interviews of the stars

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Saif Ali Khan

"Everything is all right between Rosa and me."

After enthralling the audience in Kal Ho Na Ho and Salaam Namaste, Saif Ali Khan is back with a bang this time playing a hardcore negative character in Vishal Bharadwaj's Omkara based on Shakespeare's Othello. The actor was also in news for personal reasons. Whispers had it that all was not well between him and girlfriend Rosa. Over then to Saif.

Parag Maniar

What was your reaction to Vishal Bharadwaj Omkara when he first narrated the story to you?

My mom and me were discussing Shakespeare and she said I should do a movie based on Shakespeare's play. And it so happened that she said that you either do Hamlet or Othello and the next day Kumarji and Vishal called and asked if I would like to work in Vishal's interpretation of Othello and I said, 'Yes, of course'. He did not offer Othello's role but that of Iago. I was not so keen on Iago, but he read out the first scene and it was like a western movie. It was so well written. I just agreed on basis of that first scene Most attractive thing about the script was it was a very close adaptation of the original in movement and character. The character setting is in a kind of western UP, where the political mafia is already a master piece. And in many ways the Indian society is still structured like the England of that time. And classic by definition means something that is relevant all time. Most international films are films true to their own culture and language. Here as well we are touching the same chord.

What was the most challenging aspect of doing Omkara?

The dialogues! It was a challenge because of the dialect. It was also a challenge portray the character. It's a very crude kind of character. It was not something that would come naturally to me. The character is extremely removed from my own personality. The way he walks, talks etc is totally against my own behaviour.

Could you elaborate more on your character in the film?

Well, I play Eshwar Tyagi, nicknamed Langda Tyagi due to the limp. The limp shows my evil side. He is disappointed because Omkara played by Ajay Devgan does not promote him. He just destroys people around him. He just manipulates their lives to his advantage. He uses them and their proximity to him to destroy them. A strong theme in this film is insecurity and jealousy which is very much a part of our society.

It seems you were reluctant to change your looks for the film…

That's true! I did not want to do away with my long locks. I did it albeit reluctantly (laughs). Then some scars of mine were made prominent, some other scars added, teeth were turned to yellow, beard grown, chapped lips, I wear an earing, have a limp, the entire dressing style is different. Everything in my role is an act... not at all close to my real personality. Some films I have played a person closer to my nature. So Langda—he is most lethal, evil, dangerous and satanic to an extent, nasty villain of Shakespere ever. Some people believe that he is the devil himself. Some people who have played Iago have gone to psychiatrist and wonder why he does behave in such a manner. He is a psychopath. He has no moral guilt attached to any of his actions. Langda Tyagi is a psychopath in the true sum of the word. Arch Villain

Who is more tragic—Omkara or Langda?

Om of course! He's jealous and insecure, believes in lies about one whom he loves. The depth of a tragedy is basic on lethal flaw is in his case its jealousy. He just ends up killing his wife due to the jealousy. In India still people are capable of killing a wife

Recently there were rumours that all was not well between you and Rosa?

Well, everything is all right between Rosa and me. I have no issues if she interested in taking up work in the glamour industry. In fact, we have just bought ourselves a new pad in Bandra and soon plan to move in there.

Interview : Udita enjoying her break at this moment!

Bollywood career for Udita Goswami is like a car bumping on a speed breaker. Sometime it seems like coming in a break neck speed and at others you see it bumping and again coming to a halt. Her last release was 'Aksar' and the response the film garnered did a lot of good to her career. But now Udita is sitting idle as she has run out of film projects. But she is taking her time and is in no hurry to sign offers.

Excerpts from an interview:

What is one thing that you abhor doing on screen?

It's kissing on screen. I'm absolutely averse to it. But you must be thinking that I already did it in Paap, Zeher and Aksar. I don't think so that I'll be able to do it again. I know I won't be able to take it. I hail from a small town where the concept prevails that if you kiss a guy, you have to marry him.

But you acted in some of the love scenes in your films with excel?

I really had to work in them. When I was doing Paap, I was supposed to do a love scene but I had no idea how could I make it look passionate. Pooja Bhatt made me hug John Abraham for five minutes before shooting. I was against kissing for 'Aksar' and had cleared it to director Anant Mahadevan before hand that I won't kiss onscreen. But while we were shooting in London the situation turned such that I had to oblige. Good that I had worked with Emraan earlier. Otherwise the feeling would have made me cry.

Are you working in any films?

No, at the moment I'm busier doing stage shows. You've to agree to it that there's more money in stage shows than anything else. I've been to a world tour and traveled to the US and Canada for the first time in my life. I really enjoyed it and the trip was so exciting. But I missed my six pet dogs whom I had to leave with my parents in Delhi. Everything went fine and now I'm happily back to my abode.

