Ruslaan becomes a father at 17.

Isn't that surprising? But that's true. Ruslaan Mumtaz, who shot to fame with his earlier film MP3 (MERA PEHLA PEHLA PYAAR), is all set to play the role of a teenage father in his forthcoming film TEREE SANG. The film is directed by Satish Kaushik and takes a look at the issue of teen pregnancy. The film is all set to release in theatres in the first week of August. Talking about his role in the film, Ruslaan says, ''When Satish Ji said I'm the hero of TEREE SANG, it was a challenging job for me. I had to look like a seventeen year old kid and had to lose a lot of weight to fit into the role.'' The issue of teenage pregnancy has always been a much debated issue. Though Bollywood has earlier attempted films on similar lines, but TEREE SANG promises to bring a new insight into this sensitive issue.
July 9, 2009 5:10:49 PM ISTRuhail, Bollywood Trade News Network
LINK: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/09/jul/09-ruslaan-becomes-a-father-at-17-070913.asp

Delhi CM unveils the music of Satish Kaushik's Teree Sang

By Joginder Tuteja, July 15, 2009 - 17:58 IST
It was a proud moment for director Satish Kaushik as political bigwigs came together yesterday to support his film on teen pregnancy - Teree Sang. Most prominent personality to grace the occasion was Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit who unveiled the film's music at Constitution Club, New Delhi.Says Satish Kaushik who has worked with Ruslaan Mumtaz and debutant heroine Sheena Shahabadi in Teree Sang, "We were quite tensed if she would be able to come for the event because of the 'Metro' tragedy in the capital. Still, she did fulfill her promise in spite of the fact that she was hard-pressed for time." The music launch, which also saw good attendance from media, showcased promos and songs from the film. "Sheilaji loved the fact that the film deals with the issue of teen pregnancy", informs Satish Kaushik, "She had good words to speak about Teree Sang since we are bringing to fore a sensitive subject. She saw the promos and admitted that the kids were looking very good together. Since she herself is a film buff, she has promised to go and watch the film once it releases." As per the filmmaker, the CM personally went to Ruslaan and Sheena and blessed both of them. "It was quite nice on her part as she wished them all the success. She is a great leader and I hold her in very high esteem. The people of Delhi love her and it is phenomenal to see the way she holds her dignity in front of lakhs of people", says Kaushik. He also goes on to share an interesting anecdote. "Sheilaji was particularly impressed by the fact that our production house is called 'Karol Bagh Film and Entertainment'. Karol Bagh holds a special place in the heart of Delhites. I come from Delhi and my partner Anupam Kher too has spent so many years in the city when he used to have 'ghar-ka-khaana' at my place. It was just apt that we shoot our film in Delhi as well." Satish Kaushik was accompanied by the lead pair of the film while his co-producer from Delhi, Manoj Mittal, joined him too. Other prominent names present at the event were High Court lawyer Sunil Mittal, Dhawal Gada from PEN, MP Rajeev Shukla and Girish Agarwal, a prominent name in the Delhi society circles, amongst others.Also starring Satish Kaushik himself along with Sushmita Mukherjee, Rajat Kapoor, Neena Gupta and Anupam Kher in a special appearance, Teree Sang, which is produced by Bharat Shah, has music by new finds Sachin & Jigar and is all set for a 7th August release.
LINK: http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/2009/07/15/13069/

