Interview with SHAH RUKH KHAN - I

Who : Shahrukh Khan
About : The God of Bollywood
Website: http://www.shahrukhkhan.org/ (Fan site -- features my interview as well)

You can check out the interview HERE : Interview with Shahrukh Khan
Interview Date: March 27, 2007
Place: KBC Set, Film City (Goregaon) , Mumbai
Pics: Shahrukh Khan and the KBC Experience

Here I'm going to recollect how the interview with Shahrukh Khan happened and describe the entire experience of the interview.

-------- To Be Updated --------

Interview with SHAH RUKH KHAN - II

Who : Shahrukh Khan
About : The God of Bollywood
Website: http://www.shahrukhkhan.org/ (Fan site -- features my interview as well)


How it happened : Interview with Shahrukh Khan
Interview Date: March 27, 2007
Place: KBC Set, Film City (Goregaon) , Mumbai
Pics: Shahrukh Khan and the KBC Experience

Nikhil Taneja (NT) : So how does it feel making a foray back into television after a gap of more than a decade?

Shahrukh Khan (SRK): Well, actually its really not about coming back to TV. For me now, over the years, its just become just performing in any kind of media. And television is obviously not at all the way it used to be when I used to act on television and the formats I acted in were completely different from the ones I’m doing now. So there is no comparison in mind, I mean I cant do any wrong kind of comparison. But just working for the television industry has been very fine. I think it’s a lot more organized because I think it is time bound – episodes have to go on time and its very professionally handled and this set of team from Synergy and Star is really nice. So its great fun! It can be a very hectic show but its not because its organized so.

NT : Knowing the legacy left by Amitabh Bachchan, what was your very first reaction when Star offered you KBC 3?

SRK : See I don’t want to deride or undermine the status of anybody. But see I am an actor in my own right and I do my job and if I was to give a thought about what has been done before then the job becomes that much tougher. I have to do my job as I do. So I have never thought of it, really. I mean, as a job, I get a role, and Im called upon to play it. I HAVE done roles in films which other actors have not done. So it was another role some other anchor or person was not willing to continue with. Once I was told that Mr. Bachchan was not doing it, for me its like just going ahead and continuing on the way I would do it. I don’t know if I’d do better or worse, but it’s a job and I have to do it and I’ll do it to the very best of my ability.

NT : In the initial few episodes of the show, you seemed nervous, perhaps even a little edgy. But then of course, you eased into the role of the anchor and have left your inimitable stamp on it. Was it the feedback that made you more comfortable or just the fact that adapting to the small screen is a slow process?

SRK : I don’t know, I mean everyone says that. I have been doing the show in exactly the same way. I think, initially, because, you know, it’s a new thing everyone gets more into details and looks into it that way. And I think the initial response was that the show is not good enough. So that could not have made me feel better! I don’t know what it is, I think its just maybe finally it is as natural as the more often you do it, the easier you get with it. So that could be the case. But as far as I am concerned, really, I mean, when I have seen the first few episodes, I have found them as good or bad as the ones Im doing right now.I really find no difference in the way I am conducting them, what I sense when I am doing it. But obviously the viewers point of view is important and if somebody felt that it was not so good I am happy its happened now. But it wasn’t because of the response. Im just like I said, I just go out there and try and do my best every show. And if the initial response is anything to go by, I thought everyone thought it wasn’t so good. I didn’t go by that. I just did what I thought – I believed it. And I think my belief was that I will try to reach out to as many people as I can and I think that I can and I think that finally is happening and that’s why it looks easy and nice.

NT : Perhaps the one major difference in the previous format and the present one is that while it seemed that one was an invited guest at a elite gathering with Mr. AB, you give the feeling of being at home, the one-amongst-friends feeling. Was this a ploy of Star or is this a flavour you brought about yourself?

SRK : I think I have said this before, its because of the way I am. I am of a different generation and I conduct myself like that. I have a different personality and that personality comes through and I think it goes to the team of star and synergy. They were very clear. They brought me on to bring in a personality which is different. And anyway Mr.Bachchan’s personality is a unique personality – you cant have it. So its not like a ploy. It’s the way I am. And that’s what makes the program the way it is. And now has been a long time so I don’t even remember how I have done MY first few episodes let alone how the older one was done really to tell you… the fact. So it wasn’t like a concerted effort to change it. Because the show is the same, the format is exactly the same, there is no change in that.

NT : You practiced pretty hard with the mock Hot Seat at your place. Were the pukka-pukka, kachcha-kachcha, the hugs, the freeze its, the naming of the computer a result of the suggestions during these interactions? Who gave what suggestions and what was the work of your genius?

SRK : No, no, I am not a genius at all, I am just an actor who does what I am told to do. I think Siddharth and they’ve got a good team of Tanya, Sharmishta, Aditi and all the guys who work backstage and you know they’ve been giving inputs. I would say something and they’d pick on words and say ok, we can use it, let’s try. They would make a list and give it a shot. And then we tried it through the music video. We tried some of the terms in the music video. And it felt that kk-pp would work. And it felt that there was another word called ‘Kaboosh’, which I have not used… I mean, I have not used it at all. So let’s see if that works, I may try it in the last episode. So I think it’s a collective team effort. It’s not really I came up with any idea. I don’t think I have come up with any idea! KBC does not need any more ideas, its already got such wonderful ideas!

NT : The most interesting suggestion that you could have got – which probably you followed or didn’t follow?

SRK : I don’t want to sound pompous but I don’t follow suggestions. I don’t follow suggestions because see, I am a professional actor. And I’ve been doing the job for 20 years. I am not trying to shoot down anybody’s suggestions. But there are a lot of things that happen while you are performing that need to be considered. And some of the suggestions, even if they are good, they are practically impossible. But like, some of the suggestions, initially that my wife gave – That at the stand up position, I speak too loud, maybe I should tone it down and things like that, you know. Where one doesn’t need to enact out a few bits – because the screen is very close and small and it would make it seem closer. But those are bits and pieces which happen anyways once you see a few episodes of yourself. But Otherwise, the suggestions I have taken are only from the creative seats involved, who know how to make KBC. And of course, feedback keeps coming in. People would say please give a goodbye kiss to every kid when you do it, talk to your wife, you know those bits. Whenever they come naturally, we do it. It’s not forced into the program ever.

