KA Articles Archive - Page 9

The bhoot fan club: Part II
By: Sandipan Dalal
November 8, 2005
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Thrills, chills and screams drive our leading ladies too. Horror flicks continue to be a popular choice among the women, too. Sandipan Dalal speaks to a few to find out what scares them the most…

Natassha
Given a choice I will watch: A thriller.
My all-time favourite scary movie: I don't like scary movies at all. You won't believe I couldn't sit through my own film, Krishna Cottage.
My first horror film: I saw Exorcist for 10 minutes and I couldn't sleep for two nights.
Best time to watch horror film is: I guess in the night.
My partner in crime: It has to be good friends like Shabbir Ahluwalia or Anupam.




Archana Puran Singh
Given a choice I will watch: A thriller.
My all-time favourite scary movie: I don't like horror movies at all, but the scariest I've seen so far is Exorcist.
My first horror film: I remember watching Mera Saaya when I was in school, and I was clutching on to my sister's hand.
Best time to watch horror film is: Definitely, at night, because your imagination goes wild with the slightest sound.
My partner in crime: Do I get to choose Mr Amitabh Bachchan?

Delnaz Paul
Given a choice I will watch: A horror film.
My all-time favourite scary movie: Exorcist.
My first horror film: I saw Bandh Darwaza when I was 8 years old, with my parents.
Best time to watch horror film is: Night would be exciting. But even a few years back when I was raw, it would be in the morning.
My partner in crime: Rakesh hates horror films and I simply love watching it with him.


Riva Bubber
Given a choice I will watch: A thriller.
My all-time favourite scary movie: Exorcist, but I'm not a horror film buff.
My first horror film: Exorcist. I was left completely petrified.
Best time to watch horror film is: In the night.
My partner in crime: I would prefer taking a huge gang of friends so that we can scream together when the ugly ghost surfaces.



Rupali Ganguly
Given a choice I will watch: I love horror films.
My all-time favourite scary movie: I have two—Exorcist and Bees Saal Baad.
My first horror film: My parents are even braver. They had taken me along to watch Hotel when I was only three. A blanket was wrapped around me so that people around don't see me.
Best time to watch horror film is: Afternoon.
My partner in crime: I see it at home with my cousins. But I wish I had a boyfriend who I could cuddle up with when that chill would run down my spine.


Juhi Parmar
Given a choice I will watch: Although I get too scared, I will prefer watching a horror film any day.
My all-time favourite scary movie: Ram Gopal Verma's Bhoot.
My first horror film: Honestly, I don't remember.
Best time to watch horror film is: In the night.
My partner in crime: My sister Hina.

Karisma Tanna
Given a choice I will watch: Horror stuff.
My all-time favourite scary movie: Evil Dead.
My first horror film: I saw Evil Dead with my sister. I would bury my face under the blanket whenever I would get scared.
Best time to watch horror film is: At midnight.
My partner in crime: My boyfriend and a couple of friends.

Tassnim Sheikh
Given a choice I will watch: I can't explain the kick I get after watching a horror film.
My all-time favourite scary movie: Please let me mention two: Evil Dead and Bhoot.
My first horror film: Jaani Dushman. Although children were not allowed, my dad had taken me to this amphitheatre to watch it, since he knew the manager out there. The funniest part was my dad would keep closing my eyes throughout the film.
Best time to watch horror film is: At midnight.
My partner in crime: Of course my fianc, Sameer. He would watch a horror film and then scare the hell out of me with his pranks.

Shonali Malhotra Sonii
Given a choice I will watch: A horror film any day.
My all-time favourite scary movie: Exorcist.
My first horror film: Evil Dead when I was 9 years old. I saw it by mistake at a friend's house and I couldn't sleep for months.
Best time to watch horror film is: Obviously in the night. I can sit through any scary movie all by myself, with the lights off, and not a single individual in the house.
My partner in crime: My husband Ashish. However, he doesn't like it. But bears it since I only enjoy bhoot pret.


Mandira Bedi
Given a choice I will watch: A thriller.
My all-time favourite scary movie: The Blair Witch Project is the scariest of the lot, but I'm not fond of horror films.
My first horror film: I generally have stayed away from horror stuff all my life.
Best time to watch horror film is: In the daytime, otherwise I'll have sleepless nights.
My partner in crime: Of course, my husband Raj. He will give a running commentary while I hide my face during a gory scene.

Natassha's nest...



Our reporter, Reena Thapar Kapoor will take you where no fan has been before – right into the lives and living rooms of your favourite celebrities. Get set for classified information



At the first glance, Natassha might look like just another girl. But there is more to her than what meets the eye. With over seven films under her belt already and a lead role in a popular show Kavyanjali she is one woman to look out for. What makes her stand out is her simplicity and down-to-earth nature. And no, it isn't restricted to journalists who come with photographers to her house. On a sunny October afternoon, we catch up with her as she readies to fly to Hong Kong for a shoot.


