Racist attacks in Australia a shame, says Aamir

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New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) Bollywood star Aamir Khan has called the attacks on Indians in Australia “a shame”, a couple of days after megastar Amitabh Bachchan turned down the offer of an honorary degree from an Australian university in the wake of the attacks.

“(It is) most disturbing to hear about racist attacks on Indians living in Australia. Quite a shame,” Aamir stated on his blog http://www.aamirkhan.com.

The actor, who has just returned from a two-month sabbatical with his kids, feels it calls for immediate action.

“While this doesn’t mean that all Australians are racists, the frequency and seriousness of such attacks I think calls for an extraordinary reaction from the Australian authorities. And while we want action to be taken by authorities in Australia, we should remember all the crimes against foreigners who visit India,” he added.

Aamir’s reaction came after news of Shravan Kumar, an automobile engineering student from Andhra Pradesh, being attacked by two youths in Melbourne was splashed all over, inviting a lot of people to debate on the safety of Indian students in Australia.

“Let us hope and pray that Shravan recovers soon,” said Aamir.

There has been a spate of attacks on Indian students in Sydney and Melbourne, including at least three serious attacks.

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Sayali: I will not do nude or vulgar scenes

Sayali Bhagat played a poor, tormented housewife in The Train. Then, she played a lucky mascot in Good Luck and now, she will play a fun-loving TV channel head in Paying Guest. She tells about the film, her take on compromises and the casting couch and the image she wants to create for herself.

What is Paying Guest about?
Paying Guest is a comedy. Everyone, Celina, Shreyas, Riya and I have funny roles. It is a special film as there are so many characters in it. I hope the film releases soon

What is your character in the film?
I play the head of a TV channel. I tried to help all the paying guests in the movie, especially Jaaved Jaaferi. She wants them to make money so they can pay their rent. It is an interesting character and I have a funny relationship with my onscreen father.

Do you feel ignored in a multi-starrer?
It is true that in a multi-starrer, attention gets divided. But at the end of the day, if the film does well, then one doesn’t feel bad about the divided attention. It depends on the story. Comedies usually have big casts.

Tell us about your struggling days.
It is true that one has to struggle to get ahead in Bollywood. I feel that you have to struggle for everything you desire in life. I don’t think I struggled too much because I had become Miss India and started getting film offers after that. I didn’t sign films immediately as I didn’t find them interesting. I was looking for the right break and time. After a year and a half, I got my first film. Waiting is the key.

You have to make sacrifices. What do you think?
I have heard about people making hard decisions, making sacrifices and compromises. Touchwood, because of me being Miss India and my successful modeling career, I never had to worry about making sacrifices or compromises. In fact, I am happy I didn’t see this side of Bollywood. I don’t know how much of it is true. Career wise, you have to sacrifice your life at home and time with friends, as you have to give more to your career.

What do you think about the casting couch? Have you faced it or seen it?
I have not faced this in my own experiences. I wouldn’t like to say that the casting couch does not exist. A lot of my sources, actresses and models have told me about it. I have never faced anything like this, luckily.

Emraan Hashmi is synonymous with kissing. Actresses have restrictions about swimsuits and kissing scenes. What are your boundaries like?
I will not do anything that makes me uncomfortable or looks vulgar. In one of my films, I am playing a negative character, who doesn’t need weapons. I wouldn’t do a script I am not convinced of. A film cannot work on the basis of glamour, kissing or bikini scenes. People have to see all these scenes as part of the film, in a sensible way. I will always do things which are justified and sensible. I will not do nude or vulgar scenes. I want the image of a versatile and thoughtful actress who plays her characters well and intelligently.

What are your next films?
Cricket, which is a comedy too. I am the only female character with a lot of guys. My character is negative. I have a horror film called Shout that will release this year as well.
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‘Kareena Kapoor Khan sounds good’

What the actress will call herself after marriage and what it is like being on Bollywood power list…

She admits that no position in the film industry is permanent but at the same time Kareena Kapoor is excited after replacing Aishwarya Rai in Filmfare’s power list. The actress says the position is both flattering and scary as it comes with a lot of responsibilities.

“I think Aishwarya has had a great innings. I think it’s a great honour to be where she was in the power list. Power equations in the entertainment industry change minute by minute. I’m definitely going to try my best to hold that position,” Kareena told IANS.

