Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; December 11, 2018)

He has been controversy’s favourite child ever since he participated in the reality show Bigg Boss a few years ago. Known mostly for his anger issues, Armaan Kohli has been in the news often for the wrong reasons. Six months after his partner, stylist Neeru Randhawa, accused him of assaulting her and more recently, for not paying her compensation on time, Armaan is now striving to clear his image. In a no-holdsbarred chat with BT, he tells us his side of the story. Excerpts…

How did you meet Neeru Randhawa?
Neeru and I met four-and-a-half years ago at an event in Dubai. We hit it off really well and became friends. I invited her to Mumbai and she stayed at my home for almost four years, as she had nowhere else to stay. Whoever she has met or knows in the city is through me. We started dating eventually and we were in a relationship for three-and-a-half years.

She lodged a complaint against you for assault and demanded compensation for damage and loss of work …
There was never any work. So, what loss of work is she talking about? Whatever work she got was because of me. In fact, I let her design a suit for me during Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015), which got rejected. Being an NRI, she can’t work here without a work permit and make money without paying taxes.

So, what went wrong in the relationship?
Everything was perfect till I asked her about the rent that came from my properties, which she was collecting. My only fault was that I didn’t ask her to give me the money immediately, as I trusted her. She has mentioned that the rent money was just Rs 60,000. But in reality, it was Rs 22 lakh. She threw a fit every time I asked her about it, and I realised that she was duping me. The cheques would come, but the cash would disappear as people were transferring it into her account. The tiff started over money. She could have talked about it, but she started fighting with me instead. My mother came out hearing her shout and she started fighting with her, too. My mother retaliated and said, ‘This is my house and not yours. You get out of this house. Which woman stays in a house for three years without being married?’ She charged towards my mother. That was the first time I saw my mom’s hands shiver. She suffers from Alzheimer’s and was scared. Honest to God, I caught Neeru by her arm and pulled her away from my mother on impulse. She toppled and hit her head. She said that I caught her by her hair and banged her head on the ground. How can that be? If I had done that, she would have hurt her mouth and nose. It was a fall injury and not because of a beating. If I had beaten her up, why didn’t it show on her? If I have beaten you up so badly and hurt your dignity, what were you doing with a man like me for four years? After she accidentally hurt herself, she said, ‘Now, I will show you, Armaan Kohli, who I am. My name is Neeru Randhawa and I will f#ck you. I will show you what I can do to you.’ It’s hurtful that somebody, whom my family welcomed as a daughter, put me behind bars.

Were you planning to settle down with her?
I had planned to marry her in a small ceremony a year ago. Thank God I didn’t, or else both of us would have been behind bars! Apparently, she was already married while she was with me and I had no clue about it. She was planning a second marriage without being divorced! I am in touch with that guy’s family as well. A friend’s relative recognised her and said that she had attended her wedding around five years ago and that her name is not Neeru. Apparently, her divorce came through only six months ago. So, she was with me for three-and-ahalf years, talking about marriage and making babies while she was already married to someone and was in touch with him.

Neeru has again dragged you to court for not paying her Rs 50 lakh as promised...
A family friend got involved in the matter and I agreed to put an end to the whole thing by paying Neeru Rs 50 lakh. I paid her the amount three days after she filed the FIR and before I was arrested. While I was expecting the issue to be resolved, she didn’t withdraw the case and made sure that I was put behind bars. In fact, she demanded Rs 50 lakh more from me while I was in jail to withdraw the case. I didn’t realise that it was her game plan. She hasn’t mentioned the Rs 50 lakh that I had already paid her. I have now decided to pursue this case and I am sure that the truth will be out soon. I have filed a case of extortion and cheating against her.

During these three years, did you ever hit her?
Never. In today’s day and age, which woman tolerates such things? If I had done it, why didn’t she come out earlier?

