Meena Iyer (DNA; April 25, 2019)

For months on end, speculations have been rife about Arjun Kapoor’s marriage to Malaika Arora. Tentative dates, suggested dress codes, destinations and ceremonial details were tossed around. Frankly, even we at After Hrs, did buy into some of this. However, since neither the ‘groom’ nor the ‘bride’ were willing to address the question directly, it became nearly impossible to call out the bluff.

Finally, we managed to meet Arjun (quite by chance) and before he could retreat into his shell, we asked him:

Are you getting married in June?
No, I am not. I’m 33 and you have to take my word when I say, I’m in no hurry to get married.

What about the constant speculation surrounding your nuptials?
You tell me! The subject of my wedding is not something that I would like to talk about. Frankly, if I was tying the knot, people would know about it. Today, nothing stays or needs to be hidden beyond a point.

So, you are okay with this constant speculation?
Speculation is harmless. But I admit, I don’t like to respond to it all the time. Also, it gets tiring for the people involved to constantly react. There has been so much gossip on this subject that even the people who earlier tended to believe it are no longer doing so. I don’t have anything against anyone.

Are you tired of prying eyes?
No. The media and the paparazzi are doing their job. The people reading the ‘gossip’ are doing their job. They are forming an opinion based on what they are reading. No one is to blame. However, I have to do my actual job.

Which is?
(Laughs) I have to be an actor first. Honestly, through all this, the only constant has been that I have been shooting for Panipat. I have been at work every day and I am shooting continuously until May 31, except perhaps for a few days, when I will be promoting, India’s Most Wanted.

It has been a season of weddings in Bollywood for a while...
I know it is the marriage season. But marriage is a big commitment. I will do it when I am ready.

Do you admit Malaika Arora is special?
Yes, she is.

Nothing more on her?
I don’t have anything to discuss. I have nothing to hide. What the world is seeing, they are seeing. However, I have no desire to justify my personal life beyond a point. It is important to have good people around me and I feel fortunate that I have such individuals in my life.

You hang out a lot with Malaika, Kareena (Kapoor Khan), etc? 
Malaika, Kareena, Amrita (Ladak) and a bunch of us have always been close. I have hung out with them for years on end. It is not in the recent past.

Who are the others you are close to?
Rohit (Dhawan), Varun’s older brother and Ranbir (Kapoor) are also close friends. In fact, I hang out with Rohit and Varun. Aarti (Shetty) is also a dear friend. I don’t have too many friends who are my age or younger than me. I’ve always been a mature soul who bonds better with those who are older.

The actors have been paired for the first time in the screen adaptation of Anuja Chauhan’s best-selling novel, The Zoya Factor, which rolls in August. The story weaves cricket into a rom-com
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 13, 2018)

Mirror (January 22) had earlier reported that South sensation Dulquer Salmaan and Sonam Kapoor will feature in the screen adaptation of Anuja Chauhan’s 2008 novel The Zoya Factor. Director Abhishek Sharma recently completed the final draft of the script and will start shooting in August. The film will release on April 5, 2019.

“Cricket woven into a rom-com and touching on superstition and luck, it’s an amazing book for a screen adaptation. The book has many layers, characters and tracks, so it took Neha Rakesh Sharma some time to pen a tight screenplay and Pradhuman Singh to write the dialogues. Now, we’ve gone back to Anuja who’s happy with the script to polish it and work on additional dialogues as nobody knows the characters better than her,” informs Abhishek, pointing out that the challenge is bigger when the book is a bestseller and fresh in people’s minds.

Dulquer will play Nikhil Khoda, the captain of the Indian Cricket Team in the film for which Fox Star Studios is collaborating with Aarti and Pooja Shetty Deora, with Sonam as Zoya Singh Solanki, an advertising agent. “She was the first person that came to my mind as she’s as bubbly as Zoya and after seeing Neerja, I’d sent her an autographed copy of the book requesting that she read it. We both got busy with our respective commitments after that but a few months later, Sonam checked with Aarti, a close friend of hers, on the status of the screen adaptation,” Abhishek reminisces.

