Debatably one of the most successful playback singers of our times, Shantanu Mukherjee or Shaan has some wonderful memories of his childhood. While he was neither a prankster nor a bully, Shaan loves to reflect on his simple upbringing and the timeless moments spent on the staircase on his first floor residence, listening to his dad’s music sessions and talking to sister Sagarika, to maker him smile on rainy days.
“I had a very protective childhood. I lived in Bandra as a kid and I still live in the same area. Unlike many others I know, I did not travel around too much,” he recalls.
As a youngster, Shaan was an avid sports-lover. “I played cricket and football initially. My friends and I even formed a basketball team in our final year at school but due to some issues we could not participate in the tournament. When I was not playing cricket, football or basketball, I spent my time on the field. I was pretty good at the 800 metres run among others,” he says.
“Being in a catholic school, most of the songs I learnt were in English. The first hindi song I actually learnt was Hume Tumse Pyaar Kitna. I performed the song at a school function and bagged a second prize,” he laughs. “I could have been first, but the instrumental was at a very high note and I could not take that pitch.”
Ask him what he would be if not a singer, he says, “A teacher. As a kid, I always thought that I could come up with some great techniques to teach students. I would probably be sitting somewhere creating new ways of imparting education.”
Shaan’s parents were very supportive of him as well. “I used to walk around wearing a crossa and think of myself as a catholic, but my parent’s never endorsed their religious views on me. They were cool with everything I did.”
But sister Sagaraika definitely was the bundle of joy. “She was a complete tomboy and was the confidante of all my friends. We called her Didi and she had the last say in our disputes. Suddenly, when she turned sixteen, she decided that she had become a woman and abandoned all of us,” he jokes.
“I really love to think about the days when Didi and I sat on the steps of our first floor residence, listening to dad’s music sessions and talking about…life, in general. Those really were the best days of my life.”
‘I have always been stylish’
From what he is told he was – a brat, to becoming India’s most celebrated fashion designer for men, Arjun Khanna has delightful memories of his childhood.
Born in Nainital, Khanna spent some years in Delhi before his family moved to Mumbai. “I am told that I was a brat,” he says with a laugh. “But I really think I was a good boy.” All set to rock the capital with his collection designed for Smirnoff Black on Thursday evening, Khanna keeps his trademark boyish charm alive in his smile and his clothes.
“I always loved clothes. Even while at school, there had to be something different. Either I would roll up my sleeves in some style or roll up my trouser as far as I was allowed,” he recalls. He admits that academics were not his calling. “I was meant to be packed off to some boarding school,” he jokes. “I was constantly up to something mischievous or the other. I just could not handle my studies.”
“I was more a sports lover. Badminton was the big thing at the time but I was into athletics, shot put, long jump and everything else on the field. I was so involved in sports that I failed in my class VI and changed my school about six to seven times.”
Instead of being hurt by the frequent change, Khanna says it helped him make so many more friends. “I was particularly close to this friend of mine, who is now my brother-in-law, and we would bunk lass in such a smart way that no one would find out,” he says.
However, he does not believe in doing out the same advice to youngsters today. “The world is so much more competitive today. I am a firm believer of do what you do well. If you want to be an architect or a doctor, which requires years of studies then go ahead for it but if your interest is in an arts line, you must excel in it.”
Born in Nainital, Khanna spent some years in Delhi before his family moved to Mumbai. “I am told that I was a brat,” he says with a laugh. “But I really think I was a good boy.” All set to rock the capital with his collection designed for Smirnoff Black on Thursday evening, Khanna keeps his trademark boyish charm alive in his smile and his clothes.
“I always loved clothes. Even while at school, there had to be something different. Either I would roll up my sleeves in some style or roll up my trouser as far as I was allowed,” he recalls. He admits that academics were not his calling. “I was meant to be packed off to some boarding school,” he jokes. “I was constantly up to something mischievous or the other. I just could not handle my studies.”
