www.visionasia.co.nz
February 2014
Priyanka
Setting Chopra new benchmarks for success
Salman
The Khan ultimate box-office hero
Madhuri
The Dixit Marquee Queen returns
Dharmendra Looking back with affection
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Speaking Frankly
Priyanka Chopra’s career till date has been about creating new benchmarks for success, setting her apart from her contemporaries. A former Miss World, successful actress and now a successful lyricist, international musician and singer in her own right, the multifaceted Priyanka Chopra has worked her way to the top with sheer talent and determination. From attempting 12 roles in What’s Your Raashee? to her National award winning role in Fashion or the role of an autistic woman in Barfi!, Priyanka has always believed in doing things outside the box. In a candid interview with Vision Asia, the confident actress talks of her achievements of the year past, her upcoming movies, and future plans in movies and music. Vision Asia has some fantastic viewing for February! New dailies include Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya on Zee TV and Jaya Bachchan’s TV debut with Vasundhara on Sony. Life OK has a new weekly fantasy adventure show – The Adventures of Hatim. Don’t miss the finale of Nach Baliye Season 6 and new reality based offering Ishq Kills on Star Plus. A new show The Great Chefs of India replaces Khana Khazana on Zee TV. Roadies Season 11 and Unplugged Season 3 begin on MTV. The awards season has taken off and events to watch out for include Zee Cine Awards 2014, Star Guild Awards 2014. Star Vijay has a new daily show Pudhu Kavithai. An exciting list of television movie premieres is lined up for February - Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Zanjeer, Aakash Vaani, Jayantabhai Ki Love Story. Other super hit movies include Saajan, Deewana, Kaminey, Dostana, Salam Namaste, Darr, Golmaal Returns, Paa, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Dabangg 2. Classics include Saagar, Maine Pyar Kiya, Yaarana, Andaz Apna Apna. We wish all our viewers a blessed Mahashivratri. We would like to hear from you, do write to us on feedback@visionasia.co.nz Team Vision Asia
CREDITS Editor Sandra Noronha Associate Editor Manishaa Rajender Mandlecha Writers Subhash Jha, Tarla Dalal, Manishaa Rajender Mandlecha Designer Dharmendra Jangid Images Image Clicker 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
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CONTENTS
12 COVER STORY
“I have never gone by established norms.” Priyanka Chopra
10
QUICK UPDATES
22
TRAVEL
32
NEWS EXPRESS
36
GLITZ & GLAMOUR
40
FITNESS FUNDAS
46
OPINION
A peek into B-town’s latest happenings.
An exotic holiday in Santorini.
Abhay Deol’s international production debut.
What are Bollywood celebs up to?
Parineeti Chopra: I don’t believe in crash diets.
Article 377: Bollywood reacts.
B-BUZZ
Ajay Devgn demands changes in Action Jackson Ajay Devgn has put the debacle of his last flop, Himmatwala behind him and is now looking forward to his next film, Action Jackson. The actor is however said to be monitoring every scene and shot in the film. It is also heard that he demanded a few changes in the script at one stage. However a source close to the actor clarifies that he has no intentions of interfering in director Prabhudeva’s territory, “Ajay has tremendous respect for director Prabhudeva and he has made the changes in tune with the director’s vision. He will not interfere but would prefer that these changes be incorporated. Prabhudeva also understands and knows how Ajay works. Ajay has always been working on his scripts but he wants to be cautious not to repeat any mistakes after the setback of his last film. Ajay also has a certain vision for the film, which he has shared in the form of suggestions with Prabhu. He does not like to interfere in the work of his directors just for the heck of it.”
Malaika Arora offended by item girl tag Mailaika Arora feels offended every time she is referred to as an item girl. The actress-producer who has gyrated to songs like ‘Chaiyyan Chaiyyan’ and ‘Munni Badnam Hui’, recently revealed that she found the item girl tag disgusting. “These songs have a special space in the film but I don’t understand how the term ‘item girl’ was derived. I don’t think it’s the right word. It sounds derogatory. We are all performers here,” Malaika said. At the moment Malaika is busy hosting the fifth season of India’s Got Talent along with Karan Johar and Kirron Kher. “There’s so much new talent year after year. Age and caste is no bar. It’s purely talent. The show has moved beyond the stage to the outdoors, water, and even a circus.” On the film front Malaika is busy as a producer with her next film Dolly Ki Doli. “We are in the process of making Dolly Ki Doli and we are working on the casting. I find the whole process quite interesting and am happy about the fact that my opinions are taken into consideration.” 4 February 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
B-BUZZ
www.visionasia.co.nz | February 2014
5
NEWS EXPRESS
6 February 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
B-BUZZ
I never sign roles for the sake of money, says Aamir Aamir Khan who is currently basking in the success of Dhoom 3 reveals that the double role in the film was an effort to break away from a stereotyped image. The actor says, “The idea was to show the audiences an altogether different character that was never shown before. There shouldn’t be a perception that I do only the logical or the righteous kinds of roles or those with a social message. Besides, I don’t want to limit myself as an actor.” While roles and scripts are being written keeping the actor in mind, Aamir for one does not believe in luck. “At the end of the day it all boils down to hard work. The luck factor is definitely there but luck does not favour anyone if it is not supported by hard work. One has to be positive and keep working for him to achieve his position.” Aamir also states that he has never signed any role for money in his career, howsoever big the price may be. “Money is the last incentive for me to sign any film. I cannot compromise with my emotions and money cannot buy me. It is difficult for me to go out of my sensibilities and work. I can do different kinds of genre but if my sensibility doesn’t match I will not do it. Money has never been one of my strengths” he says. The 48 year old actor is now looking forward to Rajkumar Hirani’s Peekay but does not want to comment on the film yet, “I can’t comment unless I see the first cut of the film. I get worried something will go wrong” he says.
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B-BUZZ
Is Bipasha Basu planning to tie the knot this year? It appears that wedding bells are round the corner for model-turnedactress Bipasha Basu, who is reportedly planning to get into wedlock with her alleged beau Harman Baweja this year. The two have been seen together for the past few months and Bipasha has also been spotted at Harman’s home in Lokhandwala. Bipasha had also taken time off to celebrate Harman’s birthday last year and he in turn had flown to London with her, when she was shooting for Sajid Khan’s Humshakals with Saif Ali Khan. It looks like the couple is keen to take their relationship to the next level. Recently when quizzed about her relationship status at the launch of her fitness DVD titled ‘Unleash’, Bips dodged the question by saying that she would have a Bengali wedding. It may be recalled that earlier Bipasha had a relationship with John that lasted for over nine years but they parted ways. John Abraham recently got married to Priya Runchal, an investment banker.
Deepika and Ranveer play down on their relationship With their relationship becoming the center of constant media attention, Ranveer Singh and his RamLeela co-star, have decided to lay low and keep a safe distance from each other. Recently the couple was seen sipping coffee in New York and Deepika was even reported to have celebrated her 28th birthday with Ranveer. However they refuse to talk about their relationship anymore. When Ranveer Singh was quizzed about it at the music launch of his film Gunday, the actor chose to ignore the questions. Despite several questions thrown in, Ranveer decided to keep a straight face and chose not to reply to questions regarding Deepika. On the other hand, Deepika also chose to be indifferent when asked about it at a recent event in Mumbai. Later she went on to clarify that her relationship status was single. It remains to be seen whether the couple continues with this stance in the days ahead. 8 February 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
B-BUZZ
www.visionasia.co.nz | February 2014
9
QUICK UPDATES
A
ctress Sonakshi Sinha has been approached by a New York based theatre group for a role in the Broadway adaption of O.Henry’s The Last Leaf. The theatre group is said to have approached Sonakshi after some of the members saw her performance in the film Lootera, which was an adaptation of the same story. The Broadway run of the play has been scheduled for summer and Sonakshi is busy trying to figure out whether she can take time off. 10 February 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
T
he makers of the Hrithik Roshan Roshan starrer Bang Bang are taking no chances for the ongoing schedule of the film, which resumed shooting in Manali. Hrithik will be performing some dare devil stunts once again, this time under the guidance of ace Hollywood action director Andy Armstrong of The Amazing Spider-Man and Mission: Impossible fame. The superstar was fatally injured in the last schedule when he went for an ill-timed dive and subsequently had to be operated on for a brain clot.
B
ollywood hunk John Abraham recently tied the knot with his investment banker girlfriend Priya Runchal, whom he was dating since 2010. The actor-producer, who broke the news on Twitter, had reportedly gone to Los Angeles to celebrate the New Year with his girlfriend when he decided to take the plunge. John is currently said to be busy with the decoration of his bachelor pad before he brings Priya home.
QUICK UPDATES
I A
top media house in Britain has rated the charismatic Amitabh Bachchan as one of ‘The top 10 admired people of the world’. Bachchan’s name figured in the list after the media house conducted a poll amongst its huge base of readers. The sample survey was conducted among 14,000 people in the US, Great Britain, France, Germany, Russia, India, China, Australia, Pakistan, Brazil, Egypt, Nigeria and Indonesia. Bachchan’s name prominently figured in the list.
