Stardust May 2013

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INTERNATIONAL EDITION Managing Editor : NARI M. HIRA Editor : RAM KAMAL MUKHERJEE FEATURES Neeta’s Natter .................................................................................... 4 Star Track ......................................................................................... 80 Rumours & Rejoinders ................................................................... 62 Court Martial: Salim Khan ................................................................ 56 Favourite Things: Ali Zafar .............................................................. 68 International Mail Call ...................................................................... 80 Blast From The Past: Vinod Mehra Exposes How Wife-Crazy He Really Is! .......................................................... 90 Straight Talk .................................................................................... 94

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SCOOP OF THE MONTH Why Govinda’s Daughter Is Still Awaiting Her Dream Launch……… 76 INTERVIEWS Being Bachchan! ............................................................................. 18 Deepika Married To Work! ............................................................... 38 Deol – Wine In A New Bottle! .......................................................... 32 John Abraham”s Body Of Work ...................................................... 64 Bipasha Basu: Wild Encounter ........................................................ 48 Classique Conversation With Waheeda Rehman ............................. 82 Ram Gopal Varma – Unapologetic, Uncensored & Unprecedented! ... 70 Huma Qureshi Discovering Her Own Skills ..................................... 44 Remo D’souza A Naach Above The Others ...................................... 86 ARTICLES Sunjay Dutt – Nayak Or The Khalnayak? ......................................... 22 STARDUST is published monthly by the proprietors MAGNA PUBLISHING CO. LTD., Magna House, 100/E Old Prabhadevi Road, Mumbai — 400025, India.

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Shah Rukh Khan: Kkkkkaroke!

Guys, am back! So where are you travelling this summer? I've decided not to travel. With so much happening, I can’t afford to miss my desi dose for firangi pani. I’ll be happy with tender coconut juice at the Marriott with a day-long spa and shopping fiesta at Palladium. Oh boy, I must tell you these Bolly bimbettes, they keep looking at branded stuff and finally pick up a ‘second’ from Thailand. Ugh! God knows where do they stack so much money that they make from naach-gana. That reminds me of Shah Rukh Khan, who lives life King Khan size. We heard that King Khan had asked Pritam dada to compose Rabindrasangeet for his Kolkata Kinght Rider’s show. Basically, SRK wanted to impress CM Mamata Banerjee. That’s not the end, we hear that SRK will be singing the song in Bengali to impress all babumoshais from the city of joy. No one is complaining, but how will Pritam compose a Tagore song? Did Tagore compose his own songs? Incidentally, Amitabh Bachchan also sang a Tagore song in Sujoy Ghosh’s Kahaani. I guess after remaking AB’s Don, now SRK is trying to follow Big B’s footsteps. Ekla cholo re…

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Kolkata reminds me of good food. Puja Gupta was seen gorging yummy sandwiches at the promotional campaign of Go Goa Gonee. While the boys were wolfing down some snacks, she was busy posing for the photographers.

But the moment she saw the guys eating, she joined them and savoured several bites of yummy sandwiches. Naturally, everyone was in shock considering Miss Gupta is the proud owner of a perfect 10 figure. It’s great to finally find an actress who’s not so fussy about her diet. Great going, girl! If only we could say the same about your career.

Puja Gupta: Food for thought hought

Joining her club is Sonakshi onakshi Sinha. Though she has been following a strict diett post Dabangg 2, she couldn’t help her gastronomic desires when she found her co-actor Saif Ali sha Mangsho (Meat prepared in mustard Khan gorging on Kosha ch Bhapa (steamed fished in mustard oil) and Shorshe Maach seed paste) during thee lunch break of Bullet Raja. Needless to ong and he knew the delicacies of Bengal say that Saif is half-bong om that unit. It was so tempting that better than anyone from en director Tigmanshu Dhulia gorged on not just Sonakshi, even ets. But no one knew that Saif works out mutton, fish and sweets. ooting schedule and burns those extra every day after his shooting d fab. Smart bouy! calories to look fit and

While Tigmanshu manshu Dhulia was shooting for Bullet Raja, he met Bengali actor Hiron Chatterjee he guy we mentioned in this column (remember the who had mett Aamir Khan in Mumbai) and when he w that he is Sourav Ganguly’s cousin, came to know he pestered him to get an autographed bat from n of the Indian cricket team. It seems former captain that Hiron is waiting to meet Sourav and then he oss the autographed bat to Tigmanshu. will send across nshu had no qualms in admitting his While Tigmanshu av, IPL authorities and even the CM love for Sourav, al forgot to invite Sourav Ganguly at of West Bengal Tigmanshu Dhulia: ion ceremony of IPL 6 which was held the inauguration Signature style! in Kolkata. A little birdie says SRK was not keen on inviting the former captain off KKR and the management had to at you call a Googly! succumb to his wish. That’s what

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Since most Bollywood directors are planning to act in movies (including Tigmanshu), director Sujoy Ghosh decided to follow the same route. He will be seen as the top sleuth Byomkesh Bakshi in Rituparno Ghosh’s Bengali thriller. The director was in Kolkata Sujoy Ghosh: and became extremely Acting on my mind! nostalgic about Kahaani.

Incidentally, Vidya Balan called him when she came to know that he is acting in a film. She jokingly added that Sujoy should play a cameo in the Kahaani sequel whenever he makes it. Rituparno Ghosh is planning to adapt Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s novel Debi Choudhurani based on the life of Bengal’s first lady dacoit. And guess what, he wants Vidya Balan to act in that film. With the kind of roles Vidya has been playing off-late, we won’t be surprised to see her as Maa Durga in a mythological film!

Vidya Balan was shooting with Farhan Akhtar in Mumbai’s suburbs for Pritish and Rangita Nandy’s film Shaadi Ke Side Effects. An onlooker confirmed that Vidya was playing the role of a pregnant lady in the film. Now director Saket Choudhury is beaming with smile, because whenever she plays the role of a pregnant woman, the film fetches multi-crores at the box-office. Vidya, who considers herself as good as a Bengali, wants to act in a Bengali film soon, and her wish list includes Rituparno Ghosh and Aparna Sen.

That brings me to Pritish’s best pal Gulzar. On the occasion of Bengal’s superstar Suchitra Sen’s 82nd birthday, Gulzar went out shopping with Ms Sen’s granddaughter Raima and picked up some lovely cotton saris from Fab India in Bandra. Suchitra had quit the glamour world almost four decades ago. No Vidya Balan: The bong connection

one has seen her, barring a few fortunate souls like Gulzar.

She had even refused to accept Dadashaheb Phalke awards in 2006 because she didn’t want to receive it in person.

Raima met Gulzar for a special interview which she was conducting on her Nani Amma’s birthday. Gulzar gave her an autographed CD and he had tears while recollecting those memories from Aandhi. Legends are timeless, and Suchitra is no less than Greta Garbo!

Remo D'souza, Madhuri Dixit and Karan Johar: Reality check!

Suchitra reminds me of Madhuri Dixit Nene. They share an uncanny resemblance. Incidentally, Remo D’Souza who was also in Kolkata judging the Bengali version of Jhalak Dikhla Ja was planning to get Madhuri Dixit for the grand finale as the guest judge. Remo had shared a brilliant rapport with Mrs Nene during their reality show in Mumbai.

Incidentally, Mads had refused the channel because she is focusing on Gulab Gang and Hindi reality shows. But when Remo called Mads she just couldn’t refuse. We were wondering what the deal was, do we see Mads acting in Remo’s next? Needless to say that it will be a visual delight to see both dance maestros in a single frame.

Incidentally, Remo is trying to sell his Bengali film Lal Pahare Katha (The Tale of Redd Mountain) starring Mithun Chakraborty. Not known to many, Remo started his directorial debut with this Bengali film which was basedd on folk dance Chau (from Purulia District) and he is waiting for the right kind of buyer for the film. Though hee had initially asked Mithun to help him, but now it seems that he is not too keen on die talking about that film. A birdie tells me that Mithun is not Mithun Chakraborty: happy with Remo, because he Dance to my tune is doing a dance based realityy show on a rival channel in Bengali, which is pitted against Mithun’s Dance Bangla Dance on Zee Bangla. Well, Mithun can make even a choreographer dance to his tunes.

Purulia reminds me of Priyanka Chopra who has been shooting on the outskirts of the hamlet for her forthcomingg film Gunday. Being a thorough professional, she didn’t demand any luxury during the shoot. She was required to travel in a lorry stacked with hay. Though she was bugged by small insects during the shoot, she didn’t complain.

She was shooting with the locals and mingled with them.

She even kept to herself, listening to music on her iPhone.

When one of the village girls enquired about the gadgets, she played her international track for them. They were happily dancing to PeeCee’s tunes. Truly a desi girl.

We can't just talk about desi girls.

We have to tell you what desi munda Ayushmann Khurrana is upto thesee days. He's just wrapped up the first

schedule of his next YRF project. He'ss a self-confessed foodie. He was bored ed of eating the food on the sets and so, o, each time he was missing his maa ke haath ka khaana, especially her rajma-chawal, he'd book himself on the first flight to Chandigarh and gorge on not just what she cooked but also on n the sweets that the city is famous for. or.

No wonder he returned and hit the gym straight from the airport!

Ayushmann Khurrana: Khana khazana! pra: Don't 'bug' me!

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Reality shows se yaad aya… Ekta Kapoor seems to be a bit stressed with three back-toback releases. She’s busy promoting Ek Thi Daayan and Shootout At Wadala.

Publicists of both the films are leaving no stone unturned to promote their films. Meanwhile, she started her campaign for Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Again (OUATIMA) Ekta a Kapoor: with Akshay Anger management nagement Kumar, Imran shi Sinha by visiting the IPL Khan and Sonakshi opening match. Though everything looked pretty sorted, butt it was the channel that ey barely showed the cast ditched Ekta. They ers of OUATIMA and kept the and crew members nd Deepika Padukone, who focus on SRK and ting their forthcoming release were also promoting Chennai Express. Both the films are slated ajor fiasco had left for Eid. Such a major pissed”. We Madam Kapoor “pissed”. don’t blame her.

Akshay Kumar was not happy with ned what had happened at IPL and now, he is planning to have a completelyy different strategyy to promote his film. While SRK iss planning to go alll out with his first hard core action flick y, with Rohit Shetty, Akki feels that hee can do wonders with a m like content heavy film OUATIMA. Whilee both king of them are working on their publicityy blue han prints, Imran Khan ishing is busy giving finishing ew pad. touches to his new unior Khan People close to Junior Aamir Khan: Anything hing for Baba!

feel that it’s one of the nicest houses they have seen. Avantika and Imran made sure that the house exuberates warmth and should not look like an antique store, like most star-houses do.

Imran’s mamu Aamir Khan is a generous man. Though he has been working on a water-tight schedule on two projects Peekay and Dhoom:3, he managed to convince producer Aditya Chopra and excused himself from Dhoom:3 schedule to finish the combination scenes with Sanjay Dutt in Rajkumar Hirani’s Peekay. While detractors feel that Aamir has been neglecting the Dhoom:3 shoot and delaying it, but the fact remains that he is a thorough professional and it’s a multistar cast big budget film. Such films have date issues and other causalities. No one had expected Sanjay Dutt to go behind bars for three years. Life is full of casualties, right?

My khabri from Khar Danda Road says that Sanjay Dutt wanted to meet his daughter Trishala in the USA, but he was Sanjay Dutt: Blast Sa not allowed to travel fro from the past! abroad since the Supreme Cou Court’s verdict was announced. He has talking about working nonnon-stop and finishing all his pendi pending work in four weeks. Mea Meanwhile, we hear that all is n not well between an Sanju. Though Trishala and she would never talk evil about her dad, she feels Maa that Maanyata has been Sa guiding Sanju in the wrong direction Trishala wanted direction. to act in the movies, mo than Sanju, it and more M was Maanyata who was ke on Trishala’s not keen Bollyw Bollywood entry. While everyo is talking everyone about Sanju and his ‘kind’ gesture towards in the industrywallahs, we didn’t hear a single word from Trishala.

Silenc is golden.

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Ajay Devgn, Tamannah and Sajid Khan: No himmat for remake!

We hear that Sanjay Dutt’s pal Ajay Devgn decided not to act in any remakes. He feels that remakes don’t work for him! Considering Sholay’s remake Aag and Himmatwala’s remake bombed at the box-office, he is showing doors to whoever is approaching him with a remake subject. He is willing to be a part of sequels, but not remakes because he feels that there is constant pressure which becomes difficult to handle beyond a point. A bitchy actress mentioned that Ajay must be a true Himmatwala considering he can’t dance to save his life; what braved him to opt for a role like ich was played by none other than Himmatwala which k’ Jeetendra! Ouch. the ‘Jumping Jack’

The director of Himmatwala mmatwala Sajid Khan n’t get me wrong, he is absconding. Don’t en considering the is sulking in his den film was panned allll across. Though the makers have madee sizeable amount of ered as an average money, it’s considered film and not a ‘hit’.’. He made a fool out of the janta when he went all out and did ‘paid’ articles stating ought with a that Ajay Devgn fought m. When the real tiger in the film. film was released, it was clearly mentioned that it was a computer graphic shot and they apparently used soft toys to shoot the closet. Despite a poor ups of the wild cat.

run at the box office, fice, Sajid Khan still wants filmmakers akers to pay him exorbitant fees. In n fact, the director has even walked out on Sajid Nadiadwala and has refused to direct Housefull 3 for him citing monetary issues. One advice Sajid: you must direct Housefull 3 for your own sake. ake. At least that way, the banners nners of your next film will get ‘housefull’ written on them.

Remake reminds me of TV actor Rohit Roy who is waiting to launch himself as a feature film director with the remake of Basu Chatterji’s classic Shaukeen. Version 2013 will have Rishi Kapoor, Boman Irani and Danny Denzongpa as the three main characters trying to pataao Bipasha Basu. Although the script and the star cast has been locked, the film has hit a roadblock as there were reports that director Rumy Jaffrey also holds the remake rights of the film. Rohit, who bought the remake rights of the film over three years ago, spoke to Basu Chatterjee, who said he doesn’t even know who Rumy is. Though there isn’t any legal action being taken in this matter and it’s not in court, Rohit can take his film on floors as and when he wants. But since this is his first feature film as a director, he wants to meet Jaffrey and clear all the misunderstandings before he starts. Hope the meeting about Shaukeen doesn’t turn out to be a ‘Shocking’ one!

Rohit Roy: A rude shock

Sajid’s sister Farah Khan is amused b by the facts that she is reading about her Happy New Year female lead in the tabloids every day. W We overheard her saying that she would hire one of the journalists as the casting dire directors, because sshee will not have to pay th sh that person any money and will also get a female lead.

Meanwhile, SRK is super excited about Happy New Year and im immediately after Chennai Express, he will gear up to act in Farah’s film film. Distributors are excited about the super-hit jodi already. So are we…

SRK’s co-star An Anushka Sharma was ups upset after she was misquoted in one of her interviews. In fa fact, she is saddened by the fact that they have to const constantly weigh their words in pub public and worry about their image. Having said that, Ms. Sharma ddoesn’t really adhere to this rule. SShe believes that despite being a sstar, she makes an attempt to open he her heart out and speak her mind as much as possible. lov her Well, if you ask us, we love state politically incorrect statements!

Anushka Sharma: The bold and the beautifu beautiful

Sab ka bandhu Chunkey Pandey seems to be obsessed with Kolhapuri slippers and used to wear them wherever he went.

He used to wear them even at parties which got his mother angry. But Chunks was far from giving in to his mother’s advice.

Hence, she consulted a personality development teacher who worked very closely on Chunkey’s gait and got him rid of his obsession for Kolhapuri chappals.

Who was his teacher Greg Chappal?

Chunks’ friend Abhishek Bachchan is a funny guy. We all know that and have even witnessed it on several occasions. In the recent past, at one of the events, a reporter asked the actor for a byte regarding some issue.

Abhishek, who is quite humble and polite with the media, was more than willing to talk. He quipped saying, ‘What? You Abhishek Bachchan: Reality 'bite'! want to bite me?’ Poor reporter was both obliged and embarrassed at his response.

Unlike some ‘Osho-boring’ actor, AB junior sure knows on how to tickle our funny bones.

AB’s pal Ram Gopal Varma signed Sunny Leone for a two-film deal. It seems sunny days are here again for both the director and the actress! Incidentally, a recent survey revealed that Sunny is the most searched personality on websites. I’m sure Playboy model Sheryln Chopra and the likes are willing to strangulate Ms Leone for possessing the most enviable body in Bollywood. But how about balancing it with the body of work, Ms Leone?

Sunny Leone: Most wanted!

While some stars get it ‘easy’, some like to sweat it out. It seems that Irrfan had to travel three hours daily from his hotel to the shooting location for Nikhil Advani’s D-Day. The actor who is paired opposite Huma Qureshi was wasting three hours every day and suggested that if he could stay put in his vanity van so that it saves him and the entire unit a lot of time, money and energy. Considering that he played Paan Singh Tomar, he could’ve just run from the sets to his hotel and back!

While Kai Po Che! actors Amit Sadh, Sushant Singh Rajput and Rajkumar Yadav were busy shooting for their forthcoming ventures, female lead Amrita Puri was busy chatting with none other than Steven Spielberg. No, she was not dreaming! She was amongst the selected few from the Bolly frat who managed to share a sentence with the stalwart when he visited Mumbai for a téte-e-téte with the chosen few. A jasoos tells me, that Ms Puri was telling Steven that she takes time to sign projects, and doesn’t rush for movies. Well girl, you ‘Spiel’ the beans…

Amrita Puri: ET-sy bitsy!

While Steven Spielberg and James Cameron were the ones who took special effects to a different level, we have director Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan who has been working hard on his next project. After winning the National Award for his debut film Lahore, the director has been working round the clock on his forthcoming venture which will be a complete special effects film. He has already got international crew members and prosthetic make-up guys on board for his venture. The Sanjay Puran Singh film will take almost six months in Chauhan: Side 'effects'! post production, because every frame of the film will have special effects. Tight lipped about the venture, he assures that it will be a visual delight for people. Hope we get to see good CG (computer graphics) after a disastrous 3G!

We heard Bollywood hottie Arjun Rampal telling a friend that he wants to be a part of a romantic film. The actor, who will soon be seen in Nikhil Advani’s D-Day, has me lacks a attempted different genres over the years, but his resume sn’t want romance drama. However, he is very clear that he doesn’t ell, we sure candy floss romance. It has to be real and mature. Well, would love to see him romancing on the big screen. Meanwhile, nia’s next.

Saif Ali Khan is super excited about Homi Adajania’s oduction The Cocktail director is writing a script for Saif’s production house and the Nawab is very happy with the way the script is ts Arjun in shaping up. Hope it’s a two-hero film and Saif casts d we will have the film too, both their wishes will come true and to watch just one film! That’s the best part, no?

man'tic venture!

Saif Ali Khan: Ro'man'tic

This month goes to...

Fit and fab Arjun Rampal, who apparently gifted a couple of work-out equipments to his society’s in-house gym. Everything was well until he put forth a condition that he doesn’t want anybody from the society to be in and around the gym when he’s working out. Arjun insisted that he would work-out in the gym alone and not with the other members.

That’s when the residents got the rude shock and they complained to the committee members who made it clear to Arjun that his demands won’t be met with. Arjun not only took away the equipments he had put in the gym, but even refused to return the old ones which he had kept with him. Tch Tch!

“All our activities are centered around Aaradhya and her timings…”

He is the man! Not-so-angry, not-so-young, but he still stands as tall as his towering personality. Amitabh Bachchan needs no introduction… Not at least in a country of 300 million, where every youngster thrives to either imitate him, or be an actor like him or be a charmer like him.

He can be called the true ‘heartthrob’ of Indian cinema. People smile when he smiles. People cry when he chokes.

People celebrate when he succeeds. It’s been almost a year since Big B has been extremely selective about his work.

He has not signed any new project, and is only completing the backlog which occurred due to his surgery. In an exclusive interview to Stardust, the actor shares his views on his latest film Satyagraha, granddaughter Aaradhya, social commitments and future plans. Even after achieving the impossible, this man remains as humble as ever. Presenting the superstar of this century…

BEING BACH

CHAN! PHOTOGRAPH: DABBOO RATNANI

(KBC) – India’s most popular TV game show. If you ask about his high and low moments during the break, he would say, “Personally of course, they mostly centered on the presence of my granddaughter Aaradhya in the house and the joy she brings to each of our lives. Professionally, there was just television and KBC, and that again was momentous. I never realised that I was completing 500 episodes of my association with the game show, from the year 2000 to 2013! That is a long journey, but one that has been most fulfilling. Apart from the excitement that KBC brings as a show, there was the other matter of coming face-to-face with real India, its people, their issues and our little effort in converting their lives substantially.”

Most actors ‘switch on’ and ‘switch off’ during the shoot, but Amitabh considered his contestants as his ‘extended family’. In 2012, it had touched new pinnacles of success when a victim of an acid attack went away with sizeable prize money for her plastic surgery. “The atrocities that the girl child suffers through gender discrimination in most parts of the country are

unbearable. Yet, despite those trying circumstances, for them to come out of those deplorable conditions and attain such heights of victory on the Hot Seat, was remarkable. It merely proved beyond doubt that given an opportunity, women too were no less than their male counterparts. And this was ably demonstrated by the only lady ` 5 crore winner ever at KBC, this season and ever before,” he says.

Speaking on the victim who almost got a new lease of life with KBC, he adds, “Some of the horrid stories that we gathered from the contestants, in particular the acid attack victim, were abominable. For those that suffered other kinds of physical and social harm, I was so pleased to find a huge amount of response from the viewers of the show, where many have come forward voluntarily to help in whatever manner they can, to alleviate the most extenuating circumstances that some of our own have suffered.”

You ask him about his favorite topic Aaradhya, and the tone and temperament changes like a miracle.

No doubt that his role as grandfather has been his favourite. “Well, all our

“I miss the camera each moment and each day. But my absence was deliberate, or rather, one that needed to be looked upon with some degree of caution and compulsion. I had two surgeries during the early part of 2012 and I was advised to restrict my work load.”

