Celina, who recently announced her pregnancy recently looked stunning in a blue dress
Monday, October 24, 2011
Shilpa's big plans
Shilpa Shetty might not be making frequent public appearances but the actress is as busy as she was during the peak days of her acting career. With many businesses and few new plans lined up, we caught up with the actress in an exclusive chat to talk about her current phase and much more. Read on
We don't see you making many public appearances, what keeps you occupied currently? I am on a sabbatical right now and it is a total bliss time for me. I am very happy in this phase of my life. Though I may not be making many public appearances but there are many things that keep me occupied all the time. Even after making my dreams a reality and having achieved what I always wanted, I still have many more things on my action list. As soon as my sabbatical gets over, I would be back to the busy life that I have always loved to live.
What is your take on the current Bigg Boss show? I think the Bigg Boss contestants are having an easy time compared to what the Big Brother experience was. In our case we had to even earn our food. On the other hand our Bigg Boss contestants are so pampered in comparison.
We have been hearing a lot about your film production plans. What is the latest on that front? I feel there is a right time for everything. I don't do things for the sake of doing them; it has to make sense to me. Talking about film production, there is a surprise announcement which I will make soon. I can't tell you the details at this moment but all I can say is that I am getting into film production in a big way.
How do you react to the media reports concerning your private life? I would be lying if I said it does not bother me to read baseless stories that get published and reported in the media. Though, I understand that all this is part of being a public figure but when such stories get too interfering it does bother me.
How do you look at the two decades in Bollywood that you have been around? To be honest, it feels like a fairy tale. I have so much to thank and I have got things beyond what I had thought. It feels so special at times. I feel blessed. I cherish every moment my journey in Bollywood. Those who know me personally will tell you how simple I am in my real life. I still love to cook food, spend time with my loved ones and behave like a total homely girl. I come from a middle class background and that has stayed with me. I take life as it comes and I am never bothered by the ups and downs in life.
Tell us about your real estate venture. With the rising real estate prices, we have decided to provide affordable homes to people through our real estate venture. We will be soon starting with this project which is one its first kinds in the private sector.
Sayali Bhagat to sue Shiney Ahuja over indecent advances?
After first hinting that Shiney had made indecent advances towards her and then denying all such reports, Sayali is now reportedly filing a complaint against the actor over the issue according to industry sources.
The story so far: Shiney and Sayali were signed up to co- star in a film named Ghost sometime last year. In April 2011, Sayali levelled allegations against Shiney for the first time saying he had made passes at her on the film set. She had then said Shiney had also misbehaved with the film’s debutant director, Puja Jatinder Bedi. Last month in an interview, however, Sayali took a U- turn.
She said Shiney had never misbehaved with her and that such allegations would harm his career. The flip- flop came in an interview Sayali gave to a film glossy earlier this month. She claimed that Shiney had definitely made advances and that she was smart enough “ to understand where Shiney was heading to” and that she “ knew he was throwing hints”. The magazine report even suggested that Sayali admitted to Shiney pinching her butt. No sooner did the magazine hit the stands, however, she said she was “ shocked” about allegations that were reportedly being passed off as her statements. She further said that both Shiney and she were being “ victimised by detractors”. She also said ever since the magazine hit the stands, Shiney and his wife Anupam Ahuja were flooding her with text messages and calls, disturbing her peace of mind.
The story so far: Shiney and Sayali were signed up to co- star in a film named Ghost sometime last year. In April 2011, Sayali levelled allegations against Shiney for the first time saying he had made passes at her on the film set. She had then said Shiney had also misbehaved with the film’s debutant director, Puja Jatinder Bedi. Last month in an interview, however, Sayali took a U- turn.
She said Shiney had never misbehaved with her and that such allegations would harm his career. The flip- flop came in an interview Sayali gave to a film glossy earlier this month. She claimed that Shiney had definitely made advances and that she was smart enough “ to understand where Shiney was heading to” and that she “ knew he was throwing hints”. The magazine report even suggested that Sayali admitted to Shiney pinching her butt. No sooner did the magazine hit the stands, however, she said she was “ shocked” about allegations that were reportedly being passed off as her statements. She further said that both Shiney and she were being “ victimised by detractors”. She also said ever since the magazine hit the stands, Shiney and his wife Anupam Ahuja were flooding her with text messages and calls, disturbing her peace of mind.
Now comes the latest twist. Sources in the industry say Sayali is considering action against Shiney because, during an intimate scene in Ghost , he reportedly called her into his make- up room and held her hand in a way that was too close for her comfort. Both Sayali and Shiney remained unavailable for comments.
This is not the first time that Shiney has been in the eye of storm over such allegations. In 2009, the actor’s maid filed a case against him alleging rape. Shiney was sentenced to seven years in prison by a Mumbai sessions court on March 30 this year. About a month later, however, he was released on bail.
Is something cooking between Sonam Kapoor and Punit Malhotra?
Sonam Kapoor denies being in a relationship with filmmaker Punit Malhotra. But she is going out on friendly dinners and brunches with him.A few days back, Sonam was spotted having dinner with the filmmaker at a popular restaurant in Mumbai.