A
ctress Jacqueline Fernandez never misses an opportunity to do something for her parents and express her love and gratitude towards them. The actress recently gifted her parents a holiday to France, a country that they were looking forward to visit since a long time. The former Miss Sri Lanka ensured that she made all the arrangements for the trip from booking the tickets, to their stay and their sightseeing. The actress was keen on joining her parents on the holiday but the shooting schedule for Kick prevented her from doing so.
f reports are to be believed, Ranbir Kapoor has been approached to host the eighth season of the popular Indian reality show, Bigg Boss. Apparently the producers are keen on roping Ranbir since Salman Khan is not too keen on continuing with the show. Salman has been hosting Bigg Boss for the last four seasons now and has succeeded in making it one of the most talked about reality shows on the Indian television scene. However the actor reportedly expressed his desire to opt out of the show in the wake of controversial reports accusing him of favouritism towards participants.
V S S
tudent Of The Year actor Sidharth Malhotra has been signed to play a major role by Ekta Kapoor in her next film, Villain. The action-romance to be directed by Mohit Suri will see Sidharth performing dare-devil action scenes in the role of an angry young man on a love mission. The film is scheduled to go on the floors in August this year. Siddharth was recently seen in the film, Hasee Toh Phasee.
outhern superstar Dhanush, who made his Bollywood debut with Raanjhanaa, will be seen sharing screen space with superstar Amitabh Bachchan in R. Balki`s film. Veteran south actor, Kamal Haasan’s daughter, Akshara, will make her cinematic debut with the film. The music of the film will be composed by ace south composer, Illayaraja. Dhanush who was flooded with offers after the success of his debut film, has been cautious about doing one Bollywood film at a time. Currently, he is busy with a few projects in the south.
arun Dhawan has reportedly declined choreographer-turned-director Remo Fernandes ABCD 2, the sequel to ABCD (Anybody Can Dance), which was an ode to dance. Apparently Varun’s other film commitments prevented him from taking a decision on the film. Varun has been recently confirmed by Saif Ali Khan’s production house to do a film with director Sriram Raghavan, after which he will also be shooting for Karan Johar’s next production, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania. It may be recalled that Remo was keen on signing Varun as he was impressed by the latter’s dancing skills when he choreographed him in Student of The Year. www.visionasia.co.nz | February 2014 11
COVER STORY
box 12 February 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
COVER STORY
You seem to be in one of the best phases of your career. While your international singing debut received an overwhelming response, your last release Krrish 3 set a new record at the box-office entering the Rs 200 crore club, adding to your list of hits. What was your reaction? It was a great moment. I feel very proud being a part of such successful films. The box-office is King. The more successful the film, the more success it brings for all those who are associated with it. I don’t want to talk just for myself because a film is team work and everyone is responsible for the success of the film.
“I am risk taker and I don’t believe in following anyone’s footsteps”
Decisive, confident and one who has never shied away from taking risks, Priyanka Chopra is a self-made woman, who has scaled the heights of success with sheer talent and determination. The former Miss World turned actress who has proven herself in both commercial and critically acclaimed roles, recently added one more feather to her cap by making her international singing debut. On the film front, she is now looking forward to her next release, Gunday, after the success of her last film, Krrish 3.
Would you like to be a part of future sequels if Rakesh Roshan makes them? Why not? Rakesh-sir has plans of making Krrish 12 too and I hope I am a part of every sequel that he makes. I was the only human being in the film while the others were all super-super-villain, super-hero and super-vamp. My character brought out emotions from the heart. I have done two sequels so far, the first one being Don where I was the super chick. In the Krrish sequel I was the soft-hearted human being. Coming to your singing prowess, we are told that you recently planned a playlist of songs that you have written and composed for one of your performances. Are you looking forward to a second career as a singer-composer and a lyricist? I have not made any such plans. I always wrote poetry but now I have learnt to write songs as I am spending a lot of time with a lot of lyricists. I am a new musician and learning by trial and error. I have written 40 songs out of my sheer love for writing. It was a process of self-discovery for me as I explored my ability as a song-writer. I don’t think I will be able to use all the forty songs though. Were you always confident that your singing debut would receive such an overwhelming response? I have never gone by established norms of what works and what doesn’t. I am aware that some people will like my work and some may not like it. I don’t bother what the critics have to say either. I feel happy about the fact that I ventured into the field of music and attempted something that no Indian had done before. Globally you have very few examples where actors have become musicians. Musicians become actors www.visionasia.co.nz | February 2014 13
COVER STORY
like Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, and Kishore Kumar. But I am an actress who took up music. I may fail in my experiment or people may not like it. But at the end of the day I have no regrets because I have tried. Given a chance to sing in films, would you be open to the idea of singing for another heroine? I would love to sing for another actress more than myself. I am dying to do it. I hope I get such an opportunity but I have to like the song. I am very choosy. Tell us about your role in your forthcoming film, Gunday. I play the role of a cabaret dancer in the film. I have two very distinct looks- one of a glamorous club dancer and the other of a simple Bengali girl of the 1970s. It is a very interesting role. My dances in the film have a lot of European influence. How was it working with both Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor? It was fun. They are both very naughty and kept me in splits all the time. Arjun is quiet and subtle whereas Ranveer is very loud. There has been considerable curiosity about your role in your next film, Mary Kom. You are said to have trained extensively for the film. How difficult has it been going through the demanding fitness schedule? Playing the role of Mary Kom has been an extraordinary experience. It has been a tough challenge too, especially achieving the kind of physique that the role demands, especially since I have never been a sports person. Initially, I trained for two months continuously before we shot the first schedule in July. I have two different trainers, one for boxing and the other one to get the lean look in the film. There were times when I hated going to the gym and working out for three hours every day, but now I have gotten used to it.
“I am very work driven. India has also changed and you can afford to be a working woman today” 14 February 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
We are told that you also met Mary Kom and discussed a lot of things with her before you started shooting for the film? You will be surprised to hear what we discussed. Apart from her boxing career, Mary Com is a girl like any of us. We would discuss clothes, shoes, jewellery and make up, besides the latest colour in vogue and the designs that suit us. We had a lot of fun.
COVER STORY
“Bryan is a cool guy and loves India. He’s very talented and has threatened me that he will pull me on stage the next time he comes to India to perform”
Recently Madhuri Dixit stated in one of her interviews that stories are finally being written for actresses and it is the right time for women. What is your opinion? I agree that actresses are now getting some of the best roles in their career but what is unexplainable is the fact that none of the female-centric roles that we have witnessed so far, has made a business of 100 crores at the box-office. Some of these films like Fashion or for that matter even Vidya Balan’s The Dirty Picture, have done well but it will be nice to see some of these films also getting into the 100 crore club. Aren’t you apprehensive about failure when you experiment with roles? Like I said earlier, I love doing something out of the box and that’s the way I have come up in life. When I did the grey role in Aitraaz, people cautioned me against doing it, saying that I would have a tough time getting heroine-oriented roles thereafter. But Rakesh Roshan cast me in Krrish only after he saw Aitraaz. Even when I took up the role in Fashion, I was told not to expect much out of it since heroine-oriented films do not have a market but the film went on to set a precedent at the box-office. When I did Barfi, I was advised that it would go against my glamourous image. I am risk taker and I don’t believe in following anyone’s footsteps.
“Playing the role of Mary Kom has been a tough challenge, especially achieving the kind of physique that the role demands”
What according to you are your positive and negative traits? I am no perfectionist. I do have my share of imperfections like all other human beings. I am very impatient, restless and emotionally driven, which is why I tend to take the wrong decisions at times. I am not an early riser which is even worse. That means I am not fit. I have no fixed schedules and am unhealthy and I hate working out.
