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Chat with Isha Koppikar.

Known in the industry as the 'Khallas girl', Isha Koppikar shot to fame with her song number in Ram Gopal Verma's movie Company. She is 5'7", tall, beautiful and talented girl born in 1976. Isha's performance in Company mezmerised movie goers.
Though she is undoubtedly the oomph girl of Bollywood, she's a reluctant one at that. She抯 not looking at giving either Bipasha, Negar Khan or Rakhi Sawanth a run for their money. Instead she抯 looking at lead roles of the-girl-next-door-type. But her route there seems to be rather convoluted-and we抣l see why.

Her career started off with modeling. She was in school when she saw a dream portfolio. It was that of the daughter of her mom抯 colleague. She looked very glamorous. Isha decided that抯 she wanted to look like the girl in the portfolio. 揑 used to wear braces in school,攕he reveals. 揥hen I finished school, I got my braces off and went to Gautam Rajyadhyaksha to get my pictures done. He encouraged me saying he thought I had a cosmetic face and would do well in cosmetics. He gave me a contact sheet of agencies where I could go and drop my pictures. My first ad was Le Sancy soap. Then I went on to doing Tips and toes. Camay, Ponds, Rexona.

Anjala Zhaveri

This pert little girl standing barely five feet five inches tall, made her debut in Hindi films in 1996 with Vinod Khanna抯 film Himalayputra where he launched his son Akshaye. The film brought a lot of controversy in its wake because Anjala Zhaveri and her co-heroine were not treated right where their roles were concerned.

No matter, Anjala signed a few other films like Betaabi with Arshad Warsi and Chandrachur Singh - which turned out to be a dud, then Mr and Mrs Khiladi with Akshay Kumar and Juhi Chawla and even Sohail Khan抯 Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, where she played Arbaaz Khan抯 love interest. None of these films worked any magic for her and in the meanwhile, she was getting lucrative offers from the South. She did some quick thinking and accepted her first offer. The film was a super hit and Anjala suddenly became hot property amongst South Indian stars. More films followed in Tamil and Telugu. Today, Anjala prefers and maintains that it is certainly worth her while to be a big fish in a small pond, than vice versa. She lives for the most part in the South where her commanding price has crossed Rupees 50 lakhs per film, she is open to the idea of doing the odd Hindi film, maybe one a year if she gets a good enough offer combined with her asking price on which she is wisely not ready to make any compromises.

Her family members are all settled abroad and Anjala recently bought herself a beautiful three bedroom apartment in Mumbai. Whenever she is in town, she lives there with her current boyfriend - model and aspiring actor Tarun Arora.

Anjala is a warm bubbly girl who loves socialising and dancing. She maintains a strict diet regimen to keep her slender figure constant. To her credit is that even though so young in age and so frail to look at, she has probably made better moves in her career, than many of her seniors, taken her success from whence quarters it came, and made her life a happy example for youngsters to follow.  

Amisha Patel

Amisha Patel, one of the most successful Bollywood actresses has taken a bold decision to do more films in regional languages. Amisha, the heroine of the two biggest blockbusters of all times, Kaho Na Pyaar Hai and Gadar is now playing heroine to the Tamil superstar Vijay in Geethai and rising heartthrob of Telugu cinema, Mahesh Babu in New.

Amisha has decided to take this plunge at a time when she is the queen-bee of Bollywood commercial cinema. In fact she has a better track record than any of her contemporaries, as last year抯 thriller Humraaz featuring her with Bobby Deol and Akshay Khanna was also a big hit. But the shrewd actress has realized which way the wind is blowing after big budget films in Bollywood started flopping one after another. The trend changed in Bollywood as a new genre of small budget, non-star films aimed at the bubble gum crowd, started hitting the theatres.

Amisha, a gold medalist in Economics from University of Boston and grand daughter of the late Mumbai Congress stalwart, Rajni Patel, spoke to Sify.com in Chennai where she was shooting a song with Vijay at the Mohan Studio. Excerpts :

Q: So you have entered South?
A: Yes, but immediately after Kaho Na Pyaar Hai, I did the Telugu film, Badri with Pawan Kalyan, which was a superhit. After that I became so busy in Hindi that I could not concentrate here.

Q: But usually when heroines are out of work in Bollywood and are no longer hot, they migrate to the South. Please comment.
A: I think that it is absolute rubbish. Which other actress in Bollwood has given the kind of hits like me? I was even called the hat trick heroine after films like Kaho Na

Chandrachur Singh  

Chandrachur Singh抯 bachelor抯 pad is like him in a lot of ways. It抯 laid back, casual and very normal. Just like the actor himself, who even after some major films with big time directors has managed to remain a simple man at heart. Add to that a natural politeness and Rocky is quite a charmer. Of course in the case of this shy guy it抯 quite unintentional. India Talkies caught up with the soft-spoken actor on a lazy afternoon, as he sat recovering from a viral attack, taking a much-deserved break from his work:

Q: Your role in 'Daag-The Fire' has been much appreciated. What is your opinion of the film and your role in particular?
A: 'Daag' is a good masala film and yes, I抣l be honest, is not a masterpiece. As for my role, it does have shades of negativity but I play a guy who goes off on the wrong path but reforms. He抯 just another human being who in the initial stages doesn抰 make the right choices in life.

