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The past several weeks have been the most happening ones that Dubai’s social calendars have seen so far this year. From concerts to movie promotions, launches to premieres, we’ve been rolling from one event to another with no breaks or should we say no brakes at all! Not just locally, on a global scale too, the past weeks have witnessed two of the biggest landmarks in the world’s space history. In fact, India created history twice over when ISRO’s third Moon mission Chandrayaan-3’s Lander Module (LM) touched down on the Earth’s natural satellite. With this not only did India become the fourth country to accomplish the feat, but it was also the first ever to reach the South pole of the moon. Also, Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi returned to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) after completing the longest Arab space mission in history that lasted six months. Congratulations to both India and UAE for these milestone achievements.
From the moon and space, let’s gravitate back to Earth and talk about our own stars from the entertainment world now! Our Cover Star this month is the handsome and charming Dulquer Salmaan. The loving husband, doting dad and one of the most-loved names with the cinema buffs, the Guns and Gulaabs star was an absolute delight to interview as I caught up with him in Dubai. Witty, frank and super-fun, he spoke unfiltered about his wife, the very beautiful Amaal Sufiya, handling all that female adulation coming his way, talked about his versatile range as an actor as he weaves seamlessly through multiple industries across South and Bollywood, he spoke about his struggles to break away from the ‘starkid’ image –no mean feat considering he is the son of the Cinema Legend Mammooty – and also revealed if the senior star is a critic or a cheerleader when it comes to his son’s performances on the screen! The young actor-producer is also the proud owner of a super-classy selection of cars and our conversation naturally drifted towards his passion for automobiles too! Well, flip on the pages and read all about it and for even more of the chat, do check out my interview with him on our YouTube Channel.
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It’s certainly celebration time in Bollywood – SRK scores another massive hit with Jawan. Well #justsaying but maybe Dubai is the lucky charm for King Khan as he showcased the glimpse of Jawan on Burj Khalifa ahead of the release, very much like he had done with his last blockbuster Pathaan! Also celebrating the super success of another super-hit, Gadar 2 was the film’s lead stars Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel in Dubai. We caught up with the two for an exclusive interview where they talked about rekindling the same Tara-Sakeena magic on screen 22 years after they first created cinematic history with Gadar in 2001. Meanwhile, Farhan Akhtar rocked Dubai with his concert here and talking to the multitalented actor-singer-filmmaker about his cinema, his music was an amazing experience.
It’s the Wedding Issue and if you’re planning to get hitched anytime soon… well we got you covered! From the perfect locales for Destination Weddings to an array of gifting choices, you’ll find it all here.
And saving the best for the last, Singing Legend Asha Bhosle turned 90 and the Queen of Melody celebrated it right here in Dubai with a concert nevertheless. Seeing her perform and energy on stage, it’s easy to go from How at 90, to WOW at 90! She’s truly a Wonder of the World! I was also privy to a rather intimate post-concert birthday bash hosted at the singer’s restaurant here, Asha’s, that was attended by a handful of the star’s closest. So full of life and vibrant to the T, she’s truly an inspiration. Wowing with her singing prowess at 90, age has certainly not dimmed her zest for life, nor her love for friends, family and food! As journalists, we all have those few high moments etched permanently in our hearts that we always cherish, and being embraced with so much love and warmth by this young birthday girl, on her landmark birthday nevertheless, will forever be right up there for me.
Once again, here’s wishing you a very Happy Birthday Asha Tai from the FFME fam! Check out our SUPER EXCLUSIVE coverage of this super special bash and get your dose of all the excitement right here…
Happy Reading Folks!
TAKE A LOOK AT ALL THE STARS WHO VISITED DUBAI RECENTLY CHECK OUT THE PERFECT WEDDING GIFTS
OUR COVER STAR DULQUER SALMAAN IN A CANDID CONVERSATION WITH AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE TALKS ABOUT RULING HEARTS AND THE BOX OFFICE AND MAKING BRAVE CHOICES AS AN ACTOR
OUR PICK OF LOCALES THAT ARE IDEAL FOR DESTINATION WEDDINGS
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ABHISHEK BACHCHAN TALKS TO AAKANKSHA
NAVAL-SHETYE ABOUT HIS CINEMATIC JOURNEY OF 23 YEARS AND HITTING HOME WITH GHOOMER
FARHAN AKHTAR GETS CANDID WITH AAKANKSHA NAVALSHETYE ABOUT LETTING THE ARTISTE, RATHER THAN THE BUSINESSMAN IN HIM TAKE THE WHEEL
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SUNNY DEOL AND AMEESHA PATEL CHAT UP WITH AAKANKSHA
NAVAL-SHETYE ABOUT REKINDLING THEIR GADAR MAGIC
ADITI RAO HYDARI IN CONVERSATION WITH AAKANKSHA
NAVAL-SHETYE TALKS ABOUT PLAYING ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC CHARACTERS IN INDIAN CINEMA
CHECK OUT ASHA BHOSLE’S 90TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS IN DUBAI
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CRICKETERS, FANS, INFLUENCERS COME TOGETHER AT THE SPECIAL SCREENING OF THE INDIAPAKISTAN MATCH HOSTED BY MR ANIS SAJAN
HERE’S OUR PICK OF THE BEST IN MOVIES AND OTT SHOWS THIS AUGUST
WHO:
WHO: WHO:
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Director of American Aesthetic Medical Center
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THE YOUNG STAR IN A CANDID CONVERSATION WITH AAKANKSHA NAVAL SHETYE TALKS ABOUT RULING HEARTS AND THE BOX-OFFICE, MAKING BRAVE CHOICES, CARVING HIS OWN CINEMATIC JOURNEY DIFFERENT FROM HIS FATHER, THE LEGENDARY ACTOR MAMMOOTY, AND EARNING HIS OWN SPOT UNDER THE SUN
Like all star-kids, his entry into the film industry was met with talks of comparisons and the privileges of being the son of one of the most celebrated names of Indian cinema, the legendary actor Mammooty! However, unperturbed and taking it all in his stride, Dulquer Salmaan went on to prove his mettle as a versatile actor and has over the time earned his own stripes at the Box Office as a bankable powerhouseperformer! Not letting the actor in him being bound either by the weight of his famous father’s name or by barriers of language, genres, industries or even screen sizes, the star has raced towards super-stardom mounted purely on his own talent. That his charming good looks do get this handsome star brownie points, is an added, but as Dulquer says, “I have very little to do with that!” Well, that may be, but there’s definitely more substance to this young heart-throb than just his hot looks and a cool attitude, which we find out as we catch up with the pan India star for our exclusive interview. He’s in Dubai promoting his gangster action flick King of Kotha that’s been bankrolled by his production house Wayfarer Films. He’s had a rather busy schedule, but if he’s tired, he doesn’t show it at all as we settle in for our tete-a-tete. Passionate about cinema, a car enthusiast, a down-toearth disposition, an absolute gentleman and romantic to the core… it’s easy to see why his fans (especially women) can’t get enough of him. He’s aware of this and the effect he has on them, but refuses to be swayed by it! “I never want my image to be larger than the character I portray on screen,” he says. As we launch into our candid conversation, we also talk about how his wife Amaal handles the female fan adulation, what dad Mammooty has to say about his performances, and the star also reveals what makes him fearless as an actor. Excerpts!
You’ve had a great run this year… your global hit Sita Ramam just completed a year, your OTT series Guns & Gulaabs has been garnering much acclaim, Arijit Singh’s single ‘Heeriye’ featuring you is being much-loved and your King of Kotha has been well-received too!
I like to have many releases in a year. Like even though Sita Ramam took 14 months to finish, I managed to squeeze in Chup and Guns & Gulaabs in the middle. I think I was the last person to join, it came to me quite late, but I was so curious about working with Raj and DK and being a part of that world, I just got on board. So, I’m just greedy I think to be a part of great projects everywhere. Even if it’s a ‘Heeriye’, I love the song. And now there’s King of Kotha… So yeah, I think it’s just my constant greed to explore, experiment, evolve.
Cinema-lovers swear by your films like Sita Ramam, especially women and your fans swoon over your romantic image. And then you take on these intense roles be it in the grey zone or actionthrillers. Aren’t you wary of taking these risks, no fear of losing out on the romantic image?
Doing more of a certain kind of cinema because that has worked with the audience… I think that’s the easy way out. But I’m not drawn to making the easier choices. I want to be afraid of what I’m going to do. I want the challenge. I want to do things that people assume I can’t do or tell me to my face that I can’t do. Then I’m like ‘I want to do it’. I still love romance as a genre. I think from when I was younger, it’s something that I love to watch, I love to read. Even my musical choices and stuff lean towards that genre. So maybe that’s why I resonate well with it. But I also don’t want to be slotted into that one box. I think if I keep doing it, I’ll keep attracting only that type of film. And also, when you do certain timeless films in that genre then you don’t want to do mediocre stuff in the same. You should do memorable ones. I’m always open to doing romance, but my benchmark has risen higher with
Sita RamamYes, your screen outings do reflect that fearlessness as an actor and you are unpredictable when it comes to your choice of roles…
I like that because it’s nice to surprise the audience. Otherwise, if they are able to predict what I’m going to do next or if it’s going to be another love story, they might choose to watch or not watch. I think when there’s a curiosity of what is he up to now, what does he have in store for us now, let’s
go check it out, so that’s the surprise I always want to bring forth. I think that is important. And also, as an actor it’s very important for me to keep refreshing my filmography. Like when I go from film to film, if I’m doing the same thing then it’s going to feel like a job. And I don’t want to ever feel like I’m doing a job. I don’t want to feel monotonous or repetitive or feel like it’s a chore. I want to be excited; I want to be challenged; I want to be scared.
I think I’m pretty transparent. I am what you see. I’m quite calm and very patient. I try to be very positive about things but I’m also a big over-thinker. I worry a lot about everything. I think it’s also because I want to do great work. I want that acceptance; I want that validation in some form or the other. I think when I started off, there was always this question that oh, he’s not as good or he’s not as talented as his father, etc. So I think I’m always trying to prove myself, not like a comparison, but show what I am on my own. And I don’t want to just be charming or easy on the eye. Those are not things that I have to put effort into. Those come naturally. Blessed with genes (laughs). The things that are in my control in terms of how I perform a character or how I embody that character or how much I lose myself and not appear like myself in those films, that’s the thrill. I think that is the challenge. Now so much of my off-screen persona is at risk of becoming larger than my character. So, I don’t want that to happen.
In the South of course everyone knew you as Mammooty Sir’s son when you started, but Pan India was introduced to you through Hindi cinema. For us it was like, ‘Who’s this guy, Oh, he’s Mammooty’s son!’ Which I love. I think maybe that’s why I’ve liked getting these opportunities in other industries because there I’m just seen as an actor. There’s no other background.
And you have earned yourspot under the sun and carved your identity…
I’m very, very happy about that and I think so is my family. I think they’re also proud. You have a son, and one day when he makes a name for himself, it’s very important to you and to him. We all need that confidence, that self-belief. I think when you get that kind of recognition, it gives you the confidence to push harder, to try bigger things, better things, to go into zones that you are scared to get into. So, we keep feeding off this. We feed off the recognition or this acceptance we get in the films that we do. Feed off that confidence and then try to do better work.
I’m not drawn to making the easier choices. I want to be afraid of what I’m going to do. I want the challenge. I want to do things that people assume I can’t do or tell me to my face that I can’t do. Then I’m like ‘I want to do it’.
You have gone beyond being a starkid for sure. But during this entire journey, did you ever feel that kind of pressure as an artist, after all Mammooty Sir’s shoes are big ones to fill?
Absolutely. That’s always been there, especially in Malayalam cinema. But I think my choices or my choosing to find my own cinema, different from his; find my own rhythm and just my own persona, I think that was also important and that has helped distinguish me from him. Also, we don’t really look-alike. I don’t have his name in mine. I think that’s also helped. He was very smart about that. He was very wise when he gave me my own name (laughs). How much does the Box-Office outcome matter to you and how have you dealt with the hits and the flops?
