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Speaking Frankly

CREDITS

Aamir Khan in his 26-year old career in films has constantly pushed the boundary and redefined cinema, as an actor, producer and director. His quest for perfection and his uncompromising attitude have often come under criticism but he has never let it affect his vision, even if it meant risking his stardom at times. After experimenting with diverse roles, the creative actor will now be seen in one of the most challenging roles in his career in his forthcoming film, PK. In a candid chat with Vision Asia, the unassuming superstar talks about his role, his success mantra, the inspiration behind his characters and his search for the best in everything he does. Vision Asia has some wonderful viewing in December. New shows include Satrangi Sasural on Zee TV, Pukar, Mere Rang Mein Rangnewali on Life OK, Aahat, Box Cricket League on Sony, Adhoori Aurat on Colors, Yam Hain Hum on SAB TV, India’s Raw Star Finale on Star Plus. Star Plus is screening IIFA awards, Star Box Office Awards and Star Parivaar awards in weekend Magic, Zee TV is showing Zee Rishtey Awards. TV premiers include Mardani on Sony, Entertainment on Zee TV and Mary Kom on Colors. Other hit movies include Aa Ab Laut Chalen, Phata poster Nikhla Hero, Dezi Boys, Parineeta, Student of the year, Shud Desi Romance, Baghban, Dhoom 3, Bobby Jasoos, Dil to Pagal Hai, Don2. PTC is premiering hit movies Fateh, Stupid 7, other movies include Naughty Jatts, Carry on Jatta, Fer Mamla Gadbad Gadbad. We wish all our subscribers Merry Christmas & a very Happy New Year! We would like to hear from you. Do write to us on feedback@visionasia.co.nz Team Vision Asia

Editor Nisha Rehan Associate Editor Manishaa Rajender Mandlecha Writers Subhash Jha, Tarla Dalal, Manishaa Rajender Mandlecha Designer Dharmendra Jangid Images Abheet Gidwani Image Clicker CONTACT US Vision Asia NZ Ltd 44 Roma Road, Mount Roskill Auckland 1041, New Zealand ADVERTISING LIAISON Rajashri Dakwale rajashri@visionasia.co.nz Tel: 09 6211303 Auckland Help Desk Tel (ALL NZ): 0508 933 546 Tel (AUCKLAND): 09 621 0520 Fax: 09 629 4852 www.visionasia.co.nz feedback@visionasia.co.nz

MPA Associate Member (NZ) MPA Associate Member


CONTENTS

10

COVER STORY The quintessential and perfectionist Aamir Khan

4

PREVIEWS

8

QUICK UPDATES

Films to watch out for

A peek into B-town’s latest happenings

16

FITNESS

20

NEWS EXPRESS

22

TRAVEL

36

GLITZ & GLAMOUR

40

NUMEROSCOPE

43

OPINION

Randeep Hooda

Shweta Prasad defends herself

The seven treasures of Brussels

What are Bollywood celebs upto?

Birthday predictions of stars

Social networking sites- a boon or a bane?


PREVIEW

Vision Asia previews films to watch out for in the months ahead.

ACTION JACKSON After taking the audiences by storm with his daredevil action stunts in Singham Returns, Ajay Devgn is set to return in a new action avatar in his forthcoming film, Action Jackson. The film tells the story of a funloving crook who is pursued by a young girl, who is under the notion that the former will bring her good luck. However a comedy of errors follows with another Devgn look-alike also making his presence on the scene. The consequences that follow are hilarious and thoroughly entertaining. Devgn will be seen playing a double role in the film with two distinct characters-one of a city bred rowdy guy and the other of a simple villager. Among the highlights of the film are the extensive martial arts sequences, besides a complex sword-fighting sequence for which Devgn is said to have undergone massive training. The intense actor will also be seen putting on his dancing shoes for a sensational dance number, in which choreographer-director Prabhu Deva has paid homage to the King of rock and roll, Elvis Presley. Produced by Gordhan Tanwani and Sunil Lulla of Baba Films and directed by Prabhu Deva, the film stars Ajay Devgan, Sonakshi Sinha, Yami Gautam and Manasvi Mamgai and is scheduled for a 5th December release.

PK Produced by Rajkumar Hirani, Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Siddharth Roy Kapoor and directed by Rajkumar Hirani, PK is a story of an alien who comes to earth to meet a prostitute with a heart-of-gold and changes the opinion of people in the way they perceive God. Reportedly, the film also hits out at corruption and the existing political system. The alien in the film is played by Aamir Khan and the prostitute by Anushka Sharma. While the Rajkumar Hirani-Aamir Khan combination is being eagerly anticipated, the fresh pairing of Aamir and Anushka Sharma will be something to watch out for. Apparently, the lip-lock between Aamir and Anushka in the film will be one of the longest ever in Indian cinema. The film also stars Sanjay Dutt, Anushka Sharma, Sushant Singh Rajput, Boman Irani and Saurabh Shukla. The film is all set to hit theatres on December 19, which happens to be Aamir Khan’s favourite week. 4 December 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz


50 %

www.visionasia.co.nz | December 2014

5


6 December 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz


B-BUZZ

Saif Ali Khan is fascinated with LA Ever since he shot for his film Happy Ending in Los Angeles and New York, Saif Ali Khan has been raving about the experience, “I found them to be incredible places to work. They have the best weather in the world and you feel energetic even after a 12-hour shift,” Saif recently revealed to a section of the media. The actor feels that people in New York, have a passion for filmmaking which makes it all the more worthwhile, “Everyone knows everything about filmmaking and understands the language of movies there,” he added.

ICC0015

While he finds LA one of the most fascinating places to shoot, Saif is all praise for Beirut, where he extensively shot for his upcoming film, Phantom, “Beirut is a beautiful place. The climate is so good that you would love to sit outside and chat. No wonder they called it the Paris of the east,” he enthuses.

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www.visionasia.co.nz | December 2014

7


QUICK UPDATES

H

ollywood based Indian actress, Freida Pinto starrer, Trishna is all set for a January 30, 2015 release. Based on Thomas Hardy’s novel ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles, Trishna tells the story of a woman whose life is torn between love and circumstances. The film has been directed by the internationally-acclaimed Michael Winterbottom and produced by Sunil Bohra. The film is said to be high on erotica but Bohra believes the biggest strength of the film is its storyline. 8 December 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz

F

arhan Akhtar is the latest to join the league of Bollywood stars who have taken the initiative of investing in sports business. The actor, writer and director recently launched the ‘Mumbai Tennis Masters’ team in partnership with P. Rohit Reddy, promoter of Aurobindo Pharma Ltd. The team will represent Mumbai at the Champions Tennis League (CTL). The Rock On actor recently revealed that he was proud to present the opportunity to avid followers of tennis.

S

uperstar Shah Rukh Khan has lived up to the reputation of being the box-office King once again. His latest release, Happy New Year, has set a new precedent at the box-office. According to reports, the film has generated gross revenue of Rs 379 crores world-wide, beating the collections of Kick and Krrish 3. The film also has the distinction of being the fastest films to make Rs.100 crores at the domestic box-office. After Chennai Express, this will be SRK’s second film to cross the Rs. 200 crores mark.


QUICK UPDATES

A

fter making a mark on the international scene with his performance in crossover projects like You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger and Silver Linings Playbook, the talented Anupam Kher will now be seen in the American sci-fi Netflix Series Sense 8 from The Matrix makers-Andy and Lana Wachowski. The Wachowskis have Kher and Tena Desae as a father-daughter duo in the 10-episode series. The actor will be seen in the episodes that are based in India. The series travels the world and focuses on a group of people who have a psychic connection and must find a way to protect themselves from another group who see them as a threat to the world’s order.

T

he ever-enthusiastic Varun Dhawan is multi-tasking these days, experimenting on various fronts. The latest on Varun’s front is that he has turned rapper for the Panasonic advertisement campaign. The actor tweeted about the news to his fans on a micro-blogging platform, “Did my first rap ever in an ad for Panasonic working with a super team. All you gotta do is blink. Wait for it.” It may be recalled that Varun, the son of filmmaker David Dhawan, made his Bollywood debut with Student Of The Year in 2012, after which he was seen in films like Main Tera Hero and Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania. Currently, the actor is busy shooting for the sequel of Remo D’souza’s Any Body Can Dance (ABCD), which has Shraddha Kapoor playing the female lead.

A

diti Rao Hydari’s career is going places. After bagging coveted roles in The Legend of Michael Mishra, Guddu Rangeela and Do, the gorgeous actress has now been confirmed to play the role of Chandramukhi by director Sudhir Mishra for his remake of Devdas. This is Aditi’s second film with Mishra, after she made her film debut in Yeh Saali Zindagi.

H T

heir relationship has been the talk of the town for the past many months. Now reports suggest that Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli are planning to take their relationship to a new level. The buzz doing the rounds is that the two are likely to get engaged very soon, what with their families also meeting each other. The couple’s display of affection was evident when Virat recently blew a kiss to Anushka after scoring the fastest 6000 runs in one-day internationals. Anushka is presently looking forward to the release of her next film, PK.

