www.visionasia.co.nz
June 2014
Akshay Kumar
Taking action to a new level
Tiger Shroff
A promising start
Special Feature IIFA 2014
Sonakshi Sinha Bollywood’s lucky charm
Gurmeet Choudhary The journey from television to films
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Speaking Frankly
From his humble origins in Delhi to a track record of almost 100 films to his credit, the original action hero, Akshay Kumar, is undoubtedly one of the leading actors of Bollywood today. Although his last two films, Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobara and Boss, failed to live up to box-office expectations, he is unperturbed and determined to bounce back with his next few releases. With Holiday, Baby, Gabbar and It’s Entertainment lined up for release this year, Akshay is ready to take the box office by storm. The multi-faceted star speaks to Vision Asia exclusively about his upcoming movies, his family, dedication to martial arts and future plans. Vision Asia has some exciting shows lined up in June. New dailies for the month include Yuddh on Sony and Suhani Si Ek Ladki on Star Plus. Sab is premiering India’s first alien comedy – Badi Door Se Aaye Hai. Zee TV’s first-of-its-kind variety comedy show, Gangs of Hasseepur, features some of the best comedic talent of India - be it your classic Indian style hasya kavis or new-age stand-up comedians. Live event to watch out for is The Gold Awards on Zee TV, which recognizes and celebrates excellence in Indian Television. The blockbuster Dhoom 3 is premiering in June along with Darr @ The Mall on Set Max and Main Tera Hero on Zee TV. Super hit movies include Son of Sardar, Ra. One, Jolly LLB, Aashiqui 2, Band Baja Baraat, Gunday, Rockstar. Sony is also featuring a selection of Yash Raj hits and classics throughout the month with specials on Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan in the lead. Classics include Guddi, Rafoo Chakkar, Aakhir Kyon?, Chandni, Kala Patthar, Silsila, Bombay to Goa. PTC has two premieres in the month of June – the National award winning Des Hoyaa Pardes and super hit comedy Disco Singh. On Vijay International, the excitement is building on season 7 of Jodi No 1.
CREDITS Editor Sandra Noronha Associate Editor Manishaa Rajender Mandlecha Writers Subhash Jha, Jasbir Kaur, Manishaa Rajender Mandlecha Designer Dharmendra Jangid Images Image Clicker Satyajit Ray: Rishiraj Sahoo CONTACT US Vision Asia NZ Ltd 44 Roma Road, Mount Roskill Auckland 1041, New Zealand ADVERTISING LIAISON Bhavin Ladani bhavin@visionasia.co.nz Tel: 021 733 636 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
We wish to hear from you. Do write to us on feedback@visionasia.co.nz Team Vision Asia
CONTENTS
12
COVER STORY I never look back and sulk Akshay Kumar
4
Previews
8
Numeroscope
10
Quick Updates
22
Travel
26
Fitness
28
Nostalgia
36
Glitz & Glamour
43
News Express
Films to watch out for
Birthday predictions of stars
A peek into B-town’s latest happenings
Discovering San Juan
Aditya Roy Kapur: Fitness without dieting
Sandeep remembers father Satyajit Ray
What are Bollywood celebs upto?
Sangeeta Bijlani: Back in the game
PREVIEW
Vision Asia previews films to watch out for in the months ahead.
EK VILLAIN Produced by Ekta Kapoor Ek Villain is a dark, intense and romantic thriller directed by Mohit Suri, who had last delivered the hugely successful Aashiqui 2. The film stars Sidharth Malhotra and Shraddha Kapoor in the lead roles with Riteish Deshmukh and Kamaal Rashid Khan playing the antagonists. The film is a story of two lovers, who are madly in love with each other until the hero suddenly undergoes a change and becomes a villain who is out to kill his girlfriend. Sidharth, who was last seen in the role of a lovable romantic hero in Hasee Toh Phasee, will be seen playing a villain for the first time on screen. Among the highlights of the film is the song Galliyan, which has been picturised on Sidharth Malhotra and Shraddha Kapoor in Mauritius. Apparently, both Sidharth and Shraddha stayed underwater for seven hours to shoot the romantic track. While Shraddha is known to be a trained diver, Sidharth is looking forward to becoming a certified scuba diver shortly. Ek Villain is scheduled for a June 27th release.
BOBBY JASOOS Produced by Dia Mirza and her business partner, Sahil Sangha under the banner of Born Free Entertainment, Bobby Jasoos is a comedy drama about a lady sleuth starring Vidya Balan in the lead role. The story revolves around an ambitious woman whose sole aim is to become the numero uno private detective of her community. Vidya will be seen in the role of the lady detective who uses every trick in the trade to unravel the truth. She is supported by co-stars Ali Fazal, Arjan Bajwa, Anupriya, Supriya Pathak, Tanvi Azmi, Aakash Dahiya and Rajender Gupta amongst others. The film also stars veteran actor, Kiran Kumar who has returned to the silver screen after a long absence. Bobby Jasoos marks the directorial debut of Samar Shaikh, who has made a significant contribution to the art department of several Yash Raj capers including the Dhoom franchise, Bunty Aur Babli and Chak De! India. The film is slated to release on July 4, 2014. 4 June 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
B-BUZZ
www.visionasia.co.nz | June 2014
5
FEATURE
6 June 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
B-BUZZ
Priyanka Chopra is high on music Priyanka Chopra is currently enjoying her stint on the international music scene. The actress, who released her first solo single I Can’t Make You Love Me, is excited about the encouraging response to the number. According to Priyanka, the song is dedicated to the urban Indian youth. Since the song is on heartbreak we asked Priyanka whether she has ever experienced one in her life. “Of course I have had a couple of heartbreaks but you have to move on in life. This song is special to me because I turned a singer with this song. I have worked hard on it,” chuckles the actress. After finishing her work on Mary Kom, Priyanka is now readying for her role in Zoya Akhtar’s next. She is all admiration for Zoya, “Zoya has held on her own in a male centric world. That’s why I identify with her. She has a great vision and I would love to encourage her to give it her best shot. Women have a lot of potential and there is nothing that they can’t achieve. I want to dedicate my single to such women and their talent,” she says.
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7
NUMEROSCOPE
Star birthdays and the year ahead Ace astro-numerologist Bhavikk Sangghvi predicts what the future holds in store for actors Sonakshi Sinha and Arjun Kapoor on the eve of their 27th and 29th birthdays.
Sonakshi Sinha
Arjun Kapoor
Her numbers Sonakshi was born on 2nd June 1987, which makes her a Number 2 (Moon) person in numerology. Since she is ruled by the number 2, she is also ruled by the number 7 (Ketu) as these two numbers always go hand in hand. A Gemini by Sun Sign, Sonakshi is also ruled by Number 5 (Mercury) while her destiny number adds up to Number 6 (Venus).
His numbers Arjun was born on June 26th 1985, which makes him a Number 8 (Saturn) person in numerology. His sun sign is Cancer (ruler Moon and Ketu-numbers 2 and 7) and his destiny number adds up to Number 1 (Sun).
Her personality Being a Number 2, Sonakshi is creative, moody, intuitive and sensitive at the same time. Thanks to the ‘mercurial’ effect in her life, she got on the success track right from her debut film, after which she was signed up for various endorsement deals and big banners. It is a known fact that the number 5 gives fast results and takes people to great heights of success. On the other hand, Sonakshi’s charming face and lovable personality can be attributed to the number 6.
What the year ahead has in store Arjun will now be entering his 30th year which indicates a period of caution personally, professionally and financially from July to December 2014. His next outings, Finding Fanny Fernandes opposite Deepika Padukone, will fail to appease a wider audience; while Tevar opposite Sonakshi Sinha will do well. However, his performances in both films will be appreciated all round. On the personal front, he should be careful about his decisions in investments and money matters. He should also avoid unnecessary and frivolous expenses. Talking about his alleged romance with co-star Alia Bhatt (15th March 1993), Arjun should take some more time before he gets deeper into the relationship.
