Stardust - March 2022 by magnapublishing

Throwback: When Hrithik Roshan Battled The Barbara Mori Romance Rumours

MARCH

2022

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A MAGNA PUBLICATION

“I always felt that it’s better to be on the fringe than to try to be the insider.” – Manoj Bajpayee

Has New Age Cinema Come Of Age?

Bohemian Rhapsody From running naked to opinionated heroines...

Has Bollywood’s mindset changed? 1

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Cover Story: Bohemian Rhapsody: From running naked on the beach to living in ‘sin’, Bollywood’s mindset has changed! ................................................................................................ 15 Get Snappy: “The complete sequence that I shot with Akshay (Kumar) sir in the film is memorable.” - Amika Shail ...................................................................................... 30 Get Snappy: “My journey in the film industry has been a dream come true!” – Nidhhi Agerwal ................ 24 Stardust Debate: New Age Cinema, New Age Mindset ..................................................................................... 36 In The Spotlight: “I always felt that it’s better to be on the fringe than try to be the insider - and I never had this dream of becoming an insider. In fact, I call myself an outsider.” – Manoj Bajpayee ... 42 Stardust Exclusive: “Now that theatres are opening and people are going back to cinemas to be uplifted, inspired, entertained, I see nothing but good tidings.” – Anand Pandit ....... 52 Music Room: “I was so overwhelmed by AR Rahman Sir’s magnanimous gesture of including me in his list of favourite singers.” – Pratibha Singh Baghel ........................................................... 58 Star Look: Kat’s Got The Look! .............................................................................................................................. 21 Blast From The Past: Hrithik Battles The Barbara Mori Romance Rumours ................................................. 74

COLUMNS Neeta’s Natter .............................................................................................................................................................. 05 Star List .......................................................................................................................................................................... 64 Starry Sashay ................................................................................................................................................................ 72 Stardust On The Go .................................................................................................................................................... 70 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. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent courts and forums in Mumbai (India) only 2020 Copyright Magna Publishing Co Ltd. Volume No 52 (No. 3) Please address all your advertising, subscriptions and trade enquiries for to: Magna Publishing Inc, 125 Central Park North, PH4, New York NY 10026. T: 212-725-7833 F: 212-889-3250 E: stardustmagazine@aol.com

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Guess what, nasty rumourmongers insist that Salman Khan has got married to Shotgun’s pretty beti Sonakshi Sinha in a secret wedding in Dubai. In fact, a photograph that has fired up the internet is of Salman dressed like a dulha putting a ring on Sonakshi’s pretty fingers, while Sonakshi with sindoor on her maang staring at him coyly. Has the eternal bachelor of the industry, Salman Khan succumbed to the lure of marital bliss and got married to his Dabangg ‘reel’ sweetheart Sona? Really?!

But before rumoured girlfriend Iulia Vantur burned the city down in sheer anguish, let’s clarify that this news is absolutely rubbish. Ask Sona and she snorts “Are you so dumb? The so-called photograph is obviously photoshopped. And people are absolutely foolish if they thought it was the real thing.” Ah well! 5

Another rumour on an overdrive is of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan giving birth to a baby boy recently. Well, papa Abhishek Bachchan seems to have no knowledge of the said baby and nor does Aish. And no reaction from dadaji, Big B, who was too busy promoting his film Jhund. Gosh the net really comes up with some weird stuff. There’s one actor who really doesn’t give a damn about what’s happening outside her own pretty world …and that is the gorgeous Kat whose life now revolves around her Kaushal home and hearth. She seems to have blended rather well with the Kaushal family. In fact, on Holi, the entire Kaushal family along with Vicky and Kat had a blast and supposedly, mama and papa Kaushal are totally smitten by their super caring bahu. …Sounds like a Sooraj Barjatya family, no?!

Pretty Ananya Pandey wowed the public and the fashionistas with her daring outfit at an awards event in SOBO. She wore a black see-through sheathe gown over a monokini and looked super hot. This girl is sure to fire up the fashion world with her ensembles. No wonder, Ananya grabbed all the eyeballs.

Talking about Ananya, seems like she has found her soulmate in Ishaan Khatter. Supposedly, both Ishaan and Ananya’s family love their jodi. In fact, Ishaan’s mom Neelima Azim has openly said, “Ananya Pandey is a part of our family circle”. Indeed she is, recently we saw Ananya at Shahid’s birthday bash, looking very loved up with both Ishaan and Shahid giving her tonnes of papi jhappis. By the way, we too love this super cute young jodi! 6

Jacqueline Fernandez has indeed been in the line of fire in the past few months thanks to her association with alleged conman businessman Sukesh Chandrashekhar and the intimate pictures of her with him that had gone viral. Recently, she opened up on Shilpa Shetty’s show about the controversies, claiming, “Sometimes you see something very randomly written”. Jackie then goes on to talk about the war that had gone on against her, which could have turned her into a bitter person. But no, she focused on staying positive through it all and that’s how she came out of it much stronger.

Jackie also admits the complexity of her longstanding relationship with food. She revealed that she had trouble with the pressure of her pageant days and how that turned into food becoming her biggest enemy, so much so that she would punish herself for eating! But thankfully, she realized that she was being her worst enemy and chalked out a good diet plan for herself. Well, looking at her svelte figure, obviously, it has worked really well.

Our PeeCee is sure having a blast. This time, she was seen acting all goofy at a dinner in Rome with James G Boulter. Supposedly, according to James G Boulter, they’re working on something special. This one definitely seems rather exciting and we do think it’s time the West realizes that Priyanka is a winner and gives her some good films in which she can show off her acting chops. 7

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Priyanka Chopra who had dropped the Jonas surname from her instagram account, recently lashed out at a news article calling her ‘wife of Nick Jonas’. PeeCee who was busy promoting her Hollywood film ‘The Matrix Resurrections’ at that time, angrily asked for an explanation as to how this can still happen to women, sarcastically adding, ‘Should I add my IMDB profile?’ Attagal!

Kareena Kapoor Khan was last seen chilling in Maldives with son Jehangir in tow and indeed, they looked absolutely adorable. And the shutterbugs, by the way, have made it absolutely clear that two of their fave superstars are Taimur and Jeh… supposedly, they are paid astronomical amounts for the pictures of these two munchkins. No wonder, there are so many pap’s outside papa Saif’s home.

But if you think its all play and no work for our Bebo, think again! Netflix is bringing Jaideep Ahlawat, Vijay Varma and Kareena for an untitled murder mystery helmed by Sujoy Ghosh. The film is a screen adaptation of one of Keigo Higashino’s most acclaimed works, ‘The Devotion of Suspect X’. This by the way marks Kareena Kapoor Khan’s streaming debut. Things sure are hottin’ up on the OTT platforms with so many of our Bollywood divas debuting on it!

Amrita Rao, remember her? Well, she recently shared a picture from her secret wedding in 2014 with RJ Anmol. Supposedly, Amu kept denying it for the longest time. But that’s’ all water under the bridge. The couple recently posted a video of themselves on Youtube and also shared pictures of the ceremony! Chalo better late than never! 10

At a recent award show, Siddharth Malhotra spotted damsel in distress Kriti Sanon who wore a short dress with a long train. So Siddy boy, the chivalrous man he is, insisted on helping her out by holding her train and following her around like Bo Peep and her lil sheep even while Kiara Advani, Siddharth’s rumored girlfriend stood all alone and forlorn. Tut Tut, Sid, chivalry is fine but not at the cost of your girlfriend’s ire.

Ask Alia Bhatt about Ranbir Kapoor and our ‘Gangubai’ insists that Ranbir and papa Mahesh Bhatt bond over one thing and that is calling her an ‘alien’ because she insists on doing things her way which is… um…very different. Well, that’s nice that Ranbir and Mahesh Bhatt are bonding, because the last we heard was that Mahesh Bhatt had called Ranbir, a ‘ladies man’ and insisted he would never watch ‘Rockstar’ (Ranbir’s film) which he thought was very over-rated.

The heat is on… and so a lot of Bollywood biggies are going on a vacay to their fave destinations. Well, Alia Bhatt too jetted off from Mumbai with mommy Soni Razdan and sister Shaheen in tow to spend some quality time on her birthday. Beau Ranbir Kapoor too joined in on the gang of girls and supposedly, they all had a blast. As for the million-dollar question when is Alia and Ranbir getting married? Well like Alia said, she’s already married in her head to Ranbir, all they just need to do is set the date for the formal wedding. 11

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Ranbir Kapoor supposedly was toying with the idea of wearing prosthetics to finish his father, the late Rishi Kapoor’s last film Sharmaji Namkeen! But, unfortunately, nothing was working out so Paresh Rawal stepped in to complete the movie. Indeed, it would have been interesting to see Ranbir step into papa Rishi’s shoes for a film.

Actor Dhanush congratulated estranged wife Aishwarya for her new song ‘Payani’ recently tweeting ‘Congrats my friend’. Just some time ago, the couple had announced that they were heading for a divorce and despite the fact that Aishwarya’s father, the great Rajnikanth, tried to get them back together, the couple were steadfast on their decision. Let’s see maybe a reconciliation is on the cards now, right?

Cat’s Crown

This month goes to... Amitabh Bachchan For his stellar performance in the path-breaking film ‘Jhund’. Big B’s powerpacked performance in this sports saga, inspired by the true story of Vijay Barse who started NGO Slum Soccer, was par excellence. 14

COVE R S TOR Y

Bohemian Rhapsody From running naked on the beach to living in ‘sin’, Bollywood’s mindset has changed! Running nude publicly, having a baby out of wedlock or living-in has become a way of life in Bollywood. Sumita Chakraborty finds out more about the changing mindset of the film industry.

