“If I'm scared of that (being lost in the crowd),&nbsp;I cannot be a rapper," comes the sharp response from D/Evil, formally known as Dhaval Parab, whose humble beginnings—from a chawl in Mumbai’s Dadar area—did not deter him into dropping the mike and settle for what’s labeled conventional.&nbsp;

 
At the tender age of 16, he took pen to paper and has since been churning out rap songs in Mumbai’s beaming underground scene—“I was a battle rapper,” he informs—and was content with it, with the exception of working on ‘Gully Boy’ smash hit ‘Apna Time Aayega’. That was before an impressed Farhan Akhtar texted him to hop on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-rakeysh-omprakash-mehra-james-bond-daniel-craig-auditioned-for-rang-de-basanti-401475">‘Toofaan’ </a>train. Rest is, as they say, history.&nbsp;

 
In an exclusive chat with WION, the rapper discusses how an adult magazine had inspired his former moniker, when Farhan Akhtar showed up wearing the lyrics of his song to meet him, and why he feels there’s still hope for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-toofan-review-farhan-akhtar%E2%80%99s-our-million-dollar-baby%E2%80%A6-not-398340">Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s latest offering</a>.

 
Excerpts from that conversation:

 
WION: To create the title track for ‘Toofaan’, an Amazon Prime Video film, made by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and featuring Frahan Akhtar—that must have been huge for you. How did all that come along?

 
D’Evil: An unexpected text came from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-toofan-review-farhan-akhtar%E2%80%99s-our-million-dollar-baby%E2%80%A6-not-398340">Farhan Akhtar</a>. When I called him he said that Ankur Tiwari is a singer/songwriter and music supervisor for the movie <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/gully-boy-review-ranveer-singh-alia-bhatts-film-has-multiple-heroes-197285">'Gully Boy'</a>. Had suggested my name for this project. I was very excited. I'm a huge fan of Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra and Farhan Akhtar. I grew up watching their films. This was a dream project for me. I immediately said 'yes'. &nbsp;

 
WION: Your journey has been a fascinating one—from a chawl in Dadar to sharing the writing credits for ‘Apna Time Ayega’—how did you know that lyric poetry was your true calling in life?

 
D’Evil: I wanted to make music after being inspired by various artists globally and in my own country. Coming from a chawl in Mumbai, I was exposed to all types of music in different languages. This made me feel like I have something I like . So I tried writing some rhymes and some poem as a teenager. Later, when I was introduced to hip-hop. I saw that rapping is for someone like me. I enjoyed my discovery of rap and hip-hop.

<img alt="safrjjhdsdASSA" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6830d0c3-b69d-4a74-9cf2-c6912a64e9c9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/pjimage%20%2860%29_0.jpg" />

 
WION: Before being called D’Evil, you had another moniker: Hustler. What’s the story behind that?

 
D’Evil: Hustler was something I was known as during the initial phase of my career as a rapper. I was a battle rapper. And would go by Hustler is also an adult magazine and I didn't wanna share my name with them. So my friend's suggested me to go with D'Evil.&nbsp;&nbsp;

 
WION: You are signed with DIVINE’s independent record and have worked with him a few times. What is the biggest lesson—both as a person and rapper—that you have been handed down by him?

 
D’Evil: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/armaan-malik-divine-kaam-bhari-nominated-at-europe-music-awards-2020-333277">Vivian aka DIVINE</a> is an extraordinary personality. I have taken many lessons from him and his experiences. However my favourite one is that , you should always give back something from what you received. He taught me to share.

<img alt="cfhgnfdvsafd" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="86baf702-fb2c-45dc-9d2c-8d1e16b4e0c4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/pjimage%20%2859%29.jpg" /> 
&nbsp;

WION: You are a scriptwriter, too. What are you working on? What have you written so far? Tell us more.

 
D’Evil: I had a job as a script writer. I used to write scripts for TV &nbsp;commercials and small radio ad spots. Also I have written jingles and dialogues for small projects. It was a job where I used to get a salary. There is tons of content I wrote to make ends meet. &nbsp;

 
WION: A number of people have made the transition from Mumbai’s underground scene to mainstream Bollywood. Does that ever scare you that your talent may get lost in the crowd?

