Stardust October 2020 issue

Throwback: The iconic late Sridevi’s story retold in her own words

OCTOBER 2020 India ₹ 75.00 UK/Europe € 3.99 USA/Canada $ 2.99

A MAGNA PUBLICATION

Called

“Dirt” “Filth” “Scum” “Druggies”…

Bollywood strikes back!

“Right now the entire scenarios being played out in the media is obviously for TRP ratings because nothing sells better than Bollywood.”

- Raveena Tandon “Getting trolled is the last thing that will bother me.

Rhea is my friend and I will support her” - Saqib Saleem 1

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Publisher Editor Head of Business Development Graphics Designer

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We have several new exciting things – from great articles, interviews, candid pictures and interactive competitions with great prizes in the offing, so watch this space for more…

COVER STORY

Bollywood strikes back! ...........................................................................................................................................11

IN FOCUS…

“When you are passionate about your work, every difficulty becomes a challenge and ultimately, hard work pays.” – Bud Patel ..................................................27

COURT MARTIAL

“Right now the entire scenarios being played out in the media is obviously for TRP ratings because nothing sells better than Bollywood.” -Raveena Tandon ......................19 Get Snappy: “Rhea is my friend and I will support her, defend her always.” –Saqib Saleem .........................31 Get Snappy: “Just because my parents are in the industry, I did not take acting for granted!” - Shriya ......35

CLOSE UP

“I’m an actor and as an actor, the medium doesn’t matter. I go there and act.” – Iqbal Khan ...................... 39

BLAST FROM THE PAST: Penned by the late Sridevi

............................................................................69

FEATURES

Music Room: Shannon K .......................................................................................................................................57 Star Style: Shantanu and Nikhil ...........................................................................................................................53 Starry Look: Ojas Rajani .........................................................................................................................................65

COLUMNS

Neeta’s Natter ........................................................................................................................................................03 Wild Encounter: Romil Chaudhary .......................................................................................................................43 My Fave Things: Celina Jaitly ................................................................................................................................63 Starry Sashay .........................................................................................................................................................49 Stardust On The Go ..............................................................................................................................................51 STARDUST is published monthly by the proprietors MAGNA PUBLISHING CO. LTD., Magna House, 100/E Old Prabhadevi Road. Mumbai 400025, India. Tel No: 91-22-67091234. Editorial texts and illustrations are the copyright of the publishers of this magazine. No one may reproduce any material before permission is obtained in writing.

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Thank God, Shah Rukh Khan has finally come out of hibernation. Agreed, it was lockdown time but the very witty SRK was totally gayaab even on social media. But recently, SRK was spotted at the Sharjah Stadium having a serious father-to-son conversation with his son Aryan, while watching the IPL cricket match between his team Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challenger’s Bangalore. Passing on pearls of wisdom on what not to do in Bollywood or cricket, we wonder?

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They say the industry is cutthroat and ruthless and relationships are mostly fake. But that’s not exactly true. Our gorgeous Kat put up a post for the bohemian Zoya Akhtar on her insta story calling her “super supportive soul sister and friend”. Knowing Katrina, she definitely meant it as she is known for her blunt remarks that have most of the other actors fleeing for cover.

So if we are talking about the beautiful Kat, we definitely have to speak about our fave – the Sultan. Did you know Salman was not the first choice to be Prem in the iconic film Maine Pyar Kiya? Supposedly Sooraj Barjatya had auditioned Vindoo Dara Singh. Piyush Mishra and Deepak Tijori too for it too. Thank God, he picked Salman otherwise the film would have definitely been Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya?

By the way, talking about Salman Khan, get ready for another new avatar. He’s all set to debut on Youtube as Being Human. I guess all the new-fangled Youtubers will be blown away by this heavy weight competition.

Well, the raging war between Richa Chadda and Payal Ghosh has come to… shall we say… an understanding. Payal Ghosh has given Richa an unconditional written apology after an infuriated Richa dragged her to court for being “derogatory” by dragging her into Payal and Anurag Kashyap’s messy controversy.

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Boyfriend Ali Fazal by the way is going places.

Not only is his Mirzapur 2 all set for release, this good looker has also bagged the lead role in a Hollywood film called Codename: Johnny Walker. His Agatha Christie thriller Death On The Nile where Ali rubs shoulders with the likes of Gal Gadot and Kenneth Branagh is also ready for a December release. Good going Ali!

Riteish Deshmukh was on Amitabh Bachchan’s KBC show recently. And he spoke emotionally bout his dad the late Vilas Rao Deshmukh and the importance of organ donation. On the personal front after the missus Genelia tested positive to Covid 19, Riteish and his boys decided to go artsy and had a whale of a time painting the town err the canvas red.

There are heavy rumours doing the ‘rounds that after two years of dating and getting to know the parents, Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor are finally planning to get married soon. Supposedly the rumour was triggered off by a video of mamma Neetu Kapoor dancing with wild abandon. Well, we will wait ‘n’ watch!

Another couple going strong are Arjun Kapoor and Malaika Arora. After both of them have tested negative for Covid 19 and were allowed to mingle around (keeping social distancing in mind of course).

Arjun and Malaika have been spending every second together. How cute!

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Ayushmann Khurrana is a proud man. Yes, this time, it’s not any of his fab films, it’s his gorgeous wife Tahira Kashyap Khurrana who has come out with a book The 12 Commandments of Being A Woman. And Ayushmann is indeed the proudest.

Other than smiling coyly, Disha Patani refuses to say whether she’s dating the very hot Tiger Shroff or not. However, she makes sure she always likes mamma Ayesha Shroff’s pictures. This time when Ayesha shared a pic of her hugging Tiger which was shot by her daughter Krishna, Disha was one of the first to comment “so cute”. Something sure is brewing here.

Tiger Shroff is the cutest actor in Bollywood. No, Disha isn’t saying that but we are. He always replies to all our queries with a “thank you Ma’am’ though never answering any of them straight. …

But still, a courteous gentleman actor is a rarity.

Another actor with a heart of gold is Sonu Sood. We keep seeing him arrange operations, buying books for the needy, flying people to meet their loved ones and so on… Sonu, it’s time you join politics… India needs good politicians!

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Guess what Sonakshi Sinha has completed 10 years in the industry. Ask how the journey into filmdom happened and she says with a laugh, “I wasn’t asked if I wanted to be an actor, I was told to be one by Salman and Arbaaz.”

Talk about the universe conspiring to make dreams true, here’s an example for you!

But there’s this actor who believes that self-love can make things happen. That’s right, we are talking about the stunning Bipasha Basu who propagates self-love and has urged everyone to love themselves. By the way the first one to like this was hubby Karan Singh Grover who will be soon seen with wifey Bips in a webseries Dangerous.

Supposedly Saif Ali Khan isn’t very happy about daughter Sara Ali Khan being hauled by the Narcotics Bureau to their office for questioning. Miffed at the adverse publicity, he has flown off to Delhi with a pregnant Kareena and little Taimur to be away from the paparazzi and an irate Amrita Singh.

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Our most beautiful import to America, Priyanka Chopra Jonas may now be part ‘n’ parcel of the US but she still keeps her ties with India very strong. Lately she put a sweet comment under Kareena Kapoor’s munchkin Taimur’s picture of him playing cricket saying, ‘Any place in the IPL, I can play too’. Weren’t Kareena and Priyanka staunch enemies many years ago? Just asking!

What does Akshay Kumar eat? Supposedly this energetic man who has supposedly done a great job in Laxmmi Bomb doesn’t believe in taking rest. Now he’s rushing around giving the same focus and energy to his other films Bell Bottom and Prithviraj. Kudos to him!

Cat’s Crown

This month goes to...

After years of struggle, Kartik Aryan has proved that dedication and patience can get you on top of the world. He has recently signed a three-film deal with Eros worth 75 crore. Goes to show the common man can make it in Bollywood too!

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Cover Story 11

After SSR’s unfortunate death, the electronic and social media have hurled many serious accusations on Bollywood including calling them “dirt”, “filth”, “scum”, “druggies” and using expressions such as “it is Bollywood where the dirt needs to be cleaned”, “all the perfumes of Arabia cannot take away the stench and the stink of this filth and scum of the underbelly of Bollywood”, “This is the dirtiest industry in the country”, and “cocaine and LSD drenched Bollywood”.

Sumita Chakraborty investigates why Bollywood decided to say, “enough is enough” and fight back.

Over the decades, the Hindi film industry has always been the “favoured child” of the nation. Adulation, applause and accolades were showered on the bold ‘n’ beautiful actors of the industry. Of course, there were brickbats too but not extreme enough to tarnish the glittering gold nameplate at Bollywood’s door. Indeed, the larger than life Bollywood Gods and Goddesses had the Midas touch and everything they touched turned into gold.

Until… 2020!

That’s right, 2020 sure has been a horrendously traumatic year for Bollywood. First, there was the horrific pandemic that struck the entire world like scourging plague, threatening the very being of existence. It was a global catastrophe. And of course, Bollywood too was scarred by Covid19’s aftermath.

The industry along with every other business in the world too came to a grinding halt with

the Government temporarily closing down theatres and shoots – films, TV and web-series were cancelled totally.

Covid 19, the dreaded equaliser, made both the superstar and small-time actors sit at home literally twiddling their thumbs.

Already, there was a deep pall of gloom when suddenly there was a spurt of sad demises of illustrious artistes and phenomenal talents like Sushant Singh Rajput (SSR), Irrfan Khan, Rishi Kapoor and so many others… The ebbing deluge of losses refused to end as one by one known and unknown actors died of natural causes, Covid-19 or horrifyingly suicide. Reeling under this devastating blow, a crippled Bollywood was brought down to its knees and was still trying to cope with the irreplaceable losses when a thunderous vicious black cloud engulfed Tinsel Town yet again.

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“The electronic media went into a tizzy as they dug up deleted whatsapp messages of alleged key players in the SSR case.”

