Titas Chowdhury (BOMBAY TIMES; May 8, 2020)

The busting of the controversial Boys Locker Room, a chat room run by a bunch of Delhi boys on Instagram, has sent social media into a tizzy. Among many celebrities who have raised their voice against the content of the conversation is Amyra Dastur, who took to social media to express her opinions. Talking about it, she says, “I understand the need to look cool when you’re young. I believe we do say really stupid things when we’re growing up but there’s a line, and it scares me that they’ve crossed it. Rape is not a joke. And it’s this mentality that gives birth to criminals.”

She believes that a dialogue on gender-based violence among youngsters is the need of the hour. “People say sex education should be provided in schools but more than that, boys should be spoken to about domestic abuse, molestation and rape. They should be made to meet female victims and survivors, and hear their stories. One has to empathise with the situation to change a mind-set,” she says.

Due to the Coronavirus lockdown, the actor had to celebrate a quiet birthday with her parents a day ago. “I was supposed to be shooting in Chandigarh for a project and I requested my director to give me the day off so that I could travel to Amritsar and visit the Golden Temple,” she shares.

This year, Dastur aims to put her social responsibility to practice apart from hoping that everyone will continue to be kind to Mother Nature. “I’ve already donated to an NGO called Samarpan. I’ve put money in the accounts of a few workers from the industry and now I’m looking to donate money to the migrant workers in person or through their bank accounts so that I know it has reached them,” she signs off.

Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 14, 2019)

Bollywood couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh had a fairytale wedding last year, and while they were reluctant to admit their relationship before marriage, post it, they’ve been setting major #couplegoals. And, completing a year of togetherness, Deepika says the past year has been “fun.”

“Before marriage, we kept it traditional. We didn’t want to live in and discover each other before we tied the knot. We are both quite traditional in that way. Discovering different aspects about each other, and living with each other, has been so much fun,” gushes the 33-year-old.

Their two-day wedding celebrations in Lake Como (Italy) had two ceremonies — the first one was a traditional Konkani Brahmin style wedding on November 14, followed by Anand Karaj the next day. While their wedding was an elaborate affair, followed by multiple receptions, the couple is keeping things very low-key for their anniversary celebrations. They will visit Tirupati Balaji temple and the Padmavathi temple, Andhra Pradesh, today and then fly to Amritsar to visit the Golden Temple tomorrow.

The couple has been busy for the past one year with their respective work commitments. However, Deepika says they have always made sure to make time for each other. She says, “Yes, we’ve been extremely busy. We’ve had our hands full with our work commitments and it’ll be like this for a while. But despite that, whatever time off we get, we spend it with each other. We value that time and look forward to it.”

The pair, who had worked together in films like Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013), Bajirao Mastani (2015) and Padmaavat (2018), have collaborated after marriage, too. They star together in the upcoming sports drama ’83 in which Ranveer plays the role of cricketer Kapil Dev and Deepika, his wife, Romi Dev. So, how has it been working together post-marriage? She says,“It wasn’t any different. We’re both so obsessed with our work on the set that we don’t think about our personal relationship. We think about our characters and the nuances of the scenes. When the camera starts to roll, we are actors, not husband-wife.”

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; July 30, 2019)

Actor Randeep Hooda gave almost three years of his career to a passion project that didn’t see its completion. To get over something that you are so invested in isn’t easy. However, like his home, which exudes peace and zen-like calm, he, too, seems positively cut off from the noise and nature of the world, which thrives on the endless rat race. In a chat with BT (we must add, it took the philosophical route), Randeep tells us how the dark phase in his life helped him evolve as a person, and how being disconnected from the world of instant gratification, vanity and social media frenzy can actually help. Excerpts:

You have a slew of interesting projects lined up with people like Imtiaz Ali, Mira Nair and actor Chris Hemsworth, but you almost went incognito for close to three years. What were you up to?
I have taken breaks before, but this was perhaps the longest since the time I started to matter. While I was away, I discovered new ways of approaching life. I went to the Golden Temple (Amritsar) and took an oath not to cut my hair till the movie (Battle of Saragarhi) reached its completion. Through the course of working on that film, I found more meaning to life than just being an actor. I always wanted to know more about life beyond the movies. I got to pursue that… be it wildlife photography or nature conservation. I did seva, along with other things, which I didn’t have the time to do earlier. I was doing four films a year before that, so I was fortunate to get this time for myself and explore other things.

As an actor, it is harder to get the right opportunity, than to execute it well. I completely lost my sense of vanity and I am trying to be a better person. With the long beard and hair, I unlearned what it is like to behave like an actor. I explored the depths to which you can go to become someone else all over again after Sarbjit (2016; right). For that film, I gave a few months, but for Saragarhi, I almost gave three years of my professional life. The film didn’t happen, but nonetheless, it was a great experience for me.

