As a tribute to 100 years of the Indian cinema, Vidya has donned Nargis’s look from the 1957 cult film Mother India and Meena Kumari’s from the 1962-classic Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam for Cineblitz’s special edition.

But the actor, who entered filmdom with the Parineeta remake, has no intention of working in a Mother India remake.

“I don’t think anybody would even dare to remake Mother India and if someone does then I will salute him, but I will not do it. It is unachievable, really,” the 35-year-old actor said.

Mother India is known for Nargis Dutt’s power-packed performance as a righteous mother, who shoots down her son, played by Sunil Dutt, whom she married after the movie, for being on the wrong side of the law.

One of the most expensive projects of its time, the film is said to be a remake of Khan’s 1940 movie Aurat and it was India’s first submission for the Oscars category of Best Foreign Language Film, in 1958.

Talking about dressing up as Nargis in the same look, Vidya said, “It’s an honour for me to have recreated those two images. One is the image of Nargis from Mother India and when you think of those iconic images from the Indian cinema over time, it definitely features in the top three.”

“The other image we recreated was Sahib, Bibi Aur Ghulam and I remember seeing that picture when I was in school and finding it extremely intoxicating,” added Vidya, talking about Meena Kumari’s drunk look from the film.

Vidya is currently shooting for Shaadi Ke Side Effects with film-maker and actor Farhan Akhtar while the first look of her upcoming film Ghanchakkar with Emraan Hashmi, has already been released. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 10^th, 2013.

Like Life & Style on Facebook for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.

“Actors normally work with older actors because they are so popular. Working with older actors boosts your career. If you work with young and new actors, then it takes a lot of time to climb up the ladder. So it’s very fast growth for the heroine,” the 64-year-old said.

Deepika and Anushka made their Bollywood debut opposite Shahrukh Khan with Om Shanti Om and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, respectively, while Sonakshi forayed into filmdom in a role opposite Salman Khan.

Citing her own example, Hema said, “Even when I entered the industry with Sapno Ka Saudagar (1968), it was with Raj [Kapoor] sahib. Raj Kapoor was a very big actor and age wise, he was much older than me.”

Meanwhile, Hema is confident that the Deols upcoming production Yamla Pagla Deewana 2, will be a success; it stars Hema’s husband-actor Dharmedra and their sons Sunny and Bobby Deol.

“I loved the promo of Yamla Pagla Deewana 2. They had showed it to me first and I am confident that the film will work,” Hema said.

A sequel to the 2011-hit Yamla Pagla Deewana, the film is scheduled to release June 7. It also features young actor Neha Sharma and newcomer Kristina Akheeva.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 10^th, 2013.

Like Life & Style on Facebook for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.

The actor will play Wolverine in the superhero adventure, which will see original X-Men director Bryan Singer, go behind the camera once again.

“I’ve read the script. It’s really fantastic,” femalefirst.co.uk quoted Jackman. “I owe, in a way, everything to Singer. The first film I did in America was X-Men. Wolverine is a character I’ve loved playing and I can’t believe it’s going to be my seventh time playing it. It just blows me away.”

Jackman said he was happy to be with the whole team again. “It not only feels like the right kind of project, it actually is so exciting that we’ll all be back together again. I don’t want to give away too much but I am excited to reunite with all those great actors and also to work with some new ones,” he said.

However, Jackman admits returning to the intense physical regime and diet for his role as the clawed superhero, is daunting.

“I must admit, I was starting to see a life free of steamed chicken breasts. They told me the idea and at the time it was Matthew Vaughn [directing the film]. Instantly, I knew it was a winner,” he said. “It just felt like everything was coming full circle. However, my stomach and my mind were like, ‘Oh no’.”

The film, which centres on a time-travelling plot, will unite the stars of the original X-Men franchise, including Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen and Anna Paquin, with the stars of the 2011 prequel X-Men First Class, which starred James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jennifer Lawrence.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 11^th, 2013.

Like Life & Style on Facebook for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.

Jaya gave up superstardom in 1973 when she ruled the box-office, to become wife to Amitabh Bachchan and subsequently mother to Shweta and Abhishek. “Everyone saw it as a big sacrifice and touted me as mother India. There was no sacrifice involved because no one can make me do what I don’t want to,” she said.

