Mumbai's biggest newspapers and tabloids can access top Bollywood celebs Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ram Gopal Varma, Lata Mangeshkar, Ekta Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor, only through Patna-based journalist Subhash K Jha (of Sonu Nigam fame), feels PR specialist Dale Bhagwagar.

In the past, you have written an open letter to Subhash K Jha exposing his doings and even manipulated changes in a film review he wrote. We hear he has now asked you to "Relax"?
"Yes, he replied to a mail of mine, asking me to do so."

What does that mean?
"Your guess is as good as mine."

You have been his staunch critic.
"Do you think I can survive in Bollywood criticizing the most influential journalist? Subhash drinks from the Bachchans' saucer. He nibbles on Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Ram Gopal Varma is his muse. Lata Mangeshkar is his goddess. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is his new idol. Kareena Kapoor, Ekta Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor, Sameer Dattani, Abhishek Bachchan are his dream girls and guys. And the biggest Mumbai newspapers are his stable. In the recent past, I've even received a life-threatening phone call in his name. Do you think I can antagonize a manly man like him? Marna hai kya."

It is said that you were responsible for spreading Sonu Nigam's allegations to the national television media that Subhash asked the singer for 'special' favours in return of favourable write-ups in newspapers. The controversy could have been the reason for the top journalist being ousted from papers like DNA, Mumbai Mirror, India Today and supplements of Hindustan Times.
"But doesn't Subhash still write for some papers of great stature? Not all papers can manage without him. See, some papers have hundreds of efficient and ethical journalist staffers under them, but they still depend on Subhash for their daily dose of major interviews and stories on his idols. He holds full control over his stars friends. Stars aren't always directly accessible to the Mumbai journalists and give their stories only to Subhash telephonically in Patna. In short, he holds the remote control."

But if the biggest papers wish to, their journalists can reach any celebrity or filmmaker directly.
"Can't say for sure, cause it seems, Subhash reaches most. Celebrities also rely on him to bypass Medianet as he lets them do so, since they are his idols and friends."

This could be detrimental to the morale of the staffers of all the Mumbai publications.
"I agree. They may feel like the Thakur from 'Sholay' who cannot pick up the gun before him. But it's not their fault if stars don't speak to them and instead give telephonic interviews via Patna for their papers."