And this time it was SSR’s untimely death that opened up a can of worms that was earlier perhaps swept under the carpet. A lot has been said about the unfortunate death of SSR and as motives, theories and even far flung claims shrouded the case making it more and more menacing and mysterious, a new scandal popped up. “Drugs”!

The electronic media went into a tizzy as they dug up deleted whatsapp messages of alleged key players in the SSR case. Jaya Saha, SSR’s manager and an employee of talent management Kwan was hauled over burning coal by the electronic media’s “zealous” investigation, and through this, names of top actors from Bollywood spilled out as drug takers. Karan Johar’s June 2018 video which had gone viral as a raging fire on the Internet showed actors Deepika Padukone, Arjun Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Malaika Arora, Shahid Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Zoya Akhtar and so many others. Many netizens insisted that the actors looked “high” not on life but other things. One Punjab MLA even filed a FIR but of course, at that time Bollywood could do no wrong and so the entire thing was forgotten conveniently off. Until 2020, the equalizing year of “cleansing” snared Bollywood by its horns. Of course SSR’s death was the catalyst but the shocking and scandalous “breaking news” moments for the ecstatic electronic media that popped up had the NCB (Narcotic Control Bureau) march into Tinsel Town.

Shockingly, the heroines in Bollywood were hauled by the NCB (Narcotics Control Bureau) first – Deepika Padukone who allegedly whatsapped Jaya Saha whether she has “maal” further specifying “hash, not weed” was brought to the NCB for questioning. Shraddha Kapoor who allegedly asked Jaya Saha for CBD oil was summoned too and so was Sara Ali Khan and Ra13

kul Preet. The electronic media was on fire. Scandalous leaked information that included retrieving deleted whatsapp conversations from 2017 onwards were dug up and news anchors became ‘judge, jury, executioner’ conducting a media trail that put the entire Bollywood in the dock.

The bold ‘n’ beautiful Raveena Tandon averred,

“Our industry has done a lot of great things, unfortunately for the sad, sad episode of SSR’s death which was very unfortunate- and I know the family is grieving - but I do believe the media has made it into a circus and I’m not sure whether even he would have wanted his memory to be tarnished this way - more so with the kind of allega-

tions that are being cross flung on everybody.

True, the image of Bollywood was indeed tarnished. Nasty trolls put up vitriolic comments on many actor’s posts. Mean memes were forwarded on Bollywood on the whole. When Jaya Bachchan tried to defend the industry in the Parliament, trollers had a field of a day making snide com-

pressure and said “Enough”! In a new development, Bollywood came together as a force and announced that they had come together “to seek redress against the irresponsible, derogatory and defamatory reporting by certain media houses”.

In a press release, they unitedly said, “Today, a civil suit has been filed before the Hon’ble

ments and vile threats so much so that Amitabh Bachchan had to increase the security at his place.

Agreed, the law is the same for everyone and perhaps the electronic media and social media were just doing their jobs but things did become rather OTT. Until Bollywood cracked under the constant

Delhi High Court by four Bollywood industry associations and thirty four leading Bollywood producers praying the Hon’ble Court direct Republic TV, Mr. Arnab Goswami and Mr. Pradeep Bhandari of Republic TV, Times Now, Mr. Rahul Shivshankar and Ms. Navika Kumar of Times Now, and unknown defendants as well as social 14

“Bullywood, the gutter of drugs, exploitation, nepotism and jihad.

Its lid is off, instead of cleaning this gutter #BollywoodStrikesBack well file a case on me also.”

– Kangana Ranaut

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media platforms to refrain from making or publishing irresponsible, derogatory and defamatory remarks against Bollywood as a whole and members of Bollywood, and to restrain them from conducting media trials of Bollywood personalities and interfering with the right to privacy of persons associated with Bollywood. The Plaintiffs are also praying that the Defendants abide by the provisions of the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994, and to withdraw, recall and take down all the defamatory content published by them against Bollywood.

“This comes in the wake of these channels using highly derogatory words and expressions for Bollywood such as “dirt”, “filth”, “scum”, “druggies” and expressions such as “it is Bollywood where the dirt needs to be cleaned”, “all the perfumes of Arabia cannot take away the stench and the stink of this filth and scum of the underbelly of Bollywood”, “This is the dirtiest industry in the country”, and “cocaine and LSD drenched Bollywood”.

“Bollywood hits back with a suit in Delhi High Court seeking to restrain Republic, Times Now from making derogatory remarks.”

– Swara Bhaskar “It is pleaded that Bollywood is a distinct and well recognised class, comprising the Hindi film industry in Mumbai. Since several years Bollywood is a huge source of revenue for the public exchequer, earns significant foreign exchange for India by way of revenue from overseas releases of films, tourism etc., and is a big source of employment, with various other industries also being largely de-

pendent on it. Bollywood is unique and stands on a different footing from any other industry inasmuch as it is an industry that is dependent almost solely on goodwill, appreciation and acceptance of its audience. The livelihood of persons associated with Bollywood is being severely impacted by the smear campaign being run by the Defendants. This is in addition to the ongoing pandemic which has resulted in extreme revenues and work opportunity loss. The privacy of the members of Bollywood is being invaded, and their reputations are being irreparably damaged by painting the entire Bollywood as criminals, seeped in drug culture, and making being part of Bollywood as synonymous with criminal acts in the public imagination.”

Almost all the well-known names in Bollywood are represented through the Plaintiffs, including: The Producers Guild of India, The Cine & TV Artiste Association, The Film and TV Producers Council, Screenwriters Association, Aamir Khan Productions, Ad-Labs Films, Ajay Devgn Films, Andolan Films, Anil Kapoor Film and Communication Network, Arbaaz Khan Productions, Ashutosh Gowarikar Productions, Dharma Productions, Excel Entertainment, Filmkraft

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Productions, Kabir Khan Films, Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra Pictures, Red Chillies Entertainment, Reliance Big Entertainment, Rohit Shetty Pictures,Roy Kapur Productions, Salman Khan Ventures, Sohail Khan Productions, Vinod Chopra Films, Vishal Bhardwaj Film, YashRaj Films and so many other production houses… practically the entire film industry.

The press release furthers stated, “It is interesting that this is not the first time that legal action has been initiated against the Defendants. On several previous occasions some of the Defendants have been penalized and reprimanded and have had orders passed against them by Courts and authorities for irresponsible reportage and defamatory content and have been found guilty of broadcasting unsubstantiated and incorrect news. For example, even after the case involving the unfortunate death of actor Mr. Sushant Singh Rajput (which appears to have triggered 17

the diatribe against Bollywood) was transferred to the CBI, these Defendants indulged in what could be aptly described as a frenzy suggesting that the CBI would start making arrests. That has still not happened.

“Some of the Defendants are also openly flouting the Programme Code framed under Section 5 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 contained in Rule 6 of the Cable Television Network Rules, 1994, which governs the television channels owned and operated by these Defendants. These Defendants are conducting and publishing parallel private ‘investigations’ and effectively acting as “courts” to condemn persons connected with Bollywood as guilty based on what they claim is “evidence” found by them, thereby trying to make a mockery of the criminal justice system.

“The Plaintiffs are not seeking a blanket gag order against media reportage of the investi-

“This comes in the wake of these channels using highly derogatory words and expressions for Bollywood such as “dirt”, “filth”, “scum”, “druggies” and expressions such as “it is Bollywood where the dirt needs to be cleaned”, “all the perfumes of Arabia cannot take away the stench and the stink of this filth and scum of the underbelly of Bollywood”.” gation in the cases relating to the death of Mr. Sushant Singh Rajput or of FIRs No. 15 and 16/2020 filed by the NCB, Mumbai. The Plaintiffs are merely seeking perpetual and mandatory injunction against the Defendants from carrying on reportage and publication of material that violates applicable laws.” The suit has been filed by DSK Legal on behalf of the Plaintiffs.

An ecstatic Swara Bhaskar hailed this move by tweeting, “Bollywood hits back with a suit in Delhi High Court seeking to restrain Republic, Times Now from making derogatory remarks.”

On the other hand Ranvir Shorey also claimed, “I have said this repeatedly, Bollywood may have its issues, but they pale in comparison to what news media has become. That’s where the real cleaning needs to happen.”

Lady in white Simi Garewal tweeted, “#BollywoodStrikesBack About time too! These news media channels had crossed all limits. Using

stars and abusing them for TRPs!! Why should it be tolerated?”

However, Bollywood’s one woman army Manikarnika Kangana Ranaut who was one of the first whistle-blowers, however, made a caustic tweet, “Bullywood the gutter of drugs, exploitation, nepotism and jihad. Its lid is off, instead of cleaning this gutter #BollywoodStrikesBack well file a case on me also, till the time I am alive I will continue to expose you all #BollywoodStrikesBack.”

It’s good to see Bollywood unite in the face of dire adversities but perhaps they should stop having blinkers at the vices within the industry and instead of sweeping issues under the carpet, they should rather try cleansing up the system from within. …Perhaps that’s when the hashtag #Bollywoodstrikesback would be more effective.

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Court Martial

“Right now the entire scenarios being played out in the media is obviously for TRP ratings because nothing sells better than Bollywood.” - Raveena Tandon

In a racy interview to Sumita Chakraborty, the very gorgeous Raveena Tandon candidly speaks about actresses ganging up against her, drugs in the industry, the term “smashing patriarchy” and much more.

Photograph by Khushboo Ghulati

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Sing ‘tip tip barsa paani’ and a vision of beauty conjures up of Raveena Tandon in a gorgeous yellow chiffon sari dancing in the rain. Well, this gorgeous gal has always been bold, beautiful ‘n’ extremely outspoken.

A powerhouse performer, her effortless acting has won her accolades and applause across the nation and overseas too.