What the year ahead has in store Sonakshi will now be entering her 28th year which indicates good times ahead be it on the personal, professional or the health front. Her immediate release Holiday: A Soldier is Never Off Duty will do good business at the box office. Her other two releases, Action Jackson and Tevar, will also get a very good response. Besides that, her performance in each of these films will come in for appreciation from all quarters. On the personal front, her equation with alleged boyfriend Shahid Kapoor (25th February 1981) is good and they should come out in the open before the year ends. Remedies to beat the blues Wearing an emerald on her little finger on a Wednesday morning (exactly two hours after sunrise) will help Sonakshi get over all her uncertainties and have a balanced life style. 8 June 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
Remedies to beat the blues Wearing a ruby on his ring finger (to be set in gold) will help him get over any misunderstandings with people and also help him strike a fine balance in his relationships.
B-BUZZ
No steady relationships for Shahid Kapoor He does not have any immediate film scheduled for release, but Shahid Kapoor continues to make headlines for his personal life. The actor is single and ready to mingle and his relationship status seems to be ever changing. The latest addition to his list of “more than just friends� is actress Shraddha Kapoor with whom he was spotted recently. Interestingly only a few days back, he was also seen dining with Jacqueline Fernandez, besides a friend with whom he frequents movie theatres. The more steady alliance however is the one with Sonakshi Sinha, with whom he has been spending quality time these days. According to reports, both Shahid and Sonakshi travelled together for a recent awards ceremony and were later seen dining at a suburban restaurant. Sonakshi has been denying that there is anything special to their friendship. She has also said that her family is aware about everything that happens in her life. However Shahid is keeping a discreet silence even as the media is eager to watch out his next move.
TRAVEL 2000
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9
Quick Updates
A A
ctress Malaika Arora Khan is poised to do a sensational dance number in her husband Arbaaz Khan’s film, Dolly Ki Doli. Arbaaz Khan recently revealed that he was looking at roping in Malaika for the dance number to add a dash of glamour to the film. The film stars Sonam Kapoor in the lead with Saif Ali Khan in a cameo role.
10 June 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
bhishek Bachchan took to Twitter recently to clear the air about reports that he and his wife, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, were heading for splitsville after severe differences of opinion. The junior Bachchan sarcastically tweeted: “I believe I’m getting divorced. Thanks for letting me know! Will you let me know when I’m getting re-married too? “ Prior to this, Abhishek had taken to Twitter when there were rumours that he and Aishwarya had decided to move out and live separately, since Aishwarya was finding it difficult to get along with mom-inlaw Jaya Bachchan.
A
fter Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt is likely to be the next actress in town to cut her own single. Alia, who has sung on a few television shows and also rendered a number in Highway, has reportedly been approached by a leading recording company to come out with her own single. However the actress is said to have told the company that she was not ready for a career in singing yet.
Quick Updates
W
hile the whole of India has been singing praises for the Prime Minister designate, Narendra Modi, who led his party to a huge victory in the elections, the industry took to Twitter to congratulate the leader. The most interesting tweet was however that of director Karan Johar who called Modi’s success the first blockbuster of the year.
I
ndo-Australian actress, Pallavi Sharda will be seen playing the role of a 1890s Maharashtrian tamasha dancer in her next film, Bambai Fairytale, a biopic on popular Maharashtrian scientist Shivkar Bapuji Talpade. Directed by debut filmmaker Vibhu Puri, the film narrates the journey of the legendary scientist who constructed and flew India’s first unmanned airplane in 1895. Ayushmann Khuranna will play the role of the scientist in the film.
A
fter his last directorial venture, U, Me Aur Hum, Ajay Devgn is all set to direct another film, Shivay, which will also be produced by him. The title of the film has been derived from the Sanskrit chant ‘Om Namah Shivay’ which the actor has tattooed on his chest. The film is expected to go on the floors next year. The actor will also play the central role in the film.
T
he release date for Aamir Khan’s muchtalked about political satire, PK has been confirmed for December 19. According to sources, the release date was finalized in view of the fact that most Aamir starrers, including Dhoom 3, 3 Idiots and Taare Zameen Par, were released in Christmas week, which is very lucky for Aamir Khan.
V
arun Dhawan will shoot a unique song and dance sequence with co-star Alia Bhatt, for his under-production film Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania. The makers of the film have recreated Rome’s famous Colosseum in Mumbai’s Film City for the lavish song, which will see the two actors in futuristic avatars. Reportedly the styling of the song, called Saturday Saturday, is being personally supervised by producer Karan Johar.
A
fter much speculation, Aishwarya Bachchan’s comeback film has finally been announced. The actress will essay the female lead in filmmaker Sanjay Gupta’s action thriller, Jazbaa. Gupta, who is best known for his entertainers like Kaante and Shootout At Lokhandwala, will be working for the first time with Aishwarya. It may be recalled that the former beauty queen turned actress was last seen in Guzaarish in 2010. www.visionasia.co.nz | June 2014 11
Cover Story
Hits & are a part
I enjoy doing complex action scenes all by myself. I am not forced to do them at gun point
12 June 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
Cover Story
&ofmisses an actor’s life
I owe my success in my life and my career today to martial arts
His last two films Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai and Boss failed to live up to box-office expectations but action man, Akshay Kumar is unperturbed. The actor is determined to bounce back with his next few releases. He talks about his forthcoming release, Holiday, his passion for martial arts and his plans for the future. Tell us something about your forthcoming film, Holiday. The film is a remake of A. R. Murgadoss’ Tamil film Thuppaki which means gun. It is an amazing story on what terrorism is all about and how the army tries to capture sleeper cells. Not many people are aware that sleeper cells are actually terrorist groups, who blend into the social fabric without the slightest needle of suspicion and strike at the opportune moment. It was the sleeper cells which were behind the 9/11 and 26/11 attacks. We named the film Holiday because most army officers and soldiers return to their home town for a holiday after guarding the borders. They hardly realize that they have enemies back home. How different is the action in Holiday from your other films? The action in the film is very realistic. You won’t see the kind of action I did in Boss or Khiladi 786 where I would punch someone and there would be 20 people flying in every corner. The action sequences in Holiday have been excellently planned and coordinated by Greg Powell, the stunt coordinator for Skyfall. We did not even use cables for a majority of scenes. If you see me kicking someone and doing a somersault in the film, it is all real. Director Murugadoss was very keen that we have hard core realistic action in the film. Don’t you consider it a risk doing such daredevil action? We are all insured on the sets by the producers for the film. During the shoot, we even had an ambulance and a doctor on the sets in case something went wrong. Besides, I enjoy doing complex action scenes all by myself. I am not forced to do them at gun point. It is always my decision. This is your fourth venture with Sonakshi. How was the experience working with her this time? Sonakshi is a beautiful actress and a thorough professional. She belongs to a different breed of actors. I know of heroines who take hours to get ready and don’t even come out of their van for four to five hours before shooting. They keep everyone waiting. Sonakshi identifies with the problems of producers and thinks for them. She respects them. www.visionasia.co.nz | June 2014 13
Cover Story
I chose Holiday for its strong content though it’s not my kind of a film
14 June 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
How was the experience working with director Murugadoss? He is short, but thinks big! He has action and violence on his mind all the time. I remember he would sit on the sets and stare at me. I once asked him what was going on in his mind and he actually told me that he was thinking of how my opponent would strangle me if such a situation arose. His films are full of real violence. I am told that he actually goes to the police station, reads the cases, studies them and tries to implement the plot in his films. Don’t you feel that films are responsible for promoting violence in society? It is the other way round. Violence is the reality of life today. We are not the ones who are promoting it. Directors like Murugadoss are bold in their conception of films and they do it with a purpose. While action and violence is a reflection of real life, we also have comedies like Grand Masti which have
been well-received by people of all ages. It is more important to trust yourself and go with your conviction, instead of trying to find out what the audiences want. What do you think of sex comedies? If I am offered such a film, I will certainly take it up. I think sex comedies are a very good genre. I had done Garam Masala earlier and I quite enjoyed the experience. At the end of the day, it’s just a film. Vulgarity doesn’t become a part of your life because you are doing a certain film. People love such films and the success of Grand Masti has proved that. When it comes to choosing between the content and a film’s capacity to generate box-office numbers, what is more important to you? I think both are important but if the content is good, the film will automatically do well at the box office. These days the audiences
Cover Story
Now I have a family and I look forward to rushing home after pack-up
do not endorse a film unless they are convinced about its content. I chose Holiday for its strong content though it’s not my kind of a film. Were you disappointed when your last two films did not perform at the boxoffice? I never look back and sulk over the response to my past films. Instead I try to better my performance in my next film. Also, I feel that hits and misses are a part of an actor’s life. It’s an actor’s duty to keep entertaining his fans and I believe in giving it my best shot. You have back-to-back films scheduled for release this year. Don’t you feel it is important to space out your releases? Besides my immediate release, Holiday, I have Baby, Gabbar and It’s Entertainment ready for release in the next few months. I would any day prefer to space out my releases but I am aware of the fact that producers plan their films with a certain release date. They have their own equations and their investments are at stake, so you cannot question them. I try to avoid having conflicts with my producers. There are actors who play truant with producers but I am not the kind to interfere in their decisions. It is said that behind every successful man there is a woman; does your wife Twinkle help you in reading and selecting your scripts? My wife never reads my scripts. She is a busy woman and has her own life. She is
happy that I come back home and spend time with the family. Are you enjoying watching your kids growing up? It’s the biggest joy and the best thing to have happened in my life. Earlier when it was time for pack-up at the end of the day, I would hang around on the set for a long time. I was not excited about the prospect of returning home. Now I have a family and I look forward to rushing home after packup. A lot of actors are investing their time and money in various sports leagues these days, be it cricket or football. Are you planning anything similar? I believe in martial arts and I’d be any day happy investing in it. I owe my success in my life and my career today to martial arts.
