Filmfare-ME-February-2024

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MIDDLE EAST

FEBRUARY 2024

Ruling

Hearts!

Kriti Sanon CELEBRATING LOVE

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POWER CONFIDENT Most OPTIMISTIC POSITIVE Influential GO-GETTER CARING W men BELIEVE STRENGHT 2024 STRONG RESILIENT Celebrating POWER CONFIDENT UAE's Most Inspiring and Influential Women OPTIMISTIC POSITIVE GO-GETTER CARING 01 BELIEVE STRENGHT STRONG RESILIENT POW CONFIDENT OPTIMISTIC MARCH

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What’s your Love Language!

EDITORIAL TEAM EDITOR Aakanksha Naval-Shetye aakanksha.naval@starzmediainc.com

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BUSINESS MANAGER - EVENTS Mayur Panchal

I

t’s the season of love! The radiant weather that Dubai has been witnessing is only adding to the allure of a month that’s already soaked in the flavours of romance with Valentine’s Day just a few days away! Lavishly sprinkled with some of the most romantic things that couples can think of doing and marketing geniuses can encash in the name of love, there’s no dearth of options, outdoors or indoors, to declare love for your special one on 14th of February!

Although with the Gen Z love dictionary increasingly being populated with words like situationships, vacationship, relation-blip, no-strings attached, frating, delaytionship, textationship, flirtationship, ghosting, benching... it does make me wonder about the relevance of this one day to celebrate love!

mayur.panchal@starzmediainc.com

I don’t know about love, but the language of love certainly seems to be evolving at a frantic pace and more than love it’s the language of love that’s actually becoming the defining factor of a relationship today.

Magazine Co-ordinator Yunus Naik

And as if relationships between humans were not complicated enough… imagine Robots stepping in to claim their share of love-bytes! With the rate at which AI is developing, this may not be just a figment of imagination or a script of a Hollywood or Bollywood movie like in the Shahid Kapoor – Kriti Sanon starrer Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya. The romantic movie taps a very interesting love concept of a guy falling in love with a girl who turns out to be a Robot! Now, while the makers peaked the excitement amongst movie-lovers here with the hot screen pair visiting Dubai alongwith their producer Dinesh Vijan, what amplified the interaction was the presence of the humanoid robot Sophia! Interestingly, Sophia was first activated on Valentine’s Day in 2016 and as per Wikipedia was in fact: marketed as a “social robot” that can mimic social behavior and induce feelings of love in humans. She has even been on a date with Will Smith!

yunus.naik@starzmediainc.com

FILMFARE (INDIA) Chief Executive Officer Rohit Gopakumar 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

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Well, at this interaction with Kriti and Shahid, Sophia certainly ‘made no silicon’ about having a crush on Shahid. But it was her intelligence, wit and a strong sense of human emotions ‘including a check if her father would approve of her love match’ that had us momentarily forget that she was actually a robot and the possibility of robots dating humans suddenly did not seem that bizarre an idea in the near future. Like Kriti joked about dating a Robot when asked about finding that perfect match in our exclusive interview.

Yes, the gorgeous Kriti Sanon is the Filmfare Middle East Cover Star of our February issue that is all about Celebrating Love. The National Award-winning star who will be seen in a groundbreaking role of a robot Sifra, marks her decade long journey in the film industry with this milestone of being the first Bollywood actress to do so. We talked to the talented actress Kriti Sanon about her inspiring journey and her take on all things love and life! Flip the pages and read our Cover Story to know more about the young star.

Also in the pages ahead, we have candid interviews with Shahid Kapoor, Emraan Hashmi, Rohit Shetty and also the perfect pick of gifts this Valentine’s Day. Want to know the hottest and freshest screen pairings this year, keep turning the pages and also check out the most happening events that rocked Dubai.

Talking about events, after the super-success of the first two editions, we are prepping to host the third edition of the Most Influential Women on March 1st – with a prestigious evening that celebrates women achievers from across the GCC! So stay tuned to @filmfareme on Instagram for all updates.

And meanwhile, whatever your language of love, go ahead and celebrate it with your special one. After all, love does conquer it all! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Aakanksha Naval-Shetye Copyright 2024: Reproduction in any manner in any language in whole or part without prior written permission is prohibited

Editor 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

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Volume 71 |February 1, 2024

highlight

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DEEPIKA PADUKONE SETS SIGHT ON OTT

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PHOTOGRAPHER - SHELDON SANTOS HAIR STYLIST- AASIF AHMAD MAKEUP ARTIST- ADRIAN JACOBS STYLIST- SUKRITI GROVER

ALLU ARJUN TO TEAM UP WITH ATLEE?

valentine’s special

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STEP OUT LOOKING YOUR GLAM BEST PERFECT GIFTS FOR THAT SPECIAL ONE

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COVER STORY

THE ICONIC YOUNG STAR KRITI SANON IN CONVERSATION WITH AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE TALKS ALL ABOUT LOVE, LIFE, MOVIES AND MATTERS OF THE HEART

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ROHIT SHETTY IN A CANDID CHAT WITH AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE ABOUT LIVING IT UP LARGER THAN LIFE ON SCREEN

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CHECK OUT THE MOST HAPPENING EVENT THAT ROCKED DUBAI AS GOVINDA TAKES TO THE STAGE AT THE LAUNCH OF BAYZ 101 FUN AND CELEBRATIONS UNLIMITED AT THE BIRTHDAY BASH ANIS SAJAN HOSTED FOR RIZWAN SAJAN

most-awaited

interviews BOLLYWOOD HEARTTHROB SHAHID KAPOOR TALKS TO AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE ABOUT HIS HOMECOMING AS THE KING OF HEARTS

events

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EMRAAN HASHMI ON TURNING THE UNCONVENTIONAL VILLAIN

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FATIMA SANA SHAIKH LOOKS BACK AT HER JOURNEY SO FAR

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HERE ARE THE TOP 5 FIRST TIME SCREEN PAIRS READY TO ROCK BOLLYWOOD OUR PICK OF SOME OF THE MOSTAWAITED FILM AND SERIES THIS FEBRUARY

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8 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST February 2024

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HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights

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

DEEPIKA PADUKONE TO LEAD AN OTT PROJECT ABOUT THE DRUG MAFIA Deepika Padukone, after her OTT debut with Gehraiyaan last year, appears poised to further explore the digital space.

Discussions are underway about her involvement in a web project centred on India’s drug mafia culture. Sources indicate that Deepika is currently in talks for an action thriller with a leading streaming platform. Her experience with the OTT medium has shown her its immense potential, prompting her eagerness to delve deeper into it.

The plot will delve into the drug mafia world in India, focusing on a female perspective.

SARA ALI KHAN AND KARTIK AARYAN REUNITE ON BHOOL BHULAIYAA 3 Following the historic success of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Kartik Aaryan, Anees Bazmee, and Bhushan Kumar are reuniting to take the franchise forward with Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. The horror comedy is all set to go on floors in February 2024 and will hit the big screen during the Diwali 2024 weekend.

Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 will be shot over three months from February and hit the big screen during the Diwali 2024 period. It’s the biggest horror comedy franchise in India, and the makers are all charged up to expand their universe and score another blockbuster.

SALMAN KHAN’S NEXT WITH KARAN JOHAR AND VISHNUVARDHAN TO GO ON FLOORS IN FEBRUARY Salman Khan is set to collaborate with Shershaah director Vishnuvardhan following the success of Tiger 3.

He announced the film as The Bull, which started with a mahurat ceremony at Mehboob Studio in Mumbai on December 29, a significant date marking 34 years since his film Maine Pyaar Kiya. Filming is set to begin in February 2024 after the mahurat, with pre-production kicking off in mid-January.

The production promises grand sets for its action-packed narrative, scheduling Khan’s shooting commitments from February to August.

TRIPTII DIMRI JOINS KARTIK AARYAN IN AASHIQUI 3?

Ever since the release of Animal, Triptii Dimri has been grabbing headlines. Starring alongside Ranbir Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, Anil Kapoor, and Bobby Deol, her performance in Animal catapulted her into the limelight. While Triptii received praise for her roles in Qala and Bulbbul, Animal has propelled her to newfound fame. Now, it looks like she has bagged her next role alongside Kartik Aaryan in Aashiqui 3.

10 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST February 2024

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expert advice AKSHAY KUMAR TO MENTOR ANANYA PANDAY

DR. SANA SAJAN Director of American Aesthetic Medical Center

It was Shah Rukh Khan whom we first saw mentoring, rather than romancing, Alia Bhatt in Gauri Shinde’s Dear Zindagi. Now, seven years later, Akshay Kumar and Ananya Panday share a mentorpupil relationship in Karan Johar’s The Untold Story of C Sankaran Nair. The biopic, directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, features Akshay Kumar in the titular role. Nair famously took on the British Empire in a case against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. A source close to the project said, “Akshay Kumar and Ananya Panday play lawyers.

Akshay plays a senior and highly respected lawyer, while Ananya is just starting out and looks up to Akshay for guidance.”

BIOTIN FOR HAIR DOES BIOTIN PREVENT HAIR LOSS? Using biotin for hair has been common since many years due to its benefits and qualities; it is a type of B vitamin commonly used in cosmetic treatments to treat problems such as dermatitis, or weak nails and hair.

IS BIOTIN GOOD FOR HAIR GROWTH? Biotin, also known as B7 vitamin (and formerly H vitamin), is a soluble vitamin linked to carbohydrates, fats, amino acids and purines metabolism, and that also favours blood circulation and hair growth; therefore, biotin will not just allow us to have a healthy and well nourished scalp: it will also provide strength and elasticity to our hair, making it shiny, too.

Allu Arjun to star in Atlee’s next?

Atlee, the sought-after director behind Jawan featuring Shah Rukh Khan, is reportedly in talks with Allu Arjun for an upcoming project. While there is no official confirmation, reports indicate a potential collaboration between the two, aiming for a commencement in late 2024. The film is said to unveil Allu Arjun in a fresh and unprecedented role, showcasing the actor in a different light. Simultaneously, Allu Arjun is occupied with the filming of Pushpa 2 and has commitments with Trivikram for a 2025 film.

PRABHAS’ SPIRIT WILL BE BIGGER THAN ANIMAL After the Ranbir Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna starrer Animal, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga has announced his next projects.

One of the projects is Spirit, which will be headlined by Prabhas. As per reports on a leading news portal, the production designer for Animal, Suresh Selvarajan, revealed that Spirit will have a grander scale than Animal. Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Bhushan Kumar announced three new projects: Animal Park, the sequel to Animal; Prabhas starrer Spirit; and Allu Arjun’s Saga.

SO, WHERE CAN WE FIND IT? Basically in foods of animal origin such as meat, fish or egg yolk; but also in vegetable products such as mushrooms, spinach, broccoli, whole grains, seeds, nuts ... If for any reason we cannot intake any of these foods, or we do not eat enough quantity, there is also the option of taking biotin tablets for hair. These biotin supplements for hair are usually sold in capsules and include other additives for hair, such as collagen or hyaluronic acid; however, due to the proliferation of this type of pills and supplements we must warn you about the risks of consuming them without the supervision of a specialist.

