Filmfare-ME-January-2024

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MIDDLE EAST JANUARY 2024

FOREVER

HERO NO. 1 Govinda NEW BEGINNINGS NEW YOU

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HAPPINESS IS YOUR COLOR

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Ahoy 2024!

W

e have entered 2024 with a spring in our step as the New Year has begun on a promising note. Interestingly however, this time around we saw a massive dip in those ‘reset-your-life enthusiasts’ talk about making their New Year resolutions. Maybe it’s got to do with appreciating the present with gratitude rather than planning for the future. After all, the past years have shown how unpredictable life truly can be! So maybe that is the biggest takeaway and learning from 2023 – to move ahead with gratitude while holding close the ones you love. And of course, the pursuit for excellence and the passion and drive to achieve your dreams continues… Never giving up on that, right!

For us, December was a witness to celebrating and honoring women who did just that as we successfully pulled off our 2nd edition of Flormar Presents Most Influential Women 2023. With the versatile power-performer Chitrangda Singh in the house, the evening saw some of the most prolific women achievers across varied walks of life being felicitated along with an inspiring panel discussion led by Dr Sana Sajan. Congratulations to all the winners! Pulling off an event of this huge a magnitude is no mean task, but my small yet super-efficient team makes sure it’s nothing short of the best! A huge shout-out to Mayur Panchal who spearheaded the meticulous planning and flawless execution of the event, Amit Panchal, who makes sure that every single creative would capture the essence of the prestigious evening and when required doubles up managing our AV console. Shruti Nigam, efficiently kept the tempo going with her creative posts, and Yunus Naik making sure that all groundwork was thoroughly covered. Our go-to man for all reasons and seasons Javeed Ebrahim. Also the most efficient and brilliant team of photographers and videographers - Yasir Arafat, Jafar Vettiyil, and Dawood Shaikh. Our biggest support Mr Madhusudhan Rao, CEO - Danube Group. But the biggest thanks goes to the man without whose vision and support none of this would’ve been possible – Founder and Chairman of Danube Group, Mr Rizwan Sajan.

Interestingly, Mr Rizwan who shares his birth date with Bollywood super star Salman Khan celebrated his 60th birthday and it’s hardly surprising to see that the countless parties hosted were the talk of the town. From the legendary star Shatrughan Sinha to the gorgeous Raveena Tandon, Mouni Roy, and so many more B-Town stars, the evening was full of glitz, glam and entertainment. Well, turn the pages to check out the highlights of two of these biggest events that rocked Dubai in December.

Also rocking Dubai is our January Cover Star – the Hero No. 1 Govinda! I met the actor in Dubai and while his iconic dance numbers still rule the charts, it’s easy to see why he continues to rule hearts! Humour comes naturally to him, often belying the true depth and awareness of his spiritual and philosophical connect. “I am not very educated, but life has taught me all the lessons,” he says flashing his famed Govinda smile! A self-confessed mamma’s boy, his love and reverence for his late mother surmounts all else as he credits all his achievements and success to her.

Read all about it in our Cover Story in the pages ahead.

Furthermore we also have interviews with South Superstar Naga Chaitanya, and the powerhouse performer Pankaj Tripathi, amongst others. In fashion we check out the hautest trends that’ll rule the year and in cinema watch out for the most-awaited movies and series of 2024! So, enjoy the pages and wish you all a very happy and a blessed New Year ahead!

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 70 |January 1, 2024

highlight

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ALIA BHATT, MANOJ BAJPAYEE, KONKONA SEN SHARMA… CHECK OUT ALL THE STARS AND CATCH ALL THE ACTION OF THE FILMFARE OTT AWARDS 2023

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events CHECK OUT ALL THE RAZZMATAZZ OF ONE OF THE MOST HAPPENING PARTIES OF THE CITY AS RIZWAN SAJAN CELEBRATES HIS BIRTHDAY

PHOTOGRAPHER : ROHAN PINGLE

14 COVER STORY BOLLYWOOD SUPERSTAR GOVINDA IN CONVERSATION WITH AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE GETS CANDID ABOUT CONTINUING TO RULE HEARTS FOR CLOSE TO 4 DECADES AND DISCUSSES THE CHANGING POWER DYNAMICS OF STARS AND STARDOM IN THE INDUSTRY

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WITH BACK TO BACK POWERPERFORMANCES SANJANA SANGHI IS ON A ROLL

MONICA WESTWOOD IN CONVERSATION WITH AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE ON LEADING THE UAEBASED 56 ALL-WOMEN MEMBER FIRDAUS ORCHESTRA

fashion

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THE MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 2023 WAS ONE POWER-PACKED EVENING. TAKE A LOOK AT ALL THE WINNERS

interviews PANKAJ TRIPATHI GETS CANDID

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NAGA CHAITANYA TALKS TO AAKANKSHA NAVALSHETYE ABOUT TAKING A LEAP OF FAITH WITH HIS OTT DEBUT DHOOTHA

GET THE LOWDOWN ON THE MOST HAPPENING TRENDS OF 2024

most-awaited

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WAMIQA GABBI IN THE SPOTLIGHT

HERE’S OUR PICK OF SOME OF THE MOSTAWAITED MOVIES AND SERIES THIS YEAR

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HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights

FILMFARE OTT AWARDS 2023

HONOURING THE BEST OF TALENT ON THE OTT WAS THE FILMFARE OTT AWARDS HELD IN MUMBAI. CHECK OUT ALL THE RAZZMATAZZ OF THE EVENING THAT CELEBRATED EXCELLENCE

Manoj Bajpayee shares an emotional moment with Alia Bhatt

Konkona Sen Sharma, Tillotama Shome and Amruta Subhash pose with their trophies

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Jackie Shroff looks dashing

Bhagyashree seen in the company of her daughter Avantika Dasani

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Ramesh Taurani and Manushi Chhillar honour Vijay Varma

Vikramaditya Motwane

Manav Kaul and Hansal Mehta

Pratik Gandhi and Sini Shetty, Femina Miss India World 2022 present the award

Harman Baweja, Manoj Bajpayee, Apporv Singh Karki, Vinod Bhanushali and Suparn Verma pose together

Shruti Haasan and Akshara Haasan

Sonam Kapoor presents the trophy to Rajkummar Rao

Nimrat Kaur

Mr. Rohit Gopakumar, Director, Times Entertainment Division (WWM, Ent TV & Digital Network), Mr. Tarun Garg (Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India Limited) and Mr. Jitesh Pillaai, Editor, Filmfare, light the auspicious lamp

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HIGHLIGHTS

expert advice

Rasika Dugal (L-R) Hansal Mehta, Tillotama Shome, Pratik Gandhi, Aakanksha Naval-Shetye, Amruta Subhash and Konkona Sen Sharma

DR. SANA SAJAN Director of American Aesthetic Medical Center

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THE AMERICAN AESTHETIC CLINIC ENSURES THE BEST HAIR TRANSPLANT TREATMENT IN THE REGION – FUE. HERE’S WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT? There are problems that would be perceived unsolvable, keeping people longing for solutions that were thought to not exist ever. Hair loss was also considered unavoidable up to the time when there was a breakthrough and people started going back from hair transplant centers with the surety that this loss can be reversed. Here are some facts about one of best techniques of hair transplant i.e.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE).

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WHAT DOES METHOD OF FUE (FOLLICULAR UNIT EXTRACTION) INVOLVE? It is micro-surgical hair transplantation in which follicular units of hair (one unit consisting of hairs between one and four) are harvested from donor area such as back and sides of the head, nape of the neck or behind the ears which is followed by implantation of hair into the balding recipient area.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO HEAL? Since, no staples, stitches or bandaging is required for this surgery; the recovery time is really less. It is expected to heal within one week as hair starts to grow back by the second week after the surgery.

Although, shedding of scabs might continue for up to eight weeks in this area.

WHEN IS THE GROWTH ANTICIPATED TO BE SEEN IN THE RECIPIENT AREA? New hair starts to grow at approximately four months and the process of growth may stretch to 18 months by which the new hair growth must be mature, healthy, thick and begin blending in with surrounding hair.

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DOVES AND GLOW FINAL .pdf

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COVER STORY

I just feel that whatever I did, I did it with all my heart, my love, my honesty and sincerity and with an intention to entertain my audience, rather than achieve some kind of greatness.

COVER PHOTO CREDITS - PHOTOGRAPHER - ROHAN PINGLE | VIDEO INTERVIEW SHOT BY - KHURAM NASEEM; CLOUD9 EVENTS

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FOREVER

HERO NO. 1 Govinda

FROM REIGNING AT THE BOX OFFICE TO RULING HEARTS, BOLLYWOOD SUPERSTAR GOVINDA SPILLS HIS HEART OUT IN A CANDID CHAT WITH AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE AND ALSO TALKS ABOUT THE CHANGING POWER DYNAMICS OF STARS AND STARDOM

H

e came, he danced and he conquered – both the Box Office and the hearts alike! And since his impressive debut back in 1986 with Ilzam, Govinda continues ruling hearts even today. Close to completing 4 decades in the Indian Film industry, the 90s’ superstar has aced all genres – be it action or drama, his iconic dance numbers and perfectly landing punchlines and impeccable comic-timing have all made him the Hero No. 1. There’s never a dull moment around the star as I catch up with him in Dubai for our exclusive interview and Cover Story.

He greets me with a warm hug and his trademark smile as we settle for our chat. “Jab dil saaf hota hai, toh woh doosron ke dil ko aaram se chhoo leta hai, you don’t need to make efforts or plans to win the hearts of your audience,” he says as I ask him the secret of his longievity and relevance across generations, as he’s being hounded by fans of all ages, at the airport and the hotel lobby upon arrival. He is accompanied by his son Yash, a dapper looking handsome young man and a thorough gentleman, on the anvil of stardom himself as he readies to make his debut soon. As he excuses himself from the room for us to carry on our interview, I compliment the actor on his son’s cultured upbringing, and promising future, and Govinda beams with pride, “Yes, we are blessed, both the children are good kids, respectful, humble and hardworking, aur kya chahiye kisi bhi parents ko!” Talk about his dialogues ruling the meme game and he responds with his iconic ‘Itni Khushi’ in true Govinda style. The star’s journey has not been bereft of the proverbial highs and lows of stardom, but his good steed has seen him sail through the toughest of times with grace and strength. We talked to the actor about all this as well as his his learnings, friendships, and stardom. Excerpts from our candid conversation.

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COVER STORY

Who is the real Govinda?

