The director of Ayushmann Khurrana’s last release is tying the knot with interior designer girlfriend of 13 years in Jhansi on December 12
Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 16, 2019)

It has turned out to be an eventful year for Raaj Shaandilyaa. After writing over 200 scripts for television’s funny man Kapil Sharma, he penned dialogue for films like Welcome Back, Freaky Ali and Jabariya Jodi. In September, he made his directorial debut with the Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer Dream Girl. Now, Mirror has learnt that Raaj is gearing up for his wedding on December 12. The bride, Varsha Kashyap, is an interior designer from Bhopal. The couple has been dating for 13 years.

Confirming the news, Raaj says, “The wedding will take place in Jhansi, my hometown, in the presence of family and friends. Later, we will be hosting a reception for my film industry friends in Mumbai.”

When asked about his soon-to-be better half, the filmmaker reveals that he met Varsha at a common friend’s engagement in Bhopal. They kept meeting regularly and stayed in touch even after he moved to Mumbai. Raaj shares that his directorial debut was his first film that his ladylove liked. “Usually, she is somewhat critical of my work, even though I’ve written family movies. But, while watching Dream Girl with me, she said, ‘It’s a great family film, I hope it does well’,” he recounts, admitting that while he had hoped it would fare well, he hadn’t anticipated that it’d become such a hit.

Raaj is currently working on the scripts of two films. “I can tell you that I’ll be making two films in 2020,” he shares, adding that he is aiming to start the first one in January-February. Will he team up with Ayushmann again? “When I’m sure about the script, I’ll definitely narrate it to him,” he signs off.

He featured as Poplu as Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania and won everyone’s hearts. Now, Sahil Vaid is back, with the second part of the franchise, Badrinath Ki Dulhania. The talented actor opens up about his experience of working on this film and with Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt. He explains why he calls Alia ‘baby Naseeruddin Shah’ and also reveals about his stint as a voiceover artist. Over to Sahil…

How excited are you for Badrinath Ki Dulhania? You just tweeted wherein you wrote that ‘just 8 days to go for the greatest show on earth’!
Yes, I’ve been quite excited although I am trying my best to contain my happiness. Just 8 days are left and it’s really exciting. We shot for the film for around 10 months ago and though it was quite comfortable, it was very hectic too. I myself haven’t seen the film. I’ll finally watch it on Saturday.

You were quite entertaining as Poplu in Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania. What should we expect from you this time, apart from your new hairstyle?
To begin with, my speech. Our characters are based in Jhansi and obviously, we aren’t really speaking in authentic Jhansli waali Hindi since audiences wouldn’t have understood it fully. Also, I am 6 kgs lighter than Paplu! Moreover, this time, my character is not jobless. He runs a website. To know what exactly it is, you’ll have to see the film!



Since you are originally from the North, was it slightly easier for you than Varun to slip into your character?
Not just slightly, it was very easier than Varun. My naniji is from Agra and so, I have a knack of understanding Hindi spoken in these parts. But we had to be careful because Jhansi ki UP accent will be different from Agra ki UP accent or Kanpur and so on. It’s quite complicated actually especially in the border areas of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

In a recent interview, you called Alia Bhatt ‘Baby Naseeruddin Shah’. What made you say that?
I have worked with Naseeruddin Shah when I was doing theatre and the amount of dedication that Alia puts in reminds me of him. She’ll quietly do her homework and surprise everyone with her brilliant work. She’s highly disciplined.

Was it easier with Varun this time as the ice was already broken during Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania?
Yes and it was Shashank who helped broke the ice. He was kind enough to understand that we both don’t know each other and it will be awkward for both of us. Hence, he did the needful. Post Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, me and Varun Dhawan kept in touch. It’s great fun to work with him. Varun ke saath kaam karke hamesha mazaa aata hai.



Tell us about your experience of falling from the jet ski. The making video was quite hilarious.
Well, the experience of falling in the water was more fun than dangerous, despite the presence of crocodiles. My first thought after falling in the water was that, ‘I told you, Varun’! Varun however was quite apologetic and helped me get back on the jet ski. After changing and getting back on the jet ski, I fell again in the water and this time Varun too fell. The entire unit was cracking up!

Your role in Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania was appreciated a lot along with the film as a whole. How did your life change?
Strangely, a lot of people felt that the success of the first part was a fluke and that we won’t be lucky the second time. We’ll be taken seriously only when Badrinath Ki Dulhania also emerges successful. Talking about my life, well, people started recognizing me a lot once the film was out. 4-5 months after the film, I thought I had arrived but later, I got a reality check. So it was quite a learning experience.

But at the same time, do you feel lucky that Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania was backed by Dharma Productions because of which the film reached to a lot of people?
Absolutely and I was quite lucky. There are lots of good actors around and I could have got lost in the midst. It’s thanks to Dharma that they marketed the film well. However, it’s all thanks really to Shashank (Shashank Khaitan, director). He was my senior and we have done theatre together. He helped me get the role though he did audition me left, right and center. Later, producer Karan Johar liked my audition and that’s how I bagged the part. Interestingly, I didn’t audition for Badrinath Ki Dulhania at all. Shashank called me and said that he has written a role especially for me! But the sad part was that my father passed away 2 days after I got this role.

