Filmfare-ME-May-2024

Redefining Rules!

EDITORIAL TEAM

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Aakanksha Naval-Shetye aakanksha.naval@starzmediainc.com

Digital Marketing Executive Shruti Nigam shruti.nigam@starzmediainc.com

Graphic Designer Amit Panchal amit.panchal@aldanube.com

SENIOR BUSINESS MANAGEREVENTS

Mayur Panchal mayur.panchal@starzmediainc.com

Magazine Co-ordinator Yunus Naik yunus.naik@starzmediainc.com

FILMFARE (INDIA)

Chief Executive Officer Rohit Gopakumar

Chief Community Officer & Editor Jitesh Pillaai

Executive Editor

Anuradha Choudhary

Brand Solutions Director Jyoti Verma

PUBLISHED BY: Starz Media Inc

P.O BOX: 18022 Dubai, United Arab Emirates

And this is how it’s done!

April took us all by storm! Literally! Dubai and some cities of the UAE were pummeled with more than a year’s worth of rain in a single day, witnessing one of the heaviest rainfalls in decades. But even in the face of a natural adversity of such high magnitude, the cities once again set an example of how good governance had them bounce back in record time.

We saw Bollywood superstar Salman Khan keep up his commitment - inspite of multiple to and fros with flights being cancelled or rescheduled - as he flew to Dubai to unveil his Being Strong Fitness Equipment at one of the biggest events in the city’s real estate calendar – the launch of Diamondz by Danube hosted by Founder and Chairman of Danube Group, Mr Rizwan Sajan With over 3,000 guests in attendance the event that took place barely two days after the floods was a super-success. It just speaks volumes of how determined the people of Dubai are and backed by the strong will of its rulers, the city always finds a way!

If the lessons learnt and the biggest takeaways this year so far had to be summed up in one word, it would be ‘perseverance’! It’s a quality that has never let one down and it is this one characteristic that all the front-runners, dynamic leaders, achievers possess no matter what their field of expertise! And our May issue features some of the most celebrated names in entertainment, fashion, lifestyle, whose journeys are a testament to this! These names have led by example, as their awe-inspiring life-stories speak of their resolute will-power, steadfastness, and determination.

Manish Malhotra, the Czar of Bollywood fashion who turned around the way fashion is perceived in Indian cinema, in this issue talks to me about being relevant for more than three decades in an industry where styles and trends are all about change! We also have our exclusive interview with Pankaj Tripathi, a name that commands respect based on his sheer talent and acting prowess. Flip on the pages and get ready to be inspired by them and many such achievers who have proven that when the going gets tough, the tough get going!

Exactly what our Cover Star Vikrant Massey also believes in! His professional story doesn’t boast of overnight fame, success and stardom as a hero. But while his career graph has been punctuated with the highs and lows, this actor-par-excellence has always aced all characters with finesse and his top-notch performances have consistently been nothing short of brilliant. In fact, Massey’s filmography includes gems like A Death in the Gunj, Chappaak, Lootera, and several other commercially popular hits like Mirzapur, Haseen Dillruba, Dil Dhadakne Do, Gaslight, Criminal Justice, but it’s his earnest portrayal as Manoj Kumar Sharma in the aweinspiring biopic 12th Fail that has proven to be the game-changer. The sleeper hit has catapulted him into the spotlight and the film’s not just won him accolades and critical acclaim, but is also winning this ‘unconventional hero’ the much-deserved awards too! Congratulations are in order for the actor who has an even bigger reason to celebrate on the personal front as he became a father early this year. Well, read all about the actor and his journey so far in our Cover Story.

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All rights reserved. While the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors within.

May spells the advent of summer in the city! And before the mercury hits levels that make it impossible to step out, indulge the adrenaline junkie in you. In the pages ahead, we also share just the right spots and must-haves for you to gear up the adventurer in you. But ready to tap that wild spirit or not, let’s not forget to slay the summer right: So, slap on that sunscreen, keep the peepers protected, hat up good, glam up in the cottons and linens, and stay hyrdrated y’all!

Happy Summer Folks!

MRUNAL TAHKUR WAS THE FIRST CHOICE FOR SULTAN REVEALS SALMAN KHAN

KATRINA KAIF WAS TO BE THE FOURTH ACTRESS WITH RANBIR KAPOOR IN BACHNA AE HASEENO

MADHURI DIXIT JOINS

KARTIK AARYAN IN BHOOL BHULAIYAA 3

WHEN SALMAN KHAN DAZZLED DUBAI AKSHAY KUMAR AND TIGER SHROFF BROMANTIC CAMARADERIE WOWS MOVIE-LOVERS

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COVER STORY

ACTOR-PAR-EXCELLENCE AND A POWERHOUSE PERFORMER, VIKRANT MASSEY TALKS TO AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE ABOUT MAKING BRAVE CHOICES, EARNING HIS STRIPES AT THE BOX OFFICE WITH THE COMMERCIAL SUCCESS OF THE SLEEPER HIT 12TH FAIL AND ALSO SHARES HIS HAPPINESS OF BEING A FATHER!

COVER PHOTOGRAPHER

KUNAL KEMMU ON TURNING DIRECTOR WITH MADGAON EXPRESS

TREAT THE ADVENTURER IN YOU WITH THESE ADRENALINE TREATS

CHECK OUT THE MUST-HAVES FOR YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE TRIP

MANISH MALHOTRA GETS CANDID WITH AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE ABOUT CHANGING THE FABRIC OF BOLLYWOOD FASHION AND STAYING AT THE TOP EVEN AFTER THREE DECADES IN THE INDUSTRY

FILMS TO FRIENDSHIPS AND ROLES TO DATES, MANUSHI CHHILLAR AND ALAYA F CHAT UP WITH AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE ABOUT LOVE AND LIFE

PANKAJ TRIPATHI SHARES HIS AWEINSPIRING JOURNEY WITH AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE

50

KIRAN RAO TALKS ABOUT HITTING BULL’S EYE WITH LAAPATAA LADIES

ACE STAND-UP COMEDIAN, ACTOR AND YOUTUBER ANUBHAV SINGH BASSI SPILLS THE BEANS ON HIS FUN TAKES GET YOUR DOSE OF THE BEST ON SCREEN THIS MAY

VARINDER CHAWLA

ON THE GRAM

READERS WRITE AND BITE BACK... WITH LOVE AND AFFECTION

a bird’s-eye view of show town’s happenings

KATRINA KAIF REVEALS SHE WAS THE FOURTH GIRL IN BACHNA AE HASEENO

Katrina Kaif opened up about her early years in the lm industry. In an interview, she disclosed that she was initially cast as the fourth girl in Bachna Ae Haseeno but her role was later removed from the script. Bachna Ae Haseeno follows Ranbir Kapoor’s character as he falls in love with different women at various stages of his life. The lm also stars Deepika Padukone, Bipasha Basu and Minissha Lamba. In an interview with a leading news portal, Katrina revealed that she was originally supposed to play the fourth girl in the movie, but her role was ultimately cut.

JANHVI KAPOOR JOINS RAM CHARAN IN BUCHI BABU SANA’S RC16

After weeks of speculation, it has now been con rmed that Janhvi Kapoor will feature alongside RRR star Ram Charan in RC16, her second Telugu-language project. The lm will be directed by Buchi Babu Sana. The makers of RC16 announced this on Janhvi Kapoor’s birthday: “Welcoming the celestial beauty on board for #RC16. Happy Birthday to the mesmerising #JanhviKapoor #RamCharanRevolts.” Last month, Janhvi Kapoor’s father Boney Kapoor had revealed that after working with Jr NTR in Devara, the actress will begin working on a lm with Ram Charan soon. Additionally, he also mentioned a project with Suriya

MRUNAL THAKUR WAS THE FIRST CHOICE FOR SALMAN KHAN’S SULTAN

Salman Khan made an interesting revelation during a reality TV show. He disclosed that Anushka Sharma was not the rst choice for Sultan. He said, “Let me tell you an interesting fact about Mrunal. The original star of Sultan was her. She came to the farm (house) to meet me. Ali (Abbas Zafar) had brought her. And that time she didn’t look like a pahalwan (wrestler).” He added, “I thought in my mind that she doesn’t look like a pahalwan. Well, even Anushka (Sharma) didn’t look like one. But I knew she would do good.” Both Anushka and Salman received praise for their performances.

RANDEEP HOODA SAYS HE WANTED

ALIA BHATT TO BE AFRAID OF HIM

BOBBY DEOL JOINS

Imtiaz Ali’s Highway starring Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda put Alia on the map. Recently, during a media interaction, Randeep reacted to the rumours that surfaced online that he did not talk to her while shooting. He said, “That was more for her.” He continued, “She was from Juhu, she hadn’t really seen much of the world, she didn’t have exposure.” Furthermore, he revealed that in order to make Alia stay true to her character of a kidnapped girl who develops the Stockholm syndrome towards her kidnapper, they wanted her to be fearful of him. So he made sure she wouldn’teven come and sit next to him. that him.

ALIA BHATT’S SPY FILM

After playing the iconic villain Abrar in Animal, Bobby Deol is all set to essay the role of another villain for Alia Bhatt and Sharvari Wagh’s upcoming YRF’s spy universe lm. The role is set to be an extremely challenging. Bobby will undergo for a physical transformation for this role, which is said to contain more grey shades than his role in Animal.

contain more grey shades than

KIARA ADVANI JOINS RANVEER SINGH AS THE FEMALE LEAD OF DON 3

Ever since the makers of the Don franchise announced that Ranveer Singh will be taking over the reins from Shah Rukh Khan in the Don franchise, there has been a lot of speculation about the female lead. The makers took to their of cial social media handles to announce that Kiara Advani will play the female lead in the lm.

Bobby

AAMIR KHAN WANTS TO WORK WITH SRK AND SALMAN

Aamir Khan, who was recently seen at the Ambani pre-wedding bash as he danced with Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan on Naatu naatu, has hinted that there might be a collaboration between the three Khans in the near future. Aamir said that the three of them have discussed this and are of the strong belief that they should be making one lm together for their fans. “I also think that the three of us should work on a lm together... I hope we get a good story so we get to do this. I think all three of us are very keen to work with one another. It’s been quite a while now. We should de nitely have the right time. This is the right time,” he added

expert advice

DR. SANA SAJAN

Director of American Aesthetic Medical Center

S(K)INTILLATING SUMMER

SAMANTHA ON HER SPLIT FROM NAGA CHAITANYA

Samantha recently released her health podcast called Take 20. In the podcast, the actor touches on the topic of her divorce, calling her separation from Naga Chaitanya “extremely dif cult.” “I remember speci cally the year before I had this problem; it was an extremely dif cult year for me. I speci cally remember the day that my friend, partner, and manager, Himank, and I were travelling back from Mumbai. And I remember telling him that nally I felt calm. I haven’t felt relaxed and calm in a very, very long time. Finally I feel like I can breathe and I can go to sleep, and I can now wake up and focus on my work and be the best that I can be at work. And I woke up with this condition.”

MADHURI DIXIT JOINS TRIPTII DIMRI, VIDYA BALAN AND KARTIK AARYAN IN BHOOL BHULAIYAA 3

According to our sources, Madhuri Dixit will be joining Triptii Dimri, Vidya Balan and Kartik Aaryan in Anees Bazmee’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. Triptii Dimri was announced as the main female lead of the lm alongside Kartik Aaryan. Kartik announced the news on Instagram and wrote, “Welcome to the World of Bhool Bhulaiyaa @tripti_dimri.” Then, it was announced that actress Vidya Balan, famous for her role as Manjulika in the 2007 psychological horror-comedy, would be returning to the franchise. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is produced by Bhushan Kumar

VICKY

Extra sunshine in the summer naturally causes the skin’s environment to change. This requires us to take extra measures to ensure we are protected. More hours spent in the sun make it absolutely crucial to apply (and re-apply) adequate UV protection to avoid skin cancer, brown spots, wrinkles, and sagging skin.While many would describe tanned skin as a “healthy glow,” skin actually darkens when exposed to sunshine as a protective measure against UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays.There are also aesthetic treatments you can book at our Dubai office to ensure you are practicing the best summer skin care. The skin specialists at AAMC are here to keep you looking and feeling your best all year long, no matter your skin type or concerns. Here are our suggestions for med spa treatments to book for the best summer skin care of your life!

Dermaplaning is an amazing start-of-summer skin resurfacing treatment. If you have dry, uneven, rough, or sensitive skin, dermaplaning offers gentle exfoliation to reveal smooth, radiant skin. We gently glide a surgical blade over the skin to remove dead skin and vellus hairs (AKA “peach fuzz”) to give you touchably soft skin that’s ready for summer (and SPF 30+, of course). Makeup glides on beautifully!

Microneedling involves the use of a handheld device with a sterile cartridge tip made up of “micro” needles. This triggers the body’s natural healing response, which in turn stimulates and creates new collagen growth. Plus, topical product penetration is increased.

KAUSHAL PUTS ON OVER 25 KGS FOR HIS ROLE IN CHHAVA

Vicky Kaushal is gearing up for his next lm, Chhava in which he takes on the role of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Amidst fresh updates, it seems like Vicky is set to gain weight as he prepares for the role. The lm’s director Laxman Utekar has said he needed the actor to bulk up to look the part of the warrior king.

