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FORTNIGHTLY ISSUE NO. 14 DECEMBER 10, 2009 AUCKLAND

O
n 3 Idiots and what got him
interested in the film.
It was the subject of the film
that got me interested in the
project. I felt that I could relate to the film
and its lead protagonist from the word go. I
haven’t read the novel, ‘Five Point Someone’
on which the film is based but I liked the way
the story was conceptualized. Also, there is
GLAMO R ★ G OSSIP ★ GRANDEUR
a very thought-provoking message in the
film for all students. It raises pertinent
questions about the norms of success and
what students seek ultimately in life. The
only difference is that director Raj Kumar
Hirani has conveyed the message in his
inimitable humourous style.
Full coverage on page 6 & 7

He’s known to be extremely

choosy about his choice
of roles and films which is
why an Aamir Khan starrer
invariably generates a great
deal of pre-release curiosity
in the film trade. The
perfectionist Khan is now
gearing up for the release
of his next film, 3 Idiots, in
which he essays the role of a
22-year college student, who
redefines the norms of the
prevalent education system
in the country. He talks
about the film and more.

AAMIR KHAN
“I have been a great fan of
Raj Kumar Hirani’s films”

RAJESH KUMAR Immigration Advisor

Immi
- 14 years of Legal & Immigration experience
- Specialise in Skilled Migrant Category & Family Residence
- Study to work to Residence Permit
- Visitor/Work Visa/Permit to Residence Permit for spouse/partner
- Residence Visa/Permit under Sibling/Adult Child category [last number]
- Long Term Business Visa/Permit - Enterprenuer Category [Residence]
- Appeal/Review/Reconsideration of declined cases. Rajesh Kumar
MA LLB, LLM Hons (NZ)

Ph: (09) 279 9228 1st Floor, 150-A Great South Road, Papatoetoe, Auckland
Mobile: 021 205 5507 P.O.Box 23450, Hunters Corner, Papatoetoe, Auckland
Fax: (09) 279 9224 E-mail: raj_hannah@yahoo.co.nz
02 ADVERTORIAL DECEMBER 10, 2009, AUCKLAND

11 - Point of view Readers’ feedback

SALMAN KHAN
11 - Gupshup Editor’s note
12 - 13 - King Poster
Thanks for the overwhelming response to our previous
AKSHAY KUMAR AND KATRINA KAIF
issue. A number of readers appreciated our cover story
14 - Events
CONTENTS PAA PREMIER
on Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor. The films starring
the two may not have got the same outstanding response,
Page 1, 6 & 7 - Cover story but behind the scenes, they certainly seem to compliment
16 - WHAT’S UP
each other in their very contrasting personas. The quiet,
AAMIR KHAN 18 - Star Talk composed Saif and the vivacious and forthright Kareena
3 - Star Birthdays VIVEK OBEROI make a perfect pair off screen.
4 & 5 - Previews 20 - Interview
The other hot pair that is currently in the news is the
Akshay-Katrina jodi. However they are the most popular
‘MY NAME IS KHAN’ & ‘VEER’ RANBIR KAPOOR “on-screen” couple, who are taking their chemistry a step
8 & 9 - Second lead 22 - NZ diary further with each film, the latest being ‘De Dana Dan’.
VIDYA BALAN 23 - Star Classfied Bollywood jodis apart, the heat right now is on the
forthcoming releases, the most anticipated one being the
Christmas release of ‘3 Idiots’. It will be interesting to watch
the perfectionist Aamir Khan playing the role of a 22-year
PUBLICATION DETAILS old student and giving it his best shot.
Publisher: Metsons(N.Z) Ltd.
There’s a lot more in store as the year ends. We’ll keep
Editor: Vinay Mehta
you updated on that.
Associate Editor ( Mumbai): M.J. Rajendrakumar.
Address: 17-A, Robson street, Lynfield, Auckland.
Copyright reserved: Metsons (NZ) ltd. Vinay Mehta
For Advertising contact: Vinay Mehta - (09) 6294849,021893424
e mail: info@gplus.co.nz. website: www.gplus.co.nz Editor
DECEMBER 10, 2009, AUCKLAND STAR BIRTHDAYS 03

You share your birthday with

December 17
John Abraham

December 11 December 20
DILIP KUMAR SOHAIL KHAN
December 12 December 21
RAJNIKANTH GOVINDA
December 17 December 24
RITESH DESHMUKH ANIL KAPOOR

Keep your Reduce heat buildup on your

home with Resene Cool
Colours, designed to reflect
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Available from your Resene

