| JUNE
2007 |
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TV Alert: Kabir Bedi to judge
Miss Italia Nel Mondo - live! 2007 June 23,
2007
Kabir is a member of the international jury to judge the new Miss Italia
Nel Mondo 2007 in Jesolo.
LIVE
June 25, 2007...21:20...Rai Uno...Miss Italia Nel Mondo 2007
The day before, on June 24, 2007, there's also a Miss Italia Nel Mondo programme
- however, Kabir will presumably not take part in it:
June 24, 2007...20:40...Rai Uno...Missione Italia Nel Mondo...Anteprima Miss
Italia Nel Mondo
(40 minutes)
Enjoy! |
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Another Parveen in Kabir Bedi's
life June 21, 2007
Here's another article about Kabir and his new girlfriend, Parveen Dusanj,
published today in Indian daily Mid-Day:
Kabir Bedi has found love again with a beautiful, young London-based social
researcher. Ironically, she shares her first name with his troubled former
flame, Parveen Babi.
Kabir Bedi, who was once in a serious relationship with troubled actress
Parveen Babi, now has her namesake in his life.
Bedi is currently dating a London-based Indian called Parveen Dusanj, who
is a social researcher.
In 2005, the 60-plus actor divorced his third wife, television and radio
presenter Nikki Bedi, best remembered here for her controversial chat show
Nikki Tonight.
Instant connection
Bedi and new love Parveen were spotted together at the recent IIFA Awards
in Yorkshire. When we called Parveen to ask her about the actor, she excused
herself with, "I would prefer if you talk to Kabir instead."
Meanwhile, Kabir says he met Parveen at London’s West End theatre when
he was working on the play, The Far Pavilions. "We were introduced by
common friends and clicked. The rest, as they say, is history. Parveen has
been in my life since the past 18 months," he reveals.
The actor, who was earlier married to Odissi dancer Protima Bedi and fashion
designer Susan Humphreys, says he split up with Nikki about two-and-half
years ago but is uncomfortable talking about what led to the parting.
He says, "I wouldn’t like to dwell on why Nikki and I went our
separate ways. We are still friends, though. Nikki has her own life and career
and I have my own. I will speak about this in detail when I come to India
next (July 12)."
Amicable divorce
A source close to Bedi’s family tells us that Kabir and Nikki’s
relationship failed because they weren’t on the same wavelength after
a point. "Both were constantly travelling for work and the relationship
soon became a long distance one. They decided it was better to part ways
than to quarrel for the rest of their lives. They divorced amicably and continue
to remain close," says the family friend.
Now, Kabir is happy to have found love again. "He spends a lot of time
in Italy thanks to work commitments and Parveen frequently travels with him.
They’ve often been spotted on the London party circuit, and friends
in London and Italy know they are a couple. Last week, they were at IIFA
together. However, Kabir doesn’t like talking about the fact that he
has another Parveen in his life," the source adds.
Pooja Bedi, who has always been a great support to her father, says she is
friends with his new love. "Parveen is young, beautiful and intelligent.
I’ve spent lots of time with her and she is a wonderful person. My
dad and Parveen look very good together," she says. |
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Miss Italia Nel Mondo: Kabir
Bedi to judge - again June 18, 2007
Kabir will be a member of the jury to judge the Miss Italia Nel Mondo 2007
in Jesolo, Italy, according to Italian news agency Adnkronos on website yahoo.com
Italia today.
Kabir will be a judge at the beauty contest for the second time; In 1999,
as chairman of the jury, he personally crowned Miss Italia Nel Mondo 1999,
Ambra Gulla'.
Then and now, Miss Italia Nel Mondo is always broadcast live on Italian television.
- TV: Jesolo, Domani La Presentazione Delle Miss Italia Nel Mondo
- Adnkronos
Dopo una settimana di prove, le 50 ragazze in lizza per il titolo di Miss
Italia nel Mondo 2007 saranno presentate alla citta' nella suggestiva cornice
di Piazza Aurora. A condurre lo spettacolo, previsto per domani a partire
dalle ore 22:00, sara' Raffaello Zanieri che coinvolgera' le reginette di
bellezza in divertenti gags e karaoke improvvisati di alcune delle canzoni
italiani piu' famose all'estero.