The Green peel Skin Renewal Therapy Treatment is the ultimate summer skin pick-me-up. This treatment is a patient favorite and The most requested skin treatment at our office. SaltFacial utilizes a three-step process to restore, replenish and rejuvenate all skin types, delivering amazing results after just one treatment, without any downtime or sun sensitivity

to restore, replenish and rejuvenate all skin types, you experience acne, dull skin, rough texture, or a facial

The clinical facials, especially our Signature° facial, at American AESTHETICS are specially formulated and designed to treat your unique skin concerns. Whether you experience acne, dull skin, rough texture, or a number of other issues, we can create a clinical facial that works for you!

Redefining

Vikrant Massey Rules!

Actor-par-excellence and a powerhouse performer, Vikrant Massey talks to Aakanksha Naval-Shetye about life choices post the sleeper hit 12th Fail and earning his stripes at the Box Office with its commercial success and also shares his happiness on becoming a father!

Vikrant Massey is on a roll. Ever since his debut, the actor has consistently been winning hearts with his sincere and impressive performances in a varied repertoire with rather unconventional roles that includes TV, series and films - A Death in the Gunj, Lootera, Mirzapur, Criminal Justice, Chhapaak, Haseen Dillruba, Dil Dhadakne Do, Gaslight… to name just a few.

Acing all characters with a masterful finesse and breathing realism into them, the actor’s performances have always tugged at the heartstrings. But it’s his earnest portrayal as Manoj Kumar Sharma in the awe-inspiring biopic 12th Fail that has proven to be the gamechanger. The sleeper hit has catapulted him into the spotlight as a bonafide star and the film’s not just won him accolades and critical acclaim, but is also winning this ‘unconventional hero’ the awards! From starting his journey with television soaps to headlining movies, the star has come a long way and is unstoppable as he strides ahead confidently having earned the stripes at the Box Office with its commercial success. And while on a professional high, the actor has an even bigger reason to celebrate on the personal front as he became a father early this year. Congratulations are in order for Vikrant on multiple counts as we catch up with him for a candid tete-a-tete. It’s a delight talking to him as we dive headlong into our conversation talking about the conventional commercial success of 12th Fail, his brave choices that have been a constant in his journey and why stardom won’t change him much. Down-to-earth and devoid of any starry airs, the star wins our hearts yet again as we decode the real Vikrant Massey!

FIRST THE SUPERSUCCESS OF 12TH FAIL, THE AWARDS AND NOW FATHERHOOD… PROFESSIONALLY AND PERSONALLY, YOU’RE ON SUCH A HIGH. WHAT’S THE HEADSPACE LIKE? Oh I’m loving it. Both the phases. Life post 12th Fail and post my son, I really couldn’t have asked for anything more. It’s been good and I’m thankful, grateful! But at the same time, there is a sense of a purple patch that I really don’t want to think or mull over much. So, I’m taking it all in, but also pretty conservatively like ‘accha theek hai, let’s not get too excited.’

BUT THIS ONE CALLS FOR CELEBRATION… YOU HAVE HAD A GREAT BODY OF WORK, BUT THIS MOVIE HAS BEEN THE GAME-CHANGER FOR YOU!

Absolutely! It has changed a lot of things for me professionally. And I’m really happy about it. I mean the film has been loved by people and the industry alike. The audience has praised it and as we speak, it is still running in theatres, it’s been nearly six months. It’s after 23 years we’ve had a Hindi movie celebrate a silver jubilee in cinema halls. So I think it is an unprecedented feat, something that we should be proud of. But having said that, the moment you reminisce about all that, it feels great but it’s also over and done with. The idea is to look forward to this calendar year and the commitments this year and entirely focus on that and not sort of still get swayed by the success. The idea is to focus on what lies ahead.

BUT DO YOU SEE A PARADIGM SHIFT IN FILMMAKERS WITH THE KIND OF ROLES THAT ARE BEING OFFERED TO YOU POST THIS MOVIE?

Yes, of course. Not just the filmmakers, I think the audiences too. The same audiences who’ve been seeing me since my television days, there’s been a paradigm shift in the way they look at me today. And that is how it is in most walks of life. With 12th Fail there’s been a conventional success in the way that people start seeing you differently.

PERSONALLY DO YOU FEEL LIKE THERE’S A CERTAIN KIND OF REDEMPTION HERE, BECAUSE AS AN ACTOR, YOUR PERFORMANCE HAS ALWAYS BEEN PRAISEWORTHY?

I think redemption would be too harsh a word. I really wasn’t fighting against anything so I wouldn’t call it redemption. I wasn’t competing with anyone, I was just wanting to better myself as an actor, to work with better people actually. Because that in turn would help me become a better actor. So those are the things that I have achieved, those are the things I’m certainly very proud of but that’s just about it.

LONG OVERDUE THEN? Long overdue, that’s for other people to say (laughs). For me I think, as I said, I have thoroughly enjoyed the last six months, but the idea is, I already am thinking six months from now. So I have thoroughly enjoyed it, I have moved on as well. There’s still a long way for me to go and these things are a part, films like 12th Fail, of successes and failures. I mean, they are a part of a longer journey which is my larger aspiration.

WHAT ABOUT YOUR

The same audiences who’ve been seeing me since my television days, there’s been a paradigm shift in the way they look at me today. And that is how it is in most walks of life. With 12th Fail there’s been a conventional success in the way that people start seeing you differently

CRITERIA OF CHOOSING A ROLE, HAS THAT CHANGED POST 12TH FAIL?

Maybe. I mean there might be a slight change, because when you talk about change, you also need to address the degree of change. Nobody changes entirely overnight. There are degree of changes which occur over a period of time. So as of now, maybe yeah, say 10 to 20 per cent! I have started reading scripts, approaching the things I do because let’s not take away the fact that it’s like a double-edged sword, especially in absolutely influential mediums such as televisions or films or cinema or any form of art. I mean there comes a certain sense of responsibility. It is concomitant with conventional successes. When I talk of responsibility, it is about being more worthy of people’s money and time. So I am probably a little more careful about

making those 3 hours’ worth the audiences time. So I am kind of scrutinising the films a certain way now I was not able to do before. But like I said, it’s just a 1020 degree shift. I don’t think a lot of things have changed but yeah, there are minor shifts of course and they are bound to be with conventional successes.

WHAT ABOUT YOU AS A PERSON? AS AN ACTOR YOU’VE ALWAYS MAINTAINED SUCH A LOW PROFILE WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR PERSONAL LIFE, BUT OBVIOUSLY NOW IT’S GOING TO BE MORE UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT. Things have changed for me as a father, with my son coming in, of course, but that has nothing to do with the success of 12th Fail. And yes, I would say that post the film’s success there are a few more eyeballs on me today but its entirely because of curiosity and because of the love and admiration that I have

to say. I am absolutely horrible at socialising because I have massive social anxiety. Anyway the nature of my job really puts me out in front of strangers every single day. So I make sure that whatever little time that I can buy for myself, I spend time with my family or just a few select friends who’ve been with me for more than 20-25-30 years. And yeah, I think I’m just like a normal guy.

YOU’VE NEVER HAD THE BACKING OF ANY INDUSTRY NAME PER SE, SO WHERE DO YOU FIND THIS COURAGE TO TAKE UP ROLES AND UNCONVENTIONAL PROJECTS THAT MAY HAVE STRONG CONTENT, BUT HAVE BEEN RISKY PROPOSITIONS AT THE BOX OFFICE?

sort of shared with 12th Fail. So there are a lot more well-wishers than there were yesterday. I kind of recognise that. A definite change post conventional professional success, as I said, has been that I’m probably reading scripts a different way but that’s just about it. Rather than being complacent, I am far more sharper in terms of how I’m leading my life, how I’m treating my producers and investments and that is exactly the responsibility I was talking about. But I don’t think that much has changed in my personal life. Me and my family are still living the way we lived.

WHAT IS THE REAL VIKRANT MASSEY LIKE WHEN YOU’RE NOT IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA? I don’t know! Finding my own self is something I’m horrible at. I’m like an average normal guy. I’m a homebody if I have

Yes, thank you for this question. Not a lot of people ask me about this. And now that you’ve asked me, I actually don’t have an answer. So I’ll try putting it forth as honestly as possible. I think it’s a mix of sort of wanting to share my own mind, my own world view, from time to time, not all the times with films like 12th Fail So, I’ll probably pick up one film in a year which is much more than money, but gives me a different sense of satisfaction. Every film that you are associated with has its own reasons to be attached to. The courage, I don’t know perhaps comes from the fact that I want to give back to the people in some way, I want to tell their stories because I have very limited time here and I’ve already had a 20 year career, so maybe I have another 30 years left as an actor so, I want to go out there and sort of give it back to people who have given me anything that I have. I want to do thought provoking things, I want people to feel. These sort of make me go ahead

12th Fail

with conviction to go out there and tell a story. So maybe these factors are my courage.

YOUR JOURNEY’S NOT BEEN WITHOUT ITS SHARE OF HIGHS AND LOWS, BUT HOW DO YOU REFLECT BACK ON IT?

It’s been nice. I have no complaints and no regrets. I wouldn’t want my life to be otherwise or in any other way. If I was asked to be myself all over again with the same experiences, I would take it at the drop of a hat. So, I’m happy. I’m happy personally, I’m happy professionally, doing decently well health-wise. Yeah, so everything is fine.

IS THERE ANY LESSON OR ADVISE THAT YOU KIND OF LEARNT, AND HOLD REALLY CLOSE TO YOUR HEART NOW?

No, none of it. Everything is a by-product of your previous work that you’ve done. Everything has a domino effect. Not that I haven’t done a lot of bad films. I have a lot of bad TV shows as well. But as I said, if given a choice to live my own life with the same experiences all over again, I would do it in a heartbeat because those experiences are equally important, if not more. So, life’s like this mix bag of things and you really cannot pick and choose only the good aspects of it. You have to embrace whatever comes your way,

the good, the bad, the ugly and you’re, as I said, the by-product of the good and bad choices and decisions that you’ve taken.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING PROJECTS THAT WE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO THIS YEAR?

So, I’m really excited for The Sabarmati Report which is out on 2nd August. Really excited for that. Sort of collaborating with Ekta Kapoor after a really long time – almost 5 years probably - and I love working with her. So that is up for release. Then I have a movie called Sector 36 which is up for release on a digital platform. Really excited for that. Then I have a film Talakhon mein ek which is with Rashi Khanna. I have just completed that so I am also looking at that releasing this year. And yes, I have started filming for my mini-series for Disney-Hotstar with Raju Hirani and I’m really excited about that.

AND IN BETWEEN YOU’RE JUGGLING ALL YOUR DADDY DUTIES AS WELL…

Not exactly. I want to spend a little more time with my family but I’m not able to do that as much as I really want to. I just kind of chip in wherever I can but I think I still want to sort of spend more time and take the load of my wife and the staff and sort of be a little more involved and active with them.

I want to do thought provoking things, I want people to feel. These sort of make me go ahead with conviction to go out there and tell a story. So maybe these factors are my courage

Haseen Dillruba

DO YOU THINK THAT THIS IS A VERY GOOD TIME FOR ACTORS, WHERE THE AUDIENCE IS FAR MORE EVOLVED, CHARACTERS ARE BEING CELEBRATED AND THAT DISTANCE BETWEEN STARS AND ACTORS IS BEING BRIDGED?

Yes, absolutely! I think that has happened in the last 10 years and a lot of the credit has to go to digitisation. When I say digitisation, I not only talk about OTT platforms, I also talk about the inflow of international content on everyone’s mobile phones. So there are people who are watching worldclass cinema, world class stories, just at the click of a button. And another thing that has sort of catapulted this possibility today is the fact that we’ve started dubbing movies in the regional languages as well. so, I know of people who say maybe 10 years ago would never even think of watching a Marvel’s film which is dubbed in Tamil or Kannada or Hindi for that matter of fact. So now their exposure has also sort of forced all of us to up our own games. There is no one regional specific cinema someone’s aiming to do. The universality of it demands and the digitisation demands the script to be par with international cinema. And of course also because OTT platforms. So there are more story tellers today, there are more technicians today, there are more actors and everyone has their hands full which is a great thing. A lot of people also sort of brush up their own skills while they are busy throughout the year.

I’m like an average normal guy. I’m a homebody if I have to say. I am absolutely horrible at socialising because I have massive social anxiety. Anyway the nature of my job really puts me out in front of strangers every single day.

And we also see, because of that, another by-product which is concomitant with something like good writers and good technicians sort of honing their skills on the ground.

ALSO IT ENCOURAGES ACTORS AND FILMMAKERS TO EXPLORE NEWER POSSIBILITIES AND EXPERIMENT. Yeah, absolutely. There are takers for everything today. We are not limited to a specific type of story-telling. Of course we retain a lot of traditional storytelling forms but we also have an inflow of new kind of cinema, new kind of alternate stuff if I am to use any other word. So there are takers for everything. It’s like nobody goes to sleep hungry, with an empty stomach. So, the degree of it, again, I say, varies. But things are also changing.

YOUR FILMOGRAPHY INTERESTINGLY HAS ALWAYS HAD A LOT OF VARIATION WHERE I THINK YOU’VE TAPPED ON ALMOST EVERY GENRE OUT THERE!