It matters to all of us. I think when you get the big Box Office numbers that means it’s the greater number of eyeballs, it’s a larger number of people watching the film. Loving the film. But the rush of that hit or the pain of that flop per say, both hit you hardest on the weekends.
Beyond that you don’t live in that feeling. So even if you are feeling that rush, that whatever little ‘nasha’ we get, it doesn’t last beyond that Sunday. And the same thing goes for a bad film. You will be a little gloomy but the best way to overcome is to keep working. Keep doing what you can. But somewhere you always embark on films with the intention of making good films. So, when sometimes it is not loved or accepted or rejected for that matter, it is heart-breaking. I won’t take away from there. Sometimes reviews can be painful, you know somebody singling you out. But I think the best way is to keep going forward. Just keep moving ahead, keep doing more and more work. But yes, there are some actors who I envy who are quite Zen. Like nothing affects them. Like I’ve heard of Ranbir (Kapoor) being super Zen, whether it’s a hit or flop, doesn’t affect him. He’s always the same. And Dhoni (MS Dhoni). The way he handles the game, he’s always been so… like nothing affects him. He doesn’t lose focus; he doesn’t shout about his success or deals with any failure quite the same way. And I think as I get older, I would probably want to get to that zone. That’ll be great.
This is a great time for movie-lovers. We have access to lot more content pan-India than earlier. How is it for the actors, especially since you have been doing films across industries whether it’s in Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil?
I think for all actors and technicians across industries, across the board, there can’t be a better time. I think this is the best time because there’s so much exchange that’s happening. We all have so much opportunity not just in other languages and industries but also through mediums. What we get to do in streaming is very unique compared to cinema. For technicians, there’s always talent exchange happening. But for actors right now there’s a lot more acceptance if you can kind of speak the language, you will be accepted.
You’ve been seamlessly weaving in and out through genres, through languages and now mediums too…
You know I think it’s better to not have grand scheme of things or a big plan or strategy. I’ve just been doing things for the experience. To enjoy the journey and not thinking about the destination. And I think that is what is paid off the most in my career.
You got married around the same time you embarked on your film journey…
Yeah, everything happened in a month. Like I signed my first film and got engaged around the same time.
Your wife (Amaal) is beautiful…
I got really lucky.
How does she handle all the adulation especially, all your female fans crushing on you?
I don’t think she gives it much attention (laughs). I think she’s very grounded in the sense that nothing much
has changed for her. I think she definitely is proud of everything I’ve done. But I don’t think the way she looks at me or treats me has ever changed. I think she always maintains that you know… ‘all these women see a very groomed and styled you because there’s a whole army of people around to do your hair, but the real you that I see at home, only I see. Those are two different people’. She’s like, ‘What they see is the famous side but the real you I know, and I put up with a lot’ (laughs) and I like it like that.
So she’s a cheerleader or your best critic?
She’s both. I think she knows how to give me an honest opinion while at the same time appreciating the effort. It’s very constructive. She’s a good judge of my films. I’ve noticed that. If she says “this film works for you” then usually it’s a pretty good call. If she tells me “No this didn’t really work, I don’t think this is your kind of film or this won’t do justice” or something like that, usually she’s right.
What about your dad?
The best thing about him is that he always wanted me to find my own way. He doesn’t meddle too much. He wants me to learn on my own, make my own mistakes. I know when he likes something or likes my work, he might tell my mum, but he won’t tell me to my face. I think he doesn’t want me to get too carried away or too confident. But now I think after many, many years I think when he watches a film, he’s like, ‘You know you don’t even have to think so much in the scene. Just live through it. Something I feel like you’re thinking about the character too much and sometimes less is more’. So now I feel like the fact that he’s giving me some feedback… it has taken me 10 years. Otherwise when I was younger, he would always be like ‘hmm’, ‘huh’!
What’ve been his words of wisdom for you at the start of your career?
Not at the start of my career but when I was going through a lot of insecurities and worry, if I was getting a lot of criticism it was bogging me down, the one thing he told me which always
stays in my head is that “between action and cut, think you’re the greatest actor in the world and post that think you’re the worst actor in the world!” So, I think that really holds a lot of weight, in the sense that you stay grounded. But in that action and cut moment, it gives you as much confidence as you need because you are performing either in front of the camera or people.
You have one of the classiest collection of cars. Which ones are your favourites among them?
I love the 60s and 70s era American cars, the American muscle cars. So I get drawn to Camaros and Mustangs and Hemi Cuda, stuff like that. But I think every era was great for certain cars from certain countries or certain continents. I like the older Italian cars. You know when everything was more manual and the best thing about Italian cars is that when you drive them, all of the emotion comes from the sound of the car and a lot of time it’s all from the engine. That true induction sound and individual throaty bodies that is the greatest sound that cars make.
Your father’s movie that’s been a constant inspiration for you?
It’s very hard to pick, there’re many that I love revisiting. I keep watching Taniyavarthanam. It’s a film that really moved me when I was younger. Then I love all of his superstar gangster type of movies like Samrajyam and Dalapathi. I think of late recently, Bheeshma Parvam was great.
One quality of your dad that you would want to imbibe. His confidence. He can really own the room when he wants to. And I’m still quite afraid all the time. I found some inner peace maybe but like to kind of walk into a room with swag and own it, I think only he can do that.
One movie of yours that you can’t to wait to show your daughter Mariam?
One superpower you wish you had.
I want to be in two places at the same time.
If you were in the Fast and Furious movie franchise, which character would you want to be and which car?
I think Paul Walker and R34 GTR.
As a teenager, whose posters did you have up in your room?
I mostly had car posters. When I was younger, I used to like Wonder Years or maybe some girl around my age who I think is cute but like in a film. I remember watching some shows because in my head I was like ‘Oh if I was there, I would totally ask this girl out’
I think my choices or my choosing to find my own cinema, different from his (father, actor Mammooty); find my own rhythm and just my own persona, I think that was also important and that has helped distinguish me from him. Also, we don’t really lookalike. I don’t have his name in mine. I think that’s also helped. He was very smart about that. He was very wise when he gave me my own name. (LAUGHS)Photographer: SBK Shuhaib | Make up: Ratheesh AV | Hairstylist: Rohit Bhatkar and Imran Shaikh Stylist: Harmann Kaur | Styling Team: Ann Bharadwaj and Pooja Karanam | Outfit: Kanika Goyal Label Accessories: Barry John n Shop
Belonging to a small village of Malhausi near Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, Rahul Mishra first tasted success when he won the Best student of the year Award at his graduation from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, in 2005. This was the stepping stone to bigger things in life. In 2009, he became the first non-European designer to win a scholarship to Milan’s Istituto Marangoni. He made his debut in 2006 at the Lakme Fashion Week with a collection using cotton handloom from Kerala. In 2013, he won the Indian leg of the International Woolmark Prize and later, the 2014 Woolmark Prize at the Milan Fashion Week. He’s the only Indian to have won the award. His work was featured in London’s Victoria & Albert Museum from 2015 to 2016 following his Woolmark Prize in 2014. Recently, he made headlines at NMACC. The creme de la creme of both Hollywood and Bollywood were seen attending the event. What caught everyone’s attention was how Zendaya and Gigi Hadid carried off his creations effortlessly. He made India proud at the event and we talked to the designer about the experience.
You are one of the first Indian designers to achieve international visibility… When you showcase alongside the best brands in the world, you try to up your game. You try to give 150 per cent. It is our 20th season, almost our 10th year showcasing our work internationally. Celebrities across the globe know about us and are wearing our creations. That really helps when you expand, like now it is all about expanding retail stores across the globe and also online. So in that way, it helps a great deal to have an international presence. I have done more shows in Paris than in India. Today when I look back, it is just the beginning.
How did floral embroidery become your signature style?
Embroidery is not only a signature style but also helps us engage artisans in a big way. Our idea of fashion is not just to dress one beautiful woman who looks amazing in our clothes. That is a given but a bigger purpose is to be able to employ and engage more and more artisans so that a large number of people get employment.
What are the kinds of films that shaped your perception of visual aesthetics? I really feel I am more of a storyteller.
The medium we try telling stories is cloth. I like to depict ideas and things through clothes. I dream about a certain thing and after that I share the idea with my team and then it becomes a collective idea. It’s very much like the filmmaking process. The director comes with the core idea and then everyone participates. I love animated films a lot.
I love the Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki. There’s a beautiful film of his called My Neighbour Totoro and also Grave of The Fireflies. I love Kung Fu Panda as well. It contains some profound ideas which kind of motivate you. I love documentaries. Our Planet, the documentary by David Attenborough, was inspiring and beautiful. And then before that, I watched Cosmos.
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson did the voiceover in Cosmos and narrated how it was formed. I like a lot of things, like the Avengers. I am also obviously a big Shah Rukh Khan fan; I love Swades and Chak De! India.
You are all over the news for the grand NMACC outing, what was your first reaction to getting approached by stars like Zendaya, Gigi Hadid and Law Roach?
You can’t compare it to Met Gala because it is far bigger than Met Gala. The Met Gala is fine, it is just a red carpet. But the content at NMACC was far more diverse, interesting and profound. When you see India’s contribution to the world in terms of culture, craft and fashion, that somehow epitomises the whole thing beautifully. There was a lot of
pressure on us. There were 50–60 requests. We had to deny a lot of requests. A lot of people were wearing us. In one frame, you could see five-six people wearing us. I met Penelope Cruz at NMACC. She wanted to know more about our brand. We spoke for about 15 minutes where I explained our philosophy and talked about Indian fashion. It was a great feeling to have top Hollywood as well as Bollywood stars attending an event.
Zendaya’s purple saree is something people can’t stop raving about. I had made a sari for her as well as a gown. I told her you can try this. But if you’re not feeling comfortable, you can wear the gown. She wore the sari and said,“I’m just going with this; this is so beautiful.” Normally,
these people have strong shoulders; you know they can carry off jackets and sturdy pieces. Sari requires a different kind of elegance. The way Zendaya carried the look was amazing. I remember when I met Karisma Kapoor, she was also excited. She showed me the picture which she’d clicked with Zendaya. She said that they both were twinning.
Tell us about the experience of designing for Zendaya and Gigi Hadid. It was so easy, they just selected one sketch and it got done. After that, they never even bothered me. For Zendaya, I made two garments for fitting and for Gigi I had only one garment. They knew about my brand and trusted my judgement. Fashion has to be compared
Managing our brand takes too much time. So it might be difficult to do justice to films because you have to totally immerse yourself in a projectJanhvi Kapoor Priyanka Chopra Katrina Kaif Sonam Kapoor Anushka Sharma
to a river and India is somehow the source of it, the origin point. The event’s curator, Hamish Bowles, decided to close the show with three of our pieces. I was quite honoured.
How far do you think we have progressed when it comes to sustainable fashion?
I think we have a long way to go. Although there are young brands working on it, it needs to happen on a large scale, at the industry level as a whole and not at a designer level alone. Overall it will take a lot more effort, commitment and time to create something meaningful.
Have you ever been approached to design clothes for a feature film?
Managing our brand takes too much time. So it might be difficult to do justice to films because you have to immerse yourself in
a project. I remember there were some strong projects that came our way but the timeline did not match. They wanted around three months of commitment and that simply didn’t work out.
But if you are given a chance, what kind of films would you like to design for?
I love all genres.Ilove period films and futuristic films and also quintessential Bollywood films. I feel when you are building a character, clothes play an important role. In that sense, all the films that are good have done exceptional work with costumes. For example, Aamir Khan’s characters in Lagaan or Dil Chahta Hai stand out because of the distinct clothes they wore. Look at the costumes that were produced for
The Avengers. The whole series is spread over 15 years or so. And the costumes constructed for different characters have a continuity to them. They have created a brand recall for the actors.
More and more glimpses of traditional Indian wear are being showcased in Hollywood series and films, like the Manish Malhotra lehenga worn by Jennifer Aniston in Murder Mystery 2. What’s it about our clothes they find so fascinating?
