'I called you,' Vikram on Anurag Kashyap's remark that he 'never responded' to 'Kennedy' casting
Chennai/Cannes, May 22: South star Vikram on Monday said he called Anurag Kashyap "immediately" after he came to know the filmmaker had tried to contact him him for "Kennedy".
In a recent interview with news outlet Film Companion, Kashyap said that Vikram, whose real name is Kennedy John Victor, was his first choice to play the titular assassin in his latest film, but the actor "never responded".
In a lengthy Twitter note to the filmmaker, Vikram said he called Kashyap immediately after he got to know that the director was trying to get in touch with him for a project.
"Dear @anuragkashyap72... Just revisiting our conversation from over a year ago for the sake of our friends and well wishers on social media.
"When I heard from another actor that you had tried to reach me for this film & that you felt I hadn't responded to you, I called you myself immediately and explained that I hadn't gotten any mail or msg from you as the mail id that you had contacted me on was no longer active and my number had changed almost 2 years before that," the "Ponniyin Selvan" star wrote.
Vikram then wished the filmmaker "great times ahead" and said he is excited about the movie as it has his name.
"As I said during that phone call, I'm very excited for your film Kennedy and even more so because it has my name. I wish you great times ahead. Lots of love. Chiyaan Vikram aka Kennedy," he added.
Kashyap, currently attending the Cannes Film Festival where "Kennedy" is set to premiere under the Midnight Screenings section, went on to cast Rahul Bhat as the lead.
"I actually had a specific actor in mind when I wrote this film... The film was called Kennedy Project. It is Chiyaan Vikram. Chiyaan Vikram's real name is Kennedy. I reached out to him. He never responded. So then, I reached out to Rahul," the filmmaker told the news website.
"Kennedy" is a noirish thriller which follows the titular character working for a corrupt police force with scores to settle. The film also features Sunny Leone.
Dear @anuragkashyap72 ,
— Vikram (@chiyaan) May 22, 2023
Just revisiting our conversation from over a year ago for the sake of our friends and well wishers on social media. When I heard from another actor that you had tried to reach me for this film & that you felt I hadn’t responded to you, I called you myself…
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Former India hockey coach Michael Nobbs dies
Melbourne (PTI): Former Australian hockey player Michael Nobbs, who coached the Indian men's team at the 2012 London Olympics, has died after a prolonged illness.
He was 72 years old and is survived by his wife Lee Capes, a former Australian women's international and daughter Kaitlin, who is a current Hockeyroos star.
"Hockey Australia extends its deepest condolences to Michael’s family, friends, former teammates, players and all those whose lives and careers were shaped by his contribution to hockey. He will be remembered as a proud Kookaburra, a respected professional, and a servant of the sport," Hockey Australia said in a statement.
Nobbs represented Australia as a defender, playing across the half-back line and at fullback, and was renowned for his reliability, fitness and professionalism. He earned 76 international caps for Australia between 1979 and 1985, scoring one goal, and was a member of one of the strongest eras in Australian men’s hockey, said Hockey Australia on its website in its tribute.
Nobbs was an integral part of the Australian teams that competed at the 1981 Hockey World Cup in Bombay and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
While part of a generation widely regarded as one of Australia’s finest, he consistently held his place through hard work, discipline and trust earned from teammates and coaches, Hockey Australia wrote.
Nobbs took over the coaching of the Indian men's team in 2011 after it had failed to qualify for the Beijing Games in 2008. While India were brilliant in the qualifiers, the team finished last at the London extravaganza which also expedited the Australian coach's sacking.
Apart from India, Nobbs also coached Japan.
