Fresh from the release of his latest film - Banjo, Riteish Deshmukh already has his hands full with a variety of projects in the upcoming months. His primary focus shall be on two important Marathi films. This includes Mauli with director Nishikant Kamat, which is scheduled to go on the floors by the end of this year, and a much awaited biopic on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Over a cup of steaming black coffee, Riteish discussed films, plans for his banner's next and more with Team Dancebee's Rasika Pote.

Could you relate to Taarat (his character in the film) in any way? Also, in what way did the character inspire you?

Taraat is inspirational because of his belief and confidence. I really wish I was like him in various ways. Be it the way he wears his emotions on his sleeve or the fact that he does not care about anything. The inherent confidence about his art form is great. See, as an actor, I have my own limitations. So, he maybe just about 40 percent like me. The character has a crazy graph in the film, for which, I had to be aggressive yet vulnerable on screen. Hopefully, I have done justice to the role.

How did you work on getting the nuances of a Banjo artist right?

I never had the experience of playing a Banjo before. Although I've tried my hands on a Hawaiian guitar as a child, Banjo is a completely different instrument, as it has a keyboard on the strings. Tarot has a certain sense of arrogance and attitude, that of being the best banjo player, which I worked on. Also, he would stand and play the banjo, so they designed a special strap for me, which would keep the banjo in a vertical position while playing. During the filming stage, Ravi Jadhav (director) suggested that even if you don’t know how to play the instrument, you have to feel like you are playing it live, in order to establish a connect with your audience and make them feel the same. If there was anyone who made me feel that way, it was Ustad Zakir Hussain Sahab. I thought, maybe I can take some inspiration from him and make the audience feel like I am playing the banjo.

How was the experience of working with Ravi Jadhav? You have been one of the producers for his film - Balak Palak, so what was different when you were the actor this time?

Honestly, the experience of working with Ravi as an actor is much better, because I don’t have to worry about money (laughs). Jokes apart, it was really a wonderful experience working with Ravi as when we decided on Banjo, I liked the fact that no one had ever seen me in a space like this. Taarat is by far the most rooted person I have played on screen, and he comes from the lowest strata. After hearing the story, I asked Ravi some basic questions about the character like - Is Taraat funny? Does he smile? Does he blush? With the help of his responses, we then worked on getting the body language, look and little nuances of the character right. 

Do you think the film will help Banjo culture make a come back?

It’s not about the coming back of a culture. It's all about the energy. You need to dance to feel the sound of banjo. When we shot the climax song, there were 80 dhols present for the shoot. We wrapped up our shoot at around 6 am in the morning and post that, from 6 – 8 am, the entire unit was dancing on the sound of live dhol and banjo, despite being tired after the shoot. Also, Banjo is a metaphor for lost instruments and musicians. The whole idea is to give a platform to talented artists who deserve a chance. In fact, if someone watches Banjo and actually offers any street artist the opportunity to perform at their club, then that would be a very good start.

Fan Question

Do we get to see Genelia and you working together anytime soon in a film?

I don’t know, but hopefully. I would love to do a marathi film with her sometime soon.

What are the upcoming projects under your banner, Mumbai Film Company?

Currently, we are working on Chhatrapati Shivaji and Mauli. These two Marathi films will keep me busy. Since Chhatrapati... is a huge project, a lot of research work is in process. So, only once the script is ready, I can be in a position to share more details.

You made an eco-friendly Ganapati idol this year and the video got a good response. What do you have to say about it?

I was really happy about the fact that this video (shared on social media) was liked, shared and appreciated by everyone. It was Ravi (Jadhav) who got this initiated by gifting me a special clay, and asked me to make an idol. So I said, let’s give it a try and then, I tried to make a small Ganapati. Next year, I am planning to start a campaign for eco-friendly Ganapati idols. 

For more updates and news, follow us on Twitter | Instagram & Snapchat at @priyaadivarekar

Everybody loves Ranbir Kapoor. I mean, c'mon! In his nine-year-old career, RK has given us some of the best, most memorable films. Stuff that can be watched on repeat for days (Okay! maybe I'll let Saawariya and Besharam go, but I hope you get the drift). After Bombay Velvet and Tamasha last year (the latter being a favourite), Ranbir has kept things low key on both the professional and personal front for almost a year. In a recent interview, the actor confessed that he is using this time to reinvent and start his career as an actor from scratch. Well, this too shall pass. Every successful and talented actor hits a rough patch, only to rise like a phoenix with his / her next. And if the promos of his next, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, are anything to go by, we can already predict a huge BO success storm.

