Police get report on Jiah Khan's abortion

The medical reports related to actress Jiah Khan's abortion have been received from a hospital were the procedure was conducted, police said here on Wednesday.

"There have been no new developments so far. We have received the medical reports from the hospital where the foetus was aborted," a police officer told IANS.

A lawyer of arrested suspect Suraj Pancholi, son of actor Aditya Pancholi, said they will be able to give out more information later.

"We will be able to give out more information tomorrow," said Zameer Khan, who appeared for Suraj in a city court.

Suraj was arrested June 10 for allegedly abetting the suicide of Jiah Khan. He will be questioned in police custody till June 13.

Jiah mentioned about her abortion in her six-page letter, which was handed to police by her mother, police said.

Police sought the report on the abortion to corroborate the information in Jiah's letter.

Suraj's arrest came barely two days after Jiah's family handed over to police the note penned by her. It was recovered by the actress's kin three days after her suicide June 3.

Courtesy TI

‘I can’t be funny all the time’

Says Boman Irani has he talks about his Blu-ray collection and how he uses humour to get out of sticky situations

“I can’t be prancing around all the time trying to be funny. I am human after all,” says Boman Irani about the after- effects of the roles he has selected to do. For the multi-faceted actor, acting wasn't his first love. Before he was bitten by the acting bug, Boman was a well-known photographer and theatre artist. But everything did not come easy to him. From selling chips to waiting tables at a five-star hotel, Boman has done it all.The actor has donned a new role and that is of a chat show host of Teachers Achievers Club and as part of the show which will feature achievers from various fields. The candid conversations will be dotted with video from friends and family of the guests. “It is a humbling experience to listen to their journey and the common thread running through each of them is humility,” he says. In a free-wheeling chat, the actor talks about his show, the films he selects and his love of collecting blu-ray discs of NASA expeditions.

Excerpts from the interview:
How is Teachers Achievers Club different from other chat shows?

It is not restricted to any particular field. We have selected achievers from different field-sports, films, business etc. The purpose of the interviews is to reveal the human side of success. Through the show, the achievers will talk about their professional highs and lows, their vision and ideologies, disclose personal anecdotes and discuss what it took them to get where they are and how they have maintained level-headedness throughout. This show is like a self-help book for the young generation.

Having eminent personalities mean there is nothing much to discover. How did you deal with that aspect?

It is true that a lot has already been said and discussed about their lives and much has been spoken. But I have been told by the people I have interviewed that this is the best researched chat show they have been a part of. My research team did an exhaustive research by talking to friends and family and made sure that we explore a different facet of their personalities.  So when you talk to a Vidhu Vinod Chopra, you will see him in a different light. How he coped up with his failures and turned it to his success.

What kind of research did you undertake?

I was a part of the research team and all of us sit together and brainstorm multiple concepts that we put together.  It is good to be involved in the preparations for every episode because I have to make sure that my guests are comfortable. You can’t stop between a conversation and the idea is not to ask embarrassing songs but to put out the questions in an interesting way.

What are your learnings from the show?

I am just an audience’s representative. The lessons I learn are the lesson which the audience learns as well. It is a humbling experience to listen to their journey and the common thread running through each of them is humility. The greater the achiever, the greater is the humility. I loved what Narayana Murthy said. ‘The power of money is the power to give it’. People only know Sabyasachi as a designer. Not many know the side of him that thinks about creating jobs for artisans and keeping our cultural heritage intact. It is a great learning experience.

You have dabbled with TV and films. Which has been a more satisfying?

I believe in living in the moment. So when I am doing films, I concentrating on that and when I am doing TV, which is what I enjoy doing then.

What kind of shows do you like watching?

I don’t watch too much TV but I am a collector of blu-ray DVDs of NASA missions. I like watching works of Richard Attenborough, Planeteer etc. I only like watching shows on HD. I catch up on lot of comedy too.

Most shows on TV are family shows with predictable plot. What are your views?

I think, at the end of the day, the audience needs to be entertained. I have nothing against the saas bahu sagas because there is a section of society who wants to watch then which explains their demand. Personally, I like watching the shows on news channel especially the public discussions. Cinema on the other hand is very progressive and the burst of new-age films is very encouraging.