The pioneering performer heralded naturalistic acting into mainstream Hindi cinema. When she came into the movies with her two back-to-back performances in Guddi and Uphaar in 1971, Jaya’s complete denial of the ‘filmy’ glamour became a trend-setting phenomenon. From 1972 to 1973, her hairstyle and specially-designed blouses with puffed sleeves became a rage among women in the country. “I thought other actors were fashion icons, I was just Jaya,” she laughed uproariously and added, “I just wore and did what seemed right for me. The thought of doing anything that doesn’t come naturally to me, seems unacceptable.”

Jaya enjoyed an intense success-streak from 1971 to 1973, right up to film-maker Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Abhimaan, Mili and Chupke Chupke – all three with her husband – before she called it quits. Virtually every film she did made money at the box office. For a while, it seemed that there was no other leading lady except Hema Malini to challenge Jaya’s reign.

But Jaya feels that there are no challenging roles anymore as she said, “Where are the roles? Show me challenging roles for an actor of my age and I am game, as I was for Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa or even Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Kal Ho Naa Ho.”

Expressing how she feels about being a parliamentarian, she added, “Today when the two boys in my life [Amitabh and Abhishek] don’t need my presence, I have taken on the responsibility of being a Rajya Sabha member. That’s no self-indulgence for me; I take my job as parliamentarian very seriously.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 11^th, 2013.

Like Life & Style on Facebook for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.

The actor is due to surrender for serving his sentence in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case but has expressed a desire to return to the Munna Bhai series once he is a free man.

“Just two days back, Sanjay called and said, ‘It’s tough to be in prison but I’m ready to go there because when I come back, I will experience freedom in its true sense. I will be rid of this monkey who has been sitting on my back for the last 20 years and scaring me. When I walk out of prison, I want to walk straight onto the sets of Munna Bhai’,” Hirani and Chopra said in a joint statement.

Hirani and Chopra, who made Munnabhai M.B.B.S. (2003) and Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006) with Dutt in the lead, are ready to wait.

“The reel Munna Bhai will wait for the real Munna Bhai. He will indeed walk on the sets of the next Munna Bhai as he comes back to us free,” they added.

The 53-year-old actor, who has films like the Zanjeer remake, Policegiri,P.K. and the next Munna Bhai installment in the works, was charged with illegal possession of arms and sentenced to six years in jail in 2007. Last month, the Supreme Court handed him a reduced term of five years.

“In our understanding, jails exist to reform people who have erred, not to wreak vengeance upon them. The Sanju that we know is a fully reformed and responsible citizen,” they said. “We believe that it would not be wrong at all to take into consideration the demonstrably reformed self of this man. To show leniency towards such a citizen upholds the spirit of justice and does not in any way undermine it.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 11^th, 2013.

Like Life & Style on Facebook for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.

“I did two iconic films — one is Dilip Kumar’s Devdas and the other one is Amitabh Bachchan’s Don,” Shahrukh told reporters during the launch of Filmfare’s 100 Years of Cinema issue on Wednesday. “I never choose my films. Films and directors choose me. Sanjay Leela Bhansali told me ‘there is something in your eyes’ and then he asked me to do Devdas.”

“[Film-maker] Farhan Akhtar thought I could play the character of Don. But I am not thinking about remaking any film right now,” Shahrukh added. “Hopefully, a time will come when somebody will remake one of my original films and that will be a great achievement and proud moment for me.”

The actor, who received an opportunity to share the space with Bollywood icons Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan on Filmfare’s cover page, said his life was now “complete”.

Shahrukh has done two iconic films which are remakes, Don and Devdas. PHOTO: FILE

“I had a marvellous time shooting for the photo shoot with Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan. I feel my life is complete now. When I was shooting with Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu, Saira ji came to me and said that if she had a son, he would have looked like me,” Shahrukh said.

“They have seen so much in life and you can see that in their eyes. It’s a wonderful moment that they have given me.”

Dilip, who couldn’t come for the launch of the magazine owing to health reasons, sent his best wishes through a message.

Among all the tags that Shahrukh has, including ‘King Khan’, ‘Baadshah’ and ‘Don’ among others, he said his favourite tag was “Papa”.

“Papa is the best one, and that’s my favourite. It was given to me by my two only legal children,” the actor said. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 12^th, 2013.

Like Life & Style on Facebook for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.

MUMBAI: A mistake in a scene in 2005 film Black is still weighing on actor Amitabh Bachchan’s mind, which no one noticed. Now, he wants the audience to identify that mistake and inform him.