“I was more a sports lover. Badminton was the big thing at the time but I was into athletics, shot put, long jump and everything else on the field. I was so involved in sports that I failed in my class VI and changed my school about six to seven times.”
Instead of being hurt by the frequent change, Khanna says it helped him make so many more friends. “I was particularly close to this friend of mine, who is now my brother-in-law, and we would bunk lass in such a smart way that no one would find out,” he says.
However, he does not believe in doing out the same advice to youngsters today. “The world is so much more competitive today. I am a firm believer of do what you do well. If you want to be an architect or a doctor, which requires years of studies then go ahead for it but if your interest is in an arts line, you must excel in it.”
I am the big bully
In a time when other star-children are making the most of their famous surnames, here is one star child who really is making his own mark. Tusshar Kapoor, son of yesteryear’s actor Jitender, is happy with what life has to offer him.
“I knew that I was the son of a famous actor but neither me nor Ekta were ever brought up looking down on people or making use of our father’s name,” says Tusshar at the promotion of his latest film, Kya Love Story Hai!!
“In fact, I had a very normal Mumbaiya childhood that included playing cricket with the building friends. I was a very disciplined boy and was only allowed to play for a certain number of hours in a day, in all we had a very normal life,” he adds.
Being the elder brother, Tusshar admits being a big bully. “We used to have real fights, in cars or at home, whenever we had a chance.” And they were nasty fights,” We used to kick and hit each other until my mother or an elder intervened and tore us apart,” he laughs. “I am still the big bully though we don’t hit each other, I love to get into arguments with her.”
“When I was in school, Abhishek Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan were schoolmates. Since their parents were also in Bollywood, we struck a good rapport,” he recalls. “It was mainly because of my mother, who was very fair to everyone we met, that we never felt the limelight on us.”
While Kapoor continued his disciplined ways all through school, moving to college changed a lot of things. “I was never into studied for too long. In fact, in college, I would spend my time outside class, in discos and socials,” he gushes.
While Kya Love Story Hai has failed to shine at the BO, we hope Kapoor’s upcoming films like Dhol and Agar will bring him success.
“I knew that I was the son of a famous actor but neither me nor Ekta were ever brought up looking down on people or making use of our father’s name,” says Tusshar at the promotion of his latest film, Kya Love Story Hai!!
“In fact, I had a very normal Mumbaiya childhood that included playing cricket with the building friends. I was a very disciplined boy and was only allowed to play for a certain number of hours in a day, in all we had a very normal life,” he adds.
Being the elder brother, Tusshar admits being a big bully. “We used to have real fights, in cars or at home, whenever we had a chance.” And they were nasty fights,” We used to kick and hit each other until my mother or an elder intervened and tore us apart,” he laughs. “I am still the big bully though we don’t hit each other, I love to get into arguments with her.”
“When I was in school, Abhishek Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan were schoolmates. Since their parents were also in Bollywood, we struck a good rapport,” he recalls. “It was mainly because of my mother, who was very fair to everyone we met, that we never felt the limelight on us.”
While Kapoor continued his disciplined ways all through school, moving to college changed a lot of things. “I was never into studied for too long. In fact, in college, I would spend my time outside class, in discos and socials,” he gushes.
While Kya Love Story Hai has failed to shine at the BO, we hope Kapoor’s upcoming films like Dhol and Agar will bring him success.
I don’t want to be a ‘chai’ boy
With the credit of many firsts to his name, it is not that difficult to place Luke Kenny. The first male VJ on Channel V to the first director to shoot an entire film in an elevator, Luke is now on his way to make a mark on his first ‘talent hunt’.
“Money is the crucial factor in film-making,” says the current programming head at Channel V. “It’s a business and one has to prove their commercial viability to keep a stand in the industry. I made my first film on a digital camera to save money. I could have taken up the job of an assistant to a famous director or producer. But, I did not want to be a chai boy.”
Instead, Luke continued his struggle to realise his dreams at his own terms. “I don’t call it a struggle. I feel it is more of a journey. Like any other, this journey also led me to many exciting stops and many interesting people.”
