Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; June 5, 2018)

Govinda’s latest innings in Bollywood has been a damp squib. Even his last movie Aa Gaya Hero sank without a trace at the box office. However, the actor is now reuniting with Pahlaj Nihalani for Rangeela Raja, in which he plays a double role and his characters are inspired by Vijay Mallya and Baba Ramdev. The movie is a satirical take on both of these personalities. Now, we hear there’s a bit of trouble on the sets.

A source from the crew told us, “The makers had planned to shoot the entire climax this month. But when Pahlaj discussed it with the whole team, they were a little concerned. Although it will be done in jest, they are worried that the ending might offend followers of Baba Ramdev.”

According to our source, the team is ‘reshooting the entire climax’. “They are mellowing it down and changing the scene’s tonality. Mallya is a national villain now, so they aren’t too worried about his character. But disrespecting Baba Ramdev will only invite trouble for the makers, which they want to avoid,” added our source. When After Hrs contacted Pahlaj, he said, “I don’t know what the climax will be, at this point. But I won’t change it for anyone. Nobody knows what it will be because there’s no script. I haven’t given the actors any narration, I’m filming each day as it comes. I’ll shoot the climax towards the end of June. By then, I’ll know what it will be.”

Recalling a quarter century in showbiz, the Baazigar heroine, now new-media star, opens up on films, food, fashion, fitness
Mayank Shekhar (MID-DAY; May 27, 2018)

To start right from the beginning, you literally stooped to conquer with your debut, Baazigar (1993), falling off a terrace, and rising as a star. Take us through that iconic scene. Hear there was no body-double, VFX, you actually hung there for three hours in a harness?
It was the whole shift, not just three hours! The only time they got me down was during lunch-break. We shot that sequence, the same way, over four days. And we shot it several times. Back then, we had no technology — just getting a hang of even the green [chroma] screen. They shot me falling with the harness on, and with the camera on top, and there was a building cut-out, which was moving. The harness marks are still there on my belly bone. They left deep cuts, as they were not sponged. I am just happy, I was okay. Being new, I didn't know any better.

You were 17, that's almost child labour!
Which is what I am saying. When you are young and don't know much, you are open to experimenting. I had no idea why I was in the movies. I was offered a role, and I did it. Because there was so much effort put into that sequence, I guess it stood out.

But Bazigaar was not your first film. There's one called Gaata Rahe Mera Dil, a love-triangle, with Rohit and Ronit Roy. Were they playing brothers in the movie?
No! And I want to kill you for bringing this up. It's my deep-dark secret. It was my first film. Fortunately, or unfortunately, it didn't happen.

Why unfortunately?
Because the financers ran out of money, and I don't think I would have become this big a star, given Baazigar was a platinum-jubilee hit. And nothing succeeds like success! Gaata Rahe Mera Dil was supposed to be directed by Dilip Naik, who was earlier an assistant to Yash ji [Yash Chopra]. He saw me at an agency, where I was giving a screen test.

You were already modelling then?
Yes, I had finished school, and someone had clicked my photographs. It was completely random. I had to no inkling of what I was doing in the industry, or how I got here. It was all chalked out by God. At that time, Jaan Tere Naam had released, Ronit Roy was really big, with his famous song, Yeh Akkha India Jaanta Hai. So I was like, "Woah! I am going to work with Ronit Roy." The script was centred on the girl, who falls in love with this guy, who dies. She loses hope, and someone who looks like him, comes into her life. The guy gets killed because of [his love for] music...

Sounds like Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai to me.
No, it wasn't. I'm not getting into details.

Why, someone else will steal that script?
No! So, anyway, someone at Venus [production company], which was auditioning for Baazigar, saw my pictures in a full-page ad, in a trade paper [announcing my debut]. Sridevi ji was supposed to play a double-role in Baazigar initially, because that is how the original film [A Kiss Before Dying] is [supposed to be].