 
D’Evil: If I'm scared of that, I cannot be a rapper. This fear and pressure is what makes me perform my best. And I want more competition because I love to prove myself again and again. People forget.

 
WION: Although your track was fabulous, ‘Toofan’ didn’t do well in terms of reception. What do you say to that?

 
D’Evil: The pandemic has changed the way people consume cinema. But I'm sure <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-rakeysh-omprakash-mehra-james-bond-daniel-craig-auditioned-for-rang-de-basanti-401475">this film will grow on people</a> slowly. After they realise what this film is trying to say.

<img alt="fehthsACD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a851ee1b-c70e-4a22-87e3-9f9741907ef4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/pjimage%20%2858%29.jpg" />

 
WION: Any fun/candid moments you had shared with Farhan that you would like to share with us?

 
D’Evil: I have met him only a couple of times. But I do remember him singing my lyrics out loud when he saw me in the studio. It was a great sight. He was also wearing a hoodie with ‘Todun Taak’ on it.

 
WION: You like Eminem and Snoop Dogg… what is it about them that prompted you to take up the notepad? You started at 16, right?

 
D’Evil: Yes. At 16, we didn't have a voice or a platform to say what we needed to say. Getting inspired from Eminem and snoop , watching them do shows or rap in videos made me think that I should even use this medium to say what I want to. &nbsp;

“If I'm scared of that (being lost in the crowd), I cannot be a rapper," comes the sharp response from D/Evil, formally known as Dhaval Parab, whose humble beginnings—from a chawl in Mumbai’s Dadar area—did not deter him into dropping the mike and settle for what’s labeled conventional.

“If I'm scared of that (being lost in the crowd), I cannot be a rapper," comes the sharp response from D/Evil, formally known as Dhaval Parab, whose humble beginnings—from a chawl in Mumbai’s Dadar area—did not deter him into dropping the mike and settle for what’s labeled conventional. At the tender age of 16, he took pen to paper and has since been churning out rap songs in Mumbai’s beaming underground scene—“I was a battle rapper,” he informs—and was content with it, with the exception of working on ‘Gully Boy’ smash hit ‘Apna Time Aayega’. That was before an impressed Farhan Akhtar texted him to hop on the ‘Toofaan’ train. Rest is, as they say, history. In an exclusive chat with WION, the rapper discusses how an adult magazine had inspired his former moniker, when Farhan Akhtar showed up wearing the lyrics of his song to meet him, and why he feels there’s still hope for Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s latest offering. Excerpts from that conversation: WION: To create the title track for ‘Toofaan’, an Amazon Prime Video film, made by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and featuring Frahan Akhtar—that must have been huge for you. How did all that come along? D’Evil: An unexpected text came from Farhan Akhtar. When I called him he said that Ankur Tiwari is a singer/songwriter and music supervisor for the movie 'Gully Boy'. Had suggested my name for this project. I was very excited. I'm a huge fan of Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra and Farhan Akhtar. I grew up watching their films. This was a dream project for me. I immediately said 'yes'. WION: Your journey has been a fascinating one—from a chawl in Dadar to sharing the writing credits for ‘Apna Time Ayega’—how did you know that lyric poetry was your true calling in life? D’Evil: I wanted to make music after being inspired by various artists globally and in my own country. Coming from a chawl in Mumbai, I was exposed to all types of music in different languages. This made me feel like I have something I like . So I tried writing some rhymes and some poem as a teenager. Later, when I was introduced to hip-hop. I saw that rapping is for someone like me. I enjoyed my discovery of rap and hip-hop. WION: Before being called D’Evil, you had another moniker: Hustler. What’s the story behind that? D’Evil: Hustler was something I was known as during the initial phase of my career as a rapper. I was a battle rapper. And would go by Hustler is also an adult magazine and I didn't wanna share my name with them. So my friend's suggested me to go with D'Evil. WION: You are signed with DIVINE’s independent record and have worked with him a few times. What is the biggest lesson—both as a person and rapper—that you have been handed down by him? D’Evil: Vivian aka DIVINE is an extraordinary personality. I have taken many lessons from him and his experiences. However my favourite one is that , you should always give back something from what you received. He taught me to share. WION: You are a scriptwriter, too. What are you working on? What have you written so far? Tell us more. D’Evil: I had a job as a script writer. I used to write scripts for TV commercials and small radio ad spots. Also I have written jingles and dialogues for small projects. It was a job where I used to get a salary. There is tons of content I wrote to make ends meet. WION: A number of people have made the transition from Mumbai’s underground scene to mainstream Bollywood. Does that ever scare you that your talent may get lost in the crowd? D’Evil: If I'm scared of that, I cannot be a rapper. This fear and pressure is what makes me perform my best. And I want more competition because I love to prove myself again and again. People forget. WION: Although your track was fabulous, ‘Toofan’ didn’t do well in terms of reception. What do you say to that? D’Evil: The pandemic has changed the way people consume cinema. But I'm sure this film will grow on people slowly. After they realise what this film is trying to say. WION: Any fun/candid moments you had shared with Farhan that you would like to share with us? D’Evil: I have met him only a couple of times. But I do remember him singing my lyrics out loud when he saw me in the studio. It was a great sight. He was also wearing a hoodie with ‘Todun Taak’ on it. WION: You like Eminem and Snoop Dogg… what is it about them that prompted you to take up the notepad? You started at 16, right? D’Evil: Yes. At 16, we didn't have a voice or a platform to say what we needed to say. Getting inspired from Eminem and snoop , watching them do shows or rap in videos made me think that I should even use this medium to say what I want to.

