Showing posts with label Mini Mathur. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mini Mathur. Show all posts
How MTV's VJs defined pop culture before the arrival of influencers
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MTV India VJs who became style and cultural icons. (From left, seated: Malaika Arora, Cyrus Broacha, Maria Goretti, Shenaz Treasury, Mini Mathur, (standing) Cyrus Sahukar, with former MTV producers Seher Bedi and Preeta Sukhtankar
In India, the M(usic) had gone out of MTV long ago. Now, the channel is shuttering its music channels in Europe. But its VJs, who had made TV cool, have banded together and are now making everyday life look cool, one reel at a time
Mohua Das (THE TIMES OF INDIA; October 16, 2025)
After four decades of shaping youth culture and late night channel surfing, MTV is finally turning down the volume. But while MTV channels abroad — its parent, Paramount Global, announced on Oct 12 that MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV and MTV Live will go off air by the year-end — prepare for their swan song, MTV India remains alive. The catch? Here, the music died a while ago, somewhere between the last CD shop and the first streaming app.
What it left behind was a tribe of OG video jockeys (VJs) who defined pop TV and then outlived it.
Nearly four decades later, the faces that once invented what it meant to be young, loud and slightly ridiculous on Indian television — Cyrus Broacha, Cyrus Sahukar, Shenaz Treasury, Nikhil Chinapa, Malaika Arora, Maria Goretti, Mini Mathur, and others — have regrouped for an encore.
There’s a reason for that. The nostalgia had never really left. Every time a former VJ posts an old clip, comments flood in. “If you grew up in the ’90s, we were part of your life,” says Cyrus Sahukar. That shared history still binds the old gang.
“Everyone’s in touch and hangs out quite a bit. It feels like home,” says Shenaz.
The old MTV crew have remained unusually close now that ‘home’ has a new address: Instagram. Under the banner of Bratpack Studios, the collective they launched in Aug 2024, they’re doing what they’ve always done best — talking, laughing, oversharing, and making everyday life look cool.
The studio serves up weekly drops of music, travel, food and laughter but, more than anything, the nostalgia of everything they once stood for.
Back then, each VJ was a one-person brand before influencer culture even had a name. Its hosts introduced not just songs but a new way to talk, dress and laugh. While Doordarshan gave you discipline and family values, MTV gave you Cyrus Broacha in a short skirt and heels who got himself waxed for a Women’s Day gag.
For Nikhil Chinapa, the architecture graduate who won the VJ Hunt, MTV was never just a channel but an awakening. “I’ve met people from small towns who watched MTV and realized there was a world outside their world.”
One was rapper Raftaar, whose mother pointed at Chinapa on TV and said, “He’s from South India, too, so you can do it.”
“I’m not saying I’m the reason Raftaar became Raftaar,” he grins, “but that’s the kind of permission MTV gave.”
That sense of possibility was infectious. “There was a guy called Vishal from Bihar who stole cable TV from a neighbour’s house to watch MTV and later became its executive producer.”
To Chinapa, that was MTV’s real legacy. “It became an accidental torchbearer for empowerment. Through shows like Roadies, MTV spoke about gender equality, same-sex acceptance, even abuse within families but never in a preachy way.”
Shenaz, the bubbly boho face of MTV Most Wanted, still remembers how it began. A St Xavier’s student, she was spotted through an ad audition.
“I auditioned for Club MTV... Malaika got that, and I became her stylist, and also Broacha’s,” she recalls.
Within months, she had an offer from Singapore Airlines, but her boss convinced her to stay: “He said, ‘Either you see the world or the world sees you’.”
That spontaneity defined the era — a brief, unselfconscious decade. “Most Wanted didn’t have a director telling us what to do. I just did my own thing... I used to shoot 10 shows a day.”
That DIY energy served as training for the creator economy she works in now. “I learned filmmaking through MTV... producing, editing, everything,” she says.
Age Of Irreverence
Broacha — MTV’s original prankster — was the accidental VJ, a theatre kid who nearly joined Channel V in Hong Kong before MTV offered him a reason to stay home.
“In 1996, MTV wanted regular guys. The others were models, too good-looking, strange accents... I looked like a boy with no hope... so I represented a lot of boys with no hope,” he laughs.
Looking back, he shrugs with affection. “Fourteen years at that damn channel, getting paid nothing; of course, it shaped me. Being MTV VJ was a badge of honour. I’m embarrassed to admit it because it’s such a vacuous profession, but for a little while, you turned heads. People treated you with a lot of unnecessary respect.”
Sahukar, barely 18 when he won the VJ Hunt, brought satire to MTV’s scriptless comedy. His Fully Faltoo spoofs like Semi Girebaal — a parody of ‘Rendezvous With Simi Garewal’ — famously outrated its source material. “Can you believe that? It actually did better.”
Could they get away with that kind of humour today? “Dude, I’d be thrashed. I don’t think Simi was too happy with it either,” he concedes. “But back then, people didn’t have an opinion on everything. Outrage existed, but it didn’t have an audience. It was freer. You could be silly without overthinking.”
Broacha agrees. “Before 26/11, we had no problem being on the road dressed as cops, doing almost violent capers. We did end up in the lock-up, explaining we were just doing a silly show and then let off without much noise,” he says about shooting MTV Bakra, India’s first reality show based on candid camera pranks.
That mix of madness and camaraderie became MTV’s signature. “It was egalitarian... There was no star system,” says Broacha.
Sahukar agrees. “It was a golden time. No one cared about algorithms or likes. It was about doing things that were fun and stupid and hoping others found it funny, too.”
That was before the music faded, and the idea of a “music television” dissolved into the endless noise of non-music content.
“MTV became everything except music,” says Shenaz. “And lost its niche in 2003–2005, when they decided, ‘let’s just go mass and do reality TV...’ then it became like every other channel and stopped being cool.”
After MTV, the gang scattered but never really left the spotlight. Chinapa built India’s EDM scene from scratch, Shenaz became an actor and travel vlogger, Mini turned producer and anchor, Malaika a style and fitness icon, Maria a chef and cookbook author, Sahukar an actor and show host, and Broacha, keeps tickling funny bones like no one else can.
Could MTV ever be rebooted? “It would have to be run by the youth again,” says Sahukar. “You can’t have older people deciding what young people want to watch,” Broacha feels. “It could have become some sort of influencer-run OTT platform... but we’re the ‘Last of the Mohicans’.”
And yet, as Sahukar points out, MTV’s DNA never really disappeared, it just moved online. “You could cut what MTV did for 10 years into reels and you’d have a full-fledged network. But you’d still need to build culture. Because that’s what it really was. Pop culture.”
Don’t take parenting too seriously. Treat your kids like the cousins from Jalandhar-Mini Mathur
8:54 AM
Her impersonation of Simi Garewal interviewing Mamta Kulkarni had the judges in splits and won her MTV’s VJ Hunt in 1997. Mini Mathur went on to enjoy a successful run as VJ and later hosted popular reality shows such as ‘Indian Idol’. She took on a new role recently, that of a women’s health coach, and has launched a platform to raise awareness about menopause. Mathur spoke to Neha Bhayana about her journey as a woman and mother to Vivaan (22) and Sairah (16)
Neha Bhayan (THE TIMES OF INDIA; July 13, 2025)
After being a television host for three decades, you have launched ‘Pauseitive’, a platform to raise awareness about menopause. Tell us about your journey.
It wasn’t a conscious decision to become a health coach. When I turned 45, I stopped feeling like myself. I’ve always been into fitness — I worked out, ate healthy, and never had any health scares. So when I started experiencing brain fog, low mood, and sudden bursts of anger, I was not happy. I’m a very people-oriented person, but I began feeling social anxiety because I couldn’t remember the names of the people I was talking to. This was quite debilitating, especially for a TV host. I went to many doctors, and they all gave me symptomatic treatments — statins for cholesterol, sleeping pills for insomnia, and what not. But I decided to find a better answer. I started reading and connecting the dots. I realised it was basically a state of perimenopause.