...with Prakash Jha

PHOTOGRAPH: YOGEN SHAH

Since the last one year, Amitabh Bachchan has been dealing with his health hazards. His family and the people around him have instructed him to take rest and not stress himself with work. Those who know Amitabh from close quarters will agree that he has magical energy and refuses to sit home, or just hang his boots. Leisure is not a word you’d associate with him. The fire that has been lit since Zanjeer is on with its creative flames flying high and far.

The man still feels that he can do much better. When quizzed about his disappearing act from motion pictures, he promptly says, “Yes! I miss the camera each moment and each day.

But my absence was deliberate, or rather, one that needed to be looked upon with some degree of caution and compulsion. I had two surgeries during the early part of 2012 and I was advised to restrict my work load.”

For late comers, Amitabh Bachchan’s health problem started 30 years ago in Bangalore, when character artiste Puneet Issar had hit him by mistake in his solar plexus while shooting for Coolie and it turned out to be near-fatal. After that, he was reportedly attacked by the life-threatening disease, Myasthenia Gravis, which is a neuromuscular ailment that causes muscle weakness. Big B was back in the hospital in November 2005.

He was admitted to Escorts Hospital in the capital and later shifted to Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital with diverticulitis of the small intestine which happens when the walls of the large or the small intestine tend to become weak leading to an inflammation.

On November 30, 2005 he was operated for the problem and remained in the hospital for two months. Three years later, on his birthday, October 11, 2008, he complained of pain and was rushed to the hospital again. He was suspected to be suffering from incisional hernia, a recurring problem that has been troubling him since the near-fatal accident on the sets of Coolie in 1982.

He has been staying away from the movie studios, but has been making rare appearances and completed the sixth edition of Kaun Banega Corepati

“Marathi cinema for example is making some of the most extraordinary films… India, as a film-making nation, has gained recognition, at last, at most important Western and Far Eastern forums. There is a dignity and respect which we are achieving each year, and this bodes well for all of us during the historic completion of 100 years of Indian Cinema.”

PHOTOGRAPH: YOGEN SHAH

...with Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

activities are centered on her and her timings. Her progress in speech movement and behaviour, most endearing, are closely followed and enjoyed,” he says.

Recently Amitabh, Jaya, Abhishek and Aishwarya campaigned for ‘Save The Girl Child’ and Jaya particularly has been extremely vocal and passionate on the issue of sexual aggression against women. Does he feel that cinema has the power to change primitive and outdated mindsets on gender politics?

Can cinema bring any social change, if at all? “I feel strongly that not just cinema, but all our public vocations or mediums should conduct exercises to look within and ascertain what can be done to rid ourselves of this very grave situation. Every powerful medium that has the capacity to form opinion or cause impression on the polity should make all efforts to give this malaise in our society a primary spot, to make aware, to repair, to comment, so that such acts are not only erased, but when perpetrated, be dealt with the severest punishment,” says Amitabh. The actor not just preaches, but even practices. He

used his blog as the platform to write about the inhuman Delhi gang rape case, which stirred the nation.

As the entire country mourned the death of the Delhi gang rape victim, he composed a moving poem as a tribute to her hoping that the world wakes up to the rights and

dignity of women. Referring to the 23-year-old girl as Damini and Amaanat, Big B’s poem in Hindi and English said that long after the candle light vigil and floral tributes would end, “The ‘fearless’ (nirbhayaa) fire that has been ignited, shall rekindle the flames in our hearts...”

The drive that has been initiated by his wife Jaya, continued till recently when Big B (who is the brand ambassador for United Nations Girl Child), donated ` 25 lakh to a charitable trust, Plan India. The organisation works for the betterment of girls. Amitabh along with wife Jaya, son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya donated the amount. The donation was generated from the sales of the book B 70. Last year, on his 70th birthday, Jaya Bachchan brought out the book which featured paintings of 70 prominent artists in India. “Normally, I do not announce charity, but this issue was important keeping recent happenings against women! This amount of ` 25 lakhs given to the representative, and further sales will also go to this institution, who work for girl child!” Amitabh wrote in his micro-blogging site.

The actor has been keeping a tab on all the latest movies and changing trends of Bollywood. He has watched selected films, which created an impact on the minds of the modern Indian

audience. The list includes, Paan Singh Tomar, Gangs of Wasseypur, Kahaani, Vicky Donor, Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, Dabangg 2 and Bol Bachchan. “Well, I notice a marked shift in the appreciation level of our audiences, and so too in the makers,” he says. He strongly feels that not just the Hindi film industry, even regional cinema is expanding.

“As a creative agency, the film industry is thinking great subjects, presenting them wonderfully well and giving opportunity to new faces each day. This is not just true for the Hindi cinema, but indeed all the regional cinema as well. Marathi cinema for example is making some of the most extraordinary films, as are the films in the Eastern and Southern parts of our country. India, as a film-making nation, has gained recognition, at last, at most important Western and Far Eastern forums. There is a dignity and respect which we are achieving each year, and this bodes well for all of us during the historic completion of 100 years of Indian Cinema,” he explains.

Apart from his film and TV commitments, Amitabh is actively involved with the tourism of Gujarat.

“My association with Gujarat is confined to its tourism and with that I believe, or so I am informed, we have been able to achieve great interest in the region. The numbers have increased exponentially and there is rapid work being executed in the building of infrastructure to cater to the growing tourist visitors,” he says.

But the moment you ask him about Narendra Modi’s resounding electoral victory, he would give a diplomatic reply. “I am non-political so I shall not be able to answer your question. But the victory of Narendra Modi is the outcome of a democratic election process and we respect that,” he opines. So do we see him promoting Hindi film industry in Gujarat? Does he plan to bring members of the film fraternity into Gujarat? “There are many exciting locations in the State and I am certain if a particular film requires adequate facility for shootings, the State would provide it,” he signs off.

Subhash K Jha

SANJAY DUTT

NAYAK OR

KHALNAYAK? ...with sister Priya Dutt Roncon and brother-in-law Owen Roncon

YOU CHECK B FACTS AND DECIDE…!

If melting a gun was a solution, US President Barrack Obama would have melted Saudi Arabia officially by now. But that’s not how it is, thankfully! A criminal matters, and not his arms, it’s the brain that counts, not the machine. If a 53-year-old Bollywoood powerplayer is found guilty for illegally possessing and destroying an AK56 by India’s Apex Court, its ruling must be accepted, hands down. He may have repented for what he did one summer, 20 years ago, and reformed himself into a lovable family man. But does turning a hermit after aiding criminals help while seeking pardon? If that’s the benchmark, then does every Ratnakar in India, and globally, stand a chance to become Rishi Valmiki? Should every Sanjay Dutt then metamorphose into a Munnabhai because he’s remorseful? Most importantly, can the victims of the Mumbai Serial Blasts of 1993 and their families pardon the public figure for disfiguring their lives forever?

Everyone has been talking! We choose to ask questions based on factually recorded history, which is not boring, and definitely not as useless as it’s considered to be, hoping they’re answered some day. Read…

ollywood has been shedding tears and showing strength. Visitors have dropped by in dozens to meet the new-age Kancha and show their sympathy for what has been meted out to him. News channels have hammered their verdicts on the Mumbai Serial Blasts Case in various tones and undertones. The nexus between politics, glamour and the guns is naked right now. Manipulation is at its peak. Victims and their families await justice with bated breath. The ‘new and improved’ star’s friends feel that he has ‘suffered’ enough in the last 20 years.

His detractors obviously feel otherwise…what with a suffering that comprises a cushy life in a sprawling penthouse at a prime spot in the city, luxury four-wheelers, expensive holidays, and a new marriage that has added two more children to his life alongside a film company that’s just begun its run. As the drama unfolds, Stardust, instead of mouthing an opinion, decided to dive deep into the issue of Bollywood’s most sensational case – Sanjay Dutt and the underworld ‘don’ Dawood Ibrahim’s connections and its aftermath, and pose a few queries to the Bollywood intelligentsia hoping they’d have an apt answer, whenever.

On the afternoon of March 21, 2013, actor-producer Sanjay Dutt’s life changed with the Apex Court’s verdict that came for a case that had been going on for 20 years. The man in question was in possession of arms that were used to ruin the lives of hoards of Mumbai’s denizens forever. One afternoon, the city was rocked with 12 serial blasts in some of the most crowded pockets, killing hundreds of people, leading to bloodshed, numerous corpses in hospitals, some of which were of those men and women who were the sole bread-winners of their families. Plenty of children lost one or both their parents. The reasons, according to various official findings, were communal at the surface, personal at the core with vendetta at the root.

Days went by speculating what was happening in the Dutt household after the verdict came in. The futures of his current films appeared in jeopardy, especially the third Munnabhai outing, given that Sanjay is already 53 years old, and after his jail sentence, he’d be 56. According to the trade, a right-minded filmmaker would think twice before risking a hit franchise with an actor who’s old and tainted. Nevertheless, filmmakers, actors, and various other powerful men and women visited Sanjay, spent time with him consoling him and putting in strength in his head to pass through the phase. When Sanjay Dutt first stepped out of his abode to address the media that had parked itself outside his plush Imperial Heights address, he understandably looked jaded. His eyes gave it away that the orders had given him sleepless nights.

His eyes looked swollen, he seemed exhausted. Question No 1: Why didn’t he appear with his dear obliging wife Maanyata (Dilnawaz Sheikh), which he always does when he attends a media gathering? Why did he suddenly need

mixed, and questions on whether Sanjay Dutt should be pardoned. With so many undecided souls, it only made sense for us to step in and do some public service.

Instead of being judgemental, we’re sharing some facts

his sister, an acting MP from the ruling party (Congress), Priya Dutt Roncon’s shoulders to cry on in front of the

that you’d like to know, and raise a few more questions which you might think why you didn’t ask. A generation that grew

press? This went undetected, while the TV crew and print

up watching Munnabhai MBBS must know their heroes from

journalists waited to hear Sanju ‘Baba’ speak up. He sat, sobbed, spoke.

villains and their facts from fiction. During a debate on prime time news, a die-hard fan enthused, “Baba ne sab ko jaadoo

“I have already suffered for 20 years and been in jail for 18 months. If they want me to suffer more, I have to be strong. I am heart-broken because today along with me, my three children and my wife and my family will undergo the punishment. I have always respected the judicial system and will continue to do so, even with tears in my eyes. I am going to complete all my films and won’t let anyone down. I am overwhelmed by the support of my fans, the industry people, the media and all the wellwishers. They have always stood by me and supported me.

ki jhappi dee Munnabhai banke. Baba ko jail mein nahin jana

“When I will be asked by the Supreme Court why everyone else has got TADA and my client only the Arms Act, I will have no answer.”

— Satish Maneshinde to Tehelka’s spycam

I know in my heart that I have always been a good human being,

chahiye!” (Sanjay propagated Gandhi’s philosophy of love

respected the system and always been loyal to my country. My family is very emotional right now and I have to be strong for them. I am shattered and in emotional distress. I am sorry I can’t

and non-violence as Munnabhai, so he shouldn’t be jailed.) A participant responded, “Oh, so Ben Kingsley (who played MK Gandhi in Gandhi) should be pardoned even if he kills half the

come down and meet you all. God is great and he will guide me through this,” was his official statement.

The TV crew got its footage. Additional sympathy messages

world.” Needless to say that like Walter Benjamin’s Angel Of History, Sanjay lived life with his face towards the past. He sees it as, ‘One catastrophe which keeps piling wreckage upon

poured in. Obviously, it’s a heart-rending sight to see a man of his age and stature sobbing like child. Plenty were shaken with his pain barring those who have already shed tears for 20 years,

wreckage and hurls it in front of his feet.’ True. Question No 2: Should he be pardoned because he has played good boy roles on screen?

since the barbaric bombings of 1993, and were awaiting the landmark judgement to make its way.

Two decades have gone by since the horrific afternoon

After the Supreme Court upheld its earlier verdict and sentenced him for three years of imprisonment, faces began descending in their cars in bunches at Sanjay’s house, who

of March 12, 1993. We have a short-term memory, and we tend to forget pain and misery and move on. A generation of youngsters doesn’t even have memory of the dreaded day,

feels ‘life has been unkind to him.’ From Salman Khan to Aamir Khan, the smallest filmmaker to Karan Johar and Rajkumar Hirani, everyone made their ‘haazris’. Item girl

either because they were born after that or they were just knee-high and wouldn’t understand what the ruckus was that day. The ‘Black Friday’ had been buried in memory. But after

Rakhi Sawant has even offered to serve the sentence on his behalf. The media diligently reported. According to one of the reports, the first shoot that Sanjay attended was Policegiri at

Sanjay’s verdict, debates were held on national television.

Social networking websites were overflowing with sentiments,

Kamalistan Studios. The workers wore red arm bands to show support to Dutt and condemn the orders.

The only actress who didn’t show sympathy and instead asked him to surrender and march to the prison with whatever dignity he’s left with was Rakhee Gulzar who has played his onscreen mother in several of his films including Khalnayak after which he first took his ‘prison break’. She told DNA, “It breaks my heart to say this. I love Sanjay like my own child. I’ve been associated with that wonderful family from the time I did Reshma Aur Shera which was my first film with his father Sunil Dutt saab. Sanjay has grown up in front of me. I remember him as a lonely child. After Nargis’ death, Dutt saab got busy with various activities. I remember at the outdoor location of one of my films, Sanjay had lice in his hair and his lips had gone

...with Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan

...with father Sunil Dutt

frequented the sets to visit him. With his existing public image of a bad boy, Dawood weighed him higher than Feroze Khan and Kabir Bedi.

Those years, Bollywood wasn’t dictated by corporates. It wasn’t a government-recognised industry, and films were funded largely by the deep-pocketed ‘bhais’ of Dubai and Malaysia. Stars and films were remote controlled from overseas, and this ‘dhanda’ became the best way to turn black money into white. A source insists that Dawood researched on Sanjay Dutt, and discovered his substantial weakness for ‘substances’, his strained family affairs, relationships with women and his spoilt bunch of friends.

Noted film journalist Rauf Ahmed explored this fear psychosis in one of his columns. “You’d wake up and hear that Gulshan Kumar, whom one met at all the parties, had suddenly been shot dead outside a Shiv Mandir. Manisha Koirala’s brother was killed. Hrithik Roshan’s father was shot at after Kaho Na Pyaar Hai released. It was all to show the royalty of Bombay who really was the boss,” he wrote.

That said, it can’t be denied that the film industry and the white because of a vitamin deficiency. He is basically a loving underworld were dancing a particularly intricate pas de deux. and affectionate boy. But he got into the wrong company...

In a section in Maximum City, author Suketu Mehta elaborates And look where it has landed him today. I know how much he has gone through. But “…Because I have Muslim blood in my veins. I to say that his jail term should be pardoned could not bear what was happening in the city.” because he has suffered a lot is insensitive — Sanjay Dutt to Sunil Dutt (in Tehelka Magazine) to those whose lives were shattered by the 1993 bomb blasts. Instead of spending 20 years pleading innocence and victimisation, Sanjay should’ve how Sanjay bailed out friend Vidhu Vinod Chopra from the accepted he had made a mistake, served his full sentence underworld’s extortive acts. Apparently, he phoned Abu Salem and started his life afresh. Instead, his advisers, hangers-on and said, “This is the man who stood by me when I was in jail. and those lawyers are misadvising him. Today, I see his soYou can’t touch him.” This justifies the Khalnayak’s stronghold called friends shedding tears and pleading for leniency. If he is in the film fraternity. He was murmured to be the ‘unofficial’ pardoned, the common people’s faith in the legal system would link between the industry and the underworld. Question No 4: be shaken. Instead, Sanjay should accept the court’s verdict Why does India love bad boys so much and is never seen with dignity and serve his sentence. His conscience would be as a stern mother to its children that have wronged and clear. He will be loved and respected a lot more for accepting need to be duly penalised, which happens in the west and abiding by the court’s verdict.” regardless of who the child in question is? Why does an Everyone adjusted their schedules for shooting and dubbing actor land better roles in films and more endorsements to ensure he has a smooth gateway to jail without any work after he serves a jail term? Why didn’t more sensible films left pending. The actor-producer was on his toes completing come Sanjay’s way when he hadn’t been jailed? impending commitments, and his wife, absent from the most Strangely, when someone as magnanimous as Robert crucial appearance, was heard being busy meeting politicos Downey Jr or a Mel Gibson is imprisoned or punished beyond from Delhi to save her pati parmeshwar from being thrown what the legal system in their home country mandated for drug behind bars. Question No 3: What was Bollywood thinking habits or being racist, it leads to ostracisation. There are heavy when the city was in shreds? Wasn’t the bombing unkind losses, they lose out on roles and big endorsement deals. But to them and people around them? Do they really have to that’s not what happens back home in the east. The way Sanjay be politically correct to show support for someone who is Dutt was accepted back after he served jail, it almost proved held guilty by law? that sensationalism sells.

Reportedly, Dutt’s first brush with the underworld king Sanjay has gathered a coterie of supporters who Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar in 1991 was on the sets of Yalgaar blindly (literally) support him. The Chairman of the Press in Dubai. The boy-man was 31 then, brash, popular for his Council, Retd Justice Markandey Katju, wrote a letter to drinking habits and other vices, raised in the lap of luxury which the Governor of Maharashtra to excuse Sanjay from three his Bollywood superstar parents, Sunil and Nargis Dutt, had years of imprisonment. In a recent newspaper editorial, passed on to him as legacy. Anees Ibrahim (Dawood’s brother) senior advocate Shanti Bhushan said that Sunil Dutt had

helped Muslims in a riot-afflicted area and he had received

Tehelka magazine, had said, “Sanjay Dutt is not a man of

threatening phone calls. He stated that there was ‘clear danger of a mob attack on Sanjay Dutt and his family’. And

words. He’s a disaster when he opens his mouth, he has no control of his tongue, he talks like a low-grade moron. He has

since ‘an attack by such a mob could not have been deterred

never enjoyed hobnobbing with people of any intellectual

except by the threat of an automatic weapon’, Sanjay should be pardoned for procuring and keeping an automatic weapon,

pretensions. The lingo he used even then was that of the common man — foul-mouthed. Abusive environments made

unlicensed or not, by his bed. Really? Think!

him very comfortable. The purer you are, the more distant you

West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee believes Sanjay, who has already served 18 months of his five-year-

are from Sanju. The coarser you are, the more real you are to him. When I think of Sanjay, I see a man who cannot get out of

sentence, has ‘suffered enough’. She gets nostalgic about

his own nightmare. He is someone who is caught in a fortress

Sunil Dutt which doesn’t quite prove Sanjay’s innocence. If it’s a father’s reputation that precedes his son’s acts and

of hell, he achieved whatever he did within its confines, but he could never leave. Happiness comes only to give him more

the action thereafter, then even Dawood deserves to be

pain. Happiness and unhappiness as they exist for Sanju don’t

“If he is pardoned, the common people’s faith in the legal system would be shaken. Instead, Sanjay should accept the court’s verdict with dignity and serve his sentence.”

—Rakhee Gulzar to DNA

come in serial order; they exist simultaneously in the same frame.”

Bollywood, regardless of what Sanjay is for real, is out to support him. They want

pardoned because his father Ibrahim was an honest Head Constable with the Mumbai police. Author Husain Zaidi writes

the government to go easy on celebrities, so they can enjoy the ‘privileges’ of being a star.

But there are several others involved in the blasts who have

in Dongri to Dubai – Six Decades Of The Mumbai Mafia: “In the predominantly Muslim stronghold of Dongri, Ibrahim’s baithak was the first place people went to if they had a problem. It was

no support, are not being considered for pardon, and definitely not being given a chance to think of a second chance at all at life. Otherwise, what justifies Manzoor Ahmed’s case who was

privy to everything — from people discussing their choking lavatory drain to the excitement of the elopement of lovers or cases of police harassment.” Kaskar’s son is Dawood Ibrahim.

booked under TADA just for driving Abu Salem to Sanjay’s Pali Hill residence?

In an exclusive interview to Tehelka, Manzoor’s wife Razia

Question No 5: So, should sons committing crimes be pardoned because their fathers and mothers have been humane and have given to society?

Bano had said, “My husband has nothing to do with the blasts.

A Maruti 1000 was in his name. Abu Salem took him along. My husband went because he wanted to see what kind of houses

Those close to Sanjay believe that he has always been misunderstood by people. Veteran screen-writer Salim Khan, who also wrote Naam that popularised Sanjay, and is his friend

stars like Sanjay Dutt live in. It’s our fate, see Sanjay Dutt has got the Arms Act and Manzoor has been booked under TADA when he had not even asked for weapons. Sanjay is a big guy.

Salman Khan’s father, says, “Wo ladka bewakoofi aur doosron ke behkaave mein aake kuch galtiyan kar gaya. Sanju is like a child who, without realising the consequences of what he was doing, did something illegal. He’s not affiliated to a terrorist outfit; he’s not a rioter and has never been unkind to anyone. He kept arms and tried destroying them under someone’s influence and on both occasions, he didn’t gauge the consequences of his act correctly. Otherwise, which man in his sanity would do something like that? The matter was blown out of proportion in his case because he’s an actor. There are so many others who have done worse things than him with respect to the blasts, but those people and their sentences aren’t spoken of. I’ve known his father and him for years. The media loves its fodder and he’s perhaps one of the juiciest they’ve got right now. You know our law is meant for reforms more than punishments. Imagine, if we had executed dacoit Ratnakar, would we ever have had a Ramayan written by Valmiki who emerged out of that man?”

Correct. But can every Ratnakar become Valmiki for sure if given a chance? And why should he be given that chance?

While the media is milking Sanjay for filling its slots, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, in one of his earlier interviews to

...with wife Maanyata and kids Shahran and Iqra

He has sources. What do we have? I don’t even have money to pay the lawyer any more. Sanjay Dutt can hire the best lawyers.

If I had the money, I could also have hired a good lawyer.” Currently, she runs her house by stitching clothes.

A similar case was brought up by Headlines Today. Zaibunnisa Kazi who was much younger when the blasts happened has been booked for similar offences as Sanjay’s. She has been sentenced to five years of rigorious imprisonment without any allowance for redressal. Her daughter had a question and so do we: Question No 6: Is the Indian judiciary partial to the celebrities, who especially have a coterie of lawyers who know the difference between interpretation and misrepresentation of law?

