Actress and politician Sonali Phogat, 42, passed away on Monday night in Goa after she suffered a heart attack. Born in a village in Haryana, Sonali started her showbiz journey as an anchor in 2006 and acted in a few Haryanvi films and the TV show Ek Maa Jo Laakhon Ke Liye Bani Amma (2016). In 2019, she also appeared in the web show The Story Of Badmashgarh. She had participated in Bigg Boss 14 (BB14) in 2020 as a wild card entry, post which she wanted to concentrate on her acting career, and she told us in an interview she was even planning to shift base to Mumbai. Her sudden demise came as a shock to her BB14 co-contestants, who remember her as cheerful and strong.

“She was a very strong, sweet and cheerful person. She used to always shower me with blessings. It was way too early for her to just depart like this. Sonali was a single parent, and her daughter Yashodhara is so young. I am not in a position to say much because it is very difficult to accept that she is not with us anymore. I used to be in touch with her regularly. I will need some time to come to terms with what has happened.”

“Samajh nahi aa raha mujhe abhi… Do din pehle hi baat hui thi unse. . . I am not feeling okay.”

“Sonali ji was like an elder sister to me. She had come for my wedding, and recently when my single released on Friendship Day, she asked me to send her the song. I am in deep shock. I wouldn’t call her a friend, she was more like a mother figure to me, very affectionate. ”

“She was like a mother to me. On August 7, we spoke, and she told me she was going to Goa, after which she was going to come to Mumbai, and we were planning to meet. She was a very warm person. I remember how she used to look after me in the Bigg Boss house. ”

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TV actor, former Bigg Boss contestant and political leader Sonali Phogat, 42, died of a heart attack in Goa, on Tuesday. On Monday night, she was taken to St Anthony’s Hospital And Research Centre at Anjuna in North Goa after she complained of uneasiness, sources said.

Actor Jasmin Bhasin, who was a part of the reality show with Phogat, says, “I woke up to this news and it is very shocking. I am numb. I don’t even know how to express my feelings. She was always nice to me and Aly (Goni, actor and boyfriend). She was a darling; she’d often text us. I had known her since Tashan-E-Ishq (TV series). She was very ambitious and wanted to do so much for women and society.”

Actor Nawab Shah, who played Phogat’s on-screen husband in her first TV show, Ek Maa Jo Laakhon Ke Liye Bani Amma, is “sad and shocked”. He shares, “She went too early. There was so much that she wanted to do [for society]. I remember, while doing the show, I would help her out with acting, as it was her first gig. But she was always keen to do a good job. Also, it’s quite alarming how people are losing their lives to heart attacks.”

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BJP leader and actor Sonali Phogat died of suspected heart attack in Goa on Monday. In 2020, she had entered Bigg Boss as a wildcard contestant. Her co-contestant, producer, Vikas Gupta shares his memories of her. “Sonali epitomised grace for me. It was a shock for me when I heard that she had passed away so suddenly. A reporter called and gave me the news. People have been passing away too soon and I get affected by it. Sonali was someone who went out of her way to make sure she did well in life, was health conscious and raised her daughter Yashodhara so beautifully. That is very inspiring for me. Sonali was not the way she was portrayed in Bigg Boss, but full of grace, warmth and kindness. She felt that people needed to behave like that in Bigg Boss. In real life, she was very positive, full of confidence and a sorted person. Any woman who makes it big from a small town might have an attitude which people may not like. But not everyone with so much grace as Sonali can actually come so far, whether it is politics or coming on Bigg Boss 14.”

Gupta says his heart goes out to Phogat’s daughter. “Yashodhara had come on show and told her, ‘Aap Bigg Boss ke ghar ke andar dekh lo, baahar hum log sambhal lenge.’ For a young kid to say that, was mature. I feel very disheartened because people like Sonali are so much loved and needed. She was a young-hearted, vibrant person.”

Post Bigg Boss they kept in touch too, says Gupta. “She was the one who would keep in touch always. Whenever she was in Mumbai, she would want to meet. Sonali was very kind to me because apparently, I was good to her on the show. She was supportive always because she remembered this incident where one group she had encountered was unkind to her and they had reprimanded her. I had consoled her and told her, ‘Look who you are. You are an amazing person and you are playing along with people who may not have the same outlook like you.’ That’s when she became herself again.”

