Born to a typical middle class Maharashtrian family, Milind Soman had surprised his parents by his decision to be a model, but this decision turned out to be one of the best of his life.
Hailed as the icon for male models in the entire Indian sub-continent, Soman says his childhood was hardly anything adventurous. It is only with time that he dishes out little treasured nuggets from memory lane for HT Next.
“I did everything that a kid does normally,” he starts. “I was very good in studies and also took part actively in extra-curricular activities which made me the teacher’s favourite,” says the ex-student of St Antonio D'Silva Boys High School, Dadar.
Ask him about his naughty side as a kid and he says, “I remember cheating while in school.” “Sometime in examinations and sometimes in class, but then I don’t remember any student from school who did not cheat.”
Most of his time was also taken up by swimming. “I took to competitive swimming while at school and that demanded a lot of my time, so I ended up with pretty less time for pranks,” he says. “ In fact, I gave up competitive swimming because I got tired of competing with myself after setting the national records in swimming from 1984 to 1988.”
He was never a naughty child at home either, “I had a lot of pets at home. From cats and dogs to lizards, they were my playmates at home and ensured that I stayed out of trouble.”
Having been to an all-boys school, one could expect him to be looking forward to finding more female friends in college. “There was just one girl in college and she came from a conservative Muslim family. She preferred to stick to her books than with the guys in college. In fact, she was very pretty and I also remember her name, Ruhee,” he adds with a laugh.
His latest television venture, Ghost Bana Dost, is set to air on Star One soon. “I have always been a big fan of fantasy and magic,” he says. “I have loved the Harry Potter films.” And we do see a little of that in Daboo, the protagonist of the serial Ghost Bana Dost. We hope the magic comes through as well with this venture.
Published in Hindustan Times Next on December 7, 2006
Manish's signature to sensuality
There’s no room for complacency in any field today and Manish Malhotra’s latest move added up just to that effect.
The famed ‘make-over man’ who breathed new life into the careers of Karishma Kapoor, Kajol and numerous other filmstars just by changing their looks, has made a move from being a part of the Lakme Fashion Week to giving the headlining act for their rival, Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW). And he doesn’t camouflage his vested interest in doing so. “I already have a dedicated base in Mumbai and I wish to expand my label in Delhi, so this is a great platform for me.”
“I am not at all unhappy with my performance at the Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai. I got selected for the South African Fashion Week and now this offer has come to me. I feel very fulfilled.”
Despite being in the industry for ages, he admits that he still feels pangs of anxiety. “I am stressed out before any show,” he said at the press conference to announce his tie-up with the Wills Lifestyle for the grand finale. “I have an upset stomach right now,” he laughs.
Talking about his collection, Manish says, “It is a diffusion line called sensuality. It’s about the amalgamation of all the senses. You will see a lot of colours like cherry red and oranges blended with dull gold.”
Though he was not a part of the previous WIFW, he made his presence felt at the event by his day-to-day commentary on a national news channel. This time around he hopes to make the news than break it. “I have been approached by a number of channels but I have not decided anything yet.”
Ask him which celebrity he would love to design for and he says, “Sridevi in India and internationally, Madonna.”
Published in hindustan Times Next on August 10, 2006
The famed ‘make-over man’ who breathed new life into the careers of Karishma Kapoor, Kajol and numerous other filmstars just by changing their looks, has made a move from being a part of the Lakme Fashion Week to giving the headlining act for their rival, Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW). And he doesn’t camouflage his vested interest in doing so. “I already have a dedicated base in Mumbai and I wish to expand my label in Delhi, so this is a great platform for me.”
“I am not at all unhappy with my performance at the Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai. I got selected for the South African Fashion Week and now this offer has come to me. I feel very fulfilled.”
Despite being in the industry for ages, he admits that he still feels pangs of anxiety. “I am stressed out before any show,” he said at the press conference to announce his tie-up with the Wills Lifestyle for the grand finale. “I have an upset stomach right now,” he laughs.
Talking about his collection, Manish says, “It is a diffusion line called sensuality. It’s about the amalgamation of all the senses. You will see a lot of colours like cherry red and oranges blended with dull gold.”