There were authentic phone records to prove Sanjay’s nexus with Anees Ibrahim.

In a statement to Tehelka magazine, Joint Commissioner of Police, M N Singh, who headed the investigation with his deputy Rakesh Maria, mentioned that he came to know about his connection with the underworld when Sanjay confessed that he had been calling Anees. Cops extracted print outs from the MTNL head-office which showed that seven calls had been made to the White House in Dubai. They also checked with the Indian Embassy in Dubai confirming that the Dubai number belonged to Dawood’s brother.

Only a few of the over 150 accused in the serial blasts case had been in touch with either Dawood or Anees when the conspiracy was hatched. Sanjay was one of them. The records were handed over to the CBI. Tehelka details, “When the time came to pin Sanjay down in court, the CBI chose to omit the record related to the telephone calls in its final submission against Sanjay before the TADA court. The prosecution’s submission reveals that the CBI has not brought the telephone conversation-related evidence on record. Sources in the CBI said that since the court had not accepted the telephone records as evidence against Sanjay, they decided to delete them from their written submission.” Question No 7: If someone did something out of sheer innocence without realising the consequences of what he was doing, why did Sanjay become one of those few who

FACTS FROM THE FILES l It wasn’t just Sunil Dutt’s health that was waning. He seemed to have lost the respect of his fellow politicians. In a particularly humiliating instance, Sharad Pawar made Dutt wait for him in a lobby for over three hours. Thugs, displeased with his pro-Muslim work, had begun to threaten the Dutt family.

Sunil had asked for extra security. But Sanjay thought his father might not be able to do enough to protect the family and bought another gun — a fourth, unlicensed automatic weapon to add to his three licensed firearms. l When Sunil Dutt came to know that the Mumbai Police had found that his son had acquired AK-56 guns from Dawood Ibrahim’s brother Anees, and had destroyed one after the serial blasts in Bombay, he informed the Police Commissioner AS Samra that his son was returning that night (April 19, 1993) from Mauritius. The police arrested Sanjay from the airport. l Joint Commissioner of Police MN Singh and his deputy Rakesh Maria interrogated and Sanjay broke down and narrated the story. Sunil and his daughter Priya met Sanjay and asked the reason for his act. “Because I have Muslim blood in my veins. I could not bear what was happening in the city,” Sanjay had said. A crestfallen Sunil Dutt left the police headquarters. l Quite in contrast to what he felt in 1993, Sanjay’s forehead was smeared with a long sindoor tilak on judgement day — November 28, 2006. Thirteen years after he was arrested on charges of acquiring three AK-56 rifles, nine magazines, 450 cartridges and over 20 hand grenades — weapons and explosives associated either with terrorists or counter-insurgency forces — his case was finally to be decided and Sanjay was nervous. l Satish Maneshinde, one of Sanjay Dutt’s key lawyers, was nervous too.

Unlike his client Sanjay, who had asked for the weapons, stored them, asked for them to be destroyed and even admitted to his association with Anees Ibrahim, another accused Zaibunissa Kazi had only stored them for a few days and was booked under TADA. Her role was in no way comparable to Sanjay’s. l A day earlier, another co-accused Manzoor Ahmed had similarly been held guilty under TADA. Abu Salem and he had driven to Sanjay’s house to pick up the bag that was then kept at Zaibunissa Kazi’s house. Both she and Manzoor face the prospect of spending a minimum five years in jail, if not a life term. l Two other co-accused, Samir Hingora and Baba Mussa Chauhan were convicted under TADA for conspiracy and possession of prohibited arms in city limits. l The nature of the charges and the evidence against Chauhan and Sanjay were similar. Chauhan, like Sanjay, had in his possession three AK-56 rifles, some cartridges, magazines and hand grenades. Both Sanjay and Chauhan had the arms delivered to them by the same person — Abu Salem, who after the serial blasts of 1993 escaped the country and carried out criminal activities in India from abroad before being extradited in 2005. l Sanjay’s conviction under TADA seemed a fait accompli. But it was relieving for his battery of lawyers that he was convicted under the Arms Act only and is thus now in a position to even seek probation, which if granted, would ensure he doesn’t go to jail at all. No one knows the anomaly of the judgment better than Maneshinde. l On the spycam operation held by Tehelka, he has admitted, “When I will be asked by the Supreme Court why everyone else has got TADA and my client only the Arms Act, I will have no answer.” The statement says it all!

(Inputs from Tehelka)

As expected and suspected by many, Maanyata is said to have distanced plenty of people from Sanjay including some of his closest friends like Sanjay Gupta, associates, and even his family members. Journalist Rauf Ahmed, who was working on his biography with Random House, gave up on the book when Sanjay informed him that Maanyata would be dealing with the creative aspects.

It’s said that Maanyata convinced Sanjay to move against his sister Priya and join hands with Samajwadi Party instead of Congress, which also didn’t do much for Sanjay’s public image although he visibly enjoyed his new phase. It only created more distances between the siblings, which is evident from their body-languages. Today, BJP and various other party leaders have not made a bone to call him a “traitor” and a “criminal”.

But his family stands with him, silently and strongly.

At the movies, his second innings, which started with ...with Salman Khan

Vaastav, reached a stage where he has ` 200 crore riding on close to a dozen films of his, some of which have neared

made several phone calls to Anees Ibrahim in Dubai when the blast conspiracy was hatched?

completion. He made an announcement a year ago in Hindustan Times that Maanyata, who has ‘studied business’,

Many instances like this could have caused the delay in justice which also means justice denied. Over the last two decades, Sanjay has been taken to jail thrice, appeared for

will take charge of the finances in his film business as the CEO of Sanjay Dutt Productions. His manager Dharam Oberoi, who had been with him for years, was sacked on a

several court hearings and lost his father and the biggest support system in his family. He has married twice and has

suspicious note.

As you read this, Sanjay would have surrendered before the

twins from his third marriage to Maanyata, a small-time item girl Dilnawaz, with a suspicious background.

According to an article printed in September 2008 in Society,

Bombay High Court. However, going by the wave of sympathy and unprecedented support, Sanjay has been coaxed by

Sanjay’s current wife’s mother Duhreyshwar, brother Naved and sister Nida, moved out of their shady Blessings Apartment house in Versova to a lesser known place after she married Sanjay. Her uncle, who resides in Gulistan Building in the same locality, had even refused to have known anyone by the name Maanyata or Dilnawaz. Reportedly, she’s been married twice, with a baby boy from one of them who she claims is her brother born when she was nearing 30 and her parents had been apart for years. Confused? We don’t blame you!

No one knows where she came from, and how did Sanjay take fancy to her despite her notorious background, which her former neighbours confirm she has, given that she was even known to have stolen jewellery from her best friend’s house (Soceity, September 2008). Question No 8: Where were Sanjay’s well-wishers and fans when he was getting engaged to a woman with a dubious background? Why didn’t they make the noise they’re making now?

The actor had appealed earlier that he had a child (Trishala) whose responsibility rested on his shoulders. He was granted bail, but after that, years went by. Instead of marrying off his grown-up kid, he married a much younger lady in 2008, which was such a surprise that even his sisters, Namrata and Priya, and daughter were shell-shocked. The daughter objected to his alliance, but eventually reports came in that Maanyata and she had become friends in the Bahamas where Sanjay shot Blue with Akshay Kumar. The sisters still maintain a ‘no comments’ stance on the wife.

“Sanju is a disaster when he opens his mouth, he has no control of his tongue, he talks like a low-grade moron.”

—Mahesh Bhatt to Tehelka Mahesh Bhatt to file a revision petition which is permissible under the Arms Act, and if it gets accepted, he will return to his ‘sufferings’ yet again, permanently. On last check, Ajay Devgn, who was showered with a hit called Son Of Sardaar, Salman Khan, who is undergoing two court trials, and a couple of others have promised to work for ‘bhabhiji’ and keep Sanju’s kitchen running till he returns. Question No 9: Where would he return from if Sanjay doesn’t even go to jail and serve imprisonment for aiding a crime as heinous as the Mumbai Serial Blasts?

When asked, advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, who has often been dragged into the matter for his opinion said, “I’ve been asked for my opinion too often and I’ve been part of this too many times. I don’t think I’d like to say anything on this now. Sorry!”

Question No 10: Will the real Sanjay Dutt stand up and tell us what has he really suffered the most in these 20 years when some commoners awaited, and continue to await, justice?

Ram Kamal Mukherjee

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DEOL

WINE IN A NEW BOTTLE! “Media wanted Bobby and me to be present at Esha’s wedding, but why should we go anywhere because the media wants it? Why make a public circus of our relationships?”

Sunny Deol is vintage! He doesn’t get old, even after tareek pe tareek!

His anger, romance and even his comedy on screen have an effect on women which other men can seldom generate. Reason: he’s a man in an industry full of boys. This shy superstar’s inner-world revolves around his family. Amidst the immense love between the men there’s a line of respect that’s not to be crossed. And these tough men cry at the drop of a hat. Never the one to agree for an interview easily, it took us a bit to track him down from his shoots and catch him when he’s lunching in Panchgani for a chat about his absence from the movie scene, his son’s debut and ` 1000 crore movies among other things. As someone rightly says, “North India can’t do without the dhols and the Deols,” we peep into Sunny Deol’s life and unearth answers to a host of questions that had been nagging our minds for months. Excerpts…

is no point in getting yourself operated all the time. I’ve learnt to work my way around it because I can’t even live in oblivion as if nothing has happened. You can’t ignore it. You just have to change your lifestyle carefully to ensure your back is fine.

The most anticipated movie on your plate right now is the YPD sequel.

What kind of responses have you received for its promos?

Everyone loved it. We enjoyed the process of making that film. It was a picnic but as the trailer launch date neared, I started getting anxiety pangs.

On the day of the event, I was nervous like a bride. I didn’t know what the sample audience there would think.

But when we heard cheers and roars from the auditorium, I became relaxed.

I was relieved! Half the battle is won.

Our looks have come across, the buzz is great. It’s a neat entertainer.

Today, I know for a fact that blitzkrieg promotions are a must for even good films. And the bigger the film, the fatter the promotion budget. But I’m sure we’re not doing anything run-of-the-mill.

It’s evident in the promos that your ‘angry man’ image has been used in a funny way. Why did you allow that?

It adds to the humour and it has been used in a really funny way. I didn’t mind it because they’re not making fun of me as a person. They’ve had a laugh on the perception formed about me through my movies. I’m not an angry man really. I’m a mix, a human being

First things first, why did you go missing from the scene for such a long time? Yamla Pagla Deewana

work because that’s what I know and that’s also what I like. Even now, when we’re chatting, I’m on a set, shooting

(YPD) released in 2011 and its sequel comes in 2013. Where were you in the interim?

for a film whose script really impressed me. Singh Sahab The Great might sound like an action film but it’s a romantic film

but our industry does function on perceptions largely.

I was tied up getting my projects ready.

I have three of them that will release in quick succession starting with I Love

with a lot of elements revolving around a married couple. Honestly, if I didn’t go off sight, you think I’d be able to put

Is it difficult working with your brother and father because you’re quite a shy guy?

New Year, followed by Yamla Pagla Deewana and Mohalla Assi. Getting any film together is a time consuming

even one project together?

It was rumoured that your back was

My father and I have worked on a couple of films together. I’ve worked with Bob as well. It’s not difficult working with two

process, so I had to be away at work, which is how I like to be.

in bad shape which kept you off work and you made frequent trips to

people who make a huge part of your life. It was actually a treat for us because

Meaning?

I love my shoots. It’s a hobby turned into

the USA for treatment?

That’s right. I did that. My back has been a problem for years now. I can’t fight it

we genuinely had a lot of time to spend together, keep a check on each other and have a blast together. Otherwise, we

a profession. I just like to continuously

anymore with surgeries because there

meet when time permits for meals and

“Never! I’m not a body-builder or a gym-trainer by profession. If I was playing one of them on screen I would have thought of a six-pack but why do I need it otherwise when I’m fighting fit.” we’re pretty much together but busy with our respective work. YPD is a family outing for us.

Is it true then that YPD3 is already in the making?

Yeah, you can say that. We have started thinking about the characters we’d like to have in our film and what kind of a story should it be this time. When Yamla Pagla Deewana released, no one knew what to expect from it. It worked on word-of-mouth publicity. So when we made its sequel, we had to ensure that we do a better job than the first one so people go back home entertained with a sort of a hangover of laughter.

You already seem excited. Were you always a believer of franchises?

Ah, big time! But when I was working in films like Arjun, Ghayal and Ghatak, I wished we could turn them into successful franchises. I used to watch Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone’s action franchises I used to wonder why something like that doesn’t happen in Bollywood where there is a lot of scope.

Is that why you’re planning to make a sequel to Ghayal?

Yes, because our industry is now open to the idea of sequels. It’s a legendary film which no one had any hopes from when it was made. I still

remember I was preparing myself to face rotten tomatoes and eggs flying in my direction from the audience because no one had attempted a film like that before. I thought it’s pack up for me. But when the audience started applauding and cheering for me, I didn’t know how to handle it because I wasn’t ready for that reaction. Coming to the sequel, it ran into some troubles but now it will move speedily with Rahul Rawail directing it. We aim for a June 2014 release.

Do you think you could have directed Ghayal 2 or YPD 2 because you have directed a film in the past for your home banner?

Oh, no! I would have disappeared completely and then, you wouldn’t see even one film featuring Sunny Deol. And it’s not my cup of tea. I can’t direct, I’d rather act which I know I can.

That’s all I know. I’ve promised myself that I will have three releases a year at least from now on.

YPD wasn’t expected to do as well as it did. Do you think that was an acid test for you?

I wouldn’t call it an acid test. I’ve been in this industry for too long to know that most of the ups you see in a lot of actors’ lives are created, by them or their battery of friends and well-wishers.

I say that because their films have never

made a mark really. You haven’t gone back with a part of that film with you. I wanted my films to speak for me. Also things changed rapidly in the industry. Showmanship took charge and I didn’t fit into that. I don’t know how to do that. And then when YPD came, it reinstated my fans’ faith in my work. They understood that Sunny Deol is not over yet. My fans had been asking why I wasn’t working as much as Salman Khan or Sanjay Dutt but I couldn’t

do the kind of films they were doing.

They’re not my kind.

So, Bhaiyyaji Superhit and Singh Saab The Great are your kind of movies?

Absolutely! I believe in their scripts. They present their heroes as human beings, not supermen. There’s an emotional aspect to their stories which touched me. I haven’t allotted my dates for Bhaiyyaji Superhit yet but it’s a hilarious script and I would like to get that film going ASAP and wrap it fast. There were problems with the dates but why should the film suffer for problems between us. I don’t like that to happen to any of my films.

Preity Zinta was to do Bhaiyyaji Superhit but it didn’t work out, right?

No, we had approached her for YPD2 but she was shooting her own production then and couldn’t do our film. But she was sweet enough to call and congratulate me on the trailer launch. She wants us to do something with her IPL team because of the Punjab connection. We’ll definitely do something but I don’t know what!

The titles of your films are suggestive that they will focus on the male protagonists.

They’re all character driven films and have romance at their core. I don’t get this concept. Action or romance,

Her name is Pooja Deol but this is her passport name like mine is Ajay Singh Deol. Websites, despite being told, don’t change the wrong details about stars.

It’s no big deal really because I wanted to take the film’s story to UK. Pooja is from UK and understands the scenario better. She came up with the idea and so we put it together with her. If she has ideas for part three, we’ll consider it for sure.

She used to help you on Shakespeare right?

Yeah, during my acting course in

...with Bobby Deol and Dharmendra

it’s work that we’re doing like other professional. Media should stop

the nuances instead of wasting time on a six-pack ab which again is a fad

bracketing our work. They confuse a romance like Gadar for an action film. It wasn’t, right?

among young men in Bollywood. I just hope he sticks to the path I’ve shown him, he better (laughs)!

Your friends Sanjay and Salman are in a legal wrangle right now.

All these things happen because they’re high-profile men. I would only ask them to quietly let it pass.

Did it ever occur to you that you must also develop six pack abs?

Never! I’m not a body-builder or a gymtrainer by profession. If I was playing one of them on screen I would have thought of a six-pack but why do I need it otherwise when I’m fighting fit.

Your son is preparing to get into films, and he assisted on YPD2. What does he plan to do: direct, act, write, sing or all of it?

Karan wants to become an actor and he is working on that. At the end of next year, we should roll. I’m his father and I now understand what my father went through when I was being launched in Betaab. I was confident but he was nervous. I’m sure my son

London for which I wasn’t packed off. I wasn’t the variety who would linger on his father’s sets. Crowds did something to me. As my father’s son I was either treated too well or like shit.

So the best thing to do was to go to a place where no one recognised me.

Pooja was my support there. She gave me lessons in Shakespeare which I don’t quite remember. But she helped me a lot in my vocation to become an actor.

But haven’t you been callous about your body in the past?

Yes, majorly. As youngsters we feel that our body is invincible and nothing will ever happen to it. But as age catches on, we begin to feel the jolts. For instance, during the shooting of Betaab, there was a stunt for which I had to be seen jumping and seating myself on a horse.

You are seen dancing and drinking, the former is rare. What made you do that?

I’m neither a dancer nor a drinker in real life which is the case with lots of people, especially when it comes to dancing. When they look at us doing our own things, they feel that they too can shed their inhibition. They’re not ashamed then. I don’t have to be Hrithik or Shah Rukh to be able to dance on

will be a confident actor. I’m working on his debut which should be a solohero film the way it was for me. I

My father was stern and didn’t want me to do any stunt. But when I saw my body double couldn’t do it, I did, very

screen. I can do my two bit as if I was drunk. I just need to act for that. In fact for YPD2 we’ve made a song which is

wanted him to basically have a rub-off

easily because I’d been a sportsperson

a tribute to all the non-dancers which

of an actor’s life because acting can’t be taught in a classroom which a lot

all my life. It came naturally to me. That’s how I started doing those risky stunts

includes me too.

of young boys in the industry think it

in films when there were no support

Are you really an angry Deol the

can be. Experience teaches. I want him to watch a lot of films and understand

systems and no protection from injury at all. It’s a lot safer now.

way you are projected through your films?

It’s a projection of a character. When

“As my father’s son I was either treated too well or like shit. So the best thing to do was to go to a place where no one recognised me. Pooja was my support there. She gave me lessons in Shakespeare.”

Your wife Lynda has written the story of

I’m angry on screen, they say I’m an angry man, when I play a romantic guy,

YPD2, which is a first

they say he’s cute. It’s about making a

for a Deol bahu. Was it awkward? And isn’t

character believable. As for anger in real life, there are few things in the world

her name Pooja?

that anger me a lot.

Like?

Those comedians on TV. When they poke fun at my cost, it doesn’t really bother me. I let them bark. But when they poke fun at my father or brother or speak tongue-in-cheek things about them, I lose my cool. Otherwise, I’m not angry all the time. I’m just a bit short-tempered.

Your father and your TV debut were announced almost simultaneously.

Why is your debut still stuck?

That was to happen but in a way I’m happy not doing that TV show. I’d rather act in films than acting in real life. On the show, I was expected to act in a certain manner whereas I think in a reality show, everything including the judges should be real. That wasn’t happening. So, I moved out because nor can I stand fake things, and neither can I pretend to be real.

As a producer and an actor, what’s your take on the ` 100 crore movies?

Do you think YPD2 can make that kind of money?

Till a film releases, you can’t say how much money it can make. But lately, everything in our industry has been set on a numeric scale. If value was added to the rupee, then almost every film made between 1970s and 1980s, and 1990s up to a certain point were all ` 100 crore hits. With the kind of cinemas we have now, the ticket prices and the kind of investments that are made, I think ` 1000 crore is not a distant dream. ...with Kangna Ranaut in I Love New Year

Given a choice between “My back has been a problem for a ` 100-crore-movie years now. I can’t fight it anymore and a movie that is with surgeries because there is no sentimentally close to point in getting yourself operated all the time. I’ve learnt to work my way you, which one would around it...” you choose and why?

A movie that sentimentally appeals to me, any day!

The media wanted Bobby and me The money is a by-product! I opted for there but why should we go anywhere a film like Mohalla Assi knowing that it’s because the media wants it? Why make not the commercial glossy entertainer. a public circus of our relationships? I’m It’s the script that matters! around when I have to be. I’m Esha’s brother and that can’t change. I’m Do you feel the language of cinema there and I always will be there for my has changed and somewhere you brothers and sisters. haven’t really kept pace?

Cinema is a reflection of our audience’s What do you think of Abhay’s choice tastes. When there’s demand there’s of work and his career? supply. Somehow, I went out of demand He’s like me; he chooses films that he because there was no demand for likes to work in, not what others feel the kind of films I did. No one wanted are apt for him. He’s another Deol who to touch films like Yateem, Arjun and doesn’t chase work. He works on films Dacait when I accepted them. I kept on instinct. My faith took me far, his away but they say it’s a cycle, and will take him far. Someone asked why everything comes back. So am I. Similar all four of us have not worked in a film thing happened to Anil Sharma. He together. I just think handling three has made so many good films and Deols was a task. How would they tried so many genres but he went out handle it if four of us came together? of circulation, no producer wanted to touch him. He came back with us. I don’t You have another son Rajvir, what is think anyone makes wrong choices he up to? because by reading a script you can He’s young but he’s also planning never say it will be a hit. to become an actor. I think it’s the ambience at home that just draws them Where do you think Bobby’s career to the profession. And a bit of the genes! went wrong?

He didn’t get too many good directors What about Bobby’s kids? to work with. He ended with some really They’re quite tiny but I’m sure even they lousy filmmakers and suffered. Basically, want to become heroes when they’re as Deols, we don’t run after roles, take older. Tomorrow if Abhay has kids, I’m people out for dinners and sure even they’d like to become heroes. manipulate to get roles.

So after four Deols, you’re at least Others did and sprang assured of four or more Deols! ahead. Bobby didn’t but he didn’t sink either. He’s Lastly, at 56, how do you manage to here and he will fly. look young?

I don’t drink. I have a disciplined life.

Do you keep in touch I exercise keeping the back in mind. I with Esha and Ahana play table tennis regularly. Earlier it was who refer to you and squash or football but the back would Bobby as bhaiyya? You get strained. I don’t diet at all. I eat well were missing at Esha’s and I keep my body hydrated. And I’m wedding although only 54…there’s time for 56!