martial arts school to train young boys and girls to master the sport. I have my own tournament where my students are trained in the art and invited to combat. The boys and girls who are extraordinary are then sent to Japan for further training. I have also spoken to the government to introduce martial arts in schools and make it compulsory for boys and girls. Martial arts is not only good for self defense, it can make a big difference to your health and your level of concentration. Is that the secret to your youthful looks? (Smiles) I guess it is because my wife doesn’t feed me. On a serious note I am a very positive person in life. Everyone in the industry knows that I don’t have any place for negativity in my life. By S. Bhagat (With additional inputs from Srabanti Chakravarthy)
You are said to be planning a full-fledged
www.visionasia.co.nz | June 2014 15
Cover Story
The journey from Bangkok to
Bollywood
I don’t have any place for negativity in my life 16 June 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
With a track record of almost 100 films to his credit, the original action hero, Akshay Kumar is now eager to add more value to his films. While action and stunts continue to be his strengths, Akshay is hoping to prove his strength at the box-office with his next few films. Vision Asia traces the journey of Akshay from Bangkok to Bollywood as an actor, producer and more.
Cover Story
His background Born on 9th September 1967 in Amritsar, Punjab, Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia a.k.a Akshay Kumar, the son of a government worker, was brought up in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk. The family later moved to Mumbai after which Akshay completed his schooling in Don Bosco High School and joined Khalsa College at Matunga, Mumbai. However, he dropped out of college midway when he developed a keen interest in martial arts. After securing a black belt in Taekwondo in India, Akshay went to Bangkok, Thailand to further his knowledge of martial arts. Here he joined the Metro guest house and worked as a chef, cooking and serving food to the guests. He then went to Delhi to start his own business in artificial jewellery, but his interest was short-lived. He soon returned to Mumbai and started teaching martial arts. It was one of his photographer students who offered him a modeling assignment, which later paved his way into films. His film debut After doing modeling for a few months, Akshay was offered the lead role by Pramod Chakravarthy in his film, Deedar. However, Deedar got delayed and Akshay eventually made his debut with the 1991 film, Saugandh. The Khiladi title It was the 1992 thriller, Khiladi, that initiated Akshay Kumar in the series that gave him recognition and fame. It was the first installment in the film series that had Khiladi in the title and Akshay Kumar in the leading role. The film was a critical and commercial success at the box-office and the tenth highest grossing film of 1992. That was followed by a series of action thrillers, Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994), Sabse Bada Khiladi (1995), Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996), Mr. and Mrs. Khiladi (1997), International Khiladi (1999), Khiladi 420(2000). The actor then came to be known as the Khiladi Kumar of the industry. He also did other action films like Waqt Hamara Hai (1993), Mohra (1994), Elaan (1994) and Suhaag (1994), but it was the Khiladi tag that became synonymous with his name. In the year 2000, he performed some of his most dangerous stunts in Khiladi 420. In 2001, Kumar played a negative role in the film Ajnabee, which won him much acclaim from all quarters.
From action to romance and comedy Akshay diversified to comedy with the super-hit film Hera Pheri. That was followed by Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), Garam Masala (2005), Bhagam Bhag (2006), Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), and Singh Is Kinng (2008) which were equally well received at the box-office. Turning Producer In 2008 he floated his own production company, Hari Om Entertainment with the film, Singh Is Kinng. That was followed by films like Khatta Meetha, Action Replay, Tees Maar Khan, Patiala House, Thank You and Joker. While most of them did well, a few were box office duds. With this he also started demanding half the profit shares of his films. Later, he started another banner, Grazing Goat Pictures, under which he decided to make small budget films. The first one, Oh My God, was a stupendous box office success. The Accolades The actor was also conferred with an Honorary Doctorate of Law in recognition of his contribution to Indian Cinema by the University of Windsor in 2008. The following year he was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India. In 2011, The Asian Awards honoured Akshay Kumar for his outstanding achievement in Cinema. He was also awarded the highest Japanese honour of “Katana” and a sixth degree black belt in Kuyukai Goju-ryu karate. He was one of the 15 international celebrities invited for the Olympics torch-bearer rally to Canada. His personal life and controversies Akshay has been known for his string of affairs in his 23-year long Bollywood career. He was linked to Raveena Tandon for a long time and there were strong rumours about a possible marriage. However the marriage was called off after which Akshay and Shilpa Shetty were reported to be a couple. Much to everyone’s surprise, Akshay married Twinkle Khanna, the daughter of actors Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia, in a quiet ceremony held on 17th January 2001. He and Twinkle have two children, son Aarav is fourteen years old and daughter Nitara is just three years old.
His television debut Akshay made his television debut with the reality show, Fear Factor-Khatron Ke Khiladi. He continued to host the show for the following years. The actor also hosted Master Chef – India, Season 1 & 2. His forthcoming films His forthcoming films are Vipul Shah’s Holiday, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gabbar, both of which are remakes of south films and It’s Entertainment directed by debutant duo Sajid-Farhad. He is also working on the sequel of Singh is Kinng titled Singh is Bling. He will also be seen in the remake of Shaukeen. His endorsements The actor is high on endorsements and is the brand ambassador for several campaigns from Relaxo, Sparx and Sugar Free to Honda India, Micromax Mobile, Dollar Club Big Boss, Signature Premier, Eveready, Grasim Suitings, Manapuran Gold Loan and others. His philanthropic work The actor supports children in various fields of sports other than cricket. He has also been lately involved in training young girls in the art of self-defence.
www.visionasia.co.nz | June 2014 17
TELECHAT
It’s time to
move on From being recognized as the heartthrob of television to bagging a three-film deal with one of the most reputed banners in tinsel town, Gurmeet Chowdhary discusses his incredible journey with Subhash K Jha.
