Rich Kids of Bollywood: The Young, Loaded, Next Gen

India is famously indulgent of celebrity children in ways that borders on the profligate. Here’s a look at the Indian Second Gen Z-ers; young, wealthy and born to Bollywood.

On a talk show, Shwetha Bachchan, eldest daughter of Indian thespian Amitabh Bachchan, noted that she enjoys the best of two worlds; all the perks of peripheral fame courtesy of the most famous film family in India, and yet, all the privacy and normalcy of being a non-actor, left unbothered by selfie chasers.

With social media honing in and amplifying the otherwise private lives of star kids, Second Gen Z of Bollywood is living their best life on the ‘gram. Fresh out of high-school and pre graduation and career, their social media posts are montages of private jet-setting holidays, vacations on luxurious yachts, designer shopping sprees cosigned by very famous celebrity signatures on black Amexs. Here’s a look at generation next of Bollywood...

My feature on the young, second and third-gen Bollywood-ites, who are breathtakingly wealthy and spending like there's no tomorrow, is up online at SCMP.com - check it out here.

Is Shahid Kapoor about to have a hallmark year as he turns 40 today? Family, films, Bollywood and box-office: Superstar on the horizon

 

Is Shahid Kapoor about to have a hallmark year as he turns 40 today? Family, films, Bollywood and box-office: Superstar on the horizon

Read up on Shahid at SCMP.com 

Death of an Indian Icon: A nation mourns the loss of Bollywood legend Sridevi

On this day, in the year 2018, legendary actress, star of a whopping 266 Indian films,  Sridevi died in Dubai, a case of fatal "accidental drowning," that sent seismic shockwaves through fans of Bollywood and Indian cinema.

A life-long fan, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing the actress for a cover story for Post magazine back in 2012. 

You can read the entire feature in the archives at SCMP.com here. 

Reality TV Star Abhinav Shukla at Four Seasons Mumbai: Outtake from a shoot

 

Sooooo my buddy, Indian actor Abhinav Shukla, has been trending furiously on social media - particularly Twitter - and I am new to the scene of the train-wreck of a reality show Big Boss 14, where he was just evicted. 

Many, particularly in UK, are probably aware of the format of this reality TV show, as its a part of a franchise that's been picked up around the globe. 

I need to start off by saying I haven't seen the show as am not based in India but am stunned by the clips. The screaming, crying, fighting, forced drama... I don't get it. But am glad he's out of there and peacefully back home. 

I hope the paycheck was worth it... (BTW I just googled, dayumnnn that's some serious numbers thrown at contestants - dimes compared to what the host Salman Khan is making annually). 

A decade ago, had flown down to Mumbai to do a shoot and feature on Mumbai city for a magazine - in the glory days when there was budgets to fly around Asia for shoots and features. 

Through random friend association we found new model, a young Punjabi fella, who was also working on a sitcom on TV. He strutted in to the shoot - late - but was profusely apologetic about it as his TV shoot had gone overtime. I've learned since then to never schedule any shoots in India early in the morning - unless its Akshay Kumar. 

My friend and photographer and favourite person Ayesha Broacha (wife of Cyrus Broacha, TV personality and comedian) did the shoot at the Four Seasons, Mumbai. A glorious venue. Wardrobe was a mix of East and West - eg the above look by Indian designer Narendra Kumar but the shoes were Zegna. 

It's so odd to have famous for being famous friends... At least, Abhi's a good guy. Bless his socks. 

Last when we spoke, he had 10 to 12k followers - a mostly private account that archived his adventures, nature trips, hikes, mountaineering adventures and such. One of his earlier posts this week got nearly 2 million views and counting... 

Wonder how he'll be able to monetise this newfound pan-Indian popularity... .

Watch this space.

Follow the actor/model/reality TV star on Instagram here:

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A post shared by Abhinav Shukla (@ashukla09)

Bollywood Actress Tabu: A Suitable Woman

 One of the most gifted Indian actresses, her disinterest in fame, but her innat thespian skills are at constant battle within her. Such a joy to write about the reluctant star Tabu. See the entire feature online at SCMP/Style here. 