It’s been a very conscious call. Monotony is something that I absolutely detest. You just go out there and follow a formula that okay this is one thing that works for me, I’m going to continue doing that and milk it till I dry it out. I don’t see it that way. I really want to keep; for the lack of a better word, I want to keep challenging myself as an actor or even work with new-comers, which I do a lot!

YES, YOU HAVE NEVER SHIED AWAY FROM WORKING WITH A NEWCOMER. THAT AGAIN NEEDS COURAGE…

Every calendar year, I make sure that I make at least one movie with a first time filmmaker. That also kind of really pulls me up and keeps complacency from seeping in. It makes me better myself, because a first time filmmaker is always going to put out his all heart and soul. And that in turn gets me excited, makes me brush up my own skills or better myself and also meet new perspectives.

Questions Quick

IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH IT?

I think I would want to fly, just jump out of the window and fly wherever.

AND NOT ONLY TO BEAT THE MUMBAI TRAFFIC...

No, no. Not only for that. To just sort of run away from things sometimes, just to sort of soar high in the sky and see the world from up above. I mean, why not? I mean if one could fly, it would be fabulous, wouldn’t it?

TELL US ONE THING ABOUT YOU THAT NO ONE KNOWS?

Oh my God! I don’t know. I love video games. They are a major re-centring exercise for me.

WHAT ARE THE THREE WORDS THAT YOU THINK BEST DESCRIBE YOU?

That’s for other people to do, I really don’t know. I mean these are tough questions yaar! Sleepyhead because I also love sleeping…

IF YOUR LIFE HAD A THEME SONG, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I think it would be a nice calm mellow piano piece. Not anything dhoom-dhaam types. Nice and easy, good background music, pleasant background music.

ONE INDULGENT GUILTY PLEASURE THAT YOU HAVE?

I am obsessed with shoes actually. I’m kind of obsessed with it.

ONE OF YOUR FILMS THAT YOU WISH WOULD GET A SEQUEL 12th Fail! Not that we’re making it but if we would make it then why not 12th Fail

IS THERE ANY MOVIE THAT ANY OTHER ACTOR HAS DONE IN THE PAST OR CONTEMPORARY THAT YOU WISH YOU WOULD HAVE GOTTEN TO DO THAT ROLE?

I mean I wouldn’t call Aamir Sir contemporary but you know, I have always sort of felt or want or I aspire to have a film like Lagaan in my filmography. Not that I could do it any better, but I think that is such a fabulous film. It’s one of my all-time favourites. So I would love to play Bhuvan.

TOP 3 DIRECTORS ON YOUR WISH LIST?

Aamir Khan is one director I really want to work with, Raju Hirani, as a director I really want to work with him. Farhan Akhtar, yeah.

ON A ROMANTIC DATE, YOU WOULD?

Spend some quality time with my wife, I would travel to some isolated place, enjoy great food, have a nice wine, just stay close to her, soak the moment in, have a beautiful view...

AS A TEENAGER WHOSE POSTERS DID YOU HAVE ON YOUR BEDROOM WALLS?

Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis, Hrithik Roshan.

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Country: Tanzania

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Elevation :4900m

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Distance: 670 kilometers (420 miles)

Duration: 45 days

The Jordan Trail is a 420-mile (675km) hiking trail from Umm Qais in the north of Jordan to Aqaba in the south, which passes through the historic city of Petra and the otherworldly sandstone desert of Wadi Rum. It also introduces you to lesser visited parts of Jordan, such as traditional Bedouin villages and remote ‘wadis’ (or river valleys).

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Manish Malhotra C ZA R O F Bollywood Fashion!

Ace Bollywood designer Manish Malhotra in an exclusive interview with Aakanksha Naval-Shetye talks about expanding his brand globally starting with his exquisite agship store in Dubai and reveals what makes him one of the most-sought after names among the B-Town A-listers even after 30 years in the industry

From the original Bollywood diva Rekha to Shah Rukh Khan, the late Sridevi to Janhvi Kapoor, Kajol, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor… there’s hardly any Bollywood star who hasn’t been seen turning heads in a Manish Malhotra creation! The ace costume designer is undoubtedly the Badshah when it comes to fashion in Bollywood and has been the name behind some of the most iconic and trend-setting looks that’ve earned their spots in Bollywood’s fashion history. From re-defining glamour in the industry to paving the way for costume designers to be given their due recognition, and from continuing to rule the fashion-books as one of the most sought-after names amongst B-Towners to expanding his brand globally, Manish has always shown how it’s done with elan and grace. Pinning him for an exclusive interview is no easy task, but I finally met the designer in Dubai at his newly-opened flagship store at Dubai Mall and it was worth the wait! The designer, warm and candid spoke about his journey of 34 years, his passion and love for cinema that led to him changing the very fabric of Bollywood fashion and also revealed the secret to the beautiful equations he shares with the Bollywood brigade, while we try to decode what makes Manish Malhotra such a favourite of the stars

Let’s begin with your inspiring journey here that has come to span more than three decades now. How has it been for you? Well, it’s been 34 years in the movies! I started in 1990. Before that I modeled for 5 years, and then the brand is 19 years old… we started the fashion business in 2005… Oh my God, suddenly I feel like I’m working since forever (laughs) But the fact of course is that I love to work. Everyone knows this, and sometimes I also feel that I take on a lot more than even I can do and then I’m just coping up with that. You know there are always certain criteria that people take up the work for. It could

be an important client, or money, or just that they have to run their homes... But I take on work simply because I just love to work. And that’s I how I end up saying a yes to lot more things than I plan to! But then I’m also very commitment-oriented, so if I’ve said that I’ll do it, then I will do it. Bas aise hi karte karte, it’s been so many years now and I truly don’t know how it’s all passed by. It’s like one big blur for me because I’ve just been working.

Do you recall how was it when you had just started?

Of course, Bhanu Ji (Bhanu Athaiya) was there before me. But I think when I came in the 90s Bhanu ji had already moved

on to do more realistic cinema. When I came in, I remember there were only women designers, and they were looked more as, “okay so you are making heroine’s costume now you would charge me extra.” I remember producers looked at you with resentment like ‘kaun ho aap…!’

Extra kharcha le aaye! Yeah exactly. I would ask them, ‘What is the script’ and they were like ‘why are you asking?’. So, the concept of asking the story and character, giving the character a defined look was something I really had to work on. The only brief given to us was to ‘make the heroine look glamorous’. But in that glamour what kind of a

person is she, does she wear this color, what’s her character like, does she like muted palette or colourful depending on her character’s personality, these were never defined or addressed. But for me these were an important part of layering the character and what an actress wore had to be an extension of not just her character’s personality but also should suit her individually too! So, I started working on that and that largely came from my own love for the movies. From a very young age, of 5 or 6 I was into movies, very fascinated by cinema. I watched, observed, danced to all songs, and I was very into clothes. So, I was born with that. And I’m really grateful that

my mother encouraged it. So, I think coming into costume design and studying came from my love of design and films. And so, I give it extra because I love to work with directors, I like to listen to the stories, understand characters!

You re-defined gamour in Bollywood by changing the face of fashion in Bollywood, got costume designers a stronger identity and have solely been responsible for revolutionizing it in a way that was never done before… Quite the gamechanger!

Well the fact that the work of the costume designers and stylists came to be acknowledged and they came to be addressed as a very important part of the movie world, that was a big change that did come about and I’m just glad that it did.

How have you stayed at the top of the game and still so relevant even after three decades now? You started working with a certain generation of actors and actresses and your clientele has continued to include every generation of stars thereafter, right up till the most contemporary names today! That has been very unique to your journey…

Yes, I worked with Sridevi and now I’m working with Janhvi, I worked with Chunky and now I’m working with Ananya Panday, and then there’s Shanaya Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan. I think the important key here is to not be over consumed by yourself. I think it happens with a lot of artists, a lot of actors, directors, designers… sometimes they’re very taken in by their thought process and become too full of it. In my case, we have a very open house kind of discussion. I’m always ready to listen to another person and I never approach a situation or a conversation with

an “I know more than you” attitude! Maybe because I did not study design per se, maybe I don’t have that mindset of “Oh I’ve studied it, I know better than you”. I think when that starts happening that’s when you don’t grow. And the fact that I have a lot of younger assistants around me, I kind of look at young energy, I like to meet the younger person and see through their perspective, that keeps me evolving. So, I think that’s the reason that I can work with a lot more younger people because I understand them. And I’m never talk to them like ‘hey I know better’. Because you never know better. There’s always a change, always something fresh that the other person is looking at and that is something that I like to adapt.

Isn’t it tricky maintaining a cordial working relation with all your clientele considering they are in showbiz where they get pitted against each other largely over looks? I think that’s largely because I keep my approach very professional, in fact I never ask personal questions. I get this from my mother! So, while I’m friendly and protective, I don’t get into the personal like ‘who is the boyfriend’ or ‘which film are you doing next’! People respect that. And the second thing is that I’m very honest. So, if I’ve made a garment and it’s not working on you, I will tell you it’s not working. Let me correct it. I think that faith they have in me. Even with Karan (Johar)! I was working with Dharma even before Karan joined. I started with Gumraah (1993) and I’m still working with him.

And I think I’m the only one that he’s worked with from then till now.

Yes, right from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai to now in Rocky Aur Rani kii Prem Kahaani, the looks have been very iconic… Yes, and I think Karan also somewhere knows that I will not liewhether it’s good, bad, uncomfortable. So I think that trust people have with me.

But do your equations get disturbed when it comes to say, deciding on a showstopper, or giving one actress a certain look that works more than another actor’s look?

I think everybody is intelligent enough to see that the heart, intention and work is pure and that the need of the collection is what’s deciding on this person. I think they get it and do understand and respect that.

What makes Manish Malhotra, the Manish Malhotra?

I think hard work, perseverance and passion. I don’t get bogged down by criticism. It’s something that I notice it, sometimes it stays, but it’s not something bothers me. I come from a very strong, simple yet strict family. So, I’m not looking for an approval ever. It’s not in my nature. So, when I see unnecessary criticism, or I see unnecessary negativity, I don’t waste my time over it. And also, I’m so busy that there’s no time to think of it! I move on. I keep negativity out. Like if there’s a negative comment… I’ll move on from it. I will not go back to that post; I just cut it out of my system.

Your doorstep has literally become like a paparazzi hub! Move aside airport looks, now they have Manish Malhotra entrance and exit looks. (Laughs) Bandra is a hotspot for the paps and they end up following the celeb car or they have people around… So many times I request them to like give them their privacy too.

Your Diwali bashes have also become one of the most looked forward to Bollywood social events! Oh no, nothing like that. It’s just that I like to host, I am a foodie myself and there’s only warmth, so I think that is where people feel comfortable.

Your store here in Dubai is absolutely magnificent and opulent! Tell us more, what’s your vision ahead? So, Dubai has always been a very favorite place. The first time I came here was in 1999 and when I started my brand in 2005, my first two stores were in Dubai. My thought process was that we would start out international journey from Dubai, because it is like a home away from home and a personal favourite. So, this is our first step into the brand’s expansion internationally. There’s still work in progress so the grand opening will happen later this year, once we are more settled. We’re still working on it, still developing. Once I feel okay, we’re ready, that’s when we’ll have a big bash.

Business-wise how has the industry changed over the years?

The fashion business today has become much more systematic and there’s a transparency. Like the prices are not different whether you shop in Dubai or India, thanks largely to e-commerce!

You are so involved in every aspect of the working! No auto-piIot mode here? Auto pilot mode mein kuch hota hai? No, I’m very hands on, very much involved right down to the smallest detail. I am always open to inputs, but I like to empower the team with them knowing that I have their backs.

My thought process was that we would start out international journey from Dubai, because it is like a home away from home and a personal favourite. So, this is our first step into the brand’s expansion internationally.

Quick Questions

One historical personality you wish you could have dressed. Shivaji! I’m fascinated by Shivaji and Jijabai. I remember as a child, I used to love Shivaji and Jijabai stories.

One personality you would love to dress!

I would love to meet Meryl Streep. I would love to dress her up. I think she’s a phenomenal actor. I’d love to see her in an elegant saree.

What is the one fashion faux pas which is an absolute sin in your stylebook?

I personally have made a lot of faux pas, but I think when there’s too much, too much of print, embroidery, too many colors together, it kind of unnerves me because I like lesser colors. So, I like maximum three colors in a garment. But when I see too many different elements, embroidery also, print also, color also, then it bothers me.

Who’s your constant inspiration or a muse?

I would say Rekha Ji for being timeless, for being passionate for being supremely

talented and I think for going by her look, over the years and I also love what Mrs. Neeta Ambani is doing. She’s set such a lovely precedent and she’s set such a lovely look and she embraces different handloom and textile and I think that’s beautiful.

3 words that best describe your style? Simple, classic glam, comfort.

3 things that no one knows about Manish Malhotra?

That I’m obsessed with food. I love good food. That I keep singing when I’m at home or the TV is always on and I love old songs, I love RD Burman, I love Kishore Kumar, Asha Ji, Lata Ji, but I also have some classical taste. I love Sufi music. And I love watching the older movies. Classic black and whites and 70s.