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But Raveena has not only been the darling of the nation for her fabulous acting, she is also the poster girl of social activism whether it is regarding people or animals… in fact, whenever the time had come for her to speak or help out, she does that without a second thought. Her dedication and focus are still unwavering as despite a hectic schedule, she still makes time to give this interview within the deadline. Here the very ravishing Raveena tackles all the tough questions - from SSR’s untimely death to drugs and patriarchy - without batting an eyelid. Read on…

Photograph by Mansi Manek

“I have probably apologised to people who have been hurt. I feel no shame in that because that was never my intentions.”

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“Even now though films is a part of my life, it is not my ‘be all and end all...”

Photograph by Khushboo Ghulati

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You are a powerhouse performer perhaps in the league of Sridevi, why don’t we see more of you in dynamic roles?

Well that’s very kind of you, thank you so much. But yes, I had taken a personal sabbatical both the times I was pregnant and had my kids. I like to devote more of my time to home, family and being with my kids. I’m the kind of person who likes to work at my own pace. I did Maatr but it has been some time now. And now because of the lockdown, everything had to be stalled. But I finished shooting for KGF. So you will be seeing me soon in KGF and then I’m doing a couple of webseries so yes, good things are happening slowly but surely.

There’s major upheaval in Bollywood – from drugs to SSR’s mysterious death… what is your opinion of all the goings on? Do think the Hindi film Industry will bounce back from such serious allegations?

Well, the film industry is the industry that has always stood up for the country - for its people every time there has been a calamity or disaster - natural disaster, a war or any other given trying circumstances - even to the extent of putting their lives at risk - to collect funds or to do good towards society. Our industry has done a lot of great things, unfortunately for the sad, sad episode of SSR’s death which was very unfortunate- and I know the family is grieving - but I do believe the media has made it into a circus and I’m not sure whether even he would have wanted his memory to be tarnished this way - more so with the kind of allegations that are being cross flung on everybody. Well, the truth shall prevail, and I do believe in the judiciary. I do believe that ultimately the truth shall come out. So if people are guilty and if there is more than the eye can see then surely the guilty should be punished. Also, I do believe that this very, very tragic incident was very sad and that such a tragedy had to take place for the authorities to wake up to a lot more other vices happening in our country.

“Smash patriarchy”… do you also believe that this is the root of all the problems and - Rhea Chakraborty (for whom it has been used) is a victim of this as some actors like Vidya Balan, Sonam Kapoor, Farhan Akhtar etc claim?

“Patriarchy” is a very broad word – very widely used and misused as well. There are people who attack harmless traditions and festivals which is only made out of love and respect by labelling it “patriarchal” whether it is a beautiful festival like raksha bandhan or a beautiful tradition which is love, reverence and respect for the family like karwa chauth - that too ultra mod people would call “patriarchy”. It is a fast for someone you love. I do it for my entire family. I do it for my children’s well-being. I do it for my husband.

So I think patriarchy is used as well as misused. The “patriarchy” that I fight against is inequality, female foeticide, traditions that bound women in purdah system… or against subjugation or suppression. Feminism means equality – social, economical or professional …job opportunities, pay equality, educational opportunities… rubbing shoulder to shoulder with any of my male counterparts. This is the system that we need to definitely crash and that for me is smashing patriarchy.

A lot of top actors have been summoned by the NCB regarding the use of drugs.

What is your opinion about this?

Right now the entire scenarios being played out in the media is obviously for TRP ratings because nothing sells better than Bollywood. Is the entire film industry to blame?

Well, it is not the way it is being played out on any of these jingoistic news channels. It is very clear that drugs are a menace which is deeply rooted in the entire country. It’s so easy for these news channels to send their journalist and do sting operations and get to meet drug suppliers and the drug mafia dragnet so how is it not possible for the local police not to know where the suppliers are hanging out or where they are? So if it is so easy for the journalist to reach these people, why can’t the cops reach them. I do believe that there is an entire nexus where the entire system with 22

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“I think my choices are mostly been now to the latter half of my career, entirely on the script.”

Photograph by Khushboo Ghulati

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the local politicians, the local cops, the local babu, the local bureaucrats are all involved because without their blessings, the drug menace cannot function so obviously. They are on the take whether they are probably getting bribed or making money out of it because the fact is that they are turning a blind eye to this entire menace which is so openly available outside schools, colleges, universities, outside restaurants outside pubs at night… How are they thriving and how are they not being caught? So I believe that there is this entire system that is allowing this drug menace to spread in our country and we all have to declare a war against this. The entire drug menace has to be literally cleaned out and it is to be done on a war footing.

You’re one actor who has never minced her words… you’ve called a spade a spade… does that get you into trouble?

Yes, nowadays because of social media which is a boon and a bane as well because everybody has an opinion, right? Everybody suppresses an opinion. Everybody can also misconstrue what one has said. You might type something out with the meaning that is in your head but maybe it does not translate into what you are trying to say. So everyone sits there waiting for you to comment on something for example my previous answer on patriarchy, believe me there will be hundred percent criticism. As far as any comment is put on social media however good your intentions maybe, it will be dissected, analysed and probably misconstrued in a way that people want to see it. They might not see your point of view and yes, they will always be criticism.

So I think one should just say what one has to say and stand by it if they really mean it.

There have been times when I’ve probably made mistakes and maybe, it has translated into completely something else, and on a large majority people believe that. There are times when I’ve recorrected myself and I have taken the comment back, and yes, I have probably apologised to people who have been hurt. I feel no shame in that because that was never my intentions.

Some people have insinuated that you speak out because of political aspirations.

What is your take on this?

Political aspirations… Ha ha ha! If I had to join politics. I would have been in politics 15 years ago. The first big seat offered to me was Virar when Chi Chi (Govinda) left. Then I was offered the Bandra seat by parties. I’ve been offered by regional parties whether it’s Bengal, Assam or Punjab. I have been offered by most of the political parties to enter politics. I honestly haven’t found what I’ve been looking for. Sometimes we wonder the way we criticise our politicians, should we be the change that we want to see? So when people like you and me probably get into politics, we might just clean it out otherwise sometimes you wonder what kind of people just get in and how they ever win? So the fact is that if we want to see the system change, we also need to be the change. So that is something that I’m constantly fighting against but I’ll probably or probably not (join politics). But when the time is right, we will see. Right now, I’ve got too many things on my plate so uptil now I’ve been saying “no”.

You have often spoken about a girl gang who were nasty to you… Could you tell us about this? Do actors face this kind of bitchiness from colleagues?

I do believe that every profession has its ups and downs, rivalries and competitiveness, and yes, a good amount of politics as well. Yes, I’ve suffered at the hands of being played politics with false stories being planted about me. When journalists were buttered up and fake stories were planted about me. Various magazines had screaming headlines just to bring me down somehow. False rumours were spun and yes, their boyfriends who were heroes and with whom I was working were convinced to somehow stop talking to me and kick me out of their films which added more fuel to the fire because people would wonder why did this happen to me. So yes, these things have happened but it’s okay. Sometimes when I look at them and when I look at me, I say thank you God for giving me the life I have - maybe it’s my good karma - and all 24

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“In your life you will fall many times but you don’t just get scattered around, you pick up the pieces and start all over again.”

Photograph by Khushboo Ghulati

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they have done is collect bad karma. So let them live with it because my conscience is clear but like I said, if you are hard-working dedicated and talented, no one can take away your life or your career from you. You have to just fight it through. You have to be tough. When the going gets tough, the tough get going and that’s what I strongly believe in.

What has been the driving force behind your career choices?

Yes, I do belong to a filmi family but honestly, we were brought up in a very non filmi fashion as in I was not brought up to believe only to eat, drink, breathe films.

Even now though films is a part of my life, it is not my ‘be all and end all’. And even with my dad being in the movies, we were allowed to go on the sets only during vacations, in fact, that was the time we would see what shoots were etc. I actually always wanted to be my dad. I was always inspired by him. He was a self-made man who came from Agra - he started out of nothing. He was a junior artist and stood on his own feet. He never took anybody’s help. That’s exactly when people asked me why I did not ask my dad to launch me…

First and foremost, I was in this industry by default. I never grew up thinking that I’m going to become an actress. In fact, I always was more interested in production.

I also wanted to give my IPS exam and after graduation, I wanted to become a cop – I was inspired by Kiran Bedi. So films was actually not really on my mind. It just happened to me but nonetheless, I never thought of even then telling my dad, you should launch me. I’ve always wanted to stand on my own feet. I always wanted to be self-made. I do believe that whatever a child does, parents always appreciate and love whatever they are doing. But when producers and directors come to sign you or when fans appreciate your work, then it is purely your own work that is being appreciated. So that was the driving force behind me wanting to stand on my own feet and make it on my own.

You have had your share of hits and duds.

When you look back are you happy? How did you cope with failure?

I have always been lucky to have worked with the best directors in our industry. I have worked with all the heroes that are there – Amitji (I have done three films with him), Irfan Khan to Nana Patekar to Naseer saab, Jackie to Sunil to Akshay to Sunny to Aamir, Salman, Shahrukh. I think I’ve just worked almost with everyone. And it’s been a great feeling when I look back and see that there haven’t been practically any director or actor I haven’t worked with. I think my choices are mostly been now to the latter half of my career, totally on the script. In the early ‘90s, there haven’t been too many films that were being made where women had a lot of scope to perform. Those were the singing dancing kind of films which I also enjoyed doing so I have no regrets doing those as well.

Towards the latter half I started choosing scripts which were strong with great content with a good director and that is what ultimately matters to me even today.

As for failure, it is subjective as it depends on one’s perspective as to what one views as failure. For me, I used to be so busy working to put my best in the movie. But I believed that the movie’s fate belonged to the movie. Yes we all work hard towards something but if it doesn’t work, no problem let’s move on to the next and work harder in the next.

