ALL ARTICLES RELATED TO SHABIR AKA RISHI - Page 2

EKTAA KAPOOR-SHABBIR AHLUWALIA-"FRIENDS OR FOES"

SOURCE: MID-DAY
DATE: 14 SEPTEMBER 2006

Who is to blame for the Ekta-Shabbir rift?




Shabbir Ahluwalia and Ekta Kapoor
All's not well on the Shabbir Ahluwalia and Ekta Kapoor front. The Balaji grapevine has it that these two close buddies have stopped talking to each other. And it has been for quite a while. Those close to the czarina of the small screen will vouch for her affections for Shabbo —-as Ekta fondly calls Shabbir.

So what was the reason for drifting apart? Apparently Shabbo rubbed Ekta the wrong way. The first whisper came soon after Shabbo attended Nausheen Ali Sardar's birthday bash. Shabbo and Nosh (that's what Nausheen is called) were quite an item at the bash.

Apparently Shabbo refers to Nausheen as Naushad — he considers her as a buddy. Knowing Ekta's thanda vibes for Nausheen post her walkout from Kkusum, the queen of soaps was not all amused by the Shabbo-Nosh dosti. And had her say on it — after which Shabbo stopped talking to Nausheen.

Though Ekta and Shabbo patched up — it was not for long. What really upset Ekta was when she was not getting Shabbo's undivided attention and his bonding with the other Balaji folks.

This time Ekta was in no mood to patch up with Shabbo. Last heard, the cold shouldering was enough to form a glacier at Sankraman Studios.

EVERYBODY LOVES RISHI

Visiting a television set may sound like a boring prospect, but the Kahiin To Hoga (Star Plus) unit looked like a fun place to be.

Shabbir Ahluwalia who plays the unpredictable Rishi seemed to be popular with everyone around.

From the spot boys to his co-stars — he seems to be best-buddies with everyone.

Even though speculations are rife about his having a soft corner for Tina Parakh (Shruti of Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii), he brushes them aside with a smile calling her — surprise, surprise — 'a very good friend'.

In fact, one person that he seemed to be fond of on the set was his wife Sanjana played by Dimple.

"We had a fight last night, and now it's my turn to get back to her," he says cheekily. Of course, the fight turned out to be more playful than anything else. As some one on the set said, "When Rishi's around you can always expect fun."

FASHIONABLY WICKED: SHABBIR SEBASTIAN AHLUWALIA

Text by Jayashree Menon
Published: Volume 14, Issue 2, March-April, 2006

The Casanova of tellyville, Shabir Sebastian Ahluwalia,
has won a slew of style icon awards with his untidy, unkempt looks
In a recent episode of Kahiin to Hoga, Rishi Grewal winked, "One girl, one week, that's my philosophy." Viewers cheered lustily, happy that their favourite Casanova of tellyville was back to his marauding ways.
Shabir Sebastian Ahluwalia claims he's nothing like the character he portrays on screen, except for the almost adulatory love he and his character, Rishi, share for their respective elder brothers. "I love my BB (big brother to the uninitiated) Sameer even more than Rishi loves Sujal," he says rather unabashedly. Was his name inspired by Amar Akbar Anthony? "No, no nothing like that," he laughs. "My dad is Punjabi so that's where the Ahluwalia comes from; my mom's a Catholic which explains the Sebastian and as for Shabir - well they just liked the name."
This Mumbai lad loved sports as much as acting and as a student, dabbled in both whilst pursuing his BCom. Even before he graduated, he had done a few episodes of the youthful serial, Hip Hip Hurray.
If playing the wild and audacious Rishi in Kahiin To Hoga has won him an enduring fan following, then co-hosting Nach Baliye, with Sangeeta Ghosh, proved that he was no mean dancer himself. He's also looking forward to the X Files-inspired Karmic Connection.
Why the untidy, unkempt look? "I'm too lazy and this works for me." Obviously it does, for he's already won a slew of style icon awards. "Most actors are so well-groomed that I stand out in contrast!"

