Friday, 19 July 2013

john can never hurt me/asianage/lipika varma

John can never hurt anyone

Jun 22, 2013 - Lipika Varma

John Abraham might be a heartthrob for the rest of the world but to Firoza Irani, he will always be her little boy.
The actor-producer’s mother is no stranger to fitness herself as she was a basketball coach in her younger days. “Yes, I was a basketball coach for girls and it was lovely passing on all my knowledge to the players.

I was a hard core trainer. I remember while training the girls, both my sons who loved playing basketball, would just disappear,” she smiles.
About her star son’s childhood days, she adds, “Mothers always appear strict because bringing up the kids is their responsibility. John did love me but me being a strict teacher, a little bit of hatred would creep in. However, he was a very disciplined kid right from his childhood days. Once taught, he would never deviate from his daily routine.”
She continues, “I did not have to spare the rod and spoil John. He was an obedient child. Therefore, he turned out to be a good football player and now a good actor/producer. I do not know much about his filmy arena, but I trust my child as we have inculcated all the values which keep him grounded in spite of belonging to the world of glitz and glamour.”
About life’s other lessons imparted to John, those about love and marriage, Firoza says, “I confide in John and whatever lessons, about being sincere in relationships, which I have taught him I am sure he will practice in life. John will give tough competition to the old saying, ‘A son is a son until he is married…’ I am sure he will always be by my side and also will never deprive the lady of her space. Unquestionably John will get married when he is destined to do so.”
She continues, “I am happy that my sons are good human beings which is very important today. John can never hurt anyone. But yes in today’s day and age, at times he has to take the right stand. But that too he will do so as not to hurt anyone. He has a tender heart within his strong and robust persona.”
Standing next to his mother, John himself chips in, “My mom is my confidant, friend, philosopher and my ultimate strength. We have learnt to respect our parents and we will never cease to do so ever.”

this is just the beginning/asianage/lipika varma

‘This is just the beginning’

Jun 25, 2013 - Lipika Varma

Just days after the demise of her father, Priyanka Chopra has put aside her grief and immersed herself in work.
Speaking from Los Angeles where she is recording her album, she says, “I’m actually at the studio; we are cutting a new track, it’s an incredible song.

It’s late at night but we’re getting as much work done as possible,” says the actor whose first song In My City featuring Will.I.Am was an international success.
Priyanka is also ecstatic about the single’s performance in India. “It’s the start of a new journey. This is just the beginning. I will have to learn how the West works. The kind of reception that we have got for the song so far has been incredible. People really like the song and the music.”
The actor, who had undergone vocal training in LA before the release of In My City, adds, “It took a lot of hard work and understanding myself. India is a very important part of my album; I want the world to get a taste of Indian culture, I shall be there soon.”
About her inspiration behind the new single, she says, “My dad has always been a source of inspiration for me. Be it studies, acting or even singing, which I have inherited from him.”
The actor got right back to work after the death of her father. What’s the secret of her strength? “My parents… especially my dad, who belonged to the Army, have inculcated the right values in me. I am thankful for having such great parents… I have surely inherited my father’s genes, of being strong in life.”
When asked about her future, as far as music is concerned, PC is tight-lipped and only says, “Will let you know at the right time.”
About the difference in working on a music video and a movie, her answer is straightforward, “For me work is worship, be it a film shoot or a music video. Finally, hard work has to go in whatever we do.”
According to PC, patience is a big virtue when it comes to conceptualising a song. “I sit on it right from scratch. I am never in a hurry. The moment everything falls in place, I just go for it,” she signs off.

shilpa uncensored/asian age/lipika varma

Shilpa, uncensored

Jun 26, 2013 - Lipika Varma

She may have debuted opposite Shah Rukh Khan in YRF’s Chak De — but Shilpa Shukla was part of an ensemble cast. So with her new film, B.A. Pass, it feels like the talented actress has truly “arrived” in B’town.
In B.A. Pass, Shilpa plays Sarika, a rich, married woman who teaches a younger boy “the art of sex”.

“After reading the script, I asked my mom if she would disown me if I accepted the role!” says Shilpa. “When she reacted positively, I asked my father, who told me that you succeed only if you take risks.”
Armed with her family’s approval, the actress says she derived “great joy” from enacting Sarika’s part: “I have unhesitatingly played Sarika, who portrays sex in a very real and authentic manner.”
Shilpa knew that with B.A. Pass, audiences would see her in a very different avatar indeed on screen — but she felt no inhibitions. “I felt it was my karma,” she tells us. “Portraying this bold character helped me understand the importance of performing — no matter what the character — with depth.”
In the time between her films, Shilpa hasn’t just grown as an actor —she has also grown as an individual. She’s dealt with the restlessness she initially felt by embracing Buddhism. “My inner strength has doubled… I understand life better,” she says.
Her new understanding has led her to believe that she has to make the most of what God has granted her, and channel more of herself into helping others. “What I earn from my films goes into food, shelter and education for (underprivileged) girls. I’ve understood that I can do good (deeds) through my film career,” Shilpa says.
With B.A. Pass garnering plenty of appreciation at international film festivals, this is Shilpa’s time to bask in the appreciation. She tells us, “I have no regrets about the way my career has shaped up and feel lucky to have not gone through the bedroom of any technician to get a role. My journey in this industry has been fruitful. There is no disillusionment with the glitz and the glamour.”

i've always been misiterpretted/dc/lipika varma

‘I’ve always been misinterpreted’

Jun 29, 2013 - Lipika Varma

Kiran Rao, whose latest production Ship Of Theseus is up for release next month, is not happy about being categorised as an art filmmaker. She says, “I’ve been misinterpreted time and again. I would love my films to be commercially successful.

