Showing posts with label Helen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Helen. Show all posts
Lilavati Hospital doctor says Salim Khan is out of danger, but discharge still not on cards
8:29 AM
Bella Jaisinghani (THE TIMES OF INDIA; February 18, 2026)
Mumbai: Noted film writer Salim Khan was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Bandra for an undisclosed ailment Tuesday morning. He is 90 years old.
His superstar son Salman Khan brought him to hospital from his home in nearby Bandstand which is located in Bandra suburb too. His other sons Arbaaz and Sohail Khan and daughters Alvira and Arpita were reported to be concerned and were preparing to visit him in hospital.
Born Salim Abdul Rashid Khan on November 24, 1935, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Salim Khan acquired a semblance of fame as a supporting actor in films like Baraat, Teesri Manzil -- and Sarhadi Lootera where he first met Javed Akhtar. Khan then struck gold as he went on to write stories, scripts, screenplays and dialogues for numerous movies.
He made a stellar combination with Javed Akhtar, and the Salim-Javed pair of writers achieved stardom with memorable blockbuster movies like Haathi Mere Saathi, Zanjeer, Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, Deewar, Trishul, Don and Kranti.
It was Salim-Javed who fashioned Amitabh Bachchan's image as the Angry Young Man.
Khan won six Filmfare Awards as part of the Salim-Javed duo. In 2014, he was awarded the Padma Shri but he declined to accept saying that he deserved a higher honour.
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HINDUSTAN TIMES (February 18, 2026)
Veteran screenwriter Salim Khan, 90, father of actor Salman Khan, was admitted to Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre in Bandra, Mumbai on Tuesday. The development was first reported by a paparazzi page on social media.
A video shot outside the hospital, located near the family’s residence at Galaxy Apartments, was posted by the page with caption, “Salim Khan admitted to Lilavati Hospital.” In another clip that surfaced soon after (inset right), Salman was seen leaving the hospital, appearing visibly concerned and surrounded by tight security.
Subsequent visuals showed other members of his family, including wives Salma Khan and Helen; and children Arbaaz Khan and Alvira also making their way to the hospital.
The reason for Salim’s hospitalization was not disclosed and the family was yet to release an official statement till the time of going to press.
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THE TIMES OF INDIA (February 18, 2026)
Mumbai: Screenwriter Salim Khan remains stable in Lilavati Hospital, Bandra, after being admitted on Tuesday morning.
Dr Jalil Parkar, senior consultant at Lilavati Hospital, released a health bulletin around 1 pm that read, "At 8.30 am on February 17, Mr Salim Khan was brought to the emergency dept. After initial assessment, he was treated there and shifted to the ICU on the 1st floor for further management. After due diligence by a team of doctors... a consensual modality of treatment was initiated. The patient was intubated for better-managed care and further investigations. On February 18, a procedure called DSA was performed by Dr Nitin Dange, which was uneventful and successful. No surgery was involved. The patient is haemodynamically stable and shall be weaned off the ventilator as per medical norms (the process was initiated). No further bulletin shall be released, respecting the family's wishes."
Meanwhile, apart from Khan's family, film industry colleagues, including Javed Akhtar and Sanjay Dutt, arrived at the hospital to enquire after his welfare.
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Vinay MR Mishra (BOMBAY TIMES; February 19, 2026)
Veteran screenwriter Salim Khan is under medical care at Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai after being admitted earlier on Tuesday, with doctors confirming that he is stable and out of immediate danger.
Dr Jalil Parkar, spoke to Bombay Times, after sharing a medical bulletin earlier in the day. Parkar told us, "Patient is hemodynamically stable and shall be weaned off the ventilator as per medical norms (the process has been initiated). With all due respect, no further bulletin shall be released respecting the family wishes."
He also added, "Discharge is not something to be discussed at this juncture. No prophecy. He is sedated. Yes, he had minimal brain haemorrhage but he is out of danger."
Earlier in the day, while sharing the updates with media, Parkar said, "Yesterday (Tuesday) morning he was admitted in the hospital. He was brought in by his family physician. After seeing him in the casualty, we realized he needed ICU hospitalization. He was having jerks. His blood pressure was high. We had to put him on ventilator as we had to do certain investigations. The ventilator was as a safeguard. He was not critical. We did the investigations as required.”
A digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed by a neurosurgeon. “We did a small procedure DSA, by a neurosurgeon. The procedure has been accomplished,” the doctor said, adding that doctors are optimistic about the next step. “He will be off the ventilator tomorrow.”
The bulletin also acknowledged that recovery may be gradual given Khan’s age. “Age is a factor, which is why the recovery process takes time.” Doctors further confirmed, “He did have a small haemorrhage in the brain.”
Khan, part of the legendary Salim-Javed duo with Javed Akhtar, is credited with writing some of Hindi cinema’s most influential films including Sholay, Deewaar and Zanjeer. News of his hospitalization has led to an outpouring of concern and good wishes from across the film industry and fans.
Arpita Khan Sharma usually organizes our family reunions, and all of us enjoy Christmas lunch together-Helen
8:25 AM
Natasha Coutinho (BOMBAY TIMES; December 24, 2023)
From preparing sweets to packing gifts for her grandchildren, 85-year-old Helen enjoys celebrating Christmas with her family. She recalls how everyone in the family loves marzipan. “Salma, the children and grandkids relish marzipan the most. Salim sahab has a small piece so that he can be part of the festivities,” says Helen.
Speaking about this year’s Xmas plans, Helen adds, “Arpita (Khan Sharma) usually organizes our family reunions, and all of us enjoy Christmas lunch together. Our family’s favourite dish is Vindaloo Turkey; sometimes I make Burmese Khow Suey.”
Helen shares a close bond with yesteryear actresses Waheeda Rehman and Asha Parekh. Talking about their friendship, she says, “We still travel together and make great memories. We used to be a big group of friends from the film industry and would celebrate special occasions. Shammi and Nanda used to be part of our friend’s group as well, but they are no more.”
Helen shares a special connect with Bandra and attends midnight mass at St Andrew’s Church on Christmas Eve with her friends. “I love how every home is decorated with fairy lights at this time of the year. It’s truly a melting pot of cultures, and everyone comes together to celebrate the festival. I also send gift hampers to the local hospital for the less fortunate. I moved to different parts of Mumbai after coming to India and joining films but kept returning to Bandra, it’s a special connection. Especially after marriage Bandra became home and it’s where I’ve lived most of my life. Although the bungalows that existed in the past have gone and now the area is full of buildings,” says Helen.