Q: What made you choose the role?
A: We have a very limited format in the industry and I believe that within that format, you must try whatever different roles you get. I wasn抰 trying to get to a different slot or anything by choosing a role with a negative slant. Hindi cinema has a few given parameters and I was trying to do something different within that.

Q: You started your career with Gulzar saab in 'Maachis'. Would you tell us about that experience?
A: 'Maachis' happened at a time when after years of struggle I had given up on ever getting a chance in Hindi cinema. I had gone back to Doon School (his alma mater) and was teaching music and history. My brother insisted that I come down to Mumbai and both 'Maachis' and 'Tere Mere Sapne' happened at that time. My Doon School job was at stake but I guess the risk paid off!

Q: You were doing 'Maachis' and 'Tere Mere Sapne' simultaneously. Was it difficult to adjust to these two very different kind of roles?
A: (Laughs) I can抰 say really. At that time the fact that I was finally getting a break was so important that I did not think of anything else. If anything was difficult, it was growing a beard (for 'Maachis') and taking it off.

Q: After films like 'Maachis', 'Tere Mere Sapne', 'Betaabi'and 'Daag', how do you rateyourself as an actor?
A: Ummmm! you tell me that. Actually, I抦 largely a director抯 actor. I do have a mind of my own which I apply to my work but honestly, I don抰 think I抳e reached that level of perfection yet.

Q: Did you like going back to Doon School?
A: Yes! I liked the idea of being a teacher. Besides that, Doon has a huge campus, playing ground. I could lead a clean and healthy life. It was something I抳e always wanted to do once I retired.

Q: Subhash Ghai had once offered you 'Saudagar'. Do you think your career would have been any different had he chosen you over Vivek Mushran?
A: Perhaps, but everything is predestined. I think it was good that 'Maachis' was my debut film. I started my career with a much better human being. When I started 'Maachis' I had very little acting experience, to top that I was working with Gulzar saab and in that sense it was intimidating. But I think that the atmosphere on his sets were very conducive to evolving as an actor.

Q: Are you comfortable running around trees doing those jhatkas and matkas?
A: I抦 not trained to dance or fight but I work hard on the sets, so it抯 not a problem at all. As a singer though, I抦 trained and perhaps that sense of rhythm helps me out for my dances.

Q: Tell us something special about your next project 'Silsila Hain Pyar Ka'?
A: It抯 my only solo hero project. It抯 a totally commercial film where I play the lead opposite Karisma Kapoor. Yes, the film got a bit delayed due to Karisma Kapoor抯 date hassles but it will be released soon. As for solo hero projects, I haven抰 got any exclusive offers except for this one.

Q: Who抯 been your inspiration as far as acting is concerned?
A: Amitabh Bachchan. He抯 one person I look up to, for advise and I get it from him, on and off. Whenever I抳e met him, he抯 always been very warm. Luckily, he抯 taken a liking to me and this has helped me a lot. His mindset is very interesting to learn from. As an actor, I think Amitji is the most brilliant and complete actor that we have.

Q: What about actors from your generation?
A: I admire Aamir Khan, Ajay Devgan and Govinda. Among actresses, I like Madhuri, Kajol, Tabu and Juhi.

Q: Now that actors too are into singing, would you take to the mike someday?
A: I think that this entire thing of getting actors to sing is a gimmick and nothing else. Yes, certain actors have done a good job but not all of them can do it. In fact, music in our country seems to have become a big joke. It抯 hard to believe that in a country that is so rich is musical talent people are doing such mediocre work.

Q: Finally, are you comfortable being a part of the industry?
A: Yes, I am. I抦 not a social person though. I don抰 attend filmi parties. I抦 comfortable being with people who are relaxed, quiet. I don抰 believe in circulating in the filmi party circuit and doing my own PR.

Diya Mirza

She抯 the hottest young thing to have taken the industry by storm. Literally lighting up the scenario with her drop-dead gorgeous looks combined with oodles of sex appeal, Diya Mirza is the latest beauty queen who抯 all set to rule tinsel town. This ex-Miss Asia Pacific has wowed top filmmakers like Vashu Bhagnani who swear by her. Merely nineteen, Diya is a stunning combo of beauty and talent and she knows she has what it takes to reach the top. With her debut film, Rehna Hain Terre Dil Mein closing in for release this month, Diya is nervous at the same time confident that she抯 here to stay. Catch her in this talkathon.

