BOLLYWOOD ONE NEWS

Dancing-fighting entertain, so why be 'thinking actor': Madhavan

2011-06-11T02:28:00.000-07:00

New Delhi, June 4 : A chocolate-faced hero who has achieved cult status down south as well as immense popularity in Bollywood, R. Madhavan is against the term "thinking actor". He believes it is simply used for those who can't do song-dance and fighting sequences.

I think the term thinking actor is meant for those who can't do the song and dance sequences and the fight sequences - so it is a very conveniently elevated position to be in. But as a matter of fact, I think every actor who acts in a film - be it a hero, the thinking actor or the dancing actor, all have to think a lot about what they do. So there is no specific breed called the thinking actors," the 40-year-old star told IANS in an interview.

"There are people who prepare for acting in different ways - some would go into realistic acting because that may be their forte. And yet others would do the entertaining stuff in the form of singing, dancing and jumping and fighting - which are great forms of entertaining, I feel."

Born to a Tamil-speaking family, Madhavan has made a mark on the small screen, in the southern film industry and Bollywood alike.

"Fortunately, I do have a market in both these worlds. Very few actors have that...maybe Kamal Haasan too! Having said that, I don't think that an actor can be limited by his ability to act. If there is any limitation, it will be by the way he speaks a certain language," said the actor, who gave Tamil hits like "Alaipayuthey" and "Ennavale".

He was much appreciated for his role in the film "Tanu Weds Manu" based in north India.

"Being a Madrasi, if I am not able to pull off a 'Tanu Weds Manu' and my so-called Punjabi accent sounds like Madrasi accent, there will be very less appreciation. So one needs to have an individual identity and a connection with the audience," he added.

Madhavan has dabbled in dialogue writing, movie production and hosted TV reality shows, but being an actor is still his top priority.

"I have always found that an actor is on top of the food chain. Everybody else has to wait for him. To be honest, I like that position...I like being on top of the food chain!" Madhavan told IANS here.

His journey in showbiz started with Zee TV's "Banegi Apni Baat" and his Bollywood debut was with "Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein" (2001). After that he went on to make a mark in Hindi films with "3 Idiots" and "Rang De Basanti".

Dressed casually in a blue T-shirt and a pair of jeans and with ruffled hair, Madhavan seemed the least ruffled about the fact that he is busy only shooting ad films these days.

"I haven't signed any new films lately...The truth of the matter is that I am waiting for some scripts to be finalised before I can come up and say that I am doing XYZ film...," he said.

The actor said he recently finished shooting one half of the schedule for Tamil film "Vettai", and is looking forward to the next schedule as well.

"In 'Vettai' I am playing a policeman for the first time. I can't disclose details right now ...but I can assure it is something I have never done before and it is exciting for me," said Madhavan, who was last seen in Hindi film "Tanu Weds Manu".

'West Is West' producer disappointed with A certificate

2011-06-11T02:27:00.000-07:00

Mumbai, June 4 : British producer Leslee Udwin is disappointed that her film "West Is West", a sequel to popular film "East Is East", has been given an A certificate by the Indian censor board.

"There were about five people present at the censor board committee when I went and met them. They were charming and meaningful people and I had a good chat with them. But I was deeply disappointed with the result because this film is in the large measure about a 14-year-old boy's coming of age. So it is crucial for 13, 14, 15, 16-year-old kids to see this film," Udwin told reporters here.

"The film teaches that cultural values and roots are important along with being hilarious, uplifting and moving. So why are we depriving them from this film that gives such a message only because of a few abuses that are used in the film?"

"Everyone uses it, it's used in other films too, for the sake of few abuses why young people are deprived of a crucial message, it's a pity. I'm disappointed," she said.

"West Is West" that stars Om Puri, Ila Arun, Aqib Khan, Raj Bhansali, Veejay Raaz, Linda Bassett and Jimi Mistry in pivotal roles has been directed by Andy De Emmony and is slated to hit screens June 10.

"In England too, we have censorship board. But there we have 15 year certificate too. I would beg India to consider that because to say that there is nothing between 18 to small kids is not right. Fifteen-year-olds are grown ups. They are not babies. So that age group should also have a certification," said the producer.

"I begged the censor board for a U/A, but they did not give. I am sad," she added.

