Waiting for Arjun Rampal can be more frustrating than Waiting for Godot. Its 72 hours before the actor finally comes on the phone and instantly starts talking about his upcoming thriller. But isn't Roy being projected as a Ranbir Kapoor film because he plays the title role, despite the fact that RK himself doesn't seem keen on promoting it as his film? “You don't need to believe everything that is written. Roy is being promoted as a three-character film and I have no problems with the way it is being marketed. Ranbir has a guest appearance, all speculations will be laid to rest once the film releases,“ Arjun snaps. “Despite its title, the film does not revolve around Roy, a mysterious thief, but around two directors ­ Kabir and Ayesha ­ who make films of contradicting genres but meet during the making of one specific film and end up falling in love.“

Buzz is, his character and Jacqueline Fernandez's Ayesha are loosely based on Hollywood directors Quentin Tarantino and Sofia Coppola's affair. Arjun points out that while director Vikramjit Singh was scripting his film, news of the Tarantino-Coppola affair was doing the rounds. “Vicky thought incorporating this angle would make for a great narrative but he only wove in imaginary instances from what their life together might have been like,“ Arjun explains.

However, he admits that Kabir is the character he feels closest to. “He loves vintage, so do I,“ the actor points out, having driven a 1960 Maserati among other vintage vehicles in the film. “He is particular about how he takes his drinks ­ always with three cubes of ice. And only smokes cigarettes picked out of a black box.“

He adds that he even shopped for Kabir while holidaying in the Big Apple before the film rolled. “I bought him a hat from New York and a pair of shades from Mumbai.“

If RK has a cameo in Roy, then Arjun has one in Soni Razdan's Love Affair, a fictional retelling of the infamous Nanavati murder case of 1959. He plays the man who is fatally shot. “It's not a cameo, I play the lead,“ he retorts, but won't say more.

So, we move on to the Rock On!! sequel which rolls in April. Part 1 fetched him a National Award for his 'supporting' role as Joe Mascarenhas. “Playing a rock star is passé,“ he laughs. “I'm more excited about playing Arun Gawli.“

To flesh out his role of the gangster-turned-politician, Arjun has been watching Gawli's campaign videos and has even met his daughter, Geeta. “The story will be told from her point of view. Daddy is my toughest role so far,“ he asserts.

Now that he's much more at ease, we bring up a controversial subject. But as soon as we say, “Mehr and Sussanne are...“ the line goes dead. He calls back and apologises, “The network in my house is terrible.“

Somewhere during the 'terrible network' Arjun has adroitly switched subjects. We talk about his now-defunct production house, Chasing Ganesha Films which was launched in 2006 with I See You but hasn't rolled out another film in the last decade. “I'm waiting for the right script to re-launch my banner. Maybe with the Gawli film, I will. But, I'm still waiting for the final script before I take a call...“ he trails off.

What about another film with Shah Rukh Khan after Ra.One? “There's no collaboration between SRK and me coming up, anytime soon,“ he says abruptly.

He was in the middle of a controversy when his proximity with Sussanne was being seen as one of the reasons for the Hrithik-Sussanne separation. Ask him what his equation with the actor is post the divorce and he snaps, “I am not here to talk about my personal life.“ The line goes dead, again. This time he doesn't call back.

Taking stock of B-Town's divorces post media reports of Hrithik Roshan and Sussanne Khan's divorce that came through over this weekend, you will notice that the rate of divorces in Tinseltown is far less than what it would ideally seem from the outside world.

Raj Kapoor was enamoured with Nargis, and Dev Anand was infatuated with Zeenat Aman; enough to make it seem like both these evergreen superstars would end their marriages. However, when it came to the crunch, neither did.

Marks must be given to their spouses Krishna Kapoor and Kalpana Kartik (Mona Anand) for maintaining the home and hearth of these men whose high-profile link-ups did rock the boat to a degree. But in the end, it was the 'sanctity' of marriage that won.

Raj Kapoor's oldest-born Randhir's own marriage hit rock-bottom a decade and a half after he married Babita in 1971. In fact, this one was a bit of a shock because Dabboo actually wooed Babita for years before tying the knot. And it did seem like their match was made in heaven. However, after Kareena's birth in September 1980, this couple saw little happiness.

But the strange bit is that even after 40 years, this couple only remains estranged not divorced. As Randhir has often said, “Babita and I didn't divorce because neither of us had plans to remarry. Whatever I have today belongs to her and my two daughters - Karisma and Kareena. Since there is no inclination to marry or sire children, I never felt the need to get officially divorced.“ His daughter Karisma Kapoor, who ruled the roost in the 90s, though, ended her decade long marriage with businessman husband Sunjay Kapur and is today locked in a custody battle with him.