IS IT OK TO PUT BIOTIN IN YOUR HAIR ?

In general terms, using biotin for hair is safe in aesthetic treatments if administered in the recommended dose and under medical supervision.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS? Nausea (especially during the first stages), stomach problems and diarrhoea, allergic reactions (including swelling of the face and throat, rashes on the body, etc) appearance of acne on the lower part of face and increased risk of abortion in pregnant women.

Bear in mind that just as an excess of biotin intake has its side effects, a deficiency of biotin also has consequences for our body - rashes, hallucinations, depression... - and, as scientific studies have shown, it also causes a weakening of hair, affecting hair growth and pigmentation.

Besides, in certain patients it may be advisable - always under medical supervision - to consume optimum dosage of biotin, since it may provide other benefits for them such as: Condition improvement in people suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS) Reduction of nerve pain in people with diabetes Reduction of blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes (if combined with chromium) Decrease in muscle cramps caused by dialysis Shortening of altered mental status and motor control problems episodes in patients with basal ganglia dysfunction (if combined with thiamine) At the American Aesthetic Medical Center we are specialised in all types of hair treatments and we have the most skilled and experienced medical team.

Ask forDecember your 2023 consultation now!

FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 11

Call us at 80085555

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COVER STORY

Ruling

Hearts!

Kriti Sanon

THE STUNNING POWER-PERFORMER KRITI SANON IN CONVERSATION WITH AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE TALKS ABOUT HER INSPIRING JOURNEY AND SHARES HER TAKE ON LOVE, LIFE, CINEMA AND ALL THINGS HEART PHOTOGRAPHER - SHELDON SANTOS | HAIR STYLIST- AASIF AHMAD | MAKEUP ARTIST- ADRIAN JACOBS | STYLIST- SUKRITI GROVER

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W

ithin a short span of 10 years since her debut in Bollywood, Kriti Sanon has gone on to reign the marquee and the hearts alike. With a National Award and several praiseworthy performances under her belt, the gorgeous star has not just proven her mettle and popularity at the BO, but also cemented it. Sassy could well be her middle name! Smart, witty and funny, she does win brownie points for being devoid of any falsities too. We caught up with the stunning actress in Dubai and as we talk about her achievements, her inspiring journey as she moves from strength to strength, and her much-talked about movie - Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya with Shahid Kapoor that has her playing a robot SIFRA our conversation is punctuated with loads of laughter and interesting glimpses of what the real Kriti Sanon is like when not romancing the camera! Excerpts from a candid conversation with this iconic young star

TH E TRAI LE R, TH E SONGS, TH E CONCE PT, TH E PROMOTIONS...

YOUR UPCOM I NG FI LM TE RI BAATON M E I N AISA ULJHA JIYA IS ALL TH E RAGE! WHAT'S YOUR H EADSPACE LI KE AH EAD OF ITS RE LEASE?

It’s exciting and happy. You know when you feel like you’ve said enough, you’ve done enough, you’ve told people that this film is out, you’re feeling the energy and the vibe and there’s a lot of, touchwood, positivity around. The songs are working, people are talking about the quirky concept. You know we just met Sophia (robot) and I think the interaction with her was just so funny and so amazing and that was so interesting. Our film is like many steps ahead and yeah, it’s a good feeling.

TH E SCRE E N CH E M ISTRY BETWE E N YOU AN D SHAH I D KAPOOR LOOKS SIZZLI NG HOT AN D IS CE RTAI N LY TH E H IGH LIGHT OF TH E FI LM. HOW WAS IT ON SETS?

I think we were never really working on the chemistry. It was just there. It was natural and it’s really strange because when you’re working with someone for the first time and you’ve not been friends, you’ve not really chatted with each other before, you’ve not spent time; it takes some time to get comfortable with that person which somehow wasn’t the case between us. We didn’t feel the need for it. It just was there, it happened, it just clicked.

Because the love story is between a human and a robot, what is essential is the chemistry. That’s what you will buy. So I think that was always somehow there.

WHAT’S TH E ON E TH I NG THAT YOU REALLY LOVE D

ABOUT SHAH I D AN D ON E TH I NG YOU WISH H E WOULD GO A LITTLE EASY ON?

I like that he is always rediscovering himself and he has this hunger as an actor, like he’s not very easily satisfied. He has this hunger of wanting to do something more, like ‘Haan chalo ye ho gaya but aur kya kar sakte hain’ like that. Which I think is a good thing about him but it may not always be good for him because sometimes you don’t get happy easily and that kind of makes you a little restless. Also I feel like he’s very self-critical.

Sometimes he can be too hard on himself.

YOU ARE BOTH VE RY FEARLESS AS ACTORS AN D YOU HAVE CONSTANTLY BE E N EVOLVI NG WITH TH E KI N D OF ROLES TOO. SO DO YOU FE E L THAT KI N D OF N E E D TO ALWAYS KE E P RAISI NG TH E BAR H IGH E R WITH EVE RY FI LM?

I don’t think you can always put yourself in that pressure of ‘accha next isse better hona chahiye, phir ussey better hona chahiye, alag hona chahiye’. Yes, there has to be some sort of learning, some sort of a growth as you can’t be performing at the same level every time. So you have to find a new element.

I can’t compare different characters or films with each other. So it’s not about one being better than the other, but about bringing something new and different from what has been done. My aim is to kind of find another dimension and another thing that maybe I’ve not done before.

YOU COM PLETE A DECADE I N TH E I N DUSTRY, HOW DO YOU LOOK BACK AT TH E JOURN EY SO FAR?

Coming for a very simple, middle-class family, I

VIDEO INTERVIEW SHOT BY YASIR ARAFAT | JAFAR VETTIYIL

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COVER STORY

think it has been a very fulfilling, magical and an almost dream-like journey for me. My dad being a CA, mom’s a professor, I was doing my engineering, I never really thought that my life would bring me here and I would ever be an actor in the Hindi film industry back when I was studying in college. So yeah, I feel like I believe in destiny and I believe that God has his own way of leading you to what you’re destined to do. It’s been a journey where I’ve really learnt a lot. I didn’t know anything about acting.

I fell in love with the craft of acting and everything related to the filmmaking, I discovered my creative side and the actor within me slowly as I progressed in this 10 years of my journey. And I have always tried to get better, to grow, to learn, to keep absorbing everything that I can when I’m on set. I’ve always been curious as a person so that has sort of helped me constantly try and get better. And today I love doing what I do and I feel really blessed that I wake up every single day looking forward to what people call work and it’s something that really excites me.

I believe in destiny and I believe that God has his own way of leading you to what you’re destined to do.

WHAT’VE BE E N YOUR BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS AN D LESSONS LEARNT?

The takeaways and the lessons - I think the fact that you have to be really passionate about what you do to actually excel at it! I think anything that comes from passion and doesn’t feel like work and almost consumes you in some way and you really feel alive when you’re doing what you love and also the fact that both success and failure is very temporary. All you got to do is make sure you keep learning and keep growing, keep moving forward, keep giving your 100 per cent. There are certain things that are in your hands which is how you do what you do and giving your best every second that you’re performing; and then there are certain things that are not in your hand. Every film has its own destiny and you got to not take too much pressure of that. Easier said than done. But yeah, I think the journey is more important than the destination and that’s what I’ve learnt during my 10 years.

TO WHAT EXTE NT DOES A FI LM’S SUCCESS OR FAI LURE I M PACT YOU? DO YOU TH I N K ABOUT WHAT WE NT WRONG OR TAKE IT I N YOUR STRI DE

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KNOWI NG THAT YOU DI D YOUR BEST?

I’m a human so anything that I’m doing, I’ve put in a lot of heart and a lot of hard work and effort, so I do want every film of mine to do well but I do realise and understand that not everything is in my hands apart from the fact that I have to do amazingly well in a film and give it my best shot regardless of what happens to the film at the end. So that’s what I try and do. But as I said that I am only human, so success does make me feel happy and content and that’s what we work for and when a film doesn’t do as well as you expected it to, it does break your heart and I do, like everyone else, sulk in my room, have a bad weekend, don’t want to talk to people. But then I objectively try and look back and I understand what went wrong, learn from it if I can so I don’t make the same mistakes again and then just move on onto the next.

HAS TH E CRITE RIA OF CHOOSI NG A ROLE CHANGE D OVE R TH E YEARS?

I think when you don’t come from a film background, you don’t have so many options in front of you to enter the film industry so you pick and choose from what you have and sometimes it may not excite you as much but you got to keep working, you got to keep moving and you got to keep learning.

And I think over the years fortunately I’ve been blessed that I did get certain opportunities where I got a chance to prove myself as an actor and things changed for me whether it has been Bareily ki Barfi where people sort of noticed the actor in me, to a few other films that really got me to where I am, the success of Lukka Chhuppi or the love that I got from Mimi and of course the National Award, my first set of Best Actress Awards that happened. It gave me certain credibility as an actor. So, over the years thankfully the options and

The real Kriti is emotional, sensitive, romantic at heart, simple, I would say, and rooted… Still the same middle class Patparganj girl at heart.

the opportunities I have in front of me have kept increasing and I had more content to choose from and I could make better choices.

Some worked, some didn’t work, got to learn from them. So I think the criteria of choosing films has always been a gut feeling or something as an audience that excites me hearing a script. Or sometimes the people who I really want to work with who I feel are going to groom me. Or sometimes it’s just if the content or the character really is very challenging and very different from what I have done before, I think sometimes that attracts me. But more or

less, overall it’s always a gut feeling like ‘hey this is something which is making me feel like I’ll have fun doing this role or doing this film and I really would love to watch this film as an audience also.’ So, mostly it’s like a gut feeling.

SO, WHAT IS TH E REAL KRITI LI KE?

Well, the real Kriti is emotional, sensitive, romantic at heart, simple, I would say, and rooted…

Still the same middle class Patparganj girl at heart. And I’m extremely ambitious and I always want to strive to get better and grow.

I F TH E RE WAS A H UMANOI D-ROBOT VE RSION OF YOU, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT CHANGE D I N H E R?

I would wish she would just be a lot more punctual than I am and she would just have a better understanding of time management and would be able to multitask.

Because it’s something that I can’t do. I have an issue, so when I’m doing one thing, I give my 100 per cent there. But if I have to do two things together, I get a little frazzled. Like in this film, I had to behave like a robot and I am a clumsy person.

Mere se ek nahi hoti hai cheez dhang se, yaha do February 2024 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 15

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COVER STORY utha ke daalni hai (laughs).

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON LOVE?

I think love has no logic and it has to be worth fighting for. That’s the point.

AN D MARRIAGE?

Mile to koi (laughs). I think robot se hi karni padegi mujhe lag raha hai (laughs).

TE LL US ABOUT YOUR E NTRE PRE N EURIAL SI DE...

Well, I didn’t really know of the entrepreneur in me.

Like I said, everything that I sort of do, comes from passion. I don’t think I have been someone who has a business mind or was ever inclined towards that earlier.

But yes, I am creative and I am the kind of person that whatever I do, even if I’m doing the simplest thing or even if I’m writing a note for someone, I’m just going to put in my 100 per cent and my full focus on that one thing and try and do it really well. So that has always been me from childhood.

