IN PASSING
The hunt is on
SUCHITRA BEHAL
First-time author Anita Jain is candid about her intentions. “That’s what my book is about. Everybody in the West writes memoirs, not really in India though,” she says. Jain’s book, which she claims is “definitely not ch
ic-lit” is a cross between her experiences as a 35-something looking for that recently much-wanted commodity: a suitable boy. While she feels her book has been better accepted in the West she said “India may not have the same reaction. People here are uncomfortable talking about loneliness.”
But to go back to the central point of this exercise, Jain started documenting her life when she found that the American dating system did not provide her with solutions. That was it and Jain finally boarded a flight to Delhi to find herself a husband. It all seemed so legitimate till Jain found that she was onto shaadi.com; here too she drew a blank.
So what was the outcome? “Men the world over are the same and there is as much sexual freedom here as is abroad,” said she. Meanwhile, though she hasn’t found the man of her dreams, she is willing to stay on.
“India is exciting at the moment and I like it here,” she gushes. “Maybe I’ll move to Mumbai,” she adds. All those elusive men in the city, please take note.
Private persona
For someone who is constantly under the glare of the media, turning inwards and becoming more private in their persona should not pose a challenge. But, for actor Kareena Kapoor, it has meant rethinking her priorities. Kapoor, who is known not to min
ce words or feelings, claims she is becoming a “much more private person now”.
“I cannot stop living my life the way I want to because of all the attention but, as long as I don’t let down the people I care for most, I am not scared of what the media keeps on writing.” She added that she did not think people had a right to know about her private life. “They have my films to judge me on and what I do behind closed doors is my business; I don’t need to give any explanations. I am doing my job and the paparazzi theirs. Both Saif and I understand that.” Meanwhile the actor is happy with her current crop of roles. As for Hollywood, “No I’m happier here, I cannot put on an accent and all that. I’d rather be the best here,” she signs off.
Behind the camera
This time round it’s for real. Actor-poet etc etc. Deepti Naval has finally decided to don the director’s hat. “The earlier attempt was aborted because the lead actress I had in mind couldn’t commit on the dates,” explai
ned Naval. “But this time it’s all through.”
And the lead in her first directorial venture is none other than her best friend and fellow actor, Manisha Koirala. Naval, known for her rather bald statements, said Koirala was not her first choice for the role. “She is way too beautiful and my character does not have to look like that.” But it seems Naval relented when Koirala promised to work on a deglamourised version of herself. “The film,” adds Naval, “is about the relationship between three people, one of whom is a little boy.”
Beyond that, at the moment, her lips are sealed. “Let it be a surprise,” pleaded Naval.
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