Salman Khan plans to show 'Chillar Party' to Ambika Soni

2011-06-11T02:26:00.000-07:00

Mumbai, June 4 : Bollywood star Salman Khan wants to show "Chillar Party", his first venture under his banner Salman Khan Being Human Productions, to Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni.

"I want to show this film to Ambika Soni to make it tax free. Let's see if that happens," Salman told reporters here Friday night.

The actor had come to launch the first promo of the film that will release July 8 and is his co-production with UTV. It has been helmed by first-time directors Nitesh Tiwari and Vikas Bahl.

"Chillar Party" is a film about a gang of innocent yet feisty kids from Chandan Nagar in whose lives enter two strangers. The film describes how things revolve around their lives.

Khan, on being asked whether he would produce more films under his banner, said: "We will produce more films. When we get good scripts and good films to make, we will definitely produce them."

Salman Khan back as lover-boy in 'Ready'

2011-06-11T02:24:00.000-07:00

By Subhash K. Jha , Film: "Ready"; Starring: Salman Khan, Asin, Paresh Rawal; Directed by: Anees Bazmi; Rating: ***

She's a runaway bride. He's a runaway rogue, a little rough around the edges but a good hearted lovable soul. Salman Khan can play this character over and over again with his eyes closed. In "Ready" he is back to playing the lover-boy clown.

"Mr. Fix-it" and "Ms Hum Apke Hain Conwoman" flirt and get naughty in exotic locations. They don't generate chemistry. They are just being around.

Jeez, these two never tire of saying cheese! And when the going gets cheesy there's always the family to fall back on. There are three families, living in homes that appear to have been built to accommodate over-sized families. The setting is almost laughably anachronistic.

Salman Khan and his director Anees Bazmi pay a hefty comic homage to "Hum Aapke Hain Koun". The Salman-Asin romance unfolds against the backdrop of a commodious joint family where every family-member seems determined to have a good time even at the expense of good taste.

True, Asin lacks the gamine charm of Madhuri Dixit. But then the Salman Khan in "Ready" is not quite the Salman Khan from "Hum Aaapke Hain Koun". He hasn't aged. He's just become more smug and self-confident. Many times we catch him looking bored on camera. But that is this iconic star's style statement.

When you are Salman Khan you can slip out of a character when you want. No one is complaining.

Bazmi's script, a shoot off of a Telugu hit, accommodates more characters than Goa during the tourist season.

Every character is over-dressed and over-the-top. Then men are constantly looking for reasons to say goofy corny things to one another. That's the required mood of this "panga-'mirth'-lena" comedy with an attitude that stretches from one end of the lengthy narration to the other with hardly a break for the plot to gather together its thoughts.

Bazmi keeps the proceedings neatly on the side of good taste. Innuendos are avoided, and partly so because Salman has an image of the good-bad boy. He never offends refined sensibilities with his wildly bratty antics, though he never shows any inclination to be one of those refined types himself.

He is happy being human in a way only Salman Khan can be. He gets able support from some solid performers like Akhilendra Mishra, Sharad Saxena, Manoj Pahwa, television comedian Sudesh Lehri and Mahesh Manjrekar whose hilarious act as Salman's dad is lifted from Sanjay Chhel's "Khubsoorat".

Strangely the women performers are all vapid to the point of seeming sedated. This is a men's comedy with women welcome to join the fun.

But nobody minds. And not because this is a mindless comedy. The quality of the gags is often higher than what we usually get in Bollywood comedies. But the film suffers from an overloaded narration.

There is too much effort to cram in "entertainment" at every possible level. There is also a rather lame attempt to define the status of women in feudal households. But the attempt is so hurried and cursory, it's almost farcical.

Replete with tongue-in-cheek references to many earlier blockbusters including Sooraj Barjatya's "Hum Aapke Hain Koun", "Ready" is like one of those familiar tunes sung to a new set of lyrics that you may not approve of but you empathize with because it offers the comfort of the familiar.

Having said that, the film, it must be confessed, doesn't really offer even diehard Salman fans the fun-quotient expected from the mega-star. Too many people colonise this domestic comedy. Boisterous uncles, over-dressed aunties, under-intellectualised gangsters and irksome henchmen are all greedy to be noticed. The trouble is, they aren't doing anything that is terribly exciting or engaging, except playing the foil to the star of the show.

