Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 27, 2020)

The 10th season of Khatron Ke Khiladi suffered a setback when the Coronavirus-triggered lockdown resulted in a three-month hiatus. The stunt-packed reality show resumed airing from June 27 and concluded on a high with TV actress Karishma Tanna emerging as the first female winner after five seasons. Since then, it has got an extension with Colors beaming a special edition, Khatron Ke Khiladi: Made In India, with a mix of contestants from previous seasons. It began with Farah Khan leading the eight returning khiladis in the first week with Rohit Shetty back as the host in the following week. It is the first edition of the series to be shot completely in India, and is now nearing its end with the finale on Saturday and Sunday.

The finalists for this one-month special edition are comedian Bharti Singh, along with husband Haarsh Limbachiyaa, and TV actors Nia Sharma, Jasmin Bhasin, Aly Goni, Karan Wahi, and Jay Bhanushali. Rithvik Dhanjani, who had to quit the show in the second week due to personal reasons, returned in the finale to test his co-contestants’ flexibility by giving them some unique yoga poses.

The finale episode will also see some stunts involving pythons as Haarsh faces his biggest phobia. It will also have one of the biggest stunts designed by Rohit himself in full Bollywood action style. The contestants will have to find a stolen necklace while racing against time, driving through shattered glass, car blasts and other such hurdles to reach their destination.

Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; May 14, 2019)

Television couple Mahhi Vij and Jay Bhanushali, who tied the knot in 2010, are expecting their first child. Mahhi is in her second trimester and the couple, we hear, is excited about this development in their life.

The buzz about Mahhi’s pregnancy started after the actress stopped being active on social media and attending parties. That led her friends to speculate that Mahhi and Jay could be expecting their first child. The couple already takes care of their house help Manoj’s kids — five-year-old Khushi and three-year-old Rajveer — and are extremely attached to them. In fact, they are almost like foster parents to the two. BT reached out to the couple, but they did not respond. 

Ahead of Children’s Day, After Hrs gets celebrities to give a piece of advice to their younger selves
DNA (November 13, 2016)

Childhood brings back memories of pure and innocent moments and carefree days — spending hours playing games, fighting with siblings, indulging in sweets and getting wet in the rain. As we grow up, we tend to lose our spontaneity and curiosity, and get bogged down by the stresses of everyday life. Various personalities tell us what they would tell the child hidden within them.

‘Let my creativity thrive’: Rithvik Dhanjani, actor
To let my creativity thrive. We always say give a child a hammer and see what he or she does with it. We are extremely creative as children, and then discipline and worldly knowledge changes our thought process as we grow up. In the process our creativity goes down, which is unfortunate.

‘Change nothing about yourself’: Candice Pinto, model
The child in me is active most of the time — I’m hyperactive and fun and that’s me all the time. The one thing I’d tell the child in me is to be the way you are. Change nothing about yourself.

‘Never ever leave me’: Krushna Abhishek, actor
Never ever leave me and go. If the child goes, the innocence goes with it. All the masti will go. I still have that innocence and masti — I’ve not grown up, I never want to.

‘Be a kid at heart’: Jay Bhanushali, actor
Never think of being all grown-up and becoming mature. I like people who are still kids at heart because they are pure and can tackle all the problems without any stress.

‘Don’t lose a child’s instinct’: Aashka Goradia, actress
The one thing I want to tell the child in me is don’t lose your instinct. No matter what problem comes in front of you, your instinct is priceless. Nothing better than having a child’s intuition.

‘It’s always good to be curious’: Dino Morea, model turned actor
Always remember to remain like a child. When you have a child-like quality, there’s a certain curiousity, a zest for life. That way there’s constant learning. I always tell myself to be curious because if you think you know everything, then your learning process stops.

