Veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha remembers his charismatic friend and co-star Rishi Kapoor, who went on to become the poster boy for romance
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 4, 2020)

It was a devastating week for the Hindi film industry, with two celebrated actors, Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor, passing away. Shatrugun Sinha, who has worked with Irrfan in Aan: Men At Work and Rishi Kapoor in multiple films, including Manmohan Desai’s Naseeb, describes one as an ‘actor-star’ and the other as a ‘star-actor’. “Irrfan was a combination of struggle, determination and conviction. He made his dream come true through hard work. I watched Hindi Medium and Angrezi Medium and his acting will be a textbook experience for younger generation of actors,” asserts the veteran actor-politician, adding that his friend, Rishi, was the most charismatic star of Hindi cinema. “After Rajendra Kumar and Rajesh Khanna, he became the poster boy of romance with his style.”

Rishi Kapoor had revealed that it was not Shatrughan Sinha but his body double who shot the difficult dance moves in the Naseeb song, “Rang Jamake Jayenge”. Admitting that it is true, he retorts that the audience enjoyed to see him in that song.

Sinha believes Ranbir Kapoor is a worthy son of a worthy father and a brilliant actor. “But Ranbir has big shoes to fill because baap baap hota hai. One can’t compare the two at the moment,” points out Sinha, who during the lockdown, is watching films with daughter Sonakshi and sons Luv and Khush. “We recently watched Parasite and also some shows. They work out at home and the family takes walks in the balcony.”

The actor was last seen on screen in a special appearance as a lawyer in Yamla Pagla Deewana: Phir Se. “I can’t say no to Dharam ji, he is a senior and an elder brother. I did that role out of respect for him. I was also supposed to make an appearance in a song, which featured the Deols with Salman Khan and Sonakshi. Unfortunately, I was in London and couldn't be a part of the song,” he rues, adding that there are a lot of film offers. “I will take a call once normalcy returns.”

Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 19, 2019)

For the millennials, Dostana is Karan Johar’s romcom which got John Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan, playing roomies pretending to be gay so they can live in an apartment of their choice with Priyanka Chopra, the best jodi of 2008. But for those who date back by a few decades, Dostana is Karan’s father, Yash Johar’s action-drama, featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Shatrughan Sinha and Zeenat Aman, which opened in the theatres on October 17, 1980. “Thank you for reminding me of the fiilm,” Shatru ji’s distinctive baritone booms across the wire. He’s in the midst of hectic campaigning for the state elections,but happy to recall that despite much skepticism, director Raj Khosla had expressed confidence in him, asserting that the role of the lawyer, Ravi Kapoor, could only be played by Shatrughan Sinha. “Amitabh, my friend from my struggling days and the favourite of the nation then, played my bestie (police officer Vijay Varma) with Zeenat, a common friend, as the lady we’re both in love with,” he informs.

He flashbacks to a three-day shoot at Mumbai’s Mehboob Studio, for which an expensive set had been erected. Following the sudden demise of his make-up man Prasad, a devastated Shatru ji, busy with the funeral arrangements, had not turned up for the shoot for the first couple of days. His producer was very understanding, but on the last day, there were urgent summons for him to film one important scene with Bachchan as the set had to be dismantled. He was also informed that since his co-star had another commitment, he would be there only till 2 pm.

Shatru ji assured everyone that the show would go on and drove in through the gates at 1.30 pm. “My director was sure I would pull off the intricate trolley shot despite several pages of dialogue within the deadline. But as I walked into the set, I could see from the worried faces around me that others weren’t so sure,” he reminisces, informing that while the make-up man touched up his face, an assistant director read out his lines to him, following which his moves and the camera field was explained to him. “At 1.40 pm, I stood up and said, ‘Okay, let’s go for a take.’ Raj Khosla had so much faith in me that he didn’t argue.”

As the camera rolled, the faces around him grew more tense as they were going into the shot blind, without even one rehearsal. It was a difficult shot, with a drunk Ravi confronting Vijay with several allegations, and slapping him. “I don’t know what I said or did that day, I was in a trance, but as soon as the director called ‘Cut’, there was a roar of applause, followed by Raj Khosla’s ‘Bravo.’ Then, as Amitabh hugged me, others milled around, congratulating me on a perfect shot. The time was 1.50 pm.”

Everyone was satisfied, except Shatru ji himself. There was still 10 minutes left and he pushed for another take. “The camera started rolling at 1.55 pm, but halfway through that shot, while he was still in the frame, Amitabh walked up to me and hugged me, saying, ‘Lalla, let’s not do this anymore, usse better nahin hoga.’ And it was from this healthy competition, mutual admiration and warm camaraderie that Dostana was born. It remains an object lesson to young actors almost 40 years later; to not just think of themselves, but work with co-stars to create magic on camera,” says Shatru ji.

Interestingly, the film also reunited, Prem Chopra and Amrish Puri, who knew each other from their theatre days in Shimla. “He was around five years my senior, a jolly good fellow and a stickler for details. We both performed at Shimla’s Gaiety Theatre, did a couple of plays together, for which I won some awards and the desire to be an actor was born,” says Chopra, all praise for the late actor, his generous producer and versatile director.

Prod him on the two leading men and he recounts a scene when he holds Ravi and Vijay captive, and whips the latter for details. “After every shot and every lashing, I’d ask Amitabh solicitously, “I hope I didn’t hurt you too much?” Finally, when he wondered why I kept saying that and I pointed out that it was my turn to get beaten up next. ‘I want you to be gentle with me when the time comes,’’’ he concludes with a laugh.

Subhash K Jha (DNA; October 17, 2017)

Being specially attached to his alma mater, Shatrughan Sinha is keenly watching what Anupam Kher will do as the new chairperson of the Film and Television Institute Of India (FTII).

Says Sinha, “Anupam is eminently qualified for the job. He knows cinema. He is a capable actor. But would he be able to devote enough time to the workings of the FTII? Let us not pretend otherwise: Anupam has inherited a very complicated job The politics on the FTII campus is complex and sensitive.”