Ousted after merely 100 days, Bigg Boss 14 contestant Jasmin Bhasin says she has no regrets — instead, the Dil Se Dil Tak actor is looking forward to eating her favourite food and pampering herself at the salon now that her confinement is over. While her eccentric behaviour and romance with Aly Goni kept the viewers entertained, she also received flak for crying at the drop of a hat and being a drama queen. In a chat with mid-day, Bhasin addresses it all, one controversy at a time.

Edited excerpts from the interview:

Honestly, I thought I would make it to the finals, but the show is unexpected and one doesn’t know when his/her journey may end. Having said that, I am not upset because I wanted Aly to stay in the race.

Rubina and I are not friends, but I have no hatred towards her. I will be cordial if I ever meet her again.

In the last two weeks, Eijaz has been calm, quiet and less aggressive. I have seen a different Eijaz every week [laughs]. So, I still don’t know him well enough. 

Their comment [when they visited the house] has been taken out of context. My parents met him once, much before the show came our way, and loved him. They believed that I should play a solo game in the house and not depend on anyone. [Their observation stems from] the episode where I was ousted from the captaincy task because he was trying to help me, and in the process, we broke a few rules. My parents would be thrilled to see us together forever.

It is wrong of Rashami to use the word ‘bullying’. Aly is not capable of doing something like that. After they had an argument, Aly profusely apologised to Vikas, who responded rudely. I know Rashami is not fond of me. Had she [made the bullying remark] in front of me, I wouldn’t be kind with my words.

I did not start that conversation. It was purely a reaction to Rakhi’s comments about my face, my body and the way I look. She said unwarranted things about me, and I reacted. I would never bring up someone’s cosmetic surgeries because in the future, I may opt for them. I believe there is nothing wrong with surgically enhancing your looks if it makes you happy.

Rubina can take the trophy home because she is a clever and manipulative woman.

Bigg Boss 14 has been following a simple mantra so far - the more, the messier. The makers of the Salman Khan-hosted reality show recently amped up the drama by bringing in Rahul Mahajan, Kashmera Shah and Vikas Gupta as wild card entries. Encouraged by the audience's interest, the team has now decided to extend the latest edition to February instead of winding it to a close on January 9.

A trade source says, "Thanks to Salman's star power and his banter with the contestants, Weekend Ka Vaar has grabbed eyeballs. So, the makers have decided to cash in on it. They are torn between wrapping it up on Valentine's Day or February 20 as the latter will give them the advantage of having a Weekend Ka Vaar."

To keep the momentum going, six wild card contestants will be added to the fray. "Rakhi Sawant, Aly Goni, Rahul Vaidya and Nikki Tamboli will enter the house again tonight. In adherence with the safety protocols, the new entrants were tested and quarantined ahead of joining the housemates."

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chief, Pahlaj Nihalani, has stirred up a hornet's nest by calling for censorship on television. He recently said that many TV shows, especially crime-based ones like Crime Patrol and Savdhaan India, are “crossing limits“ by showing the most gruesome and heinous crimes in graphic detail.

He added, “Why are filmmakers required to get a new censor certification for their films to be shown on television when the rest of the content made especially for television gets to go on air unchecked? This free flow of content in television must stop. It's affecting the natural psychological development of young minds. Parents are worried.“

Nihalani's statement has met with unanimous opposition from the television industry, which argues that there's already an effective mechanism of self-censorship in place. As actress Pooja Gor, who has also hosted a segment of Savdhaan India, observes, “For years now, TV content has been in tune with what is acceptable to family audiences. In fact, it's the only medium that is already producing filtered content because of its vast reach. And that's precisely why movies have to be certified before being telecast and not shows. As far as crime shows are concerned, the portrayal of incidents is very realistic. These gruesome and heinous crimes have happened in reality - women have been raped and brutal murders have happened. Restricting content on crime shows is not going to change reality. At least, the said shows are conveying a message of caution to the people.“

SELF-REGULATION: THE KEYWORD
TV producers, too, echo Pooja's opinion. Producer Yash Patnaik, who shot a 'kissing scene' between the lead couple of his show Jana Na Dil Se Door, says that while Nihalani is entitled to his opinion, he can't generalise the medium.