Actor's death brings out dark side of fans: The tragedy of Bollywood's Sushant Singh Rajput

The full feature is online at SCMP.com here.

Rest in Peace Sushant Singh Rajput

Submitted my feature on Sushant Singh Rajput, a month after his suicide, which has ignited a volatile discourse on the perils of fame and the machinations of the Indian film industry. 

 Bollywood is “comic relief” as per international critics but the multi-billion industry is so much more than the singing and dancing ensemble cast that runs towards a happily-ever-after ending. 

Rajput joins a long sorry roster of celebrities who killed themselves – for reasons unknown (he left no suicide note). Now, rabid fans are writing that note for him as armchair critics are dime a dozen. 

Filtering through all the information online, I’ve had to put piles into ‘opinion’ versus ‘fact’ and try not to conflate the two. Waiting for the subs to get back to me before the feature runs in print later this week. 

Met him briefly back in 2013 when he came to Hong Kong. Cheerful chap brimming with enthusiasm. Little did I know.. 

RIP SSR. 

Above: Portrait of actor Sushant Singh Rajput by Rohan Shreshta 

Varn Dhawan strips off in Hong Kong

It was a bitterly cold day when Varun Dhawan landed in Hong Kong for the grand unveiling of his own wax figurine in Hong Kong's Madam Tussaud's. But with the frenzy of fans asking him to take his shirt off, the happy-to-oblige Bollywood movie star didn't exactly go full monty, but more half mast. The puns and innuendos just write themselves... 

Went with my photographer Ruby Law (who had never seen or met an Indian star before - or the fanaticism unique to Bollywood) mid-way through the press conference asked, 'What is happening?!" And a little later, "Is this normal?" 

Where do I begin to explain...

My full feature on the actor is up at SCMP.com here.

TBT: Rishi Kapoor in Hong Kong for India by the Bay

What an extraordinarily difficult year its been - and we aren't even half way through.

When Amitabh Bachchan first tweeted that Rishi Kapoor was no more, felt a genuine pang as a huge part of my youth and Bollywood history died with him.

Rishi Kapoor was in Hong Kong for India by the Bay a few years ago and I had the opportunity to interview him for the paper. Unfortunately, not sure what happened behind the scenes in the office (I was a freelancer, not full time staff) but even though I filed the article and images, it never got printed.

Until yesterday.

The full feature is up at SCMP.com
Rishi Kapoor talks about life in Bollywood.

Images of Rishi Kapoor in Hong Kong by Vincent.

PS: Many thanks to LAKSHMI LAROIA and SONALI LAUL for all their help.  "Der aaye durust aaye..."?! 

Happy Birthday Varun Dhawan

TBT: A Fun chat with Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan when he was here in Hong Kong to unveil his own wax-figurine at Madame Tussauds at The Peak. As the youngest Bollywood superstar to have his likeness in the iconic venue, the 4th Indian figure to join the star lineup, he was in joyful spirits as he had just won his first Best Actor Award at Zee awards.

We spoke at length - you can see bits from our interview in South China Morning Post today - and somewhere along the way, but of course, I asked him about Sridevi.

He was the youngest actor to win the award as a leading man, Sridevi was the oldest Best Actress winner that same year. "I was honoured to win the award along with Sriji, but we are not in the same league as her. She's someone I've looked up to and I'm so looking forward to working together with her in an upcoming film. We can learn so much from watching legends."

Happy Birthday Varun Dhawan. All of.. 32!

Above portrait by one of my fav photographers in Hong Kong, Ruby Law.

Below: Varun Dhawan in Hong Kong.

Sonam Kapoor for Prestige Hong Kong

Such a stunning shoot - June 2014 cover story for Prestige Hong Kong, the first Indian actress EVER (possibly the first and last now), Sonam Kapoor!

Seems an era ago now!

Madhuri Dixit: A Certain Age

Madhuri Dixit by Dabboo Ratnani

TO PILFER A LINE and truism from The First Wives Club, Goldie Hawn’s character (an ageing, neurotic actress played with remarkable glee) explains to her dermatologist, “There are three stages of an actress in Hollywood: babe; district attorney; Driving Miss Daisy. Now fill me up!”