18 June 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
TELECHAT
I hate to say goodbye to the medium that has given me everything. I’ve three very successful serials to my credit
You are all set to make a grand debut in films with the banner Vishesh Films. How did you land a three-film deal with the Bhatts? It all started at an awards function in South Africa where Ranbir got the best actor award for films and I was chosen as the best television actor. Bhatt-saab was there too. He congratulated me and expressed a keen desire to work with me. Months later, I got a call from his office and before I knew it, I signed on the dotted line. From a small-town boy in Bihar to one of the most adored actors on the television screen, tell us about your journey. It was nine years ago when I left my home in Bhagalpur, Bihar to seek a career in the world of showbiz. My father who was in the army somehow organized an appointment with Yash Chopra in his Mumbai office, to seek his advice. I was only 19 then. Yashji told me to start my acting career on television. He cited the example of superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who made it big in films after making a television debut. Didn’t your family object to your choice of career? Initially they were hesitant but then they realized that I was not the kind who would give up easily. I was nicknamed Shashi Kapoor by my family and friends and I took the name quite seriously too. Today when I see my father’s pride in my achievement I feel happy. My father too started small in the army and worked his way to becoming an officer. He is my hero and role model. How difficult was it to make a mark on the television scene? It was very difficult. There are so many starry-eyed young boys who come to Mumbai to try their luck in the world of glamour. I was aware that there was stiff
Debina in Mumbai when I was a non-entity. She was the one who encouraged and inspired me in my career. Do you think married actors make better stars? My career has definitely been on the upswing ever since Debina came into my life. Besides, some of the biggest superstars of Bollywood became successful after marriage. Do you think your fan base from television will follow you in films? I’ve established a fan following over the years on television and my fans are very devoted to me. However I am looking at cinema as a new medium. I’ve left behind my career on television and my fans from that medium.
competition but I was determined to make it. Even when I was offered the role of Lord Ram in Ramayan, a lot of people warned me about the danger of being typecast in a mythological role. A majority of actors were busy doing saas-bahu serials at that time but I decided to take the risk. Then after doing two soaps I moved into reality shows. I was paving my way for a career in films but I never took television lightly. How do you avoid unwanted fan attention? (Laughs) There are times when fans go overboard and even land up at my home. Thankfully, my wife Debina understands this since she belongs to the same industry. A few months back, an 80-year old lady from Chandigarh came home and wrote off her property on my name. I had to hire legal help to get rid of the unwanted gift. I’ve seen this kind of adulation and it’s because of Debina that I am still grounded. Your marriage to Debina was also a dramatic affair. Apparently the two of you got secretly married and announced your marriage much later. We got married to each other secretly in 2006 and announced our marriage five years later in 2011, on the sets of Nach Baliye. I had told Debina that I’d make our marriage official only when I could afford a home for her, which is why I waited for five years to make the announcement. I met
Does that mean you have decided to quit television for good? I hate to say goodbye to the medium that has given me everything. I’ve three very successful serials to my credit. At one point, I needed a break to build my movie career but then my fans missed me on television. So I did Nach Baliye, Jhalak Dikhla Jaa and Khatron Ke Khiladi so that my fans would not get disappointed. Now it’s time to move on. Your colleagues from television like Sushant Singh Rajput and Ayushmann Khurrana have also embarked on movie careers? Nowadays television is as important as cinema. Even film producers have realized television stars are popular not just in India but abroad too. How do you feel now that you are about to start a new phase in your life? I am nervous, anxious, tense and excited. I am glad that I found a godfather in Bhattsaab. I’ve already started preparing for my debut. It is like starting a new career.
Bhatt-saab congratulated me and expressed a keen desire to work with me www.visionasia.co.nz | June 2014 19
IIFA 2014
It was a star-studded night at Tampa Bay, Florida. The 15th Tata Motors IIFA Awards celebrated the magic of Indian cinema at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay on 26th April. Hosts Shahid Kapoor and Farhan Akthar kept the audience entertained throughout the evening with their humour, wit and terrific on-stage camaraderie. But it was the spectacular starstudded show, including a line-up of stars who set the stage on fire with their performances that made audiences spellbound. Deepika Padukone stole the show with her performance on Dhol Bhaje, as did Madhuri Dixit and Priyanka Chopra, who performed on their hit numbers. The highlight of the night was however Hrithik Roshan’s electrifying performance on some of his hit numbers. Ranveer Singh and Siddharth Malhotra were the other two star performers of the evening. Hollywood stars like John Travolta and Kevin Spacey shook a leg on popular Bollywood hits too.
20 June 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
IIFA 2014
And the award goes to‌ Bhaag Milkha Bhaag topped the awards list for the Best Picture, Best Direction (Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra) Best Performance in Leading Role Male (Farhan Akhtar), Performance in a Supporting Role Female (Divya Dutta) and Best Story (Prasoon Joshi). Aashiqui 2 ranked second in the number of awards it bagged for music direction, lyrics and playback singing-male and female. Deepika Padukone won the Best Performance in Leading Role Female for her much acclaimed role in Chennai Express.
www.visionasia.co.nz | June 2014 21
travel
San Juan
Beauty and History Combined
While there are many things to experience in Puerto Rico, the city of San Juan is a must see for any first time visitor. This vibrant, modern city has a long and fascinating history, and it continues to delight visitors with its combination of high culture and great nightlife.
22 June 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
Ponce de Leon Statue, Old San Juan
travel
Founded way back in 1521, San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico; is the largest natural harbor in the Caribbean region and its unique geography has made it an important spot throughout the centuries. To this day San Juan serves as a vital port city in the Caribbean, as well as a popular destination for tourists from around the world. The part of the city known as Old San Juan was once valued for its military significance, serving as an important military stronghold for many years. These days Old San Juan is better known as a vibrant commercial and residential district. Visitors will be delighted by the beautiful blue cobblestones that pave the streets of Old San Juan, and they will want to stay awhile to explore the many unique restaurants and shops that dot those alleyways. Lovers of Spanish architecture can delight in more than 400 sixteenth century buildings, many of which have been painstakingly restored and beautifully maintained. The influence of history on the city of San Juan is everywhere, but it is particularly evident in the Plaza de San Jose. This beautiful plaza is a popular meeting place for tourists
and locals alike, and it is a must see for any first time visitor to San Juan. Those visiting the plaza for the first time will no doubt be struck by the large bronze statue of Ponce de Leon that serves as the plaza’s center. Nature lovers should make the trek to Pigeon Park, known to the locals as Parque de las Palomas. This beautiful park offers spectacular views of the city, including the bustling harbor and the beautiful mountains that surround the town. The park also offers breathtaking views of the La Princess Jail, once a notorious place of imprisonment which now serves as an art gallery. Visitors should also be sure to see famous fortress known as the Castillo de San Felipe del Morro. This formidable structure dates back to the 16th century, and it played an important role in defending the city from attack. The walls of the fortress are some 18
Blue cobblestone alleyway, Old San Juan feet thick, and the wall itself rises some 140 feet into the air. Anyone with an interest in military history and architecture should be sure to see this unique structure. Those in search of more spiritual inspiration may want to head over to the Cristo Chapel, also known as the Capilla del Cristo. This beautiful chapel is a great place to relax, unwind and get in touch with one’s more ethereal side. A trip to San Juan is a rewarding experience for any first time visitor to Puerto Rico. With so much to see and do you just may want to stay an extra day or two in this beautiful and vibrant capital city.
www.visionasia.co.nz | June 2014 23
24 June 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
Lisa Haydon www.visionasia.co.nz | June 2014 25
Fitness
I get easily bored of gym routines. I would rather play outdoor sports to sweat it out.
I am against the idea of 26 June 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
dieting
Fitness
He is far from being a fitness freak but his tall lean frame suggests otherwise. Like his brothers Siddharth Roy Kapoor and Kunal Roy Kapoor, Aditya is a great foodie and gorges on rich Punjabi delicacies. He is also averse to the concept of dieting. He discusses his fitness routine and how he manages to keep himself fit.