I’m a mumma’s good boy. And I’ll always be a mumma’s boy till the end of my life.

Whatever you become in life, if you remain loyal to your parents, you will see that the real hero is within.

There are so many heroes on screen, but I feel that the actual heroes are the ones who take care of their parents. Serving your parents is a very divine feeling and I’m lucky I’ve got a chance to do that. Whatever they had hoped for me to achieve or do, I feel blessed that I could do that. Whether it’s related to my own family or friends or work, I was lucky that I got a chance to fulfil their dreams. And I do believe that Allah allows you to do good things in different ways.

So, what have the tags like Hero No. 1 meant for you?

Like I said, the success that most people see is from an outsider perspective. But I feel that some are blessed with it much earlier even before people realise it. When I was about 14 years of age, I sort of had a sense and awareness of what is to come. It would even scare my family sometimes. But I was blessed by many holy men and I used to wonder why do such blessed people come and meet me. I remember back then my mother asked me to take care of my family like a mother would.

I didn’t understand

the significance of her words back then, because I was just a teenager. But she told me to always keep the family together, to take care of them and that’s what I have been doing. So, I did not know that I would ever get these tags of a Hero No. 1 or that I would ever become a top star, but for me all that mattered was that I am being able to take care of my family. I had 40 members living with us and I’m lucky that I could be there for them. So like I said, if you are able to fulfil your parents wish, you are successful and an achiever. Like Rizwan Sajan, I think he’s a hero too! Look at him, his personality, he’s no less than a hero and he too keeps his family close.

You have seen the peak of super stardom. How are the stars and stardom of today different from back then?

I feel that back then it was just an inborn quality, a noor that shone through your work organically. Like look at Dharmendra saab! Today I feel it’s more about proving yourself, everyone seems to be in competition to outdo each other.

There are trolls, so much negativity gets created. This was not there back then. The connection we had with our audience was pure, natural and direct from the heart. Pehle picture dekhne ke liye dande khate the log,

now everything is available in your hand. So, the audience have it so much easier, and for the actors the technicalities have increased so much.

The presentation, the marketing have overtaken the natural personality and the identity of the real star.

So instead of that facet of your internal personality shining through, there are other factors that

I’m a mumma’s good boy. And I’ll always be a mumma’s boy till the end of my life.

Whatever you become in life, if you remain loyal to your parents, you will see that the real hero is within.

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overpower the inborn star quality.

So more than the art, craft and that natural charm of a personality, today its more about the marketing game for actors?

With the increase in competition that is understandable too. So everyone has a right to use it and make the most of it. But I feel that over the years, that natural attraction of a hero has been replaced by technical aspects and everyone ends up being the same. There’s nothing unique or distinct anymore about a hero. Everyone’s doing it the same way because it’s the same technology, same VFX, that is available to everyone.

It feels like they have to try to prove their viability as products, rather than attract with their charm as stars.

Pehle picture dekhne ke liye dande khate the log, now everything is available in your hand. So, the audience have it so much easier, and for the actors the technicalities have increased so much.

The presentation, the marketing have overtaken the natural personality and the identity of the real star

So they are more in a race to prove themselves…

Today they are going through a very different time from which we did. Today it’s all just about being compared with the money factor.

His film did 300 crore, his did 150 crore…

It has somewhere overpowered your own lustre as a star! Even we had silver jubilees and golden jubilees, but that was purely the footfalls in a theatre, knowing that people are thronging theatres to see you.

Your stardom has been

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beyond hits and flops Not just me, so many artistes… The greatest Indian star Dilip Kumar Saab, Dharam Ji, Shah Rukh, Amitabh Bacchhan Ji, all of them…

What’s the secret of you being so relevant across generations?

Like our parents enjoyed your films as much as we did and now our children too… So many of your dialogues are hit meme content!

I think that it’s all just a direct connect that we have with our audience.

It wasn’t done with the intention that oh, 20 years later this dialogue

will still be famous or that expression will be a part of pop culture.

I just feel that I did it with all my heart, my love, my honesty and sincerity and with an intention to entertain my audience, rather than achieve some kind of greatness. I think it was kind of the audience that they accepted me with so much warmth and love, they did not care how educated or uneducated I was, they just loved me and blessed me with their hearts. That mattered to me more than the collections.

Collections were only important because they gave you another chance through a film to come and do the same for your audience again. To make them laugh, cry, feel and win their hearts. It’s the simplicity, more than planned branding or marketing that worked (laughs). They were forgiving and accepting too, especially female audience.

What is the naughtiest thing you’ve done and gotten away with because of this quality…

I know people are caught red-handed, but what can I say, I’m fully colourful anyway (laughs). And what else will you expect from someone who’s a fan of Dharamji since childhood (laughs).

Jokes apart, to be honest main bahut hi zyada

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COVER STORY

puja-prarthana wala, main usmein tha. So, I’ve actually been pushed to work on my romantic side. Mujhe to taiyaar kiya gaya tha zid karke ki, you have to make a romantic boy, he has to work as a hero! I don’t think they had thought at that time ki ye itna zyada aage nikal jayega (laughs).

Upar wale ne hi kiya hai ye sab. Mujhme kaha tha itna, vo sab jo aap keh rahi hain, vo mujhme daala gaya hai.

Not just your chemistry with female co-stars, your chemistry with the male actors has been an equally big hit…

Let me tell you a secret that I have never shared before. The key is that whether they’re my scenes with Akshay (Kumar) or Anil (Kapoor) or Salman (Khan) or Amitabh (Bachchan) ji, I am never the same with all. There’s a different version of Govinda with each of them. So the actor has to be bigger than the hero. You cannot say there are two heroes in the scene, they look like their characters there.

As natural as two family members. I become the character. And it’s a technique I learnt from my mother. She would tell me that I am not street-smart in worldly ways, but my biggest draw is that I have a clear heart. So be natural, just stay true to who you are and that’s all I did. So that’s something that’s been with me.

If I am natural, my reactions, my actions, will automatically connect with the audience. I’m not perfect, but it’s ok. Nature is never perfect too. You can never be perfect. So don’t force perfection, be honest and natural.

Your son Yashvardhan is readying for his debut, what’s your advice for him?

These kids are more aware and well-versed

than we were. For me the struggle was to make ends meet, so we couldn’t think of anything beyond working to get paid. But today these kids are more sensible, more trained and better equipped for the profession. So, advice would be the same. ‘Jo karo dil se karo, man saaf rakh ke karo.’ Technically there’s always scope to keep bettering. But I feel that as an artist there’s a natural sensitivity and sensibility that he has.

He has the qualities of both his parents – me and Sunita – so I know he’s a good kid. In fact I will be happier if he was a bit mischievous. He’s very grounded and simple.

Back then you would shoot for 3 to 4 backto-back shifts… How did you de-stress?

Kaam vahi sahi hai jisme aadmi thakta nahi hai.

So, I enjoyed that!

You have seen the highs and lows through your journey, how do you look back? Anything you wish you could change about it?

You should always respect where you come from and your experiences because they made you who you are.

No matter how good, bad or ugly an experience…

I value it all. So I don’t look back. And if I do look back, I want to only look at the good things!

What has success come to mean to you?

I think at the heart of it, success is all about finding your peace and staying close to your roots! Seeing so many smiles around you as people shower their love and blessings, knowing that you made hearts happy. Knowing that you made your parents dreams for you come true. That you are in a happy, peaceful space, being able to take care of your family, all this is success.

Quick

TAKE

One word that describes you the best?

Govinda!

Which of your songs are your absolute favourites?

All my songs that will stay with the people!

Which of your films would you like to see a sequel of?

Haseena Maan Jayegi.

Your favourite co-star?

All are good, but on a personal level… Salman!

But shuru se jo mujhe hamesha hero lagta hai, vo hai Shah Rukh Khan. He’s a good guy. Akshay sincere hai. Sanjay Dutt is very emotional like me. Amitabh Bachchan ji, I loved working with him. Vo laga ki kaam kiya hai… I could learn something from him. He’s a little beyond the filmi world. Ye sab film world se beyond hain.

Any of your films you’d like to see being remade?

Any film that’s not done just for the heck of it.

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I’ve actually been pushed to work on my romantic side. Mujhe to taiyaar kiya gaya tha zid karke ki, you have to make a romantic boy, he has to work as a hero! I don’t think they had thought at that time ki ye itna zyada aage nikal jayega (laughs)

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INTERVIEW

OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE Pankaj Tripathi loves counting the waves. He invites Suman Sharma for a chat by the sea

A

fter following up with Pankaj Tripathi for almost a year, I finally got to meet him in his house on Madh Island, which is far away from the hustle and bustle of muggy Mumbai and reminiscent of a beautiful village. You can enjoy the scenic view of the ocean from his living room and balcony. Pankaj can’t stop raving about the beauty of the sea. “If you look at the ocean from here, you can see how calm and peaceful it appears.

At night, around 500–600 boats pass by, all of which

have colourful bulbs. It then appears as though a village has been built over the water.

You get a good reflection of the moonlight in here.”

He can afford to live in peace and tranquility today.

However, his priorities were different when he first came to Mumbai. Then, he too wanted to live in a place that was near malls, multiplexes, and restaurants. He couldn’t afford such a place then, as he simply didn’t have that kind of money. Now, when he does have the money, he has chosen to follow his heart and go back to a kind of village life, replacing the ghats of the Ganges with

beaches in the Arabian Sea. He looks back on his salad days with affection.

When he came to Mumbai in 2004, after passing out of the National School of Drama (NSD), he knew nobody and nobody knew him. He had to literally start from scratch. “There was a time when the watchmen used to turn me away, saying submit your photo and leave; you’ll be called if they like your photo. Now, the same people offer me salutes, the CEOs of the same companies are eager to meet me. People take time out of their schedules to seek me out. Time,

indeed, has changed,” he chuckles. He used to be an angry individual then and says he has learnt how to control his angst, crediting yoga and breathing exercises for his calm demeanour.

“Forgiveness is the key to your peace of mind. I’ve learnt to forgive and forget.

I meditate for at least an hour each day, gathering my thoughts and letting positivity flow over me. I try to remain as simple as possible, not letting success affect me. I plan to stay grounded, always, whatever the circumstances may be.”

The actor maintains that the power of imagination

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INTERVIEW

helped him survive many heartaches and boosted his focus and positivity.

It lifted his eyes from the mundanity of life and showed him a better future, where he would be counted as a dependable actor. “I always used to turn my mind’s eye 10 years into the future. I knew that I just needed one solid role to make my mark as an actor and hence I always remained happy and never let frustration get to me.”

