GUL PANAG gets talking on her new film HELLO and her angst against the Indian Censor Board

exclusive by Devansh Patel



Gul Panag's early roles did not bode well for a future career as a 'serious' actress. Making her screen debut in Dhoop opposite Sanjay Suri, then commiting a Jurm with Bobby Deol. So it was a surprise to most, especially the critics who said that she was all face n figure, no acting ability at all, when, in 2006, she made a sudden and decisive return in Nagesh Kukunoor's highly acclaimed Dor, an amazing comeback supported by a hard hitting thriller in 2007, Manorama Six Feet Under. Gul's abilities could no longer be denied. It's said that success tastes sweeter the longer you have to wait for it. Well, for a change, Panag can't wait for her biggest commercial film ever, Hello, to release in two days. Looks like she is busy preparing to drown herself in nectar after the films sweet success. Time will tell that, but what I can tell you now is that this gorgeous Gul is getting all geared up to talk about Salman Khan, Sharman Joshi, her passion to write, her marketing strategies, her dancing abilities, her angst with the Censor Board of India and much more with London correspondent Devansh Patel in this Bollywood Hungama exclusive. Hello...are you listening?

With some grounded performances in Dor and Manorama Six Feet Under, are you now ready to greet your critics by saying 'Hello'?
I am definitely looking forward to this film for lots of reasons. Firstly, I am a huge fan of Chetan Bhagat ever since his first novel which was listed as the top Indian best seller. I enjoyed the novel thoroughly. But Hello has come out very true to his next award winning novel 'One Night @ the Call Centre'. Secondly because I will be seen in a never before seen role unlike my previous two films Dor and Manorama and thirdly because it's also a role which has a different portrayal from the many films I've played in the past. So I have a lot to look forward to in Hello.

Hello is also your first biggest overseas release yet. What expectations have you got from your audiences in the U.K and the U.S?
Well, I don't know. Both my previous films, Dor and Manorama Six Feet Under, though weren't released theatrically, did exceptionally well on the dvd. But it's not like they don't know who I am. The ones who do watch good cinema are definitely aware of me and for the ones who haven't, I am really interested to see how a wider reach of audience will react to me.

You seem to be very picky in the kind of roles you choose and the films you sign Gul. Why?
In the line of work that I am in, the kind of work which you do is what defines you and it's not what you do but what you don't do that actually sets you apart from the rest.

Now lets talk about this controversial news doing the rounds since yesterday - Your beeped dialogue where you used the word 'condom'.
I think that's very ridiculous. It's a very simple question I ask Sharman before we go into this love making scene, 'Do you have a condom?' And that's the word 'condom' which the censor board is going to beep out. This is when the NACO which is the National Aids Control Organisation who runs adverts all over the country for prevention and awareness of aids. For family planning we promote the use of condoms. We have ring tones that are being released by the public health department which goes like 'Condom condom condom...' But when such a word is used within a film the censors have a problem. Even in my previous film Manorama Six Feet Under there was a word 'condom' used which was beeped out when I tell Abhay Deol to use one. In that, it was used in the context of family planning but in Hello it is used for safe sex. This is a continuation of India's hypocritical standards towards such things.



Have you then filed a complaint to the sensor board?
I've been adviced to write about it but I will send the letter post the release of Hello.

But somehow all this is going to help market the film.
I have no idea. I don't know if you are aware but I've maintained a blog for which I haven't been that regular recently. I write a lot though and have been a guest columnist for lot of newspapers. I write a column for a magazine called Auto Car for which I review cars. So I have a long relationship with writing. I am not someone who will write only for the sake of publicity. I've written fortnightly columns for three years to Hindustan Times. So if I strongly feel about any issue, I will just write it. You can even access my blog on the website called www.gulpanag.net

You've worked with critics favourite actors - Abhay Deol, Shreyas Talpade and now Sharman Joshi. Tell us a bit about the last one.
Well, I was extremely thrilled when I came to know that I've been cast opposite Sharman Joshi. He is a marvellous actor and by working with them you can only enhance your performance film after film. All my scenes with Sharman have come out very well. He is talented and puts in a lot of energy into every shot of his.