In terms of fleshing out a character -- his nuances, his eccentricities -- how much of it is actually down to the script and how much is down to improvisation?

Character building is not improvisation. Even if it is not in the script, it is actually an interpretation of the script. It is a part of the story. For example a Virus from 3 Idiots may not be written exactly the way I interpreted but the basis of the character was in the script itself. Virus’ character is grim and dark and he is a man from the past- right from the way he walks to his speech. That’s how you develop a character though the specifics are meant to be discovered.

Do you use humour to get out of sticky situations?

I use it all the time. Humour is a very powerful weapon and when used rightly can lighten situations. Having said that, I’m not funny round the clock. I’m not chirpy through the day. I am human. I can’t be prancing around all the time trying to be funny. People often expect me to be funny all the time.

Which has been the most challenging role till date and the most satisfying?

I have enjoyed doing every single role but if I have to pick up one role, it has to Well Done Abba. We had a 32-day schedule away from Mumbai for it and when you’re shooting at a stretch, you really get into the character. It was unlike any role I have played, in terms of language, tone and culture. Before shooting, I had thought Shyam Benegal would be quite serious but we had so much fun.

What has been your biggest learning curve?

Every role is a new role and every role has to be approached as a new film.

Catch Boman in action at the Teachers Achievers Club on STAR World on Saturdays at 8 p.m

'Learnt about life from films'

Says Tamannah Bhatia who makes her Bollywood debut in 'Himmatwala' opposite Ajay Devgn

It has been a busy day for Tamannah Bhatia as she promotes her upcoming film. As she takes a break and he runs to vanity van for a quick touch-up, we tag along for an interview. For an actress who is making her Bollywood debut, Tamannah is confident. But this air of self-assurance comes from years of working around the industry mechanisms. The actress who is making her Bollywood debut opposite Ajay Devgn in Sajid Khan's 'Himmatwala' is a known face in the South. She made her acting debut in 'Chand Sa Roshan Chehra' in 2005 before flying down South and working in Tamil and Telugu films. As her hair gets styled, Tamannah chats with us about 'Himmatwala'. Here's the excerpts

From Mumbai to South Indian films; how did that happen?

I was in school and started my career with a Hindi film and post that south Indian offers started pouring in and the age that I was in, I was open to exploring new opportunities. At that time, I didn’t even have a portfolio and I had movie after movie coming in. I knew I wanted to be an actress and I was lucky enough that my parents supported me. I continued studies and south films till I got very busy. I was in school and the producer of the film wanted to cast and my school teacher recommended my name. I auditioned for it and got the role.
Ajay Devgn unplugged

You have worked in both the industries. How are they different?
 
The similarity is that the film making process is the same- the expectation, money etc. The way both the industries function is the same. The difference is in the culture. North India and South India has different culture and that is what is reflected in the films.  When I was working with Sajid, he was very punctual and systematic. A lot of homework and research went into it since the film was based in the 80s. The looks, the costume, everything had to be taken care of.

‘I kissed Ali Zafar in my first meeting’

Taapsee is all set to make her Bollywood Debut in David Dhawan’s comic caper ‘Chashme Baddoor’ where she would be seen getting wooed by three young lads, Ali Zafar, Siddharth and Divyendu based amidst the sands and beaches of Goa. The Southern star will reprise Deepti Naval’s role from the film

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1. India Movies Editorial
   

Formula films don’t work for me’

Says John Abraham as he talks about his character in ‘Shootout At Wadala’ and choice of films

When John Abraham burst into the small screen with ripped body and dimpled cheeks in ‘Jism’, the critics were quick to put him under ‘models can’t act’ slot. The film grabbed a lot of eyeballs for its erotic content and audience approved of his chocolaty looks. After a string of flops, his role in Yash Raj’s Dhoom set him in the league of A-list actors and proved that he was here to stay. After 11 years in the industry, he is gearing up for a life-changing performance as Manya Surve in Sanjay Gupta’s ‘Shootout At Wadala’. In a candid chat, John talks about his character and why formula love stories don’t work for him.

Excerpts from the interview:

What were challenges involved in playing a real life character? Did you battle self doubt?
It was a challenge but I took it up. What helped me is the research for the character. Where he came from, his background. We spoke to the police officers, relatives and to Isaque Bagwaan, who was responsible for his encounter. Moreover, I relied on my director’s instructions completely.

