Showing posts with label Lonavala. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lonavala. Show all posts
During Covid, Asha Bhosle and I became very close because we were stuck in Lonavala and Khandala-Shabana Azmi
4:11 PM
Shabana Azmi on the artistry, fearlessness and charm of Asha Bhosle
Debarati S Sen (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 21, 2026)
For Shabana Azmi, the voice of late Asha Bhosle has always been more than music — it is a feeling, a memory and a lifelong companion. Her tribute reflects not just admiration for an extraordinary artiste, but deep affection for someone who became family over the years.
A VOICE THAT DEFINED GENERATIONS
For Azmi, Asha Bhosle is far more than a celebrated playback singer - she is an irreplaceable artistic force. “Asha ji has been my most favourite singer of all times. Unki aawaz mein jo ras hai jo shararat hai — it’s unmatched,” she says, capturing the essence of a voice that brought emotion, playfulness, and depth to every song.
Over the years, the legendary singer lent her voice to several songs picturised on Azmi, elevating her performances on screen. Memorable collaborations include Phir Se Aaiyo Badra Bidesi from Namkeen and Ambar Ki Ek Paak Surahi from Kadambari, where Asha’s evocative singing perfectly complemented Azmi’s nuanced acting. In Sameera (1981), Bhosle sang multiple tracks, including Zindagi Hum Tere Haal Par and Jaane Na Doongi, further strengthening their artistic association.
MEMORIES BEYOND MUSIC
While their professional collaborations were significant, it is the personal moments that Azmi cherishes most. “During Covid we became very close because we were stuck in Khandala and she with family were in Lonavala,” she recalls. “She would cook the most delicious meals for us and between Javed and her we would be regaled with hilarious anecdotes from the industry and cheeky humour,” she says.
These shared experiences reveal another side of the legendary singer — one marked by warmth, wit, and generosity. “Her memory is phenomenal and she could be very candid,” Azmi adds, evoking evenings filled with laughter, storytelling, and companionship.
FEARLESSNESS AND A SPIRIT OF REINVENTION
What stands out most for Azmi is not just Bhosle’s voice, but her fearless approach to life and music. “What I admire most is her gumption, her fearlessness and her desire to take risks and push her own parameters,” she says.
This spirit of constant reinvention has defined Bhosle’s remarkable career, allowing her to experiment across genres and remain relevant across decades — qualities that Azmi deeply admires. “Her voice will remain immortal but what I will cherish are the memories she has left behind for us,” she says.
I miss the people, the life and the love I got in Goa-Kavita Kaushik
9:33 AM
Hasti Doshi (BOMBAY TIMES; January 24, 2026)
Kavita Kaushik is back in Goa, her happy place, and the return feels as natural as breathing for someone whose bond with the state goes far beyond holidays. Recently sharing a sun-soaked picture from Goa with the caption “When in doubt, head to Goa,” the actress reiterated that the place continued to be her go-to destination whenever life called for a pause.
'It's the capital of rejuvenation'
In a chat with Goa Times, Kavita said, “It's not just in my case; I think anyone who’s been to Goa wants to go back again and again. You can never get enough of Goa. It’s the capital of rejuvenation, the capital of vacation. Anytime I want to be in the sun, eat shack food and just slow down, I head to Goa.”
'I had to shift base from Goa'
The F.I.R actress had lived in Goa for four years before moving to Lonavala last year, a decision she describes as purely practical. “The only reason we shifted to Lonavala was the extreme heat and humidity. We have a beauty brand where everything is made from natural herbs, flowers and leaves. In that heat, my potions would often get spoiled. Lonavala is much more suitable for my ingredients. Even I couldn't deal with the heat, so for my health and business, we took that decision,” she explained.
Despite relocating, the emotional connect with Goa remains unshaken. “I miss living here. That’s why I keep returning whenever I get the opportunity,” she said.
'We celebrated all festivals together'
Looking back at her years in Goa, she says it’s the people, more than the place, that made it home. “Everyone in the colony — the people in the neighbouring bungalows — are friends for life now. Even the staff who worked with me, both at home and at our small karkhana office, became family. We’re still in touch, and they keep calling me back.”
She added, “The love Goans give me, such sweetness, such warmth...I will cherish it forever. We celebrated all festivals together. They would come for Ganpati, stand through the aarti even if they didn’t understand it. During Durga Puja, the women would come and do sindoor khela with me. That sisterhood, especially among women, was very special.”
'My Goan friends took charge of the situation'
She recalls a defining moment that cemented her faith in that bond. “I was shooting for Carry On Jatta 3 in London when my husband fell seriously ill. I called the women from my colony and told them, ‘I don’t know how, but you have to help him.’ They took complete charge — sending meals, coordinating doctors, looking after him. I was able to stay calm because my Goan friends were there.”
To see Dharmendra sink was very difficult-Hema Malini
11:04 PM
Hema Malini reflects on grief, resilience and returning to life after Dharmendra
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; January 5, 2026)
2025 ended on a deeply emotional note for Hema Malini. Her husband, legendary actor Dharmendra passed away on November 24, leaving behind a void that is difficult to fill. As 2026 begins, the actress is slowly returning to work and trying to find her footing again. In an exclusive conversation with us, Hema Malini opens up about the pain of losing a lifelong companion, the distress caused by media speculation during his illness, the much-talked-about separate prayer meetings, and plans surrounding his cherished Lonavala farmhouse.
'To personally see Dharam ji sink was very difficult'
“It was a companionship that stood the test of time,” says Hema Malini, reflecting on her relationship with Dharmendra. Speaking about how she dealt with the shock of losing him, she shares, "It was an inconsolable shock. It has been terrible because for a month we were struggling when he was not well. We were constantly trying to cope with whatever was happening in the hospital. We were all there—I, Esha, Ahana, Sunny, Bobby—all together. In the past, there had been instances when he went to the hospital and came back home fine. We thought iss baar bhi aa jayenge. He was talking to us nicely. On my birthday (October 16), he even wished me. His birthday was coming up on December 8, when he was turning 90, and we were thinking of celebrating it nicely. The preparations were on, and then suddenly, he was not there. To personally see him sink was very difficult. Nobody should have to go through this kind of situation."