He says he has reached a stage where he wants his films to inspire people.

Success for him means eight hours of contented sleep, secure in the knowledge that whatever he does during the day will make a home in people’s hearts. He’s not media shy but has chosen to remain reticent, letting his work speak for him rather than social media posts. “I live in one of the most picturesque portions of Mumbai. I can click pictures of sunrise and sunset each day and post them, but I don’t do that.

Likewise, you won’t find me sharing my state of mind or my success on social media. My work takes place in front of the camera. After that, I put on a mask and quietly slip away.”

H

e was a cook in Patna and still loves to cook, revealing that he loves to make litti chokha, bitter gourd, bottle gourd and okra. In fact, Manoj Bajpayee, whom he considers his guru, is fond of his cooking and often drops by to sample authentic Bihari cooking.

He loves their impromptu meetings. “I love music.

We have lots of musical instruments like the tabla, harmonium, guitar, violin, synthesiser, etc. at home.

We often have musical mehfils in our garden, whenever my actor or musician friends drop by,” he adds. He shares a mutual admiration society with Manoj, praising

Mimi

Mirzapur

THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THE WATCHMEN USED TO TURN ME AWAY, SAYING SUBMIT YOUR PHOTO AND LEAVE; YOU’D BE CALLED IF THEY LIKED YOUR PHOTO. NOW, THE SAME PEOPLE OFFER ME SALUTES, AND THE CEOS OF THE SAME COMPANIES ARE EAGER TO MEET ME

him to the sky for being a consummate actor. He reveals that he came to Mumbai inspired by Manoj Bajpayee. Pankaj knows of Manoj’s struggles in Mumbai and says that he has always taken heart from his senior’s never-saydie spirit. “Manoj bhaiyya knows how to capture the spirit of the character he essays. He goes into the minute details and becomes the person he’s playing. His film choices, too, are admirable. He makes sure to sign at least two films that are made by independent filmmakers.

He has asked me to do that as well, but somehow I’ve been loath to let go of commercial cinema.” He does want to move away

from the cinema that’s being offered to him to the cinema that he wants to do. He adds that one of his forthcoming films, Kadak Singh, has that quality. He reveals that he had tonnes of fun doing it, as it was as close to his heart as he wanted, and he promises that the viewers too will have fun watching it. He doesn’t want to reveal anything further, as it would kill the suspense. He’s also hopeful of Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s biopic finding an audience.

In order to play the popular leader, he read books about the late politician and came away impressed. “Atal ji had a vision for the betterment of our country. He saw things in a unique way and was a good poet as well. Reading his writings has reduced

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FORGIVENESS IS THE KEY TO YOUR PEACE OF MIND. I’VE LEARNT TO FORGIVE AND FORGET. I MEDITATE FOR AT LEAST AN HOUR EACH DAY, GATHERING MY THOUGHTS AND LETTING POSITIVITY FLOW OVER ME

my negativity and made me a better person. I find myself full of positive energy these days.”

Another actor whom Pankaj holds in high regard is the late Irrfan Khan. Sanjay Mishra is another friend and colleague whom he admires a lot. All of them, Pankaj included, manage to make acting look effortless, but the actor claims it isn’t so. He insists that acting is a craft that is honed through constant practice. And an aspiring actor should learn the basics before trying his hand at it. Despite being a NSD graduate, he himself hasn’t stopped learning. “According to the Natya Shastra, there are broadly four schools of acting: Angik (where the body is used to convey emotions), Aaharya (where costume and lighting are used), Vaachik (where language

is used), and Saatvik (where the inner emotions come into play). I recently experimented with the Saatvik way for an advertisement and found it most fulfilling,” he asserts. The actor believes that an actor has to be prepared for anything and not let life get to him. He points out that acting, in fact, gives one a chance to escape the realities of life. “Suppose you’re grieving over someone’s loss and are asked to perform a comedy scene. Now, in the process of doing so, you’ll forget your grief and achieve better equilibrium.”

He claims that acting can be the medium of both entertainment and education.

Perhaps he’s hinting at OMG! 2, which fought for better sex education in our schools. The film aimed at teenagers as their target audience, but ironically, it

was given an ‘A’ certificate by our censors. He can’t fathom why, even in today’s day and age, sex is still considered taboo in our society. “Akshay Kumar told me that the film would be incomplete without me, as he doesn’t have any other actor in mind except me. When I read the script, I felt it was special, as it was saying all the right things. It’s weird that in a country that worships Kaamdev and has a temple of Kaamdev, the topics of sex and desire have become taboo.” Mimi, for which he won a National Award, talked about surrogacy and the rights of surrogate mothers. He confesses that he almost didn’t do Mimi because of his ill health. He had suffered an accident and his upper back had gotten injured because of that. “Both producer Dinesh Vijan and director Laxman Utekar are close to me and hence I was finding it difficult to say no to them. I did Mimi at my wife’s insistence.

Perhaps, being a woman, she was able to connect

better with the intricacies of the story. I’m glad I did the film, as it was wellloved by all. Even hardcore action directors had tears in their eyes after watching it.”

H

e was quite close to his father, Pandit Banaras Tripathy, who passed away in August this year.

The actor asserts that he learnt a lot from his father, who wasn’t a film buff and only came to know of his son’s achievements by reading about them in newspapers. “Babuji was always very punctual.

And I’ve imbibed that.

He always maintained that change is possible through education, and it was education that gave me exposure, which led me towards drama and cinema. Books have contributed a lot to my life. I’ve been thinking of building a library in his name. I’ve adopted the primary school where I first studied and recently redeveloped the infrastructure.” n

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EVENTS

BIG BOSS of

on i at r b e l e C

Mr. Rizwan Sajan - Founder and Chairman of Danube Group

Mr. Rizwan Sajan celebrating with family

A SPECTACULARLY EXTRAVAGANT EVENING, MR RIZWAN SAJAN’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION WAS EASILY ONE OF THE MOST TALKED ABOUT HAPPENINGS IN THE DUBAI SOCIAL CIRCUIT. THE FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN OF DANUBE GROUP CELEBRATED HIS 60TH AMIDST FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND THE BASH WAS ATTENDED BY SOME OF THE BIGGEST NAMES IN THE ENTERTAINMENT WORLD. HERE’S TAKING A LOOK AT THE UNFORGETTABLE EVENING Mr. Adel Sajan shows off his dance moves 24 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST January 2024

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Mr. Rizwan Sajan and Mrs. Sameera Sajan

Dr. Sana Sajan, Mr. Adel Sajan and Mrs. Sameera Sajan

Dr Sana Sajan and Mr. Adel Sajan performing on stage

Mr Rizwan Sajan with Meet Brothers

Ms. Shabnam Kassam with Amit Jadhav PHOTOGRAPHER - YASIR ARAFAT, DAWOOD SHAIKH, KAMAL | VIDEOGRAPHER - JAFAR VETTIYIL

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Urvashi Rautela and Mr. Rizwan Sajan

Mr. Sahil Sajan, Mr. Anis Sajan - Vice Chairman Danube Group with Mrs. Rubina Sajan and Mr. Azhar Sajan

Mouni Roy, Suraj Nambiar, Mr. Adel Sajan, Dr. Sana Sajan with Aman Verma

Mr. Adel Sajan and Dr. Sana Sajan with Meet Brothers January 2024 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 25

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EVENTS

Aman Verma, Poonam Sinha, Pahlaj Nihalani, Madhur Bhandarkar, Mouni Roy, Mr. Rizwan Sajan, Ali Quli Mirza, Urvashi Rautela, Sonal Chauhan, Javaid Sheikh, Chunky Panday and Mrs. Sameera Sajan

Mr. Rizwan Sajan, Raveena Tandon and Anil Thadani

Mr Rizwan Sajan along with Shatrughan Sinha, Poonam Sinha, Pahlaj Nihalani and Rajan Lal

Mr. Adel Sajan, Suraj Nambiar, Mouni Roy and Sonal Chauhan

Mr. Rizwan Sajan with Urvashi Rautela

Mrs Sameera Sajan with Javaid Sheikh and guests

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Mrs. Rubina Sajan with Mr. Anis Sajan Mrs Sameera Sajan with Raveena Tandon

Amir Khan and Faryal Makhdoom

Mrs. Sameera Sajan, Ms.Shabnam Kassam and Mouni Roy

Ali Quli Mirza, Chunky Panday

Dr. Sana Sajan with Madhurima Nigam

Mr. Madhusudhan Rao - CEO Danube Group along with Mrs. Kavitha Rao and Dr. Akhil Tumpudi

Vivek Oberoi and his wife Priyanka

Mukti Mohan and Kunal Thakur with Mr Rizwan Sajan and Mrs Sameera Sajan

Movlogs with guests

Zahrah S Khan and Mr. Rizwan Sajan

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EVENTS

Mr Rizawan Sajan along with Mrs.Sameera Sajan and friends

Mr and Mrs Akhail Jain

Dr Sanjay and Dr Sangeeta Parashar

Mr and Mrs Murtuza Saleh

Suhail Ahmed and Zoha Beig

Mr and Mrs Irfan Mulla

Pradeep Sagar

Moin and Saleha

Pervez Mahmood

Mr and Mrs Shahbaz Elias

Mr and Mrs Zulfiqar Ali 28 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST January 2024

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Mr and Mrs Paras Shahdadpuri with Mr Vasu Shroff

Mr Rizwan Waheed and Wife

Sehba Khan and family

Girish S, Mr. Madhusudhan Rao, Mr. Vanketesh and wife

Parag and Sangeeta Kodimela family

Nilesh Bhatnagar

Dr & Mrs Jamil Ahmed

Mr Dhananjay Mulay with wife

Mr Javed Malik

Dr Rajesh Rai Pancholia

Daud Family January 2024 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 29

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EVENTS

Dr. Sana Sajan and Sikander Daredia

Lalu Samuel, Dhananjay Datar, Taher Ali, Anil Shahri, Dhiraj Saluja, Shailendra Rughwani, Neelesh Bhatnagar

Dhananjay and Vandana Datar

Riaz Daud and Taher Ali

Sonal Chauhan and Mr. Rizwan Sajan

Leena Parwani with a guest

Javaid Sheikh with Syed Husain

Javeed Ebrahim, Mr. Madhusudhan Rao, Sneha, Yasir Arafat

Shiv Walia and friend

Manohar Jhunjhunwala and family

Aakanksha Naval-Shetye, Arif Bhaldar, Amane Tuerdi and guests

Mr. Rizwan Sajan with Shubhojit Mahalanobis and his wife

Hussain Adam Ali

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Meet Brothers

Mr. Rizwan Sajan makes a grand entry

Ramesh Narang

Mahesh Tourani and friends

Meet Brothers performing

Rohit Verma

Dr Nitin Gulabani, Dr Kirti Mohan Marya

Suresh Nanda

Urvashi Rautela and Mr. Rizwan Sajan

Amit Jadhav performing January 2024 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 31

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INTERVIEW

Running

her own

RACE Sanjana Sanghi tells Suman Sharma the secret of drowning out white noise. The journalist notes down all the survival mantras Sanjana Sanghi was 14 when Rockstar (2011) fell in her lap. She balanced school assignments on one hand and the demands of working under the baton of Imtiaz Ali on the other. Working closely with Ranbir Kapoor at such a young age imbibed in her a love for acting which hasn’t gone away. All these years later, she’s still the wide-eyed girl who yearns to give her best on the sets. She has done films like Dil Bechara (2020), with Sushant Singh Rajput, whose memory she still cherishes and Rashtra Kavach Om, an actioner. Her last release was Dhak Dhak, a road movie featuring an all-women cast.