Yash adds, “We are a free country and the audience has every right to decide what they want to watch. The TV fraternity is extremely responsible when compared to other mediums. Both producers and broadcasters follow the SNP (Standard Norm Practice) diligently. We don't air foul language, nudity and violence the way other mediums do. Just as censorship is expected on what we show, there also needs to be restraint on what we talk on public forums. It's extremely irresponsible of anyone to generalise the medium and degrade it. Let's have some respect and dignity.“

Sudhir Sharma, who has produced shows like Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha and Baawre, adds, “There is already a lot of pressure on us. We are answerable to our broadcasters and viewers. If another body jumps in to dictate terms, that will be the end of creative freedom on television. We don't need more advice on how to make shows and which lines to not overstep.“

Now, the question arises that despite makers being conscious about the content they dish out on the small screen, is there a body regulating it? Every broadcaster has an SNP team keeping a close tab on the content airing on their respective channels. The makers are expected to adhere to the norms and regulations set by these teams. Director-turned-producer Ravindra Gautam, whose show Meri Durga is currently on air, informs, “TV content is monitored by the channel's SNP team, which makes sure that it adheres to all the self-regulatory content guidelines laid down by the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF). Any complaint regarding the content can be made to the Broadcast Content Complaint Council (BCCC).“

HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH ON TV?
Ravindra says, “TV should get as bold as society. However, ironically, we are still in the 70s' saas-bahu zone. That's the reason the medium finds it difficult to resonate with the youth. That's also the reason why web series are attracting more youngsters. Bold doesn't just mean sex; it's also about the mindset. We live in an era when we are abhorred for showing a consummation scene after marriage. An actress fears such a scene could be the death knell for her career. In fact, TV needs to get bolder or it will seem regressive. We need to introspect why the youth is more hooked on to the internet and web series. That's because we don't explore unconventional content on TV. The government and the channels should be supportive.“

BOLD ONLY POST 10
Actor Ronit Roy, who has dabbled in both films and TV , says that he believes censorship begins at home. He says, “I don't know about other people's houses. but in my home, we guide our children on what to watch and what not to. Anyway, the bold shows, which have adult content, like Bigg Boss, are broadcast after that time. And in my opinion, it is right because children should be asleep by that time.“

In the past, there have been several instances of broadcasters being summoned by the BCCC for going bold. A representative of the channel is summoned by the body to address and answer viewers' complaints and queries regarding the content. Producer Vikas Gupta says, “I had shot a kiss between two members of the same sex, but the channel didn't approve of it. They were of the opinion that it might get into a legal wrangle and also hurt sentiments of the audience.“

He adds, “Yes, we do produce risqué content, but that's aired after 10 pm when kids are asleep. I wouldn't know why Mr Nihalani has made a statement like that, because we already have a strong censorship system in place. We are answerable to our broadcasters and there are strict rules in place. Unlike movies, where a Befikre can have several kisses but a James Bond film can't, the rules are uniform on television. Also, we run tickers when such shows are aired, so that people can share their opinion with us. TV doesn't need another body interfering with what we show. It doesn't need to be censored anymore than it already is.“

CRIME-BASED SHOWS ARE NOT JUST FOR ENTERTAINMENT
Nihalani's major grievance is with crime-based shows airing on TV currently. He said, “Television soaps, reality shows and crime shows are crossing all limits. Shows like Crime Patrol and Savdhaan India show the most gruesome and heinous crimes in graphic detail. Real-life people are named in the fictional recreation of crime stories. Women are raped in incestuous attacks, housewives and minor girls are shown to be violated. If the same content was shown in any film, we at the CBFC, would have to clamp down heavily on the content.“