‘Just relax’: Sorabh Pant, comedian
Since I already have a child, I think he genuinely reminds me on a daily basis that everything is not as important as you make it out to be... like ambition. I’ve never really been the most ambitious person, in any case. I think if we take a step back and recognise the fact that babies and children are generally the happiest of the lot, it’s primarily because they really don’t give a s***. The main thing is to relax and enjoy simple easy things, like my son spends about 45 minutes being fascinated by how a car door works. And I’m sitting there doing calculations of how I have to pay service tax in 10 days or whatever and getting really worked up about it and he’s literally entertaining himself with a car door. Basically the point I’m trying to say, is I’m not going to pay my service tax anymore instead I’m going to play with a car door. The main thing I learn from kids is that happiness can be found in the easiest and simplest of things and you really don’t need to be stressed out all the time and take 10 minutes to sort of, do something which you like. It could be the simplest thing like dancing in the middle of a Virar local if you get space, playing with a ball, there’s so many things to do. That’s basically what the child in me tries to tell me, just relax.

‘Wonder in your eyes’: Shazahn Padamsee, actress
Always look at the world with wonder. And never listen to cynical people who tell me that such things are meant for kids, not adults.

'Let’s be spontaneous’: Gauri Shinde, director
I will tell the child in me, I will love you, take care of you like no one else can. Let’s always be this spontaneous and mad and never stop falling in love. I will take you out dancing more often.

‘Don’t ever be an adult’: Falguni Peacock, fashion designer
Don’t ever be an adult. Children have such innocence. They’re carefree and have no fear. I would like to deal with my life — be it any work-related issues fearlessly like a child. I should be ready to take on any challenge...

‘Make your own reality’: Payal Singhal, fashion designer
The one thing I want to tell the child in me is, ‘Don’t worry, everything will be fine and you are in charge of your own destiny. You make your own reality. So, dream big, work hard and love lots’.

‘Make more mistakes’: Payal Khandwala, fashion designer
Make more mistakes. I made quite a few anyway. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. I always wanted to do the right thing as a child. I was afraid to fall, I was a bit of an old soul. it makes you wiser as you grow up, ... because you never learn from other people’s mistakes.

‘Never stop learning’: Gautam Mehrishi, chef
Never stop learning, keep looking for teachers and always believe that the world is your classroom and everyone else your classmates!

‘Never be afraid to ask questions’: Arzan Khambatta, sculptor
Never grow up, never stop being curious, and never be afraid to ask the stupidest questions, if it helps you clear doubts.

‘Keep the faith’: Nachiket Barve, fashion designer
To keep the faith, I think it’s very important. Also to make more time for family and friends. At some level, not to worry so much.

‘Fill your life with knowledge and laughter’: Zeba Kohli, chocolatier
The one thing I want to tell the child in me is that the world is amazing and what we make of it, so make it fun and enjoy every minute of it. Fill your life with knowledge, laughter, love and prayer.

Celebs tell us why these pooches are their best friends
Lisa Antao (DNA; August 7, 2016)


‘Dogs demand unconditional love, too’: Shreyas Talpade
More than being my best friends, my dogs — Don and Knight are like my sons. Both are Labradors aged seven, but Don is four months older. My wife got us Don when I was going through a bit of stressful time and he uplifted me. Later, we thought of getting Don a buddy as he was alone and a friend gifted us Knight. They both are more than a part of my family — all of my family, including my parents, in-laws, other relatives, people in my building love them too. I absolutely agree that a dog is a man’s best friend. They say dogs give you unconditional love but I would also like to add that they demand unconditional love from you too. Even if you’ve had a long stressful day, they come up to you and want to play with you. It’s de-stressing and joyful. Everybody should have a pet especially, if they have a child at home, as it make one more compassionate, it makes you more responsible. Kids eventually grow up and leave you later but your pets don’t leave you.

‘Dogs don’t have mood swings’: Jay Bhanushali
I have three dogs (and a cat) — Figo, Tim Tim and Katori. Katori is a two-year-old pug whom I adopted. Figo (male, age six) was gifted by good friend Ashwini Yardi. Tim Tim (female, age five) was gifted by another friend Narendra. Figo and Tim Tim are Shih Tzus and a couple. They are my best friends. I truly believe that dogs are a man’s best friend. They don’t have mood swings. Even when I return home at 3 am or 5 am after shooting for 12 to 14 hours a day, they come up to me and refresh my mood. It’s wonderful to be welcomed by these beautiful dogs when I get back home any time of the day. They do cute little things that touch my heart.