DELHI CM LAUNCHES 'TEREE SANG' MUSIC

This is indeed very bold on the part of Bollywood to make films on subjects until now untouched. The current movie is one in that direction as it is based on teenage pregnancy. After handling mature themes like marital blues and surrogate motherhood, Satish Kaushik has come out with 'Tere Sang'. He aims at informing the viewers about the unsafe sex prevailing among today's youths and also about the problem's solution through sex education to them. The music of the movie was lauched in New Delhi on July 13, 2009 by the Chief Minister of Delhi, Ms Sheila Dixit, in the presence of VIPs and music lovers besides the media. The movie stars Ruslaan Mumtaaz of the 'Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar' fame and debutant Sheena Shahabadi. Speaking to the media on the launch of the music in the capital, Satish Kaushik said that Delhi is very close to his heart and that's the reason why he had shot his movie in Delhi. Not only that he even named his film company as Karol Bagh Film & Entertainment Pvt Ltd on Delhi's famous market-cum-residential place - Karol Bagh. Satish added that many teenagers today are landing themselves into trouble through unprotected sex. So, he thought of reaching out to them and telling them how and why they should be careful with their lives.
The movie is also significant inasmuch as another Bollywood sibling has thus entered into the industry. This is Sheena Shahabadi, daughter of yesteryears' actress Sadhna of the 'Nadiya Ke Paar' fame. This is a good news as the sibling is beginning her career not with a conventional movie but with a meaningful one that has a message to convey to the audience. Besides, the message is very topical in today's context when sex education has become vital in propagating safe sex. In her debut 'Teree Sang', she plays a teenaged girl whose boyfriend Ruslaan Mumtaaz makes her pregnant. Satish Kaushik-directed 'Tere Sang' tells the story of 15-year-old Maahi played by Sheena and 17-year-old Kukko played by Ruslaan Mumtaaz who are schoolmates. In one of their outdoor rendezvous with a bunch of friends, they decide to 'experiment' and end up making love to each other. When Maahi gets pregnant, she decides to give birth to the child and Kukoo fully supports her in this matter. She is very excited with her debut role though it's unusual. She is aware that pregnancy and abortion are too common among the girls of her age today and the consequent agony they suffer. She is bold and favors teenage romance and a physical relationship, but with necessary protection! Sheena is very happy that Bollywood has welcomed her with open arms, and that the movie is very subjective and she loves playing her character. She is very happy that she has acted in her debut movie with none other than a director like Satish Kaushik, who has been very cooperative and never let her feel a newcomer. Incidentally, Satish Kaushik himself along with Sushmita Mukherjee and Rajat Kapoor will star in the movie. The movie will hit theaters on August 7 this year. 'Tere Sang' is produced by Bharat Shah and co-produced by Anupam Kher, Satish Kaushik and Manoj Mittal. Music is by Sachin-Jigar and lyrics by Sameer.

After MP3 - MERA PEHLA PEHLA PYAAR - Ruslaan Mumtaz

After MP3 - MERA PEHLA PEHLA PYAAR, Ruslaan Mumtaz would be seen again on the big screen in Satish Kaushik directed TEREE SANG. In the film, he plays the role of a 17 year old boyfriend of a 15 year old girl (Sheena Shahabadi) who gets pregnant from him. The film comes with a message around teen pregnancy and has one of it's major promotional pegs being sex education. ''I am 26 today and through the film, I want to tell youth to be responsible'', says Ruslaan in a matured tone, ''When we are 16-17 years old, we pretend that we know everything. But then when I look back today, I feel that I was stupid.''

Any act of stupidity that he wants to narrate? ''I remember that as a 17 year old, I sometimes used to sneak out with my dad's car. I also used to drive after consuming alcohol and used to boast to my friends that I was all cool and nothing is gonna happen. Today, I feel it was all so risky'', he says.

How about sex? CHECK OUT: Ruslaan becomes a father at 17

''Well, nature has made you such that sex happens. But then at the least one has to be responsible'', says Ruslaan without revealing much about his own past, ''What may happen though is that as a kid you may rely completely upon friends or whatever material is available to you. Through the film, we are trying to tell parents to communicate with their kids and talk to them about sex so that they make conscious decisions in their life.'' Directed by Satish Kaushik, TEREE SANG tells the story of Maahi (Sheena) and Kukko (Ruslaan) who play school mates. In one of their outdoor rendezvous with a bunch of friends, they decide to 'experiment' and end up making love to each other. When Maahi gets pregnant, she decides to give birth to the child. In this journey of hers, she gets complete support from Kukko.

In some years, I want to be in a position to choose scripts: Ruslaan Mumtaz

Two years after his debut film MP3, Ruslaan Mumtaz is back with Satish Kaushik’s Tere Sang. He is playing a seventeen year old boy, who gets a fifteen year old pregnant. Here is what the young actor had to say about the flick, his aspirations in life and more as he speaks with Pankaj Sabnani from BIGOYE.

Where were you after MP3?
I was working. It took the producers time to release the films. I have completed three films after MP3. My work is complete in all the films.


Didn’t you get impatient because of the films not releasing? Don’t you think people tend to forget you?
People will forget you as actor someday or the other. I was doing my work in the hope that the films would release some day. Aur ummed pe to duniya kayam hai (The world thrives on hope).


How is Tere Sang shaping up?
Tere Sang is looking interesting. Now when I watch it, I find that there is genuineness in the character which I like. It is a very character oriented film. I am playing a very simple character.


