Showing posts with label Bilal Amrohi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bilal Amrohi. Show all posts
If you have to make Meena Kumari biopic, you cannot disregard the biggest factor in it, my grandfather-Bilal Amrohi
9:05 AM
Noting that Manish hasn’t contacted Kamal Amrohi’s family for his Meena Kumari biopic, filmmaker’s grandson says his project on same subject borrows from the couple’s letters
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; August 21, 2023)
Meena Kumari’s rich career and tragic personal life made her one of Hindi cinema’s enigmas. So, it’s not surprising that two filmmakers have found their muse in the late actor. While Kriti Sanon is set to play her in a biopic helmed by Manish Malhotra (My months with Meena Kumari, Aug 19), mid-day had reported in February that Kamal Amrohi’s grandson Bilal was developing a project that would trace Kumari’s love story with her filmmaker-husband as they set out to make Pakeezah (The heartbreak behind the magnum opus, Feb 10).
Bilal is unfazed that Malhotra is making a film on the celebrated actor. The couturier-turned-director’s biopic is reportedly referenced from many books written on Kumari. Bilal says, “I’m sure Manish will be a brilliant director. But I am not sure about the validity of that project, in terms of its reference point. I have Meena-ji and Kamal saab’s words to tell their story; they are going by someone’s else’s words.”
Bilal says neither Malhotra nor the production house has contacted his family regarding the biopic. “How will they use Kamal Amrohi’s name without the family’s permission? If you have to make a movie about Meena-ji’s life, you cannot disregard the biggest factor in it — my grandfather,” he asserts.
What Bilal is designing is an intimate look into the actor-filmmaker couple’s romance that began in 1951 and culminated in marriage in 1952. Guiding him in this project are the letters that Kumari and Amrohi apparently wrote to each other.
“I have my grandparents’ diaries, and the letters they exchanged for the years that they were said to be apart (1964-1972). There were rumours about them getting a [divorce], but there was nothing of the sort. Meena-ji was a married woman when she passed away. For the past 40 years, people have [showcased] their love story in every light possible. My bua [aunt] Rukhsar has vehemently spoken against them. [Some authors] wrote about Kamal saab hitting her! It’s sad because they couldn’t defend themselves as these books were written after they passed away. The dead cannot defend themselves. The letters that my bua has, are a testimony of their love. They were romancing each other even though the world thought they were apart.”
Bilal adds that he will initiate talks with actors only after the bible is ready.
Manish Malhotra and Bilal Amrohi
Pakeezah: Bilal Amrohi traces back the heartbreak behind the magnum opus
8:23 AM
After announcing series based on Pakeezah’s making, Amrohi’s grandson undecided on format; says it will tell Meena Kumari-director’s love story
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; February 10, 2023)
Pakeezah (1972) may be a grand, sweeping romantic drama that caught the country’s attention on its release. But the making of the classic is a far richer story. Filmmaker Kamal Amrohi dedicated 16 years to make his labour of love that, in one of fate’s cruel twists, became his actor-wife Meena Kumari’s swansong.
In early 2022, Amrohi’s grandson Bilal had announced a web series that would trace the making of the Kumari, Ashok Kumar and Raaj Kumar-starrer. A year on, as the team is neck-deep in research, we hear Bilal and Yoodlee Films are now contemplating turning the material into a feature film.
Kausar Munir is said to be attached as a writer on the project that is being envisioned as the tragic story of two lovers. A source says, “Through this project, Bilal wants to showcase the love story of Meena Kumari and Amrohi, who set out to make a magnum opus together in 1956. Even though their marriage turned sour during Pakeezah’s making, many know that Amrohi had conceptualized the film as a tribute to his actor-wife. The story will dive deep into the pressures of making the movie, how it took a toll on Amrohi, and why the couple went their separate ways in 1964 before resuming their professional collaboration in 1969.”
The offering will also revisit the classic songs. The source adds, “After the research is complete, Bilal and Siddharth Anand Kumar of Yoodlee Films will take a call on whether it should be made into a movie or a web series.”
To Bilal, who serves as the producer, the offering is his tribute to his grandfather. He says, “I’ve planned it as an ode to my grandfather’s efforts. It would be a [retelling] of what it took for one man and the lady, who stood beside him, to make something as iconic as Pakeezah. My father Taajdaar and his sister Rukhsar possess the sole rights to [the 1972 movie].”