So what's Gul Panag playing in Hello?
I play the character of Priyanka who is a very glamourous and a modern girl of today. She is someone who is very attractive and is completely aware of the power of the looks of the opposite sex. There are grey elements to my role as well. She makes the quintessential choice of choosing to marry a well settled NRI in an arranged marriage rather than marrying someone like Sharman who is the person she's been dating for quite some time but doesn't see any future in. This is a choice which today so many urban Indian women make. They think that it's all good to have a boyfriend but ultimately what matters is the guy who can give her a big house, pool, big cars, etc.



Is Salman Khan playing a major role in the film or is he just there in one particular song which is being aired right now on the televisions?
He is. Infact, Salman is playing himself in the film and he is a very integral part of Hello. He is the sutradhar in the film. The film is seen through his eyes which is why you see him in all the major promotional campaigns on the television.

Are you guys visiting any call centres to promote your film?
We've done that in the past before we started filming. I don't think we will be doing that now. Amrita Arora and myself did an appearance on one of the dance shows recently but that's about it. I am really not aware of any other shows that we're going on.

So what's the news that you guys will be visiting cities where the book 'One Night @ Call Centre' was one of the best sellers?
That is a part of the plan but I am not sure as of now which cities we are going to visit.

After his first flop, how confident does Atul Agnihotri look?
I don't feel the right to comment about someone who is very senior to me in age and in the profession of acting. But what I can say is that he has made a fantastic film. He has been very true to the script and I wish Atul all the very best. He has a very bright future ahead of him.

What about Sohail Khan? Prankster?
He was a complete revelation. I didn't know him much before I signed Hello. It was such a surprise to find him as a thorough gentleman. He is so cultured and so well brought up. I had a good time interacting with him.

We haven't seen Gul Panag shake a leg in most of her films. I can't remember seeing you dance. Will Hello be any different?
Because I was busy trying to prove myself as an actor. Not that some of it has been done, I can get on with other stuff which is less important. As an actor, one does all kinds of work. It was a very conscious decision for me to be able to do the films that take me seriously as an actor. But if there is a good script which requires me to dance, why not? I will not do something just for the sake of dancing and that's not going to happen.

Hello releases in two days now. Good for you as there doesn't seem to be any competition for three weeks till all the other biggies get released.
Good that you mentioned that because the two films, Kidnap and Drona which have just released last week haven't really got a great response at the box office nor by the critics. So I think we have a good week ahead.

Why should one go and watch Hello?
Well, watch a film that has actually got a story rather than just putting many stars together and enjoy it for it's originality and it's freshness. It is an interesting peep into the youth of India today which I think people living out of India has lost in touch with.

CELINA JAITLEY gets in a GOLMAAL mood!!!

exclusive by Devansh Patel



Who said 'Sexy' begins with 'S'? Though she's now one of cinema's busiest actresses, Celina Jaitely is not about quantity. Inhabiting her characters rather than simply Being A Star, she's become the equal of such recent luminaries as Priyanka Chopra, Lara Dutta and, yes, Kareena Kapoor. Outside of her home nation, particularly in Egypt, she's the 'hot' favourite. It's pouring cats and dogs outside Celina's house in Mumbai. Luckily I got there in time and just in time for the hot tea which arrives for me the moment I sit on the sofa taking out my recorder. The actress is all excited and ready to return back to the comedy genre after her recent debacle Money Hai Toh Honey Hai. And for a change, Golmaal Returns is looking like it's going to give her more in return than her previous film. In this Bollywood Hungama exclusive, London correspondent Devansh Patel meets Miss Jaitley and gets her talking on Golmaal Returns, Shreyas Talpade, Ajay Devgan, Kareena Kapoor, her de-glam look in the film, and yes, her intelligence. Didn't I say, 'Sexy' begins with 'C'?

In your film career so far, you've been a part of seven comic capers. What made you sign your eight - Golmaal Retunrs?
I did Golmaal Returns because I loved the prequel Golmaal and somehow I wanted to do a movie which would have the capability to become as big as a No Entry. The role I portray in Golmaal Returns was offered to me only because my director Rohit Shetty was confident that I could play a de-glam girl in the film compared to all other heroines who are present. I play a South Indian woman who is called Mira Nair. She comes from a very strict Brahmin family. I was looking forward for a role like that because I am fed up of doing glamorous roles. There is much more to me than just being a barbie on screen.

