'I trust Bhatt saab!'

Pakistani actor-producer Humayun Saeed speaks on all things Bollywood

Humayun Saeed has done it all – television, movies and modelling. The Pakistani actor-producer, who acted in Mahesh Bhatt’s Jashnn, was also on Geo TV with Bhatt. He Pakistani actor-producer Humayun Saeed speaks on all things Bollywood…His goal in Jashnn: My goal is to create an impact. Whether positive or negative I wanted people to notice me and that happened. I got good reviews for Jashnn and people have approached me. So I do see work coming.The Bhatt connection:I met Bhatt saab 4-5 years ago and at that time he had told me we would work together one day. I forgot about the incident. Four years later, he rang me and told me he had a role for me. I trust Bhatt saab and I knew if he was offering me a role, there had to be something in me that was right for this character.Lessons learnt: From the film-making aspect I learnt you should aim at making a low budget movie. Make it with complete passion and confidence rather than focusing on monetary gains and, most important, trust your team. Take their opinions and inputs. It’s a sure shot key to success.Working well with Indian co-stars:It was a completely new environment for me, so in the start there was a slight drop in confidence level. But within 2-3 days I adjusted well. My co-stars were very down-to-earth.Next project:I have my own production with Mahesh Bhatt films, so that’s my main project now.

Wasim Akram bowled over by Sushmita Sen

Former Pakistani cricketer finds her 'incredible'

by Radhika Bhirani

Wasim Akram is currently co-judging the reality TV show "Ek Khiladi Ek Hasina" with Sushmita

Guess who's making former Pakistan cricket captain and swing king Wasim Akram sway to her tunes nowadays? Bollywood actress and former beauty queen Sushmita Sen.Akram, who is currently co-judging an Indian reality TV show "Ek Khiladi Ek Hasina" with Sushmita, is totally gaga over the actress."I think she is an incredible person, very helpful, extremely professional and, yes, she has really made me comfortable on the show," Akram told IANS in an interview.Akram first interacted with Sushmita in Dubai in 2006."I met her about two years ago in Dubai. We did a telethon for Imran Khan's cancer hospital together. That was two days in a row and almost three hours live on TV. So I got to interact with her. We managed to raise quite a bit of money," he said.Sushmita was also one of the reasons why he agreed to be on the judging panel of this show."So far the game is really exciting and fun. It's something very different and that's why I agreed to the show and, plus, I was told that Sushmita would be there; so I agreed.""Ek Khiladi Ek Hasina" airs on Colors and pits six pairs of a cricketer and a TV actress each to display their dancing skills. The cricketers on the show include S. Sreesanth, Harbhajan Singh, Vinod Kambli, Irfan Pathan, Dinesh Kartik and Nikhil Mehra.In one of the recent episodes, Akram has been seen reciting shayari (Urdu couplets) to flatter the actress, but he has not shaken a leg with her so far. Any plans?"Maybe. In fact, they have tried to make me dance, but I really can't handle that sort of pressure. Playing the world cup final twice was okay, but not this," he says.Akram is also entirely dependent on Sushmita to judge the dancing capabilities of the contestants, as he "can't make out the head or tail of dancing"."I wanted to see how the cricketers behave on the stage. I'm not judging the technicalities of their dance. For that Sushmita is there. I have no clue about dancing, what would I comment. I'm not looking at their steps at all. For me, their passion is important," he said.He added: "We are not looking for a dance icon who would go into Bollywood and dance. The idea is to have cricketers dancing and see how they do on the stage. The girls, all six of them, are very talented and excellent. But, for the boys, it's a new thing."So what is his criterion for judging? "For me it's like one day cricket - perform on the day, if you play well, you'll win."Akram feels that though such a show will be a hit in Pakistan, not many cricketers there will agree to take part in it."It will be a big hit there no doubt, but where will the Pakistani cricketers dance there? I don't think the Pakistani cricketers will dance. First let them play well at least," he said and laughed.A lot of actors in India and Pakistan are looking to make a mark in Bollywood, but Akram feels otherwise."I do enjoy acting and watching movies. But acting is a proper profession; you have to learn for it. I've seen cricketers who have done films. But after one or two films, they are not seen any more and I don't want to be one of them."I am happy to leave acting in Bollywood to Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Amitabh Bacchan - all these great actors," said Akram.Indo-Asian News Service

'Nothing was planned in my career'

Actor Boman Irani earlier tried his luck at selling potato chips, photography and theatre