As she leans back for the hypodermic needle to permeate her every crack and crevice with age-defying, cosmetic toxins, the numbing words echolocate beyond Hollywood to Bollywood, and back.

The Indian film industry has no idea what to do with actresses of a certain age, certainly not with Madhuri Dixit, 46. The Indian actress, famed for her enduring beauty and dancing skills, has often played the pirouetting babe in designer bustiers. She has essayed the role of avenging housewife, constable, courtesan, princess and lawyer, among a host of others, in a resplendent film career marked with box-office success, accolades and awards. She now finds her cinematic options (Dixit has appeared in nearly 90 Hindi movies) reduced to a handful of prospective films. Post-marriage and motherhood, and despite her remarkable pedigree, ability and agility, Dixit is left wanting.

“I would ask screenwriters to please come up with strong scripts for actresses like me, where there’s more to the role, where we can play women of substance. I’m always looking for the right script,” she says at a press conference for Gulaab Gang (A Gang of Roses), her forthcoming film due for release later this year. “The conviction of the director, Soumik Sen, and the movie’s producer, Anubhav Sinha, made me sign up for the film. It’s such a lovely script that says a lot about empowering women – but in an entertaining way. It’s not a preachy film, but it shows how education and awareness can change one’s life, no matter what your status is in society. And the other thing that appealed to me is that there are a lot of women in this movie, be it the supporting cast, the protagonist or even the antagonist, it’s all women.”

Dixit is a fine example of the empowered Indian woman. She spent nearly two decades in Hindi films, rising through the ranks from supporting actress to queen of the marquee. She started out in largely forgettable flicks, but her prowess for song and dance – an essential ingredient in currying Indian cinematic favour – ignited her career. Step by step, she caught the eye of directors and choreographers, who shone a spotlight on this remarkable danseuse. For the thousands who attended the 14th International Indian Film Academy Awards in Macau earlier this year [2014] or the millions who saw the show telecast around the globe, Dixit’s closing number brought the house down.

It’s difficult to avoid hyperbole when describing this noteworthy actress who has a wax replica in Madame Tussauds (the only other sari-draped star being, of course, Aishwarya Rai). Her co-stars gush about her, as do her directors, but at the peak of her fame in 1999 Dixit hoodwinked the paparazzi, married cardiothoracic surgeon Shriram Nene and moved to Denver, Colorado. Not a single snap of the wedding of the most eligible girl in a nation of a billion leaked into the gobsmacked tabloids. She had two sons in the US and mostly kept mum. She kept an ear out for roles suitable not only for her age and grace, but also for her calibre.

Madhuri Dixit-Nene in Aaja Nachle

In 2007, Dixit tested the waters with Aaja Nachle (Come Dance) to find out if audiences were ready to welcome her back. The film, burdened with a flawed script, unbankable male leads and bad timing (action films were the rage and this musical was ill-fated from the get-go), tanked. And yet the leading lady garnered glowing reviews. From The New York Times for example, “Ms Dixit reminds us that whatever ‘it’ is, she’s still got it. Now stories will have to be found that can show it off…Hindi cinema will have to figure out what kind of heroine a middle-aged woman can be.”

That was five years ago, and following the project’s box-office failure Dixit moved on without a whimper, appearing in reality TV talent shows as a well-paid judge and starring in lucrative advertising campaigns (age-defying creams, household products and toothpaste ads), again playing to her strengths as a ridiculously good-looking housewife with untold talent.

Madhuri Dixit hits the stage at The Veneitan Macao, Picture by Forbes Conrad

Earlier this year she signalled a return to the big screen by signing for a new-age Hindi film. As the curtains rise, Dixit will have to live up to certain benchmarks – that of her own oeuvre of wildly successful movies, as well as the box-office receipts she has to face, like any of her contemporaries.

Introducing her modest-budget flick Gulaab Gang, Dixit sits before me in a sparkling sari, her petite Madonna-sized frame unblemished by any sign of age, her voice resonating with a calm maturity. “It is an exciting time to be a part of the Indian film industry. There are all kinds of roles being offered to actresses. I think the industry has changed a lot since the 1980s and ’90s, when I first started. Either you played the victim or the vigilante, there was no middle ground. Now there’s definitely a variety…but the roles are infrequent.”