Asha Bhosle and I have a significant partnership of over 270 songs together-Helen
3:50 PM
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Natasha Coutinho (BOMBAY TIMES; September 9, 2023)
As Asha Bhosle turned 90 on September 8, veteran actress Helen recalled their journey in the industry.
"We've shared a warm friendship over the years. She is a precious navaratan of the Hindi film industry. Her contribution and evergreen voice will always be remembered. Asha ji is so versatile that she would modulate her voice for my songs. We have a significant partnership of over 270 songs together. It was a pleasure to perform to each of her renditions and she is a big reason for their success."
She further added, “I can never forget the compliment she gave me saying 'Helen ji if I were a man I would marry you' I remember going to the recording studio and listening to Asha ji recording 'Piya Tu Ab To Aaja' (Caravan) and it sounded so good that I got her the biggest box of chocolates. 'O Haseena Zulfo Wali' (Teesri Manzil) was such foot tapping song that liked it instantly. For 'Yeh Mera Dil' (Don) Ashaji exuded extra oomph in her voice, that made it more enjoyable to perform."
Helen was introduced to Bollywood in 1953 by the famous dancer Cuckoo. She got her break in 1958 when she performed the song 'Mera Naam Chin Chin Choo' in the movie Howrah Bridge.
Why is there pressure on women to always look 19?-Huma Qureshi
8:26 AM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; September 3, 2023)
Monica O My Darling, Maharani, Double XL and Tarla – Huma Qureshi’s film choices are anything but predictable. The actress tells us that she is unafraid of experimenting and out of the box is what she wants to be with every role that she plays. In a conversation with us, she talks about this and much more. Excerpts…
‘The notion of what works and what doesn’t has changed’
I am enjoying the work I am doing and taking each day as it comes. The film industry has opened up because of OTT platforms. People are consuming more content and are open to newer ideas. Female-centric stories are doing well. The notion of what works and what doesn’t has changed.
‘Playing myself in movies would be boring’
People asked me why would you do a Tarla after doing a role like Monica? The truth is, I want to challenge myself as an artiste. My biggest high is that no one can say that I can do only a certain kind of role. I have a skill set as an actor that I want to explore to the fullest. I want to experiment with different genres. I loved recreating what Helen ma’am or Parveen Babi did back in the day in Monica O My Darling. I loved watching Tarla Dalal’s old videos and observing her mannerisms, style of talking, and cooking. Playing myself in movies would be boring. I live with myself all the time anyway.
‘I didn’t want to wear a fat suit to play an overweight person’
When the trailer of Double XL came out, people asked me if that was my real arm (in the scene where I am seen with cricketer Shikhar Dhawan). I was told by people, ‘Yeh kya pagalpan hai? What have you done to yourself and how much weight have you put on!’ I told them this was a story where if I didn’t put on 20 kilos, it wouldn’t look real. Just wearing a fat suit or padded clothes wouldn’t be honest. I didn’t want girls to look at me and say, ‘They are actresses, what do they know about being fat-shamed or feeling insecure about their looks? What do they know about being overweight?’ I decided to go the whole hog. That’s the only way the film could have touched people. Mazaa useeka hai. I get inspired when I see actors who transform themselves for roles. After working for 10 years, I don’t want my audience to feel fatigued when they look at my face. It’s good when people don’t know what to expect from you.
‘I want filmmakers to write out-of-the-box roles for me’
I am a non-controversial person, who loves to focus on her work. I just speak my truth as any person should. If that makes a statement, so be it. I am not trying to be sensational. I remember being asked, ‘Why would you do a Tarla at this point in your career when you are at your prime?’ That’s when I said, why is there pressure on women to always look 19! I am at a stage in my life where I can play someone in her 20s, 30s, 40s and even 50s if need be. I want filmmakers to look at me and feel that ‘Let me write something for her’… crazy or out of the box.
‘I am not interested in playing safe parts’
I don’t want to be remembered as just a pretty face. I want to be known for my body of work. I feel happy when someone says, ‘Look at the wide range of characters she has played.’ That’s all I have got. My next films are completely different and clutter-breaking. If I am afraid of experimenting and I stick to playing safe parts, then I am not doing justice to my own dream. As a little girl, I loved dressing up and playing different roles. This is to honour that little girl.
The dialogues have references to various Bollywood films as a tribute to multiple noir filmmakers-Vasan Bala
8:13 AM
Monica O My Darling director thrilled to see audiences picking up on dialogues that are his tribute to filmmakers, including Vishal and RGV
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; November 18, 2022)
From the get-go, it’s obvious that Monica O My Darling is Vasan Bala’s nod to his favourite noir films, from ’70s Hindi cinema to Hollywood. If the title is borrowed from one of R D Burman’s biggest chartbusters, Huma Qureshi’s opening scene reminds you of Helen’s dance numbers that were a staple in the decade.
And with that begins the 129-minute enjoyable game of spot-the-reference in the Rajkummar Rao, Qureshi and Radhika Apte-led noir murder mystery — from Nasir Hussain written on a pick-up tempo, to the name board of a building having Guru Dutt, Sriram Raghavan and Anurag Kashyap, among others, listed as residents.
Bala doesn’t stop there with his meta references. The clever dialogues too have caught the audience’s attention. “The dialogues have been placed cannily in scenes, and have references to various Bollywood films as a tribute to multiple noir filmmakers,” says the director, a follower of Raghavan’s school of cinema.
He is happy that the dialogues — a hat-tip to various filmmakers, including Vishal Bhardwaj and Ram Gopal Varma — are being enjoyed by viewers. “I didn’t think of the dialogues as punches. It started off as a fun exercise. The line ‘Main bhi dheel dene wali nahin hoon re, Chandu’ is a nod to Ramu’s Company [2002], and ‘Bol Monica, jaan meri’ to Vishal Bhardwaj’s Maqbool [2004]. After a while, it snowballed into many VHS, DVD cinema memories, and blended into the language of the characters. I am glad they gelled well with the characters who said them.”