She loves every minute of it. After more than a decade in the industry, she has found some sort of stability. Her maxim is to always remain positive, come what may, and learn from both victory and defeat.

Excerpts from a heart-to-heart chat with the talented lass.

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HOW MUCH FUN DID YOU HAVE WHILE SHOOTING FOR DHAK DHAK?

All four of us – be it Ratna Pathak Shah, Dia Mirza, Fatima Sana Shaikh and me are different from each other. So working with and then hanging out with such vibrant women was fun. I got to learn so much from Ratna ma’am. Interacting with her, on the sets or even otherwise, sharing stories over tea, has been a rewarding experience, which I’ll cherish forever.

WHAT’S YOUR TAKEAWAY FROM WORKING ON A ROAD MOVIE?

If something scares you, go, jump and try it, because then only you will learn how to swim. And this film scared me. How will I ride a Royal Enfield bike, which weighs 250 kgs and I’m a mere 50 kgs, in the Himalayas? But all four of us did it. After that, it felt like you could achieve anything. That

when I did Rockstar as a child actor. I was a child from Delhi, I had no connections to the film industry. Imtiaz saw me in school. I was doing a kathak performance, and he was like, “That’s the girl I want,” and I was suddenly on the sets. And that was my first test. if you were presented with the opportunity, just go for it. I think challenges keep changing at different stages. It was different when I started my career with Dil Bechara. Now, after five films, the biggest challenge was to know where the auditions are happening. The next challenge was not to feel depressed when you’re rejected. You just give it your all the next time.

AND IT’S EVEN MORE DIFFICULT WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE A BASE IN MUMBAI.

Yes, when you don’t know people in this city and in

this industry, how do you make people aware of your talent?

I had done Rockstar and have done ads growing up. People still remember me and recall my work, so I used to get a lot of calls for auditions. But the call backs weren’t that much.

I used to call my dad and cry my heart out. And he’d say, “It’s not rejection, it’s you being brave and it’s you trying again.” So my only message to kids like me who are outsiders and want to make it big, is to become a better actor and try once more till you succeed.

Never give up.

NOW, DO YOU FEEL VALIDATED? Of course, now I feel validated because I know my fans love me. Still, people keep telling me I have rhino skin and thick skin. I have thin skin. I am still sensitive. I am still emotional. I think God has been kind over the last two to three years, and I am getting to do some incredible work.

PLEASE TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR INITIAL DAYS IN MUMBAI.

Dhak Dhak

nothing can stop you. And that is such a powerful feeling, especially in a world where everyone is trying to pull you down. There is always so much negative chatter. My biggest learning is that if you put your head down and focus on something, the negativity just fades away and you can then achieve anything.

YOU’RE SAYING YOU LEARNT TO OVERCOME YOUR FEARS?

The biggest fear that I had, which I overcame, was

MY ONLY MESSAGE TO KIDS LIKE ME WHO ARE OUTSIDERS AND WANT TO MAKE IT BIG, IS TO BECOME A BETTER ACTOR AND TRY ONCE MORE TILL YOU SUCCEED

This city is so expensive.

Maintaining daily expenses is quite tough. I remember when we used to go for auditions, a simple blowdrying hair job used to cost a minimum of 500 rupees and I couldn’t afford that kind of money every time.

And Mumbai weather is so unpredictable. You come out happy out of a salon all dolled up and then it starts to rain and everything gets ruined. Then, you have to carry around this huge tote bag which will have like 10 changes. You move from one toothpaste commercial audition to an audition for a shampoo and you learn to become a hustler and be presentable for all your assignments, come what may. Now that I’m financially secure, I can afford to laugh at those mad days. But this success hasn’t come easy, let me assure you of that.

WHAT WAS AN EYEOPENER FOR YOU WHEN YOU ENTERED THE INDUSTRY?

I used to think that if you work hard enough, you’ll succeed. What I understood from my initial days in Mumbai is that the way isn’t straight and narrow. You can give your all to a film but that doesn’t mean that the film will do well at the box office. It doesn’t mean that people will love the film, love your performance. What I’ve learnt is that you must keep knocking and the doors will surely open for you.

THEY SAY SURVIVAL IS TOUGHER FOR OUTSIDERS? You see athletes running on a track. If you’re in the inner circle, you’ll reach the end faster. Those who are running the outer circles will have a longer run. That’s how it is in the industry as well.

Everyone has to run the race, of course. But for some, the distance is shorter. The main thing is that you should never let the tiredness seep in. You just put one foot after the other and carry on, till you reach the end.

WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT YOU DON’T LIKE ABOUT THIS INDUSTRY

I love everything about the industry. But I also believe in having a life beyond films. It’s good for both your physical and mental health. The strange thing is that so few people talk about it. Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Anushka Sharma, two women whom I have idolised, and have grown up watching, have opened up about these factors now. We glorify workaholism.

Priyanka has said that when she was in her 20s, she didn’t eat or sleep properly. That does take a toll on you in the long run. What is the point of being booked 365 days a year if it’s affecting your health?

You have to invest in a life beyond films if you want to be a better artiste.

WHAT’S YOUR TAKE ON LOVE? Call me crazy but I’m a

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INTERVIEW

Dil Bechara

IF YOU PUT YOUR HEAD DOWN AND FOCUS ON SOMETHING, THE NEGATIVITY JUST FADES AWAY AND YOU CAN THEN ACHIEVE ANYTHING hopeless romantic who believes in love at first sight. Actually, I’d blame my parents for this. My parents fell in love when my mom was 14 and my dad was 18. So the only people whom they dated were each other and got married at a really at an early age. So my brother and I have grown up with this rose-tinted view of romance. That you find your true love, your soulmate the first time and then get to spend the rest of your lives with each other.

I’m 27 and I still haven’t found my soulmate. But I understand now that love isn’t just attraction but demands lots of sacrifice and commitment as well.

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH HEARTBREAKS?

Heartbreaks have phases.

There’s that phase where you feel life’s crumbling as the person you wanted a perfect life with is no longer around, then there comes the phase where you accept things as they are and try to move on.

Phase three occurs when you become indifferent to

it all, indifferent to the person who has caused you all this anguish. The ideal scenario is when you make sense of it all, understand why it happened and still love the person for what they are – but this doesn’t always happen.

WHAT QUALITIES ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN A MAN?

Believe it or not but everyone has a type. We fall for types. There’s a commonality amongst all the people we date.

I should feel safe with the person I’m with. If I don’t feel safe, then there would be no second date, however successful or good looking you might be.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR RELATIONSHIP ADVICE TO GIRLS?

I was in a committed relationship for seven years so my advice is that if you’re in love with someone, don’t give up.

WHICH ACTORS FROM THE INDUSTRY WOULD YOU LIKE TO DATE? Hrithik Roshan is my dream boyfriend. In Hollywood, I don’t care how old Bradley Cooper is; I would love to date him.

NAME THE ACTORS YOU WANT TO WORK WITH

I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THE INDUSTRY. BUT I ALSO BELIEVE IN HAVING A LIFE BEYOND FILMS. IT’S GOOD FOR BOTH YOUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH I worked with Ranbir Kapoor when I was just 14. Now that I’ve all grown up, I’d love to work with him again. I want to work with Ranveer Singh as well. I’m actually in awe of him, as I feel his energy and versatility are unique. And I really want to work with Ayushmann Khurrana. n

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INTERVIEW

E K A T RE R POW Naga Chaitanya

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SOUTH STAR NAGA CHAITANYA IN CONVERSATION WITH AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE ABOUT TAKING RISKS AS AN ACTOR AND THE SUCCESS OF HIS OTT DEBUT DHOOTHA

For South superstar Naga Chaitanya – known for his romantic image – playing an investigative journalist in the supernatural thriller Dhootha on Prime Video for his OTT debut was no less than a leap of faith.

But the actor who believes in being fearless and pushing boundaries when it comes to exploring new genres insists that it’s the only way forward for the actor in him. Refusing to settle in a comfort zone, the star of blockbuster films like Venky Mama, Majili, Love Story, Bangarraju, amongst others had previously gone pan India making his B-Town debut with Laal Singh Chadha and now with the OTT, the screens have just multiplied manifold. “It’s a new sort of portfolio of people who’ve been watching the series and really enjoying it and that’s what I’ve been actually training for as an actor because when something like this clicks on OTT, the entire world is your audience,” he says excitedly about his debut series Dhootha garnering critical acclaim across, as we catch up with the star for a candid chat. And talking all about it in an exclusive interview, the actor also spoke about his other upcoming projects, his interest in motorsports and also his father, the iconic actor Nagarjuna’s words of wisdom to him. Excerpts

Dhootha on Prime Video marked your debut on OTT and the series has been extremely well-received…

Yes, the feedback’s been amazing and so much positive response from all over. It’s a new sort of portfolio of people who’ve been watching the series and really enjoying it and that’s what I’ve been actually training for as an actor because when something like this clicks on OTT, the entire world is your audience. It’s just not restricted to the number of theatres that it was released in. So, everyone all over the world has been watching it and we’ve been getting great feedback, so, yes, I’m on top of the world!

What made you say a yes to this project, because horror has not been your usual pick of genres?

