Thursday, 23 April 2015

I dont live in the past-Varun 24.4.2015/lipika varma

Shah Rukh Khan, Amar Singh finally friends DC | Lipika Varma | April 23, 2015, 00.04 am IST

Shah Rukh Khan, Amar Singh finally friends

Amar Singh handed SRK the award for his acting in Happy New Year

Mumbai: There were quite a few “awww” moments at the recent Dada Saheb Phalke Awards ceremony, mainly involving Shah Rukh Khan. As SRK arrived to receive the award for Happy New Year in Juhu, the crowd went berserk.

Politician Amar Singh, who had kept his distance from King Khan all these years due to his proximity with one of Bollywood’s premier families, extended an olive branch to the actor while handing over the award.

“Hamari kuch khatti, kuch meethi yadein hai (we have a some sweet and sour memories). I remember I was very close to a big Bollywood family and would never watch Shah Rukh’s films. But my daughters were very fond of Shah Rukh and would always ask me why I did not like his films,” said Amar Singh, adding, “One day I met Shah Rukh at a programme and my daughters were with me. No sooner did I ask him to meet my daughters as he was their favourite actor, he immediately greeted them and made their day. Shah Rukh is a humble gentleman. That day I realised that he never bothered about the khatti meethi yadein. So today, more than SRK, it’s me who feels honoured to hand over this prestigious award to him.”

Shah Rukh said, “Mere khayal se sab meethi hi yadein hai hamari (according to me, all our memories are sweet). I am honoured to be bestowed with the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award. Also, with this award my responsibility towards my fans has increased,” he added.

Spreading his hands wide in his signature gesture, SRK then invited those on stage to dance with him. Producer-director Sawan Kumar Tak also received the award.

Wednesday, 22 April 2015

SRK Amar finally friends/DC 23.4.2014/lipika varma

Govt must protect women: Hema malini — By Lipika Varma | Dec 25, 2012 01:49 am

Govt must protect women: Hema malini

— By Lipika Varma | Dec 25, 2012 01:49 am

Hema Malini discusses the safety of women in the country’s capital.

Hema Malini runs a programme titled ‘Jaya Smriti’, named after her mother. Talking about the first day of celebrations this year Malini says, “It was launched on November 16 by Waheeda Rehman but had to be cancelled due to the sad demise of Bal Thackeray. Ahaana performed on this day.”

“I hold ‘Jaya Smriti’ in memory of my mother for the last six years. We try to introduce new topics and new art forms like ‘Odissi and Kathak’. We have introduced violin performers and they are going to perform fusion. Maitali is going to perform ‘Odissi’. I am going to perform Mahalaxmi and Durga Ballet.”

She adds, “We are also going to introduce short-film makers and we are giving awards for that and making a painting which will be shown that day. Mumbai is a large city and there are many festivals. I feel organizations have to come forward to promote. People think Bollywood dance is dancing. But these classical dances will always remain it cannot fade.”

Hema feels its imperative that the government protects every woman’s right to freedom. On the recent rape in Delhi she says, “What happened was very sad and we hope that she will recover soon. Her parents must also be suffering. We always hear about such incidents. Delhi police has huge problem they are not giving enough security to girls. Young girls from different places come for further studies and they are not given protection. Their parents send them to educate them, and they become victims of rape. They should punish such culprits. I think children from young at school should be taught to respect women, their mothers, sisters and friends. When my daughters go out at late night I get very worried. My advice to girls is not to take things lightly. They should be careful and be alert.”

All praises for reality shows she adds, “Nowadays at least reality shows are promoting these dances, which is not easy, as a lot of hard work is involved. Children don’t want to do it because they are burdened by studies. Parents also stop girls from performing after marriage which is sad.”

Malini is happy with her son-in law, “Esha keeps performing with me. My son-in-law sends her here for practice every day for two hours.”

Hema’s all time favourite actress is Vyjanthimala. “Nowadays classical dances have gone away from movies. Beautiful heroines are doing only item numbers.”

Talking about her first serial she says, “I did a serial ‘Nupur’ around 20 years ago. I had introduced all forms of dancing in it.”

Hema feels girls need to be trained at early age as they are very energetic, “Girls from the age of 12 to 25 have a lot of energy and stamina. That’s how I used to be. Now days everything has become like fast food. They don’t like long hours of practice or programmes. We have shortened them to 2 hours.”

She plans to bring in the New Year with her daughters and son-in-law.