Were films the most natural step after winning the Miss Asia Pacific title?
I have been a movie buff ever since I was a child, but I had never even imagined that I would actually become an actress. Even though I did emulate many actresses as a child in front of my mirror, I had never thought I抎 join films. As a child, I saw as many films as I could and loved everything about movies, including the running around trees, jhatkas and matkas. But I never gave films a thought. But after the Miss India pageant and the Asia-Pacific victory, I got a lot of offers. Even then I was very apprehensive but when Anupam Kher offered me Om Jai Jaagdish, I took it up because he convinced me that the role was perfect for me plus it was a very good set-up. After that Vashuji saw me and liked my rushes, so he offered me his next two films, Rehna Hain Terre Dil Mein and later Deewanapann.

Ever since you抳e entered the industry, you抳e been called an Aishwarya Rai clone. Does this anger you?
Honestly, I take it as a compliment to be compared to the most beautiful girl in the world. I have been greatly inspired by Sushmita and Aishwarya in my life. I know that they call me her clone, but I am sure all that will change after my film releases. They will recognize me as Diya Mirza after they see me on screen. I am totally different from Aishwarya and even though it抯 a compliment being compared to her, I prefer being myself. Plain ol

KEERTHI Reddy is enjoying the adulation.

Only the promos of her films have hit the television screens and already, she is hot property. Offers are pouring in.

This 20- year-old Bangalore-bred lass makes her Hindi film debut in Tera Jadoo Chal Gaya with Abhishek Bachchan. Her debut film, Devadai, was an off-beat Tamil film which may have not hit bull's eye at the box-office, but helped her establish credentials.

She has worked in Telegu and Tamil films for over two years before making her debut in Hindi. An interview

`Roja` girl Madhoo back in tinsel town

The `Roja` girl is back. Madhoo, aka Madhubala in the south, who shot to fame through films like `Roja` and `Phool Aur Kaante`, is making a comeback after eight long years. She is at present shooting for `Kabhi Socha Bhi Na Tha`, directed by newcomer Kallol Sen. Lata Khubchandani meets up with Madhoo:

Why the comeback?
Today, a lot of new films are being made with different, new and interesting themes. This interested me very much. A lot of good work is being done and I wanted to be part of this kind of films - the offbeat kind which go for festivals and where I would get an opportunity to perform and experiment.

What kind of films have you got now?
This movie that I have just done, Kabhi Socha Bhi Na Tha, has a different kind of a role for me. It抯 a different film. I don't know about its success, but certainly it will rouse interest the first time. It is in this new Hinglish genre. You know how Indians speak English. But suddenly I have also started getting offers for really commercial films. So many offers that I don't know what I want to do. I am listening to scripts. These are mainstream films. I have to listen to the stories yet. I thank god for the reception I have got - it is overwhelming. I knew I would get offers and had thought that I'd do one or two projects a year. But now I really have to decide what I want to do. So I am faced with a lot of decisions. People have been really nice to me. I have almost finished shooting Kabhi Socha Bhi Na Tha. When things started rolling, everything happened very fast. When I started meeting people to announce my intention, everything moved suddenly.

Who are these people you are working with?
Everyone is new. The director is Kallol Sen, he knows his technical stuff well. I think he has trained in filmmaking.

Did you miss films, when you were married?
Not for a while. When I got married, I didn't miss films at all. In fact, I was very happy. But in the last three years I found different films were being made and whenever I saw a Rani Mukherji or a Tabu doing something new, I also wanted to try it out for myself. I'd feel 慜h my God, they're getting such wonderful roles. Why didn't I ever get them?

Nandita Das

The sultry actress has managed to stay in the news since she made her debut in Fire. But she refuses to change and buckle under the star-system. Wanting to do things on her own terms, this beauty loves her space too much to give it all up for box-office success and fame. But with two of her films, Bawandar and Pitaah releasing now, she抯 all set to enter the commercial circus. An intimate chat with the 憂ot so serious

揚eople should talk about my films for 3 days and forget about it

Wah Wah Reema!

Her first film opposite Fardeen Khan, Hum Ho Gaye Aapke did not do well at the BO. Then came Jaal, which too turned out to be a damp squib. Reema Sen seemed to have disappeared from the Bollywood scene, only to rise again like the proverbial phoenix. In Wah Wah Ramji, Reema is cast opposite Amar Upadhyay. The film has as it's USP, the inimitable Paresh Rawal and is directed by Raman Kumar. Reema speaks on her role in Wah Wah Ramji.

What kind of film is this?
A love story and a nice comedy. It's an interesting film.

What is your role?
I play a very bubbly, very vital character. In my first film, I was an introvert.

Have heard you are a die-hard fan of Sunny Deol. Who are your other heroes?
Yes, I still am a fan of Sunny Deol, but I freak for Abhishek Bachchan and Ajay Devgan. Amar Upadhyay is a sweet guy, very pleasant to work with and very hardworking.

How dicey has a film career become with so many new faces every day?
It indeed is very dicey. Talent no longer matters, it抯 success that matters. A 100 newcomers may be coming in, but as soon as one person's film does well, he or she gets work. So the BO success gives you that extra push. Today, everyone, even established actresses do South films in between, and they also do shows. You have to do all that, you can抰 fight the system.

