Interview : Happily married for 26 years! |
Excerpts from Poonam's chat: When and how did you meet Shatrughan Sinha? We met in a train. It was in 1965 and he was going to join Pune's film institute while I was in my 10th standard. A common friend introduced us. When I first saw him I thought here is another hero. After that what happened? I completed my education and joined modeling career and also won beauty pageants. I also bagged a film offer from Yash Chopra and signed the film 'Aadmi Aur Insaan'. Film was a scope for me to avoid getting married. I did another film with Jeetendra called 'Jigri Dost'. I also starred with Shatrughan for 'Sabak', which has the hit song 'Barkha rani zara jam ke barso'. We fell in love after that and got married after 14 years in 1981. How has been the 26 years of life with him? Truly it has been a period of marital bliss for me. We never had a major showdown in between. I only complain to him – Phone kyon nahin kiya or Der se kyon aaye. But I didn't speak to him for two years when he was busy concentrating on his career and had no time for me. Now I believe that it's better to adjust to him than to try to change him. He made it clear at the outset of our relationship – 'you can't change me, so you better change!' What kind of food does he love?
What is the most precious gift that you have ever received from him? My twin son Luv and Kush and my daughter. What are the things that you've learnt from your 26 years of your married life? It's very important to have faith in yourself and the relationship. Shatrughan was a struggler and started his career as a villain but later went ahead to be first-rank hero. His political career has also been incredible. What did you think when you first met Poonam? The first impression was very good. I thought her to be the most beautiful, caring and loving woman. However today it's not the last impression I have about her. (Laughs) It took you 14 years to marry her. Why such a long wait? I was confused whom to marry and whom not to. (He adds jokingly) The real problem is that mother-in-law didn't agree to the proposal, because Poonam was fair skinned and I was dark. It took me all the while to convince her. Being an actor where rumours and link-ups are obvious, how did you make your marriage stay away from it? I've been a disciplined and a man of character all my life. I decided from the initial itself that I would be one-woman man and have been abiding by it till date. But when I see beautiful girls around me it's always 'Water water everywhere not a drop to drink!' (Laughs)
She is committed, caring, loving, faithful. I only have good things to say for her. Apart from making Bengali food, she can cook Italian, Chinese, Continental, Punjabi, and Mughlai. Before she used to make food of my choice now she has taken me for granted. What are the things that you dislike about her? She is hyper and loses her temper easily. Are you happy with your married life? I believe any sensible person shouldn't get married at all. Men should avoid getting married whereas women should get married early. I prefer to be miserable with my wife, than without her. |
Copyright 2006 by MusicIndiaOnLine.com |
Interview : Ever-sexy screen queen Zeenat Aman |
Excerpts from the Interview: You've been a trendsetter of your times and today young actresses like Mallika and Celina are following your footsteps. How do you feel about it? I can't exactly say that I'm a role model and don't know how much contribution I've made to the industry. During my time I did things I had to do depending on the situations and consequences. I did things because I was asked to do them and didn't know how to tackle it better. My modern westernised image was not something that I had planned. My films succeeded and I was continued to portray in a bold and sensuous way. While your contemporaries are making a comeback, why don't we see you in mother roles like them? I've no idea about it and can't say much on it. (Laughs) But I'm not getting roles others like Shabana Azmi, Rekha, Hema Malini and Dimple Kapadia are getting. Though I'm 50+ may be the filmmakers are still considering my sexy image. I think it's better to stay sexy all your life something on the line of Sophia Loren. I'm looking forward to something very substantial to do.
