Vijay V Singh (THE TIMES OF INDIA; September 4, 2020)

Mumbai: The CBI on Thursday questioned Bunty Sajdeh, who owns Cornerstone, which is into celebrity management as part of its probe into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. It also recorded the statement of a psychiatrist Rajput had consulted along with Rhea after their Europe trip last October.

Rajput was one of Cornerstone’s clients. The firm’s employee Disha Salian, who committed suicide a week before the actor’s alleged suicide, had been appointed his manager. Prior to Salian, Shruti Modi was his manager. Shruti was earlier questioned by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the case. Shruti’s name also appeared in chat messages retrieved by investigating agencies where Rhea Chakraborty was reportedly discussing drugs. CBI is investigating the abetment to suicide case whereas the ED is probing the money laundering angle. Sajdeh’s sister is married to Sohail Khan (actor Salman Khan’s brother). Sajdeh told TOI , “Since the matter is sub judice I would not be able to comment on it at this time. I have no idea who Shruti Modi is and she is definitely not an employee of Cornerstone.”

The CBI also questioned Rhea’s father Indrajit for the third day on Thursday.

The psyschiatrist, who treated Rajput for bipolar disorder, had told Mumbai police the actor might have committed suicide because he believed there was no cure and he didn’t want his family members to suffer. The Mumbai police was conducting an inquiry into the death before the CBI took over the case based on a SC order.

According to the psychiatrist, Shruti and subsequently Rhea contacted her on Rajput’s behalf last November. The psychiatrist had consulted another senior doctor too for his treatment. She said in her statement that Rajput was aware of his suffering, but was not ready to accept it. After that, Rajput and Rhea didn’t visit her, though she inquired with Rhea about his health.

The psychiatrist has said Rhea called her on June 7 and took an appointment for herself for the next day, but cancelled it. She told the doctor Rajput’s condition was deteriorating and he was not taking medication. The doctor also said the late actor was close to his sister, but not his father. She said his mother’s death had impacted him severely.

Rajput’s family has alleged he had no serious issues and his problems started after he came in contact with Rhea who controlled him with the help of her family members and other accused in the case.
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‘CBI doesn’t share details of probe’

New Delhi: Reacting to a few media reports in connection with the Sushant Singh Rajput case being attributed to the agency, the CBI on Wednesday released a statement calling them speculative and devoid of facts. The agency said it was conducting investigation in a systematic and professional way. “Certain media reports attributed to CBI investigation are speculative and not based on facts. It is reiterated that as a matter of policy, CBI does not share details of ongoing investigation,” a CBI spokesperson said.

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; December 9, 2017)

Rumours of Virat Kohli, one of India’s most eligible bachelors, tying the knot with Bollywood’s sweetheart Anushka Sharma have turned out to be true! Anushka left for Italy from Mumbai on Thursday night with her family. Sources reveal that the wedding celebrations will be held in Florence and Milan between December 9 and 12.

A source close to the families revealed to BT, “The invitations have gone out to close friends and family. Only a few of Virat’s friends from Delhi have been invited — one is his childhood buddy, who used to play league cricket with him, and the other, who has been advising him on his fitness.”

Virat has taken a break and he won’t be a part of the T20 or ODIs against Sri Lanka. However, he will lead Team India in the South Africa series and will leave for SA on December 27. The cricketer has apparently even requested not to be disturbed during his break. According to a film industry insider, Anushka had also, much in advance, requested a filmmaker to not schedule her shoot for her upcoming project during December.

Another source revealed, “The couple has booked a SoBo fivestar hotel for their reception on December 21 in Mumbai.”

Virat’s manager Bunty Sajdeh, who is usually quick to dismiss such rumours, has been tight-lipped this time around. There was no response from him despite our repeated attempts till the time of going to press. Interestingly, he had flatly denied any such possibility in October, when the rumours first surfaced after news of Virat’s alleged application of a spouse visa for South Africa went viral. Back then, Bunty had replied to us saying, “These are baseless rumours and there’s no truth to it as far as I know.”

Anushka’s spokesperson denied the news to us even after the actress left for Italy, saying, “It is not true.” Meanwhile, we hear that Anushka’s family guru, Maharaj Anant Baba, too, is in Italy for the wedding. We contacted Devashish Anant from the guru’s Haridwar ashram, asking if the guru was in Europe for the wedding. He said, “Yes, Maharaj Anant Baba is not here, but I won’t say anything else. I won’t say yes, I won’t say no.” However, another source from the ashram confirmed that Anant Baba is in Europe for a wedding, but didn’t divulge whose wedding it is. According to him, the guru’s trip was planned weeks in advance.