Have you done any south films?
Yes, Dhool, produced by A M Ratnam, the guy who did Hindustani, and Nayak. I did that one film in between.

Which was your last release, before Wah Wah Ramji?
Jaal - The Trap. This was about three months back.

Any new films coming up?
I have been confirmed for two projects, but haven't signed on the dotted line yet.

What next?
I have just finished an item number for Aan-Men At Work. This is directed by Madhur Bhandarkar. All I can say is that it is the mother of all items, but I want people to see it before I say anything more. It's a really sexy number and for a change the song is very melodious. Ganesh Acharya has choreographed it. He went crazy shooting it. The film has Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Lara Dutta, Shatrughan Sinha, Raveena Tandon and Preeti Jhangiani.

Rinke Khanna

Is it true that Jackie Shroff was very keen to cast you in his mammoth home-production, 'Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai' opposite Govinda? He even lobbied for you!
Jackie didn't lobby for me. He knew I'd fit the bill of a glamorous college-girl.

Post-'Vaastav', how was the experience of working with Mahesh Manjrekar?
He knows what he wants. Mahesh is extremely disciplined about his work, and to a large extent, gives his artistes free rein. I hope to do another film with him.

After a plain Jane look in 'Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi', you looked ravishing in 'Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai'!
In PMKK, I was required to sport a simple look. Those who've seen the Tina of Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai, can't believe that it's the same Khushi of PMKK!

Are you excited that your songs, 'Chal Jhoothi' and 'Kem Chhe' have become super-hits?
Oh, of course. I love the songs.

In Hindi films, most actresses are reduced to playing bimbettes! Do you have anything to say?
Let's face it, an actress gets paid to look good because eventually it's the actor who carries the film. In the initial years of my career, I don't mind concentrating a bit more on the glamour element though I respect serious/parallel cinema and would love to do it as well. But at 24, I'd be ridiculously ambitious to opt for ONLY serious 'acting' roles. I don't want to burn out by the time I'm 28!

Are you excited about your project with David Dhawan?
Certainly. Ketan (Desai) is producing it. Salman and Amisha are my co-stars. Irrespective of what people may say, I maintain that David's films are total paisa-vasool. At least, they're unpretentious.

But your contemporary, Kareena Kapoor said that she would never like to work with David Dhawan?
Everybody has his or her viewpoint. You can't challenge or question the way a person thinks. She's justified in upholding a particular belief but that doesn't affect me.

Tell us about your film with Vashu Bhagnani?
It stars Tushar (Kapoor), Kareena and me. Satish Kaushik is directing it. I have a wonderful role. It's really powerful. I'm sure you guys will cry for me at the end!

Is it true that you've signed a juicy south project?
Gosh! How did you know? Yeah, it's with K Ravichandran. My hero in it is Prashanth, the guy with Aishwarya in 'Jeans'.

What is the one thing you will never do?
I may be the daughter of two successful stars, but at the end of the day I wouldn't like to piggy-back on their success. I could have easily used my parents' clout to get work. But I had decided that I would make it on my own steam. I have no qualms about lifting the telephone and asking a producer for work. Five years down the line I want to be able to appreciate the value of success. Today I am proud of the fact that I haven't bagged a film thanks to a pushy mother. From Rinke, I've become Rinkeji thanks to my own efforts. So when people say that star-kids get things on a silver platter, I scream that I'm an exception!

You have never been linked with a man. Or are you trying to keep your personal life under wraps?
Why would I keep my love life clandestine? Denying your partner is insulting. I've had my share of relationships in college. Honestly, I don't think my man would be able to take me for long because I'm so demanding! Moreover, I have more boy-friends than girl-friends. So I am forever helping them in finding mates!

What about rumours of your affair with newcomer Uday Chopra? One heard that you went out with him for an all-night Diwali cards session at Sanjay Khan's house!?
(Irritated) Didn't you know that we're married and have three kids?

Seriously?
Oh, come on! I'm obviously kidding. Uday and I have been linked a hundred times! We've known each other since childhood. If I go out with someone for a cards party, am I automatically dating him? Come on, how could you fall prey to such inane rumours?

Sanjay Kapoor

Koi Mere Dil Se Pooche has just released. Even though the reports don抰 look to good, Sanjay differs, 揈veryone likes the film. So let抯 wait and watch instead of passing judgements already.

揑've learnt from her mistakes

Sonali Bendre

Sonali Bendre's confidence levels have gone up. She is looking ravishing posing for ace photographer Atul Kasbekar in Subhash Ghai's Audeus. In between the shots she screams, I am hungry." But she rejects those tempting sandwiches and samosas offered to her. She wants to go home and eat what her mother cooked. "I'm rarely at home nowadays, I miss it so much that even mum's dal-chawal taste like bliss." The moment she hears 'pack up', she jumps up in air crying "yuppie". She strips off her glamorous robes and dons her jeans and T-shirt. In to the car she starts talking about the things close to her heart. "Ask me anything," she says. "Anything," you inquire. "Yeah, anything," she nods with confidence.
We've been seeing the very intriguing promos of Surendranath's Love you Hamesha but the film seems nowhere near release.
The film is complete though we 've gone through quite a few problems. I loved the basic story that I was told and even today when you see the songs they look so beautiful. If it had released when it was supposed to, it would've been quite something. Anyway, I am looking forward to its release because it's has been a lovely experience for me.