Way back in 1974, Protima Bedi, actor, danseuse, ex wife of Kabir Bedi and mother of Pooja Bedi, ran naked on Juhu beach in Mumbai. This was for a film magazine cover. And boy, did it create a stir in Bollywood. Eyebrows were raised, eyes rolled and of course, it really set the tongue wagging. In fact, the incident was spoken about in the industry way too much for many, many years. Protima Bedi was dubbed by a certain section of narrow-minded haters as “wild”, “wanton” and “bold”, and even though this accomplished woman went on to garner acclaims and accolades and even set up an Odissi dance ashram called Nrityagram, somehow she could never shrug off the bohemian image.

Kabir Bedi in his memoir ‘Stories I Must Tell: The Emotional Journey of an Actor’ wrote, “Protima came to me in Malaysia and said, ‘I have streaked’. Streaking is somebody running naked on a stage or street, generally protesting something. I couldn’t understand what she was talking about. She said I 16

have streaked and somebody photographed and put it in a magazine. She wasn’t telling me the truth. Later, it turned out that she did it as a publicity stunt for a magazine.” He added, “At that time, I was shooting for ‘Sandokan’. I was offered the lead in a European television series and I wanted to make the most of it. I didn’t want it to upset my focus, so I didn’t make a fuss about it. But people could not understand how I could accept my wife streaking. How I wouldn’t walk out on her or throw her out of the house. That was the age we lived in.”

True, those were the years when Bollywood was shrouded, closeted and conservative. In fact, when Kabir Bedi announced to the world that he and his wife Protima were in an open marriage, the reaction from the super shocked fraternity of Bollywood was almost comically hinging on sheer horror. The media at that time tom-tommed this and the public tut-tutted their disapproval rather vociferously. Kabir further wrote, “We had hoped that our open marriage would set an example. That was the openness and tolerance we were trying to achieve. But in the end, it caused more anxiety than freedom and therefore it ended.” Kabir went on to make bigger headlines by allegedly having multiaffairs with numerous heroines

including Parveen Babi and Persis Khambatta. Benny Crasto, a veteran PR averred, “Those were the times when Bollywood was waking up to the wild child of the west. The song Dam maro dam from Hara Rama Hare Krishna became almost like a symbol of a cult and the flower child or the hippi movement blasted into the folds of the close-minded Indian film industry. Actors at that point like Kabir Bedi, Parveen Babi, Zeenat Aman, Vinod Khanna, Mahesh Bhatt all broke the mould and shocked the film industry to the core.” Vinod Khanna and Mahesh Bhatt, if you remember joined Osho’s ashram at that time, nasty mongers within the industry scoffed that these wanton actors were promoting free living and had succumbed to a world of free sex and drugs. 17

But our bohemian gang didn’t really care that they had shred society’s many hypocritical mores into teeny-weeny bits. In fact, even before that era when the heroine of the ‘60s’, the gorgeous Sharmilla Tagore thumbed her nose at Bollywood narrowness to flaunt a bikini on screen, people were shocked to the very core at such outright boldness.

Stardust during that time had even hailed Zeenat Aman as “Zeenie Baby” and Parveen Babi as the “Bohemian Babi” as these heroines openly lived life on their terms. They smoked and drank without hiding their whiskey in a coke bottle, lived-in with the men of their choice and in short, broke all the unsaid rules that Bollywood had laid down for its heroines. This, if you remember, was at a time when female actors like Hema Malini and Sridevi still whispered, “ask mummy” when asked questions… and heroines insisted they were vestal virgins even when past the age of 30. 18

Celebrity hair stylist, Sapna Bhavnani who herself came out in the open and confessed she is gay, averred on twitter, “You can either make a woman a victim like everyone did to Poonam Pandey or hail her as a queen like you should to Protima Bedi. …Protima far better comparison to Milind than Poonam. Only for the fact that she streaked in Juhu beach way before he did.” The film industry too has changed quite a bit. Gone are the days when heroines were pushed in the background as mere decoration. The heroines today, are strong and opinionated, and there’s no “ask mummy please” any more. They live life on their terms. No wonder, moral policing was on an overdrive and all these stars who lived open lives suffered censor too. The conservative society of that time sniggered and poked fun at them and disparaged their “debauched” lifestyle. The media went hammer and tongs after them and many toxic articles were written against their lifestyle. Cut to 2022: Life sure has come a full circle. Some time ago, Milind Soman ran naked on a beach in Goa and starlet Poonam Pandey who is currently in the reality show ‘Lock Upp’, followed this up by running in the buff. The Goa police of course, played MCP by arresting only Poonam for the act citing obscenity as grounds.

Look at this firebrand called Kangana Ranaut. She has raised her voice, taken up cudgels against people whether right or wrong and has dared to even expose a prominent section of Bollywood hypocrisy. She openly calls the film industry as Bollywood mafia and during the release of her film Thalaivii, posted on her instagram: 19

“Waiting for Bollywood Mafia to keep our political and ideological differences aside just how I don’t find it difficult to appreciate genuine art may be they can also rise above petty human emotions and for once let art win.” And if you think that Kangs would be ostracized and thrown out of Bollywood for her ‘in-your-face’ comments, think again, the lady is hailed as the “Queen” and currently, has many projects in hand and is even playing the host of Ekta Kapoor’s reality show ‘Lock Upp’ As for skin show, Priyanka Chopra Jonas who has ventured westward has openly flaunted her sexy bikini avatars like so many other heroines. In fact, Sara Ali Khan, the granddaughter of Sharmila Tagore, is so comfortable in a bikini that she keeps posting pictures of herself in them on her social media. And like her feisty grand-mom, Sara too doesn’t give a damn about trollers or haters. You see mindsets have indeed changed! Like for instance, Arjun Rampal and his girlfriend Gabriella Demetriades announcing their pregnancy three years back. 20

In 2019, Arjun had shared a picture of himself with Gabriella and had written, “Blessed to have you and start all over again….thank you baby for this baby.” Arjun at that time was still married to his wife Meher. Of course, everybody was shocked and though the media bombarded them with questions, it didn’t faze the duo a bit. They continued to live their life on their terms. Today, Arjun insists that both Gabriella and he don’t want to get married as they are happy with the way they are. In an interview to a website, Arjun had said, “It was a big step both of us had taken at that time. Obviously, it was going to be scrutinised by many people on many levels. Though it doesn’t matter since you are a public person, it does affect you sometimes.” But Arjun and Gabriella decided to enjoy the “joyous” moment of their life instead of paying attention to “what others think”. Today, Arjun’s daughters from first wife Meher come over to play with their new step brother. Indeed, it is a happy space for all. Indeed, mindsets have changed and the earlier Bollywood narrowness and hypocrisy have been pulled apart and pushed aside. What was called bohemian earlier has become for some a way of life and nobody raises an eyebrow any more to that. All hail the new liberated Bollywood. This is indeed a place to be in.

STAR LOOK

Kat’s Got The Look!

Check out Katrina’s look good formula. Katrina Kaif is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful female actors in the industry. In fact, Salman Khan had once said that Katrina is one actor who looks better without any makeup. And we agree with him. So what does Katrina do to look so good? 21

Naturally Beautiful One thing Katrina believes in is being natural. She avers that she loves a natural look and so uses minimal makeup, and depending on the occasion, she enhances her look by adding a little more colour and then blending it right. Makeup Mores Makeup is a passion for Katrina. In fact, she claims that she has learnt makeup tips from the various makeup artistes she has worked with. What about her makeup tips? Does she have any tips for us? Katrina insists that the art to apply makeup is to blend the makeup well and then add eyeshadow, foundation, cheek tint and contour it. However, blending it well is the trick of the trade. Katrina is also very particular about using good quality makeup products for she feels that makes a huge difference. Skin Win According to Katrina, the best way to get flawless skin is to stay well hydrated and drink lots of water. And since makeup is an essential part of every actor’s life, Katrina advises that once should follow a very strict cleansing routine. It is very important to cleanse before going to bed as the skin produces oil and can ensnare dirt. So CTM = Cleansing, toning and moisturizing is very important for everyone. Katrina also washes her face with ice cold water. According to her, it makes the skin glow. And since Katrina Kaif Kaushal has revealed her makeup secrets, why don’t we go ahead and follow her act? 22

Stardust Reviews My Glamm Manish Malhotra Haute Couture Makeup: Trust our ace designer to show us how to be showstoppers. His makeup box comprises Manish Malhotra Hi Shine Lips, Manish Malhotra Liquid Matte Lip Colour, Manish Malhotra 24H Kajal eye pencil and mascara along with Manish Malhotra eye gel, Manish Malhotra face pack and face gel. Our Verdict: The products are really very good The Manish Malhotra Haute Couture Makeup and Luxe Artisanal Skincare collections bring you everyday luxury for every occasion. It makes you feel super glam too. Earthhium Products: From pretty looking dainty cold pressed soaps, scrubs, lip balm to body butter, Earthhium products are handmade, environmentally conscious, and cruelty-free skincare brand. Our Verdict: The Earthhium products look very elegant as they come in pretty colours. They also feel good on the skin and make you feel very fresh. Quench Skincare products: Quench Korean Skincare products powered by effective natural ingredients like Korean Ginseng, Cica, Lotus Root, Grapefruit, Cherry Blossom Extracts creating perfect recipes for happy, healthy and radiant skin. Our Verdict: These products are very nourishing and refreshing. They effectively prevent skin concerns like acne, blemishes, oil control, open pores, dull and uneven skin and promise you only a smoother, hydrated and healthier-looking complexion. 23

GET S NA PP Y

“My journey in the film industry has been a dream come true!” – Nidhhi Agerwal

The gorgeous Nidhhi Agerwal debuted opposite Bollywood’s hottest hunk Tiger Shroff in the film ‘Munna Michael’. Currently, as the Brand Ambassador of Morpheus Brandy by Radico Khaitan, the super stylish Nidhhi was in Mumbai and we caught up with her to find out more about her films and more.

