Spring Summer 17
Mahlia S. Lone
Most of you, whether single, married or divorced, must have celebrated Valentine’s Day whether with friends, a loved one, your children, a combo, or even by yourself. Now it’s time to celebrate it with GT!
One lady, Maham Asif, a telecom engineer in Lahore, was cheered up by her friend, Javeria Virk, with a chocolate cake with pink frosting that said “Happy Divorceâ€. It was a gesture to bolster her spirits, and the pictures were posted online on a food forum. Most people posted supportive comments but there were also those who thought it was haram and issued their personal fatwas. The ladies replied that in no way were they advocating divorce, but merely expressing love and unconditional support. Isn’t that the true spirit of Valentine’s? It’s not just about the cards, chocolates and flowers.
In the same way, Kiran Rao managed to lighten Aamir Khan’s load and bring light into his life after his divorce from his first wife that left him deep in depression, unable to work or even leave his house. That’s why he had taken a four year hiatus from films. It was this emotional connection that surprised everyone when a huge superstar married a struggling assistant director, who is more impish and boho than gorgeous and glamorous. Read the story of their love in this issue’s Memorable Romance.
Closer to home, we get up close and personal with three Pakistani celebrity couples who are truly, madly, deeply in love despite years of marriage. And who doesn’t want to smell good up close? Avantika Bedi, blogger of Tender Loving Nose, whose family owns a perfumery in India, tells us all about scents. She’s such a lucky girl, travelling regularly to Grasse in the French Riviera for her work.
As promised, we also bring you Pat McGrath’s glitter lips that look amazing. Shine like a goddess with our tips. I, for one, can’t wait to get my hands on her lip kit. And if you want to be truly adventurous, Jahanzaib Shafique has globetrotting down to a science, never spending more than three days in one city to achieve his goal of having explored 50 countries by 2018.
Make the most of life and love!
Who? Jennifer Lopez
WHY? Wowza! This jewellery/body armour Reem Acra gown is just another level. Definitely a look for us to emulate in a more toned down version. See how she’s kept her hair sleek and off her face.The gunmetal Ferragamo clutch shines against the black
Jennifer Lopez
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 18: Actress Ruby Rose attends the People’s Choice Awards 2017 at Microsoft Theater on January 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
Who? Ruby Rose
Why? She looks fierce in a beautifully fitted orange-red pantsuit that we can just as easily wear in Pakistan. She mixes it up with classic pointy pumps, a vampy lip and her tattoos.
Ruby Rose
Who? Sahil Salathia
Why? Sporty in a monochrome jacket, he looks very urban. He’s pushing the envelope with black skinnies and patent leather boots
Sahil Salathia
Who? Seher Tareen
Why? You cannot go wrong with velvet this season. The straps on the sleeves of the elegant black maxi and the matching choker are edgy. Even the shoes are tied with straps.The navy coat, box clutch and crimson lip add a dash of colour
Seher Tareen
Who? Abeer Rizvi
Why? She shows off her long, slim pins with skinny jeans and boots combo, which she tops off with a metallic encrusted jacket
Abeer Rizvi
Who? Kiran Butt
WHY? An all black outfit paired with a luscious fur cape dangling on a shoulder is a statement we approve of. The minute details like her french nails, gold necklace and ombre highlights are cool
Kiran Butt
By Mahlia Lone
Shararas are back!
Jewelled Jackets
Feminine Lehngas
Glamorous Gowns
Sana Zehra gets up close and personal with three loving celebrity couples in their homes for an intimate look at their domestic bliss. A GT exclusive!
Love is in the air! Sarwat and Fahad
Fahad, A surgeon/actor, and Sarwat, an actress, are the ideal couple according to many. He fell madly in love with Pakistan’s sweetheart, Sarwat, when they first met almost 10 years ago. oddly enough Sarwat was looking for a girl for him. little did she know she would end up marrying him herself. With a little one on the way, this couple is super affectionate and totally gushes over one another. #CoupleGoals!
Describe your relationship in three words:
Sarwat: Compassionate, adventurous, mutually supportive.
Fahad: Passion, love and mutual support.
What do you admire the most about your partner?
Sarwat: Apart from many others, the trait that I have come to admire the most is the passion he brings into everything he does and his sense of responsibility. He looks for any and every opportunity to make a positive impact on the people in his life, especially his patients. He always feels intrigued by the challenge of managing a multitude of physical and psychological problems. The manner in which he shares his excitement with me regarding his surgeries is very telling of his personality. When it comes to saving someone’s life he would give up anything and give his 100% no matter his own circumstance. He is always focused on getting the best result possible.
How would you define the word love?
Sarwat: When you are willing to compromise …
Fahad: Love, for me encompasses a wide array of emotions. You can love things that do not love you back—the sky or a mountain or a painting or the game of chess. But the love of other people is directional. There is a lover and a beloved—your love is directed towards someone. And real love is not only about the feelings of the lover; it is not about egoism. It is when one person believes in another person and shows it.
Do you believe it’s possible to maintain platonic friendships with members of the opposite sex?
Sarwat: Yes, if you are content with your love life and partner, you can maintain any kind of friendship with the opposite sex.
Fahad: Yes, if you are happy with your partner you can maintain a platonic friendship. It is only when people are unhappy that they start looking for a third person to rescue them.
Have you ever had your heart broken?
Sarwat: After months of chest pain and a visit to the cardiologist finally the verdict was that there was nothing wrong with my heart, but only that it had been broken. At the time, I had thought life had ended for me but today when I look back, I can’t help, but be grateful for the wisdom, strength and mindfulness it has given me.
