Filmfare Middle East - September 2020

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MIDDLE EAST

SEPTEMBER 2020

A SUITABLE BOY ISHAAN KHATTER MAKES THE RIGHT CHOICES

MEET OUR FINALISTS!

I AM A SUCKER FOR LOVE

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Kareena Kapoor Khan talks about her married life and cinema

Wedding Special

MEMORIES FROM THE GRAND SANA-ADEL WEDDING SINGLE AND ELIGIBLE B TOWN BOYS! ACCESSORIZE DIVA STYLE! BIG FAT BOLLYWOOD SHAADIS HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS

Emerald and Fantasy

Designer Amit Aggarwal on dressing up B Town

INTERVIEW

Bandhan

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Wedding packages start from AED 145 per person.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek Tel: +971 4 205 7500 I

E: banquets.dxbza@radissonblu.com

4 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST September 2020

September 2020 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 5

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

MIDDLE EAST

A Wedding Diary

EDITORIAL TEAM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Manju Ramanan manju.ramanan@starzmediainc.com

Deputy Editor Aakanksha Naval-Shetye Aakanksha.Naval@starzmediainc.com

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Graphic Designer Aqib Shabir aqib.shabir@starzmediainc.com

Arabic Translator Hanan Yehia Mulazem hanan.yehia@starzmediainc.com

Event Executive Harshit Vohra harshit.vohra@starzmediainc.com

SR. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER - MEDIA Sharmine Khan sharmine.khan@starzmediainc.com

SALES MANAGER Anup Sharma anup.sharma@starzmediainc.com

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FILMFARE (INDIA) Chief Executive Officer Deepak Lamba Chief Community Officer & Editor Jitesh Pillaai Executive Editor Anuradha Choudhary Brand Solutions Director Jyoti Verma PUBLISHED BY: Starz Media Inc P.O BOX: 18022 Dubai, United Arab Emirates REGIONAL PARTNER OF

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Printed by: Al Nisr Publishing LLC Distributed by: Al Nisr Distribution LLC Copyright 2020 Starz Media Inc All rights reserved. While the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of

all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors within.

Printed and Published under license and permission from Worldwide Media Pvt. Ltd

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elcome back to our printed edition after our digital hiatus of four months.

It is the long Eid weekend and designer Amit Aggarwal is on a zoom call with me. In 2018 when Deepika Padukone came to Dubai to relaunch the Filmfare ME magazine, under the Danube Group, she wore his creation. A dandelion inspired outfit in black that celebrated her effortlessly stylish attitude to design, made Deepika a cynosure of all eyes. Amit, today, having dressed up several known names in Bollywood, tells us how design to him is about sustainability and how plastic can be reused and worn as couture in a world of fashion that marries glamour, fantasy and responsibility. On cover is the gorgeous Kareena Kapoor Khan, who is in an Amit Aggarwal outfit inspired by one of the most preferred colours of the Middle East – emerald green. Kareena, who just announced her second pregnancy speaks to Jitesh Pillai, on marriage, career, relationships and more.

When we mention wedding couture, can we miss out the glorious work of Manish Malhotra? Check out how Bollywood stars and actors strut the ramp in his collection and shine like a million suns! The couturier completes thirty years in Bollywood and is one of the most sought out names in the industry.

Fresh off the oven, is the suave Rana Daggubatti’s wedding to Miheeka Bajaj that happened during the lockdown with all physical distancing norms in place. Though the Daggubati and Bajaj families are known for celebrating weddings in a grand way, they had to have a low-key ceremony due to the coronavirus pandemic. The bride and the groom’s families limited their guest list to around 30 and made the entire wedding bio-secure.

But dreamy weddings aren’t just for the silver screen or of film stars. Fact is certainly more glamourous than fiction sometimes! Check out the real life ‘dream boat’ of a wedding where we revisit the super-expensive Sana and Adel Sajan wedding easily wedding of the decade. Adel Sajan, the director of the Danube Group and Dr Sana Sajan, dentist and Head of the American Aesthetic Clinic had the most opulent wedding Dubai has ever known. Sana and Adel Sajan also share their unique love story, the proposal, the engagement, the finale and being overwhelmed by the love people showered on them!

A wedding is a dressy affair. Leaf through our pages to see a carefully curated set of outfits, accessories and honeymoon destinations as well. Don’t miss our special wedding feature on Sajal Garg who is the founder of Creative Cuisines Inc Dubai - a top-notch luxury caterer in the UAE, focused on creating and delivering outstanding food and service since its inception in 2006.

Weddings, as we know, are also about the ‘eligible’. Aakanksha Naval-Shetye lists out B Town bachelor boys, we lust after. Right in time, comes “A Suitable Boy’’, the BBC series that will also feature on Netflix. Read my interview with Ishaan Khatter on playing Maan from “A Suitable Boy” based on the award-winning book by the same name, directed by the eminent Mira Nair.

Bobby Deol who has made his web debut with “Class of 83,” talks about taking to the new platform of OTT and how blessed he is to be surrounded by his family in the pandemic.

Oasis Lacnor presents Arab Asia Starz - our virtual talent hunt saw a huge outpour of entries from across the world and our judges had a tough time choosing the winners.

Keep up to our social media pages for more! Another popular virtual contest that gained steam was #OurLittleAngels where parents from across the world posted their entries of their children. There’s always more to come from the Filmfare ME team. Keep watching our pages for more!

Stay safe. Stay connected!

Manju Ramanan

Copyright 2020: Reproduction in any manner in any language in whole or part without prior written permission is prohibited

Editor-in-Chief Filmfare Middle East LOG ON TO WWW.FILMFAREMIDDLEEAST.COM FOR OUR DAILY UPDATES! Filmfare Middle East takes no responsibility for unsolicited photographs or material | ALL PHOTOGRAPHS, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, ARE USED FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY

September 2020 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 4

Volume 30 # September 1, 2020

16

AED 10

www.filmfaremiddleeast.com

MIDDLE EAST

SEPTEMBER 2020

A SUITABLE BOY ISHAAN KHATTER MAKES THE RIGHT CHOICES

“I’ve always been a sucker for love,” says Kareena Kapoor Khan

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MEET OUR FINALISTS!

Wedding Special

I AM A SUCKER FOR LOVE

COVER STORY

MEMORIES FROM THE GRAND SANA-ADEL WEDDING SINGLE AND ELIGIBLE B TOWN BOYS! ACCESSORIZE DIVA STYLE! BIG FAT BOLLYWOOD SHAADIS HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS

Kareena Kapoor Khan talks about her married life and cinema

Emerald and Fantasy

Designer Amit Aggarwal on dressing up B Town

PHOTOGRAPER: AJAY KADAM DESIGNER: AMIT AGGARWAL STYLIST: TANYA GHAVRI HAIR: YIANNI TSAPATORI MAKE-UP: POMPY HANS COURTESY: LAKME FASHION WEEK

highlights

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THE NEW NORMAL B TOWN STARS STEP OUT IN MASKS AND GLOVES!

rumours and more

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AKSHAY KUMAR TO COMPLETE 8 FILMS POST THE LOCKDOWN

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DESIGNING A FANTASY AN INTERVIEW WITH AMIT AGGARWAL

HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS

42

ROHIT

6 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST September 2020

MEMORIES FROM THE GRAND SANA-ADEL WEDDING

BIG FAT BOLLYWOOD SHAADIS

F&B BHATKAR AND HIRAL BHATIA SHARE STYLING AND HAIR CARE SECRETS

52

A SUITABLE BOY ISHAAN KHATTER MAKES THE RIGHT CHOICE

ACCESSORIZE DIVA STYLE!

RAJKUMMAR RAO TO PLAY A COP

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exclusive

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B TOWN’S BACHELOR BOYS

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BOBBY DEOL MAKES HIS OTT DEBUT

khaleejtimes.com

TRENDING NOW A leisure read that inspires trendsetters and influencers to discover the sophisticated persona of the ‘City of Gold’. Bask in its rich content that features lifestyle, glamour, grooming, interiors, fine dining, well-being, getaways and destinations and pet care. If you wish to stay informed, entertained and inspired, don’t look any further! #MetroLifeDXB

LETTERS

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READERS WRITE AND BITE BACK... WITH LOVE AND AFFECTION

BEST INSTA MOMENTS Check out what your favourites are upto on instagram......

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Thank you to the team for giving me this opportunity to showcase my passion and interest towards fashion through this virtual contest – Arab Asia Starz Umadevi Venkatesha Thank you for providing such an opportunity to win for my little angel in your #ourlittleangels contest.

Hareem Zia My name is Manali Mishra, an Indian expat living in Dubai and I would like to thank the Filmfare ME team for giving this significant opportunity to kids from the Middle East.

Lamik Mishra Thanks for featuring our event on your page.

Sunidhi Chauhan set the stage on fire in Abu Dhabi.

Front Row Events

Post your reviews to 8 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST September 2020

Send us your views, opinions and suggestions to: Email: manjuramanan@starzmediainc.com

FilmfareME

FilmfareMiddleEast

A bird’s-eye view of show town’s happenings

Hrithik Roshan

Ranbir Kapoor

Aditya Roy Kapur

NEW NORMAL Now that the lockdown restrictions have been lifted partially, the denizens of showbiz are slowly trying to get their lives on track. The way ahead isn’t going to be smooth for sure. Wearing masks and shields is going to be the new normal. Stars like Hrithik Roshan, Ranbir Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur have already taken to it.

September 2020 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 9

RUMOURS AND MORE

Rumours&More GOOD NEWWZ FOR VARUN DHAWAN

Ajay Devgn and Sidharth Malhotra to begin Thank God in September

Looks like there might be some good news for Varun Dhawan.

The actor is all set to replace Diljit Dosanjh in the sequel to Good Newwz (2019). The film, which starred Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Diljit Dosanjh and Kiara Advani was a blockbuster. A close source revealed that director Raj Mehta has already cracked the idea for the sequel and has discussed it with producer Karan Johar and got a green signal from him.

Varun is quite excited about the development and has reportedly given his nod to the project.

AMITABH, ABHISHEK, AISHWARYA AND AARADHYA ARE HOME NOW The whole nation was jolted when Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Aaradhya Bachchan tested positive for the coronavirus. The thespian along with his son Abhishek was admitted to Nanavati hospital in Mumbai. After a few days, Aishwarya and Aaradhya were also shifted to the same hospital. The country came together to pray for the recovery of the Bachchan family. To stave off any possible confusion, Mr Bachchan kept updating about him and his family’s health via social media. All members of the family are home now!

KATRINA KAIF, SIDDHANT CHATURVEDI AND ISHAAN KHATTER TO STAR IN PHONE BHOOT We kept hearing rumours that Katrina Kaif might work with Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment. Well, Farhan recently confirmed that when he took to his social media to share the first look of his upcoming production titled Phone Bhoot. The film stars Katrina Kaif, Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ishaan Khatter. In the first look, we see the three leading stars suited in black, with candid expressions on their faces. Farhan Akhtar tweeted the first look saying, ‘The onestop-shop for all bhoot-related problems, #PhoneBhoot ringing in your nearest cinema in 2021.’ The first look of Phone Bhoot left us brimming with curiosity. We wonder if this is a horror-comedy or something else entirely.

