Posts Tagged ‘fanaa’
By Joginder Tuteja, December 21, 2009 – 12:52 IST
Get set for an epic take in the offing. This year’s most anticipated release, 3 Idiots, has a running length of close to 3 hours. Taking audiences through different locations in the country and across time zones, this Rajkumar Hirani film is in fact his longest ever when compared to his earlier two efforts – Munnabhai MBBS and Lage Raho Munnabhai.
“That’s true,” confirms Hirani. “Both the films in the Munnabhai series were under 2.5 hours. However, 3 Idiots required a longer duration. I am not worried about the length factor though.”
Well, even for audiences it should be pretty much the case of ‘ all izzz well‘. Longer stories, if told well, have traditionally worked quite well at the box office. Some of the biggest classics in the history of Indian cinema like Lagaan, Sholay and Mughal E Azam have all crossed the 3 hour mark. Yes, those were the times when only single screens ruled and hence the revenue earned through a larger number of shows wasn’t a criteria for a film’s length. However, the fact remains that the biggest ever grosser in the history of Indian cinema, Ghajini, lasted for a couple of minutes over 3 hours.
Says a trade follower, “I am aware of people’s expectations where they want to see more of an actor or a director, if their body of work over the years has been impressive enough. Remember those Amitabh Bachchan films in the 80′s? Or the ones directed by Subhash Ghai? Each of them was mandated to be magnum opus and it was an unwritten rule that their films have a running length of at least 3 hours. Similar are the expectations from an Aamir Khan film today.”
His comments do see good validation if one looks at every film that Aamir has done in the current decade. The running length of Dil Chahta Hai (180 mins), Lagaan (225 mins), Mangal Pandey (165 mins), Rang De Basanti (150 mins), Fanaa (170 mins), Taare Zameen Par (165 mins) and Ghajini (180 mins) has been close to 3 hours or even more.
“At the end of the day, it’s the story and the story telling that does the trick, not the film’s length. Yes, we have seen audiences rejecting What’s Your Raashee? due to its length of close to 3.5 hours but also because the film dragged at places. Seeing Hirani’s work over the years, the length is a non-issue and one truly believes and hopes that the screenplay holds audience’s attention. 3 Idiots is carrying great vibes, the holiday season is on and the festivities would be in progress well into the New Year. I don’t see any reason why anyone would even think about the length factor,” concludes the trade expert.
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
Love in the time of terrorism
Posted on: November 26, 2009
Filmmakers known for fairytale romances are now making movies with terrorism as the backdrop, finds Harshada Rege
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham to the more recent Dostana and Wake Up Sid. Yash Chopra’s banner has already brought out its offering on terrorism in the form of New York that was directed by Kabir Khan and starred John Abraham, Katrina Kaif and Neil Nitin Mukesh. Karan on the other hand produced the recently released and highly-acclaimed Kurbaan that stars Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Vivek Oberoi. While the movie is what Karan calls a “love story” it was a subject that Karan couldn’t stop thinking about. He asked Rensil D’Silva to write and develop it for him. He later asked Rensil to direct the project. “The story addresses this evil that has become a global phenomena,” he says.
BOMBAY TIMES (November 26, 2009)
Aamir Khan may be the most powerful man in Bollywood today giving successive hits as actor, producer and director but his eyes still gleam with unexpected animation as he sits down to do an interview. Here he is, candid and uncut
• In 3 Idiots you play a guy from 20 to 24 years, while you are actually 44. How old are you in your head?
I still imagine myself to be 18 or 22. The other day I was at the birthday of someone who I had always thought of as older than me in my head, an uncle type person. I asked him, how old he was that day and he said 30 and I got a shock because suddenly I realised that I was 14 years older than him. I am, of course, 44, which is middle-aged, but somewhere in my head I am lost in the 18-20 age group.
• Did that help you play this character?
