Daisy Shah’s stint on OTT reality show Alliance may have ended, but the experience has been an eye-opener. She has learnt that being genuine can sometimes work against you in a competitive environment.

She says, “Unfortunately, honesty, especially on reality shows, is likely to be perceived as a weakness. It’s okay to be nice, but sometimes it can backfire. The more strategically you play the game, the more quickly people seem to trust you. That’s something I have learnt. If I had made a few more calculated moves, perhaps my footing in the game would have been stronger.”

Her loyalty to mentor Sohail Khan was a conscious choice, even when it could have affected her chances in the competition.

She says, “I value loyalty, ethics and diligence. I wouldn’t let a six-week stint and situations where you are under pressure alter my relationship dynamics with people I have known for the last 15 years. My relationships came above everything else, even while keeping the game in mind.”

Having previously participated in Khatron Ke Khiladi, she found being completely cut off from the outside world a very different experience.

She shares, “This was my first captive reality show, where you are completely cut off from the outside world. You don’t know what’s happening outside or how you are being perceived. You don’t know whether your perspective is being taken positively or not. So, it was definitely an experience. I personally feel I went through a digital detox in there. Honestly, none of us, especially those who had been inside since day one, missed social media.”

While Jai Ho was an important break in her career, Daisy believes her next significant turning point will come when the time is right.

She says, “I believe in divine timing. Everything that has happened to me till date has happened when it was supposed to. When it comes to a big commercial breakthrough, if it is meant to happen for me, it will happen in its own time. Dwelling on it instead of focusing on the present would only mean that I am not doing what I should be. At the same time, am I aggressive when it comes to putting myself out there, creating stories and making the PR game very strong in order to get opportunities? No. I am not trying to create any false narrative here. My job is to constantly work on myself and my craft.”

She also feels her filmography has not fully reflected her potential as an actor. She says, “I am being patient about it. I am being extremely meticulous about the projects coming my way and taking on the opportunities I feel have the potential to showcase what I am capable of. There are also a lot of things that happen behind the scenes, and I don’t subscribe to that game plan.” 

She may be a celebrity today but given a chance, Daisy Shah would love to spend hours dancing to garba and dandiya beats even now. The festival holds a special place in her heart, and she tells us why in a candid chat. Excerpts:

Since the last five years, I have been working during Navratri. But before that, I always made sure that I celebrated the festival with a lot of gusto. My friends and I would plan our clothes for each night weeks in advance. When I was younger, I used to go to this ground near my house where they would hold competitions every night. I used to participate in those and would be very excited about winning the prize for playing the best garba and dressing up well. I was very competitive and used to enjoy looking my best all nine days of Navratri.

Ghagra choli is my go-to outfit for Navratri. But as there are nine outfits to plan, some days I would wear an Indo-western outfit. I always wore traditional jewellery to keep the look authentic.

I would say one should experience it all. Visit a pandal and enjoy the vibe there. If you want to dance, just go ahead. Even if you don’t dance, you can enjoy watching others. It's a great experience.

Absolutely. I always look forward to Navratri every year. I like to connect with my friends, and whenever possible, we get together and have fun. Another thing that I still look forward to is going to the food stalls and binge-eating after playing garba for hours.

When I was around 10 years old, I didn't really understand this festival. I used to wonder why people were dancing in circles and my mother used to push me and make me join them. I was clueless as to how to follow their steps. But that’s how I learnt garba and I feel all of us would have learnt it the same way.

I always had a group of friends to play garba with, and mostly, I would be with them. Yes, love at first sight, too, has happened with a random guy I saw there (smiles). And the next day, that guy wasn't even there at the pandal to play garba! So, that love at first sight lasted just for a day (laughs!).

Naina Arora (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 9, 2020)

“There is no shame in apologizing,” says actor Daisy Shah in her recent Instagram story. Her thoughts come after an uproar on social media over a picture that shows her reading Khaled Hosseini’s novel A Thousand Splendid Suns, and laughing while reading it. Her smile didn’t go down well with trolls who have questioned how is she so amused reading a “grim” book.