Let’s hope we see this film in theatres in 2021.

10 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST September 2020

Ajay Devgn and Sidharth Malhotra are all set to star together for the first time in Indra Kumar’s Thank God. The film is said to be a remake of the hit Danish film Sorte Kugler (2019).

The original was known for its ribald humour and we hope this Indra Kumar-Ajay Devgn collaboration too will have us rolling in the aisles. Ajay Devgn who has the remake of Kaithi, as well as portions of Maidaan left to complete, will begin the first schedule of the film in September in Mumbai. A portion of the film also needs to be shot on foreign locales.

The makers will plan that once the international travel restrictions are lifted. Fingers crossed!

ask the expert

AKSHAY KUMAR TO COMPLETE 8 FILMS POST THE LOCKDOWN Akshay Kumar now has some eight films seeking his attention. He was forced to take a break because of the lockdown. Now that the filmmakers are planning to slowly start shooting, the actor has his plans laid out.

Khiladi Kumar will first work on the spy-thriller, Bell Bottom.

Akshay and team are shooting the film in Scotland. They will also shoot a few scenes in India. He is also planning to shoot YRF’s Prithviraj Chauhan

by October end. Akshay then has Atrangi Re helmed by Aanand L Rai and starring Sara Ali Khan and Dhanush.

Akki is required to shoot for two weeks for this unusual love story. He has signed another film with Rai titled Raksha Bandhan, which will hit the theatres on November 5, 2021. Finally, he will start work on Sajid Nadiadwala’s Bachchan Pandey by December-January. Next year, he has Ekta Kapoor’s film, which is a remake of a Telugu film and a film with Maneesh Sharma as well. Being a workhorse, we’re sure he’s going to spring off to the finish line in no time.

Road named after Sushant Singh Rajput Politicians in Sushant Singh Rajput’s hometown Purnea in Bihar have done something special in the memory of the late actor. They have renamed a road in Purnea after the actor. His fans thronged in large numbers even amidst the lockdown to see their beloved actor’s name on the commemorative marker and were touched by the special gesture. Mayor Savita Devi spoke to a daily saying that as a mark of respect and tribute to the late Sushant, a roundabout and a road is being named after him. The Ford company roundabout will be called Sushant Singh Rajput chowk and the road that goes from Madhubani to Mata Chowk will be renamed as Sushant Singh Rajput road. His was a road less travelled but the road named after him will be welltravelled.

KAUSAR SULEMAN KHAN

DEEPIKA PADUKONE TO STAR OPPOSITE PRABHAS Prabhas’ 21st film is one of the most talked-about projects currently and will be helmed by director Nag Ashwin of Mahanati fame.

Speculation about the leading lady for this sci-fi drama was rife and a dozen names were bandied about. The production house Vyjayanthi Films put all the rumours to rest by announcing that Deepika Padukone will be starring opposite Prabhas. The production house released a video, commemorating their 50 years in the film industry and announced that they are excited to work with Deepika. With Deepika on board for this bigbudget drama, the film will surely garner a nationwide appeal.

HUMANITARIAN, NATUROPATH & OWNER OF QUEENS KSENSES LADIES SALON & SPA

WELCOME A POSITIVE LIFE BY ACTIVATING THE POWER OF YES! The world is all about energies! These energies are a powerful network of deeds!

Deeds that decide our aura and the aura of the universe!You’ll must’ve heard of people coming scratch free after an accident and that divinity saved them. These are times when good karma / kifarah helps! The universe pays back everything - each voice, each thought, each deed, each action is noted down and is rewarded back! Good comes back as absolute positive blessings and bad comes back when the wrong-doer has no idea.When someone wrongs you, be patient and leave the answers to divinity.

A man saw a snake being burned to death and decided to take it out of the fire. When he did, the snake bit him. The bite caused excruciating pain, the man dropped the snake, and the reptile fell right back into the fire. The man tried to pull it out again and the snake bit him again. Someone who was watching warned,“Every time you try to get the snake out of the fire, it’s going to bite you? Why are you being stubborn?”The man replied,“The nature of the snake is to bite, but that’s not going to change my nature, which is to help.” So, with the help of a metal rod, the man took the snake out of the fire and saved its life. The entire village ran to save the life of that man!

When someone tries to harm you, defend yourself but don’t harm back, because The Almighty will save you if you don’t do wrong! Leave all your pain and hurt to His hands and see how he responds! He has the best answers! He is the best healer! He is the best creator! So definitely, He avenges the best!

You keep doing good, stand by the needy, give back to the universe through your words, love, compassion, work and even thoughts because remember the Almighty is always watching!

Your body will start healing because of your good deeds, your enemies will start failing because of your good deeds and your future will start glowing because of your good deeds!

Even in the toughest situations, you will come out as a winner because of your good deeds! Believe in the power of goodness!

Do good and leave the rest to God to answer!

Queries on Instagram

@QueenKausarSuleman (KAUSAR SULEMAN KHAN Owner Ksenses World Ladies Salon. Entrepreneur! Mother! Motivational Speaker!)

September 2020 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 11

RUMOURS AND MORE

RANVEER TO DO A GUEST APPEARANCE IN ALIA’S NEXT

Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy will always be a special film for several reasons. One was Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt’s magnificent performances. The two were appreciated for their chemistry. Now Ranveer Singh is all set to do a cameo in Alia’s Gangubai Kathiawadi. The Padmaavat actor shares a special bond with both Alia and the film’s director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It’s said to be a powerful cameo. Alia and Ranveer have shared a special rapport from the time they worked together in Gully Boy. So Ranveer had absolutely no reason to decline the offer. And he simply can’t say no to SLB. Is he playing Haji Mastaan?

-- is what we would like to know.

Vidya Balan to start shooting for Sherni Vidya Balan’s Sherni was put on the backburner after the lockdown was implemented in March this year. Sherni has Vidya playing a forest officer, who wants to find a solution to the man-animal conflict.

She had started shooting the film on March 3 which also happens to be World Wildlife Day. The actress was shooting in Madhya Pradesh when the government implemented the lockdown. Now the makers are planning to start shooting the film post the monsoons. Directed

by Amit Masurkar, Sherni will be shot on live locations in the forests of Madhya Pradesh. It will be interesting to watch Vidya Balan in an all-new avatar, don’t you think?

REPORTEDLY, SALMAN KHAN IS CHARGING 16 CRORES PER EPISODE FOR THE NEW SEASON OF BIGG BOSS. IT’S THE HIGHEST FEES ANY STAR HAS CHARGED FOR A DAY’S SHOOT ON TELEVISION.

TAAPSEE PANNU’S NEXT SHABAASH MITHU TO BE SHOT IN LONDON After being caged in the lockdown for more than 100 days, the film industry is gradually returning to normalcy. One of the projects which is being readied to take off as soon as the travel restrictions get lifted is the sports drama Shabaash Mithu.

The film stars Taapsee Pannu who will play the role of cricketer Mithali Raj on screen. For the unversed, Mithali was the skipper of Indian women’s cricket team and has made our nation proud through her various achievements. A major chunk of the film needs to be shot in London. But as of now, no one has a clear picture when the ban on shooting abroad will get lifted. Ajit Andhare, the COO of Viacom 18 Studios said, “We have to figure out when it will be possible to shoot in the UK. At the moment, we are zeroing in on the venues while mapping the dates to suit all parties involved. Location hunting has been quite a challenge as recce is out of the question and we have to rely on pictures to determine if a venue is suitable for shooting. As a producer, I am jittery taking a call on something that we haven’t seen.” Let’s hope the film zooms off to London soon.

12 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST September 2020

DILJIT DOSANJH TO STAR IN SINGH SOORMA The ex-hockey player, who was known as Flicker Singh for his prowess in converting penalty corners, and currently Haryana’s sports and youth affairs minister Sandeep Singh’s journey is quite inspiring. His biopic Soorma (2018), directed by Shaad Ali and starring Taapsee Pannu and Diljit Dosanjh was based on his journey as a hockey player. After tasting success with Soorma, the makers have decided to make a sequel to the film which will focus on the political journey of Sandeep Singh.

It will be titled Singh Soorma.

Sandeep confirmed the news on Twitter with a post, “After the Success & love showered by all on Soorma now starting with The Onward Journey of Sandeep Singh as Singh Soorma with my Bro and Producer Deepak Singh. Seek Ur Blessings and support.”

RAJKUMMAR RAO TO PLAY A COP Just before the lockdown was implemented, Telugu cinema saw HIT – The First Case starring Vishwak Sen and Ruhani Sharma hitting the screens. The film did great business and was loved by the critics and the audiences alike. But due to the lockdown, the film sadly had a short run at the theatres. Now HIT – The First Case will have a Hindi remake and will star none other than the versatile actor Rajkummar Rao in the lead.

Rajkummar, who has been known to experiment with his roles, is going to play the role of a troubled cop who works in the Homicide intervention team and is on the trail of a missing woman. Confirming this news, Rajkummar said, “When I watched Hit, I instantly connected with the story. It’s engaging and relevant in today’s times. As an actor, I am always on the lookout for characters I have not explored before and HIT gives me the chance to do that.” It is a hit combination, alright.

expert advice Dr. Sara Farag GP-Aesthetician

ACHIEVE NATURAL LOOKING POUT USING AESTHETIC

The most common concern I hear from clients prior to lip injections is that their lips won’t look natural and that they will end up looking “ducky” or have “fish lips”.

INCORRECT PRODUCT SELECTION Hyaluronic acid is a sugar. We make it naturally in our own bodies. Its purpose is to pull water to itself. When filler is initially injected into the lip or anywhere in the face, it’s normal to be able to feel it if you were to palpate it (it shouldn’t look lumpy or bumpy though) WHY CHOOSING THE RIGHT FILLER IS IMPORTANT? Product selection is an extremely important step in achieving a desirable outcome. If a product with too high of a hyaluronic acid concentration is injected into the lip, it will pull too much water to itself, and create an unattractive “white ridge” above the lip.

USING TOO MUCH PRODUCT Lips that are obviously filled beyond capacity look unnatural and disproportionate to the rest of the person’s face. This is because injecting more products can disregard the integrity of a client’s natural lip shape.

The lip border can be lost and blown out, and the lips end up looking “sausage-y”.

ANUPAM KHER’S MOTHER DULARI TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19. SHE WAS THEN ADMITTED TO KOKILABEN DHIRUBHAI AMBANI HOSPITAL. THANKFULLY SHE RESPONDED WELL TO THE TREATMENT. SHE WAS SOON DECLARED NEGATIVE AND RETURNED HOME HEALTHY ONCE AGAIN.

INCORRECT PRODUCT PLACEMENT If product is injected too deeply into the tissue, it will essentially disappear.

Meaning, you won’t see any change in your lips. On the other hand, if lip filler is injected too superficially, you will definitely see it.