‘It’s important for us to keep him alive in our hearts’
Addressing the misinformation circulating online, Hema Malini urges people not to believe everything they see.
She says, “There is so much content that I am seeing where there are videos of me crying, and my eyes look sore and red. I request people not to fall for all this. After seeing such things, my fans and friends are sending me sympathetic messages, asking me to be strong. But I am a very strong person. I keep my emotions to myself. When my mother passed away 20 years ago, I wondered whether I would be able to live without her, but I did. This is what life teaches us. Time doesn’t wait for anybody. I keep telling my daughters the same thing every time they cry or get upset. We miss Dharam ji every minute. Aaj subah thepla banaya tha, which he loved having with chutney. He liked having idli sambar, and coffee in our house. So, whenever these things are made at home, we miss him deeply. It is important for us to keep him alive in our hearts and memories. We have so many videos together, woh dekhke toh rona aa jata hai.”
The actress admits that the constant media spotlight during the actor’s illness was distressing for the family. “Sunny was getting upset and angry. We all were going through an emotional time and the media was running behind our cars... harassment bahut hua,” she says.
‘His farm in Lonavala feels like a mini Punjab’
Hema Malini fondly recalls the quiet moments she shared with Dharmendra, especially at his beloved farmhouse in Lonavala. She says, “His farm in Lonavala is extremely beautiful; it feels like a mini Punjab. He has cows there, and we get ghee from the farm. Just two months back, he brought three bottles of ghee for us, saying, ‘Yeh Esha ke liye hai, yeh Ahana ke liye hai, aur yeh tumhare liye.’ He was a loving and wonderful human being. Whenever I was not around, he would spend time in Lonavala. When I went to Mathura or Delhi for work, we used to adjust our schedules, and whenever I returned, he would come back and spend time with me at my house in Mumbai. That is how we have been happily living, along with our grandchildren. Sometimes, he would stay at Ahana’s house as well. Together, we have shared so many beautiful moments. He has been a part of our existence, and suddenly, for the past month, he is no longer there. It is very difficult to come to terms with this. Whenever I had to make a decision, I would ask him.”
‘I will go back to work as that would make Dharam ji happy’
As the new year unfolds, Hema says she is ready to return to her responsibilities and creative pursuits. “I am resuming my work now. I am heading to Mathura. I will be starting my performances, shows, aur jo jo kaam hai I will continue doing that because that is what would make Dharam ji happy,” she says.
‘Yeh humare ghar ka personal mamla hai’
There was a lot of speculation around the separate prayer meetings in memory of Dharmendra. Reports online speculated on why Hema Malini and her daughters were not present at the prayer meet organized by Sunny, Bobby and their family.
Addressing the issue directly, Hema clarifies, “Yeh humare ghar ka personal mamla hai. We talked to each other. I kept one prayer meet at my home because my group of people are different. Then, I kept one in Delhi because I am in politics, and it was important for me to keep a prayer meeting there for my friends from that field. Mathura is my constituency, and the people there are mad about him. So, I kept a prayer meeting there as well. I am happy with what I did.”
A museum in Dharmendra’s memory
When asked whether Dharmendra’s much-loved Lonavala farmhouse could be turned into a museum for his fans, Hema Malini shares, “I think Sunny is planning to do something on those lines. He will definitely do it. Everything is happening in a nice way. So there’s no need to worry ki yeh do alag families hai, pata nahi kya hoga. Kisiko itni fikr karne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Hum log ekdum achche hai.”
I keep testing myself at regular intervals. It keeps the fear of contracting the virus at bay-Dharmendra
8:44 AM
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 16, 2022)
Actor Dharmendra took to social media on Wednesday to share a video of himself receiving a Coronavirus booster shot. “The Omicron variant is spreading like wildfire,” he says, noting the need for everyone over the age of 60 to be jabbed. The actor adds, “I’m trying to take care of myself. But even after taking the shot, we should be very careful. So far, I’m doing well.”
The 86-year-old actor is currently nestled in his farmhouse in Lonavala to keep himself safe and away from Mumbai, where Coronavirus cases are on the rise. Dharmendra shares that he keeps himself busy with writing poetry and taking regular walks. He adds, “I also keep testing myself at regular intervals. It keeps the fear of contracting the virus at bay. I was supposed to go for a shoot in Daman but I cancelled it.”
However, he is quick to add that he’s eager to get back to work: “Five to ten days of shooting for Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani are still left. I truly enjoy playing this character. I’m so used to working that I can never sit idle. Work is worship for me.”
A couple of weeks back, Dharmendra was in Manali with his family, including his elder son, actor-politician Sunny Deol. “It was one of life’s best experiences. Sunny is an introvert, but this time he was very friendly with me. Baap bete ke beech mein izzat bahut zaroori hai but thoda sa khul jaana bhi achha hai. We went camping and enjoyed the snow,” ends the actor, who will also be seen in Apne 2.
My first film Patthar Ke Phool was with Sippy Films, and now, my OTT debut is with them-Raveena Tandon
8:55 AM
Glimpses of the cast were depicted using projection mapping
As she forays into web with Aranyak, Raveena launches trailer with a special visual experience in Lonavala
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; November 24, 2021)
Imagine 25 people in the heart of a forest plunged into darkness. Somewhere not too far away, eerie music begins to play. As if on cue, the trees around start lighting up, one by one. Sounds like the opening scene of a thriller? Here’s the twist though — the 25 people are journalists, and the forest, in reality, the lawns of the Hilton Shillim Estate in Lonavala.
On Monday, Netflix India launched the trailer of Aranyak, which marks the OTT debut of Raveena Tandon, in a special event. It won’t be wrong to say that the makers brought the fictional town of Sironah — in which the series is set — alive in Lonavala. Before we had a dekko at the two-minute trailer, we experienced the spooky universe of the crime thriller. Glimpses of the cast and the trailer were projected on the trees around, using 100-feet projection mapping, as the play of light created imagery of a dense forest around, all set to a spine-chilling score. We weren’t the only ones impressed by the experience — Tandon, who came on stage soon after, summed it up: “Earlier, we used to have mahurats. Today, when I saw this, I was overwhelmed.”