It was an instant yes after listening to Sagar’s character - a kind of grey character with so much of layering in it. I’ve never done that before. As an actor I constantly want to push myself, come out of my comfort zone and try something new and really excite the audience with something absolutely new and absolutely fresh and show them that I can be convincing in something like this as well. So, it was a very consciously wellthought process. When Vikram narrated the script, it was Sagar’s character that instantly excited me. And of course, just doing something in the supernatural thriller space was also a draw as it’s a genre I’ve never touched before. So, I wanted to see how I’ll do in this genre and Vikram is great with supernatural thrillers and horror kind of genres. So him presenting me in this texture, who else could do it better. So on the whole it was Sagar’s character and also the fact of it being

supernatural, something I have not done before that made me agree to do the series.

Your character is a husband, a father, a professional and you’ve absolutely nailed it too. But which passage did you find very interesting or challenging to bring out?

I think it was just the whole introspection of Sagar’s character that where he sort of questions his ethics, through the midpoint somewhere off the series, where he starts questioning his way of life. He starts to realize that what he is doing is not the right way of doing things, it’s not ethical.

Because initially he is this overconfident guy, he is so sure about what he is doing and then he goes down this trail… as reality starts to hit him, he goes down this trail of self-introspection which really excited me.

Because I think in life also that’s something that we all need to go through. At many points in life, we think that what we’re doing is absolutely right, until we are questioned and until there is a different perspective shown to us.

So, yeah, I think that was very engaging for me as an actor, just going through that whole process of Sagar.

A lot of times there are some traits that you bring from your own personality to the character that you’re playing and vice versa…

I think Sagar’s character for me is quite alien in my real life because playing a journalist was for the first time and going through this kind of a space, so much dark reality you know I don’t want to experience.

But yes, this was something very away from my reality.

And I think that’s what made it exciting. Usually when things are close to reality it’s easy to emote, it’s easy to sort of go within January 2024 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 37

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INTERVIEW

I think in life also, that’s (introspection) something that we all need to go through.

At many points in life, we think that what we’re doing is absolutely right, until we are questioned and until there is a different perspective shown to us.

me in a role like this?

Will I be convincing in it? Because they are not used to seeing me in this kind of a light before. So that little fear was there but I took up that fear as a challenge. I saw a lot of originality in this script, a lot of originality in Sagar’s character, and I decided to push myself and say, ‘hey let me try it out’. Let’s put all the fears aside. Let’s put all the past conditioning aside and just go with something totally new. Let me excite myself and let me excite the audience as an actor.

The expectations of the audience creates so much pressure, so do you think about that?

You know, these kinds of expectations from the audience… that is what constantly sort of pushes you. If there is no expectation, I don’t think you are doing something right. It’s only when you are doing something right do they expect something totally different, or something totally better from your previous work. And that’s what keeps me going, that’s what pushes me to try newer and newer stuff.

It’s when the audience expects and it’s also when your contemporaries are doing such amazing work.

Everyone’s on top of their game. It automatically pushes you to go beyond your boundaries, to really better your craft and to keep that journey going.

So yeah, I am really happy that they have the expectations, I am happy to hear it from you and I think that’s what keeps the career graph healthy as well.

and pick out instances that you can bring through the expression but with Sagar’s character it was hard to find a lot from within. It was more of working on the character, with the director, doing a lot of homework and designing it from scratch.

You have a romantic image, so wasn’t playing this character a risk of sorts?

No, I didn’t look at it as a risk. Of course, there was that question mark in my head that will the audience accept

You had already tapped Pan India audience with Laal Singh Chaddha and now the OTT has further erased language barriers for actors, filmmakers as well as audience?

Yeah, see we live in a time where the whole language barrier is blurred.

Everyone is watching content from all over the world and going forward the cross collaborations are just going to become the rule rather than the

exception. So, I think it’s very important for an actor to be relevant in all mediums possible and it’s a great time, it’s such an encouraging time for actors, filmmakers because our thinking process has broadened. The canvas we have is much larger.

So, it’s a great time to tell variety of stories and really to experiment with so many different types of characters. So yes, I am just happy that we have this kind of exposure right now.

Your father, Nagarjuna Sir has been a true pan India star… What’s the table talk like, what’s been his advice?

A lot of healthy conversations happen, but dad has always been encouraging to try out new things. Like you said he has been a pan India star from long back. I think his approach has always been purely from the artiste point of view to keep trying films and try roles.

He has never been scared to experiment, never been scared to take risks, and has always sort of set a trend from time to time.

So that approach of his has really inspired me in many ways. He has always taught me not to be afraid to make mistakes. He says, ‘it’s ok to make a mistake because only when you fall will you sort of get up and learn’. That’s when you pick yourself up and that’s when you come out stronger. That’s something that always rings in my head, those words that he has told me. And yes, the discussions at home are always healthy but we also sort of consciously just keep that work life balance in mind. It’s always good to disconnect from work and just recharge your mind, refresh, explore other hobbies, explore other passions that we are all passionate about and come back to work stronger.

Tell us more about your motorsports team...

Yes, this year I’m looking forward to collaborating.

It’s a league that is being started in India recently. I am exploring possibilities to collaborate and be a part

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So that little fear was there, when I took up Dhootha, but I took up that fear as a challenge. I saw a lot of originality in this script, a lot of originality in Sagar’s character, and I decided to push myself and say, ‘hey let me try it out’. Let’s put all the fears aside. Let’s put all the past conditioning aside and just go with something totally new. Let me excite myself and let me excite the audience as an actor of the Hyderabad Team. But more details on that later…

What about your upcoming projects? What’s next?

I’m shooting for this film called Thandel.

It’s directed by Chandramohan Reddy, produced by Geeta Arts and Sai Pallavi is playing the lead opposite me. It’s a very exciting project that I am looking forward to.

Again, it’s a character that I have not played before. So yes, fingers crossed on that.

QUICK 3 When you are not facing the camera what would we catch you doing?

I love travelling. And I love the water. So, I usually love travelling to any kind of coastal place. I love music. Techno, electronic music. So yes, I am always chasing some kind of music festivals. Love motorsport.

So, you know riding or driving. Road trips.

Anything to do with automobiles.

You are playing a journalist in Dhoota, but if you were one in real life and you had one personality to pick from past history, who would you want to interview?

Oh, as journalist! I think… because I am an automobile enthusiast there’s this automobile journalist called Chris Harris I really love and follow. So, he’s been a huge inspiration from my childhood. So, I think he’s someone I want to spend some time with.

Do you believe in the supernatural?

I believe that there is some kind of supernatural energy that makes this world go around. There is that element. To put a face to it or to put a figure to it, no I don’t think so. There is an energy. I believe there is an energy and that’s where my thought process stops.

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EVENTS

Celebrating UAE’s Most Inspiring and Empowering Women

Flormar Presents Most Influential Women 2023 saw some of the most prolific women achievers being felicitated for their achievements. Besides a panel discussion led by Dr Sana Sajan, the prestigious event also had the Bollywood stunner and powerhouse performer, our Cover Star Chitrangda Singh unveil the December issue of Filmfare Middle East along with Founder and Chairman of Danube Group Mr Rizwan Sajan.

Check out all the highlights of the evening right here

CHITRANGDA SINGH

KAMIYA JANI

DIKO KISSIMON

Bollywood Actor

Founder - Curly Tales Middle East & India

Head of projects - Nas Daily

Woman of Style and Substance

Digital Entrepreneur of the Year

Excellence in Storyteller

Felicitated by : Mr. Rizwan Sajan - Founder and Chairman, Danube Group

Felicitated by : Mr. Rizwan Sajan - Founder and Chairman, Danube Group

Felicitated by : Mr. Tej Lalvani - CEO, Vitabiotics

SHABNAM KASSAM

DHANU ABHYANKAR

ASMI AHMAD

Founder - Alish Apparel & Director - Danube Welfare Center

Director – Sales & Leasing - DMCC

Founder of Diaeta by Asmi

Excellence in CSR Activities

Outstanding Achievement in Real Estate

Youth Icon

Felicitated by : Shaikh Abdulla Rashed Ahmed Almualla -Founder and CEO,

Felicitated by : Dr. Sana Sajan - Director, American Aesthetics

Felicitated by : Mr. Mayur Panchal - Business Manager Events &

Medical Centre

Ms. Aakanksha Naval Shetye - Editor, Filmfare Middle East

40 FILMFARE MIDDLE January 2024 Coffee EAST Rare

PHOTOGRAPHER - DAWOOD SHAIKH, KHURAM NASEEM; CLOUD9 EVENTS | VIDEO - JAFAR VETTIYIL ,

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22/01/2024 10:40 AM

AVNEET KOHLI

RASHMI UDAY SINGH

Co-Founder of Encubay

Author & Founder of Hospitality Hope

Best Startup for Women Empowerment Felicitated by : Ms. Jai Lulla - AGM Marketing, Multiplex International (Flormar)

Outstanding Achievement in Gourmet Literature Felicitated by : Ms. Munira Rahman - Chief Marketing Officer & Director, Al Haramain Perfumes

SAIMA KHAN Co-Founder - Step Up Dubai (Social Club)

Outstanding Contribution to Humanitarian Causes Felicitated by : Ms. Aakanksha Naval Shetye - Editor, Filmfare Middle East

ZENOFAR FATHIMA

HASNAE TALEB

LOGINA SALAH

CEO - Zen Film Productions

Co-Founder of Innovative Trading Algorithms

Vitiligo Advocate, Egyptian Influencer & Model

Excellence in Film & Entertainment

Excellence in Finance

Empowering Beauty

Felicitated by : Ms. Manal Badawi - Fashion TV, Commentator and Expert

Felicitated by : Ms. Shemaliah Goulbourna - Maraketing, We Are Shift (Beauty Solutions)

Felicitated by : Dr. Tara Lalvani - Founder & CEO, Beautifect

SALAM DAQQAQ

YASMIN ALENAZI

Chef and Owner - Bait Maryam

Co-founder of Women in AI - UAE

Excellence in Culinary Art

Pioneer in Artificial Intelligence

Felicitated by : Ms. Aditi Khare - Manager – PR & Communications, Danube Group Felicitated by : Ms. Nidhi Bhardwaj - Head of Sales India and Middle East, Curly Tales

SARA HAMDAN Managing Editor - Protocol labs

Excellence in Media Felicitated by : Mr. Arif Bhaldar - GM PR, Danube Group & Mr. Kris Ankem Tech Entrepreneur and Al Maktoum Family Offices

