1st Test: Australia v Sri Lanka at Brisbane, Nov 8-12, 2007 - Day 1

Defensive tactics by Sri Lanka

Sri Lankans won the toss but lost its advantage when they decided to bowl first. By batting first they would have ensured the right to bowl in the fourth innings if the match lasted that long. And with Murali in the ranks, even a small total would have been defensible in the fourth innings.

Instead they chose to play it safe. They chose to field first as they probably did not want to face the Australian pacers on the first morning. It sends a wrong message. You have no chance of beating the Australians if you play defensive. You have to go for it all the time. Constantly try to pressure them.

Well it seems that all the talk from Sangakarra before the series began about annoying the opposition and playing to win, was just that, talk.

Stanislas Wawrinka interview part 2 - His relationship with Federer, childhood et al

TM: Your parents, who weren't in the tennis world, did they support your choice?
SW: They never went against my will. They've always supported my choices even if they weren't playing themselves and even if they were living in a universe totally away from mine today (smiles).

TM: Very far from that indeed....
SW: They run a farm in Switzerland which is actually a social center and curative place. It's just next to a castel from which the farm is only some yards away. It's not theirs, it's owned by the owner of the castel. They run it and handle it.That's a farm where everything's biological. There are vegetables, wheat, they bake bread, without forgetting of course, the animals, the milk. My parents are in charge of the whole production, and, at the same time, they take care of disabled people, sometimes, extremely heavily, who they try to help thanks to the work on the farm. The people live in the castel but work on the farm.

TM: How many years have they been developing this concept?
SW: That's very old as my dad's father was already in this adventure. The castel is owned by an institution that's been developping that insertion process for dozens of years. That's a place I've always known, even though it's changed a bit lately, as there's been some work to renovate the flats and the stables. I've grown up there and I go back there pretty frequently.

TM: So, that was a pretty rural childhood?
SW: Very rural indeed. With my dad, I just loved to go to the fields. Harvesting, that was a real pleasure (smiles). The harvest time.....

TM: Do you still have some spare time to help them?
SW: I go back there pretty often, but now, I am pretty busy in summer (smiles). So I have no time left to harvest with him.

TM: What's your parents's temperament?
SW: My dad's quiet, peacefull, he keeps all for him. He doesn't talk too much (smiles). My mum's more expressive. If there's a problem, she'll tend to say it straight.

TM: Growing up among disabled people, that's bound to be an experience for your entire life time.....
SW: Yes, of course. All the more that they are mentally disabled. Some new ones have arrived lately, but there are 11 old mates. Out of the 11, 4 of them were already there when my grandfather was running the farm. The other 7 ones, I have been knowning them for numerous years. Some are 60-70 years old.

TM: Did you tie great bonds with them?
SW: As a matter of fact, yes. I've grown up with them. Now, when I come back to the farm, they tell me that's great because they've seen me on tv. They tell me bravo, you've won! When do you play again? That's crazy because they've seen me when I was a baby.

TM: But were you with them all the time when you were a kid?
SW: No, not all the time. We had our own home. And I was having breakfast and diner with my parents. But lunch was common. I was eating with all the residents.

TM: Today, you're living in a world that's radically different from the one you used to grow up at the farm.....
SW: That has indeed nothing to do (smiles). The experience I've had at the farm helps me take my distance with all I see and live today. Puts things into perspective. But that doesn't mean it helps me accepting a loss. I won't consider it smaller because I know there's worse in life.

TM: Earlier on, you were saying you're ambitious. What are your goals?
SW: My long term goal, I've never said what it is and I'm gonna keep it for myself (smiles). I've always advanced with reasonable goals per year. In 2007, for instance, I'd like to be part of the best 20. Seems possible for me. As long as I am not in the Top 20, why should I look higher?

TM: You were born in 1985 like Marcos Baghdatis and Tomas Berdych, and so, you're a bit older than those who are talked about a lot, like Rafael Nadal, Richard Gasquet, Gaël Monfils, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray.....Do you feel like you're forgotten when we talk about that generation?
SW: No I have no bitterness as to that. These you're talking about have already done great things, which hasn't been my case so far. At the moment, Nadal is the strongest of all thanks to his results. Winning Roland Garros twice in a row isn't something that anyone can achieve. Otherwise, Gasquet's someone who's always impressed me because of his precocity and his talent (smiles).