Asked whether they will take the long-format storytelling route, Kumar says, “It is too early to tell if this will be a film or series. A lot will depend on the director and cast.”
Kumar Gaurav's daughter Saachi marries Kamal Amrohi's grandson Bilal
7:49 AM
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 24, 2014)
In March, Kamal Amrohi's
grandson Bilal confessed his love for Kumar Gaurav and Namrata Dutt's
daughter Saachi and announced that he would marry her one day. Well, the couple who have been dating for the last
four-and-a-half years, have tied the knot.Namrata confirmed the news saying, “Yes, Saachi has married Bilal. We wanted to keep it quiet, but now that you ask.... We had the option of calling everybody or just the immediate family. We chose the latter.“
The reason the wedding, which happened in Mumbai few days ago, was a hush-hush affair because Namrata's brother and Bunty's best buddy, Sanjay Dutt is in jail. Bilal's father Tajdar, who not so long ago was raving about Saachi saying she is “prettier than most heroines and could have become a top star if she wished,“ was more reticent this time saying, “I'm happy with whatever has happened but I don't wish to elaborate. It's a personal matter.“
Saachi got a diploma in fashion designing from SNDT University in 2006. After a six-month internship with designer Anna Singh, she started her own business and is doing well today. Bilal, who made his debut in Atul Agnihotri's O Teri, has bought a flat in Bandra in the same building as Kangana Ranaut. And buzz is, that's where the couple have started their new life together. “Namrata is very happy that they will be living in Mumbai, close to her,“ says a source close to the family.
Bollywood actors who left studies mid-way
9:13 AM
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; April 10, 2014)
Bollywood is the only place perhaps where
qualifications do not matter. You don’t need an attractive resume with a
string of degrees and courses to carve a successful career.
Over the decades, there have been scores of stars who dropped out of school to pursue their acting ambitions — some regretted it, while it did not matter to most others.
The late Meena Kumari never attended school, but she wrote poetry. Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt did not complete his education, but he is known to be a walking encyclopedia of every subject under the sun.
The Kapoors Karisma and Kareena traded their textbooks for the camera at a young age. Clearly, in Bollywood, it is not your education that matters, but the number of hits that are attached to your name.
The trend of dropouts continues in B-Town with quite a few of the younger lot having chucked their studies in favour of a career in the glamour world...
Alia Bhatt
She did not go beyond schooling at Jamnabai Narsee School in Juhu, but ended up being Karan Johar’s Student Of The Year. The 21-year-old has no regrets that she gave up her studies nor is she keen to attend college. She knew all along that she wanted to take up acting, so college was never in her to-do list.
Sushant Singh Rajput
He did his schooling at St Karen’s High School in Patna and Hansraj Model School in New Delhi. He was studying at the Delhi College of Engineering when he decided to drop out and pursue acting. He joined Shiamak Davar’s dance troupe and performed at various events till the television soap, Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil, was offered to him. This was followed by his claim-to-fame show, Pavitra Rishta, and then came his Bollywood outing, Kai Po Che!
Arjun Kapoor
He studied at Arya Vidya Mandir in Juhu and after failing in Class XI, he dropped out of junior college. He wanted to be a director so he began assisting filmmaker Karan Johar, till Salman Khan told him to try his hand at acting.
Tiger Shroff and Sooraj Pancholi
These new kids on the block have been preparing for their B-Town debuts (Heropanti and Hero respectively) for the last few years. It’s no wonder then that they haven’t studied beyond high school.
Shraddha Kapoor
She did her schooling at Jamnabai Narsee School, Juhu, and then enrolled in the American School of Bombay in Bandra. Later on, she went to Boston, but subsequently quit studies to star in her debut film, Teen Patti.
Ileana DCruz
She completed her high school studies at St Mary’s Convent, Mapusa in Goa. After this, she began modelling and was then offered films in the South. The film, Barfi!. marked her Bollywood debut.
Amit Sadh
He quit his studies after Standard XII to pursue his acting career. His first major role was in Neena Gupta’s show, Kyun Hota Hai Pyarr. B-Town then beckoned him with Kai Po Che!