SHARIHAN AL MASHARY

SHWETA ROY

First Emirati Female General Manager

Founder - SR Queens Media Pvt Ltd

Music Icon

Excellence in Hospitality

Felicitated by : Ms. Anna Gedman - CEO, Beauty Solutions

Felicitated by : Mr. Abdul Karim- National Sales Manager, The New Store - Braun

Pioneer in BeautyMIDDLE PageantEAST 41 January 2024 FILMFARE

MONICA WOODMAN Conductor - Firdaus Orchestra, Expo City

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Felicitated by : Ms. Arefa Sura - COO, Crystal Corp

22/01/2024 10:40 AM

EVENTS

MANAL MUFFIN

ZAAHIRAH ZABEEN MUTHY

DR. ABHILASHA SINGH

Makeup & Beauty Influencer

Founder - Zee Arts & Art Connects Women

Vice President for Academic Affairs - American University, Dubai

Makeup Maestro

Outstanding Achievement in Art & Culture

Outstanding Contribution to Education

Felicitated by : Ms. Jai Lulla - AGM Marketing, Ms. Renu Balmiki - Digital Marketing, Multiplex International (Flormar)

Felicitated by : Ms. Harjyot Oberoi - Head Marketing, Khaleej Times

Felicitated by : Ms. Parveen Sarang - Founder, Make It Glow

ZEENAT JAFFER

NOURA ALJASMI

DEANA UPPAL

UAE NOC Board Member - President - UAE Badminton Federation - Vice President of Badminton Asia

Founder - Kindness Diaries Trust, Entrepreneur, Filmmaker, and Philanthropist

Philanthropist of the Year

Trendsetter in Beauty and Makeup

Outstanding Achievement in Sports

Felicitated by : Mr. Rizwan Sajan - Founder and Chairman, Danube Group

Felicitated by : Mr. Ameet Kukreja - Director Distribution & Mr. Anil Kukreja - GM Retail, Flormar

Felicitated by : Ms. Munira Rahman - Chief Marketing Officer & Director, Al Haramain Perfumes

Dr. Sana Sajan , Lesha Mansukhani, Logina Salah, Sara Hamdan, Kamiya Jani

CEO - Z Haus, Celebrity Makeup Artist

Mr. Rizwan Sajan, Ms. Shabnam Kassam , Chitrangda Singh, Mrs. Sameera Sajan, Dr Sana Sajan

40 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST January 2024 Ms. Munira Rahman

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Team Curly Tales

19/01/2024 1:17 PM

Team Flormar

(L-R)Team Filmfare Middle East - Yunus Naik, Mayur Panchal, Shruti Nigam, Aakanksha Naval - Shetye, Amit Panchal with Mr. Rizwan Sajan and Chitrangda Singh January 2024 FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST 43

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22/01/2024 10:41 AM

EVENTS

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19/01/2024 1:18 PM

DUBAI SCOPE

DUBAI

THE WHAT, WHERE, WHO IN THE CITY

SCOPE

WHO: (LEFT) MR RIZWAN SAJAN, FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN OF DANUBE GROUP WITH MEHWISH HAYAT; (BELOW) WITH CHUNKY PANDAY; AND WITH AALIM HAKIM

WHAT:

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

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19/01/2024 1:12 PM

WHO: JUBIN NAUTIYAL

WHAT:

THE SINGER LEFT THE CROWDS MESMERIZED AS HE BELTED OUT SOME OF HIS MOST LOVED AND POPULAR CHARTBUSTER TRACKS IN DUBAI

WHO: NUCLEYA

WHAT:

THE KING OF EDM ENTHRALLED MUSIC LOVERS WITH THE SOUNDS AND IMPACTFUL VISUALS AT HIS PERFORMANCE

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INTERVIEW

TOP of her

WORLD WAMIQA GABBI is getting plaudits for everything she’s doing these days. She invites Suman Sharma to smell the roses

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Wamiqa Gabbi’s character in the hit series Jubilee is delightful to watch. She’s amoral, ambitious and has no qualms about sleeping her way to the top. But there’s a vulnerability to her as well which reaches out to you and make you root for her, no matter what. In Khufiya, she’s a bored housewife in the first half and an avenging angel in the next. In the detective series Charlie Chopra, she plays a bubbly detective who can detect like the best of them. She’s having the time of her life but knows that this won’t last for long. She’s enjoying every minute of it though, as can be seen from the sparkle in her eyes, the spring in her step. She feels she needs to lose weight, so in between sips of herbal tea, she answers our salvos…

YOUR ROLES IN JUBILEE, CHARLIE CHOPRA AND THE MYSTERY OF SOLANG VALLEY AND KHUFIYA, ARE GETTING TALKED ABOUT.

I am enjoying this phase a lot, but I also know that this is temporary. My parents are happy and I am so happy that I am making them proud. My parents have come to Mumbai.

When they were coming from the airport to my house, on the highway, they saw hoards of Charlie and Khufiya. It was such an amazing moment. I’ve also bought my first car, a Jeep Meridian. My father really likes SUVs. I knew that when he came here, he would love to drive it.

YOU HAVE DONE BACK-TO-BACK PROJECTS WITH VISHAL BHARDWAJ, CHARLIE CHOPRA AND K HUFIA?

I am so grateful that I got the opportunity to work with him.

I had auditioned with him for Midnight’s Children in 2019. It was hard to believe that Vishal Bharadwaj was taking me into his film. Then I came to know that the platform was looking for a popular face, but Vishal sir fought with the platform, saying, “I want this girl. She has something.” Such people give you perspective in life. Because of him, I started listening to Osho and we started bonding over Osho’s thoughts. They talk about love, empathy, kindness and life and how important the present moment is, not the past.

TELL US ABOUT THE WORKING STYLES

ACTRESS TO PLAY THE ROLE?

I watched the songs of Madhubala and Nargis. But Niloufer is not Madhubala.

Niloufer is not Nargis. She is not Meena Kumari. It was a mix of all. So I watched their songs. Their onscreen persona was there, but as for offscreen, I had the complete freedom to make Niloufer my own. Yes, when she comes onscreen to do their films, she is giving all the expressions, but offscreen, she is Niloufer, a different personality. The way she is, she sleeps with everybody, she loves money. She is a prostitute and all that... She could have easily been disliked by the audience.

Jubilee

I had fallen in love with Niloufer when I read about her and tried to understand her. I had a heartfelt connection with her OF VIKRAMADITYA MOTWANE AND VISHAL BHARDWAJ.

No other director is technically strong other than Vikramaditya sir. And Vishal sir is emotionally very strong. Both are quite different from each other and I enjoyed working with both.

Whether you see Jubilee, Charlie, or Khufiya, they have a different language, but it is so delightful. But both have the same passion.

IS THERE ANY OTHER CHARACTER FROM JUBILEE THAT YOU’D HAVE LIKED TO PLAY?

I’d have loved to play Sumitra Devi too. At that time, I wasn’t able to understand what I was getting. All I knew was that I would get a chance to work in Vikram sir’s series. Out of the five characters, I will be playing one and this is what I

will do. It was only when the series was made and seen that I realised what it was. At that time, I was just doing it. But overall, when I understood Niloufer’s contribution to the show, I understood that I was so lucky that it happened.

ONE COULD SEE THAT YOU WERE ENJOYING PLAYING NILOUFER.

I had fallen in love with Niloufer when I read about her and tried to understand her. I had a heartfelt connection with her. Earlier, I did not know how to have fun and love the characters.

It was only in the past two years, starting with Grahan, that I understood how to have fun. Since then, I have only searched for fun.

DID YOU TAKE INSPIRATION FROM ANY YESTERYEAR’S

WHICH ACTOR FROM YESTERYEAR HAS IMPRESSED YOU THE MOST?

Madhubala, for sure. Her beauty and the way the cinema world was like- the madness that was there for actors- were on a different level. I think the actors must be experiencing a different high because at that time, people would tear out the pages of a magazine interview and keep them with them.

That sort of craze is not there nowadays. We are saying that now females are getting good characters, but Madhubala has a Mughal-E-Azam. Nargis has a Mother India- movies dont get bigger than these. So many good characters were even available then.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR SALAD DAYS.

When I was in Chandigarh, I believed that Mumbai was waiting for me and as soon as I stepped into Mumbai, wonders would happen. I was a very confident girl. I was the

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INTERVIEW

apple of my parents and everyone’s eye. I was everyone’s Aishwarya Rai. After coming here, that myth was shattered and the bubble burst. I was very disappointed when I didn’t get work here. I got a lot of rejections. I was underconfident. I got hyperthyroid, so I put on weight. I was gaining weight, and I couldn’t understand what was happening.

HOW DID YOU KEEP YOURSELF MOTIVATED DURING THAT LOW PHASE?

I always knew my family was there with me, especially my father. I never felt that I was desperate or needed to do something in life. I get a message from my dad every day, “All good?” “In high spirits?” His constant care is always there.

HOW TOUGH IS IT TO LIVE ALONE IN MUMBAI AND DID YOU FACE ANY DIFFICULTIES HERE?

I am enjoying this phase a lot, but I also know that this is temporary.

My parents are happy, and I am so happy that I am making them proud

I did not face issues because I am not fond of partying. Whenever a song is playing at home, I am dancing by myself. I don’t like alcohol. So it’s not like I need alcohol to be happy. I don’t have that much stress in life. I know for a fact that my basic needs in life will always be met. I have so much love in life that I don’t have that much stress. And I have found good friends.

Since the last five years, I feel that I do not need to earn money. I know that if tomorrow I don’t have a house or money, I have such good friends in my life that I can still get my favourite food three times in a day.

DID YOU EVER THINK OF QUITTING?

I had thought of quitting in 2019 when five of my Punjabi films were released, out of which three became super hits. But because I was not enjoying doing it, I felt that I should do something else. Dad would always say, “Only do something you enjoy.”

But Vishal sir’s audition for Midnight’s Children happened, and my life took a new turn after that.

I believed that Mumbai was waiting for me and as soon as I stepped into Mumbai, wonders would happen. I was

YOU ARE SO SORTED AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE…

everyone’s Aishwarya Rai.

(Laughs) Hain naa… I think I will die early. Life has become easy over the last two years. And I hope it will become better still.

After coming here, that myth was shattered and the bubble burst

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO CHANGE ABOUT YOURSELF?

I want to be more disciplined in life. I am not. Maybe because of work, I am also more tired nowadays. But even then, whenever I get time, I stay at home. I do nothing. I like it a lot to not do anything. If today someone told me

that you will get food every day, you have a place to stay, and there are animals around you, I swear, I will not do anything in life.