Vishal Bhardwaj, Vasan Bala and Ram Gopal Varma
It’s a myth that the era of remakes is over. I will continue to make them-Boney Kapoor
11:16 PM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; November 1, 2022)
During the pandemic, when several movie projects were put on hold, producer Boney Kapoor was neckdeep managing over half-a-dozen films. In 2019, he produced the Tamil film Nerkonda Paarvai, which was followed by Telugu drama Vakeel Saab with Pawan Kalyan in 2021 and since then, he has been actively working on multiple South movies between 2020 and 2021. His Tamil film Valimai starring Ajith Kumar that released this year enjoyed massive success. He also bankrolled the South remakes of successful Hindi films like Article 15 and Badhaai Ho this year. Now that he has wholeheartedly plunged into producing South movies, Boney has been winning a lot of appreciation from industry folks and the audience. At the moment, he is extremely excited about his upcoming production Mili (a remake of the Malayalam film Helen), starring Janhvi Kapoor in the lead. In a chat with Bombay Times, he talks about collaborating with his daughter for the first time, aiming to hit a century by producing 100 films and more. Excerpts:
You are collaborating with your daughter Janhvi for the first time with Mili. The premise of the film, where her character gets trapped inside a freezer, seems to be a solid performance-driven role. Is this what prompted you to cast Janhvi in this survival thriller?
I was approached by a producer to make this film and he wanted Janhvi for the part. Yeh film ek-do mahine se unke (Janhvi) manager ke paas thi. I had already been recommended to watch the original. When I saw it, I couldn’t control my tears and I jumped into this subject wholeheartedly. I chose director Mathukutty Xavier of the original film, who won the National Award for it. Even before the director was signed, I approached Manoj Pahwa, who saw the original and said yes. My daughter is an enthusiastic and hardworking actor. She insisted on shooting in an actual freezer where the temperature was as low as -8 to -12 degrees. In the second half of the film, she hardly has dialogues, and it is only through her expressions that everything is conveyed. I was sure she could pull off this part well, especially after seeing the kind of varied characters she has played in her previous films. The audience should wait and watch her in a full-fledged comedy film because that is her forte. She has fantastic comic timing and a sense of humour like her mother (Sridevi).
Through the pandemic, where there was uncertainty and work came to a halt, you were actively involved with several projects. In the last three years, you have worked on as many as eight movies in different languages. What has kept you going?
With Ajay Devgn-starrer Maidaan (which now releases on February 17, 2023) I would have had eight films released between 2019 and 2022. And then there are four-five films in the pipeline in different languages — Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam, including my third film with Ajith, which will release during Pongal in January next year. I just wanted to remain busy throughout. I have lost count, but I think I have done almost 50 films till now and I want to score a century! I want to be a Sachin Tendulkar or a Virat Kohli (laughs!). Talking about uncertainty in the business, I made Mr. India (1987) at a budget of Rs 3.8 crore, at a time when films were made on the budget of Rs 50 to 70 lakhs. People went to my father and said that your son has gone mad and they told my brother Anil that I was ruining his career as he would be invisible in a major part of the film. They also told him that through this movie, I only wanted to highlight Sridevi (as an actor). I poured in so much money into the project that at the time of the release, I was broke. But today, each and every character in the film has become iconic. I had faith in the project and I told Anil that you will be remembered as Mr. India till your last breath.
Everyone in the industry is aware of your generosity as a producer. But in today’s times, producers are focusing on tighter budgets and cutting costs. Have you also changed the way you approach a project?
Of course, I am a little more realistic now. I was madly passionate to the extent that I used to get indulgent at times. I am no more indulgent, but the passion is still there. Earlier, I would produce films independently, but today I have partners on board, so I am the custodian of their investment. All the films I have done in recent times have given good returns and this is how I want to continue. For Mili, I am happy that Zee Studios showed faith in me and trusted me. It has been a great partnership with them so far.
You have entertained the audience with original films as well as remakes. You introduced a South hit like Pokiri to the Hindi audience by making Wanted and gave the South audience the taste of Hindi cinema with remakes of films like Pink, Article 15 and Badhaai Ho. As someone who understands what goes into remaking a film, how do you look at the current scenario, where people are saying that remakes are not working at the box office anymore?
It’s a myth that the era of remakes is over. Well, that’s utter rubbish. Remakes have always been there. Back in the day, Aurat was made into Mother India and The Departed was the remake of Infernal Affairs. Likewise, Indecent Proposal was made into Judaai. Talking about the remakes of recent times, Vikram Vedha in Tamil was also called Vikram Vedha. It was dubbed in various languages as Vikram Vedha. It was available across all platforms for the audience to consume. So, when people sitting at home have consumed it already, then why would they go to a theatre to watch the film? Yeh same Jersey aur HIT: The First Case ke saath bhi hua. When I made Wanted, we worked on Prakash Raj’s character. The actor was new to the Hindi audience, so we shot again with him and added a few of his introduction shots... ki as a villain woh kaisa cruel aur sharp hai. After all, jab tak mera villain strong nahi hoga, my hero will not work! I am not saying I am the authority when it comes to remakes, as I have also gone wrong, but people cannot just make a statement that remakes don’t work anymore. As a filmmaker, I will continue to do remakes and I am looking forward to Mili.
Lately, several South films have worked wonders at the box office, while most Hindi films are struggling to draw the audience to the theatres. As a filmmaker, where do you think Bollywood is falling short?
It is happening because most of our filmmakers are driven and inspired by Hollywood. Today, filmmakers from the South are making films that our Hindi filmmakers like Manmohan Desai and Prakash Mehra once made — full-blooded commercial cinema. At that time packaging itni achchi nahi hoti thi, ab yeh log achchi packaging karke, achcha VFX daal ke bana rahe hai. In filmon mein taali maarne ki situation hai, seeti maarne ki situation hai, gaane, action, dialoguebaazi... sab kuch hai. Initially, South filmmakers were looking up to Bollywood, but today, our filmmakers are in awe of them. In that case, I think I made the right move of heading down South and making movies there at the right time.
While in Bollywood, stars enjoy massive fan-following, the superstars down South are also worshipped by their fans. Recently, there was a video doing the rounds where fans showed their love by pouring milk on your car. Did you expect such kind of love?
