Farah Khan, who subbed for Rohit Shetty for the special edition of his stunt reality show, admits she’s terrified of creepy crawlies
Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 28, 2020)

On Sunday, Farah Khan posted a picture of herself from the set of Khatron Ke Khiladi—Made In India, at Film City, exulting that being back at a shoot is a “Top Of The World” feeling. Posing beside a bike with a helmet in hand, she looked every inch the daredevil host of a stunt reality show, but the filmmaker insists she was far from one.

“The channel warned me I couldn’t feel sorry for the contestants, most of whom I know from before, and tell them they could abort the task whenever they were in pain. But the fact is that I’m the first host on the show who was actually scared,” the director-choreographer chuckles, admitting that while she does not fear heights, some of the outdoor stunts in the curtain-raiser episodes made her worry. “For instance, when a car goes underwater, it can be really scary. And it would take a lot of money to make me get anywhere near creepy crawlies.”

Rithvik Dhanjani, Harsh Limbachiyaa, Rashami Desai, Nia Sharma, Jasmine Bhasin, Aly Goni, Jay Bhanushali and Karan Wahi are tackling their fears for this special edition of the show which is being shot entirely in India, Mumbai to be specific. Farah filled in for filmmaker-friend Rohit Shetty for the first weekend and acknowledges that it’s not something she ever saw herself doing. “But as the only woman director who’s had a lot of action in her films and a reality show junkie, I was on board in a flash when Rohit asked me to,” says Farah, who has hosted chat and cookery shows of her own and been a judge on several editions of Indian Idol and Nach Baliye. “Unlike Rohit, who can perform the stunts he gives the contestants, I was a funny host who kept spirits high.”

Her biggest fear was stepping out amidst the Coronavirus pandemic and she carried a suitcase full of essentials, including a bedsheet to cover her vanity van sofa, towels and napkins on all three days of the shoot. “The joy of being on a set is that you meet people and hug them, but here I was spraying everyone’s hands with sanitisers like it was puja ka prasad and screaming at them to wear masks. Even the food that I took along had to be sent to individual vanity vans,” she rues.

Insisting that this is the new norm and the sooner we accept it the better, she points out that after the 9/11 terror attacks, the travelling protocol changed completely and after the initial grouses, everyone accepted it as the norm. “I’ve never seen so many people out on the streets; it’s like a party out there. If people who don’t need to venture out, stay home, people who have to work can step out. I was adamant about not stepping out for any reason apart from work,” she grumbles.

However, having finished her part of the shoot, Farah is now isolating herself in a bedroom for the next seven-10 days and will only surface after she gets tested. “Shirish (Kunder, filmmaker-husband) has been shifted out of the bedroom and I think he’s enjoying the break,” she laughs, adding that her kids, who were in shock when they heard about her hosting the Indian Fear Factor, now think she’s cool. “We stand at each other’s bedroom doors and pretend to hug. They are on a break from school currently, so Anya and Diva have started a virtual party planning venture. Czar was labelled ‘irritating’ and fired by the girls. Now he’s looking for a job,” she deadpans.

Will she join Rohit to wrap up the show that she kicked off? “That depends on how the first two episodes fare. But I’d love to,” she signs off.

Prashant Singh (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 4, 2020)

Every morning, when she wakes up, Farah Khan doesn’t have just her family or loved ones on her mind but also many others, who “are going through unimaginable situations” during the Coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing lockdown. “I have a simple mantra: I must do one good deed every day,” says the 55-year-old filmmaker.

Be it getting sanitary napkins for lady cops, arranging for masks and groceries, distributing water bottles among migrant labourers, helping a lady in Chennai who takes care of street dogs (after reading a story in HT City/Café’s special section Six Shots of Life) or now, “initiating the process of sponsoring” the education of Jyoti Kumari Paswan (the 15-year-old girl who cycled with her father from Gurugram to Bihar’s Darbhanga), Khan has been at it, without break.