Talking about Battle of Saragarhi,you even shot a certain portion of that film. So, what happened after that? The Akshay Kumar-starrer, Kesari, was inspired by the same historical event. Was that the reason why your film came to a halt?
We shot about 30-40 per cent of the film. We had started much before Kesari took off. In fact, I congratulated Akshay Kumar when Kesari was announced. They were different films, though the premise was the same. Every film has its own vision, so Kesari wasn’t an issue. Our director was Rajkumar Santoshi, who has made some inspirational films. He may be able to answer this question better. Everything fell into place and then fell apart. I don’t know if I want to go back to that. There were various factors. If things have to happen, they find a way. I am raring to do more work now (smiles).

Two films can be made on the same topic. Do you think the makers buckled under the pressure of a similar commercial film and hence, decided to drop the idea of making it?
They never told me that they are shelving it (laughs!). I let go of a lot of work to do this film, but I wasn’t in charge of it. I was just an actor, and making a film is not an actor’s call. I don’t think that the film buckled under pressure, and there were no creative differences either. It felt conspired. A lot of things happened. Like I said, every film has its own destiny. It’s not stalled in spirit, though. I have taken it in my stride. If I look back, I went through a dark phase, but I came through. I got forged into the fire for a better future. That is how I see it. You have to look at the positives. I have always been in awe of actors who can transform on screen — Joaquin Phoenix, Christian Bale, Daniel Day-Lewis. This film was a great lesson in transformation.

When did you finally decide to let go?
I couldn’t abandon the film as I was literally living that character. The day I shaved off my head to shoot my upcoming film with Chris Hemsworth, that day it was over for me. I went to the Gurudwara and sought maafi as I had vowed that I won’t shave my head until that movie was completed. I was in tears when I shaved off my head and beard. I have kept that hair with me. For this film, I gave it my all.

Was that the darkest phase of your career?
Not at all. Yes, it affected me the most and taught me a lot for the better. When you get into the habit of jumping from one character to another, your passion starts feeling like work. Yes, acting is work — it is a way to earn money and keeps you relevant, but for me, it’s always more about the experience of playing different people and exploring our nature as human beings.

When I started my film career, I used to do one film a year. I actually believed in the overabused term — method acting. This phase made me think about why I got into acting in the first place. I distinctly remember, while studying I also drove cabs in Australia for three years in night shifts, which became my groundwork for acting as people get into your cab and forget that you are there. They think aloud, talk to each other or on phones and through that, you get to know a lot about people and their lives. I realised at that point that if I had to choose a career in life, it had to be something I loved. My dislike for the mundane led me to acting and that feeling still holds. Acting does become about lunch breaks and call times eventually, but it’s still fascinating.

We hear even the film ’83, based on India’s World Cup win (which Ranveer Singh is now doing with a different director), and Shahid Kapoor’s role in Padmaavat were offered to you, but you didn’t make the final cut...
The films I didn’t do were not in my destiny. It doesn’t affect me. I have had many such missed opportunities, and roles that I almost did, but were pushed under the carpet. I turned down some roles and some didn’t work out, but you can’t mull over such things. You have to focus on what you have in hand. Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan (who made the film Lahore) was to direct ’83, but it fizzled out. I wish Ranveer well.

Sarbjit is one of your finest performances till date. There are many who feel that you didn’t get the level of appreciation or awards you deserved for the film...
I have never been a favourite for awards. I have not toed the line in a lot of ways that you are perhaps expected to in this industry. I also feel that it’s in bad taste to sit here and say that I didn’t get an award for this or I wasn’t appreciated for that. You just have to move on. I remember I was noticed for my performance in Jannat 2 (2012). All of a sudden, people wrote great things about me. I was shooting for other films and I started to do certain things in those films because of that appreciation. I thought that this is what people want. I called up Naseer bhai (Naseeruddin Shah) and said, ‘Uss part ka mayil main yaha dho raha hoon’. He said, ‘There is this monastery in the Himalayas where monks make structures out of sand. They complete it, look at it and then kick it. Then they make another one. You have to do that.’ I have tried not to repeat what I thought had worked for me. I don’t know how much of it comes across, but I have tried to differentiate every part. By that, I don’t mean changing hairstyles and belts, it goes deeper than that. Recognition is a funny thing. You have to reach a place where you and your loved ones are happy with what you have done. The rest is an exercise of manipulation of thoughts, the impression you project or how you sell yourself as an actor. I am not good at that.

Be it beach clean-ups, helping flood-affected people, wildlife conservation, or spreading awareness about water crisis... you are constantly doing your bit for the society. Does this make you feel more real, more alive?
When you read the news, you feel that everything is bad in the world. That frustrated me. There are so many good people, who don’t get written about. You can’t change the world, but sometimes, doing one good thing is enough. Do your bit. It makes you feel ki aaj kuch kiya hai. You will not get that feeling by going to the gym. I truly believe that our self-centred approach to life makes us feel empty. When I was learning about seva, I realised that there’s so much to do. Also, you cannot exhaust your resources. You need to rebuild it by working in your professional space, so that you can help others. You are mortal, so you should do your bit while you can. It keeps you real. If you are real in life, it reflects in your performances as well.