Who do you think are one of the best-dressed celebrities? I think today’s girls and boys are all right there. I mean look at them. But if I had to name… Shah Rukh Khan to Ranbir Kapoor’s classic

wear, Alia Bhatt’s simple, yet stylish! Then Janhvi, Ananya, Sara, all the young girls today. Ranveer Singh, Deepika... All of them. I think they just do such a phenomenal job, they have such good stylists, young voices in fashion designers. I think there’s such a good movement of aesthetics, the style, tradition, yet mixed with a lot of modernity, global fashion that’s coming.

Do you prefer the Gen Now or the stars that you’ve worked with earlier? There’s no replacement to stars like Amitabh Bachchan ji or Shah Rukh Khan or Rekha Ji, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan. There is no replacement to them. There can just be no one like them and the way they are. And I’m sure when there’s Kajol and Karisma, Raveena, they’ve all made such big statements in their own work and look at the way they’re looking today, the way they’re carrying themselves. And I’m sure all the younger actors of today will go on and do that.

I mean can there be another Ranbir Kapoor, can there be another Ranveer Singh, I don’t think so. Right? So, each person comes with their journey but I’m sure from the young generation as well, there will be actors who would go on to become so timeless. So, I think that with each generation it changes, with each generation it just gets better.

What is the one change, you would like to see in the fashion industry?

I think I’d love for the fashion industry to get more corporate. To get more and more systematic. It’s very important that Indian fashion goes more global. The journey has almost started but like a lower, because there’s such beautiful craftsmen, we’re so rich with textile, heritage, architecture, artisans, and I think we have such good designers out of India, senior, younger, new and I think there’s lots of different voices coming out of India and I just want it to go more and more global.

Sparkling with

Danube Properties recently revealed the latest jewel in their crown, Diamondz, in a grand unveiling held at World Trade Centre. This luxurious project, located in JLT, will proudly host the region’s inaugural gym featuring Salman Khan’s Being Strong Fitness Equipment within its iconic 65-storeyed skyscraper.

The star-studded launch saw Bollywood superstar Salman Khan grace the occasion, complemented by mesmerizing performances from Elnaaz Norouzi and Mehrnigor Rustam, setting an opulent and unforgettable atmosphere. Hosted by Maniesh Paul and Reine Abou Rjeily, the event captivated the audience with finesse in English, Hindi and Arabic.

Founder and Chariman - Danube Group Mr. Rizwan Sajan and Salman Khan PIC CREDIT: YASIR ARAFAT | DAWOOD SHAIKH | VIDEO BY: JAFAR VETTIYIL

(L-R) Mr. Adel Sajan, Mr. Anis Sajan, Mrs. Rubina Sajan, Salman Khan, Mrs. Sameera Sajan, Mr. Rizwan Sajan, Mr. Azhar Sajan, Mr. Sahil Sajan

Maniesh Paul, Mr. Adel Sajan, Mr Rizwan Sajan, Mr. Anis Sajan, Mr. Ghayyour Ahmed, Mr. Syed Hussian

Mr. Rizwan Sajan and Elnaaz Norouzi with Team Filmfare Middle East

Elnaaz Norouzi and Maniesh Paul

Elnaaz Norouzi and Mrs Sameera Sajan

Mr Madhusudhan Rao, Mr. Taher Ali and Mr. Anis Sajan

Mr. Azhar Sajan, Mrs. Sameera Sajan, Mrs. Rubina Sajan, Mr. Sahil Sajan

Sajan family celebrates Mr. Adel’s birthday

(L- R)Maniesh Paul, Mr Adel Sajan, Mr. Rizwan Sajan, Mr. Anis Sajan, Mr. Madhusudhan Rao, Mr. Ghayyour Ahmed and Mr. Syed Hussain

Elnaaz Norouzi performing

Mr. Rizwan Sajan at the Virtual Zone

Zam Zam Brothers - Abdul Ghafoor, and Muhammad Shakoor

Shera and Javeed Ebrahim

Mr. Rizwan Sajan with team Danube Properties

Aditi Khare, Kavya D’Souza, Aakanksha Naval-Shetye, Chirine and Girish Sasidharan

Mehrnigor Performance

Mr Syed Hussain

HOT TWO TO HANDLE

Manushi Chhiar Alaya F &

BOLLYWOOD’S STUNNING BEAUTIES MANUSHI CHHILLAR AND ALAYA

F TALK TO AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE ABOUT WANTING TO PUSH THE ENVELOPE WHEN IT COMES

TO THEIR CHOICE OF

ROLES, EXPLORING

MANY FIRSTS WITH THE ACTION EXTRAVAGANZA BADE MIYAN CHOTE

MIYAN AND SPILL THE BEANS ON THEIR DATING LIVES

They are young, sassy, super-talented and together they are co-stars of the action extravaganza Bade Miyan Chote Miyan starring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff! With some impressive work in their kitties, the two young stars – Manushi Chhillar and Alaya F - are already rearing to go higher and proving their mettles at the Box Of ce. We caught up with both the actresses in Dubai and as we got chatting, the two stunning beauties talk about exploring several rsts in Bade Miyan Chote Miyan and also get candid about their dating preferences

Bade Miyan Chote Miyan is one of the biggest entertainers of this year, what has been the most exciting part of being a part of this action extravaganza?

Manushi : It’s super exciting for me because this is the first time I have done action and it’s something that I’d really wanted to do, because I’ve loved watching action heroes and I’ve loved watching women do action as well. Plus, the way Ali Sir (director Ali Abbas) has directed the film and the way he has presented the whole action-comedy genre, it’s something so new. Like we have seen films in our country and some great action films have been made

but nothing like this.

Alaya : I didn’t get to do any action in this film even though I really wanted to but my character is an IT specialist and an undercover agent. So yeah, while they are running around with their big guns, I’m running around with my iPad throughout the film (laughs). But it was a phenomenal experience. I also realised how hard it is to do action. I saw them doing what they were doing and it was just incredible and in extreme weather. Every place that we shot was either freezing cold or boiling hot. Nothing in between. So doing action in those circumstances is incredibly difficult. Generally shooting in

those circumstances is difficult and action especially so. But it was thoroughly exciting.

Are you jealous of the chemistry that the two guys are sharing in the movie?

Alaya : Not at all! Manushi and I found our own friendship on the side.

Manushi : I think it’s great to see that camaraderie between the two of them and I think it works really well.

Manushi you’re working with Akshay again. How different was it this time around?

Manushi : That’s what we were talking. I said we’ve done a period film together, we’ve done action and there’s a little bit of comedy but it’s mostly an action film. So

DATING FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT ACTORS, LIKE PEOPLE THAT ARE OUTSIDE THE INDUSTRY NOW WITH TECHNOLOGY HAS BECOME SO MUCH EASIER BECAUSE YOU HAVE ALL YOUR DATING APPS AND PLACES YOU CAN MEET PEOPLE. AS ACTOR YOU CAN’T JUST RANDOMLY BE ON A DATING APP. AND DAYS ARE GONE WHERE LIKE, VERY RARELY DOES IT HAPPEN THAT PEOPLE WILL ACTUALLY APPROACH YOU SOMEWHERE. YOU KNOW IT DOESN’T HAPPEN ANYMORE.

ALAYA F

in our next maybe I can play like a psychopath who’s stalking you and we should do a nice psychological thriller or maybe like horror because we were kind of doing these different genres so yeah we keep joking about it but I feel so happy that I got to work with him again because there’s so much to learn from him. I’ve said that during my first film that he’s someone we all look up to and he’s someone who comes with so much of discipline and so much

I FEEL THAT A LOT OF MEN FEEL LIKE “OH YOU KNOW MAYBE WE DON’T HAVE A CHANCE SO LET’S NOT TRY.

MANUSHI CHHILLAR

of professionalism to a film set. And he’s been in the industry for 33 years and that fact that he’s been doing this for so long and the way he’s been doing it, I always get to learn a lot from him. Even on this film I got to learn a lot from him.

Including action?

Manushi : Including action, of course.

Were you nervous? Like you were doing these action stunts in front of the action superstar?

Manushi : Both of them, I think Akshay Sir is the OG and Tiger is just someone who has just reinvented action in such a brilliant manner. So when I got a call from Jackky, our producer for the role, I thought it was for your (Alaya) role and I didn’t know I was doing action. And then he was like it’s action and then he explained a little bit about the character and he said “we think you’ll be great for it”. I had wanted to do action and here I was confident because Ali Sir has always presented women in an amazing manner. But I needed to really prep and I needed to really be ready for this. So I started training and of course I watched their films and I used to be like okay, take notes - they do this really well, they do that really well. I need to at least match up to that. So yeah, it looks tough but I think even tougher when you actually do. It’s physically very challenging. And I think my respect for them has gone up multi

fold because I realise that it’s not as easy to be able to maintain a certain physique and for hours. And you’re doing it again and again. It’s not like you’re going and working out for 2 hours. You kind of have to maintain a certain diet, a certain discipline, a certain level of fitness. You need to keep warming up on set. So all of that I got to learn and it’s a good thing that I got to do action in a film where they were also there because I learnt what setup and what prep goes into it and what lifestyle you have to while you’re shooting and action film. I mean if it was just me in the film, then maybe I wouldn’t have gotten to know what experience people actually do.

Alaya what about your chemistry with Tiger, it was a first time pairing, how exciting was that?

Alaya : It was very exciting. I had a great time shooting. Actually most of my scenes in the film are pretty much with him so it was really fun. There’s also actually another song that’s a full romantic track. So in that there was a lot of chemistry that we all had to build on where I build all this chemistry with Tiger and of course Manushi and Akshay Sir. And it was lot of fun. It was first time doing any of these quintessentially Bollywood things. Normally the films that I’ve been, it’s mainly just about

the acting and all of that. This was also my first time when I also got a chance to have the blower going and hair flying and we just posing and looking nice. It was my first time when we were shooting a romantic song and the choreographer came to me and they were like “so now you and Tiger just be here and just like romance each other”, And, “I was like what do you mean? What am I supposed to be doing?” So Tiger just very sweetly looked at me and he said, “Okay just look into my eyes and follow

my lead” and it worked really well. and then when I saw the shot on the monitor afterwards, I was like this looks amazing. I shouldn’t say this but it’s so much more fun to do all these types of songs than actually sit an do an intense scene. So it was a great experience. It was the first time I sort of got to experience that side of everything.

Talking about romance, what is the way to win your hearts, like what would you want a guy to woo you with?

Manushi: I think for me it’s honesty and I find

that really nice and I don’t think there’s a formula to it. When I was younger there used to be like oh it’s this and that like good sense of humour and has to be a good talker. As I’m growing older and as I am meeting more boys in my life, I’m like okay, honest person, good human being, compassionate, reasonable individual.

So, who are the guys that you as actresses meet…

Alaya : The guys that we meet, honestly, I feel like dating just becomes a little complicated when you are an actor. It really does. Who are the people that we are meeting, now I don’t know.

Manushi : And to be honest, I don’t think we do. Like I have

actually I feel that a lot of men feel like “oh you know maybe we don’t have a chance so let’s not try”

Alaya F : Yeah no, I think they’re fully outside the industry so they don’t understand the lifestyle… and it’s complicated. Basically, in summary, it’s complicated!

Have the Thursday night jitters changed? Or are you both nervous?

Manushi : I’m just excited honestly. We’ve been on this film for so long and we’ve worked on it so much and so much is heart and effort and passion, every single person has worked on this project with everything they have. And I think for me at least, I feel really excited that finally we get the cooked product out and we get to see what people think of it. and I think we’re all pretty excited with the product that we have. So we’re even more excited to put it out to get everyone’s response.

Alaya you with Tiger, like one quality of his that you could take and one trait of you that you could give to them, what would it be? Manushi : A lot of materialistic things with Akshay Sir for sure. His bank balance. He can take mine, it’s fine! Also I think his ability to find humour in everything. Like in the most serious situation. And I realise this during the film, there’s a lot of comedy that he’s improvised. And when we watch the final product, we were all laughing and laughing loudly. So I think his humour, the way it lands and the way he’s able to make a joke out everything, I think that’s something I want to take from him. Alaya : I think my answer is really obvious. I would like to of course take Tiger’s incredible agility and ability to just do what he does.

a sister and she is married now but he was her boyfriend since first year of college. And I’ve seen them have their own journey. I’m just like, how did you get the time to have this journey. I’m like I have no time.

Alaya : Also, I feel like dating for people that are not actors like people that are outside the industry now with technology has become so much easier because you have all your dating apps and places you can meet people. As actor you can’t just randomly be on a dating app. And days are gone where like, very rarely does it happen that people will actually approach you somewhere. You know it doesn’t happen anymore.

Manushi : And

Alaya : Also, like as a new comer, with each film that releases, your true test is after the release with how people react to you on screen, how people react to the film and there’s a lot that goes into it, right. But then for me, what I learnt was, I really look forward to a release or I really look forward to watching myself on screen in the final product because then I’m able to study myself even better. So I look at it in that manner and I think with each release I’ve gotten a bit calmer about it because now it feels like okay there’s a release, I’ve had one before so it’s okay. It’s pretty normal.

Manushi, if there was one thing that you could exchange with Akshay and

We have seen you in Wadi Rum, I think Tiger and you are at par when it comes to that agility... Alaya : I’m not bad in terms of things like flexibility or my little bits of gymnastics or yoga. But Tiger is on a different level, right. It’s a totally different level and getting from where I am to there is not easy. Once you reach a certain place, every inch of growth takes so much work and so much discipline. And you can see it. because otherwise everyone would be able to do it, right? There’s a reason that only he can do it the way he does it. I would love to take that. What I would love to give him, that I don’t know. He can take whatever.