As the actor turns 33 today, we compiled a list of our favourite tracks, featuring RK (the list is pretty long, but we tried to zero it down to top 10). Songs that can be on loop all night, and shall continue to rock our playlists even the next day. Wish you a very Happy Birthday, Ranbir Kapoor. Shine On, always!

Khuda Jaane - Bachna Ae Haseeno

A delightful romantic track, stunning locales and a charming lead pair; what's not to love here? Also, I love the entire album. It was tough to choose just one track, but it had to be this.

Iktara - Wake Up Sid

Duh! Is there anyone who doesn't love this song? Come rains (actually, they just went) and you will see most filmy birds hanging out at Nariman Point, listening to this track, and feeling the rain on their face.

Bheegi Si - Raajneeti
Alright! This one's a personal favourite. Love the melodious composition by the late Aadesh Shrivastava. Also, this film is extremely under-rated.

Tera Hone Laga Hoon - Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahaani

Back in 2009, everybody I knew in class had this track on their iPods and phones, sometimes even as a ringtone (back then, Nokia music phones were a rage). Also, there was something about the Ran-Kat chemistry (Sigh!) that got everyone attracted to them. Suddenly, everyone around was either a Ranbir or Katrina fan. Sweet!

Tujhe Bhula Diya - Anjaana Anjaani
Clearly, RK was on a chartbuster spree! Just look at that graph. Adding to it was the soulful Tujhe Bhula Diya, featuring Ranbir and Priyanka Chopra. Remember using it for one of my contemporary dance routines back then.

Aashiyaan - Barfi!
A beautiful poetry in motion, with some of the most heartwarming tracks. Barfi! was a magical ode to love. An ode like no other. Performances that can melt your heart and make you smile. This was clearly one of Ranbir's most challenging and excellent performances till date. And, this song is enough to make your day.



Sadda Haq - Rockstar
Ah! My anthem. I absolutely swear by this one helluva incredible track, composed by the ace AR Rahman and performed beautifully by Mohit Chauhan. As Jordan in Rockstar, RK was in top form. Again, an album with way too many favourites. Tough to choose, but we had to pick one.

Dilliwali Girlfriend - Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

Trust me, it's not easy to pick a favourite from an album that's as amazing as YJHD! While the heart goes with Balam Pichkari, the head clearly had other plans. Dilliwali Girlfriend won because of it's fabulous choreography (Yes! I loved it) and sizzling chemistry between the lead pair, Ranbir and Deepika. Also, this film is pure love! You can't help but watch it on repeat.

Matargashti - Tamasha
I don't care if this sounds repetitive, but it is extremely difficult to choose a favourite from such wonderful film albums! The film happens to be one of my favourite films from 2015, and I stand by everything positive that I had tweeted about the film (not the one to change stands. nope). Tamasha was beautiful and once again, Ranbir and Deepika stole the show with their unmatchable chemistry. While both Matargashti and Agar Tum Saath Ho are superb compositions, the former won purely because of it's fun value. This is one happy number, and is perfect to take your mood to the next level on a dull, boring day!

Ae Dil Hai Mushkil - Title Track

And what's a Birthday special list without the latest chartbuster? The ADHM title track, composed by Pritam, is literally EVERYWHERE - rickshaws, phones, YouTube trend list, radio, television and even on little pop-up ads that appear on websites. The song went on to receive more than 8 million views in just a day. People can't seem to get enough of this melodious track, and of course, Ranbir's fresh pairing with the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Needless to say, the track set social media trends on fire, and deservingly so.

What's your favourite Ranbir Kapoor track? Leave a comment below or join the conversation on Twitter! And once again, here's wishing Ranbir a fantastic birthday.

