Credit – DNA

Anita Hassanandani celebrated her birthday with her on-and-off boyfriend Eijaz Khan and some close friends. Barkha Bisht and hubby Indraneil Sengupta came together and were stuck together most of the time, while tellydom’s most prominent bachelor boy Shabbir Ahluwalia dropped in without anyone on his arm and stayed till late. Kanchi Kaul and Anand Suryavanshi were also among the small group of invitees. Anita’s mentor Ektaa Kapoor came too – as usual, very late at night.

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After shaking a leg in COLORS’ Dancing Queen, Anita Hassanandani, is now gearing up for one more Bollywood project. Earlier she has acted in Ekta Kapoor’s Krishna Cottage and Koi Aap Sa, among other films. Her more recent outing was Dus Kahaniyaan. “I have signed a comedy film opposite K K Menon called Benny Aur Babloo. I just could not say no as the Director Yunus Sajawal is a past master in the genre, he had also written Golmaal”, quips the actress.

She does not want to talk more about her character saying, “I can only speak once we start shooting in June. All I can say now is that it has me in a never seen before avatar. So will you quit TV if this film becomes a hit? “I am not a person who distinguishes between TV, Bollywood and south. If anything interesting comes along among any of the three, I always grab it. The only reason why I am not doing anything on the idiot box is that there is nothing what really catches my eye”.

Apart from Benny Aur Babloo, this lovely Sindhi lass has also shot for a soon to be aired music video with Roop Kumar Rathod and better half Sonali Rathod. “I am also getting a new photo shoot done. I will share the picture once it’s done”, says Anita as she signs off.

Reporter and Author: Anil Merani

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hope your all doing good.

a very happy new year to all of u!!

as we all know anita is in the show dancing queen n was in the danger zone last week. hope you’ve all voted for her..she truly is our princess n is working hard n deserves the title..so plz people my sincere request to all..that god forbid if she is in the danger zone any other time..plz plz do vote for her…

by smsing

SON to 56882

thanks

take care!

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In real life, would you also interrogate your girlfriend if she shoots for an intimate scene?

• It’s totally unacceptable. I can be a progressive Indian male but I’m not metrosexual. I live in a society that doesn’t appreciate this. If she did shoot one, I wouldn’t watch that film.

Why do you shy away from talking about your girlfriend, Anita Hasnandani?

• I prefer to keep it private. I have no problems about her talking about us though.

Professionally, what do you like about her?

• She has never been a minute late on the sets and hasn’t ever complained about anything even during long schedules except for the strong AC! I am more of a technical actor and like to know every detail of what I’m doing. Anita, in contrast, is more emotion based. But both of us are directors’ actors.

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In Colors’ new Khatron ke Khiladi (with an average first six-day TRP of 1.53), Akshay Kumar may be the star, wearing a singlet and knee-high trousers, but it’s the women who are walking away with the wows. The role reversal is everywhere.

In Ugly Aur Pagli, a film distinguished by its idea (borrowed from a Korean film) rather than its execution, Ranvir Shorey is a slacker, having outlived his engineering school by four years.

Mallika Sherawat is a woman who snores, swears, slaps and swills several drinks. Whether it’s a dare (will she wear her innerwear as pouterwear) or arm wrestling, Sherawat wins every gender bending battle.

In MTV Splitsvilla (TRP of 0.70), a show where 20 girls ostensibly compete for the attention of two boys, the girls show exactly what it takes to be the empowered new alpha woman. If Bianca Mendonca says the sexiest part of her body is her tongue, then another contestant Minakshi Khanduri thinks nothing of dedicating a poem to herself.

Whether it’s a mud fight between Bosky Bhatia and Prianca Sharma or an expletive-filled exchange between Hannah Sim and Yamini Batra, nothing gets in the way of the girls and their prize-not the man but the opportunity to host a show with him.

Mallika Sherawat and Ranvir Shorey in a scene from Ugly Aur Pagli
Mallika Sherawat and Ranvir Shorey in a scene from Ugly Aur Pagli
“Our women have always been feisty,” says Ashish Patil, general manager, MTV. So explosive are some situations-the format requires the women to exhibit their various talents, among them how to wear a swimsuit as much as how to go on a date-that MTV is unable to air them. The air is so thick with abuse.

It was the same in Channel V’s modelling show, Get Gorgeous 5, whose finale saw the girls indulging in bitchfests and backstabbing sessions. Nothing is off-limits anymore in what appears to be the Rakhi Sawant-isation of women on television.

