Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; October 12, 2019)

He was one of the front-runners in the ‘supporting actor’ category in the early 2000s. But he gradually reduced his outings on screen and decided to pursue his childhood dream and make more time for personal milestones. Boman Irani, at the cusp of becoming a director himself, spoke to BT about his upcoming film Made In China, what he seeks in cinema today and becoming a student of the medium at the age of 60. Excerpts:

After being a part of almost every big project in the mid-2000s, you became so selective with your movies that now, we see you only in one or two films a year. Why?
I had been working non-stop for 15 years, and time flew! Why am I not in every second film? Well, because I have a problem with that. I needed a breather for myself and my family. It was okay to be caught up with work when the kids were in college, but with my grandson’s arrival, I realised that I was cut-off from everything happening in my family. I was missing out on many important things, and so, I decided to take it easy. My grandson became a great excuse to take some time off. The second reason to slow down was my childhood desire to make a movie.

So, is that childhood dream finally coming true?
Yes, I realised that I needed a good script, which is very hard to find. So, I wrote something, which I thought was a nice story. It travelled to a few tables, but didn’t make the cut. That’s when I realised that I need to become a student again. It’s foolish to think that if you can write, you are a writer. It’s like saying that if you can fill petrol in a car, you’re an engineer. To be a writer, you have to know the craft. I studied acting by reading books and attending workshops for years. Unfortunately, I couldn’t go to an institute. Creativity goes hand-in-hand with science; in fact, it comes after science. It’s taken me some time to understand the craft of writing films. I travelled to the US, spent time with my mentor and attended workshops there. I know that in the next decade, I can do 60 or even 100 more films, but what after that? Learning something new can keep the excitement levels high. At my age, I am happy to make my debut once again, this time as a filmmaker, who is also a grand daddy.

Now that you are about to make your foray into direction, is there anything you fear?
I do feel a little scared; I don’t know how my film will turn out and how many people will see it, but I’m happy about learning a new craft. I have my fingers crossed.

In the middle of fine-tuning your directorial debut, you also decided to take up the part of a sexologist in Made In China. It seems Dr Mahinder Watsa was an inspiration behind the role...
(Smiles) I wanted to play this character in a matter-of-fact manner. For every part of human anatomy, there’s a specialised branch of medicine. Then why not sex? Sexology is about psychology and science — how it can affect personal equations, family structures and even lead to misconceptions and angst in people. We’ve tried to explain some of these things in a manner that people can understand. Having said that, the film is not about sex. It’s about the journey of a businessman, who wants to impress his wife and family. My character helps him do that.

Recently, while talking to us, writer-turned-director Tushar Hiranandani, who wrote films like Masti (2004), said that your film is a dignified sex comedy. How do you react to that?
I agree with him. While there are a few double entendre jokes in the film, we’ve approached the subject with old-world wisdom. Talking about sex or related problems should not be a taboo.

Over the last few years, the number of films using sex as a storytelling trope has shot up. Why do you think there’s a sudden surge in the demand and supply of such content, especially in mainstream cinema?
The number shot up after Vicky Donor (2012) succeeded. Why do we have this surge now more than ever before? The film will also answer this question. Like I said, it’s common sense to seek medical help whenever you need it. People are okay to go under the scalpel for a wrinkle, but not to a doctor for sex-related problems. It affects the mind, self-esteem and can lead to so much negativity. The film in parts talks about dealing with it. We’ve used humour to address the issue. Films like this have entertainment value with a take-away, and it need not be about sex alone. Every sensible film has a layer beneath the surface. To me, the Hollywood film Rocky (1976) is about a guy who realises that if he can add some spark to a shy girl’s life, he will be happy. 3 Idiots was not simply about education, and every character in that film serviced an underlying message or a thought for the audience.

