Or that's what Shreya Narayan would like us to believe. Shreya who won critical acclaim in her last screen outing (Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster) was in Vadodara to shoot her next film Palchhin.

She says with a sarcastic smile, "There have been occasions when the roles offered seemed pretty meaty at the time of auditions, but turned out to be blink-and-miss appearances after the films were edited and finally hit the screens! It has happened so many times that I am immune to the entire process." However, she adds, "I kept working hard and left the rest to God.

The only thing that I have learnt, being an outsider in this industry, is that perseverance always pays and one mustn't leave it midway while pursuing one's dreams. If you are at it whole-heartedly, things will happen.

" Did she expect Saheb , Biwi Aur Gangster would catapult her to fame? "I had a feeling that it would succeed at the box office, because Tigmanshu Dhulia is really good at his craft. But the critical acclaim came as a pleasant surprise.

" she admits. About her role in Palchhin, she shares, "I play a very simple, everyday girl with dreams.

It's a story about relationships and I believe this will be a huge leap for me as an actress. I haven't signed any other film as yet because I believe I have to go a step ahead with every film.

If that means waiting for the right projects, then so be it. Working with director Sudhanshu Shekhar Jha has been a pleasure, who is very precise with the story and knows how to make characters stand out.

" Interestingly, Shreya happens to be the great grand niece of Dr. Rajendra Prasad , the first President of independent India.

But she prefers not to talk much about it, saying, "My success has to be my own, and I don't want to use anyone's name. I have struggled a lot to reach where I am today.

But I am grateful to my ancestors for giving me this belief that it's possible to achieve anything if you dream." For someone born into a family of academicians, it couldn't have been easy to convince her family about pursuing a career in films.

Ask her that and she wittily quips, "May be, the scholarly background made them more tolerant towards me!" Shreya, who has done a lot of theatre, feels, "Theatre gives instant gratification as an actor, as you don't have to wait for months to know the reaction of the audiences. But then, films give you a chance to make history, isn't it?" So how is she off screen? "I am in love with writing and my only hobbies are reading and writing.

Both give me an emotional high." she signs off (less)

It was a game between 'Palchhin XI' and 'Baroda CA-XI', and there was some good cricket plus entertainment on offer for viewers. Actor Chandrachur Singh was at his attacking best and played some wonderful shots much to the delight of the crowd, while Sanjay Suri wasn't far behind either.

In between, petite beauty Chitrashi Rawat of 'Chak De! India' fame, who happens to be a national level hockey player, was seen trying her hands at bowling leg spin! Well, it looks like the likes of Amit Mishra and Piyush Chawla have some 'beautiful' competition on their hands! Actors Shreya Narayan and Auroshikha Dey were also seen cheering for their team and also trying their hands at batting. An enjoyable and fun-filled occasion, no doubt.

The match was followed by lunch and then there was a prize distribution ceremony in the hands of Samarjitsinh Gaekwad, scion of the erstwhile royal family of Baroda (less)

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one should be selfless! Shame!" He was commenting on reports that the actress turned down an offer to be brand ambassador for Maharashtra Tourism after not being offered the fee she sought. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, at a recent state government awards function, remarked at her absence at the event: "This is a state honour, a token of the love of 11 crore citizens.

Some stars were free to receive other awards two days ago, but are tied for time to receive a government honour." His comments came after Mads attended an event presided over by Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray and received the Dinanath Mangeshkar Award but skipped the state awards.

A senior official noted that Aamir Khan is promoting the Union Tourism Ministry's 'Incredible India - Atithi Devo Bhava' campaign without charging any fees (less)

Thousands of students gathered to catch a glimpse of the stars and watch them perform. Even though the stars reached the venue two hours late, they were given a warm welcome when they reached.

As per the normal procedure, the cast and crew sat on the stage, interacted with the students and gave autographs. They also spoke about their film, requesting the students to go and watch it 'first day first show'.

Responding to the cheers from the students, Taz from the band Stereo Nation sang one song from the film and danced. However, the minute his performance ended, the stars got up from the stage and left.