FIn a of his Own! League

Pankaj Tripathi

POWER-PERFORMER PANKAJ TRIPATHI TALKS TO AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE ABOUT HIS AWE-INSPIRING JOURNEY SO FAR AND REVEALS WHY HE IS FAR MORE SELECTIVE ABOUT HIS PROJECTS TODAY THAN HE EVER WAS

rom his impressive performances in bit roles to garnering acclaim in supporting roles and from winning accolades including winning the National Award, as well as Filmfare awards, to headlining films and playing iconic characters, Pankaj Tripathi has consistently proven to be an unstoppable force and a powerhouse of talent! A name that has come to be synonymous with masterful acting and acing the slightest nuances on camera with unbridled finesse, his spectacular repertoire of films and series – Ludo, Mimi, Newton, Gangs of Wasseypur, Bareilly Ki Barfi, Stree, Mirzapur, OMG 2, Fukrey, Masaan, Luka Chuppi, Sacred Games, Kaagaz, Extraction, amongst others are a testament to that. The ever-increasing list just spiked higher with him playing former Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the biopic Main Atal Hoon that recently premiered worldwide on ZEE5 Global after its theatrical release. I caught up with the powerhouse-performer for an exclusive interview and in a candid conversation, the rather simple-at-heart and down-toearth actor bared his heart out talking about his journey, sharing his experience of playing the poet and visionary leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee and why the film will always be special for him. The versatile actor also spoke to me about what has changed in his choice of roles over the years and reveals his wish of visiting his village to attend the same fair that he would as a child! Excerpts

MAIN ATAL HOON GARNERED MUCH ACCLAIM FROM THE AUDIENCE. HOW SPECIAL IS THE FILM FOR YOU?

This film will always have a very special place in my filmography. This film has been just as important for me, as it has been for the audience. I’ll always say with pride that I was a part of this film.

YOU HAVE BEEN SO VERSATILE AS AN ACTOR AND PLAYED A MYRIAD OF ROLES. MANY A TIMES THERE’S SOMETHING THAT AS AN ACTOR YOU WOULD WANT TO IMBIBE FROM THE CHARACTER YOU ESSAY ON SCREEN. DID IT HAPPEN WITH PLAYING OUR FORMER PRIME OF INDIA, LATE SHRI ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE?

Definitely. He was very democratic in his approach and like him I too believe that it’s perfectly healthy for people to be in disagreement. It’s important to respect other’s opinion too and its okay to not agree to everything I say or believe in. ‘Mat bhed ho, man bhed nahin’. So I feel that I have definitely become a better person after this performance. There has been a change in the way I perceive people, understand their pain, empathise with their situation. And there’s a lot I learnt, I understood, especially the relation an individual has with their country. That was an important lesson.

THE FILM FIRST RELEASED IN THEATRES AND THEN RELEASED ON ZEE5 GLOBAL. SO, IS THE EXCITEMENT THE SAME FOR BOTH THE PLATFORMS?

I am a quiet person, so I never get too excited nor do I get disappointed, I am very calm like that when it comes to the highs and lows. But yes, there’s a

satisfaction that through ZEE5 Global, the film will now reach viewers in the Middle East, UK, US, Australia, Switzerland, so many European countries and that so many more people will be able to watch it which is not always possible with a theatrical release. So, the film will get a wider reach and audience and I am already getting such lovely messages from people across the globe and they are appreciating and acknowledging the sincere intention and the integrity with which the film has been made. That is encouraging for all of us involved in the making.

YOU HAVE COME SUCH A LONG WAY AND YOU AND YOUR SUCCESS STORY HAVE BECOME QUITE THE ROLE MODEL FOR SO MANY ASPIRING ACTORS. BUT WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOU WHEN IT COMES TO SELECTING A PROJECT TODAY? Now I only pick and choose the films and scripts that excite me. There was a time when I would take up films even if they did not interest me as much, because I did not want to sit idle without work at home even for a day. So, then

No matter how full my shoot date diary is, I will always have space for an exciting script. I am done working for money or just to keep busy.

I can’t do that. Now, I need

scripts

that excite me.

the intention was that the shoot date diary should be full. Today, I would prefer taking a few days off rather than become a part of project that would not excite or interest me. I am okay with sitting at home rather than doing a project that I am not convinced of and I would prefer spending that time with my wife and children, do farming if needed.

BUT YOUR SHOOT DIARY IS ALWAYS QUITE FULL!

No matter how full my shoot date diary is, I will always have space for an exciting script. I am done working for money or just to keep busy. I can’t do that. Now, I need scripts that make me excited.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY HAS BEEN YOUR STRENGTH THROUGH ALL THE STRUGGLES, THE UPS AND DOWNS YOU HAVE FACED THROUGH THE JOURNEY? Strength… what can I say. I think patience and perseverance are important.

They are required no matter what field you are in. Also, I did not overthink things! Like I said earlier that now I think of doing scripts that excite me, but back then I had switched off that button completely. If I got to shoot, great, if not, that was okay too. I am not someone who plans a lot. Yes, I did work on my craft a lot, because working on my acting is in my hands and I enjoy that process. So, to hone the craft of acting is what I focused on. You can do it alone. You don’t need a group or crowd or even audience for that, it is important to taste life and savour that taste and flavour on your tongue! For that you need to live well, so that all your senses are functioning properly. So, I enjoy acting and I love that part of the process and that kept me happy and going!

DO YOU IMMEDIATELY SWITCH ON OR OFF FROM THE CHARACTER YOU PLAY OR DO YOU TAKE TIME TO GET UNDER

INTERVIEW

THE SKIN OF THE CHARACTER?

No not immediately! It takes me three days, like the first three days of shooting to understand that essence of the character. Unn teen dinon ki shooting main hawa mein karta hu, hawa mein teer chalata hu. From the 4th day is when I understand the character graph, the requirement and then I work towards giving that character a definite shape which is different from my earlier characters. Every character has its own requirement so it takes twothree days to completely know that. When you read the script, you understand the character, but when you act, you feel and become that character!

ATAL JI WAS A GREAT POET, WHAT ABOUT YOU? DOES POETRY INTEREST YOU?

Haan haan, I’m a big fan of his poetry and I do read a lot of poetry too! Just recently on World Poetry Day I had gone to a bookstore where I read out his poems!

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE, CAN YOU SHARE SOME LINES WITH US

Haan bahut saari hain… ‘Manushya ko chahiye ki chunautiyon se lade, Ek swapn toote toh dusra gadhe, Haar nahi maanunga, raar nahi thanunga, Kaal ke kapaal pe likhta hoon, geet naya gaata hu, geet naya gaata hu’

HAS THIS ALSO BEEN YOUR MANTRA IN LIFE!

Yes, absolutely! ‘Haar nahi manunga, rar nahi thanunga... To have stuck around in Mumbai without facing the camera for eight years inspite of being an actor… I had a selfassurance at heart. The thought that maybe I should try something else did not cross my mind even once!

YOU HAVE IN A WAY

BRIDGED THE DISTANCE BETWEEN CHARACTER ACTORS AND STARS! All I have bridged is… (laughs) to show that the oxygen is the same and not different! Whether you are the CEO of a company or a watchman in that company, you need and breathe the same oxygen! So, when nature doesn’t differentiate, who are we to divide a star and an actor!

WHAT IS THE ONE THING NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT YOU?

I don’t think there’s anything left that people do not know about me!

After so many interviews, so many articles, reels being made on what I spoke, I don’t think there’s anything left out! In fact, sometimes I find out about myself through these (laughs)!

STILL THERE MUST BE SOMETHING ON YOUR MIND

Kitaab likhunga, kitab likhke jayenge!

AND IF A BIOPIC WAS TO BE MADE ON YOUR LIFE, WHICH ACTOR DO YOU THINK COULD PLAY YOU?

First of all, I myself will try to act in it… I am an actor, even I want a job (laughs)!

WHICH PHASE OF YOUR LIFE DO YOU THINK WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO PLAY WITH MOST CONVICTION?

I won’t be able to enact any phase of life accurately or perfectly! Every man feels that his golden time was 20 or 25 years ago. I’m 49 so I feel that my 20s were my best years! When I was in my 20s, I thought my childhood years in my village were the best. Even now, the childhood memories are very vividly etched. I remember there used to be a fair near my

To have stuck around in Mumbai without facing the camera for eight years inspite of being an

actor… I had a self-assurance at heart.

The thought that maybe I should try something else did not cross my mind even once!

village during Ram Navami and we used to visit that every year till I was in my 10th. For some strange reason, I feel like revisiting that fair this year, so I am planning to visit my village. And when I go there, I will use the same clearing I would walk through as a child to reach the fair. Even today it’s there, a small path that passes through the farms and I want to take that same route to visit the fair!

YOU’RE STILL SO ATTACHED TO YOUR ROOTS.

Yes, very much!

AFTER WHICH FILM DID YOU FEEL THAT YOU HAVE ARRIVED, OR MADE

IT HERE!

I feel like I am still on my journey, it is when you say that I have arrived that I think about it! For me my journey is still on… I’m still walking and I have a long way to go… It is not about being modest, it’s a fact! For an artiste this journey is never-ending, there’s no destination, milestones maybe, but I don’t think an artiste ever reaches that destination to say that he or she has arrived. An artiste is always trying to get better, always trying to explore, to learn more know more and do more. That’s our training, that’s our thought process that we never feel that an achievement is an achievement. It always feels like a journey!

Let’s get Social

It was a night of endless fun, games and glamour as ViceChairman of Danube Group, Mr Anis Sajan hosted several social media stars for a fun evening at his residence. The get-together had them indulge in games and the winners even walked away with several exciting prizes such as Apple Watches, Milano Water Purifier, and much more!

Mr. Anis Sajan – Vice-Chairman of the Danube Group, Mrs. Rubina Sajan, Mr. Azhar Sajan – Founder & Director of Casa Milano and Mr. Sahil Sajan – Director of Milano

THE WHAT, WHERE, WHO IN THE CITY

DUBAI SCOPE

AKSHAY KUMAR, TIGER SHROFF, MANUSHI CHHILLAR, ALAYA F OUR APRIL COVER STARS AKSHAY KUMAR AND TIGER SHROFF SIGNED THE FILMFARE MIDDLE EAST APRIL ISSUE AND SHARED A SPECIAL MESSAGE FOR ALL READERS. THE STAR CAST OF BADE MIYAN CHOTE MIYAN ALONGWITH PRODUCERS VASHU BHAGNANI AND DEEPSHIKHA DESHMUKH WERE IN DUBAI TO ATTEND THE PRESS CONFERENCE OF THEIR ACTION ENTERTAINER.

KAILASH KHER, GULSHAN GROVER, BRIAN LARA

KAILASH KHER REGALED AUDIENCE AT A SPECIAL EVENT HOSTED BY ANIL DHANAK AND SON ARJUN DHANAK. ALSO PRESENT AT THE MUSICAL EVENING WERE EMINENT BOLLYWOOD PERSONALITIES, INCLUDING DILIP TAHIL, GULSHAN GROVER, ROHIT ROY, MANASI JOSHI ROY, RAJPAL YADAV, RAZA MURAD, AND CRICKET LEGEND BRIAN LARA, AMONGST OTHER DIGNITARIES.

SALMAN KHAN

SALMAN KHAN WAS SEEN ARRIVING IN DUBAI ALONGWITH HIS TEAM INCLUDING JORDY PATEL AND SHERA. THE BOLLYWOOD STAR WAS IN THE CITY TO UNVEIL HIS BEING STRONG FITNESS EQUIPMENT AT THE DIAMONDZ BY DANUBE LAUNCH EVENT HOSTED BY MR RIZWAN SAJAN

SEVERAL CELEBRITIES INCLUDING JUHI PARMAR, DR SARA AL MADANI, JAY BHANUSHALI WITH WIFE MAHHI VIJ MET FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN OF DANUBE GROUP MR RIZWAN SAJAN AS THEY VISITED THE DANUBE PROPERTIES OFFICE TO CHECK OUT THEIR NEWEST PROJECTS WHAT: WHO:

MR RIZWAN SAJAN, JUHI PARMAR, JAY BHANUSHALI, MAHHI VIJ, DR SARA AL MADANI

PHOTOGRAPHY - DAWOOD SHAIKH

Bollywood Dreams

GORGEOUS TAJIK SINGER PERFORMER

MEHRNIGOR RUSTAM TALKS TO AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE ABOUT HER PASSION FOR MUSIC, LOVE FOR BOLLYWOOD AND HER DREAM OF BRIDGING TAJIKISTAN AND INDIA CULTURALLY THROUGH HER ART!

