Rumor Has it

I was recently lucky enough to get the chance to do an interview with Tushar Jalota the newest addition to the list of the Bollywood boys. I must say this guy is one of the best looking finds yet. He has the abs, the smile, the gorgeous eyes, the height and best of all the personality. He is funny, sweet, good looking, and talented all wrapped up in a 6 foot whatever package! With his first film Showbiz that released in December this guy has a bright future waiting for him around the corner.

Reshma: I read that you were an assistant director and you were hesitant to do your first film, what was it like when you decided that you could in fact do this?
Tushar: You did read correctly. I did spend close to 5 years working as an assistant director in Vishesh Films under the ever watchful eyes of my mentor, Mr. Mahesh Bhatt (Bhatt saab). I have worked on all of six films which include Gunaah, Saaya, Murder, Tumsa Nahin Dekha, Zeher and Kalyug. It was at this point that Bhatt saab suddenly saw me in a different light and strongly recommended that I take a plunge into the world of acting. Before I knew it, I found myself being hauled off to Anupam Kher's Acting School, Actor Prepares. At that point the Bhatt's were working on a script that talked about the dark side of show business and the media and they needed a lead protagonist who had not been seen earlier. I just flowed along with Bhatt saab's scheme of things and today I'm very happy that I did.
When we started shooting, I thought that as an actor I would get all the preferential treatment that I used to have to give the actors during my assisting days. Much to my dismay, I found that the entire crew still treated me as one of their own. Hence, Zero preferential treatment !!!! (Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr) But in a way it was fabulous as well because my first film was spent in the company of people whom I considered family.

Reshma: Who was your favorite actor/actress growing up? Who or what inspired you to work in films?
Tushar: My favourite actor was and still is the same - Aamir Khan. His power packed performances in films like Qayamet Se Qayamet Tak, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander, Andaz Apna Apna, Ghulam, Lagaan, Dil Chahta Hai etc. excited me and raised my curiosity about film-making. This curiosity about film-making was the driving force behind me joining Vishesh Films. From then on Bhatt saab became my singular mentor and inspiration. With each day that passed by, my fascination with my job grew more and more and before I could blink 5 years had flown by.

Reshma: Do you play any sports?
Tushar: Cricket. It's a passion in India and it's a bigger passion for me. I've spent my childhood eating, sleeping and breathing cricket. I have toured England as a part of the Bombay club team. I've also captained my college cricket team for as long as 4 years. Unfortunately, I hurt my back and couldn't take up cricket professionally.

Reshma: What do you like to do in your spare time?
Tushar: I watch movies, spend time with friends, play a little bit of cricket every now and then. But most of my spare time is spent ensuring that I never have any more spare time!

Reshma: I heard you were dating your co-star from Showbiz, the lovely miss Mrinalini Sharma, is it true?
Tushar: Even I've heard that .......

Reshma: Do you believe in soul mates?
Tushar: Well I believe that many souls means many mates.

Reshma: What is the first thing you look at in a girl?
Tushar: The fact that she's already looking at me !

Reshma: What was your first date like?
Tushar: Ummmmm ......

Reshma: Will you take me out on a date when I come to Mumbai?
Tushar: You really want me to answer that because then everyone will find out about us ;)

The rest of the conversation is for me to know and you to guess! So now a little bit about the movie Showbiz. It's a Mahesh Bhatt film that did not do well with the media in India because it showed the dark side of fame and talks about the media becoming a menace in today's day and age and how it has lost all sense of propriety and responsibility. An interesting topic that has never really been touched based upon before. The acting was amazing especially since it was both stars first films. Now whatever the media's opinion about the film is their BIZ but Tushar Jalota stole the SHOW! ~*~Reshma Dhawan~*~