Lipika Varma

Dream but with eyes open: Alia Bhatt Apr 19, 2015 - Lipika Varma Email this page Printer-friendly version

Dream but with eyes open: Alia Bhatt

Apr 19, 2015 - Lipika Varma

Alia Bhatt

Actor Alia Bhatt’s advice to her young fans on life and style

If there’s one actor in Bollywood who is constantly reinventing herself, whether with challenging roles, or singing, it’s Alia Bhatt. And she is taking it all in her stride.

“I am not the one to advice people on how to achieve their dreams, it’s not my place,” she says, adding, “However, I am fortunate to have made a place for myself in Bollywood. I will only say, ‘dream with your eyes wide open’. Also, work hard towards achieving your goals.”

As a ‘celeb’, Alia admits she misses visiting her addas. “One of my favourite adda was near the Juhu temple. I would love to hang around there with my friends frequently. I miss it now,” she says.

Another advice that the youth and style icon has is this: “Be yourself. Do not always try to match your lipstick, bags and nail polish with your dress.”

Talking about her style mantra, she adds, “I only want to be comfortable. I wear simple track pants, a ganji and at times a hoodie.” Alia lets us in on a secret, that she is flat footed. “I am still learning to walk properly, especially on the ramp. I am just 22 and I have to learn to walk with a better posture. As I am flat footed, I do trip over at times.”

When asked about the secret of her flawless skin, she mischievously says, “It’s all the love of my fans. I owe my flawless skin to all your love.”

Tuesday, 21 April 2015

Rajeev open to Telugu films April 21,2015, 02.38 PM IST | | THE HANS INDIA

Rajeev open to Telugu films

April 21,2015, 02.38 PM IST | | THE HANS INDIA

Rajeev Govinda Pillai a dentist by profession, he also played for Kerala Strikers in the year 2012-2013 for the Celebrity Cricket League. Bit by the acting bug, he made his debut in the lead role for "City Of God" directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery. He then decided to quit his profession. Rajeev reveals a secret of wanting to be a part of Telugu industry too. Rajeev is also enthused about working with Malayalam star Dilip in his next untitled flick.

In a brief chit chat with Lipika Varma he answers a quick volley of questions

The Film Ek Adbhut Dakshina Gurudakshina: This is my first ever major role in Hindi films. Earlier, I did a few characters in different films like,”Kamal –Dhamal and Mala-mal. These were not very big roles.

Well! Many South stars even like Kamal Haasan and Rajnikanth could not make it big here in Bollywood what’s your take?

At that time these veteran actors were doing ten films at a time down South. Since there are only 365 days in a year how can you expect them to give enough time to Hindi-film-dom. They are famous both in bollywood as well as Tollywood and why not? These veteran actors are indeed a personality to reckon with all over the World.

Bollywood is a big market so you want to make it big here?

It is for those who think like that. I hail from a small village from Kerala and I have already done 18 films. I was busy shooting my Kannada/Tamil bilingual untitled film in which I play a negative role. I have left the shoot in between to attend the première of my film EAGD. For me it is different when a boy like me from a small village Nannoor can travel to Mumbai, I am sure to be able to get work too. I know Globetrotting is on my way, he laughs aloud!!

What are your dreams?

My dreams are limited to what I am doing. No sooner do I finish that particular assignment I start on my next venture and start dreaming about that project to be able to finish it successfully. I am sure to realise my dreams slowly and gradually as until this day this boy from almost a small village could travel to Hindi films, I am sure I can make it someday.

What are your future films?

I am doing an untitled Malayalam film with super star of Malayalam Industry-Dilip. And here in Bollywood if everything finalizes in my favour I will be playing a negative role in Sreeshant’s next untitled Hindi film.

Are you open to doing only negative roles?

No, it is not so. I should be happy doing a character be it having gray shades or not, but if it has something appealing in it then I will definitely opt for it.

Are you not open to do Telugu films?

Until this day whatever offers I have got from Telugu industry were not so attractive. But why not? If I get any good meaningful role I will surely like to be a part of the Telugu Industry too.

By Lipika Varma

Saturday, 18 April 2015

Vishal Aditya Singh: TV’s angry young man Apr 18, 2015 - Lipika Varma Email this page Printer-friendly version

Vishal Aditya Singh: TV’s angry young man

Apr 18, 2015 - Lipika Varma

Vishal Aditya Singh

Vishal Aditya Singh talks about playing the psychotic Laakhan in Begusarai and how he relates to the character

Those who watch the show will agree that Vishal Aditya Singh’s character of Laakhan Thakur in the serial Begusarai is an enigma. While he can be extremely cruel towards his fiancée, he also loves his family and does not mind that her best friend is a man.