And whether it is fitness or skincare, both came out of passion and both just came from within me and I felt like this was something that I was really interested in and if I put my mind to it I can really make something out of it. With fitness, I wanted to also be a sense of motivation or make fitness be available to people because I feel like it’s a very important part of a lifestyle. As for skincare, I was very obsessed with skincare and the ingredients and I personally find it therapeutic to do my skincare because I feel like I’m taking care of myself and I found certain gap in the market. Being an engineer I kind of really go into the detail of ingredients and I started loving the chemistry of it and I started loving how amazing ingredients from both nature and science if hyphened together can give you very powerful, powerpacked concern solving products. And that’s what we wanted to make while making it very affordable to that middle class Patparganj girl that I was.

Quick

5

with

Kriti

NAUGHTI EST TH I NG YOU DI D AN D GOT AWAY WITH…

I actually don’t think I’ve been extremely naughty or naughty at all! In fact, I’ve actually been a very, very good girl, obedient daughter so unfortunately I can’t think of anything for that answer.

AS A TE E NAGE R YOUR BE DROOM HAD POSTE RS OF...

As a teenager, my bedroom had posters of Hrithik Roshan like many other girls who had a huge crush on him when Kaho Na Pyaar Hai came.

WH E N NOT FACI NG TH E CAM E RA, WE’D CATCH YOU DOI NG...

Just being home spending time with my family, spending time with my Pop, probably been watching, lazing around either in my balcony or just being in bed not doing anything at all, I love that.

ON E ACTOR WHO’D GET YOU TONGUE TI E D OR YOU CRUSH ON...

I mean honestly I’ve not been starstruck from the very beginning. Somehow I’ve never had a moment where I couldn’t like speak in front of someone, but when I was shooting for Dilwale, I remember my first scene that I had with Shah Rukh (Khan) Sir, I was extremely nervous that one time because I had to kind of scold him in the scene and when I was speaking, I could just hear myself and not like the way that I was speaking and you know you kind of start judging your own acting. And it was my second film and I was extremely raw and obviously I was very nervous. So that one moment I remember when I was sort of petrified.

YOUR PE RFECT I DEA OF A DATE WOULD BE...

I think somewhere around water, either on a beach or like boat or a yacht in the ocean or somewhere around water. I love beaches, I love the sand, the waves, maybe sunset or something, and just being with the person I love and having good food and just maybe cuddling and having a great conversation.

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I think love has no logic and it has to be worth fighting for. That’s the point.

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FASHION

Peach perfect

Christian Dior

Peach Fuzz is the colour of the year

In keeping with tradition, the highly anticipated Pantone colour for 2024 has been unveiled: peach fuzz. This soft, pinkish-orange hue, reminiscent of tenderness and warmth, has seamlessly woven itself into the fabric of Bollywood’s fashion landscape. The essence of Peach Fuzz reflects a sense of timeless elegance and modern sophistication, echoing sentiments of connection and togetherness. Taking cues from this, enthusiasts can draw inspiration from Bollywood's fashion ethos, incorporating Peach Fuzz into their wardrobe in myriad ways.

PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS

OUR HOT PICKS

KRITI SANON

This soft, pinkishorange hue is reminiscent of tenderness and warmth

Emporio Armani

Dolce & Gabbana

KAREENA KAPOOR KHAN

SHILPA SHETTY

SHRADDHA KAPOOR

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24/01/2024 3:16 PM

Sweater Weather

Dress them up or down, sweaters are always in style Just like every season, Bollywood welcomed sweater weather in style.

The charm of sweaters transcended mere warmth; they became a canvas for sartorial expression. From oversized knits to sleek turtlenecks, actresses adorned themselves in an array of styles, each reflecting their unique persona. Whether paired with denim for a casual outing or layered over dresses for a refined evening look, these fashion icons effortlessly curated ensembles that captured both comfort and sophistication.

DEEPIKA PADUKONE

ALIA BHATT

The charm of sweaters transcends mere warmth; they are a canvas for sartorial expression ANUSHKA SHARMA

TRIPTII DIMRI

ANANYA PANDAY

Isabel Marant

OUR HOT PICKS Gucci

Bobo choses

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FASHION

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD TARUN TAHILIANI IS A NAME TO RECKON WITH WHEN IT COMES TO INDIAN FASHION. TANISHA BHATTACHARYA SEEKS OUT HIS PAST AND PROBES HIM ABOUT HIS FUTURE

Tarun Tahiliani, with his wife Sailaja, co-founded Ensemble, India’s first multi-designer boutique in 1987, followed

by Tahiliani Design studio in 1990. Based in Delhi, he is best known for his ability to infuse Indian craftsmanship and textile heritage with tailored silhouettes. Over the years, he also became known for his bridalwear. He has lately ventured into interior design as well and has been feted for his holistic approach to interiors. He has been involved with various social causes as well. Excerpts from an engaging interview with the pioneer.

Tell us about your first celebrity showstopper; what was the best part about seeing her in a Tarun Tahiliani creation?

We had so many; I don’t remember who was the first celebrity. But I think Sonam Kapoor, as a very young girl, always stands out because of the freshness she brought to walking the ramp.

Katrina Kaif

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Your trademark style is infusing modern designs into traditional aesthetics; where did that perception develop from?

I’ve always struggled with the fact that sometimes people dress up in outfits that go overboard with Indian aesthetics and then try to be very Western. Truly stylish people have a sense of style, particularly in a culture that’s so old.

I think that style must reflect, in some way, where we come from. Of course, we now lead modern lives, so rather than being overtly Western and thinking that’s cool, which is a rather colonial way of looking at ourselves, I think it’s much cooler. Whether it’s a sari or even a Western dress or suit, infuse it with

Kriti Sanon

25/01/2024 3:15 PM

a sense of our Indian identity, which is not lacking in great beauty.

That’s what I tried to do with my clothes.

Growing up, did movies influence you in any way when it came to fashion?

Well, when I grew up, there was no other influence, and so movies were a beautiful part of the entertainment scenario, but in no way were they as pervasive in people’s lives as they are today. Hindi cinema told good stories and was real, even though sometimes, as in the case of Hema Malini and Dharmendra, the stars of the time, they were set in more rural settings. But the stories were real, as were the costumes. Although they were the typical dream sequences, which Bollywood directors told me were to help the masses escape their misery, I never quite understood that. Of course, we serve Western fashion only in Western films and even there, India was essentially a closed economy, but as you saw more, it was nice to see a culture where everything in the contemporary world sat on top of the films unless it was a period film. And that’s what I want for India as well.

If you had to pick the wardrobe of a film that goes with the vibe a Tarun Tahiliani design exudes.

The elegance of the costumes in Pakeezah has never left me, as has, of course, what Muzaffar Ali did with Umrao Jaan.

What would your debut film be like and which genre would you design for it? Who would you want as your star cast?

Just from an extravagant point of view, I think it would be something that

has a historical reference.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali and I had talked about doing Bajirao Mastani, and that would have been great, but it didn’t work out for various reasons at the time.

But I think a cast like that and a storyline set in some magical and mysterious time would be amazing.

Having styled so many celebrities, who would you say is your muse and why?

Many celebrities today started as models, be it Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Shilpa Shetty or Katrina Kaif—all girls who worked with me long before they became movie stars and continued to do so long after they became one. Shilpa Shetty is the ultimate one and I think the simpler they stay, the more their style comes out.

Tarun Tahiliani is the quintessential example of marrying classic Indian aesthetics with a modern taste in the bridal wear couture space. Known as the bridal couturier whose signature styles featuring intricate embellishments, sequins and embroidery have found their audience in our favourite Bollywood divas such as Kareena Kapoor Khan, Alia Bhatt, Bhumi Pednekar, Katrina Kaif and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, to name a few. His expertise lies in how he transforms a traditional lehenga into an Indo-western look, like when we see Shraddha Kapoor sporting a muted lehenga with a layering cape. Kriti Sanon’s sharara look for a sangeet party was just the inspiration we needed, as was Kareena Kapoor Khan, looking every bit royal in a golden gharara fit. With the ongoing festive season in full swing, we revisit the gorgeous silver foil sari that Priyanka wore to the Ambani wedding or the contemporary twist he added KS OF I to Alia Bhatt’s fuschia sari during Kalank promotions. Flowy silhouettes, IC P N TOP 5N TAHILIA TARU SIGNS ON E cowl drapes, lace stitches and beadwork up the glamour quotient subtly, DE VOURIT A F and these looks have left a lasting impression.

OUR YWOOD BOLL IVAS D

With Sonam Kapoor Kriti Sanon

Bhumi Pednekar recently wore a Tarun Tahiliani creation and spoke very fondly of the bond she has had with you. Tell us a little about the friendship.

She looked sensational in some of the looks that she borrowed. Indian yet modern—exactly what we do. She carries it off beautifully.

TRULY STYLISH PEOPLE HAVE A SENSE OF STYLE, PARTICULARLY IN A CULTURE THAT’S SO OLD. I THINK THAT STYLE MUST REFLECT, IN SOME WAY, WHERE WE COME FROM

Alia Bhatt Bhumi Pednekar

What’s your take on celebrities turning showstoppers on the ramp?

Why do you think that’s one trend that’ll never be offseason?

I have turned the showstopper on the ramp story on its head because, while I understand the PR value, I found both my couture week and the ready-to-wear shows got a fantastic response from the outer showstoppers.

Very often, at a press conference, the showstoppers are asked about their love lives and their movies. It’s about them. That is a great value to go on to someone’s Instagram that has 50 million views, I understand, but I have only one star and showstopper in my shows. And if my

Deepika Padukone

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Kareena Kapoor Khan

Katrina Kaif

clothes have gone through that, Then nothing’s worth it.

You’ve also ventured into decor and architecture; how different is that experience?

Decor and architecture are different experiences because everything needs learning. But design is design, and if you admire it, you’ve developed an eye and a particular aesthetic that rubs off on every genre that you touch. It’s also super interesting to move between different disciplines.

You’re known for your bridal wear.

One Gen Z fashion trend that you love currently in that space?

I love the Gen Z freedom of pairing lehengas with cool sneakers, little brown tops and think it’s fun and easy. That’s a good example of them being Indian yet modern at the same time.  February 2024 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 21

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VALENTINE SPECIAL

DateNight

style guide for this

Valentine ’ s Day

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Piaget

giorgio armanI

karen millen Michael Kors

BOSS

For Her

For Him

TAG Heuer

JACQUEMUS

DOLCE & GABBANA

Dsquared2

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Gucci

JIMMY CHOO

PRADA COMPILED BY - AMIT PANCHAL

09/02/2024 4:22 PM

Gifts for Him & Her BATEEL

DIOR Burberry

ferragamo

Hermes

BOBBY BROWN

TOM FORD

FENDI

BOSS BEATS

Avantcha

COMPILED BY - AMIT PANCHAL

22-23 FFME- FEB 2024-Valentine Dress .indd 23

GUCCI

KISSING MUG

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INTERVIEW

Ace of

Hearts!

