Q. There are rumors that BPP has signed a 3 film deal with you for a huge amount of money. How can this be justified since you had a flop in Laaga Chunari not too long ago?
How I wish BPP is rich enough to pay me for my work.. Jokes aside, We all know BPP is doing this poll survey thing to select the actress most wanted by people for their upcoming films. So there is no question of signing such 3 film exclusive deals. Regarding the box office failure of LCMD, every actress goes thru' this phase and that should not be the yardstick for her public demand.
Q. I really liked your fresh look on the Vogue cover. Why don't you smile more in your movies?
Most of the movies I have done and the role I played in them are so intense that I can't even smile even if I wanted to. Just think of love lost Paro of Devdas, Natasha with stained veil in LCMD and Chandni, the other woman of Silsila. I had to give that serious look to justify my characters. When Vogue offer came to me I told BPP to show my pearls as thats my biggest assets (smiles)
Q. Of all the films you have done, which one is your favorite and why?
I will never forget the role of Paro I played for the purpose of helping some Devdas. But it backfired at me as I was labelled to be proud and arrogant just like her. However, The role is very dear to me as I can relate myself to it as just like Paro I will never sacrifice my self pride for any man. The movie Devdas is also very close to my heart as it was the begining of all of our career and the birth of Trollywood.
Q. Can you give any advice to young newcomers in Trollywood? Specifically, can you tell how to get into the movies and how to stay successful like you?
Well take beautiful pics, make a portfolio and take some screen tests for BPP. Mr. Bhansali is alwyas after fresh looks to cast. one advice I can give you as a new actress is alwyas think of the character you are playing and don't just pose for a picture. Use your gesture, dress code and hair that will suit the character the most. Another advice is always be true to yourself and calm. As an actress, you are exposed to praises as well as petty remarks. Never let them get into your head as this could be the begining of your fall.
Q. We haven't heard anything about your personal life lately. How are things going on that front?
As every actress, I have two lives one for the public and one private. I really donot like to mix them. However, I do get affected at times with the public opinion about my personal life. As for my personal life, I can tell you for now it cannot be any better (smiles).
Q. I think you completely stole the show in Silsila. Congratulations and please tell us how you identified with the character in this film?
So sweet, I think you are one of the few who thought I stole the show in Silsila (smiles). I definitely identified with the character of Chandani as like her I have come across as the other woman in people's lives. Just like her, I have been termed the forbidden love they couldnot appreciate or respect for some family sacrifice.
Q. In this age of video, why have we not seen a single video from you? Are you hiding something?
Oh God, Where is the need of a video when you are watching the movie slides of BPP? I definitely would not put my private life on a video if thats what you meant as I am not a Paris Hilton (smiles).
What is your market price now after the phenomenal success of Silsila? We hear BPP pays you a premium?
BPP is family but I would never ask them to be biased to me as that means I would be using them for my benefit. Thats not being a family. They have their own freedom and choice and they can pay me whatever my portion of the success of the film. What we share in person is not being reflected in our profession. BPP is so rigid and fair that no matter how hard I try, I am always the No.2 (frowns)
Q. I think you are even better as journalist than actress. Please please please continue writing and could you please publish on http://gayfare.blogspot.com as this is easier to access?
I was enjoying writing Page 6 and chose you as the first one to be featured. I listened to someone's suggestion and even wrote article on Gay Bollywood. But I don't know what happened, BPP told me that I have to stop writing as few people took it as a threat. I still have not understood that part but then I wouldn't want to hurt anyone by continuing to write.
Q. As a fan I just wanted to tell Natasha Rai that I love her work in films and also advice to her if I may that she should do more solo actress roles and less multiple actress roles. She seems to look better when there are no other distractions.
Thanks for liking my work. Multistarrers are really in public demand and I have to go with the flow. Moreover, it also provides us a field for positive competition and growth. I just have to make sure that I am not typecast in those distractive tearjerking roles (smiles). As an actress, I will make sure that my role is strong enough in both the solo and multistarrers and that I meet the expectation of my fans.