“At the River to River festival in Florence recently, the choice of the opening film was Black. I sat through it, and at every fault that I discovered in my work, I looked about to see if those that saw it [the film] with me, saw it [the fault] too,” the megastar posted on his blog.

“The error that one notices, remains and bothers,” he further posted. “But alas, nothing can be done with it.”

Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Black revolves around a blind and deaf girl, played by Bollywood star Rani Mukerji and her relationship with her teacher. Big B played Debraj Sahay, the teacher who later develops Alzheimer’s.

“I made a horrible error on the dining table scene in Black and it haunts me till today. Though I am certain, if asked, none of you would be able to find out. Would you?,” questioned the 70-year-old star.

“Let us test your judgment! It’s the dining table scene, when Rani’s younger sister, announces her engagement. Rani’s sister — with whom she has a traditional sister-sister jealousy-cum-envy relation, gets up to give her speech,” he added. “Then Rani’s letter to her elder sister is read by Mr Sahay! What was the wrong thing that you noticed in my performance there?.”

“Love luck and happy viewing of Black again for the fault finding,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 13^th, 2013.                    

Like Life & Style on Facebook for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.

Actor Divyendu Sharma, one of the three male leads in Chashme Baddoor, said that there was no sign of a script till a couple of days before the film’s shooting began.

Directed by David Dhawan, Chashme Baddoor released last week. “Mr Dhawan has a certain way of working. He did have a bound script but then he doesn’t believe in giving it to his actors,” said Sharma, according to the Hindustan Times.

The actor claims he has always worked with a script since he belongs to a theatre background and so he ended up being really nervous before the shoot. “He [Dhawan] was cool and calm as ever and advised me that in his films, there is nothing that an actor can actually prepare for. He just wanted me to be spontaneous and go by his vision,” he added.

The film also stars singer-actor Ali Zafar.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 14^th, 2013.

Like Life & Style on Facebook for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.

The good times might have passed the film industry by, but the iconic actor remains a strong figure when it comes to the country’s film industry. Today, his schedule is packed with work on tele-plays and dramas, which are now hugely popular.

The underlying story, which supercedes Qureshi’s legendary dialogue “nawa aaya hai, soonia”, is that he was a die-hard political worker for the Pakistan People Party (PPP). But sadly, like many old Bhutto loyalists, he has taken a step back from any PPP activities.

“That party is not the same anymore,” says Qureshi, who had taken interest in politics at an early age. “I have become quiet and passive, and there are thousands of workers in the same position as me.”

“The last term has really made us [Bhutto loyalists] swallow the bitter pill,” says Qureshi. “The party has deteriorated.”

Though Qureshi has received many offers over the years to join other parties and leave PPP, out of loyalty, he simply dismisses such an idea.

Recalling the time when he became the head of PPP’s culture wing, Qureshi says he also looked to run for elections twice. He had once been slated by Benazir Bhutto to run from NA-257, which is Gulshan-e-Hadeed — an area near Steel Mills. But, it was something he was never fit to do because he could never afford it.

“The amount of money that is spent on elections for MPA or MNA is a lot. Most of the money is not legitimate… I could never do that,” says Qureshi.

In this sense, Qureshi explains that he was the ideological worker, who was bred on the resistance of General Ayub Khan’s era. He had seen the wave of popularity created by Bhutto, and supported it against dictatorship.

While his political side is still alive, Qureshi’s work is only related to improving the Pakistani film industry.

The irony that is often pointed out is that as an actor, Qureshi was one of the biggest stars of Punjabi film — yet he is Sindhi. “Pakistan is built on its provinces,” says Qureshi. “The provincial languages were here before Pakistan, and [those] are our mother languages.”

Looking back at the work he has done, he has no regrets. He explains that he has been happy with his various roles, including ones in which he wore a suit or others in which he was an action hero or villain as seen in the hit classic film Maula Jutt.

Moving forward, he is slated to be acting in several television projects as well as some up-coming roles yet to be announced. “I am more selective with my work nowadays, I won’t just do any films, I am looking for something with quality,” adds Qureshi.

“Several things have led to the decline of the film industry,” says Qureshi, pointing out that there are no laws or policies that help the industry. “Indian films are popular and are coming through many platforms.”