Today, the way the audience consumes content has changed a lot. Do you think that has compelled filmmakers to push the envelope?
Now, we are judging our films in the first 10 minutes. People send out tweets! What the hell, ya! Watching films used to be such a joy at one time. I remember going to theatres and enjoying my time there. People used to watch three films in a day without really judging the content. Today, the audience has become far too knowledgeable and judgemental about films. They say, ‘First half kharaab tha! Maloom kyun?’ I mean, they have solutions for it also??? Everyone has become an expert. That is why it’s important to learn enough before you say things. In fact, when I launched my company, instead of hosting a party, I invited writers and flew in an Academy Award-winning writer for a workshop. There’s a need for all of us to structure our films well. Even with grand scales, our films often go nowhere. We need to get that right; otherwise no budget, scale or special effects can save it. People who think that a commercial, masala film doesn’t need a structure, need to watch what Manmohan Desai, Yash Chopra and Hrishikesh Mukherjee made. They knew the art of creating a structure for even the most commercial films. We need to sit back and learn a few lessons.

After working in about 93 films, have your parameters for choosing projects changed?
No, I still think that a film must tell you something more than the obvious, it should identify with people. A film like Ben-Hur (1959) has so many themes within that one story. The underlying idea is about fighting oppression by putting your differences aside. It took people from different races to fight it. As a Jew, Ben-Hur rode a chariot rode which had Arab horses. See the message there? While this is one kind of cinema that I seek, I also like to work in films that are designed for people who seek full-on entertainment — which is the reason I will take up something like Total Dhamaal. I don’t look down upon commercial masala films because they have given me all that I have today. I am not a prude. I love commercial cinema as much as I love any other kind of cinema. As an actor, I also look for films that remain with me and ask me questions. I like it when a director tells me upfront about the kind of film he’s making. Inder Kumar for instance, was clear about the space Total Dhamaal came from. I don’t like filmmakers who come to me and pretend that they’re offering me a deep-rooted, heavy, dramatic film. People have tried giving me that churan. Often, I can see through that.

You are one of the best supporting actors in Bollywood and these days, Hindi films are increasingly relying on supporting actors to shoulder a film’s narrative. At such a time, shouldn’t you be focusing more on acting?
I can, but I don’t know if I should. I am very happy that actors are getting lots of work these days, but my reasons to do less work are very clear. It’s not necessary to do every single film. In the last few years, I learnt a great craft. If the movie I’m making doesn’t work, I will be back to doing every second film, like I did years ago. Who knows?

BOMBAY TIMES (July 29, 2017)

The superstar has mentored more than any other people in Bollywood
Subhash K Jha (DNA; September 5, 2015)

Sooraj Pancholi and Athiya Shetty are not the only newbies to be mentored by Salman Khan. The superstar has gone out of his way to support and promote young actors, and sometimes actresses. And musicians too. Some of them have gone on to become major stars. Others couldn't build on Advantage Salman. Here's a list of Salman's protégées who made it and who didn't.

Hrithik Roshan: Salman took a shine to Roshan Jr during the shooting of Rakesh Roshan's Karan Arjun. Saw a bright future in the youngster. Personally took photographs of him and gave it to key media persons and producers.

Inder Kumar: Then there is Inder Kumar. Salman saw huge potential in this young actor too. Inder not only hung around Salman's home (like all his protégés) he also played roles in Salman's home productions and Salman-starrers like Tumko Na Bhool Payenge and Wanted. However every Salman protégée cannot be a Hrithik Roshan.

Arjun Kapoor: Although Arjun was Salman's sister's ex, Salman never held the broken relationship against Arjun. He encouraged the flabby shapeless star-kid to lose weight and become a potential star.

Himesh Reshammiya: It's not just actors who owe their careers to Salman. Himesh was only a struggling composer in Bollywood until Salman's ears fell on the Gujju composer's catchy songs. Salman repeatedly used Himesh songs in his film and sang Himesh's songs on screen. Big boost.

Kamaal Khan: Oh oh jaane-a-jana.London based singer hung around Salman until the hit-and-run case. Not heard of Kamaal since then.