And it’s making pop culture’s creators finally understand the truth: that alpha women matter.

Take a look at television ads-from the TVS commercial where a young woman coaxes a boastful boy into declaring he cannot play tennis to the HDFC Standard Life Insurance ad where a young woman pays for her father’s car to the tune of sar uthake jiyo.

In the global age of the alpha women, where Juno-esque girls meets Superbad slacker boys, several rules are being rewritten. Women can and do draw a line in the sand and ask others to follow.

Take Sherawat off-screen—whether it is registering her name as a trademark or refusing to appear on Kaun Banega Crorepati, she does only what she pleases.

Or take the spirited Woodstockian, Gurbani Judge (Bani), finalist of Roadies 4.0 and now an MTV veejay, who is proud she can support her family at all of 20—she also thought nothing of taking her father to court, along with her elder sister, for maintenance when she was a minor.

It’s a side of the new woman that has surprised even a television veteran like Ashvini Yardi, programming head, Colors. “Khatron ke Khiladi was 16 days of virtual boot camp in South Africa in sometimes below zero temperatures. These were glam girls. And yet some of them have broken Fear Factor records.”

They’re conscious of the Sita-aur-Gita blend-the girls say the Gayatri Mantra before they head off to drive cars that fly up to the second floor.

They also have the killer instinct—whether it is Iris Maity who won Get Gorgeous 5 and thought nothing of abusing fellow contestant in the “survival of the fittest”, or 19-year-old Shambvi Sharma, a Roadies 5.0 contestant (an Amity Law College student who has gone on to a role in a Bollywood movie) who flirted outrageously with the boys as part of her “strategy to survive in the game” and whose seductive ladyboy dance (complete with her slapping her behind) is a highly downloadable YouTube clip.

It’s enough to give the boys a complex. Bani says she often gets stopped by girls who tell her their boyfriends are huge fans and Shambhvi says it’s time boys got scared of girls.

It’s like the wildly popular Meow of Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na who thinks nothing of letting out a stream of abuse and scratching her opponent’s cheek while her best friend, a boy called Rats, lectures sweetly on the virtues of non-violence.

Girls mouthing off has become not only acceptable but official ever since Kareena Kapoor’s dumped woman let out a stream of abuse at her truant boyfriend on the phone in Jab We Met—and got him back, only to have the satisfaction of dumping him.

As Bani says, “When Roadies came out, my grandmother asked me why the bell rang every two seconds while I would speak.” (It was MTV beeping out her favourite cuss word). Let’s hear it for new Heroine Hunterwali. Beep.

*
Ugly Aur Pagli: Mallika Sherawat plays the hero in high heels, whose trademark dare to her man is marna hai kya (do you want to die?). The slaps are fun but the story flounders.
*
Khatron ke Khiladi: Akshay Kumar’s tehran deviyan go for guts and glory. They jump from buildings and leap into icy water, shouting Jai Mata Di and reciting the Gayatri Mantra.
*
MTV Splitsvilla: Twenty girls were supposed to win the attentions of two boys but the men look like wusses as mean girls mouth off and mud wrestle to vanquish each other.