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO CHOOSE YOUR LIP INJECTOR CAREFULLY? A lot that goes into lip injections! That is why it’s so important that you research the clinic and injector you see. Your face is literally in their hands.

American Aesthetic Medical Center team’s has extensive credentials including aesthetic physician & aesthetic dermatologist. We would love to see you at our clinic!

The curves of your lips rewrite history, so choose your aesthetician well.

Dr. Sana Sajan

September 2020 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 13

 Stimulating your follicles promotes hair growth.

They are hot, they are cool.

Meet our trend makers and breakers

 Coconut oil is amazing for hair and scalp.  Castor oil promotes hair growth.

GROOMING TIPS Hiral Bhatia and Rohit Bhatkar

Healthy eating, eights hours of sleep and some love and care everyday can give you healthy and luxurious hair. The husband and wife team of Rohit Bhatkar and Hiral Bhatia share some styling and hair care secrets with us. Hiral has changed the way stars like Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Janhvi Kapoor and Kiara Advani style their hair while Rohit is responsible for Sidharth Malhotra’s messy chocolate boy looks and Farhan Akhtar’s neat grooming. Excerpts...

WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO TAKE UP THIS PROFESSION? Hiral Bhatia: I was in my last year of college completing Botany. My mother had a small salon and I’d spend time there scrolling through all the magazines. Later, I’d decode hairstyles and try them on my friends. Mom saw this creative streak in me and wanted me to nurture it. She took me to BBlunt after college. I fell in love with that place the minute I entered it. I enrolled there and have been in love with hairdressing ever since. It’s been 11 years now.

Rohit Bhatkar: My father is also a hairstylist. As a school kid, I’d visit my father’s salon for a couple of hours every weekend. I used to get inspired by my father’s work. The whole thing of making others feel good about themselves

and making them look good made me certain that this is what I wanted to do in life.

 Onion juice mixed with a couple of drops of coconut oil or castor oil is beneficial for hair growth.  Banana, eggs and honey mask is amazing.  Fermented rice water not only makes the hair soft and shiny it also promotes hair growth.  Avoid excessive brushing.

HOW IMPORTANT DO YOU THINK A HAIRSTYLE IS IN AN OVERALL LOOK?

Rohit: It’s the best accessory one can flaunt, if done right.

When it comes to creating a look, there are three factors that are considered crucial.

Hair, make-up and wardrobe. If either one of them doesn’t gel with the others, the look is incomplete.

Hiral: I couldn’t agree more with Rohit. I also think a hairstyle can make or break the look.

At the same time, I can do the most fabulous

 Tie a loose braid while sleeping.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas

TRESS TALES

“I can do the most fabulous hairstyle but if it doesn’t go with the rest of your look, then it can be the biggest blunder. It’s the best accessory one can flaunt if done right” Hiral Bhatia and Rohit Bhatkar spill some styling secrets to help you get long luscious hair...

 Replace cotton pillow with a satin one.

“Sonam Kapoor Ahuja and I love to experiment and we’re both quite impulsive. The whole creative process is great fun”

Hiral: Vivek Oberoi.

Rohit: I was a hair assistant on the movie Players and got a chance to style Abhishek Bachchan, Bobby Deol, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Sikander Kher and Omi Vaidya.

the heat. But if the right styling products and equipment are used, it can protect your hair to a certain extent.

Hiral: Anything in moderation is fine.

If you use a lot of hairspray and don’t end up brushing it off your hair or use a lot of wax or heat spa without using a heat protectant, you can cause irreversible damage to your hair.

ONE PERSON YOU LOVE TO WORK WITH AND WHY?

WHAT ARE SOME HAIR CARE MYTHS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO BUST?

hairstyle but if it doesn’t go with the rest of your look, then it can be the biggest blunder.

WHO WAS YOUR FIRST CELEBRITY CLIENT?

Hiral: Sonam Kapoor Ahuja. We both love to experiment and we’re

Hiral: People think conditioning can cause hair fall but it’s not true. It just softens the hair. Also, products that claim to mend split ends do not really work. Split ends are the last stage of hair damage. The only solution is to trim it off.

Rohit: Plucking or using products increases grey hair. This is false.

Grey hair is genetic and has got a lot to do with stress levels and lifestyle.

One hair-care routine that everyone must follow regularly?

both quite impulsive.

Rhea Kapoor is the one who styles her.

The whole creative process, the thought behind putting a look together and executing it is great fun.

Rohit: My wife Hiral as she really tests my skills as a hairdresser and gets the best out of me whenever I am doing her hair.

ONE LOOK OF YOURS THAT YOU LOVE… Rohit: I created this

look for Sidharth Malhotra for a brand campaign. His hair on the sides and back was very short so we had put some 280 pieces of extensions to create the length and texture.

Hiral: My former boss Adhuna (Akhtar) used to say, “you’re only as good as your last haircut.” And I totally live by it.

IT’S SAID STYLING YOUR HAIR REGULARLY CAN CAUSE INTENSE DAMAGE, HOW TRUE IS

THAT?

Rohit: Yes excessive styling takes a toll on your hair. It leads to dryness and thinning because of the tension given with the dryer, brush and also with

Rohit: Diagnose your hair and scalp type to find out what works for you.

Hiral: I advocate finding the correct products for yourself and following a regime. n

THREE HAIRCARE/ STYLE TIPS FOR MEN AND WOMEN RESPECTIVELY… ROHIT: Use the right shampoo / conditioner for your hair. It makes a big difference Live a healthy lifestyle if you want great hair and skin. It’s what you eat, drink and how you live that matters.

Less is more.

HIRAL: Get the correct shampoo according to your scalp type and conditioner according to your hair type.

Change your regime according to every season.

Do not blindly follow “trends”.

“When it comes to creating a look, there are three factors that are considered crucial. Hair, make-up and wardrobe. If either one of them doesn’t gel with the others, the look is incomplete”

September 2020 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 15

COVER STORY

I’VE

ALWAYS

BEEN A SUCKER FOR

LOVE

Kareena Kapoor Khan completes two decades in the movie business. Jitesh Pillaai revisits the good times with her Star power she had in spades even when I first met her. From Studio No. 4 to Studio No. 6 in Filmistan, she saw to it that she was dropped in her car. She wasn’t even a star then but had all the makings. She was just Karisma Kapoor’s little sister waiting in the wings. I watched the rise and rise of Kareena Kapoor Khan in the last twenty years. She completed two decades in June. Besides her acting chops and alabaster skin what made her stay is that unique connect.

She just connects. Everyone will tell you that. Everyone has a Bebo story. Most would be funny and diverting. She has the air of those content with life and watching it pass by. Be it as the star attraction for a fashion designer, or a judge on a reality show or in between takes—she’s a chiller.

Tension nahi leneka she says. Years ago, she was like a bull in a china shop. Cocking a snook at co-stars, grabbing the best projects in the business, flaunting a killer attitude. She still has all that.

But there is restraint, a theraav. The same restraint you see in an Omkara, Asoka, Dev, Chameli or even her debut Refugee. She’s also all super star aura be it K3G or her latest Veere Di Wedding and Good Newwz. She’s to the manner born. I suspect she’s going to be here for a long long time and give full play to her talent and metier. I don’t know if it’s Saif Ali Khan’s laid back style that’s rubbed off on her but she glows. In the warmth of love and a deep sense of self security. It’s not put on. She’s become more self-aware and guarded when she talks. Gone is the derring-do which I admit I miss a lot. She’s still fun and like I mentioned earlier everyone now has a Mrs Khan story to tell. Life with Taimur seems a lot like a fairy tale. And she plays the part perfectly.

Just like those story-book princesses who will gather the folds of their gown and traipse into the darkness. So I quiz her about life and times, twenty years of showbiz and certain other assorted queries. We have teething troubles fixing our Skype call. Then we are on track. And I ask:

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I’VE ALWAYS BEEN A SUCKER FOR LOVE… AT THE PEAK OF MY CAREER, I CHASED LOVE. IT HAS GIVEN ME PEACE. THAT ALSO HAPPENS WHEN YOU’VE MET THE RIGHT PERSON… EVERYONE WAS LIKE, ‘SHAADI MAT KARNA, CAREER KHATAM HO JAYEGA’.

I SAID, ‘CAREER HI KHATAM HO JAYEGA NA? JAAN TOH NAHI CHALE JAYEGI?

Photograper: Ajay Kadam Designer: Amit Aggarwal Stylist: Tanya Ghavri Hair: Yianni Tsapatori Make-up: Pompy Hans Courtesy: Lakme Fashion Week September 2020 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 17

COVER STORY What have you learnt from the lockdown?

That one has to take each day as it comes. Life’s so unpredictable and fragile. We need to keep our loved ones close. The only thing keeping me sane is that I can spend time with Saif and my son.

You learn to value the people you care about. When you’re shooting and have so much going on in your life, you tend to take them for granted.

Is this the longest you’ve been with Saif and Taimur at a stretch?

We’ve always wanted to take time out and travel together, be together. But it has been more than 90 days now. I’m loving it. I’ve lost count of the days. The fear is that we’ve all got used to just chilling and cooking and being at home.

You’ve completed two decades in showbiz. What do you recollect about your first film Refugee?

We shot the entire film in Bhuj in Gujarat. Abhishek (Bachchan) and I were ready for it. It was something that I wanted to do since childhood. Even though there was a phase where I wanted to be a lawyer. But after looking at those books, I got unnerved. I remember telling you that I want to be an actor. It’s not like I’ve chased stardom. I’ve always chased the idea of being known as a star actor. Coming back to Refugee, I couldn’t have asked for a better launch with J.P Dutta, Abhishek and the entire team. I was waiting to burst in front of the camera. That excitement to learn your lines, that fire was always there. Considering that Lolo (Karisma Kapoor) was a big star and coming from the family I belong to, I had to prove myself. Through the years, there have been super highs and also some disastrous lows.

How did you deal with the highs and the lows?

I wear my highs and lows equally with my collars up.

Success or failure, I am what I am because of those films. There was a patch when every possible film flopped.

I began wondering why it was happening. Post that I didn’t do anything for one

year. I even turned down films like Race, the one that Saif was in. I didn’t want to do anything that I’d already done. It was after Imtiaz (Ali) called me (for Jab We Met) that everything fell into place. That one year changed my perspective.

I didn’t want to do run-ofthe mill stuff that was not working for me at that time.

I’ve worked with the biggest of directors and those films didn’t work out the way I’d expected. Whenever I worked with a new director or probably a ‘lesser name’, it has taken me forward.

Whether it was Chameli, Jab We Met or Omkara. The slightly alternate path worked for me. But every film is close to my heart. Even Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon. I love it.

Even though the highs have been highs and the lows have been extremely low, I’ve enjoyed every minute of those 20 years.

What would be your milestones, if you had to split the two decades in three phases?

The first phase would be of Refugee, where it all started.

Things went down later. But Chameli, Dev, Omkara, Jab We Met… were significant films. After marriage, there were films like Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Ki & Ka, Veere Di Wedding and Good Newwz.