You recently shot with Bryan Adams for a campaign. How was the experience? It was great. He has the simplicity of Indian men and has done a lot of iconic campaigns too. He gave me tips on singing and sang songs for me as well. I love his voice and rasping. It was fun working with him. We shot the candid life of a movie star together. The idea of the campaign was how I meet the man of my life. Bryan is a cool guy and loves India. He’s very talented and has threatened me that he will pull me on stage the next time he comes to India to perform. What kind of a person would you desire for a dream date? He should be someone who is intelligent, someone I respect, one who is funny, witty, charming and a male version of me. He needs to be an achiever. It doesn’t matter if he’s an actor or a non-actor. Your brother got engaged recently. Doesn’t your mother pressurize you to get married? I am a working woman and I have no time to think of marriage. My brother wanted to get married, he found the right girl and we got him engaged. My mother wanted me to get married when I was younger, but I am very work driven. India has also changed and you can afford to be a working woman today. What do you think you will be doing ten years from now? I consider myself an actress. I am an actress and an entertainer and will keep on acting.
www.visionasia.co.nz | February 2014 15
COVER STORY
Setting new benchmarks for
success Former Miss World, successful actress and now a successful lyricist, international musician and singer in her own right, the multifaceted Priyanka Chopra has worked her way to the top. Today the actress looks back on her career with a smile and says that life has indeed been a roller coaster ride for her. Her Childhood: The actress was born on 18th July 1982 in Jamshedpur to parents who were both physicians in the Indian Army. With her parents moving from one place to another due to their professional demands, Daddy’s little girl was shifting base too; but even today she considers Bareilly her real home. Priyanka’s teenage years were spent with her aunt in USA, where she also completed her schooling. While in Massachusetts, she participated in several theatre productions and studied Western classical music, choral singing and Kathak dance. Few are aware that Priyanka was the only Indian in her class 16 February 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
to have been selected at the state level for the National Opus Honour Choir. After three years, she returned to India, finishing her high-school education at the Army Public School in Bareilly. Priyanka has always maintained a strong relationship with her family, including her younger brother, Siddharth. She was known to be very close to her father, who passed away in June 2013. The Miss World title that changed it all: While she was totally new to the world of glamour, it was at her mother’s insistence that Priyanka decided to enter the local
‘May Queen’ beauty pageant contest and won it. Later she participated in the Femina Miss India Contest and won the Miss India World title. Priyanka then went on to bag the Miss World 2000 title. She was also crowned Miss World Continental Queen of Beauty-Asia & Oceania at the Millennium Dome in London on 1st December, 2000. There was no looking back for Priyanka thereafter. She aspired to study engineering or psychiatry but the Miss World title took her on a whirlwind tour. Her film debut: Like most other beauty pageant winners,
COVER STORY
Priyanka decided to explore a career in films too. She made her acting debut with a Tamil film Thamizhan in 2002. The following year, she starred in The Hero, her first Hindi film release. That was followed by the box-office hit Andaaz which won her many awards. Her subsequent three films Plan, Kismat, and Asambhav, generated little interest at the box-office. That was followed by the hugely successful, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, in which she was paired with Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar. But Priyanka was back to being one of the most talented actresses when she walked away with all the accolades with a negative role in the 2004 Abbas-Mustan thriller, Aitraaz. After a string of unsuccessful films in 2005, Priyanka was back in the big league with the superhero film Krrish. The film co-starring Hrithik Roshan, Rekha and Naseeruddin Shah, was the second-highest-grossing film of the year in India. There were setbacks too with films like Love Story 2050, God Tussi Great Ho, Chamku and Drona proving to be washouts at the box-office. The defining moments of her career as an actor: It was her performance in Madhur Bhandarkar’s Fashion, a drama about the Indian fashion industry, that once again proved Priyanka’s immense potential as an actress. Her portrayal of the ambitious supermodel Meghna Mathur in the film went on to win her a National award, besides the Filmfare Award, the IIFA Award, Screen Award and the Apsara Award for Best Actress. That was followed by her role in Kaminey that further established her as an actress par excellence. She later attempted 12 roles in What’s Your Raashee but the film failed to make an impact. In 2011, she played seven different roles in Vishal Bharadwaj’s 7 Khoon Maaf, but the film did not go down well with the audiences either. However, the year ended on a positive note for her with Don 2 proving to be a major success. The following year once again proved to be eventful when she was seen in the revenge drama Agneepath. Her subsequent role of an autistic woman in Barfi got her rave reviews from critics, with the film also ranking among the highest grossing films of the year. Recently she joined the Rs 200 crore club with her film, Krrish 3, setting new records at the box-office. Forthcoming films: The actress has several promising films in the offing starting with Gunday, co-starring Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor and
“I am no perfectionist. I do have my share of imperfections like all other human beings” produced by Yash Raj Films. She is also currently filming for Sanjay Bhansali’s biopic on world boxing champion and Olympic bronze medalist, Mary Kom. Priyanka has also been signed for Zoya Akhtar’s next film opposite Farhan Akhtar. Music career: The turning point in Priyanka’s music career came in 2012 when she became the first Bollywood star to be signed by Creative Artists Agency, an entertainment and sports agency based in Los Angeles. Priyanka collaborated with Sam Watters, Matthew Koma and Jay Sean for her album. Her first single titled In My City, produced by Red One was released in U.S. The song inspired by her unsettled childhood and her journey from a small-town girl to a celebrity, trended at number one on Twitter several minutes after its release and received positive reviews from critics. It sold more than 130,000 copies in its first week, topped the Hindi pop chart and was certified triple platinum. It also won her the Best International Debut award at the People’s Choice Awards, India. In April 2013, she released her next music video, Exotic featuring American rapper Pitbull in South Beach, Florida. Foray into television: In 2010, Priyanka hosted the third season of the reality show Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi on the Colors channel, taking over from previous host Akshay Kumar. Philanthropic Work: Priyanka has always stood for womanrelated issues, whether it is female infanticide and foeticide, or education for girls. She was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Child Rights in 2010. The actress has also worked for environmental issues and is a brand ambassador for NDTV’s Greenathon. She modelled for designer Manish Malhotra and Shaina NC’s charity fashion show to raise funds for the Cancer Patients Aid Association. To promote organ donation, Chopra has pledged to donate her own organs after death.
Endorsements: Priyanka has endorsed many brands including Pepsi, Nokia, Garnier, Nikon and Nestlé; she was the first female representative of Hero Honda. In 2009, she became the first Indian actress to cast a foot impression at the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum in Florence, Italy, and received custom-designed shoes from the Ferragamo house. In 2013, she became the first Indian model to represent the international brand Guess. Priyanka is also the first Indian actress to feature in a school text book. Her life is described in a chapter called Roving Families, Shifting Homes, a book taught at Springdales School, Delhi.
www.visionasia.co.nz | February 2014 17
ENCOUNTER
break I am not here to
records
The kind of cinema I like to associate with is where I can stand on the seat in a theatre and whistle for the hero.
18 February 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
ENCOUNTER
It challenges me to do action on this level at the age of 48.
Your film Jai Ho is seen as an extension of the current political scenario where the anti-corruption brigade led by AAP (the Aam Admi party) has suddenly risen to power. Was it planned that way? I really don’t know why the term Aam Aadmi in my film is connected to the political party, AAP and its leader, Arvind Kejriwal. Jai Ho is about good versus evil, this guy Jai sees all the bad things happening around him and decides to do something for the society. In the film, Aam Admi has been referred to as the common man on the streets of India. This is my thank you gift to my audiences. We actors are always perceived as moneyminded people who earn too much and are not concerned about the audiences. I want the audiences to take inspiration from this film when they leave the theater. We want to tell people to take a stand and not get pushed around. The current scenario in India is scary, whether it is corruption or the lack of honesty and integrity. Do you think it will change in the next few years? I am sure it will. The kids of my family just speak from the heart. My niece told me the other day that she wanted to change this world to a better place. Today kids are outspoken and know exactly what they want. I have been to the smallest country, to the remotest places and seen the best of the behavior and civic sense among people. Unfortunately we in India are lacking on both fronts. Our culture and development have been sidelined by corrupt people who are out to make a fast buck.
His latest release, Jai Ho, revolving around the travails of a common man, has created a stir at the box-office and Salman Khan is on cloud nine. The film is also being seen as an extension of the political strife of the Aam Admi Party, which suddenly rose to power in India recently. In a no holds barred interview, the superstar talks about the subject of his film, the current political scenario and what he feels about the numbers game.
Why did you change the title of the title from Mental to Jai Ho? The film was earlier titled Mental because it was the story of an honest, non-corrupt man who loves his country. He is referred to as mental by people due to his uncompromising stand on issues.
However, my father didn’t quite like the title. Also, I would not have liked the idea of the audiences referring to me as Mental Khan after the release of the film (smiles). We have four Khans in the industry-there is one intelligent Khan (read Aamir Khan), then there is Badshah Khan and then there is Saif Ali Khan and then me! I decided that going ahead with the title Mental was certainly not advisable but we were in a fix as the title had already become famous. That’s when my father intervened and came up with the title Jai Ho as the name of my character in the film is Jai. There’s a song titled ‘Aam Janta’ in the film, which is reportedly inspired by the real life problems of people. Was it your brainchild to incorporate the song in the film? The idea of the song came from an incident that I had witnessed. We are currently living in a system where we are overburdened with all kinds of problems and insecurities. Girls are being raped, farmers are committing suicide and there is a growing discontent among all of us. Yet, we tend to take it easy and try to come to terms with it. The catch line of the song is ‘hope everything is fine’, which all of us keep saying to comfort one another. How different is Jai Ho in the context of various action films released in recent times? In Jai Ho, the action is of a different kind. It is the hero who is doing everything and not the fighters. He is jumping, diving and falling off and taking on the bad men. I was not supposed to do all those stunts because of my health issues, but I decided to do so to bring out the authenticity of the character in the film.