I wanted to understand my condition better. I had gotten into medical college when I was younger but didn’t take it up. I couldn’t go back to that, so I enrolled in a hybrid course with an institution in the US. The 18-month-long certificate course led to Pauseitive, a platform for women over 40, and I hope we can completely change the way women look at their health.
In a way, this mission lifted me out of a strange place, where I felt saturated with everything I’d done in life. Even my kids were ready to go to college. I feel everyone should learn something new at 45.
Women’s perimenopause and menopause years often clash with their kids’ puberty. How can one tackle the raging hormones in the house without wounding the relationship with one’s children?
Let me add one more layer to this — aging parents and cognitive decline. It is a very trying time, dealing with all kinds of hormonal changes in the house. But if you've been the kind of parent who's been continuously in touch with your children's emotions and they come and talk to you generally, then the likelihood is that they're not going to shut you out when they are 16 or 17. I don’t want to sound like ‘Oh, I got mine correct’. Not at all. There's no correct way to do this. But I have parented in a way that my kids feel confident enough to tell me everything that they are going through. I have not tried to set an example. I have shared my mistakes and flaws openly and honestly. If I drink (I'm not much of a drinker) and I feel sick, my kids are privy to that. There was a phase where I used to smoke. I wasn’t one of those parents who went behind some tree to smoke and came back and gave gyaan. I used to tell them that this is a failing I need to get rid of. They were also privy to me giving it up. They've learned from my mistakes. They know every action has a consequence. So, I've worked deep in the trenches to ensure they don't shut me out of their life.
The past four years as I faced changes due to perimenopause, I made sure they are aware of what I am going through. In fact, my son is helping me set up Pauseitive. If I am feeling out of my depth and unregulated, I tell my kids about it and they are like it is okay, mamma’s not feeling like herself right now. Let's just agree with her for now. And I'm sure we'll all work this out a little later. So, they are seeing the seesaw of emotions. They are seeing me be mature about it. I think when you present a picture of being in control all the time, you also become inaccessible to a certain level. But if you are showing your sides to them, which are less than perfect, then I think they'll feel less hesitant about it.
So far, I have managed. I keep telling my parents that I'm blessed that my kids still want to holiday with Kabir and me. Most kids don’t even want to attend parties with their parents. But when my friends come home, these two are out of their rooms and chatting away. My son is currently in New York, having a drink with my friend who just turned 40. They have not even bothered to tell me. I saw their post on Instagram. So, our friends are their friends, and their friends are our friends. I really love it this way. I am also aware that my kids are watching me dealing with my ageing parents and my mother-in-law who is 92 with patience. This is very important because the way I treat my parents and in-laws is the way I'm going to get treated by them.
Both you and Kabir (a film director) have been in the entertainment industry. Are your kids going to follow in your footsteps?
Well, Vivaan had gone to University of South California to major in political science. One year down the line, he discovered they had the best film school in the world and after attending lectures by film grads, he ended up doing a double major to include film. He is definitely going to be directing and producing soon. He's working with studios in Los Angeles right now. Sairah is in Class 12 and hasn’t decided yet. One day she wants to be a sports journalist and the next, a Formula One racer. She will decide when she wants to. One rule is clear. Nobody will do anything till they have finished college. You can’t compromise on college because that’s where you grow up and understand what you are about.
In an old interview, you had mentioned that you went to Malaysia for two months to shoot ‘Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao’ a couple of months after giving birth to Sairah. Was it a conscious decision to not let motherhood come in the way of your career?
The magic word is balance. You have to adjust your purpose and your passion with time. I am not chasing my career. My career has to work for me. It is very important for me to be there for the kids and it is equally important for me not to let go of my last vestiges of self-reliance. I want to earn my own bread, irrespective of what my husband’s position is. He was a documentary filmmaker earlier and he is a big filmmaker now. I don’t need to do this. I can travel to Paris and eat croissants. But do I do that? No.
Luckily, my work as a TV host allowed me to pick projects. And, that is the reason I've lasted 30 years in the business. I did not burn myself out doing back-to-back to back shows when I was flavour of the season. I did enough work to get my visibility on television, my money as well as time with my children. I started hosting ‘Indian Idol’ when Vivaan was just six months old. Kabir was very encouraging. During Season 4, I found out I was pregnant again. I was asked to discontinue because there’s never been a pregnant host on TV. I was heartbroken. Heidi Klum, and Claudia Schiffer were on the runway with pregnant bellies, but I was told Indian audiences won't be ready. But I think Sony felt really bad. The moment I popped the baby out, they gave me a show. I left for Malaysia when Sairah was six months old. Kabir had just finished his film ‘New York’. I had given birth all by myself while he was away shooting so he owed me. The time away from home was so good. I got my body back, because it was a very physically tough show and she didn’t even realise I was gone.
Basically, when I needed to have kids, I did not let work come in the way and when work came to me, I didn't reject it. I have always tried to align my shoot to finish in time for them to come back home. I used to offer to reach the sets by 7 am so I could come back home by 4 pm to be with the kids. Of course, it would not always work out.
Since we are on the subject of work timing, what’s your take on the controversy that erupted after Deepika Padukone demanded an eight-hour work day?
I think it's a very legit demand for any mom and I think the response has been very ungrateful. The boys’ club just went toxic on her. In a country where families are so tight knit and we all have mothers who have nurtured us, here is an actress who is A-plus-plus, who has given us such loved films. She has just had a baby. You should be happy for her. You should give her that grace. If she wants to look after her baby after eight hours of shooting, how does that become a problem? This is why our industry will never progress the way the West operates where you can be openly pregnant, delivering and getting breaks to pump during shoots. Deepika, you don’t need this shit. Go spend time with your baby and work with somebody who thinks you're worth that time. I think she has earned that demand. There are heroes who come on set for two hours when they promised you a 12-hour shift. Here's a woman who's saying for eight hours she will come committed and the powers decided that it was too much of an ask. I think Deepika should just not work with such people.
Was Kabir a hands-on dad?
Well, I think one does not really need to change diapers to be involved. Of course, he did a little bit of diaper duty because that made him feel important. But then he got very busy. He loves babies but he wasn't there to actively look after feeding, burping or homework and school meetings (he has not come for even one). What he did right at that point was that he let me take the lead and he put his entire support behind me. He has never contradicted my decisions whether I have decided that they need to move from ICSE to IB, or that they need to study and can’t go on a holiday or that there will be no sleepovers. He has never come in and said, “You know what, I am the cool daddy, and I will allow you.” He has backed me fully and I am eternally thankful for that. I know enough people who were just not on the same page as parents. He let me play the bad cop which was not nice. But he also came in with the good-cop energy. And yes, I felt bad that I'm the one laying down all the rules but I also knew the kids were blowing off steam with him.
He’s been a much more hands-on dad after they grew up. They bond well and he looks after them emotionally. Now, he sometimes contradicts me and asks me to go easy when I don’t allow them to spend too much on clothes. I believe they should wear brands only when they can afford it. But he is like “thoda zyada ho gaya” (that is a bit too much).
Did you experience the empty nest syndrome when your son left for the US?
I had timed my kids beautifully, so I still had my little one left. She will leave for college next year and Vivaan will be back by then. But I will tell you one thing. I don't believe in the empty nest syndrome. I've spent my life trying to make my kids independent. I made them travel at 12 and 8. Let them live their life. I am very happy. I have my work and my friends. I want to go and spend two months in Goa. I haven’t been able to do that because they had school and exams. I never holidayed while they were at school because I felt it was important that my face was the last one they saw in the morning and the first one they saw when they returned. I've had to literally carve out time for myself. So, I'm looking forward to being free. I don’t want to look at the school calendar anymore. Of course, I’ll miss them, but I’ll travel to where they are.
My husband was very badly hit when my son left. I've seen him cry only twice in our years together, one was when he watched ‘Swades’ and the second was when my son left. He literally stood in the room with tears rolling down his face. So, he was affected by the syndrome much more than me.