NT : So who would you say has contributed the most to your style of presenting KBC 3? Is it yourself or is it the environment?

SRK : I think no one can present the program until the environment is completely in control like it is in the control of Synergy team and Star team. To be really honest, I don’t want to even lessen the importance of anchoring a show but I think, anybody can do this show. The ease with which the team helps you, I think anyone can do the show. It’s no big deal really. It seems like a big deal when you start, but to be really honest, I think the team makes you so easy and so comfortable that you don’t really need to do anything but follow instructions which are given to you. Yes, it is highly skillful, the whole job. It has to be kept edited properly. But I think the set of people who work on the show from its inception –writing to its editing and final presentation – takes care of 80% of things. So whatever happens on the show, really, I think, it cannot be given credit to one person – ever – not to the producer, not to the director, not to the cameraman, not to the anchor, not to the contestants; it has to be given to the whole team. And that’s what everyone in the team will tell you.

NT : I am going to ask you one question a contestant had asked you once, for the sake of our readers. You have been on the hot seat as well on the other side. How different are the two experiences?

SRK : I think the more scary one is being on the hot seat and answering questions, for anyone. That is one of the reasons I think in a certain sense I try and make the program easier and easy going, because it’s a very difficult situation. You are first time perhaps coming in front of millions of people. There is a huge viewership, you have never put on make up, you have never spoken in a mike, there are 16 cameras aimed at you, you are sitting in front of a movie star and then there are going to be 15 questions and one wrong move and your life can completely change in the negative direction. So there a lot of unknowns and undone things that you come on the seat with – the atmosphere, the audience live and you are very scared that you don’t make a fool of yourself. So it is very difficult to sit on the contestant’s seat. I think the hot seat - the host part of it is an easier job to do. I prefer doing that. I mean, maybe if I am ever called upon to sit on the contestant’s seat, I will. But, I would do it. If I’ll change tomorrow and somebody else wants to invite me as a guest I would be most happy to come because of my old-now association with KBC. But the less strenuous job is being the host.

NT : How does the live interaction with your fan base enrich you?

SRK : Oh it’s wonderful to meet people who are coming from scheme of things which are not you know, like ours, which is a world which is a bit unreal. We sell dreams, so we live in that atmosphere on the sets. I hardly get to meet people unless I am doing a live shoot and here I am doing a live shoot every 7-8 days a month and that’s great fun! And, you know, Getting to know people, finding out their problems, getting to understand simple things in life mean so much to so many. And perhaps one has lost touch with that. So it brings you in touch with reality and I think that can only improve me as an actor also in my upcoming films.

NT : You recently had a show especially for kids from the Cancer Association. How was that experience?

SRK : It wasn’t especially for them. We had some guests from the Cancer Assoiciation. And, I love children. I would not like to talk about a disease really. But it’s not out of any kind of, you know, goodness that I do this, but they are children and I pray for their long life that they grow up to be healthy adults and do our country proud and the world proud. And I just love them. And it’s a little unfortunate that they are suffering at this point of time. And whenever, whether its KBC or any other shoot, whenever anyone comes to meet me who is a little unhealthy, I like to spend time with them and pray for them.

NT : What prompts you to give your watch away to certain contestants?

SRK : Sometimes I feel very bad that you know a person is playing well , has prepared well and sometimes you get an unlucky break in a question. Sometimes you get a question which is just not a part of your – everybody cant be knowledgeable about everything. And sometimes the youngsters especially, I feel need to be encouraged. You know, the fact that they havemade it here amongst lacs and lacs of people. They have come in on the hot seat, they are going great guns and one question can suddenly change things around. So this whole trip of one question can change your life – it can change it either ways. You could be winning 1 crore and suddenly you go down to 6 lacs 40 thousands. So I just feel bad for some people. When I say bad, I don’t mean it in a sympathetic way. I just feel that, you know, maybe they deserve to know that losing is not the end of it all. It means you can get up and do something more in life. And, you know, if somebody encourages you and says that okay, so you didn’t win today but here is an encouragement, that you know, you can do better in life again. And I think to youngsters that is important.

NT : Tell us something interesting about KBC 3 that we don’t already know.

SRK : I think the most interesting part of KBC 1, 2 and 3 is the behind the scenes how it is done. I think it is a great organizational and well oiled machine kind of a system and one needs to do a kind of a write up on that more than anything else. What goes behind making KBC – not the host part, but every other part. How the machine works, the music comes online, the editing he lighting is done, how it is preprogrammed and how everyone is running around to get it as well oiled as possible. I think that’s the most interesting part of KBC.

NT : So far your favourite memory of KBC 3.

SRK : It’s just meeting about 100 people. You know, each one of them has been really special. Some have been more special than the others just because they’ve been funny or charming or rude. I have really enjoyed. I have really enjoyed being in touch with people. I think the memory would remain that every moment I have to think of something to say which falls into place and makes the show look a little seamless and easy. And that as an actor is a big challenge.

NT : The one contestant you had the best time interacting with

SRK : Well, there was Googila because he was amongst the first few. Then there were two ladies, two teachers, who were wonderful. One of them was really nice with lovely eyes. And I forget, I am bad with names so unfortunately I don’t remember their names. Then There was another lady recently, well mannered. Young boys. There was this boy who won, I think 12 n a half lakh rs. And Two days ago there was another boy. These youngsters, who won I think 25 lakh rs. I mean These are really good people. I like them well mannered, well informed and you know ready to smile and laugh at life attitude. And There are some others also. But it’s been good, I think I can now remember 10-15 of them quite vividly.

NT : I believe since your home production Om Shanti Om and KBC 3’s sets are both in Film City you are having to spend almost the entire day shooting. And yet you are fresh, witty and full of energy when interacting with the contestants. Is this an extension of your personality or do you have to don various masks each day to manage?