‘My dogs are my family’: Mika Singh
I’m an animal lover. I have various pets at my farm house in Gurgaon. I have several breeds of dogs and they are taken care of by people who are put up at the farmhouse. I love spending time with my dogs and they too are the happiest when they see me. The age old saying that dogs are a man’s best friends has been absolutely true in my case. For me, they are family. From understanding my mood to my conversation with them, my pets have become one of my closest friends. It’s unbelievable how they can sense every time I’m feeling low. I see the happiness in their eyes when they see me enter the farmhouse and the sadness each time I’m about to leave for Mumbai. That’s what I call truest friendship and unconditional love.

‘My Lhasa Apso is my baby’: Tanishaa Mukerji (Theatre and film actor)
The happy and positive impact a dog creates at home is really unbelievable. They are truly the most loving creatures I have ever come across. My five-year-old Lhasa Apso, King Leonidas is extremely possessive about me. He is my baby, always following me around and being there for me no matter what. For me, my dog is my best friend and will always be.

OPPOSITE OPINION

‘Best friend is a heavy term’: Nachiket Barve
I have a Labrador Retriever called Sir Theodore Goldenridge, and I fondly call him Theo. He will be turning nine this September. He’s the first dog in the family and Theo wasn’t gifted to me. I don’t think dogs should be gifted because they become family and it’s like gifting someone a spouse! I did a lot of research before getting a pet. I didn’t want to buy a dog from a pet shop where they’re kept in cages and sold. I got in touch with a family via Indian Kennel Club, whose dog gave birth to litter and I saw and adopted him. I wouldn’t say a dog is a man’s best friend because a ‘best friend’ is a heavy term. Dogs become family and it’s like having a small child in the family.

‘Justin shadows me everywhere’: Sohrab Ardeshir (Theatre actor)
I completely agree with the adage that a dog is a man’s best friend. My family has always kept dogs and I’ve been around them ever since I was born. I used to have three dogs but two have passed away. Currently, I have a six-year-old street dog named Justin. He shadows me which is lovely but becomes a problem when I’m travelling. I always get a very warm welcome when I return home, muddy paws all over me which I love! (laughs) I wish more people would adopt street dogs, as there are so many of them who need a home. Plus, they are so loving and faithful!

‘My Yorkie-Shih Tzu is a complete brat’: Zafar Karachiwala (Theatre actor)
Our seven-year-old Yorkie-Shih Tzu is called Monster and he’s a complete brat! He is my wife Ahlam’s dog and he took a liking to me from day one of our marriage. I’m the one who gives him his bath and takes him out for a walk every day. He likes to go for a walk in the mornings, so he usually wakes me up by licking my feet at 6 am. While he goes to Ahlam for comfort, I’m his buddy and we love hanging out together.

Celebrities tell the After Hrs team that it’s criminal that the animal offenders who knowingly hurt a dog got away with a petty fine. They suggest punishments that ought to be meted out to them
DNA (July 9, 2016)

Two medical students — Gautam Sudarshan and Ashish Pal — one of whom heartlessly threw a dog off the terrace while the other one filmed the macabre incident, were arrested and then released on bail in Chennai.

The incident shook the nation. The dog is reported to have suffered two fractures, one in her right hind leg and another in her spine, and is now under treatment. She has been named Bhadra (which means blessed).

The men were charged with offences punishable with fines of `10 and `50 instead of jail time. Now the question remains: is the token bail amount enough punishment for the inhuman act?

“The Prevention of Cruelty Act is pretty outdated, it is a 1960 law and we want a change in that because they can just get away with a fine of `50,” said animal rights activist Shravan Krishnan to a news portal. The video went viral and has sparked a lot of outrage and debate on animal cruelty laws on social media. We ask celebrities from the world of art, media and entertainment about what punishment the culprits really deserve...

