Sunday, September 12, 2010

[ItzToday.com] Sunil Shetty's wife Mana says she's more than just a celeb wife

[ItzToday.com] Sunil Shetty's wife Mana says she's more than just a celeb wife

Sunil Shetty's wife Mana says she's more than just a celeb wife

Posted: 12 Sep 2010 01:45 AM PDT

Sunil Shetty's wife Mana says she's more than just a celeb wife Bollywood star Suniel Shetty's wife Mana gets upset the moment you call her a celebrity wife. She makes it a point to say, "I have an identity of my own". And why not, she is a designer, runs an NGO and also organises a fundraiser exhibition.

"I am not always Mana Shetty...I am also just Mana. I have an identity of my own. At least I think so and I believe in it. That's why I keep doing a lot of things on my own. Yes, I do have Suniel 100 percent behind me, but I think it does make a lot of difference when you do something on your own and you're not just a celebrity's wife," Mana told IANS.

There are others like Mana - Twinkle Khanna, Susanne Roshan, Gauri Khan and Tanya Deol, who too have pursued their own interests rather than just walking arm in arm with their celebrity husbands at high-profile Bollywood parties.

The 45-year-old, who has been married to Suniel for 19 years, feels it is important for celeb wives to involve themselves in something productive.

"I just feel if you are comfortable in your own skin, have your own identity...if you are a strong person...you have no need to be insecure about your husband. I am busy, I have my own life...and he gives me my own space," she said.

Mana is a fashion designer by profession and has been hosting a fundraiser exhibition 'Araaish' for three years. The collected money aids the Save the Children India Foundation, the NGO set up by her late mother in 1988.

No doubt Mana has carved a niche for herself, but doesn't being a celebrity wife have its own plus points?

"Using Suniel's name has been an advantage. I won't deny that. I have used his name as a passport. As his wife, I can get several things done. But when you are doing things for the good and giving back to society...then why not?

"Suniel is the brand ambassador of my mother's NGO and has been more involved in it than I ever was. But when we can come forward and make a little difference, when we are in a position to do that, why not? Why not take advantage of our name?" she asked.

Mana strongly believes that celebrities or even their wives and children can bring a positive change to society.

"I think all celebrities and their families can come forward and bring small differences to society. Salman (Khan) is doing great work. Hrithik (Roshan) is also doing great work...everybody is doing something worthy in their own way. It's just that each of us needs to realise our social responsibilities.

"I want my children to imbibe these qualities," said Mana, who is mother to Ahan, 15, and Athiya, 18.

When Mana is not busy with work, she likes to spend time with her family and loves hanging out with her girlfriends.

"I lead a very normal life. I go for lunch with my girlfriends, I watch movies, I work out like a maniac...it's a stress buster. I shop and travel...and do what every normal woman loves doing!" says Mana.

'Slumdog' director has a 'couple of ideas about India'

Posted: 12 Sep 2010 01:38 AM PDT

Danny Boyle, director of Oscar-winning 'The Slumdog Millionaire,' is still not finished on India.

The director, who is at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) for the gala of film '127 Hours,' said here that he still has "a couple of ideas' about India.

When his attention was drawn to Sarah McCarthy's film 'The Sound of Mumbai: A Musical' which is based on Mumbai slum kids and premiering at the festival, he said he has heard so.

The British director said India offers so much in terms of ideas for film makers. "There are so many ideas for a filmmaker can have about India,'' Boyle told IANS here.

Asked whether he planned any follow-up on Slumdog, Boyle didn't say anything.

He was all praise for his Slumdog actor Freida Pinto. "I think she is a wonderful actor,'' he said.

When asked why she was not getting any offers from Bollywood, he said, " She also told me so. I don't know. She is very talented. We are touch.''

But the Indian actress could not have asked for more at the Toronto film festival as she is featuring in two films premiering here - Woody Allen's 'You Will Meet a Dark Tall Stranger' and Julian Schnabel's 'Miral.'

However, Boyle's '127 Hours' featuring Spiderman star James Franco had a rather unceremonious start at the festival Saturday because of repeated delays.

So big was the response that more than a thousand people had lined up before the threat which had a capacity of just 557 seats. As digital hiccups led to repeated delays in the screening, the organizers had to shift the screening to another theatre in the Scotiabank multiplex in the heart of downtown Toronto.

Boyle came on to the stage before the start of the film to apologize to the audience for the delay. "The film is 127 Hours, but it will be over in 94 minutes. I look forward to hearing all your 127 hours jokes,'' he quipped.

Sushmita Sen to celebrate Durga Puja in Kolkata

Posted: 12 Sep 2010 01:37 AM PDT

Sushmita Sen to celebrate Durga Puja in KolkataBollywood diva Sushmita Sen plans to spend the Durga Puja festival next month in her hometown Kolkata along with her adopted kids to give them an idea about the biggest autumnal celebration in her state.

"This time I have plans to spend my Durga Puja in Kolkata as this is my hometown. I want my kids (adopted) to know what Durga Puja really is," said Sushmita, who was in Kolkata to walk the ramp at a fashion show here.

The four-day Durga Puja celebrations begin Oct 14.

The 34-year-old actress, born in a Bengali family, has two adopted daughters - Renee and Alisah.

She adopted Renee in 2000, and in January this year she adopted a three-month-old girl, and named her Alisah.

Sushmita said she wanted to have biological kids also.

"I will surely adopt more kids and also want to have biological kids too," the former Miss Universe said.

So when asked whether marriage was on the cards, the ever-smiling Sushmita replied: "I believe when the time comes it will surely happen. And I firmly believe that when I do get married it will be a perfect marriage."

In the past, the actress has dated actor Randeep Hooda and ad man Manav Menon.

Sushmita also spoke about her dream film project "Rani Lakshmibai", and feels it will come true some day.

"The budget of the film is Rs.80 crore. But I was told to do it in Rs.30 crore, and I don't agree with it," she said.

"I don't believe in the rat race. Whatever movies I have done, I have done it with my heart," said Sushmita, who entered Bollywood with "Dastak" in 1996 and went on to do films like "Biwi No.1", "Filhaal" and "Main Hoon Na".

Sushmita Saturday walked the ramp as a showstopper for designers Shantanu and Nikhil at the sixth edition of the Seagram's Blenders Pride Fashion Tour in Kolkata.
Posted by Suresh at 7:44 PM

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