What advice would you give to new parents?
Don’t overthink it. I know it is a cliché, but I mean it. I am a parent who has read every book out there, but one thing I got right is that I never took it too seriously. Don’t take parenting so seriously. No child has peed in their pants when they are 30. Some kids take longer, but they all eventually learn to do things. Also, don’t overschedule things for them. I met someone today whose daughter is two and was going to school, play gym, piano lessons and what not. I too have done classes for my kids, but I know they don’t have to be geniuses. Sometimes, parents who push their kids the hardest to be so perfect are the most disappointed at the end. Imagine waking up at 3.30 am and taking the child for swimming lessons and contests. Your kid reaches state-level competitions and then one day, declares he does not want to swim at all. And, all your effort, your entire life seems like a waste. So, don’t change your life. Just treat your kids like you would treat your cousins from Jalandhar who have come to stay with you. That’s what I do. Thoda mazza kar lo, thoda padhne ko bol do and theek thaak nikal jaate hai. (Have some fun, tell them to study a bit. They will turn out fine). They should look at you as people who they can rely on, who they can have fun with and who they want to holiday with. They will learn the drums when they really want to play the drums. We don’t have to make our kids baby Einsteins. We are just going to create nerds. Rather focus on giving them social skills. These days, kids are not talking, they are unable to converse and connect with people around them.
My daughter would dance to Katrina Kaif’s songs, which we would record and send to her-Kabir Khan
9:55 AM
Natasha Coutinho (BOMBAY TIMES; July 11, 2025)
Few know that Kabir Khan, director of films like Kabul Express, Ek Tha Tiger, Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Chandu Champion, is also a skilled dancer. He has now found a dance partner in his daughter Sairah, who has been training in several dance forms since the age of three. We spoke to the filmmaker about the dancer in him, while Sairah shared her career plans.
I dabbled in dancing a lot in DU: Kabir Khan
Talking about his love for dancing, Kabir shares, “I dabbled in dance a lot when I was in college, we had a good choreography team at Delhi University, where I graduated from. It’s safe to say we were good because we won awards at the university and in Lady Shri Ram College where my wife Mini (Mathur) studied. I spent six months on the production of the musical West Side Story with choreographer Ashley Lobo. It also featured Parvin Dabas, Gauri Khan and others, so that was a phase when I was dancing a lot. Mini showed her dancing chops on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, and now Sairah dances better than both of us put together. So yes, dance does run in the family.”
‘I’d put up performances for my parents as a kid’
Talking about how she fell in love with dancing, Sairah says, “My parents enrolled me in a ballet class when I was three years old, and I started enjoying it. I was very dramatic as a child and would put on performances for them. I was dancing to Sheila Ki Jawani when I was two. I trained with Ashley Lobo, did professional certificate courses in different styles, and now I dance simply because I enjoy it.”
To this, Kabir adds, “We enrolled her in the class because she had already started dancing. She would dance to Katrina’s (Kaif) songs, which we would record and send to her.”
‘Documentary filmmakers are considered serious people, but they are the most interesting people I have met in my life’
Reminiscing about his journey from dancer to documentary filmmaker to finally directing large-scale commercial movies, Kabir shares, “Dancing is about team building, and was something I really enjoyed. I’m still in touch with many people from the West Side Story production. Gauri and I became friends during that project. Documentary filmmaking is what I studied – I did my master’s in filmmaking. At some point, I felt those films lacked a wide audience, and I felt frustrated. That’s when I wrote Kabul Express, based on my journey with a friend in Afghanistan. I landed a three-film contract with YRF, and the rest is history.”
Does the tag of a documentary filmmaker paint him as a serious person? “Documentary filmmakers are considered serious people, but they are the most interesting people I’ve met in my life,” says Kabir, adding, “They have varied experiences because of their travels. Just last year, I caught up with many documentary filmmakers at a festival in Kathmandu, and the interactions, as always, were quite interesting.”
I love being in front of the camera, but maybe not as an actor: Sairah
Sairah is often asked if she would take up after her parents. But she has other plans. “I’m hoping to study at New York University first,” she says, and continues, “Both my parents’ movie sets have always been a playground for my brother and me. My brother Vivaan has taken to filmmaking. While I love being in front of the camera with the spotlight on me, maybe not as an actor. But let’s see.”
Pics: Prathamesh Bandekar
It’s shocking that in an MBBS course, aspiring doctors merely have a two-hour long class on menopause-Mini Mathur
8:19 AM
Among the early industry folk to speak candidly about battling perimenopause, host and anchor Mini Mathur opens up on taking Hormone Replacement Therapy, doubling down on her training intensity, and aspiring to help women live a better life
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; October 23, 2024)
Several years before she began to experience the first symptoms of perimenopause, Mini Mathur had been advised by a friend who was encountering it at the time. “She told me, ‘Just make sure that when you hit it, you hit the ground running.’ I have held that statement close,” says Mathur, rightly appalled by the insufficient effort that has gone into tackling health-related issues of women.
The television host and anchor may have dabbled in several fitness forms in the years leading up to the age of 50, but it was at that point that she says she “couldn’t recognise my body”. “My knees would hurt, I was gaining belly fat despite not eating too much, and I was having memory loss. I started to feel these symptoms that were alien to me, and that is when I began to research about it.” The interactions she had with her gynaecologists served little purpose. The herbal placebos provided little relief, and so did the recommendations to consume birth control pills.
“I knew that this couldn’t be the solution,” she says, adding, “I felt anger and rage, and if menopause lasts for five years, I knew I couldn’t be living like that for so long. I spoke to my mother and aunts, and they’d respond, stating, ‘We’ve all gone through it. It’s very bad. But what to do?’ But I couldn’t accept that. When I began to research about it, I realized that nobody has focused on women’s health beyond [matters relating to] reproduction and fertility. When oestrogen levels begin to drop, it takes away so much from us, and makes so many changes to our body. The hormone doesn’t only have effects on our reproductive system. It also affects our gut and metabolic rate. I thought it was crazy that the world wasn’t talking about this enough. I think it’s shocking that in an MBBS course, aspiring doctors merely have a two-hour long class on menopause. Can you imagine the little importance [that this matter is given] in the system?”
What Mathur did next reminds us of a news piece that previously hit headlines, when a mother, unhappy with the medical aid that was being provided to her epileptic daughter, sought out to procure a PhD and find a treatment option. “The actual definition of, ‘Fine, I’ll do it myself!’” read a meme on the news piece.
Mathur, in the same vein, was convinced that she needed to be her own guiding light. “I decided to educate myself and found the most comprehensive course in the world for women’s health. It’s an 18-month-long course, and I knew that I would only advise anyone after I had gotten myself certified to do so. I want to focus on telling people about menopause because I need to do something about this. I’ve put together a business plan.”
Mathur’s three-step plan
Mathur was able to address the issue by tackling three aspects. The first thing she did was head to a spa in Austria, where she received Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
“HRT is given such a bad name, with claims that it can cause cancer. Indian doctors are influenced by old research, and I found that many were ambiguous about HRT. They discouraged it, and I kept questioning their decision. When one has a thyroid problem, we provide a [hormonal medication]. When men feel that their testosterone levels are low, they take testosterone, which is also a hormone. So why is it that only oestrogen is a hormone that is demarcated as one that should not be given to women? When I went to the spa, and asked the doctor about HRT, she looked at me and said, ‘What about it?’ I asked her if I could be considered for it, and she said she had already put me on the [treatment]. It was a simple cream that I had been told to apply since a few days prior. HRT involves both oestrogen and progesterone. And I was put on the latter. Both hormones need to be in balance for a woman to feel good. Instantly [my life] turned around. My mood and body felt better, and I was no longer raging.”
