Bollywood News and Stories From India

Had Suicidal Thoughts Till the Age of 25, Didn't Like My Original Name: AR Rahman. The Oscar-winning composer says the initial low phase of his career eventually helped him emerge braver. Before the country recognised the talent of AR Rahman, the celebrated composer says there was a phase in his life where he felt like a failure and thought about ending his life almost every day. The Oscar-winning composer says the initial low phase of his career eventually helped him emerge braver. "Up until 25, I used to think about suicide. Most of us feel they are not good enough. Because I lost my father, there was this void... There were so many things happening. "(But) that in a way made me more fearless. Death is a permanent thing for everyone. Since everything created has an expiry date, so why be afraid of anything?" Rahman told PTI. The turnaround for the 51-year-old composer came when he built his recording studio Panchathan Record Inn in his back...

Kangana Ranaut says she is certain she will never work with Shah Rukh Khan, or for that matter, any of the Khans. In an interview, she says she doesn’t want to get overshadowed by them and wants to build her own brand. Here’s yet another reason why Kangana Ranaut is among the most interesting people in Bollywood. And, we mean interesting, not controversial. The latter is incidental. In a recent interview with film critic Rajeev Masand, she has revealed that she is almost certain she will never work with Shah Rukh Khan. Surprised? Who would not want to work with the Badshah of Bollywood? The kind of visibility others get by just sharing space with a star as huge as SRK should be reason enough but clearly, Kangana isn’t impressed. And she has a sound logic. She was asked if not working with the Khans of Bollywood would harm the chances of having a long and glorious career in films. Elaborating on her no-Khans policy, the three-time National Award winner said, “In fac...

Men and women can coexist with equal rights and opportunities: Anushka Sharma Be it her reel choices or real disposition, Anushka Sharma (right) has always been upfront and honest about her thoughts. When it comes to feminism, the actor says “nobody should be discriminated against on the basis of anything”. HT caught up with the Sultan (2016) actor a few weeks ago to talk about feminism, being an outsider in the industry, and Shah Rukh Khan. Feminism has become a hot topic these days. What’s your take on it? I would like to take this opportunity to first clarify what it means to be a feminist. A feminist is someone — either male or female — who believes in equal rights for men and women. But people have forgotten that definition and look at feminists as an anti-men brigade, and that it’s only about men hating women, but that’s not the truth. Feminists are people who are fighting for equal rights for women, because we are at a disadvantageous position. And in that sense, I ...

I’m not friends with anyone in Bollywood: Athiya Shetty Though her father, Suniel Shetty, has acted in numerous films, Athiya Shetty says Bollywood was “totally new” to her when she debuted in Hero (2015), as she didn’t frequent the sets of her dad’s films. “I never knew anything about Bollywood before I signed Hero. I didn’t have any connection with movies except for the fact that my father was an actor. I never went on the sets with him, so everything was new for me. I had an amazing experience and received a lot of love. As time unfolds, I will be able to understand more about myself and the industry. It is a learning process for me.” The actor says that her perception of the industry changed soon after she started working and she feels “happiest on the set”. Athiya says, “I remember that after my first shot, I told my parents that I want to do this for the rest of my life. I hope I have the opportunity to do that. I felt extremely grateful. I am very critical about myself, so, I ...

Sushant Singh Rajput has had a great career graph in the entertainment industry - his television portrayals to entering the 100 crore club, this journey is not just inspiring but also extraordinary. His performance in 'M.S Dhoni: The Untold Story' not only got him appreciation in abundance but also got Sushant in the mainstream bracket. Not only the audiences but also celebrities praised Sushant for his brilliant performance in the film. Sushant though was elated with all the appreciation flowing in, he also hoped that appreciation came in form of awards. Talking about the same to DNA, Sushant said, "I won't lie. If I'm there to witness the awards, I do feel slightly awkward when I don't win. A bit of acknowledgement from you folks could be a nice feeling. Having said that, me getting or not getting an award does not in any manner affect the way I go about my next project or my equation with my work." When the leading daily further questioned hi...