SRK : No on KBC actually its how I am normally except that I am better dressed than I am in real life. I have to wear a suit etc. because it’s a formal evening shoot. But beyond that its how I am. And people anyway blame me that even in my films I am like how I am. So Theres not much I do as an actor. I just come and do my, you know, say my lines and go back home. That’s not like a big deal. There have been days, not too many, but maybe 3-4 days, where I’ve had to extend myself but that’s a part of my job and I really enjoy it actually.

NT : So between being Shahrukh Khan the superstar or Shahrukh Khan the talk show host or Shahrukh Khan the producer, do you find Shahrukh Khan the person getting lost?

SRK : I don’t think there is any such thing as Shahrukh Khan the person. Shahrukh Khan the person himself is Shahrukh Khan the actor or the anchor. Whatever I do, I think it’s an extension of me. I am just being me and there are times when I do feel bogged down by the work but I have never come close to being ‘lost’. Shahrukh Khan the person is what his wife sees him as, what his kids see him as, what the film industry sees him as and what the country sees him as.

NT : Madame Tussauds is all set to honour you. Did you feel it was always in the offing or has it come as a pleasant surprise?

SRK : One can keep on thinking whether one deserves or doesn’t deserve but when it happens, it’s always a surprise and a big honour as well. I’m just happy that it’s a recognition of a part of the film industry because I am an integral part of the film industry. I’m also happy my kids haven’t seen Madame Tussauds and it would be nice to take them there and show them and they might think that their father has done some good work in life! So I am very thrilled, I think it’s quite a surprise and I am very happy to be a part of Madame Tussauds.

NT : And how is your autobiography coming along? When can we expect to see it in print?

SRK : I think I’ll have to take some time off and I am not seeing time off for the next two months. But I think close to the summer holidays I think I can work a bit on it. That’s when I’ll get time to work on it. There’s another book coming on me by Anu Chopra which is anyway quite detailed. So I don’t know if people would be interested in a third book which is written by me about my life. It’s not like I am a good writer. Let’s see, there is no hurry. I still have a lot of life to live

NT : Finally, tell us a little bit about your two releases this year – Om Shanti Om and Chak De India.

SRK : Om Shanti Om is my home production and it is directed by Farah Khan. It spans across three decades. It’s any interesting concept, so I’m looking forward to it materializing on screen. There is a new lead actress in the movie, Deepika Padukone, who is doing a really good job. So let’s see how it comes across.

In Chak De India by Shimit Amin I play the coach of a women’s hockey team. So there are 11 newcomers playing members of the hockey team and the movie is about how I coach them to victory. With 11 newcomers here and Deepika being a newcomer too, so I am, you know, working with 12 of them this year so it makes me look young on screen!

INTERVIEW WITH RANBIR KAPOOR - I

Who : Ranbir Kapoor
About : Hottest new actor on the block, Son of Rishi and Neetu Kapoor
Website: http://www.ranbirkapoor.net/(Fan site)

You can check out the interview HERE : Interview with Ranbir Kapoor
Interview Date: October, 2007
Place: N/A (Interview taken over phone)

Here I'm going to recollect how the interview with Ranbir Kapoor happened and describe the entire experience of the interview.

-------- To Be Updated --------

INTERVIEW WITH RANBIR KAPOOR - II

Who : Ranbir Kapoor
About : Hottest new actor on the block, Son of Rishi and Neetu Kapoor
Website: http://www.ranbirkapoor.net/(Fan site)

You can check out the interview HERE : Interview with Ranbir Kapoor
Interview Date: October, 2007
Place: N/A (Interview taken over phone)
Pics: None

Nikhil Taneja (NT) : First things first. Tell us in your own words about Saawariya the movie and about your role of Ranvir Raj in it.
Ranbir Kapoor(RK): Well, Saawariya primarily is a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film. It’s a really simple, beautiful love story. And I play the character of Ranvir Raj who is a dreamer. He is a loner and a dreamer.

NT: What did you go through the very first time you had to face the camera and Mr. Bhansali said Action!
RK: Well, the thing is, Mr. Bhansali involved me at a very early process in Saawariya. We there from the pre production stages, we were a part of the scripting and the music and the set design. And I think that really helps us get into the film and get into our characters. We spoke a lot about our characters and by the time we were about to shoot, I think we were really well prepared.

And also yeah, you do feel nervous for the initial 10 seconds before he says action. And you know after that, after you pass your first shot, then it becomes easy at the top, a bit more glamorous I guess!

NT: You perhaps couldn’t have been launched by a better director. Even though you had assisted Mr. Bhansali during black, how was he to work under as a director?
RK: Well, it was always a dream to work with him. I have learnt so much from him when I was assisting him for Black. I learnt all about the film industry, I learnt about cinema, about acting, everything from him. So just working under him was a dream and I credit everything I know today about acting to him. I am proud to say that I am a graduate of the Sanjay Leela Bhansali school of cinema.

NT: The movie also stars two of the biggest stars in Bollywood, Rani Mukherjee and Salman Khan. Coming from a film family, you would have known them before but how exactly was the experience of sharing the same scene with them?
RK: Well I didn’t have the privilege to share any screen space with Salman sir, but he’s been really supportive of me. He treats me like a younger brother, advises me and guides me a lot. But I did have the privilege of working of working with Miss Rani Mukherjee and well, what can I say? She is such a fantastic actress, everybody knows that. And just working with her and just observing her on the set and going and doing a scene with her, when we both are in the same scene, it is so exhilarating. You especially have to keep up with her and that just makes your performance much better.

NT: What are your favourite memories of working with Rani and Sanjay Leela Bhansali?
RK: With Rani, I was part of the song called Chabeela which is on the soundtrack. Rani sings that song to me and all you have to do is look at her while she was doing the song. And it was so amazing. Because it was actually like she was the character of Gulab. It was actually like Gulab came to life, you know. She dances in front of me and her expressions in that song, I’ll always cherish that.