Abhay tried to make up for it?

Rachana Dubey

DEEPIKA PADUKONE

MARRIED

TO WORK! You expect this leggy beauty from B-Town to be perky and energetic practically every time you speak to her. The lady hasn’t changed one bit since her debut film Om Shanti Om. She may have done a male oriented Chandni Chowk To China in the interim or delivered a career defining performance in Cocktail. However, the spunk in her voice and the love for movies have been uniform throughout.

This is evidenced all over again as we get chatting with her about finally entering the ` 100 crore club with Race 2, enjoying a consistent run at the movies for over half a decade, being single and reuniting with her ‘first hero’ Shah Rukh Khan in Chennai Express. Presenting the uncensored Bollywood diva Deepika Padukone…

F

or Deepika, the race to the ` 100 crore line wasn’t without hiccups. “Brand Race is big enough, you can’t ignore that,” interrupts Deepika. Even as the film was minting money in the opening weekend, average reviews and mixed word-of-mouth meant that there were some scares thrown in its journey. But fortune favoured and eventually, in two weeks, the film crossed the ` 100 crore mark. “I’d like to believe that it was the content that worked. Of course it came under scrutiny, but then the audience gave it a green signal and this is what matters eventually, isn’t it?

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PHOTO COURTESY: AVA COLLECTION FOR RACE 2 BY TANISHQ

In times when you don’t even give one chance to a film, if people went for it the second time over, then definitely there was something going in its favour. Moreover, there was also a lot of expectation right from the time the project was announced.

As a team, we were sure that we had a winner in our hands.”

While this pretty much sounds like a controlled and a copy book explanation, one can sense that she is being humble enough by not acknowledging the kind of contribution she ended up making to the success of the sequel. After all, she was hot enough to bring in the audience and her ‘party girl’ image coupled with the fact that she was plastered all over in the film’s promotions (despite it being primarily an all-men affair) was a reason good enough for the audience to step in. “I can’t say that, it would sound pompous,” she laughs. “Well, I am glad that people have appreciated not just the film, but also my contribution, both from the look and performance perspective.

If some people out there say that they thought of me after the film was over, that is indeed something. I would like to cherish such compliments. In a sense it was also taking forward those expectations that people had in me since Cocktail.”

But after working in films where she has been playing the female lead, didn’t she reconsider to be a part of a multi star cast

“It is sort of intentional to put everything else (affairs) on hold. That’s because I am at that stage of my career where I need to focus only on the work I am doing.” film? After all, unlike Cocktail, this wasn’t one film where she was in every frame right from start to the finish. Didn’t that worry her while doing the film or after she saw the final cut? “No, it didn’t worry me at all,” pat comes the reply. “Because in certain films, you need team effort and success wouldn’t have been possible had there been focus on only one or two people. Race 2 is the kind of film that requires girls to be glamorous and look their best. This is what I had to do by being extremely stylish and well presented.

From that perspective, it all worked well for me,” says Deepika.

She could well be thanking her stars that she eventually did Race 2 after opting out of

it once. Enough mudslinging happened between producer Ramesh Taurani and her before she finally decided to stay back in the film. Eventually, everything worked in her favour, what with the film turning out to be a success for her. “I have always believed that since the film was in my destiny, I was part of it. I am glad that everything worked out and I am a part of this year’s first big success. In fact, I thank everyone for giving me this film,” says Deepika.

In the process, the film has also turned out to be her biggest grosser since her debut flick Om Shanti Om that had collected close to ` 80 crores back then.

“Commercially speaking, Race 2 has been my biggest till date though as an actor, I have also gained a lot from Love Aaj Kal and Cocktail,” she says, “Honestly, ` 100 crores and talks around that aren’t something that I think of. In fact, it actually strikes me only when people SMS me stating that my film has done so and so business. Otherwise I am not consciously fretting over numbers. Yes, it is great that Race 2 has got into the ` 100 crore club, but if you ask me, I don’t want to be associated with the ` 100 crore tag!”

Well, she may or may not be saying that, but deep down her heart she would well be knowing that in the months to come, she would have at least a couple of more ` 100 crore films to her name before the year comes to an end. A film which is the hottest contender for this fate is Chennai Express where she has the advantage

of not just being the solo heroine, but also be paired opposite none other than Shah Rukh Khan. So can the audience expect a ‘dhamaal’ non-stop fun entertainer here? “You can say so,” she says, “It’s great to be with Shah Rukh again. He had always said that whenever he and I had to come together again, it had to be much more special than our first film since there

“I feel that today I am at a stage where if I get into a relationship, I would not be able to do full justice to it.

I don’t want to be unfair on my partner by being halfhearted in a relationship…” is always that kind of expectation when a hit pairing comes together.

Om Shanti Om did very well for both of us and now to be back in a fun outing like Chennai Express is going to be special indeed.”

Rohit Shetty is known for his kind of cinema which is something Deepika

has never experimented with. “I know what you mean, and I can say that because I have already started working on the film,” says Deepika. “This is one film where I have completely surrendered myself to the director.

Same is the case with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Ram Leela. Now Rohit and Sanjay are people who know their craft inside out. They are not strict in the conventional sense. In fact, they do take suggestions. However, if they stray a little, they bring themselves back on track,” she explains. Needless to say that she is having a blast while shooting with two energy plants like SRK and Rohit. “Everything that he does has a lot of style.

There is a definite scale in every shot that he takes. Both Bhansali and Rohit know how to manage their actors and that’s a good thing; you have to take it all with a positive spirit,” believes Deepika who is also pairing up with Ranveer Singh for the first time in Ram Leela.

A relatively new entrant, for Ranveer, it’s an altogether different setting when compared to his first two flicks with Yash Raj Films which were pretty much on his home ground. Since she is little more experienced in the industry, did Deepika step forward and pick up the mantle of mentoring Ranveer, both on and off the camera so that he could adapt to the world created by Bhansali? “No, not at all,” immediately says Deepika, “In fact with every costar that I have worked, I try to learn and absorb that experience. Ranveer is probably the most methodical actor

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I’ve come across. I learnt a lot from him since he is extremely talented and one of the best actors we have in the country today. I am glad that I have a co-star like him.”

Currently, she is juggling her dates between Ranveer and Ranbir Kapoor because she is shooting for Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani with her former boyfriend. With co-stars as diverse as Ranveer and Ranbir, she is indeed enjoying the best of both worlds. “Well, now that’s a tough one,” she says and promptly adds, “On a second thought, I feel Ranveer is a method actor, whereas Ranbir is someone who is so easy on the sets. There is no particular process that he follows and I’ve never seen him rehearse or prepare to get into a certain zone. In fact, when you act with him, you realise that he carries no emotion before any kind of scene and then suddenly changes when the shot is called for. I can vouch that whether it is Ranveer or Ranbir, the end result is always fabulous.”

If one sees the kind of cinema she has been working on, one would notice that Deepika has been selecting roles which are vastly different from each other. She refuses to play pin-up girls or just ‘smiling statues’ with the Khans, Kapoors or the Kumars. From being ultra chic and glamorous in films like Race 2 and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, she is turning into a ‘desi girl’ for Chennai Express and Ram Leela. “Yes, I would be carrying different personas right through the year. It is good if makers can visualise me in different avatars rather than stereotyping me to portray only one kind of a character or a look.

Then there is Kochadaiyaan as well which is in complete contrast. It is fun to be switching over from one film to another and that should also keep me occupied for most part of the year. This is the reason I have not signed any new projects as of now and there is nothing in the pipeline either. I have my hands full. Five films in one year is a good enough load,” clarifies Deepika.

Her next release would be Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani which seems like another fun entertainer from the house

“I have not signed any new project as of now and there is nothing in the pipeline either. I have my hands full. Five films in one year is a good enough load.”

of my career where I need to focus 100 per cent on the work I am doing. I have my hands full and am focussing my energies in one direction. I am happy to keep it that way because when I’m in a relationship, I invest a lot in it. I don’t know how to be casual in a relationship. I feel that today I

of Karan Johar. So how is director Ayan Mukherji going ahead with the film

am at a stage where if I get into a relationship, I would not be able to do full justice to it. I don’t want to be

after making a rather niche Wake Up Sid? “Yes, it is a fun and young love story while definitely being different

unfair to my partner by being halfhearted in a relationship. Either I am committed or I am single,”

from what Ayan has done before. As a director, he is versatile and talented. I loved Wake Up Sid and now with Yeh

she explains.

Probably that’s the reason she is more than happy with the way work is

Jawaani Hai Deewani, I am amazed to see what this boy can do at such a young age. He is one of the best directors our country is going to have.

From making a simple slice of life film at the beginning of his career, he has taken up the responsibility of making a huge film like this. What you would end up seeing on screen would be indeed different,” says Deepika with genuine fondness in her voice.

With so much happening on the career front, it is pretty apparent that she has kept her love life on hold.

After her break up with Ranbir Kapoor and the interim link up with Siddhartha Mallaya (which never really got a nod of acknowledgment from either), she has been enjoying the ‘single’ status for quite some time now. So what’s happening?

“Nothing,” she laughs loud, “It is sort

taking her forward in her career. “Yes! And the best part is that the films that have come to me are not my choices; these are the ones that have come to me,” she says, “It is fabulous to be a part of such big films because I know that it is eventually my hard work that would lead to good things coming out of me. Whatever else follows, it would be organically.”

Finally, isn’t she eyeing the envious position of the Numero Uno in this industry? Deepika beams, “See, everyone wants to make the most of the opportunity that comes their way.

I want to be the best in what I do; really that’s all that should always be the case. I go with my father’s advice where he has always told me to just put my head down and allow karma to decide the future.”

of intentional to put everything else on hold. That’s because I am at that stage

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“I’ve Been In Love And In A Relationship Too…” A

She’s as new in Bollywood as is mock meat on the menu of a vegetarian restaurant.

She made a thunderous entry in Bollywood with Gangs Of Wasseypur, and became an instant darling of the filmmakers looking to cast bold and young women like her in their path-breaking movies. At a time when she’s working on a host of intriguing projects like Ek Thi Daayan, and rumours about her ‘tainted’ past have surfaced, Huma Qureshi sets the record straight, but doesn’t explain what puts her off about questions dealing with love, sex and dhokha…

nyone who’s seen her off screen will agree when we say she appears more sensuous in person. At her plush apartment in an up-market suburb, she was awaiting an older gentleman instead of yours truly. She appears pleasantly surprised and right at the beginning of our conversation, she expresses how upset she is about the reports making rounds about her ‘coloured’ past. Piping hot coffee arrives and it’s perfect time to ask Huma Qureshi a ‘steamy’ question about her semi-nude photo-shoot for a leading glossy.

“Excuse me! It’s not a run-of-the-mill magazine that I shot for. It’s one of the biggest lifestyle magazines for men.

I knew from the word go that I was getting into something worthy. The idea was to make it a sensuous cover and not something vulgar and titillating. It was aesthetically shot and well-presented,” she retorts, with visible discomfort about our questions. When posed with queries on love, sex and, maybe video tapes, she says, “I’ve been in love and in a relationship too, but I don’t want to talk about them. I was in class six and it was love at first sight (she admits later that she was kidding). I’m a romantic, old-school girl who’d like to be with someone who listens to her.”

Her dream man should be smart, talented and gifted with a good sense of humour. She claims she is a chilled out person who can be possessive of her man at times. “I’d like to be in a relationship with someone who likes to get bored, just eats, drinks and reads,” she says, adding, “Now, don’t ask me questions about kissing on screen or sex scenes. I don’t want to answer those queries of yours.”

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PHOTOGRAPHS: ROHAN SHRESTHA

“My brother Saqib is doing YRF’s Mere Dad Ki Maruti. He’s not signing films by the dozen because he wants to accept only films that seem right to him. And he has age by his side.”

“I was in class six and it was love at first sight (she admits later that she was kidding). I’m a romantic, old-school girl who’d like to be with someone who listens to her.”

But in a weaker moment, she admits women would hit on her at times. “I was scared and amused,” she says.

This 20-something actress belongs to Delhi. She moved to Mumbai to pursue her showbiz dreams a couple of years ago.

She didn’t get lucky instantly. She featured in TVCs and that’s where producer-director Anurag Kashyap spotted her and decided to cast her in Gangs Of Wasseypur. “It’s been a fruitful journey. Anurag is a wonderful person and I love his work, especially his Black Friday. It’s one of the best films made in India by far. You won’t believe, but some advised me against accepting Gangs of Wasseypur because it was an ensemble cast movie and maybe I wouldn’t get footage. I’m glad I didn’t listen to that person,” Huma says, admitting that GOW was a boon for her career which has taken off on a high note. She’s already been signed for projects like Ek Thi Dayan and D-Day. “I didn’t have to struggle too hard. I’m quite a brat. If my acting career doesn’t go too far, I’ll go back to Delhi and do something else. I love acting and that’s why I’m here but it’s not a make or break situation, as is made out to be. My father runs Saleem’s (restaurant chain) in New Delhi. Money and glamour are not my needs,” she explains.

Her father’s mention obviously brings back memories of an article written about her past and her days as a struggler in Bollywood. She doesn’t hold herself behind from expressing displeasure. “It was unfair to pull my family into it. I don’t mind the press writing about my alleged affairs but no one has the right to demean my parents and my brother,” she says with a lump in her throat.

She adds, “If you belong to a family from Delhi and even mention that you want to become a heroine, your folks would think you’ve lost it. My father was protective and apprehensive about my decision to move to Mumbai. We had a long chat about the pros and cons of this business, and I convinced him to let me move. I could never have fought with my parents. My dad was worried about Saqib (Saleem) too. Journalists write that Bollywood is a big bad place but I don’t quite agree.”

Huma made her mark but her brother who debuted with Mujhse Fraandship Karoge is yet to get there. His sister tells us that he came to Mumbai following his girlfriend who was a model: “Saqib is doing YRF’s Mere Dad Ki Maruti. He’s not signing films by the dozen because he wants to accept only films that seem right to him. And he has age by his side.”

When asked about her own three-film deals with two leading production companies, Balaji and AKFPL, she retorts, “Who told you that? Please present a copy of the contract to me. I’m under a threefilm contract with Balaji only. That’s all you should know for now.”

Wouldn’t the deal restrict her from working with other banners?

Huma responds, “That’s a myth. I’m working with some lovely producers. They are also people who want me to do well. The industry is professional and producers accommodate each other if they are working with common actors. Ekta won’t stop me from setting my foot into films by other banners. She is powerful and wonderful.”

Ask if that quality of Ekta’s was what drew her to accept a scary movie like Ek Thi Daayan right at the beginning of her career, the 26-year-old smiles and says, “It’s a supernatural film and I just hope we can scare the living day lights out of

me this film!” she exclaims, adding, “I have to thank Anurag Kashyap for this. After we finished shooting for Gangs…, he didn’t keep the film in cold storage. He showed it to a lot of industry people and that’s how even before we know, Richa Chaddha, Nawazuddin Siddique and I have more work to do than we thought.” Prod her on her second with Ekta Kapoor and she says, “My lips are sealed! I can’t speak!”

Usually, when actors shoot for such films, they end up experiencing ‘spirited’ moments on the sets. Plenty of actors get sleep deprived and feel scared to be left alone right after the shoot. Did something of this sort happen to Huma too? “There were lots of discussions about ghosts and eerie creatures. We were talking about all these ghost movies we’ve seen while growing up. We didn’t experience anything eerie. But I just believe that if the good exists, the bad

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“You won’t believe, but some advised me against accepting Gangs of Wasseypur because it was an ensemble cast movie and maybe I wouldn’t get footage. I’m glad I didn’t listen to that person.” people. It’s a big commercial film for me. I took it on because the script was fantastic. I had a chance to team up with some really big names like Vishal Bhardwaj and Ekta early on in my career. I’d be an ass if I said ‘no’.

The last horror film that worked was Raaz 3 which had Emraan Hashmi who is also the hero of this film. So, I can’t see why horror is a dicey genre to dabble in.”

When asked if she had planned these moves, Huma disagrees. She believes in choosing the best out of whatever comes her way. Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana and Ek Thi Daayan came her way much before Gangs Of Wasseypur had released. At the moment, rumour has it that the soap-queen from Balaji has already offered her the second film in her three-film deal.

“I was shell-shocked that someone like Vishal Bhardwaj had googled me before calling me and offering

exists too,” she says, adding that she has watched all the Ramsay Brothers’ horror movies and plenty of scary tales from Hollywood.

The actress had a freaky encounter when she headed to Hyderabad for her first stage show recently. The room she had been put up in was too huge for a single occupant replete with a pool and French windows. A little past midnight, the actress had to call her manager into her room to share it with her because she couldn’t get sleep, feeling the presence of that ‘invisible’ someone. Reminiscing that, Huma laughs, “I’m not a horror freak but I get freaked out like any common human being. As an actress, I feel it’s an interesting genre and I think people like being scared. So, no harm scaring them, right?”

Right we’d say!

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“If a girl uses her body to get work then there is not much difference between that girl and a prostitute.”

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“I’d scratch my balls if I wake-up as a man. I’d be confused with the new mechanism I would have.

It’s very disturbing.”

encounter

WITH

BIPASHA BASU Undoubtedly, she’s the alpha female! Women want to be her and men want to be with her. Blessed with a hot body, she’s a fitness freak who never gets her fashion wrong. She makes for an intelligent conversationalist, has a sexy husky voice and deep dimples. Bipasha Basu, the most eligible bachelorette in B-town, for your information, is absolutely SINGLE! Juggling between films and serious workouts, the stunning actress gets up, close and personal with Stardust discussing love, sex and dhoka in this month’s Wild Encounter. Do not miss!

After a spell of actresses like Helen, Zeenat Aman and Parveen Babi, you offered Bollywood a new definition of hot, sexy and bold. Your debut with Jism was an ‘eye opener’ for many in more than one sense of the words.

Today, on-screen intimacy and exposing skin are commonplace. Want to take the onus for that?

(Laughs) Should I? I was an unconventional actress from my very first film because I was a model. I was dark complexioned, tall and lanky. Back then, there were plenty of quintessential actresses who were short, petite, light-eyed and girly, like the damsel in distress. The heroes in movies then protected them. I appeared strong, so I was called unconventional. Then I was labelled bold because I acted in an adult film titled Jism which had a lot of sexual content. My character was also strong because she used her body to her advantage. So there was an

emergence of a bold heroine which became acceptable. Women can be bold, flexible and flaunting their sexuality in films. I am one of the game changers but now it’s become common. Thankfully, we’ve reached a stage where after a negative role; you’re not called a vamp. Even if I play a villain, aunties pull my cheeks and say, “Beta acha kaam kiya hai.” The audience has become intelligent.

Can the body become a weapon to achieve the impossible?

It’s bullshit! But people do that around the world! I am an old-school girl, highly principled.

If a girl uses her body to get work then there is not much difference between that girl and a prostitute. And the same goes for a man; he’d be a male slut! You need to respect yourself, your body. I don’t even believe in one-night stands. For me the emotional connection is important. I respect my body and I won’t do that for a man whom I don’t know, never!

PHOTOGRAPH: PRASAD NAIK

“I can’t stand Himbos! There are many nowadays. They are huge in size. They are dumb and they can only talk about themselves. They are so obsessed with their six packs, arms and biceps. It’s amusing.”

What attracts you to a man?

Intelligence! People think if it’s me, it would be six packs (laughs). I like a guy who can have a conversation with me. I think that’s attractive. There aren’t too many men who can hold conversations with me. They don’t expect me to be smart. They think hot hai toh yahan kuch aur hee mamla hoga. But they get pleasantly surprised. A man has to win me over through his conversations.

He can be a decent looker but I like extremely confident men. There are few men in the world who are confident to hang around with a strong woman.

They either try to pull the woman down or they want to change the woman. So a confident man who respects who I am would get my attention.

You can’t stand a man who…

(Cuts in) I can’t stand Himbos! There are many nowadays. They are huge in size. They are dumb and they can only talk about themselves. They are so obsessed with their six packs, arms and biceps. It’s amusing. I see a lot of them everywhere. It’s a strange phenomenon. Men have become vain. So when you meet a man who is relaxed and is confident of his being, it’s refreshing. I like men who are in loose shirts and not bursting tees!

Eeeiw... I can’t handle that!

What matters more, love or money?

I’m emotional, so love is important.

But I’ve realised money and financial independence is important too. I don’t ever want to piggy-back on a guy. For me, it’s not important to be with a man who has that much of bank balance.

It’s more about that person and being in love with him.

One habit you would never want to see in your boyfriend?

I wouldn’t want my man to be two-faced.

He needs to be honest. If he is bad, he is bad. There shouldn’t be that deception.

You can kill to spend a day with…

Brad Pitt. Actually, I wouldn’t kill. I’m not that ferocious. (Laughs) Maybe I will hit that person!

How far would you go to get the man of your life?

I’m old school. I want the man to come and get me.

If you wake-up as man, what are the three things you’d like to do?

Scratch my balls (laughs out loud). I’d

“There are not many men who can hold conversations with me. They don’t expect me to be smart. They think hot hai toh yahan kuch aur hee mamla hoga. But they get pleasantly surprised.” be confused with the new mechanism I would have. It’s disturbing. Seriously, I would look for me. Bipasha is a great girl to be with. Also, I like that it’s easier for a guy to get dressed.

Your idea of a perfect date?

Good food, a good movie, good conversation, good music, a long drive and some champagne.

Not a good body?

Umm nahi average body chalega.

And where would it be? Your favourite… a beach?

Yes, beach is relaxing but not in Mumbai, you guys will print it (Laughs).

I love Goa or maybe a café or a nice restaurant away from prying eyes.

One mistake men often make on a date or while asking out a woman?

Use cheesy lines. A lot of dumb people try throw cheesy lines. I feel sad, they are sweet people. Maybe they get intimidated.

Do you feel men gossip more than women?

All my male friends gossip more than girls.

Do you like to gossip? Do you have a set of people with whom you’d like to gossip?

I am not interested in anyone’s life!

