48
Bollywood
week ending April 13, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
Salman Khan grows his own vegetables
A
ctress Kalki Koechlin spoke to NDTV about being sexually abused as a child, according to TNN reports. Kalki revealed that she didn't want to talk about it on a public platform. She said that a revelation like that just becomes like a "shocking headline" but somebody "who has gone through CSA (child sexual abuse) is not a headline." Without giving out details of her own experience, Kalki said, "The reason you haven't heard about it is that I don't like to talk about it. For me, it's not a one day headline, it's something that's a reality I have lived with for a long time. Many of us have gone through it and most of the people that I know, especially close friends of mine who are women, have gone through some form of CSA (child sexual abuse). It's just so out there, so much of it that I think it's not something that should be ignored." Earlier, Kalki spoke at a conference on child sexual abuse organised by actor Rahul Bose's NGO ‘H.E.A.L.’ Kalki, had made headlines some time
back for her spectacular monologue on Women's Day. Kalki has been one of the few celebrities who have been vocal about women's issues and had also starred in a satirical video about violence against women. Kalki was last seen in the film 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani'. (Times of India)
Waheeda Rehman 'not okay' with biopic
V
eteran actress Waheeda Rehman, who recently unveiled Nasreen Munni Kabir's book ‘Conversations with Waheeda Rehman’, says she is "not okay" if a film is made on her life. The 76-year-old has featured in several Bollywood classics like ‘Solvaa Saal’, ‘Pyasa’, ‘Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam’,
‘Bees Saal Baad’ and ‘Guide’, and she has regaled audiences with her graceful dancing skills over the years. Biopics are a new trend in the Hindi film industry. So, asked if she would be fine with a film on her journey, she said, "I am (over) 75. Now it's a long journey...it has to be made in four parts. But personally, I am not okay with it." "I am not fine with it and there is no reason (for it) as such." In the last decade itself, the actress featured in movies like ‘Rang De Basanti’ and ‘Delhi-6’. Now she is happy away from the screen. "How much to work? We should give a chance to others as well. I don't miss anything...I am happy with myself. I travel a lot, read a lot, meet my friends, like to cook occasionally. I am satisfied with my life," said the veteran actress in an interaction at Sofitel, Mumbai. She recently launched ‘Conversations with Waheeda Rehman’, a longish interview exploring several aspects of her life and career. (Times of India)
T
he Mumbai Mirror recently reported how Salman Khan is off alcohol and cigarettes for the past three years (March 29, 2014). Now, it seems that the star has taken another step towards healthy living. A regular at Salman's Panvel retreat informed us how impressed he was after getting a tour of the farm. Revealed the source, "Salman has been growing potatoes, tomatoes and pump-
kins without using any kind of artificial fertilisers. He proudly feeds his guests dishes cooked with the vegetables grown in his kitchen garden." The star has turned to gardening as he believes that the vegetables in the market today are laced with chemicals and can trigger serious health problems. Healthy eating is the way to a healthy lifestyle, according to the new and improved Salman Khan. But if you are thinking that the actor intends to make a quick buck out of his fresh produce, then you are mistaken. The veggies are strictly for domestic use. "Much of what he grows is consumed at his Bandra home and in the farmhouse, with the surplus going to guests and other close friends," the source said. When contacted, Salman's father, Salim Khan confirmed the news. He said, "I've never seen Salman so passionate about anything. He's really given his heart and soul to the farm," while adding, "He loves spending time there, being at one with nature. And yes, we have no plans to sell the output commercially. It's just an initiative towards a healthy life." (Times of India)
Sunny Leone loves to cook
C
alling herself a typical Punjabi ‘kudi’, actor Sunny Leone, who was in Lucknow sometime back, says she loves food. Another thing that Sunny enjoys is cooking. "I cook a lot. Actually I cook all the unhealthy food at home. My husband Daniel is the one who does all the healthy cooking. When I am allowed to cook all the unhealthy food, I do. Actually when Daniel and I are together at home, we enjoy cooking together a lot. Our favourite is the
morning time when we can cook together and eat breakfast when it's nice and quiet. That's our time when it's just him and me and we sip our coffee and so it's our favourite meal of the day." And before she can continue further, Daniel decides to answer the question about how good a cook Sunny is. "She's not going to like my answer," getting punched by Sunny who screams, "Don't you remember my Thanksgiving dinner? I have to remind you of my cooking skills. How can you forget, it was so good and I made it all!" to which Daniel says, "Well, Thanksgiving is just about once in a year. But regularly what she makes well is eggs, instant pasta, instant noodles, omelet's, all stuff that we shouldn't be eating." “With Daniel around it's as if I have the food FBI behind me telling me what not to eat because I have to remain in shape and diet and work out. But as actors we have too remain slender and perhaps not look normal at times just to look attractive and suffer in return," she adds with a sigh. (Times of India)
Australian designer creates Honey Singh tries to emulate sari for Vidya Balan Pran in 'The Xpose'
A
I
ndian Rapper-composer Yo Yo Honey Singh, who is making his acting debut with the film ‘The Xpose’, says he has a small negative role in the movie and that he has tried to copy legendary actor Pran in it, according to IANS. "My role in this film is like a cameo, I am coming as a debutant actor. It's a very short role with only three to four scenes and it is a negative character," the 29-year-old said at the Miss India 2014 contest. "This film is based in the 1960s and I love the way Pran-ji used to act. So I have tried to do what he did," he said. Honey Singh says acting is the toughest of all performing arts. "I think acting is the most difficult one among all the performing arts. Writing songs, making music and singing is important to me and I do all three," he said. He wanted to have a brush with act-
ing. "You play someone you are not...So I wanted to learn it. Anant Mahadevan is a senior actor and filmmaker and Himesh (Reshammiya) asked me if I would do a small role and I said yes," Honey Singh said. ‘The Xpose’ stars composer-actor Himesh Reshammiya in the lead. It is a detective thriller, and besides some new faces, the film also stars Irrfan Khan. The movie will hit theatres May 23. (Times of India)
ctress Vidya Balan has become Bollywood's quintessential ambassador of the sari, and when an Australian designer was asked to create an ensemble for her, she couldn't think beyond the six-yard wonder either, according to IANS. As part of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2014, festival ambassador Vidya did a photoshoot with celebrated Australian designer Susan Dimasi. Dimasi presented Vidya in a special sari, the fabric of which was specially designed by her. The sari was the result of handweaving a textile with silk ribbon through a rubber net. The handwoven textile was exhibited at the prestigious Melbourne Now arts exhibition at the iconic National Gallery of Victoria and then draped on Vidya as a sari, said a statement. Apart from Dimasi, Akira Isogawa, a prominent contemporary designer, was given a chance to dress the acclaimed actress.
Isogawa, who has even dressed Cate Blanchett in the past, created a special dress for Vidya. It was a fusion of his Japanese roots and Australian chic. The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne runs from May 1 to May 11, screening over 45 films with over 30 Australian premieres. The festival will be opened by the legendary Amitabh Bachchan. (Times of India)