Pulkit Samrat: There are Salman proteges who are helped by the superstar. Then there is Pulkit, Salman's rakhi-sister's husband, who spends so much time with Salman that he has begun to look and behave like a pocket-sized version of Salman. Same to same.

Armaan Malik: Anu Malik's nephew has shot to stardom with the Hero theme song sung by Salman Khan.

Sonakshi Sinha: It's not just the guys who benefit from Salman's mentoring. Look at Sonakshi Sinha! Who knows what shape her career would have taken if Salman and Dabangg had not happened to her?

Daisy Shah: Not every female discovery of Salman is a Sonakshi. Jai Ho!

Vinay Virmani: After Sooraj Pancholi it's Toronto-based Vinay Virmani whom Salman will mentor into stardom. Salman is the co-producer of Vinay's Dr Cabbie.And he has big plans for the newcomer.

Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; August 11, 2014)

If sources are to believed, Sangeeta Bijlani has been approached to be a part of Bigg Boss. Interestingly, she is the former girlfriend of Salman Khan, who will host the show.

A source says, “This year, the show is expected to go on air in October instead of September. Accordingly, the show’s production team has just started approaching celebrities for the show. The three people who have been approached are Sangeeta Bijlani, Inder Kumar and Amy Jackson. But they are yet to get back to the team with their answer.”

Although Salman has denied having a say in choosing contestants for the show, it just so happens that every year, people close to him have made it to the Bigg Boss house.

Looks like this year will not be an exception either. Sangeeta is believed to share a good rapport with the actor and his family and she is often spotted at their family gatherings. Inder too is friend of Salman and has acted with him in Wanted. Another source says, “So far, only Karishma Tanna has given her nod to the show and talks are on with other celebrities.” Inder, however, says that he has not been offered the show so far.

When contacted, Deepak Dhar, MD, Endemol India, replied, “I cannot comment on any speculative story at this point of time.”

The channel’s spokesperson remained unavailable for comment.

Versova police arrested the 25-year-old for allegedly robbing Rs 10 lakh worth of jewellery from her sister’s house; she had lodged a rape case on April 25 against the actor
Shiva Devnath (MID-DAY; August 2, 2014)


The woman who had accused actor Inder Kumar of assaulting and raping her was arrested yesterday for robbing her sister of Rs 10 lakh in jewellery. Her sister had reported the case to the Versova police three days ago.

Cops told the complainant had reported the missing jewels from her house in New Mhada building at Four Bungalows four days ago.

Cops had taken the case against an unknown accused. The woman’s sister, before going to the police, had asked her if she was the one who had taken the jewellery since she stayed in the same house. The woman denied committing the theft.

After the complaint was made, police started questioning people. When they interrogated the woman, she confessed to having stolen the jewellery and cops arrested her on Friday. Police Inspector S Kulkarni from Versova police station confirmed that the woman had accepted she had committed the robbery.

Mid-day had reported on April 26 that the 25-year-old had lodged a rape case against the actor. She had walked into the Versova police station in the morning, alleging that the actor had raped and brutally assaulted her the previous night at his apartment in Versova. She said she had met Kumar at a party three months prior to the alleged rape and had been friends with him as he had promised her a role in a Salman Khan film.

Kumar had been arrested on charges of rape, causing grievous hurt and criminal intimidation under the Indian Penal Code. The sessions court on June 23 granted him bail on a bond of Rs 30,000.

Pallavi, Kumar’s wife, told mid-day, “If a woman can rob her own sister, it is but obvious that she levelled those charges to extort money from my husband who is a celebrity. The girl’s actions clearly indicate that she framed my husband.”

Police said the woman would be produced in court today, after which they would start recovering the stolen ornaments.

— Inputs by Bharati Dubey

Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; June 20, 2014)

“I have a 15-month-old daughter and wife to fend for and I have no work, no house and no money,” says Inder Kumar, who is now out on bail.