(Laughs!) I was surprised to see that reaction. As much as I have enjoyed working with actors here (Bollywood), I have loved working with actors down South, too. They are so professional and concerned about the film and the way their character is shaping up. It is my experience, sincerity, honesty and dedication towards my work that people are seeing and hence, they want to work with me.
Karisma Kapoor gets more and more surprised about herself every day-Abhinay Deo
8:20 AM
Chandrima Pal (BOMBAY TIMES; May 28, 2022)
It’s been more than a decade since Abhinay Deo gave us the cult hit, Delhi Belly. Since then, the ad filmmaker has been experimenting with genres as diverse as black comedy (Blackmail) and spy thrillers (Force 2), before he got Karisma Kapoor, Helen, Soni Razdan, Jisshu U Sengupta and Surya Sharma in a casting coup of sorts for Brown, a crime drama set in the underbelly of Kolkata.
In between experiencing his first Norwester on the banks of the Hooghly and shooting in the skinny alleys of the city, Abhinay settled down for a free-wheeling chat with us. Excerpts:
How did the idea of doing Brown come about?
We got on to this project a year and a half back. It is a lovely, intense and interesting idea and we decided to put together the story line, get the actors on board and start filming and see where it goes. This story does not have a beginning, middle and end — but it’s a fantastically written character study about broken people in a broken system with all their nuances. It talks about how people are not black and white as generally portrayed in our cinema. It’s a very interesting milieu for me to explore, and that’s where Kolkata comes in as a character in the film.
When shooting in a city of a certain vintage and character, filmmakers often go for familiar frames, visual tropes. For instance, the Victoria Memorial, Howrah bridge, the slatted windows in the old houses. Are you doing things differently?
As a filmmaker, I hate to run with clichés. Our story is about the underbelly of the city and its different layers — not so much the part which the aam janta knows. In the 10 days that we have been shooting there, we have not shot a single monument or tourist spot in the city. That’s how we intend to keep it. We are trying to capture the different textures of Kolkata — from the rich and big Marwari families to the smallest boatman — and the unhurried pace at which everything moves.
With Karisma Kapoor playing a complex central character in your ‘neo noir crime story’, the Mare Of Easttown comes to mind. Is that the space you are looking to explore?
Mare Of Easttown is a great example, but we are also about those dark, intense and jovial vignettes of the Anglo Indians, Biharis, Marwaris, bhodrolok Bengalis — communities that actually bring their cultures into the city and carry the city with them at the same time. The whodunit part is a thread that binds these people together and gives us an opportunity to talk about where they come from, how broken and ‘baggaged’ they are.
For the past few years, there has been a lot of discussion about what works for OTT and what’s made for the big screen experience. Now that both formats are running neck and neck, what is your take on the debate?
I think the new platforms have finally given us an opportunity to tell stories that are not bound by the star system. Imagine trying to do a character study 10 years back! Who would buy that? It is high time we went beyond the 20 people we can count on our fingertips, who you had to approach if you wanted anything to see the light of day. If things did not work out, you tried to get together some people from NSD and show your film on 10 screens.
We had great filmmakers such as Shyam Benegal, Govind Nihalani, Ritwik Ghatak, Mrinal Sen and Satyajit Ray, making documentaries and features with intense character studies. But their work got branded as parallel cinema instead. Imagine what would have happened if they had access to the new mediums and platforms that we do today!
These lines are blurred, the star system is being dismantled. While we have not come to terms with it yet, the process has started. You simply cannot take a big actor and make it work. People have access to so much that they would rather watch something else than any mediocre stuff that comes their way.
Speaking about the star system, OTT has given many stars from the ’90s a chance to reinvent themselves. How has it been working with Karisma Kapoor on her first OTT project?
I think for many of these ’90s actors, initially there’s a sense of shock because of the change that is happening. After that comes the requirement of involvement, which is intense and immense. Earlier films were made differently; your story was written on the sets. Now it is about adapting to a very different way of life and delivering to the brief. And hats off to the way they are reinventing themselves. Initially, we were a bit skeptical and so was Karisma. She was facing the camera after a long time after all. But she has been delivering, and how! In fact, she gets more and more surprised about herself every day and we pat ourselves on our back a little harder for having stuck to our gut feeling about casting her in the project.
And then there’s Helen as well. What was her first day on the set like?
Helen is 80-plus, comes from a completely different era. We had a tough scene where she was supposed to hold her own in a room with many people. We were wondering how it would pan out. But Helen not only held her own, but was spectacular in the way she made her presence felt. But more than the first day of shoot she had a child-like fascination about the very idea of reading from a script — apparently it was her first time! But how absolutely professional she has been and so hard working. In fact, everyone from Soni Razdan to Jisshu to Surya, the young actors from Bengal and Mumbai — for me, it is fun to be able to bring the experience that the seasoned actors bring with them and combine it with contemporary filmmaking style and try to make something out of it.
What happened to Doosra, your film about cricket that was inspired by India’s momentous victory in the NatWest series?
Doosra is part fiction-part documentary about Indian cricket and a young girl. I have pushed my creative boundaries in a completely different direction with the film. Unfortunately, many of the festivals, where we wanted to take the film, did not know how to slot it. And then Covid also delayed the process. But it is too poignant and special a story not to be told and I hope the audiences will be able to see it soon.
Karisma Kapoor shoots in Kolkata, Kareena Kapoor in Kalimpong
8:29 AM
Ruman Ganguly (BOMBAY TIMES; May 14, 2022)
Earlier this week, we told you that yesteryear actress Helen is making a comeback with a crime drama. Now, Karisma Kapoor is in Kolkata to shoot for the Abhinay Deo-directorial. The actress is staying at a luxury heritage property on the city’s outskirts. Actor Surya Sharma, who is also part of the cast, is staying at the same property.
Helen will also be coming to Kolkata for the shoot, said a source, revealing that the team will be staying in the city for a month. A part of the shoot will take place in north Kolkata as well.
A source close to the team told us, “Karisma Kapoor is a lovely, young-hearted, amicable person with no starry air. She is busy shooting from morning to night, and she loves the shoot location.”
A neo-noir crime drama, the OTT series titled Brown — The First Case is based on Abheek Barua’s book, City Of Death, and went on the floors recently.