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ANITA Hassanandani is back with a bang after a nearly three-year-long hiatus. She is creating quite a stir with her dare-devilry in Khatron Ke Khiladi and as Draupadi in Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki.
The petite actress, then known as Natassha, who had the nation dancing to Tere ishq ki deewangi in the film Krishna Cottage, has since become wiser and has reverted to her original name Anita. Explaining why she went ahead with the name change in the first place, she said it was because Ekta Kapoor wanted her to do so. “I was to play the lead in their film Kuchh to Hai and because of their belief in numerology they changed my name to Natassha. The film did fairly well but simultaneously my Tamil film was also a huge hit in which my name was Anita, so I stuck to my original name. I was more comfortable with the name Anita than Natassha.”
But why did she take such a long break? “It was while I was doing the serial Kavyanjali that I felt exhausted and decided to take a break. Besides, the offers I was getting weren’t exciting enough. So in the interim, I learnt salsa, jazz and cooking, instead.”
And she has indeed created quite a stir with her comeback. While she has been praised for her stunts in Khatron.., her performance as Draupadi in Mahaabhaarat… has faced a lot of criticism. Accused of being very loud and over the top in her very first appearance as Draupadi, Anita says: “Although I take the criticism very positively, I really don’t understand why a comparison is being made with the previous Mahabharat. But then each one has the right to voice his/her opinion. After all, everyone can’t have the same tastes.”
After a pause she adds, “Anyway, It was my first scene and I was totally unprepared for it. There were no rehearsals, no workshops and no preparations. All I say is give me some time and I will improve.”
Coming back to happier topics, Anita is one of the 13 girls who are into daring
stunts in Khatron Ke Khiladi. Just back from its shoot, she exclaims: “It was an experience of a lifetime. In fact, it’s been the best experience of my life and I’m glad I did it.” Adding, she says, “I took up the show to test my inner strength.”
Recalling her scariest stunt on the show – the one with cockroaches and bungee jumping, she says, “I was petrified at first but after I completed the task, it felt great. It made me feel so content and happy.” But it was actually the water diving stunt which Anita found the toughest. “I don’t know how to swim, so even though I tried I couldn’t complete the task. I was scared but I attempted it, and that made me feel great.”
In spite of doing good films, which did fairly well, Anita could never make it to the big league. And without making any excuses, Anita holds her poor PR skills responsible for that. “I never cashed in on the success of my films. I never tomtommed about myself, which I should have. Plus, I don’t even socialise much and I don’t call up people to ask for roles. So I lost out in the ratrace, but I have no regrets.” So as of now, “it’s only Mahaabhaarat that I’m concentrating on,” she informs as she adds, “I will do a film only if something exciting comes my way. I do get offers for films but I’m not interested. I’m content with the way my life is at the moment.”
itishree.misra@timesgroup.com

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The contest-based show is slated to begin from 6 August at 8.30 pm and will be judged by Khan. Nach Shastra… Sitaron Ki Jung is a special series, which will feature a different theme each week.

Television celebrities such as Rucha Gujrati, Barka Bisht, Rajeshwari Sachdeva, Sara Khan, Parul Chauhan, Amir Ali and Sanjeeda, Bhaktiyaar and Tanaaz, Yash and Gauri Tonnk, Tina and Hussain, Anita Hassnandani, Shweta Keswani amongst others will compete on the show.

Some of the songs that they will perform on are Namak Ishq Ka, Pappu Can’t Dance, Dil Dance Marey, Crazy Kiya Re and Dhadak Dhadak amongst others. Each episode of this special series will capture the dancing abilities of these stars and will feature special themes such as the Vamp’s Special, Duet’s Special to the real life couples special.

Khan will adjudge the best dancer with a trophy of the Natraj in each episode.

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ok..anita is going to come in nachle ve wid saroj khan. news about it came on india tv as well as aaj tak. she looks gorgeous  and is going to perform on aaja nachle!!

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More pictures:

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It’s been more than a week since Ekta Kapoor’s version of Mahabharat launched on 9X.

The feedback has been mixed.

Anita Hassnandani who plays wife to the Pandavas, says that it will take a while for viewers to accept the new look.

But tattoos, bronze make-up and the absence of mukuts aren’t the only reasons for the flak. Anita’s melodramatic outburst in the opening episode has also come under the scanner. “Draupadi was being stripped in public. She had to be loud,” exclaims Anita.

The actress also defends Kapoor’s decision to cast established names as opposed to new faces.

“The viewers get to see the Anjali of Kkavyanjali playing a very different character from another era,” she reasons.

So who is the best among the five brothers? She laughs, “It’s too early to play favourites.”

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There’s an air of professionalism about her as Anita Hassanandani gets ready for the interview. We are told at the onset that she’s not going to talk about anything but work. So, all those questions we’ve been itching to ask about former beau Eijaz Khan will have to wait for AT’s next chat with her. The dusky small screen sex symbol who’s been away from television for two and half years, returns with two brand new shows. In Fear Factor – Khatron Ke Khiladi, the docile television bahu gets set to kick some serious butt and does a series of death-defying stunts. What brought about this sudden change of image — from girl next-door to action diva? Anita laughs and admits that anchor Akshay Kumar was surely one of the reasons she joined the show. “Initially, I wasn’t sure of doing the show. But then I went ahead as I had decided to overcome my fears. I have learnt a lot — this show has helped me to fight my inner strength. I have also known my weakness and strengths by now,” she confesses.