It may be pointed out that the actor was accused by a struggling actress of raping and assaulting her. The actor was then arrested and he spent 45 days in prison before getting a bail. He says, “When I got arrested, my daughter fell ill. My wife, Pallavi, asked for help to bail me out, but no one came forward.” To make things worse, just before his incarceration, the landlord of his rented apartment apparently issued an eviction notice to his wife Pallavi. “She was asked to vacate the house in just one month,” says the actor, who now has only one film in hand.

“It is difficult for me to get a house on rent now. My stuff is lying in a warehouse and we are living at a friend’s place. Only one person stood by us — Dolly Bindra; other than her, my wife and I didn’t receive a single phone call from anyone in the film industry,” he says.

“I have no money in the bank; we had to sell our car to pay lawyers. It took just one person to shatter my reputation. I really want to know why the law does not give you a chance to give your side of the story. I respect women, but in this case, the woman was seeking revenge.”

So was he in a relationship with the struggling actress? The actor replies that he doesn’t want to talk about the case as the matter is subjudice. Ask him about his alleged drug addiction and the actor says, “There is a misconception about it. After my helicopter fall, my back has been acting up often. When I was moved to Arthur Road jail, it got aggravated and I needed painkillers to get rid of the pain, that’s it,” he says.

Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; April 29, 2014)

Actor Inder Kumar’s wife Pallavi has come out in defence of her husband and is blaming the struggling actress for framing him. She also blames the police for being negligent. She says, “My husband met this girl on April 2 at his gym. She told him that she was offered a film with Ali Zafar and since she allegedly couldn’t afford a gym membership, she requested him to help her in her workouts. Inder told her that he would do it if I permitted him to do so. Next thing I know, she came home and I found things to be quite fishy. I asked Inder to avoid her which he did."

When asked if Inder promised her a role in a Salman Khan film, Pallavi denied it. “It’s not as if Salman is going around distributing roles to people.” Pallavi adds that it was the girl who was chasing Inder even though he kept avoiding her. “She sent him a picture of her slit wrist and then Inder scolded her,” she says.

Pallavi also points out that she went to her mother’s house along with their kid because she was irritated with all that was happening. “Three days later that I found out that Inder was was staying with that girl in her house.” Pallavi claims that after Inder returned home, she warned the girl to stay away from her husband. She says that on April 23, the girl came to their house with an alcohol bottle in hand. “Instead, she is saying that she was held captive for two days. The police need to check all the records and statements.”

The actor’s wife points out that on April 24, an inebriated Inder slit his wrist. “When this girl told me that Inder has attempted suicide, I called the police who took them to the Versova police station. If Inder had been raping her all this while, why didn’t she complain earlier?” Pallavi says Inder is no longer a drug addict and has been clean ‘since the last two years’. “When that girl left the building at midnight, there were no struggle marks on her body. What prompted her to lodge a police complaint in the morning is beyond me,” says Pallavi.

Meanwhile...
Sahil Malik, the girl’s cousin, refutes all the charges levelled against his sister. “She is so scared that she has not spoken to the media at all. Inder called her on April 23 and emotionally blackmailed her. When my sister went to his place, he locked her up. He then beat her and even raped her. The medical report is evidence enough to show that Inder physically abused her. My sister stayed quiet on April 24 only because he had threatened her with dire consequences.”

TNN | THE TIMES OF INDIA (April 27, 2014)

Mumbai: Actor Inder Kumar, who was arrested on Friday for allegedly raping and assaulting his girlfriend, who is a model, was produced before a holiday magistrate court in Bandra on Saturday. He has been remanded in police custody till Wednesday.

Kumar’s wife told the media that her husband was innocent and the complainant had trapped him. She added that the girlfriend was pressuring Kumar for a relationship after threatening to harm herself.

Denying allegations leveled by his girlfriend, Kumar told the police he had had consensual sex with her. The girlfriend said the attack took place after Kumar, who is in a troubled relationship with his wife, was summoned by the police following his wife’s complaint for torture and his affair.