About Sanjay Sir, I remember, in our first schedule, I had this huge monologue. I had this two page monologue and I had to do it in one shot. I was really nervous and Mr. Bhansali spoke me through it. And then I just went and did the shot and the shot was okayed in two takes and you know, the whole set clapped. And during lunch break, he came to my room and said that, today I feel that an actor has arrived and I would want to have lunch with you in your room. I think that was a very nice moment for me.

NT: The music of the movie is beautiful and has a very serene and earthy feeling to it. What did you think the first time you heard the songs of Saawariya? Lyrics?
RK: Well I am too much in love with every aspect of Saawariya’s music. I was a part of the music from the music sittings to the composed compositions to actually recording the music. I have been part of the entire process. So everything was really special, all the songs are really special. All of them are my favourites.

The lyrics are really simple and beautiful. They are nothing that the people won’t understand. They are simple lyrics and that’s what works best, simple poetry which people can understand. They are very hummable songs. They are not songs which you cannot sing, so that’s really important.

NT: Which is the first song you shot? How did it feel accustomizing with the Bollywood song and dance routine?
RK: The first song song I shot was Mashallah. I was really nervous I remember I had messaged my dad. I messaged him saying I am really nervous, I need to go shoot the song and all. And he messaged me back saying you don’t have anything to be nervous about. You are a Kapoor and you have to just sing loudly and have fun and don’t have to act like you are singing but have to actually sing the song. Do it passionately. So I think it boosted my confidence and it went smooth after that.

NT: One of the highlights of the movie are the sets. Were you awed the first time you came to the sets?
RK: No, not at all. I was dying, you know. It was a lifelong dream for me to be a part of cinema and be an actor. The first day I was on the sets I was just waiting for him to call Action and it was a really exciting time for me.

NT: You had assisted Mr. Bhansali on Black and the sets that time were quite dark and suddenly you come to the Saawariya sets, you see a completely different thing. So what went through your mind when you first saw the sets?
RK: Black was supposed to be that way. That was the look of the film. That was the palette that was used for the making of that film and it suited the story. This was a completely new story and a completely new outlook to a film. And like I said, I was a part of the process of designing the sets so I was aware of it and I knew like it’s going to turn out to be stunning when you see it on the screen. And then, when the movie releases, you will realize yourself what magic has been created just by the sets. And the credit really goes to Mr. Omung Kumar, who is a fantastic production designer.

NT: Which is your favourite song of the movie?
RK: Well, I would say, Pari.

NT: What would you say is your favourite Saawariya moment?
RK: I would say the climax which was really challenging and was really hard. I am really proud of myself when I sit back and see the climax of the film. During the shooting of the movie, I cannot pinpoint one moment which was special to me, the entire process was very special. Working under Mr. Bhansali, working with Zohra Sehgal who worked with my great grand father Mr. Prithvi Raj Kapoor; she was his first leading lady. To work with her, everything has been really special. Every moment.

NT: Any memorable or funny incidents from the shooting that you'd like to recall for our readers?
RK: Well, I think I am a big klutz so there were a lot of funny moments. I don’t get embarrassed easily but there are a lot of times I keep falling down and things keep falling on me, so there were a lot of funny moments like that.

NT: What were your parents reactions when you first broke the news to your parents that Mr. Bhansali has signed you on? Did they know that you were hoping for it?
RK: Mr. Bhansali had actually called and told my parents and they were very happy for me because my father had always wanted me to work with Mr. Bhansali and so did my mom. I mean you don’t get bigger than this. So I think they were really proud and were really happy because I couldn’t have been a part of a better film and couldn’t have been under a better director.

NT: What advice did they give you individually?
RK: Like I said you know, they have always, subsconsciously told me all my life a few things about cinema and filmmaking. They haven’t really sat me down and said that okay now that you are becoming an actor these are the things you should do and these are the things you should not do. They’ve always been telling me small small things which have really stayed with me. So nothing in general that you know, these are the pointers you have to follow.

Both of them said that you really have to work hard and to not lose hope even if things don’t work out and then you should have the strength to work even harder, be passionate about it and be hard working. I think they wanted me to learn from their mistakes too.

NT: Growing up and seeing your sister sticking to a completely different path than Bollywood, were you ever in two minds about what you wanted to do in life or were you always sure you wanted to be an actor?
RK: No, I was always sure that wanted to be a part of films. I didn’t know what aspect of films I wanted to be a part of, whether it was acting or direction or production, but I always knew that I wanted to be a part of films.

NT: You assisted your father on Aa Ab Chalen. Was that the turning point of your life - the moment you decided that this is it, I want to be an actor and nothing else? Or was it something else?
RK: Actually, I had worked before on Prem Granth, a film that was directed by my Chacha, Mr. Rajiv Kapoor. I gave the clap on that and I guess, from there onwards, I became really passionate about filmmaking and being a part of the set, watching actors, creating life in cinema, that itself really attracted me to the process of filmmaking.

NT: You assisted Mr. Bhansali in Black hoping that he'd cast you one day. You were anyway getting a lot of offers. What was your plan B?
RK: Well I didn’t have a plan B. Because I didn’t think that it wouldn’t happen. I went there with a positive outlook to it, and I was really optimistic and I couldn’t think otherwise. I knew if this was my destiny and this was written for me, I knew I’d achieve it.

NT: You knew Sonam since quite a long time. Did that make it easier working opposite her or difficult?
RK: Absolutely easier. Because we are such good friends and we understand each other so well and that’s really important between two actors, the trust and understanding. There were no attitudes between us, there were no ego hassles, we were constantly supporting each other, encouraging each other, trying to make each other’s performance better, so I think it was really healthy and a really wonderful experience I shared with her.

NT: But didn’t it ever feel awkward even when you had to mouth romantic lines to her?
RK: Not at all, not at all. Sonam is such a beautiful girl, she is so beautiful that it made saying those romantic lines so much easier. In fact, I am so proud of her that she has come so far and she’s such a talented actress, she is so pretty, she is hard working, she is so passionate about her work. I am so proud of her.