‘Stricter laws are needed’: Sooraj Pancholi, Actor
It’s ridiculous that the person who committed the crime has been let off so easily. Rs 50 cannot be the price of anyone’s life — human or animal. Even animals have emotions and feelings. Not only the people who committed the crime, but also the people who let them off so easily should be questioned. I am slowly losing my faith in humanity. I feel these offenders should be made to serve prison time. We need stricter laws for such heinous crimes. Throwing a dog off the terrace is as serious a crime as harming a human being.

‘Should’ve kept them in jail for a week’: Riteish Deshmukh, Actor
I know what the laws to punish humans for anti-social activities like robbery and murder are, but I don’t know what’s the law for protecting animals and for such offences. This is documented evidence where he’s showing off what he can do! The collective thoughts of everyone made sure these two people were caught. I think they should have been kept in jail at least for a week because everyone can see what they actually did. Two people wished the poor dog dead, but so many people thought together so it was alive. There’s a certain collective energy working here which created this miracle. Genelia and I were so happy when we heard the puppy was alive.

‘Force them to work in animal shelters’: Sunny Leone, Actress
I think the men in question should have to pay all the pup’s medical expenses. Furthermore, they should be forced to work in animal shelters under supervision for free to help them learn animal compassion.

‘Losing their friends would be the biggest punishment’: Suniel Shetty, Actor
We need to educate people about pets and how much they mean to us. According to me, these guys are mentally unstable. Their parents should take that into consideration and check out their mental stability. What promoted them to do such a crazy thing? Rather than punishing them we need to understand their state of mind and work on it. As the video went viral they must have lost all their friends and that would be their biggest punishment. To be shunned like this is shameful for them. As far as being let off too easy what can you do? It’s a mental issue... some people fear stray dogs which bark and throw stones at them. They need to keep this in check.

‘Jail is a good punishment’: Tusshar Kapoor, Actor
I thought it was really sad that humans have become so sadistic, especially with a creature that’s so selfless and unconditional in its love. I am glad that the animal is alive. I have heard that the two men are out in bail. If that’s true then what about animal rights? If Bollywood has to give disclaimers for even using an animal harmlessly, why are these people not put behind bars? Jail is a good punishment for animal abusers. I love animals and for me a Rs 50 fine is not enough.

‘Throw the guy off the roof: Dino Morea, Actor
Sick people like these need to be punished for taking out a life. It’s insensitive and inhuman to do such a thing. It’s ridiculous that he was let off for a sum of Rs 50. Punishment needs to be harsh because there will be more sick guys who will do similar thing and be let off for Rs 50. I’ve seen the video a few times and saw that the guy was enjoying doing such a thing as was the guy recording the footage. Jail this guy for a year or throw him off the roof! Only then he will understand the real effect of his actions.

‘Whatever acts as a deterrent...’: Pooja Bedi, Actor
As human beings we have responsibility not only towards mankind, but also towards animals, nature and the environment. Animals are living creatures and they have a right to co-exist, and any act of barbarity should be punished. Whatever acts as a deterrent should be encouraged, whether it’s a hefty monetary fine, serving prison time or even community service.

‘Get a strong message across that it’s wrong’: Rithvik Dhanjani, Actor
I am deeply saddened by what has happened. I feel defeated that I am part of such a species that thinks only humans are important. We are so self-centered that we think everybody other than humans is a threat to us. What is alarming is that they attempted such a crime. Bawaal machna chahiye jo nahi hua. Also, how do you decide the price of a dog is Rs 50? That’s how cheap life is! In an alternative world, imagine you throw a human being and pay a fine of Rs 200. If it comes to me I will probably throw them down four-five floors and pay a fine of Rs 5000. I am not the one to decide the punishment, but there is a need of some sort of payback from those guys. And it shouldn’t be monetary. We have to figure out how we should get across a strong message that this is wrong. I cannot do much, but at least I can speak my heart out against it.