He admits he wasn’t too exposed to Dulquer’s work until Aarti showed him the trailer of Mani Ratnam’s OK Kanmani. “I knew immediately that this was the boy we were looking for. In the book, Nikhil is from the North but in our film, he hails from the South but speaks good Hindi,” reveals the director, adding that Dulquer is a brilliant actor with expressive eyes and makes a great pair with Sonam. “I later saw parts of Bangalore Days and Comrade in America and was most impressed.”

He recently did a photo shoot with his lead pair. It was a quick shoot as he was wrapping up another film and Sonam was rushing out of town. “We didn’t get to chat much but I’m sure it’s going to be a great shoot as they respect each other’s work,” asserts the filmmaker, adding that Dulquer, a cricket enthusiast, will start prepping for his part closer to the shoot, besides joining Sonam for readings and workshops.

The book was about a client service rep who is pulled away from a Shah Rukh Khan shoot to go cut a commercial for a soft drink with the Indian cricket team whose disciplinarian captain cuts into her time forcing her to stay back. Meanwhile, the players learn that Zoya was born at the moment the Indian team won its first World Cup in 1983. They also discover that if they have breakfast with her, they return victorious and vice versa, leading Zoya to become a lucky charm for not just the boys in blue, but also the president of the cricket board and the country at large. The only one who is sceptical is the newly appointed skipper, Nikhil. Zoya and he are at loggerheads even as they are drawn to each other, and cola majors and other cricket boards try to steal her away while in the thick of World Cup action. Prod Abhishek on whether he has made any changes to the original story and he says, “A few for which I convinced Anuja. The story is now set in 2011 before India lifted its second World Cup and we have shifted base from Delhi to Mumbai,” he says with a smile.

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; August 22, 2017)

We know that Sidharth Malhotra, a middle class Delhi boy always wanted to be an actor. He assisted Karan Johar on My Name Is Khan. But not much is known about his life before he became a star. In a conversation with After Hrs, the actor talks about his journey that led him to being the star that he is today. Read on....

Was acting a childhood dream?
No! Dad was working in the Merchant Navy and we have always been a service class family. So that ‘I can be an actor’ never occured to me. I never believed that I could do that. I used to feel kya faayda kar ke. But there was a subtle spark when I saw Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. My brother and my mum saw me doing the SRK pose, dancing to Tujhe dekha toh. They would make fun of me saying, ‘Tujhe hero banna hai kya?’ My family used to feel ki masti kar raha hai and there’s no seriousness to me being an actor or model. Because of that environment, I never truly believed in becoming an actor too.

So you were never interested in drama in school?
No, because I didn’t believe that I could perform well. Even in school, I was more into sports. I think everything happened by accident, so when I look back now, I know that I was copying that DDLJ song for a reason!

How were you as a student?
Extremely bad! (Laughs) I was terrible in studies. I was good till class eighth and ninth. As soon as I made girlfriends, I became bad! (Laughs) I started dating and I got totally distracted. Also, maybe I think, I wasn’t ready to get educated back then. If somebody taught me something right now, I’d learn it. I was a bit distracted as a child.

Kids want to become different things every year. Do you also have such memories?
I was a lost child, who didn’t have clear dreams. It all started when I turned 17-18. After that I went to Rishikesh and I changed. I enjoyed the river rafting there and I thought I would become an instructor for adventure sports. But then modelling happened. I saw, ‘Arre waah, ramp pe chalne ko milta hai and you get money. It’s so easy.’ Then, in my 19-20s, I was hit by this sudden realisation when someone liked my audition and I thought, I’d better go to Mumbai and try it. So it was deep down inside. Because I was extremely introverted, I kept everything to myself at that time. It was so far-fetched that I didn’t have the confidence to tell people ki main hero banunga.