1. Mirror Image
The peach and orange shades on the bedroom walls speak volumes of the sobre and easy-going person who lives there. The few pictures you see reflected in the mirror are among the many that adorn the walls of the room… pictures of her mother, sister, friends… and Ekta Kapoor.

2. close brush
This painting is special to Natassha. An ardent fan came on the sets of Kavyanjali and with her permission drew and painted a picture of hers. "I was really touched by his gesture," she quips. The man gifted it to her and since then it occupies a special place in her heart… and her house.

3. Puppy Love
The name's Company, not D Company… just plain simple Company. Think it's an unusual name? Natassha doesn't think so. "There was a time when I didn't have many friends and I yearned for company. So I bought a dog and called him Company," she says.

4. Kitchen talk
This is perhaps the rare time that Natassha has stepped into the kitchen. "I don't cook," she says sheepishly confessing that she only ventures near the gas stove when she has a headache… to make a cup of chai. For everything else there's her loyal domestic help (left) of 23 years

5. Idol worship
She might not sport a prominent 'tikka' on her forehead like her boss (Ekta). But she is certainly very religious. "… not fanatic, though!" she insists. Her busy schedules do not allow her to perform pujas everyday. But she cleans this mandir as often as she can.


DID YOU KNOW

• Her real name is Anita Hassanandani

• Had to lose eight kilos before she shot for Kuch To Hai

• Did her schooling in Avabai Petit school in Bandra

• Because of her acting assignments, she didn't pursue higher studies

• Loves Chinese food and frequents Mainland China

• Rio Net lounge and the coffee shop in JW Mariiott are her favourite hang outs

• In cosmetics she has a fetish for MAC products

• Watches a lot of TV, is an absolute couch potato

• Her formal clothes both Indian and western are designed by Si Branche

• Carries her favourite short denim skirt and wears it often

Natassha Won Glamour Award:


For old time's sake: (L-r): Asha Parekh, Aruna Irani, Jeetendra, Reena Roy, and Maushmi Chatterjee



All eyes on the awards
Wednesday, November 09, 2005 | Television

The HHITA awards ceremony was impressive in its turnout, but the show was not without its pitfalls

Monday night, there were only two places you could find television stars – on your television, and at the 5th annual Hero Honda Indian Television Academy awards that were held at the Bhavan's Cultural Ground, Andheri. Togged up in designer wear, and looking just about as glamourous, the TV actors proved they were no less than the film-stars in the way of star power.

We spotted Shweta Kawatra sulking for reasons best known to her. Shama Sikander's grand entrance worked – the audience sat up and noticed her. Dressed in a Ritu Kumar outfit, she looked absolutely stunning. As far as the men go, Shabbir Ahluwalia looked oh-so-cool in a white suit. We thought of congratulating Mona Singh. Not because of the award she won but because she looked slimmer than her usual self. Her diet plan must work after all! On the 'weight' issue, we can't ignore Smriti Irani. The actress-cum-politician ditched her typical Gujarati look for a change. And we think she looked quite nice.

But although our eyes scanned the aisles for sauntering celebrities, what they were wearing, and who they were with, we also kept an eye out for who was seated next to whom. Our verdict: the organisers could have been more attentive to the seating arrangement –- it was a complete disaster. A couple of known names like Chetan Hansraj and a large part of the Balaji camp were made to sit at the back with the audiences, while the likes of Dolly Bindra occupied front row seats. Such errors truly show Shashi and Anu Ranjan (founders of the ITA) in a bad light. Then there was a mini melee as czarina Ekta Kapoor, Tarun Katial and Shailaja Kejriwal made their grand entry. Errand boys and security personnel ran every which way…

But once the star dust settled down, and the show began, we had even less to applaud at. The performances of most actors were below average. Except for Shweta Tiwari's 'Kajra re'... act. It was refreshing to see an otherwise inhibited Ronit Roy dancing on the lines of Amitabh Bachchan on the Bunty Aur Babli track. But the shocker of the evening was when Ms Tiwari lost her balance and slipped on stage while dancing. Although the wind was knocked out of her, she was helped back up by the Roy brothers (Ronit and Rohit), and the dance resumed…although Tiwari had a flushed look on her face throughout.

Then the awards were brought out to distribute. And like at any other awards, you tend to appreciate the choice of a given person for a given award, and wonder at the choice of another… I notice that Jeetendra has become a fixture on the recipient list at almost every television award ceremony; what I can't imagine is, considering his huge contribution to Hindi cinema, shouldn't he be felicitated at these ceremonies instead? Isn't television, his darling daughter Ekta's domain?

'Unimpressive' is the only way to describe the evening. Both Shashi and Anu Ranjan could have done a better job. We seriously hope to see a better show next year.