NT: Though people say that star kids have it easy, isnt it particularly difficult for you considering your family's legacy and the expectations that are attached to you?
RK: Well there is a good side and the bad side. The good side is that you get your first break, there is a curiosity about you, people go and see you, they recognize you and they know you. The bad side is that there is so much expectations, there is so much pressure, there is comparison. People are going to criticize everything about you, they’d probably get into personal criticism about you. I mean there are good sides and bad sides to everything but I completely understand that it comes with the territory and I am prepared for it. And I signed up for it and I have no qualms about it all.

NT: So, how did your first autograph feel?
RK: Well it felt great. Like I said, there are a few things in life that you always dream of, your first autograph, your first trailer, your first banner, and everything was really special. My first autograph was in Poona when I had gone there on some work and that’s where I signed it. It felt really special.

NT: Finally, tell us why you think Saawariya as a movie and not as your launch, is a must see for the audience?
RK: Well I wouldn’t want to say that it’s a different film. I wouldn’t want to profess anything. It’s a beautiful, simple love story. Give it a watch. It’s a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film, you cannot get bigger than that!

© Nikhil Taneja (nikhiltaneja@gmail.com)

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INTERVIEW WITH RITEISH DESHMUKH - I

Who : Riteish Deshmukh
About : Actor, son of Maharashtra Chief Ministed, Vilasrao Deshmukh
Website: http://www.deshmukhonline.net/ (Fan Site)

You can check out the interview HERE : Interview with Riteish Deshmukh
Interview Date: August 16, 2007
Place: N/A (Interview taken over email)

Here I'm going to recollect how the interview with Riteish Deshmukh happened and describe the entire experience of the interview.

-------- To Be Updated --------

INTERVIEW WITH RITEISH DESHMUKH - II

Who : Riteish Deshmukh
About : Actor, son of Maharashtra Chief Ministed, Vilasrao Deshmukh
Website: http://www.deshmukhonline.net/ (Fan Site)

How it happened : Interview with Riteish Deshmukh
Interview Date: August 16, 2007
Place: N/A (Interview taken over email)
Pics: None

Nikhil Taneja (NT): Tell us something about your role in 'Heyy Babyy'.
Riteish Deshmukh (RD): 'Heyy Babyy' is a story of three guys who flirts with girls and are characterless with no sense of direction. And how their lives undergoes a drastic change when a baby enters into their lives. I m playing one of the guy. I am playing a Maharashtrian character Tanmay Joglekar, who attends children's birthday parties and entertains them, especially their young moms….. Rest I can't talk now you'll have to watch it on theaters (laughs)

NT: We all know that you are an architect and have your own firm. How did you end up becoming an actor?
RD: It has happened all of a sudden. It was not pre-planned, but I still do designs for projects which comes up. I have always focused on architecture. Things are going good. I have designed few offices and multiplexes one is PVR cinema of Aurangabad.

Besides, I have designed my own house. Wherever I go for outdoor, I try to catch up the interiors of old constructions. It helps me to create my own things but right now I am the part of bollywood industry so I am focusing more on the acting front.

NT: How far does your reel life character match up with your real life?
RD: It is totally different from my real life character. In real life I am basically reserved and shy type of a person. It takes time to open up and I can't flirt with girls. But I have enjoyed myself to portray this kind of role.

NT: Do you ever feel stereotyped? Are you happy with the roles you are doing?
RD: I have never wanted to become an actor. But I got the opportunity and I did it. I enjoy doing comedy films and am happy with that. When someone does comedy and it clicks in the box- office, people want to see him in the same role again. And I got that opportunity is play comedy roles again and again. But I will definitely experiment with different roles soon.

NT: How was your experience working with Akshay Kumar and Fardeen Khan?
RD: Both are very talented people and do their job very honestly. I spent a lot of time with both of them. Their sense of timing is awesome.We were shooting in Australia and had great fun. Both of them very supportive on the sets.

NT: How was working with first time director Sajid Khan?
RD: Working with Sajid Khan was a great fun. He is a good friend of mine. Sajid had come to me with 'Heyy Babyy' script and some idea about me. He thinks that I am the one who makes funny faces. He is so talented, he eats, breathe cinema. He will go far.

NT: Any funny incidents on the sets?
RD: Yeah I can remember one such incident of many when Akshay and Vidya made a bark. We were shooting in Sydney so Sajid told me about some tie- ups with Sydney government. I had to say some good things about the city. So one day when I got a call from their side, I spoke to them for long time about the positive attributes of Sydney.One of the girls even mentioned that I had a huge fan following in Sydney, and that she was crazy about me. Later I realized that Akshay and Vidya were the ones who had made the calls.

Interview Courtesy: Raindrop Media
© Nikhil Taneja (nikhiltaneja@gmail.com)

INTERVIEW WITH VIDYA BALAN - I

Who : Vidya Balan
About : Actress
Website: http://www.vidya-balan.com/ (Fan site)

You can check out the interview HERE : Interview with Vidya Balan
Interview Date: August , 2007
Place: N/A (Interview taken over phone)

Here I'm going to recollect how the interview with Vidya Balan happened and describe the entire experience of the interview.

-------- To Be Updated --------

INTERVIEW WITH VIDYA BALAN - II

Who : Vidya Balan
About : Actress
Website: http://www.vidya-balan.com/ (Fan site)

How it happened : Interview with Vidya Balan
Interview Date: August , 2007
Place: N/A (Interview taken over phone)
Pics: None

Nikhil Taneja (NT): You are said to have undergone an image makeover in Heyy Babyy. Can you tell us something about it?
Vidya Balan (VB): This film will see a new me. The image that Parineeta created was so strong, that in spite of the fact that I have done other films, wherein I didn't play only very Indian characters, people spoke about Parineeta. I think there has never been as much of a departure in my image as it has been in 'Heyy Babyy'. Not because I have worn Western clothes but because I play a well-to-do girl from a business family in Sydney, who shows comfort in these kinds of clothes. I am even wearing my hair differently. I want my character to come through and not Vidya Balan.I can't really thank Manish Malhotra enough.