And we all know who that is.

'Bbuddah...' role reminds Big B of college days

2011-06-11T02:05:00.000-07:00

New Delhi, June 10 : Riding a Harley Davidson, wearing retro-styled printed shirts and playing a carefree person in "Bbuddah - Hoga Terra Baap" reminds Amitabh Bachchan of his college days.

The 68-year-old star is an alumnus of Delhi University's Kirori Mal College and just like any normal student, he too was into Elvis music, bunking classes and making an effort to impress the girls.

"What a time we would have then ! Bunking class, jamming at restaurants and coffee joints with the 'gang', buzzing off on picnics in borrowed cars and scooters and then dragging ourselves home looking most studious and overworked in college!! We were incorrigible, were we not," Big B wrote on his blog Bigb.bigadda.com.

"Ah! those days of College and University. How ever can we ever forget them! Sad they got over in 3 years! Never knew how time flew by. The freedom to move independently, to follow opinion away from the norm, to become temporarily impressed by pseudo dudes, to lumber up to the girls at the bus stop, hands in pocket of unwashed for a year jeans, and the only one you had, shirt collars up, Elvis Presley in making side locks, the only book of study in the hip pocket, and wondering why none of the girls was noticing you.

"And the music …. never went beyond Elvis, and for the more intellectual, Miles Davis and Zoot Sims ! Any one remember those fantastic jazz artists ?? Astounding!!," he added.

NGO sends kit to help Shah Rukh quit smoking

2011-06-11T02:03:00.000-07:00

Bhubaneswar, June 10 : An NGO Friday said it has sent a set of nicotine replacement therapy (NRTs) patches to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan to help him quit smoking.

HRIDAY (Health Related Information Dissemination Amongst Youth) said it has also sent a factsheet on tobacco cessation after the actor, in a recent media interview, expressed his willingness to quit smoking.

"We have sent him a letter along with the patches and a factsheet," the group's communications officer Nikunj Sharma told IANS.

Monika Arora, the senior director of the organization, in the letter sent Thursday said if Shah Rukh takes this step, it will help convey the right health message to millions of his fans in India and world over, especially the youth.

"His decision to quit smoking will set an example that smoking is hazardous for health and that quitting is possible no matter how long you have been smoking, said Amit Yadav of the NGO.

"Shah Rukh is a versatile actor and we are hopeful that this time he would succeed in his effort to quit smoking and thus motivate others."

"We hope that he also inspires the film fraternity to refrain from showing tobacco use in films which has an adverse impact on youth and prove to be a 'real hero' for all his fans," Yadav added.

Crossover cinema must relate to people: Om Puri

2011-06-11T02:01:00.001-07:00

By Priyanka Sharma , Gurgaon, June 11 : One of the first Indian actors to work in international movies, Om Puri feels crossover cinema has a bright future if made on "relatable issues". A veteran of over 250 films, he also advises newcomers to complete their education before joining the "speculative" movie industry.

The future of crossover cinema is very bright, but we must realise that crossover cinema can only survive if we talk about common problems. If other people are not able to relate, obviously the films won't be successful," 60-year-old Om told IANS in an interview here.

He was here to promote the film "West is West", which has just released here and is a sequel to the crossover film "East is East".

Om made his presence felt in the international arena with movies like "City of Joy" (1992), opposite late actor Patrick Swayze; "Wolf" (1994) alongside actor Jack Nicholson and "The Ghost and the Darkness" (1996) opposite Val Kilmer. In 2007, he appeared as General Zia-ul-Haq in "Charlie Wilson's War", which stars Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts.

He also featured in crossover films like "Life Goes On" and "Bollywood Calling".

After struggling a lot, Om has achieved what he has today; so he is convinced that youngsters "must have a parallel profession because it is a very speculative industry. A lot of people come here and they don't make it; so if they don't make it, they have to have something to go back to."

Before taking the plunge into the world of glitz and glamour, wannabes should also complete their formal education and train themselves as actor, advises Om.

"New actors should complete their formal education and they should go for proper training in acting. I went to the National School of Drama (NSD) for three years, then to the Film and Television Institute of India also, as it is a perfect learning platform," he said.

A respected name in filmdom now, Om made a humble beginning in 1976 with "Ghashiram Kotwal", based on a Marathi play by the same name and the Ambala-born actor so far had a fruitful stay in the movie industry.