A

ce comedian Kapil Sharma’s is finally set to make his Bollywood debut with Venus and Abbas-Mustan’s Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon. The film which recently went on the floors also marks the film debut of Sai Lokur will see Abbas Mustan venture into comedy genre after a long time. Prior to this, Kapil Sharma, had been approached for a three-film deal by Yash Raj Films but the agreement fizzled out because of his inability to give dates.

rithik Roshan is busy giving his personal touch taking a keen interest in designing his new bachelor’s pad in the Juhu area in Mumbai. The superstar who rented a third floor apartment in the same building where Akshay Kumar resides had earlier roped in John Abraham’s younger brother Alan for the job. While his new home will have a custom-built gymnasium for his workouts, Hrithik has also provided private space for his two sons Hrehaan and Hridhaan. The actor has now hired the services of a new interior designer, who has been shopping overseas for the artefacts and other household stuff, which is being supervised by the star himself. www.visionasia.co.nz | December 2014

9


COVER STORY

success I followed the unconventional path to

He has redefined the norms of acting with his perfectionist and methodical approach to work. In his 26-year old career in films, Aamir Khan has constantly pushed the envelope and redefined cinema, as an actor, producer and director. His quest for perfections and his uncompromising attitude have often come under criticism but he has never let it affect his vision, even if it meant risking his stardom at times. After experimenting with diverse roles, the creative actor will now be seen in one of the most challenging roles in his career in his forthcoming film, PK. In a candid chat, the unassuming superstar talks about his role, his success mantra, the inspiration behind his characters and his search for the best in everything he does.

10 December 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz

can say that the role in PK has been the toughest role I have ever played in my 25-year old career


COVER STORY

www.visionasia.co.nz | December 2014 11


COVER STORY

I have managed to stay on in the industry for more than 20 years and carve a niche for myself

You recently mentioned at an event that the role in PK was one of the most challenging roles you had ever played. How challenging was the role? I have been challenged in the past too when it came to experimenting with some really difficult characters. Earlier I felt that my role in Dhoom 3 was a big challenge but now I can say that the role in PK has been the toughest role I have ever played in my 25-year old career. It was challenging getting into the psyche of the character and interpreting his body language. One of the traits of my character is that he blinks very less throughout the film. It was Vinod Chopra who came up with the suggestion that I shouldn’t blink. We both felt it was perfect for the character in the film. Your quirky avatar in the film is said to have many other traits. Apparently you will be seen eating betel nut leaves throughout the film. In real life I eat paan once in a while. However in the film I had to eat one paan in every scene. I was forced to eat a betel nut leaf in every take and that way I ended up eating around 100 paans in the film every day. Apart from this, I will be seen talking in Bhojpuri dialect throughout the film. Can you elaborate on your role in the film? 12 December 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz

There are a number of rumours doing the rounds about my role in the film. One perception is that I play an alien who lands on earth, while some others believe that I am essaying a double role in the film. But I would like the audiences to watch the film and gauge the storyline. I don’t want to reveal anything at this point of time. How do you connect with the characters your essay on screen and from where do you draw your inspiration? I feel it is very important to get inspired by the script of a film. Apart from that, I absorb as much as possible from books, scripts, paintings and also real life incidents. When I meet people, their personality traits get automatically registered in my mind. When I did 3 idiots, I had to play the role of an 18-year old and I was 44 years old. For the role, I adopted the mannerisms of my nephew, Babloo, also the son of my cousin Mansoor Khan. I had observed that he was always restless and had a lot of energy within him. When I did Ghajini, I took some of the mannerisms of my director Murugadoss. He was a young boy who spoke his mind out and had a childlike innocence about him. I like to try out something different every time so that it gives me a challenge. I think it is this eagerness to experiment and excel that gives me the energy to do more and more.

You recently mentioned on your show Satyamev Jayate that you had resolved not to sensationalise anything in your films. Do you intend to keep your promise? I made that promise because I realized that sometimes we show things in a humourous light but end up hurting the sentiments of people. When I did Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, there was a scene where Arbaaz and Sohail go into a night club and start teasing a girl about her suffering from AIDS and spreading the virus. Later, I got a letter from a girl stating that her sentiments were hurt by the scene since her sister was also suffering from the disease. I later wrote back to her and apologized to her. I didn’t realize I was hurting someone’s sensitivity. Are you at a stage where you can take both criticism and praise with a smile? Does it hurt you when you are not appreciated? I take criticism very seriously. I do not read a lot of reviews of my films. I have always treated a film review as an opinion of one person and do not see it as a yardstick of popular appreciation for the film. There are few critics I take seriously and a few I choose to ignore. I do follow sites which pronounce the box-office ratings of a film. If a person has not liked the film, you have to accept that the film did not reach out to that


COVER STORY

I have always treated a film review as an opinion of one person and do not see it as a yardstick of popular appreciation for the film

person. But I feel happy about a film if 90 percent have liked it. I don’t bother about people appreciating my work. For me it’s more important that the film is appreciated. Do you feel insecure about the promising young talented lot of actors who are making their presence on the scene? On the contrary, I love some of the younger generation of stars today. One of them is Ranbir Kapoor. When I watched his last film Barfi I asked Kiran what was it that he had attempted in the film that I could not do. Ranbir has certain qualities as an actor which I don’t have. He is a fantastic actor. It is not just the modern-day stars; I am also fond of some of the co-stars of my generation. I am genuinely fond of Salman and find him very charming. He’s one star who can run a film on his shoulders. I also loved Sanjay Dutt in the role of Munnabhai. I like to watch Shah Rukh in his romantic roles like Diwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. I want to see Chak De; it’s on my list of yet to be watched films. Who has been the driving force in your life? My mom is my driving force right from my childhood days. She is my hero, she criticizes and supports me and she also worries a lot about me. It is not necessary that all my decisions are her decisions. She is a very

independent person just the way I am. Has she watched the film? My mom loved PK. She had to leave for namaaz but she told me clearly not to make any changes in the film, if someone suggested it. In the initial stages of my career she didn’t like many of my films. What is your recipe for a happy and healthy life? Do what makes you happy; don’t worry about being successful. Be courageous and live life on your terms. Life is full of ups and downs and everyone goes through personal or professional challenges but you can overcome them with the right attitude. Fitness is also very essential for everyone. Do you believe in luck or do you feel that it is hard work that pays off at the end of the day? At the end of the day it all boils down to hard work. Yes the luck factor does play an important role in life but luck does not favour anyone if it is not supported by hard work. It is very important to focus positively on your goals and keep working towards achieving them. What advice would you like to give to youngsters to make a success of their lives?

I don’t need to tell anyone what to do. Every person has his or her own priorities in life. I have pursued my dreams in life and I am passionate about everything I do. I have always given my entire attention to my pursuits in life whether it concerns my roles, my friends and my work in other areas. I don’t mind compromising when it comes to achieving my dreams. I followed the unconventional path to success. When actors were doing 30 films at a time, I did three films and finally zeroed down to one film a year. People thought I was crazy while some others expressed concern and felt that I was making a grave mistake. The truth is that I have managed to stay on in the industry for more than 20 years and carve a niche for myself. I am happy that I have always believed in my dreams. By S. Bhagat

My mom is my driving force right from my childhood days

www.visionasia.co.nz | December 2014 13


COVER STORY

When I did 3 idiots, I had to play the role of an 18-year old and I was 44 years old

Breaking new ground 1965:

Mohammed Aamir Hussain Khan was born on 14 March, 1965 to filmmaker Tahir Hussain and Zeenat Hussain. His paternal uncle was the late Nasir Hussain.

1973:

Aamir Khan made his first onscreen appearance at the age of eight in a popular song in his uncle Nasir Hussain’s musical Yaadon Ki Baaraat. It was a blink and miss appearance.

1974: The little boy was a bundle of talent. Soon after, his father chose him to play the younger version of Mahendra Sandhu in his home-production Madhosh. 1980: His teen years saw Aamir Khan taking a keen interest in films. He got involved in the experimental process of making a 40-minute silent film, entitled Paranoia directed by his school friend 14 December 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz

He has never gone by the established and conventional path. From working as an assistant director to his uncle Nassir Hussain to becoming one of the most commercially and critically acclaimed actor, producer and director in the industry, Aamir Khan’s success story is all about perseverance, perfectionism and conviction. Vision Asia traces some of the biggest achievements in the career of this superlative actor. Aditya Bhattacharya.

1982:

Khan made his stage debut with a small role in a Gujarati play, Kesar Bina at Prithvi theatre. Prior to that, he joined a theatre group called Avantar, where he worked backstage.

1984: Aamir Khan joined his uncle Nasir Hussain as an assistant director and worked with him on two films-Manzil Manzil (1984) and Zabardast (1985). Aamir Khan made his full-fledged appearance in Ketan Mehta’s experimental low-budget film Holi, based on the practice of ragging in India. The director noticed him in one of the documentaries of FTII, Pune. 1986: Aamir got married to his girlfriend, Reena Dutta, a lawyer by profession against his family’s wishes. His marriage

remained a secret until his first commercial film was declared a major hit.

1988: Aamir Khan got his first commercial

success in his first full-fledged film debut in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, a tale of unrequited love, which marked the directorial debut of his cousin, Mansoor Khan. Aamir won the Best Male debut Filmfare Award for QSQT.

1989: Aamir’s next release, Raakh, a crime thriller won him the National Special Jury Award for his portrayal of a young man avenging the rape of his girlfriend. The actor had to come to terms with failure when four of his films flopped consecutively at the box-office from Awwal Number to Jawani Zindabad. 1990:

The Indra Kumar directed romantic


COVER STORY

2008: Khan delivered his biggest success, Ghajini, which told the story of a young man avenging the rape of his girl-friend.

drama, Dil opposite Madhuri Dixit more than compensated for his string of flops. The film was a huge success and established him as a leading actor of Hindi cinema.