But in a highly male dominated film, do you think you will be noticed?
Yes, Golmaal Returns is a male dominated film but it's also a story. As an actor I believe that all actors make up a story. Even with one of the characters missing, the story can take a bad turn. So I always see to it that how a particular role suits my image. Here I was going to be seen in a new avtaar. Secondly, this is a role which the children are going to love and thirdly I wanted to work with Rohit Shetty. Then it was my first time with Ajay Devgan. It was an amazing experience. It was also my second time with Shreyas Talpade who plays my co-star in Golmaal Returns. Then I worked with Kareena Kapoor for the first time and it is always nice to be working with someone who is your senior and who knows much more about the film industry afterall, she comes from a practically a historical film family. It was a great experience for me overall and there was so much I learnt from it.

You've mentioned in all your interviews that 'Red' is your best film till date. Any change of opinion after you've done Golmaal Returns?
Yes, Red will always be my most serious and the best performance till date. Comedy is a totally different genre all together. Golmaal Returns is a full on commercial film. If you've enjoyed 'No Entry', you'll love Golmaal Returns. As far as Red is concerned, it will always be one of those roles which I will remember my entire life.

Did the entire cast and crew miss the presence of Sharman Joshi who was in the prequel Golmaal?
With Shreyas Talpade coming in the picture, no body is going to remember Sharman Joshi. Shreyas is a brilliant actor and I don't need to prove that. We all know him for Iqbal, Dor and Om Shanti Om. He is very versatile and he can play any given role with a lot of belief.

Did you have to go through any South Indian tuitions or training classes for your role?
(laughs) Golmaal Returns cinematographer was fondly called Nutty, short for Natarajan. Me and Shreyas used to go to him and ask him, "Agar Bachao bolna hai to kaise bolna hai?" (laughs). So I was the one who was using the maximum South Indian words. Even though I was a girl born and brought up in Mumbai, you still have a tendency to use your Bengali, South Indian or a Gujarati language at home. Credit should go to Nutty Sir for bearing me throughout Golmaal Returns.

So how is the de-glam Celina attired in the film?
Very simple, with kurta's, jeans and jholas and ofcourse, the South Indian saree and the ghaghra - choli which many wear down south. I am also wearing black contact lenses which were ordered for me specially from London. Practically no make up for me except the kaajal. My character took a real turn when me and Shreyas were filming this engagement scene in the hotel where I was wearing the lengha with gajra and a choti. A typical South Indian look. We had some aunts and uncles too in the scene. But some of the people from the hotel misunderstood us as the South Indian family. It was hillarious.



We hear that the premiere of the film is to take place in Dubai. Any idea?
No. I haven't heard of it.

If it does happen in Dubai, do you think it's a good idea?
Honestly, it's ok to premiere it anywhere in the world because now-a-days you'll find Indians in abundance everywhere. Golmaal is such a film which will not only be loved by the Indians but all the Asian community as well. We've got a huge fan following in the Middle East too.

Where would you like the premiere to happen?
If it was in my hands, I'd have the premiere in the U.K. Whenever I have gone to the U.K, I've been loved and cared the most, whether it's my personal trip or to promote my films. I love U.K and my best friend lives there - Tanuj. Since he has left India I feel pretty lost.

With you being paired opposite Shreyas, are we going to see you with any of the other co-actor in the film?
Yes. For a change, Golmaal Returns is not cliched. I've got many scenes with Ajay Devgan in the film. It was interesting working with him because I've been a big fan of his since I saw Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. He is a very intense actor. He is my favourite romantic hero too.

Tell us a bit about the unexplored side of the funny bunch of actors in the film.
Tusshar Kapoor and Shreyas Talpade are the most fun co-stars I've worked with till date. Three of us get along as a house on fire. We start laughing in the morning and after pack up we stop. We keep on sending messages to each other talking nonsense all day long. It is fun.