Annup Sonii, who hosts Crime Patrol, rebukes this claim and says, “The medium follows certain thumb rules while making the content. I can vouch that the team of the show has never crossed the line. Even the graphic details are mostly symbolic. This is something that's happening around us. The motive behind recreating these incidents is to inform people that crime is not a solution. Ramayan mein agar Ravan nahi dikhaayenge toh Ram ki achhai ka kaise pata chalega? Also, censorship is equally vested in the hands of viewers, who, if offended by any content, can stop watching it. That will be signal enough for the broadcaster and the channel to pull up their socks and look into what they are dishing out. We are anyway adhering to strong censorship values and don't need another body intervening in our creativity.“

Sushant Singh, the host of Savdhaan India, adds, “I would like to say that the age of censorship is over. It's a lost battle.What next? Ban the internet? What we show on these shows is the harsh reality - minors getting raped, crimes being committed by close relatives... We can't turn a blind eye to something that's happening around us. Will clamping down the portrayal bring down these incidents? On the contrary, a number of victims have gathered courage to report about the injustice done to them due to the message that our show conveys. The only way to curb crime is by raising your voice and fighting back.“

NO NEED FOR FURTHER CENSORSHIP: SHABANA AZMI
In response to Nihalani's comment on censoring TV content, Bollywood actress Shabana Azmi, who is part of BCCC, says, “At present, there is a BCCC board that addresses the complaints made by the Information & Broadcasting Ministry and public. It has members from within the industry and fields of social science, including representatives from women's, minorities' and children's commissions headed by Justice Mudgal. I have been on board since its inception and know how it works well. It comprises a liberal and sensitive group of people and there has always been complete compliance from the con tent team whenever the BCCC has objected to something. The council has held interactive workshops with creative teams in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata to sensitise them and hear their compulsions. It works well and should continue. There is no need for further censorship.“

FILMS GIVEN MORE LEEWAY THAN TV
Actor Ram Kapoor, who generated quite a buzz following a kissing sequence with his co-actor Sakshi Tanwar on the TV show Bade Acche Laggte Hain five years ago, says, “I am baffled by this man's statement. What is he talking about? Doesn't he know that TV is censored anyway? I am currently doing a web series and I've never experienced this kind of creative freedom on TV. We ponder over everything multiple times before airing it on the small screen because it's viewed by families. It's morally right to restrict the content on TV and channels are aware of the norms that they need to follow. If there is any decline in the viewership owing to offensive content, it would mean decreased ratings and no channel would want that. Forget risqué content, a kiss between Sakshi and me created such an uproar; that should be enough for Nihalani to know that TV follows stringent guidelines. We can't afford to hurt people.“

Rahul Raj Singh, who is out on bail, has now taken on those who levelled allegations against him and held him responsible for his girlfriend, actress Pratyusha Banerjee's death. He has filed a case against lawyer Neeraj Gupta in the BAR Council of Maharashtra, for representing himself as his lawyer without any documents signed between the two parties. From giving statements on his behalf to accusing him of duping several girls, including Pratyusha, Neeraj claimed to have backed out of the case on moral grounds. Rahul claims, “He has tarnished my image. He accused me of pushing Pratyusha into drugs, hitting her and siphoning money from her. He also accused me of having no source of income and being a fraud. He was never my lawyer but a self-appointed one. It's his moral duty to not talk about his client in the media. Some others also accused me, saying they wanted to know the truth... but now, I am fighting back to know the truth. Where are they now? They are either attending parties or holidaying abroad. They gave statements at that time to come in the limelight.“

He also plans to file a defamation case against actress Kamya Punjabi, producer Vikas Gupta and common friend Leena Dias. Rahul adds, “Kamya owes Pratyusha Rs 2.5 lakh. Pratyusha had even messaged her once asking for the money. Vikas claimed that he had a video of me slapping Pratyusha. I demand to see it. His claims of offering her work are also false. I plan to file a defamation case against him, Kamya and Leena, who is my rakhi sister. Apart from me they have also tarnished Pratyusha's image. Now, they will have to answer in court. I have full faith in the judiciary.“

Asserting that he wants answers to a few questions too, Rahul states, “I want Neeraj to show me the waqalatnama (documents). Where are the papers suggesting that he was ever hired as my lawyer? Where is my nine-year-old son whom he has spoken about? I want to see him. I demand to know who has my child and who is paying for his education. I want to see the proof of me cheating people. If I have no income then how have I repaid some of Pratyusha's debts? If she wasn't happy with me, why did she move into my house and want to marry me? And Rakhi Sawant, please show me a call record proving that we have ever spoken, let alone having my video.“

In the 72 hours since the death of popular television actress Pratyusha Banerjee, there have been at least three press conferences organized by the increasingly bizarre denizens of Mumbai's TV world, each spinning out sensational narratives, which have little bearing on the reality.