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0800 RESENE (737 363)

www.resene.co.nz
COG20861NOV
 04
MY NAME IS KHAN
T
he hugely successful
threesome of superstar
Shah Rukh Khan,
Kajol and Karan Johar are
back with ‘My Name is Khan’.
Rated as one of the most
anticipated films of early
2010, the film marks the
coming together of the trio
after a gap of almost eight
years. Shah Rukh and Kajol
have starred in five films
so far, including Dilwale
Dulhaniyan Le Jayenge
and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,
all of which have proved to
be blockbusters at the box-
office and established them
as one of the most successful
pairs in B-town.
Produced by Dharma
Productions & Red Chillies
Entertainment and
distributed by Fox Studios,
My Name is Khan is set
against the backdrop of the
9/11 terror attacks and its
impact on Indians living in
the U.S. The film is backed
by Fox STAR Studios, a joint
venture between News Corp
units 20th Century Fox and
PREVIEWS
STAR Television. It tells
the story of a Muslim who
suffers from the Asperger
syndrome (an autism related
disorder) and is perceived as
a suspected terrorist due to
his disability.
Rizwan Khan (Tanay
Chheda) is a Muslim child
who grew up with his
mother (Zarina Wahab) in
Mumbai and suffers from
Asperger syndrome. As an
adult (Shahrukh Khan),
Rizwan falls in love with
a Hindu single mother,
DECEMBER 10, 2009, AUCKLAND
Mandira (Kajol) who lives
in San Francisco. Post
9/11, Rizwan is arrested
among the several Muslims
living in Los Angeles. After
his arrest, he meets Radha
(Sheetal Menon), a therapist
who helps him overcome the
ordeal. Rizwan then begins
a journey to find and meet
the President (Christopher
B. Duncan) in order to clear
his name.
Budgeted at Rs 55 crores,
My Name is Khan is slated
to have the widest possible
release for an SRK-Kajol
starrer. Fox Star Studios had
last acquired the marketing
and distribution rights for
the film at a whopping Rs
100 crores, considered to
be the biggest deal ever
outstripping Rs 90 crore,
which was paid for the rights
of the Aamir Khan starer,
Ghajini and Rs 70 crores for
Om Shanti Om.
Fox has scheduled the
release of the film close to
the Valentine’s Day weekend
on February 12, 2010. The
film will be released by
Fox Star Studios in India,
Fox Searchlight in the U.S.
and by 20th Century Fox
in a further 38 territories
including Canada, U.K.,
Australia, New Zealand and
the Middle East. Incidentally,
‘My Name is Khan’ is the
first FSS backed film to have
a global release. FSS had last
released the Fox acquisition
‘Slumdog Millionaire’.
Banner: Dharma
Productions, Red Chillies
Entertainment
Genre: Social
Director: Karan Johar
Star Cast: Shahrukh Khan,
Kajol, Jimmy Shergill, Zarina
Wahab, Parvin Dabbas,
Arif Zakaria, Navneet
Nishan, Sheetal Menon,
Tanay Chheda, Arjun
Mathur
Music Director: Shankar
Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani
& Loy Mendonca
Cinematography: Ravi K.
Chandran
Story / Writer: Karan
Johar, Shibani Bathija
 DECEMBER 10, 2009, AUCKLAND
VEER
P
roduced by Eros International
and directed
ed by Anil Sharma, Veer
is a period
d film set in the 1880s
of an Indian warrior
rrior who takes on the
might of the British Empire. The film is
directed by Anil Sharma who has made
Bollywood blockbusters like Gadar – Ek
Prem Katha. Directed by Anil Sharma,
the much-talked about film is about the
bravery of a Pindari soldier and features
Salman in never seen before avatar
along with newcomer Zarine Khan, said
to be a Katrina look-alike.
However, it is Salman Khan, who
has given the film his best shot not
just in acting but in every other area of
filmmaking. Besides playing the lead,
Salman has also penned the film’s story
and produced the film. Former Miss UK
Lisa Lazarus too plays a pivotal role in the
film that also stars Mithun Chakraborty
and Jackie Shroff along with Sohail
Khan and Bharat Dabholkar.
From the misty pages of history
comes a story of extreme valour, fierce
pride and poignant love. As the British
enslave India with their devious Divide
and Rule policy, kings and nawabs fall
to their guile and cunning, and entrust
their precious kingdom to the foreigners.
Except for the brave Pindaris, who
prefer death to dishonour and will fight
to their last breath to save their land...
their mother.
The bravest, the toughest, the
strongest of the Pindaris is Veer. As Veer