Why would people return to watch Golmaal Returns this time around?
Honestly, leave your mind at home, brains at home. Come with an open heart with full entertainment. Laugh a lot and go back home and then again of you feel watching it twice, come back or should I say - Return? You will see the lightest side of the most complex situations people are put into in Golmaal Returns. It's not slapstick, its situational.



This time around, are we going to see the scene continue from where it left in Golmaal one where Ajay and Arshad do a spoof on the film Black?
(laughs) How did you come to know about this? But yes, the most famous Black scene is there in part two too and I am somewhere there in it. We started shooting that scene on the same day of the Press conference for the first look of Golmaal Returns. That same day at 11pm, we started and finished it at 7am the next day. Infact, you will see Black and Red too (laughs). Don't worry, Red is just me being silly.

I've heard that there are two songs which are the most expensive songs shot in Indian cinema in Golmaal Returns. Is it true or just to market the film?
It is true. Yes, Tha Kar Ke is expensive with hundreds of extras and real cars blowing up. Rohit hasn't used any toy car or any props. But there is this other song shot between me and Ajay Devgan where I play the mans role and he plays the woman and how I hold him by his legs and he revolves round and round on the deck of the ship. The glimpses of which are seen in the promo. Actually it is the funniest song shot in the history of Indian cinema. People are going to fall off their chairs watching it (laughs). I am all in a gown but playing a man (laughs).

We also got to know that you suffered an eye infection during the shooting of Golmaal Returns?
Yes. I did have an eye infection once and because of that I could not attend three major press events at the beginning of the promotionall schedule. So a lot of people said that I was being excluded from the film and said all sorts of things like there was a competition going on between Kareena and Celina, etc. So this is a misunderstanding I'd like to clear.

You're a brand ambassador for the Egypt Tourism. Do you then recommend directors to go and shoot their films in the beautiful country?
Ofcourse yes. Recently there was a song from Singh is King which was shot in front of the beautiful pyramids. We did a lot of publicity for the tourism back in Egypt and in India. Egypt is one of the most romantic destinations in the world. Let's not forget the famous love story of Cleopatra and Ceasar which took place in Egypt. I was still in two minds whether I should take this oppurtunity to be an ambassador or not and then I realised that I was a mountain girl. I was born and brought up around the mountains of India and so to be in the middle of the desert was exciting. If I was in a relationship I would've gone to Egypt for my romantic holiday. People think that the pyramids are gorgeous but for me the river Nile is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I went in a cruise through the river and I felt that I was travelling back in time and history.

This is your first film with your producers Shree Ashtavinayak. How was the entire experience?
It's one of the best production houses I've worked with but touchwood, I've been very lucky because so far I've worked with the best of the lot. They know what they are doing and that's a good thing about these producers. You don't go through any troubles and they look after you very well. Having said that, they spoil you sometimes. Whatever the director requires it's there for him because they think for the betterment of the entire film. So the final product is always lavish and good.

Do you think that Golmaal Returns is the apt title for the second part?
Yes because the first part Golmaal was a hit. Everybody knew Golmaal and the title track of the film. So when you're trying to create the same magic for the similar star cast with the same kind of story continuing, I think nothing could be better than adding 'returns' to the first name.

Tell us about one of the famous Mithun Chakraborty song you sang and fell down laughing.
(laughs) We were singing 'zoobie zoobie zoobie' from the film Dance Dance. And Shreyas and Tusshar also joined in the act. It's one of our all time favourite songs. We sang the song all the way to Thailand and back. Imagine us three dancing to the song (laughs).

Are you aware of the fact that the media counts you as one of the most intelligent actresses around after Lara Dutta?
Me and Lara are best of friends. So it's good to know that. I don't know what makes me intelligent. I just speak my mind and if you think that's intelligent then be it. Me and Lara come from a very strong third and fourth generation of military background, and I guess that outspokenenss and holding oneself together and some mannerisms play a vital role. But in todays day and age you want to speak your mind out without being abusive and rude and that's intelligence for me.

Why go and watch Golmaal Returns this Diwali?
Because if you'd like to spend your money on your entertainment, go and spend it on Golmaal Returns.