How has your journey in the Hindi film industry been? Well, my journey in the film industry has been a dream come true because since the age of two or three, I have always known that I will be an actor. Since then I have worked really hard towards making that dream come true and now I’m working in the Indian film Industry, this whole pan India work is exciting with Hindi, Tamil and Telegu projects, I’m really happy. There is this debate about insiders versus outsiders, what is your take on it? My take on it is I’m a proud outsider. The industry has been fair to talent and no

matter whether you are an insider or an outsider, if you are talented, it will shine through. I have been fortunate enough to have worked with some of the best people in the industry, which is very welcoming. Which are the projects we can see you next in? I have a few exciting projects lined up for this year. I’m doing a Telegu film with Pawan Kalyan which is a period film. I have another film with Udhayanidhi Stalin that’s in Tamil for which there are some shoots left and it will release. I have also just signed two films in Hindi! I start shooting for one of them in April. So, the year definitely seems exciting and I am looking forward to it. 25

You are here for a particular brand. What made you collaborate with them? Yes, I am currently here for a photoshoot for Morpheus Brandy from the house of RadicoKhaitan. Morpheus has been a brand that strives to be unique, especially with its tagline ‘Dare To Dream’. This has been my mantra of life too and I have always believed and dared to dream big and achieving the goals. So, I feel the collaboration with Morpheus has been a perfect synergy.

What is the fashion statement you would like to make? As I mentioned earlier, being confident in one’s skin is the most important aspect. For my style statement, I believe anything from clothes to accessories if I feel confident and comfortable, I am able to exude the same. It is important for one to know your body and carry if off well. Don’t wear something you are not comfortable in, irrespective of any trend.

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GET S NA PP Y

“The complete sequence that I shot with Akshay (Kumar) sir in the film is memorable.” - Amika Shail

She’s a livewire… full of beans, chirpy and articulate. Meet singer-turned-actor Amika Shail who over the last couple of years has been steadily making a niche for herself in Bollywood. She’s been an integral part of Akshay Kumar’s Laxmmi, Mirzapur 2, Gandii Baat 6 and Disney+Hotstar’s Chhatis Aur Maina. Besides this, Amika has done around five webseries after acting on television for a span of three years wherein she has been a part of shows like Balveer Returns, Divya Drishti and Udaan In this exclusive interview, the irrepressible Amika talks to Stardust about being an outsider in the industry and how she managed to carve a niche for herself in the film industry. Read on… What was your journey in the entertainment world like? I would say that I had an amazing journey so far. I started singing at the age of 5. Since I am from Bengal and my mother is a singer, as a child, I was always inspired by her. When I turned 5, I started my training in classical singing. My mother was my first teacher. This is how my journey as a singer began. I got into professional singing after I shifted to Mumbai post Graduation. But prior to that, I was a part of a lot of reality shows. So Bombay was like a second home to me which I visited frequently to participate in singing reality shows like Sa re ga ma, Little Champs, Amul Star Voice of India, Bharat ki Shaan etc. Once I shifted to Mumbai post my graduation, I took to singing as my career. It has been more than 7-8 years that I am into singing. I have sung for movies, I have sung for music albums, I have released my own music albums as well. I have my YouTube channel which has like 80k+ subscribers. 31

So how did acting happen? I was fully into singing and then acting happened accidentally. Now it has been two years that I am into acting. The acting journey began with a musical show. They needed a singer-actor for that show and they approached me. I went for an audition but did not get selected then. It was also because I was not ready as an actor at that time. But yes, this was my first baby step into the world of acting and then I groomed myself for it. Although I did not get selected for that; it opened the doors to the world of acting for me. My first show as an actor was ‘Udaan’ on Colors TV. I never auditioned for this show in specific. I auditioned for the production house though and months later, I was selected for this show basis on the previous audition. Since then, there has never been a halt and I have been a part of a lot of TV shows. My last show on TV was Vayu Pari on Sab TV. The same goes for web series. They just came to me one after the other and then I was also lucky enough to be a part of Laxmmi along with Akshay Kumar and Kiara Advani. I have also been a part of a lot of ad films. With the rise of the OTT platforms in the country, I was fortunate enough to be a part of a number of web series like Mirzapur 2, Mask Man, Gandi Baat 5, Chattis aur Maina on Disney + Hotstar, and many more. 32

“I was fully into singing and then acting happened accidentally.” Also, the kind of work that I have been part of is really amazing and the acting journey has been fabulous till now. You’re not from the industry nor do you have any roots in the film world, were there any challenges you faced while entering the industry? I come from a family which has never been a part of the entertainment industry. I am the first in my family to step out and join the film industry. I had to struggle to make my place here. Indeed, it is very difficult to survive in a city like Mumbai, especially if you do not have financial backing. I come from a middle-class family and shifting to Mumbai was a sudden decision. So once I reached Mumbai, it was like a struggle for survival. I took up a job as a music teacher in a school and juggled between singing auditions and my job.

I have been fortunate to be a part of some really good projects and I am enjoying this process and the entire journey to date. I have learned to take both success and failure in an equal spirit. I have faced days where I did not have any work at hand. But I have only emerged stronger out of it. But I believe once I have marked a place for myself then it is purely my hard work that has helped me get good work. I believe that there are no shortcuts to success and I was always prepared for working hard. Since you know how it feels to be an outsider in the industry, do you think this entire debate on “nepotism” or “insiders versus outsiders” make sense? Nepotism has always been a part of the society that we live in. It’s not just in the entertainment industry that you find it. It is present everywhere. Like I said, I belong to a non-filmy background and had to struggle my way to success. I did not have support

“I am completely smitten by the kind of person Akshay Kumar is. What could have been better than sharing the screen space with one of the most loved superstars of the Hindi Film Industry?” or backing from anybody in the industry. But yes, as I have mentioned I believe in working hard. So, I did exactly that and that way, I could create a space for myself. It was definitely not easy but now that I think about it, I feel it was definitely worth it. I credit my success to my hard work and not to any particular person. Also, I feel the success of the OTT has been a blessing for artists. It gives an equal chance to every character involved in a particular show/ series. You might play a very small role and still be noticed and applauded for. This is not possible in films or TV as the story revolves around the lead characters only, leaving very little space for other supporting actors. 33

Tell us about the special projects that you hold dear to your heart? God has been really kind and I could be a part of some really great projects. My first film Laxxmi was with Akshay Kumar and my first OTT show was Mirzapur 2. Both of them were huge for a then fresher like me. Choosing one character could be really difficult. However, I would say that there is this upcoming project of mine – Rangbaaz Wanted, wherein I play the role of a female politician. That role is something very dear to me. It is a very dominating character and very similar to the kind of person I am. Another character that I loved shooting for is for this film called Dog. The movie is directed by Shailendra Singh and the shooting took place in Manali. We had to shoot in very low temperature with glamorous clothes. I had a great and funfilled time shooting both these projects. How was it working with Akshay Kumar in Laxxmi? I have shared the screen with Akshay Kumar in the movie Laxxmi. The complete sequence that I shot with Akshay sir is memorable. I play the role of one of the antagonist’s girlfriend. Also, I had signed this project in the very initial stage of my acting career. I was super excited about it. It was like a dream come true for me. 34

“I feel the success of the OTT has been a blessing for artists. It gives an equal chance to every character involved in a particular show/ series.” I am completely smitten by the kind of person Akshay Kumar is. What could have been better than sharing the screen space with one of the most loved superstars of the Hindi Film Industry? That too in my first ever feature film itself. So even though it was a small role in the movie I did not think twice before accepting the role. Sharing the screen with Akshay Kumar has been a great learning experience. His fitness regime had always inspired me and I could see that reflect in his work as well. He carries great enthusiasm and energy on the sets. Tell us about your role in Mussorie Boyz.? I play the lead in this film Mussoriie Boyz. My character is called Riya. The movie is directed by Hriday V Shetty. The story revolves around four male friends who belong to Mussoriie and Riya’s entry into their life is the turning point of the film. I am sure the audience will have a great time watching the movie. Riya’s entry into the film adds real entertainment to it. I had an amazing time shooting for it. Most of the film was shot in Mussorie and Dehradun. It feels great to work with a stalwart director like Hriday whose vision towards the project is unparallel.

I have been fortunate enough to be a part of some really great projects on OTT.

What are your other projects that we can look forward to? I believe in going with the flow. I have never had a checklist for myself. Things just happened to me one after the other and I am happy and contented with the way life has unfolded itself for me. So I do not believe in a lot of planning. I just take the projects as and when they come to me and if I am comfortable doing that particular kind of show.

“I just take the projects as and when they come to me and if I am comfortable doing that particular kind of show.” Singing happened… and then acting. Once I entered the world of acting, there has been no looking back for me. I was roped into one project after another. Yes, I do believe in grooming myself for the career I have chosen. And therefore, I give in a lot of effort into being fit and looking good on screen.I do wish to see myself at the top of the industry. About my upcoming projects, I have a few web series lined up for release that include: Rangbaaz Wanted where I play the role of a female politician, then there are some more like – 12 a.m, Mail Trail, Khel Khel Mein, Machand, Unsafe, and two movies - Mussoriie Boyz and Dog. 35

STARDUS T D E B AT E

NEW AGE CINEMA, NEW AGE PERCEPTION INDEED, THE PANDEMIC HAS USHERED IN A WAVE OF REVOLUTIONARY NEW THOUGHT, CHANGING MINDSET AND UNIQUE CONCEPTS IN BOLLYWOOD, TURNING IT ALMOST TOPSYTURVY. SUMITA CHAKRABORTY AND ARUSHI DUSAJ TAKE A DEEPER LOOK AT THIS HAT KE CINEMATIC REVOLUTION IN BOLLYWOOD.