Kareena, who was seen in last year’s hit “Golmaal Returns”, admits the power comes not just from the movies, but also the products that one endorses.

“But I make sure the products reflect my personality. I’m endorsing 10 brands. Saif and I are endorsing just one brand together. We’re going easy on signing together,” she said.

Excerpts:

It’s quite an honour to zoom to the top 10 of the power list and to be the only woman there.

It’s flattering. And it’s scary. Lots of responsibilities. My power comes from my honesty to myself and to my work. I’ve always done things that come naturally from my heart. It’s amazing that I’m in the power list although I’ve never applied much thought to the process of getting there. I’m all heart, as you well know. At the end of the day, being true to myself is very important.

Earlier Aishwarya Rai was in the Top 10 list.

Yes, I know. Everyone has a chance to be in a certain position. I think Aishwarya has had a great innings. I think it’s a great honour to be where she was in the power list. Power equations in the entertainment industry change minute by minute. I’m definitely going to try my best to hold that position.

The position makes me feel very responsible. I want to keep doing the kind of work that will keep me in that list. Last year I was seen in a successful film ‘Golmaal Returns’ where I didn’t have a pivotal role. Strangely audiences expect me to take centre stage all the time.

How much of this power comes in a package with beau Saif Ali Khan?

We can’t deny he’s also one of the hottest actors in the industry. I think we are blend of looks and spirit. Saif and I are very alike. He also follows his heart and is very honest in what he does. Whether it’s his professional or personal life, he comes clean.

The power comes not just from the movies but also the products that you endorse.

I agree. But I make sure the products reflect my personality. My products are young, zestful, fun and classy. Yeah, I do a lot of endorsements. I’m endorsing 10 brands. Curiously Saif and I are endorsing just one brand together. We’re going easy on signing together.

So will you continue to be known as Kareena Kapoor after marriage?

I haven’t thought of it. Kareena Kapoor Khan sounds good. I leave the decision to Saif.

Did (close friend) Amrita Arora’s marriage make you wishful for your own?

I am with Saif constantly. For us, marriage is just a piece of paper.

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Women are superior: Akshay

Is it sheer coincidence, pure conspiracy or a publicity stunt that whenever Akshay Kumar has a film ready for release, the action star gets embroiled in some controversy that takes on national proportions and gets played out on all channels with full drama?

It happened before Chandni Chowk To China and, earlier, Singh Is Kinng. Now just after the Khiladi’s new big film hit the screens yesterday, Akshay is in the thick of two burning issues relating to a promo for Sajid Nadiadwala’s July release Kambhakth Ishq and his being a somewhat daring showstopper at the Lakme Fashion Week for designer Tarun Tahiliani on Monday.

According to his detractors, the Kambhakth Ishq promo has Akshay holding the sexy Kareena Kapoor suggestively with his lines reading, “Women are good for only one thing…” The film promo, released on March 27, has tongues wagging in disapproval already. And at fashion week, well, his walking the ramp in jeans that were unbuttoned partially by wife Twinkle sitting among the frontbenchers, has led to a social worker filing a complaint with the police against the actor, his wife, the LFW organisers and also the hotel where the event was held for indecent, vulgar and obscene behaviour..

The police is uncertain whether it has a case. And legal experts vary between being vague about the law and dismissive of the complaint. But Akshay is furious. These aren’t publicity stunts, he declared.

Earlier when dragged through similar fires, the actor scoffed at the attempts to defame him as being the work of a leading contemporary in Bollywood who was insecure about his meteoric rise in the film industry. But this time, while not taking names and hinting that he knew who was behind the exercise, Akshay is determined to prove a point.

Apologising if the jeans-being-unbuttoned stunt hurt anybody’s sentiments, he said that the entire act was part of the storyboard and was no big deal — thereby shooting down the rumour that it was done at the last minute because SRK was going to be Manish Malhotra’s showstopper later that night. And of the Kambhakth Ishq promo, again he chose to take the actor’s way out by saying, “Why do people forget that actors play roles, enact parts and deliver lines to get reactions… they are never personal?”

The promo, incidentally, gives only half the line. “Wait for the complete line,” advised Akshay, “then women will be glad to know how the jerk I portray eventually sees the value and importance of the superior gender — the woman!”
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Shilpa Shetty criticises Slumdog..

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Now it was the turn of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, who criticised on Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire.