Fahad: Yes, I did and it made me into who I am today, a much wiser and stronger individual.
What’s the first thing you would do if you won $50,000?
Sarwat: I would make a shelter for stray animals who are abused by people on the streets. It’s often tough to guage which one is the real animal.
Fahad: If I didn’t have to do much to get it then I would keep half and give the other half to my favourite charity.
Why is Valentine’s Day important to you? Do you believe in grand gestures or smaller meaningful ones?
Sarwat: It is a day full of chocolates, roses, Cupid’s arrows and gifts that make me feel loved and pampered. For me, it’s an excuse to celebrate my love with my partner, other family members and friends, which I don’t usually get to do often due to my busy schedule.
What are you most passionate about in life?
Sarwat: I’m passionate about a lot of things, my family, my work, my art and the kids that I serve at Special Olympics. Unless you’re not passionate about each task that you take up in life you, will never be able to reach its zenith.
Who is your favourite fictional character ever? Â
Fahad: Hamlet for the charm of his intelligence, the quickness of his wit, the brilliance of his mimicry, the fastidiousness of his temperament, the soundness of his judgement, the excellence of his literary criticism and for his loathing of the world’s opinion.
You’re going to a desert island. What three things/people do you take?
Sarwat: I would take an Olympus underwater camera, an inflatable raft and a satellite phone.
Would you rather be rich or famous?
Fahad: I would rather be great.
Hira and Mani, both actors, are our star couple! This duo has been married for 9 years and they are still as much in love as they were when they first met
Love, relationship and more with Hira and Mani
How did you guys meet?
Mani: Over the phone, now I am a dead soul.
Hira: Phone.
What is love?
Hira: Love is magic.
Mani: Love is hmmm yes and Ok.
Are you guys still in love?
Mani: Yes, after a lot of fights we still want to see each other, so yes we are in love.
Hira: Yes, very much so.
What is the secret to a long lasting relationship?
Mani: Yes, hmm and ok.
Hira: (Laughs out loud)
What is the first thing Mani said to you?
Hira: You are actually a good looking girl.
What was your first impression of Mani?
Hira: I noticed his shoes and they were really clean. I really like that in men. Their shoes and teeth must be clean and in Mani’s case they both were.
Mani what was your first impression of her?
Mani: Nobody can dominate me as much as her. When I met Hira I was in awe of how strong she is. She has a great voice, she always looks amazing and is incredilby smart. At that moment, I knew that this is the woman I want in my life.
What is one good thing about Hira?
Mani: She loves giving surprises! She remembers all the birthdays and anniversaries. I tend to forget because that means another expenditure (laughs) but yes, she loves doing all that.
For my last birthday, Hira and our son threw me a huge surprise party. That was the best birthday gift ever.
Hira what is your favourite memory of him?
I was pregnant and extremely nauseous and I made the worst food ever and Mani kept on saying this is the best food I had ever had. He was flying out to Dubai at that time and he even took some with him.
What is the best thing about Hira?
She loves kids. No matter whose child it is, Hira shows the same amount of affection she does to our own. She likes our children to be immaculate. Look at our nanny, she is all scared and standing in a corner (laughs).
What do you like best about Mani?
Hira: Mani is extremely understanding and he knows me.
What is your favourite way of spending time with him?
Hira: When our kids go off to school, we self reflect. Sometimes we end up fighting, but I love that it’s “our†time.
Mani: I guess everyone fights but yes that is the best time.
Any nickname that really annoys you?
Hira: Hirssy Hirzo really annoys me.
Anything about Mani that really annoys you?
Hira: No matter how old a cricket match it may be, Mani will always watch it like he would if he was watching it for the first time.
Anything about Hira that really annoys you?
Mani: When she falls asleep, she just does not want to wake up!
Has Mani ever shared what his favourite toy was when he was growing up?
Hira: My father in law told me he loved collecting hockey sticks.
Mani: Yes, I had a hockey stick that I particularly loved.
Any movie you guys have watched together more than five times?
Hira/Mani: Jab We Met
Any lipstick shade she wears often?
Mani: Red. I actually don’t like it when she wears that colour.
Hira: Yes, I don’t know why but neither Mani nor my kids like it when I wear red on my lips.
What kind of work does Hira like to do?
She actually does not like to work. She really came on TV by chance.
Hira: I agree. I really became serious with my work this last year.
What food does Hira like?
Mani: She loves steak, pizza, etc. I am a desi at heart and I love Pakistani food.
Any funny fan moment?
Mani: When people mix up Faisal Qureshi with me.
Hira: People come up and say, “I am your biggest fan but I forgot your name.â€
What does GT mean to you?
Hira/Mani: Good Times!
Couple Goals with Aamir and Zhalay
If there is one actress who has done it all it as to be Zhalay Sarhadi! A VJ, model, actress and host, Zhalay has always been on top of her game no matter what she has done. She even has a movie coming up soon. Zhalay and Aamir, an entrepreneur, have been married for 10 years and they are still going strong
Between you and your wife who is the money spender and who is the money saver?
Aamir: I am definitely the big spender. She likes to spend a lot too, but I definitely like to spend more than her.
Zhalay: Yes, definitely him.
Who does Zhalay talk to most on the phone?
Aamir: It would be her friend, Ayesha Toor.
If Zhalay would choose one thing to get rid of what would it be?
Aamir: My phone for sure!
Zhalay: Absolutely, his phone.