TM: We're bound to talk about Roger Federer with you. Some former champions say today that his opponents respect him too much, that they just look at him, playing and winning. What is your opinion?
SW: Me, I tend to say that against Federer, you play better than usual (smiles). Because you have nothing to lose. The respect he causes has nothing to do with that. When I've watched his matches in 2006, I've often thought that the guys he was playing were more inspired than usual (smiles).

TM: You've played him twice. The 1st time was in Rotterdam, in 2004.....
SW: At that time, I didn't know him so well and he hadn't won all those titles he has now. But that was impressive. The stands were full. That was something.

TM: And when did you meet him for the very 1st time?
SW: I was 16 and it was in Bienne, at the Swiss training center. He needed a sparring partner before RG. We had trained for 1h30. He was number 12 at that time, I think. But I was already stressed (smiles). The 1st points had been exhausting. Not because of the effort but because my heart was running 300 (laughs).

TM: It's like, with the years passing by and with glory, he didn't really change.
SW: No. With me, he never was haughty. He never did anything different to have me feel he was above me. He stayed simple. That's even extraordinary to see that.

TM: How's your relation with him today?
SW: It's not easy to describe. Without being pretentious, I think we can say we're buddies (smiles). We call each other often, we also text each other even if most of the time, it's total crap (smiles). It must not be the best way to say it but he's a bit my older brother on the tour. He's always told me his cellphone was on if I needed advice or had questions on some ooponents. What's great is that he only gives me advice if I ask for some. He will never interfere intentionally. He lets me come and make the 1st step (smiles).

TM: And do you often call him?
SW: Often, no. But it happened several times last year. I've also asked him for advice on how to handle a career because what's also noticeable with him, it's that he's found a balance on every level. It's like everything's in order, professionally and privately. He's an example also for that.

TM: Were you disappointed that, one more time, he decides not to play the DC 1st round against Spain?
SW: He's got aschedule and I respect that. He's got his priorities and one of them is to remain n°1. At the time, I've been disappointed, but I totally understand his decision. It's not so much that with him, it would be easier, but he would make DC weeks even nicer because we get on very well.

TM: But he wants to win DC. Maybe he's waiting for his n°2 to assert himself which means you, so that he finally considers about aiming this high goal.
SW: Maybe, maybe. Up to 2003 and this semifinal lost against Australia, he was still playing, but maybe he's seen he was too isolated. Yes, he's waiting for a tougher team and also undoubtedly for a calendar which is easier or more adapted to him.

TM: We underlined it, you won RG Junior in 2003.
SW: Yes, and that was the only junior event that I played that year. The junior events, they really didn't have much importance for me. Actually, they had none (smiles). I've played it because it was RG and it was on clay, my fave surface. As a kid, that's the event I was watching the most. I could spend hours in front of my tv. So, I wanted to win at least a title there (smiles).

TM: What are your memories from RG, as a viewer?
SW: I really liked a lot Alex Corretja and so, I remember well, his 2 finals against Moya and Kuerten.

TM: To finish, it seems you've become a character more "people" in Switzerland lately...
SW: (smiles). Yes, because I live with someone who works for Swiss tv. So she's a bit famous in French speaking Switzerland, and she was also a model. She's older than me. When I started to date her, people started to talk a bit (smiles). It's 1 year and a half now that we're together and she brought me a lot of stability. I've found a balance between work and my private life. When I come back home, she's there, and that's good. At the moment, we live in Geneva. But we're trying to come back to Lausanne which is more relax. In Switzerland, you have a very peacefull and quiet life. Like me (smiles). I don't see myself live somewhere else

Stanislas Wawrinka interview part 1 - Talks about Federer Hingis

For many people, I'm the Swiss guy who loses

Interview by Guy Barbier.