How did the modelling stint began?
A friend got five to six of us entry into a club and after two hours, we realised that the party was actually a hunt for new faces for Elite Modelling Agency. Two friends of mine and I were selected along with three girls. We got a free scholarship for the agency and the ball started rolling. I was shy and they liked that about me. There were a series of photoshoots that led to a nice snowballing effect with me coming to Mumbai and trying to be an actor.

Did your family have apprehensions when you started modelling?
My first photoshoot was for a Samsung phone. We finished in five-six hours and they paid me Rs 5,000. Sab kaat-kutake Rs 3,000 mila mujhko, after commission and tax. I gave that to my mom and she felt good. That was all I wanted to do during my college and make money. So they thought it will be that only! They were surprised when the audition worked out and someone gave me a contract of a movie at 21-22 and I came to Mumbai.

Which movie was this?
It was a film with Anubhav Sinha. An action film made with newcomers, which Adlabs was producing at that time. It’s funny because I’m friendly with Adlabs owner Aarti Shetty now. So whenever I see her, I keep telling her that you are the reason I came here.

That film didn’t work out then?
Anubhav Sinha got Ra.One. He left us (Smiles). So then, I walked out of it. I was feeling really low at that point because mujhe laga ki contract dikhaya and ab nahi ho raha. I knew I had to be serious about everything and I started modelling, making money on the side. I tried renting a house in Mumbai, which was another painful process.

Why painful?
Because people rejected me on various points. Someone rejected me outright because I wanted to become an actor. Someone didn’t give me a house because I eat non-vegetarian food. Sometime, people refused to budge when it came to rent. I told them I couldn’t afford it and requested them to reduce the rent by Rs 1000 - Rs 2000 but they wouldn’t understand. Life taught me a lot about it.

Did you rent a house by yourself?
No, I did both. For about one-and-half to two years, I stayed with people. In a one-and-half bedroom flat in Juhu. The half bedroom was mine whereas the bigger bedroom had both the other flatmates. We all used to contribute some Rs 10000 to the rent and then there were electricity and food bills. I didn’t have a proper job like the other two, I was the only one to have an AD’s job. I used to wake up first and I remember none of us used to shop for groceries or anything. So predominantly, I would get up and realise eggs nahi hai. I would walk down every second morning, get bread, eggs and then boil them, toast the bread, eat that and keep some for the roommates. It was more like a hostel. We partied and had our share of fun.

Do you remember the pay cheque you got for Student Of The Year?
I had not told my roommates that I was doing a film. So I took them and my other friends out for dinner. I got the first cheque of Rs 1,10,000. So I told them I’m doing a Karan Johar film and they were all excited. After four hours of partying, the bill that came was of Rs 55,000! I spent it all. I didn’t feel bad because I knew that moment will never come back. I will never get to celebrate signing my first film again. Even if that meant spending half my pay cheque, so be it. At least, I had fun and we still remember that night.

Did you feel out of place when you started the film?
I was extremely nervous. My palms were sweaty. I was not too aware, nobody told me that I had to do any kind of homework. I started fumbling really badly. My co-stars Varun and Alia at least had that comfort because they were aware of how things happen. I’d never seen an actor rehearse. They had seen actors rehearse, prepare and then perform, cheat at times for camera, use glycerine and cry. So definitely the whole process of rehearsing, dance — I completely felt out of place in the beginning.

Are you still the same Delhi guy you were when you started out?
Well, at heart, yes I haven’t changed a bit. I feel and think in the same middle-class way that my Delhi upbringing made me think in all these years. Stardom has never hit me hard that I feel now, I have cemented my position so I can behave, talk and do what I want to. But I stay alone here, so I’m more responsible and aware about things now. I have learnt a lot of new things. As an actor, I am hoping people have seen me grow. I have had a fulfilling experience till now. But there’s a lot more to come.

Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 27, 2017)

Arjun Kapoor, on a promotional spree for the upcoming Mubarakan, brought in his birthday with the media earlier on Sunday before making a bash of it with B-town buddies, Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Karan Johar and Aditya Roy Kapur, at his Juhu residence later in the night. Uncle Sanjay Kapoor described it as “a very small get-together for close friends”. Arjun cut five cakes as the clock struck 12 and the party wrapped up around 3am.