Shahid Kap r

BOLLYWOOD HEARTTHROB SHAHID KAPOOR TALKS TO AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE ABOUT ALL THINGS LOVE, LIFE, MOVIES AND HIS HOMECOMING AS THE KING OF HEARTS!

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After being on a roll last year with his superhit OTT debut in the edgy thriller series Farzi, and then a power-packed outing in Bloody Daddy, Shahid Kapoor has kickstarted 2024 with a bang too! It's a homecoming of sorts for Bollywood's OG Prince Charming who's getting back to being the quintessential romantic hero on screen in his latest outing Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya co-starring the gorgeous Kriti Sanon. His ultrahot dance moves, sizzling screen chemistry in the promos, and chartbuster tracks are already all the rage with movie buffs and the excitement has certainly shot up as the fans can't wait to see Shahid ace the genre again!

After leaving an indelible mark with his dark, intense and edgy characters he's played in recent times that put the spotlight not just on his versatility, but also the acting prowess, with this movie Shahid returns to being all heart. I caught up with the handsome and dapper looking Shahid in Dubai with Kriti and over a fun chat, we talked about all things love and the actor's homecoming as the King of Hearts! Excerpts:

Your cool dance moves are all the talk…

We’ve seen the promos and the songs, the glimpses, the chemistry you share with Kriti have all created such a strong buzz and movie buffs can’t seem to get enough of you and your cool guy swag? How is the excitement right ahead of the release for you?

Well you know in the last one week you’re kind of tanking empty and we have pretty much covered most of the stuff we need to cover. The film songs are out, the trailers are out, we have given people enough of the glimpse of the film and it’s a very different film but at the same time it’s a very regular film in the sense that it has a family, it has entertainment, it has comedy, it has love, it has songs. It has everything that a quintessential Hindi film tends to have, but it’s different because the twist is that the love story is with a Robot.

But I think it’s a very warm and happy film.

One of the most exciting things is that you’re back doing a genre that had us all first fall in love with you – playing the quintessential romantic hero!

Yes, and I’m just waiting to see what people think as I have not done something like this in a while.

Tell us more about the equation you and Kriti shared off screen, because on screen you guys are fire!

So, Kriti and I always discussed the fact that this is probably the right time for us to collaborate because she is I think very much

Pyaar shaadi hone ke baad khatam nahin hota hai, shaadi hone ke baad shuru hota hai!

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INTERVIEW

in her own and I think I’m in my comfort zone and we’ve been around for a while, we’ve not worked with each other, but we’ve seen each other work, we’ve thought about that fact that ‘oh you know I have not worked with this person’. And so when the collaboration happens, that is there at the back of your head right? You’re interested to see how this is going to go and you’ve seen the other person’s work and now you see abhi humara kaisa hoga. And also it’s a high concept film and I knew that her role is fundamental to people buying into the story and of course my feeling for her is fundamental into buying into the relationship. So we both knew that it’s very much on us. And we need to like take it home and we need to own it and we need to find it and we need to hold hands and walk together and do this as a team. But we didn’t have to like work on this ‘creating the chemistry’, it came very naturally. It was very natural. It just felt right from day one. It just kind of hit it off when we started and it was like ‘this is nice’ and we were just like ‘let this be’. We didn’t mess around with it (laughs)!

What’s the one thing you love and hate about Kriti the most?

I think the best thing about Kriti is that she has questions and the worst thing about her is that she has questions (laughs). Eventually it’s very important to be an inquisitive person, it’s very important to want to grow and learn things. But then sometimes we get wired and start going round and round. So I see both sides in her 28 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST February 2024

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sometimes.

Did you give Kriti any tips on dating or marriage?

No, not on dating or marriage, not like that.

But after a few schedules, when you’re generally just hanging around, you end up talking about normal things and discuss many things and this could’ve been one of them. I think right from the beginning, we both felt free enough to tell each other what we felt because I felt like she was comfortable to take it and it wasn’t like she was finding it intrusive, neither was she getting impacted in her competence. Like I felt like yeah she’ll take it on her chin and she’ll tell me when I need to do something, I’ll also take it on my chin. And that’s great right? That’s good camaraderie.

What is your take on love?

Every love story in some way is impossible. At some point you realise that now we have to achieve this and there is an impossibility and we have

to overcome it. So it could be of any type.

Doesn’t that change… especially since you’ve been so happily married…

Pyaar shaadi hone ke baad khatam nahin hota hai, shaadi hone ke baad shuru hota hai. I tell Kriti, she should do it too. ‘Kar lo Kar lo…’

Kriti says that she’s not getting the right guy…

Kriti ko nahin mil raha yaar, abhi kya karein. Kya time aa gaya hai (laughs)!

What if there was a Robot made on your likeness?

Like mere jaise dikhne wala? And I’ll only be dealing with him! People are having a tough enough time dealing with one Shahid, we don’t want to give them two.

But is there anything you’d want changed in your Robot version?

If it’s me, I would not change it, I would change me. If I change me, then automatically the robot changes, right!

Shahid you complete 2 decades in the industry…

Over the 20 years, how has the criteria for choosing a role evolved for you?

Is there a pressure of

I just want to be authentic and want to be natural and I want to be honest.

That is the zone I try to chase.

outdoing yourself each time?

I just like to find the zone. I think there is a zone in which I am authentic and I am natural and I am fresh. I feel that when I am in that zone, the nature of the film, the type of character… all this doesn’t matter.

But I just want to be authentic and want to be natural and I want to be honest. That is the zone I try to chase. I have my way of getting myself in that space and I try to stay there whenever it happens. And that for me is like, if I’m in that space, whatever will happen will happen.

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FEATURE

FIRST TIME

Screen Pairs SET TO ROCK

2024

THE YEAR STARTED WITH BOLLYWOOD PRESENTING TWO NEVER-SEEN-BEFORE PAIRS ON SCREEN! KATRINA KAIF AND VIJAY SETHUPATHI MADE FOR AN INTERESTING PAIR IN THE THRILLER MERRY CHRISTMAS, WHILE THE SIZZLING CHEMISTRY BETWEEN THE FIGHTER SCREEN COUPLE HRITHIK ROSHAN AND DEEPIKA PADUKONE SET THE HEARTS RACING. GOING AHEAD AUDIENCE ARE IN FOR A TREAT AS MANY SUCH FIRST-TIME JODIS ARE SET TO ROCK THE BIG SCREEN. AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE TAKES A LOOK AT FIVE OF THESE FRESH PAIRINGS THAT HAVE US MOST EXCITED

SHAHID KAPOOR – KRITI SANON Coming up first on our list is the hot pairing of Shahid Kapoor with Kriti Sanon in Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya. Both the actors are hot favourites and the chemistry they share in the film’s trailer has already been creating quite a buzz. The audience is waiting to see the two sizzle together on screen in this crossover of sci-fi meets romcom and so are we.

VIDYA BALAN – PRATIK GANDHI Two power-house performers and temperamentally very different actors pair up for the first time in Do Aur Do Pyaar and it has our attention already. The bordering on the naughty and wild essence of Vidya coming together with the gentle demeanor of Pratik make for an interesting combo to watch out for and certainly puts them in our Top 5!

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PRABHAS – DEEPIKA PADUKONE One of the biggest superstars of the South - Prabhas pairs up with the stunning Bollywood diva and leading B-Town star Deepika Padukone for Kalki 2898 AD and the excitement is bound to be over the roof! The film that brings together two of the hottest pan India stars is also said to be one of the most expensive ones to be bank rolled adding to the anticipation!

VICKY KAUSHAL – RASHMIKA MANDANNA The two stars come together for a historical drama Chhaava said to be based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Directed by Laxman Utekar, best known for Mimi, the film will have Vicky share screen space with South beauty Rashmika, who created quite a stir with Ranbir Kapoor in Animal last year (2023). This pairing will certainly have all eyes on it.

SIDHARTH MALHOTRA – DISHA PATANI Two of the hottest looking stars in B-Town pair up for Yodha and the chemistry is bound to set the temperatures soaring. This first time pair certainly has our vote.

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EVENTS

Home

Your

Sky B

in the

Danube Group Managing Director - Mr Adel Sajan, Kanika Kapoor, Chairman and Founder of Danube Group Mr Rizwan Sajan, Govinda and Vice Chairman Mr Anis Sajan

ayz 101 launched by Danube Properties was one spectacular event as Founder and Chairman of

Danube Group, Mr Rizwan Sajan unveiled their 28th project amidst much fanfare. The star-

studded launch also featured captivating performances by the Bollywood star Govinda and singing diva Kanika

Kapoor. The scintillating moves of the Qatar-world-cup fame Carolina Karam also set the stage on fire.

Through an extravagant launch event, Danube Properties has astounded the Middle East real estate scene with

its revolutionary project Bayz101 that is poised to rank

among the top 25 towers globally, surpassing the iconic 100-level benchmark, and solidifying Dubai’s stature as

the ultimate City of Skyscrapers. Check out the highlights of the glamorous evening

Mr Rizwan Sajan addresses the guests

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PICTURES -YASIR ARAFAT | VIDEO - JAFAR VETTIYIL AND DAWOOD SHAIKH

09/02/2024 7:09 PM

Mr Adel Sajan

Mrs Sameera Sajan with Govinda

Mr Syed Hussain

Sahil Sajan, Yashvardhan Ahuja, Adel Sajan and Azhar Sajan

Dr Sana Sajan with Mr Adel Sajan

Mr Adel Sajan, Mr Anis Sajan, CEO Mr Madhusudhan Rao and Sahil Sajan

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EVENTS

Dr Sana Sajan, Mrs Sameera Sajan, Mr Adel Sajan with Taher Ali

Ms Shabnam Kassam and Kanika Kapoor

Govinda, Azhar Sajan and Yashvardhan Ahuja

Mr Adel Sajan with Mr. Javed Malik and Mr Zulfi Bukhari

(L-R) Dr Sana Sajan, Mr Ghayyor Ahmad, Mr Rizwan Sajan, Mr Adel Sajan and Syed Hussain

Host Priya Jethani

Mr Madhusudhan Rao and Aditi Khare

Team Danube Properties with Mr Rizwan Sajan and Mr Adel Sajan

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Carolina Karam enthralls the audience with her performances

Dr Sana Sajan and Kavya Dsouza

Ms Shabnam Kassam, Yashvardhan Ahuja and Mrs Sameera Sajan

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09/02/2024 7:10 PM

EVENTS

Celebrating

Style in

Mr. Rizwan Sajan - Founder and Chairman of Danube Group with Mrs Sameera Sajan

Sajan Family

THE SPECTACULAR BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS OF MR RIZWAN SAJAN CONTINUED AS MR ANIS SAJAN HOSTED A LAVISH AND GRAND THREE-DAY STAYCATION OF NON-STOP FUN AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AT THE HEART OF EUROPE. WITH THEMED BASHES PLANNED ON ALL EVENINGS, RIGHT FROM THE BOND STYLED BASH TO THE KITE-FLYING POOL PARTY, TO THE FILMI RETRO IT WAS A SLICE OF MUMBAI, AND A LAVISH SPREAD OF BOLLYWOOD STYLE FOR THE 300 GUESTS. THE GLAMOROUS EVENINGS WERE RULED BY SPECTACULAR PERFORMANCES BY MR ADEL SAJAN AND DR SANA, AS WELL AS THE ELECTRIFYING MUSICAL TREATS BY THE MEET BROTHERS AND CAROLINA KARAM THAT HAD EVERYONE ON THE DANCE FLOORS. HERE’S A GLIMPSE OF ONE OF THE MOST HAPPENING BASHES OF DUBAI PHOTOGRAPHER - YASIR ARAFAT,| VIDEOGRAPHER - JAFAR VETTIYIL