takes on the might of the British Empire,
he also has to fight the conniving King
of Madavgarh as well his own jealous
PREVIEWS 05
tribesmen. The stakes are high too. At
stake are several factors among them
being his love for princess Yashodhara,
daughter of his sworn enemy,
enemy his thirst
to avenge his father’s dishonour and his
very own existence.
Cannons roar, swords clash in fierce
battle, the dead pile up... And when the
dust settles down on the blood soaked
land...one valiant warrior stands head
and shoulders above them all - Veer!
The film will feature Salman in
the role of an Indian Gladiator. Also,
Salman will be seen in a very different
look with long hair and a bronzed look,
besides his six-pack abs. This epic saga
of bravery and drama, treachery and
love is scheduled for a 22nd January
release.
Banner: Vijay Galani Moviez, Eros
Entertainment
Genre: Period
Producers: Vijay Galani/ Sunil A.
Lulla
Story / Writer: Salman Khan
Director: Anil Sharma
Star Cast: Salman Khan, Sohail Khan,
Mithun Chakraborty, Jackie Shroff. Lisa
Lazarus, Gita Soto, Neena Gupta, Aryan
Vaid, Bharat Dabholkar, Bunny Anand,
Shahbaaz Khan, Puru Raaj Kumar, Tim
Laurence, William Chubb, Rajesh Vivek.
Ashok Samarth, Vinay Apte, Yogesh Suri
and Zarine Khan
Lyricist: Gulzar
Music Directors: Sajid Wajid
Cinematography: Gopal Shah
Action: Tinu Verma
Screenplay: Shaktimaan
 06
On his days as a student
Well, I wasn’t exactly a
favourite among my teachers
as a student. I was more
inclined towards sports and
would often end up skipping
my homework, which is why
I was more often than not
at the receiving end. Also, I
did not study beyond 12th
standard since I got into films
thereafter. The two years I
spent in college were mostly
spent in drama lessons and I
could hardly attend classes. So
I did not exactly have a rocking
COVER STORY
college life but 3 Idiots gave
me an opportunity to live the
moments of a student’s life.
On the challenge of playing
the character of a 22-year
old, almost half his age
Before I talk about the
challenge, I wish so state that
my decision to play a role half
my age was to a great extent
influenced by the desire to
work with Raj Kumar Hirani.
Raju had a lot of conviction
that I would be perfect for the
role of Rancho. His two films,
Munnabhai MBBS and Lage
Raho Munnabhai have been
my favourite films and I was
looking forward to working
with him one day. As for
playing a young student, it was
no doubt a tough challenge. I
then started observing young
students, their mindset and
even posted fake profiles
DECEMBER 10, 2009, AUCKLAND
on social networking sites
like Face book and Orkut in
order to interact with young
boys and girls. The idea was
to understand their psyche
and mindset. Also, for some
reason, I am yet to cultivate
I had
no ego
problems
the mindset of a 44-year old,
despite being that age, which
is why I can get along fairly
well with 20-year old.
On adopting a concealed
identity on social
networking sites at one
stage before the first look
of 3 Idiots was unveiled.
I thought it was a great way
to interact with strangers and
gauge their opinion on certain
issues. I decided to lie low
because I could get their true
reaction. That’s because once
the person at the other end
realizes who I am, his reaction
will be influenced by this
knowledge and it will be biased.
The attitude will change, so
will the ideas. Fortunately,
internet facilitates exchanging
ideas without revealing true
identities at times and I valued
that interaction. I did take a
few people into confidence
once I realized that I shared
a comfortable rapport with
them.
On his interaction with
producer Vinod Chopra
and director Raj Kumar
Hirani, both known to
be reckoned filmmakers
in their own right and
whether he faced ego
problems as a result
I had no ego problems
whatsoever either with Raju or
Vinod. On the contrary, both I
and Vinod would immediately
shoot our ideas when Raju
sought a creative feedback from
either of us. Besides, Vinod
was an excellent producer and
gave us full creative freedom.
In fact, I quite enjoyed the
experience of doing the film.
On the general perception
that he ghost-directs a
majority of his films
I just mentioned in an
interview that it was the
one question I was fed up of
answering. I haven’t ghost
directed any of my films in the
past or present and that will
continue to remain so.
 DECEMBER 10, 2009, AUCKLAND COVER STORY 07