Introvert who plays flirt!

SOURCE: TELLYCHAKAKR.COM
DATE: 29 September 2004
BY VIVEK LALWANI

He is sly, he's brash. He's a party animal, he's a Casanova. God knows how many girls he's going around with. And how can we forget that he even tried drugs? On screen, of course.

Frankly, it was a surprise to see him getting the 'Best Devar' award at the Star Parivaar nite. How can the Best Devar impregnate a girl and live-in with her sister? Pat comes the defense. "Still, there's something loveable about Rishi. That's why you are here, aren't you?" Can we argue?
A hardcore Mumbaiite, Shabbir Ahluwalia, Rishi of Kahiin To Hoga to his several fans, would have been a great sportsman if not an actor. He's played soccer for Bombay University, baseball at the national level. "I also used to play a lot of cricket. But now, there is no time for sport," laments Shabbir. His day, nevertheless, still starts with a game of squash or badminton followed by a swim, "if I have not had a very late night shoot."

"Some girls come up and say,'serial mein to bahut sexy bante ho,asal mein kya ho jata hai tumko?
That can be very embarrassing"

Lounging in a casual tee and jeans at a suburban Cafe Coffee Day on a lazy Sunday afternoon, he orders a cold coffee. While I'm still dithering between a latte and a mocha, he takes us by surprise, saying, "I know what you want to know. Is the real Rishi as flamboyant and naughty as the reel one?" Bingo! But those twinkling eyes are loath to reveal more. "That's for you to guess. I am not here to disclose everything about myself," he shoots back laughingly.

One more sip into the cold beverage, the youngest sibling of an ex-army personnel says, "Believe it or not, I am a very shy and reticent guy. No girlfriends, no bikes, no parties. I would rather spend my free time with my parents or catch up on some film on DVD."

Apparently having noticed my wide eyed expression, he grins. "It's just a role that I am playing. Ekta Kapoor does not flesh out characters whose personal life matches the requirements of her script."
But he plays it so convincingly, especially the sly smile, the shake of the head, the mischievous glint in the eye. He outdid himself when he disguised himself as Mrs. Braganza (the track which was meant to be a two-day affair was extended to 15 days, the soaring TRPs having taken the call!).
"That's simply acting, yaar. I knew I had to leave some impression with this role, else I would have ended up as an also-ran," he explains. Sour memories of the abrupt end to his character in Kyunki....? For those with a memory that needs jostling, he played Suhasini's son, Aniket.

"Rishi will continue being Rishi. Does a man ever change?"

He elaborates, "You tend to forget that I don't have the same mannerisms in Kahaani... where I (Soumil) am diametrically the opposite of Rishi. I have been lucky. Soumil is this very nice, sophisticated, enterprising guy... He's got values; he is a good businessman- someone who every father would want his daughter married to. Again, I am not exactly like Soumil.''
Digested.
But we can't digest the fact that such a handsome hunk does not have a girlfriend, or rather, girlfriends.
He again laughs and it's some time till he can talk… "Again my character is doing the trick. Believe me, I strongly believe in the institution of marriage. I will fall in love only when I have marriage in mind. And I abhor the casual attitude of today's youngsters who change partners with every season. Casual sex and live-in relationships is not my cup of tea," he points out. Phew!
Go on, tell us you don't even get any messages and calls too, huh Rishi, err, Shabbir?