— Inputs by Divya Kaushik, Abhimanyu Mathur, Akshita Vohra and Riya Sharma

Third edition of celeb football match to see Bachchan's team battle Kohli's cricketers
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; September 16, 2017)

Sports enthusiasts will be treated to the third ever clash of Tinsel town's celebrities and members of the Indian cricket team at the Celebrity Clasico this year, after having previously locked horns in 2013 and 2016.

The All Stars Football Club (ASFC), with Abhishek Bachchan at the forefront, will clash with Virat Kohli-led All Heart Football Club (AHFC), a property of the Virat Kohli Foundation, on October 15 in Mumbai.

Kohli, who led the team last year as well, ended up in a 2-2 draw with Bachchan's Playing For Humanity team. It was helmed by Ranbir Kapoor that year since Bachchan had suffered a slip disc. The ASFC team has been practising regularly to put up with their fitter competitors, who will join them next month ahead of the match, which will be played at the Mumbai Football Arena in Andheri Sports Complex.

Bunty Walia, from GS Worldwide Entertainment, owner of the ASFC, says, "The aim is to raise funds for various charities. One of the causes we are supporting this year is the women's self-defence centre that's being backed by Akshay Kumar and Aaditya Thackeray. Parts of the proceeds will go towards the state-of-the-art gym at Andheri Sports Complex."

What you may (or may not) want to know about Bunty Sajdeh
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; November 7, 2016)

Over the weekend, Sonakshi Sinha was yet again spotted with rumoured ‘special friend’ Bunty Sajdeh. The two sent paps into a tizzy outside a restaurant at Bandra-Kurla Complex. It has been a while since the actress has been linked in the press with Bunty, who runs a celebrity management company. His clients include star-cricketer Virat Kohli.

Bunty and Sonakshi have been spotted together off and on at public places, fuelling speculations over their relationship — whether true or not, one of course doesn’t know. Neither has publicly spoken about the other.

The Khandaan connect
Buzz is Sonakshi met Bunty through Salman Khan when she was shooting for Dabangg 2 (2012). Bunty’s sister is Seema, Sohail Khan’s wife. Sources state the actress and he hit it off well and he began handling her endorsements.

Things went quiet on their front later. Over a year and half ago, there was again buzz about them being a twosome. They began stepping out together throwing caution to the wind.


Special friendship
Sonakshi’s presence at Bunty’s mother’s 60th birthday bash earlier this year set tongues wagging about her proximity to his family. Snapshots of Sonakshi making merry went viral. As did Bunty’s presence at Sonakshi’s birthday bash in June this year. Last December, when cricketer Rohit Sharma married Ritika Sajdeh (Bunty’s cousin, who also is part of his company), Sonakshi is said to have been the mainstay of the wedding festivities.

No personal posers
Sonakshi guards her personal life zealously. Though gossip columns have been eloquent about the two, the Akira actress has kept mum. As reported, ‘People shouldn’t be given the liberty to talk loosely about anyone’ (hitlist, Oct 30) , the actress preferred a no-comment stance when asked about Bunty: “I get spotted with so many people, so why pick on one particular person?”

The ex file
In 2009, Bunty Sajdeh wed Ambika Chauhan in a lavish wedding in Goa with a bachelor’s party in Bangkok. But the marriage went kaput a few years later. After their split, it is said, Ambika, who was also his partner in the company, severed professional ties with the South Mumbai boy as well.


B- Town girls link ups
What’s interesting is how, in the past, Bunty has been linked with a host of B-Town heroines from Sameera Reddy, Dia Mirza, Neha Dhupia to Sushmita Sen.

Blame it on his work which throws him in with Bollwyood beauties? There was talk about him and Dia circulating in the gossip press, over a decade ago. Like Sonakshi, she had apparently met him through the Khandaan. But in 2004, they went their separate ways.

Then there was also buzz about him and Neha Dhupia, and in 2007, snapshots of him holding hands with Sushmita Sen did the rounds as well. Their relationship of course had a professional touch — he was handling Sush’s product endorsement deals at the time. Our efforts to get in touch with Bollywood’s cool Bunty for this story went unattended.

