Mehboob Bawa and Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan. Mehboob Bawa and Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan.
I can’t believe it’s been more than 11 years since I started this column covering the Indian film industry and bringing you news on the latest Bollywood releases, as well as other pertinent information from the largest film industry in the world.
Sadly, this is my last column for Top of the Times. However, you can still look out for my reviews of the latest Bollywood films and articles on Bollywood-related events in Cape Town.
Looking back over the past 11 years or so, I fondly recall opportunities I’ve had to meet some illustrious Bollywood personalities and provide an in-depth look into their lives, on and off screen.
Without a doubt, the single most important interview was with the screen legend, Amitabh Bachchan.
He had come to South Africa in 2002 for the release of his film, Aankhen. The distributor, Anant Singh, had arranged for Bachchan to meet his fans in Cape Town and I was one of a few journalists granted an opportunity to interview him. However, a day before he was to have arrived in Cape Town, I received a call from Singh’s media officer with a request I could not refuse.
They asked me to accompany Bachchan on a visit to Robben Island and gave me an exclusive option on the story.
Spending a day in the company of Bollywood’s top actor, who was named the Superstar of the Millennium in a BBC online poll held in 1999, was simply amazing.
Since 1994, there have been numerous Bollywood film productions shot on location in and around the Mother City. As a result I’ve visited many sets interviewing the stars. Some of those I’ve met include Bipasha Basu, Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Bobby Deol, Suneil Shetty, Priyanka Chopra, Salman Khan, Rishi Kapoor, Akshaye Khanna and Shahrukh Khan. One of the more challenging stars was Ajay Devgn. I was warned that to get an interview with the reclusive actor was nigh impossible and if it were to happen, he would not be the easiest actor to speak to.
Devgn was in Cape Town during 2006 to shoot the film, Cash. After extensive negotiations with the producers, I was granted some time with him.
I was surprised. He was keen to chat. I dispensed with the formalities of an interview and, accompanied by my wife Razia, just had a conversation with Devgn.
He was extremely open and honest in his responses to my questions.
The time spent with Bollywood stars has given me a new insight into their lives and hopefully I was able to provide that to you in an informative manner.
It’s been an exceptional pleasure being able to provide you with the latest buzz from Bollywood and it’s a sad farewell.
Thank you for all your positive feedback and support. Please look out for my movie reviews and other occasional articles.
l You can continue to follow my journey into Bollywood as I take the Buzz online to www.196fm.com and www.meh bobbwa.com