Murder Mystery 2 had an Indian wedding sequence and that’s where she wore that lehenga. If a series or a film has an India-centric event happening or is set in India, you’ll see more such things happening. But what I want is that Indian fashion should find wider acceptance. Coco Chanel created suits for girls after
the first World War and that became a sensation which has sustained even today. Likewise, it might be a great idea if in day-to-day life in the West, Indianness gets accepted. And not just for Indian characters or settings but as a norm. Zendaya wore a saree in Mumbai but she could have worn it anywhere in the world and looked at home. When people will wear a sari-inspired piece or an India-inspired piece on a daily basis – that’s going to be the biggest thing for Indian culture. This is something I dream of and I really want to push for as a brand.
The best approach to achieving flawless, radiant skin every summer, spring, or winter is by using a highlighter. When used properly, a tiny bit of highlighter can make a huge difference. According to the finest highlighter makeup trends, the product can be used to a great extent to lift and brighten the entire face, giving it a dewy, lit-from-within aspect. It’s undoubtedly the simplest technique to give your skin the perpetually radiant shine that makes the face appear more youthful. From Janhvi Kapoor to Priyanka Chopra Jonas, the ladies of B-town have always been fans of this trend. Here’s how they are acing this look:
When used properly, a tiny bit of highlighter can make a huge difference.
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MARRIAGES ARE MADE IN HEAVEN, BUT THE WEDDINGS SURELY HAPPEN HERE. AND IF YOU’RE LOOKING AT MAKING YOUR SPECIAL DAY, THE MOST MEMORABLE ONE TOO BY OPTING FOR A DESTINATION WEDDING, THEN LOOK NO FURTHER. CASTLES OR BEACHES, MOUNTAINS OR DESERTS, HERE’S OUR PICK OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WEDDING DESTINATIONS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE THAT’LL MAKE YOUR DREAMS OF THAT FAIRY TALE WEDDING COME TRUE AND ALSO GIVE YOUR GUESTS AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME.
From beautiful beach settings to grand palaces, intimate desert backdrop and luxurious resorts, UAE offers a plethora of choices for the couples to wed. Also easy connectivity and excellent infrastructure make it one of the most preferred destinations.
If exotic royalty is what appeals to you, then it doesn’t get better than Rajasthan in India. A popular destination with tourists, it is a favourite with our Bollywood brigade too when it comes to saying their ‘I Dos’ with choices varying from Udaipur to Jodhpur. Priyanka Chopra got hitched to Nick Jonas and Katrina Kaif tied the knot with Vicky Kaushal here too.
Make your wedding an unforgettable experience not just for yourself, but your guests too. From vineyards to castles and classy rich luxurious resorts and hotels to intimate villas and garden spaces, you will be spoilt for choice here. With picturesque locales offering breathtaking views, our picks would be the Vrtba Garden, Augustine a Luxury Hotel Prague, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Prague, Hotel Nebozizek, Vila Richter, Lobkowicz Palace, among others. And if you move towards the Central Bohemia Region, you have Chateau Mcely, Penzion na Kmine, the Savoia Castle, Chateau Ratmerice, Farm Michael, and the Dobris Castle.
If vintage, luxury and old-world charm are the key words in your search, then Lake Como in Italy is all that and more. With the lake adding the romance to the old-style villas, this destination spells class and vintage regality.
If sun-kissed beaches and romantic little resorts are what you have on mind then Santorini should be on your list. Whether it’s a traditional church wedding, or a beachy fun wedding, a sailing ship or yacht, Santorini offers several wedding-perfect options. Add to that the most stunning views and idyllic spots, and you can see what makes it a popular destination.
TALKS TO AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE ABOUT SCORING A MILESTONE WITH GHOOMER AND REVEALS THE CHALLENGES OF PLAYING THE INSPIRING ROLE IN THE R BALKI DIRECTORIAL
Eversince her debut in the Rakeysh OmPrakash Mehra directorial Mirzya, Saiyami Kher has gone on to carve a niche for herself working with acclaimed filmmakers and acing her own roles in each screen outing. With versatile roles and power-packed performances in OTT series and movies alike including Anurag Kashyap’s Choked, Raj & DK’s Unpaused, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari’s Faadu, amongst others, the actress has now hit the ball out of the park with R Balki’s Ghoomer co-starring Abhishek Bachchan. The movie has gone on to wow both – the critics and audiences. In our exclusive interview, Saiyami talks about nailing her most challenging role yet and while revealing her love and passion for sports, shares the lessons learnt from being a sportswoman!
Are you usually nervous ahead of your film’s release?
My nervousness starts when I start the shoot and it ends when I end the shoot. But post that, it’s just like the excitement of the promotions and waiting for the people to watch the film. So, there’s more excitement there.
You have been getting such a tremendous response for Ghoomer. And while it’s special, it must’ve been challenging on a lot of aspects physically, emotionally with a lot riding on your shoulders as well? Well, it was obviously very challenging. Probably the most challenging role that I’ve done in my life so far. Physically, most certainly because I had to tie my hand up for 10 hours of the day with the prosthetic on; learn how to do everything with my left hand. But more than physically, I think it was emotionally extremely exhausting because I feel that was a tougher side to the role. There was a responsibility that came with the role because we are representing a section of society, I’m playing a differently abled character. So, I just feel that the journey of living this character really emotionally drained me and that was much tougher than the physical side of the film.
How was it working with Abhishek (Bachchan) again?
With AB it’s always so much fun. We’ve known each other for almost 4-5 years now and he is one of my most favourite co-stars because he’s somebody who makes it so easy, he’s just somebody who makes everybody feel so welcomed and so warm. So, just
being around him, you know you’re going to have a good day. He was joking about how Breathe was like a stepping stone towards us working on Ghoomer and I completely agree because it’s just that equation that we have to kind of build over a few years for us to do a film like Ghoomer. I think he’s really good in this film. When you talk about AB you talk about Guru, and you talk about Yuva and there are these certain films which will be the key films of AB’s career and I think Ghoomer is going to be added to that list.
And how was it working with R Balki?
He’s a film maker who always gives actors their milestone movies…
He’s somebody I’m extremely fond of and we get along at every level. I’ve been obsessed with cricket ever since I was young, and then I met Mr R Balki who is even more obsessed than I am. And he is the most non-filmi person I’ve met. His dry sense of humour really comes across in this film. He’s an absolute perfectionist and it’s always a challenge for people around him to match up to the genius that he is. But there’s so much to learn from the man because he’s one of the most intelligent people I’ve worked with. He’s somebody who is so aware of exactly what he wants. So even when he’s working with the senior Bachchan or working with Shabana Azmi or AB, he knows, and he has complete clarity on what he wants. He’s also one of the most sensitive directors I’ve worked with because he knows how vulnerable actors can be. So, he’s extremely
sensitive in that way. I can go on and on talking about him…
You have seen ups and downs in your career. So how has that struggle been for you viz-a-viz your character’s struggle in Ghoomer, even though they are in a very different space?
Ghoomer is a film which talks about coming up strong very time you’ve been down and out. I feel cricket is a backdrop of the film but predominantly the film is a triumph story about pulling yourself out or Paddy, AB’s character pulls me out of a dark phase that I am in, and I feel everyone in life goes through low point. With me in my career, I’ve gone through a lot of low points, but I feel there’s always something that pulls you out. For me it has been my closest school friends and my family who have always stood by me in support. And finally, it’s been sport that has kind of pulled me out of low points in my life. And I owe a lot to just basically being lucky enough to have played sports when I was younger. It kind of teaches you to deal will failures. It teaches you to forget what’s happened in your last game and practice harder for this game and work on yourself and perform better in the next game and that’s the philosophy which I’ve kind of used in my career as well. It’s that success and failure is not in your hands but working on yourself is in your hands. So, as long as you keep that in mind, you should be alright.
How did you train for it physically, how tough was that?
Actually I was shooting for a series called Faadu that I did. So, I used to kind of go for cricket. Also, I’ve played cricket
all my life when I was younger but obviously with my right hand. In the film I had to learn how to play with my left hand. So, I used to shoot for Faadu and then find an hour, hour and a half to go train after shoot. I was very fortunate, I got Murli Kartik who’s a left arm spinner to come teach me for a few days. Once your mind decides to do something physically, it can be done. So, I think it’s always about that mental battle because there’s nothing that your body can’t do if your mind agrees to doing it. Obviously it was very difficult but I had 3-4 months which I diligently went every day and practiced because knowing Mr R Balki and his ways, we didn’t have any body-double, we didn’t have any cheat shot so if there was a ball that had to pitch in a certain place and get the off stump then I had to do it because there were no cheat shots. We had like 20 broadcast cameras shooting the game. So, I think just living a life with one hand, living a life doing things with my left hand physically really helped me.
Ghoomer has certainly taken you on a very high pitch, so, how do you look back at your journey and your evolution as an actor? That’s very kind of you to say that. But I am just extremely grateful when I look back. Like I said, success failure is never in our hands but just being backed by names like Rakeysh Mehra in my first film, Neeraj Panday, Anurag Kashyap in my third film Balki in my latest film, they’ve just been names that I’ve worked with who I have really adored their work so to be associated with these names in itself, I’m extremely grateful. I would be very happy with some commercial
I’VE GONE THROUGH A LOT OF LOW POINTS, BUT I FEEL THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT PULLS YOU OUT. FOR ME IT HAS BEEN MY CLOSEST SCHOOL FRIENDS AND MY FAMILY WHO HAVE ALWAYS STOOD BY ME IN SUPPORT. AND FINALLY, IT’S BEEN SPORT THAT HAS KIND OF PULLED ME OUT OF LOW POINTS IN MY LIFE.
success as well because every actor also wants commercial success. But at the same time, I’m extremely grateful for what has happened in last 6-7 years. I just hope I continue to get exciting roles like these.
Your roles in Choked, Breathe, were all very different and there’s a lot of versatility you bring to the table. But now after Ghoomer, what are the kind of roles you’re looking forward to? Films like Choked and Ghoomer really spoiled me for choice because they are the best author-backed roles I could have asked for early in my career with Anurag backing me on Choked or Balki Sir backing me on Ghoomer. So, I obviously get greedy because I’ve done stuff like this that and I now want to keep doing more author-backed roles. But honestly, if the script works for me in totality, then I’d like to be a part of the project. I’ve done a film called Agni with Excel which will be up next. I’m playing a fire fighter in that film and again it’s very different. So as long as I get to play different characters, get to live new life, it excites me very much. But I really do hope that I get more exciting authorbacked roles like I’ve been getting in the past few years.
What are you like when not facing the camera?
I’m a very reserved person and I don’t party out. If at all I have free time, I’ll be running, training for a race, cycling or I’ll be going diving and trekking. So, I’m non filmi like that. I like to stay away from the parties and the networking. It doesn’t come naturally to me at all. I’ve been told that’s not the best thing. But my happiness is on the mountains and in the water so I’d rather be there. Finally, the journey that you need to have is of the fun in what you’re doing so if I’m not in front of the camera, that’s my most happy space when ‘action’ is called and I don’t even want the ‘cut’ to be called. I’m very happy when action is called but if I’m not in front of the camera, I’m pretty much outdoors.
IN CONVERSATION WITH AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE TALKS ABOUT HITTING HOME WITH GHOOMER AND REVEALS WHAT HAS CHANGED ABOUT HIM AS AN ACTOR IN HIS CINEMATIC JOURNEY OF OVER 23 YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY
The last time Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan teamed up with the acclaimed filmmaker R Balki, it was for Paa that went on to win the prestigious National Award. It was hardly surprising then to see the excitement of the two coming together for the sports drama Ghoomer. Needless to say, the duo, ably supported by the film’s lead actress Saiyami Kher, have hit the ball out of the park again. The film has been garnering much acclaim, and Abhishek is being lauded for nailing his role. The actor who has been showcasing his versatility with power-packed performances has raised the bar yet again with his gripping portrayal of the intense and layered character of an embittered one-match wonder Padam Singh (aka Paddy). This one is indeed among one of his finest yet. We caught up with the actor over a zoom call and in a candid chat, spoke about his stellar performances and his cinematic journey so far! Excerpts
Ghoomer has gotten such great response… It was already off to a great start when it got a standing ovation at the Indian Film Festival at Melbourne… Yes, that was really overwhelming and an emotional moment. It was the first time all of us have acted with so much entirety, so it was wonderful to share that at the festival in Melbourne and the love and appreciation that the audience gave us is something that we will surely carry in our hearts for a very long time.
