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Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Krishna Shroff: I've learnt from Dad that it's not what you have but how you carry yourself with nothing that defines your strength
Krishna Shroff with her father Jackie Shroff Although Krishna Shroff comes from a place of privilege, she's always been aware of life with limited means, thanks to the stories she grew up hearing from her father, Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff . That grounding, she believes, will help her navigate the upcoming reality show Chhoriyan Chali Gaon, where luxury takes a backseat and resilience is key. When the offer for the show came her way, she instinctively turned to her parents. In a conversation with Mumbai Mirror, she shares, 'My dad especially was incredibly supportive. He has really lived that life and continues to lead a genuinely simple lifestyle. He is a minimalist, and he believes this experience will be a huge learning curve for me. He knows it will help me grow as a person and was the one who truly pushed me to go for it. ' Jackie Shroff has often spoken openly about his humble beginnings, growing up in a chawl, sharing a common bathroom, and never letting fame disconnect him from those roots. That upbringing continues to influence Krishna's values. She says, 'He always proudly says he is from Teen Batti, and if he could, he would still live there. Even after the success of Hero (1983), when he and my mom got married, there was just one bathroom in the entire society. They would still wait in line. That kind of humility has shaped the values my brother Tiger and I hold today. The biggest thing I have learnt from Dad is adaptability. He can adjust to any environment and connect with people from all walks of life. That is something I admire deeply and hope to carry with me into the show.' As she prepares to swap comfort for bare necessities, Krishna feels mentally ready. 'My dad's story is the definition of resilience, and it has been a compass for me in so many ways. He grew up in a chawl, faced rejection, had nothing handed to him, yet he walked through it all with grace and humility. He has shown me that it is not what you have, but how you carry yourself when you have nothing, that defines your strength. That is the energy I am taking with me into Chhoriyan Chali Gaon. '
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Anita Hassanandani on staying relevant: Sometimes you have to bend a little
Anita Hassanandani Having completed 25 years in the entertainment industry, Anita Hassanandani believes television has not seen any substantial transformation in its content. The actress, who was last seen in Suman Indori and will next appear in the reality show Chhoriyan Chali Gaon, feels the medium continues to rely on outdated tropes. In a chat with Mumbai Mirror, Anita shares, 'Honestly, I haven't seen much of a change. Television, as a format, still feels regressive. The upside is that shows no longer run endlessly. Within six months, you are in and out of a project, which is actually a positive for an actor. The downside is that these shows are not performing well anymore, which is unfortunate. Still, I choose to look at it positively. If I manage to do something decent for six months and then move on, that is still a win. ' Despite changes in the landscape, she has stayed relevant, something many of her contemporaries have struggled with. Ask her how she has managed to sustain her career, and she reflects, 'You have to make the most of what comes your way. Sometimes, you have to bend a little, even if the creative satisfaction is only 80 percent or the money is not ideal. After COVID, the dynamics of the industry have changed, and a bit of compromise is necessary to stay busy. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Fastest Selling Plots of Mysore from 40L | 40+ Amenities PurpleBrick Learn More Undo by Taboola by Taboola I have been working since I was 16. I took a break when Aaravv was born, and while I truly enjoy being at home with him, I also feel the need to do something for myself. Working makes me happy, and that happiness makes me a better mother and a better person at home. It is all about finding balance, adjusting when needed, and choosing projects that feel right.' 'I do not think the audience is ready for that change yet' On how she deals with being part of shows that often return to conventional storytelling despite initially promising to be different, Anita explains, 'When a show begins, it might appear fresh and progressive. But eventually, it ends up following the same formula. As actors, we join hoping to be part of something that can shift the narrative, but I do not think the audience is ready for that change yet. They keep gravitating back to familiar storylines. Today, viewers, especially in urban India, have access to multiple platforms, and with web series wrapping up in eight or ten episodes, TV has lost some of its appeal.'
