Latest news with #DekhBhaiDekh
News18
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Rejected By Top Director, This Dwarf Actor Stole The Show With One Role
Lilliput recalled how an assistant to director Basu Chatterjee dismissed his dreams, citing his physical condition and saying people like him had no place in the film industry Actor MM Farooqui, widely recognised as Lilliput, recently shared his remarkable journey to Bollywood in a candid interview with Red FM podcasts. Despite many aspiring actors dreaming of making a name in the industry, Farooqui's path to success was fraught with challenges, particularly due to his height. Known for his roles in films and TV series such as ' Dekh Bhai Dekh ', ' Vikram Vetal ', ' Gutur Gu ', ' Shararat ', ' Shaurya Aur Suhani ', ' Razia Sultan ', and the popular web series ' Mirzapur ', Lilliput's journey was anything but easy. MM Farooqui, popularly known as Lilliput, got his stage name due to his dwarfism. In a recent interview with Red FM podcasts, he recalled living in his hometown, Gaya (Bihar), when a friend encouraged him to pursue acting in Bombay. Lilliput shared that he had done theatre in Gaya and was often regarded as one of the best in the city. So when his friend said, ' Aap Bombay aayiye. Aap Bombay aayiye to chhaa jaayenge (Come to Bombay, when you come you will be a star)," he began to wonder if he could really make it there. 'I came from a very poor family. We didn't even have money to take a rickshaw into the city. How could I dream of going to Bombay?" Lilliput recalled. But just as the thought crossed his mind, a friend who believed he could be the next Mehmood handed him Rs 150 for the journey to Bombay. 'I never thought about where I would live or what I would eat because I had no financial support from my family," he said. While his condition saddened his family, they never abandoned him. His relatives, too, were concerned, but he never let them see his struggles. Life in Mumbai proved to be harsh. Farooqui often went hungry and spent nights sleeping on the streets. Recalling those difficult days, he shared that he had only one set of clothes and could bathe just once a week. 'I used to go to a public toilet, take a bath, wash my clothes there, and then wear them wet. They would dry on my body under the sun." Lilliput also recalled a painful moment when an assistant to veteran director Basu Chatterjee bluntly told him he wouldn't make it in films. 'He reminded me of my shortcomings and said, 'All this doesn't work in cinema,'" Lilliput said. He believes the remark wasn't meant to hurt, but to convey a harsh truth, that people like him rarely get opportunities in the industry. Lilliput's fortunes changed with his role as Dadda Tyagi in the acclaimed series Mirzapur starring Pankaj Tripathi, Divyandu, Ali Fazal and Shweta Tripathi. His performance in the second and third seasons was highly appreciated, overshadowing even established actors like Vijay Verma and Pankaj Tripathi. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India.com
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Not Amar Upadhyay, Ronit Roy, THIS actor was the first choice for Mihir's role in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi; find out who replaced Smriti Irani
TV's number one show that created history was Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, featuring Smriti Irani and Amar Upadhyay. Part 2 is all set to premiere and we will witness Smriti Irani and Amar Upadhyay again. The comeback of Smriti is being celebrated across the nation. A few days ago, the first look from the show was out and there are speculations that the actress will be seen in a different role. Why did Smriti Irani take a break from Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi? In 2000, Smriti Irani bagged the lead role of Tulsi Virani in Ekta Kapoor's show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. The show became the most successful television serial of its time, largely due to Irani's powerful performance and her chemistry with lead actors Amar Upadhyay and Ronit Roy. Did you know Smriti Irani had a fallout with producer Ekta Kapoor? She left the show in June 2007 and was replaced by Gautami Kapoor. However, she made a comeback in May 2008 for a special episode, having reconciled with Ekta Kapoor. The show eventually aired its final episode in November 2008. Before finalising Gautami Kapoor, the makers decided to call Padmini Kolhapuri or Poonam Dhillon onboard for the role of Tulsi, but eventually it went to Gautami. Who was considered for the role of Mihir Virani? Let us tell you, actor Amar Upadhyay was not the first choice to play Mihir in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Earlier, Jignesh Gandhi was cast as Mihir. However, later the role's contenders were Amar Upadhyay and Cezzane Khan. Amar Upadhyay began his career in 1993. He initially did some modelling assignments, which eventually led to his first television role. It was Jaya Bachchan who gave him his first break. She saw him in Dekh Bhai Dekh, and from their his career grew. What to expect in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi? If reports are to be believed, now the entire format and character of the Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi have changed. It is being said that Smriti Irani will now play the role of 'Baa' and not Tulsi in the show, which was earlier played by Sudha Shivpuri. New faces will be seen, who will carry forward the legacy of the Virani family. The name of Shagun Sharma has come up for the role of Tulsi, and her name in the show will be Pari. Other actors in the show will also include Rohit Suchati, Aman Gandhi, Amar Upadhyay and Hiten Tejwani.
India.com
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet India's biggest star, whose on-screen death was mourned by entire nation, became property dealer to earn living; His name is...