What was interesting was his Tee which announced to the world that he’s an ‘Underrated talent’. Equally interesting, was that none of his heroines were present. Sister Anshula, Rohit Dhawan’s wife Jaanvi and buddy Aarti Shetty were some of the few women around. A guest insisted that it was a coincidence but AK Jr made it clear that he’s not in the right frame of mind to get married right now and his family is chilled out about it. Given that his boy gang comprised happy bachelors and not a single complaint was heard on this state of affairs.

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 24, 2016)

Filmmaker-businessman Manmohan Shetty's producer daughter Aarti Shetty's parties are always a big hit with her star friends. In 2013 and 2014, Katrina Kaif had walked into Aarti's birthday party at her Juhu residence, hand-in-hand with her then steady date Ranbir. But this year as Mirror had reported (April 4) the exes stayed in opposite corners through the evening with absolutely no interaction, Ranbir leaving early and his one-time lady love following a couple of minutes later.

Two months on, after a schedule of Anurag Basu's Jagga Jasoos in May-end, Ranbir refuses to even be in the same room as Katrina even though she is still holed up in the couple's sea-facing love nest at Carter Road, after Ranbir moved out in February.

Aarti's bash was on Wednesday and Kat who has been giving the bashes a miss, RSVPed with a nod and the host, as due diligence, informed Ranbir about the whereabouts.

Alia Bhatt came with bestie Akansha Ranjan, before the ladies headed out to London for a vacation later in the night, and Aditya Roy Kapur was there too, along with Katrina. But Ranbir did not show up.

According to a guest, he informed Aarti that his director friend, Ayan Mukerji, and he had decided to chill out in the actor's new bachelor pad in Bandra instead of bumping into Kat. "Nobody likes an awkward situation!" pointed out the guest, adding that Kat and Alia who have been giving each other jadoo ki jhappis whenever they have bumped into each other on the red carpet, the most recent one being the Udta Punjab premiere, had fun together.

"Alia didn't seem to miss Sid (Sidharth) who's in Miami filming the second instalment in the Bang Bang franchise and Kat didn't look like she was missing Ranbir either. Way to go girls!" the guest signed off.

Subhash K Jha (DNA; June 11, 2016)

It’s been four years since Ashok Dhyan Chand, son of hockey legend Dhyan Chand sold the movie rights of his father’s life to producers Pooja Shetty and Aarti Shetty. Nothing happened. There was some discussion with Shah Rukh Khan. But the matter was dropped.

However, it now seems the Shetty sisters have taken the project to Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and the project is finally moving ahead.

Says a source from Dharma, “Pooja and Aarti sounded Karan out about the Dhyan Chand project. He loved the idea and agreed to co-produce the film. Karan approached Ranbir Kapoor to play Dhyan Chand. Ranbir, for reasons best known to him, declined the offer. KJo then took the project to his other favourite Varun Dhawan, who is quite keen on playing the hockey legend. He even made his father David Dhawan hear the story. Karan Johar then approached Fox Star Studios, who are keen to get on board.”

There is only one hitch. A very major one. Apparently, Karan Johar, Varun Dhawan and Fox Star do not want the film to be directed by debutant director Rohit Jaisingh Vaid.

Says a source, “It was Rohit, who bought the rights for the biopic on behalf of the Shetty sisters. The right to direct the film cannot be taken away from him unless Rohit voluntarily forfeits it. This, he is in no mood to do.”

Given the scenario the Dhyan Chand biopic seems to be in a stalemate.

Says the source, “Rohit rightly feels he has the right to direct the Dhyan Chand biopic. But Karan and Fox Star

feel Rohit’s inexperience goes against him.” Let’s see who blinks first!

