Posted:
Encounters of the starry kind
When Amrita met...Priyanka
Prinks has an elephantine memory
I met Priyanka Chopra eight years ago in Kolkata, when she had come down for an event after winning the Miss India-World crown. Recently, I went to interview her when she was in Dubai to promote Fashion. I did not tell her anything about our first meeting because I didn't expect a star of her stature to remember that long-ago interaction. When our interview was over, Priyanka said, "Haven't we met before?" I said yes. She said, "I recognised you the moment you walked in."
Prinks has an elephantine memory
I met Priyanka Chopra eight years ago in Kolkata, when she had come down for an event after winning the Miss India-World crown. Recently, I went to interview her when she was in Dubai to promote Fashion. I did not tell her anything about our first meeting because I didn't expect a star of her stature to remember that long-ago interaction. When our interview was over, Priyanka said, "Haven't we met before?" I said yes. She said, "I recognised you the moment you walked in."
Katrina's royal ignore
I met Katrina Kaif for the first time when I went to cover the Zee Cine Awards 2008 in London. She was rehearsing on stage while we were waiting for her to give us a brief interview. While all the other celebs – Karan Johar, Saif Ali Khan and Vidya Balan – spoke to us, Kat preferred to talk only to the UK media and gave the ME journos the royal ignore.
If only we could have told her what the London journos were asking us seconds earlier. They were pointing to Kareena and Saif, wanting to know if those two were Kat and Salman. How we wished we had said a thumping 'YES' then!
When I interviewed her pre New York, Brit-born Kat floored me with her American twang – an accent she developed over two months of shooting in the US. Fast learner!
I met Katrina Kaif for the first time when I went to cover the Zee Cine Awards 2008 in London. She was rehearsing on stage while we were waiting for her to give us a brief interview. While all the other celebs – Karan Johar, Saif Ali Khan and Vidya Balan – spoke to us, Kat preferred to talk only to the UK media and gave the ME journos the royal ignore.
If only we could have told her what the London journos were asking us seconds earlier. They were pointing to Kareena and Saif, wanting to know if those two were Kat and Salman. How we wished we had said a thumping 'YES' then!
When I interviewed her pre New York, Brit-born Kat floored me with her American twang – an accent she developed over two months of shooting in the US. Fast learner!
When Sonali met... SRK
King Khan helped me on to a bar stool...
I was interviewing Shah Rukh in the Eclipse bar of the InterCon, DFC. He was on a bar stool across a table. Never comfy on a stool, I chose to stand for the interview. "Please sit down," Shah Rukh said. "I'm very bad with bar stools," I said. "Don't worry, I'm bad too. I'll help you up," SRK replied. And before I could say Rab Ne, he had nipped over to my side and was holding the stool steady with both hands. I clambered up. "Comfortable?" SRK asked... For the next six months, EVERY TIME I sat on a bar stool I remembered King Khan!
King Khan helped me on to a bar stool...
I was interviewing Shah Rukh in the Eclipse bar of the InterCon, DFC. He was on a bar stool across a table. Never comfy on a stool, I chose to stand for the interview. "Please sit down," Shah Rukh said. "I'm very bad with bar stools," I said. "Don't worry, I'm bad too. I'll help you up," SRK replied. And before I could say Rab Ne, he had nipped over to my side and was holding the stool steady with both hands. I clambered up. "Comfortable?" SRK asked... For the next six months, EVERY TIME I sat on a bar stool I remembered King Khan!
Imran just handed out his phone number
As we all know, stars are very guarded about their personal numbers and prefer to give their secretary's contact details. This was pre Jaane Tu… and Imran Khan was a cool guy with no airs at all. When I asked him for his contact he said, "Keep my personal number. I know you will not hound me." Since then, the thoroughly professional star has replied to every SMS! Way to go Imran.
As we all know, stars are very guarded about their personal numbers and prefer to give their secretary's contact details. This was pre Jaane Tu… and Imran Khan was a cool guy with no airs at all. When I asked him for his contact he said, "Keep my personal number. I know you will not hound me." Since then, the thoroughly professional star has replied to every SMS! Way to go Imran.
When Binu met... John
The Mallu-connection
With a name like Binu it was no surprise that John, who is half Malayali and half Parsi, cottoned on to my Kerala connections. But it also turned out that Bipasha's bro-in-law was from the same town as I. Not only did John turn out to be super good-looking in person, but also the kind of guy who offers to share his dinner (healthy brown bread sandwiches, in case you are wondering) and then happily takes on all the controversies and rumours head-on, answering them in good humour.
The Mallu-connection
With a name like Binu it was no surprise that John, who is half Malayali and half Parsi, cottoned on to my Kerala connections. But it also turned out that Bipasha's bro-in-law was from the same town as I. Not only did John turn out to be super good-looking in person, but also the kind of guy who offers to share his dinner (healthy brown bread sandwiches, in case you are wondering) and then happily takes on all the controversies and rumours head-on, answering them in good humour.
Preity surprisingly not a diva
I had heard horror stories of Preity's natak and temper tantrums. But I found she was a book-loving actress willing to share reasons about why she was hiding her designer dresses by wearing a jacket over and over again at all the DIFF functions (allergy, in case you want to know). Passionate about issues, she was also an adoring aunt to her little niece. And those dimples are really envy generating.
I had heard horror stories of Preity's natak and temper tantrums. But I found she was a book-loving actress willing to share reasons about why she was hiding her designer dresses by wearing a jacket over and over again at all the DIFF functions (allergy, in case you want to know). Passionate about issues, she was also an adoring aunt to her little niece. And those dimples are really envy generating.
Sonam and Abhishek attitude can kill
It was the delhi-6 press meet and I got to interview the lead pair. Well, I got to talk to a man who hid behind his sunnies and spoke in monosyllables, mostly muttered behind a hand cupped over his mouth, and to a girl who had more attitude than you could shake your camera at. Surrounded by an entourage that kept arranging her hair and flattering her looks, I walked away dying to be in the company of John again.
It was the delhi-6 press meet and I got to interview the lead pair. Well, I got to talk to a man who hid behind his sunnies and spoke in monosyllables, mostly muttered behind a hand cupped over his mouth, and to a girl who had more attitude than you could shake your camera at. Surrounded by an entourage that kept arranging her hair and flattering her looks, I walked away dying to be in the company of John again.
Itti Si Khushi Sab TV
Udne Ki Aasha
57