TM: You've been victim of a serious accident on the court, on Feb 8th, before the DC 1st round between Switzerland and Spain, in Geneva. How are you?
SW: During a training session, after the draw, I indeed injured my right knee pretty seriously, on some wrong foot. I've felt the knee slip and I heard some cracking noise. The pain's been really violent, to the point it was almost a shock. I've had some medical test that said that my inside ligament was torn at 2 points. So, I've had to have surgery, on the following morning, at 11am. The surgery lasted for 2 hours. I could have avoided the surgery but it was too risky for a sportsman. It was better on the long term.

TM: How long will you be away from the court?
SW: From 10 to 12 weeks. That's of course a big disappointment. Pretty soon, I'll be able to begin my re-education in swimmingpool. That's really frustrating because I was playing well, I was climbing the rankings. That's my 1st big injury. Physically, the pain's been horrible for the first 2 days. Mentally, that's also some hardship that I'm discovering. At best, I'll be back on the tour for Rome.

TM: Did your compatriot Roger Federer send his sympathy to you?
SW: He calls me every day, even several times (smiles). That's nice.

TM: You're the Swiss n°2 and then, n°2 to the world n°1 Roger Federer. Mustn't be easy to catch some light in such circumstances....
SW: No, that's not really easy. But, as in everything, there's a positive side as well as some negative one. Thanks to him, there's some huge interest in tennis in Switzerland. And me, I have that luck to know him very well now. We're buddies, we can say so. If I need advice, he's always there for me. I know his phone is always turned on and that's precious. Consulting the World n°1, not everybody can do that!! So, imagine being able to do it regularly.......(smiles)

TM: But in the Swiss press, it's bound to be less space for you, all the more now that Martina Hingis also makes the headlines. How do you live this situation?
SW: It's true he gives the impression to take all the place and that's of course the case. As he wins almost all the time, for many people, I'm a bit the Swiss guy who loses (smiles). But when it comes to the media, I'm also the Swiss who stays accessible as, unlike Roger, I don't have many international journalists interested in me (smiles).

TM: His presence isn't too heavy then?
SW: No. The aura of a champion like Federer is even protective for me. I grow up, quietly in his shadow, without big pressure on my shoulders. If you have a look at my ranking evolution, you'll see that I've always had a very regular progression, even a quiet one.

TM: But you're ambitious, despite Federer....
SW: Yes I am ambitious. I've always had my line. I know what I want and I know where I'm going. But he protects me, it's true. I move forward, step by step, without making too much noise.

TM: When we interview Swiss journalists about you, it's always the same words that come along: discreet, shy....Are they right to qualify you that way?
SW: Yes they are (smiles). I'm not somebody who likes to put oneself into the light. I'm pretty reserved, a bit in my corner, in my small stuff. When I was younger, I was very shy, it's true. But I have the feeling I have improved myself on that regard, I have more self confidence.

TM: This exercise of the interview, for instance, is it demanding? During the AO, before your match against Rafael Nadal, we could feel you were extremely defensive while facing the Swiss media.....
SW: The 1st times have been very tough. But it remains sort of excercise and I think it's gonna be this way because of my very reserved personality. It's never easy for me to express myself in front of a lot of people, even if, I repeat it, I think I've improved a lot on that regard (smiles).

TM: Is there a big difference between the guy in its life and the guy on the court?
SW: No, there's some similarity. On the court, I don't play a game. I try to be as natural as possible. Like in my life, I try to be quiet and not show my emotions to the one facing me. Quiet, discreet, peacefull, shy, those are really words that suit me (smiles). And also will, yes, the will.....

TM: We feel a lot of demand...
SW: Yes, I ask a lot from myself. Sometimes too much (smiles). I'm very perfectionist, it's true. On the court, I can hurt myself "inside" because I can't hit properly, and this, in a match as well as during trainings.

TM: But, as we say, you never go crazy?
SW: No, I hurt myself inside and I take everything on me. I must have broken 3 rackets last year, 1 a bit silly when training (smiles). When I have a problem, I try to solve it by myself. I keep all in me and it's true it's not necessarily the solution. I should talk more about how I feel. I try to work on that too.

TM: Without mental coach?
SW: Without mental coach. At the moment, my progress's been stopped. And I don't see any reason to add one more person to the team.

