The Curious Delay

The Curious Delay • I Am like That Only • Still Waters Run Deep

The minute Fox Star India announced it was moving the release of Anurag Kashyap’s jazz-age epic Bombay Velvet from its December 2014 release to May 2015, conspiracy theories began floating about the possible reasons for the sudden shift. Fox, for its part, had made it clear that the film’s extensive VFX work would not be complete in time to make the December release date , but gossipmongers insisted the film hadn’t shaped up the way it was intended to, and that a major re-edit was in the works. According to one story, the film’s leading man Ranbir Kapoor came out disappointed from a screening and had demanded that Anurag polish the film before putting it out for the world to see. Another theory is that Fox wants some ‘breathing space’ between Bang Bang! and Bombay Velvet as both are Rs 100-crore plus projects.

However, one man who has nothing but praise for the film is Oscar-winning Bosnian filmmaker Danis Tanovic, who told me he’s seen the film and that it’s “brilliant”. Tanovic— whose debut film, the war satire No Man’s Land, beat Lagaan to take the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2001—is in India currently, wrapping up post-production on his latest film Tigers, a whistleblower story set in Pakistan and starring Emraan Hashmi.

Tanovic has been a friend of Anurag for some years now, and was introduced to his leading man by the Gangs of Wasseypur director himself. Tanovic reveals that he watched a cut of Bombay Velvet recently, and says, “Anurag has made his most ambitious film yet.” He does add that “the film needs pruning” but believes that it’s “the most visually accomplished film” he’s seen in a while.

I Am like That Only

Sonam Kapoor admits she can be quite daft sometimes. Quiz her about that outrageous comment she made on Koffee With Karan earlier this year— you know the one: “People who’re not good looking are generally considered good actors”—and she sportingly accepts that it was “my bimbo side speaking”.

The Khoobsurat star, however, insists she didn’t get a chance to explain what she meant exactly. “I was trying to say that it’s such a stereotype that if you’re good-looking you’re not considered a good actor. But anyone who doesn’t fit the conventional definition of good- looking is usually labelled a good actor. It’s an unfair stereotype, not to mention one that isn’t even true,” she clarifies.

That careless comment got her flak from many quarters, including from Kangana Ranaut, who, hot off the success of Queen, was evidently offended. “What does Sonam mean exactly?” Kangana had asked. “Am I ugly, or not a good actress?”

While she’s willing to accept that she needs to be more careful so she’s not misunderstood or misinterpreted, Sonam also feels people shouldn’t take everything she says so seriously. “I’m clearly a misfit in this industry. I’ve been one since the time I came here.” She says everything about her is usually frowned upon, including her choice of films. “But I don’t know how to be any other way.”

Still Waters Run Deep

This young heartthrob star is notching up hits playing the strong, silent lover. He’s mostly shy and introverted off screen too. But those who know him closely reveal that “like any other normal under-30 bachelor, he enjoys playing the field”. During an overseas awards weekend a few months ago, the ladykiller reportedly got lucky with not one but two pretty actresses. The first, apparently, is a classically trained dancer- turned-heroine who’s had more success in ensemble movies than as a leading lady. The second is an art-house favourite. Eye-witnesses say both ladies flirted outrageously with the good-looking young man, and each was rewarded with some “private time” with the hunk.

Weeks later, while he was promoting a new movie he’d made, he bumped into one of the ladies again when she was hosting an event where he was committed to show up. It was an awkward encounter apparently, as neither had much to say to the other, and particularly because he wasn’t alone, but was accompanied by his female co-star from the film. Polite but uncomfortable hellos were exchanged before both slunk away embarrassed.

There have been other stories of his partying hard with firang visitors and leggy models, but for the most part the actor has managed to hold on to his ‘single’ reputation… never mind what goes on where prying eyes don’t reach.

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Rajeev Masand

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