When Zhalay says “Honey they are playing our song†what song would it be?
Aamir: It would be Veer Zara. That’s from the time when we first started going out.
How did you guys meet?
Aamir: We met through a mutual friend at a mehndi.
Describe your first date in one word.
Aamir: Very awkward.
Which living celebrity would your wife say she most admires?
Aamir: I think she admire Madhuri a lot.
Zhalay: REALLY?!
Aamir: Ok, then I don’t know.
When was the last time you gave her flowers?
Aamir: That’s easy! Last week.
Do you remember her childhood pet?
She had a cat named Kaalo who died. She really cried a lot; she still cries to this day for him.
What is the most she ever paid for shoes?
Aamir: She doesn’t spend a lot on shoes but the most she ever paid was Rs. 20,000
Zhalay: No!
Her favourite colour?
Red
Any strange gift she ever bought for you?
Aamir: I wouldn’t say strange, as she kind of knows what I really want.
Zhalay: Yeah, he tells me what he needs.
Most memorable day?
Aamir: It would be the day we moved out on our own, had our own place and started a family.
Zhalay: Absolutely.
Best Vacation you guys ever took?
Aamir: It would be last year when we went to the United States, I think it would be the best one we have had so far.
What is love?
Zhalay: Love is compassion, companionship, honesty, knowing each other. It grows with time.
What is the silliest thing Aamir has ever done for you?
Zhalay: He threw me a surprise birthday party and told me that he is throwing me a surprise birthday party. So Yeah!
How do you express your love?
Zhalay: I love giving gifts. I like making cards and I like cooking his favourite food.
Who gets to control the TV remote?
Zhalay: Both of us actually. It’s a good thing both of us like to watch the same shows, except Walking Dead. I hate that show. That’s the only time when I leave the room when the tv remote is in his hands.
Who gets their way with things?
Zhalay: Both of us are really strong personalities. I don’t think either of us have any hold on each other. We are individuals and we let each other be.
If you were to dedicate a song to Aamir what would it be?
Zhalay: You fill up my senses…
Where did you guys first go for dinner after you got married?
Zhalay: There were so many shaadi dinners really. But we went to Thailand for our honeymoon right after and that was really nice.
What would Aamir say his favourite food is?
Zhalay: Burgers, steak…he is a foodie in his heart so its all hunk food. Glad he is into fitness.
Aamir: Pizza
Last argument you guys had?
Zhalay: What should I wear to this shoot.
Aamir: (Chuckles)
Strangest gift Aamir has ever gotten for you?
Zhalay: He wanted to get an Apple watch that he didn’t want to buy for himself as he thought it was lame, so he ended up getting it for me. And I still don’t know why he got it for me because I have no interest in it.
What does GT mean to you?
GT is a place where you get to meet everyone, and get to see what everyone is upto.
Hair & Makeup by Wajid Khan
Photography by Arsalan Bilgrami of a.bilgrami studio
Interview by Sana Zehra
By Mahlia Lone
From afar it seems that a superstar’s life is perfect. We can neither look inside their homes to see their personal lives, nor assess their mental, emotional or spiritual health for ourselves. The audience is fed a perfectly constructed image. Aamir Khan, who looks like he’s got it all together, battled the demon of depression in the isolation of his home for four years following his separation and subsequent divorce from his first wife; he was rendered unable to work, barely mustering up the will to leave his house. His younger brother has a history of severe mental illness, so weak nerves and a highly sensitive nature may run in the family. But then destiny intervened in the shape of assistant director Kiran Malik who was a ray of the sunshine in his life and Aamir, taking a chance, grabbed on to her and in time wedded her. She filled his life with her radiance and cheery spirits and together they have built a new happy life Â
Aamir comes from a film family. He was born in Mumbai on 14th March 1965 to film producer Tahir Hussain and his wife Zeenat, and is the second eldest of four siblings: Farhat, who lives in New Jersey, Faisal, also an actor, and Nikhat, a film producer. Tahir’s older brother, Nasir Hussain was a film producer, director and screenwriter who produced a string of formulaic but successful films with his core team under the Nasir Hussain Films banner. One such is Teesri Manzil, directed by Vijay Anand, starring Hussain’s favourite stars Shammi Kapoor and Asha Parekh with R.D. Burman composing the film’s score for the first time. The film’s songs became so popular that they are played to this day and include O Haseena Zulfonwali, O Mere Sona Re, Deewaana Mujhsa Nahin, Tumne Mujhe Dekha, and Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyaar Tera. Actor Imran Khan, whom Aamir launched in films, is Nasir Hussain’s grandson.
Aamir Khan with father Tahir Hussain, elder sister Nikhat Khan & mother Zeenat Hussain
Aamir with his mother Zeenat Hussain
Aamir with his struggling filmmaker father Tahir Hussain
The Hussain brothers’ were also related to India’s first Muslim President Dr. Zakir Hussain. On his maternal side, Aamir is the great grand-nephew of freedom fighter, Islamic philosopher, Urdu poet, renowned educationist and India’s first Education Minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, whose birthday is celebrated each year as National Education Day across India. So proud is Aamir of his academic ancestor that he has named his youngest son Azaad after him.
Aamir attended J.B. Petit School, St. Anne’s High School, Bandra, the Bombay Scottish School, Mahim and the Narsee Monjee College, but he said he “was much more into sports than studies,†playing tennis at state level championships. Looking back he said that his childhood was “tough†due to the financial difficulties faced by his father. “There would be at least 30 calls a day from creditors calling for their money.†His father was so hard up financially that he could barely afford his children’s school fees.