What was the first thing that made you say a yes to Ghoomer? Was it Balki, you’ve worked with earlier and you guys make a great team, or was it the script per say? Balki and I keep sharing ideas of what we should do. And we do that regularly. And I guess, Ghoomer is the one that just clicked instantly. So, obviously when Balki said that he’s going to do something very different and unique and I liked where he wanted to take Ghoomer and the way he saw it, I found it very-very interesting. Coupled with him giving me a very interesting character to portray.
And how was it working with Saiyami? I have a wonderful working relationship with her. We’ve done two seasons of Breathe together. And now to do this, I mean this is a completely different character for her compared to what she did in Breathe and she’s an absolute revelation. She’s worked so hard, she’s so wonderful in the film. And I really do hope that she has all the success she
deserves.
What’s been your biggest takeaway?
Is there some part of the character or their traits that you tend to carry on as an individual too?
Not necessarily. I don’t think it’s necessary to take away something from a character all the time. Sometimes it’s just a character that you play. Sometimes it leaves an impact for a reason which we can never innumerate and sometimes, although a character may be very inspirational, you might not take anything back. So, I don’t think it’s imperative that something of a character lingers back. What I like about Paddy’s character, I mean he’s a not a very likeable guy, but what I like about it is that deep down inside I think he’s a very emotional person which he conceals under the many layers and his goodness by the end of the film comes out.
Did it come easy, playing a layered character like this? Nothing comes easy. You have to work hard for everything. We are very, very privileged if we get the opportunity to make films. And it’s never easy. It’s always difficult.
So, what do you look forward to in a role now, and has that criteria changed over the 23 years?
No, I think, the criteria is always the samewould you want to see this film? When you hear a script, the first thing you should ask yourself as an audience is, “Is this the film you would want to see?” And then next is like, “Okay, does the role inspire me enough to attach myself to it?” And these two criteria,
I don’t think they ever change. They’ve always been there, and I hope it doesn’t change.
How have the Fridays changed for you now? Like is there any nervousness, is there excitement ahead of the release?
There’s always going to be nervousness, you’re always going to be excited and nervous about it. I don’t think that ever changes. And also, I hope it doesn’t. I hope it carries on like this.
Does Ghoomer make it to the top, say one of your milestone movies in your repertoire?
That’s not for me to say. That’s for the audience to say. It doesn’t matter what I think. It matters what they think. So, I’m keen to know what they think.
So, for you how much of it makes a difference being a part of good, strong, contentbased movies vs the commercial trappings of the box-office?
I’m not sure I agree with that statement. We try too hard to classify films. There are only two classifications of films - a good film and a bad film! A good film is the successful show, and a bad film is a nonsuccessful show. It’s as simple as that. What the audience feels and says at the end of the day is of paramount importance and the only thing that actually matters. So, there’s no like ‘oh this is commercial cinema, this is content’. No. that’s not true. You see some of the biggest hits of all time in history have been immensely contentdriven. At the end of the day, the content is king.
23 years in the industry, how has the Abhishek Bachchan changed and evolved over the years?
I hope I’ve evolved; I hope I’ve improved.
Wetrytoohardtoclassifyfilms.Thereareonlytwo classificationsoffilms-agoodfilmandabadfilm!Agood filmisthesuccessfulshow,andabadfilmisanonsuccessfulshow.It’sassimpleasthat.
One thing I can definitely say is that there’s relatively more comfort in front of the camera. I feel far more comfortable in front of the camera. That would be the only change I think I would say right now. Well, it’s a constant work in progress, right? You’re never really that “finished product”. You always want to keep working on yourself and discovering newer things. But yes, I would definitely say that I think there’s a lot more comfort in front of the camera.
Any plans of foraying into direction?
I’ve never thought about direction. I don’t think I’m qualified to direct. First and foremost, the craft of direction is something I don’t know. I don’t have the strength. And I’m very happy to be in front of the camera right now. I’m really enjoy this phase of life in my career. Direction isn’t something that interests me right now.
What are your upcoming projects?
What next after Ghoomer?
Well, I have three films which are in advance stages of post-production so they should start rolling out pretty soon. One is this film that I produced (Hindi remake of Tamil film Oththa Seruppu Size 7), then there’s one film that I did with MA Entertainment directed by a wonderful new director called Madhumita (the Hindi remake of Tamil film KD). And Remo and I just completed a film couple of months ago called Be Happy and these few will be ready to release next. After the release of Ghoomer, I dart off for Shoojit Sircar’s film in the States
There’salwaysgoingtobenervousness,you’realways goingtobeexcitedandnervousaboutit.Idon’tthink thateverchanges.Andalso,Ihopeitdoesn’t.Ihopeit carries on like this.
WHAT BRINGS YOU TO DUBAI? Well, the PAD is celebrating its fifth anniversary since we started here and we’ve completed five years successfully. So, we’re here to celebrate the anniversary.
YOU HAVE BEEN A PIONEER OF PILATES IN INDIA AND YOUR FITNESS JOURNEY INTO THE INDUSTRY HAS BEEN ALMOST 30 YEARS...
Yes, I’ve been in the fitness industry for over 3 decades actually. 1992 was when I started teaching and Pilates has been over half of that time. So, I’ve been a Pilates instructor for almost 15 years.
WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU SEEN OVERALL IN THE INDUSTRY IN TERMS OF THE APPROACH THAT PEOPLE NOW HAVE TOWARDS FITNESS?
to debunk that myth. From that I moved on to Pilates and again it was quite difficult the first two years to explain what it was. I did have my celebrities who were doing it, but to help people understand, that did take time. In fact back then Katrina (Kaif) used to say Pilates was a lazy people’s workout. And now all Katrina does is Pilates! Very rarely do we weight train. But Pilates is something that she swears by.
SHE IS ONE OF THE MOST HARDWORKING AND DEDICATED ACTORS WHEN IT COMES TO FITNESS TOO…
She is. She is amazing. I love her. She has stuck by me for over 20 years.
Looking fit and fabulous, Yasmin Karachiwala clearly believes in practising what she preaches. A Pioneer of Pilates in India for nearly two decades, the much celebrated fitness instructor’s clientele reads like a list of the Who’s who of Bollywood, as well as leading industrialists, models, sports personalities, amongst others. We catch up with the star trainer in Dubai where she is celebrating the 5th anniversary of her fitness studio, PAD: Pilates & Dance. Excerpts
When I’d first started training 30 years ago, people were more into big workouts. After that I started step aerobics which was unique, and people really started enjoying because now we had a component of a little bit of strength with the aerobics, so it was like cardiovascular and strength together. And then I became a personal trainer. When I started weight training, the mindset was very different. Women didn’t weight train, as they thought they would start looking like men and we did our best
AMONG CELEBRITIES, WHO’VE BEEN THE MOST CHALLENGING ONES TO TRAIN?
Actually nobody. I’ve been blessed because everybody works out with me and come to me because I’m a nononsense person. So, when people come to me, they know that I’m not going to tolerate nonsense and all I mean is business and work and whatever. In fact, Deepika (Padukone) likes to travel with me and the other day she was like, ‘Let’s travel for one day’ and I was like take someone else and she said, ‘I can’t take anyone else because I’m not scared of anyone.
I’m only scared of you so that’s why even if I’m tired, I’ll work out because I know that you’ll sit on my head.’ So, I think that’s one thing that makes answerable to themselves and that’s why they stick around me.
HOW MUCH OF THE ENTIRE FITNESS FOR A PERSON IS THE DIET VERSUS THE WORKOUT? It goes hand-in-glove. I hate the word diet though. Nutrition is 70 per cent of what makes your body and exercise is 30. So, you may work out for one hour out of the 24 hours in day, but what you do for the 23 hours is going to shape how you look.
WOMEN OFTEN TEND TO PUT THEIR OWN FITNESS AT THE BACKSEAT. WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE TO THEM?
Love yourself Boss! Everyone is talking about loving yourself first. Cater to your needs first. Don’t just love yourself by buying yourself designer clothes and bags and shoes and going for lunches and dinners, but actual self-love comes when making sure that your health comes before everything else. So, exercise is great for your health and that’s the reason I think all of us should do it. If you don’t have time, start small. Nobody’s asking you to exercise for 1 hour
on day one. You can start with 10 minutes. In fact, I’ve written a book ‘The Perfect 10’ which is releasing soon and all it talks about is how important movement is and how much difference 10 minutes a day can make to your life. There are workouts for 10 minutes that you can do with full explanation and pictures. But I’ve gone a step beyond, and I’ve done QR codes. So, you scan the QR code, and you get to see the workout and workout with me. All you have to do is play that workout, get your shoes on and follow what I’m saying. I can’t emphasise enough on how important it is to give ourselves that love of health and fitness and nutrition.
BEING A CELEBRITY FITNESS TRAINER, THERE MAY BE SOME PEOPLE APPROACHING YOU WITH UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS, LIKE THEY WANT A BODY LIKE KATRINA’S OR DEEPIKA’S. HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THAT?
As an instructor it’s my job to show them the mirror and be upfront about its possibility. Like if somebody who’s 5 feet 2’ wants to look like Deepika Padukone, it’s not going to happen because they don’t have the height, their body type is different. So, then I make them understand that the goal should be to
look
WHAT’S YOUR TAKE ON DUBAI’S FITNESS SCENE? OF COURSE SUMMER CAN BE A REAL SPOILSPORT THERE. That’s why my book is really handy in this summer because there are workouts that you can do at home. And that’s why with so much pride I can say we’ve completed 5 years successfully of the PAD in Dubai because in a market that’s already saturated with fitness, we still managed to stand out. And that means we’re doing something right.
YOUR RULE FOR LIFE…
Be fit because you deserve it! I live by that.
Sweating doesn’t mean that you’re losing more weight. Sweating is just your body regulating temperature and you know your glands are letting out water to regulate the body temperature so that you don’t pass out.
Women cannot look like men even if they weight-train unless they inject themselves with testosterone.
Not every exercise is for everyone. All of us have to find an exercise that’s suited for us. Because fitness is not a destination, it’s a journey.
Thirst is not an indication that you need to drink water. Thirst means you’ve already gone too far and are already dehydrated.
It’s not the duration really, movement is important. It releases endorphins which are your feel-good hormones and which will help you battle stress. That will help you look and feel better.
IN AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE, THE ACCLAIMED FILMMAKER-ACTORSINGER FARHAN AKHTAR TALKS ABOUT HIS CONCERT IN DUBAI, ABOUT DON 3, AND REVEALS WHY EVEN AS A PRODUCER, THE ARTISTE IN HIM WILL ALWAYS BE AT THE WHEEL
How’s your headspace ahead of the concert in Dubai?
Been really looking forward to it. It’s been a long time since I played a concert in Dubai. Obviously, everything was shut down during the pandemic so we couldn’t come for the last 2-3 years. It’s been a while. So yeah, really excited. A lot of people have been messaging. And every time you play somewhere else there were always comments like ‘why not Dubai? It’s so close’. So here we are.
Yes, it was long due. So what can we expect at the concert?
It’s going to be a nice journey of music that will pretty much go all the way from Dil Chahhta Hai all the way till Toofan. So, the music from all the films that I’ve been in, or I’ve directed, or I’ve been associated with as an actor. So, there’re all the hits from there. Fortunately, we have a lot of popular music from all those films that is ingrained into audience’s psyche. Every time we’ve played, honestly, I feel that at times I could just hold the mic out and everybody could complete the song.
Being out there, performing LIVE on stage must be a different high altogether as an artiste?
