Effortlessly charming Kajol lights up designer Ana Singh's store launch party

Effortlessly charming Kajol lights up designer Ana Singh's store launch party

September 6, 2008 (Sawf News) - Kajol accompanied by sister Tanisha formally launched the flagship store of Bollywood designer Ana Singh at Bandra on September 5. A bevy of Bollywood glitterati, which included Aishwarya Rai, Gauri Khan, Karan Johar and Sussane Khan, attended the event.

Kajol paired her chocolate colored wide leg pants with a long sleeve front button tunic with flower embroidery; it had pearl and metal bead accents around the neck extending down the placket and sleeve cuffs.

She accessorized with her heartwarming smile, chunky stone drop earrings, a ring each in both her hands and an oversized ivory clutch with metallic frame. Her tangled look below shoulder length dark hair was left casually open.

Her entire ensemble was complimentary to her beautiful skin and mesmerizing honey colored eyes.

Her sister Tanisha was more boldly attired (as always?) in a strapless asymmetrical hem pink satin dress with a rouched bodice. Her long layered cut golden hair framed her face, cascading down her shoulders.

Unfortunately the sisters left within a short while owing to Kajol's ill health.

The theme of the party was red and that was how the glamorous Ana Singh and her staff were dressed as they warmly welcomed the guests.

Others who attended the event to the delight of photogs clicking away included Salman Khan's sister Arpita Khan, Chunky Pandey, Sophie Choudhari, Zarine Khan, Queenie Dhodie, Kim Sharma, Preeti Jhangiani, Azhruddin and Sangeeta Bijlani, Chayaa Mommaya, Achla Sachdev, Vikram Chatwal, Sonu Sood, Poonam Dhillon, Rajeshwari Sachdev, Aashish Chowdhary, Boman Irani with wife, Neelam, Ketan Mehta, Sooraj Bharjatiya with family, Divya Khosla Kumar and Kehkashan among others.

Ana Singh launches her own proprietorship design store tonight at Bandra with her favourite actress Kajol Devgan... “She’s a kickass actress who chose not to be a star,” says the designer of Kajol (TOI photo)

Bollywood designer Ana Singh, who made the Guinness Book for doing 750 films in 20 years, and who got the National Award twice for Umrao Jaan and Taj Mahal, has now made and got her own proprietorship design store at Bandra.

It opens tonight with all the pomp, ceremony and attendance of a Hindi film premiere and will have the lovely Kajol stepping back into the limelight for Ana’s sake.

Ana’s garments in the store include 17 different collections of women’s wear with the fabrics all being from France and Italy, even the Indian sarees have French lame. And there is a small, funky collection of men’s shirts, a pret line made of Bollywood posters that have Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar, all very reasonably priced. Ana’s mantra is to be original. And her originality extends beyond her fashion line.

The store has been designed by Ayesha Shroff (“Suzanne Roshan consulted, then got busy with her baby”), Zarine Khan got Ana a lovely Italian chandelier, Dimple Kapadia produced the most amazing candles, there are rugs from Turkey, and Ana herself handpainted accessory chests in devotion to Raja Ravi Varma. She is, you must know, a gold medalist from the JJ School of Art. Bahut dum hai,” she said, “I live to create.”

interview 2

Actress Kajol on maintaining a balancing act between the movies and motherhood

The perception in Bollywood is that you have a 'don't-care-a-damn' attitude.
I am not a rebel. I just live life my way. I walk a path only when I feel that it is the right way to go. Most people do not agree with me, but I guess it’s they who are at the wrong end.

Were you a brat as a kid?
I was the most spanked kid at home. My mother has horrifying memories of beating me up with badminton racquets, plates and whatever she could lay her hands on!

Unexpected decisions are your trademark, what say?
People were surprised when I decided to get married at the peak of my acting career. But Bollywood formats don't work for me. As of now, I am not quitting — I just need some free time off. I will be back to acting as soon as something seems right.

Will you sign up for a film?
At present, I am happiest playing the role of mom to little Nysa. Motherhood and a career on hold is an intentional decision. Babies are a responsibility one can't run away from.

Do you always take responsibility for your actions?
My mother gave me the freedom to do what I liked, but she insisted that I be responsible for what I did. I have no regrets; there is no looking back for me.

INTERVIEW WITH KAJOL

INTERVIEW WITH KAJOL

Kajol on U Me Aur Hum

Were there any work related issues between Ajay and you while shooting for U Me Aur Hum?
There were no issues as such because we have worked together in the past before as well, we are both professionals, there are bound to be creative differences but we handle them professionally and not let it affect our work.

Were there any creative inputs from you in the story or script of U Me Aur Hum?
Its not fair to say that I added significantly script, because I don't think I have made anything much, but Ajay repeatedly said to us, we were all used as sounding boards, so if sounding boards are struck in the script, then probably yes…
What makes your marriage as successful as it is?
My love for Ajay has only grown with time and hopefully it will continue to, as far as keeping the sparks going, well we have to keep at it each day and try and do something new for each other from time to time, and besides everyday is a new day.
How did you feel being a part of U Me Aur Hum?
I was very pleased to be the lead actor in U Me Aur Hum, as far as in case I was not the lead actor then too I would not really be concerned even if our production house selected someone else, the role was very good.
Is the story of U Me Aur Hum fact or fiction?
The entire film is purely fictional.
Will you and Shah Rukh be working together any time soon again?
Well, Shah Rukh is a close friend of mine, we are yet in talks of anew film together but nothing is on paper or confirmed yet.

Do you still have the same drive for acting considering you have achieved so much already?
Well yes I have achieved a lot but its not like I was majorly driven, feverish or even ambitious about it. I always had a life of my own.
In spite of being one of the best and most successful actors we have in the industry how come you’re doing such few films?
As I said earlier that my priority is my family and that I have a life beyond my work as well. I have always been choosy before about the films I did anyways, and now that im married and have a child I will be super choosy.
On What bases do you select your films?
To me what’s most important is firstly the script of the film. Then come the director and the producer. It basically all must fall into place before signing a film.
What made you want to do a film like U, Me Aur Hum?
Firstly it was the director, second to that was the script. I guess even if I was offered the film through some other production house then too I would have done it.
So what’s your character in the film like?
Its about two people and their marriage and how one can make things work in a marriage…basically a love story, a touching one…I sincerely hope it does well.
Who is the film’s target audience?
The film targets everyone, as anyone who has been in love will enjoy the film regardless of his or her age, whether young or old.

How was Ajay as a director?
He was a brilliant director. Mainly because he knew what he wanted from who, not only the actors but also from the technicians to the every one involved in the film.
How would you compare Ajay to the rest of the actors you have worked with?
Well I married the guy so its very obvious that’s he’s most special to me, although thankfully most people I have worked with have been very nice to me, I have gotten along with all the heroes I have worked with.

KAJOL WITH HER FAMILY VISITING LORD GANESH