Posts tagged Asin

Are the southern heroines losing sheen in Bollywood?

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1 month ago
by Fenil Seta in

Subhash K Jha (DNA; April 6, 2013)

 

Once upon a time, B-Town was ruled by South Indian divas: Vyjanathimala, Waheeda Rehman, Padmini, Hema Malini, followed by Rekha, Sridevi, Jaya Prada and Aishwarya Rai… all no.1 stars of their time. They ruled the roost for years and decades in spite of their distinctly Dravadian looks and sometimes thick South Indian accents.

Cut to 2013. Attempts to build up and project Tamannaah Bhatia as the next Sridevi in Himmatwala has fallen flat. For those who came in late, Sridevi became a superstar overnight with Himmatwala in 1983. Like Tamannaah, Sridevi had one miserably flop Hindi film Solva Sawan behind her.

There were at least major projects where Tamannaah was being considered, now no more. Telugu director R Rajamouli, who is in principle opposed to his Telugu blockbusters being remade in Hindi, jumps to her defence. “What is her role in Himmatwala? We can blame her for accepting the role. On the other hand how can any actress refuse a  role opposite a big star?”

The effervescent Tapsee Pannu, who makes her debut this week in David Dhawan’s Chashme Buddoor, has already done a number of films in Tamil and Telugu. She was destined to begin her career in Hindi cinema with Abhinav Kashyap’s Besharam but it did not materialise.

The slump from South-side started with Trisha Krishnan who was launched with much fanfare opposite Akshay Kumar in Priyadarshan’s Khatta Meetha. It was remake of a Malayalam blockbuster Vellanakalude Nadu. The film More >

Not satisfied with the kind of roles I am getting-Asin

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3 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; February 17, 2013)

 

Asin made an impressive acting debut with Ghajini. But somewhere down the line she got caught up in being the lucky mascot of the so-called 100-crore club. She speaks to Bombay Times about her recent backpacking trip with her girlfriends, where she got time to introspect and decided that, going forward, she will take up work where she gets to act and work with new age directors and actors her age. Excerpts:

Are you satisfied with the kind of roles you are doing as an actor today? Currently no. I feel there is a lot more to me that has so far not been seen in Bollywood and I find it funny when they say that you are the lucky mascot and part of the 100-crore club, though that does not define me. I got time to sit and think and relax when recently I took this backpacking trip with my school friends to the US. Over all these years of working, I had not taken a proper holiday. Looking back at last year, I realised that I have been running non-stop for just being in the same place. It did not give me the satisfaction I wanted, even though I have no regrets in having done the so-called 100 crore films. Now that I have the numbers, I want to take up roles where I get to act.

Would you agree that you have come down as an actress after Ghajini? Yes. After Ghajini, I wanted to take up roles which were meatier and better than my debut film, but I was not happy with what I was offered at that time. For a while, even though I got flooded More >

Not only older heroines, just-arrived heroines are jobless too

1
3 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

Where does our male superstars’ obsession with young co-stars leave our just-arrived debutants?

Kunal M Shah (MID-DAY; February 15, 2013)

 

So Salman’s found a new face opposite him for Sohail Khan’s film while SRK is hunting for one for Farah Khan’s next. Rumours are also abuzz that Nawab Saif Ali Khan is also looking for a fresh face for his home production. So what happened to Diana Penty who debuted in his home production, Cocktail, just last year? Last season’s flavour? Maybe yes.

2012 saw the grand debut of as many as a dozen newbies. But only a handful of them have any films on their plates this year. So why are our 40- something A-list male superstars so fussy about their co-stars’ age? Is it because of their insecurity about looking older or is it the fear of being overshadowed? After all, their A-list female counterparts too have their platter laden with too many meaty projects. Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Sonakshi Sinha, Priyanka Chopra, Vidya Balan, Deepika Padukone and Anushka Sharma have no dates to spare for the entire year.

Tricks of the trade

Trade experts attribute this to a couple of factors. First of all, the lack of top actresses in Bollywood right now.

