Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; December 11, 2018)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As she launches her own fashion line, Gauhar Khan talks to us about the art of reinventing herself
Aastha Atray Banan (MID-DAY; March 25, 2018)

It's 2.30 pm in the afternoon and though actress Gauhar Khan says she is feeling under the weather, she looks fresh and excited. We are sitting at her office in Lokhandwala, where sister Nigaar, sitting nearby on a computer, is busy sending emails out. It’s been a busy six months for Khan who just came out with a fashion line of her own. On the wall behind the sofa, hangs a sign that screams, Gauhargeous, which is the name of the collection as well. “It’s been a mad six months, so I guess the excitement has got to me. But I clearly remember that in November 2016, I was sitting at a coffee shop alone and I wrote a note to myself and in that I said, I will start a fashion line, and well, here I am.”

We all know Khan through various avenues. She showed us she could dance in Jhalak Dikhla Jaa; she wowed us with nuanced performances in movies like Rocket Singh and Begum Jaan; she showed us she could be calm and graceful under pressure in Bigg Boss 7, could do musicals with her stint on Zangoora — the Gypsy Prince; and could also be glamorous and Kardashianlike in her reality TV show, The Khan Sisters. In an industry that could chew you up and spit you out, she has managed to cut clutter. “It’s a hard place to be. People said don’t do Bigg Boss, that’s what happens when people have nothing else to do; people said don’t do Rocket Singh, if you are not playing Ranbir Kapoor’s love interest; or, don’t shift to Gurgaon for Zangoora... I have realised you can only do what you can do. You can’t take anyone else’s path, you can’t do what other people think is right. So I decided, I am going to create my own path because that’s the only way I can be happy.”

Ask her the often-asked question, if she feels that she hasn’t got her due as an actress, and she is sorted in her reply. “People call and say ‘Gauhar, here is a role, and we want someone like you for it’. I am okay with not dancing around trees, because people like Vidya Balan and director Srijit Mukherji want me for specific roles, like the one in Begum Jaan. It’s a space I have made for myself.”

As we come back to the fashion line at hand, and talk fashion influences, Khan says that she owes her “style” to her mother. “We were always dressed by her, and dare we wear just anything. There were bows, buttons and clips to match every outfit.” Later, it was Rekha who shaped her aesthetic. “I love movies like Khoobsurat and Jhoothi and was taken in by her style — those plaits and polka-dot dresses. I gave her an award last year, and she actually knew who I was, and called me a diva. I cried on stage.”

In a market that is now flooded with celeb clothing lines, what Khan doesn’t want is a tie up with a retail outlet. Instead, she wants to eventually focus on having a store of her own. The designs, which follow her own clean, classy aesthetic, are a mix of basics and separates; only 23 pieces for now. “We may have limited pieces but we have thought of dressing curvy girls, as well as slender ones. For example, we were just talking about having a jersey dress, and we realised it won’t look good on every shape, so we said we will make it a loose-fitting one instead of a tight one.”

To end, we ask her who would she say is the Gauhargeous girl, and she laughs, “Good question! It’s someone who knows that she can express her mind through her clothes. She knows exactly who she is, and wants to show that off.”

Having featured alongside Jallad in Khan-hosted Bigg Boss, Shrashti Maheshwari gears up for her Bollywood debut
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; February 19, 2018)

Salman Khan’s Pari from Bigg Boss is Bollywood-bound. Telly actor Shrashti Maheshwari, who’d turn up on the set of the reality show along with the now-famous Jallad (Chintan Gangar), is set to make her debut with Shaadi Teri Bajayenge Hum Band. The actor, who featured in season seven (2013) of the controversial reality show, went missing after the season.

Keen on making a mark in Bollywood, Maheshwari departed to make time for auditions instead. Eventually, she bagged Gurpreet Sondh’s directorial venture, which releases next month. The film also stars Mastram (2014) actor Rahul Bagga and Rajpal Yadav. “It is a romcom. We shot for it in Delhi,” she says.