Love,
The Dancebee

Ratnagiri - the land of Lord Parshurama. A beautiful district that houses scenic mountains and clean, virgin beaches. Situated on the Arabian coast, Ratnagiri is a part of the Konkan division; a place that has my heart (and soul). While most tourists and non-Maharashtrians think of Ratnagiri only when the Alphonso season arrives, there is more to this marvellous district than you could think of. Of late, several tourists have begun flocking to this district on long weekends, to soak in some sunshine and laze around on the virgin beaches (though, I secretly pray and hope they don't turn into another Calangute. Some tourists can certainly do with travel manners. Stop littering, please). As we celebrate World Tourism Day, I take this opportunity to talk about a district [and division of Mahahrashtra] that is close to my heart. A two part Feature series and detailed guide, that will help you plan your next trip to Ratnagiri, with must visit areas and more.


Beaches
Well known for it's long coastline and quiet, calm ambience, Ratnagiri beaches are a far cry from the commercial beaches that you often get to see. Take your pick from a variety of beaches including Bhatye, Ganpatipule, and the twin beaches - Aare, Ware.

Bhatye: Hardly 2kms away from the main city. The sight of white sand on one side and tall trees on the other is enough to let your stressful mind attain some peach.

Image captured outside Bhatye Beach using a regular point and shoot camera, while traveling in a car at 40kmph

Aare-Ware: For those who love scenic views, Aare-Ware is the place to be. Stunning view of the long coastline awaits, as you walk ahead. For photography lovers, drive along the Ganpatipule route and halt at the Aare-Ware junction on the top of the hill. Quench your thirst with a glass of home-made Kokam sarbat and click away. One end of the beach also houses some water sports facilities.


Mandvi: For commercial beach lovers, the Mandvi or Kala Samudra beach is a must visit, complete with food stalls, rides and one of a kind black sand beach.

Shot taken from Mandvi beach, moments before the fishermen wind up for the day

Temples 
Ratnagiri is home to some of the most popular and ancient temples. Spiritual tourists can dedicate an entire day to temple visits, and drive back feeling divine. Some of the most popular temples include the Mahakali temple at Adivare, Ganpati temple at Ganpatipule, the Pawas temple among others. Ratnagiri is also one of the rare districts in India that houses a temple dedicated to Lord Surya aka Sun.

Mahakali temple, Adivare: One of the oldest and most popular temples in Ratnagiri, the Mahakali temple [home to Goddess Kali] is situated approximately 35kms away from the main city, in a village called Adivare. Hundreds of devotees visit the temple daily, while the numbers hit over a lakh during the Navratri festival. The main temple area also houses two separate sanctum sanatoriums for Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Laxmi. Several celebrities are known visit the temple during their work trip to Ratnagiri.

Insider Tip: Take a halt at the tea centre situated next to the temple. They serve some lip smacking Vada Pav, Spicy Kanda Bhaji and cutting chai.

Captured during the temple renovation process, approximately 2 years ago

While major parts of the temple were renovated, these ancient murals on the ceiling remain intact and have been given a colour makeover. These murals depict Hindu mythological stories

The newly renovated temple area, including a dedicated space for Navratri Havan

Swami Swaroopanand Temple, Pawas: A beautiful temple nestled in the quiet lanes of a village named Pawas, the Swami Swarupanand Temple is approximately 20kms away from Ratnagiri. Located inside a well maintained complex, the temple houses Swami's samadhi, as well as a beautiful idol of Lord Vitthal and Rakhumai. Several copies of the popular holy text - Gnayeshwari, as kept inside the temple. It is said, that you can pick up a copy and randomly open any page. The verses on that particular page shall have the perfect answer to a misery, doubt or problem faced by you. I have personally done this on several occasions, and trust me, it has worked. This is no superstition, but a matter of pure faith. Also, Dnayeshwari in general is a wonderful book. The trust serves delicious Khichdi as part of their Mahaprasad during lunch hours, everyday.

Insider Tip: Head to Vijay's opposite the temple complex, and stock up on your favourite Mango based food products.