Bilal Amrohi
The O Teri actor studied at Learners Academy at Bandra and after Class X, he began assisting filmmakers J P Dutta and Atul Agnihotri. He never looked back at textbooks.
Over the decades, there have been scores of stars who dropped out of school to pursue their acting ambitions — some regretted it, while it did not matter to most others.
The late Meena Kumari never attended school, but she wrote poetry. Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt did not complete his education, but he is known to be a walking encyclopedia of every subject under the sun.
The Kapoors Karisma and Kareena traded their textbooks for the camera at a young age. Clearly, in Bollywood, it is not your education that matters, but the number of hits that are attached to your name.
The trend of dropouts continues in B-Town with quite a few of the younger lot having chucked their studies in favour of a career in the glamour world...
Alia Bhatt
She did not go beyond schooling at Jamnabai Narsee School in Juhu, but ended up being Karan Johar’s Student Of The Year. The 21-year-old has no regrets that she gave up her studies nor is she keen to attend college. She knew all along that she wanted to take up acting, so college was never in her to-do list.
Sushant Singh Rajput
He did his schooling at St Karen’s High School in Patna and Hansraj Model School in New Delhi. He was studying at the Delhi College of Engineering when he decided to drop out and pursue acting. He joined Shiamak Davar’s dance troupe and performed at various events till the television soap, Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil, was offered to him. This was followed by his claim-to-fame show, Pavitra Rishta, and then came his Bollywood outing, Kai Po Che!
Arjun Kapoor
He studied at Arya Vidya Mandir in Juhu and after failing in Class XI, he dropped out of junior college. He wanted to be a director so he began assisting filmmaker Karan Johar, till Salman Khan told him to try his hand at acting.
Tiger Shroff and Sooraj Pancholi
These new kids on the block have been preparing for their B-Town debuts (Heropanti and Hero respectively) for the last few years. It’s no wonder then that they haven’t studied beyond high school.
Shraddha Kapoor
She did her schooling at Jamnabai Narsee School, Juhu, and then enrolled in the American School of Bombay in Bandra. Later on, she went to Boston, but subsequently quit studies to star in her debut film, Teen Patti.
Ileana DCruz
She completed her high school studies at St Mary’s Convent, Mapusa in Goa. After this, she began modelling and was then offered films in the South. The film, Barfi!. marked her Bollywood debut.
Amit Sadh
He quit his studies after Standard XII to pursue his acting career. His first major role was in Neena Gupta’s show, Kyun Hota Hai Pyarr. B-Town then beckoned him with Kai Po Che!
Bilal Amrohi
The O Teri actor studied at Learners Academy at Bandra and after Class X, he began assisting filmmakers J P Dutta and Atul Agnihotri. He never looked back at textbooks.
I have hooked up on a plane-Pulkit Samrat
8:41 AM
Two-hero films are the new trend after Gunday; Pulkit Samrat and Bilal Amrohi make their debut this week
Upala KBR (DNA; March 24, 2014)
It’s been ages since I chatted with newcomers. Before they become stars
and get affected. So I set out to interview Pulkit Samrat and Bilal
Amrohi. I am happy to report it was fun. Pulkit is quieter, reflects
before answering, and doesn’t try to impress. But then suddenly disarms
you with his zany humour. Bilal is exuberant, chatty and has all his
answers down pat. They will be seen in O Teri, which is a comment on the
current political situation in the country. Both Bilal and Pulkit are
as clued in about the political scenario in the country and the mood of
the aam aadmi. But I am not interested in their GK. I want to know about
their EQ. These boys will not be on the Koffee With Karan couch anytime
soon, so I decided to quiz them in the style of the host of my
favourite show. Read on..
What is O Teri about?
Pulkit: It’s about what every day our discussions are on the dining table about today’s issues and how we should tackle them. But such a message would be boring if put across like that so we have packed it up with a lot of humour and interesting characters. We are playing two guys working in the television industry on the look out for that one big scam that will make us famous. I am the TV reporter and Bilal is the cameraman.
Bilal: It’s a coming of age film in a way. I absolutely loved the graph as an audience about these two innocent boys who are like the cartoon characters Tom and Jerry, and how they become heroic towards the end.
In real life are you both the same?
