Juhi Chakraborty and Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 16, 2020)

Bollywood is perhaps being upended the most by the Coronavirus crisis and the subsequent lockdown. While celebrities are busy sharing tidbits about their lives on social media, we wonder what their entourages, who are always on the go, are doing during this period.

Salman Khan’s bodyguard, Shera, a celeb in his own right, says, “He (Salman) is with his family at his farmhouse (Panvel), and I am taking care of my family here (Mumbai). Everything is arranged.” On whether he’s finding this time away from Bhai strange, he says, “This is not the time to miss those days, but take care of your loved ones. Yeh waqt kisko milta hai guzaarne ka?”

Alia Bhatt’s hairstylist, Priyanka Borkar (right), admits things have been difficult. “I have some savings. I did an independent job in February and March but haven’t got paid because of the situation. My mum runs a salon, so I have to take care of the salon’s rent, paying my employees, besides a home loan. It’s going to be tough if it goes on for two or three months,” she shares.

But actors are doing their bit to make the lives of their teams easier. Ileana DCruz’s personal assistant shares how she has been taking care of him and others. “Money is not a problem as she has given me a sufficient amount for the next few months. She’s asked me to contact her for anything I need,” says Chandan Singh.

Anil Kapoor’s manager Jalal Mortezai says the actor ensured his staff had all the essentials before the lockdown. “AK is an amazing person, and it’s more than a working relationship,” he says.

Deepika Padukone’s makeup artist Sandhya Shekar reveals the actor cancelled her Paris trip due to the crisis, her priority being the safety of her team which was to travel with her. “She had important work but as a team we took a call to cancel all,” she shares, adding she is making the most of this forced break, “relaxing a bit”.

Taapsee Pannu’s stylist Devki Bhatt does miss the busy days, but it isn’t as if work has stopped. “I have my own fashion PR too, so I have that running to thankfully keep me sane! Of course, I am missing the day-to-day rush! Hope it all goes back to normal,” she says.

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; March 27, 2019)

As much as Salman Khan is known for his stardom and his box-office successes, he’s also known to be a man who provides grand launchpads for his friends (within the film frat and outside of it). For these newcomers, being launched by bhai is a privilege, but it comes with its own set of pressures, too. In a chat with BT, Salman, one of the producers of the upcoming film Notebook, talks about Bollywood’s fresh breed of talent, the challenges they face and how he, as an actor, has reached a stage where he wants to work without a break. Excerpts:

In just a few days, two newcomers Zaheer Iqbal and Pranutan Bahl, backed by you, will make their debut at the movie marquee.
(Cuts in...) Yes, and I will continue to back more kids for as long as I can. Why? Because I was also launched at some point and I think the industry can do with some more fresh talent.

The difference that is evident between you and other producers is that you largely make a sustained effort to make room for children of actors and filmmakers (mostly)... something other producers would not take chances with?
I have seen a lot in my own life. So given my experience, I feel that if a boy or girl can make my head turn, he/she should be launched. That’s the first thing I go by, it is then followed by training which takes a lot of time and effort. Sooraj Pancholi had toiled for five years — he assisted on a few films and groomed himself in every department before we cast him in Hero. Similarly, Aayush (Sharma) worked very hard before we decided to launch him. (Smiling) Actually, Aayush ke saath ek aur chakkar hai. There was a romantic film that had come my way. I thought I had gone past that phase in life when I could do something like that on screen, so Sohail told me about a guy he had seen at the gym, who he felt was perfect for it. Two months later, Arpita brought a guy home and introduced him to us, saying she wants to marry him. He was not coming to the gym for some time, now I know why.

Eventually, Aayush also assisted on Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Tubelight and Sultan — he travelled with me extensively. People liked his dancing skills in LoveYatri, but when we saw him dancing for the first time, we all were all like ‘Dance classes please…’ He practised dance, action and acting for hours every day. He worked out rigorously and his dedication was evident in the film. Likewise, Zaheer was also an assistant on Jai Ho, where he did everything — from giving claps before the scene to rehearsing with actors and running other errands. He also worked on his body and craft simultaneously.

When did you first spot Zaheer’s talent?
His father is a dear friend. I first saw Zaheer at his sister Sanam’s wedding. When Sajid Nadiadwala and I went for the sangeet, his father flagged off the ceremony after we reached the venue. I saw a beautiful dance performance and a video clip, where Zaheer and his cousin put up a play about his sister and brother-in-law. We were watching that, when I just turned towards Sajid and he said, ‘Haan mujhe bhi aisa hi lagta hai’. Almost as if he could read my mind. I thought he was a fine talent and we could give him a chance. I did ask his father if he had purposely insisted on starting the sangeet only after we reach the venue (laughs!) The boy has been with me for five years now and he has blossomed. Sooraj, Aayush and Zaheer chill together at Galaxy. They are always together and stand by each other at all times. They’re happy for one another — no khunnas, no jealousy. I wish it stays that way.

