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Name, fame, recognition, appreciation, awards, fanfare and a chance to work with superstar Amitabh Bachchan is surely the dream goal of so many wannabe and established stars. But all this and more has been achieved by a little girl who is just 9 years old. Whether be it as Chaitali Thakkar in Television or as Amitji’s neighbour and confidante in the movie “Cheeni Kum” – Swini Khara has aced it all. Winner of ITA Best child artist (female) award in 2007, this girl has achieved with her dedication and sincerity what many can only dream of. How does it feel to get an award, she was asked and we get the prompt reply, “I feel very much happy and it is a great achievement. Getting an award is a very good experience as you get the results of your work”. At such a tender age, such maturity in expression is really amazing. When she was asked if she liked her role as “Chaitali”, she replied in the affirmative saying that she enjoys playing the sweet and naughty character of Chaitali very much. But she makes sure to point out that she is not exactly like Chaitali, “I am not naughty like Chaitali, but I share one plus point with her. She always comes first in class and I do too.” But what if Swini is asked to be as naughty as Chaitali - would she be? “I can do that. But I want to be a good simple girl who studies and want to work more and go ahead in my life”, is her reply that shows how grounded the girl is. Swini shared that they have a lot of fun on the sets of Baa Bahu aur Baby and together with Gattu (Deven Bhojani) has a great time playing. Deven incidently also happens to be her favorite. "He is the funniest, and it is great fun having him around”, she quipped. When she was asked about her experience as far as Bollywood goes, “Bollywood is “The bollywood” – the place where all actors want to be”, she exclaimed and then added, “Bollywood is so popular and just being a part of it is a great experience. Till now I have achieved what I wanted to on TV and I want to work a lot harder and love to get all the bollywood awards.” So how was it working with Big B? She sounded too excited and fondly tells how she enjoyed the experience thoroughly. She also told how shocked she was when she came to know about her selection in Cheeni Kum, and adds excitedly, “I just could not believe that I am working with ‘THE’ Amit uncle – he is such a big star!". Is there is any other actor she wants to work with? Pat came her reply, “Hrithik Roshan”. Swini is surely a wonder kid. A topper in all forms of life; a girl with innocence in her voice, oozing maturity in her work, this girl has miles to go and great things to achieve in life..
Anchor vs Actor
Anchoring is a different ball game. I had thought that it was piece of cake but it isn’t. As an actor you balance the act with your co-actors. But as an anchor, it’s a solo take. However, it’s exciting to carry the show on your shoulders.
‘Cine Song’
It’s a one-hour show that covers a three-hour film. All the favourite scenes, songs and trivia surrounding the film are presented. The theatre ambience allows you to sit for three hours, but at home you want to view something racy. Here nostalgia is recaptured and memory refreshed. I have always loved Hindi cinema and researching for every show is fun.
Friendship
An ideal friend is one who stands by me, no matter what comes my way. He can tell me, ‘Dude you are wrong!’
Ideal woman
She should be spunky, independent, a go-getter and have her head on her shoulders. More than being pretty, she should be somebody I could sit down and talk to with a glass of wine. I should be able to relate to her on a mental level.
Turn-on
A good conversation is a major turn-on! Also eyes speak a lot. I find the fragrance of Pleasures by Estee Lauder very sensual on a woman.
Romance
I am a die-hard romantic though I would forget birthdays and anniversaries. But any random Tuesday I would surprise my woman by buying her flowers. It’s like saying, ‘I have had a long day but I did think of you.’ No breakfast- in-bed for me, rather it would be an open-air meal. I would love to cook it myself since I am an experimental chef.
Lust
It is a human trait. It means a strong desire for something and it need not only be sexual. I lust for good work!
Books
I can read everything under the sun except self-help books. My top books are Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet and Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights.
Philosophy
Live and let live, and we all will be happy. Don’t judge people. If they are happy doing what they are, let them be.
De-stress
I cook, read, paint or sleep my stress way. I like old-school rock music. But at home I like to have my quiet time and read.
An unknown side
I am very short-tempered. I am a cranky riser and need some time with my newspaper and chai. There is a difference between getting up and waking up.
God
I am not religious. But if my mother asks me to accompany her to the temple, I do so because I don’t like her going alone. Giving God ultimatums like, ‘If You want me to believe in You, then You have to do this for me,’ doesn’t work. My sense of energy is myself.
I am... Karan Grover. Life is... Getting better... excellent. Believe in... The universal power. Love is... Faith. Lust is... Inevitable. I fear... Nothing. I hate... Nothing. Obsessed about... Acting. Favourite colour...White. Mumbai is... Home. Favourite shopping place in Mumbai... Bandra. I like to eat... Healthy food. Favourite actor... Amitabh Bachchan. Favourite actress... Rani Mukherjee. Fussy about... My work. Marriage is... Inevitable. When I'm not working you'll find me... Sweating at the gym. I feel most comfortable... With my family. At a party, I can't wait to... Get drunk. Best thing about the TV industry... A cool place to work. Worst thing about the TV industry... The long working hours. Things I want to change about myself... Nothing really.
Known to be among the most popular vamps on Indian Television, Sonia is headed towards a drastic change to her stereotyped image. Sonia is a part of Star One’s - Dill Mill Gaye, where she plays the character of - Keerti Mehra, a strict doctor, who makes life difficult for the interns.