TM: You've said it yourself, your career's known a rising pattern and your ranking today allows you to live some great moments. You've already played on the Center Courts of Wimbledon, in Melbourne, on the Suzanne Lenglen in Roland Garros. How do you feel that powerfull rising?
SW: That's something I've always dreamed of. I love it when there's crowd. That's to live such moments that I train hard. I'm calm. As I've said, I didn't have an up & down career. All's been very regular so far. And the only time I've had doubts concerning tennis was when I was 12, 4 years after I started to play.

TM: What happened when you were 12?
SW: I had a friend who wanted to play basketball. So I had the idea to imitate him (smiles). But my parents, who wished a certain balance through sport practise, have told me to keep on what I had started.

TM: And you made the choice to quit school very young, at 15, so that you could devote yourself to your sport....
SW: As my school refused to allow me particular times to train more, I've been bound to make this decision. But I didn't quit totally from school as I've kept on my studies thanks to the CNED, which is a French organization. It hasn't been very easy to work alone at home, but I've resisted for several years. With always the same rhythm: 8am-10am: studies. 10am-noon: tennis. 14pm-16pm: tennis. 16pm-18pm: studies.

TM: Who was keeping an eye on you?
SW: My parents, though they didn't need to look much after me, as I was very strict in what I was doing. Otherwise, there was my coach who's still with me today, Dimitri Zavialoff.

TM: At no time you were part of the Swiss training system?
SW: Never. When they offered it, I had already accomplished some good work with my private coach. It was a bit late. I've decided I had more chances to progress thanks to him than to them. It wasn't worth it.

TM: Dimitri Zavialoff is French, from Colmar. How did he enter your personal life?
SW: Our families knew each other for long. His parents and mine were close since they were very young. In fact, they had been seeing each other since they were kids. He had a try in tennis, but he stopped very quickly. When he was coming home for a holiday, he then often took care of me. Then, he went to an Academy that Bob Brett had created, near Lugano. Once this experience stopped after 2 or 4 years, I can't remember, he totally dedicated himself to me. Also a bit with my elder brother who wanted to have a try with me. He's now a tennis teacher for kids, between Lausanne and Geneva.

TM: Dimitri's brother's also part of your team?
SW: Yes, he takes care of my contracts, he negociates them. Actually, everything got a bit fast for me in Switzerland, since I won RG Junior in 2003. The media got more interested in me and I needed some help to cope well with that other side of my professional life.

TM: That victory at RG has been very important. The sollicitations must have become more numerous, all of a sudden.....
SW: Firms like IMG or Octagon have had propositions for me. But I didn't see the point to accept them, as I have the feeling that they don't do much effort for you; if you're not n°1 or n°2, you come last. They have so many players, so many stars. As n°2 in Switzerland, behind who you know, I don't see what they could have offered me (smiles). I needed someone more specific so that I could find some sponsors in Switzerland.

TM: Like Roger Federer, you have that specific that you have very diverse origins....
SW: Actually, I have a double passport, Swiss-German, but I am Swiss, and I have always felt good in my country. My mother's Swiss and my dad's German, given his origins are Czech. It happens that Wawrinka's a Polish name because I had a great grandfather who was living on the border between Poland & Czechoslovakia.

TM: Did you already go there, searching for your origins?
SW: When I was 6 or 7, we drove there. It lasted for about 3 weeks if I remember well. I kept some images on my mind.

Wawrinka player page on Wikipedia

Vyjayanthimala biography - Affair with Raj Kapoor

Did she really have an affair with RK or was it just a publicity gimmick?

Also, the tussle between RK and Dilip Kumar for her dates (or dates with her :) )

She was in a professional storm, trapped between her two heroes. In this exclusive excerpt of her new autobiography Bonding...A Memoir, Vyjayantimala Bali reveals how she felt caught between the egos of the two biggest stars of her era

Coming to the unfortunate salacious gossip that was generated during and after the release of Sangam, the fact of the matter was that RK was far too enamoured of getting publicity and grabbing the headlines.

