Showing posts with label Kashmera Shah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kashmera Shah. Show all posts
Krushna Abhishek was shivering when he hugged me-Sunita Ahuja
4:29 PM
Sunita Ahuja opens up about ending a 14-year feud with Krushna Abhishek and Kashmera Shah and finally meeting her twin grandchildren
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; April 18, 2026)
Even as Krushna Abhishek continued to fondly mention his mami Sunita Ahuja on several occasions, despite their alleged rift, the media has been closely tracking the family’s public fallout over the years. The controversy reportedly stemmed from Kashmera Shah’s strained equation with Sunita following some of her remarks, which Sunita believed were directed at Govinda.
Krushna’s comic punches on the controversy and heated media exchanges between the women further escalated the rift. The two parties distanced themselves since. That hostility finally ended a few days ago after over a decade, when the trio reunited on the sets of Laughter Chefs Season 3. Sunita was seen posing warmly with Krushna and Kashmera, as they announced that their “14 saal ka vanvaas ” had come to an end, choosing to let bygones be bygones and embrace a fresh start together.
‘KRUSHNA WAS SHIVERING WHEN HE HUGGED ME. WE ALL HAD TEARS IN OUR EYES’
Sunita told BT, “The celebrity cooking reality show’s creator Vipul D Shah came to me a couple of times and requested me to be on the show. I was the surprise package. Krushna, Kashmera were not aware that I was going to be there. Through the years that we weren’t on talking terms, we missed each other. We are family after all. Kashmera told Vipul that she wanted to apologize and make things right, but I thought she was unpredictable and probably felt the same about me. Krishna was five when we were together and I have raised him as my child. He is like my son Yash to me, so I knew he would be fine, but I wasn’t sure how Kashmera would react. She touched my feet for several minutes and said sorry. Krushna was shivering when he hugged me. We all had tears in our eyes.”
On burying the long-standing hatchet, she said, “I didn’t want to die with a grudge. Aaj kal insaan ka koi bharosa nahi. Aaj hai, kal nahi. The biggest regret I had was not seeing their twin sons, my grandchildren. They are nine now and mujhe unko dekhneka bohot laalach tha. I love kids. I saw them for the first time and was thrilled to discover that dono merepe gaye hai. They look like me as well (smiles). Kashmera warmly told them, ‘Yeh tumhari badi mummy hai. She’s young but she’s your naani’.”
‘KRUSHNA NE APNA NAAM KHUD KAMAYA HAI, I AM SO PROUD OF HIM’
Looking back, the star wife-turned-vlogger and actress added on an introspective note, “I missed the family gatherings we used to have. I am a family person. Krushna and I share similar sensibilities. We have great comic chemistry and quick one-liners. They are hosting an intimate get-together soon, and I’m looking forward to it. Krushna has carved a distinct identity for himself. People ask me about him wherever I go, and I feel so proud. Usne apna naam khud kamaya hai. Govinda had said in an earlier interview, ‘Joh bhi karo, apne balbute par karo’ and that’s what all of us are doing. Yash, too, bagged his first film on his own merit.”
On a concluding note, Sunita said, “Krushna and Kashmera are like my children. Bachchon ko 14 saal mein maaf kar diya but there’s a special person in my life who I will not forgive even after 28 years. Everyone knows who I am talking about.”
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Yashika Mathur (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 3, 2026)
Actor-couple Krushna Abhishek and Kashmera Shah, who are participants on a comedy cooking reality show, were in for a surprise when his mami, YouTuber Sunita Ahuja arrived as a guest in a recent episode, finally putting a public end to their decade-long family feud.
A pap video also surfaced online on Wednesday, with Krushna joking, “Ab 14 saal ka vanvaas khatam ho gaya!” as Kashmera quipped, “Ab kisi aur ka hoga!”
Speaking to us about the emotional moment, he shares, “This was one of the most memorable episodes we have done during this show. I didn’t know Sunita ji is coming, even Kashmera didn’t know. The creatives and channel kept it a secret. Even Bharti (Singh, comedian), who hosts the show, found out at the last moment.”
While Krushna reveals having seen her here and there, his wife, Kashmera came face-to-face with Sunita after a decade.
“Ek do baar I’ve seen mami at events, but Kashmera toh 10 saal mein takrai bhi nahin unse. So it was one of the most special moments that we will remember for life,” he gushes, adding, “Kal humari itni baatein hui hai, jo ice break hui! Jo band kamre mein hona tha wo channel ne stage pe kar diya.”
The feud reportedly began in 2016 after a joke on The Kapil Sharma Show upset Govinda and Sunita. It then evolved into a disagreement between Sunita and Kashmera, with several public jibes exchanged over the years.
Mujhe koi troll kare ya mujh par comment kare, it doesn’t affect me-Sunita Ahuja
8:25 AM
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 30, 2025)
“Bachchon ko paalne mein saara samay nikal gaya. Par ab Tina aur Yash apne kaam mein busy hain aur Govinda apne mein rehte hain toh mere pass bahut samay hai. Ab lagta hai I should work and earn some money,” says Sunita Ahuja, actor Govinda’s wife, who will soon be seen in her daughter, Tina Ahuja’s podcast. In a special shoot with us, Sunita says she’s open to taking on projects.
“Every woman should be independent, they shouldn’t be dependent on their husbands or fathers. I took care of my family, my husband and kids. I was managing Govinda’s work, but he, too, has stopped working for two years. So now, I want to carve a career path. I feel alone, so I want to be busy. Judging a comedy show on TV is something I am looking at,” she says.
Govinda and his family are often in the news for various reasons — including his recent bullet injury, the discord with his nephew, actor-comedian Krushna Abhishek, or the couple making bold statements in media interviews. But Sunita doesn’t “care a damn” about the attention her family gets for the wrong reasons: “Mujhe koi troll kare ya mujh par comment kare, it doesn’t affect me. I will not change myself because of people’s reactions. Main jo hoon, main hoon. Pasand hai toh baat karo mujhse, nahi pasand hai, toh get out!”
