It was a fun-filled evening (Or should I say, Papparazi-crazy evening) at a suburban multiplex Cinemax in Mumbai last night as a new magazine was launched by the beatific Gul Panag. The hullabaloo was followed by the premiere of a new film ‘Ahista Ahista’ which gained a lot of interest as a newspaper reported that Aamir Khan is going to be a part of the event due to his friendship with Soha Ali Khan. Aamir never turned up, but it still doesn’t take away anything from the brilliantly made film that came as a breath-of-fresh-air. And I must say Abhay Deol is going to be a Big Star. This man is BRILLIANT. And the best part is he is not desperate to grab the limelight. The dust-of-earnest-subtlety just follows him effortlessly.

Well, for more on the film you’ll have to check out the exclusive IndiaGlitz Review. As for the dimpled Gul Panag, then, it was a pleasant surprise to come across a celebrity that doesn’t mouth mechanical-well-prepared-answers. And for a change, it was good to come across a star that seemed out of place in the media circus with photographers stepping-on –toes to get that Big-Picture. Or the television camera persons, slugging it out with the unwelcome heads, popping in their monitors.

Gul spoke about her new film ‘Dor’ directed by ‘Iqbal’ director Nagesh Kukonoor. “Nagesh is a genius. It’s a great honour to work with him. In the film, I am playing an unconventional character called Zeenat. I can’t talk much about it but it’s something that gave me a lot of satisfaction,” she said excitedly. After a good performance in ‘Dhoop’, why doesn’t she do more films? “It’s not as if I am not getting offers, it’s just that I can’t take up just about anything that comes my way,” she says.

We caught up with ‘Chocolate’ director Vivek Agnihotri after that. He seemed excited about his new film ‘Goal’ starring John Abraham. The film is based on football and Abraham had specially gone to Germany during the world cup to get into thick of things. But a film on football, will it work in a cricket crazy India? “Why not…It all depends upon how one conceives a film and executes it,” he said.

Our cameraperson pointed out talented actor Pawan Malhotra feasting on his Bacardi. He politely excused as he finished his bubbly till-the-last-gulp. What about ‘Black Friday’ where your performance is being acknowledged highly? “Now the verdict on the Bombay Bomb blasts is going to be out on September 12th. We are hopeful that the film will release after that.” And what is it that is occupying your attention these days. “I am thrilled with having worked with Frahan Akhtar’s ‘Don’ crew. It was a great experience. Very organized. Exactly like UK or US where things are very systematic and methodical,” he said. And what are his expectations from ‘Ahista Ahista’? “Shivam Nair is a very talented director. I am sure it must be good fare.”

Finally we caught hold of a scampering-n-nervous Abhay Deol, the hero of the film. What’s your role in the film? “My name is Ankush. He serves as a witness in registered marriages and his life takes a turn when a girl enters his life,” Deol said. There’s a lot of buzz surrounding your acting capabilities. “Thanks. I am not good with answering media questions, so please don’t judge me on that. As you can see I am nervous.” The music is a big hit. “Yeah, Himesh has given a great score. I am thankful to him for that.”
 
I saw Abhay Deol rushing to the Exit gate as the movie ended. It was good to see a star do that. Moreover, his acting in this wonderfully different film was spot-on. He is simply fabulous. I am not the only one saying that. Very soon, you shall come across many more reviews eulogizing this Natural Actor. Did, I say review…Oops…Guess I must be going now…There’s a Movie Review to be written too. As I came out post midnight, a gush of soothing breeze hit my face. It was as if I had emerged after watching Hrishikesh Mukherjee brand of cinema all over again. Welcome aboard Shivam Nair…Is all I can say.