On A Date with Lisa Haydon – Part 1

It’s not often that I’m at a loss for words, but the moment my eyes catch the striking figure in flesh all decked up in a short black dress looking all frivolous, it did the trick. Adjectives fail me. So suffice it to say, Read More">‘vrrrrrrrooom.’ Car speeding at ‘nuts-kmph’ noises are my go-to staple inRead More

It's not often that I'm at a loss for words, but the moment my eyes catch the striking figure in flesh all decked up in a short black dress looking all frivolous, it did the trick. Adjectives fail me. So suffice it to say, 'vrrrrrrrooom.' Car speeding at 'nuts-kmph' noises are my go-to staple in times of uncomfortable aroused distress. We decided to meet at the Yellow Tree Cafe in Bandra for a nice afternoon date that was in minutes, filled with 'Shandy' (my choice - Sprite + Beer) and crunchy salad (Lisa's choice). That later! But what do you give a girl like Lisa Haydon on a date? My gut says, a hand drawn rose on a paper that's burnt on the edges with a write up that reads - 'a rose for a rose'. But my heart says, 'F*** the rose, she deserves something crazy, something that, when she uses, she remembers me. No wait! It's not what you're thinking it is. I'm not a hopeless romantic. A quick gift wrap - not a cliché kind - and off I reach the second floor of the cafe waiting for her. Within minutes I came across a vision in a noir designer, her striking skin colour that's a rare find in Bollywood and her coal black hair that frequently kissed her slender neck. I couldn't take my eyes off Lisa Haydon. She has this heavenly quality. I find her so otherworldly beautiful, otherworldly intelligent and otherworldly resilient, not that she's an alien, but she did seem like a woman from another world who came, saw and conquered what possibly will go down as my 'best date' of 2011. Then she carefully unwraps the gift and is amazed to see some 'filmy' coasters. Yes, I got her those because I was already informed that she loves drinking wine and more wine. She looks at the images on the coaster and looks up, hugs me and smiles. Then I freeze frame the moment. Lisa's smile communicates more than most people's daily allotment of words. These days, that girlish grin is wider than ever, thanks, no doubt, to her sizzling career on the ramp, on glossy magazine front covers, her entry into Bollywood, some glorious sunny days spent in Mauritius and those days put up on the sexiest calendar ever and her sexy new views on relationships. When pressed about her dating life and her somewhat eclectic taste in men, Lisa admits, "I mean, my taste is kind of all over the place. Always has been. I don't have a specific type." A brief pause and then the words pop out, "You're so cute, I can take you home". If only her wish was my command. UK's Harrow Observer columnist and Bollywood Hungama's London correspondent brings you the Part 1 exclusive - On a Date with Lisa Haydon.

Devansh Patel: You've got a plate full of salad baby. That's not fair.

Lisa Haydon: (munch munch) so, how long have you been working for Bollywood Hungama?

DP: It's my sixth year. Its fun and you are my fourteenth or fifteenth date. Forgot the count to be honest.

LH: That's impressive! (munch munch)

DP: I think it’s time to open your surprise. Unwrap it. What do you say? LH: Yea, yea. I totally forgot about it. DP: What do you think it is? (Lisa shakes the gift as if it’s some toy) DP: Yea go on, shake it saiyaan. LH: (laughs). I think its cup holders….and yes, Read More">OhRead More

DP: I think it's time to open your surprise. Unwrap it. What do you say?

LH: Yea, yea. I totally forgot about it.

DP: What do you think it is?

(Lisa shakes the gift as if it's some toy)

DP: Yea go on, shake it saiyaan.

LH: (laughs). I think its cup holders....and yes, Oh my God! It's so 'filmy' yaar! But what a beautiful surprise. Thank you.

(And there comes the 'hug', a warm and a tight one)

DP: (laughs). Thank you. So now guess who the celebrities are on the coasters.

(Lisa commits a blunder, and why wasn't I surprised! She looks at Guru Dutt and Waheeda Rahman pose. She ponders and delivers....)

LH: This one's Aamir Khan and Katrina Kaif (laughs). But hey, every time I drink 'shandy' or my favourite 'red wine' I'll remember you. I have a lot of wine at my place and we drink a lot at my house.

DP: That's nice. I love red wine too. So, do you cook good food?

LH: I do cook. If it's good or not, you'll have to come and tell me.

DP: That depends on the invite.

LH: (laughs) Do you want to come for dinner to my house?

DP: Of course yes. It's an open invitation from my date. Don't worry darling, I won't try and come, I'll surely come.

LH: What do you want me to cook for you?

DP: I'd love some Moroccan food

LH: Sad but I don't know how to cook Moroccan food.

DP: Don't tell me you don't know how to cook 'cous cous'.

LH: Oh yea, that's easy.

DP: I don't mind some pita bread, falafels and humous.

LH: Oh yes! I make some good tasty humous at home. I also make good Tahini too.