www.visionasia.co.nz | February 2014 19
ENCOUNTER
I have always believed in giving a break to good talent. When I like someone genuinely, I sign them. Don’t you feel worried that action can take a toll on your health? It challenges me to do action on this level at the age of 48. Every time I watch a film it gives me a sense of wanting to do
that character. They are films made with a heart. That’s why I choose movies like Ek Tha Tiger, Dabangg. The audience wants to see me in action and they pay to watch me doing all that. They are not concerned whether I am suffering from an aneurysm or any other health issue. I am aware that anything can go wrong when we do these kinds of stunts. We are risking our lives diving from a height of 40-50 ft or hanging off a cliff. During the shooting of Bodyguard, a cable snapped and I fell on a car from a height of 20 ft. Even during the shoot of Jai Ho a car came and banged into me. I rolled over on the car, hit the windscreen and it cracked. I controlled myself. I think every actor goes through this. The industry is currently obsessed with the box office figures of films and the Rs 300 crore club. Does it bother you that the expectations from your film are equally high? I believe in Jai Ho because I have seen the rushes and it gives me a sense of wanting to be that character as a common man. That apart, I don’t want to be part of the numbers game. I wish I could bring down the prices of tickets but it’s not in our hands. It’s the exhibitors and distributors who decide the ticket prices and they should not lose money. It also happens that the producer occasionally loses money but in the case of my films, I have no problems bearing the losses. I am not here to break records; all I want is to grab more eyeballs. But all of the films that you have made so far are the commercially viable ones that are high on entertainment. I want to make good films. The kind of cinema I like to associate with is where I can stand on the seat in a theatre and whistle for the hero. You may call them Salman kind of films. I would like the impact of my character to stay with the audiences for a long time. They should connect to the hero in the film and aspire to be that son, that boyfriend or war hero some day. Aamir Khan recently said that you can bulldoze through all the logic in your films and get away with it, which he feels he can never accomplish? Aamir recently did that in Dhoom 3. Apart from that, Aamir is associated with a different kind of cinema where as my kind
20 February 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
of cinema is completely different. I do a little bit of both. My movies are morally, principally and emotionally correct. That’s why they do well at the box office. The only reason why a film does well at the boxoffice is when it is emotionally correct. The audiences come, watch and have fun. You have always given an opportunity to new talent in the past but the list of newcomers in Jai Ho is long. You have gone out of your way to give a break to all of them. Well I would like to put in this way. I have not given them the opportunity but they deserve this because they are talented. About Sana, I have seen her in Big Boss and she really fitted the role. Santosh is a powerhouse of talent; he is simply awesome. Amal Malik is a young composer and he has done a fabulous job with the music, while his younger brother Arman has rendered it excellently. As for Daisy, she was a junior artiste and a background dancer who became an assistant choreographer. One day I noticed her closely and thought she could well be my heroine in Jai Ho. Daisy is like my mother Helen Aunty. Helen Aunty was a bigger star and a dancer. You are also promoting Big Boss 7 contestant Elli Avram like a Godfather. With your inclination to promote newcomers, aren’t you worried that people may take advantage of you? I have always believed in giving a break to good talent. Elli is good and deserves a good film. I may cast her in the future in one of my films. Earlier people would come to me for work. They would think that I was drunk and they could take advantage of me but it never happened. When I like someone genuinely, I sign them. There was a time when I too needed a break. Fortunately for me, J.K. Bihari and Sooraj Barjatya supported me in my endeavour. You were planning a television show on the lines of Satyamev Jayate? Yes we are planning but not on the lines of Satyamev Jayate, ours will be a more entertaining show. It will change a lot of things. I will be hosting as well as producing it. What are you producing next? We are launching Sooraj Pancholi (Aditya Pancholi’s son) and Athiya Shetty (Suneil Shetty’s daughter) in a film which will be directed by Nikhil Advani.
B-BUZZ
Emraan Hashmi anxious about his son After the recent personal crisis that he went through, Emraan Hashmi cannot thank God enough. The actor, who was busy with shooting, was in for a rude shock when he learnt that his four-year old son Ayaan had a tumour in his kidney, which needed to be immediately operated upon. The distressed actor is said to have called his uncle Mahesh Bhatt and told him about the development. The tumour was later removed successfully and it turned out that it was only the first stage of cancer called Wilm’s tumour, which is said to be completely curable. A relieved Emraan later confirmed the news to the media and said that he wanted to thank God profusely. “The tumour is out. Ayaan is a fighter. The doctors have done a fantastic job. I can’t thank them enough. Please pray for Ayaan,” he later said in a media statement.
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TRAVEL
Santorini One week in breathtaking
The Greek island of Santorini is a delightful holiday getaway, with magnificent scenery, picturesque villages and truly memorable sunsets. In addition to its rugged beauty, Santorini offers a wide variety of things to do and places to see - awe-inspiring archaeology, fine dining, major wineries and a vibrant nightlife.
22 February 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
TRAVEL
Sunset in Santorini
Originally a much larger land mass, a volcanic eruption caused a large central chunk of Santorini to fall into the sea. The crescent shaped Santorini now forms one side of a volcanic caldera. Santorini’s capital, Fira, is the main centre for tourists. Replete with small shops, cafes, bars, clubs and restaurants, it is a bustling hub of activity. In the evening the city boasts a vibrant night-life, with a wide choice of modern clubs, traditional Greek venues and cafes to suit any taste. Santorini is also a centre of historical and cultural interest. The Minoan settlement of Akrotiri is located south of Fira. Preserved in volcanic ash from the original eruption, visitors are able to take in the grandeur of Akrotiri’s sophisticated architecture, wallpaintings, furniture, artwork and advanced drainage system. For some old world charm and ambience the Open Air Cinema, located in the town of Kamari, can provide a perfect night’s entertainment. With modern facilities and a bar available, Kamari can offer a wonderful cinematic experience. The cinema also hosts a wide range of cultural events in the summer months. The island’s volcano is also a very popular tourist destination. There are cruises
available, and visitors can go swimming in the hot springs. It is possible to go hiking up and into the volcano itself, but be prepared for a steep climb. There are quite a number of sporting activities on offer too. Most of these are water related, and diving is immensely popular here. There are underwater ruins and many caves and reefs to explore around the island. Visitors can hire a car to get around, but be aware that there are many no-parking zones and busy places like Fira are mostly pedestrian only areas. Mopeds are also readily available, but the island does have a very efficient public transportation system. Buses run regularly, and connect to the major tourist areas on the island, so getting about can be pretty easy. Most of the islanders will speak some level of English, so communicating shouldn’t be an issue. Knowing words such as ‘thank you’ and ‘hello’ in Greek will also probably go down well and in general, the people are very friendly. There are a lot of pleasant hotels to stay in across the island, as well as the opportunity to stay in a cave house apartment. Originally built by Santorini’s poorer people to stay
protected from the island’s powerful winds, they have now been converted into luxurious resorts. Travelling from Australia and New Zealand to the island’s main airport in Fira shouldn’t be too much of a problem. There are flights from most major cities, usually going through Athens, and many reasonable deals on offer.
Santorini offers a wide range of dining options, from small taverns to luxury restaurants. A number of these are situated to take in the wonderful views of the island. Cuisine specialties include melitinia pastries, fish and fried white aubergines. Santorini is also praised for its small but excellent wine making industry. Santorini wines are well regarded, and visitors going to the island in October will be able to try the new season’s vintages. The island has essentially two seasons. From April to October it is very warm and dry, and it becomes rainy and cold from November to March. The summer months are the busiest. October time it is much quieter, and the sea is warmer.
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24 February 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
Imran Khan www.visionasia.co.nz | February 2014 25
NOSTALGIA
Dharmendra travels down memory lane Veteran actor Dharmendra whose blend of brawn and bonhomie made the ladies swoon through the 1960s, 70s and 80s, looks back on his career with affection and recalls the people who made a difference to his life.
I’ve kept going all these years because of the love of the people. That is my strength The legendary Dharmendra was emotionally touched when he recently attended the screening of the 3D version of his timeless classic, Sholay, with son Sunny Deol. “Both I and Sunny got very emotional watching Sholay again, that too in such a polished-up avatar. Sholay is a landmark experience. The 3D format made the spectacle all the more exciting. It’s like gift-wrapping a very precious possession for a new generation,” he recalled. Speaking on the eve of his two-week departure for the US, Dharam-ji who celebrated his 78th birthday last year, 26 February 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
looked fit and fine, “I think it’s important to look your best and fit at any age. I’ve kept going all these years because of the love of the people. That is my strength and my true vitamin. I get very emotional about all the warmth and affection I still command. Acting is still my passion. That love for the craft has not diminished although I started my career in 1960. I am in love with the camera,” Dharmendra admitted. The famous actor, who once held sway at the box-office, recalled his obsession for cinema from his early childhood days, “From a young age I was obsessed about being
on screen and I guess God heard my inner voice. I was selected in the Filmfare talent contest and that marked the beginning of an enduring innings in the industry. My endeavour has always been to be in front of camera and from there into the heart of the people. That I’ve succeeded in doing so is just my good fortune.” Also known as one of the most soft-spoken and decent gentlemen in the entertainment industry Dharam-ji says it’s his basic nature to be positive in life. “I cannot bear to hurt anyone. If I accidentally hurt anybody, I am not able to sleep in the night. I’ve an
NOSTALGIA
I was raw and unspoilt. I played characters that touched my soul and surrendered to my directors.
