Rumor Has it

Keep on Goaling

2008-07-10T21:48:56Z

]]> Check out my interview with Vivek Agnihotri. Enjoy!

1) How did you know you wanted to be a director?
I was working in JWT, a leading ad agency. I was working on the launch of Maggi, a nestle brand. My first job was to supervise their commercial. Once I was in the studio I knew I had to make films. I did it only after spending another 12 years in advertising and getting utterly bored. But I was a prominent theatre director in my university.
2) When did you know you wanted to be in the Indian Film Industry?
I was making lots of commercials and also making one hour suspense shows for TV. I used to have this chip on my shoulder that filmy people were all rubbish. We always looked down at Indian film industry as advertising work was much superior than contemporary film work. Its only when I was making couple of tellyfilms I realized I needed a bigger canvas. That's when I realized its not about technique... its about storytelling, characters and dramatic part which is most challenging.
3) Is there any western actor you would like to work with?
I look up to Anthony Hopkins and Tom Hanks with immense admiration. They are my dreamcast.
4) Are there any habits on set that bother you?
Yeah, I don't like people smoking and running on the sets. I also don't like tired, sleepy and dull people.
5) Were you pleased with the outcome of goal?
Yes and no. I am very happy that it connected so well with the young kids so well. It entertained audiences all over and made lots of money for the producers but I'm bit disappointed with the critics for comparing it with Chak De.
6) How is it working with John Abraham? Bipasha? Arshad? and Boman?
All of them are good friends and have modern outlook so its easy to connect. But in this film I discovered Bipasha and Boman as great friends.
7) Can you tell me any memorable moments with any of the actors from Goal?
Most of the special memories are with Boman, a great prankster but a good man. We shot in very difficult weather. But Boman kept people on a roll.
8) Any memorable/funny moments on the sets in general?
In a shot John is showing off his body in a shower when Boman comes to instruct him for next match. Now, John would put some shining oil on his body to enhance his muscles. Boman was getting little frustrated so in the take he comes in and starts questioning John... so, you have a great body.... wanna watch better body.... and there he goes.... Boman took off all his clothes, literally. First, the entire set was stunned and then it burst out in a unstoppable laughter. We, eventually, had to call it a day.
9) Tell me a little about your production house.
I run Vivek Agnihotri Creates, which primarily produces ad films. This year we are producing our first feature film.
10) Tell me about your future projects.
I'm starting my next film for Anil Ambani's Reliance Entertainment. Its set in Somalia and is a journey of lost friends from Jammu to Africa. We roll in July.

John Abraham in a shower with oil all over him...my imagination is running wild. Until next time XoXo Reshma Dhawan

Happy Birthday Rani!

2008-03-21T07:50:51Z

]]> Happy Birthday Rani!

Today is Rani Mukherjee's birthday. The actress turned the big 30 today. So in honor of her here are a few facts about the actress with the voice that has stolen the hearts of millions!

1) She won Filmfares Best Supporting Actress award for her work in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.
2) Rani was offered the lead role in Mira Nair's The Namesake but could not accept because it conflicted with the film she was taping at the time Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna.
3) Her father Ram Mukherjee is a retired director.
4) Rani is a trained Odissi dancer, she started in the 10th grade.
5) She has been in over 38 films, and has won over 45 awards for her outstanding work in her films!

Hope you have an amazing birthday and that all your wishes come true~*~ReshmaDhawan~*~

Where in the world is John Abraham?

2008-03-19T05:09:24Z

]]> It is official John has left the Bombay building. Last night John left on a flight to Miami where he will be shooting the new Karan Johar movie Dostana with Abishek Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra.

So do you like the picture I found of him? Guess what! John's brother Alan is an amazing photographer and shot this one of his older brother. Sigh what sexy...I mean talented siblings. Sorry to break it to you girls...Alan is getting married in Romania this May. Guess both of the Abrahams are out of the picture! But if any of you happen to see him in Miami send him my love! ~*~Reshma Dhawan~*~

In The Eyes of Vipin Sharma.....A Behind the Scenes Look at Tara Zameen Par

2008-03-18T03:15:58Z

]]> I don't think I've ever cried so hard during any movie as I did during Tara Zameen Par. It brought me back to my highly emotional adolescent years when crying seemed like the only thing I could do sometimes. Turns out the making of the film was just as interesting as the movie itself . For those of you who have been dying to know what it was like here it is, brought to you from the eyes of Vipin Sharma in Mumbai to your eyes wherever you may be!