Aamir’s first brush with acting was at the age of eight when he first appeared in a song in his Uncle Nasir Hussain’s film Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973). The next year, he was cast by his father in his own film Madhosh. Bitten by the acting bug, at sixteen the budding actor played the lead opposite Neena Gupta and Victor Bannerjee in a teenage experimental production of a 40-minute silent film, Paranoia, which was made on a shoestring budget of a few thousand rupees. His parents were not happy with him wanting to be an actor as they wanted him to have the steady income of a professional, so he did it in hiding. He enjoyed acting and assisting the director so much that he decided to pursue a career in film and, while still a student, worked backstage part time for a theatre group called Avantar. Finally, a year later he started getting acting parts on stage as well.
As a child actor
In Yaadon ki Baaraat
After completing high school, Aamir started working full time as an assistant director for his uncle Nasir Hussain on the set of the films Manzil Manzil (1984) and Zabardast (1985). Meanwhile, director Ketan Mehta offered him a small role in the low-budget experimental film Holi (1984) featuring an ensemble cast of teenage newcomers. As Aamir reached maturity, Nasir Hussain cast him as the leading man in his son Mansoor Hussain’s directorial debut Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) opposite former Miss India Juhi Chawla in a contemporary take on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Aamir plays a cute, “clean-cut, wholesome boy-next-door†college student. The movie was a runaway success, making both the newcomer leads overnight stars. It received seven Filmfare Awards, including a Best Male Debut award for Aamir. But more than Juhi, there was another young, short haired girl in the movie who had already stolen his heart. You can see her in a scene standing cheering in the audience when Aamir is on stage lip-syncing to the popular song Papa kehtey thay bada naam karega.
Wedding
Aamir & Reena with their kids
This girl extra was his childhood sweetheart Reena Dutta whom he had married in 1986 against the wishes of their families when he was only 21.
The couple refrained from having children while Aamir focused on establishing his career. Reena shunned the limelight and stayed in the background because having a wife adversely affected a young romantic hero’s rising popularity. A marriage would be a hindrance to his romantic hero image. Staying home, Reena grew very close to Aamir’s family. Their son Junaid was born after 7 years of marriage and daughter Ira after 12. All the while Aamir’s career progressed steadily.
British journalist Jessican Hines lives as a single mother in London with her son Jaan whom she claims was sired by Aamir while he was still married to first wife, Reena
With Pooja Bhatt with whom he was rumored to have had an on set affair
Then came Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India, a period sports drama, the storyline of which was so gripping when he heard it that Aamir Khan signed on not just as the star but as the film’s producer, starting up his own production company Aamir Khan Productions in the process with Reena at the helm as the film’s executive producer. The story is set in a small village the inhabitants of which are unable to pay their taxes due to drought and are challenged by a British civil servant to a cricket match for a wager over their tax dues, thinking that there was no way the British team won’t win. The starving villagers were desperate enough to accept, but they didn’t know how to play the game and had to learn quickly, quite a riveting story.
Aamir’s company invested $10 million into the film’s budget, the highest for an Indian movie till then. Then being a perfectionist, Aamir, along with director Ashutosh Gowariker and the entire cast and crew left no stone unturned to make their masterpiece. Since the film is set during the Victorian period of the British Raj in a drought-ridden village, they scoured the countryside for a dry and ancient looking village with no modern amenities, like electricity, etc. before deciding upon Bhuj in Gujarat. The antique looking 19th century style tools and equipment were actual ones that the villagers still used, while the musical instruments of that time were collected from around the country. Sparing no expense, Aamir hired a 300 strong crew for six months and rented as well as furnished accommodation for them. The costumes for the cast were meticulously researched and made by Bhanu Athaiya, who had earlier won an Oscar for Best Costume Designs for the film Gandhi.
As a newly married couple
In 2001, Lagaan premiered at the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) in Sun City, South Africa to rave reviews. The movie became so popular at Switzerland’s Locarno International Film Festival with some audience members reportedly dancing to its soundtrack in the aisles that it was shown four times and not the usual once. It also won the festival’s Prix du Public award. Doing the film festival circuit, it was shown at the festivals of Sundance, Cairo, Stockholm, Helsinki and Toronto to critical acclaim. Film critic Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times wrote that the film is “an affectionate homage to a popular genre that raises it to the level of an art film with fully drawn characters, a serious underlying theme, and a sophisticated style and point of view.†The movie was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, but didn’t win. Aamir attended the award show clad in a black achkan.
The movie was significant in his life for another reason as well. It was on the shoot of Lagaan that Aamir first met short haired, bohemian-looking young assistant director Kiran Rao, whom one day he was to marry. She came from an aristocratic family as her paternal grandfather was J. Rameshwar Rao, Raja of Wanaparthy, a large estate in Telangana under the Nizam of Hyderabad. She told a reporter later that as a fourteen-year-old she had seen QSQT on the new VCR her family had bought. “I loved him (Aamir) in it but I enjoyed the film more. I was like ‘What a great film, what great music, what acting and what a cute guy!’ The impression of him she came away with was ‘he is one of the few good actors in the industry.’†However, when she accepted the film job, she did not think she would spend any time with the film’s star since she was a lowly assistant at the time.