I will leave everything behind. I can spend

my entire day sitting on grass. But I think I need to be more disciplined in life. I need to focus on fitness and on my body, and I think that will come because of discipline. n

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20/12/2023 10:42 AM

BOOK Fair

19Th - 21st January

Timings: 9 am to 6 pm

2024

Empower the Next Generation

KT MEDIA ROOM, Khaleej Times Headquarters, Dubai, UAE

Sponsorships Open!

For more information :

800 KT

events@khaleejtimes.com

www.khaleejtimesevents.com

INTERVIEW

Wielding the Wand

Monica Woodman, the lead conductor of the UAE-based allwomen Firdaus Orchestra, talks to Aakanksha Naval-Shetye about her passion for music and perfection

Captivating hearts with their musical precision, watching Firdaus Orchestra mesmerize you with their music, is a treat for music-lovers. It’s 56 musicians playing to the flicks of the batonwielding Monica Woodman, the lead conductor of the UAE-based all-women orchestra, who is responsible for bringing to life, the vision of the orchestra’s mentor AR Rahman. Brimming with a self-assured confidence that comes from mastering your art, Monica expertly leads the musicians to the crescendo, hitting all the right notes. With an illustrious background in music education and performance, since moving to the UAE, Monica has worked to engage, support and inspire young musicians and artists, while implementing and developing music curriculums as per the customs and traditions of the United Arab Emirates. As the conductor of the Firdaus Orchestra, Monica has also worked alongside some of the biggest celebrities including Beyonce and Christina Aguilera.

An accomplished Choral Conductor and Symphony Orchestra Conductor, with international experience throughout the Middle East, Asia and the Caribbean, she most recently won the ‘Music Icon’ honour at Filmfare Middle East’s Most Influential Women, 2023.

We met Monica at the Firdaus Studio in Expo

Dubai for a candid chat. Excerpts

H

ow did your journey start and how did you come to be associated with Firdaus Orchestra?

I come from Cuba and there you start your career from as young as 7 years old. I started conducting choirs when I was 12 – 13! I was 16 when I started conducting the symphonic orchestra. Facing and seeing yourself at 16 in front of a full orchestra with the professionals that have been working and playing their instruments for 20-25 years is very intimidating. You need to behold a lot of self-confidence, study a lot, make sure what you are going to bring to the table is valuable. The musicians know when you bring something that makes total sense and has value, even if it’s different from their perspective, because music and art is subjective. And to be that young and be in charge of 100 orchestras… Symphonic

orchestras are a little bigger than what Firdaus is. So having 100 people, 80 people in front of you… that can be something! I joined Firdaus a year ago. Preeti (Laungani) and Mohan (Mohanaselvan Jeyapalan) had found me and it’s been a wonderful year.

Tell us more about the orchestra…

We are not a conventional symphonic orchestra, not only because of the instrumentation and the instruments that form the orchestra itself, but the programs, the repertoire, the kind of music we do is different. We have an Arabic section in representation of the region, we have instruments that are usually part of a band which is electric bass and electric guitar.

But besides that, there is a deeper message underneath which is that we don’t want to put ourselves in box of classical music only or oriental music only, so we have a wider range of styles.

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What is the biggest challenge in leading something so varied, because unlike needing expertise in one form of music, you are dabbling in multiple forms...

Yes, that’s challenging and the challenges are not one but a few as it’s a very creative process. One is the sound. Usually members of a region come from the same school of music having learnt specific forms, but here each one comes from a different background musically.

But that’s also the beauty that we represent Dubai which is so cosmopolitan in nature. The sound of Firdaus as a universal sound is very challenging.

It’s a daily work. It’s a lot of research, it’s a lot of understanding from where each of these layers are coming. Also we want to encourage women to pursue arts and give that platform to showcase it too. Also it’s challenging to bring everyone to one vision as the repertoire is changing all the time.

We go from Beyonce to Atif Aslam and then to a film score of recording for AR Rahman, so it’s a lot of internal challenges that you need to work on getting their styles. I wasn’t familiar with the oriental music, for example or with South Indian music. So all of that is challenging, but it’s a beautiful learning process. At the end of the day, its art and its music and we just want it to pass through your soul and warm your heart.

So what’s the headspace like right before you’re stepping on the stage?

You just have to be confident, and that comes from having studied and worked on your music. If you have self-confidence issues, they will eat you alive (laughs). So you need to know your art and craft and have that confidence. For some, like me, the confidence comes naturally, maybe because of the way I was raised

and there are so many other factors. But it’s not easy, you’re freaking out, you get very scared, but you go through it with poise because that’s also what your teachers taught you.

Yes, in a LIVE concert, there’s no room for error…

Yes, you’re exposed and most vulnerable out there and that’s when you shine.

The actual process of making music for the symphonic orchestra is at rehearsals.

Concert is just the last bit of the pie. As a conductor, I bring in 56 people into one tunnel and lead them note by note. My hands need to express every little thing that is there. There’s not a single movement without a purpose. Even your breathing is in sync.

Which piece has been most exciting for you, especially since you have to switch between so many varied forms of music?

You know this is hard with Firdaus because we don’t follow the same pattern and everything is so different. But we did this tribute for Ennio Morricone, Cinema Paradiso, and each and every single time when it gets to that climax of that piece, there’s something in my heart that just feels it that much more deeply, because it’s one of the most beautiful melodies in the history of music.

Is it hard to not let yourself be carried away sometimes?

There is a lot of self-control that needs to be there because I remember that I’m controlling the emotions of 56 others too. I need to contain because if I cry, I could trigger another musician that is also feeling that same way.

How’s it working with AR Rahman?

Fabulous. It’s an honor, I always feel very close to him. I don’t feel that there is distance between the figure that is AR Rahman and us.

It’s family and he’s there for us for the smallest of doubts.

His vision about how the market works is very wise and he’s always updated with what is happening.

Sometimes you get caught

up in what you want as a musician for your soul but there is a market out there that has other necessities.

So he’s very wise when it comes to that. And he’s a great supporter not only because the quality of his music but also the values and the vision of what Firdaus represents and could represent in a long term for the world.

“

How is the vibe different from when you have a mix of genders vs an all-women thing?

For me there is no difference between males and females. But there is some kind of connection and sisterhood that happens because you go through things that they are going through as mothers, daughters, wives. We all vibrate in same frequency and I’m very happy actually because as so many industries, we know that music is still, certain instruments conductors, it’s a male dominated industry as well. So I’m very happy that Firdaus exists. It’s a big message out there also to change the narrative around women in the industry and that wouldn’t be possible without AR Rahman’s vision and Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy who has supported this.

What’s your favourite instrument?

Cello. There is something in that tone and in the way that the instrument is held, it’s very powerful.

You have performed with a lot of artistes… Beyonce, and you recently did with Disney, the musical.

Which has been the most memorable?

Disney was fabulous.

It takes you to your childhood music, it was

AS A CONDUCTOR, I BRING IN 56 PEOPLE INTO ONE TUNNEL AND LEAD THEM NOTE

BY NOTE

“

And there are 54 of you!

Yes, and of 26 nationalities!

so well-written, the cast was incredible. I remember, all of us were saying “this is the best concert we have had”. Atif Aslam was amazing too. Then we recorded with AR Rahman and we recorded with Simon Rhodes who is a very wellknown sound engineer, we recorded all the music for the film Avatar, that creative process was amazing. Beyonce of course was something. This tribute to Ennio Morricone I think is one of our best and most accomplished project musically speaking and digitally, because we were able to again break some stereotypes about how those pieces have been conceived and interpreted before.

And we have incorporated the game breaking rules as Firdaus always does. So I’m very proud of that.

How’s Khatija as an artiste?

I told AR, she is very sweet, she has a very pure and a very genuine voice tone.

Singers usually have all these technicalities, all these vocal aerobics that they need to show the range. She is genuinely vocal. We are so happy to collaborate with her.

Have you ever had an embarrassing moment on stage?

Not yet. But it could happen.

We’re humans! With our rehearsals we are so connected with the team that we can cover up a slip. However at Firdaus we don’t leave room for mistakes.

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FEATURE

LEATHER

FERRAGAMO

SPORTMAX

PRADA

PROENZA SCHOULER

2024

trends

SMART CUT

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CHRISTOPHER ESBER DAVID KOMA

VALENTINO

15/01/2024 10:09 AM

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OVERSIZE

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COMPILED BY - AMIT PANCHAL

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THE ATTICO

15/01/2024 10:10 AM

Final Curly tales .pdf

1

04/01/2024

9:45 AM

L

MANon FIRE INTERVIEW

SIDHANT GUPTA has stamped his mark on the marquee with Jubilee. He shares his euphoria with Tanisha Bhattacharya

S

idhant Gupta hails from Jammu. His father, Sukesh Gupta, is a retired forest officer, while his mother, Sandhya Gupta, is a fashion designer and social activist. Growing up, his interest lay not in films but in sports. He represented J&K at the national level in under-14 cricket, under-17 swimming, and under-19 basketball. Films were frowned upon in his strict home, and he and his elder brother Sanat used to consider sneaking out and watching films as an adventure. He got into modelling early, becoming the face of many a brand before Bollywood came calling. He was launched with the film Tutiya Dil (2012) and was later seen in films like Badmashiyaan (2015), Bhoomi (2017) and Operation Romeo (2022). He also acted on television in between and was seen in serials like Tahan-E-Ishq (2015), Jhalak Dikhla Jaa (2016), and Inside Edge (2021). Vikramaditya Motwane directed Jubilee (2023), however, which catapulted his fame. Excerpts from an interview with the talented actor.

How have things changed for you since the massive success of Jubilee?

We all want to feel accepted.

Everyone who’s out here who’s come to become an actor or to do anything in this field, which is this business of creating a world—it’s cinema. It’s a connection between the film and the audience. A connection is a story, and we, as actors, just bring it to life and live out loud in that world. We all long for acceptance. And Jubilee gave me that. So it’s the feeling of acceptance that’s special to me which makes the success so much sweeter.

What was the impact of working with a director like Vikramaditya Motwane?

When you’re working with someone like that, you know you’re in safe hands. You know that this will be a product where you will be seen and that’s the pressure you want to feel because you also feel responsible for someone who’s been making films and you owe it to him. This world that he’s creating just gives you everything that you have.

What were some of the similarities you could draw between Jay Khanna and yourself?