His last film Shareeka, a family drama, was an underrated film that had minimal success in the box office. Today, he is a vocal proponent of something or anything that will jumpstart Pakistani film. “I think the work being done today by some of these younger directors is phenomenal,” says Qureshi.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 15^th, 2013.                    

Like Life & Style on Facebook for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.

MUMBAI: Actor-producer Farhan Akhtar, who is known for his ‘bromance’ films and whose next production Fukrey also revolves around boys, wonders why movies on such a subject draws special interest.

In the past, Farhan has been associated in different capacities with films like Dil Chahta Hai, Rock On!! and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara — all of which have highlighted male bonding.

When asked what intrigues him about it, Farhan said, “I have been asked this a lot. I have wondered why no one inquires those who only make love stories or love triangles. Why are only male bonding films singled out?”

Farhan spoke on Friday at the first look launch of Fukrey, which he has co-produced with Ritesh Sidhwani under their banner Excel Entertainment.

Sidhwani also said it was not a conscious decision to make films only on male bonding.

“All the stories had different male bonding. Fukrey is different from those as well. The story attracts you. Not that it is only on male bonding,” he said.

The film stars Pulkit Samrat, Manjot Singh, Ali Fazal, Richa Chadda, Vishakha Singh and southern actor Priya Anand.

When asked why he is not a part of the film himself, Farhan said, “It is important to cast people who are right for the roles. Given the age and personality of the characters, they work well with the actors cast. It is important to stay true to that.”

Farhan admits he has a connect with Fukrey — a term mostly used in north India for useless people. It reminds him of two years of his life when he didn’t have anything substantial to do.

“There were two years when I didn’t do anything and my mom threw me out of the house. This qualifies as my years of being a fukra,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 15^th, 2013.                    

Like Life & Style on Facebook for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.

MUMBAI: He had two releases in 2010 and, after that, actor Aditya Roy Kapoor disappeared from the big screen. The actor says he was not looking for solo leads, but for something exciting and is happy that he waited for the right projects to come his way.

His next film is Mohit Suri-directed romantic saga Aashiqui 2, his first film as a solo hero. It’ll see him romancing Shraddha Kapoor on the big screen when it hits theatres on April 26.

After that, he will be seen in Dharma Productions’ Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, set for a May 31 screening. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, the romantic drama brings together Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone together in a film after five years.

“It has been a while. I wasn’t looking for solo leads. I was looking for something which excited me,” Aditya told IANS.

“I did not find anything, which I was happy about; at least till I read Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and then Aashiqui 2 came my way. So till then, I lived my life, met my friends, played football, I felt bad; normal human emotions, but I was happy that I waited,” he added.

His last two releases were Action Replayy and Guzaarish. Both came in 2010 and bombed at the box office.

Talking about offers that he received after these two films, Aditya said, “The offers were good and some people thought I should have done it. But I am a little stubborn that way. I didn’t want to do them because I didn’t believe in them.”

Talking about his experience while shooting for Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Aditya said he got along well with Ranbir and enjoyed shooting on outdoor locations as well.

“We went to Manali and Rajasthan to shoot the film too,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 15^th, 2013.                    

Like Life & Style on Facebook for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.

The Avengers picked up three awards, including the top prize, movie of the year, along with best villain for Tom Hiddleston’s turn as the evil Loki, and best fight.

“This is the award that means the most to me. I am so grateful and very excited for 2015 — we’re going to bring you Avengers 2,” director Joss Wheedon said, accepting the movie of the year award and confirming that a sequel was in the works.

Jennifer Lawrence added two popcorn-shaped trophies to her Oscar for her turn as an outspoken young widow in Silver Linings Playbook.

She won for best female performance and shared the best kiss award with co-star Bradley Cooper, who was voted best male performance for his role as a bipolar man in the comedy romance.

Hosted by Pitch Perfect comedy star Rebel Wilson, the annual youth-oriented show brought out some of the most popular stars on television, movies and music.

The MTV Movie Awards, one of Hollywood’s biggest youth-friendly ceremonies, rewards movie performances from the past year as well as promoting upcoming blockbusters and new music.

A heavily pregnant Kim Kardashian, dressed in a modest, long-sleeved black dress, and Brad Pitt whose new movie World War Z opens in June, were among the presenters while teen singer Selena Gomez debuted her new single Come & Get It.