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PICTURES -YASIR ARAFAT AND DAWOOD SHAIKH | VIDEO- MOHAMMED FAISAL

14/02/2024 11:08 AM

(L-R) Azhar and Sahil Sajan

(L-R) Azhar, Mr Anis Sajan, Mrs Rubina Sajan, and Sahil Sajan

Dr Sana Sajan and Mr Adel Sajan

Mr Anis Sajan, Ms Shabnam Kassam and Mr Rizwan Sajan

Mr Rizwan Sajan with Meet Brothers

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14/02/2024 11:08 AM

EVENTS

Mr Rizwan Sajan with friends

Mr Adel Sajan with friends

Mr Rizwan Mr Sameera Sajan at Bollywood night

Ms Shabnam Kassam with Ms Mehreen Kassam

Ms Shams Bawany with his wife

Mrs Madhurima Nigam and Rubina Sajan with guest

Mohomed Morani and Lucky Morani

Mr Madhusudhan Rao and Mrs Kavitha Rao Mr Arif Bhaldar and Aakanksha Naval Shetye

Tahir Ali with his wife

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14/02/2024 11:08 AM

Carolina Karam

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EVENTS

Pooja Shah, Azhar Ahmed, Neelam, Shrishti, Khushi Popat

Mr Anis Sajan with his mother

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09/02/2024 5:33 PM

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09/02/2024 5:33 PM

INTERVIEW

HIS

DARK MATERIALS EMRAAN HASHMI, THE UNCONVENTIONAL ROMANTIC LEAD HAS NOW BECOME THE UNCONVENTIONAL VILLAIN. TANZIM PARDIWALLA RECORDS THE TRANSITION

E m raan

Hash m i made a care e r out of on-scre e n kisses. H e was th e OG se rial kisse r.

Te ll h i m that, an d h e gri ns. I n all h is earli e r i nte rvi ews, he playe d down th e i mage, sayi ng what h e was doi ng was just part of th e job. Now, a more mature ve rsion of th e actor is se e n on scre e n. We saw that i n Se lfi e e, wh e re h e playe d a supe rfan of a supe rstar, playe d by Akshay Kumar.

H e was cast as a greyshade d characte r an d on e could se e h e e njoye d eve ry mom e nt of it, as it gave h i m an opportun ity to break away from be i ng bi lle d as a rakish romantic lead. With Tige r 3, wh e re h e plays an antih e ro, on e could se e th e artiste i n h i m savouri ng eve ry m i n ute of it.

It allowe d h i m to un leash h is dark si de an d show th e audi e nce what th ey had be e n m issi ng. E m raan has se e n e nough ups an d downs to know that both success an d fai lure are fle eti ng at best.

What matte rs is how you bounce back from both an d we lcom e what li fe th rows at you with ope n arms. Exce rpts from a can di d chat with on e of th e most sorte d actors…

Tiger 3

How m uch of your off-scre e n bon d with Salman Khan h e lpe d wh i le fi lm i ng for Tige r 3?

It always helps if you’ve known someone before. That’s true for me and Salman. It’s not like we hang out every day together, but I’ve had instances where I’ve met him. I went to his place a long time ago. I had taken my son to meet him because my son was very keen to meet Salman.

He loves his films. I’ve realised that Salman’s one of those actors with no pretence. There’s no projecting an image. He is what he is. He says what he feels. I don’t even see an ego there. I like that honesty. I’m comfortable with people like that. There are some people you sit with, and there’s always a bit of a facade. They’re projecting something

I REACHED A POINT WHERE I KNEW EXACTLY THE BUTTONS TO PUSH BEFORE I’D MEET A DIRECTOR. THERE WAS NOTHING CHALLENGING ABOUT IT. AND THAT’S WHEN I TOOK A VERY DRASTIC STEP TO KIND OF PULL AWAY FROM THIS IMAGE

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I’VE REALISED THAT SALMAN’S ONE OF THOSE ACTORS WITH NO PRETENCE... HE IS WHAT HE IS... I DON’T EVEN SEE AN EGO THERE. I LIKE THAT HONESTY. I’M COMFORTABLE WITH PEOPLE LIKE THAT

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INTERVIEW

they’re not. I don’t want to name those actors, but sometimes you might work with someone for a hundred days and still not get to know them. But with Salman, if you sit with him for five minutes, you know him.

How surreal was it goi ng from watch i ng Salman Khan movi es to starri ng with h i m?

It was kind of surreal because you’ve grown up watching someone and you’ve watched their films multiple times and suddenly you’re doing a film and you’re marking these dialogues. I’ve been following his life as an audience member, and it was amazing to finally be working with them on this one on the big screen.

We re you appre h e nsive about playi ng th e antagon ist?

Konstantin Stanislavski said, “There are no small parts, only small actors.” When you’re playing a character, it miwwght not be the protagonist and there are instances in my career where I’ve played parts where I’m not the protagonist. I look for the eventual impact that the character has on the larger scheme of things. When director Maneesh Sharma said, “We want you to play the antagonist in Tiger 3,” there was a fleeting thought that, “No, I might not be doing this.” But then he narrated the script and gave me the arc of Aatish. I was blown away by it. The backstory of the character and where he came from made him not such a unidimensional villain; he was more of an anti-hero. His ideology is something that clashes with the protagonist’s. He is still the hero of his own narrative. He

TIGER IS A BRAND THAT’S BEEN BUILT OVER THE COURSE OF A DECADE. THERE’S A HUGE RECALL VALUE. THAT’S ONE OF THE BENEFITS OF HAVING A SEQUEL—A FRANCHISE THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE AN AUDIENCE FOR might have a different political and personal ideology. That doesn’t make him a bad person in his world. He’s doing what he thinks is right. Maneesh said, “Don’t play it as the bad guy. He feels wronged by what happened to him and what Tiger’s done to him.”

How di fficult was it to sh e d th e “chocolate boy” an d “se rial kisse r” i mage you had wh e n you starte d out?

I always knew I was capable of doing so many things. It’s just that in an industry and I’m not the only one who has been a victim of this; a lot of actors have been typecast.

You’re benefiting from that image and it was for the first 10 years of my career that I gave back-toback successful films because of the image. And then, I was like, I need to grow from here. I reached a point where I knew exactly the buttons to push before I’d meet a director. There was nothing challenging about it. It. And that’s when I took a very drastic step to

kind of pull away from this image and do something different.

What conve rsations di d you have with produce r Aditya Chopra about th e fi lm?

The main conversations were before signing the film about the overall vision of the film. He told me how he sees Aatish and how he sees the graph. It is great that he said that I leave this to you and Maneesh to interpret. “Take what you can take home from what I tell

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IF YOU FEEL FULLY SATISFIED, YOU’RE DONE AS AN ACTOR. BUT IT’S ALSO GOOD TO PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK. WITH EACH FILM, YOU GROW AS A PERFORMER. IT’S IMPORTANT TO TAKE FAILURES ON THE CHIN

the scene. It is tiring at times, but then it’s kudos to him as a director because he brings out something that other directors can’t. He just brings out very nuanced performances from every actor. Katrina was on that drive, and she gave it everything.

And I have not seen most of the action sequences that she has done on the sets. So when I watched them on screen, I was blown away and I told her that. She’s done a fantastic job. That one action scene, which me and Salman did in the climax, was so draining. We shot that for almost eight to nine days. So, I can imagine how tiring it must have been for Katrina to do multiple action scenes.

We re you expecti ng th e ki n d of response you got from audi e nces?

People didn’t know I was part of the film until the last hour. I think that became this unique marketing thing for the movie and it was used smartly by Aditya Chopra. I don’t think people expected that kind of salt-and-pepper, scruffy look. It had the desired impact, and it was overwhelming.

Talk to us about witn essi ng Shah Rukh Khan an d Salman Khan com i ng togeth e r on th e big scre e n.

That was one of the reasons I wanted to go and see it on IMAX. I was completely blown away, and I told Maneesh that I wasn’t expecting such a huge sequence. I thought they would up the ante by probably a bit from Pathaan, but it far exceeded my expectations with almost a 12-minute sequence. It was spectacular, with helicopters, blasts and the whole bridge. So yeah, it begged to be seen on a bigger screen.

you right now, but go out there; basically, work your asses off and have fun, but make something different and unique to the film.”

Sridhar Raghavan had written a fantastic script, and he had etched this fantastic arc for Aatish. It had the tonality and the nuances of how to bring Aatish to life on screen.

What was your fi rst expe ri e nce worki ng with Katri na Kai f?

She’s so hardworking in the sense that she completely surrenders herself to the vision of the director.

Maneesh loves taking multiple takes. He wants to have a variety of different interpretations of

Why do you th i n k people flock to th eatres for sure-shot blockbuste r fi lms li ke Pathaan an d Tige r 3?

Tiger is a brand that’s been built over the course of a decade. There’s a huge recall value. That’s one of the benefits of having a sequel—a franchise that you already have an audience for. There’s success for franchises in Hollywood. You have Fast and the Furious, which’s on the 10th instalment. And the audience progressively gets bigger and bigger with each passing part of that franchise.

As som eon e who has expe ri e nce d box office success, do you look at n um be rs for

vali dation?

Yes, and no. At the end of it, it’s exciting when these huge numbers come about because, you know, with this kind of validation, huge audiences come to flock theatres to watch the film. So it’s obviously gratifying, but there’s also a flip side.

Sometimes films don’t do very well. They don’t really pick up and you think this is probably an outright rejection of films. I think it’s important for an actor to, at the end of the day, be disassociated in a way from the final numbers and just take back home the experience of working on a film. If you were to take back the experience of working on each film, I think you would be just happier because, ultimately, numbers come, numbers go.

How do you know you’ve don e your best, an d i f not, how do you deal with fai lure as an artiste?

The only way to know if you, as an artiste have done your bit is through your inner sense and a benchmark that you’ve set for yourself. The failure of the film is not in your hands. Whenever I see myself on screen, sometimes I cringe and sometimes I feel like I could have done things better. But that’s just me and that’s healthy because then you’re not entirely satisfied. It’s also important to not entirely be satisfied because then there’s always something to build up to and work towards. If you feel fully satisfied, you’re done as an actor. But it’s also good to pat yourself on the back. With each film, you grow as a performer.

It’s important to take failures on the chin. You have to understand that when you did the film, the intentions were great, but eventually there were too many factors. It could be the wrong time, or the audience wasn’t ready for the story at the time. A lot of things could go wrong, but I don’t regret any of my failures. I’ve only grown despite failure, and it’s because of them. It’s also learning.

