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The jinxed of Sallu’s All the action fromdebuts BAFTAs leading ladies P8 P4
ctor Alia Bhatt (L) and Imtiaz Ali, the director of her upcoming film, Highway, upped the city’s temperature on a chilly Tuesday afternoon with their presence. They turned up to meet 10 lucky winners of HT City’s Stars in the City contest. Alia, who has sung in the film for the first time, not just crooned the number Patakha Guddi but also danced to it with a fan. Imtiaz was his witty, chatty self through the session. HTC
N EW DELHI, THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2014, 18 PAG ES www.hin dustantimes.com
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‘MY GUY SHOULD BE
BETTER THAN THE BEST’
IT (ATTRACTION) BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN IS NOTHING TO BE SURPRISED ABOUT. IT HAPPENS IN EVERY PROFESSION
Kavita Awaasthi n
kavita.awaasthi@hindustantimes.com
B
etween her film commitments, her singing career and several endorsements, globe- trotting Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra admits that she has her fingers in too many pies. Nonetheless, the 31-year-old has no plans to slow down. PeeCee’s name recently appeared in the list of top 13 beautiful women of 2013 compiled by an international website, and she says her man needs to make the top cut, too.
How much importance do you give to body image and beauty? I’m a free-spirited person. I don’t get bogged down by pressure. But there is some pressure of being presentable and that can become a lot. I’m a jeans and T-shirt kind of girl, so being dressed up all the time is really annoying.
Many actors have claimed that they often have to fight temptation when working with good-looking co-stars. Have you ever felt that way? People have to resist me. I don’t have to resist anyone (laughs).
PEOPLE HAVE TO RESIST ME. I DON’T HAVE TO RESIST ANYONE Priyanka Chopra, actor
Has a co-star ever hit on you?
It’s (attraction) natural between men and women and it’s nothing to be surprised about. It happens in every profession. But I have really high standards, and whoever comes into my life must be better than the best.
Apart from your contemporaries — Deepika Padukone had a great last year — now there’s also a lot of young talent posing competition in the industry. Does this affect you?
A
ctor Kangana Ranaut has slammed reports that she is likely to play the lead in part three of the Ragini MMS franchise, produced by Ekta Kapoor. While the film’s director, Bhushan Patel (inset), went on record to state that the actor has been approached for the role, Kangy (who is presently in New York) seems to be taken aback. “I don’t know him (Patel). I keep my phone off most of the time. I don’t take calls, especially not from unknown numbers,” says Kangana, denying the fact that they have spoken on phone. Before calling Kangana, we even decided to check with her sister, Rangoli, who
is also her manager (and handles her dates and assignments). “I am the one who gets all the calls and queries, and even I didn’t get any call from anyone in this regard,” says Rangoli, adding that she isn’t even aware of any such film being made. Kangana also expressed
Compliments are encouraging, just like awards. Otherwise, nothing really matters except numbers and tangible things. I’m surprised and flattered. More so as I am just starting out internationally in music and people don’t know me as much.
Kangana Ranaut, actor
shock that her name was being attached to a film without her consent or knowledge. “It’s not funny that people are associating your name with films you’re completely unaware of. How can one give statements like that? It’s horrific. I’m not doing the film!”
stoppress CAN’T IMAGINE ACTING BEYOND 50: WAHLBERG
Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg, who is known for films such as The Fighter, The Departed and Shooter, has said that he wants to retire in future. Speaking in an interview on the sets of his upcoming film, Lone Ranger, the 42-year-old actor said, “I can’t imagine acting beyond 50”. He also told a news corporation that he had previously lied about retiring at the age of 40. AGENCIES
Geetanjali Taragi n
HAVE RANBIR AND KATRINA BROKEN UP?
They may have ushered in the New Year together in New York, but things are reportedly over between actors Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif. “They had a fight and returned separately from the holiday. Katrina mentioned marriage in New York but Ranbir said he wasn’t ready... Katrina still loves him but Ranbir has told his pals that they have broken up,” a source told a Mumbai tabloid.
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geentanjali.taragii@hindustantimes.com
D
irector Hansal Mehta has locked horns with the Censor Board, accusing it of being discriminatory against his film, Shahid (2013). In a rare instance, a director has filed an RTI with CBFC asking why Madras Cafe and Ram-Leela were not
Many lists rank actors every year. You’ve made it to an international one this year. Do these lists matter?
I don’t know him (Patel). How can one give statements like that? It’s horrific. I’m not doing the film!
n dibyojyoti.baksi@hindustantimes.com
Hansal names Ram-Leela in RTI
My career has never been affected by anyone else’s career or how good or bad someone is (at acting). I do things differently. I make music, movies. I like creating my own path and it’s always been that way. I’m happy and fortunate about the work I’ve got to do. Last year was definitely Deepika’s year. She’s an amazing friend, and I’m proud of her.
Did Ragini MMS makers bluff about Kangana?
Dibyojyoti Baksi
PHOTO: WASEEM GASHROO
PHOTO: ZABEEH AFAQUE
Priyanka Chopra says attraction among co-stars is natural, but her man must have ‘really high standards’
given an A-certificate, despite having kissing and violent scenes, while his film got an A-certificate. Mehta took to twitter on Tuesday to vent out his anger. “Filed a RTI about U/A certificate to Ram-Leela. Next :Madras Cafe. Have nothing against Ram Leela and Madras Cafe. It is about CBFC discriminating against my film,” he tweeted. Explaining the reason for naming these two films, Mehta also tweeted, “Madras Cafe has scenes of violence and these are quite graphic. Yet it was granted a U/A certificate. What was so violent about #shahid? (sic)” Meanwhile, other filmmakers say Mehta has
done the right thing. “I agree with Hansal. I wish the directors’ association and other bodies stood up for us and we were not left alone to fight our battles,” says director Sudhir Mishra. Director Onir feels it is time to do away with censorship and have a more democratic grading system in place. “I fully support Hansal and his cause. We should have done this long ago,” says Onir. Though Censor Board chief, Leela Samson, refused to comment, but in response to Mehta’s RTI, the board said, “The scenes of kissing and action (in Ram-Leela) were allowed with parental guidance. Thus, we decided to give a ‘U/A’ certificate.”
(L-R) Hansal Mehta; stills from Shahid and Ram-Leela