Reportedly it was his on set affair with Preity Zinta, which was the last straw that broke his first marriage
But destiny had other plans for the two. Akhil Renjith described how Aamir and Kiran met:
“Her first encounter with him was on the bus in which they were travelling to Bhuj for a recce. Though no one imagined Aamir’s company on that journey as the bus was full of technicians and crew members, ‘Aamir Khan, who is a superstar, was also on the bus. But Aamir was not just on the bus, he also made conversation with every assistant, asked their names, introduced himself,’ Kiran said and eventually they talked for the first time. This first encounter with Aamir made Kiran realise that he was a regular chilled out person with no starry tantrums. ‘He had no filmi persona about him at all,’ she revealed. Though he was surrounded by security guards, she found him completely down to earth. She felt there was no snobbery or I don’t talk to assistants kind of attitude in him, which impressed her.
They enjoy a happy & lighthearted camraderie
Aamir remembered their word-building games, which they used to play on the sets of Lagaan. His general impression about her was of a really nice, warm, happy, bright girl who is fun to be with. He also confessed that the earrings which a character wore in Lagaan actually belonged to Kiran, which he borrowed from her. After that they met while Kiran was doing some work on the Goa schedule of Dil Chahta Hai. That is when she reminded him that he owed her a pair of earrings in exchange for the ones he borrowed for Lagaan. Aamir actually went with Reena, his wife at that time, and shopped for earrings from the Taj hotel shop for Kiran.â€
Returning her the earrings he had borrowed from her for the actress in Lagaan
After Lagaan, Aamir was busy shooting for Dil Chahta Hai, which co-starred Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna, with Preity Zinta playing Aamir’s love interest. Rumors started flying that Aamir and Preity were indulging in an on set romance. This was certainly not the first time he had been accused of this. Earlier a similar story floated about, linking him with Pooja Bhatt during the filming of Ghulam (1998). Additionally, he had been linked with British journalist Jessica Hines. It was said that the two even moved in together somehow. To her joy, Jessica became pregnant with Aamir`s baby, but Aamir asked her to abort it. When she refused, Aamir broke up with her and distanced himself. She gave birth to a baby boy that she named Jaan. Jessica has raised Jaan as a single mother in London reportedly without any acknowledgment or financial assistance from the father.
Clearly, Reena had put up with a lot and forgiven him for his indiscretions in the past. His affair with Preity was the last straw and the married couple separated formally.
“Both Reena and Aamir have not shared with anyone the issues that broke them up as a couple, so I have no idea what went wrong with those two. There was no bickering, no spate of ugly attacks and no filth that was plashed. Without washing their dirty linen in public, they were divorced. When they decided to part ways, they first explained the situation to their children,†wrote Renjith.
However, Aamir liked being a family man and the security and stability that marriage provides. Things didn’t go so well with him after the separation. He sank into depression. Soon he even lost interest in making films. He isolated himself at home for four years. “Probably the most traumatic period has been my divorce — not just for me but for everybody involved, I imagine. I can’t think of any other significant low. Emotionally, I was very brittle at that point of time,†Aamir admitted.
As luck would have it, Aamir was producing and starring in a commercial for Coke, which also had Kiran working on the set. The two got a chance to spend time together. One day while he was feeling very low, Kiran called him up. The call lasted for half an hour and when he hung up, he found himself drawn towards her, because she had managed to cheer him and make him feel better. He knew she was special at that moment, a keeper. “Slowly I felt that when I am with her, I am comfortable and happy and open to share anything with her. Actually, we were friends first and then lovers. I felt relaxed after years,†he added.
When he confided his feelings about Kiran to his sister Nuzhat, she advised him to stay away from her, as he was too damaged at that time to get involved or commit. But Aamir could not control his heart and took their relationship a step further by asking her to move in with him.
Siblings, Junaid & Ira Khan

Renjith added, “Both of them, at that time, were not keen on a long-term relationship. But after a few months of spending time with him, Kiran fell in love, though she did not expect anything serious to come out of such a casual relationship. She confessed, ‘I felt like oh… this is someone I really want to spend more time with and this is someone I want to know better. But I fell in love with him quite early…’ a couple of months of spending time intimately with him, she was hooked.
Aamir shared what he loves about Kiran. ‘Her energy; it’s a very vibrant and positive energy which I find comforting and healing. She is a very happy person.’â€
When eventually he did commit to Kiran, the two became inseparable. After Aamir got his children’s blessing, the couple married in 2005 in front of their entire families in his Panchgani farmhouse.
Over time Kiran became extremely protective of Aamir and would even defend him and pick fights with anyone who upsets or disturbs his mental equilibrium. She fascinates Aamir with her knowledge of art, music and films. He likes her sense of aesthetic and design, and loves her creative instinct. Kiran finds Aamir’s sensitivity very endearing. His manner is light and teasing with her, making fun of and amusing her, while she fondly calls him “Chhotte!†They keep each other on their toes.
Regarding Aamir’s relationship with his ex, Renjith wrote, “Even now he holds her in high regard and the two have a close and amicable relationship. The two have never spoken about the reasons behind their divorce. They filed it by mutual consent and because of ‘temperamental differences’, which is apparently a thing in India. There were no issues during their divorce, no fighting, and no disagreements. Reena received full custody of their children, though Aamir retained the right to see his kids three times a week, on alternate weekends and for a portion of the summer and Christmas holidays. He is very involved in both his children’s lives and although he speaks rarely about his private life, one gets the impression that he is proud of his children and loves them dearly. Reena didn’t vanish from his life after the divorce. Whilst the two weren’t married anymore, their relationship transformed after the divorce and became one of mutual respect and friendship. Due to their children, they continue to have a close relationship, one that extends to Aamir’s second wife as well, who says nothing but good things about Reena and her step-children.â€
After many unfortunate miscarriages, Kiran and Aamir had a son, Azaad Rao Khan, who was born via surrogacy. “Their young son is their pride and joy. Their family is certainly a patchwork family, but it seems to work for everyone involved, including Reena, who is not the ex-wife left behind, but someone, who is still close to her children as well as her ex-husband and his new wife,†Renjith added.
