Where Bollywood Comes Alive
Posts tagged kajal aggarwal
Are the southern heroines losing sheen in Bollywood?
01 month ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
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 >
Check out Kajal Aggarwal holidaying in Bali
02 months ago
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; March 8, 2013)
After shooting back-to-back for her South films and the promotions of her B-Town release Special 26, Kajal Aggarwal decided to pamper herself with a holiday in Bali.
Though the actress keeps travelling as several South films are shot overseas, she took time off with friends particularly for Bali as it spelt sun, sand and the sea.
Sun and sand Away from the hustle bustle, a day well spent doing absolutely nothing and it just felt so good for a change. We spent the entire day on the beach sipping coconut water and fruity mocktails, soaking up the sun and taking in the view.
Dishing it out Lunching at Bumbu Bali, Nusa Dua. Being the foodie that I am we experimented a lot when it came to satiating our palate. This restaurant is highly recommended for an authentic Indonesian meal.
Luxe living At the Bulgari hotel, a luxury resort in the true sense of the word. A wonderful experience to cherish
Click-click Turns out I love being behind the camera as much as I love being in front of it. For most part of the trip I was the designated photographer for my friends.
Jet, set, go Flying a private jet at Kuala Lumpur on the way back from my amazing trip. Adventure for the year!!!! Being the adventure junkie I am, I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to my trip.
Rub the right way Bliss! At the Bulgari spa. I am a huge fan of spas and massages and love to indulge myself with a relaxing spa treatment every now and then.
Not only older heroines, just-arrived heroines are jobless too
13 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
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 >
Telegu cinema respects women more than Tamil cinema-Kajal Aggarwal
03 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; February 6, 2013)
Kajal Aggarwal, 26, is destiny’s child. In just six years of her career, she has featured in 26 films in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi. She was always pampered, wealthy and lucky. Being an actress has made her more patient. Ahead of her latest film Special 26, she talks to Bombay Times about the frenzy around ‘the hero’ in Tamil films, her favourite co-stars Junior NTR and Vijay and why she is considered lucky for a film. Excerpts:
You are a Mumbai Punjabi girl. How did you come about doing 26 South films? We are Punjabi’s from Amritsar, though I was born and brought up in Mumbai and did my Bachelors in Mass Media, specialising in advertising and marketing. In my final year of college, I was interning with Loreal, when during one of the photoshoots, a photographer suggested I become a model. I was working under Smira Bakshi, who was this really cool chick as she was loaded, had her fun and was successful. I basically aspired to be her. In the meantime, my photographs got distributed through the photographer and I was offered a South Indian film with Nana Patekar that was to be made in three languages. While the Hindi version of the film Cinema did not get released, it was released in Telugu and Tamil. My father is conservative and authoritative and the most important figure in my life, but he said to me, ‘Kajal if films are being offered to you, there must be a purpose to it and you should do it. Few people get opportunities like More >
If I need to join politics to make a difference, I will-Neeraj Pandey
03 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; February 3, 2013)
Neeraj Pandey, 40, made his directorial debut with A Wednesday, a film that was cathartic and echoed the common man’s feeling. He is reserved and emotionally restrained and is certain that some day he would like to make a difference in the way our country is being run. But he would prefer to talk about it only when he can actually make a difference. In a conversation with Bombay Times, Neeraj talks about his desire to set things right politically, the incorrectly perceived Naseeruddin Shah and how he is amazed at Kajal Aggarwal’s speed of doing films. Excerpts:
How did you get into films? I am a Bihari, born and brought up in Kolkata. I moved to Delhi at the age of 19. I flunked in Class 9, but was always fond of reading and writing. I was not good at anything apart from writing and had few career choices, so I did Literature Honours from Aurobindo College. I wrote a play in college and got interested in direction and realised that I wanted to make films. I started working as an assistant director for making television software and worked with the Dalmias for some time. Delhi had little work and there was a time in my life when things were not working out.
In 2000, I decided that if I did not leave then I wouldn’t leave. So I went to the railway station and found there was no direct train at that time. So I boarded a train to Surat without a ticket, completely clueless how far Mumbai was from Surat. From Surat, I boarded a More >
Acting in south films a route for actresses to enter Bollywood?
03 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Garima Sharma and Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; February 2, 2013)
Actresses from down South are increasingly following the beaten path to Bollywood. But, not before establishing themselves in the South film industries. While the likes of Genelia D’Souza and Asin have done it in the past, Tamannaah Bhatia, Ileana D’Cruz and Kajal Aggarwal are doing it now. Here’s a list of southern sirens who’ve packed their bags for destination Bollywood recently. Is doing South films an entry point to Bollywood?
