Shiney Ahuja is out on bail and "flooded with film offers"; awaits the release of a love story with Preity Zinta the year-end and is turning over a new leaf
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 19, 2015)


Shiney Ahuja recalls his first day on the set of a film, after a two-year-long sabbatical. Anil Kapoor had rushed towards him, wrapping him up in a bear hug, guffawing, "Welcome back, my boy," and left him teary-eyed. "And that's when I knew I was making a comeback," the actor told Mirror.

The 40-year-old had made headlines in June 2009, when he was accused of raping his domestic help. Two years later, in March 2011, the trial court convicted the actor and sentenced him to seven years rigorous imprisonment. Out on bail, and his plea for expeditious hearing having been rejected by the Bombay High Court, the actor signed his Bollywood comeback wagon, Welcome Back in March 2014.

But while the cast of the film, John Abraham, Shruti Haasan, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Naseeruddin Shah and Paresh Rawal, have been rigorously promoting the film, Shiney seems to be off the radar. "Anees is my older brother and now my best friend. There is nothing wrong between us. I was out of the country for the last two months with my family and just got back this week. After the launch of the trailer, Anees had called and said that they had all missed me," Shiney insists.

The actor plays Honey, Naseeruddin Shah's spoilt son, who is a druggie. "But I'm not similar to Honey at all," he laughs, adding, "I am an army man's son and we fauji kids are not spoilt brats". He adds that his character is extremely soft-hearted and gullible; like someone who has never killed a fly in his life.

While filming in Dubai, the actor shared a vanity van with the other men on the sets, since there were only two vans allowed in the desert and the ladies had occupied one. All his nervousness was quickly overshadowed by the new-found camaraderie among the co-stars on the sets. "It was too hot and everyone was sharing the van. We were a boy gang, making jokes and pulling each other's legs. And I was very much a part of it," he says.

The actor, who made a critically acclaimed debut in 2005 for his role in Sudhir Mishra's Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, bagging the Filmfare Award for Best Debut - Male, had backed his hit with a thrilling performance in Anurag Basu's Gangster. But later, things went downhill for Shiney. He says his real friends have stayed by his side. "Anurag Basu and Sudhir Mishra are very close to me. They've always been by my side. In tough times, you come to know who your real friends are. It happens to everybody," he says.

The actor refuses to speak against the Bhatts, who had dropped him from a project when he needed it the most. Mahesh Bhatt had told Mirror (February 28) that he did not want fingers pointed at the banner. "Bhatt Saab is dear to me and has always been there," says Shiney curtly.

Later this year, the actor will be seen in Har Pal, also featuring Preity Zinta and helmed by National award-winning filmmaker Jahnu Barua. Shiney denies that the film has been stalled and says that it will release by the end of the year. "The film is complete and I am eagerly awaiting its release," says Shiney.

On the personal front, the actor says that his family has moved on and has started a fresh chapter in their life. His wife Anupam and he, love watching movies and have seen Gulzar's Angoor over a 100 times, comedy capers being a favourite in the family.

And even though his wife is looking forward to his comeback, he is unsure if he'll take his seven-year-old daughter for a screening of Welcome Back. "My daughter is too young and hasn't seen my films. I do not think she will ever be able to see her father cry, like I did in the climax of Gangster. She'll be too scared to sit through Bhool Bhulaiyaa," he says, adding that he hopes to have a movie marathon with her.

As he gears up for his comeback, Shiney Ahuja, who lives in the same house, insists he is not nursing any grudges and is thankful to all those, including his heroines, who stood by him
Roshmilla Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 17, 2015)

Seema Sinha (BOMBAY TIMES; February 7, 2014)

Shiney Ahuja, who quietly exited the limelight following rape charges four years back has been wanting to return to Bollywood for sometime now. And the actor was recently spotted with wife Anupam at Anurag Basu’s Saraswati Puja. While his wife appeared friendly and was seen meeting and greeting friends with a broad smile, Shiney, who has put on some weight with his face looking puffy, looked a bit uncomfortable and uneasy in his body language with people around him. He was quiet throughout and spoke only when spoken to. So, what next and Shiney replied, “I am waiting for my two releases — Ek Accident and Har Pal. I am also reading some scripts,” he said. Since he didn’t sound too enthusiastic about his work, when asked whether he plans to do something else in the future, he smiled, “What else can I do in my life besides acting?”