Apparently when Abbas-Mustan told you Baazigar was a remake of A Kiss Before Dying, the first thing you said was you're not going to kiss in the movie!
Yes. I was really dumb [laughs]. I told them clearly that I won't kiss in the movie. I haven't kissed on-screen. That was always my condition.

But it was a rule with a lot of people then. Salman (Khan) still doesn't.
Yes. Shah Rukh Khan kisses?

Yes.
Earlier even he had this condition in his contracts. I got away with it. Imagine if I was in the industry now!

The other thing you had an issue with, you've mentioned, is with Hindi. Odd, since you grew up in Chembur, no?
I could speak Tulu well, having spent a lot of time with my grandmother in Mumbai. We would speak English at home. I spoke Hindi on the 'katta' at Poddar College, for half a year that I went to college. I am also a college dropout, if you remember. And the Hindi was all, "Aata hai, mereko, tereko…" My grammar was rubbish. In Bazigaar I would get my lines in my small make-up room in Film City. I would write those lines in English [Roman script] first. After, "Start sound, action," the camera would roll at a volume 10 time louder than usual, and I would forget all my lines. I remember Shah Rukh telling me, "Just perform for the audience. Forget that the camera is staring at you. Just do it as if no one [around] is watching." This was of great help.


So you went back to college after Baazigar?
My father had put just one condition — that I complete my education. He wanted me to join his business. We made pilfer-proof caps for medicine bottles. It was interesting, but not something I wanted to pursue. So after Bazigaar released, I'd go to college, and there would be a traffic jam. Even dad realised that it'd be difficult for me to keep up with the curriculum.

You do Bazigaar, then Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994), which is just as huge. Seems like Vivek Oberoi's career to me: Company, then Saathiya, and then a bunch of films that few talk about. True?
[Laughs]. But, you know, strangely, a lot of songs from all the films that we don't remember are big hits, even today. That's the funny thing about my filmography. People don't remember the movies. But they do recall the terrible songs!

Why terrible, they were hits!
They were really terrible. Like I remember this song, Tak Taka Tak [Zameer], and then we had Barana De [Insaaf]. They were hilarious. But I was getting paid. I'd do my job, and get out. With due respect, I really think I am blessed.

You made a massive comeback with Dhadkan (2000), which is considered a landmark, in terms of commerce, yes, but you were also taken seriously as an actor.
Yes, before Dhadkan, I was doing only glamorous roles; and in the '90s, the film industry was predominantly male-dominated. It still is, but is gradually changing. At that time even the heroines didn't care. We were paid, and it was fewer days of work on a film. We did three shifts. It worked out well. Dhadkan took five years to make. By which time I had been totally written off. Akshay [Kumar] had had some major flops. Suniel [Shetty] also had had terrible flops. So, all three big flop-actors were in one movie. The film got shelved. Dharmesh [Darshan] started working on Mela, with bigger stars. His point was, "Itne saare flop actors ko kaun jayega theatre main dekhne!" I went begging to Dharmesh's mom, told her my life has come to a standstill — why doesn't her son want to make this film? I've never narrated this incident before. So, she later spoke to Dharmesh, and told him, "Kisi ki haai nahi leni chaihye. Movie ko complete kar de." Dharmesh finished Dhadkan. Mela flopped. Our film became a big hit, because of the songs, or my prayers. That's life.

The songs are still huge.
Yes, they still play at weddings.

But looking at your career in terms of pure performance, Phir Milenge (2004), stands out, right? Strong role, non-mainstream film, much loved.
For sure. I give a lot of credit to [director] Revathy. She made me believe that people love you for who you are, and the character you project. And not the make-up you wear. I was playing someone detected HIV positive, and I decided to use a bit of concealer and kajal. She said, you can't do this! When I shed my inhibitions, I felt like a new person. But there was a film called Rishtey [2002], where I had put it far more effort, which was, again, a huge flop. I played a Koli woman, worked on my dialect, spoke in Marathi, with a twang. There were long dialogues, and the very first scene that [director] Indra Kumar shot was the confrontation scene, the climax, between Karisma [Kapoor] and me. I was supposed to slap her, she pushes me. How am I going to do this? I got nominated for the part, but didn't win any awards. That was the most difficult role of my career.