Meanwhile, younger sister Kareena Kapoor Khan will also be shooting for an OTT project directed by Sujoy Ghosh in West Bengal’s Lava for the next seven-eight days. On Wednesday, Kareena took to Instagram and shared a photo from the film’s set in Kalimpong district. “Day 1-Kalimpong. . . Devotion of suspect X,” she wrote in the caption.
My family and I live and breathe cinema-Helen
8:10 AM
The iconic dancer and actress is all set to return with Abhinay Deo’s Brown ,a neo-noir crime drama, which will also feature Karisma Kapoor
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; May 10, 2022)
“I have never felt distanced from cinema,” says the legendary Helen, who shimmied a trail on the silver screen with her sassy and iconic dance moves for years. Boasting of a career that spans the 1950s to the 1980s, the elusive and gorgeous 83-year-old is all set to return to face the arc lights with Brown.
The Abhinay Deo-directorial, a neo-noir crime drama (based on the book City Of Death by Abheek Barua) which recently went on the floors, will also feature Karisma Kapoor. The yesteryear actress says, “Crime dramas are riveting to watch these days because each story is treated so differently. No two crime drama series are alike. Also, it is not a genre that I have dabbled in earlier, so, I am really looking forward to it. In fact, I am happy that I am being offered meaningful roles by brilliant filmmakers and creators. The character in Brown is truly me. I identified with the way she leads her life and it prompted me to agree immediately. Besides, Abhinay knows exactly what he wants from every actor and that put me at ease. I am truly enjoying being back on sets.”
Helen admits to feeling nervous about returning to the screen. She says, “My family and I live and breathe cinema. But I was nervous about the changes I’d find after returning on set after so many years. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the changes that have taken place have been good. In our time, table-reads, workshops, etc were things that only happened in Hollywood. All of these things had not reached us back then. Now it’s a fascinating way to work, where you come together and meet your co-actors. The energy in the room is enthralling.”
While her outings in Bollywood have been sporadic in recent times, she is still remembered for her cameo appearance as Salman Khan’s mother in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999). Ask her about her reasons for staying away from showbiz and she replies, “Nothing exciting came my way.” Is there any project on cards with Salman? “As of now, nothing,” she replies.
Helen is considered as one of Bollywood’s finest dancers and some of her songs are classics, even remixed several times over. This is evident even on current dance reality shows, where her songs are some of the most popular numbers among the contestants. What’s surprising is that she has never appeared as a celebrity judge on any of these shows. And she has no plans to change that even in the future, “I won’t be able to dedicate the time required by reality shows,” she explains.
However, the veteran actress is all praise for the new generation of dancers. “Times have changed. I see that the dancers today are a dedicated lot. They work really hard to make each dance a spectacle,” she says.
Mili, starring Janhvi Kapoor and produced by Boney Kapoor, to be wrapped up next month
8:25 AM
Boney Kapoor’s first production, an official remake of the Malayalam film Helen, with daughter Jahnvi, to be wrapped up by next month
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; October 24, 2021)
After breaking into the Bollywood scene with the remake of Sairat, Karan Johar’s Dhadak in 2018, Janhvi Kapoor is attempting another remake. Produced by her father Boney Kapoor, Mili is the official remake of the 2019 Malayalam film Helen.
A source informs that the project is near completion. “The Mumbai leg of the shooting kickstarted on August 4, and by October 30 the shooting in Dehradun and Mussoorie will be wrapped up. Post which, the crew will return to Mumbai and complete the remaining portions in five days on a set.”
Directed and co-written by Mathukutty Xavier, who also helmed the original, the film revolves around a girl who accidentally gets trapped in a cold storage unit. “The movie required a mall as the backdrop. Since establishments were closed in Maharashtra, the crew moved to Dehradun in September to can a few scenes and to Mussoorie for the songs,” informs the source, adding that the film also required Janhvi to shoot in a real cold storage unit to lend authenticity to the scene.
“Makeup artiste Ranjith Ambady, who won the National Award for Best Makeup Artiste for Helen, was flown down to Dehradun to do Jahnvi’s makeup.”
Mili is the first collaboration between father and daughter. Hence, Boney Kapoor is planning a grand launch when it releases in theatres next year. The Valimai producer remained unavailable for comment.
Indians need mithaas. Rock, for them, is distortion, something abrasive-Leslee Lewis
9:52 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 1, 2021)
Singer Leslee Lewis grew up with Bollywood around him, as he likes to put it, but he admits he always wanted to dabble in western music, too. Recently, he came out with an English song, Entourage, in collaboration with rapper-singer Omar Gooding.
Leslee feels that a large section of people in India didn’t embrace western music back in the day. “Nobody got it in the ’80s, when I did it here. People said, ‘English mein samajh nahi aata, do lines ke aage kya gaa rahe ho, kya bol rahe ho’,” he recounts, adding, “I would listen to English and Hindi, both. My dad (late P L Raj) was a popular choreographer; he had worked in films such as Sholay (1975) and Don (1978). I grew up with Helen aunty and Laxmikant-Pyarelal. I wanted to do other things. People weren’t getting western music in 80s, so I had to simplify it.”
The 61-year-old, known for the hit number Yaaron and his debut album, Colonial Cousins, with Hariharan, believes that people in India prefer sweetness in music. “Indians need mithaas. Rock, for them, is distortion, something abrasive. By the time I got down to Aapki Dua in my album Pal, it was a sweet rock kind of thing,” says Lewis.
Talking about Entourage, he says that he is “probably the only Indian” singing in Hollywood, in English. Lewis is happy that his music is being embraced across the world. “I have started my own label, which is all about global music in Hindi. I released a song in June called Chhoda Tune, which did well. It made to three playlists in India, Brazil and Argentina,” he says.
Celebs and co-stars mourn the loss of India's greatest actor Dilip Kumar
8:16 AM
Team BT and ETimes (BOMBAY TIMES; July 8, 2021)
HE WAS SUCH AN INTENSE ACTOR WHO WAS GOOD AT COMEDY, TOO: WAHEEDA REHMAN
It is a very sad news, but it was bound to happen. He had been suffering for so long. I have done five films with him and it was a fantastic experience, he was not only a good actor, but also a huge star. He was such an intense actor, especially in tragic scenes. He used to be very good even without uttering a word. He could express his pain so well and yet, he was good in comedy, too. I remember one funny scene from Ram Aur Shyam when he had to switch over from being Ram to Shyam. In that scene, he had to eat many boiled eggs and there were retakes and the entire unit used to laugh. He would say, “Here I am getting tortured and you guys are laughing at me.” I was sitting in front of him in the scene and he told me, “Please hasna mat ,anda gale mein phas jayega. Aur main mar jaunga.” I replied, “It was your bright idea to do this thing.” It was a great experience working with him, the industry and the entire country will miss him. But that’s life...