The actor, who was joined by Ashutosh Rana, Meghna Malik, director Vinay Waikul and producer Rohan Sippy, said she felt like a debutant all over again. “My first film Patthar Ke Phool [1991] was with Sippy Films, and now, my OTT debut is with them. Life has come full circle. Since 1991, I’ve been in front of you. I hope [this] will mark [the beginning of] another 30 years of you tolerating me,” she laughed.
At odds with their supernatural thriller, the mood was light-hearted as Sippy joked, “I have aged 60 years. But she still looks like she did in 1991.”
Tanya Bami, series head, Netflix India described Aranyak as a “propulsive thriller”, adding that every woman will identify with Tandon’s character.
Gehana Vasisth forced strugglers into porn films, says new chargesheet
8:22 AM
Ahmed Ali (THE TIMES OF INDIA; October 9, 2021)
Mumbai: The property cell of the city crime branch on Thursday filed another chargesheet in the pornography case against actor and model Vandana Tiwari alias Gehana Vasisth and four others.
This is the fresh chargesheet in the second case of pornography registered by Mumbai Police. There are four cases of pornography crime branch is probing and another case is being probed by Lonavala police.
In the 500-page chargesheet, the police have charged Vashist, film producers Abhijit Bomble, Baburao Pralhad alias Ajay Shrimant, Prince Kumar alias Kashyap and Arvindkumar Srivastav alias Yash Thakur.
Police said Bomble and Shrimant have been arrested while Vasisth has got interim relief from Supreme Court while Prince Kumar Kashyap and Yash Thakur have been shown as ‘absconding accused’. They have been charged under the IPC sections involving sale of obscene books, obscene act, outraging modesty of woman, cheating and under sections of the Information Technology Act.
Last month, the police had filed supplementary chargesheet in the first case of pornography in which they had arrested Raj Kundra and his company’s IT head Ryan Thorpe in connection with production and distribution of pornographic content on his mobile apps.
The fresh chargesheet pertains to a complaint filed by a 21-year old aspiring model from Madhya Pradesh who lodged a complaint that under pretext of giving her a break in the short movies, Bomble, then Ajay Shrimant, Gehana Vasisth and later Prince Kashyap took her to three bungalows — two at Madh Island and one in Lonavala — on multiple occasions and forced her to act in porn movies and those clips were uploaded in three apps. She said she was paid Rs 10,000 to 15,000 per shoot. When she refused to act, the accused promised that the obscene videos would be edited but they were uploaded without any cut.
After the crime branch in February arrested a gang of five including Rowa Yasmin Khan shooting a live porn film at a Madh Island bungalow, they made an appeal to victims to come forward and lodge a complaint, she gathered courage to lodge the complaint.
She said Vashist forced her to sign agreements by luring a major role in films. Vashist had been arrested in the pornography racket.
Asha Bhosle turns 88; says "I want to resume live shows"
8:00 AM
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 8, 2021)
Every year, veteran singer Asha Bhosle opts for a quiet family time over big celebrations for her birthday, and that’s exactly the plan for her 88th birthday, today. “I haven’t celebrated my birthday for many years. Birthday is not a special day for me. Hum toh buddhe hote hai us din. It is something that kids celebrate,” confesses Bhosle, adding, “I celebrated my birthday once when I turned 75. We invited every singer I’ve worked and share a close bond with. Uske baad, I asked my family to refrain from parties. This year, I will be in Lonavala with my daughter-in-law and grand-daughter.”
Walking down the memory lane, Bhosle shares, “Earlier, I would spend my birthday in the studio. I remember many people from the industry, including Shankar–Jaikishan and R D Burman, would keep a recording on my birthday, phir sab milkar dhol, tashe, tabla bajate the.”
The singer, to this date, spends her days doing riyaaz. “When it comes to the professional sphere, I want to just sing songs that are good,” she shares.
Ask her if the thought of retirement has crossed her mind, and the singer says no. “Because of the Coronavirus crisis, many of my shows got cancelled. I’m just waiting for things to get normal, so that I can resume my live shows,” admits Bhosle.
To criticise something, it takes nothing. But to create something, it takes a lot-Sharad Kelkar
12:28 PM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 17, 2021)
Actor Sharad Kelkar is completely “satisfied” with the response to his latest web show, The Family Man 2. While a lot of questions from the first season were answered in this, the sole question unanswered belonged to this track: What happened between him and Suchi (Manoj Bajpayee’s wife in the series, a character played by Priyamani) in Lonavala? Social media is full of questions and memes.
“It’s a mystery, wait for the third season,” the actor chuckles, adding, “We’ve not started yet, so I don’t even know.”
Talking about the overwhelming response the second season of the show is getting, Kelkar says he did anticipate it and was sure because things were “bigger and mature” this time around.
“The writing, Raj & DK (directors)... it had a different class to it. It dropped on the OTT platform a day before (than it was meant to release). I didn’t read reviews immediately, and got done watching the show the next afternoon. Everybody has done such a brilliant job,” he says.
The actor further shares that when he watches content, “it’s regardless of whether I’m there in it or not, and I watch it unbiased and more critically”.
The release of the second season of the show was also met with some resistance, and there were calls for ban as well, as some people felt that it portrayed Tamilians in a negative light. Kelkar says these things keep coming up.
“To criticise something, it takes nothing. But to create something, it takes a lot. Obviously, the makers are educated and learned people, they’ve seen the whole world and will incorporate that. It was carefully written. Aisa nahi hai ki mann mein aaya aur likh diya,” the actor asserts.
Stating that whatever people see in films or web shows is mostly “fictional”, Kelkar goes on to cite a rather relatable example: “Daadi kehti hain raat ko, ‘So ja, varna bhoot aa jaayega’. Will you say, ‘Daadi, ban horror stories’? It’s stupidity. Nobody is abusing anyone, or taking someone’s name, then why should anyone be against anything.”
