Actress

I will not do my mother's film for private reasons: Shahid Kapoor



While Shahid Kapoor tells Jyothi Venkatesh in a lighter vein that he wishes that Aamir takes a break for six months as an actor, he is very much serious when he firmly says that he doesn't want to be associated with his mother's film. To know more, read on…

What is your role in 'Chance Pe Dance'?
I play the role of Sameer Behl, a struggling actor. Sameer hails from a middle class family and his father owns a small sari shop. Though he has been rejected when he went for as many as 300 auditions, he manages to exude a positive attitude.

Did you also have to struggle to get a break?
I also had to struggle a lot as a wannabe actor five years ago, before I managed to get a break with Ken Ghosh's 'Ishq Vishk'. The only difference is that I used to struggle in a Maruti 800. I remember I had spent an entire night in my car because I did not have money for petrol and didn't know where to go.

Is 'Chance Pe Dance' a feel good film?
Chance Pe Dance is a simple, real and a candid film. I'd even go to the extent of stating that it is a 'slice of life' film. Though generally the audiences may not be able to identify the situations in the film which is a film based film, the way the people who belong to the film industry can relate to them, the situations in 'Chance Pe Dance' will touch the heart-strings of the audiences.

How was it working with Genelia D'Souza?
I have been teamed in the film for the first time opposite Genelia D'Souza. I loved her work when I saw 'Jaane Tu Ya Na Jaane Na'. Genelia plays a choreographer in this film with whom I fall in love.


Isn't it true that Jiah Khan was the original choice for that part?
Yes. Originally when the film was launched, it was Jiah Khan and not Genelia who was the leading lady but I really could not help it when she was replaced.

'Kaminey' clicked in a big way at the box office but in what way did it help you as an actor?
As an actor, you have to break shackles and cross boundaries and set out to redefine yourselves. I am glad that people now believe that I can do edgy action roles.

The biggest challenge after doing a romantic role like in 'Jab We Met' was to surprise people by doing an edgy film like 'Kaminey', which was a big risk for me to undertake as an actor, but the gamble paid off. Thanks to 'Kaminey', the audiences today do not have any reservations to see me in a different space.

As an actor, you seem to be following in the footsteps of Aamir Khan!
I confess that I am still yet to make aware of the fact that I am a consummate actor, unlike the Khans who are known the world over. You cannot compare me with Aamir Khan.

I wish Aamir takes a break for six months as an actor, because in front of an actor like him, who takes on varied roles in film after film, every other actor, including me looks like a terrible actor who does not even have script sense, when it comes to picking a role. (Laughs)

Though you are very choosy otherwise, why did you take up 'Dil Bole Hadippa'?
I am very clear about why I do films. I confess I did 'Dil Bole Hadippa' even though it was a heroine oriented film, only because I wanted to establish my relationship with Yashraj Films.



Today I am doing yet another film for them with Parmeet Sethi as the director. I hope to do at least a film every year for them. If you enjoy the process, it does not matter even if the film does not run. I enjoyed working in 'Dil Bole Hadippa'.

Tell me about your father's directorial venture!
Next year will be dedicated to my father, Pankaj Kapur's film 'Mausam', a love story. My dad is writing the last leg of the story.

He told me that though he has put in 35 years as an actor, he did not have ambition to prove himself and he just wanted to make 'Mausam' to show his son in a different light as an actor. With dad every day was a workshop when I assisted him in his serial 'Mohandas B.A.L. L. B.

Though you are working in your father Pankaj Kapoor's film, why did you refuse to work in your mother Neelima Azeem's film?
I will not be a part of my mother's film 'Nawab Nautanki'. Please do not make it into another controversy and I am sorry but I just cannot divulge the reason because it is something which is strictly between me and my mother.