What’s a pi ece of advice you’d give, let’s say, to Jan nat’s E m raan Hash m i?

I would tell Jannat’s Emraan, just keep doing exactly what you’re doing. Things will eventually make sense. I wouldn’t have done it any other way—right choices or wrong choices, it all falls into place. n February 2024 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 45

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Dose&Glow FINAL P .pdf

1

01/02/2024

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DUBAI SCOPE

DUBAI

THE WHAT, WHERE, WHO IN THE CITY

SCOPE

WHO: FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN OF DANUBE GROUP MR RIZWAN SAJAN WITH (LEFT) BOLLYWOOD SUPERSTAR GOVINDA, AND (BELOW) WITH ANUP SONI, KARAN KUNDRRA AND TEJASSWI PRAKASH

WHAT: THE CELEBRITIES VISITED THE DANUBE PROPERTIES OFFICE, DUBAI TO CHECK OUT THE NEW PROJECTS LAUNCHED BY DANUBE

PICTURES -ABU SAMUEL & SUMAIR ALI KHAN

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WHO: MR RIZWAN SAJAN WITH GOVINDA AND YASHVARDHAN AHUJA, KANIKA KAPOOR, MR ANIS SAJAN, MR ADEL SAJAN, MRS SAMEERA SAJAN, DR SANA SAJAN, MS SHABNAM KASSAM, MR AZHAR SAJAN, SAHIL SAJAN, AND AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE WITH TEAM FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST – MAYUR PANCHAL, AMIT PANCHAL AND SHRUTI NIGAM

WHAT:

THE COVER LAUNCH OF THE JANUARY NEW BEGINNINGS NEW YOU ISSUE OF FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST WAS A GLAMOROUS STAR-STUDDED AFFAIR AS THE COVER STAR GOVINDA UNVEILED THE COVER AMIDST MUCH FANFARE. PICTURES -YASIR ARAFAT (FOR COVER LAUNCH)

WHO: NAYLA AL KHAJA, SULTAN SAEED AL DARMAKI, ABDULRAZZAQ AL KHAJA

WHAT: THE FIRST EMIRATI WOMAN FILMMAKER NAYLA AL KHAJA HOSTED THE PRESS CONFERENCE AND A HOUSEFULL SCREENING OF HER DIRECTORIAL THREE AT VOX CINEMAS MALL OF EMIRATES. THE CROSS-CULTURE HORROR FILM IS A TREAT FOR MOVIE-BUFFS AND ALSO MARKS NAYLA’S FIRST FULL-LENGTH FEATURE FILM AS A DIRECTOR.

WHO: VASHU BHAGNANI, JACKKY BHAGNANI

WHAT: THE ACE BOLLYWOOD PRODUCERS WRAPPED THE SHOOT OF THEIR AKSHAY KUMARTIGER SHROFF STARRER ACTIONER BADE MIYAN CHOTE MIYAN IN JORDAN. THE FILM IS SAID TO HAVE SOME OF THE MOST HIGH-OCTANE ACTION SEQUENCES EVER SEEN IN BOLLYWOOD!

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INTERVIEW

PACK IN A PUNCH y t t e h Rohit S

BOLLYWOOD’S ACE ACTION FILMMAKER ROHIT ‘BLOCKBUSTER’ SHETTY DECODES HIS PUNCHES IN AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE

Bollywood’s ace filmmaker Rohit Shetty has redefined action on the big screen. Having created his blockbuster cop-universe with Singham, Simmba and Sooryavanshi, the director - who eats, lives and breathes cinema - has now trained his sights on the OTT as he makes his debut with Indian Police Force on Amazon Prime Video.

Starring Sidharth Malhotra, Vivek Oberoi and Shilpa Shetty Kundra, the series promises to be an all-out action thriller.

We caught up with Blockbuster Shetty for an exclusive chat and dived head on into his larger-than-life cop universe!

Indian Police Force is your debut on the OTT. How different is it doing a series versus a movie, in terms of the largeness and magnitude of the entire action?

Well as far as the magnitude is concerned, it’s the same.

That was the first reason why I took up Indian Police Force.

Though it’s an OTT series, the shooting is almost like any of my film. Even the whole narrative is like a film. So, for me while shooting, honestly, it wasn’t different from shooting a film. In fact, it was like making almost two and a half films, from writing, to shooting, to post-production, it takes almost double the time of the film.

How is an OTT release different from a Friday release?

It is very different from a Friday release for sure because the whole business aspect… like if it’s releasing day after today, if it was a film, we would be running around with the theatre

owners. And you know, what is the opening, what is the advance booking…

All that is not there at least when it’s OTT. So that stress is not there for sure, from the business point of view. And yes, ultimately it’s content, whether you see it on a larger screen or you see it on your small screen, what matters is the narrative and the product.

With your personality, we were hoping to see you star in this series…

(Laughs) Nahin, nahin, I’m happy directing.

But has the thought never crossed your mind?

No. I’m very happy in my space. And I don’t want to do extra, I mean that for sure.

You share a different yet special equation with each of your stars whether it’s Ajay Devgn or Shah Rukh Khan or

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THERE’S NO FAVOURITISM WHEN IT COMES TO MY STARS AND CHARACTERS IT NEVER HAPPENS THAT I FEEL THIS I SHOULD HAVE GIVEN TO AJAY OR THIS I SHOULD HAVE GIVEN TO RANVEER Akshay Kumar or Ranveer Singh and now Sidharth Malhotra. Is there a kind of favouritism ever when it comes to their dialogues or punches?

No, that never happens because it’s like you keep creating this challenge like… ultimately the characters they all are playing are cops obviously. So it becomes challenging and we’ve been quite successful from audience point of view where Suryavanshi, Simba and Singham, all three are considered as characters. They have their own shades and they all are different.

So same goes with Sid. When you see Indian Police Force, the shade we have given to Sid’s character is totally different from the other three cops. And when the shade changes, when the mannerism and the characteristics changes, so obviously, everything changes accordingly. So there’s no favouritism when it comes to my stars and characters. It never happens that I feel this I should have given to Ajay or this I should have given to Ranveer.

Who of the actors you have

worked with, including the actresses as well now – with Deepika Padukone and Shilpa - do you think have been the most fearless when it comes to not just the action but in terms of going out and wanting to just experiment with

anything that you are saying?

I think in today’s time, all of them. I won’t pinpoint any one actor or actress. They all want to experiment and give their best shot. Because the times are such. Like you have to give not 100 but

200 per cent in everything you do. And that’s what every actor with whom I’ve worked, they come with that fire to give 200 per cent in what they are doing.

You have completed two February 2024 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 51

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INTERVIEW

decades in the industry since your first directorial debut. Has the path eased in the sense of making what you want to make or is there added pressure of expectations now?

I won’t deny the fact that the pressure is there obviously. As they say, with great power comes great responsibility.

So, pressure is there and where work is concerned, it’s more of hard work I would say than difficult. It’s more challenging for us now, for me especially. And I’m working on it like I know that when I get Indian Police Force or when I’m making Singham Again it has to cater to an audience that is much more exposed to action from the world over. As I said earlier, times have changed now and the young generation and the kids are exposed to so much of content that you have to live up to their expectations. So the way the audience is evolved, even we as makers, we need to evolve and we are learning. And it’s

a great time just like revisiting when we started off, it’s almost like that where you’re inventing yourself.

You have redefined action and movies with your brand of high octane sequences. How do you keep maintaining and keep pushing the envelope with every movie. Like four cars in this, add 20 in that…

There’s a conscious and constant effort and action, consistently.

Like I said expectations increase with each film so each film also becomes more challenging. And there is more and more of hard work which goes in now whatever you develop or you shoot or any new project you do. It’s more challenging.

Of all the characters you have created, which one’s your personal favourite?

I think everybody has their own shade, but obviously emotionally, it’s like it started with Singham and then everyone started coming in that universe of cops.

So the emotional connect will always be Singham.

You have created a cop universe with Singham, Simmba and Suryavanshi!

Didn’t you want to have a crossover of these characters with your characters in Indian Police Force?

No, we have kept the OTT and this universe totally different from the cop universe in movies. They will have their own crossovers as we would like to develop more of these characters on OTT as well.

When you are not working, what is your thought process like? Can you disassociate with your movies or are you always thinking like a filmmaker?

No, my thought process never takes a break as a filmmaker, even if I do! Like even if it’s a holiday, it’s not that I’m not thinking about work because you get inspired from so many things when you’re travelling or when

I WON’T DENY THE FACT THAT THE PRESSURE IS THERE OBVIOUSLY, AS THEY SAY, WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY SO, PRESSURE IS THERE AND WHERE WORK IS CONCERNED IT’S MORE OF HARD WORK, THAN DIFFICULT IT’S MORE CHALLENGING FOR US NOW

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you’re alone and thinking something or you’re watching something. So I think it’s never been a day that I’ve not thought about a particular scene or shot or cinema or something else related to my work. It’s always been there in my mind and now it’s like that.

I function that way now.

How do you look back at the entire journey so far? What’s been the biggest lessons learnt?

I think I’m grateful, there’s too much of gratitude and I’m just grateful. It’s been a fabulous journey till now. The kind of love and appreciation I get from the audience and you come to know, especially in this world of social media, when you interact with people, when you’re with them in person. And largely due to the television too, people know my face because of that. So when they interact with you or when they meet you, they greet you, the kind of love they give, you feel that all you can do is just be grateful to it, have gratitude towards it and that’s what inspires you and that’s what gives you more energy to work more and more of hard work comes from that inspiration.

You have a huge fan-base when it comes to kids! Like both Vivek (Oberoi) and Shilpa were telling me how the kids are excited to see them play cops in a Rohit Shetty film!

Yeah, kids actually love all that. They love all those larger-than-life things and they are very forgiving.

They don’t try to analyse, they just enjoy. So if there is something in which they are getting entertained, they will not analyse how this happened or how that happened. They’ll just get entertained. So I think that’s why the kid audience is much larger like that.

Whenever I’m making something, or I’m shooting something, I definitely keep that in mind that they are my core audience so I have to be very careful what goes in that film.

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INTERVIEW

EASY RIDER FATIMA SANA SHAIKH FEELS LIFE IS A JOURNEY. SHE SHARES SOME POINTERS WITH SUMAN SHARMA

F

atima Sana Shaikh started off as a child artiste. You probably remember her as a cherubic kid in films like Chachi 420 (1997) and One 2 Ka 4 (2001). The child then grew up and made an explosive entry with Dangal (2016) as wrestling prodigy Geeta Phogat. She’s been quite picky in her choices, choosing films which aren’t mere big budget productions but where she has tons to do as well. She wants to stay relevant as an actor and doesn’t shy away from pushing the envelope to achieve that goal. She talks about finding herself 54 MIDDLEthrough EAST Januaryacting 2024 asFILMFARE a person in this engaging conversation.

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Dhak Dhak was about feeling liberal and overcoming your fears. What are other things that make you feel liberal?

