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Time of India
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘I don't mean to sound naughty, but I fell in love with myself while playing Hamlet': Jayant Kripalani
From powerful stage performances to acclaimed TV shows like Khandaan, Jayant Kripalani has been a towering presence in Indian theatre and television. A veteran of over four decades, his work reflects a deep commitment to the craft of acting and storytelling. Though he has appeared in several popular films and helmed TV shows, it's the stage that remains closest to his heart, where his love for character-building and the dramatic arts truly comes alive. After a quiet phase post-2019, his return to the stage came through a serendipitous collaboration with Kolkata-based director-actor Kaushik Sen with Marx in Kolkata. In Howard Zinn's Marx in Soho, reimagined for a contemporary Kolkata audience, Kripalani stepped into the shoes of Karl Marx, in turn bringing both intellect and empathy to a role that demanded internal transformation. We caught up with the veteran in his element – amid books, memories, and renewed passion for the stage. Excerpts from a freewheeling chat. In your long and notable acting career, are there characters you have played that you are particularly fond of? That's a tough one, because when I play a character, I have to fall in love with the person that I am playing. It is only then that I enjoy the role to every fibre of my being. I know it sounds dramatic, but that's the way I feel about each of the characters I play. One of the first roles I played on stage was Hamlet, hence, it remains special. There are many others that I thoroughly enjoyed, especially in black comedies and dramas. I loved directing Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard, where I played Guildenstern. I believe I've been lucky, as most of my characters have been favourites. I played a truly nasty role in the play Miss Julie – but the audience liked him. It was an eye-opener. I realised how people interpret and even sympathise with such characters How did you get that role in Hamlet? By pure chance! I'd gone to pick up someone from an audition, and the director said, 'Why don't you audition?'That's how I got the role. It was one of the turning points of my life. Hamlet was one of the toughest roles I've ever comprised. I don't mean to sound naughty, but I think I fell in love with myself while playing it! How was your experience working with Kaushik Sen, his troupe Swapnasandhani, and also with Srijit? I want to adopt the three – Kaushik, his wife Reshmi and son Riddhi – as my family. After the production's first performance, Reshmi was so warm to me, and during the whole process, I never once felt out of place. I had my apprehensions, but it all turned out to be organic. The troupe is young, talented, and dedicated. I've rarely seen such a well-balanced group. Reshmi keeps things together while Kaushik brainstorms. Srijit was fun – he kept us all on our toes with his take on the Devil. Working with them was a wonderful experience and quite the ideal return after a hiatus. Becoming Marx Portraying Karl Marx on stage had its own challenges, and Jayant knew he couldn't depend on past performances for reference. 'I knew a few things about him, but I had to reach into my home library upstairs, and the one in my head.' Extensive reading helped him piece together the man behind the ideology. 'He wasn't perfect. He made mistakes, lived in poverty, and didn't see much success during his lifetime,' he reflects. To make the role his own, he went beyond the history books. 'I started wondering – how would he perceive present-day Kolkata?' Jayant says. The process became an exploration not just of Marx the man, but of Marxism itself – its ideals, contradictions and continued relevance. 'I had to understand his philosophy, its scope and limitations, and how he viewed money, love, life.' A return to the Kolkata stage Jayant Kripalani's return to theatre came after an unexpected break post-2019. 'I was working on a serious project in 2020 when COVID hit,' he says. Though he'd worked extensively in film, TV and theatre, not much had happened in Kolkata. 'As I said, I was apprehensive about working with a Kolkata-based director,' he admits. But after meeting Kaushik, things changed. Originally planned as a conversation piece, the project evolved into a reworked version of Marx in Soho. 'The play was received well,' adds Jayant.
India.com
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet actress who was betrayed by a cricketer, became preganant without..., was forced to ask for..., her name is...
Bollywood celebs and their affairs have always turned heads. While some of them converted into beautiful weddings, others became controversies. Today, we will discuss an actress who became a mother of one before getting married. The pregnancy of this actress came as huge news to many in the industry. For the longest time, she raised her child as a single mother, and then at the age of 59, she got married to another man, who is not the father of the child. However, despite the highs and lows in her personal life, this actress is one of the most talented, versatile, and celebrated celebs in Bollywood. She has contributed to the industry for four decades and continues to do so. If you are wondering who we are talking about, then this actress is none other than Neena Gupta. Born in Kolkata, Neena always had a keen interest in acting. She made her debut in 1982 with the film Saath Saath. Her performance was recognized widely, and as a result, she became a director's first choice. Following that, Neena appeared in six movies in a single year. Not just on the big screen, Neena Gupta has also shown her magic on the small screen. The actress has contributed to serials like Saans, Buniyaad, Khandaan, Daddy, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, and more. While her professional life always made news, it was her personal life that created massive buzz inside and outside the industry. The actress has seen various ups and downs in her personal life. Neena has been married twice. The first time she got married to Amlan Kusum. The marriage lasted for a year, and they eventually parted ways. In 1980, Neena met West Indies team captain Vivian Richards, when the West Indies team was on a tour of India. The two connected quickly and began dating. In 1989, Neena found out that she was expecting her first child. However, at that time, Neena was not married. She continued with the pregnancy and gave birth to a baby girl. She named her Masaba Gupta and raised her as a single mother. During this time, Vivian was already married and had two kids. He refused to divorce his wife, and hence, Vivian and Neena never got married. Neena also faced ups and downs in her professional life. She had to ask for work as she was not getting any good scripts. In an interview with BollywoodLife, Neena said, 'My post was a huge hit, but I did not get work even after that. I got small roles that I used to get before as well. My life changed after 'Badhaai Ho'. This post was of no help and it only gave me scandalous fame, but only after 'Badhaai Ho' did I get work.' Later, at the age of 59, Neena tied the knot with Delhi-based chartered accountant Vivek Mishra.