Sinha has been offered the job of the FTII chairperson on at least two occasions. He concedes the honour, “Yes, indeed I have been offered the job. But I was unable to take up the responsibility because I sincerely believe that looking after the FTII is a full-time job. In fact, on one occasion when I was offered the job, I recommended the late Vinod Khanna’s name.”

For Sinha, the FTII is like home. “It is where I learnt everything that I know about acting. I never lost touch with the FTII. Even after all these years, whenever I am in Pune, I have to visit the Institute. To not visit it would be like going to Patna and not visiting my ancestral home. Fellow alumni like (Kanwarjeet) Paintal, who have gone back to lecture at the Institute came back jolted by the experience. A revamp and a reform are very much in order at the FTII. Anupam has my complete and unconditional support to bring back to the FTII the glory that was once part ofits heritage.”

Subhash K Jha (DNA; April 28, 2017)

The passing of actor Vinod Khanna has hit his friend Shatrughan Sinha hard. He tells us, “I am in a state of shock. I am unable to express myself properly. Vinod was much more than a dear co-star. He was a colleague and friend.”

He visited Vinod at the hospital, a few days ago, but the ailing actor was fast asleep. Says Shatru, “I met his brother and three sons and spent time with them.”

Vinod and Shatru go back a long way. Shotgun charts out their B-Town journey. “Though Vinod was senior to me, our careers were uncannily similar and on a similar track: villain, then hero, then politician for the BJP... We made all the transitions together. We did one of our earliest and most important films together Gulzar’s Mere Apne, where we were pitched as friends and enemies. I was reunited with Vinod for a buddy film called Do Yaar and then we did Bombay 405 Miles and many other films together. I can’t remember the names of all of them. But I do remember that it was always a great pleasure working with Vinod. There was never a sense of competitiveness, rivalry or one-upmanship between us,” says Sinha.

“My heart reaches out to his family. He was a family man first, career came second,” concludes the actor.

Subhash K Jha (DNA; March 2, 2017)

Gurmehar Kaur may have withdrawn from the #StudentsAgainstABVP campaign after repeated rape and death threats, but the Lady Shri Ram College English Honours student is still finding supporters. The latest one comes from within the ruling government’s own ranks. Shatrughan Sinha of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly condemned these trolls.

What Kaur did...
Kaur was taking a stand against the violence perpetrated by the ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad) following their clash with the AISA (All India Students Association) at Ramjas College.

What happened next
She started an online campaign called #StudentsAgainstABVP holding a placard, which she posted as her display picture on social media, which then went viral. This was followed by the likes of former cricketer Virender Sehwag, wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt and actor Randeep Hooda, questioning her motives. Sehwag poked fun at her for her previous participation in the #ProfileForPeace campaign, Hooda endorsed Sehwag. Politicians and trolls also ranted against her.

Shotgun shoots away
Shatru lashed out against the sportsmen and actor and said, “The poor girl is being frightened into silence by the self-appointed nationalists and desh bhakts who are nothing but closet bullies.”

He condemns the virtual attack on the college student and adds, “We really need to stop labelling every Indian who speaks of peace with Pakistan as anti-national. And please leave the kids of this country alone. You may not agree with their views. But you can’t snatch away their right to have an opinion on everything including politics. If we continue to bully the young, we’ll soon have no individual thoughts and opinions, only the herd mentality. You may not agree with what that girl says. But you can’t silence her voice no matter how much you dislike her point-of-view.”

‘Need youth to speak up’
He had strong words for the ruling party (to which he belongs) as well. “If it is true that she has been issued rape threats, shame on the Government for not arresting these goons masquerading as nationalists! It is not patriotic to bully and threaten the young into silence. We need the youth to speak its mind to grow as a nation. True dissent is a birthright of democracy,” he declared.

All for peace
What’s more, Sinha is all for a resumption of peace talks with Pakistan. “So many Pakistani soldiers are returned from India to Pakistan. Recently, Pakistan gave us back our soldier, Chandu Babulal Chawan. Such reconciliatory gestures are the need of the hour. We cannot laugh away or shout down voices that desire peace with our neighbours. Not our children, please! Gurmehar apne ghar ki bachchi hai. Don’t talk about harming her just because you don’t agree with her opinion. Contradict her and scold her by all means. But don’t threaten her.”

Shatrughan Sinha urges the PM to bring miscreants who assaulted Sanjay Leela Bhansali to book
Subhash K Jha (DNA; January 29, 2017)

Outspoken Bharatiya Janata Party leader and veteran actor Shatrughan is outraged by the assault on filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali on the sets of Padmavati by goons owing allegiance to an Hindu outfit called the Rajput Karni Sena.

Not representatives!
Sinha is of the opinion that the strongest action must be taken against such miscreants. He says, “These lumpen elements cannot be seen as representing any rational Hindu ideology. No religion in the world gives anyone the right to perpetrate violence or to take the law into one’s own hands.”

What about lesser mortals?
When reminded that such protestors endeavour to extend their allegiance to the Bharatiya Janta Party, Shatru bursts out, “I do not know whom they profess their allegiance to. Or what they are protesting about. Have they seen Bhansali’s film, Padmavati? Do they know what is in it? How can they protest about something that has not happened? I think Bhansali is a responsible filmmaker. He would never do anything to damage our religion and culture. If this can happen to Bhansali, I shudder to think what treatment lies in store for lesser mortals.”

‘There are legal channels’
He believes that the push must come from the top brass itself. He explains, “I sincerely urge our Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji to take action against the rampant culture of violent protests and to personally look into the cultural intolerance, that is rapidly rising in our country. If you don’t like a film or even the idea of a film, there are legal channels to express your protest and displeasure. Yeh danga-phasaad maar-peet nahin chalega. And that too, inflicted on a filmmaker of such a high calibre? Baap re!”

Easy targets
Warming up to the subject of Bhansali’s cinema. Sinha asserts, “Films and filmmakers are easy targets in our country. They are seen as ‘entertainment’ and therefore frivolous and prone to trivialize religion and culture. But a filmmaker like Bhansali takes our culture to the furthest of places in the world. We owe him an apology for what has happened.”

Subhash K Jha (DNA; May 31, 2016)


A livid Sinha says, “They’ve insulted the greatest singer of the country. To make such a cheap video featuring her is bad enough. To add Sachin to the mix, adds insult to injury.”

