I don’t think of tomorrow. I am a swayamsevak, a committed BJP cadre and social worker. This is my identity. There can be ex-PMs, ex-CMs, ex-ministers, but a party worker will always remain a worker.
All the culture that I learned did not allow me to use foul language. So all the bitterness was compressed inside me. But when I used to drink all those barriers will break and I would become a very nasty man and would use foul language. I used to become another person. It was unhealthy, irrational and causing problem to many people. It impacted my marriage with [actor] Honey [Irani]. If I were a sober and responsible person, the story would have been different.
We have the power to vote and we should take it as our responsibility to save this country. I request everyone to look at the VVPAT slip carefully after voting to make sure that your votes went to the right party.
BJP’s filthy tricks [are] destroying institutions like the Election Commission of India. Is the BJP so nervous to face people that they are turning ECI into a party office to target the opposition? ECI or His Master’s Voice?
It is up to you to use technology for its advantage. Today, I may be recognised by people who may or may not have seen my films because they have seen me on social media. And that is not a bad thing because that gives me the reach. It also leaves me open to criticism by thousands of negative people. I need to filter that and channelise it.
STAKING A CLAIM IN THE FUTURE
Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw with author and former Infosys Foundation chairperson Sudha Murty during the launch of the book An Uncommon Love: The Early Life of Sudha and Narayana Murthy by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni in Bengaluru | Bhanu Prakash Chandra
Lingua ‘fracas’: Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor recently released a 70-page report detailing the work he has done in the constituency in his 15 years as MP. It was in response to one of his opponents in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the BJP’s Union Minister of State Rajeev Chandrashekhar, accusing the senior Congress leader of “15 years non-performance”. Notably, Tharoor released the report in both Malayalam and English, remarking that the English version was for the benefit of an opponent, suggesting that Chandrashekhar, a Malayali who has lived outside Kerala for most of his life, lacked proficiency in Malayalam. Tharoor had faced criticism for not “speaking Malayalam properly” when he first contested in the constituency. He now seems to have co-opted the language card | Illustrations by Jairaj T.G.
One-rupee stake: Kaushal Kishore, Union minister of state for housing and urban affairs, sought a rupee each from voters in his parliamentary constituency, Mohanlalganj, on the outskirts of Lucknow. That collection, before the model code of conduct kicked in, Kishore said, was his way of ensuring that more people have an interest in the electoral process and are genuine stakeholders in it. The two-time MP also looked at it as a means of bridging the distance between netas and voters, and a guarantee that the elected representatives would remember that contribution and carry out their promises. A straightforward proposition then: Put your money where your vote is!
Thalapathy’s cuts: Amid the noise over CAA, actor Vijay, who launched his political party last month, also chose to react to the issue. The fledgling politician’s team promptly prepared a two-page statement. But, Vijay, whom fans call thalapathy (commander), apparently edited it to take out parts that he felt would be too controversial. The result was that the statement was only about two lines. And, the second line said that leaders should ensure that the law does not come into effect in Tamil Nadu. The statement was soon memed and, despite Vijay’s fans being legion, he was heavily trolled for not having a stronger opinion.
Superhero quibbles: There have been rumours that Ranveer Singh is all set to play Shaktimaan in the three-film series based on the hit TV show. But the original Shaktimaan—Mukesh Khanna—is not happy about it. “No matter how big a star he is, a person with such an image can never become Shaktimaan,” said Khanna. “I have put my foot down. Now let’s see what happens next.” He added that Shaktimaan has become a “super teacher” and the person who plays him should have the quality of being listened to when he speaks. The superhero show aired on television from 1997 to 2005 | Getty Images
Target: Mollywood: Bollywood filmmaker and producer Anurag Kashyap is all set to make his acting debut in Malayalam with Aashiq Abu’s film, Rifle Club. He is reportedly playing a negative role in the film. “Looking forward to be part of the great moment of Malayalam cinema,” he shared on Instagram. Kashyap has previously produced the Malayalam films Moothon and Paka. Rifle Club is scheduled to release later this year | AFP
Director’s take: Boman Irani is making his directorial debut with The Mehta Boys. The 3 Idiots actor has written the film in collaboration with Oscar-winning writer Alex Dinelaris. The Mehta Boys is apparently the story of a quarreling father and son who are forced to spend two days together. The film “offers a nuanced exploration of the complexities often inherent in a father-son relationship”. Irani is also starring in it alongside Avinash Tiwary and Shreya Chaudhary | AFP
Tiger chronicles: Priyanka Chopra is turning narrator for Disneynature’s upcoming documentary, Tiger. The story revolves around the tigress Ambar and her cubs in the forests of India. “I have always loved tigers, and I feel a kinship with the female tiger—I feel very protective of my family,” said Chopra. “Ambar’s journey is something I think every mom would really relate to.” The film is directed by Mark Linfield, with Vanessa Berlowitz and Rob Sullivan serving as co-directors. It will start streaming on Disney+Hotstar from April 22 | AFP
Living the duchess way: Cutlery, cookbooks and curtains—Meghan Markle might soon be your go-to girl for all these and more. The Duchess of Sussex recently launched a new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, on Instagram. Although the post itself was not forthcoming on details, trademark filing applications indicate plans to follow in the footsteps of lifestyle gurus Gwyneth Paltrow and Jessica Alba, whose ventures offer a one-stop solution for all things beauty, fashion and wellness | Getty Images