But you're not doing any films. Aren't you worried about your film career?

The thought itself is very scary. Being out of work is not a good thing. But I'm actually waiting for a really good offer, as I want my next film to be really good. I'm looking forward to work with big directors and actors. At this point of my career I want to learn as much as I can. I'm getting a few offers but I'm a bit choosy now about signing them.

You're out to sizzle in Aditya Datt film 'Dil Diya Hain'. Tell us something about the item song?

I'm looking forward to it. It'll be the title track in Aditya Datt film 'Dil Diya Hai'. It's not an item song but a special song. I don't have problem with my sexy image but I don't want to be tagged under any category. Alisha Chinai has sung this song and it's a catchy number. For the song I've worn a corset and a long white skirt in one sequence and hot pants and a shirt with stockings and high boots in another. Now I've a sexy track to my name.

What kind of roles do you want to do at this moment?

I know you'll be surprised to know that I would like to do an art film now. This will be something different from what I've done so far. I'm pinning for serious films at this moment. It'll also give me the opportunity to focus on my acting. I'm waiting for the offer though nobody has approached me yet.

Interview : Amitabh conferred with doctorate

Amitabh Bachchan has got many achievements in his life. Now here is one of a kind achievement for him that puts him in a different pedestal altogether. He has got a doctorate from De Montfort University at Leicester. The superstar is to be hailed as Dr Amitabh Bachchan from now on. We talk to him about this newfound recognition and how he is feeling with the new orientation.

Excerpts from an interview:

You've now added Dr. as the initial to your name. How do you feel about it?

De Montfort University at Leicester has conferred a doctorate on me. I am overwhelmed and feel deeply humbled by this recognition. But the name Dr Bachchan is not very much unfamiliar to me as my father was also called Dr Bachchan. He acquired a PhD in English Literature from Cambridge. My achievements, honours and degrees are very petite in front of his. I've already received a doctorate degree before from the Jhansi University last year. This month I've received it from De Montfort and by this year ending Delhi University wishes to honour me with a doctorate too. Truly I feel that I'm not worthy of them.

You hail from a family of intellectuals. Being an actor how do you cope up with it?

In the academics department and in various other departments I'm a letdown. I am a science graduate but have grown up in an atmosphere of poetry, literature and academics owing to my father. I believe that whatever little I have, it is accrued because of my closeness to my parents. It is my desire to put strenuous effort to pursue academics but I don't know when that will happen. I'm pretty serious about it.

Why is this academic inclination?

That's because I hail from a family of intellectuals. Ajitabh's eldest Nilima Bachchan and my niece have just done a PhD in Aeronautical Engineering from UK. After my father she is the true successor of a doctorate title. Namrata my other niece is a painter and writer. My daughter Shweta is an avid reader and only the informal academic from our family. I keep so busy that I don't get time to read. I keep collecting the latest books and store them for a rainy day in the sense that I shall find company in them on a chair or bed.

How much formal education is needed for an actor according to you?

May it be acting or any other form of job, formal education is necessary for all. For my profession education may not be directly connected but in my overall life it does has its importance and benefits me in lots of ways.

How much specific were you about the education of Abhishek and Shweta?

Education was surely very important for them. We made sure that they get good education, as well emphasis was there that they grew up as good human beings.

Interview : I hope my film lives up to the hype: Johar

If there is one relieved and happy man in Bollywood now, it is filmmaker Karan Johar. He finally wrapped up his latest love epic 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' (KANK) last week and had a gorgeous wrap-up party for the cast and crew.

After that, Karan flew to London to attend the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards night, which was held July 12.

'We were there for BAFTA's Bollywood weekend from Saturday to Monday. They honoured Aamir (Khan) by screening 'Rang De Basanti'. They also honoured Shah Rukh Khan and Yash Chopra. Shah Rukh flagged off the Bollywood weekend.

'Then on Saturday night, (India-born global steel baron) Lakshmi Mittal had a party for all of us. It's a big event here in London. The British press is here in full splendour. Even Preity Zinta attended the gala with us.

When asked what he was doing there, Johar said: 'Me? My 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' was being shown. I am also screening seven minutes of 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna'. This would be the first public screening of my film.'

Johar was relieved and yet sentimental about the end of KANK's shooting.

'Amit uncle was a little unwell. And then we lost two days to rain. But choreographer Farah Khan is super-fast. She did an amazing job of making up for lost time. Even being under the weather, Amit uncle was in his element. All the actors cooperated to complete this crucial last stint.