Sonakshi Sinha gets into action mode, talks films and fitness, but steers clear about discussing a certain someone
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; October 30, 2016)

Sonakshi Sinha is cheery and laughs a lot. The actress is clearly in a good mood, ready to take on any poser — well almost. We meet her at producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah’s office in Andheri where she is promoting her next, Force 2 which has John Abraham as co- star. Her manager hovers around making sure not a strand of hair is out of place making the photographer ask: “Is that the only thing you are concerned about?” The manager still feels the well coiffured hair-do is out of place. Sona, however, keeps posing with her manager evey now and then, ensuring her mane looks perfect. The star has been in the spotlight for her weight issues. She appears even more leaner than when we last saw her, so we begin with what she would love to hear...

You are looking even more fitter. Have you managed to give a fitting reply to your weight critics?
(laughs) Actually it’s more to do with a lifestyle change. As I am doing one film at a time, I can follow an exercise routine and watch my diet. It has happened organically over a long period of time. I can say it has taken its own sweet time. After working with John (Abraham) in Force 2 there is the added motivation.

How has Force 2 co- star John Abraham inspired you?
John is so strict when it comes to fitness. He will literally take the unhealthy stuff out of your mouth. I did not have any control over my food till I met John. It was good to learn a lot from him and take it back with you. He has been a big inspiration for me. There is no scope to give up on your fitness drive, when he is around. And, also the kind of films I have been doing require me to be in ship-shape.

With Akira and Force 2, do you consider you are an action star?
For me, it is the character. It is a coincidence that one followed the other. It was not a deliberate plan, it just came my way. In Akira, I was taking on the baddies. In Force 2, I play a RAW agent. It is a strong character to portray; something I had never done before. If actors can do it repeatedly, why not actresses?

Do you find the action genre exciting?
I have been an athletic person since my school days. So it keeps me engaged in something I like to do. I enjoy sports, it’s fun for me. It is not taxing for me.

Your last outing Akira did not well...
Everyone expected it to do well. Everyone had high expectations of it. For me, it was a great acting with a great director (A R Murugadoss). I was part of a good film. In fact, the martial arts training in Akira came handy for Force 2. I had already reached a certain level of fitness. An actor should play any kind of role.

You are also pursuing music.
Singing is something I enjoy doing. I sing because I want to, but I know my limitations as I am not a trained singer.

Two years ago you had film production plans.
Yes, along with my brothers (Luv and Kush), we are keen to revive the home banner. But such things take a lot of time. So it is still a plan in progress.

You recently changed your publicists. Do you want to reinvent yourself?
Yes, there has been a change. That’s because I am open to working with a lot of people.

You guard your personal life zealously. Anything written about you affects you.
If anything that is written about me affects me, I will tweet about it. If you ignore it people take the liberty to say whatever they want.

But you are a star...
I cannot ignore it. People shouldn’t be given the liberty to talk loosely about anyone.

If you are spotted with someone, there is bound to be speculation.
I get spotted with so many people, so why pick on one particular person? Drawing a conclusion is up to you.

So what is it about you and a certain Bunty Sajdeh?
(laughs) No comments.

(And the manager says the interview is over. We had saved this question for the last, anyways).

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 8, 2016)

All eyes were on Sonakshi Sinha as she partied the night away with Bunty Sajdeh, owner of a sports management agency that manages Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan, at the third anniversary of a Bandra nightclub on Thursday. The couple stayed close the entire night and left together. Also present were Dino Morea, Harman Baweja, Sanjay and Maheep Kapoor and filmmaker Abhishek Kapoor with wife, Pragya.

“Sonakshi and Bunty arrived separately, with their respective set of friends, around the same time. She posed for the paps alone while entering and didn’t expect them to still be around when she exited with her beau in the wee hours,” reveals a source.

Brother of Seema Sachdev Khan who is married to Sohail Khan, and Ritika Sachdev who is married to cricketer Rohit Sharma, Bunty began managing Sona’s endorsements in 2012. The actress is close to Bunty’s sisters and is a regular fixture at their family gatherings. Bunty at the time was married to Ambika Chauhan, a fellow celeb/sports manager who handled Yuvraj Singh’s account. The marriage ended after four years in 2013. In July, Sona was at Bunty’s mother’s 60th birthday party. Her appearance set tongues wagging.