You are becoming quite a favourite with Mahesh Manjrekar, aren't you?
I'm doing Tera mera saath rahe with him, along with Ajay Devgan as my co-star with whom I share a great rapport. This is again a different film.

It's been six years since you've come, do you view acting differently today?
Yes, I no longer try to act. I try to turn in to that character. Earlier I did not have a definition of acting, but now I look at my work objectively and am ready for it not stressed out. Now, when I get up in the morning, I look forward to shooting, ealier I used to dread it.

Earlier, you hated doing interviews. How have you come to terms with the loss of privacy?
By not doing too many interviews-too many photo sessions and psyching myself that this is a part my profession and I must view it that way. That's my attitude today that I must do it and get it over with rather than avoid it.

And the perks of the profession?
I enjoy being a totally different person and yet not being responsible for that person's actions! I can do so many things, which as Sonali I would never be able to do. Then there's the fame, which is a huge plus, and of course the money. Fans mean that I'm appreciated, it's a great feeling but at times it pressurizes too. Fans also means nasty phone calls but that's one of the cons of the profession. I got nearly strangled in Calcutta by fans and that frightened me a lot. They started pulling my dupatta and it was round my neck. I dare not remember that incident again.

How choosy are you today about your scripts?
The only kind of role I reject outright is the ultra glamorous kind-It's not me and it makes me uncomfortable. I know I look like that, but it doesn't reflect the kind of person I am. Anything else is fine barring the 'Duplicate' kind of role which was totally glamourous.

And finally what defines Sonali?
I think I'm too down to earth for this star system. It doesn't help me but there it is.

Sonali Kulkarni

Sonali Kulkarni sounds very nervous on the eve of the release of Dil Vil Pyar Vyar. At the same time, the talented Maharashtrian actress says she抯 also very excited with the way her role has shaped up. Refusing to acknowledge the resemblance to Jhankar Beats, she insists that DVPV is a sweet film and hopes that it will do well at the BO. In this interview, she also speaks for the first time about her actor boyfriend. Read all about the actress who抯 created a versatile image for herself with diverse films like Dil Chahta Hai, Mission Kashmir,  Dr Ambedkar, Cheluvi, Doghi, Kairee and Agnivarsha to name a few...

You抳e done an entire gamut of roles in such a short span of time.
I have always wanted to do things that excite me as an artiste. Right from the time I trained under Satyadev Dubey in theatre, I knew that I would have to do diverse roles that would bring out the best in me. I never restricted myself to doing only Hindi films, as Marathi films offer some very good roles to heroines. So whenever I did serious films like Girish Karnad抯 Cheluvi, Amol Palekar抯 Daayra and Kairee or Jabbar Patel抯 Mukta and Doghi, I also complimented them with mainstream commercial movies like Farhan Akhtar抯 DCH, Rajat Rawail抯 Pyar Tune Kya Kiya, Vinod Chopra抯 Mission Kashmir and Arjun Sajnani抯 Agnivarsha. For me, it has always been very important not to restrict myself as an actor and I am lucky that in every film of mine, I have had a very different look.

But despite winning two National Awards, you抳e still not hit big-time.
Not many are aware that I have won two National Awards for Best Actress in Cheluvi and Doghi. I don抰 think that I haven抰 been recognized as an actress. If that was the case, not so many brilliant makers would still be approaching me with roles everyday. It抯 just that I haven抰 been media hyped, but then that抯 because I am not someone who likes to blow her own trumpet. I抎 rather let my work do the talking for me.

How was the Dil Vil Pyar Vyar experience?
Anant Mahadevan, the director was very confident about what he wanted from his actors and that made him a pleasure to work with. I liked the role of Gauri that I play in the film from day one, so I had a good time doing the film. It is a very sweet film and the entire cast was a big team working together to make a clean good entertainer, and that抯 what made the experience an unforgettable one.

You seem to be enjoying theatre more than films off late.
I have always loved theatre. In fact I started off my career from theatre and still love getting on stage and performing live. Theatre has been a part of my life since childhood, as I grew up working with an experimental theatre group in Pune. For me, it's like doing riyaz and I learn new things each day. Currently, I am acting in Makarand Deshpande抯 Sir Sir Sarla opposite Anurag Kashyap and enjoying it very much. But that doesn抰 mean that I enjoy films less than theatre. I like both in the right doses.