South Asian LGBTQ News and Views
Friday
Madam M handles some tough questions...
Q. You showed us your beautiful million dolllar pentouse of Horse Shoe Bay in video and next day you deleted the video, Any particular reason for that?
Many nasty rumors were circulating full of lies that I live in the slums or "jhoparpatti" with plastic roof. Also that I look ugly like a dark Bihari person and Silsila pictures were not my face! All my loved ones were very disturbed by these sick rumors. My husband and entire family asked me to record a video showing myself the way I am naturally and where I am living. The reason was not to show off but to show how I live in REALITY and to give a slap to the face of the person behind the rumors. My husband did upload the video but after looking at it, I felt that it could be misinterpreted as showing off. That is just not who I am as I am a very humble and real person. That’s why I requested him to immediately pull the video down.
Q. BPP must pay you really well so that you could afford such expensive living?
Regarding luxuries, as everyone knows I am married into the prestigious Malhotra family and everything I have today is theirs and vice versa. But material pleasure was and is not of any importance to me. I have seen some really bad times in my life and whatever I have today is a result of my bhakti and blessings from Durga Ma.
Q. You claim to be such a devotee of hindu goddess Durga but you are a Christian by religion. What motivated you for this claim?
This is another baseless rumor spread by the same person responsible for the rumors about me living in jhopadpatti and looking bad. The truth is written on my birth certificate as everyone knows I was born biologically as a Hindu boy and my name was Mahesh Nanku and today I am Malini Nanku Malhotra. I have never tried to hide any part of my past and I don’t go around changing my name every season. People who do this are living in la la land. I sympathize with these people that are living in fantasyland because obviously the reality of their so called life is so harsh.
Q. Rumor has it that you had 4 car accidents in last 3 years? The media also claims you are suffering from cancer and undergoing chemo. Is this just a media hoax?
As you have said yourself, this is nothing more than rumors. For most of my life I did not have or drive a car and I am not ashamed of my humble beginnings. In fact I am proud of it. When I started driving after meeting my husband, I had a few minor accidents. They were not even my fault as the other party was proved to be at fault so I don't understand the relevance of this question. Regarding my medical or health conditions, no person should discuss such private matters in a public interview. The Medical Council of Canada guarantees the privacy of all citizens and I am no exception.
Q. You have confessed that you used BOTOX to enhance your beauty, and you like to flaunt your property, Yet you claim to be humble and down to earth. How is that related?
If people know that I am using BOTOX it is because I told them so. I have absolutely nothing to hide so I am very honest and upfront. Millions of people around the world wear make-up, exercise and botox to maintain their looks. It is not like I had surgery so what is the big deal? As I've said before the intention of showing my real face and home were not to show off. We wanted to give a slap to the face of people creating sick fantasies and stories about my looks and home by showing my real home and real self.
Q. How does your family deal with all the rumors that come from being a celebrity?
We Malhotras find it amusing how desperate people are for spreading these stories about our lives. But maybe it’s because they don't have a life of their own. We have always maintained our dignity, self respect and humility at the face of all evil. But looking at the life of people spreading these rumours we feel nothing but pity. I used to be called black person from Bihar but everyone has seen me and appreciated my looks but does the person spreading rumors have guts to show the real face on video? Maybe because they are so ugly that they are afraid to show the real self. They said I live in jhopadpatti but you have seen where I live. Do people spreading rumours have the guts to put video of their so called penthouse? Maybe because the people creating stories are living themselves in cheap buildings in the dirty suburbs. Kismat ne bhi kitna ganda mazak kiya hai uske saath. These people are so despearte in seeking love even when they know deep down that nobody would want anything to do with them - not even as friends. No wonder they are jealous of my husband, my family and my home. Durga Ma has always blessed me and kept me away from such evil but I tell you that I am devote of Durga Ma for a reason. If I ever come face to face with the evil person, they will know exactly why.