In 2013, she along with Jallad, assited Khan during the episodes he’d host over the weekend. She’d appeared for a segment called Sanduk Ka Vaar, where the star would pull out specific props from a box to chide the housemates. While Jallad became a recurrent face in the seasons that followed, Pari went missing.

But Maheshwari is glad that Khan kept her alive with his references. “It was kind of Salman sir to repeatedly remember me. He would often say, ‘Pari kidhar hai, kidhar hai Pari?’ I am grateful to him that he kept reminding the audience about my character.”

Working with Khan on the show, she says, was a “blast”. “He would crack jokes with the unit. There was never a dull moment with him. We would be in splits whenever he was around.”

Five years after her stint on Bigg Boss, Maheshwari remembers the show with fondness. “Bigg Boss was my first assignment. Although I had a small appearance, sharing the stage with Salman sir was an experience I cherished. Few can say that they made their acting debut with him. I left my hometown, Bareilly, to pursue my dream of acting. Now I hope to reach new heights,” says Maheshwari.

The actor has TV shows like Big Fame Star (2013) , Do Dil Bandhey Ek Dori Se (2013), The Buddy Project and Thapki Pyaar Ki (2015), among others, to her credit. A foray into Bollywood doesn’t imply that she intends on leaving her career in television behind her. “I hope to strike a balance between the two,” she signs off.

Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; January 3, 2017)

Neha Maheshwri Bhagat (BOMBAY TIMES; August 2, 2016)

Meena Iyer (BOMBAY TIMES; November 9, 2015)

The couldn't-care-a-damn actress readies for a second round onstage
Reema Gehi (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 24, 2015)

Dressed in a shocking pink number, Tanishaa Mukerji breezes in with her entourage into her Santacruz office, while her lhasas, King Leonidas and Princess Leia, potter around. The 34-year-old ("but refuse to age beyond 30") seems to be in the skin of the character she will play in the upcoming play, The Jury.

Directed by Divya Palat, it sees Mukerji essay the role of an actress. "It's a funny take on what justice would be like if we had a jury system in India," she says. "It's entertaining, I am having a ball."

The production, which opens on August 7 at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, is her second play with Palat. Two years ago, Mukerji made her stage debut with The Verdict. "It was scary. My sister and mother thought I was mad," she says of successful actress Kajol and veteran performer Tanuja. "They couldn't believe I could remember my dialogues onstage."

Tanuja acted in a Marathi play years ago and was troubled by her failing memory. "But I was like a vampire feeding off the audience response... loving the drama," she grins.

Life between the two plays has, however, been quite a ride. Soon after the shows wrapped up, Mukerji signed up for the seventh edition of Bigg Boss, a television reality show that not only brought her more fame ("10, 000 more followers on Twitter," she chuckles), but also resulted in a rather public relationship with co-contestant Armaan Kohli. "My next relationship will be under constant glare, too. It's okay. Didn't it make great television viewing, didn't we entertain you all?" she chides.

Reports circulating in press suggested that Mukerji's family wasn't too pleased with her decision, but she remains unperturbed. "Let people gossip, if that's what makes them happy. I don't care."

Mukerji steers clear of regrets. "In fact," she says, "when I write my book, Bigg Boss will be take up the largest chapter. I am not about to not do what I want to because someone decides to talk about it."

Sharing her feisty mother's chutzpah, Mukerji wishes she was as forthright as her. Although, she says, "Tomorrow I may do something that will blow your socks off, and you'll wonder, what's the next controversy coming from her? I enjoy the rollercoaster ride. I want it."

Having forayed into Bollywood at 23 in the Pawan Kaul-directed horror thriller, Sssshhh..., she was known as 'Kajol's sister' and 'Tanuja's daughter'. Mukerji's film trajectory hit speed bumps before she settled with theatre. "I couldn't debut at 16 because I looked like a kid. Besides, I wanted to study abroad, and Kads wanted me to have that opportunity," she says. "Although acting was on my mind, I never considered films a career. It was enjoyment. It's the luxury I had that my sister didn't." Kajol debuted with Bekhudi in 1992 at18.

