Showing posts with label Bigg Boss 13. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bigg Boss 13. Show all posts
Mazaak, drama mat banaiyega-Shefali Jariwala's husband Parag Tyagi
9:46 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (June 30, 2025)
Late actor Shefali Jariwala’s final rites were carried out on Saturday in Mumbai. Her husband, actor Parag Tyagi, was visibly shaken up over her unexpected and sudden death.
Meeting the media with folded hands, he requested privacy, asking people not to sensationalize their loss. He said, “Mazaak, drama mat banaiyega, main sabse request karta hoon. Please pray for my pari. Please pray for her peace. Please aap bandh kijiyega.”
On Saturday, when Parag visited the hospital after Shefali’s autopsy, he was seen begging paparazzi to leave him alone. Later in the day, he performed his wife’s last rites with her family, and friends at the Oshiwara Crematorium. Parag, Shefali’s father Satish Jariwala, her rakhi brother Vikas Fhatak aka Hindustani Bhau turned pallbearers.
Several visuals from the funeral surfaced on social media, in which Satish could be seen struggling to hold back tears as he consoled his wife, Shefali’s mum Sunita.
CAUSE OF DEATH STILL UNKNOWN
A day after her demise, police said the post-mortem was completed, but the cause of death remained inconclusive till the time of going to press. Doctors at Mumbai’s Cooper Hospital who conducted the autopsy reserved their opinion pending forensic analysis, prompting the police to register an Accidental Death Report (ADR).
Shefali was reportedly suffering from a neurological disorder, for which she was on medication. As per officials, preliminary findings suggest she may have suffered a cardiac arrest, but investigators were waiting for toxicology and histopathology reports. Blood and viscera samples have been sent to the Kalina Forensic Science Laboratory for detailed analysis.
ARTI SINGH’S EMOTIONAL NOTE
Shaken by her friend’s demise, actor Arti Singh penned a tribute alongside a collection of their pictures. Arti remembered being smitten by her in Bigg Boss 13, adding how Shefali took on the role of a sister during her wedding preparations.
She wrote, “I don’t want to say u hv gone to heaven or a better place. This was not the time to go only. U had to spread more smiles and happiness and love... U will always always always be my special friend… I know life is unpredictable but we tend to forget tht. I hate writing rip. I pray u are happy and your soul is happy. And your family get strength. I love u my SHEFU.”
RASHAMI DEFENDS PARAG
A video of Parag walking their pet dog hours after Shefali’s death met backlash, with some questioning whether he was affected.
Actor Rashami Desai posted on Stories, “Arreee bhaiya, let’s spread kindness and compassion instead of judgment! Simba was more than just a pet — he was Shefali’s beloved son. Her sudden passing leaves a huge void, and I urge the media to respect the family’s grief and give them space during this difficult time. Let’s show empathy and understanding, not sensationalism.”
Industry open nahi hoti, open karni padti hai-Shehnaaz Gill
8:22 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; May 16, 2023)
Shehnaaz Gill, who became a popular name after she participated in Bigg Boss 13, made her Bollywood debut last month with Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan starring Salman Khan. And even before her debut film released, the actress bagged her next film.
For someone who’s just stepped into the Hindi film industry, ask Shehnaaz if she is happy with the way her career is shaping up and she says, “Main yeh bolna chahti hoon ki industry open nahi hoti, open karni padti hai. You have to work on yourself…apne aap ko change karke. Mere liye kuch bhi open nahi hai, main jo kar rahi hoon, apni mehnat se kar rahi hoon.”
Shehnaaz started working on herself from the time she was seen on the reality show hosted by Salman. From getting fit, to upping her fashion game and hosting a chat show in which she interviews celebs, this seems to be a new version of the actress.
Shehnaaz explains, “I have always been inspired by myself. Main khud se hiroz inspire hoti hoon. I genuinely feel that if you want to grow in life, then you have to be open to change and work on yourself. Do it day by day... take your time, but introduce that change in yourself because it is important. If you present yourself the way you are and give nothing new to your audience, then they will get bored. Hum public figure hai and if we don’t offer variety to the audience, they will get bored of us.”
And this is exactly what she intends todo. Loved by fans for her bubbly personality, Shehnaaz admits that she has been attending workshops to hone her acting skills. “I have been going for workshops. Aur jaise aapko farak meri styling mein aaj kal dikh raha hai, meri acting mein bhi zaroor dikhai dega bohot jald.”
The actress who’s not supposed to talk about her next project, which also stars Anil Kapoor, says, “It feels good to be working with an artiste of that stature. Even if you share screen for two minutes with them, you get to learn so much. You should always look forward to such learning experiences.”
I'm single just like Salman Khan bhai-Raghav Juyal
8:18 AM
The actor-dancer sets the record straight about his relationship with Shehnaaz Gill
Vinay MR Mishra (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 8, 2023)
Raghav Juyal, who has been in the spotlight recently for his alleged relationship with co-star Shehnaaz Gill, has put the rumours to rest. The actor-dancer denies any romantic involvement with Gill, stating that they are just good friends. He tells us, “No truth at all; wo (rumours) faaltu ki cheezein hain.”
The 31-year-old hints that these speculations came to light as a result of actor Salman Khan’s advice to Gill during the promotions of their recently released Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan. Khan had suggested Gill to “move on” in life after the death of her alleged partner, Siddharth Shukla. Many took Khan’s comments as confirmation of Juyal and Gill’s alleged dalliance.
In 2021, we reported that Juyal had been dating Swedish intimacy coordinator Sara Arrhusius for more than four years before Gill’s name popped up in the media. “Woh bhi relation tha nahin, bas bana diya gaya. She is still a friend,” the actor-dancer clarifies, claiming that he is not dating anyone at the moment. “I’m like bhai (referring to Khan), single,” he says, adding, “My focus is on my films. There’s a lot to be done.”
Opening up about his equation with Gill for the first time, Juyal shares that it is similar to that of any two cordial co-stars: “When you spend almost three to four months shooting for a movie, dosti yaari ho jaati hai.” He goes on to blame Gill’s participation in a reality show for the conjectures that spread like wildfire.
Juyal explains, “Shehnaaz ki dikkat yeh hai ki usne Bigg Boss 13 (2019) kiya hai. The audience is invested in their (the participants’) personal lives, so it becomes like a drug, and they want that drug even after the show ends. I have travelled and spent time with others as well, lekin uske saath logon ko drama create karna tha. I don’t know what it is! Dukh hota hai,” says Juyal, who became a household name with his stint in Dance India Dance. But these stories don’t bother Juyal or make his camaraderie with Gill awkward, as he puts it: “Hum hansi-mazaak hi karte hain.”