In his first movie "Josh", he had a fleeting appearance. Eight years later Boman Irani is known as a niche actor with the ability to pull audiences. But he doesn't like to be labelled a star and says he is just an average person who loves it when kids approach him."I'm not a hero or a superstar. I'm an everyday guy. I feel happy when children approach me. I feel that something good is happening in life when little kids recognise me," Boman told IANS in an interview.After a humble beginning with Mansoor Khan's "Josh", Boman shot to fame as the eccentric Dr. J.C. Asthana in Rajkumar Hirani's 2003 hit comedy "Munnabhai M.B.B.S.".He has since then won kudos for his powerful performances in films like "Lage Raho Munna Bhai", "Khosla Ka Ghosla", "Don - The Chase Begins Again" and "Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd".Boman says he doesn't mind people remembering him more for "Munnabhai" than for his other roles."I don't mind being identified as any character as long as I'm doing a good job as an actor. I have done all kinds of roles - from an editor, judge, police officer, murderer to a corrupt businessman. And if people identify me as Dr. Asthana or Lucky Singh from 'Munnabhai' movies, I am happy," said Boman."After 'Munnabhai M.B.B.S.' happened, I haven't looked back," added the actor who was in New Delhi to shoot for his forthcoming film "99".Talking about "99", he said: "It is based in the year 1999 and I play a gambler who wants the world to know him as a normal office-goer. I sport a French beard in the film," said Boman.The film is being directed by US-based Indian directors - Raj Nidimuro and Krishna D.K. - who have earlier made "Shor" and "Flavors"."99" also stars Soha Ali Khan, Kunal Khemu, Cyrus Broacha, Simone Singh, Mahesh Manjrekar and Vinod Khanna.On being asked what kind of roles he prefers, Boman asserted: "The moment you say I want to do a role, the story suffers. I don't set priorities in terms of roles or scripts."Although he is not choosy about roles, his favourite character is Lucky Singh from the National Award-winning movie "Lage Raho Munna Bhai"."I like Lucky Singh a lot because he is a confused character. He is a good man but does things in the wrong way. Despite that he is a family man," he said."My favourite co-stars are Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and Shabana Azmi."Before moving on to the big screen, Boman tried his luck at the family business of selling potato chips, photography and theatre. He also did TV commercials."Nothing was planned in my career. I just went with the flow and took everything that came to me. Selling potato chips was obvious as it was a family business. When friends suggested I should try theatre, I gave it a shot. Then I did a lot of advertisements and then movies happened."However, photography is the only thing that I wanted to do. I still carry my camera wherever I go and keep on taking pictures of anything and everything that excites me. I have thousands of pictures in my collection."I don't know when, but it is definitely in my mind to exhibit my photographs some day."Besides "99", Boman will be seen in "Little Zizou", "Fruit & Nut", "Maharathi", "Three Idiots", "Sorry Bhai", "Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai", "Yuvraaj" and the sequel to "Don...".He has also lent his voice to Nikhil Advani's animation movie "Ab Dilli Door Nahin".Dabbling between his various projects, the actor is satisfied as "acting gives the luxury to create something new every time".Indo-Asian News Service

'I'm not in love with Rahul Mahajan'

Monica Bedi also has no plans to get married, she tells masala.com

by Sonia Sharma

It’s hard to not sympathise with Monica Bedi. Beneath the label of a gangster’s moll lies a delicate, ultra-feminine girl with a steely resolve. Perhaps it was this resolve that made her stick by gangster boyfriend Abu Salem’s side even when he was on the run. Or maybe it was plain and simple love. Whatever it was, all it brought her was nasty jibes and unflattering labels. Now that the storm has passed, calm prevails over Monica. After months of keeping mum, she’s bared her soul finally and is also inking an autobiography on her experiences. She’s ready for a new lease of life, one that reality show “Bigg Boss” has given her, and is working towards making her way back into showbiz. In a frank conversation with masala.com, Monica speaks about why she’s a stronger person today. Excerpts:How’s life treating you these days? Have things changed after Bigg Boss?Yes. A lot for that matter. Life’s a little easier post the show. I am getting good film offers and people have become a little more charitable towards me. They are willing to know me for the person I am and are less judgemental about my past. Do you watch Bigg Boss?Sometimes. Whenever I get the time. Not regularly. Rahul Mahajan was given the song Monica, O My Darling to dance to. What’s your reaction? (Laughs) Jaan bhoojke (deliberately). They did it just to tease Rahul. They don’t want Rahul to forget me.Ahem! Do you want to forget him? You were with him all the time on the show…I’m not in love with him! He is like that with every girl. Does my being with him all the time imply something? I don’t think so. We heard you’re penning an autobiography. Will you bare all in it?I am working on it. If all goes well, I will be done in a few months. Everything I write in it will be 100 per cent truth. I’ll reveal every part of my life, right from my childhood to now. I want people to know about my life. I’m not ashamed of anything I have done. Whatever happened is a part of everything I am. And I have accepted that. Life’s been hard for you. How has your perspective changed?I have become a stronger person due to my experiences. I have also become more careful. Now I try not to see the bad in people. I just accept them as they are. Also, I have become a stronger person – mentally and emotionally. To whom did you turn for support when you were undergoing trial? God. My release has made my belief stronger that there is God. I just wanted the court to acknowledge that I am innocent. I prayed throughout my ordeal that I am proven innocent. I spent five years battling trials, accusations and humiliation. No one can return to me those five wasted years but yes, I am glad I have come out of it. My family too supported me in my bad times. Did anyone from the film industry stick by you?No, not a single person. Even my best friends left me when I was in trouble. Will you allow your autobiography to be made into a film?Let me finish writing it first. Lots of filmmakers have approached me to make a film on my life, but I will decide only after I complete my book. The director should be good – something who does full justice to my story. I wouldn’t want a masala film to be made on my life. Will you act in it too?Yes, I will. I want my acting career back. You have worked earlier with David Dhawan and Rajiv Rai. Have you approached them for a comeback? No, I haven’t approached anyone. But I have been getting offers, some of them pretty good. How has the film industry changed since you were here?There’s a lot of difference. Earlier it was more about the big screen. Film people didn’t want to do television. Now the small screen has grown so much that big stars are also on it. There’s a lot more work available and more opportunities to be tapped.Post Bigg Boss, what’s keeping you busy?Interviews, photo shoots and so on. My autobiography also needs attention. I want to release it in four months. But I hardly get time for it. Suddenly you’re on your own. Does that scare you?Not really. Being independent always feels good. I have been working since the age of 16 years. So I have been on my own for quite some time. It’s not a new feeling. Any plans of getting married? No, not at this point. I want to concentrate solely on acting.

