstars are taking risks by doing out-of-the-box films today, for him, Aamir Khan is the only daring actor.
Bhardwaj, who has worked with Ajay Devgn, Saif Ali Khan and Shahid Kapoor in the past, says he needs an apt story to collaborate with top actors.
"I want to work with superstars. I approach them. If there would have been some response, they would have been in some film of mine. But they aren't there. There has to be a right subject.
"They are taking risk today and it is good sign for our cinema. Aamir Khan is the only daring actor. He transformed amazingly for 'Dangal'. He admits and acknowledges his age and works accordingly," Bhardwaj told PTI.
He is happy with the rave reviews his latest directorial venture "Pataaka" featuring relatively new faces like Sanya Malhotra and Radhika Madan, received.
The director acknowledges he has his own set of audience which enjoys watching his kind of cinema.
"I have a small or limited audience but I make films to cater to everyone. I would want everybody to watch my films but that doesn't happen. So you don't know your audience.
"And the day you come to know about this, you are finished. For me, it is always about the story I want to convey to people."
There has been speculation that Bhardwaj, 53, is set to adapt a book for Netflix. The director does not comment on it but adds that the digital platform is the future.
"Big filmmakers will be coming there. Things are shifting. If you want to watch a spectacle then watch on the big screen. If you want to watch content then digital is the best medium," he says.
His next film was set to bring together "Piku" actors - Irrfan Khan and Deepika Padukone on screen in a gritty drama reportedly titled "Sapna Didi".
Due to Irrfan's health the film was put on hold. The actor is likely to return to India after Diwali, but Bhardwaj believes the "Hindi Medium" star might not begin work immediately.
"We will start work on our film next year maybe," he says.
The critically-acclaimed filmmaker is part of the international jury of the 20th edition of the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.
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25 killed in lightning strikes, hailstorms in several districts of Bihar
Patna, Apr 10 (PTI): At least 25 people were killed in lightning strikes and hailstorms in several districts of Bihar on Thursday, officials said.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Nalanda reported 18 deaths, followed by two in Siwan, one each in Katihar, Darbhanga, Begusarai, Bhagalpur and Jehanabad.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, however, claimed in a post on X that over 50 people died on Thursday.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of more than 50 people in various incidents of storm, rain, lightning, tree and wall collapse in Bihar. I express my deepest condolences. May God provide strength to the families affected by the disaster in this hour of grief,” he wrote in Hindi.
He also said that the state government should compensate farmers for their crop loss due to the sudden rain and give them proper compensation.
Earlier, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar condoled the deaths and announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased.
On Wednesday, 13 people had died in lightning strikes in four districts of Bihar.
The India Meteorological Department has issued an ‘orange alert’ (be prepared) for a number of districts, including Darbhanga, East Champaran, Gopalganj, West Champaran, Kishanganj, Araria, Supaul, Gaya, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Nalanda, Nawada and Patna.
It has also forecast heavy rainfall on Friday and Saturday in these districts.
"Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) likely to occur at few places over Madhubani, Darbhanga, East Champaran, Gopalganj, West Champaran, Kishanganj, Araria, Supaul, Gaya, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Nalanda, Nawada, Patna," the IMD said in a bulletin.
Water-logging was also reported on Thursday from several parts of Patna following heavy rain.
The state capital recorded an average of 42.6 mm rainfall till 5.30 pm.
Officials of the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) and district administration, however, claimed that rainwater was drained out in the shortest possible time despite the downpour.