P: I remember at a recent media interaction when the photographers kept asking Bilal to turn and pose left and right, suddenly he yelled, ‘Meri pehli film hai! Koi tension nahi hai. Main idhar, udhar, sab jagah dekhta hoon.’ (Both start laughing) And for 15 minutes, he’s standing there posing for pictures.
B: I have waited for this far too long. I am not going to shy away from the camera. The fact that now I am standing in front of it I am going to enjoy it the most!
How was the first day on the sets?
B: I am a Bandra boy while he’s from Delhi and before we met I think he had figured out that the Delhi lingo would be difficult for me so he tutored me before we started. For me it was a bit of a task to get out of this Mumbai ka attitude to a Delhi boy. He really helped me out as an actor. We grew very fond of each other eventually. Then the movie was just a riot!
P: Yeah I am going to marry Bilal some day! (laughs)
How often do you say O Teri?
P: I say it a lot. Any situation where I have to say ‘beep’ in front of my parents is o teri. I say it also when something very exciting happens like Salman bhai’s song. When Salman agreed to read the script — that was my biggest o teri moment.
B: I have been working with Atul bhai since his directorial debut. I thought I was going to assist in this film. When they asked me to audition for the role I was stunned! It was an o teri moment for me.
Best thing about being a newcomer?
P: People don’t judge you. No expectations. The film industry has been warm in welcoming newcomers.
B: I am allowed to make mistakes. I am not supposed to get everything right in my first film but learn and I have learned a lot.
Action or romance?
P: Lot of action happening in my life so I would like a mix of both. I like all kinds of films and like to explore all genres. I like entertainers masala style.
B: I want to romance lot of women (laughs). In the film also my love interest is hardly there… So now I am hoping to do a romantic film now.
I can see the chemistry between you two…
P: Well we are made for each other (laughs). We have by mistake found girls for ourselves.
B: It’s too late now to express our love for each other! (both crack up).
If you had to give a message to the politicians of today?
P: Every time before you go to sleep have a thought about your country because you have taken that responsibility.
B: Make few promises and deliver them. I would also like to tell the people of our country to stand up and vote. If you can’t give up 15 minutes of your time to go and vote, you have lost your right to complain.
If you had to float a political party what would you call it?
B: I would promote my friend Jackky Bhagnani’s film and call it Youngistaan. He’s a childhood friend of mine. Brotherhood is the theme. Jackky’s film and ours are releasing on the same day but he has been praising me to the skies. I also know Harman and I know he has been praising me too.
P: Then I would float a political party called Dishkiyaoon.
When was the last time you fooled someone?
B: I’m naughty by nature, so all the time... I sent messages to some girls asking them to meet me from Pulkit’s phone so they enthusiastically responded in the affirmative.
P: I do the same. He’s always very eager to take off his shirt so I get him to do that at the most embarrassing times like at a radio station recently.
Name in the order of best actor – Aamir, Salman, Shah Rukh, Hrithik and Akshay.
P: Aamir, Salman bhai… How do I judge the rest ya? Lagao vaat tum bhi (looks at Bilal).
B: I am a big Salman Khan fan so for me everything that he does I love and enjoy. So for me Salman bhai would be the best actor, then Hrithik Roshan, he’s phenomenal, Aamir sir for his dedication, Shah Rukh sir for his passion and dedication and Akshay Kumar for his Rajiv Bhatia-style dedication.
Name in order of best actress: Katrina, Kareena, Priyanka, Deepika and Sonam.
P: Deepika, Sonam, Katrina, Priyanka and Kareena
B: … I love Alia and Parineeti also...
P: They are not on the list Bilal…
B: Oh achcha… I like them all – I really do but okay then - Priyanka, Deepika, Katrina, Kareena and Sonam.
Who is the actress you would like to romance?
P: Sonam Kapoor. I would love to take her out.
B: Priyanka is on the top of my list as I find her very beautiful, then Deepika, Parineeti and Alia are lovely. There are a lot more (laughs).
If at gun point you were asked to have a gay encounter who would you choose it be with....
B: Bas mera hi naam lena (both laugh)…
P: It will be better with somebody I know quite well so it would have to be Bilal.
B: Yes, and I would reciprocate his actions (laughs).