Once he was happily married, Aamir came back to Bollywood with a vengeance after a four year hiatus with Ketan Mehta’s Mangal Pandey: The Rising (2005) playing the title role of the real-life sepoy and martyr who helped spark the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The film garnered great reviews and was screened at the Cannes Film Festival. Next he starred in Rang De Basanti (2006), one of the year’s highest-grossing films, which also won the BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language in the U.K. He co-starred in and produced his directorial debut venture, Taare Zameen Par (2007) in which he plays a teacher who befriends and helps a dyslexic child, a different choice of topic for a Bollywood film. It opened to rave reviews including for his acting. Amongst other awards, Aamir notably received the Filmfare Awards for Best Director and Best Film of 2007, as well as the National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare amongst others. Both Mangal Pandey and Taare Zameen Par were India’s official entries for their respective years at the Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Film category. Aamir came to be known as a discerning filmmaker, a cut above the rest.
Meanwhile, Aamir’s younger brother Faisal who was suffering from a serious mental condition suffered from a psychotic breakdown, accusing Aamir of locking him up and went missing for two days in 2007. It became a big story with their father being awarded custody by court order of Faisal. However, Tahir Hussain died of a massive heart attack in 2010. Faisal is said to have recovered enough to have signed a couple of upcoming movies.
Secure in his domestic life, Aamir went from strength to strength with a hat-trick of top Bollywood grossers of all time starting with Ghajini (2008), followed by 3 Idiots, which earned $30 million nationally and $25 million internationally. In Yash Raj Films’ Dhoom 3, in which he is said to have played the most difficult role of his career broke the record set by the previous two in the preceding two years.
There are many insecurities in the actor`s life. This is the reason Aamir Khan’s family have named Captain Caution. Negative thoughts swirl in his mind. Losing his family members and his loved ones are the biggest fears in his life. Aamir is always cautious about the security of all his loved ones. At the same time, he also has insecurity relating to his work. He thinks that at some point he might lose his job or his creative instinct, but he may  remain unaware of it or be the last one to know about it. Thus, he takes criticism seriously. Whenever, Aamir hears something about his work, he rectifies it immediately. His family and work have primary importance in his life. However, he never fears losing stardom, according to Renjith.

TIFF
(Carlos Osorio/Toronto Star)
In 2008, Aamir also launched his nephew Imran Khan in the film Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na made by his production house. 2011 saw the release of Kiran’s dirctorial debut Dhobi Ghat. The same year, Aamir co-produced English language Black comedy film Delhi Belly starring Imran Khan. Aamir himself played an alien in Rajkumar Hirani’s satirical science fiction drama PK (2014) opposite Anushka Sharma, and with Sanjay Dutt in a supporting role. This became the fourth of his films that became the highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time. Film critic Raja Sen called the film a “triumph….Aamir Khan is exceptional in PK, creating an irresistibly goofy character.†And yet again, for the fifth time, Aamir’s turn as a wrestler in real life sports hero movie Nitesh Tiwari’s Dangal became the highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time. Aamir also won his third Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his portrayal.
Junaid, Ira & Reena Dutta
Aamir Khan with his mother performing Hajj
Aamir avoids most film award ceremonies and does not readily accept any popular Indian film awards. Though nominated many times, Aamir does not attend any Indian film award ceremonies, saying “Indian film awards lack credibility… I won’t attend it either. Apart from the National Film Awards, I don’t see any other award ceremony that I should give value to.†He has also famously refused to give his consent for his wax statue to join those of other Bollywood superstars at Madame Tussaud’s.â€
However, with other Bollywood heavyweights appearing on their own TV shows, Aamir sought to strengthen his connection with his audience by making his television debut with the social issues talk show Satyamev Jayate. This highly anticipated show made Aamir the highest paid host on Indian TV up till 2012. In her review, Ritu Singh said, “Aamir Khan deserves applause for bringing up such sensitive issues and presenting them in a hard hitting way. The amount of research Aamir and his team have put into the show is clearly visible with the facts and figures presented. Every aspect of the issues is covered with great diligence.â€
An observing Muslim, Aamir performed Hajj with his mother in 2013. Recently, he has turned vegan following his atheist wife’s example. He believes in a balanced, tolerant, live and let live approach. So when in 2015, Aamir spoke up against intolerance in India at a newspaper event in New Delhi, saying that he had considered “moving out of India,†his words were taken out of context by the Shiv Sena. He was harassed by the party and on social media. A lawsuit was filed against him and Kiran. Many stars spoke out in his support and he was forced to explain that he had no intention to emigrate ever.
All this time, Reena remained close to his family and is often seen at family occasions, participating both in the happy as well as unhappy moments. It helps that Aamir’s sister and Reena’s brother, who live in New Jersey, are married to each other. According to Aamir, though his relationship with Reena has undergone a change after the divorce, the bond that he shares with her will never end. He still has a lot of love and respect for her and she will always remain an important part of his life. “I really value the 16 years Reena and I spent together. I have the highest respect and love for her. I will always have that,†he told the Hindustan Times.
‘She has immense strength of character and patience. She is a valuable part of my life. Our relationship may have altered, but nothing and no one can take away what we have shared,’ he said in an interview to Femina magazine.