Ma non sara' solo la musica italiana ad animare la serata. Ospite attesa
sara' la Miss Italia Nel Mondo 2006, Karina Miquelin, che cantera' al pubblico
una canzone tratta dal suo primo album musicale. Insieme alla cittadinanza
e agli ospiti italiani e stranieri, saranno presenti alla manifestazione
il vice presidente della Regione Veneto, Luca Zaia, il sindaco di Jesolo,
Francesco Calzavara ed Enzo e Patrizia Mirigliani.
Nel frattempo e' stata completata la giuria del Concorso, presieduta da Christian
De Sica e caratterizzata dalla presenza di artisti stranieri affermatisi
in Italia, con l'attore Kabir Bedi. |
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Kabir
Bedi joins MPs for Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday celebration June
17, 2007
Today, British AIM (Asians in Media) magazine has an article, too, on Kabir's
reading in the British House of Commons for Burma's nobel prize winner Aung
San Suu Kyi:
- Kabir Bedi joins MPs for birthday celebration
Actor Kabir Bedi will join William Hague MP, Ian McCartney MP and Michael
Moore MP, on June 19th 2007 at the House of Commons to hold a birthday reception
for the world’s only Nobel Peace prize political prisoner, Aung San
Suu Kyi.
She is the democratically elected leader of Burma and is to spend her 62nd
birthday in isolation under the rule of the military junta. This is the 11th
birthday she has endured while under house arrest. Theatres and venues across
the world are joining together to read an extract of a new play about her
on the day. |
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Kabir Bedi’s voice for Burma’s Nelson Mandela June 17, 2007
At the British House of Commons Kabir will on July 17, 2007 read an extract
from the play The Lady of Burma, together with Liana Mau Tan Gold, honouring
the 62th birthday of Aung San Suu Kyi, according to the Indian newspaper
DNA today:
- Kabir Bedi’s voice for Burma’s Mandela
- by Saumit Singh
The actor will be part of a special birthday celebration in honour of Aung
San Suu Kyi at the British House of Commons on June 19.
In many ways she’s the Nelson Mandela of Burma. Nobel Peace Prize laureate
Aung San Suu Kyi has spent over 11 years under detention in the very country
she would have been Prime Minister.
Just last month, more than 50 world leaders including George Bush Sr and
Margaret Thatcher released a letter to Burma’s (now called Myanmar)
military dictatorship demanding her release; even the United Nations recently
condemned the indefinite extension of her house arrest.
But it’s now clear that Suu Kyi, who turns 62 on Tuesday, will be spending
her birthday in isolated detention on June 19 - the 11th time she’s
enduring this. But this time, the world is getting ready to stage a ‘birthday
reception’ for this exceptional lady.
On that day, London will witness a special reading from a new play ‘The
Lady of Burma’ written and directed by Richard Shannon and based on
Suu Kyi’s struggle. Kabir Bedi will be joining actress Liana Mau Tan
Gould to read an extract from the play in the British House of Commons on
June 19. The reading will simultaneously take place in various other theatres
and venues all over the world.
- "I have known Burma since I was a child and care deeply about it.
I’m attending this event to show my support for the restoration of
democracy in Burma and for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi," Kabir Bedi
told After Hours from London .
Incidentally, Kabir himself has spent many years in Burma when it was still
a democracy. The ‘Lady of Burma’ will premiere at the Edinburgh
fringe festival this summer. It is being presented by the Burma Campaign
UK, which is part of a global movement to re-establish democracy and human
rights in Burma. |
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Pooja Bedi: The best gift my
papa Kabir gave me... June 16, 2007
Here's Indian daily DNA's little poll on the occasion of Father's Day, published
today:
- The best gift my papa gave me...
Not money or anything remotely materialistic as Mumbai’s go-getting
women reveal:
- "The most precious gift my father gave me is time. Though we are emotionally
close, we are geographically very far apart. Once I felt this incredible
urge to be with him. So when he asked me two years ago what I wanted for
my birthday, I said I would like to spend some time with him. Though he was
very busy he took the time out to go for a trip to Goa with me and we spent
the trip walking on the beach, swimming and playing scrabble."
- TV host Pooja Bedi, daughter of actor Kabir Bedi
- "My father has given me many gifts. However, the best gift he has
given me is help kickstart my career. He not only encouraged me to act and
produce, but has also directed me on stage. No other material gift can ever
equal that."
- Theatre actress Shazahn Padamsee, daughter of theatre personality Alyque
Padamsee
- "His advice has always been his biggest gift to me. He always told
us to work hard to achieve great heights. He is a great example of that.
And I intend to follow his example and achieve the best I can and create
an example like he has."