Though he was not a part of the previous WIFW, he made his presence felt at the event by his day-to-day commentary on a national news channel. This time around he hopes to make the news than break it. “I have been approached by a number of channels but I have not decided anything yet.”
Ask him which celebrity he would love to design for and he says, “Sridevi in India and internationally, Madonna.”
Published in hindustan Times Next on August 10, 2006
Make way for some meetha
Old habits die hard. Ask Mahima Chaudhary. No matter how many times the industry shuns her, she darts right back to take the centre stage with yet another ‘different’ film. She is doing it again with film journalist-turned-director Samar Khan’s debut Kuch Meetha Ho Jae that releases nationwide on April 15.
“Samar and I have been old friends and it was great that he approached me with the role. I was very happy when I heard the script because I have been dying to do a film that will have the audience in splits, but when we started working I found that Arshad had all the funny lines. I approached Samar about this and he said, ‘You have funny face, make do with it’,” she laughs and so do I.
“I play a muslim girl, Gulab, who enters the airport wearing a burqha escorted by her in-laws. Gulab is a very sad because all her expectations to live a happily married life are lost to an insensitive husband who keeps comparing her to a tootache that he has to live with.” (I laugh again). “As the flight is delayed, her in-laws have to leave and she is alone in the airport, then off goes the burqha to reveal that she is wearing a skimpy skirt and a short top under the burqha that makes heads turn towards her.”
Though she has quite a long list of films in which she will be seen this year, she is most excited about Hope And A Little Sugar by Tanuja Chandra based on the 9/11 tragedies. As for now, Mahima has hopes for a meetha start for the year.
Published in Hindustan Times Next on April 12, 2005
“Samar and I have been old friends and it was great that he approached me with the role. I was very happy when I heard the script because I have been dying to do a film that will have the audience in splits, but when we started working I found that Arshad had all the funny lines. I approached Samar about this and he said, ‘You have funny face, make do with it’,” she laughs and so do I.
“I play a muslim girl, Gulab, who enters the airport wearing a burqha escorted by her in-laws. Gulab is a very sad because all her expectations to live a happily married life are lost to an insensitive husband who keeps comparing her to a tootache that he has to live with.” (I laugh again). “As the flight is delayed, her in-laws have to leave and she is alone in the airport, then off goes the burqha to reveal that she is wearing a skimpy skirt and a short top under the burqha that makes heads turn towards her.”
Though she has quite a long list of films in which she will be seen this year, she is most excited about Hope And A Little Sugar by Tanuja Chandra based on the 9/11 tragedies. As for now, Mahima has hopes for a meetha start for the year.
Published in Hindustan Times Next on April 12, 2005
"I resent the word, illegitimate"
“I have a strong resentment to the word ‘illegitimate’,” said Mahesh Bhatt at the press conference announcing the launch of his yet another nephew, Mohit Suri’s, debut directorial venture, Zeher.
“My mother was a shia muslim woman and my father a Brahmin. My mother brought me up singly. She was a woman who dared to defy the conventional rules. She is definitely a strong influence on my life,” said Bhatt.
“I have always been very attracted to women ho dare to defy the rules of the man’s world. I potrayed her in Arth, in Tamanna, in Murder and you will see her again in Zeher.”
Of late most of his films are seen to have more of sexually explicit components in them. “No matter what I do this question always hounds me. I have always been asked why I do things I do?”
“In the 80’s I made films for the intellectuals. Films like Arth and Saraansh that might not always have done well at the box office but got critical acclaims. In the 90’s, the emphasis moved to the youngsters and I made the likes of Ashiqui, Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke and Sir. But, I also made Zakhm, it got a national award but sank at the box office. Then with the introduction of MTV and Channel V, the means of entertainment changed. If I was to get the people out of their houses, I had to give something exceptional.”
So why sell sex? “Because sex sells,” he shouts back. “I have survived the industry these three decades only because I have reinvented myself over time. And I will have to do the same if I want to survive for the years to come.”
