Supercop’s real salute

By now she must be used to being portrayed on the big and small screens. There have been shades of her life in performances by Dimple Kapadia, Madhuri Dixit, Vijayshanti and a line of other actresses who have played the role of police officer. In fact she has also been the subject of a hit TV serial, Udaan.

But now Kiran Bedi seems to be stealing the thunder from all the wannabe starry supercops. For the first time ever, the Magsaysay Award-winning IPS officer has donned the grease paint for a new documentary The Real Salute. Produced by the Chennai-based Malar Network, the documentary on the theme of national integration has the celebrated cop playing the role of a poor old rag-picker. "Since I had never acted earlier I took it upon as a challenge. What fascinated me most about the script was that it was about the spirit of nationalism and patriotism. There was simplicity and truth in the concept. I believe that certain nefarious forces are out to destroy the Indian fabric," says Bedi. Besides being a first-time actress the other challenge for Bedi was to wear a saree after several years to portray an old woman effectively.

Kiran Bedi as a rag-picker in The Real Salute

"It was a challenge I accepted with happiness" she says with a smile. Shot in Gurgaon, near Delhi, the idea of the film first came to the mind of directors Shakti and Guna when they were walking through a village and came across the Indian Tricolour dumped in a garbage can and torn from one end. "The very fact that the national flag was lying so disrespectfully was a statement in itself. And that is the basis of this documentary," they say.

Bedi plays the rag-picker who discovers a torn Indian flag in a village dustbin. She picks it up and then goes and sits in one corner. Upon examining it closely, she discovers that part of the green colour of the flag is torn. She then rips her green saree and stitches it on the torn portion. That done, she mounts the flag on a pole with pride and happiness.

"When we began short-listing people to play the title role, our choice automatically fell on Kiran Bedi, who is today a role model for young people and everybody looks up to her with a feeling of hope," says Gopaljee, the producer of the documentary. But convincing the high profile police officer was no easy task. Instinctively she said no.

Yes, she agrees, besides being a supercop, she has played a number of real-life roles — a reformer, a committed social worker, an author and a voracious public speaker. "Acting, however, was an altogether different ball game," she says. But the filmmakers’ perseverance paid off and Bedi finally relented to try her hand at acting as well.

"I am delighted to see the complete version and I am sure it will be a hit with everybody who watches it," says Bedi and adds,"the Indian flag should be respected not just on certain days of the year but every day."

The Real Salute has been made in five languages — Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. Shot in just a few hours the 3-minute documentary tries to imbibe the spirit of patriotism in the present generation. Though the theme may be moralistic, its treatment and presentation is unusual. And the fact that it features one of India’s most dynamic personalities lends it credibility and depth.

Does the documentary mark the beginning of a new career for her — acting? "Who knows? If the theme is about a social issue or promotes national integration I wouldn’t hesitate to take up the offer. But the films would have to be short since I am tight on time," says Bedi. Supercop, author, social worker, reformer, guest speaker and more. How does she manage her time? "By remaining focused," is her cryptic answer. And focus is something that Bedi has never lost both personally and professionally — whether it is extending the long arm of the law or acting the role of a patriotic rag-picker in a film.

— NF

Aishwarya’s starry tantrums

A director’s dream actress at one time, Aishwarya Rai is proving to be quite a nightmare for Devdas director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Her starry tantrums and temperamental behaviour on the sets of Devdas are reportedly driving him up the wall.

Hell-bent on beating Madhuri Dixit, the other leading actress in the film, in the looks department, Ash spends hours together on her make-up and then sends her dress for ironing after every shot. The result is not difficult to imagine: a shot that should ordinarily take one hour takes the whole day. As it is Bhansali has been plagued by one problem after the other that has delayed the completion of his pet project.

And now to add to his problems, Ash has decided to act up. Salmaan-effect, should we say?

Marriage season still on!

Just when we thought that all cupid-struck couples in Bollywood had finally tied the knot and settled down to matrimonial harmony, we have heard of yet another marriage. Kamal Sadanah has married make-up expert Michelle Tung’s assistant Lisa. 

Kamal who, did you say? He is the very same Kamal whose one-time claim to fame was being Pooja Bhatt’s boyfriend. Though keeping in mind the steady stream of boyfriends who have waded through the Bhatt babe’s life, that’s not a very helpful hint either. 

Wish we could tell you the name of a hit movie in which he starred to help jog your memory cells, but as they say if wishes were horses....Anyway, we wish the newly married couple all the bliss that marriage brings.

— Glitzy

“My tapori days are over”

— NF