"My journey so far has been satisfactory. I don't brag about myself and about my work and I don't even want to. People will come to know about it themselves. I have done 250 films out of which 30 will be remembered even when I am gone," he said.

His performance in off-beat films like "Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron" (1983), "Ardha Satya" (1983), which won him a national award, "Aakrosh" (1984) is seen as milestones in his acting career.

But Om tried his luck in mainstream films too and was appreciated for his comic role in "Hera Pheri" and after that bagged many such roles. And he feels commercial cinema always has its eyes on the box-office and "they also do lot of compromises; but in realistic films there are less compromises."

"Commercial cinema will not feel shy to put six songs that have nothing to do with the theme of the film, but realistic cinema will not do that. They make films to be successful, but not at a cost," added the actor, who was last seen in "Teen Thay Bhai".

Nowdays he has more mainstream movies in his kitty, including "Don 2", "Choron Ki Baraat", "Bin Bulaye Baraati" and the "Agneepath" remake. He will also be seen in the issue-based movie "Khap", which is about honour killings.

(Priyanka Sharma can be contacted at priyanka.s@ians.in)

Husain was sad about not returning to India: Madhuri Dixit

2011-06-11T02:00:00.000-07:00

By Subhash K. Jha ,Mumbai, June 11 : M.F. Husain was always full of excitement and ever on the move, reminisces Madhuri Dixit, the celebrated painter's first Bollywood muse with whom he had planned an ambitious project on Indian cinema. The diva, who had spoken to Husain over a month ago, says he would become sad about not being able to return to India.

Trying to contain her emotions, Madhuri remembers her final conversation with Husain. "The last time I spoke to him was more than a month back. He was so excited about that project on 100 Years Of Cinema. He would always be filled with excitement and never get tired of his work. I think his work was his stress-buster. Most of us need a break from our work, no matter how much we love it. Not Husain Saab."

Husain died in London on Thursday at age 95.

Speaking from Denver, Madhuri said: "As usual he was very excited about this latest brainchild. His zest for life and his ideas always made me feel older than him."

Taking a deep breath, Madhuri sighs: "It's very difficult to believe Husain Saab is gone. It's like losing someone very near to you. If as you say I was some part of his huge legacy then I am very very proud of being part of what Husain Saab created. He is certainly someone who made a difference to my life."

Diplomatically evading the issue of Husain's enforced exile away from India, Madhuri finally burst out: "Whenever we spoke he was so charged. He would get sad only when he talked about not being home in India. Husain Saab was one of the more liberal people I knew. He believed in all religions and he experienced life to the fullest. Yes, I'll miss him."

In Madhuri's home in the US, M.F. Husian is a household name. "Even my children know about him. When I told my son Husain Saab is no more he was like, 'Aw Mom, is he really gone?'

Madhuri remembers the bare-feet bare-soled artist's illimitable energy. "Husain Saab called himself a nomad. And he was a really restless soul. I remember when we were shooting 'Gaja Gamini' he'd often disappear from the sets. We'd be like, 'Where is Husain Saab?' He'd be all over the place with his ideas."

Madhuri admits the movie that Husain made was a brain-teaser. "In 'Gaja Gamini' I knew I was not doing a regular normal run-of-the-mill film. He wanted it to be such a cinema where one could take any frame and treat it like an individual painting. It was a tough role. Husain Saab wanted me to portray facets of womanhood with all my mystique and charm. I don't know if I succeeded in putting across even a part of his ideas."

Most of all Madhuri remembers the 90-plus icon's gusto for existence. "He was restless and fidgety. Always on the move. I was tempted to tell him, 'Husain Saab, slow down, so I can catch up with you.' My association started with him when he saw me in 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun'. He saw it umpteenth times. I guess he liked my screen presence. I learnt a lot from my interaction with him.

SRK says no to Hollywood offer

2011-06-10T04:42:00.000-07:00

It’s often been said that Bollywood is increasingly making its presence felt on the global cinema scene. So the subsequent mix of talent can’t be ruled out of future projects. In this scenario, can Shah Rukh Khan be left out? More so, when he’s ensuring that the indigenous visual effects in his super hero flick,

It wasn’t surprising to read reports of a Hollywood producer keen on casting Shah Rukh in his next film. Duncan Kenworthy, who’s produced hits like Love Actually (2003) and Four Weddings And A Funeral (1994), during a recent interview with HT Café, said he wanted to remake My Fair Lady (1964) as a musical with SRK.