THE WINNERS ARE...

• Best Actor in popular category: Hiten Tejwani (Kyunki...)

• Best Actress in popular category: Smriti Irani (Kyunki...)

• Best Serial in popular category: Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi

• Best Actress Drama: Mona Singh (Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi)

• Best Actor Drama: Varun Badola (Astitiva)

• Best Actor Comedy: Satish Shah (Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai)

• Best Actress Comedy: Ratna Pathak Shah (Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai)

• Best Actor in negative role: Makarand Deshpande (CID-Maneater)

• Best Actress in negative role: Sudha Chandran (Prratima)

• Gr8 Newcomer (male): Karan Wahi (Remix)

• Gr8 Newcomer: Mona Wasu (Millee)

• The Hero Honda Glamour award: Natassha (Kavyanjali)

• Best Actor in supporting role: Shabbir Ahluwalia (Kahin To Hoga)

• Best Actress in supporting role: Shilpa Saklani (Kyunki...)

Bit About Eijaz in HHITA


A special award was given to actors who have made the transition from the big screen to the small screen.

Ejaz Khan (from the soap Kkavyanjali) danced to songs originally performed by the movie stars as he brought them onstage, even as they did a few steps of their own.

Short Takes-Shabir Ahluwalia(vansh)

My full name - Shabir Sebastian Ahluwalia. Sebastian was my grandfather's name


My birthday- 10 August

My hair - has always been wavy, but had to get it straightened recently to suit a character

Acting is - work

Being a host is - being myself

My love life is - boring; there's been no spice in it for quite a while

The most important person in my life - My parents

I am scared of - God

My wildest bedroom fancy - can't tell you!

Sexiest lady on screen - Anjelina Jolie

Fun is - being with friends and freaking out

Natassha goes back to her original name

Ekta's buddy feels that being 'Anita' is best for her

Reena Thapar Kapoor

The petite actress who first made her acting debut in Balaji's Kabhi Sautan Kabhi Saheli never had to look back. Known as Anita Hassanandani back then, Natassha changed her name to turn her fortune around.

"It was around that time that I changed my name from Anita to Natassha," she says with a smile. Natassha attributes the change in her name to a numerologist, whose advice she sought at that time.

However, the lady does not believe in it anymore. "That time the trend of changing names was on in full swing. Hence, I decided to take a chance." But that is history now because Anita alias Natassha is planning to use her original name. Why has she decided on this so suddenly? "I've been thinking about that for a long time. In the process I realised that the name Anita was really lucky for me. I got my first TV show and also bagged a lot of South-Indian films when I was known as Anita. In fact, my first big hit film, down South happened when I was called Anita."

Natassha has understood the importance of retaining a name that her parents gave her. Off late, she has become very sentimental about it. "I wonder what made me do that?" she says. We remind her that that it was with the name 'Natassha' that she managed to make a non-happening show like Kkavyanjali rock. "I admit that Kkavyanjali has worked and I'm extremely happy about that. But...," after a long pause she says, "I'm sure given a chance Anita Hassanandani will rock as well."Absolutely Natassha.... err ... Anita. Like they say, what's in a name!


• I'm sure given a chance Anita Hassanandani will rock as well
— Natassha

Pradeep Kharab

Pradeep Kharab

"I did spend a lot of time with her"



Pradeep Kharab comes clean on his alleged affair with Amrita Singh!



Reena Thapar Kapoor



If you thought Saif Ali Khan was the only one having a rollicking time with girlfriend Rosa, you've got it wrong. Ex-wife Amrita Singh isn't playing the lonely divorcee either. Her stint with Balaji seems to have done her some good. And we aren't even talking about her professional life.

The Kkavyanjali actress is rumoured to have spent a lot of 'trailer' time with her on-screen son and co-actor Pradeep Kharab (before he was off the soap). It was said that his close relations with Amrita was the reason for his removal from the Ekta Kapoor show.

"My resignation from Balaji has got nothing to do with my equation with Amrita," Pradeep says, insisting that he was not forced to leave the show by producer Ekta Kapoor. "What utter rubbish," he snaps. "I left the show because I wanted to concentrate on my health. No one forced me to quit! The problem is that people cannot fathom the fact that two people can be just friends."

In a glossy Pradeep has admitted to have spent hours in Amrita's make-up van. "Yes, I did spend a lot of time with her. But, so what if I did? I'm not here to gain cheap publicity out of these things. Why just Amrita? I was on good terms with everyone on the sets. I've a brotherly feeling towards those who've played my brothers. Similarly, I feel that Vidya Sinha (his on-screen grandmother) is like my mother," he says.

We remind him that Singh played his mother on the show. "Phuleeeeese! We certainly don't share a mother-son feeling," he exclaims.