No. But given that it is necessary to get into the head of a character when you are jumping age lines, it gets more challenging. Jumping age lines, jumping accents, or jumping sexes like my playing a woman is always tough. I had actually told Raju to take someone younger but he insisted he could see me in the role. He said, “In real life, you are so close to Rancho, (the character that I am playing) I feel if you are saying what Rancho is saying people will believe it. What Rancho says is the philosophy of the film and I need someone who people will believe in.”
• You exude a lot of confidence on screen. Are you really a very confident person inside?
I think I am average, in the sense that most people are confident to a certain degree, people go through self doubt. I too go through self doubt. I am given to thinking, “Am I doing the right thing?” I only do things that I enjoy, that’s my first rule. I must be happy in what I am doing. If I am not happy doing an ad, I won’t do it. I don’t do it for commercial reasons. Yes of course I am earning money while I am doing it, but that’s not the core reason for doing it. This ultimately shows in my work, otherwise I am as confident or diffident as the next man. I also need reassurance like everyone else. I also need people to say “I liked your film”.
• When you were directing yourself in Taare Zameen Par was there anything about you as an actor that disturbed you as a director?
I have to say no. The actor and director in me saw eye to eye. Yes, when I see the film today, there are moments where I feel the scene could have been pitched differently. But that is in retrospect. That’s the corrective process in me when I am watching any of my work.
• In hindsight which of your successful films needed the most correction?
One of them would be Fanaa, the other would be Ishq, both highly successful films. In the first half of Fanaa, the character was pitched too filmy. I would have pitched him slightly different. In fact, Kunal (Kohli) and I had a long discussion about it. I would have made the character more real and more layered because as human beings we don’t have a singular emotion. When I am playing a character my attempt is that it should not be single dimensional, it should be layered. Ishq again had a lot of broad strokes and it’s also a very successful film.
• As a director do you have an actor wish list?
I am not sure whether I am thinking as a director right now. I think at heart I am still an actor. Of course now that I have taken the first step and directed one film, I am more open to listening to stories. Actually I have a very strange answer. While I am not in the mood of a director just now the opposite is also true. I think like a filmmaker. Coming back to your question, my wish list would really depend upon what the script is. So my casting would really be based on who can best play a certain part and who will suit the role. Each and every person connected to the film should feel that he is in love with it.
• Does success isolate you?
Success can be extremely isolating. And often, for multiple reasons. When you are successful, a celebrity, especially an actor, your stardom is like a magnet. It’s like the sun. (In fact, I wonder who coined this term ‘star’. Because every star is actually a sun). Because you are a star, every one is attracted to you for different reasons, some valid, some invalid. Some honourable, some not so honourable. But, as a human being our bandwidth is limited. So often what happens is that we need to shut off. It is humanly impossible to deal with so many things.
Have you noticed that stars, never make eye-contact when they are out in public. The moment you make eye-contact, you have to engage. And it’s not that we don’t like engaging. I love engaging with people. But I get tired. How many people can I engage with? That’s the nature of the beast. That’s the nature of my profession.
• You have been reportedly meeting people you met on social networking sites. Does engaging with them help you perform in some way?
Now people know that it’s me on the blog, but there was a time when they didn’t. The idea behind it was to interact with strangers. Because the minute a person knows who I am, he reacts to me in a particular way. He may or may not share certain ideas with me. Or the attitude of sharing will change. The fiber of the communication will change. But if the person doesn’t know who I am, which the Internet allows, then he’s freer. That was the kind of interaction I valued a lot. There were a few people who I found to be particularly engaging. Or unusual. And those were the few people to whom I revealed who I am.
If I felt that I had a certain rapport with someone, then I no longer felt comfortable hiding, or lying about who I am. If I have reached a level of engagement of this kind, I need to tell the person who I am. So then it happened that I took three-four people into confidence.
• Since you have just completed 3 Idiots with Raju Hirani, the director of the Munnabhai series, tell me an instant recall of a Munnabhai moment?