Ever since Kaabil’s first trailer came out, people have felt that the role could be one of Hrithik Roshan’s toughest parts so far. But the actor says that this was the “easiest role” he has ever done. HT catches up with the Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD; 2011) actor to talk about his new films, Krrish 4 and possible sequels. Guzaarish (2010), Bang Bang (2014), Mohenjo Daro and now Kaabil. You seem to love taking up challenging parts. I like it when people feel like that, because, for me, ZNMD was harder than any other films that I’ve done. First, it’s not an author-backed role, and the entire film is in a lighter vein. So, there is no drama or other such crutches. It’s like a soft breeze with which you just have to align yourself and let things flow. I am glad that I got to experience that, because it’s another world of cinema that I love so much. I am also looking forward to doing more films similar to ZNMD, especially with someone like Zoya (Akhtar; director).

Even after three months of her critically acclaimed Pink’s release, actor Taapsee Pannu is basking in the glory of its success. And why not? Besides bolstering her position in the industry, the film has also changed the attitude of filmmakers towards her. Changed attitude “I am not treated as an option for roles anymore. I am not saying that I have reached a point where I have become the priority, or that they are writing roles specifically for me. But the names that they put me alongside are established and revered ones. For me to reach that level with my third film is really big,” says the actor, who was cast along actor Amitabh Bachchan in Pink. The game plan “I haven’t really had an elaborate plan in my head but I knew that I am going to be slow and steady. I didn’t want to become an overnight star. I knew that it won’t happen with me. So, I decided to do one film a year, but so impactful that it’d last till my next film, at least,” she says. The trust Factor...

Actor Vidya Balan remains unaffected by wins and losses at the box office. And impervious to the detractors commenting on her film choices, sartorial choices or even her body image. Her serenity has a calming effect on everyone in her vicinity. Her pragmatic approach is a lesson in confidence. “It’s my body, I love my body. It doesn’t matter what people say. Different people will have different things to say. If I look into the mirror and I am happy with what I am wearing, I would just step out. And then I don’t care about what anyone has to say about it,” says the actor who turned 38 yesterday. Stating that she doesn’t look for opinions from others, Vidya adds, “Over the course of time, I have realised that you can’t please everyone. The world out there will never be happy with you, so you may as well be happy with yourself.” “The fact that I don’t follow any of the entertainment portals, channels, news or fashion blogs, I don’t watch any of it, neither do I listen to it ...

Reports of Priyanka Chopra doing Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film on legendary poet Sahir Ludhianvi are doing the rounds, but the she says she has not yet signed any Bollywood project. The 34-year-old star, however said she can’t say no to Bhansali if he asks her to be a part of his film. “I haven’t decided any film yet. (But) Sanjay sir is someone I can’t say no to. He knows my pulse, he knows what I will like to do. Every time we meet we look for things to do together. And hopefully, we will combine something. But I haven’t zeroed in on any film yet,” said Priyanka. When asked if she was offered the film, Chopra said, “I don’t like to talk about films that have been offered to me as then the list is long.” Priyanka, during her stay in India has been a lot reading scripts and will be finalising her next Hindi films. “In New York and India, I have been hearing lot of filmmakers since two three months. I have heard lot of amazing scripts. I have four months in the year in which...

Bollywood’s romance king Shah Rukh Khan, who is one of the Bollywood stars in the Forbes list of worlds top 20 highest-paid actors, has said people should make money first and then philosophise. The onscreen ‘King of Romance’ says there’s nothing romantic about being poor. In an interview to GQ India’s January 2017 issue, the superstar said: “Don’t philosophise until you’re rich first. I used to be poor, and I can tell you there’s nothing romantic about it. When young people, friends, say they want to be great creative novelists, I advise them to be a copywriter first, make a little money. Don’t be a struggling artist; be a happy one.” What does he like spending money on? “It’s very important for me to smell good. I mix two fragrances - a Dunhill scent that’s only available at their London store as well as a Diptyque one. I’m not big on fashion, but I have a good eye. “I don’t like wearing formal shoes, so I mostly buy sneakers. I recently picked up these pre-distresse...