Talking about being a star wife, she adds, “Dil par patthar rakhna padta tha kyunki kabhi yahan link-up ke rumours, kabhi wahan. But since he was working non-stop, time hi nahin tha affairs karne ka. Ab woh (Govinda) kaam nahin kar raha hai toh mujhe insecurity hai kahin affair na kar le (laughs).”
On Krushna and Kashmera
“Maine abhi tak Krushna se baat nahin ki hai. Jab Govinda ko goli lagi thi, woh 10 baje ghar aaya tha (when he was recovering at home), par main 9.30 baje so jaati hoon. Toh hum mile hi nahin. Dono ne apologize nahin kiya hai abhi tak, so how can I forgive? Krushna apologized to Govinda on Kapil’s (Sharma, comedian) show, but not to me. Kashmera came to visit Govinda in the hospital but once I came, I didn’t see her around.”
On Uashvardhan’s acting debut
Her son, Yashvardhan Ahuja’s debut film was confirmed recently by co-actor Babil. “I am happy that his debut is with good makers. Yash wohi karega jo uski maa kahegi. I don’t want people to say that he is copying Govinda’s acting or dance moves. People might compare, but I want Yash to be original,” says Sunita.
On Govinda’s career dip
“He always felt that a ‘90s hero should not play second lead, which was a delusion. He could have done more and better work. He did a few films, but refused so many, including several OTT projects, as they were not solo leads. He produced Aa Gaya Hero (2017), which was a flop. Heroes shouldn’t write films for themselves.”
Krushna Abhishek on visiting Govinda: "Saat saal baad...we have finally buried the hatchet"
7:36 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; October 23, 2024)
Earlier this month, Govinda was injured after his gun misfired and the actor was rushed to the hospital. Over the next few days, his family and friends dropped by to check on him, however, his nephew Krushna Abhishek was notably absent. His wife Kashmera Shah had visited Govinda in the hospital, but Krushna was on a professional tour in Australia. We have now learnt that he recently visited Govinda at his home.
‘Chi Chi Mama is recovering well’
Krushna shares, “I was in Australia when I heard about Chi Chi mama’s accident. I almost cancelled my tour, but after checking with the hospital staff and Kash, I was reassured that he was fine and in good spirits. As soon as I returned to India, I visited mama at his home — for the first time in seven years. It felt like I had completed half a vanvaas. He’s recovering well. I spent about an hour with him and met Nammo (Govinda’s daughter Tina Ahuja) after seven long years. It was such an emotional moment; I just hugged her.”
‘I am glad there was no mention of the past’
Talking about their reunion, he continues, “We laughed, joked, and reminisced about old times. It felt just like before. All those years I spent living with mama and mami (Sunita) in their home flashed before my eyes. Maine mama ko bola ki hall toh poora badal gaya hai. Ab sab issues resolve ho gaye hai, sab gile shikve door ho gaye hain. I am glad there was no mention of the past and that’s how families are. There can be misunderstandings, but nothing can keep us apart for long. I couldn’t meet mami as she was busy, but honestly, I was a bit scared to face her because I knew she would scold me (laughs!). Par aapse nasamjhi mein kuch galti ho jaaye toh badhon ki daant sunne ke liye bhi taiyyar rehna chahiye.”
‘Ab toh jaata rahoonga mama ke ghar’
Ask him why it took him seven years to reconnect and whether things could have been sorted sooner and Krushna reflects, “Bas pata nahi kyu itna time laga. Kaafi cheezein ho rahi thi jis ki wajah se milna nahi ho paa raha tha. However, I am glad we’ve finally buried the hatchet and moved on.”
After the first visit, Krushna, who went to see Govinda again, says he is doing better now and can move around the house with the help of crutches. “Ab toh jaata rahoonga aur mami se bhi mil loonga. As of now, I look forward to meeting Nammo at Arti’s (Krushna’s sister) place – a plan my two sisters have made,” he adds.
The history behind the feud
Over the past many years, tensions have often flared between Govinda and Krushna, along with their respective families. Govinda had openly expressed his discontent with his nephew’s sense of humour and the jokes made at his expense. Additionally, his wife distanced herself from Krushna and Kashmera, citing misbehaviour and disrespect, and vowed never to speak to them again. Since then, the two families kept their distance from one another until Krushna’s sister, Arti Singh’s wedding in April this year, which was attended by Govinda and his son, Yashvardhan.
Our relationship started with a one-night stand 18 years ago and many thought it would not last-Krushna Abhishek, Kashmera Shah
9:38 AM
Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; September 4, 2024)
It’s been 18 years of togetherness for the actor-couple Kashmera Shah and Krushna Abhishek. Their journey together has had its share of ups and downs, but they believe that it’s their friendship that has helped them sail through it all. Currently, the two are seen cooking and cracking jokes on the TV show Laughter Chefs. In an exclusive interview with us, the happily married couple talks about why people believed their relationship wouldn’t last this long and how they balance each other out. Excerpts:
Kashmera, some time ago you shared an appreciation post on completing 18 years with Krushna, where you also said that people never believed that the two of you would work it out as a couple. Why do you think people felt that?
Krushna and I started seeing each other when he was 22, and I was 32. I was not looking for a man who was younger. We were attracted to each other and connected as friends. At that time, Krushna was new to showbiz, and I was already a celebrity, so many thought I would leave Krushna for a rich man. People were convinced that the age gap would become a reason for the split sooner or later. I was always an independent woman and did not need anyone to pay my bills. Secondly, I was never looked at as the girl next door, I was perceived as hot and sexy, and society often considers women like me as someone you can date, but not marry. People assumed we were just having fun together and it would not last long. Even his father never approved of us, so obviously, we crossed many hurdles to make this marriage work.
Krushna, did you believe Kashmera was the right woman for you when you started dating her?