Your personal life seems to be rather exciting, as compared to your career.
I am very close to Makarand Deshpande, he抯 a darling friend and we grew very close after working on two plays together. We are very close but will remain friends first because I am sacred of spoiling things by taking things one-step ahead. I don抰 know what the future has in store for our relationship, but as of now, we抮e more friends than anything else.

What抯 next, both personally and professionally?
Honestly, I am taking each day as it comes. After all acting is a process of learning and growing with every passing day of your life. Till now, I have learnt how to use my abilities as an actress but I haven抰 perfected it. I still want to do better roles in films and theatre in the future. I have some interesting films coming up in the near future and just hope to keep on doing better work. On the personal front, I just want to be happy. In real life, I am a fun loving person who always makes others laugh. So that抯 how I want it to remain. I hope I am not asking for too much.

Tabu

Tabu is on cloud nine. The talented actress has won her second National Award for her role of Mumtaz in Chandni Bar, consolidating her position as one of the country抯 finest actresses. Thrilled that her decision to switch to more meaningful cinema has finally paid off, she speaks about her happiness in receiving one of the country抯 highest honours for any actress. Share her moment of joy...

Congratulations on your second National Award. How does it feel?
Thanks. I feel very special that  I am being bestowed with this honour for the second time in my career. I won it the first time for Maachis and now for Chandni Bar. It抯 a great feeling because so early in my career, I have already got so much recognition for my work. And believe me, it feels just as good the second time receiving the award as it did the first time. I am still speechless.

How did you get the news?
I was at home surfing the net looking for some references for my new film being directed by Goutam Ghose, which is a sequel to Satyajit Ray抯 Aranyer Din Ratri, when I received a call from the authorities in Delhi informing me that I had won the National Award for Best Actress. They also informed me that I had shared the award with Shobhana for Mitr.

Will you be going to the capital to collect the award?
Of course, I will go to Delhi to receive the honour. It抯 a very big thing for me to be recognized by the government of my country for  my contribution towards cinema. I am ecstatic.

Did you ever expect Chandni Bar to get you the National Award?
No, because when it began, Chandni Bar was something that was written off by everyone saying that it wouldn抰 work. The film had no big hero, but I always believed in Madhur抯 script and knew that it would turn out well. But honestly, I didn抰 expect it to fetch me so many awards. And strangely, whenever I have got a National Award for my movies, the mainstream popular awards have ignored me in those very movies.

Despite being hailed as one of the hottest talents in the country, you seem out of the commercial rat race.
I just feel proud that I have made a different identity of my own. I feel good that I have been able to be successful in whatever I have wanted to do. I made my choices, decided to be unconventional and it has paid off. I have done different work and I am proud that as an actress I was not dictated by the market terms. I made my choice of doing sensible cinema and being in the commercial rat race wasn抰 a part  of my agenda in the first place.

From where did you get the courage to make such a conscious decision so early in your career?
You know, it wasn抰 like I was getting the best roles in mainstream films. I thought that it was much better to do good quality movies where I had something to do rather than be a showpiece in stupid films. Every time I made an unconventional choice and refused big banner movies, people said I was a fool but I knew that that wasn抰 what I wanted to do. And looking back, I feel it was the best thing I did, as I had a different vision. Today, when I see new girls like Kareena and Bipasha Basu say that they want to be like me, it feels good to know that I have become an example for so many actresses so early in my career. But honestly, I had never planned it this way. God has been kind that my conviction and belief in my work and myself paid off.



[ Last edited by Gadis_Venus at 12-2-2006 12:48 AM ]

Acting was never a passion for me: Twinkle

Twinkle Khanna breaks her silence on her life as an entrepreneur, wife and mother.

Your new showroom is called `White Window`.
Yes, don抰 ask me why. It just sounds right. The opening of the store was overwhelming. I抳e never experienced something like this. And I抦 not just talking about the well-attended opening. The best part came the next day. Everyone came back to buy more! It was so gratifying to see people putting their money where their mouth was. Working on my interior decoration, I had to constantly hunt around for accessories, design my own lights and furniture and get them made somewhere else. I thought having the accessories to go with my interior designing made a lot more sense.

Wouldn抰 the store be an added burden for you?
Quite the oppposite. Now that I抳e moved the store from town to Juhu, I find it much easier to be at my workplace and look after my family. In any case Aarav and Akshay will always be my priority. Of course 'White Window' is also my baby. I really worked hard to see it come through. Like everything else in my life, it just happened. I wanted to open a 500-squarefeet store. It transformed into a 3000-squarefeet dream come true. I guess I抦 lucky, touchwood. I抦 one of those fortunate few who go with the flow and find their true goals without searching.

How supportive has Akshay been of your business endeavour?
(warmly) Unbelievably supportive. If I抦 doing well as an entrepreneur, it抯 only because he抯 always there to help me. As a husband I give him 10 out of 10. My sister Rinke called from London to say how lucky I am. At the 'White Window' opening Akshay looked so proud of me. He was beaming like a baby. No matter how liberated a working woman may be, she feels guilty about giving attention to her work with a husband and child at home. Akshay freed me of that guilt. I was never made to feel my priorities were wrong. I know a lot of working women have to go through that.