There’s definitely a very novel

I will know of promotional strategy in the offing for
this film too that we have lined up.
it only when it It is in total sync with the character
but we want it to come across as a big

happens and surprise.

His next project as a director

that could be
any time.
On reports that he is planning a
unique pre-release campaign for
3 Idiots just as he had done in
Ghajini
I haven’t thought about it yet. I will
know of it only when it happens and
that could be any time. The idea is that
I should feel strong about a certain
subject for me to go ahead and direct
it.
By Tejasvini R
 08
VIDYA BALAN
“I consider my Indian
look a compliment”
Despite her last release, Kismat Konnection
being a big hit, Vidya Balan has been keeping
a conspicuously low profile for the past one
year. On the other hand, the actress has gone
for a complete makeover having lost oodles
of weight. She is now looking forward to two
back to back releases, Balki’s Paa followed
by Vishal Bharadwaj’s Ishqiyaan with
Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi. She
talks about this and more.
Y
ou must be all excited
what with two important
releases lined up in
continuous succession.
I am nervous, happy and excited at the
same time because these two releases are
coming almost one and a half years after
my last release. I am proud to be associated
with the two films. I have well-defined roles
in both of them and I am eager to gauge
the response to my roles. The two films
also gave me an opportunity to work with
SECOND LEAD
some of the best actors in the industry like
Amitabh Bachchan, Naseeruddin Shah,
Abhishek Bachchan and Arshad Warsi.
Were you apprehensive when you
were asked to play the mother of a
13-year old to a veteran actor like
Amitabh Bachchan?
I did have my reservations initially when
Balki narrated the script to me. I read the
script over three times and later weighed
the pros and cons of accepting such a role.
I found the story to be no doubt wonderful.
However, I wasn’t quite sure whether the
role would come naturally to me. I had
earlier performed the role of a mother in
a few commercials and had been chided
for not handling the children well. I took
my own time in giving my nod but Balki
was persistent that I take up the role. Also,
he told me that he had written the roles
specifically with all the actors in mind and
if one of them refused, he would be left with
no other alternative than scrapping the
film. I then requested Balki for rehearsals
and Mr. Bachchan generously acceded. He
called me to Amitji’s office. Once I saw Mr.
Bachchan in the make-up of a 13-year old,
I was convinced that I could fit perfectly
into the role.
Did the role revoke any childhood
memories?
Well yes, particularly when I was shooting
for one important scene in the film. I
remember when Mr. Bachchan was
injured on the sets of Coolie and admitted
to hospital, I was anxious as a child
about his wellbeing. I even persisted with
my parents that I wanted to see him in
hospital. My parents pacified me and put
me to sleep but the next morning I was up
an ready to visit him in hospital. There’s
and
a similar scene in the film that reminded
m about that incident.
me
Th character you play in Ishquiyaan
The
is said to be in complete contrast to
yo role in Pa.
your
(L
(Laughs) Well, I found Ishquiyaan an
eq
equally challenging film. In the film, I play
v
a very complex character of a widow, who
is two-timing the men in the film. She is an
ag
aggressive sexual woman, who is shrewd
bu not as manipulative. The role required
but
m to voice some really foul language but
me
the idea was to make the character look as
authentic as possible. I remember when
director Vishal Bharadwaj came for the
narration, I was rather busy. He initially
felt that I was not very keen on doing the
film but I expressed my interest to him.
How was the experience attempting
roles in two completely different
genres?
It was a learning process. The fact that I
DECEMBER 10, 2009, AUCKLAND
was working with the most seasoned stars
made the job easier for me. Moreover, it
was the veteran actors who supported me
all the way in my endeavour. I remember
whenever there were close up shots
between me and Amit-ji, he would always
be the first one to give me cues. When I
would turn around and thank him, he
would simply tell me that it was his duty.
He would call me mom on the sets. That’s
the kind of dedication he has towards the
roles he plays.
Amitabh Bachchan recently
mentioned in an interview that you
reminded him of Waheeda Rehman.
How did it feel?
I am deeply humbled and at the same time
dumb-founded. It’s very kind of Amit-ji
to say something like that. Amit-ji has
been very generous in his compliments.
Waheeda-ji was known for her beauty and
grace and being compared to her is like an
award in itself.
This is your second film with
Abhishek Bachchan, the first one
being Guru.
That’s right and both the experiences
have been different. Abhishek is very
unpredictable. He never rehearses for his
character but there is a lot of conviction in
his eyes when he gives the take. You can
never pre-plan anything with Abhishek.
Off-screen he is very naughty and tries to
distract you but once on camera, he is a
serious actor.
You have often been criticized for
your looks and dress sense. Does
that affect you?
There were occasions when I was a
bit disturbed by the criticism but then
I realized that I needed to look at the
larger perspective of things as far as
my career was concerned. I did some
serious introspection in the last one and
a half years and I realized that there was
nothing wrong with my Indian look. On
the contrary, it was a huge advantage for
me. I have now begun to look at the barbs
about my typically Indian dress sense as
a compliment. Being modern is not just
about wearing western clothes or short
skirts and shorts. It is important to wear
 DECEMBER 10, 2009, AUCKLAND
clothes that go well with the character.
Anyway, I now weigh my decisions
minutely before taking them. I am also
trying to change the way I am perceived.
In Paa for instance, I am wearing western
clothes like long tunics.
You also seem to have made up
your mind about coming out of the
closet as far as relationships are
concerned. Recently you admitted
to being in a relationship. What
made you break your silence?
I have always been a very private person
and have never spoken about my personal
life then or now. I wouldn’t like to talk
about it ever. It is true that I was in a
SECOND LEAD 09
relationship not so long ago and it’s all
over now. I never revealed the name of
the person when I was in the relationship
and I wouldn’t like to talk about it now
since it is all over. I have no regrets about
it either. I believe that everyday is not a
Sunday and it is all a matter of the past. I
am presently concerned about the things
that are going right for me. To start with, I
have lost a lot of weight. I have finished Pa
and Ishquiyaan and I am looking forward
to many good films ahead. In fact, I am
counting on 2010 to be my year when I
will be spoken of for my good work more
than anything else.
By Swati Sahasrabuddhe
10
Salman Khan speaks
out from his heart
Come January 22, 2010
and Salman Khan’s dream
project Veer will be finally
out in the cinemas after a
lot of hard work and toil.
The actor has been holding
the project close to his heart
for the past many years,
ever since he first conceived
it. In fact, he specially
decided to pen down all
his experiences about the
film in order to let his fans
know how important it was
for him.
POINT OF VIEW DECEMBER 10, 2009, AUCKLAND
My Dream Project ….VEER
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 00:24 AM
Hi Friends,
Everyone wants to know what is Salman’s dream project?
And I am very excited about the release of Veer on 22nd Jan
2010. I have lived with Veer for 20 years and want you guys to
live the movie with me through this blog.
Veer can be called my most awaited film till date. I had
written the story of my dream project when I was shooting for
the film Baaghi in 1990.
As a child, I saw the film Taras Bulba that beautifully showed a father-son sharing an extraordinary relationship.
Being inspired from this, I always wanted to write a script revolving around this bond. I had the whole thing 20
years back and wanted to direct a film on this subject… Had dreamt of becoming a director but as fate would have
it, ended up becoming an actor.
After showing Maine Pyar Kiya to my father, he didn’t react to the film at all. Finally, at 2 in the morning he
called me and said, “You are going to be a STAR…a cult figure after this film…and after this if anybody can mess it
up….ITS YOU!”
My biggest fear for Veer was that my father had asked me not to make this film! But when he finally saw the film,
he came out saying … “IT IS OUTSTANDING!” which meant the most to me.
The film is set in the era of 1875 and is based on the love story of a warrior “Veer” and his clan of the fearless
Pindhari warriors of the 19th century.
Veer is the biggest Bollywood film ever to be made and a movie like this is going to be written, directed &
produced once in a lifetime…
Guys, I’m going to do my best to continue writing in about my experiences and this fabulous journey that’s
…..VEER.
Love,
Salman
 DECEMBER 10, 2009, AUCKLAND GUPSHUP 11