“Not just me, there are so many people who want to do good work but don’t know how to do it. But at the same time, I am so proud of my friends such as Sonu Sood (actor), Vikas Khanna (chef) and even Shah Rukh (Khan; actor) — who is doing amazing work through Meer Foundation,” says the Main Hoon Na (2004) director, whose 12-year-old daughter, Anya, has raised ₹3 lakh through her sketches. “Till date, Anya — who is an animal lover — has done about 150 sketches. It’s nominally priced at ₹1,000 per sketch, but people have paid more as well,” she says.

The money has been used to buy groceries for people in slum pockets of areas such as Thane, Kalyan and Juhu Galli in Mumbai. The lady in Chennai was also helped through Anya’s sketch money.

Reportedly, politician and environmentalist Maneka Gandhi even wrote a mail to Khan, expressing how she was “very impressed” by Anya’s work. Ask the filmmaker about it, and she says, “I’ll continue to do whatever is within my capacity. I lived through a poor childhood. Probably, that’s why I’m empathetic towards people, especially the poor. I’ve worked very hard — and also had God’s blessings — to reach where I am today. So, the idea should be to give back to the needy when you have enough.”

As Devon Ke Dev Mahadev returns to the tube as part of the lockdown line-up, Mohit Raina discusses how his reclusive nature is at odds with showbiz
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; May 31, 2020)

Five years after it was first telecast, Devon Ke Dev—Mahadev is returning to television as part of the lockdown line-up. The mythological series made Mohit Raina, who played the titular role, an overnight sensation. His popularity can be gauged from the fact that Priyanka Chopra's aunt had stated then that Mahadev would be the ideal partner for her niece.

Even as he has graduated to movies and web outings, Raina considers the television show the turning point of his career. "It got me noticed. I am thankful for the immense love I still receive from fans," he says.

While most actors would be flattered to have fans and paparazzi following their every move, in Raina's book, that may not be necessarily a good thing. Known to guard his privacy, the reticent actor prefers to stay away from the public glare. "That's my nature. I prefer not to be socially visible. I want to lead a normal life as far as possible. One can only talk about something when s/he has a project that is up for release, otherwise there is not much to say."

As an afterthought, he takes a good-humoured dig at his co-star as he quips, "I should be more out there and try to beat Jacqueline Fernandez who has over 40 million followers on Instagram."

The actor recently shared screen space with her in the Netflix film, Mrs Serial Killer. He recounts that when Mahadev was at its peak, producer Farah Khan had got her kids, Anya, Diva and Czar, to meet him as they loved the show. "Later, I connected with her at Punit Malhotra's birthday party. She invited me home for tea, and offered me the role of the cop."

Raina, whose recent digital outings include Bhaukaal and Kaafir, is keen to balance Bollywood with the web world. He has wrapped up Kunal Deshmukh's Shiddat: Journey Beyond Love. "It was slated to release in September, but with the turn of events, I don't know how things will play out."

Sonil Dedhia (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 15, 2020)

From channelling their inner masterchefs, to dishing out some cool makeup tips and also learning a new instrument, Bollywood star kids are being creative while staying indoors due the ongoing pandemic. As B-Town continues to contribute and raise awareness, even their kids are doing their bit in this collective fight against the deadly novel Coronavirus. Farah Khan Kunder’s triplets, 12, too, have used social media to create awareness and raise money for the needy.

Her son, Czar Kunder, composed a rap song, titled Need To Survive, through which he requests people to stay optimistic and healthy. Kunder says, “My son didn’t just sing and rap, but also wrote the song. My daughters (Diva and Anya) helped him direct and edit the song and they did all this in five days. I was really impressed with them.”

Anya, too, is raising money for stray animals through painting. “She loves animals. Since we all are at home, Anya decided to use this time in a constructive manner. She has raised more than ₹70,000 in a week’s time by sketching pictures of pets for ₹1,000 a sketch,” she says.

Kunder adds that she is a proud parent, “My kids are worried about people not getting food or animals being abandoned and they want to contribute in little ways. At a time like this, even a ₹10 donation makes a huge difference and I am really proud of them.”