I'll debunk the Islamophobia allegation by citing Kareem's character in The Family Man Season 1-Suparn Varma
8:23 AM
With a section of viewers noting that The Family Man 2 perpetuates Islamophobia, co-director Suparn Varma says show has offered a balanced approach through its characters
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 13, 2021)
It’s not easy to outdo the first season of The Family Man. But a week since the second instalment has dropped, critics and the audience have agreed that it is sharper than its predecessor. For co-writer and co-director Suparn Verma, the second season’s success is a personal victory. "I am just glad we’ve been able to break the curse of the second season,” he starts off. Referring to the common industry notion that the second instalment of any successful franchise rarely lives up to the expectations, Varma says the success of season 2 was important for him. “I gave my 300%. I have known Raj and DK since the time they first came to the city. So when they were trusting me with their baby - a series this successful - I didn’t want to disappoint them."
Commended for drawing a thin line that separates heroes from villains in their story, Verma says they never envisioned Samatha Akkineni’s Raji as a villain. “The backstory and research into her character required us to understand Tamil Eelam closely, especially this Australian documentary (we watched) on the subject. The atrocities meted out to women in war camps is numbing. Most of these people are no longer in Lanka. They are in Australia, Europe but the core is they are people without a homeland, always striving to return to a place where they belong. These women soldiers when they spoke, their eyes were vacant and had a deadpan expression. Hearing their stories will give you sleepless nights. Samantha channeled that numbness beautifully. It was important for us to have Muthu - who speaks of their government, their hospitals, an airport, army, roads. It’s a community. This situation can’t be reduced to black and white. They see us as enemies and vice versa. We had to show both perspectives of what they are. For us, Raji and Sajid having that conversation on their way to Point Pedro was trying to tap into the philosophy of people growing up without a land. Their means are wrong but we see their dreams and hopes.”
A section of netizens criticised the makers for resorting to brownfacing to pass Akkineni off as a Tamil rebel. He admits to being baffled by the harsh comments. “People should check out pictures of those who’ve fought wars. They come out looking like different people who’ve aged far beyond their years. This wasn’t a beautification issue; the look is based on solid research. We wanted a Tamil speaking brilliant actor and who better than Samantha? She needed to look weather beaten and lived in jungles.”
Recently, journalist Rana Ayyub tweeted about the series’ Islamophobic vein, pointing out that most Muslim characters have been painted in broad strokes of villainy. Verma fights the claim head-on as he says, “I will debunk that by citing our season 1 where we used that trope and turned it around by creating Kareem’s character. He was trying to make a political statement about lynchings based on what they eat. His death is a guilt Srikant carries in this season when he goes to meet Jonali and tells her he wasn’t a terrorist. We consciously addressed it head on.”
Varma says he and co-creators Raj Nidimoru, Krishna DK, Suman Kumar are mindful of bringing their politics into the writing. “We are primarily striving for authenticity more than balance. We are fine showing our protagonist as a flawed guy - he loses track of his own lies, his marriage is crumbling as a result. He has justified to himself he is right but think from Suchi’s perspective, is he? But flaws make you relatable and likeable. We don’t want to create a Ram-like ideal.”
And that brings up the show’s 'Katappa-ko-kyun-maara' question. What happened in Lonavla? “We all took a call and each of us had different reasons for not revealing. My reason was - season 1 ended with Delhi almost being wiped out and all people cared about was what happened between Suchi and Arvind. Talk about priorities! I don’t want to ever tell what happened there. That said, Suchi’s assumed cheating did invite polarising responses. The judgement towards Suchi comes from a place of sexism because people are justifying Srikant by saying - 'Oh he was fighting terrorists and saving the country.' The sexism becomes even more apparent when scenes like these come on screen. I can bet that if Srikant had cheated, no one would have stopped to enrage as much. We needed to show her mental state - she lost Arvind, the only friend she could talk to. She can’t talk to her own husband and is living in her own hell. She is raising a teenage daughter who blames her. So we see her as a lone woman, trying to keep it together.”
While the team of writers are yet to put pen to paper; the germ of idea of season 3 is already chalked out. “I would tell you but then I’ll have to kill you,” says Verma before adding that they’ve spent the week reading feedback, reviews and partying on zoom calls over beers and coffee. Well deserved, we’d say!
My character in The Family Man can’t be called a homewrecker-Sharad Kelkar
8:17 AM
As The Family Man 2 drops online, Sharad Kelkar says creators Raj-DK have sensitively handled his romantic track with Priyamani
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; June 4, 2021)
In the past one-and-a-half years since The Family Man’s release, Sharad Kelkar has often been asked the same question by hordes of fans. “I get so many calls and messages asking, ‘Lonavala mein kya hua tha?’ They will have to binge-watch the show to know the answer,” he laughs, surprised at the audience interest in the romantic track between his character Arvind and Priyamani’s Suchi. As colleagues in a start-up, the two characters are seen growing close in the course of the series, especially as Suchi’s husband — played by Manoj Bajpayee — can devote little family time.
Bajpayee’s character will take centrestage again as the second season drops on Amazon Prime Video today. Kelkar says that the fans’ curiosity will finally be rewarded as the Raj-DK (Raj Nidimoru, Krishna DK) creation will delve further into the complex relationship between Arvind and Suchi. Crediting the director duo and writers for handling the extra-marital relationship with sensitivity, the actor says, “It’s a tricky track this time around. Arvind was always shown as a mature character, and the makers have handled it with more maturity. Arvind can’t be called a homewrecker. There are many factors that are [driving a wedge between] Suchi and Srikant, and Arvind becomes a catalyst here. These things happen all around the world. How you handle it or control it is what matters.”
The actor is glad to have forayed into digital entertainment with the show, though it sees him in a supporting role. “When Mukesh Chhabra [casting director] called me for the role, I found it interesting because I was mostly being offered negative parts at the time. I am an admirer of Raj-DK’s work, so I was kicked to join the series.”