'Finally, we could all say alvida to 'Alvida...' Now I am anxious about the release. There is a lot of pressure for delivering the goods. I am scared by people's expectations. Everyone is talking about KANK. The music took its time to create its own ripples. But now everyone's singing 'Mitwa' - even in London. Yes, I'm excited by the enthusiasm for the music. I hope the film lives up to the hype.'

And yes, what about the hush-hush KANK wrap-up party?

'We wrapped up on the night that we shot for the last time (July 10). It was a brilliant end to a turbulent but memorable shooting spree. That was fun. It was just the cast and crew... a very private affair. And we had a great time. It was our way of showing to each other what a great time we had during the film's making.

'The shooting was also a lot of hard work. And we needed to celebrate at the end of it. It was a moment of great happiness for all of us. And of course, we did feel sad. That's bound to be when something beautiful ends. We all danced. And we were selfish enough to dance only to our own music from KANK.'

Interview : I am not a commercial filmmaker: Madhur Bhandarkar

Madhur Bhandarkar's recently released 'Corporate' has received a mixed response at the box office with some critics expressing the view that it has an overdose of detailing and jargon from the business world. But the director is unperturbed.

'I didn't want my business world to look filmy. If I did, I'd call it 'Dhande Ke Saudagar' or something. I was willing to take the audience into confidence. I also knew with a title like 'Corporate' I was making a film that had a niche audience and was completely metro-centric, for the multiplexes,' Bhandarkar told us.

'I am not a commercial filmmaker. I'm an experimental filmmaker whose films make a profit without being formulistic,' added Bhandarkar, who is taking the scrutiny as a compliment.

'I don't know why my films are always so closely scrutinised for real-life references. May be that is a compliment for how real my films are.'

Excerpts from the Interview:

'Corporate' has too much detailing and jargon from the business world. The average viewer is nonplussed.

When I decided to make a film on the workings of the business world I had to make it as authentic as the world of politics in 'Satta', the socialites' parties in 'Page 3' and the beer bars in 'Chandni Bar'. I can't fake it. I didn't want my business world to look filmy. If I did, I'd call it 'Dhande Ke Saudagar' or something.

If I make a film on the film trade, I have to use trade language or else I'll end up making a filmy film on the film world. I was willing to take the audience into confidence. I also knew with a title like 'Corporate' I was making a film that had a niche audience and was completely metro-centric, for the multiplexes.

I was aware 'Corporate' wouldn't have the immediate emotional resonance of 'Chandni Bar' or 'Page 3'. But I am also aware that once the audience gets hooked to the drama, they'll love every moment of 'Corporate'. Audiences are already connected to the theme... which is everyone gets used in one way or another.

Some critics have compared 'Corporate' with 'Page 3'.

Thank god they are comparing it with my film and not someone else's. I can't see any similarity between the two. You should ask them about it. My films can never be accused of copying each other or anyone else. Why do people forget that 'Corporate' is an experimental film of Rs.40 million?

I am not a commercial filmmaker. I am an experimental filmmaker whose films make a profit without being formulistic.

There are too many characters. Actors like Sammir Dattani and Minissha Lamba barely register.

I was aware of this. And, in fact, Dattani and Lamba were billed guest appearances when I realised that their role wasn't large enough.

Essentially, 'Corporate' is about the war between two giants played by Rajat Kapoor and Raj Babbar. And Atul Kulkarni's voiceover tells us that at the start. I just wanted audiences to recognise the other characters as belonging to the two warring groups.

You have used references from the cola-pesticide controversy and also used real-life personalities like Javed Akhtar and Prahlad Kakkar to give authenticity to your drama.

Yes, I have. But let me clarify - real-life references are not snatched from the headlines. I didn't borrow anything from a real-life cola war. Our screenplay isn't judgmental.

And the pesticide controversy wasn't peculiar to soft drinks. It cropped up in so many other things. I don't know why my films are always so closely scrutinised for real-life references. Maybe that's a compliment for how real my films are.

What was the point of an item song in your real-life film and of showing the item girl being sent for sex to the politician?

Please try to understand. Bollywood is brought in not for an item song but because we needed to show the politician's interest in Bollywood. Why only my film? So many films have shown this nexus. As for an item song, what's wrong with one if it's not out of place? I had one in 'Page 3' also.

Bipasha Basu's character starts as being a woman in charge but ends up being exploited and abused. Isn't that contradictory?

Yes, she becomes a victim eventually just like everyone else in the film. She has the option and she decides to be the fall girl for love. Her love for Kay Kay Menon supersedes all her other considerations.

Why can't women in power be emotional? Man or woman, people have been known to make unbelievable sacrifices for love. So far, the audiences' response has been very encouraging. And my films have always grown by word of mouth.

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