Salman Khan clarifies ‘move on’ advice to Shehnaaz Gill
7:59 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (May 3, 2023)
During a promotional event for his latest film, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, Salman Khan spoke about actor Shehnaaz Gill’s bond with late actor Sidharth Shukla and advised her to “move on” in life. Recently, during an appearance on the television show Aap Ki Adalat, the actor has cleared the air.
While speaking of how Khan wanted to be a father but didn’t want to get married, host Rajat Sharma reminded him of his advice to Gill. To this, the actor said, “I told her to move on. Sid (Shukla) ab iss duniya mein nahin rahe. I’m sure he will also want Shehnaaz to move on. Ye nahin ki unki shaadi ho jaye, bachche ho jaye.”
He laughed, “Abhi nahin, bahut time hai. But to get out of that Sidnaaz [phase], woh bohot hi heavy tha uske upar aur woh toot rahi thi bechari bachchi. Toh maine bola ki move on. Iska ye matlab nahin ki main bring it on bol raha hun.”
Shukla and Gill were both a part of Bigg Boss 13 and grew closer to each other. In September 2021, the former died of a heart attack.
Gill, who made her Bollywood debut with Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, was linked up with co-actor Raghav Juyal. However, the latter denied the same.
People think, let’s make her miserable now that she is entering Bollywood. But that’s not going to happen-Shehnaaz Gill
8:25 AM
Claiming that she is battling increased negativity as she forays into movies, Shehnaaz traces her journey from Bigg Boss 13 to Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; April 22, 2023)
Shehnaaz Gill’s candour, coupled with her chirpiness, made her popular on Bigg Boss 13. But as we sit down to talk about her Bollywood debut, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (KKBKKJ), it doesn’t take long to note that her mood influences her conversation. Tired after back-to-back video interactions, Gill chooses to be curt, even if candid. Perhaps being constantly in the public eye hasn’t prepared her for an interaction when no one is watching her.
She begins, “I have always been in the public eye. So, it hasn’t been too hard for me [to be a public figure]. I love that people love me. What else does an actor want?”
Gill has been one of the biggest success stories to come out of a reality show. After being adjudged the second runner-up on Bigg Boss 13, she bagged endorsements and music videos. Her next stop — Bollywood. However, she had to endure a long process of “grooming” before foraying into movies.
“When I came out of Bigg Boss, I understood that I needed to work hard on myself. The most difficult part was to lose weight. Then, I had to work on my styling. A lot of people used to tell me that I had to lose weight [for a Bollywood career], but I did it only when I felt the need to.”
Today, she has a promising debut vehicle in the Salman Khan-led KKBKKJ. The superstar has been unflinching in his support towards Gill since her reality show days. She, however, emphasizes that Khan is protective towards everyone around him. “It’s not just me or Palak [Tiwari] that he is protective of. He takes care of everyone, even those who are older than him.”
In her short run in showbiz so far, Gill has received not only immense love, but also brickbats. From being trolled for her closeness with Khan, to being accused of moving on ‘too quickly’ after Sidharth Shukla’s demise, she has seen plenty. The negativity doesn’t affect her, she asserts.
“Now, more eyes are on me. People think, let’s make her miserable now that she is entering Bollywood. But that’s not going to happen. It can’t affect me.”
There was a time when I wanted to quit acting-Mahira Sharma
8:37 AM
Hasti Doshi (BOMBAY TIMES; March 4, 2023)
Mahira Sharma, who rose to fame after Bigg Boss 13 three years ago, has been away from the limelight for a while. Ask her about it and she says, “I haven’t consciously stayed away. It just happened that after I did BB in 2020, the pandemic struck. I have done music videos and have been busy shooting for my Punjabi film and a couple of web shows, too. I’m waiting for my projects to release. So, yes, now I am back in action.”
The actress is excited to make her debut in Punjabi cinema with LehmberGinni and she also wants to try her luck in South films. So has she quit television? “No, I’m not doing a TV show right now because I am busy with other projects. But in the future, I will be happy to take up a television show as well,” says the actress, who has been part of shows like Naagin and Kundali Bhagya.
On the personal front, Mahira is in a happy space with actor Paras Chhabra, who she met in Bigg Boss 13. The two have admitted to being close, but they prefer to call it a beautiful bond rather than a relationship. Ask her about it and she says, “We have never said that we are in a relationship. He is my best friend and I share everything with him about my life and work. I even discuss my scripts with Paras.”
She adds, “We have been able to sustain our friendship because we appreciate each other’s work. We support each other andhe always guides me well.”
Mahira started her journey in showbiz six years ago, but there was a time when she did not want to continue. She shares, “I started acting in 2016, my first TV show was Y. A. R. O Ka Tashan. I took a break in 2017 and around that time, I felt that I was not cut out for this industry. But that was a passing phase and in 2019 I returned with Naagin and from that moment, I have been working hard.”
Talking about why she felt she wasn’t meant for this profession at that time, she says, “I have been through my share of ups and downs. In 2017, I wanted to quit the industry because I was a teenager then and just wanted to have fun and not work so hard (laughs). My parents always supported me and encouraged me to take up challenges. At that time, within a year I realised that I was in the right profession and I love acting. Since then, I have been working towards achieving my dreams.”
I still smile thinking how Sidharth Shukla used to pull my leg, flirt-Devoleena Bhattacharjee
7:45 AM
Vinay MR Mishra (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 2, 2022)
It’s been exactly a year since Sidharth Shukla, a popular actor whose fame surged after his stint in the reality show Bigg Boss, died due to cardiac arrest. However, even today, the late actor remains popular on social media. We speak to his fans, who are known as SidHearts, about their idol.
Mehak, 26, from Punjab, met the actor in November 2020. “When I met him, he treated me like he knew me. He treated everyone like family. I was there with him for 30 minutes, and he was just so warm. I remember telling him, ‘Your mum is sweet and you are the best son’, and he countered me right away with, ‘No, she is the best mum’,” she tells us.
Shukla’s fandom isn’t just limited to India. SidHearts are spread across the East, the West, and everything in between.
Kumayl Abbas Rizvi, from Islamabad, Pakistan, mentions, “In the past year, millions of his fans, including me, have realised that celebrating him, talking about him, telling people about him, implementing his ideas in our lives will never end. He is infinite, a never-ending source of guidance and love. His impact across the border is such that whenever something bad happened in our country, he always asked us about our safety. He never differentiated between his Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi fans. He always considered them his fans, his SidHearts, his Siddians.”
Nikita Sharma, 24, from Toronto, Canada, feels it is actor-singer Shehnaaz Gill (Shukla’s close friend) who keeps the late actor’s legacy alive. “For us, we see Sidharth in Shehnaaz. I believe he is watching all of us,” she states.
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RATNA GOEL
She is from Atlanta, USA, and has been running a fan account since 2017. “Even after he became really famous, he knew most of his fans by their names. I even used to tease him asking why he isn’t married and he always said he is ‘enjoying his single life’ and never gave a straight answer,” Goel recollects.