Ankur, the event organizer says, "According to the contract provided to us by the production house Bhaggyashri Production, all the actors and singers were to give an hour long live performance. We even have written communication from them.

But the students felt disappointed when Udita and Sofia left the stage only after 15 minutes unexpectedly. And when we asked them, nobody gave us a satisfactory answer and left the venue.

" Bouncers hired by the event company even tried to stop Udita's car for about 10 minutes, and didn't allow her to go, finally Lalit Kumar Saraogi, director of the college had to intervene in the matter. "We were assured of a proper one-hour performance by the event organizers, including one special performance on an item number each by Sofia and Udita.

But they just came on stage for a few minutes, interacted with the students and left. Though they did shake a leg with the students, but that was only for a minute," informs Sunita Rawat, vice-principal and event convener.

Distributor Manoj Nandwana, who accompanied the crew on their visit to the college, however, denied any such incident. He said, "Even an actor like SRK does not perform for an hour, though he charges `2 crore for a performance.

Then how can they expect Udita or Sofia to perform for an hour." When asked about the offer letter that confirms an hour long hour performance by the stars, Nandwana denied it by saying, "Aisa koi agreement nahi hua tha.

" When we contacted Rajeev Singh, the actor from Jaipur who is playing the lead in the film, he said, "I came to know about it only when I came back to the hotel. I think there was some confusion and arguments were going on between the producers and organisers.

But as far as I know, we were only informed about 15 minute appearance." Following the ruckus, the organizers cancelled the cast and crews return tickets to Mumbai and are now planning to take a legal action against the production house.

And this was not just in Jaipur, the same happened in Ahmadabad as well, where the cast did the same on February 18. "The cast was invited by Narayan Resorts to perform on February 18 in Ahmadabad.

About 800 people, including club members with their families gathered for the performance. But it led to utter confusion and disappointment when the crew left within 10 minutes without any performance," says Janak Pareek of the event company Solutions Global (less)

I had made my debut with Ek Dastak in the lead with Vasundhara Das and Narendra Jha three years ago but felt that I was yet another actress in the film and hence decided to take a break and now am re-emerging with Kuchh Kariye. I play the role of Alpana, who wants to explore her talent as a singer though she is living as a live in partner in a small town like Dehra Dun with the well known singer Rishi, played by Sukhwinder, who is making his debut with the film as a leading man.

Rishi is already a well known singer. Alpana and Rishi decide to migrate to Mumbai to explore their potential.

To what extent do you relate to your character in the film, in real life? Till a few years ago, Alpana in the film was actually me, unsure and trying to explore myself in the field of education. I could easily identify with the milieu in which the film has been set and the insecurities which Alpana undergoes and hence I could relate to Alpana.

I confess that though I did my education as per my parents' desire, I became a rebel and told my parents that I wanted to be an actress. I am glad that I was lucky to have got an opportunity to pursue what I wanted to.

Considering the fact you hail from Bihar, were you allowed to do what you wanted? My grand mother was the grand niece of India's first ever President Dr Rajendra Prasad. Women in our family did what they wanted to do and were never told what they should do.

What do you think is important for a girl to become an actress- beauty or talent? Though I do not think that beauty is a criterion to be an actress, I know that till you get many opportunities here, even talent isn't considered important. You learn through awareness from life.

I learnt that acting isn't elusive and you can learn it, even if it isn't in your blood. I learnt acting from Neeraj Kabhi.

Kareena or for that matter Karisma Kapoor are not great actresses just because of their talent but because they belong to the Kapoor family. How is Sukhwinder, who is a good singer, as an actor? Sukhi observed all of us on the sets almost for a week and after a week, he picked up nuances of acting and even turned the table on us by proving to be even better than all of us.

Sukhi is not required as an actor to show off his body in the film because the character that he plays does not require him to do so. In any case, I think that the lean era is now in as far as men are concerned.

What is your take on love and lust? When you are in love, you should build some thing together and work on the same goal. There should be an ideological meeting point when two people are in love.

I feel that love without respect is nothing. It is like a meal which you enjoy just once.

Lust is just transitory. It is something which just fades away sooner than you think it will.