I try and stop gossip around me. I’ve been in the business for quite some time. You know when I walk into a

“I’m petrified of onscreen kissing. It’s the worst thing in the world. I can do lovemaking scenes but not on-screen kissing.”

restaurant, there are 15 people over dinner discussing me, not knowing that I’m sitting on another table around, and pretending that they know me so well. Each one makes a comment on my life, as if they know me. Well, though nothing harsh, but it is all hearsay and bullshit. So for me till I don’t see it, I don’t believe it.

Neha Dhupia had once said ‘Sex and Shah Rukh Khan sell in Bollywood’. Do you agree?

What about Salman Khan? (Laughs) They all sell. And sex? It has become over-rated. It’s there everywhere. So I don’t think sex is the trick to sell anymore.

Would you like to do a sexcomedy?

Yes, I’d love to. I like adult humour but not crass, double meaning stuff!

A stylish sex comedy would do.

When an actor says ‘Kissing scenes are part of the script and are important to the script’, are such scenes added to titillate?

Now it has become regular. Actually, when you show romance, the first thing that a couple does is kiss. When I had started off, that wasn’t there. So for a person like me, it can be a hang up. But for someone like Anushka Sharma, she has just started off. Since kisses have become regular now, they (newcomers) shouldn’t have a hang up.

Tell us one Bollywood actor you’d like to romance on screen?

Shah Rukh Khan.

And a Hollywood actor you would like to kiss on screen?

No one! I’m petrified of on-screen kissing! It’s the worst thing in the world. I can do love-making scenes but not on-screen kissing. It’s too intimate.

Did you have a crush on any of your co-stars?

Crush? They have crushes on me. It’s too juvenile.

Like who?

No, I would not like to name them (laughs).

Who is the fittest actor we have in B-town and name one actor who should lose weight immediately?

Everyone is fit these days. Salman Khan introduced the concept of

fitness, right from the time we were in school. Everyone looks up to him.

He has been there for 20 years as the fitness icon. He made everyone in business aware of fitness. Also, Akshay Kumar is very fit. He is mentally and physically a strong man. Umm… I don’t remember any fat heroes.

Is being fat or flabby a put off in bed?

Eeew! I don’t like flabs! It’s personal choice but I don’t like men or women with flabs. I don’t think it’s sexy either although some people say it’s sexy.

Anyone who says I have flab and I’m curvy, they should know that’s not curvy.

What’s your take on rebound relationships? Would you have a rebound boyfriend to get rid of the post-breakup depression?

You should have the best-looking rebound. The hotter your rebound the faster you’re out.

If a man is trying to get too close for comfort with you, how would you deal with him?

I will just look at him and he will run! I wouldn’t even have to lift a finger. I’ve given that look many times.

Has a girl ever hit on you? Any embarrassing moments?

Yes, and it’s terrible.

There was a make-up artist in New York who was in love with me.

I didn’t even know. I thought she was a friend till on Valentine’s Day she gifted me a diamond pendant and said she loves me. It was the most awkward moment for me. Also, a girl hit on me at a party. I don’t like girl hugging girl, and she kept on doing that to me till someone came and told me she is lesbian. I didn’t want her coming close to me after that!

Tell us the most cheesy pick-up line guys often use?

They get tongue-tied around me. Cheesy lines nikal ne main toh bohot time lagega.

“A girl hit on me at a party. I don’t like girl hugging girl, and she kept on doing that to me till someone came and told me she is lesbian. I didn’t want her coming close to me after that!”

If a man cheats on you but is remorseful, would you accept him back in your life?

No. When does a man or woman feel like cheating?

When something is missing! When there is no love or sexual chemistry...

And there are a lot of people who would always cheat and can never be loyal, that’s in them.

Are you possessive or do you believe in giving space?

A mix of both.

How important is sex in a relationship?

Very important!

What’s your favourite aphrodisiac?

I’m a Bengali. I don’t need it yaar.

How important is the place while making love? What would be your favourite place to get cozy with your man?

Everywhere! I would experiment. Any place is okay with me.

Do you think sex toys should be legalised in India?

I don’t know. I’m not into sex toys.

Even today, women don’t believe in losing their virginity till they’re married. Your comments?

To each their own!

When do you plan to get married?

When I find my Mr Right!

Delhi rape case is still fresh in people’s mind. Safety is a prime concern. What’s your take?

Self defense is a must! We have such demons in society.

It’s not just going to go off.

There are terrorists and rapists.

There should be stringent laws and safety provided to people.

It’s really sad. The least we can do is teach self defense techniques to girls.

And what’s the ideal form of punishment for a rapist?

I would kill! Death penalty should be it!

Pooja Sharma

Sajid Khan:

NO EXPERT ADVICE!

We know that Sajid Khan has given three blockbusters and had claimed that his next, Himmatwala would easily cross ` 150-crore mark at the box office (well, the reviews say it all).

But it’s known that his sister Farah is the most successful female director the industry has had. So it came as a shock when Sajid refused to take any expert advice from his talented sister. Recently, someone asked Sajid if he had taken any help or suggestion from Farah while making Himmatwala because she is extremely good at making masala potboilers and Sajid, without blinking an eyelid asked that guy, “Oh really? Do you really think I need or I seek any advice from Farah? One should only ask for an advice from people whose suggestions would help you in a be�er way. I don’t think I need any advice from Farah because we are two different lmmakers with different vision.” Well, to be condent about your product is good thing Sajid, but to be over condent could be dangerous. After all, not every lm could be a ‘housefull’. We hope you have learnt and realised that after the Himmatwala debacle!

Karan-Madhuri:

JUDGEMENT DAYS ARE BACK!

Karan Johar, Madhuri Dixit-Nene and Remo D’Souza are back together. The trio has been roped in to judge the dance reality show Jhalak Dikkhlaa Jaa Season Six. The lmmaker, who became the most popular judge on the show the last time he was on the dias, is mighty excited to shoot his share of the promos at suburban studio in Mumbai. The dancing diva, busy lming her comeback lm Gulab Gang, is equally gung ho. Di�o the choreographer-lmmaker. The promos are likely to hit airwaves soon and the show should be the big weekend watch once the cricket tournament, Indian Premier League’s sixth edition is over. Not bad!

Sunny Deol:

TOIL FOR THE SOIL!

After more than three decades in Bollywood, wood, Sunny Deol has decided to switch his focus area. ea. He now plans to make his acting debut in Punjabi lms. ms. The actor was recently honoured by a Punjabi culturall group that also honoured some other Punjabi talents in n and outside Bollywood. It’s known that Sunny has great affection for his mother tongue and has often played ayed angry and romantic Punjabi men on screen convincingly. onvincingly.

But now, he’s keen to take on a full-edged dged Punjabi movie where he will play the ‘sona munda nda gabru jawaan’ and romance his ladylove with dialogue in his mother-tongue. The actor’s father, yesteryear teryear legend Dharmendra’s liking for the movies from m his region is known. So now, Sonu Sood and Jimmy Sheirgill, the reigning Punjabi superstars beware!

Esha Gupta:

IT’S UN‘FAIR’ AIR’

We’ve seen several Bollywood actressess endorsing fairness products, but the hot ‘n’ sexy Esha Gupta ta is dead against the idea. The actress is of the view that one must celebrate the dusky complexion instead of being ashamed of it.

Hence, Ms. Gupta has sworn to never endorse ndorse something that she doesn’t believe in. She was overheard erheard telling a friend that every time she travels to Europe, rope, the locals compliment her beautiful skin while Indians ians have a xation with fairness. She feels that dusky ky skin is rather beautiful. In fact, it seems when n she was young, her relatives would often address ddress her as kaali – something that angered Esha sha tremendously. Precisely, the reason the sexy actress has decided to stay away from such uch endorsement deals. Wise girl, we say!

PHOTOGRAPH: PRASAD GORI

KHA M I SAL

PHOTOGRAPH: YOGEN SHAH

N

Salman Does A Lot Of These Free Fund Films Thinking He’s Helping Friends But Tell Me, How Many Films With His Cameos Have Become Blockbusters? It Doesn’t Help But He Doesn’t Understand That!

“If you ask me a single question on Salman Khan’s marriage, I’m not doing this interview,” was his condition for this interview. This ace-screenplay writer has relocated himself to a building at Carter Road, a drive away from his Galaxy Apartments address at Bandstand. His home is undergoing a revamp. Without letting age get into the way, he passionately talks cinema, about his sons, their works, his relationship with them, but he’s probably fed up of answering queries about his star son Salman Khan’s impending wedding. “Hoga jab hoga” he brushes such queries off. He doesn’t fear calling a spade a spade, and so we preferred to meet the man who created Zanjeer, Sholay and

Seeta Aur Geeta. Over a lavish spread of vegetarian delicacies like Dal Makhni, Makai Ki Subzi, and ice-cream, our reporter grills Salim Khan in this month’s Court Martial!

We’d first like you to give us an update on Zanjeer’s remake.

Has the matter between the Mehras and you and Javed saab been sorted out?

We have received papers from their (Amit Mehra and company) end, but Javed (Akhtar) and my credits haven’t been mentioned.

The director’s, producer’s, actors and actress, and almost every other person’s name has been put down except ours whereas none of the works are being used except ours.

Can they use Amitabh Bachchan’s performance again? Can they use the cinematographer’s work again?

I think their idea is to snatch away complete credit from us because

it was difficult to even find a copy of the film in the market which had our credits. Thankfully, Javed had a copy of the film on video cassette which bears our names in the credits. And then there are some other evidences, which we will try and put together to claim what is ours.

Have you seen the promos of the new Zanjeer?

No, I haven’t seen the promos, but I know what I had done with the original script. The film helped Prakash Mehra to set up his banner, and gave the industry the concept of an angry young man. The heroes before that were softies more or less.

It’s perceived that you don’t want the new Zanjeer to release.

Look, I’m not out to take away someone’s bread and butter.

I want this new Zanjeer to release.

I have never had a problem with any remake of my original work but there is a concept of moral rights. When changes are made to a ready script, the writers have to be consulted. They have to be given their due credits and also be paid for their work.

But why are most court cases filed only closer to a film’s release, obviously no reference to your case here?

We filed our case a year ago

because we were aware and we could afford to drag them to court.

Most writers in our country aren’t.

Do you know that to go to court you need at least ` 3 lakh? And a reasonably good attorney would charge ` 1 lakh per hearing? How many writers in this country can do that? Discussions and meetings often delay the cases, so they come to light around the time of release and often, the court also doesn’t grant injunction orders.

You believe that writers are a pathetically paid lot?

They are paid less, definitely. Javed and I were paid a pittance, ` 10,000

“Some doctors pulled out Salman’s tooth, someone did something else. No one could gauge what the problem really was. Eventually, we found out that it was a nerve disorder and was called Trigeminal Neuralgia. It’s a life threatening disease and it can kill if unattended.”

Vicky Donor. It was a difficult film to write and execute. Even A Wednesday, though not too recent, was very well made. In recent times, I’ve seen Gattu’s (Abhishek Kapoor) Kai Po Che! which was excellent. It was a commercially dangerous film to make. One mistake and the film could have fallen flat on its face.

“For the eight-and-a-half hours that Salman was in the operation theatre… I was sitting in my house in one posture without moving. I was praying that he comes back alive.” for the script of Haathi Mere Saathi.

We didn’t even have an office space to work in then. In fact, the concept didn’t exist. We have spent evenings working on Deewar and several other films while sitting at the Bandstand promenade. The fee remained low till we became famous for the work we did. Our scripts were complete with dialogue and every other element. Today, there are writers who are paid brilliantly, but there are plenty who aren’t. Our case is to set a benchmark for them and the producers who say ‘Tum zara kal aana...’

You are known to watch a lot of movies but you only watch now.

Why don’t you write?

I write articles in newspapers whenever I find something interesting. I’m a writer, not a machine that can work mechanically.

Actors and actresses become old.

Writers are like wine, they get better with time because their knowledge and understanding grows. If you think I’m idle and so is my mind, let me tell you I contribute to all the films that are made under my roof.

Scripts are brought to me, to which I give my inputs; I ‘ok’ the final drafts.

Do any of your sons refer their scripts to you before starting to work on them?

No, I never interfere with their work.

If they bring something to me, I suggest but never order them on anything. I don’t tell them what they must do or not do. They’re all grown up now!

Do you attend their trials?

No, I seldom do because most of the times, their trials are scheduled for 9 pm and start post midnight which throws my schedules off gear for the next day.

In recent times, which films’ scripts have you really liked?

It would be unfair to name a few films but if you insist, I’d name

“Why would I hesitate in calling Amitabh?

I may not ask him ‘How’s the weather in Juhu’ but I can always congratulate him for a good act.”

Javed Akhtar and Amitabh Bachchan

Your son Salman Khan’s court case has been reopened?

What’s your take?

Entertainment channels rejoice whenever they land a chance to talk.

I’ve noticed that in other countries, news is reported with a poker face. Here, even before the court announces its verdict, the news channels have already pronounced that my son is a criminal. I’m not denying that he made a mistake. But the way it was reported and jitna mazaa lekar log baatein karte hain, it’s annoying. ‘Ab toh ‘Bhai’10 saal ke liye andar jayenge’ and ‘Kya ab Sallu bhi jail jayenge?’ His case is called the ‘Hit and Run’ case when he hit but never ran. His mistake was that he drove his car at 90 miles an hour in a lane where even Michael Schumacher in his Ferrari can’t drive at that pace.

His car was taken away by the police the next morning from the spot. He gave his statement. If he didn’t hit and run, why call the case that?

What about the people who died?

Please, there was one man who died and some people were injured. But according to news channels there are more who have died. I’d rather that the court decides and not the news channels. Once, Sohail’s car was speeding during the monsoons.

A lady was sleeping on the street, not a even footpath, with a black garb in a dark rainy night. His driver naturally couldn’t see and there was an accident. The next morning the news channels were ‘speculating’ that Sohail was behind the wheel.

They tried for five-seven days to turn him into the culprit. When the police issued an official statement that Sohail wasn’t driving, they shut up immediately. The case shut!

“I often scolded Salman even after he had become an adult. He wouldn’t come home sometimes for days because he would think I’ll get angry with him. Now, I’ve stopped interfering with his life and I won’t till I’m alive.” ...with sons Arbaaz, Salman and Sohail

Are you scared about the verdicts in Salman’s cases?

Shouldn’t we be? He makes mistakes but he’s my son. We’re all worried for him.

He’s fortunately freed from his ailment, Trigeminal Neuralgia.

What did the family go through when he was operated during the Eid week two years ago?

I can never forget that phase in his life and our lives. He was going through terrible pain for years before he was operated.

Some doctors pulled out his tooth, someone did something else. No one could gauge what the problem really was. Eventually, we found out that it was a nerve disorder and was called Trigeminal Neuralgia. It’s a life

“Salman’s case is called the ‘Hit and Run’ case when he hit but never ran. His mistake was that he drove his car at 90 miles an hour in a lane where even Michael Schumacher in his Ferrari can’t drive at that pace.”

threatening disease and it can kill if unattended. My son was forced to take heavy medication before surgery. He went off to America with my daughter Alvira and his manager Reshma Shetty.

And then?

For the eight-and-a-half hours that Salman was in the operation theatre, I was sitting in my house in one posture without moving. I was praying that he comes back alive. In those eight hours or so, I remembered all those moments which I had lived with my first born.

I felt he’s made mistakes, lots of them. I’ve always pulled him up because if I won’t who would? I often scolded him even after he had become an adult. He wouldn’t come home sometimes for days because he would think I’ll get angry with him. I couldn’t have been indifferent towards his mistakes.

Our relationship became a strained one and it didn’t iron out for a long time. It was during this surgery that

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it dawned upon me that now he’s 48 and he won’t change unless he wants to. So, I’ve stopped interfering with his life and now I won’t till I’m alive. I don’t tell him anything.

Everything is smooth between us.

And I’ve discovered a beautiful side to my relationship with him.

You’re believed to have done a lot of charity work without making a noise. Even Salman started off in the same manner...

I don’t think we do anything great.

Neither does my son do anything out of the box nor do I. Charity is something that everyone must do with whatever resources they have.

Giving is the greatest virtue.

At the moment, Salman is the box office king. Do you feel he has exploited his full potential as an actor?

No! I think he has a lot more to himself, but he doesn’t take his talent seriously. He does all

“After many years of thinking, I’ve come to a conclusion that the difference between both these boys is that Salman is loved and Shah Rukh is admired….”

Oberoi or Shah Rukh Khan for instance?

Why just these two?

These boys are all rivals but I’ve seen that even Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar and others were rivals. But they had some sort of decency and courtesy.

They all wanted their films to do well which even these boys want.

It didn’t make them happy if their rival’s film became a hit or sad because it was a flop. They maintained courtesy, they attended each other’s dos and ensured that they were present in each others’ moments of sorrow. I imbibed that and I meet everyone with courtesy

“Salman does all these utt-patang films but the day he decides to act, he will be remembered not as a star but as the artiste who was a star as well.” these utt-patang films but the day he decided to act, he will be remembered not as a star but as the artiste who was a star as well. He does a lot of these freeof-cost works for people thinking he’s helping someone out. But tell me, how many films with his cameos have become blockbusters?

It doesn’t help but he doesn’t understand that.

Do any of your sons object if you cordially meet someone they don’t get along with, Vivek

and keep it cordial, never take it beyond a limit of decency. Like I don’t tell my sons what they need to do, they know I’m their father, even if I’m growing older.

So would you pick up the phone and call Amitabh Bachchan if you liked his performance in a film?

Yes, I always do that. Why would I hesitate? I may not ask him ‘How’s the weather in Juhu’ but I can always congratulate him for a good act. I do that when I like his work.

“I’ve already parted with so many of my Filmfare Awards trophies. What would I do with them? Can’t take them with me to my grave!”

Salman Khan with Shah Rukh Khan

You had also liked Farhan Akhtar’s performance in Rock On!! for which you gave him one of your earlier Filmfare Award trophies. Do you plan to part with more?

I’ve already parted with so many of my trophies. What would I do with them? Can’t take them with me to my grave! I recently gave one more to the maker of Vicky Donor. He did a brilliant job with it. I have two more left, I’m sure I’ll come across some more recipients. I’m not fond of awards actually. I’m often invited to come and collect but I just politely turn them down. These awards help those who are looking to further their careers. It won’t do anything for me!

A large chunk of the fan following for the Khans of Bollywood can be divided between Salman and Shah Rukh alone. Your take?

After many years of thinking, I’ve come to a conclusion that the difference between both these boys is that Salman is loved and Shah Rukh is admired, if that answers your question!

Rachana Dubey

D

&

ear Ranbir,

In the promos of Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, your character speaks about the stereotypical life that people lead and the fact that your character doesn’t want to live that kind of a life. In reality, how much do you associate with what your character Bunny says?

Shikhar Randhawa (Delhi) RANBIR KAPOOR: I didn’t personally believe in that idea of life. Four years ago, I was eager to get married and have a family. I’ve not given up on the idea of marriage and kids.

I will jump into that fray at some point. But it was my friend and the director of this film, Ayan Mukherji, who at that point, convinced me to explore life and more dimensions to it, and not set age deadlines for anything in life. So, if I don’t marry after four years, and have babies, I can blame him!

D

ear Rajeev, Your spat with Ekta Kapoor is an old story now. In fact, when Aamir released, you had hoped that Ekta would come for the premiere of your first film. Now that she’s a top-notch film producer, would you mind working with her again?

Niharika Suvarna (New Delhi)

RAJEEV KHANDELWAL: See, I don’t have any problems with anyone. I don’t mind working with any producer who has the capability or a wonderful script and wants me to be a part of her film. It’s not like I am looking for a particular producer to work with. I just want to be associated with people who work with sincerity. So, I’m open to signing a film with anybody.

D

ear Remo,

I loved your film, Any Body Can Dance. It was entertaining and I really enjoyed the dance performances. When you announced ABCD with a rank newcomer like Salman Yusuf Khan, apparently Jackky Bhagnani messaged you asking why you didn’t consider him for the role because his father Vashu had given you your break as a director?

Kushal Mehta (Gujarat)

REMO D’SOUZA: No, that’s a rumour. Jackky didn’t ask me that. He knew that I was directing ABCD with rank newcomers and I wanted to cast only professional dancers. I agree, Jackky is a fantastic dancer, but I didn’t want a known face for my film.

D

ear Ali,

You have shared screen space with Katrina Kaif in Mere Brother Ki Dulhan. It was great to see you both on the big screen. So, after working with one of the biggest heroines in Bollywood, which other actresses would you like to work with?

Shaina Sinhal (Lucknow)

ALI ZAFAR: Thank you for those kind words. There are a lot of talented actresses in Bollywood and I admire a lot of them. But Priyanka Chopra and Kareena Kapoor are the two actresses I would absolutely love to work with.

D

ear Ram Gopal,

After a film on 26/11 terrorist attacks, buzz is that you might make a film on Osama Bin Laden. You recently even saw Zero Dark Thirty and were quite impressed with the film. Is that true?

Satish Reddy (Hyderabad) RAM GOPAL VARMA: It’s true that I saw Zero Dark Thirty and loved the film. I was quite impressed with it. But I won’t make a film on Osama Bin Laden.

I don’t want to make any film on him because that subject doesn’t intrigue me… at least, as of now. Tomorrow it might interest me, you never know!

D

ear Deepika,

Last month, I happened to read your interview and I was amazed with the kind of passion you have for your work. I’ve watched the first promo of Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and I had d it occur to you that you may fall a query. Did h Ranbir Kapoor again with in love with whom you have once again worked ic comedy? in a romantic Rohit Saxena (Mumbai) ADUKONE: DEEPIKA PADUKONE: or the concern, Thank you for athetic with but I was pathetic n school. chemistry in he subject I just quit the hen. there and then. k about I didn’t think these thingss ng while signing h the movie with ory him. The story wo was about two hat characters that the director felt and wass convinced we could portray. As for my movie, I g was working ure with a mature actor whom I know well.. wn He has grown immensely e as an artiste d and I’ve had a wonderful opportunity to k not just work ut with him, but om also learn from him… learn o how never to ssure feel the pressure he even with the lt most difficult scenes, and never red on come prepared the sets.

JOHN ABRAHAM’S “As Much As I Try To Run Away From My Physicality, I Can’t.

