“I took an instant dislike to him when I first set eyes on Anil as he stepped out from the lobby of Holiday Inn.. dressed in black drainpipes, red shirt with front buttons open, pulled up collar .. his posture crying out loud ” Look at me!”
I reckoned he was a rich brat .. a producers son .. Kapoor attached to his surname makes him expect everything on a platter..
I was horrified to learn that he had been cast in a bit role in my film Ek Baar Kaho and that I would have to suffer him for a month long schedule in Darjeeling.I decided to keep him at an arm’s distance although as a matter of habit ,I mingle very easily with my younger costars.
On set I discovered that he was the opposite of the upstart i had expected him to be. He was hungry to learn and like a ticking battery absorbed everything that was happening on the sets.The other youngsters in the film couldnt wait to party as soon as packup was announced .. he would hang around hoping to catch favour with the director Lekh Tandon so that he could be given atleast one scene on his own where he could make a mark.Oh how he wanted that song that was picturised on Dilip Dhawan to his complete envy! He didnt get it but he didnt let his disappointment turn into disenchantment..He had trained under my acting guru Roshan Taneja and acting was his life’s blood. At the age of ten he used to travel by bus all alone from Chembur to Pedder Road to take sitar lessons for a film called Tu Payal Main Geet in which he got to play the younger Shashi Kapoor. He earned my respect and we became friends.
He was so earnest, so committed, so vulnerable behind that cocky posture that my heart went out to him..
Thirty odd years later my heart still goes out to Anil..He remains vulnerable with every new goal he attains.. he wears his fame lightly with a wry sense of disbelief “Let the world say what it wants” he seems to say “I know how ephemeral success can be and so I must never let up, never pause to take it easy, never rest on conquered laurels!”almost as if he needs to pinch himself to accept the extraordinary degree of success he has achieved..
He is driven .. as no other I know in this profession and also has a sharp sense of making the right choices.. Even at the height of his “herogiri” he realised that if he had to guarantee longevity of career he would need to bag roles that offered him an opportunity to play substantial characters beyond the routine song and dance numbers. After being celebrated universally in Mr India he took a calculated risk in doing Lamhe. He did Eeshwar, Beta ..roles that could have saddled him with a ‘vegetarian’ image but he balanced these with a romantic 1942 A Love Story , a robust Ram Lakhan, a forceful Tezaab ,full of every commercial ingredient that ensured box office success.. He had the canny sense to do No Entry after doing Slum Dog Millionaire. Most would have gotten so carried away with international recognition and the Oscar that they would have turned their backs on ‘masala’movies .Anil keeps his doors wide open.. he is accessible to all . He does Television,Radio and now a web series..a step ahead of the times. When Priyanka Chopra was in two minds about whether she should do Quanticoor not it was Anil who pushed her to take the plunge.. it is for all to see what agamechanger thats been for her…Anil has ensured that he will be around as an actor as long as he wants to..Success has become his handmaiden..
Has this changed Anil? There has been growth ofcourse .. he is more polished, is a much better public speaker.. (he used to be tongue tied in his earlier years…)he can make friends with Hollywood stars and Prime Ministers with aplomb but at heart he remains the same.. He is loyal He has the same circle of friends.. his staff remains the same. He remains grateful for every kindness that came his way.. On the sets of 24 he gave me his personal vanity van and shifted into a smaller one discreetly. He ensured that my every need was met and treated me like a queen… I was very touched…He never fails to mention Javeds support of him in his early years. When Javed was pushing Yash Chopra to cast Anil in Mashaal he personally sat and edited bits from MS Sathyu’s Kahan Kahan Se Guzar Gaya to make a showreel for Anil because Javed believed in Anil’s talent.
The person Anil has become today has been largely shaped by Boney in the early years and after that by Sunita.She is his strongest pillar of support and keeps him firmly grounded. He is a surprisingly good father and an unexpectedly responsible family man for a person as self absorbed as he is. Sunita humours him but also ensures he doesn’t take himself too seriously. She keeps a facade of irreverence although it is evident that she does not only love him , she also admires him. He in turn can barely function without her. And confesses that he wants her to accompany him on every trip from now on because he needs her..Mercifully he still has the ability to laugh at himself. Many a morning ( we both get up early )he has called me and had me in splits over his creaking bones and the effort that goes into getting on to that treadmill, in lifting those weights , in starving himself to project his youthful exterior. “Andar se sab gal chuka hai – kab chhutti milegi mujhe? Kab khana kha paaoonga ?” he rues. Sunitais a fanatic about fitness and keeps a tight rein on him..The Punjabi boy from Chembur now lives on salad,quinoa and dry fruit! Arrghhh…
Abhishek Bachchan tells a very funny story about him.
Abhishek once accompanied directors Abbas Mastan to narrate a script to Anil.They wanted him to play father to Sonam.Anil was quick to retort in horror “How can I play father to Sonam?The Public will never accept me as the father of a grown up girl!”The irony was completely lost on him and Abhishek says “I fell in love with him that day onwards!!” Everyone who knows AK has similiar stories to tell.
It is rare to sustain friendships in the film industry..Ours has survived over thirty odd years and is spilling over into our childrens’ lives.I cannot explain the deep sense of fulfilment I experienced when Anil worked with Zoya or when i worked with Sonam or when Rhea worked with Javed or when Harsh worked with Saiyyami.. this is the stuff Hindi films are made of.. friendships passing on to generations..How blessed we are ..how thankful that life feel nostalgic and and a bit sentimental..Lots of love wrapped up in a tear…
Happy birthday AK. Jeete raho khush raho.Lage raho lage raho…..
Shabana