One has to take failure in your stride. One has to be tough enough because nobody’s life is a bed of roses. There are ups and downs and there are at times drastic ups and downs. But you need to evaluate failure. For me, as long as I have food on my table, a roof over my head and a loving family around me, standing by me, I don’t think I’m a failure in life. If I can count five people who I believe are my true friends and have stayed by me through thick and thin through the time I was a nobody or a somebody - I’m not a failure. My dad always taught me one thing very early in life that when a child learns to walk, he falls many times but he picks himself up, dusts himself and tries again. Such a person walks tall with his head held high. In your life you will fall many times but you don’t just get scattered around, you pick up the pieces and start all over again. Starting all over again is my success mantra.

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In Focus “When you are passionate about your work, every difficulty becomes a challenge and ultimately, hard work pays.”

– Bud Patel

US-based actor, writer, director and producer Bud Patel is indeed an inspiration.

Read on as he candidly speaks about his popular film A Curry on an American Plate and other short films...

Actor, producer, writer, director… this versatile powerhouse performer has a finger in every pie in the entertainment world. Meet the very talented Bud Patel, also known as Bhadresh Patel, whose A Curry on an American Plate on YouTube, won accolades and hearts. Incidentally, he was the producer and the lead actor in this film. The film was officially selected at the 2018 Hoboken International Film Festival and also the 2018 NIFF International Film Festival in Houston.

Bud is truly amazing. He has acted in over 150 plus dramas and 50 plus short films and music videos in several languages including Hindi, English, Gujarati, Marathi, and Bengali. He has also done various stage shows in Mumbai, Houston, and Toronto Canada. We caught up with this versatile personality for an interview. Read on as Bud regales us with stories about his formative years, short films, the making of A Curry on an American Plate and more.

Read on…

BUD PATEL WITH HIS FAMILY

Tell us about your formative years? Were you involved in Theater/Drama/Films back in India?

Acting is my passion and it all started at the age of 7 in school. I later started acting in Marathi dramas in Mumbai. Then I moved to the USA in 1988 and my dream of working in Bollywood never happened. However, I carried forward my passion for acting and kept myself involved in theater in the USA too. I wrote and directed many stage plays both in Hindi and Gujarati. I worked in many short films produced by Dil-Ki-Baat & Story Teller Films based in Houston.

You have been a Microbiologist, Medical Laboratory Scientist and Hotelier after you came to America. Give us an insight of your journey in the US. Yes, I am a Microbiologist and worked at the Med-

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ical Laboratory as Medical Technologist for more than 20+ years. Simultaneously, I shifted my interest in the Hotel business and ultimately started building franchise hotels.

Now I am a full time film maker and actor. My journey from the Hotel Business and Medical Profession to Film Production was not easy. I started giving auditions for various roles, struggled to get good roles, even worked in Theater as a backstage manager, but my ultimate goal was to produce a mainstream cinema feature film.

How supportive was your wife and family towards your passion for producing A Curry on An American Plate and your journey in producing short films?

I had enrolled myself at Film-Making classes with

DIFFERENT CHARACTERS PLAYED BY BUD PATEL

Next Actor Studio in Houston, Texas, where I met Trisha Ray and San Benarje and they offered me a role and also we collaborated and jointly produced A Curry on an American Plate. It is a hysterical comedy about a dying Indian restaurant that gets 30 days’ notice to close down. Now Bud Patel (Owner) can only hope for a miracle to keep his staff and restaurant open. This film stars Bud Patel, Rick Fox, Charlie O’Connell, Andrea Guasch, and San Banarje.

Honestly, I’d like to point out that it would have not possible without the support of my family, especially my wife Gita Patel and my children.

Tell us about the difficulties you had to face while producing the film?

The difficult part was the uncertainty of the film business; we were worried about the investment

and expenses. But I guess when you are passionate about your work, every difficulty becomes a challenge and ultimately, hard work pays.

How long did it take you to put this project together?

Most of the casting was done by Next Actor Studio, we had Hollywood actors playing some important role. Rick Fox and Charlie O’Connell did a fantastic job. The script was ready and the film was made in 90 days.

The film was on Amazon Prime. How was the response?

The film did very well on Amazon Prime and the response from our community was great. Currently, A Curry on an American Plate is on YouTube too.

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SCENE FROM UPCOMING COMEDY MOVIE ‘BAAP-RE- BAAP’

Tell us about your activities during the lockdown due to COVID-19. Did you have any difficulties in production?

The show must always go on and we did many short films during the lockdown. Of course, we took extreme precautions, used PPE, Temperature check, and made sure everyone had negative COVID-Test.

The scenes were shot with limited people on the sets and at times, it was shot by individual actors in the comfort of their homes and then edited to make simple yet good, short films.

We also produced some great comedies (satirical) short movies such as Corona Ke Sholay, Metha Sandesh, Corona Se Dorona, and Baap Numbri-Beti Dus Numberi. All these short movies are available on my YouTube channel under ‘Bud Patel’.

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Any upcoming future projects?

Yes, we have 4 short films in pipeline. We just finished shooting for Baap-Re-Baap which is ultimate comedy and based on ‘80-‘90’s typical Bollywood masala movies. It is also my tribute to Jodi #1 (David Dhawan and Govinda).

What advice would you give young actors and producers who are planning to get into the business of films?

There are no shortcuts so be ready to work hard and keep the passion of film making and acting alive. In the end, I would say…. Keep working hard, be consistent, learn to say ‘no’, be committed, adapt new skills, respect the cast and crew, and make sure your signature becomes your autograph.

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Get >>>>>> Snappy “ Getting trolled is the last thing that will bother me. Rhea is my friend and I will support her, defend her always. I stand strongly against this witch hunt mentality.

”

– Saqib Saleem

Saqib Saleem on his friendship with Rhea Chakraborty, Voot Select’s webseries Crackdown and more…

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He’s Huma Qureshi’s brother but that’s not his only claim to fame. Saqib Saleem has proved himself as an actor especially in films like Dishoom and Race 3. His current film 83 has been in the news and his web-series Crackdown has got immense accolades and applause. Read on as the good looking actor talks about his journey as an actor, his friendship with Rhea Chakraborty and more

“Crackdown is a gripping, thrilling story.

I play a secret agent.”

Saqib, you’ve been around for 8 to 10 years in the Hindi film industry, how has the journey been?

It has been an amazing and adventurous journey. I have had the chance to work with some amazing people and learn so much.

Tell us about Crackdown?

Crackdown is a gripping, thrilling story. I play a secret agent and as everyone has seen in the trailer, there is a lot of action, which I have enjoyed. It is a story that will keep everyone at the edge of their seats.

What is your opinion about this raging insiders versus outsider’s debate?

Well, I understand the struggle one has to go through to make it in Bollywood. It’s not a piece of cake. I have gone through that phase and maybe I still am. But I think it’s not right to take away someone’s hardwork from them because they were born in a star’s house. We all have to prove our mettle and support can only take us till a point.

Tell us about your character?

My character is that of a dedicated, very sharp and skilled agent. I am presented with certain challenges, which I have to tackle keeping everyone safe. He is a very prompt, intelligent officer, who wears his heart on his sleeves but also knows how to defeat the enemy with swiftness.

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I think it’s not right to take away someone’s hardwork from them because they were born in a star’s house.

Any more projects in the pipeline?

Well, after this I am very excited about my film Comedy Couple. After so much action, making people laugh will be an exciting change.

There are some projects in the pipeline, which I will announce soon!

“I don’t think it is in my nature to regret.”

Recently you got trolled for supporting Rhea, anything you’d like to add on the smash patriarchy debate?

Getting trolled is the last thing that will bother me. Rhea is my friend and I will support her, defend her always. I stand strongly against this witch hunt mentality. It subjected her to a lot of hate without anything being proven. She lost someone she loved so much and no one gave her the time to even heal from it. It’s just sad and I hope she gets justice soon.

Lastly when you look back at your journey, is there anything you want to change?

I don’t think it is in my nature to regret. Everything that I have done has only helped me be who I am.

So, no change.

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Get Snappy

“Just because my parents are in the industry, I did not take acting for granted!

”

- Shriya Pilgaonkar

The super talented Shriya Pilgaonkar talks about her Voot Select webseries Crackdown, her illustrious parents, her journey as an actor and more…

You belong to an illustrious family (actor Sachin is her father and actress Supriya Pilgaonkar is her mom) … what was your parents’ reaction when you decided to enter the film industry?

My parents have always encouraged me to explore different things and growing up, I was heavily into sports, I was a professional swimmer, but at the same time, a lot of things interested me. I was always singing, I was into dancing, I’ve been a Kathak dancer, I was constantly taking 35

part in elocutions, debates, I also enjoyed studying to be honest I was quite a nerd. So I was still trying to understand what I wanted to do but I always had a performer’s instinct and I really enjoyed being on stage and I enjoyed stories whether it’s in the form of a poem or the form of a book, films, cinema. After I graduated from St. Xavier’s College, I started assisting as well, I was making short films and documentaries, and eventually a friend of mine happened to cast me in a short play and in the process of rehearsing for that play, I actually discovered my love and joy for acting. Just because my parents are in the industry, I did not take acting for granted. I never have come from an entitled space in that sense. I feel like I just wanted to explore and discover its own way, which is why I did a lot of theatres, and then of course I did a Marathi film, then I ended up doing a French film and Fan with Shahrukh Khan was my first Hindi film. I’ve always wanted to explore working in different film industries, I love working in different languages, and I’ve also always aimed to work internationally, not just in India which is why doing a project like Beecham House which was a British series I did, directed

by Gurinder Chadha, for me that was also a project that was very exciting to be a part of. So I’m always trying to do different things, new things, not just limit myself in any way. Even in lockdown, I shot a series called The Gone Game which was entirely shot in

Photographs by: Colston Julian

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“I did a Marathi film, then I ended up doing a French film and Fan with Shahrukh Khan was my first Hindi film.”

lockdown so, yeah, I’m really enjoying exploring, trying different things and my parents have just been there for me, the guidance has meant a lot and they’ve shown me, rather not through their words but through their actions.