Mathur also hit the gym with an intensity that she was, until then, unfamiliar with. “During menopause, your muscle mass [depletes], and bones become porous. So, unless you lift weights, you cannot build bone strength and muscle mass. Your metabolic level [drops to] 30 per cent of what it used to be before you hit perimenopause. So, you have to work much harder to [retain the muscles you have]. Ten years ago, if I trained the way I do today, I’d be a fitness model. I lift more than any other girl in my gym does, including those who are in their 20s. I lift three to four times a week.”
Finally, Mathur revisited the foods she put into her body. Since she was never drawn to alcohol, she found it relatively easy to get rid of it entirely. At the same time, she eliminated sugar, and refined foods, and upped her intake of the “two building blocks”, protein and fibre. Reiterating what has been established by every wellness enthusiast, Mathur encourages individuals to look at their protein intake.
“It is the building block of your muscles. It is essential, especially if you are working out at the gym. If the intake is not adequate, your [muscle mass will deplete] and your effort will be counterproductive.” During the Karwa Chauth celebrations this year, the host and anchor decided to adhere to a 24-hour fast to derive physical benefits from her effort. “I’ve also tried other practices like cryotherapy and infusions of antioxidants. I believe in topping up the body with everything that it lacks. You come out feeling like a new person,” says Mathur, adding that she is now considering undergoing HRT for oestrogen as well.
Mini on a mission
She admits that it is perhaps her husband, filmmaker Kabir Khan’s love for fitness, that has rubbed onto her over the years, but Mathur is now on a mission to help women in need. “I want to make [this knowledge] accessible to every woman. It’s not an urban phenomenon, and I cannot believe that our mothers and aunts had to quietly suffer. Beyond a point, women are made to believe that their opinions are not important, their body is not important, and neither is their size or beauty, because they’ve become mothers and are in their mid-life. That’s bullsh**. That’s why Indian women give up on themselves after a certain time, and wrap themselves in sarees. I want to look toned and muscular, and look like someone who can handle a good run. My family is into adventure sports. We dive, and race with our kids. I want to be active instead of one who can simply fit into a certain gown.”
I was told Indian audiences don’t like seeing pregnant women on TV-Mini Mathur
3:02 PM
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 29, 2024)
Mini Mathur has been a popular face on the small screen, having hosted several reality TV shows like Indian Idol, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, Sirf Ek Minute Mein and Yeh Shaam Mastani to name a few. Recently, the actor-host took to Insta Story to criticize makers who choose popularity over credibility in their hosts. “Years of working on your craft cannot be substituted by social media following… You pay peanuts, you get monkeys,” she wrote.
Ask what prompted the outburst and Mathur says, “We stayed true to the reality of human drama. We had no playbook on how to manipulate audiences. We did what a TV host was supposed to do. Our connection with the contestants was real. It wasn’t scripted.”
Having been a host for 28 years, Mathur recalls the time when she was pregnant: “A producer told me Indian audiences don’t like seeing pregnant women on TV and that broke my heart a little.”
The 48-year-old insists there was a time when the industry invested in forming TV host personalities. “There seems to be zero skills required [now]. You pick [someone] who has a large social media following or is acting in a popular daily, shove scripted words into teleprompters and prop them up. And because these presenters aren’t primarily committed to being TV hosts, the show producers need to constantly populate their shows with noise and low-brow gimmicks that appeal to the lowest common denominator,” she ends.
Kabir Khan and Mini Mathur have pledged to hire the women gaffers in their next project-Richa Chadha
8:11 AM
As Ali Fazal and she launch programme to train women in lighting, Richa urges B’wood studios to hire them to promote gender equality
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 14, 2022)
In February, mid-day had reported that Richa Chadha and director Shuchi Talati’s proposal of an incubation programme to increase women’s participation in the lighting department in the Hindi film industry had won the annual funding at the Berlinale Co-production Market (Realised there are no women in some departments, Feb 18). On Friday, Chadha set up the incubation programme, Undercurrent Lab that will train women to work as gaffers in Hindi films.
In its first year, the lab — which is running from June 13 to 18 — will train 10 women. On completion of the programme, two gaffers will be placed in the all-women crew of Chadha and Ali Fazal’s maiden production, Girls Will Be Girls. She hopes other production houses will come forward to hire the rest, thus paving the way for gender equality in the industry.
Chadha says, “Kabir Khan and Mini Mathur have pledged to hire the women gaffers in their next project. Ali and I want more production houses to hire them. We want to talk to Tiger Baby Films, Excel Entertainment, Gauri Shinde [Hope Productions] and others. We will do our best to make sure that these women are absorbed in the industry. It’s about getting a foot in the door, which will trigger systemic changes.”
The programme is a joint partnership between the Women in Film and Television Association India (WIFTAI) and Light N Light, one of the largest lighting equipment providers in Bollywood.
He had remarkable talent, topped ECA admissions, says KK’s teacher from Kirori Mal College
8:01 AM
Riya Sharma (BOMBAY TIMES; June 2, 2022)
KK’s voice helped him land a seat in DU’s Kirori Mal College, and the performer even topped the ECA (extra-curricular activities) admissions list in 1986 in the singing category, says Sumitra Mohanty, then-staff advisor for MUSOC, the music society of KMC, as she remembers one of her favourite students.
“It is very sad for a teacher to lose a student,” she says, adding, “He was such a remarkable and talented student. He topped the list of ECA admissions in music, and he deserved it. I always took pride in saying that I found him through ECA admissions.”
Many years after his graduation, she recalls him performing at the college again. “There was so much crowd around him and I was in the staff room. He came to meet me and hugged me, we chatted for a long time and it was so nice. When he was performing, I was there, listening to him but it was getting late, so I slipped away before his performance ended. I was told he was searching for me and said, ‘Where is ma’am? She is not here anymore, main itna kharab gaa raha tha kya?’” she says, adding, “It is heartbreaking to say goodbye to him, it is such a sad day for us, personally.”
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He made us Dilli college guys proud - Mini Mathur
Mini Mathur paid tribute to KK on social media, with a post that read, “KK was always a star. From the moment he stepped on to stage in Delhi University and swept every single competition as the Kirori Mal College participant to singing every block buster song that represents the coming ofage ofan entire generation. I knew him since then – the quintessential “good guy” – charming yet shy. Totally committed to his family. Fit, never prone to the wastage of youth. Watching him reach the hearts of millions used to give us all Dilli college waalas strange pride. (sic)”
She added, “Being @kabirkhankk’s college buddy ... he HAD to sing at least one song in each of his films. Everytime we bumped into him.. he would say milte hain yaar.. bas iss concert ke baad. The irony. I cannot believe life has been so unfair to one of the nicest people in the hood.”
After two failed attempts, Vaishali Malahara and I are finally married-Cyrus Sahukar
8:10 AM
Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; April 20, 2022)
VJ-actor Cyrus Sahukar tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend Vaishali Malahara on April 15 in Alibaug. The actor has been in a relationship with Vaishali, a model, actress and director, for around eight years. The couple had to postpone their wedding once due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The marriage took place in the presence of some of Cyrus’ best friends, including Maria Goretti, Mini Mathur, Samir Kochhar and Gaurav Kapur, among others.
Cyrus says, “I consider marriage to be a blessing and I am glad I finally tied the knot with Vaishali. We had planned to get married in February, but we postponed the wedding due to the pandemic. Finally, we decided to tie the knot on April 15 and got married at Alibaug among close friends and family members. My Punjabi friends made the entire event extremely memorable for me. I can say that my guests were the hosts. Everyone was dancing and enjoyed the festivities.”
The couple had first met at a party many years ago. Cyrus shares, “I had gone to a party at one of the rooftop eateries in Bandra where I saw her.”
Cyrus adds, “Vaishali was extremely pretty and I ensured that my friends introduced us. Later, we connected as friends and then gradually started dating. It has been eight years of knowing her and being in a relationship. In my head, I was already married to her. I am glad that I have entered this new chapter of life with Vaishali, who is very bright, beautiful and independent.”