Two other celebrity couples - Gulzar and Raakhee as well as Rajesh Khanna and Dimple, who married in 1973, also separated from their spouses. But, in both cases, there was no divorce talk because none of them showed signs of wanting to marry again.

In fact, Dimple stayed put by her terminally-ill husband's side in the last phase of his life; and Gulzar sahab and Raakhee bond frequently over fish curry even today. They are both crazy about daughter Meghna and their grandson Samay. Their own marriage certificate may have gathered dust; but their friendship can still warm the cockles of your heart.

It can be rightly said that just like in our mainstream cinema, most inhabitants of Bollywood too subscribe to the “we-wish-to-stay-with-one-another till death do us part.“ Unless the compulsions of a second marriage beckon, superstars in incompatible situations would rather let their relationships stay dormant than seek the divorce route.

In fact, one of the most high-profile divorces that sent shockwaves in the Hindi film industry was that of MP-politician Vinod Khanna who divorced his first wife Geetanjali Taleyarkhan (mother of Akshaye and Rahul Khanna) in 1985. Mithun Chakraborty's divorce from Helena Luke when he was in 20s went unnoticed.

And then the paparazzi went berserk when Aamir Khan and his childhood sweetheart Reena Datta ended their 15-year-old marriage in 2002. Of course, both parties ensured it was done in a very dignified fashion. And today, Aamir and Reena share a healthy relationship as they continue to co-parent their children Junaid and Ira.

Saif Ali Khan who married Amrita Singh, almost a decade his senior, divorced her in 2004. Here again, full marks to Amrita who didn't attempt to wash dirty linen in public and instead concentrated on giving full attention to her children Sarah and Ibrahim.

And if the latest from insiders is to be believed; Hrithik and Sussanne will always remain civil for the sake of their children around whom their world revolves.

STARS WHO DIVORCED
Vinod Khanna and Geetanjali Taleyarkhan: (married in 1971, divorced in 1985)
Aamir Khan and Reena Datta: (married on April 18, 1986, divorced in December 2002)
Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh: (married in October 1991, divorced in 2004)
Karisma Kapoor and Sanjay Kapur: (married on September 29, 2003, divorced in June 2014)
Hrithik Roshan and Sussanne Khan: (married on December 20, 2000, divorced on November 1, 2014)

STARS WHO SEPARATED
Rakhee and Gulzar (married on May 15, 1973, separated in 1975)
Rakesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia (married in March 1973, separated in 1984)
Randhir Kapoor and Babita (married on November 6, 1971, separated in 1987)

Sussanne and Mehr may have got introduced to each other through their respective husbands ten years back, but eventually, it was they who became best friends. Today, while Sussanne has separated from her husband and has filed for divorce, she continues to consider Mehr, Arjun and their two daughters family, and very much hangs out with them many a times, be it at their house or going out for dinners or friends’ parties together. After it became known that Sussanne and Hrithik had separated, there was a lot written about in the media about the relationship of Sussanne and Arjun, making many convenient assumptions. While Sussanne and Mehr maintained an elegant silence so far, they now choose to set the record straight for the sake of their children. Before we bring you this conversation with the two ladies, may I also place on record that after meeting Hrithik and Sussanne independently, I can only say one thing, that both are beautiful people who are still sensitive to each other, still share a wonderful bond and above all, are responsible and caring parents who understand their responsibilities. Excerpts:

