Salman Khan is the number one star: Aamir Khan

January 4, 2014

Salman_Khan_copy'Dhoom 3' has made Aamir Khan a game changer once again. With the record breaking success of the film, Aamir Khan has emerged as one of the top stars of 2013. The actor talks about his future plans, his popular reality show, fudging figures at the box-office and more in this interview.

What are your plans for 'Satyamev Jayate season 2'?

We are in the process of researching on various topics. We are happy with the way it's going and we'll start shooting soon for the second season. That's all I can say.

So do we expect an episode on sexual harassment in media after the Tarun Tejpal case? What is your opinion on such crimes?

We don't reveal the topics of SMJ. As far as the case is concerned, going by the media reports, I would say that I am most disappointed in Tarun for what appears to have been reported. I know Tarun but I am really upset. At this point my thoughts are with the girl who went through so much and at this point, we should be supportive of her. It's very tragic for a girl. Not only in this case, where there is harassment or rape, it is something that is extremely traumatic for a person to go through! No matter what, I am always in the side of a girl!

Haven't you left smoking?

I leave smoking every year. I start smoking exactly a month before the release. Since the film's release is on 20th I'll continue till December 31.

Have you ever considered entering regional cinema like Marathi films?

I don't mind doing a Marathi film if I get a good script. Also the language should be easy. Marathi is something that I have learnt but if you ask me to do a film in Tamil or Telugu I won't be able to do it. I have watched a few Marathi films especially 'Natrang' which has excellent music… I keep listening to the music in my car.

What's your opinion on competitors and contemporaries…

According to me, Salman is the number one star. He just bulldozes all the logic. I do not believe in competition. While I and Salman are big stars and both of us want to grow better with each film, I would say I have nothing but just warmth and love in my heart for Salman. I personally believe he is a bigger star than me. He has the ability to take a film on his shoulders but I don't think I have the ability to do so. I am fond of him. I love him. Even Ranbir, I liked him in 'Barfi' a lot. I felt the need to learn something from him. I love to see good work. I am also the audience. Good work gives me joy, and I don't mind if it's not mine. Even Shah Rukh! I really liked Shah Rukh's 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge', 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' and there is one film I want to see even now - 'Chak De! India'. I think Shah Rukh is an extremely charming actor. He always brings a smile on your face.

Khans have been ruling this industry for more than a decade. Do you think this is because Bollywood is star obsessed?

Bollywood is not star obsessed but audience is. In fact, even I as an audience am star obsessed too. There is nothing wrong with that. I am a big fan of Amitji, Waheedaji and Dilip Kumar. I have been star struck too. Entertainers have a great role to play in the society. We make people laugh and emote. Our role has always been underestimated.

Coming to your family, are you a hands-on father?

I am not a hands-on father. I am too self-centered for that. I get lost in my work but I am not bad father either. I spend a lot of time with Azad. I tell him bed-time stories. There was time when he used to come with me to the sets every day. That was a routine for almost a year. He was there in Chicago also with me.

Will we see Kiran directing you in a commercial film?

Kiran is right now working on a script but she is very secretive about it. I like it that way. I would like to act in any of her film unless I don't like what she is written. I have to be honest with my creative instincts. Also, it is important for her to want me. Sometimes it may happen that she wouldn't want me in the film.

How do you feel about Junaid assisting you in 'PK'?

He is working with Raju and he is very happy being on the set. That's good sign and good starting point. He hasn't told me what he wants to do but for now, he is fine with it. If he comes with a good script, I don't mind acting in his film.

What's the status on 'PK'?

'PK' is almost complete: at least the talkies are. But there is one song that is left for which the crew has to travel across the country which may require about 10 days to shoot.

What are your thoughts on the controversy of fudging BO figures?

It is very unfortunate. But this is not the first time it is happening. Sometimes the team feels like fudging figures. I personally don't believe it. It is just fooling yourself. I want to tell you an important yardstick. You should see the weekend figures and compare it with the total collection. Like '3 idiots' did Rs. 40 crores on the weekend and the total business was Rs. 202, so the weekend multiplied by 5, is the behavior of the film which is very good. That shows people have gone again and again to see the film. Jo film teen din mein 100 crore karein aur total mein 200 crore karein, then that film is not good.

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News Network
January 18,2020

Mumbai, Jan 18: Actor Shabana Azmi was injured in an accident on Saturday afternoon on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway in Maharashtra's Raigad district, an official said.

The incident took place around 3.30 pm near Khalapur, over 60 km from Mumbai, when the car in which she was traveling rammed into a truck, said Raigad Superintendent of Police Anil Paraskar.

She was rushed to MGM hospital in Navi Mumbai and was undergoing treatment, he said.

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News Network
July 17,2020

Mumbai, Jul 17: After helping scores of stranded migrant labourers return to their native places amidst the coronavirus pandemic, actor Sonu Sood has now extended a helping hand towards the coronavirus warriors as he donated 25,000 face shields to Maharashtra Police personnel.

Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Thursday took to Twitter to thank the Bollywood actor for his "generous contribution" to help the Police personnel who have been working tirelessly amid the testing times.