It’s indeed a brave new world. The pandemic and the global lockdown aftermath that ensued changed the world, but the severest affected was definitely the glitzy world of cinema. With theatres closing down and OTT platforms emerging as a supreme entertainment source, everything has indeed gone topsy-turvy – from audience choices that have gone through a sea of changes, to box office numbers that have gone on a rollercoaster ride. And though theatres have opened up again, the old order changeth for the new and the audience has shown its utter contempt for the typical masala fare of the Bollywood of old and has opted for eclectic content that can break, make or redefine society. Of course, the worst hit are superstars like Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar or even Shah Rukh Khan who could in the past make the box office sing to their tunes, they have now found themselves getting out for a duck thanks to poor box office numbers. Brilliant actors like Manoj Bajpayee, Ayushmann Khurrana, Pankaj Tripathi, Rajkummar Rao instead are now being hailed as new age box office winners.

WITH THEATRES CLOSING DOWN AND OTT PLATFORMS EMERGING AS A SUPREME ENTERTAINMENT SOURCE, EVERYTHING HAS INDEED GONE TOPSY-TURVY – FROM AUDIENCE CHOICES THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH A SEA OF CHANGES, TO BOX OFFICE NUMBERS THAT HAVE GONE ON A ROLLERCOASTER RIDE. 37

DEEPIKA CANDIDLY CONFESSES THAT GEHRAIYAAN WAS A ‘BIT DIFFICULT FOR THE FAMILY TO DIGEST. Suddenly, the cinematic need of the day are films with edgy content that change mindsets so whether it is Rajkummar Rao’s hat ke Badhai Do, Deepika Padukone’s serial smoochin’ fare Gehraiyaan or the mind-bending Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, the viewers have shown their approval. And, how! Deepika Padukone, an actor known to take the safe route in the past; has veered treacherously on an unknown thorny path starting with Gehraiyaan. She plays Alisha, an urbane Mumbaikar in the Shakun Batra directed film which delves about human relationships. In the film, Deepika as Alisha cheats on her boyfriend and has an affair with her cousin’s fiance. Deepika candidly confesses that Gehraiyaan was a ‘bit difficult for the family to digest. She said, “I think 38

at a personal level, it was a bit difficult for them to digest what my character goes through.” A much reviewed and debated film Gehraiyaan indeed caused ripples, however, the ever-changing audience mindset appreciated that.

“FINALLY, MY COMMUNITY HAS A FILM; WHEREIN, TWO GIRLS ARE NOT SEXUALLY OBJECTIFIED FOR BEING TWO DYKES IN LOVE, AND TWO MEN AREN’T BEING CALLED “MEETHA” AND “CHUKKA” FOR BEING HOMOSEXUAL STUDS.” PARNALEKHA

Another film that underlined changing mindsets was Badhaai Do which had Rajkummar Rao and Bhumi Pednekar playing two LGBTQ characters who marry each under due to family pressure. A bold subject which would have never seen the light of day earlier, opened to stellar reviews. Rajkummar Rao’s sister-in-law Parnalekha (who is actor Patralekha’s sister) in her Instagram post, averred: “Badhaai Do is an intimate revolution that will activate a desire of transformation in the way LGBTQIA+ oriented films are made in India. Finally, my community has a film; wherein, two girls are not sexually objectified for being two dykes in love, and two men aren’t being called “meetha” and “chukka” for being homosexual studs. At the end of the day, it’s all about the sensitivity in “the gaze” and not only about “the gays” in LGBTQIA+ films. …Really appreciated the “absence” of the “male gaze” in this sensitive queer outing. The emotional, physical and psychological consequences of “lavender marriages” are intense, honourable, honest and dramatic. Add a bit of humour to this conflict and you get a light hearted dramedy called Badhaai Do.”

AYUSHMANN CALLS CHANDIGARH KARE AASHIQUI HIS RISKIEST FILM EVER AND CLAIMED THAT THE MOVIE DELIBERATELY MASKED ITS ACTUAL SUBJECT OF TRANSPHOBIA IN ITS PROMOTIONS AND CREATED THE ILLUSION OF JUST ANOTHER REGULAR ROMANTIC COMEDY TO AT LEAST GET THE AUDIENCE IN. 39

Badhaai Do’s (Sumi) Bhumi Pednekar averred, “I’m really proud that filmmakers making differential content and taking on clutter-breaking subjects, feel I can helm a project that is unique and bring their vision to life. I thrive on pushing myself constantly and my decision to do Badhaai Do was based on the fact that I get to sensitively portray a character and give voice to a subject that will be an eye-opener for India,”. Adding, “It is really exciting to be an actor in these times because such subjects are being backed by big producers who want to create a change in society. As a human being, I’m drawn to subjects that can lead to a positive impact on people and be a catalyst for social good.” Indeed! Rajkumar Rao who essayed the role of a tough gay cop in the film, also said, “Of course, I understand the responsibilities, and not just me I think all of us do. We are also big supporters of the LGBTQI community. However, as I said, it’s a very well-researched film and Harsh (the director) even had some people from the community involved while writing it. He was constantly making them read the script so that there is no wrong message.” 40

Another actor, who never shies from taking a lesser known path, is Ayushmann. He’s played a whole host of unique characters including a gay character in last year’s rom-com Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan.

“WE NEED TO SEE THIS FILM FROM AN INDIAN PERSPECTIVE, WHERE SOCIETY IS VERY COMPLEX. INDIANS IN GENERAL, DON’T EVEN KNOW THE MEANING OF TRANS.” – AYUSHMANN KHURRANA This time ‘round, Ayushmann Khurrana plays Manvinder Munjal in Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, a macho gym instructor in Chandigarh who is smitten by Maanvi Brar (Vani Kapoor), a Zumba teacher who shares his work space. Maanvi in the course of the film turns out to be a trans-woman.

GANGUBAI KATHIAWADI SHOWED THE WORLD HOW WELL VIJAY RAAZ IN THE ROLE OF A TRANS GENDER RAZIA BAI WAS PORTRAYED. Ayushmann in an interview said, “We need to see this film from an Indian perspective, where society is very complex. Indians in general, don’t even know the meaning of trans. They have no idea that, if you feel like a girl and if you’re born in a boy’s body, you can actually become a girl – they’re alien to this subject.” By the way, Ayushmann calls Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui his riskiest film ever and claimed that the movie deliberately masked its actual subject of transphobia in its promotions and created the illusion of just another regular romantic comedy to at least get the audience in. Ayushmann even hints of a sequel to Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui and says that a real trans woman should play the lead this time ‘round. Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui did well and that speaks volumes about how the mindset of the public has changed in recent times.

Earlier, transgender or gay characters would veer between villainous characters, like Sadashiv Amrapurkar’s Maharani in Sadak or crude comic prototype figures. However, Gangubai Kathiawadi showed the world how well Vijay Raaz in the role of a trans gender Razia Bai was portrayed. Indeed, it’s a new brave world with new age mindsets. So go ahead, delve and dive into the complex yet super interesting world of New Age cinema where fearless filmmakers dare to tread into unknown terrains. 41

I N THE S PO T L I G H T

“I always felt that it’s better to be on the fringe than try to be the insider - and I never had this dream of becoming an insider. In fact, I call myself an outsider.” – Manoj Bajpayee

Photograph by Meetesh Taneja

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is undoubtedly one of the best actors in the industry and his filmography tells you that in big bold letters. But he is also rather hat ke – he does his work, takes his pay cheque and goes home rather than tom-tomming his great achievements. Under-stated, he insists, “I don’t take myself seriously.” But the man is a gold mine of talent and like a chameleon, his persona transforms magically from one character to the other. Meet the super talented Manoj Bajpayee, an actor par excellence, who in a candid interview with Sumita Chakraborty talks about his eventful journey as an actor, his films and the OTT, and gives an honest take on ‘insiders versus outsiders’ and more. Read on… Manoj, you’ve had a remarkable journey and you are one of our best actors. But, I believe your struggle story before entering the industry is unique. Could you tell us about it? I personally believe that every struggle, though I don’t want to call my journey a struggle because this is something I always wanted to do - and I don’t believe you are struggling even if you are facing difficulties because your eyes and your mind is always focused on the goal. And what will make you achieve that goal is the craft and your whole purpose is to learn the craft and to keep going on every story. Every person who has big dreams in their eyes is unique and their journey too is very unique and I personally don’t want to glorify the journey. People give you so much respect not because of your journey but because of the work they see - and that makes them curious about knowing your life. At the end of the day, what I always believed in is that one should always focus on the work one wants to do and the dream you set out for and the craft… everything after that just gets blurred. No matter how many difficulties you face, the passion for the craft always takes you there - it makes you forget everything in between.

“I personally believe that every struggle, though I don’t want to call my journey a struggle because this is something I always wanted to do - and I don’t believe you are struggling even if you are facing difficulties because your eyes and your mind is always focused on the goal.” 43

You were not from the film industry so what made you think of becoming an actor? I don’t know you’ll have to ask the divine God that because I really don’t know what made me believe that I’m an actor. Since the time I started doing theater, participating in art and culture activities and poetry recitation since that time, I wanted to become an actor. If you ask me the reason, I don’t know maybe I’m born just for this purpose. The whole material purpose of my life it seems has been just to act and express myself creatively. You are an integral part of the industry today…..What is your take on the ‘insiders versus outsiders’, nepotism issues? I don’t know if I’m an integral part of the industry or not. What I see and read has always been very saddening for me because there is a whole PR machinery that is hired to create an aura or create an image around a few of them. Yes, definitely, they can afford it and the whole ‘outsider and insider’ thing at the end of the day - it’s a private enterprise. It’s all reduced from passion to private business firms. So if the father is getting older, he would like his children to take his place. 44

“I don’t know if I’m an integral part of the industry or not. What I see and read has always been very saddening for me because there is a whole PR machinery that is hired to create an aura or create an image around a few of them.”