They’ve always said not to take success or failure to heart, to always carry yourself with grace no matter what. It’s important to emotionally equip yourself, when you’re in this industry because there are bound to be ups and downs because it’s always a combination of talent, luck and opportunity. They’ve let me be, they’ve let me make my mistakes and you know that’s how one can carve a niche for oneself. Once my father said to me that somebody came to him and said, “Oh, aap Sweety Gupta ke papa ho” - Sweety Gupta is my character from Mirzapur, so I think as parents these are little things that make them happy when people appreciate my work and come to them. That really matters to me. Of course I have a long long way to go, but whatever it is, I’ve been taught to handle things, ups and downs gracefully. So hopefully, I’ll do them proud.

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Why did you pick Crackdown?

Well I’ve always wanted to explore action as a genre and its something I also enjoy watching as an audience, Apoorva Lakhia, our director’s forte is action and when Crackdown came my way, I really enjoyed reading the script not just because I would get an opportunity to do action but I also really liked my character and just the fact that I was playing two different personalities in Crackdown - that was another incentive for me to be part of it. I knew I would be seen in completely different light as opposed to the kind of work I have done before and as an actor, you want to be able to surprise your audience by doing something else, and unexpected. So that is the reason why I wanted to explore and work on Crackdown.

Any off-screen anecdote while shooting you can share with us?

Although we were shooting a subject that was very serious, the entire cast - with Saqib and Apoorva and the rest, we’re all a crazy bunch. We had a wonderful time shooting together, the energy on set was so positive and there hasn’t been a single day where I haven’t laughed. I think it’s just my director Apu has a way to be so sarcastic and brutally honest about everything. You know he makes fun of people to their faces, he will just entertain everybody and just say the funniest things in an impromptu way, he has a funny sense of humour, so they kept us entertained. We were shooting in Kasauli and Chandigarh in the winter, and

I think that also played a huge role in the cast always huddling together after a scene, it was just good weather to shoot in so, yes, we had a wonderful time and we’re all foodies so Apu would often get local food for us since he grew up and studied in a hostel in Sanar, which was close to where we were shooting. He showed us around, took us to his favourite places to eat, so it really was fun, and a really good set where actors would hang out even after their shot, so I really enjoyed it.

Could you tell us about your character?

In Crackdown, I play Divya Shirodkar, she’s a girl who comes from a very simple family in Bombay and she works at a salon, she lives with her brother, he is the only family she has. And because of her uncanny resemblance to a wanted extremist, she is forced to be part of a mission and has to go undercover and you know a lot is at stake because it’s the question of the security of the country. So Divya basically finds herself torn between her scenario and what she has to do as a larger cause. I thought it was very interesting because like I said, without giving any spoilers, she has to transform herself into a completely different person in order to do the mission, and for me as an actor, that was a challenge to pull off two completely different parts. And Divya to me is somebody who’se vulnerability is her strength and she’s an incredibly courageous girl and we see how she transforms herself through the show.

Could you tell us about your future projects?

I have a film and a series in the pipeline, I can’t talk much about them yet since they’ve not been released but I’ve already started shooting for it. I’m looking forward to my Tamil Telugu debut film with Rana Daggubati, it’s called Haathi Mere Saathi, that’s the Hindi title and that’s with Eros, it’s up for release, of course depending on the Covid situation, they will have figured out a way. It’s very close to my heart and it was a very special experience, you know since I’ve loved watching a lot of the Tamil Telugu

“For me, the aim is to sort of have a balance between doing film work and working on the OTT space because I think there are some wonderful subjects that are being written now.” films, Malayalam films, they have some fantastic content, and even Haathi Mere Saathi talks about living in one with nature. It’s about a man’s journey and his fight to save the land that belongs to the elephants and to save it from encroachment, it’s a very relatable subject and it was a wonderful experience for me to be working on that film, so that is something I am looking forward to. I also have a film that I shot with Anubhav Sinha called Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai, we shot it two years ago in Lucknow, and that film is up for release but it’s still in production and some bits are still left. I’m looking forward to a series also so for me the aim is to sort of have a balance between doing film work and working on the OTT space because I think there are some wonderful subjects that are being written now. But of course, nothing can take away the charm of working in a film, off course, to watch yourself on the big screen, but as a writer’s medium, as a performer, in the OTT space, there is so much scope to live a character and to really explore that as an actor - so I would want to always do both and to explore all kinds of genres.

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R QB IR CLOSE UP

“

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I’m an actor and as an actor, the medium doesn’t matter.

I go there and act.”

– Iqbal Khan

R BAL R Super talented Iqbal Khan on why he tends to disappear from the acting scenario at times, his journey as an actor and his webseries Crackdown.

He’s one actor who is supremely talented, however, he does have a tendency to go into hibernation. But we are happy that actor par excellence, Iqbal Khan has come back into circulation with the very popular Crackdown directed by Apoorva Lakhia which is streaming on Voot Select. Read on‌

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“Where I feel that the art is not utilised in the proper way, I feel disconnected and I kind of go into hibernation.”

You’re one of the most under rated actors in the entertainment industry but an amazing performer, why do we see so less of you on screen?

I am an artist by heart, not only by profession and somewhere, where I feel that the art is not utilised in the proper way, I feel disconnected and I kind of go into hibernation, and that’s one reason why you see less of me. Its hard for me to accept things purely on the basis of economics or purely on the basis of a name or something. There has to be art involved in it so that is one reason, though sometimes, you know, life puts you in situations where you have no choice but to do things. I am purely an artist by heart, I don’t feel comfortable after a certain amount of time if I’m doing something that I am not liking.

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Tell us about your character in the Voot Select show Crackdown?

The name of my character called is Zorawar Kalra, he’s at a high post with an intelligence agency, he’s an extreme patriot, he really believes in the law, the rules, he really goes by the book. Nothing matters more to him than his job, whether its family, children, friends, nothing. He’s completely focused, there is sometimes no level of humanity in him, when it comes to the country.

Are there any more web series that we can look forward to seeing you in the near future?

Right now, there is nothing, I can’t talk about anything that is happening. But yes, Insha’Allah, maybe in a week or 10 days I will be should be able to give you more info on that.

Could you tell us of any of the fun anecdotes while shooting?

For me, playing Zorawar, was fun. My talking style is exactly (not exactly) but 70 percent of how our director, Apoorva

“As long as you know how to do your job, you’re the boss. That’s the best part about this industry.”

Lakhia is. So for me I find him very interesting in terms of as a person. I’ve put certain traits of him in my character, the way he talks anyway. That was very fascinating for me. No matter who did what, it was finally his word, it happened in a very funny way in the set, no matter which actor it was. He can get away with murder in a very funny way, so it’s amazing.

When you look back, how has your journey been as an actor?

It been really fantastic, my journey as an actor. The journey as a human being and journey as whatever you’re doing professionally, when you grow as a human being you grow as an actor also, or whatever profession you are in. So basically, that is what the focus is. And, no matter what ups and downs you face in life, they only make you stronger, they only make you smarter, they only get you, if you are lucky, they get you closer to God. If you understand your ups and downs and get closer to God, when you get close to God, life is a cake walk. Whatever profession you’re in or lifestyle you have, whatever you are as a human being or as an actor, there is only growth.

You’ve done TV, films and now web series - which medium do you like the most?

I’m an actor - so for an actor the medium doesn’t matter. I go there and act. If as a creative person, I see, that TV has a certain kind of limitation when it comes to creativity. Because the people who deal with television, they and their research team says that, and I don’t say that, their research team says that the television audience doesn’t understand certain kind of content, which I don’t believe in.

So, there is a certain kind of limitation to that. Other than that, web and films are amazing.

What is the one thing you love about the entertainment industry?

The best of it is that it is ruthless in a very good way. Which is, if you are good at your job, you will get a job. Whether you are black, white, man, woman, Hindu, Muslim, we don’t care. As long as you know how to do your job, you’re the boss. That’s the best part about this industry.

“What I don’t like, which is related to the industry, is the public access to people who are actors.”

What is the one thing you don’t like, or hate about the entertainment industry? …What I don’t like about the industry? There is nothing I don’t like about this industry.

What I don’t like, which is related to the industry, is the public access to people who are actors. Its just that over the years, social media, I don’t know, people somehow have indirectly been given the right to say anything to someone who they only know by the work they have done. Gaali denge usko, maa behen ki gaali denge, it’s just that access I just feel is useless.

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d l i W unter o c n E

V

“My life is a controversy but I’m addicted to controversies and I think controversies will happen to me forever.”

– Romil Chaudhary

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Saint or sinner?

Devil or divine?

The bold ‘n’ fearless Romil Chaudhary exposed! And, how! Read on…

T

here’s a constant buzz about him in Tinsel Town. And, why not!

This gorgeous 6 feet 3 inches good looker has managed to do what no other reality star could do till date – get backto-back work in TV, webseries and now films (he’s the lead hero in two of them).

Meet the supremely talented Romil Chaudhary who we are told is all set to give the current crop of actors in Bollywood a run for their money.

Here, Romil talks about why he became an actor, his passions and dreams. Read on…

You became an actor because…?

It was my mom’s dream and my passion.

Your dream film…?

I love working on action films. But I still haven’t got my dream film as yet. So I’m still waiting….

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“I don’t think I need to belong to a big family or use my dad’s name to prove myself. I have immense confidence in myself and I have a lot of guts to make my own way and nail it.”

The film you enjoyed working on…

Every film is fun and important for me. It’s not like any film is bad or good. So I have enjoyed working on all the films I have done. But I think my best film is yet to come.

You’re not from the industry... Now-a-days there’s a raging debate on ‘insiders versus outsiders’. What do you think of this? Do you feel like an outsider?

I don’t believe in this. Nobody is an outsider… everybody was an outsider in the beginning. For instance, Shashi Kapoor or Amitabh Bachchan… they’ve all come from outside and proved themselves. I too believe I am like them too. I don’t think I need to belong to a big family or use my dad’s name to prove myself. I have immense confidence in myself and I have a lot of guts to make my own way and nail it. I don’t bother about all this “insider and outsider” nonsense. What only matters to me is my talent and I find work for myself always.