Riya takes over the internet!

T
he petite Riya Sen is sharing a
lot of interesting trivia about
herself on her newly launched
website. Riya had launched her
website ww.myriyasen.com at the
MAMI Film Festival, where she was
accompanied by friend and acclaimed
director Rituparno Ghosh.
The portal was launched after the
screening of Rituparno’s upcoming
movie ‘Abohoman’ where Riya plays
a cameo of Satyajit Ray’s rebellious
daughter-in-law.
Riya, who will soon be seen in
Rituparno Ghosh’s ‘Abohoman’ and
‘Nauka dubi’, has been quite active on
twitter too. Her website is the latest
medium she has chosen to connect
with her fans. The site features
everything about Riya right from her
style fundas to her exclusive photo
gallery and also updates readers
about the latest happenings in her
life. Looks like Riya surely knows how
to keep her fans happy!
12 KING POSTER DECEMBER 10, 2009, AUCKLAND DECEMBER 10, 2009, AUCKLAND KING POSTER 13

The hottest and

now the sexiest
Bollywood jodi too
The hot
hotpair
pairofofAKSHAY Kumar and
Akshay KUMAR
Katrina
KATRINA Kaif
KAIFis known
is known share
to to a
share
remarkable
a remarkablechemistry
chemistry on
on screen,
one of the reasons, why them have
given a stream of successes together.
In Priyadarshan’s De Dana Dan, they
have now acquired the reputation of
being the most sensuous pair too.
The two have done a sizzling rain wet
and wild number ‘Gale lag Jaa’ in the
film, in which Katrina has seduced
both Akshay and the audiences.
 14 EVENTS DECEMBER 10, 2009, AUCKLAND