‘Throw them from the same spot’: Sanjay Gupta, Filmmaker
I saw the video and found it very upsetting and disturbing. The right thing to do is throw them from the same spot! I would have done it myself and then paid whatever fine was required. The animal laws have to change. It’s not about letting them off easy or anything... Letting them go with Rs 50 fine is ridiculous, it’s a joke!

‘...higher bail and jail time’: Diandra Soares, Model
I am in shock hearing about the Rs 50 fine. I definitely feel that the medical school should remove both of them. I understand that people at times make mistakes, but these two men were not uneducated kids. It’s very sad that in our country we don’t have strict laws for animal abuse. This case demands for a stricter punishment. If I meet this guy I think I might push him off a terrace myself. They should have been given a much higher bail amount and some jail time as well. I wouldn’t mind starting a movement for a harsher punishment. An example needs to be set.

‘There should be a national reaction against it’: Ruslaan Mumtaz, Actor
In India, people take life of humans and animals very lightly. India is supposedly the most religious and spiritual country. I am really disappointed that even today, our country does not do anything and lets go of all kinds of crimes. That’s the sad part. In this case, I honestly feel all the animal activists should come together and fight. They will not allow this person to go with the fine of Rs 50. There should be a national reaction against it.

‘They should be rusticated, not just suspended’: Mini Mathur, TV host
One can’t equate this act of throwing a dog from a terrace with the act of throwing a stone on a dog — it’s not the same kind of cruelty to animals. This case should be a wake up call to reform the law. It shows mental derangement, it’s a premeditated act of sadism. According to me the men should be arrested. They should also be rusticated and not just suspended from medical college. Such people are dangerous criminals and shouldn’t be allowed to treat humans and become doctors. They should be put behind bars and booked under sadism and unnatural acts. I sincerely hope some revocation to the Rs 50 fine is given and that they are ridiculed in public.

‘This crime was equivalent to manslaughter’: Divya Palat, Theatre actor and director
I think the best punishment for these men is imprisonment. If you are caught trying to murder someone you would be jailed. This crime was equivalent to manslaughter. I think we live in such a horrific world that anything perceived to be weaker whether it’s animals or women are hurt, beaten or raped. And we are okay with it? Animals should have the same rights as human beings. The dog hadn’t done anything wrong. Also, how much of a psychopath do you have to be to do something like this! And to think the man might become a doctor someday. The magnitude of the crime is deplorable. Such people who are let off for Rs 50 will do it again and again. Forget the law, there has to be some humanity left.

‘Usse lakhon logon ki baddua lagegi’: Ravi Dubey, TV actor
I think for somebody who is being inhuman, harming either a person or an animal, there has to be a much bigger punishment. I have a dog and I consider him my son. He is a part of my family. It was infuriating to watch that video, I wanted to put my opinion online. It is ridiculous after such a huge hue and cry, that guy was let off with a fine of just Rs 50. It was a cold-blooded act — he has no respect for life. I don’t know what the ideal punishment should be, but it should send across a strong message to someone who intends doing something like that to retain and sustain their humanity. He has been let off but usko lakhon logon ki baddua lagegi.

‘He is sick and should be in jail’: Mahhi Vij, Actress
If that man could do this to a dog, he can do it to a human too. His mindset is not right. He is sick and should be in jail. The problem is, we don’t have laws for such kind of things in India. I had a poodle and two drunkards driving a car ran over it when it was sitting at the corner of the gate. When I went to file a complaint, the cops told me that I can’t because nothing like that exists. Americans have a better system and laws against such cruelties. Animals also have a heart. They can’t speak, but that doesn’t mean you treat them inhumanly.

