An injured film industry is licking its wounds. However robust the celebrations by team Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, both the film and its box-office rival Singham Again were ultimately hurt by the collision. Analysts who’d cited past confrontations — like Lagaan vs Gadar: Ek Prem Katha which had yielded healthy numbers for both films — had predicted combined collections crossing ₹600 crore this Diwali. But in their eagerness for a bullish revival, they did not factor in that it’s no longer the box office of 2001.
The reality is that 2024 has endorsed a waning interest in the theatre-going experience. Therefore, although Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was the major sentiment ruling the recent polls in Maharashtra, the makers of Chhaava made a tactical retreat. After a promising teaser in August, all promotions were muted for Vicky Kaushal’s film on Shivaji’s chhaava (cub) Sambhaji, leaving the field clear for Pushpa 2 to swagger in from Hyderabad. A bloodbath at the box office will thus not be repeated this coming Friday.
Meanwhile, there are quite a few actors who’ve also been quietly stepping back. With digital podcasts at an all-time high and every kind of celebrity being interviewed, one senior voice that hasn’t been heard in recent times is that of Simi Garewal. Simi often airs her views against the current dispensation on social media but has lately not featured in any interview. The well-spoken UK-educated actress with an army background — who made an elegant trio with her mother, sister and several poodles — was once accessible to most journalists. Despite several opportunities like Dev Anand’s Teen Devian (1965), Raj Kapoor’s Mera Naam Joker (1970) and Subhash Ghai’s Karz (1980), Simi didn’t become an A-list actor. She found more recognition hosting Rendezvous With Simi Garewal on TV and making timely documentaries on Raj Kapoor and Rajiv Gandhi. Her friendships were with successful, westernised men including the blue-blooded cricketer Pataudi (whose preference for Sharmila Tagore saw a frost between the actresses), Delhi-based businessman Ravi Mohan (she called him “stallion” until they parted after a brief marriage) and iconic industrialist Ratan Tata.
Simi has been spending time in the UK where she sits writing her memoirs. This is one actor who will not require a ghostwriter since she herself writes beautifully and, as the maker of bio-
docus, has a sound sequential thought process. When the book is ready, Simi will be back in the limelight, this time on the literary circuit.
Another actor who has dropped out of circulation is the goodlooking but controversial Aditya Pancholi. In a recent interview, wife Zarina Wahab revealed that he’d found the late Shammi Kapoor sitting under a tree to do his makeup while Aditya was given a comfortable makeup room. Shocked at how the legendary Kapoor was treated, Aditya decided that once his rosy days as a hero were over, he’d call it a day. He even turned down Sanjay Leela Bhansali who offered him a role in Heeramandi. Wise decision, since none of the male actors benefited from the sketchy roles they had in a show dominated by Manisha Koirala and
Sonakshi Sinha.
There is a poignant reason why actor Satish Shah (known for his comic timing in movies like Main Hoon Na, Kal Ho Naa Ho and Om Shanti Om) has not been seen in recent times. A diabetic, Satish, 73, has been ailing for a while and undergoes kidney dialysis thrice a week. Health doesn’t permit him to take on any more assignments.
As most people who followed the 2018 #MeToo movement would remember, actor Alok Nath (famous as the father figure in movies like Maine Pyar Kiya) was named and shamed by filmmaker Vinta Nanda. After De De Pyaar De and Code Blue, in the making when Vinta made her charges, Alok has been spending time at his farmhouse, opting to voluntarily retire from acting. Another tactical retreat.