- Model Pallavi Vengsarkar, daughter of former cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar
- "My father gave me love, acceptance and total freedom to make my own
mistakes and learn from them."
- Actress Koel Purie,daughter of India Today editor Aroon Purie
- "My father groomed me very well to face the world. He is very well-spoken
and has great human relations skills, which he has passed down to me. His
word of advice to me has been that ‘however successful you are, always
be humble’, which I live by and has been the best gift."
- Designer Shaina NC, daughter of former Mumbai Sheriff* Nana Chudasama
*
[Note:
The Sheriff of Mumbai is an apolitical titular position of authority bestowed
for one year on a prominent citizen of Mumbai. Although the Sheriff is closely
associated with the High Court, he has no executive powers of his own, but
instead has mostly ceremonial and representative tasks. There are only two
Sheriffs in India, in Mumbai and in Calcutta.] |
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Kabir Bedi joins St Stephen's
debate June 10, 2007
Kabir would like to see more places available for new students at his former
college St. Stephen's as he joins the debate about reservation of seats for
Dalit Christians, according to Indian press agency TNN, article published
today in the Delhi section of The Times of India:
- St Stephen's: The debate rages
by TNN
New Delhi: The latest proposal to reserve 10 per cent seats for Dalit Christians
in St Stephen’s College has evoked mixed response from the college
alumni. Some fear that such radical changes will affect the reputation of
the 125-year-old college while others feel it will help the socially underprivileged
group.
- "It would be unfortunate if such radical changes take place in such
a haste. Any changes in the reservation of seats should be done in consultation
with the alumni and other stakeholders to ensure that its 125-year-old history
of intellectual excellence remains unaffected. Institutions are difficult
to built but easy to destroy," said historian Ramchandra Guha.
The college is likely to have a different eligibility criteria and selection
process for Dalit Christian students. On this, Chief Information Commissioner
W Habibullah said: "Admitting Dalits would not hamper the elite image
of the college but resorting to mediocrity may do."
Echoing his views, minister of science and technology and ocean development
Kapil Sibal said: "Providing reservation for Dalit Christians seems
right but one has to ensure that the excellence is not destroyed. One has
to study the mechanism of the proposal like the methodology of selection
of candidates and threshold marks for these candidates."
Actor Kabir Bedi, however, feels that expansion should take place simultaneously
with the reservation. "While giving an opportunity to socially backward
classes, this elite institution should also make efforts to gradually increase
the seats," said Bedi.
However, there are others who consider it as a step forward. "It is
a positive move and will not change the character of the institution," said
Amrit Mathur, BCCI spokesperson. Agreed Vasant Valley School principal Arun
Kapur: "The Dalit students will surely do value addition to the reputation
of the college," he said. |
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Sexy Sadhu: Kabir Bedi June 6, 2007
Website Hindi Song, too, has a report today about Kabir's forthcoming In
Search of Nirvana, a project from 2003, former working title Maya.The Mirage:
Sexy Sadhu:
Actor Kabir Bedi, who continues to look sexy even in old age, is all set
to play a Sadhu in Raman Kumar’s forthcoming film, In Search of Nirvana.
The film will be shot in the Himalayas and the search is on for an actress
to play Kabir's love interest. Hey we thought this movie was about a Sadhu
but again, with Kabir playing a Sadhu, can women be far behind? |
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Pooja Bedi on her parents Kabir
and Protima June 3, 2007
Kabir's daughter Pooja is among the celebrities who are cited today in a
merinews.com article called "Children - A twin delight of marriage?",
by Bina Bakshi:
Pooja Bedi on her parents Kabir and Protima: "They were the original
flower children. Mom would carry me as an infant to parties in a baby basket
and nurse me each time it was feed-time in the patio or bathroom. I don’t
think my arrival did anything to dampen their ardour or their fun. My parents
were together because they wanted to be together. It had nothing to do with
us children." |
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| MAY
2007 |
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Kabir Bedi returns - In Search
of Nirvana May 15, 2007
A young girl is looking for her personal Nirvana - and an educated, charming
man will help her find it: Kabir Bedi will star as a Sadhu in a forthcoming
film project, originally from 2003 (former working title Maya.The Mirage).
Another article about In Search of Nirvana was published today
in the Indian daily Mumbai Mirror:
- Kabir Bedi returns
- by Ashwini Deshmukh
The dashing actor will play a sadhu in Raman Kumar's next.