I would say jaadu ki jhappi. That’s my big recall moment from Munnabhai. Both, Munnabhai MBBS and Lage Raho Munnabhai are my favourite films in the last five-seven odd years. They are great wholesome entertainment, which connect with you on a human level. Really connect with you on a human level.
Going back to one of your earlier questions, one of the key reasons for me doing this film, despite the fact that I am double the age of the character is Raju. I was so keen to work with Raju and I could see that Raju was excited about casting me in the film. Iske saath mereko film karne hain yaar. Agar isko lagta hain main bees saal ka ho jaata hoon toh main ho jaata hoon. Kyunki ye itna kamaal ka director hai, iske saath mereko kaam karna hain yaar.
Over the years all my professional decisions have been absurd. Its absolutely right for someone to tell me – ke tu 42 ka hain aur tu 22 ka character play kar raha hain. It may be an idiotic decision but all my decisions are idiotic. 3 idiots ka idiotic decision.
When I told anyone that I was making a film on dyslexia, they said I was mad.
When I signed Rang De Basanti, usse pehle Bhagat Singh aur Azad Singh par char filmey aa chuki thi. It was a crazy decision. My sister called me up in the evening and asked, “What are you doing?” I told her I signed a film, it’s the fifth remake of Bhagat Singh.She started laughing. She said abhi flop hui hain chauthi, aur tum paanchvi karoge. It was a bizarre decision.
Lagaan is another example. Today it is known as successful film but at that time it was a disastrous decision. None of my decisions have been practical.
• How easy or difficult it is to forgive past mistakes?
Earlier, I was much more unforgiving as a person; not only towards others but also towards myself. I was extremely unforgiving of my own mistakes. In the past four or five years, I have undergone a change as a human being. I have become more forgiving of myself and others. I see it as a very positive change in myself. One of the powerful things in the world is the power of forgiveness. Its what Jesus Christ and other great philosophers have said.
Also, forgiveness comes with the genuineness of the person’s intentions. If someone has done something to hurt me and then comes and says, “Sorry Aamir”, but does not feel it, then forgiveness does not come into the picture. But if a person genuinely feels ki usse galti hui hai, then you should forgive him. It’s the same for yourself, if you realise that you’ve done some wrong, you should forgive yourself. It’s one of the most healing things.
Today we have become very unforgiving people. It may be an ethnic problem, or a community’s problem or a country’s, or in your relationships, with your wife, children, parents, we get very very unforgiving and we hold that against them. We wear it as a badge which says ‘main tujhe kabhi maaf nahi karoonga’.
I used to be like this.
Like two peas in a pod
Sometime ago we had asked Imran Khan to rate himself and Aamir on a scale of 1 to 10, according to a few parameters…
Aamir rates Imran according to the same parameters…
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• Good looks
Aamir - I won’t rate myself as I don’t like it. Imran is exceedingly good looking. I’d give him a 9.
Imran - I would put us both at a 7 at this point just because of how young and great he is looking
• Patience
Aamir on Imran- 8 or 9
Imran - Aamir is a 10 and I am 9.5. We are both tremendously patient people. Again because I’m younger, I’m that 0.5 percent less patient but I am the supremely patient being that you’ll meet
• Quest for perfection
Aamir on Imran- He is extremely committed so 8
Imran - Aamir is a 10, I’m probably an 8
• Spontaneity
Aamir on Imran- 8
Imran - Aamir is 6, I’m a 7
• Acting talent
Aamir on Imran - 6. He is good but he has a long way to go.
Imran - I put myself at a 6, I put him at a 10. I so honestly think he is the best actor in the country today
• Communication skills
Aamir on Imran - 4
Imran - Mine aren’t too good. I’m not good at all, so 5 for me and him I don’t know, maybe a 7. Yeah he is better than me.
• Charm
Aamir on Imran - 8
Imran - I am more charming than he is definitely; he is not a charming person. He is 5. I’m an 8.