With owners abandoning pets fearing Coronavirus, Alia Bhatt, Farah Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez pool resources for the welfare of strays
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; April 1, 2020)

At a time when several owners have abandoned their pets owing to misplaced notion that they can be carriers of the Coronavirus, Bollywood is leading the way in ensuring the welfare of stray animals. mid-day has learnt that Alia Bhatt — a self-confessed "cat lady" who dotes on her pets, Edward, Sheeba and Pica — and sister Shaheen have contributed to the World For All Animal Care and Adoptions (WFA) to ensure that strays don't face starvation. Farah Khan, who became an animal lover after daughter Anya adopted two strays, has joined forces with WFA and mobilised B-Town stars to spread the good word.

Khan says that she became part of the endeavour when Anya highlighted the issue. "Anya has contributed her entire piggybank savings of Rs 5,000 to the NGO to feed stray dogs. I, too, did my bit. Dogs are starving on the streets; in such a situation, we must do what we can. Alia too is a fierce animal lover, and supports [the organisation's] initiatives," says the director-choreographer. She found the biggest cheerleader for the cause in pet owner Jacqueline Fernandez. "I shared the WFA poster with Jacqueline, Tabu and my other friends in Bollywood. Anya is also making posters as she was traumatised when she heard that people are abandoning their pets on the roads."

Taronish Bulsara, president and co-founder of WFA, says the not-for-profit organisation has kicked off a feeding programme, bolstered by the funds coming their way. He shares, "I didn't approach anybody; from Farah to Alia and sister Shaheen, to Karim Morani and his children — all these wonderful people made contributions. Anju Mahendroo, Jacqueline, Tiger Shroff, Kunal Kemmu and Rohan Joshi too have supported the cause." Bulsara adds that the deployed teams go to various localities around the city and feed the dogs. "With their support, we can now feed 400-plus animals in Mumbai. We are also taking care of strays in two villages in Raigad."

12-year-old Czar makes singing debut with a number on the pandemic, video shot by filmmaker - choreographer's daughter Diva
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; March 28, 2020)

A day after she expressed her dismay at B- Town celebrities sharing their workout videos on social media when the world is facing a crisis, Farah Khan tells mid-day that she has ensured her 12-year-old triplets - Diva, Anya and Czar - use the time for more fruitful endeavours. While Anya is doing her bit for the welfare of stray animals, Czar has penned and composed a rap number about the Coronavirus.

"They have been hearing our conversations, and understand the gravity of the situation. Their father [filmmaker Shirish Kunder] has taught them how to use the synthesizer and how to compose music. So, Czar wrote and composed a song that focuses on how the virus spreads, what can be done to prevent it and how to combat it," says the director-choreographer.

His partner-in-crime is sister Diva, who shot the video at Khan's spacious Andheri apartment.

What was her first reaction to seeing her children's labour of love? "I told Czar that he has to add subtitles as I cannot understand what he is rapping," she laughs, before adding that the two are currently editing the music video. "We will put it up on social media soon." The song will also be shared on Czar's YouTube channel.

MID-DAY (November 17, 2018)

Like every year, Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan are pulling out all stops for daughter Aaradhya’s birthday. Since the tiny tot turned seven yesterday, we hear the couple is hosting a grand bash — with the theme of ‘Lucky number seven’ — at their Juhu bungalow this evening.

Says a guest invited for the do, “Aishwarya has been planning the party for days, looking into every detail, including the invites, the cake and decor. The theme of the bash is seven, so the decor is along the lines of the seven wonders of the world and the hues of the rainbow. The cake too is in the shape of the numeral.” The do will serve as the perfect occasion for the star kids to catch up.

On the guest list are Aamir Khan’s son Azad, Shah Rukh Khan’s son AbRam, Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna’s daughter Nitara, Farah Khan’s triplets — Czar, Anya and Diva — and Sanjay Dutt’s twins Shahraan and Iqra, among others.