Varun Dhawan, Siddharth Malhotra or Aditya Roy Kapoor - who has the brightest future and why?
P: Bilal because he has the X factor!
B: Yayyy! Way to go! The O Teri boys are the next bright things that are going to happen! Pulkit has what everybody is dying to get – that charm. His eyes speak for themselves. Girls see him and go ‘Oooo Pulku…’
P: Ya? I think I am boring.
B: Pulkit is a smooth operator (grins naughtily).
P: It takes me four times to meet and get to know the person and then I can pataao her. Bilal pataaos her at the first meeting.
B: Nowadays the girls pataao the boys first.
Ranbir or Shahid - The Kapoor you admire.
P: I always wanted a kind of debut that Shahid got in Ishq Vishq. He dances superbly and looks good so I think after a long time that a newcomer was talked about so much. He came with a package. I have admired him since that time. Ranbir again has a great body of work and I just hope I can create a similar or body of work than that.
B: I really like Ranbir Kapoor’s acting. He’s really good. I like his ease I delivering lines. I am just watching and learning from them and they are both good but I am a RK fan.
The worst film you have seen in the last three years?
P: Bilal you can’t say my films, okay.?
B: I think Satya 2. God save me.
P: Yes Satya 2 because it was so different from Satya. Anything that goes wrong in the sequel is disappointing.
If you woke up one morning and found you were Hrithik Roshan, you would...
B: I would do a kickass movie like Krrish. He pulls off those cape films with so much ease.
P: I would convince my father Rakesh Roshan to do films with only Pulkit. Krrish 4 and 5 with me and then Krrish 6 I would ask him to take Bilal.
Name one Bollywood actor who doesn’t cheat?
B: Well Emraan Hashmi is one actor who doesn’t need to as he’s been kissing in all his films!
P: I think we all cheat every day while in front of the camera because we are playing somebody else.
If Sunny Leone made a pass at you, you would...
P: I would NOT tell anybody that it happened.
B: I would NOT let it go! Shaadi toh unki (Sunny Leone) huyi hai meri thodi! (bursts into loud laughter)
Ever hooked up in a public place?
P: Yes, on a plane. It’s the first time I am confessing to this. On a flight you have a lot of time so you can build up your chemistry and turbulence helps.
B: You are in the mile high club dude! Good job! Behind this innocent angel face (pointing to Pulkit) is a rockstar.
The first time you got dumped?
P: I was in the fourth standard and had a massive crush on this girl. I would give her blank calls like hundred times and leave notes in her car. I would hound her like Shah Rukh did with Juhi in Darr. So I would consider that as my first rejection or being dumped. After that I have usually dumped my girlfriends.
B: I don’t dump my girlfriends…
P: He always keeps an option open. He tells them ‘It’s not working between us right now but we will come back to this later’. I haven’t been an a*****e and dumped any of my girlfriends. They love me and I love them too. I love you all — if you girls are reading this now!
Upala KBR (DNA; March 24, 2014)
What is O Teri about?
Pulkit: It’s about what every day our discussions are on the dining table about today’s issues and how we should tackle them. But such a message would be boring if put across like that so we have packed it up with a lot of humour and interesting characters. We are playing two guys working in the television industry on the look out for that one big scam that will make us famous. I am the TV reporter and Bilal is the cameraman.
Bilal: It’s a coming of age film in a way. I absolutely loved the graph as an audience about these two innocent boys who are like the cartoon characters Tom and Jerry, and how they become heroic towards the end.
In real life are you both the same?
P: I remember at a recent media interaction when the photographers kept asking Bilal to turn and pose left and right, suddenly he yelled, ‘Meri pehli film hai! Koi tension nahi hai. Main idhar, udhar, sab jagah dekhta hoon.’ (Both start laughing) And for 15 minutes, he’s standing there posing for pictures.
B: I have waited for this far too long. I am not going to shy away from the camera. The fact that now I am standing in front of it I am going to enjoy it the most!
How was the first day on the sets?
B: I am a Bandra boy while he’s from Delhi and before we met I think he had figured out that the Delhi lingo would be difficult for me so he tutored me before we started. For me it was a bit of a task to get out of this Mumbai ka attitude to a Delhi boy. He really helped me out as an actor. We grew very fond of each other eventually. Then the movie was just a riot!
