I was doing well as a freelance journalist and became popular in the suburb Dombivli, where I was living in a rented flat. During my early years as a journalist, I usually was writing on human achievers. Interacting with people, whose feats were exemplary, courageous, and adventurous and not forgetting their determination to achieve the unexpected, really taught me a great deal about life’s hardships and triumphs. Few touched my life in the most unusual way and few of them opened my eyes. This is when my life changed into a new direction. All along, I learnt that the joy of giving to the world is the greatest feeling and achievement humans can ever possess and share to make our lives beautiful.

In June 2000, I met the Magna Publishing magnet Mr. Nari Hira, who I had seen in various magazines during my growing up years. My interview was taken by the successful man, how hired me almost instantly. I joined the magazine SHOWTIME, while other three friends (over the years have become) joined STARDUST. My editor at SHOWTIME was Ms. Kanan Devecha, a tough taskmaster. Incidentally, we never could be on friendly terms because of her ego and my being good at work and talking honestly and fearlessly.

My first assignment was to interview Shadaab Khan, son of late Amjad Khan (famous for playing Gabbar Singh in SHOLAY). I had a good time at his place, however, till date we have never met each other again after the first interview. Anupama Verma, a super successful model turned actress, was my second assignment that was assigned to me by my editor.  I must confess that I have been very lucky to get appointment from stars for their interview in the very first attempt, most of the time. This used to surprise and bother my editor to great deal, for reasons really unknown to me.

Anupama Verma was shooting for Gopal Malhotra’s film DIL KE PEECHEY PEECHEY, starring South heartthrob Abbas (it was supposed to be his Hindi debut film), Anupama Verma, Ashutosh Rana and Divya Dutta, at Madh Island. It was a long tedious journey from our office. When I arrived on the sets, Anupama met me and excused herself because she had a hectic schedule, with a promise that we would meet next week at Panvel, on an outdoor shoot.

Next week, as discussed, I arrive at the Surve Farm, Panvel (outskirt of Bombay). The film was being shot when I arrived on the sets. I must confess that Anupama Verma as a model had been one of my favourite models. I had never realized that one fine day I would be interviewing the same girl in person. When I reached the sets, she was in the shoot and waved at me as soon as she saw me. Her assistant provided me with a chair and requested me to watch the proceedings. The whole unit thought that I was Anu’s (that is what I call her after we became friends) friend, including the director of the film.

I was watching the shoot with great patience when suddenly Gopal Malhotra, the director looked at me, in fact, it would be appropriate to say that he stared at me and told something to his assistant. The assistant vanished and appeared after a while with the screenplay writer on the scene. Then the three of them talked among themselves while staring at me with great interest. I became uneasy because of their continuous gaze. The shooting resumed once the lights were set for the next shot. I could see from afar that the screenplay writer became busy writing something on his pad. After the shot was canned, the announcement of lunch break came as relief to one and all. Anu came running and we walked towards her room. While we were having lunch, we both exchanged information and got to know about each other in a more friendly way. The ice was broken between us and amazingly, I felt as if we were two lost friends, who were meeting after a long time. Such was Anu’s warmth because she is a lovely person by nature.

I was surprised when Anu asked me if I was open to acting and that her director had a small role for me. I was excited and exclaimed in joy, “Why not?” And almost immediately I was curious about the role. This is when I realized that film just happens to you out of the blue. Today, when I look back I feel proud and lucky because the script (however small it was) was written on the spot for me to play a foreign photographer, who is shooting India’s beauty. I had to click pictures of Anupama and Abbas, the loving couple. The picture taken was shown in flashback when the lovers fight and separates. Unfortunately, the film never got complete. However, it was fortunate for me because Anu and Gopal Malhotra became good friends of mine over the years.

Anu was very sweet and thoughtful throughout her interview, which happened in between the shots, in various installments and continued till late in the evening. I must confess that we both were at ease as if we have been friends since ages. By the time her shot were complete for the day, it was 7.30 pm and Anu insisted me to have dinner with her. I can really never forget Anu’s thoughtfulness when she arranged a car for me to be dropped at the bus stop of Panvel (from Surve Farm, it was almost 18 kms). She knew there were no other modes of transport from the interiors and I would have been stranded in the night. The day is still fresh as dew and the amazing experience to act in the film.

Her pet name is Punnu but I had given her a new name Anu, which she loved immensely. She loved all the articles I had written in Times of India and Stardustindia.com (the articles never appeared in SHOWTIME). It was my habit, ever since I started writing, to give a copy of the published article to the concerned person and wish them on their birthdays, festivals and special days.  These acts have immensely helped me to a great deal in my journalism career and all my stars appreciate me for this kind effort. I would suggest every film journalist to cultivate these habits, as they touch the stars to a great deal. These are small gestures but means a lot and I guess that is why 98 per cent of the stars that I have interviewed have loved me and considered me one of their good friends.

Anu and Gopal Malhotra have been in regular touch with me and I say it proudly that they have never taken advantage of me as a film journalist. I strongly felt that Anu’s greatest mistake in her film career was to wait for Jackie Shroff’s film GRAHAN’s release. Anu is cute, sexy, beautiful and a powerful performer. However, Anu was never serious about her film career like she was with her modeling. The film GRAHAN released after three long years and when the film released finally, even with her powerful performance, she signed all the wrong movies and couldn’t make it big in Bollywood.

Anu’s loving and caring nature was evident when she used to call me out of the blue (whenever she arrives from overseas) to inform me, “Johnny your share of chocolates are waiting for you in my fridge. So please come and pick it up.” We do meet once in a while and do chat over phone often. However, the busy girl, who is always travelling (most of the time), has never been serious about her career. Anupama Verma was one of the most successful models in Indian Fashion World, who has features in most of the top-line brands of India.

I still remember, the good old days, when I used to cut her pictures from magazines and display them on my walls of my room with great admiration and fondness. Those were the days, when I never realized that one day we would be real good friends and share beautiful moments over the years. I love Anu for the beautiful person that she is and I guess I will always love her as REAL good friend. Anupama Verma may not be a successful as an actress but I strongly feel that she is successful in life for being a loving soul, who care for her friends and knows to share love. Anu is indeed a very lovable soul!

1). GRAHAN (with Jackie Shroff)

2). VADH (with Nana Patekar)

3). LALOO PRASAD YADAV (with Sunil Shetty & Mahesh Manjrekar)