Kabir Bedi's hiatus from the film screen is soon going to end as Raman Kumar
is all set to cast him as a sadhu in his forthcoming film, In Search of Nirvana.
How did he decide to cast Kabir in a sadhu's role? Raman says, "The
film, "In Search Of Nirvana" is about the Indian way of living
and thinking, how the West is veering more and more towards it. The sadhu's
character in my film is that of an educated, English-speaking man with a
charming personality. I couldn't think of a better actor than Kabir. He fits
the bill very well."
Although the film questions life, and its philosophies, it isn't bereft of
romance. The director is in search of a foreign actress to play Kabir's love
interest, and has been auditioning across New York, Australia and London. "This
is a story of a foreign girl who comes in search of Nirvana, someone who
wants all the answers to life and she meets this sadhu in Banaras. In spite
of an age difference romance flourishes between the two characters." says
Raman Kumar.
When we contacted Kabir Bedi, the actor, who is currently in London, said, "When
Raman told me about the character I am to play I thought it was an interesting
concept. I still have to finalise on the details with Raman but nevertheless
I am looking forward to play this unusual character and hope it all works
out well."
While a few details remain to be finalised, Raman has already decided on
the musicians who will score the music for this film, "I'll sign Jagjit
Singh and Zakir Husain to do the music of my film. I'd also like to work
with Shantanu Moitra and the film will be shot in the Himalayas," he
adds.
The sadhu's character in my film is that of an educated, English-speaking
man with a charming personality. I couldn't think of a better actor than
Kabir. He fits the bill very well. - Raman Kumar |
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Parveen
Dusanj - Another Parveen is Kabir Bedi's love May 6,
2007
Kabir talks about his love life and the new love in his life, Parveen
Dusanj, in an article published today in the Pune issue of the
Indian newspaper The Times of India:
- Another Parveen is Kabir Bedi's love
by Afsana Ahmed, TNN
Just when women in Mumbai rejoiced to hear that Kabir Bedi, one
of India's most desirable men, was single again after his split
with Nikki, comes the news that he has given his heart away to
a London-based Indian beauty.
Her name is Parveen Dusanj and she is a social researcher. Understandably,
the 60-plus man in love has no regrets about breaking others' hearts. "What
to do," he laughs defensively, "I didn't do it on purpose.
Love just happens, you know."
It's the calmness after the storm for the suave Kabir. The man,
whose professional life spans three decades across three continents
(USA, Europe and Asia), is enjoying the "splendid and euphoric
phase" with his newfound love. And his career abroad is also
going great with a primetime TV series in Un Medico in Famiglia
in Italy.
The duo are in Mumbai for a week before flying to Italy where Kabir
will explore another form of communication, this time as a radio
host. "In the 30 years of my career, I have explored all possible
mediums, except radio. It's very exciting. I am also so happy to
have found my companion in Parveen . So, it's a very excellent
phase of my life, professionally and personally," says Kabir.
A ladies man who was always vocal about his relationships, this
time, however, Kabir is guarded about his current love life. "I
will talk about it but at the right time," he says, but relents
to add, "It's been one-and-half years we have been going steady.
I met her in London's Westend theatre while doing the play Far
Pavilion.We were introduced by some common friends and since then
we have been together."
One-and-half years is a long time to hide his relationship from
the world. But Kabir corrects, "Friends in Italy know that
we are a couple. We go out very often. The Internet there has stories
and pictures of us. I am not hiding it. Love is a beautiful feeling.
It's just that Parveen is getting used to being in Mumbai. Give
her some time."
Kabir is also aware of the similarity in the name of his current
flame with that of his former girlfriend, Parveen Babi. "My
lips are sealed. Let's not go into that area. Everything has a
place and time," he pleads when reminded of Babi.
Post divorce to Nikki, Kabir is still good friends with his ex. "She
is doing great in her career. She's met Parveen and clicked well," he
admits. And daughter Pooja Bedi, who's always been a great supporter,
is great pals with Parveen as well. "They got to know each
other when Parveen and I started going out. My daughter is very
understanding and lovable," says Kabir.
Any plans of marriage? "Not now. Just wait for sometime," says
the actor who was married to Protima Bedi, Susan (son Adam Bedi's
mother) and Nikki respectively, and who has remained friends with
his ex-wives even after they parted ways. "I had wonderful
years with some wonderful women, but we couldn't continue for various
reasons," he reflects. |
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Kabir Bedi on Bollywood, Hollywood,
Bold & Beautiful
- and love! March 1, 2007
Kabir is convinced "love is a many splendoured thing", and
marries the woman who he strangles every night on stage, explains the
Hollywood system, talks about work on the set of soap operas, and reveals
his dream job - in an interview with pictures of Taj Mahal and Bold & Beautiful,
which was conducted probably some time ago, however, now published in
the March issue of the Indian monthly Dash Magazine:
- Kabir Bedi on Bollywood, Hollywood, Bold & Beautiful - and love!