“I admit the book ain’t an easy read. A very disturbing 1, few chapters in and now I understand. The picture was not to hurt any1..(sic),” the actor further adds in her Insta story.

Shah confesses she didn’t anticipate this reaction. “I was just at the beginning... I had hardly read three-four pages. By then, you’re trying to understand the characters. You don’t really get into the story from the first page itself,” says the 36-year-old, adding, “Even if you are reading a dark story, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a light-hearted conversation with someone at the very same time.”

The Jai Ho (2014) and Race 3 (2018), actor acknowledges that this episode, and the trolling thereafter has come with its share of learning. “We’re in difficult times. There’s already so much trauma in the world... If only people were compassionate towards each other.”

Shah hopes people “uplift each other” instead of “stooping down to this level [of trolling]”. She opines, “Jitna pyaar ek book ko dikha sakte ho, utna pyar ek human ko kyun nahin dikha sakte ho?”

And what compelled her to apologise after this incident?. “I didn’t apologise because people felt bad, but because I read the book. Loss is something I have experienced. I connected with this book,” she concludes.

Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 22, 2020)

While the rest of the industry is trying to get back to action post the Coronavirus lockdown, Daisy Shah’s routine hasn’t changed much. “My life’s still in lockdown. When I am not working, I only go to the gym and that’s closed now,” she rues.

The actress however did go to the salon the day they reopened, for a haircut. “It wasn’t about pampering myself,” she quickly adds, admitting that she fell in love with the clean roads and fresh air, but understands that such changes are not permanent. “Life will go back to its frantic pace, but let’s enjoy it while it lasts.”

Daisy has found a new interest in cycling. “It’s the only form of cardio I’m doing right now. I cycle five days a week and get to enjoy the fresh air too,” she informs, adding that since she stays in Bandra East, she cycles around the Bandra Kurla Complex.

She was to begin shooting for Salman Khan’s Bulbul Marriage Hall, with Pulkit Samrat, Kriti Kharbanda and Sunil Grover, in April, but now she has no idea when the film will roll. “The priority now is Radhe, its schedule will determine how everything else pans out,” says Daisy, revealing that she had learnt Haryanvi as part of the prep. “I’ll get a 15-20 days heads up from our director before we start filming, so I can brush up my diction with the tutor, that I had learnt before the lockdown, in a week,” she signs off.

It’s two weeks since actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death and these issues refuse to die down. We get 16 celebs to answer questions that trigger a fresh debate everyday
Juhi Chakraborty, Shreya Mukherjee and Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 27, 2020)


CAN BOLLYWOOD BE CALLED ONE BIG FAMILY?
MANOJ BAJPAYEE: No, it is not a big family, I don’t get fooled. We are scattered, fragmented, there are different groups, I don’t belong to any of them. On the first day post Satya (1998), I had decided I will only focus on roles offered to me, work on my terms and conditions. But yes, eventually, the industry will have to come together, if not now, tomorrow. It will have to be democratic. Let’s see.


IS THIS A WAKE-UP CALL FOR OUT-OF-WORK ACTORS TO SEEK HELP?
SAYANI GUPTA: Yes. All actors, and in fact all of us, irrespective of our profession, should seek therapy because life today is much more stressful than it used to be for the previous generation. And the internet/ social media adds to it. We all go through ups and downs in this cut-throat world and speaking to a counsellor helps in getting a fresh perspective. Therapy should be a must, from school and through your work life.


DOES NEPOTISM POSE A THREAT TO ‘OUTSIDERS’?
TAAPSEE PANNU: Yes it does, but so does a threat of being cheated, of being sexually harassed, and the threat of social media trials for sometimes no fault. And all these are equally harmful for a new talent. I have lost films and opportunities to someone under the umbrella of nepotism but I refuse to blame it for every hurdle and not give a strong fight. There are advantages and also disadvantages of being a star kid, and being an outsider.


IS IT TOUGH TO GET INTO CAMPS, POWER TABLES?
DAISY SHAH: This is in all industries. But you’re forgetting many ‘favourites’ have not got a flourishing career. I feel indicating at these ‘camps’ isn’t going to help you be successful. Everyone is working hard. The path they embark upon, on the road to success, is subjective. Some are lucky to have a helping hand. It’s an unfortunate fact of life, we should all make peace with it.


