Ayesha and I have separate lives: Jackie Shroff

July 4, 2012

jackie

Jackie Shroff hasn't delivered a memorable performance on the big screen in years. One now sees more of him in late night teleshopping ads, while contemporaries Sunny Deol and Anil Kapoor continue to make films. Currently, Jaggu Dada is in the news for making a comeback in an action film and also being a part of Rajinikanth's Kochadaiyaan.

Ask him about it and he laughs, "Bhidu, how many times will they make me come back?" Despite his personal and professional setbacks, he has managed to stay positive. Over coffee and sandwiches, Jackie chats with TOI about his new innings, his son Tiger's big launch and his relationship with wife Ayesha. Read on...

There were reports that Aamir Khan would launch Tiger. What went wrong?

Aamir is my buddy. I had taken Tiger to meet him. Aamir said if I needed help in marketing, selecting scripts, etc, he'd be there for Tiger. He asked my boy what kind of films he would like to do and they spoke. But there was no discussion of them working together. It was my job to make them meet. He loves Tiger and will always give him good advice whenever needed.

Why didn't your mentor Subhash Ghai launch Tiger?

I think Subhashji is busy with his studio and other things. I remember when Tiger was born, he said, 'Yeh mera beta hai, mein isko signing amount de raha hoon, mein isko launch karoonga.' Maybe he didn't want the pressure of creating another Hero? Subhash Ghai launched me in that film and now if he'd cast Tiger, he would've become Hero 2. There should be no comparisons; he should have his own identity. He doesn't look like me; he has a face and physique that is totally different. Thank God he is not a photocopy of me!

Why don't we see Ayesha and you together at events anymore? There are even rumours of a separation...

Our friends are different. We both hang out with different people and have separate lives. Only if there's a family function do we go together. I tell her, 'You've been a doormat for a long time, now go ahead and enjoy yourself.' That's why we've been together for 35 years. We've been friends, and courted for 10 years before marriage. I remember telling her, 'I don't love you, I lust you'. Today, we understand each other on a totally different level. Her trust is unnerving.

How has your friendship with Anil Kapoor fared over the years?

It is a friendship for life. When I look back at the films we did together, they were amazing days. I am really happy for him and the unending zest he has for life. He is more energetic and enthusiastic than many youngsters today. He keeps calling me whenever he does anything new. He's too sweet. When he talks about going international now, I'm absolutely proud of him for opening the doors of Hollywood for desi actors.



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News Network
May 20,2020

New Delhi, May 20: Singer Justin Bieber on Wednesday thanked his Indian fans for showering love on his newly-launched song 'Stuck With U'.

The 26-year-old singer shared a video on Twitter, that featured many Indian music enthusiasts crooning and making their own individual creative videos with the song playing in the background.

In reaction to it, the 'Yummy' singer tweeted: "Thank You India"

Bieber and American singer Ariana Grande teamed up for the song earlier this month to help the people affected and who are in need during the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

The official music video was dropped on May 8. The romantic track marks the first collaboration of the duo.

The music video has cameos by the singer's partners and features many special moments shared by the couple amid lockdown.

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Agencies
January 5,2020

Los Angeles: Kevin Feige may have confirmed that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) will be getting its first transgender superhero but the Marvel Studios has said there is no definite timeline for that.

During a Q&A at the New York Film Academy, a fan had asked Feige about whether the studio plans to introduce LGBTQ characters into the MCU, "specifically the trans characters".

To this, the Marvel Studios president had replied, "Yes, absolutely, yes... And very soon. In a movie that we're shooting right now."

But sources in the company clarified to Variety that Feige only confirmed the first part of the comments that a trans character will appear in the MCU in future but he did not give a time period.

Though Feige did not reveal the name of the project that will introduce a LGBTQ character, fans speculate that he may have been referring to "The Eternals".

The film, which will feature an ensemble cast of Richard Madden, Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Kit Harington and others, is set to unveil a gay superhero in the MCU.

Marvel Studios has been making efforts to incorporate more diversity in its films after the success of "Black Panther", which featured a virtually all-black cast, and its first woman-fronted superhero movie "Captain Marvel".

"Avengers: Endgame", which became the highest grossing movie of all-time, had featured the MCU's first gay character, a cameo by director Joe Russo.

In 2020, the studio has two releases -- Scarlett Johansson-starrer "Black Widow" and "The Eternals" -- which have been helmed by women directors.

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News Network
June 9,2020

New Delhi, Jun 9: Multiplex operator PVR on Monday said it has cut salary across various levels, laid off employees and deferred increments during the lockdown to mitigate adverse impact of COVID-19 on the business.

The company said at present it is not generating any revenue from exhibition business and related activities as cinemas across the country are shut following the directions from the regulatory authorities.

According to the company, closure of screens during the lockdown will have a significant negative impact on profitability and liquidity.

PVR has taken measures to reduce its personnel cost, including salary cuts across various levels in the organisation during the lockdown along with "reduction in headcount by way of layoffs/retrenchment" to mitigate the adverse impact of COVID-19 on the business.

Moreover, the board of the company, in its meeting held on Monday has also approved plan to raise Rs 300 crore through rights issue.

"Since Cinema Exhibition is the only business segment, company is currently not generating any revenue from admissions, food and beverage sales or other revenue and cash flow from operations," said PVR in an update.

Beginning from March 11, PVR started closing its screens in accordance with the order passed by various regulatory authorities and within a few days most of our cinemas across the country were shut down, it added.

The company will continue to incur committed cash outflows, including employee salary pay-outs, other overheads as well as payments for older working capital.

"This has and will have a significant negative impact on profitability and liquidity during lockdown and even thereafter till business comes to normalcy," it added.

Further, once the cinemas are re-opened, we may not be able to run our cinemas at normal capacity utilisation levels on account of social distancing measures that cinemas may be required to follow as well as health concerns that the patrons may have, the multiplex operator said.

"On account of this, our revenue and cash flow generation may be impeded even once we are allowed to restart operations," it added.

The company has also deferred decision on on increments to reduce its cost, it added.

PVR has also written to developers for waiving rental and CAM (Common Area Maintenance) charges for the lockdown period.

It is in discussion with developers for reducing rentals post re-opening and has invoked force majeure clause in its agreements with them.

Besides, the company has raised additional borrowings from existing bankers to shore up liquidity.

"As of March 31, 2020 the company had cash and bank balance of Rs 316 crore. As on June 7, 2020 cash and bank balance is Rs 227 crore (including undrawn bank lines)," it added.

Over reopening of theatres, PVR said that the government has come out with a phase-wise schedule.

In these guidelines cinema halls have been kept in the third phase of re-opening, where dates will be decided based on assessment of the situation.

"We are in continuous engagement with all regulatory authorities and hope to receive the necessary permissions for restarting opening in the near future," it added.

Currently PVR operates 845 screens in 176 properties in 71 cities.

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