It’s All About Gauri

“The greatest mum, the hottest wife, the best friend – there just isn’t anything that Gauri Khan is not,” says her best friend Karan Johar.

“SRK-Gauri are karmically connected – they are soulmates. I think they’re very lucky to have met one another at such a young age and have had such a beautiful marriage.”At home...“She is the same person at home as she is outside – that’s why she is so special. There’s nothing different – and this is what makes her unique.”As a mum...“She is a totally hands-on mum. She is obsessed with her kids and spends 20 hours of the day with them. They fight like cats and dogs, which is cute. Shah Rukh and Gauri are not strict parents, they are lenient, but are grounded and know where to draw the line.”The first time you met her...“It was with SRK on the sets of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and we connected immediately. We started chatting and in three days we became friends. I knew she was going to be a part of my life forever then.”As a chef...“Gauri can’t cook but tries her hand at desserts. My favourite is this one dessert she makes with ice cream, biscuits and chocolate sauce. The strange concoction tastes great.”As a food lover...“She loves Indian food, but doesn’t like restaurants at all. She prefers being at home.“As a wife...“Gauri is an honest person. What you see, is what you get. She gives SRK his space, and fills that space beautifully. She is his reality check at almost every juncture and keeps everything on level.”As a friend...“She is a very live-and-let-live friend and will always be there for you in whatever circumstances. She is my best friend and will always be.”As the woman SRK fell in love with...“If anyone knew Gauri Khan the way SRK did then, they would have fallen in love with her too. She is one of the nicest human beings I have ever met – very solid. She is clean, honest, and always positive about everything. Her strength of character makes her the way she is – she is a strong woman. Everything that you could look for in a woman or want, you can find in Gauri. She is a beautiful and loving wife.”

‘Mr Bachchan is fun'

She may be new to B’wood, but Miss Sri Lanka Jacqueline Fernandes knows exactly what to say!

She’s already set a record as the first Sri Lankan beauty queen in Bollywood. And she’s making her Bolly debut in a film starring none other than Amitabh Bachchan! Look out for the sexy and savvy Jacqueline Fernandes. She may just emerge as the hottest Gen Y heroine.How did you feel about coming to Bollywood?Before I came into Bollywood a lot of people told me it’s a corrupt industry and you need a godfather to survive in it. Nothing’s really happened to me. I think no one can force you to do things you don’t want to. It all comes down to how you conduct your own self.What was your first day on the sets of Aladin like?I was nervous. I think no matter how many times you have been there and done that in front of the camera, you still have those first-day butterflies every time.How did you react when you met Amitabh?It was great meeting a legend like Mr Bachchan. I was in a state of awe. It’s quite a crazy feeling when you meet an icon. But once you know him he is like any normal person, but with a heart of gold. He is very energetic and fun. Do you think Sanjay is evil enough for his role as ringmaster?I don’t know about how evil he is in real life, but Sanjay is a fantastic actor and manages to pull off any character. He has done something really extraordinary as the ringmaster, as you’ll see.