So has she finally over come her fears? “Not completely. I was very scared of water, but now I can jump in water easily without being too scared. I have done lots of crazy stuff in this show which I wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise. I was afraid quite a lot of times, as I had to do stunts like jumping from the building, going deep in to water, and be with snakes, insects, fire, glass. There was a time when my head would have been hurt badly by a speed boat but luckily I was saved. I became more careful after that as anything could go wrong. There are fabulous people around. I have made great friends.” And what does she feel about Akshay? “He is an amazing guy. He is the perfect and brilliant host for the show. He has been supportive, encouraging and a mentor all the time.” Not just all this, Anita also plays Draupadi in 9X’s Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki. A reality show on one hand and a mythological on another, why did she decide to do this show?

“Mahaabhaarat is as different as the reality show I am doing. I have never done a mythological so this was a great opportunity for me to experience,” she says. Anita hasn’t taken any special training for the serial but has watched small clippings of B R Chopra’s Mahabharat and is now reading a lot of literature on Mahabharat and Draupadi.
For now she can only “eat, dream and breathe work.” Way to go girl!

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Says Anita, “Mahabharat will consume most of my time. Besides, I really want to concentrate on Mahaharat and put in my best efforts.”

Yasir Shah, who too is part of the cast says, “I have signed for Krazy Kiya Re but the show is yet to take off. I haven’t heard anything from Balaji regarding this for a long.time . With Krazy’s future uncertain, I requested Balaji to let me do another show. They were kind enough to grant me 15 days for Jiya Jale.”

With Anita out, it is buzzed that the show might not take off. However, scoffing such tales, Creative Head Vikas Gupta says, “The show is very much on. It’s just that we’ve postponed it till November. We’re currently looking for a replacement for Anita.”

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INNOVATION, inspiration and talent all came together when students of a city-based design academy displayed their creativity on the ramp. The clothes had a modern, yet a very classic touch to them. We witnessed some uber cool couture, with outfits in an array of dazzling colours and the models were dolled up in an unusual form of makeup. All the models did justice to the attire designed by the students and sashayed down the ramp with oomph.
The glamour quotient soared with the very cool Jackie Shroff making a fashion statement with his small green jhola. Anita Hassanandani and Eijaz Khan were also present. There were several other high-profile guests present and everyone was spellbound by the never-seen-before designs. Directors of the academy, Maitree Ramaiya and Shivang Dhruva, played the gracious hosts. The party then moved to a posh lounge where the guests chilled out and discussed the incredible show of creativity they had just witnessed. Wine, food and ramp made a lethal combination, indeed!

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Anita Hassanandani sure knows what she is talking about and cautiously treads the narrow path between speaking her mind and stirring up a controversy.

Soon to be seen as one of the 13 beauties on Fear Factor – Khatron Ke Khiladi on Colors, Anita is grateful that the shooting for the show is over. “We defied the fears of insects, height, deep water, fire, glass, et al. I was very scared of heights and water.

I would not say that I have overcome the fears completely but yes, I have managed pretty well in facing them. In one of the sequences, we were to jump off some 17-storey tall building, and not to say, I was petrified and started crying. Everytime I’d look down, I would start feeling giddy. It was after much cajoling from the other ladies and Akshay Kumar, that I did the stunt,” she confesses.

The now-petite actress also reveals that her family and friends discouraged her from taking up the show and she herself was a lot hesitant in the beginning. “But then I decided to face the fears to overcome them. Having Akshay on the show was a big motivating factor. I was also scared of creepy-crawlies but he comforted me before I went ahead with a particular stunt involving such creatures,” she adds.

Talking about what else is keeping her busy professionally, Anita says she has started shooting for Ekta Kapoor’s much-hyped Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki. “Portraying Draupadi on screen is no small deal. And I am going to play a role that was played very well by Rupa Ganguly earlier.” Does she have a plan in place to make sure her portrayal does not arouse feelings of déjà vu? “Such a plan is not required. The look of this Mahaabhaarat is so different that there can’t be any comparisons or similarities with the earlier one. To make sure that I know enough about the character, I am reading a lot of literature on Mahabharat and Draupadi,” she clarifies.

“I am also unfazed by the controversies surrounding the show. The veteran actors who are saying that the show will not match the popularity of the earlier one, sound prejudiced and judgmental. Everyone in our team is working really hard to make a mark. I think anyone who wants to comment should wait until they have seen the first few episodes,” she opines.

Over to the personal life. What kept her busy during her almost-3-year-long sabbatical from screen? “Oh! I indulged myself and attended a lot of classes,” she smiles. Classes? “I learnt cooking and also took up Salsa and Jazz classes. I have never been a good dancer but am very passionate about it. Unfortunately, I could not complete the dance classes because of my professional commitments.” So will we see her displaying her newly acquired dancing skills on a reality show soon? “Not as yet. I would not settle for a show that would not do justice to the various styles of dance. I was offered Jhalakk Dikhla Jaa 2, but could not take it up. But if it comes my way once again, I would gladly take the challenge,” she says.

