All for a cause
He loves being dubbed the “original bad man” of Hindi cinema. Actor Gulshan Grover claims that he is “proud when people still identify me with ‘bad man'.” But Grover will soon be playing the role of a “good man” for an educational film made by an NGO. Initially, he said, he was reluctant and completely unconvinced about how an NGO could make a good film.
“There were non-actors, a director with no filmmaking experience and no money. However I was wrong. The final product is stunning (has won him a National Award nomination) and got rave reviews nationally and internationally.” And he hands all the credit to the director. Grover is also all praise for actor Salman Khan who has thrown his weight behind a film that addresses issues of kids. He feels that if more such heavyweights lend their support to such ventures, it would definitely help the cause.
Focus on work
Actor Anushka Sharma has learnt the ways of Bollywood pretty fast and is angry about constant references to “fights” between her and her friend. “I do not see how my personal life is anyone's concern,” Sharma is reported to have said. She chooses to ignore most of the speculation life since it was usually silly talk and she did not want to add fuel to the fire. But ask about her new projects and she lights up. “I am absolutely thrilled to be working with Shah Rukh Khan again. I never thought I'd get a chance to do that and it's nothing less than a dream come true.” She said she was equally excited to land a part in Vishal Bhardwaj's next film. “He has a special understanding of cinema and I am sure hell tap into my acting potential in a unique manner.” Meanwhile she'd rather have the media focus on her work than her affairs.
Bitten by the acting bug
From the director's hat, he's donned an actor's hat. But for Farhan Akhtar juggling the two is not an issue. “I just block myself. I don't stop to think and simply phase myself out. If I am acting I don't think about direction and vice versa. This helps me focus on the job at hand, otherwise I might go crazy.” Having tasted success as an actor too, Akhtar finds himself looking at the script of Chetan Bhagat's novel The Three Mistakes of my Life. He is excited about the project but does not know what role he will get. “I have seen the script and it is fantastic.” He added that whatever the role, he'd like to do a good and authentic job of it. “That takes some preparation and I am ready for that.”
