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Gully Boy' crosses Rs 100 cr in it's first week?'
NEW DELHI:MMNN: 23 February 2019
New Delhi, Zoya Akhtar's directorial 'Gully Boy' mints Rs 5.1 crores on its eighth-day taking the total collection to Rs 100 crore. Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt starrer 'Gully Bo'y has entered in 100 crore club in just eight days. 'Gully Boy' released on Thursday instead of Friday on the occasion of Valentine's Day and has been maintaining the upward trend as it enters the glorifying Rs 100 crore club. Zoya Akhtar's film is a story inspired by slum rappers of Dharavi, 'Gully Boy' has gone ahead to create an immense buzz amongst the masses. The trailer, the music and now the early reviews post its screening at the Berlin Film Festival had created a lot of anticipation for this Zoya Akhtar's film. Zoya Akhtar who has been ahead of her times with films 'Luck By Chance', 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' and 'Dil Dhadakne Do' is now ruling the box office with 'Gully Boy' and is making all right noise across quarters. Starring Ranveer Singh as the street rapper, 'Gully Boy' stars Alia Bhatt as his love interest bringing to the screen the fresh chemistry of the duo. The film also stars Siddhant Chaturvedi and Kalki Koechlin in pivotal roles.
BAFTA 2019: Roma, Olivia Colman And Rami Malek Win Big?'
Netflix black-and-white production Roma triumphed at the BAFTA film awards on Sunday, boosting Oscar hopes for the US streaming giant despite concerns its business model undermines the film industry. The cinematic love letter to director Alfonso Cuaron's childhood in Mexico City in the 1970s edged out black comedy The Favourite for Best Film and Best Director. "I'm seriously touched this film has been received the way it's been received," Mr Cuaron said at a star-studded ceremony in London's Royal Albert Hall that was also attended by Prince William and his wife Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Mr Cuaron thanked Netflix for "having the courage" to get behind Roma as he picked up the gong on stage. The success of the film "in an age where fear and anger are proposed to divide us means the world to me", he said. Netflix UK tweeted its congratulations, saying it was a "deeply moving film and deserves all the love it's getting". The film portrays domestic strife and social hierarchy amid political turmoil and focuses on a housekeeper and nanny called Cleo, played by indigenous actress Yalitza Aparicio. Roma dented expectations of a clean sweep by The Favourite which picked up Best Actress for Olivia Colman as Queen Anne and Best Supporting Actress for Rachel Weisz playing her confidante and lover. The film, about a cantankerous 18th-century British queen and her scheming court, had been nominated for 12 awards and picked up seven on the night. "She doesn't take herself too seriously and she enjoys what she's doing," Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos said of Olivia Colman. Olivia Colman, 45, was up against Glenn Close (The Wife) and Lady Gaga (A Star is Born) - the same power duo she will face at the Oscars on February 24. Rachael Weisz won out against co-star Emma Stone who was nominated in the same category. Rachael Weisz and Emma Stone are also in the running for Oscars in a proud year for the British film industry. Red carpet for Netflix? Roma is also nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars later this month, the first-ever nomination for Netflix which has propelled it into the Hollywood club of elite filmmakers. While it has progressively been welcomed at most major film festivals, Netflix still finds that Tinseltown's red carpet is not fully rolled out - with theatres up in arms about its position as a distribution king and A-list content provider. After the Oscar nominations came out, mega-theatre chains AMC and Regal -- by far the top two in the business in America -- announced that "Roma" would not be screened in their annual best-picture showcases. In all, Roma was shown in roughly 900 theatres around the world - more than any other Netflix film, but far short of the norm for a usual wide release. Netflix never released any box office data. While Netflix has made some good-faith efforts to gain Hollywood's acceptance, it did so while only making minor concessions - and no changes to its business model. It only waited three weeks after the release of Roma in theatres to put it up on its platform, far less than the 90 days that cinema owners ask studios to hold back. Immense responsibility Last year's ceremony saw Hollywood stars paint the red carpet black in solidarity with the #MeToo movement. The 2019 edition has also been tinged by scandal. BAFTA removed Bohemian Rhapsody director Bryan Singer from the Queen biopic's citation in the outstanding British film nomination "in light of recent very serious allegations". This referred to an article in the US magazine The Atlantic detailing sexual misconduct allegations that included underage sex. Singer denies the story and the film itself was still up for the award, although it failed to win it. Rami Malek's portrayal of the late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury - a victim of the AIDS epidemic in the days when homosexuality was taboo in rock-and-roll - earned him the best actor award, however. After winning the BAFTA, he paid tribute to Mercury as "the greatest outsider of them all". Rami Malek won against Christian Bale's transformation into the humourless but powerful former US vice president Dick Cheney in Vice. Best Supporting Actor went to Mahershala Ali for Green Book, a comedy-drama in which he plays a jazz pianist on a tour of America's Deep South in 1962. Free Solo - a film about the first person to climb El Capitan in Yosemite National Park without ropes - won the award for best documentary.
Shooting of biopic on PM Modi held in Kutch of Gujarat?'
NEW DELHI:MMNN: 9 February 2019
Bhuj, The shooting of movie PM Narendra Modi, a biopic of the current Prime Minister and former Gujarat Chief Minister, was held in Prag Mahal here. Noted Director Omung Kumar B, who has directed biopics like Mary Kom and Sabarjit is directing the film, He had visited various locations in Gujarat earlier last month. Actor Vivek Oberoi is playing the role of the Prime Minister.The shooting of the film was done in Ran area in the last two days and today, it was done here. In the coming days, the shooting is likely to be done at other locations, including Ahmedabad and Vadnagar, the birth place of Modi.
Shatrughan Sinha Defends Controversial #MeToo Comments With More Of The Same?'
Veteran actor and politician Shatrughan Sinha got a taste of incessant trolling after his comments on the #MeToo movement were criticised for appearing to lighten the gravity of the campaign. A day after he was slammed for his controversial comments, the 72-year-old actor offered a clarification of sorts and defended his stand in an interaction with the press. "Men are afraid to open their mouths in front of women. Pataa nahin kya bolne se kya matlab nikala jayega. I spoke in good humour about the fear of being called out, that all of us in the entertainment industry are staring at, and look at the way the nari protection brigade is out to prove me a lecher," IANS quoted him as saying. In his defense, Shatrughan Sinha added that his household is dominated by two strong women figures - his actress-daughter Sonakshi and wife Poonam Sinha. "I speak with the highest regard for all women, and stand by their right to be treated with dignity and respect. Don't forget I've two powerful women, my wife Poonam and my daughter Sonakshi at home. My sons Luv and Kush and I happily let them be the boss of our home," he said, reported IANS. Standing by his "fortunate not named in #MeToo" statement, the actor added: "Of course I am fortunate that I haven't been called out. I am a very friendly person, have always been warm and talkative, and I used to flirt harmlessly with my heroines before I got married. They never seem to mind my innocuous flirting. But now how am I supposed to be sure that some lady won't come forward to say she objected to my behaviour 30-40 years ago but couldn't come forward to speak as I was too powerful?" While many have been outed as alleged sexual harassers in Bollywood's wave of the #MeToo movement, Shatrughan Sinha appeared to stand up for filmmakers Subhash Ghai and Rajkumar Hirani: "Names like Subhash Ghai and Rajkumar Hirani are being called out without substantiated evidence. Men who have toiled for years to build a reputation for themselves are losing it over a tweet. So of course I stand by what I said." In the recent interactions, the actor-politician repeated the comments he was earlier criticised for and said: "Behind many successful men's downfall there is a woman or several women these days. This is a fact. How is it disrespectful to women? And who decides what is respectful and what is not? Why have some self-appointed guardians of morality made themselves the MeToo movement their personal property, to be used as when and how they wish." In his earlier comments, which sparked massive social media outrage, the actor-politician had said: "Today is the time of #MeToo, and there shouldn't be any shame or hesitation to say that behind a successful man's fall is a woman. Behind the troubles and infamy of successful men, there have been mostly women that I've seen in this movement." Twitter quickly took offense and had asked him to be "khamosh" (a dramatic use of his own signature dialogue from Bollywood). But he did not stop at just that and further stated that he's "fortunate" that his name did not crop up in the barrage of #MeToo stories, which had gripped the film industry last year. "I really call myself fortunate that in today's times, tamam harkate karne ke bawajood, my name hasn't come out in the #MeToo movement. Hence, I listen to my wife and often take her as a shield with me so that even if there's nothing, I can show that I am happily married, my life is good." In response, Twitter wanted to know in sarcastic comments if he indeed was expecting to be named as a sexual predator. Bollywood's #MeToo movement shook the industry to the core as prominent names such as that of Alok Nath, Nana Patekar, Rajat Kapoor, Kailash Kher and poet and lyricist Vairamuthu were outed as sexual harassers.
Ajay Devgn And Riteish Deshmukh Troll Each Other. Guess Who Had The Last Laugh?'
Total Dhamaal co-stars Ajay Devgn and Riteish Deshmukh are on a trolling spree and meanwhile, the Internet is having a great time reading their tweets. Well, looks like it all began with the Singham star's recent tweet, in which Riteish can be seen photobombing him. "Peechhe daari wala baba kaun hai?" he had tweeted but that was a week ago. On Tuesday, what could be seen a tweet in the garb of not-so-subtle trolling arrived on Riteish's feed, directly tagging his co-star. "Ajay Devgn, just saw your dog," he wrote with a hilarious reference to the many car stunts Ajay Devgn is known for. In response, Ajay Devgn could not resist but allude to his iconic entry in 1991 film Phool Aur Kaante, in which he balances on two bikes. You must remember his split stunt, of course. "Ya, just like how this bird is mine," tweeted Ajay Devgn. Read the tweets here: For the uninitiated, here's the most well-known stunt performed by Ajay Devgn till date. Bringing you Phool Aur Kaante here. Ajay Devgn's action stunts were choreographed by Rohit Shetty in the 1991 film, with which he began his career in Bollywood. At just 17, Rohit Shetty worked as an assistant director for Phool Aur Kaante. Meanwhile, Ajay Devgn has recreated the above mentioned stunt in many of his films that followed, especially in the Golmaal series, also directed by Rohit Shetty. Ajay Devgn and Riteish Dekhmukh will soon be seen in Total Dhamaal, the lead cast of which also stars Madhuri Dixit, Arshad Warsi and Anil Kapoor. Directed by Indra Kumar, Total Dhamaal hits screens on February 22.
Koffee With Karan 6 - Sidharth Malhotra On Break-Up With Alia Bhatt: 'There Were Lots Of Ups And Downs'
New Delhi, Sidharth Malhotra did not shy away from answering questions about his unsuccessful films, break-up with former girlfriend Alia Bhatt and much more on a recent episode of Koffee With Karan. Show host Karan Johar asked Sidharth if he continues to share a cordial rapport with his first ever heroine, when he said while there's no awkwardness between the two, they haven't really caught up as such after the split: "I don't think it's bitter. We haven't really met after that, to be honest. And it's civil. It's been a while and it happens... just like any other relationship. I have known her for much longer. I did know her much before, even before we were dating. So, it's not like we met as a particular boyfriend-girlfriend thing. I think it'll remain. It's just a matter of us coming back... whether it's work or just socialising." Karan then enquired if Alia and Sidharth's shared history would be a considering factor in his career choices, when the actor said: "I don't think so. There's been enough time. There is a reason that two people decide not to be together. There were lots of ups and downs and I tend to look at it when you take yourself away from a particular situation or an experience, you only think of the good after the event or relationship. So, all good memories and happy memories and I'm happy." Recollecting old memories, Sidharth said that he filmed his first ever sequence with Alia for Student Of The Year: "I've given my first ever shot with her. And we were doing that Radha song and that twirl I had to do, it was crazy! That's got so much history." Sidharth Malhotra, who joined the industry from a non-filmy background, debuted in Bollywood with 2012's Student Of The Year, which also marked the Bollywood debuts of Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan. It's reportedly around that time that Sidharth and Alia started dating. The former couple even attended showbiz parties together till sometime in 2017, when it was reported that Sidharth's apparent closeness to Jacqueline Fernandez eventually led to the couple's break-up. On Koffee With Karan, Sidharth also dismissed rumours that he ever dated Jacqueline and said: "We were never dating. I think we just enjoyed being friends and hanging out." Alia Bhatt is currently said to be dating Ranbir Kapoor. Sidharth Malhotra was on Koffee With Karan with Aditya Roy Kapur. On the work front, Sidharth has Jabariya Jodi with Parineeti Chopra in the line-up. Alia Bhatt is currently looking forward to the release of Zoya Akhtar's Gully Boy, in which she co-stars with Ranveer Singh. She also has Kalank and Ayan Mukerji's Brahmastra in the pipeline.