Wilson, who took home the breakthrough performance award for her role as Fat Amy in musical comedy Pitch Perfect, kept up a stream of edgy jokes about male and female sexuality.

Seth Rogen and Danny McBride dropped their pants in a skit on male physiques and Twilight heartthrob Taylor Lautner turned up sporting a false beer gut to collect his trophy for best shirtless performance.

Fans, who vote online for the awards, chose Django Unchained actors Jamie Foxx and Samuel L Jackson for best “WTF moment” for the scene in which Foxx’s vengeful slave berates and unleashes a volley of gunshots at Jackson’s servile black manservant.

Winners included The Avengers, Silver Linings Playbook and several others. PHOTO: FILE

Foxx was also honoured with the MTV Generation Award.

Viewers for the more than two hour-show broadcast around the world live from Los Angeles were treated to sneak peeks of Iron Man 3, and Star Trek Into Darkness ahead of their openings around in late April and May.

They also got a first exclusive look at The Hunger Games: Catching Fire ahead of the release in November of the sequel to the young adult hit movie.

Emma Watson, 22, who found fame as brainy schoolgirl Hermione Granger in the first Harry Potter movie in 2001, was presented with the Trailblazer Award. She has gone on to make some 15 movies, including lead roles in all eight Potter films.

“I look back at all of the work I have done over the past 14 years and many things come to mind, notably how bad my hair was in the first Harry Potter film!.” the British actor joked, accepting her award. “Becoming yourself is really hard and confusing.”

Will Ferrell won the Comedic Genius Award for his long career on film and television, including Elf, Saturday Night Live and Anchorman.

Raunchy comedy Ted, which went into Sunday’s award show with seven nominations, ended the evening with just one win — best on-screen duo for Mark Wahlberg and Seth MacFarlane’s crude, inappropriate talking teddy bear.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 16^th, 2013.

Like Life & Style on Facebook for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.

“My wife has contributed a lot to my career. We started dating when I was nothing and ever since then, she has been supporting me. She is my emotional support and is a very strong person herself,” said Hussain.

“She even designs my clothes and sees to it that I look good whenever I step out of the house,” he added.

Hussain has hosted popular reality shows like Indian Idol, Dance Premier League and also participated in the dance reality show Nach Baliye 2. Following that, he wowed the audience with his dancing skills in Bollywood musical Zangoora: The Gypsy Prince shown at the Kingdom of Dreams, a theatre and leisure destination located in Gurgaon, India.

He is now looking forward to his big screen debut with movie Shree directed by Rajesh Bachchani. The film also stars Anjali Patil as the female lead and is slated for an April 26 release.

The 35-year-old actor admits he didn’t have to struggle much but his journey wasn’t exactly easy either.

“I would say I have not really struggled but there was a lot of hard work. It was not easy to get a break in TV and work for 14 to 16 hours a day,” said Hussain.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 16^th, 2013.

Like Life & Style on Facebook for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.

MUMBAI: Actor Sanjay Dutt, who was working in double shifts to wrap up his projects before surrendering himself, needs about a week’s time to finish the shooting of “PK”.

A source close to the team revealed that director Rajkumar Hirani had requested Aamir Khan to take time out from his schedule for “Dhoom 3″ and be part of the shoot with Sanjay Dutt for “PK”. A few portions are yet to be shot with Sanjay Dutt.

When contacted, Hirani said: “Yes, about eight days of shooting is left with Sanjay Dutt.”

“PK” also features Anushka Sharma and Sushant Singh Rajput.

Dutt, 53, was sentenced to five years in jail by the apex court March 21 for illegal arms possession during the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts.

He was told to surrender by April 18, but he is likely to move the Supreme Court Tuesday to seek more time to surrender.

As he has already served one-and-half years of imprisonment, he has stay in jail for three-and-half years more.

Zoya, who has previously directed movies like Luck By Chance and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, joined forces with Bollywood’s most popular directors including Karan Johar, Anurag Kashyap and Dibaker Banerjee to put together Bombay Talkies.

The movie is all set to release on May 3. When asked if its release will open doors for a theatrical culture for short films in India, Zoya said, “I don’t think this will ever happen. There might have been three or four different film-makers coming together, but as a theatrical concept, individual short films just don’t work [in India].”

Bombay Talkies is a 25-minute short movie which is a compilation of four short films. PHOTO: FILE

She further added, “You don’t need it [a theatrical release] now. With internet, digital platforms and film festivals, you have so much that you can do. But honestly, I don’t think short films will become a huge theatrical culture.”