Commercial stories are a method of writing employed broadly to have entertainment value. I have not been trained that way. I am trained to tell stories which differ slightly from the mainstream story-telling ideas. I can write and depict stories only in my way and enjoy doing so. This does not mean that I do not crave commercial success.”
But one thing is for sure. Kiran does not subscribe to the flashy ways of Bollywood. Which is why her next film won’t have a typical Bollwood style opening and no big stars promoting it. “Yes, having star campaigners does help in making a benchmark and ensures that people throng the theatres. But we’d rather that people come to the theatre for the film and with the right connect. I would not like to misguide audiences just to attract more eyeballs.”
About Ship of Theseus not being made under the banner of Aamir Khan Production House, Kiran says, “I consciously did not want to release this film under Aamir's production house because it is a big entity in itself. His production house would have eaten up the brand.”

i find beauty in everyone/asianage/lipika varma

‘I find beauty in everyone’

Jun 30, 2013 - Lipika Varma

He’s only two films old and yet continues to be one of the most talked-about actors in the industry. While his acting credentials have not been questioned so far, his demeanour off-screen has made people slap the “Casanova” tag on him and he is often called a “flirt”.

While he is not pleased with the tags, Ranveer refuses to change. He says, “I’m very generous with compliments and I usually blurt out whatever comes to mind at that point in time. I tend to find beauty in everyone and I don’t hold back from expressing my feelings. These things make people think I’m a ‘flirt’ and I cannot do anything about it. Every person has their identity and tagging them only puts them in a box. I definitely have a problem with such tags. It restricts my persona and causes people to ponder over irrelevant things about me.”
Not many know that Ranveer’s grandmother has worked in Soni Mahiwal and a few other films of that era. “My daadi was passionate about acting and she has been a key inspiration in my film career. I wish I was wearing my special chain right now — it’s in the shape of a chand ka tukda and was presented to me by my granny. She was primarily a homemaker and pursued films only as a hobby,” says the doting grandson. Ranveer continues, “She was the first person to buy me a VHS system and asked me to watch videos on it. She would ask me to enact scenes and try the dance steps. It was because of her encouragement that I would participate in debates, drama and elocution contests in school. I remember, as a kid we had gone to this birthday party and suddenly she pushed me to the centre and asked me to dance to the tune of Jumma Chumma.”
The actor, who is currently in the news for his much-delayed film Lootera, holds himself responsible for the delay. “I suffered a few injuries during the shoot, due to which the film had to be postponed. I had told my director Vikramaditya (Motwane) to replace me with another actor because I didn’t know when I would be able to resume,” he confesses. For someone who started off with complete commercial entertainers such as Band Baajaa Baaraat, he admits that working in an offbeat period drama like Lootera was tough. “I have grown up watching commercial cinema and that is my forte. To play an intense character in the film was difficult as I had to unlearn a lot to get into the unconventional mode,” says the actor who is now confident of changing his lover boy image on screen. “I’m actually looking forward to this new phase as it has been a long time since I had my last release Ladies v/s Ricky Bahl.
I am more anxious than nervous,” Ranveer says with a smile.

acting not rani's first choice/lipika varma/asianage

Acting not Rani’s first choice

Jul 02, 2013 - Lipika Varma

Krishna Mukerji says that her daughter Rani had no intentions of being an actor and apparently got into the profession after much coaxing. Reminiscing about her star kid’s childhood days she says, “Rani has been a very disciplined girl right from her childhood days.

I remember she would start crying if she felt that she had not prepared for her exams. When I would say ‘don’t give the test if you are not prepared’, Rani would turn around and ask ‘what kind of a mother are you? Asking me not to give the exam?’ Finally she would go to school and excel in the tests.”

