Adnan Sami - How did he lose so much weight

Adnan Sami has received a 'fitting' response for having lost 109 kilos. The singer, however, says that it is still a 'weight and watch' situation for him as the next 20 kilos that will get him to his target weight of 80 kilos will be the toughest to knock off.

Survival of the slimmest! Adnan Sami

"Losing weight is like running a marathon, where running the last lapse is the toughest. You know you are close to victory but you're nearing exhaustion and need to put in that last-ditch effort, no matter what," says Adnan who is drawing support from friends and family in his effort to slim down. "I am able to keep at it only because of the co-operation and support I have received from my family and friends. It's getting very tougher each day but I am heartened by the support I have been receiving."

Adnan was shaken out of his complacence about his weight when his doctor had a word with him last year. "One day, my doctor bluntly told me that he wouldn't be surprised if my parents found me dead in a hotel."

That incident spelt a major turning point in his life. Adnan started his diet programme in July last year and since then life has been different for him. "Only after losing the first 20 kilos did people notice that I was slimmer. 'Oh, we actually see a dent somewhere" they would say," laughs Adnan. "Now I can experience the simple joys of life like any normal person. Guess what, I can sit crossed-legged now. Earlier I would sleep in a sitting position, now I lie down! I used to love travelling but it soon became a nightmare as I was so petrified of walking at the airports, not fitting into seats…"


Do or diet

A quick look at Adnan Sami's diet plan: He has cut down on bread, rice, sugar and oil completely. His diet includes salads, dal without tadka, tandoori fish without oil, popcorn without butter, Lots of sugar-free drinks and no alcohol.

He usually starts the day with a cup of sugarless tea. For lunch, he eats generous helpings of salad tossed with just one table spoon of fat-free dressing. He eats plain dal (no rice, roti) for dinner. "I am allowed to have chicken but I don't feel like having it," Adnan says.

Adnan Sami ---> from sumo wrestler to karate kid

Interview with Yana Gupta

New Delhi, Jan 31 (IANS) Bollywood item girl Yana Gupta, who has no projects in her kitty right now, says she will only take up films that are original and challenging.

'I would come to Bollywood only if a great project comes up. I don't really think I would do a film that is a copy of a Hollywood flick. Also, I will not work with people who copy and have no stand of their own,' Yana told IANS in an interview.

'No more ornamental roles for me!' she stressed. Yana was here to launch Amatrra Spa.

The Czech model struck gold after featuring in the Kingfisher calendar. Her stint in Bollywood started with the film Dum, which sank without a trace at the box office. But Yana's sizzling performance in the song 'Babuji zara dheere chalo...' turned her into a star overnight.

But she is still waiting for a solo hit. The celebrity candidly confesses that many projects slip out of her hand because she doesn't have command over the Hindi language.

'I wouldn't deny that Hindi is not an issue with me. I had to say no to some projects because people wanted someone else to dub for me and I didn't.'

'I wouldn't mind playing an NRI or a foreigner but I will do the dubbing myself. Otherwise the same passion won't reflect on-screen and again I am doing nothing in the film than just looking good.'

So what is keeping her busy?

'I am currently working on my yet-to-be titled book on nutrition and a pop album for which I have written, composed and sung songs.

'Actually, I am a fitness freak and when I came to Mumbai I gradually put on a lot of weight, courtesy the Indian food. It is too yummy to resist and full of fats.

'Also, people in the country are increasingly becoming conscious about their looks but are hardly aware of their fitness levels. All this prodded me to write a book on nutrition.

'As far as music is concerned, I was trained for two years in music when I was a child in Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic). Moreover, I have already completed a jazz album that we will use only for promotion. My pop album would be officially my debut album.'

Commenting on her experience of writing and composing songs, she said: 'While composing just happened, writing songs wasn't so easy. I had to work a lot on my vocabulary, as English is not my mother tongue. I started with writing poetry and then gradually moved on to songs.'

She stated that both her book and album would release this year.

Katrina Kaif

Katrina Kaif is sick of rumours that she is marrying Salman Khan this month. In a chat with Vickey Lalwani, she emphatically rules out marriage in near future, talks about her forthcoming films, and more.

Your performance has been appreciated in Namastey London...
Yeah. I am very happy. I have been around for quite some time now and I have really worked very hard. I am reaping the fruits now, I guess. I wouldn't say that I expected this to happen. What worked in the film's favour is that Vipul just stuck to the story in a very linear fashion and did not complicate it.

Have filmmakers started taking you seriously now as an actress?
Yes, the perception of the people towards me has changed. It was very necessary for me to have a film like Namastey London. It has made my life a lot easier. My next aim is to take more steps like this in the forward direction.