2009:

Khan appeared in the commercially and critically acclaimed film, 3 Idiots, which became the highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time in India besides becoming the highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time in overseas markets.

1991: His next release, Dil Hai Ke Manta

Nahin, in which he was paired with Pooja Bhatt also proved to be a box-office hit, making him a hot favourite among the teenage audiences.

1993:

Aamir donned a new hat and also turned screenplay writer for his next film, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke , which went on to become a big box-office success. The Aamir-Juhi pairing also became a big success at this time.

1995:

The talented actor delivered another hit in Ram Gopal Varma’s Rangeela, in which he was paired with Urmila Matondkar. The film won both critical and commercial success at the box-office. Aamir and Salman Khan were teamed up for Rajkumar Santoshi’s comedy, Andaz Apna Apna. The movie was reviewed unfavorably by critics, but it went on to become a success and gained cult status over the years.

1996: Aamir Khan won his first Filmfare Best Actor Award for his role in the romantic film Raja Hindustani, which went on to become the third-highest grossing Indian film of the 1990s . 1997: His next multi-starrer Ishq in which he co-starred alongside Ajay Devgn, Kajol and Juhi Chawla, also proved to be a winner at the box office. 1998: Khan made his debut in playback singing with Ghulam, in which he was paired with Rani Mukherjee. The film proved to be a hot rage at the box-office. In the same year, Aamir received rave reviews from Indian and international critics for his performance as the Ice-Candy man in Earth. 1999: He was widely appreciated once again for his next performance in John Mathew Matthan’s Sarfarosh though the film was only a moderate success. 2000:

His first release for the new

I am genuinely fond of Salman Khan and find him very charming. He’s one star who can run a film on his shoulders

millennium, Mela, in which he acted alongside his real-life brother Faisal Khan, proved to be a dud at the box-office, both commercially and critically.

2001: Khan made his production debut with Lagaan, in which he also played the lead role. The film was a major critical and commercial success and received a nomination for Best Foreign Language Film at the 74th Academy Awards. His next release, Dil Chahta Hai written and directed by Farhan Akhtar broke new ground in its depiction of urban youth. The film set a precedent of sorts at the box-office. 2002:

Khan filed for a divorce and ended his 15-year old tumultuous marriage with Reena Dutta. He has a son, Junaid, and a daughter, Ira, from his first marriage.

2003: Aamir Khan was awarded with the Padma Shri-the fourth highest Civil Honour by the Government of India. 2005: Aamir Khan returned after a fouryear break with Ketan Mehta’s Mangal Pandey: The Rising, in which he played the title role of a real-life sepoy and a martyr who helped spark the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Khan married Kiran Rao, assistant director of Lagaan, whom he had started dating during the making of the film. He has a son Azad with Kiran.

2010: Aamir Khan was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest Civil Honour by the Government of India. Aamir released the critically acclaimed film, Peepli Live, under his banner. The film based in a rural setting received rave reviews for its take on the political and social system. 2011: Aamir returned to the big screen with his fourth production Dhobi Ghat, written and directed by his wife, Kiran Rao. Aamir was back with his fifth home production, Delhi Belly, starring his nephew Imran Khan. The film was a commercial and as well as a critical success. 2012: Khan made his television debut with the highly anticipated show, Satyamev Jayate, which explored various social issues and went on to become a huge success. 2013:

Khan was seen in his next release, Talaash, which also proved a hit. Khan was next seen in a double role in Yash Raj Films’ Dhoom 3, which went on to become one of the biggest hits of 2013.

2014: Khan is now looking forward to his next film, PK, a comedy dram directed by Rajkumar Hirani which is scheduled to release on 19 December 2014.

2006:

His performance in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s award-winning film, Rang De Basanti, earned him the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor. The film was selected as India’s official entry to the Oscars.

2007: Aamir Khan made his directorial debut with Taare Zameen Par which was also produced by him. The film opened to excellent responses from critics and audiences alike. www.visionasia.co.nz | December 2014 15


FITNESS

Swimming and horse-riding have a therapeutic effect on me. They are my stress busters

I am not excited about the

six-packs fad

16 December 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz

He may not be the best known actor in the industry but modelturned-actor, Randeep Hooda is a head-turner when it comes to his rugged sex appeal and his formidable physique. The underrated actor has been on a high ever since he received rave reviews for his performance in Imtiaz Ali’s Highway. He discusses his fitness mantra and what fitness means to him.


FITNESS

He is not a hard core fitness freak Unlike his other contemporaries who are ever willing to take off their shirts and display their six-packs, Randeep Hooda is in no hurry to flaunt his chiseled body on screen. The actor is not a great follower of the six-pack tribe either, “Frankly, I am not excited about the six-packs fad. It is not a mission for me. Unless the role requires me to have that kind of body I will not take pains to achieve it. I am not a hard core fitness freak either but I do make sure to work out every day,” says the actor.

he worked diligently on his physique was during his modelling days, when he had to cut down on all the flab, “I had a lot of flab earlier and as a model, I needed to get rid of it. I would work rigorously on my body during those days to an extent where I would get exhausted. Then there came a point when I started dreading the very idea of going to the gym. I realized that I was developing fitness fatigue and was overworking my body. That’s when I decided to slow down the pace of my exercise routine,” he recalls.

Randeep’s fascination for sports While his fitness schedules keep varying according to his roles, it is a well-known fact that Randeep is a sportsman to the core and is extremely passionate about horses, “When I am not acting, I am busy with games. In fact, the awards I have got so far have been mostly for my participation in sports events. I train my horses and take care of them myself. I have just bought a polo team Royal Rooster. I want to explore the game. It’s professionally competitive and I am hoping to grab more eyeballs for the sport. I want to get involved in television and bring this sport forward,” says Randeep.

His present exercise routine As of now, the actor is completely sorted out about his fitness routine. He starts his day with an hour-long exercise regimen at the gym, “I begin with half an hour of stretching followed by cardio exercises to burn my calories. I keep increasing my speed on the tread mill every day. I prefer to do weights instead of cardio and focus on each part of my body. I also switch over to other forms of fitness from time to time whether it is boxing, spinning or riding,” he asserts. When he is not busy shooting, Randeep likes to engage himself in outdoor workouts. “I go for a run or climb the stairs. I also go out horse-riding for 2-3 hours and swim for an hour every day. Swimming and horse-riding have a therapeutic effect on me. They are my stress busters,” adds the actor.

His fat to fit transition in the pre-modelling days According to Randeep, the only other time

His Diet: Randeep admits that he has never gone on a crash diet and does not hesitate to gorge on rich delicacies from time to time, “I attribute it to my Jat lineage. I grew up on parathas so I cannot do without them. I have a sweet tooth and have fondness for chocolates, dairy products and sweets. I gain and lose weight easily so I am not very fussy about my choice of food, he confesses. However he ensures that he includes plenty of protein in his diet. His breakfast consists of 12 to 15 eggs, while he tries to pack his lunch with lean protein, low carbs and healthy fats. “I have a lot of milk and yoghurt as I grew up on that but I don’t miss my parathas at any cost,” he chuckles. He retires to bed early after a light dinner of chicken soup and salads. According to Randeep, fitness is all in the mind. “One should eat right and exercise right to have an agile body and alert mind. It is as simple as that,” quips the actor on a casual note. By S. Bhagat

One should eat right and exercise right to have an agile body and alert mind www.visionasia.co.nz | December 2014 17


NEWS EXPRESS

big debut

Jennifer Winget is all set to make her

in films

Jennifer Winget is the latest television star, who is set to make her foray into films. The Saraswati Chandra actress talks about her dream debut in a conversation with Subhash K Jha www.visionasia.co.nz 18 December 2014 | www.visionasia.com.au


NEWS EXPRESS

Like many of her peers from television, Jennifer Winget is ready to take the big leap into films with her debut-making film, Phir Se. However unlike Sushant Singh Rajput, Ayushmann Khurrana or Manish Paul, Jennifer didn’t have to wait long for the transition. “It happened so suddenly!” she exclaims in disbelief. “I don’t know why Kunal Kohli considered me for the role in Phir Se but I bagged the role without any effort. I got a call from his office and was asked to do a scene in the second meeting. That was it,” recalls Jennifer excitedly. The film will also see Kunal Kohli exploring the medium of acting. The famed producer, screenplay writer and director, best known for his film, Hum Tum, will be seen romancing Jennifer in the film. What Jennifer likes the best about the role is that she gets to play her own age in the film. “Neither Kunal nor I have to pretend to be younger or older. So that immediately puts us in a comfortable zone. We need that kind of confidence because we are both making our debut. It’s scary and at the same time exciting,” she avers.

Few are aware that the talented actress has been doing television for many years the latest serial being Saraswatichandra. Says Jennifer, “I’ve virtually grown up on the television scene. It would be wrong to say that I’m moving on. Basically I love to act irrespective of the medium. Right now it’s a feature film but I may very well take up a television serial next.” Jennifer looks back on the experience of doing Saraswatichandra with much pleasure. “There were two different phases in the life of Saraswatichandra. The first phase was when Sanjay Leela Bhansali was the producer. He is a renowned director and a master creator. To have him on board was a dream come true for me. When the producer changed we moved on to another phase. I enjoyed both the phases equally.”