Shilpa isn’t the first one to come out hard on Slumdog. Before this Priyadarshan and Preity Zinta have already voiced the dismay over the film’s content and style.

The Big Boss star said that the film was a grim portrayal of India and Mumbai in particular.

“Obviously it’s about the slums. I just feel that internationally recognised films focus more on our slums and poverty. So I just wrote on my blog two days ago that for a chnage I’m doing a film that focuses on the beauty of India and its culture. That’ll be interesting to watch as well,” said Shilpa.

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‘Khiladi made me,’ says Akshay

Akshay Kumar, the khiladi who’s always game for another movie and more work, is touring the US and UK for the worldwide premieres of Chandni Chowk to China. Akki tells us what Indian cinema’s international connect means to him now…

From an action movie star to being seen as someone who has made commercial Indian movies popular in the West… how does it feel?
Oh, you know, the usual – I get up at the same time, brush my teeth, then I remember, ‘Oh my God, people think I am more than what I am.’ It’s, well, scary, but it’s a part of doing what I do, and if one does something well, they have to suffer the pressure of higher expectations… It is great, though, but living up to people’s expectations is hard. I just want to entertain, but so much else comes with the package.

Which of your movies do you think was the turning point of your career?
Without a shadow of a doubt, it was Khiladi. That’s what made me, and I know that ‘name’ is what took me into the future. I could easily have been left behind, but those films carried me forward to this day.

How was the experience of working with Gordon Liu, Sylvester Stallone, Denise Richards, Snoop Dogg and other international artistes?
They are a credit to not only their profession, but to their country and their industry. The people I have had the pleasure of working with, have been incredibly hardworking, respectful, dedicated and very humble. They inspire me, they make me want to learn more, try harder, achieve more. I’m lucky to have worked with them, because I know that there are some difficult people out there, but as usual, God has blessed me very kindly.

What is your take on foreign collaborations in Indian cinema?
I think it’s wonderful, and why not? We all have the same passion in life and that’s to create great cinema. If it needs us to all join hands, then brilliant, we all live in the same world, why not come together?

You have seen international audiences react to our movies, up close and personal. What is it about Indian cinema that appeals to them?
If you hadn’t noticed, Indians are everywhere. There are towns all over the world that are comprised of only Indians. We spread our love and passion to our western neighbours, we’re not exactly quiet about our passions, are we? And in my experience, everyone wants to experience what they don’t have, what they don’t know. That’s why so many foreigners come to India – we are fascinating to them and I don’t blame them… my country still fascinates me!

You have over 80 movies to your credit… How has the industry changed, for better or for worse, over the time you’ve been here?
Over a 100 movies, by the way… The industry’s changed immensely. I had to wear the same pair of jeans for my first couple of films ’coz we couldn’t afford designers! So much has changed and obviously for the better. But even if it hadn’t, I’d still be here trying to make it better.

Do our movies have the same Box Office success rate abroad as they do in India?
I wouldn’t think as yet. Anyway, there are over a billion people in India – that’s a lot of people to visit cinemas in one country! But I’d have to say that the majority of NRIs are Bollywood fanatics, and it’s wonderful to see that. I’ve had a huge success rate at the overseas Box Office, so I would say we are getting appreciation from all over the world.

You have also recently signed Deepa Mehta’s Komagata Maru. This movie required an Indian actor with a permanent resident status in Canada. How long have you had the permanent resident status, and will you be playing the role of a Sikh lawyer in the movie?
Sorry mates, it’s too early into the project to be discussing anything about the movie, I’m afraid, but I have had my residency for a few years now. Toronto is another of my favourite homes away from home.

Anything about your co-actors in CC2C – Mithun Chakraborty and Deepika Padukone?
Oh, the wonderful Mithunda – he was the perfect man for this role. His strength is still unbelievable to me. And Deepika did especially well in this movie, and we are all proud of her. With her drive, that lady will go far.

Is there any particular movie genre that you still haven’t done and would like to do?
Not that I know of… I mean, I’ve never made a horror movie, but that takes an incredible storyline. I suppose I could consider that, but mostly I think I’ve tried my hand at pretty much everything. But I’ll show you more, just wait and watch…

You have your son’s name tattooed on your back. What does Aarav bring to your life?
He made me see the true meaning of life. He made me think, ‘What the hell was I doing in life before he came along?’ Really, that’s what he does to me. It’s amazing how someone so small and tiny, can change a man as big as me – and I’m talking about my height, by the way, not my stature!