In terms of fleshing out Manya’s character -- his nuances, his eccentricities -- how much of it is actually down to the script and how much was your improvisation?
I am a director’s actor and I am as good or as bad as my director is. This is a career defining role for me. We’d done a lot of research on Manya Surve from a photograph we were given by the cops. Manya Surve was a Mumbai Shri - a professional body builder, so I had to match up to his body type.

Pics: Drab to Dashing: John's makeover

Whenever we take up incidents from real life and make a film, we end up to some extent, glorifying the person and painting a larger than life image. Is Shootout At Wadala any different?
We haven’t resorted to glorifying him because at the end of the day, he was a dreaded gangster. There is no heroism in crime and we have been honest and stuck to the facts. It was a challenge to show 1970s Bombay, so we shot in areas in South Bombay where time has just stopped.

Have you ever been unsure when you're on the set? What's your level of confidence versus insecurity and doubt?
Everyday. When I came into the industry, I was not sure if I will make it. Even after all these years, I am unsure on the first day of the shoot. You can be never sure about what will work with the audience.But I have learnt and grown as an actor with every film and I am happy and grateful that my audience has stood by me through these years.

What are your learnings as an actor?
I have experimented a lot with the kind of films I do. If you look back at the kind of filmography I have, you will see that I have experimented with my characters and my looks. But entertainment media needs to appreciate this though I feel actors should start reading reviews to understand where he needs to improve.

So do you read reviews?
If you are a public figure, there is bound to be criticism but I use the negatives positively to make myself more superior, better and stronger. I basically read their point of view. Have you heard about bravery on net? There are no faces which is why they deem it right to write anything. I find this extremely laughable. I think barring a few journalists, the entertainment media is in crisis today. Earlier journalists reported stories, now they create stories. It is in bad taste.

When you look back at your past films, do you ever think of changing something?
I think maximum growth has been as an individual. I have matured, settled down mentally. As an actor the growth has been tremendous too. Though I am happy with the films I have done, I have realized that I should stay away from formula films. Those have never worked for me and I am not made for them. I should stick to films like Force or Dostana or characters which have some amount of grey in it.

Courtesy Yahoo

Interview: Konkona Sen Sharma

Konkona Sen Sharma

lad in a grey cotton saree Konkona Sen Sharma looks completely poised as she takes on questions about her forthcoming film ‘Ek Thi Daayan’. As we settle down for a quick chat in a dimly lit auditorium, Konkona talks about playing wicked for the first time and how it is to balance motherhood and acting.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q. You are doing a Hindi film after a two-year break. Isn’t ‘Ek Thi Daayan’ an unusual choice?

A. From my point of view, it was very hard to say no to this film because the original short story was written by my dad (which was just a 3 page story, it’s the essence of the film) and also there is Vishal Bharadwaj. Which actress wouldn’t want to work with Vishal Bharadwaj? I have worked with him before and I really like his sensibility. And Balaji is producing this film; as far as scary movies are concerned they have done ‘Ragini MMS’ which has been quite successful in terms of horror. And then there is Huma, Kalki and Emraan. So I think altogether it was a great package.

Q. Horror as a genre has not really done well in Bollywood. Where you comfortable doing this film?

A. Ya, it’s true that horror in the past has been dominated by the Zee Horror Show or the Ramsay brothers and they have their own niché. This film is more of a supernatural thriller, it’s definitely a scary film but for me personally it was really nice to not play a do-gooder, a good earnest boring girl because I have only been playing that. So for me, to get a chance to be wicked was great fun,  it was uninhibiting and liberating.

Q. I know you want to maintain suspense because this is a thriller but tell us a little about your role in the film?

A. Well, you don’t have to be a daayan to be evil (laughs) Right? We have enough proof of that in our world. I can’t tell you whether I am a daayan or not because that would be no fun but Emraan’s character has to deal with evil in different manifestations and different levels. You can definitely say that there is a twist and it’s not a straight forward victim or a good girl.

Q. What were the challenges of doing this role?

A. Like I said, I haven’t done this kind of film before, I have not done a horror film…the thing is I want to answer in detail but I don’t want to give anything away. So I will suffice it to say this role for me was something different, something more twisted and more wicked than I normally do.