With reality television shows being the order of the day in Indian entertainment, Luke is making his foray into a television show, Channel V Launchpad. “The programme tries to provide an international recognition to the Indian underground rock music. We have finalised 16 bands from across the country and the winner will be going to New York for a live performance,” says Luke.
Reliving his school days, Luke recalls, “When I was part of a band in school, my bandmates and I decided only to perform original compositions but we got booed off the stage by our schoolmates. At that time, cover versions of Floyd and Mettalica were the norm. 15 years down the line, a lot has changed. Now, young people want to listen to original compositions. Infact, cover versions are not as well received as original compositions.”
While being excited about the changes happening in the Indian rock circuit, Luke says that Indianisation does hamper the spirit of rock music. “The global language for rock continues to be English. When you sing in Hindi before an international audience, it gets Indianised and the rock element goes out of it.”
So, the Hindi and Bengali rockers among others will have to wait for some more time for global acceptance. With time, we’re sure there will be global platform for music without linguistic barriers.
“Money is the crucial factor in film-making,” says the current programming head at Channel V. “It’s a business and one has to prove their commercial viability to keep a stand in the industry. I made my first film on a digital camera to save money. I could have taken up the job of an assistant to a famous director or producer. But, I did not want to be a chai boy.”
Instead, Luke continued his struggle to realise his dreams at his own terms. “I don’t call it a struggle. I feel it is more of a journey. Like any other, this journey also led me to many exciting stops and many interesting people.”
With reality television shows being the order of the day in Indian entertainment, Luke is making his foray into a television show, Channel V Launchpad. “The programme tries to provide an international recognition to the Indian underground rock music. We have finalised 16 bands from across the country and the winner will be going to New York for a live performance,” says Luke.
Reliving his school days, Luke recalls, “When I was part of a band in school, my bandmates and I decided only to perform original compositions but we got booed off the stage by our schoolmates. At that time, cover versions of Floyd and Mettalica were the norm. 15 years down the line, a lot has changed. Now, young people want to listen to original compositions. Infact, cover versions are not as well received as original compositions.”
While being excited about the changes happening in the Indian rock circuit, Luke says that Indianisation does hamper the spirit of rock music. “The global language for rock continues to be English. When you sing in Hindi before an international audience, it gets Indianised and the rock element goes out of it.”
So, the Hindi and Bengali rockers among others will have to wait for some more time for global acceptance. With time, we’re sure there will be global platform for music without linguistic barriers.
Comedy king of Bollywood
If there is anything, comedy king of Bollywood Satish Kaushik regrets not having done, it is that he failed to pursue his dream of opening his retail stores at petrol pumps as he had once thought. “I had thought having shops named Kaushik’s at the petrol pumps long back but I never gave it any serious afterthought and I think that is where I lost it,” he says.
On a high with his recently opened food joint in the capital, Khana Unlimited, he is looking to achieve great success in the food line. “Indians, including me are not used to having just one thing on the platter. There has to be a liitle bit of sabji and dal and also achar, so even I love dabbling into various things.” Food for thought, that.
He has as high hopes from Khana Unlimited as with Milenge Milenge his next directorial venture starring Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapur, one that he promises will be a dreamy romantic story.
“I am a very spontaneous person,” says Kaushik, “I have named most of my films while discussing the story informally with my friends and colleagues.” Khana Unlimited is one such name that has proved to be a hit. “I have known Manoj (Manoj Mittal, his partner in the restaurant) from the time he invited to perform in Kirori Mal College with Amitabh Bachchan. Of all the people I have met, I related to him very well. And right now, I am at an age when I am leaving youth far behind so here was a young, talented man whom I could relate with. The partnership was instant.”
Kaushik has come a long way from being a the local guy from Karol Bagh who loved to hang around expensive food joints, but the city still holds a special place in his life. “I have thought of branching out Khana Unlimited to other parts of the country but it was obvious for me that I would inaugurate it here,” he says. “I have spent some the best days of my life here, doing theatre at the NSD.