In 2008, you were tagged the sexiest man alive. Your comments.
The judges must have been blind or on drugs, I don’t know… I’m honoured, don’t get me wrong. I’m just trying not to blush in this interview, that’s all.

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‘Khiladi made me,’ says Akshay

Akshay Kumar, the khiladi who’s always game for another movie and more work, is touring the US and UK for the worldwide premieres of Chandni Chowk to China. Akki tells us what Indian cinema’s international connect means to him now…

From an action movie star to being seen as someone who has made commercial Indian movies popular in the West… how does it feel?
Oh, you know, the usual – I get up at the same time, brush my teeth, then I remember, ‘Oh my God, people think I am more than what I am.’ It’s, well, scary, but it’s a part of doing what I do, and if one does something well, they have to suffer the pressure of higher expectations… It is great, though, but living up to people’s expectations is hard. I just want to entertain, but so much else comes with the package.

Which of your movies do you think was the turning point of your career?
Without a shadow of a doubt, it was Khiladi. That’s what made me, and I know that ‘name’ is what took me into the future. I could easily have been left behind, but those films carried me forward to this day.

How was the experience of working with Gordon Liu, Sylvester Stallone, Denise Richards, Snoop Dogg and other international artistes?
They are a credit to not only their profession, but to their country and their industry. The people I have had the pleasure of working with, have been incredibly hardworking, respectful, dedicated and very humble. They inspire me, they make me want to learn more, try harder, achieve more. I’m lucky to have worked with them, because I know that there are some difficult people out there, but as usual, God has blessed me very kindly.

What is your take on foreign collaborations in Indian cinema?
I think it’s wonderful, and why not? We all have the same passion in life and that’s to create great cinema. If it needs us to all join hands, then brilliant, we all live in the same world, why not come together?

You have seen international audiences react to our movies, up close and personal. What is it about Indian cinema that appeals to them?
If you hadn’t noticed, Indians are everywhere. There are towns all over the world that are comprised of only Indians. We spread our love and passion to our western neighbours, we’re not exactly quiet about our passions, are we? And in my experience, everyone wants to experience what they don’t have, what they don’t know. That’s why so many foreigners come to India – we are fascinating to them and I don’t blame them… my country still fascinates me!

You have over 80 movies to your credit… How has the industry changed, for better or for worse, over the time you’ve been here?
Over a 100 movies, by the way… The industry’s changed immensely. I had to wear the same pair of jeans for my first couple of films ’coz we couldn’t afford designers! So much has changed and obviously for the better. But even if it hadn’t, I’d still be here trying to make it better.

Do our movies have the same Box Office success rate abroad as they do in India?
I wouldn’t think as yet. Anyway, there are over a billion people in India – that’s a lot of people to visit cinemas in one country! But I’d have to say that the majority of NRIs are Bollywood fanatics, and it’s wonderful to see that. I’ve had a huge success rate at the overseas Box Office, so I would say we are getting appreciation from all over the world.

You have also recently signed Deepa Mehta’s Komagata Maru. This movie required an Indian actor with a permanent resident status in Canada. How long have you had the permanent resident status, and will you be playing the role of a Sikh lawyer in the movie?
Sorry mates, it’s too early into the project to be discussing anything about the movie, I’m afraid, but I have had my residency for a few years now. Toronto is another of my favourite homes away from home.

Anything about your co-actors in CC2C – Mithun Chakraborty and Deepika Padukone?
Oh, the wonderful Mithunda – he was the perfect man for this role. His strength is still unbelievable to me. And Deepika did especially well in this movie, and we are all proud of her. With her drive, that lady will go far.

Is there any particular movie genre that you still haven’t done and would like to do?
Not that I know of… I mean, I’ve never made a horror movie, but that takes an incredible storyline. I suppose I could consider that, but mostly I think I’ve tried my hand at pretty much everything. But I’ll show you more, just wait and watch…

You have your son’s name tattooed on your back. What does Aarav bring to your life?
He made me see the true meaning of life. He made me think, ‘What the hell was I doing in life before he came along?’ Really, that’s what he does to me. It’s amazing how someone so small and tiny, can change a man as big as me – and I’m talking about my height, by the way, not my stature!