Let's talk about Apne.
I signed Apne nearly two years back. Anil Sharma had to do a lot of spadework before he started the film. That's why it took some time. I have seen Sharma's earlier films and I always wanted to work with him.

Were you intimidated by the Deols?
Not really. Dharamji is a very warm person. He is like family. Bobby has become a friend. I play a physician in the family. I had lot of fun wearing the boxing gloves whenever the director called 'Cut' and Bobby and I used to have a fake fight (laughs). But with Sunny, it did take me some time to break the ice. He is one who generally keeps to himself.

How do you feel when you hear that Salman is recommending you to filmmakers?
I am working very hard. Nobody can do anything for you in this industry. I can understand if people said this in my early days, but I think now people should stop circulating false stories.

Its' also said that you call up for Salman's intervention if and when you have problems while you're shooting?
Bullshit. Fabrication of the highest order. Not that I take it seriously but people should stop talking nonsense. It's unfortunate that there are some people in this industry who just want to bring you down for no rhyme or reason.

What about your personal life? Everybody says that you are marrying Salman this month...
(Interrupts) I can't stop people from writing what they have decided to. Many actors are not accessible but I am. Why don't people call me up before writing things, which are not true? All this is nonsense. I am working. I am happy.

Few days back, 500 people gathered outside Salman's residence thinking that he was marrying you that day?
Sometimes, people get carried away in excitement.

Do you believe in the institution of marriage?
I think that everybody does.

Have you and Salman discussed marriage?
Let's talk something else.

Have you had a fall-out with Ram Gopal Varma? He dropped you from his version of Sholay and you not doing Sarkar2 either...
(Interrupts) No. In fact, Ramu is one of my very good friends and we have stayed in touch after Sarkar. We are beyond petty things. Sarkar2 was always meant to be with the Bachchans. As for his version of Sholay, I could not do it because of dates problem; He was actually supposed to start the film earlier but it got delayed due to many reasons.

What else is in your kitty besides Apne?
David Dhawan's Partner, Aneez Bazmee's Welcome, Saif Mustan's Race and Subhash Ghai's untitled next.

Vidya Balan

Parineeta girl Vidya Balan is impressed with Aishwarya Rai's grace and elegance and is full of praise for the way she conducts herself.

'I don't think glamour is about taking off clothes. If it were so, Madhubala, Rekha or Sridevi wouldn't have been glamorous. Rekha in all her finery and jewellery is so glamorous. And Aishwarya Rai... she's the epitome of grace. I truly admire the way she conducts herself. Even her sneeze is written about. That can't be easy,' Vidya told IANS in an interview.

Vidya recently did several photo shoots in modern outfits in a bid perhaps to change her image: 'I've been doing different photo shoots. They want the other side of me. I'm only doing what I'm comfortable with. There was one picture where the outfit was much too revealing for me. I went around hiding the magazine from my father.'

Excerpts:

Q: Life looks good to you?

A: Yeah. I've just completed Rajkumar Santoshi's Halla Bol. He's a wonderful director, so much to learn. And what an experience Guru was. It's every actor's dream to work with Mani Ratnam. I'm blessed to have worked with him so early in my career. No matter how busy I'm, I take time off every day to say thanks to god for making so many dreams come true. The more he gives the more I wish to thank him.

Q: You and John Abraham seemed like a strange combination in Salaam-e-Ishq?

A: That's what makes it so exciting. Nikhil Advani's entire team was within the same age group as me. I had a blast on the shoot. It was like being at a party. Touchwood, so far I've been comfortable with every unit I've worked with. I'd rather remain non-controversial and focus on my work. From Pradeep Sarkar to Mani Ratnam... I've learnt so much! It may be a cliche to say so, but I'm growing every day.

Q: And such a wide spectrum of actors, from Amitabh Bachchan to R. Madhavan.

A: Ha, I can't call Mr. Bachchan my co-star. That's a little too much. As for Madhavan, I was supposed to have worked with him in a couple of Tamil films some time ago. Those didn't work out. Finally, we did Guru. My equation with Maddy is completely coloured by my affection for his son Vedaant. He's an adorable child with big blue eyes.

Q: One keeps hearing of you being in this and that project?

A: I think I've been very honest with every producer who has approached me. What I need to do is learn more tact while saying I don't have dates. I've had a very big producer telling me I had no business to turn down his assignment down because I'm a newcomer. But as an individual it's my right to say no rather than be evasive.

Q: One keeps seeing you doing glamorous photo shoots. Trying to move away from the Parineeta image?