The story of the film sounds similar to Kya Kehna?
Kya Kehna was about this guy who abandons the girl after she gets pregnant and another boy comes in the film. It was actually a love triangle as well. Tere Sang is not like that. Here, the boy is in deep trouble but he stills stands by the girl. That is the reason why the film is titled Tere Sang.


From MP3 to Tere Sang, how far have you improved?
I have obviously done better work in Tere Sang because I was more confident as an actor and beyond that I had a director with more experience. He is also an actor which makes a huge difference. I took it up as a challenge to make my character in Tere Sang different from the character that I played in MP3. I think that I have achieved that.


What are you aspirations as an actor?
I want to be in a position where I can choose scripts. If I tell a director that I do not intend to be a part of his film, I don’t want him to feel bad. I want him to say that he will figure out a role for me and get back.


Which are your upcoming films?
I have got Jaane Kahan Se Aai Hai and Mastang Mama apart from Tere Sang.
LINK: http://www.bigoye.com/interviews/Ruslaan-Mumtaz/126250?page=2

Ruslaan Mumtaz Chats with MovieJini on Movie Teree Sang

JD: Something about your character in Teree Sang?
Ruslaan: I am playing the character of a guy called Kabir. Belongs to the lower middle class and is a simple, next door chap. He is a duffer and all of the folks call him by the name Kukoo. The beat part is his transformation from a not so cool dude, from a duffer to one who takes responsilbility for his actions but also that of his friends.
JD: How would you describe Teree Sang?
Ruslaan: Tere Sang is about friendship, shouldering responsibilty and then a love story to the core.
JD: Your experience working with Satish Kaushik?
Ruslaan: He is a great actor and a big director. He has worked with huge stars from the film industry. I was bit nervous initially due to my overwhelming perception about this man. But eventually, I figured out him to be a personality who is very loving and caring. He made a new comer like me at ease working at such big set. I could just say WOW. He definitely has an wonderful sense of humor.
JD: Your hobbies?
Ruslaan: Working out and Bowling. I catch up with bowling at least thrice week. I assume a score of 190 is quite good…….
JD: Do you take suggestion from your mom Anjana Mumtaz?
Ruslaan: Not much while working. She surely suggests me on kind of films I choose. She is the best critic of my work , its quite helpful, as I still have a lot to learn.
JD: How was it working with actors like Neena Gupta and Rajat Kapoor?
Ruslaan: They are great and accomplished actors. I watched them how comfortable they are at the shots. Especially Rajat Kapoor, wherein he has a scene which lasts for about five to six minutes. I just could not help myself watching him. It was as if he was communicating and not acting, knew his character in and out. I assume it will take me some more time to get to that sort of naturality. It was as if he just came did the scene. May be he had prepared and done his homework well. I assume that sort of comfort level comes with time.
JD: Any song in this movie which you liked the most?
Ruslaan: Maula Mila De…. is a song track which I have liked and am confident it will go well with the masses too. Likely to see youngsters humming this track.
Bollywood news feels this kid has a lot of potential and we wish him all the best for his movie Teree Sang!
LINK: mhtml:file: http://www.moviejini.com/bollywood-news/ruslaan-mumtaz-chats-with-moviejini-on-movie-teree-sang/

A GENTLEMANLY ACT BACKFIRES!

It’s not always that a good act pays off in a desirable way. Ruslaan learnt this recently while shooting for Satish Kaushik’s Tere Sang in Dalhousie. One day, Ruslaan and his co-star Sheena, (yesteryear
actress Sadhna Singh’s daughter), were relaxing. Suddenly, two
drunk men came in the room and started saying some lewd things about Sheena. Ruslaan was patient at first. But when the men pursued, he got furious and went up to them and he asked the two men to get out of the room. But, the shameless men started hitting Ruslaan. The actor retaliated and punched them back, causing the crew and director Satish Kaushik to rush into the room. To Ruslaan’s shock and, Kaushik was apologizing to the two men! Later he found out that the two drunks were the owners of the bungalow who felt so insulted that they asked the cast and crew to leave immidiately. But Satish apologised and got things sorted out because there were only a few days of shooting left. Well, kudos to Ruslaan for doing the right thing. Unfortunately, not everyone is a gentleman!