However, Mukerji wasn't free from the weight of expectation. She too was meant to live up to the reputation of her maternal grandmother and actress, Shobhna Samarth. "But that expectation wasn't in my head," she argues.

The sisters have stayed away from comparison. "She's her own person, I, my own," Mukerji says. "Kads is different from me in every way. She even looks different. She has curly hair, light eyes, caramel skin. She's a serious person, I am nuts, more social. How do we compare ourselves?"

And yet, they are united in support. Kajol was right beside Mukerji in January, when she launched her production firm in association with her mum. "My mother has worked like a dog to give me what I have," she says emotionally, referring to Tanuja's journey to bring up the kids single-handedly after spending years estranged from husband Shomu Mukherjee, who passed away in 2008. "I have got more than I could have asked for. And I am not about to throw it all away."

Neha Maheshwri Bhagat (BOMBAY TIMES; October 19, 2014)

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; October 9, 2014)

Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; October 1, 2014)

Tanishaa Mukerji was supposed to make her debut in the Marathi film industry with Akshay Kumar’s film, Aantar. But now sources say that she has been dropped from the film.

It may be pointed out that the actress had even shot for the film in London last year, but soon after, she took part in a celebrity reality show. The film’s makers were looking at shooting with her after the show got over, but apparently, the actress just didn’t give them dates for the shoot.

A source says, “Last year, the film’s entire unit was in London for almost a month, as it was a long schedule. Then Tanishaa couldn’t shoot, as she was busy with her show. But after that, she never got back with her dates to shoot for the film.”

It is being said that the actress initially showed a lot of interest in the film but she eventually decided to distance herself. Another source says that with Tanishaa out of the project, the film’s entire schedule that was shot abroad will now be wasted. “So far, the film’s unit has not been informed about Tanishaa’s exit, though they have been waiting to hear from the producers. Starting a film all over again will be very costly and replacing her will also take time,” says the source.

Both Tanishaa and Ashwini Yardi, co-producer of the film, remained unavailable for comment.

Mom and daughter on their new venture, Kajol and Ajay Devgn, and Rani Mukerji
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 4, 2014)

Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; March 24, 2014)

Ajaz Khan, who is known for cracking one-liners, breaking into songs and having showdowns with his peers, did not get a warm welcome from other contestants of the show, Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi.

A source says, “When Ajaz arrived in South Africa, not many people were happy to see him. Most are aware of the reputation he gained while on the show Bigg Boss 7, and they found his behaviour on the show a bit odd. In fact, apart from Gauahar Khan and Kushal Tandon, other contestants of show did not find him friendly, and they preferred to stay away from him.” The actor tried to entertain everyone with his tongue-in-cheek dialogues and his song-and-dance routine, but it didn’t help him much.

A crewmember from the show says that other contestants were wary of him. “During their free time, they would steer clear of him. Initially, we assumed that others will take time to open up to him, but this didn’t happen at all. They even came up with excuses to avoid hanging out with him,” says the source.

When contacted, Ajaz replied that while he did feel left out at times, he also made some good friends during the shoot in Cape Town. “I met people such as Karanvir Bohra, Teejay Sidhu and Daya bhai (Dayanand Shetty). I also met with Rohit Shetty, who is like an older brother to me. I’d like to believe that I came out on tops.”

Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; March 22, 2014)

Gauahar Khan, who has been in the news for her relationship with fellow Bigg Boss inmate Kushal Tandon, apparently gave a hard time to the makers of her film, Fever. Directed by Rajeev Jhaveri and produced by Ajay Chhibber, it has Rajeev Khandelwal playing the lead role.