Another FIR has been lodged against you on December 2 by fashion designer Nadia Hayat, accusing you of verbally abusing her...
Nadia is like family. She met a person, who handles my legal work, at a party in my house. They struck a business deal and one day, she called me, saying he had failed to pay her back as promised. No transaction happened in front of me and she didn’t consult me either. She has charged me with verbal abuse and the other person of threatening and blackmailing her. I just scolded her as an elder for not checking with me before striking any deal. How am I responsible for something that happened behind my back?

Why do you have an image as someone who is physically violent towards women?
If any woman claims that I have beaten her up, why didn’t she stand up earlier? The police and law have always been around. I am in touch with my exes. Tell me, why would they be in touch with me? I am boisterous. People have seen me get angry on Bigg Boss, but they have also seen me stay calm and even have fun. Break-ups don’t happen on a good note. They are always ugly. It’s never one-sided, but there is no raising hand in this. It could be a verbal argument. I am a no-nonsense man, I don’t give or take nonsense.

Do you have temper issues?
I used to have temper issues, but I have tamed down a lot with age. There is nobody in the world who can say that Armaan fought for his own problems, I have always fought for others. Everybody has temper issues. Some people control it while some openly talk about it. I openly admit it and thus, become the bad one. Everybody should have aggression, but one needs to channelise it in a positive way. I am doing it now, I don’t know if it’s late, but then it’s never too late.

There is a perception that your temper issues are responsible for your career not taking off the way it could have...
Everything that’s written or spoken about me is not correct. I hope the media gives somebody a chance to speak before they write about him. I have been blamed for something that I have not done. The six months have been difficult, but it made me stronger. I ran around trying to clear my image. If I am wrong, why would I do that? I just regret choosing wrong people. My priority in 2019 will be to choose the right kind of people and not have any negativity around. It’s not that I have not been getting acting offers. I am not taking up offers as they don’t excite me. I don’t need to work to feed myself. I have rejected many films. But now, I am taking up work in South. I am grateful to Salman (Khan) bhai. He called me when I was sitting at home doing nothing and told me to be ready to meet Sooraj Barjatya. I am happy I did a Salman Khan film. During my heydays, unfortunately, some bad films happened. I don’t blame anyone but myself for my career. Blame it on my bad judgement or stupidity. However, I have no regrets. Today, I just want ki naam achha ho jaaye... I have lost two projects because of the case.

What are your future plans?
2018 has taken quite a toll on me, but it has made me stronger than I was. I hope 2019 is good for me. I will make sure that I don’t get involved in any mess. It’s going to be my work year. All these issues have taught me a lesson in life – to be more careful of what I step into. I will ensure that nothing tarnishes my image or my family’s name from now on. People should know that I am not a bad person, I am misunderstood.

Any plans of settling down?
If I get the right girl, I want to settle down. I wanted to settle down last year. Now, I am waiting for someone who is understanding and respects old people; who knows how to handle a house and a man. Somebody who won’t use, abuse or disrespect me or my family. I am sure someone right is there in this world for me. At the moment, there is nobody in my life. If I am in a relationship, I will talk about it.

Meena Iyer (BOMBAY TIMES; November 9, 2015)

Armaan Kohli wishes her good luck; is ready to roll four films under his own banner
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 4, 2015)


Armaan Kohli has what many in Bollywood dream of - the hand of Salman Khan. The 40-plus actor who is making his comeback as Sallu's vengeful stepbrother Chirag, in Sooraj Barjatya's Diwali dhamaka, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, admits that it's good to have a Godfather. And he's feeling calmer and more connected. "Everyone becomes more sensible and responsible as they grow older. Today, I think a lot more before I say or do something. I'm going to be the bad boy only on screen," Armaan said, describing Salman as an older brother even off-screen. "I owe him this film and don't have any way to repay him."

Along with Salman and Neil Nitin Mukesh, Armaan is in Karjat, filming back-to-back action sequences on a Sheesh Mahal set. "Imagine being locked inside a large room, surrounded with mirrors, and fighting with bhai for three hours at a stretch, either with a sword or hand-to-hand combat. It's rigorous," sighs the actor who was last seen in LOC Kargil.