Bollywood News
Undekhi A Dark Compelling Thriller Set In The Heartland

Undekhi the forthcoming webseries from Applause Entertainment and Sony LIV which starts streaming from July 10, looks like the kind of thriller that won’t let us rest easy until we see the last episode. It is mounted with a stress on growing pressure.
One promo shows a rotund cop investigating a gruesome murder in a dense tribal area.The other promo shows a politician gunning down a dancer on stage in front of the public and the press.
Wild West comes to the North. Undekhi is a thriller set in Manali, Himachal created for Applause by Siddharth Sengupta. It’s a gripping story that sees Harsh Chhaya making an impressive comeback as a drunk Papaji in a super-rich amoral Punjabi family. And Surya Sharma (Prince from Hostages) really shines as Rinku , the main bad guy and Papaji’s nephew. It’s got a terrific cast of other characters, many of whom we all recognize as names .
The talented Harsh Chhaya makes a debut of sorts on the digital medium with Undekhi.
Says Harsh, “I have never played anything so wild and mad. I am looking forward to Undekhi, hope it works for the audience too.This is a debut in a sense that this is the first one I shot for the OTT platform.But the other two I shot for after this was streamed before this one Out Of Love and Rangbaaz, Phir Se.
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Pathaan Collects 55 crore nett in India On Day 1

YRF’s Pathaan has apparently wiped out all previous records as it collected 55 crore nett in India and recorded the biggest ever Day 1 for a Hindi film. The total collections of Pathaan on Day One is 57 crore nett (Hindi – 55 crore and dubbed versions 2 crore).
It is the widest Hindi release of all time in India and also the highest grossing 1st Day for a Hindi film.It is also the highest grosser on the first first for a non-holiday release. Pathhan is also the highest opener for Shah Rukh Khan.
Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films, says, “It is a historic day for Indian cinema and we are humbled to see the love and appreciation that is flowing for Pathaan globally. For Pathaan to shatter records in this fashion on a non holiday, just proves that the theatrical business is here to stay, provided we make films that entice people to come to the cinemas to witness a never seen before experience that entertains them thoroughly.“
He adds, “We, at YRF, are thrilled with the start that the film has got across India and we are hopeful that Pathaan brings joy to cine-goers globally in the days to come! Pathaan is the fourth film of our YRF Spy Universe and we are thrilled that we have been able to elevate the cinematic experience of audiences with each film from this franchise. We humbly share this moment with all the stake-holders of the film who have given their blood, sweat and tears to give people a movie-going experience like never before.”
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“Professionally, What A Year It Has Been For Me,” Raveena Tandon On Her Padma Shri

Raveena Tandon feels she is in a dream. “I woke up today to the news that I have been awarded the Padma Shri by my Government. I felt all my years of hard work has finally come to fruition.I can’t wait to get back to Mumbai.”
Raveena is in Bhopal attending a wedding. “I woke up on Thursday morning to the good news. My husband(film distributor Anil Thadani) who is in Mumbai had no clue about it. I had to inform him that his wife is now Padma Sri Raveena,” she laughs heartily.
She then grows melancholic. “The past one year has been a whirlwind for me. Professionally, it couldn’t get any better. My webseries Aranyak on Netflix and then the bigscreen blockbuster KGF 2 where I played one of the protagonists , became huge successes.Sadly,it was also the year that I lost my father(well-known producer-director Ravi Tandon). It was the severest blow of my life.I am still processing the loss. The Padma Shri would have made my Dad so proud.”
Remind her she is still young and already a Padma winner and Raveena expresses her happiness. “I guess I am lucky to have received the honour at the midpoint of my life and career. I am also very happy that M M Keeravani Sir has also received the Padma Shri.His Naatu naatu has the world dancing to his tune. But even before Naatu naatu he has done such exemplary work.”
Getting nostalgic Raveena says, “I started working when I was 17.I have done every kind of cinema, balancing out a Chote Miyan Bade Miya with a Shool, a Rakshak with a Ghulam-e-Mustafa, a Bulundi and a Khauff with a Daman and an Aks. It’s always been my endeavour to be be seen in escapism and real cinema. Some people think dancing around trees and doing the masala stuff is easy. It is not! In fact being real on screen is far easier.”
Raveena feels the good days are back in the entertainment industry. “I saw Pathaan and I whistled and clapped the loudest. It is an out-and-out mass entertainer and bound to revive the sagging fortunes of our industry. While the Padma Shri is a personal triumph, the success of Pathaan is a happy occasion for the entire industry.So yeah, I am on top of the world,”
Raveena’s fans would like to know her khubsoorati ka raaz.
She laughs, “It’s nothing more than sleeping and eating right. I try to eat correctly. I have only organic food. More importantly,I am happy and secure in life. If you are content within it is bound show on your face.”
Bollywood News
Phil Ivey’s Net Worth (Updated 2021)