Kriti Sanon sports chic look in Feb issue of Grazia
New Delhi, Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon aces the cover of Grazia's February issue and she is effortlessly sporting a chic look.Wearing a printed shirt, cropped jeans, stone ring and a metal bracelet, Kriti looks strikingly attractive in the cover picture. Kriti as an actor always been grounded and doing things comfortably. Her beauty regime is simple yet, extremely effective. Regarding her busy schedule, Kriti has got the busiest time of 2019.Kriti has a hectic schedule ahead with her four films releasing this year along with multiple brand shoots on which the actress is working on simultaneously. Recently, Kriti clocked 17 million followers on Instagram and the actress thanked her fans and followers for their love and support. Only four films old, Kriti has an exciting film line up to look forward to with projects like 'Housefull 4', 'Luka Chuppi', 'Panipat' and 'Arjun Patiala'. The young actress is leaving no stone unturned to treat her fans with her versatile performances in varied genres of films.
Thackeray: Don't Pay Much Heed to a Film's Collection, Says Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui has been praised for his portrayal of Bal Thackeray in Thackeray, but the movie, based on late Shiv Sena supremo who had a controversial political career, has been slammed by some critics for being biased. The critically acclaimed actor says Indian audiences do not like to see the protagonist in shades of grey and that if only the negative side of the protagonist is reflected on the big screen, this will severly impact the box office. Addressing the critical reviews of the film, Nawazuddin told IANS in a telephonic interview: "For the past 40-50 years, we have been continuously presenting our heroes in a good light. The audience does not like to see the protagonist with grey shades. If I portray the only negative side of the protagonist, then it will not run at the box office." "Our society is not ready to see the negative traits in the heroes. My previous films 'Manto' and 'Raman Raghav 2.0' did not perform well. I tried my best to present the characters in those films without any polishing, but with lukewarm responses... I realised that our audience is not ready to see our heroes with negative characteristics." Keeping aside the critical reviews of Thackeray, Nawazuddin is "overwhelmed" to get his first biggest opening movie to date as a solo lead. The film registered over Rs 6 crore on Day 1 of its release (January 25). "I am overwhelmed with the responses and love which I am receiving from people. I am thankful to all of them. With 'Thackeray', I got my first biggest opening as the solo lead role. I am honoured and blessed that I got an opportunity to play Balasahebji on screen." But the 44-year-old also said he does not like "giving much attention to box office collections". "Honestly speaking, I don't pay much heed to a film's collection and numbers. But it is a weird place, many people judge films on the basis of the collection, no matter what the content is. "So many films have been made in our industry in which actors have performed well, but the film did not do well in terms of collections...and then they got declared as flops. And there are also so many films in which actors didn't perform well but the film turned out to be the biggest hit just because it collected a good amount at the box office...weird. So, in such scenarios I also can't totally overlook the box office collection of the films." Talking about the film's success, Nawazuddin said that "Thackeray" has motivated him to keep doing "challenging roles" in future projects. "It feels good that when your work is appreciated and now 'Thackeray' is doing so well, it is inspiring me to keep pushing my limits and do more challenging roles on screen. "I love doing challenging roles. With each film, I want to try something new. I hate doing roles in my comfort zone... I want to be a versatile actor. Now I look up to more new, different and challenging roles," he added.
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi' earns Rs 42.55 cr on BO
NEW DELHI:MMNN: 29 January 2019
New Delhi, Kangana Ranaut starrer 'Manikarnika:The Queen of Jhansi' witnessed an excellent weekend on the box office, with total collection of Rs 42.55 crore, trade sources said on Monday.'Kangana's biggest opener 'Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi' performed best in Delhi, NCR, UP, Punjab and Rajasthan,' the sources said. 'The movie earned Rs 8.75 crore on Friday, Rs 18.10 crore on Saturday and Rs 15.70 crore on Sunday, pushing the total to Rs 42.55 crore,' sources added. 'Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi' is an epic biographical period drama based on the life of the Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi.It is directed by Krish and Kangana Ranaut and produced by Zee Studios in association with Kamal Jain and Nishant Pitti. The film stars Kangana Ranaut in the titular role.A special screening of the film was organised by Zee Entertainment for President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Cultural Centre on January 18. The film was released on 3700 screens in 50 countries worldwide in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.The flick released on January 25, and is running successfully on the box office.
'Uri: The Surgical Strike' mints Rs 122.64 cr at BO
New Delhi, 'URI: The Surgical Strike' mints Rs 6.30 crore on its day 12, pushing it's grand total to Rs 122.64 crore on the Box office. The movie is maintaining unbelievable stability at Box Office over the weekday's collection. It is also the second Tuesday for 'URI: the Surgical Strike' marked the film's second-week tally collection Rs 51.40 crore.The movie had set the box- office on fire in week one with the collection of Rs 70.94 crore. Now taking the grand total Rs 122.64 crore ahead with day 12 collection. Touted to be the first content film of the year, 'Uri: The Surgical Strike' has been winning hearts emerging to be the first blockbuster hit of 2019. 'Uri: The Surgical Strike' is based on the surgical strikes which were carried out by the Indian army in 2016. Besides Vicky Kaushal, the film also features Yami Gautam, Paresh Rawal, Kirti Kulhari and debutante Mohit Raina. The film has been directed by Aditya Dhar and it has been produced by Ronnie Screwvala.
With 83, Ranveer Singh is all set for his first Trilingual film
New Delhi, The makers of Ranveer Singh starrer '83 are all set to release the film in three different languages which are Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. '83 marks the first ever trilingual release for both Ranveer Singh and director Kabir Khan. Ranveer Singh has embarked on the journey of mastering his act as he is all set to play Kapil Dev in the much-awaited sports drama which brings to light one of the most important events in the Indian cricket history. The makers have decided to present the film in three languages – Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. It's a first for Kabir Khan (Director ) and Ranveer (actor) both. Indian cricket team's heroic win for 1983 World Cup is a story to be presented across boundaries, hence the idea and reason to shoot for Tamil and Telugu versions simultaneously. The film will be released PAN India during the Good Friday weekend of 2020 on April 10. The '83 event saw winning squad comprised of Kapil Dev, Mohinder Amarnath, Sunil Gavaskar, Kirti Azad, Yashpal Sharma, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, Roger Binny, Balwinder Singh Sandhu, Sandeep Patil, Syed Kirmani, Madan Lal, Ravi Shastri, Dilip Vengsarkar and Sunil Valson, and their manager P R Man Singh. Based on India's spectacular win in 1983 Cricket World Cup which took place in England, Ranveer Singh will be seen playing the character of Kapil Dev under whose captaincy India won its first World Cup trophy.
Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi certified UA
New Delhi, 'Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi ', the much awaited film directed by Kangana Ranaut, has been awarded a 'UA' certificate by the Censor board, trade sources said on Sunday. The sources said that 'Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi 'has been certified UA by the Central board of film certification (CBFC ) on January 16. The sources said that the approved run time of the film is 148 minutes. Featuring Kangana in the lead role, 'Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi', based on the life of freedom fighter Rani Jhansi, is slated to hit cinema screens on January 26.
Why Cheat India' will start dialogue in society : Emraan Hashmi
New Delhi, Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi who is all geared up for the release of his movie 'Why Cheat India', says he hopes the film will at least start a conversation, as it is shows mirror how a system should be. Talking to agencies, Emraan told that 'Why Cheat India' is based on real instances but is a fictional story. The movie which is based on education system of India, when asked if it will bring revolution in the society, Emraan said," I hope at least a conversation starts. I don't believe a system changes overnight. It has phases, and I hope this film brings about certain change." The movie was earlier titled 'Cheat India' was later changed to 'Why Cheat India', closely prior to it's release. When asked Emraan who is also the Producer of the film, if freedom of expression is being restricted in the creative space, said,"Yes we can't be completely creatively open. There is self-censorship. You really don't know what problem censor board come up with the film, like for example the title of the film." "This is the film where India is being cheated by a system. We had given an apt title for the film. But they (censor) want to put the 'Why' there. I don't get that. We are just putting mirror to the system what is happening in the education sector. It is the truth, there is certain honesty in it. But obviously we don't like very honest questions to be asked. Sometimes the truth is uncomfortable," he said. "We need to bring about a very big change in the system. This film is a plea, shows mirror that how a system should be. Hopefully we will have changes," the 'Jannat' actor said. If the change of title affect the theme of movie, Emraan said,"No I don't think so. It's a last minute change which,however, illogical it is, people have already seen the promo earlier and whoever has to come and see the film will see the film. So it doesn't really makes a difference." On how did the idea come up, Emraan said,"Soumik Sen narrated it to me one-and-half years back and for me it was very enlightening to know many loopholes are there in our education system.I know how ineffective it has been in the entire premise of road mugging, probably doesn't offer much to students in life. But I didn't know of this organised business of cheating in examination halls. That is why I felt I should be doing this not just as an actor but also as a producer." "There's never been a film made on education system before. Things in our industry are sugar coated. But at the same time I am not saying this is a very serious film, it has an underlying message and will also entertain people. But at the same time it will open up to lot of things that has been bogging down the education system and there lies the strength of the film," the 'Tum Mile' actor said. Emraan who will be seen in a new 'avtaar' in this movie, hopes that he break the labels. "I hope so the movie break the labels I have got. It's just that an actor has to do different kind of roles, explore different kind of genres. I have never been a guy who have boxed up people in labels, but some people do. So it's very important to offer something new," Emraan said. "As an actor I believe I have always offered something new to the people, to experience in every film a different kind of story. I have taken risks, experimented, and I think that has paid off to me," he said. On his fans missing the 'old avtaar' of him and if he has any regrets, Emraan said,"I don't have any regrets. I have done all kinds of films. It's not that I will not play what I have done before. It's just that for an actor to grow, he/she has to prioritise few things." "Audience won't miss the old me in this movie, but it's just that people have liked me in devious, grey kind of roles. This movie shows a very different version of me. People will see other elements which they have not seen earlier," he said. If he had heard of any education scam earlier, Emraan said,"I have heard of paper leaks, Vyapam scam. Government should remove uniforms.The teachers have to be more qualified, who really want to teach students.They are imparted in such a boring way that children don't want to learn." "The cheating mafias have to be completely abolished from our country and removed. The whole machinery and thought process has to be changed. More money has to be pumped up into this sector. People have to understand this is the most important infrastructure, our base on which the society builds up. If we put less emphasis on grades,marks and more on learning abilites, then the children will come out to be more brighter and creative," he said. If there was any difficulty portraying the character, Emraan said,"I think every role comes with a challenge. As a producer it was a new challenge, new experience. It brought new things which I never knew about. I have been in the decision making there right form the start. And yeah there have been difficulties through the film but nothing we can't overcome." On his biggest takeaway from the movie, Emraan said, "the system needs a complete revolution. Our country won't progress the way it is progressing." On what kind of education he dream for his son, Emraan said,"The one he is doing right now. I think he is living my dream. A system that is open, creative which really pushes both the hemispheres of the brain, doesn't have road mugging, no tests, no homework. Ayaan is being a kid right now, enjoying his life." If box office numbers affect him,the 'Murder' actor said,"it does matter. The way the economics of this film are, it makes a profit on it's release. More than that it has to be acceptance, how people will like it. That's something very heartening to know that the efforts have been paid of, the audience will love it." If he is happy with the scripts coming his way, Emraan said,"Very much. I think there are great scripts written right now and I have heard of." On what next he is penning down, Emraan said," I think the next book will be probably on the industry, my experience with the industry. I always considered myself as an outsider, an 'insider' yet 'outsider'. So my perspective will be very different from people who are deeply entrenched in this industry." 'Why Cheat India' is an upcoming comedy drama film written and directed by Soumik Sen.It features Emraan Hashmi and Shreya Dhanwanthary in the lead roles.