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As an actor which heroine would you want opposite you in a romantic, action, horror, comedy film?

In an action film, I would like to work with Katrina Kaif.

In a romantic film, I’d love to work with Ananya Pandey.

Alia and I would be terrific in a horror film and in a comedy film, my choice would be Jacqueline Fernandez.

Between Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif, Anushka Sharma, Alia Bhatt, Ananya Pandey... Who would you want to date, marry or kill?

I can’t date Katrina Kaif because of Salman Khan definitely (laugh). I would love to date Ananya Pandey and I guess who I date, I’d marry. Kill… hmmm… I wouldn’t like to kill anybody. But perhaps Kangana Ranaut… (laughs) …Perhaps not to kill her but give her advice. I felt the way she went on about Sushant Singh Rajput, she had an agenda of her own and I just didn’t like that.

Suppose you were in Dostana 3 ... Which hero would you want opposite you?

I would go with John Abraham and I’d step into Abhishek Bachchan’s role.

“I did theatre for six years but the Bigg Boss tag of “reality actor” was tough to wash off.

But I did manage!”

Suppose a producer makes a pass at you what would you do?

It depends on the situation. But I feel if an actor doesn’t have an option and he has to eat shit, he might as well eat a big elephant’s shit rather than a donkeys.

The character you think suited you to the ‘T’: Grey shade characters excite me a lot. And I always take it as a challenge when I get such characters.

The most wonderful thing about being an actor is….

My fans. The love from fans is the most valuable thing for me.

What is the worst possible thing about being an actor? …That there’s no privacy. You can’t do anything freely. People have a lot of expectations from you and they think actors are larger than life. But they tend to forget that actors too are human beings. So even when I want to just be a normal human being and do things normally, I cant…

As an actor, what are your three most valuable strengths…

I don’t bow down in front of anybody. Im disciplined and dedicated. And I think I have an impressive personality like “Lucifer”. But I do good work for people and never hurt anybody.

What are the three most essential things you carry along with you all the time?

My swag, my honesty and my innocence.

How would you describe yourself?

I am a contradiction. I am somebody who isn’t afraid of anything but who is actually afraid of everything. Let me explain… My heart tells me I’m free as a bird but my head says, no, this isn’t for you. You can’t be free … you have to control.

And I can’t control. So some times, my heart wins, other times, my head. But my inherent nature is that I am not scared of anything. If I feel I’ve done something wrong, I say so openly. I don’t tell lies ever.

What do you prefer- a sunrise in the mountains or a sunset in the beach?

Anything will do. I just prefer a peaceful environment. I enjoy doing things alone. I’m the kind of person who enjoys his own company. I’m a gypsy.

What’s the mantra to impress the audience according to you?

I don’t need to impress the audience. I guess who I am and what I am impresses the audience.

A situation you felt awkward in?

Shooting romantic scenes in public.

You have so many female fans, what attracts the to you? Your personality, looks or charm?

My dimples and the honesty on my face. I’m very straight forward and I’m very cute. (laughs) What do you think is your most attractive feature?

My dimples, eyes and smile.

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“If I am doing a sex scene, it doesn’t mean I’m actually engaging in sex.” because its filled with iodine. Here you get to know who you really are and are one with your mind, soul and body. I get attracted to peaceful places like that.

If you had two days leave from shooting, what would you do?

I’d head off to the mountains.

A film you would like to watch over and over again?

I loved watching ‘The Reader’.

As a person, what are your three biggest weaknesses?

I’m very emotional. I don’t feel comfortable easily. I have trust issues with every one so I have limited people in my life. Also at times, I know somebody is making a fool of me but I let him or her go on… My logic is fine if it makes the person happy, I’ll play along.

If marooned on an island, which actress would you want to be with?

Definitely, Kristen Steward from Twilight Saga.

If marooned on an island… what is the first thing you’d do?

I’ll survive. I am a kind of person who can live alone. I love my loneliness. I will survive for however long alone.

Which person and actor inspires you?

My dad inspires me and after that Salman Khan.

Which destination would you love to visit and why?

I would love to go to Kheer Ganga in Manali. It’s 6 hours away from Manali. In the mountains, its heavenly. Its very cold but it has a pool with heated water which is extremely good

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You’ve done TV, films and I believe a lot of webseries are being offered to you… which medium do you love the most?

Everything. It isn’t about the medium, it’s about acting. And I love acting in any kind of medium that excites me.

You’re in the big league now as you’ve left your reality star colleagues far behind... What would you do to survive in this larger than life glittering world?

I am a horse who in any situation can run faster than anybody so it doesn’t matter where I am, I’ll be the winning horse.

What is the most controversial thing you’ve done till date?

My life is a controversy. Every day surviving in the industry is also extremely controversial. But I love it. I’m addicted to controversies and trust me, I attract controversies like a magnet. I’m a controversial guy and I think controversies will happen to me forever. But I enjoy pitting my mind and tackling every controversy that comes my way.

“Romil Chaudhary has everything in him…. Devil, divine, saint or sinner.”

“I enjoy pitting my mind and tackling every controversy that comes my way.”

You’ve called yourself Lucifer... Why? I call myself Lucifer because if you want me to be a bad guy, I can be that. If you want me to be a good guy, I can be that too. I’m bad with people who hate me but actually, I love my haters. It gives me immense pleasure to make them my fans. I go with the phrase, If you’re with me bad, I’m your dad!”

That makes me Lucifer.

You’re called the mastermind... Which is your ultimate master stroke? …Getting a movie as a lead. When you enter Bigg Boss… people call you a “reality star” but you’re not considered an actor. So you have to prove yourself as an actor. I did theatre for six years but the Bigg Boss tag of “reality actor” was tough to wash off.

But I did manage! Inshallah, I will prove myself as an actor and make people forget I started out as a reality star.

If you are asked to do a sex scene from a top director would you do it?

It depends on the situation. See if you’re acting as a beggar in a film, it doesn’t mean you’re a beggar in real life. If I am doing a sex scene,

it doesn’t mean I’m actually engaging in sex.

That’s what acting is all about. Also it matters who you’re doing this for… which director, banner etc.

So what are you .. devil or divine ... Saint or sinner?

Romil Chaudhary is Romil Chaudhary. He has everything in him…. Devil, divine, saint or sinner. He’s a chameleon and he can adapt to anything. The way the person opposite to me is treating me… I become that way… If he wants me to be the devil, he will get anger; divine, then I become a preacher; sinner then I become an adversary, saint then I impart knowledge. I can be all this and more. I’m a complete package.

Lastly. what would you like to be known as… a star, sex symbol or an actor?

Definitely, a star… The last and only star in Tinsel Town… Romil Chaudhary.

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Starry Sashay Neons… Aren’t they exciting? However, it takes a style diva to carry off these super bold hues to perfection. But it’s trending… And, how! We spotlighted some scorching hot ‘style trender-benders’ in their hip n hot neons, and guess what… we are still reelin’ in tizzy at the super bright neon passion that sashayed on the fashion circuit. So what are you waiting for… jump onto the neon bandwagon and get rid of the pandemic blues by flaunting those vivid shades with élan.

Malaika Arora

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Nushrat Bharucha

Deepika Padukone

Jahnvi Kapoor

Ananya Panday

Priyanka Chopra

Shraddha Kapoor

Malaika Arora, Kareena Kapoor and Deepika Padukone

Kiara Advani

Alia Bhatt

Sara Ali Khan

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Stardust on the go Varun Dhawan enjoys his post lockdown look

Are actors outside their shooting world as glamorous as they look on the silver screen? Can female actors in Tinsel Town be good friends?

Who are the new lovebirds in B-town? Team Stardust brings you a bird eye’s view into the private lives of Tinsel Town eye candies.

Sanjay Dutt and Amitabh Bachchan share a private joke

Siddhant Chaturvedi aces his yoga moves

Tiger Shroff shows off his lithe body

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Disha Patani with her girl gang

Bipasha Basu enjoys romping around her bedroom

Amitabh Bachchan with his grand-daughter Aaradhya

Sonam Kapoor with her hubby Anand Ahuja and best friend

Ajay Devgan wishes director Rajamouli on his birthday

Shahid Kapoor poses on candid camera

Post Covid cure, Arjun Kapoor is back chitchatting with his friends

Jacqueline Fernandez with a producer friend

Raveena Tandon wishes Amitabh Bachchan on his birthday

Akshay Kumar poses with Kiara Advani

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Star Style Star Style “I think Sonam Kapoor can carry any style with élan.”

Ace designers Shantanu & Nikhil have introduced a limited-edition pack for Seagram’s Blenders Pride which echoes the designers’ signature bold and unique style that spells out ‘My Craft, My Pride’. Read on…

Could you tell us something about your association with Blenders Pride, especially now since it’s being done digitally because of COVID? Shantanu: Our relationship with Seagram’s Blenders Pride has been a long one - we’ve been a part of Blenders Pride Fashion Tour ever since its inception.

And I think what Blenders Pride has done, they’ve innovated and evolved to create a very strong fashion language. And it was only natural that they would move away from the fashion runway towards creating a product design.

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e Star Style Star Sty And that happened to be a limited-edition pack. So, we’re very excited. So that has been our association with Blenders Pride. Every moment has its own gestational period.

And I think for many years, we’ve lived with the beautiful legacy of the runway, the traditional format, which is obviously, as couturiers, an art form that is never going to go out of fashion. But I think what the pandemic has done, it has created these new avenues for communicating your ethos and brand values on a digital platform. I think showing runways on a digital format is almost like being next to it. And I think you can do it the way you want it. It does not have to go through the normal routine. Yes, you miss the energy of the crowd. But I think you’re reaching out to a far wider audience. You’re creating these deep avenues for communicating your product values immediately, almost instantly. So, I think that’s the beauty of digital.

Bollywood has always been as an industry a very important education tool for anything like current fashion.

