Salman Khan: My dad didn't help me when I was starting out

Why wouldn't Salman Khan's father help him?

Actor Salman Khan. Pic: ScoopWhoop.com

Actor Salman Khan has a reputation. Or maybe not, because he’s so unpredictable that you don’t know which of his elements will shine through when. He could be cracking jokes or telling you off. However, what remains constant about him is that he is blunt, and honest in expressing his opinion. For instance, he makes no bones in admitting that his father, veteran writer Salim Khan, never suggested his name to producers when he wanted to become an actor, and that he had to look for work himself.

“When I was growing up, my father would recommend Sunny Deol’s, Sanjay Dutt’s or Kumar Gaurav’s name to the filmmakers who came to our house. But not mine. So I asked him why he did not recommend my name. And he asked me, ‘all these producers come to our house, did anyone ever ask me why don’t you recommend Salman? No. The biggest thing is that the producer or director should themselves see it in you... they should say, ‘arey, ye ladka hai, isko lete hain...’. For me, it never happened. So I had to go out and ask for work,” says the actor, who has helped many star kids kickstart their career. In his next production, he’s launching actor Aditya Pancholi’s son Sooraj, and actor Suniel Shetty’s daughter Athiya. 

Khan gives another example. “Tiger (Shroff) didn’t get approached ... Jackie (Shroff; Tiger’s father) used to ask us to launch him. And it was clear that when Tiger comes of age, we’d launch him as his dad had made it known that Tiger was interested in acting,” he says.

First published in Hindustan Times

Kundalini - an untold story by Om Swami (interview)

Om Swami brings to you another book

Om Swami

Om Swami is a mystic who had set up a million-dollar business by the time he turned 26. And even before he turned 30, he had renounced it all along with other worldly things, to meet God. And meet he did, he says. Then on, he settled in an ashram and decided to help anyone interested in living a life of content or looking for guidance. But he didn’t want to preach to a “crowd”. So he started writing instead. “I write and that’s how I want to promote the truth. First, it was through my portal omswami.com, now my books. People who read my books are my audience. I am not here to preach or have crowds around me, those who read my books are the ones who want to really know. I don’t want to be famous,” he said on his recent visit to Delhi to launch his latest book Kundalini – An Untold Story (by Jaico publishing house).

Om Swami’s latest Book Kundalini - An Untold Story by Jaico publishing house (Rs 250) attempts to demystify chakras and kundalini.

His readers had come looking for answers on Panama Papers to his beauty secret to grief and suffering. Laced with signature wit and humour, in impeccable Hindi peppered with accented English, he answered them all. Talking about scepticism surrounding many self-proclaimed godmen, he said, “People who want to judge me aren’t ready for me. Those who feel, aisa hona chahiye guru… You will be attracted to a guru who can match you... Skepticism has been there for ages, Vishwamitra and Vashisth aisa chalta aya hai... Sadiyon se chaltey aya hai… a fake, scented flower might attract a fly but not a butterfly.” 

For a question on Panama Paper leaks, Om Swami laughs, “Now even that is a role of a spiritual guru, ‘What should I do about my taxation’, that’s what we will be asked now. Spiritual gurus are themselves are setting up offshore accounts,” and adds, “Don’t confuse spiritual gurus with governance. National interest is sometimes compromised for local benefits, because there is too much democracy at all levels. You can’t run a country by being too kind. Sometimes, like a parent, you need to be strict."

First published in Hindustan Times.

Vidya Balan's interview: Female actors deserve fatter pay cheques

Give us fatter pay cheques: demands Bollywood actor Vidya Balan
By Medha Shri

Actor Vidya Balan, who is often ­credited for ­being one of those who made women-centric films mainstream, is happy to see that in the recent months, “some brilliant films with female leads have done extremely well — both critically and ­commercially”. 

Vidya Balan; Pic: IndiaTribune

However, there is still something that pains her heart. “You know, I feel that there is still a lot of disparity in the pay cheques of male and female actors,” she sighs, and adds, “If there is one thing I could change about the industry, I think it’d be this disparity. The female actors should also get an equally fat cheque.”

The actor, who made her Bollywood debut with Parineeta (2005), a film appreciated for its strong female protagonist, recalls that there was a time when the kind of films she did were considered ­exceptions. “I am very happy to see the kind of films being made over the past two years.  I remember when I did Ishqiya (2010), No One Killed Jessica (2011), The Dirty Picture (2011) and Kahaani (2012), these films were considered an ­aberration. Slowly but surely, I think it gained momentum, and between last year and this year, I can think of at least eight good films with women in the lead,” says the 37-year-old actor.

Vidya observes that the trend on reel potrays the change in society. “It’s a very hopeful ­scenario for us (female actors), and it’s here to stay now. I don’t think this is a phase. I think this is how it is going to be, because if you see all around, women are now in-charge of their lives. They are becoming aware that they could lead their lives the way they wish to. They are becoming aware of their rights, and they are coming into their own. They are getting into professions that were considered a male bastion earlier. So there are going to be more ­stories with female leads. And we will see more such stories on screen, because cinema is a reflection of our society.”