Q. Has marriage changed you? If so how?
It has not made me arrogant. I am and always will be a humble servant of Durga Ma. But marriage has definitely made me much more confident. In the past I would let people take me for granted. I was very naïve and trusting and people often took advantage of that. The prestige of being a Malhotra bahu has given me a boost of confidence and made me a no-nonsense person. Earlier when someone would slap me in one cheek I would offer the other. Now if someone dare slap me in one cheek I will slap them in both cheeks and give them a piece of my mind.
Q. Any new film developments?
Right now I have wrapped up shooting for RACE. As you know I have always received critical acclaim for all my movies but they were mostly Indian characters. In playing Sofia, I am taking a big risk but one that I know will pay off. I have full faith that BPP banner will not let me down and all your doubts too will be erased once you see my fabulous new look in Race so watch out! I have had several offers but at this stage of my career I want to experiment with playing roles that I didn’t have the confidence to carry while I was single and unsuccessful. I want to set an example
Q. Are you aware that hoards of Indian men think you're the perfect woman?
Is this an image I'm working hard to live up to? No, I have always just been real and human. If I was really trying to live up to that perception of me, that would be too much pressure. I'm not acting to an image. I have to get into another character enough in front of the camera. If people think I am just an image, they're wrong. I'm just being the girl I was brought up to be.
Q. There have been rumors that your family has delayed RACE several times because of their constant interference. Please comment.
They have never interfered with my work. In fact they have always encouraged me to pursue all my interests. When I first shot for the film I was anxious to please my fans by proving that I can pull off a glamorous look. So I wore some outfits that my in-laws were concerned about. They felt that the look did not fit my post-marriage image of a Malhotra bahu. I expressed these concerns to Raj and he was kind enough to agree for a re-shoot. The BPP banner understands that while I am passionate about exploring different and challenging roles, my number one priority is my family’s pride and respect.
Q. You seem to have achieved it all. Have you considered quitting while you’re still on top?
Never. Everything I have achieved in my life has been through Trollywood. In just the last 5 years I have got everything I used to dream of as a child in the 1970’s. I don’t know how to give it all up. All I can do is pray that I continue to have the love and support of my fans. And if I am living in a dream then I don’t want to wake up. Jeena yahan marna yahan..eeske siva jaana kahan?
Many nasty rumors were circulating full of lies that I live in the slums or "jhoparpatti" with plastic roof. Also that I look ugly like a dark Bihari person and Silsila pictures were not my face! All my loved ones were very disturbed by these sick rumors. My husband and entire family asked me to record a video showing myself the way I am naturally and where I am living. The reason was not to show off but to show how I live in REALITY and to give a slap to the face of the person behind the rumors. My husband did upload the video but after looking at it, I felt that it could be misinterpreted as showing off. That is just not who I am as I am a very humble and real person. That’s why I requested him to immediately pull the video down.
Q. BPP must pay you really well so that you could afford such expensive living?
Regarding luxuries, as everyone knows I am married into the prestigious Malhotra family and everything I have today is theirs and vice versa. But material pleasure was and is not of any importance to me. I have seen some really bad times in my life and whatever I have today is a result of my bhakti and blessings from Durga Ma.
Q. You claim to be such a devotee of hindu goddess Durga but you are a Christian by religion. What motivated you for this claim?
This is another baseless rumor spread by the same person responsible for the rumors about me living in jhopadpatti and looking bad. The truth is written on my birth certificate as everyone knows I was born biologically as a Hindu boy and my name was Mahesh Nanku and today I am Malini Nanku Malhotra. I have never tried to hide any part of my past and I don’t go around changing my name every season. People who do this are living in la la land. I sympathize with these people that are living in fantasyland because obviously the reality of their so called life is so harsh.
Q. Rumor has it that you had 4 car accidents in last 3 years? The media also claims you are suffering from cancer and undergoing chemo. Is this just a media hoax?
As you have said yourself, this is nothing more than rumors. For most of my life I did not have or drive a car and I am not ashamed of my humble beginnings. In fact I am proud of it. When I started driving after meeting my husband, I had a few minor accidents. They were not even my fault as the other party was proved to be at fault so I don't understand the relevance of this question. Regarding my medical or health conditions, no person should discuss such private matters in a public interview. The Medical Council of Canada guarantees the privacy of all citizens and I am no exception.