insatiable appetite to love and be loved.” Dharmendra attributes his natural and effortless performances in films like Satyakam and Naya Zamana, to his directors and the characters he chose. “I was raw and unspoilt. I played characters that touched my soul and surrendered to my directors. I didn’t act. I just did what seemed normal and natural. I also got directors like Bimal Roy and Hrishikesh Mukherjee, who got the best out of me. In fact, I’d regard Bimalda’s Bandini, Hrishida’s Anupama and Satyakam as the important films in the 1960s that taught me how to make love to the camera. I also regard Pramod Chakravavarty’s Naya Zamana and Dost as very important films in my career.” Few are aware that Dharmendra is the only leading man besides Dilip Kumar, to have been directed by both the legendary Bimal Roy and his most successful protégé Hrishikesh Mukherjee. Comparing the two giant movie-makers who deeply impacted his career and his life, Dharam-ji recalls, “They were both father-figures for me. Bimalda was a quiet sensitive soul. He was like an angel. In his company you immediately felt like kneeling down. I was deeply grateful to him for giving me my first break. He used to call me ‘Dharmendra’ but not in a formal way. He used to instruct me about the scenes with the same love and affection that a father shows towards his son. I’d walk, talk and do exactly what he told me. He would okay my shots in one take. As for Hrishida, I am aware I was his favourite. He was very close to me. Sometimes he was like a school master on the sets, sometimes like an elder brother, or a friend. I was the only actor who used to argue with him about his scenes.” Dharmendra recalls an instance when he attempted to change a scene that was already shot by Hrishida. “One day on the sets of a film, he had severe gout pain. So he instructed the cameraman Jaywant Pathare to finish the scene and left. After he left I told Jayant to shift the camera to my favourite angle. We shot for barely ten
minutes when Hrishida returned saying, ‘I knew you would change things to your own liking so I am back.’ He would occasionally get angry but even his anger was very dear to me. Bahut pyare insaan the.” Recalling the early years of his career in the 1960s when he made it big, Dharmendra says, “There were many successes in the 1960s but I think my biggest hit in the 1960s was O.P. Ralhan’s Phool Aur Patthar. It was like the Sholay of 1960. Actually I was signed for Bimal-da’s Bandini first, but I met Arjun Hingorani who insisted on doing a film with me. So his film Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere was my first release. Later I did many hit films like Kab Kyon Aur Kahan and Kahani Kismat Ki with Hingorani. Later in the 70s I did a number of successful films with Hema like Raja Jani, Sharafat, Naya Zamana, Jugnu, Pratigya and of course Sholay.” Congratulate him on his beautiful, graceful and long-lasting innings with Hema Malini and Dharmendra smiles shyly, “Bringing couples together is the work of destiny. Keeping a couple together is in our own hands. It all depends on how you nurture your relationship.” You would expect Dharmendra to name Satyakam as his favourite film, but he surprises you when he cites Pratigya as his all-time favourite, “Though Satyakam is one of my personal favourites, my alltime favourite is Pratigya directed by Dulal Guha. It was released in 1975, the same year as Sholay, so it got eclipsed. But Pratigya was a super hit in spite of competition from Sholay. Just as when Naya Zamana clicked at the box-office in 1971 despite the competition from a blockbuster like Mera Gaon Mera Desh. They were such different films. I am very fond of Naya Zamana because it was based on Bengali literature. The film had beautiful dialogues but I love Pratigya the most because it was a really tough role. I had to play a truck driver who masquerades as a cop. It was like playing a role within a role. It was a layered character with lots of emotions
and drama. I had to make people laugh all the way. But there was an undercurrent of emotions. It was a challenge. And people loved me in it.” Looking back with affection at his illustrious career Dharmendra says that he never had to master the tricks of the trade in order to make it to the top, “I did all sorts of roles in a variety of films. It was the adulation of my fans that kept me going. I am blessed, so are my sons Sunny and Bobby. None of us ever knew or tried to learn the tricks of the trade. We all believe in just doing what comes to us and giving it our best shot. I want to be known as a good human being before being known as a good actor.”
Sometimes Hrishida was like a school master on the sets, sometimes like an elder brother, or a friend. I was the only actor who used to argue with him about his scenes www.visionasia.co.nz | February 2014 27
FACE TO FACE
Alia Bhatt treks along to a new high in Highway
It was challenging and tough but the role in Highway made me push boundaries within myself that I didn’t know existed.
28 February 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
FACE TO FACE
I am not intimidated by my father. I am only intimidated by his intelligence.
experience that helped her attempt the tough role in Highway, “I was surprised when Imtiaz Ali offered me the role. Most other actors would have got a film like Highway only after doing 6-7 films but the very fact that I had no training in acting proved an advantage. Imtiaz was able to mould my personality in the way he wanted.” Alia Bhatt has just wrapped up the shooting of the gruelling, physically challenging and emotionally exhausting Highway and the young actress insists that the film has given her a new perspective on life. “It helped me to connect to my own self. I cannot say how much it helped me to grow as an actor but the film helped me discover a new side to myself that was unknown to me. My father, (filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt) always said that the day an actor finds oneness with the person within, he or she becomes a true actor. I think I found that person during Highway.” Alia reveals that she did not expect the role to come to her so early in her career but she admits that it was her very lack of
After making a sensational debut as a fashionable dreamer in Karan Johar’s Student Of The Year, the young and charming Alia Bhatt is now looking forward to an equally eventful 2014 with her next film, Highway. The actress insists that the film gave her a new insight into life. In a candid conversation with Subhash K Jha, she recalls her journey into the industry so far and the experience of shooting for Highway.
Alia roughed it out on the Highway project, travelling by road, eating at roadside stalls, living a nomad’s existence during the film’s shooting and rediscovered an altogether new chapter of life, “It was therapeutic so to say! I felt so connected with the surroundings. It was challenging and tough but the role made me push boundaries within myself that I didn’t know existed. By the end of the shooting I was comfortable sitting on the road and eating and sleeping under a tree. I didn’t miss my comfortable bed at home.” Considering that she has led a pretty sheltered life so far, the experience was novel for her. “Highway took me to a different world. I’d say the girl I played in Student of the Year was closer home. Not that I have never been away from home. I’ve been to boarding school where we didn’t lead sheltered lives. There have been times when I’ve also trekked with my mom but nothing prepared me for the life that I experienced in Highway,” says the actress. Looking back, Alia feels that 2013 was a very exciting year for her. “It was no doubt a decisive year. It was a year that I’d remember mainly for shooting Highway. Sometimes I forget I am just one film old. I am working on three projects with Dharma Productions. It all seems too unreal.” Alia is also excited about her next film, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya. “That’s a rom-com with full on song and dance. After the very intense Highway with Randeep Hooda, I am back in the fun space with Varun Dhawan. But doing Humpty Sharma... is also a challenge. I won’t pretend I can do the fun stuff with my eyes shut. It’s not easy to show myself having fun on screen.” In the screen adaptation of Chetan Bhagat’s 2 States, Alia Bhatt plays a Tamilian. www.visionasia.co.nz | February 2014 29
FACE TO FACE
I don’t deny that I got a positive feedback for my role in Student Of The Year. But I don’t think it made me a star.
“Though I play this Tamil girl I have no accent. She is a modern city girl. She leads a very normal life and she breaks into Tamil when she speaks to family.” Alia had a great time acquainting herself with the Tamil language, with the makers hiring the services of a Tamil tutor on the sets. “In the beginning I didn’t have enough time to learn Tamil. Initially I’d just mug up my lines. Later I got a hang of it. I had a lot of fun speaking the language. Every time I’d speak Tamil I’d get very excited. I felt very connected with my character,” she recalls. Alia feels that she has grown as an actor with each of the films. “I hope I take away something from each of my films. I am giving all of myself to every character, so I’ve earned the right to expect something in return.” Alia has an impossible dream. She is hoping to work with her father Mahesh Bhatt some day. “I want to be directed by my father but I think it is unlikely because I don’t think he will ever direct a film again.” She goes on to add that she continues to share a great bonding with her father, “I am not intimidated by my father. I am only intimidated by his intelligence. He may be a lot older than me, but at heart he’s as young as I am. At home he’s more energetic than all of us.” The fact remains that Mahesh Bhatt and Soni Razdan’s youngest-born Alia Bhatt has grown up from being the baby of the family to the most-talked about babe of Bollywood. So how does the youngest female superstar of Bollywood look back on her career? Alia protests at that, “Look, I don’t feel I am a star, let alone a superstar. As far as being the youngest star is concerned, a lot of girls join the industry when they’re young. I don’t deny that I got a positive feedback for my role in Student Of The Year. But I don’t think it made me a star. I still have a long way to go before I feel like one. I am grateful for the appreciation, love, warmth and affection I’ve gotten so far,” she says.