A: Yes, I've been doing different photo shoots. They want the other side of me. I'm only doing what I'm comfortable with. There was one picture where the outfit was much too revealing for me. I went around hiding the magazine from my father.

I don't think glamour is about taking off clothes. If it was Madhubala, Rekha or Sridevi wouldn't have been glamorous. Rekha in all her finery and jewellery is so glamorous. And Aishwarya Rai... she's the epitome of grace. We hardly had scenes together in 'Guru', but on many occasions I felt she was my sister. I truly admire the way she conducts herself. Even her sneeze is written about. That can't be easy.

Q: And Sanjay Dutt?

A: (Bursts into laughter) I heard about my affair with him. Wonder where that came from! I think we were linked because he's the only hero with whom I've done three films. I don't think anyone took it seriously. Whether it's John, Saif or Sanju, I'm not in touch with them outside the sets. People take my link-ups with dada (Parineeta director Pradeep Sarkar) more seriously. I've come to terms with the rumours about us. I guess I'll just have to live with that.

Q: Who're your friends in the industry?

A: None except Raima Sen. We clicked because we're like chalk and cheese. I pamper her to no end. We don't meet that often these days. She's one madcap. I restrain her quite often.

Shiney Ahuja

Shiney Ahuja is keeping his fingers crossed. The immensely talented actor hopes his performance in Sudhir Mishra's Khoya Khoya Chand will fetch him critical acclaim like it did in Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi.

Although Sudhir Mishra has denied Khoya Khoya Chand is based on Guru Dutt's life, Shiney says there're quite a lot of similarities between the character he plays and the legendary filmmaker.

'I play a filmmaker of the 1950s and 60s who doesn't follow any set patterns. The kind of films my character makes are very relatable to Guru Dutt's oeuvre. And then there's a romance with an actress of the times. So it's semi-biographical. There're quite a lot similarities, I won't deny that,' Shiney told IANS.

'If Khoya Khoya Chand doesn't get me critical acclaim, I'd be disappointed. It could become as successful as Muzaffar Ali's Umrao Jaan.'

Shiney says he didn't prepare for the role.

'I never do any preparation. I go by my instincts on the sets. And with a filmmaker like Sudhir it gets easier. His clothes, dialogues, sets and overall aura helped. I began to believe I was in the 1950s,' said Shiney, who will team up with Mishra again for Ek Aur Devdas.

Excerpts:

Q: Do you play Guru Dutt in Sudhir Mishra's Khoya Khoya Chand?

A: There're quite a lot similarities, I won't deny that. I play a filmmaker of the 1950s and 60s who doesn't follow any set patterns. The kind of films my character makes are very relatable to Guru Dutt's oeuvre. And then there's a romance with an actress of the times. So it's semi-biographical.

Q: How difficult was it for you to go back to an era when you weren't even born?

A: Very easy. There was my director to guide me. All those questions about how did you get into the speech, body language and mood of the era aren't applicable to me because I never do any preparation. I go by my instincts on the sets. And with a filmmaker like Sudhir it gets easier. His clothes, dialogues, sets and overall aura helped. I began to believe I was in the 1950s. Often after shooting on the sets I'd feel I had stepped in the future when I stepped outside.

Q: Did you watch the films of Guru Dutt and others?

A: No. I didn't do any preparation. I grew up in Lucknow so I'm familiar with the language.

Q: Do you think the trend of reclaiming the past in our movies is healthy?

A: Most certainly, if it's done with purely artistic intentions. However, if there's a hidden agenda then it's bound to show up. I loved going back to a time when I wasn't even born in 'Khoya Khoya Chand' and 'Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi'. I was surprised by how well I had blended into the character. To me good acting is when you're not caught doing it.

Q: You've also been simultaneously working in Jahnu Barua's Har Pal?

A: No I wasn't. I finished with 'Khoya Khoya Chand' and then went into the other one. I like to work at one film at a time. After Sudhir Mishra and Anurag Basu (in 'Metro') Jahnu has been a superb experience for me. Jahnu and Sudhir are similar in their passions and yet dissimilar and very different artistes.

Q: How commercial is Har Pal?

A: As commercial as, say, Shakti Samanta's 'Aradhana' which on reading, must have sounded very commercial. And look how artistic it finally turned out! When I read the script of 'Har Pal', I wondered why Jahnu would want to make such a commercial film. Contrary to his reputation I found him to have a very commercial sensibility.

Q: How was it working with Soha in Khoya Khoya Chand and Preity Zinta in Har Pal?

A: Soha is sweet accommodating and level-headed. With Preity it's interesting because she comes from big-banner productions like Yash Raj Films. She brought all those experiences into play in the film.