Farhan Akhtar reunites with Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra for 'Toofan
New Delhi, After 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag', Farhan Akhtar is all set to reunite with Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra for a film on boxing titled 'Toofan'. After 2013, six years later, the hit combination of Farhan Akhtar and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra are all set to reunite on screen for a film based on boxing, an Excel Entertainment production in association with ROMP Pictures. Farhan Akhtar took to social media to announce as he shares, 'Thrilled to share that 6 years after Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, @rakeyshommehra and I are reuniting to create #Toofan .. a heartfelt story of a boxer. ‪Hope for your best wishes as we embark on this new journey. Love." The film is not a biopic but a fictional story scripted by Anjum Rajabali. Farhan fell in love with it as soon as he heard it. Rakeysh has already started with the prep and Farhan will be training extensively in boxing. After playing Olympian sprinter Milkha Singh, Farhan is all set to play the role of a boxer in another sports-drama film titled 'Toofan'. .
Ayaan declared cancer free after 5 yrs of diagnosis: Emraan Hashmi
New Delhi, Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi on Monday shared a heartfelt message for his son Ayaan, saying he has been declared cancer free after five years of the diagnosis. Taking to his social media account Twitter and Instagram, Emraan shared a set of pictures of him with his son,along with a heartfelt message. 'Today, 5 years after his diagnosis Ayaan has been declared cancer free. It has been quite a journey. Thank you for all your prayers and wishes. Love and prayers for all the cancer fighters out there, hope and belief goes a long way. You can WIN this battle !!! #thekissoflife,' Emraan said in his post. Dia Mirza, who has co-starred with Emraan in 'Tumsa Nahin Dekha: A Love Story', commented on his post, "Only love for Aayu". Abhishek Bachchan said,'Wonderful news. God bless.' Guru Randhawa said,'God bless the little one always paji'. Sophie Choudry said,'Mashallah that's so wonderful! God bless him with good health and happiness… and God bless you guys as a family'. Soni Razdan said,'Oh my. This is just wonderful. Lots and lots of love'. After Ayaan's cancer diagnosis, Emraan had co-written a book titled 'The Kiss of Life: How A Superhero and My Son Defeated Cancer'. The book has details about the hardships he and his wife Parveen Shahani faced, when Ayaan was diagnosed with cancer. On the work front, Emraan Hashmi is currently gearing up for the release of his film 'Why Cheat India'.
This is false malicious story with intention to destroy my reputation: Rajkumar Hirani
New Delhi, Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani, recently alleged of sexual assault by a woman who worked with him in his film 'Sanju', issued a statement terming the allegation a false, malicious and mischievous story, being spread with the sole intention of destroying his reputation. In a statement issued to the media, Hirani said, 'I was completely shocked when these allegations were brought to my notice about two months back. I had suggested immediately that it is essential to take this matter to any committee or any legal body. The complainant has chosen to go to the media instead.' 'I want to very strongly state that this is a false malicious and mischievous story being spread with the sole intention of destroying my reputation,' Hirani said. 'The woman alleged that Hirani sexually abused for her over a six-month period between March and September 2018,' sources said. 'The woman has revealed the incident in an email dated November 3, 2018 to Hirani's 'Sanju' co-producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra. She also marked the mail to Vidhu's wife and film journalist Anupama Chopra as well as to Hirani's co-writer Abhijat Joshi,' the sources said. 'The woman claimed that Hirani first made a sexually suggestive remark to her on April 9, 2018 and then sexually assaulted her at his home-cum-office,' the sources added. In the wake of the allegations, Hirani's 'Munna Bhai 3' has been put on hold. The 'MeToo Movement' had made the headlines in 2018 after the Nana Patekar-Tanushree Dutta controversy.
'Simmba' earns Rs 212.43 cr in 2nd week at BO'
New Delhi, The Rohit Shetty directorial 'Simmba' has crossed the Rs 200 crore mark in the second week, and earned Rs 212.43 crore at the box office across the country, trade sources said on Friday. Ranveer Singh and Sara Ali Khan starrer 'Simmba' earned Rs 61.62 crore in the second week, pushing its grand total to Rs 212.43 crore. 'Simmba crosses Rs 80 crore from international markets in two weeks.The film has fared exceptionally well in US-Canada, UAE-GCC and Australia in particular.The total after two weeks was Rs 80.36 crore,' the sources said. 'The movie emerged as the third highest grosser of 2018, after 'Sanju' and 'Padmaavat',' it said. 'Simmba now eyes Rs 225 cr in weekend three, which should be an easy target to achieve.Much depends on the Box Office response to the new films 'Uri:The Surgical Strike', 'The Accidental Prime Minister' and to what extent they affect 'Simmba', especially at multiplexes,' the sources added. 'Simmba' is Ranveer's fourth film and Rohit Shetty's eighth film to cross Rs 100 crore mark.'Simmba' is an action film directed by Rohit Shetty and written by Yunus Sajawal and Sajid-Farhad. A spin-off of the 'Singham' franchise, the film is produced by Shetty under his banner Rohit Shetty Picturez and Karan Johar, Hiroo Yash Johar and Apoorva Mehta under the banner Dharma Productions. The movie also stars Sonu Sood, with Ajay Devgan reprising his role of 'Bajirao Singham'. The film follows Sangram "Simmba" Bhalerao, a corrupt police officer hailing from the same town as Singham, who is forced to lead a more righteous path after tragedy strikes those near him.
Post CBFC objection, Emraan Hashmi's 'Cheat India' title changed to 'Why Cheat India'
New Delhi, Makers of Emraan Hashmi-starrer 'Cheat India' on Thursday changed the title of the film to 'Why Cheat India' after an objection from Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). 'The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had concerns about the title 'Cheat India'. We had an extensive conversation with the Examining Committee and Revising Committee regarding the proposed change as the film has been in public domain for a year, and more importantly, because the theatrical teaser, trailer and television promos had already been certified with the original title' producers of the movie T-Series Films, Ellipsis Entertainment, Emraan Hashmi Films said in a statement. 'This would lead to dual communication a week before the release. The duress of lack of time left us with no choice but to mutually agree to the new title, 'Why Cheat India',' the statement said. The tagline 'Nakal Mein Hi Akal Hai' is also removed. Earlier, the film made the headlines because of the change of its release date as it was clashing with the Bal Thackeray biopic. The film stars Emraan Hashmi and Shreya Dhanwanthary, and is directed by Soumik Sen and produced by Bhushan Kumar's T-Series and Tanuj Garg's Ellipsis Entertainment. The official trailer of film was released on December 12.
Rajinified': Dhanush Reviews Rajinikanth's Petta, Rates It 'Epic''
On the day of Petta's release, Rajinikanth's new film received the biggest shout out from none other than his son-in-law - actor-filmmaker Dhanush. Twitteratti woke up to an early review of Petta on Dhanush's timeline, who borrowed a viral dialogue from the film, originally delivered by the Thalaiva in the film and wrote: "Petta is epic... superstar.. love you thalaivaaaaa... tharamaana sambavam senjiteenga. Congrats to the whole team. Karthik Subbaraj, big big big thank you... we are indeed Rajinified Anirudh... your best BGM work till date. Petta paraaaaaaak!" The Tamil phrase "Tharamaana sambavam senjiteenga" roughly translates into: "You've done great things!" The Hindi version of Petta hits screens tomorrow. Meanwhile, Dhanush is not the only one who is "Rajinified" by Petta - the list is actually endless, as is seen on Twitter. Early reviews of the film poured in from movie-goers on Twitter and here's what they have to say: "Wow, got Rajinified to the core," read a tweet while another added: "Rajinified by the movie. Thalaiva your charisma doesn't come down little bit at this age. Also, pure Rajinism." In Petta, the 68-year-old megastar features as a feisty hostel warden named Kaali, who has a reputation for dealing with goons in his own unique manner. In an earlier interview to news agency IANS, Rajinikanth had described the film as "an entertaining throwback to the kind of films I did in 1990s." And now, Twitter completely agrees with that: "Vintage Rajini is back! That energy level and powerful performance of superstar. Thanks a ton Karthik Subbaraj! Superb storytelling and climax. Stunning visuals and phenomenal BGM," read a tweet while another user added: "Age is just a number... The one and only superstar... masssssssss... The true Rajinified moment."
Manisha Koirala to launch her book 'Healed: How Cancer Gave Me A New Life' on Jan 8'
NEW DELHI:MMNN: 8 January 2019
New Delhi, Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala is all set to launch her book 'Healed: How Cancer Gave Me A New Life' on January 8.The actress survived the dreaded disease Cancer and got her previous life back. Manisha will be talking about her battles and how she decided to deal with a disease, and take everything that comes her way positively in the book 'Healed: How Cancer Gave Me A New Life'. The actress has spoken about not just the physical pain but also the emotional pain that she underwent, and she has also shared how she healed eventually.The actress doesn't call Cancer as a curse in her life, but rather she considers it as a gift of sorts. The book includes each and every phase of her journey, from coping with the disease to healing from it. Manisha returned to the industry after a break with Sanjay Dutt's biopic 'Sanju'. She was also seen in Netflix's 'Lust Stories'.
Priyanka Chopra's Priceless Reaction When She First Wore Her Wedding Gown'
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas' Jodhpur wedding in December was indeed a fairytale one. Pictures of Priyanka Chopra walking down the aisle in her stunning wedding gown, courtesy of Ralph Lauren, had made everyone go 'aww' and now, the celebrated designer spilled the beans on the details of Priyanka's exquisite wedding gown in three sneak-peek videos on Instagram. Priyanka and Nick's Christian wedding on December 1 was followed by a Hindu wedding on December 2, for which, the couple wore stunning pieces from the collections of Sabyasachi. But this story is about the princessey Ralph Lauren wedding gown. The 36-year-old actress wore a sequinned strapless column dress underneath an intricately worked jacket, which was designed with "135 satin-covered buttons, 700 spools of ivory thread, 5,600 pearlized seed beads, 11,632 Swarovski crystals and 2,412,000 high-luster sequins. With an eye for detail, Priyanka had Nick Jonas' full name, the mantra "Om namah shivaay" and words such as "love" and "compassion" sewn on the jacket. "Fifteen artisans in Mumbai, India, hand-embroidered the coat with a variety of complex techniques, from fine cording to tulle appliques and pastiche threadwork inspired by Chantilly lace, for a total of 1,826 hours," read a post on Ralph Lauren's Instagram. One of the videos also reveals Priyanka Chopra's first reaction when she tried on the wedding dress, complete with the 75-foot veil in Paris. "The sweeping, 75-foot veil she wore on the day of the ceremony was actually comprised of two different cuts of tulle-a shorter fingertip-length veil worn under the epically longer one, which was carried behind the bride by six attendants," Ralph Lauren added. The details of Priyanka Chopra's wedding gown with leave you speechless. Ralph Lauren holds a special place in Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas' lives - the designer dressed them up for their first public appearance at the Met Gala 2017. Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas are currently holidaying in Switzerland with their families
Simmba' crosses Rs 100 cr mark, earns Rs 124.54 cr'
New Delhi, The Rohit Shetty directorial 'Simmba' crossed the Rs 100 crore mark at the box office across the country, trade sources said on Wednesday. Ranveer Singh and Sara Ali Khan starrer 'Simmba' earned Rs 28.19 crore on its fifth day, pushing its grand total to Rs 124.54 crore. Taking to micro-blogging site Twitter, Ranveer said on Wednesday,'All Hail The Blockbuster King! RO-BRO Be Slammin' Century After Century #RohitShetty Ek hi toh hai'. 'Simmba' is Ranveer's fourth film and Rohit Shetty's eighth film to cross Rs 100 crore mark. 'Golmaal Again', which was Rohit Shetty's 2017's release, collected over Rs 200 crore.'Simmba' is an action film directed by Rohit Shetty and written by Yunus Sajawal and Sajid-Farhad. A spin-off of the Singham franchise, the film is produced by Shetty under his banner Rohit Shetty Picturez and Karan Johar, Hiroo Yash Johar and Apoorva Mehta under the banner Dharma Productions. It stars Ranveer Singh, Sara Ali Khan and Sonu Sood, with Ajay Devgn reprising his role of 'Bajirao Singham'. The film follows Sangram "Simmba" Bhalerao, a corrupt police officer hailing from the same town as Singham, who is forced to lead a more righteous path after tragedy strikes those near him.