Riding a bike or leaving the house to work does not provide a sense of freedom and generosity. It is important to consider how you conduct yourself, your attitude towards others or your opinions and how seriously you live your life. Many people tell us that we are rebelling because we are not listening to the world, but I am listening to myself and that is important. In our society, women face numerous constraints. There are numerous dos and don’ts for them. However, if you do not speak out against it, it will be extremely difficult for future generations to obtain that freedom. It takes centuries for things to change. But someone has to start somewhere.

And what are the fears that you want to overcome?

I am afraid of everything, but I get a lot of excitement from learning new things, so I don’t let fear control me. I use my fear to propel myself forward.

I’ve never been so terrified of something in my life that it paralysed me.

How was it working with director Meghna Gulzar in Sam Bahadur?

Meghna has a protective attitude towards her actor.

When I see her directing actors on my set... I am astounded by how much knowledge she

possesses. When you work with Meghna Gulzar, your life becomes much easier.

She knows exactly what she wants to do.

She conducts extensive research. Unka research itna baareek hai, ki ek bhi cheez ko nazar andaz nahi karti hain (her research is quite accurate. She doesn’t overlook anything).

She is quite subtle.

She is a fantastic director. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with her.

How challenging was it to play the character of Indira Gandhi in Sam Bahadur?

We’ve always seen every actor playing Indira Gandhi with prosthetics, but we didn’t use any here.

Meghna wanted to capture Indira Gandhi’s spirit. She desired a human approach to Indira. That is the beauty of the role: you are playing a character you have never played before. When you see interviews with Indira.

She was skinny. She used to be younger.

Her voice was thin and delicate. She possessed vulnerability and innocence. Of course, she was a tough and powerful woman.

Tell us about your experience of working with Vicky Kaushal.

He is a nice guy. He is a wonderful co-star. He is extremely talented, skilled, and nuanced in his craft. Previous film se behtar hoti hai unki har aane wali film (His next release is always better than his previous film). He always gives it his all. I’m not sure how he managed to be Sam Manekshaw because of how well he transformed. He is one of our generation’s best actors. This is my strong opinion and I wish him much

success because I believe he deserves it.

You began your career at a young age…

I worked as a child artiste because my parents wanted me to. So I had no alternative. But they were incredibly supportive even later. Because you cannot struggle for a profession at home, having parents to accomplish your aspirations is half the battle. The rest of my fight was universal, as it is for everybody in whatever field. The only difference is that you are in the spotlight, therefore your emotions and judgement will be heightened.

Did you have to prove yourself as an actor despite a big debut with a film like Dangal?

That is something I do with every film I make. Khud ko prove karne ka struggle nahi hota. I aim to do well in it, whether it’s Ludo, Raat Rani, or Ajeeb Daastaans. I’ve

worked on a few films where people have praised my work. It’s a lot of fun to play various characters. I enjoy characters who aren’t like me.

Do you believe you have received your due as an actor?

I am doing what I am given honestly and I am looking forward to all of the projects that I am doing. You constantly have different expectations from life, but life always leads you somewhere else.

But we are so busy running around that we are unable to appreciate the praise we are receiving. But I’ve recently begun to accept the stages as well as the audience’s praise. I just want to live in the moment.

These moments will never be repeated.

What have you discovered about yourself during the previous few years?

Dhak Dhak

IN OUR SOCIETY, WOMEN FACE NUMEROUS CONSTRAINTS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS DOS AND DON’TS FOR THEM. HOWEVER, IF YOU DO NOT SPEAK OUT AGAINST IT, IT WILL BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO OBTAIN THAT FREEDOM

I want to learn everything, even if it means going through training. After Covid, I realised that life is too short to make decisions and have regrets since all of those things continue to happen, but when will you live your life? Second, perseverance. Work on your acting and skills; this will help you advance. Also, I always saw myself as someone who lacks confidence but over the years I’ve found my confidence and hence been able to face everything chin up. This has been an important improvement.

It is said that if you want to survive in the film industry, you have to be thick skinned…

I am always surprised when someone compliments my

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INTERVIEW

WHEN YOU WORK WITH MEGHNA GULZAR, YOUR LIFE BECOMES MUCH EASIER. SHE KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT SHE WANTS TO DO. SHE CONDUCTS EXTENSIVE RESEARCH

strike that balance.

effort to be faithful to the character. If you want to accomplish better thnigs, you must improve your talents. You must understand dialects and concentrate on your body language for your character. Wrestling

Finding work of your choice is also a struggle for actors…

There is a lot of work to be had, however it is difficult to achieve your goals. Because your decisions have

good. Aisa lagta hai ki vah mera parivar hai (It feels like they’re part of my family). I also want to work with Vishal Bhardwaj, Raju Hirani, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Konkona Sen Sharma.

What’s next on your plate?

I am doing Anurag Basu’s Metro In Dino.

I have signed some projects which I am excited about but I will talk about them only when I’ve been given permission to. Wish me luck, all the same! n

Sam Bahadur

work. Because I am such a harsh judge of myself.

I can’t see myself on screen because it makes me unhappy. I feel like I could have done better.

And I sometimes feel like I shouldn’t be so hard on myself that I can’t enjoy what I’ve done. When we finished the shooting of Dangal, I cried. I thought that I ruined the film. I feel relieved when people come to me and tell me that they liked my film. I need validation from people.

I still have to figure out why I am like this.

Modern Love, Raat Rani

What are your strengths and weaknesses as an actor?

Hard work is my strength, since you can’t exist here without it. My flaw is that I don’t believe in myself.

I began to learn to believe in myself and I was always afraid that if I thought I was good, I would turn into a narcissist. But I couldn’t see the distinction between narcissism and selfsabotage. It’s also not nice to be able to be negative and tear yourself down. Now I understand that making errors is okay because you learn from them and grow as an actor. Right now, I’m attempting to

shaped both you and your career. You are happy or unhappy with your career, depending on your choice.

I believe you should continue to make errors because how else will you learn?

Are you a better actor than what you were at the start of your career?

With each film and each character, you learn something new. I make an

was learnt in Dangal, sword fighting in Thugs of Hindostan, and Kashmiri language in Raat Rani. In Ajeeb Daastaans, I played a character to whom I could not relate.

Which are the directors you want to work with?

I want to work with Anurag Basu again. I have a very special relationship with him and my bonding with his wife is also very

I AM ALWAYS SURPRISED WHEN SOMEONE COMPLIMENTS MY WORK. BECAUSE I AM SUCH A HARSH JUDGE OF MYSELF. I CAN’T SEE MYSELF ON SCREEN BECAUSE IT MAKES ME UNHAPPY

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INTERVIEW

THE

COP

STORY

BOLLYWOOD STAR VIVEK OBEROI IN CONVERSATION WITH AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE TALKS ABOUT ACING HIS COP-ACT IN ROHIT SHETTY’S OTT SERIES INDIAN POLICE FORCE From playi ng on e of th e most romantic h e roes i n icon ic fi lms li ke Saath iya to aci ng i nte nse characte rs i n dramas li ke Yuva an d Om kara, an d from portrayi ng th e most dreade d gangste rs i n ge n re-de fi n i ng movi es li ke Com pany an d Shootout At Lokhan dwala, to pulli ng off com e di es li ke Masti. From bri ngi ng e dgy an d grey characte rs to li fe with absolute flai r li ke h e di d i n I nsi de E dge, to showcasi ng h is acti ng prowess i n PM Nare n dra Modi, Vive k Obe roi's don e it all with aplom b. An d now h e ste ps i nto th e shoes of an hon est an d resolute Police Office r Vi kram Baksh i i n Roh it Sh etty's de but OTT cop se ri es I n dian Police Force stream i ng on Pri m e Vi deo.

I nte resti ngly, wh i le Vive k's fath e r, th e se n ior star Suresh Obe roi had ace d playi ng cop roles duri ng h is successful run as a leadi ng actor, th is happe ns to be among Vive k's fi rst as a cop, eve n though h e has playe d an un de rcove r age nt i n seve ral scre e n outi ngs! "What can I say, it took a Roh it Sh etty to get m e i n th e un i form an d on th e right si de of law," laughs Vive k as we catch up with h i m for a can di d chat. From h is expe ri e nces as a fi rst ti m e cop to i nte resti ng th rowbacks from h is 22 year journ ey i n Bollywood, we talk it all. Exce rpts

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I n dian Police Force is easi ly on e of th e most-talke d about OTT se ri es curre ntly on Pri m e Vi deo, how excite d are you about it?

Super-excited. For me it’s homecoming because it’s Prime Video and I love the platform. I did Inside Edge 1, 2 and 3 with them and now it’s Indian Police Force, so it’s been a lot of fun. And then this whole experience of working with Rohit (director Rohit Shetty) and the team, Shilpa (Shetty Kundra), Sidharth (Malhotra) has been wonderful. I’ve enjoyed this experience. So even now that camaraderie, that bonhomie is there even when we’re promoting it together, we’re all having a laugh, we’re having a good time and enjoying ourselves.

We’re se e i ng you on th e right si de of law i n th is on e!

Yeah that’s right. It took a Rohit Shetty to turn me from a gangster to cop (laughs).

Bette r late than n eve r...

Yes, I couldn’t give up the opportunity of doing a high-speed walk in uniform with Rohit Shetty and with that music playing in the background, right!

How was th e expe ri e nce?

It’s hard to compare anything with Rohit Shetty’s skill!

I remember shooting for the introduction scene in Delhi at India Gate and the place had been cordoned off, we’ve got crowds of thousands. There’s the real Delhi police and then we’ve got our guys wearing Delhi police uniform and they’ve done it so well that you can’t tell the difference. Then we’ve got these vehicles, all the Rohit Shetty cars, armoured vehicles, bombsquad vehicles, all over the place and then we’ve got this whole massive setup. I was like wow, overwhelmed. And the cameras, they were all around, there’s one following me, there’s one on the crane, one on the drone and I was like okay, I get it… this is

Rohit Shetty scale, this is how he works.

You have be e n so ve rsati le i n your choice of characte rs an d roles, what com es easi e r to you?

Nothing does, to be honest.

You work hard for each role and genre and not take anything for granted. I’m somebody who generally does the homework, but in this role specifically, I didn’t have to do much because I had Dr Rohit Shetty helping me. I say doctor because he’s a PhD in cop movies. And he gave me everything, all the information, I needed. I was so prepared before I had to even start working. What I could focus on because of that was the emotional cords of the character and Joint CP Vikram Bakshi is an emotional character.

THE ACTOR OR AN INDIVIDUAL - I THINK THAT’S NOT SEPARATE BECAUSE THIS INDUSTRY HAS AN IMPACT ON NOT JUST WHAT YOU DO AS A CAREER BUT WHO YOU ARE AS A PERSON. THE LOVE, THE ADULATION, THE TROLLING IS VERY PERSONAL. SO I THINK IT FORCES YOU TO EVOLVE

Te ll us more

The minute I say Vikram Bakshi, I feel nobility. It’s a character that is humanising the cops. We have a sense of Police. It’s just one word that describes so many people, their stories, their emotions, their family values, their relationships... So Vikram Bakshi was that exploration and that journey for me where there’s this guy who loves what he does, he’s absolutely patriotic, noble, courageous, but at the same time he’s a family man, and his family extends beyond his wife and kids and goes to all his seniors and the juniors who are like the younger brothers and sisters who look up to him. And he’s somebody who would take a bullet for his team.