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“I think Aishwarya Rai has done many international brands and brings in the strong cultural influence and represents our country at the global level.”

What is your theme for your pack?

Shantanu: ‘My Craft, My Pride’ is the theme which looks at certain things in a way. And it is sort of a belief that we are creating that when someone comes across our illustration on the bottle pack, they see it as like when they come across the product as well. Working with existing groups and people to figure out their own signature style, I think that’s really the reason that we’ve worked on this.

Nikhil: And as a brand we speak a very strong language of heritage which is not necessarily overburdened with a lot of textile, tools, or services. But that heritage meets 55

spunk. And that heritage comes from a very strong Indian nostalgia and it fuses with our take of modernity which is minimalism. So, there is a sense of patriotic sheath in the way we do this. And there are strong military influences, we get the inspiration from the armed forces. So ‘My Craft, My Pride’ is a very similar aesthetic to what Shantanu just described and it becomes almost an extension of what our brand stands for.

We’ve always seen you both coming out with awesome designs. What can we expect from you for this pack?

Shantanu: The lines that are depicted on or rather the illustration that is created on the pack are coming from the way we look at the movement of the brand. And those are the lines that are then there on the pack.

The work signifies the softness, and yet the strong aspect. That’s where it comes from.

And then the luxury couture belongs too, on the backdrop of that.

Nikhil: Yeah, there is a sense of masculinity which is associated with whiskey packs. So,

we just wanted to bring a bit of fluidity in the way you see those drape like linearity coming in through the fluid texture, the fluid style statement that is coming in.

Since we are Stardust, and you’ve been associated with the film industry for so many years. If you had to choose your showstopper from the current lot of actors, who would it be and why?

Shantanu: Bollywood has always been as an industry a very important education tool for anything like current fashion. I think over a period we have been very technical and versatile in our endeavor to work with the right influencer to work as our storyteller. So, we’re not dictated by who’s walking, but what they’re showing. Because it’s a language of selection at that moment that decides who the showstopper is going to be. I think there are many that bring a certain amount of sartorial language to their own persona. And for any influencer, that is relevant, and brings in a very strong social and emotional connect to the audience, it’s going to work best. So, it may be unfair to say that you’d like to work with a particular person. And anyway, this pandemic is going to change the way the world thinks. I think we will be a lot more humane; we will have a lot more connect with the people. And the people-to-people communication and the people-to-people camaraderie will change, will be more human. I think any brand or any person that resonates with those values, because those are the values which the brand has been needing for a few years.

And I think that’s where we are heading. So, there is no particular person we can think of right now. That’s the answer.

Which actor would you love to dress up?

Shantanu: It could be anyone but would love to dress up Johnny Depp.

Who do you think is the most fashionable actress, male or female, in the film industry now?

Shantanu: Everyone is fashionable. There is so much paparazzi. There is so much visibility on how you dress up, that everyone tries to look their best. And I think India is such a sartorial country with such storytelling that I think everyone is a storyteller now. But I still feel that there is…. I don’t know about Bollywood, but if I were to look at Hollywood, it would probably be Gwyneth Paltrow. She brings in a sense of femininity and sense like no one else.

So which Bollywood actor according to you would be fantastic on the international ramps?

Shantanu: I think Aishwarya Rai has done many international brands. As somebody who represents India with a very strong lineage of what India stands for as a country, she brings in the strong cultural influence and represents our country at the global level. So, I think Aishwarya Rai pretty much sums it up for us. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for sure.

Which actor according to you can carry any style with élan?

Shantanu: I think Sonam Kapoor.

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Music Room

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“

There’s a misconception that I’m able to achieve all this only because I’m the daughter of Kumar Sanu but that’s not true.

– Shannon K

”

She’s just 19 but she’s already a HOT favourite amongst the teenyboppers in the US. Shannon K, the daughter of the legendary Kumar Sanu tells Sumita Chakraborty all about how she became a singer, her dad Kumar Sanu and her song writing and singing experiences. Read on…

Could you describe your musical journey… how did your musical journey start?

I was never sure that I wanted to become a singer because I had lisping problem. I actually wanted to become a kathak dancer but eventually, I started to have a liking towards music. Dad was the biggest inspiration that’s how the journey started.

You’re the daughter of one of the biggest talents in India, Kumar Sanu, could you tell us about your bond with him and your family.

My bond with dad is full of fun and lessons as if I’m in school (LOL). His personality is massive and he’s quite humorous. He makes us laugh all the time when he’s around. We’d all go out for movies and he’d encourage us in our rebellious activities like getting on the scariest rollercoaster even though he’s scared to join! When it comes to music or studies, he becomes extremely strict. He doesn’t

tolerate us being lazy about doing our vocal warm ups or college homework.

He loves to cook, so music and cooking is something that dad, Annabelle and myself are often found doing together and it’s always fun cause we help out dad with his cooking and experiments which sometimes don’t end up well haha.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of being Kumar Sanu’s daughter?

The advantages as an artist, I get an insight into a legend’s perspective, his vision, learn a deeper level of music, hardships, journey, being patient, career advice like it might take 10-15 years to become a perfect singer etc.

Even though our music style is completely different yet listening about his journey full of hardships is so inspiring and motivating for me to keep going. I follow his advice especially when it comes to dealing with haters and trolls as I’m still making my way 58

but he’s been there, done that.

It’s great to have someone in family whom you can share your work with and get feedback from. Dad’s brutally honest and so I’m always making sure that I do my best to make him proud.

The disadvantage is that people start comparing and judging me with dad without giving me a chance to showcase myself as an individual. There’s a misconception that I’m able to achieve all this only because I’m the daughter of Kumar Sanu but that’s not 59

true. In reality when I came down to the US, no one from the Hollywood industry whom I work with knew my dad. The Indian community around the States know dad but I don’t sing Hindi so there’s no benefit of that. If I would’ve had the leverage to using my dad’s name then I would’ve been on the charts with a billion views on my videos by now.

Maybe I would’ve had many awards but that didn’t happen ‘cause I’ve been trying to make it on my own as an individual.

Tell us about your first break and how it all happened?

My first break was all of a sudden, never thought that Poo Bear would agree to collaborate with me. It was a very joyful moment!

Which are your favourite songs from the ones you’ve sung?

My favorite song is Give Me Your Hand. I love that song because my sister and I wrote it based on our true experiences on bullying which we faced in our lives and this song helped me pour out my feelings which I had been bottling up for years. Not only that I wanted to send a positive message across to people through this song about having a voice of their own and standing up for themselves. I wanted to let people know that they aren’t alone. There’s a quote of mine from the song which I think is super encouraging which is: “You were made for a reason, to SHINE!” I’ve gotten so much love and appreciations from my fans for this song and it honestly made me feel so overwhelmed.

Youre a songwriter too, what do you prefer singing or writing songs - tell us about it?

That’s a tough decision to pick between the two since they are like twins haha. I would say that I got into singing first and I’ve always been passionate about singing. Gradually I got into songwriting with my sister who had been writing from before. For me, I feel vulnerable when I’m writing because I give away a part of myself in the writing and I share it with the world. But I love writing because it gives me the opportunity to talk about anything I want. When it comes to singing, I love exploring various genres.

Even with singing I get the freedom to sing however I want.

You are based in America, do you have any plans to have a career in India too?

As of right now I don’t have any plans to have a career in India, also with the whole crazy pandemic situation. I’d surely love to sing for India if I’ll be offered, after all it’s my home country.

What about the digital platform – do you plan to straddle this platform too?

I guess we’ll have to wait and watch what the future holds because I have no idea! I’ve worked in a movie here as cameo but I don’t know about future. I’m busy with my college and music for now.

Do you think you are getting your dues in the music industry?

There have been some ups and downs. I’m trying to bring a change so I believe that’s always a challenge for someone from the outside to break into the industry since you get rejected most of the times. Though I’m still paving my way up the mountain and there’s a lot more to climb. There is a downside as well like I had to face racism on several occasions.

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Which is your all-time favorite songs and artistes?

I love Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaye… It’s such a beautiful song and I fell in love with it even more when I understood the lyrics of it. Apart from that, I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston is definitely one of my favorite songs. Whitney Houston is my inspiration. I love all of Adele and Bruno Mars songs too.

I love the way Bruno writes, it’s straight from the heart.

Any artiste with whom you would want to collaborate in the near future?

I’d love to collaborate with Bruno Mars. I love his style of music especially his song-writing skills. He’s an incredible artist.

What are your upcoming projects?

Well, I did a cameo in a feature film titled The Big Feed in Los Angeles. Along with that I have a podcast coming soon which I had started during the lockdown season. The podcast is called “Get Real”, which would talk about the reality and unheard stories of artists, actors, musicians and influencers behind their success. Apart from that, I have an unannounced project in hand, hopefully it will be announced next year and I’d be able to talk about it. Last but not the least, I’ll keep releasing some songs for your guys to enjoy!!

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She absolutely gorgeous and one of the yummiest star mommies in the Hindi film Industry. Actress, UN Equality Champion and humanitarian, the very talented Celina Jaitly was last seen in Season’s Greetings where she proved her mettle as a performer. Here’s hoping more and more producers tap the immense potential in this powerhouse performer soon.

63 Photograph by: Sudipta Chanda Concept: Ramkamal Mukherjee On Set: Assorted Motion Pictures

Celina Jaitly

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W Starry Look

“Style is inborn - either you have it or you don’t - it is your natural persona and aura.”

– Ojas Rajani

Ace makeup artist Ojas Rajani who is the favourite of several top actresses, gives Sumita Chakraborty his list of the most stylish actor and actresses in Tinsel Town.

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Ojas you’ve been one of the top most makeup artiste and you’ve made so many beautiful faces more beautiful, which according to you is your personal fave face in the film industry?

