New Delhi, Monday, January 20, 2014
04 entertainment
htcity
THERE’S NO SUCH WORD AS DIFFICULT
No special treatment When Farhan reports to the sets as an actor, the people working with him are pleasantly surprised to learn that he has absolutely no special requests. Be it on the sets or during a basic photo shoot, the actor has very few demands
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A source close to Farhan
ooks like, after wooing all with her dance moves, actor Madhuri Dixit (left) will now floor the audience with some action moves as well. Ask her what is more difficult — doing action scenes or dancing, which she is already a pro at, and she says, “There is no such word called ‘difficult’ in my dictionary. I like to conquer problems.” Madhuri, who recently made a comeback to Hindi films with Dedh Ishqiya, has not used any body double for the action scenes in her upcoming film, Gulaab Gang. “I had a training in taekwondo, hence it became little easy for me to do action. We had no body doubles, we all did the stunts and action on our own. Even while
PHOTO: ABHEET GIDWANI
Shalvi Mangaokar n
shalvi.mangaokar@hindustantimes.com
I
n an age when stars are known to single-handedly increase production costs with unreasonable demands while on the sets, actor Farhan Akhtar (above) seems to enjoy keeping things simple when shooting for a film. The actor-director apparently doesn’t ask for special arrangements to be made for him and, in fact, goes a step further by helping makers cut production costs. A source close to the Farhan reveals, “When he reports to the sets as an actor, the people working with him are pleasantly surprised to learn that he
has absolutely no special requests. Be it on the sets or during a basic photo shoot, the actor has very few demands.” The source adds, “Farhan avoids travelling with his entourage (he takes one person along) and his managers don’t accompany him. He doesn’t demand a suite as far as his stay is concerned nor asks for a special vanity van. All this helps cut costs and he understands this since he has been on that side of the fence too.” When contacted, his spokesperson confirms the news and says, “Farhan is one of the most nondemanding actors as he started out on the other side.”
I had a training in taekwondo, so, it became little easy for me to do action. Even while dancing, one ends up getting injured, so it’s okay
PHOTO: WASEEM GASHROO
Says Madhuri Dixit, who did not use any body double for the action scenes in her next film
Madhuri Dixit, actor
dancing, one ends up getting injured... So it’s okay,” she says. The Soumik Sen film is based on Gulabi gang — a group of Indian women vigilantes and activists dressed in pink saris, fighting against the social injustice and operating in Bundelkhand region of UP. The film marks the coming together of Madhuri and actor Juhi Chawla for the very first time on screen. The two did get an offer to share screen space earlier, but Juhi had refused the film. “I am happy we worked together in this film. I don’t regret about not working in the past. I hope to work with her again. I don’t think one should compare us or talk about comparison, as we are playing two different roles in the film,” says Madhuri, adding, “I am the hero, Juhi is the villain. These two characters would be nothing without each other. Juhi plays a sweet villain in the film... It is scary in a way. It is a very different role for her and I liked watching her on screen.” The film is slated to release in March.
PTI
‘I’ve just a cameo ‘Salman in Farah’s film’
has become relaxed’
H
e started his career as a director back in 1997 with the Salman Khan-starrer Auzaar. Later, Sohail Khan (above) went on to direct his actor-brother in two more films — Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998) and Hello Brother (1999). Now, after a gap of 12 years, he is set to make a comeback as a director with yet another film with Salman, titled, Jai Ho. Sohail talks to us about working with his star brother, and reveals details about his family’s relationship with actor Shah Rukh Khan.
How has working with Salman changed since Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998)?
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ctor Malaika Arora Khan (above) says that she will be next seen on the big screen in filmmaker Farah Khan’s Happy New Year. However, she clarifies that it will merely be a cameo. “In Happy New Year, it’s just a cameo and nothing more. I’ve always been part of Sajid (Khan) and Farah’s film purely because they are friends. I’ve always enjoyed it,” says the 40-year-old actorturned-producer. Happy New Year features actors Shah Rukh Khan,
Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Boman Irani, Sonu Sood and Vivaan Shah in major roles. Talking about her role as a producer along with hubby Arbaaz Khan, she says it takes a lot of hard work to carry out that role. “Every time I go for a production meeting, it’s a new ballgame. I sit with a pen and paper and make notes. The first year, all I did was signing cheques. Now I have got a better designation than just signing cheques,” she says. IANS
positive. Inshallah, it will do well. Beyond that, the audience is the boss.
Now, we (brothers Sohail, Arbaaz Khan) have to prove ourselves.
Does having your brother as the film’s leading man make things more comfortable for you?
Is Salman protective of your work, as a brother, on the sets?
Of course, there’s a comfort level because you know that whatever you have worked hard for, will certainly be watched by people initially. But beyond that, the onus is on you. With Salman, the advantage is that the initial response will be good. But it comes with a responsibility too. He can pull a film through till Sunday or Monday, but beyond that, the film will do the talking. Salman has proved himself.
He doesn’t get into that. Honestly, on the sets, we take care of him. As a production house, we check if he is comfortable, whether he should be relaxed, etc. And that is our job. We should make actors feel comfortable.
Since you are Salman’s brother, do you have to take sides as and when he fights with someone? You tell me, when was the last time he had a fight?
With Shah Rukh Khan…
He has become relaxed. There’s no hurry. Since he’s doing only one film at a time, there’s no rush to reach another set. So he gives you more time. He comes in like a clean slate.
That was more of a bickering between friends. It was like an argument, but the media has made it out to be the Mahabharata.
Are you nervous about Jai Ho?
Not really. But he feels bad that differences are being created. That (the fight) was not such a big problem. I always had a cordial relationship with Shah Rukh bhai. Malaika (Arora Khan; Arbaaz’s wife) has also worked with him. She has a very professional relationship with him. PRASHANT SINGH
I don’t get very excited nor do I get very nervous. Yes, I am anxious, but, touchwood, whatever responses we have received so far have all been
Did the fact that the ‘fight’ got blown out of proportion bother you?
No better shooting locale than Kashmir, feels Kabir T
here is no outdoor location in the world more beautiful and enchanting than Kashmir and nothing can beat the magic of Gulmarg in winter, feels director Kabir Khan (far right), who is currently directing Sajid Nadiadwala’s thriller, Phantom. The Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif starrer is based on
the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai and their fallout. “There is no outdoor location as beautiful and enchanting as Kashmir and there is nothing that can beat the magic of Gulmarg during the winters,” says Khan, adding, “Kashmir has a spiritual value for anyone who comes to do creative work here. There is no doubt
about this and one has to come and work here to notice this.” Phantom has also been shot in Beirut in Lebanon. “We have been shooting here (Kashmir) for the last few days and we intend to complete soon. Phantom should hit the theatres before the end of this year,” says Khan, who has previously directed
hits like Kabul Express, New York and Ek Tha Tiger. He started his career in 1999 with documentaries like The Forgotten Army — a documentary on the Indian National Army of Subhash Chandra Bose. He later made Taliban Years and Beyond, and The Titanic sinks in Kabul. IANS