Talking about his complex role and how he began his TV career, the actor says, “My first Hindi television show was Sasural Simar Ka, in which I played the character of Veeru; thereafter I was part of Chandragupta Maurya. This time I was lucky to get the main lead in Begusarai as Laakhan Thakur.”

He adds, “Initially in Begusarai, I was speaking very hardcore Bihari and director Ravindera Gautam helped me to tone down my accent.

“This character is very unpredictable. He can do anything any time. The assimilation of agony, positive as well as negative traits that he possesses were to be shown perfectly.”

“I play an angry young man, there’s no ‘cute’ approach to the character,” says Vishal, adding, “It is a raw and rustic character but I have to be within the premise of the character.

“In real life too I am very blunt and straight forward. Mera pyar aur nafrat dono hi extreme ho jate hai.”

Laakhan is not only short-tempered, he is a bit psychotic too. “The character represents the male ego,” says Vishal, adding, “He wants to become the raja of Begusarai by hook or by crook. But in real I am not like that.. I can never do things, which will show me in a bad light.

“In the show I do get manipulated by my mother — this happens because the character does not have a mind of his own.”

Asked whether he would emerge as the main villain as the show progresses, Vishal says, “Maybe as the show progresses my character will become the villain, I have only been told that the character has grey shades in it. He does not have a soft approach to anything in life and I portray it exactly like that.”

Talking about how Laakhan treats his fiancée, he says, “I punish her because at times I am ready to do anything for her and I realise later that everything I do for her gets me into major trouble, and it is then that I react and try to punish her.”

About working with veteran actress Shweta Tiwari, he says, “It was a pleasure working with her; on the first day of the shoot I did not know how I would work with this well-known actor. But she is very cooperative. She was very helpful in many ways.”

“I am definitely keen on doing films, which has been my target all along. I am open to performing any good character and I don’t have a specific aim of playing a villain. But if it comes my way, I will welcome it, but only if the character appeals me. But I also have the dream of studying more about cinema in colleges at New York and Switzerland. I want to experience the college life, which I have missed,” he concludes.

Thursday, 16 April 2015

I am not a mother hen/Hema/17.4.2015/lipika varma

Monday, 13 April 2015

Disco Dancer Mithun's son Rimoh turns AD with Mahakshay’s Ishqedarriyaan April 13,2015, 11.13 AM IST | | THE HANS INDIA /lipika varma

Disco Dancer Mithun's son Rimoh turns AD with Mahakshay’s Ishqedarriyaan

April 13,2015, 11.13 AM IST | | THE HANS INDIA

Usually people who cherish the dreams of getting into films, especially those who belong to small towns feel that getting into the world of glitz and glamour is a cake walk. Also for those who are the children of big film stars, the common junta feels that they can grab film offers without any painstaking efforts. But, It is not so!

Well! In a bid to follow the footsteps of his parents Mithun and Yogita- the brothers’ duo Mahakshay and Rimoh are working very hard to realise their dream of shining in bollywood like their parents.

Here is a live example of Mithun Chakraborty’s son Mahaakshay who is struggling until this day. He debuted with his first flick, Jimmy in 2008. Not only him, but his brother Rimoh too has decided to get into films- but he wants to learn the traits of a good director. He turns AD with Ishqedarriyaan which stars Mahakshay and Evelyn Sharma.

During the launch of the trailer of the film the brothers duo was present. “Yes it is very difficult to carve your own niche while you happen to be the kids of well known stars. This is a baggage which brings in criticism. Now for example if I entered films everyone expected me to be like my dad Mithun. My mannerisms and my gestures and my acting calibre too was expected to be very much close to him. And if I did good they would not appreciate so much. Instead even with the lifting of my hands they would say Mithun would have done like this and that. What I mean to say the inevitable comparisons bring in loads of pressure on to the star kids.”

Not many know with Ishqedarriyaan Rimoh-Mithun’s younger son too ventures into bollywood but this son is keen on making it as a director. "Yes, I am interested in getting affluent on par with the technical know-how of film making. I also like to direct. I am not so keen on acting.”

Adding further he says, “While working as the fourth assistant in the film I would normally go to Mahakshay and say, 'Please come the shot is ready!' I also took care of sitting near the monitor and learning all the nuances of film making I know that if I have chosen this field I will have to showcase my own talent I cannot expect any help from Mithun. As he always expects us to work hard and make for our own life like he did. I am proud to be beginning as the AD with this film. I shall try and try until I succeed."

Well, Mithu himself made it up after giving a few flops at the initial level of his career. All we can do is- Wish Mahakshay and Rimoh the very best as they really have put in their whole hearted efforts.

By Lipika Varma