Then what, we wonder? So we phrase it differently… Has he ever fallen for an older woman? "Older woman are interesting but...," he sighs. "The lady we're talking about has class and I don't want to say anything that might hurt her," he reasons. "When one's working with a team 24/7, then you tend to get close to the entire gang."

He may have gotten 'close' to the 'entire gang', but it's Amrita Singh he was closer to… "I'm not denying that we were close to each other during Kkavyanjali. But now that I'm not a part of the show anymore it's difficult to stay in touch."

The actor is now gearing towards making a new beginning. "I want to concentrate on my work and my looks. I've realised that apart from being a good actor it's also important to look great."

Offers for films and TV are pouring in, Pradeep assures. "But I want to be very careful about my decisions. I only want to do quality work," the actor says.


• But now that I'm not a part of the show anymore it's difficult to stay in touch with Amrita
– Pradeep Kharab

Scarred men are scared to fall in love



When women get hurt, they cry and when they are scorned, they have no qualms about expressing their ire. But the male species is made differently. Men take much longer to fall in love and falling out of love is an equally slow process. A perfect example would be actor Abhishek Bachchan who was courting actress Karisma Kapoor for six years. The couple were engaged to be married and suddenly broke up. While all kinds of speculation did the rounds, what did come through was the deep sense of hurt and confusion in Bachchan junior. He had even gone on record saying, "I don't fall in love easily." Television actor Sameer Soni openly admits that break-ups have scarred him. "After I broke up with Nafisa Joseph, it took me a really long time to recover from that relationship."

The hurt, believe experts, scars men and scares them and that's why these men turn commitment phobic. Post Karisma, Abhishek has been linked with several women but shows no signs of committing to any one of them.

"Women are more emotional and sensitive but men camouflage their inner feelings. Men who find it difficult to deal with rejection have a strong empathy factor ingrained in them. This makes them more vulnerable in a relationship and therefore the pain of rejection is deeper," says Dr Sundaram, psychologist. Actor Vikas Kalantri was in a long term-relationship with television actress Nausheen Ali Sardar. The couple broke up recently. Says Vikas,"It is not easy to get over a long- term relationship. I'm still very fond of Nausheen and can't even think of getting into another relationship right now."

Television actor Akashdeep Sehgal who was involved with Bollywood director, Farah Khan, is still single despite the fact that the couple split a couple of years ago. "It took me a very long time to recover. In fact I am still single. You don't plan to fall in love. These things happen spontaneously."

Says NLP psychologist, Dr Madhusudan Joshi, "Due to the social role assigned to men, it affects their ego and when a relationship doesn't work out, they either withdraw completely or adopt a more aggressive approach as in going out and dating several women. The latter option doesn't really work in their favour because they have not yet recovered from the past relationship and might date a series of wrong kind of women. Men are far more emotionally dependent than women and therefore find it difficult to cope with the aftermath of a break up. Often they turn to alcohol, gutka smoking or even use pain killer injections like Fortwin to ease themselves of the pain."

I don't intend to date Natassha'



Shabbir Ahluwalia: Anchor No 1?


Sudipto Chattopadhyay
Monday, November 21, 2005 18:36 IST




Shabbir Ahluwalia confesses how the 'messy look' works for him

How are you enjoying your new-found recognition?

I have never had it so good. I would ascribe it to my good luck, hard work and the good wishes of my parents and close friends.

Are you purposely cultivating the unkempt-look?

I am too lazy to look well-groomed all the time. And strangely, this has helped me. My character in 'Kahiin to Hoga' could get away with the messy look. I think it adds to my appeal. Most actors are so well-groomed that I stand out in contrast.

Of the two shows, which is your favourite one?

'Kahin to Hoga' has made me what I am today. So it will obviously remain special. I think 'Nach Baliye' has revealed another aspect of my personality. For the first time I have anchored a show and it has been well-received.

What is the best part about hosting 'Nach Baliye'?

It's all real - nothing is orchestrated about the show. Though I did not know Sangeeta Ghosh before, our chemistry has ticked. We complement each other. We chill out and have fun on the sets. I think that is reflected on screen.

What are your other projects?
I am excited about 'Karmic Konnection' coming up on Star One. It's inspired by 'The X-Files'.

What do you have to say about your alleged link-up with actor Natassha?

I don't wish to sound politically correct, but we are just good friends. Let me go on record to say that I am not dating her and don't intend to do so either.

Is there somebody else in your life?

There is nobody as of now. I don't wish to get into a relationship at present as I wish to concentrate on my career.

Which are the characters you would like to play?
Where foreign films are concerned, I would love to do 'Scarface' or 'The Usual Suspects'. In Bollywood, Ram Gopal Varma's characters intrigue me. Maybe, when I decide to concentrate on films, I will go to Mr Varma and plead for a role!