DO TV ACTORS STILL FIGHT FOR ACCEPTANCE?
MRUNAL THAKUR: Everybody in Bollywood goes through their share of struggles. When I started, I faced the stereotype that TV actors can’t be a part of the film industry. I realised I can break this if I work on my craft. I also got rid of my Marathi accent… I was also under a lot of pressure to be on social networking sites. If you’re talented, do your job well, people will support you. Struggles I went through made me better.


CAN REJECTIONS MAKE ONE DOUBT THEIR WORTH?
SHREYAS TALPADE: You get your first film and, if it works, you feel you’ve arrived. But when you get rejected soon after, you tend to question your capabilities. Most get wiser with experience. After Iqbal (2005), I auditioned for a film. The director said I don’t fit in comedy as I’ve got a serious image. After Golmaal Returns (2008), he said he misjudged my talent. You can’t make all happy, but can work on your abilities and make yourself happy.


IS THERE A CONSTANT FEAR OF BEING OUT OF THE INDUSTRY IF FILMS FLOP?
AAHANA KUMRA: We’re living in a world where your success is measured by how much money your product makes. That happens in most businesses, not just Bollywood. Having said that, yes outsiders don’t get enough chances. But, a child from the film industry will get chance after chance... We may get one film and if we don’t deliver, we may not be considered for another, so that’s the challenge.


CAN FEAR OF FAILURE PUSH ONE TO GIVE UP ON LIFE?
ADHYAYAN SUMAN: Ending your life isn’t the solution, but the pressure is 10-fold in the Hindi film industry, because there’s not just money involved, but also this delusional thing called ‘fame’. When you don’t achieve that, having people around you is important, but it’s crucial to know this is very temporary. I struggled in the last seven-eight years, and didn’t get the right work. Today, I am building my life back again, slow and steady.


DO PEOPLE SIDELINE NOT-SO-SUCCESSFUL ACTORS?
SIKANDAR KHER: In no way do I think that this a cultural thing. This, the film industry, is a business like any other. If you are doing well, your films are doing well, you are “successful”, then work will come easily to you. But if things aren’t going well with you and your career, then it will be tougher and tougher to get work. You just have to keep your head down and try to get more work. That’s all you can do really.


IS MENTAL HEALTH A KEY YET NEGLECTED SUBJECT?
DIVYA DUTTA: It is not about discussing, it is who to discuss with, how to discuss it. You will be judged instantly. Arre yaar usko toh yeh hai aur firr do jagah aur baat ho jaayegi. It will not help a person with a mental health issue. But are others doing anything? No. We have to look within first. Unless you have strong family and friend support, it’s difficult. We just say hi to one another but beyond that it’s a solo journey.


DO ACTORS HIDE THEIR DEPRESSION AS THEY FEAR BEING JUDGED?
JASMIN BHASIN: As an actor we’ve got a lot of extra pressures. And many do fear about work getting affected if someone comes to know of their mental state. I’ve experienced depression and could deal with it because of my family and friends. Those who matter should know about you. Everything about an actor is not for the public to know.


IS IT TRUE THAT ACTORS ARE QUITE VULNERABLE ?
SHAMA SIKANDER: This is a very difficult place to be in. You are so exposed. It can totally torment you. Yes it absolutely does push you in dark zones because it is the toughest profession ever. There is so much competition. Everybody is ready to do everything and a person who does that is chosen over another who is probably more talented. Whoever survives in the industry is very strong.


CAN REPEATED MOCKING AND RIDICULING BREAK ONE’S CONFIDENCE?
SUNIL GROVER: In my initial days, while doing a show, an actor came up to me and said I should be careful about what I say. I wasn’t known then, so I guess the trust factor was missing. Even now, before any show or award ceremony, I discuss certain jokes with actors in advance. I think one should laugh and not take ourselves so seriously. It’s also important to be sensitive towards another person’s sentiments.


