News Analysis India

Tag: Sam Heughan

  • ‘I’m a Huge Fan of Priyanka’: Actor Sam Heughan

    Express News Service

    What made you want to be part of the romantic comedy, Love Again?

    It started with (writer and director) Jim Strouse’s beautiful script. I loved the story and the characters. And then, when I found out Priyanka (Chopra) was involved, I was even more sold. I am a huge fan of hers, and she is utterly brilliant as the heart of this movie. Then they added someone as talented as (singer) Celine Dion to the cast, and I knew I had to be part of this.

    You play a character called Rob Burns. Does it hold any particular significance, given your Scottish roots?

    Robert Burns is a revered Scottish poet. There is also Robert the Bruce, the famous warrior. The name does kind of come from that. It was Jim’s idea. I actually did wonder if it was a little too much, but he explained how my character is something of a poet himself. He’s arty and into alternate, avant-garde stuff. He is a modern-day Scottish poet.

    What was it like working with Priyanka Chopra?

    I loved it. We got on so well from day one. She welcomed us all into her world. This is a film about love, but the ultimate love story is that of Priyanka and her wonderful husband, Nick (Jonas). We got to hang out with him as well, and he makes a little cameo in the film too. 

    How did you go about finding that chemistry together needed for a film like this?

    We drank! It was actually difficult because we shot in London during lockdown so we had to follow a lot of Covid protocols on set. We had to be very careful. But Priyanka hosted some fun parties for our little bubble; outdoors, I should add. That really helped build that chemistry, and bond everyone on the cast and crew.

    Tell us about working with Celine Dion.

    She’s an icon, so I think everyone was a little nervous around her at first, but she was amazing. She plays herself in the film, and also did a lot of music for it––five new and original tracks. I actually think this was her first time acting in a movie, but she’s so good and quite funny. This film is a great chance for fans to see a different side to Celine. Love Again, in a way, is really an homage to Celine Dion and her music.

    A still from Love AgainWhy do you think rom-coms have made a comeback recently?

    I’m not sure they ever really went away, but I do believe that after Covid, we all need something fun and maybe a little romance and films like this provide that. There’s something about Love Again that captures the spirit of the classic rom-com. This is a story with so much heart, so many laughs, but also real emotional intelligence.

    Many of your fans are still hopeful that you might be the next James Bond. What do you say to that?

    I did audition years ago, but they went with someone called Daniel Craig! I think I was maybe too young back then and now, well, I think maybe I’m a little too old.

    Everyone is excited to see you in the new season of Outlander. What can we expect to see?

    There’s so much. Season 7 is 16 episodes, split into two halves, which means we cover a lot of the ground we lost in the shortened Season 6. (Irish actor) Caitriona Balfe is back, and there is going to be a lot of drama, twists and turns. I can’t wait for everyone to see it.

    It has been announced that Season 8 will be the last for Outlander. How do you feel about that?

    Outlander has been a huge part of my life over the past decade, so I feel quite emotional. We haven’t started shooting Season 8 yet. I don’t even know how it’s all going to end, but I’m going to miss it. So will the fans. They have always been so supportive of the show and of me. I can’t thank them enough, but all good things must come to an end, I guess. 

    ASIA FEATURES

    What made you want to be part of the romantic comedy, Love Again?

    It started with (writer and director) Jim Strouse’s beautiful script. I loved the story and the characters. And then, when I found out Priyanka (Chopra) was involved, I was even more sold. I am a huge fan of hers, and she is utterly brilliant as the heart of this movie. Then they added someone as talented as (singer) Celine Dion to the cast, and I knew I had to be part of this.

    You play a character called Rob Burns. Does it hold any particular significance, given your Scottish roots?googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Robert Burns is a revered Scottish poet. There is also Robert the Bruce, the famous warrior. The name does kind of come from that. It was Jim’s idea. I actually did wonder if it was a little too much, but he explained how my character is something of a poet himself. He’s arty and into alternate, avant-garde stuff. He is a modern-day Scottish poet.

    What was it like working with Priyanka Chopra?

    I loved it. We got on so well from day one. She welcomed us all into her world. This is 
    a film about love, but the ultimate love story is that of Priyanka and her wonderful husband, Nick (Jonas). We got to hang out with him as well, and he makes a little cameo 
    in the film too. 

    How did you go about finding that chemistry together needed for a film like this?

    We drank! It was actually difficult because we shot in London during lockdown so we had to follow a lot of Covid protocols on set. We had to be very careful. But Priyanka hosted some fun parties for our little bubble; outdoors, I should add. That really helped build that chemistry, and bond everyone on the cast and crew.