The films were topical and relevant. It was about turning things around on its head.

For an all-girls film like Veere Di Wedding to earn 12 crores in a day was unheard of.

There’s a noticeable theraav in you…

In a journey of 20 years, if you’ve not matured as a person and as an artiste, you’ve not learnt anything.

I started at the age of 17. Ek alag si energy hoti hai at that time. You’re like listen I can do anything. But, today I’m 40 and I’m like… I can’t. I’m in Zen mode. I just want to do my work. Even if I do one film at a time, I’ll give my best to that. But at 17, you want to be in every film and just kill it. The fire is still there but the flames were a lot higher at that time.

So what would a 40-year-old Kareena tell a 25-year-old Kareena?

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Nothing in life is worth more than mental peace. If it’s meant to work out, it will.

If not, then you just have to let it go. Sometimes, it’s hard to let things go. But success and failure, it’s all transient.

The hunger is still there for better work. So yeah, follow your dreams. But it shouldn’t be an obsession. Having said that, yahan woh bhook kabhi mitti nahi hai. Actors have that alag kind of appetite. You just want to be at it, which is great. But sometimes you have to be like, ‘No, this is it’.

I learnt this when my films weren’t working while films I feared wouldn’t work, went on to becomes successful. I realised I should just do my work and not take everything so seriously. During the last 10 years, I’ve changed a lot. I look at life differently than I did before.

Please elaborate…

The ‘Phase 2’ began at the time when Jab We Met released and I met Saif. I fell in love at the same time when I got super success. It was a catch-22 situation. I could have focussed on my career.

My friends would say, ‘You’re stupid not wanting to do this film’ or ‘You’re always saying no’. But that’s me. I’ve always been a sucker for love.

And then you chose to get married…?

Yeah, in 2008 at the peak of my career, no one would think of it. But I wanted it. I chased love more. It has given me peace and opened doors in my mind. That also happens when you’ve met the right person.

Were you edgy and anxious as a wife in the first few years of marriage?

I wasn’t edgy or anxious. But it’s a new journey. I started living in with Saif before I got married not because I wanted to experiment or test.

It was because we weren’t getting much time to spend with each other as we were shooting continuously.

After that, it was a natural transition. He asked me to marry him and that was it.

Everyone was like, ‘Shaadi mat karna, career khatam ho jayega’. I said, ‘Career hi khatam ho jayega na? Jaan

toh nahi chali jayegi na?’. I love this man. If living with him means that producers don’t want to work with me, so be it. Of course, after that I’ve done some good films.

Saif has also been extremely encouraging. I only get edgy when we don’t see each other for a long time.

Does that happen often?

There have been such occasions. Saif is mad, he gets into these characters.

He’s an extremely passionate actor. He did Laal Kaptaan, which took him four months around Rajasthan. I did not see him for 50-60 days as I was working here. Taimur was just one-and-a-half years old then. I couldn’t go to these strange places. That’s what gets difficult between two actors.

Were you a difficult girlfriend and an easy wife or the other way around?

Generally, I believe girlfriends are more difficult than wives. Girlfriends are insecure. You’re constantly thinking what’s happening?

Is he talking to his heroine?

Saif’s a great husband and an extremely good father. When I met Saif, he was calmer with himself. The timing was right.

We’re a decade apart, yet he thinks way ahead of me.

What qualities of his have rubbed off on you and vice versa?

He’s one of our most outstanding actors. But Saif is not the kind to chase success. If he wants to do a film like Laal Kaptaan, he’ll do it. He’s not in the rat race. He’s like I’m an actor and I want to stick by that belief. I love that about Saif. I also love that he can switch off and talk about something else.

He can watch a crime thriller called Miss Marple, which I guess no one would watch apart from us two. It’s about a 60-year-old female sleuth.

We have these commonalities, which we find solace in. That’s what we’ve learnt from each other. To find solace in the smaller things. He’s happy being home right now. He’s like we need to stay in isolation because we need to help others.

We have to stay positive about it. We can’t moan about it.

People are like ‘2020 is gone’.

He says it’s okay na. It’s just a matter of a year. He’s so calm

I’m proud to be 40. I’m proud to have worked for 20 years. With God’s grace, I will continue working for the next 20 September 2020 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 19

COVER STORY

doing amazingly well for herself right now. She has a mind of her own. She’s gonna do what she needs to, learn from her own mistakes and enjoy her own success.

Does it bother you that the paparazzi is always after Taimur?

He’s a child. He has no idea what’s going on. So we try to explain why they’re taking his pictures. Our job is to, as much as possible, give him a normal environment to grow up in. That’s why we run off for holidays. Where he can run, walk, go fishing… things he wouldn’t be able to do here. Our aim is to make him eventually understand, ‘Don’t take this too seriously because actually you’re a nobody.

You’re just our son’.

and that has rubbed off on me also. He’s also grown more emotional and empathetic. He shows it in different ways. Like, if I’m upset about something I read or heard, I’ll just cry.

Usually, he won’t show it. But now his emotional quotient has increased by 50 per cent.

Tell us about you both as parents.

I’m over protective.

I’m also a first-time mother.

This journey is teaching me something new each day. My mother (Babita Kapoor) once said there’s no crown for the best mother in the world. No one even knows who the best mother in the world is. Mom tells me, ‘Duniya bolti rahegi.

Tum karo jo tum karna chahti ho. You’ll learn that way’.

Taimur is also teaching me the kind of mother he wants me to be. He brings out the best in me and also the worst. Because even I lose patience sometimes.

When does that happen?

He’s three-and-a-half years old now. He’s kind of understanding his likes and dislikes. He says things like, ‘I don’t want to eat this. I don’t want to eat that.’ I end up losing my patience. I tell him, ‘You have to eat your paratha.

TAIMUR’S A CHILD. HE HAS NO IDEA WHAT’S GOING ON. SO WE TRY TO EXPLAIN WHY THEY’RE (PAPARAZZI) TAKING HIS PICTURES. OUR JOB IS TO, GIVE HIM A NORMAL ENVIRONMENT TO GROW UP IN. THAT’S WHY WE RUN AWAY FOR HOLIDAYS. WHERE HE CAN RUN, WALK, GO FISHING… THINGS HE WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO DO HERE There’s no option now’. It’s a bit of a task. But in the end, we battle it out together.

Is Saif cool about his eating habits?

Saif gets frazzled. He’s like, ‘I cannot take this dinner time stress’. Taimur keeps saying, ‘I don’t want to eat this’. The food remains in his mouth for 25 minutes. So Saif prefers to be in the other room because there’s this whole motherson tension going on at the dinner table.

But, Saif’s more relaxed now as a parent. He’s been there. He knows what it’s like. He’s an amazing father to all his three children. He loves them deeply. That’s the best part about him. Like he’ll look at Taimur and say, ‘Taimur’s eyes are also like

20 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST September 2020

Sara’s’. In fact, all three of them (including Ibrahim) have Pataudi eyes. That’s beautiful. Somewhere they have this connection, which is amazing. When you see Sara’s childhood pictures, she looks so much like Tim. Is Taimur like them in temperament?

From what I’ve heard, Ibrahim was a peaceful child.

If you gave him potato chips, he’d be quiet. I guess Sara and Taimur are feisty. Taimur is a lot like Saif as well.

Kabhi kabhi thoda twist ho jaata hai dimaag!

Do you have any advice for Sara?

This generation doesn’t need any advice. They’re well trained and super actors.

Sara’s extremely bright. She’s

How much are you like your mom and how much like your father,Randhir Kapoor?

I’m a lot like my mother.

Mom is also fiercely independent. She’s strongheaded and also emotional at the same time. Hitler and she were born on the same day. So when we fight I tell her, ‘You’re so adamant.’

We’re (Karisma and she) nothing without our mother.

She has given us everything.

My approach to life is through her eyes. But I’m a lot like my dad as well. His sense of humour, his zest for life, his energy… he’s an amazing human being. I connect with him on another level. He never says no for anything. His company is so much fun. That’s the kind of person I’d always want to be.

Is Karisma also like you as a mother?

No. Lolo is a helicopter mother. I’m much more relaxed even though I’m a first-time mom. Lolo’s hyper and paranoid. But she’s such a nice human being that no one can tell her anything.

Being a single mother is difficult. So her approach is different. I fire her a lot. We try to ease her out.

Your uncle, Rishi Kapoor passed away recently. Your thoughts…

It’s been a terrible tragedy.

Like me Chintu uncle was a Virgo. He too believed in saying things as they were. If

Whenever I’ve worked with a new director or probably a ‘lesser name,’ it has taken me forward.

Whether it was Chameli, Jab We Met or Omkara.

The slightly alternate path worked for me. But every film is close to my heart he loved your performance, he’d tell you so. If he hated your performance, he’d say he didn’t like it. Saif misses him a lot more because he connected with him on another level. They believed they were similar actors.

Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to work with him.

Being part of an ageist industry, did it bother you when you turned 40?

You’re as old as you look.

Simple as that. Not that I want to look sweet 16. I’m proud to be 40. I’m proud to have worked for 20 years.

With God’s grace, I will continue working for the next 20 years and proudly so at 50 or 60.

Your mother-in-law (Sharmila Tagore) has been here for 65 odd years...

She’s iconic and an inspiration. Today with the OTT platforms and the different kinds of films being made, there’s place for everyone out here. Age is no barrier.

What advice would you give other 40-year old women?

I’m excited to get into the 40s. You’re more content with yourself. You’ve already done the wrongs, the rights… You’ve tried everything in life. Now, you start looking within. You feel like doing things for yourself also. Whether it’s travel, whether it’s reading a book.

Just doing things that you couldn’t do earlier because of the rush you were in.

Any plans to have a second baby?

Saif and I have just announced our family is going to be extended. So, wait and watch. n

I believe girlfriends are more difficult than wives.

Girlfriends are insecure. You’re constantly thinking what’s happening? Is he talking to his heroine?

September 2020 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 21

FASHION

22 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST September 2020

DESIGNING A FANTASY It

is the long Eid weekend and Amit Aggarwal is on a zoom call with me. In 2018 when Deepika Padukone came to Dubai to relaunch the Filmfare ME edition, she wore his creation. A dandelion inspired outfit in black that celebrated her effortlessly stylish attitude to design. Today, having dressed up several known names in Bollywood, he tells us how design to him is about sustainability. For more, log on to Filmfare Middle East on YouTube.

Manju Ramanan

Are you influenced by flowers and nature?

Nature, flowers, leaves, butterflies, insects, poems, literature, design – all influence me.

Not traditional roses but a cross mutation of flowers or an abstract flower catches my eye. I am not influenced by clothes. Biomimicry is part of my brand and textiles are inspired by the architecture of nature. There is a hint of fantasy in my work.

You must have been very fond of the arts since childhood?

No actually. I come from a middleclass background.

My childhood wasn’t rich in art or design. My dad is an engineer and I grew up watching blue prints of pipelines and they would fascinate me. I loved biology and would love to sketch diagrams

of the frog, etc. I would scribble and draw on the walls of the house and my dad, who is an engineer never stopped me. In fact, he would give me points on it!