Trade analyst Amod Mehra says, “Kareena is already married and Priyanka is very busy. Sonakshi has already done two to three films with Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar. Stars prefer to go for new girls who bring freshness to the project.” This is the reason that every year sees the influx of three to four More >

I hope Asin’s luck rubs off on me-Akshay Kumar

0
5 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

Hiren Kotwani (BOMBAY TIMES; December 7, 2012)

 

Akshay Kumar and Asin, who have worked together in one of the most successful films of the year, are back together for director Ashish R Mohan’s Khiladi 786. Says Akshay, “Asin is so easy to work with; she devotes herself completely in every aspect of her work.”

Asin, who is excited to be Akshay’s heroine in a film that marks his return as Khiladi, says, “I loved the script when I heard it and I was sure it would be an enjoyable experience. Akshay is a fabulous co-star. The first time I worked with him, he was patient and made sure that I was comfortable. Since we built a good rapport in our first film together, it became all the more easy this time.” About his heroine being a part of the 100 crore club like him, Akshay says, “Asin doesn’t just turn up and expect everyone to transform her into a heroine, she is already one. She is Lady Luck and I hope her luck rubs off on me this week.”

Khiladi 786, produced by Eros International, Hari Om Entertainment and HR Musik, releases today.

I make the most of my vacations-Asin

0
5 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

Aakanksha Naval-Shetye (DNA; December 6, 2012)

 

Asin has been having a busy year — first with the shoots and then with the promotions of her film (Khiladi 786) — but the actress reveals that working keeps her happy. “It’s strange. When I am working back-to-back it gets so hectic that I can’t wait to take a break. And then a few days into a vacation, I miss my crazy hours of working,” laughs Asin. She doesn’t take a vacation often, but when she does, the actress reveals that it’s a full-on masti spree for her. In a candid chat with After Hrs, she also shares her indulgent ‘fun’das…

You don’t take a break often? Yes, work keeps me from taking a break after every few months, but I do love to treat myself with a vacation at least once every year. And when I do, I make sure that I have the time of my life. I love visiting exotic places, pampering myself. As actors we visit so many beautiful locales, but the schedules hardly give us time to enjoy the place. So, I just make the most of my holidays. You know what they say about girls and their love for shopping, well, I’m no different, so once in a while, I love shopping till I drop… shoes, bags, clothes… the works! Now, I am looking forward to a vacation post Khiladi 786.

The year has been exceptionally good for you with two Rs 100-crore hits already. So is there something you gift yourself post the success of each of your films? The success of the films and the appreciation that I get for my work is the biggest gift that I can More >

Asin hurts leg in stampede during Khiladi 786 promotions

0
5 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

Jayoti Soor (DNA; November 29, 2012)

 

Fans crowding around their favourite Bollywood stars is not uncommon, but when the fan frenzy results in a mad scramble to get a glimpse of their heroes in real life, then things are bound to get out of hand.

This is exactly what happened when Asin was promoting her upcoming film Khiladi 786 at an event in the city. In the evening when she stepped out of the venue and was heading towards her car, her fans gathered around her and blocked her exit. Despite the security, a stampede ensued and they got too close for comfort. She in turn was knocked down and she hurt her foot.

Recalling the horrors of the event, Asin says, “Yes, it’s true that my leg was hurt as the crowd got excited and there was a huge stampede in which I ended up hurting my foot.”

When asked about whether the injury will prove to be a set-back for her future projects, she confirms, “Luckily it was a small injury and will not affect the promotions of the film which I am really excited about.” Guess, she was saved in the nick of time but this time the curiosity of her fans did catch her unawares.

Karan Johar doesn’t take me in his films-Akshay Kumar

1
5 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

Meena Iyer (BOMBAY TIMES; November 28, 2012)

 

Akshay (Khiladi) Kumar jumps in the air with glee. He’s back to the phase when many of his films set records. In a relaxed mood, despite the media mayhem around him on a day when he’s promoting Khiladi 786, Akki jokes, laughs and sportingly takes digs at himself, and at others, too.

Twenty years as an actor and people will only remember you as a khiladi. Is that okay with you? Ya, why not? Khiladi is my identity, what’s the harm in being remembered for it? With all due respect, it’s the eighth film in the franchise and that itself speaks for the popularity of the title.