P: Yeah I am going to marry Bilal some day! (laughs)
How often do you say O Teri?
P: I say it a lot. Any situation where I have to say ‘beep’ in front of my parents is o teri. I say it also when something very exciting happens like Salman bhai’s song. When Salman agreed to read the script — that was my biggest o teri moment.
B: I have been working with Atul bhai since his directorial debut. I thought I was going to assist in this film. When they asked me to audition for the role I was stunned! It was an o teri moment for me.
Best thing about being a newcomer?
P: People don’t judge you. No expectations. The film industry has been warm in welcoming newcomers.
B: I am allowed to make mistakes. I am not supposed to get everything right in my first film but learn and I have learned a lot.
Action or romance?
P: Lot of action happening in my life so I would like a mix of both. I like all kinds of films and like to explore all genres. I like entertainers masala style.
B: I want to romance lot of women (laughs). In the film also my love interest is hardly there… So now I am hoping to do a romantic film now.
I can see the chemistry between you two…
P: Well we are made for each other (laughs). We have by mistake found girls for ourselves.
B: It’s too late now to express our love for each other! (both crack up).
If you had to give a message to the politicians of today?
P: Every time before you go to sleep have a thought about your country because you have taken that responsibility.
B: Make few promises and deliver them. I would also like to tell the people of our country to stand up and vote. If you can’t give up 15 minutes of your time to go and vote, you have lost your right to complain.
If you had to float a political party what would you call it?
B: I would promote my friend Jackky Bhagnani’s film and call it Youngistaan. He’s a childhood friend of mine. Brotherhood is the theme. Jackky’s film and ours are releasing on the same day but he has been praising me to the skies. I also know Harman and I know he has been praising me too.
P: Then I would float a political party called Dishkiyaoon.
When was the last time you fooled someone?
B: I’m naughty by nature, so all the time... I sent messages to some girls asking them to meet me from Pulkit’s phone so they enthusiastically responded in the affirmative.
P: I do the same. He’s always very eager to take off his shirt so I get him to do that at the most embarrassing times like at a radio station recently.
Name in the order of best actor – Aamir, Salman, Shah Rukh, Hrithik and Akshay.
P: Aamir, Salman bhai… How do I judge the rest ya? Lagao vaat tum bhi (looks at Bilal).
B: I am a big Salman Khan fan so for me everything that he does I love and enjoy. So for me Salman bhai would be the best actor, then Hrithik Roshan, he’s phenomenal, Aamir sir for his dedication, Shah Rukh sir for his passion and dedication and Akshay Kumar for his Rajiv Bhatia-style dedication.
Name in order of best actress: Katrina, Kareena, Priyanka, Deepika and Sonam.
P: Deepika, Sonam, Katrina, Priyanka and Kareena
B: … I love Alia and Parineeti also...
P: They are not on the list Bilal…
B: Oh achcha… I like them all – I really do but okay then - Priyanka, Deepika, Katrina, Kareena and Sonam.
Who is the actress you would like to romance?
P: Sonam Kapoor. I would love to take her out.
B: Priyanka is on the top of my list as I find her very beautiful, then Deepika, Parineeti and Alia are lovely. There are a lot more (laughs).
If at gun point you were asked to have a gay encounter who would you choose it be with....
B: Bas mera hi naam lena (both laugh)…
P: It will be better with somebody I know quite well so it would have to be Bilal.
B: Yes, and I would reciprocate his actions (laughs).
Varun Dhawan, Siddharth Malhotra or Aditya Roy Kapoor - who has the brightest future and why?
P: Bilal because he has the X factor!
B: Yayyy! Way to go! The O Teri boys are the next bright things that are going to happen! Pulkit has what everybody is dying to get – that charm. His eyes speak for themselves. Girls see him and go ‘Oooo Pulku…’
P: Ya? I think I am boring.
B: Pulkit is a smooth operator (grins naughtily).
P: It takes me four times to meet and get to know the person and then I can pataao her. Bilal pataaos her at the first meeting.
B: Nowadays the girls pataao the boys first.
Ranbir or Shahid - The Kapoor you admire.
