Zip your mouth, says Sridevi to plastic surgery rumour-mongers

[email protected] (Afsana Ahmed, HT)
September 3, 2012
sridevi2
For all women who’re 40 and above, Sridevi has a message: Look after yourself and do what makes you desirable. Work out, eat right, be focused and be happy. You should also be in love. That makes you radiant. About to return to the big screen after a 15-year focus on home and family, Bollywood’s original queen bee should be out there promoting her comeback movie, R Balki’s English Vinglish. But she leaves the hype to the producers, preferring, instead, to talk only to people she trusts, just as she did in the ’80s.

Dressed in simple black slacks and a white top, sans make-up, Sridevi chats about her film, life and how she manages to look so young.


All set for your comeback?

I am so glad to be here at a time when cinema is going through an exciting phase. It’s not just stars pulling in the crowds. The script has also become a star! Look at Kahaani and The Dirty Picture (2011). I would love to do more films after English Vinglish, if people accept it.


You’ve always had offers for a comeback film. Why did you choose to work with Balki?

I love his previous work, Cheeni Kum (2007) and Paa (2009). Also, the subject of English Vinglish is universally appealing. After watching this film, men will never take their wives for granted (laughs).


You look stunning and younger than ever! What’s your secret?

Actually, I’ve looked like this for quite some time. It seems new because I’ve recently started making frequent public appearances. Your state of mind reflects on your face and I am in the happiest phase of my life today. I lead a systematic life. I am health conscious, I do power yoga, play tennis four days a week, control my diet and resist junk food, fried stuff and sweets, even though I have a sweet tooth. And most importantly, I don’t sweat the small stuff (laughs). All these bring a change in the appearance.

Some people say you must have had plastic surgery to look like this.

No, I haven’t. I want to tell these people that instead of whining and criticising, why don’t you move out of your comfort zone, zip your mouth and slog it out? Then let’s talk! There will be a visible change not just in your appearance, but also in your attitude. But if you’re a lazy bum, hooked to TV, and cannot give up your food because you know you can undergo cosmetic surgery, you’re damned! It doesn’t work like that. Anything that is plastic melts in no time. You have to understand that there’s a regime for everything and you benefit by associating yourself with it. To look and feel good, you have to slog it out.

Have you inspired your husband Boney Kapoor to keep fit?

Forget going to the gym, he hasn’t even given up fatty food! Recently, I instructed the cook not to make rice, but I was shocked to see him eating rice at dinner. When I asked the cook, he said, ‘Ma’am, you told me not to make rice, but this is gobi rice.’ Now what can I say? I am taking it as a challenge to get him off oily food. Having said this, Boneyji is the most handsome guy in the world for me.


Today’s female actors are very bold. Even Madhuri Dixit, who’s making a comeback (with Gulab Gang), said she wouldn’t mind being bold. Are you open to it too?

Nobody has offered me a bold role as yet, but I don’t mind experimenting as long as I am comfortable. I am looking for versatility.

Since you’ve lost so much weight, would you wear a bikini?

No! I don’t even wear one when swimming!


What do you like about cinema today?

Technology is unbelievably advanced. We never had these luxuries. We used to have an assistant director taking notes for shots, which today, are corrected by the monitors. We never had make-up vans. Today, they’ve got stylists on every film.


One thing you dislike about cinema today?

The fierce promotions for which actors are personally required. I don’t like my life to be controlled like that. In my time, we just gave a few magazine interviews, and I prefer it that way. When my film is over, I like to spend time with my family.


You started as a child artiste. Looking back, do you think you missed out on a normal childhood?

I have no regrets. As for missing a normal childhood, I didn’t spend mine in the studios wearing make-up. I was brought up in a traditional atmosphere with lots of cousins and friends. The only thing I missed out on was studying. That cannot be altered, so I look at whatever I have achieved and feel happy.


We’ve heard you are grooming Jhanavi to become an actor.

If I could, I would get Jhanavi married at the earliest. I am a normal mother, pestering the kids to eat healthy, sleep on time, study etc. This generation doesn’t need guidance or grooming when it comes to fashion, fitness and health. But yes, Jhanavi is my gym, swimming and tennis partner. And if I have hammered anything into her head, it’s to be religious.


Does she want to be an actor?

Sometimes she wants to be a writer, sometimes a designer. Anyway, Jhanavi needs to complete her studies before finding her vocation. And I’ll have no problem with whatever she chooses.


Your wedding to Boney was unconventional. Is there anything you’ve learnt or had to unlearn along the way?

Life has always sprung surprises on me. Luckily, I’ve never had to unlearn anything with Boneyji. In return, I selflessly give my 100 per cent as his wife. And he feels I am the best.



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News Network
July 26,2020

Washington, Jul 26: Regis Philbin, the iconic television personality best-known for his hosting duties on 'Live!' with co-hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Kelly Ripa, and 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,' has died. The beloved star was 88.

According to People Magazine, the longtime television host died on July 24. His family shared a statement on Saturday, "We are deeply saddened to share that our beloved Regis Philbin passed away last night of natural causes, one month shy of his 89th birthday,"
"His family and friends are forever grateful for the time we got to spend with him - for his warmth, his legendary sense of humour, and his singular ability to make every day into something worth talking about. 

