Celeb stalking is an extremely high adrenaline-inducing activity. You could even peg it on the same league as bungee jumping. Well, almost! It gets even the discerning ones going weak-kneed for a slice of the fame pie. And if you are paid for it, then it's like the icing on the cake. Despite being conditioned to the hoopla surrounding celebs, each time the experience turns out to be just as exhilarating, and sometimes unintentionally insightful.
So, when the offer to hitch a ride with the stars of Patiala House - Akshay Kumar and Anushka Sharma - came along, it was hard to resist. For one, it meant I could skip the intense elbow work required for a few sound bytes. Instead, I could chit-chat with the stars at leisure, while lounging in their luxurious limo.
The introductions were brief, yet amusing. "Sneha from France?" quipped Kumar, before laughing out loud, leaving me with a limp grin. Clearly, his exercise wasn't promoting his prowess for humour, or in this case the lack of it, but it was endearing nevertheless that he, unlike his rather frosty co-star, did attempt to break the ice. After hectic promotional exercises for Patiala House, it's understandable how their energy levels aren't elevated. Nevertheless, the duo appeared far more affectionate than what we had glimpsed at the official press meet. While their movie did figure prominently in our conversation, Kumar ensured I was given a thorough briefing on its finer points. Identity crisis does feature prominently, with his character's cricketing dreams being quashed by his overpowering dad's desire to protect their Indian roots, but it's not the only conflict that filmmaker Nikhil Advani deals with.
"It's more about the father-son relationship. To me, this is the best relationship. I've played similar equations in Waqt, Ek Rishta, Jaanvar… and all these films are close to me. Everybody has a special person in their lives and for me, it's my father. So, portraying this relationship comes naturally to me," says Kumar. In comparison, Sharma's reasons don't appear as well thought-out. Understandable, considering she's just four films old and he over a 100! "As an actor you want to be doing different things. It'll take some time before you'll see my range as an actor."
In her defence, barring the Punjabi references, both her debut role and her most recent one are strikingly different. "They are all very different characters. And yes, as an actor, you don't want to be doing the same kind of stuff. I was launched in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi as a Punjabi. For any actor, the stereotype is created with your first film and you have to break that. But I didn't play a Punjabi in my next two films - Badmash Company (Rajasthani) and Band Baaja Baarat (Delhiite). And in Patiala House, I play a Punjabi but one who lives in Southall."
Interestingly, it was her (Punjabi) debut act that prompted Akshay to select her for this one. If we had to pinpoint a variation, it'd be her first Bollywood steps outside the YashRaj shield. Sharma, however, disagrees. "Since Nikhil (Advani) started off under the YashRaj banner, his background is the same. So, the working style is similar. Otherwise it's the same drill… camera, spot boys…" I get the drift.
As Sharma dissected the intricacies of the film business, Kumar busied himself on his mobile phone. With my undivided attention on Sharma I listened, patiently, as she rambled on about her highs and lows.
Despite agreeing on most points, she only disputed my observation that Badmash Company was her only real disappointment.
"It was actually a hit. There's a lot of disparity between how the film fares and what the media knows about it. That's the same with Akshay's films. Often they are projected as flops, when they've actually done well."
I take the cue and let her dictate her Bollywood knowledge, uninterrupted. "I don't take on a film with any preconceived notions. I just wait for the experiences to hit me. In fact, my first film only equipped me to go forward. I've learnt from the best people..."
Her early "preschool learning" doesn't actually prepare us for her stance that she doesn't take tips (from established stars) or gives any (to newcomers). "As an actor, I've never really been lectured by any star. So, even I give my co-stars that space. Newcomers like Ranveer don't want tips. On the contrary, you'll have to take tips from him!"
This gets me to delve deeper into her remarkable camaraderie with established stars and debutants. "Shah Rukh and Akshay are really cool people. Basically they allow me to be myself. Trust me, I'll fail otherwise. But I know that I've got to do my best, because these guys never go wrong. I just have to be on my toes, and it helps me work harder."
She admits that despite starting off with a stunner of a debut, where she romanced not one but two Shah Rukh Khans, she found "acceptance" only the third time round as a fiesty wedding planner alongside "lover" Ranveer Singh in Band Baaja Baarat. "I don't think I had [the recognition] before that. Now, it'll help me to come into my own sooner."
Her talk is cut short by Kumar, after he finished toying with his gadgets. Unlike Sharma, he isn't keen on deliberating on Bollywood nitty-gritties, if anything it's the hoopla over film promotions that's caught his attention. For someone who indulges heavily in the concept, even sporting his film costumes weeks ahead of a release (read: Khatta Meeta), it's intriguing how he believes such exercises work. "Honestly, making a film is more easier than promoting it. It's just hard work to tell people about your film, about your existence… Also, I've three films a year and I do the most promotions."
With an impressive body of work, it's commendable how Kumar made it on his own terms, even if it meant giving up his original name (Rajeev Bhatia) for Kumar for Bollywood glory. "Other than the name, there's no real difference. They call me Rajeev, Akshay, even other names, which I can't mention!"
Sensing how the man was slowly letting down his guard, Sharma takes the hint and unwinds as well. He in turn drifts off, waxing eloquence about his love for Dubai: "I love Dubai. First of all, it's very close to Mumbai. And I love the food here… it's very clean."
Sharma reveals this is her first visit. Being the courteous man he is, Kumar tries to make this a memorable trip by making sushi plans for the night, even extending me an invitation. Sharma confides she's a "huge foodie".
It was fascinating to watch how Kumar's peppy mood was contagious, unveiling a whole new side of Sharma: warm, friendly, fun and completely unshielded. Leaving me stumped, further, with her declaration that I shared a lot of similarities with her best pal Sneha Menon.
We digress to celluloid talk, but this time it's more laid-back, with Sharma animatedly narrating how she messed up her lines while filming her first shot with Kumar. "I was getting a little intimidated, but he was really sweet and asked me if I wanted to do it again. Then he praised me for my shot. He was very supportive so I eased out a bit."
Talking about firsts got Kumar reminiscing about his first shot ever. "Nobody would've ever done what I did. I was doing a hand-stand, with my legs facing the camera. It was for Saugand…" But Sharma quickly quashed that claim with a notorious reference, one I'm not allowed to divulge. And I'll keep my word, only because they were such good sports!
Hard Kaur: On record
Identity crisis
"I'm glad that I was born in India. I know the kids who are born in England have issues with their culture. They don't realise that Indians in India are much more westernised than Indians abroad. So I'm glad that I was born in India, but I'm also thankful that I grew up in the UK because it taught me how to be more forthcoming. So, I'm happy I got the best of both worlds."
Akshay Kumar
"I think it (Patiala House) is his best film. I've enjoyed his work in films like Namaste London, but you are going to see the real side of Akshay in this film."
Bollywood debut
"Don't ask me about acting. I'm nobody when it comes to acting. But I was really lucky because Akshay paaji chose me to play this role (Komal) after seeing me in Jhalak Dikla Ja (dance reality TV show). I've given music for his other films, but to be in his film and to give music, was like winning the lottery."
Her first shot
"I was very shy. It was the first time I saw a huge superstar walk up and pat my back. I've met loads and loads of celebrities but they aren't as friendly. But Akshay was so warm."
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