Whenever we talk about the most popular faces in the television world, one name that always comes up is Amar Upadhyay. He is considered one of the veteran actors of the small screen and has been active in the acting industry for nearly three decades. When it comes to his popularity, Amar Upadhyay is best known for the iconic TV serial Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. He rose to fame by playing the role of Mihir Virani, a character that became a household name. His on-screen pairing with Smriti Irani was widely appreciated. Even today, many viewers still recognise him by that name. But do you know Amar struggled for 10 years to get the role in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi? How did Amar Upadhyay get into acting? Amar Upadhyay worked in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi from 2000 to 2002. However, if you think this was his first TV show, that's not the case. Amar Upadhyay began his career in 1993. He initially did some modelling assignments, which eventually led to his first television role. Jaya Bachchan gave him his first break. Yes, Amar Upadhyay himself revealed this in an interview. He shared that Jaya Bachchan had seen his pictures in a magazine, after which she called him and signed him for the TV show Dekh Bhai Dekh. The show was a super hit in the 90s and marked the beginning of Amar Upadhyay's career. After 10 years of struggle, Amar Upadhyay got Ekta Kapoor's Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi . In the popular family drama, Amar played Mihir, and he became a nationwide sensation with it. How was Amar Upadhyay's on-screen death mourned by Indians? Amar Upadhyay shared in his old interview that his character Mihir's death in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi left the entire nation heartbroken, with women even visiting his home to mourn the loss. He said, 'Ektaa had hyped the entire episode of Mihir dying so much that when it finally happened, it was chaos all over. When the episode first aired, I remember my mother watching it and crying and I was like, 'I am alive, sitting right next to you'. Late in the night, I got a call from Balaji Telefilms that their e-mail servers had crashed and telephone lines were jammed as there was a massive outcry over Mihir's death.' He further said, 'I woke up and the doorbell rang. There were 15-20 women standing outside my house, all dressed in white sarees. As they saw me, they were shocked. When my mother prodded them further, they said that they had come to mourn Mihir's death. My mother was furious. She scolded them and shooed them away.' In Bharti and Harsh's podcast, Amar revealed that the night when his death episode was aired, he had to rush to the Balaji office to answer calls and assure his fans that he was alive. Amar said that around 2 am he was busy answering calls and consoling them. Amar Upadhyay turns into real estate, as he was seen selling property Amar is real estate developer who has launched several residential projects in Poman, Mumbai, under the name Jalaram Eco Homes. He is the founder of Jalaram and his wife Hetal, manages his work. She is the director of the company. Amar Upadhyaya developes and sells units within these housing projects.
India.com
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet actress who made debut at 42, worked in over 120 films, still failed to become a star, name is..., Shah Rukh Khan is her daughter's...
Meet actress who made debut at 42, worked in over 120 films, still failed to become a star, name is..., Shah Rukh Khan is her daughter's... There are several actresses in Bollywood who start their careers at young age, rise to stardom, and often quit acting after marriage. However, actress Sushmita Seth followed a very different path. She made her acting debut at 42, starred in some of the biggest hit films, worked with superstars like Rishi Kapoor and Shah Rukh Khan, but still never became a superstar. Sushma Seth began her theatre journey in the 1950s. Later on, she became one of the founders of the Delhi-based theatre group Yatrik in 1964. She first made her Bollywood debut with the 1978 film Junoon at the age of 42, and soon became a popular name in the world of television and films. After starring in television shows like Hum Log and Dekh Bhai Dekh, she portrayed numerous roles and characters in prominent films such as Prem Rog, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Naagin, Deewana, Kal Ho Na Ho, and Dhahdkan, among others. Her roles as mother and grandmother in several movies garnered her immense praise. Credited with acting in over 120 films, the actress has received several awards including the Bharat Nirman Award and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
India.com
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet Rakhi Vijan, Raveena Tandon's ex sister-in-law who worked with Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, got famous due to..., her husband was...
Raveena Tandon and Rakhi Vijan The film and television industry in India is vast and intertwined. Like extended Indian families and complicated relations, actors also get related with each other as distant cousins, sister-in-law, brother-in-law etc. Did you know the Bachchans and Kapoors are related? Because Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan's daughter Shweta Bachchan was married to Rishi Kapoor's nephew Nikhil Nanda. Small world right! Similarly, there is one more famous TV actress who is closely related with Raveena Tandon's family. Rakhi Vijan, is a known face in the industry. If you are someone who tuned into the 90s Indian soaps, then you would know her. She was married to Raveena Tandon's brother Rajiv Tandon but the relationship culminated in divorce. About Rakhi Vijan Rakhi Vijan is a popular TV actress who shot to fame with the 1995 sitcom Hum Paanch . This was a classic Indian show that became a point of comic relief from the everyday life. The show starred Vidya Balan, Bhairav Raichur, Vandan Pathak, Ashok Saraf among others. Later she also featured in Dekh Bhai Dekh, another Indian sitcom that starred Shekhar Suman, Navin Nischol, Farida Jalal, Bhavana Balsavar, Deven Bhojani, Sushma Seth. Tracing her TV and film career, she has worked in movies like Golmaal Returns as Anthony Gonsalves' wife, Money Hai Toh Honey Hai, and Krrish 3 . She also appeared as a contestant in he reality TV show Bigg Bos s season two. Over the years, she has starred in shows like Banegi Apni Baat, Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin, and Naagin 4. Rakhi Vijan and Raveena Tandon's Relation Rakhi Vijan go married to Raveena Tandon's brother Rajiv Tandon in 2004 but the two separated in 2010. The two actress shared a healthy bond. In an interview with Bollywood Thikana she revealed why she keeps a low profile from media and cleared the air about any controversy surrounding Tandon and their family. Vijan shared, 'I have always tried to avoid the press because they tend to drag Raveena's name into my personal matters. Let me make it clear — Raveena and I shared a beautiful bond, like real sisters. We would fight, make up, go to parties, have fun, and always be loving towards each other.' Rakhi also clarified that her separation from Rajeev was completely between them as a couple and had nothing to do with either of the families. 'The person I married is a good person. We tried to make it work, but when it didn't, we chose to part ways. It has absolutely nothing to do with Raveena Tandon, her mother, or her father. It's between two individuals. There's no controversy,' she emphasised.