And that included the rumours that I was romantically involved with him. It was all the manipulative doing of RK banner's PR drive and unnecessarily this nonsense spread like wild fire even before one could think of dousing those flames. Nobody from the media bothered to seek my point of view.

This was absolutely baseless and made me very angry. It hurt his family and my family in equal measure. Like others, even his family thought it to be true. And Yagamma and father were naturally very upset. But as far as my clean image and reputation was concerned, it remained untouched.

I had observed during those four years of the making of Sangam that RK was not obsessed about women like he had been made out to be. Of course, he had this creative compulsion to depict passionate scenes.

But this bit about catering to this image to show that he was always involved with the leading lady of his film (not outside, but only in his films) was definitely generated by RK Studio's publicity wing.

Exactly the way he came across as the Indian version of Charlie Chaplin in his acting, so he wanted to be like Chaplin in his own life too, trying to project wife on one side and mistress on the other.

So, a rumour here and there made for juicy stories, which boosted both his image and the prospect of his films. Obviously, this bit about RK being a womanizer and having affairs was all part of professional tactics, purely a stunt and propaganda.

He excelled in the art of publicity through word of mouth. At every step, he would call people to see the rushes, so that everybody only talked of Sangam. Maybe he did flirt a bit, but that was part of his personality.

As far as I was concerned, it was more than exaggerated. I know the truth and it is my conscience that makes me speak the truth. Of course, it affected me because I was very reserved and reclusive in my own way.

I was under the watchful eyes of Yagamma all the time. She censored everything. In fact, in one scene shot in the snow where the sledge slips and we roll down, she was very upset and questioned RK, "What is this?" And he said, "No, no, ammaji..." He was very convincing, touching her feet, and all that.

When I signed up with him, I knew about his glad eye and could make out that he was acting. I would still not say that everything about him was pretence, but yes everything revolved around him. He was very self-centered.

He would go out of the way to hype it to the hilt, which was good for the film, but not good for me. The RK bandwagon even went to the extent of saying that I was somehow related to the Maharaja of Mysore. What nonsense! How could they cast aspersions like this?

It was news to me that I belonged to the Mysore royal family. We only belonged to Mysore and the royal family was a great patron of art and hence this patronage. But once these rumours spread, there's no end to it.

There are plenty of mongrels around, always wanting to rake up something. Nobody at home thought it could be taken lightly, they were all so upset. It not only made my family feel disrespectful, but also brought disrespect to the royal family of Mysore.

They had been so nice to us and Yuvraj was very fond of my father. For no rhyme or reason, the press carried on the tirade without clarifying a single point with me.

Nobody ever bothered checking it out, because such rumours no matter how baseless are so glamorous for the media.

I just wasn't the kind to mix profession and pleasure. And knowing RK, they could easily say that, but what about verifying facts? It takes two to tango, but here it was all one sided. I should have been asked, otherwise I would not have fallen for Dr Bali, if I had anything going with RK.

Now one comes to the real crux of the matter. The genesis of this entire scandal that caused a stir was owing to the misconception that I was from the Dilip Kumar camp (having worked with him in a series of remarkable films), for I was simultaneously shooting for Leader as well.

Sangam took four years in the making between '61 and '64. My father and manager were organising the dates. I didn't know a thing about it. I had to go wherever my dates were. If they had any misunderstanding I did not know, nor was I interested.

The dates for Leader clashed with Sangam, because both wanted massive dates and my manager was chalking them out, and if I gave some dates to one movie, the other unit wanted the same date

I was oblivious to what the undercurrents between Dilip saab and RK were, but I was told it all got down to dates and led to this battle of wits between the two titans.

If I had to stay back late on the sets of Sangam, I would reach late for Leader, though they never started on time. It was a long wait. It was more of professional rivalry and I was caught in the crossfire, though I was giving equal dates to both the films.

It was a big hero here and a big hero there. It was more of an ego tussle. Filmalaya's Leader was the trade union stuff, carrying a very strong anti-communal message. And that particular number, Apni azadi ko hum hargiz mita sakte nahin...hit it off.