"I thank Sonu Sood Ji for your generous contribution of giving 25,000 #FaceShields for our police personnel," tweeted Deshmukh.
Responding to the Home Minister, Sood said, "Truly honoured by your kind words Sir! My police brothers and sisters are our real heroes and this is the least that I can do for the commendable work which they have been doing. Jai Hind."

The 46-year-old actor who is known for his roles in films like 'Singh is Kinng,' 'Simmba', and 'Happy New Year' has been hailed all over the media for arranging hassle-free passage of migrant labourers to their respective homes.

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Agencies
June 15,2020

Mumbai, Jun 15: Actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death has reignited the discussions around the struggle of survival in Bollywood, with many insiders highlighting "cruel and unforgiving" nature of the industry, particularly tough on outsiders.

Rajput was found hanging in his Bandra apartment on Sunday.

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

An engineering student, Rajput left his course at the Delhi Technological University in the early 2000s and rose from a background dancer to a TV star with soap opera Pavitra Rishta, which gave the "outsider" his breakout show in 2009.

In 2013, he made his Bollywood debut with Kai Po Che! and went on to star in films such as Shuddh Desi Romance, Raabta, Kedarnath, Sonchiriya and Chhichhore.

But his most prominent role came as cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni's in the 2007 biopic, MS Dhoni: The Untold Story.

In a telling tweet, veteran actor Dharmendra wrote despite not knowing Rajput personally, his death served as a reminder that the industry could be "cruel".

"Pyaare Sushant, naa film dekhi na kabhi mila tum se... par tere achaanak chale jaane se bada sadma laga. This beautiful beloved 'show business" is very cruel. I can imagine your unbearable pain. I share the pain of your loving family and friends," Dharmendra wrote.

Actor Meera Chopra penned a powerful, poignant note about the loneliness one feels working in an industry, which is "cold and ruthless".

"We all knew well that Sushant was going through depression since long, but what did we do? Where was his close circle, the directors and producers he's worked with, his close friends? Why nobody came out and helped, gave him the kind of love, the work that he wanted - because nobody cares," she wrote on Twitter.

The Section 375 actor, who has been vocal about feeling suffocated by the constant judgement from the industry colleagues, said nobody in Bollywood cares about what one's going through and artistes are just a flop away from being alienated.

Chopra said the industry has "failed" Rajput and Bollywood will now never be the same.

"True, Bollywood is a small family, but a kind of family which is never there when you need them. He had to take his life for that family to realise the kind of pain and need he was in. An outsider will always feel like an outsider here.

"I just want to say to my industry that help people when they need it, and you know when they need it. There is no point tweeting when they are no more. Don't pretend to be sad when you guys didn't do anything when he was sad. Stop being such a hypocritical society," she added.

Gulshan Devaiah said, as an actor, one could understand why Rajput would've taken the step to end his life.

"As actors, somewhere deep down inside, we think we know why he did it and that’s why it so disturbing even if you didn’t know him at all. It’s a hard game to play and he played it very well but the game won in the end," Devaiah wrote.

Quoting Chopra's tweet, the Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota star dismissed the idea of Bollywood being a family.

"If one thinks it’s a family, there is the problem. Bollywood is an imaginary name for a place of work, that’s it. I am really not trying to put anybody down here and sorry if it seems," he wrote.

On Sunday, actor-producer Nikhil Dwivedi posted a strongly-worded tweet calling out the "hypocrisy" of the industry after people from the film fraternity wrote they regretted not staying in touch with the "Chhichhore" star.

"High and mighty announcing they should have kept in touch with Sushant. Come on, you didn't! And that's because his career dipped. So STFU! Are you in touch with Imran Khan, Abhay Deol and others? No! But you were, when they were doing well," Dwivedi said.

Similar sentiment was echoed by filmmaker Anubhav Sinha, who, without taking names, said the "Bollywood Privilege Club" must sit down and think hard.

"Now don't ask me to elaborate any further," he tweeted.

Addressing outsiders, filmmaker Hansal Mehta wrote a long thread about the two ends of an artiste's time in the industry - the glorious successes and the crushing lows.

"There are many young 'outsiders' in this industry. Remember this - there is an establishment that will make you feel like the next big thing until they need you. They will drop you and mock you as soon as you falter. Do not fall for the trap. The ones that celebrate you will celebrate your downfall some time later," he tweeted.

Mehta said it's important for those who don't come from a film family to not force themselves to fit in.

"Just be authentic, follow your heart and stop seeking acceptance from anybody. Your connection should be with your art, your craft and with your audience. Nothing else matters. Over the years you will succeed, you will stumble.

"But remember that nothing is more important than you. Look after yourself. And know that you matter. The world is much bigger and wiser than what you perceive. So are opportunities. If you stay they will be yours. Lots of love. Never lose heart," the filmmaker wrote.

Celebrity hairstylist-turned-director Sapna Bhavnani claimed that Rajput's battle with mental health was out in the open and yet the industry chose to look the other way.

"It’s no secret Sushant was going through very tough times for the last few years. No one in the industry stood up for him nor did they lend a helping hand. To tweet today is the biggest display of how shallow the industry really is. No one here is your friend," she wrote on Twitter.

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