March 1, 2007
- by Monojit Lahiri
Three and a half decades after he made his spectacular debut in Showbiz
- India’s very first poster boy model and red-hot stage luminary
after Alyque Padamsee’s Tughlaq - Kabir Bedi still retains his
killer looks and amazingly sexy baritone! In the city on a personal visit,
the guy who is still lionised in Europe and recognised in Hollywood but
largely ignored in Bollywood, spoke to Monojit Lahiri with rare wit,
charm and candour about it all...
Bollywood & I just don't seem to gel!
First things first. I had never in my life ever aspired to be an actor.
Direction was the area that interested me. When O.P. Ralhan - a big shot
filmmaker of the early seventies - signed me on, I was more bewildered
than thrilled! Anyway, I decided to go with the flow. The film, Hulchul,
turned out to be a disaster, as did most of the other films I worked
in, with the exception of Raj Khosla’s Kuchche Dhaage, which proved
to be a big hit. I have often been asked why, despite having some kind
of a presence and a decent voice, I couldn’t make it in an environment
where others (much inferior in every way) were hitting target. Frankly,
that’s not for me to say. All I can say, on hindsight, is that
it had to do with many things, first of which was my general discomfort
with the Hindi language as a medium of communication. Sherwood, St. Stephens
and the Mumbai Adbiz were pretty much English-specific, defining a very
different sensibility than the one existing in the Bollywood of the seventies.
Also, the fact that I didn’t exactly look like the boy next door
and wasn’t wild about dancing around the trees - a must in those
Roop Tera Mastana times [note: means "Your beauty is intoxicating",
a big Bollywood hitsong, and also the title of a film in those days]
- didn’t sweep the polls in my favour! Looking back, I think it
had largely to do with the fact that I was -not- really passionate enough
about making grade as a top-class Bollywood hero or else I certainly
would have exercised damage control. My agenda was focused on being a
director and I counted my acting stints as a huge learning experience
towards reaching that objective.
Of course Sandokan came and slung it out!
Hollywood is totally incestuous & inward looking. They don't need
outsiders!
The Italian production of Sandokan (which I signed on while struggling
in Bollywood) was a monster hit, which flamboyantly showcased my strengths
- drama, action and romance - in style! Overnight I became a demi-god
in Europe, triggering the kind of hysteria globally revered Pop Stars
receive! France, Germany, Spain, Italy - the film just exploded ! I decided
that Hollywood was the next stop and moved. Ashanti (co-starring Michael
Caine and Peter Ustinov) and Octopussy (co-starring Roger Moore and a
dozen dazzling babes) marked a good beginning, but with hardly any worthwhile
encores. The reasons were simple. Hollywood is a totally incentuous and
self-centered place -not- remotely interested in anything beyond L.A.
You can be the hottest ticket in Europe, Asia or wherever -but- if you
haven’t scored there, you are a big zero! It’s not about
what you have done or can do, but who you are. Do you know that the Asian
presence in America’s showbiz - Theatre, Television & Film
- is less than one percent! They just don’t’ give a damn!
After the dizzy heights reached with Sandokan, frankly, this was a huge
humbling experience, but I got real, took it in my stride, made my peace
with it and cottoned on to another segment which was equally mind blowing
- soaps.
The soaps in the U.S. represent a subculture of their own. Do you know
Bold & Beautiful is the second most watched soap in the world?
You have to be in the U.S. to understand the kind of impact soaps make
on people. They attract an unbelievable groundswell and are a sub-culture
of their own, with their very own star-system, magazines, fan clubs,
awards and insane following! Did you know that B&B is the second
most-watched soap in the world, pipped at the post only by the Pam Anderson-powered
Baywatch? I really had no idea about all this when I first got on board.
Subsequently I did General Hospital, One Life to Live and of course,
B&B.
The Bold... was a fascinating experience - not only because I was paired
with the astonishingly beautiful Hunter Tylo, with whom I had earlier
done a TV series called Maharaja's Daughter - but also because of the
way the entire project moved. For once, it re-introduced me to large
segments of the American audience.