P: I always wanted a kind of debut that Shahid got in Ishq Vishq. He dances superbly and looks good so I think after a long time that a newcomer was talked about so much. He came with a package. I have admired him since that time. Ranbir again has a great body of work and I just hope I can create a similar or body of work than that.
B: I really like Ranbir Kapoor’s acting. He’s really good. I like his ease I delivering lines. I am just watching and learning from them and they are both good but I am a RK fan.
The worst film you have seen in the last three years?
P: Bilal you can’t say my films, okay.?
B: I think Satya 2. God save me.
P: Yes Satya 2 because it was so different from Satya. Anything that goes wrong in the sequel is disappointing.
If you woke up one morning and found you were Hrithik Roshan, you would...
B: I would do a kickass movie like Krrish. He pulls off those cape films with so much ease.
P: I would convince my father Rakesh Roshan to do films with only Pulkit. Krrish 4 and 5 with me and then Krrish 6 I would ask him to take Bilal.
Name one Bollywood actor who doesn’t cheat?
B: Well Emraan Hashmi is one actor who doesn’t need to as he’s been kissing in all his films!
P: I think we all cheat every day while in front of the camera because we are playing somebody else.
If Sunny Leone made a pass at you, you would...
P: I would NOT tell anybody that it happened.
B: I would NOT let it go! Shaadi toh unki (Sunny Leone) huyi hai meri thodi! (bursts into loud laughter)
Ever hooked up in a public place?
P: Yes, on a plane. It’s the first time I am confessing to this. On a flight you have a lot of time so you can build up your chemistry and turbulence helps.
B: You are in the mile high club dude! Good job! Behind this innocent angel face (pointing to Pulkit) is a rockstar.
The first time you got dumped?
P: I was in the fourth standard and had a massive crush on this girl. I would give her blank calls like hundred times and leave notes in her car. I would hound her like Shah Rukh did with Juhi in Darr. So I would consider that as my first rejection or being dumped. After that I have usually dumped my girlfriends.
B: I don’t dump my girlfriends…
P: He always keeps an option open. He tells them ‘It’s not working between us right now but we will come back to this later’. I haven’t been an a*****e and dumped any of my girlfriends. They love me and I love them too. I love you all — if you girls are reading this now!
Salman Khan to party with media interns
8:08 AM
Sunanya Suresh (BOMBAY TIMES; March 21, 2014)
Upcoming
film O Teri revolves around two media interns, played by Pulkit Samrat
and Bilal Amrohi, who are on the lookout for a scam to get recognition
at work.Salman Khan, whose brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri is producing the film, which releases on March 28, has been involved with the project since its inception. Curious to know more about the lives of media interns, the star has now decided to host a party for them.
Atul says, “The film is about two such people. While doing research, we realised that these youngsters do a lot of hard work. That is when Salman bhai and I decided to host a party for them.”
The party, tentatively scheduled to happen today, is for the the juniormost employees of all media houses, who are fresh out of college.
Saif Ali Khan charged for assault in Taj Mahal hotel
7:59 AM
Agencies (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 14, 2014)
Two
years after Saif Ali Khan allegedly assaulted a South-Africa-based
businessman and his father-in-law at a Mumbai hotel, a local court
yesterday framed charges against the actor and his two friends, Shakeel
Ladak and Bilal Amrohi, under Section 325 (assault) and 34 (common
intention) of the Indian Penal Code, public prosecutor Wajeed Sheikh
said.
However, the trio pleaded not guilty after the metropolitan court read out the charges to them.
Saif and his friends had been arrested following a complaint filed by NRI businessman Iqbal Mir Sharma after the two allegedly got into a fight at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel on February 22, 2012. The trio was later released on bail.
The 42-year-old actor was accompanied by his wife Kareena Kapoor, sister-in-law Karishma Kapoor, their friends Malaika Arora Khan and her sister Amrita Arora and some male friends when the brawl broke out.
According to police, when Sharma protested to the raucous chatter of the actor and his friends, Saif allegedly threatened them and subsequently punched Sharma in the nose, fracturing it.
The NRI businessman had also accused Saif and his friends of hitting his father-in-law Raman Patel.
Saif had maintained that Sharma made provocative statements and used abusive language against the women accompanying him and this led to the ruckus.