In 2008, you were tagged the sexiest man alive. Your comments.
The judges must have been blind or on drugs, I don’t know… I’m honoured, don’t get me wrong. I’m just trying not to blush in this interview, that’s all.

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"I don’t yell from the top of my voice about being the lead" – Emraan Hashmi

For Emraan Hashmi, playing an integral character in a film is the most important thing to do regardless of the screen space he gets. So whether it is a small but critical role in Kalyug or an obsessive lover with villainous shades in Murder or one of the three key characters in Raaz – The Mystery Continues, he approaches them with all the honesty and integrity.

Ask him if he is the main lead in the film or Adhyayan Suman and he goes on to reply, “I don’t really get into topics like these because gone are the days when there was the concept of a hero or a main lead. I pick up a film when I am very convinced about a role because it’s the depth in the character that matters most. If I like it, I go ahead and do it. I don’t get into matters where I have to worry about whether the person other than me in the film has a meatier role.”

Stating examples about how he has maintained this strategy from the very beginning of his career that saw him playing second lead to Aftab Shivdasani in Footpath, he goes on to add, “If I had thought on those lines, would I have done Murder considering it was supposed to be Mallika’s film? When I do a film, I move ahead and let the audience decide whose film it was. I don’t yell from the top of my voice that ‘This is MY film’. The same holds good for Raaz – The Mystery Continues as well.”

Some actors choose to do that though. They want the world to know that they have the most important part to play in a film. “Other actors may have different work priorities, I have my own. I work for the betterment of the character; the way the director wants me to play it. At the end of the day, a film is much bigger than the actor. And by the way, whenever I have a special appearance in the film, I haven’t hidden it. There is no point being dishonest to your audience. In case of Kalyug, I had told people that I had a special appearance and it was basically a Kunal (Khemu) film”, remembers Emraan Hashmi.

Which means he has a full fledged role in Raaz – The Mystery Continues even though all the romance seems to be reserved for Kangna and Adhyayan Suman? “Absolutely. I have a full blown character to enact in Raaz -TMC. As for who romances whom in the film, then well, watch the film”, he winks before signing off.

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"I want to win Oscar for the people of India than for myself" – A.R. Rahman

A.R Rahman who turned 43 on Jan 6, has won The Golden Globe Award for his music in Slumdog Millionaire, the first Indian musician to do so. Bringing you excerpts from the interview he gave to Subhash K Jha before he left for the Golden Globe.

I don’t think any Indian musician has won the Golden Globe award?
That’s good. I see it as an honour for India, not just for me. More to come, hopefully.

The Golden Globe is seen as a precursor to the Oscars.
Let’s hope so. I’ve my fingers crossed. When a film and my music get acceptance, it’s the equivalent of an Oscar for me. For the people of India to get an Oscar is a big thing. So for their sake more than mine, I hope my song ‘Jai Ho‘ and my music score in Slumdog Millionaire win the Oscar.

Freida Pinto says of the 4 Golden Globe Nominations for Slumdog Millionaire, yours makes her the proudest.
That’s really sweet of her. I was in LA to have lunch with all the panel members of the Oscars. Also, to do press meets and promotion for Slumdog Millionaire which is getting a terrific response in LA. You know some critics in the US say it’s one of the best films they’ve ever seen. It’s not just about my music. It’s the way the director Danny Boyle has put together the film.

Please explain.
The throbbing pulse of Mumbai is superbly captured in the film. Slumdog Millionaire (SM) is about suffering, hope and redemption. If my music in SM has made an impact in the West, it’s because it’s projected so effectively. Though some of the songs are in Hindi, nobody complained about them being boring or incomprehensible. ‘Jai Ho‘, the song that has been nominated for the Golden Globe, ‘O Saya‘ and ‘Ringa Ringa‘ which is influenced by ‘Choli Ke Peeche‘ are in a foreign language for them. But the Americans love it.

Were you in the US to lobby for the Oscar for ‘Jai Ho’?
It’s not about lobbying. It’s about letting the jury members meet you, get to know you and decide if the person behind the creation is worth putting a vote for. As an artiste I need to be recognized on a human level. So I needed to go to Hollywood with my song ‘Jai Ho’. I met all the top Hollywood soundtrack composers like Hans Zimmer, Howard Shore and Danny Elfman.

