Posts tagged security

Ayesha, hubby get death threats

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

Police speculate that the death threat calls to Ayesha Takia’s family could be a ploy of either a gangster or prankster to extort quick money

Nazia Sayed (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 15, 2011)

Actress Ayesha Takia’s family have been harassed by an unidentified person, who has been calling and threatening the family over the past three days.

Takia’s husband, Farhan Azmi, has complained to the crime branch about this unidentified individual’s threats to kill him and his father Abu Asim Azmi, who heads the Samajwadi party in Mumbai.

According to Farhan, the unidentified person seems to know about all his movements. He tells us, “The caller has identified himself as a Hindu fanatic from Uttar Pradesh. He has also told me that he had come to Mumbai disguised as a Muslim and that my family is listed first on his hit list.”

In order to take pre-emptive measures, Farhan has ensured that there is heavy security around his hotels and residence.

He adds, “I have also hired more security guards for Ayesha, as she has to continuously travel for her shoots.”

Police speculate that the threatening calls are being made either by a gangster or a prankster, who just wants to extort quick money from the family.

Some months ago, Farhan had complained of receiving similar calls from the gangster, Ravi Pujari, who had demanded a ransom of Rs 10 crore. When an official complaint was lodged, the calls stopped.

This time, however, the calls are being made by another person.

Farhan, More >

I want to do something for Sabarimala-Vivek Oberoi

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

Vivek Oberoi says the lack of proper infrastructure at the pilgrimage centre led to Friday’s tragedy

Piali Dasgupta (BOMBAY TIMES; January 18, 2011)

Back from his annual pilgrimage to Sabarimala, Vivek Oberoi is heartbroken about the horrific tragedy that took place on Friday night at the Hindu pilgrimage centre. Vivek , who has been a regular at Sabarimala for the last 12 years, says, “There is a minor accident every year. A few years ago, there was a landslide. But this is the worst incident I have seen.”

The actor feels that the number of casualties could be more than the reported number. The actor and seven of his friends, including actor Jackky Bhagnani and Bollywood trainer Satyen, offered their assistance to the Kerala police after the tragedy. “I’m the leader of the group I bring from Mumbai and we wanted to help. But the police said the whole place was so badly jammed that people were getting hysterical and even trained rescuers were not able to reach on time,” recounts Vivek, adding, “It was heartbreaking as we were right in the middle of things. The government desperately needs to do something about the infrastructure of the place. Sabarimala should not be viewed from the perspective of a religious pilgrimage, alone. It’s the most amazing example of unity and harmony as thousands of Christians and Muslims go on the pilgrimage.”

This year, an estimated two lakh devotees visited the religious centre. Could the major swell More >

Lara-Mahesh to have a victorian wedding

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

Lara and Mahesh’s wedding in Goa is expected to be a very ‘English’ affair

Garima Sharma (BOMBAY TIMES; January 13, 2010)

Lara Dutta and Mahesh Bhupathi, who are tying the knot on February 19 in Goa, have sent out their invitation cards. The décor at the wedding is expected to be very Victorian, and that’s no surprise, says a source, as Lara is a Catholic. Adds the source, “Lara and Mahesh have very simple sensibilities, and that is exactly what their wedding will be about. They have kept everything very sober.”

We have also learnt that both Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan have been invited to the wedding, along with Lara’s other Bollywood colleagues, including Akshaye Khanna, Bipasha Basu and Kareena Kapoor. But it’s the presence of the two Khans together that’s increasing the anticipation. Says our source, “Those who know the guest list are wondering whether the two Khans will come face-to-face, or if one of them will skip the wedding.”

There are two cards in the invitation — one for the sangeet on February 18 and the other for the wedding on the 19. The cards have a very English design with rose patterns and have been designed by the same company that had designed Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan’s wedding card. We’ve learnt that each card has been personalised with the guest’s name. But unlike Imran Khan and Avantika Malik’s wedding, where swipe cards were sent to guests due to security concerns, Lara and Mahesh have arranged More >

Bollywood stars’ Dual identities

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

Many Bollywood stars continue to travel on their original names

Meena Iyer | TNN (BOMBAY TIMES; December 14, 2010)

It is not quite like Dr Jekyll making a journey and Mr Hyde benefitting. Nor is it a case of multiple personality disorder. It is just one of those pragmatic issues that many Bollywood superstars have to contend with. Akshay Kumar is a frequent flier across the globe, but it is Rajiv Bhatia who is getting miles credited to his name. Ajay Devgn has done more flight-hopping in 2010 than most other actors. However it is Vishal Devgn who has benefitted. Ajay Singh Deol flew out to New York last night…and Vijay Singh Deol will shortly travel to cities across India to promote Yamla Pagla Deewana.

