In the weeks prior to the show, we set Zee Premiere’s intrepid reporter Kevin Rego a mission… to talk to two of our fabulous Bollywood stars to find out what they are looking forward to at this year’s Zee TV Asia Live!…
Twinkle is so excited that there will be loads of Indian food stalls, because she loves her Desi Khana. “I love spicy Indian food. My favourite remains Paneer Makhni and Palak Paneer,” she says and sounds delighted when she is told that Sanjeev Kapoor from Khana Khazana will be around to prepare those dishes for her at the exhibition.
Twinkle also has a word of advice to those intending to make it big in Bollywood. “It’s a very risky profession. I am not saying that they should not take the plunge, but what they should do is have an alternate source of income to support themselves, if they don’t have that,” she continues, “then it can be very draining not only to their pocket but also to their self esteem, as it is a struggle,” she says.
Her career is also looking up. She has two films which will be released soon which she eagerly anticipates. “There’s JODI NO.1, with GOVINDA and SANJAY DUTT, and a Ramu Gopal film with FARDEEN, SONALI and AFTAB called JACKPOT. I really am looking forward to these releases,” says Twinkle.
What about films with Sunil Shetty, the other Zee TV Asia Live! guest?
“There is one film we are doing together, which will be directed by Mahesh Manjrekar,” she says.
Any message to her fans in the U.K.? “Yes, please tell them that I look forward to seeing them at Zee TV Asia Live! It’s all going to be good fun,” she says. We certainly agree to that.
“I am so excited, I just cannot wait to be there!” she screams ecstatically on the telephone from Mumbai. Twinkle Khanna is delighted to be invited to the biggest Asian culture and lifestyle event in Britain — Zee TV Asia Live!
“I love London. I have been coming here every summer as a kid and it’s one city in the world that I cannot get lost in,” she says, still sounding like an excited little girl, who has just got her new doll.
“London is my favourite city in the world. I shot here for JAB PYAR KISI SE HOTA HAI with SALMAN KHAN and there’s this new film with GOVINDA and DAVID DHAWAN on the cards,” she adds. “Oh, and I love to shop in New Bond Street.”
Single, suave and sexy, Twinkle made her debut in BARSAAT with BOBBY DEOL a few years ago. Since then, she has starred in a number of films including the recent “MELA” with AAMIR KHAN, where she had an author backed role of a damsel in distress. Although the film bombed, Twinkle’s performance was appreciated, and she now has quite a few films in her kitty.
But on October 13th, 14th and 15th she will take a break from film shoots to attend this Asian showcase. “At Zee TV Asia Live! I am going to mix with my fans, sign autographs and stay as long as possible for all the 3 days,” says Twinkle. “I have always been an admirer of the Asian culture here. I really do feel so much like home when I am here,” she chuckles.
Besides food there will also be stalls on health and beauty, something that Twinkle is very conscious about. “I used to be plump before,” she laughs, “but now I am on a high protein diet. Although I still have a lot of fruit and drink a lot of water, I also run a lot — at least 5 miles everyday on the beach since you don’t need any fancy equipment but just a pair of keds,” she advises. It certainly shows, Twinkle is one of the few actresses with a stunning figure in the film industry. She is looking forward to the judging of Zee’s search for the Asian Face of the Year, the modelling competition organised in association with top agency So Dam Tuff.
Sunil, along with Salman Khan has been instrumental in getting actors physique-conscious. His physique is admired in the industry and he admits it’s an effort. Says Sunil, “I am not heavily into weights anymore. I use a lot of the treadmill right now, control carbohydrates and am also on a high protein diet, which helps me control my health and weight.”
Sunil is glad that at Zee TV Asia Live! there will be a special focus on food. “I am a fish-eater,” he confesses, “however I love my dal-chawal, fish and roti,” he says.
Sunil’s fashion boutiques in Mumbai are also a huge success. “The MISCHIEF remains the favourite store for his colleagues in the industry. His keen eye for fashion means that at Zee TV Asia Live! Sunil will be hoping to meet the designers who will be displaying a range of clothing everyday during the fashion shows. “There is a huge market for Asian clothes worldwide,” says Sunil. “It will be very interesting to witness these fashion shows,” he adds.
With his simplicity and down-to-earth approach, Sunil along with Twinkle is bound to win the hearts of one and all at the exhibition.
Macho-man Sunil Shetty is delighted to be coming back to London once again. “I have just returned from there after shooting for a film with KAJOL. I’m looking forward to meeting my fans at the show,” says Sunil, who believes that this exhibition will highlight growing Asian culture in Britain. “I think the concept of Zee TV Asia Live! is an excellent one. It will showcase Asian lifestyle and culture and of course, talent which they have in abundance,” says Sunil.
Bollywood’s own Arnie is riding a new high, with three hits in a row (HERA PHERI, REFUGEE and DHADKAN) and producers are once again lining up at his doorstep. Sunil Shetty has seen it all happen before and is keeping his cool. It’s 10.30 p.m. and he sounds exhausted. “I have been shooting since 6 a.m. this morning, but I enjoy my job,” he says, his voice sounding faint.
Success has played hide and seek with his career ever since he stormed the box office with his powerhouse performance in his debut film “BALWAAN”. But Sunil has a word of advice to those wanting to succeed in tinsel town: “You have to be sincere and put in a lot of hard work. There is a lot happening around and anything is possible once you are focused,” says the star who remains one of the few to make it big in the industry without a Godfather.
Health: “It’s an important factor which gets ignored,” he says and then reveals his secret. “It’s getting into the right kind of habits — breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dinner like a pauper,” says Sunil.
But he’s more than just an actor. Sunil who likes to be known as a businessman-actor is slowly spreading his entrepreneurial skills — from fashion to amusement centres and on to food. And with Khana Khazana chef Sanjeev Kapoor flying down from Mumbai for the show, Sunil is looking forward to tasting his culinary delights.