NT: So tell us more about Heyy Babyy and your role in it.
VB: HEYY BABYY will show me in a different light. It is a film where I could let my hair down. I am a fun loving girl who cracks and laugh at Jokes with equal ease. HEYY BABYY is first of its kind for me, so far I hadn't done an out-and-out commercial comedy film. The whole environment whilst shooting for HEYY BABYY was enjoyable, like we were in College again. It was a mad house with Akshay, Fardeen, Riteish, Sajid. They played so many pranks. I had literally become one of them.

The baby is the real superstar of the film. The baby too was a real bundle of joy and an absolute delight. She had everyone at her beck and call. She had a doctor and a nurse available at all time. And she could shoot whenever she wanted. She is such an 'Angel'

NT: You are simultaneously shooting for Bhool Bhulaiya with Akshay. How would you compare your roles in both the movies?
VB: It was the madness of Sajid Khan's Heyy Babyy and the mystique of priyadarshan Bhool Bhulaiya. Both Akshay and I were in different terrain in HEYY BABYY and BHOOL BHULAIYA and yet we had so much fun doing both films.

NT: So how was it working with Sajid Khan?
VB: I have known Sajid Khan from College. I remember inviting him as a celebrity judge for the college festival MALHAR at St. Xaviers. He is such a livewire and has a spontaneous sense of humour.The shoot was such a party and we all ended up behaving like mad people

NT: How is Sajid Khan as a director?
VB: Though its Sajid Khan debut film, he has a cinematic bent of mind. He gives you total freedom to the actors to give inputs. He has made a fresh looking film and his understanding of technical aspect of film making is awesome. His enthusiasm is so infectious, that work becomes a fun experience.

NT: During the shooting of Heyy Babyy, Akshay Kumar played a prank on you. Could you tell us something more about it?
VB: Whilst shooting for 'Heyy Babyy' in Australia, Akshay called on my cell pretending that he is a Radio Jockey for an Indian radio Station. In a heavy accent, he asked me questions about my career, love life and movies. And since It was a radio station for Indian in Australia, I kept on answering to all his questions for 20 minutes. I was totally unaware that he had put me on the speaker phone and was surrounded by the cast and crew of the movie.

Guess they must have had a ball at my expense. But I should add that the whole shooting environment in HEYY BABYY was so fulfilled. It was like one big party, thanks to Sajid Khan and the producer Sajid Nadiadwala.

NT: What do you have to say about the music of Heyy Babyy?
VB: It's Shankar Ehsaan Loy at their best. Each song is a virtual gem. It's extremely youthful and chirpy. The story is based on people of Indian origin living in Australia, so the music is in tune with the theme. When you watch the movie, you will realize that you can go out of India, but you can't let India go out of you!

NT: Finally, how is it working under NGE productions with Sajid Nadiadwala?
VB: He is one of the best producers to work with. He literally spoils you. Besides he is such a trendsetter, by giving such a huge canvas to new directors. The whole environment was so friendly. It was like a family picnic out there. It was a perfect situation of work and pleasure going together. He is doing wonders to his banner, NGE.

Interview Courtesy: Raindrop Media
© Nikhil Taneja (nikhiltaneja@gmail.com)

INTERVIEW WITH AKSHAY KUMAR - I

Who : Akshay Kumar
About : One of the biggest actors of India at present
Website: http://www.akshaykumar.org/ (Fan site)

You can check out the interview HERE : Interview with Akshay Kumar
Interview Date: August, 2007
Place: N/A (Interview taken over phone)

Here I'm going to recollect how the interview with Akshay Kumar happened and describe the entire experience of the interview.

-------- To Be Updated --------

INTERVIEW WITH AKSHAY KUMAR - II

Who : Akshay Kumar
About : One of the biggest actors of India at present
Website: http://www.akshaykumar.org/ (Fan site)

How it happened : Interview with Akshay Kumar
Interview Date: August, 2007
Place: N/A (Interview taken over phone)
Pics: None


© Nikhil Taneja (nikhiltaneja@gmail.com)

INTERVIEW WITH SAJID KHAN - I

Who : Sajid Khan
About : Actor, TV Anchor, Director of Heyy Babyy, Brother of Bollywood Choreographer, Farah Khan
Website: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2012857/

You can check out the interview HERE : Interview with Sajid Khan
Interview Date: October, 2000
Place: Bahrain
Pics: None

Here I'm going to recollect how the interview with Sajid Khan happened and describe the entire experience of the interview.

-------- To Be Updated --------

INTERVIEW WITH SAJID KHAN - II

Who : Sajid Khan
About : Actor, TV Anchor, Director of Heyy Babyy, Brother of Bollywood Choreographer, Farah Khan
Website: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2012857/

You can check out the interview HERE : Interview with Sajid Khan
Interview Date: October, 2000
Place: Bahrain
Pics: None

INTERVIEW WITH AKSHAYE KHANNA - I

Who : Akshaye Khanna
About : One of the better actors in India
Website: http://allaboutakshaye.blogspot.com/ (Fan Site)

You can check out the interview HERE : Interview with Akshaye Khanna
Interview Date: June, 2007
Place: N/A (Interview taken over phone)

Here I'm going to recollect how the interview with Akshaye Khanna happened and describe the entire experience of the interview.

-------- To Be Updated --------

Interview with AKSHAYE KHANNA - II

Who : Akshaye Khanna
About : One of the better actors in India
Website: http://allaboutakshaye.blogspot.com/ (Fan Site)

How it happened : Interview with Akshaye Khanna
Interview Date: June, 2007
Place: N/A (Interview taken over phone)
Pics: None

Akshaye Khanna has a reputation of not being a journalist’s idea of a perfect interview. Media shy and self confessedly reserved, I had imagined a very lackluster and brief interview. But when I finally got to speak to the man who created magic in Dil Chahta Hai, who was the best thing about movies like Salaam-E-Ishq and Taal, it was, in fact, he who put me to ease with his relaxed conversational style. Akshaye Khanna is no doubt, a huge star in the Hindi Film Industry, but when he talks, he is not Akhaye Khanna the celebrity, he is Akshaye Khanna, the person. And that is the best thing about him! Of course, he begs to differ. But with no starry air, no tantrums, not even the mandatory delaying the interview by a couple of hours, Akshaye Khanna was a pleasure to talk to when I chatted with him about his upcoming movies, Naqaab and Gandhi, My father. Exhibiting a rather sweet and childlike enthusiasm when he talks about his movies, here’s Akshaye, straight from the heart…

Nikhil Taneja (NT) : From Himalayaputra to Naqaab. How has the journey been for you?
Akshaye Khanna (AK) : Uhh… Wonderful (smiles)! It’s been a very rewarding experience. I think for me, just to be a working actor is what’s important. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do. And just to be given the opportunity to do it, is to me the most gratifying part of the job. And there’ve been ups and downs, of course. But on the whole, it’s been a very, very, very reward

ing and interesting experience.