The pair was oblivious to the stares they got at the restaurant. Eyewitnesses claim that it seemed like more than just a simple dinner date between two friends.They walked in at around 10 and ordered food and drinks.
Sonam's sister Rhea also joined later. Sonam it seems wants to be with her friends but doesn't want to get hitched.
The pair was oblivious to the stares they got at the restaurant. Eyewitnesses claim that it seemed like more than just a simple dinner date between two friends.They walked in at around 10 and ordered food and drinks.
Sonam's sister Rhea also joined later. Sonam it seems wants to be with her friends but doesn't want to get hitched.
Sunidhi's musical destiny
“Morning shows the day.” This is how one can describe about the Bollywood singer Sunidhi Chauhan, who started her career at the tender age of 4 years and went on to become a sensation among the music lovers. Winner of the first ever televised music contest, “Meri Aawaz Suno” on Doordarshan channel in 1996, Sunidhi is now one of the most versatile female playback singers, reminiscing the colourful era of evergreen versatile Asha Bhosle. Her life is often observed as that of a princess locked in the pages of a fairy tale. Shot to renown with the song Ruki ruki si zindagi… under Ram Gopal Verma’s film ‘Mast’ in 2001, she never looked back and surged on and on to become the playback voice of almost every heroine came and gone in the last ten years. Recipient of plentiful prestigious awards, she is not illustrious in Bollywood only but also in Kollywood and Tollywood, and sings songs in Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu and Gujarati with consummate ease. The star singer in a conversation…
Q: How did singing happen to you? Is it inborn or inherited from your family environment?
Sunidhi Chauhan: I think I was born to be a singer that indeed is a blessing in me. But without struggle achieving a high is almost impossible and I hail this to my family, who also happens to be my mentor. I would not have been what I am today without their incessant efforts and sacrifices. Though music happened to me naturally minus any formal training, it is my parents who identified my exceptional aptitude and paved a way for me to pursue a career in it since I was merely four (year-old). Professedly promoting me to different competitive dos during my school days, my parents injected a stimulus music worm in me to sharpen my singing proficiency without having any music background at my family front. We were merely good listeners.
Sunidhi Chauhan: I think I was born to be a singer that indeed is a blessing in me. But without struggle achieving a high is almost impossible and I hail this to my family, who also happens to be my mentor. I would not have been what I am today without their incessant efforts and sacrifices. Though music happened to me naturally minus any formal training, it is my parents who identified my exceptional aptitude and paved a way for me to pursue a career in it since I was merely four (year-old). Professedly promoting me to different competitive dos during my school days, my parents injected a stimulus music worm in me to sharpen my singing proficiency without having any music background at my family front. We were merely good listeners.
Q: Then? Brief some more about your life.
Sunidhi Chauhan: One fine day, during a competition, Tabassum, a TV host spotted my skill and expressed her desire to uplift my career through her troupe. Tabassumji, later, adivised my parents to shift to Mumbai from Delhi to further my career. Subsequently, our family did the same. My dad even left behind his own career in theatre despite being quite well off for the sake of mine. Later, Tabassumji introduced me to composer Kalyanji (half of Kalyanji-Anandji duo), who honed my skills via his show, “Little Wonders” when I was only 8. Then came the first ever musical contest “Meri Aawaz Suno” on the DD National in 1996, where I bagged the “Lata Mangeshkar Trophy” for the best female singer of India. However, it was only thereafter my real struggle began despite receiving a national recognition and even cutting a solo album with the HMV, “Aira Gaira Nathu Khaira” that didn’t click big as per expectations. Realizing my limitation I got a formal training in classical singing from Gautam Mukherjee. Hence after a brief lull despite giving forgettable playback for some movies, I got an overnight fame with the songs of movie “Mast” including its title track and Ruki ruki si…. And now, the rest is history.
Sunidhi Chauhan: One fine day, during a competition, Tabassum, a TV host spotted my skill and expressed her desire to uplift my career through her troupe. Tabassumji, later, adivised my parents to shift to Mumbai from Delhi to further my career. Subsequently, our family did the same. My dad even left behind his own career in theatre despite being quite well off for the sake of mine. Later, Tabassumji introduced me to composer Kalyanji (half of Kalyanji-Anandji duo), who honed my skills via his show, “Little Wonders” when I was only 8. Then came the first ever musical contest “Meri Aawaz Suno” on the DD National in 1996, where I bagged the “Lata Mangeshkar Trophy” for the best female singer of India. However, it was only thereafter my real struggle began despite receiving a national recognition and even cutting a solo album with the HMV, “Aira Gaira Nathu Khaira” that didn’t click big as per expectations. Realizing my limitation I got a formal training in classical singing from Gautam Mukherjee. Hence after a brief lull despite giving forgettable playback for some movies, I got an overnight fame with the songs of movie “Mast” including its title track and Ruki ruki si…. And now, the rest is history.
Q: So whom would you owe your accomplishment to?