When pointed out to his steamy scenes in all the films he has done so far, nephew Emraan Hashmi emphasizes, “I do not want the respect of the industry. I do not mind doing porn or semi-porn films as long as it gets me what I have come out to achieve.”
Says Bhatt, “ I am constantly accused of making ‘sleaze’ films which does not keep in mind the middle-class mentalities. But when these films are released, it is these very middle-class people who throng the halls to watch the films.”
And for those who thought he was happy launching two of his nephews into the industry here’s more. Yet another nephew, Kunal, will be launched this year in Bhatt’s own The Blue Film. Besides that, he is also looking forward to the release of his Showbusiness that he summarises as “a film that says that everything comes with a price tag.”
Published in Hindustan Times Next on March 21, 2005
“My mother was a shia muslim woman and my father a Brahmin. My mother brought me up singly. She was a woman who dared to defy the conventional rules. She is definitely a strong influence on my life,” said Bhatt.
“I have always been very attracted to women ho dare to defy the rules of the man’s world. I potrayed her in Arth, in Tamanna, in Murder and you will see her again in Zeher.”
Of late most of his films are seen to have more of sexually explicit components in them. “No matter what I do this question always hounds me. I have always been asked why I do things I do?”
“In the 80’s I made films for the intellectuals. Films like Arth and Saraansh that might not always have done well at the box office but got critical acclaims. In the 90’s, the emphasis moved to the youngsters and I made the likes of Ashiqui, Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke and Sir. But, I also made Zakhm, it got a national award but sank at the box office. Then with the introduction of MTV and Channel V, the means of entertainment changed. If I was to get the people out of their houses, I had to give something exceptional.”
So why sell sex? “Because sex sells,” he shouts back. “I have survived the industry these three decades only because I have reinvented myself over time. And I will have to do the same if I want to survive for the years to come.”
When pointed out to his steamy scenes in all the films he has done so far, nephew Emraan Hashmi emphasizes, “I do not want the respect of the industry. I do not mind doing porn or semi-porn films as long as it gets me what I have come out to achieve.”
Says Bhatt, “ I am constantly accused of making ‘sleaze’ films which does not keep in mind the middle-class mentalities. But when these films are released, it is these very middle-class people who throng the halls to watch the films.”
And for those who thought he was happy launching two of his nephews into the industry here’s more. Yet another nephew, Kunal, will be launched this year in Bhatt’s own The Blue Film. Besides that, he is also looking forward to the release of his Showbusiness that he summarises as “a film that says that everything comes with a price tag.”
Published in Hindustan Times Next on March 21, 2005
A proud daddy
Ramji Londonwaley hits theatres nationwide this weekend and R Madhavan is keen to ensure his film makes the most at the box office. “This is a time when I cannot talk about anything else at all,” he says. Except for one thing, we guess.
Madhavan and his wife, Supriya are now the proud parents of their first child, a baby boy. “We have not decided on a name for him and I cannot wait to go back to my family now,” he says.
Coming back Londonwaley, where Madhavan plays a Bihari in London, he says, “The entire film was a great experience because the character potrayed a wide gamut of emotions on the screen.”
Many have raised a finger on his potrayal of a Bihari in the film but the actor makes it clear, “I was born in Jamshedpur, Bihar and spent a reasonable amount of time of my growing years there. I picked up my Bihari accent during those years so degrading Biharis would be the last thin on my mind. In fact, I believe that Biharis are one of the most forward thinking communities of the country. I am proud to be a Bihari.”
Ask him about his future projects and he shrugs it off, “I work on only one film at a time. You can call it a good policy or a bad one, but I believe in giving my best to the character I am potraying at the moment.” Now, that explains the huge timelines between his consecutive projects.
Shooting for Ramji Londonwaley was fun. “Since I was working with a newer face (Sambita Bhandari) I was eager to prove my acting skills as a senior,” he laughs. “It was as important a film to her and she did complete justice to her role.”
“During a break in the shooting for Ramji, we had visited a restaurant in London where the waiters had performed a song from Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein for us, it was really a great moment for me.”