Shouldn't the toughest part be playing yourself in [the reality show] Big Brother, being locked for three months, in the UK (2007)? You'd seen the show before? What made you do it?
I had watched the show, yes, but didn't know what I was getting myself into. My career was going through a lull. So was I, personally. When they offered me the money they did, and said I just had to play myself — firstly, I had no idea why they wanted me. After I came out of the house I realised there is a huge Indian diaspora they were catering to.

And you were the only foreigner in the house.
Yes, feeling like an alien. It was the first time I had been abroad alone, left to fend for myself. I was used to walking with an entourage. Here, I was a glorified maid — cooking, cleaning, since no one else [in the house] was interested. To top that, everyone would complain. It was a thankless job. They spoke about how I was eating with my hands, bitched me out. One had no idea how people were perceiving you from outside. Suddenly, in the second week, I saw helicopters circling the house, shutters were coming down. The scale on which they were shooting was really huge.

Looking back, what did it teach you?
Firstly, it makes you brain-dead. For three and half weeks, I always felt that I would get eliminated. I was praying to get out. After a fortnight, I realised something was happening. I was being treated badly. But I never put it down to racism. I just felt like the girls were very insecure.

But the racism row became huge, even discussed in the British parliament. What was it like living through that?
After I came out, they first took me to a psychiatrist. I was mentally scarred [laughs]. The one thing I remember vividly was that I had forgotten how to use a phone, or type messages. [As for public response] I had children and old ladies come up to me and cry. At some point they had faced racism. They could associate me with their experiences. A lady told me, "After Gandhi ji, if there is any Indian that people will know by name, it's Shilpa Shetty." That was a big compliment. But it was a scary and unnerving experience at the human level. So when I met Gordon Brown, he apologised; Tony Blair did the same. Every time I met someone, they would apologize, saying, "We aren't like this. It is terrible what you went through." They felt huge guilt. Today, if you ask me to be part of Big Brother, my answer would be no.

But what do you make of that kind of fame: it's overnight, and disappears overnight, too? Did that happen?
There was a lot I did there [in the UK] for almost a year and half. I got married after, so I didn't want to do anything. I was offered [BBC's] EastEnders. But anywhere you want to make a base, you have to make that country your own, and I wasn't willing to do that. I didn't do it for marriage, wouldn't for work.

Is that where you met your husband (Raj Kundra)? How did that happen?
A month after Big Brother, Raj was introduced to me through a common friend. Anybody who becomes famous there, can have a perfume [brand of their own]. And guess what, it even does well [laughs]. So Raj knew the owners of my perfume company. I had a firm doing the deal, but Raj offered me triple the money. He had a soft spot for me. And I was like, "He's such a cute guy!" So I did the deal, and that's how we met.

Another unique facet of your public life is that after a stint on films, TV, you're the first Indian celebrity to get on YouTube, starting out with fitness stuff. Would that be correct?
I'll tell you why there are no celebrities on YouTube. Because it doesn't make you any money [laughs]. People go there to become celebrities. I am a little cracked that way. But I've always been this person. I did a Yoga DVD 13 years ago! I used to be a state-level volleyball player even before I joined movies, and probably the only actress who would go to the gym. The hero would be shocked to find me there. Primarily, I wanted to bring about awareness towards health. It started out in a small way. I spent money from my pocket to shoot videos for YouTube, so people could get back to home-style cooking. I wanted to inculcate habits on how, when, and how much to eat. This whole influx of junk food joints makes me really sad. I've lost a couple of people who were really close, many in my circle are suffering from cancer, and immunity disorders. All this boils down to one thing: our lifestyle, and eating habits. I might get shot someday, as I say some honest things.

Why would you get shot?
Because these huge conglomerates are not happy. As celebrities we are at a blessed position. People take us seriously. So why not make use of that voice with something as important as health?

