Upala KBR (DNA; April 4, 2016)


The couple were returning from Goa when contacted. Ashmit denies any marriage plans for now, “It’s just been six months since we have become serious about each other and are still discovering each other. Marriage is a little further away. Yes, of course we don’t want this beautiful relationship to end, and want to make it into something permanent but we have not decided when.”

Talking about how their relationship began, he says, “We have known each other for 12 years as friends and would meet at parties and at common friends’ get-togethers. Later, we worked out at the same gym in Bandra and would often work out together. Then one day it was raining. She didn’t have her car and I offered to drop her home. We stopped for bhutta at Carter Road and spoke for hours, from evening into the night. That’s when we discovered that we had something special. Power Couple helped us to strengthen our relationship. It showed us where we stand and made us realise that we can’t do without each other. Today, we are very sure of each other and our love.”

Neha Maheshwri Bhagat (BOMBAY TIMES; October 22, 2015)

Neha Maheshwri Bhagat (BOMBAY TIMES; December 26, 2014)

Mahek Chahal talks about the line of leggings that she has launched and more
Srishti Dixit (DNA; November 29, 2014)


Tell us about Cheeky Legs!
Well, I had my own clothing line in Norway and I have worked in the business of fashion for some 10 years. I really wanted to do something with legs because it’s close to my image. This one time I was walking down a road in Mumbai and I noticed that almost every girl was wearing leggings either with a kurta or a long tee. That’s when I decided that about doing something with leggings.

So is it only meant for girls with thin legs?
Not at all! I have seen that girls wear leggings mostly to hide behind them. I want girls to wear Cheeky Legs as a complete outfit and for the leggings to stand out and not hide the legs. My line of leggings is meant for girls of all sizes, not just for skinny legs. I have strong and muscular legs myself. My leggings have these vibrant prints that stand out and the eye immediately goes to the legs. You can wear them with a long tee or a basic kurta.

With brands like ASOS or Forever 21, why would girls buy Cheeky Legs?
I guess girls are buying it because it’s affordable and anybody can wear them. From a college-going girl to celebrities and models, it is meant for every girl. It is not a big and expensive, luxury brand, but whoever wears it will feel like it’s made for them exclusively! Also, the fabrics I have used for Cheeky Legs are high on quality, even after washing them, the form and the tightness of the legging stays.

What kind of prints can we expect?
I want to experiment with different fabrics, perhaps use more hand-work on leggings, or make studded legging. I like animal prints, digital prints and Indian prints too. I would also like to put out multi-coloured leggings, venture into nature prints, or have little stars and hearts on the leggings. The possibilities are endless.

Who do you think has the best legs in Bollywood?
I guess Malaika Arora Khan, Katrina Kaif, Jacqueline Fernandez and Sonakshi Sinha have the best legs. As you can tell by the choice of names, I am a big fan of strong and muscular legs!

Given a choice, who would you rope in as a brand ambassador for Cheeky Legs?
Either Malaika or Katrina, they both have great legs!

Take your pick, leggings or hotpants?
Leggings, any day! I believe that a woman can look classy and sexy in leggings, even better than hotpants!

Salman Khan is credited as the launchpad of several pretty faces, plucking them from obscurity and catapulting them to the big league. Strangely, most of them don’t seem to make the cut
Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; September 26, 2014)

Salman Khan has always been considered the film industry’s Good Samaritan and more famously, as a Bollywood ticket for newcomers. Apart from a handful of actors and musicians, he is said to have given the big break to as many as 11 actresses, even casting them in lead roles opposite him in different films. However, despite their splashing debuts, the starlets have struggled to find work in B-Town. The only exception is Katrina Kaif. hitlist turns the spotlight on some of the younger actresses, who faded no sooner than they were launched...


Elli Avram
Big break: Reality show, Bigg Boss 7
When she made her entry into the Bigg Boss 7 house, little did we know who she was, although she had her debut film, Mickey Virus, up for release. However, Salman seemed quite taken by her firang looks and would spare her the stick on the show. Tales of the Elli-Salman closeness grabbed headlines and prospects of a future film with the superstar was also flashed in the media. While Elli is said to have signed a film, the grapevine is abuzz about the duo making an outing on the silver screen very soon.


Sana Khaan
Big break: Jai Ho (2014)
She was another Bigg Boss contestant who had Salman pulling out all stops to make her comfortable (and blush!) on the show. Post her reality show stint, Sana made her Bollywood debut in Salman’s blockbuster, Jai Ho. Just before her film’s release, Sana was embroiled in a controversy surrounding an alleged kidnapping of a 15-year-old girl and she went underground. No prizes for guessing, Salman stood by her. Sana hasn’t signed any Bollywood film after Jai Ho.