“I have no take on homosexuality”- Ruslaan Mumtaz

He is just one film old and still makes hearts skip a beat. His good looks paved the way for him to the league of chocolaty heroes like Aamir, Saif Ali Khan and Imraan Khan. Although his debut film MP3 did not work wonders at the box-office, still he became famous overnight with the beautiful track from the film titled ‘Pehla Pehla Pyaar Hai Ye’. If you are still wondering whom we are talking of, then lets break the suspense. He is none other than Ruslaan Mumtaz and he is all set this time with Teree Sang to make audience sit up and witness the tremendous talent he is blessed with.
Teree Sang also stars newcomer Sheena Shahabadi, Rajat Kapoor, Neena Gupta, Sushmita Mukherjee and last, but not the least, director and actor of the film Satish Kaushik.
Ruslaan in this interview shares his experience in the industry so far and also, excitedly talks about his forthcoming film Teree Sang
You are just one film old and the second is on the verge of release but you rae already so popular among audience. How has life shaped up after films?
Touch-wood (smiles), I think both life and industry has been very kind. I think the charm of music among Indian audiences contributes a lot. MP3; although, was an ordinary love-story but the music gave the film and me recognition among the audience. However, Tere Sang on the contrary is character-driven. I am sure audience will recognize the endeavour put-in by me and newcomer Sheena in this film. Overall, I thank my stars for a good threshold and hope I live up to the expectations of one and all.
Unlike you, the new girl Sheena has started her innings on a very serious note. In an interview, she mentioned about how you would guide her while shooting?
Oh! Guide?! I think guide is too strong a word to use here. Sheena is a very talented actor however, she gives-ups very easily. Actually, Sheena is not to be blamed because she was performing before the legend himself Mr. Satish Kaushik. Unlike me; who got an opportunity to experiment with a young director in my debut venture. I would give my inputs and do as many retakes till the time I was not convinced. However, here, the final take was in directors’ hand and nobody could question that. Still, I tried to push Sheena and myself to give our best in every possible scene.
How does your character figure out in this kidult love story?
Well, I play a very crucial and sensitive role in Teree Sang. I (Kukko) am someone who is responsible for the pregnancy of Maahi, played by Sheena. As everyone starts pointing-out fingers on Sheena for committing such a big mistake, I realize that I am equally responsible and decide to stand by Maahi.
What would be your reaction if something of this sort would have happened to you in real-life? Have you witnessed such a thing in real?
Honestly, I would have definitely taken a stand to support the girl rather than abandon her. See, at the age of 15, one is too immature to understand the norms of the society and is ignorant about consequences of sex. The scenario has changed today, but if you see Sheena’s case; her character in the film is someone who is neglected by her family. Thus, she happens to fall for a boy in a tender age and eventually they have sex by mistake. So, in-order to avoid such situations, a child should be well-taken care of by the parents. I might have not experienced something exactly like this; but as a teenager I too have committed mistakes like drink and drive without a licence. And today, I realize how foolish yet fortunate I was that I didn’t fall into a big mess. However, my parents have been very strict yet supportive.
You represent today’s youth. What’s your take on latest liberation on homosexuality and live-in relationships?
Well, with due respect to homosexuality, I have no take on that. The reason why I haven’t given it a serious thought is, neither me(laughs) nor any of my friends fall in that category. As far as live-in relationships goes, I have numerous living examples. Including my own parents; who belonged to different religions and hence had to spend seven years of their life in a live-in relationship, due to opposition from their respective folks. I personally believe that convenience or vulnerability drives one into a live-in relationship. Like in big cities today a couple starts living together to cut down their residential expenditure.
Share with us some memorable moments during the film?
Hmm... I remember Sheena and I were preparing ourselves mentally for the love-making scene. In-fact, I was quite chilled out about it, since it was a part of our work. However, Sheena was very apprehensive about the whole romantic sequence. And I was wondering whether I was the reason for her behaviour, or her gender brought a difference in my and her thinking. In-fact, she argued for letting me just kiss her chin, which was completely invalid because we could not fool around with audiences on that. She ended up taking almost 3-4 shots to finish the scene.

Our kissing scene is not censored: Sheena Shahabadi and Ruslaan Mumtaz

Film Tere sang by Satish Kaushik -

Sheena Shahabadi in conversation with the new found talent Ruslaan Mumtaz. !

Ruslaan Mumtaz: How does it feel to be the newest leading lady of Bollywood?

Sheena Shahabadi: It feels great. As far as I can remember, I always wanted to become an actress since childhood. It's a dream come true for me.

RM: You've started your film career working with one of the veterans of Bollywood, Satish Kaushik.