Cyrus, a former VJ, who has also been part of films like Khoobsurat, Aisha, Delhi-6, Rang De Basanti and is currently doing OTT shows, says, “I don’t feel any different now that I am married. I feel happy that I have a companion to share my life with. I was never someone who would announce my wedding date on social media. It is a private thing. Weddings are now far smaller and more intimate and I like that. Also, the couple decides when they want to get married and how they want to do it.”
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Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 20, 2022)
After dating for eight years, actor Cyrus Sahukar married his girlfriend, Vaishali Malahara, last week. They had an intimate wedding in Alibaug (Maharashtra), with their families and close friends in attendance. “We had planned the wedding for February and were disappointed when we had to cancel it because the Covid-19 rage was a bit too much at that point. But after two failed attempts, we are finally married,” he tells us.
Sahukar adds, “We have been together for eight years. Both the times [when we planned to get married], [the] Covid-19 [situation] knocked us out of the park. Now, it felt like we needed to take the blessings of the people whom we absolutely adore. That’s exactly what it (the nuptial) was.” But the Potluck actor was keeping his fingers crossed this time, as he mentions, “Cancelling a wedding means you go back to the drawing board. I am so glad my friends took charge this time, and did it all.” He admits that it was actor Mini Mathur who took charge and said, “Let’s get you married.”
For the 41-year-old, his wedding was two days of fun. “I have never received so much love in my life. Our buddies came from all over the world. The two days were made of love and madness. We were walking around, surprised by everything. They (the photographers) said, ‘Yahan khade ho, yahan smile karo’. And I was just happy,” he laughs.
For him, going the low-key way for his big day was the best option. “Intimate weddings are magical, because we all get to know each other,” shares Sahukar, recalling stories that his parents told him about lavish ceremonies, where “the couple was always tired”.
Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif escorted out of exit gate reserved for VVIPs, Prime Minister at Jaipur airport
8:22 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (December 8, 2021)
As Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif’s wedding celebrations started with a bang in Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan on Tuesday night, the couple’s family and friends were seen arriving at the destination the day before.
The couple travelled to Jaipur via a charter flight. On landing, Katrina and Vicky were escorted out of the airport through an exit gate reserved for VVIPs, as well as the Prime Minister and President, and permission for using which is given by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security in rare cases. The couple had reportedly wanted to travel by helicopter from Mumbai to Sawai Madhopur, but the local administration did not give them the desired permission to use the helipad.
Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi along with Kabir Khan and Mini Mathur were among the guests who arrived in Jaipur yesterday morning. Also seen at the airport were filmmaker Vijay Krishna Acharya and Sharvari Wagh, who is rumoured to be Vicky’s brother Sunny Kaushal’s girlfriend.
The couple’s sangeet ceremony reportedly took place on Tuesday night, which will be followed by a haldi ceremony today, before they tie the knot, ‘Rajwada’ style, tomorrow.
Punjabi singer Gurdaas Mann, a close friend of the Kaushals, is also expected to be present for the nuptials – the white wedding and the traditional Punjabi wedding ceremonies.
I got rejected from a dance show because my backstory wasn’t strong enough-Sanya Malhotra
8:21 AM
Former aspirants, participants & judges have accused reality shows of exploiting contestants’ & audience’s emotions at the cost of talent
Divya Kaushik (BOMBAY TIMES; June 24, 2021)
Who wore what, who danced with whom, what banter and jokes were shared on the sets and who shed some tears — this is precisely what trends on social media just before any new episode of a reality show is aired. Social media posts talking about any contestant’s brilliant performance or talent would be few and far between, and often the last to go viral. So, when singer Abhijeet Sawant, the winner of the first season of the singing reality show Indian Idol, commented recently that “in Hindi reality shows, the tragic and sad stories of contestants are redeemed. The focus is only on that”, it seems he was pointing at something clearly evident in reality shows on TV for the last few years.
The debate around ‘are reality shows scripted’ or ‘do they coach participants to manipulate emotions on screen’ is not new. However, Abhijeet’s comments surely drew attention to this all over again. Also, over the years, it is not just dance and singing reality shows that rely heavily on drama, the trend is often seen in a game show (like Kaun Banega Crorepati) or celeb reality shows (like Nach Baliye).
SAW CREW MAKE A MERCILESS MEAL OF BLIND ASPIRANT: SINGING SHOW ASPIRANT
In 2018, Nishant Kaushik, an aspirant on a singing reality show, tweeted, “I met two interesting aspirants: one med rep from an Indian village I don’t remember the name of, who dragged his right foot in a broken slipper. And another, who was blind in both eyes. And then I saw the crew make a merciless meal of both of these kind souls. First the vultures came with their mic and cameras to the blind man, who said he had a scene’s role in Slumdog Millionaire. They first asked him to give a little speech about the history and status of his blindness, how does it feel to be blind, and what have you. Then they asked about his family. He said he had a mother who was now dead, leaving him orphaned and all by himself. Sudden twinkle in crew’s eyes because they now had meaty content for a camera shot. They probed him in several ways on ‘what brings you here’. When none of his responses flew, they drafted a ‘response’ on his behalf and read it out. Roughly, ‘I miss my mother and I wish she were here to see me, but I hope that when I sing tonight she can hear me up there’. They made him repeat this even as his voice trembled (sic).”
Among those who commented on the thread was former singing reality show host Mini Mathur. “This sucks. I wasn’t part of the 2012 season but I know most of what he has articulated is known to happen on reality tv. One of the reasons I bowed out. This incessant need to create false emotion. RIP Organic, pure TV (sic),” she tweeted.
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I FEEL SOB STORIES WORK & ARE A MARKETING THING: SONU NIGAM
In a recent interview with us (above), when Sonu Nigam — who’s been a judge in singing reality shows like Indian Idol and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa — was asked about his take on shows often dramatising sob stories to move the audience to tears, he told us, “If they (sob stories) weren’t working, it would not be happening so often on reality shows. It is a marketing thing, and people are not fools.”
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THERE SHOULD BE A FINE BALANCE BETWEEN DRAMA, EMOTIONS & TALENT: ABHIJEET SAWANT
Abhijeet Sawant says, “Even when I did Indian Idol, there would be times when a contestant would be given preference and gain the audience’s vote, because he/she had a story that was ‘more emotional’ than the rest. It does affect your morale and confidence, but you have to keep telling yourself that at the end of the day it is talent that matters and you have no option but to focus on your talent.” He adds, “Reality shows are the best platform for fresh talent, and at no point should the focus shift from performances and talent to the background of the contestant. I am sure there are other ways to add more drama to reality shows.”
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I GOT REJECTED FROM A DANCE SHOW ’COZ MY BACKSTORY WASN’T STRONG ENOUGH: SANYA MALHOTRA
On the Facebook page of Humans of Bombay, a post by actress Sanya Malhotra read, “So I applied for the dance (Dance India Dance) reality show and got to the top 100. But before I could move beyond that stage, I got rejected because my backstory wasn’t strong enough. That’s when I started doubting myself — I thought maybe I wasn’t meant to perform at all.”
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SOB STORIES CAN’T MAKE A CONTESTANT WIN: PRODUCERS
Those who work on some of these reality shows blame the change in reality show formats and excessive focus on drama on the TRP race. “Earlier, they’d primarily focus on the contestants’ talent, but over the years, as more reality shows started coming up, these shows needed something extra to gain the audience attention. To make the show more relatable, the contestants’ background was featured. However, when the drama began to fetch TRPs, some shows began adding more of it — be it through contestants or even judges — and that’s how the focus shifted from talent to drama in these reality shows,” says a source from a production house on condition of anonymity.
However, producers argue that the focus has always been, and still is, on talent. “I think the audience is smart enough to choose the right talent. No amount of sob stories can make a contestant win a reality show. If somebody is emerging as a winner from these shows, it is purely because of talent and not because of their background or how many sympathy votes they got on the show,” says producer Ranjeet Thakur, who has been associated with the production of different TV reality shows like Dance Plus and Dil Hai Hindustani.
On condition of anonymity,a member from a production house of a leading singing reality show tells us, “Sob stories or drama through judges are an essential part of any reality show, therefore it is incorporated, but as makers we also try to make sure that genuine talent wins.”
