Priyanka Chopra exclusive interview

Priyanka Chopra exclusive interview: Priyanka Chopra is running late but that doesn’t stop her from sharing hairstyle tips with college students or posing for photos with excited fans, while also finding the time to do interviews and shoot for promotions.

The 28-year-old admits this is what her typical day is like and that she sometimes works for 20 hours a day without a break. All that hard work may be paying off as Chopra is one of Bollywood’s most successful heroines today, bagging prime projects and carrying films on her own shoulders.

Chopra spoke to Reuters about her new film “Saat Khoon Maaf”, roles for actresses in Bollywood and why she doesn’t mind male actors getting paid more in the film industry.

Q: Traditionally, leading ladies in Bollywood are pretty strait-jacketed. What made you want to play a woman who marries seven times and then kills all her husbands?

A: “Because I pave my own path and I don’t like following rules. I don’t like convention. I want my own space. It’s a small space, but I’m very possessive about it.”

Q: Do you think roles for actresses in Bollywood are changing?

A: “I hope so and I am hoping that I have something to do with it.

That’s what people say -- that I spearheaded it with ‘Fashion’ where a film with a heroine in the lead took a good opening. I’m so glad that films like ‘No One Killed Jessica’ did so well, because it shows that good movies are appreciated and the gender of the protagonist doesn’t matter at all.”

Q: But no matter how well these films do, male actors do get paid a lot more than female actors do. Do you grudge that?

A: “But their films also make that kind money. I don’t grudge them that at all. Their films make 150 crores, 300 crores, so they deserve to get paid what they get. The day my films start making that kind of money, I will also get paid that much. I have started slowly and my films are creating a niche of their own. At least we are getting opportunities now, so we have to make the best of them and learn to accept that we are in a male-dominated society. We live in a male-dominated country, forget the film industry. So, the fact that we can create a space of our own is good enough.”

Q: When you are playing a woman who kills her husbands, what is the toughest part about a character that seems so negative?


A: “That, at heart, she is a good girl. She’s a good girl. You feel bad for her, for her life. To convey that was difficult for me.

‘Saat Khoon Maaf’ is not a thriller -- it’s a black comedy thriller.

It’s not a ‘Dostana’ or a ‘Golmaal’ -- it’s a sinister comedy, which is a space India is not familiar with, which is why everyone is slotting it. So you may not guffaw with laughter, but you will come out thinking ‘they deserve to die’. That’s the quirkiness of the film.”

Q: Can you think of any other contemporary actress playing this role?

A: “Umm…I really can’t. For me, Susanna’s me. I can’t imagine her as anyone else. Actually, maybe… I have absolutely no idea. You should ask Vishal (Bhardwaj) this.”

Q: You recently had income-tax raids at your house. Why aren’t financial dealings in Bollywood transparent as yet? Have things changed since the time you came in?

A: “I don’t know. But yes, things have changed. We have become more corporate. But film stars do make news, we are always spoken about. We earn above a certain line of income, so it is natural that we attract attention. But there is a lot of transparency now, because you cannot be any other way.”

Madhuri Dixit interview: my kids realize that i am a star!

Madhuri Dixit interview: my kids realize that i am a star! She has mesmerised millions of Indians with her screen performances, but Madhuri Dixit’s US-brought up kids realised their mother was a big Bollywood star only when they visited the sets of a dance reality show recently.

‘They didn’t know, but they are kind of realising now

when they visited the sets of ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa’ and saw everybody praising me and talking about me. They ask like, ‘Oh, so you are a big star in India’,’ Madhuri told IANS in an interview.

Madhuri lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband Sriram Nene and two sons – Arin, 7, and Raayan, 5, and is in India as the judge of the fourth season of the show.

Madhuri became a national craze in the 1980s and the 90s with her scintillating performances in superhits like ‘Tezaab’, ‘Ram Lakhan’, ‘Tridev’, ‘Dil’, ‘Saajan’, ‘Khalnayak’, ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun’, ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’ and ‘Devdas’.

The actress took a sabbatical after 2002 and made a come back with ‘Aaja Nachle’ in 2007, but the film bombed at the box office.

The failure, however, didn’t affect the star aura surrounding her. She got a warm welcome by her fans and colleagues. Whether it’s award functions or other public events, Madhuri’s charm swept one and all.

The actress is touched after receiving such an overwhelming response from everyone and calls herself very fortunate.

‘It always feels wonderful. I feel blessed. There is not a single day when I don’t thank god that he has given me so much. I have received so much love from everyone wherever I have gone that I feel I am very fortunate and thank everyone for that,’ she said.

Her on-screen simplicity, acting prowess and elegant dancing style have made her an icon for many, especially youngsters.

So, how does it feel to be called an icon?

‘It feels really nice that people love you so much, they appreciate your work and consider you an icon. It’s always good to have compliments. It makes you feel nice. It makes your face glow,’ she said, flashing her evergreen smile.

She was recently honoured with a special award for completing 25 years in Bollywood at the 56th Idea Filmfare awards where she set the stage on fire with Shah Rukh Khan.