Bollywood superstars who have rechristened because of various reasons like market acceptability, superstition or just the whim of their mentors; like Rajiv Bhatia who became Akshay Kumar or Vishal Devgn who became Ajay Devgn continue to travel under their original names even 20 years after they attained fame under a different identity.

Ajay says, “I prefer to travel Vishal because this doesnt attract attention till at least such time I’m physically present at the airport.” The actor says that his name affords him some privacy because people aren’t tipped off about his journey, till of course he actually reaches an airport (and his face is spotted) to board a flight.

Sunny who is Ajay and Bobby who is Vijay also travel under their real More >

Imran Khan’s toy copter confiscated by Customs

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in
Aneesh Phadnis and Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 18, 2010)

Little did actor Imran Khan imagine that his newly-purchased toy helicopter would land him in trouble with the custom authorities at the Mumbai airport. The actor was returning from New York after promoting his upcoming film Break Ke Baad and had purchased the helicopter there.

He was stopped by custom officials and quizzed about the toy. The officials demanded that Imran get permission from the Telecom Department for possessing such a toy. Restrictions have been imposed on import of aero models that run on certain radio bandwidths because of their possible interference with the communication networks of security agencies. The officials suspected that Imran was carrying such a model.

A source at the airport said, “When we asked Imran if he had permission from the telecom department for the toy, he replied that no permission is needed for the toy since it is not a remote controlled device and does not run on radio frequency.”

The officials confiscated the toy on the grounds of obtaining a clarification from the telecom department. The source said, “It is a high-end toy and the customs department has no expertise or instruments to test such products. If Imran produces a no-objection certificate from the telecom department we will hand over the toy to him.” No case was registered against Imran as there was no violation of custom rules.

Imran’s official spokesperson said, “The More >

If my man gave me security, why would I be possessive?-Deepika Padukone

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 10, 2010)

Actress Deepika Padukone has shoved the past under the carpet and is now dating liquor baron Vijay Mallya’s son Siddhartha. She has been very vocal about her break-up with Ranbir Kapoor, lately.

But now there is a brand new film soon to be released. No wonder she is shining like a new penny. We met at Mehboob studios last afternoon, in her vanity van, with the actress looking stunning as ever dressed in a black flowing gown. She opened up about break-up and finding love again. Excerpts from the interview.

You have changed a lot. When we last met two years ago, you were not as confident as you are now.

I always had enough to keep me busy. It is just that my two films after the debut film Om Shanti Om which was a big success Bachna Ae Haseeno was average and Chandni Chowk To China failed. So people made their own inferences. But I was adamant that I wanted to make it in Bollywood.

Has finding love again re-energised your life?

Yes, I have opened up a little more. But I don’t think that anybody else has brought about this change in me. If you don’t have inner peace and happiness, you can never be confident. I think I have found myself now.

You are dating Siddhartha Mallya…

I know people are curious to know, but too much has been said about my personal life in the past. Last year, I was working my a** off but people wrote only about my personal life. So, I wouldn’t like to answer this More >

3-cordon security for Vivek Oberoi in Anantapur

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

By Subhash K. Jha, October 18, 2010 – 11:12 IST

The little volatile town of Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh, home of gangster-turned-politician Paritala Ravi on whose violent life Ram Gopal Varma’s Rakht Charitra is based, will resemble a fortress on October 21 when Vivek Oberoi, Ram Gopal Varma and the team of the film descends on the hostile town for the premiere.

The indefatigable Ramu calls it his do-or-die premiere. And rightly so since Varma received death threats for attempting to shoot Paritala Ravi’s bio-pic in Anantapur. Finally, the film had to be shot elsewhere.

But now Varma is not backing out. And his leading man Vivek Oberoi has decided to be equally brave.

Says Ramu. “This is my last attempt to make the local population in Anantapur understand that I wasn’t out to sensationalize or demonize their local hero. They need to see and judge for themselves.”