My mom wanted me to pursue medicine.

There was never an alternative idea to my life. I was good in academics and even topped my boards. I wanted to go to NIFT. At that time fashion wasn’t the chosen profession for men but I followed my passion.

Did you scribble designs in your school notebook?

What drew you to be a designer?

You have dressed up quite a few Bollywood celebs, who did you look up to in your initial

years?

Rekhajee and Shabana jee have always inspired me.

How do you marry sustainability and fashion?

Sustainability is a huge topic and trending. It goes beyond revival of heritage but contemporizing a traditional technique is important for the future. At the brand we consciously use

September 2020 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 23

FASHION

a not-so-skilled artisan and train him to grow. We employ materials such as recycled plastic, discarded yarns, industrial waste and create our work. Visually it looks couture and we push the limits of our creativity by empowering craftsmen with their own skill set. We have recycled old patola

and banarasi sarees and we keep doing that every year. But we also recycle polythene bags, discarded waste, bindi leftovers.

Bindis worn in India are a major landfill issue.

The negative print from a sheet of stick-on bindis especially are discarded.

We have created textiles from this waste.

I use polymer or plastic to create couture because it doesn’t have a shelf life of two days. It passes on generations and if you are increasing the shelf life of an outfit, that would have directly ended up in landfill and polluted the environment.

But the plastic still lives on through fashion?

A lot of my clientele comes from Kuwait and the Arab world. They take to the sense of fantasy in my design. They love the colour emerald that Kareena Kapoor Khan wore for my event. n

We have had intense conversations in the team regarding this. In an alternative role, this would have landed in a landfill.

24 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST September 2020

Do you retail in the Arab world?

The Arab world loves the sense of fantasy in my designs.

September 2020 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 25

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Fawad Khan, Deepika Padukone, Manish Malhotra 28 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST September 2020

Tara Sutaria September 2020 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 29

BOLLYWOOD INTERVIEW

BACHELOR OF BOYS BOLLYWOOD

THEY ARE YOUNG, HOT AND TALENTED, BUT ABOVE IT ALL – THEIR DATING RUMOURS ASIDE – THE RELATIONSHIP STATUS OF THESE GEN NOW BOLLYWOOD HEARTTHROBS READS: SINGLE! AND WITH THE MARRIAGE SEASON ON IN FULL SWING, AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE TAKES A LOOK AT SOME OF THESE ELIGIBLE BACHELORS OF THE SINGLES CLUB IN B-TOWN WHO ARE UP FOR GRABS!

IN A LEAGUE OF HIS OWN – VICKY KAUSHAL Vicky (32) is what you’d call the quintessential shaadi material, the kind of guy girls would love to take home to meet the parents. His simple boy-next-door image makes him endearing. But what ups the bar is that the Uri actor can effortlessly switch to look searingly hot when need be and his intense gaze certainly makes the temperatures soar! This deadly combination makes him rank high on most women’s wish-list and so this list too. Driven by his love and passion for cinema, the star’s reigning at the Box-Office and the hearts with equal ease. While B-Town’s been buzzing about him and Katrina Kaif being a couple, how about keeping him in the singles market till the two don’t make it official, what say?

‘ABS’OLUTE TEMPTATION - TIGER SHROFF Tiger (30) boasts of one of the hottest bodies in B-Town and clubbed with his tag of being one of the most bankable action stars at the Box-Office, he’s too much of a temptation to resist.

And when not bashing up the baddies, he’s dancing and romancing his screen loves. Add to it his other qualities including being quite a disciplined boy, he’s an ‘abs’olute steal ladies!

Yes, the industry’s been abuzz with him dating good friend Disha Patani and the paps swear by their sizzling chemistry too, but the Baaghi star has vehemently maintained that they’re ‘just good friends’. And well, until one of the two don’t admit to being in a relationship, this list is where we shall claim Tiger to be on!

PHOTOGRAPHS: ARJUN MARK

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HOT BOD MEETS COOL QUOTIENT - ADITYA ROY KAPUR

FLIRTY AND FUN – KARTIK AARYAN

Aditya’s (34) appeal lies in the fact that he’s really laidback about being one of the hottest-looking actors on the block! The Aashiqui 2 actor has proven his acting chops many times over, and his broody and intense lover-boy image has been loved too. But it was with his recent Malang that the actor wowed the female fans with his hot-bod action avatar. A hot bod with a cool quotient, now that’s a combo we love. We do hear of him dating supermodel Diva Diwan and there were even rumours of them planning to be hitched this year, but hey, he stays on this list till we don’t hear it from the horse’s mouth, right!

Kartik (29) is easily one of the top favourites when it comes to ruling the hearts of the female junta, especially those from Tinseltown! While his Love Aaj Kal co-star Sara Ali Khan openly confessed to wanting to date him, Kartik was also linked to his Pati Patni Aur Woh co-star Ananya Panday. Blame it on his charming smile or his naughty-meets-nice vibes, the actor’s hit home with the members of the opposite sex (inspite of his girlfriend-rants in Pyar Ka Punchnama) as have his romcoms at the BO and insiders tell us that it’s not uncommon for him to get bombarded with marriage proposals from his young female fans!

Well, why aren’t we surprised?!

WOWING WITH WORDS - SIDDHANT CHATURVEDI Siddhant (27) is barely one film old, but it was a film that shot him to instant fame.

Siddhant won critical acclaim and even the Filmfare Award for the Best Supporting Actor as rapper MC Sher to Ranveer Singh aka Murad’s Gully Boy! But besides, the accolades and recognition, his screen character’s strong take against a student disrespecting a female singer, is what won him his ticket with the women. Add to the fact that he’s a fantastic poet at heart, and they wasted no time in putting him on their most wanted list. The actor who will now be seen starring in Bunty Aur Babli 2 has a few other exciting projects in the pipeline as well. Siddhant in an interview last year admitted to being in a serious relationship with someone in the industry, revealing she’s not an actress. Sources however claim that it was all in the past, and which is why, Siddhant earns a spot right here!

Photo Credit: Abheet Gidwani

A GENTLEMAN INDEED – SIDHARTH MALHOTRA Sidharth (35) is easily one of the best-looking men in Tinseltown. Combined with his suave and polite ways, he’s truly A Gentleman! The actor who’s had an impressive repertoire of films since his debut with Student of the Year (2012) is said to be dating Kiara Advani. But since he’s not saying it, we’re keeping him on this list! While his looks score him brownie points with the ladies, Sidharth’s squeaky-clean image is an added to his handsome personality and the actor’s certainly a charmer. Quite a catch, we’d say! Sidharth has previously also been linked to co-stars Alia Bhatt and Jacqueline Fernandez, but the link-ups were denied and labelled rumours.

Photo Credit: Dabboo Ratnani

September 2020 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 31

BOLLYWOOD

A SUITABLE BOY – ISHAAN KHATTER

IF LOOKS COULD KILL – VIDYUT JAMMWAL

Ishaan (24) is the youngest bachelor on our list. A Suitable Boy actor comes across as shy and more of an introvert than his big brother Shahid Kapoor, but that hasn’t stopped him from winning female attention or having link-ups! The young actor who’s known for his expressive and dreamy eyes won hearts with his acting and was said to be dating his Dhadak co-star Janhvi Kapoor. But most recently he’s also being linked to his Khaali Peeli co-star Ananya Panday.

Vidyut (39) has clearly proven to be one of the best action stars Bollywood can boast of. In fact, Vidyut was recently acknowledged as one of the most highly-skilled martial arts expert as he made it to the world list of ‘10 People You Don’t Want to Mess With’. Showing off a perfectly chiselled body and those killer moves on screen, the Khuda Haafiz actor, leaves his fans in awe. What earns him brownie points with the women is that he’s equally charming and witty off screen. The actor is rumoured to be dating his Commando 2 and 3 co-star Adah Sharma, but the two only have us guessing as of now!

ALL’S ‘HUNK’Y-DORY HERE - MEEZAAN JAFRI Meezaan (28) made his acting debut with Malaal (2019) and danced his way into the hearts of his audience with ease. His hunky looks, humble approach and friendly personality make him an instant hit with the women on screen and off it too. The actor has shown much potential of being an all-rounder on-screen in his debut film itself and women have loved his romantic streak, the action facet and the ‘fun’tastic comic-timing too. The actor, who will next be seen in Hungama 2, is rumoured to be dating Navya Naveli Nanda, though the actor insists they are just friends. Well, the girls aren’t complaining at all, isn’t it?

RAISING THE BAR – HARSHVARDHAN RANE Harshvardhan (36) became an instant darling of the masses with his debut Sanam Teri Kasam (2016). His intense performance and rugged looks made the girls go weak in their knees, while every boy dreamt of having a body like his. His fans swear by his down-to-earth nature, while he swears by his love for fitness and the outdoors. The hunky Paltan (2018) actor - who was rumoured to be dating Kim Sharma briefly – is currently looking forward to his films Taish and Haseen Dillruba. This macho to the core star is a natural charmer and quite a softie at heart – again an irresistible combo, right ladies?

32 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST September 2020

HOT AND HAPPENING - AMIT SADH Amit (37) who has an impressive list of films to boast of – from Kai Po Che! (2013) to Sultan (2016) to Super 30 (2019) - has currently been ruling the roost on the OTT platform with back-to-back releases and his critically-acclaimed performances in them. The Breathe actor has also been drawing much attention with his super-fit bod, which is certainly an added to his charming persona. Amit parted ways with girlfriend, fitness model Annabel DaSilva sometime last year (2019) and he’s presently very much on the singles list so far.

WORLDLY-WISE – AVINASH TIWARY Avinash (35) struck an instant chord with cinema-lovers with Laila Majnu (2018).

However, it was his recent OTT release Bulbbul that catapulted him straight into the hearts of the audience, especially women who fell in love with his character Satya, and even more with the actor portraying it. His flawless screen performances combined with his insightful take on several issues has earned him an even bigger female-fan following. Now with several biggies under his belt including Dongri to Dubai and The Girl On The Train, Avinash is looking at cementing his position as a bankable star. And there’s more good news ladies as the actor confesses that he’s single and definitely looking for love!