Rajiv Kapoor’s style reminded me of Shammi uncle-Rati Agnihotri
8:08 AM
Zabardast, Zalzala co-star Rati Agnihotri fondly remembers “ever-smiling prankster” Rajiv Kapoor
As told to Upala KBR (MID-DAY; February 10, 2021)
I was crushed on hearing the news. I remember working with Chimpu on Zabardast (1985), which was directed by Nasir Hussain and had Aamir Khan serving as the assistant director. We were shooting by the pool at Fariyas Resort in Panchgani. Just before we were to can a scene, Chimpu threw me in the pool. My costume was soaked, and we didn’t have an alternate outfit for the sequence. Nasir saab was furious as he had to cancel the shoot. I still vividly remember how he got an earful from Nasir saab. But then, that was Chimpu — full of life! His style reminded me of Shammi uncle.
During our Lonavala stint, he decided to spook the unit members. The house where they were staying was secluded and eerie. So, one night, Sunny Deol, Chimpu, our co-producer and I went there and frightened the crew members by making strange noises. The next day, everyone on set was discussing how the house was haunted. We couldn’t stop laughing. What lovely days they used to be!
I will always remember Chimpu as the ever-smiling prankster. May his soul rest in peace.
Stricter laws against animal cruelty important-Ayesha Jhulka
8:02 AM
Ayesha Jhulka's rescued pup Rocky was recently suffocated by the caretaker of her Lonavala bungalow; man out on bail
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 11, 2020)
On September 13, the caretaker of her Lonavala bungalow informed Ayesha Jhulka that her rescued pet, Rocky, had drowned in the tank. She refused to believe it because the tank opening was too small for her big dog to slip through. Also, it was always covered with a stone. She had got Rocky when he was a week old, and even then, he’d not ventured near the tank. “We learnt from the post-mortem report that he’d been suffocated,” the actress mourns, distraught because she had not been able to meet her pets during the lockdown. “I took a special pass to drive there on July 29. My six-year old dog seemed scared and depressed. I thought it was because we hadn’t met in a long time but during the four days that I was there, Rocky didn’t leave my side.”
Following her complaint, the caretaker was arrested, but soon released on bail. “That’s when it hit me that stricter laws against animal cruelty are important and for that one has to be vocal,” says Ayesha, who’s been working with Society for Animal Safety (SAS) for a long time and recently joined hands with Pawsitive Farm Sanctuary in her fight for justice for Rocky and animals like him who suffer at the hands of humans, in court.
“There are so many animal rapes and killings happening every day and the fine is as little as Rs 50,” she laments, pointing out that people vent their anger and frustration on the hapless beasts and even use them for sadistic pleasure. “No matter how much I or any animal lover does, there won’t be a solution to the problem till the government hears our pleas. Hema Malini ji as well as Ravi Kishan have promised to raise the issue in Parliament.”
Ayesha was recently joined by actor Annup Sonii and already has allies in Bhagyashree, Sheeba Chadha and Raveena Tandon. The latter who is in the mountains on a shoot, recently picked up four pups off the roads of Dalhousie and got them adopted. “Such little cuties they are, I’m happy fostering them till they reach their Mumbai homes,” she says.
Ayesha has five dogs and one cat, all rescued from the streets, and has been celebrating a cracker-less Diwali for the past 20 years, writing to authorities to ban crackers as they terrify her four-legged babies. “This year maybe Covid will be an excuse for people to listen to our pleas,” she says fervently.
Arjun Rampal’s partner’s brother Agisilaos Demetriades caught with hash
8:08 AM
Ahmed Ali (THE TIMES OF INDIA; October 19, 2020)
Mumbai: Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officials probing the drugs case related to actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death said that Agisilaos Demetriades, who is a South African national, was on their radar since they arrested Dharma Production manager Kshitij Prasad, but they were waiting to nab him with evidence. “He is closely associated with almost all the big names in our case,” said an official. “On Friday, we got a specific tip-off that Demetriades was staying in a suite in a Lonavala adventure resort and had drugs on him. So, we decided to take action.”
Late on Saturday, a team, led by zonal director Sameer Wankhede, carried out a search of the suite and seized 0.8gm of hashish and 15 strips of Alprazolam, which is used to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and anxiety caused by depression. Alprazolam is a psychotropic substance notified under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act; possession of a large quantity of the drug attracts punishment.
Simultaneously, NCB officials in Mumbai searched Demetriades’s Khar residence in the presence of witnesses and his fiancee and recovered one strip of Alprazolam. He was arrested early on Sunday.
A fortnight ago, when the NCB had recorded Demetriades’s statement in the drugs case, he had allegedly admitted to consuming cannabis leaves/ ganja on occasion, but said he was not into drug peddling. However, during investigation, officials stumbled upon the call detail reports and chats between him and Sandeep Gupta, one of the accused in the drugs case.
“Electronic evidence showed that he was dealing in a variety of drugs, which needed detailed investigation. It is clear that Demetriades had purchased contraband from co-accused Kaizan Ibrahim and Gupta and hence, is part of the conspiracy for drug procurement. Demetriades also has links with Rajput’s girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty and her brother Showik, Rajput’s staffer Dipesh Sawant, and Anuj Keshwani and Dwayne Fernandes who used to procure drugs for Rajput,” the NCB remand stated.
Booked under the relevant sections of the NDPS Act, Demetriades was produced before a special NDPS court which remanded him in police custody till Monday. Advocate Kushal Mor represented Demetriades.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) probing the money-laundering angle in Rajput case had found chat messages pertaining to drugs on Rhea’s phone and had passed on the details to the NCB. The ED had cloned her phone and found her involvement in purchase, consumption, transportation and usage of contraband, the NCB had claimed.
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In touch with drug peddlers, says NCB; no charge of being a dealer in the remand plea
Somendranath Sharma (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 19, 2020)
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has arrested Agisilaos Demetriades, the brother of actor Arjun Rampal’s partner Gabriella Demetriades, for allegedly being part of a drug syndicate operating in Mumbai. The agency claimed that he was in touch with many drug peddlers who have links with actor Rhea Chakraborty’s brother Showik.
NCB officials said 0.8 gm of a “black, sticky substance”, assumed to be hash, was recovered from a resort in Lonavala where Agisilaos was staying, and a few tablets of anti-anxiety drug alprazolam, which is banned in India, from his home in Khar. The NCB said teams simultaneously raided the resort and the Khar residence following a tip-off on Saturday.