Raveena Tandon: 'Kader Khan Was A Rare Talent, I Was Bowled Over By His Comic Timing On Screen'
Actress Raveena Tandon, who has had the privilege of working with late veteran actor-comedian Kader Khan in several films like Dulhe Raja, Aatish: Feel the Fire and Main Khiladi Tu Anari, says she was always "bowled over by his comic timing". "I was always bowled over by his comic timing on screen and his erudition between takes. He was a scholar and an entertainer, a rare combination in the entertainment industry," she said. As Kader Khan died after a prolonged illness at a hospital in Toronto in Canada on Tuesday, Raveena said that she had "no idea of Kader Khan being so unwell". "Waking up to such a sad news was really disheartening for me. Kader Khan was such a rare talent and whatever parts he played he would add a different charm to it. Someone who can portray a comedian and a villain at same time with such ease is rare," she sighed. Also, while expressing her condolences over the 81-year-old's death, Raveena reminisced her memories with Kader Khan. She said: "I have had a chance to work closely with him on some of the iconic films of that times and on this day I cherish all the memories as it will stay with me forever." "I also remember being part with him in the show Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai and I still remember all the life lessons he shared on that show. I hope the family gathers the strength to come out of this phase and come out stronger. All my condolences to the family and may his soul rest in peace."
This is my life's best performance: Anupam Kher on 'The Accidental Prime Minister
NEW DELHI:MMNN: 29 December 2018
New Delhi, Amid the controversy generated by his film 'The accidental Prime Minsiter', Bollywood actor Anupam Kher on Friday said, it is his best performance and he is not going to back off. Taking to micro-blogging site Twitter, the actor shared the picture of the movie's poster and said,'I am not going to back off. This is my life's best performance. #DrManmohanSingh will agree after seeing the film that it is a 100% accurate depiction. Will meet the media at 1730 hrs at Actor Prepares, Film Industry Welfare Trust, Santacruz. #TheAccidentalPrimeMinister'. 'I read the book to imitate Manmohan Singh. In my first film I played a 65-year-old man at the age of 28. A Youth Congress Leader wrote a letter about this but first I ignored. We have created an accurate functioning system.We had shown the movie to the censor board and it came back after their approval.That is why it does not make any sense to show it to someone else,' Mr Kher said addressing mediapersons. 'In the span of 35 years and 515 films of my career this is the hardest movie.This film should go for the Oscars but the debate has begun. 25 years from now, when the history of the films will be written then the name of this movie will be taken first,' he added. In appearance, Kher aces as Manmohan Singh, while Akshaye Khanna plays the role of Sanjaya Baru, who was Manmohan Singh's media advisor from 2004 to 2008. The film's plot is narrated through Sanjaya Baru's character.'The Accidental Prime Minister' delves into the internal politics of the Congress party and how Manmohan Singh handled the situations. The trailer also features Aahana Kumra as Priyanka Vadra, Arjun Mathur as Rahul Gandhi, and Suzanne Bernert as Sonia Gandhi.'The Accidental Prime Minister' will hit the screens on February 11.The film is based on Sanjay Baru's memoir of the same name that was released in 2014
Deepika Padukone moonwalks into 30 mn followers on Instagram
New Delhi, Bollywood's leading lady Deepika Padukone has thanked all her fans as she clocks 30 million on Instagram. Deepika took to her Instagram and shared a video moonwalking to thank her fans, "moonwalking into #30million Thank You for the love!!!" One of the most followed women not only in India but also in Asia. Deepika Padukone commands the love from her fans across the globe. Deepika who has had an eventful year ends the year with a bang with major accomplishments in the month of December. Recently, Deepika also reclaimed her status as the 'Sexiest Asian Woman' of Asia. Second time in three years Deepika bags the title published by UK based newspaper, 'Eastern Eye'. After shining as one of the 100 most influential people, now the actress has emerged as the only female actress in the top five on Forbes Celeb 100 which was unveiled recently. Deepika graced the last cover of the year for GQ magazine and completely slayed on the cover making heads turn.The actress has not only won hearts of the audience with her award-winning performance in 'Padmaavat' but also emerged as the first actress to headline a 300 crore film. Deepika commands the title of being of being the most commercially viable actress in the industry, in addition to being the highest paid actress. On the work front, Deepika will be next seen in Meghna Gulzar's next based on the life of acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal.
Salman Khan's 53rd Birthday Party: Katrina Kaif, Sonakshi Sinha, Jacqueline Fernandez, Mouni Roy And Others Make It A Dabangg Night
Salman Khan partied with his family and colleagues like Katrina Kaif, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonakshi Sinha, Mouni Roy, Kriti Sanon, Warina Hussain, Anil Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Bobby and Tania Deol, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and many others at his farmhouse in Panvel on the eve of his 53rd birthday. A string of celebrities attended the party and were pictured arriving at the venue. Salman looked dapper in a blue tee and jeans and came out to meet the media and also cut his birthday cake. Apart from these celebrities, actors like Zaheer Iqbal, Vatsal Sheth and Ishita Dutta, Anup Soni and Juhi Babbar were also there. We also spotted Salman's sister Arpita Khan Sharma, her husband Aayush Sharma and son Ahil, brother Sohail Khan, nephews Nirvaan, Arhaan and others at the party. Arbaaz Khan came with rumoured girlfriend Giorgia Andriani. Salman Khan has been hosting his birthday party in Panvel for several years now for his family and close friends. On the work front, he is busy with the work-in-progress film Bharat, co-starring Katrina Kaif. Bigg Boss 12, the reality show which he hosts, ends on December 30.
Inside Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Gauri Khan, Shweta Bachchan Nanda, Malaika Arora's Christmas Celebrations
Bollywood celebrities were busy partying on Monday night as Anil Kapoor hosted his birthday bash, Karina Kaif called over her friends for a house party while Sunny and Anu Dewan hosted a party on the Christmas Eve too. This is the story of Sunny and Anu Dewan's party, for which the creme de la creme of Bollywood turned-up in their festive best. Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor, Gauri Khan, Shweta Bachchan Nanda, Malaika Arora, Arjun Kapoor, Karan Johar and Zoya Akhtar among others arrived in time to ring in Christmas together. Malaika, Karisma and Bhavana Panday looked fabulous dressed in their respective glittery outfits while Kareena, Shweta and Gauri opted for no-bling chic ensembles. Their fashion choices were impeccable to say the least. Take a look at who wore what at Sunny and Anu Dewan's party last night. Kareena paired a tank top with trousers and she finished out her look with minimal make-up and a top-knot. Karisma's sequinned dress was in sync with the festive colours of Christmas. Malaika Arora wore a slivery shimmer pant suit with matching glittering heels to the party. Malaika and Karisma were also spotted in the same outfits at Anil Kapoor's birthday bash. We would have almost missed Kareena Kapoor had it not been for celebrities' Instagram stories (thank you, Zoya and Amrita Arora). Gauri Khan carpooled with Shweta Bachchan Nanda and Zoya Akhtar. Shweta paired a loose trouser with blazer and tee while Zoya paired her floral printed dress with a leather jacket. Amrita looked quite nice in an off shoulder black dress with a Gucci belt as her basic accessory. Ankle-length boots and a monochrome clutch finished out her look The men at the party looked quite dapper too. Karan Johar added a little bling to his all black look with a sequin-motif blazer. Salman Khan was in his usual Being Human tee and denims. Salman, who was also spotted at Katrina Kaif's party on the same night, was travelling with Iulia Vantur. Designer Kunal Rawal was also among the attendees That's what a glam Bollywood pre-Christmas party looks like, folks!
Sunburn Arena to host Jonas Blue in India for debut showcase
NEW DELHI:MMNN: 23 November 2018
New Delhi, Multi-platinum-selling and Brit Award-nominated hit maker Jonas Blue has taken the music industry by storm in a short span of time. The critically acclaimed prodigy known for his cleverly crafted dance/pop sensibilities will be seen performing live on December 13 in Mumbai. The UK's biggest global breakthrough artist will make his grand debut in India with Sunburn Arena at Universal Square, High Street Phoenix, Mumbai. Jonas Blue has been on constant tours around the world since the release of his trop-house take on Tracy Chapman's classic song 'Fast Car' and has made numerous festival appearances. Jonas' rapid rise into the mainstream has allowed the DJ, producer and multi-instrumentalist to establish himself as one of the most talented and well-rounded artists to come out of the UK in recent times, having sold more singles in the UK in 2016 than Clean Bandit, Ellie Goulding, Olly Murs & Zayn Malik. Armed with these monumental achievements, the eagerly awaited performance presented by Sunburn Arena is set to shine a spotlight on Jonas' meteoric rise. Karan Singh, CEO, Sunburn said, 'Jonas Blue enjoys a robust following in India and has always wished to tour the sub continent. We are extremely delighted to curate his first ever India tour and bring his wide spanning hits to the local audiences. The tour is our endeavour to reach out to a more diverse audience and offer a world class music experience.' 'I wanted it to be special the first time I came to India, this felt like a special show with some other great acts and it was on my list of countries to visit this year so had to get the show in before the end of the year! I'm really looking forward to enjoying the local culture and food and also visiting the Taj Mahal ! I always try and make my shows special and unique, the Indian fans can look forward to some fresh exclusive tunes and brand new visuals,'Jonas Blue said. The event is partnered by Zee5, Britannia, Fasttrack, and Good Time partner Kingfisher Packaged Drinking Water in-association with Skybags, Spice Jet, Magic Moments Music Studio, Bourbon, Little Hearts, Captain Morgan Cola, Havmore, Fashion Partner Shein, Ola and Tinder.
Big B receives Sayaji Ratna Award in Gujarat, recites father's poem 'Agnipath'
Vadodara, Super-star Amitabh Bachchan, who was conferred prestigious Sayaji Ratna Award by the Baroda Management Association, here today remembered his parents especially father and legendary poet Harivansh Rai Bachhan and also recited his famous poem 'Agnipath' on the occasion. He also appealed the younger generation to respect their parents saying that he felt immense pain and disturbed when he hears that parents were being thrown out of home and sent to old-age homes. 'I am here because of the blessings of my parents. Everyone should respect one's parents,' he said. He also reminisced many of his memories with his father including during school and college days.He also said that his father had decided to name him 'Inqalab' before his birth as his mother had participated in a quit India rally in his native city of Allahabad in 1942 but he was named Amitabh on the suggestion of famous poet Sumitranandan Pant.He said that he got many life-mantra from his father whom he fondly called Babuji. In the end he recited poetry Agnipath saying that he drew inspiration from it whenever felt down and depressed. The award recognizes and acknowledges living legends of India, for their iconic character and outstanding contribution in the field of Business, Sports, Arts, Humanity, Education, Governance or Medicine. He is the third personality to receive this prestigious award. The 1st Sayaji Ratna Award was presented to N. Narayana Murthy (Founder, lnfosys Ltd. in 2013) and the 2nd was presented to Ratan Tata, Chairman of TATA Group in 2015. This time it was decided to confer the award to a person of eminence from "Arts & Culture". The Award Jury noted Amitabh Bachchan's key contribution in promoting various social cause, inspiring millions of artists across the globe and establishing highest standards of excellence. Jury also felt that he is an institution himself and hence this award.
Sabyasachi's 'Head-To-Toe' Oopsie: Deepika Padukone's Wedding Saree Was Actually From
Dressing celebrities getting married is turning out to be something of a PR problem for designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee. After being called out last year by Anushka Sharma's wedding photographer for not crediting images he used on Instagram, the designer has had to post a clarification of his description of Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh's wedding outfits as 'head-to-toe Sabyasachi.' The wedding saree for the Konkani ceremony was not designed by Sabyasachi after all but bought from a local Bengaluru store by the bride's mother, Ujjala Padukone, and then given to Sabyasachi who modified it and added the bridal dupatta and jewellery. In a post on Instagram today, Sabyasachi wrote: "As per Konkani tradition, the bride's saree is gifted to her by the mother for the wedding. Deepika's wedding saree was given to us by her mother Mrs Ujjala Padukone. We have just received information that the saree was bought from Angadi Galleria, Bengaluru and we would like to them due credit for the same." The comments thread on the post has exploded and is divided three ways between those applauding Sabysachi for posting the clarification, those savaging him for not having credited the local store earlier, and those defending the designer for describing Deepika as a 'Sabyasachi bride' - she still gets to be one because he styled her wedding outfit, Sabyasachi's supporters say. Not everyone has been so forgiving. "You may not know who it was from before, but you surely knew it wasn't your own. And for days it's gone out from your profile and seen as yours," an Instagram user wrote. Another comment read: "First to post; last to acknowledge." Angadi Galleria, the store the saree was bought from, do not hold a grudge against Sabyasachi, however. They wrote: "Thank you very much for clarifying." During Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli's wedding in December 2017, Sabyasachi's team left out picture credits from their posts on Instagram, for which the photographers called them out. Sabyasachi also prompted outrage last year after shaming women who don't know how to drape sarees. Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh's wedding ceremonies concluded in Italy on November 15. The couple returned to India over the weekend and they are currently in Bengaluru, where the Padukones are hosting a reception for the newlyweds tonight. Deepika and Ranveer will also host a reception for their Bollywood colleagues on November 28.
