He has five films on hand, but Randeep Hooda is still remembered as Sushmita Sen’s ex-boyfriend. The actor talks about moving on in life and the true love of his life…

What state of mind are you in?
I am getting comfortable with my own skin, accepting things the way they are. I’ve realised that you can only do so much and then destiny takes over.

I guess you can do your best and then leave the rest to somebody else. I am working hard and am in a good state of mind.

You haven’t had a release for over a year.
That’s true but I have been busy shooting for over five films this past year. Most of them are ready for release.

It did get to me initially when my movies weren’t releasing, but I decided that it shouldn’t let these things affect me. I am getting good work, reading great scripts and am happy with the roles I am doing.

But why haven’t you got any big banners or makers?
Who are these mainstream filmmakers and what big banners are we talking about? I don’t like this notion of commercial cinema, I believe that if it’s a good film, it will do well without being branded as commercial or non commercial.

I mean we’ve had a big banner film like Tashan with  commercial actors, but at the end of the day, it didn’t do well. So how does one justify this notion?

Are you as ambitious and aggressive as your peers?
I am driven to work aggressively. I have a life outside the industry, as I am into horse racing and that takes lot of my time and energy. I don’t see myself as someone who needs to be at social parties trying to get work and sell myself. I would rather be at a party and enjoy myself than interact with filmmakers.

Is that the reason you have no friends in the industry?
Yes, maybe. I avoid being surrounded by people who keep praising you and say you are good and do great work. Ram Gopal Varma once said how good I was and praised me, but that comment didn’t really affect me. I have lot of friends who are writers, from the theatre and other walks of life. I am not an anti-social person. I party hard when I have to.

What’s your equation with Ramu?
We are in touch and never had a personal fallout. Yes we did have professional disagreements, but that’s about it. Fortunately or unfortunately, I haven’t seen his Sholay remake after I heard what people had to say about it.

Karma, Confessions and Holi has been horribly delayed. Why?
It’s an English film, and you would have to ask the producers why it is stuck. It’s a good film with a different subject and I hope they release it in English as originally planned.

What’s your relationship status?
Well, I am single and I have some really good friends who are women, that’s about it. I don’t go chasing anyone. I am happy on this journey of self-discovery and being with myself.

You’ve made statements like you are having one-night stands and are not looking for a relationship. Still feel like that?
Yes, I do. Well it actually depends on the opportunity. I am a 31-year-old man, single, not in a relationship, fairly successful, what’s wrong with it? If someone feels that it’s a stigma then he can go f**k off!

Are you disillusioned with love?
My break-up and past experiences have taught me a lot. I understand myself better now. I would love to fall in love, maybe I haven’t experienced love yet. Right now, my horses are my true love, no woman would like me giving a my horses preference over her!

What about Sushmita? 
I have always maintained a dignified silence over what happened between me and her. But if you ask me, then I am not in touch with her.

At one time you were very close to Rene, have you kept in touch with her?
No, it would have been very confusing for the child. My equation with Sush changed and it wasn’t right for me to be around Rene. I tried, but it wasn’t possible. We are still fond of each other, but we don’t meet each other.

How can you afford to own horses? Aren’t they really expensive?
Yes, they’re very expensive, and I can’t disclose to you the amount involved.

What’s your greatest extravagance?
I have an extravagant life style. But I am a simple guy. I love sending my parents on exotic holidays, or buying gifts for friends, and splurging on my horses and cars.

You’ve bought a house in Mumbai. How do you support your lifestyle?
No, I haven’t yet purchased a house, but I would soon like to do that. At the moment, I am living on rent at an apartment in Versova.

Any hidden talents we should know about?
I play the saxophone, and flute sometimes. Also I am good at telling jokes and keeping people in splits.

The bathroom is the place to go if you’re searching for Mr Hashmi, who lands up there every time his film releases!

If Emraan Hashmi had his way he’d probably live in bathrooms. According to him, when he went to Kolkata to promote Kunal Deshmukh’s Jannat, the milling crowd made such a commotion that he had to hide in the loo for half an hour.