Aditya Roy Kapur has never adhered to a strict diet at any point in his life. On the contrary, the actor has no qualms binging on snacks. He also confesses to having a sweet tooth and often indulges in sweets. “I cannot control myself when it comes to sweets, especially my dad’s apple pie and ice cream. I can finish a tub of ice cream at one go,” smiles the actor. However this does not seem to have taken a toll on the actor’s weight and his lean, muscular look. Aditya attributes it to his perfect metabolism and his fondness for outdoor sports. “I have always been a sports person. During my school days I played kabaddi, football and cricket. My love for sports was developed by my father who was in the Army. He would make me do squats and push-ups, which I have been doing till date,” reveals Aditya. According to Aditya, most people go on crash diets little realizing that it slows down their metabolism. “I am totally against the idea of dieting. It only affects your energy levels but also affects your metabolism. I eat whenever I feel hungry and I do indulge in sweets and delicacies. But I make it a point to burn all the calories with my physical activity,” says the actor. His routine diet Aditya believes in having three regular meals a day. He starts his day with a litre of water. “It is important to flush out the system first thing in the morning. Water is the best way to detoxify the system,” he says. His breakfast consists of three eggs, brown bread and coffee, followed by a bowl of
fruits. Lunch consists of rice, roti, dal and vegetables. His evening snacks are usually jam sandwiches or jalebis (whichever satiates his sweet tooth). The only restriction for him is at dinner time. He makes sure that he winds up his dinner at 7 p.m. “I make it a point not to eat after 7 p.m., which is a practice I strictly follow. Once in a way if I am late I manage with something light like a soup and salad.” His dinner consists of roast chicken, salad, grilled fish and vegetables. “I avoid carbohydrates in the evening as it’s not good for the body,” the actor reveals. His workouts: Aditya admits that he is not much of a fitness freak but he makes sure to not miss out on his workouts. “I hate missing my work out because it makes me lethargic. I work out five times a week. I only do weights in the gym twice or thrice a week and do different combinations of body parts. I work on my arms and shoulders one day, on my chest the next day and my legs and back on the other days.” However he adds that he is not much of a gym person. “I get easily bored of gym routines. I would rather play outdoor sports to sweat it out. When I do not feel like going to the gym, I try and play cricket or football thrice a week. If am too busy shooting I run for twenty to thirty minutes on the treadmill,” he informs. Getting the right physique for his films Right now, Aditya is working on his physique for his two different looks in Daawat-EIshq opposite Parineeti Chopra and Fitoor opposite Katrina Kaif. In Daawat-E-Ishq he
will be seen playing a chef and will sport a muscular look. On the other hand he has been asked to lose weight for Fitoor. The actor has hit the gym seriously for a change. “I am not skipping my workouts these days. I want to do justice to my characters in these films and it starts with the way you look,” he says. However he does not intend to go easy on the sweets yet. “That’s something I cannot afford to miss out on. It gives me a feeling of satisfaction,” he quips. www.visionasia.co.nz | June 2014 27
NOSTALGIA
I was completely
fascinated by his working method
28 June 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
Filmmaker Sandip Ray pays a tribute to his late father, the legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray, on the occasion of his 92nd birth anniversary, in a conversation with Subhash K Jha.
NOSTALGIA
Baba was like my censor board. Once he said it was okay, I was fine. After I grew up and got into filmmaking, Baba and I became friends.
I began observing the Master at work at a time when other children were busy playing games and doing their homework. My three mandatory school holidays during my growing years - the summer, winter and Pooja holidays were devoted to watching my father shoot his great works. He would plan all his outdoor shootings around my school holidays so my mother and I could be with him. More than the chance to be with my father, these vacations became an opportunity for me to imbibe his filmmaking acumen. I was there at the shooting of his first film Pather Panchali though I was too young to understand what was happening. We knew he was working on something different but we were more enamoured of the wonderful rural Bengali outdoors. I can still remember the hut where the film was shot and that railway track with the steam engine chugging on it. They don’t make steam engines or movies like Pather Panchali (1955) any more. I also remember being present for the shooting of Paras Pather (1958). There was this marvellous party scene featuring Tulsi Chakraborty in an immaculate suit and several other stalwarts of the Bengali film industry, and there was this huge crane with Baba’s regular cinematographer Subrato Mitra and Baba perched on it. That memory remains vivid.
I was completely fascinated by his working method but I couldn’t ask him too many questions, as that would have disturbed him.
I would address all my queries in filmmaking to members of his crew. They helped me understand his craft. I was completely fascinated by his working method but I couldn’t ask him too many questions, as that would have disturbed him. In that respect, I think I was a very good student of my father, Satyajit Ray. Like him I do extensive homework before shooting. I’d say I have inherited his method of shooting.
We shared a common passion called cinema and spent a lot of time discussing it. I’d show him the first cut of my film, though not the entire film. But he never came attended my shootings nor the editing. That’s because he did not want people in the industry to get the wrong notion that my father made all my films. But I did show him my films after they were complete. Baba was like my censor board. Once he said it was okay, I was fine. I remember when he saw my first film he didn’t comment whether it was good or bad. He only advised me to watch it for myself and introspect whether it was going in the right direction. As a filmmaker he advised me to view both good and bad films. While the good films set the precedent about what was best for the film, the bad ones taught you what not to do. He was very satisfied with what I did in Goopi Bagha Phire Elo (the third part of the Goopi Gayen Bagha Bayen trilogy). I was very relieved. There were no superfluous moments in Baba’s cinema. He had a clear advice that however much a filmmaker loved a shot, it was best in the interest of the film to throw it out if it did not move the story forward. In some of his best works like Aranyar Din Ratri he shot extensively and the film got lengthy. He ruthlessly cut away the footage. That’s how I got fascinated with editing. I could see how he tailored his films to make them precise and succinct. The successive generations of directors who are Baba’s fans are doing great work. Dibakar Bannerjee is one of them who shot one of my father’s short stories in Bombay Talkies. Among the other filmmakers who are following his footsteps are Ashutosh Gowariker and Sujoy Ghosh, who is planning to shoot one of my father’s stories. When these filmmakers ask for rights to my father’s material I only give them the Hindi rights. I try to do justice to his Bengali stories.
www.visionasia.co.nz | June 2014 29
NOSTALGIA
A scene from Ray’s acclaimed film Pather Panchali
I’d never dare to remake any of his films. It would be a futile exercise.
He ruthlessly cut away the footage. That’s how I got fascinated with the art of editing.
30 June 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
I’ve filmed Baba’s Feluda stories though. My last film was an anthology of three ghost stories out of which two were my father’s stories. Keeping the Apu Trilogy aside, I’d say Kanchenjunga is absolutely awe-inspiring from among my father’s favourite works. It was far ahead of its time. Then Aranyar Din Ratri was a sublime film, besides Charulata, Jana Aranya (for its black humour) and Goopi Gayen Baghan Bayen. Among Baba’s Hindi films I liked Shatranj Ke Khiladi but I found Sadgati (featuring Om Puri and Smita Patil) to be one of the most hard- hitting films ever made.
Sadly in India we’re celebrating a 100 years of Indian cinema and most of masters’ works are missing. It took a Martin Scorcese to restore Uday Shankar’s Kalpana. I don’t even have film prints of all of Baba’s films because they belong to different producers. Even the DVDs of his films have come from abroad. Most of the Bengali masterpieces are lost. Luckily the Criteron Films Company in New York has come out with a restored version of Jalasaghar which is stunning. They’re also bringing out the Apu Trilogy. I am happy Baba’s films are safe in the West and the Ray Society, but films by Ritwick Ghatak and Mrinal Sen are unfortunately gone.
B-BUZZ
Shraddha Kapoor will be seen singing in her upcoming film Ek Villain Shraddha Kapoor will be heard singing a song in her upcoming film, Ek Villain. The actress, who has extensively trained in singing, was in for a pleasant surprise when her director, Mohit Suri asked her if she would like to lend her voice for a song in the film. Shraddha recorded the song ‘Gaaliyan’ over two days with Ankit Tiwari and later made her grandfather listen to it. Not many people are aware that Shraddha belongs to a family of singers and it was her grandfather who initiated her into singing. Needless to add, Shraddha’s grandfather was more than impressed with her prowess in music. The actress is now planning to devote more time to singing.
www.visionasia.co.nz | June 2014 31
Encounter
I don’t get carried away by
glamour
Her newly acquired svelte look has lately become the talk of the town. Moreover Sonakshi Sinha has a formidable line-up of films in the months ahead, starting with her next release Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty. The charming actress is all set to unleash her action avatar on screen with the film. She talks about her career and her life in a candid conversation with Vision Asia.