SMITA PANDEY
“I sent Sid a mug with his fans’ pictures as a gift. And on Mother’s Day, he posted a snap with his mum featuring the same mug! During interviews, he’d remember most of his fans’ accounts. Once, he took my name and said, ‘I’ve met her’,” says Pandey, who met the actor on the sets of Balika Vadhu.
DR NUPUR KHARANGATE
“He was an integral part of our lives, treated his SidHearts like family members, motivated and guided us. I just wish we could go back in time and relive the wonderful moments he spent with us. His absence has left a void, which can never be filled,” says Kharangate, a dentist from Goa, who met the actor in December 2020.
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Actor Devoleena Bhattacharjee was one of the celebrities who spent time with Sidharth Shukla inside the reality show Bigg Boss 13’s house in 2019. While the two had a roller-coaster journey on the show, Bhattacharjee was still one of his close allies.
“It seems just like yesterday,” she says when reminded that it’s been a year since the actor died. Bhattacharjee continues, “Whenever it strikes my mind that he is not with us anymore, I feel extremely sorry and upset.”
Talking about the late actor, she says, “He was a gentleman. In the show, we fought but also remained cordial. Outside of the show, we had been really good friends. I smile at times, thinking about how he used to pull my leg, flirt with me, and sing for me in that house. He took care of me when I got injured in the show.”
Shukla’s fandom keeps his legacy alive and Bhattacharjee says, “I feel that is the real success. Not everyone gets this success. I hope Sidharth is at peace, wherever he is.”
I’ve understood this is a temporary world; bas humari spiritual journey kaam aayegi, aur kuchh nahi-Shehnaaz Gill
8:11 AM
Riya Sharma (BOMBAY TIMES; May 9, 2022)
Shehnaaz Gill remains one of the most popular contestants to have ever emerged from the Bigg Boss house, with videos of her infectiously bubbly persona during her Season 13 stint continuing to go viral even today. From ‘sadda kutta, kutta, tuada kutta Tommy?’ to ‘such a boring day...such a boring people’, Shehnaaz’s one-liners have been ruling social media for a long time now. However, during a recent visit to an NCR retreat centre, we got to see a more sombre side to her. Last year was a turbulent one for the singer-actress, who lost her dear friend and BB13 co-contestant Sidharth Shukla in September. And though she chooses to refrain from speaking about it, she opens up at length about her spiritual journey. Excerpts:
‘SPIRITUALITY MEIN PEHLE INTEREST KAM THA, NOW I KNOW ISS KE BINA TUM KUCH NAHI HO’
“Actually, jo meri reality hai na, woh bahot pure hai. Mujhe spiritual journey mein bahut zyada interest hai,” Shehnaaz tells us, adding, “Humari life mein mental health important hai and I feel agar hum khush hain, toh hi sab achcha lagta hai. Tabhi hum kaam kar sakte hain. Meri spiritual journey saath mein chal rahi hai.”
Is her interest in spirituality newfound, we ask? “Pehle kam tha, but ab zyaada ho gaya hai. Now I know what meditation is, knowledge ke bina tum kuch nahi ho. I have understood that this is a temporary world and humari spiritual journey kaam aayegi, aur kuch nahi,” she adds.
She continues, “Real world yahi hai, because physical body thodi der ki mehman hoti hai. Hum sabko pata hi nahi hai ki hum kahan se aaye hain. Aap kisi cheez mein interest doge tabhi aapko woh bhi interest dega na? Toh connection banana padhta hai uske liye. Maine woh kiya.”
Shehnaaz adds, “We keep giving time to people around us, but if we learn about positivity and how to live with it, things can get really better.”
‘I AM THE SAME SHEHNAAZ WHO LIKES TO HAVE FUN,PAR ISS SHEHNAAZ KO SPIRITUAL WORLD KI BHI BAHUT KNOWLEDGE HAI’
Talking about reconciling this spiritual side of her with her lighter, ‘fun’ side that the world is more accustomed to, Shehnaaz says, “Shehnaaz Gill woh toh hai hi, kyunki woh reality hai... aur yeh bhi reality hai. Yeh jo Shehnaaz Gill hai, shayad usse baaki cheezon ki knowledge nahi hai, but usse spiritual world ki bahut knowledge hai. I mean, kaise situations ke saath deal karna hai, kaise strong rehna hai, peace mein rehna, yeh Shehnaaz ko aata hai. Yeh alag duniya hai. Shehnaaz fun bhi karti hai... Shehnaaz woh sab karti hai jo life mein karna chahiye, Shehnaaz enjoy bhi karti hai, and iska yeh matlab nahi hai ki maine sanyas le liya hai. Yeh nahi hai ki main sirf meditation kar rahi hoon baithke... tum achhe kaam karo, achha bolo, achha suno, kisi ko hurt na karo. So, I won’t say these are two people. This is one person, but people don’t necessarily get it because reality logon ko pachti nahi hai.”
‘I AM ENJOYING THE FAME...MAIN PEHLE ISKE LIYE TARAS RAHI THI’
Shehnaaz’s fans mean everything to her, and she also took out the time to pose with and greet each one at the retreat. She says, “I am here because of them. Woh mujhe itna support karte hain, mere liye itna time nikalte hain. Mera farz banta hai ki mujhe bhi unhe apna time dena chahiye, na. I feel this is my responsibility. Agar main saamne hoon aur time na doon toh woh galat ho jayega.”
With everything that she does becoming a news story, we ask her if she ever feels overwhelmed by it. She replies, “I am enjoying the moment. Yahi cheez thi, jiske liye main pehle taras rahi thi... ki main kuch banun, ki main kuch aisa karun ki log mujhe dekhein, pasand karein. Tumko har koi toh pasand nahi kar sakta, toh theek hai. Main kuch logon ki favourite list mein hoon, kuch ki nahi. Kya hi problem hai. Jo pyaar karte hain udhar focus karo. It doesn’t bother me.”
‘I WANT TO STAY DOWN-TO-EARTH, KYUNKI MUJHE PATA HAI LIFE MEIN KABHI BHI PAASA PALAT SAKTA HAI’
Talking about her viral videos, she says, “Socho ke jo log bolte thay ki mujhe bolna nahi aata, mujhe baat nahi karni aati, iska accent kaisa hai... haste thay log. Toh aaj meri wahi strengthban gayi, na? Toh mujhe lagta hai kisi ka mazak nahi udhana chahiye. Aaj mere one-liners pe log video banate hain. But it does not go to my head, because I know main aaj yahan hoon, kal ko kuch bhi ho sakta hai mere saath.”
She adds, “I will never change. Agar yeh change kardiya maine, toh Shehnaaz Gill mein akad aajayegi na, mujhe down-to-earth rehna hai. Mujhe pata hai life mein kabhi bhi koi paasa palat sakta hai.”