The 30-year-old South African is the first foreign national to be arrested in the case. He was produced before a court on Sunday, where his advocate, Kushal Mor, said he had cooperated with the agency and that there was no allegation in the NCB’s remand application of him being a dealer. But the court sent Agisilaos to the agency’s custody for three days.
Ashok Jain, the NCB’s deputy director general, confirmed the arrest but refused to elaborate on it.
Another NCB official said Agisilaos’s call records reveal that he was in touch with alleged drug peddlers Anuj Keshwani and Dwayne Fernandes, who are in jail, and another suspected peddler Kaizan Ibrahim, who is out on bail. The official alleged that Ibrahim used to supply drugs to Agisilaos.
So far, 23 arrests, including those of Chakraborty and Showik, have been made in the case. Chakraborty was granted bail by the Bombay High Court on October 7; her brother is still in jail. On October 15, the NCB arrested Jai Madhok, a Santacruz resident, on charges of peddling and distributing cocaine and hashish. His name had cropped up during an interrogation of Dharma Productions’ former executive producer Kshitij Ravi Prasad and another accused, Ankush Arenja, both of whom were earlier arrested.
Last month, the NCB recorded the statements of Bollywood actors Rakul Preet Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shraddha Kapoor and Sara Ali Khan, as well as Padukone’s manager Karishma Prakash.
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Narcotics Control Bureau says Agisilaos Demetriades is part of a larger syndicate and was in touch with a number of drug peddlers in Goa and Mumbai
Faizan Khan (MID-DAY; October 19, 2020)
In a new twist to the drugs case related to actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has arrested former South African model Gabriella Demetriades' brother Agisilaos Demetriades. According to the NCB, he has been found to be part of a larger drug syndicate and was also in touch with a number of peddlers in Goa and Mumbai. So far, the NCB has arrested 23 accused in the case including Rhea Chakraborty and her brother Showik.
Speaking to mid-day, a senior NCB official said, "During investigation we found that he was in touch with most of the drug peddlers arrested in the case. Those peddlers who supply high quality drugs to high-profile parties mostly belong to the B-town."
Banned Drug Found
The team of NCB Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede raided a room at a resort in Lonavala where Agisilaos was staying with his fiancée and seized a small quantity of charas. The agency also raided his Khar residence last Saturday and found a strip of Alprazolam (banned under NDPS Act).
"Based on the search operation conducted at both the premises he was summoned. He confessed to consuming narcotic substances including cannabis and was arrested based on his statement and electronic evidence that surfaced during the probe," the officer added. He has been booked under section 27 (A) of the NDPS Act (punishment for financing illicit traffic and harbouring offender. Whoever indulges in financing, directly or indirectly, any of the activities specified in sub-clauses).
The officials also confirmed that he was in touch with several drug peddlers, including Anuj Keshwani and Kaizan, who were arrested earlier in the case. The electronic evidence has revealed that he was taking contraband from Sandeep Gupta, who is an auto driver and has already been arrested in the matter.
Agisilaos was produced before the holiday court on Sunday and sent to NCB custody for two days. The agency told the court that he was part of a larger syndicate and was dealing in a variety of drugs. It also said that he had links with Sushant's house help Deepesh Sawant and house manager Samuel Miranda.
'Bogus Business'
The NCB has also found that he used to spend most of his time in India and was into some marketing work. "We suspect that the marketing work was a bogus business used by him to continue his chain of drug supply without the Indian agencies getting to know about it," the officer said.
Advocate Kushal Mor, who represented the accused, said in court, "The application has no grounds for arrest and there is no evidence of links to any drug syndicate. My client is fully cooperating with the agency." He also said that nothing was recovered from Agisilaos' house.
Salman Khan and Disha Patani shooting for Radhe song in the hills
8:12 AM
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 5, 2020)
“After shooting for some cop-centric dramatic scenes at N D Studios on October 2 and 3, the team is now in location for a romantic song featuring Salman and Disha,” revealed a source close to the development, adding that the initial plan was for the team to fly to Azerbaijan for the shoot. However, with a war raging in Azerbaijan and travel to foreign lands still restricted, producers Sohail Khan and Atul Agnihotri decided to stay close to home, keeping everyone’s safety in mind.
“The location is not densely populated, but is naturally picturesque; the song will be shot with wide angle shots of the mountains in the background. It’s a two-day shoot featuring the lead pair, after which Salman returns to N D Studios again for 10 days, before moving to Bandra’s Mehboob Studios for the patchwork,” shared the source, adding that Disha had been rehearsing for three days in a dance studio in Mumbai, before heading to the location,.
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After a seven-month break, Salman Khan resumes Radhe shoot over weekend with elaborate dance number at Aamby Valley
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; October 5, 2020)
Salman Khan has dived deep into work after the unforeseen seven-month break — only days after he filmed the opening episode of Bigg Boss 14, the actor resumed the shoot of Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai on Sunday. While the team of the Prabhudheva-directed venture kicked off the schedule at ND Studios on October 1 sans Khan, the superstar and his leading lady Disha Patani drove down to Aamby Valley over the weekend to begin their stint with a romantic dance track.
The song was to be shot originally in Thailand, but has now been reimagined by choreographer Caesar Gonsalves. "Over the next four days, Salman and Disha will film the dance number in the beautiful locales of the resort township and Lonavala. The makers have adopted the bio-bubble mode, and put up the cast and crew in chalets in Aamby Valley, thus isolating them from the outside world. After the song is wrapped up, the unit will shift to Mehboob Studios in Bandra for patchwork shoot. The makers are hoping to call it a wrap by October 12," reveals a source close to the film's unit. The superstar, who will honour the film's commitment through the week, will travel to Film City on Fridays to shoot for Bigg Boss' Weekend Ka Vaar.
Before the Aamby Valley leg, producers Atul Agnihotri, Sohail Khan and Nikhil Namit supervised the four-day schedule at N D Studios in Karjat. The source adds, "On the agenda was the filming of some crucial confrontation scenes with Jackie Shroff, Gautam Gulati, and South actors Bharath Niwas and Megha Akash, who play Salman's colleagues in the cop caper. Since the sequences are set at the CBI [Central Bureau of Investigation] office, the makers wanted to shoot them at the live location, but it wasn't possible under the current circumstances. So, the production design team recreated a crime branch at the studio."