Says Emraan, “Kunal, Mukesh Bhatt, Sonal Chauhan and I had gone to Kolkata when Jannat released on Friday.

We hadn’t expected such an opening in Kolkata because the home team, Kolkata Knight Riders was playing that night.

Many people had told us we shouldn’t release Jannat because of the IPL matches but we still went ahead.

We reached the Paradise (Bentinck Street, Espalanade) cinema hall at around 3 pm and went inside.

By the time we got through with media interviews, a 1,000-strong crowd gathered outside the theatre.

They had blocked the road and in their enthusiasm, even broken some of the windshields of the cars!”

Patli galli se vat liya

The panic-stricken exhibitor told Emraan to go and hide in the bathroom for half an hour till they called the cops.

Says Emraan, “Sonal went to hide in the ladies’ loo. The security hadn’t expected such a huge crowd.

Finally the cops came and we had to run down the staircase, through the back door and into a narrow, dark alley.

The car we were to travel in was at the front gate but the exhibitor had earlier sent it off as a diversion so that the crowd would think we had left in that. I finally called up a friend and left on his bike, wearing a helmet.”

Emraan admits embarrassedly that hiding in the loo isn’t new to him. “I have hidden in the loo many times. I have ended up in women’s bathrooms in hotels abroad a number of times and got thrown out. I can’t figure out the signs there.”

Aamir is offering Ghajini as a package deal with his nephew Imran’s debut to TV channels
Harman Baweja’s Love Story 2050 and Imran Khan’s (Aamir Khan’s nephew) Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (JTYJN) are both releasing on the same day. Both films are being marketed aggressively. One way of promoting a film is throug media tie-ups, with publications and TV channels to give editorial support.  

Battle pitch

Says a source, “Aamir is in talks with some TV channels for the tie-up of Imran’s film and he has offered Ghajini to anyone who will take it as a package deal with JTYJN.”

Harman’s debut was fixed on July 4 long before Aamir’s home production JTYJN, chose the same date to make its release. Now the two newbies are pitted against each other, even though the films are not in the same category.

Love Story 2050 is a mega budget film and has star value thanks to Priyanka Chopra, while JTYJN has been made on a more modest budget and has Genelia D’Souza. Aamir realises that, and so he wants to push his nephew’s film.

Says a source,  “Aamir is great at marketing. Look what he did with Taare Zameen Par. And now he has put all his marketing skills behind Imran’s film.  He has personally looked into every aspect of the film. From the story to the post-production. When the film was complete, he blogged about his nephew, introducing him to all his fans.”

All the comments made by readers were in favour of Imran, which is fine, but there were many anti-Harman comments which were surprising.” The negative Harman comments have now been deleted.

Aamir on Imran
I am readying myself for my next release. JAANE TU.  When I say ‘my’ I mean Aamir Khan Productions’. After Lagaan and Taare Zameen Par this will be our third release and I am keen to complete a hat-trick. Today the first promo breaks on TV.

It should be up on the website www.jaanetu.com as well. This will be my nephew Imran’s first film, I think I’ll post a photo of him. Tell me what you think of the promo, and him.

Shah Rukh Khan’s message to the officials who have a problem with his presence in the dug-out area
 
It’s not easy being a celebrity. Shah Rukh Khan is living proof of that. The actor rarely gets upset, but when his authority is challenged, King Khan roars loudly.

On Sunday, the actor was told to keep a safe distance from his team. The Anti-Corruption Unit of the ICC  told the KKR owner that he should not be in the players’ dressing room and their dug-out was out of bounds too.

Yesterday, IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi briefed the media on allowing owners of IPL teams access to dug-out area for unlimited time, there was a rumour that Shah Rukh and other owners would have only fifteen minutes of time in the specified area.

No issue?

When asked about the controversy Shah Rukh says, “I have no issue with them. Nor do I need to ask for 15 minutes etc to meet with the team I own. Only IPL or IMG or whoever is in charge of stuff on grounds should inform their officials from ICC or whatever other agency they are from, about the rules before they question someone who has all the accreditations, passes or permissions with him/her and incidentally, happens to be the owner of the team too.”