It’s definitely a very different experience. More like, in the moment, sharing love with the audience, it’s an experience you don’t get when you’re working in the studio, or shooting a film on a set. Films take about 8 to 9 months to release, the album takes about 5 to 6 months, so, there’s this anticipation of how it will be received. But when performing LIVE, everything is happening in that moment and it’s absolutely incredible. You see so many happy smiling faces sending kind of positive love towards you on stage. And it is a give and take. The more you give, the more you get. So, it’s absolutely amazing.
As a filmmaker who’s been the front-runner when it came to ushering in new-age cinema, an actor who has raised the bar with his power-packed performances on screen, and a singer whose songs never fail to hit the right notes with the hearts, Farhan Akhtar is easily one of the most brilliant artiste in every sense of the word. So, which of these roles does he enjoy the most, I’m really curious and waste no time in asking! “It’s hard to pick which of the roles I enjoy the most, a filmmaker, actor or singer,” he admits candidly that he doesn’t have the answer to this even after so many years, as we catch up with the multi-faceted star ahead of his concert in Dubai. “Each one lets me express myself creatively, that’s all that matters,” he adds. Well, and we are not complaining, we tell him as he we plunge into our interview. Excerpts. Music and songs serve almost like these amazing memory and time capsules. They take you to places that you’ve kind of been to or maybe have forgotten about and remind you of moments.
And in a place like Dubai where the audience is a mixed bag, with expats from all over attending the concert… Well, the audience can be a mixed bag but their love for Hindi music remains the same. Wherever you come from. I mean you hear a song that you’ve heard at some point in your life, and it meant something to you, or you enjoyed it with your friends or family or your loved one and it takes you straight back and when you hear it again LIVE, it’s a different feeling altogether.
That’s what music does to all of us. Music serves almost like these amazing memory and time capsules. They take you to places that you’ve kind of been to or maybe have forgotten about and remind you of moments.
You’re a filmmaker, directorproducer, an actor, you dance, sing… and you have so many platforms
where you let out your creativity and I’m sure you’ve been asked this question many times. But what is most satisfying for you as an artiste?
Yaar! It’s very, very difficult to tell.
Yes, I’ve been asked this question ever since I started acting which was in 2008. It’s been 15 years trying to find
an answer, but I really don’t have one. I enjoy making movies, I enjoy acting in movies, and I love performing LIVE, I love singing songs when I can in my films as well. So, I mean, eventually what it does is, it serves as, all of it, on some level linked with forms of creative expression so it kind of serves the same purpose. Obviously, the experiences are different.
How do you as a filmmaker figure if you would want to playback or choose to let another singer do it… Is there a tussle as an artiste wanting to have a great number in your own discography, and similarly when it comes to choosing to play a role and directing too?
Every film, every song has a destiny of its own. Every piece of work that you get to do, you also get to collaborate with people who you respect, whose work you admire. So, I don’t stop to think of it selfishly in terms of ‘oh my god! I’m not getting to do that on screen.’ You have to be grateful in every given moment for everything that you can. And that’s
“…Everybody has their own reaction, and everybody is entitled to their own reaction. I’m nobody to tell how they should think, how they should feel. The only thing that I can hope from every person who decides to watch this film (Don 3) is that when they do go and watch this film, they have a great time because I’m going to make sure of one fact which is that the film is as entertaining as you would expect. That I’ll do.
how I approach it. So, even if I’m asked to do something, I won’t do it if I don’t feel connected, because there has to be honesty with every artist that performs. They really have to believe in what they are doing otherwise anyone could work. I just feel grateful when I’m asked to do something that I do.
So, besides the concert, what are your other upcoming projects that we can look forward to?
Well, we have a lot of stuff happening this year as producers, there’s really a lot. Made in Heaven - 2 just released. Then we have another show Bambai Meri Jaan, and Fukrey 3 up for release. Then there’s Madgaon Express which is Kunal Kemmu’s directorial debut that he’s also written and we’ve produced. It’s an absolute laugh ride. So that film would be releasing soon. Towards the end of the year I’ll be directing Don 3.
Of course and everyone is talking about Don 3 too especially about the casting of Ranveer
Singh instead of Shah Rukh Khan. Do you find it ironic that at one point the audience wants the filmmakers to experiment, to change tracks. But when filmmakers try to do something different, the same audience seems keen to pounce on the filmmaker for changing something that has worked earlier?
It’s not my place to tell the audience how they should think and how they should feel. Everybody has an emotional reaction, an emotional connection to something in a film or the film itself. So, whoever has felt whatever emotion, there are people who have been… some have been disappointed, some have been very excited. So, everybody has their own reaction, and everybody is entitled to their own reaction. I’m nobody to tell how they should think, how they should feel. The only thing that I can hope from every person who decides to watch this film is that when they
do go and watch this film, they have a great time because I’m going to make sure of one fact which is that the film is as entertaining as you would expect. That I’ll do. I’m going to be working, focusing on what I need to focus on, which is making a good, exciting and entertaining movie. And that’s what I hope people will feel.
You have been a frontrunner when it comes to heralding new age cinema and ushering in a change in the narrative. Do you see a dilemma as a filmmaker between making movies which are commercially viable and safe versus taking risks and making movies that come out of your conviction?
I personally feel that as producers, as actors, as directors, the choice is obvious if you consider yourself an artiste and not just a businessman. Everybody gets into any business with a different understanding that is not only about film. There are some people who do it just so they can have a job. But there are some people who get into it
because they are really passionate about telling a story. I’m of the belief that it’s important to try in my own way to keep pushing the envelope as a writer, as a producer, actor, director; to keep challenging myself. I have to keep doing that otherwise you stagnate. The world is not what it was when I made Dil Chahta Hai. It’s changed completely. So, for me to still think that ‘Oh I can still continue making films like I made 20 years ago’ is not going to happen. The language of cinema has changed, the attention span of the audience has changed. There’s constantly an evolution. We benefitted from it when we started and now, we have to be absolutely aware of the fact that now as time is moving on, the ones who will be able to sustain longer years, the one who will be able to tell stories for longer years are people who are willing to change and adapt and tell stories in a new way.
As the Deputy Curator of The National Aquarium in Al Qana, Abu Dhabi - Lewis Nigel Cocks’ unwavering dedication, innovative spirit, and commitment to marine conservation, has helped in elevating Marine education and conservation positively. The development of the enigmatic ‘Invasion of the Jellyfish’ display under his direction is evidence of his steadfast commitment and exemplifies the Aquarium’s dedication to creating engaging exhibits for everyone to enjoy. With this 33-year-old at the helm, The National Aquarium’s ‘Invasion of the Jellyfish’ has become a beacon of inspiration for both visitors and fellow conservationists.
Lewis’ commitment to conservation is further reflected in the Aquarium’s partnership with The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi.
“Our partnership with EAD is one of our most prestigious and important relationships. We have rescued over 800 sea turtles, and alongside EAD, we do not anticipate slowing down anytime soon. It has been a pleasure to make such an impact on the local wildlife with the EAD,” he tells us. We also talk about his journey from UK to the Middle East as he followed his passion for marine life that he has been pursuing since he was 14 and about being the Founder of Abu Dhabi’s first Underwater Hockey team. Excerpts from our exclusive interview with the young marine biologist:
Linkingmywholelifetotheoutdoorandnaturalenvironment helpsdissolvethework-playdivide.Iconsidermyworkwith themarineenvironmentjustasexcitingasmyextremesports.
Can you tell us about your journey from starting out in a local aquarium shop to becoming the Deputy Curator at The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi? Sure! I think it’s a great story of how one’s early passion can become a lifelong career. I used to turn up every weekend at this local aquarium shop and help out just as hobby without expecting payment from the age of 14. I loved working with fish so much, that I decided to enrol in a Diploma on ‘Ornamental fish management’ with Sparsholt College in the UK. Then I went on to do a BSc in Marine Conservation, became a Commercial Scuba diver, and then did a Masters in Aquaculture – basically I got stuck into every aspect of marine life, and by then I was only 21. It was a contact from Sparsholt College which finally led me to the Middle East when my career finally kicked off.
What inspired you to specialize in marine and aquaculture studies and pursue a career in the aquarium industry?
After experiencing all corners of marine and aquatic occupations, I finally knew that Aquariums was the path I needed to take. Being a competent diver, learning how important marine life is through conservation and the relevance of utilising aquatics as a global industry can
all nicely come together with Aquariums. Here you can work with underwater life closely, create adequate and amazing environments for all to enjoy, and give them a purpose to enable conservation efforts to be in effect.
With your extensive experience working in different countries, how did you end up in the Middle East and eventually at The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi? Through a good friend and mentor from Sparsholt College, I was offered a placement in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with a company that specialised in creating large aquariums for VIPs across the globe. I was lucky enough to help create those environments and was especially adamant that the aquariums were suitable for the inhabitants. Once making a name for myself in the Middle East, I had the opportunity to take my skills to Abu Dhabi in 2019.
Could you share some insights into your role in constructing and commissioning private and public aquariums, particularly in Saudi Arabia?
Working in some of the largest palaces in the world was an incredible experience. Especially when we were tasked to design state-of-the-art aquariums for the residences with no expenses spared. I was part of a team which designed, built, commissioned, and maintained these aquariums. Some
key projects included the largest cylinder aquarium in Jeddah Airport, a live coral reef aquarium aboard a 123m super yacht and aquariums commissioned by the current Saudi Arabian Royal family.
The Jellyfish Exhibition at The National Aquarium in Al Qana, Abu Dhabi sounds fascinating. Can you give us a glimpse into the unique aspects that visitors can expect to see in this ‘Invasion’ exhibition?
The Invasion of the Jellyfish display at the National Aquarium allows our guests to get up close to four species of jellyfish. Once immersed in our Jellyfish Invasion, our guests will have a chance to learn more about jellyfish and see them up close. Did you know, jellyfish are not actually a fish, but are more akin to corals and fall under the phylum Cnidaria which comes from the Greek words which means stinging nettles!
The exhibition is named ‘Invasion’ to reflect the sudden blooms of jellyfish. Could you elaborate on how the exhibition portrays this phenomenon?
Although each species differs slightly from phase to phase, the process of jellyfish reproduction is consistent
with seasonal changes. This is the reason why we have jellyfish invasions, as we tend to witness all the medusas forming simultaneously, for a small but intense amount of time. It really feels like they all come at once!
What challenges did you and your team face in setting up the ‘Invasion’ exhibition?
The key challenges when setting up a multitude of jellyfish exhibits is ensuring they have consistency. Due to their delicate tissue and natural reliance on ocean currents, we must ensure that a jellyfish exhibit is perfectly fine tuned so that the inhabitants do not get injured. A specialized aquarium known as a Kreisel is used which is perfectly rounded to avoid any corners or sharp edges. A Kreisel also has a finely adjusted water flow which allows the jellyfish to gently pulse around – too much flow and they spin out of control, too little and they will sink to the bottom. This flow balance also provides optimum conditions to ensure the jellyfish receive enough food! Conversely, we have a special species called the upside-down jellyfish. This species do not require the same flow as
the other species, but in fact spend their time on the bottom and upside down! This is so cool, and I urge everyone to come and see it for themselves.
How do you blend scientific knowledge with the goal of creating an engaging and educational visitor experience?
Due to my experience in aquarium design and construction, I feel I excel in the physical creation of exhibits, theming, and habitats. In order for this to look as natural as possible, which benefits both the fish and visitors, it’s important to have a scientifically accurate understanding on how things look in the wild. With regards to scientific knowledge, this industry allows us to gain valuable insight into the care and understanding of a large range of species.
You are also the Founder of Abu Dhabi’s first Underwater Hockey team…
I love being in and around water. And my hobbies are no exception. Aside
from scuba and free-diving, etc, I also run the largest Underwater Hockey team in the Middle East, which I founded only a few years ago. I played the sport at university back in the UK, and it is as crazy as it sounds. I invite any of your readers to look this sport up and give it a try if they dare. It is intense! I am also an accomplished rock climber, which again is outdoors. Linking my whole life to the outdoor and natural environment helps dissolve the work - play divide. I consider my work with the marine environment just as exciting as my extreme sports.
With the launch of the Jellyfish exhibition, The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi continues to expand its collection. How do you see this exhibition contributing to the overall experience for visitors?