Actor Ayesha Jhulka files case against caretaker over pet’s death
8:17 AM
She exhumed the dog’s body after suspecting the caretaker’s claims that he drowned; post-mortem showed the dog was suffocated
Vinay Dalvi (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 20, 2020)
Actor Ayesha Jhulka has filed a case against the caretaker of her farm house in Lonavla after her six-year-olddog was found dead. The police suspect the caretaker, Ram Andre, suffocated the pet to death. The actor, who had buried the dog, got it exhumed for a post-mortem examination after doubts arose in her mind.
Jhulka, who is married to businessman Sameer Vashi, has a farm house in Tungarli area of Lonavala. The couple had two dogs – Rocky and Wrigley – in the farm house.
“Both of them were very close to me. I used to visit the farm house often just for the sake of my pets. I last visited Lonavala in July end to be with them,” said Jhulka, who had adopted them from the street.
“They were like children to me,” said Jhulka who lives in Mumbai.
On September 13, Jhulka’s husband got a call from Andre that Rocky had died after drowning in the water tank.
“Despite it being my mother’s birthday, I left for Lonavala immediately,” said Jhulka.
Jhulka observed that the dog’s body had not bloated despite being in water for several hours as claimed by Andre.
“He told me the dog had gone missing around 7 am and that he found him in the water tank only at 11 am,” said Jhulka.
Andre, who has been working with the family for the last 18 years, also told her that the dog fell in the tank that had a card board lid.
“Somehow, I could not believe Andre’s story. Also, it occurred to me that the tank had a cement cover. The dogs had been there for the past six years, and they never went to that side of the farm house,” said Jhulka. The statements of Andre’s wife and daughter contradicted his, she said.
Despite doubts in her mind, Jhulka buried the dog in the farm house. However, while returning to Mumbai, she spoke to doctors at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, who advised her to bring the dog’s body. “They told me that dogs can usually swim for a long time,” said Jhulka.
The actor returned to Lonavala, exhumed the dog’s body, and reached the SPCA Hospital in Parel late in the night.
According to Baliram Sangle of Lonavla police station, the post-mortem report showed that the dog died of suffocation. On September 17, the police registered a case under section 429 of IPC for mischief by killing or maiming cattle or any other animal.
Sangle said the police have found a bloodstained bedsheet, and are gathering more evidence. “We have also come to know that Andre cleaned the entire farm house after killing the dog,” said Sangle. “I have done everything possible, and hope that the police will help me get justice,” said Jhulka.
Aftab Shivdasani under home quarantine after testing positive for Coronavirus
8:26 AM
Actor Zain Imam, who shot with Aftab last week, has undergone a test
BOMBAY TIMES (September 12, 2020)
Aftab Shivdasani took to social media to tell people that he has tested positive for Coronavirus. The actor, who is currently under home quarantine, wrote, “Recently, I started showing minor symptoms of a dry cough and a mild fever and I got myself tested for COVID-19. Unfortunately, the results came out positive and under the medical supervision of doctors and the authorities, I have been advised home quarantine. I request all those who may have come in contact with me recently to please get yourself tested just to be safe. With your support and good wishes, I will recover soon and be back to normal.”
Aftab, who had started shooting a project, Poison 2, in Lonavala, further added, “I can’t emphasize more the need to socially be distant, use masks and sanitisers as much as possible as it can save lives. We will win this together (sic).”
Talking about Aftab testing positive for COVID-19, Zain Imam, who was shooting along with him, said, “We returned to Mumbai on Wednesday. The following day we learnt about Aftab testing positive for COVID-19, and so, we underwent a test, too. I hope the results are negative. I am taking precautions and not stepping out. I had a few meetings lined up, which I have cancelled now.”
We have a family get-together on everyone’s birthday-Asha Bhosle
7:58 AM
Asha Bhosle had to bring in her 87th b’day in Lonavala, away from her siblings, because of the pandemic
Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 9, 2020)
Asha Bhosle took off to her Lonavala bungalow on March 16 to spend a week with her grandchildren, who were to graduate soon. Little did she know then, that six months later, she would be ringing in her 87th birthday in the same house. “Corona ne sabko karun kar diya hai (Coronavirus has made everyone despondent),” the songstress observes in her melodious voice. She has every reason to blame the rogue virus that has kept her away from celebrating her special day with her family. “We have a family get-together on everyone’s birthdays but this time no one can travel so we have to make do with phone calls. I called Lata didi in the morning to seek her blessings and she told me she was posting a picture of us on the social media,” relays Asha ji, recalling that in her childhood, birthdays were a simple affair. “Mother would dress me in new clothes, make me sit on a stool, and do an aarti before feeding me something sweet made at home.”
It’s her milestone birthdays —50th, 60th, and 75th that Asha ji remembers the most. “The 60th was a surprise party. After a day of media interactions, I was exhausted when my brother Nandu and sister Varsha started arguing about where we should head for dinner. I was exasperated and told them to decide quickly. They settled on Khyber. On reaching the restaurant, they led me up the stairs to a dark room. Suddenly, the lights went on and my family and musician friends screamed ‘Happy Birthday.’ Didi gifted me a shawl,” she shares, adding that after her 75th birthday, she said ‘no’ to lavish celebrations.
But to ensure that her lockdown birthday is a memorable one, her grandchildren went out of the way to source her favourite goodies. “Since the past few days, Zanai had been asking me what kind of food I like and which cake is my favourite. A day before my birthday, she had Japanese dishes—it’s the only cuisine I like apart from Indian—and a fresh fruit cream cake carted here all the way from Mumbai, along with a huge bouquet of flowers. It amazes me what this girl can do!” she gushes.
Her voice filled with pride, the two times National Award winning singer continues, “She is a good singer and dancer and looks pretty too; I don’t know what she wants to do. But then, I didn’t know that I’d become a singer either; so I’m sure Zanai will figure it out on her own too.”
