THE RONITIAN HUB - Page 3

Rohit's mannat for bade bhaiyya
By: Tushar Joshi
August 10, 2005

tushar.joshi@mid-day.com BROTHERS IN ARMS: Rohit (left) and Ronit Roy attend the Ganesh aarti outside Siddhivinayak Temple early Tuesday morning Pics: Vishal Kelkar The Roy brothers, actors Rohit and Ronit, along with close friends and family, walked their way to Siddhivinayak temple in Prabhadevi early Tuesday morning. The reason? Rohit had kept a mannat for elder brother Ronit. "I had decided to do the walk with something in mind for Ronit. Finally, both of us managed to coordinate our schedules and go for the darshan," he said. Three-hour trudge Rohit started walking from his home in Andheri at around 2 am, with friends Samir Soni and Sudhanshu Pandey; they reached the temple at 5.15 am. Ronit, accompanied by wife Neelam, his brother-in-law, and friend Bunty, later joined them. Rohit says he has walked to the temple before. "I have walked to Siddhivinayak years back. It's an out of the world experience; it can't be described in words." He says the last 15 minutes were truly testing. "I wasn't exactly tired, but in the end, when you could almost see the temple, I realised how much I had walked." Ronit's first time PRAISE THE LORD: Samir Soni (left) and Rohit Roy at Siddhivinayak temple Even though he hadn't walked to Siddhivinayak before, elder brother Ronit said the July 26 deluge prepared him for the hike. Like everyone else, I too walked on that dreaded day. I walked home all the way from Malad. I think it prepared me for this." Ronit calls his wife Neelam a hardcore religious bhakt. "She has walked barefoot before and had no issues walking this time around." He says there was a 10-minute delay in reaching the temple, which is why he missed the main pooja. " Halfway through the walk, I lost track of Rohit and the boys, so I got there a bit late." The sight of devotees crawling near Mahim and an old woman walking barefoot touched Ronit. "Seeing people immersed in selfless devotion really moved me. I hope they get everything they have asked for." All about bhaichara When asked if he would walk to the temple again, Ronit said, "Why not? I am a total believer in God. When I found out that Rohit had kept a mannat for me, I decided to join him and give him my support. Next time, I will ask for something for him and take the lead." tushar.joshi@mid-day.com

Aamna's costume birthday party
By: Chaitanya Padukone
July 18, 2005

Chaitanya Padukone DUM MARO DUM: Birthday girl Aamna Sujal and Kashish: Kabhi hum judaa na honge! Aamna "Kashish" Shariff's birthday party at Avalon will be remembered for a long time. The spunky actress decided no simple birthday party would do for her, and sent out the message that everyone had to come "in a fancy costume as part of the Bollywood bash theme." Guests were also given hints to present her with perfume and chocolate, since she likes those things best! MILLION-DOLLAR SMILES: Aamna with a friend Although they are no longer co-stars in Kahiin to Hoga, Rajeev Khandelwal plays Shariff's sweetheart in a new Pakistani serial, Sun Lena. "It's a role of a hep photographer and our new serial will go on air next month." Wasn't she missing Rajeev in 'KTH'? "All of us, including me, miss Rajeev in 'Kahiin To' because he is an amazing, caring human being," gushed Aamna. That explains why Khandelwal was playing co-host at the party looking after the guests as they trickled in. PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE: Aamna with ex and present Sujals Rajeev Khandelwal (centre) and Gurdip Singh (left) Aamna as shareef Aman! When she expected her guests to wear filmi costumes, Aamna had to jump on the bandwagon herself. So she draped herself in a Zeenat Aman outfit, minus any skin-show. No prizes for guessing whom she had in mind when she crooned "aap jaisa koi mere zindagi mein aaye — toh baat ban jaaye." Rajeev misfit in Bappi's shoes ? USE GIRAFTAR KARO! Deepak Parashar with Bobby Darling Rajeev "ex-Sujal" Khandelwal was among the first to arrive at the party and was as good a co-host as his buddy Aamna. Khandelwal tried in vain to look like roly-poly composer Bappi Lahiri. Because although he had worn Lahiri's trademark goggles and layers of chunky jewellery, Khandelwal does not measure up to even one-third of Bappi-da's wide girth. Chetan Grewal: arresting attention Actor Deepak Parashar who plays Sujal's dad wore a senior police inspector's 'vardi'. As soon as he entered there was a hushed silence, as the guests thought some spoil-sport cop had come to dampen the show. "You are all under house arrest till the party is over," quipped Parashar amidst cheers. COPS AND ROBBERS: Ronit Roy, Rajeev Khandelwal and Deepak Parashar Charu sey Chameli tak The sizzling scene-stealer at the party was Surveen Chawla who plays sibling Charu. Clad in a colourful saree she had come as Chameli the sultry character played by Kareena Kapoor. As she swayed, jhatak-matak, on the dance floor she had all the guys wanting to swing with her! Aey 'bhai' mujhe dekh ke chalo: Rishi The ever-smiling Shabbir Ahluwalia who plays Rishi had donned the avataar of a Pathaani 'bhai'. Lest anyone miss out on his baddie get-up he would stop a guest and give them one of his menacing looks. BAD BOYS II: Shabbir Ahluwalia and Ronit Roy Pics: B L Soni Sanjana : The Parveen 'Barbie' 'Raat baaki, baat baaki' whispered Rishi's better half Sanjana, played by actress Dimple Hirji. Less of Parveen and more like a Barbie, she snuggled upto Rishi whenever she had no dance partner. Apun rangeela tapori: Swayam Bechara Swayam (Vikas Sethi) was dressed in a colourful tapori 'designer' outfit. But he made his impact looking more like a sailor with a roving eye than a sadak-chhap Romeo. Suit — or in suit : Akshat Smart boy Akshat (Chaitanya Chaudhary) who is the latest suitor of Kashish took his screen role so seriously that he religiously came in a formal suit. Thanks to the sizzle inside the pub/disco he had to discard his suit and tie and become a casual dude.