I've only been in relationships: Sushmita Sen



She is one of those rare combinations of beauty and brain. A former Miss Universe, an actor, a single mother of two, and now a businesswoman… Sushmita Sen is truly living life to the brim. The actor in conversation with TWF correspondent Sreya Basu in Kolkata

What made you sign Dulha Mil Gaya?
After many years I am doing a film which I can claim as mine…this is my film. It has been written keeping me in mind. My character is that of Shimmer…she is just as her name suggests.

She is very sparkling, energetic, independent…a supermodel…today's woman. Everything about her is good, but she has no relationships in her life. So through the journey of the film she finds that part of her life, which I think is true for a lot of woman today.

You get cynical about love and one fine day you find it. And it has been done in a very beautiful way in Dulha Mil Gaya. It's a romantic comedy, which is not slapstick, but situational.

There is Fardeen Khan, Shah Rukh, Ishita Sharma in the film to. Don't you think a multi-starrer can overshadow you?
The director (Muddasar Aziz) has done a beautiful job with all the characters. But if you ask me, Shimmer is the best.

Does Shimmer gets her dulha finally?
Of course, she gets her dulha. Shimmer has a dulha in her life…but she doesn't like him. Then she realizes that in life there should be a place for everything…profession, relationships. And how she finds that is what the film is all about.

This is your second film with SRK and first film with Fardeen. How's the experience?
I am very lucky…this is my second film with Shah Rukh; my on –screen chemistry with Shah Rukh is mind-blowing, I can bet on that one.

But this is my first film with Fardeen…he is as good a human being as an actor…his heart is as good as his looks. Very compatible, very royal…and he has been cast in the movie like that only. He is playing himself, just as I am playing mine…the director has made sure that the casting to be such that nobody has to 'act' too much.

Why aren't we seeing SRK in the promotions of the film?


Because it is not a frame-to-frame Shah Rukh Khan film; but again, according to me, Shah Rukh doesn't have a guest appearance in the film either. It's a character-driven film. Shah Rukh is not seen in the promotions of the film because he has a lot of other things going on right now and this is not predominantly a SRK film.

Now-a-days, many Bollywood beauties (like Bipasha Basu, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) are doing Bengali films. You speak the language quite fluently. But why don't we see you in regional films?
I keep saying that I am a non-resident Bengali, so I have my limitations. But thanks to my father (Shubeer Sen) I speak a lot of Bengali at home; I am doing that to my daughters as well.

I did a Tamil film right in the beginning of my career and I knew when people watch it, they will say: 'Wow a Bengali trying to speak Tamil…how lovely' and all. But if I make any mistake with Bengali, people are not going to forgive me.

I have to know what I am doing because I belong to Kolkata and I belong to Bengal and unless a script and a role is outstanding and stands for like a national award, I will not dare attempt it. May be I am greedy, but I am waiting.

What about Rani Laxmibai?
What about it, man? It has been put in the backwaters for the time being. It's a very expensive film and the market is down. It's not the right time to make it. But God is great. While that film got stalled came Dulha Mil Gaya …in the right time.

We shot in the Caribbean and I got to meet the finest set of people there. That helped me to get over the trauma of not making Rani Laxmibai. But I will make it one day for sure. Inshallah.

How much is Sushmita Sen like Rani Laxmibai?


I don't know about that. But I can relate to her immensely the moment I decided to make a film on her. If in my entire lifetime I can achieve what she did in her 29-year lifetime, I would say that I lived a fulfilling life.

You have a restaurant business and now you have got the Miss Universe franchise in India. Do you plan to become a full-fledged businesswoman in future?
(Laughs) I have never planned anything in life…I have always accepted what came to my life. My friend Rajat Dalmia is my partner in restaurant business and we have already opened one in Kolkata.

There is a night club and lounge as well and we are planning to take it further. Now, I have also got the Miss Universe franchise in India. It will be the winner of I Am She who will represent India on the global platform. I want to bring back the crown to India.

For that I want Miss India to be educated and intelligent. Language is no barrier and contestants can speak any language. But that doesn't mean I will stop doing films. I am quite capable of multi-tasking.

You recently had a new addition to your family…
Yes, her name is Alisah and I am overjoyed… I am on the moon right now.

