'I've seen the craze for English education even among the poorest. But that is only for their sons. Parents feel thrilled when they see their sons going to school wearing a tie. They don't mind paying for their sons' private tuitions too.' 'But daughters are sent to municipal schools, madarsas, small schools where teachers with no teaching skills are paid Rs 2,000 or Rs 4,000. That's why more girls come to my class.' Syed Feroze Ashraf, who has sent 500-odd girls (and a few boys) -- all first generation learners, children of grave-diggers, hawkers, rickshaw-drivers, tailors and watchmen -- to college, speaks to Jyoti Punwani. A Rediff.com Special.
'If you just click sexy pictures, you are only going to have a bunch of perverts following you.' 'What do perverts buy? They don't even buy condoms.'
'The call-up from Rahul Dravid was the turning point for Sarfaraz.' 'I would like to thank Virat Kohli for the trust he has shown in Sarfaraz.'
Jyoti Punwani pays tribute to Syed Feroze Ashraf, the eternal do-gooder who changed the lives of many children.
Jacqueline Fernandez talks about her superhero film, her co-star Tiger Shroff and much more!
Aamir Khan looks leaner, fitter and younger on his 52nd birthday.
'Yashji kept telling me if I don't play a loverboy, my career will not move ahead. I just went by his belief and it paid dividends. Yash Chopra has single-handedly made my career.' Shah Rukh Khan acknowledges the man who gave him success.
'After Gully Boy, many interesting projects started coming my way.' 'But things really changed with the Filmfare. Now, people notice me.' 'It's a good space, where you don't have to tell people who you are.'
Shah Rukh Khan sets the record straight.
Make way for Anya Singh and Aadar Jain!
'If Nutella is missing anywhere in the world, you'll probably find it in Ranveer's house!' 'He loves food!'
Bobo's work speaks for the liberation of love :)
'After being a housewife for 13 years and a mother of three, I was put on stage with Shah Rukh Khan! I was trembling on stage and did not know what to do. From singing bhajans with Anup Jalota, I was doing hip-hop and item songs!' Baby Doll singer Kanika Kapoor tells us her inspirational story.
'I feel very lucky that people have noticed my work.'
Mumbai's CST, Halebidu and Amruthapura. Sudha Murty lists her selection of India's beautiful monuments.
'The only time I went on set was during Badshah. I was very young at that time. After being there for about an hour, I was bored and wanted to go. I couldn't watch it again and again, the retakes.' But Mustafa Burmawalla could not stay away from the arc lights for long.
Shama Sikander talks about love, sex and relationships.
'Kalesaab could have easily earned Rs 1 lakh per month as rent from this place but he gave it to Muslims for free. Secularism in India is alive only because of people like him.'
'It is because of him I am in India,' says the Bollywood superstar's rumoured girlfriend.
'The control of the Church over Christian people regarding politics has become weak...' 'People have started to think independently and it is not for sure that they will obey whatever the Church asks them to do.'
Suburban services were disrupted with trains on all the three lines -- western, central and harbour -- running late.
'I am done with that genre. When you don't have a filmi background, it's difficult to do what you want to do.' Gurmeet Choudhary looks ahead with Laali Ki Shaadi Mein Laddoo Deewana.
'It's been two and a half years since I debuted and I am happy with my journey at the moment. If you are passionate about something, with hard work and opportunity, you will continue as long as you are enjoying what you do.' Kiara Advani is very excited about her next Machine.
Kirti Kulhari talks about PINK and why she is open to doing web series than television!
Veteran music composer Khayyam revisits Umrao Jaan.
Rajinikanth is back to what he does best!
'I will live my life and let other people live their life too.' 'There are big problems in life yaar, like global warming. Let's talk about that.'
'I did not grow up watching Bollywood movies because I don't understand Hindi. The only Bollywood movie I have watched is Piku. I may have seen Hindi films with my mother when I was younger, but otherwise, I haven't sat down to watch a Bollywood film.' Andrea Tariang gets ready for her big Bollywood debut.
'The three tycoons I deal with in the first chapter -- Ambani, Mallya and Adani -- in their own way represent the change that has come over India.' 'Of the three of them, Mallya is the most fun. He was terrific.' 'And I don't say that because I tell the story in the book of his golden toilet.'
Few in India know that Elvis & Namrata won at the World Salsa Summit in Miami!
Meheka Mirpuri is using fashion to help cancer patients.
'His level of loyalty and support knows no boundaries.' 'You'll never meet a person like him.'
'This is the first Bollywood film which is about 4 women not falling in love with the same guy.'
'We have trained Priyanka well for the role of IPS officer Abha Mathur. She learnt all the mannerisms of the Indian police. The Quantico people are taking the real advantage of it. It's okay, I am happy that America knows what we can do.' Jai Gangaajal director Prakash Jha raves about his heroine.
Mumbai fans celebrate the release of Rajinikanth's latest film, Kabali.
'With Tiger, you always need to be on your toes and always ready to dance.'
The streets of Mumbai spilled with enthusiastic devotes as they welcomed Lord Ganesha into their homes.
KK discusses his top songs with Rajul Hegde/ Rediff.com, and even sings some of them!
'Nobody prepares you for stardom.' 'Nobody prepares you for what happens to you after your first film.' Uncle and nephew -- Anil and Arjun Kapoor -- get together.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances