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Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
When Paresh Rawal admitted feeling trapped as Baburao in ‘Hera Pheri': ‘I need mukti from that role'
Who doesn't love Babu Bhaiya? From his big glasses and white dhoti to his hilarious one-liners like 'Ladki ka chakkar Babu Bhaiya' and 'Arey tu jaa re', the character of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte from the hit film 'Hera Pheri' has become a cult favourite across generations. Actor Paresh Rawal brought the role to life with his perfect comic timing and unforgettable expressions, making Baburao one of the most loved comedy characters in Bollywood. Paresh recently shocked fans when he revealed that he would not be returning as Baburao in the much-awaited 'Hera Pheri 3', directed by Priyadarshan . His decision left fans disappointed. In an earlier interview with The Lallantop, Rawal had confessed that while people still adore Baburao, the role now feels like a trap to him. Speaking candidly, he said his 'Hera Pheri' character feels like a 'gale ka phanda'- a noose around his neck 'I felt choked. I need mukti.' Rawal didn't hold back while explaining his feelings about being typecast. He shared how he once went to filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj in 2007, just a year after 'Hera Pheri 2' was released, asking for a different kind of role. He said, "I went to Vishal Bhardwaj [director] in 2007. In 2006, Hera Pheri 2 was released. I told him that I have a film. I want to get rid of this image. You are the person who can offer me a completely different role in the same getup." Bhardwaj was curious why Rawal wanted to move on from such a popular role. To this, Rawal responded, "Whoever comes to me, he has an image of Hera Pheri in mind. I am an actor. I don't want to get stuck at one place." This shows how deeply Rawal felt about his artistic journey. As he explained further, "I asked him to offer me a new character in the same getup. I felt happy but dum ghutta hai (I felt choked). I need mukti (liberation) from that role.' Paresh Rawal's exit from 'Hera Pheri 3' When news emerged that Paresh Rawal had quit 'Hera Pheri 3', many people assumed it was because of creative differences. However, the actor was quick to clear up the misunderstanding and put the rumours to rest. He stated, 'I wish to put it on record that my decision to step away from Hera Pheri 3 was not due to creative differences. I REITERATE THAT THERE ARE NO CREATIVE DISAGREEMENT WITH THE FILM MAKER. I hold immense love, respect, and faith in Mr. Priyadarshan the film director.' Paresh Rawal QUITS Hera Pheri 3 Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Javed Akhtar reveals he would pay Rs 10 to attend Osho's sermons in Pune: 'I would go there and write dialogues...'
In the 1970s, Osho, attracted Bollywood stars like Vinod Khanna. Screenwriter Javed Akhtar attended Osho's Pune sermons, paying Rs 10 daily. Akhtar, an atheist, valued Osho's teachings for their lack of rigid ideology. He also mentioned brief encounters with Baba Ramdev and a possible rift with Sadhguru Jaggi, expressing willingness to meet him again. In the 1970s, the spiritual leader Osho, then called Bhagwan Rajneesh, began gaining a big following. Many famous Bollywood stars were attracted to his teachings. Actor Vinod Khanna even gave up his film career and moved to the US to live in Osho's commune. Director Mahesh Bhatt also explored Osho's ideas. Before moving to Oregon, Osho preached at his ashram in Pune, where screenwriter Javed Akhtar used to attend his sermons. Paying Rs 10 Daily to Attend In a recent interview with The Lallantop, Javed Akhtar revealed that he has visited only one ashram in his life. He talked about his time in Pune when Osho, then known as Rajneesh, held morning sermons from 8 to 9:30 am. Javed used to stay at a hotel nearby and would attend the sermons daily, buying a ticket for Rs 10 each time, while working on writing dialogues over about 20-22 days. The ace screenwriter who identifies as an atheist, shared that while he is not a follower of Osho, he appreciated his teachings because Osho did not promote any particular ideology. He described Osho as a learned professor who spoke eloquently on various topics, often changing his views from day to day. Javed also mentioned that he remembers some of Osho's sermons by heart. Brief Encounters with Baba Ramdev Akhtar also mentioned that he has met Baba Ramdev before, briefly greeting him from a distance at the wedding of Hema Malini and Dharmendra's daughter. Meeting Sadhguru and Possible Rift Javed Akhtar also talked about meeting Sadhguru Jaggi twice but hasn't met him since. He heard that Sadhguru might avoid events if Javed is invited, though he isn't sure if it's true. Javed said he has no problem and would be happy to meet him again. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Shabana Azmi was denied a flat because of her faith, Javed Akhtar reflects on bitterness of Partition: ‘Apne girebaan mein jhaanko'
In a candid conversation with The Lallantop, veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar recounted an incident from about 20–25 years ago, when his wife, actor Shabana Azmi, was denied the opportunity to purchase a flat simply because of her religion. He narrated the entire incident: 'This happened about 20–25 years ago. Shabana wanted to buy a flat as an investment in a building, and they refused. The broker clearly told us they wouldn't sell a flat to a Muslim.' Javed then reflected on the deeper reasons why such discrimination is so common: 'Who were these people? They were the ones whose parents lived in Sindh, who were expelled from Sindh, taking away their land, property, social respect, profession, everything. They were forced out and made to come here like refugees. These very Sindhis sold clothes and chhole on the streets, and through their hard work built their position. But the bitterness of what happened to them is still inside them. And that bitterness gets taken out on us. So who is responsible? You are, you who expelled them. And now you tell me they didn't give me a house? They didn't give it because you drove them from their own house. People have no idea what the real problem is.' Also Read | Javed Akhtar on Bollywood's silence over Operation Sindoor: 'Kuch log abhi abhi paisa aur naam kamane mein lage hain…' He continued: 'I ask myself, I live in Bombay, a non-Maharashtrian who came here at 19. I worked hard, made a name for myself, I got a house. But if tomorrow someone told me to leave everything in 24 hours, carrying all my belongings in a bundle, I ask, where would I go? Anywhere! If I had to leave my house, my reputation, my money, my status, my friends behind, and see my companions killed on the way, and finally be put in a tent and handed a plate, how would I feel? Toh yeh aadmi jisne tumko ghar nahi diya, usse blame kar rahi ho? Apne girebaan mein jhaanko (And now you blame the man who didn't give you a house? Look into your own conscience)' He shared this story in response to Pakistani actress Bushra Ansari's claim that 'no one in Mumbai rents homes to Muslims.' Before narrating the incident, Akhtar laughed and sarcastically said, 'Yes, of course! Shabana and I are sleeping on the streets now.' He strongly questioned who had the authority to silence him: 'Who is she to tell me when to talk and when not to? She said Naseeruddin Shah stays quiet, so I should too. But who is she to decide when I should speak? Who gave her that right?' He acknowledged the internal issues within India but refused to stay silent when criticism comes from outside: 'Yes, we Indians do have our internal issues. But when someone from outside points fingers, I am first and foremost an Indian. I won't stay silent.'