She’s

young, gorgeous, confident and multi-talented! And with her heart firmly set on music, popular Tajik singer Mehrnigor Rustam is now waiting to wow Bollywood! The famed singer-musician who has been performing on stage since the age of five – became an even bigger sensation with her cover version of the ‘Jamal Kudu’ song - that took music lovers by storm! The singer confesses that she feels most alive when on stage and it was this passion for music that got her hooked to Bollywood early on. “I think my soul is Indian and I do hope to bridge India and Tajikistan culturally through my music,” she says talking about her love for Indian cinema. And while she may not understand the language, she can fluently sing Hindi and even Punjabi songs. Her melodious voice has me bowled over as she hums a few Hindi songs and shares a song that has even been composed by her. We caught up with the beautiful singer in Dubai and over mugs of coffee Mehrnigor gets candid about her love for music and her Bollywood dreams that she’s been nurturing since childhood

Mehrni r Ru am

You recently performed at the launch event of Diamondz by Danube here in Dubai. How was the experience for you? I’m really glad that my performance was so loved and the audience enjoyed it. It was a beautiful event too and it was really amazing to be on the same stage as the Bollywood superstar Salman Khan. That was a surreal moment and I would want to thank Mr. Rizwan Sajan for giving me such a great opportunity.

I have been performing on stage professionally since I was a five year old and till date I feel most alive when I am doing that! I am a daughter of the stage! I have this great sense of freedom, of artistic satisfaction and I feel completely at home.

Yes, it was a spectacular performance and everyone loved the desi touch too!

Thank you. You know I have been performing on stage professionally since I was a five year old and till date I feel most alive when I am doing that! I am a daughter of the stage! I have this great sense of freedom, of artistic satisfaction and I feel completely at home. But it was not just because of the music background I come from, but more because it was my own passion for music that drew me to it. So, from a very early age I started representing my country at official Government events and concerts that were attended by politicians, Presidents… I also performed at a lot of international competitions and I was a gold medallist in singing! I performed twice in Indian competitions shows as well. Dil Hai Hindustani and Rising Star, performing on Colors TV. It was in 2018 and 2019. And I am a huge fan of Hindi films, so singing Bollywood numbers is natural!

Tell us more about it… In Tajikistan, where I am from, everybody loves Bollywood and Indian movies! We grow up watching them and they are a huge part of everyone’s childhood memories. Let me share something, so when I was about 7-years-old, a journalist in an interview asked me, about what I wanted to be when I grow up and I remember replying that I wanted to be a Bollywood star. Then they asked me to sing a few lines of a Bolywood song that I liked and I sang, ‘ki aap mujhe acche lagne lage…’ that song. So, this passion and love was there right from my childhood. I always dreamt of being famous in Bollywood and that dream hasn’t changed. I feel like I am getting

closer to it! You know that Shah Rukh Khan says this in Om Shanti Om, that when you want something so bad, ‘toh poori kaaynat aapko woh dilane mein lagti hai’ I believe in that! My family always tells me, that my soul is actually Indian! ‘Main thoda sa baat karti hu Hindi mein. Main bahut acchi samajhti hu but… Kya baat hai!’ So, while I may not speak Hindi fluently, I can speak the basics and sing in Hindi and Punjabi too.

So, Bollywood is the big dream then, even though you are a pretty huge star in your own country! Totally. And I do get asked this often that when I am already so famous and a

and also a bit emotional when you said you would interview me. This is special!

The pleasure is ours. So, playback singing or a complete entertainer! Let me ask you this question, you saw me perform, what do you think?

You definitely seem like a natural in front of the audience and the camera! Yes, thank you so much. From my childhood I’ve been into acting, singing, modelling so why not? So if there’s a good opportunity to work in the Bollywood industry, I would definitely consider it. I want to be a performer, a singer, an actor too! I get so many messages saying that I resemble Madhuri Dixit and till date it is one of the best compliments ever!

So any plans of shifting base to Mumbai?

got to meet him recently, I was so happy. I was so overwhelmed with excitement that I didn’t even know what to say! I also love Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta, Kajol, Katrina Kaif. I like all of them! I would love to collaborate with Jubin Nautiyal, Arijit Singh, they are my favourite artistes.

What do you enjoy doing when not working on your music?

I’m always busy shooting, travelling, like every two weeks, I’m travelling somewhere for work, concerts… I don’t like to be free. But if I have some time I watch some Bollywood movies, practice guitar, social media…

So what are your upcoming projects that we can look forward to?

well-known star in my own country, then why would I want to go, struggle in Bollywood! But I don’t know, it’s like a calling I’ve always had! Something in my heart tells me that I should not give up on my dream. So, suddenly when my ‘Jamal Kudu’ song became so famous in India and was trending on number. 1, I took that as a sign that I should pursue my dream and work hard towards it. Who knows, one day my dream might come true, all I know is that I’m not giving up on it and am willing to work hard towards achieving it. Also I wanted to tell you that it was one of my dreams to be featured in Filmfare Middle East, so I was so excited

If an opportunity arises, I would love to! I have travelled all over the world, but I am always the happiest in my country Tajikistan and India, I feel is my second home. I feel I have an Indian soul. In fact, I was in Mumbai recently and I had met Jubin Nautiyal. He’s a great singer and a fantastic person. I had met him online before the pandemic as we were being interviewed. So, when I met him in person, he asked me to sing a song and I sang his song, ‘tere jaane ka gam aur na aane ka gam… kya karein…’ and at the end he just said that, that he was not sure how I would sing, but he was very impressed and added, “I think you have an Indian soul. You don’t even know the language but you sing so well in Hindi. How come?”

Who is your Bollywood crush?

My favourite actor is Salman Khan, that’s why when I

I recently got invited for Coke Studio Bangla where I performed with the famous artist Habib Wahid. So we did collaboration in Persian and Bangla language. I’m also launching my own brand of skincare products, Mehr Beauty and I’m so excited about that. Also my next trip is to India for some contract paperwork and I’m looking forward to it.

woman She’salways a

Laapataa Ladies reads like a story by Premchand. You feel transported to a rural landscape where innocence is still not lost. You rejoice in the simple pursuits of the characters who populate the film, knowing that this simplicity is lost to you forever. You want them to succeed in their endeavours with their faith intact and clap when it happens. You even beam at the corrupt cop because he too finds a font of humanity towards the end and drinks from it. Kiran Rao is known to be fiercely independent and the film seems like an extension of the director’s personality. It teaches us all the right things without being preachy. Excerpts from an interview with the talented filmmaker.

Laapataa Ladies has received great appreciation. What do you believe has resonated with the audience?

I think the audience was able to connect with these characters because their dilemmas, struggles, and dreams may be experiences the audience has encountered in their own lives. This is a human story set in a village. But the dreams of these girls and the

love of this boy struck a chord with everyone.

You adapted Biplove Goswami’s serious story into a comedytinged narrative. Do you believe comedy can convey truths more deeply?

Yes, these are issues that have already been explored in the past. We are not presenting something completely new. But the way we’ve conveyed certain ideas and thoughts is fresh.

We conveyed it through humour, satire and quirky characters. So people could grasp what we are saying without us explicitly stating it. Comedy is one of the most effective tools. Because when you least expect it, you’re presented with something else. So ideas are received in a more relaxed manner.

Ravi Kishan’s character was excellent. We heard Aamir Khan was interested in playing the role, Why did you then decide to cast Ravi Kishan?

Because we felt that Aamir’s presence would raise expectations for the audience. If you associate this expectation with him, then you anticipate that something significant will happen in the end. But with Ravi Kishan, you have no such expectations. So we wanted an unpredictable character, and that’s precisely what Ravi Ji brings to this film.

What aspects of yourself were a revelation to you while directing

this film?

Manju Mai is the one character where I found myself. Personally, I helped shape that character. It wasn’t present in the original script. I felt I could contribute to this character from my experience that women should not fear and should be confident in their skills and qualities. You should ask for what is rightfully yours. And you can remain independent; believe in yourself that you can do it. The way Manju Mai does that – asserting her right to feel happy, to live without fear or violence – resonates with me. And you will always encounter people who will support you; all you have to do is find them. If you want to achieve something in life, there are many good people who will help. This is what Chotu also says, “Jo dikhta hai woh hota nahi hai, aur jo hota hai woh dikhta nahi hai.”

You mentioned that although it’s

KIRAN RAO’S LAAPATAA LADIES HAS WON UNIVERSAL ACCLAIM. SUMAN SHARMA CHATS WITH THE HAPPY DIRECTOR

Laapataa Ladies

You should ask for what is rightfully yours. And you can remain independent; believe in yourself that you can do it. The way Manju Mai does that – asserting her right to feel happy, to live without fear or violence –resonates with me

a rural story, it resonated with you. What was that strong sense of identification?

As a woman, I’ve always felt somewhat constrained by the expectations placed on me. And I have often felt like just leaving everything and running away, to shed all the burdens of expectation, need, and responsibilities that I carry. I sometimes feel that many people feel this way because we all, in some way, feel trapped in our lives. And in this story, when two women accidentally and suddenly find themselves free of expectations, it presents a great starting point. If given the choice to start your life anew, what would you do with that choice? The potential to explore what these women could do and what situations they could find themselves in intrigued me.

In life, we often lose ourselves to find a new self. What have the past years revealed to you about yourself?

I have discovered that my voice is appreciated much more than I imagined. All of us have self-doubt. I may have more than many people. But we all have our demons; we all question ourselves, “Am I good enough?” Over the years, one thing I have found about myself is that I tend to second-guess myself a lot, even when it’s unnecessary because often, my instincts are quite right. So when I start to overthink

things, I find myself struggling to make certain decisions.

But when I go with my instincts, I am usually led in the right direction. I’ve learnt to trust myself, my instincts, a lot more. I’ve also learnt to be more vocal, to ask for what I want. Even though I may come across as a strong and an independent person. I am, like many people, driven by the desire to ensure that the people around me are happy first, putting them before myself. I am trying to change that about myself. You have to put yourself just a little bit before others. While we do love our families, children, parents, society and religion, we must look after ourselves first. It’s like putting on the oxygen mask in the plane. And you must love yourself in order to love everyone else.

We saw you at Ira Khan’s wedding; you seem to have redefined relationships in terms of the congeniality you enjoy with both Aamir and Reena. Actually, our relationship is such that we never even considered separating. We did not have any fights. Aamir and I wanted to end the marriage but we still wanted to be a family. We were married for 17 years, and in such a long time, there must have been some good moments together, which is why you stayed

together for so long. You should remember those moments. Otherwise, you will either hate yourself or start blaming yourself for wasting so many years. Do you want to let so many years go down the drain? Because there are ups and downs in all relationships. And how to deal with them is something you will understand yourself. We should respect and honour the time we spent together. So you can also forgive yourself, forgive your flaws and their flaws. This was my thought when we decided to separate. The family is so good; the people are so good that I would never want to leave

them.

What kind of upbringing do you want to give to your son, Azad? I want to give him a grounded, strong, and happy childhood. I would like him to never forget that we are all people, regardless of our backgrounds. In a society where there is so much inequality, we are highly privileged. So staying humble and grounded is one of the main things I would like to teach him. At the same time, I want him to be strong, confident, and content in himself, whatever he chooses to do, whoever he chooses to be. I would like him to have the conviction to

I have learnt a lot from Aamir. He acts according to his convictions. He never does things that he feels are wrong, so he is upright and honest. He is a patient, generous and a loving person

Materialistic things can be acquired and lost. But what you can’t lose is a sense of selfworth, confidence or a desire to help others. We would like Azad to have that because that’s how I was brought up

be an upright person, to be happy, to do things that bring him pleasure and make him a better and happier human being.

When we met Aamir, he said that Azad travels by bus and auto because we don’t want to make him feel special. He is also not seen much by the paparazzi. Is this intentional? I come from a middleclass family. We would travel to school in a rickshaw. My life has been relatively simple. “Simple living, high thinking,” as philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti said. We aim for that. In a way, both Aamir and I come from humble backgrounds. Materialistic things can be acquired and lost. But what you can’t lose is a sense of self-worth, confidence or a desire to help others. We would like Azad to have that because that’s how I was brought up. In my childhood, we never had many toys; we had books and library memberships. We would participate in sports. The things that help you develop all-around, those were the things our parents gave us. So we want to provide that to Azad.

How much credit do you give to Aamir Khan for shaping the person you are today? I have learnt a lot from Aamir. He acts according to his convictions. He never does things that he feels are wrong, so he is upright and honest. He is a patient,

generous and a loving person. Patience is one thing I have developed after coming into contact with him. I am a restless person. He taught me the value of holding on, being patient, being still. He has really imparted many of his qualities to me, especially his work ethic and how to deal with people.

Do you feel the times have changed in terms of better cinema and better roles, especially for actresses? The times have changed slightly and we should take advantage of that and push for more. But there is still much to change. If you observe, you will notice that the number of women in the field of filmmaking is still low. In actual terms, we are not more than 15 per cent in the film industry. So in those terms, our inclusion and representation are essential. Other than that, our stories should be told more often. More and more characters should be written for us, rather than just having sixpack, gun-toting men in every film.

What’s your strength as a woman?