Kenworthy, who was also chairman of the BAFTA till 2006, revealed that initially he thought of casting the Bollywood actor as an army officer. “Then I thought I should make the film in two versions, one with Colin Firth and another with Shah Rukh,” he revealed. “I’d like to pair Keira Knightley with Shah Rukh. I think they’d make a great couple on screen.” Interestingly, this isn’t the first time the UK-based producer is planning a film with the actor-producer. He recalls first broaching the subject at NRI industrialist, Lakshmi Mittal’s villa in London a couple of years ago. “That was soon after Yash Chopra was honoured by the BAFTA,” he points out. “Lakshmi introduced Shah Rukh to me then and during our first conversation, we talked about doing a film together. But we got busy with our respective movies.”

However, when told about Kenworthy’s concept, Shah Rukh declined being aware of it. Suggesting that he’d meet the UK-based producer when he visited London next, the actor-filmmaker jested, “I can’t keep on doing films where I don’t have the title role anymore. I want to be the fair lady. That will be different for me.” Wonder what Kenworthy has to say to that.

Mallika Sherawat's brother detained at airport

2011-06-08T00:22:00.000-07:00

Mumbai, June 7 : After Minissha Lamba and Bipasha Basu, actor Mallika Sherawat brother Vikram Lamba was detained at the Mumbai airport on Tuesday for carrying foreign currency beyond permissible limit.

Deputy Commissioner of Customs, Sameer Wankhede, and his team detained Vikram at Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport after he boarded off an Emirates flight from London.

Vikram was reportedly carrying branded goods and foreign currencies worth approximately Rs 6 lakhs.

He has been booked under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) is being questioned by Customs officials.

On May 26, actor Bipasha Basu was detained at Mumbai airport for not declaring jewellery she was carrying.

She had arrived from London on a British Airways flight.

She had to pay Rs 10,000 as tax for the gold and other jewellery she was carrying and let off.

Earlier, actor Minissha Lamba was detained for several hours by custom officials at the same airport while she was returning from the Cannes festival for jewellery not declared.

Salman impresses again, 'Ready' grosses Rs.41 crore

2011-06-08T00:14:00.001-07:00

New Delhi, June 7 : Last year it was his rural action-drama "Dabangg" that broke the dry spell at the box office by earning Rs.48.25 crore in the opening weekend, and this year Salman Khan's comedy "Ready" has brought the much needed respite at the box office by grossing Rs.41 crore over the weekend.

Trade pundits, however, admit that "Ready" is not on par with "Dabangg" in terms of content and appeal and many not enjoy a long innings at the box office, but it is an entertaining film and got a good opening.

"Ready has had a good opening. The occupancy has been 90-95 percent. It is more of a family entertainer. One would not see the kind of action that was in 'Dabangg' and 'Wanted'," Yogesh Raizada, corporate head (Cinemas) of Wave Cinemas told IANS.

"Salman is perfect in the film he has done full justice to his character. Asin, is also good in the film," he added.

In contrast to Rs.18 crore "Dabangg", a small town cop drama shot in Wai in Maharashtra and partly in the UAE, "Ready", shot entirely in Thailand, is expensive, has an urban setting and is said to have cost Rs.50 crore.

Released on 1,900 screens, 'Ready' earned Rs.13.5 crore on the opening day, Rs.12.5 crore on Saturday, and Rs.15 crore on Sunday.

"People are enjoying the film a lot, specially Salman Khan, although the shows have not been back-to-back houseful like 'Dabangg' and 'Wanted'. The audis have witnessed 80 percent occupancy," said a source in PVR.

Shot in the exotic locales of Thailand, the film is about happy-go-lucky guy Prem (Salman). He mistakenly helps a girl Sanjana (Asin Thottumkal) escape from marriage and later falls for her. Paresh Rawal, Arya Babbar and Mahesh Manjeraker also feature in it.

Just like Salman's 2008 hit "Wanted", his "Ready" is performing much better in single screen theatres. Confirming this, Piyush Raizada of Delite Cinemas said their shows are going houseful.