They danced together on hit songs like ‘Are re Are’ from ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’, ‘Maar Daala’ from ‘Devdas’ and ‘Tere Naina’ from ‘My Name Is Khan’.

‘This was my first ever stage performance with Shah Rukh anywhere in the world and I really enjoyed working with him after such a long time,’ she said.

Both have previously worked in films like ‘Koyla’, ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’, ‘Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam’ and ‘Devdas’.

For those eagerly waiting for Madhuri’s return to the big screen will have to wait for some more time as she will be going back to the US to be with her kids and husband after ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa’.

‘It was great to be back to work after I had taken time off to be with my kids. This is a nice change for me. I miss my kids very much; so I’ll be back (to the US) in a month,’ she said.

As for her next film Madhuri said, ‘I have been going through a lot of scripts, but nothing has been finalised as yet.’

She is currently in talks with Anil Kapoor to star in a Bollywood remake of Hollywood film ‘Freaky Friday’.

Akshay Kumar Interview: It was time to change focus

Akshay Kumar Interview: It was time to change focus: Akshay Kumar is in the mood for intense and dramatic roles and will be seen as a Sikh guy trapped in the patriarchal family system in “Patiala House”. He says he accepted the offer as it was completely opposite to his real life story and also because he is keen to change his funny guy image.

"It was a conscious decision to do a serious role because it’s been three years since I’ve done something like this. The last was ‘Namastey London’. I’ve been away from it for quite sometime now and was concentrating on comedy. So I thought of changing focus and doing something serious,” Akshay told us.

“While playing the character, I felt that I’m playing what real people go through in life, what circumstances they face. I’m not playing just a role, it is a culmination of the lives of common people out there,” added the 43-year-old.

Akshay showed his funny side in his first hit comedy “Hera Pheri”, but his comedies like “Action Replayy” and “Tees Maar Khan” bombed at the box office.

Set in London, “Patiala House” sees Akshay Kumar’s character Gattu trapped between his dreams and his father’s aspirations for him.

The film has been directed by Nikhil Advani and co-produced by Bhushan Kumar, Mukesh Talreja, Krishan Kumar and Akshay along with his wife Twinkle Khanna.

Akshay says what attracted him to the role was that his life story was completely opposite to his character in the movie.

“My father supported all my dreams. He worked double shifts so that I could train in martial arts. So this situation was completely alien to me. I grew up with love and support from my parents. So that’s why it was so endearing to play a son, who forgets his dreams for his father’s,” he said.

The film that also stars Anushka Sharma and Rishi Kapoor among others will see Akshay sharing screen with his real life mother-in-law Dimple Kapadia. The senior actress plays his mother in the movie and the actor said he had fun filming with her.

“Me and my mother-in-law are quite inseparable. I have more things common with her than Twinkle. Twinkle and I are totally opposite, whereas me and Dimpleji are quite similar,” said the actor.

“During the entire schedule, we played cards, fooled around on youtube, she taught me sudoku (number game) and I took her to various places with my son. So it was fun. She is a fun lady,” he added.

This is his first film with Anushka and he said: “Anushka has a very vital role to play in the film. She is my shoulder, my brick wall and my unconditional support in the movie. She shocked me on the sets with her expertise. There is no doubt that she will go very far,” he added.

'Dabangg's Music Director Sajid-Wajid gives award credit to Salman Khan

'Dabangg's Music Director Sajid-Wajid gives award credit to Salman Khan: The composer duo Sajid-Wajid are on cloud nine after winning a series of awards for their music in last year's blockbuster " Dabangg" and the two give credit to Salman Khan for their success.

They bagged best music director awards at Star Screen Awards, Apsara Awards, Zee Cine Awards and Filmfare Awards for the funny cop drama in which Salman Khan played the lead role.

"I am on cloud nine and it's really fun. If we have worked hard, god has acknowledged it. Out of 101 percent, I would give 100 percent credit to Salman bhai and keep the rest with me for the success. Salman is like a godfather to us. When no one gave us a chance, he believed in us," Sajid told us in an interview.

Wajid said: "I give 100 percent credits to Salman Khan. He stood by us when nobody believed in us, he believed in our music, so certainly whatever we are today, a major part of the credit goes to him. If he had not been with us, our journey would have been more difficult."

The duo was introduced to Bollywood by actor-director-producer Sohail Khan with "Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya" in 1998 and since then they have given music for almost all Salman films and with "Dabangg" they have struck gold.

This film fetched Salman too his first award in the best actor category.

"No one can underrate Salman Khan. One's ability can't be measured by whether he is awarded or not. People make their position with their work; awards are just an extension of it. As a human being, Salman has garnered so many awards from normal people. As a human being he is far ahead," said Wajid.

As of now they are not associated with any Salman film, but they are sure to remain loyal to him.

"Certainly! We always look up to him. We are his loyalists and would always want to work with him," said Wajid.

Anushka Sharma Interview: I was initially scared to shoot with Rishi Kapoor

Anushka Sharma Interview: I was initially scared to shoot with Rishi Kapoor: Anushka Sharma reveals she was initially scared to shoot with veteran actor Rishi Kapoor with whom she shares the screen in her latest film ‘Patiala House’.