Jennifer and her husband Karan Singh Grover are both television artistes. So how do they manage to find time for one another? “I am well aware that the hours on television are unearthly. But we do manage to strike a balance between our professional commitments and our personal lives. In a way it’s good that we are both part of the entertainment industry. We understand each other’s schedules perfectly. Now that I’m doing a film I’ll have to deal with a little less madness in my working hours,” she explains. Phir Se would be shot in London and Jennifer is excited about the prospect of shooting there, “I’ve this karmic connection with London. I was in London to shoot Saraswatichandra last year. Now I’m going to be there to shoot Phir Se. It’s going to be really cold in December in London. But the unit is so lovely. I am going to be surrounded by warmth. I am eagerly looking forward to it,” she says. The actress is all geared up for the movie experience, “It’s such a cute film with a terrific role for me. I couldn’t have hoped for anything better,” she quips.

About Phir Se Produced by Shiv Kumar, co-directed by Kunal Kholi and Ajay Bhuyan, Phir Se will tell the tale of the intricacies of a new romance and having a second go at making things work for the best. The film also stars Rajit Kapoor, Dalip Tahil, Kanwaljeet Singh and Sushmita Mukherjee Bundela. It is scheduled for a May 2015 release.

www.visionasia.com.au www.visionasia.co.nz | December 2014 19


NEWS EXPRESS

I am an

actress

and will always remain one Television and film actress, Shweta Prasad who was arrested and sent to a rehabilitation home following her alleged involvement in a prostitution racket, is out of her ordeal. In a conversation with Subhash K Jha, the actress who was seen in films like Makdee (child artist), Iqbal and Darna Zaroori Hai, besides the television serial, Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki, makes some startling revelations about the incident and the truth behind all the rumours.

Cinema has been my life and breath from the age of ten. It is my identity and I’d never defame the industry 20 December 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz

Shweta Basu Prasad, who was linked to a controversial prostitution racket, is back in Mumbai amidst speculative reports. The actress admits to being unfazed by the incident and reveals that she has no complaints against anyone apart from a journalist who attributed statements to her when she was going through her hour of crisis, “The statement was wrongly

attributed to me and circulated everywhere. I had no idea about it as I had no access to newspapers or websites during my two month stay at the rehabilitation centre.” It may be recalled that Shweta was quoted stating in sections of the media that she was compelled to take up prostitution to support her family when she was out of money and “all the doors were closed for her”.


NEWS EXPRESS

The actress now insists that she had never made any such statements, “I was in custody. I wasn’t even allowed to speak to my mother and father so there was no way I could speak to the media. Whoever made up that statement damaged my reputation by saying that all the doors were closed on me,” she avers. Shweta informs that she and her family are now in the process of tracking down the newspaper from where the allegedly fake statements originated. “We are taking strong legal action against them. I need to set this falsification right before I move on. This statement suggests that I made a comment on other actresses and their lifestyle. Cinema has been my life and breath from the age of ten. It is my identity and I’d never defame the industry.” She is also disturbed by the way the media reports, “I’ve a degree in mass communications and I wonder if I did the right thing by choosing to study journalism when a section of the media is so irresponsible.” According to Shweta the reality is totally different from what it was made out to be in the media. “I hadn’t been called to Hyderabad by any agent for commercial sex. I had gone there to attend an awards ceremony. I missed my return flight in the morning and I guess I made a wrong decision thereafter. Sometimes you just trust strangers in a situation. My air ticket and stay were completely done by the organizers of the awards function. There was a raid I am not denying the incident. Later, my mother was running in and out of courts with petition after petition. I wasn’t even allowed to call her. The facts are definitely not what they’ve been made out to be.” The actress admits that the police interrogated her for names of Tollywood actresses who were possibly involved in prostitution rackets during her detention but she denies making any statement, “I didn’t even know many of their names. Why should I make comments on other actresses? Shame on the people who said I was forced to do certain things by my family to afford a lifestyle.”

Contrary to reports that she was treated shabbily during her two-month stay at the rehabilitation centre, Shweta reveals that she spent the period productively and faced no such problems, “I was at a rescue home- a hostel for kids who are victims of human trafficking. I volunteered as a teacher there and taught the kids Hindi, English and Hindustani classical music. I used my two months in there very productively. I was not depressed at all. While I was in there I realized how lucky I was to have a family to support me. My parents have always wanted me to pursue a dignified career.” The only setback she suffered during this period was the sad demise of her grandfather, who passed away due to the shock, “That’s one loss I’ll have to live with all my life. I couldn’t even be at the last rituals. Thanks to the reports in the media my grandfather was under the notion that I actually made those awfully wrong statements. I will never forget myself for missing that flight back from Hyderabad to Mumbai.” Right now, Shweta has decided to start life on a fresh new note, “I am confident that I will get over this. I don’t think I’ve the luxury of being weak. I am not going to let one incident spoil my life. I don’t have time to sit at cafes taking selfies. I’ve dedicated my life to cinema and acting.” She further adds that the incident is unlikely

to cast aspersions on her acting career, “I’ve friends in the film industry. I am wellconnected. I was auditioning for roles even when the arrest happened. I’ve spent three years of my life making a documentary on Hindustani classical music. I turned down roles after my first Tamil film as a leading lady was a hit because I wanted to focus on my documentary,” she says. Fortunately for her, filmmakers like Hansal Mehta have offered to cast her in their forthcoming films, “I’d like to audition for Hansal Mehta and get the role only if I am suitable for it. I don’t want a role out of sympathy. I don’t want people to think I am cashing in on the controversy,” she says. Prior to that, she plans to return to the postproduction of her documentary on Hindustani classical music, after which she proposes to get back to acting with a vengeance, “I am an actress and I will always remain one. Life has moved forward exactly from where I left off,” she quips.

I don’t want people to think I am cashing in on the controversy www.visionasia.co.nz | December 2014 21


TRAVEL

Seven Things To Do In

Brussels

The Brussels flower carpet on the Grand Place 22 December 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz


TRAVEL

The Atomium

Brussels is a city often neglected in favor of the well established European cultural destinations such as Paris or Rome. Contrary to its impression of a dull and soulless city that is home to the European Union, the Belgian capital has so much more to offer as a holiday destination in itself. Here is a selection of some of the finest treasures that Brussels has to offer. Grand Place Originally built for trade hundreds of years ago, the square boasts spectacular architecture, including the Brussels Town Hall, the spire of which can be seen across much of the city. Every other August, a stunningly beautiful flower carpet is created from a million begonias in the centre of the square, adding another dimension to this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The big three clichés Belgium is famous for its chocolates, waffles and beer, and rightly so. Shops selling chocolates abound in Brussels, and the waffles on offer range from simple affairs to those with a range of toppings. The beers brewed in Belgium number well into the hundreds, and Brussels is surely as good a place as any to try as many as you can manage!

Manneken Pis. This small bronze statue of a urinating child is just a street or two away from the Grand Place, and is one of the most famous attractions in Brussels. There are at least five different popular legends behind its existence, all of which involve a young child urinating on the street corner. In the stories, the child either saves the town in this way (peeing on the heads of soldiers etc.), or the child is simply found relieving himself after a lengthy search. The statue is regularly dressed up in costumes, and with around 800 to choose from, the statue may well look different every time you see it!

St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral Conveniently located near many of the other major attractions in the city, this Gothic style cathedral is stunning both inside and out. With a history that dates back almost a thousand years, no visitor to Brussels should bypass the beautiful architecture and deep serenity of the cathedral. Royal Palace of Brussels Despite the fact that this palace is no longer used as a royal residence, the relatively recent neoclassical building is still a very attractive major landmark. Visitors are welcome to look around the palace throughout the summer, free of charge.

Basilica of the Sacred Heart A little to the north of the cultural heart of Brussels stands one of the largest church buildings in the world. This is the biggest Art Deco building to be found anywhere on the planet, and as you would expect, the basilica dominates the skyline from its position at the top of a hill. Mini Europe and the Atomium. Further north again sits the Atomium, a monument designed to look like an iron crystal magnified more than 100 billion times. Originally constructed for the Brussels World’s Fair in 1958, it is now an important tourist attraction, containing a variety of exhibitions in its unique ‘atomic’ spheres. At its feet is Mini Europe, a fascinating site that allows you to tour the major attractions of an entire continent in miniature, scaled down 25 times. The models are of a very high quality, and include everything from Big Ben in London to a live model of Mount Vesuvius in Italy.

www.visionasia.co.nz | December 2014 23


24 December 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz


Nargis Fakhri www.visionasia.co.nz | December 2014 25


EVENT

14th

Television stars dazzle at

ITA awards

Veteran actor Jeetendra was dressed in typical Indian attire

It was a night of glitz and glamour at the Andheri Sports Complex, Mumbai where the crème de la crème of the television industry converged to celebrate the 14th Indian Television Academy (ITA) awards. From veterans like Jeetendra, Anil Kapoor and Ronit Roy to the current favourites like Harshad Arora, Aamir Ali, Ashish Sharma, Gia Manek, Krystal Dsouza, Karan Tacker, Upasana Singh, Smita Bansal, some of the best known faces on the television scene were seen walking the red carpet at their fashionable best. Among the prominent winners, Harshad Arora walked home with not one but two trophies. On the other hand, Shantanu Maheshwari and Vrushika Mehta won the Viewer’s Choice award for Best Jodi. The popular soap, Ek Hasina Thi won four trophies under various categories while Anil Kapoor walked away with three awards for his thriller, 24. The ceremony was anchored by the spirited and lively foursome of Rithwik Dhanjani, Nakul Mehta, Rajiv Thakur and Chandan.