I WAS A GREAT ADMIRER OF DILIP SAAB, I WOULD BE DUMBSTRUCK AROUND HIM: ASHA PAREKH
I was a great admirer of Dilip saab. I would be dumbstruck around him. I couldn’t even open my mouth! It is a big shock and Saira has been like Florence Nightingale in his life. She has looked after him so much, not even bothering about her own health. She must be completely shattered, may God give Saira the strength.
I LOVED DILIP KUMARV-YJAYANTIMALA JODI, I ENJOYED WATCHING THEIR FILMS: HEMA MALINI
Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand and Dilip Kumar were the three pillars of Bollywood. I never got an opportunity to be paired opposite Dilip saab, but I loved Dilip Kumar-Vyjayantimala jodi a lot, and so I enjoyed watching films like Ganga Jumna, Sunghurshand Leader.When I was offered Seeta Aur Geeta, I wondered if people would compare me with Dilip ji as it was similar to his film Ram Aur Shyam. Every time we met, woh kisse sunane lag jaate the about how they would shoot films back then. Through the years I kept in touch with Saira ji. Once a month, I would make a call to her to know about Dilip saab’s health. Every time he was hospitalised, we prayed for him, but this time he left all of us.
HE NEVER PRIORITIZED COMMERCE OVER ART: SHARMILA TAGORE
I remember when I met him for the first time, I was so tongue-tied. I wanted to ask him so many things, but I couldn’t. He was an extremely dignified and gracious person. He put me at ease and wished me luck for Kashmir Ki Kali. He has had a wonderful 50-year-long career where he has played so many roles. He never prioritized commerce over art. To him, work was more important than money. He worked in one film at a time and gave a lot of thought while choosing a project. He loved sports and spoke at length about chess and cricket with Tiger (Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi) when we were shooting Anupama in Khandala. He was a legend and an icon, and a reminder of happier times in the industry.
HE WOULD ALWAYS MAKE ME LAUGH ON THE SET: HELEN
He was such a charmer and a thorough gentleman. I can never forget him. It was so much fun working with him. He would always make me laugh on the set. I had attended his 91st birthday celebrations. Dilip saab was there looking handsome as ever! I still remember his beautiful eyes. After that, we visited him at his home a few times, but Salim saab used to visit him often. It’s great that Saira ji always kept him in touch with us. May God give her strength in this difficult time.
HE WAS THE GREATEST ACTOR OF ALL TIMES: PREM CHOPRA
Dilip Kumar saab was a great source of inspiration for everyone. He was a great human being and a fabulous actor. I consider myself lucky that I got a chance to work with him in Bairaag, Duniya, Dastaan and other films. He was like a teacher on the set. Despite being the biggest star on any set, he didn’t ever want the spotlight on himself. He was always concerned about the film, and wanted it to turn out well. It was his love for cinema that rubbed off on so many of us. He was the greatest actor of all times, and rightfully so. He’s left a legacy behind. When I came to Mumbai to become an actor, my father had asked me to watch Dilip Kumar saab, as he wanted me to be an actor like him. I would never miss his film releases. When I started working with him, I realised how easy it was for him to accommodate newcomers like me. People were conscious of his presence but he would make everyone comfortable. I will miss that warmth and the love I got from a big star like Dilip Kumar.
I can’t play a typical bahu; even in real life, I’m not one myself-Kavita Kaushik
7:52 AM
Kavita Kaushik on why she’s been missing in action, what made her say ‘yes’ to a reality show after 14 seasons, and plans to keep sanity intact when inside
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 29, 2020)
Kavita Kaushik, popular as F.I.R.’s Inspector Chandramukhi Chautala, is presently imprisoned in the Bigg Boss house. After turning down offers to be a part of the Salman Khan-hosted reality show since the F.I.R.st season, the actress finally gave the nod to its 14th installment, pointing out that it was due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic that has confined the world to their homes. “What had stopped me till now were the fights in the house, I prefer being happy and don’t want people to see my vulnerable side. But with the social media and the pandemic, the real world today has become a Bigg Boss house,” she reasoned, calling it the safest place to be at right now when the fear of a second surge is giving everyone sleepless nights.
However, before entering the house, Kavita admitted it would be difficult staying away from her husband, Ronnit Biswas, who treats her like a queen. “Ever since we got married, four years ago, the only time we have been apart was when I was shooting for my Punjabi film. Even there, Ronnit would turn up in the middle of my schedule and surprise me,” she reminisced, quick to add that his love will be her biggest strength inside the house. “I know whatever happens in there, I have a happy and loving husband waiting with open arms to welcome me back.”
She was confident her cooking skills would come in handy, sharing that she’s been a pro in the kitchen since she was a kid because her mother didn’t like to be there much. “I, on the other hand, am mesmerised by food. Even on the sets of F.I.R., I used to fry pakoras in a saucepan for the entire unit,” she confided, insisting that only if the housemates were nice to her, would she make good food for them.
There was some apprehension as the “fights have started way too early this season and no one’s true personality has been unmasked yet”. The actress who has been watching every season with avid interest believes the house needs humour. “Entertainment doesn’t mean just fights and romance. I hope I get to show my humorous side too.”
Bigg Boss is synonymous with Salman Khan, and Kavita recalled being invited for a meal at his house once. “Salman had seen and complimented me on F.I.R.. Even Salim uncle, Helen aunty and Sohail had seen my TV show and loved it. I was treated to their trademark lavish meal. Even Mithun da (Mithun Chakraborty) had done the same, and I’ll never forget those meals,” she stated emotionally.
Kavita has been missing from TV for a while and when prodded, acknowledged that she finds it difficult to align her personality with any of the current shows. “I can’t play a typical bahu as my body and voice don’t fit the mould. Even in real life, I’m not one myself, and have chosen to settle down with a man who is like a best friend. I get bored very quickly so only something uniquely interesting can grab me. I want to do more shows like F.I.R., which have action, comedy and drama. It has to be a show in which I am irreplaceable,” she concluded.