He recommends that the strictest action be taken against Bhat and AIB. “They have to be dealt with severely so that other people are not encouraged to insult the heroes and icons of the nation. These people already have a slew of cases pending against them for their so-called Roast with Karan Johar. Zaraa inki himmat dekho! From their vulgar antics on stage, they’ve moved on to insulting two of our country’s greatest heroes.”

He adds, “I’ll recommend fast-track criminal cases against him. What he’s done is a humiliation for the entire nation. I hang my head in shame at the kind of mudslinging being perpetrated in the name of humour.”

Sinha also strongly recommends censorship on the internet. “Don’t get me wrong. I am all for freedom of expression. But freedom to express should not be confused with the freedom to insult anyone; least of all, icons like Lataji and Sachin. Censorship is important in our country where freedom of expression is grossly misused.”

He concludes. “I recommend the strongest criminal action against Tanmay for insulting two Bharat Ratnas.”

Shatrughan Sinha gets fired up about the violence being perpetrated against students in general and Kanhaiya Kumar in particular
Subhash K Jha (DNA; February 20, 2016)


Your tweet on Kanhaiya Kumar has created a hungama...
Didn’t I do the right thing? Why are we labelling the boy seditious without proof? In The Telegraph dated Feb 16, the full text of what he said, has appeared. There is nothing seditious or anti-national about what he has said.

A section of people have pounced on him.
This is really disturbing. We, as a country, should thrive on the principle of diversity in unity. Ekta mein anekta. In a democracy, everyone has the right to an opinion and to freedom of expression. That doesn’t give anyone the right to say anything anti-constitutional. But Kanhaiya, from what I know, said nothing anti-constitutional. If I am wrong, he should be punished according to the laws of our country.

Define anti-national.
That’s the problem. If he is talking about burning down the nation or destroying our constitution he is anti-national. Otherwise, if he has made careless utterances, gusse mein (in anger), josh mein (in enthusiasm), naadani mein (in naivete), bachpana mein (in his immaturity), then we must understand we are dealing with young impressionable minds that often speak before they think.

Do you think the adminstration handled it properly?
It should have been tackled within the campus. Yeh andar ka maamla hai. The Vice Chancellor should have been more prompt and judicious. He should have taken stern action and rusticated the students found to be indulging in anti-national activities. Why were cops called on the campus? That too, so casually with the VC’s permission?

Are you sympathetic towards Kanhaiya because he’s from Bihar?
Bihar is most definitely my weakness and strength. But this is a matter of justice, not regionalism. I’d have spoken up for Kanhaiya Kumar even if he was from some other state. And let me make it very clear that I am not speaking about the other students. Only about Kanhaiya Kumar. I have no idea about what the other students did or said. That’s a law-and-order situation. Under no circumstance, must we allow anyone to incite violence against our nation. That is not acceptable.

Aren’t you afraid of pissing off your party members?
Life is not an ongoing party (laughs). There are times when one needs to stand by the truth. My strength is my honesty. I’ve lived by my principles. To me, politics is not my profession. I’ve come into politics as a mission. I’ll always practise healthy politics. Even in this matter, some vested interests are hellbent upon criticising me for standing up for the boy.

Kanhaiya Kumar was roughed up in the court premises...
It’s wrong. We belong to a nation that preaches non-violence. And we have violence being perpetrated against journalists and students in the premises of the court right under the watchful eyes of our legal custodians. Kanhaiya is a son from an Indian family. He is an Indian. And he says he is proud to be one. Why shouldn’t we believe him?

A lot of people have stopped listening?
If they stop screaming, they will hear the boy’s protests. I will repeat what the boy said, ‘Please maintain peace and do not get carried away by hearsay.’ I don’t believe in any kind of violence. And violence againt the nation? Never! Not in this life. Lekin woh log hamaare bachche hain. It should have been handled on the campus level. So sad that this is happening at the prestigious JNU, which has given us great leaders and statesmen. Pressing sedition charges against students for activism within the campus shows the failure of the administration, not to mention the overzealousness of police action.

Shatrughan Sinha talks about PM Modi’s flash-visit to Lahore
Subhash K Jha (DNA; December 28, 2015)


As a champion of improved relations between India and Pakistan what do you feel about the PM’s flash-visit to Lahore?
I am so happy. It’s wonderful to see talks between the two countries resume again. Our honourable Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi’s unexpected visit to Lahore to meet our friend the honourable prime minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif on the latter’s birthday is amost welcome.

You’ve always been a vocal supporter of better relationship between the two countries?
We are neighbours! Why should we be enemies? In fact Nawaz Sharif has spoken very highly of me in my biography which releases next month.

What has Nawaz Sharif said ?
He says even if there was one person like me in Pakistan all problems would have been sorted out between the two countries. So sweet and generous of him. I remember once at a meeting in Pakistan, Mani Shankar Iyer had said that talks between the two countries should be uninterrupted. I am happy to see our Prime Minister resume talks with Pakistan. May this be a happy year for both countries.

Your biography by Bharathi S Pradhan releases next week. What should readers expect?
Honest and transparent revelations on my humble achievements in politics and cinema and without any godfather in either field. L K Advani Saab will be releasing the book.

How was the year for you?
This year has certainly been eventful for me and some others of my party members. I hope the coming year would be fruitful for me. Stones have been hurled at me. But these attacks have earned me the respect of the people. People like Abhigyan Prakash repeatedly want to know why I am not being expelled.

If your party is unhappy with you, why don’t they expel you?
Only they can answer that. Maybe they feel if I go many from our party in Bihar would also go with me. Our troika in Bihar has done more damage to the party than we could ever imagine. But we being the senior and mature members of the party must forgive them for they know not what they’re doing.

Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan were slammed for speaking against intolerance?
They should be forgiven. They are intelligent people, But when they try to comment on issues that they don’t know about they cut a sorry figure. They are artistes par excellence. And they should be asked mostly about cinema. Aamir Khan talking about intolerance and breaking his fast with Anna Hazare in full public view is not my idea of a politically aware actor. As for energy-king Shah Rukh he says anything and everything in a light vein. His words shouldn’t be taken seriously.