Anil Kapoor at the ITA awards

Aamir Ali looked suave and sophisticated as always

THE WINNERS • Best Director: Abhinay Deo for 24 (Colors). • GR8 Performer Of The Year (Male): Ashish Sharma (Rangrasiya -Colors) • GR8 Performer Of The Year (Female): Sanjeeda Sheikh (Ek Hasina Thi -STAR Plus) • Best Actor (Female, Jury): Surekha Sikri (Balika Vadhu-Colors) • Best Actor (Male, Jury): Anil Kapoor (24-Colors) • Best Actor (Comic): Dilip Joshi (Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chasma -SAB TV) • Best Show: Ek Hasina Thi (STAR Plus) • Best Actor (Standard): Harshad Arora (Beintehaa -Colors) • Best Actress (Standard): Deepika Singh (Diya Aur Baati Hum -STAR Plus) • Best Reality Director: Jatin Lucky (Mission Sapne -Colors) • Best Reality Show: Dread Factor 5 (Colors) 26 December 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz

• Best Anchor (Game Based): Kunal Kapoor (Master-chef -STAR Plus). • Best Anchor (Music-Film Based): Manish Paul (Jhalak Dikhla Jaa -Colors) • Best Anchor (Talk Chat Show): Rahul Kanwal (Seedhi Baat-Aaj Tak) • Best Talk Chat Show: Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai (Sony) • Best Music and Film Based Show: Jhalak Dikhla Jaa (Colors) • Most Promising Child Actor (Male): Faisal Khan (Maharana Pratap - (Sony) • Best on Screen Couple: Preetika Rao and Harshad Arora (Beintehaa -Colors) • GR8 On Screen Couple (Viewers Choice Awards): Shantanu Maheswari & Vrushika Mehta (D3-Channel V) • Best Actor In A Negative Role (Male): Ayub Khan (Ek Hasina Thi -STAR Plus) • Best Actor In A Negative Role (Female): Simone Singh (Ek Hasina Thi -STAR Plus) • Best Actor Supporting Role (Male):

Shakti Anand (Maharana Pratap) • Best Actor In A Supporting Role (Female): Neelu Vaghela (Diya Aur Baati Hum) • Best News Anchor: Anjana Om Kashyap (Aaj Tak) • Best News Channel (Hindi): Aaj Tak • Best News Channel (English): Times Now • Best Hindi Entertainment Channel: STAR Plus • Best Historical Show: Maharana Pratap (Sony) • Best Comedy Show: F.I.R. (SAB TV) • Best Thriller Show: 24 (Colors) • Best Mini TV Series: Halla Bol (Bindass TV) • Best Show (Comedy): Comedy Nights With Kapil (Colors) • Best songster: Mika Singh for Mission Sapne (Colors)


EVENT

Rashmi Desai dazzled on the red carpet in a classic white outfit

Faisal Khan was all smiles after he won the Most Promising Child Actor Award for his role in Maharana Pratap

Ali Asgar was his usual cheerful self

Sasural Simar Ka’s Deepika Samson looked stunning in a red outfit at the red carpet of ITA Awards

Krystle D’souza looked stunning in a black gown

Preetika Rao and Harshad Arora seemed to be the perfect couple at the duo

Dimple Jhangiani looked ravishing in a red outfit at the Awards

Ashish Sharma and Archana Taide pose for shutterbugs at the awards

Actress Mouni Roy looked striking in her white off shoulder gown

www.visionasia.co.nz | December 2014 27


FACE TO FACE

Acting was not a

cake walk

for me

28 December 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz

The toughest part of acting is handling the emotions and getting into the skin of the character


FACE TO FACE

Akshay walked that extra mile for me. He gave me his personal harness for an action scene in the film

Model turned actress Lisa Haydon made her film debut with Aisha after Anil Kapoor decided to cast her after spotting her in a coffee shop. However it was her performance in the Kangana Ranaut starrer, Queen that made her win the hearts of millions. In a media interaction, the actress talks about her journey in acting so far and her opinion on dance numbers in films, besides her latest film Shaukeens.

I don’t think the profession of acting has been a cake walk for me. It is a demanding profession and I had to slog it out like everyone else in order to make an identity for myself. The toughest part of acting is handling the emotions and getting into the skin of the character. It is a difficult task getting out of the character, especially when the role is very challenging. It’s hard to shake it off and rearrange all the emotions. I took up my debut-making role in Aisha at a time when I was flooded with offers from Hollywood. My friends and wellwishers were a little shocked that I decided to do the film since it did not have anything much to offer to me. The film was more of a milestone in Sonam Kapoor’s career. It was my role in Queen that helped me to showcase my acting abilities. The film was also a stepping stone of sorts for me. I did have my reservations playing the role of a hooker in the film but the role had much more to it than that. I was more of an antihero in the film. Prior to that, people had this perception that I was merely a glamorous model. The credit for giving my character its due goes to the film’s director, Vikas Bahl.

One of the biggest advantages of working in Shaukeens was the experience of working with seasoned actors like Anupam Kher and Annu Kapoor. They were thoroughly prepared and had a perfect understanding of their roles in the film, besides their expressions and cameraangles. Besides they would go out of their way to give nuances to their character. It was very inspiring for me to observe them on the sets. Moreover they made me feel very comfortable without making me feel that I was a relative novice in acting. I found Akshay to be a very inspiring co-star to work with. The two of us struck a great rapport during the making of the film. We spent a lot of time laughing and interacting. Akshay is a great disciplinarian too and brings a lot of energy on the sets. He has the same enthusiasm despite having worked in the industry for 25 years. The

I hate the word item that is tagged with special numbers in films. I find the tag disgusting. www.visionasia.co.nz | December 2014 29


FACE TO FACE

Queen was a stepping stone of sorts in my career best part about working with him is his generosity and the way he goes all out to help his co-stars. There was this shoot where I was supposed to jump from a building. He gave me his personal harness and tips on how to do the scene. He walked that extra mile for me. I was very touched when he stayed back on the sets day after day to make us comfortable though he was playing a cameo in the film. I have no problems if I don’t get to play the quintessential heroine in every film. That’s because filmmakers are looking for actors these days more than anything else. The present-day actresses are all eager to explore performance-oriented roles and they are also being appreciated for their performances, be it Kangana Ranaut in Queen, Vidya Balan in Kahani or Deepika Padukone in Finding Fanny. Today playing the role of a heroine is not just about looking glamorous. There is a lot more to their characters. The road block about the typical Bollywood heroine is a thing of the past.

About Lisa Haydon Elisabeth Marie Haydon was born in Chennai, India to a Malayali father and an Australian mother. Lisa lived in Australia and United States where she actively pursued modelling before moving back to India in 2007. Lisa is a known name in the fashion and modeling world, besides being the obvious choice of all the major fashion awards in the country. She was named the best model and the most stylish persona in Cosmopolitan Fun and Fearless Awards 2009, DNA most stylish 2009 and Marie Claire best model 2010, before she made her film debut with Aisha.

Today playing the role of a heroine is not just about looking glamorous 30 December 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz

I have no problems doing dance numbers in films though I am not a professionally trained dancer. I did train in Bharatnatyam in my childhood days, because my parents felt that I should learn at least one Indian art. Apart from that, I have also learnt jazz and am quite good at it too. I would be happy to do a role where I am required to play the guitar in a film. I hate the word item that is tagged with special numbers in films. I would be open to the idea of doing such numbers but I find the tag disgusting. I think they are all dance numbers and are introduced in films to add the element of glamour. I have been working hard on my brand Naked. Under the brand, I make limited products like essential oils, Vitamin E and other natural products. The whole concept behind Naked is very challenging. I make sure that everything that goes into the product is genuinely organic. I don’t add any preservatives to my blends because I haven’t found one that is truly organic and natural.


B-BUZZ

Ileana keeps her personal life a private affair Actress Ileana D’Cruz is among those who believe in keeping her personal life private. The actress, who has been reportedly dating Australian photographer, Andrew Kneebone, has always kept her personal life a closely guarded secret, “I have never opened up about my personal life in the past too and I would like to keep it that way. I am averse to the idea of talking about my personal life and making it public,” the actress recently revealed. While she recently admitted that she was commitment phobic when it came to relationships, Ileana had not so long ago taken to the social media to display her big diamond ring, which sparked offIW_DEC_1FREETESTPOT engagement rumours. Andrew was also reported to have sent the actress a box of goodies on her recent birthday which made it “very special.” Incidentally, Andrew also features in a special appearance in Ileana’s latest release, Happy Ending.

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call 09 620 1118 today! www.visionasia.co.nz | December 2014 31


ENCOUNTER

I get my biggest

I still feel as physically fit and energetic as before

32 December 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz

high when I spend time with my children


ENCOUNTER

I don’t disown any of my films even if they do not perform well at the box-office

His latest release Happy New Year has set a new precedent at the box-office like all his earlier films but superstar Shah Rukh Khan is not overjoyed. He has learnt to take success in his stride. His priorities in life are not just about the success of his films and his career. In a media interaction on the eve of his 49th birthday, the superstar shares his views on his life, his achievements and what it means to be on the top.