Here I must share with you that 20 years ago, when Abbas-Mustan suggested the title Khiladi to producer Ratan Jain, he was not in favour of it. Those days, titles were long-winded… and Ratan felt that a short title won’t work. But Abbas and Mustan were stubborn. Khiladi (1992) worked and, after that, people started having single word titles like Baazigar (1993), etc. Ironically, Ratan, who didn’t fancy the word Khiladi, went on to produce the next Khiladi film called Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994). And, as they say, from then on, there has been no looking back.

To repeat the question, are you happy being Bollywood’s khiladi? Yes, I am. The word khiladi means player in every sense of the term; it means athlete. It’s wonderful to be called an athlete. What’s wrong with being called an athlete and a player?

You’re a player just in the movies or otherwise More >

Asin insisted being part of Claudia’s item song

0
5 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

 

Hiren Kotwani (BOMBAY TIMES; November 26, 2012)

 

While we see Asin dancing with Akshay Kumar and item girl Claudia Ciesla in the song Balma in Khiladi 786, it is learnt that initially the actress was only supposed to be a spectator in it. As our source reveals, “The scene is such that Asin gets jealous seeing Akshay dance with Claudia. And she’s supposed to convey that with her expressions.” However, when she heard the song on location at a Worli nightspot, she was keen to dance in it too. “She had not heard the song before, but once she heard it, she was insisted that she too perform in it too,” divulges our informer. Not surprisingly, even Asin’s staff was praising the Balma track, saying it was sure to become a hit number. And since it was the first song of the film to go on air, Asin reportedly reasoned with the film’s makers about how it was important for her to dance in the song. “Eventually, the film’s makers gave in to their heroine’s demand,” says our source, adding, “So, Asin’s dance was incorporated as part of Akshay’s daydreaming about her while dancing with Claudia.” When contacted, the film’s creative producer Rakesh Upadhyay declined to comment.

Photographer clicks ‘European’ Asin’s pics in Greece

0
6 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

While holidaying in Greece, a fashion photographer requested Asin to pose for him not knowing who she was!

Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; November 16, 2012)

 

Asin was in Santorini in Greece recently for a holiday with her family. While visiting the various tourist spots there, an international fashion photographer happened to see her. He found her face extremely photogenic and European-looking. He expressed a desire to take snapshots of her.

Says a source, “Asin was initially taken aback. He approached her to pose at the scenic spots. He did not know who she was and was unaware about her acting front.” Adds the source, “Asin was surprised to receive compliments for her looks and agreed to pose for him without making him realise her real identity. She did not even charge him.”

Though Asin was without any make up, the photographer liked her face as he thought it had a certain warmness!

Ajay-Hrithik-Salman-SRK are now ‘phatakas’

0
6 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

The action’s literally heating up with stars outdoing each other on fireworks

Ismat Tahseen (BOMBAY TIMES; November 11, 2012)

 

Bollywood crackers are the talk of the town in the run-up to the Festival of Lights. So, Dream Girl Hema Malini on phooljhadi boxes shares space with Aishwarya Rai flowerpots, Priyanka and Deepika ground wheels, and even a Saifeena cracker that’s set to light up the sky too!

A well-known firework seller at Mohammed Ali Road says business is booming and it’s tough to say which star is the best seller. Nitin Waghmare of a cracker stall near Parel grins when you ask him about the bestselling phataka. “Kareena sparklers sabse popular hai,’ he says. “Sonakshi Sinha ladi bombs bhi zabardast hai.” That’s not all… folks are queuing up for Priyanka Chopra rockets and Asin chakris as well. There’s also a Nargis (Fakhri) aerial bomb, that erupts in multicolours with over a 100 shots. And guess what? Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie is on a few boxes too!

Gals apart, actors are vying for attention too. Amitabh Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan as well as the Khan trio — Salman, SRK and Aamir are set to burn a hole in your pocket. Ramesh Babu, who runs a makeshift cracker stall near Dadar says Akshay Kumar anars and electric chakris are hot sellers. “The kids love him,” he says. “Prices have gone up a little this year with the entry of new crackers like ‘multicoloured sky shots’, but people are still buying and business is sure to double a day or two before Diwali,” More >

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