What is Phil Ivey’s net worth?
Net Worth: | $100 Million |
---|---|
Age: | 44 |
Born: | February 1, 1977 |
Country of Origin: | United States of America |
Source of Wealth: | Professional Poker Player |
Last Updated: | 2021 |
Introduction
Phil Ivey is an American professional poker player.
Ivey has won ten World Series of Poker bracelets, one World Poker Tour title, and appeared at nine World Poker Tour final tables. Ivey is regarded by numerous poker observers and contemporaries as the best all-around player in the world.
He was elected to the Poker Hall of Fame in 2017.
As of 2021, Phil Ivey’s net worth is estimated to be roughly $100 million.
Early Life
Phillip Dennis Ivey Jr. was born on the 1st of February, 1977, in California.
He first began to develop his poker skills by playing against co-workers in New Jersey in the late 1990s.
His nickname “No Home Jerome” stems from the fake ID card he secured to play poker in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in his teenage years. Ivey was given the nickname “The Phenom” after winning three World Series of Poker bracelets in 2002.
Career
Ivey’s tournament accomplishments include winning three bracelets at the 2002 World Series of Poker, tying Phil Hellmuth Jr, Ted Forrest, and Puggy Pearson.
He also has bracelets in Pot Limit Omaha from 2000 and 2005. In 2000, he was the first person to defeat Amarillo Slim heads-up at a WSOP final table.
Ivey placed in the top 25 four times between the 2002 World Series of Poker and the 2009 World Series of Poker. Ivey finished 23rd in 2002, 10th in 2003, 20th in 2005, and 7th in 2009.
In the 2010 World Series of Poker, he received the most votes for the Tournament of Champions. At the 2010 WSOP, Ivey won his eighth bracelet in the $3,000 H.O.R.S.E. event in a final table made up of other notable players.
Between 2002 and 2009, he finished among the top 25 players in the Main Event four times, in fields ranging in size from 600 entrants to just under 7,000.
As of 2021, Phil Ivey’s net worth is estimated to be roughly $100 million.
How Does Phil Ivey Spend His Money?
Phil Ivey spends some of his money going on expensive NBA games and donating money to charities.
Phil Ivey’s Hobbies
Ivey is a huge fan of the NBA’s Houston Rockets and L.A. Lakers. But cheering on his favorite teams is only one of Ivey’s hobbies.
He also likes to partake in golf. Ivey finished third in the inaugural World Series of Golf. He also enjoys video games and making a few side bets in his spare time.
Phil Ivey’s Charity Work
Ivey also has a very charitable side, with generous donations to Empowered to Excel and as co-founder of the Budding Ivey Foundation.
Highlights
Here are some of the best highlights of Phil Ivey’s career:
- Has won ten World Series of Poker bracelets
- Poker Hall of Fame (2017)
Favorite Quotes from Phil Ivey
“The biggest thing when you’re playing live is that you’re sitting across from the player and can get a detailed impression of how they’re acting, and whether they’re expressing strength or weakness. Online, it’s much more about betting patterns, and you’re using a much narrower range of cues to what they’re holding and thinking.” – Phil Ivey
“I never thought about poker not working out. When I started playing poker, I just thought this is what I’m going to do for the rest of my life. You have to think that way, and if it doesn’t work out, of course, you move on from there. But if you start out thinking any other way, you’re setting yourself up to fail.” – Phil Ivey
“I’d start out by joining training sites, like Ivey League. There’s free content there for people who are starting out, fundamental strategy for folks building their game, all the way up to very high-level content for professional players. I’d work on my game online and at casinos, build my bankroll, find good games.” – Phil Ivey
“I see Ivey League as part of my legacy, and I want to teach the world to win at poker. Want to build a training site that can help people who have never touched a deck of cards as well as support the particular needs of top-tier players who are building a world-class game.” – Phil Ivey
“I actually spent most of that time working with my team to define and prototype parts of Ivey Poker and Ivey League. From my point of view, it was a hectic time.” – Phil Ivey
3 Life Lessons from Phil Ivey
Now that you know all about Phil Ivey’s net worth and how he achieved success; let’s take a look at some of the lessons we can learn from him:
1. Chances
You’ve got to take some chances, know when you’re beaten and know how to get certain advantages.
2. Ambitions
Many people these days are too ambitious; their sights are set too high at the start, and they end up diving in too deep, quitting their day job too soon.
3. Fight
You get your chips your way if you fight for it.
Summary
Phil Ivey is an American professional poker player. Ivey moved to Roselle when he was just a baby. Ivey is an eight-time winner of the World Series of Poker.
He has also won the World Poker Tour title. Ivey first became interested in online poker while working at a telemarketing firm in New Jersey. He would play with his co-workers during breaks and after work.
As of 2021, Phil Ivey’s net worth is estimated to be roughly $100 million.
What do you think about Phil Ivey’s net worth? Leave a comment below.
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