    Tell us about working with Celine Dion.

    She’s an icon, so I think everyone was a little nervous around her at first, but she was amazing. She plays herself in the film, and also did a lot of music for it––five new and original tracks. I actually think this was her first time acting in a movie, but she’s so good and quite funny. This film is a great chance for fans to see a different side to Celine. Love Again, in a way, is really an homage to Celine Dion and her music.

    A still from Love AgainWhy do you think rom-coms have made a comeback recently?

    I’m not sure they ever really went away, but I do believe that after Covid, we all need something fun and maybe a little romance and films like this provide that. There’s something about Love Again that captures the spirit of the classic rom-com. This is a story with so much heart, so many laughs, but also real emotional intelligence.

    Many of your fans are still hopeful that you might be the next James Bond. What do you say to that?

    I did audition years ago, but they went with someone called Daniel Craig! I think I was maybe too young back then and now, well, I think maybe I’m a little too old.

    Everyone is excited to see you in the new season of Outlander. What can we expect to see?

    There’s so much. Season 7 is 16 episodes, split into two halves, which means we cover a lot of the ground we lost in the shortened Season 6. (Irish actor) Caitriona Balfe is back, and there is going to be a lot of drama, twists and turns. I can’t wait for everyone to see it.

    It has been announced that Season 8 will be the last for Outlander. How do you feel about that?

    Outlander has been a huge part of my life over the past decade, so I feel quite emotional. We haven’t started shooting Season 8 yet. I don’t even know how it’s all going to end, but I’m going to miss it. So will the fans. They have always been so supportive of the show and of me. I can’t thank them enough, but all good things must come to an end, I guess. 

    ASIA FEATURES

  • ‘Love Again’ Review: A predictable rom-com made entertaining by good comedy and Celine Dion

    Express News Service

    When Rob (Sam Heughan) and Mira (a very convincing Priyanka Chopra) meet for the first time in Love Again, just like every other romantic film, there’s slow instrumental music playing in the background, and they’re standing in front of the grand opera wearing show-stopping garments.

    There’s nothing new with Mira saying, “Hi, I’m Mira Ray,” and Rob introducing himself in return. When their eyes lock, we might be reminded of scores of other similar scenes in rom-com history. But the way the conversation ensues, a brilliant piece of music is used to underscore the emotions, and the convincing performances, show the intent of the makers was to make it one of the most romantic moments in recent rom-com history. There are also interesting subversions that make Love Again non-formulaic.

    Take, for instance, the meet-cute scene once again, and immediately after they exchange greetings and part ways, the music abruptly stops as Mira bumps into a couple, and the audience erupted into laughter. Unexpected humour is the strength of Love Again, which is an equal parts romance and comedy, with a side order of engaging entertainment. 

    Love Again revolves around Mira, who loses her boyfriend John in an accident. Two years after the tragedy, she tries to get back into the dating game. Her method of catharsis is to text her late boyfriend’s number, making her feel like she’s still in touch with him. But, here’s the twist, the number is now owned by Rob, a despondent music critic, who has recently gotten his heart broken. How they meet and fall in love, forms the rest of the story.

    Love Again does not take much time to set the scene. A brief conversation between John and Mira establishes how much they love each other, and almost immediately after, he meets with an accident, right in front of her eyes. All of this happens within the first four minutes. And yet, thanks to the well-written dialogue, it is proof enough to make us buy the grief she experiences throughout the film.

    The best parts of the film are Celine Dion’s performance as herself, and Nick Jonas’ extended cameo. Post their wedding, Priyanka and Nick have only made one onscreen appearance in the Jonas Brothers’ Sucker song video. Although he appears in a brief role, the snooty and very compelling Nick, makes us want him to play a full-length lead opposite Priyanka. Manifestations are in the process…

    Similarly, Celine Dion, the singer, plays a very important, and witty role as herself in Love Again. Rob’s struggle with romance post his heartbreak is brought to light by Celine. For example, in a scene, Celine says, “You obviously know nothing about it.” And as we along with Rob wonder ‘what’ he doesn’t know about, she replies, “Love.” His realisation of love also happens with Celine’s classic ‘All By Myself’ playing in the background. Her songs are used in several places to help elevate the romance part of the film.

    While it is usual to find romantic cliches in a rom-com, some need definitely need to be avoided. One such is having Rob’s colleagues and best friends, Liza and Billy, be black and gay, respectively. This representation feels more tokenism than actual representation because these characters have nothing to do with the overall scheme of the narrative.

    An element that is commonplace in most rom-coms is, the couple getting intimate immediately after they confess their liking for each other. I believe this would have been unconvincing in Love Again because they are beating several odds to be together. Thankfully, Mira and Rob do not get physical immediately and allow comfort with each other to come before anything else.

