Together or Not?

There’s been a lot of speculation in the tabloids lately about the current relationship status between Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone. Many reports have insisted that they have broken up. Quickly (and conveniently), lovey-dovey photographs and videos of the couple began to surface, a hint that they’re doing their best to dispel these rumours. Then came stories that their Padmavati director Sanjay Leela Bhansali is angry about an especially passionate photograph that’s gone viral recently. According to sources, SLB wants no more hiccups before his film’s release in November, and since Deepika and Ranveer’s characters don’t so much as come face to face in his period epic, he doesn’t want their private romantic photographs to confuse the would-be audience.

The only thing confusing people is the couple themselves. In the midst of all these rumours, they were spotted arriving together for producer Ritesh Sidhwani’s birthday party, and just days later for Ganpati celebrations at the Ambanis’ Antilla residence. On both occasions, they reportedly slipped away without posing for the throng of paparazzi photographers that had gathered outside both venues. Separately, however, Ranveer has been happily smiling for the flashbulbs when they catch him leaving his gym, or on occasions when he’s flying solo, thereby fuelling the speculation that all’s not peachy with his girlfriend.

But a source very close to the pair reveals, on the condition of anonymity, that they’re very much together, although it is true that they have been going through a testing patch. “It’s mostly because they don’t see each other as often as they used to, due to work demands, but there’s nothing as drastic as a break-up.”

No Fools Allowed

Twice in one week. That’s got to be a record, even for Mrs B.

While most film stars have learnt to just grin and be a sport in the face of the hundreds of flashbulbs that frequently invade their privacy, Jaya Bachchan is one who has made it clear that she won’t suffer fools. The senior star has a reputation for snapping at the paparazzi and at fans for taking her photograph without permission. Or for heckling her family in the hope of getting a picture.

Just days ago, while attending EshaDeol’s godh bharai ceremony at the Iskcon temple in Juhu, eye-witnesses say Mrs B curtly put the priest in his place when she spotted him trying to snap the perfect selfie with Esha. “Aap pooja par dhyaan deejiye (Please focus on the prayers),” she is believed to have told him, even as the other guests tried to hold back their giggles.

In the same week, while visiting the Ganpati pandal at AB Corp CFO Rajesh Yadav’s Byculla residence, the actress kept her cool even as multiple cameras followed her around trying to get the perfect shot. She navigated the crowds of onlookers and paparazzi without losing her cool, until moments before entering her car when she was caught on camera snapping at a fan for attempting to take a selfie. “Don’t do that, stupid!” she protested before being whisked away.

The Lazy Bird Gets the Worm

Few of his actors have good things to say about him after they’ve wrapped production on their movies together, yet this technician-turned-director somehow manages to land major A-listers for every new project.

The leading ladies of both his previous films complained that they had to take charge when it became clear that he didn’t have the commitment (or skill) required to complete the films on schedule and on budget. The leading man of his last film said he was surprised his director didn’t even bother to show up and supervise the dub.

Despite that kind of reputation, he’s helming one of the more talked-about movies that’s slated for release shortly. Insiders say this one was a relatively hassle- free shoot because the director’s commitment (or lack of it) matched his leading man’s. For the actor, this was strictly a chance to get his career back on track; he wasn’t going to kill himself to make a great movie. Suits the director just fine.

About The Author

Rajeev Masand

•