I know you talk strongly against aerated drinks. Ever asked your contemporary movie-stars to stop endorsing them?
It's not my place. But as celebrities we have great power. Aerated drinks are the worst things to have happened to this generation. My son has never tasted them. He is six, and has actually given up refined sugar. He calls it poison. They say sugar is more addictive, if not as addictive, as cocaine. If you don't encourage your children to smoke, drink, why would you let them have aerated drinks?

Popular diet regimens/fads keep changing every few months. What do you personally advocate?
To keep it simple. Go back to how people ate 70 years ago.

But people were dying damn young 70 years ago!
Maybe you're talking about open-heart surgeries, and advances in medicine. But look at the quality of life they led. And look at ours. Fine, we are living up to 70 years, but with diabetes, and many other illnesses. And I don't want to sound preachy. But if there is a change that has to happen, it is the current generation that we need to target. That's my idea behind getting on social media.

Many would aspire to have a body shape like yours, a lot of which is also determined by genetics, do you think?
You can literally reverse a bad deck of genes, with a good lifestyle. I put on 32 kilograms after my child was born. I just let myself go. I was having a baby really late, and this became my alibi. But I have changed my lifestyle, and with that I don't mean I am not eating. I have a tablespoon of ghee with my lunch. I don't eat after 8 pm. If Raj is late, he has dinner alone! If you are fit and happy, you can be a catalyst in making others happy.

I haven't seen your Yoga videos, but I did see you do Yoga with Baba Ramdev. Honestly, if I become the finest practitioner of Yoga in the world, is Baba Ramdev the best I can look like?
What if I tell you that he's someone who's suffered paralysis, and got out of it with Yoga? He's such a fit man. He was able to single-handedly encourage people to take it up. Only old people used to do Yoga before. The younger generation would hit the gym, or do other workouts: Pilates, etc. Yoga has suddenly got its importance back.

You think the West, especially coastal US, taking to Yoga made it hip back here as well?
That could be one of the reasons. In India, for sure, it was Babaji, though. I give him that credit. As for younger generation, I'd also take some of the credit, for making it look cool! On a serious note, because you brought it up, I don't know why we tend to ape the West so much. The power of Indian food is unbelievable. And while we're copying the West, it's funny that as an antithesis, the West is copying us — using coconut oil, clarified butter, which is ghee...

We touched on food, films, fitness. On fashion, I'm told, you don't wear animal prints anymore. Why? That was your thing!
It was my thing. But then you grow up, and move on. And it's not like I don't wear animal prints. Dolce & Gabbana used it for years, Gucci brought it back. Animal prints will never get out of style. But, I'm slowly turning into a yogini [laughs]. I just want to wear white kurtas, jeans. Just keep it simple. But then, I feel, no one will click my photos then, or they'll grill me on social media!

Final question: One thing I wanted to ask you about was the concept of the 'Bollywood mom', who'd always be with heroines at work, back in the day. True for several female stars, including you. What's it like being at work with your mom?
She was my reality check. Now you have several cameras shooting you, and a video-assist, where you can check the shots. My mom was my video-assist in those days. After the shot, I'd look at her behind the camera, for an okay.

Not the director?
If the director said OK, and she'd go [expresses poor take], I'd be like, "One more!" [laughs]. I'm sure it wasn't easy on her. We didn't have vans. We could be shooting on the road; she'd just take a chair, and sit there. She really made sacrifices; she was just 40 at the time.

Were you living her dream in some way?
I still am. This is the most beautiful life. It's been a rocky journey, a great roller-coaster ride. My manager is sitting on my head, going, "You need to do a film!" I don't have the time. So yeah, I will just take it as it comes.