DP: What's your staple diet?

LH: I eat fruits till noon. Like lot's of them, in kilos (laughs). Then gulp down my watermelon juice. My house is predominantly vegetarian. My parents are vegans.

(Just then the photographer loses balance and smashes against the plates. Then the manager of the restaurant too fumbles upon the crockery. I did warn them before - Lisa Haydon's in da house!)

DP: Be careful guys! I warned you before.

LH: (laughs) you are so cute Devansh.

(It's time to 'blush' again and it's time I stop right here. Need a break!)

Part 2 - On A Date with Lisa Haydon continues...

DP: So, after ‘Shake That Biscuit‘ from Aamir Khan, you’re known by ‘Shake It Saiyaan‘. LH: Oh! I think Rascals didn’t fare that well but it did for me. Every step I’m taking in this industry has pushed me forward for the good. I have no regrets in doing Rascals. DP: But hey, Read More">it’s reallyRead More

DP: So, after 'Shake That Biscuit' from Aamir Khan, you're known by 'Shake It Saiyaan'.

LH: Oh! I think Rascals didn't fare that well but it did for me. Every step I'm taking in this industry has pushed me forward for the good. I have no regrets in doing Rascals.

DP: But hey, it's really good to know that you're touching big banners, be it brands, commercials or movies.

LH: Thank you, thank you very much. You are so cute.

(Now this is where my jaws drop and I almost 'blush', then in a second open my eyes to think - What?? What did Lisa just call me- Cute?)

DP: How old are you?

LH: Twenty Five (laughs). How old are you?

DP: I cannot. But I can't be younger than you.

LH: Let me guess. You are twenty seven?

DP: I am thirty four.

LH: You don't look thirty four.

DP: Thank you but I still haven't done a face lift.

LH: You don't need one.

(We take a sip of our chilled 'Shandy' again and my eagerness was being tested till I asked her....)

DP: Oh! And what about that ‘town girl’ mentality. You possess one too? LH: Oh no! I’m not those kinds. I just happen to live there. I’ve got two really good girl friends that live in the suburbs. Yes, Read More">the sea link has got us closer (laughs). DP: And what about ‘guy’ friends? LH: OfRead More

DP: Oh! And what about that 'town girl' mentality. You possess one too?

LH: Oh no! I'm not those kinds. I just happen to live there. I've got two really good girl friends that live in the suburbs. Yes, the sea link has got us closer (laughs).

DP: And what about 'guy' friends?

LH: Of course I have guy friends. So now, where do you live?

DP: Wow! Where do you want me to live?

LH: (laughs) You look like you're from Bandra.

DP: Not exactly, but nearby. I come from Santacruz. But hey, I've put your picture on my BB display that's got your 'sexy' back showing.

LH: Let me see it then.

(Lisa checks her picture out and continues....)

LH: I think this picture is in good taste. It's from my movie Rascals showing the bare back. My first reaction was of panic.

DP: But hey, what a great back huh! It looks sensual.

LH: Yea thank you. Its 'boney' (laughs).

DP: Whatever you do, you'll still be known as the 'Kingfisher' girl.

LH: Yea? I don't know. But I'll tell you something, I agreed to be the Kingfisher girl because I wanted to go on that holiday to Mauritius (laughs). I was like - Atul, please take me to this holiday. I was with Angela Johnson and we frolicked on the beach, drank mojitos and wine in the night and the next day morning we were posing for a few photos. It was a good time spent and Kingfisher Calendar Girl will always be that coveted title I'll be proud of.

DP: You aren’t on twitter are you Lisa? LH: I have a theory on it. For me, in this day and age, Read More">there are so many voices out there to be heard. I feel silence is golden. Unless you have something really important to say that you want it to be heard. May be I’llRead More

DP: You aren't on twitter are you Lisa?

LH: I have a theory on it. For me, in this day and age, there are so many voices out there to be heard. I feel silence is golden. Unless you have something really important to say that you want it to be heard. May be I'll come around but not as of now. Does it make sense? But can I follow you on twitter?

DP: At your own risk babes.

LH: (munching continues...) Ok, I'm done with the chewing (laughs).

DP: Well, cheers then!

(We cheers and both sip our 'Shandy')

DP: But do you know what you're going to be into in the next one hour?

LH: I'm with you and we're into that, right? Should I have come prepared? (Laughs)

DP: Be frank.

LH: Actually, I'm scared of being frank sometimes. But I will be as frank as I possibly can.

DP: Tell me something, it's a bad cliché question but when was the last time you actually went on a 'date'?

LH: Wow! You've cut to the chase. Right now we're on a 'date', aren't we? Actually I took my four younger brothers and sisters for an ice-cream drive yesterday.

DP: Ok, stop stop stop! Date with a man.

LH: (laughs) On a 'date' with a man. Hmmm! Let me recall. I think it was about three nights ago. I live in town and we went on a wine n dine.