Spirit to just make a film no longer exists: Arshad

While there have been a lot of positives in the Indian film industry in the last 100 years, the spirit to just make a film is lost in the race to make money, feels actor Arshad Warsi.

"We have not left the things that our industry is known for - songs, music and a total entertainment film - and that's a good thing.

Other good thing is that technologically we have advanced in these 100 years. Today there is Shah Rukh's 'Ra One', so technologically we have advanced, so it is good, " the 44-year-old said here Tuesday at the launch of author Sanjay Chopra's book "Talespin".

"But the bad thing about it is that somewhere we have lost the spirit to make a film. Today it has become a business which is bad. So there has been good and bad in these 100 years, " he added.

Arshad, who was last seen in "Double Dhamaal" in 2011, currently has a lot of films in hand.

"From January next year, I will be doing 'Jo Bhi Karva Lo' which is a sweet, romantic comedy, after that I will do 'Dedh Ishqiya' then Raju's (Rajkumar Hirani) 'Peekay' and then there is 'Chambal Safari', " Arshad said.

"There are many more films, also listening to some more scripts. So the next year is very much busy for me, " he added.

Besides these, Arshad is also doing "Bhaiyyaji Superhit", "Total Dhamaal", "Jolly L.L.B." and "Golmaal 4".

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Can't wait to start shooting with Madhuri

While Arshad Warsi, Vidya Balan and Naseeruddin Shah won the hearts of film buffs with their performances in the film Ishqiya, audiences are now eagerly waiting for the film's sequel Dedh Ishqiya. 

But Arshad himself seems to be the most eager of all to start shooting for the film. The reason? Hear it from Arshad himself. "I absolutely enjoyed working with Vidya (Balan) in Ishqiya.
She is a dear friend and I will miss her while shooting the sequel. But I can't wait to start shooting with Madhuri Dixit. I mean, no one can beat her right?" said an excited Arshad at a recent event.

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Monkey trouble on sets of Arshad-Paresh's film

During the shoot of Amrit Sagar Chopra's latest film starring Arshad Warsi and Paresh Rawal, the cast and crew had to face some rather unexpected visitors

A group of monkeys had decided to pay a visit to the team. And man and beast did not really have a cordial encounter. Not only did the monkeys bite some of the crewmembers, till the rest of the shoot schedule most of the team remained petrified of the primates.

A source from the film recalls, “We were shooting a wedding sequence in Delhi. We were shooting in extreme weather conditions but we were having a lot of fun. But soon, the monkeys invaded our sets and it was a scary situation for all of us.”

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Munnabhai 3: Sanjay is my first option

Arshad Warsi on wanting to cast 'less troublesome' actors for his debut direction and who will finally helm 'Munnabhai 3' 

Ever since working back-to-back in two Munnabhai projects, Arshad Warsi has decided his former co-star Sanjay Dutt is one name he wants to rope in for his own film. More so, as he feels Sanju baba is probably the easiest actor to work with in the industry. 

Arshad says he is eagerly looking forward to this film, an action thriller, and the first name that comes to his mind to cast in the film is Sanjay. He points out, “Vashu Bhagnani has signed me as the director. For the cast, Sanjay is my first option. I want to work with actors who are less troubling in nature.”

Ask him to elaborate and Arshad says, “The new generation of actors are really cool. Since this is my first project as a director, I want to work with actors who would actually help me make this film.” 
The actor also says he is looking forward to discuss the script with his friend and filmmaker Raju Hirani. Arshad also rules out rumours about Rajesh Mapuskar directing the third film in the Munnabhai franchise.

He says, “Raju will be directing Munnabhai 3. I have heard the first part of the script and I love it. Hopefully, towards the end of next year we should start shooting.”

While also stating that the shoot schedule of his upcoming film Der Ishqiya, helmed by Abhishek Chaubey, has been postponed, Arshad says he is willing to try other cinematic genres too. 

He says, “I am a pretty decent actor and people appreciate my comedy. But I want to try everything under the sun.” 

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How much more tax? Sonam Kapoor says the government is 'corrupt'

The government's decision to levy 12 percent service tax on film and TV actors has left many fuming. While veteran actress Hema Malini feels it would burden producers further, actor Arshad Warsi believes it would leave many actors jobless and Sonam Kapoor says the government is "corrupt".

Many feel it's time the government stopped harrassing actors.

"This move is going to encourage a parallel economy. Artists take cheques, there is no black money or cash. Now they will want to take cash. It will become a burden on the producers. As it is the government does not help film industry and now this will become a problem, " Hema told.

The government announced plans to levy the tax on actors' acting as well as endorsement assignments, starting Sunday. It will be in an addition to the income tax they pay.

Vipul Shah, who produced "Singh Is Kinng" and "Force", is worried about the producers' woes. 

"It is a terrible decision. They have the left the producers with nothing. Maybe they are under the myth that the film industry has lot of money and so decided to put a tax on it. The ticket rates don't have any service tax, so ultimately it is the producers who pay it from their pockets, " Shah told. 

He says the decision will have a direct impact on producers of small budgets films. 

"More films will lose its money in the coming days. Just imagine about the small budget films and other regional films... how do they pay service tax on every technician? I hope they realise that its a wrong decision, " the producer added. 

Actors are dejected by the move.

"With this service tax, there will be some more jobless actors... Blame it on the tax?

Very soon all actors' payment will go directly to the government and they will start giving us the little per cent that is left for us as salary, Arshad tweeted Monday.

Terming the decision as "ridiculous", Divya Dutta tweeted: "'They' have no idea how some of the actors survive in this tough terrain of our profession. We are as much employed professionals as any in any field.

"I strongly appeal every one of our faculty to stand 'tall' against the implementation of such injustice. Please spread the word." 

Divya believes this development will impact the strugglers more than it would affect the established stars.

"That tax thing is okay for those who (are) doing well, but for those who (are) struggling, not a good news to pay more, " she added. 

Choreographer-filmmaker Farah Khan, who is set to make her acting debut with "Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi", is disappointed. 

"And just as I've turned 'actress', the government has decided to also charge 12.5 per cent service tax to all actors! This is too much. Kitna nichodogey yaar (How much will you squeeze us)?" posted Farah.

Calling the government "corrupt", actress Sonam said: "We are just filling every politicians pockets with money. If my money really went into developing my country I'd be more than happy to give it."

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