I was drawing from my own life

when I was playing Jay Khanna. His home was taken away. They had to leave Karachi and come as refugees. His whole life was taken away, but then something in him never gave up. I kept thinking that I have been here for a while now and have also been at a point where I wasn’t getting what I needed; no one wanted to sort of work with me. No one was coming to me with projects. The kind of projects that I wanted to do, but something in me never gave up. So that’s connected. It keeps you moving in this city where thousands of actors are trying to find the right role. It’s an intention. It’s sort of this energy that keeps you going.

You know all the little dots will join, and you’ll find those parallels.

After playing a complex character like Jay Khanna, what kind of role would you find challenging at this point?

I’d like to do some complex characters that are not like straight lines. Keep finding through this work, and you can also give a lot through this work to characters. Playing a complex character would also make me find those little complexities where he’s living, but people don’t talk about them. If I can just find a way out and give that to people through characters, I think that would be

WE ALL LONG FOR ACCEPTANCE. AND JUBILEE GAVE ME THAT. SO IT’S THE FEELING OF ACCEPTANCE THAT’S SPECIAL TO ME THAT MAKES THE SUCCESS SO MUCH SWEETER nice. I hope I find such characters.

Was it difficult for you to detach from the role after establishing such a strong connection?

It happens on its own. You don’t realise it, but it is the character that leads you.

But you always remember that voice that you found. With Jay, it’s not too far away because I could find it before, so I can find it again. That’s a nice feeling.

Have you become choosy with your scripts postJubilee?

I don’t know, but I’d like to get into a script and character that doesn’t leave me easily.

So I’m just reading and taking my own time because it took me a long time to find the

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right reason to do this work. I would like to just lead with that so I can just give everything to a project that I take up. There’s nice stuff that I’m reading; I’m just letting it all sync and making a decision where I have to.

After a period piece like Jubilee, is there a specific genre that you’re looking at?

I think I let the genre find me.

I’m open to exploring different worlds, different emotions, like when I watch films—you know, at times I want to just watch a film to just laugh. At times, I want to watch an actionoriented film. I let things find me and they’re finding me.

What was your struggling period like?

It’s been a relationship. It’s like a love affair. You know where you fight with the city and where you just abuse it. But you also love the city a lot and you don’t let go. So I felt all my emotions in this city. I felt lost in the city and I also felt found. And at this point, when I’m living a better life, like I said, when you feel accepted through your work, it’s a big thing.

Did you ever get the urge to give up?

I could not give up. Those questions used to keep hounding me. And when you’re auditioning, everyone is asking and looking at each other. So that uncertainty is like an addiction. I stepped aside. Thankfully, I don’t know how, but I just did step aside and then started asking myself some right questions. Everyone is lost, uncertain and blaming everything. I was like, “Why am I believing? Why am I finding reasons to just control myself?” I decided to find the right reasons to do the right work and you’ll find your way if you have to. I found mine.

One piece of advice you would give to your younger self.

I can derive advice from my journey that has helped me. A question that I asked myself was: “Why am I doing this work?” It’s a simple question.

But it has so many answers that one needs to just keep finding them. It helps because I think this work requires you to be out there, and you’re expressing something so sensitive, which is emotions. So when someone needs the right reasons, I think

a person finds more courage to just express and share. So that’s my advice: meet the right people and express yourself the right way.

What’s the best and worst advice you’ve gotten till now?

My mentor told me, ‘Learn to fly with your feet on the ground.’ Worse was a ridiculous solution to a real problem that I had. Someone told me not to go and do these workshops and courses. You have to work here and the language is different. I remember going to London and doing an acting course. Thank God! I went on that journey because it changed my life. Not because of what I learnt or the people that I’d met, but because I could just break away from the same rut that I was living in.

Who has been your biggest cheerleader so far?

In my family, my mother.

My mother loves me unconditionally and knows my abilities, which even I didn’t know when I came to Mumbai and got a small film. She’s always been there. She’s a ball of entertainment. She’s also that person who loves people. She loves going out there and doing all of these things. She keeps her energy, which is amazing.

Have you experienced regret?

Yeah, I wish I had opened my eyes to more. Long before I did, because I don’t know what took me so long. But I wish I had somehow known. I did my workshops and met some people who had something to offer in terms of what this work needs. But I wish I had known about all of that and explored all of it before. But then again, I just came here and went with the wind.

I WAS DRAWING FROM MY OWN LIFE WHEN I WAS PLAYING JAY KHANNA. HIS HOME WAS TAKEN AWAY. THEY HAD TO LEAVE KARACHI AND COME AS REFUGEES. HIS WHOLE LIFE WAS TAKEN AWAY, BUT THEN SOMETHING IN HIM NEVER GAVE UP

What’s the secret to this sense of selfbelief and confidence?

I’ve never felt overconfident for some reason. I have felt under confident for a long time. But now I don’t, for some reason.

I think it’s to each his own; everyone finds their calling.

When you find that, you find that stability in yourself. That is when you learn to hold your hand rather than seeking others and feeling dependent on others in your journey. So I think that the balance gives us what seems like the right kind of confidence. n

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MostAwaited

MOST AWAITED RELEASES 2024

RELEASES 2024 CHECK OUT SOME OF THE MOST-AWAITED MOVIES AND OTT SERIES TO HIT THE SCREENS THIS YEAR

BADE MIYAN CHOTE MIYAN Director: Ali Abbas Zafar Cast: Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Alaya F, Sonakshi Sinha, Manushi Chhillar, Jugal Hansraj The action thriller has been creating a buzz for the high octane chase and fight sequences that the film’s heroes Akshay and Tiger will be seen doing on screen. With several bits shot in Abu Dhabi, it’s a film that promises to be visually striking too.

MAIN ATAL HOON MERRY CHRISTMAS Director: Sriram Raghavan Cast: Katrina Kaif, Vijay Sethupathi, Tinnu Anand, Vinay Pathak, Sanjay Kapoor

The Sriram Raghavan mystery thriller brings together two of the biggest talents from Bollywood and the South as Katrina Kaif is paired with Vijay Sethupathi for the first time. Based on a French novel, Bird in a Cage, the makers had us intrigued and hooked from the first look itself.

Director: Ravi Jadhav Cast: Pankaj Tripathi, Piyush Mishra

Starring the powerhouse performer Pankaj Tripathi as former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the biopic follows the life of the beloved leader, who faced some of the most challenging decisions is his tenure as the 10th Prime Minister of India. A wellknown poet, the film also chronicles his love for poetry.

FIGHTER Director: Siddharth Anand Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor

Two of the hottest stars of Bollywood – Deepika and Hrithik - come together for this action thriller. The songs have already become quite the rage and it’s easily one of the mostawaited films of the year.

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LAAPATAA LADIES Director: Kiran Rao Cast: Sparsh Shrivastava, Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Ravi Kishan, Chhaya Kadam

The internationally-acclaimed film has piqued audience interest with its quirky storyline that revolves around mistaken identities after a groom loses his bride who’s face he was yet to see.

CHANDU CHAMPION

MERE MEHBOOB MERE SANAM Director: Anand Tiwari Cast: Triptii Dimri, Vicky Kaushal, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra, Neha Dhupia, Ammy Virk The fresh pairing of Tripti with Vicky Kaushal has already been generating much buzz. All eyes are especially on Tripti post her successful outing in Animal. MMMS has an impressive ensemble cast including Ammy Virk.

Director: Kabir Khan Cast: Kartik Aaryan, Bhuvan Arora The sports drama sees Kartik Aaryan team up with ace director Kabir Khan for the first time. The film is based on a true story and will see Kartik in a role like never before!

SINGHAM AGAIN Director: Rohit Shetty Cast: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Jackie Shroff The third installment of Singham, the film is the fifth installment in Rohit Shetty’s cop universe. The film will have Ajay reprise the titular role as the righteous cop.

JIGRA Director: Vasan Bala Cast: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Aditya Nanda Starring Alia Bhatt, the film’s intriguing first look suggests that this one’s going to be an interesting watch. Helmed by Vasan Bala of Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota fame, the film has been bankrolled by Karan Johar and Alia herself.

DEVA Director: Rosshan Andrrews Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Kubbra Sait, Pooja Hegde The Shahid Kapoor film slated to release in the last quarter promises to be an engaging action thriller. Helming the project is South director Andrews known for his Malayalam blockbusters.

The first look has already been garnering much interest.

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MIRZAPUR 3 Director: Gurmmeet Singh, Anand Iyer Cast: Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Shweta Tripathi, Rasika Dugal, Divyenndu, Anjum Sharma One of the most-awaited web-series is ready with its 3rd season slated to release in March on Amazon Prime Video. The OTT franchise was left at a cliff-hanger climax in season 2 and all eyes would be riveted to see the power dynamics change in the third installment.

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MOST AWAITED RELEASES 2024

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE Director: Ahmed Khan Cast: Akshay Kumar, Disha Patani, Sanjay Dutt, Jacqueline Fernandez, Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Arshad Warsi, Johny Lever, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade The first look of the film took everyone by surprise as the ensemble cast seems like nothing short of a coup of sorts. The action adventure comedy is slated for a Christmas release and is one of the most looked forward to entertainer.

METRO… IN DINO KANTARA A LEGEND CHAPTER 1 Director: Rishab Shetty Cast: Rishab Shetty, Achyuth Kumar Rishab Shetty’s 2022 mega-hit Kantara gets a prequel in this one. The first teaser look of the film released by Hombale Films suggest that the latest installment will be fiercer and bolder.

PUSHPA 2: THE RULE Director: Sukumar Cast: Rashmika Mandanna, Allu Arjun, Fahadh Faasil, Jagapathi Babu, Prakash Raj

Allu Arjun is back with the sequel of his pan-India blockbuster Pushpa. The fierce first look of the South star has the fans intrigued.

Director: Anurag Basu Cast: Konkona Sen Sharma, Anupam Kher, Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sara Ali Khan, Aditya Roy Kapoor, Neena Gupta

The film that boasts of an impressive ensemble cast has been bankrolled by T-Series and is one of the most awaited ones of the year. A romance drama helmed by Anurag Basu - who had earlier directed Life in a… Metro – it navigates the complexities of love, relationships and life in the urban society.

YODHA Director: Sagar Ambre, Pushkar Ojha Cast:Disha Patani, Sidharth Malhotra, Raashi Khanna, Suniel Shetty

Sidharth Malhotra teams up with Disha Patani in this high-octane action thriller and has him play a man in uniform.

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The CMO Connect | 2nd Edition

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