(Transcribed by Sonil Dedhia, Sonia Lulla, Mohar Basu)


Shilpa Shetty in conversation at mid-day office. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Upala KBR (MID-DAY; May 3, 2018)

When you have Govinda reuniting with his long-time collaborator Pahlaj Nihalani after over 13 years, you know they'll have a trick or two up their sleeve. Their next outing, Rangeela Raja, sees the actor in a double role of two brothers. The former Censor Board chairperson, who is producing the comedy, reveals that Govinda's two characters are inspired by yoga guru Baba Ramdev and liquor baron Vijay Mallya.

Talking about the "complete family entertainer", Nihalani says, "It's the story of two brothers - both essayed by Govinda - who are completely different from each other. One character is inspired by Vijay Mallya; so, you see him as a rich, flamboyant business tycoon. The other brother is a spiritual guru, along the lines of Baba Ramdev."

Nihalani warns that it's a comedy of errors as both characters lead a dual life. "So effectively, Govinda is playing four different characters," laughs the producer, adding, "The business tycoon pretends to be a dutiful husband at home, but he has a colourful life outside of it." Having delivered several hits including Ilzaam (1986) and Aankhen (1993) in the past, Nihalani says reuniting with his one-time favourite actor is sheer joy. Shot in a single schedule in Karjat, Rangeela Raja will launch three new faces as female leads.

Upala KBR (MID-DAY; February 10, 2018)

Before the broadcast of Swami Ramdev: Ek Sangharsh — a show based on the journey of Baba Ramdev — from February 12, the yoga-guru-turned-businessman is ensuring that the series doesn’t go unnoticed. The makers, Abhinav Shukla and Rohit Chaudhury, have organised a special screening at the Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi today. While the event will boast of a powerful guest list, interestingly, Ajay Devgn — who returns to television as a producer with the show — will be conspicuous by his absence.

Says a source from the creative team, “This place holds importance in Baba Ramdev’s life, as he had held a shivir [camp] of almost 10,000 people at this venue in 2002. Several politicians are expected to attend the screening, including finance minister Arun Jaitley, home minister Rajnath Singh and minister of electronics and information technology, Ravi Shankar Prasad.” The source adds that Devgn will be missing from action, as he is busy with the shoot of his next.

Baba Ramdev, on his part, says that the story of his “sangharsh” is one that needs to be told. “I have faced sangarsh [challenges] all along and the show traces it. [Through the show], I want to give a message to all my countrymen — never give up. Life will come with its challenges but if you are up to it, then nothing can stop you from succeeding.”

Soumya Vajpayee Tiwari (MID-DAY; August 29, 2017)

Tell us about your new reality show.
Om Shanti Om will redefine the place that devotional music has in India. I will co-judge the show [with Baba Ramdev and Sonakshi Sinha]. It is the first of its kind, given that devotional songs will be recreated and rearranged in today’s sound so that the youth can connect with them.

How has the experience of working with Baba Ramdev been so far?
His energy is infectious. He will be seen as the Maha Guru on the show, sharing his insights with the contestants in his inimitable style.

This is your 10th reality show. You seem to be in love with this format.
Reality shows bring the raw, untapped potential of our citizens to the fore. Individuals, who would not receive the opportunity to showcase their talent otherwise, are being discovered and mentored. These shows help in building their future. Despite being part of 10 reality shows, I am still astounded by the talent we see year after year.

If you conceptualise a reality show, would it be distanced from the ones we see today?
I would love to host a travel-based music reality show, one in which I can travel to remote parts of India, and the world, to discover talent. This may be from the smallest and most obscure towns or villages.

You had previously told mid-day that you’ve received acting offers. Have you zeroed in on any?
I am still reading a few scripts, and will hopefully make a decision soon.

Tell us about your independent projects.
I am excited about my sixth single, Devi, which I have composed and sung. Filmmaker Karan Johar unveiled it digitally yesterday. The aarti is a heartfelt tribute to women. The cause of the girl child has been close to my heart, and I hope the song touches every soul with its intent and power.

Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 22, 2017)

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; August 11, 2017)

Sonakshi Sinha has become a favourite of the small screen. After debuting with Indian Idol two years ago, she was a judge on Nach Baliye 8, earlier this year. Now, she is all set to turn a judge again, this time for a bhajan reality show titled Om Shanti Om, with Baba Ramdev as the mahaguru.