For now, the Dadasaheb Phalke awardee is busy with her talent hunt, Asha Ki Asha, for which she received over 3000 entries. “It’s incredible how much talent there is in this country. After the lockdown is over, I want to do something for all the really talented ones, not just the winner,” she shares.
In the last few months, the singer has also spent considerable time in the kitchen devising recipes for her restaurant. “Everyone makes biryanis, but I grind my own spices. I’m going to introduce fish, prawn, chicken and vegetarian biryani in the menu soon. Also, I’ve made a few dishes from the recipes collected over the years, like the one from a vendor in Haridwar and plan to serve them too,” she signs off.
I have entered my 88th year, but I genuinely think I am just 40-Asha Bhosle
7:57 AM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; September 9, 2020)
The legendary singer, Asha Bhosle, turned 87 years young yesterday. In a candid chat with us from her Lonavala bungalow, she talks about why she doesn’t like big celebrations, her only wish, comparisons with elder sister Lata Mangeshkar and much more. Excerpts…
A lot of people have mixed feelings about their birthdays. Do you like celebrating yours?
Having lots of people come over, elaborate lunches… I don’t like that anymore. Just some close relatives and family is fine. Saying ‘Happy Birthday’ to little children is fun, they have a life ahead of them. I have lived mine. Step by step, I am on my way up. Aata ‘Happy Birthday’ kasla? (Laughs!). My granddaughter Zanai warned me not to enter the kitchen on my birthday. She ordered two cakes and Japanese food all the way from Mumbai to Lonavala. She arranged everything.
If you were to be granted a wish on your birthday, what would that be?
I want all my fans to pray for me so that I never lose my voice till I am alive. My voice is the reason for my being, I will live as long as it lives. My late daughter Varsha Bhosle used to tell me about Hindustani classical singer Gangubai Hangal, who sang till she was over 90 years old and passed away while she was singing. Varsha told me, ‘If you continue your riyaaz, you, too, can do it.’ I will never forget her words and I will continue my riyaaz till I am alive.
You performed live for hours at Shanmukhananda Hall in Mumbai in February this year. For someone in their 80s, that is no mean feat. What keeps you going?
Well, I don’t consider myself as smart or learned, but if I decide to do something, I will do it. I never fear failure or wonder if I can do something. I am extremely positive. There are days when I don’t feel well, but the moment I step onto the stage, all of that is forgotten. I have entered my 88th year, but I genuinely think I am just 40!
Lata didi or Asha tai, who is your favourite singer? This question never ceases to exist despite the fact that you both are among the finest artistes in the world. What do you make of this comparison?
Gulzar ji once wrote, ‘Two people landed on the moon in 1969 for the first time. The one who stepped on the moon first (Neil Armstrong) became famous while the other (Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin) wasn’t equally celebrated because he came second. Your sister came into this world first, so she is who she is. You came into this world after her, so you will always be compared to her.’
I overcame my fear of water and performed only to win-Nia Sharma
8:29 AM
Nia Sharma, one of the first TV actors to resume shooting in the ongoing pandemic, triumphs in the special one-month edition of KKK
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 31, 2020)
In 2017, Nia Sharma participated in Rohit Shetty’s stunt-based reality show Khatron Ke Khiladi (KKK) Season 8 and finished fifth. This year, she returned to Khatron Ke Khiladi—Made In India, and took the trophy home. “Midway through season 8, it was only about winning. This time, it was 20 days of fun, filmi style,” she says, admitting that the last time, her fear of water ended her journey prematurely. “It has haunted me for the last three years. This time, I overcame my fear and performed only to win.”
The actress insists that the pandemic didn’t deter her from participating in the show. “I was one of the first from the TV industry to resume work and had been shooting for the last month-and-a-half for Naagin before KKK. I wasn’t afraid. Once you step out of your home you have to set your fears and inhibitions aside,” she reasons, calling Rohit, the “pillar of KKK”. “He is a mentally amazing person, who personally invests in the show. This time, he even brought his own stunt team and made us feel so comfortable.”
Nia shares that the semi-finale task was the biggest challenge. “There was a plank in mid air that I had to cross to enter the Top 3. It was raining and the plank was shaking so hard. Once I completed the task, I cried,” she says proudly.
A celebration is pending, given the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. “I would like to go to Lonavala with my friends and stay there for some days,” she says dreamily. “The Film City helipad, where I have shot most of my scenes in fiction shows, will now be my winning spot. Whenever I go back there, I will remember it as the place where I killed it in the finale task. For now, I’m tending to my injuries.”
Having been part of two of the biggest shows on Colors, Naagin and KKK, will she now complete the trifecta with Bigg Boss? Nia breaks into peals of laughter, “I do shows that I am convinced of. If you don’t see me in a certain show, it’s because I said no to it.”
OTT is new to us, but Papa (Dharmendra) has embraced it-Bobby Deol
8:41 AM
Bobby Deol on how superstar-father Dharmendra nudged him to explore digital entertainment as he follows up Class of '83 with Aashram
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; August 27, 2020)
He has been receiving congratulatory calls from industry folk since Class of '83 dropped online last week, but Bobby Deol is eagerly awaiting father Dharmendra's feedback. The actor says that the veteran, who has been spending the Coronavirus lockdown in their Lonavala farmhouse, has been unable to watch the Netflix film."The mobile network and wi-fi connectivity are weak in the farmhouse. I can't wait for him to watch Class of '83 and my upcoming show [Aashram]. My brother [Sunny Deol] loved my work in the movie. It's wonderful when your hard work pays off," says Deol.
Having dedicated the past 25 years to films, the actor believes it was time he explored a new dimension of entertainment. He reveals that his 84-year-old superstar-father nudged him to explore digital medium. "He loves the OTT platforms and their content. Papa always says that one must keep working, regardless of whether your work is being showcased on an OTT platform or in a cinema hall. OTT is new to us at this stage, but he has embraced it."
It has admittedly been a hectic week for Deol as he follows up the Shah Rukh Khan-backed cop drama with the Prakash Jha-directed web series, Aashram. "People have noticed that the two projects, though releasing back-to-back, see me portray diverse characters. In Aashram, I play a criminal disguised as a baba. The show tries to raise awareness about [self-styled godmen] who exist in society."
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