Mehr, how did you feel when there were stories linking your husband to one of your best friends, Sussanne?
About four months before the first article came out, Sussanne and me had started hearing stories. A year even before that, I have friends in South Mumbai who were linking Hrithik and me up. As soon as I came to know about that, I told Sussanne about it. That is how open our friendship has been. When we saw the first article in August 2013, we thought that it will pass on. In March 2014, Arjun and I were celebrating our anniversary. What was reported was how Arjun had forgotten Mehr and how Sussanne and Arjun are partying and how Mehr came with Chunky and Bhavna and then left with another friend. Sussanne and Hrithik had formally separated by this time. The reality was that I was not just there at the party, but this party was thrown by Arjun and me for our anniversary. Then Sussanne filed for divorce. Arjun and I went for a friend's birthday party, where Sussanne also met us. While leaving, Sussanne and I were there in the same car whereas Arjun went in another car. The media reported how Arjun and Sussanne were celebrating, implying that they were celebrating their divorce which was completely untrue. In reality, I was in the same car as Sussanne, which they had conveniently cut off.
Sussanne: My relationship with Hrithik will always be what it is. We have a good bond as parents first and that is our priority. And we will always remain close. Mehr and Arjun are like family to me and we have this beautiful relationship and are so close. They have been with me through thick and thin and it hurts me that every time I have a dinner or an outing with them, it is made out to be an ugly story, and it's concocted and changed around to suit some nasty person to make us look like undignified, irresponsible and horrible people. We kept saying to ourselves, we know what we are, let it go, but it kept going on and on and on.
Then the fabricated stories alleging that I was a golddigger, asking for Rs 400 crore alimony came out and we thought it's not the right time to talk. Then we went to our friend Gattu's (Abhishek Kapoor's) birthday that was a casual party in his office. Again there was a made-up story claiming how Mehr left the party alone crying.
Mehr: We were at Gattu's birthday party when it was raining and in the middle of the party, I got my periods. When we had come in, there was no media. I went down and was looking down calling for my driver, and saw that by this time, the entire press was there. I was already feeling really embarrassed about my situation. Seeing the media, I called Arjun, telling him that I am sure media will make up a story seeing me going alone. Till date, Arjun and I have never ever entered or left a party separately. I had planned to go home, settle myself and come back. As expected, the story was concocted to suit the writer the next day.
Sussanne: It's just so irresponsible press. As two adults and two responsible mothers, and anybody can vouch for the mothers we are, what makes us angry is how irresponsible press can get away with attacking two people, who have no agenda whatsoever but to lead a proper dignified life. That is why we decided to not get bullied any more and talk about it.

How did you become friends?
Mehr: We have always been thick friends for years. We became friends in 2004 when Arjun was on a world tour with Hrithik. Both Sussanne and me were travelling with them. Sussanne and me became friends. We also had a lot of common friends. Once it was known that Sussanne was leaving Hrithik, media was finding scapegoats. It was Arjun's decision that come what may, we will not speak. He maintained that, 'It's our friends who have taken that decision and we will just take a step back on this.'
Sussanne: In a relationship like you very well know what a husband and wife have, and till today if I have the bond that I have with Hrithik, why does the world want to make a scapegoat out of my people, trying to demean me and her trying to make us look like disgraceful people. There is a section of people who are enjoying this and discussing why do they always hang out together, why do they stick together. I think the reason we both decided that no we cannot let this go on is because of our children. They are old now, her daughter is 12 and in Class VII, my son is also in Class III. You don't want their friends and their mothers to start thinking rubbish about you. My agenda and her agenda has always been kids first.
Mehr: When the first article came out, Arjun and I read it in the morning and sat down both the kids. We know how school is and how they will talk about a conversation in school. We told them that you are going to school today. Hridhaan and Hrehaan are even smaller than you. You have to look after them that much more in school. They all go to the same school. They see that Sussanne and we are always together, so they did not have a problem understanding.
Sussanne: We have to be hawks to protect them to set the record straight with dignity and decided that we need to talk about this. We need to make people understand that you cannot bully people and cannot demean people's character and get away with it. We have young children and I am a working mother and don't want people I work with to think of me in a bad light. Mehr has a sweet family, who has been so supportive of our friendship, despite so much being written about us. Is there an agenda? Why are we being victimised?

Could the reason be that Mehr and Arjun are not friends with Hrithik anymore?
Mehr: Hrithik is a complete workaholic. He will work so hard on one movie that his whole year has gone.
But we have gone to Bali, America and London and taken many family holidays together. I may not speak to a friend for 10 years, but he or she can call me any time of the day and I don't have to prove myself to any of my friends. Sussanne is my sister and knows more about me than Arjun or my mom knows. We are very close. She is my closest friend from the industry. Sussanne and me have even done holidays together without our husbands and children.
Sussanne: We have shared a lot of good times. I too have my two old friends from school, but Mehr is one of my closest friends.