And what did they have to say about your music?
They had genuinely warm comments for my music in Slumdog Millionaire. At first I thought they were just being sweet and polite. You know, LA is a kind of place where people in the entertainment industry say a lot of things they don’t mean. So I double-checked. And these big guns in Hollywood really meant it. I think they love the Mumbai that they’ve seen in the film. And Danny has made terrific use of my music. The way he has mixed my songs, they’re full-on, like a discotheque.

Has Mumbai’s image suffered a setback in the US after 26/11?
Everyone is a bit shaken. Security has been tightened even more in the US. That’s what I was subjected to in every hotel that I went. Everyone has to be more careful. There’s a little bit of negativity about what happened. But the way they look at India, our music and cinema is very positive.

You sound really upbeat.
The image of Mumbai is still intact. Slumdog Millionaire has promoted Mumbai tourism to a great extent. I don’t think any city in the world has been portrayed as vibrantly as Mumbai. I got the right vibes in LA. A lot of people want to come to India to collaborate in our entertainment industry. Akon and Nelly Furtado are interested. We just have need to carry it forward.

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"I want to win Oscar for the people of India than for myself" – A.R. Rahman

A.R Rahman who turned 43 on Jan 6, has won The Golden Globe Award for his music in Slumdog Millionaire, the first Indian musician to do so. Bringing you excerpts from the interview he gave to Subhash K Jha before he left for the Golden Globe.

I don’t think any Indian musician has won the Golden Globe award?
That’s good. I see it as an honour for India, not just for me. More to come, hopefully.

The Golden Globe is seen as a precursor to the Oscars.
Let’s hope so. I’ve my fingers crossed. When a film and my music get acceptance, it’s the equivalent of an Oscar for me. For the people of India to get an Oscar is a big thing. So for their sake more than mine, I hope my song ‘Jai Ho‘ and my music score in Slumdog Millionaire win the Oscar.

Freida Pinto says of the 4 Golden Globe Nominations for Slumdog Millionaire, yours makes her the proudest.
That’s really sweet of her. I was in LA to have lunch with all the panel members of the Oscars. Also, to do press meets and promotion for Slumdog Millionaire which is getting a terrific response in LA. You know some critics in the US say it’s one of the best films they’ve ever seen. It’s not just about my music. It’s the way the director Danny Boyle has put together the film.

Please explain.
The throbbing pulse of Mumbai is superbly captured in the film. Slumdog Millionaire (SM) is about suffering, hope and redemption. If my music in SM has made an impact in the West, it’s because it’s projected so effectively. Though some of the songs are in Hindi, nobody complained about them being boring or incomprehensible. ‘Jai Ho‘, the song that has been nominated for the Golden Globe, ‘O Saya‘ and ‘Ringa Ringa‘ which is influenced by ‘Choli Ke Peeche‘ are in a foreign language for them. But the Americans love it.

Were you in the US to lobby for the Oscar for ‘Jai Ho’?
It’s not about lobbying. It’s about letting the jury members meet you, get to know you and decide if the person behind the creation is worth putting a vote for. As an artiste I need to be recognized on a human level. So I needed to go to Hollywood with my song ‘Jai Ho’. I met all the top Hollywood soundtrack composers like Hans Zimmer, Howard Shore and Danny Elfman.

And what did they have to say about your music?
They had genuinely warm comments for my music in Slumdog Millionaire. At first I thought they were just being sweet and polite. You know, LA is a kind of place where people in the entertainment industry say a lot of things they don’t mean. So I double-checked. And these big guns in Hollywood really meant it. I think they love the Mumbai that they’ve seen in the film. And Danny has made terrific use of my music. The way he has mixed my songs, they’re full-on, like a discotheque.

Has Mumbai’s image suffered a setback in the US after 26/11?
Everyone is a bit shaken. Security has been tightened even more in the US. That’s what I was subjected to in every hotel that I went. Everyone has to be more careful. There’s a little bit of negativity about what happened. But the way they look at India, our music and cinema is very positive.

You sound really upbeat.
The image of Mumbai is still intact. Slumdog Millionaire has promoted Mumbai tourism to a great extent. I don’t think any city in the world has been portrayed as vibrantly as Mumbai. I got the right vibes in LA. A lot of people want to come to India to collaborate in our entertainment industry. Akon and Nelly Furtado are interested. We just have need to carry it forward.

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