You have now taken to photography... Is it your way of looking at life through a different lens?
Yes, I have bought myself a fancy camera. It’s also a way of spending more time in the wild. That’s another excuse to get away from the instant gratification and sense of self-importance that social media gives you. Everything is fast now. It’s a struggle to be honest and find honesty today, within yourself, your work and amongst people.

After Badrinath Ki Dulhania, the actor kicks off a new series with a dance film in Punjab
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 23, 2019)

Remo D’souza’s yet-untitled musical featuring Varun Dhawan in the lead, kicks off today with a seven-day schedule in the fields of Punjab. The team, spearheaded by producer Bhushan Kumar, landed in Amritsar on Tuesday and promptly headed for the Golden Temple. “We’ve got a lot of positive energy from the temple and are now geared up for the shoot. It’s an exciting project for our music label to be associated with, since being a dance film it has scope for a lot of songs. We have 12 in all and Sachin-Jigar’s album will be a mix of original, folk and recreated songs,” an excited Bhushan told Mirror later in the evening.

Talking about the first schedule, he informed that they will be shooting for a Punjabi wedding song, followed by a few emotional sequences featuring Varun and his reel life family. After this, they will fly off to London for a 40-day schedule that begins on February 10. The film opens on November 8. “I’ve known Varun’s father (director David Dhawan) and his brother Rohit since a long time. I share a friendly equation with him as well. Varun has a great sense of script and music, he is involved in every aspect of filmmaking,” asserted Bhushan who is producing the film with Remo’s wife, Lizelle D’souza.

Bhushan confirms that the film is not a part of any franchise and that they will reveal the title soon. “It’s a completely original concept which we are planning to spin into a franchise,” he stated.

Mirror had earlier reported (January 7) that Shraddha Kapoor had stepped in for Katrina Kaif who had to opt out as the dates clashed with Salman Khan’s Bharat. She is currently learning different dance forms with Remo’s team and will join the unit in London. Nora Fatehi also plays a pivotal role.

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; February 23, 2018)

Barely out of cousin Mohit Marwah’s wedding festivities in Ras Al-Khaimah, Arjun Kapoor has dived headlong into the first schedule of Namastey England. The actor chose to kick-start the Amritsar schedule on an auspicious note yesterday by visiting the Golden Temple with director Vipul Shah and co-star Parineeti Chopra.

Talking about his first visit to the holy shrine, Kapoor says, “Being there evokes a surreal feeling. To visit the temple on the same day when my film rolls, is a memory that will always be special.” Kapoor and Chopra set the ball rolling by filming a comic scene in a bylane near the spiritual site.

“Given Arjun and Parineeti’s rapport, they shot worked out smoothly without many retakes,” reveals the unit hand, adding that Shah treated the crew to sumptuous Punjabi meal of chhole kulche. The fortnight-long schedule will be followed by a stint in Patiala.

Soha Ali Khan on being trolled for pictures at a Ganpati pandal recently
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 14, 2016)

Earlier this month, Soha Ali Khan’s visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar had invited scathing comments from social media trolls, who questioned her ‘disloyalty’ to her religion. Assailed with a sense of déjà vu, the actress has once again been targeted by online bullies for posting pictures at a Ganpati pandal last week.

Soha hasn’t reacted to any of the venomous comments, but when we caught up with her, she made her anger apparent. “My religion is my business alone. Whether I choose to do namaz or go to a church, how does it affect anyone? People shouldn’t bother about what’s not their business. I am all for freedom of expression, but being told how going to a temple makes me a non-Muslim is plain callous. No one has the right to say that. I am not a commodity and so, a particular community cannot own me. Our social fabric is so rich because we are diverse. Respect each other’s choices,” she says.

Soha, daughter of late cricketer Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi and veteran actress Sharmila Tagore, says she has as many fond memories of Eid festivities with family in Pataudi as Durga Puja celebrations in Calcutta. “Similarly, Diwali is celebrated with gusto at my home. That’s the culture India signifies, not the one of hatred that people commenting on my timeline are trying to propagate. I try not to be affected by it and frankly, as long as no one is coming into my private space or harming me physically, I don’t care. But those who are desperate to have an opinion on my life, at least try to have an educated one,” the actress says.

The actress took part in the seva at the Golden Temple while shooting during the Amritsar schedule of her film
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 27, 2016)

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who began filming for the Amritsar schedule of Omung Kumar's Sarabjit biopic earlier this month, recently took part in the seva at the Harmandir Sahib, Golden Temple as part of the shoot.

The 42-year-old actress joined devotees in washing dishes, sweeping the floor, and cooking. "She requested the temple officials to guide her so she could avoid mistakes," reveals a source from the location, adding that the Bachchan bahu also partook of the langar.

Word of her presence on the premises got around quickly with visitors eager to catch a glimpse of the actress. Ash who plays Dalbir Kaur, sister of the late Sarabjit Singh, who was captured by Pakistan in 1991 and tried on charges of terrorism in 2013, is accompanied by daughter Aaradhya and mother Vrinda Rai on the schedule. She was recently spotted posing with the Border Security Force (BSF) jawans while shooting in Punjab.

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 13, 2016)

Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; February 3, 2015)