'83: Ranveer Singh’s World Cup team starts shooting in Mumbai from Tuesday
8:27 AM
After a three-month schedule in London, the Kabir Khan directed sports drama will kick off a three-week shoot in the city from Tuesday
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 7, 2019)
On September 1, Kabir Khan wrapped up a threemonth marathon schedule of his upcoming sport drama, the Ranveer Singh starrer ’83, in UK. The actor plays Kapil Dev, who led India to the 1983 Cricket World Cup win. Kabir Khan had told Mirror (September2) that wrapping up the UK shoot on time was like winning a World Cup for the entire crew. Now, the team of this Sajid Nadiadwala, Madhu Mantena, Shibasish Sarkar and Vishnu Induri production, are reuniting for the second and final schedule of the film in Mumbai, which kicks off on September 10.
The three-week shoot will go on till the first week of October before the film wraps up. “We will be shooting off and on with the entire team. During this schedule, we will be filming some of the interiors that no longer exist in London and have built sets for the same,” informs Kabir. “The cricketing portions were completed in London. This will be the final schedule with the actors after which we will only be shooting what was happening around the country during World Cup.”
Kabir’s wife, Mini Mathur, and his children, Vivaan and Sanya, had dropped in on the set during the UK schedule and he expects the tradition to continue. “It’s a magical story and anybody who hears it, is excited. Not just Mini and the kids, even my mother and in-laws were in London for some time during the shoot,” he smiles.Ranveer’s better half, Deepika Padukone, was in the Queen’s City, too. After Ram-Leela, Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat, the couple have teamed up for ’83 with Deepika playing Kapil’s wife, Romi. “They are both super actors and marriage doesn’t make any difference to the way they act. It has just given them another level of comfort. Deepika was around our sets for more than just the days when she was shooting, not only because she’s one of our producers but as there is this sense of comfort,” asserts Kabir, showering praises on his leading man’s seamless transformation into Kapil. “We worked on the look for over a month and decided to keep it minimalistic. One can’t be wearing heavy prosthetics while playing cricket, and for us, it was important that Ranveer plays cricket while in the look.”
I am comfortable with the idea of being uncomfortable-Katrina Kaif
8:14 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; July 21, 2019)
In the last eight months, Katrina Kaif’s life has been through a sea change. From being a pretty face in the frame, she’s now winning praise for being a promising actor, and one who is willing to dive deep into her well of emotions to deliver a fine performance. The actress, who celebrated her birthday on July 16, is currently in the midst of a well-deserved break in Mexico. Katrina spoke to BT about all that has changed in the last year in her life, in the personal and professional space. Excerpts:
Looking at your social media profile, it would be fair to say that you’re living the title of one of your films, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara…
(Laughs!) Yeah, and I hope I am doing Zoya (Akhtar) proud with the way I am living it up.
On a serious note, what do you think has changed for you in the last one year, personally and professionally?
The most prominent change that I notice in my life is that I feel a deeper sense of gratitude and fulfilment with my work. There’s a different kind of joy that I experience when I hear good things about my performance in Zero and Bharat, which gave me so much creative satisfaction. Making these films was such a wonderful experience. Both the films taught me a lot. These films propelled the actor in me and had a lot to contribute in helping me grow, both as a person and a professional.
There was a noticeable difference in the way you approached these characters — Babita Kumari in Zero and Kumud Raina in Bharat. Both won you praise in the reviews. What has changed in the way you look at your roles now?
In the last one-and-a-half years, I’ve begun to find more joy in the creative process of making a film and playing a role. I’ve changed the way I work and live. It’s difficult to put a finger on the exact reason or the turning point, but I’ve begun to give a lot more of myself to work. I’ve started understanding the process of making a film more deeply. As an actor, this means that you have to push your boundaries and work with directors who can make you do that. Working with Ali Abbas Zafar and Aanand L Rai helped me in a big way. In the last year or so, I’ve also found a lot more comfort and a still place within me that allows me to focus on what I am trying to do. The positive comments for Bharat and Zero made me feel wonderful because it was an incredibly happy experience working on these films. Now, I want to continue with the momentum.
While playing these parts, did you dive deep into your emotions and borrow from your own experiences?
That’s what I have been trying to do lately, and I’ve been enjoying it. Discovering characters has become so much more enriching. And then, you meet teachers, who can guide you to further your craft.
Post Zero and Bharat, has your criteria for giving a nod to a film changed?Striking a balance is important. Also, you shouldn’t take yourself too seriously. I’d still like to be a part of some fun, entertaining summer releases. It’s important to enjoy what you create. I relish lighter and easier films, while I also enjoy a role that challenges me. I’m just trying to take on films that can help me keep that balance.
In the last few months, in several interviews, you’ve made statements like, ‘My life is an open book, I got nothing to hide’. That frankness is refreshing, but it also makes one wonder why you have suddenly let your guard down...
I wasn’t even 18 when I started out in the industry. I’ve been in the public eye since then. The other day, when I was thinking about it, I realised that we are two different people in our teens and in our 30s. Experiences change you. We’re all over the place in our teens, discovering ourselves in our 20s, while finding our feet and experiencing things that mould us and help us understand who we really are. The 30s are when we accept what feels real. I know that a lot of people tend to shy away from the media and be on their guard all the time. I have also done that at certain times in my life, when I felt unstable or I didn’t know what’s really going on. This new me didn’t happen overnight or with any one decision. I felt that this is the industry, this is the work I do and I am here for everyone to see. So, whoever engages with me should get to see the most honest version of who I am and that’s what I am doing.
How did you get rid of your insecurities and become so accepting of everything around you, which is evident in the way you express yourself now?
I feel the biggest change in the Katrina of then and now is that, today, I am comfortable with the idea of being uncomfortable. Everyone in their 20s goes through bouts of uncertainty; I did, too. But today, I’m okay not knowing everything or having an air of doubt. When you are just starting out, you are bound to feel shaky, while trying to find your feet when the avenues are just about opening up. With these years of being here, and with success and acceptance, you also gain a sense of confidence. It holds true for everyone. It’s not like I don’t get insecure thoughts, or I don’t feel weak or doubtful now, but I’ve stopped running away from it, which is working for me. Also, I think I was quite guarded as a person, especially when it came to my personal life. That was an overwhelming factor, which people felt about me. I always wanted to keep my guard up and that has changed. How do people perceive it? I don’t know, but we have to be who we are. Perception is something that no one can control.
Who are the people who keep you together when you’re in the thick of uncertainty or in an uncomfortable situation?
I have six wonderful sisters who’re all so different from each other. One sister is a mathematician, another is into social sciences and my brother is into deep-sea diving. Their uniqueness adds a lot of beauty to my life. My mom is devoted to helping others, and to me, she is a wonder woman who has never had a bad word to say about anyone. I’ve always seen her with a smile, and she’s imparted her virtues to all of us. I’ve also got a fantastic set of friends, and they all love me unconditionally. Nitya Mehra and her husband Karan, Alvira Khan Agnihotri, Ali Abbas Zafar, Kabir Khan and his wife Mini, are some of my closest friends. Kabir has played a big part in me finding my voice. Our first interaction was while working on the film, New York. He was full of belief, which instilled the confidence in me that I could really do anything. Aditya Chopra has been such a constant in my life. Alvira is an incredible friend. I am privileged to have so many people in my life who love and care for me.
And Salman Khan?We have such a wonderful friendship. He’s an incredible guy and the kind of dynamics we shared while working on Bharat was wonderful. Working with him has helped me grow as an actor and as an individual. And how can I ever forget Karan Johar? He keeps every single person around him happy.
Considering the fact that an actor’s life plays out in the public domain, does it get difficult to find the right person, maintain a relationship or go through an emotionally-draining phase like a break-up while being under the spotlight constantly?
Not at all! We don’t need to give this any thought. I have no preconceived ideas and thoughts regarding relationships. I just know that it has to happen organically, and you need to follow what feels right to you.