We talk to Sonia and get an insight to her character in the show, her future projects, and how does she feel about her versatile roles.
Tell us something about your role in the new show:
I play a character called - Keerti Mehra, who is a strict professor who makes life a little difficult for the interns. She isn’t a negative character, thank-fully (laughter).
How is it been playing a positive character for the first time on Indian television?
I am so glad that I am not playing a vamp. It was time I began doing something different. Its been a little difficult actually, playing positive. Between the shots, the director has to cut the shot, as my expressions look negative, so it was difficult at first, but I am sure soon, I’ll get the hang of it.
There have been rumors that you might return to KumKum, is that going to happen anytime soon?
I don’t know, I was to start shooting soon with them, but things didn’t work out, the production has asked me to join them, in the first week of September, lets see how that works out.
A final note take on your new show?
Its something very different, my character, the story, everything. So be on a lookout for Dil Mil Gaye.
The serial now has pyar, masti, emotions and betrayal has Karan playing the young intern Dr. Arman Malik. "Arman the son of a doctor. He is confident, spoilt and flirtatious. But he is a very good doctor too and is very serious about his work," says Karan. He says Arman is both serious and fun-loving. He gets along well with the dean’s elder daughter, also an intern, Dr. Anjali Gupta and romance starts brewing between the two. But before the relationship evolves any further, complications arise and Arman falls in love with the dean’s younger daughter Dr. Ridhima. "I am expecting everyone to love the show. It’s not a normal family drama. The new interns are full of spunk, commitment, energy and the story has lot of drama. It also explores the complex world of relationships," says the actor who is having great time working for the show. "We have lot of fun on the sets. The idea is to enjoy your work and when you are happy you tend to work better." Karan is a fitness freak and loves swimming besides playing basketball and volleyball. But he is not a party animal. "I am not into parties and late nights. I have a few close friends but they aren’t from the TV industry," he signs off
Hardly had she dreamt of becoming an actress until acting just happened to her. A software professional otherwise, Shilpa Anand is gaining all the attention on the small screen these days for her character Dr Riddhima in serial Dill Mill Gayye . We caught up with this pretty gal when she recently paid a visit to the city. So how has been her experience on TV like? “It has really been great. I am just enjoying my work though the hours are very long. But I don’t feel that it’s my first time on television. That’s also because my co-stars are quite supportive,” she says. Wonder why this switch from being a software professional to an actor? “Making a career in acting was not a deliberate decision. It was actually on the insistence of some of my friends that I started taking modelling assignments which gradually led to getting film offers from the South, which I accepted. Down South my work even received a lot appreciation. And that’s how my journey in this line began. But at the moment I’m happy working on small screen as it has really raised my popularity graph.” But with so many fresh faces on screen, we ask her what would make her stand apart from them? “See, each actor has his own style of acting. So do I. At the same time I keep working to improvise my acting skills so that I can stand apart from my small screen counterparts.” Having done modelling too, we next ask her, what does she prefer between modelling and acting and she takes off, “There is a big difference between the two. In modelling one needs to be focussed for you have the responsibility of endorsing a brand while in acting the attention is shared by the other co-stars as well which makes it a bit convenient for the actor. Therefore I feel acting much easier then modelling.” What plans for the future? “See I don’t believe in planning things for future. I face things as they come. But yes I would definitely want to grow as an actor and that people know me for my acting. Be it comedy, romantic or thrillers I would like to try all of these and show my versatility.” As she readies to leave we shoot one last question. What’s Shilpa doing when not acting? “Acting is a hectic job. So whenever I get time you’d find me sleeping. Also in order to maintain my figure and keep myself fit going to the gym is a part of my routine.”
Shraddha Nigam's boyfriend Karan Singh is in trouble. His Dill Mill Gaye (Sanjivani 2) co-actor Sonia Singh has gone bonkers over him. So far, it's a one-sided affair.On the sets of Dill Mill Gaye, Sonia goes all out to take care of Karan. Says a source, "During lunch break, Sonia keeps asking Karan if he's eaten food. When he eats late, she gets very worried. During her free time, between the shots, she tries to spend as much time possible with him. She talks to him very lovingly. It can be seen in her eyes when she speaks to him. We don't need to wear glasses to understand what's happening."
Our source also says that she has been brooding about the fact that she can't get Karan's attention and of late, has even got into drinking. She has been crying to her friends that she has gone crazy about Karan.
Sonia Singh
An actor from Dill Mill Gaye, reveals, on condition of anonymity, "Many actors got together and explained to Sonia that she should control her feelings for Karan, else she will ruin her marriage. But she just does not listen."
When contacted, Sonia says, "I like Karan as a co-actor and everybody on the sets likes him. I don't look at him differently."
Sonia was only 17 years old when she got married to Avinash Bobby, who has written for serials like Kamal and Koi Apna Sa, but is currently unemployed. When asked about her marriage of 10 years, she says, "I am happy with Bobby and my marriage is not on the rocks. I am staying with my husband."
However, Karan chooses to take the safe route. He feigned ignorance about Sonia's feelings. However, a family friend of Karan says, "Karan can't do much about Sonia. After all, she is a girl. He can't be aggressive with her. We hope this dies down."
When contacted, Karan's girlfriend Shraddha Nigam, says, "Many girls swoon over Karan. I take it in my stride."