With the release of Londonwaley, Madhavan will retreat to his family who are eagerly waiting to see the baby and the parents. Things are really good for this ‘proud Bihari’.
Published in Hindustan Times Next on September 1, 2005
Madhavan and his wife, Supriya are now the proud parents of their first child, a baby boy. “We have not decided on a name for him and I cannot wait to go back to my family now,” he says.
Coming back Londonwaley, where Madhavan plays a Bihari in London, he says, “The entire film was a great experience because the character potrayed a wide gamut of emotions on the screen.”
Many have raised a finger on his potrayal of a Bihari in the film but the actor makes it clear, “I was born in Jamshedpur, Bihar and spent a reasonable amount of time of my growing years there. I picked up my Bihari accent during those years so degrading Biharis would be the last thin on my mind. In fact, I believe that Biharis are one of the most forward thinking communities of the country. I am proud to be a Bihari.”
Ask him about his future projects and he shrugs it off, “I work on only one film at a time. You can call it a good policy or a bad one, but I believe in giving my best to the character I am potraying at the moment.” Now, that explains the huge timelines between his consecutive projects.
Shooting for Ramji Londonwaley was fun. “Since I was working with a newer face (Sambita Bhandari) I was eager to prove my acting skills as a senior,” he laughs. “It was as important a film to her and she did complete justice to her role.”
“During a break in the shooting for Ramji, we had visited a restaurant in London where the waiters had performed a song from Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein for us, it was really a great moment for me.”
With the release of Londonwaley, Madhavan will retreat to his family who are eagerly waiting to see the baby and the parents. Things are really good for this ‘proud Bihari’.
Published in Hindustan Times Next on September 1, 2005
"I want to be of service"
His career in music may not be hitting the high note nor are his acting skills’ ringing in moolah at the box office, but Lucky Ali seems content with whatever life has to offer. Ask him what he is planning next, he says, “I just want to be of service in anyway,” he says. “Right now, I am working with Oxfam, an organisation that is working for the betterment of the environment,” he says.
“We hardly know that half of what we eat is loaded with pesticides that the farmers spray in their fields,” says Lucky. “Nobody seems to be aware of the threat environment faces today.” Lucky is a lover of farming as much as flying. “I have completed 45 hours of flying as a hobby pilot.”
His latest Bollywood offering, Kasak, hits theatres nationwide today. He will be seen sharing screen space with Pakistani heroine Meera. “Before you even ask, my relation with Meera was purely professional,” he says with a grin. “She is a very talented actor and will definitely go places,” he adds on a serious note.
For music fans waiting to hear his unconventional voice again, he says, “I don’t think I will be going through the whole process of auditioning for a new cassette. I love being criticised as long as it makes sense,” he emphasizes. “I have come across very few critics who actually say what they are saying. Others only keep talking. One of the critics said that in my last album, my voice sounded very tired and it was true. I appreciate that.”
He is in no hurry to launch his new songs. “I don’t know when to expect the next album myself. I just have to sit down an analyse the strange feeling that is passing through my mind or my heart.”
“I am full of tracks and songs, they just have to find a way of coming out.”
But this time, Lucky will ensure they are brought out in the unconventional style. “I have heard about itunes and other unconventional ways of bringing out my music. I will probably resorting to them but there is definitely no more running to producers,” he signs off.
Published in Hindustan Times Next on October 1, 2005
“We hardly know that half of what we eat is loaded with pesticides that the farmers spray in their fields,” says Lucky. “Nobody seems to be aware of the threat environment faces today.” Lucky is a lover of farming as much as flying. “I have completed 45 hours of flying as a hobby pilot.”
His latest Bollywood offering, Kasak, hits theatres nationwide today. He will be seen sharing screen space with Pakistani heroine Meera. “Before you even ask, my relation with Meera was purely professional,” he says with a grin. “She is a very talented actor and will definitely go places,” he adds on a serious note.
For music fans waiting to hear his unconventional voice again, he says, “I don’t think I will be going through the whole process of auditioning for a new cassette. I love being criticised as long as it makes sense,” he emphasizes. “I have come across very few critics who actually say what they are saying. Others only keep talking. One of the critics said that in my last album, my voice sounded very tired and it was true. I appreciate that.”