While there are reports of her signing up for Salman Khan’s upcoming film Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali, the actress — who was last seen in the Punjabi film, Honsla Rakh — is yet to comment on them. She tells us, “Mera bas focus hai, jo bhi aaye, achcha aaye but my dreams are big. Acting karni hai, brand ambassador banna hai. Singing bhi karni hai, par pehle acting karni hai.”
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The actor-singer says showbiz hasn’t changed her
Monika Rawal Kukreja (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 9, 2022)
Shehnaaz Gill introduced herself as ‘Punjab ki Katrina Kaif’ when she first appeared on reality show Bigg Boss 13 in 2019. Soon after the show ended, she earned a massive fan following with countless fan clubs rooting for her on social media. And the actor-singer doesn’t hesitate one bit in saying, “Maine apni mehnat se kamaya hai yeh sab kuch.”
She adds, “Nothing has come to me easily or before time. I believe if something comes to you too soon, it goes away soon. I’m working hard and I’ll continue to do so, because I want to earn more of this love.”
Gill visited Gurugram on May 7 to attend a campaign for girl child empowerment by Brahma Kumaris. She obliged the fans who had come to see her, with as many as 500 selfies and pictures. And before leaving, she made sure to ask everyone: “Happy? Satisfied?”
Mention how this is a rare quality in actors to be so patient, and Gill shares, “Only if my fans are satisfied will I get satisfaction, because these are the people who support me day and night. So, those who love me, I have to love them back.”
An already established name in Punjabi entertainment industry, Gill became a national household name after her stint on Bigg Boss. Ask how things have changed since that show, and she tells us, “I think I am the same. Purity toh same hi hai but I’ve improved a lot in terms of how I can understand things better. Main pehle bhi best thi, ab bhi best hoon.”
While she has shifted base to Mumbai (from Punjab) and is aspiring to work in Bollywood, she asserts that she will always stay connected to her roots. “You can see how Punjabi reflects in the way I talk. No matter where you live, your place of birth and where you started your journey from, it never leaves you. Mumbai has its own charm; it’s the city of dreams. It was my dream to come to this [film] industry, and I’m so happy that I’m living here (in Mumbai) now,” she shares.
While Mumbai hasn’t really changed Gill much, her style and fashion choices have certainly evolved of late. Her airport looks and glamourous photoshoots have been making quite a buzz. “Fashion comes naturally to me, it has been something innate,” says Gill, before adding, “Earlier, I had limited earnings, so I did styling according to that. Also, I wasn’t comfortable in jeans back then because everyone can’t carry it with that weight. Many do it beautifully, but mere se nahin ho paa raha tha, so I was mostly comfortable in suits. But now that I’m making more money, I can style myself better.”
Gill also shares a body positivity message with those who often let other people’s opinions affect them and the way they look. “Whatever way God has made you, it is perfect, so we should never regret the way we look. Never look at the qualities other people possess, rather feel proud of your own body. Stay strong mentally and physically, and there’s a time for everything to happen. Bas ghabrana nahin hai,” she wraps up on a thoughtful note.
I wish he was here to celebrate his day with everyone, says Arti Singh on Sidharth Shukla’s birth anniversary
8:10 AM
Hasti Joshi (BOMBAY TIMES; December 13, 2021)
Sidharth Shukla and Arti Singh, who were co-contestants in Bigg Boss 13, shared a beautiful bond. The two knew each other before the show and on it, too, their friendship was liked by the audience. They shared many fun moments and both made it to the top five. After the show, they didn’t keep in touch, something that Arti wishes she had done.
Sidharth, who passed away after he suffered a massive heart attack on September 2, would have turned 41 yesterday. Remembering him, Arti says, “I wish he was here to celebrate his birthday with everyone. We were friends for a long time, and I remember he had told me once that his car number was the same as his birth date. That’s something which has stuck in my mind.”
An emotional Arti recalls, “Even when we were in the Bigg Boss house, we had celebrated his birthday. I don’t know how to share what I am feeling right now, I really have no words. He has been a happy person and I wish that his soul is happy now.”
Post her stint on Bigg Boss 13, Arti is keen to be a part of good projects. “I have done a short film and a music video. I am picky about my work. I am at a stage in my life where I don’t want to work for money because I have already done that. Now, I want to do good work which satisfies me,” says the actress who has been a part of TV shows like Maayka, Uttaran and Devon Ke Dev... Mahadev.
Meanwhile, fitness has been on her mind, and she has been training hard. Arti says, “I am working hard on my body, and since the time I did Bigg Boss, I have lost 18 kilos. I am not doing this for work or anyone else, I am doing it for myself. When I feel good about myself, I have a different aura around me. I am a lot more confident now after my transformation.”
I’m not looking for love but if it happens automatically, I will go with the flow-Rashami Desai
7:43 AM
Akash Wadhwa (BOMBAY TIMES; November 23, 2021)
Rashami Desai’s personal life was much in focus during Bigg Boss 13, two years ago. She has entered the house again as a wild card contestant in Bigg Boss Season 15. Before entering the house, the actress had a quick chat with us on her game plan, how tough it is to enter a show mid-way and if she is open to finding love. Excerpts:
How prepared are you to enter as a contestant again in the Bigg Boss house?
During my season (Bigg Boss 13), we used to fight a lot, just like the present lot of contestants, but we weren’t disrespectful towards each other the way these contestants are. We would mostly fight during tasks, and task ke baad bhi agar hamari fights hoti thi toh there would be proper reasons for it. I sometimes feel that the current contestants take out too many personal grudges on the show.
How different will you be this time around in the house?
Everyone has been asking me this. I am going in hoping to win. It is rare that a wild card entry has won the show, but I hope it happens. I don’t know how the audience is going to accept me in the middle of the show. Let’s see.
Do you have any favourite contestants inside the house?
I have been very close to Tejasswi Prakash; we have been friends outside the house. But when you are inside, that too as a contestant, the situation becomes different. I also like the way Shamita Shetty communicates with people inside the house. I like Neha Bhasin, too. But jab aap season ke beech mein enter karte ho toh some people tend to demean you. Neha ne usko bahut achhe se handle kiya hai.
Are you open to finding love inside the house, or are you twice bitten and forever shy?
I am not saying I am not open to finding love. However, that comfort with someone is very difficult to find because of my experiences in life. Jab jab jo jo hona hoga tab tab so so hoga. Jab aap kisi cheez ke liye na karte ho toh kudrat aap ke saath khelti hai, so it is better ki woh karo jo kudrat karwaye. I am not looking for love, but if it happens automatically, I will go with the flow.
BT Exclusive: I’m not entering politics for fame or money-Kamya Panjabi
7:59 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; October 27, 2021)
She has been one of the popular faces on TV in the last two decades. Now, Kamya Panjabi is all set to don a new hat in real life. Yesterday, we exclusively told you that the actress is getting into politics and she has joined the Congress Party. We reached out to Kamya, who spoke to us about her decision and future plans. Excerpts:
What prompted you to join politics?