A crewmember says, “Gauahar was supposed to shoot for this film even before she took part in Bigg Boss. In fact, she did not inform the film’s producers about this show; she just went ahead and did her own thing. The makers, on the other hand, could not do anything about this as her contract doesn’t feature any clause that stops her from taking on other projects.”

Interestingly, Gauahar’s popularity has now soared thanks to her love affair with Tandon. After winning the latest season of Bigg Boss, she went on a break, only to come back and participate in another reality show, Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi. “Gauahar was not been keen to allot dates for this film. Post her successful stint on Bigg Boss, she felt that she had signed this film in a hurry. She has told her friends about the same.”

However, the source adds that the actress has now given her dates to the makers. “After a lot of convincing, Gauahar went back and forth on her schedule and finalised dates for the film.” It may be pointed out that Ayesha Takia was initially offered the film, but the role went to Gauahar due to a recommendation from co-star Rajeev Khandelwal. When contacted, Gauhar denied giving any trouble to the filmmakers. She said that she is currently shooting the last schedule of the film in Switzerland. “I am proud to be a part of this film, and I have worked hard for it. I look forward to its release as it is my first film as a lead actress,” she said.

Ajay Chhibber, Fever’s producer, was not available for comment.

Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; March 19, 2014)

Armaan Kohli took ladylove Tanishaa Mukerji home to introduce her to his folks on the festive occasion of Holi. She met the actor’s parents, Rajkumar and Nishi Kohli, along with his other family members at their Juhu residence.

Says a source, “As it was an auspicious occasion, Armaan felt it was an opportunity to invite her over and have her take part in the festivities as well. He wanted to formally introduce her to his folks and take their relationship to the next level.” Adds the source, “Tanishaa was quite comfortable in his family’s company. Not only did they dab colours on each other, they also had a mooh meetha ceremony. Armaan’s parents have already given him their stamp of approval. They have left it to the couple to make a formal announcement whenever they feel the timing is right.” Sources state that their relationship is on track as Tanishaa and Armaan have been making public appearances everywhere. After spending time at his home, the couple attended a Holi bash where several B-town folk were present.

Tanishaa and Armaan’s love story began last year when they participated in the reality show, Bigg Boss 7.
There has also been buzz that Armaan has gifted Tanishaa a rock.

However, the diamond ring she is often spotted wearing is mother Tanuja’s gift that marked her (Tanishaa’s) successful stint as a producer of the 2012 Ajay Devgn starrer, Son of Sardaar.

Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 1, 2014)

The hostility between Salman Khan and Armaan Kohli that simmered through the seventh season of Bigg Boss is over. According to a source, yesterday, Armaan consented, in principle, to play Salman's second brother in Sooraj Barjatya's next which is expected to roll in June. The source added that the film revolves around three brothers and not two as is being speculated, and Neil Nitin Mukesh rounds off the trio. This will mark Armaan’s comeback to the silver screen after 11 years.

Rajkumar Kohli’s son was last seen in J P Dutta’s war drama LoC:Kargil. The news comes as a surprise given that during the duration of the TV reality show, Armaan was most definitely not the star host's favourite contestant following his growing closeness to Tanishaa Mukerji. But the duo's strained relationship took a turn when fellow contestant Sofia Hayat filed a police complaint against Armaan for beating her up with a mop handle. Armaan was promptly arrested by the Lonavla police. Salman at the time had advised him to keep his cool. After the grand finale, Salman invited Armaan and his ladylove Tanishaa on his birthday to his farmhouse in Panvel. “This helped them connect better," said a source, adding that thanks to the reconciliation, Armaan is now in advanced talks to star in Sooraj's family drama. Salman plays a double role in the film but the two characters are not related by blood. While not much is known about Armaan’s role yet, Neil Nitin Mukesh’s part will have shades of grey. (Mirror, February 23).

Subhash K Jha (DNA; February 19, 2014)

After Bigg Boss, the love triangle comprising Ajaz Khan-Gauahar Khan-Kushan Tandon will now be seen in another reality show — Fear Factor. Kushal who was with his lady-love in Cape Town for the show, didn’t know that his rival was also part of it. It is learned that the minute Kushal saw Ajaz, he quit in a huff.