It is interesting that different people in different countries know me
in different ways and whenever someone on the street stops me for an
autograph, I invariably ask from which part of the world the person is.
In India, I am a film star. The Italian, Spanish and German know me from
Sandokan. In America, it is General Hospital. The soaps are truly the
hardest form of acting. It is like doing theatre with just one rehearsal!
In terms of speed and footage canned, we are talking half an hour edited
per day. In a film-set, three minutes is considered a good day! It’s
all regimented. When you walk in at 8 a.m., you are given an hour and
a half of basic blocking. Once you are through with that, you get into
wardrobe, make-up and all of that with one proper rehearsal. There is
a small break for lunch, after which it’s action all the way. You
better have a super memory in terms of movement and lines because, if
you blow your lines and there’s re-shooting, which costs the company
that many thousand dollars. Too many re-takes means you are written-off
from the script, cast and production! I must have done something right
because I was contracted for three months and ended up staying one year
but the pressure of having to deliver, time after time, can be very taxing.
This relentless schedule has taught the regulars to develop a near-photographic
memory and yet appear cool, casual and comfortable in the scenes they
appear - no easy task, I can assure you! I have huge respect for the
soap artistes on account of the labour they put in and the craft they
display day after day, week after week... amazing! On a personal level,
most actors immediately get into their "personal" mode when
the shooting ends and like to keep their distance with their colleagues.
I was both flattered and honoured when not only the cast but also the
producer of B&B invited me to their homes for parties and private
functions. Somewhere I had managed to strike a personal equation with
them.
Oh, contrary to some rumours doing the rounds in India, I did not
have an affair, or fling with Hunter Tylo. We were colleagues who got
on rather well. Sad but true!
Love is a many splendoured thing, but a very complex emotion, the gaze
of which changes with age, time & maturity.
Love is an extraordinary state to be in, quite unquestionably indeed.
With age, however, a certain perspective enters which may be a good or
bad thing, because cynicism (like it or not) comes in. At a personal
level and as a battle-scarred veteran in the business (three marriages
and umpteen fabulous relationships!), it’s fascinating to have
seen love used as a tool of manipulation in the man-woman connect. The
proclamation of "I love you" can be lethally turned around
by your mate to, "If you really loved me, you would...!" I
wish there was a way by which people in love could still retain their
objectivity and focus. People often get married too quickly, for the
wrong reasons and to the wrong person leading to a lot of heartburn as
they hobble along. I think caution should be exercised because two of
the most crucial decisions in one’s life comprise: who one is marrying
and what will be his chosen profession. There are no easy answers or
solutions and one has to learn and re-learn as one moves along. One of
the fascinating discoveries I’ve made is that loving together and
living together is not necessarily the same thing! Living together is
life beyond dating, in hard close-up, warts and all. Do I have any regrets?
Sure, I do. Looking back, I would have liked to have not done a lot of
things or done them differently - but then only hindsight teaches you
that, because at that point in time you truly believed that’s the
right decision you were making.
It’s also amazing to see the course each relationship takes, each
one truly unique and yet, somewhere making the same mistakes! For me,
at the end of the day, if there has been more joy than pain or grief,
the relationship has been worthwhile. C’mon, nobody is perfect!
Take my first wife Protima and me. We were very young, madly in love
and together. My work took me away. She had her own ambitions and free-spirited,
as she was, her own individuality too. Problems arose in the marriage
and we attempted to resolve them in a mature and open-minded manner.
We even tried an "open" relationship - but at the end of the
day, it doesn’t work. Marriage number two happened in America.
I was young, eligible, successful, had lots of money, hitting the high
spots and veering pretty much out of control. A part of me advised me
to cool it, or else... Susan (my ex-wife) was an extremely warm, loving
and rooted kind of person who symbolised security, hearth and home. She
was perfect for me at that point, but I soon realised that it wouldn’t
work because we were incompatible in most ways and therefore the relationship
was unsustainable. I decided after this not to marry.
I came to India, did Othello, met Niki - who played Desdemona - and in
the process of strangling her each night, married her! I think in her,
I found someone whom I could communicate with, share things with, laugh
and generally connect at a mental and intellectual level as well. Oh,
she’s a pocket-sized dynamo of individuality alright, extremely
intolerant of a lot of things - but the relationship is still going strong,
although she lives and works out of London and I do my stuff from Mumbai
and Europe and we meet every two months or so.
Maybe, it’s the distance that provides the enchantment! |