Infrequent is putting it mildly. With an endless parade of young beauty queens entering Bollywood each year, mature actresses are relegated to the sidelines while actors keep themselves busy cavorting with their increasingly younger co-stars. All the current leading actors in Hindi films are in their late 40s, while Amitabh Bachchan, at 72, shows no signs of slowing down. Being a leading lady is tough enough in La La land, (just ask Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock or Meg Ryan) but in the ageist, sexist, nepotistic clique of Indian cinema, it’s tougher still.

As she speaks about her role in her upcoming film, she says with neither anxiety nor fear of box-office fate, “My character leads the way for many women in a rural setting. She asks women to not be a victim to their circumstances. There are many unheard stories of women enduring that go untold. In a small way, this shows some unsung heroes; it is my salute to them.”

Many moments endure while reflecting on an encounter with Mumbai’s favourite citizen, including a prophetic one. As Dixit was asked to address the media, she rose from her seat and walked up to the stage. As she made her way to the dais, the embroidered frill of her glistering sari wrapped around her foot and she tripped on the stairs. With that trademark grace, she caught herself, rose to the occasion and smiled without a hint of mortification as the audience gasped.

And quick to the quip: “I think it’s good to stumble once in a while, it gives you a lot of strength,” she said with that iconic smile of hers. “It allows you the grace to get up and rise again.”

See earlier post on Madhuri Dixit here.

See earlier post on Sridevi here.

See earlier post on Amitabh Bachchan here.

See several posts on Shahrukh Khan here.

See earlier post on Hrithik Roshan here!

Left: My brief, freelancer bio in Prestige magazine - before I joined the magazine! 

P. Ramakrishnan has been a journalist and editor in Hong Kong for the past decade and takes more than a causal interest in the magic and mayhem of Mumbai cinema. Bollywood's global reach is undeniable, as is its sustaining power that engenders billions in revenue. he interviews one of the genre's undisputed queens, Madhuri Dixit ("A Certain Age", page 300). 

My day with Shreya Ghoshal: India's greatest contemporary singer: Gen X Queen of the Female Playback Singers

My day with one of Bollywood's greatest contemporary singers, Shreya Ghoshal. 

For SCMP back in 2011. 

Read the feature and our chat in earlier post here.

Was chatting with another editor in Mumbai and she described her voice as pure honey, just soothing the ear. So true. 

As reluctant as I am to compare and contrast, to me, Shreya and Sunidhi are the Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle of today. Both are just seven months apart in age, came into the national consciousness as child artists on Reality TV shows, have a range as wide as the ocean, have sound heads and minds and have stayed true to themselves despite temptations and lucrative offers from the film industry. 

Their dedication to the craft is unbeatable and love for all music. In conversation with Sunidhi, she loved Western music as much as she did classic songs of the 60s. Shreya dedicates part of her every show to classic songs from an erstwhile era. And the images reflect the joy of music and performing on stage - the full command of having an audience in their palm. 

Top 10 Bollywood Youngsters

View this post on Instagram

♥️

A post shared by Alia 🌸 (@aliaabhatt) on Apr 7, 2019 at 8:09am PDT

NAME
AGE
OFFICIAL ACCOUNT
FOLLOWERS 



Alia Bhatt
26
AliaaBhatt
34.7 Million 


Tiger Shroff
29
TigerJackieShroff
15.6 Million



Sara Ali Khan 
23
SaraAliKhan
11.3 Million



Janhvi Kapoor 
22
JanhviKapoor
5.1 Million

Ananya Pandey
20
AnanyaPandey
3.8 Million 




Tara Sutria
23
TaraSutria
2 million


Ishaan Khatter
23
IshaanKhatter
1.1 Million 

Ahan Shetty
23
AhanShetty
142K


Vardhan Puri 
27
VardhanPuri
79.7k 


Abhimanyu Dassani
29
AbhimanyuDassani
37.8k 

Note: So when I first started sifting through Instagram to look for the hip, young - oh so painfully young - star-lit denizens of Bollywood, these 20-something-year olds stood out. So many followers with so.. .hmm.. little actual achievements, it became increasingly difficult to write something about them as have no idea what merited so many followers, when they had done so little! Other than winning the genetic lottery and being born to fame and fortune.