And how’s boyfriend Eijaz Khan doing? “He is very well, thank you,” she smiles and adds, “He is doing films now and is very happy. We spent quality time together when I took a break from work. Now both of us have got back to the grind but still manage to spend a little time together every now and then.” “And yes, before you ask me, marriage is not on the cards right now!” she signs off.

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Anita Hassdandani is one busy lady. The actress, who made her television debut in the highly successful Kabhia Sautan Kabhie Saheli, is all set to play Draupadi in the brand new mythological serial Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki.

Most popular for her role as Anjali in Kavyanjali, Anita has also dabbled in south Indian films. This is not all. More action is in store for Anita as she is one of the participants of the desi version of the popular reality show Fear Factor, which is hosted by the Khiladi himself, Akshay Kumar.

Read on as the actress tells Rajul Hegde about Draupadi and what scared her the most about Akshay Kumar. Excerpts:

How did you get the role of Draupadi?

When I was shooting for Fear Factor Khatron Ke Khiladi in South Africa, I got a call from Balaji Telefilms. They wanted to know whether I would be interested in Draupadi’s role. I said yes immediatedly. Later on, I was little scared because the new Mahabhaarat is modern complete with a new format and contemporary looks. And here I was playing Draupadi! I had butterflies in my stomach.

What attracted you to Mahabhaarat?

It’s challenging, intense, complex and nothing like the regular soaps. It was different and difficult for me to portray Draupadi.

What kind of research did you do after you came to know that you are portraying one of the important characters in Mahabhaarat?

I didn’t have much time to prepare. I started shooting within few days after returning from South Africa. I have gone through some CD’s of B R Chopra’s Mahabharat to acquaint myself with the character. I have also been reading up on the subject. Plus, those around me know about Mahabharat and my character, so I am getting to know from them too.

Gauri Pradhan was also short-listed for Draupadi’s role though she lost out to you. Any comments?

As far as I know, the producers were looking for a fresh face for Draupadi’s role. It’s news to me that Gauri Pradhan and I were short-listed. The production house will be able to give you the right answer as to why they selected me.

Do you have jitters about playing Draupadi?

Yes, I am very scared. I will definitely be compared to Rupa Ganguly (she acted as Draupadi in B R Chopra’s Mahabharat). She created history by portraying the character. It’s going to be difficult for me to reach to her level. I will be happy if I reach one tenth of her level. I am really working hard and have put in my best. I hope people will accept me as Draupadi.

Tell us about your costume and look.

Manish Malhotra [fashion designer] chose the colour red for me. Bharat and Dorris have worked on my make-up and hairstyle. I was told not to cut my hair after they selected me for this role.

Do you think this new Mahabhaarat can create the magic of B R Chopra’s Mahabharat?

This show is going to a big challenge for the channel, production house and the actors. Everyone has worked hard. I hope all the hard work pays off.

Why have you stayed away from soaps?

I was busy doing south films after Kavyanjali and I requested the production house to reduce my track in Kyunki. Plus, I had to go to South Africa for Fear Factor.

Take us through the experience of Fear Factor.

It was a last minute decision. As it was a once in a lifetime experience, I thought why not give it a try. And it has really been the best experience of my life. You will see me crying, laughing, and screaming. It was really scary to do some of the stunts but at the end of the day, it it’s all about your inner strength. I was able to perform most tasks and it was worth it.

Did you overcome any of your fears?

I am scared of water and I still don’t know to swim. After my Fear Factor experience, I have realised the importance of swimming. I will start learning it now.

How was Akshay Kumar as a host?

He was the right choice. Everybody was really petrified of his scary laughter. He would get very upset if any of us refused to do a stunt. I recalled the time I had to put my hand in a container full of cockroaches and other insects. I didn’t want to do it and started crying. That was when Akshay grabbed my hand and shoved it in the container.

Did you make friends there?

All the participants were friendly and amazing. I bonded well with Ajana Sukhani.

What is in the pipeline?

I was supposed to do Krazy Kiya Re, Balaji Telefilm’s new show. But now I don’t think I will be able to do it. Right now I want to concentrate only on this show and give my best.

Catch Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki every Monday to Thursday on 9X at 9 pm.

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