Paa Movie premier

graced by the who’s
who of the industry
T
he premier of Paa proved to be one of the most high profile
events in recent times with the most reckoned names in the
industry registering their presence. It was also an indication
about the kind of following Big B commands in the film trade. From
stars to reputed filmmakers, cricketers and political friends of the
Bachchans, everyone was present on the occasion. Among them
besides the cast and crew of the film, were Shah Rukh Khan and
his family, Aamir Khan, R Madhavan, Akshay Kumar and his wife
Twinkle, Hrithik Roshan and his wife Suzanne, Ajay Devgan and wife
Kajol, Hema Malini with her daughters, Govinda, Ranbir Kapoor,
Arshad Warsi, Imran Khan, Juhi Chawla besides Ben Kingsley and
his wife, filmmakers Yash Chopra, Subhash Ghai, Vidhu Vinod
Chopra, Karan Johar, Samajwadi party General Secretary, Amar
Singh, cricketer Gavaskar and others.

Akshay Kumar and

Katrina Kaif Promote
De Dana Dan at Hotel
Novotel, Mumbai
 16 WHAT’S UP DECEMBER 10, 2009, AUCKLAND

Salman Khan unveils Suzanne Roshan at Paris Region

Press Meet, Suzanne Roshan,
first look of Veer Zarina Khan

T
he gorgeous
S u z a n n e
Roshan recently
graced the Paris
Regional Economic
Development press
meet held at Trident,
Mumbai. She was
accompanied by Zarine
Khan.

A
midst much curiosity, Salman
Khan and the producers of Veer
unveiled the first look of the film
at PVR cinema, Juhu, Mumbai. The
film is said to be one of Salman’s most
cherished projects and he was all smiles
at the event. Also present at the do were
the film’s producers Sunil Lulla and Vijay
Galani besides a host of celebrities.

Madhur Bhandarkar Honoured at 33rd Unlikely Hero: Om Puri Book

Cairo International Film Festival Launch by Big B

F
ilmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar was felicitated at the closing ceremony of the

A
33rd Cairo International Film Festival held in Egypt between November 10 mitabh Bachchan officially
and November 20. A retrospective of five of his critically acclaimed films unveiled ‘Om Puri: An Unlikely
was also showcased at the event under the section of ‘Tribute to India’. The films Hero’, a biography of Om Puri
included Chandni Bar, Page3, Corporate, Traffic Signal and Fashion. Besides written by his wife, Nandita Puri at ITC
Bhandarkar, actor Irrfan Khan was also honored at the festival. Grand Central, Mumbai. Among those
who were present on the occasion were
Amitabh Bachchan, Om Puri, Nandita
Puri, Tom Alter, Gulshan Grover, Prem
Chopra, Govind Nihalani and Adnan
Sami.

