Jaya Bhattacharya, who is feeding strays, transgenders and sex workers during lockdown, shaved head when hair became hindrance; promises to continue good work
Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 17, 2020)

Jaya Bhattacharya, who has been providing ration for transgenders, sex workers and all others in need throughout the Coronavirus lockdown, insists she is only a “medium”. The actress, who became a household name playing characters like Jigyasa Bai, Payal, Sudha Bua, Sakku Bai and Vasundhra Pandey in TV serials like Kasamh Se, Kyunki...Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Gangaa, Jhansi Ki Rani and Thapki Pyar Ki, has been working for animal welfare since the last 20 years and points out that she was doing the same when the country came to a standstill.

“While trying to get police permission to get out of the house to feed strays, I came across a group of malnourished women,” she recounts, admitting that she had just Rs 3000 of her father’s pension money in her bank account at the time—for the past one year, she had been in and out of hospitals when her 90-year-old father was down with pneumonia and so couldn’t work. “With whatever ration I had stocked up, we made khichdi, which my staff and I shared with these ladies. After that, I didn’t know where to stop.”

A while later, Jaya realised that cooking so much food in her home kitchen was getting difficult and decided to distribute food packets. After she was duped by a group, her driver Shiraz, who assists her with her animal rescue work, took it upon himself to verify the credentials of everyone approaching her for help.

Support for her social work came from unexpected quarters. A gentleman based in Dallas sent her a generous donation. An inspired fan took up the same work in Turkey and started sending her pictures. Several friends from the industry, some of whom she had never interacted with, sent monetary contributions, including Renuka Shahane, Suhasini Mulay, Sunita Rajwar and Ankit Bathla. Classmates, seniors and colleagues also pitched in. Jaya, on her part, sends them a break-up of how the money has been utilised, along with a copy of the receipt, without being asked for it.

Encouraged by the response, the actress now plans to revive her NGO, Thankyou Earth, which she had registered back in 2010, so she can continue with the work even after the crisis has passed. She also started another charity, Gifting Happiness, proceeds from which will go to the causes she supports. “When a customer from Hyderabad sent me a Rs 10,000 cheque for a gift hamper that cost just Rs 1,500, I sent the remaining Rs 8,500 to an old age home in Madh Island as contribution to a solar water heater,” she informs.

Playing the good Samaritan has its share of challenges. The lift of her apartment did not operate during the initial weeks of the lockdown. So, Jaya and her helpers had to lug heavy loads of food and water several times a day. “And every time we returned home, we would take a head-to-toe hot water bath as part of the sanitisation process. I couldn’t risk my father, who is mostly bedridden, catching the virus. However, despite all the precautions, one day, I started sneezing and realised it could be because of my long, wet hair. I asked Saddam, my aide, to shave my head. For two days, he tried to make me change my mind, but I didn’t budge,” laughs the actress, who insists she has never cared for vanity. “My father was a dada of our neighbourhood. As his daughter, I have to right whatever wrongs I can, from breaking up street fights, reprimanding autorickshaws who refuse to cater to senior citizens to feeding stray dogs and taking care of the needy.”

Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 13, 2020)

Hrithik Roshan has cancelled an upcoming engagement in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak. The 46-year-old actor was to interact with American fans in Chicago, New Jersey, Dallas, San Jose, Washington DC and Atlanta in the course of a nine-day tour, starting April 10. “Hrithik and the organisers will figure out new dates once the global health scenario is stable. The tour stands postponed as of now,” revealed a source close to the development.

Meanwhile, Salman Khan’s annual concert tour to the US and Canada, organised by actor-filmmaker brother Sohail, has also been put on hold. The 54-year-old actor was to perform in Atlanta, New Jersey, Detroit, Boston, Toronto, Dallas, Houston, San Jose and Seattle from April 3 to April 12. His team confirmed the news to Mirror, saying, “It is not advisable to travel right now. We will announce fresh dates once the scare subsides.”

Dhaval Mehta (DNA; September 19, 2019)

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) on Wednesday issued notices to singers Udit Narayan, Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik to cancel their show promoted by a Pakistani national Moazzma Hunain. The singers were scheduled to perform in Dallas, USA, on November 17 at an event called Throwback 90s.