How does it feel when the whole world is celebrating with you on your 49th birthday? I feel humbled that so many people are celebrating my birthday over the world. I wish to take this opportunity to thank the almighty for all that he has given me. I am grateful to the people who shower their love and affection on me. I wonder whether I deserve all the love. How were your birthdays celebrated in your childhood days? I never celebrated my birthdays in my childhood days. I was too poor to celebrate or to even order a cake. I would distribute toffees and sandwiches to my classmates in school. I started celebrating birthdays only after I became an actor. How have your birthdays changed over the years? Every year I have an additional number of fans who are eager to join me in my birthday celebrations. I remember when I shifted to Mannat in 1998, there were only 7-8 people standing outside my house to wish me. Today there is a sea of people waiting outside my house every year. I think I owe it to the media which keeps my fans informed about my birthday. I would like to apologize to my neighbours for the commotion that they have to bear every year. Do you ever feel that age is catching up on you? I am yet to understand the concept of ageing. I am told that one cannot escape age-related symptoms like greying hair, low

energy levels and the problems of fluctuating weight. But I still feel as physically fit and energetic as before. People have settled down in life and become uncles and papas. But I don’t feel like one though I am very much an uncle and a father to my children. You are also a great businessman and a successful entrepreneur in your own right. To whom would you like to give the credit for your success? I think it’s a misnomer that I am a good businessman. I am of the opinion that you should stand by the product you create and believe in it. For instance, I don’t disown any of my films even if they do not perform well at the box-office. If you love your product like a child and stand by it, it invariably falls in the right place. Apart from that, I would attribute the success of my business to my very efficient team. Most of my offices are run by experts, whether it’s Kidzania independent unit, KKR (Kolkata Knight Riders), Red Chillies or Visual Effects. I don’t set any targets. For me, it is more important that my team is hospitable in the way it conducts itself. Your latest release, Happy New Year has garnered a record business of Rs 108.86 crores on the opening weekend, as per your own office records. Does that make you feel excited? I have always maintained that the numbers keep changing as big films get released on holidays and over the weekends. When I was asked this question during Chennai Express, I had said that my next film would be bigger and better because the screens and platforms are only increasing. www.visionasia.co.nz | December 2014 33


ENCOUNTER

What gives you a high in life-your films, business or your family life? I get my biggest high when I spend time with my children. My eldest son is studying abroad and my youngest son, Abram, is very young. On the acting front, I am in two minds whether I should do an off-beat film or a commercially viable film. I would also like to start the practice of doing 2-3 films a year. I would like to strike that balance where I am busy on some days as an actor and some days as a star. I am greedy to do more work both in commercial and intense films. Do you fear anything in life? I have no unfounded fears but I am scared for my children. Recently, I read that a Mizoram footballer died after doing a somersault on the field. I immediately called up my son and told him to be careful because he too has a tendency to flip. My greatest concern is for my children. I am not worried about fame and superstardom and how long it will last. I merely want to give 34 December 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz

my best to everything I do. I have to win because people have a lot of expectations from me. I am told that whatever I touch turns to gold and I hope it does. How much has your outlook towards life changed over the years? I have certainly developed a new approach to life in the last 8-10 years. I have become reclusive, quiet and patient. I am also more resolute now in comparison to what I was before. There was a time when I was very boisterous and had a difficult time keeping my emotions in check. Today, I have become more receptive to other people’s ideas. I have become quieter about my emotions and beliefs. It is said that behind every successful man there is a woman? Does that apply to you too? To a great extent, my life too has been lead by women. My wife Gauri has always been behind me in everything I do. She has successfully handled the household and the

whole family without letting my profession affect it. I think women play a great role in life. There are women who do films for me and also the women in my office who have all contributed greatly to my success. Will you ever want a film to be made on your life? I feel proud that I have been able to survive and make a name for myself in this industry despite being an outsider. It gives you a feeling of belonging but at times it can be very harsh too. A number of people have played important roles in my success but I would never allow Shah Rukh Khan to cast in it. My personal life is manifold but not important enough to make a film on. There are legends in this industry like Amit-ji (Amitabh Bachchan), Lata-ji (Lata Mangeshkar, the late Guru Dutt-saab, Mohammed Rafi-ji, Kishore Kumar-ji and Raj Kumar-saab whom we can make films on. I am too small a person. You had earlier said that you want to be the most recognized face in the world? Do you still maintain that? I always said that when I was young. I had a great desire that people should know about my talent and hard work. However, God has been kind to me and I have got more than what I deserve. There are actors who are good-looking and work harder and are unable to get to the top. I think it’s a domino effect. It also has a lot to do with what people think of me. Having said that I would still like to maintain that I would like to be the most recognized face in the world. By S. Bhagat

I remember when I shifted to Mannat in 1998, there were only 7-8 people standing outside my house to wish me


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To subscribe call: 0508 933 546 www.visionasia.co.nz | December 2014 35


GLITZ & GLAMOUR

Kareena Kapoor at ‘Hello! Hall of Fame Awards’

Aishwarya Rai inaugurates Kalyan jewelers at Ghatkopar

Bollywood diva Kareena Kapoor was spotted at the ‘Hello! Hall of Fame Awards’ recently held at the Taj Palace Hotel in Mumbai. The event witnessed the presence of several top B-town personalities, all of whom were dressed to perfection. Kareena, who received the ‘Glam Icon of the Year’ award, appeared at the do in an Andrew GN gown and Gehna jewellery. She accessorized it with a Valentino clutch.

Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was the centre of attention when she recently inaugurated the 65th Kalyan Jewellers store in Ghatkopar, Mumbai. The former beauty queen, who is all set to make her comeback in films, wore a beautiful peach-coloured sari designed by Manish Malhotra. It may be recalled that Aishwarya is the official brand ambassador of Kalyan Jewellers.

36 December 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz


GLITZ & GLAMOUR

Kriti Sanon and Arbaaz khan at Gillette Mach 3 Arbaaz khan, Kriti Sanon and Rahul Dravid came together on a common platform to launch the ‘Will You Shave’ campaign. The three also advocated a clean shaven look as a mantra for confidence and success. The trio also launched the new and improved Gillette MACH3 Turbo, an advanced razor that provides a closer shave.

Shaan’s album Superbia launched Bollywood singer Shaan launched his latest album Satrangi in collaboration with the band Superbia at a suburban nightclub in Mumbai. This is the first time in his decade-old career that the singer has collaborated with a band for an album. Formed in 2013, the band has three members Shaan, composers Gaurav Dasgupta and Roshan Balu, who decided to come together for an album after several recording and jamming sessions.

Shah Rukh Khan celebrates Children’s Day at Kidzania Shahrukh Khan celebrated the Children’s Month at KidZania along with the children of Angel Xpress Foundation and Access Life. The superstar who has always believed in empowering children also danced with both parents and kids on stage bringing smiles on the faces of his little fans. The KidZania philosophy “Get Ready for a Better World” captures the commitment to providing a fun and learning experience which prepares children to make a positive impact on society.

Sonu Sood at Jaipur Raj Joshiley launch Actor Sonu Sood went out of his way to launch good friend Kamya Punjabi’s BCL Team Jaipur Raj Joshilay Jersey. Sonu was cheered by several other television artistes who were present to unveil the team’s jersey. www.visionasia.co.nz | December 2014 37


FOOD

Paneer Lababdar Low-fat paneer cubes in an aromatic, spicy gravy with sautĂŠed onions, the Paneer Lababdar is sure to be the highlight of your meal. Using low-fat paneer ensures that this flavourful dish is low in fat but rich in calcium and protein. Serve this subzi hot with whole wheat paratha.

Preparation Time: 10 mins Cooking Time: 8 mins Makes 4 servings INGREDIENTS 1 cup low-fat paneer (cottage cheese) cubes 1 tsp oil 1/2 tsp cumin seeds (jeera) 1 tsp roasted and crushed coriander (dhania) seeds 3 whole dry Kashmiri red chillies , coarsely powdered 1/2 tsp dried fenugreek leaves (kasturi methi) 1/2 cup finely chopped onions 1 1/2 tsp ginger-garlic (adrak-lehsun) paste 1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes 1/4 tsp turmeric powder (haldi) 1/4 tsp corn flour dissolved in 1/2 cup low-fat milk 1/4 tsp garam masala Salt to taste

METHOD 1. Heat the oil in a broad non-stick pan, add the cumin seeds, crushed coriander seeds, coarsely powdered dry Kashmiri red chillies, dried fenugreek leaves, onions and ginger-garlic paste and sautĂŠ on a medium flame for 1 to 2 minutes or till the onions turn slightly brown in colour. 2. Add the tomatoes, turmeric powder and 4 tbsp of water and cook on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes. 3. Remove from the flame and allow it to cool slightly and then blend in a mixer to a smooth paste. 4. Transfer the paste into a deep non-stick pan, add the corn flour-milk mixture, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 1 to 2 minutes. 5. Add the paneer, garam masala and salt, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 1 minute. 6. Garnish with coriander and serve hot with whole wheat parathas.

38 December 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz


FOOD

Hara Bhara Soya Tikkis

The goodness of soya, garlic and spinach is reinforced in these tikkis. Fibre from soya and spinach along with allicin in garlic, inhibit cholesterol synthesis in the body, helping to maintain normal blood cholesterol levels.

