Disha Patani on her over-scrutinised equation with beau Tiger Shroff
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; January 30, 2017)

Working with Hong Kong legend Jackie Chan for Kung Fu Yoga has instilled new confidence in Disha Patani. As she talks about the Hollywood legend, we introduce the inevitable topic — her actor beau, Tiger Shroff, who was one of the many Bollywood celebs who met Jackie during his recent India tour for the film’s promotions. Although spotted together on dinner and movie dates on several occasions, Disha and Tiger have never admitted to their relationship — so far.

Their joint appearance at designer Manish Malhotra’s birthday bash last month made headlines. “Manish’s party was the only party I went for,” she reasons, adding, “Frankly, I am boring. My life is all about the film set, gym classes and home. I have never asked Tiger whether he wants to talk about his life. When people ask me, I say no. I never hide anything or stop people from asking about Tiger. I am not shy about my personal life. Yes, Tiger and I are close. We are good friends, obviously. [But] There is nothing special about going for parties or catching up for a meal with friends. I understand this [gossip] is part of the profession. Of course, there is a big risk of being slut-shamed in case relationships don’t work. We are actors; we can never be free [speak freely]. I have to think a thousand times before I speak. If I am myself and end up saying one wrong thing, there will be 1,000 negative tweets about me. There is no rule that you have to be open about relationships. To each his own.”

We then move on to Baaghi, which was supposed to be her Bollywood debut (opposite Tiger), but eventually, the role went to Shraddha Kapoor at the last minute. “Honestly, I have been here for three years and things happen. I am not someone’s kid and people aren’t supposed to know me. I value struggle and because of that, what I am getting now is even more precious. In hindsight, rejection was good.”

A query about nepotism pops up, but she interrupts saying, “Star kids work equally hard. [But] They get noticed easily. The world is too hard on actors, who are no less than superhumans. You have to look good, be fit, eat certain things, give up a lot, be constantly under the radar and judged for how to dress, sit or talk. One wrong word and you’re gone.”

Tiger Shroff gets candid about his ‘student’ days, superhero misadventures and a relationship which is far from official
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 9, 2016)


It’s back to school for Tiger Shroff as he gears up for the Student of the Year sequel. He’s forward to it because this time the focus won’t be on academics.

“I didn’t pay much attention to studies but I was good at sports and would bring medals for the school so the teachers didn’t dislike me that much,” laughs the actor, fl exing some newly acquired muscles after a power session in the gym which has left him drenched in sweat.

The realisation is still dawning upon him. “I was extremely shy, I still am. I would only come into my own when a tournament was on and on sports day, I’d feel like a star,” the grin is boyish and disarming and suddenly you know why after Varun Dhawan and Sidharth Malhotra, Karan Johar passed the baton to Jackie Shroff’s cub.

Talking of his ‘Hero’ dad, Tiger recently shot for his on-going musical romance, Munna Michael, in Teen Batti where Jackie grew up before joining the galaxy of stars and moving out of the basti. Tiger remembers visiting his dad’s first home as a child. “It had a shower, a bed and the kitchen in one room. I haven’t lived there but as a part of my prep, I used to roam around that area and absorbed the vibes so I’d feel I too was a member of that community. I was so proud of him and his accomplishments. Even after he became a superstar, he continued to live there and queued up for the public toilet. The only concession he got was that every time he’d say he was getting late for a shoot, he’d get to jump the queue,” Tiger laughs.

In Munna Michael he plays a starry-eyed fan of the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, whom he has idolised since he was around six. “My father’s mother had a tape of Michael Jackson’s 'Thriller' and I was mesmerised by the video. I wasn’t even born when MJ moonwalked on planet earth and I’d try to do the same in our apartment. His track 'Billie Jean' is another one of my favourites,” informs Tiger who only began to learn dance after he had decided to join films.

Looking at him it’s hard to imagine that his wow moves are the result of a couple of years of practice. When you point out how naturally graceful he is in “Mere Naal Tu Whistle Baja”, “Sab Tera” and “Beat Pe Booty” he admits he always had an aptitude for dance and picked it up easily. “I’m into martial arts and my body has an innate rhythm. Also, I’d watch several videos of MJ and Hrithik Roshan before I went to sleep and they used to appear in my dreams,” he grins as if that explains everything.