‘Consider it an attempt to murder...’: Jay Bhanushali, Actor
It is saddening that just for Facebook likes and YouTube hits, people are doing these kind of things. I think people who do this to animals should get the same punishment if they had done it to humans. It should be considered an attempt to murder. Otherwise, this will keep happening. At least, in the metros we need to change laws in favour of animal rights. And as Mahii said, an incident happened with our dog Angel and after fighting with the cops to file a complaint, I realised that since there are no laws, nothing can be done.

‘Nothing less than life imprisonment’: Rahul Da Cunha, Theatre personality
I feel people like the two accused who harm animals for fun, deserve nothing less than life imprisonment. And in the case of the BJP minister who attacked a horse who later succumbed to his injuries, to begin with, he should have at least been removed from the party.

Neha Maheshwri Bhagat (BOMBAY TIMES; February 20, 2016)

Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; February 10, 2016)

MID-DAY (December 11, 2015)

The grapevine has been buzzing with rumours of telly couple Jay Bhanushali and Mahhi Vij’s marriage hitting a rocky patch. The duo, currently shooting in Argentina for Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi, recently hit headlines when the wife asked for a separate room following Jay’s alleged closeness with co-participant Parvathy Omanakuttan.

Now, we hear the actor called for spa service in his hotel room with a special request for an erotic massage. “To Jay’s shock, the spa manager turned up at the hotel to find out what exactly he wanted as part of the sensual massage package,” says a source, adding that a few other contestants overheard the manager asking Jay about his ‘exact requirements’.

Apparently, when Mahhi found out about her hubby’s special request later, she went ballistic. We don’t know if Jay managed to get that massage before his wife confronted him, but when we tried to get in touch with Jay for his side of the story, he remained unavailable.

Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; November 24, 2015)

Arjun Kapoor-hosted reality show in Argentina seems to be creating more buzz due to the antics of contestants than their adventurous pursuits. If sources are to be believed, telly couple Mahhi Vij and Jay Bhanushali, who are taking part in Fear Factor – Khatron Ke Khiladi, had an ugly spat in their Buenos Aires hotel room. Reason? Jay’s alleged growing closeness to another participant, model-turned-actress Parvathy Omanakuttan.

Sources state that Mahhi then apparently asked to be put up in a separate room. “She felt that her husband was getting too friendly with Parvathy and confronted him. That escalated into an expletive-laden exchange between the couple. Later, when Mahhi was asked why she wanted another room, she was overheard telling co-contestants about how Jay had behaved with her,” reveals a unit hand.

Jay and Mahhi had a hushhush wedding in 2011, but made it public only a year later. Two years later, there were reports about trouble in their paradise, but in early 2014, they put speculation to rest by exchanging wedding vows yet again while holidaying in Las Vegas. However, post that, there has been intermittent buzz about strained relations due to Mahi’s apparent possessive nature.

Mahhi remained unavailable for comment.

Though Ek Paheli Leela was promoted as an erotic film, his character in the film skips on the sex, says Jay Bhanushali
Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; April 9, 2015)


What are your thoughts right now as your film is on the verge of releasing?
Scared! I have given my best to the film, but still there is some anxiety when the film is on the verge of release.

First Hate Story 2 and now Ek Paheli Leela, aren’t you apprehensive of being typecast in the erotic genre?
It’s a pure coincidence that these films came my way. In any case, Ek Paheli Leela is not exactly an erotic film, it’s a musical thriller. Yes, Hate Story 2 fits into the erotic genre but in this film, my character has no erotic scenes. I am playing a lover boy, but I don’t have any intimate scenes with Sunny (Leone). The reason I did this film is because I got to play a role that I have never done before, even on TV. I play a musician, a singer from Mumbai who is happy-go-lucky. He gets disturbing dreams from his past life that involves a girl Leela and this confuses him. I can’t tell you too, except that it was a big challenge to play this role and I am glad I got the opportunity.

Are you happy or disappointed that you have no intimate scenes with Sunny?
I am happy because I can emote better with facial expressions than my lips!