Kash was a hot, sexy and popular actress working with Shah Rukh Khan and Jackie Shroff. I was a newcomer then. The age difference was not important. I connected with her and enjoyed flaunting her as my girlfriend, saying, ‘Dekho main Kashmera Shah ko date kar raha hoon’. I first met her on a film set in Jaipur, where we were casually introduced and eventually became friends. One day, she called me to her room for dinner, and that’s how our relationship started…with a one-night stand (laughs). Funnily, the joke we share is how, after that one dinner, I just stayed back with her! Initially, we were not serious about each other, we travelled and had a good time for many years. When we started dating, we were not thinking of marriage and felt it would end in a few months. But I was always happy around Kashmera. We are each other’s best friends. People often joke about how Krushna likes two things: Kash and cash!
Were you affected when your family did not approve of the relationship?
Krushna: We were in a live-in relationship 18 years ago and it was a big deal in those days. My father did not approve, and people thought Kash was trapping me. But after being with each other for six years, I decided that I had to live my life for myself and my family and not think log kya kahenge. We secretly got married in Las Vegas in 2012, and we kept it a secret for a year or so as we wanted to get pregnant and then announce it to the world. But that didn’t happen; our twins (Krishaang and Rayaan) were born in 2017. Now, we have two beautiful kids, but my father is not around to see them.
What is your recipe for a good marriage?
Krushna: Kashmera has been a great support in my career. Even after being known as Govinda ka bhanja, nobody knew me at Page 3 parties. Govinda ji has helped my family a lot financially, but when it came to my career, I made it because of my talent and Kashmera’s guidance. We are like chalk and cheese, but our differences don’t come in our way. Half of my property is in my kids’ and wife’s name, so if they leave me, I’ll have nothing left (laughs). The secret to happiness is our solid friendship and the way Kashmera has pushed me to achieve my dreams.
Kashmera: We never go to bed angry after a fight, we resolve our issues. Also, I would be lying if I said there are no temptations outside, as we both understand that any woman or man likes attention. But we have immense trust and respect for each other. Krushna is a great father to our kids. He makes people laugh on TV and films, but at home, I make him laugh with my one-liners.
I see no harm in Krushna Abhishek imitating me-Jackie Shroff
1:59 PM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; August 20, 2024)
In May this year, Jackie Shroff approached the Delhi High Court seeking legal protection for his name, likeness, and the use of ‘bhidu’, a word that is closely associated with the actor. The court ruled in his favour, recognizing the need to protect his personality rights. However, it has now been reported that only Krushna Abhishek, who frequently impersonates the senior actor on his shows, is allowed to continue doing so.
So, what led to this exception? We spoke to both Jackie and Krushna about this.
I am fond of Krushna and he is superb in his shows: Jackie Shroff
Jackie says, “Krushna is a colleague, a talented actor, and someone I am fond of. He is superb in his shows, and I think people like his portrayals of different artistes. So, that’s the reason. I see no harm in him impersonating me. I mean, I don’t want people selling things like inners on my name.”
‘It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that he appreciates my portrayal’
Commenting on how Jackie has made an exception for him, Krushna says, “Imagine being the only person in the world allowed to imitate Jaggu dada. I am truly grateful to him for this. It’s such a proud feeling. As an artiste, it’s incredibly fulfilling to know that he appreciates my portrayal and that’s the reason he has allowed only me to impersonate him.”
‘I was upset upon learning about Jaggu dada’s decision to protect his personality rights’
Back in May, when Jackie approached the Delhi High Court on this matter, Krushna recalls being upset about it. He says, “I was both scared and upset, thinking I might no longer be able to mimic him now that it was legally protected. While in America, I received an audio note from Jaggu dada, followed by a call about two months ago. He told me, ‘Tu fikr mat kar, tu kar sakta hai mujhko mimic. Tu karta reh, koi problem nahi hai. Tere ko koi nahi rokega, main hoon na’. That meant the world to me, and I ended up crying on the call.” He adds, “He could have barred me from mimicking him. Even if he had, I would still love and admire him for the rest of my life.”
‘Maine Jaggu dada ki mimicry kar kar ke Kashmera ko impress kiya tha’
Krushna’s penchant for impersonating the senior actor is far from new; he has been mimicking his style and swagger for years.
He shares, “I have been a fan of Jaggu dada since childhood and first met him through Govinda ji. In 2006, I bagged my first film, Aur Pappu Pass Ho Gaya, which also featured Jaggu dada and Kashmera (Shah, his wife). Mera aur Kashmera ka affair Jackie Shroff ke saamne hua hai. During that film, I observed him closely – his performance, style, and his signature collar pull. Maine Jaggu dada ki mimicry kar kar ke Kashmera ko impress kiya tha jab main usse mila tha on the sets. In the industry, if there’s anyone with unique style and swag, it’s Jaggu dada – an OG in charisma and heroism. His style influences me so much that I copy his clothes too. I even had a coat he wore in the film replicated by a designer. Professionally, I first mimicked him on Comedy Circus, but it went unnoticed. Then in 2018, Kapil (Sharma) asked me to impersonate Jaggu dada for an episode featuring Tiger Shroff as a celebrity guest. It was a hit and became a regular feature on Kapil’s show due to popular demand.”
Govinda blessing my kids without any malice marks a new beginning of our relationship with him-Kashmera Shah
8:10 AM
Does this mark the end of the feud between mama-bhanja Govinda and Krushna Abhishek?
BOMBAY TIMES (April 27, 2024)
It was one happy moment for bride Arti Singh when she saw her mama Govinda walk into her wedding to bless her. Arti tied the knot with businessman Dipak Chauhan on Thursday and not many were expecting Govinda to be present, given the ongoing feud between mama and bhanja (Arti’s brother Krushna Abhishek).
Over the past few years, Govinda and Krushna have had a strained relationship. In an interview with us last year, the Partner actor had said, “Sometimes when you say a few things, it comes out in the press and becomes a story. But sometimes, we do cross the line, and there, I’m a little strict with the whole family. If you cross the line, then I will keep my distance and it is not due to enmity. It is just for my peace of mind and to keep a safe environment around me. So, it is not that I have anything against Krushna.”
