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SALLU- AISH- VIVEK: EK ANOKHI PREM KAHANI
By Suhel Johar
In The News
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The feline fracas between actors Salman Khan and Vivek Oberoi may have turned into a prime-time television drama and a mini national debate. But as far as the tight-lipped film industry that prefers to talk 'off the record' is concerned, there is little doubt in their minds as to whose side they're on. They will rally around Salman in the ring, instead of "boxing champ" Vivek. "He (Salman) has become everybody's favourite whipping boy. His silence shouldn't be treated as his weakness," is the almost verbatim refrain from 'Salman camp', an 'NGO' that apparently went through an overnight recruitment overdrive.
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The reason for Bollywood brotherhood arriving at a rare common ground over, of all people, Salman - someone who has made mistakes many a time in the past - is "Vivek's immature outburst in the national media" that has given the "film industry a bad name." One is not supposed to wash his dirty linen in public. As it is, the movie industry is going through a troubled phase with films flopping like pins. Such things don't help. So it has been disappointing to see an actor (Vivek) who has spent all his life in the industry behave this way.
Industrywallahs don't want to be judgmental on the matter. But going to the media as Vivek did was completely in bad taste, feel most of the biggies in the industry. If Vivek calls Salim Khan his 'uncle,' he should have gone to 'uncle' and solved the problem. They feel Vivek is a newcomer, he is talented, but Salman has given a lot to this industry. Give him his due and leave him alone. He is going through a bad phase right now. Some of them even feel that Vivek is unnecessarily attacking Salman.
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In these unevenly divided camps, Vivek may not necessarily be sitting lonesome with his feet in his mouth, though. Rani Mukherjee, who by his admission had advised him not to approach the media, is known to be on his side, among some others, like directors Madhur Bhandarkar and Kunal Kohli. Because though a section of showbiz feels that there was "no need to make such a hue and cry in the media ", the rest feel that that this kind of "brat-menace bullying conduct of Sallu-bhai has to be exposed." Subhash Ghai, Govinda, Pahlaj Nihalani and Hrithik Roshan are sitting on the fence, not wanting to comment on the issue and treating it as a personal matter.
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Interestingly, Vivek's father Suresh Oberoi does not approve of his son's actions. In fact, for Vivek's father-cum-manager Suresh Oberoi, who was in Pune when the Truman Show in his Juhu home took place, it is time for Operation Damage Control. As a step one the senior Oberoi is presenting the all-too familiar story called denial. He even denies the press conference saying that Vivek didn't call any press conference. The press was waiting for him at his house on its own. Though Suresh denies any serious differences between Vivek and Salman but at the same time he says, " I am upset over all that had happened (between Salman and Vivek) because I am a preacher of non-violence."
It's really ironical that while Rai tries her damnedest to keep her love life out of the news and away from public speculation, the men in her life can't seem to do the same. They're moved, by insecurity perhaps, into significant physical or vocal reactions.
Salman Khan's reactions to the beautiful Rai have always been volatile, though implied through association - drunken brawls, car accidents, tantrums and the like - in response to interviews and rumors.
Diya Mirza is not very pleased. She wants to take the issue in her stride. "This matter is between the two men. They should try to solve it in such a way that we women do not come into the picture". She is unable to conceal her annoyance.
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Jackie Shroff says that Vivek and Salman are children and need to grow up. They do not know how to handle success. He is in no position to talk about this issue. Now Oberoi has all but told the world what Salman Khan thinks is going on between Aishwarya and Vivek, in a televised press conference no less, and what he hasn't said, Arbaaz Khan has. Our question is this: Why has Rai not been able to make that final cut from Khan? Especially considering the new man in her life thinks that they have "something special" going. Lingering feelings? Misplaced affection? Just wanting attention from whichever quarter she can get it?
Only Rai has the answers. But here's a fact: Khan and Rai are now doing a film together. And that will not help matters at all.
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In the meanwhile Aishwarya Rai is recuperating at Hinduja Hospital after meeting with an accident on the sets of Khakee in Nashik. The doctors found she had a minor fracture on the little toe of her left foot and abrasions on her elbow and in the back. The abrasions were the result of her falling on cactus thorns. Immediately after her admission in the hospital she was administered local anesthesia for stitching her wounds and put plaster below the knee. Around seven to eight thorns that had entered deep inside her body were also removed. She has been advised to take complete bed rest for a few days.
The accident is being considered as minor by the film's unit. Still if Aishwarya files a complaint against the Stunt co-ordinator, the Nashik police would go ahead with the arrest for negligence and carelessness.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that 'Khakee' is half complete but will be delayed now. The producer says it will be difficult to coincide dates of Aishwarya's co-stars Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgan and Tusshar Kapoor.
Director of 'Kyon Hua Na Pyar' Sameer Karnik said from London, "Aish was supposed to start shooting with us from April 7, but dates can be adjusted. Aishwarya has just completed 'Chokher Bali,' 'Kuch Naa Kaho' and 'Hum Panchi Ek Daal Ke'. She is signed for Gurinder Chaddha's latest movie too.
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