Reshma:How has life been after the success of Tara Zameen Par?
Vipin: It's been completely different now! Before I was walking on the streets and no one knew who I was but now...for example I was sitting in an auto rickshaw (I was not used to traffic here, I just bought a car actually) and my auto rickshaw guy was being pushed to the side. The poor guy didn't know where to go so I leaned out the window and yelled to the car why are you harassing this poor guy and this guy lowered the window and he was abusing the driver again. But then suddenly he realized I was in the movie and the whole confusion disappeared. Another time a small girl came running to me and said you are in the movie Tara Zameen Par! And then she said you are very good. I was kind of worried kids might be scared of me. People recognize me most of the time! I have lot of confidence now to do more work since I'm back after 16 years. Kind of looking forward to more to come!!! It's a very unexplainable feeling when a stranger comes up to you and they get emotional about it. You feel like you are connected to the world around you. It has nothing to do with pride. It's a very human aspect of being recognized.

Reshma: What was it like working with Aamir Khan?
Vipin: I unfortunately had not seen Lagaan. When I was in Canada I rarely watched Bollywood films. I was not very connected to the scene. So the first time I met him everyone around me stood up and I did not know why and he came up to me and introduced myself. I did meet him at the Toronto film festival when Lagaan showed there. He was very respectful. I did tell him that I was away for sixteen years and he never made me feel that I was an outsider in anyway. He really respects people. Being an actor himself he knows how to treat actors. He did not get angry for little things; he's a very laid back guy.

Reshma: What was it like working with a costar as young as Darsheel?
Vipin: I met him at an audition. He narrowed it down to 16 sixteen kids so I was helping. I did the strawberry scene with him, he was very shy when I yelled at him he got a little scared. I felt really bad that he got so shaken but it was the scene and he had to do that. But his mom assured him that it was acting and it had to be done. He is a very intelligent lovely boy. He remembered everyone's name on the set. I couldn't even remember everyone's name! That just shows what kind of heart he has. Then he came and sat down next to me. And I got nervous too since he's so little so I didn't know how to interact with him and I didn't want anything to ruin his comfort level. I think he felt I was trying to help him we had a very good connection. At the narration he sat with me. During the shoot we became very good friends. We r both vegetarian so one day he jokingly asked if I was and he says cutely "that's great all these people who eat meat they will go to hell". He used to love playing Uno. Very innocently he would try to keep all the good cards for himself and I wouldn't tell on him.

Reshma: What scene or line in the film really moved you?
Vipin: I was very moved when the kid came around to see the painting Aamir painted. And when he was crying in the bathroom at the hostel. I also loved the scene when he was trying to put on the tie by himself and he couldn't.

Reshma: Do you think the film portrayed Dyslexia accurately?
Vipin: I am not an expert I did know about it living in Toronto but I did a little research. I think in films you can't tell everything and you can't go into major details and if you are interested you can do further research.

Reshma:Did you always want to go into acting?
Vipin:As a kid growing up I grew up on Bollywood I really wanted to be a movie star. I did not go to go to college in India I was a bit disappointed with the system so I studied at the National School of Drama based in Delhi. When I came to Bombay Keten Mehta assisted me. I was a bit disillusioned with the scenario and I was kind of an angry soul I didn't like the scene in India I wanted to go out an discover the world for a while. I went to Berlin and Europe, when I reached Canada I fell in love with Toronto. I couldn't act and I didn't want to act. My English was not very good at the time I don't know how it is now! (laughs a little) The unions are very strong in Canada. So I ended up becoming interested in post production and experimental films in while I lived there. I was also drawn to editing the Canadian film center it's a very reputed film school in Canada I attended that. About four or five years ago I thought about acting again since I did enjoy it but I did not think I was very good. Then I saw that Indian movies were changing for the good so I thought I would take some classes and refresh. I was lucky to meet Jacqueline Mclintock she did a ten week introductory course after 8 weeks I felt oh my god if this was the concept of acting I don't think I can live without it now. I wanted to perform in Hindi since it is my first language. So I decided to come back. Wrapped up my fifteen years I never thought I would never go back to India since I loved Toronto so much. I was kind of disturbed but I knew I had to do this. I knew if I didn't ten years from now I would regret not doing it. I thought I would get small roles I never expected what my life would be now. I was actually not first choice for the father role but I asked Amol who is a friend if I could audition and both Amir and Amol decided together. I was actually called for another role I had to pack everything in ten days and come back for a very small role I would not have gotten this one.