While appreciation for Aayush validates your decision to launch him, people often question your choices in launching your friends’ kids. What’s your take on that?
It felt great that Aayush was accepted, although the film didn’t do as well as we would have liked it to. The thing is, these are the boys I see and meet. They work really hard to get a nod from me. They work on presenting themselves well and everything that goes with it, because it matters. And mind you, I have many friends, but that doesn’t mean I am launching everyone’s kids (smiles!). Shera’s (his bodyguard) son Tiger is being groomed right now and he’s already being considered by so many producers and directors. Shera feels I will be the best judge of a script for his son, so I am now sifting through scripts. I am yet to find something worthy.

There was news about you launching Rinzing Denzongpa (Danny Denzonpgpa's son) and Ashwami Manjrekar (Mahesh Manjrekar’s daughter), but not many knew you were planning to launch Mohnish Behl’s daughter Pranutan with Notebook, too...
The thing is, I had seen her audition —I think she had done something with Mukesh Chhabra (casting director). I called Mone (Mohnish Bahl) and he confirmed that she had auditioned. We didn’t let her audition for LoveYatri as Warina Hussain had already auditioned for it and was perfect for the part. It wouldn’t have been fair on my part to replace her. When Notebook came on to the table, these guys offered the film to several girls until they saw Pranutan’s auditions. I called Mone and told him that it’s a clean film and a good story. I also told him that Pranutan will have to audition for the part. She won’t get it because she is my friend’s daughter. Mohnish agreed that she should get work on her own steam. On the audition day, I got a call — this time to see if she has liked the script and if she would like to do it. I ensured Mohnish got a narration, too. Pranutan and he liked the story and things got going. So, it’s all on merit, entirely. I can’t have people work in a film just like that, because films cost a lot of money. Just because apna brother-in-law hai toh uske saath kar lenge…aisa nahi hota. Atul Agnihotri is also my brother-in-law, but I can’t make him a hero now. He’s made a fantastic film called Bharat. He’s proven his mettle as a producer in the past. I want him to continue doing that.

Today, do you feel paternal towards the new talent that you launch?
Paternal? They call me bhai, so no, they don’t let me feel that way. But I keep telling them that as much as possible, I don’t want to see their faces in my house. I tell them that when I call you to chill at home or for a party, you should be ready with replies like, ‘Bhai I am busy shooting or I have a show or some other work’. I want them to go ahead with that steam in their lives. Of course, like a bhai, I monitor what they’re doing with their overall grooming, but I also make sure they work on their own. Boys like Varun Dhawan and Tiger Shroff are so good with everything that they just set a very high benchmark for the newer actors. When the new boys see their films, they go like, ‘Yaar, aur mehnat lagegi!’ If they’re not as good, or better than Tiger and Varun, how can I launch them? The confidence to surge ahead comes with time, but they also have to work hard to get to the starting point. Maintaining what you achieve is also very tough, which they need to learn.

Sooraj took very long to find his second project, Satellite Shankar. He once told BT that he consults you on every script…
Cuts in... That’s true. Just the other day, he came to me with an outstanding subject for his next film. He’s a sweet fellow, who has gone through so much in the initial years of his career. He’s danced like a dream in Time To Dance with Isabelle Kaif (Katrina Kaif’s sister). I’ve also seen Satellite Shankar; he’s good. These kids do make me feel proud. When people on the social media pull them down and apart, I feel like telling them that when one man works in a film, he ensures that so many others in the chain get their daily bread and butter. No one seems to understand that.

That’s been your mantra for years now. You don’t seem to take breaks between films and move on quickly from one film to another...
I never take a holiday, except that 10-day break in December. I don’t like taking a single day off, and I don’t. So many people find a chance to earn their living when I work. The other day, I was remembering my days when I had just made my debut in Maine Pyar Kiya (1989). There was a time when I just wanted to work. And now, when I am in that position, I don’t see the need to go off on holidays and say that I need breaks. Bakwaas…aise thode hi hota hai. I like working and that is why I keep working throughout. If that pain we go through doesn’t come across on screen, it’s not worth it. People always appreciate the effort you put in to give them that two hours of pleasure. If you get complacent, like I did once, films don’t do well. After that, I decided to do action films because that’s the cinema I grew up with. God was kind and those films worked. When it’s tough for most films to cross Rs 100 crore, my biggest disaster came at Rs 150 crore at the box-office.

Which newcomer is next on your launch list?
While I’m still figuring what happens with Shera ka beta, Tiger, I actually want all these boys to work together in a super dhamaal film, the kind that I have done in my past.