The other hockey biopic

Varun’s Dilwale co-star is the only other actor to have starred in a movie based on the hockey. Chak De! India, which won Shah Rukh Khan a lot of critical acclaim and also moolah at the box office. The movie was loosely inspired by the life of Mir Ranjan Negi. Negi was the hockey goalkeeper of the Indian team during the Asian Games 1982. During the Asian games, India lost to Pakistan. This was a humiliating experience for Negi. Later in his life, Negi coached the National Women’s hockey team and the team went on to win Gold at the Manchester Commonwealth games. Inspired from the incident, Chak De India had Kabir Khan (played by SRK) leading his gang of girls to to victory in a similar manner.

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 4, 2016)

It's been raining parties in Bollywood all week, thanks to the annual week-long fashion gala. Kareena Kapoor Khan hosted a private bash on Fools Day. Malaika Arora Khan showed up minus hubby Arbaaz Khan (no surprises there) while sis Karisma Kapoor entered and exited with her CEO-beau Sandeep Toshniwal (no surprises there either).

Also present were the Kapoor siblings — Sonam, Rhea and Arjun — who stayed close all evening. This guest list doubled up at Manmohan Shetty's producer-daughter Aarti Shetty's birthday party, the following day. Sidharth Malhotra and Alia Bhatt proved to be a 'couple' in love. His eyes following his lady, while she giggled. "She couldn't stop herself from brushing his arm ever so often. They are a cute twosome," smiled an onlooker.

Their Kapoor & Sons producer, Karan Johar, made an appearance and so did co-star Fawad Khan, but separately. "Fawad didn't want to be clicked and hid his khoobsurat face from the paparazzi," sighed a photographer present at the venue.

On February 20, Aarti had thrown a bash for close friends, Ranbir Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor and Anushka Sharma, and buzz was she was bringing in her birthday! "Many Bollywood actors are her childhood buddies and there's always a party at her home. This could well have been her third birthday party for the year," joked a guest.

Kiran Rao and Zoya Akhtar arrived together with Aamir Khan in the front seat. "Aamir really enjoyed himself, shaking a leg with the GenX and in no hurry to leave," another guest said, adding that Rana Daggubati, Milind Deora, Jackky Bhagnani and Sidharth Roy Kapur were also there.

Masaba Gupta walked in with hubby Madhu Mantena after rocking her fashion show earlier that evening.

On the same stage, Kunal Rawal had shared his collection with showstopper Sidharth, and Aarti had sat in the front row, sandwiched between Sonakshi Sinha and Ayan Mukerji. Aarti looked radiant in white! Last year, Katrina Kaif had walked into Aarti's birthday party, hand-in-hand with her then boyfriend Ranbir. This year, she was flying solo. The exes kept to different corners of the room, not even glancing at one another. "Ranbir left early and Kat followed in a couple of minutes. There was no interaction whatsoever," the guest spilled the beans.

In contrast, Sonam Kapoor and rumoured former beau Punit Malhotra were the mature twosome, greeting each other courteously before they started mingling with their respective friends.

They sure don't hate love stories and no one's complaining.

Bharati Dubey (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 7, 2013)

Ranbir Kapoor seems to have hit upon a novel way of dealing with the paparazzi; simply take away their cameras. The actor along with pals Ayan Mukerji and Aarti Shetty, stepped out of a Bandra hotspot late on Thursday night and there was a gaggle of cameras outside as usual.

One of the TV camerapersons allegedly gave chase to the trio and then, the actor who has often spoken about his dislike for intruding cameras, allegedly lost his cool and a skirmish ensued.

An eye witness said, “Ranbir told the gathered photographers, ‘Chalo chase karo, race karo’. A TV cameraperson then blocked the path of Ranbir’s car with his own vehicle. Ranbir then stepped out and so did the cameraman who started shooting again.” What happened next surprised all. “Ranbir was really angry by now. He snatched away the camera saying ‘Kya shoot kiya hai, dikha’. He refused to hand the camera back to him and told him, ‘Apne boss ko bol mere ghar se le jayega’,” added the eye witness. So where is the object, which was at the centre of the friction, now?

 A source added, “The entertainment editor of channel spoke to the actor in the morning after which an official from the channel was sent to collect the camera.”