“The whole material purpose of my life it seems has been just to act and express myself creatively.“

Photograph by Meetesh Taneja

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I look at it this way and when that happens you really don’t have much to say about it because if someone is putting in money on his child, you can’t have any complaints about that person because it’s his money at the end of the day, and however he wants to use it, he will use it. But I always felt that it’s better to be on the fringe than try to be the insider - and I never had this dream of becoming an insider. I call myself an outsider. I always felt comfortable staying on the fringe and just going out to work and coming home, taking my pay cheque and spending the rest of the time with the family and friends… and letting my work speak for itself. This whole debate of ‘insider-outsider’ or nepotism takes a back seat in my mind. It really doesn’t matter to me. What matters is the work that I’m doing and the filmography I want to create in this lifetime. That’s all! You are a brilliant actor…. In fact, each of your films showcases your superlative talent…Is there any particular way you tackle your various characters….Are you a method actor? First of all…thank you very much for complimenting and loving my work. If you ask me about my method, yes I have really trained myself rigorously and take great pride in saying that when I landed in this 46

Yes, Aligarh was not only path-breaking but also one of the most difficult characters that I have played. It was never about Professor Siras or his sexual preference.” city and decided to be a part of the film industry, I was ready! I was all prepared. I have spent 8-10 years just learning the craft - doing years of theater before coming into this extremely professional industry. I knew that since there was no one from my family or friends who belonged to this industry I really had to be prepared to go for any kind of opportunity which might come my way. So every role that I do, yes I always devise a plan and an approach and make an extra effort to do that role and this has been the case with every film that I have done… nothing happens on the set just like that. There’s a preparation - if you’re not preparing then… God bless you!

Photograph by Meetesh Taneja

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“‘Aligarh’ or ‘Bhonsle’, all of these films have really put a ‘chaar chand’ into my filmography and I’m so happy that I chose those films and these roles.” I feel that this is my passion. I love acting, I love working in films and throwing myself completely into the role I play. It’s quite immersive - at times it’s painful, even tortuous but that pain and torture is extremely pleasure giving, if everything falls in place. I enjoy myself on the sets too once the character is set, once I know the soul of it, once I know after 10 days that now the character is in my hand and everything is just shaping out well. After that I started enjoying it. But, yes to begin with, I must say there’s an approach I devise for each and every role I play. There’s not one or two approaches that I have but while reading the script I think of a plan and I chalk out the plan and just follow that. 48

You did a path breaking movie like Aligarh, were there any challenges you faced while doing this film? Yes, Aligarh was not only path-breaking but also one of the most difficult characters that I have played. It was never about Professor Siras or his sexual preference. I never focused on his sexual preference because for me it was not his sexual preference which was of any interest for me. For me, my interest was more on his likes and dislikes, more on the human being who is there in the script. It was a month or two months of reading the script and really following the plan that I had that it all worked out so well and I thank God that I could think about that method or that approach to do that role. Do you think the pandemic changed the way films are perceived in terms of content and the entire concept of superstars to just good content? I always believe that ‘larger than life’ films will do well because all the ideas that you get about the audience and film reactions are from the west and even during the pandemic, some of the super heroes’ films were doing well. So that was giving an idea that if you make those larger than life kind of films, people will appreciate them. ‘Pushpa’ is an example. There have been so many other films from the South that have become national phenomena’s. They have been accepted nationally, and so even when films and theaters open completely, these are the films which will be lapped up well. People will welcome them if they are made well and the story is good. It creates an enthusiasm in the audience. I believe theaters will never go away or any other medium will never go away but yes. OTT has become an addiction for people. I see that every content - if it is good, it is being welcomed and being binged upon immediately, so the vastness of OTT will always be very attractive for the audience.

“When I look back at what I want to change, I wish the OTT happened 10-15 years back.” Photograph by Meetesh Taneja

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You are a fabulous actor….Do you think this new wave of entertainment is the perfect setting for good actors? New wave of entertainment has proved itself a boon for not only good actors but for any good professional from any department. I’m so happy that most of the people are busy today and don’t have dates so they’re not only looking at films to express themselves as there are opportunities coming their way from OTT - and it is really justifying that their talent is out there. You always choose challenging roles like in films like Aligarh. Do you think the way you portrayed your character in Aligarh helped change people’s mindsets? ‘Aligarh’ or ‘Bhonsle’, all of these films have really put a ‘chaar chand’ into my filmography and I’m so happy that I chose those films and these roles. ‘Aligarh’ has not only entertained the audience very well but also somewhere when the Supreme Court has given its ruling - they have also mentioned the film Aligarh. It happens very rarely and if Aligarh has created some kind of a debate, I’m very happy to be part of a creative process or part which has indirectly helped in taking the debate or the discussion forward. I’m the person of the belief that a film alone cannot change the world and it can only contribute a little bit to the discussion and the debate which is going on. From films to OTT, how was the transition…especially doing Family Man which went on to become hugely successful? It is no extra effort that one has to make coming from films, OTT or TV because you’re facing the camera, you’re acting for the camera so you just have to be truthful to the character and work hard. Yes, the series are tedious, they take so much juice out of you, they exhaust you especially when you’re making it for that long, you have to be physically and mentally fit to be 50

“I am very happy about myself that I’ve chosen some great films and projects with some amazing directors of our time - and I’m learning so much just by working with them.” able to go on for a very long time - and also you need to know the character and script backward to really maintain the graph and consistency. These are the challenges that one faces I have been doing this even for films but yes, the OTT series are far more tedious than any film. They’re like shooting for four films together! Which are the projects you are looking forward to? I am very happy about myself that I’ve chosen some great films and projects with some amazing directors of our time - and I’m learning so much just by working with them. All of them have been contributing to my work and my ethics of work so I have been gaining exposures and education in cinema lately from people like Raghuram Reddy, Kanu Behl, Abhishek Chaubey, Devashish Makhija, Rahul Chitella - all of these are fantastic directors of our time and probably some of the best. Like Abhishek Choubey, I feel that this hugely gifted man is somebody we should really stand up and salute every time he comes out with something - and I’m very sure that the day will come when this industry will understand what a fantastic director he is who has been working in our time. So, yes I’m looking forward to the films that he is going to make and the projects that he is going to showcase his talent in and I’m so

“Autobiographies are very rarely truthful and at the end of the day, you are only glorifying yourself and putting certain part of you away from the pages as you don’t want people to know about them. If at all I write ‘it’, I’ll write it truthfully or maybe I’ll not write it at all.” privileged that I have worked with him in Sonchiriya, Hungama Kyon Hai Barpa - a great anthology and the project that we’ve just finished. Yes, Raghuram Reddy, Kanu Behl, Abhishek Chaubey or Devashish Makhija, Rahul Chitella are all so gifted… and I have got a such great opportunity to work with these directors. When you look back at your eventful journey in films, is there anything you’d like to change? When I look back at what I want to change, I wish the OTT happened 10-15 years back. Sometimes, we even feel envious of the generation that has come after us - when they started working on the OTT - they have had so many choices with great content, great projects and directors to work with. That’s all! Otherwise, there’s no regret I feel proud of the fact that I have worked with almost all the great directors of my time and I’m working with some really great and gifted directors of this time. Input Arushi Dusaj

Manoj, you’re one of India’s best actors and of course we expect many more fabulous performances from you. But, do you think some day you’d write a book or make a biopic on your eventful yet inspirational life? It’s very difficult to take myself very seriously. I take my work very seriously but like I said, I just take the pay cheque and go home. Yes, I take great pride when I look at my filmography - and think about the circumstances in which I took those roles and have done those roles. But to write an autobiography or to make a film on one’s life, I think one needs to have the quality or the element of taking yourself seriously. I don’t have it! I really don’t think I have done that much of great work or have been that kind of an actor or seen my journey as that unique to tell the world - look at me or look at my journey somehow that’s not me or my character. I don’t think I will ever do it. Autobiographies are very rarely truthful and at the end of the day, you are only glorifying yourself and putting certain part of you away from the pages as you don’t want people to know about them. I don’t have that strength in me. If at all I write ‘it’, I’ll write it truthfully or maybe I’ll not write it at all. 51

STARDUS T E X CL U SI VE

“Now that theatres are opening and people are going back to cinemas to be uplifted, inspired, entertained, I see nothing but good tidings.” – Anand Pandit With more than 50 films as producer along with rave reviews for his films Big Bull with Abhishek Bachchan and Chehre which starred the great Amitabh Bachchan, Anand Pandit is now being hailed as a producer with the Midas touch. Indeed, he’s supposed to be the ‘go-to’ man for A-listers in Bollywood with his premium films as well as his high-end, luxury real estate company, Lotus Developers which has developed residences for the who’s who of Bollywood. Stardust caught up with Anand Pandit to ask him about his upcoming films ‘Thank God’ and Marathi film ‘Victoria’ which are lined up for this year as well as business prospects in cinema post Covid. Read on… 53

“When we released ‘Chehre’, we wanted to bring some good cheer to the theatres and we felt that the production values and the stature of Amitabh Bachchan deserved to be celebrated on the big screen.”