Are you okay as far as a live in relationship is concerned? A place becomes small not because of hemisphere but according to your thinking. A live in relationship is quite possible in Dehra Dun or even Mussoorie but not in Bareilly or for that matter Muzaffarpur.

I do not believe that you have to be married to live with some one you love. What one does spontaneously is more important than following the diktats of the traditions and rituals.

To what extent, are you ready to flaunt your skin on the screen? For me body is just another vehicle of an actor. If I play a prostitute, I'd be ready to titillate a part of the character.

If I play a diva or a swimmer, I'd be game to appear in a two piece bikini too, because I like to be true to my character. Though as an actor, I do not have inhibitions, as Shreya Narayan, I have inhibitions in real life, because the character I play in a film could be bold but I am not as bold as Mallika Sherawat is.

Mallika has a different sensibility than most of the other actresses. Does it mean that you are not scared of the syndrome of the casting couch? To tell you the truth, in the first few years after I came from Delhi, I would not even go to meet people because I was scared of the casting couch.

The more confident I became of myself, the more did I lose my fears, because I came to know myself. I worked a lot on my mind and insecurities.

Fame is the test that you have to pass. Till you become famous, you will continue to be humiliated.

After you become famous, you will be judged. Hence it is difficult for me to be in comfort zone as an actor, because people will always test you to know what kind of a person you are and what kind of milieu do you come from.

They think you are easily available, if you are an actress. It helps me that I have a mind of my own and am assertive.

I do not get frazzled in front of people because I cannot be made to feel lesser. I have been a loner but never lonely.

Which are the films that you have up your sleeves now? I am acting in Maqsad directed by Sudanshu Jha, as an ACP, with Parveen Dabas and Yashpal Sharma as my co-actors. I am also acting in Tanu Weds Manu opposite Jimmy Shergill, beside a small role in Prakash Jha's Rajneeti.

I may also be doing a mini series in Hindi for BBC. It will be an adaptation of a cult show in BBC, UK.

I believe in the sensitivity that acting is bigger than big names and therefore I believe that it will make me stay longer. Ash isn't my inspiration but actresses who have sustained themselves in the field of acting beyond their ages and beauty like Meryl Strep who at the age of 63 is still playing the lead in Hollywood blockbuster (less)

A source spilled the beans, "Kumar has been working as a driver with Narayan for last 25 years and has been pretty loyal to them. Recently while they were returning to their Lokhandwala home, Udit noticed an empty coffee cup lying in the car.

He started shouting at the driver for not throwing it away. Kumar reasoned that as a driver it is not his job to remove leftover stuff.

At this, Udit, who was accompanied by wife Deepa Narayan , completely lost his temper and started beating the driver as soon he got out of the car on reaching the building. This incident happened in front of the building's watchmen.

Kumar left the job." When contacted, Kumar admitted that Udit hit him - but in the midst of this conversation, on realizing that he is speaking with Mumbai Mirror, suddenly changed his tack, and denied the story.

When we called up Udit and asked him about the incident he told us to speak with his manager. On calling his manager, he said, "Fights happen in all family set-ups.

I won't deny that a heated exchange of words did occur. Udit told him to go away and return the next day.

But Kumar never turned up." He drove all night? (less)

A source spilled the beans, “Kumar has been working as a driver with Narayan for last 25 years and has been pretty loyal to them. Recently while they were returning to their Lokhandwala home, Udit noticed an empty coffee cup lying in the car.

He started shouting at the driver for not throwing it away. Kumar reasoned that as a driver it is not his job to remove leftover stuff.

At this, Udit, who was accompanied by wife Deepa Narayan, completely lost his temper and started beating the driver as soon he got out of the car on reaching the building.This incident happened in front of the building’s watchmen.

Kumar left the job.”When contacted, Kumar admitted that Udit hit him - but in the midst of this conversation, on realizing that he is speaking with Mumbai Mirror, suddenly changed his tack, and denied the story.

When we called up Udit and asked him about the incident he told us to speak with his manager. On calling his manager, he said, “Fights happen in all family set-ups.

I won’t deny that a heated exchange of words did occur. Udit told him to go away and return the next day.