"The response to 'Ready' is terrific. Till now, our shows are going housefull. Everyone is appreciating Salman's acting. It is too early to say whether the film will be as big as 'Dabangg' because today, every day counts because of the number of shows being played today," he said.

At a time when most of the big-budgets, with big names like Akshay Kumar starrer "Patiala House", Abhishek Bachchan's "Game" and "Dum Maaro Dum" failed to stir the box office, Salman's magic worked again as "Ready" has brought smiles on the faces of distributors, cinema hall owners and audiences alike.

"I really enjoyed the film. Salman is really good. The first half is a bit boring but the film picks up after the interval and I couldn't stop laughing till the end," said Madhu Verma, a housewife.

College student Priya Chawla liked it so much that she wants to watch it again.

"I found the movie extremely entertaining from the very first scene. Some of the one liners are hilarious and they could become popular pick-up lines. Salman is superb with his comic timing. I plan to watch it again," she said.

Last year too, when the box office was reeling under flops, Salman bailed it out with "Dabangg" and conquered it not only by earning the maximum profits of reportedly Rs.145 crore, but scooped the maximum awards, including a National Award for the best entertainer of the year.

Ritika Sinha, also a college sudent, said the film lacks focus, but has some really good punch lines.

Trade pundits, however, admitted that "Ready" will not enjoy long stay at the box office like "Dabangg".

"The film doesn't seem to sustain for long. We are looking at the occupancy. If it drops down to 50 percent then we will put another film. However, film is doing really well on single screens," said the source from PVR.

Piyush Raizada said: "Gone are the days when films had to run for many days to be declared a hit. Today, in two to three weeks a film is declared a hit."

Vote for 'Murder 2' posters: Mahesh Bhatt

2011-06-08T00:13:00.000-07:00

New Delhi, June 7 : Indian filmmakers are going online for various taks like finalising the title of a movie or arranging for finance.

Producer Mahesh Bhatt is also using social networking sites to finalise the main poster for his forthcoming thriller "Murder 2".Directed by Anurag Basu, "Murder", starring Mallika Sherawat and Emraan Hashmi, was a big hit when released in 2004. For "Murder 2", Mohit Suri has wielded the megaphone and Sri Lankan actress Jacqueline Fernandes has replaced Mallika in the film that hits the theatres July 8.

"We've five posters, but every film has one main poster besides other publicity posters. There was a disagreement between me and Mohit Suri on the main poster of the film. We thought the best way out is to show all the posters to the people of the country and let them select one," said Bhatt.

Surfers can view the posters on www.facebook.com/m2thefilm and vote for their favourite one.

"Mohit and I'll blindly go ahead with the people's opinion," said Bhatt, adding: "At the end of the day, posters are for the people, so let them tell us which the best poster of the lot is. In fact, now we are eager to know which one people will select."

Bhatt had earlier uploaded the "Murder 2" trailer on his Twitter page and had tweeted

'X-Factor' winner to get platform in Karan Johar film

2011-06-08T00:07:00.000-07:00

New Delhi, June 7 : Filmmaker Karan Johar, who buried the hatchet with Sanjay Leela Bhansali when he recently visited the sets of "X-Factor", has decided to give the winner of the music reality show a chance to sing for one of his forthcoming films.

The filmmaker, known for movies like "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham" and "My Name Is Khan", has tied up with Sony Entertainment Television to give a worthy platform to the winner

.

The host of the show, Aditya Narain, broke the news to the top 12 shortlisted contestants on behalf of Karan - much to their excitement.

Karan praised "X-Factor", saying it is by far the best talent show and all three judges - Sonu Niigam, Shreya Ghoshal and Bhansali - are doing well. He was also heard saying that Bhansali is one of the "finest directors" of Bollywood, according to a source.

In fact, Johar and Bhansali even hugged each other - suggesting that they have moved on after their war of words.

Bhansali had taken a tad too seriously Johar's comment on "Saawariya" being a "blue film" and had lashed out against him in the media.

Johar reacted by saying in an interview: "Anyone who chooses the media as a form of communication is clearly not a friend. I think he needs to learn to take himself a lot more lightly than he does. It will be a good thing for him."

But now, all seems to be well between the two - at least by what seemed on the sets of the reality show.

The episode featuring Johar will be aired Friday, and the top 12 contestants will be revealed as well.