NT : Tell us something about your character in Naqaab
AK : In Naqaab, I’m playing a struggling actor. Just a city-boy who wants to become an actor, and what he goes through to kind of, achieve that. But what is important to a film like Naqaab is not really characterizations of the various actors, what is more important is really the plot. You see, the film is plot driven, not character driver. This film, being a thriller, is very a much a plot driver film.

So the plot is of more significance; the story is of more importance than all the characters. Bobby is playing a rich, big industrialist. They

are regular, day to day characters. But what happens in their lives and what happens to these characters, is the most interesting thing about the film. If I just tell you about the characters, then the film does not sound that interesting, because they are all very day to day characters, nothing extraordinary about them. But what happens to their lives is what makes the film extraordinary.

NT : Naqaab is your third movie with Abbas Mustaan and you have one more releasing at year end, Race. What is it about Abbas Mustaan as directors that gets you so excited about their movies?
AK : I think primarily I would have to say their work. I really enjoy watching their movies. They are very stylish directors and they are very, uhh, they are very audience friendly directors, if you understand what I’m saying. They’ve got a very good understanding of the pulse of the audience. And I feel, every

movie that they make, they make keeping the audience in mind, which you know, is very important. So that is something I really admire in them. Because they are commercial, you see. They are commercial directors. They are not art house cinema directors. They make films that they feel that the audience will enjoy. They make entertaining films. They mostly make thrillers but at the end of the day, you can’t say that Abbas Mustaan films are not entertaining. They entertain you, which is very important. And for me, as an actor, I kind of, enjoy working with them a lot. They treat their actors with a lot of respect. They treat them like children, you know. They really love them and really take care of them. And you see all Abbas Mustan films, always their actors have very strong roles. They always give their actors things to do. They always give them interesting roles, they give them interesting parts. And they’ve always, I think, with me or with all the other actors, they’ve done this. For the other actors also, you’d hear about doing this. And thirdly, I would say, it’s the relationship that we have as an actor-director and also our personal relationship. We get along very wel

l. And also, we’ve done successful films in the past. So, you know, you kind of, develop a very storng personal bond also, over time. So it’s always fun to work with them. I would hope that they’d keep offering me films as long as I’m an actor (smiles). Yeah, yeah, I would love to do at least one film an year with Abbas Mustaan. (smiles some more).

NT : With what we have heard about the movie, the role of the lead actress in the movie is quite critical and complex. So do you think signing on a newcomer for the role was justified? How much has Urvashi Sharma met up to the expectations of the role?
AK : I think she’s done as good as a job as any actress today in the industry could’ve done. She’s done a really good job. Of course, primarily, because of Abbas Mustaan. They’ve really worked on her and have really moulded her performance to what was required. But the requirement of the script for the leading lady was to

not have a kind of image in the mind of the audience, if you understand what I’m saying. We needed a fresh face. We needed a girl who people have no fixed notions about. That was the requirement of the script. So that is what we went with. And Tips already had this girl, she had done a music video for them. They suggested her to Abbas Mustan, who did a lot of tests on her, you know; make up test, acting test, this test, that test, before they actually took her. So she really suits the role and she’s done a very fine job, I think. In fact, even when I saw the film, I never felt in any scene or in any place in the film that this girl is new or she is raw, or she is trying, you know. I found her performance to be very natural. She’s not raw, she may be new, but she’s not raw. There’s a difference, you know. I think that is a very interesting combination. I think people after this film will quite like her.

NT : What is the most shocki

ng thing about Naqaab that makes it the most shocking thriller of 2007?
AK : Uhh… I would say, the unpredictability of the script. You see, in any good thriller, you should always be guessing what is the next twist. And you know, your guesses should not be right! Because that makes the script unpredictable. So the shock element of the picture is in the twists and turns. And also the characters. You see, the tagline we’ve given is Disguised Intentions. Basically what that means is that we meet so many people in day to day life and we take them for face life. And sometim

es, not always, but sometimes it happens that people are not what they appear to be. So that is what the movie is all about, it’s about people who are not what they a

ppear to be. And our film provides a deeper look into these people. I think that is what is shocking.

NT : You are working with Bobby Deol in Naqaab and Saif Ali Khan in Race. How exciting do you find these collaborations?
AK : I love actors, basically. I love being around actors, I love having camaraderie, which is always more fun for me to work with a lot of people on the sets as opposed to being all alone all the time, you know. And I get along with all my costars, I’ve never had a problem with any of them, quite frankly. And they’re all my friends. So it’s lovely, you know, to have people on the sets. People you enjoy working with, who you respect and admire, and who are also your friends at the end of the day. So it’s really great that way.

It’s been said that Bobby Deol played many pranks on you on the sets of this movie. Would you like to sh

are any interesting moments with the readers?
AK : Not really. It’s been quite a regular on the sets of Naqaab. In fact, there are a very few actors who play pranks on people. Filmmaking is a very serious business. Although there are some actors like Suneil Shetty and these kind of people, who basically like to play pranks on people. I think generally filmmaking, on the sets, on location, You can’t really afford to (chuckles), play pranks on the sets. It’s too serious there.

NT : How easy or difficult was it to cope up with the salsa number in Naqaab considering that Urvashi Sharma is a trained dancer?
AK : See, we dance in every movie! And, sometimes they make you dance in a certain style, sometimes they make you dance in a different style. I mean, I am not a very good dancer, but I’ve always felt that if you could just enjoy it; if you enjoy what you do, even if you are not perfect 100%, you are just 70% or 80% good at it but you are enjoying it, then people also enjoy it with you. So that’s how I approach my dances.