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First Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- First Post
Javed Akhtar reacts to Bollywood's silence on Operation Sindoor: 'If they're not speaking...'
Javed Akhtar recently reacted to Bollywood's silence on Operation Sindoor, the Indian government's counter-terror attack in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, which took place in Jammu and Kashmir. The legendary personality spoke candidly and shared his thoughts on the same. 'I spoke about it, I didn't stay silent. Sometimes people may not like what I say, sometimes they do. But I say what I believe is the truth. Now who doesn't speak. How would I know? many people are apolitical too,' he said while talking to The Lallantop. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Reflecting on his early days in the industry, Akhtar elaborated, 'Look, when I was young, even though I came from a politically conscious and very vocal family… But when my films were becoming hits one after another, I had no idea what was going on in politics… I probably didn't even read the newspaper. So that happens. Some people are just busy with their own work… If they're not speaking, so be it. What's the big deal? Some people are speaking. Many are. Others are chasing different goals… They want to earn more money or fame. Let them. It's not necessary for everyone to speak, or for us to ask why they didn't.' The veteran lyricist and writer shared that a popular businessman recently confronted him on the same topic. 'Aapke Bollywood waale jo hain, nationalist films toh bohot banate hain… par iss maamle par sab chup hain,' the businessman reportedly said. Giving his witty reply, Akhtar said, 'First of all, the term 'Bollywood' itself is an anti-national name. You call the Indian film industry 'Bollywood'? In the world, if there's any industry that can compete with Hollywood, it's the Indian film industry. It has nearly wiped out European cinema. Our films are released in 136–137 countries on average… and you call it Bollywood?'
India Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Javed Akhtar weighs in on Bollywood's silence on Operation Sindoor
Veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar, in an interview with The Lallantop, addressed the chatter surrounding Bollywood's silence on Operation Sindoor. He acknowledged that people are apolitical and added that it wasn't necessary for everyone to speak. During India's Operation Sindoor, an attack against Pakistan's terror sites, many Bollywood actors were criticised for their Akhtar had a candid response to actors' silence on Operation Sindoor. "I spoke about it, I didn't stay silent. Sometimes people may not like what I say, sometimes they do. But I say what I believe is the truth. Now who doesn't speak. How would I know? many people are apolitical too."advertisementThe veteran also added that when people are chasing different gals, they sometimes may not have time to be updated on what's going on in the country. "Look, when I was young, even though I came from a politically conscious and very vocal family. But when my films were becoming hits one after another, I had no idea what was going on in politics. I probably didn't even read the newspaper. So that happens," he said. Continuing further, he added, "Some people are just busy with their own work. If they're not speaking, so be it. What's the big deal? Some people are speaking. Many are. Others are chasing different goals. They want to earn more money or fame. Let them. It's not necessary for everyone to speak, or for us to ask why they didn't." advertisementHe then recalled a conversation he had with a well-known businessman regarding Bollywood's silence on Operation Sindoor. The businessman asked him about the silence of Bollywood, where many nationalist films are made."First of all, the term 'Bollywood' itself is an anti-national name. You call the Indian film industry 'Bollywood'? In the world, if there's any industry that can compete with Hollywood, it's the Indian film industry. It has nearly wiped out European cinema. Our films are released in 136–137 countries on average and you call it Bollywood?," the actor talked about his Akhtar also pointed out the hypocrisy of people in expecting performing artists to prove their patriotism by taking a stand. Acknowledging that there is risk involved, he said, "And if you like to say that a person should speak on every issue - then stand up and tell me, in the past 15 years, you're a businessman, have you ever spoken out against a government policy, taxation, or a rule you didn't like? Then why are you saying others don't speak? Do you? The moment you feel even a little afraid, you go silent. One should only expect others to speak when they themselves do. It's easy to speak when it's convenient try speaking when there's risk involved."Javed Akhtar has always been vocal about several issues in the Watch