Anushka Sharma unveils her wax figurine at Madame Tussauds Singapore
New Delhi, Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma is a global brand now and Madame Tussauds, Singapore stamped it by unveiling her wax figure on Monday. Given her popularity across countries, the wax museum at Singapore unveiled her first ever interactive wax statue that will vow the visitors. Anushka's life-like figure holds a phone personally inviting visitors to snap a selfie with her, which can be digitally shared with friends and family. She will be the first wax statue in the Singapore museum with this feature. Anushka joins Bollywood celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, among others by enlivening the feel and experience of awards' ceremonies like the IIFA for their fans by bringing it live in the museum itself.
KGF' ode to Salim Khan, Javed Akhtar's cinema
New Delhi, Actor Yash starrer 'KGF' is an ode to Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar's cinema of 1970's.Like many of Salim-Javed movies of the 1970s starring Amitabh Bachchan, 'KGF' traces the journey of Yash from his childhood. Excel Entertainment's most ambitious project 'KGF' is set against the backdrop of the Kolar Gold Fields in Karnataka.'KGF' showcases the story of Rocky (Yash), who aims to win the world and conquer the bloodiest gold mine. It is a period drama that traces the history of gold mining and the mafia running it in the generous fields of Karnataka's Kolar region. The film is made in five languages, namely Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam. The magnum opus traces the period of the glory of the gold mine and gives insights into the history of the mines located in Karnataka. Starring Yash, Srinidhi Shetty, Ramya Krishna, Ananth Nag, John Kokken, Achyuth Rao in the lead, 'KGF' is a Homabale Films production directed by Prashanth Neel, produced by Vijay Kiragandur. 'KGF' would mark Excel Entertainment's first Kannada venture and the production house is elated to be associated with a mega ambitious project as such. The period drama traces the tenure of late 70s and will be made in two parts. The first of which will be titled 'KGF Chapter 1' which is slated to release on December 21.
Kedarnath' makers release new song 'Sweetheart'
New Delhi, The makers of 'Kedarnath' have treated the audience with the second song from the film titled 'Sweetheart'. The celebratory song features Sushant Singh Rajput and Sara Ali Khan shaking their legs on the peppy beats. Set in the mood of a wedding ceremony, 'Sweetheart' has Sushant wooing Sara Ali Khan as he dances in the celebration. Composed by Amit Trivedi, the song is penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya and crooned by Dev Negi. Dressed in traditional attires, both Sushant and Sara Ali Khan brighten up the screens with their refreshing chemistry. Looking breathtakingly beautiful, Sara Ali Khan showcases a glimpse of her dancing skills for the first time. While the teaser set the mood for the romantic tale based amidst the tragic floods of Uttarakhand, the first song 'Namo Namo' took the audience on a pilgrimage trip to the holy temple. The trailer received an exceptional response from the audience across quarters owing to the gripping storyline and crackling chemistry of the leading duo. 'Kedarnath' is an eternal love story set in the backdrop of the flash floods that wrecked the temple town in the June of 2013. It is a potent combination of love and religion, passion and spirituality. The floods that took the lives of over a hundred thousand people is a powerful backdrop for this epic love story. 'Kedarnath' marks the debut of Sara Ali Khan and also presents the second association of Abhishek Kapoor with Ronnie Screwvala along Sushant Singh Rajput after 'Kai Po Che'. Produced by Ronnie Screwvala's RSVP and Abhishek Kapoor's Guy In the Sky Pictures, 'Kedarnath' is directed by Abhishek Kapoor and is slated to release on December 7.
Karan Johar Sipped Koffee With Kajol And Ajay Devgn And 'All Is Well'
One would expect a big bang after putting Kajol and Ajay Devgn together on Karan Johar's Koffee couch, but the actress says, "All is well" with a mischievous wink emoticon. The caption could also indicate that 'all is well' between Karan Johar and Ajay Devgn, who featured in headlines after their much-publicised falling out during the promotions of their films Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Shivaay, respectively, in 2016 (more about that later). The fight also soured Kajol and KJo's relationship, who mended their bond several months later after she called up to congratulate her Kuch Kuch Hota Hai director after the birth of his twins. Kajol posted a BTS video from the sets of Koffee With Karan 6 after filming the episode with her actor husband. The couple and the host looked happy and boy, we cannot wait for this episode to air. In 2016, Ajay Devgn's Shivaay battled Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil at the box office and things got worse after Ajay alleged Karan was paying for good reviews of his film. Kajol had supported Ajay at that time. KJo also wrote about the clash and the impact it had on their relationship in his autobiography, titled An Unsuitable Boy. "The problem was actually never between her and me. It was between her husband and me. I felt that she's not going to acknowledge 25 years of friendship, if she wants to support her husband, then that's her prerogative," he wrote. But like Kajol said, "All is well." We hope to see some hilarious and emotional moments in this episode of Koffee With Karan 6.
Just Married, Deepika Padukone And Ranveer Singh. 'Badhai Ho,' Tweets Bollywood
Congratulations, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh. Their South Indian wedding ceremony has concluded in Italy, news agency ANI reports. No pictures are available yet - according to reports, the couple have asked guests not to post any pictures on social media unless approved by them. A second wedding ceremony, reportedly as per North Indian rituals, is supposed to be held later. Filmmaker Karan Johar was the first celebrity to congratulate the newlyweds. "Such a stunning gorgeous and beautiful couple. Nazar utar lo, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh. Badhai ho. Love you both. Here's to a lifetime of love and joy," he tweeted. The wedding, which Deepika and Ranveer announced on their social media accounts last month, was held in Lake Como, Italy. A second ceremony with North Indian rituals will reportedly be held later. The couple are believed to have asked guests to donate to The Live Love Laugh Foundation, which is run by Deepika, in lieu of wedding presents. Pre-wedding festivities began for both bride and groom earlier this month - a Nandi puja was held at Deepika Padukone's Bengaluru home on November 2 and a haldi ceremony for Ranveer Singh in Mumbai two days later. Two wedding receptions have reportedly been planned for the newlyweds once they return from their Italian nuptials - one in Deepika's hometown Bengaluru on November 21 and a grand Bollywood party in Mumbai on November 28. Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh are believed to have been dating for some six years and have starred in three films together - 2013's Ram-Leela, 2015 film Bajirao Mastani and the controversial "Padmaavat," which released this year. All three films were directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
Thugs of Hindostan' enters the Rs 100 cr club in three days
New Delhi, After shattering the record for best opening day figures for a Bollywood film at Rs 52 cr, the Amitabh Bachchan Aamir Khan starter 'Thugs of Hindostan' has now entered the coveted Rs 100 cr club in just three days of its release, trade sources said. Though the film , which witnessed a massive box office opening of Rs 52 crore on Thursday from theatres across India, recorded a further drop in its collections on Saturday, it neverthless earned nearly Rs 23 crore at the box office on its third day, taking its total earnings in the first three days to Rs 103 cr. After its record breaking opening, the film saw a 45 per cent drop in the collections nationwide on its second day on Friday at Rs Rs 28.25 crore nett. Produced by Yashraj films, 'Thugs of Hindostan' features Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Katrina kaif and Fatima Sana Sheikh in key roles. The film, directed by Ali Abbas zafar. , released on November 8 on 5000 screens across India.
Thank god its broadway, not a gym: Mahesh Babu,' Says Will Sue'''
NEW DELHI:MMNN: 2 November 2018
New Delhi, Superstar Mahesh Babu who is currently in the US training for his next 'Maharshi', posted this news by sharing a picture with his trainer. The actor took to his social media and shared a picture with his trainer where they are standing at Times Square in New York. Mahesh mentioned that Satish is his favorite trainer and he is glad that his training session are broadway and not restricted to the gym. The actor reposted the picture from his trainer's account and wrote, "Back with my favourite trainer @satishparyada 🙂 Thank god its Broadway, not a gym". Mahesh Babu's next 'Maharshi' is already on floors and is scheduled to release in April 2019. After wrapping the Dehradun and Hyderabad's schedule the team has flown to the US for their next schedule. On Mahesh Babu's birthday, the makers revealed first look and teaser where the superstar is seen in never seen avatar in a college look, sporting beard. He looks handsome and is winning our hearts as always.After spending some time with his family in New York, the actor will resume the shooting of the 'Maharshi' soon.
Vikas Bahl Accuses Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane Of 'Professional Jealousy,' Says Will Sue'''
NEW DELHI:MMNN: 10 October 2018
Filmmaker Vikas Bahl, implicated in #MeToo allegations, and his former business partner Anurag Kashyap took the top spot on the trends list today. Mr Bahl has been outed as an alleged sexual predator and Phantom Films, the production house he co-owned with Mr Kashyap, Vikramditya Motwane and Madhu Mantena, has been dissolved. On Wednesday, ANI reported that Vikas Bahl sent notices to Mr Kashyap and Mr Motwane saying he will sue for defamation unless they apologise for their tweets in which they said they believed him guilty of sexual misconduct. Anurag Kashyap has acknowledged he 'named and shamed' Mr Bahl in film circles. Mr Bahl has accused his former partners of professional jealousy. Earlier today, Anurag Kashyap announced the he is stepping down from his duties as a board member of MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, until is it proved that he was not "complicit in silence" in the Vikas Bahl controversy. As per a Huffington Post India report, the disbanding of Phantom Films is believed to be the endgame of an investigation launched against Mr Bahl based on sexual harassment allegations levelled by a former colleague. On the other hand I vehemently deny to have stayed silent on the issue & not doing anything about it for years. Can't explain further to people who don't understand due process, legalities. Have been resilient through all accusations , keep flinging them my way. The report revealed that Anurag Kashyap played a crucial role to ensure Vikas Bahl was held accountable for his alleged actions. However, the piece was also critical of Mr Kashyap's way of handling the matter, including the delay in calling Vikas Bahl out. In a series of tweets, Mr Kashyap denied being a silent spectator in the case and said he did all he could, including 'naming and shaming' Vikas Bahl, but admitted he had been 'ill-advised' on legalities. After the aforementioned HuffPost expose, both Anurag Kashyap and Vikarmaditya Motwane shared their statements on social media, in which they explained that the partnership contract didn't allow them to fire Vikas Bahl. Here are the previous statements issued by Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane: Since the HuffPost expose, three actresses, including Vikas Bahl's Queen actresses Kangana Ranaut and Nayani Dixit, have accused him of sexual misconduct. Recently, actor Imran Khan also told Indian Express that "everybody in the industry knew about Vikas Bahl's behaviour." Vikas Bahl has also reportedly been taken out from the promotions of Super 30 and he has been ousted from Kabir Khan's work-in-progress '83. Super 30 lead actor Hrithik Roshan has also promised to take "stricter actions" against the filmmaker "if need be." After the #MeToo movement knocked on Bollywood's door, several prominent members of the film industry, including actors Nana Patekar, Alok Nath and Rajat Kapoor, singer Kailash Kher and poet-lyricist Vairamuthu, among others, have been outed as alleged sexual predators. Top film bodies have promised to take proactive measures based on the #MeToo stories. The Indian Film And Television Directors' Association or IFTDA on Tuesday sent a show-cause notice to Vikas Bahl. Meanwhile, the MAMI film body has dropped two films from its line-up - one is Kadakh, which stars actor Rajat Kapoor, who recently apologised after twosexual harassment allegations. The other film is Chintu Ka Birthday, produced by AIB, which has been deeply implicated in #MeToo allegations. Former AIB member Utsav Chakraborty has been accused by women of sending them perverse texts while Gursimran Khamba has been accused of harassment. AIB co-founder Tanmay Bhat, who acknowledged that he knew of Utsav's alleged misconduct and did nothing, has 'stepped away' from the collective.