All that talk of my being pulled out of the 'Dilip Kumar camp' was news to me. I was blissfully unaware of all these machinations till it got blown up as a scandal. I was told the angle of RK-Vyjayanti team was gaining more importance and that the Dilip-Vyjayanti team was breaking up.

Since people's imagination was running riot, I was being unnecessarily hauled up. I was not privy to any kind of manipulation.

I was merely an artiste, who would work and cooperate with any director. But I was certainly heading for some more strange things happening in my cine career. Right after Leader, I had signed for Ram Aur Shyam with Dilip saab. It was being filmed in Madras.

I had done shooting for about eight days and on the last day of that schedule I went all dressed to the sets, but sensed something was amiss. There was a certain unfriendliness in the air.

As I wrapped up for the day to leave, the production assistant said that he wanted the forthcoming dates in writing. I told him that was not possible and as soon as I got back to Bombay, I would find out from my manager and let him know.

He said, "No, you'll have to sign this paper." I found it very strange and got on to the flight without signing anything.

Even going by pure logic, I was quite justified in doing that. It so happened that Sri Venus Krishnamurthy (with whom I had done Nazrana and Suraj), who was also a great family friend and guide, he too was on the same flight. I confided in him about what had transpired on the sets. He was surprised that I was not aware of the fact that I was being replaced.

"Don't you know, don't you know what has happened? Waheeda Rehman has taken over your role." I was flabbergasted and could not make head or tail of what this conspiracy was all about.

How was I to know that something was going on there? Now it was evident that they had sort of made up their mind regarding the change of guard in the film. They were looking for some lame excuse to pin me down, and then ease me out. No wonder, the atmosphere on the sets was so strange.

Doctor saab was there to receive me at the Bombay airport. By now, we had tied the knot. So I had his shoulder to cry on. He was baffled and taken aback as to why I was crying and not saying anything. It was Sri Krishnamurthy who told him that I had been replaced in Ram Aur Shyam and accused of being non-cooperative and throwing tantrums.

I was in for another shock. What tantrums, nothing had happened on the sets. And this sour episode again provided enough fodder for the media and acquired the dimension of a scandal. I told my husband this was disgraceful, and why should I be replaced, since they were the ones who wanted me to take up this role. I did not go to them, they came to me.

Sri Krishnamurthy also told us that they had not dismantled the sets and were redoing the shoot of those eight days. Meanwhile Dilip saab took Pran, Nirupa Roy, and the other cast into confidence that they were witness to my outbursts on the sets.

How did it matter to Dilip saab as all this was being done at his bidding? And since the owner of Vijaya Studios was the producer too, he could have hired any set any time for as many numbers of days.

So, we made it a professional issue that it was unfair and unethical on their part to throw me out the film. My husband went and spoke to Manmohan Krishan, president of the Cine Artists' Association, about the injustice done to me.

They sought legal redress and got a stay against Ram Aur Shyam. The shooting came to a halt. And the very next day, the producer sent his ambassador, who came running to apologise and literally touched our feet. He requested us to withdraw the suit.

My husband agreed and told me that he did not want to take it any further. I was compensated and paid my dues for the number of days I had put in.

But this sungharsh (struggle) wasn't over yet, for ironically, at the same time I was also shooting for Sungharsh with Dilip saab. It was being shot in Bombay.

I gathered that the idea was to replace me there too with Waheeda, and the rushes were being shown giving the impression that I was the one who was going to quit. This was a very handy tool for them, but I knew I was being falsely charged for no fault of mine. In any case, three- quarters of Sungharsh was over and it was near completion.

Now the press created some more mischief by playing up that there was tension between the two of us during the shoot of Sungharsh. I've never had that kind of pride or ego - never. One always delivered and gave results.

By now, HS Rawail, the director of the film, had panicked and he came with folded hands, "I am not a financier or a studio owner. I cannot afford to change the heroine now.

Please aap meri picture ko mat rokeeyega, nahin to main barbad ho jaoonga." (Please don't stop my film, or I will get ruined). We told him, "Who wants to change the heroine now that Sungharsh is near completion." And then my husband put his foot down and told him categorically, "She did not quit from Ram Aur Shyam.