This [above] was the original list that got scrapped and I started anew with young people who've achieved considerably more - which is now the full feature up at Style magazine - at SCMP..com

Check out the full feature here. 

Some of the above survived the cull, but not all.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) on Jun 24, 2019 at 5:30am PDT

My chat with Manish Malhotra, India's Definitive Celebrity Designer

My second chat with designer Manish Malhotra. Met him a decade ago, also in Hong Kong. A lot calmer, more collected now. Like his clothes, he's a lot more polished and perfect too. I love a great struggle to star story and his ascent into stardom is such.

Anupam Kher in Hong Kong

It's not every day that you have a cuppa tea with a legend of stage and cinema - earlier today I did! Well, all right, he had the tea. I sat back in awe and ate up all his quotes!

Indian actor Anupam Kher landed in Hong Kong on the eve of his performance at the Jockey Club Auditorium, for his one-man show, Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai.

Engulfed in memories of classic Indian films he's starred in - and the American, English (yes, there's a distinction!) and even Chinese film he's appeared in, the actor was in fine form during the chat. A beguiling interview laced with humour and a self-awareness that only someone of his stature could have, cannot wait to watch the man perform live. 


Full chat with the actor, to appear later on in SCMP. Until then, some snaps here from earlier today.

Dino Busch, the bril young German photographerm captured him on his camera for some fab portraits - also in print soon. My pics here reveal... why I write and don't take photographs!

Meanwhile, those in Hong Kong, do check out his show:

Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai with Anupam Kher

Tuesday, 2 June, 2015
Venue: Jockey Club Auditorium, The HK Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Kowloon, HK
Time: 7.30pm-0pm
Tickets: HK$200-HK$650
Buy online: www.cityline.com

Anupam Kher at the Island Shangrila in Hong Kong

Sonam Kapoor rocks the cover of PRESTIGE Hong Kong

In some small measure - and I do mean small - I had the utter joy of working behind the scenes of this sensational cover shoot and interview with Bollywood fashionista Sonam Kapoor, for PRESTIGE, Hong Kong.

Over the year, I had been in touch with one of my fav film scribes Meera Joshi (who has written often about my fav subject in the world: Sridevi!) who did the Q&A in Mumbai.

I had seen and stalked Anushka Menon for her exquisite portraiture. Originally, I was in touch with Ms Menon (of Kerala origin but more of a New Yorker methinks) to invite her to do cover shoot of Galaxy magazine but logistics were tough. Glad we stayed in touch as when the editor of PRESTIGE Hong Kong, the inimitable Jon Wall, and I had a chat over getting a Bollywood star on the cover for the first time in the magazine's history, I knew one gal in India would and could deliver a great shoot of international standards. And boy, did she deliver!

For the cover, I had three superstar names in mind to pitch Jon Wall (I cannot emphasize enough the importance of Mr Wall in this, who had the original brainwave to go beyond borders for an exquisite  cover girl); Aishwarya Rai (but of course), the current sensation Deepika Padukone and B'wood's overwhelming fashionista Sonam Kapoor.

When Ms Kapoor was in Hong Kong for a Dior event, she sealed the deal. She was so charming, so gracious and so gorgeous in person, she floored the folks she met here (including Vincenzo La Torre, Prestige mag's Deputy Editor and notable HK fashion writer Divia Harileila - who didn't know who she was, but said she was lovely!).

And her innate fashion sense and Cannes-do appeal (- more on that later), she was 'the' one for the cover. There's an immense likability factor to Ms Kapoor and to top it all, the gorgeousness factor.

Not just because I'm Indian and a Bollywood-ite to the core, but its the best damn cover the mag's had in years; and that's saying something considering how stronge PRESTIGE mag's covers usually are...


Out in newsstands in HK now! Pick up!! NOW!