SS: I've seen Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai and Tere Naam. The latter can be termed as my favourite Satish Kaushik film. He is an actor's director and it was great working with him.

RM: What about the term, a kidult love story…

SS: I don't think that the word 'kidult' is funny. It's like kids who behave like adults later on and that's why the term 'kidult' is used. Even if we have made a mistake. We know how to be responsible for it.

SS: What are your views on a word like 'kidult'?

RM: Kidult is an American word which says that the young teenagers are like kids but are more responsible than the adults.

RM: Today's actresses have problem playing the role of a mother. But your debut film sees you as a fifteen year old mother. Were you hesitant?

SS: I wasn't hesitant at all. I wasn't scared. I've read in the newspapers about fifteen year old girls getting pregnant and similar kind of stories. I think its high time people face the reality and be aware of what they are and aren't doing?

RM: If you were pregnant today. Would you then abort your child?

SS: I think the biggest crime you can ever commit is to kill your child. Abortion is nothing but killing your child. In fact, you are killing someone who has not even entered this world. I am against abortion.

SS: What are your views on abortion?

RM: I will completely go by the girl's decision here. She is carrying the child in her womb. She is the decision maker because she brings the child into the world. For me, a fifteen year old girl should not have a child but if she wishes to, there should be no reason to stop her too.

SS: Do you prefer men being pregnant?

RM: I seriously wouldn't prefer men being pregnant. I am happy that I am a man. Women go through a lot of things, a lot of pain while pregnant or otherwise. So it's the men who come to the rescue. They give them respect, love and a chance to decide or choose what they want to. RM: What about live-in relationships?

SS: I will not be comfortable with live-in relationships at all because I wouldn't like to commit a mistake at such a young age. I think everything has its own time. I am not saying that you can't have sex, but not at an early age where you can't look after yourself. Personally, I wouldn't go for a live-in relationship even today when I'm twenty one.

SS: What about you?

RM: For me, a live-in relationship will only start if the girl doesn't have a house to stay in or she is not from the same city. But if we both have our individual families in the same city, we should only live together once we are ready to get married or engaged.

RM: According to you, what sort of a message does a film like Teree Sang give?

SS: Teree Sang is against teenage pregnancy and that's the message it gives. It says not to get pregnant at an early age.

SS: Is Teree Sang a difficult film to digest?

RM: Yes, it is a difficult film to digest. We have a fifteen year old girl getting pregnant. The day I walked into Satish Kaushik's office and I saw you, I was stunned. You did look fifteen. So I too had to lose lot of weight to match up with you in terms of looking like a school boy. The film deals in conflict of today's and yesteryear's mental attributes.

RM: Did you seek help to prepare for a role like this?

SS: I did seek help from my mother who gave vital inputs into the preparation for a role like this. I also asked my onscreen mother Neena Gupta for tips on my role as a pregnant teenager. She was very helpful.

RM: Are you prepared for failure and success?

SS: Yes I am. You need to be prepared for both once you choose to come into the profession like this. I am confident that I will move ahead. I don't know about the film. But yes, failure is the first step towards success.

SS: Are you ready for failure?

RM: I choose a film and do not expect to be a box office success. I choose a character right. So even if the film fails, the character doesn't. My previous film MP3 didn't work but I got more roles after my debut film. My next film is a Nikhil Advani production. I am not buying a lottery ticket.I am an actor. You give me a good script and a part and I'll do well. Box Office is producer's domain.

RM: What is the feedback you've got till now on your performance?

SS: The film hasn't released but my family has seen the film and they liked it. My friends have given me a good response on the theatrical promos.

RM: Was it tough to shoot the first kissing scene?

SS: I was a bit nervous initially. The kissing scene is not censored. The scene is done in a very poetic way. It won't look vulgar or cheap. In today's films you can't have a couple in love who do not want to kiss. It's stupid. I was well aware of the scene before the shoot started, though I was a bit hesitant.

SS: Which is your favourite scene from the film?

RM: The scene where you talk on the phone to your father telling him to forgive us rather than punish us. The mistake cannot be corrected and forgiveness is the best result. I just kept on looking at you. The tough scenes were well acted by you but it was the simpler scenes which are tough ones. You had to be told to touch me because you were very nervous.

SS: Coming back to the kissing scene…

RM: Thanks for reminding me because you were the one who told me to speak to Satishji to remove the scene from the film till I told you to have it. I was a little worried at that time but everything went well and the scene too.