Actor Rajat Kapoor, Accused Of Harassing 2 Women, Apologises For Causing 'Pain, Hurt, Trauma'''
NEW DELHI:MMNN: 8 October 2018
Actor Rajat Kapoor is the latest film industry member to be called out for alleged sexual harassment on Twitter with two women accusing him of inappropriate behaviour and has apologised for 'having slipped.' The accounts were sent to journalist Sandhya Menon, who has been posting #MeToo stories of her own and some sent to her by women who do not want to be identified. One, a journalist, details a telephonic interview in which Mr Kapoor allegedly asked her if she was "as sexy as (she) sounds" and "tell me your vital stats." The second, an assistant director, reveals that the actor allegedly asked her to shoot with him in an empty house and would call her incessantly from actor Saurabh Shukla's phone. On Twitter, Rajat Kapoor posted this: "All my life I have tried to be a decent man, to do the right thing. If however, I have slipped and through my actions or words caused pain or hurt or trauma to absolutely anybody, please accept my apology. I am sorry from the bottom of my heart - and sad that I was the cause of this hurt to another human being. If there is one thing more important to me than even my work, it is to be a good human being. And I have tried to be that person. And now, I will try harder." Here's what Rajat Kapoor, who is a familiar face from films such as Monsoon Wedding and Kapoor And Sons, tweeted: Sandhya Menon's tweet, in which the second woman also says she suspects Saurabh Shukla was complicit: India finally seems to be having its #MeToo moment after Tanushree Dutta accused Nana Patekar of sexual harassment anew two weeks ago. Ms Dutta was allegedly harassed by Mr Patekar on a film set 10 years ago and her complaint to a film body went ignored. Now, not only is she being heard, Twitter has exploded with men from the media and other industries being outed as predators. Sandhya Menon is one of the women leading this charge. Queen director Vikas Bahl has also been accused of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behaviour by three women, one of them actress Kangana Ranaut. Phantom Films, the production house he co-owned with Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane and Madhu Mantena, has been dissolved. Mr Kashyap and Mr Motwane have both tweeted to say they believe Mr Bahl to be guilty of the predatory behaviour he is accused of.
Farhan Akhtar's first Hindi single 'Jaane Yeh Kyun Kiya' to release on Oct 5''
New Delhi, Bollywood's multi-talented star Farhan Akhtar who has time and again impressed the audience with his direction, filmmaking, acting, and singing is currently presenting his fans with back to back musical treats. A few months ago, Farhan Akhtar shared a picture from Iceland where the multi-talented star shot for his first Hindi single in collaboration with Rochak Kohli. Recently, Farhan shared a picture announcing a special surprise for fans. Later, the actor shared a short video crooning a few lines from the song asking the audience to guess the name of the song. The star then shared a picture with scrambled words giving a hint of the song. Titled 'Jaane Yeh Kyun Kiya', Farhan Akhtar's first Hindi single is all set to release on October 5. Besides featuring in the music video the actor has sung the song and has penned down himself. For this single Farhan has collaborated with Rochak Kohli who has produced the song. Making his debut a decade ago as an actor as well as singer with 'Rock On', Farhan has a number of chartbusters to his credit, including "Rock On", "Socha Hai", "Tum Ho To", "Pichle Saat", "Senorita"and "Dil Dhadakne Do". Earlier this year, Farhan sung his first Telugu song, "I Don't Know" for Mahesh Babu's political-thriller, Bharat Ane Nenu. The fast-paced catchy number introduced Mahesh Babu's character. On the work front, Farhan Akhtar is gearing up for his upcoming 'The Sky Is Pink' where the actor will be starring alongside Priyanka Chopra after 'Dil Dhadakne Do'.The multi-talented star will also be presenting 'Gully Boy' next year.
Tanushree Dutta Gets Legal Notices From Nana Patekar, Vivek Agnihotri; Calls It 'Price For Speaking Out''
Tanushree Dutta has received two legal notices from Nana Patekar and filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri respectively, reports news agency ANI. Ms Dutta called it 'the price for speaking out against harassment.' The 34-year-old actress has accused Nana Patekar of harassing and threatening her on a film set a decade ago; Vivek Agnihotri allegedly told her to strip off camera for a scene while filming 2005 movie Chocolate. A lawyer for Nana Patekar, currently filming Housefull 4 with Akshay Kumar in Jaisalmer, said last week that a legal notice had been sent to Tanushree Dutta demanding she apologise. Ms Dutta said then she had not received the notice. Today, she said in a statement, "I have been slapped with two legal notices. One from Nana Patekar and another from Vivek Agnihotri. Both their teams are on a smear campaign against me by constructing outright lies and misinformation on social media platforms and other public platforms," Tanushree Dutta said in a statement, ANI reports. "This is the price you pay for speaking out against harassment, humiliation, and injustice in India," she added. Like Mr Patekar, Vivek Agnihotri has denied the allegations against him. His lawyer Nidhish Mehrotra said that they have sued the actress on the charge of defamation, reports PTI: "The allegations levelled against my client Vivek Agnihotri by Tanushree Dutta for misbehaviour and/or harassment are absolutely false, frivolous and vexatious. These allegations are deliberate and have been borne with an intent to attract publicity and wreak personal vendetta against my client with mala-fide intentions. On the instruction of my client, we have served a legal notice to initiate defamation action against her." A film industry member who worked on Chocolate as associate director has defended Mr Agnihotri in a long Facebook post suggesting that Ms Dutta is not credible because she had 'major mood swings' and couldn't 'understand commands and instructions' on set. Tanushree Dutta has also alleged that she has been getting violent threats from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and that two people recently tried to barge into her home. The Raj Thackeray-led MNS is the same political outfit allegedly involved in vandalising Tanushree Dutta's van and car when she had opted out of the 2008 film (Horn 'Ok' Pleasss) in question. Violent threats are being issued against me by the MNS. Today, while I was at home and the police personnel posted outside my home were on a lunch break two unnamed suspicious individuals tried getting into our home uninvited but were stopped just in time by security personnel. I'm being threatened to be dragged to the court and legal system of India as we all know can keep a woman and her supporters as well as media silent on the pretext of 'matter sub judice'," Tanushree Dutta said, ANI reports. On Wednesday, MNS also handed over a letter to the makers of the reality show Bigg Boss 12 on their set in Lonavla, threatening violence if Tanushree Dutta participates. Bigg Boss 12 is hosted by Salman Khan, who, when asked about the Tanushree Dutta and Nana Patekar controversy, had said, "I'm not aware of this, my dear. Let me know and understand what is happening..." Meanwhile, the Aashiq Banaya Aapne actress told ANI, "Court cases can run for decades without a hope for a conclusion. In the end, an empty shell remains with broken hopes. A life wasted, defeated- this is the age-old saga of survivors in our nation." Nana Patekar, accused of harassing Tanushree Dutta while filming a song sequence in 2008 and then sending political thugs after her, was defended yesterday by Maharashtra Home Minister Deepak Kesarkar who told the media that the actor "is also a social activist who has done tremendous work for the state. You just cannot level allegations against anybody." While several film industry members have publicly supported Tanushree Dutta - many of them citing an eyewitness account from a female journalist who said she was on set Mr Patekar allegedly harassed the actress - actors such as Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan and Shakti Kapoor have made headlines because of their poor responses to the controversy.
Aamir Khan's Thugs Of Hindostan Look Reviewed By Twitter. Verdict: Firangi Is 'Desi Jack Sparrow''
NEW DELHI:MMNN: 24 September 2018
Those who were waiting to scrutinise Aamir Khan's look from Thugs Of Hindostan is making 'Firangi' trend on Twitter - that's the character Aamir plays in the movie. A quick glance at Aamir's 'thug' life has reminded Twitter of yet another seafarer - it's none other than Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow from Pirates Of The Caribbean. Twitter has now assigned Firangi from Thugs Of Hindostan the title of "desi Jack Sparrow", as is mentioned in a few tweets: "There comes desi Jack Sparrow Aamir Khan," reads one while another says Aamir is "Gareebon ka Jack Sparrow." Meanwhile, a fan tweeted: "Meet our very own Jack sparrow. Aamir Khan as Firangi." However, not everybody did let the matter rest after pointing out the similarities. A section of Twitter was clearly not impressed with how Firangi resembles Jack Sparrow. "A child can see similarity between Aamir Khan's character in Thugs Of Hindostan and Jack Sparrow. Excitement gone kaboom. Another copy or as they say 'inspired'," wrote a user. Meanwhile, Twitter will never let a chance to troll a celebrity slip away, which explains the tweets mentioned below. While some may not be impressed with Aamir's new look, many on Twitter are cheering for his unique Thug-special get-up: Aamir Khan's Thugs Of Hindostan co-stars - Amitabh Bachchan, Katrina Kaif, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Lloyd Owen - were introduced in their onscreen characters earlier this week. Directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya, Thugs Of Hindostan hits screens on November 8
Stree Movie Review: Shraddha Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao Are Terrific In Madcap Film'
NEW DELHI:MMNN: 31 August 2018
A zany supernatural parable that is both strongly feminist and uproariously funny, Stree, Amar Kaushik's self-assured first feature, delivers shocks and laughs in equal measure. Despite its repeated to-ing and fro-ing between conflicting tones, the horror comedy glides along a firm and steady arc almost all through its runtime of two hours and a bit. The film's fear quotient, like its comic flourishes, varies pretty wildly - in the climatic moments, it even wobbles just a touch - but the sight of fully grown men cowering in panic at the very mention of the spectral figure who gives the film its title is always hilarious, even when it tilts towards the terrifying. The director harnesses his resources to their fullest: the lighting, the camera movements, the sound design and the editing all serve the purpose of heightening the film's seamless tonal duality. It goes repeatedly swings between spine-chilling and hysterical, alarming and absurd without losing its grasp. Stree is a tour de force enlivened enormously by solid contributions from each and every technical department and the superlative turns from the principal actors. The cast is led admirably well by the splendid Rajkummar Rao and that man for all seasons who invariably seems to be a step ahead of the demands of the screenplay - the magnificently malleable Pankaj Tripathi. Filmed entirely on location in Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh, Stree combines the tangibility and the rough and tumble of a real small-town ambience and the flights of fancy of a weird fantasy based, as we are told at the start of the opening credits, "on a ridiculous phenomenon". Written by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK (also the film's co-producers with Dinesh Vijan), the script pulls wonderful tricks out of its bag to deliver an unconventional entertainer that uses the devices of Mumbai commercial cinema in ways that turn everything on its head. The hoary town has a dark secret that it wants to forget but can barely live down. This chapter in its long history of patriarchy, misogyny and toxic masculinity - it centres on a beautiful prostitute violently thwarted in her attempt to find true love - lies behind the terror that strikes the hearts of the men of Chanderi during a four-day annual religious festival. So, it is the time of year when the men are either on the run or are forced to hide behind closed doors, not daring to step out of their homes at night. It is a case of a woman getting her own back, and entirely on her own terms. There is no escaping the attention of Stree when she is out to make her ominous presence felt. Every home in this haunted area has "O Stree kal aanaa (O Woman, come tomorrow)" written on its walls with red ink created with special ingredients meant to keep evil away. The vengeful ghost is obviously literate and is very, very civil - a woman, even as a wild wraith, does not believe in using force and waits for the consent of her victims before abducting them, leaving only their clothes behind. She whispers a man's name and as soon as he turns around, she is upon him in a flash. The guy vanishes without a trace Vicky (Rajkummar Rao), a young man famed in the region for his exceptional tailoring skills, works in his father's shop when he isn't gallivanting around town with his two best pals, Bittu (Aparshakti Khurrana) and Jana (Abhishek Banerjee). Their carefree ways are disrupted when a mysterious, unnamed woman (Shraddha Kapoor) appears from out of the blue and sweet talks Vicky into agreeing to stitch a lehenga for her in two days flat. I want to wear it on the last day of the festival, she says. The guy, on his part, falls head over heels in love with the light-eyed lass. There is more to her than meets the eye, Bittu warns Vicky. But Jana eggs him on - with disastrous results Bittu's fears are strengthened when the town's resident know-all Rudra, a bakwaas baaton ka expert who owns a pustak bhandar, reminds Bittu and Jana of the legend of the avenging spirit on the loose and tells them what they need to do to ward her off. But that is easier said than done. It is hunting season for the wandering spirit and the men resort to desperate measures to stay out of harm's way. This construct is as crazy as it is comical, but the director injects just the right dose of goofiness to make it all consistently quirky and playful. The quality of the performances that Kaushik extracts from his actors lends Stree infectious flounce. Rajkummar Rao is terrific. Whether he is flummoxed, frightened or simply going along with the flow, he delivers with minimum apparent effort. Shraddha Kapoor is suitably icy as the enigmatic woman who traipses into the protagonist's life and sets off the tremors. Aparshakti Khurrana, full of beans, steals many a scene. Abhishek Banerjee delivers a high-energy yet controlled performance as the friend who suffers the most at the hands of the eponymous ghost. Pankaj Tripathi is in cracking form, giving the narrative a booster-charge whenever he is on the screen. Atul Srivastava in the role of Vicky's father leaves an impression in the handful of scenes he has in the film. Stree plays an unwavering hand in demonstrating that dread can be unbridled fun when it serves a larger thematic purpose. Go watch this spine-tingling film. It is completely madcap but there is method in its manic madness
A R Rahman, Tabrez Noorani come together for 'Love Sonia'
New Delhi, After previously collaborating on Slumdog Millionaire filmmaker Tabrez Noorani and Grammy Award-winning composer A R Rahman have come back together for Noorani's directorial debut 'Love Sonia'. Mr Rahman along with breakout artist Bishop Briggs will record new song entitled I Am More for the film. The song is penned by Rianjali.Its round two for director Tabrez and Rahman, the two have previously worked together for the film 'Slumdog Millionaire' (2008). Rahman's work gained him even more global prominence with the extraordinary success of his score for the film. Rahman will create the song along with young American-British singer Bishop Briggs who is best known for her popular single River. I have known Tabrez since 'Slumdog Millionaire and then we went on to work on a couple of other projects. With this, he makes his directorial debut and I'm happy for him because projects like these happen with a lot of good intention to propel positive changes in the society," Rahman said. It was a pleasure working with Tabrez, Academy nominated producer David and the talented artist Bishop Briggs for the song 'I Am More'," Rahman added. I Am More is truly magical and sung powerfully by Bishop Briggs. Its a wonderful combination of ARs Indian aethetics and the powerful voice of emerging international star, Bishop. Working with AR finally as a director was such an enriching experience, after hearing about various Directors talk about what it was like to work with him," Tabrez said. He is truly a genius, understated, humble and so sensitive when it comes to representing the matter of the film. It was a truly unique experience to work with both AR, Bishop and Rianjali who wrote a truly beautiful song. I can't wait for people to hear it," Tabrez added.