The director has invited prominent members of the local establishment including cops and civil servants to watch the film.

But trouble is anticipated by the Rakht Charitra team. The producers have ordered a 3-cordon security for Varma, Vivek and the team. No Indian film team has ever attended a premiere under such an elaborate security bandobast.

Says Ramu, “If the locals decide to create trouble, there’s zilch that the bandobast can do about it. I don’t care what the risk, we’re going to Anantapur with the film. If I’ve to go, I’ve to go. But I promise you, if something happens to me you’ll be the More >

Ekta slapped with a legal notice

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

The TOPS group, which has provided her with security, is alleging that Balaji Telefilms owes it a sum of 52 lakh since 2002

MUMBAI MIRROR; October 13, 2010

Days after his daughter Ekta was almost run over by a speeding car at Juhu, daddy Jeetendra ordered for her security to be beefed up. We reported this in detail.

But turns out, Ekta is not entirely safe. This time, the TOPS group, which has been providing security to Ekta and her production house, has slapped her with a legal notice.

The notice sent by the TOPS group alleges that Balaji Telefilms has not paid it an amount of Rs 52 lakh since 2002, which has been pending for months now. While the TOPS group stands firm on its allegations, Balaji has rubbished all its claims, insisting that it have been paying the group.

According to the notice sent to Balaji, the company’s dues have not been paid. The TOPS group has threatened to take legal action.

When contacted, Ekta Kapoor, head honcho of Balaji Telefilms, asked us to speak to the CEO. The CEO of Balaji Telefilms, Srinivasa Shenoy, said, “They have been sending reminder calls and notices for the last 20 days and they claim that we haven’t paid them since 2002. How is it possible? Balaji is a reputed company and we have never stopped any payments for whatever reasons. When our payments got delayed their security guard would come up to us and say that their wages have been stopped because we have not made any payments. We also have a More >

Bollywood under terror watch

0
2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

Superstars get extra security, Bollywood looks at foreign workers without valid documents

Prithwish Ganguly | TNN (BOMBAY TIMES; October 12, 2010)

Threats of a global terror attack are looming large and India, reportedly, is one of the top targets. As the second anniversary of 26/11 approaches, Bollywood is suddenly exercising extreme caution against allowing strangers on the sets. BT witnessed industry officials carry out surprise checks on foreigners and cross-check if they are members of the fraternity. People who were not, were asked to leave the sets immediately and taken for further questioning to the police.

Our inquiries revealed that the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) had issued an alert notice to its vigilante team to heighten security measures at all shooting locations. The federation is believed to have been tipped off by state authorities of a possible terror attack on big superstars. Bollywood and terror have had a close connection for years with many getting threats from the underworld and sometimes even attacked, as in the case of Rakesh Roshan. An FWICE official said that nine top actors, and four actresses, are on the concern list. “Bigger stars are bigger targets, and if anything happens to them — the repercussions will be huge. We are in no mood to take chances. We have increased security measures in Mumbai. Wherever the stars are shooting, be it for films or TV commercials or promos, we have been More >

I’m a super boyfriend!-Ranbir Kapoor

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

Actor Ranbir Kapoor dips into his own experiences to play love guru and offers tips on matters of the heart. Are you listening, boys?

Namrata Bhawnani (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 26, 2010)

Ranbir is amused at the idea of playing love guru, as he feels he is yet to master the art of relationships. Over the years he has become aware of his flaws. But contrary to popular perception, he says, he’s very shy around women and needs a lot of encouragement to approach them.

He insists, “I need a sign, When I was in college, I liked a girl but didn’t have the courage to make the first move. I was low on confidence. So I got my best friend to call her and I would be on conference. This went on for two months!”

He talks about the secret of a good relationship and getting over heartbreak. Here are tips from the young Kapoor charmer:

Don’t have a checklist

She is a woman in your life, don’t treat her like a menu card. Sure enough, the young actor does not have a 10-point agenda when it comes to a date. He says, “I’m not desperate for a relationship. It will happen when you have a connection and if it grows organically. She just has to be a good person, positive and should respect our parents. But Indian women are like that — family oriented. I hope she has a career or something that belongs solely to her; I don’t expect her to live my life.” Respecting the partner’s individuality lays the foundation for a strong relationship.

True love is rare, respect More >

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