PHOTOGRAPHS: DABBOO RATNANI; LOCATION COURTESY: ROYALTY, MUMBAI; MAKE-UP: VENKY; HAIR: NEHA GADHWALLA AT MAD O WOT

BODY OF WORK The ‘Sexy’ Tag Is Never Going To Leave Me.”

When you talk to John Abraham, you might be mistaken that you’re talking to a marketing professional and not an actor.

He knows the pulse of his audience, he knows the strategies to sell a film to the average cine-goer and he has carefully and scrupulously studied the media business inside out. And you’d think to yourself, ‘No wonder, he has made for such a great first-time producer’.

But that’s the story off screen. Because once the camera lights are on, it’s John Abraham, the actor at work. His sharp business sense is traded for impressive acting chops and his analytical mind makes way for the artistic streak. And it’s probably the unusual amalgamation of the two that makes the hunky actor such a success. With back-toback ` 100-crore hits in Housefull 2 and Race 2 and a successful producer who hit the bull’s eye with his very first production, Vicky Donor, John has come a long way from being the bare-bodied, long-haired guy whose acting talent was questioned in his first film. In a free-wheeling chat with Stardust, John talks about everything - from movies to marriage.

E

ven though his last big business. And I was “I can’t comment about Sonu Sood’s outing, I, Me Aur Main justified in thinking so character’s name being changed from (IMAM), didn’t exactly because both have turned Dawood Ibrahim to something else in create magic at the boxout to be ` 100-crore plus the movie, but I can guarantee you that office, the hottie is content films back-to-back for me.” my name will remain Manya Surve in with the way the film has While John agrees that performed. “See, I, Me Aur a commercially successful Shootout At Wadala, come what may.”

Main was already a plus film adds great value to on paper even before it hit an actor’s repertoire, he’s theatres. When it comes quick to add that he will to the economies of I, Me not compromise on the Aur Main, I knew it was a quality of a film either. great film to do because “If you ask me, given an we were safe as far as the option would I do a good commercial aspect goes,” film or a ` 100-crore he explains. film, I’ll always do a good Unlike his other films, film. And I’ll be honest one did not even see with you. It’s great to do aggressive promotions for a combination of both IMAM. However, John which is where me, as a maintains that it was their producer, comes into play. strategy to keep the I want to marry content promotions effective yet with commerce. So what not overpowering – so as to I am going to do is take let the content of the film a script like Vicky Donor, do all the talking. “I believe make it unique, and make in content more than it commercial. And you’re promotion because I feel done,” he smiles. that a film will find its There’s no denying audience if it has to. Yes, that he rewrote the rules marketing is important, of filmmaking with Vicky promotions are important, Donor (VD). Any producer but in advertising, they say would have liked to play that 50 per cent of what it safe with his maiden A still from Shootout At Wadala you spend on advertising is production venture. But a waste. But the problem is “Well, I would definitely like to get married. John instead chose to take that you don’t know which a gamble with his debut But I guess it’s her studies and my job.

50 per cent. So I think as far My idea is to wait for the right time before vehicle. Not only did he give as I, Me Aur Main was a nod to a bold subject like we tie the knot. Right now, I am just very concerned, we were sperm donation, but also content with the space that we both are in. had the courage to cast fortunate to identify the And we both are very, very happy.” areas of expenditure and a newcomer in the film. work on them. I always While most actor-producers believe that you need to keep things short and sweet,” he says prefer to cast themselves in their production, John knew that It’s evident that John isn’t too deterred by the final verdict the script needed a fresh face and chose to do what was in the of his last release because if he has had an average grosser in best interest of the film.

IMAM, he has enjoyed a massive hit in Race 2 earlier this year.

Of course, the endless gambles that he took with VD paid In fact, he has been one of the few actors to enjoy two back-tohim rich dividends. The film was critically acclaimed and back ` 100-crore hits, what with Housefull 2 last year and Race its small budget ensured that it became a money-spinner 2 this year. And John firmly believes that he did both these films at the box-office. It won’t be wrong to say that the movie purely from the commercial point of view. “I knew that Housefull was a lesson for all in the business of filmmaking. And that 2 and Race 2 were films where I’d enjoy the process of making is exactly what John intended. The multi-talented actor the film and by that, I mean the means to an end,” he shares. states that he wants to change the face of cinema with his Elaborating his point further, he states, “I didn’t think how good contributions in the role of an actor as well as a producer. or bad those films were. I just knew that they were going to do “I know that when a person goes and watches a John

PHOTOGRAPH: DABBOO RATNANI

Abraham film in the capacity of an actor or a producer, he director Sanjay Gupta wanted me to look beefy, and if you see should feel that it’s a John Abraham film, so it has to be the film, you will understand why I am saying this,” he adds. different. So let’s go and see what he has to offer. And I think Looking at his successes in the recent past and his promising with every film of mine, I offer my audience that element of line-up of projects, one might be tempted to say that John is my product being unique.” currently enjoying the best phase of his career. However, the With every film, the perception of the actor in the cineactor does not share the same view. “Honestly, people say goer’s mind is changing – for the better. While earlier, he used I’m in the best phase of my career, but I believe that the best to be associated with action films, John has broken out of is still to come. So, if you ask me my best phase, I’ll say just the mould and tried his hand at different genres. If he has give it some more time and it will happen and then it will go on given us comedies in Desi Boyz and Housefull 2, he has also happening. So I’m not worried about it,” he grins. dabbled in rom-com with I, Me Aur Main. Even up ahead, Well, best phase or not, it is obvious that stocks of brand he has an interesting mix of films with a political thriller John Abraham are at all-time high. So does he discriminate in Madras Café and a real-life story in Shootout At Wadala between brand John Abraham and the person, John Abraham?

(SAW). “Madras Café will change the total scenario of Hindi “Yes, I do. Because after Dostana, almost all international cinema. It’s on the level of Hollywood blockbuster Argo. I am companies approached me to endorse their boxers and trunks. looking for an international distributer for the film and will I refused them all. Personally speaking, I like to endorse work out a different module for the same. It’s high time that products which people associate with me, like bikes, engine we change the trend of Bollywood and give audience what oils, sport apparels and NGO activities. You will always find me they deserve,” says John. promoting and doing such things consistently. So there is a If buzz is to be believed, his performance in SAW is to watch distinctive difference in what I do on screen and what I endorse out for. Mention this to him and he says, after thinking for as a celebrity and as a person,” he points out. a while, “I know what the buzz is. And it’s true. Even I think If his professional life is looking up, his personal life too Shootout At Wadala is my best performance. I’m excited about makes for a pretty picture. Having found love in investment my releases. Shootout… is going to be the biggest singular hit banker Priya Runchal, the two have been going strong since possible of my career. And then I have Madras Café lined up, 2011. With over a year into the relationship, the sexy actor which I hope does one up on Shootout... But it’s a tough call has even earlier quoted that marriage is very much on the between the two. In fact, Ekta Kapoor and Sanjay Gupta are cards. Quiz him on whether he will take the plunge soon and so excited about Shootout... that they have shown the rushes he reveals, “Well, I would definitely like to get married. But to many trade pundits and even I guess it’s her studies and my job. senior journalists. I am really My idea is to wait for the right time “After Dostana, almost all pinning my hopes on this movie.” before we tie the knot. Right now, international companies As the release date of SAW approached me to endorse their I am just very content with the draws closer, there are many space that we both are in. And we boxers and trunks. I refused changes being made to the both are very, very happy.” them all. Personally speaking, film - all this to play it safe. The As the interview comes to a close, I like to endorse products which a question on his ‘sexy’ tag is most recent being the producers people associate with me, changing the name of antagonist inevitable. Ever since John made his like bikes, engine oils, sport Dawood Ibrahim (played by foray into Bollywood, he has been a apparels and NGO activities.”

Sonu Sood) to some fictitious sex symbol of sorts and his yellow name. However, John had put trunks act in Dostana has only his foot down and requested the strengthened the image. But the producer and director to retain 40-year old doesn’t think too much his screen name, Manya Surve. about the tag. “You know, the “I can’t comment about Sonu problem is that as much as I try to Sood’s character’s name being run away from my physicality, I can’t. changed in the movie, but I can The ‘sexy’ tag is never going to leave guarantee you that my name will me. Of course, it’s a huge plus too. remain Manya Surve in the film, But I think more than sexy; I’d like to come what may,” he asserts. be remembered as a person who Incidentally, John had to bulk was influential in the Indian film up for the role too. “Body is an industry; someone, who shaped and important tool when it comes to created a new kind of language in acting. If required, you need to films. That’s what I want to be look lean and sombre like I did known as,” he ends with a smile. in Water, but in Shootout... my Eepsita Guha

I love: I hate: I’m afraid of: I’m superstitious about: I like it when: My biggest fear: My strength: My weakness: My sex-appeal: My fantasy: My hero: My spice: My favourite bedroom line: My biggest assets: My passion: My greatest necessity: My favourate possession: What tires me most: What touches me most: ‘Stardust’ to me is: My birthday:

ALI ZAFAR PHOTOGRAPH: ROHAN SHRESTHA

RAM GOPAL VARMA

UNAPOLOGETIC, UNCENSORED & UNPRECEDENTED! Ram Gopal Varma is an unpredictable man. So, our interview with this maverick director had to be unpredictable too. He asked me to travel with him from South Mumbai to suburbs, in his swanky SUV. While he was finishing his last leg of media promotions for The Attacks Of 26/11, he was taking ‘travel breaks’ and talking about various aspects of Hindi films and why he actually made a nerve-wrecking film. In a freewheeling chat, he speaks about his journey from the time he conceived the idea to the moment he delivered it; sequel to a couple of other masterpieces, Ab Tak Chappan 2 and Satya 2, why he won’t work with Aamir Khan and Sanjay Dutt ever, and why he wants to remake RGV Ki Aag… After all the brickbats and brouhaha, you finally made the film that’s considered to be the biggest, most risky and controversial film of your career so far… How is the feeling?

It’s a great feeling, but I don’t want you to count it as one of the films I have made so far, on two accounts. Firstly, it’s not a film per se. It’s not fiction.

It doesn’t have fictional characters.

It is the representation of a certain incident which is considered to be the most devastating and horrendous incident happened in independent India. Secondly, because of my approach towards the film. In the past, I have made films either with a lot of confidence or arrogance. This was the first film of my career which I made with a lot of fear; not fearing whether I will make a good or a bad film or whether

it would work at the box office, but the fear of doing injustice to the emotions of the people who spoke to me and shared their experiences with me.

All the brickbats you received initially have now been transformed into bouquets…

I didn’t know what people would think.

I know for the fact that everybody will not agree with the film because it’s such a vastly complex incident. What interested me and what I thought catches the actual spirit of it is — what happened between 9.30 pm and 1 am, Kasab, who became the face of the entire incident because he was the only survivor from the group though he was not the main member, and Rakesh Maria, the then joint commissioner of police which is played by Nana Patekar.

I didn’t cover anything that happened at

Nariman House or Trident because that would just be the repetition of what people saw on the news channels.

Your films have always tasted extreme results. They have either turned out to be critically acclaimed and commercial successes or critically panned and commercial flops. Comment?

Only I know why certain films didn’t work and why certain films worked really well at the box office because I made them. The audience and the critics just watch the end result so they only know that the film either went wrong or right. They don’t know the details about why a film of mine went wrong, which only I know the best. So while making a film, I don’t think what the audience or critics would think because that’s not under my control.

Agreed. But when the reports of you making the film on the incident were out, people strongly objected to it because the incident was quite fresh in their minds. But today, even your detractors are praising you.

Yes. I was supremely confident about it and there are two reasons for it.

Firstly, because they got to know what they deserve to know and what they probably didn’t get to know four years

PHOTOGRAPHS: YOGEN SHAH

“Why Would Aamir Khan Need Me? He Is A Far Better Director Than Me!”

ago. Secondly, because people who were fortunate of not losing anybody or anything in those attacks got to experience how it feels to be in the midst of a terrorist attack and how it feels to lose their loved ones.

Due to creative reasons, you must have edited out portions which no

“The Police department and the politicians were not against the idea of me making The Attacks of 26/11, but they were a little confused about how I would narrate this story and what type of a film I would end up making because of the sheer complexity of the incident. Also, each individual had his own perspective and his own take.”

one got to see in the film. Can you tell us any one incident?

There were numerous such stories

What about getting the permission to shoot at real locations? How

that were incredible to hear, but

difficult was that to obtain?

I unfortunately didn’t find a place for them in the script. I heard one

It was difficult because there were three key incidents which I wanted to capture

emotionally moving story from a

in the film without which I would’ve not

constable, Arun Jadhav, who saw two men and a woman being taken out of

made this film at all. One was Leopold Café where it all started, second was

Logistically, it worked out better.

a car and were asked to walk on their

the Taj Mahal Hotel. And third was of

Were you advised by the police

knees towards the police van. Actually, Kasab and his group had hijacked a car and this was informed to the police.

course the CST station. In case of Taj, we knew from the very beginning that we will have to put up the set because they

and politicians not to touch this

However, the police saw another car of the same make and model and asked the people in it to come out and walk on

would definitely not allow us to shoot inside the hotel for obvious reasons.

When I met the owner of Leopold Café,

their knees because they didn’t know who they actually were. I wanted to have that scene in the film and in fact, I

Farzad Jehani, he was so moved with my idea and intention that he had closed the café for three days during the

even shot that scene, but I had to edit it out because it didn’t gel.

night so that I could shoot there.

Shooting at CST station was the major hurdle I had to cross.

...with Nana Patekar

I couldn’t make the film without having that episode because that’s where the biggest shootout happened.

Also, creating a set of CST station was not possible and feasible for us. We applied four times but every time, they rejected and refused to give us permission.

So, where did you shoot the railway shootout scenes?

After going back and forth and explaining my intention to make an honest film, I managed to

get permission and I shot a few portions at CST and some at Bombay Central because of the technical reasons. There was less traffic of trains at Bombay Central at night compared to CST and it became easier for us to shoot there.

subject because there were a lot of complications involved?

They were not against the idea of me making the film, but they were a little confused about how I would narrate this story and what type of a film I would end up making because of the sheer complexity of the incident. Also, each individual had his own perspective and his own take. One officer’s story would not match to others or to an eye witness’ or to the victims’ relatives’ story. So there were thousand different angles and hence, they had a doubt about what kind of a film I would make.

Your film was ready for release when Kasab’s death sentence was announced. You must’ve had to shoot the scene of him being hanged at the nth minute right?

Originally, I only wanted to put a disclaimer that Kasab’s mercy petition is still pending with the President of India and nothing has been decided so far. But when he was hanged, I saw the possibility because eventually, when you are seeing him in the continuity for two hours, and to see a logical end happening to him in whichever way, I thought was important.

You and Manoj Bajpayee recently buried the hatchet. Even when you were not on talking terms, he spoke

highly of you. Any plans of working together now?

Well to begin with, I never had any problem with Manoj. I have no time to fight with anybody. I have always been fond of him as a person and as an actor and have always respected him. Yes we might have not worked together often, but I have no issues with him at all.

In a recent interview to Stardust, Manoj said he would love to work with you, but he’s waiting for you to call him. Don’t you think it’s the right time to churn out some good films together?

I don’t think it happens like that.

I don’t work like that. If I have a script wherein I feel I need him and have a character he would suit the best, I will call him and offer him the role.

I won’t refrain myself from doing that.

After seeing Gangs of Wasseypur, I messaged him and even tweeted about how outstanding he was in the film. See, I am not friends with anybody and I am not enemies with anybody. I have a professional approach towards the actors. If I feel a role requires a certain actor, I will be the first person to approach him/ her. It’s only the right film that can get me and Manoj to work together and nothing else.

Aamir Khan is also at the highest peak of his career and more than that, he’s one of the most experimental actors in the industry today. Now that he’s doing films belonging to different genres, don’t you ever think of talking to him and working with him?

See Aamir and I had a lot of bad blood between us and I have always admitted that the fault was mine. Our working styles and approach towards filmmaking are different. We are different individuals with completely different mindsets.

I have highest regards for Aamir. But it was mutually decided soon after Rangeela that we both won’t work together ever. Aamir is a brilliant actor, director and producer. He’s patient, passionate and committed. I don’t have

“Karan Johar respects the audience much more than I do. I don’t respect my audience.

Respecting the audiene means studying them and researching what they like. If I did that, I wouldn’t have made Satya.” any of these qualities. I am impulsive, radical in my approach to filmmaking.

I think two men with such drastic differences can never gel. And let me tell you, Aamir is a far better filmmaker in every way than me, so why would he need me to direct him?

Department proved to be a bad experience for you in more ways than one. Do you regret when you look back at what happened during and after that film?

Department is the only film I regret making because I accept that every mistake in that film was mine. There is no other film of my career I regret making; not even Aag. Even in the case of films that didn’t do well commercially, I at least enjoyed the process of making them, but in case of Department, I ...with Amitabh Bachchan

didn’t enjoy making the film. In case of Department, I hated the process I went through while making it. I shouldn’t have made that film. And let’s not talk about it any further please because it really irritates me.

But then the fact remains that things went wrong between you and Dutt majorly because of his exbusiness manager, Dharam Oberoi.

But now that Oberoi is not with Dutt, do you wish to meet Dutt personally and clear the issues and misinterpretations?

No, not really. I am fond of Sanjay Dutt. I might talk to him, but working together will never happen.

Sarkar franchise is incomplete without the Bachchans. Are you

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I don’t think so because even I copied Shiva from Govind Nihalani’s Ardh Satya, Dilip Shankar’s Kaal Chakra, Rahul Rawail’s Arjun and films like that. I got inspired from these films and copied them, so how can I think of myself as a trendsetter? I don’t think I have set a trend.

Which of the recently made underworld films have you enjoyed the most and wished you would have made it?

I don’t really watch many Hindi films.

Whenever I get some free time, I watch Korean or Chinese films.

You share a funny relationship with Karan Johar. You both criticise and even applaud each other’s work.

He’s working with people he was least expected to work with and you are also working with new people.

...with Sanjay Dutt

“Department is the only film I regret making...

There is no other film of my career I regret making; not even Aag. I shouldn’t have made Department. And let’s not talk about it any further please because it really irritates me.” planning to bring in a drastic change in the cast and the story? Will the

minister wants to get Nana back to tackle the crime situation in the city.

focus be more on Vishnu’s son in the third film?

I am not planning to bring in a drastic

The only cult classic from the yesteryear you remade was Sholay

change in the cast. Both Abhishek and Amitabh Bachchan will feature in Sarkar 3. And yes, Vishnu’s son’s character will have a major role to play. But please don’t ask anything more because it’s too early for me to disclose anything about that film.

Ab Tak Chappan 2 is almost ready.

How have you taken the script and Nana’s role forward?

The film is ready and if everything goes well, we will release it in the end of April or first week of May. It has been directed by a new director called Ejaz and he’s done a very good job. Ab Tak Chappan had an intriguing end wherein Nana goes to Dubai to kill the don who had killed his wife. Now the situations in Mumbai have changed. The new

and what happened later is history.

But are there any other favourites of yours you are itching to remake?

No, not at all. I have already committed a big mistake once and made an idiot of myself by remaking Sholay. I don’t want to make that same mistake again.

If at all I would remake a film, I would remake Aag because when I tried to remake Sholay, it became Aag. So, if I try to remake RGV Ki Aag, it might become Sholay (laughs).

Today, lots of films on the underworld and gang wars are being made. You started the trend way back in 1989 with Shiva. That way you think you have always been ahead of time and a trendsetter of sorts?

Would we ever get to see both of you working together?

It’s the media that has made such brouhaha out of our tweets. I never ever made a nasty or an indecent comment on Karan Johar. I must have made a couple of funny comments about him, which were definitely not with the intention to hurt him. I am fond of Karan and there is no bad blood between us.

Do you ever intend to direct a film for Dharma Productions?

I don’t think so. We make diametrically different films. He respects the audience much more than I do. I don’t respect my audience. Respecting the audience means studying them and researching what they like. If I did that, I wouldn’t have made Satya. I am too absorbed in myself. I don’t think of the audience most of the time. If I think of what the audience likes then I will only end up copying others. I had only two choices, either follow a successful trend or make films which I was passionate about. I chose the latter and let’s accept it; both good and bad films came from the same source – Ram Gopal Varma!

Hiten J. Trivedi

WHY GOVINDA’S DAUGHTER IS STILL AWAITING HER

PHOTOGRAPHS: YOGEN SHAH

DREAM LAUNCH Narmmadaa Ahuja’s wait in the wings for her big debut seems never-ending. The star daughter was expected to hit Bollywood with a bang with Lovely Singh’s romcom Manchali opposite boxer Vijender Singh. The film was first indefinitely delayed for hundreds of big and small reasons.

And eventually, Narmmadaa’s cine-dreams went kaput because the film was shelved. Stardust has a detailed account of what transpired and what went wrong.

I

t’s easy to dream, and tougher to handle it when it comes down like a pack of cards. Govinda’s daughter Narmmadaa, as the child of the biggest star of the 1990s, had easy access to Bollywood and a star-studded debut vehicle should have brought her to movie-town’s doorsteps by now. Pretty much like most star sons and daughters, she wanted to have a shining future on Bollywood’s big screen. Sadly, over the last three or four years, one only heard of her big movie debut, Lovely Singh’s Manchali, which was to pair her opposite Olympian boxer Vijender Singh. Nothing came to the fore, and the wait just got longer.

The film was indefinitely postponed, and now, we’ve been told by reliable sources that the project has been axed.

It was inevitable on our part to unearth the real reason behind the delay and the eventual closure of Manchali. We met and chatted up various people and their opinions and insights were as alike as chalk and cheese. Lovely Singh, who last

directed the disastrous Kya Love Story Hai, was to hold the megaphone for this film. Unfortunately, each time his unit and he would try to take the film on floors, an unforeseen circumstance would hold up the project. Vijender’s sudden wedding to Archana Singh was one of the biggest blows.

“They were ready to roll when Vijender’s manager informed Lucky that he won’t be able to make it for the schedule because it was clashing with the shubh mahurat of his marriage. The family had zeroed in on an auspicious date which was almost the same as the shoot dates,” says a source from the production team. The nuptials threw the schedule of an ‘extremely busy boxer’ off gear. He didn’t know how to accommodate the film in his date diary. “He was keen on the film with Narmmadaa. He respects Govinda too,” says a source close to the boxer.

