ABHISHEK BACHCHAN SERVES CUTTING CHAI
THE ASIAN AGE (JUN 2003)
By Skimmy Gupta
It’s a jet lagged Abhishek Bachchan that met the press for the promotion of his next release, director Soraj Barjatiya’s Mein Prem Ki Diwani Hoon. Just back from a shooting spell in Montreal, Canada, Skimmy Gupta decided to spice up the interview with some mouth watering questions.
It’s a tradition with the junior Bachchan to make tea for the unit of the film he is shooting for. From Refugee to his last release Om Jai Jagadish, the unit wallas have had a taste of the cutting chai with ginger and cardamom that AB makes. However with the Rajshris, the actor went one step forward. Known for his unhealthy diet which does not include fruit and vegetables, Sooraj and Abhishek had a bet. While the actor would try to convince his staunch vegetarian director to try out the non vegetarian delights, the director would enthuse his actor to eat vegetables. A grueling schedule in New Zealand saw Abhishek sample greens and more greens, while Sooraj refused to be tempted. However, the actor on the request of the unit members did go ahead and make mutton curry. A delicacy that is AB’s speciality.
The New Zealand outdoor shoot was painful for the junior Bachchan. While his co-stars, Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor enjoyed all sorts of adventure sports like bungee jumping and scuba diving, which was part of the script, Abhishek had to sit on the periphery. Perhaps a punishment for him, as his pranks on the set, drove the sedate and composed director crazy.
Joining him in creating mischief on the sets was his refugee heroine, Kareena. The two would gang up and pull pranks on the unit members. And in one instance, Sooraj fired Abhishek and then spent the next two hours apologizing.
And not many know that this prestigious project almost slipped from Abhishek’s hand. He received a call from Sooraj almost three years back when he was shooting in Hyderabad. The actor thinking it was a prank by one of his friends hung up on Sooraj, saying, “ya sure, you are Sooraj Barjatiya” and promptly hung up. After 5 minutes when the film maker once again called up, it was a very bashful Abhishek Bachchan who apologized and then went ahead to sign the film.
With just two weeks for the release of his film, Abhishek admits he is nervous and excited. And although astrologers and numerologists have advised him to drop the Bachchan surname from his name to achieve success, the actor is affronted at such a suggestion. He says, “This is a legacy of my grandfather and father who have worked hard to establish this name and I am very proud of it. No ways am I going to drop it.”
Following the release of Mein Prem Ki Diwani Hoon by a week is his Mumbai Se aaya Mera Dost and then Kuch Na Kaho. Currently the actor has five films on the floor. And if Sooraj Barjatiya’s film can turn the tide in his favour, 2003 will be Abhishek Bachchan’s to conquer.
===========================================
By Skimmy Gupta
It’s a jet lagged Abhishek Bachchan that met the press for the promotion of his next release, director Soraj Barjatiya’s Mein Prem Ki Diwani Hoon. Just back from a shooting spell in Montreal, Canada, Skimmy Gupta decided to spice up the interview with some mouth watering questions.
It’s a tradition with the junior Bachchan to make tea for the unit of the film he is shooting for. From Refugee to his last release Om Jai Jagadish, the unit wallas have had a taste of the cutting chai with ginger and cardamom that AB makes. However with the Rajshris, the actor went one step forward. Known for his unhealthy diet which does not include fruit and vegetables, Sooraj and Abhishek had a bet. While the actor would try to convince his staunch vegetarian director to try out the non vegetarian delights, the director would enthuse his actor to eat vegetables. A grueling schedule in New Zealand saw Abhishek sample greens and more greens, while Sooraj refused to be tempted. However, the actor on the request of the unit members did go ahead and make mutton curry. A delicacy that is AB’s speciality.
The New Zealand outdoor shoot was painful for the junior Bachchan. While his co-stars, Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor enjoyed all sorts of adventure sports like bungee jumping and scuba diving, which was part of the script, Abhishek had to sit on the periphery. Perhaps a punishment for him, as his pranks on the set, drove the sedate and composed director crazy.
Joining him in creating mischief on the sets was his refugee heroine, Kareena. The two would gang up and pull pranks on the unit members. And in one instance, Sooraj fired Abhishek and then spent the next two hours apologizing.
And not many know that this prestigious project almost slipped from Abhishek’s hand. He received a call from Sooraj almost three years back when he was shooting in Hyderabad. The actor thinking it was a prank by one of his friends hung up on Sooraj, saying, “ya sure, you are Sooraj Barjatiya” and promptly hung up. After 5 minutes when the film maker once again called up, it was a very bashful Abhishek Bachchan who apologized and then went ahead to sign the film.
With just two weeks for the release of his film, Abhishek admits he is nervous and excited. And although astrologers and numerologists have advised him to drop the Bachchan surname from his name to achieve success, the actor is affronted at such a suggestion. He says, “This is a legacy of my grandfather and father who have worked hard to establish this name and I am very proud of it. No ways am I going to drop it.”
Following the release of Mein Prem Ki Diwani Hoon by a week is his Mumbai Se aaya Mera Dost and then Kuch Na Kaho. Currently the actor has five films on the floor. And if Sooraj Barjatiya’s film can turn the tide in his favour, 2003 will be Abhishek Bachchan’s to conquer.
===========================================
Labels: Entertainment
posted by Skimmy @ June 04, 2008
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