BACHELOR BOYS, BUT BOOKED! RANBIR KAPOOR IS SAID TO BE IN A COMMITTED RELATIONSHIP WITH ALIA BHATT FARHAN AKHTAR HAS FOUND LOVE WITH SHIBANI DANDEKAR RANDEEP HOODA IS SAID TO BE DATING ACTRESS LIN LAISHRAM RAJKUMMAR RAO AND PATRALEKHAA HAVE BEEN IN A COMMITTED RELATIONSHIP FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW ARJUN KAPOOR AND MALAIKA ARORA CERTAINLY MAKE ONE ADORABLE COUPLE VARUN DHAWAN IS SLATED TO MARRY HIS LADYLOVE NATASHA DALAL SOON ALI FAZAL AND RICHA CHADDHA ARE SET TO TAKE THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO THE NEXT LEVEL

BY GETTING HITCHED SOON PULKIT SAMRAT IS IN A SERIOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH KRITI KHARBANDA SAQIB SALEEM IS REPORTEDLY DATING SCRIPTWRITER SWATI TRIVEDI

AND THE HOTTEST OF THEM ALL! SALMAN KHAN

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RAHUL KHANNA AKSHAYE KHANNA September 2020 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 33

ADVERTORIAL

A Food

Connoisseur’s Touch

For the last 17 years, Creative Cuisines Inc, has catered to the crème de la crème of the world, satisfying their culinary cravings. Setting top-notch standards in luxury catering across the world, be it opulent receptions, a classy sitdown dinner or a high-end wedding feast, the talented team specializes in creating tailored menus. Celebrity chef Vicky Ratnani is the culinary director who manages to keep up with global gastronomical trends. CCI is a preferred choice for the world and Dubai’s food connoisseurs. A personalized approach to every event, creating a bespoke menu as per the client’s requirements is what makes CCI be noticeable as a go-to luxury caterer in the region! A sneak-peek at their customized bespoke menu will tell you the gastronomical experience which they create for each special day, from an intimate sit-down dinner to the most luxurious events.

their menu and organize a tasting before the final selection is made. The team discusses their vision so that the food matches the decor and setting and is a work of art too.

Destinations: CCI specializes in top-

notch destination and local events and has enthralled guests in India, UAE, Oman, Italy, Turkey, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and France to name a few. With hands on experience in destination events, the founder of CCI, Sajal Garg believes in creating an experience bigger and better each and every time his team flies out to spread the magic of cuisines and dishes across the globe.

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Why CCI? Personalized service

The CCI team of international chefs work closely with each client to create 34 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST September 2020

Highlights: Apart from catering to mega weddings worldwide, the company has catered to the likes of national and international stars such as Beyonce, Akon, Brian Lara, Ranveer Singh, Raahat Fateh Ali Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Katrina Kaif to name a few.

Hassle free and time framers:

Hosting and managing an event can be time consuming. From planning to execution, with great attention to detail, the CCI team takes the burden off the hosts and presents an epicurean experience!

Sajal Garg, the founder of CCI in Dubai was brought up in a huge joint family in India where he was introduced to various cuisines created at home. His passion led him to Glion, a top institute of Hotel Management in Switzerland that honed his craft in the right direction. Travelling around the world, gave him the exposure needed to understand global cuisines followed by rigorous training to handle kitchen and guest experience pressure.

Manju Ramanan speaks to the food connoisseur and entrepreneur Sajal Garg!

How did you think of starting CCI Dubai?

CCI has been associated with my family in India for many years. When the group catered to my family at our private events, I would take charge because I was impressed by their services, presentation and scrumptious food. CCI Dubai was my involvement in the company, to expand it on a global platform.

With a battery of 300 premier chefs and 200 butlers, are you choosy about recruiting them?

I am very selective. Every event has a new selection of team members traveling according to the scale and standard of the event. I think it is extremely important to choose who travels with you and for what event. Recruitment is done only after I fully understand the strengths and skills of people. It is very important for them to be in sync with my thought process.

What is the food and safety norm you have to handle now, after the pandemic?

Apart from the use of PPE kits, masks, gloves, hair nets, shoe nets, we use the utensil and kitchen sterilization technology and sanitize the entire kitchen area.

We have constant checks by managers to ensure that the team is adhering to hygiene standards.

Tell us about your brand presence?

The brand has managed to leave a lasting impression in the UAE and across most continents for more than 17 years. We plan on opening boutique and exquisite restaurants in London and Paris. A Dubai project is in the pipeline. We only want to cater to a niche market we’ve built over the years. We’ve taken over Kebab Grill and Ming Bowl quite recently. The launch for Kebab Grill is due really soon.

What is Dubai’s choice when it comes to food? Is healthy food also demanded?

Dubai is a mixed market, wherein people • Bespoke menu curation are adventurous enough to try cuisines from all over the globe. For Dubai, it is all • Live kitchens about getting the crux of your product right.

• Celebrity chefs who create the I have handled many Emirati private events ‘Wow Factor’ wherein they wanted me to have lots of • Restaurant Illusion Indian food and other delicacies. Their • Live Tepanyaki for 1500 guests with one chef palates are extremely experimental.

What about experiential dining and what are the unique concepts your chefs have created?

for 4 guests.

CONTACT : www.ccidubai.com | info@ccidubai.com | +971 552538381 September 2020 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 35

WEDDINGS

36 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST September 2020

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WEDDINGS

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38 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST September 2020

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September 2020 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 39

HONEYMOON

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Only a short flight or boat ride from Athens, Santorini is the most dramatic-looking isle in the Mediterranean, with its sheer 1,000-foot cliffs rising out of its water-filled caldera.

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FEATURE

SANA: adel is a person so real and loving who balances all walks of life-be it friends, parents and work

S

he is the quintessential beauty with brains and he is the suave, handsome, talented heir to an empire. And here’s what happened when they met a few years ago during the holy month of Ramadan. It was a match made in heaven. Their journey together has been magical and their wedding was a dream come true with various figures floating about its humungous cost, but Rizwan Sajan, founder and owner of the Danube Group, refuses to reveal the figure and good humouredly says that it was a “priceless moment” for his darling son and daughter-in-law. The dream wedding was thematized around the popular film Dil Dhadakne Do. Here is what Dr Sana Sajan, dentist and Head of the American Aesthetic Clinic and Adel Sajan, Director Danube Group share about their love story, the heady excitement of a proposal followed by an opulent engagement and a larger-than-life wedding overseas with Dubai’s well-heeled and a great deal of Bollywood thrown in…. Moments to relive, moments to savour!

42 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST September 2020

Forever in

Love

Adel: I always admired Sana as a person and as a friend. In 2014 when we met at the Ramadan tent, I had a feeling that this would be worth a shot and the rest IS history.

September September 2020 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 43

FEATURE Where did you guys meet and who made the first move and when?

Sana: We have been friends for almost ten years from school days and in 2014 we met again at a Ramadan tent at an iftar. It was after a month or so, of going out with friends, where Adel noticed that as a person I was very chill and someone with a happy vibe, so he got more confident about his decision.

Adel: I always admired Sana as a person and as a friend.

In 2014 when we met at the Ramadan tent, I had a feeling that this would be worth a

shot and the rest is history.

When did you two realise that ‘you’ are the one?

Sana: When we met, it all started as a friendship, and over the time it evolved into liking and thereafter love. The best part of our relationship is that we both don’t force each other or ourselves to do anything we don’t like. While we were dating over a period of time, everyday my fondness for him grew. That is because he is a person so real and loving who balances all walks of life- be it friends, parents and work.

Adel: When we started dating, it was not that we intended to get married from the first day. We gave ourselves good space in our relationship and grew with each other and our emotions of fondness also grew with time. And within a year I knew that Sana is the one because she was very balanced as she could take care of the home and the family at the same time be a professional who was outgoing, loving and fun. So, I totally felt that she is a 10 on 10 and I did not want it to delay any moment and went for it.

Memories of the proposal and engagement?

Adel: Once I spoke to my parents and her family who had agreed and made them vouch to keep it a secret, I had one week to plan everything. Her birthday was approaching, so that was a good day to propose. To ensure that it was a surprise I decided to play a prank, so three days before the proposal I told her that my parents may not agree to the match.

Then came the grand proposal plan, I wanted it to be a memory for life and wanted to do it right. So, on the eve of her birthday I took her to our apartment in Burj Khalifa which was completely decked up for a

Right from the proposal to the wedding, we had 14 months and we attended 40 events hosted by family and friends across Dubai.

Every weekend we were out. We are overwhelmed with so much love 44 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST September 2020

September September 2020 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 45

FEATURE

romantic candle-light dinner.

This was followed up by 20-30 of our close friends coming in and surprising her. The next day I booked a spa for her and picked her right after presenting her with a bouquet of her favourite flowers (white lilies), drove her to the venue and kept her guessing what’s happening next.

We arrived at the World Islands (Lebanon) where all friends were eagerly waiting. As she stepped down from the yacht, each friend walked up to her as she entered and gave her a rose (in their hearts, all the friends wondered that this might be a little over

board for just a birthday).

We partied through the day and just as the beautiful sun was setting, I took her by hand and led her to the chosen spot (10mt by 10 mt LED heart filled 50 kilos of rose petals). She walked in through the petals and I sang ‘Gulabi Aankhen’ for her, spoke my heart out and then went down on my knee to ask her to be my wife for life.

She was flabbergasted and completely shocked (with happiness) and then finally, she said yes.

is amazing with his choices and being a wonderful friend and host at his own parties in Dubai, he didn’t want to leave any stone unturned for his beloved son Adel’s marriage with Sana. Before choosing the cruise, we had multiple destinations in mind and a lot of places to go and check out.

We did a recce of more than 20 destinations and travelled as a family to look for the best hotels in locations in and around the east and far east. Finally, we agreed that daddy’s idea was the best.

How was the DDD theme wedding planned and how many outfits, guests and celebrities?

Adel: The number of the outfits we’ve lost count now.

There was a change for each event which was morning afternoon and night and then there were outfits in the middle and outfits for the after party - so each person would have at least 3-4 changes in the day. So, as a bride and the groom we were always in and out of the changing rooms while on board meeting all the guests and not letting anyone feel unattended. Because we all as a family believe our friends are family and we have to give them time

Sana: The DDD theme was daddy’s idea all along. He

We had guests from all over

The wedding never slept. Friends were up till 9 am in the morning when adults were going about their jog. Friends would finish partying till the wee hours and start breakfast.

46 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST September 2020

the world - the crème de la crème of Dubai, the closest and old-time friends of daddy and mum as well as Sana’s parents and family.

In terms of celebrities -all our friends themselves are celebrities in their own right besides guests from Bollywood and Hollywood.

People came with so much love. There were around 20-30 celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood and international media covered the event be it Pakistani, Italian and German media.

Did you sneak moments with each other during the big wedding and festivities that followed?

Of course, you sneak moments with each other, but with the big wedding going on, it was very hard to spare time, because there were events after events.

To be honest, it was not a wedding party but a nonstop four days rave party on the cruise. With 1200 friends and guests, over 1000 staff for support plus Bollywood, cuisine and food flown in from around the world replacing the cruise kitchen with our own chefs,

it was party time all day, all night around, filled with entertainment, dances, gigs, et al.

Where did you head off for your honeymoon?

We headed off to unwind to Switzerland for a few days and after that for a month around the world starting from London to LA to Bora Bora, and back to Dubai.

That’s when we got the news that we got pregnant with our son Aryan.

Today, as you look back with two gorgeous babies, what do you cherish the most from the wedding time?