The actor feels he is being targetted because he is a celebrity, “It’s quite prevalent now to take on a known personality and behave high-handedly so that one gains some form of personal importance. It’s happened a few times before, during the matches too.

I decided to be civilised about it, in the larger interest of my team’s morale and state of mind especially when they were down. Someone sent me a message yesterday if you want to lead the orchestra you have to learn to turn your back to the crowds.

I guess I will turn my back on this one too and keep trying to make the music that makes sense to me and that gives me very little time to answer to these loud regulatory noises around me don’t walk here, don’t enter the dressing room, don’t dance there, don’t meet players! Hey!

How about don’t mind my business, try and mind yours more efficiently for a change that will be more helpful. Now if I want to meet my team I will do so at my house, or in their hotel, not on the grounds for 15 minutes!”

Nana Patekar gets makers to hike his price twice!
Nana Patekar not charging mega bucks is yesterday’s news. Of late, the actor has started asking for the sun, the moon and all the stars in the galaxy!

According to reliable sources, he was paid three crores for a film, but each time the producers went to him for dates, his price kept increasing. At the last meeting, Nana demanded Rs 9 crores! And the makers complied!

Date dilemma

An insider says, “Nana had signed a film with Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision (SACV) some time last year. The makers gave him fifty percent (1.5 crores) of the amount as token. 

When the makers had a role suitable for him, they approached him for dates sometime between October and November, he said his dates were committed elsewhere. The producers requested him to rework his dates. He promised to do so, and asked them to return after a few days.

When they sat again to discuss the dates, the temperamental actor announced, that he’d do the film but his price had just shot up to Rs 6 crore. The producers agreed as they wanted him for the part.”

After a commitment from Nana, the producers  approached Sanjay Dutt for the dates in October-November, this time it was the star who declared unavailability of dates and gave them dates for September. 

The harassed producers once again came knocking at Nana’s doorstep, who once again reworked his dates but at the price of Rs 9 crore.

The makers had to agree to his demands as it was too late and a new contract was drawn up. An SACV spokesperson commented, “We haven’t met Nana since last year, we don’t have a suitable script for Nan and there’s no question of signing Mr Patekar.

IIFA organisers, Wizcraft cannot decide who should perform the grand finale ceremony in Bangkok
 
Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan are going from clash to clash with remarkable regularity. In their latest clash (one, which they have no inkling about), the two have put IIFA organisers, Wizcraft in a quandary. Wizcraft hasn’t yet been able to decide which of the two will perform the grand finale at the awards ceremony to be held at Bangkok on June 8 this year.

The funny thing is that neither Akshay (currently shooting in Egypt for Vipul Shah’s Singh Is Kinng) nor Salman (currently shooting in Australia for Sohail Khan’s Main Aur Mrs Khanna) are aware of Wizcraft’s dilemma.

Problem of choice

Says a source, “Akshay Kumar has had a fantastic year with five bumper hits (Phir Hera Pheri, Namastey London, Bhool Bhulaiya, Heyy Babyy! and Welcome). Today, he commands a huge price at the BO and his wish is any producer’s command. Akshay is hot and much in demand in the overseas market. Katrina Kaif is also expected to perform at the IIFA awards this year. If all three perform, one can expect some fireworks at the IIFA awards this year.”

In Salman’s case, Wizcraft’s dilemma is an emotional one. Adds the source, “Except Partner, Salman hasn’t delivered any big hits in 2007. Despite that, he still is a popular star. Also Salman is very close to Andre Timmons from Wizcraft. But the three directors, Andre Timmons, Sabbas Joseph and Viraf Sarkari are close to Akshay too. Naturally, Wizcraft cannot decide what they want to do: feature Salman or Akshay? Two huge stars, both equally popular it’s a tough decision to make and they don’t want to upset either one.”

Dinesh Gupta of Wizcraft says, “These are creative details which are privy only to the three directors.” Anuja,also from Wizcraft, said tersely, “All these speculations are baseless. We will make a formal announcement on which stars will be attending the IIFA awards on May 27.”

