How to Handle a Break-Up

Katrina Kaif seems to have decided that she’s not going to let the break-up with Ranbir Kapoor pull her down. She reportedly went into a shell following the failure of Fitoor recently, avoiding all public engagements (even cancelling a cover shoot for the anniversary issue of a fashion glossy at the last minute), choosing only to step out when she had to be on the sets. During this understandably difficult time she completed filming Baar Baar Dekho with

Sidharth Malhotra, and even participated in a schedule of Jagga Jasoos with Ranbir. She stayed away from parties, movie trials, and other such gatherings where the press would be in attendance.

Until last weekend that is, when she stepped out looking nothing short of stunning for a style awards event. Predictably, pesky film reporters could not resist an attempt to make her squirm…by asking her to talk about Jagga Jasoos and about working with Ranbir, “who is one of the most talented actors in the industry today”. Commendably, Katrina responded to the question with Zen-like calm, acknowledging that Jagga had been in the making for a while, but she was excited about it “because Anurag Basu is one of the most exciting directors we have in the film industry.” No mention of Ranbir, no awkward fumbling, she handled it like a pro.

Now to survive the film’s whirlwind promotions when the actors, likely paired together for interviews, will be repeatedly inundated with questions on their split. Good luck.

Bad Move

There’s only question that everyone— Bollywood insiders, and the rest of the Bollywood-obsessed world—seems to be asking with regards to the ugly legal flare up between Hrithik Roshan and Kangana Ranaut: why did the Krrish star have to send the actress a legal notice for referring to him as “a silly ex”? What’s more, she didn’t even name him; he drew that inference himself.

Whatever the reason, battle lines have been drawn and friends and family are being expected to take sides. Not surprisingly there’s a sizeable wave of support for Hrithik, but refreshingly there are many siding with Kangana too, appalled at the ‘bullying tactics’ being employed to silence her. Publicly, however, no one will speak.

“It’s fairly clear what has happened. A relationship has gone sour. But this is not the way to handle it,” says a prominent filmmaker, on condition of anonymity. “Washing one’s dirty linen in public is the biggest disservice that you can do to yourself, especially in this age of the Internet. Everything is permanent now.” While insisting that he doesn’t want to take sides, the filmmaker says Hrithik should’ve exercised some discretion before “attacking” Kangana and insinuating that she had been behaving erratically because she suffered from Asperger’s Syndrome. “Bad move.”

A recent theory that has gathered momentum alludes to Hrithik’s blossoming relationship with an old childhood friend, and her family’s insistence that he ‘clean up his corner’ before embarking on new adventures of the heart.

Men Can Be Catty Too

This beefcake star who prides himself on charting his own journey in Bollywood can’t hide his contempt for a top producer whom he still hasn’t forgiven for quickly tiring of him when his star faded. The actor has told friends that the filmmaker stopped casting him when his career hit a rough patch, despite them being good friends.

Speaking about a sports film that the producer released recently, the actor has said it was exactly the kind of project that should’ve come to him. But just as well that it didn’t he pointed out, given that the film turned out to be a box-office turkey. He even singled out the ‘pretty boy’ star of the film and remarked that the only thing that this movie did for the actor was “show the world his stretch marks”.

And they said women were catty!

About The Author

Rajeev Masand

•