Preparation Time: 10 mins Cooking Time: 8 mins Makes 6 servings INGREDIENTS 1 cup blanched and chopped spinach 1/4 cup soya granules 1/4 cup chopped coriander (dhania) 1 tsp ginger-green chilli paste 1 tsp finely chopped garlic (lehsun) 2 tbsp powdered roasted chana dal (daria) 2 tbsp besan (bengal gram flour) Salt to taste 1 tsp oil for greasing and cooking METHOD 1. Soak the soya granules in enough lukewarm water for 30 minutes and squeeze out all the water. 2. Combine all the ingredients, including the soya granules, in a bowl and mix well. 3. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and shape each portion into a 50 mm. (2”) flat round tikkis. 4. Heat and grease non-stick pan using ¼ tsp of oil and cook each tikki till they turn golden brown in colour on both the sides. 5. Serve immediately with chutney.

Tarla Dalal Noted Indian food writer, chef, best-selling cookbook author, Padma Shri awardee and host of cooking shows like “Tarla Dalal Show” and “Cook It Up With Tarla Dalal”. She has written over 170 titles, several of which have been translated into various languages and sold around the world. www.visionasia.co.nz | December 2014 39


NUMEROSCOPE

Star birthdays and the year ahead Ace astro-numerologist Bhavikk Sangghvi predicts what the future holds in store for superstars Salman Khan and John Abraham on the eve of their 49th and 42nd birthdays.

Salman Khan

John Abraham

His numbers Salman was born on 27th December, 1965 which makes him a Number 9 (Mars) person in numerology. His sun-sign is Capricorn which means he is also ruled by Saturn and the number 8, while his destiny number adds up to Number 6 (Venus).

His numbers John was born on 17th December, 1972 which makes him a Number 8 (Saturn) person in numerology. Being a Sagittarian, he is ruled by Number 3 (Jupiter) and his destiny number also adds up to the same number which means he is doubly ruled by Jupiter.

His personality Being ruled by Number 9, Salman is a tough nut to crack. He is a firm decision-maker but can get impulsive at times. He should be cautious about this trait of his personality. Being ruled by Number 8 (Saturn) Salman has knowingly or unknowingly landed in trouble and been there on the wrong side of the law. But it is the same Saturn that has given him tremendous success, fame and the love of millions of fans all over the world. If Salman controls his emotions and looks at things more rationally, he can also improve his personal life to a great extent as Number 6 (Venus) is an indicator of a good married life and a loving family.

His personality Being a Number 8, John is a fighter for life and never gives up on anything easily. He has been through some real ups and downs in his professional life but he is still around and here to stay. Luckily he is twice ruled by the most powerful planet Jupiter so his finances would only improve with each passing year, as long as he takes the right decisions. Although he is very practical and calculative, John can also be generous to the wrong people and get duped of his money. He should be cautious about people who misuse his generosity and take him for granted. He should also avoid any kind of business which involves partnership.

What the year ahead has in store for him Salman will now enter the golden jubilee year (50th year) of his life which indicates that his streak of good luck is likely to continue in the coming year too. On the film front, his next Eid offering Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Diwali bonanza Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, are destined to be sure shot blockbusters at the box-office. In fact, the latter is likely to be one of the biggest films of 2015. As for his marital status, he will continue to remain single this year. Even if he starts dating someone, there will be nothing official about it. Remedies to beat the blues Wearing a Blue Sapphire will help Salman take his popularity to another level where he can show his star power on the international scene. 40 December 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz

What the year ahead has in store for him John will now be entering the 43rd year of his life which indicates a great time ahead be it professionally or personally. 2015 may well prove to be John’s year with all his films namely Rocky Handsome, Welcome Back, Mumbai Saga, Jazbaa and Rohit Dhawan’s untitled next doing well at the box office. He will also win accolades for his performances. His production house will also grow bigger and deliver quality films like it has been doing in the past. On the personal front too, John may well find himself on the threshold of fatherhood this year. Remedies to beat the blues Wearing a Yellow Sapphire above four carats to be set in gold on his right hand index finger on a Thursday evening (one hour before sunset) will help John to strike the right balance in his multiple duties as an actor, producer and a family man. www.bhavikksangghvi.com


TAKE A STAND AGAINST

PIRACY

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0508 933 546 or email feedback@visionasia.co.nz www.visionasia.co.nz | December 2014 41


FAQ

I would like to see Vision Asia in other rooms; will the technician do it for us at the time of installation? A standard Installation with a single subscription includes a single outlet if a customer wishes to subscribe for another decoder and smart card, there is an attractive scheme available now, contact our sales team. Maintenance of equipment and service will be done by Vision Asia. Any work beyond the scope of Standard installation will be treated as a direct job between the Installer and the customer, so the charges should be negotiated and paid direct to the Installer. Vision Asia takes no responsibility for these direct jobs. Vision Asia equipment cannot be used for TVNZ/ Free to Air or any other channels. I would like to have facility to record the programmers as we may not be home when our favourite programmes come? The new HD decoders installed at your home facilitates recording through the USB provided by us and the recordings can be viewed on the same decoders only. The USB has been provided complimentary and is not under warranty. Kindly note the USB provided by Vision Asia should not be used with any other device than Vision Asia decoder where you have recorded the programmes. The USB may get corrupted and will not play or record in future in case its used on any other device. What are the common errors I may get in case of a technical problem? Blank screen/No signal/ Searching for signal / services crumbled. For these errors a complete reboot of the system is required. A complete reboot involves switching the decoder box off and unplugging the decoder box from the electricity socket. Once the box has been disconnected from its power supply, it should remain so for at least 15 minutes. Once the reboot is complete and the decoder box is on again, the service should resume. If not, there are a few other things that need to be checked: 1. All of the cables behind the decoder box should be plugged in firmly. There is either an HDMI or an RCA cable connecting the box to the television, a satellite cable connecting the box to the 42 December 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz

Satellite dish and a power cable that plugs into a power point. 2. Make sure that the box is switched on. Try the button on the decoder box itself and also the power button on the remote control. In some cases, still images that are displayed on your Television Screen for an extended period of time may cause a permanent residual image (screen burn) to be left on the television screen. You should take care not to leave still images displayed for extended periods. Plasma, rear projection and LCD televisions are at a higher risk of screen burn. VISION ASIA is not liable for any loss you may suffer as a result. What happens if the problem still continues? Our technical help desk will assist you on phone initially, please note if the connection is an indirect connection done either through VCR, DVD, Home Theatre, Sky de­ coder etc., we will not be able to rectify the error because of the variety of models in the market. If we need to retune your decoder, there should be a “Direct” connection to the TV. What happens if this does not help and a technician has to come to check? If we feel the technician has to attend to the problem we will arrange for a service call. Service calls will be attended in 2 to 3 working days in Auckland & 4 to 5 working days outside Auckland; please note charges apply for a service call for an "Indirect" connection. For any other technical assistance, please contact on 0508 933 546 or 09-6210520 (Auckland subscribers). Please note service calls on phone or through technician is only for direct connection from de­coder to TV. How do I change credit card or bank details? In case your credit card gets lost, stolen or misplaced, or if you need to change your billing details for any other reason, just fill in Direct Debit form and send it to us. These forms can be downloaded from www.visionasia.co.nz or can be requested via fax, email or post by calling 0508 933 546.

Please note if any payment is dishonored $15 charge will be applicable. What happens when I move house? Please notify us of your change of address so that we can redirect your Vision Asia correspondence. If you relocate your Vision Asia equipment independently, Vision Asia will not be responsible for any service difficulties that may occur after that. We can easily get you relocated to any Metro region within New Zealand. Please contact us for Relocation offers. For subscribers migrating to Australia & wish to join Vision Asia, please note terms and conditions apply. Will I still be charged the full subscription if I am travelling or I am on a holiday? Temporary suspension is a value added service for subscribers who are going away on holiday, or who need their service suspended for any other reason. We need a written notice of 7 days, so your monthly subscription will be amended to $15 per month. Please note: the minimum period of suspension is 1 month and the maximum is 4 months and the normal charges are applicable thereafter. Please email us on support@visionasia.co.nz or fax us on 09-6294852. Please do call us once you are ready to view channels so we will reactivate the channels. Your account will be adjusted on pro-rata basis from the activation date. Do not switch off the decoder from the power source. The Decoder should always be switched off by the 'STB Power' button on the VA remote. What do I have to do If I want to disconnect Vision Asia services? A written notice is required for disconnection. Disconnection will happen after 30 days from the next billing date. You can email us on support@visionasia.co.nz or fax on 09-6294852. Installation charges are non-refundable. For disconnections within contract term, early termination fee applies. All equipment needs to be returned to Vision Asia after disconnection. A refundable amount of $200 will be charged for nonreceipt of equipments


OPINION

Have stars becoming wary of

social networking sites? There was a time when Bollywood stars were excited to reach out to their fans through social networking sites. Almost every other star was hooked on to Twitter and Facebook, posting details about their films and the events in their day-today lives. But over a period of time, the perception about social media has changed. While some stars continue to be loyal to these sites, there are others who find it a deliberate intrusion in their privacy. A section of stars reveal why they consider social media more of a liability than an asset.

I have no intention of being on any social networking sites for reasons. One of the reasons is the questions posted by followers. There are also people who post vicious comments on these sites. This could also lead to arguments and disputes. I don’t think I would like to thank people for posting negative comments. The only exception among social networking sites that I like is Instagram, which is very good for uploading pictures. From a visual perspective it is a great site because the quality of pictures is good.