You didn’t have any apprehensions about doing a film with an adult star like Sunny?
Not at all, why should I? On the one hand, you talk about women empowerment and equal rights. Yes, Sunny has a past, but I have no problem with that. It doesn’t affect me or matter to me. I am an actor and my job is to act. I listened to the story first and then they told me Sunny was in the film. But I had already said yes and didn’t think twice about it because I liked my character. As for Sunny, she is a very hard-working girl and sincere. She is eager to learn from every actor, which is very rare.

You seem to be doing films that are heroine-oriented...
(Cuts in) Like I told you earlier, I can’t tell you much about my role, but the story starts with me and ends with me. Once you see the film, you’ll understand what I am saying. I have prominent screen space and it is Sunny and I, who have a lot to do in the film.

Your film Desi Kattey, which did not have a female lead did not do well...
Yes, but I look at it positively. It postponed my success and I learnt a lot from the film, and how the whole industry functions. Now, I will be selective and choosy about my next outings.

Will you continue to do TV?
Yes, I never left TV. In fact, I am proud to be a TV actor. You’ll see me anchoring at least one show a year. Several big film stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan are taking time out for TV because it gives a different kind of connection with the audience — it is almost one-to-one.

What next?
I have been offered a few shows and film scripts. But only after Ek Paheli Leela is out, will I be able to take a call on what I will be doing next.

Aren’t you and Mahii doing Nach Baliye 7 as challengers?
No, we shot for the promo because they wanted us to as we are last year’s winners. But we are not participating in it.

Rapid fire with Jay Bhanushali

What is your take on kissing on screen?
I don’t mind kissing, but I don’t want to be a serial-kisser!

What does love mean to you?
It’s a beautiful feeling — having someone you can love. One has to experience it and not explain because it can get complicated.

Complete the sentence. Sex is...
It’s very nice.

What is the best thing about being a guy?
Guys get ready fast because they are naturally handsome!

What is the worst thing about being a guy?
Girls get all the advantage. They have special seats in buses and even special trains.

Which is the dumbest/weirdest pick up line used on you?
‘Do you have a band-aid because I just scraped my knee falling for you.’ A girl tried it on me when I was at a party.

If you were to spend a night with a celebrity who would it be?
Jennifer Lopez, she’s very hot!

Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; March 19, 2015)

Sunny Leone might be raising the temperature with her oomph in her upcoming film, Ek Paheli Leela, but her male co-stars are feeling the heat — literally. Buzz is that Jay Bhanushali, Mohit Ahlawat and Rajniesh Duggal, who feature in prominent roles in the Bobby Khan film, feel that they have been sidelined. The posters only feature Sunny with not even a miniscule snapshot of the trio.

The guy brigade has apparently been throwing a fit and making their displeasure known to the makers. Says a source, “The male costars are feeling insecure as Sunny is hogging all the limelight. This is creating problems in the film’s dubbing. One of the actors had been skipping the dubbing sessions repeatedly. It was only after the makers told him that his role would be edited out that he turned up.”

When Sunny stepped into one of the film’s events recently, Jay was heard telling the other two actors: “Let’s go now, Sunny has arrived.” The source adds, “Jay may have made this comment in jest, but it was clear what is going on in their minds. They feel everything is tilted heavily in favour of Sunny.” There are rumours that one of the three actors has gone to the extent of promoting himself and the film at a personal level — reaching into his own pocket to pay for publicity material. He feels that this will at least make him visible alongside Sunny.

The film’s makers remained unavailable for comment.

Mohar Basu (BOMBAY TIMES; February 28, 2015)

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; August 23, 2014)


After Hate Story 2, in which he had steamy scenes with Surveen Chawla, Jay seems to have become comfortable getting intimate on screen! For with Sunny in the film, there are bound to be some racy sequences. “You’ll have to wait and watch the film for that. You’ll be in for a surprise but yes, now I am comfortable doing intimate scenes,” says Jay cheekily. So, what was it about the film that appealed to him? “For me, the script is the hero and my role is totally out-of-the-box. I am glad I got the chance to do it,” he says.