Finally your thoughts on Bollywood?
It was a terrific year for my daughter Sonakshi and for the film industry. I just saw Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani and I am absolutely bowled over.

Shatrughan Sinha speaks up in the aftermath of the BJP’s failure in Bihar
Subhash K Jha (DNA; November 16, 2015)


Your party’s defeat in Bihar has raised the question as to why you did not campaign in Bihar before elections?
I want to ask them this myself. I am an MP from Patna with a record margin of victory in the Lok Sabha elections. I am known as ‘Bihari Babu’. Yet I was not asked to campaign. I nonetheless swallowed my self-respect and on my own initiative, gave my party dates on October 6, 7 and 8 and again on the 24th, 25th and the 26th. My party’s high command accepted my offer and even expressed happiness at my offer.

What happened next?
Nothing! They didn’t get back to me with any of the logistics, how I’d travel, where I’d go, stay, etc. All my dates went to waste. They didn’t put my face or name in any of the election campaigns hoarding posters.

Leaving you out in Bihar was absurd...
I could see things were not going well. When Nitish Babu (Kumar) and Laluji (Yadav) joined hands, I knew there was trouble ahead for our party. But these people refused to see the writing on the wall. They were like, Hum toh doobe hain sanam, tumhe bhi le doobenge (I am drowning and I’ll make sure you drown, too.)

A BJP colleague called you a dog...
Do I stoop to their level? I tweeted saying, ‘Haathi chale Bihar, dot-dot-dot bhaunke hazaar.’ These are people I helped get votes during the Lok Sabha elections.

Maybe they feel the Prime Minister would be pleased if they abuse you?
Yes, this is the culture of sycophancy. The jee-huzoori culture. After such a humiliating defeat, they’re wasting time calling me names.

Your mentor LK Advani has also spoken up against BJP high command?
About time they paid attention to the voice of reason. I don’t want to say anything negative during Diwali when we should all be thinking spiritual thoughts.

You’ve met Lalu Yadav and Nitish Kumar after the election results. Does it mean you are joining them?
I will say till my last breath that I am a soldier of the BJP. I met them in a healthy spirit of appreciation and sportsmanship.

Since when has politics become healthy in our country?
I believe in it. Honesty and transparency are my guiding principles in politics. As an MP from Patna, it was only proper protocol that I meet my colleagues who have won. Such positive politicking was practiced by my idols like Jaiprakash Narain, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, LK Advani. I believe my political opponents are not my enemies.

That’s way too idealistic?
Maybe I am being unrealistic. But I don’t see Nitish Babu or Laluji as my enemies. They are part of the same family. Even Narendra Modiji has congratulated them. If I embraced them and congratulated them, why is that being seen as a sign of my crossing over?

Asking again, is there a chance of you joining hands with Nitish Kumar?
Look, every action has an equal reaction. So far, the BJP is my first and last party. I am not going anywhere, unless they take action against me.

For someone who has always advocated friendship across party lines, Shatrughan Sinha now has an army of adversaries within the BJP. The Bihari Babu opens up about his disaffections
Shreevatsa Nevatia (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 6, 2015)

Shatrughan Sinha's three elder brothers were named Ram, Lakhan and Bharat. The actor-politician's two sons are called Luv and Kush. It seems only fitting that his Juhu home was given the name Ramayan. During a one-and-a-half-hour freewheeling chat with Mirror, that aptness only seemed to exaggerate itself. Speaking candidly about his political disaffection, the BJP Patna Sahib MP insisted that he was "not sulking like Kaikeyi", and that none of recent pronouncements — most notably his support for 25 suspended Congress parliamentarians — had crossed his party's "lakshman rekha".

Importantly, the events of the Ramayana are precipitated by the exile of its protagonist. Similarly, the trajectory of Sinha's recent narrative arch is marked by an alienation of its own. Since late July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has visited Bihar on four different occasions and has made nearly half a dozen fiery speeches in a prelude to assembly elections in November. Sinha, though, was only present for the PM's address at Patna's Bihar Veterinary College on July 25. For some observers, his absence from larger rallies has been conspicuous. The MP says he now wants to set the record straight. "I wasn't called anywhere else, so I didn't go. I only attend a function when I am invited. People casually say that I am too big a man and that I have airs. I speak to the media to clear the air."

A popular local leader who had won 55 per cent of the votes in his Lok Sabha constituency only last year, Sinha confesses that while he doesn't feel left out, he does at times think he is being "deliberately ignored". He speaks of workers who flock to his door, wanting him to appear at the next rally. "What they don't understand is that if I turn up, I will be the centre of attention. The media will want to know what I am doing there. My name or face is not on any banner. I do feel hurt, but then I just say, 'God, forgive them. They know not what they do.'"

At a time when Bihar is the focus of the nation's attention, the more interesting headlines are being made by the original Bihari babu's insistence on a perennial frankness. While the MP's predicament can perhaps elicit some sympathy, his detractors often argue that 'Shotgun' Sinha unwittingly shoots himself in the foot with a brand of politics that gives him the freedom to refer to Nitish Kumar as Bihar's "guardian" and Lalu Prasad Yadav as a "lovable man". Dismissing charges of opportunism, Sinha advocates a "sportsman's spirit" and says that "our opponents are not our enemies." It is difficult to say if the chick of his discontent came before the egg of his bipartisanship, but Sinha tries hard to prove that they are not connected.


Where foe is friend

Seemingly one to refrain from boasting, the 69-year-old Sinha takes obvious pride in the fact that he has worked with several generations of directors in the film industry, everyone from Prithviraj Kapoor to David Dhawan. His most acute nostalgia, though, seems reserved for political stalwarts like Jayaprakash Narayan — "He used to be amazed that a film star from Bombay could speak to him in Bhojpuri." He remembers campaigning for Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1984, and makes little attempt to disguise emotion when talking about LK Advani. "He is my friend, philosopher, guide, guru and ultimate leader," he confesses. In an attempt to explain his political education, Sinha recounts how Advani had attended the funeral of EMS Namboodiripad just days after taking oath as home minister in 1998. "Namboodiripad was a communist, but that didn't matter, and that's the ethic I imbibed."