• Tendency to lose temper
Aamir - We lose our temper, but we can handle it. We don’t react. So, I would give him a 2.
Imran - One and one
• Fidelity to spouse or girlfriend
Aamir - He is scoring a 100 on that one right now. So 10.
Imran - That’s a 10 for both. We are both very staid, solid guys.
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| 3 Idiots |
By Taran Adarsh, November 19, 2009 – 15:14 IST
Post 9/11, there’s anger, distrust, suspicion, uneasiness all around. Not a day passes when you don’t hear of terrorists killing civilians in the name of religion.
Many storytellers have, in the past, narrated stories about terrorists and their nefarious and despicable plans. But let me state one thing categorically. You haven’t watched a more profound, a more thought-provoking, a more dramatic story on this subject before KURBAAN. It’s not just the most powerful film to come out of Dharma Productions, it’s the most powerful film to come out of the Hindi film industry this year, thus far.
| BY BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM |
KURBAAN tries to penetrate into the psyche of not just the terrorist, but also someone who has been a helpless spectator all this while. This film is sure to spark off discussions and debates, although it must also be noted that it doesn’t take sides or gets preachy.
Rensil D’Silva has chosen a burning issue for his directorial debut, which is a complete departure from Karan Johar’s earlier films. For some inexplicable reasons, parallels are being drawn with FANAA [Aamir Khan, Kajol] and NEW YORK [John Abraham, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Katrina Kaif], but the fact remains that barring the backdrop of terrorism, there’s no similarity with those films.
I’ve often felt that certain films are beyond box-office. Movies are not meant to merely entertain, but enlighten and educate as well. They need to prick your conscience and in the process, make an attempt to make this world a better place. KURBAAN does just that and for this very reason, it deserves a double thumbs up.
Final word? Drop everything else you’re doing to watch KURBAAN. Movies like these need to be made, encouraged and lauded.
Avantika [Kareena Kapoor] is a teacher at a university in Delhi. She has come back from New York where she teaches, because her father [Aakash Khurana] has suffered a heart attack. During this period, she meets a Professor called Ehsaan Khan [Saif Ali Khan]. Soon, they begin seeing each other and love blossoms.
A few months later, Avantika receives a call from her university in New York, asking her to come back. Avantika breaks the news to Ehsaan. He, in turn, tells her he doesn’t mind coming to the States with her. But first they need to get married.
Soon after the marriage, they leave to start a new life in New York. They buy a house in an Indian neighbourhood and move in. Just as they are setting up home, their conservative Muslim neighbours invite them over for dinner. The next morning, Salma [Nauheed Cyrusi], one of the women Avantika met the night before at the dinner, visits her under the pretext of gifting her sweets.
When Avantika invites her in, Salma tells her that she is in grave danger. Nothing is what it seems. Salma pleads with Avantika to help her. What follows next is a series of incidents that sucks Avantika into a vortex of danger and intrigue. As her life spirals out of control, Avantika realizes that she is a pawn in a huge game.
KURBAAN has two stories running concurrently – the love story between Saif and Kareena and the story of Islamic terrorists. Rensil sets the stage in the initial 15 minutes itself, after which there’s a twist in the tale every 15-20 minutes, which catches you completely unaware. Rensil doesn’t borrow from the past, which makes the proceedings thoroughly captivating.
The highpoint is the 35-minute climax, which leaves you spellbound. The culmination to the story shakes you completely, largely because it’s pragmatic and has been executed most logically as well. In fact, filming the climax at the various underground tube stations must’ve been the toughest challenge for the director.
On the flip side, KURBAAN caters more to the intelligentsia or the thinking viewer and might not be lapped up whole-heartedly by those who survive on the staple diet of hardcore masala fares.
Some of the finest technicians in the business are associated with KURBAAN. Hemant Chaturvedi’s cinematography is super. The film bears an international look all through. Salim-Sulaiman’s music is well integrated in the narrative. At least two tracks merit a mention – ‘Shukran Allah’ and ‘Ali Maula’. Anurag Kashyap and Niranjan Iyengar’s dialogue are superb. The lines enhance the impact of several sequences. Thrills are, again, in sync with the mood of the film.