Your film ‘Chehre’ was released in theatres and then had an OTT release, according to you what was different in terms of the response you received from the audience? When we released ‘Chehre’, we wanted to bring some good cheer to the theatres and we felt that the production values and the stature of Amitabh Bachchan deserved to be celebrated on the big screen. The audience response was positive but at that time, not many people were lining up to watch movies in theatres. When we released the film on Amazon Prime, we realized that people were discovering other qualities in the narrative. …The fact that the dialogues were thought-provoking and the suspense built up slowly to reach a boiling point. In a way, the film was suited for both mediums and we are glad that audiences got to enjoy it on the big screen and the small one. How was it working with Amitabh Bachchan - I believe he didn’t take any fee for the film. Yes, Amit ji loved the story and his role so much that he did not charge any fee and instead lent his support to us in so many ways that it is hard for me to exactly sum up his contribution to the film in simple words.

He was such an inspiring, positive presence on the sets, so professional in the most challenging of weathers, a big part of the promotional campaigns and just infused so much of his magical energy in the film. How was it working with Rumy Jafry, the director of the film? With this film, Rumy Ji also displayed a very different side as a storyteller and brought great depth to the story with his crystal clear ideas. With the cinema halls reopening, would you still consider OTT releases? I have always said that every film has its own destiny and is meant for a certain kind of projection that is perfect for it. If a film is made on a more intimate scale, I will choose an OTT streamer for it but as a big-screen cinephile, I would also love to make films that are meant for the big screen and can transport the audience to a different world.

Amit ji loved the story and his role so much that he did not charge any fee and instead lent his support to us in so many ways that it is hard for me to exactly sum up his contribution to the film in simple words.” 55

Tell us something about your upcoming projects’ Thank God’ and Marathi film ‘Victoria’? ‘Victoria’ is my third Marathi production and stars Pushkar Jog, Sonalee Kulkarni, Aashay Kulkarni, and Heera Sohal. The film’s coproducer is Vaishali Shah. The film will be directed by Jeet Ashok and Virajas Kulkarni with the story, screenplay, and dialogues by Omkar Gokhale, Jeet Ashok, and Virajas Kulkarni. This will hopefully be a brand new chapter in Marathi cinema and we are shooting the film in Scotland. ‘ Thank God is a delightful social comedy and stars Ajay Devgan, Siddharth Malhotra, and Rakul Preet Singh and is made by my very dear friend Indra Kumar who is known for his wholesome, family entertainers. You are also involved in the film Bal Shivaji - what made you take this up? It is a story close to my heart and also the first historical film I am making and this has been a daunting as well as educative

“As a big-screen cinephile, I would also love to make films that are meant for the big screen and can transport the audience to a different world.” process to come this far with the film. Right now, we want to get the period details and the cast and crew right because a project like this deserves the very best that we have to offer as storytellers.

What are your views on the growth of regional cinema especially Marathi cinema? Well, people enjoy good content and that is the only distinction that matters right now. It doesn’t matter if a story is in French, Korean, German, Spanish, or in any of our regional languages. If the audience loves it, connects with it, it is a hit, be it on OTT or on the big screen. Marathi cinema has always had a great tradition of storytelling but now it is becoming more contemporary, more adventurous. The horizons are opening and we are seeing new faces in all departments and I see a resurgence unfolding right before my eyes. Post Covid, do you see a change in the way people will respond to Bollywood films? People have suffered greatly during the pandemic and there is enormous emotional fatigue in the absence of the things we once took for granted. Now that theatres are opening, there has been a steady stream of big hits and people are going back to cinemas to be uplifted, inspired, entertained, and with more biggies in the pipeline, I see nothing but good tidings.

“Just the fact that the industry has prevailed over so many challenges makes me confident that the business of cinema in 2022 will exceed our expectations.”

How do you perceive the business of cinema in 2022? …Promising because thanks to higher vaccination rates and sanitation protocols, audiences are finally returning in big numbers to the theatres. They have missed going to the movies and are finally able to enjoy the immersive magic of the big screen. I also feel hopeful about the future because we are now better prepared to manage the pandemic than before. Just the fact that the industry has prevailed over so many challenges makes me confident that the business of cinema in 2022 will exceed our expectations. 57

MUS IC ROOM

“I was so overwhelmed by AR Rahman Sir’s magnanimous gesture of including me in his list of favourite singers.” – Pratibha Singh Baghel

Her

melodious voice touches the very essence of the soul and takes you to a magical musical world. Meet Pratibha Singh Baghel who has sung many beautiful songs in her fabulous voice for films, various platforms and performed even in a play. Here Pratibha talks to Sumita Chakraborty about her musical journey, working with the maestros, performing at ISHa and more. Pratibha, I believe you started out from a musical reality show and from there you went on to sing for Hindi films, in your eventful journey I’m sure you have been exposed to a potpourri of wonderful music… How much has your musical journey been impacted by the varied experiences you have had - from a reality show to now? Yes, I started my musical official journey from Saregamapa 2009 and it has been wonderful. I never want to call my initial days “a struggle”. Everybody in every profession has to work with honesty, dedication and discipline, I did that too - I very strongly believe that hard work never goes wasted. And it didn’t! Being from a Rajput family, I never ever thought I would be in Mumbai, singing for films (Manikarnika, Saand Ki

Aankh, Bazaar, Bhuj, Bellbottom etc...), collaborating with maestros like the legendary Gulzar Sahab, Ustad Zakir Hussain Sahab, Deepak Pandit ji , AR Rahman sir, Shankar Mahadevan sir, Salim-Sulaiman ji , Sanjay Leela Bhansali ji and many more. It just felt like a dream but here I am today. I got the blessings from all the musicians that I have always admired and have looked up to. When I was very new in Mumbai, I used to hear that the industry is very different and bad for females. But when I entered this industry, I only received appreciation and respect. I was fortunate that everyone around me was so inspiring and dedicated to music. Indeed, if you are talented, hard-working and dedicated, no hardships can come your way.

renowned international artists like Jordan Rudess and Gary Husband were present. God has been kind to me. I sang my first Hindi Bollywood song with Ustad Rashid Khan Sahab in Issaq, where the incredible musical duo Sachin-Jigar offered me this song Jheeni Re Jheeni . After that, I sang for maestros like Shankar Mahadevan ji, Salim Sulaiman ji, Ismail Darbar ji and many more… I feel very lucky that all the musicians who I have admired always, I am working with them and it’s nothing less than a reward for me .

You worked with some of the biggest talents, could you tell us about that? I got the opportunity to work with the legendary Gulzar Sahab in our album “Bole Naina (Silences speak)”, which was composed and produced so beautifully by Deepak Panditji along with great musicians like Gaurav Vaswani and Prashant Sonagra . My second collaboration with Deepak Pandit ji again with Sufiscore was “Inheritance”, where Deepak Pandit ji executed the whole album with the Budapest symphony orchestra. I also sang in an album called “Unbounded” by the great sitarist and composer PurbayanChatterji ji, where

You moved from a small town to Mumbai, how did you kick-start your career here? I am from Rewa, Madhya Pradesh. I don’t call it a small city as it’s not, it’s a place where Tansen Sahab performed in Raja Ramchandra ji’s Darbar. How can it be called a small city? In comparison to Mumbai, it’s definitely smaller but the talent is much bigger and larger than life. I am proud to be from Vindhya Pradesh. Late 2009, I started my musical journey and came to Mumbai… and so far it has been so beautiful. I wish my musical journey keeps going like this till I’m alive. You lent your voice to feature films including Issaq, Bollywood Diaries, Shorgul, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya, Zid, Manikarnika and Baba Ramsaa Peer, how did you get these breaks? As I said earlier, I only knew very few people in the industry when I came to Mumbai during Saregamapa. I sang for these films only after persuading them with my dedication for music.

…Any memorable anecdote in your musical journey that you would like to share with us? Hahaha! I remember when I was called to sing for the film Bazaar by Sohail Sen along with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan ji, we recorded the song so many times because sometimes the scale wouldn’t match, sometimes lyrics changed but what made us keep going was our passion to do the song. So when it released, it got so much love from the audience.

I lost in touch with Shankar ji but he is such a genuine person that when I got back in touch with him. he said. “Pratibha where were you? You don’t know how many songs have you lost.” I said, “Koi baat nahi Sir ab aa gayi hun.” That was the day and I continued to get his love and blessings. I sang for Saand Ki Aankh for my dear friend and composer Vishal Mishra - I absolutely love his approach towards music. Also, I sang for Lalit Pandit ji in Shorgul , Vipin Patwa for Bollywood Diaries and Bhuj, Shantanu Dutta for Bellbottom etc.

What about the digital platform – are you also straddling the OTT along with films? Absolutely! OTT platforms have made a new way for new audience. It’s better to make your work reach out to several platforms and audiences. When I sang Chhedkhaniya for Bandish Bandits for SEL, it never felt like it was not for a film. It reached across the globe. 61

You were the voice for Kangana Ranaut and so many leading ladies, do you have any bucket list to sing for any particular actors in Bollywood? I admire and love Rekhaji so much - I wish I could get an opportunity to sing for her. But if we talk about now, I love Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt and Priyanka Chopra I would love to sing for all of them. Actors have started singing too, what do you think of this? I think there’s no harm in doing that but only if it’s acceptable and justified. If you sing well and people love your singing as well as acting, then why not? However just a humble reminder… whatever you do or want to get into; please learn the basics of it. Do you think you have got your due in the industry? It’s never enough! But I think I have got more than what I had thought or asked for. So I’m grateful. My hunger to work more and work with every kind of musicians, whom I love, is always there. Apart from this, I feel content - God loves me more than a normal human being as he has blessed me with music . 62

The pandemic caused havoc in everybody’s life, how did you cope with the lockdown and everything else? The lockdown was really sad for everyone because the world just took a pause. I was fortunate to be with my family and I kept creating music in the lockdown. What you are listening to now, most of them are releasing on Sufiscore banner. I gave a lot of time to my craft which is difficult while travelling and performing. I took a pause and took a step towards making new music for my audience. Which are the projects you are looking forward to now? I am eagerly waiting for a beautiful Ghazal that I have sung for Sanjay Leela Bhansali ji. He has composed for this upcoming album. Then I have a song with SalimSulaiman ji coming up with Sufiscore. One more is in the pipeline with Shankar Mahadevan ji and Shivam Mahadevan - there are a few more very beautiful originals by the maestro Deepak Pandit ji - I am looking forward to all this.

