Amrita calls Abhishek real star of Kai Po Che

Actress Amrita Puri, the only female actor in "Kai Po Che!", says that director Abhishek Kapoor is the USP of the film.

"Kai Po...", the big screen adaptation of Chetan Bhagat's book "The 3 Mistakes of My Life", also features TV actors Sushant Singh Rajput, Amit Sadh and Rajkumar Yadav.

"I was a little nervous earlier but Abhishek is such a nice person. In the beginning of the film, he had a one on one chat with me, where he wanted me to get completely comfortable. That chat actually set the path for the rest of the film."

"During our chat he talked to me as a person and not as the director of the film or as a professional. He made me understand the fact that he has chosen me because I am the best person for his role. If your director believes in you, it gives an actor a lot of security. He is the star of 'Kai Po...'," Amrita told.

Not many newcomers get a chance to do something new film after film. But the 28-year-old got to play a small town girl in her debut film "Aisha" followed by a housewife in "Blood Money", and in "Kai Po..." she will be seen as a vivacious girl. Amrita considers herself very lucky.

"My character in 'Kai Po Che' is very different from that in 'Aisha' and 'Blood Money'. Vidya is very naughty and a fun loving person. She is very mischievous. She is not the traditional types. She is very strong and a go getter," she said.

"The three characters that I have played are completely different from each other. I think I am a lucky one."

Recalling the shooting schedule Amrita says she loved being pampered by the male co-actors on the sets.

"Working with three actors was a fabulous experience. I was thoroughly pampered. They have been very sweet to me and I just loved it," she said.

Read More

Now I know why Chetan Bhagat is famous: Amrita Puri

Actress Amrita Puri, who will be seen in "Kai Po Che", a big screen adaptation of "3 Mistakes of My Life", says after reading the book she understood why Chetan Bhagat is so famous.

"The only Chetan Bhagat novel I have read is '3 Mistakes of My Life' and that is because of the film. I loved it and it is only after reading it I came to know why is he so popular, " Amrita told.

Directed by "Rock On!" director Abhishek Kapoor, the film also features TV actors Sushant Singh Rajput and Amit Sadh along with Rajkumar Yadav.

The film portrays the journey of three friends as they discover cricket, religion and business in their respective fields.

The 28-year-old, who played a bhenji-turned-modern girl in her debut film "Aisha", plays a vivacious character in "Kai Po..."

Read More

All Leading actors refused to star in 'Kai Po Che'

Director Abhishek Kapoor, who is adapting Chetan Bhagat's book '3 Mistakes of My Life' for the big screen, says leading Bollywood actors refused to be a part of 'Kai Po Che' because it is a multi-starrer

The film stars Sushant Singh Rajput of "'Pavitra Rishta' fame, 'Love Sex And Dhokha' actor Raj Kumar Yadav, TV actor Amit Sadh and 'Aisha' actress Amrita Puri. Kapoor said he initially approached few big stars for his movie but was turned down by them because they didn't want to star in a three hero film. 

"Initially I tried to get some big names on board but they all had some apprehensions because they didn't want to work in three-hero film. 

Especially the younger lot as they are so vulnerable - they think 'If I do this film then what will be my future? ', " Kapoor told in an interview. However, the 'Rock On' director is glad he didn't spend much time running behind the stars and is satisfied with his choice of actors. 

"I wouldn't change the script to suit anyone. They are three friends and they should be equal. It should not be that one is a hero and other two are flunkies. Big actors are not authorities on what is a good film or bad film. I can't decide my career trajectory based on what stars want.

"If you want to work with stars then you should make movies which they like... I want to make movies which I like. I can't do everything for money and short term. I would like my movie to be appreciated 50 years down the line, " he said. 

The film is set in Gujarat and follows the story of three boys - Ishaan, Omi and Govind. Kapoor said that although the movie is based on Bhagat's novel he has changed about 50-60 per cent of the story line. 

"It is based on Chetan's book but to change a book to screenplay is a huge process. The adaptation takes a while and a lot of changes are made. " 

"I would say about 50-60 per cent is changed but the characters and the heart of the film is still the book. Cinematically I felt it is a good opportunity for me to tell an already told story and add value to it, " he said. Kapoor also said unlike many other directors who are running behind the 100 crore club he has no interest in it and thinks the whole thing is a big joke. 


"The 100 crore club is just a joke... 100 crores is just a standard now. Its not that the films are great, they have just opened well. The weekend collection is not the only thing. I work hard on my stories and films so I would want them to be seen by people across and not just crash after the weekend. So actually bad films are doing 100 crore, " he said. 

The filmmaker, who is returning to the director's chair after a gap of three years, said he was in no rush to make another movie after the success of "Rock On".

"I actually took a very long holiday after 'Rock On' and I was in no rush to make another film. I don't feel that insecurity may be because I have seen so much failure that I am not worried what will happen to me if I don't make one film every year. This is the privilege of being self employed. "

Kapoor, who started his career with acting in "Uff! Yeh Mohabbat" in 1996, has his focus on direction now but hasn't ruled out acting in a film. "I do get offers but nothing has really struck. I wouldn't say I don't want to act but nothing exciting is coming my way.

I am not pursuing it either because I am completely into my scripts. Working with these actors is also making me learn so I think I am still in learning process as an actor, maybe when I am ready I will take an opportunity, " he said.

Read More

Amrita says : I am playing an OTT drama queen

In the past there have been Amrita Rao and Amrita Arora. Now in an ever growing list of actresses with a similar name.

The latest inclusion being Amruta Patki (who debuted in HIDE & SEEK) - the newest entrant has been Amrita Puri.

Self confessedly a 'Bombay Punjabi' girl, as she likes to term herself as, Amrita is making her debut with AISHA.

As the second leading lady in the film which is spearheaded by Sonam Kapoor, Amrita can't help smiling when she remembers some of the OTT (over the top) stuff that she had to indulge herself into while approaching the character of Shefali Thakur."

I play someone who just she loves attention," giggles Amrita, "There are moments when she just comes on the scene aur aate hi ek patakha phodh deti hai. Since the film is based on Delhi and its high society, she has to do something striking to get her fair deal of attention.

This also has to do with the fact that her character belongs to a small town called Bahadurgarh which is an hour long drive from Delhi." For a Mumbai girl who has seen a sophisticated lifestyle throughout her growing up years and has a good fashion sense, it was quite a challenge for Amrita to done a behenji persona.

"I had to work very hard, especially the diction since my Hindi is pretty much Bambaiyya Hindi", she continues, "I had to bring authenticity and believability in my character and for that I had to do a lot of workshops with my trainer Majushree. She helped me to understand the character, language, diction, the works.

I also practiced a lot with dad because he has lived in Chandigarh and hence is a far well versed Punjabi." No wonder, some of her favourite scenes from the film are those where she had to let her hair loose and just go with the flow while following the conviction of her director Rajshree Ojha.

"The character of Shefali Thakur that I play in the film has a lot of moments," says Amrita, "She has quite a few punch-lines and moreover indulges into a lot of drama. One can call her an OTT drama queen due to her antics." Recollecting a scene, Amrita reveals, "I don't want to give away the story but in the film there is a scene where I drown and then get saved. You have to see the kind of drama that follows.

It is so funny as I start screaming from the top of my lungs and mouth declarations as if this was a matter of life and death. You have to see the film to gauge the fun that follows. This character just likes to be in limelight."

Read More