Reshma: How do you like living in Mumbai after Toronto?
Vipin:It's difficult to adjust to the dust and pollution. I was getting a lot of throat infections and coughing because of the weather. I did go through a lot I was getting a viral fever every two months. The traffic is kind of crazy. Plus Bombay throws a lot of things in your face. It keeps you humble it and grounded all the time. the importance of being human you really understand in Bombay.

Reshma: Who is your favorite actor/actress?
Vipin: I like Irfaan right now a lot. I also like Naseer and Tarika gave a stunning performance in Parzania if you have not seen it you must. I loved Hritik in Jodha Akbar. Aamir in lagaan. Saif is a good actor. Brad pitt Denzel Washington are two of my favorites and I really enjoyed Hilary Swank in in Boys Don't Cry.

Reshma: What is your favorite movie of all time?
Vipin:Chinatown and 400 blows by a French film maker Trufo.

Reshma: Was it hard doing the emotional scenes?
Vipin: Yeah it is hard but then you into the groove of the scene. The last take when I thank Aamir at the first take I was able to feel the emotions strongly in the next five to six takes I was able to feel the same emotional scenes. Sometimes that happens and sometimes it doesn't. The scene when I went to see the three teacher that scene took a long time for me for some reason I could not get to that emotional level. I wasn't supposed to cry I just needed to look vulnerable and it was hard being in between. I got a lot of comments on the scene when I was coming down the steps when Darsheel was reading the board I had to do that scene a few times. It was a particular time of the day and the camera had to coordinate with me moving down the stairs. Aamir actually said jokingly the scene was jinxed. It became a thing where all the unit members would say oh no this scene again! One actually said if it doesn't happen we will sacrifice an animal. They actually broke the coconut on the steps and I came down and noticed it was wet and I asked why and they decided to break the Nariel that day.

Reshma: Tell me about your future projects?
Vipin: I am shying away from the films I did before, I am playing a part in Color of Passion which is my friend Ketan Mehtas film and we will see what happens next!

There you have it, the tears, the laughs, the film that is Tara Zameen Par. ~*~Reshma Dhawan~*~

Kissing Cousins gets noticed at the Mumbai International Film Festival!

2008-03-13T09:18:34Z

]]> I recently got the opportunity to meet with the talented director of the hit new film Kissing Cousins. It is currently being played at film festivals across the world. My sources Mumbai tell me that it is quite a hit, receiving cheers, claps, and laughs.

The story is about 29 year old Amir who is a "relationship termination specialist". No I'm not trying to be cute this time, this is his actual job. Remember your last breakup the pain, the awkwardness, the retrieval of the box full of sweatshirts, dvds and underwear. Well Amir's career is to be the anti cupid. The one who breaks the bad news. Good for other people but the job has taken its toll on Amir and he is now dead inside. His friends even say he has bad relationship karma and won't allow them to be apart of their weddings! When he goes home for Thanksgiving he is reunited with Zara his cousin who he does not get along with. After taking a road trip back home together she softens up to his situation and introduced herself as his girlfriend to his friends. She even helps him figure out better ways to give the bad break up news to his victims. What happens next? Watch it and find out!

Check out what the insider's are saying about the film!

Amyn Kaderali on professional dumping:
(write-director-producer)
How did you get the idea of the professional heartbreaker?
I heard a story several years ago on NPR about professional "dumpers" in Japan. Because Japanese culture tends towards "saving face" and avoiding drama, people in Japan were starting to hire an intermediary to do the dirty work for them. When I started writing Amir, I wanted him to have a really original job. The "heartbreaker" idea came to my mind immediately. Not only was it great fun to come up with various breakup scenarios, but his job ended up helping to show why Amir was single when all his friends were couples.