    The makers throw in a scene where Mira unintentionally falls asleep to Rob’s voice to establish that she feels safe and trusts him. Commercial romcoms often miss out on exhibiting such emotions, which are salient to make romance relatable.

    As the film takes too much time in establishing Mira’s grief, we don’t really know much about Rob. Yeah, we know Rob is a music critic, loves basketball, and is in love with Mira. Even Mira’s character traits, except for

    the fact that she loves ‘Would You Rather’ questions, are not clear to us even by the end of the film. While Mira and Rob’s relationship does feel dreamy and utopian, the relatability factor goes for a toss. When Dion says, “I don’t really care if you and Rob get together,” it seems like she’s speaking our hearts.  If only, the makers focussed more on the lead characters, than on making this film a Celine Dion tribute (no complaints there, though), Love Again would have had the potential to become something more than just funny and entertaining.

    With delightful yet cheesy comedy, and a realistic romance at the centre of it all, Love Again, an adaptation of Sofie Cramer’s German novel Text For You, is a worthy watch. There is a lot more novelty on offer in Love Again. It reminds us that our soulmates might just about be anywhere… You may bump into them, even when walking out of the theatres, with light instrumental music playing in the background.

    Movie       : Love AgainDirector   : James C StrouseCast          : Priyanka Chopra, Sam Heughan, Celine Dion, Sofia BarclayRating      : 3/5 

    (This story originally appeared in Cinema Express)

    When Rob (Sam Heughan) and Mira (a very convincing Priyanka Chopra) meet for the first time in Love Again, just like every other romantic film, there’s slow instrumental music playing in the background, and they’re standing in front of the grand opera wearing show-stopping garments.

    There’s nothing new with Mira saying, “Hi, I’m Mira Ray,” and Rob introducing himself in return. When their eyes lock, we might be reminded of scores of other similar scenes in rom-com history. But the way the conversation ensues, a brilliant piece of music is used to underscore the emotions, and the convincing performances, show the intent of the makers was to make it one of the most romantic moments in recent rom-com history. There are also interesting subversions that make Love Again non-formulaic.

    Take, for instance, the meet-cute scene once again, and immediately after they exchange greetings and part ways, the music abruptly stops as Mira bumps into a couple, and the audience erupted into laughter. Unexpected humour is the strength of Love Again, which is an equal parts romance and comedy, with a side order of engaging entertainment. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Love Again revolves around Mira, who loses her boyfriend John in an accident. Two years after the tragedy, she tries to get back into the dating game. Her method of catharsis is to text her late boyfriend’s number, making her feel like she’s still in touch with him. But, here’s the twist, the number is now owned by Rob, a despondent music critic, who has recently gotten his heart broken. How they meet and fall in love, forms the rest of the story.

    Love Again does not take much time to set the scene. A brief conversation between John and Mira establishes how much they love each other, and almost immediately after, he meets with an accident, right in front of her eyes. All of this happens within the first four minutes. And yet, thanks to the well-written dialogue, it is proof enough to make us buy the grief she experiences throughout the film.

    The best parts of the film are Celine Dion’s performance as herself, and Nick Jonas’ extended cameo. Post their wedding, Priyanka and Nick have only made one onscreen appearance in the Jonas Brothers’ Sucker song video. Although he appears in a brief role, the snooty and very compelling Nick, makes us want him to play a full-length lead opposite Priyanka. Manifestations are in the process…

    Similarly, Celine Dion, the singer, plays a very important, and witty role as herself in Love Again. Rob’s struggle with romance post his heartbreak is brought to light by Celine. For example, in a scene, Celine says, “You obviously know nothing about it.” And as we along with Rob wonder ‘what’ he doesn’t know about, she replies, “Love.” His realisation of love also happens with Celine’s classic ‘All By Myself’ playing in the background. Her songs are used in several places to help elevate the romance part of the film.

    While it is usual to find romantic cliches in a rom-com, some need definitely need to be avoided. One such is having Rob’s colleagues and best friends, Liza and Billy, be black and gay, respectively. This representation feels more tokenism than actual representation because these characters have nothing to do with the overall scheme of the narrative.

    An element that is commonplace in most rom-coms is, the couple getting intimate immediately after they confess their liking for each other. I believe this would have been unconvincing in Love Again because they are beating several odds to be together. Thankfully, Mira and Rob do not get physical immediately and allow comfort with each other to come before anything else.

    The makers throw in a scene where Mira unintentionally falls asleep to Rob’s voice to establish that she feels safe and trusts him. Commercial romcoms often miss out on exhibiting such emotions, which are salient to make romance relatable.