But Kumar never turned up.”He drove all night? (less)

His girlfriend Shweta was also in the vicinity. Apparently, the actor-singer passed a snide comment on a girl and was even falling over her.

The mystery girl was with a bunch of buddies but she alone was more than a match for him. Before he knew it, she slapped him.

" Aditya confirms that he went to the said restobar on the given day but denies getting into any sort of brawl. The actor-singer says, "Do you think any girl can slap me and get away? Whoever this girl is, she is doing it just for publicity.

She can say whatever she wants to. I would say she is very dumb.

" When we asked him what had happened that night he informs, "It was just a minor argument. I was there with two beautiful women.

A club is full of people. They act fresh and when you don't respond to them they get offended.

As long as my conscience is clear I have no worries. My parents have taught better than to get into fights with women.

" Tweet (less)

"'Shapit' is my first film as a lead actor. It is a horror film by Vikram Bhatt and also features Rahul Dev and Shweta Aggarwal.

The music of the film is already out and I have sung four songs in the movie," said Aditya. The young actor, who has featured as a child artiste in films like 'Pardes' and 'Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai', has been singing for movies since his childhood.

He also hosted music reality show 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' in the past. Indo-Asian News Service Talk about being multi-talented! Playback singer Udit Narayan's son Aditya, who gave a cool dance performance at the recently held Zee Rishtey Awards, has also sung four songs in 'Shaapit', his debut movie as a lead actor.

At the awards show, Aditya's dancing skills were thought to be reminiscent of Hrithik Roshan's flawless and flexible moves."'Shapit' is my first film as a lead actor.

It is a horror film by Vikram Bhatt and also features Rahul Dev and Shweta Aggarwal. The music of the film is already out and I have sung four songs in the movie," said Aditya.

The young actor, who has featured as a child artiste in films like 'Pardes' and 'Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai', has been singing for movies since his childhood. He also hosted music reality show 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' in the past.

Indo-Asian News Service Talk about being multi-talented! Playback singer Udit Narayan's son Aditya, who gave a cool dance performance at the recently held Zee Rishtey Awards, has also sung four songs in 'Shaapit', his debut movie as a lead actor. At the awards show, Aditya's dancing skills were thought to be reminiscent of Hrithik Roshan's flawless and flexible moves.

"'Shapit' is my first film as a lead actor. It is a horror film by Vikram Bhatt and also features Rahul Dev and Shweta Aggarwal.

The music of the film is already out and I have sung four songs in the movie," said Aditya. The young actor, who has featured as a child artiste in films like 'Pardes' and 'Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai', has been singing for movies since his childhood.

He also hosted music reality show 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' in the past. Indo-Asian News Service Talk about being multi-talented! Playback singer Udit Narayan's son Aditya, who gave a cool dance performance at the recently held Zee Rishtey Awards, has also sung four songs in 'Shaapit', his debut movie as a lead actor.

At the awards show, Aditya's dancing skills were thought to be reminiscent of Hrithik Roshan's flawless and flexible moves."'Shapit' is my first film as a lead actor.

It is a horror film by Vikram Bhatt and also features Rahul Dev and Shweta Aggarwal. The music of the film is already out and I have sung four songs in the movie," said Aditya.

The young actor, who has featured as a child artiste in films like 'Pardes' and 'Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai', has been singing for movies since his childhood. He also hosted music reality show 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' in the past.

Indo-Asian News Service Talk about being multi-talented! Playback singer Udit Narayan's son Aditya, who gave a cool dance performance at the recently held Zee Rishtey Awards, has also sung four songs in 'Shaapit', his debut movie as a lead actor. At the awards show, Aditya's dancing skills were thought to be reminiscent of Hrithik Roshan's flawless and flexible moves.

"'Shapit' is my first film as a lead actor. It is a horror film by Vikram Bhatt and also features Rahul Dev and Shweta Aggarwal.

The music of the film is already out and I have sung four songs in the movie," said Aditya. The young actor, who has featured as a child artiste in films like 'Pardes' and 'Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai', has been singing for movies since his childhood.

He also hosted music reality show 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' in the past. Indo-Asian News Service (less)