Another production unit member had a different story to narrate when we enquired about the movie. “He had cold feet after reading the draft.

“Now, Govinda will launch Narmmadaa.

He has stopped depending on his so-called ‘friend’ for help!” – A source He was trying to avoid the film. His well wishers had suggested that he should make his Bollywood debut with an established actress like Priyanka Chopra or Katrina Kaif. Narmmadaa and his pairing, he was told, wouldn’t garner that much interest given that she’s a newcomer and two debutants don’t guarantee box office success.

Of course, Student Of The Year by an established banner like Dharma Productions changed the math, but that happened only recently. The norms were different then.”

The sometimes-on-sometimes-off status of her debut film left Narmmadaa disheartened. She wanted her father to stand by her, which also didn’t happen.

“Govinda could’ve launched her, but he was going through a rocky patch in his career. He decided to seek sound advice from his good friend Salman Khan. Salman promised a stunning launch for Narmmadaa in a film produced by his home banner. Once again, destiny played foul, and due to some unknown reasons, Sonakshi Sinha

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landed the film that was meant to be

and mother Sunita. Their car collided

Narmmadaa’s launch vehicle. Those close to Salman’s circle believe it was

with a speeding truck. Govinda’s secretary Rishabh died on the spot.

Mid-day, reported that Narmmadaa was upset because her film Manchali was

Bunty Sachdeva (Sonakshi’s manager)

Her mother and brother got away with

being postponed, thanks to Vijender’s

who set the ball rolling because he’s Sohail Khan’s brother-in-law. Salman

minor injuries. But Narmmadaa’s face suffered maximum damage.

whimsical behaviour. The boxer neither informed Govinda or Naramada that

succumbed to familial pressure and cast Sonakshi in Dabangg as a favour,” informs our source.

Govinda, who had his hopes pinned

In 2011, a Mumbai-based tabloid,

She underwent a host of surgeries

he was getting married and won’t be

which were conducted in three installments. As an aspiring actress, her

able to shoot, nor did he invite them to the wedding. The producer lost the

face is her key asset. Govinda, as the

money he had paid in advance to the

on his friend of two decades, didn’t go by hearsay and confronted Salman.

concerned daddy, left no stone unturned to provide her with the best medical

technicians. The Ahujas blame the Olympian for being unprofessional.

“Govinda didn’t even ask about

help available. The last leg of the

But a source close to his family says,

Sonakshi. He requested him to appear in an item song in Manchali. Like a true

surgeries was conducted in 2008 when Govinda issued an official statement:

“Narmmadaa isn’t ready to start her career. She was on a high dose of

friend, Salman gave it a nod, showing

“Nammo (as she is fondly called) has

antibiotics. She wouldn’t be able to

his support for Govinda. Unfortunately, the film went in limbo. Govinda wanted

just come out of the operation theatre.

It was a major surgery that lasted two-

work for anything longer than eight or 10 hours. Lovely Singh realised

Salman to cast Narmmadaa in any one

and-a-half hours. This was her third,

that when they were rehearsing their

of his forthcoming films, so she gets headway in Bollywood. But Salman was over committed. He tried to

and thankfully, the last one. She is fit now.” Govinda revealed that the family knew from the outset that Narmmadaa

scenes. He didn’t want to discourage the girl or upset her father. But today, no one is willing to launch Narmmadaa

work things around for his buddy, but couldn’t do much,” explains Salman’s close friend. A section of the box

would need at least three of those surgeries to recover. “During the initial stages of her recovery, she faced trouble

because she’s not physically fit to take on a project.”

Govinda, aware that Narmmadaa

office’s King Midas’ detractors think otherwise. One of his not-so-wellwishers, on condition of anonymity,

eating and drinking. It was a tough time for us, but all’s well that ends well. God has been kind.”

needs professional grooming, advised her to join an acting institute in London.

He was waiting for her surgeries to

says, “He is obsessed with Aishwarya Rai look alikes. He launched Katrina because of that. Sneha Ullal and Zarine Khan also look similar to Aishwarya. If he could launch Zarine in Veer, he could have helped Chi Chi (Govinda) also.”

Alongside professional hiccups, Narmmadaa’s personal life went through crisis too. The young lady met with an accident in 2005 on her way back from Ajmer’s Dargah Shariff with her brother Yashvardhan

“Narmmadaa isn’t ready to start her career. She was on a high dose of antibiotics. She wouldn’t be able to work for anything longer than eight or 10 hours. Lovely Singh realised that when they were rehearsing their scenes. He didn’t want to discourage the girl or upset her father.”

— A source.

be over so she could concentrate on her career. “Currently, Manchali is on hold. The producers are hopeful that they’d complete the project and release it soon. But we have no idea what would happen to it. Govinda has shed 12 kilos and looks better than ever before. Now, he refrains from depending on his ‘friends’ and plans to launch Narmmadaa with a proper cast and a banner. His son Yashvardhan also aims to take the legacy of his father forward,” says our source. We had sent Narmmadaa and Govinda text messages for their version, but they remained unavailable.

We just hope Narmmadaa gets her desired and deserved break and shines bright on celluloid. Govinda has tickled us and also made us cry with several of his blockbusters. We just pray his kids do well too! Being a starkid is lucky, but being a ‘successful’ star-kid is a challenging chore. And don’t we all know what it entails?

Ram Kamal Mukherjee

You can e-mail us at: stardust@magnamags.com For subscription: e-mail us at: subscriptions@magnamags.com I thoroughly enjoyed reading Hrithik Roshan’s cover story in your last issue. Hrithik is my favourite actor and he always delivers good performances. I can’t wait to watch him with Katrina Kaif in Bang Bang. I bet Krrish 3 too will be a blockbuster like his earlier outings. But one thing I would like to mention about your story is that though it made for an interesting read, I felt that you guys should have carried some exclusive pictures from the sets of his film or done a photoshoot with him. He has a good physique and a bare body shoot would be even better. Also, you guys should have had inputs from Hrithik on the preparations he did for the film. But on the whole, I did enjoy reading this piece. I hope I get to see the film here too.

Latika Patel (San Francisco) Anushka Sharma is so adorable and I absolutely loved her in all the films. She is a bold girl and in this Wild Encounter, she is answered all the questions with utmost ease.

It was lovely reading about her naughty side. I think she wouldn’t have had an issue answering some personal questions too. I would love to see her in a bikini once again because I feel that she can pull it off really well. Her performance in her last film Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola was amazing and she shared a crackling chemistry with

Imran Khan. It’s good to see that she is among the top actresses in the industry and is working with all the A-list actors.

Michael Orlando (Austria) Stardust is my favourite Bollywood magazine. I don’t miss reading any of your issues. This time your team has put forth an interesting issue filled with masala and gossip stories.

I enjoyed reading Arshad Warsi’s Court Martial. He is a frank actor and I have always enjoyed reading his interviews. Jacqueline Fernandez’s interview was also quite cool. It was news to me that she and Sonam Kapoor are friends. Your team is doing a great job and I am hoping you guys will continue to come up

with more interesting editions.

I would really love to see Priyanka Chopra on the cover some time soon. Please do a sexy shoot with her because she’s got the right amount of oomph. I know you guys won’t disappoint your readers.

Rahul Kumar (London)

The Neil Nitin Mukesh interview in your previous issue was boring.

His answers did not make for an interesting read. From its appearance, I thought it would have lots of gossip. After reading, I felt he should have spoken openly about his relationships and his personal space. He didn’t, and his answers turned the interview into a piece of boring literature.

I saw his film 3G and was shocked with his poor performance.

The film by itself didn’t have much to offer.

He was just amazing in Johnny Gaddaar, but over the years, he seems to have chosen the wrong projects. My younger sister also loves your magazine and does not miss reading a single issue. She loves Neil and she too was highly disappointed to read his interview.

We had high hopes which were shattered. Please do a really good interview with him only if you have more information about his personal life, films and some interesting inside stuff.

Swara Jain (New York) Blast From The Past is my favourite section in your magazine. We are Indians based abroad and don’t know much about the celebs during the 70s and the 80s. But every month, your magazine features a yesteryear actor and that’s how we gather backend information about celebs and their lives. It was really nice reading about Rakhee and her relationship with her husband Gulzar. Actors were really open and frank back then compared to our actors today.

It would be fun if today’s actors too start talking openly about their life.

Send your

But I would really like to thank Stardust for giving its readers an amazing issue each month.

I am eagerly waiting for your next issue. Hoping that you guys come out with a kick-ass issue this time as well.

Smita Thakur (Vancouver) The Scoop Of The Month on Zanjeer was fantastic. After many years, we read Javed Akhtar talking something that made sense to the readers.

The story had plenty of masala in it. The fight between the producers of the new Zanjeer and the writers of the old one is something we all wanted to know clearly about. The facts in such stories often get diluted, thanks to the dumbing down of information passed on by the media. But you guys did a brilliant job with this piece and must say, keep it up!

Nupur Singhania (Vancouver)

It was a bit too late to read what Kamal Haasan had to say about his terrorist movie Vishwaroopam. I wish we had a chance to read this when the film was being released worldwide. We managed to get hold of a copy of the film and watch it here. And then, when we read what he had to say, we realised the pain he must have been through to release his movie. I firmly believe it had nothing objectionable for anyone.

No community should have been hurt with this movie because it presents an

Birthday Wishes to:

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M-block, 390 Tarapore Towers New Link Road, 7th floor, Andheri (West), Mumbai

15 16 21 24 25 25 30 MADHURI DIXIT NENE Vijaydeep, 3rd Floor, Iris Park, Juhu, Mumbai-400 049

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B-504, Poseidon Towers, Panch Marg, Off Yari Road, Versova, Mumbai – 400061

ADITYA CHOPRA Bungalow No.17, Vikas Park, Juhu Tara Road, Mumbai-400 049

ARYA BABBAR

Plot No: 20, ‘Nepathaya’, Gulmohar Road, J.V.P.D. Scheme, Juhu, Mumbai-400049

objective perception and not a biased opinion, which has the tendency to hurt. I’m awaiting his second outing in the franchise.

Wasim Akramullah (Dubai)

KUNAL KHEMU

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PHOTOGRAPHS: YOGEN SHAH

“Do you think I can play Rosy (from Guide) or perform the snake dance today? I have accepted age gracefully!”

CLASSIQUE

CONVERSATION WITH WAHEEDA REHMAN

She’s appropriately glamorous for her age. Her clothes, jewellery and the accompanying little handbag speak volumes of how and why she is considered one of the most gracefully aged superheroines of Bollywood. She makes no bones about accepting age, and neither does she show any regret for anything she has chosen to do in life. She took a sabbatical from acting and moved base to Bengaluru in her prime to transform into a dutiful wife and a pleasantly beautiful mother to two kids. She made those trips to the city studios where she’d mildly cakeup her face and transform into the character that had drawn her from her cushy home to the grind. For years now, she has been based out of her lovely Bandra address from where she commutes to various places, catches up with colleagues, Nanda, Sadhna and Helen, for movies and lunches, and spends time with herself when she’s not doing any of the others. For a quick status update on Waheeda Rehman, read on...

O

nce upon a time, there was an actress, who not only was a woman standing tall in a world full of, and dominated by men, but was also among the most respected people from her fraternity across the globe. What she pulled off, according to a host of film historians and guardians of Bollywood gyaan, only a few other heroines (read Hema Malini, Rekha, Madhuri Dixit Nene, Sridevi and Vidya Balan) across decades have managed: to play roles that were beyond the girl-meets-boy romances, and to charge

a fee that was almost equivalent to a reigning male superstar of their times.

And all it took was her marriage in her prime to her Mr Right (actor Shashi Rekhi also known as Kamaljeet) for her to pull herself out of the movie scene almost completely, and start off a life afresh that was full of domestic responsibilities, love from her man and plenty of warmth from her two lovely children, Kashvi and Sohail. The years that she spent away in Bengaluru (and while making those few trips to Mumbai when work beckoned), where she

moved her base after tying the knot, were, probably, the best years of her life.

She missed her friends she says with a smile, but not the studio flashbulbs in bulk for sure.

“It was a different life. I was in a city that was somewhat new to me. But those who know me will know that I’m happy where my family is. I make myself comfortable there. Besides the family, the city’s weather, the greenery and the number of flower gardens was a welcoming change from the studios and the make-up rooms. Of course, I shuttled to Mumbai whenever I found something extremely challenging to do in a movie, something that urged me to step out of my new home city,” says Waheeda Rehman with a smile, adding, “My friends made trips to my house whenever they could. We’d even talk on the phone once in a while. So, you can’t say really that I cut off my umbilical cord from Bollywood and settled somewhere far. I came back whenever a role drew me to itself.”

That’s the reason today, she doesn’t accept every offer that comes her way.

The actress at 70+ is offered plenty of roles in movies, TV serials and even ad films. But it takes heavy-duty convincing for her to step into a character and bring it to life. The last time she acted before the camera was for Delhi 6 where she played Abhishek Bachchan’s granny

who’s eager to return to her roots before she dies. Bring this up and she says, “Every actor, whoever it is, must understand that we are artistes, and we all have a shelf life. Do you think I can play Rosy (her character from the iconic Guide) or perform the snake dance today? I can’t. I’ve accepted age gracefully and I only do things that suit me today.”

She continues, “I’ve stepped aside, but not given up on good work if it comes my way. TV is grueling and I’ve been forewarned about its demands.

Creatively, I haven’t found anything yet in that medium that pushes me to allow my body to go through the daily grind. I’m not quite keen on ads either.

And two bit roles in films where I’m standing in two frames blessing the hero doesn’t work for me. I’m content with the number of films I’ve worked in, and the variety of roles I had a chance to do. After that, I don’t mind good roles, but I’m not exactly craving for them.

I’ve been blissfully enjoying everything around me.”

The actress, who has worked in over 100 films in Hindi and in other languages, spends time watching films, and lunching and dining with her three or four other lady buddies, who are none other than some of her finest contemporaries. Nanda, Helen and Asha Parekh are no longer competition for her today. They are gracefully aged women like her who love to make the most of their time. Salim Khan, Helen’s husband, organises film screenings at home for the ladies’ gang, and they also

“If you go to your editor and tell him that Waheeda Rehman did an interview very sweetly, he may reject the story. But if you say that she was being rude and she refused to give the interview till she got a hot cup of water with honey, your story will work. Gossips are all that sell today.” frequently visit restaurants in Mumbai’s suburbs and sometimes even outside Mumbai to indulge their taste-buds.

“At the time when we were working, there was healthy competition between us, but we were friends even then. We just didn’t have the time to do anything.

We didn’t have mobile phones to assist us keeping in touch. Once in a while we would talk over the landline. Today, we’re all at an age where we want to enjoy life till it lasts. Kal kissne dekha hai!”

Waheeda smiles, and adds, “Whenever I land a chance, I catch up with Sadhna and Vyjayanthimalaji. The only thing that irritates are on-lookers and some insensitive types who land at our dining table in a restaurant when we are eating, asking for an autograph and a photo.

Aren’t we human beings like them?

Can’t we have our food peacefully?”

She recalls that it used to be extremely difficult even in her times to roam around in a bazaar to shop for herself. Today, the situation, she says, has only worsened. The hunger to see a star or touch a celebrity has increased along with the number of avenues where they are placed. “I sometimes feel you are fortunate that you are not a renowned face. Today, I’m a little okay if I’m shopping at an extremely high end mall. But sometimes, I still find people touching my sari when I’m

...with Moushmi Chatterjee and Amitabh Bachchan

shopping, or disturbing me at a time when I’m with my friends having a cup of tea somewhere. All this is thanks to the media. You people have multiplied which is a good thing, but you have created such an insatiable hunger in people for stars that they go to the extent of pouncing on them sometimes.

I don’t blame stars today for keeping such hefty body guards around them,” Waheeda rues.

She adds, “You know, today, with so many media avenues, life must be difficult for you also. Link-ups were not the only thing that sold earlier, although they were considered hot properties in a handful of magazines that used to be there. Now, if you go to your editor and tell him that Waheeda Rehman was well-behaved and did an interview very sweetly, he may reject the story.

But if you say that she was being rude and she refused to give the interview till she got a hot cup of water with honey for throat, your story will make it to the front page. Gossips are all that sell today.” When asked what girls, who are linked with a vast number of their co-actors, should do, she points out that it’s best to let the dust settle on its own. “I think continuing to work without paying heed to anything incorrect being said or written is the best way out. That’s what we did.

...with Ronnie Screwvala, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and Abhishek Bachchan

Speak to people who matter, they should know the truth.”

Is there any actress today, who comes anywhere, close to what Waheeda Rehman was? The only other actress, according to her, who’s a risk bearer the way she was in her prime, is Vidya Balan, who recently got hitched to her beau Siddharth Roy Kapur. However, she doesn’t agree that VB is the new-age Waheeda Rehman. “It’s unfair to tag her like that. Let her be Vidya Balan.

She has an identity of her own. Yes, she’s as brave about her choices of roles and films as I was. She’s cautious, but she’s not trying to play in the safe territories. She’s choosing scripts carefully. Barring some initial films of hers, she hasn’t quite done a boy-girl typical romantic film. She’s done braver films like Kahaani and The Dirty Picture,” says Waheeda. “I don’t want to demean the other girls. Priyanka was extremely gutsy in Fashion and Barfi! Kareena Kapoor did a marvellous job in Heroine, one of her best so far. So, all these girls are risk bearers, but Vidya’s choices somewhat reflect mine.”

Incidentally, Dev Anand was planning a sequel to Guide that was the first ever Indian film to be premiered abroad for an audience that doesn’t understand Hindi. The subtitled Guide met with a thunderous applause after the show was over.

He, a couple of articles state, wanted

Dev Saab, sir, Devji. He wanted to be called Dev. When I started working with him, it was difficult not to call him Saab. But in his own way, he ensured that my inhibitions about addressing him were gone,” says Waheeda, who has been paired opposite him in most of his films. She recalls that each time she addressed Dev Anand as Dev Saab, he’d turn a deaf ear to her till she called him Dev. “He was like that. He hated being addressed as the snooty high-handed saab. Prem Pujari was our last film together. I got married and moved on. After that, he made several films, but somehow we could never team up again.”

Several industry seniors believe Dev Anand’s son Sunil Anand could never become the creative heir to his throne. He couldn’t continue into his father’s footsteps. As one of his closest friends and co-workers, did she ever try to forewarn Dev from launching his son who didn’t have the inclination to work in movies? “No,” says Waheeda, adding, “I don’t know what others believe, but I just know that Dev Saab pushed his son’s acting career and he also made an effort

“Thanks to the media, you people have created such an insatiable hunger in people for stars that they go to the extent of pouncing on them sometimes. I don’t blame stars today for keeping such hefty body guards around them.” to show Nalini’s life after Raju passes away fasting for rains for poor villagers.

“I don’t think he discussed this with me. But if he was alive and if he made that film, I would have definitely worked with him. The idea is intriguing. Today, when I look back, I just remember Dev saab, I can dare to call him that today, as a simple man with a lot of ideas. I used to call him Ever Ready battery. He was always charged with enthusiasm. I never heard phrases like ‘I’m tired’ and ‘I’m exhausted’ from him. And he hated anyone calling him

from his end. When things didn’t work out for him here, he switched careers which I think was intelligent and brave.

He didn’t waste his father’s money at least on trying till he grows old. Star kids come with this pressure of living in the shadows of a successful or both successful parents. It’s difficult for them to make it big in the world that their parents come from.”

When asked if that was the reason she has kept her kids away from Bollywood, she says, “I wanted my children to finish their education

...with Sonam Kapoor

and then choose their lines of work.

I never stopped them from getting anywhere they wanted. Today, if they want to enter Bollywood as writers, it’s their choice. I’ll back them in whatever way I can.”

Another name who features prominently on her CV is director Guru Dutt’s. He introduced this Hyderabadi beauty to Hindi movies with CID. And over the years, the duo worked on some of the finest films that are considered unmatched even today, one of them being Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam. “I wasn’t born in Hyderabad.

I don’t know why people have this misconception. It’s like people get my birthday wrong, thanks to some websites. He discovered me in that city.

But I’m not from there. I was born in Tamil Nadu. Guru Dutt Saab was one of the finest filmmakers and artistes we’ve had in Bollywood. I’m privileged I’ve worked with him,” she says.

When asked what she makes of the new movie franchise Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster, Waheeda smiles, “Cinema is about creative expressions. Who am I to tell anyone whether they should make such films or not make such films? Just because I had worked in Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam which is considered a classic today, I don’t get the rights to tell other actors or filmmakers that they should make or stop making certain kind of films. And really, there’s nothing in a name!”

Rachana Dubey

“My Last Installment Of F.A.L.T.U Is Still Pending With Vashu Bhagnani…”

REMO D’SOUZA

A ‘NAACH’ ABOVE THE OTHERS! Remo D’souza has recently choreographed a song Even when I was in school in for Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani and Ungli. Interestingly, Gujarat, I did charity shows in the this choreographer-filmmaker had always wanted church. The priest often asked me to debut as a director with a musical. Never mind why I did those shows. Something if his dream came true with his second outing as a inside me was always connected with filmmaker, Anybody Can Dance (ABCD). Produced the divine power. The priest asked me

by UTV, the film is a certified hit today but it wasn’t to convert. I spoke to my parents and they easy for the dance-master to get his project on agreed without a fuss,” recalls Remo. floors. Several moneyed producers, including the The 38-year-old is extremely talented and Zee group that made him a household name with diligent, and today has proven his mettle as a Dance India Dance, turned it down since they were filmmaker. He believes he was recognised as a skeptical about the project’s feasibility. UTV greentop-league choreographer rather late in his career. “I lit the project, and that’s history! Right now, Remo feel I still haven’t got my dues. Unfortunately, there are goes cha-cha-cha about his movies and more! camps in Bollywood. People play favourites. I may direct

R

emo D’souza is currently penning the sequel to his dance mania, Anybody Can Dance (ABCD), keeping Prabhudeva and Ganesh Acharya’s characters intact. In the interim, he plans to go easy on the songs he’d choreograph. He plans to have a production company of his own, and also put down his struggle to the top in his autobiography which will take a few years to reach the book shelves.