Q. Last year has been a great year for Hindi films and for women-centric roles. Do you think we are finally moving away from formulaic roles?

A. I think we get excited very quickly. I mean I loved ‘English Vinglish’ and I love Sridevi but ‘English Vinglish’ still needs a Sridevi to get made, it’s not like it’s just any unknown actor. I definitely think we do have more films like ‘Kahaani’, I think Vidya has done a lot for this cause, which is great. So I think it’s happening, it’s probably happening very slowly and also more than our actors or actresses, we are very heavily dependent on our star system because to get funding you need a star. That’s very unfortunate, kind of ‘Catch 22’ situation to be in.

Q. We know you have been very busy with the promotions of ‘Goynar Baksho’ but for your Hindi film fans what else is in store for the rest of 2013?

A. There is also another patriotic film that I have done, it’s called ‘Gaur Hari Dastaan’, it’s about Gaur Hari Das who was a freedom fighter and he is trying to get his papers from the government. He needs to prove that he was a freedom fighter but then he gets Alzheimer’s, so it’s a very touching story. It also stars Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shourey. I play a much older character, which was quite a challenge for me.

Q. Any mainstream Bollywood film in the offing?

A. I have off-and-on done it but even in my career so far I have never been known to do mainstream films.

Q. What does it take to lure a Konkona Sen Sharma to do a mainstream Bollywood film?

A. It’s not about that. My sensibility is such that I automatically get drawn to films that have a good story, good characterization. Sometimes it has been a good match, sometimes it hasn’t. It’s not like I have anything against it, I just chose the kind of films that appeal to me, and mindless entertainers don’t often appeal to me.

Q. How difficult is it to juggle a toddler and your professional life?

A. It is quite hard. But you know I have had a great example of my mother, who has been a working mother and who has always made it look so easy. So I have had a great role model. Also, I realize that millions of women are doing it every day. So, initially, I was like this is really hard but I realize that you have to take it a day at a time, it is a challenge but millions of working women are mothers including my bai and she doesn’t have the resources that I do for childcare. So, I think hats off to all working moms, its hard but we can do it, we are strong.

Courtesy Yahoo

'Ek Thi Daayan doesn't propagate witchcraft’

Emraan Hashmi is an antithesis of his over-the-top screen image. In real life, he has a wicked sense of humour, for only those who get it. When he debuted in 2003, critics were quick to write him off due to his non-hero looks and his choice of films. It has been a long journey and not a smooth one for him since his ‘Murder’ days. From a mass hero catering to mostly frontbenchers to bankable star super-hit potboilers, he has coursed the long mile. His performance as Jogi Parmar in 'Shanghai' made the critics sit up and take notice of him. With Vishal Bhardwaj's 'Ek Thi Daayan', Emraan's filmi graph has taken a new turn as he stars along with Huma Quereshi, Kalki and Konkona Sen Sharma. In a candid chat, the star tells us about his role and why he wants to get rid of his ‘kisser’ image.

Excerpts from the interview:

How did ‘Ek Thi Daayan’ happen?
I was drawn to the story and the subject, written by Mukul which was adapted by Vishal. It was fascinating because thematically something like this has never been done before. ‘Ek Thi Daayan‘ deals with daayans (witches) which has not been explored much in Indian cinema. It is a different interpretation of with a couple of jump-out-of-seat moments. Fear is psychological and we have experimented with that.

Horror films in Bollywood are ridden with clichés. How is this film different?
Daayan is experimenting with a new genre of horror and we have tried to do away with the clichés associated with horror films. Whether it will work or not is for the audience to decide.

'Ek Thi Daayan' has been called regressive by a certain section of media. Shouldn’t cinema bear social responsibility?
I don’t think that is the right way to look at it. Our audience is intelligent enough to realize that this is a work of fiction and we are not propagating witchcraft. Though horror films do feed on superstition, there is no hidden message in the film. We have got clearance from the censor board too.

When you consider a role, what excites you as an actor?
My role in the script and the whole film in general. On the first day I am very unsure of myself and on how the film will pan out because no matter how much effort or hard work you put in a film, you can never be sure of its outcome.

Courtesy Yahoo