This is not the first time that the FWICE has issued notices. Punjabi artistes Diljit Dosanjh and Mika Singh were also pulled up for similar reasons. The Udta Punjab star was asked to cancel his upcoming performance in the US on September 21, which was reportedly organised by a Pakistani national, Rehan Siddiqi. Diljit clarified the matter by adding that his dealing for the show in Houston was with an entertainment network and not with the Pakistani national, as alleged in the body’s letter. The Soorma actor further claimed that he will postpone his show in the US. Mika was banned for performing in Pakistan and after apologising for his mistake, the ban was lifted by the body.

FWICE in their letter have stated, “Back of the tensions prevailing with our neighbours, more so after abrogation of Article 370, FWICE which holds the the dignity of our country as paramountly important, has time and again informed the members of the film fraternity to abstain from associating with a Pakistani National in any platform of cultural or professional activities in Pakistan or in any part of the world.”

Udit Narayan told After Hrs that he wasn’t aware of the presence of a Pakistani national, and won’t be doing the show now. The singer said, “Yes, I have received the notice from the FWICE. When I had signed the contract two-three months back, I had made it clear that I won’t be doing the show if any Pakistani is involved in it. I will also issue a written statement to the FWICE. I have received the highest civilian awards from the government (Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan) and won’t be doing anything ever that ruins the reputation of India.”

Veteran singer Kumar Sanu wasn’t aware of the notice issued by the FWICE when we spoke to him. He said, “I haven’t received any letter as of now, and I’m not aware of this development. I’m hearing about this first from you. Let me go through the letter and then I’ll respond on my next step.” However, when we tried calling him again, there was no response from him till the time of going to press. All the same, the artiste had emphasised, “I will always stand with India and will not be involved in any activity promoted by Pakistanis.”

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; August 27, 2019)

Recently, Saif Ali Khan wrapped up the shoot of his film Jawaani Jaaneman in London, and after celebrating his birthday there on August 16, returned to India on August 21. The following night, the actor flew to the US where he has embarked on a unique tour. The Baazaar star is holding talk shows in different cities of America, where he is interacting with his fans on a personal level talking about his work and life experiences. He has already visited San Jose, Seattle and Dallas. His next talk show will be in Houston on August 30 followed by Atlanta on 31st and New Jersey on September 1.

When asked about the idea behind it, Saif, who garnered rave reviews and global recognition for his turn as a cop in a web series based on Vikram Chandra’s book Sacred Games, says, “It is a kind of ‘TED Talk’. It’s a chance to interact with fans abroad intimately. To chat with them about personal things and professional. The audience should enjoy a different kind of interaction. It’s not performing as much as a glimpse into the real person, to laugh together and connect. I feel much closer to the people I have spoken to. It’s a great type of promotion for the work we do.” Saif will next be seen in Laal Kaptaan as a Naga Sadhu.

Ayushmann Khurrana on how his latest music endeavour, Jam Sessions, hopes to bank on the power of social media to rope in promising talent
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; April 29, 2019)

As recently as 2014, Ayushmann Khurrana recalls receiving a call that would change his trajectory as a musician. Arijit Singh was struggling to make it to Dallas, Texas, where his band awaited him for a scheduled performance, and had turned to Khurrana to play proxy. Without the support of his own band, and sans any rehearsal, Khurrana turned up at Dallas to practice with Singh's band for that evening's gig. "I saw a crowd of 50,000 members at that football stadium. It gave me goose-bumps. That set of 10 songs rendered over 40 minutes was my first live set. It was the best experience of my life; one that triggered the idea of setting up my own band," says the actor as he connects with us moments before hopping aboard a flight to San Diego, where he and the band will play a live gig.

Earned opportunities
Khurrana doesn't mince words when acknowledging that it was an opportunity afforded to him by his career as an actor. It's also the reason behind his decision to back those who cannot avail that ticket to fame. In association with Facebook, the actor recently announced his music endeavour, Jam Sessions, which aspires to rope in talent from social media for a music project. He isn't sure what it is, just yet. For now, he's sailing with the tide. "There's no dearth of talent on social media. With reality shows concentrating on singers, such musicians don't get a platform. So, I wanted to create an opportunity that would help us do something together. In this era, you don't need a godfather. If you're talented, you will be appreciated."