wah wah .. u ppl got almost every thing

This is nothing..!!
Aage aage dekho HOTA hain kya!!LOlzzzzzz 😆

"Success is a journey, and every day you face a new battle"
Ronit Roy plays the debonair Rishab Bajaj in Kasauti Zindagi Kay

I tasted success with my first film Jaan Tere Naam in 1992. After that I went through a bad patch, but took it all in my stride.

Success to me is like a journey, and the road ahead is always much more difficult and requires harder and harder work. I feel the more successful you are, the humbler you get. You learn to be more tolerant... may be it is the result of the labour you have put in.

There is no single mantra for success. Lots of people like my father (businessman) and uncle Subhash Ghai have been a source of inspiration for me. Different situations too contribute to what you become in life. My father taught me humility and how to handle situations with diplomacy. Subhash Ghai, with whom I lived for a few years, put me through the grind from which I emerged stronger.

Success is a journey, not a destination. Everyday you have to face a new battle. You have to do better work than you did the previous day.

While your family and genuine friends feel happy with the accolades you get, many cannot handle somebody else's happiness. But that is okay, it is all part of the game.

I am happy with the two serials I'm doing on the small screen. They take up most of my time. Now people don't look down on TV. Small-screen stars are as popular if not more than the film stars. Unlike the movies where the dashing hero may be the delight of just teeny boppers, serials have a larger fan-following: men, women, children, grandparents, all are hooked to them. I feel honoured when even three-year-olds walk up to me shyly and address me as Bajaj uncle.

Putting in 16-18 hours in a day, leaves me little free time. In fact, I was once a big party animal. Again, I haven't seen a movie for about one and a half years and there's just no time to meet friends. But I don't miss all that I can't do. I like to remain focused on what I have to do.

Ronit Roy

ALL IN THE FAMILY
Unlike the past few years, the Star Parivar Awards 2005 were held al fresco this year, but keeping with tradition, like every year, this year too the event commenced very late! Not entirely the fault of the organisers, there were "stars" floating in at 10 pm, when the affair was almost over! Very bad behaviour... somebody does need to remind them ke time time ki baat hai, jaani...!

One early bird (who caught a worm too) was Ronit Bose Roy, who strode in wearing his wife on his sleeve and a hair-band on his head! Chottey bhaiyaa Rohit Roy walked in a-la-casual sporting jeans and a tee! Amar Upadhyay, escorted by his better half, walked in wearing a "Don't follow me, I'm lost too" look! Hmmm... was that because he's not doing any "Star" shows therefore he's not nominated for any awards either or was that because he's trying to find his way back into the channel... Guess we'll just have to wait and watch!

The Balaji gangsters were there in full force... The Kyunki... lineup created most of the commo tion, considering they won most of the awards too! Tulsiji a.k.a. Smriti Z Iraani and Parvatiji a.k.a. Sakshi Tanwar were most conspicuous by their absence... magar kyun?. Chieftain Ekta Kapoor, as expected strolled in way past her scheduled time of arrival, shadowed by her usual entourage, plus one... Peter Mukherjea... Peter and Ekta made a fashionably late but majestic entry together!

The Khichdi squad was there too... Anang Desai, Rajiv Mehta, Vandana Pathak and Jamnadas Majethia... playing the role of anchors and award presenters mainly! Other presenters included star Gurdeep Kohli plus ex-star fiance Arjun J Punj ("J" because it was just added or "J" because just...?) and Eijaaz Khan doing the major oye-bubbles with his chewing gum, Jeniffer Wingett and Tina Parakh. Chaitanya was there too, desperately trying to sound funny, while Akashdeep Seghal was desperately trying to appear sober! The rest of the anchors included Surveen Chawla, Karan Grover, Shradha Nigam, Juhi Parmar et many, many al...! M ost performances that evening were dull and without any passion...