    As the film takes too much time in establishing Mira’s grief, we don’t really know much about Rob. Yeah, we know Rob is a music critic, loves basketball, and is in love with Mira. Even Mira’s character traits, except for

    the fact that she loves ‘Would You Rather’ questions, are not clear to us even by the end of the film. While Mira and Rob’s relationship does feel dreamy and utopian, the relatability factor goes for a toss. When Dion says, “I don’t really care if you and Rob get together,” it seems like she’s speaking our hearts.  If only, the makers focussed more on the lead characters, than on making this film a Celine Dion tribute (no complaints there, though), Love Again would have had the potential to become something more than just funny and entertaining.

    With delightful yet cheesy comedy, and a realistic romance at the centre of it all, Love Again, an adaptation of Sofie Cramer’s German novel Text For You, is a worthy watch. There is a lot more novelty on offer in Love Again. It reminds us that our soulmates might just about be anywhere… You may bump into them, even when walking out of the theatres, with light instrumental music playing in the background.

    Movie       : Love Again
    Director   : James C Strouse
    Cast          : Priyanka Chopra, Sam Heughan, Celine Dion, Sofia Barclay
    Rating      : 3/5
     

    (This story originally appeared in Cinema Express)

  • Priyanka Chopra describes filming ‘Love Again’ as terrifying experience

    By IANS

    LOS ANGELES: Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas was forced to cope with a “daunting atmosphere” on ‘Love Again’.

    The 40-year-old actress stars in the new romantic comedy film alongside Sam Heughan and Celine Dion but admits it was tricky to generate the emotions required as the picture was filmed in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

    “It was nuts at that time. It was tough, but it was a scary time in the world. As actors, we’re the ones that have to take off our masks on set. I was terrified, honestly, in the beginning. It was a very scary, daunting atmosphere, and we were doing a romantic comedy – we had to bring lightness and fun to set in this daunting atmosphere,” she recalled to Entertainment Weekly, reports aceshowbiz.com.

    “We really leaned on each other to create a fun environment on set with each other. We would laugh and crack jokes and try to find joy so that we could inspire and infuse ourselves as well. But it wasn’t easy.”

    Priyanka stars in the film as Mira Ray, who – struggling to cope with the death of her fiance – sends romantic messages to his old phone number, which has been reassigned to journalist Rob Burns (Heughan). Rob is drawn to Mira’s beautiful texts and seeks Celine Dion’s assistance to find her in real life when he is tasked with writing a feature about the ‘My Heart Will Go On’ singer.

    Sam admits that the pandemic was one of the main reasons he accepted the chance to play the male lead in the film.

    The ‘Outlander’ star said, “I think we were all ready for it. After the lockdowns and being in isolation, everyone was ready to feel joy again. That’s why this was such a well-timed movie to make. I think we all, certainly after the pandemic and everything else that’s going on in the world, needed this kind of movie and this kind of message.”Chopra describes filming ‘Love Again’ as terrifying experience

    LOS ANGELES: Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas was forced to cope with a “daunting atmosphere” on ‘Love Again’.

    The 40-year-old actress stars in the new romantic comedy film alongside Sam Heughan and Celine Dion but admits it was tricky to generate the emotions required as the picture was filmed in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

    “It was nuts at that time. It was tough, but it was a scary time in the world. As actors, we’re the ones that have to take off our masks on set. I was terrified, honestly, in the beginning. It was a very scary, daunting atmosphere, and we were doing a romantic comedy – we had to bring lightness and fun to set in this daunting atmosphere,” she recalled to Entertainment Weekly, reports aceshowbiz.com.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “We really leaned on each other to create a fun environment on set with each other. We would laugh and crack jokes and try to find joy so that we could inspire and infuse ourselves as well. But it wasn’t easy.”

    Priyanka stars in the film as Mira Ray, who – struggling to cope with the death of her fiance – sends romantic messages to his old phone number, which has been reassigned to journalist Rob Burns (Heughan). Rob is drawn to Mira’s beautiful texts and seeks Celine Dion’s assistance to find her in real life when he is tasked with writing a feature about the ‘My Heart Will Go On’ singer.

    Sam admits that the pandemic was one of the main reasons he accepted the chance to play the male lead in the film.

    The ‘Outlander’ star said, “I think we were all ready for it. After the lockdowns and being in isolation, everyone was ready to feel joy again. That’s why this was such a well-timed movie to make. I think we all, certainly after the pandemic and everything else that’s going on in the world, needed this kind of movie and this kind of message.”Chopra describes filming ‘Love Again’ as terrifying experience