Image Credit: Ratnagiri Info

Ganpatipule: A destination that is slowly becoming a favourite among Maharashtra and Gujarat based tourists, Ganpatipule is a small village located on the Konkan coastline. The village is well known for it's popular, wish fulfilling Ganesha temple, which is located on a beach which goes by the same name. This temple faces the Arabian sea, and a coastline, which is breathtakingly beautiful. The Swayambhu (self originated) idol placed inside the sanctum sanatorium is 400 years old. Instead of the usual temple pradiksahana, devotees perform a pradikshana via a special marg around the hill behind this temple. This distance of this marg is approximately one kilometre and the surroundings are absolutely beautiful. After a peaceful darshan at the temple, you can relax by the beach side. Sample some of the local Kanda Bhaji, Thalipeeth, or savour the never-ending fresh Coconut Water. With the popularity, the Ganpatipule beach has fast become a commercial area (at least, from what I have been noticing since the last decade). A sincere request to everyone though - please don't litter or leave the temple & beach premises dirty. Seeing the beach in a mess is such an eyesore!

Insider Tip: If you are around during Lunch time, don't leave without savouring the Bhog prasad (post afternoon Aarti, till 2 pm). The khichdi and fresh mango pickle served here is to die for!


That's it for this part of the feature! In the next part, we shall explore some exciting sight seeing destinations and also fill you in with complete details on stay, travel and the areas to sample local cuisines.

Images Credit [except Swami Swaroopanand temple]: From the author's personal collection


Love,
The Dancebee

Banjo, the musical drama directed by acclaimed National award winning director Ravi Jadhav, has all the colours of celebration. The film celebrates the talent of street musicians who are god-gifted, but cannot pursue their dreams as they are trapped in their socio-economic conditions.  This musical drama is set with the background of festivals depicting banjo as an integral part of people’s celebration. Ritesh Deshmukh (as Taraat) takes the centre stage with his gang and the hero of the film - the instrument 'Banjo', setting the energy quotient high in the opening of the film.  

Plot of the film revolves around the musical journey of Taraat and his banjo group, who go through all the hardships and hurdles to make it big. Nargis Fakhri has a musical connection when it comes to her films, as she always remains the central chord of the musicians heart, be it Rockstar or in this case, Banjo. She plays a musician from New York who comes all the way to Mumbai in search of a banjo group. The film highlights the fact that an artist should be respected irrespective of his background, the place he comes from or his appearance and should be judged purely on the grounds of talent.  

Ravi Jadhav never fails to impress us with his visual treatment, as his story telling is always knitted with metaphors and symbolism. Vishal-Shekhar’s music is pulsating as every song has built the emotional graph in the film. Right from the opening to the final crescendo, you will be addicted to the theme music of banjo. It is refreshing to see Ritesh in a never seen before character. The dialogues are catchy, which give a decent pace to the film. You leave the theatre feeling happy and content (at least I surely did), as you watch dreams being fulfilled. 

Verdict: This is Riteish Deshmukh's musical treat all the way! Watch it.

Have you watched Banjo? Share your feedback with us in the comment box below or join the conversation on Twitter

That we cannot take our eyes off the rosy glow on her face is obvious. But, another aspect that really stood in the last couple of weeks is Kareena Kapoor Khan's choice of outfits. Ever since she confirmed her pregnancy, Bebo has been given every to-be mommy some serious maternity style goals. Not that she never surprised us with her sartorial choices before, but her mommy to-be outfits are seriously a notch above. Little or no make up [with the exception of a bold or nude lipstick in some cases], right choice of silhouettes and the perfect accessories; Kareena is clearly nailing it. Here's a look at some of our favourite looks sported by the charming begum, who turns 36 today.

1. In H&M for Global Citizen Event
Do you have a favourite outfit from the birthday girl's maternity special wardrobe? Join the conversation on Twitter.

Here's wishing Bollywood's gorgeous begum and the amazingly charming - Kareena Kapoor Khan, a very happy and blessed birthday!

Love,
The Dancebee

Okay! I confess. This post has been demanded by several readers and it was super delayed by some weeks. But, better late than never. MAC Cosmetics launched their exclusive Vibe Tribe range in around end of July / early August. Within a few days, most items were out of stock. I mean, just look at that packaging and colours. How can anyone resist? We were introduced to some products earlier last month. I must add that one of these products met with an unfortunate accident a day before this product shoot. A little kid made his way into my vanity area [when I was not around] and broke a few pieces of make up, including this Gleamtones Powder pan. Naturally, I was disappointed and very angry, but it didn't help as the damage was done. Fortunately, I had experienced the product well enough for this review. Now that I am done with the side story, here's what we think about the range.