The performers looked thakaa hua, literally! Others looked bored! Hussain and Juhi Parmar did some Kaal item numbers and did them well, I must add! Shabir Ahluwalia and Reva Babbar tried to dance but just about managed to sleepwalk to Main Hoon Na tunes... Another gig featuring Karishma Tanna, Manoj Joshi, Arun Bali, Deepak Qazir, Rita Bhaduri and Sudha Chandran, was worth a dekho, as was the finale Bunty aur Babli thingy performed by Eijaaz Khan and Natasha. Star even launched an album of songs that evening... the release was done by Rohit Bakshi and Mrinal Kulkarni, kyun...? Kyunki... I guess!?

Lost in the crowd sat Aamna Sharif with suitcases under her eyes, trying very hard to smile for the shutterbugs! Were those bags from late-night shoots or shedding tears over Rajiv Khandelwal's departure from Kahiin To Hoga?

And, while we're on the subject, forget being nominated for any award, Rajiv bechaara wasn't even invited for the show! A final bit of gossip... when Ronit Roy received his award, he's understood to have said something to the extent... "Ekta whatever happens tomorrow, my family and I will always be obligated to you forever." Shhh... Ekta ne sunaa kya? I must bid you goodbye for the week -- as always, I promise to be back same time, same place with lots more star-dust ... until then, stay tuned and rukaawat ke liye khed hai...!

Harried days
The battle between Sarrkkar... and Kasauti Zindagi Kay seems to be taking it toll on Ronit Roy who's caught between the two daily soaps. If he shoots for Zee's Sarrkkar..., Ekta Kapoor who's instrumental for his comeback on television will drop him from Kasauti.... On the other hand, Sarrkar.. a political drama is unlike the saas-bahu soaps he is currently doing, so he may not be willing to let go. Consequently, Ronit who's playing Mihir in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi seems to be suffering from bad hair days. The wig he's donning, probably to cover his receeding hairline is, ugh! badly fitted, it falls all over his face. Do something nah, Ronit!
Harried days

Chaya Unnikrishnan

Race against time

Chaya Unnikrishnan
Posted online: Friday, June 17, 2005 at 0000 hours IST

Sarrkkar - Risshton Ki Ankahi Kahani, written by Shobhaa De and produced by Manish Goswami, is moving on a fast-track. The racy political thriller is inspired by India's famous political dynasty, the Gandhis which is enough bait to lure viewers ... and us. It's nearing noon and the sun is resplendent. The heat is on us and we are on our way to cover the hot n' happening political saga Sarrkkar -- Risshton Ki Ankahi Kahani unfolding on Zee.

As we enter the studio located in a western suburb, we find Divya Seth and Tisca Chopra readying for a shot. Both are looking cool in white outfits, Divya in a saree and Tisca in a chikan salwar suit. In the scene, Tisca's (Urvashi) telling her mom-in-law that she will meet Mouli Ganguly (Krittika) who's on a fast unto death and try to reason with her. Krittika's upset that the cop who raped her cousin Gayatri hasn't been booked by the authorities yet.

Since the duo is busy shooting, we catch up with Mouli who is relaxing in her room waiting for her shot. Dressed in a chic, short salwar kurta and flowing hair, Mouli looks simple and charming. In fact, she has been asked to be her natural self in the serial too. "I have been told to look as unglamorous as possible," she grins. Her character is probably one of the most complex ones in the entire serial. Emotional and morally upright, Mouli is shown to share a love-hate relationship with her mother. An aspect, hitherto unexplored on the small screen. That's precisely the reason why Mouli was drawn to this role. "I have a keeda for doing unusual and challenging roles which have something new to offer," says the actress who's turned her back on popular cliched roles (she got plenty of them) after becoming a household name as Shaina in Balaji Telefilm's Kaahin Kissi Roz. "I didn't want to get stuck in the same mould and so I opted to play Saakshi, an undercover agent," she admits. The serial which started well couldn't sustain its hold because of its unusual storyline. "The masses did not accept a woman playing a non-traditional role," rues Mouli.

I am not inspired by anybody nor have I done any research on the character'

That however, hasn't deterred her from following her chosen path. After a short stint in Kkusum which didn't work out to her satisfaction, she took up Sarrkkar ... which, according to her is performance-oriented, and one with a "decent bank of episodes." For an actress who's always been shooting back-to-back episodes, this is a welcome change. The rape scene, however, is an add-on based on a recent incident that occurred at the Marine Lines police chowky. The track with a few changes got incorporated into the storyline which would have otherwise followed the Shweta-Karan wedding.