When Sinha lost his mother Shyama Devi in April 2002, he again saw party lines being wholly blurred. "Lalu Prasad Yadav was the first to be my side and the last to leave. He woke up his wife, the then chief minister Rabri Devi, in the middle of the night to ensure that my mother gets a state funeral. If my personal relation with him is based on the tenets of friendship, how is that wrong?" Sinha is quick to make mention of the Prime Minister's presence at the weddings of Digvijay Singh's son and Lalu Prasad's daughter. "Does this mean the PM is changing parties?" he asks. "What is right for Paul must also be right for Peter. Narrow minded people blow these issues out of proportion."

Not all of Sinha's political rendezvous, however, seem to fall under the kosher 'courtesy call' category. On July 25, when Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Bihar chief minister and his DNA, Sinha was seen leaving Nitish Kumar's Patna residence. Rumours of the former Union health minister going rogue were rife. Clarifying his proximity to his party's arch rival, Sinha says, "If I have to talk about the growth and development of the state or my constituency, my attitude towards the chief minister can certainly not be confrontational. I've always believed in consensus."

On August 6, Sinha again displayed his predilection for a consensus when he called on Arvind Kejriwal. As an alumnus of Pune's Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), the actor felt impelled to act and was convinced by protesting students that the Delhi chief minister might have a solution to their impasse. Kejriwal proposed to Sinha the setting up of a temporary institute in Delhi for striking FTII students. The institute, he said, could later be made permanent. Sinha says, "Though I liked the idea, I realised that if I start a confrontation with the Centre about this, my actions won't just be anti-party, they will be anti-government. But I have still made my own attempts." Though he refers to appointed chairman Gajendra Chauhan as a "kind, respectful and affectionate man", Sinha adds, "He should empathise with the students who have been on strike for over 80 days now and voluntarily resign. I could step in as an interim chairman till the committee finds someone suitable."

The enemy within

Atal Bihari Vajpayee had once told a younger Sinha that not all his enemies will come from opposing benches. "He had told me that I will also have to worry about those on the inside." After hearing reports that disciplinary reaction would be taken against him post elections in Bihar, the Patna Sahib MP responded with a succinct tweet. Adding the caveat that he did not want to comment on news that was unofficial, he quoted Newton - "Every action has an equal and opposite reaction." Sinha says, "I was waiting for a clarification to be issued. When that didn't happen, I thought Newton's third law would be an apt reminder for everyone." The hostility couldn't possibly be more palpable.

When pressed about his fractured ties with the party, Sinha's reply remains categorical. "The BJP is the first and will inshallah be the last party I join. I am not against my party. I just want to hold up a mirror." In his assumed role as a conscience keeper, Sinha refers to a section of BJP's spokespeople as a "procession of sycophants". He adds, "They did such aggressive marketing for the BJP and the Modi sarkar that they then became the target of their own aggression in the Delhi assembly polls."

Sinha asserts that he did not intend to make mischief when he suggested that the BJP should have declared NDA-ally Ram Vilas Paswan as its chief ministerial candidate weeks before the poll code of conduct came into play. "The people have a right to know who their chief minister is going to be. There are others too. There's Kirti Azad, Shahnawaz Hussain, CP Thakur and Sushil Kumar Modi, who I like to call SuMo. I am not in the race. I have neither the ambition nor the time. That story is over." There has been much speculation that Sinha's prolonged 'sulk' is a consequence of him being denied a ministerial berth at the Centre. He rubbishes this claim, but not without elan. "That is the PM's prerogative. If not today, he'll make me a minister tomorrow. Acche din aane waale hain, right?"

To Sinha's left, there sits a framed photograph of him and the prime minister sharing a laugh. The adjectives he uses for Narendra Modi are familiar — "dashing, dynamic, an action hero" — but the veteran actor and politician believes that the PM's agenda isn't being pushed enough by people on the ground. "Shatrughan Sinha, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan have all stood with brooms in the name of Swachh Bharat, but what have we as a nation really done to help?" Branding the PM's allocation of Rs 1.25 lakh crore to Bihar as a "better late than never package", Sinha does appeal for greater democracy. "Rather than sycophants, if we were allowed to speak to the PM as colleagues, this package could have been announced earlier and the Opposition wouldn't end up complaining."

Yashwant Sinha had famously said that all those in the BJP who were above the age of 75 were declared brain dead on May 26, 2014. Shatrughan Sinha laughs and says that by that measure, he still has a good few years left in him. His tenacity, however, has clearly not stopped him from contemplating alternatives to the status quo. "I could stand as an independent candidate. I will get the support of many people and parties. I can write and teach. I can give speeches. I can act." Writing, strangely, is already something that Sinha has already taken out time for. His autobiography releases this December. "In the book, I talk about how fond Indira Gandhi was of me. I have even gone to the extent of saying that had Mrs Gandhi been alive I could have been in the Congress now."

In proverbial slang, calling 'shotgun' refers to the privilege of being able to sit in a car's passenger seat. Shotgun Sinha, though, seems insistent on holding his own steering wheel and hurtling ahead.

Shatrughan Sinha brushes off rumours that he’s quitting his party to join Nitish Kumar’s
Subhash K Jha (DNA; July 29, 2015)


Soul-searching, anyone?
Sinha has even been accused in the press of ‘cheating on the BJP’. Shotgun shoots back, “Cheating on the BJP? I am not married to the party. I am its loyal soldier. Zara si baat ka afsana bana dete hain log.… If some of my party members are confused, then let them be. Maybe it’s time for some soul-searching within my party.” Of his policies of co-existence Shatru says, “I believe in keeping politics and social equations away from one another... the fight is ideological, not personal.”

Emotional bond
As for meeting Bihar’s CM, Shatru concedes, “I did meet Nitish when I was in Patna last week. But I’ve been meeting him almost every time when I’ve been in Patna. There is an emotional bond between us independent of political affiliations. We have to meet over a cup of tea. Yes, there was a radical departure from protocol when we met this time. We had coffee instead of tea.”