Saroj Khan revolutionized the song-and-dance culture in Bollywood
8:33 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (July 4, 2020)
Saroj Khan, one of India’s most illustrious choreographers, passed away at the age of 71 on Friday morning after suffering a cardiac arrest. The three-time National Awardwinning choreographer was laid to rest in a cemetery in Malad. With the passing of Saroj Khan, Bollywood has lost its iconic ‘Masterji’.Born Nirmala Nagpal, she entered the industry as a child artiste at the age of three. Soon after, she became a background dancer and by the time she was in her teens, she was an assistant choreographer. Saroj Khan got married to film choreographer B Sohanlal at the age of 13 and had her first child at the age of 14. However, she continued to work. She went on to train legendary actresses like Vyjanthimala, Nutan and Helen, among others.
Saroj Khan got her first break as an independent choreographer in 1974 with Sadhana’s Geeta Mera Naam. She went on to choreograph for several movies, but most importantly, she went on to carve a niche for herself as a choreographer in a profession largely dominated by men in that era. The choreographer, who worked on the principle that ‘dance chehre pe dikhna chahiye’, came into prominence with two actresses, Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit, in the late 80s and 90s.In fact, the Filmfare Award initiated a category for Best Choreography in 1989, where she walked away with the award for her stunning work in the song, Ek Do Teen (Tezaab, 1988). She created some unforgettable dance sequences like Main Teri Dushman (Nagina, 1986), Hawa Hawaii, Kaante Nahi Kat Te (Mr India, 1987), Mere Haathon Main Nau Nau (Chandni, 1989) and Na Jaane Kahan Se Aayi (Chaalbaaz,1989) with Sridevi. She also continued her Tezaab magic with Madhuri in Humko Aajkal Hai (Sailaab, 1990), Tamma Tamma (Thaanedar, 1990), Dhak Dhak Karne Laga (Beta, 1992), Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai (Khalnayak, 1993), Dola Re Dola and Maar Daala (Devdas, 2000). Interestingly, her swan-song, too, is the dance sequence she choreographed for Madhuri in Tabaah Ho Gaye (Kalank, 2019).
In an interview with Bombay Times recently, Madhuri had said, “Saroj ji and I made sure that each song looked different. It could have been easy for us to stick to a hook step because that looked good in the previous song. But, we tried new choreography and created new movements each time that people enjoyed. She is a genius and I love her.”
— With inputs from Onkar Kulkarni and Tanvi Trivedi
------------------------------
SHE WAS PURE TALENT AND GIFTED: HELEN
MY EXISTENCE IN BOLLYWOOD IS BECAUSE OF HER: AHMED KHANMy existence in Bollywood is only because of Saroj Khan. She was impressed with my dancing skills as a child actor in Mr India. I was just 11 years old then. When I turned 16, I told my mother that I wanted to try my hand at movies, and she introduced me to her friend Saroj ji. I worked with her as an assistant, and four years later, I got Rangeela. We shared a mother-son equation. We would fight a lot. Whenever I would visit her, she would scold me for something, or I would scold her for not taking care of her health. I wanted her to rest a bit, but she wasn’t someone who wanted to do that. She always wanted to be on a film set or at a rehearsal hall. Even at this age, she was choreographing songs.
NO ONE CAN TAKE HER PLACE: REMO D’SOUZA
It’s a Catch-22 situation, need to find a way-Waheeda Rehman
8:30 AM
Shreya Mukherjee (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 16, 2020)
Dealing with Coronavirus pandemic hasn’t been easy for anyone. But life will always throw challenges at us, and how we get over them defines us, believes Waheeda Rehman. The veteran actor says this crisis requires us “to be careful, sensible and intelligent”.
“I feel it’s important to be patient. If you get paranoid, it’ll stress you out and you might make mistakes,” says the Padma Bhushan awardee. Holed up with her daughter and her family, Rehman admits it isn’t easy. “It’s like a catch-22 situation. Whether we’re at home or have to go outside, we need to find a way. I see many flouting safety norms, not wearing masks since the lockdown has been eased. That’s wrong,” she says.
With no intention to seem philosophical, the actor, 82, says that we know nothing about our future, adding, “Par darr darr ke nahi jee sakte. We must face difficulties head on.”
Rehman is spending her time watching films, doing yoga, taking a walk in the garden, and enjoying photography. Not a fan of mobile phones, she, however, has realised it is a necessity. “I talk to my sister, nephews and nieces a lot these days. Asha (Parekh; actor) aur Helen (actor) se bhi baat hoti rehti hai,” she says. Her family is ensuring that they take care of their staff. “If we have food to eat, then people who work for us should also have food,” she adds.
Concerned about people facing mental health issues, she says, “Chinta karne se kuch fayda nahi. Bas Allah ka shukar karo, dil aur niyat saaf rakho aur aagey badho.”
I don’t consider my performances as item numbers, they are dance numbers-Nora Fatehi
2:17 PM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; January 24, 2020)
After dancing her way into people’s hearts, Canadian artiste Nora Fatehi is excited about her next outing — the Remo D’Souza directorial, Street Dancer 3D. In a quick chat with BT, she talks about her journey so far and more. Excerpts...
Street Dancer 3D also features Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor and the dancing legend, Prabhudheva. Recently, Varun had talked about how Prabhudheva, who is otherwise extremely quiet and calm, becomes a different person when he dances. Given your passion for dance, how was it working with him?
Well, I didn’t get to dance with him in the film, but I watched him when he was shooting for his scenes. It’s like dance gets his alter ego out. He is a quiet person, but the moment music starts, he goes all out. It’s phenomenal, he’s like Michael Jackson. Apparently, even he was quite shy when he wasn’t on stage, performing. That’s how great artistes are. Prabhudheva is an icon, I could see why he is who he is.
Over the years, you have become one of the most sought-after dancers in Bollywood. So, this film feels like an apt choice...
I am not a trained dancer, I am self-taught. So, it was intimidating to dance with some of the finest talents in this film. I freaked out initially, as it was challenging, both physically and mentally, to match up to them. It made me push my level of dancing. I play Varun’s girlfriend in the film, and my character is supportive and instrumental in his rise as a dancer.