He admits he's been training for four hours everyday for the last one year to look fit alongside Salman. "While most of the cast is dressed traditionally, I'm in suits but I'm not a Shakti Kapoor-kind of a baddie," he chuckles.

Armaan who was last seen on Bigg Boss 7, admits that he had hit an all-time low. "Now with my personal and professional lives looking up, the future seems bright. I have two films with Sajid Nadiadwala, one as a villain. Both kick off this year," he says, refusing to divulge more. He is also rolling with four films under his own banner. Two of the scripts have been locked and casting is underway. "The first to release is an action-thriller, I'm superexcited." Wasn't he also going to launch a production house with his former girlfriend, Tanishaa Mukerji? "That will remain a dream," he sighs. "All the details were finalised when things went wrong. I was told that Tanishaa is doing a TV show. I'll always want her to do well, but a film production together will not be possible in this lifetime. I have learnt to live and let go from bhai."

Neha Maheshwri Bhagat (BOMBAY TIMES; December 23, 2013)

Armaan Kohli, after being evicted from Bigg Boss spoke to Bombay Times about his bad boy image, Sofia Hayat’s complaint and his closeness to Tanisha Mukherjee.
 
What’s the status of your relationship with Tanishaa Mukerji? Viewers were privy to cosy moments between you two. We would generally chat about the events that took place during the day when the lights went off. I will agree that in Tanisha, I found a great friend and my affection for her is more than for anybody else. She is my priority as a friend. We both come from families with a film background and hence, I would not like to comment on it any further. I would meet her after seven days, once the show is over.
 
Do you see a future with her? We haven’t planned anything. If at all things progress, I would like to keep it private.
 
But often relationships don’t last once you get out in the real world. We are mature people and know better how to handle things. She is a very dear friend and I would want her to win the show.
 
People feel that you have been disrespectful towards women. I am a mamma’s boy and that says it all. I can’t be disrespectful towards women. I feel women are superior to men. If I have wronged a woman, I have apologized and touched her feet.
 
You seem to have inspired men who expect their wives and girlfriends to be like Tanishaa and face their tempers by being docile. I think Tanisha should be an inspiration to all these women then. She is strong, independent and has her head firmly on her shoulders. And if they become like us, I’d also request them to end every argument within three minutes like we did inside the house.
 
While you didn’t acknowledge a certain Tanya Singh, she spoke openly about your relationship with her. What do you have to say about it? There is no equation. I have more female friends than males. We were friends. I was and am still single, both when I had walked inside and out of the house. If I had been in a relationship, I would have announced it. Why hide it? I have not lived-in with her. I stay with my parents.
 
What have you learnt from Bigg Boss? I feel like a winner. I reached the top six and have survived inside the house for 97 days. This is a huge achievement for me. After staying away from my mother and my mobile phone, I am proud of myself. The show has taught me calmness, patience, compatibility, compromise, being friends with people who badmouth me, and the ability to listen. It has taught me to be a better man.

Your temper issue has become a talking point. I entered the house to play the game. I am good to the good and worse to the bad. It’s reel life, not real. You are being recorded by cameras right from the time you wake up to the time you sleep. Isse badi acting toh ho hi nahi sakti. You are bound to react when you see people badmouth and bitch about you. And I want to be the bad boy now, but in reel life. I hope that I get negative roles, now. Everybody had a temper. Some displayed it in a subdued manner, others were loud. In real life, you have the option to leave the situation, but that’s not an option with the housemates.
 
Don’t you have a temper problem? I don’t. I believe I have been the target for all 14 contestants right from the beginning. They were all insecure about me. I have not fought with eight out of 20 participants. I have made some genuine friends like Tanisha, Andy, Sangram Singh, Elli Avram and Kamya Punjabi.
 
Your ex-girlfriend Ayesha Jhulka spoke about your temper and said that if a girl lodged a complaint against you, it must be true. Comment. Ayeshaji is a wonderful human and I wish her good luck. May God bless her. If she has given such a statement, she knows more than me. She is married and with kids and hence, I would not talk about it any further.
 