The loss of veteran actor Amrish Puri is more a personal loss for him. “He used to pat me a lot,” he says. “I had run into financial trouble during the filming of Badhai Ho Badhai of which he was a part, when I told him of my disposition he immediately agreed to a discounted payment for the film, that was far too generous of him,” he recalls.
Coming up next from his side are the films Bewafa and Milenge Milenge. Ask him about the hottest couple in Bollywood, “Shahid and Kareena, who else?”
Published in Hindustan Times Next on February 8, 2005
On a high with his recently opened food joint in the capital, Khana Unlimited, he is looking to achieve great success in the food line. “Indians, including me are not used to having just one thing on the platter. There has to be a liitle bit of sabji and dal and also achar, so even I love dabbling into various things.” Food for thought, that.
He has as high hopes from Khana Unlimited as with Milenge Milenge his next directorial venture starring Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapur, one that he promises will be a dreamy romantic story.
“I am a very spontaneous person,” says Kaushik, “I have named most of my films while discussing the story informally with my friends and colleagues.” Khana Unlimited is one such name that has proved to be a hit. “I have known Manoj (Manoj Mittal, his partner in the restaurant) from the time he invited to perform in Kirori Mal College with Amitabh Bachchan. Of all the people I have met, I related to him very well. And right now, I am at an age when I am leaving youth far behind so here was a young, talented man whom I could relate with. The partnership was instant.”
Kaushik has come a long way from being a the local guy from Karol Bagh who loved to hang around expensive food joints, but the city still holds a special place in his life. “I have thought of branching out Khana Unlimited to other parts of the country but it was obvious for me that I would inaugurate it here,” he says. “I have spent some the best days of my life here, doing theatre at the NSD.
The loss of veteran actor Amrish Puri is more a personal loss for him. “He used to pat me a lot,” he says. “I had run into financial trouble during the filming of Badhai Ho Badhai of which he was a part, when I told him of my disposition he immediately agreed to a discounted payment for the film, that was far too generous of him,” he recalls.
Coming up next from his side are the films Bewafa and Milenge Milenge. Ask him about the hottest couple in Bollywood, “Shahid and Kareena, who else?”
Published in Hindustan Times Next on February 8, 2005
"I don't suffer fools gladly"
“I don’t suffer fools gladly,” remarks Nagesh Kukunoor at the promotion of his film, Dor in Delhi on Wednesday. “When I work on the sets, I expect every single person to come prepared to the day otherwise I get irritated.” This very meticulous attitude for details has given the director years of success in the industry. “Film acting is not about giving one perfect shot and going home, it is about making each shot a perfect shot all the time.”
“I was just another normal kid in Hyderabad,” he says of his childhood days. “I went to school with the kids of the neighbourhood for sometime before my parents decided to send me to boarding school. So, I went on to Montfort School in Yercaud, that’s where I have based my film Rockford on.”
On completion of school, Kukunoor moved when to study engineering at the Georgia Tech University in the United States after winning a full scholarship to fund his education. “I used to write quite a lot even as a kid. My mom shows me all the stories that she had saved and I have a good laugh reading them,” he says. Ask him what they were about and he laughs, “Oh! It’s a whole lot of sci-fi and monster stories”.
Dor is one of his own stories and besides that he says he has eight other finished scripts. “Two of the lot are action stories,” says the lover of Jurrasic Park and Star Wars. “I grew up watching Bollywood movies and I was always keen on seeing the director’s perspective, even as a child.”
The director also lives his dream of being an actor through his cinema. In fact, Iqbal is the only film by Kukunoor in which he does not play a cameo role. “Yes, I have a role in Dor as well, but I would rather have people go to the theatre and see me than talk about it here.”
Ask him for advice for aspiring directors and he is quick to retort, “I don’t do that stuff. It’s like telling someone you don’t know this and since I know, do it the way I tell you.”
“As it is, today’s Indian filmmakers don’t stop talking when they are given a chance,” he says after a pause. “The basic quality you need to be a good director is having an original mind for great ideas,” he says signing off.
