Subhash K Jha (DNA; September 12, 2015)

The title of Anees Bazmee’s latest hit film Welcome Back could well be referring to Shiney Ahuja’s return to acting after his tryst with the law. Shiney can’t thank Anees enough for giving him a second lease of life in the movies. “Anees is large-hearted. He gave me a chance in such a big film at a time when not many filmmakers were willing to sign me. Aneesbhai made it very clear that my role was not a very lengthy one. But all my scenes were with the great Naseeruddin Shah and that was incentive enough for me to welcome the chance to get back to acting.”

The actor refutes all rumours of co-actors keeping a distance from him. “No such thing happened. Everyone was very welcoming and warm. I admit I was very apprehensive when I joined the team. I went on location after doing my prayers and meditation. Ready to encounter any eventuality. I was going through that phase when I felt everything I said could and would be held against me. I would measure every sentence before saying it. To put it mildly, it wasn’t easy for me.”

Shiney, who played the role of Don’s son Honey, sees Welcome Back as good resumption. “It’s a successful film. And success at this point in my life is very important.” He is now trying to find his bearing again in Bollywood. “I don’t socialise much. What’s there to say in parties when I am not doing any work? So far, I’ve not really gone out and met directors and producers, to let them know I’m keen on offers. I will now do that.”

He feels that he’s just starting out. “I feel I’m a newcomer all over again. It feels exactly the way it did when I made my debut in Hazaron Khwaishein Aisi. The film was a massive critical success. And I went around recommending the film to everyone. But not enough people saw the film on release. My journey with Welcome Back is just the opposite. The critics may not think that highly of it, but the audience loves it. There’s applause from the audience after every dialogue. It’s music to my ears.”

Shiney feels he is born anew. “I feel life has given me a second chance. If it weresn’t my wife Anupam and daughter and my family I wouldn’t have been able to endure what I went through. I am ready for my second innings,” he signs off.

Shiney Ahuja is out on bail and "flooded with film offers"; awaits the release of a love story with Preity Zinta the year-end and is turning over a new leaf
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 19, 2015)


Shiney Ahuja recalls his first day on the set of a film, after a two-year-long sabbatical. Anil Kapoor had rushed towards him, wrapping him up in a bear hug, guffawing, "Welcome back, my boy," and left him teary-eyed. "And that's when I knew I was making a comeback," the actor told Mirror.

The 40-year-old had made headlines in June 2009, when he was accused of raping his domestic help. Two years later, in March 2011, the trial court convicted the actor and sentenced him to seven years rigorous imprisonment. Out on bail, and his plea for expeditious hearing having been rejected by the Bombay High Court, the actor signed his Bollywood comeback wagon, Welcome Back in March 2014.

But while the cast of the film, John Abraham, Shruti Haasan, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Naseeruddin Shah and Paresh Rawal, have been rigorously promoting the film, Shiney seems to be off the radar. "Anees is my older brother and now my best friend. There is nothing wrong between us. I was out of the country for the last two months with my family and just got back this week. After the launch of the trailer, Anees had called and said that they had all missed me," Shiney insists.

The actor plays Honey, Naseeruddin Shah's spoilt son, who is a druggie. "But I'm not similar to Honey at all," he laughs, adding, "I am an army man's son and we fauji kids are not spoilt brats". He adds that his character is extremely soft-hearted and gullible; like someone who has never killed a fly in his life.

While filming in Dubai, the actor shared a vanity van with the other men on the sets, since there were only two vans allowed in the desert and the ladies had occupied one. All his nervousness was quickly overshadowed by the new-found camaraderie among the co-stars on the sets. "It was too hot and everyone was sharing the van. We were a boy gang, making jokes and pulling each other's legs. And I was very much a part of it," he says.

The actor, who made a critically acclaimed debut in 2005 for his role in Sudhir Mishra's Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, bagging the Filmfare Award for Best Debut - Male, had backed his hit with a thrilling performance in Anurag Basu's Gangster. But later, things went downhill for Shiney. He says his real friends have stayed by his side. "Anurag Basu and Sudhir Mishra are very close to me. They've always been by my side. In tough times, you come to know who your real friends are. It happens to everybody," he says.

The actor refuses to speak against the Bhatts, who had dropped him from a project when he needed it the most. Mahesh Bhatt had told Mirror (February 28) that he did not want fingers pointed at the banner. "Bhatt Saab is dear to me and has always been there," says Shiney curtly.

Later this year, the actor will be seen in Har Pal, also featuring Preity Zinta and helmed by National award-winning filmmaker Jahnu Barua. Shiney denies that the film has been stalled and says that it will release by the end of the year. "The film is complete and I am eagerly awaiting its release," says Shiney.