Daisy Shah
Big break: Jai Ho (2014)
It doesn’t happen often that a background dancer is offered the lead role in a film, that too, opposite Salman Khan. The actor is said to have spotted Daisy during the a song shoot for Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya (2005) and later when she was assisting choreographer, Ganesh Acharya. Though the actress hasn’t been seen in any Hindi film after Jai Ho, she will soon be seen in a Kannada film.


Hazel Keech
Big break: Bodyguard (2011)
Despite Kareena Kapoor playing the lead role opposite Salman in this 100-crore plus film, Hazel’s role in the film held significance as Bebo’s bestie. Thanks to the benevolent Salman, Hazel now sees her self receiving good offers from big banners. In the meanwhile, she continues to work in Telugu and Punjabi films.


Zarine Khan
Big break: Veer (2010) She had a dream debut but the success story isn’t worth sharing, more so because the film failed to set the box office coffers ringing. Rumours has it that Salman Khan was interested in her because she reminded him of his ex flame, Katrina Kaif, albeit a chubbier version. The actress was last seen in Housefull 2 and is now doing Tamil and Punjabi films.


Mahek Chahal
Big break: Wanted (2008) A regular face in Punjabi flicks, Mahek debuted with Nayee Padosan (2003) and did a few blink-and-miss roles in Hindi films until Salman offered her a role in Wanted and then another in Main Aurr Mrs Khanna (2009). Two years after that, Salman apparently recommended her name for the reality show, Bigg Boss. “Salman is a mentor and has always guided me about my negatives,” Mahek has said. Last we heard Mahek has turned designer and launched her own fashion label.


Sneha Ullal
Big break: Lucky: No Time For Love (2005)
After his break up with Aishwarya Rai, Salman noticed the doe-eyed college girl, a friend of his sister, and found that she bore an uncanny resemblance to his ex. And the next thing we know, the teenager was making her screen debut opposite Bhai in Lucky: No Time for Love After this utterly forgettable film, she vanished into thin air. Reportedly, Salman is helping her make a comeback. “I was too naive when I did that film. Now that I have done a couple of films in South, I am ready to come back here. Of late, he has been guiding me for it (comeback),” she has been quoted as saying earlier

Mahek Chahal opens up about her failed engagement to Danish Khan who proposed to her on reality show Bigg Boss season 5
Tushar Joshi (DNA; May 2, 2014)

In 2012 on the finale night of Bigg Boss 5, Danish Khan proposed to Mahek Chahal on national television. She accepted the ring in front of her good friend and host Salman Khan. Post the show, she moved to Oslo to her family. It was then that she realised it wasn’t working out, they’d constantly argue with each other. She finally decided it was in her best interest to cancel her marriage plans and return to Mumbai for good. Here she talks about her new business venture back in Oslo, why she left Danish and her relationship with Salman.

You went into hiding post Bigg Boss. Comment.
Post Bigg Boss, I needed to spend some time with my real family and friends so off I went to Oslo, Norway. I’ve grown up there, I miss the city and my family if I stay away for too long. I began to formulate a business plan with regards to my clothing line, Mahek Chahal clothing.With help from my older sister I acquired a beautiful store in the heart of Oslo and proceeded to set-up my first clothing store. It has turned out to be quite a success and I’m extremely proud of it.

You were engaged to Danish Khan, what went wrong?
While many great experiences were taking place post Bigg Boss, my relationship with my fiancé began to deteriorate. Maintaining a relationship across continents turned out to be rather difficult. So, I returned to Mumbai and I decided to call it quits. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I had to do it to get my groove back and start a new chapter in my life. I have given that part of my life a permanent closure. I am currently loving the single life!

So have you moved to Mumbai for good?
Since the success of my clothing label and the opening of my store I was eager to get back to Mumbai, find something exciting to do. Besides, I prefer being in sunny Mumbai when it’s freezing in Norway. I’ve worked extremely hard to make a career in Bollywood and unless Bollywood moves to Oslo for good, I’ll be here. Besides, I love this city and I have loads of friends here. There are tremendous work opportunities here and I intend to make the most of them.

During the show there was a lot of speculation about you and Salman.
I want to make it quite clear that we are good friends and just like my dear friends, designer Ashley Rebello and model/entrepreneur Shamita Singha, who I turn to for a second opinion, I sometimes ask Mr Khan as well for his second opinion. His experience is invaluable.