But won’t the film like Hate Story 2 be women-centric? “Not at all. Yes there’s a parallel lead played by Mohit Ahulwat but the film is not heroine-centric. However, I can’t disclose anything more because it will give the plot away,” clarifies the actor who will start shooting for the second schedule in Mumbai and later London.

Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; July 21, 2014)

They say that couples, over time, begin to look alike. Now while that is debatable, one does see a change in behaviour of some men, as soon as they commit themselves to a woman. The men start making a deliberate change in their lives, mostly to please the women they love. Male celebrities are no exceptions.

A recent instance would be that of Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli. The two have never admitted to being more than friends, but by now we know that the couple spends a lot of quality time together as and when time permits. Anushka recently took a break from her shooting schedule to fly to the UK, where Virat is currently playing as part of the Indian cricket team. He too dropped in on the sets of her film, NH10, to spend time with her on her birthday. Now it has emerged that the cricketer has requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to permit Anushka to join him on his England tour.

Clearly, love does make the world go round....


Sushant Singh Rajput and Ankita Lokhande
Lowdown: Sushant Singh Rajput has been dating Ankita Lokhande for a quite some time now and the two are living together in their suburban flat. There has been a lot of speculation about their relationship status; rumours have it that the couple has even tied the knot and is just waiting for the right moment to announce the same. And while the duo remains tightlipped about the status of their relationship, their friends say that it is Ankita who calls the shots in their equation. “In the early days of his career, Sushant was very friendly and he would hang out with friends, but under Ankita’s influence, he has become more of an introvert now. He is not so easily approachable anymore thanks to Ankita,” says a source.


Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor
Lowdown: Ranbir Kapoor would happily pose for the shutterbugs, but after he started seeing Katrina Kaif, he prefers being more ‘ private’. This has led to some not so pleasant run- ins with the media. Katrina, for one, has not had an easy equation with the media and not so long ago, when pictures of the couple’s holiday in Ibiza were leaked out, she saw red and dashed off a letter to the media expressing her displeasure.
It may be pointed out that Ranbir too has got into a tussle with photographers in the recent past. The actor, once known to be mediafriendly, is hardly comfortable getting photographed now.


Jay Bhanushali and Mahhi Vij
Lowdown: Television star Jay Bhanushali, who made his big screen debut last week with Hate Story 2, has recently been in the news for the wrong reasons. The actor allegedly walked out of promotions for his film on a whim. It is being said that he has become a bit of an introvert post his marriage to TV actress Mahhi Vij.
Sources close to him say that he was a lot more outgoing before his marriage. “Interestingly, Mahhi too was very talkative and friendly before marriage. But now both of them seem to have changed. Looks like their social behaviour is a thing of the past,” says the source, adding that the couple’s friends are surprised to see this change.


Gurmeet Choudhary and Debina Bonnerjee
Lowdown: Gurmeet Choudhary and Debina Bonnerjee’s common friends point out that the former’s behaviour and outlook has changed since Debina entered his life. It turns out that Debina apparently doesn’t like Gurmeet interacting with other women at parties and get- togethers. The source says, “She keeps an eye on Gurmeet and doesn’t approve of him talking to other women. Gurmeet apparently doesn’t want to pick a fight, so he does as Debina says.”

(with inputs from Asira Tarannum)

Upala KBR (DNA; July 17, 2014)


Says Jay, “After Hate Story 2, I have been receiving several offers. I used to play the cute boy on television and I’ve been given a new image of a hot boy. I play a singer in Leela and have a completely new look for the audience.”

Buzz is that Richa Chadda and Himanshu Soni (Zee TV’s Buddha), have both turned down films with Sunny because of her image. What are Jay’s thoughts on the matter, “For me, the script is the biggest hero. People will see me in a new avatar and this film will change the image of every person working in it.”

Three’s a charm?
This will be Sunny’s third film with TV stars. She is doing Tina and Lolo with Karishma Tanna and Patel Rap with Ram Kapoor.

Eepsita Guha (BOMBAY TIMES; July 16, 2014)