KURBAAN is embellished with superlative performances. Saif is extra-ordinary in a role that only proves his versatility once again. If he won your heart with a winning performance in LOVE AAJ KAL a few months ago, you need to watch this supremely talented actor underplay his part so beautifully in KURBAAN. As for Kareena, KURBAAN reiterates one fact yet again: She’s the best in the business. No two opinions on that! Watch her get those emotional sequences right, it’s incredible. Here’s a performance that truly merits the highest praise and admiration, besides fetching her awards and accolades.
Vivek Oberoi is fantastic. Matching Saif and Kareena at every step, KURBAAN should be the turning point in Vivek’s career. It’s a difficult role to portray and only an actor with a wide range could’ve portrayed this part so effectively. Om Puri is top notch and so is Kirron Kher. Kirron is marvellous, especially in the penultimate scene. Dia Mirza, Nauheed Cyrusi and Kulbhushan Kharbanda lend credibility to their brief roles.
On the whole, KURBAAN is the most powerful film to come out of the Hindi film industry in 2009, so far. The film has a captivating plot, gripping screenplay, super performances and a climax that shakes you up completely. Watching this movie should be on top of your agenda this week.
The Jimmy Shergill-Kim Sharma starrer Khaffa, which has been lying in the cans for over five years will tentatively release on November 27 with a new title, Marega Saala.
After his newfound success as a prominent director with A Wednesday, the film’s scriptwriter Neeraj Pandey refuses to be associated with it because the producers tampered with the original script. When the filmmakers added Neeraj’s name to the credits as the scriptwriter he firmly turned them down.
A source said, “Marega Saala was Neeraj’s first film and he was entirely involved in the direction process. The film was shot in Mumbai and Neeraj was always there as the creative director but he had major differences with the producers. He moved on after the success of A Wednesday.”
Devang Dholakia will now be credited as the director of the film. However, Devang denied any such altercation and said, “Neeraj is a friend and we have been associated for seven to eight years. He had written the story, screenplay and dialogue, for which he has been given credit. There is no issue between us.”
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| Neeraj Pandey |
Neeraj though had a completely different story to tell. “God knows what changes the film has gone through in all these years. When I had written this film, it was called Fanaa. The makers changed it to Khaffa and now it is called something else. Now, I am not associated with the film at all as the producers and the director have made several changes. I moved on as I could not adjust. I don’t like to work where I have no creative control. I have not even seen the film,” said Neeraj.
The film’s lead actor Jimmy Shergill said, “I have no issues with anyone associated with the film. Neeraj had initially offered creative help but then he got involved in the making of A Wednesday. I have no clue what went wrong between them.”
‘Khan’ decide who to Choose!
Posted on: November 9, 2009
MEENA IYER Times News Network (BOMBAY TIMES; November 9, 2009)
After Kambakkht Ishq and Main Aur Mrs Khanna this year, both of which didn’t do anything for her, Kareena’s performances in Kurbaan and 3 Idiots are generating a deafening buzz already… and Bollywood’s most powerful actress is literally running between real life beau Saif Ali Khan (Kurbaan) and good friend Aamir (3 Idiots) between November 9-15 … because that’s how her dates have been allotted for promotions.
Says Bebo, “Both Saif and Aamir are very dear to me. I think I’ve created magic with both co-stars and it is impossible for me to choose one over the other.” She recently shot a supererotic, romantic number with Aamir in artificial rain. Insiders say that though the focal point in 3 Idiots is not the Aamir-Kareena romance, it is still a very endearing part of it. While Saif maintains that there is a tremendous curiosity about his pairing with Kareena because they are a real life couple too, Aamir says, “Kareena is one of the most beautiful actresses that we have today. She is also a very good friend and we have both worked very hard on this rain song. I hope people like it.” He’s done wet songs before with Sonali Bendre in Sarfarosh and in Fanaa with Kajol, in which his chemistry with both actresses was highly appreciated… but with Kareena, well, Aamir feels the chemistry is combustible. Any wonder Bebo is smiling like a Cheshire cat that has got the cream.
