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MOM’S THE WORD IN BOLLYWOOD? Here’s asking the industry if marriage or motherhood affect an actor’s career
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AAMIR ROCKS NERDY CHIC
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Check out actor Aamir Khan, as he made quite a ‘specsy’ statement when he teamed a sharp black suit with a pair of thickrimmed glasses and slickly parted hair for an awards do, recently. Meanwhile, at a press conference for his upcoming film, Aamir also spoke about friend, actor Salman Khan’s “raped” remarks being insensitive. “Going purely by the media reports that I’ve been reading which quotes him (Salman) as saying it (raped woman remark), I feel what he said was rather unfortunate and insensitive,” Aamir was quoted as saying.
YES, THEY MET AGAIN Virat Kohli and Lmissovebirds Anushka Sharma don’t any opportunity to be
with each other, despite hectic schedules. After wrapping up the shoot of her film in Punjab, the actor flew to Bengaluru to meet Virat, before the Indian Test captain left for the West Indies tour. “This time, Anushka flew to Bangalore where the two shared happy moments together,” a source was quoted as saying.
PHOTO:PTI
Prashant Singh
DAD SALIM HOPED APOLOGY WOULD END SALMAN’S PROBLEMS
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PHOTO: DEEPAK GUPTA/ HT
Clockwise: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Genelia Deshmukh, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Geeta Basra
ast week, actor Kareena Kapoor Khan’s pregnancy made headlines. Along with it came speculation about her work and whether she’d complete the filming of her film, Veere Di Wedding. Producer Rhea Kapoor said, “Bebo’s a professional. She will start shooting for the film in August. Kareena’s going on with work and life as usual.” Bebo’s news shifts the focus on an age-old debate: is it the end of the road for Bollywood heroines after marriage, especially those who become mothers? In the last few years, besides Kareena, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Kajol, Vidya Balan, Genelia Deshmukh and Bipasha Basu Singh Grover, also got married (a few of them also have kids). “Women’s professional lives don’t stop after marriage or after the birth of their child,” Vidya told HT. While Aishwarya starred in Jazbaa and Sarbjit, and is currently working on Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Vidya has done films such as Hamari Adhuri Kahani and Te3n, and has many other projects lined up. However, Jazbaa director Sanjay Gupta says: “Let’s not mince words, but they
eteran screenwriter and V actor Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan says he
(married actresses) don’t have much to look forward to in the ‘heroine’ bracket. No A-list hero would ideally like to work with them as their love interest,” he says. Trade expert Amod Mehra, thinks that if a top actor becomes pregnant, only then it might affect the industry and filmmakers. “(After marriage or kids) they get good parts, but mostly mature roles. They play a mom or sister,” he says. Distributor-exhibitor Akshaye Rathi, however, feels nothing changes after marriage or kids. “What matters to the audience is a quality, entertaining film,” he says. But can they play a typical heroine? “That’s got only to do with the screen age. How can you compare Kareena to Alia?” he says.
Abhijeet ‘not scared’ of police complaints F
irst, he was trolled on Twitter for his abusive comments against a woman journalist. Then, an FIR was filed against him for the same. But nothing seems to stop singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya and his rant. “They can’t scare me with a police complaint,” he was quoted as saying. It all began on Saturday with Bhattacharya’s comment on the murder of a Chennai techie, which he termed a case of ‘Love Jihad’. After a Delhi journalist, Swati Chaturvedi, objected to the singer’s tweet, pointing out a factual mistake, Bhattacharya lashed out and went on a rant, even calling Chaturvedi a “besharam budhiya”. Later, he went on to post: “This is the way a proud Hindustani man should talk to an IndoPak breed lady (sic).” Meanwhile, talking to us
about the controversy, Bhattacharya — who brands those who trolled him as “anti nationals” — said he uses social media to express himself, but people tend to create controversy. “I’m a proud Indian. I never talk against any religion, political leader or party. But when it comes to corrupt people, I don’t hesitate from writing about them... These people are not happy about Indian talent; they’re happy about Pakistani artistes coming to India! Isliye maine unki badhiya tarah se band baja di. Someone happened to write a wrong tweet and I retweeted; it happens,” he added. As for his expletivefilled rant against Chaturvedi, Bhattacharya said: “I purposely used the words ‘besharam budhiya’ for her because how dare she say PHOTOS: AMAL KS/HT
such anti-national talk and mock me.” Chaturvedi had brought the tweets to the attention of the police, accusing Bhattacharya of inciting communal riots. “I’ve registered an FIR with the Delhi police (at the Vasant Vihar police station). The Mumbai police got in touch with me and told me the case will be transferred. Strict action will be initiated against the accused,” she said.