Q: Though your Bhool Bhulaiyaa is a hit, the reviews weren't too kind to you?

A: Every director looks for a certain kind of performance. I did what I had to in Bhool Bhulaiyaa. I played to the galleries and blended into the situations in the script.

Q: Are you happy with your life and career going?

A: If Bhool Bhulaiyaa wasn't a hit I'd have been very disappointed. Just as if Khoya Khoya Chand doesn't get me critical acclaim, I'd be disappointed. It could become as successful as Muzaffar Ali's Umrao Jaan.

Q: I believe you command a very handsome price?

A: I don't command anything at all. I simply accept what I'm given. The rumour that I charge an astronomical fee has been created by people who want to pay me less than I deserve. If I was demanding unjust fees why does a filmmaker like Sudhir Mishra work repeatedly with me?

I'm now doing a lavish film Ek Aur Devdas with him. I understand the value of honest self-evaluation. I'm now doing expensive commercial films. In one of my films Hijack a Boeing 737 was hired for 15 days. We've done sophisticated stunts in it.

Q: So 'Hijack' would be your first action films?

A: Yes, it has a lot of complicated stunts. Now I'm leaving the country for a film about the bikers. I don't think anything like this has been attempted before with me in a totally different look. There's a huge amount of investment in the film and me. And I've to justify my price and presence.

Q: What immediate plans?

A: I'm out of the country till the end of December.

Controversies confirm my importance: Amitabh

Mumbai, Dec 21 (IANS) Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, who has got a clean chit from the Allahabad High Court in a case pertaining to fraudulent allotment of government land to him in Uttar Pradesh, says he relishes controversies as they confirm his importance.

'Controversies against individuals do two things. They embarrass the person concerned. And, secondly, they justify and confirm his or her importance. When I do no wrong I dwell on and relish the latter,' Bachchan told IANS in an interview.

The Big B feels his family is being unnecessarily harassed and blames political rivals for it.

'If you were to look at me and my family's record this year you would find endless examples of harassment. Be it the office of profit issue involving Jaya, the mysterious parcel matter of Aishwarya, the legal veracity of my Uttar Pradesh ad campaign, the land matter, and so on.

'On delving into the details of those who petitioned against us we discovered that they were all from individuals connected to a particular political party,' he said without naming the party.

The actor says although he and his family don't want special treatment, they have the right to protect themselves from uncontrolled crowds.

'If fans and well wishers mob us we have the right to seek protection for our safety. If it is projected in a manner that portrays us in bad light we can do nothing about it. We shall live with that,' Bachchan said.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: The judgement Dec 11 (in the Barabanki land scam case in Uttar Pradesh) must have come as a shock to people who presumed you'd be embroiled in one more seemingly endless tangle.

A: Controversies against individuals do two things. They embarrass the person concerned. And, secondly, they justify and confirm his or her importance. When I do no wrong I dwell on and relish the latter.

Q: You're also constantly under the scrutiny of the income tax department.

A: The department has the right to question us and we have the right to defend ourselves. And both parties have been given ample provision in our democratic system to justify themselves. But what is happening in today's media blitz is that every appeal, deliberation and comment is highlighted to seek attention.

Q: Do you feel you and your family are being unnecessarily harassed?

A: If you were to look at me and my family's record this year you would find endless examples of that. Be it the office of profit issue involving Jaya, the mysterious parcel matter of Aishwarya, the Uttar Pradesh ad campaign of mine and its legal veracity, the land matter, public interest litigation (PIL) against me for a financial matter and so on.

All have, thankfully and by the grace of god, either been dismissed by the courts or have ended in our favour. On delving into the details of those who petitioned against us we discovered that they were all from individuals connected to a particular political party.

Q: Many feel these are nothing but attempts to trouble you for your association with (Samajawadi Party leader) Amar Singh.

A: I consider it a great privilege and an honour if I am being troubled because of my association with Amar Singhji and Mulayam Singhji. They are family to me.

Q: Does such harassment make you feel less than equal to the ordinary citizen or the less extraordinary celebrity who can buy land, have a wedding, and do other normal things without being hounded?

A: No it does not. I have always believed my family and me are ordinary citizens of this country. We have never ever asked for any special treatment in any circumstance. All reports of high handedness and special treatment meted out to us, particularly in more recent times during our temple visits and other public appearances, are malicious, vile and deliberate misrepresentations.

If fans and well wishers mob us we have the right to seek protection for our safety and indeed, more importantly, for normalcy to be restored. If it is projected in a manner that portrays us in bad light we can do nothing about it. We shall live with that.