Chawl to Cinema: Indian rapper D'Evil talks about his struggles, Farhan Akhtar and an extraordinary DIVINE

A rags-to-riches story is a sure-fire tearjerker, and especially makes for a good cry when that rag-wearing gentleman is a Hindi-speaking, slum-dwelling Indian. Case in point: Eight Oscars’ winner ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, if you’re still asking.

Why only ridicule Danny Boyle for borrowing India’s sob story and presenting it to a global audience? For time immemorial, Bollywood filmmakers, too, have milked that trope—albeit a few rehashes in the underlying theme, if at all—and found their way to the hallways of several award shows: some duly deserved, others not so much.

This year, repeating that cycle of cinematic revisionism is Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, with his latest sports drama ‘Toofaan’.

<img alt="Farhan Akhtar delves deep" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c690b526-3a71-4db0-b99b-4b3e4e626d59" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/pjimage%20%2841%29.jpg" />

 
The odd yet imperative conclusion one comes to about Mehra’s repertoire is that he is a storyteller always standing on the extreme ends of the film spectrum—either you get a ‘Rang De Basanti’ or a ‘Mirzya’; there’s no in-between.

Unfortunately, with ‘Toofan’, he has inclined towards the latter.

What starts off as a Dongri’s ‘gunda-mawali’ Ajju Bhai aka Aziz Ali (Farhan Akhtar) extorting money before finally realising his true calling in life is, in fact, boxing, ends up becoming a plea for communal harmony, an exposé within India’s boxing federation.

And then there’s the forced-down-your-throat romance between pro-choice Ananya Prabhu (Mrunal thakur) and ‘The Storm’ himself.

<img alt="A love like no other. Or is it?" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9cd3019e-c2ac-44b3-908d-8eb259a8d275" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/pjimage%20%2847%29.jpg" />

 
The film’s momentum dips early on, with moments of rushed revival coming in the form of an amiable Farhan’s easy-on-the-eye screen presence, only to fall flat again seconds later.

Of all things that could have—and has—gone wrong with this sports drama/ social commentary, the dialogues seem to be the worst. What were writers Vijay Maurya and Anjum Rajabali thinking when they put these dated, 90s-esque dialogues to the paper: “Naali main pada hua mila tha (I found you in a ditch)”, “tereko slap degi main (loosely translates to: I shall slap you)”, among other equally melodramatic sentences that the actors mouth.

Second to that is the (unaccredited) background score: laden with 80s Bollywood-ish melancholy in intense scenes and over-the-top glee in heroic moments.