Is your elder daughter Renee comfortable with your three-month-old daughter?
Yes. Renee loves her. It's a blessing to have both of them in my life. God bless them. I am going to Kerala backwaters with two kids…I was so busy this year that I missed spending time with them.
What is your relationship status right now?



In real life darling, I have only been in relationships. (Bursts into laughter) Better ask me when I am going to get married?

Will you get married?
Well, I will get married for sure.

When?
That's not something that I can decide, it's for God to decide. And when that day comes you are cordially invited.

Do you think marriage is important?
Absolutely. I think anything that you believe in, is important. Marriage is beautiful and I must get married, but for the right reasons, in the right time, with the right person…too many 'rights' here.

But you chose motherhood to marriage at 24. That means motherhood is more important than marriage?
I think both are important from their own standpoint. I don't know about marriage because I am still single. But, motherhood is an overwhelming

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Posted By Keerthy to Malayalam Super Blog with Super Aunties at 1/01/2010 05:12:00 PM

My film has nothing to do with the Salman Khan: Celina Jaitley



Celina Jaitley is having the best time of her life, with her hands full of film projects and personal queries put to rest with a very public past life regression therapy, she is finally coming to peace with her inner self.

The former beauty queen started her career with modeling; but slowly and steadily paved her way into Hindi film industry. Debuting with 'Janasheen' in the year 2003, the light-eyed beauty did some remarkable films like 'No Entry', 'Apna Sapna Money Money' and 'Golmaal Returns', to name a few.

Now as the year 2009 comes to an end, Celina wraps it up with her thriller film 'Accident on Hill Road' which according to her has the perfect ingredient to make it an interesting entertainer.

The publicity of 'Accident on Hill Road' says it is a story based on real life, is the film inspired from Salman Khan's infamous hit 'n' run accident?
No…it has nothing to do with the Salman Khan's hit and run incident. The story is based on the real life incident, which took place in the United States, however an English film had also made on the same incident.

How was the experience of working with debutant director Mahesh Nair?
The experience was fantastic, although Mahesh Nair is a debutant director but he's very talented. Most importantly, he knows what he's doing and what he wants; overall I can say he knows his job well. Personally I feel he has done a good job with the film.

You worked with veteran actor Farooq Sheikh, how was the experience and what happened when you first met him?


I was a bit nervous when we first met on the shooting sets and it continued till I shot my first scene with him. We all know how great an actor he is and that he has done some amazing work in the past.

To get a chance to work with an actor of his caliber is rare as he does only one film every two to three years, so, it was a nice experience and a privilege to do a film with him.

How did you find Abhimanyu Singh, who plays your love interest in the film, as an actor?
I think Abhimanyu Singh is from a very different genre of acting. And it was a very different experience working with him, although he does not have many scenes in the film. However, it was a wonderful experience working with him.

What is your favorite scene in 'Accident on Hill Road'?
My favorite scene from the film 'Accident on Hill Road' is coincidentally an accident scene with the Farooq Sheikh, which you see in the promo. It is because I always had a fear of driving, even when I am sitting on the passenger's seat. The scene scared me to bits; it was very scary in fact, now that I recall I don't know how I pulled off that scene.

Why is the promotion of the film not being done aggressively?
I think this question should be asked to the producer as the promotion of the film is in the hands of the producer. Besides, we actors are always available for the promotional activities.


You discovered, you were a 'man' in one of your past lives, how was that experience and also when you got to know that you parents and your brother were your friends, how did you feel knowing that?
The experience of discovering past life was incredible, as I always had this question in my mind that what connection do I have with Germany, as I speak fluent German and 80 percent of my close friends are from Germany.

So, discovering this fact from the show 'Raaz Pichhle Janam Ka' was something amazing. And it also felt great when I got to know that even in my past life I was in a Army family.

How much do you believe in 'past life regression'?
I think after experiencing the process my faith just strengthen.