In 2018, Govinda’s wife, Sunita Ahuja, was upset with a tweet by Krushna’s wife, Kashmera Shah, about “people who dance for money.” She believed Kashmera took a jibe at Govinda.
Krushna later clarified that the tweet was about his sister Arti, but that didn’t help mend relations between them. So, did the mama-bhanja reconcile at Arti’s wedding? Talking to the media about Govinda’s presence at the wedding, Krushna said, “Hum sab bahut khush hai.”
Kashmera added, “He has always been very sweet. Unhone mere dono bachchon ko bless kiya, aashirvaad diya. I’m very happy.” Govinda attended the wedding with his son Yashvardhan.
So did Govinda and Krushna really hug and make up at the wedding, or was the former present there just for his niece? That still remains unanswered.
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Actor Kashmera Shah looks forward to fresh beginnings with uncle Govinda
Navya Kharbanda (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 27, 2024)
Putting all talk around a rift with nephew Krushna Abhishek and his wife Kashmera Shah, to rest, actor Govinda attended niece, Arti Singh’s wedding with Dipak Chauhan on Thursday.
And Kashmera couldn’t have been happier. “Of course it was Arti’s big day toh woh sabse bada highlight tha. And then, the most special moment was that mere beton ko Chi Chi maama ka aashirwaad mila. They met him for the first time,” shares the actor, whose twin sons Krishaang and Rayaan were born in 2018.
Glad that this occasion marks fresh beginnings for the family, Kashmera adds, “Chi Chi maama blessing my kids without any malice marks a new beginning of our relationship with him. Woh mere maama-sasur hain, and now, my sons will also be able to know their granddad. I can now proudly sit and show them all his movies and songs!”
Just as happy and satisfied was Krushna, shares the Bigg Boss 16 participant. “Krushna slept with a smile on his face. He was standing next to Arti as her father and not her brother. I was the host for the evening, toh sab kuch bahut jaldi mein hua, we couldn’t have a proper conversation,” she says, adding that when she bent to touch his feet for his blessings, he didn’t let her.
“He was so warm to me, I am touched. Even Yash (Govinda’s son Yashvardhan) came. After meeting Arti, Yash wanted to meet my kids. They all met their cousins for the first time. I had promised my sons that Yashvardhan is coming so they were waiting, ki bhaiya kab aayenge!”
The feud happened between the two families in 2016 when some of Krushna’s jokes and Kashmera’s comments online didn’t go down well with Govinda’s wife Sunita Ahuja, in response to which Govinda and family, began giving the cold shoulder to the couple.
We will welcome Govinda to Arti Singh’s wedding with open arms-Kashmera Shah
9:20 AM
Sugandha Rawal Tagra (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 22, 2024)
Actor Arti Singh is set to marry businessman Dipak Chauhan on April 25 in Mumbai. One of the celebrities who is expected to attend is Singh’s uncle, actor Govinda, whose tense relationship with Singh’s brother, actor Krushna Abhishek, has long been a topic of public discussion.
“He is my father-in-law; I will greet him by touching his feet,” says actor Kashmera Shah, who is married to Abhishek and regards herself as Govinda’s daughter-in-law. “He may have been upset with us, but Arti is not the target of his anger. The wedding might turn out to be a reunion of the family everyone has been waiting for so long. We will welcome him with open arms. Arti really wants him there,” Shah tells us.
Shah, who threw a bridal shower for Singh recently, informs us that the wedding will be lavish yet an intimate family affair. She adds, “We are all currently very emotional. Krushna feels like a father because he has treated Arti more like a daughter.”
In anticipation of Govinda’s presence, we made an effort to solicit a comment from the actor and his wife, Sunita Ahuja. While Govinda remained silent, Ahuja offered a succinct “no comments” until the time of going to press.
25 Years of Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha: Bijay Anand subah subah orders dene lagte the-Kashmera Shah
8:38 AM
Syeda Eba Fatima (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 15, 2023)
When Kashmera Shah was approached for Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, she was relatively new to the industry and had just signed Yes Boss (1997), and is glad that the makers gave her the part of Nisha. “I perfectly fit the desired appearance for the role and the team of Yes Boss assured them of my talent,” she recalls.
On set, things, however, weren’t very pleasant with actor Bijay Anand, whom she was paired opposite in the film. For her introduction scene, Shah was asked to kiss Anand: “Kissing on screen was a very big deal 25 years ago. That scene took a lot of retakes as it had to be done in an elevator and Anand kept getting the angle and movement wrong. Ajay (Devgn) and Kajol got very uncomfortable. Ajay came to Bijay and said, ‘I can’t make this girl do this scene again and again. Why don’t you damn stand on your mark?’”
Shah also recalls Anand’s entitled behaviour on set: “We went to Seychelles to shoot and Bijay started acting like a star. Subah-subah orders dene lagte thhe, ‘Mere shoes laao, mera ye kaam karo’. I used to wonder why he behaved like that.”
I loved Ritesh Singh so much and he left me-Rakhi Sawant
8:28 AM
Farzana Patowari (BOMBAY TIMES; February 16, 2022)
Rakhi Sawant took to her social media to share the news that her husband Ritesh Singh had left her. Rakhi was moved to tears when she spoke to us. She said, “He left me! I loved him so much and he left me.”
Rakhi further said, “After Bigg Boss, we started living together in my house in Mumbai, but last Sunday, he packed his bags and left. He said that he is in legal trouble because he didn’t divorce his first wife and now he doesn’t want to live with me anymore. He said that he lost a lot of money in his business as he had to go through a lot of scrutiny after he entered the Bigg Boss house with me.”
Rakhi said she wasn’t aware of his marital status earlier. “After coming out of the Bigg Boss house, when I got to know that he married and had a child too, my heart broke. I cannot be unfair to a woman and a child. I am coming to terms with the fact that he has left me.”
She admitted that her marriage with him, which took place on July 28, 2019, was illegal. “Our marriage wasn’t not legal because he didn’t divorce his first wife.”