32 June 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
Encounter
Holiday is my fourth film with Akshay and the two of us share a great working equation.
You have three big films lined up for release this year. How excited are you? I am looking forward to all three films since I have different roles in each of them. While Holiday is releasing shortly, I am still shooting for the other two films - Action Jackson and Tevar. Apart from that, I am always excited about my work. I look forward to going on the sets every day and giving my best shot to every project. Your look in Holiday is said to have been modeled on Muhammad Ali’s daughter, Laila Ali, who is also a world renowned boxer. When I came to know that I would be playing a boxer, I insisted on having Laila’s look for my role, especially her braid and her boxing gloves. I have always been a great fan of Laila. Have you ever played the sport?
Having worked with Akshay earlier how was the rapport between the two of you this time?
I have not, but I underwent special training in boxing for the scenes in the film. Apart from that, I have always been a sportsperson. In my school days I excelled in football, volleyball and even judo. In fact, I was so obsessed with football that I would first go to the football ground and then proceed to my class. My school uniform would be perennially dirty and my teachers would think that I had come dirty from home.
Holiday is my fourth film with Akshay and the two of us share a great working equation. Besides, both Akshay and are I extra particular about our punctuality on the sets, which our producers appreciate. Besides Akshay, I have had an equally good working relationship with my other costars too, be it Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Ranveer Singh, Saif Ali Khan or Shahid Kapoor.
I look forward to going on the sets every day and giving my best shot to every project.
www.visionasia.co.nz | June 2014 33
Encounter
I am not a political person but as a daughter I will always want my father to do well.
What about Action Jackson? It’s a fun character and both Ajay Devgn and Prabhudeva were confident that I would fit the bill. It’s my third film with Prabhudeva. I am very comfortable with his style of filmmaking. We are having a blast. The film has shaped up well so far. Tell us something about Tevar. It’s a remake of the Telugu film, Okkadu. It’s my first film with Arjun Kapoor. It’s too early to speak about the film. Your father Shatrughan Sinha is a huge star and has a great fan following. Now that the focus has shifted on you, how does it feel? I didn’t have to struggle hard like my father did. He had to go door to door and meet producers where as I got everything on a platter. The only challenges I faced in the initial days were my weight problems and the transition from designing to acting. I have successfully overcome both of them. I am managing well so far though I feel very responsible about the way I conduct myself. Your father recently contested the elections but you didn’t campaign for him? I would have loved to go along with him but I am busy working and he understands that. My support will always be with him. Also, I am not a political person but as a daughter I will always want my father to do well.
aptitude to get into politics and I don’t have the aptitude even though my dad happens to be a politician. I am happy with the job I am doing. My father has his heart in the right place and he deserves to be in politics. What are the qualities that you have imbibed from your parents? A lot of people feel that I have got my mother’s personality. On the other hand, my father insists that my talent comes from him. I think I have got my father’s confidence and my grandfather’s punctuality. He would always reach a place five minutes before his scheduled appointment. Is it a boon or a bane to be born in a film family? It is a boon no doubt but I have never gotten carried away by glamour or success. My father pampered me but my mother has always been strict with us. She never let my father’s success affect us but it was easier for me because we are familiar with everyone from the industry. You spoke about a free country. What is personal freedom to you? For me freedom means being on a holiday where I am really free from thoughts. By S. Bhagat
What do you think the nation needs now? We need a corruption free country. Everyone is fed up of the system. Secondly the petrol prices should be brought down. The nation is looking for a change and now is the time. What do you plan to do ten years from now? Do you plan to get into politics at some point of time? I don’t know what I will be doing day after tomorrow. You have to have the attitude and 34 June 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
I have never gotten carried away by glamour or success.
SLUG
www.visionasia.co.nz | June 2014 35
Glitz & Glamour
Alia Bhatt hosts special screening for Citylights Mahesh Bhatt’s youngest daughter actress Alia Bhatt recently held a special screening of Hansal Mehta’s City lights for her family and friends. Also present at the screening were actors Rajkummar Rao and Patralekha, besides director Hansal Mehta and producer Mahesh Bhatt. The actress was awestruck by the film and the performances of the main cast.
36 June 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
Karishma Kapoor at the opening of Mayyur Girotra Couture Emerging couturier Mayyur R Girotra celebrated the opening of his flagship store in Mumbai, with a preview of his inaugural collections. Present at the launch was actress Karisma Kapoor, looking stunning in a black and gold signature outfit.
Glitz & Glamour
Evelyn Sharma at Star Studded Charity Fashion Show by the Smile Foundation The vivacious Evelyn Sharma was among the show stoppers for the charity fashion show, Ramp for Champs, organized by Smile Foundation, an NGO for child education and healthcare in Mumbai. The Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani star, who sashayed down the ramp for designer Sonakshi Raaj, later tweeted that she was there to support education of the girl child.
Vivek Oberoi at the Caring With Style fashion show Actor Vivek Oberoi supported the Cancer Patients Aid Association as one of the stars to walk the ramp to help raise funds to assist children with Leukemia. The show, being organized for the 9th successive year, featured designs by Vikram Phadnis & Shaina NC.
Arbaaz Khan releases Vickrant Mahajan’s motivational book Actor-filmmaker, Arbaaz Khan released motivational author and speaker, Vickrant Mahajan’s book, ‘Yes, Thank You Universe’, which is part of his positivity movement campaign. The book launch was accompanied by a motivational video comprising of 85 short stories shot all over the world.
www.visionasia.co.nz | June 2014 37
food
Bateta Nu Shaak
Preparation Time: 10 mins Cooking Time: 5 mins Makes 4 servings
Bateta nu shaak is one of the most popular Gujarati foods, made in almost every household. A wonderful combination of sesame seeds, curry leaves and ginger-green chilli paste gives a very distinct flavour to otherwise bland potatoes. Lemon juice and coriander added towards the end really perk up the dish. It tastes best when served with dal and rice. Ingredients 2 cups boiled peeled potato cubes 4 tbsp oil 1 tsp mustard seeds (rai / sarson) 4 tsp sesame seeds (til) A few curry leaves (kadi patta) A pinch of asafoetida (hing) 1/2 tsp turmeric powder (haldi) 4 tsp ginger-green chilli paste 1 tbsp lemon juice 1/4 cup finely chopped coriander (dhania) Salt to taste
38 June 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
Method 1. Heat the oil in a non-stick kadhai and add the mustard seeds, sesame seeds, curry leaves and asafoetida. 2. When the seeds crackle, add the potatoes, salt, turmeric powder and ginger-green chilli past, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes, while stirring once in between. 3. Add the lemon juice and coriander, mix well and cook on a medium flame for another minute. 4. Serve hot.
food
Preparation Time: 10 mins Cooking Time: 15 mins Makes 15 servings
Dabeli
This popular Gujarati street food is another version of vada pav made with a sweet and spicy potato mixture which is filled into a small burger bun and then topped with onion, pomegranate, fresh garlic chutney and sev. Instead of pomegranate, you can use black or green grapes cut into small pieces. Ingredients For The Dabeli Masala 1 red chilli 1 tsp coriander (dhania) seeds 12 mm (1/2”) stick cinnamon (dalchini) 2 cloves (laung / lavang) 1/4 tsp cumin seeds (jeera) For The Filling 1 cup boiled and mashed potatoes 1/2 tsp cumin seeds (jeera) A pinch of asafoetida (hing) 2 tsp dabeli masala 2 tbsp khajur imli chutney 2 tbsp oil Salt to taste
Other Ingredients 15 burger buns Butter or oil for cooking To Serve 1 onion , chopped 1/2 cup roasted peanuts 1/2 cup chopped coriander (dhania) 1/2 cup sev 1/2 cup fresh pomegranate (anar) 2 tsp fresh garlic chutney 6 tbsp khajur imli ki chutney
Method For the dabeli masala 1. Roast all the ingredients in a pan for 2 to 3 minutes. 2. Grind to a fine powder in a blender. Use as required. For the filling 1. Heat the oil in a pan and add the cumin seeds. When they crackle, add the asafoetida, dabeli masala, potato, salt and ½ cup of water and mix well. 2. Remove from the fire, add the 2 tablespoons of khajur imli chutney and mix well. Divide into 15 portions. Keep aside.