Last word
Sinha has a question for the disgruntled elements who disapprove of his personal equation with Kumar. “If this is the way they’re treating me, why do they have so many expectations from me? If you’re going to insult, humiliate and snub me, I’ve my supporters, voters and well-wishers. Aapko jo karna hai aap karo, mujhe jo karna main karunga.”

Shatrughan Sinha holds forth on the crises within the BJP
Subhash K Jha (DNA; July 7, 2015)


While BJP’s prominent leaders are embroiled in unsavoury controversies, you are uncharacteristically quiet about the corruption charges against Sushma Swaraj and Vasundhara Raje?
Yes, people are wondering why the one who has always commanded others to remain khamosh is khamosh himself today. There seems to be some sort of a dark cloud passing over the party. Whether our party is in a crisis or a Catch-22 situation, only time will tell. Nazar lag gayi hai hamare party ko. The thirteenth month of our party in power hasn’t proved lucky for us. Even my dear friend Hema Malini was involved in a road accident.

She too seems to have offended some by not helping the child who died?
Tell me something. When such a terrible accident happens doesn’t the victim go in a daze? Hema may be the most beautiful woman in the world. But during a crisis of this gravity, she is a human being. She was so numbed by the impact of the accident she hardly knew what was happening. Those who are criticising her for the tragic death of the child in the accident don’t know what a beautiful soul she is. If her mind was working at that traumatic time, she would’ve done everything within her power to help the child.

Coming back to the other beleaguered ladies in your party, what do you think went wrong ?
I had decided not to say anything as this involves a dear friend Mrs Sushma Swaraj. But if you insist, all I’d like to say is those accused of wrongdoing must prove their innocence immediately.

Shouldn’t Mrs Swaraj and Mrs Raje resign before they prove their innocence?
That’s what I’d have done. My mentor, guide, friend and philosopher within the party is L K Advani. That’s what he did when false allegations were levelled at him. He not only resigned he vowed not to enter Parliament until he got a clean chit. I’ve learnt from Mr Advani that though honesty and transparency seldom go together, they must do so.

Are you a BJP or an L K Advani loyalist?
As long as he has been with me I’ve never bothered with how the High Command has treated me. I didn’t even react when I was provoked as to why I was never given a cabinet rank. Miley na miley sab theek hai. This is what I’ve learnt from Mr Advani. He’s always taught me to set a good example, to be a role model and not to follow the example of others Being a role model isn’t easy.

Are you saying the accused should step down?
That’s what had happened with Lal Bahadur Shastri as well. Having said that, I want to reiterate I am a loyal and supportive soldier of the party. I am dismayed by the allegations, especially against Sushma Swaraj who I consider a very dear friend. I hold both Sushma and her husband in very high regard. They are both mature, sharp individuals. I don’t know whether the allegations are substantiated or not. My speaking about it would not be proper. Speaking on an emotional level, this is a matter pertaining to office of profit. On a professional level, it involves a conflict of interest.

If your friend Mrs Swaraj is innocent, why is she not coming forward with evidence of her innocence?
One does wonder sometimes. If her conscience is clear, it’s high time she came out boldly and beautifully with the truth.

Has the high command consulted you on the crisis?
That’s the problem. No, I’ve not been consulted. Forget about high command, I wasn’t even invited to the function for the President of the BJP at Patna. And I’m supposed to be the Bihari Babu.

Fear of being overshadowed?
Maybe they feel they never gave me my due or recognition so they do not have the right to take my advice. I’ve no demand no command and no expectation. But I’d like to tell the high command to bring to the front of the party those party members who are close to the grassroots and those who have a clean image within and outside the party.

What do you have to say about Pahlaj Nihalani’s chairmanship of the Censor Board?
Finally, there’s a chairperson who is doing everything correctly. Look at how liberally the so-called progressive filmmakers used cusswords in our films. If he’s cleaning that out, he is doing our society a good turn. Look at the language of Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi’s Mohalla Assi being used by the Gods in the city of the Gods, Varanasi. Shame!

You’ve always stood by your friends in the BJP and the film industry. But do you have to say about women in your party being embroiled in controversies?
Finally, women have proved themselves equal to men, if not more equal.

Subhash K Jha (DNA; March 16, 2015)


Sinha, who played the bad man memorably in a number of films in the 1970s is totally against the use of abusive language or the depiction of violence against women.

Says Shotgun, “I can’t understand why we need to have gaalis for the villain to get taalis. In my entire career as a villain (a good 10 years), I never used one cussword. I was very sure about my priorities. Bura banunga lekin bura nahin bolunga. Auraton ko kabhi zaleel nahin karunga.”

He shocks by revealing that he took a vow to never do a rape scene. “It was after I did a rape sequence in a film called Paras. I was the villain in that film and yet I was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor? After this film, I took a conscious decision to never do a rape scene again.”

He remembers how many times he was persuaded to do rape scenes. “I was firm about not doing anything that’d insult women. I remember a film called Babul Ki Galiyan where Sanjay Khan was the hero and I was the villain, I had to misbehave with Hema Malini. I flatly refused. I am glad I didn’t do anything that would have compromised my image permanently. At least I can hold my head up high today.”

He wonders why there is such a clamorous insistence on using expletives to portray evil. “It isn’t necessary at all. Pran, Danny Denzongpa and I never had to resort to cheap language or behaviour to show evil. Let today’s actors understand that being bad on screen has nothing to do with the number of teri maa ki and behen ki that you use on screen. You can induce evil without getting foul-tongued.”

Subhash K Jha (DNA; February 13, 2015)


“I wish some of my party members who have been ignoring the experienced elder members of our party (he means LK Advani, Yashwant Sinha, Murli Manohar Joshi) would wake up to the call. I tried to warn my party members about the danger ahead. But I was told to shut up since being an actor I, apparently, didn’t understand politics. I hope those in my party, who understand politics, would now have an explanation for what had happened in Delhi,” said Sinha hours after the BJP’s defeat in Delhi.

Apparently, many prominent BJP members and supporters were appalled when Kiran Bedi’s name was finalised for chief ministerial candidate. “Experience and wisdom go hand-in-hand. To ignore both is a folly,” he says.