Ajaz confirms, “When Kushal saw me in Cape Town he quit the show. His entire body was aching. He had to leave.” He says that Gauahar too has threatened to quit when she saw him. “They are insecure about me or maybe they just don’t like me. What to do. Haters will hate the world. Lovers will find reason to love everyone.”

Ajaz denies being in Fear Factor to again establish proximity with her after Bigg Boss. “No, I am not here for Gauahar. I don’t even talk to her anymore. Bigg Boss is over. I wish Allah would bless both Kushal and Gauahar.” About his flash decision to rush for Fear Factor Ajaz explains, “I decided to come because the channel is paying me good money.” Then he adds, “I also get a chance to audition for Rohit Shetty’s Singham 3.”

Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; February 7, 2014)

Four months ago, a carpenter working on the reality show Bigg Boss Season 7 Saath Saath passed away due to cardiac arrest. Since then, his family has been waiting for compensation from the production house but to no avail. A source says that 50- year- old Ramesh Maurya, who worked as a carpenter, passed away on September 8 last year at a hotel in Lonavala, where the crew was put up. “While working on the sets of the show, Ramesh felt nauseous after which he headed back to his room and died later on the same day. Since his death, the family has been in touch with the production house Endemol in a bid to get compensation,” says the source.

Opender Chanana, a consultant with Film Studio Setting and Allied Mazdoor Union, says that working conditions on film and TV sets need to improve drastically. “Workers here have no access to social security.
Maurya, for one, was not covered under group insurance by the production house. The union has written to them several times to give compensation — which amounts to Rs 10,28,917 — but they have not given any compensation yet,” he says.

When contacted, the production house issued a press statement. It said, “While our deepest condolences are with the Maurya family, Ramesh Maurya did not expire on account of any accident on the set but because of natural causes, while resting at his hotel. Endemol is no way liable to pay any compensation in this suit as he was employed by a sub-contractor hired on a principal basis. The contractor has been paid in full by Endemol India.” Reacting to Endemol’s statement, Chanana said, “The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the parent body, Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), and the producers clearly states that the responsibility lies not with the contractors but with the producers.” It is believed that Maurya’s wife has gone back to their ancestral village in Uttar Pradesh, while his children continue to stay in Mumbai with his extended family. His family could not be contacted.

Subhash K Jha (DNA; February 6, 2014)

It seems like a self-defeating manoeuvre. Gauahar Khan is set to be seen in another TV reality show, soon after Bigg Boss 7. A section of the industry feels the actress is killing her chances of a Bollywood career by overdoing reality shows. She has already been overexposed in a Kardashian type of show in the past, apart from Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.

One of the country’s most critically and commercially successful directors wonders why Gauahar is being seen in every other reality show. This director wants to cast the actress in his proposed historical-musical. But he’s now having second thoughts. “What if she runs off to do another reality show in the middle of my film?” he says.

Rumours insist Gauahar is in Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi merely for the joy of being in the same television space with her real-life love interest Kushal Tandon. However, the actress denies being on the show for her loved one’s sake. “No, I am not doing Khatron Ke Khiladi for any other reason except that I’ve nothing else lined up right now. It’s an entirely different concept from Bigg Boss. It’s a good-looking show. It will do me good. If I had anything else I wouldn’t have done it. This show will be shot only for a month in South Africa.”

The actress, who has given scene-stealing performances as the second lead in Yashraj Films’ Rocket Singh Salesman Of The Year and Ishaqzaade, is gearing up for her debut as a leading lady opposite Rajeev Khandelwal in Rajeev Jhaveri’s Fever. She says excitedly, “It’s a thriller shot in Switzerland with performance-oriented roles. It is my first lead role and it starts in the middle of the year. I just want to do quality work.”

Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; January 30, 2014)