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Forced to work as a child artiste by her mother, this actor was sexually assaulted by her ‘guardian' at 6 on a film shoot; was slapped by Meena Kumari
While the brilliance of Honey Irani has been widely celebrated, her elder sister, Daisy Irani, possessed an equally formidable talent that often remained unchronicled. Like Honey, Daisy was a celebrated child actor during the golden era of Bollywood. Starting her career at the tender age of three, Daisy and Honey, frequently cast as curly-haired kids, quickly became household names. Films featuring both sisters guaranteed blockbuster openings, with stories often rewritten to include them or expand their roles, and their presence prominently highlighted in movie promotions. Born into an Irani Zoroastrian family, Daisy was drawn to the performing arts from a young age. It's said that academics held little appeal for her, with Daisy even struggling to clear the fourth grade after multiple attempts. Yet, during this period, director-producer Satyen Bose spotted her, immediately deciding to cast her in Bandish, co-starring screen legends Ashok Kumar and Meena Kumari. Recalling her memories of shooting with Meena Kumari, Daisy, in an old interview with LandmarcFilms, shared a poignant anecdote about a scene where Meena had to slap her. The young Daisy was so terrified that it required multiple takes. 'I still very clearly remember that I was really scared and was kind of anticipating her to hit me, and that was getting caught on camera,' Daisy recounted. 'So she took me aside and calmed myself down and won my trust. But as soon as the camera rolled, she gave me a tight one, and after that she was all tears and continuously asking me to forgive her. She was a brilliant human.' Naturally, after the success of Bandish, Daisy became the top choice for child roles, gracing the screen alongside stalwarts like Raj Kapoor (Jagte Raho), Dilip Kumar (Naya Daur), Dev Anand (Sharabi), and Rajesh Khanna (Kati Patang), among many others. Daisy also fondly remembered her close friendships with actors like Lalita Pawar and Shyama, both known for their archetypal stepmother roles, with Daisy's characters often enduring on-screen beatings from them. While her career soared, bringing recognition and a flurry of movies, Daisy's young life was tragically marred by a traumatic incident she can never forget, one she previously spoke about to Mumbai Mirror. She revealed she was just six years old when she was raped: 'The man who did this was supposed to be my guardian. He accompanied me to a film shoot (Hum Panchhi Ek Dal Ke) in Madras. One night in the hotel room he violated me, hit me with a belt and warned me that he would kill me if I ever told anyone about what had happened.' She further added, 'That man is dead and gone. His name was Nazar, he was related to the famous singer Zohrabai Ambalewaali. Obviously, he had contacts in the film industry. My mother was hell-bent on making me a star. I made my debut in the Marathi movie, Baby. So Uncle Nazar had accompanied me to the shoot of Hum Panchhi Ek Dal Ke in Madras. I can recall the incident only in flashes, but I do remember the killing pain, and the visual of him belting me. The next morning, I was back at the studio as if nothing had happened. For years, I couldn't dare to tell my mother about what he had done.' Also Read | Bollywood's 'Zohra Jabeen' who worked with Raj Kapoor, Yash Chopra, Karan Johar quit industry over disrespect; nobody from industry attended her funeral The incident took a severe psychological toll on the young Daisy. 'All I can say is as I grew up, I started flirting outrageously, I would tease and taunt men,' Daisy admitted. 'I did not even understand what I was doing. I became badtameez (without manners). With time, my mother did get to know about the Madras incident but what could be done really?' Another unsettling encounter from her teenage years further illustrates the challenges Daisy faced. 'When I was 15 or so,' she recalled, 'mother made me wear a sari, padded me up with a new-fangled sponge, and left me alone with producer Mallikchand Kochar, who was planning a film called Mere Huzoor then, at his office located somewhere between Maratha Mandir cinema and the Tardeo circle. It was all quite hilarious… He joined me on the sofa, and started touching me… I knew what was on his mind. I took out the sponge things and handed them to him. He was furious. Now why did I do that? Because, I've always seen the funnier side of things.' No wonder, why Daisy added that child actors often face harsh realities, with most being taken advantage of in the film industry. Perhaps, that's why when her younger sister Honey entered the film industry, Daisy felt a strong protective instinct, shielding her from similar harms. 'Both of us had a common obsession: to get married and leave home as soon as we could,' Daisy shared. 