Nor does she want to give you any trouble. She also wants to complete the film. But she'll not sit through the whole night, or do any extended shootings. You start bang on time and finish on time. She'll finish her work and leave by six." It was a very awkward situation, but I was duty-bound to cooperate with the director and finish his film.

Co-starring Dilip Kumar and Balraj Sahni, Sunghash was a film about family feuds and revenge. It was an engaging subject depicting the thugee cult, and Rawail turned Gulzar's dialogues, each character and each sequence into a solidly made drama.

After all that hoo-ha, on the first day of the resumption of the shoot, the press was in full attendance looking for some real tamasha on the sets. I was in my make-up room when my husband came over and met Dilip saab for a man-to-man chat.

He told him, "You both have made such good pair in such successful films, then why is it that her image is being tarnished now? Don't keep the gun on somebody else's shoulder and fire." And Dilip saab said, "No Doctor saab, she is a wonderful artiste.

We've worked together, and it was great working with her. But of late you know, she's been throwing tantrums and not being cooperative." Doctor saab stood his ground and reacted saying, "That's not true. She's very sincere in her work and most cooperative." And Dilip saab responded saying, "I know, but I am a director's actor, whatever he tells me to do I perform accordingly."

Rawail was walking on needles, panting and sweating. So he got the sets cleared of the journalists, who were there deliberately to watch those scenes, for so much had been blown out of proportion that we had fallen apart. The opening shot was a romantic scene. It was quite embarrassing as the director asked me to sit next to Dilip saab.

He did not know how to face me, but he was very formal and cordial. So was I. It doesn't show in the film because both of us were absolute professionals. The whole thing was funny, as we were not on talking terms, and we had to enact the scene so realistically.

He was supposed to be holding me. Anyway, we both wanted to get it over with. So as soon as the rehearsal got over, the director said, "Malaji, shot karein kya?" and I gave the shot. He was so scared that I might just leave. Rawail saab saw to it that he completed all my solo shots and the combined ones with Dilip saab before 6 pm, and my shooting got over.

You've to be so precise when you are putting on an act, and it was precisely 'film acting' that I was doing. Here was another lesson in core professionalism that one had to remain focused despite any misunderstanding with the co-star.

If I have to do a shot, then I should only think about the shot, and my personal feelings or problems should not come into play. Since we are trained to switch on and switch off, nothing should linger on. Just do your job and not get emotionally involved. That's professionalism! And here was a sterling example. I did my dubbing and the film got over.

I did not talk to Dilip saab during the remaining shoot of the film. In fact, for years, I did not speak to him, even when we met at parties, I wouldn't even look at him, though my husband and Dilip saab would chat away merrily. And later, when I confronted Doctor saab, he told me with a big grin, "You women have the brains of a frog.

" But whenever I met his wife Saira Banu, she was always nice to me. At a Delhi party, she told me, "Yeh kya hai? You both teamed so well, made such great films together.

Even my mother was so fond of you." She took me to Dilip saab and we greeted each other. At the same party, we had some friends in common, and they too advised, "Kya bachpana hai! (How childish!) You should make up."

Then one fine day Saira called me up at Madras, "Oh main aapko yaad kar rahi thee (I was remembering you). We must have dinner together when you're in Bombay." She asked me when I was coming next and then added, "Why carry it on forever?

Now everything is forgotten and forgiven." Well, I don't think of myself that mighty to forgive anybody. It is only God who forgives. I think I have tried to forget. There are certain actions or behaviour patterns, which don't complement your stature. Dilip saab's unprofessional attitude was untenable.

There was no personal problem between us, we shared such good chemistry on the screen. At that time, as a serious artiste, it was not my pride that was hurt, but I protested against the lack of ethics in a person who was such a great legend. There has to be inherent belief in a certain ethos.

At times, even grace and sincerity take a knock - like what happened in Sangam and Ram Aur Shyam. It was really below the caliber of those two giants of Indian cinema. Today, of course, I just laugh it away. One moves on. I still don't know why that misinformation was being circulated and why they did what they did - and now I'm not interested in knowing about it either.

http://mid-day.com/smd/play/2007/September/163740.htm