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 27, 2018)

Mirror (September 12) had earlier reported that singercomposer-actor Bappi Lahiri has composed a jingle to welcome Mike Tyson to India. He will be in the city over the weekend and we have learnt that Salman Khan’s bodyguard Shera has been given the responsibility to look after the 52-year-old American boxing legend.

“This is Mike Tyson’s first trip to India and we are going to make sure he is comfortable. I’m personally taking care of him and will be stationed at his hotel in suburban Mumbai through the duration of his stay. We have done a recce of all the places he will be travelling too, including a mall, the location of his dinner with a select group and the after party,” informs Shera, who will be receiving Tyson at the airport early on September 28. He has earlier handled international artists like Michael Jackson, Will Smith, Jackie Chan, Paris Hilton and Justin Bieber during his maiden concert in India last year.

So, with Shera on Tyson’s duty who will be with the Dabangg actor? “I took his permission before taking this responsibility. I work exclusively for him and Bhai is always my first priority. I spoke to him and he gave me a go-ahead as he isn’t shooting for a film then and will be busy with his (reality show) Bigg Boss so it is manageable,” adds Shera.

Will Salman and Tyson meet? “Their timings are clashing as both have hectic schedules. But if something can be worked out, they will surely meet,” he says.

Nishikant Karlikar (THE TIMES OF INDIA; June 3, 2018)

Thane: Actor Arbaaz Khan has admitted to police that he used to place bets on cricket matches with the help of bookie Sonu Jalan, the alleged kingpin of IPL scam.

Khan, who was named by Jalan during questioning, recorded his statement at the Thane crime branch’s anti-extortion cell office on Saturday.

The actor-producer has said that no money changed hands and whenever he lost, Jalan blackmailed him to make public appearances at various festive events to make up for his losses, said inspector Pradeep Sharma. Khan is likely to be made a witness in the case.

Actor Arbaaz Khan, arrived at the Thane crime branch’s anti-extortion cell office around 11am on Saturday to record his statement after bookie Sonu Jalan named him in a betting scam.

Khan, dressed in a denim shirt, arrived in an SUV, accompanied by his brother Salman’s bodyguard Shera. He was at the office for nearly five hours. Jalan and Khan were brought face to face, said inspector Pradeep Sharma. An officer said Khan had admitted to having placed the bets through Jalan, who was introduced to him by a common friend seven years ago. “Earlier, Khan placed small bets just for fun and there was no monetary transaction,” said an officer.

The police said that Khan has told them that Jalan never showed him any accounts and in fact, would give him special treatment.

“Though Jalan kept records of Khan’s wins and losses, no money changed hands. It was only after a spate of losses that there was an argument between the actor and Jalan. After this, Jalan started harassing him to accompany him to various festive events so that he could flaunt his Bollywood connections and gather more clients,” added the officer.

Jalan would also accompany Khan to IPL matches and use the opportunity to make contacts, said a source.

As his family too disapproved of betting, Khan, a couple of months ago, reportedly snapped contact with Jalan. “Khan has told us that since he cut off contact with Jalan, the latter had been blackmailing him to resume betting,” added the officer.

Speaking to media while leaving the office, Khan said, “I had come to record my statement and I will continue to cooperate with the investigation.” The police said that they may summon Khan again if required.

Meanwhile, two more names—a bookie, Dilip, and a producer—have cropped up in the IPL betting scam. The police refused to divulge details about the producer.

On Saturday, Jalan’s police custody was extended till Thursday. The investigation officer told the magistrate court that the case was complex and involved many people; hence, more time was needed for a thorough probe.

Defence counsel Sagar Kadam submitted that cops have seized whatever they wanted and the charge slapped on the accused case under the gambling act was a bailable one. “This is a media trial,” he said.

UNDER COP LENS IN IPL SCAM
Two flats in prime Morris, who is embroiled locations that are in a match-fixing owned by two bar controversy girls, who are Two email IDs known to bookie and a phone Sonu Jalan number which An absconding are allegedly bookie—Junior linked to the Calcutta—who betting scam was seen with Police are likely to former cricketer Robbin book Jalan in another case

DNA (October 15, 2017)

On Friday night, Salman Khan’s sister Arpita Khan Sharma hosted a massive Diwali bash for B-Towners. And it sure proved to be a star-studded affair with everyone from Shah Rukh Khan to Katrina Kaif turning up in festive finery. The paps were already present to click the celebs, but the news about the presence of so many actors at one place got around and a massive crowd gathered.

When it was time for Katrina to head home, Salman sent his most-trusted bodyguard Shera to escort her safely to her car. Kat waved out to the paps and her fans before heading home.

Shera, who played real-life bodyguard to Katrina on Friday night has also made an appearance in the Bodyguard title track playing the same role but on the big screen. Katrina had done a special song in the film that starred Salman and Kareena Kapoor Khan.