Talking about her family's reaction to this, Rakhi said, “Yesterday as soon as my mother and brother heard about this, they immediately came to meet me. They are very sad and told me that I should have found out more about Ritesh before getting involved with him. I loved and trusted Ritesh blindly and this is what he has done to me,” she said.
People have always accused Rakhi of faking her marriage. Even after Ritesh entered the BB house with her, there were rumours that the marriage wasn’t real.
However, this never bothered Rakhi. Recounting how they first met, she said, “We connected via WhatsApp and we chatted for over six months. He sent me his address, his bank account details and other things and I believed him. He proposed marriage and since I also wanted someone in my life, I married him three years ago. When I made it public, they didn't want to believe me. So, I convinced Ritesh to come to the Bigg Boss house with me.”
Rakhi continues to be hopeful. “I love him very much and I will forgive him for everything. If he gets divorced and wants to come back to me, then he should know that I am waiting for him. But, if he is happy with his wife and kids then God bless them. But for me, marriage and love is not a joke,” she concluded.
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Vickey Lalwani (ETIMES; February 15, 2022)
Rakhi Sawant's video interview to ETimes TV last week made it amply clear that Rakhi and Ritesh had all but parted ways. Today, she officially announced on her Instagram that they have separated as a couple. We at ETimes TV caught up with Ms Sawant over the telephone, about an hour ago.
Excerpts from the conversation that transpired:
It was evident from your interview with us that you'll were about to part ways...
Well, I still love Ritesh. I have loved him truly. I shall wait for him about a year if he wants to come back. I just took my car and drove off for a long drive. Back home, I am now constantly eating. I am feeling very depressed.
Today is Monday. When exactly did you call it off?
It happened yesterday at about 3 pm. But I didn't call it off. It was his decision. He was with me on Friday, throughout. We woke up on Sunday very normally. Suddenly, he started packing his bags and said that he wants to separate from me as his legal issues (Read: with his wife) have become too much. God knows who he's spoken to during those morning hours that led him to take this step.
You'll were planning a baby this year?
Yes, we had decided to have a child in 2022. Lekin abhi kaise?
Have you tried calling him after that?
Yes, I did. But he didn't take my calls. Even my mother tried to explain and request him while he was leaving. She was crying and telling him that this is not the right way to lead a life. As I said, I truly loved him. I kept our marriage intact despite the fact that he hardly stayed with me ever since he came into my life.
Did the show 'Bigg Boss' (Season 15) ruin your relationship with Ritesh?
On one hand, I am happy that he got in. This made people understand that a certain Ritesh whom I was saying I had married, exists. On the other hand, a lot of things about him came out in the open.
But you knew before entering 'Bigg Boss 15' that he was married and even has a child...
Yes, but I didn't know his wife's strong stance until I came out of 'Bigg Boss 15' and read her interviews. Honestly, I don't know who has harassed whom - did she harass him or did he harass her?
We heard that he was keen to enter 'Bigg Boss 15' for publicity because he wants to turn producer...
Haan, woh bahut kuch banna chahte hain. And...
And?
Before leaving, he said that our marriage was not legal.
Lekin galti toh uski thi na. He married you despite knowing that he already has a wife. It was he who knew from the word 'Go' that his marriage with you is illegal. Strange, isn't it?
Strange, indeed. But now if he divorces his first wife and comes back to me, he needs to buy a house and a car of his own. And, I have categorically told him that.
Valentine's Day has virtually proved to be a Break-Up Day for you...
Yes, and that really hurts.
Anybody from the industry has called you in support?
Devoleena Bhattacharjee, Mahima Chaudhary, Kashmera Shah, Pratik Sehajpal have come forward with motivational messages. I am seeing so many lovey-dovey messages on social media. I am trying to avoid taking the phone in hand. Mujhse bardasht nahi ho raha.
Does the Riteish chapter in your life reduce your faith in love and man?
No, it doesn't. And, certainly not my faith in God.
Did you feel after 'Bigg Boss 15' that he will leave you?
Hmmm... yes. I felt he was staying in my house only to be at the Grand Finale. 'Bigg Boss' ke contract mein hain that 'you have to pay Rs 2 crore if you don't attend the Grand Finale'. Besides, he was not touching me or kissing me in front of the media. Only I was kissing him. He is a shy person, lekin un baton se zarror jyaada lagne laga tha.
There will be a day when Tejasswi Prakash will be 40, and someone who’s 27 will call her aunty-Kashmera Shah
8:28 AM
Hasti Doshi (BOMBAY TIMES; January 31, 2022)
The reality show, Bigg Boss, has often witnessed age-shaming with a younger contestant passing comments on an older participant’s age. This time Tejasswi Prakash called Shamita Shetty aunty. During a task, Shamita was asked to give Karan Kundrra a massage and while doing that, Tejasswi pulled Shamita forcefully to stop her. She later commented, “Aunty uspe bhi chad gayi.” She has drawn a lot of flak for this comment.
Kashmera Shah, an ex-contestant and an avid watcher of Bigg Boss, is also furious with Tejasswi for this. She says, “I had been supporting Tejasswi, but after this comment, I stopped. I don’t understand why youngsters these days age-shame people. They should respect them because they have the experience and have worked longer. Like in this case, Shamita is an actress who has worked hard to reach where she has today.”
She further adds, “I feel these girls who are 25 or 27 need to understand that they, too, will reach our age. Today, Shamita is 40 and Tejasswi is 27. But there will be a day when Tejasswi will be 40, and someone who’s 27 will call her aunty. She needs to understand that.”
Kashmera, too, faced age-shaming last season when contestant Nikki Tamboli said, “Apni umar ka lihaaz karo.”
Talking about that incident, Kashmera says, “The day Nikki age-shamed me, I felt there was too much darkness within her. Someone as young as her, who’s trying to make a space in the industry, should know how difficult it is for a woman to make a name for herself. I have done that and there are many actresses who are going strong at the age of 40 and 50. We are working and will keep working till we are 70 or 80. But these youngsters need to understand that and respect our work. At her age, I had already made my name and people still remember me for it. When she commented on my age, I cried because I was shaken up. A woman age-shaming another woman is really heart-breaking for me.”