The invasion of the Jellyfish is situated within The Nationals Aquarium Ocean Magic zone. This zone is fully immersive as visitors discover marine animals which have a little trick up their sleeve. Jellyfish which are infinitely floating as if they were hovering in space provide a hypnotic trance like no others. Once you discover the natural fascination of how a jellyfish moves, feeds and breeds, they then will give you one of the best photo opportunities on the National Aquarium Journey. The expansion of the Ocean Magic zone with the Invasion of the Jellyfish is another step in the right direction for the National Aquarium, which already exhibits the most diverse collections of animals in the region. Our vision to keep creating new and unique exhibits is to ensure we stay as a top choice destination within the UAE for all visitors.
Jellyfishwhichareinfinitely floatingasiftheywere hoveringinspaceprovidea hypnotictrancelikeno others.Onceyoudiscover the natural fascination of howajellyfishmoves,feeds andbreeds,theythenwill giveyouoneofthebest photoopportunitiesonthe NationalAquariumJourney
Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel created records when they first paired up in 2001 for the blockbuster movie Gadar: Ek Prem Katha. As Tara Singh and Sakeena in the Anil Sharma directorial, the two won over the nation and created cinematic history. The iconic action sequences, dialogues, music and above all the romantic chemistry and the magic the pair created on screen left fans asking for more. 22 years later, the lovable screen jodi along with their screen son Utkarsh Sharma reunited for Gadar 2 and the film has once again been smashing all records at the box office globally. Interestingly, this year also marks Sunny completing 4 decades in the industry, since his debut with Betaab in 1983. I met the stars in Dubai for an exclusive interview and you can gauge that the affection the two stars share comes from a genuine space of admiration and respect. “Sunny’s always babied me,” says Ameesha and Sunny chips in that now she’s just ‘a little bigger baby’! And as we carry on a fun conversation, the two talk about the magic of their screen chemistry, reigning hearts and the box office and most of all Gadar 3!
Gadar 2 has smashed all records! Had you imagined that it will actually surpass all expectations and to this great an extent?
Sunny Deol: I don’t know… I’ve just been so happy. One waits for something like this to happen and here it is… It’s a great high! As for surpassing expectations… I was very sure - either it will do nothing, or it will live up to Gadar. People just took it on, and owned it like they had done with Gadar. That’s why it took us so many years too. We wanted to make it when we were very sure of it. It’s been worth the wait. 22 years! What was the excitement like on the sets?
Ameesha Patel: When I stepped onto the sets, I never felt the distance from Sunny ever. My respect and admiration for him has been there from Day 1. So it just felt more magical and actually felt like we were frozen in time, like time has stood still and we just went from sets in 2001 to sets in 2020. In
fact a very interesting thing happened on the first day itself. While Sunny and I were having a conversation on the set, someone took a candid pic that I posted on my social media and our producers got zillions of calls saying, ‘why has your heroine posted an old picture of Gadar’. And they had to clarify that it was us currently! And everyone commented on how time has stood still for them. That was very encouraging that people had already loved even a candid photograph of us so much. And then of course when the song ‘Ud Ja Kaale Kaava’ released, that just cemented the love they had for Sakeena and Tara!
So what is the secret of that chemistry and the magic you create on screen? Is it Sunny and Ameesha, is it Tara and Sakeena?
Sunny: I think its Tara and Sakeena!
Ameesha: Sunny and I are very real in our lives. We are away from a lot of politics and we manage to keep our souls non-toxic. So that is the character of Tara and Sakeena too. So, till now that vulnerability
and innocence is there, and that makes people believe in our screen love story.
Sunny, you were already 20 years into the industry when you made Gadar, and Ameesha you were a rank newcomer. How has that equation changed now?
Ameesha: I think it was even more beautiful, and more magical this time around. We carry our experience now. But like I said, it didn’t feel like anything had changed between us, we share such great off-screen chemistry that onscreen is pure magic.
Sunny: It’s all just very beautiful you know. There’s genuine affection and respect and that’s what comes across when you see us on the screen, the camera captures what you are basically.
Ameesha: Yes, you can’t fake chemistry.
YouknowJamesBondgetsreplaced,andSuperman getsreplaced,butSunnyDeoldoesn’tgetreplaced. TherecanbenootherTaraSinghever!– Ameesha Patel
So, it’s like meeting best friends and just like taking off from where you had left?
Sunny: You see, I never look at who Sunny Deol is when I’m on sets. Rather I look at who the character is. That’s how I’m always. And Ameesha also did the same thing. So, it was basically the characters that were out there. And that’s what people love about us because they feel it’s so natural and it’s so real. Unless I don’t fit into the character, I don’t enjoy my work. And I think that’s what we did here. Again, we were Tara and Sakeena and that’s what we were behaving like and you know it was just natural. Jhagad rahe hain… so, it was not like over the years suddenly ki abhi itne saalon baad mil rahe hain to thoda aise baat karo…
Ameesha: And people actually say that you know, both of you are born to play these characters. We can’t imagine no one else in this lifetime having done this.
Absolutely. Sometimes it feels like some actors are meant for these particular characters…
Sunny: That’s what people make us believe after watching. We are just doing our job and we’re trying to live every film, the way it is required. Some films, the subjects are so strong… they connect so well with the people that they take it where they want it. It’s like a novel. Every novel wants
to be read by everyone, but there are some novels that just go way beyond, and I think that’s what Gadar is all about.
Is there anything about Sunny that has changed over the years? Anything that you were surprised about him?
Ameesha: Actually nothing in a negative way at all because he’s not that person. He remains just as shy as he was, which is the most endearing quality about him. His innocence is intact and it was just more magical being with him because we’ve had our history. I started working when I was a baby, and he’s always babied me.
Sunny: Now she’s a little bigger baby (laughs)!
Ameesha: Yes, he hasn’t stopped babying me, nevertheless.
This year has been particularly special for you… You complete 40 years in the industry, your son Karan’s gotten married and now you have given one of the biggest hits of the industry!
Sunny: I don’t know, I just feel so happy, especially with my son getting married and a daughter coming home. For me that’s my good luck charm I would say. We had been waiting for her because earlier there were so many sisters in the house, and all of them are married now, so suddenly there were just males. I’ve got two sons, Bobby’s got two sons…
everywhere there’re just guys (laughs). I was dying to have a daughter. And ever since she’s come, things have been nice. I’m very happy and thankful to the people and to the Almighty.
Ameesha even you have completed almost two decades. How do you look back at the journey?
Ameesha: I think there are life’s lessons learnt. You have to take success and failure both with a pinch of salt. Don’t let either affect you, just let them make you work harder. Learn from mistakes. And learn more from failures than from successes. So that has definitely been a journey and I think it helped my mind evolve as a human being a lot.
When you both came together on sets for the first time for Gadar 2, was there something that you both consciously had to work on?
Ameesha: Nothing. We hadn’t even had any sitting. Coming back together on the sets, it was like putting on Wonder Woman and Superman costumes and like… people really tease us about it and I tease him. I’m like you know Bond gets replaced, and Superman gets replaced, but Sunny Deol doesn’t get replaced. There can be no other Tara Singh ever.
So, is Gadar 3 already in the works? Your fans certainly want to see you doing more…
Sunny: Actually we will,
especially after all this response. Now I feel very strongly that we need to take it ahead. Because I’m always a believer of you know… bahut late hua lekin when you love some characters like when you watch Hollywood films or any other of your favourite films, I would want to see that character again. Critics don’t see it that way, but public sees it that way. And that’s the way it should be. I always run to the silver screen to get lost in their world and just enjoy that. Laugh. Cry. Get angry and get excited. That’s what the magic is supposed to be. That’s what public wants, and my connection has always been with the public and nobody else. So that’s the way I do my work and I move away. And when I have something, again come to the public and I move away. And that’s what it is, and I enjoy my work. I can work 48 hours if there are in a day. I can work as many hours as possible because it doesn’t tie me when I’m doing it because I love doing it, I just carry on, I enjoy it. And they say why don’t you age, and I say because I’m enjoying my work. I’m not fighting with it, I’m enjoying it.
You have given so many iconic characters to the industry. Will Tara Singh be right at the top?
Sunny: I think business wise it has been and in the public’s heart it has been, but every film has its own individual journey. And I’ve been fortunate enough to have done so many films over the years which have become iconic. One never thought they would become iconic, one doesn’t know that these are the dialogues people are going to speak, one has no idea about it. And I like it that way. I like to just do it and let’s see what happens. Rather than ‘oh I’m going to do something like this, and this will happen like this’. I’m not a believer of that because nobody knows what tomorrow is.
How has Sunny Deol changed from ‘83 to now?
Ialwaysruntothesilverscreen togetlostintheirworldandjust enjoythat.Laugh.Cry.Getangry andgetexcited.That’swhatthe magicissupposedtobe.That’s whatpublicwants,andmy connectionhasalwaysbeenwith thepublicandnobodyelse.So that’sthewayI
Sunny: Changed… I’ve just grown wiser, and more patient and somehow, I’ve got the energy to absorb whatever that’s come my way. I’ve had lot of pain, but I forget pain, I just remember the happy moments.
Ameesha: I think pain is a part of all our journeys. Life’s a leveller and when it levels it gives you so many pains.
Ameesha what has changed about you in these so many years?
Ameesha: Like I said it’s a journey that’s been through many peaks and valleys emotionally, financially, personally, in many ways. Career-wise as well. And like Sunny also said, you’ve seen a lot of pain, backstabbing, you’ve seen a lot of loved ones hurt you which you didn’t deserve. But a positive outlook and keeping the positivity alive, not getting cynical and toxic about it has brought us till this point. And you just learn from it. You learn from all that. You evolve as a person. The girl in me, the little child in me will never die. When they say describe yourself, I’m a child woman. But yes, the woman in me has mentally evolved a lot.
Is there nervousness ahead of a film’s release?
Sunny: Off-late with the way the process of filmmaking and releasing has become now, it
has brought everybody to do the film, then run for it, shout about it, go around everywhere. Suddenly it’s become such a burden onto you that you want it to be successful. Earlier you never did it that way. So, we have brought this liability on us which makes us anxious for that Friday. Though we can do nothing about it, but the anxiety seems to be up so much. Ameesha: And public perception too. Because there’s a presence of social media and like Sunny said the promotions. Earlier Friday release used to happen, and we used to already be in another city, in another country shooting for other films. Now it doesn’t work like that. So that’s really different.
Sunny: I was never a believer of that. But then I saw everybody do so much and so much, I said okay, that’s the only thing I haven’t tried and I said I’m going to carry on and do that.
Ameesha: When in Rome do as Romans.
Sunny: I’d do that because I’ve understood why it needs to be done. But yes, I’ll still prefer what it is… Our film is very organic and the people have taken it from wherever it is. I have nothing against critics, because that’s their job. But I feel that in this industry,
everybody wants to bring it down and they themselves are only surviving because of that industry. That’s the sad bitter part of the industry. There will be some people creating issues, getting films banned. And all this when there’s no censor on what gibberish is being talked on TV or shown on OTT. Nobody stops them. But it’s just one cinema where a man has spent hundreds of days, crores of rupees, so many families are living because of that, and they just want to bring it down. I just don’t understand the thought process of the people but I suppose that’s what makes the whole world. All these kinds of people together make the world.
Yes, there are hundreds of lives and their livelihoods getting affected by every single film that goes out there…
Sunny: And some people feel that they can speak anything. Ameesha: And every bystander has an opinion and everyone thinks they have the right to comment even if they are not aware of the subject. I’ve sat in groups and been a silent bystander to hearing people having these discussion ‘arey ye to khatam ho gaya’ and I’m trying to look at them and telling them, ‘you’re unknown, you haven’t even achieved one iota of these
people and what gives you the right to pass a judgement on their future.’