Samrat Chakrabarti and some funny moments:
(Amir)
It was tremendous fun to shoot, because the film is full of off-the-wall characters and it was cast perfectly. I had to hold in my laughter during takes because the other actors were so funny and unpredictable, especially Gerry Bednob, whose delivery is priceless. Sometimes Amyn didn't call cut at the end of the scene, so we would improve different endings. And the minute he would call cut, you would hear a roar of laughter from the crew. Rebecca and I had many laughs too-she's a very spontaneous actor and we just played off each other. Sometimes it got pretty goofy; watch the elevator scene after the Christmas party and you will see what I mean.

Rebecca Hazlewood on being Zara:
(Zara)
Well when I was little I was kind of aggressive like her. I'm sure I used to frighten my cousins. Also, it was a truthful portrayal of a chick from London who happens to be Indian. The film wasn't making an issue of race. It is what it is.

Still want more? Be sure to check it out at the Indian film Festival in Los Angeles in April or visit the website
http://web.mac.com/amynkaderali/iWeb/KissingCousins/Home.html

Thanks for stopping by~*~ReshmaDhawan~*~

Tushar Jalota...Lights up the Stage in Nagpur

2008-03-13T07:49:30Z

]]> On Sunday March 2, 2008, my favorite bollywood boy danced his heart out for an event organized by the Nagpur police at Yashwant Stadium in Nagpur. The crowd of over 20,000 roared with delightful cheers when the hottie took the stage and danced to popular Hindi songs as well as the hit Tu Mujhse Jab Se Mila Hai from his first film Showbiz. When I spoke to Tushar about his weekend in Nagpur he said he had an amazing time!

Thanks for tuning in..~*~ReshmaDhawan~*~

Karan Names His Next Flick

2008-02-07T08:18:39Z

]]>
The word out on the streets is that K-Jo named his next flick Dostana after the hit film his father made in the 80's. The film is about the friendship between Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham (sigh's a little). The leading lady is one of my favorites as well miss Priyanka Chopra. Of course there will be a little love triangle but according to Karan it is unlike anything we have ever seen before! Well we will see. Can't wait for another John movie, as soon as I find out when it is going to be released you will all be the first to know! Cross my heart. ~*~Reshma Dhawan~*~

Katrina Kaif on the Cover of Vogue

2008-02-01T22:00:53Z

]]> Katrina Kaif graced the cover of the latest addition of Vogue India. Doesn't she look amazing in Jean Paul Gaultier's designs. This girl is particularly interesting to me I will admit. She began her career modeling at the age of 14 for a jewelry company in London. She was later discovered by filmmaker Kaizad Gustad who gave her a part in his film Boom that came out in 2003.

Since she is half Kashmiri and half British her Hindi speaking skills posed a problem at first but she overcame that after the success of Namastey London where she dubbed her own lines for the first time. Now I'm sure theres a handful of girls out there reading this who thought the same thing that I did..."OMG you can dub your lines with someone else's voice, I'm quitting my job and leaving for Mumbai tonight!" Good luck to us all ...maybe we can do a Vogue photo shoot together someday. ~*~Reshma Dhawan~*~

Kuch Kuch Kuta Hai

2008-01-29T07:54:00Z

]]> Remember Rahul? Who could forget Anjali? Get prepared to see their animal passion..literally. Karan Johar is making a remake of the film but this time in cartoon called Kuchi Kuchi Hota Hai. The characters will be played by different animals all with the original voices of Rani, Kajol and of course Shah Rukh Khan. KKHH was the defining moment in all of our young lives, we all danced to Koi Milgaya, chanted "but he's your best friend yaar" and some of us even played basketball in sari's. Let's see if the next generation catches onto the cartoon flick or will it just be a flashback to our younger years. Oh Karan...tum ne na jaane kya, sapane dikhaa'e. ~*~Reshma Dhawan~*~

Sonu Nigam Takes Off His Shirt..See Where the Voice Really Comes From

2008-01-25T09:09:09Z

]]> Just when we thought Sonu Nigam bared his soul through his music we get to experience a little bit more! His new album which is classical music based will have a mythological video to go along with it. This time we get a treat not only for our ears but for our eyes, he will be shirtless for the video. Along with that he is also working on an album in Kannada. For someone who always wow'ed us with his voice lets see if taking off his shirt was the right choice! ~*~Reshma Dhawan~*~

ON THE PHONE WITH JOHN ABRAHAM! A VERY EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

2008-01-23T08:49:16Z

]]> It is a known fact that girls spend too much time waiting for a boy to call them. Checking your phone every five seconds, making sure you don't lose service and then making up excuses when he does not call. He must have lost my number and is desperately trying to find it as we speak. Now imagine you are not waiting for just any boy to call, you are waiting for THE boy to call. On Monday January 13, 2008 the longest wait in my twenty five years of life began. Anxiously waiting for the one and only boy for me, John Abraham!