Lakme Fashion Week: Esha Deol Walks Out After Being Interrupted By Organisers
Hema Malini and her daughter Esha Deol walked the ramp for designer Sanjukta Dutta over the weekend at the Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai. After the ramp walk, the mother-daughter duo, wearing beautiful Assamese silk saris, interacted with the media backstage, wherein Hema Malini spoke about their outfits and Esha's upcoming film Cakewalk. As soon as she handed over the mic to Esha, the anchor interrupted and categorically mentioned that it's not a media interaction but a photo op and asked the designer to take over. In the videos going viral on social media, Esha Deol, visibly upset, walked off, followed by mother Hema Malini. Walking the ramp with my most comfortable partner my mother Hema Malini for the awesome talented designer Sanjukta Dutta! Our best wishes to you," Esha had posted after the show. Of making an appearance with Hema Malini at the Lakme Fashion Week, Esha earlier told news agency IANS, "I am very excited to be back on the ramp with my mom Hema Malini for designer Sanjukta Dutta to promote my film Cakewalk, directed by Ram Kamal Mukherjee. The film deals with a certain issue which every women and men in our country will be able to relate." Cakewalk is a short film that tracks the story of a chef Shilpa Sen, played by Esha, who juggles between her professional and personal lives. Esha Deol hasn't made any screen appearance after 2015's Kill Them Young. She is married to businessman Bharat Takhtani. The couple are parents to daughter Radhya.
Genius Movie Review: Nawazuddin Siddiqui's Most Forgettable Film
The film is written, directed and produced by his dad Anil Sharma. Utkarsh Sharma's launch vehicle is understandably loaded heavily in his favour. A father's love knows no bounds. The film frequently grinds to a halt to allow papa's boy to launch into veritable monologues. The trouble is that in the end Genius - has a Hindi movie title ever been more presumptuous? - does no real favours to the debutant. By over-burdening the callow actor, this atrociously misshapen film only exposes his chinks. It doesn't help that the acting skills of the female lead (Ishitha Chauhan) is even more rudimentary - she simply doesn't have the chops to push her co-star to excel. The IIT Roorkee girl that she plays goes from uncompromisingly ambitious and snooty to cloyingly lovey-dovey and faithful in next to no time. Wish this insufferably long film - it clocks 165 minutes - had the same pace. The actors are stuck in the innards of a stupendously sloppy screenplay in which anything goes in a way that is reminiscent of the excesses that Bollywood would routinely foist upon audiences in the era in which Anil Sharma began making movies. Utkarsh Sharma, bearing the load of a bloated film, is condemned to mouthing lines like "bachpan hai toh bachpana toh hoga" and "aapke liye toh muft mein bik jaoonga". The former is pearl of wisdom is addressed to his RAW bosses who are exhausted with his youthful enthusiasm, the latter show of generosity is directed at his girlfriend after she enquires if he is free and he responds with "mehenga hoon". That is how smart this young man is. He has mastered both Ved and vigyan (the Vedas and science). He even declares something akin to Garv se kaho hum prachin hai (be proud to be ancient). Nor is that all. In a crucial scene in the second half, having gone rogue, the Indian security agency's hotshot agent corners a compromised minister and crooked RAW official and thunders: This is the business of patriots, yahaan sirf sanskaar hote hain, woh bhi antim. John Abraham's dialogue-baazi in Satyameva Jayate sound extraordinarily good. The writing in Genius is that abysmal. It seeks to turn an ordinary looking, slightly built young man into a destructive, insuperable mean machine endowed with abilities of the body and mind that do not sit pretty on his shoulders. Action hero, super spy, lover boy, computer whiz and an invincible patriot, the male protagonist is a man for all seasons and all reasons. When push comes to shove, the protagonist, Vasudev Shastri, an orphan raised by a Mathura temple priest after the death of his parents in communal rioting, is not averse to feigning insanity. Not that anything he ever does is normal. Right at the outset, after a physically bruising mission in Porbander leaves him with a pronounced limp and tinnitus-induced amplified hearing, is declared "medically unfit to be in the secret services", he is dismissed as delusional. He could be brain-dead soon, the doctor rules. Well, well, isn't the man already a basket case? As he is wheeled into a psychiatric ward for some quick shock treatment, the script intersperses his dramatic convulsions with a love song on a beach. Talk of the lack of dimaagi santulan (mental balance) - the malady afflicts the makers of Genius as much as it does the film's characters. The presence in the cast of Nawazuddin Siddiqui - he dons the guise of a terror mastermind who has an old score to settle with India's national security adviser Jaishankar Prasad (Mithun Chakraborty) and schemes to use the hero to serve that end - makes matters worse. Even at half tilt, Siddiqui operates in a zone entirely his own. Yet, Genius will quickly go down as the most forgettable movie he has ever been in. One cannot but laugh when the younger actor, in a bloodied and badly mauled state, snarls at the baddie: "Tu mujhe rok sakega (Can you stop me)?" No wonder Siddiqui isn't allowed to enter the fray until only a few minutes before the intermission. It is another matter that he, too, cannot do much to salvage Genius. What do you expect a villain to do when he supposed to exude menace by saying "Dhyaan se sun meri baat, nahin maani toh udda doonga sabko" (Listen to me with care, if you do not heed my words, I'll blow everything up?" The film itself needs no help to implode. Its first half is composed of a string of fuzzy flashbacks designed to showcase Utkarsh's range as an actor, a dancer, a campus star, and a combination of a geek and a cool guy. The emotional spectrum of the character is wide indeed, but do not expect a demonstration of a wide gamut of expressions. The performance stays steadfastly rooted in the same place. The second half of Genius is unabashed cinematic poop. It is so asinine that it is hard to believe that in this day and age there still are people in the Mumbai movie industry willing to sink money into such a travesty of an action film. In this maddeningly inept battle of Genius-giri between the good guy and the bad, the deshbhakt and the deshdrohi, the tricolour inevitably gets dragged in a few times. It needs no great intelligence to grasp the sheer shallowness of the posturing. The worse a Bollywood film is these days the more desperate it seems to be to fall back on patriotic fervour as a ploy to gloss over its glitches. But no amount of flag-waving and chest-thumping can deflect from the fact that Genius is an unspeakably shoddy film. Show some self-love and stay away from it. India will take care of itself.
Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi Movie Review: Sonakshi Sinha's Star Turn Undermined By Unfunny Script
This caper flick can't make do with one Happy. So it has two of them. Does that yield double the fun? No. Riding on a screenplay that yo-yos wildly between the utterly inane and the overly contrived, two's a crowd in Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi. One Happy (Sonakshi Sinha) does all the running. The other (Diana Penty, this time in a special appearance) flits in and out of the picture in a completely random manner. The result is anything but happy. Not that Sonakshi does not give the role her best shot. Hers is a lively star turn. It might have buoyed up the film if only it had the comic energy to go the distance. It doesn't get too far because it merely runs around in circles. Its gags are gratuitous and the one-liners too vacuous to hit home. When the two namesakes, after much listless huffing and puffing that sees them encounter old and new friends and confront sly foes, come face to face in Shanghai, Happy No. 1 promises Happy No. 2 that their next meeting back in Amritsar would be in less confusing and more relaxed circumstances. We aren't sure we are looking forward to it. Another Phirr would be one too many. The sluggish, singularly unfunny Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi, a follow-up to 2016's frisky Happy Bhag Jayegi in which the eponymous runaway bride had ended up in Lahore and a right royal mess, serves up a convoluted version of Chinese 'chukkers' that does not raise as much as a few mild chuckles. Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi unfolds in China, where key characters from the first film are joined by an Indian embassy man from Patiala (played by Punjabi singer-actor Jassi Gill in his Bollywood debut) even as a suave non-resident Pakistani gentleman - that is what he appears to be on the face of it - causes them no end of trouble. This wolf in sheep's clothing - his name is Adnan Chow and his Urdu is to die for - is played by Denzil Smith with self-effacing detachment. His refined performance is one of the few things that works in Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi. About the only time the film strikes a passably droll note is when Jimmy Sheirgill, in a meta-textual context, ticks off Jassi Gill for preening over his family name. 'You are Gill, but I am Sheirgill', the former retorts. Gentle bluster has its uses even in a film as lacklustre as this one. Sheirgill has obvious bragging rights in this comedy written and directed by Mudassar Aziz. He has been here before, playing a small-time politician thwarted in his plans to marry the female protagonist. This time around, however, he is reduced to the status of a mere hanger-on, strutting around spouting banalities and eventually settling for a tame "yeh bhi theek hai" in most exchanges with Usman Afridi (Piyush Mishra) or Jassi Gill's character Khushwant Singh Gill, Khushi miyan to Adnan Chow. Actually, nothing is quite right here. Ditto Ali Fazal, one of the more charming actors in the cast. He is summoned into the frame off and on to be by the side of the first Harpreet Kaur alias Happy while pursuing his singing ambitions. He jets into Shanghai for a proposed concert but finds himself instead on the campus of a university where the second Harpreet Kaur alias Happy is scheduled to begin a stint as a horticulture lecturer. The new Happy - she has a preeminent position in this film - is whisked away by a Chinese gangster named Chang (Jason Tham, who makes his presence felt in an extended cameo) who mistakes her for the other Happy. Robbed of her passport, Happy No. 2 runs into Khushwant Singh Gill, who, in turn, takes her to Adnan Chow who he believes could help her find a way out of the hole. Not to be left behind, Bagga (Sheirgill) and retired Pakistani cop Usman Afridi land in Shanghai to stir the pot further. A fretful dad (Raja Bundela) and a fugitive fiance; (Aparshakti Khurrana) are also thrown into the mix. Collectively, they unleash a great deal of commotion without setting anything meaningful into motion. The humour in Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi is puerile when it isn't outright racist or sexist. Besides the continuing India-Pakistan banter between Bagga and Afridi, there are the sickening lunges at the language and facial features of the Chinese. Bagga's argument is that we are Punjabis - two from Amritsar, one from Patiala and one from Lahore - and we have the inalienable right to be boisterous. Fair enough - this is typical Bollywood stereotyping of a community - but the form that their actions and words assume in this comedy are imbecile and irritating. The film's background score inevitably blends Punjabi drum beats and rhythms with strains of Mera naam chin chin chu. Qamar Jalalabadi's lyrics and OP Nayyar's composition also get the full-on treatment with Aparshakti Khurana swaying to the song in drag in a Guangzhou prison. There is a big reveal at this point of the plot, but the twist, like everything else, falls flat. The silliest part of the 137-minute film is its climax. Having been chased by the Shanghai baddies for all of two hours, the Indians who are themselves to blame for much of the muddle decide to leave their hosts - and the audience - in the lurch. Sonakshi does most of the heavy lifting, but the lightness of the film undermines her efforts. The high-on-enthusiasm Jassi Gill, too, is let down by a half-baked character. Jimmy Sheirgill, for once, is unable to rise above the script. Piyush Mishra hams his way through the film. His job is to add an Urdu icing on a Punjabi cake but all he manages to do is make you want to scream, on a cue from another character in the film:"Dimaag mat chaat." The primary problem with Happy Phirr Bhaag Jayegi isn't that it is pure drivel. That is something that could be pardoned in Bollywood laugh riot. But here, the hilarity quotient is low. The precursor had delivered on at least a part of the promise inherent in the quirky premise. This one goes through the motions without ever coming close to finding a genuine rhythm
Aamir Khan's Eid Special Fam-Jam Pic Really Needs No Caption
Eid calls for family time and that's exactly how it was at the Aamir Khan household, who had a grand fam-jam on Wednesday. After the festivities were nicely rounded off, Aamir Khan Instagrammed a priceless moment for the fam-jam and we agree with the 53-year-old superstar that the click needs no caption actually. In the photo, Aamir can be spotted posing with wife Kiran Rao, mother Zeenat Hussain, sisters Nikhat and Farhat Khan, nephew Imran Khan and his wife Avantika and others. Well, some of Aamir's guests are missing from him Eid-special photo, which include members from his Dangal family. Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra, who played his onscreen daughters in the sports biopic were also there, who Instagrammed their own set of memories. Going by Fatima Sana Shaikh's Instagram story, Aamir's Eid party included scrumptious looking Biryani on the menu. Aamir, who was clearly busy attending to his guests at the party, resurfaced on Twitter in the afternoon to wish his fans and followers. Can you spot Aamir's son Junaid in this photo? Joining Aamir, Fatima and Sana were Dangal director Nitesh Tiwari and his filmmaker wife Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari. Busy man Aamir Khan always ensures that he takes a break from his packed schedule to spend time with his family on special days like on his birthday in March, he took a break from his Thugs Of Hindostan shoot in Jodhpur to celebrate the day with Kiran Rao at his Bandra residence. On the work front, Aamir Khan is looking forward to the release of Thugs Of Hindostan, in which he co-stars with Fatima again. Amitabh Bachchan and Katrina Kaif are also part of the cast. Directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya, Thugs Of Hindostan releases during Diwali.