What about the alleged violence with Sofia Hayat, who filed an FIR against you? Something that could have been sorted within 90 seconds was blown out of proportion. Had I wronged Sofia, I wouldn’t have been inside the house again. As per the format of the show, you cannot touch a person, let alone hit him/her.
 
But the cops charged you with sexual harassment and molestation after viewing the tape. I can’t comment on the case as of now. All I can say is that one can’t touch a person. You give me a few more days and I will give you my side of the story.
 
Do you think inadequate food supply and less sleep also triggers anger? I have lost 14 kgs but I won’t say that food wasn’t enough. I was content with the food and slept well. I guess the waking and eating at the right time helped me lose weight. Maine dabaa ke khaaya.
 
Many feel that Salman Khan favoured you throughout while others, especially Kushal Tandon bore the brunt. I beg to differ. He took my case on two occasions. I believe Kushal came under the hammer more probably because he did more wrong. It’s Salman’s opinion and I am nobody to question his judgment. He has always made us understand a situation and warned us for our betterment.
 
Any message for Kushal? Kushal is a baby and gets carried away most of the times. He is like my younger brother and a good boy. I hope he changes to become a better man and we get to see his good side more.
 
What will you do different if given a chance to go inside the house again? I would like to laugh a lot and make other inmates laugh a bit. I would like to dominate the house. I had a don’t-mess-with-me attitude right since the beginning. But no, I don’t regret anything.
 
Bigg Boss seems to have done you good in terms of bringing you back into the limelight. What are your future plans? I will come back with a vengeance to do more work. I am not very keen on doing television. I have two home productions lined up and will feature in Rumi Jaffery’s movie. I will now be after Salman Sir for a job. Hopefully, I should get four to five movies. 
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Mehul S Thakkar (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 23, 2013)

You regret what happened five days ago? I don’t even remember what had happened since the stress level in the house is very high.
 
You don’t remember being arrested by the Lonavala on a complaint filed by your Bigg Boss copartcipant Sofia Hayat for assualt and sexual harassment ? The format of the show is such that no one is allowed to touch anyone. Had I hit Sofia, you think I would have been allowed to return to the house. Once I get permission to hold a press meet, I’ll show what really happened.
 
So you think what happened was a publicity? I wish Sofia happiness but she made an issue out of a tissue.
 
But you often came under the scanner for your temper? I have never done a reality show before this. So in front of the 100 cameras I behaved exactly as I would off camera. When I entered the show, I had said that I would treat the inmates the way they treated me. If someone uses foul language, how can I keep quiet? Every action has a equal reaction.
 
There has been a lot of Armaan bashing by the ex-contestants. Your former girlfriend Ayesha Jhulka even called you a woman beater… Jitni mooh, utni bakwaas. I can’t really stop that. I am the biggest momma’s boy and I have said this on the show. There’s a very thin line between the good and the bad side.
 
Have you changed since you entered the house? Yes, when I went in there, I was out of control. After after spending so many days inside, I am more patient and calm today. I have developed the ability of listen to people which should help me all my life.
 
Is Tanishaa Mukerji responsible for this change? Are you in love with her? I have no idea at this point in time. She is a very dear friend who has stood by me and done a lot for me. But falling in love takes some time. It can’t just happen in two months. But whatever happens, we will stay friends.
 
It is said that Tanishaa’s family members are not happy about the relationship... Whatever they say is right. We belong to the same fraternity and they are part of the family. All I can say is that I am very lucky to have found a friend like Tanisha.
 
Your dad, Raj Kumar Kohli, told Mirror that you are not doing much and that he needs to discuss with your future with you… The first call I made when I came out was to my dad. I couldn’t meet him when I was taken to the police station and I’m waiting to apologise to him for giving him so much trouble.
 
An astrologer on the show said that you will be good in production. Any films of your father’s that you wish to remake? There are some 40 odd films. I would love to remake dad’s Naukar Biwi Ka, Jaani Dushman and Raaj Tilak.
 
Getting evicted in the last week must be painful? Yah, it’s sad but no regrets. Surviving for over 90 days is an achievement on its own. In my eyes, I am a winner.