hoped that an apology on son’s behalf for his “raped woman” comment would put an end to the problems that surfaced. “But the media wanted to carry it to the saturation point. I regret not knowing this,” Salim, 80, tweeted. IANS
I WILL ALWAYS BE PIGEONHOLED: EMMA ollywood actor Emma H Watson says despite having done different films,
I am unemployed and it’s working well: Shahid
PHOTO: ROHAN SHRESTHA
she’ll be linked back to her role of Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film franchise. “It’s irritating... There will be people who will want to pigeonhole me,” she said. PTI
I am not in a hurry (to sign a film); I can afford to start something (a new project) after three-four months SHAHID KAPOOR, ACTOR
HT PHOTO
Prashant Singh
H
Soumya Vajpayee Tiwari
I purposely used the words ‘besharam budhiya’ for her because how dare she say such anti-national talk and mock me ABHIJEET BHATTACHARYA, SINGER
e has been praised for his performance in Udta Punjab. But ask Shahid Kapoor about his future projects, and the actor shares he hasn’t signed any new film (after completing Vishal Bhardwaj’s next). “As of now, I’m unemployed (laughs),” he says, adding that it’s “working well” for him. The actor insists that he will be busy on a personal level (his wife, Mira Rajput, is pregnant and in her third trimester) for the next twothree months. Also, he wants
to “do something new” now. “I am not in a hurry (to sign a film); I can afford to start something (a new project) after three-four months. I’ll decide within the next few days as to what I want to do next,” says the actor, adding that his biggest fear is to do a film when he is “not charged” (excited) about a role or film. “When you get success, more successful people want to work with you, and you work with them because they are successful. But it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re super charged about working with them. I hope I continue to
prashant.singh@hindustantimes.com
Remove section 377: ‘Favourite’ Irrfan welcomed by students Delhi LGBT urge again Ruchika Garg
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HIMADRI ROY, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, IGNOU
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PHOTO: HTCS
Sneha Mahadevan
I’m fortunate that my father and brother supported me but it’s not the same with everyone else
make choices that excite me as an actor. That’s the reason why I’ve done well in these two films (Haider; 2014, and Udta Punjab),” adds Shahid. There have been rumours that he might star in the Hindi remake of Magadheera (2009; Telugu film). Talking about it, Shahid says, “That’s been in news for many years, but I never said yes to it. I’ve seen several articles about it. But, people often put two and two together. It’s not that Magadheera hasn’t been discussed, but I never said yes to it.”
y parents are not aware that I’m gay, yet I’m here because I want to support others (in the LGBTQ community). Agar mummypapa ko pata chala ki main gay hun toh mujhe maar dalenge,” said 18-year-old Dev Singh. He, and many others, gathered in Connaught Place on Saturday to commemorate Delhi High Court’s historic 2009 judgment to decriminalise homosexuality, which was, however, reversed by the Supreme Court under Section 377. Viraj Shooken, 23, echoed the sentiment. “I want to make a career first, and then tell my parents about my sexual orientation, so their chances of accepting me are higher,” he said with hope, as he joined the others holding a banners with quirky slogans, wrapping themselves in rainbow flags.
Hopeful that the Supreme Court will reconsider section 377 soon, Himadri Roy, associate professor, School of Gender and Development Studies, IGNOU, said, “It’s difficult for parents and society to accept when one reveals about his or her sexual orientation. I’m fortunate my father and brother supported me but it’s not the same with everyone else.” A testimony of this is Rahul Kumar Thappa. “I was 21 when I told my parents I’m gay. They have not accepted it yet. No one in my family supports me. With help from friends, I’m not afraid to say I’m gay and proud of it!” Many await the removal of section 377 to come out of the closet. “We face discrimination everywhere, and I feel it might be the same at home if I open up,” says a Delhi University student, who didn’t wish to be named. n
ruchika.garg@hindustantimes.com
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F
ilm promotions often take actors to different cities and corners of the country to interact with the local audience and meet and greet their fans, as they talk about their upcoming project. One such tour took Irrfan Khan to the city of gardens, Bengaluru. On a promotional spree for his upcoming movie, Madaari, the actor visited a college and connected with the youth. The students, who were
It is always a delightful and refreshing experience to interact with the youth IRRFAN KHAN, ACTOR
extremely excited to have their favourite actor visit their college, turned up in huge numbers to give him a grand welcome. Our source reveals, “Irrfan had an interactive session with the students and shared his experience of travelling across India for the shoot, shooting in trucks, trains, rickshaws, to the interesting subject the film deals with. The students also presented a performance, prepared specially for the actor, on the film’s recently-released songs, Dama Dam and Masoom Sa.” The actor, too, was delighted to meet the students. “It is always a delightful and refreshing experience to interact with the youth. I’m overwhelmed to know the songs have resonated with them,” said Irrfan. Miraj Entertainment and Easemytrip.com present Madaari, a Paramhans Creations Production. The film hits cinemas on July 15. n sneha.mahadevan@hindustantimes.com