From Dolly Bindra, who stole into Pratyusha's Kandivali home when her body was still to be brought down, and covertly videotaped the scene, to a host of others who turned the young actress's tragic death into a sordid celebrity circus. The first 'media invite' came from actors Jay Bhanushali, Kamya Punjabi, Leena Dias, Shashank Vyas and Adaa Khan claiming to decode 'Pratyusha's Death Mystery'. Celebrity lawyer Falguni Brahmbhatt joined in.

Leading that conference was Pratyusha's rumoured ex, TV producer Vikas Gupta who took centre stage dressed in a Superman Tee and coordinated white-red shoes. Gupta immediately got down to the task at hand; pointing fingers at Pratyusha's boyfriend Rahul Raj Singh. “There is evidence that Rahul physically assaulted Pratyusha, many people know this. The relationship had begun to disturb her,“ he snarled as if auditioning for a Balaji TV show. Of course, there was no 'evidence' that he could produce.

The speed at which Vikas hurled allegations at Rahul was only rivalled by his and Pratyusha's close friend actress Kamya Punjabi's smoke breaks. “Rahul slapped Partyusha at a party, twice. There were marks on her neck and nose,“ she announced dramatically when her turn came to speak up.

Minutes before that the 'friends' had stopped Rahul's former business partner Sheetal Malviya and actress Heer Patel from coming on to the dais saying, “It didn't make sense as they were not as popular as the others.“

Earlier in the day, a Marathi starlet who visited the hospital where Pratyusha's body was taken, and where all the TV cameras had congregated had come out screaming and crying and even fainted. She was scooped up by her supposed boyfriend, all under the gaze of the camera.

Her histrionics were nearly matched by Rakhi Sawant, who registered her presence dressed in pink shoes and matching headphones, which she kept on for some reason and a flashy, fake Gucci tee. Sawant, who like Pratyusha was also a Bigg Boss contestant, pushed her way through the crowds for a dekko of the body. She began to fight her way by screaming, “Let me go in, let me go to her, I am in shaawwk... shawwk!“

At both Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital as also at Pratyusha's home, actress Sara Khan, Mouni Roy and Adaa Khan came with their hair and make up staff, making sure they got a quick touch up before going in front of the media. The TRP-raking tactics gained momentum with wedding planner-socialite Leena Dias, who claims to be Pratyusha's 'closest' friend, who told everyone that Rahul's ex-girlfriend Saloni Sharma was the primary cause for her misery. “Pratyusha had called me one night before her death and confided that Saloni used to trouble her,“ Leena revealed. 'Superman' Vikas was quick to chime in, “Saloni had tortured Pratyusha and Rahul never took any action.“

It's worth noting here that Dias had curiously cropped Pratyusha out of a string of pictures from a Holi bash, while Gupta had not spoken to the deceased actress in the three months prior to her death. He had offered her a role in one of his shows, which she had twice turned down. Not to be outdone by the scream queens and 'Superman', another Bigg Boss loser, Ajaz Khan, managed to get the cameras on him by proclaiming authoritatively at the funeral, “This is murder. We have to get to the bottom of this.“ Vikas was quick to pick up this line of thought, reiterating, “The cause of the marks on her body was Rahul. We have the evidence. If police are saying he is not involved then they are wrong. If the cops cannot handle this, then the crime branch will take care of it,“ before continuing in the same vein, “We saw Rahul eating chips.“ No doubt, that's evidence of a sinister act.

Designer friend Rohit Verma, who designs to turn up wherever the cameras are, said, “I had suggested a coral and gold dress for Pratyusha's wedding scheduled in Jamshedpur next month.“ He teared up as he revealed this momentous information and quickly regained poise by sipping on his double latte.