How to proceed 1. Slice the burger buns into halves horizontally and toast using a little butter. 2. Place a portion of the filling on the lower half of each bun. 3. Top with the chopped onion, peanuts, coriander, sev, pomegranate, fresh garlic chutney and khajur imli chutney. 4. Sandwich it with the top halves of the burger buns and serve.
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 | June 2014 39
FACE TO FACE
I am a
huge admirer of Hrithik Roshan
I am simply taking my father’s legacy forward. He too has worked hard in his life. 40 June 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
FACE TO FACE
I am not Tiger Shroff in front of the camera.
The Tiger is roaring and the industry is abuzz with speculation that this talented newcomer is full of promise. On his part, Tiger Shroff, the son of yesteryears star, Jackie Shroff, is determined to give his career his best shot. The 21-year old handsome hunk, talks to Vision Asia about his aspirations, his family life and his decision to get into acting.
Your parents are full of praise for your humility, sense of discipline and hard work. I think it is my parents who have instilled these values in me. I feel it is very important to be humble and grounded in your life. I am simply taking my father’s legacy forward. He too has worked hard in his life and I don’t have words to describe him. My father gave me some priceless advice when I decided to take up acting - he asked me to work more and talk less. I have been following it ever since. My mother is shy and reserved like me. She is immensely proud of me.
Acting is in your genes. As the son of Jackie Shroff, did you always think of being an actor? Right from my childhood, my extended family and friends wanted to know when I would make my acting debut. The people around me had assumed that joining the industry was a foregone conclusion for me but I had other interests in mind. During my student days, I was more inclined towards sports, especially cricket. It was after I finished my basic education that I began to analyze my capabilities and strengths. I was aware that I was adept in dancing and action but acting was not quite an option. However, the decision was made when the script of Heropanti came my way. There was no way I could refuse it. What was it like being Jackie Shroff’s son in your childhood days? My parents never brought me up in a starry atmosphere. I did accompany my father to the sets on a couple of occasions but that was it. I remember going on the sets of Rangeela and Aar Ya Paar but I never believed in throwing my weight around as Jackie Shroff’s son. I was a shy guy and my sole interest was in sports. I never even had the courage to confess my feelings for a girl I liked. I have always been apprehensive of rejection and that is the reality even today.
With so many newcomers on the scene, are you afraid of the stiff competition? I am not scared of competition because I know Dar Ke Aagey Jeet Hai (smiles). I am aware that I will have to work harder to prove myself. Who are your favourite actors and whom do you look up to? I am a huge admirer of Hrithik Roshan. According to me, he has the complete package of a hero. He has got the right looks, right physique and he is also someone who acts well. My respect for him also stems from the fact that he had to overcome so many challenges - his speech problems and health issues right from his knees to back problem. But he overcame everything and became the superhero of the nation. You are a shy guy. How did you overcome your shyness in front of camera? I was blank before I underwent the workshop on acting. The three months workshop which my director initiated, followed by the photo shoots with my co-star Kriti Sanon, made me come out of my shell. Also every time my director called for action, I would shed all my inhibitions and transform into the character on screen. I am not Tiger Shroff in front of the camera. My producer and director signed me only after they were convinced about my talent and not because I am Jackie Shroff’s son.
You have got the right physique. How did the idea of learning gymnastics come to your mind? Right from my childhood, I have been a big fan of Bruce Lee and Michael Jackson. I would watch their videos and try to imitate them. When I was four years old, I started learning gymnastics. I only had one big dream and that was to play the character of Spiderman. I still cherish that dream. I have worked hard to achieve this physique. Who are your friends in the industry? Right now my whole attention is on my career and what I need to do to consolidate it. I start my day early in the morning and work hard on my physique. I don’t have too many friends, I don’t party either. My friends for life are actor Danny Denzongpa and actor Ranjeet’s sons. While on networking, there have been jokes trending on you on social networks. What do you have to say to that? I am a very open minded person. My job is to entertain people and I am told that I have been compared with people like Rajnikanth and Alok Nath so what better way to entertain people. I am happy my job is being done.
I don’t have too many friends, I don’t party either.
www.visionasia.co.nz | June 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 faculty to record the programmers as we June 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 June get corrupted and will not play or record in future in case its used on any other device. What are the common errors I June 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 42 June 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
satellite cable connecting the box to the 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 dis played on your Television Screen for an extended period of time June cause a permanent residua! 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 June 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 decoder etc., we will not be able to rectify the error because of the variety of mode 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 has only for direct connection from decoder to TV. How do I change credit card or bank de tails? 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.vlslo
nasia.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 June 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 the 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@vlslonasla.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 ema11 us on support@vlslonasla.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
NEWS EXPRESS
It’s time for me to get back into the
Groove The very glamorous Sangeeta Bijlani is poised to make a comeback in films with Onir’s Shab. She speaks to Subhash K Jha about her plans.
Today I feel I am far more clued in and emotionally evolved. I think this is the best time to be in the movies Best known for her performances in films like Tridev, Jurm and Batwara, former beauty queen and actress, Sangeeta Bijlani, is all set to return to the screen after a gap of 19 years. The actress, who was last seen in a Hindi film in 1996, says that she was unsure about how comfortable she would be the idea of facing the camera again. “I was out of the public domain for so many years but the relationship with the camera didn’t end. It was simply dormant,” she says. It was filmmaker Onir of My Brother….. Nikhil fame, who convinced her to return to acting after he met her a year ago at Anita Dongre’s fashion show. “We were from the same group and he kept asking me why I didn’t return to movies.” Before long, Onir came up with the script of Shab and asked Sangeeta to read it. “I went through it and I was hooked. Onir wanted me to play the role of a powerful diva in the film. He also wanted someone who looked vulnerable and soft and felt that I would suit the role perfectly”.
The fact that the film had a realistic story got her even more interested. “I am open to any experience. It was in the realistic space, and I loved that. I never did realistic cinema in my career. I always did the commercial stuff but I don’t shut doors to anything in life.” Sangeeta is also glad that she is getting back to acting at a time when filmmakers are experimenting with diverse subjects. “When I was at the peak of my career, I was content playing the conventional heroine. There was just commercial and some offbeat cinema, nothing in-between. I’m glad to be back when so many different genres of films are being made in Hindi.” She recalls the time when she made her debut with J P Dutta’s Hathyar, “At the time I was just doing what I was asked. To be honest I wasn’t all that involved nor was I passionate about acting. I was happy with whatever came my way. Today I feel I am far more clued in and emotionally evolved. I think this is the best time to be in the movies.”
The former glamour diva is excitedly looking forward to reviving her acting career fullfledged in the days ahead, “Now that I’ve stepped into it, I feel it’s time for me to get back into the groove. The film industry is more organized now. There are people to take care of everything, be it your dates or your media campaign. I am looking forward to it.” Contrary to rumors, she has not been in touch with old friend, Salman Khan and his family. “I have not been in touch with anyone in the industry. I was completely cut off from the film industry for all this time.” Sangeeta feels that her experiences in life have made her into a far more evolved person today. “You learn so much from life and you grow every day. Life has taught me to expect the unexpected,” she says.
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opINIoN
What do awards mean to our Bollywood stars?