arshad's advice/asianage/lipika varma

Arshad’s advice

Jul 16, 2013 - Lipika Varma |

Age Correspondent

After Jolly LLB and Dedh Ishqiya, Arshad Warsi will be seen as a gyaan guru of sorts in Amrit Sagar’s Rabba Main Kya Karoon. “I accepted this role because Amrit is my friend. In the film I teach Akash Chopra how to keep his marriage going. You need to lie so many times to keep your other half cool!” Arshad quipped.
He added that the film’s concept took off from the principle that a few years after the wedding, couples do tend to get bored. “I teach him (Akash) how to keep the relationship intact. It won’t be too much if I say that I am the ‘mind’ for Akash’s ‘heart’; I give him gyaan about being practical and not emotional and how it is more important to keep the interest going in a marriage,” Arshad said.
The actor, who has been happily married to former VJ Maria Goretti in real life for nearly 14 years, knows exactly what it takes for a marriage to work. “Marriage is an investment,” he says. “I go out of the way to save my marriage, keeping the interest going in each other’s company.”
Arshad added that he believes time is the most precious gift anyone can give his family: “Rather than gifting diamond rings, cars or other gifts, I feel a woman would love to have a husband spend time with the family. I’ve made Maria feel that I am there for her.”
He admitted, “At times, owing to our busy schedule, we are unable to give time to our family. We take our wives for granted. I have heard so many husbands saying, ‘Kya karoon? Main kam karna chod doon?’ I think we need to strike a balance between our professional and family lives. I think my marriage is happening even today because I give time to my family. Maria comes before my profession.”
The actor even had a few insights to provide on the subject of “modern love”. “A simple, subdued girl is criticised today and a stylish, aggressive girl is seen as a woman of this world… No one believes in slow and steady love. Everyone wants everything to happen fast. The definition of love has changed today. I personally feel ‘sharm aurat ka ghena hota hai’ and that is missing today,” he says.

meri life mein twist hi twist/dc/lipika varma

‘Meri life mein twist hi twist hai’: SRK

After the superhit Om Shanti Om, Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone are together once again in Chennai Express. The difference this time; Deepika is not a rookie in the industry any longer and SRK can’t take her “hero worship” for granted.

And the person who has been taking a fair share of Dip’s attention is director Rohit Shetty and SRK is full of mock jealousy. “I noticed that this tall, beautiful heroine has fallen for Rohit. Let me tell you, that other than me, she always seemed to be attracted to him,” smiles SRK.

So would Deepika have proposed to Shetty in Tamil saying, “Naan unnai kadalikkiren” SRK immediately interrupts and asks the meaning of the phrase. When infor-med that it translates to “I love you,” he says, “Oh! Then I’ll keep telling her this Naan…Naan… every now and then,” he adds.

About always coming back to playing romantic characters, he says, “I have always played them differently because they have been written differently for me.”

Talking about Chennai Express’ release date, SRK does not forget to give credit where it’s due. “All films need to do well. We all work so hard and invest so much money. I humbly thank Jeetendra uncle for shifting the release date of OUAT-2 as it was clashing with Chennai Express.”

About his Chennai connections King Khan says, “Well Yes! My IPL team gave them tough competition and we won, that’s how I am related to Chennai in real!!”

The promos of the film run a dialogue, “Chalis mein life mein zaroor twist ata hai…” and SRK mockingly adds to it: “Arre yaar, meri life toh twisted hi hai…meri life mein twist hi twist hai.”

Recuperating from a shoulder surgery, the superstar has learnt to live with the discomfort. “I have overruled the pain now. I need to be in a sling for another four weeks. However, I am rehabilitating well.”

About the film releasing on Id which has usually been reserved for Salman Khan’s releases in recent years, he says, “Id is a festival of love and celebrations. It is indeed great to be releasing our films on this pious day. All of us can enjoy together watching our movies.”

manju's future bright

‘Manju’s future bright’

Manju Warrier, the popular actress from Mollywood was busy shooting for a commercial at Mumbai Film City. Manju has made a comeback through this commercials and she feels she is in the happiest space, “Well, my work will speak more than words. I am not too keen on talking at length to journalists at the moment.”

Talking to her about her break for almost 14 years from films she simply replied, “Here I am and I think making a comeback with the living legend Amitabh Bachchan feels good.”

On condition of anonymity an astrologer who met her recently had a chat with Manju, “All I can confirm about Manju’s future is that she will accomplish the heights on celluloid be it Mollywood, Tollywood or Bollywood. Her second innings has already begun and the celestial stars are going to help her future shine brighter than before. There will be no looking back for Manju professionally.”

After her marriage to Malayalam actor Dileep, Manju took a sabbatical from films. There were reports that everything was not well in her personal paradise. We asked the astrologer about her personal hiccups, if any. The astrologer answered, “At the moment I can only predict that she will have dire complications in her personal life, especially her married life, which will not be a cake walk.”

The commercial that is being directed by V.A. Sreekumar, will see Bachchan, Manju, Nagarjuna, Prabhu and Sunil Sharma. The commercial is all set to take off at Dubai on September 7 with live orchestras, and A.R. Rehman has consented to sing and lend his able music direction.

The multi-lingual commercial will be in Malayalam, Kanada, Tamil, and Telugu and will soon be on television. The commercial is unique as Manju will be paired opposite Prabhu, in Tamil, Nagarjuna in Telugu, and will play daughter to Amitabh Bachchan and in Malayalam Sunil Sharma will play the son.

Oh My God