DOES TOXICITY ON SOCIAL MEDIA AFFECT ONE’S EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING?
ADAH SHARMA: Yes, trolling does affect you emotionally. Even excluding someone can have a worse if not the same effect as trolling. For me, the toxicity hasn’t got out of hand on social media to be honest. I’ve also had practice dealing with enough toxicity in real life, so social media trolls are nothing. I’m also okay with criticism, toxic or constructive, as long as I’m allowed to participate in the race.


SHOULD WE REACH OUT TO AN ACTOR SHOWING SIGNS OF DEPRESSION?
DIVYANKA TRIPATHI DAHIYA: I feel taking lessons from this, the entertainment fraternity must change. All artistes go through a low phase. We should aim to develop empathy for our fellow actors/directors/ writers, instead of spotting competition in them and trying to demean, demoralise or ignore them. We must step into another’s shoes before commenting. Depression doesn’t happen overnight.

DO RELATIONSHIP RUMOURS PUT ONE UNDER MENTAL PRESSURE?
ELLI AVRRAM: It has affected my relationship, whatever I have had in my career so far. Sometimes it ends up destroying your relationship with that person. Many celebs want to get clicked by the paparazzi. You are a person who doesn’t do these things, but your partner might believe you are the one who has called them, and might start doubting that you are doing it as a PR activity. It spoils it, that’s sad.

Navneet Vyasan (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 2, 2020)

Actor Daisy Shah, who’s quarantining herself at home in Mumbai speaks for many when she says that she’s grown tired of watching films and TV shows online. The Coronavirus lockdown extensions, have somewhat paled the excitement that citizens had when it was announced for the first time. “Honestly speaking,” begins Daisy, adding, “I am so bored of watching stuff online that I have now started binge watching animated movies and Disney films. It has become a set routine now. Other than that, I do a lot of house chores every day.”

The actor adds that this was a much-needed break, not for humans, but for the planet. “Of course, it is extremely sad that a lot of people have lost their lives and loved ones because of this virus. I feel for them. But when we talk about Mother Nature, yes, this break was much needed because we were abusing our planet and how…” says the actor who was supposed to start shooting for her next project by now.

Weighing in on the OTT versus theatre debate, the Race 3 (2018) actor is of the opinion that it is completely the producer’s call when it comes to choosing the platform of the release. “I am nobody to decide that,” she says, adding, “At the end of the day, it is the producer’s call. If he thinks that he’s going to recover money by releasing the film on an OTT platform, and he does recover money, then it should be done.”

Daisy who feels that “it is all about hypocrisy”, adds, “The section that has objections to this, I am quite sure that they, too, watch films online.”

On resuming work, she says, “People have to be more cautious. We’ll have to take all the safety measures that’s being laid out.”

There are few things that chocolate-vanilla-cinnamon trio can’t cure
Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 4, 2020)

Nothing lifts Coronavirus lockdown-dampened spirits better than the mouthwatering scents of cinnamon, chocolate and vanilla wafting into the room from the oven. It almost makes up for the lost taste of freedom which is why several B-townies are trading their designer bits for oven mitts and the proof of that lies in the pudding.

The humble banana cake found its spot under the limelight during the lockdown, with B-townies—from Alia Bhatt, who put forth a grainfree paleo version and Kriti Sanon, who came up with an oats and quinoa cake-baking one, complete with a split section of the fruit smiling up for the ‘gram. That’s not all, Kriti also experimented with a batch of chia chocolate pudding and some caramel custard. Meanwhile, Sonam Kapoor whipped up a batch of vegan, gluten-free chocolate chip cookies, which she claimed she was going to devour all by herself, while Malaika Arora flaunted a dry fruit-studded beauty and Deepika Padukone whipped one up for dessert as part of a four-course meal. Kangana Ranaut and Tamannaah Bhatia chose to go with cupcakes and muffins, and with no cameras to crank, Anubhav Sinha channeled his creativity into kunafeh, nankhatais and anek desserts.