There’s nothing like it’s hard or easy. A relationship should feel right to you and you should take it one day at a time. To answer the other part of your question, I think every experience has only enriched me; I don’t think relationships can drain or empty you emotionally. Right now, I’m not even thinking of a relationship, we’ll cross the bridge when we get to it.
Lastly, while it’s common for people to feel or look awkward in the presence of exes or people they have a shared past with, it hasn’t quite been the case with you. You have dealt with all of that with a lot of grace and dignity…
I just don’t feel awkward and I don’t carry any heavy thoughts about it. As I said, all my experiences have only given me something. Also, why do we have to make everything so complex and heavy? It’s a personal thing and may not work for everyone, but if I had two options, I would always choose the simple one over the heavy and complex. Why would I want to feel awkward in anyone’s presence? I would rather smile, laugh, have a good chat and keep it easy, instead of keeping a sad face. Simple!
Mini Mathur and Cyrus Sahukar team up for a show on urban relationships
8:53 AM
Aastha Atray Banan (MID-DAY; June 2, 2019)
"We are in a happy marriage, but are constantly living under fear," says Mini Mathur, as she throws a glance at Cyrus Sahukar, who is sitting across her. "We feel that if we don't work on our relationship, we might end up like our friends, who are divorced. And so, we seek therapy." Mathur is talking about Amazon Prime Video's new original, Mind The Malhotras, adapted from the Israeli show La Familia, releasing this Friday. She and Sahukar play the onscreen couple, Shefali and Rishabh Malhotra, who have three kids — twin girls and a boy.
Directed by Sahil Sangha and Ajay Bhuyan, each episode deals with a different kind of issue that the Malhotras put in front of their therapist — from sex-life problems to Rishabh's annoying mother to dealing with the kids. "It's written in a smart way, and talks of all the pillars of a relationship. What I like about our characters, is that they are regular people. They have all the colourful selfishness, niceness, and weirdness of normal human beings," explains Sahukar.
We are chatting with the two on a hot afternoon at the chic Soho House in Juhu over tea and avocado toast, and it's easy to see their camaraderie. It's VJ/presenter/emcee Mathur's first outing as an actor, and she has long-time friend Sahukar along for the ride. "We came to Mumbai on the same flight decades ago, when we both got a job at MTV. I have known Cyrus since his 17th birthday, so when I heard he was going to play my husband, I had to say yes. When we tell each other, do it this way, there is no malicious intent. It's about making it better for each other."
Sahukar is no stranger to comedy, especially if you remember his avatar as Semi Girebaal. He, thus, became a perfect fit for Rishabh, who he describes as the good guy. "He doesn't really get his family, but he wants to. He wants to do the right thing. Mini was a perfect Shefali, because she is a doer in real life, and in the show as well. If you can marry character to a personality like in her case, there's nothing greater than that," he says. Mathur adds, "It was so good to have him around. One day, someone shouted loudly before a shot, and I was flustered. I asked him 'how do I get back to being in a 'funny' mood now?' He wasn't even bothered! I had to step out, breathe and come back."
The show also offers a funny take on modern marriages. "When the therapist tells them to talk, they figure that they have very little to talk about," says Mathur. "It's like 'I like you, but I have nothing to say'. I don't think it's even about marriage, it's about every relationship. It's the anxiety a couple is faced with, when a TV series they have been watching together, ends," says Sahukar with a deadpan face, as we all crack up.
Ask them what they brought to the show from their own personal experiences, given that Mathur has been married for 21 years and Sahukar has been in a serious relationship for six years, Mathur says, "One of the reasons I jumped at the idea of playing Shefali was because she is so relatable. I asked the makers 'have you put a CCTV in my house?' We did extensive readings of the characters and we have actually put our own filters there. I have said 'I don't think Shefali will react like this'. We are not exactly the same people, but we tried to make it more real and 3D."
But is the show going to make sense to a society, which is constantly getting put off by the idea of love and marriage? In a cynical world, it could be hard selling a story of two people trying to work it out. Mathur is a firm believer in marriage, and says, "I feel there is a merit in love, and that's why the show is so special. Nobody is made for each other, but it's constant understanding. It's not easy, and I have seen people who are lonely, and that's no fun. It's always nice to be in a symbiotic relationship."
Sahukar immediately interrupts, "Of course, it's going to be difficult. You can't even like yourself all the time. How will you like someone else for 50 years?" In the end, all they want is for the show to find resonance with the audience. As Sahukar sums it up, "It's been a lovely experience trying to get it out — like life actually, sometimes it's down, sometimes it's up, and sometimes you get it right!"
Images: John Abraham throws party for filmmaker-friends
8:19 AM
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 19, 2018)
John Abraham has had a great year at the box-office with Abhishek Sharma’s Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran, opening in the theatres on May 25 after a legal battle with former producer-partner Prerna Aroraa and wowing the audience with its inspiring, true-life drama. This was followed by the Milap Zaveri’s vigilante action film, Satyameva Jayate, on August 15, which went on to be one of surprise hits of the year. He is currently shooting for Batla House, inspired by the real-life operation headed by then ACP Sanjeev Kumar Yadav, which he is jointly producing with director Nikkhil Advani. In a surprise move on Saturday, given how reclusive both he and his wife Priya Runchal usually are, the actor-producer hosted a party for his filmmaker-friends at his Bandra office.
Besides Nikkhil, Milap and Abhishek, John’s Kabul Express and New York director Kabir Khan was also there with his wife Mini Mathur. Also spotted was his Desi Boyz and Dishoom director, Rohit Dhawan, along with T-Series head honcho Bhushan Kumar and his RAW: Romeo Akbar Walter producer Bunty Walia.“John has been wanting to celebrate with close friends from the industry for a while and when everyone’s time matched, he invited them over to chill. Both John and Priya were great hosts and personally looked after their guests,” one of the attendees told Mirror.
He starts shooting for the next schedule of Batla House in Lucknow from November 21, after which he will kick off Anees Bazmee’s Pagalpanti in February, which is being produced by Kumar Mangat and his son Abhishek Pathak. All three were at the bash. The surprise guest was Harshvardhan Rane who is rumoured to be dating Mohabbatein girl Kim Sharma. He arrived with the actress.
There is a lot of enjoyment when Alia Bhatt and I are together-Katrina Kaif
8:21 AM
Actress’s friends, Mini Mathur and Yasmin Karachiwala, and co-star Varun Dhawan made some interesting revelations about her on KJo’s chat show
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 10, 2018)
Varun Dhawan and Katrina Kaif, who are coming together on the big screen for the first time with Remo Dsouza’s third dance film, the upcoming ABC3D, recently made an appearance together on Karan Johar’s show Koffee with Karan. The chat took an interesting turn when Kat’s close friends, Mini Mathur and fitness trainer Yasmin Karachiwala, who were also invited, revealed that if the actress likes something they own, she simply takes it home with her.
According to their accounts, Katrina has ‘borrowed’ a pair of earrings from Mini, among other things. From Yasmin it’s usually work-out clothes. After listening to them, Varun and Karan chimed in, claiming that Kat once “just took my glares away”. “Katrina is a walking, talking Kleptomaniac. She doesn’t shop at stores, she shops off people,” KJo quipped and was greeted with a hoot of laughter with Kat joining in. Taking the jokes on her chin, the actress clarified that she always asks her friends before taking things from them and that many have even refused her on occasions.
On a more serious note, Katrina opened up on her equation with Alia Bhatt. While reports suggested that their friendship had taken a hit since the latter started dating her ex, Ranbir Kapoor, Kat insisted that she has a one-on-one relationship with the 25-year-old actress, RK, and even Deepika Padukone. “There is a lot of enjoyment and comfort when Alia and I are together,” she asserted on the Star World show, adding that they, along with Deepika, work out at Yasmin’s gym and that keeps their bond strong.