<img alt="All on all out?!" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d184a7e6-759a-46af-ac81-2c52f8fa29b8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/pjimage%20%2842%29.jpg" />

 
Mrunal Thakur is an affable presence in the film—sans that put-on colloquial Mumbaiya accent—and she makes an effort to have the kind of rapport Farhan’s previous female leads had with him, Sonam Kapoor &amp; Co., but the pair has very little chemistry going on between them and it translates on screen.

This movie is no ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ (by Mehra, again) and Farhan knows that, too. &nbsp;He more or less maintains a solid grip over his character and changes his approach with the ever-changing plot but the narrative of ‘Toofaan’ is beyond saving, good acting or not.

Paresh Rawal as Coach Nanu Prabhu is more for the free-ka-gyaan and less for the role he has been hired to do. Big, bombastic words do not make up for the lack of depth in his character.

<img alt="Mrunal plays the role of a doctor, Ananya Prabhu" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="432e6cfb-b78e-4e2b-94bc-80f219e7c822" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/pjimage%20%2845%29.jpg" />

 
At the risk of sounding hyper-analytical, we are going to say that ‘Toofaan’ is a hotchpotch of ‘Panga’, ‘Dangal’, Mehra’s own marvelous ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ and every other sports drama-cum-rags-to-riches-cum-road-to-redemption story you can think of. And that is heartbreaking because a good director fails on insipidity grounds and a good actor, remains underutilised.

<img alt="A boxer's life in pictures" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bfb8ddef-0563-42f8-ba34-fa004614ea14" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/pjimage%20%2840%29_1.jpg" />

 
How did Aziz Ali become ‘toofaan’ (splash/storm) in quick succession is anybody’s guess—a parallel character even goes on to the extent of comparing him to Muhammad Ali, twice!—but it is no Oscar-winning ‘Million Dollar Baby’. At best, we will call it the gender-reversed ‘Mary Kom’… at best!&nbsp;

<img alt="Paresh rawal plays the toughie coach, Nanu Prabhu" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5f0b58a7-9b6e-4b68-b309-113ff5ee9fed" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/pjimage%20%2846%29.jpg" /> 
&nbsp;

'Toofaan' is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.&nbsp;

A rags-to-riches story is a sure-fire tearjerker, and especially makes for a good cry when that rag-wearing gentleman is a Hindi-speaking, slum-dwelling Indian. Case in point: Eight Oscars’ winner ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, if you’re still asking.

A rags-to-riches story is a sure-fire tearjerker, and especially makes for a good cry when that rag-wearing gentleman is a Hindi-speaking, slum-dwelling Indian. Case in point: Eight Oscars’ winner ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, if you’re still asking. Why only ridicule Danny Boyle for borrowing India’s sob story and presenting it to a global audience? For time immemorial, Bollywood filmmakers, too, have milked that trope—albeit a few rehashes in the underlying theme, if at all—and found their way to the hallways of several award shows: some duly deserved, others not so much. This year, repeating that cycle of cinematic revisionism is Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, with his latest sports drama ‘Toofaan’. The odd yet imperative conclusion one comes to about Mehra’s repertoire is that he is a storyteller always standing on the extreme ends of the film spectrum—either you get a ‘Rang De Basanti’ or a ‘Mirzya’; there’s no in-between. Unfortunately, with ‘Toofan’, he has inclined towards the latter. What starts off as a Dongri’s ‘gunda-mawali’ Ajju Bhai aka Aziz Ali (Farhan Akhtar) extorting money before finally realising his true calling in life is, in fact, boxing, ends up becoming a plea for communal harmony, an exposé within India’s boxing federation. And then there’s the forced-down-your-throat romance between pro-choice Ananya Prabhu (Mrunal thakur) and ‘The Storm’ himself. The film’s momentum dips early on, with moments of rushed revival coming in the form of an amiable Farhan’s easy-on-the-eye screen presence, only to fall flat again seconds later. Of all things that could have—and has—gone wrong with this sports drama/ social commentary, the dialogues seem to be the worst. What were writers Vijay Maurya and Anjum Rajabali thinking when they put these dated, 90s-esque dialogues to the paper: “Naali main pada hua mila tha (I found you in a ditch)”, “tereko slap degi main (loosely translates to: I shall slap you)”, among other equally melodramatic sentences that the actors mouth. Second to that is the (unaccredited) background score: laden with 80s Bollywood-ish melancholy in intense scenes and over-the-top glee in heroic moments. Mrunal Thakur is an affable presence in the film—sans that put-on colloquial Mumbaiya accent—and she makes an effort to have the kind of rapport Farhan’s previous female leads had with him, Sonam Kapoor & Co., but the pair has very little chemistry going on between them and it translates on screen. This movie is no ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ (by Mehra, again) and Farhan knows that, too. He more or less maintains a solid grip over his character and changes his approach with the ever-changing plot but the narrative of ‘Toofaan’ is beyond saving, good acting or not. Paresh Rawal as Coach Nanu Prabhu is more for the free-ka-gyaan and less for the role he has been hired to do. Big, bombastic words do not make up for the lack of depth in his character. At the risk of sounding hyper-analytical, we are going to say that ‘Toofaan’ is a hotchpotch of ‘Panga’, ‘Dangal’, Mehra’s own marvelous ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ and every other sports drama-cum-rags-to-riches-cum-road-to-redemption story you can think of. And that is heartbreaking because a good director fails on insipidity grounds and a good actor, remains underutilised. How did Aziz Ali become ‘toofaan’ (splash/storm) in quick succession is anybody’s guess—a parallel character even goes on to the extent of comparing him to Muhammad Ali, twice!—but it is no Oscar-winning ‘Million Dollar Baby’. At best, we will call it the gender-reversed ‘Mary Kom’… at best! 'Toofaan' is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

