Kaagaz is streaming on ZEE5.Satish Kaushik directorial Kaagaz, starring Pankaj Tripathi, Monal Gajjar, Mita Vashisht and Amar Upadhyay, is streaming on ZEE5. The film, described as a true success story of a dead man, revolves around Tripathi’s character Bharat Lal who has been declared dead in official government records. He fights a long battle to reclaim his identity and to prove he is alive.
Apart from directing the movie, Satish Kaushik has also acted in it. He essays the role of Tripathi’s lawyer Sadhu Ram Kevat. Talking about sharing the screen with one of the most sought after actors of the country, Kaushik shared, “When I was enacting scenes with him (Pankaj Tripathi) in the movie, I tried to be as good as him. I think Kaagaz will be one of Pankaj’s best films.”
Pankaj Tripathi described his experience of working with Kaushik as ‘spellbinding’. He said, “It was a spellbinding experience working with Satish Kaushik and on Kaagaz. Shooting it was like a trance. I think it’s the first time that an NSD pass-out director and an NSD pass-out actor are working together.”
Kaagaz is produced by Salma Khan, Nishant Kaushik and Vikas Malu.
Indian Express film critic Shubhra Gupta wrote in her Kaagaz review that Pankaj Tripathi shines in a distressingly dated movie. READ THE FULL KAAGAZ REVIEW HERE
“Bollywood, in my personal opinion, is a very democratic space… I could never have believed that an actor who looks like me could have played the protagonist in a Hindi film, like I do in Kaagaz, my upcoming film. This was not possible 10-15 years ago. On a film set everyone, from the hero to the lightman and makeup artist, they are all equal,” said actor Pankaj Tripathi.
His comment, coming at the end of a year that saw the Hindi film industry embroiled in a debate about nepotism, was made at the Express eAdda recently, where the actor was in conversation with national features editor Devyani Onial and the Indian Express film critic Shubhra Gupta. READ MORE
@atulc647 shared on Twitter, "Just finished watchng KAAGAZ..what a brilliant film by @satishkaushik2 sir truly stunning..@TripathiiPankaj your are simply best..the whole team of #Kaagaz big round of applause..standing ovation.."
At an e-Adda held recently, actor Pankaj Tripathi spoke on his journey, keeping calm, why OTT platforms should duck formula, and Bollywood being a democratic space. Pankaj Tripathi was in conversation with The Indian Express National Features Editor Devyani Onial and The Indian Express film critic Shubhra Gupta. READ MORE
Satish Kaushik, who makes his directorial comeback after six years with the ZEE5 movie Kaagaz, bought the rights to Lal Bihari’s story in 2003. “Its script underwent changes over the years. Sometimes it looked like a documentary. I went to so many actors with the film. So it was like a struggle for me. Like Lal Bihari’s struggle went on for 18 years, even my 18 years went into making the film,” he said during the virtual trailer launch of the film.
When indianexpress.com asked Satish Kaushik about the nuances that Pankaj Tripathi brought to his character, the director said, “When you have an actor like Pankaj Tripathi, knowingly or unknowingly, his experience gets reflected in his characters. Pankaj gave me suggestions during scenes. He improvised his body language too.” READ MORE
Indian Express film critic Shubhra Gupta gave this Pankaj Tripathi-starrer one and a half stars. She wrote in her review, "The plot is littered with clichés, and comes off distressingly dated: the evil aunt rolls her eyes, the bad guys swirl their ‘moochch’, the item girl swings her waist, the sarkari cogs-in-the-wheel smirk, and so on." READ THE FULL KAAGAZ REVIEW HERE
Sharing a clip of Kaagaz, @ibeingaayushh wrote on Twitter, "Now Watching #Kaagaz. Starting me hi @BeingSalmanKhan ki voice."
Anil Kapoor took to Twitter to post, "My friend, the multi talented @satishkaushik2 waited for 17 years to tell this compelling biopic... #Kaagaz drops tonight at 12am on @ZEE5Premium...please watch it!!"
Ashoke Pandit took to Twitter to post, "Saw @satishkaushik2’s directorial #Kaagaz. It makes u realize the magic of sheer simplicity. A well told story of a common man in an extraordinary situation. @TripathiiPankaj’s performance as #Mritak is outstanding. #MonalGajjar is definitely a find. @ZEE5India @BeingSalmanKhan."
@Itsss_Shivam shared on Twitter, "U all go watch #Kaagaz on Zee5 app..A Must watch..Produced by @BeingSalmanKhan..nd it is 1st main lead Movie of this great actor @TripathiiPankaj, real nd most talented Outsider..So next time u all gonna bitch against Salman on nepotism or anythng like that,keep this in mind !!!"
Salman Khan tweeted, "Na zinda. Na murda. Na bhoot. Aakhir kya hai Bharat Lal Mritak? Thinking face Jaan-ne ke liye dekhiye #Kaagaz. Streaming now on @ZEE5Premium."
@Ritesh34557696 took to Twitter to post, "#Kaagaz is very well made movie good direction and Pankaj tripathi brilliant performance must watch thanks @BeingSalmanKhan for producing this gem."
"#Kaagaz is very beautiful movie . Superb direction by @satishkaushik2 . @TripathiiPankaj acting is very natural in the Movie My Rating - 3 stars," @DaringBoy008 posted on Twitter.
@HimeshMankad shared via Twitter, "#Kaagaz is a well intentioned film, having its heart at the right place. While the situational humour could have been more, the last 25 mins are superlative in dramatic front, with @TripathiiPankaj delivering an endearing performance. Likh Ke Dete Hai, its Worth-A-Dekho!"
@VishalRC007 tweeted, "All positive reviews coming for #Kaagaz Very inspiring character played by @TripathiiPankaj, excellent direction from @satishkaushik2 & everyone’s acting is on point. It keeps u hooked till the end. Produced by @BeingSalmanKhan Bhai ne produce ki hai, dekhna toh banta hai."
For Pankaj Tripathi, Kaagaz will fulfil one particular desire of his fans. “Many people thought I deserved to play the lead role in a film. That desire will get fulfilled with Kaagaz,” Tripathi said in an exclusive chat with indianexpress.com.
Tripathi also shared reasons as to why he related with Lal Bihari’s struggle. “I too had a journey of 17-18 years in Mumbai before I could prove myself as an actor. So his and my fight for identity is similar.” READ MORE
Joginder Tuteja tweeted, "#Exclusive #Kaagaz is an engaging black comedy by @satishkaushik2 which brings excitement while telling the tale of a man who executed indigenous ways to fight it against the system and govt to reclaim his identity. @TripathiiPankaj is expectedly good in a simpleton mode . 3 and a 1/2 star."