The incident, both on and off the screen, has deeply moved the actress who gets goosebumps even recalling the scene. "Though I read about rape cases in newspapers, it was quite a revelation when we shot for it. Though I knew it was for the camera, when I saw Gayatri lying with bruise marks on her face and blood oozing out of her mouth, I was shocked. I had to cry for the camera but this was one cue I didn't need. The tears started flowing automatically, even Divya who was on the sets couldn't hold back. All of us became emotional. The girl who was laughing a few minutes ago had vanished and in her place was a sad, injured one. It was traumatic just shooting for it. I can't imagine how anyone can do it," she shudders.

On that thought, she leaves us as lunchbreak is announced. We approach Tisca who agrees for a small chat before tucking into her meal. Currently, Tisca as Urvashi is shown to be the calm, loving and obedient daughter-in-law of chief minister Priyamvada. It is with her that Priyamvada discusses her family problems and politics. So far, Urvashi has been supportive of whatever her saas is saying but slowly she will take the role of an advisor, the beginnings of which we've already seen in the last two episodes regarding the riots in a village and Shweta-Karan marriage.

"Urvashi is someone who stands up for what is right and believes in doing good work. She's the one who convinces her hubby to take part in politics while she herself is learning the ropes," says Tisca who identifies with the character. "There are several things we have in common. Like Urvashi, I also have a lot of patience. I know the role has a lot of potential. Both Urvashi and I are waiting for our turn," she philsophises.

Like Urvashi, I also have a lot of patience. I know the role has a lot of potential'

The ex-filmstar's other popular role is that of Mallika in Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii who creates havoc in the Aggarwal household. Lately, her track has taken a back seat and soon, Tisca says it will be over. That leaves her with Sarrkkar ... and at present she wants to concentrate only on that. "Actually, it's become my family. The set-up is comfortable and we all have become very close. So much so that we can even tell the lice in each others' hair," she jokes.

It was exactly this feeling of camaraderie and togetherness that brought Divya Seth back from her four-and-a-half-year hiatus. Since she had done Manish Goswami's Abhimaan and Daraar earlier, she knew the unit like the back of her hand. "Besides, the role was exciting, for the first time I am playing a politician," avers Divya who's delivering a power-packed performance as Mrs Gandhi, oops Priyamvada.

I have a keeda for doing unusual and challenging roles which have something new to offer'

We can't help it, if she reminds us of the famous politician down to the grey streaks in the hair. Except that Mrs Indira Gandhi had it closer to the forehead and Priyamvada has preferred to colour it in the side. You figure it out because we can't understand why she chose such a um....wierd position. Tell that to Divya and she says it's just a coincidence. "Believe it or not, I decided on keeping my hair short. I was told I looked young, and that I should have visible grey strands. It was my idea to have it in the side," she says straight-faced adding "I am not inspired by anybody nor have I done any research on the character. I am playing Priyamvada, a politician from a royal family, like an actress would." She shares a volatile relationship with Karan who is hot-headed and aggressive in the serial. But he's the one closest to her heart. "Karan and I think exactly alike but since I have to hold back my emotions, it seems as though I disagree with him," says Divya about her screen son Karan.

Ronit Roy, who's hit the bull's eye with his angry young man act, thinks this is the best role of his career. What's more, he identifies with Karan completely. "Like Karan, I think we need a little autocracy in the country. Democracy has taken us nowhere. There is so much potential for growth but nothing's being done about it," he says getting carried away. Not letting up, he continues, "Do you know even today people abroad associate India with elephants and yogis?" A politician in the making? Well, we wouldn't be surprised if Rohit gets into rajneeti full-time!

When I have scenes opposite my brother, I don't feel I am acting at all'

Besides his to-die-for role, Rohit's excited about acting with real and reel life brother Ronit aka Kunal. "When I have scenes opposite my brother, I don't feel I am acting at all. He's very easy-going, both on and off the screen. In fact, both of us are more or less playing our real selves in the serial. I am short-tempered and highly emotional while Ronit is calm and sensible. The chemistry between us shows on the screen," says Rohit proudly. Post Sarrkkar..., Rohit who is also hosting a dance show on Zoom, is getting offers dime-a-dozen. "He's refusing one serial a day," offers Manish, the brain behind the casting coup.

"From the beginning, I was clear that the Roy brothers will play Karan and Kunal and Divya Seth will be Priyamvada," he states. It took him eight months to convince the actors but he persisted. Today, he's happy with the response he's getting for the serial. "I didn't want to do another family drama and get lost amidst 20 similar soaps," he informs.

Agreed, and now it's time for us to leave the studio. Lunch is over, we have got the info and the team is back to 'rolling' and 'action', Sarrkkar style...