Kiran also enjoys a wonderful rapport with his children from his first marriage. She praised them in an interview, “I love them and they are just lovely kids and I think Reena has done a spectacular job of bringing them up the way she has. They are warm, affectionate, intelligent and grounded kids.â€
Aamir Khan with Kiran Rao & son Azad Rao Khan in Meghalaya
Aamir’s eldest Junaid, who surprisingly stands at six feet three inches tall towering over his father’s more modest five feet five inches, is presently assisting Raj Kumar Hirani in the upcoming movie, Peekay with Aamir and Anushka Sharma in the lead.
Aamir has his priorities in order and gives kudos to the women who have supported him along the way and helped make him the man he is. Giving credit where it is due, Aamir Khan said that the three most respected women in his life are his mother, his ex-wife, Reena Dutta and his present wife, Kiran Rao.
Valentine’s is all about love,
and Pat McGrath Labs Lust 004 is what we are lusting after this season. This kit elevates your makeup bag to the next level.
first seen on supermodels drenched in glitter lips on the Atelier Versace runaway, Later the secret was revealed by Pat in the form of a magical kit.
Called the most influential make-up artist in the world by none other than Vogue magazine, Pat McGrath’s shimmering shades are like no other. Models, like Maria Carla Boscon, Bella Hadid, Taylor Hill, Karen Elson, Chrissy Teigen, Shay Mitchell and last but not least Naomi Campbell, have given us some major lip goals by showcasing the look on runways, celebrity events and social media. For some, however, glitter lips can be an acquired taste.
Taylor Hill
Chrissy Teigen
There are 3 kits in total called Flesh, Vermillion Venom and Blood Wine and each kit comes in a pink sequined pouch. For starters, I thought the sequins can be applied on the lips, but that is just McGrath’s presentation of the beautiful product. After all she has been in the business for over 20 years. Each set of the kits contain two complimentary lipsticks, a tube of vinyl gloss, a jar of molten gold powder, and our favourite jar of glitter.
This pretty Cirque du Soleil of glitter comes in a total of 11 shades consisting of six lip
liners, which are all a combination of shimmer, bronze, nudes and tasty reds. four
among These are thick glitter in the tones of blood red, wine red, bronze and gold.
Application Process
First I applied the lip liner, then the gloss that comes with it and later I put my hands straight to the red glitter. This minute long process is definitely a trend that’s here to stay. The look appeared flawless because I had glitter lips with minimal make up. So striking! This kit is surly for goddesses who wish to bring their makeup A game. The combination of the vinyl gloss, shades of lipsticks combined with glitter brings different tones on different lips. If that isn’t magic what is?
Experts know how to perform the perfect application to create the Versace runaway look, but I couldn’t wait to dab some glitter on my lips. Ladies, I bet you would go wild experimenting as well. The brand has also collaborated with Sephora, so you can purchase singles or the full set for $150.
These are versatile looks that can be acquired using this
kit–looks which i created myself assigning names.
Gold Goddess look:
More vinyl gloss and more gold glitter giving a shimmery metallic gold effect. It looks like you have drunk liquid gold.
Red-Wine Goddess look:
Less lip liner and more red glitter for luscious glittery lips.
nude Goddess look:
Less colour to get a more subtle, but still dazzling nude effect.
Multi Goddess look:
Mix a bit of 2 or 3 glitters and lip liner to get a unique multi-coloured shade.
There is room for many more looks once experimented.
“I wanted to create the ultimate editorial kit that takes you from nothing all the way to the most extreme, jewelled,
three-dimensional mouth.”
—pat McGrath
Jahanzaib Shafique, an event manager and entrepreneur, loves to travel, explore and document his experiences. This inveterate globe trotter aims to hit a score of 50 countries by 2018
WHY?
What started as a casual, first solo holiday to the USA in 2011 turned into a lifelong passion to travel. From then on, my itinerary has always included a few less-frequented cities, which according to my experience, are always more interesting to explore. So in my last trip I chose Colombia, Mexico and Panama as the “wild cards.†This time, my 12 day trip included Vietnam and Cambodia, in addition to Dubai and Thailand.
What is the best time to visit?
Vietnam has diverse weather with the North enjoying all four seasons and the South having quintessentially tropical weather throughout. Cambodia follows a similar pattern. This makes December to February ideal to enjoy these countries rain-free so you can explore at will.
Where did you stay?
Hanoi, Vietnam: Conifer Boutique Hotel has excellent customer service, location and balconies for smokers.
Halong Bay, Vietnam Pelican Cruise has the best in room service and room quality. I had a sea view private deck and it was amazing, relatively expensive but worth the money.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam: Novotel Puu Quoc Resort has the most amazing facilities with a Halal buffet menu, infinity pools and everything else you can ask for.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Liberty Saigon Riverside Hotel boasts an excellent location, and contemporary room decor.
Siem Reap, Cambodia: Les Bambous Luxury Hotel has the best customer service ever along with super sized boutique suites. They give you a phone and an iPad with direct line to the front desk 24/7.
Phuket, Thailand: The Kee Resort & Spa has an excellent location right on Bangla Street with excellent suites, one of the best spa services and a lavish breakfast spread.
Favourite Restaurant?
Geckos Café in Hanoi had the most amazing food ever!
Novotel’s dinner buffet was also sumptuous.
How to Get Around?