The actor allegedly raped his girlfriend, hit her with beer bottles, kicked her in the stomach, bit her and burnt her with cigarettes at his Versova flat on Wednesday. The woman also alledged that Kumar had locked her up. His lawyer, Amarendra Padgaonkar, told the court Kumar and the model had fought with each other after which the actor, his wife and girlfriend went to the cops. But the girlfriend reportedly didn’t mention the harassment at that time. “There was no rape. They were in a consensual relationship. The woman willingly lived in his house. The actor had not locked her up,” said Padgaonkar. 
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PTI (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 27, 2014)

A local court on Saturday sent actor Inder Kumar Saraf to police custody till April 30 on the charge of raping his girlfriend after prosecution said it was a serious offence and they need time to probe. The 40-year-old actor, who was arrested on Frday by Versova police, was produced before a Bandra Magistrate, who remanded him in police custody for four days. The victim lodged a police complaint alleging that the actor had sexually assaulted her since Wednesday night at his Andheri apartment before she escaped from his flat on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday.

She said the actor had molested her on the pretext of getting her roles in films. The victim also claimed that she had been thrashed and hit with a beer bottle by Inder. She had burn wounds on her body indicating that the actor burnt her with his cigarettes, police said. Inder told police that he is being framed. He has even said that he had consensual sex with his girlfriend, the model.

Outside the court, Inder's wife told reporters that her husband was innocent and had been trapped by the victim. The model had threatened to commit suicide if he did not involve himself in a relationship with her, she alleged.

The actor's lawyer Amarendra Padgaonkar said there was a fight between the model and the actor on April 24 following which Inder, his wife and the victim had gone to the police station. However, police sent them back saying they were busy as it was an election day. If she was raped, why did she not mention this on that day to police, he asked

Vijay V Singh | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; April 26, 2014)

Mumbai: TV and film actor Inder Kumar was on Friday arrested for allegedly raping and brutally assaulting his girlfriend in his Versova flat on Wednesday. The woman said the attack took place after Kumar, who is in a troubled relationship with his wife, was summoned by the police following a complaint by his wife over torture and his affair.

The police arrested actor Inder Kumar Sarraf on Friday after his girlfriend alleged that he had sexually assaulted her. The Versova police said she has been admitted to hospital, where her condition was stable.

Kumar, who has acted in about 20 films and a television serial, had a troubled relationship with his wife, who lives with her mother in the same building, in Versova. He allegedly fought with his wife on Wednesday and took out his anger on his girlfriend.

The actor allegedly hit his girlfriend with beer bottles, kicked her in the stomach, bit her and tortured her with cigarettes.

Kumar allegedly went to her house in Andheri, threatened and warned her not to approach the police. But a relative helped her to file a police complaint.

The police have booked Kumar under Sections 376 (rape), 342 (wrongful confinement), 325 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt) and 506-2 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.

His girlfriend had sought help in getting modeling or acting assignments last month. She told the police that Kumar, however, physically exploited her after promising help.

Kumar lives at Seven Bungalows and his wife used to occasionally visit his flat. She, however, found Kumar with his girlfriend and fought with him on Wednesday. The wife approached the police, alleging that Kumar was torturing her and was in a relationship with another woman. She sought police help to get a divorce.
The police summoned Kumar and warned him about his aggressive behaviour and told the couple to approach a court for a divorce.

Kumar returned home angry with his girlfriend and allegedly raped her. He then allegedly attacked her and locked her in the flat. She managed to flee from the flat early on Friday. Kumar told the police that he had consensual sex with her.  
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Priyanka Borpujari (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 26, 2014)

Actor Inder Kumar Saraf - known for his roles in 'Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' and 'Wanted' - was arrested on Friday by the Versova police on charges of raping and assaulting a 23-year-old model. The woman has been admitted to Cooper Hospital with severe injuries to her head and limbs.