The film is called 'Jaana'. It's already complete and is ready for release. It is a film with an anti-smoking message. This will surely be a message for the youth. I haven't watched the entire film, but some parts which I saw while dubbing looked interesting. The producer of the film is launching his son with it. How accomplished you feel as a mother to your two sons? Bringing up my two boys have been the happiest moments of my life. One is 19 and the other is 12. My elder son is studying in London doing his foundation degree in cinema and has plans to continue his education. He has plans to get into film direction. |
Copyright 2006 by MusicIndiaOnLine.com |
Interview : Saif finds a new home |
"We had to actually pull out of another place that we had almost finalised because the property was under some kind of dispute. In fact, the same property was offered to me again. But I preferred an apartment to a bungalow," Saif told us. "There is no view left in the bungalows of Mumbai. If you are higher up you have a nice open view and also you are spared the mosquitoes, and you can call it a home. "Earlier I was apprehensive about a high-rise home. I felt you paid so much money for a slab of the sky, which could crumble to the dust at any time and then you own nothing. "It is crazy, but they charge you so much money for a box on top of another. Still I want an apartment and not a bungalow. It is got something to do with living in Mumbai. Even if I own a bungalow with a garden I don't know how much I'd enjoy sitting in it." "I think, Inshaa Allah, we'll be moving into our new place within a week. I don't want to give out the location until I move in. I am not superstitious, in fact, defiantly just the opposite. But I don't want anything to go wrong this time with my new home," said Saif. He has just returned from shooting a potato-chips-advertisement in Jaipur and sounded tired but happy about his new house. When asked if he was doing a plethora of product endorsements to pay for his new home, Saif said: "I don't know if I am doing too many ads. I don't do films for money. And if the ads pay well and if they complement my image then why not' It is mutually beneficial to both me and the companies that sign me on.
"I wish there was the same transparency in the dealings of cinema." Eventually, Saif admits his new home was a major reason for endorsing such a large number of products. "One has to realise one's dreams in ways that are practical and not a compromise. As long as I don't endorse the wrong kind of products I am comfortable doing it." |
Copyright 2006 by MusicIndiaOnLine.com |
Interview : Shilpa looking ahead, not back at her past! |
Excerpts from the Interview: How are you feeling after your birthday this year? Along with the candles, I also tried to blow away all the controversies surrounding me. (Laughs) Are you bothered by the controversies? They do make an impact. But people's memory is short and they will soon forget it. Until then I decided to stay away from the public glares and wait till the time it passes away. What was that controversy in a Chennai magazine that landed you in jail? Can you believe it? It was just a picture showing my navel that created all this mayhem. We all should grow up and it's high time now. India's dress code is sari and it reveals the navel all the time. Ban the sari, why am I made the scapegoat? I don't blame the court, but the PIL, which is not taken seriously. Thankfully it wasn't a non-bailable warrant. How did you react to it? I freaked out on the news. I was supposed to leave for Bangkok to shoot Anil Sharma's 'Apne' that night. The makers would have suffered heavily if I couldn't report there. Such things are truly harassing not just as an actress but also as a woman. These are unwanted publicity for me. I don't want such publicity. I'm in the news and limelight without seeking to be there. On your work front are you suffering owing to all these? You know I was offered exciting work. But at the last minute nothing worked out. I'm doing Anil Sharma's 'Apne' and have just completed it. Dharamji, Sunny and Bobby are cast in this big film. Tell us something about your role here. I'm paired opposite Sunny in the film. After 'Indian' we come together again. What are the other things that are going on in the work front? I'm involved with so many activities. Recently I've participated in the Haath Se Haath Mila AIDS Campaign. I've signed Anurag Basu's 'Metro'. We had to shoot the film in rain and now I've got cold due to it. It's an original subject and I'm excited about the film. I prefer to be a bit choosy about my roles now.
'Dus' did a hell of good to my career just like 'Phir Milenga' revealed a different side of me as an actress. I loved doing the role and the stunts with action director Allan Amin. It was a power-packed, action-oriented performance and I thoroughly enjoyed doing it. I wasn't playing the conventional leading lady and it was a kind of change. If Anubhav Sinha ever makes the sequel to Dus, I'm all geared to be a part of it. Is there any truth about the alleged affair between you and Anubhav Sinha? Controversies never leave me. For god's sake, leave me alone! He's a dear friend of mine but there's no affair between us. People are telling things that Shamita got the role in Anubhav's 'Cash' because of me. All things are just baseless. |
Copyright 2006 by MusicIndiaOnLine.com |
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