Varun, who recently shot for a guest appearance for Salman Khan’s period drama, Bharat, also featuring Kat, joked that he didn’t like her much because before she came along, Salman showered a lot of attention on him and Arjun Kapoor. Katrina pretended to look shocked. “I knew our relationship was weird, but I thought it was because Varun and Arjun had a crush on me and I wasn’t giving them attention. I only just found out that all the weirdness was because they wanted Salman’s attention instead,” the actress shot back and the score was even.
Check out Juhi Chawla enjoying a Djokovic vs Khachanov Wimbledon match in London
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The actress recently caught a match between Djokovic and Khachanov; Kabir Khan can’t wait for FIFA finals
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 12, 2018)
Juhi Chawla’s latest London vacation, which began last week, is all
about trying out new things. On Monday, the actress watched the
Wimbledon match between Novak Djokovic
and Karen Khachanov. “I have to thank my daughter Jhanvi for that. She
and my sister-in-law Radha are tennis fans and one of my daughter’s
favourite things to do on a vacation is to either play the sport or
read. Jay (Mehta, husband) arranged amazing passes for this match and I
was excited because I’ve watched a bit of it on TV and it looked so
glamorous,” Juhi beams.
She was fascinated by the rules to be followed while watching the
match. “You can’t enter the premises in distressed jeans or keds, unless
they are fashionable, oversized hats and so on. It took us some time to
dress for the event,” she informs, adding, “We had a four-course meal
at the Wimbledon club and joined thousands of fans to watch the match
after that.”
Speaking of filmi sports enthusiasts, Kabir Khan is in Russia with wife Mini Mathur and kids Vivaan and Sairah to catch the final leg of the FIFA World Cup. “The atmosphere here is great. Fans from all over the world are celebrating the game. It’s football madness everywhere and I can’t wait to see the finals. I have rooted for Brazil ever since I was a child. They aren’t in the final four so I’m waiting for the England-France final. It’s time to celebrate the new order in the football world,” Kabir told Mirror.
Ramesh Taurani shares exciting details of his ROCKING Diwali bash
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Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 17, 2017)
Producer Ramesh Taurani's
Diwali bash on Sunday night rounded off the first three filmi soirees
over the weekend after Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan's. The guest list
included Taurani's Race 3 leading man, Sallu, who was accompanied by
youngest brother Sohail, Kriti Sanon, Neha Dhupia, Tamannaaah Bhatia,
Kunal Kapoor, and Angad Bedi, who showed up with rumoured girlfriend
Nora Fatehi. Filmmaker Kabir Khan and his TV host-actress wife Mini
Mathur were also in attendance, so were new parents Soha Ali Khan and
Kunal Kemmu, taking time off from baby duty. The directors' brigade was
headlined by David Dhawan and Ashutosh Gowariker.“The party started at 10.30 pm and went on till 5 in the morning. We had arranged for a few games that some guests got busy with while the rest caught up with each other. We had arranged for predominantly Indian cuisine with an array of pan-Asian dishes. There were Diwali special sweets too,“ Taurani told Mirror.
Next up, the filmmaker is looking forward to kick off his upcoming film as soon as the Diwali revelry wraps up. “We start shooting in November. Details will be finalised in the next few days,“ he signed off.
Alia Bhatt, Sidharth Malhotra steal the show at Priyanka Chopra's homecoming bash
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Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 26, 2017)
On Monday evening, Priyanka
Chopra hosted a bash for family and friends at her sprawling Juhu home,
which she had moved into last year. Mom Madhu Chopra and brother
Siddharth who live in her former Versova apartment, arrived early, along
with a few relatives. The party kicked off at 9:30pm, with Goldie Behl
arriving with wife Sonali Bendre and sister Srishti Arya, and Mini
Mathur, Punit Malhotra, Ayush and Arpita Khan Sharma crowding around the
hostess, who regaled them with her experiences from the wild West.
The party got grooving close to midnight and shifted to the terrace when filmmaker-friend Karan Johar with his director-protégé Shakun Batra and 'students' Sidharth Malhotra and Alia Bhatt rolled up in the same car. The young couple was inseparable and left together around 2am with Sid playing the perfect gentleman and opening the car door for his lady love. Twitterati went berserk with '#Relationship Goals' statuses. The 24-year-old actress, who recently returned from Dubai got the thumbs up from everybody for her ripped jeans and chequered shirt-look.
It was interesting to see the camaraderie between Sid, Arjun Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur, who was accompanied by brother Siddharth. There was Punjabi food on the menu, and the party didn't hit pause until 5:30am.
Katrina Kaif to put culinary skills to test on Mini Mathur’s web food show?
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Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; April 5, 2017)
Katrina Kaif is set to cook up a feast for former VJ and host Mini Mathur on her upcoming web show.
A source tells mid-day that the actress has been approached to rustle up her favourite dishes, including fish and chips, and pancakes. Recently back from Austria where she wrapped up the first schedule of Tiger Zinda Hai, alongside Salman Khan, she is yet to shoot the cooking episode.
Katrina shares a bond with Mini and husband Kabir Khan, with whom she has worked on New York (2009), Ek Tha Tiger (2012) and Phantom (2015). Kat aside, Mini also plans to rope in a host of A-listers, including Salman. The husband’s contacts will indeed come handy. Produced by Nikkhil Advani, The Mini Truck will feature her celebrity friends who will cook their favourite dishes in a fancy van.
Kabir’s sister Anusha is curating the meals, we hear.
Mini Mathur returns as show host with daughter in tow
7:42 AM
The former host and VJ is back with two gigs, one of which features her daughter
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 25, 2017)
Former Veejay and TV show host, Mini Mathur, whose last gig as an anchor was the sixth season of India Idol in 2012, is returning with two new shows — a food series titled The Mini Truck which will have her celebrity friends cook dishes of their choice in a van, and another on travel in which Mini will be traversing through Europe with daughter Sanya.
The travel show, Mini Me, travels through Germany, France, Venice, Greece, Italy, Croatia, Monterrico and Spain in 25 days. “I did this show because Sanya is my second child and I feel I haven’t spent enough one-on-one time with her. We returned from the trip as much better friends,” she beams.
The duo spent time with an old couple in a vineyard where they learnt how to make wine and cook. Sanya also stayed in a youth hostel because when she travels with her filmmaker-father, Kabir Khan, and mom, they live in luxury. “I wanted her to learn to live with less. In one city I even put her on a budget so she learns the value of money. We cycled across Germany, which was a tick off the bucket list,” she informs excitedly.
Was her Mini-me comfortable in front of the camera? “I didn’t want an intrusive crew, Karishma Kohli, the director, has known Sanya since she was a baby. Every parent will connect with the show,” she asserts.
On the food show, Mini reveals that filmmaker-friend Nikkhil Advani has been urging her to show her cooking skills to the world and one day suggested that they work on the idea together. Since Kabir was working with Salman (Khan) at the time, Nikkhil suggested we get the actor to rustle up his favourite dish on camera. "I’ve always been obsessed with the idea of a food truck, I watch all the food truck shows across America. So Nikkhil bought a bus, stripped it down, and Karishma who is Kabir’s AD (assistant director) is directing this one too, and I decorated it with everything I had in my kitchen,” she narrates. The show is being produced by Nikkhil along with Monisha Advani and Madhu Bhojwani.
The weekly show will feature one Bollywood star in every episode. “Shah Rukh (Khan) is learning Italian cooking and I know other actors who cook too. It’s an eight-minute episode with stars speaking about their comfort food, their travels and food from around the globe. They also cook two dishes of their choice or a family recipe. If they are good at cooking, I become their sous chef, if they don’t know how, I turn chef. We have friends and directors dropping in just to see how the food has turned out,” Mini laughs, adding that Kabir’s sister, Anusha, who is married to director Victor Acharya, is curating the dishes.
Does Kabir cook too, you wonder, and Mini admits he can rustle up an omelette, something really basic to survive on. “He’s happy I’m doing this show because he gets to taste all these dishes,” she signs off with a chuckle.
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