It had been on my mind for many years. Even when I was at the peak of my TV career, I was certain that I wanted to join politics in the future. When my show Shakti — Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki ended in September, I started working on what I had envisioned for myself. Tehseen Poonawalla, whom I met on Bigg Boss 13 (she made an appearance on the show as a celebrity guest), learnt about my political aspirations. He realised that I had the potential and guided me through it. I want to serve my country and work on causes I strongly feel for. Besides other things, I want to focus on women empowerment and help those who suffer domestic violence in our country. I, too, have suffered silently in the past for many years. The desire to join politics stems from a strong cause. I am not hungry for power, I just want to work.
Does that mean you will be moving to Delhi? Your husband Shalabh Dang is based there...
At the moment, I will be working out of Mumbai. But I am open to everything. My aim is to do good work. My husband is extremely supportive, be it acting or now politics. Chaahe Mumbai ho, Delhi ho ya UP ho, I am willing to cover the length and breadth of the country wherever I am required.
Do you plan to quit acting?
Acting is my first love and I will continue to do it. I will balance the two and divide my time. I have seen lead actors of my shows go on leave for eight days at a stretch, but the work doesn’t suffer. When I join a show, I will inform my producers of my responsibilities and I am sure that they will be happy to adjust. Having said that, if it’s required of me, I will enter politics full time. For me, it’s not just about being a face, I will walk the talk. My actions will speak louder than words.
There have been actors in the past who’ve joined politics, but things didn’t work out for them. What do you have to say about that?
It’s not that I am clueless and have decided to join politics for fun. I have done my homework and am very clear about my goals. I am not here to make money or achieve power and fame. Woh mujhe TV mein bahut mila hai. I am here to work. Let’s leave everything to time. Everyone knows that main jo kar sakti hoon wohi bolti hoon aur jo bolti hoon woh karke bhi dikhaati hoon.
Sidharth Shukla reunited Asim Riaz and me from up there-Paras Chhabra
8:10 AM
Asim Riaz and Paras Chhabra are back to being friends again
Akash Wadhwa (BOMBAY TIMES; September 13, 2021)
Sidharth Shukla’s sudden demise shook the entire nation. His co-contestants from Bigg Boss 13, Asim Riaz and Paras Chhabra, too, were in a state of shock with the loss. However, the duo, who were at loggerheads because of their fights inside the Bigg Boss house, have now patched up. The two recently buried their past animosity and are friends again.
Telling us more about it, Paras shared, “When I heard the news of Sidharth’s demise, I was already anxious and depressed since morning. In fact, I had posted a picture with my mother at 6 am that morning. By noon, I started getting calls about what had happened with Sidharth and I began having a lot of anxiety. What had happened was shocking. I immediately decided to go to Sidharth’s house, where I met Asim for the first time after coming out of the Bigg Boss house last year.”
Talking about this further, Paras added, “The moment Asim and I saw each other, we couldn’t control our emotions and hugged each other. Asim, in fact, said ki milna toh tha, but aise nahi milna tha humein. It is at that very moment that we decided that we shouldn’t be keeping any animosity against each other and should be back to being friends. We also vowed to be in touch and to meet each other often. We both realised that no issue is so big in life that it cannot be resolved. Both of us took the first step towards each other at Sidharth’s place. It was as if Sidharth reunited us from up there. We have learnt a big lesson from his loss and the lesson is that life is really short to keep grudges with one another and not talk to each other. Asim and I have spent a lot of time inside the Bigg Boss house together and both of us were close to Sidharth.”
Aaj main jab Shehnaaz Gill ko dekhti hoon, toh rooh kaanp jaati hai-Pavitra Punia
8:05 AM
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 6, 2021)
Pavitra Punia is not feeling well. She says she has not been able to come to terms with the sudden death of her good friend and co-star Sidharth Shukla. The actor was proud of his achievements and knew how ambitious he was.
She adds that he loved superbikes and cars and would often bring his superbike on set to “show off”. Punia says, “In the next two years, he would have reached greater heights.”
The actor says her heart goes out to his family and friend Shehnaaz Gill. Talking about Gill, Punia says, “Aaj main jab Shehnaaz ko dekhti hoon, toh rooh kaanp jaati hai. People dream of having a pure bond like they had. I wouldn’t say it was dosti or boyfriend-girlfriend. Yeh rishta pati-patni se kam nahin tha. Their fans are crazy about them. I hope she manages, stays strong.”
Recalling her rapport with him, she shares, “We had a Tom and Jerry like bond! I worked with him in Love U Zindagi in 2011, my first show as a lead. I didn’t know the ways of the industry, yet, I had an attitude. I was called a youth icon and a reality star due to Splitsvilla. Sidharth was reserved, composed. He was my senior, but we had issues. I’d think hoga hero apne ghar ka. The show lasted for six months. But we bonded when we went to Macau for an awards show. That’s where we broke the ice. He was such a gentleman. Later, when we met on Bigg Boss, he asked me, ‘Dus saal pehle wali Pavtira kahan hai?’. He wanted the rowdy Pavitra. Had he not helped me realise the original Pavitra, I wouldn’t have lasted for a week.”
Gone too soon: Sidharth Shukla dies of cardiac arrest at 40
4:16 PM
THE TIMES OF INDIA (September 3, 2021)
Mumbai: TV star Sidharth Shukla, known for his role in ‘Balika Vadhu’ and the winner of ‘Bigg Boss 13’, passed away at his Andheri home on Thursday. He was 40.
Shukla was brought to the casualty of R N Cooper Hospital at around 10.30 am. Dean Dr Shailesh Mohite said he was “brought dead” and the autopsy was completed in the evening.
Oshiwara police, probing the death, said they have not detected foul play. “It is a case of natural death, so no FIR or accidental death report has been registered. We are awaiting the post-mortem report,” an officer said.
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BOMBAY TIMES (September 3, 2021)
Sidharth Shukla’s sudden demise yesterday morning, after suffering a cardiac arrest, sent shockwaves through the industry. The 40-year-old actor was rushed to Mumbai’s Cooper Hospital, however, hospital authorities reportedly said he was dead when brought in. Sidharth is survived by his mother and two sisters. His friends and colleagues expressed shock and grief while grappling to come to terms with the news.
Sidharth began his career in showbiz as a model and was runner-up in the Gladrags Manhunt and Megamodel Contest in 2004 and also won the World’s Best Model contest held in Turkey in 2005. He made his acting debut with the show Babul Ka Aangann Chootey Na in 2008 and followed it up with serials like Jaane Pehchaane Se... Ye Ajnabbi and Love U Zindagi. However, it was his performance as Shiv in Balika Vadhu that made him immensely popular and a household name.