The 40-year-old actor has been booked for rape, grievous hurt, criminal intimidation, voluntarily causing grievous hurt, and causing grievous hurt by dangerous means, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

According to senior inspector Harishchandra Parmale of Versova police station, Saraf was in a relationship with the model, and had promised her arole in a movie.

The model's cousin told the police that his sister had met Saraf at a party a month ago when she was working with a production house. They began to meet frequently, and Saraf allegedly told her about his failing relationship with his wife. "But he would also often beat up my sister," said the cousin.

According to the police, Saraf's wife Pallavi had complained to them about her husband having an extramarital affair earlier this week. But they later sorted the matter.

However, the model's cousin said that on Wednesday evening, Saraf called her to his home, where he kept her 'captive' for two days. Moreover, he allegedly threatened to kill her, saying that she could not harm him as he was well-connected and 'a friend of Salman Khan'. "On Thursday night, he got drunk and began to hit her with a beer bottle and then raped her. When he fell asleep, she escaped from the house at 2 am," added the cousin.

Twelve years ago, Inder was married to film publicist Raju Kariya's daughter Sonal Kariya, his first wife. The couple have a daughter, but got divorced after two years. Raju Kariya has been taking care of his daughter and granddaughter since. "Inder is not a good man, but these allegations are baseless. He can never rape a woman. I don't want to say anything bad about him because he is the father of my granddaughter," said the 65-year-old. When the police asked him about Inder's wife, Kariya said, "Inder married four times after he married my daughter Sonal."

Originally from Kolkata, Inder, who essayed the role of 'Mihir' in the popular TV serial 'Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi', has acted in movies like 'Maa Tujhe Salaam' and 'Baaghi'. 
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Shiva Devnath (MID-DAY; April 26, 2014)

A wounded 23-year-old aspiring model and actress landed at the Versova police station at 9.30 am yesterday, alleging that Bollywood actor Inder Kumar had brutally raped and assaulted her at his apartment in Versova on Thursday night.

The woman, who met Kumar at a party three months ago, had stayed friends with him as he had promised to get her a lead role in a Salman Khan film. Kumar has acted in films like Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi , Tumko Na Bhool Payenge and other films starring Salman Khan. Kumar has been arrested and charged with rape. He will be produced in court today.

The survivor, who had gone to the police station with her elder sister, claimed that Kumar had a fight with his wife on Thursday and turned up at her doorstep in the Four Bungalows area, asking her to spend time with him as he was lonely. The woman agreed and went to his house at Shantiniketan building in Seven Bungalows, Versova. Kumar stays on the sixth floor of the building, while his wife stays on another floor.
 
Threat and assault
On Wednesday, Kumar and his wife had a fight while the actress was at his residence. Kumar’s wife approached the police the same day, alleging that he had assaulted her. In turn, Kumar told the actress that he would kill her if she did not defend him. Accordingly, the survivor told the police that his wife was lying.

Kumar then dropped her home and headed back to Versova before going to her at night. “I was scared and took his side as he had threatened to kill me,” said the woman. “At night he took me to his house and began threatening me again. He then broke a beer bottle and attacked me with it, injuring my stomach and hands, before brutally raping me. He left me wounded on the floor.”

“When I regained consciousness around 1.30 am, I escaped Kumar’s house with the help of one of his friends, who had just arrived on the scene. Kumar came to my house an hour later and started banging on the door, but I did not open it. I called up my sister in the morning and she brought me to the police station,” the woman added.

She also alleged that Kumar had raped her at her house a week ago and threatened that she would be kidnapped and killed if she went to the police. “We have registered a case of rape and assault, including criminal intimidation, against Kumar and arrested him. The woman is recuperating at Cooper Hospital in Vile Parle,” said V Harishchandra Parmale, senior inspector of Versova police station. “We have arrested Kumar and he will be produced before a court on Saturday.”

Incidentally, members of the society where Kumar lives were fed up with him for allegedly drinking and beating up his wife. They had served him a notice a few days back, asking him to vacate the rented flat by Saturday.