The American media has been mocking prime minister Narendra Modi’s elitist expensive-suit politics as opposed to Arvind Kejriwal’s populist cheap-muffler politics. “I cannot comment on this. Suffice to say for now that Kejriwal has displayed chaal, charitra, chehra, chintan in the best possible light, and he has won the hearts of the Delhi electorate. This is a warning for us. We cannot afford another setback like Delhi,” he says.

For the uninitiated ‘chaal charitra chehra chintan’ was used as a slogan by the BJP to win the Lok Sabha elections.

When asked to comment on his chances of sorting out the mess in Bihar’s politics caused by the ongoing tussle for power between Nitish Kumar and Jitan Ram Manjhi, Sinha quips, “I’ve always been a party soldier. I will continue to be the same. I am there to serve the party in any capacity.”

DNA (May 20, 2014)

You have won by massive margin...
(Laughs) We’re getting ready for celebrations. I’ve been getting congratulatory calls and messages from colleagues and friends from the industry including Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Shabana Azmi... I’ve won by a much higher margin than the last time.

What do you have to say to your detractors?
I hold no grudges against them. I forgive them, as they know not what they do or have been doing. I’ve broken my own previous record. Isske aage kya kehna? The people who were spreading rumours of my impending defeat were being sponsored by vested interests. But I am very happy. I had promised the people of Patna and members of my own political party that not only we will win but also make a new record. We’ve created a new milestone.

No non-Congress party has been given such a thumping majority in decades?
That’s exactly what I want my opponents to know. I want them to see the writing on the wall. I had predicted we’d cross 300 seats during this Lok Sabha elections. Our brothers and friends from the minority communities should understand that India has voted against Railgate, Coalgate, 2G, 3G and jijaji (Rahul Gandhi’s brother-in-law, Robert Vadra).

Does jijaji have reason to be scared now?
Anybody and everybody who has taken the country for a ride and who has indulged in massive corruption in the garb of white-collar crime would have to be dealt with firmly.

The general perception is that you belong to LK Advani camp...
Let me state clearly, I belong to no camp. Even as an actor I never belonged to any camp. I was as devoted to the film industry as I am to the BJP. Having said this, I’d like to add that Advaniji has contributed the maximum to bring the BJP into power. He is a friend, philosopher, guide, mentor and guru not only to me but the entire BJP. He is the party’s godfather.

Do the Muslims have reason to fear the Modi government?
I am glad you asked me this. I hope good sense prevails upon some of our friends from the minorities. Come and join the mainstream. Those who were spreading ugly rumours about Narendra Modi have all bitten the dust. And someone just had to resign from Bihar after taking on Narendra Modiji.

You mean Nitish Kumar?
Samajhane wale ko ishaara kaafi hai. Let the courts decide what happened in Gujarat in 2002. We are not a Banana Republic. We can’t proclaim judgement on someone. Forget the politics of caste and community. That’s outdated. Development, progress, prosperity, peace are the keywords. I tell my friends from the minority community even in Pakistan... Dushmani jamm ke karo par itni gunjaayish rahe jab kabhi hum dost bann jayen to sharminda na hona pade. Never over-shoot the runaway. Don’t vote for us. But don’t judge us on the basis of your prejudices. Rootho zaroor, tooto mat.

Are you going to take over the I&B portfolio?
I won’t hesitate to take up any responsibility. Long back I was offered the I&B portfolio but I had declined.

Why?
Hamare industry ke colleagues mera jeena haraam kar denge. And why me? There’s Hema Mailini also. There are other portfolios for me. It’s the prerogative of the Prime Minister. If he thinks me fit for a cabinet responsibility, I’ll take it up and handle it to the best of my abilities.

Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; December 10, 2013)

Sonakshi has inherited Shatrughan Sinha’s confidence and her mother’s warmth. Her father is proud of his daughter’s upbringing and her Indianness. There were two reasons for Shotgun’s happiness when we met him at his house on Sunday. One, BJP had won and two, he was going to bring in his birthday by watching his darling daughter’s ninth film. Excerpts from our conversation with Shatrughan Sinha:

What does the result of the election mean to you? That you have to perform well, behave well and that you have to understand the line between confidence and overconfidence. I campaigned for Dr Harsh Vardhan who is extremely capable, but we chose to underestimate the aam admi, which is also a symbol of change. Personally, I do feel sad for Mrs Sheila Dixit as I like her personality, but politically, I have love and liking for Arvind Kejriwal for his clean image, determination and commitment. And last but not the least, for the fact that in less than two years, he has become from zero to hero. I feel BJP could have done even better.

Is your birthday a special day for you? I don’t believe in fanfare though I do believe in Filmfare. Today is not a special day, but it has become special as I will be seeing Sonakshi’s ninth film on December 9, which could be, should be and according to some people would be, my birthday. I have not seen all her films, but I saw Dabangg and the way Salman Khan and his whole family presented, promoted, projected and protected her in the film, I should ever remain indebted to them. I loved Rowdy Rathore. Akshay Kumar is the freshest looking face and is such a disciplined actor and such a wonderful person. Ranveer Singh is a very good boy. Sonakshi’s performance in Lootera can be compared to one of the best actresses of the past and present. Shahid is not only a worthy son of a worthy father, but he is energy king. I had gone abroad after campaigning and have come back especially at her call and her mother’s diktat. Toh main aa gaya sab chhod ke, aaj election chal raha hai, main yahan baitha hoon.
 
What is Sonakshi like?  
Sonakshi is very emotional and sensitive and a daughter you can feel proud of. She upholds her upbringing, family values and her self-respect and has so far, not given me any chance to be ashamed. Her USP is her Indianness and her traditional family values. She is not a designer’s heroine. She has not changed after stardom and I have tremendous confidence in her. People say she has inherited her beauty and upbringing from her mother and her confidence, talent and sense of humour from her father. Ever since she was a kid, she was talented and she would imitate people she admired to the T, be it Sridevi or Salman. There is love, respect and fear for Shatrughan Sinha. She has lived up to that. She is obedient and her behaviour at home or with relatives is good. You would not have heard of her partying. Ninety per cent of the time if she is not working, she is at home or will go out with very close friends. I am a modern father. If I can allow my sons to act, so can I allow my daughter. In fact, a girl is much more than a boy in terms of emotion and apnapan. She has never betrayed my trust, in terms of what she wears in films and would not like to do anything at the cost of her father’s dignity and respect and also her own dignity and self-respect. She is among the only actresses, who has a clause in her contract about what her scenes or dresses will be. I feel proud when she says, ‘Why should I compromise? I am not in a hurry.’ She already has a bungalow and car or for that matter superstardom. I gave her only one advice that I had learnt from FTII: ‘Prove yourself better than the best or be different than the rest.’ I don’t claim to be the best, but I am different. People copy Shatrughan Sinha, be it my voice, my style or khamosh. But I have never copied anybody. I have tried to give my confidence to Sonakshi.