‘His (Rishi’s) demeanor was such that he was very intimidating. But I realised that actually he is a very cool person. He cracks lots of jokes and used to keep pulling my leg all the time,’ Anushka told IANS in an interview.

‘Later on, the ice was broken, but initially I was very scared because he comes across as a very strict person,’ she added.

With three successful films under her belt, Anushka is happy to claim that she is regarded as a bankable actor.

‘After ‘Band Baaja Baaraat’, people are viewing me differently. I have been seen as a bankable actor. So, a lot of good things, a lot of appreciation. I am feeling comfortable in the industry,’ she said.

‘Band Baaja Baaraat’ completes her three-film contract with Yash Raj Films that gave her the first break opposite superstar Shah Rukh Khan in ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’ in 2008 and then her role in ‘Badmaash Company’.

For ‘Band Baaja Baarat’, Anushka shared the best actress trophy at the Apsara Awards 2011 with Vidya Balan, who won it for ‘Ishqiya’.

The model-turned actress consciously avoids to be typecast and feels lucky that she got to do distinctly different characters in all the four films, including ‘Patiala House’, she has done so far.

‘Right after my first film, I went and signed ‘Badmaash Company’, which was right opposite of my debut character,’ Anushka said.

‘That was exciting because I know my value and I know that I am capable of doing a lot more. So I only choose and work with people who have faith in my capabilities as an actor,’ she added.

‘I don’t want to work with people who would take me in an easy way and cast me in something which I have done before. So far I am lucky that I have worked with people who have given me different kinds of films,’ she added.

Asked what exactly she looks at while choosing a film, the actress said: ‘When I read a script, the first thing I see is whether I would be watching this film and be entertained.’

‘Then I see my role in the film. Is it challenging enough? Is it going to make any difference in my career?’ she added.

The 22-year old trusted the same instincts while signing ‘Patiala House’, where she plays actor Akshay Kumar’s muse.

Directed by Nikhil Advani, ‘Patiala House’ shows how a second-generation Sikh Guttu (Akshay Kumar) and his siblings in London held back their dreams out of love and respect for their authoritarian father (Rishi Kapoor).

But Guttu meets Simran (Anushka) who gives him the strength to stand up once again to fulfil his dream.

This cross-generation drama is about second chances.

Anushka personally never had to bear any such family obligation while either choosing modelling or acting as a profession. But she said she could easily relate to it.

‘I wanted to be a model, my parents were okay with that. I wanted to be an actor, my parents were okay with that too. That way, I have been lucky. But I know someone who has (strict parents) so I can empathise and relate to it,’ she said.

Working with Akshay was a learning experience for Anushka.

‘He is super professional. He does very small, small things, which are subtle and funny. That is something I learnt from him – to be aware of small things, not only of big things,’ the actress said.

Shazahn Padamsee Interview: very tough to impress my dad

Shazahn Padamsee Interview: very tough to impress my dad: Shazahn Padamsee managed to win praise from director Madhur Bhandarkar and her “Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji” co-star Ajay Devgan, but says it is difficult to impress her “perfectionist” father, theatre veteran Alyque Padamsee.”My dad is my biggest critic. It is very tough to impress him… he is such a perfectionist!” Shazahn told us.

However, the 22-year-old feels her father provides constructive criticism and she has learnt to takes his comments in her stride.

“When I have to go out, and I ask him - ‘Dad, how am I looking?’, he just nods. He is never like ‘wow’ or ’stunning’ the way others compliment me. My dad is very strict and critical and I understand that he does it because he wants the best for me. I really appreciate that about my dad.

“It’s nice to have a dad who is in this profession, who knows what acting is, who knows what good films are… he has a great taste in cinema and it’s really good to have someone who can give intelligent opinions about the kind of films I should do and what look suits me. I go to him for a lot of advice and I believe it’s always the correct thing to do,” she said.

Theatre is in Shazahn’s blood and she enjoys the medium, but Bollywood is what enamours her most.

“My main focus is Bollywood. I do enjoy theatre, but honestly there’s no time. I love doing plays, but it takes way too long to develop them. Doing theatre is a way of life… you go and rehearse from 10 a.m.-10 p.m., have chai (tea), work at your own pace… it is an art form and very personal. So unless there’s time, it’s tough. But right now, films is what excites me. Nevertheless, when I have some time, I would love to do theatre,” she said.

Shazahn was seen on the big screen in “Rocket Singh - Salesman Of The Year” and in just released “Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji”, she is seen as a 21-year-old bank intern June Pinto, who charms a much-older senior colleague, played by Ajay.

She does not want to be choosy at such an early stage in her career.

“I am very new and I can’t really sit on a high pedestal and start demanding the kind of stuff I want. God willing, I will be there one day because I know I am very ambitious. But right now, the reality is that I am a newcomer. I am getting good offers as of now, and I do want roles that I can relate to and would be happy to do roles to which I can bring something unique.”