He’s been through that journey of being angry, being upset, frustrated with the system and realising that ‘ab jo bhi hai aise hi hai’. Now we have to work this system and make it work for the greater good. So he’s kind of reached a sense of maturity and a sense of self-assurance.

What about Vive k Obe roi do we se e i n th e characte r?

I think he’s somebody who is fiercely patriotic and that’s something that I feel I am. He’s somebody who

will, like I said, cares about society at large, for his duty.

He’s somebody who will take the trouble onto himself and protect his people and I think I’m similar to that. I’ve done that a lot in my life. I’ve stood like a shield to protect the ones I’ve loved. Also Vikram and I are both at a similar stage in our lives. And we’ve realised that there’s no point in being frustrated about something or upset about something. Either you change it, or accept it.

On e of th e most han dsom e cops we’ve had i n th e I n dian fi lm i n dustry is of course your fath e r, Suresh Obe roi Si r.

True…

Is h e looki ng forward to that

‘my son i n th e un i form’ mom e nt!

You know I had this amazing déjà vu moment, history repeating itself moment because I remember watching dad’s Tezaab and that moment in the theatre where he pulls out his belt and thrashes the corrupt cop for destroying Munna’s life and takes that vengeance for him. And the theatre was whistling, clapping and I felt so proud. I was like that’s my dad. Cut to so many years later I’m shooting for this series and Vivan, my son, his favourite director is Rohit Shetty and he loves his movies. So he comes to the set and that’s the day his dad is in full form, doing action, bashing the bad guys, falling, crashing, explosions happening everywhere; and he looks at me and goes like ‘are you okay, you’re not hurt, right’ I was

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INTERVIEW

like ‘no, I’m alright’ and he said ‘that was so cool dad!’

So that whole feeling of him looking up, that hero sense that every father dreams of for his son to look up to him was like a repeat moment watching my dad and then him watching me.

You com plete 22 years i n th e i n dustry…

In April it will be 22, yes.

How do you look back at your growth as an actor an d as an i n divi dual?

The actor or an individual - I think that’s not separate because this industry has an impact on not just what you do as a career but who you are as a person. The love, the adulation, the trolling is very personal. So I think it forces you to evolve. I think you need to be a good actor, you have to learn, not only to have empathy with others but also grow with your own journey.

I feel the 60-65 characters that I must have played in my career, I’ve given a little bit of Vivek to all of them and they are all a little bit of me today.

I’ve learned something from them. I’ve learned something from the choices that they have made in those stages of their lives. I’ve always wondered - what would I do if I was in this guy’s place. And then try to learn from that, pick those values. So I think somewhere it’s a funny thing but you eventually become a collage of all the characters that you’ve played as an actor.

Had you eve r thought of becom i ng a cop?

In real life? In real life I almost became an Armed Forces officer because I was an award-winning cadet in the NCC. I served very well, I won a lot of awards and I was written a recommendation letter by the colonel, the commanding officer for NDA that I should join the NDA. But I think last second I dropped out, I was like “Nahi yaar, acting it will be”. Because my nana (grandfather) was a luminary in the Armed Forces. He was a PVSM (Param Vishisht

Sewa Medal) winner and a Mahaveer Chakra Winner for his courage and bravery across battles for the nation.

So when I was growing up, I used to always hear Nana’s stories of battle.

Wh e n it com es to your choices i n movi es, do you th i n k about your son watch i ng th e m?

No I don’t. I believe that the minute you start doing that, you stop becoming an entertainer because my primary focus is that. If I want to be an educationist, I’ll run a company that will educate people. I do run an edtech company that educates thousands of people.

We have a fintech company that I’ve built which helps in processing collateral-free loans to students in India and more than 35 lakh students benefit from it. So, if you want to create a social impact, you want to create something like that, you do it through your work as a member of society. You want to create or tell a story that you think may have a positive impact on people, inspire people that’s also great. You create a story like 12th Fail, it inspires people, that’s great. But as an actor, when it comes to choosing the characters you play on screen you cannot put a moral jail around yourself, thinking I shouldn’t do this, I don’t want to be judged, you’re limiting yourself as a creative person and that’s wrong. If people did that from the beginning, then everybody would want to play Bhagwan Shree Ram and nobody would want to play Ravan.

What are your upcom i ng projects?

I’ve just finished shooting a very crazy murder mystery film tentatively titled Grey with Nithya Menon. Then I’m shooting something with Tiger (Shroff). He’s just the loveliest guy so I’m having a great time shooting with him. It’s an action movie.

And Masti 4 is starting soon with the boys back. And then at the end of the year, I’m shooting new film, a very exciting action film.

There’s an interesting anecdote while shooting the song ‘O Humdum Suniyo Re’ from Saathiya. I don’t know if I’ve shared this before but when that song was being shot, and I’m there rocking that bike and just grooving, the Hindi song was not recorded yet. So what’s actually playing in my walkman is Shaad Ali’s voice on a walkie-talkie connected from the walkman back to a walkie-talkie behind me where he’s instructing me, “bhai left left left…bhai right right right… bro thoda aage aa… thoda peeche ja…” We were shooting on Marine Drive without permission at that time, because we didn’t have the budgets to hire Marine Drive locales or shoot so we’re shooting candid, they are holding a camera on the back of a Maruti Omni and shooting that. And I’m riding back and forth, coming peeche, going aage and all I’m hearing is THAT and I’m behaving like I’m having such a great time, vibing to the song, head banging, my hair’s flying. But there was no song. I was simply vibing to Shaad’s instructions on the walkietalkie and trying to imagine what the rhythm and beat of the song would be. So back then to see it becoming such a huge hit with the whole vibe was amazing!

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Valentine’s Day! GRAB YOUR POPCORN, DIM THE LIGHTS, AND LET THE MAGIC OF LOVE UNFOLD WITH THESE TIMELESS CLASSICS. HERE’S OUR HANDPICKED LIST OF ROMANTIC MOVIES THAT ARE SURE TO MAKE YOUR HEART SKIP A BEAT:

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS Adapted from the John Green novel, this Valentine’s Day movie follows the touching journey of Hazel and Gus, two teenage cancer patients embracing life despite their diagnoses.

Get ready for a touching and heartfelt story that strikes right at the heart.

P.S. I LOVE YOU It’s a heartfelt romantic drama where Holly (Hilary Swank) discovers a series of letters left by her late husband,Gerry (Gerard Butler), guiding her through grief and encouraging new beginnings. Get ready for a touching journey of love, loss, and healing.

THE NOTEBOOK For a timeless and romantic Valentine’s Day, ‘The Notebook’ is a must-watch. With passion, drama, a whirlwind romance, and an enduring love story, this film promises to give you all the feels. An everlasting classic that can be enjoyed again and again.

THE PROPOSAL Margaret (Sandra Bullock) faces deportation to Canada and hatches a plan: a fake marriage to her assistant, Paxton (Ryan Reynolds), in exchange for a promotion. A hilarious and heartwarming tale of unexpected love and humorous twists.

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TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE Join Lara Jean Covey in this charming romantic comedy as her secret love letters are accidentally sent out, leading to unexpected twists and turns in her love life. A delightful and relatable story perfect for a cozy Valentine’s Day night.

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DILWALE DULHANIA LE JAYENGE It’s a classic Bollywood love story where Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol’s characters go on an adventure filled with love, family, and cultural twists. It’s a heartwarming tale that shows true love can conquer anything.

JAB WE MET A feel-good Bollywood romance featuring Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor. The film takes you on a journey filled with laughter, quirky characters, and unexpected love, making it a delightful and heartwarming watch.

BARFI !

‘Barfi!’ is a love story of a man and an autistic woman. The story had many emotional moments and showed how love can overlook, what the world calls as abnormalities. Jhilmil (Priyanka Chopra) and Barfi (Ranbir Kapoor) play the unlikely couple in the film. movie gave a new meaning to love.

AASHIQUI 2 If you are a fan of intense, deep, emotional riveting love stories then this movie is must watch for you.

‘Aashiqui 2’ is a 2013 Indian musical romantic drama film directed by Mohit Suri. The soundtrack from this movie became the love anthem of the year and they are still so fresh!

1942: A LOVE STORY A Bollywood gem from 1994 that unfolds a beautiful romance against the backdrop of pre-independence India. With Anil Kapoor and Manisha Koirala in the lead, it’s a musical love story that captures the essence of freedom and timeless love.

ISHQ REHNAA HAI TERRE DIL MEIN If you are in love, you are bound to fall head over heels in love with the couple. Maddy and Reena’s sweet, innocent love story RHTDM is just the perfect visual treat to watch this Valentine’s Day.

It’s a Bollywood classic that weaves together love and laughter with Aamir Khan, Ajay Devgn, Kajol, and Juhi Chawla. Filled with comedic chaos and unexpected romance, a journey through the ups and downs of love and friendship.

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DUBAI

DUBAI WATCH LIST

WATCH LIST CHECK OUT SOME OF THE MOST-AWAITED MOVIES AND OTT SERIES TO HIT THE SCREENS THIS FEBRUARY

TERI BAATON MEIN AISA ULJHA JIYA Director: Amit Joshi and Aradhana Sah Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon

What happens when a man falls for a humanoid android robot! Aryan finds out that the girl SIFRA he has actually been dating and has even introduced to his family as his ‘America returned girlfriend’ is actually a robot. This sci-fi rom-com makes for that perfect date movie!

THREE Director: Nayla Al Khaja Cast: Jefferson Hall, Faten Ahmed, Noura Alabed, Saud Alzarooni

A mother faces her worst nightmare when her teenaged son seems to be possessed by dark entities in this upcoming horror film. From medicine to religion, she is willing to knock on all doors to cure her son, but will she succeed! Check out acclaimed Emirati filmmaker Nayla’s first directorial feature and get ready to be thrilled. This one’s a treat for horror buffs.

BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE Director: Reinaldo Marcus Green Cast: Kingsley Ben-Adir, Lashana Lynch, James Norton

The biographical musical drama follows the life of acclaimed reggae singer and songwriter Bob Marley – right from his rise to fame to his death in 1981.

MADAME WEB Director: SJ Clarkson Cast: Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Celeste o’Connor, Isabela Merced, Tahar Rahim

The superhero film based on Marvel Comics is said to be the fourth in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. The film shows the titular character’s origin-story and has Cassie Webb played by Dakota save three young women while confronting her own demons from the past.

THE COLOUR PURPLE Director: Blitz Bazawule Cast: Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Gabriella Wilson, Halle Bailey, Louis Gossett Jr., Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, Ciara, Jon Batiste, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor The coming-of-age musical period drama is based on the novel of the same name and follows the story of Celie, an African-American woman during the early 1900s.

BHAKSHAK Director: Pulkit Cast: Bhumi Pednekar, Sanjay Mishra, Sai Tamhankar, Aditya Srivastava

Bhumi plays Vaishali Singh, an investigative journalist in this crime thriller that will release on Netflix. Produced by Red Chillies the movie is said to be inspired by true events exposing the reality of heinous crimes against women.

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