The recently held IIFA awards at Tampa Bay, witnessed a congregation of stars, who were present to celebrate the best of cinema. But do all awards celebrate the best of cinema? There was a time when there were only a few award ceremonies which honoured people for their immense contribution to cinema. Over the years, the awards have grown in number and the equations have changed, so have the commercial aspects and the credibility of award functions. Vision Asia talks to stars to find out what awards mean to them.
“For me my work is my passion. Awards are like incentives but at the end of the day it’s the love and appreciation of your audiences.”
Priyanka Chopra
“I believe my work speaks for me more than anything else. Awards are like detractors and distractions. What remains constant in my life is my hard work. I will keep doing films for my fans.”
Rani Mukerji
“Whenever I win an award I start worrying about people who deserved it and didn’t get it. I remember even in my younger days I always played tennis in a sportive spirit and not because I wanted to win. On the other hand, I don’t attend award functions because I do not believe in them. I have attended only two award ceremonies so far. One of them is the Dinanath Mangeshkar Award which I endorse because I respect the man and the Mangeshkar family. The other is the Golapodi Awards from the south. This award is instituted in the name of a young debutant film maker who died while he was shooting for the film. When the family chose my film, Taare Zameen Par, I attended the ceremony because I felt they were genuine. There was no show and no dances during this award ceremony.”
Aamir Khan
44 June 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
opINIoN
“I am not interested in awards. It is the claps and the whistles in the theatres that reward me. I have always believed that once the nominee section is vacant somebody else fits the bill.”
“It depends on who is giving the awards. If you really feel the organizers are genuine then you should go ahead and accept it.”
Irrfan Khan
Salman Khan
“These days there are so many awards functions that attending all of them means spending time and money on makeup and styling. All this makes it an expensive affair. I am not saying that these awards are not genuine, but there are so many now that it seems like you are giving them away just to make everyone happy.”
“Awards are an appreciation for the work you have done but these days we have so many awards that there is no meaning to it. I don’t take these awards seriously so it doesn’t bother me.”
Imran Khan
Kangana Ranaut
“An award is a reflection of a whole year’s work. If I win, I feel thrilled; if I don’t, I assume that I need to work harder the following year. I dedicated my first award to my mother. Now I dedicate them to my children. I keep it on my daughter’s or my son’s bedside table. They feel happy. That is also a reminder that nothing comes easy in life. They should realize the hard work and efforts that I do more than the glamour and glitz that surround it.”
Shah Rukh Khan
www.visionasia.co.nz | June 2014 45
opINIoN
“Awards are given in appreciation of the work you have done but the true award comes from the audiences. More than winning awards it is very important for films to do well at the box office. Awards are secondary.”
Ranbir Kapoor
“I have out grown awards and award functions. The others can very well cherish them. I am happy with the rewards. I would rather enjoy a holiday instead. Films and acting are my passion. Apart from that I want to have a life of my own.”
“Awards are always inspiring. They are like the icing on the cake. You hope for audience appreciation and you get it and when you are awarded for your work it’s an even greater feeling since you have invested your time, money and hard work into it.”
Kareena Kapoor Vidya Balan
“I haven’t been to an award function for the last 15 years of my career. Awards are nothing but hogwash. Also, I have observed that a majority of awards are given to stars to encourage them to attend the function. If you are unable to make it to an awards ceremony, the award is shifted to another actor. There are a few exceptions when some awards are genuinely given to people as a gesture of appreciation. I do believe in them. The problem is that if you attend one function, you are expected to attend all of them. I hate this kind of pressure.”
Ajay Devgn
46 June 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
b-buzz
John Abraham turns lucky mascot John Abraham has taken his role of a producer rather seriously. While other stars produce films and also act in them, John is not very much in favour of acting in his own productions. However the actor does make exceptions if he is convinced that his presence can make a difference to the film. The news goes that John recently gave his nod for a special appearance in his upcoming film, Satra Ko Shaadi Hai. Apparently he took the decision when the director felt that he could add to the prospects of the film and make a difference. Sources inform that John’s partner Sheel Kumar and filmmaker friend, Shoojit Sircar insisted that he make an appearance in the film as they felt he was their lucky mascot. John did not think twice before giving his nod and shot the sequence soon after.
www.visionasia.co.nz | June 2014 47
20-20
I value love above all Shirley Setia, a young Kiwi of Indian origin, recently won the T-Series Tum Hi Ho online music competition for her soulful rendition of the ballad from Aashiqui 2. A University of Auckland student studying BCom, she followed her passion for music & set up a Youtube channel featuring covers of Bollywood songs. With over 27,000 subscribers & more than 2 million views, Shirley is fast becoming a music sensation both here & in India. 1. What are your Hobbies/Passions? I love music, but other than that I also like visiting new places & watching movies. 2. What is your idea of perfect happiness? Actually I think I am also looking for the answer of the same! It’s a lifelong quest, however I feel that satisfaction leads to inner peace i.e. perfect happiness. 3. What is your success mantra? Just work hard & work smart. It’s tough, but it’s also important to not let extreme negativity get to you. Staying positive & hopeful is key. 4. Who or what is your inspiration? I feel like I get inspired by everyone around me. Just seeing others work hard makes me want to work hard too. But if I had to name someone, it would most certainly be my parents. Also, my Youtube inspiration is Superwoman aka Lilly Singh! I just adore her humble & down-to-earth personality. 5. What is your most memorable moment? I have so many, but one of the recent ones has to be seeing my family happy about my work so far. Getting that encouragement & motivation from them really means a lot to me. 6. How important is it to fail before you succeed? Life is full of highs & lows & the lows in life are there to make you stronger for the future. To fail before achieving success would certainly make one appreciate & value that success more. 7. What do you value most in life? I feel I value love above all. I know it sounds cheesy, but that’s what fuels me. 8. Favourite movie & star? My favourite movie has got to be ‘The Lion King’. My favourite star is Aamir Khan. 9. Favourite food/restaurant? I love Indo-Chinese food! Hakka noodles, fried rice...with a little bit of spice, is just perfect! 10. Favourite Sport & player? I don’t play sport as much, however my entire family loves cricket. Sachin Tendulkar is my favourite player, not only because he is a great sportsman, but also due to his personality. He is loved by so many worldwide, yet I have never seen him be egoistic about it. I truly look up to that quality of his. 11. Favourite holiday destination? I would love to visit France someday. But, currently, I would pick Queenstown as my holiday destination! It’s just so gorgeous!! 12. What do you love or admire in New Zeal&? The natural beauty of this country is heavenly. I love the peace one gets from just admiring nature especially in NZ. The 48 June 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
atmosphere, gives you the feeling of purity. Not only nature, but also people here are extremely friendly & I really love that. 13. What outdoor activities you like / how do you relax? I mostly just listen to music to relax & also admiring nature is something I love doing. 14. Which talent would you most like to have? I would really like to be able to play a musical instrument! Despite being a vocalist myself, I find it hard to play musical instruments with ease. 15. The craziest things you’ve ever done? Posting a video of me singing on Youtube was a pretty crazy thing to do, but it has worked out for the good so far, & I’m extremely thankful for that! 16. What is your greatest fear? It’s a little bit emotional, but my greatest fear is to lose loved ones. Other than that, drowning in water is another fear of mine. 17. What do you think is the secret to a good life? The secret to a good life is to not overthink. I tend to overthink a lot sometimes, & I find that whenever I do that, it just makes life harder for me. So to be able to control yourself & your thoughts, & to just do things that make you happy is going to lead you towards a good life. 18. If your house was on fire & you could only grab 3 things what would they be? If I assume that my family is already safe, I would probably grab my phone, its charger, & my laptop. 19. What phrase or words do you use the most? I use the phrase ‘ lol ‘ a lot, & most of the times when I say it, I’m not even laughing out loud. 20. Name one achievement that you are proud of: I wouldn’t say that I am proud but I am just humbled to see the response I have received from so many people that don’t even know me personally & just like me for my music. It makes me feel extremely thankful to have received that kind of support from my family, my close ones & also from my followers worldwide!
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www.visionasia.co.nz | June 2014 49