In Bigg Boss, over the years, age-shaming has become rampant. Sidharth Shukla, Eijaz Khan, Sonali Phogat and Shefali Jariwala were among the other contestants who were also age-shamed on the show.
I didn’t want to leave my kids with the staff to be raised-Kashmera Shah
8:05 AM
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 22, 2021)
Actor-filmmaker Kashmera Shah is a working parent and her four-year-old twins understand that. She adds that both she and husband, actor-comedian Krushna Abhishek are pretty hands-on when it comes to raising their sons, Rayaan and Krishaang. The couple welcomed their twins in 2017, via surrogacy.
“The only break I took was when I was trying to conceive. But when that didn’t happen, we took the other step (surrogacy). I continued to work and then waited (took a break) till the babies could speak. When you know your babies can express, you feel secure as a mother that nothing will happen to them in your absence,” shares Shah.
Talking about being a hands-on mom, she adds, “I didn’t want to leave my kids with the staff to be raised. That was [clear] in my mind right from the beginning. Though I want them to know they have working parents, they shouldn’t feel we’re unavailable. Krushna and I took a conscious decision that if he’s working, I’ll be home, and vice versa.”
While the lockdown period was a good time to spend time with the kids, Shah is now out and working, and that’s how she likes it to be. “Ever since I got double vaccinated, I’ve been working. I am somebody who can’t sit at home,” she says.
Govinda ji will get good work once he fires his manager-Kashmera Shah
8:29 AM
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 24, 2021)
Govinda and his nephew Krushna Abhishek have had a shaky relationship for the past few years. Both the actors, along with their wives, have taken potshots at one another on different occasions. Now, Abhishek’s wife, actor Kashmera Shah shares that she would love to see the feuding mama-bhanja jodi work together. But she notes that “Govinda ji needs a better manager” for this to ever happen, slyly pointing at Sunita Ahuja (Govinda’s wife), who currently manages the actor’s work.
Shah explains, “If he fires his current manager and gets a good manager, who actually wants him to get good work, then things can happen. Jo abhi unka kaam dekh raha hai is very bad. Govinda ji is a very talented actor and he should not be sitting at home.”
Shah, 49, rues that it is a shame that a family that has so much talent does not push one another. “I also want to be part of that family like the Salman Khan family... They always push their people. I wish Krushna’s family had pushed him. Had they done that in the past, it would have been beneficial for the entire family,” says Shah, who adds that she is not going to sit idle like others and make the most of her husband’s talents by working with him.
The actor-filmmaker, who has directed the upcoming movie, Shriman Aishwarya Rai featuring her husband, says, “I’ve a brilliant artiste at home. It’ll be stupid of me to let the Rohit Shettys and David Dhawans do films with him. I know my husband’s calibre as an actor, so why not take advantage of that?”
Neha Bhasin hits out at age-shaming in Bigg Boss
8:12 AM
How does it matter if a person is 20 or 40, asks the singer
Hasti Doshi (BOMBAY TIMES; October 13, 2021)
Neha Bhasin, who was recently seen in Bigg Boss OTT (BB OTT), has been following Bigg Boss 15 (BB 15). She even put up a post on social media recently supporting Shamita Shetty and Pratik Sehajpal, her BB OTT co-contestants. Neha said, “I see the show in bits and pieces, and sometimes my fan pages tag me on some things. I am in touch with Shamita’s mother, too. I keep myself updated on what's happening in Bigg Boss 15.”
Referring to the age-shaming that seems to be rampant on the show, the singer said, “Firstly, we are told that we are all equal in the show. So, it shouldn’t matter whether a person is 20 or 40. But people’s ages are regularly brought up. I feel that age shaming happens more to women than men. I saw Shamita getting age shamed on BB OTT. People would call her chachi and say that she was old enough to be their mother. In BB 15, she was called aunty by Karan Kundrra. There are others who say such things as well.”
Neha added, “I don’t appreciate such ageshaming comments, which is why I addressed the issue on my social media handle. Even when I had come out of the BB OTT house, I was called aunty, daadi, buddhi, tharki, etc. Why would anyone use such words to age shame me? When we were kids, we would address our elders as uncle and aunty out of respect.”
So, what did she think of Pratik’s game on the show? “Everyone told me that Pratik mellowed down in BB OTT because of me, so I guess audiences should enjoy watching him being aggressive on BB 15. I suppose people want to see him that way. Having said that, I also feel that he is getting bullied on the show currently. BB OTT contestants were sent as troublemakers (sankat) for the new contestants living in a jungle set-up. So, he’s just doing his job. But one against 13 people is a little unfair. I do feel bad for him, but in BB, one has to play on the front foot, especially when everyone is against them,” she said.
For those unversed, Shamita and Pratik had a tiff on BB 15 given their different ways of handling situations. Neha, who is a friend to both, said, “Even in BB OTT, they didn’t get along at the beginning. Later, when I was Pratik’s connection, they started talking. I was the common link, which is why they were somehow cordial to each other. I don’t think they ever got along then as well, and their differences now don’t surprise me at all. I also feel that the new contestants are playing Shamita and she hasn’t realised that yet.”
-------------------
CONTESTANTS WHO WERE AGE-SHAMED IN BIGG BOSS HOUSE
SIDHARTH SHUKLA
Winner of Bigg Boss 13, late Sidharth Shukla may have been the most popular contestant, but even he was age-shamed. Mahira Sharma, after a fight with Sidharth, called him ‘buddha’. She received serious backlash for her comment.
EIJAZ KHAN
In season 14, Eijaz was age-shamed. On one occasion, during a task, Rahul Vaidya commented on his age saying, “Bhaago mat, umar ke liye achcha nahi hai (Don't run, it’s not good for your age).”
SONALI PHOGAT
Bigg Boss 14 contestant Sonali Phogat, who was also age-shamed on the show, later in an interview, said, “I don’t understand this. If I have aged, does that mean I can’t work in the industry?”