Reportedly, he’s been teaching Nawazuddin Siddiqui, his co-star in Munna Michael, how to get it right on the dance floor. Tiger admits the 42-year-old actor was a little nervous about the naach gaana but once the camera started rolling, he metamorphosed into the character and there was not a single wrong step. “Nawaz sir is a genius of his craft. The chemistry we share is unusual and will be intriguing for the audience. Yes, I did teach him some steps and he wants to learn dance from me. I gave him some lessons in freestyle and he’s brilliant!” Tiger exults.

He kickstarted the year with the action-packed Baaghi, a second hit after Heropanti. He is now half-way through Munna Michael, his third collaboration with director Sabbir Khan, and will soon start work on Baaghi 2. “The year started on a high, for sure. Shraddha (Kapoor) appeared in a different avatar and even I got to showcase my action potential. I’m happy with the feedback I’ve received with the viewers whistling at my entry and for the action sequences. I really enjoyed watching the film in cinemas with them,” he reveals, admitting that Baaghi was a turning point for him not just for the action but also because it gave him a macho look. “The beard makes me look a little more mature. The kid of Heropanti became a man in Baaghi.”

Remo D’Souza’s superhero fantasy, A Flying Jatt, was his third outing in the theatres and he admits he’s disheartened it didn’t fare better at the box office as he has a huge fan base among kids. “Kids mean one plus four tickets and this film was for them. Also, it was my childhood dream to play a superhero and given a chance, I’d play one again, hopefully Spider-Man someday,” says the 26-year-old actor suddenly sounding like he’s six again.

The illusion quickly fades when you have a vision of him and Disha Patani together. The couple has been spotted together several times in public, the last being at Manish Malhotra’s 50th birthday celebrations. Have they made the relationship official then? Tiger is quick to deny the ‘affair’, insisting that he simply enjoys being in Disha’s company. “She is a pretty girl and it feels good to take a pretty girl around. It makes you look better. Both of us are so busy with our careers and for a relationship you need to take out time. But yes, when we are not shooting, I do meet up with her since we have a common friend circle. But every time we do, we end up getting clicked by the paparazzi,” he sighs.

Buzz is, he pushed Disha’s name as his co-star in SOTY 2 which will be directed by Punit Malhotra. “I am in no position to pitch actors to directors. Hey, I have to pitch myself. I’m still building my own career and have to become an established actor first. So why would I waste my time doing all this,” he shrugs dismissively.

Disha is in Jackie Chan’s action adventure Kung Fu Yoga and Tiger was approached too but couldn’t take up the offer as he was already committed to Baaghi and A Flying Jatt. There’s the sigh again, “Yes, but I hope that I get the opportunity to work with Jackie Chan again someday so I can show off my skills to him. It will be a big high for me. Both Disha and I are huge fans and keep talking about him.”

Deepali Singh (DNA; December 7, 2016)

Lovebirds Anushka Sharma-Virat Kohli and Tiger Shroff-Disha Patani have been playing hide-and-seek with the media. They haven’t spoken about their affection for each other. But looks like they are getting comfortable with being seen together in public.

Last week, Virat and Anushka were clicked at the airport, returning from Yuvraj Singh and Hazel Keech’s Goa wedding. They didn’t make separate exits out of the airport. Videos of the couple dancing at the sangeet also surfaced. Maybe they’ve decided it is time to be open about their relationship. On Monday night, at designer Manish Malhotra’s birthday bash, they came together hand-in-hand and posed for the shutterbugs.



Disha Patani and Tiger Shroff, who have always maintained that they are just good friends, came together in the same car. The Dhoni actress posed with Tiger on the red carpet, with his hands on her waist. Now, if that isn’t making a declaration of their love, we don’t know what is!

Says a source, “Maybe they were not expecting the paparazzi to be present at the venue inside the hotel. So one is not clear if this outing is by accident or design.”

Rhea Kapoor and Karan Boolani, too!

Rhea Kapoor and beau Karan Boolani were seen leaving the party together. Although both their families have accepted this long-term relationship, Rhea is not comfortable talking about her personal life and has never talked about Karan. This is their first picture together.

Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 8, 2014)