Acting is, and will always remain, my priority: Athiya Shetty Athiya Shetty, who made her debut last year with Hero, will next be seen in her first multi-starrer, Mubarakan. Talking about being part of an ensemble cast, she says, “It’s just about how you project your role.” HT Café catches up with the young actor at a suburban eatery. Excerpts from the interview How important is screen time for you? I feel that if you’re confident about what you are doing and your character [in a movie], and if you have done your homework and have worked hard towards it, then it (screen time) doesn’t really matter. In today’s day and age, you have films such as Dil Dhadakne Do (2015) and Bajirao Mastani (2015), which are not particularly about one or two integral characters. They are about ensemble casts. So being part of a multi-starrer doesn’t make me insecure. At the end of the day, you can appear on the screen for five minutes or for an hour, but the impact [one makes] depends on you. Does...

Being an outsider proved an advantage for me: Anushka Sharma Anushka Sharma completed eight years in the film industry early in this month and she feels having no strings attached to film families, worked in her favour. She had a dream debut in Bollywood opposite superstar Shah Rukh Khan in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, but her ride in showbiz has been bumpy with several highs and lows. Actress Anushka Sharma — who earlier this month completed eight years since she walked into the glitzy Hindi movie world — says having no strings attached to film families, worked in her favour. The actress said she started her journey with a clean slate — without any “preconceived notions about the way you have to do things”. “Being an outsider turned out to be an advantage for me. I didn’t come with any preconceived notions about the way you have to do things, so I just been exactly the way I am at home,” Anushka told IANS in an email interview from Mumbai. Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi may have...

Sunny Leone: People are waiting for me to fall on my face! Sunny Leone is the most searched celebrity of 2016 in India. Apart from doing Bollywood movies and item numbers, she and her husband Daniel Weber are working hard to take her brand ahead. On one side, she is in touch with Aamir Khan and on the other, she is sharing screen space with Shah Rukh Khan, but all this did come at a price. In an interview to Times of India, Sunny talks about the obstacles she faced before reaching this point and how she dealt with people who thought she would never ever make it! How important is it for you to get big ticket films with A-list actors? I'm not at the level of some other actresses who are out there, and I am aware of that. So it's extremely important when I am asked to be a part of big projects. I never thought I will be in the same frame as Shah Rukh Khan and now that I am, I'm on cloud nine. A lot of people are just are waiting for me to fall on my face, they are just wai...

Sidharth Malhotra, who was shooting in Bangkok, Thailand, returned to Mumbai recently. The actor, who was seen in two films this year, is now shooting for an action movie. He has also signed the sequels of two successful franchises. In an interview with HT, Sidharth talks about his struggles and successes. Are you anxious about the expectations from Aashiqui 3? Also, you have not been part of a movie that is based on a musician before… Definitely, there will be a lot of expectations. We don’t know when exactly it will go on floors. Now, it’s in the scripting stage. This sequel will be equally exciting, if not more, as the previous one. And music will have a great part to play in it. Ready to chase ! Action rehearsals ! #bike #chase #action #bangkok A photo posted by Sidharth Malhotra (@s1dofficial) on Dec 10, 2016 at 1:05am PST If given an opportunity, would you like to sing in the future? I would want to. It’ll be interesting. But, I’ll have to rehearse a lot. ...

Anil Kapoor reveals 60th birthday plans On December 24, Anil Kapoor turns 60 and while his wife, children and a few others are working towards turning the occasion into a kind of a milestone, the actor himself doesn't see it as one. "My life has always been about consistency and moderation and I'd rather look the other way, than mark the day," he admits, recalling how in the past, when they hosted such get together's at their place, he'd disappear after a while saying he had to sleep because he had an early morning shoot and his friends would rib him saying, "Host so gaya". Disappointingly for his friends, Anil will bring in his 60th birthday at an undisclosed foreign destination. Wife Sunita has already left the country. But Anil is quick to point out that he's always taken off for a week this time of the year to ring in Christmas and New Year with his better half, and since his birthday happens to arrive at the same time, he celebrates it ...