'I revered Dad, he was cute, and he loved us to pieces but he would always be busy at work, his family owned the B. Merwan Café at Grant Road. I loved my mother too, but I guess I hated her as well.' A significant challenge Daisy faced throughout the major part of her career as a child actor was that she and Honey primarily played male characters on screen. The transition to female roles later proved particularly difficult for Daisy. While narrating this to LandmarcFilms, she laughingly reminisced, 'I never had problems playing male characters as I had an elder brother whom I could mimic. But the problem came when I had to be a girl again. Because in all my dialogues I would naturally say 'aata hoon' 'jaata hoon'. So Nargis aunty used to scold me, even Meena ji once scolded me, and Yousuf saab (Dilip Kumar) once got very angry and was like 'You're a girl, what is this 'aata hoon jaata hoon?'' Daisy quit films after her marriage in 1971, with Kati Patang being her last release, back then. She married the famous screenwriter KK Shukla, known for films like Suhaag and Mard. While it's said to have been love at first sight, Daisy once confided to Mumbai Mirror, 'Before he proposed to me, he used to play Cupid between my boyfriends and me. Our marriage lasted the course somehow although I once told him I knew of his extra-marital affair… He didn't know where to look!' Amidst her married life in the 1980s, Daisy worked in theatre for a while and even started an acting school. However, tragedy struck with the death of her husband in the early 1990s. Eventually, she made a comeback with the film Aastha: In the Prison of Spring, co-starring Om Puri and Rekha, where she played a vamp, a performance she considers one of her most memorable. Daisy also ventured into television in her second innings, appearing in popular shows like Sanjivani and Shararat. However, when talk show host Tabassum once asked her why she didn't achieve similar superstardom as a grown-up actor, Daisy remarked that audiences could never truly envision her outside the mould of her child artist roles and never took her mature performances seriously. In recent years, she has been seen in supporting roles, the last one being in Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Happy New Year, directed by her niece Farah Khan.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
I don't judge a film by its budget: Madhur Bhandarkar
Madhur Bhandarkar, known for his realistic films, reflects on the film industry's evolution, emphasizing the importance of compelling narratives over budget. He appreciates documentaries and classics, judging films by their execution. Bhandarkar critiques the current trend of multiple music composers diluting emotional connection, advocating for memorable film scores that resonate with audiences, unlike today's fleeting musical experiences. Madhur Bhandarkar who is known for his real-world narratives like Page 3, Fashion, Chandni Bar, in a conversation with Mumbai Mirror, talks about the changing face of the film industry . 'I look for real stories, that's what draws me in. Not all OTT releases are good, just like not all films are good,' he says. The filmmaker said that he likes to watch documentaries and real-life stories. 'I also like going back to older classics by Shyam Benegal, Govind Nihalani, Manmohan Desai, and Satyajit Ray. I watch different genres. For me, a film's budget or scale doesn't matter. What matters is how it's made. That's how I judge a film and that is what attracts me to watch it,' he shares. The filmmaker has strong views on how music in films has changed over time. 'I always gave a lot of importance to music in my films, because I'm a music lover'. Criticising the current practice of roping in multiple composers for one movie, he says, 'Too many music directors in one album isn't good. I feel it just clutters the project with tracks that fail to build a strong emotional connection with the audience. Also, today the audience's attention span has dropped to 30 seconds — like a reel. Back then, music gave you nostalgia, and emotion. Today, it's just another element in the mix. That's why I ensure my films always have music that people can remember.'
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Marzi Pestonji: Good work does not need publicity
Marzi Pestonji Choreographer Marzi Pestonji is returning to television as a judge on Super Dancer 5, the children's dance reality show making a comeback after four years. He believes dance on reality shows has evolved just like it has in Bollywood. In a chat with Mumbai Mirror, he notes, 'In the past, only a few actors could dance. Today, almost all of them are known for their moves. Today, dancing is an important part of films and has become a viable career path. It is now seen as a serious profession that can provide a livelihood and support entire families.' There has been a long-standing debate on choreographers not getting mentioned in the credit rolls of songs. On the topic of choreographers not always receiving public recognition, Marzi believes work itself is the greatest publicity. He says, 'People want more credit for their work, and I respect that. But I have always believed that your work should speak for you. Shiamak Davar's work in Dhoom 2 did not need extra promotion. Everyone knew it because of its quality. When your work is good, nothing else matters.' Despite his many achievements, Marzi remains content with the balance between the spotlight and staying in the background, especially alongside Shiamak. He explains, 'I always tell Shiamak, 'You are the boss, you work hard, and I will enjoy the rewards. Why should both of us push the same rock uphill?' During rehearsals, I sit and learn by watching him. Sometimes he does something I had not thought of, and I remind him that is why he is at the top. I am happy in my space. When I am in the spotlight, I shine, and when I am behind him, I learn. I am not insecure about it either way.' Loyalty, for him, is the cornerstone of his career. 'If you are loyal to yourself, you are loyal to everybody else. I have always stayed true to myself and to Shiamak. My focus will always remain with him. I am not here to prove a point. I am here to learn from him and grow alongside him,' he concludes.