Q. You have confessed that you used BOTOX to enhance your beauty, and you like to flaunt your property, Yet you claim to be humble and down to earth. How is that related?
If people know that I am using BOTOX it is because I told them so. I have absolutely nothing to hide so I am very honest and upfront. Millions of people around the world wear make-up, exercise and botox to maintain their looks. It is not like I had surgery so what is the big deal? As I've said before the intention of showing my real face and home were not to show off. We wanted to give a slap to the face of people creating sick fantasies and stories about my looks and home by showing my real home and real self.
Q. How does your family deal with all the rumors that come from being a celebrity?
We Malhotras find it amusing how desperate people are for spreading these stories about our lives. But maybe it’s because they don't have a life of their own. We have always maintained our dignity, self respect and humility at the face of all evil. But looking at the life of people spreading these rumours we feel nothing but pity. I used to be called black person from Bihar but everyone has seen me and appreciated my looks but does the person spreading rumors have guts to show the real face on video? Maybe because they are so ugly that they are afraid to show the real self. They said I live in jhopadpatti but you have seen where I live. Do people spreading rumours have the guts to put video of their so called penthouse? Maybe because the people creating stories are living themselves in cheap buildings in the dirty suburbs. Kismat ne bhi kitna ganda mazak kiya hai uske saath. These people are so despearte in seeking love even when they know deep down that nobody would want anything to do with them - not even as friends. No wonder they are jealous of my husband, my family and my home. Durga Ma has always blessed me and kept me away from such evil but I tell you that I am devote of Durga Ma for a reason. If I ever come face to face with the evil person, they will know exactly why.
Q. Has marriage changed you? If so how?
It has not made me arrogant. I am and always will be a humble servant of Durga Ma. But marriage has definitely made me much more confident. In the past I would let people take me for granted. I was very naïve and trusting and people often took advantage of that. The prestige of being a Malhotra bahu has given me a boost of confidence and made me a no-nonsense person. Earlier when someone would slap me in one cheek I would offer the other. Now if someone dare slap me in one cheek I will slap them in both cheeks and give them a piece of my mind.
Q. Any new film developments?
Right now I have wrapped up shooting for RACE. As you know I have always received critical acclaim for all my movies but they were mostly Indian characters. In playing Sofia, I am taking a big risk but one that I know will pay off. I have full faith that BPP banner will not let me down and all your doubts too will be erased once you see my fabulous new look in Race so watch out! I have had several offers but at this stage of my career I want to experiment with playing roles that I didn’t have the confidence to carry while I was single and unsuccessful. I want to set an example
Q. Are you aware that hoards of Indian men think you're the perfect woman?
Is this an image I'm working hard to live up to? No, I have always just been real and human. If I was really trying to live up to that perception of me, that would be too much pressure. I'm not acting to an image. I have to get into another character enough in front of the camera. If people think I am just an image, they're wrong. I'm just being the girl I was brought up to be.
Q. There have been rumors that your family has delayed RACE several times because of their constant interference. Please comment.
They have never interfered with my work. In fact they have always encouraged me to pursue all my interests. When I first shot for the film I was anxious to please my fans by proving that I can pull off a glamorous look. So I wore some outfits that my in-laws were concerned about. They felt that the look did not fit my post-marriage image of a Malhotra bahu. I expressed these concerns to Raj and he was kind enough to agree for a re-shoot. The BPP banner understands that while I am passionate about exploring different and challenging roles, my number one priority is my family’s pride and respect.
Q. You seem to have achieved it all. Have you considered quitting while you’re still on top?
Never. Everything I have achieved in my life has been through Trollywood. In just the last 5 years I have got everything I used to dream of as a child in the 1970’s. I don’t know how to give it all up. All I can do is pray that I continue to have the love and support of my fans. And if I am living in a dream then I don’t want to wake up. Jeena yahan marna yahan..eeske siva jaana kahan?
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