What? - MAC Cosmetics Vibe Tribe range 

Products: Gleamtones Powder, MAC Vibe Tribe lipstick

Price: $33 / Rs 2600 - MAC Gleamtones Powder

$18 - MAC Vibe Tribe Lipstick

Packaging: Gorgeous, to say the least! The entire range comes in an exclusive packaging, which has peach as it's base colour, with colourful aztec prints all over. A dash of blue here and a hint of coral there; the MAC vibe tribe range packaging is simply perfect. For most make up lovers, it was the packaging that scored a perfect 10, followed by other aspects of the product.

MAC Vibe Tribe Gleamtones Powder - Dunes at Dusk: A beautiful highlighter and bronzer, the MAC vibe tribe gleam tones powder comes with four blocks of shades - coral, tangerine, champagne and bronze, packed in an eye catching compact. Swirl the brush and blend those hues to get a nice sheen. Likewise, you can also use the shade / blend the shades that match your skin tone. Personally, I prefer blending the four shades together to achieve the perfect look. What I really like about this product is the fact that it serves as a highlighter palette, which helps especially when you've got an occasion where traveling is involved. Instead of carrying around multiple shades to get best results, the Gleamtones powder is all you need. For the price you pay, this is certainly a very good buy. 

I have swatched three shades from the palette, which includes [L to R] champagne, peach / radiant coral and a cool fuchsia. Unfortunately, the bronze shade was completely damaged. Apologies for not being able to swatch it for you.

MAC Vibe Tribe Lipstick [Shade - Painted Sunset] -  Most of you already know that I am a huge fan of bold lips. My vanity area is filled with a variety of bold hued lipsticks. I fell in love with this shade ever since it's launch and overtime, this has become one of my favourite lipsticks. The collection includes five shades, and this shade is one of them. Painted Sunset is a bright orange - red amplified lipstick, with a creamy finish that does not leave your lips feeling dry and glides on like a dream. Two swipes of this gorgeous colour and you are good to go for at least 4-5 hours. I swear by this shade on most gloomy days [it's been this way in Mumbai since sometime now]. Nothing like a gorgeous lipstick to uplift your mood and brighten up the day. Also, this is just the kind of a lipstick that you would wanna wear to Coachella. Hell Yeah!

So, here's the look I created using these two products. This was clicked on the last day of Lakmè Fashion Week W/F 2016, held in Mumbai last month. Here's how I created this look: 

On my face: MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation in NC 40 

MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation [for setting]

Eyes: MAC Liquid Eyeliner in Boot Black

Brows: MAC Eyebrows in Stylised

Lips: MAC Vibe Tribe - Painted Sunset

Highlighter: MAC Vibe Tribe Gleam Tones Powder [blending four shades]

Verdict: Beautiful packaging, good mix of colourful blushes, eye pencils, VFM worthy highlighter palette, fun nail lacquers and super pigmented lipsticks; the MAC vibe tribe range is everything that we could ask for, and more. This one's the perfect collector's delight!

Have you tried any product from this range? Let us know your feedback on Twitter.

Love,

The Dancebee

From the opening scene of the film till the climax, Bengali film director Aniruddha Roy Chaudhary’s debut hindi social thriller - Pink, which hits the screens tomorrow, will keep you hooked on to your seat. The film, produced by Shoojit Sircar, speaks about an important and relevant issue in our society. The message in this film is conveyed and presented with an impact, which will remain with you for a long time, even after you leave the cinema hall. There are many films made on social issues concerning women, but the courtroom drama in Pink makes it outstanding an outstanding cinematic experience.

The story revolves around three girls who get trapped into a situation with the rich brats compelling them to fight a battle for their dignity as women. Casting of the film is bang on. Tapsee Pannu (as Minal), Kirti Kulhari (as Falak) and Andrea Tariang’s (as Andrea) stellar performances will make you feel connected to their characters throughout the film.  Of course, the film is incomplete without Amitabh Bachchan, as he is the soul and heart of Pink.  He is the mystery piece in the first half, who weaves the film together in the end with his closing statement. Pink churns you emotionally - making you feel scared, angry, sympathetic, helpless and finally, victorious. 

