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

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

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

Anoushka Shankar

The poet and his muse

Medha Shri

That Anoushka Shankar is a talented sitarist is no secret, but what’s not known, however, is that her boyfriend, Nishant Peralta too is a poet and a painter. We recently caught up with Anoushka an

d Nishant at an art do. Considering he has two talented ladies in his life – his artist sister, Blanca, and Anoushka, we asked him about his creative inclinations. And before we could finish our question, he said, “So you want to know about my creative talent? Hmmm... I paint and write poetry as well.” Interesting! So, we asked his ladylove if h

e writes to woo her. Anoushka blushed and said, “Yes, he does,” and added, “He is a brilliant poet. In fact, one of the songs in my new album is his piece.” It was time for Nishant to pitch in and he said, “And you thought they had all the talent? I’m creative too.”

And when is the couple planning to tie the knot? Nishant joked, “What knot? Ropes?” and everyone laughed. Anoushka smiled, looked at Nishant and said, “I’m not in a hurry, are you, Nishant?” Nishant shook his head and said, “No. We aren’t in a hurry.”
Anoushka, who was holding a clutch and a book, requested Nishant to hold them for her, “Can you please, please hold these? My wrist is hurting.” Nishant looked at her and said gently, “Only the book.”
Well, that’s one romantic couple!