Pat comes the reply. "Did I say that? Of course I do," he straightens up. "Actually, I receive umpteen messages and calls from girls who say that they want to go out with me, blah, blah, blah," and he blushes, but quickly recovers, "But I cut them short. It may sound rude, but I can't misuse my popularity.'"
Is Shabbir less popular with females than his counterpart Rajeev Khandelwal (Sujal)? "I don't know how many messages Rajeev gets every day, but I know for sure that I am a very contented soul today. Being popular with females when you play negative roles is not easy. Think of it, I am enjoying the incentive. Thank God no female knows my email id as yet. Else my mailbox would have been spammed," he winks.
Films? "Yes. I am talking to a filmmaker who wants me in the lead, essaying a very crazy character. I hope it works out, so that I can go ahead and adjust my dates," but quickly adds, "I will never stop being Rishi till Kahiin To Hoga ends. Even if I get a plum offer in Bollywood, I will adjust my dates and balance both."
The guy who does not mess with girls, follows a similar pattern with his directors. "I don't question my director. I don't demand more scenes and dialogues. For me, one scene is enough every day," he says.
Will Rishi who pulls off the role with such style, ease and charm, despite no formal training in acting, ever change? Plainly speaking, will he mend his ways? On date, the chances seem pretty high; last week he wedded Sanjana. He lets us in, ''So what? Sanjana or no Sanjana, Rishi will continue being Rishi. Does a man ever change?"
Point taken, Mr. Incorrigible Flirt.

IS SHABBIR DOING FILMS?

SOURCE: TELLYCHAKKAR.COM
DATE: 27 JANUARY 2005

Shabbir Ahluwalia (aka Rishi of Kahiin To Hoga) is being flooded with film offers. "I have received a couple of offers but I haven't signed as yet. So it would be premature to divulge the details," he informs. On date, Shabbir has no time to breathe. Reason? Aamna and Rajeev are away to Malaysia for a Pakistani serial. The spotlight in the forthcoming track is on Shabbir. Didn't the guy steal the thunder from everybody in the frame when he exposed Kashish's game-plan last week? Keep it up, Shabbir.

WHAT DOES SHABBIR DO POST MIDNIGHT?"

SOURCE: TELLYCHAKKAR.COM
DATE: 29 JUNE 2006

These days you find me watching the football matches, that's because the football fever is high man! And trust me, other than that, I don't feel like doing anything else, but catching some zzzzzzzs!

WHAT DOES SHABBIR DO POST MIDNIGHT?"

SOURCE: TELLYCHAKKAR.COM
DATE: 29 JUNE 2006

These days you find me watching the football matches, that's because the football fever is high man! And trust me, other than that, I don't feel like doing anything else, but catching some zzzzzzzs!

POLL ON SHABBIR

Which character would you like to go on a date with?

Ansh of Kyunki.... 15%

Daya of CID...... 10%

Nandu of Jassi.... 13%

Rishi of Kahiin To Hoga 38%

Bikram of K Street.... 2%

Dr Manas of Astitva 21%

Total number of votes cast: 1200

And the winner is...
The verdict came as no surprise to us.
Kahiin To Hoga's Rishi, the villainous yet dashing Shabbir Ahluwalia grabbed a
whopping 440 out of a total 1182 votes polled for readers' choice date.



Which negative character would you like to see in a positive role?

Urvashi Dholakia 34%

Akashdeep Sehgal 22%

Shabbir Ahluwalia 35%

Sweta Keswani 7%

Kunika Lall 2%

Total number of votes cast : 1258

And the winner is...
They are obviously adored, but for all the wrong reasons.
Which is why we thought we would find out which actor viewers would like to see
in some real goody-goody roles.
It was a close fight, won by Shabbir 'Rishi' Ahluwalia, who secured 432 votes,
just seven votes more than those garnered by Urvashi 'Komolika' Dholakia.
Akashdeep 'Ansh' Saigal didn't do badly either, 273 people said they would love to see him
in a positive role. Sweta Keswani and Kunika Lall however are preferred in their hallmark negative roles,
with Sweta getting 80 and Kunika a mere 31 votes

"SHABBIR WANTS TO RUB SHOULDERS WITH RAMU"