Aamir in YRF’s TV serial?
Posted on: October 27, 2009
Akki out of Kohli’s film?
Posted on: September 28, 2009
Just when Kunal Kohli thought that the male lead of his untitled forthcoming romantic comedy had been finalised, he has been left in the lurch. Akshay Kumar, who had earlier agreed to do his film, has backed out. Buzz is that the star was unhappy with Kunal shouting from the rooftops about him doing the film. A source says, “Akshay was livid when he heard that Kunal had told his close aides and even some sections of the media that he had found the male lead. Kunal got carried away when Akshay showed interest in the subject in their initial talks.” A couple of days ago, Akshay finally told Kunal that he is not doing the film. The source adds, “Kunal is still clueless about what went wrong. It is said that when Akshay read the script in totality, he found many loopholes. That’s when his interest started waning. Now Kunal will have to begin a fresh hunt. But one thing is sure, the next time he will surely not open his mouth in haste.” Ever since Kunal broke off all ties with Yash Raj Films, after Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic, he has been facing a tough time in finding an A-lister male lead for his next film. First, Saif Ali Khan refused to do his film. Then, he went to Ranbir Kapoor, who asked for changes in the script as he found the plot too hackneyed. Then, Shahid Kapoor and Imran Khan also turned him down. Looks like people are not willing to forget the fate of his last release, Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic (2008), which was a box office disaster. One dud has washed away the success of Hum Tum (2004) and Fanaa (2006) and changed his equation in Bollywood. Kunal Kohli remained unavailable for comment. |
Fenil’s Bollywood Talk # 58
Posted on: July 23, 2009
WILL IMRAN, SHRUTI AND SOHAM BE ‘LUCK’Y?!
Imran Khan, the latest heartthrob of the nation, is all ready with his 3rd flick, Luck, which releases tomorrow. The promos are slick and the film looks like a fabulous action flick. What also catches one’s eye is its unusual cast. Newbie Imran Khan is casted alongside veterans Mithun Chakraborthy, Danny Denzogpa, Chak De girl Chitrashi Rawat, Sanjay Dutt, Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishen and Kamal Haasan’s singer turned actress daughter, Shruti Haasan! Moreover, the film is directed by Soham Shah, who made a successful debut with Kaal, 4 years back.
Luck is surely an acid test for Imran Khan, Shruti Haasan and Soham Shah. Imran Khan became an instant craze among the youth as soon as the promos of his debut film, Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na started airing. Hardly any newcomer had created such a huge hype. Its opening was excellent and fortunately, the film turned out to be good too which resulted in its successful run at the BO. However, his second film, Kidnap, bombed at the BO even though Imran was hailed as the ‘next superstar’. Luck has to succeed for Imran Khan so that he can regain his prestige, which had suffered a dent after Kidnap’s failure.
Shruti Haasan had earlier done a cameo in Hey Ram but Luck is her first feature film as a full-fledged actor. She looks impressive in the promos but one has to see the film to know whether she is a good actor. And being Kamal Haasan’s daughter, her performance will be closely monitored.
Soham Shah’s Kaal may have received lot of flak but one can’t deny the fact that he did succeed in making a decent thriller. Unfortunately, after getting appreciated for Kaal, Soham Shah (see pic) suffered some problems and had to begin afresh. There were reports of a fall out between Soham Shah and the producer of his first film, Karan Johar. Finally, he managed to stand on his legs and make Luck. However, not many remember him today. Moreover, the hoardings do not even mention that he is the director of Kaal. The success of Luck is all what Soham Shah needs.