Glorious moment for ‘Taarak Mehta ka

Oolta Chasma’
A
sit Modi’s comic serial ‘Taarak Mehta ka Oolta Chasma’ won two awards at
the ITA Awards, 2009. The serial bagged the ‘Best Serial-Comedy’ award,
also winning an award for Disha Vakhani as the ‘Best Actress, Comedy’.
The serial also stood out at the Indian Telly Awards, 2009 bagging three awards
for ‘Best Sitcom’, ‘Best Actor, Dilip Joshi” and ‘Best Actress, Disha Vakhani’. The
proud team promises to continue spreading more smiles and laughs to its viewers.
The ITA awards are scheduled to be telecast on 13th December at 9:00pm on Star
Plus.
 18
Y
our latest release
Kurbaan has generated
a moderate response
at the box-office.
However, your performance
in the film been considerably
appreciated. How does it feel?
Who said that the film has not done
well? My phone hasn’t stopped
ringing since the release of the film
last week. On the contrary, there has
been a very positive feedback for the
film so far, gauging from the feedback
I have received so far. Coming to the
box-office figures, I wouldn’t be able
to vouch for their accuracy. I am
aware of the fact that some people
in the trade have a tendency to tear
apart a film. We will be able to gauge
the actual box-office status only
after we get the official figures from
Dharma Productions and UTV. All
said and done, I am glad that my work
in the film has been appreciated. It is
important that the audiences connect
to your character in the film.
You went into a self-imposed
hibernation after your last film
Mission Istanbul proved to be
a disappointing fare at the box-
office.
(laughs).If you literally mean I had
gone into hibernation, it would imply
that I was in deep slumber. That’s
far from the truth. The fact is that
I have been busy shooting for my
under-production films, two of them
being Kurbaan and Prince. Prince
is particularly a demanding film in
terms of the action sequences. The
film required me to train extensively
on action. I guess my efforts are
paying off because I have already
got an encouraging response for
the theatrical promos. I am looking
forward to 2010 and hoping that it
will be my year.
What is so special about the
action in Prince?
The film is replete with extraordinary
action all the way. For instance, you
will watch me doing 40 seconds of
skate board sequences in the film.
I’ll also be riding bikes and doing
cable work. In fact, I underwent an
intensive training program of two
months especially for the action in
the film. A trainer from Thailand
taught me how to land and jump from
40-storeyed buildings. Apart from
that, a parkour expert trained me in
martial arts and riding stunts. I have
been riding bikes all my life but doing
stunts with bikes is a different ball
game altogether. I have lost 12 kgs
for the role in the last few months.
Does action give you a high
considering that you have done
action in Company, Mission
Istanbul and now Prince?
You have missed out on Shoot Out
At Lokhandwala, which was also
another action film. It is true that
action gives me a new high. I like the
STAR TALK
VIVEIK OBEROI
“I have arrived
once again”
The once impulsive Viveik Oberoi has sobered
down and put his past behind him. His recent
release, Kurbaan won him rave reviews and
his next film, Prince- Its show time is set for
a December release. The actor is working
overtime and looking forward to a new innings
in Bollywood.
DECEMBER 10, 2009, AUCKLAND
adrenalin rush that comes with it.
You could call me a complete stunt
junkie who thrives on action. I have
always been game for action. In
Shoot Out I jumped from a 48-floor
building. My producers and action
director were forever apprehensive
about what I would be doing next.
They used to safety check all the
cables because I was the first one to
take the initiative.
What after Prince?
I have Ram Gopal Varma’s Rakhta
Charitra in two parts. It was a
fabulous experience working with
RGV. He had given me my first break
in Company. I will always be thankful
to him for having faith in my abilities
as an actor.
Post Company, there was
speculation that your
relationship with RGV had
soured since you did not work
with him for a long time?
That was the period when I drifted
apart. I had lost all passion for work.
I traded my innocence for exposure
and my ego for my humility. But I
have put all that behind me now. I
am now completely focused about my
work. I am also reading some very
promising scripts.
What about endorsements,
which
w c you were actively doing at
one point
have c
po of time? You seem to
cut down on them too.
All I can say is that I am totally focused
on my work
w right now. Very soon you
will see me everywhere. I can say that
I have arrived
a once again.
What is Raktha Charitra all
about?
It is an intense and powerful story.
It is on
one of the most complex roles
I have ever attempted in my career.
The character
cha I play is that of Paritala
Ravi, a phenomenal political leader in
Andhra Pradesh, who survived many
murder attempts, and was finally
assassinated
assassin in 2005. Ravi’s father
and brother
bro were murdered by local
factionists.
factioni He became a rebel, and
fled to the jungles, plotting revenge
for his family’s death. In 1994,
Paritala Ravi was elected as an MLA,
and became
bec part of N.T Rama Rao’s
cabinet as Minister for Labour.
So how was it working with RGV
once again?
a
It was absolutely rewarding as it
has always been working with RGV.
This time however, I totally got into
the skin of the character. It was like
I was playing the character all the
time. I was never out of it. Right
now though, the new me is Prince. I
have been living that role for the past
few months. Post Prince, it will be
completely Raktha Charitra.
By Sharmista M
 20
RANBIR KAPOOR
“My mother was ecstatic seeing me
in the role of a Sardar”
He is riding on the success wave at the moment. With two back to back
successes in Wake up Sid and Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, Ranbir Kapoor’s
name figures topmost among the probable superstar kids on the block. He is
now looking forward to his next release, Rocket Singh- Salesman of the year,
which promises to complete his hat-trick of successes.