He then made his Bollywood debut with Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014), which saw him share screen space with Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt. He had a successful stint on the reality shows that he participated in. While he experimented with dance on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6, he went on to win season seven of Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi. Sidharth, known to be a private person, surprised many when he agreed to be a part of Bigg Boss 13.
Not only did Sidharth win Bigg Boss 13, but his popularity hit the roof with his fans calling themselves ‘Sidhearts’. They regularly shared posts about him that led to viral trends. Talking about his decision to be a part of the show, in an interview with Bombay Times in May this year, he had said, “I feel good about my decision because, I wasn’t keen on it. I remember that one day I was just sitting by myself and thinking, ‘What is it that scares you about entering the house?’ I asked myself, ‘Is there something that you are ashamed of? Is there a side to you that you don’t want the world to see?’ And my answers were ‘No’ to all these thoughts in my head. That’s when I told myself if you are so comfortable with yourself, then what’s the problem, just go out there, have a good time and come back. So, there I was.”
His equation and banter with Bigg Boss co-contestant Shehnaaz Gill became a talking point, with fans lovingly coining the name ‘Sidnaaz’ for them. While there were rumours about them being in a relationship, they never spoke about it.
After what people have seen of me on Bigg Boss 13, I am sure they don’t think of me as subtle and quiet-Sidharth Shukla
8:08 AM
Having shot for Broken...But Beautiful 3 amid the pandemic, Sidharth Shukla is grateful and nervous in equal measure about making his digital debut
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; May 25, 2021)
A year after he announced his foray into digital entertainment with Broken...But Beautiful 3, all eyes are on Sidharth Shukla as he recently dropped the trailer of the love story. In the ALT Balaji creation, he takes centre-stage as Agastya Rao, a renowned theatre director who gets more than he bargained for when he gets involved with his colleague, Rumi. Will it live up to the expectations brought on by the success of the first two seasons? That, Shukla believes, is a question for another time.
For now, he is grateful to be working during the pandemic. “To find yourself employed in such trying times is a blessing. We managed to shoot in the midst of the first wave. The best part was that we filmed at length for a couple of months, and nobody on the set contracted the virus. We had a big unit,” he shares.
His legion of fans will tell you how they swooned over his goody-two-shoes characters in Balika Vadhu and Dil Se Dil Tak. But Shukla is happy to note that Agastya is made from a different mould. “I have always played subtle and good-boy characters who are righteous. But Agastya is arrogant, opinionated and rebellious. He puts his point forward and doesn’t care about what the other person thinks. I relate to him. After what people have seen of me on my last show [Bigg Boss 13], I am sure they don’t think of me as subtle and quiet,” laughs the Bigg Boss 13 winner.
Taking on the mantle from Vikrant Massey and Harleen Sethi, who led the much-loved first two seasons, comes with its share of responsibilities. Shukla admits he is a ball of nervous energy as he says, “Broken... is a great franchise to be a part of, for my OTT debut. When this project came my way, I loved the narration. I was a bit of nervous because it’s a new platform for me; [I was worried] about how people will perceive it, and whether they will accept it. [That said], I am confident about the product.”
For rank newcomer Sonia Rathee, who plays the leading lady in the Priyanka Ghose-directed series, the last few months have been a dream come true. “I did two to four rounds of auditions before I bagged the role. I feel lucky to have landed this show. Rumi has a complex relationship with her parents and sister. She is also trying to figure out her life goals. I could strongly relate to her as I am in my 20s and trying to figure out [the road ahead].”
I’m absolutely fine with the world knowing the real me-Sidharth Shukla
3:30 PM
The pandemic has made us value our relationships more as we cannot take anything for granted, says Sidharth Shukla, as he talks about his changing perspective of life, his work and why going to the Bigg Boss house was a good decision
Roshni Olivera (BOMBAY TIMES; May 6, 2021)
How has the pandemic changed your perspective towards life?
The pandemic has made us realise the fragility of life. It’s good to see how some of us have risen to the occasion and are going above and beyond the call of duty to help others. How nations have come together to help other nations at a geopolitical level. Of course, some have left a lot to be desired, but that only highlights the behaviour that we all should refrain from emulating. The pandemic has made us value our relationships more as we cannot take anything for granted. It is a great leveller that doesn’t distinguish between caste, class, creed or sex.
Everyone’s dealing with stress in different ways. How do you cope with it?
I don’t think anyone can be immune to the pain, suffering and horrific stories that we are seeing and hearing all around us. But I try to use this constructively by reaching out and helping in my own way, with the means at hand. I try to create as much awareness as possible and spread the word about COVID appropriate behaviour. I think having conversations with your family at such times helps a lot, as you get different perspectives, which help you cope better.
Talking about work, your Bigg Boss aura still continues, even though you were the winner of the previous season. What do you think is the reason for this?
It’s wonderful that people still feel connected to me. There’s so much happening out there, yet they invest their time in me. I feel blessed. What’s the reason for this? To be very honest, I don’t know; they are in the best position to answer that.
And to think of it, you actually did not want to participate in Bigg Boss in the first place. Aren’t you glad you changed your mind?
Yes, I feel good about my decision because, like you said, I wasn’t keen on it. I remember that one day I was just sitting by myself and thinking, ‘What is it that scares you about entering the house?’ I asked myself, ‘Is there something that you are ashamed of? Is there a side to you that you don’t want the world to see?’ And my answers were ‘No’ to all these thoughts in my head. That’s when I told myself if you are so comfortable with yourself, then what’s the problem, just go out there, have a good time and come back. So, there I was.
Until you went into the house, people knew you more for the characters you played in daily soaps and most of them were roles that portrayed you as Mr Perfect — whether in Balika Vadhu or Dil Se Dil Tak. And then, the audience saw this guy in Bigg Boss 13, who was very different from the Mr Goody two-shoes image that they had of him so far. Of course, people liked what they saw. But how do you feel about your real self being known to the world now?
Fortunately for me, the characters that I have played have been amazing and people have connected with them. The drawback was that those characters were so good and larger than life and people saw me like that, but I knew that I was nothing like them. I was a different person altogether. I also knew that for people to see me the way I was would be a bit of a jolt, given the image that they had of me. But, as I said, I was comfortable with myself and no one is perfect. None of us is trying to be perfect either or even if we are trying to be, we are not. It’s about dealing with your imperfections perfectly and I try and do that every day. So yes, I’m absolutely fine with the world knowing the real me.
Soon after you came out of the house in 2020, the Coronavirus took over our lives. Somewhere do you feel you missed out on work, which you could have bagged soon after your victory?
I don’t see it like that. I am happy with the kind of work that is coming in. The world is going through such trying times. I see myself from where I was before; I see it’s better and I’m happy with that. I don’t ever feel that ‘Oh, I could have done so much more’, because there is no limit to that. Yes, I would want to do more and do better, but it’s all good, and I have nothing to crib about. There is work and I am glad about that.