30 February 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
B-BUZZ
Shahid Kapoor shops for his team members in L.A After delivering a success in R…Rajkumar, Shahid Kapoor is now taking a keen interest in his career. The actor has decided to co-produce his upcoming film Haider, which is an Indian on screen adaptation of ‘Hamlet’. The film is the third installment of Vishal Bhardwaj’s Shakespearean trilogy and Shahid will reportedly have an equal partnership of 33.33 percent along with Vishal and UTV, which is also co-producing the film. The actor who is very confident about the film’s prospects, recently brought in the New Year in L.A, after which he took time off to shop for winter clothes, anticipating that the next schedule of Haider, could well be in the peak of winter in Kashmir. The young actor not only shopped for himself but also picked up a few woollens for his team members. Haider which also stars Shraddha Kapoor and Tabu is majorly being shot in Kashmir.
Shraddha Kapoor is the new biker girl in town Shraddha Kapoor’s biker girl look in director Mohit Suri’s forthcoming Villain has been extensively in the news. Shraddha’s look in the film has been reportedly designed by Mohit’s wife, Udita Goswami. Says Mohit, “My characters always have an edge and I wanted to introduce Shraddha differently in the film. Ten years back, I was shooting Zeher with Udita. We were put up in a small boutique hotel in Goa when she asked for a car. In those days we didn’t have major budgets. She borrowed a Bullet belonging to a hotel worker and rode it. That’s when I decided that this was the girl I wanted to be with. That’s also how I got the idea of Shraddha’s character of a wanderer.” Shraddha herself is said to have had a great time playing the role too. The actress took extensive training to master bike riding for the film and was so excited about riding the Royal Enfield bikeIW_DEC_1FREETESTPOT that she decided to acquire the same model that she rode in the film. However she was disappointed when she learnt that she would have to wait a few months to get it.
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NEWS EXPRESS
Abhay Deol ventures into
international production Abhay Deol is all set to go international with his second production Bounty Hunter. The actorproducer who recently made his production debut with One By Two, talks about the film, his production plans and his real life beau, Preeti Desai.
Actor-producer, Abhay Deol has big plans for the year 2014. While his first production One By Two recently hit the theatres, Abhay is now busy preparing for his next production, Bounty Hunter, a thriller which he is co-producing with Colin Burrow’s UKbased Special Treats Productions. The 37-year-old actor will also star in the film, to be directed by Sunandan and Yugesh Walia, who are coproducing the film with him. Abhay is reluctant to divulge any details. “My co-producer Colin happened to mention it and now everybody is asking me about it. All I can say is that it is currently in the preliminary stages. It has a beautiful script, will be shot entirely in England and it’s a British production. It will also be targeted as a British film.”
The British Government is opening up to Bollywood on a larger platform. They claim that Hindi and Urdu have become a part of their language
Interestingly the film will be made in Hindi and not English. “It’s a non-traditional Hindi film and we are selling it as a Hindi film but that’s not surprising at all. The British Government is opening up to Bollywood on a larger platform. They claim that Hindi and Urdu have become a part of their language as Indians and Pakistanis are a minority community there.” Abhay is going all out to do full justice to his stint in production. He was also actively involved in the marketing of his romantic comedy One By Two, which was recently released on January 31. The film written and directed by Devika Bhagat revolves around the parallel
32 February 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
lives of two people and how a series of coincidences bring them together. It also saw him sharing screen space with his girlfriend, Preeti Desai. Ask Abhay to rate Preeti’s on-screen performance and he simply flashes his dimpled smile, “I don’t like rating myself, leave alone Preeti. Let the audiences decide for us whether they liked our performances. But I can definitely say that we were both pretty passionate about the film and we went that extra mile to work on it.” As of now the actor and his girlfriend are in a live-in relationship. “We are both happy; we fight and make up like every other couple. We trust each other. My parents love her and her parents love me. We have a great relationship.” When asked if wedding bells were around the corner, Abhay shrugs, “No such plans yet.” Known to be extremely choosy about his roles, Abhay surprises you when he says that he would love to do commercial films like Dabangg and Chennai Express someday. “I love to experiment but that doesn’t mean I am not for commercial films. As a producer I would certainly like to explore films on the lines of Dabbang and Chennai Express. On the other hand, as an actor I do tend to gravitate towards films like Dev D, Oye Lucky Lucky Oye. The problem is that I can just do one film at a time so that limits me from attempting more projects,” says the actor.
B-BUZZ
Abhishek Bachchan has no intentions of moving out For some time now there has been buzz that Abhishek Bachchan is planning to move out of his parents’ home with wife Aishwarya and daughter Aaraadhaya. However Abhishek, who has been the ideal son to his parents, does not find it amusing when questions are asked about the news. At a recent media interaction, Abhishek looked upset when he was asked a question on the subject. A close friend of the actor later chose to speak on his behalf. “We are surprised how these rumours started. Abhishek has no intentions of leaving his parents home nor does Aishwarya. They are happy where they belong. There is no truth to these rumours. Abhishek is very much at home in Jalsa where he belongs.” Abhishek meanwhile is busy shooting for Farah Khan’s Happy New Year along with Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone. “He has a busy year ahead and no time to clear such unwanted rumours,” adds his friend.
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GLITZ & GLAMOUR
Glitz&Glamour
Kareena Kapoor at Mid Day Trophy race
Gulaab Gang press meet
Actress Kareena Kapoor was the guest of honour at the Mid Day Trophy race, which recently took place at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai. The actress looked stunning in a knee length, black and white printed summer dress, accessorized with black round sunglasses. She later distributed trophies to the winners of the race.
Actress Juhi Chawla cut a pretty picture in a blue outfit at the trailer launch of Gulaab Gang. The gala evening started with a mesmerizing performance by ace choreographer Saroj Khan’s dancers, after which the film’s two main stars Madhuri Dixit and Juhi Chawla made a dashing entry on stage much to the excitement of the audiences.
36 February 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
GLITZ & GLAMOUR
Sushmita Sen at Rouble Nagi Art Foundation Sushmita Sen was at her elegant best when she attended the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation exhibition in Juhu, Mumbai. The primary objective of the foundation is educating underprivileged children. The guests included several Bollywood celebrities who were there to support the cause.
Ranveer, Shahid, Arjun at 9th Star Guild Awards The 9th Renault Star Guild Awards, presented by Renault and Star Plus, took place on 16th January at the National Sports Club of India stadium, Mumbai, honouring the extraordinary achievements in cinema and television in 2013. Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, who had hosted last year’s Guild Awards, returned as host. The Gunday duo of Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor, at their naughtiest best regaled the audiences with their witty one-liners and funky acts were seen sharing a light moment with Shahid Kapoor.
18KT 2 TONE CHAINS & DIAMOND PENDENTS IN STORE NOW
Bipasha Basu launches third fitness DVD Actress Bipasha Basu unveiled her third fitness DVD titled Unleash in Mumbai. The 35-year old actress, who is known to be a fitness freak, stated that the DVD was also about being strong and not just being thin. Prior to this Bipasha has launched her second DVD called ‘Break free’ and her first fitness DVD ‘BB Love Yourself: Fit and Fabulous You’.
Sona Sansaar Tulja Centre 190 Stoddard Road, Mt Roskill , Ph: 09 629 3333 172 Great South Rd, Papatoetoe , Ph: 278 6000 www.facebook.com/SakhiNZ www.visionasia.co.nz | February 2014 37 • www.sonasansaar.co.nz
FOOD
Whole Wheat
Pasta in Tomato Sauce
Savour this healthy Italian delicacy, which is also a rich source of proteins and fibre! The Italian diet, known for its high-calorie preparations and cheesy sauces, has been converted into this “96 calorie (per serving), high fibre version”. Try this version with whole wheat pasta instead of plain flour pasta, mixed with a scrumptious tomato sauce and loads of veggies that you’ll surely love.
Preparation Time: 20 mins Cooking Time: 12 mins Makes 4 servings
38 February 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
INGREDIENTS For The Tomato Sauce 2 tsp olive oil 1 tbsp finely chopped garlic (lehsun) 3/4 cup finely chopped onions 1 1/2 cups fresh tomato pulp 1 tsp sugar 1/2 tsp chilli powder 2 tsp corn flour dissolved in 2 tbsp water 3/4 cup low-fat milk Salt to taste Other Ingredients 2 1/2 cups cooked whole wheat pasta 1 tsp olive oil 2 tsp finely chopped garlic (lehsun) 1 tsp dried oregano 1/4 cup chopped capsicum 1/4 cup boiled sweet corn kernels (makai ke dane) 1 tsp dry red chilli flakes (paprika)
METHOD For the tomato sauce 1. Heat the olive oil in a broad non-stick pan, add the garlic and sauté on a medium flame for a few seconds. 2. Add the onions and sauté on a medium flame for 1 minute. 3. Add the tomato pulp, sugar, chilli powder and salt, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes, while stirring occasionally. 4. Add the corn flour-water mixture, milk and mix well and cook on a medium flame for 1 to 2 minutes, while stirring occasionally. Keep aside. How to proceed 1. Heat the oil in a broad non-stick pan, add the garlic, oregano and sauté on a medium flame for a few seconds. 2. Add the capsicum, sweet corn kernels and dry red chilli flakes, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 1 minute. 3. Add the pasta and salt, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 1 to 2 minutes. 4. Add the prepared sauce, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 1 to 2 minutes, 5. Serve hot with whole wheat garlic bread.