You are a Canadian. How did you make a foray into Indian showbiz?
I was born and raised in Canada. I was always inclined towards dancing, but couldn’t afford a dance class or formal training. My family never encouraged arts as they wanted me to focus on academics and become a doctor. So, I had to teach myself. I would watch dance videos online — be it Bollywood songs, Turkish dancers, Beyoncé, Rihanna... I am extremely observant and that helped. I chose to pursue my career in Bollywood, as it’s the second biggest movie industry in the world and a place where I can dance and act. From doing five-minute dance numbers, I have moved on to acting in films and so, I am happy. It’s only getting bigger and better. Also, I don’t consider my performances as item numbers, they are dance numbers. I am proud of them, as they are performance-oriented.
According to you, who are the best dancers in Bollywood?
Hrithik Roshan is the best. Katrina Kaif is also good. However, my idols have always been Madhuri Dixit Nene and Helen ji.
Waheeda Rehman and Asha Parekh are off to Tadoba, followed by 15-day trip to New Zealand
7:16 AM
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 30, 2019)
When it comes to travelling, the everadored heroines Waheeda Rehman and Asha Parekh could give the new gen a run for their flying miles. The two inveterate travellers and foodies are about to take off to Tadoba Tiger Reserve, located close to Nagpur, next week for a six-day vacation. That will be followed by a fortnight-long trip to New Zealand in November.
In earlier years the two had holidayed with their bestie Helen, in Turkey and had gone on a Scandinavian ocean cruise. Waheeda and Asha had also flown to Canada and Alaska in the past. “I am alone and Waheeda has two children, but both of us, along with Helen, make sure to stay in touch. The three of us go out for meals and on holidays often,” says Asha Parekh, who recently united with Waheeda Rehman for a children’s reality show at a Mumbai studio. The trio has previously featured on The Kapil Sharma Show as well.
When asked about the secret of their friendship for decades, Asha responded, “Perhaps today’s generation is too competitive. We were not; we had our individual images and space. But if you ask me, I feel good when I hear friendships in Bollywood are not impossible. Sonam (Kapoor) and Jacqueline (Fernandez) do bond. I hope this tradition of camaraderie continues forever.”
Waheeda was last seen in Kamal Haasan’s 2018 film Vishwaroopam II, while Asha called it quits after producing several TV series which she also directed. Occasionally Waheeda, Helen and she can be seen at events and TV specials, bonding, confirming that friendships in show business can last a lifetime.
Konkona Sen Sharma to direct web series on 60's Queen of Cabaret in Kolkata, Arati Das
8:06 AM
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; August 19, 2019)
A Death In The Gunj proved that Konkona Sen Sharma is as gifted a director as she is an actor. Two years after the haunting debut drama, she is ready to wield the directorial baton again — this time, for a web series on Arati Das, better known as Miss Shefali, who ruled as the 'Queen of Cabaret' in Kolkata. The show will also weave in the politics of West Bengal during the '60s and '70s in the narrative.Confirming the development, Sen Sharma tells mid-day, "The era of post-Partition and pre-liberalisation fascinated me. Since I am from Kolkata, I have been aware of the subject and her unique story." Known to carve spirited female characters, it isn't surprising when she says that Das' independent streak resonated with her. "[In Das], we have a female protagonist who decided to live life on her own terms. That is right up my alley."
Das shot to fame in the late '60s as she performed at the then-famous Firpo's Hotel in Chowringhee. She considered Helen her guru and had the privilege of working with Satyajit Ray. Ask her if these characters will earn a place in her story, and she says, "We are still developing the script and finalising the cast. I haven't met Arati but she is aware that we are working on this subject; the makers have taken the necessary rights for making the show. We plan to roll early next year."
Ready to dive into the digital space with the Zee Studios venture, Sen Sharma believes the transition from films to web has been organic. "At the end of the day, I want to tell good stories irrespective of the platform."
Sunny Leone to play a lawyer in the spy thriller Helen
8:20 AM
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; June 5, 2019)
Sunny Leone is all set to turn a legal eagle in the upcoming spy thriller, Helen. In a bid to shed her item girl image in Bollywood, the actor has given her nod to Saurabh Choudhary’s directorial venture. Leone is excited to play a lawyer, don the black robes and argue in the courtroom.
Says a source, “She is serious about doing different kinds of cinema. The makers are confident that the audience will like Sunny in a de-glam avatar as well.” Says Choudhary, “Sunny is a great actor. She has played different kinds of roles. When I was looking for an actor who can get into the lawyer’s garb, I thought Sunny was best suited for it. The thriller will be shot in Mumbai and Mauritius.”
The rest of the cast has to be ascertained. Helen is produced by Mukesh Kumar of MKG Films. Leone was last seen in Tera Intezaar (2017) with Arbaaz Khan as co-star.
For Bharat, Disha Patani finds her muse in Helen
7:43 AM
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 2, 2019)
Everybody’s talking about the sizzling chemistry between Salman Khan and Disha Patani in the “Slow Motion” song from the Ali Abbas Zafar directed Bharat. The actress surprisingly bears a striking resemblance to Helen and Ashley Rebello, who has designed Disha’s look, confirms that along with other actresses of the swinging ‘60s like Nanda and Asha Parekh, the club dancer from the Teesri Manzil chartbuster “O Haseena Zulfonwali” and “Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu” from Howrah Bridge was on his mind. “We borrowed a lot from these songs, from the tassles to the hair-styles. Ali was very clear her look should be sensuous and classy rather than overtly showy,” says Ashley, who also found references from Hollywood films and the Russian circus.Disha plays a trapeze artiste in the upcoming Eid release and in a recent interview to Mirror, she had said that she enjoys doing such peppy, massy numbers. Ashley says she loved the outfit and has been sending him thank you messages for the compliments that she has been receiving.
“Disha is a pleasure to work with, the only thing she ever said is that she knows she is in the hands of professionals who know their jobs and will make her look good,” he smiles.
Was Raveena Tandon’s sunny yellow saree from Mohra’s rain-drenched “Tip Tip Barsa Paani” also a muse? “We had initially planned on a yellow and red saree but eventually settled for yellow. No, Raveena’s saree was not on my mind, This is more of a dhoti saree, contemporary with a flair of the ‘60s,” he signs off.
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