You are doing work in both the television and web space right now. Are movies on your mind, too? We haven’t seen you in a film after Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014)...
Things happen when they have to happen. If I get a great offer, I’ll surely do it.
You kept a low profile and did not even have an Instagram account when you went into the Bigg Boss house. But post that you have been engaging a bit with your fans on social media. It must have been a huge change for you ...
I like to keep a low profile, but after Bigg Boss, the kind of love that poured in was overwhelming. This is what you actually work for. I feel indebted and try to communicate with my social media family as much as I can. I love reading what they have to say about me; sometimes there are good things, sometimes bad. I try to see if there is anything that I can pick up even from the negative comments. If not, I just let it go.
Talking about television, in terms of reality shows you have won Khatron Ke Khiladi and Bigg Boss and participated in Jhalak Dikhla Jaa. So, there’s only Nach Baliye left. Are you going to be a part of Nach Baliye this year?
No. Isn’t Nach Baliye only for couples?
Yes. So, aren’t you seeing someone?
I think I just answered that.
Over the years, you've been linked to your co-actors in most shows, including Bigg Boss, where you were linked to your co-contestant Shehnaaz Gill...
When we play characters on TV shows, people get so connected to the characters that they feel this is their life even beyond the show. On reality shows, they see the camaraderie and that’s why they think there's more to it.
Ex-Bigg Boss contestants Jasmin Bhasin, Paras Chhabra, Delnaaz Irani, Hiten Tejwani talk about mental health post exit
8:11 AM
Jasmin Bhasin, Paras, Delnaaz Irani and Hiten Tejwani. Pics/Instagram
They may be distressed and depleted in the house, but evicted Bigg Boss participants are still eager to return. mid-day analyses the mental toll of being promptly dropped from the show, and what transpires during the first few days following eviction
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; January 20, 2021)
“I’ll do anything to get back into the house,” evicted contestants of the reality TV show Bigg Boss parrot year-after-year, a mere few days after stepping out. It doesn’t matter that their time spent in the make-believe atmosphere was dominated by unpleasant experiences. Or that leaving the house to return to the comfort of their homes was precisely what they desired when they were in it. “I can’t put a finger on it, but, if someone gave me the opportunity to go back, even if it was for a day or two, I’d love to go. I’d do anything to hear Bigg Boss’ voice,” says Delnaaz Irani, when attempting to bridge the disconnected behaviour. On prodding the Season 6 contestant, who survived in the show for 94 days before she was “dropped like a hot potato” during a surprise midnight eviction, we get a decisive reaction. “You could attribute it to the glamour associated with the show. The aura of the house is such that you fall in love with it within the first five days,” says the actor, alluding to the undivided attention that one is afforded, owing to their participation.
Recently evicted contestant Jasmin Bhasin, on the other hand, attributes the desire to return, to a competitive spirit. “You think you are a contender until you are suddenly eliminated. Then, all that you want is to get back into the race, and get one more chance to fight,” admits the actor, adding that despite the distress she faced in the house, she too has been “craving to go back”.
Oscillating between extreme emotions
When trying to analyse how confounded a house-mate feels in the week following their eviction, Bhasin evidently becomes a case in point. Connecting with her a mere few days after her elimination on the 99th day, she admits she had to work towards tweaking her mental state to even hold a conversation. “I took two days to start behaving normally. In the house, one is always targeted. Any and every conversation is either a fight, or an attempt to provide a justification. That attitude of constantly being up in arms, begins to feel normal, because you are mentally and emotionally programmed to believe it. One becomes so defensive that having a normal conversation outside the house becomes difficult. You get agitated with people who are your own,” says Bhasin, who would often lose her temper on her parents when they’d express concern. “They were upset due to my elimination, and would begin analysing why it happened. I began to feel that they were questioning me, and would react by highlighting how I wasn’t at fault. They had to step back and tell me that they knew I wasn’t to be blamed, and that they were merely concerned. It took a while to comprehend that.”
Fear of facing the world
The tremendous reach of the Salman Khan-hosted show could never be questioned. However, the growth of social media has only made this fact more pronounced. On one hand, artistes are armed with fan-clubs to promote their cause. On the other, trolls are significantly adept at maligning. It is perhaps due to the tendency of making opinions easily available that Bhasin was “too scared to step out of my house”, following her exit. “I only began heading out with the help of my friends, after a few days. They would point out that I was behaving apprehensively, and assured me that outside the house, things were all right.”
Connecting with artistes across seasons, it is easy to notice that each one continues to be unsettled by perceptions. Years may have passed since their participation, but they are eager to justify their actions as participants, regardless of whether they are asked for it, or not. Among those who make this agitation evident is Paras Chhabra, for whom the period of isolation was significantly longer than expected. Chhabra was locked in the house till the Season 13 finale last year, and returned to the house the next day to work on Mujhse Shaadi Karoge. The hectic schedule implied he was locked in throughout the week, and spent his weekends participating in press interactions. “Then, we found ourselves in the Coronavirus pandemic. The show shut down as a result of it, I was locked up again. I didn’t get a chance to experience people’s love, or analyse if they liked me or not. I would ask participants [of Mujhse Shaadi Karoge] about my Bigg Boss stint. Around that time, I developed anxiety and went into depression. I couldn’t understand what was happening, because people were trolling me, and I had become the face of memes. My eating habits were hampered, and I gained 16 kilos. Then I began to fret about how I was looking,” says Chhabra, who had to be subsequently medicated for depression.
Like every other interviewee, Chhabra also refers to the “good amount of money” he was being offered, and laments that he didn’t get the opportunity to “enjoy it”. “I wanted to do everything I couldn’t do before, due to the lack of money. I wanted to have fun with my friends, and buy a home for my mother in Vrindavan. I was able to head there [and work on the deal], only recently.”
When it is time to go home, don’t go home
As soon as he was evicted from the house after 77 days, Hiten Tejwani found himself in the cold climes of Pondicherry. Having known that he was nominated in the week, wife Gauri Pradhan had booked an extra ticket for the actor for the family’s scheduled vacation. “I got out, we had the ticket, and we left,” says Tejwani, adding that he’d recommend every Bigg Boss participant to head for a vacation on leaving the show. “It definitely takes time to become yourself again,” says the actor, adding that jumping right back into work is another way to tide over the phase.
Mental health coach Kanchan Rai weighs in
The desire to head back in despite unpleasant experiences could be linked to the feeling of being less competent. Participants are eager to prove their calibre, and hence want to go back. As for the way they behave when they leave the house, one must understand that a lot of the tasks given to them in the show test their mental ability. Case in point being one given to them this year, where they were to share their deepest secrets. When you discuss matters like being sexually assaulted as a child on national TV, that will take a toll on you after your exit.