While Sonakshi is claiming to be excited about sharing stage with Baba Ramdev, when they first approached her for the show, she turned them down. Says a source, “Sonakshi refused the show. She didn’t want to do it at all. She told the team that it would be repetitive for her, since she’s been judging too many reality shows.”

So what made her change her mind? Money, of course. “The makers were keen on getting a star for the show. After she refused initially, they went back to her with a bigger offer. The channel has paid mega bucks to get Sonakshi on board for the show. It was only after the whopping deal was negotiated that Sonakshi gave her nod to the show.”

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 9, 2017)

After a guest appearance on a dance-based reality show, yoga guru Ramdev will judge a reality show with Sonakshi Sinha (Mirror, August 2). Now, we hear he’s foraying into films with the patriotic-drama Yeh Hai India in which he features in the song “Saiyan Saiyan”, written by Tapesh Panwar and sung by Javed Ali.

Directed by Lom Harsh, the film follows a 25-year-old NRI with a stereotypical view of India who realises his mistake in the course of the film. It features Gavie Chahal and Brit model-actress Deana Uppal and was shot in Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. “When Babaji was told about the film he came on-board as it is of national interest. After a screening, he said it felt like the film reflected the soul of India,” producer Sandeep Choudhary told Mirror, asserting that Ramdev is constantly approached to promote Bollywood films but refuses as they don’t align with his vision.

“India is no longer a country of snakes. It has the capability to lead the world. This change has been showcased in this film so I decided to support it,” said Ramdev, who has also shot for a pre-film video which will be released shortly.

After a brief meeting on a recently concluded reality show, the actress and yoga guru are set to reunite for another one
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 2, 2017)

After Indian Idol Junior 2 with composers Salim Merchant and Vishal Dadlani and Nach Baliye 8 alongside choreographer Terence Lewis and filmmaker Mohit Suri, Sonakshi Sinha is up for another stint on TV. The 30-year-old actress will be back on the small screen to judge another musical reality show, Om Shanti Om, for Life OK. On the panel with her will be yoga guru Ramdev, singer Kanika Kapoor and singer-composer Shekhar Ravjiani. They began shooting from Tuesday at a Powai studio. Ranveer Singh was the first celebrity on the show with Mouni Roy and Badshah as the guest performers.

“It’s a youth-oriented show and the contestants will be singing bhajans and devotional songs set to contemporary tunes. Sonakshi is the perfect combination of the traditional and the modern. She also has a great connect with youngsters,” informs a source, adding that Aparshakti Khurrana, who played a jagrata singer in Shashank Khaitan’s romcom Badrinath Ki Dulhania, is the host.

On Tuesday, Sonakshi posted a picture, saying, “Back to the grind and loving it! Shooting for something super special and the first of its kind... will announce soon!” Incidentally, Ramdev had made a guest appearance on the recently concluded Nach Baliye and taught Sonakshi a few asanas. According to the source, the show will focus more on spirituality than competition. “Ramdev will share insight and teachings with the contestants as well as the audience,” the source further revealed, adding, “He will be a part of the show for a few episodes.”

While speaking to Mirror (September 14) earlier, Sonakshi had admitted that she loves to sing and had even released a debut single, “Ishqholic”, in 2015 which was followed by her giving playback for the ditty “Rajj Rajj Ke” in AR Murugadoss’s Akira.

On the filmi front, Sonakshi will next be seen in Abhay Chopra’s Ittefaq with Sidharth Malhotra and Akshaye Khanna, which is an official remake of Yash Chopra’s 1969 film by the same name. Meanwhile, she is also gearing up for Salman Khan’s Da-Bang tour with Jacqueline Fernandez, Sooraj Pancholi, Prabhdheva and Daisy Shah, among others.
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Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; August 2, 2017)

After Indian Idol Junior (2015) and Nach Baliye 8 (2017), Sonakshi Sinha, according to sources, will judge a singing reality show, titled Om Shanti Om, on Life OK. Keeping her company on this musical ride is Baba Ramdev, who will also be seen as a judge. The quartet of judges will be completed by singer Kanika Kapoor and composer Shekhar Ravjiani.