Everything has fallen into place for you.
Has it? I guess it has. I always paid more attention to spaces than other things. Interior designing is the only job option I抳e known besides acting. I抳e always enjoyed making tthings, whether blankets, candles or homes. When I was 16 I served as an assistant to a interior decorator. I went on to become an actress which I never quite enjoyed. I was one of the few truly un-ambitious actresses of my generation (laughs). I was just happy doing my songs and dances and getting home.

So you never enjoyed acting?
Acting was fun and lucrative. But not a passion. I found life as an actress very lonely. I had nothing in common with the people I worked with. And how many books could I read? The first opportunity I had to quit, I did. I signed two films after marriage, one with my husband, and I did everything possible to wriggle out of them. How was I to know that I抎 go back to my favourite passion after so much happened in my life? I now believe in destiny.

You turned down films where your characters were named after you.
You mean Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Awaara Paagal Deewana? I抳e no regrets. I抳e a career, a family and I抳e made money. I guess I抳e all the big things in life. The smaller things do bother me now and then. What would I be without them?

Cynics in the industry had given your marriage three months.
And now it抯 3 years. I don抰 give a damn about other people抯 expectations. My marriage is working today. It may not work tomorrow. Success or failure, we work as a couple because of us and not the outside world. I憁 not bothered with others

Yukta Mookhey

Yukta Mookhey is probably the only beauty queen to whom Bollywood hasn抰 taken too well. The newcomer has been surrounded by controversies since day one, and though she denies her fault, most filmmakers insist that she has an attitude problem. Though her debut film, Pyaasa starring Aftab and Zulfi Syed released last week, Yukta wasn抰 too keen to discuss the film, reason being her ugly fallout with producer Romesh Sharma. In this interview, she spoke about her uncertain present in Bollywood and insisted that she would never sleep around to get a film. Catch Yukta at her volatile best...

Congrats, at last your thirst is quenched, as Pyaasa finally released this week.
Honestly, I am not ecstatic about it. I am not too excited  with the film's release even though it抯 my debut film. The film抯 producer, Romesh Sharma still hasn抰 paid my full amount. And I don抰 know how he was allowed to release the film.

Why haven抰 you cleared this issue with him?
I have nothing to clear with a man of his standing. I haven抰 spoken to him since the past 10 months nor have I seen the film. I don抰 even know how the film has shaped up to be very honest. I don抰 think people should believe him when he says he sold his house to clear my debts, as he hasn抰 paid me yet.

You don抰 sound too happy with the Pyaasa experience.
I had a terrible time doing the film. Firstly I wasn抰 paid; then I had an awful co-star to deal with. Aftab gave me a harrowing time during the film抯 shooting. He behaved very badly and showed a lot of attitude. He refused to get along with me even though I was a newcomer. He used to be very petty and make wrong expressions and faces during my scenes with him when I had to say my dialogues. He was a horror.

But you seem to rub many people the wrong way.
I have lots of self-esteem and I shall never compromise my ethics to get a film. That抯 just not me. Here, everyone treats a woman like a sex object, but I refuse to get treated shabbily. Also, there are so many unprofessional people here that it gets difficult for anyone with a bit of sensitivity to cope up with their behavior.

Why were you thrown out of Shrey Srivastava抯 Bandhak and Jayprakash抯 Market?
I wasn抰 thrown out of Bandhak; rather I walked out of the film. I had shot for 10 days for the film, but they too didn抰 pay me, so I decided to walk out, as I felt that I was being taken for a ride once again. As for Market, I would have loved to be a part of that film, but I fractured my hand, and the makers were in a hurry to start the film, so I had to let go, as it was impossible for me to shoot.

Your career is heading nowhere. Aren抰 you scared of being left out?
I know that at the moment, I have no films with me. But that抯 not the end of the world. Very soon, I will write my book and cut an album and I am sure that a good film will soon come my way. It抯 just a matter of time. I refuse to be desperate and do 慽tem

ABHISHEK BACHCHAN: Why he doesn't need to survive wome

What抯 the romance quotient of Tinseltown抯 most eligible bachelor?

HE扴 30, single, and together with his father, recently paid the IT department Rs 7.5 crore in taxes. A day after his birthday bash (Aishwarya Rai was the first to arrive and last to leave), Abhishek Bachchan is detoxifying at Janak, the new AB Corp Ltd office in suburban Juhu. He抯 busy mulling over possible names for his new love梐 Great Dane, a gift from family pals, designer duo Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla.
In his trademark white shirt and distressed denims, ABJR makes faces at the prospect of being the focal point of a Valentine抯 Day special. 憫Oh my god, it抯 going to be one of those interviews!拻 he groans. Next up is a spot of housekeeping. He wants an elaborate crystal vase taken off the glass table, 憫Ise please yahan se le jao,拻 he tells one of his staff members. 憫I get really scared of my mom. What if one of us breaks it,拻 quips Bollywood抯 latest pin-up. (A conversation with ABJR is rarely complete without at least one mention of his parents.) Considering the number of times he hit his head on the table during the course of the next hour, because of the 憫extremely difficult questions拻, it was a wise move.