News18
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Shekhar Kapur Thanks PM Narendra Modi After Receiving Padma Bhushan, Calls It 'Greatest Honour'
Last Updated: Shekhar Kapur received the Padma Bhushan from President Droupadi Murmu. He expressed gratitude on social media, calling it one of the greatest honours of his life. Shekhar Kapur has been awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian honour, for his remarkable work in Indian and international cinema. He received the award from President Droupadi Murmu on Monday, April 28. The veteran filmmaker has now expressed his heartfelt gratitude after being conferred with the prestigious award. Taking to social media, Kapur shared a photo of himself from the big moment and penned a touching note. Shekhar Kapur took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to write, 'This medal represents amongst the greatest honours of my life. The #Padmabhushan conferred upon me by the President of India yesterday. Thank you Government of India for considering me worthy of this @narendramodi #padmaawards." Take a look: This medal represents amongst the greatest honours of my life. The #Padmabhushan conferred upon me by the President of India yesterday. Thank you 🙏🏽 Government of India for considering me worthy of this @narendramodi #padmaawards — Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) April 29, 2025 As Shekhar Kapur walked up to the stage to receive his Padma Bhushan, his wife proudly cheered him on. With a career spanning over fifty years, Kapur is known for his bold storytelling, rich historical narratives, and deep exploration of human emotions. Shekhar Kapur is one of the most internationally recognized Indian filmmakers, known for creating several iconic masterpieces in Indian cinema. He first gained attention with his role in the television series Khandaan (1985). His directorial debut came with Masoom (1983), a heartfelt family drama that highlighted his deep understanding of human relationships. The film's success was further enhanced by Gulzar's screenplay and R.D. Burman's memorable music. In 1987, Shekhar Kapur directed Mr. India, a sci-fi adventure that became a cultural phenomenon. The film introduced the iconic villain Mogambo, played by Amrish Puri, and is still remembered for its innovative special effects and unforgettable dialogues. Kapur's international breakthrough came with Bandit Queen (1994), a hard-hitting biographical film about the infamous outlaw Phoolan Devi. The film was featured in the Directors' Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival and won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film. First Published:
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Zareen Khan takes a trip down memory lane in a throwback video from Kashmir, relishes 'sarson da saag' and 'makkai di roti'
Bollywood actress Zareen Khan had earlier treated fans to a lovely throwback video from her trip to the scenic beauty of Kashmir . In the clip, she is seen enjoying the local flavors of sarson da saag and makkai di roti amidst the breathtaking views of ' Doodhpathri ', capturing a serene and delicious moment from her travel diaries. Effortless style in the sun In a shared vibrant reel video, Zareen has captured a peaceful moment in a lush park setting. Seated comfortably on a carpet and soaking up the warm sunlight, the 'Veer' actress looks effortlessly chic in a bright yellow sweatshirt teamed with blue denim. Her open hair flows naturally, complemented perfectly by a pair of stylish sunglasses. Childhood memories She further stated in her caption, "Just enjoying a meal of my favorite Sarson da Saag & Makkai di Roti at this roadside dhaaba at the beautiful DoodhPatri, reminiscing about childhood days when our Khandaan used to go for picnics. Special thanks to @wadiye_sitara & @bhat_subeena for getting this trip planned for me." Her post is filled with nostalgia and gratitude, tagged with #ThrowBack, #Nostalgia, and #TravelGram. Her journey in Bollywood Zareen Khan stepped into Bollywood in 2010 with the epic action film 'Veer,' where she starred opposite Salman Khan. She followed it up with a popular appearance in the item number 'Character Dheela' from the 2011 film 'Ready.' Over the years, the 37-year-old actress has featured in several Hindi films, including 'Housefull 2,' 'Hate Story 3,' 'Wajah Tum Ho,' 'Aksar 2,' and '1921,' showcasing her versatility across genres. Her most recent film appearance was in 'Hum Bhi Akele Tum Bhi Akele,' directed by Harish Vyas. The film revolves around the bond between a gay man and a lesbian woman on a soul-searching road trip. It also stars Anshuman Jha, Ravi Khanvilkar, Gurfateh Pirzada, and Nitin Sharma. In addition to films, Zareen has been part of several music videos like 'Pyaar Manga Hai,' 'Chann Chann,' and 'Eid Ho Jayegi,' further expanding her presence in the entertainment industry. 'Dengue ho gaya tha, recover ho rahi thi', says Zareen Khan as she gets clicked in Bandra