Published in Hindustan Times Next on September 21, 2006
“I was just another normal kid in Hyderabad,” he says of his childhood days. “I went to school with the kids of the neighbourhood for sometime before my parents decided to send me to boarding school. So, I went on to Montfort School in Yercaud, that’s where I have based my film Rockford on.”
On completion of school, Kukunoor moved when to study engineering at the Georgia Tech University in the United States after winning a full scholarship to fund his education. “I used to write quite a lot even as a kid. My mom shows me all the stories that she had saved and I have a good laugh reading them,” he says. Ask him what they were about and he laughs, “Oh! It’s a whole lot of sci-fi and monster stories”.
Dor is one of his own stories and besides that he says he has eight other finished scripts. “Two of the lot are action stories,” says the lover of Jurrasic Park and Star Wars. “I grew up watching Bollywood movies and I was always keen on seeing the director’s perspective, even as a child.”
The director also lives his dream of being an actor through his cinema. In fact, Iqbal is the only film by Kukunoor in which he does not play a cameo role. “Yes, I have a role in Dor as well, but I would rather have people go to the theatre and see me than talk about it here.”
Ask him for advice for aspiring directors and he is quick to retort, “I don’t do that stuff. It’s like telling someone you don’t know this and since I know, do it the way I tell you.”
“As it is, today’s Indian filmmakers don’t stop talking when they are given a chance,” he says after a pause. “The basic quality you need to be a good director is having an original mind for great ideas,” he says signing off.
Published in Hindustan Times Next on September 21, 2006
Rewriting history
Unlike most other protégés of Ram Gopal Varma, Mohit Ahlawat hates being called the ‘blue-eyed boy’. “I am not dependant on him, though I do look up to him as my mentor. I have a couple of films lined up that will be out of the Factory’s production,” he states.
As of now, he is glad to be part of a Ram Gopal Varma’s Shiva and Sholay. “In James, there wasn’t much scope for emtions and there was no real motive for the guy to fight back, but in Shiva, my character is more streamlined for action.”
“I worked for three years on James, it was like a workshop and I learnt a lot from it,” he said. As far as it failure at the box-office goes, Ahlwawat says he doesn’t look into the past.
One of the most striking features in him is his great body. “I am glad it is noticed. I have worked very hard on it. Before I joined the industry my weight was around 125 kilogrammes. When I realised that I wantd to be a hero, I started crash-dieting and in some months I lost almost all my weight.”
Instead of being happy, Ahlawat says it was more painful than anything else. “I took very ill. I was dizzy all the time and had severe blackouts for the next six months. I finally headed abroad for a proper training in fitness, that’s how I got into my current shape.”
More than Shiva, Ahlawat is more exited about being a part of the remake of Sholay. “It is like a dream project. It is like trying to rewrite history,” he says. Going by the hype, his performance in the film might just catapult him to his superstar status.
Published in Hindustan Times Next on September 16, 2006
As of now, he is glad to be part of a Ram Gopal Varma’s Shiva and Sholay. “In James, there wasn’t much scope for emtions and there was no real motive for the guy to fight back, but in Shiva, my character is more streamlined for action.”
“I worked for three years on James, it was like a workshop and I learnt a lot from it,” he said. As far as it failure at the box-office goes, Ahlwawat says he doesn’t look into the past.
One of the most striking features in him is his great body. “I am glad it is noticed. I have worked very hard on it. Before I joined the industry my weight was around 125 kilogrammes. When I realised that I wantd to be a hero, I started crash-dieting and in some months I lost almost all my weight.”
Instead of being happy, Ahlawat says it was more painful than anything else. “I took very ill. I was dizzy all the time and had severe blackouts for the next six months. I finally headed abroad for a proper training in fitness, that’s how I got into my current shape.”
More than Shiva, Ahlawat is more exited about being a part of the remake of Sholay. “It is like a dream project. It is like trying to rewrite history,” he says. Going by the hype, his performance in the film might just catapult him to his superstar status.
Published in Hindustan Times Next on September 16, 2006
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