You have always chosen your movies

very carefully. What attracts you to a role?
AK : Actually, my choices are very instinctive. By God’s grace, I’ve got very good scripts. But when I read something, I instinctively say yes or no. It’s really a decision from my heart, I don’t give it too much thought. Whenever I find myself thinking about a script, or thinking whether to do a film or not to do a film, then I never do it. Because if I have to think for a reason to do it, then I shouldn’t be doing it at all. Because it should be clear to me that I have to do this movie.

NT : Your next film after Naqaab, Gandhi My Father is already generating an extremely positive buzz in the film circles. How has experience of your first period movie been?
AK : Achha, you think it’s generating a p

ositive buzz?

NT : Yeah, definitely. In fact, I have read in many places that it’s not only generating a positive buzz, it is in fact generating an Oscar buzz. It is being touted as India’s solution to the Oscar problem.
AK : Is it? Have you seen the promo?

NT : Yeah, I’ve seen them online, on the website. It’s an amazing promo! The movie looks so authentic, at the same time, it’s very classic. I really think the movie has it in it to become a huge success, not only in India, but abroad also.
AK : You really feel that way?

NT : Definitely! The promos are very touching actually. Very endearing.
AK : Yeah, you are right. That is a film that is very close to my heart. (Thinks) It’s basically, essentially, a true story. In the entire film, there’s not even one scene that we’ve thrown in, which did not actually happen. So that is very important for people to know, it’s an absolutely true story. Based on the relationship Mahatma Gandhi had with his eldest son, Harilal Gandhi. It’s an absolutely amazing story, which people don’t know about! You see, honestly, most interesting for me also, was that people know everything about Mahatama Gandhi. They know everything about Kasturba Gandhi! But they know nothing about the children! In fact, most people don’t even know he had any children! He had four sons, and people don’t know that. So, this story, from that point of view, is extremely interesting. And extremely new for people, I feel. And at the same time, it is not about Gandhi, the father of the nation. It’s about a father. It’s a father-son love story, I can say. It’s a l

ove story between a father and a son. And you know, it’s an absolutely amazing story! Very interesting. And very, I think, very contemporary also. You see, the emotions we are talking about here, are not emotions that can ever become outdated. So it’s very contemporary and I think, everybody would be able to relate to it.

As for the period movie, I think, in a pe

riod movie, it’s only the make up and the sets and the costumes that is really different. Otherwise everything else is the same. So that is the only difference. The look of the film is very authentic. So we just worked really hard, everybody in the team, to make sure that every part, every aspect of the film is authentic in every department.

NT : So how did you get into the skin of Harilal Gandhi?
AK : See, because he is an unknown character; no one knows anything about him - No one knows how he looked, how he talked, how he walked. So, for me, I didn’t have to do much research. Because nobody had a reference point, you see. If I was playing Gandhi, then I’d have had to do a hell of a lot of research and a hell of a lot of practice! So I just had to take the material in front of me and deliver it as honestly as possibly as I could. So that was really the effort from me. Of course, the actors who play Gandhi and Kasturba have a much tougher job than me.

NT : I’ve read somewhere that you’ve said that Shefali Shah has given an amazing performance in the movie.
AK : I think it’s one of the best performances by any Indian actress in the history of Indian cinema. And I wouldn’t be saying that lightly, I really believe it. It is a performance that is.. I mean, I cannot even begin to describe it. Both Gandhi and Kasturba. You see, after Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi, it is very difficult to match up to it because a very high standard has already been set. So that was also, you know, a daunting factor for any actor who’d play Gandhi. But, in spite of that, to come up with a performance like what he’s done is something miraculous. It’s unbelievable.

NT : It’s all over the papers that Anil Kapoor had a special screening of the movie for Will Smith and he’s quite liked

it.
AK : Yeah, even I’ve heard of it, but it’s not true. He’s not seen the movie. He’s just seen the trailers of the movie and he was blown away by them!

NT : With Aaja Nachle, you are getting back with Madhuri Dixit for a role after a gap of 8-9 years. How did it feel?
AK : I am just playing a guest appearance in that movie. But it’s wonderful, yaar. She’s like a treat for any actor. You know, like you give a chocolate to a little child or give an ice cream and he gets excited, it’s the same way for us actors (chuckles)! We feel exactly like that. She’s wonderful, she’s in wonderful form, she’s looking great, but there’s still time for that movie.

NT : You got rave reviews in Salaam E Ishq even though the movie did not get as much acclaim as it was expecte

d to. What do you think went wrong?
AK : Uhh, you see, when I saw the picture, I loved it. I think it’s very difficult to analyse, but I personally feel that the length went against the movie. People found it just too long. And And I find it for the first time, people who were exposed to the multiple stories that were going on, from what I hear and from the people who I’ve spoken to, I believe people had difficulty digesting them. They decided there were too many stories going on and there were always a couple of the stories they couldn’t relate to. Different people couldn’t relate to different stories. It was not universal. Maybe if the film was half an hour, 45 mins shorter with a couple less stories, it would have been a blockbuster.

NT : Is it true that you are lending your voice to an animation film which Nikhil Advani is planning?
AK : Nothing is finalized yet. We

are still working on the script, so can’t really say much about it.

NT : Tell us a little about your other future projects Shortcut, Race and Aankhen 2.

AK : Future projects, we’

ll talk about them in the future na! Race is releasing towards the end of the year and for Shortcut, I haven’t even started shooting. So we can have another chat later, when it’s releasing.

NT : Finally, what is the best thing about being Akshaye Khanna?
AK : It’s my work, I think. At this point of my life, my work is everything right now

in my life. It just gives me a lot of satisfaction, it is the greatest high for me in life. As I said in the beginning of the interview, just to be allowed to work as an actor and you know, to do good work with good people that’s the best thing about my life (chuckles).

© Nikhil Taneja (nikhiltaneja@gmail.com)