The cheeky humour and childlike antics are classic Abhishek. But in the past one year, this lanky beta has redefined his status as the scion of Bollywood抯 royal family. While his father Amitabh Bachchan recuperates, the son has become more than just the man of Jalsa, ABJR is the new Bachchan.

And even if he is really debating between Rani Mukerji, Ash and Priyanka Chopra, he is, as usual, discreet about it. 憫I think of myself as an actor trying to make a name for myself. Words like bachelor, eligible and 30 don抰 really cross my mind,拻 he says.

Apparently, in the world of ABJR, there抯 no time for big life decisions.

30抯 wish list
l I抎 like to go to South America, that抯 one place I抳e not visited.

I want to do films that are progressive: Preity

She has enacted many roles with a difference like the unwed mother in Kya Kehna and Salaam Namaste or the vixen in Armaan, but Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna is "really different", says Preity Zinta of her new film with Karan Johar.

"Do I sound like one of those actors who are always talking about being hatke. But when you see the film, you'll know what I mean," says the Kal Ho Naa Ho actress, who says working with Karan was an enriching experience.

Describing her role in the Karan Johar directorial venture as one she could completely connect with, she says she can't believe how gifted he is as a writer.

Discussing her marriage plans, Preity says everything happens in its own times and she is sick of the speculations. "It's a stressful topic".

Did you have to get a visa to re-enter Mumbai?
Ha ha. No. But I had to get a new passport because there were no pages left in the old one. Now, I need to get out of my makeup to get a passport pic clicked. I love shooting in Mumbai studios. When you are shooting it's much better to do so in confined spaces where everything can be controlled.

How's it working with Karan?
Ah! After a long time a role I can completely connect with, and yet remain detached. I think Karan is really gifted as a writer. I can't believe how progressive his and Niranjan Iyenger's lines are. We were constantly bouncing ideas. Karan is someone I have always looked up to. But to work with him as a director for the first time, and that too in a project very different from his style, is a unique experience. The vibes on the sets with Amit-ji, Abhishek, Shah Rukh and Rani were amazing.
Such an awesome cast?
To work with Karan is an enriching experience. I have discovered new facets to myself as a person and an actor. I used to call Karan the acting police on the sets of Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna. He wanted to change every nuance in my personality. He wanted me to change from Preity to Priya. He was constantly correcting me. I suddenly felt like a newcomer all over again. I was born again as an actor.

What I am doing here is very different from anything I've done so far. It gives me a chance to portray different aspects of being a woman. I have done many different roles like the unwed mom in Kya Kehna and Salaam Namaste and the vixen in Armaan. But this one is really different. Do I sound like one of those actors who are always talking about being hatke? But when you see the film you'll know what I mean...

And your other assignments?
I only have Alvidaa and Jaan-e-Man on hand. Jaan-e-Man is much more casual and crazy. It is a very sweet film. I have a big smile when I go on that sets. It is a more relaxing experience as an actor. It's great fun working with Karan. But my character is far more intense.

So you didn't cash in on the success of Salaam Namaste?
You know I am not that kind of an actor. What's there to cash in on? Money is important, but not the only criterion for accepting a role! How much money does one need to live comfortably? No matter how rich, I still will eat an ordinary biscuit, not a gold one. I am having fun with my work. I want to do films that excite me, that are progressive. But I also need time to myself. I don't understand how others can do four films at the same time. I've done two and I still haven't had time to move into my new house though I got it one year ago. It's still to be done up.

Even your co-star Rani Mukerji has got a new home?
Has she managed to move into her new place? The rumours about our rivalry are so misplaced. The mindset on a film set is decided by the director. He's the captain of the ship. It is impossible to have negative vibes on a Karan Johar set. And all us actors had the script. So we knew what we were getting into. So why fight? We all had the right to accept or reject the film. Once we accepted we are all working as a team to make the same film. For my performance to work, the film has to work. Kabhi Alvidaa will be powerful in the performances because the roles are all so well-etched.

You haven't worked with Abhishek before?
Just that bit in Salaam Namaste. He is delightful to work with. I've lots of scenes with him. I have worked with his dad in Armaan.

Are you concerned about what you'll do next?
No! I want to do something different from what I've done. I want to do a fun film. I am a happy-go-lucky person. I am listening to scripts.

What are your thoughts on marriage?
I don't know where these marriage rumours came from. The people who spread these rumours got very excited with the thought. But they have finally given up. Marriage is a personal decision. I'll take the plunge when the time is right. As of now, there's nothing on the cards.

Isn't the time right now?
No. Everything happens in its own time. Right now I am working on my career. There's too much interest in my marriage. It is a stressful topic. I am a frank person. When there's something happening I'll announce it. Right now I am sick of these speculations.