After a real-life public spat, exes Madhurima Tuli and Vishal Aditya Singh romance each other on screen again
8:01 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; December 17, 2020)
Madhurima Tuli and Vishal Aditya Singh, who fell in love and parted ways during the course of their show, Chandrakanta - Ek Mayavi Prem Gaatha, created fireworks of a different kind when they appeared together in Nach Baliye and Bigg Boss 13. In no time, their romance turned into heated rows, and the two vowed to never cross each other’s paths again. But, destiny has brought the former couple together yet again, this time around for a romantic single. Interestingly, the track, titled Khwabeeda, has been directed by Madhurima’s brother, Shrikant.
Madhurima shares, “Shayad kuchh toh pichhle janam ka naata hai that we have come together (laughs!). Shrikant has wanted us to feature in this song for the past one-and-a-half years. Though he had given up the idea because of our fights, he approached Vishal after the lockdown and things fell into place. As far as Vishal and I are concerned, I have moved on and don’t want to talk about the past.”
Vishal says, “I will never decline good work, be it with Madhu or anyone else. I only focus on my character. The biggest reason for me to be a part of this song is that I love it. Madhurima and I are fine till the time we play our respective characters; trouble starts when we become ourselves. We were clear about what we wanted to do for this project, and finished it within two days without any fights.”
Didn’t they have any apprehensions about working together again? Madhurima says, “We know each other so well that there was no discomfort. We have fought so much that there is no scope for awkwardness or ego between us any more.”
In fact, they had decided to let bygones be bygones during the finale of Bigg Boss. She says, “In hindsight, I feel that all our fights were juvenile. Tiffs happen in every relationship, but in our case, it happened on national television. The situation went out of hand and started affecting our personal and professional lives. However, the lockdown allowed us to gain a better perspective. Today, we laugh when we think about what happened on Bigg Boss.”
Point out that they might be accused of trying to cash in on their volatile equation, and Vishal explains, “We have never done that. Had that been the case, we would have followed a strategy of fighting, mending bridges and fighting again. People are free to talk as they wish, I can’t go around clarifying myself. I can’t refuse good work just to satiate my ego. Main khud se aur apne kaam se beimaani nahi karunga. That’s detrimental for any artiste.”
This is news to me that people find me attractive-Sidharth Shukla
8:40 AM
Unnati Joshi (THE TIMES OF INDIA; September 4, 2020)
The coveted list of The Times 20 Most Desirable Men on TV 2019 is out. Based on their popularity on the small screen and an internal jury, these dashing and charming men on Hindi television, with oodles of talent, have found a spot on the list. Sidharth Shukla, who has topped the list, not only won Bigg Boss 13, but also millions of fans with his wit and swag. Excerpts from an interview with the actor:
After getting appreciation for Bigg Boss 13, you have topped the list of The Times 20 Most Desirable Men on TV 2019. How does it feel?
Well, it feels good that a year that has been so hard on humanity has had good things to offer me. It has been a period of learning for all of us. Bigg Boss, and later the pandemic, has been a time of introspection, challenges, patience and so much more. But, I’m glad that good things came my way, including topping the most desirable list.
You have a huge fan following. Why do you think people find you attractive?
Now, this is news to me that people find me attractive. Wow! Wait, let this sink in (smiles!). For me, attraction is way beyond physical appearance. I think one’s aura, intelligence, will, intent and so much more, is important. I don’t know how many of those have been parameters, but I am hoping to have most of them ticked someday. I am who I am, and honesty is something I’ve been told can be quite attractive.
Who, according to you, is the most desirable man and woman in the country?
Whoever tops your list, I guess. The Times knows how to rank the best! But, in the current phase, anyone who is able to invent a cure to beat the Coronavirus pandemic will be the most desirable man/woman not only in the country, but in the world.
You shot for two music videos after Bigg Boss. So, what’s next?
A lot of discussions are on, and I’m hoping to take on a new challenge soon, but it’s too early to talk about it.
I would want my first child to be adopted-Shefali Jariwala
8:01 AM
Shefali Jariwala has convinced husband Parag Tyagi, but the process of bringing a girl child home has been interrupted by the lockdown
Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 24, 2020)
When Shefali Jariwala signed up as a wild card entrant on the last edition of Salman Khan’s realilty show Bigg Boss, after refusing to feature in the first season and every subsequent offer thereafter, little did she know it would serve as prep for the coming months. Evicted in Week 17, she was basking in all the attention coming her way, till the Coronavirus-triggered pandemic brought the world to a halt. But the dancer-actress prefers this lockdown to being under the surveillance of 150 cameras while locked up in the Bigg Boss house. “At least there is no controversy here; no one is getting eliminated every week. I am also full of gratitude for all that I have with me through the lockdown—my family, the TV and phone. In the house, you don’t even get a piece of paper and a pen,” she points out.
However, she admits that had it not been for the show, she would have “gone nuts” under house arrest. “After learning to cook and clean bathrooms on camera, there was no shame in doing the same at home. Having been captain of the house, I had also learnt to delegate work. I gave Parag (Tyagi, actor-husband) a set of duties and kept the rest for myself, telling him to stay out of my way,” she chuckles.
During her time in the house, Shefali had spoken of her desire to adopt a girl child. She says she has been ready since the first time she visited an orphanage at the age of 10. “After five years of marriage, everyone was going, ‘bachcha, bachcha, bachcha’. That’s when I spoke to Parag about adoption. My life has been like a fairytale and I want to share this love and blessing with someone. It took a while for him and our families to understand and accept my decision,” she relays, rueing the delay brought on by the lockdown. “Research, paperwork and counselling sessions take time, but we are positive,” she adds wistfully. And what about a child of her own? “Never say never. But for having a baby, we have to be together, right?” she laughs, adding, “I would want my first child to be adopted. If we go for a second child, maybe I’ll have one of my own.”
But as of now, she’s busy with musician-friend Mika Singh’s music video. “He sent over the remixed version of ‘Honthon Pe Bas’ and asked me to collaborate. I loved the song and he managed to get it shot during the lockdown. I tried singing too, but I sound like a cockroach, so we both stuck to what I know best,” guffaws the self-proclaimed ‘thong girl of India’ who created a stir when she gyrated to a remixed version of “Kaanta Laga” for her debut music video in 2002, recreating the same in Mujhse Shaadi Karogi. “It was the first time a remix was used in a film and with names like Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar, there was no way I’d say no,” she points out.
However, Shefali has refused acting offers in films and TV because it was uncharted territory, choosing to do stage shows instead and completing her education on her father’s insistence. “Like every teenager, I wanted to see myself on TV. There was the added lure of pocket money. But coming from an academic family, giving up on a degree was never an option,” says the qualified computer engineer and partner in her sister’s gamification company in Dubai. “If the lockdown lasts longer, I’ll sign up for MBA. I’m also looking forward to doing a comedy; I am a funny girl,” she giggles, signing off.
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