For those who came in late, the song ends with Salman punching a few miscreants who land up on the stage while Kat is performing and then gets Shera to escort her backstage. Though, on Friday night, Salman didn’t have to step in to play protector, Shera did reprise his role.

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; May 11, 2017)

MUMBAI MIRROR (May 6, 2017)

After appearing alongside Salman Khan in the 2011 action-romance Bodyguard, the actor's real-life bodyguard Shera, who has been with him for over 20 years, has been entrusted with another high-profile job. Shera (real name is Gurmeet Singh Jolly), will be personally supervising the security arrangements for Justin Bieber during his stay in India. He has earlier handled the security of international actors like Will Smith, Jackie Chan and Keanu Reeves. Meanwhile, we hear Sallu could play host to the Canadian pop star when he's in India.
----------------------
Shilpi Sampad (MID-DAY; May 6, 2017)

Elaborate security arrangements are underway to ensure an incident-free India tour for pop star Justin Bieber, who will perform in the city on May 10. Now, we have learnt that Salman Khan's bodyguard and trusted aide, Shera, has been roped in to personally attend to Bieber and monitor the overall security plan.

Salman tells mid-day, "The Khan family and I are happy for Shera. There's no need for any artiste to worry when he's around. He is among the finest in India. I swear by him."

Shera, whose real name is Gurmeet Singh Jolly, has been Salman's constant companion for the past two decades, through his highs and lows, and considers him his "boss, brother and friend". In a show of gratitude, the star had even chosen to use the badge and uniform of Shera's firm, Tiger Security, in his 2011 film, Bodyguard. In the past, his security company has handled international artistes including Michael Jackson, Will Smith, Jackie Chan, Paris Hilton, Shaggy, Whitfield, UB40, Slash and Keanu Reeves.

Bieber is expected to arrive in Mumbai this weekend

The Bandra police believes Attar Umar Quereshi filed a false complaint against Shera
Munish Pandey (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 31, 2016)

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; January 2, 2016)


Says an insider, “Salman is very fond of Shera who has been his shadow for decades now. And he is equally fond of his son Tiger. He finds him very promising and got him a job in the Sultan crew.”

But Tiger won’t be making a Bolly debut. “He’s joined as an assistant director. It’s how most actors also start off. From Hrithik Roshan to Ranbir Kapoor and Varun Dhawan to Sooraj Pancholi. They all started like that.” For most newcomers, it’s the most ideal approach to building a career in Bollywood. Because one learns a lot on the sets. And who better than Salman to be around? With bhaijaan around, the boy will get groomed properly for whatever he chooses to do in the filmmaking business.

An out-of-work fan was detained by the cops for persistenly calling the actor till Salman decided to deal with him in his own way
Nazia Syed & Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 3, 2014)

Young girls standing opposite his Bandstand home and screaming out his name is something Salman Khan is used to by now but he wasn't prepared for a mysterious caller who over the last few days made as many as 100 calls to his private number when the actor was in the US. Initially, he ignored them, but when the calls persisted, he instructed his bodyguard and trusted aide, Shera to look into the matter.

Shera alerted the Crime Branch who traced the number and laid a trap to catch the responsible man. He was identified as Aman, a 25-year-old, struggling DJ who was looking for a job at one of Bandra's pubs. He believed that if Salman put in a word for him, he would get work.

"Shera met him at the Crime Branch office and explained to him that calling Salman wasn't the answer to his life's problems. However, Shera spoke to Salman and then recommended Aman to some of the club owners in the vicinity. Salman hopes Aman will get a job soon," said a source close to the development.

A senior officer from the Unit 9 of the Mumbai Crime Branch added, "Salman's team wasn't eager to register a complaint. So we let Aman go after a stern warning."

Mehul S Thakkar (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 1, 2014)

Dharmendra and Hema Malini’s younger daughter, Ahaana Deol, will tie the knot with businessman Vaibhav Vohra over the weekend at a suburban hotel in the city. Many Bollywood A-listers and political bigwigs are on the guestlist and the man who has been entrusted with the security arrangements is Salman Khan’s personal bodyguard, Shera. His company, Tiger Security, will keep the gatecrashers at bay, with Shera himself in charge.

The reason the Deols have reached out to him is because they were impressed with the way he handled the crowd at Esha’s wedding in 2012. At that time he had deployed a team of 75 and this time he has upped the number of security personnel to 100.

On Friday afternoon, the day of the mehendi, which was a close door affair, Shera had a long meeting with the cops to discuss the entry and exit points. He will be spending a day with his team today to cue them in for a hectic Sunday. The wedding is in the morning, and will be followed by a reception in the evening. It is because of this assignment that he has not travelled with Salman to Dubai for the Celebrity Cricket League.

Shera confirmed the story and said, “Yes, my company is in charge of the security of Ahaana’s wedding. It’s a huge responsibility and we will ensure that it goes off smoothly and the guests are not troubled.”