Sana: The energy, the love and the memories. Starting

from the first day where we welcomed all the guests, every event had its own vibe and fun and the people danced celebrating our happiness with love. It was a love boat at the Sanadel wedding. People say that it was a fantastic era - a memory of a lifetime. After this, it has been a new cruise every day and a beautiful journey with the evolution of our love. Then, the next year we had our second son and we are more and more in love with each other and more deeply bonded This journey is so beautiful and we look forward to life together.

Adel: My favourite moment was at the baraat. My friends had lifted me up. You could see the shoreline of the Cannes, Sana with the girls on the decks and the light, for a moment so perfect! A beautiful array.

It was a love boat at the Sanadel wedding. People say that it was a fantastic era - a memory of a lifetime..

September 2020 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 47

FEATURE

Badshah croons for the guests

Madhur Bhandarkar and his wife caught in a moment Sushmita Sen shakes a leg with Rizwan Sajan

Spotlight on Malaika Arora 48 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST September 2020

Sophie Choudry charms

Meet Brothers set the stage on fire

Ronit Roy and Malaika Arora greet each other

Hussain Kuwajerwala and Gauhar Khan interact with guests

Dia Mirza enthralls

All eyes on Juhi Chawla September 2020 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 49

WEDDINGS

Creating Signature Weddings Vivaah Weddings is an award-winning Bespoke Wedding Planning & Management company strategically located in Dubai. Been in the business since 2012, they have an experienced team of professional wedding planners that have conceptualized and managed numerous weddings in over 23 countries globally.

They have been innovators and trendsetters best known for their new and creative destinations, unexpected décor concepts and exquisite attention to every last detail. Their experienced team is capable of planning everything from a small wedding of 100 to an extravaganza for thousands.

No matter the size of the wedding, their events are stylish, personalized and unforgettable.

In addition to that, Vivaah Weddings was rated the Best Wedding Planning and Management Company in the Middle East by Bride Awards 2020 and recently won

the Best Wedding Planner 2020 – Global Category at the International Wedding Awards and finally at the prestigious WOW Awards Middle East 2020 under the category of Wedding Celebration of the Decade.

Vivaah Weddings are also the founders of Middle

East Wedding Association (MEWA) which is the first of its kind consortium of wedding professionals in the region with a mission to promote the wedding industry and its network of professionals across Middle East and beyond.

Arun Bablani, Founder-Vivaah Weddings

VIVAAH WEDDINGS HAVE SET THE STANDARD FOR INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY WITHIN THE WEDDING INDUSTRY AND OUR RECENT AWARDS ARE A TESTAMENT TO OUR HARD WORK, INGENUITY, AND VISION.

Snazziest Wedding Venues Habtoor Palace Dubai

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INTERVIEW

A SUITABLE BOY Ishaan Khatter speaks to Manju Ramanan on straddling two worlds – on playing Mann from ‘A Suitable Boy’, in the six-part web series directed by Mira Nair that releases on Netflix and working simultaneously in a mainstream Bollywood film ‘Khaali Peeli’.

52 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST September 2020

You walk two worlds – the mainstream Bollywood and the international film space with great ease?

I have been blessed with the opportunities I have got.

I couldn’t have curated a Majid Majidi film, ‘Beyond the Clouds,’ or a ‘Dhadak’.

These films came to me and I immersed myself into them. My mother (actor and dancer Neelima Azim) told me that if Majidi believes in you, don’t over ride your judgement of yourself but surrender to it. I love what I do and want to do it well.

That is why I seek out things that are wildly different than each other – it puts me in an uncomfortable spot and I believe that the best growth happens there. I love to keep doing work varied from each other and share it with my audiences. After a hiatus, I was shooting for two projects back to back. ‘A Suitable Boy’ that is based on Vikram Seth’s awardwinning novel that is shot as a six-part web series for BBC that will release on Netflix and ‘Khaali Peeli’ is directed by Maqbool Khan and produced by Ali Abbas Zafar and Himanshu Mehra that stars me, Ananya Panday and Jaideep Ahlawat.

You romanced Tabu in ‘A Suitable Boy’. How inspired were you, of one of the finest actors of Indian cinema?

I have been a fan of Tabu who I feel has the quality that can seamlessly blend into any universe she inhabits. She’s got that unique quality. She has such a strong internal world that she is not dependent on external stimulus to function as an actor and that is a quality some great artistes have.

She is an ideal actor to work with and for me, I found it liberating to work with her. There wasn’t much talking. She just gets it and works with that synergy and I enjoy that very much. Never for a moment was it daunting or uncomfortable during intimate scenes. Because it was Tabu, it made it all easier. Out of the 60 days of shoot, 10 days my scenes were with Tabu and they were the smoothest days of work. The scenes were so beautifully written. I have the fondest memories.

What do you like about your character Maan from ‘A Suitable Boy’?

The film ‘A Suitable Boy,’ is set in 1951, post independent India and I

play the son of a minister who is fighting for the rights of the original landowners of the village. My character Maan is a non-conformist, wayward, unpredictable, follows his own rhythm and tends to do things that worry his father a lot. Maan is smitten by the courtesan Saeeda Bai, played by Tabu, who is older to him in age.

His love for her, makes it highly unacceptable for his dad. I found Maan endowed with empathy and sensitivity rather than plain brash naivete.

Mira Nair is known to be extremely meticulous in

her work. What was your experience?

Mira di is extremely involved with her work and she expects the same kind of involvement from everyone. Yes, she is like a headmistress with 110 odd students to micro-manage.

There were two units shooting simultaneously and a lot of work was getting done in a short span of time. It is a huge undertaking to distil a novel, that is a fine piece of literature and a portrait of our country – to six hours of screen time. Mira di assumed that responsibility and while she gives you

September 2020 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 53

INTERVIEW the opportunity, she also lets you bring something of yourself to your role. She doesn’t shackle and tie you down but is a task master who doesn’t hold back.

She is quite brutal and if she feels an actor doesn’t bring things to the screen, she is vocal about it. She is fiery and feisty and that has been quite an enriching experience. I learnt so much from my fabulous co-stars that included Vijay Varma, Vijay Raaz sir, Geeta Agarwal, Rasika Dugal and Namit Das.

After your runaway hit Dhadak in 2018, you chose to take it slow? Why?

To be honest, the choice wasn’t to do lesser films but it took time for me to find the kind of work that excited me. I wasn’t being too controlling or trying to curate my career but after ‘Beyond the Clouds’ and ‘Dhadak’, I was in a position to choose my films.

I felt I would set a certain momentum and take it forward and do work that excites me and gives me an opportunity to grow as an actor. I auditioned for ‘A Suitable Boy’ before ‘Beyond the Clouds’ and it was a long process for

Meera di. I thought I would do something else in between but destiny had it all worked out. After a long break, I shot ‘Khaali Peeli’ and ‘A Suitable Boy’ backto-back. I would shoot one schedule for ‘Khaali Peeli’, take two days to change over into Maan from them and then back to ‘Khaali Peeli’. After a long, dry spell it was 6 months of back-to-back shooting for me. A period drama and a caper set in Mumbai, two completely different worlds.

‘A Suitable Boy’s’ tagline is ‘Love will push you beyond the boundaries.’ How do you see it?

Love is a driving force that takes over and defines the course of your life, if you surrender to it. It is no different for Maan in this story. I think love pushes you beyond your comfort zones and forces you gently, to put someone before yourself. For sure, the line holds true and it could be interpreted in many ways

Where all did you film and what are the memories associated?

We shot in Lucknow and its outskirts and in Maheshwar –at a peaceful, scenic

54 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST September 2020

location where a lot of films haven’t been shot. For the British and international audiences, it is an exotic location. In Lucknow, we shot in these two old houses from the 1950s, which are almost unchanged from the time they were built. We also shot in rural areas of Lucknow, where the locals don’t have cell phones yet.

It worked well for us since it is a period project. n

“I wasn’t being too

controlling or trying to curate my career but after ‘Beyond the Clouds’ and ‘Dhadak’, I was in a position to choose my films.

“

NUSHRRATT Bharuccha

SHRUTI

Meet Our Celebrity Judges

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PRESENTS

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MANIESH Paul

l a b o l G l a u t r i V t s r i F t n u H t n Tale

SCAN TO REGISTER

log on to www.arabasiastarz.com

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FEATURE

CELEBRATING THE BAND BAAJAA BAARAT IN BOLLYWOOD! The 2010s saw some of the biggest and the most prolific weddings take place the world over. Be it the most-talked about royal weddings of Prince William to Kate Middleton (2011) and then Prince Harry to Meghan Markle (2018) or the high-profile Piramal (Isha Ambani with Anand Piramal, 2018) and Ambani (Akash Ambani with Shloka Mehta, 2019) shaadis on the home turf that had the biggest names in showbiz including Beyonce join them on stage and off it. Well our Bollywood was no less celebratory when it came to weddings. And as 2020 nears its end Aakanksha Naval-Shetye takes a look at some of the most-talked about and glamorous Big Fat Bollywood weddings that rocked the past decade!

Picture Credit: Anand Rathi

RANA DAGGUBATTI AND MIHEEKA BAJAJ, 2020 On August 8, actor Rana Daggubati and entrepreneur Miheeka Bajaj tied the knot at Hyderabad’s Ramanaidu Studios in the presence of family members. The wedding followed both Telugu and Marwari traditions. All wedding guests were tested for COVID-19 and the planners created a bio-secured environment to ensure the safety of everyone at the wedding. Sanitizers and social distancing were part of wedding etiquette as well. The Baahubali star blindsided fans and media when he took to his Twitter handle to make his relationship with Miheeka Bajaj public. “And she said Yes (sic),” tweeted Rana on May 12 with a picture of him and his fiancee.

Following the announcement, the couple had a traditional engagement ceremony on May 21 in the presence of only close family members.

56 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST September 2020

PRIYANKA CHOPRA AND NICK JONAS, 2018 This fairy-tale wedding was a five-day affair and as grand as it gets. Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur was where the two global stars had a Christian wedding and also an elaborate traditional Hindu marriage ceremony (December 1 & 2). Priyanka’s pre-wedding haldi and mehendi ceremonies were as talked about as her one-of-a-kind Ralph Lauren wedding gown that had a 75-feet tulle veil. The couple hosted a lavish reception in Mumbai later in December and then in the US.

DEEPIKA PADUKONE AND RANVEER SINGH, 2018 One of the most-awaited weddings of two of the biggest Bollywood stars was an intimate affair at Lake Como in Italy. Deepika and Ranveer – who were dating for six years – finally tied the knot on November 14, first in a Konkani wedding ceremony and then a Sindhi ceremony. The couple flew down to Mumbai where they hosted several lavish receptions for their friends and the industry that saw almost all of B-Town in attendance.

ANUSHKA SHARMA AND VIRAT KOHLI, 2017 Anushka’s wedding with her cricketer beau was a hush-hush affair and the two pulled off their secret wedding with great elan too. Virat and Anushka married on December 11 at the Borgo Finocchieto in Italy in a beautiful ceremony. In her bridal finery, the Bollywood star was a sight to behold and together with the Indian cricket captain looking handsome as ever, it was a ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’ moment. The couple hosted a grand reception in Delhi and then in Mumbai.