We thank his fans and admirers for their incredible support over his 60-year career and ask for privacy as we mourn his loss," the Philbin family says.

Philbin began his iconic career in 1988, as the host of 'Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee' alongside TV presenter Kathie Lee Gifford. After 15 years, Gifford left the ABC show but the pair remained close after her departure.

In 2001, the franchise became 'Live! with Regis and Kelly', co-starring Kelly Ripa before he left in 2011 after 23 years on-air.

From 1999 to 2002, Philbin also served as the original host of the widely popular game show 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.' In addition, the New York City native's hosting credits include 'Million Dollar Password', the first season of 'America's Got Talent', as well as a reoccurring co-host seat on 'Rachael Ray'.

Born on August 25, 1931, Philbin was raised in the Bronx and graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School in 1949 before attending the University of Notre Dame, where he earned a sociology degree in 1953.

After serving in the Navy, Philbin began his career in show business as a writer and made his way in front of the camera in 1961 with a local talk show in San Diego called 'The Regis Philbin Show'. Then in 1967, he became widely known as Joey Bishop's sidekick on 'The Joey Bishop Show'.

After a string of local talk shows, including 'A.M. Los Angeles' and 'Regis Philbin's Saturday Night in St. Louis', the star moved to New York in 1983 to host 'The Morning Show', which was renamed three years later as 'Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee'.

His accolades include Daytime Emmy Awards for outstanding talk show host for 'Live!' in 2001 and 2011 as well as an outstanding game show host for 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire'. He also received a Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003 and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Daytime Emmy Awards in 2008.

Throughout his career, Philbin had various health issues. He underwent an angioplasty in 1993, followed by triple bypass surgery due to plaque in his arteries in March 2007. In December 2009, the television personality had his hip replaced.

Married twice, Philbin is survived by daughters J.J. Philbin and Joanna Philbin, whom he shared with his wife of 50 years, Joy Philbin. He was also father to daughter Amy Philbin, whom he shared with his first wife Catherine Faylen. Philbin and Faylen had another child, son Daniel Philbin, who died in 2014.

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News Network
June 16,2020

Mumbai, Jun 16: The International Space University (ISU) in France has paid homage to Sushant Singh Rajput in a statement, saying the news of the actor's death was "deeply saddening".

Rajput was found dead in his Bandra apartment on Sunday.

According to an official, Mumbai Police found out during the probe that the 34-year-old actor was under medication for depression.

The official Twitter handle of ISU on Monday tweeted how Rajput was supposed to visit the campus last year but was unable to due to scheduling conflict.

"We are deeply saddened by the dramatic news on the death of well known Indian actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Mr Singh Rajput was a believer and strong supporter of STEM education and was following ISU on social media.

"He had even accepted an invitation to visit ISU's Central Campus in the summer of 2019 but other agenda priorities prevented him from travelling to Strasbourg," the statement by the university read.

ISU paid condolences to Rajput's family and friends, saying the actor's memory will "remain among his thousands of followers across India and all over the world".

Rajput had enrolled at Delhi Technical University (DTU) in 2003, which was then known as Delhi College of Engineering, but left the course to pursue his showbiz dreams.

Even after leaving the four-year degree course, he remained fascinated with science and had a deep interest in astronomy.

As part of his research for the film "Chanda Mama Door Ke", he also visited the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 2017.

Rajput had stayed in NASA to train for his role as an astronaut for the film, which was eventually shelved.

The actor also owned Meade 14" LX600 telescope.

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News Network
April 6,2020

New Delhi, Apr 6:  In an attempt to pump up Indians with positivity amid the testing times of coronavirus, Bollywood's most prominent actors like Akshay Kumar, Kartik Aaryan, Tiger Shroff, Taapsee Pannu, Kiara Advani, joined hands and launched a hope anthem - 'Muskurayega India.'

The song is set on the optimistic theme that sends out the message that the country will smile again if the country supports each other in the current crisis situation.

An initiative of Akshay Kumar's Cape of Good Films, the video of the song features all the lead actors of the industry including Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar, Sidharth Malhotra, Vicky Kaushal, Raj Kumar Rao, Ananya Panday, Kriti Sanon, Jacky Bhagnani, and Rakul Preet.
Curated by Jackky Bhagnani's music label JJust Music and composed and sung by the talented Vishal Mishra, 'Muskurayega India' is a symbol of India's spirit of solidarity, battling against the coronavirus pandemic.

The soulful song penned by Kaushal Kishore also features cricketer Shikhar Dhawan and famous Mumbai based Radio Jockey Malishka.
The video of the song starts with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's televised address in which he is seen assuring the country that every Indian will come out victorious from the coronavirus crisis.

The video then features all the prominent faces of the cinema industry giving out the message of hope from their balconies, terrace and other spots of their houses.

The song urges people to stay home and support the people who are working to combat the virus, like police officials, and medical practitioners on duty amid the lockdown.

A locked-down view of some of the most prominent spots in the country like the India Gate, Hawa Mahal, and Mumbai's beaches are also featured in the video.

The song also spreads the message of social distancing and washing of hands to keep the infection away.

The video ends with a rhythm of the national anthem with the celebrities standing still to honour it and finally fades away with the Indian national flag.

As the country battles the novel coronavirus, the song is an attempt to uplift the spirit of togetherness of every Indian during the unprecedented crisis.

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