Zoya, however, is proud that she had the opportunity to collaborate with such experienced directors.

“I am the youngest in this lot and I am proud to be sharing the credits with them. They are three amazing film-makers. I am actually the least experienced amongst them,” she said while maintaining that Bombay Talkies is a “good package.”

For her part in the film, Zoya worked around a slim budget of INR15 million. Despite that, she managed to pull it off with an actor like Katrina Kaif, who did not charge anything for her role in the movie.

When asked if she had to make a lot of compromises, Zoya said, “Compromises here and there, but not really! I am lucky that I am with producers like Excel Entertainment. They were like, ‘Do whatever, just work within the budget.’ I liked it because it was great exercise [practice]  for me.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 16^th, 2013.

Like Life & Style on Facebook for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.

Two-film-old Shraddha will be seen in the sequel of the 1990 film, which was directed by Mahesh Bhatt and had actors Rahul Roy and Anu Aggarwal in the lead.

“Thanks to Mahesh Bhatt, my brother and to Mohit Suri, first of all, for taking my daughter in Aashiqui 2, which is going to be a legendary film — a cult film! Mark my words,” said the 54-year-old actor in an interview.

Aashiqui 2, releasing April 26, also stars actor Aditya Roy Kapoor opposite Shraddha.

Shakti also hailed the music of the new film, composed by Mithoon, Jeet Ganguly and Ankit Tiwari.

Newcomer Shraddha is veteran actor Shakti Kapoor’s daughter. PHOTO: FILE

“The music is rocking. The songs of the film are forming the ring tones of 60% of mobile users in India. The film has become a rage world-over. I am getting calls from the US, London and even Russia that Aashiqui 2 is going to be something above all,” he said.

Meanwhile, Shakti, whose son Siddhanth is also set to make his debut with Sanjay Gupta’s Shootout At Wadala, said he has never knocked the doors of any film-maker in the industry to seek work for his children.

“They have been working hard. I have never called any producer asking them to cast my children. They have given auditions themselves,” he said.

Shraddha forayed into Bollywood with Teen Patti in 2010. It bombed at the box office. Her second film was the 2011 film Luv Ka The End.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 17^th, 2013.

Like Life & Style on Facebook for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.

“When I did television, I was told that I cannot do movies and I won’t be able to understand the medium. People thought my movies will be all about jewellery and saas-bahu drama,” Ekta said.

In the television world, she made an impressive beginning in 1995 with comedy show Hum Paanch which was about a couple with five daughters. It turned out to be a huge success and changed Ekta’s fortune; she wasn’t just a plump 20-year-old anymore who was carrying the legacy of her father and actor Jeetendra.

After that, she produced over 70 shows under Balaji Telefilms, which is now a 19-year-old banner, and includes the long forgotten successful noon show Itihaas. She also made Koshish… Ek Aasha as well as Kyunkii… Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Kkusum … Ek Aam Ladki Ki Kahani and Kasautii Zindagii Kay.

Balaji Telefilms also produced horror and supernatural shows for the small screen including Mano Ya Na Mano and Koi Aane Ko Hai, to name a few.

Thanks to her stupendous success, she was crowned the small screen’s czarina.

She replicated the same success with aplomb on the big screen by making hit feature films — underworld thriller Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, Ragini MMS on a real life scandal and biopic The Dirty Picture — under her moviemaking banner Balaji Motion Pictures.

“Whenever you change your medium, you have to prove yourself again. One has to come out of the comfort zone again and again and again. My innings in films had a lot of struggle, but I enjoyed it,” said the 37-year-old.

She collaborated with Sanjay Gupta to co-produce Shootout At Lokhandwala and now the two are coming out with its sequel Shootout at Wadala.

There is no dearth of content in her films.

Asked where she takes her inspiration for stories from, Ekta said, “People inspire me the most. I love talking to people and I love knowing about their lives. I always believe that there has to be some inspiration in whatever you do, but it does not have to be from people you personally know.”

Ekta had earned flak from critics for promoting regressive views through her saas-bahu TV sagas.

“I did so many TV shows and I never thought that it would be possible that people won’t generalise the shows. In TV shows, you don’t have time for effects; you just have time for content. Now everyone is doing what I did,” she said proudly.