FOOD
Spicy Peach
Ice-Cream
Just a hint of cinnamon adds a spicy note to this ice-cream which has a full bodied flavour of peaches and is simply marvelous. A perfect treat for your family on a hot summer day!
Preparation Time: 45 mins Makes 10 servings
INGREDIENTS 1 can (450 grams) peaches 1 cup condensed milk 2 1/4 cups milk 1/2 tbsp lemon juice 1/2 tsp cinnamon (dalchini) powder Sugar to taste (if required)
METHOD 1. Blend the peaches with the syrup from the can in a liquidiser. 2. Mix the milk, condensed milk, peach puree, lemon juice and most of the cinnamon powder. Taste and add sugar as required. 3. Mix well and pour into a shallow container. Cover and freeze till it is almost set. 4. Divide the mixture into 2 batches and churn each batch separately in a blender till it is smooth. 5. Transfer both batches into a shallow container. Cover and freeze till firm. Scoop 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 | February 2014 39
FITNESS FUNDAS
I have never believed in going on
crash diets
“I am the last person who would starve my body for a great figure”
40 February 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
FITNESS FUNDAS
She has never been a fitness enthusiast but as Parineeti Chopra says, it is the demand of her profession that sends her running on the tread mill every day. The actress who shot to fame with her very first film, Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl, followed by Ishaqzaade and Shuddh Desi Romance, reveals how she manages to remain slim and trim despite gorging on calorie loaded delicacies.
The vivacious Parineeti Chopra has never on it gradually. Now I have pizza once quite subscribed to the size zero in a while and the day I have it, I “I believe fads nor has she ever adhered balance my food intake for the to a strict diet regimen. “I was next two days,” she says. that if your never quite conscious about Among the other changes she system is clean from my figure. I was always introduced in her diet was to inside, it reflects on fat and overweight as a turn vegetarian a few years your skin. Eat right kid. I would gorge on all back. “It had nothing to do and drink right and my favourite fast foods. I with dieting. It was more of an it reflects on your was never bothered about impulsive decision. I was born in face” what I ate,” reveals the actress. a non-vegetarian Punjabi family That was until she got into films but decided to turn vegetarian and realized that she could not take her suddenly,” she informs. Parineeti begins her body for granted anymore. “That’s when I day at six in the morning with two glasses decided that I had to check my weight and of warm water. Her breakfast consists of a keep it under control.” However the actress glass of milk, brown bread and butter. For decided that she would rather exercise than mid noon she has two egg-whites and a give up on her favourite delicacies. “I am glass of juice. “The idea is to keep eating the last person who would starve my body every 2-3 hours to keep the metabolism for a great figure,” she says. going,” she says. Her lunch consists of dal, roti, brown rice, green salad and green leafy vegetables. In the evening, she has a Fitness Regime: glass of milk or milk shake. “I end my day Parineeti insists that she is not much of a with an early dinner which usually consists gym person but does so out of compulsion. of rotis, dal and vegetables,” she reveals. “I prefer jogging. I love working out in the open air but it is not possible in Mumbai as Beauty regimen: we are eternally short of space and there’s Like her diet and fitness schedule, Parineeti too much crowd everywhere. Hence I have reveals that she is not particularly fond of to make do with the gym. I hate exercising make-up either. “I like to be at my natural but since I am in a profession where I am best and hate putting on make-up but since I required to be fit, I make sure I don’t miss am in a glamourous profession, I have to be my exercises.” at my presentable best.” She begins her day with an hour of jogging She however makes it a point to stick to a followed by an hour of cardio, “I concentrate daily regimen for her skin. “I wash my face on different parts of my body every day. I also do yoga for an hour followed by an often and mositurise it a lot. I have realized hours’ meditation. I am very short tempered that I have to take care of my skin due to but have cooled down ever since I started the continuous use of make-up. I don’t use meditating,” she avers. any fairness creams either as they are full When she is busy and is shooting outdoors, of harsh chemicals. I have always been fair she goes swimming. “I enjoy swimming as it and I find it stupid that any creams can is a complete body exercise and it’s very actually make you fair. That’s the reason I relaxing,” she says. “I also go horse riding never endorse these products either.” when I am out of town. I have been doing The secret of her glowing skin according to it since my childhood and I simply love it,” her is her water intake. “Drinking plenty of she informs. water can make a big difference to your skin. It keeps your skin hydrated and also Her diet: aids digestion. I believe that if your system is Parineeti admits to being a great foodie but clean from inside, it reflects on your skin. Eat again due to the demands of her profession right and drink right and it reflects on your she exercises caution while eating oily and face.” In addition, she ensures that she gets fatty food. However the actress insists that the right amount of sleep. “It’s important to she is strictly against the idea of dieting, “I have a good night’s rest. You have to have have never believed in crash diets. You can your beauty sleep for at least 7-8 hours. I balance your meals at regular intervals. catch up on my sleep when I am travelling. Food is a necessity of life so one should I love to sleep and make up for it whenever never give it up” she says. I feel tired,” reveals the actress. Finally, the One of her all-time favourite foods is pizza, actress believes that being positive is the which she cannot resist despite its heavy best secret to looking good. “If you smile calorie content. “It used to be my staple often the world smiles with you and you diet once upon a time but I had to cut down keep glowing all the time,” she quips. www.visionasia.co.nz | February 2014 41
INTERVIEW
Begum Para was a
challenging role
to perform
I remember choreographer Saroj Khan and I had a deal that she would never repeat any dance steps for any song that she choreographed for me 42 February 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
INTERVIEW
I would say that the character is an indication that it is a great time for women to be in the industry
What was your first reaction when you were offered Dedh Ishqiya? When I was told that the makers of Ishqiya were planning a sequel, I was excited. I was keen to do the film even before Vishal Bhardwaj approached me for the role. I had seen Ishqiya and I had liked Vidya Balan’s character in it. Also Arshad Warsi and Naseer-saab (Naseeruddin Shah) were brilliant in the first part. So when Vishal narrated the script to me, I immediately gave my nod. For me, the character matters most and I felt that Begum Para was a challenging role to perform on screen.
The evergreen Madhuri Dixit is back on the silver screen, this time with the film Dedh Ishqiya. The original Ishqiya starring the talented Vidya Balan was a big hit which gave Vidya a new dimension to her career. Madhuri who plays the mysterious Begum Para in the movie has got rave reviews and a very encouraging response for her performance in the movie. Vision Asia spoke to the diva on the eve of the release of her film.
We are told that your kids did not recognise you when they first saw the promos of Dedh Ishqiya on television. (Smiles) That is true but they are quite okay seeing me in the role now. Begum Para wears a nose ring and also my look in the film is completely different. I have never attempted such a character before so my kids were in for a surprise. When the promos hit the screens, they were unable to recognize me initially. Are your sons affected by your stardom? Both my sons, Arin and Ryan are aware of their mother’s status. When I first shifted to Mumbai and started doing television, they had a difficult time coming to terms with it, but now they have gotten used to it. What affects me is the fact that I cannot roam around with my kids freely. At any function in their school, I cannot be with them to the extent I want to be. How difficult is it to strike the right balance between being a mother and an actress? I think you can manage both efficiently if you manage to do everything on time. I plan my schedule in such a way that I can accommodate my kids’ annual function and participate in their other school activities too. Even if I have a packed schedule, my family is always a priority. I am balancing both my roles well and I haven’t allowed anything to take a backseat.
Coming back to Dedh Ishqiya, how would you define Begum Para? Para is a multi-layered character. She is the Begum of Mehmoodabad, a small town near Lucknow. Though a widow, she is extremely beautiful, poised and graceful. Para loves performing arts, so she takes pleasure in dancing, singing and reciting poems. Her departed husband makes her take a vow that if she ever plans to remarry it has to be a poet. In her quest to meet the right poet, she organises a swayamvar every year and that is how she meets Khallujaan (Naseeruddin Shah), who poses as a Nawabi poet. I would say that the character is an indication that it is a great time for women to be in the industry. How would you define your experience of working with two diverse choreographersthe classic Pandit Birju Maharaj and the contemporary Remo D’Souza at the same time in one film? I thought that Remo’s choreography in Dedh Ishqiya was also outstanding, especially since it did not belong to his genre. Remo has always been comfortable in the hiphop zone, but he took it up as a challenge to make sure that the elements of Kathak came out well. In the case of Birju Maharaj, I worked with him in Jagave sari raina, almost a decade after I had last worked with him in Devdas. It was a tough task as I had to lip sync in this track and focus on my expressions but I enjoyed it. There has not been any dancing superstar post the Madhuri era. What is your take on that? I attribute it to the kind of hard work we used to put into each of our dances. I remember Master-ji (choreographer Saroj Khan) and I had a deal that she would never repeat any dance steps for any song that she choreographed for me. She knew that I had an elephant’s memory and if she ever did that, I would be quick to point it out to her. That is what made every song and dance a unique experience. In contrast, www.visionasia.co.nz | February 2014 43
INTERVIEW
the songs and lyrics today have become very monotonous. I think it is high time the industry comes up with new concepts. May be the writers can do the needful. In your time you had almost worked with all the superstars but in this phase of your career we are not seeing you with the current superstars. What according to you is the reason?
