NOT SCARED OF FAILURE

Alia Bhatt was “heartbroken” after the Shaandaar debacle. But she says she is now more prepared to face failure.

The daughter of filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt talked about the ups and downs in her career with superstar Shah Rukh Khan in an episode of Lux Golden Divas- Baatein with the Badshah “Touch wood, 90 per cent of my films fared well at the box office. But there has been one failure, and because of that failure, I am more calm now... for some strange reason. Shaandaar didn’t work at the box office. I was heartbroken. I could not believe it,” Alia said.

“I turned to my father. He was the only person I was speaking to and then I went on a holiday solo to mourn the loss.”

The Udta Punjab star added, “I felt terrible, but after that I felt ho gaya (it’s done). The bandage has been ripped. I have faced my first failure, and I will be ready for whatever comes. Getting up after the failure is very different. My father sent me this poster with Frank Sinatra’s quote ‘The best revenge is massive success’.”

Alia also talked about the Shaandar failure at the recently concluded International Film Festival of India (IFFI) at Goa. “That made me stronger as a person. It made me that realise if a film is good, it will do well, if it doesn’t that means it didn’t deserve to do well,” she said.

Highway was the film in which Alia got a lot of praise. Talking about it, she said, “It changed me as a person and an actor as it pushed me out of my comfort zone. The process of working on such a complex character made me hungry as an actor. Imtiaz is very protective of me and keeps telling me that we haven’t finished yet. There’s a lot to be explored in you as an actor.”

Alia was recently praised by some critics to the extent that they compared her acting skills with yesteryear iconic female stars. “It becomes slightly uncomfortable when people compare you with yesteryear actresses like Madhubala, Nargis and Waheeda Rehman. It sort of disrupts me and changes my thought process, so I never allow such thoughts to come to my mind,” she said.

While Tiger Shroff looks up to Hrithik, there are people even Hrithik looks up to.

The actor, who will be seen as Patnabased mathematician Anand Kumar in a biopic titled Super 30, says it’s an exciting role as teachers are the stars in everyone’s lives.

The biopic, which is being helmed by Vikas Bahl, will showcase the life of the mathematician, who trains 30 deserving, economically backward students for IIT-JEE - the entrance exams of IIT - each year, with a commendable success rate.

“I am very excited because I am on the heels of doing a very inspiring film called Super 30,” Hrithik said.

“I feel one of the most glamorous things and the biggest stars we have in our life are our teachers because they educate and help in progress of human species,” he added.

One of the stylish stars of Bollywood, Hrithik was asked about his personal style statement and whom he looks up to as a style icon.

He said, “It’s a difficult question because I feel I don’t have a personal style statement. I look up to people for other things and not necessarily for style. I think what inspires me and what I find very stylish is confidence.

I feel confidence is one thing that comes from your accomplishments and accomplishments come from hard work. So in short, if you work hard, you will eventually look stylish.”

Hrithik’s last big screen outing was Sanjay Gupta’s Kaabil with Yami Gautam.

Tiger In Awe Of Hrithik

Tiger Shroff, who will be seen sharing screen space for the first time with Hrithik Roshan in filmmaker Siddharth Anand’s yet untitled project, says he will have to prepare a lot to try and match his ‘idol.’

“I am more keen on working with Hrithik Roshan. I am the most excited about the film and really thankful that I am getting an offer to work with him so early in my career. He is my idol. Whatever I am today, it is because of what I saw of him while growing up,”

Tiger said.

“I will have to prepare a lot. He is a very hardworking actor. He gives it his 100 per cent, and then I will have to give 200-300 per cent to match up to him... Although I know I will never be able to match up to him,” he added.

We think that with both Tiger and Hrithik being amazing dancers, a dance-off in the film would a feast for the eyes, and really give Tiger a chance to shine.

The new project will be under the Yash Raj Films banner. It will also feature Vaani Kapoor.

Tiger will next be seen on-screen in Baaghi 2. He sports a new avatar sans his long hair for it.

SUNNY LEONE: HOPING FOR A MAKEOVER

Sunny Leone is excited about featuring in action sequences in a period war film in Telugu.

The actress has been signed up for a movie to be directed by VC Vadivudaiyan. Ponse Stephen is producing the film. The yet untitled film will be “based on the culture of south India,” read a statement.

For this project, she is all geared up to learn sword-fighting, horse-riding and other stunts. Go, girl!

Sunny has given a call sheet of 150 days, and around 70 minutes of the movie is said to be computer generated imagery-driven. It will be released in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi.

“After this movie, I am sure my image will change completely. I have always liked doing action sequences. I was waiting for a script like this for years.

“I have a special love towards south India, so I am very happy to do a straight Telugu movie. I have a lot of my fans in south India, especially Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.”

The shoot will start from February.

ALWAYS GOOD TO ROMANCE: SALMAN

Salman Khan, who will soon be seen in Tiger Zinda Hai - as an action hero with a romantic touch - says it’s “always good to romance.”

“It is not good to fight, but always good to romance,” Salman said of his role in the Ali Abbaz Zafar directorial. The movie also features Katrina Kaif. Their latest song Dil diyan gallan, a love ballad shot in a classic Yash Chopra reminiscent songs, has been loved by fans.

“Everyone has really appreciated the songs. And now on 22 December, we will find out the destiny of the film,” Salman said.

Salman has not been in good health, and lack of rest is not helping him at all.

“The environment is not suiting me these days. I am suffering from viral,