First published in Hindustan Times on Jul 17, 2015

The Secret Millionaire Blueprint (Book Review - Flash) by Medha Shri

Who wants to be a millionaire?

As published in HT City. July 12, 2015; Pg 9

Title: The Secret Millionaire Blueprint
Author: Arfeen Khan 
Price: INR 395
Publisher: Om Books International

Now, now, who doesn’t want to be a ­millionaire? Well, this one claims to help you become one. No, it doesn’t give you business ideas or magic tricks though. But what it does give you is the faith that you can be one. It gives you a few simple rules and everyday practices to follow. And it starts by laying down a few rules about ­breaking down the limiting thought pattern we ­internalise as we grow up. 

Book Cover

We are all familiar with the law of attraction to some extent, but this book breaks it down for easy consumption and concentrates on making attracting and retaining money. It also helps reader identify money blocks that one may have, and how to deal with them effectively. 
This self-help book makes you conscious of how visuals, auditory and ­incidental ­programming can affect us positively or negatively. Although the book doesn’t talk about anything you haven’t heard before – ­importance of affirmations, or the power of positive thinking and replacing ­negative thought pattern with a positive one, it does serve law of abundance and attraction in a structured manner which is easy to follow. Infused with interesting and inspiring stories, the book is an easy read and doesn’t get preachy. Neither does it undermine the importance of hard work. 

It also has a set of tests that one can take to analyse oneself. And some thought-provoking nuggets are very simple. For instance, ‘to know if your thought process is correct, look at the results column in your life!’ Oh! And Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan has written the foreword.  

- Medha Shri Dahiya 

First published in Hindustan Times on July 12, 2015

Akshay Kumar and the little-known stories

Actor Akshay Kumar's mom shares some interesting childhood anecdotes 

By Medha Shri

Her son, actor Akshay Kumar, is one of Bollywood's most successful actors, but not many know about Aruna Bhatia, Akki's doting mom. On Mother's Day today, she shares little-known stories about her son, and daughter Alka Hiranandani. 

Actor Akshay Kumar with mom Aruna (C) and sister Alka (L)

Recalling Akki's childhood days, she says, "He was the trouble-starter on our street, and the naughtiest boy in school." And although Akshay was mischief incarnate, she shares how he showed that he cared in his own little ways. 

"We had no help at home when he was a boy, so he would help me do the dishes, clean the clothes, and keep the house up and running, as we couldn't afford a house-help those days. So behind that cheeky grin of his, he has a heart of gold. He was very naughty, but always nice," she remembers fondly. 

And, the 47-year-old actor, who is shooting in Goa, took a break from his schedule to talk to us about his mom who means the world to him - "Mother's Day is every day! Not a single day passes by when I don't make my mom feel like the most important mother in the world, just like my son does with my wife," says the Special 26 actor, adding, "the bond between a mother and her son is so strong yet so gentle ... nothing could come between us, no amount of miles or continents can keep us from letting each other know every day that I would be nothing and no one without her."

 Aruna, meanwhile, speaks equally lovingly about her daughter, Alka. "My daughter is like no other. Alka has made me feel loved and cherished every day of her life. For her, it's always her family first," says an emotional Aruna, adding, "I have been blessed with the kindest children any mother could ask for. I have never felt lonely since the day they came along, and I've never felt as proud of anything." 

First published in Hindustan Times on May 10, 2015

Fawad Khan interview by Medha Shri

Fawad Kha

I blush, when girls gush: Fawad Khan

He is to Pakistan what the three Khans are to India. And, even before his Bollywood debut, Pakistani actor Fawad Khan has already charmed his way into the hearts of Indian fans too.

While girls gush about him, the self-confessed introvert blushes at it all. "I blush ... that’s the effect all the affection has on me," he laughs, adding that his idea of romance is old-school. "I’m quite old-school when it comes to relationships," confesses the 33-year-old actor, who won hearts with his hit TV show, Zindagi Gulzar Hai.  "

I proposed to my wife (Sadaf) when I was 17, and she was all of 16. It may’ve been unfair to her, but I was very clear that I wanted to be with her forever ... I told her, ‘I want to be your husband and want to grow old with you. I love you now and I’ll love you forever.’ She was the first (love) in my life and she’ll be the only one," says Khan, who’ll next share screen space with actor Sonam Kapoor. 

Khan’s colleagues in Pakistan have hailed his entry into Bollywood as one which will open doors for others, too. "It’s an honour to be seen as a cultural ambassador of sorts, especially by actors who are immensely talented ... I’m happy that people are seeing my entry as a harbinger of positive change," he says.

First published in Hindustan Times

Sushmita Sen will have an incredible marriage, wants to work with Aishwarya Rai and more (interview excerpts)

Sushmita Sen

I'm looking forward to acting with Ash: Sushmita Sen 

She is known to live life on her own terms and her joie de vivre is ­contagious. Actor Sushmita Sen likes to love, and has no place for harbouring hate. In her signature style, she ­dispels the reported rivalry with actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, with whom she may share screen space in Prahlad Kakkar’s upcoming film.

