Posts tagged second fiddle

It would be difficult to break the bad boy image-Emraan Hashmi

0
2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

Emraan Hashmi talks about his likes, films and controversies…

SMITA ROY (BOMBAY TIMES; June 27, 2010)

He’s one of the few ‘chosen’ actors who always finds himself in controversy, just before the release of his movies. Ask him about it and Emraan Hashmi is quick in defence, “There’s never anything from my side. Maybe because I like the characters I play and always have some surprise element. Whatever I’ve done sets a tone apart. I like roles which are controversial and bring out the slightly crooked side of human nature.” But, he doesn’t really blame the media, saying, “I know exactly who I am and what I do. Sometimes it does hurt a bit when I’m projected as a person that isn’t me. I guess it’s to do with the kind of films I take up. But I have to deal with it and I choose to look through it. I concentrate on the ones written in a positive light. Everyone tries to play their cards safe, but it’s not necessary that you remain safe always. Yet, I believe that truth prevails over everything else, and sooner or later it does come out.”

With the recent controversy about his latest film Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai holding similarities of its characters with real life people, Emraan is quite oblivious to it saying that he’s repeatedly clarified that his or anyone else’s character in the movie is not ‘inspired’ by anyone, spelling out what most disclaimers say before the beginning of a movie — “Any resemblance to a person, whether living or More >

Arshad-from sidekick to star

0
3 years ago
by Fenil Seta in
Meena Iyer traces the grind that actor Arshad Warsi has been through before he found a spot under the arc lights By Meena Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 07, 2010)

// // // Vishal Bharadwaj’s Ishqiya has grossed 15 crores in three days… and may go on to becoming 2010’s first certified hit. The success of Ishqiya also brings in its wake glory for its leading man Arshad Warsi; who has made a mark as the unscrupulous rogue Baban, whose kohl-lined eyes wreak havoc with a captive audience. And, to think, he had almost been banished to a 14-year exile; having begun his acting career in 1996.

Yeah, for the cinematically challenged Arshad began his Bollywood trek a long time ago. Actress Amrita Singh doesn’t remember Arshad Warsi. When he was assisting the prolific Mahesh Bhatt on the Anil Kapoor-Amrita Singh drama, Thikana (1987), this 19-year-old was a faceless blur.

Orphaned in his teens; an impoverished Arshad landed the job of Mahesh’s umpteenth assistant. His chores included the thankless task of gathering crowds for the shot; and writing the continuity sheets. “I assisted on Thikana and Kaash,’’ says the actor… “and chances are that the actors from either unit won’t remember me.’’

“I don’t remember myself too well from then either,’’ he jests.

There you go. Arshad’s movie journey was a roller-coaster ride where he went from being a director’s sidekick to a star.

In the 11-year interim between 1988 and 1996, this natural-born-dancer floated his own dance troupe More >

Movie Review: DIL BOLE HADIPPA! by TARAN ADARSH

0
3 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

By Taran Adarsh, September 18, 2009 – 17:54 IST

Cricket, like Bollywood, is an addiction for a wide majority of Indians. DIL BOLE HADIPPA tries to capture the spirit of the game and the aspirations of a sportsperson, who’s keen to play for her pind. On paper, the concept, which bears an uncanny resemblance to SHE’S THE MAN, sounds interesting, but the problem is its writing, which is tame and mediocre.

Let’s elaborate. The plusses, first… It’s mandatory for cricket-based films like LAGAAN and VICTORY, which conclude with a cricket match, to have a thrilling finish. DIL BOLE HADIPPA too has a awe-inspiring end. Also, the story of an ordinary girl who aspires to play cricket for the national team is motivating, with Rani Mukherji handling her part with complete understanding.

BY BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM

But there’s a flipside too. The romantic moments between Rani and Shahid Kapoor lack fizz. Even the assorted characters in the film, like Sherlyn Chopra, Vrajesh Hirjee and Rakhi Sawant, contribute nothing to the film. They’re mere props.

Final word? You expect DIL BOLE HADIPPA to score a century, like several films churned out by Yash Raj. But it settles down in the half-century range. Strictly average!

//

Veera [Rani Mukherji] is a fire-cracker of a girl who lives in a small village, but chases big dreams. She works in a local theatre group, but dreams of playing cricket in the big league. Yes, believe it or not, she wants to play with Tendulkar and Dhoni for More >

Kareena is more than a wife: Saif

0
3 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

Sarita Tanwar (MID-DAY; July 31, 2009)

Saif Ali Khan walks in 10 minutes late. He’s looking fresh and surprisingly fit. He gives me a typical filmy hug and announces, “I haven’t had a bath yet.” I tell him that information would’ve been appreciated a few seconds earlier. Even though he is in his gym clothes, he’s not carrying his workout on him.

Must be the blue blood. He settles down on the other end of the couch and dons his serious glasses, “This is the Bengali in me finally coming out. Very Basu Bhattacharya.” Point noted and it’s time for some serious business. He orders coffee and me conversation. And then, we talk about his love, aaj and kal. Excerpts….

The last time you did a light romantic film (Hum Tum), you won a National Award. What are you expecting with Love Aaj Kal (LAK)? I am not in the least interested in awards. It is a kind of celebration that comes much later. I am hoping for a decent opening and a successful run. That’s it.

That’s it? I am hoping and expecting that people will like the movie and enough of them will watch it so that the people who have invested in us are not disappointed. I think it is a good movie and it has a good story. I think stories are really important parts of our lives, whether it is reading or watching them or listening to them from an old tailor in Bhopal, sitting at the foot of my bed, when I was a baby. My parents would be on the balcony, talking with adults and this old man would tell me tales of shikar and tigers and More >

Ladies and their gentlemen

0
3 years ago
by Fenil Seta in
Kudos to the current superstars, who are happy to occasionally play second fiddle to their wives and girlfriends By Meena Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 22, 2009)

Once, filmmaker Kamal Amrohi stormed out of a film function when his actress-wife Meena Kumari asked him to hold her handbag, while she went up on stage to receive her trophy. Commenting on the event, a yesteryear actor says, “Kamal saab didn’t like the idea of being referred to as Mr Meena Kumari, even for a brief second. His ego would never permit it.”

Ditto for naval lieutenant commander Rajneesh Behl, who was not at all happy if the focus was more on him being award-winning actress Nutan’s husband. He always wished to be in command.

And, if you’re wondering why we’re digging up past skeletons, it is only to tell you that there’s a brand new breed of cool superstars, who are perfectly happy to occasionally bask in their wives’ or girlfriends’ glory. They love the fact that they have beautiful, smart and talented women as partners.

For instance, Abhishek Bachchan is ecstatic that wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is such a huge international star. He says, “I’m proud to be married to someone as beautiful as Aishwarya. I’m fully aware that a lot of people envy me because she is my wife.”

Abhishek has gone one step ahead and is happy to accompany Aishwarya to the Cannes film festival or the The Pink Panther-2 premiere, where the flashbulbs seek Aishwarya out more than him.

Ajay Devgan too More >

Go to Top