On the personal front, the actor says that his family has moved on and has started a fresh chapter in their life. His wife Anupam and he, love watching movies and have seen Gulzar's Angoor over a 100 times, comedy capers being a favourite in the family.

And even though his wife is looking forward to his comeback, he is unsure if he'll take his seven-year-old daughter for a screening of Welcome Back. "My daughter is too young and hasn't seen my films. I do not think she will ever be able to see her father cry, like I did in the climax of Gangster. She'll be too scared to sit through Bhool Bhulaiyaa," he says, adding that he hopes to have a movie marathon with her.

As he gears up for his comeback, Shiney Ahuja, who lives in the same house, insists he is not nursing any grudges and is thankful to all those, including his heroines, who stood by him
Roshmilla Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 17, 2015)

Rukmini Chopra (DNA; October 17, 2014)


How did you get Welcome Back?
A man from Anees Bazmee’s team contacted me and narrated the story. The way he did it was very good. I had not seen Welcome, and I didn’t tell him that because I didn’t think it was right to do so. But something struck me about the role. The character’s name is Honey. He appealed to me. Then I met Anees in his office and within half an hour, it was all sorted.

Were you apprehensive about returning to a film’s set after so long?
No, in fact I was looking forward to start working. There was a lot of excitement. Everyone was very warm to me. Anil Kapoor hugged me at the airport and said “Welcome Back.” Nana Patekar spoke to me like he has known me for years.

There were reports suggesting that Shruti Haasan wasn’t fine working with you...
I am cordial with her like I am with any other co-star. I have a huge amount of respect for her father as well as her mother, who I have worked with in a film called Kal - Yesterday And Tomorrow.

Tell us something about your character.
Honey has a clean heart and is extremely simple. He looks the opposite though. There is a guy like that in my building. I studied that guy for my role. He looks tough, but has a simple and sweet personality.

Reports suggest that you have approached many directors like the Bhatts and Mohit Suri, but they haven’t been keen on signing you…
Honestly, I don’t blame anyone for anything. Acting is my passion. But when I wasn’t in the mindset to do it, I declined a lot of offers which sent out signals that I’m not ready to work. That continued longer than I had wanted it to. When I wanted to resume work, I decided to approach Mahesh Bhatt. I didn’t get a negative response nor was I called in to his office instantly. Then I read the news in the papers, after a week or so. When I read it, to be honest, I felt really, really bad. But that’s all I could do. I’m sure he had a reason for what happened.

Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 15, 2014)

Mirror broke the story on March 8, 2014 that after a long dry spell following his arrest, rape-accused actor Shiney Ahuja has finally landed a role in Anees Bazmee’s Welcome Back. We called up the actor, who is shooting in Dubai, on Friday. Excerpts:

How did it feel to land a role after two years? Welcome Back happened just like that. Shahid from Anees bhai’s (director Anees Bazmee) office came over to tell me that he wanted me to do his film and suggested that I meet him. We drove down to Firoz’s (producer Firoz Nadiadwala) house where I met both him and Anees. A few years ago, my life had changed in just two hours. It changed again, in two hours. Anees and Firoz have brought happiness back into my life

How did your co-stars react to you on the sets? Anil Kapoor and I were on the same flight. He hugged me and said, “Welcome back, listen, you gotta rock now. You need to start concentrating on your acting again.” In Dubai, John Abraham and Nana Patekar have been friendly, and Naseeruddin Shah hugged me so tightly that it said it all. Anees too is very encouraging. Everyone can’t be demonstrative, but they are all trying to make me feel at home.

Is your wife Anupam with you in Dubai? No, but she will be joining me here for a few days. She is overjoyed. When I called her from Firoz’s house and gave her the good news, she called my dad in Delhi and he started crying on the phone. He even broke down when I was about to take my flight to Dubai. I believe these guys had concealed their emotions. It made me realise how important it was for them to see me go back to work. Sitting home jobless was tough for me too, very tough.

You’ve kept out of the public eye…
Without work, how could I be seen in public? But I used to go to restaurants often with my daughter Arshiya and wife. I spent a lot of time with my daughter. I would take my daughter out to the playground, even drop her to school and pick her up. Let me tell you, I owe this second chance to her and my wife.

Did your daughter tell you anything at some point? She is too young to react. Uske liye tab bhi main shoot pe jaata tha, aaj bhi shoot pe hoon. I used to look at her and my wife and wonder, “Who will take care of them if I die?” That though kept me going. I never gave up. 

Did you consider an alternative career at any point? Film people don’t consider other options. We wait to come back with a bang.

You went to Bhatts asking for work, but nothing materialised… (Long pause) No comments.

Where did you go wrong with Hijack and Ghost? An actor cannot contribute to the script and the direction. Let’s say we did our best but failed. Which star has a 100 per cent track record?

How much has Shiney changed? Every human being strives to become a better person--professionally and personally. I am no different.