Rama

Far Out: Interview with Farhan Akhtar: Writer, Director, Actor and now... Singer! The multi-hyphenate Crooner

Bollywood star Farhan Akhtar has appeared in many guises, but his latest avatar is that of a Hindi-singing rock star. P.Ramakrishnan writes.


The transformation came in the film Rock On! Although he had been known mainly for his behind-the-scenes work until the 2008-released movie, the main songs featured in the film became anthems among students – and the 40-plus star was born.

 “When we did Rock On! it needed that rawness and roughness to add that touch of authenticity for the film. It was about a struggling garage band that dreamt big, and it worked in the film.”

Rock On! is not your usual Bollywood film, as it tells the story of a rock band and doesn’t deal in the usual boy-meets-girl musical grooves.

Akhtar’s rasp was one of the most notable elements of the movie, but he’s not just a singer and actor, also wearing the hats of multiple award-winning writer, director, producer, emcee and reality TV judge.

Akhtar is bringing his rocking live show to Hong Kong not long after he picked up trophies galore  for his performance in the biographical drama Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (“Run Milkha Run”, 2013) earlier this year. The Muslim actor played the role of Punjabi Olympian Milkha Singh and also sang in the film.

The music in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag was composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, the triumvirate men who have composed for nearly all his films. “When I first had to record a song, I was so conscious of it, we recorded the number in the dark,” he says.

“I turned of all the lights and just sang. I moved around, got into the spirit of the song and let it riff. It was the first time I was looking out facing the microphone – usually I’m on the other side of the studio box, asking the singers for a retake or complimenting them or asking them for a particular emotion or pitch. It was strange to receive those same notes from another director.”

The unusual tactic worked, as that little film with (at the time) no stars went on to box-office gold, record sales and awards to boot.

“Music is a great way to unwind. As a director, you’re trying to find control in chaos. Movie-making isn’t a one-man entity. With music, that’s when I’m truly creating something of my own. As the actor playing the part on screen, I also had that unique opportunity to put in the exact emotion to the voice, knowing what my arc was.”

So out of all the guises he appears under, what does he like to do the most? “Depends on the month, week or day. If movies are creating order in chaos, with acting you’re being the most honest you can at the moment. And with music, I feel liberated. On stage, while you’re singing and the audience reflects back what you put out, there’s nothing like it. And whether you’re a 19-year old who knows all the words and sings along or a 65-year-old who just sways along to something you created, there’s a reason we all want to rock.”

Farhan Akhtar LIVE in Hong Kong
Mar 28, 8pm, Convention and Exhibition Centre, Harbour Rd, Wan Chai, HK$350-HK$2,000, HK Ticketing. 
Inquiries: 9037 8869, 9461 3676



UPDATE: 

Show cancelled. Feature got pulled out of the papers at the last minute. Drrrrama! But it was great fun to chat with the man who made one of my all-time fav Bollywood films; Dil Chahta Hai. Never short for words, Akhtar's an interviewer's delight. 

Had a much longer chat with the director for Post magazine when Don II was released.




 

Divine Inspiration: Sonu Nigam: India's greatest Singer lands in Hong Kong

Sonu Nigam

It is the symbiosis between performer and audience that makes live shows so special, Indian vocalist Sonu Nigam tells P.Ramakrishnan.

Sonu Nigam is widely regarded to be the best male singer in India. But when reminded of this, he demurs, "That's very kind of you to say but it is not true. There are so many great musical talents in India. I'm just happy to be a part of the scene."

Still, Nigam's vast repertoire of multilingual renditions has won him a fan base that includes influential vocalists from Kerala to Kashmir, be they singers of vintage Bollywood numbers (K.J. Yesudas, Manna Dey, the Mangeshkar sisters) or contemporary stars (Shreya Ghoshal, Sunidhi Chauhan, KK). they all speak of the 40-year-old with deep admiration. He's even done a remix with Britney Spears....

A Certain Age - at Prestige.

Madhuri Dixit performs at IIFA 2013

The power of Bollywood (and the wide Indian diaspora being what it is - especially online!), thrilled to bits that one of the most read/clicked on feature at Prestige.com is my littl' chat with la Dixit.

Check it out here --> A Certain Age
http://prestigehongkong.com/2013/09/certain-age