The makers have another ace up their sleeve. Ranveer Singh will grace the opening episode. “Ranveer, Sonakshi and Ramdev are shooting for the first episode today,” informs a source. “The show will focus on bhajans, with contestants modifying and modernising existing bhajans.”

MUMBAI MIRROR (June 14, 2017)

After returning from a family vacation in Maldives with wife Kajol and their children Nysa and Yug, Ajay Devgn has resumed shooting for Milan Luthria’s action thriller Baadshaho and will soon start filming for Rohit Shetty’s Golmaal Again, which is lining up for a big Diwali release.

Meanwhile, Mirror has learnt that the 48-yearold actor-director-producer has joined hands with filmmaker Abhinav Shukla to produce a biopic on yoga guru Ramdev.

“The television series, titled Swami Baba Ramdev: The Untold Story revolves around Ramdev and his partner Balakrishna, tracing his journey from an anonymous common man to a national icon, a global figure and a business mogul,” informs a source close to the development, adding that the writers are presently busy with their research and shooting will start by the year-end.

Ramdev was born on December 25, 1965, in the Hazaribag Ali Saiyad Pur village of Haryana. Christened Ramkrishna Yadav, he studied Indian scriptures, yoga and Sanskrit in several gurukuls before turning into a sanyasi and adopted the name Ramdev from Swami Shankar Dev. In 2003, Aastha TV started featuring him in a morning yoga slot after which he gained a large following.

Ajay, besides producing several movies including Son Of Sardaar, Singham Returns and Shivaay, has also produced the TV show, Devi, featuring Sakshi Tanwar in the lead, which premiered in 2002. Casting for Ramdev’s biopic is underway.

Buzz is, Dil Dhadakne Do actor Vikrant Massey was roped in to play the titular character but he has since opted out. Vikrant confirmed it, saying, “Yes I had started prep but have since opted out for personal reasons. I wish the team luck.”

Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 17, 2017)

After permeating the country’s collective consciousness with the virtues of Pranayama, yoga guru Ramdev was a curious sight on the sets of the dance-based reality show Nach Baliye on Tuesday. He shot for an upcoming episode as a guest judge alongside Sonakshi Sinha, Terence Lewis and Mohit Suri.

A source from the sets reveals that there was heavy security on the sets during Ramdev’s entry, with guards checking IDs and sniffer dogs doing the rounds. He kicked off the shoot at 5 pm with Terence giving him a lowdown on the contestants and the show’s format. One of the competing couples on the wild card episode was TV actress Aashka Goradia and her firang boyfriend Brent Goble.

Ramdev was particularly intrigued by Brent and made him do headstands. He gave yoga lessons to the other contestants too, urging them to keep calm as they fight to the finish.

He then turned his attention towards the judges. While Terence was excited to follow his cues, Half Girlfriend director Mohit tried to escape but was dragged to the floor. So was Sonakshi whom Ramdev mistakenly called Meenakshi. Ramdev also vetoed raunchy Bollywood songs and the lessons were conducted to “Chak de! India.”

MUMBAI MIRROR (December 8, 2016)

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 21, 2016)

Shilpa Shetty credits power yoga for her sexy @ 40 look. On Wednesday afternoon, the actress and her mentor, Baba Ramdev, performed yoga together at a public gathering in BKC.

"In 2009, I presented Baba with my yoga DVD and it went on to become a huge success. Seven years later, I gifted him my just-released book. He's my lucky mascot and I'm looking at this as a good omen," laughs the actress.

If they keep going, the jodi will loot UP-Bihar next!

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 7, 2015)

MHA Officials Keep Mum On Ramdev's Case
Bharti Jain (THE TIMES OF INDIA; April 26, 2015)