Sunny: Sometimes I think about these people and I wonder whether he’s got a very boring life, or he’s got a horrible life for him to talk so negative. I don’t know why they do it? But it doesn’t bother. I’ve always been a person who says that my work will speak even if it’s not doing good today, it’s going to be watched and it’s going to go into the minds of the people and next time they’re going to say I want to watch this actor, I respect him because his that film was good. So, it is your work which is going to speak. So, that is the confidence every actor should have, every technician should have. Because there’ll be people messing it up and we cannot change the world and shouldn’t destroy ourselves trying to change something. We should just live our life. Life is to be lived and enjoy.
And your work has spoken louder than anything else...
Sunny: Because we’re not doing something like ‘oh now this is done like this, this is so beautiful’. I mean cinema is an instinctive feeling. You see something, you laugh, you enjoy, there’s no calculation to it. That’s how we live. And you don’t like anything which is perfect because it is boring.
domyworkandI move away.
–SunnyDeol
IN CONVERSATION WITH AAKANKSHA NAVAL-SHETYE TALKS ABOUT HER CAPTIVATING PORTRAYAL OF ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC CHARACTERS IN INDIAN CINEMA – ANARKALI - AND REVEALS WHY SHE HAD INITIALLY TURNED DOWN THE ROLE!
There’s a unique exquisiteness to her beauty and an ethereal appeal that made Aditi Rao Hydari the perfect choice to play the iconic role of Anarkali in Zee5 Global’s celebrated series Taj: Divided by Blood And the acclaimed actress captured both - the vulnerability and the strength of her convictions - with aplomb in the historical series. In fact, the actress exudes a regal charm that makes her a preferred choice for playing royalty. However, the actress has always showcased her versatility on screen be it in Bollywood, South or the OTT From Padmaavat to Kaatru Veliyidai to Jubilee , amongst several others, the actress has always made an impact We caught up with Aditi in Dubai for a candid chat where she talks about taking on the iconic role and reflects on standing by her professional choices
You brought Anarkali to life beautifully in Taj: Divided by Blood. How was it preparing for an iconic role like that?
You know I had initially said no multiple times, because I was shooting in Chennai and Vizag simultaneously and I had my hands full. But the makers just refused to take a no for an answer. And I feel like that’s all destiny somewhere and I finally agreed and glad I did. Honestly, when I was shooting, I didn’t feel that kind of pressure. It’s very easy to make Anarkali into this tragedy filled ethereal wounded girl. But she was more than that and I wanted to explore it with a slightly different perspective. So, I just had a very honest discussion with the team and shared what I felt. I was like if they accept, it’s okay and if they don’t that’s also fine. It’s my job as an actor to breathe life into their vision and I was like - there is a girl
who has been locked up since she was 12. She still dreams of love, of freedom. She still believes and hopes for a better life and a free life. And when she falls in love, she falls in love with so much conviction even though she knows she would get the worst punishment. She still stands by it. A girl like that is very courageous and fearless. So, I said, there’s no point at which I want her to be looked down upon because if the emperor has wronged me or has locked me up, it is not my fault. So, I will never show shame in my eyes. And I felt it was so important for her to stand solid for the truth. So, I enjoyed doing that. A lot. And when working on my lines and during promotions, you realise and it again hits you that it’s an iconic part, performed by an iconic actor. Like Madhubala
THERE HAS TO BE A SORT OF ‘CHAAH’ TO LIVE THE LIFE THAT YOU WANT TO LIVE AND MAKE THE CHOICES THAT YOU WANT TO MAKE. AND I FEEL THAT IS WHAT EMPOWERMENT MEANS TO ME. TO MAKE CHOICES, TO AUTHENTICALLY LIVE BY THEM AND TO BE COMFORTABLE WITH THEM. TO ME THAT IS BEING FEARLESS...
Ji is so beautiful, so iconic and Mughal-e-Azam is iconic, and it should never be touched again. But then here again it’s another perspective. And somewhere I feel destiny and possibly her blessings made sure that people actually liked it and gave me so much love for it.
You have brought a lot of grace and dignity to the character. Like you spoke about Anarkali being fearless, as an actor you’ve also made some brave choices. Does that come out of your inner space?
Yes, I think so. Because seemingly, at least to the world, people keep saying, ‘Oh she’s so delicate, fragile’. People say whatever they have to say which is okay. Maybe it’s because of the way that I look and speak. But
I feel that they are not two mutually exclusive things to have and you can show courage in many ways. You don’t have to shout and scream or outwardly show rebellion to have your convictions and stand by them. There has to be a sort of ‘chaah’ to live the life that you want to live and make the choices that you want to make. And I feel that is what empowerment means to me. To make choices, to authentically live by them and to be comfortable with them. To me that is being fearless and in my own way, I think I’ve done what I believe and what I want to do and being as authentic in my choices as possible. But I will say that there have been people around me and
I can imagine. It was a dream to be a Mani Ratnam heroine. And then when I worked with him, I realized that this is how I always want to work, where your work environment is a combination of nurture and challenge. And you can be a fearless little kid on set and your directors give you that space to be that. So, I think it’s not about being snooty and saying no or people use the word picky. But I’m like, you want to be your
IT WAS A DREAM TO BE A MANI RATNAM HEROINE. AND THEN WHEN I WORKED WITH HIM, I REALIZED THAT THIS IS HOW I ALWAYS WANT TO WORK, WHERE YOUR WORK ENVIRONMENT IS A COMBINATION OF NURTURE AND CHALLENGE. AND YOU CAN BE A FEARLESS LITTLE KID ON SET AND YOUR DIRECTORS GIVE YOU THAT SPACE TO BE THAT.
directors around me who have really nurtured me through that process. Yes, your journey might be tougher, but it will be something that you can be proud of. Aren’t we a sum total of the decisions that we make? That is what makes us who we are and whatever it is that people see and what it is that we stand for. I think it’s really important to be true to yourself.
Where do you draw that strength from to stick by your convictions and be passionate about what you want to follow and just go for it?
I think at the beginning it starts with family, to have a really super solid family. And you learn
by example, so you see people around you who are exemplary, who also live like that, who are also so courageous in their choices. But at the same time, there is an artistic side to them and then you realise that these are not two mutually exclusive things, and you don’t have to choose one or the other. So, I think first it stems from family and then it also then stems from just accepting yourself for who you are.
How has the criteria of saying a yes or a no to projects changed over the years?
I just want to look forward to going to set every day. For me, working with Mani Sir (filmmaker Mani Ratnam) really changed my life in every way that
best self for the people. You want to give more than your 100 per cent and you want to do that with your full heart and soul, and I think I can only do it when I truly love and respect the people that I’m working with and when I feel like I can learn every day on set. So, for me, I’m a director’s baby. And that is the first thing I look at - I want to be on set and breathe life into the vision of this director. And that’s where it starts from honestly and it just so happened that I’ve done more of what people say, intense kind of love stories. So, it doesn’t mean that I don’t like a fun comedy, or I don’t enjoy watching Pushpa I enjoy watching that also. But I have to get that kind of stuff for me to say yes. I think every good thing that has come my way, I have said yes to. And the things that I haven’t done, haven’t actually turned out so good. So, it’s fine.
IF YOUR LIFE HAD A THEME SONG, IT WOULD BE?
I love ‘La Vie en Rose’, then I love ‘Moon River’...
ONE SUPERPOWER YOU WISH YOU HAD. Magic. If we have magic, we can do everything.
IF YOU COULD BE ANYONE IN HISTORY, YOU WOULD BE? Well as an actor, it would be Audrey Hepburn.
ONE THING THAT NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT YOU. I have dimples on my shoulders. I can do a headstand. There are many things that people don’t know about me. And also, there are many things that I don’t know about myself that people know about me. That’s the interesting part.
WHAT’S THE WAY TO WIN YOUR HEART? Make me laugh and feed me good food.
YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL? A Unicorn.
IF YOU COULD GO ON A DINNER DATE WITH ANYONE, IT WOULD BE… Satyajit Ray and being a greedy actor, I’ll ask him to make a film for me. And I’ll make sure that film goes to Oscars.
HOSPITALITY BY CONCEPT BY POWERED BY
Arshad Warsi loves pushing the envelope. Thanks to Asur, he has finally escaped the clutches of being tagged as a comic actor. He shares the glad tidings with
Tanisha Bhattacharya
Arshad Warsi believes he has been fortunate to have dabbled in multiple genres. While his role as Circuit in Munnabhai M.B.B.S. remains fresh in public memory even now, he has sort of reinvented himself as a serious actor in the hit OTT series Asur. The series was hailed for its unique story, which mixed a proper police procedural with mythology. He has gained a new set of admirers through his role in the series, that of Dhananjay Rajpoot, a sleuth struggling with his past. It’s his most sombre role yet, and season 2 of the series has been hailed as being even better than its predecessor. But Arshad hasn’t said goodbye to comedy. He will also be seen in Welcome 3 and in Jolly LLB 3, where his comedic genius is sure to take precedence. He’s currently enjoying this phase of being the flavour of the season again and hopes that the good run continues for a long, long time. Excerpts from an interview where he shares both his euphoria and his sense of humour.
How much do you miss being Circuit from the Munnabhai series?
Circuit is not my favourite character; it is everyone else’s favourite character. My favourite character is Babban from Ishqiya He is a very uncouth character.
I like Circuit, but given a choice, I would like to play Babban as an actor. I would love to play Circuit for my fans, of course.
Are there moments when Sanjay Dutt and you sit and recall those days of working on Munnabhai MBBS? We talk about it all the time. It is a cult favourite. When Sanju and I come together, something strange happens. Some weird chemistry makes us push the envelope. Even if we are not playing Munna and Circuit. That is because of Raju Sir; he has just made these characters who have settled in people’s hearts. So every time people see us, they just feel warm and nice.
You’ve been stereotyped as a comic actor and then something like Asur comes in, which changes the whole paradigm. It is easier to compartmentalise people; it makes our lives easier. There are people who do comedy; there are others who do serious work; these are the ones who do drama,
I DIDN’T HAVE THE DATES FOR ASUR. TANVEER, WHO WAS THE PRODUCER THEN, WANTED ME TO HEAR IT. I AM NOT KIDDING. WHEN I HEARD THE NARRATION, I COULDN’T GET IT OUT OF MY HEAD. I GAVE UP A BIG SHOW AND A LOT OF MONEY FOR THIS
then romance and then action. So making yourself available in all the boxes is tough. Few actors have managed to do that. Fortunately, you can rely on me for comedy, serious drama, or anything else. It is a nice place to be. Kabeer Kaushik took me to Sehar, and Shashanka Ghosh took me to
WaisaPart Two, which was a satirical comedy and a serious film. Sehar was also serious and there’s one more that is going to come out very soon, on another crazy level. It is insane.
It’s rare to find season 2 of a series surpassing season 1, and Asur has done that. What do you have to say about that?
I wanted the show to go a certain way. I was aiming for season 1 to be a certain way and season 2 has to be 10 times multiplied by that. The thrill, conspiracy theory and unpredictability have to reach another level. So in my head, I was aiming for that. Every time I would hear a version, I would be like, ‘I know this is going to happen now, and that will happen now.’ It has to be more unpredictable. It has to be crazier. We did what we could. You do your best and hope the audience likes it and they did, so I am happy. Your character, Dhananjay, in Asur, is totally unpredictable. I loved that. In thrillers,
it is so much fun. Like right now, I am going through a script, and it is so much that, as a character, you are thinking something and as an audience, you are trying to figure out what it is. Fans were so involved that they all came up with their theories. The fun part is that this character is one of the rare ones who is right and wrong at the same time. It’s complex and I love the madness.
Did you like your character’s evolution in the series from Season 1 to Season 2?
Oh yes, I think the beauty is that there is growth, madness and a certain edginess, which in a sense is the best aspect of the character. If they make Season 3, it can be exploited further Because right now, he is one guy who is not all black or all white. He is just well-balanced. So yes, from Season 1 to Season 2, it has evolved and has the scope to shock people.
The series combines technology and mythology. It must be challenging to play such a role. Funnily, I didn’t have the dates for Asur. Tanveer, who was the producer then,
and science. Nobody realises, but when you talk about mythology and science, India is number one. Some of the brainiest people in the highest positions are Indians. These are two fields that we are familiar with and good at. Now that you have put them together, it is exciting. It is hard to do but exciting and these people pulled it off.