His fan base exposes him to a wide array of artistes. But, Khurrana knows that a band is built on camaraderie as much as it is on ability. "I hope we gel together," he says, adding that he's yet to see where the aspirants' skills take him. "Our project will depend on the talent. We will crack a certain genre, or perhaps try a fusion of sorts, if the [talent is diverse]. [Based on the initial samples], we're edging towards creating something that's semi-classical-meets-alternative-rock. It will be interesting."

A rich bag of experience
Although only partially trained in classical music, a look back at the wealth of experiences he has gained during his teenage years is almost a testimony of his prowess behind the mic. Growing up with a grandmother and father who devoured music, he was exposed to ghazal maestros at the age of five. "Music was basically at the forefront at home. My family was fond of every genre, including Sufi, classical, indie and retro. I was exposed to it all, and that's also how I consume music even today." And although he was mesmerised by the freedom that a profession like acting afforded over music, the latter always lingered throughout his time in college.

"It was an intrinsic part of the theatre. I was also part of a choir and sang folk songs when doing street theatre. We'd add our own flavour to them, or even create our compositions. During college trips, I'd meet musicians from festivals, and jam with them. I began discovering contemporary and desi music at the same time. When the [theatre group] sang in local trains, merely to entertain passengers, we realised how enamoured people were on seeing three guitarists, a percussionist, and singers."

MUMBAI MIRROR (September 24, 2016)

It was 15 years ago that Ajay Devgn travelled to the US with the Rajkumar Santoshi-directed biopic, The Legend of Bhagat Singh, covering the Orlando city of Florida and San Francisco. He fell in love with the latter, in particular Disneyland, when he spent some time holidaying after the work was done.

Now, eight years after his directorial debut, the romance-drama U Me Aur Hum, the 47-year-old actor-director is touring the States again, having covered New York City and Dallas, with actress-wife Kajol to promote his follow-up directorial, Shivaay. Set for release on October 28, the action-thriller has generated a lot of buzz across the Atlantic, with fans likening its action sequences to Hollywood's.

Fans are also taking due note of Ajay's deep voice and intense eyes. One of them, an Indian-origin American star in his own right, recently dropped by to meet the Devgns in Dallas for some face time. Twenty-year-old Satnam Singh Bhamara, the first Indian basketball player to be drafted into the NBA when he was picked in 2015, and who currently plays for the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League, towered over the star couple. The 7 feet 2 inches athlete admitted to be a huge fan of Ajay and Kajol. That's desi bonding on foreign shores!

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 10, 2016)

After wrapping up his schedule of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil in Jaipur with co-stars Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma, Fawad Khan is on his annual month-long musical and charity tour in the US with his wife Sadaf and son Ayaan.

The 34-year-old actor first landed in Seattle on April 30 and addressed an audience of 200 students on what are perceived as "third world countries".

Dressed in a three-piece suit, Fawad looked khoobsurat as he stuck to belting out "Bolna" from his last release, Kapoor and Sons, while the gathered guests sent in requests for more numbers. "It is my favourite song and thank you for such a warm reception, Seattle," he shared on social media with a video of his performance.

Fawad was one of the founding members of the Lahore-based Entity Paradigm, an alternative rock band which was dissolved in 2007. He has since been pursuing a solo music career and even hummed a few lines of "Chand Si Mehbooba Ho Meri" in the Shakun Batra film.

On May 3, he headed to Dallas and performed at the Islam Relief USA (IRUSA) fundraiser where 20 volunteers joined him on stage. "The family celebrated Mother's Day with a cake and a private dinner on Sunday in New Jersey, which was the next destination of the tour. On Monday, they were joined by award-winning photographer, Asim Farooki, and jewellery designer, Samreen Vance, who specially flew to America for the conference," informs a source close to the actor.

Amidst the tour, with five more cities to go to, including Washington DC and New York, Fawad has been obliging his fans at the venues with pictures, before he returns to Pakistan by May-end, where he will begin filming Albela Rahi -- a biopic on the legendary Urdu pop singer Alamgir. The actor plays the 61-year-old musician in the film.

He promises to be back in B-town once the details of his third film are finalised. Another Dharma Production, maybe?