Dad and sons
Dharmendra completes 50 years in the film industry this year — he started with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere back in 1960 and recently proved his continuing popularity with the hit Yamla Pagla Deewana . Enthused by his resurgent fame, the veteran has announced that he is going to perform for the upcoming IIFA awards in Toronto. “I enjoyed acting with my sons Sunny and Bobby in Apne and Yamla Pagla Deewana, and performing with them will also make me feel good,” says Dharmendra.
In an expansive mood, Dharmendra said he was excited about Salman Khan's Dabangg winning the National Award. He says “I love everyone but Salman is special.”
SRK and the ‘Karma' song
Considering Shah Rukh Khan is producing the youth-oriented Always Kabhi Kabhi , we asked the superstar for his opinion on the recent trend of weirdly worded songs such as the ‘Mutton song' from Luv Ka The End , ‘Bhaag DK Bose' and ‘Karma is a b*tch' from Shor In The City .
Shah Rukh recalls, “I had done a beautiful song ‘Ishq kamina', then a whole film was made on that song — Kaminey. Language has changed and I respect all kinds of lyrics.” Though the actor maintains that “as an actor, there may be times when I can't say a certain lyric or dialogue, because I have got children, that is a personal point of view. I have no issue with others because now you are also exposed to international music. Recently, in Berlin, we were listening to a song and I found it very enjoyable but the words are such that you just cannot say them aloud. I am very happy with the freedom of expression that the young directors, music directors and lyric writers are bringing to Indian cinema.”
Having said that, Shah Rukh laughs, “I would really like to hear ‘Karma is a b*tch'.”
Ritesh's biggest stunt
As one half of a producer duo with Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani has produced hits such as Dil Chahta Hai, Lakshya, Rock On and Don . His latest, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara , has a stellar cast comprising Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif, Abhay Deol, Kalki and Farhan himself.
Recently, we asked Ritesh if, like the three leading men in his film, he too had attempted any breathtaking stunt. Before Ritesh could reply, Hrithik butted in and said, “His most dangerous stunt was when he was signing the cheques for the cast and the crew.”
How much were the cheques for, Ritesh?
No soaps for Padmini
Padmini Kolhapure, the 1980s actor who is making a comeback alongside Asha Bhosle in Maeee , is game for more work but draws the line when it comes to TV soaps.
Padmini says: “I have been offered umpteen Hindi serials. But due to time constraint… They talk to me today and want to start shooting in 10 days. It doesn't work like that.”
The actor is also unwilling to commit herself to the demanding work schedule of a TV soap. “They shoot for 25 days a month!” she says. “I can't lock myself completely. Whether I am doing cinema, TV or theatre, I have to put in my 100 per cent and there is no looking back. So that first step has to be taken with care.”
‘I'm no sequel master'
These days, Ritesh Deshmukh can be seen in the promos of Double Dhamaal , the sequel to Dhamaal . But this is not the only sequel Ritesh is doing — he's also part of sequels to Housefull and Kya Kool Hai Hum .
Ask him about this, and Ritesh protests: “I'm no sequel master, I didn't plan anything, Kya Kool Hai Hum 2, Housefull 2 and Double Dhamaal just happened, so I'm enjoying the space.” Ritesh pointed out that this happens with actors: “I remember at the launch of Double Dhamaal , Arshad was also asked the same question because at that time he was doing the sequels to Dhamaal, Golmaal and Munnabhai .”
Bollywood News Service