After years of hardship, several give up their ambitions to go back to where it all started! But choreographer-turned-director Remo D’souza, from Jamnagar, Gujarat, stood by his dreams through thick and thin.

Without a roof over his head and a strong support system, he slept on footpaths and the benches at Bandra station to prove that perseverance always bears fruit. After his stints as a back-row dancer, performing street shows, and assisting famed choreographers, he broke the ice as a Bollywood choreographer with Rangeela (1995).

Not many know that this full-time director with a 100 per cent hit track record was born as Ramesh Gopi, a Hindu. He embraced Christianity following his faith in Lord Jesus. “I’ve firmly believed in Jesus.

the best songs in a year but I seldom get nominated for awards,” laments Remo, who is optimistic even now, and believes in letting his work speak for itself.

It was producer Vashu Bhagnani who saw the spark in Remo and signed him as the director for F.A.L.T.U Reportedly, he’s yet to receive the last chunk of his monetary dues from the producer for directing the movie which broke the spell of flops in Bollywood when it released. “Our industry has a record with money matters. Either you get the full amount or you don’t. Yes, in my case, the last installment is still pending but I’m sure it will be paid when I direct another film for Vashu,” laughs the director, who is believed to have turned down another of the producer’s films top lining his son Jackky.

“I didn’t believe in the script,” he clarifies, adding, “I wouldn’t have given my 100 per cent. So I turned it down.

But I’ll be directing F.A.L.T.U 2.”

Irrespective of payment issues and turning down Vashu’s project, Remo is content with the response to his

“When I started my career I worked with Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgn and Sunny Deol. Everyone knows and they also know that they can’t dance.

But they are great actors.”

first ever film as a director. “I remember people told me, ‘boss you’re gone!’ People told me that my film won’t work because Jackky’s debut had tanked and his dad’s company was running into losses. The film’s name was F.A.L.T.U, so I’d be labelled a bad director. But I believed both in the script and in Jackky. And see, today I don’t have to say anything,” smiles Remo.

Jackky may not have cracked it big time at the box office but that doesn’t take away from his dancing skills. In the current lot of matinee gods, there are some who have impressed Remo big time. “Hrithik Roshan will always be my

SALMAN YUSUF KHAN

favourite. Varun Dhawan, Ranveer Singh and Ranbir Kapoor are good too. I like Sidharth Malhotra’s style. He can be groomed to become a good dancer,” says the dance-master who had a tough time choreographing some of the macho men of Bollywood early in his career. He remembers, “When I started my career I worked with Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgn and Sunny Deol. Everyone knows and even they know that they can’t dance. They are great actors but not dancers. As a choreographer, I knew the moves that would work for them. I don’t think I had tough time. I had fun.”

It’s observed that after a few years as choreographers, most dance directors put on oodles of kilos. Remo remains an exception. He explains promptly, “It’s because of not eating on time and irregular sleeping habits. Also, once you discontinue dancing, you tend to put on weight. Bosco Ceaser, Terrance Lewis and I are quite fit.” He maintains a healthy diet and balances his food with ample exercises and the love from his gorgeous wife. Remo gushes, “My wife is caring and supportive.

I discuss work with her. Her opinion and feedback matter to me. Primarily, she deals with my accounts and paperwork.

I’ve never gone to a bank in my life. She’s a superwoman. She handles our house, our kids and most importantly, me!”

FROM EXTRA TO

EXTRAORDINAIRE

He has got the body, he has got the grove. After the movie scored a record of ` 40 Crore at the box-office counter, he has emerged as the most talked about actor from Remo D Souza’s Anybody Can Dance. Though his career in Bollywood started with an inconsequential music video for Salman Khan in Bodyguard, this budding talent managed to create the right buzz around. In his first ever interview to any film magazine Salman Yusuf Khan talks about his journey. Over to Junior Salman…

“M

y journey started when I won Dance India Dance

saying ‘Mera bachcha, I am very happy for you’. It was unbelievable

reality show on Zee TV. Remo sir, who was my

to see the joy that my people had on their face. I am enjoying every

mentor and judge in that show, hugged me and

moment of it. In fact, so many people from Bangaluru claim that

said ‘Saala, main tere saath movie banaunga’. (I will make a film

they know me now and are related to me. My life has changed.

with you.) Generally when someone is angry or very happy then

I became somebody from nobody in just five months that is

that person expresses his wishes, so I took it lightly. I thought,

pretty overwhelming. People have started appreciating me as an

maybe he was happy and impulsively said that. Then after two

individual. Incidentally, my first exposure to cinema happened with

years, he came up to me saying he will fulfill the promise he

a music video which I did for I am very content to even share the

made to me. He was planning to make a dance based film and he

screen with Salman Khan in a music video. Inshallah, you never

narrated me the basic idea. I had tears in my eyes when he said

know I might get a chance to work with him tomorrow.

that he would want to cast me as one of the important characters

You know when I was born, my feet used to shiver so my mother

in the film. I can’t express it in words. I don’t want to confine my

took me to the doctor thinking that I had some disease. My parents

feelings into mere words. I still feel I am living a dream.

thought that I would never be able to walk properly forget being a

My family is very happy for me. While they were watching the film, my mom kept wiping her tears in those 3D glasses and kept

dancer. But the doctor assured her that I am a normal child. So I’ve had happy feet ever since I remember. For my family, educational

qualification is very important. I’ve done my schooling in Saudi Arabia then I came to India to pursue a degree. I am a graduate in Mechanical Engineering. But I was always inclined to dancing. We used to do shows in girls college to impress them. But after a point I didn’t even realise when dancing became a passion, and now a necessity. I’ve

“I bagged my second film even before my first film rolled!” been an athlete all my life. I was completely into sports… cricket, basketball. I was an all-rounder in school. I believe in giving my best at whatever I do. Initially, I didn’t take dancing seriously but then I gave the auditions, got selected and the rest you know.

As far is acting is concerned, I‘ve a long way to go. I’m just learning.

I know that Remo Sir is writing the sequel to ABCD. I hope I am in the sequel. Remo Sir had said that it will be the same team in the sequel too. Now I don’t know if he was talking about the technical team or the cast. I hope I’ve done justice to my character so that he casts me in the sequel. As for now I’ve my second film almost complete, it’s called Freedom which is directed by Vivek Agnihotri. In fact, I bagged the role even before ABCD was offered.

I bagged the role on my merit and I’m proud of that. It’s a story of three friends, so mine is one of the lead roles. I’ve also choreographed the songs in the film. Plus, I have another film in the talking but that’s at a very nascent stage to divulge any more details. I hope things fall in place, Insha Allah.”

Pooja Sharma

This month, that year

BLAST

FROM THE

STARDUST MAY 1983

PAST

“Rekha and I were married in Calcutta… There were two things we should have done: married publicly and stayed together!”

VINOD MEHRA:

Meeting Vinod Mehra becomes an experience in itself because it’s more than just an interview. Three marriages, two divorces and one scandal of the worst kind – it’s not easy to take a public, emotional battering like that, and not buckle at the knees. Circumstances sometimes conspire, destiny does an about-turn, and by a quirk of fate and that inexplicable process called irony, the proclaimed guilty can be, in fact, almost innocent. That’s why it becomes important to record his survival story.

V

inod Mehra’s public reputation of a well-bred and decent young gentleman, changed almost completely to that of a mercenary, ruthless, unscrupulous Romeo who loved, married and abandoned women at the drop of a hat, in a span of 10 years. We decided to ask the man about the women he has been dating (read: marrying) so far…

REKHA This alliance, strangely, was never acknowledged by the woman, but admitted to, loud and clear, by the man. The difference in ‘opinion’ clearly shows, and perhaps was the reason for the parting...

“My marriage to Rekha was never really understood,” started Vinod.

“I loved her. We wanted to marry each other,” he says. If that’s the case, then why has Rekha always denied the relationship and the marriage? Vinod had a shocking tale to reveal. “We were

married in Calcutta,” he says. “I was not in favour of my wife working after marriage. But she wanted to carry on with her career for a few years. So we agreed that once she was willing to be a complete wife in the true sense, she would shift into my house.”

Reportedly, Rekha had been barred

by Vinod’s mother from entering the Mehra household. How could he have allowed his mother to humiliate her?

“As far as marriage is concerned, I have always defied my mother. I have been the biggest rebel with respect to all the big decisions in my life. My mother has always been a cordial woman. The only magazine which picked at my mother was Stardust, probably because at that time, Stardust was all for Rekha and everything she said was gospel. There is no truth in the impression you have of my mother. The biggest plus-point of my mother is that once I make a decision, she abides by it. Rekha was accepted as the daughter-in-law. Our

subsequent divorce had nothing to do with my mother. The settlement and the separation were totally individual decisions.”

What went wrong? In hindsight, Vinod says, “There were two things we should have done: married publicly and stayed together. Since we had done neither, marriage brought about no change in our lives. There was no binding at all.

Initially, we enjoyed being together, but eventually, we no longer sought each other’s company. It became a farce for us. We mutually decided to part. Since it was something that both of us wanted, there was no bitterness. It wasn’t difficult to get a divorce since we’d never really lived together.”

Visibly, Vinod and Rekha took the institution of marriage lightly. Otherwise, why would one be so slapdash about the incident? “It was not a normal marriage,” reasons Vinod, adding, “The conditions were unreal. It was an impossible situation from the start.”

After divorce, they continued to share a cordial relationship, which grabbed attention from gossipmongers.

Detractors feel that he latched on to Rekha for fame and money, and when the marriage didn’t work, he decided to benefit from her by the virtue of just being her ‘good friend’.

“If I’d wanted to use Rekha for professional reasons, would I have ever

“I can’t understand where these insinuations that my motives were mercenary came from? I questioned Rekha about it and she just passed it off saying, ‘You know how mummy is! Sometimes, she talks without realising what she is saying.’” divorced her? I can’t understand where these insinuations that my motives were mercenary came from.

I questioned Rekha about it. She passed it off saying, ‘You know how mummy is! Sometimes, she talks without realising what she is saying.’”

But is he still in love with Rekha?

“No. She is just a co-star,” he states.

MEENA BROCCA If Vinod’s first marriage was a farce, his second marriage was drama. Meena Brocca was all that Rekha wasn’t, as gentle and gharelu as Rekha was glamorous and gallivant. The fact that in spite of that, Vinod had been unable to make his marriage work had really set people thinking.

“It’s stupid to blame anyone for anything now. But at that time, it did not matter to me either ways whether

me. So, I said yes to my mother. The next day, at Mahableshwar, I received a call saying, ‘Congratulations, we have celebrated’. After that, I flowed along with it, neither happy nor sad.”

By treating the second woman in his life so lightly, doesn’t he feel he destroyed her life? Doesn’t he feel guilty? “I would have felt guilty if I had planned it,” he says, adding that his only mistake was that he didn’t say ‘No’ to her proposal. “I was not attracted to Meena, but I went ahead hoping things would work. But they didn’t. We were married in May. And by June, we were sleeping in separate rooms!” reveals Vinod, who feels he made sincere efforts to save his second marriage from destruction. “I made efforts for the

I was married or not,” says Vinod, adding, “My mother was showing me a few proposals. Meena was the last one. I was leaving for an outdoor to Mahableshwar. My mother was after

first eight months, but she didn’t give it a chance. We were not getting along.

I asked her to go to her mother’s house for a while. Sometimes, when you’re away from a person, your mind becomes

“Bindiya is exactly what I wanted. She’s jovial, mischievous, and she has sufficient love for every member of the family. She was immature initially, but her immaturity helped me because I could mould her.” ...with Bindiya Goswami

...with Rekha

clear and you find a solution. But she refused to leave. Life became hell. For the first time in my life, I turned to alcohol. This went on for over a year.

I realised no matter how unpleasant it would be, the situation had to be controlled. It was so bad that once after an operation in a hospital, instead of going home, I checked into a hotel!

I was ill and weak, but I couldn’t bear the thought of going back home,” he recalls.

The talk of divorce cropped up, understandably, within the year Vinod and Meena married. The matter was linked to Bindiya Goswami’s advent in his life. Bring this up and Vinod says, “This is one thing I would like to clear.

Bindiya entered the scene a year after.

Meena and I had already discussed divorce. The situation was unsatisfactory and unpleasant for both of us. I’d like her to look into my eyes and say whether or not I had spoken to her brother and her, telling them months earlier that we would have to separate.

And her brother said, ‘Okay, just give us some time. My father is not well.

As soon as he recovers, we will tell him!’ And this way, they kept evading it. Later, I fell in love with Bindiya and then, I was desperate. I wanted my freedom and I practically begged them for it. They didn’t want me either, but they were not going to set me free so easily.”

Broccas, it was heard, had demanded ` 25 lakh to grant Vinod divorce from

Meena. Was that true? Vinod refuses to

...with Meena Brocca and relatives

go into details, and says, “It’s true they had made up their minds to harass me.

Their plans were entirely mercenary. But as much as I wanted my freedom, it was impossible to accede to their demands.

I’m an actor, but I don’t earn like the superstars earn. I tried to make them see reason, but by then, they were beyond reason.”

Given that after divorce, he was cordial with Rekha, would he also be cordial with Meena, and meet her without any bitterness about their past? Vinod says he would, but he is sure she wouldn’t. He remembers that on the last few occasions that the two met while the divorce was coming through, he had tried to speak to her, but she had shown no signs of willingness to communicate. “I can’t understand it. If anyone has a right to feel bitter, it’s me. They got what they wanted, everything worked out in their favour.

I’ve had to start almost from scratch.

I’m left without liquidity. But I don’t mind it

“I was not attracted to Meena, but I still went ahead with it hoping things would work out. But they didn’t.

We were married in May. By June, we were sleeping in separate rooms!” quite get along with his mother. When asked what Bindiya’s status in the Mehra

when the doctor gives the go-ahead,” says the doting husband. However,

household is, Vinod gets defensive and says, “My mother looks into the running around, shopping and cooking aspects.

the media has tagged Vinod Mehra as the male Elizabeth Taylor, thanks to the two unsuccessful marriages he’s

On two occasions when she got into the mood, Bindiya wanted to take charge

suffered in the past. Does he consider the ‘honour’ undeserved?

between us because of her conditioning?”

Vinod asks rhetorically.

and run the house. So the money was given to her. Both times, she returned the money and relinquished charge

“It’s something that really baffles me. I could have had affairs with two or three women and I would never

BINDIYA The divorces were wise decisions, but the actual break up from the disastrous

within 10 days when she discovered what a headache it is to run a house.

There are no problems at all between

have been stamped with this reputation.

People have so many relationships and they get away with it. But I tried to

marriages was agonising and brutal.

Ultimately, of course, it was for the better. His third wife Bindiya has caught Vinod in his best phase! Today, he is a man who suffers from no illusions, who knows all there is to know about marriage, and how to deal with it too.

His happiness with Bindiya is proof.

After two unsuccessful marriages, what makes Vinod think that his marriage with Bindiya will work? Pat comes the reply, “Bindiya is exactly what I wanted. She’s jovial, mischievous, and she has sufficient love for every member of the family. She was immature initially, but her immaturity helped me because I could mould her.”

Rumours have already started making the rounds that his third wife doesn’t

Bindiya and my mother. My mother has fallen in love with her. She is what this house needed all along. When she went to Delhi for a few days, my mother felt lost without her. She is like a child.”

It was also rumoured that Bindiya was pregnant. Vinod admits she was, and it was planned at the wrong time because they were busy with a hectic tour schedule in the USA. “She miscarried.

But we are planning another one soon,

put the legal binding on mine because I was sincere and I respected the women I was involved with. So I’m called ‘wife-crazy’!” retorts Vinod, adding, “Does this mean that the society respects an affair more than a marriage? Basically, I’m a one-woman man. I was never a flirt or a Casanova in the true sense of the word. But I suppose fate had this in store for me!”

because this is what life is all about. I can always work again, earn again. But they are feeling bitter and offended. They tried to ruin me and my image, but did I once hit back? Did I even once speak about her background or the problems that arose

STATUS UPDATE Vinod Mehra and Bindiya Goswami’s marriage ended. She married filmmaker J P Dutta, and Vinod married Kiran with whom he had two kids, Rohan and Soniya. The actor passed away at the age of 45 in the year 1990 leaving his film Gurudev incomplete. His wife completed the project and released it three years later. His daughter, a few years ago, tried her luck with the movies, but with a lukewarm reception, she moved into another direction altogether.

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Nari Hira, Chairman - Magna Publishing, Suchitra Iyer, Editor - Society and Rohit Roy with Amitabh Bachchan

An Evening Extraordinaire!

Similarly, when a journo enquired about When one thinks of the word gamethe controversy his once best friend changer, superstar Amitabh Bachchan is Subrato Roy has landed himself in with the first name that comes to one’s mind. the SEBI, he safely said a judicial probe And rightly so, he was conferred with the was on in the matter and left it at that. title of The Gamechanger Of The Century When asked why he chose to do such by one of the oldest magazines of Magna an elaborate interview with Society, Publishing Co Ltd – Society. Mr Bachchan graces the cover of Society Annual 2013 issue which the legend unveiled at Magna Lounge among much media glare and fan fare. It’s no rocket science to gauge that the crowd around the office went berserk and Amitabh Bachchan gets mobbed by the crowd outside Magna House everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the actor. Meanwhile, the press conference was, needless to say, jam packed with both the electronic and print media vying for space to get a byte and a photograph of the iconic actor, who came dressed in a dapper blue jacket, sporting a full beard, which he called the Satyagraha look. Chairman of Magna Publishing Nari Hira, Editor of Society, Suchitra Iyer and the emcee for the evening, Rohit Roy were present along with Bachchan to unveil the special issue. Big B treaded safe when asked about Sanjay Dutt and felt enough had been speculated by the media and that the troubled actor should be left alone.

Ashok Dhamankar, Director - Magna Publishing with Amitabh Bachchan

he fondly talked about his 40-year-old association with Nari Hira and Magna and said he could never refuse him.

Well known for his humility, Bachchan expressed embarrassment for having been bestowed with the title of Gamechanger and in all seriousness even suggested that Mr Hira should have been given the title for changing the way people look at magazines.

Suchitra Iyer, Rohit Roy, Nari Hira, and Vikram and Proneeta Hira with Amitabh Bachchan

a short film in my life and that too within this kind of budget.

Everything in my life and films has been long, pun not intended, so, it was quite an experience to work under such never-before circumstances,” said Karan with his witty sense of humour leaving everyone in splits.

The event concluded with some media interaction followed by cocktails.

Rudrarup Datta of Viacom 18, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar, Karan Johar, Anurag Kashyap and Ashi Dua

Awesome Foursome What happens when four powerhouse directors come together to make a film?

Something extraordinary, right? Bombay Talkies that comprises four short films directed by ace directors Karan Johar, Anurag Kashyap, Dibakar Banerjee and Zoya Akhtar is one such special film made on the occasion of 100 years of Indian cinema. The first look of the film was

recently launched at the PVR multiplex in Mumbai’s suburbs. The trailer was well received with a big round of applause by the media and other guests. Since Karan is known to make big-budget, high-onemotion films that stretch up to three hours, it was nothing short of a shock for him to make a short film within the budget of just ` 1.5 lakh. “It was nothing short of a torture. I have never made

Anurag Kashyap, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar and Karan Johar

Ab-Surd happenings!

When three Deol men are under one roof, the event is nothing short of a ha-ha riot.

Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby Deol arrived in style to launch the theatrical trailer of Yamla Pagla Deewana 2. A rare happening, this do was organised at Sunny Villa which obviously is Sunny’s office in Juhu. The auditorium was baby-sized and so, the star guests waited in another room till the media watched the promo which was played two-three times on public demand, after which

Dharmendra, Kristina Akheeva, Sunny Deol, Neha Sharma and Bobby Deol

Sunny and Bobby Deol with Dharmendra

Johnny Lever, the film’s leading ladies Neha Sharma and newbie Kristina Akheeva arrived before Bobby, Sunny and Dharmendra made their entry on stage in that order. The question-and-answer session had the press in splits, thanks to the oldest and still the youngest Deol,

Dharmendra who was in his elements while answering queries related to the film and also some unrelated ones. The producers also officially launched the ‘bioscope’ which will be placed at cinema halls across the country to promote the film written by Sunny’s wife Lynda.

missed chemistry between Deepika and Ranbir, was played twice over, followed by a press encounter for the present cast and crew. The questions were as loaded as the answers provided by Ranbir, Karan and Deepika. Towards the end, just before exiting the auditorium, Ranbir even danced on the little stage created for media interaction. Must say, this event was as jawaan as it gets!

Ayan Mukherji, Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone with Karan Johar

Deepika Padukone with Ranbir Kapoor

Jai Jawaani!

Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor and Karan Johar, three ingredients that can make for the most perfect press outing, were present, body and soul, at the launch of the first promo of Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani that reunites the aforementioned former lovers on screen. The rom-com’s director Ayan Mukherji was there too. Aditya Roy Kapur joined his team much later, towards the fag end of the show. The promo, full of colour, youthful dialogue and of course, the not-to-be-

Film, new bees and more!

Though Sanjay Dutt’s imprisonment may have come at an unexpected time, all eyes would be on his upcoming film Hum Hai Rahi Car Ke in which he plays a cop. The trailer of the film was recently unveiled in Mumbai. The film marks the debut of Dev Goel and features the 1920 actress Adah Sharma. Talking about cut throat competition and how actors always try to outshine each other, Dev said, “See, if you are talking with respect to Varun Dhawan and Sidharth Malhotra then let me tell you that I am not looking upon them as competition. I would love to do a film with Dharma or YRF. If it has to happen, it will. But as of now my focus is Hum Hai Rahi Car Ke”. Adah spoke about her experiences of working with Sanjay Dutt and Juhi Chawla. “Talking about Sanjay sir and Juhi ma’am, there is so much to learn from them. It was a lovely experience to work with them. Juhi ma’am is such a versatile actress. She has a wonderful comic timing.” Dev got nostalgic and showed his warmth towards Sanjay Dutt. He ruefully exclaimed “It is heart wrenching that Sanjay sir (Dutt) won’t be around when the film hits the theatres. It is a big blow.”

Ayan Mukherji, Ranbir Kapoor and Karan Johar

Adah Sharma with Dev Goel

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