What are the projects that are in pipeline and have you signed any film anytime soon?
There are already so many films that I'm working on, but simultaneously I have been reading a few scripts too.

Kareena is not only very good to look at but friendly too: Aamir Khan



AAMIR KHAN tells JYOTHI VENKATESH on the eve of the release of his latest film '3 Idiots' that Faisal Khan is his only brother contrary claims by others…

What was your reaction when you were offered the role of a young collegian in '3 Idiots'?
When Raju Hirani came to me to offer me the role Rancho in '3 Idiots', to tell you the truth, I was scared and petrified to take it up. I instantly told both Raju and Vidhu Vinod Chopra that it was a dangerous decision on their part to have thought of me to play the young college boy in the film, because I was not at all sure whether I would be able to pull off as a college boy.

How were you then convinced to take up the role?
Raju brainwashed me into saying yes to the offer because he felt that I was the real life Rancho in any way and I could bring out the truth in the way the character had been conceived.

Can you elucidate?
Raju told me that I could very successfully pull off as the character of the Assistant Police Commissioner for director John Mathew Matthan in 'Sarfarosh', though people were very skeptical about it.

Raju also told me that I could pull off as a gaon ka chora in 'Lagaan' and shock every one. Raju goaded me to take up the challenge and rise up to the occasion in '3 Idiots' too, like I had done the role of tapori in 'Rangeela' after having emerged as a romantic hero with 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak'.

I had to work a lot physically, because the first and foremost condition laid down by Raju was that I should concentrate a lot on my looks to suit the role.

Is it true that just two days before the shooting started, you asked Raju to replace you with some other actor?
Yes. Just two days before the shooting was slated to begin, I even rang up Raju and told him that if only he wanted, he could change his decision and cast a younger actor in the role that he had marked for me, but he did not listen to me and just stuck to his gun.


How was the experience of acting in '3 Idiots'?
I would say that I have surprised myself a lot by challenging against the norms as far as I am concerned as an actor in '3 Idiots', thanks to Raju Hirani.

In real life, I do not do mimicry so well but Raju asked me to ape Boman Irani for the song 'Zoobi Doobi' by studying Boman's body language. To what extent I have succeeded in mimicking him, you have to tell me after you watch '3 Idiots'.

How confident are you of your capability in '3 Idiots'?
I did the role of a sensitive professor in 'Taare Zameen Par'. Then I played a killer in 'Ghajini' and now I am playing the role of a college student in '3 Idiots'. I hope that I have been able to pull it off too and end up having an encore.

How tough was it for you to market '3 Idiots'?
I am of the opinion that every film has its own requirement of marketing. The way I set out to market 'Taare Zameen Par' was entirely different from the way I marketed 'Ghajini'. '3 Idiots' required a different kind of strategy as far as its marketing was concerned.

How would you rate Kareena Kapoor as your co-actor?
Kareena is a wonderful actress. I would unhesitatingly even go to the extent of saying that she is not only very good to look at, but also warm and friendly and spontaneous and fun to work with.

Though I had earlier worked with Karisma Kapoor in 'Raja Hindustani', I think after working with her in '3 Idiots' I am a li'l pallier with Kareena.



In fact, though I was busy with the promotional activities of my own film '3 Idiots', I keenly looked forward to watch 'Kurbaan' because I wanted her and Saif to do well, both personally as well as professionally.

How did you achieve the feat of shedding your eight-pack abs for your role in '3 Idiots' after having built your body for 'Ghajini'?
When I do a film, I go by its requirement. In fact, I wondered how I could succeed in making a body with eight-pack abs like in 'Ghajini', in a span of just one year but I transformed myself, thanks to my will power. We have absolutely no idea of human brain. I feel that if you focus your energy at one point, you can succeed in doing whatever you want to do.

Your brother Hyder Ali Khan's film 'Trump Card' is clashing with your film '3 Idiots' on Christmas Day. What do you have to say?
Any one can claim that he is my brother, but the fact is that Faisal Khan is my only brother. I do not have any other brother.