Three years of loving him and after a few months of waiting I finally managed to land a phone interview with my man. So what's thirty more minutes right? It is now midnight, the moment between yesterday and tomorrow when I received the first message saying the call will happen in thirty minutes. Screaming at the top of my lungs, I run to my room to prepare, but not before assuring my poor father that there were no robbers, wild animals, or heart attacks provoking me to scream so loud. Ooops. Note to self, must learn to express excitement quietly in the middle of the night. Time passed by slowly but surely, I went over my list. Clean room..check. Go over interview...check. Wear something cuter..check. Breath..check. Finally I was approaching the last three minutes. Then I panic. Was I supposed to call him? Or was he supposed to call me? I quickly send out a message. PHEW, crisis averted I get the proper instructions and now it is time. Three years of wishing, three months of persisting, thirty minutes of screaming, and three minutes of panicking all came down to the moment. Ring Ring Ring.....

Reshma: What has been your favorite role to date and why?
John: My favorite role I would have to say is Jism, because I personally love doing intense roles they are closer to what I believe in. I think my next role in Aashayein which means hope will be my new favorite when it comes out.

Reshma: How did you feel when you found out you were going to be in your first film? What did you say to yourself? How do you feel each time someone calls you and says they want you to play a particular role?
John: I honestly did not think about it, Mahesh bhatt approached me and said you seem to have the intensity that a lot of actors lack and you have the body and face. I really did not have time to think about it the only time I thought about it was when I saw it. I was amazed with what I had done.

Reshma: You are known to choose offbeat films, what attracted you to films like Water, Kabul Express, and No smoking?
John: I loved all three scripts, I thought they were brilliant! I look at films as an actor. As an actor there are two things you need to do 1) satisfy yourself with the kind of work your doing 2) satisfy you audience. Sometimes you succeed in one, sometimes you succeed in the other, sometimes both, you need to draw a balance

Reshma:
You have been getting a lot of criticism for No Smoking, what is your reaction to all of this?
John: I think it's a film close to my heart, unfortunately it was positioned wrongly in India. In the roman film festival it got a lot of acclaim but in India we positioned it wrongly. A lot of people will discuss what I do, but watch the film for the novelty of the film.

Reshma: Tell me a little bit about the community service projects you are into.
John: Well PETA and Habitat for Humanity are the biggest ones, and I am involved with Make A Wish Foundation through my mother which helps terminally ill children.

Reshma: Do you have a saying or quote that you live your life by, or cheers you up when you are having a bad day?
John: I just believe that if your not living on the edge your wasting space!

Reshma: I consider you to be a role model to today's youth, which is no easy task! What do you think a role model for today's youth needs to have?
John: It's a very essential responsibility to have. I think a role model needs to remember to behave like yourself and think what is morally right. There are a lot of people who follow what you do and there are a lot of people watching. Don't put on an act, do it from your heart, be who you are.

Reshma: If you could eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be?
John: I would have to say Daal.

Reshma: What was your favorite children's story growing up?
John: Pinocchio, and Rapunzel (laughs a little)

All I can say is that you have not experienced life until you have heard John say "yes, my love" to you. With that I am off, I have some day dreams to catch up on. ~*~Reshma Dhawan~*~

Once Upon a time...There was Akbar..Once Upon a time there was Mariam Zumani

2008-01-22T05:10:38Z

]]> Once Upon a time...There was Akbar..Once Upon a time there was Mariam Zumani

There is a place, far far away from us all. Where the girls wear beautiful dresses with mirrors all over them, and the light from the mirrors waltz together in the air, making the land shine. In this land there was an Emperor. A great emperor who ruled this land. His name was Akbar and his love was Mariam. Akbar, like most great rulers did not begin as a tall man standing before his people giving them pride, hope and most of all courage. He began as a 13 year old boy, a little prince the son of Nasiruddin Humayun. He grew up as most children do to be the great Emperor we all know of today.