In Vietnam, scooter is the preferred mode of commute. So I went for a scooter tour to explore most of the cities. Alternatively, tuk-tuks are common in all three of the Southeast Asian countries with variations in the size and shape of the vehicle. Transport in Cambodia is REALLY cheap. People can understand English in all three countries so hailing a tuk-tuk works most of the time.
What did you get up to during the day?
I took 3-4 day tours in different cities. For the rest of the days, my time was spent discovering the local markets, land marks and filming for my travelogue.
Where to stay?
I plan a maximum of three days in a city so my preference is living downtown so most of the attractions and food options are at walking distance. Booking.com is a great website to find good deals for almost any city. I look for 8.5 or above rating with a 1 km radius set from city centre.
What to eat?
I’m not a big foodie, but there’re a lot of seafood options available in these countries. Don’t miss the morning breakfasts at your hotel. I’m still missing the assortment of exotic fruit ?
What to See?
Vietnam: Sapa Trekking up in the North, Hoi An Chams Ruins, Phu Quoc Island for some beach time and Ho Chi Minh City to experience the people of Vietnam.
Cambodia: Angkor Wat Ruins, Ta Prohm Temple, Bayon Temple, the Floating Villages on Tonle Sap Lake and quad biking in the countryside.
Thailand: I skipped the typical cities, Bangkok and Pattaya, and went only for Phuket. Don’t miss the Patong Beach and Bangla Street life along with some great sunset points at Promthep Cape.
Essentials that I cannot live without when travelling
My Backpack with:
Passport & Wallet
Samsung S7 Phone
Go Pro Hero 5
Gimble and Gear
My Macbook Air
Spare Power Banks
You can follow Jahanzaib’s adventures on Insta : @JbsLog and Snapchat : JBxLog.
A GUIDE TO THE NEWEST LOOKS
BY AFSHANÂ SHAFI
Another bite sized looker, this Les Petits Joueurs bag will have you grinning ear to ear
Shilpa Shetty with the Anya Hindmarch sticker tote
Bella Hadid with the Dior Club bag
Kendall Jenner with the Gucci Chateau Marmont bag
Olivia Palermo with the Les Petits Jouers bag
The Hit List
Essential Arm Candy
Latest celebrity It bags you can carry too
Jacqueline Fernandez with the Louis Vuitton mini Alma bag
Rainbow hues and a starburst top handle make this Ming Lin lilac bag too sweet to handle
This Mark Cross beauty is pure love in deep teal and topped with the perfect technicolor scrawl
Sparkly and just the right size for essentials, this Jimmy Choo is a winner!
Signature bloom
Florals for the coming season are more oblique than ever. Dial it up a notch and steer clear from sickly pretty renditions; aim for a moody, retro vibe.
Sonam Kapoor in Gucci
Giambattista Valli
Veronique Branquinho
Erdem
Gucci
Alexander Mcqueen
1. Awestruck the party circuit
Living up to their reputation, Juicy looks by YHB dig up all things rare to find and limited editions from all the high end international designers. For those unwilling to settle for anything but the best, this one of a kind Medusa crystal embellished shoulder bag from Versace is sure to make you the talk of the town. Follow them on Facebook.com/juicylooksyhb
2. Charizma’s new capsule collection
Charizma’s new capsule collection reflects happiness feminity. Visit the website to shop online at www.houseofcharizma.cor on Instagram @charizmaofficial
3. Blood Orange
makes really comfy and reasonably priced pyjamas that are delivered to your doorstep via COD. T order visit their facebook page: Blood Orange By R
4. Mink is Back
“I wanted to have fun with Mink. The fur speaks volumes for itself so I kept the look super laid back and simple in tan tights, a white shirt and my hair tied in a ponytail. The Mink fur sat wonderfuly and luxuriously on one shoulder.†To order visit: https://m.facebook.com/
lapelloofficial
By Staff writer
Movies:Â
The Comedian
Jackie Burke (Robert DeNiro) is a comic icon from years past trying to reinvent himself. The character tries to shed the image the public has of him as a television character he played earlier in his career. Already a strain on his younger brother and his wife, after a tussle with a member of the audience during a stand-up act, Jackie is sentenced to community service. While there he meets Harmony, the daughter of a sleazy Florida real estate mogul, and the two end up becoming sources of comedic inspiration for each other.
With top names such as Danny DeVito and Edie Falco (of Sopranos fame) in the mix the film is sure to be a riot. Might be just the thing to get you through a boring stale Sunday.
Television Shows:
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
After Jon Stewart’s retirement from the Daily Show, his protégé John Oliver has filled the vacuum that was left in the space of political satire. The successful HBO show is set to return for a fourth season. The late-night series sees the British comedian review events and happenings of the past seven days in news, politics and current events. The painstaking research and honest commentary make for a great show. And now that Trump is the President of the United States one can only imagine what John Oliver has in store for us this season.
Books:Â
Raja Gidh – Bano Qudsia
The recent demise of the author has prompted us to remember her best known work and we urge you to pick up a copy of Raja Gidh on your next trip to the book store. Gidh is Urdu for vulture, while Raja means king. The story is an allegorical journey into the kingdom of vultures, an animal that feeds on the carcasses of the dead. The story follows a love triangle depicted in the rich city of Lahore.
Music:Â
Hot 100Â
# | Song | Artist |
1 | Shape of you | Ed Sheearn |
2 | Bad and Boujee | Migos Feat. Lil Uzi Vert |
3 | I Don’t Wanna Live Forever | Zayn/Taylor Swift |
4 | No Lie | Dua Lipa Feat. Sean Paul |
5 | Fake Love | Drake |