He is in no hurry to launch his new songs. “I don’t know when to expect the next album myself. I just have to sit down an analyse the strange feeling that is passing through my mind or my heart.”
“I am full of tracks and songs, they just have to find a way of coming out.”
But this time, Lucky will ensure they are brought out in the unconventional style. “I have heard about itunes and other unconventional ways of bringing out my music. I will probably resorting to them but there is definitely no more running to producers,” he signs off.
Published in Hindustan Times Next on October 1, 2005
Finding place in the limelight
Katrina Kaif’s poise is sure to take a total stranger (like me) off guard. The newest face on the silver screen, sizzled on stage for the first time at a function in the Capital over the weekend. “Dancing to bollywood numbers was fun,” says the actor. “I really like Indian music and I also love dancing.” Ask her to name a favourite dancer in Bollywood, “Madhuri Dixit,” she chirps and her favourite song, “Kabhi Kabhi mere dil mein, the song with Rekha.”
After the forgettable role in Boom, Katrina will be seen next in Bollywood opposite real-life love interest Salman Khan and his brother Sohail Khan in David Dhawan’s comedy, Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya that releases nationwide in June.
“The first experience was with David Dhawan and it was so much fun,” says the model-turned-actor. She maybe just one film old in the industry but rumours about her relationship with Salman do not ruffle her calm. “When you are working in the same film, there are always speculations. I never take them seriously,” she says.
Coming to Mother’s Day celebration, what plans does she have for her mother? “Thanks for reminding me,” she says. “Like almost all others I take my mother for granted and I am already into trouble for forgetting her birthday which was a few days back. I think I will call up my sister in the US and ask her to get something nice for mother.”
Returning to bollywood, she emphasises that she has absolutely no plans for being an item girl. “No way, I am actor not an item number.”
Modelling too is now a thing of the past. “I want to focus completely on my films and get the best out of myself in them.” Films in the pipeline are, “First is Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya with Salman, then I am in Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar starring Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan and later in the year I will be seen opposite Akshay Kumar in a film where I play a very traditional role.”
With the big names under her belt, she is looking forward to better work in Bollywood. “I would love to do a film under the Yash Chopra banner.”
As a model-turned-actor, health definitely takes a front seat. “My daily routine during summers includes drinking at least 16 glasses of water alone, besides taking other fluids,” she says. “I avoid make-up and do not use anything on my hair unless I am shooting.”
Published in Hindustan Times Next on May 9, 2005
After the forgettable role in Boom, Katrina will be seen next in Bollywood opposite real-life love interest Salman Khan and his brother Sohail Khan in David Dhawan’s comedy, Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya that releases nationwide in June.
“The first experience was with David Dhawan and it was so much fun,” says the model-turned-actor. She maybe just one film old in the industry but rumours about her relationship with Salman do not ruffle her calm. “When you are working in the same film, there are always speculations. I never take them seriously,” she says.
Coming to Mother’s Day celebration, what plans does she have for her mother? “Thanks for reminding me,” she says. “Like almost all others I take my mother for granted and I am already into trouble for forgetting her birthday which was a few days back. I think I will call up my sister in the US and ask her to get something nice for mother.”
Returning to bollywood, she emphasises that she has absolutely no plans for being an item girl. “No way, I am actor not an item number.”
Modelling too is now a thing of the past. “I want to focus completely on my films and get the best out of myself in them.” Films in the pipeline are, “First is Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya with Salman, then I am in Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar starring Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan and later in the year I will be seen opposite Akshay Kumar in a film where I play a very traditional role.”
With the big names under her belt, she is looking forward to better work in Bollywood. “I would love to do a film under the Yash Chopra banner.”
As a model-turned-actor, health definitely takes a front seat. “My daily routine during summers includes drinking at least 16 glasses of water alone, besides taking other fluids,” she says. “I avoid make-up and do not use anything on my hair unless I am shooting.”
Published in Hindustan Times Next on May 9, 2005
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