I am empathetic. I understand people quite well, whether it is a man or a woman. But I feel most women tend to be empathetic. They tend to understand people better and are more understanding of people than perhaps men. n

Dhobi Ghat With Aamir Khan and son Azad

E

yourself

KUNAL KEMMU MADE HIS DEBUT AS A DIRECTOR WITH MADGAON EXPRESS SUMAN SHARMA INTERVIEWS THE ACTOR-TURNED DIRECTOR

Kunal Kemmu, who’s made his debut as a director with Madgaon Express, is busy giving interviews left, right and centre at the Excel Entertainment of ce. Despite being busier than a bee, he still looks fresh as a hot cup of coffee. He’s at his gracious best asking whether I had something to eat or drink before starting the interview. The bonhomie spills over when his producer, Farhan Akhtar, comes in to say hi. The duo hug it out and Farhan praises his director non-stop before exiting the room. Writing is in his blood. His grandfather, Moti Lal Kemmu, is a noted Kashmiri playwright, who has been bestowed with honours such as the Sahitya Academy Award and the Padma Shri. Kunal was one of the writers for the zombie comedy Go Goa Gone and has written Madgaon Express as well. He doesn’t display any jitters of being a rst time director as he amicably answers my questions without pulling any punches.

PHOTOGRAPHS: SAGAR KESWANI & ANUSHA PRABHU

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A DIRECTOR WITH MADGAON EXPRESS?

I just love films. I’d been on the sets since I was six years old and fell in love with acting. I have stories in my head that I want to write. I ended up being a writer for a film like Go Goa Gone, which allowed me to learn the skill of writing. Madgaon Express is a film that I wrote imagining every little detail. It was Riteish Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar who said, ‘Why don’t you direct it?’ I jumped at the opportunity. But at the end of the day, they are going to put their money into it. So I asked twice – are you confident? But they had faith in me. I am happy that I took this chance. And we enjoyed every single day on the sets.

JOURNEYS ARE A RECURRENT THEME OF ALL THE FILMS PRODUCED BY EXCEL. HOW DIFFERENT IS THE JOURNEY DEPICTED IN YOUR FILM?

I’ve been a big Dil Chahta Hai fan. I always thought if I were to make a comedy, then I would make a Dil Chahta Hai gone wrong. What if these friends went on a trip and everything went sour from there on? Coincidentally, I’ve made Madgaon Express for Excel, the same people who made Dil Chahta Hai

MADGAON EXPRESS IS A COMEDY. YOU SEEM TO ENJOY THE COMEDY GENRE. You don’t need to be prepared to watch comedy. For example, if you are sitting with your friends or in the middle of something and you just want to watch something. 90 per cent of the time you’ll pick a comedy.

For other genres, you want to be in that mood, you prepare for it. Also you can’t watch it over and over again. Comedy is one of the toughest genres to act and make. It’s a genre I watch the most and enjoy the most.

WHAT WERE THE CHALLENGES YOU HAD TO FACE AS A DIRECTOR?

‘Challenges’ sometimes seem like a negative term. I don’t think I ever felt challenged while making this film. I knew what I was getting into, so I made sure I was prepared for it. On a daily basis there

films. We should have faith in our convictions and make the films we want to make.

DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE FOUND YOUR PLACE IN THE INDUSTRY OR YOUR STRUGGLE IS STILL ON? Even the big stars are always struggling to find what they want to do next because you’ll only relax when you are done, right? You always think, ‘Am I at the top of my game yet?’ No. Do I have space for bigger films and bigger roles and better roles–Yes. I am happy that I am still in the business that I wanted to be in and getting

enough backers, who are willing to take risks beyond a certain limit. So, you have to fight for your place. But you can’t sell your soul or become someone that you are not in the process. I am here because I love this business. If I stop being happy, I should just quit. In search

TAUGHT YOU?

I’ve come to realise that my initial belief— that the script alone determines success— was somewhat naive. While a good script is undeniably crucial, it’s equally important to have talented individuals involved and to present the project in the right way. Quality and presentation go hand in hand. Whether a

I don’t think I ever felt challenged while making this film. I knew what I was getting into, so I made sure I was prepared for it

will be things that go out of your hands. But they were tackled and taken care of.

NOW THAT YOU ARE INTO DIRECTION, WHAT’S YOUR VISION AS A FILMMAKER?

According to me, Indian cinema is already at a high level. But we lack the patience to assess the situation fairly. If two-three films don’t do well, we say the industry is in decline. If films like RRR or Kantara do well, we say Indian cinema is going through a golden phase and we try to copy such

opportunities to do what I want to do. I also believe in creating opportunities. That’s why I ended up being a writer and director as well.

YOU ARE SUCH A TALENTED ACTOR AND YET YOU DIDN’T FIND WORK EASILY…

The honest truth is that no one is against you and no one cares about you beyond a point. Everyone is trying to do what they want to do. You are in a business where supply is more than the demand. And there are not

of that happiness, I have been through a journey where unfortunately my talent is not the only barometer that I am judged by. The money earned by a film at the box office is directly related to the actor starring in it. That’s why when a film works, the actors walk away with all the glory. And similarly, when a film doesn’t work, they get all the blame. Opportunities kind of dwindle if your films constantly don’t do well at the box office.

WHAT HAS YOUR JOURNEY

project becomes a hit or a flop, the effort invested remains the same. A flop may still possess high quality, just as a superhit film might lack in certain aspects. The difference lies in the outcome. Unfortunately, the harsh reality of the industry is that talent alone doesn’t always dictate one’s future.

WHAT’S ONE THING YOU ADMIRE ABOUT FILMMAKERS OF YORE WHICH YOU WANT TO EMULATE?

Earlier, people were passionate about the films they were making. They used to gamble everything in pursuit of their dreams. I was reading about Raj Kapoor ji how he put his house on mortgage to finance Mera Naam Joker. Maybe Mera Naam Joker

On the sets of Madgaon Express

If two-three films don’t do well, we say the industry is in decline. If films like RRR or Kantara do well, we say Indian cinema is going through a golden phase

did not work at that time at the box office. Today, it’s considered a classic. I understand now that the business has changed and you’ve got to run your house. But at the same time, you can’t just make projects. You need to follow your passion as well.

HAS YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE CHANGED YOU AS A PERSON?

As you age, life teaches you several things. As a kid you’d cry if you got a small scratch on your body but you’d face a big injury calmly as an adult because you’ve developed fortitude and have learnt to put things in perspective. Similarly, you learn to deal with situations. How much to stress about something? How much do you let it affect yourself? So, I think the same goes into your acting. The more mature your emotions, the more you mature as an actor.

WHAT HAS YOUR WIFE, SOHA ALI KHAN, ADDED TO YOUR LIFE? Stability, for sure. She has been truly a companion and partner that anyone can wish

for. She is someone who is very balanced. She is a Libra and I am a Gemini. She has brought balance to my life.

WHAT ARE HER STRENGTHS AS A WOMAN?

She is a strong and independent woman. I have a lot of respect for her and she gives me a lot of respect. We both respect each other as professionals and as individuals and that’s kept our relationship going.

WHAT ARE THE VALUES THAT YOU WANT TO GIVE YOUR DAUGHTER INNAYA NAUMI KEMMU?

I just want her to have a happy, balanced and a secure childhood. I try to give her a sense of belief that she can achieve whatever she wants to and there’s nothing out of her scope. There’s a saying that it takes a village to raise a child. Everybody’s influence in our lives tends to bring something to the table and shapes who we are. We, as parents, try to make sure she’s surrounded by the right people, by the right set of things. n

You are in a business where supply is more than the demand. And there are not enough backers, who are willing to take risks beyond a certain limit. So, you have to fight for your place

Go Goa Gone

Lootcase

With wife Soha and daughter Inaaya Naumi

Hassi Bassi toh

Anubhav Singh Bassi

It was in 2017 that Anubhav Singh Bassi let his humour take reins of his professional path as he kickstarted his stand-up career on YouTube. And the actor, YouTuber and stand-up comedian hasn’t looked back since. With 200 million+ views and 4 million+ YouTube subscribers, he’s toured 35+ cities, delivered a TED Talk, and featured in Amazon Funnies and ZEE5’s Comedy Couple (2020). Making his Bollywood debut in January 2023 with Luv Ranjan’s Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, he also launched his stand-up special ‘Bas Kar Bassi’ on Amazon Prime Video in February 2023. Most recently the ace comedian was in Dubai for the Dubai Comedy Festival where he headlined the festival debuting his new show ‘Kisi Ko Batana Mat’ in which he explores relationships for the first time. I did attend the packedshow and it was undoubtedly one of his best yet! There was not one second when the crowd did not roar out loud with laughter… And as we caught up with him for our exclusive interview, the ace comedian debunked some myths about being the funny guy and also revealed what the real Bassi is like

DO PEOPLE ALWAYS EXPECT YOU TO BE FUNNY AND HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH GETTING CONSTANT REQUESTS FOR JOKES?

Not everyone, but yes, there are some who are perhaps meeting me for the first time ask me for a joke, but I have a simple reply for them: ‘Come to my show for that’!

TELL US ABOUT YOUR ACT IN DUBAI?

I always kickstart my international tour with Dubai, and it’s always exciting! This is the first time that I have explored relationships and my content is largely focused around that. So, that’s a different angle that no one had heard before!

HOW HAVE THINGS CHANGED FOR YOU SINCE THE TIME THAT YOU STARTED BACK IN 2007 IN TERMS OF YOUR FAN-FOLLOWING AS WELL AS THE FACT THAT YOU’VE ALSO DABBLED IN BOLLYWOOD? Nothing like that really! There are days when people come up to you and there are days when you can walk around

unnoticed! So, it feels pretty much regular. The fans of the stand-up are the ones who relate to me more, they come up and share their favourite jokes of me. So, yeah that’s a good feeling. But to be honest, I’d never thought that someday people would want their pictures clicked with me, so my thought is that they are showing so much love, how do I entertain them even better than the last time. That feels good. I had never thought that I would have ‘fans’ so it’s a nice, humbling feeling.

THE CONTENT OF YOUR STAND-UP SHOWS IS VERY REAL… BUT DO YOU FEEL THAT PRESSURE OF BEING FUNNIER AND MORE ENTERTAINING THAN THE PREVIOUS SHOW EACH TIME? The intention is always that! I always want to give the audience their time and money’s worth. And that’s the challenging part too whenever you have a new set, so you watch for the audience reaction

and then buckle up. So you know what works and then accordingly you finetune and refine the act.

I always say that it’s not like what you hear is the single thought I had in mind when I left home, there are more thoughts along the way, but maybe I wasn’t able to present them in the way I had imagined so I have dropped some too. So it’s a trial and error method of what will work. Like there was a video on roommate and I had dropped it 2 years back, but then I thought how about I rework it in a different way, so this is an ongoing process! Something or the other clicks and I make it work, and if it doesn’t, I simply drop it!

YOU WERE ALREADY A YOUTUBE STAR, BUT DID YOU SEE A CHANGE POST YOUR BOLLYWOOD DEBUT WITH TU JHOOTHI MAIN MAKKAAR?

The ones who were already fans of my stand-up comedy got to see another facet of me and they were certainly

happier, that great now he’s done a movie too and it’s a great role, so the feedback was great! They were very happy for me. Then there were those who liked my acting and then went back to see what else I did and so discovered my stand-up comedy! So, then that added

"Overall, I’m more interested in the stand- up than acting, people also perceive me more of a stand up than an actor. They enjoy my shows, So that’s my main stay… my cake, and Bollywood is just like that cherry on top of the cake.

to my followers for sure! But overall, I’m more interested in the stand-up than acting, people also perceive me more of a stand up than an actor. They enjoy my shows, So that’s my main stay… my cake, and Bollywood is just like that cherry on top of the cake.

HOW IS THE REAL BASSI LIKE, ARE YOU ALWAYS A FUN ONE? No, nothing like that at all. It’s not possible for everybody to be funny all the time, and it all depends on the situations, mahaul kya hai and the company you are in! You’ll be surprised that when me and my friends meet, among the four of us, I’m actually the least funny guy! No one is consciously trying to be funny, but none of us are straight talkers either, so it ends up being funny or leading to something funny.

that even after your videos go viral and you become the topic of conversations, the real test is if your tickets are sold and the show is housefull! Because if people are ready to spend money to see you, that’s when you realise that something is really happening! For me that happened in June I think it was the 19th after I had uploaded a video when it kind of sunk in!

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR ASPIRING STAND-UP COMICS?

BUT SUB-CONSCIOUSLY ARE YOU ALWAYS TRYING TO FIND SOMETHING FUNNY!

I’m not always looking for funny or trying to be funny! But sometimes something happens that makes me laugh, and I will jot it down and later realise that I can’t understand my own handwriting and don’t know what’s written! Sometimes even if it’s on phone, the context is forgotten (laughs)! So if something comes along and it registers, I try to develop it further.

DO YOU TRACK THE STATISTICS OF THE VIEWS AND NUMBER OF FOLLOWERS?

I’ve stopped doing all that! There was a time when I used to do because it was all new. I wanted to see the reactions,

"I’m not always looking for funny or trying to be funny! But sometimes something happens that makes me laugh, and I will jot it down and later realise that I can’t understand my own handwriting and don’t know what’s written! Sometimes even if it’s on phone, the context is forgotten (laughs)

to see if it worked or not and there was an excitement of seeing where it will all lead to. Then there came a time when it started trending and I realised that the content has worked! Then I started tracking a video for the initial few hours only and that’s all! Then how it’s doing, woh kahin aur se hi pata lagta hai Like a fan would share a story or share views or a friend would message! Now once it’s done I don’t keep tracking it. I had done that for the first ten months I think. Now I don’t even know

"what’s the content doing rounds on the YouTube!