Sallu’s ties
Salman Khan has always bailed Wizcraft out whenever he has been called even at the last moment — which included Star TV’s Nach Baliye last year. Salman was called at the last moment in place of Amitabh Bachchan who couldn’t make it to the finale. Salman was also present at Andre’s wedding last year

Anurag Basu wants a kiss between Hrithik and Barbara Mori in Kites, Rakesh Roshan will have none of it
Rakesh Roshan and Anurag Basu are locked in a big debate these days. And it all revolves around the big question should Hrithik kiss his leading lady Barbara Mori in Kites. The romantic comedy, is to go on the floors in July.

Both Rakesh Roshan and Anurag Basu have been having meetings in the last few days to discuss the possibility of a kiss between Hrithik and Barbara.

The kiss between Hrithik and Aishwarya was one of the highlights in Dhoom 2, and with everyone looking for a ‘big gimmick’ to sell their film, Basu can’t be blamed for wanting Hrithik to pucker up again. Papa Roshan is opposed to the idea.

A source on the project says, “All of Anurag’s films are real. He doesn’t shy away from portraying intimacy on screen.

Most of his films (see box) have had intimate scenes and he believes the same holds true for Kites.

Rakesh Roshan isn’t too sure if Basu’s treatment will work for Kites. He isn’t too comfortable with the prospect of his son kissing another woman in his home production. The two have been arguing over the issue.”

Roshan has asked him to be more subtle. “It’s not like Rakeshji is interfering, but as far as the kiss is concerned, he’s made his stance clear.”

Kites is a love story of a guy and a girl who don’t understand each other’s languages. Barbara Mori speaks Spanish while Hrithik doesn’t. Most of the scenes in the film will rely on body language and expressions between the pair,

“There’s loads of romance in the film, and the chemistry between Barbara and Hrithik is sizzling. Anurag feels like it’d be a waste if they weren’t intimate.” It looks like Anurag may end up toeing the line and give up on the idea of a liplock.

Anurag Basu and Rakesh Roshan were unavailable for comment.

Kissa pappi ka
In his films, Basu has used kissing and intimate scenes to show love. He believes in the idea of going all out

Amitabh ‘Vijay’ Bachchan remembers the playwright Tendulkar, who passed away yesterday

Eminent Marathi playwright Vijay Tendulkar passed away on Monday morning. Amitabh Bachchan who is holidaying in London with his family says, “Vijay Tendulkarji was a strong and fearless writer. I am deeply saddened to hear the news of his passing away.”

82-year-old Tendulkar died of myasthenia gravis, a diseases that has also afflicted the Big B. “In my case, it is thankfully in remission. But can return any moment,” he ends ominously.
 

Hurried meetings

The Big B is shocked to hear of the Marathi playwright’s demise. “I never had the opportunity of spending any quality time with him, but on occasion I did meet him during common social events.

Barring the exchange of greetings and acknowledging each other’s creative contributions, such moments were rushed and hurried. But one read a lot about him in the media and through his interviews.”

Taking a stand

He’s full of admiration for the man who re-wrote many rules of stage-writing, “In today’s world, it is difficult and tough to take a committed stand and pursue it. Vijay Tendulkarji did.

And that was his strength. At times, this stand is the solitary voice of reason often misunderstood but seldom wrong.”

There’s regret for not having  known  Tendulkar more closely.

“The greatness about words and writers is that much after they are gone their thoughts remain with us. In fact, the sad irony of life is that in most cases, it is only when they are gone do we realise their potential and their great contribution, he concludes.”

Prices are quoted in US dollars per gallon for regular unleaded. 

Oslo, Norway 
$6.82 

Hong Kong 
$6.25 

Brussels, Belgium 
$6.16 

London, UK 
$5.96 

The media was agog with the rumour that Katrina Kaif would be playing Scarlett Keeling in a film based on her life. Scarlett is the young Britisher who was raped and murdered in Goa in February this year.However , Katrina dismissed off the rumours by saying that she is playing no such role. “No , not at all !” remarked the actress.

