Latest news with #Gangaajal
India.com
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Where is Lagaan star Gracy Singh? Why did she quit Bollywood and is still single at 44?
Bollywood actress Gracy Singh, renowned for her role as Gauri in the Oscar-nominated film Lagaan, captivated audiences with her grace and expressive performances. A trained classical dancer, she seamlessly transitioned into acting, delivering memorable roles in cult-classic films like Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. and Gangaajal. Despite her early success in Bollywood, she chose the path less traveled and has not gotten married to date. The Journey Of Gracy Singh Gracy began her artistic journey as a classical dancer, touring with the dance group The Planets before making her acting debut in the television soap Amanat in 1997. Her breakthrough came with the Aamir Khan starrer Lagaan, where her portrayal of Gauri earned critical acclaim and contributed to the film's nomination for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Following this success, she appeared in films such as Shart, Muskaan, Yehi Hai Zindagi, Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. and Gangaajal, showcasing her versatility across different genres. When Gracy Left Bollywood To Explore… Despite her rising fame, Gracy gradually distanced herself from Bollywood. In interviews, she expressed that acting was not her life's sole mission and emphasised her desire to engage in projects that resonated with her personally. This perspective led her to explore roles in regional cinema, including Punjabi, Telugu, and Malayalam films, though these ventures met with limited commercial success. However, as per Hindustan Times report, after Gracy's manager passed away in 2008, she started declining offers made to her by renowned Bollywood directors. Gracy Singh's Shift Towards… In 2013, Gracy joined the Brahma Kumaris, a spiritual organization, seeking a deeper sense of peace and purpose. She described experiencing boundless safety, joy, and understanding within the community, which influenced her approach to life and work. This spiritual alignment became evident in her choice of roles, notably her portrayal of Goddess Santoshi in the television series Santoshi Maa and its sequel Santoshi Maa: Sunayein Vrat Kathayein. Meanwhile, the actress has still not taken wedding vows to this day. However, during an interview with ETimes in 2020, the actress said that she does not think that this is an appropriate time for her to marry now, but in the future, she may get married to someone.
Indian Express
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Aamir Khan fired a struggling Daya Shankar Pandey from Akele Hum Akele Tum as he was overqualified: ‘I thought of him as a villain'
Actor Daya Shankar Pandey, known for his work in iconic films and TV shows like Lagaan, Gangaajal, and Swades, recently recalled his experience of working with Aamir Khan. Daya, who collaborated with Aamir on films such as Lagaan and Ghulam, shared an anecdote from their early days. He revealed that Aamir once removed him from the film Akele Hum Akele Tum, believing he was overqualified for the role. At the time, the decision left Daya distressed, especially as he was going through a financial crisis. Speaking on the YouTube channel Friday Talkies, Daya recalled, 'I didn't have work. I was facing financial crisis. My family had refused to support me and I also thought I would earn my own money. I had asked the assistant director (AD) of the film Akele Hum Akele Tum to give me any role possible and so he got me 12 day work in that film and I was getting Rs 2000 per day.' Daya Shankar Pandey shared that Aamir Khan knew him from earlier as they had worked together in the 1995 film Baazi, and he also knew that Aamir regarded him as a good actor. However, Aamir's positive opinion of Daya ended up costing him the role in Akele Hum Akele Tum. He explained. 'I would try and avoid Aamir sir so that he doesn't see me but one day he saw me and called me and asked what I am doing there. When I told that I am playing a junior artist's role, he told Mansoor Khan and the AD, 'He is a very good actor. Don't waste him.' I didn't want to hear this appreciation because I wanted to earn my per day and leave. I thought of Aamir Khan as a villain at that time. They did my pack-up.' Though Aamir didn't allow Daya to continue playing the junior artist's role in Akele Hum Akele Tum, he later made up for it by casting him in Lagaan and also recommending him for a pivotal role in Ghulam. The actor further recalled how Aamir personally called him to meet director Mahesh Bhatt and Ghulam's writer Anjum Rajabali. However, even with the superstar's backing, Daya still faced rejection. Sharing the experience, he said, 'Anjum and Mahesh kept rejecting me for roles in the film, saying that I am too thin and all. I got very insecure because Aamir Khan is recommending me but the writer is rejecting. What kind of bad luck is this.' However, Days revealed that eventually Aamir managed to convince them, and he was cast in the role.
