12.40 PM Friday, 29 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:56 06:10 12:26 15:53 18:37 19:52
29 March 2024

'Student of the Year' stars happy to have passed

Published
By Lipika Varma, Sanskriti Media

‘Student Of The Year’ has claimed its stupendous success at the box office. Produced by KJo’s production house, this film was the first of its kind to allow seven debutantes to perform. Definitely these debutantes have proved lucky enough as all have passed with flying colors.

Alia Bhatt is surely in seventh heaven; she chirps in excitement, “Yes, ‘SOTY’ is a dream debut for me. I could have not asked for anything else. Moreover, the success of the film has surely helped me deal with the tense situation I had to experience until the verdict was announced.

I will straight away like to say that half our battle was won when we signed the film for Karan Johar. His name in itself proclaims success. What I feel is, with big banners we are sure about the efforts that will be put in, right from the first stage i.e., the scripting level to the last but not the least, the promotions.

This first Friday made me realize the anxiety that my father Mahesh Bhatt and my uncle Mukesh Bhatt had to endure. They remained impatient and stressed until the D-Day. I got relief only when I received all the praises from everyone, whether from within the family or my new loving fans. I was very disappointed by Pooja’s (sister’s behaviour (smiles).

She wished both Siddharth and Varun, embracing them tightly, but she did not even give me a second look. Probably it is like ‘ghar ki murgi dal barabar’.” She laughs aloud.

She goes on to add, “During the announcements of my results during my school and college days, I was never so tense because I knew if I flunked in one subject, I could clear it by appearing for ATKTexam.

But here we have to prove our worth with our very first film to be able to survive in the film industry. It was like a struggle between life and death for me. I kept pondering over the result on Friday, the release day.”

Refreshing her memories of the shooting of ‘SOTY,’ she says, “Getting to sizzle in the yesteryear opening sexy, peppy and foot tapping number ‘Gulabi’ [remix] brought in a feeling of pride within me. Also,

I auditioned for songs from ‘I Hate Luv Storys.’ Watching my dancing caliber, I was chosen for the role. Being chosen for this character was like the first step towards my success. I have been able to withstand the Friday pressure successfully; this makes me confident but brings in more responsibility too.”

Alia also recollects her first meeting with Yashji. “At Karan Johar’s 40th birthday celebrations, I was introduced to Yashji. As I bent down to seek his blessings by touching his feet he said, ‘You have enough potential. God bless you. I know you will be the next star.’ Such appreciation from the legend of course made me feel good.”

She adds further, “Getting love from fans and their appreciation, nonetheless, brings a different kind of a feeling in the actor within me. All I know is that I will have to not take this success lightly but try to put in all my sincere efforts in the right directions, in order maintain this success hereafter.”

Sidharth Malhotra says, “I have been assistant to Karan Johar from the making of ‘My Name is Khan.’ I am happy to gain recognition now. But it makes me realize one thing distinctly: that I have to keep up to the attitude of a hero. After my film ‘SOTY’ was termed successful at the box office windows, my fans and audiences have started recognizing me. I recently went shopping and asked for a simple yet cheap cloth, to be attached behind curtains. Guess what? The shopkeeper smiled at me and started offering the most expensive curtain covers.

Also, he instructed the worker out there to accompany me and leave the stuff in my car. I had just walked down with my bathroom slippers and I do not own any car. I saved my skin by lying ‘my car is parked at a distance, so I will carry my own stuff.’ It is then I realized that as a hero to maintain the attitude the first thing I will need is to buy a wonderful car. However, my favorite car is the Safari, which is not within my budget.” He smiles.

He adds further, “It is like a dream come true for me also. I am indeed happy but now I will have to keep my folks and my fans too happy. After watching the movie, my nani asked me ‘kya tune really us ladki ko kiss kiya yah fir it was a fake scene?’ (Did you really kiss that girl or was it a fake scene). On learning the truth, she got angry with me. Anyway, as an actor we have to keep everyone happy. I hope I can do so in the future too.”

Varun Dhawan says, “I am happy for the stupendous beginning. After the success of this film, I have decided that I shall sign a few good films from outside banners. Subsequently, I shall do films with my dad and my brother.

For me, Karan Johar productions and David Dhawan productions are both equally important. And I know both Karan and Dad will leave the decision to me for choosing films for myself. Both are mature enough. Undoubtedly, they are always there to guide me. Working with Karan, half the battle is won as the banner is well known and they produce films genuinely. Completing all the spheres of film making to the best of their ability is their primary focus.

The pressure of doing better films and roles hereby increase for me. I will try to keep my fans happy always.”