What , probably , must have started the rumours about Katrina being associated with the film is the fact that she was also a British national before she came to India!

Who would think that 13 years had passed since the first time this jodi came together? At that time, the director was merely the scion of a great filmmaking family and the star was best known for taking on negative roles that no one else would. Then the magic they conjured up in their first film together, redefined Hindi cinema and set them on their respective paths to the heights of glory.

Now 13 years after ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge’ first took the country by storm, and eight years after ‘Mohabbatein’, the jodi of Aditya Chopra, superstar director, and Shah Rukh Khan, superstar actor were together again, this time for the latest from Aditya Chopra as director, ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’ with newcomer Anushka Sharma, who joined in on the first day of shoot. And it was evident that Shah Rukh Khan was approaching this new role with his old comrade, with as much gusto and passion as ever.

Bollywood actor Preity Zinta made a flying stop in Bombay in the midst of the ongoing Indian Premer League (IPL) matches recently and headed straight to her hairstylist at Kroma Kay in Juhu, Bombay.

She was ecstatic at her team Kings XI Punjab’s smashing win against the Bangalore Royal Challengers and decided to treat the salon staff with chocolates. She handed out chocolate hampers to the staff who was delighted to receive the sweet treats from her.

Bollywood star Aamir Khan, who usually stays away from public functions, and director Rakeysh Mehra, inaugurated PVR Cinema’s third multiplex in Bombay.

The latest promo of Aamir Khan Productions’ ‘Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na’, starring his nephew Imraan Khan, was screened at the new six-screen multiplex at Goregaon that has a capacity of 1,782 seats. PVR Cinemas owners Ajay and Sanjeev Bijli, are the film’s co-producers

T

he new PVR will have many customer-friendly features including a ‘Kids Play Section’, a candy bar designed like an island, ample leg room in the hall and swanky interiors, the statement added.

PVR, one of India’s largest entertainment firms, currently operates 22 cinema halls with a total of 84 screens spread over 14 cities. The company also operates a film distribution and production business through its fully-owned subsidiary PVR Pictures.

‘Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na’, which also stars Genelia D Souza, is the first directorial venture of Abbas Tyrewala, who already has to his credit great scripts like ‘Main Hoon Na’, ‘Maqbool’ and ‘Munnabhai MBBS’.

Aamir is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a perfect launch for his nephew Imraan and has been present at various stages of the film’s production.

As is by now well known, Aditya Chopra returns to the directorial business with ‘Rab Ne Bana Di jodi’. The main lead is of course Shah Rukh Khan and the new female lead is bound to inspire some speculation.

Anushka Sharma, a 21-year old model from Bangalore, is the winner of the big launch sweepstakes.

Anushka, who was the show-stopper for Wendell Rodricks’ Spring Summer ‘07 collection, has been picked because the Chopras think she is the ‘embodiment of small-town Punjab’.

Shahid Kapoor is a thorough professional and will not let anything come between him and his work. Not even lousy stories that are circulated in print.

The actor, however, wishes to clarify his stand on a story printed in a tabloid recently. It talked about how Vidya (Balan) and Shahid had gone out for lunch and did not return for over three hours bringing the shooting of Ken Ghosh’s new untitled film produced by UTV to a standstill. But a close friend of Shahid’s clarified that, “While Vidya his co-star from ‘Kismet Konnection’ and a very dear friend had dropped in to say hi after which they proceeded to catch a quick lunch during the lunch time which lasted for 45 mins. And that as a professional Shahid would never hold up work for hours on end just to have lunch with a friend, the story is untrue”.

Recently there was also another report that Shahid interferes in the shooting of the film and likes calling the shoots for the same.

Ken Ghosh clarifies this baseless story. Says Ken, “Shahid is a thorough professional. This is a very stupid story. Shahid has never interfered in my work and in any of my films shooting, and to suggest it’s as good as insulting my capability as a director. I and Shahid are good buddies; we bounce ideas off each other! It is not interference. Shahid is intelligent, thinking and a professional actor.