I am not on any social networking sites. I feel there’s nothing to mention on these sites once a film releases. I want my work to speak for me. I do interact with my friends and media when my film releases. Otherwise I am not interested in telling people that I am going to the loo or that I am sleeping. I am against the idea of talking about my personal life.

Imran Khan

Katrina Kaif

www.visionasia.co.nz | December 2014 43


OPINION

I am not on Twitter. It’s a social platform where people can voice their opinion but it doesn’t interest me. It’s a liberal world and I have a right to my point of view. I do agree that it’s a tremendous platform for stars to build up a rapport with their fans and say cool things to keep them entertained. However I am cautious about posting my views since I have a tendency of saying stupid things and often fall into trouble.

Saif Ali Khan

When I was young I was curious about stars and wanted to know about their personal life-what they did, where they went and the kind of life they led. Now even a layman has become a journalist thanks to Twitter and Facebook. I can’t delete the comments that appear on these sites. I am public property and I feel that my work should do the talking for me. Unlike super stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman khan, Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar, I have done just a few films.

I am not tech-savvy at all. I hate sending messages. I’d rather talk to a person than send messages. Also I hate the idea of clarifying things after reading anything negative about me. I am better off reading good books and spending time with my family.

Vidya Balan

I am totally off social network sites considering that I don’t even have the time to talk to people around me. There is no question of communicating with strangers. I don’t want people to peep into my personal life. People tweet something or the other and are always under constant pressure to find something new to write about. It’s sad that they do so because they are lonely or do not have anyone to talk to.

Kangna Ranaut

Ranbir Kapoor

Now even a layman has become a journalist thanks to Twitter and Facebook”Ranbir Kapoor 44 December 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz

I hate sending messages; I’d rather talk to a person than send messagesVidya Balan

I don’t want people to peep into my personal lifeKangana Ranaut


TELECHAT

Dancing is my passion and I will be more than willing to take up another dance reality show, when such an opportunity arises

I found the character of

Durga amazing

From her television acting debut in the 2005 TV show Kyaa Hoga Nimmo Kaa, to the inspiring role of Durga in Ek Haseena Thi, Sanjeeda Sheikh has come a long way in her career. The actress who’s experimented with diverse roles on television, talks about her experiences and the equation she shares with her husband, Aamir Ali. www.visionasia.co.nz | December 2014 45


TELECHAT

I am open to films, but my heart and soul is in television How would you describe your eight-year journey on the television scene so far? It has been a fairly rewarding journey. During this period, I got an opportunity to work on a variety of serials, in which I played totally different characters. While I enjoyed getting into the skin of the character in the daily shows, I had a great time doing reality shows. I have no complaints at all.

More than a husband, Aamir is my best friend and soul-mate

About Sanjeeda Sheikh Before she took up acting, Sanjeeda Sheikh conducted classes in fusion dancing in a school in Mumbai. This Kuwait born, Ahmedabad-bred girl pursued dancing for a long time before she got an offer for acting in south films. After doing three films in the south, Sanjeeda was spotted by Ekta Kapoor in a party, following which she got her first break on television in the show, Kya Hoga Nimmo Ka. The turning point of her career was the third season of the celebrity dance-based reality show, Nach Baliye in 2007 when she participated with real life beau Aamir Ali. Currently she is seen in the powerful role of Durga in Ek Haseena Thi.

46 December 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz

Your dancing skills came to the fore when you gave mind-blowing performances in both Nach Baliye and Zara Nach Ke Dikha. How would you describe the experience? I was always a great dancer from my younger days but I was busy doing daily shows for a long time. Dancing is my passion and I will be more than willing to take up another dance reality show, when such an opportunity arises. I worked hard on my act for both the shows and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The biggest achievement for me was when I was declared a winner. It feels great to hold the trophy at the end. It is an indication that all your hard work has finally paid off. Between working in reality shows and daily shows, which one do you find more challenging? Daily soaps become a part of your life after a certain point of time. Performing day and night in front of the camera is a challenging job but I thoroughly enjoy it. Recently when I got the ITA award for Best Actor for my role in Ek Hasina Thi, I was thrilled. It showed that I had successfully managed to make a certain impact with my character. An award is in a way an appreciation for your efforts. Would you say that Durga is your best character till date? I have played other challenging roles in the past eight years of my character, each of them distinctly different from the other but I found the character of Durga amazing. It is based on the fight against injustice and sends a very strong message to the society. I try my level best to do justice to the role since I am aware it is a source of inspiration for several young women who watch the show. How well do you connect personally to the character of Durga in the serial? I am also mentally strong like Durga but she

is a mature and serious girl while I am more relaxed, fun-loving and carefree. But the very idea of acting is to give conviction to a role and I am enjoying the experience. You are known to be very consistent about your fitness levels. What is the secret of your lean figure over the years? I would say the only secret is dance. I just dance my way to fitness. People may find this hard to believe but I have never controlled my diet. I have never hit the gym either. It is only a few minutes of dancing everyday that takes care of all the metabolism and fat. How do you and your husband, Aamir Ali, find time for each other in your busy schedules? What are the pros and cons of both husband and wife working in the same industry? Aamir is a great support for me. I feel so blessed to have him in my life. More than a husband, he is my best friend and soulmate. I think there are no limitations when both husband and wife work in the same industry. In fact we guide each other and take suggestions from each other before taking on new shows. It’s so good to have someone in your family who can guide you and always be with you whenever you need him. Working on a daily soap can get monotonous after a point of time. How do you start your character on a fresh note every day? I normally take an off once a week and just relax that day. I sleep the entire afternoon and evening and catch up with my close friends. Apart from that, dance is my greatest stress-buster. Listening to music and dancing is something that makes me forget all my worries. Are you looking at the possibility of doing films in the future? I am open to films, but my heart and soul is in television. I had started my career with films but television made me an actor so I feel I am blessed to be a television actor. I am open to good strong roles in films. By Srabanti Chakravarthy


B-BUZZ

Priyanka Chopra turns singer for Dil Dhadakne Do After making a mark on the music scene with her hugely successful singles, Priyanka Chopra is now set to make a full-fledged debut as a playback singer with her next film, Dil Dhadakne Do. Sources reveal that Priyanka will croon the film’s title song which will appear at the end credits of the film. The number is a fun composition and Priyanka is said to have enjoyed the experience. It may be recalled that Priyanka started her singing career with an international single ‘In My City’, which made her an overnight singing sensation. She later followed it up with ‘Exotic’. The actress who was under contract all this time with the international music label, is now free to render her voice for other albums. Prior to this, the actress-singer had rendered a small portion of a lullaby in her last release, Mary Kom. Priyanka is the third actress in recent times to render her voice for her film after Alia Bhatt who sang for Highway and Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya and Shraddha Kapoor who sang for her films Ek Villain and Haider.

www.visionasia.co.nz | December 2014 47


20:20

Business 1. What are your Hobbies/Passions? My biggest passion is my meditation. I also like to travel - seeing new places is always exciting. 2. What is your idea of perfect happiness? Perfect happiness is difficult to describe - life is full of ups and downs. Be content with what you have, enjoy the moment and work for the best. 3. What is your success mantra? - Business is all about taking calculated risks. - If you don’t enjoy it, don’t do it. - Change shouldn’t be feared, it should be managed. - Mistakes happen. Don’t stay down, bounce back up ASAP! 4. Who or what is your inspiration? Meditation inspires me. 5. What is your most memorable moment? The birth of my daughter. 6. How important is it to fail before you succeed? If you don’t fail, you don’t succeed, and every time you fail you should aim to fail better until you succeed. 7. What do you value most in life? Meaningful relationships, purpose in life and serving the community. SRS Clinics founder Dr. Raj is a third generation doctor whose forte is to source and make natural remedies to treat hair loss and chronic ailments and to improve his patient›s health. He is an accredited Ayurvedic/naturopathic practitioner with over 25 years of experience in treating patients and researching, sourcing and developing natural health and hair loss remedies throughout his own clinics in Europe, Australia and now in NZ. Dr. Raj is internationally renowned and highly qualified in his field and is a member of a number of professional bodies.

48 December 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz

8. Favourite movie and star? Avatar by far! My favourite Bollywood star is Aamir Khan. 9. Favourite food/restaurant? I like Thai and Italian food - and above all, homemade Indian food. 10. Favourite Sport & player? My favourite sport is rugby (this is a must in NZ!). My favourite players are probably Dan Carter and Tana Umaga. 11. Favourite holiday destination? I like it here best - anywhere in NZ! As

is all about taking calculated risks our prime minister said, “We are the finest little nation on the planet”! 12. What do you love or admire in New Zealand? There is so much natural beauty everywhere, and it is only a 30 minute drive away from pretty much anywhere. 13. What outdoor activities you like / how do you relax? I love traveling with my motor home - it’s the best way to explore new places! 14. Which talent would you most like to have? To help as many people as possible in different parts of the world. 15. The craziest things you’ve ever done? Moved across three continents with my family. 16. What is your greatest fear? I’m a Punjabi! Fear should not stop one from moving forward - get out there and face it. 17. What do you think is the secret to a good life? Everything in moderation, that’s the key. 18. If your house was on fire & you could only grab 3 things what would they be? We lost everything we had in the Christchurch earthquake - I got my family members out first, then I grabbed photo albums and some money. 19. What phrase or words do you use the most? I always say, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. I find this proverb is very accurate. 20. Name one achievement that you are proud of: I established a successful business in three continents.


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