That’s because I am a superstar myself (smiles). Jokes apart, I would like to add that the cast of the film is based on the script. It is not something that I can plan. In my next film, Gulab Gang I am working with Juhi Chawla, who was a great star in her own right. I think it’s important to work on your talent and nurture it instead of competing with others.
Over the years Bollywood has undergone a tremendous change. What differences did you notice from the time you worked in the earlier phase of your career? I think the industry has certainly gone through a big change. In our times, I remember the script was never quite ready when we went to the sets. Now stars have bound scripts with them before they can start working on a film. The team is ready to start work even 3-4 months prior to the official schedule. The marketing of films is also way apart from what it used to be earlier. During those days we never went for so many promotional events. We hardly had 5-6 interviews and there were very few television channels to cover us. Your passion for dance is well-known. How is your online dance academy doing? I wanted dance to be global phenomenon, as anyone who has a phone, iPad or a laptop can just log in and learn choreography without any fuss. Apart from the fact that you don’t have to pay, you can repeat your favourite session by just repeating the video, which is not possible when you are learning dance in an institute. I guess it is this feature that the audiences are enjoying the most. I am overwhelmed with the success of my online dance academy. I am looking forward to offer more in the coming days.
When the promos hit the screens, my children were unable to recognize me initially 44 February 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
B-BUZZ
Farhan Akhtar has already got the audiences lined up for his next film After the stupendous success of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Farhan Akhtar will be seen changing baby nappies in his forthcoming film, Shaadi Ke Side Effects. The first trailer of the Farhan Akhtar-Vidya Balan starrer was recently unveiled and the rocking chemistry between the two was evident in it. Farhan’s versatility as a professional is clearly visible as the film will see him play a role that is totally different from the one he has played in his last film. Reportedly, Farhan has received a fabulous response for the trailer and his Twitter handle is going berserk ever since the launch of the trailer. A spokesperson for the actor said, “Post the launch of the trailer, Farhan has been inundated with calls and messages expressing appreciation.”
www.visionasia.co.nz | February 2014 45
OPINION
Bollywood reacts to Supreme Court verdict on Article 377
In what was seen as a huge blow to the homosexual community and gay rights, the apex court of India recently delivered a verdict reinstating Article 377 of the Indian Penal Code, setting aside the 2009 High Court order and making homosexuality a criminal offense once again. The judgment has sent shock waves among various strata of society, including those from the entertainment industry. While the debate still rages on with a petition to repeal filed in the Supreme Court, Subhash K Jha caught up with a few celebrities to get their reaction on the verdict.
I am shocked and disappointed. The verdict which upholds Article 377, not only criminalises gay sex but also sex that is not procreational. Isn’t this an ironical joke in the land of Khajuraho and Kamasutra? Is the honourable Supreme Court trying to say that unmarried girls and boys in our country don’t have sex, or have it only to have babies? Sex has never been only for procreation. Be it during the era of kings and queens in the ancient times or now among college kids, sex cannot be for procreation alone. Why should I be denied the right to love who I want? Look at Nepal which not only decriminalized gay sex 13 years ago but also provided constitutional rights to the third sex. To me, that is real progress.”
Onir (Filmmaker)
“I am completely shocked. This is a serious violation of human rights. It is ironical that we are expected to abide by a British colonial law that they themselves have long discarded. What is even more absurd is that marital rape is not punishable but sex between two consenting adults is. Incredible!”
Zoya Akhtar (Filmmaker)
46 February 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
“I am taken aback by the judgement. I had actually started believing that gay rights had become a certainty in our so-called modern democratic society. Upholding Article 377 is undemocratic and a violation of human rights. The honourable Supreme Court has also said that the Parliament, which is the constitutional body that makes laws, should scrap it. Well, in that case Parliament MUST scrap this archaic law. How on earth can we criminalize individuals for their sexual preferences?”
Shabana Azmi (Actress and Social Activist)
OPINION
“Tragic news. Though I feel strongly that Parliament will review this decision soon.”
Pooja Bhatt (Actress and Filmmaker)
“Needless to say I am shaken by the verdict and so is the entire LGBT community worldwide. The decision is contradictory to our three major fundamental rights because Article 377 violates the Fundamental Right to Equality (Article 14 of the Constitution), the Fundamental Right against Discrimination (Article 15) and also the Fundamental Right to Life (Article 21) since that includes a right to health by way of prevention of HIV/AIDS. We hope the government and the Supreme Court takes note of the outrage in the country and across the world. My heart bleeds for the LGBT community in India. However I know that the rainbow will rise again.”
Celina Jaitly (Actress and Gay Rights Activist)
“I am deeply disappointed with this shockingly regressive verdict. This comes as a rude shock just when we had started having faith in our judiciary, especially the Supreme Court for upholding progressive legislations. We were so hopeful after the Delhi High Court had last repealed Article 377 and we thought we had finally gotten over with the archaic laws of the 19th century. But the good thing is that this will create a public debate on the subject which will also impact the mindset, the prejudice, and the myths around homosexuality. Let it all come out of the closet. After all, those who hold important offices are not without prejudice and conditionings themselves!”
Nandita Das (Actress)
“There is so much hate, anger and violence in the world. Isn’t it an irony that we have made loving each other illegal?! It is so sad that what happens lovingly and consensually between two adults in the privacy of their bedroom is considered a crime.”
Pooja Bedi (Actress, Television Talk Show Host and Writer)
“With due respect to the processes of the law, I don’t think it is anyone’s business what two consenting adults do in their bedroom.”
Vishal Dadlani (Singer and Music Composer)
“It is so sad that what happens lovingly and consensually between two adults in the privacy of their bedroom is considered a crime.”
www.visionasia.co.nz | February 2014 47
20:20
NZ has given me new opportunities to chase
my dreams 1. Full Name: Siona Fatima Fernandes 2. Hobbies/Passions: My passion is to unravel health secrets and well-being through boxing, Bharatanatyam dance, Indian spirituality and other alternative therapies. Among my favourite hobbies are travelling, reading, music and movies. 3. What is your success mantra? It is based on a Sanskrit shloka that translates as follows: My true nature is the heart, the heart is my true nature I am the bliss of the heart, and the heart that I am is the unending bliss of oneness. 4. Who or what is your inspiration? People, nature and potential of the human body 5. Your most memorable moment: Qualifying as a NZ soldier for infantry and as a medico after doing hard training in Waioru; travelling to Spain
The versatile and multifaceted, Siona Fernandes still likes to be known as the Goan girl who studied the art of Bharatanatyam for 17 years under the Gurukul system. Siona is a fitness expert who has represented New Zealand in the Olympics in boxing. She has also trained in the NZ army defence force as a medico and infantry qualified soldier.
48 February 2014 | www.visionasia.co.nz
6. How important is it to fail before you succeed? Failure ignites willpower, determination, patience, wisdom and eventually conquering success. One must fail in order to understand one’s potential for success. 7. Name three important things in your life you can’t live without: The breath of life, peace of mind and daily exercise 8. What do you value most in life? My journey; it’s been a roller coaster ride but the best ride I’ve ever had. 9. Favourite movie & star: Meryl Streep; Its Complicated 10. Favourite food: Smoked salmon
11. Favourite holiday destination (short & long): Spain and hopefully in the future Bhutan 12. Favourite restaurant: My grandma’s kitchen- food cooked on firewood. Yum! It has been ages since and will never get it again as grandma is now bed ridden. But man her food was to live for! 13. Favourite sport & player: Boxing and basketball...Don’t fancy players!! Haha 14. What do you love or admire in New Zealand? A country that has given me new opportunities to chase new dreams, careers. There is an abundant of nature to feed your soul too besides learning the culture of the Maori tribes and Pacific Islanders. 15. What outdoor activities do you like/ how do you relax? Paddle boarding, mountain biking, relaxing to music, mind-body training, meditation, reading books and feeling nature, travelling, chilling with a glass of port wine and some seafood in Goa... alternately in my balcony when in NZ! Ha-ha! Love my place of Zen. 16. The craziest things you’ve ever done: Safely but crazily enough-jumping off the first floor of a building and doing a half marathon when I was in Bangalore during my university days. I had absolutely no training...was nuts and awesome! 17. You wouldn’t be caught dead: Cheating and stealing money 18. If your house was on fire and you could only grab three things what would they be? A green stone given to me at the Olympic Games, Rudraksha or the holy bead given to me by my dance guru 13 years ago and important documents that I always have ready to grab 19. What do you think is the secret to a good life? The secret is life itself.....living in the present moment. 20. Name one achievement that you are proud of: Representing my people from NZ and from Goa at the Olympic Games; making them proud while choosing a journey of blood, sweat and tears.
20:20
www.visionasia.co.nz | February 2014 49
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