“I live my life loving people; not ­loving is a waste of time and life. I’ve never known Aishwarya well enough to call her a friend. But I think she is a great human being. In those days, our lives ran parallel. ,” says. Ash’s one-time rival and former Miss Universe, Sushmita Sen, and adds, that she is looking ­forward to work with her in adman Prahlad Kakar’s debut Bollywood directorial, Happy Anniversary. “Aishwarya, I am looking forward to working with you! The truth is that Prahlad, Ash and I go back a long way... to our (1994) beauty pageant days.”

It has been long since we saw you on the big screen. Why have you been away?
Yes, it has been quite ­some time. I want these three years to come back. I want to do great cinema. 2014 is my year ... I used to say this to people earlier, and now it is turning out to be true. I am doing a few films and then I am ­starting my own studio.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Is marriage on your mind? Are you in love? 
It has been on my father’s mind more than mine. I will have an incredible marriage when I know I have found the right person. Do I love? Yes. Am I in love? No.

Age does not seem to be ­catching up with you...
You have to love yourself and accept everything about ­yourself. People reject things like ageing. But every ­wrinkle, every line makes us who we are, those are what we have earned. Today, I am 38. Tomorrow I will be 40 and I will still celebrate myself ... After I ended up with a bad back 10 years ago, a young boy introduced me to the acrobatic concept of aerial silk. It’s about training your mind before body. I took to it like a fish to water.

How do you stay so positive? 
You become what inspires you. You should do what you like. If you want to be an actor, become one. I wanted to be famous, so that I could touch lives. I wanted to leave an impact that will stay long after I am gone and dusted.

You just got your seventh tattoo.
Earlier, I had my children’s name. My seventh tattoo is inspired by Kabbalah and it’s God’s name in Hebrew, Elohim. In English, it means “I am that I am”.

First published in Hindustan Times

Kangana Ranaut (interview excerpts)

Bollywood is a difficult place, says Kangana Ranaut; interview by Medha Shri

This is not something that a leading female star in Bollywood will admit to easily, but Kangana Ranaut confesses that the film industry does make actors insecure. "It's natural to be insecure in an industry where hundreds of beautiful, young girls walk in every day. It's a difficult place," says Kangana.

The 26-year-old adds that it is, therefore, important to reinvent yourself. "I want to grow and learn as much as I can. I don't want to limit myself," says Kangana, who recently was enrolled in a screenplay writing course in New York, USA, but gave it up midway to promote her new release.

"I don’t want to be known for just being a pretty little thing. I want to be remembered and loved even when I have grey hair," she says, explaining why she took up the course. And while achievements make her happy, failures don't affect her for long. "Failure does affect you at that time. It's a weekend thing that you deal with. But in your mind you know where you are headed," she says.

First published in Hindustan Times

Priyanka Chopra's mom wants her to be a bride (interview excerpts)

My mom wants me to be a bride: PeeCee

Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra, who is also an international music personality now, is probably one of the most eligible women in the country. Even though she has rarely spoken of settling down, she says that her mother wants her to tie the knot.

"My mom wants to see me as a bride. She has wanted to do that since I was four,” says Priyanka, laughing. “In fact, I was a bride in her head the day I was born,” says the 32-year-old. However, the actor says marriage is not a matter that can be taken lightly.

“It is an extremely important aspect of your life. It’s not something one can rush into. You should get married to the person who makes you feel like you are the only girl around,” she says, adding that if she has to wait longer to find that person in her life, she will.

So does she have a special someone in her life, considering not very long ago, she had said, “I’ve never said I’m single.” “What I said was, ‘I have neither negated nor affirmed if I am dating anyone’. People just assume that I am single,” says Priyanka. When asked to clear her relationship status, the actor evasively says, “If there’s someone, whoever it is, who is relevant enough to be spoken about, I will."

Right now the star is busy answering congratulatory calls for her last hit --a biopic on boxer Mary Kom that was directed by Omung Kumar -- even as she shoots for her next project. "It's no mean fact for a 'female film' to earn Rs 100 crore," she says.

First published in Hindustan Times 

Only Connect, book review (flash) by Medha Shri

As published in Hindustan Times

Wired and weird

Title: Only Connect
Authors: Meenakshi Bharat and Sharon Rundle
Price: INR 395
Publisher: Rupa

Only Connect book cover

Technology is one of the most paradoxical things we deal with. While it brings us closer to those sitting on a different continent, it takes us away from the person sitting right next to us. And that’s what this book, Only Connect, is about — the impact of technology on our lives. The stories are pacey, interesting and intriguing. Technological communication is not presented as evil, rather both the sides of the coin are put across in every story. For instance, the story, Facebooked, is about a young boy who uncovers an ‘encounter’ by police with the help of social networking, but lands into trouble because of Facebook itself. Leftovers illustrates some of the anxiety the older generation feels around new technology and the vast opportunities it offers, as Mrs Chauguli leaves her trusted blender for her son’s laptop. A collection of 20 stories, divided into five sections: Dis-Connect, MisConnect, Inter-Connect, Connectivity, Connectionitis and Meta-Connect; the book raises questions, provokes and forces one to introspect how far we have let technology invade our lives and the need to tame it.

First published in Hindustan Times on Nov 1, 2014