Pace of the film is slightly slow, while the story has an unsettling mood throughout. There are very few dialogues in the first half, which keeps the curiosity intact as to what has really gone wrong in the film. A special mention for the costumes, that helped add a layer to the characters. In the second half of the film, when the main female characters are interrogated in the witness box, they have been dressed in light pastel colors, thus making a strong point of the characters being suppressed. Ritesh Shah's screenplay and dialogues form the backbone of this film, making it gripping. The film highlights some of the screwed notions in our Indian society surrounding women and men, making it an eye opener, especially when it comes to women safety.  

Whether you decide to watch Pink alone, with friends, family or neighbours; we simply suggest that you watch it at least once! Highly recommended.  

Verdict: Pink is a must watch! And remember, don’t judge the colour by its appearance. 

Share your feedback on the film with us by leaving a comment below or join the conversation on Twitter!

Nitya Mehra’s directorial debut Baar Baar Dekho has the perfect recipe for a typical Bollywood movie - good looking cast, sizzling chemistry between the pair, catchy music, exotic locales and a love story. What it does miss is that magic or 'super spark' that one would have expected after watching the trailer and promos over the last couple of months.

Jai Verma (Sidharth Malhotra) and Diya Kapoor (Katrina Kaif) are your quintessential rom-com movie couple - absolute opposites, but still so much in love. Jai is a mathematical genius, a man of logic and solutions while Diya is an artist, extremely happy-go-lucky and all about living in the moment. As credits roll out, the film opens with the beautiful and soulful “Kho Gaye Tum Kaha”, sung by Jasleen Royal and Prateek Kuhad. The song has been penned by the latter and really does warm the tingles of your heart.

The movie takes its audience through a 30 year journey of Jai and Diya’s life, as they experience the circle of life. While the first half focuses on all the things that could go wrong in their relationship, the second half takes a cheerful turn. There is a bit of back and forth in time, while Jai tries to make things right. The movie is not focusing on science fiction or time travel, but just highlights the ups and downs in any relationship experienced by a couple (even if you aren’t as beautiful or charismatic looking as these two).

Of the performances on screen, Kaif looks gorgeous through her 30 years of life, even at her 40 something, the woman is a stunner. Malhotra emotes and performs well. Must give Sid some serious credit, as a large part of the film rests on his young shoulders and needless to say, he does good justice to his role. Sayani Gupta [her last release - Fan] playing Chitra, was a bit of a surprise spark. Although she had very little screen time, she did her bit of leaving a mark. 

The music was bang on, as expected and everybody looked great. Baar Baar Dekho has it's share of wonderful moments that stay with you. But overall, it falls into the category of films that takes some time to settle into the system. We would say, go and dekho ek baar. That's it!

Verdict: Baar Baar Dekho is a foot-tapping, beautiful looking one time watch, that brings with it some fine performances!

Share your feedback on #BaarBaarDekho with us on Twitter at @priyaadivarekar

How different is Baar Baar Dekho from other romantic films that you have done in the past?

It's an extremely emotional love story, which is told in a new way and is not a linear story. While most people are talking about the time travel part, it's not as much about that as it is about Jai and Diya's relationship. It spans from the time they are 8, all the way up to turning 60. Baar Baar Dekho explores the different stages of relationship an individual goes through - right from dating, to getting married, settling down with family and the problems faced during all these phases. The film is definitely gonna be a new experience for the audience. 

Fan Question

What was it about your character (Diya) that attracted you the most and made you take up this film?

Thank you for the question, guys. I have always believed that when the story and character connects with me, it has the potential to connect with others as well. I think Diya is certainly one of the best characters I have played on screen. She is extremely relatable, someone who every girl or woman can associate with. Also, I can relate to Diya in more ways than one. Like I said, the main reason I took up Baar Baar Dekho was the fact that several moments in the film were very close to my life and relatable. I could connect to Diya's feelings in the film. For me, Diya is one of the most challenging, deep and emotionally expressive characters that I have played till date.