Which are the other films in the pipeline?
I am a part of Y-Films’ Bank Chor. It should release this year. I have also done a cameo in Maniesh Paul-starrer Baa Baa Black Sheep.

You are also a voiceover artist and you recently dubbed for the upcoming Hollywood biggie Beauty And The Beast. Comment.
Oh yes and it was a great experience. Beauty And The Beast is a superbly made film. This was the biggest dubbing project that I have been a part of. At the same time, I have also dubbed for Kong: Skull Island which co-incidentally releases on March 10, the same day as Badrinath Ki Dulhania!

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 19, 2016)

Varun Dhawan to try and ‘claim some ownership’ over remix of a popular song from his father’s film starring Salman Khan
Subhash K Jha (DNA; August 12, 2016)


Before leaving, in between hectic rehearsals, he told us, “I am dancing to a medley of all my hit songs from Student Of The Year to Dishoom. I am also doing Salman Khan’s hit Judwaa number Tan Tana Tan Tan Tan Tara. Today’s generation may not remember my dad (David Dhawan)’s film Judwaa. But that song is popular to this day.”

So what made Varun decide to include that particular Salman song to add to his medley of hits? “Well, Tan Tana Tan is soon going to be my song. Because the sequel to Judwaa, which I am doing with my dad and Sajid (Nadiadwala) next year will feature a remix of the song. So, The Dream Team tour is a good platform to claim some ownership over the song, although it is and will always remain Salman Bhai’s song,” says Varun.

He adds, “We all have our solo acts, then we have our act together. It’s going to be one helluva fun tour. But also very exhausting.” The young superstar is looking forward to a direct and live interaction with his fans in America. “I’ve so far done 30-35 live shows in India and abroad, but never performed in the US. We are all looking forward to giving the audience and ourselves a great time in several cities of the US.”

A break after that? No such luck. “As soon as I return from the US, I go straight to Jhansi for my next schedule of Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya with Alia,” he concludes.

Manish Mishra (DNA; May 5, 2014)

Recently Esha Gupta tweeted, “My driver just told me that his 13-year-old daughter Jhansi has been teased by boys and they are threatening to throw acid on her. Anyone who can help?” Her tweet received response from singer Ramona Arena who put her in touch with DNA columnist and social commentator Suhel Seth. He immediately contacted ACP (ACB) Vishwas Nangare Patil.

Timely help
Says Ramona, “Riteish Deshmukh retweeted Esha’s tweet and so did I. Suhel responded immediately. Imagine the plight of a 13-year-old whose father is trying to make a living here. Twitter is a great tool and everyone can help and make the change. It’s great that SC is taking a stand on such a sensitive issue.” Later that day, things appeared in control when Esha tweeted, “Thank you for the help guys. My dad has somehow managed to file an FIR, but for further help will need ask again.”

A non-empathetic country
Suhel says, “The culprit was a community guy who was chasing her and she refused and so did her family. In fact, Esha called two to three TV channels but they refused to cooperate. Even on Twitter when I tweeted about it, there was not much response. Then I called Patil, who took charge of the situation and helped her. If she had contacted the cops, they would have said, ‘dekhenge’. This is the state of our country when Supreme Court has banned the sale of acid. People still think they can get away with anything. Our country is non-empathetic. When the courts pass harsh judgements, you have limousine liberals asking for the culprit’s rights. My question is, ‘What about the rights of the woman who’s been thrown acid on?’ It’s a heinous crime, you’ve left the victim alive and every minute of her life, she wishes she were dead because she becomes the subject of ridicule.”

Esha Gupta on how social media helped her book the culprit
“My driver told me that his daughter, who’s living in Jhansi was being teased by a 20-year-old guy, who also threatened to throw acid on her. My driver’s wife is paralysed from waist below and their son is just eight-years-old, still he did not ask for leave. Helplessly, he just told me he didn’t know what to do. A little girl was involved and being a woman, I could understand the pain and terror she must have gone through. My family is not connected politically so I thought going through the social media was the best way to ask for help. I tweeted about it, and VJ Ramona put me through to Suhel Seth and he gave me top cop Vishwas Patil’s number. When I called him, he asked to speak to the driver. He then put in a word, and a FIR was filed against the guy. I must say the cops have been very nice and prompt. Some people felt that it’s because of my celebrity status, but I don’t agree. Some told me that instead of tweeting I should have filed a complaint. However, living in Mumbai it’s not possible as the incident happened in Jhansi. Also, my father who is in Delhi was trying his best to file a case, though he did not know anyone in Jhansi. Social media has made things accessible today. If you voice yourself a little more, such heinous crimes can be averted. For instance, within two hours of tweeting, the matter was sorted. Also, I think the guy has been arrested because when I asked my driver if he wants to visit his family, he said no, but was at ease.”

As told to Chaya Unnikrishnan