You also performed at the ISHA ashram in front of Sadhguru and lakhs of people on Mahashivratri? How was the experience? Performing at ISHA in front of Adiyogi and Sadhguru was divine. After offering my music to Adiyogi, I was choked and overwhelmed to see lakhs of people sinking in spirituality. The aura and grandeur that place has just can’t be expressed - it only can be experienced and felt. In some of the recent interviews of AR Rahman, he has appreciated you when he speaks about his current favourite singers - and you also visited the Firdaus studio in Dubai. Tell us something about your meeting with him? What do I say! As musicians, we all have been inspired from AR Rahman sir’s music. Honestly, I didn’t even know that he had spoken about me in his interview, someone sent it to me and then I checked my social media - it was flooded with that clip. I was so overwhelmed by AR Rahman Sir’s magnanimous gesture that I was included in his list. This is so hugely motivating and humbling – it makes me feel more motivated to focus on my music. I recently met AR Rahman sir in Dubai and he took us to his new Firdaus Studio at Dubai Expo. We spent some wonderful 4-5 hours with him - we spoke so much about the music he likes, we heard the songs from the film 99 songs, we heard Madhurani ji... His humility and generosity is just another level. All I can say that I feel blessed.

We have seen you playing a lead role in the theatrical Umrao Jaan Ada and Mughal-e-Azam. How did you get into theatre and acting? Performing in Mughal-e-Azam and Umrao Jaan Ada (the Musical) was indeed beyond amazing! I had been performing on stage since more than 15 years now but being on stage as a character is different. It’s challenging as you can’t behave like a singer, you have to be the character. My first ever play was Mughal-e-azam directed by Feroz Abbas Khan. I joined as Bahaar and I can say that to start with I was fortunate to be working with the best. It was a great learning experience under Feroz sir not only as an artist but as an individual. Then I joined Umrao Jaan Ada as the female protagonist Umrao Jaan – this was directed by Rajeev Goswami. Here I experienced an absolutely different approach towards theatre. It was too much fun being on stage and off stage. I got to work very closely with the music maestros Salim Sulaiman and seeing their dedication made me realise how much hard work and passion it takes to reach where they are. 63

STAR LIS T

Bollywood & South Biggies Take The OTT plunge

The true blood cinematic lover hero and heroines at first thumbed their noses at the OTT platforms but now, post the pandemic lockdown, many big stars have made their digital debuts on the OTT platform. Sumita Chakraborty finds out more… 64

They scoffed at the OTT platforms at first… they felt it was a much lesser platform than the big screen and it would be a come down for them to be seen on it. Post pandemic, things have changed. The lockdown hit the theatres in solar plexis and crippled it. The suddenly OTT platforms became the new hero of the celluloid familes. Over the last two years, many Bollywood actors stars like Saif Ali Khan, Sushmita Sen, Arjun Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, and Rajkummar Rao have taken the plunge and made their way to the OTT platform.

Adding to this list now is: Ajay Devgn: One of the country’s biggest stars, Ajay Devgn, with his crime thriller, Rudra - The Edge of Darkness makes his digital series debut. Ajay Devgn dons a new avatar of a fierce cop, taking viewers on a journey into the dark oceanic depths of criminal minds. Spanning over six episodes, this gripping series is an Indian rendition of the iconic and globally successful British series, Luther. As Rudra - The Edge of Darkness releases in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam and Bengali; let’s take a look at shows and films featuring other Bollywood stars.

Madhuri Dixit Nene: Fame Game: ‘The Fame Game’ (formerly known as Finding Anamika) takes us into the world of superstar Anamika played by the evergreen, ever-gorgeous Madhuri Dixit Nene! Madhuri makes her streaming debut with Netflix’s latest family drama The Fame Game, where she will be seen rekindling her on-screen chemistry with her former co-star Sanjay Kapoor after nearly 21 years, as well giving us another iconic on-screen duo with Manav Kaul.

Sushmita Sen as Aarya Sareen, in Aarya: Aarya is forced to return to India and face her family and enemies. With multiple attacks jolting her, can she and her children escape the threats of the past?

Esha Deol: She’s embraced motherhood twice and has not been seen much. But now, she too has taken the plunge into the magical world of the OTT and is now seen in Rudra – The Edge Of Darkness opposite Ajay Devgn playing his estranged wife.

Alia Bhatt as Aarya Desai, in Sadak 2: Ravi, a suicidal taxi driver, plans to shut shop when a young girl, Aarya, compels him to take her on a life-altering journey to Kailash.

Abhishek Bachchan as Hemant Shah, in The Big Bull: During the late ‘80s, Hemant Shah, the man with the Midas touch, pulled off the biggest hustle that shook India’s financial fabric. Inspired by true events.

Saif Ali Khan as Vibhooti, in Bhoot Police: Two brothers Vibhooti and Chiraunji have ‘fought’ their share of ghosts. However, a new case forces them to rethink their abilities and beliefs.

Lara Dutta – Hundred: Charting her comeback with the comedy series, Hundred, beloved actor Lara Dutta played the role of a female cop on a race against time. She sets out to solve crimes with a new undercover agent while taking the viewer on a hilarious emotional roller coaster.

Padmini Kolhapure – Dil Bekaraar: Veteran actor Padmini Kolhapure marked her digital debut with Disney+ Hotstar’s family drama, Dil Bekarar. The show set in ‘80s India saw the actress take the audience on a nostalgic journey with her character, Bhudevi. She played a middle-aged gossip-loving socialite who loves paan, is a ping pong champion and is forever suspicious of her husband. 67

Poonam Dhillon - Dil Bekaraar: Also marking her digital debut alongside Raj Babbar and Padmini Kolhapure, beloved actor Poonam Dhillon too starred in Hotstar Specials family drama, Dil Bekaraar. Playing the role of Mamta, she essayed her usual charming grace on the screen to the fullest. As a mother of 5 who dreams of seeing all her children settle down in life, she reveled in her role of a benevolent mother.

Sunny Leone – Anamika: Sunny plays an assassin out to take revenge in this action packed thriller. The much talked about spy thriller of the town from the house of Vikram Bhatt is all set to release on 10th March on MX Player. Sunny Leone trained in Gun-fu for this web series, wherein she is fighting enemies as she sets out to find the truth about her past.

Regina Cassandra: A leading name in the South cinema, Regina Cassandra left everyone impressed with her performance in Rocket Boys as Mrinalini Sarabhai. After the show’s release, fans are anticipating her next Hindi project. Next, the busy star will feature in Raj & DK’s Fakes starring Shahid Kapoor. 68

Samantha Ruth Prabhu: Samantha Ruth Prabhu became rage PANIndia after her brilliant showdown in Raj & DK’s The Family Man. The craft with which the actress aced her character arch earned massive fandom, making the audience eagerly wait for her next Bollywood venture.

Raashi Khanna: Riding high on the massive reception and success of Rudra - The Edge of Darkness, Raashi Khanna has earned immense love for her terrific performance in the show. Much to everyone’s excitement, the actress has multiple projects on the horizon.

Pooja Hegde: Rightly hailed for her command over the craft, Pooja Hegde boasts an impressive filmography both in Hindi and South cinema. After Mohenjo Daro and Housefull 4, the actress has PAN-India film Radhe Shyam and Cirkus in the pipeline. 69

Stardust on the go Childhood memories of Shraddha Kapoor’s birthday bash with mom

Looking coy: Jacqueline Fernandez

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.

Oh yes, he still can dance: Amitabh Bachchan

Yoga with Janhvi Kapoor

Pretty sisters: Sonam Kapoor and Janhvi Kapoor

I’ m a poser: Sonakshi SInha

Dancing diva: Madhuri Dixit Nene

Param sundari: Kriti Sanon

When couture meets culture: Karan Johar

Dance like Tiger Shroff

Pretty ‘n pink: Kiara Advani

Who’s the hottest girl? Disha Patani

StarrySashay Sensuous. Sexy. Stunning… That’s right, satin slip dresses are trending! And, how! In fact, Bollywood female actors absolutely love this trend, and of course, these super fashionistas are also nailing the style quotient of this trend to the ‘T’. So what makes satin slip dresses such a turn on worldwide? Well for one, satin slip dresses can make the silhouette look absolutely gorgeous and sexy. It also accentuates the figure and also gives a slimmer effect. So we picked some gorgeous Bollywood divas who raise the temp in their satin slip dresses. So what are you waiting for…? Get your rating grades and mark the actresses according to who flaunted the hot satin slip dresses look best.

Rashmika Mandanna

Ananya Panday

Katrina Kaif

Malaika Arora

Vaani Kapoor

Mira Rajput

Kareena Kapoor

Nushrat Bharucha

Samantha Ruth Prabhu

Tara Sutaria

Disha Patani

m o r f t s a l B t s a p the

BLOW HOT, BLOW COLD

Hrithik Battles The Barbara Mori Romance Rumours This article has been taken from the dusty Stardust archives. In a competitive and cut-throat industry, it’s seemingly impossible for any star to escape the burden of controversies and scandals that somehow seem to come hand in hand with fame and fortune. The mightiest of celebrities have fallen prey to this syndrome and the reason is simple – along with the fans and well wishers come your own share of detractors. The bigger the star, the bigger the scandal. And though someone like Hrithik Roshan has faced such a situation before, what he’s encountering right now is far severe in magnitude. Perhaps the only way he can tackle it is by lying low, which is what he’s doing. 74

Hrithik’s forthcoming film, ‘Kites’, has been in news ever since it was launched. Initially, it was just supposed to be another production from Rakesh Roshan’s Film Kraft. But as the script progressed, the film became bigger in size. It elevated to a different league when Big Pictures paid the highest price ever in film history – Rs 125 crores and bought the film overFor Rakesh Roshan, ‘Kites’ is more than just a profitable venture on paper. The filmmaker believes that this is one film that could take Hrithik into mainstream commercial Hollywood. For that reason, Big Pictures will be releasing two different versions of the film – one for the global market and one for India. If Hrithik succeeds in garnering any attention in the West, it’ll be a whole new beginning for the actor.