According to me, all my favourites heroines who I have worked with up close are beautiful but if I have to say Aishwariya Rai Bachchan has carried every look with panache from a no makeup look in Jodha Akbar to a bronze goddess in Robot Enthiran and a vintage queen in Guzaarish to a 70’s charmer in the film Action Replay.

Three actresses you think are beautiful even without makeup?

Even without makeup, today’s actresses are all gorgeous be it Tara Sutaria, Katrina Kaif to Anushka Sharma and Deepika Padukone.

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“The most stylish is Hrithik Roshan who can carry any look with full justice and amongst the female actresses would be Deepika who is super stylish and confident.”

“Even without makeup, today’s actresses are all gorgeous be it Tara Sutaria, Katrina Kaif to Anushka Sharma and Deepika Padukone.”

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Which actor (male) you think is the best looker in the industry?

The best looking as well as acting wise is none other than the most handsome Hrithik Roshan.

Could you reveal three makeup tricks that you’ve discovered to our readers?

The three makeup tricks is one: use a eyelash colour as it lifts tired or droopy eyes and it is an instant magic trick. Two: A tinted lip balm can be used as a lip stain, cheek stain as well as eyeshadow. Trick 3 is: use a tinted sunscreen as it works as a glowing dewy base for a luminous Bollywood look.

You’ve come out with your own brushes. Do tell us something about it?

My signature line ojasrajani makeup brushes are made with uttermost precision to suit every need of any actress or a makeup artist - be it face or eyes and it is very soft and gentle, and fairly priced to suit everyone’s need.

Who (male actor and female actor) according to you is the most stylish in the industry?

The most stylish male actor is Ranveer Singh and most stylish female actress is Deepika Padukone.

Two unconventional beauties in the industry…?

From the ‘70s the most unconventional would be Parveen Babi and Mumtaz. Whereas now the most unconventional beauty is Deepika Padukone who showed us that even with less makeup in Padmaavat or in Bajirao Mastani she looked breathtakingly beautiful.

What according to you is style and which actor (male and female) epitomises that?

Style is inborn - either you have it or you don’t - it is your natural persona and aura. So the most stylish is Hrithik Roshan who can carry any look with full justice and amongst the female actresses would be Deepika who is super stylish and confident - be it in western or Indian looks.

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t s a p e h t m o r f st

Bla

s

f l e s r e h i v e rid y B d e Penn

STARDUST OCTOBER 1988

W

hen ‘Stardust’ asked me to write down some of my most personal thoughts and feelings, I decided to make a note of all the interesting incidents that have shaped my life and made me what I am today…

My first memory of entering a studio was when I was four years old. It was such a huge place and I was so frightened that I would keep clinging on to my mother all the time. I was close to her from the very beginning. Maybe that’s why even now when I’m shooting I feel quite comforted when she accompanies me to the sets.

I remember the first role I played in a Telugu film was of ‘Lord Murugan’. I just did as I was told. I wasn’t nervous or afraid before the camera as long as my mother was there.

I used to get excited when I saw my photographs in the local magazines. I would keep looking at them over and over again. But what thrilled me even more was seeing myself larger than life, on a city hoarding at one of the market cross roads. I ran and told all my friends in school about it. They didn’t believe me at first, but soon they too saw it for themselves. Our relatives (from my father’s side) didn’t quite like the idea

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“I remember the first role I played in a Telugu film was of ‘Lord Murugan’. I just did as I was told. I wasn’t nervous or afraid before the camera as long as my mother was there.” of my acting. ‘How can you make your daughter a film actress’, they said. My father too had some doubts. But my mother was very keen that I continue and since I seemed to enjoy it, they gradually stopped objecting. Though I must admit, at that age, I didn’t quite understand what films were all about and what acting in films really meant.

To be very honest, I can’t recall much

When I look back into the past, I can recollect one particular incident that shook me terribly. It happened while I was shooting for a Telugu film, along ten to twelve other children. We were required to play in a lake, rather have a bath and then come out on the shore. We had given roughly four-five takes before the shot was finally okayed. I stepped out of the water, put on my clothes and sat

of my days as a child star. Life was a routine of going for the studio, doing my make-up and giving my shot. Do you know in those days I was the only child star to have a make-up man?

a few metres away with my mother, awaiting further instructions. Suddenly, someone noticed that there was one more set of clothes lying on the grass, unworn… and as he desperately looked 70

around he realised it meant only one thing – a child had drowned! Everyone was frightened. How would we inform his parents? The director sent a man to call the boy’s mother immediately, while we waited anxiously.

In some time, the mother of the child came all decided up in a beautiful saree, with flowers in her hair. She prob-

“Talking about my career, would you believe it, I started off with flops! Not one, or two, but three!!” ably thought the director had liked her son’s acting so much that he had called her to congratulate her personally. Or maybe even to sign him for another film. The scene that followed was horrible. The director began by telling her how her son had met with an accident… And before he could finish the lady screamed, ‘where is my son? I want to see my son’. The 71

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“I’ve always been given chaalu, carefree, fun-loving kind of roles when in reality I’m quite the opposite – a ver y quiet and sober girl.” director remained silent. The lady became hysterical. She pulled her hair flung the flowers away, tore her saree banged her fists and rolled on the ground: crying, screaming and shouting at the same time. It was terrible. I don’t think I’d ever forget that sight.

Somehow it has helped me to grow up.

It’s so strange but I didn’t even realise when I became a heroine from a child artiste. One fine day, a director came home to meet me and all of a sudden 73

asked my mother if I’d ever worn a saree. My mother draped me in one and the following day I was signed for the film. The first day we reported on the sets everyone from the spot boy to the technicians began congratulating my mother. She was puzzled. Till someone said, ‘Congratulations, your daughter has become a heroine’! I was eleven years old then! In the Telugu version of ‘Anurag’ I was to play the role that Moushami played. The only thing funny was that the little boy who I had to mother was my age! And both of us had a lot of fun playing and running around the studio, in between shots. The days he didn’t report for shooting I’d feel very lonely and bored with nothing to do.

One person I truly hero-worshiped was my father. I think I was more fond of my father than my mother. I missed him a lot. Maybe being a lawyer he was busy with his court cases. One day I pestered

“A child had drowned!

Everyone was frightened. How would we inform his parents? I don’t think I’d ever forget that sight. Somehow it has helped me to grow up.” him to take me along to court. I wanted to see what it would be like. My, what an argumentator he was! Loud and aggressive, hitting out at his opponent, who was actually a good friend of the family. It was nearly an hour and a half later that the case came to an end. And then, what do I see? My father walking towards his opponent, putting an arm around his shoulders, laughing with him, like they were the best of friends.

I couldn’t quite believe what I saw. How could a man be such a loving father at home and behave so differently outside?

Of course now I can understand, because I am in a similar situation today.

My glamorous, image is quite different from the real-life person I am at home.

In fact no director has ever projected me even remotely close to my true self in any of my pictures. I’ve always been given chaalu, carefree, fun-loving kind of roles when in reality I’m quite the opposite – a very quiet and sober girl. But then why should I show this other side of myself to the outside world? They like me as they see me, they’re only interested in viewing that part of my personality. Though, I agree that sometimes bits and pieces of a star’s lifestyle are read with more interest, the people begin to identify themselves with their favourite idol – and that’s the reason why I do disclose some of my likes and dis-

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“I remember some three years ago when I had met with an accident and had fractured my leg. I had to keep the plaster and bandages for six whole months.” likes. Like I said before, I like strawberry ice-creams and milk shakes and love to watch video films in my free time.

Honestly, I’m quite a boring person. I know it. But I don’t want to change either. I’m happy the way I am, my family is happy with me, so why should I bother about anyone else’s opinion? I am here to work. And not for anything else, I don’t even mix about with my co-stars except for the customary, ‘hello, how are you’.

Talking about my career, would you 75

believe it, I started off with flops!

Not one, or two, but three!! But I have never struggled to get films. I just kept working on the few films I had signed and slowly but surely, some of my films began doing well.

Now I’ve reached a stage where I am not threatened by any other star.

Frankly, I’ve got just a few films on hand, lesser than the other actresses, but I wanted it that way. I only wish I could remain like this forever. Had it not been for my family. I would have never reached this position in the industry. And it’s not only my parents, but also my sister Srilata who has helped me a lot. She has been with me from the very beginning. She has become so much a part of my life that now she’s become exactly like me. We almost think alike. So much so she doesn’t really have an identity of her own.

I remember some three years ago

“I prefer an arranged marriage. After all it isn’t always necessary to love somebody before you marry him, you can always love him after marriage too.” when I had met with an accident and had fractured my leg. I had to keep the plaster and bandages for six whole months. But the day the bandages were to be removed my mother was afraid, so was my aunt and me too since we didn’t know what a raw wound be like.

Except for Srilata. She said she’d be with me. And she was. She held my hand, stood by me and comforted me.

Since we are so close to each other, I think Srilata and I will get married together.

At least that is what my father wants. I prefer an arranged marriage. After all it isn’t always necessary to love somebody before you marry him, you can always love him after marriage too. Maybe in a few years time we will settle down.

And in the meanwhile I’ll spend my time working and dreaming of my own future house which will be like the one we now have in Madras -- with plenty of greenery and the sea very close to it …

-Sridevi

FAST FORWARD The legendary Sridevi died of “accidental drowning” on February 24, 2018. In this throwback article dated 1988, she talks about how a child artiste died of drowning in front of her eyes when she was a child and how deeply it affected her. Ironically, Sridevi herself died of drowning in the UAE. Her last film was Mom which did tremendous business. At that point she was also preparing for her eldest daughter Janhvi’s debut as a film actress. In fact, I remember she was supposed to go for an event at the iconic Metro theatre in Mumbai but at the last minute, she cancelled it, and her husband Boney Kapoor came in her place citing Sridevi’s responsibility as a mom (Jahnvi was going on her first outdoor shoot) for her not making it to the event.

An iconic actress and Bollywood’s first female superstar, Sridevi was in a league of her own. She will always be sorely missed.

- Sumita Chakraborty 76

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