Admitting that sister Akshara Haasan bakes a mean apple crumble and strudel, Shruti Haasan relayed that her obsession with the oven began only after binge-watching The Great British Bake Off. But it wasn’t until the lockdown that she rolled up her sleeves. “I was always more interested in decorating cakes than baking them. Now, it’s the opposite,” she exults. Her recent baking spree only came to an end when she ran out of supplies. “I was substituting with coconut and almond flour. But now, I won’t step out for anything, except essentials,” asserts the actress who advises newbie bakers to make smaller batches to minimise the guilt.

Daisy Shah learnt her lesson the hard way when her chocolate ganache icing was a disaster because she had replaced milk with condensed milk. “I had to throw it in the bin and that made me feel bad because I am completely against wasting food. I vowed to never substitute ingredients again,” recounted the actress who now wants to try her hands at tiramisu, banoffee pie and a cheesecake if all the ingredients are available. Meanwhile her family has figured that Daisy needs her space in the kitchen and doesn’t interfere when she’s baking.

Pooja Hegde, who made her father a cake on his birthday recently, is learning the art and science of baking with the help of apps. “Watch a video of the process as written instructions don’t give you a clear idea. Also, you must follow the recipe to the T. If it tells you to use a square tin, don’t experiment with another shape as then the batter won’t cook properly,” cautions the actress who has burnt a few cakes of her own and wants to experiment with a lasagne next. For Nidhhi Agerwal, who has sister Tanve as her coach, it was all about polishing off the batter. “In my defense, I did turn out two cakes—one chocolate with maple syrup and an orange with jaggery—I had to know it tasted right before it went into the oven,” she chuckles, adding that she’ll now try to bake a batch of cookies for her dog, Boozo.

Coming home from school after exams was sweeter for Yami Gautam and sister Surilee, as one of their mother’s special baked treats would be waiting for them. “I used to sit for hours on end watching my mother bake. It’s magical to see cakes and pies rise in the oven. Plus, there’s chocolate involved,” gushes the actress, who has been doing some baking during the downtime and makes a mean chocolate cake herself.

Sonal Chauhan, too, has her mother to thank for inspiring her to bake. “Pre-lockdown I used to cheat with ready-made cake mixes, but the joy of baking from scratch is unmatched,” she acknowledges, admitting that she’s only now learnt not to keep opening the oven after some deflated cakes, burnt crusts and broken cookies. “I want to learn how to bake fruits now. It makes for a yummy, healthy dessert.”

Newbie baker Huma Qureshi wants to keep it simple, even if it means using a ready-made cake mix, hunt out easy recipes online, using basic ingredients available at home. “The idea is to be grateful with what we have and be conscious of those less fortunate,” she avers, and practicing what she preaches, Huma’s next baking adventure will be a microwave mug cake which will be ready to dig into in three to five minutes flat.


Huma Qureshi


Nidhhi Agerwal


Shruti Haasan

Actors in Salman Khan’s new production, which revolves around a marriage hall
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 2, 2020)

Salman Khan has locked the cast of his upcoming production, Bulbul Marriage Hall, which was to roll in April. However, owing to the Coronavirus pandemic, there’s uncertainty around the shoot now. The film, which is directed by Rohit Nayyar, is a story of two couples, Pulkit Samrat and Kriti Kharbanda, and Sunil Grover and Daisy Shah.

“It is set in Lucknow and revolves around an Indian wedding,” revealed a source close to the development, adding that it was Salman who recommended and got Sunil, with whom he recently worked in Bharat, on board. “His character has comic undertones, with plenty of humorous one-liners. He plays a brother to Pulkit in the film.”

The dialogue is by Raaj Shaandilyaa, who last directed Ayushmann Khurrana’s Dream Girl last year. “Salman has known Raaj since he was writing TV shows like Comedy Circus. Since he is from UP, the team felt he can bring local flavour into the narrative,” shared the source. Apart from Bulbul Marriage Hall, Salman is also planning to roll multiple films under his banner, which are currently in different stages of pre-production.

On the acting front, he will next be seen in the Prabhudheva-directed action-thriller, Radhe as Mumbai’s most wanted ‘bhai’, with Randeep Hooda as the antagonist. Eight-10 days of the shoot remains.