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FEATURE

SONAM KAPOOR AND ANAND AHUJA, 2018 Sonam Kapoor married London-based businessman Anand Ahuja in a traditional Sikh ceremony held in Mumbai on May 8. The who’s who of B-Town attended the wedding of the two sweethearts, who’d been dating each other for a while.

KAREENA KAPOOR AND SAIF ALI KHAN, 2012 The two Bollywood stars - who had been dating for over five years - announced their registered civil marriage and then later formalised it by exchanging vows in a private ceremony held on October 16 which was followed by a grand reception at the Taj Mahal Hotel, Colaba in Mumbai. The highlight was Kareena wearing the same traditional Pataudi gharara that Saif’s mother, veteran actress Sharmila Tagore had worn for her own nikaah ceremony.

Ritu Kumar had worked on restoring the finery, while Manish Malhotra did the final fittings.

GENELIA D’SOUZA AND RITEISH DESHMUKH, 2012 The couple tied the knot after dating for almost a decade and never admitting to being anything more than ‘just friends’. However the two are among Bollywood’s most adorable couples. Their wedding was a lavish affair, with a Maharashtrian-styled ceremony held in the morning of February 3, and later a church wedding held at St Anne’s Roman Catholic Church in Bandra, Mumbai. The reception that followed saw a huge turnout of renowned politicos as well as Bollywood biggies.

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MIRA RAJPUT AND SHAHID KAPOOR, 2015 The Bollywood heartthrob married Delhi-based Mira Rajput in a low-key gurudwara wedding on July 7 at a farmhouse on the outskirts of Delhi. The two exchanged their vows in the close-knit ceremony that had in attendance about 40 family members and close friends. The family then hosted a grand reception in Mumbai on July 12 that had a guest list featuring all the prominent names of B-Town.

BIPASHA BASU AND KARAN SINGH GROVER, 2016 Bipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover’s fairy-tale love story culminated into a dream wedding. Their pre-wedding ceremonies kickstarted with a puja, and were followed by an opulent floral-themed mehendi ceremony. The two tied the knot on April 30 in a traditional Bengali wedding ceremony attended by family and close friends. The beautiful wedding was followed with some Punjabi rituals too. The wedding venue was St Regis in Mumbai. While the wedding was a family affair, the lavish reception saw a huge Bollywood turnout!

VIDYA BALAN AND SIDDHARTH ROY KAPUR, 2012 Vidya tied the knot with renowned producer Siddharth Roy Kapur in a low-key ceremony held on December 14. It was a quiet wedding for the two that saw a mix of Tamil and Punjabi traditions. While the wedding ceremony took place early in the morning in a Chembur temple, the wedding rituals continued at a private bungalow in Bandra. The couple later hosted a lavish reception for the industry and their friends.

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INTERVIEW

MY

s i e m a N

Y A J VI EOL

YD SAYS BOBB

is y Singh in h l, a ij V n a e D y Deo ame the same n y named Aja on y ll b a d tu e c ll a a c is is y Deol, who eol boy’s next project y Deol. He n a n ij u V S r is e e th m is bro al na The D down. whose actu f 83’ on Netflix. Like h r than his real name. ng the lock ri u d ts p ri c o cross e s ‘Class cter roles a ding a few t name rath a e ra p a re h is c is OTT debut, h t e n y h b re re diffe Jha and is known en to explo work

by Prakash e Bobby too k d is te c o e h ir w d m for ctor OTT is Ashra catches up with the a as no qualms asking h n d a n an platforms a Manju Ram s of 83 Clas

60 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST September 2020

Your OTT debut as Dean Vijay Singh in ‘Class of 83’ is unlike any role you’ve played before?

I was really excited to play a character like this and stepping into the OTT platform with a Netflix film.

It is based on true incidents in the 1980s. The film is a cop drama and I am playing an honest cop who wants to do the right thing but the system comes in the way. His relationship with his wife sours and he is a broken man and tries to find a moment to do things right.

It was exciting to work with Shahrukh Khan, Gauri and Gaurav. I was very excited to work with Red Chillies. SRK is so dedicated to his work and someone who wears several hats so successfully

How did you prep for the role?

We had a month of workshops and I was working with young boys who were starting their careers. It was very exciting and challenging working with this new approach – it made me more nervous but it also made me give out my

best. I enjoyed being part of the team and had a blast working with Atul, who got the best out of me. I didn’t want people to say “Bobby Deol yeh role kar raha hai,” instead I wanted the character to be memorable. As an actor, I have always seen the highs and lows in life and want people to look at me in a different light. I so want to excite them. OTT platforms have exploded into great content and it gives actors to do improved story-telling in the right amount of screen time.

Tell us about the films and web-series you have watched during the lockdown?

I watched a lot of content and sometimes you don’t remember how many you have watched all day.

I honestly enjoyed the Last Kingdom and King’s Convenience - a series on a family owned supermarket by a Korean family based in Canada. I also recently watched Kamyaab and really enjoyed the film.

September 2020 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 61

INTERVIEW

As for TV shows, I love Money Heist and since I love racing, I enjoyed watching the Formula One series. Now when I watch a race, I feel bad for every driver and teams participating.

What are your memories of Dubai and Abu Dhabi?

I came to Dubai when I was a teenager with my mom.

My mother was shopping for my sister’s wedding and I tagged along. Then I visited after a long gap and saw the city transform. I love Dubai and Abu Dhabi. My best friend Monty, who is like a brother to me lives in Abu Dhabi and we chat daily. I have often visited him and we have played badminton at the India club there. I miss travelling during the lockdown but the whole world is facing it, so let’s change the topic. (Laughs)

Did the lockdown give you time with your family?

You know, we all live together in a joint family in Mumbai. Dad lives in the farm in Lonavala because he likes to be with nature. Recently there was a cyclone and some trees were uprooted but he is unfazed. We are happy that he is happy there. As for me, when I am not working I am home with my family.

We are more together today than ever before. You eat dinner, you work out, you meet more often, it is very interesting. I am trying to spend more time with my kids and trying to explain to them life lessons in my own way. My brother, my nephews are all around and we spend time in the gym, though we have different hours. We miss going to the farm house but my kids have online schooling and they have to be home in Mumbai. My older one Aryaman studies in New York and had summer school. Comfort food is a big discussion during lockdown and I have a sweet tooth and love chocolates. I can wake up in the middle of the night and finish a couple of bars of chocolate. So, now, we’ve stopped buying.

You’ve always said that you wanted to be your children’s hero?

As a child, I always looked up to my dad. He has done it all for us. I want to be like that for my children as well. My kids motivated me to fight back and believe in myself. I had given up a few years ago but I realised that we need to believe in ourselves and give it our best shot. My wife has been my pillar of strength. She is the backbone of my life and has stood by me all these years with great love and affection for me and my family. She keeps herself second to us. Kids and me come first and I won’t say more, ‘nahi toh nazar lag jayegi’. Thanks to all of them, my biggest reward is to get up and go to work.

And I am happiest while I am working.

You have been on film sets all your life? What are your memories?

I have faint memories of Dharam Veer. All I knew was, I got great food to

62 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST September 2020

eat and I didn’t have to go to school. I remember watching Sunny bhaiya give his first shot for Betaab and cheering for him. I was in school at a soccer match when the Betaab premiere happened and I remember I was rushed home, made to change and go to the theatre.

But though, I have been part of film sets, my family kept me away from the social life of films. Professionally, nearly everyone in my family is an actor but we kept away from the film crowd.

Your own debut was pretty eventful?

My debut Barsaat was to be directed by Shekhar Kapur. But it took a very long time to get made because the script kept changing. I started training in horse riding since the role demanded it. I also did all the tasks, like learning dance from Purna jee who was the late Saroj Khan’s assistant. Then the script changed and I was a

drummer – so I went and bought a set of drums to look convincing in the role, then the script changed and I was an athlete. So, I started training to run. I also took a coach from the Indian athletics team and trained for 45 days. Then the script changed and I became a juggler. Then Shekhar Kapur chose to do Bandit Queen and Raj Kumar Santoshi stepped in to directed Barsaat. It was an eventful debut. (Laughs). And what’s more, on the last day of the shoot I broke my leg and I was shooting for Gupt too.

Gupt has been one of your landmark films?

Yes, I had a rod in my leg for 7-8 months and shot songs of Gupt with my leg broken. If you notice, the songs of Gupt have less footwork and more hand movement. I started shooting ‘Duniya Haseeno ka mela’ at Mehboob studios and was drenched while dancing. I had to get it right.

The album became very

popular. I kept doing stunts, kept jumping from first floor or second floor with my injured leg– today films are technically more superior, not back then.

You have had a long association with Salman Khan?

Salman Khan I met during the time I was learning to do bike stunts for my first film. His film ‘Maine Pyaar Kiya’ had released and he was working on his next films. He was pretty chilled out and would do the stunts with me. We also did horseriding together on the beach and I have known him from those days.

You have never shied away from asking for work?

You have to attract work.

It won’t come to you. I met up a lot of people and expressed my desire to work. I didn’t ask for main leads but any kind of characters I could play.

Once I was playing the Celebrity Cricket League and met Salman again. Both of us address each other as ‘mamu’ fondly. He asked me what are you doing “Mamu” and narrated his struggle during his lean days and that he had perched on to Sanjay Dutt’s back during that period. I immediately said, let me climb on your back today.” That is when he called me after my film Poster Boys and offered me Race 3 with these words, “Shirt utarega?” After that, I was open to work across all platforms and Class of 83 happened.

Dad’s career has been legendary and he is the hero who gave three hits in a year at a certain time. When I look back, I am amazed at his work. I loved his films Pratigya and Sholay. I remember being on the set of Kahaani Kismet ki where he is suspended on a crane with Rekha jee. It looked scary to me, but he looked like he was having fun. I watched my brother’s first shot during Betaab and saw his nervousness. He hates dancing and I was excited watching him do his steps.

I was on the sets of Ghayal too. Yes, these are my favourite movies of them.

What about Abhay Deol’s work?

We call him Dimpy, because he had the deepest dimples.

Dimpy has always been a recluse and loved nature and the seas and he’s right now in Goa. I absolutely loved him Socha na tha and onward. He is a great actor, very intelligent and natural.

His home in Goa is all things he likes. Right now, Goa has been least affected by the pandemic and he has the freedom to go cycling etc.

Do you see your children take up the profession?

I always encourage my kids to keep their minds open to all professions.

Both my children are doing

well education wise.

Acting is not the easiest profession to get in. But I always advise them to explore and never give up. It is always about how hard you work and how much luck is on your side. n

Do you see yourself as a more matured actor today?

As an actor you are always learning and know that you could have done better. I have been in the industry for the last 25 years and I believe in myself and after seeing so much in life, it is natural that your craft is enhanced. Class of 83 was very exciting. The role was not just being a hero but about a man who inspired others. It is based on true facts and is an 80s character

What is your dad’s and brother’s films you’ve loved?

September 2020 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 63

INTERVIEW

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