'Toofan' review: Farhan Akhtar’s our million dollar baby… Not!

Farhan Akhtar starrer sports drama 'Toofaan' has got a release date. The film which has been directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, is set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on July 16, 2021. 
 
The film has been produced by Excel Entertainment (Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar) and ROMP Pictures (Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra).&nbsp; 
 
'Toofaan' is poised to be the biggest sports drama of the year and stars Farhan Akhtar in the lead role along with Mrunal Thakur, Paresh Rawal, Supriya Pathak Kapur, Hussain Dalal, Dr&nbsp;Mohan Agashe, Darshan Kumaar and Vijay Raaz.&nbsp; 
 
This is Farhan Akhtar and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's second film together. The two have earlier worked together in 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' in 2013 before.&nbsp; 
 
'Toofaan's' motivational story revolves around the life of Ajju an orphan boy born in Mumbai’s Dongri who grows up to be a local goon. His life changes when he meets a bright and a compassionate young woman Ananya, whose belief in him motivates him to find his passion as he embarks on his journey to becoming Aziz Ali, a boxing champion. 
 
'Toofaan' brings alive the exhilarating nature of boxing as a sport, while narrating a riveting tale that follows the journey of a common man as he navigates through the ups and downs of life to achieve his dreams. 
 
&nbsp;It is a story about resilience, passion and perseverance, and the drive to succeed.

Farhan Akhtar starrer sports drama 'Toofaan' has got a release date. The film which has been directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, is set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on July 16, 2021.

Farhan Akhtar starrer sports drama 'Toofaan' has got a release date. The film which has been directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, is set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on July 16, 2021. The film has been produced by Excel Entertainment (Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar) and ROMP Pictures (Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra). 'Toofaan' is poised to be the biggest sports drama of the year and stars Farhan Akhtar in the lead role along with Mrunal Thakur, Paresh Rawal, Supriya Pathak Kapur, Hussain Dalal, Dr Mohan Agashe, Darshan Kumaar and Vijay Raaz. This is Farhan Akhtar and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's second film together. The two have earlier worked together in 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' in 2013 before. 'Toofaan's' motivational story revolves around the life of Ajju an orphan boy born in Mumbai’s Dongri who grows up to be a local goon. His life changes when he meets a bright and a compassionate young woman Ananya, whose belief in him motivates him to find his passion as he embarks on his journey to becoming Aziz Ali, a boxing champion. 'Toofaan' brings alive the exhilarating nature of boxing as a sport, while narrating a riveting tale that follows the journey of a common man as he navigates through the ups and downs of life to achieve his dreams. It is a story about resilience, passion and perseverance, and the drive to succeed.

Toofaan: Farhan Akhtar, Mrunal Thakur starrer to premiere on OTT on this date