Where does your confidence come from?
When I started, some people tried to create an inferiority complex in me by saying that I have a moustache and a katti-patti shakal so, not only that hero nahi banega, but villain bhi nahi banega. But I had brought my confidence as my bank balance. And I decided that I must be confident about my product, myself, my production, but not over-confident. I always tried to love and learn from other people and I still learn, be it language or presentation or personality. But confidence became my asset. I was crying, having left my home for the first time, when I saw the most beautiful girl (my wife Poonam, who was in school at that time) also crying, sitting in front of me on a train berth with her mother, as she had been scolded by her mother. While I was on my way to Pune, she was coming to Mumbai to attend a wedding. I told my friends not to trouble her as her mother would hit me. Imagine the youngest pampered child of my family from Patna stepped out for the first time to come to FTII in a train. I had never stayed in a hostel, knew no one in films, had no godfather, but became the first Bihari to become a star, only basis my confidence. After seeing my peak in films, I was inspired by Jayaprakash Narayanji and decided to step out from reel life to real life, once again without any godfather in politics and became the only film star to have become a Cabinet Minister. That’s why I say that the biggest hand in my achievement is my confidence.
 
Talk about the time when you had your open heart surgery?
While I was in the hospital, I finally again realised that I owe my this life to this wife. Though my children and mother were there, the way Poonam did seva, no one could have done. How she got the energy and stamina! She reminded me of Savitri and Satyakam’s story, as if she had decided that she would not let me go, telling herself, ‘Leke hi jayenge ghar pe.’ I could see the tej on her face. She was working 24 hours, apart from puja and everything, and was determined to take me back home. Her whole life revolves around her family. She will fight with us, but she will not hear anything against me or her family. My mother-in-law had told me that you will not get a girl, who will be so devoted to your family and house and she will never give you a chance to lift a finger in terms of her devotion and dedication and commitment. She was right.
 
Sonakshi seems to have inherited Bihar’s love being your daughter.
Bihar is my strength and weakness. People from there are so proud of her. Even though she is not born and brought up there, she is a Bihari babu’s daughter. She is a very fortunate girl, as she is loved and respected by all due to her Indianness. As a child, her mother would pack her tiffin and water bottle and send her alone on a flight to my mother in Patna. If we were ever late to pick her up, she was never nervous and remained confident. I remember when she was born, my wife started crying in Nanavati hospital. I was shooting for a film, where I had a big beard and seeing me she thought I was not happy as we had a girl. She said, ‘I know you are not happy as we have a daughter.’ I told her, ‘Pagal hai kya, filmi scene kar rahi hai, I am so happy.’ She is always papa’s daughter and I am always protective and possessive about her. She is the answer to all our prayers. I have been able to correct her tantrums, now thoda temper control karna hai.

Sonakshi has a time OCD and you were known to be extremely late always. Who does she get her time discipline from?
Many people say you get spoilt in politics, but I have improved my time after joining politics. On being punctual, Sonakshi has not gone on me but has gone on my father, who was extremely punctual.
 
Who is your emotional anchor? My overall anchor, friend philosopher and guide is Mr LK Advani, my brotherly anchor has been Mr Yashwant Sinha, my political anchor is Sushma Swaraj, my emotional anchor is married now and I am married to someone, who is my family anchor.
 
CONVERSATION WITH SONAKSHI SINHA
Talk about your father?
He is super fun. We have a formal relationship, but he is so entertaining and is so full of stories that he always entertains you. He has a great sense of humour and even if he repeats his stories, it is so entertaining as each time, he narrates them differently. He is most attached to me and has always pampered me. He is also my weak spot and I would not like to do anything to disappoint him. My mom would use that a lot when I was younger to get things done from me, as she would threaten me that she would tell him otherwise. He has never hit or even shouted at me. He is a very calm person generally and almost never loses his cool. When he has to explain, he will do that very nicely which makes it all the more scary.
 
Were you affected when he had his open heart surgery?
I have never seen my father go even to a doctor, forget a hospital. I was shooting for Lootera at Filmcity, when I started getting calls asking me about his health. I said, ‘Shut up. He is fine at home.’ My mom and brothers had hidden it from me. On the fourth call, I again called up my brother who told me, ‘Ya, we are at the hospital’ and I figured they were lying to me. We were far from done with our shooting that day, but I just left everything and rushed to the hospital. It was really scary. I would like to think that I am strong and would like people to think so, but I don’t know how true it is.
 
The values he has taught you?
He has always instilled a lot of individuality in us that is working for me. He taught us to go by your instinct and to listen to your heart. He has told us, ‘If you can’t be the best, be different.’ He has given me the space and freedom to do the work I want to do and has not imposed any restrictions on me other than stuff I would not do generally myself.
 
Do you see yourself coming into politics?
No, I don’t have the aptitude for it. Just because my dad is in politics, that can’t be the reason for me to do the same.

CONVERSATION WITH POONAM SINHA: Shatruji is a dabang and is absolutely forthright. He believes in calling a spade a spade and his friends cut across party lines. Even in the industry, he was well-known for not having any camps. On the face of it, he looks so stern, but he is a softie. He is very emotional and values traditional things and family values. He will never miss a family function, be it an anniversary, a child’s birthday or a puja. Sonakshi is forthright like her father. She is very content with her life and never wanted to be in the rat race. She has got her warmth from me and her confidence from her father. She needs to interact more. She is too closed and keeps her emotions to herself till things go above her head, that’s when she will come to me. I would like her to be more open with us. We are blessed parents.