Sunidhi Chauhan: To all the persons who helped me in shaping my career. My parents, undoubtedly, top the chart along with Sonu Nigamji, who acted as a catalyst to fuel my career. As I said, my parents have gone that extra mile to help me scale this high. Sacrificing his own thriving profession my dad moved to Mumbai for me only. It is actually he, who struggled on my behalf doing rounds of composers to get me work. On the other hand, Sonuji introduced me to Sandeep Chowta for “Mast” that proved to be my ultimate breakthrough. He was very optimistic and stimulating in getting my talent recognized. His impulsive attitude helped me tidy up my expertise.
Sunidhi Chauhan: To all the persons who helped me in shaping my career. My parents, undoubtedly, top the chart along with Sonu Nigamji, who acted as a catalyst to fuel my career. As I said, my parents have gone that extra mile to help me scale this high. Sacrificing his own thriving profession my dad moved to Mumbai for me only. It is actually he, who struggled on my behalf doing rounds of composers to get me work. On the other hand, Sonuji introduced me to Sandeep Chowta for “Mast” that proved to be my ultimate breakthrough. He was very optimistic and stimulating in getting my talent recognized. His impulsive attitude helped me tidy up my expertise.
Q: Do you believe in God?
Sunidhi Chauhan: Yes. I am deeply religious. God is my instinct, my guiding force and my saviour, who shows me a way at the intricate crossroad. I believe faith in the God makes a lot of difference in life. Once I had to sing a high pitch number for “Mast” and my throat was infected. It was my faith in divine power and my ability that bailed me out to record successfully. Whatever I’ve achieved, God is there.
Sunidhi Chauhan: Yes. I am deeply religious. God is my instinct, my guiding force and my saviour, who shows me a way at the intricate crossroad. I believe faith in the God makes a lot of difference in life. Once I had to sing a high pitch number for “Mast” and my throat was infected. It was my faith in divine power and my ability that bailed me out to record successfully. Whatever I’ve achieved, God is there.
Q: Now that you are perhaps the most versatile singer in today’s Bollywood, how does it feel when your versatility is compared with the legendary versatile Asha Bhosle?
Sunidhi Chauhan: I feel proud when one talks about today’s singers. But, it is very early to draw any parallel with Ashaji. She is in herself a singing institution, whereas, I am like a student to her. I’ve a very long way to go, which seems impossible. Ashaji has been constant throughout many decades, while I’ve come across the lean and thin phases. Moreover, I don’t want to be labeled as the next Asha Bhosle but to remain with my own name, only Sunidhi.
Sunidhi Chauhan: I feel proud when one talks about today’s singers. But, it is very early to draw any parallel with Ashaji. She is in herself a singing institution, whereas, I am like a student to her. I’ve a very long way to go, which seems impossible. Ashaji has been constant throughout many decades, while I’ve come across the lean and thin phases. Moreover, I don’t want to be labeled as the next Asha Bhosle but to remain with my own name, only Sunidhi.
Q: Do you feel any competition with others of your age group?
Sunidhi Chauhan: Competition is always there in the Bollywood but I don’t think there is any competition for me. There are incredible voices in the industry today but what is more important for singer is to carve ones respective niche. Like Lataji and Ashaji, Alka Yagnik and Kavita Krishnamurty crafted their own respective domains over two decades back and still on. Similarly, I am contented to have my own area in the current music world. Likewise, Shreya Ghoshal has her own. I personally respect Shreya for her talents and nice songs, whom people consider as a threat to me.
Sunidhi Chauhan: Competition is always there in the Bollywood but I don’t think there is any competition for me. There are incredible voices in the industry today but what is more important for singer is to carve ones respective niche. Like Lataji and Ashaji, Alka Yagnik and Kavita Krishnamurty crafted their own respective domains over two decades back and still on. Similarly, I am contented to have my own area in the current music world. Likewise, Shreya Ghoshal has her own. I personally respect Shreya for her talents and nice songs, whom people consider as a threat to me.
Q: Having camera-friendly face and figure, you rock on stage as well. So how do you strike a chord between playback singing and performing on dais?
Sunidhi Chauhan: See, it’s up to one’s interest and passion. I feel comfortable at both the levels, playback as well as live-on-stage. I try to give my best shot at both the spheres so that audience could get connected with me. When I am in the studio, a lot of factors depend on the mood of composer. Whereas on stage, I just can’t control myself on given beats. I feel like a free bee. My energy level robotically dances up and down with the beats.
Sunidhi Chauhan: See, it’s up to one’s interest and passion. I feel comfortable at both the levels, playback as well as live-on-stage. I try to give my best shot at both the spheres so that audience could get connected with me. When I am in the studio, a lot of factors depend on the mood of composer. Whereas on stage, I just can’t control myself on given beats. I feel like a free bee. My energy level robotically dances up and down with the beats.
Q: Tell us about any inspirations that set your pulse racing?
Sunidhi Chauhan: Lataji’s evergreen soothing voice and Ashaji’s energetic versatility even at this age. I’ve learnt a lot from them. Whenever I listen to their songs, I keep adopting different styles emanating out with music.
Sunidhi Chauhan: Lataji’s evergreen soothing voice and Ashaji’s energetic versatility even at this age. I’ve learnt a lot from them. Whenever I listen to their songs, I keep adopting different styles emanating out with music.
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