TAMANNAAH BHATIA South Debut: Sri (Telegu) in 2005 Bollywood Release: Himmatwala (2013) A popular Telugu actress, Tamannaah has acted in blockbusters like Rachcha (2012) and Cameraman Ganga Tho Rambabu (2012). Currently, she is busy with her upcoming Hindi film Himmatwala opposite Ajay Devgn.
CHARMME KAUR South Debut: Nee Thodi Kaavali (Telegu) in 2002 Bollywood Release: Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap (2011) and Zila Ghaziabad (2013) Charmme Kaur made her debut with the Telugu film Nee Thodu Kaavali when she was only 15! She has acted with Amitabh Bachchan in Bbuddah… Hoga Terra Baap. This year, she will be seen in Zila Ghaziabad.
ILEANA D’CRUZ South Debut: Devadasu (Telegu) in 2006 Bollywood Release: Barfi! (2012) Ileana D’Cruz transitioned to Bollywood last year with Barfi, after acting in notable Tollywood blockbusters like Pokiri, Jalsa, Kick and Julayi, and several Kollywood films. She is now preparing for Phata Poster Nikla Hero, opposite Shahid Kapoor.
KAJAL AGGARWAL South More >
Kajal Aggarwal took bhangra lessons to match Akshay Kumar’s moves
03 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; January 26, 2013)
South actress Kajal Aggarwal left no stone unturned for her upcoming film. Buzz is that the actress took dancing lessons in bhangra to match up to her co-star Akshay Kumar’s steps in Neeraj Pandey’s Special 26.
A source says, “Being a Punjabi munda, Akshay is quite comfortable with bhangra steps. But when Kajal was told that she would have to perform on a bhangra number in the film, she was quite nervous.” Kajal immediately went for coaching classes in bhangra and practised hard for the next 15 days. “To everyone’s surprise, she nailed the moves. Both Akki and Neeraj were quite impressed.”
Kajal Aggarwal now brand ambassador for Celebrity Cricket League
05 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Sarah Salvadore (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 5, 2012)
Kajal Aggarwal, who has worked with the likes of Mahesh Babu, Suriya, Allu Arjun, Ajay Devgn and now Akshay Kumar, is one of the few South Indian actresses, who made it to the 100 crore club with her Bollywood debut in Singham. Currently wrapping up her professional commitments, the actress is in a happy space right now.
“I love this season. There is festivity in the air and I finally get the chance to go on a break with my family. My phone is switched off and for 15 days, I’m just going to relax and rejuvenate myself,” she said. Apart from her impending vacation, Kajal is excited about being signed on as the brand ambassador for the third edition of the Celebrity Cricket League. “Personally, I love my association with the CCL. There is a spirit of togetherness as actors from all movie industries in the country come together and bond over the game of cricket. It’s fun to interact with my contemporaries from other film industries,” says Kajal.
Considering she has been working in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil cinema, Kajal says she does not have any favourites in the league. “My loyalties are not divided. I’ll be cheering for the CCL,” she says.
Although she was signed on as brand ambassador last year, Kajal couldn’t make it to many matches due to her work commitments. “This time, you’ll see me there. There’s nothing better than the marriage of the love for cricket with the passion for cinema.”
She concludes, “I don’t think it More >
Check out Kajal Aggarwal in Mary Kom-inspired film
16 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
South actress alters her girl-next-door image by playing a boxer a la Mary Kom in A R Murugadoss’ Tamil thriller ‘Thuppakki’
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; November 5, 2012)
After Mary Kom’s win at the London Olympics, the boxing champ inspired several filmmakers to make movies based on a female pugilist. Sanjay Leela Bhansali announced that he is making a biopic based on the Manipur-based champion. But Ghajini director A R Murugadoss’ soon-to-release Tamil thriller Thuppakki is ready for the bout. His film starring Vijay has the female protagonist essayed by Singham actress Kajal Aggarwal as a boxer.
Kajal, who has featured in several South flicks, has mostly played the role of the sweet-girl-next-door. So getting into the ring was a singularly unique experience. She says, “As boxer Nisha, I am this strong willed, impulsive girl. I watched a lot of Mary Kom’s matches. Initially I started watching her matches to just understand and learn her body language. Later I was totally gripped and I was following her bouts during the Olympics as well.”
A source from the sets adds, “The role of Nisha was quite challenging for Kajal but she managed to pull it off. It helped her explore the athlete in her that she thought was non-existent!” Kajal’s has been styled and designed by Komal Shahani for the film. A lot of references were taken by how Kom dressed up for her bouts. Apart from her South film commitments, Kajal will also be seen with Akshay Kumar in Neeraj Pandey’s Special Chabbis More >