She has a very simple mantra when it comes to taking criticism.

“I take criticism very well, but I cannot take criticism that is put badly. You have to put it in the right way and then I will take it in the right way,” said Ekta, who continues to entertain TV audiences while courting the big screen.

She is currently looking forward to the release of the supernatural thriller Ek Thi Daayan, which she has co-produced with Vishal Bhardwaj. Her other projects include Lootera and Shaadi Ke Side Effects.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 17^th, 2013.

Like Life & Style on Facebook for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.

Film-maker Zoya Akhtar, who was in the news to bring cousins and actors Kareena and Ranbir Kapoor together on the big screen, says she is not making any film with them right now.

The two films old director said, “I am not making a film with Kareena and Ranbir right now. I haven’t finished my script yet. The minute it happens, I will let you know. I am writing a script for a family drama right now.”

In her last two films, Zoya teamed up with her actor and film-maker brother Farhan Akhtar, who made his acting debut with Rock On!!.

When asked if Farhan will be part of her next film, she said, “I don’t know whether he is going to be in all my films and he is not going to say yes to every film that I am going to offer to him anyway,” the 39-year-old said.

Zoya, daughter of lyricist Javed Akhtar and writer Honey Irani, debuted with critically acclaimed 2009 movie Luck By Chance and two years later, she rocked the box office with her male-bonding drama Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 17^th, 2013.

Like Life & Style on Facebook for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.

Policegiri producer TP Aggarwal said, “Of course, it’s a great relief for all of us. Now he has a month’s time to finish his projects. There was some more work pending, like patch work and dubbing. I will speak to Sanjay and we will start the work within the next two days.”

“I am glad that we don’t have to hurry up to finish all the work now. It will take two to three days for patch work and around two days for the dubbing,” he added.

Sentenced for five years for possessing weapons illegally during the 1993 Mumbai riots, Sanjay, 53, wanted six more months to surrender to complete his projects, which are worth INR2.78 billion.

The actor has already spent 18 months in jail and has to undergo the remaining three-and-a-half-year sentence. The Supreme Court on March 21 granted Sanjay four weeks — ending April 18 — to surrender. Upholding his conviction under the Arms Act, the court had reduced his sentence from six to five years.

Director Raj Kumar Hirani too was left to shoot with Sanjay for eight days for PK, which also stars Aamir Khan.

A source close to the team of PK revealed, “The scheduling is not yet done. We will schedule the dates for the shoot with Sanjay Dutt soon.”

Besides Policegiri and PK, Sanjay is also part of Karan Johar’s Unglee.

Aggarwal feels that Sanjay will manage to wrap his films up, but he will miss the promotions of his projects.

“Yes, his absence during all the promotional activities will affect the films, but we will come up with a solution. Let’s finish the shooting first,” he said.

Trade Analyst Taran Adarsh also agrees that “there is a relief for the producers to finish their projects with Sanjay Dutt”.

Unglee, Policegiri and Zanjeer are slated to come out this year, while PK may hit the big screen some time next year.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18^th, 2013.

Like Life & Style on Facebook for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.

Since 2009, Salman has had a release on Eid every year. It started with Wanted, followed by Dabangg in 2010, Bodyguard in 2011, and 2012 spy thriller Ek Tha Tiger. Interestingly, all of them turned out to be box office blockbusters.

This year, Eid is on August 8 and Shahrukh Khan and Akshay Kumar are set to lock horns at the box office as their films Chennai Express and Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Again, respectively, are being readied for the festival release.

“I am presuming that the fans would have liked to see the release of Mental on Eid. It’s not that they have not thought about it, but the practicality of coming on Eid may have been an issue. For Salman’s film to come on Eid, he should have started as early as January. But they started sometime in March. So it became difficult,” Arbaaz told IANS.

Arbaaz, who turned to direction with Dabangg 2 that starred his brother Salman, says it is not advisable to make a film hastily.

“There is no need to do a rush job on any film. The stakes are too high and so are the expectations. So, no need to get fixated because a Salman Khan-starrer is a Salman Khan-starrer. You may miss one day a year, but there are at least four or five dates which are equally exciting. So you can pick and choose those dates and make that into an event,” added the 45-year-old.

Salman is currently shooting for Mental and the action-drama is being directed by his youngest brother Sohail Khan. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18^th, 2013.

Like Life & Style on Facebook for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.