KASHMERA SHAH
Kashmera, who was a guest on Bigg Boss 13, got into arguments with co-contestant Nikki Tamboli for various reasons. Later, during one of the nominations, Nikki took Kashmera’s name and said that she did not reply to the latter’s comments as she respects her because of her age. Kashmera didn’t like the fact that Nikki made a comment about her age while nominating her and also broke down into tears after the incident.
SHEFALI JARIWALA
Paras Chhabra and Shefali Jariwala did not get along in the Bigg Boss 13 house. The former age-shamed her by calling her a cougar, after which Shefali’s husband Parag Tyagi slammed Paras on social media and Gauahar Khan, too, supported him.
I cannot say RIP for Sidharth Shukla because for me, he is still somewhere around smiling-Kashmera Shah
8:01 AM
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 13, 2021)
It has been over a week since actor Sidharth Shukla passed away, but his friends from the industry are still in shock. Kashmera Shah, a close friend of the late actor, says, “Sid taught us to live life on our terms. While I am happy I met him, I’m also angry that I met him, because now, I know what it would be to not have him around. I met his family; his sisters loved him immensely and his mother doted on him,” Shah tells us.
Requesting people to allow his family some privacy, the 49-year-old adds, “We all will eventually move on with our lives, but Sid was a star when he lived and now he is a bright shining star in the sky, looking after all his fans and family. Let’s not disappoint him and let us maintain his dignity and give his family the time needed to grieve and cope with this sudden tragedy.”
Shukla, who widened his popularity after appearing on a popular TV reality show, passed away on September 2 after reportedly, suffering a heart attack. “I cannot bring myself to accept that he is no more amid us. How can someone as invincible as Sid no longer be with us?” wonders Shah, who stayed with the late actor in a house as part of the show.
Revisiting the time they spent together on the show, she says, “We became really good friends. I knew Sid as someone who lived life on his terms.”
Shah even points out how he “never posted anything just to gain more followers on social media and never did something he didn’t truly believe in”. The late actor’s close friend further said that Sid was like an undefeated King. “I cannot say RIP for him because for me, he is still somewhere around smiling,” she concludes.
In these 15 years, there’s never been a dull moment with Krushna Abhishek-Kashmera Shah
8:50 AM
Hasti Doshi (BOMBAY TIMES; July 29, 2021)
Kashmera Shah and Krushna Abhishek celebrated their ninth marriage anniversary on July 24. The couple spent some quality time with each other on their special day. Kashmera said, “We’ve been together for 15 years now and been married for nine. Sparks flew between us as soon as we met and we started living together early on in our relationship. Initially, when you start living with someone, you are on your best behaviour. It is only later that we showed our real selves to each other (laughs!). Living together made us realise that we definitely want to be with each other.”
Kashmera said that there was a reason why the couple kept their marriage hidden for so long. She shared, “We got married with a thought that we would see how things go and in case the marriage didn’t work out, we would quietly get divorced and get on with our lives.”
Kashmera added, “That’s why we got married in the USA as I have citizenship there. No one knew about our wedding, not even our families. People thought we were still just living together. Later, when I went to get my name changed on my passport was when the news leaked out. My mother found out from a newspaper (laughs!). Fortunately, she is a very chilled out person and said, ‘Kashmera, I’m glad that you got married and we didn’t have to go all the way to the US for your wedding’.”
Both Kashmera and Krushna’s families took time to warm up to their relationship. She said, “We waited for a long time for our families to accept the relationship. But in all that waiting, they moved on with their lives and we felt stuck. That is when we decided to get married, because that would make us happy. Sometimes I feel that because we didn’t tell the world we were married, our marriage worked so well.”
Talking about keeping the zing alive in their relationship, she said, “We have given each other 15 years of our lives. There is a lot of organised chaos in our hearts! We love each other’s chaos and can’t live without each other. We still talk to each other with the same excitement and love like we just met yesterday. When we fight, we both put a picture of a dog as our WhatsApp display picture, which means we are saying ‘sorry’ to each other. We will always cherish these moments between us. There is never a dull moment with Krushna. There have been ups and downs in our lives, but we have never left each other’s side.”
Salman Khan's reality show Bigg Boss 14 to run till February 2021, makers to bring six wild card entries?
9:16 AM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; December 11, 2020)
Bigg Boss 14 has been following a simple mantra so far - the more, the messier. The makers of the Salman Khan-hosted reality show recently amped up the drama by bringing in Rahul Mahajan, Kashmera Shah and Vikas Gupta as wild card entries. Encouraged by the audience's interest, the team has now decided to extend the latest edition to February instead of winding it to a close on January 9.
A trade source says, "Thanks to Salman's star power and his banter with the contestants, Weekend Ka Vaar has grabbed eyeballs. So, the makers have decided to cash in on it. They are torn between wrapping it up on Valentine's Day or February 20 as the latter will give them the advantage of having a Weekend Ka Vaar."
To keep the momentum going, six wild card contestants will be added to the fray. "Rakhi Sawant, Aly Goni, Rahul Vaidya and Nikki Tamboli will enter the house again tonight. In adherence with the safety protocols, the new entrants were tested and quarantined ahead of joining the housemates."
At 49, I am proud to give myself another chance-Kashmera Shah
8:11 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; December 5, 2020)
Those following Kashmera Shah online were pleasantly surprised to see bikini pictures of hers on her social media account. The actress, who had gained weight during the course of her IVF treatment, has shed those extra kilos and has never been more confident. As she enters the Bigg Boss house as a contestant, Kashmera tells BT that she is ready to take on the world.
Talking about her weight-loss journey, she shares, “During a shopping trip in the US with Krushna (Abhishek, husband) in December 2019, I realised that I was not fitting into small or medium-sized clothes. So, when I returned to India in January, I checked my weight, and found it to be 70 kgs. Krushna’s cousin encouraged me by saying that I’d be able to lose all those extra kilos. So, I went on a diet reluctantly. I gave up on rice, bread and chapatis. I started eating in small portions and within 15 days, lost three kilos. This boosted my confidence and I started working out like crazy. When the lockdown happened, I wore a mask inside the house to make sure that I didn’t binge (laughs!). By the time the lockdown was lifted, I came down to 59 kgs. Today, I am 56.4 kgs and I feel proud that I have achieved my goal.”