'Superman' Vikas wasn't done yet, “If Pratyusha had been pregnant, she wouldn't have died. She always wanted to be pregnant. But there is no pregnancy. Pratyusha had contacted a lawyer for a legal case against Rahul 10 days ago. There is a strong reason behind her suicide and whoever is behind this we will get them. We want justice,“ he thundered.

When asked if the 'We hate Rahul' brigade had officially registered their statements with the police, Leena told the media, “The police has not called any of us, but we want to give our statements.“

Given all the eyeballs these press conferences garnered, another set of Pratyusha's 'friends' called a press conference at an upscale resto-bar at Andheri on Monday. Rakhi Sawant has also called the press to Oshiwara Police Station at 1 pm on Tuesday to share 'important documents' and has promised to reveal many 'secrets'. We can't wait!

Even under perfect conditions, canning 260 episodes in a year is a Herculean task. So, it is not surprising that telly producers have finally decided to crack the whip on errant actors and crew members. From reporting late to chewing tobacco and smoking, all bad habits are 'punishable offences' under their new policy. If this reminds you of that strict teacher in school, well, that's because some rules and penalties are actually straight out of the class room. Read on...

NO COMPROMISE ON PUNCTUALITY
Setting a bench-mark: Vikas Gupta, the producer of Warrior High, feels monetary fines won't pinch actors, as most are paid handsomely. So, he penalises latecomers by making them stand on a bench for 10 minutes. He says, “Fines are not taken seriously by actors. Since my show has a college as its backdrop, I decided to come up with a punishment that will take my team back to its student days.“

The timetable trick: Producer Sunjoy Waddhwa has opted to rely on an age old practice - setting a timetable - to boost his team's productivity. Be it working hours or breaks, everything has a fixed timing. Copies of the timetable have been put up around the set. He says, “This will instil a sense of punctuality, thus enhancing our production and creative values.“


TOBACCO-FREE SETS
For the sake of a healthier work environment, many makers are enforcing the anti-tobacco rule. Producers Rajan Shahi, Yash Patnaik, Sunjoy Waddhwa and Sumeet Mittal have banned unhealthy habits like chewing tobacco, gutka, pan masala containing tobacco, cigarettes, etc - on the sets of their shows. Violators are fined Rs 100. Actress Shraddha Arya, currently seen in Dream Girl, says, “Statistics prove that 50% people who chew tobacco die from the health hazards caused by it. I am proud of this initiative by the producers. If it dissuades even five people from consuming tobacco, it's great.“ Rajan adds, “A show belongs to the entire team and so, a positive and healthy environment is everyone's responsibility. Smoking is not entertained on my sets. Apart from its obvious health hazards, there is also the risk of it causing fire. All rules are decided unanimously and applicable on all. It is never an individual's decision.“

Yash says, “We strongly believe in maintaining discipline, decorum and hygiene on our sets. Cigarettes and other tobacco-based products have been a complete no-no for years. Our cast and crew don't even need to be reminded about it anymore.“

BAN ON VANITY VAN
To ensure maximum utilisation of time, Vikas has barred his actors from retiring into their vanity vans in between shots. “The to and fro between vanity vans and sets consumes a lot of time. So, actors are not allowed to return to their rooms till the whole scene is captured. This also helps them stay connected to the character,“ he says.

AN EXPENSIVE 'RING'
Chatting on phone can turn out to be an expensive affair on Sumeet's sets. If anyone, including him, is found with a ringing/vibrating phone at work, he/she has to treat the whole unit to sumptuous food. Actress Shraddha has ended up treating the entire unit to lavish meals on several occasions. She says, “I often forget to switch my phone off or keep it on silent mode. But after a few expensive treats, I have now learnt my lesson.“

Producer Rajan Shahi also fines team members Rs 500 every time someone's mobile phone rings in between shots.

POINTS FORFEITED
Recently, lack of discipline cost celebrity participants of dance reality show Nach Baliye some precious points. Judge Preity Zinta was seriously miffed when participants started disappearing during the shoot, causing delays and panic. She decided to penalise the erring couples by deducting two points from their score.