Bollywood is a large family business: Prachi Desai Actor Prachi Desai is among the very few stars who have had a successful transition from television to films. The 28-year-old however, feels that Bollywood is still slightly biased towards those actors who hail from film families and have someone from the industry backing them. “Bollywood is a large family business. It’s primarily a family industry and that’s what it thrives on. Even today, there’s a constant barrage of star kids whose pictures are flashed all over the internet even before they decide when and how are they going to debut,” says Prachi. The actor, who was last seen in Rock On 2, a sequel to her 2008 debut film Rock On, says, “There are a lot of talented actors out there who may probably never get those opportunities like these star kids do get. So yes, I think it’s very evident for everybody to see that it is always about family connection in Bollywood.” The actor who made her Bollywood debut at 19 reveals tha...

Actor John Abraham has to his credit a wide repertoire of films — Water (2005), No Smoking (2007) and New York (2009) to name a few, but the actor-producer says that it’s his looks more than anything else that he’s looked at for. “I was always looked at for my physicality. Despite working in films such as Zinda (2006), Taxi 9211 (2006), or New York, people only talked about my looks,” says John. “Somehow my films always managed to become classics, like No Smoking. But people only focus on my looks. It is always about how John Abraham looked in the film. I guess they just need an excuse,” he adds. Dustin Hoffman once told Robert that no matter what you do, you will always wear an albatross around your neck, which meant that it will always be about the way you look. It’s the same with me. John who celebrated his 44’th birthday recently, compares himself to Hollywood actor Robert Redford. “He was known for his good looks. Dustin Hoffman once told him that no matter what he did, ...

He’s a risk-taker, dedicated to his craft and quite insensitive to critics and juries. Versatile actor Manoj Bajpayee says, “I’m not that hopeful about getting honoured in this industry because we have too many do’s and don’ts.” In November, Bajpayee won the Best Actor Award at the 10th Asia Pacific Screen Awards in Brisbane, Australia, for his performance in filmmaker Hansal Mehta’s Aligarh (2015). On not getting some of the major awards in India, he says, “I’m the first Indian to get this international award. Every set of jury comes with their own agendas in this industry. So, you can’t expect any award. When the jury’s agenda is purely to give away the award on the basis of excellence then I’ll start expecting. But here, each and every set of juries favour one policy one year and another the next year. You can just keep doing your work.” He adds that the subject of Aligarh excited him, right from the word go. “Aligarh is a special film, not only because it’s considered a c...

Priyanka Chopra feels whatever she has achieved is due to her own hard work, "without the help and support of anybody else". She began her journey in showbiz with no starry links and has won global recognition due to her talent. Actress Priyanka Chopra says she is grateful to fans for putting her “in a position” where she is “used to being the face on a poster”. But she wants to do more. The actress also said that whatever she has achieved is due to her own hard work, “without the help and support of anybody else”. “I started with nothing, no support. A complete newcomer to even Mumbai city, not even the movie industry. I didn’t even know anyone. So I kind of did all that I did on my own without the help and support of anybody,” Priyanka said. “The love and affection I have got from audiences around the world kind of gave me the strength to do that. They have put me in a position where I am used to being the face on a poster. I don’t want to settle for that.” Priya...

‘I’M CHEERING FROM HOME’: A very pregnant Shilpa Shetty talks about her pregnancy, IPL obsession, missing Shane Warne, and how everyone’s pampering her. Pregnant Shilpa Shetty Team Rajasthan has won two matches; you are eight months pregnant — one of the happiest phases of your life? Life has always been good. But right now, there is a lot of excitement as we await the arrival of our baby. Then we have the IPL and my spa. So, yes, there is a lot happening, and I am happy and enjoying this phase. I’m also really loving all the attention that our families and friends are showering on me. Are you feeling bad that you will not be able to attend most of the matches in the fifth edition of IPL – does that make you feel bad? Fortunately, I am pregnant and unfortunately that does not allow me to travel, but I am watching every match and cheering from home. Last year at the IPL you wore two watches for luck — what are your plans for this season? All of us want to take credit for every run sco...