Kashmera recalls putting on weight during the course of her IVF treatment. “My doctor had told me that I would put on weight and I was prepared for it. Back then, we didn’t know that we would eventually have to opt for surrogacy. I was looking forward to becoming a mother and was willing to go to any extent,” she says.
Elaborating further, she adds, “After 10 years and 14 attempts at IVF, so much steroids had entered my body that it made me sluggish and heavy. I couldn’t even work out as I was trying to conceive and couldn’t exert my body. When it didn’t materialise, I became angry and started eating just about anything. Then we went for surrogacy and I started overeating because of happiness. Finally, when the kids (twins Rayaan and Krishaang) were born, one of them was in the hospital for two months, and I started stress eating. I never kept a check on my diet and weight after that. I didn’t realise that slowly, my self-confidence was reaching an all-time low. Today, I feel good about myself and that’s why I did that photo shoot wearing a swimsuit. I feel proud to say that I have worked extremely hard on my body and didn’t go under the knife to lose weight.”
Point out that her photographs has invited some nasty comments about shooting in a bikini and she says, “I have just one thing to say to them — umar nahi kamar dekh. It took a lot of determination to build this body at 49. I am not going to let some silly 14-year-old or 24-year-old with their mother’s phone run me down or shake my confidence. I was like this at 19, 29, 39 and today at 49, I am proud to give myself another chance. I am also happy that I am going back to Bigg Boss, it marks my comeback.”
Hitting out at the trolls, she adds, “There is this mindset that once a woman becomes a mother, she can’t do bold photoshoots. Arre baba, mummy ki life nahi hoti? This country is known for its strong women. Why are you telling us to sit at home just because we are mothers?”
The actress goes on to state that she’ll continue to shoot pictures in swimsuits. “Is there an age for wearing a swimsuit? We appreciate 50-year-old Hollywood actresses like Jennifer Lopez in bold looks. Well, hum hamaare country ke Jennifer Lopez hain. Social media has become a good place to hide and target others, but such people can’t define who I am. If I want to shoot pictures in a swimsuit, I will. Unfollow me, if you don’t like it,” signs off Kashmera.
I’ve frequently been at the receiving end of Krushna and Kashmera’s defamatory comments-Govinda
8:18 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; November 22, 2020)
Among other allegations, Krushna had said that his uncle had not met his twin sons — Rayaan and Krishaang — who were born in 2017. Refuting this, Govinda says, “I went to see the babies in the hospital, along with my family, and even met the doctor and the nurse taking care of them. However, the nurse told me that Kashmera Shah (Krushna’s wife) did not want any family member to meet them. When we insisted, we were allowed to see the boys from a distance, and we returned home with a heavy heart. However, I strongly feel that Krushna does not know about this incident. Later, he came to our home with the kids and Arti Singh (Krushna’s sister), which he has forgotten to mention.”
He further adds, “I’ve frequently been at the receiving end of Krushna and Kashmera’s defamatory comments — mostly in the media and some on their shows and stage performances. I don’t understand what they are gaining from all this. My relationship with Krushna was strong since the time he was a child; my family and people from the industry have witnessed it. I feel that washing dirty linen in public is an indication of insecurity and allows outsiders to take advantage of misunderstandings in a family.”
Govinda asserts, “Through this statement, I would like to announce that I shall maintain a graceful distance from now on and urge those who dislike me to do the same. Every family has misunderstandings and problems, but to discuss them in the media may cause irreparable damage. I am perhaps the most misunderstood person, but so be it. My late mother would always tell me, ‘Neki kar aur dariya mein daal’. That’s what I intend to do.”
Salman Khan has offered to pay medical bills, says Faraaz Khan’s brother
9:09 AM
Kashmera Shah and Salman Khan Picture Courtesy: Instagram
THE TIMES OF INDIA (October 16, 2020)
Bengaluru: After news of former actor Faraaz Khan’s hospitalization in Bengaluru went viral, there has been a sudden interest in the actor with his co-stars and friends tweeting about it. Actor and director Pooja Bhatt’s tweet helped the crowd-funding campaign to raise Rs 25 lakh for treatment go viral.
Late Wednesday, actor Kashmera Shah tweeted that actor Salman Khan had taken care of the medical bills. Talking to TOI from Dubai, Khan’s younger brother Fahed Abousher said, “Salman Khan has offered to pay the medical bills but as of today, neither Salman Khan nor Being Human Foundation (set up by Salman) have confirmed anything about settling the bill.” Abousher said he had a long chat with the superstar over the phone. “He got in touch with the family, and then called me. He is a sweet gentleman and I’m touched that he offered to pay the bills but that is where matters stand,” he said.
I would prefer a love marriage, but I am also open to an arranged match-Arti Singh
8:19 AM
Hasti Doshi (BOMBAY TIMES; May 9, 2020)
Arti Singh was one of the most popular contestants on Bigg Boss 13. The actress had an interesting journey throughout the show and even made it to the top five.
In fact, one of the mostdiscussed topics in the house was Arti’s marriage. With the actress expressing a desire to get married by the end of this year, the viewers witnessed a lot of matchmaking attempts. Arti’s bhabhi Kashmera Shah even went to the extent of advising her to explore her friendship with fellow contestant Sidharth Shukla.
When BT had a chat with the actress recently, we, too, brought up the topic. When asked if she plans to tie the knot any time soon, Arti said, “As of now, the plan is to find the right man. My search is on, but I haven’t met anyone whom I have wanted to get married to. I would prefer a love marriage, but I am also open to an arranged match.”
She added, “I wish that I meet someone during the Coronavirus lockdown, because both of us will get ample time to chat with each other, even if we can’t meet. I feel that my Mr Right is somewhere out there, coming towards me, but he is too slow.”
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