Would you say the response to your web show is the best that you have received? I have gotten plenty of good responses for various works that I have done. It’s hard to say just one thing. But in most of the work I have done, people have loved the film or the series. I’ll tell you a story. I met a lady and she just thanked me. I said you’re welcome, but I have no idea why you are thanking me. And she said that I helped her deliver her baby and I was like, ‘What are you saying?’ So she said that she was pregnant, and her delivery date kept being postponed. And then she watched Munnabhai and she laughed so much that she delivered the baby that day. It has had a certain impact on me. That is one crazy memory I have. Touchwood.
Tell us we are getting Asur 3 soon.
I hope so. Like I said, it is not easy to write this show. To beat season 2, they have to work really hard. So until they have a good script, there’s no point.
somehow, gotten into serious cinema. I mean, a couple of things that are going to be released are so serious. Maybe because OTT mostly has this kind of stuff. It’s all about cops, gangsters and murderers; that is what is happening. The other day I did a photoshoot kind of thing for Welcome 3 with Akshay, Sanjay, and me. It is going to be insane.
How do you do a comedy like Welcome 3 with someone like Akshay Kumar?
serious film, before and after the cut, I am just cracking up. I am either pulling someone’s leg or I am cracking a joke and we are all laughing. Then cut to action; I am very serious. It was all fun. I would give Akshay a line, then he would make a comeback and vice versa.
What does an off day in Arshad Warsi’s life look like?
wanted me to hear it. I am not kidding. When I heard the narration, I couldn’t get it out of my head. I gave up a big show and a lot of money for this. I enjoyed doing it. Apart from the excitement of the show, I liked the script, how it happened and all the chaotic things that were happening. What I truly liked was the merging of mythology
You have sequels to Dhamaal and Golmaal lined up, which are all cult favourites; how does it feel to be one of those characters that has to be retained?
I love it. Because they trust the character. This guy will make me laugh. What has happened in the last couple of years is that I have suddenly,
There is Akshay, Johnny Lever, Ahmed, who is directing it, Faraaz, who is writing it and there’s me. All the mad people are there. Sanju also has the potential to go mad. It is fun, but it will be a mad trip.
You’re also doing Jolly LLB 3 with Akshay?
I’ll tell you, when I do a
When I am not working, I like to sit and do nothing. I like going to Goa; I drive. I like to hang with my kids; they don’t hang with me, of course. So when I am not working, the thing that rejuvenates me is being in the company of my wife and my kids. Whatever little time I get with them. They are all everywhere. I get to see them once every two days, but that’s good enough.
WHEN SANJU AND I COME TOGETHER, SOMETHING STRANGE HAPPENS. SOME WEIRD CHEMISTRY MAKES US PUSH THE ENVELOPE. EVEN IF WE ARE NOT PLAYING MUNNA AND CIRCUIT
CHECK OUT THE CELEBS WHO DROPPED BY AT THE DANUBE PROPERTIES OFFICE IN DUBAI
Your photography style seems real and personal. I began this White T-shirt series thing many years ago because I wanted to shoot headshots of Abhay Deol and he wanted to work in LA and New York. I did not know what headshots were, so I just googled them. And then I saw Hollywood actors and their head shots – just a plain and simple white T-shirt. And then there’s no hair and makeup. It’s just a simple picture. So then I started doing this on every shoot. It’s like a nice warm up shot. I don’t direct
Ace photographer Rohan Shrestha has made a name for himself globally by shooting international celebrities. He talks to Rupsha Sen about his journey
Rohan Shrestha literally grew up in the lap of celebrities, as his father, Rakesh Shrestha, was one of their favourite photographers. Rohan has taken his father’s legacy further by not only emerging as the go-to photographer when it comes to Indian celebs but also international luminaries. He’s shot the likes of Leo Messi, Kevin Hart, Jason Momoa, Sofia Vergara, and Manchester City FC as well. He’s known for his black-and-white series, which has become something of a trademark of his. Presenting excerpts from an engaging interview with the talented photographer...
them during this. I just tell them to be themselves. I was just doing it for fun, until somebody came up to me and told me, “Oh, you know, this series that you’re doing this black and white stuff and all. It’s so nice, you should keep doing it.” And I was like, “Yeah, actually, why not?”
That man was Jitesh Pillaai. I shot my first cover with Filmfare in 2010. I shot Ranbir Kapoor right after Wake Up Sid! It changed my entire career. The cover put me on the map and my career took off from there. It has gotten me where I am now.
Indian actors are headlining brands internationally. Alia Bhatt is the face of Gucci. Deepika Padukone is the face of Cartier. Ranbir Kapoor is the face of Tiffany. So why shouldn’t we take advantage of that?
So why black and white specifically?
Black and white photos are timeless. I want to have a fairly long career in this business. As long as I am relevant, I will keep shooting this series. What started happening is that over a period of time I’m shooting an actor in the series at 21, 26, and then at 31 and 36. There’s an age progression through my series as well. The opportunity to have photographs of Aamir Khan in his Mangal Pandey, look—I was shooting him for some other advertisement and he agreed to do my series.
How was your experience shooting with Messi?
Messi is my ideal. Messi is my God. My love for football is above my love of photography and I’ve never actually said that in public. Messi,
for me, was a dream come true. But I never made any plans for it. It was just a fantasy. There’s a company out of the UAE that I have been working with regularly. They called me and they were like, “Would you be interested in shooting Messi?” And I was like, “So, what do you need? A kidney? I have no problem.” They laughed and said I was going to be paid for it. When I went there to shoot, I was so nervous. Once he came on set, it was so easy because then it was the photographer in me that took over. He posed for the series as well. He is the greatest athlete of all time, and I am his biggest fan. So for me, as a human being and as a photographer, shooting him completes a journey.
You recently also shot with
Manchester City and it was a very high-stakes campaign; it couldn’t have been released if they hadn’t won the treble... Sometimes these things just work themselves out. I shot Messi before the World Cup. And I was convinced that he was going to win it. It’s the same thing for Manchester City. They had two more finals left to play, and I’m this guy from Bandra telling these players that you have to hold up three fingers and they’re asking me. “Why?” I’m like, “In case you win the treble.” Players are always afraid of jinxing things. I had to convince them a lot before they agreed. I was praying they won because otherwise, my campaign and all those images would just never work out.
How was it like working with Kevin Hart?
Kevin Hart was the
easiest for me in terms of communication because I am a sports freak and so is he. He supports the team from Philadelphia and I used to live in New York, so I support the New York Giants. I happened to tell him I’m a Giants fan. We started talking about sports; it’s such an easy way to just break the ice. I knew his playlist; I did a little bit of research before my shoots. Overall, he was quite chilled. He just turned up on a private jet, did the shoot and bounced out in 15 minutes. It’s insane, right? These guys are living in a different world.
What are your upcoming
international projects?
I have shot Jason Momoa and Sofia Vergara. I haven’t released the pictures yet, but I will.
How was it shooting with them?
Jason is extremely intimidating to look at. It’s like the guy could eat me for breakfast. He’s so huge, I had to shoot wider to get him in the frame. There were no plastic bottles allowed on the shoot. He’s so environmentally conscious. The food that we were all given was in disposable, reusable and recyclable boxes. And that was his mandate. He was playing around with the crew, high-fiving everybody and just making sure everyone was happy.
You’ve gained much recognition for your work internationally. So what do you believe sets your photography apart? Honestly, I don’t think there’s a lot that sets my photography apart because I don’t do complicated work. I try to look for the simplest kind of imagery most of the time. If you see my work, it’s more portraiture. It’s a lot of black and white, and there’s not a lot of paraphernalia. When I’m not doing
Messi is my ideal. Messi is my God. My love of football is above my love of photography and I’ve never actually said that in public
photography, I’m scuba diving somewhere in the world. So it’s about discovering myself and discovering new avenues for myself. That there’s no end to stopping learning.
You’re also into nature photography. It is my outlet. In our industry, sometimes we get so caught up. There’s so much happening all the time. There’s so much noise.
When do you get the time to disconnect?
Travel has always been my inspiration. I go out there, and I’m disconnected from this version of myself and I’m finding the other version of myself the person who just loves taking photographs.
How do you think your journey has affected the photography community in our country?
The younger generation is supremely talented. I look at their work, and I’m think,“I wish I could work like that.” Getting a work visa has always been an issue for us. But the world is looking
at India differently today. Indian models are headlining campaigns all over. Indian actors are headlining brands internationally. Alia Bhatt is the face of Gucci. Deepika Padukone is the face of Cartier. Ranbir Kapoor is the face of Tiffany. So why shouldn’t we take advantage of that? And put ourselves on an international map.
You work across different cultures; how do you ensure that your photography resonates with both Indian and international audiences? There isn’t that much of a difference anymore. Sure, in terms of outfits, there would be a difference, like a Valentino gown versus a Sabyasachi lehenga. But at the end of the day, like I said, our visuals are stunning. You’ve got guys coming here to shoot in Rajasthan, as they love that sort of landscape. We’ve got everything in this country way better than most places in the world.
Bollywood vs. Hollywood shoots: what are the differences, and what do you prefer?
For my shoots abroad,
the budgets are huge. You get a day to set up lighting. So you are so prepared by the time a Messi or a Kevin Hart comes on the set. There is a stepby-step procedure for every single shot. Now, obviously, that doesn’t leave a lot of room for us to play around a lot, but otherwise, it’s extremely precise. It saves a lot of time. Over there, they’re working in dollars, so the costs are way higher. Over here, I feel like we allow a lot more movement. For instance, if I’m shooting with Ranveer Singh, even if it’s a brand shoot, he’ll have his own input. He’ll go beyond the brief. So as much as I love international work, there are limitations in terms of how precise it is.
What would be your dream celebrity or public figure to work with?
Mr Bachchan. I have worked with him once, but it was such a long time ago and I really want to put him in my series. From an athlete’s perspective, I would love to shoot Michael Jordan.
Singing Legend Asha Bhosle celebrated her 90th Birthday with an intimate post-concert bash at her restaurant Asha’s that was attended by the family and close friends of the powerhouse singer! It was a vibrant and fun celebration reflecting Asha Tai’s own zest for life! Clearly a Wonder Woman, she even stayed on with the guests as late till 2 am, even joining them for some impromptu singing. Sudesh Bhosle, Zahrah S Khan, Jackie Shroff, Padmini Kolhapure, Poonam Dhillon, Anmol, Sara Tendulkar, joined the star and her family for the cake cutting. Sudesh Bhosle’s daughter Shruti too brought in her birthday! Check out the highlights of the super special celebration!
Vice Chairman of Danube Group, Mr. Anis Sajan aka Mr. Cricket UAE organized a special screening of the India-Pakistan match of the Asia Cup 2023 at his residence. As the two countries faced off each other
on the cricket pitch in Sri Lanka, the fans of the two teams and influencers came together at this unique ‘Do Desh Ek Jaan’ themed bash that promotes sportsmanship spirit! With a live band, naach-gaana, flag painting and live food counters, it was a true celebration of the game!
The city of Dubai was treated to an evening of fashion extravaganza as Ms. Shabnam Kassam, the Director of Danube Welfare Center and Founder of Alish Apparel, unveiled her latest collection at the prestigious Taj, JLT. The event, orchestrated by the adept hands of I Catch Management Event organized by Ms. Neha Silva & Ms. Saumya Sahay, shimmered under the spotlight, proudly sponsored by Danube Properties. Dignifying the evening with his presence was the esteemed Mr. Rizwan Sajan.
The creative visionary behind Alish Apparel, Ms. Shabnam Kassam took center stage to present a collection that exemplified her dedication to style that intertwines seamlessly with social responsibility. The runway glittered with her latest collection, a testament to her creative prowess. As the lights dimmed on this spectacular event, the echoes of elegance, empowerment, and enthusiasm lingered in the air
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Denzel Washington reprises his role as retired US Marine and former DIA officer Robert McCall in the third and the final installment of the hit action thriller.
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