Do you think the physicality of an actor plays an important role in making a character memorable?

Physicality, costumes and glamour gets a lot of attention during the promotional stage. Since the trailer and songs are almost around 2 mins long, these things quickly catch your eye and helps make an instantaneous connect. But, when you see the film, the audience walks out with emotions and the character's overall personality. Not just the physicality.

Diya is one of the most challenging, deep and emotionally expressive characters that I have played till date.

Looking back at your journey in Bollywood, is there any phase where you felt you had hit a low or did not perform as per expectations? If yes, how did you work on getting back on track.

Honestly, it's extremely difficult to dissect your own career. But, if I look back at my journey, the only thing I have done is work hard and allowed destiny to play it's role. I am a big believer in destiny. There was probably just a small phase where I wasn't able to focus on my work, and I know that very well. But, I believe that it's important to give your best in everything that you do. I have done my best in every film or project that I have worked on. It's important to know that there will always be someone out there who will be better than you. But, you should go home knowing that you had given your best. Your competition should always be with yourself. The moment you think that things are not going as per your expectations, you must pull yourself up and start working hard towards your goal. I always believe in this!

If you could go back and change something about yourself, what would it be?

I would go back and tell myself to worry less and not stress too much. I tend to take too much stress sometimes. I have realised that one must learn to be easy on themselves. You may have done your best and probably, something may have gone wrong here or there. But, that's okay! Sometimes, it is necessary to let go. Be easy on yourself and others.

So, does failure affect you in anyway? Does it leave you feeling stressed, especially about your next films?

I don't stress over failure. If a film doesn't work, that's the way it is. It was probably the wrong choice or a film that didn't connect with the audience. There are people who say things like, "Oh! It was a commercial success." or  "That was a glamorous hit." Personally, I think there are just two ways to look at a film - either it's a hit or a flop. In my career, I have done some films where the audience hasn't felt a connect. And I completely respect that. For me, the audience can never be wrong. The productive way to look at failure is to learn from it and see how you can make things better next time.

Fan Question

If given a chance, which moment from your life would you like to relive or dekho 'baar baar'?

 That's an interesting question, Rita. But, I try not to hold on to one moment for long or get attached to it. So, I can't really pick any one moment as such. But, I think my career and the whole experience in this film industry has been mostly of immense happiness. So, that would definitely be the one (smiles).

The moment you think that things are not going as per your expectations, you must pull yourself up and start working hard towards your goal. 

Image Credit: GQ India magazine

Fan Question

You recently took the plunge and joined social media. What made you choose Facebook for your social media debut?

Honestly, I realised that it was necessary for me to have a platform where I could connect with my fans and have a voice. Otherwise, a lot of times, certain sections of the media decides to throw up a lot of things about you, which they think is very newsworthy. Almost everyone is now on a social media platform, so I too felt the need to have a place where I can share something, whether a trivia or piece of news. So, that's how Facebook happened. Twitter is definitely a part of our next plan and is very much on our agenda. My team is looking at it, but I don't really know when it will happen. 

Love,
The Dancebee

“Opposites attract, and I think temperament is so fundamental that you end up craving someone of the opposite temperament to complete you.” – Susan Cain

As believers of the scientifically proven theory that opposites do attract, we completely swear by American writer Cain’s belief. And not just us. One look at some of our favorite Bollywood couples, and you will realise that the most successful relationships have had couples with personalities that are poles apart. What’s a relationship without some sugar and spice? Nobody likes ‘em all sweet or spicy anyway. After all, even a 2013 research by Columbia University has proved that couples who agree with each other all the time may find that they are actually too close for comfort. Nah! We would prefer to keep it exciting instead.

Don’t believe us? Well, we give you 7 reasons why opposites attract and that too, for good!

When we stumbled upon the first few episodes of SonyLIV’s latest offering – Lost & Found, our faith in this age old concept of relationships was restored. The perfect tale of unexpected love, where opposites attract in the most bizarre turn of incidents. One look at this web series and you can’t help but agree - when opposites attract, happy ending toh banta hain boss!

Do you have something to say about ‘opposites’ in a relationship? Share your thoughts in the comments box below or join the conversation on Twitter with #LostAndFound.

Love,

The Dancebee