Tell us something your
character in Rocket Singh –
Salesman of the Year.
The character I play is called
Harpreet Singh Bedi, who has
freshly graduated from college
and is looking forward to doing
something in his life. He adores
the field of marketing and
sales because he feels that it
gives a great deal of exposure
and effectively taps a person’s
intelligence. The character is
about the youth of the country
and their aspirations. It is about
young people with honesty and
integrity who are search of a
brighter future. They all want to
earn money obviously, but they
have to choose the right path
to do it. The path that Harpreet
chooses is really brave. What he
does is amazing.
A lot is being said about your
look in the film. Reportedly,
your family was quite excited
about the look.
INTERVIEW DECEMBER 10, 2009, AUCKLAND
they were definitely ecstatic and
glad that their wishes had been
fulfilled about seeing me in the
role of a Sardar.
Did you model yourself on
someone for the character
of a Sardar?
Shimit and Jaideep made
the character so unique that I
couldn’t imagine anyone in it but
I remember I had a sardar friend
called Jaikaran Juneja whom
I had grown up with. Harpreet
speaks exactly like him. I don’t
think I have modeled myself on
him, but I have taken some traits
from him.
This is your first film with
Shimit Amim. How was the
experience?
He is one of the finest human
beings I have ever met. He is a
bit of an introvert and does not
believe in unduly pressurizing
his actors. He has the right
sensibilities of how he wants his
actors to do a scene. It has been
a humbling experience for me
to be directed by him and to be
speaking Jaideep’s lines.
A majority of the film is said
to be shot in the backdrop
of an office. Were you
comfortable
co being in the
corporate
co set-up?
I was totally alien to this
world.
wo Shimit wanted me to have
a look
l
Yash
at how an office runs, so
we would all hang around in the
Ya Raj corporate offices to get
a feel
f of the atmosphere. He also
showed
sh me some DVDs in order
to introduce me to the way offices
functioned.
fun Even when our set
was
wa made, it was an office and it
was
wa as if we were going to office
everyday.
ev
wrapped
wr
By the time we had
up the shooting, we had
become
be like office colleagues,
It took me fifive
ve weeks to grow who
wh would address each other by
the beard that I am sporting in our character names.
the film. In those five weeks we
tried experimenting with several Who do you think is better
turbans because we wanted to be in the role of a Sardar, you
doubly sure about the fabric, the or your Dad?
colour pattern and the length of I can never compare myself to
the turbans. It took me some time my father. He is one of the finest
to get used to the idea of wearing actors in the industry. I don’t
a turban though. I wanted it to stand anywhere in comparison
look natural so I made it a habit to his 30 illustrious years in the
of putting it on my head even industry. I would not even use
during the rehearsals. In addition, my name in the same.
Yash-ji (Yash Chopra) gave me
a kada (bracelet) that he had What do you think makes a
personally got from the Golden good salesman?
temple in Amritsar. I think it was More than getting the job,
also a blessing, besides giving an getting the orders and achieving
authentic look to my character the targets, it’s the honesty and
in the film. By the time I actually integrity that make for a good
got down to shooting, the salesperson. This does not
turban and the beard became an apply merely in the profession
inherent part of my personality of sales; it applies to every other
so much so that the people on profession. If you have these
the sets started connecting with qualities, you can succeed in all
my character of Harpreet Singh spheres of life.
Bedi. As for my family, well, my By S.K
mother and nani are sardarnis so
 22
Kavinesh is the new star of NCBT KBS-2
S
eason 2 of TV’s popular
NCBT Kaun Banegar
Superstar (KBS-2),
New Zealand’s
only Bollywood singing
competition has now wrapped
up and a “new star” has just
been discovered. 19 year old
Kavinesh from Fiji fought his
way through a gruelling and
tough competition to make
it to the top. He will now be
winging his way to Bombay to
record his first professional
single release just in time for
the launch of the 3rd season
of Kaun Banega Superstar
(KBS-3) starting shortly next
year.
This year the competition
was tough with the successful
contestants competing in three
rounds, the romantic number
round, the classical number
round and the fast number
round. For the judges it was a
formidable challenge choosing
among the best and the most
talented. They however set up
a criteria based on which they
made their decisions.
They looked at the
performances of each of the
contestants, the difficulty of
songs selected, the quality
of voice and the all-round
performance. Of course
as mentioned earlier, the
choices they had to make were
unbelievably tough. In fact,
the quality of contestants was
so high this year that Kavinesh
won by a nail-bitingly narrow
margin.
The runner-up 19-year
old Chander, who has won
NEW ZEALAND DIARY
the second prize in inter-
state DAV schools singing
competition, besides being
the music in-charge of his
school, considers Kaun Banega
Superstar as one of his biggest
achievements. Says Chander,
DECEMBER 10, 2009, AUCKLAND
“I am not a trained singer but
after Kaun Banega Superstar,
I have become serious about
my talent. I now want to learn
classical music. I have also
learnt so much from the Kaun
Banega Superstar judges.”
If you were one of those
who wanted to try but missed
out the opportunity, then don’t
despair! Kaun Banega Superstar
(KBS-3) is just around the
corner. Dreamz Productions
is now accepting registrations
at www.dreamzproductions.
com for the new season which
promises to be bigger and more
lavish than ever before! KBS is
the perfect vehicle for up and
coming young people to make
a foray into superstardom!
More Bollywood songs!
More prizes! More chances to
be a Superstar!
Don’t delay, sign up for
your chance top be a Superstar
today!
DECEMBER 10, 2009, AUCKLAND STAR CLASSIFIED 23