YOUR FAMILY ACCEPTED YOU AS A STAND-UP COMEDIAN INSTEAD OF SEEING YOU AS A LAWYER! No one had ever thought or dreamt of this and for my family, the thing was that they just wanted to see me stable and settled! So, they’re very happy obviously.

AT WHAT POINT DID YOU REALISE THAT YOU HAD MADE IT BIG ON YOUTUBE? What happens is

I never give advice unless asked for! I have no intention of telling anyone what to do and advice what not to do! If anyone asks me, I just tell them, try it out, you should try out whatever you want to, because each one has a separate path and journey and learnings! Try for 1 time try for 5, but if that’s not working out try something else! Change your direction and try again! This is how I live, but it’s not a universal law or rule to succeed and try it at your own risk! If it works out great, if not then don’t blame me please (laughs). I only share, what I did!

WHO MAKES YOU LAUGH?

The same people who make you laugh! I also watch other comedians, their acts and movies.

GOING FORWARD, WHAT’S ON YOUR PLATE… MORE MOVIES?

This year I’m concentrating on the stand-up comedy tour! Next year maybe I will try if I find the right ones!

TWO OF A KIND

DESIGNER DUO SAAKSHA AND KINNI HAVE MADE THE FASHION WORLD TAKE NOTICE OF THEM THROUGH A FUSION OF ARTISTRY AND ELEGANCE. TANISHA BHATTACHARYA CHARTS THEIR JOURNEY

How did you start on your journey in the fashion industry? I entered this realm indirectly. After I completed my law degree at the University of Manchester in the UK, I pursued a career in law, and established a successful practice. It was through my then boyfriend and now husband, that I met Kinnari Kamat. Affectionately known as Kinni, she and I immediately connected. Our chats frequently revolved around our mutual passion for

creativity. One day, during a conversation, the topic of collaborating on a fashion label arose spontaneously. And so we made our debut at the Lakmé Fashion Week (LFW) Gen Next show in 2016, we made our debut. That’s how our journey began in the fashion industry, with Kamat’s expertise in textiles complimenting my legal background. Since then, it has been a whirlwind experience, brimming with endless opportunities for creativity and

advancement.

Tell us about your process of marrying your signature styles with the personality of a modern Indian woman

At Saaksha and Kinni, our objective is to design apparels that empower modern Indian women by reflecting their dynamic personalities and ambitious spirits. As modern Indian women ourselves, we find it easier to resonate with our customers. Our design process begins by distilling our signature styles down to their

In the ever-evolving landscape of the fashion world, where creativity intertwines with sophistication, the story of Saaksha and Kinni emerges as a testimony to innovation and collaboration. Founded by designer-duo Saaksha Bhat and Kinnari Kamat, the brand epitomises a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, craftsmanship and creativity. Saaksha and Kinni’s distinctive aesthetic draws inspiration from the bohemian ethos, marrying intricate artisanal details with vibrant hues and flowing silhouettes. Rooted in a deep appreciation for tradition and culture, their designs encapsulate a sense of ease and sophistication, resonating with the modern Indian woman’s dynamic spirit. Excerpts from an interview with Saaksha Bhat, where she traces the evolution of their brand.

core aesthetics and silhouettes. However, the true challenge lies in harmonising these foundational elements with the evolving attitudes of today’s Indian female consumers. They demand fashion that pushes boundaries while maintaining cultural sensitivity, seeking self-expression through clothes that exudes both confidence and cultural pride. Thus, our signature styles continuously evolve to meet their needs and desires, epitomising the essence of design.

Do you think celebrities play an

essential role in making a relatively new fashion brand known to people?  In India, the influence of celebrities on consumer behaviour is undeniable. Whether it’s the characters they portray on screen, their style, or even their fitness routines and diets, celebrities command a significant following and attention from the public. Celebrities play a pivotal role in elevating lesserknown brands to prominence. While not imperative for success, securing celebrity endorsements and appearances can significantly accelerate brand awareness and customer reach, particularly in establishing unfamiliar

Which celebrity was the first to sport your collection?

When Sonam Kapoor wore our creation, it catalysed a shift. As a significant figure in the fashion world, she rendered our brand more accessible and sought after. The inaugural ensemble she wore from our collection was a flowing maxi twotiered skirt, paired with a matching bandhani printed top, layered with a semi-sheer, black long cape jacket from the Spring Summer 2018 collection.

When fashion mavens like Sonam Kapoor and Vijay Varma wear your outfits, how much of their suggestions do you incorporate?

Dressing key fashion influencers like them is truly an honour because they possess a profound

AT SAAKSHA AND KINNI, OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO DESIGN APPAREL THAT EMPOWERS MODERN INDIAN WOMEN BY REFLECTING THEIR DYNAMIC PERSONALITIES AND AMBITIOUS SPIRITS brands.

understanding of art, fashion, and dress. Understanding their thought processes and personal preferences is crucial, as they influence an entire generation and set trends.

You’ve worked with some of the biggest fashion A-listers. What excites you the most about them? It is truly fascinating to observe the unique fashion sensibilities and preferences of each actress. What excites us is the manifestation of their alter egos through fashion. Each one of

them experiments with fashion, breaking free from their predefined styles and embracing risks. Most importantly, they have fun with their fashion choices, unfettered by any preconceived notions.

How do you think cinema influences styles and trends? Cinema and fashion share an intertwined relationship, particularly among contemporary audiences. On-screen personalities serve not only as conduits for compelling narratives but also as style icons whose sartorial choices are keenly observed and often emulated offscreen. As an audience, we look up to actors and actresses not only for their characters but also for their style and fashion sense. Through their visibility, they introduce new trends and establish prevailing aesthetics that permeate mainstream culture. It is their influence that filters into our daily lives. Hence, fashion and films synergise

Samantha

Alaya F

Ananya Panday

Alia Bhatt

Malaika Arora

Kriti Sanon

Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Nick Jonas and Malti Marie Chopra Jonas

Jim Sarbh

Sara Ali Khan

Mrunal Thakur

Vijay Varma

CELEBRITIES PLAY A PIVOTAL ROLE IN ELEVATING LESSERKNOWN BRANDS TO PROMINENCE. WHILE NOT IMPERATIVE FOR SUCCESS, SECURING CELEBRITY ENDORSEMENTS AND APPEARANCES CAN SIGNIFICANTLY ACCELERATE BRAND AWARENESS

seamlessly, inspiring entire generations.

You have a lot of Boho styles in your collectionwhat interests you about the theme?

The bohemian style has long captivated our brand’s aesthetic. What intrigues us most about this theme is its fusion of creativity and ease. Boho prioritises selfexpression through artisanal details and vibrant hues, while also promoting tranquillity through flowing silhouettes and natural textures. This equilibrium of artistic flair and relaxation is a cornerstone of our product design and retail environment. Beyond being a passing trend, bohemian style endures, allowing individuals to showcase their unique personalities through fashion while finding serenity.

Who are your favourite actresses that you feel perfectly embody the Boho modern vibe of your brand?

I believe Alia Bhatt exudes an understated, relaxed luxury essence. Not only is she chic but she also possesses a freespirited nature. We also admire Sobhita Dhulipala’s style. She epitomises effortlessness, fearlessness and

a carefree approach to fashion. Katrina Kaif embodies a very boho sense of style. She revels in maxi dresses and comfortable fabrics that resonate with our brand.

Shilpa Shetty

Who are some classic fashion icons from the film world you’re yet to design for but who top your list. Zendaya tops our celebrity wish list. The young star has rightfully earned her status as a fashion and style icon through her bold, confident sense of personal style. With each red-carpet appearance or public outing, Zendaya demonstrates an innate understanding of how to curate an elegant and powerful look that highlights her natural charisma and allure. She exudes confidence, charisma and a rare sex appeal that few can emulate elegantly.

How would you say your brand resonates with the thinking of easy fashion that is the trend these days?

Our brand endeavours to resonate with consumers seeking easy, effortless pieces. Each item is designed as a standalone piece that seamlessly integrates into one’s existing wardrobe with minimal effort. Our handembroidered products are crafted with timelessness and versatility in mind. We aspire for our customers to feel comfortable wearing our designs without the burden of complicated styling or overly fussy details. Above all, we aim for our collections to enhance the ease of dressing each day, allowing self-expression through fashion in a simple, unfussy manner.

When we think of movie stars, it’s all about glamour. Do you think your bold prints and vivid colour palettes represent that vibe? Traditionally, bold prints and vivid colour palettes are not synonymous with movie star glamour. However, we observe a shift where actresses are increasingly willing to take risks and experiment. These stereotypes are gradually being dismantled. Through showcasing bold prints in vibrant palettes, we aim to challenge outdated notions of glamour and further empower individuals to embrace personal styles confidently, regardless of conventional glamour standards.

If you had to pick three films that you loved because of how they used fashion as a tool of communication - which ones would they be?

The Devil Wears Prada, Funny Face and Breakfast at Tiffany’s stand out as influential films depicting fashion. 

Shahid Kapoor

Sonakshi Sinha

Sonam Kapoor

Shraddha Kapoor

Janhvi Kapoor

Suhana Khan

DUBAI

WATCH LIST

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

KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

Director: Wes Ball

Cast: Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Kevin Durand, Peter Macon, William H. Macy

It is the standalone sequel to War for the Planet of the Apes (2017), the fourth installment in the Planet of the Apes reboot franchise and the tenth film overall. The film is set to take place 300 years after the events of War and follows Noa, a young chimpanzee, as he embarks on a journey alongside a woman scavenger named Mae. This one is not to be missed if you have been a fan of the franchise.

SRIKANTH

Director: Tushar Hiranandani

Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Alaya F, Jyothika, Sharad Kelkar

The biographical film is based on the inspiring life of visually-impaired industrialist and the Founder of Bollant Industries - Srikanth Bolla. The film follows the struggles of Srikanth from his childhood as he overcomes all obstacles to create a groundbreaking enterprise providing employment to differently-abled individuals. Rajkummar’s ace performance will win your hearts!

HEERAMANDI

Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Cast: Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Taha Shah Badussha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Richa Chadha, Fardeen Khan, Sharmin Segal, Farida Jalal, Shekhar Suman

The eight-part series is set in pre-independence Lahore where the lives of courtesans and Nawabs is chronicled against the backdrop of the Indian Independence Movement. From jealousy to love, to patriotism, this opulent drama has it all and is a visual treat on Netflix that must not be missed.

PANCHAYAT SEASON 3

Director: Deepak Kumar Mishra Cast: Jitendra Kumar, Raghubir Yadav, Neena Gupta, Sanvikaa, Chandan Roy, Durgesh Kumar, Ashok Pathak, Faisal Malik, Sunita Rajwar

The much-loved series on Prime Video following the life of an engineering graduate turned Panchayat secretary in a remote fictional village of Phulera in Uttar Pradesh due to lack of better job options, returns for its 3rd season.

MR. & MRS. MAHI

Director: Sharan Sharma

Cast: Janhvi Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao

The film tells the story of a couple Mahendra (Rajkummar) a failed cricketer and Mahima (Janhvi) a doctor. The two share the same nickname and post their arranged marriage, they become Mr and Mrs Mahi. Soon they discover their common love and passion for Cricket and when Mahendra spots cricketing talent in his wife, he takes it on himself to make her a cricketer.

*Disclaimer: The release dates mentioned in the article are subject to change

TAROT

Director: Spenser Cohen and Anna Halberg

Cast: Harriet Slater, Adain Bradley, Avantika, Wolfgang Novogratz, Humberly González, Larsen Thompson, Olwen Fouéré, Jacob Batalon

The supernatural horror films follows the deadly incidents that follow after a group of college students use a strange Tarot deck. As they begin to die one-by-one, they must uncover the deck’s mystery before time runs out. This one’s got enough scares to keep you on the edge of your seats. So if you’re a fan of the genre, then this is not to be missed!

Director: John Krasinski

Cast: Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, Krasinski, Fiona Shaw, Alan Kim, Liza Colón-Zayas

A live-action animated comedy, it revolves around a young girl Bea who unexpectedly gains the ability to see people’s imaginary friends (referred to as “IFs” for short). Bea discovers that her neighbor, Cal, has the same ability. The two team up to reunite the IFs with their former kids.

BHAIYYA JI

Director: Apoorv Singh Karki

Cast: Manoj Bajpayee

The film brings together the Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai power directoractor duo Apoorv and Manoj Bajpayee and has the actor play the titular role. Bhaiyya ji is a man who stands up for his family and is out for revenge with the wrong-doers!

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA

Director: George Miller

Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Alyla Browne, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke

The post-apocalyptic action adventure film is the fifth installment in the Mad Max franchise, and is both a spin-off and a prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road (2015). The film is set 15 to 20 years before the events of Mad Max: Fury Road. The young Furiosa is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and she has to survive many trials as she plots a way back home through the Wasteland.

THE GARFIELD MOVIE

Director: Mark Dindal Cast (Voices): Chris Pratt, Samuel L. Jackson, Hannah Waddingham, Ving Rhames, Nicholas Hoult, Cecily Strong, Harvey Guillén, Brett Goldstein, Bowen Yang, Snoop Dogg

The animated adventure comedy is based on Jim Davis’ popular comic strip Garfield. The film has Garfield reunited with his long-lost father, a street cat named Vic. Soon he finds himself being forced into joining him on a high-stakes adventure. A fun-summer watch!