Somewhere in history Mariam got changed to Jodhaa and their , love story is now the most awaited film of 2008. Starring Hritik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. It's a 16th century romance between two cultures, two religions, and two different people. The love story begins with a political alliance between King Bharmel of Amer who gave his daughters hand in marriage to Emperor Akbar. The secret is that there has been little documentation about their relationship! It has been left almost completely up to the imagination of director Ashutosh Gowariker. On the other hand Mughal-e-Azam which told the story of Salim, Akbar's son and his love Anarkali was an actual documented pyar ki kahani.

The trailers look so regal and the music seems to match the scenes perfectly! There are only five songs to go with the soundtrack. The music is by AR Rahman and lyrics by Javed Akhtar, Javed Ali, Sonu Nigam, Bela Shende. A.R. Rahman himself even performed the songs! The best song (ok that's another opinion) is by far Jash-E-bahaara. The rest of them need to grow on me. Have you ever listened to a soundtrack and liked it but didn't love it. Then you saw the movie and listened to the soundtrack for two months straight? That's what I am pretty sure will happen with Jodhaa Akbar. Can't wait!~*~Reshma Dhawan~*~

Nine To Know about John Abraham

2008-01-21T08:34:51Z

]]> 1) He ran in the Mumbai Marathon this past week, the event had over 30,000 participants running for five different causes. There was a fabulous carnival after where everyone wore black and red. They even gave out masks for all the guests. Take the mask off John; you're too good looking to cover your face!

2) John absolutely adores kids. He is very much involved with the Make a Wish Foundation in India that helps terminally ill children. His family is also very involved with this cause along with many others. AMAZING

3) On January 27, 2008 is he will be attending a film festival organized by the French Embassy called Rendezvous with French Cinema in India. Rumor has it the French Prez Nicolas Sarkozy and his girlfriend Carla Bruni will be there. Ladies get your cameras ready.

4) John is a trained footballer. He considered going pro but decided against it. Go buy the DVD Goal(the real one, not the pirated one, show some respect) and check out his crazy skills! There's some great behind the scenes footage where he puts the ball in his shirt.....she swoons...

5) His favorite song is Pehla Nasha from Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander. Whenever asked to sing that's the song he chooses and looks adorable doing it I might add. He is a huge Aamir Khan fan as well! We have oh so much in common.

6) John Abraham's clothing line is HOT. That may be more of an opinion than a fact but oh well! He approves everything and even does the designing. The best part is that there's a J stitch on his jeans right where it counts, you know what I'm talking about ;). On Koffee with Karan he told a story about how he met Penelope Cruz on the red carpet and was showing a group of girls the J stitch on his jeans. She walked by and said "what's going on" and he pointed to his J stitch. The line is also coming out with "innerwear" and accessories as well. Hehe innerwear...hmmm...

7) In the film Aasheyein John plays a cancer victim who finds out he is sick the same day he wins the lottery. John is known to play deep roles that definitely suit him well! He is the kind of actor that puts himself in the character he is playing and even lost an insane amount of weight to fit the role as a cancer patient.

8) John will be seen in Deepa Mehta's next film known as Luna where he will be playing an environmental activist along side Dustin Hoffman, Rachel Weisz, and Chris Cooper.
9) Always save the best for last, despite his demanding schedule John still takes the time to go on his personal website and write stories and updates for the millions of fans that are inspired by him.

All The Pretty Girls Put Your Hands Up and Say "I Wanna Meet SRK!"

2008-01-17T11:01:33Z

]]> Now don't you want to see what those infamous new abs feel like? Ok settle down he's married but I'm pretty sure you could score a hug! Desi You's very own partner SAAVN along with Jet Airways and Verizon Wireless is offering two lucky winners tickets to India and the once in a lifetime chance to meet Shah Rukh Khan. The best part all you have to do is text BOLLY to 3404 to download the Dard-E-Disco ringtone on your Verizon Wireless VCAST phone or submit your entry at www.saavn.com/verizon. Don't worry all you have to buy is the perfect outfit because there is no purchase necessary. Check out www.saavn.com/verizon for the official rules!~*~Reshma Dhawan~*~

Tushar Jalota, HOT New Face on the Bollywood Block: Exclusive Interview

2008-01-15T06:49:19Z

]]> 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~*~