The police had filed a charge sheet against the trio on December 21, 2012.
However, the trio pleaded not guilty after the metropolitan court read out the charges to them.
Saif and his friends had been arrested following a complaint filed by NRI businessman Iqbal Mir Sharma after the two allegedly got into a fight at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel on February 22, 2012. The trio was later released on bail.
The 42-year-old actor was accompanied by his wife Kareena Kapoor, sister-in-law Karishma Kapoor, their friends Malaika Arora Khan and her sister Amrita Arora and some male friends when the brawl broke out.
According to police, when Sharma protested to the raucous chatter of the actor and his friends, Saif allegedly threatened them and subsequently punched Sharma in the nose, fracturing it.
The NRI businessman had also accused Saif and his friends of hitting his father-in-law Raman Patel.
Saif had maintained that Sharma made provocative statements and used abusive language against the women accompanying him and this led to the ruckus.
The police had filed a charge sheet against the trio on December 21, 2012.
I call him Bilal Thank You-Salman Khan
8:10 AM
Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; March 8, 2014)
Talking about Bilal, Salman said, “I know him since he was a baby. We are very close since his parents were very close to our family. He is a strong personality, very cool, chilled out, level-headed with his heart in the right place. There was a time when he was partying too much. But today he has understood the value of working hard and understands that you have to work towards what you want to be. Who your parents are doesn’t make a difference. He is working towards that, is respectful and cultured. He is actually a superb blend of being cool and respectful. Sometimes, when you are cool, you can be disrespectful. But he has the perfect balance and knows how to behave himself and that comes from his good upbringing. I used to be very close to his mama Mazhar Khan.’’
On Bilal looking nervous, dancing with Salman in the title track of O Teri, he said, “They just pretend to be nervous. They are a shaana lot, who make you look old in the garb of respect and are capable of suddenly putting you into the uncle bracket. I call him Bilal Thank You as for everything he will keep saying thank you.”
Check out Salman Khan dancing with 60 B-Boying dancers for O Teri song
7:58 AM
Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; March 7, 2014)
Sixty dancers flaunted their BBoying dancing skills when they had Salman Khan dancing with them in the song titled O Teri in Atul Agnihotri’s O Teri. Salman is always happy to help his family and friends and in this case, both his family and friends were involved. He was at his charming best while shooting the song.
Watching the song, all I could tell you is that it’s difficult to move your eyes away from Salman Khan while he is dancing. The two newcomers Pulkit Samrat and Bilal Amrohi were extremely nervous. Bilal felt better only after Atul told him, ‘Forget newcomers, even established stars could feel nervous shooting with Salman.’
Excerpts from our conversation with the two boys
SALMAN BHAI TAUGHT ME HOW TO SWIM WHEN I WAS SCARED OF WATER: BILAL Bilal Amrohi is Kamal Amrohi’s grandson. His parents have been friends with Salim Khan sahab’s family since his childhood and thus, he has known Salman from when he was a kid. On sharing screen space with Salman, he said, “He is my hero. I was panicking just standing next to him in the same frame. Dancing with him gave me a high. I have known him all my life. He is that genuine guy, who wears his heart on his sleeve and is a great human being with everyone and wants to help people all the time. I used to go to Panvel to his farmhouse with him and I used to be scared of water and heights. When I was 10, he made me jump into the water and learn how to swim.”
SALMAN BHAI IS FEARLESS: PULKIT
Pulkit Samrat’s fiancée is Salman’s rakhi sister. Pulkit has also worked with him in Jai Ho before. On dancing with Salman, he said, “We knew that we would ruin at least four takes to become comfortable with the thought of dancing with bhai, after which we became better. What I like the most about him is that he is completely fearless. He will say what he feels. I have never seen him being diplomatic. Recently, I saw an interview of his where he was asked to name newcomers he thought well of and after naming a few, he named me and then he went on talking about me for 10 minutes. It was 4.30 in the morning. I was so excited and touched that I woke up everybody in my family and got them to watch the show. It means a lot to me. I saw his dedication in Jai Ho. If I have even 10% of his dedication, I will be a star. He leaves from his home, then cycles, comes to the set, does his cardio, then his abs, then will shoot five sequences, then again exercise. He thinks about the film 24 x7.”
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