Did it stress you both?
Sussanne: I was very upset. They have been my support system, taking all that flak for me and I felt it was just not correct. I was on Twitter, but it has a dirty energy with faceless cowards, who sit behind the computer and decide what they want to say. If you want to say what you think, come on Facebook and say what you have to. I feel it is 2014, we are modern mothers and we are not going to sit back and let people bully us, be it some section of the press or some crazy obsessive fans, who think that I have done something wrong. We will not allow people to put us down.
Mehr: My husband has been in this industry for 11 years and nothing like this has ever been written about him and then these stories about your husband and your best friend come out. This is the only time that someone has spoken against him, but we took this call that for the sake of Hrithik and Sussanne, we will step back. But now, we are seemingly being made out to be the couple that are selfish and insensitive to our friends and their families. It hurts to now be even called a love triangle. I enter a room and can feel the 'poor Mehr' kind of energy. I am not trying to say that I am a good soul or anything, but I can't take all this after being a responsible daughter myself. I am going to be 46 this year. I want to go out to a party and give out good energy. I want to see the smile back on the face of my parents. My kids see Sussanne all the time in the house and know that there is no truth in all of this. But I want my parents and their friends to feel fine with us. My parents are simple people living their own lives in this Parsi colony in Dadar and they love Sussanne. But my dad tells me, 'Mehr, this is just not ending.' Any parent would feel sad if their kid is being talked about like this in the press.
Sussanne: What makes us give out that energy? Just that we are happy-go-lucky people, who are not manipulative. Are we being victimised just because we are clean-hearted people? People writing about us need to ask their own conscience if they are doing the right thing by attacking us. I have learnt it the hard way who are my friends and who are not. People in the industry are very cliquish and can decide how it all translates into gossip. Whatever it is, Hrithik and I have decided that we are responsible parents and are together in that and no matter what, nobody can attack us in that. We will always be strong. We will not agree with ugly thoughts. It is obvious that some people are trying to demean me, Arjun and Mehr, making us look like disgraceful people and I know more than anybody else that it is not Hrithik. They don't even spare him. We have reached a point that we just want to clear the air. Mehr's family and my family have been a rock to me and it affects me when they get affected. I don't want that. We are responsible people and it's important for us to set the record straight. We will not be bullied anymore. They have attacked Arjun and Mehr's night club, said that I could be closing Charcoal, that I am even having an affair with a businessman in Dubai. How many things will they say to make us look bad? What should we do? Should we just get scared of media? It's time we clarified and we chose Bombay Times to say what we have to, as we know that it's a responsible publication.

There were recent media reports alleging that Hrithik Roshan's separated wife Sussanne had claimed `400 crore as Alimony from him.

Hrithik, who maintained a dignified silence uptil now, took to social media to express his disgust and anger with the same and he tweeted, 'Fabricated news articles. Demeaning my loved ones. Testing my patience.' 

While both Sussanne and him have chosen to not speak about this till now, Hrithik sent us his strong statement clearly dismissing the obviously factually incorrect report.

HRITHIK ROSHAN'S STATEMENT:

'Disgusted with all this manipulated Alimony bullshit in an effort to tarnish reputation. When people separate, they DON'T STOP being FAMILY! When a man is too strong to be affected or attacked, they target his family instead. No one DARE attack my family like this.

This is my sincere request to all that have intruded into my private life like vultures trying to use my separation to project their own frustrations. Please stop this unethical and immoral behavior.

Sussanne has not demanded a single penny so the question of  'Alimony' does not arise! She is an independent working girl and heads her own self built design company.

Our relationship never was and never will be about money! How dare some people attack a person's identity and character and then turn it into a joke is unfathomable and downright disgusting! Stop trying to dig for dirt where there is only peace, love and harmony because that's the kind of people we were brought up to be by our loving parents. It is sad that I have to put out a statement like this but sometimes the truth needs to be louder to obliterate the lies. Shame on all of you who wrote about this and shame on all the people who had a good laugh about it.' 

Sussanne Roshan, whose divorce from Hrithik Roshan is expected to come through in October 2014, has been living apart from her superstar husband for the last eight months.

Even for a long time after the news of their estrangement broke, she continued to call herself Sussanne Roshan in all official communication. However, she has now dropped the Roshan in her name and reverted to her maiden surname, Khan. A rumour also suggests that she wishes to settle overseas with her two sons. But there is no confirmation on this.

Hrithik has been an extraordinary parent in the last few months. He has not only travelled extensively with his children, but has also been spending loads of quality time with Hrehaan and Hridhaan in Mumbai.

Last Saturday, an awkward moment was averted at a party thrown at a Juhu hotel by Pahlaj Nihalani to celebrate Shatrughan Sinha's win in the recent Lok Sabha election.
Former in-laws, Rakesh Roshan and Sanjay Khan, were on the guest list but the two made it a point to arrive at the party at different times, making sure they don't bump into each other. While Rakesh came in with buddy Jeetendra at 9.15 pm, Sanjay Khan made his entry only around 11 pm and by that time, Rakesh had already left the venue. Things have become slightly unpleasant between the Roshans and the Khans ever since Hrithik and Sussanne filed for divorce on April 30. The two families had tried their best to prevent the couple from going their separate ways, but failed to do so.

A source present at the party said: “The guests were waiting eagerly for Rakesh and Sanjay to come face-toface, expecting drama. But the two threw a wet blanket on that. The veterans had planned their arrival in a way to avoid each other."

Among others present at the party were Ramesh Sippy, Rajkumar Santoshi and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Hema Malini, Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar, Suniel Shetty and Prem Chopra.