By: Joyeeta Basu
DATE: August 5, 2004

If the Balaji bandwagon has the nation hooked to a chain of soaps, they have also established new faces on the screen.
One of their better finds is perhaps Shabir Sebastian Ahluwalia.
This 24-year-old resident of Lokhandwala says he loves the world of acting and enjoys his space in the industry.
Playing the characters Rishi and Soumil in Kahin To Hoga and Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki, respectively, Shabir says he feels a kinship with both the reel life characters.
"When I was in college, I featured in a few episodes of Hip Hip Hooray. I then auditioned for Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and acted in two episodes. I then got offers for other serials and landed into the roles I'm currently playing."
Shabir, who has also featured in advertisements for Microsoft and Euro Tiles, says he prefers to do something more concrete and fulfilling. "Advertisements are only a few seconds long. People watch them and then forget them. So I would like to act in television serials and films so that I am able to create a lasting impression in people's mind," he says.
A national level baseball player and university level soccer player, the lean Shabir says sports had always been his first love till he discovered acting. "I wanted to pursue a career in sports but that world is seeped in politics and it really got to me and I decided to do something else," he says.
Shabir then headed to Montreal, where he worked with a shipping company for a year. However, he came back to India and pursued a diploma in multi media and eventually got into acting. "I was always interested in theatre and acted in a few plays when I was studying in National College.
When I decided to pursue acting as a career, my parents were extremely supportive, especially my dad. He has always been my inspiration," says Shabir.
Busy shooting seven days a week, he does not get enough time to unwind. "My parents tell me they see me more often on television than in person," he says. But whenever he gets time off from shoots, Shabir says he unwinds by going on a long drive and listening to his favourite music — Enya and Robbie Williams.

'Al Pacino is my inspiration'
Shabir says life has been kind so far and stretching it far would mean acting in a film directed by Ram Gopal Varma or Karan Johar. He reveals, "Al Pacino's role in Scarface is the kind of character I'd like to play."
Speaking of competition Shabir says he has to face everyday he says, "Competition is good. It brings out the best in people. I am a very hard working person, and that's my USP," he says.

SHABBIR ALL SET OT SIZZLE ON THE SILVER SCREEN
SOURCE: MID-DAY
DATE: 24 MAY 2006
BY UPALA KBR

TV actor Shabbir Ahluwalia (Rishi Garewal of
Kahiin Toh Hoga), is making a dream debut in
Sanjay Gupta and Ekta Kapoor's co-
production, Shootout At Lokhandwala.

Apoorva Lakhia is directing the star-studded
film, comprising Sanjay Dutt, Viveik Oberoi,
Arjun Rampal, Tusshar Kapoor, Esha Deol,
Urmila Matondkar, Arbaaz Khan and Rohit
Roy.


TV talent

"It is true I will be launching Shabbir in the film," says Gupta. He's got a great role in an ensemble film, and is surrounded by brilliant talent. I have faith in Shabbir and find him very talented. Rohit Roy is also in the film. I find it interesting to promote two hot TV stars — both hold great potential for the future."

How did Gupta chance upon Shabbir? "I have watched his performances
on TV, and he came highly recommended. When I met him for the first time, I realised he has charisma and star presence plastered all over him. Shabbir is perfectly suited for my film, with a galaxy of higher stars."

Gangster rap

According to sources close to Gupta, Shabbir has a super role, and his character will be specially stylised by the filmmaker. "Shabbir plays a gangster in the film, a complete alcoholic with an emotional past that has made him the way he is today," reveals the source about Shabbir's character.

"Amitabh Bachchan will also be seen in the film, in a "specialised role", along with Abhishek Bachchan, who will have a special appearance."

Says Shabbir, "I am very excited to be doing Sanjay Gupta's film. I loved his last, Zinda. It's an ideal break for any newcomer to have. I don't care about playing hero or anti-hero — the role has to excite me. I love films like Usual Suspects and Identity.

When I met Sanjay for the first time, he told me we would work together, but I didn't think it would happen. I met with Apoorva Lakhia on Monday, and he narrated the role and showed me footage from the film; it was mind-blowing! How could I say no?"


TV's on

Doesn't he mind being part of an ensemble cast? "I don't mind that. I am just happy to be a part of a team of professional people, from whom I can learn a lot."

Now that he is doing films, will he give up acting on TV? "No, not at all. I will do TV and films. It all depends on what kind of role it is and what's challenging for me," says Shabbir, who also acts in Karmic Konnection.