That’s why everyone associated with the film is making headlines and that includes the lead heroine, the Mexican beauty Barbara Mori. When Barbara was signed for such a gargantuan project, everyone wondered who she was. Not much is known about her even now. Barbara was a small-time model in Mexico when she met a local actor, Sergio Mayer, and they fell in love. They never got married but had a child soon enough. Barbara pursued her acting dreams and soon landed up with a part in a television series. Around that time, she separated from Sergio even while her career was on the upswing. In 2005, she had a massive blockbuster to her credit. While finalising the lead actress for Kites, Rakesh Roshan knew exactly what he wanted. The girl had to have an international profile but at the same time, she needed to look comfortable with the Indian audience too – that’s why he went looking for faces in Spain and Mexico. Among all the girls he auditioned, he found Barbara to be the best bet. Hrithik agreed – his father couldn’t have been more correct. 76

Hrithik got to know Barbara better when she came down to India for the extensive shooting schedule. He almost lay down the red carpet for her. A special vanity van was designed for Barbara, keeping her needs in mind. Hrithik paid personal attention to the service apartment that was arranged by the Roshans for Barbara to stay, along with her son and family. When Barbara landed in Mumbai, she was overwhelmed with all the comforts. That’s how the friendship between her and Hrithik took off. The film has been shot in exotic locations like New Mexico, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and the Maldives. Barbara behaved like a true-blue professional; she delivered whatever was expected of her. Like a source from the unit tells us, “Barbara has worked with a lot of actors before but she was thoroughly impressed with Hrithik’s dedication. She even told him that. When they were shooting in New Mexico, Hrithik did a few action scenes that took everyone’s breath away. She couldn’t believe it that he was doing all this without a body double. With every working day that passed, their chemistry became better with each other. And you could see that off screen too.”

Over the last two months, the shooting of ‘Kites’ was on full swing in Mumbai. One often saw Hrithik and Barbara spending a lot of time with each other, even when they were not shooting. In between shots, they would chat at leisure in their make-up vans. Outsiders were not allowed on the sets but the news of their friendship soon became a subject of discussion. This was when one first heard the buzz of their alleged romance. A member of the crew informs us, “Barbara cannot speak Hindi at all. And the problem was that most of the technicians weren’t fluent in English, including director Anurag Basu. Communication was sometimes a major hassle. So it was Hrithik who decided to play the role of a mediator. Even when he was not required on the sets, he would be present so that there was no delay due to miscommunication. There were so many times when Anurag would convey his thoughts to Barbara with Hrithik acting as the interpreter.” Another time the industry was abuzz with the BarbaraHrithik scandal talk was when eyewitnesses saw the couple

at Amby Valley, a private retreat almost three hours drive from Mumbai. A close friend of the actor finally puts to rest the speculation. “There was a time when the unit had taken a break. Barbara’s sister had come down and Barbara wanted to take her family to some quiet and peaceful place for a short holiday. 77

There was no sign of Suzanne anywhere around. “That’s because Barbara was with him when he was doing that shot. When the glass pierced his hand, she was in a state of shock. She insisted on coming along with him to the hospital. Suzanne was not in the vicinity so she took a while to get there,” states the friend.

Hrithik suggested Amby Valley. He only accompanied them till there because Barbara and her family have no clue about the city and its outskirts. He played the role of a gracious host.” The whispers kept getting louder with each passing day. “Hrithik and Barbara have often gone out for dinners and Suzanne has been there too,” says an actor friend of the couple. Eyebrows were also raised when Hrithik had an accident on the sets of the film and he had to be admitted to a nearby hospital. When the media reached there, they only saw Barbara by his side. 78

There is no denying that Hrithik has become extremely close to Barbara’s family as well, especially her son Sergio. Our source adds, “But that’s mainly because Hrithik is awarethat the family doesn’t know anybody in Mumbai. Rakesh Roshan has deliberately kept her away from the media. When the film is ready, he’ll introduce her to the Indian audiences and the media with a huge launch. But right now, she’s not allowed to go out anywhere by herself. That’s why Hrithik gives her company. He spends a lot of time playing video games with her son.” One of the stories doing the rounds is that Suzanne hasn’t taken too kindly to this growing bond between her husband and Barbara.

According to hearsay, the couple has been having frequent fights over this issue. Sometime back, when Hrithik didn’t turn up for an awards function after committing his presence, Barbara had to shoulder the blame. Rumours insisted that Hrithik and Suzanne had a major argument at home just when he was about to leave. An angry Hrithik simply decided to skip the event. Barbara was supposed to come along with him; she too cancelled. But the actor’s loyalists maintain a different version. As one of them says, “The awards ceremony took place when the final schedule of ‘Kites’ was wrapping up. Hrithik had clearly told the organizers that he would only come if he finished on time. But the shoot extended well after midnight. There was no way he could leave early as a major chunk had to be finished. The whole unit was present at the studio that night and they had to complete a very important scene. If what people say is true, why did Hrithik and Suzanne attend so many public events after a couple of days later? That happened because the shooting was over,” he stresses.

Once the shooting portion in Mumbai was complete, Hrithik and Suzanne took off to an undisclosed destination for a much-needed vacation. According to many, this was kind of a makeup trip for the actor. His actor friend laughs when we mention this to him. “They haven’t taken any time off for almost four months now. More than Suzanne, it was Hrithik who needed a break. In fact, he had made this plan with some other friends who were supposed to join them too. We had all discussed this holiday when we were in Goa celebrating Farah Khan (Sanjay Khan’s daughter and Suzanne’s sister) and her Aqeel’s wedding celebrations. At the last minute, the others dropped out so Hrithik and Suzanne went on their own,” he clarifies. However, the rumours refuse to die down and as the film gets ready for release, the buzz is only getting stronger. Earlier this month, it was reported that Suzanne had walked out of Hrithik’s house and shifted into her parents’ residence. The story goes like this: After their vacation, things were fine between the couple for a while. 79

But by then, the news of their impending split was already out. Even though the couple indulged in some damage control the next day, industry folk were already discussing the implications of this break-up. “Suddenly, the Barbara issue has become much bigger than one imagined,” says one of the actor’s costars. “Hrithik and Suzanne may have patched up for now but if they have done this to keep a scandal at bay, how long will it last?”

Then just before Hrithik left for South Africa to do an ad film, something happened between them with relation to Barbara. A couple of days later, when the actor was still out of the country, Suzanne moved out of the house with bag, baggage and the kids. A source informs us, “Hrithik was shattered when he heard that Suzanne had left him. The night he came back to town, he went straight to his inlaws’ house. They sorted out their differences and he even spent the night there. For the sake of each other and the kids, they decided to give each other another chance.” 80

At this time, though, Hrithik is trying his best to douse the controversy. As he says, “It is too funny! Suzanne has shifted to her parents’ place with the kids two days ago and I was to join her on my return as there is a white ant treatment going on in my house and a section of my floor is being renovated.” Meanwhile, another version that’s doing the rounds hints at vested interests behind this whole drama. Like a well known producer puts it, “There are people who have invested heavily in the film. Other than Hrithik, there is no other big name in the film. The idea could be to add some spice to the film by spreading tales about the Hrithik-Barbara romance.

At least they will succeed in making Barbara a household name by linking her with Hrithik. It could be a calculated move and when such things happen, the poor actors are the ones who suffer the most.” If this is true, these people have been successful to some extent. Already viewers are curious to see the socalled sizzling chemistry between Hrithik and Barbara on screen. Plus, news has already been leaked out that they’ve done some really

intimate scenes in the movie – hotter than anything you’ve seen on Indian screen before. So this gamble may just pay off. The Hrithik-Barbara-Suzanne triangle is the most discussed topic in the film industry right now. Knowing the actor, he will retaliate only when he feels matters have gone out of hand. This battle has just become personal and he knows best how to fight it.

FAST FORWARD Phew… what an article! Well, this is definitely old news and everybody – Hrithik, Barbara and Sussanne have moved on. Indeed, it’s all water under the bridge. Perhaps at that time it was one of the most discussed and whispered topics but now, things are much calmer on the Barbara Mori front. After the film Kites released and bombed, Barabara Mori became old hat. Hrithik and Sussanne went for an amicable divorce but they seemed to be so attached to each still that any time, Hrithik was attacked (read by his nemesis Kangana Ranaut), Sussanne would rush in ready to protect and take up cudgels for her ex-husband. In fact, a lot of people even thought perhaps the couple would get back together after all, Hrithik and Sussanne went for holidays with their kids together, Sussanne during the pandemic even stayed at Hrithik’s house, Sussanne would even act as a hostess at many of Hrithik’s parties so it is no wonder, people thought a reconciliation was on the cards. But naah… Hrithik had

moved on. He is seeing actor-singer, the 32-year-old Saba Azad and looks quite in peace with himself. Sussanne too supposedly has moved on with the young actor Arslan Goni so everything seems to be extremely tidy and modern on the Roshan and Khan side. Hurrah for the modern family! - Sumita Chakraborty