Although the promos of this film are electrifying and the film has several A-listers, the film has failed to arouse curiosity. Many moviegoers have adopted a wait-and-watch situation for Luck-they shall go for it only if the film gets a good response. So, one might expect a low opening for Luck. But no sooner good reviews start coming in, then the film would surely go a long way.
Tomorrow, there is also a flood-scare in Mumbai. If it rains heavily here in the city, waterlogging is bound to take place due to the 5.5 m high tide tomorrow. And if it happens, hardly anyone will venture to see Luck. Let’s hope Luck doesn’t result in ‘bad luck’ for its makers!
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CHAND SIFARISH FROM FANAA LIFTED?
We all love the song ‘Chand Sifarish’ from Fanaa, don’t we? The soulful music, Shaan’s fine singing and not to forget Kailash Kher chanting ‘Subhan Allah’ makes it a beautiful song, isn’t it? So it’ll be a surprise if I’ll announce that this song maybe a lifted one. Yes, Jatin-Lalit copied this song, a la Pritam style!
Check the video clip uploaded below to hear the original version. It is a Pakistani song and has exactly the same tune as Chand Sifarish (however the antara is very different)! However, it is not sure whether the song was created before Fanaa’s release. There’s a possibility it can be other way round-the composers of this song may have got inspired from Chand Sifarish. Whoever may be the original composer, the Pakistani version is very amusing. Don’t forget to watch it and let me know your views on it!
This post first appeared on MouthShut.com:http://www.mouthshut.com/diary/jijftromo/Fenils-Bollywood-Talk58
End of the road for this ‘Gangster’
Posted on: June 16, 2009
When Shiney Ahuja, who was playing lead roles, went against the norm and accepted a small role in Kunal Kohli’s Fanaa, he famously explained that his reason for doing so was that the character was called Major Suraj Ahuja, which was also his father’s name in real life. Evidently the young man was proud of being his father’s son. Unfortunately today, the same son has brought much shame to his father and his family, having been accused of raping his maid servant while his wife and daughter were away. The film industry and all those who worked with him are incredulous. Mahesh Bhatt, for whom Shiney did Gangster and Woh Lamhe, put the shock in perspective when he said, “I am not an entertaining man and do not generally invite people home, but Shiney is one of the few who has not only come home with his wife but who charmed my entire family. He was courteous, dignified and proper. Even my Pakistani friends from The Dawn, who met him, thought the same.” Professionally though, Shiney and Mahesh had their differences which Mahesh easily quelled. On the sets of Woh Lamhe when Shiney continuously acted snooty with Mohit Suri, the director, and reports of this misbehaviour reached Mahesh’s ears he summoned Shiney and told him off. “We will throw you out, we don’t work with people who give us attitude,” he said and thereafter work progressed smoothly. Stories of Shiney’s arrogance and mood swings on sets abound. Kangna Ranaut who worked with him in three films, Gangster, Woh Lamhe and Life In A Metro recalls that though they didn’t speak to each other all through their second film, he never made her feel uncomfortable as a girl, did not pile onto any of the many girls on the sets and never revealed a cheesy/sleazy side. “I cannot associate the Shiney I know with the sick monster a rapist is,” she said aghast. Not an easy man to work with and one who irritated most of his co-stars and directors with his suggestions of how they should do a scene, Shiney was a man in a hurry. “In his mind, he had achieved a lot,” said Vinod Pande who recently shot with him for a few days for his film Chalu Movie, after having given Shiney his first release Sins. “And people who achieve a lot, sometimes develop a self-destructive streak.” Shiney’s career, despite his rush, was slowly grinding to a halt which explains his recent attempts at rapprochement with directors with whom he had done his best work. Sudhir Mishra (Hazaron Khwaishein Aisi, Kal) and Mahesh Bhatt were both willing to give him another chance to resurrect his career. He should have seized the chance with both hands. Instead, one wrong choice, and Shiney Ahuja now finds himself on the fast track to nowhere. |