Sujata Kumar Began Acting 12 Years After Marriage To Reclaim Freedom, Reveals Sister Suchitra Krishnamoorthi
Late actress Sujata Kumar, best known for her role in films like English Vinglish and Raanjhanaa, took up acting 12 years after being married to "reclaim her freedom," her sister Suchitra Krishnamoorthi revealed in an obituary she wrote, which was published in Mumbai Mirror on Tuesday. In the piece, Suchitra said that her sister never "craved for fame." Apart from films, Sujata Kumar featured on television shows such as Hotel Kingston and Bombay Talking and Suchitra said that when Sujata got bored with the graph of her onscreen character she'd ask her directors to "kill off" her character. "She took up acting after being married for 12 years, not because she craved fame - she never cared about that, and in fact, she had always shied away from the limelight. She did it on a whim, to reclaim her freedom," Suchitra wrote in the piece. "But sometimes, she would get so bored with her acting jobs that she would call up her directors and tell them to kill off her character. 'Mere character ko haar daalke photo lagado,' she would laugh," Suchitra added. Sujata Kumar led a life filled with trials and tribulations in the form of an abusive childhood and a failed marriage, of which she talked about at a TEDx event independently organised by a local community. Suchitra also shared the undated video of Sujata talking in details about the dark chapters of her life - from delivering a stillborn baby to the overlapping of her divorce proceedings and chemotherapy. In the video, titled How To Filter Emotional Pollutants From Your Life, revealed the heart-breaking details of her life. In her piece for Mumbai Mirror, Suchitra also remembered Sujata Kumar as a "compassionate soul" and said that she "practically raised her and was her best friend." Suchitra wrote: "Over the years, I took her goodness for granted but like she would tell me, 'Be bindaas,' I was just that. I will miss her quiet wisdom as much as her raucous laughter." Sujata Kumar died after battling cancer on Monday. Sujata is survived by her daughter Kritika Kumar.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Pays Tribute To Atal Bihari Vajpayee With Old Pic, Also Featuring Sridevi
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan remembered former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee with some old pictures on Instagram, some days after his death. Aishwarya shared a series of pictures on Instagram last evening with Atal Bihari Vajpayee and late actress Sridevi. Mr Vajpayee died in New Delhi on Thursday after a long illness. He was 93. Aishwarya and Sridevi had reportedly met Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2000, when he was the Prime Minister. "Respect. Rest in peace," Aishwarya wrote. She can be seen wearing a sea-green saree and Sridevi in a white salwar suit. Mr Vajpayee, Sridevi and Aishwarya share a hearty laugh. Take a look Atal Bihari Vajpayee's death was mourned by several other prominent celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Lata Mangeshkar, Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Sonam Kapoor and others. On his blog, Amitabh Bachchan described Mr Vajpayee as an 'extremely rare human.' "A stalwart, a poet, a writer, an enlightened mind and a compassionate being leaves this world and we mourn his passing. He was an admirer of my father and his works and there were many occasions when I would be present at their meetings," the 75-year-old actor wrote. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is married to Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan's son Abhishek. The couple are parents to daughter Aaradhya, 6. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was cremated with full state honours on Thursday evening and his ashes were immersed in Haridwar on Sunday. His cremation was attended by President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and many other political leaders
Taken': Priyanka Chopra On Roka Pic, Nick Jonas Leaves Fantastic Comment
We can dispense with the word rumoured now because Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas, newly engaged, just made it official on Instagram. "Taken, with all my heart and soul," the 36-year-old actress posted, with a picture of herself and Nick at their roka ceremony held at the Chopra residence in Mumbai today. 'Future Mrs Jonas. My heart. My love,' wrote Nick, 24, in a post of his own. He also outdid himself by leaving a comment on Priyanka's post, writing: "He's the luckiest guy in the world." The comments thread is flooded with congratulatory messages from Malaika Arora and other celebrities. Nick is believed to have proposed to Priyanka last month - today's ceremony served as a formal announcement. A grand engagement party is expected this evening. See the posts shared by Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas below: The roka was attended by Priyanka's cousin Parineeti Chopra, who flew home from a shoot for the engagement, and Salman Khan's sister Arpita, among others. The ladkewale at the roka include Nick Jonas' parents Denise and Kevin, who flew into Mumbai with their son on Thursday. Last evening, Priyanka and Nick were spotted getting dinner at a Mumbai hotel. Her mother Madhu Chopra and brother Siddharth were with them. This evening's engagement party will reportedly be held at a Mumbai hotel. The guest list is likely to include Priyanka Chopra's Dil Dhadakne Do and Bajirao Mastani co-star Ranveer Singh and filmmaker Karan Johar. Priyanka and Nick attended the Met Gala together last year but reportedly only began dating a few months ago. Nick is believed to have popped the question to Priyanka in London last month on her birthday, with a diamond ring from Tiffany.
In Priyanka Chopra-Nick Jonas Rumours Today: Engagement In Mumbai This Weekend
International websites seem to be closely following all the developments related to Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas' rumoured romance. People Magazine and E! News had earlier reported that Priyanka and Nick got engaged in London in July, after having dated for a couple of months. Now, it is believed that their engagement party will be hosted by the Chopras over the weekend in Mumbai. E! News reports that Nick and his family are travelling to India for the party. "Nick Jonas and his immediate family are traveling to India this weekend to attend an engagement party hosted by Priyanka's family. It's going to be the first time that their families intermingle and get to know each other," a source told E! News. Priyanka is already in India, where she is currently busy with her project, tentatively titled The Sky Is Pink. Nick reportedly proposed to Priyanka on her 36th birthday in London. "It's a tradition for them to meet before the wedding and Priyanka's family insisted on hosting the Jonas family in their country. Priyanka wants everything to be traditional to respect her family's values, and definitely an Indian wedding. Priyanka and Nick are excited for everyone to meet and to celebrate. Everything is very secretive but guests are expected to head there starting tomorrow. All of the plans are moving quickly and Priyanka and Nick do not want to have a long engagement," the source told E! News. Weeks ago, when Priyanka dropped out of Salman Khan's Bharat, for a 'very special reason,' it was believed that she might have quit the film to marry Nick Jonas and later, reports of the duo being already engaged featured in headlines. Priyanka and her family had previously hosted Nick Jonas in Mumbai during their brief trip in June. Priyanka, her cousin Parineeti also took Nick to Goa and later, he attended an Ambani party. Though there is no official confirmation about the rumoured engagement, but a response by Nick on being congratulated had sent the Internet into a meltdown and just yesterday, a picture of Priyanka and her stunning diamond ring from designer Manish Malhotra's party, kept folks busy. US Weekly reported that at an event in New York, when a fan congratulated Nick, he responded, "Thanks man!" And, this was Priyanka's picture, which the Internet believes is her engagement ring. Nick Jonas, 25, had reportedly shut down an entire Tiffany's store in New York to pick out Priyanka Chopra's ring. Another E! News report states that Priyanka's ring has a value of around $200,000. "Priyanka's ring is a high quality cushion cut weighing around 4 carats. It looks to be somewhere around a G color, VS1 clarity which, from Tiffany & Co, would have a value of around $200,000," Andrew Brown, President, WP Diamonds told E! News. Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas first met at last year's Met Gala.
Deepika Padukone And Ranveer Singh's Rumoured Wedding Gets New Date, Guest List
Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh are trending again and no points for guessing its because of fresh additions to details about their still-unconfirmed wedding. Fans of 'DeepVeer' are busy rejoining the reported final wedding date of the couple, which a Filmfare report states to be November 20 - it was rumoured to be November 10 before. Quoting a source, Filmfare states that the couple will have a destination wedding in Italy's Lake Como with a guest-list restricted to 30 names, including just family and close ones: "It's a very special day for both Ranveer and Deepika which is why they just want the close ones to be present for their wedding ceremony. Mostly it will be their families and a few close friends. The guest list consists of merely 30 people and that's exactly how these two want it." The wedding may be a close-knit affair but the star couple are also reportedly planning reception parties on a grand scale once they touchdown in India after their destination wedding: "Italy is a favourite destination of both Ranveer and Deepika so they want to keep their big day more of a private affair. They are looking forward to hosting grand receptions once they're back in India post the wedding," Filmfare quoted the source as saying. Veteran actor Kabir Bedi was amongst those who spotted the article and sent out congratulatory messages to the duo. Whether Mr Bedi is more informed than the rest of us are or not is not known but this is what he tweeted: "Great couple! Great locale in Italy! Great event! Wishing Ranveer and Depika a wonderful wedding, and a lifetime of happiness," Mr Bedi tweeted. In June this year, fresh rumours brought out November 10 as their wedding date with Filmfare reporting that the Padukones and Singhs had already begun with the wedding shopping. In July, Deepika was photographed shopping in Bengaluru last month when it was reported that she was apparently shopping for her wedding jewellery. Then in June, she was spotted on a shopping spree in Bandra with her mother Ujjala Padukone in tow. On Monday, Deepika and her mother were photographed at the Mumbai airport as they returned from Bangalore. Meanwhile, Deepika and Ranveer were holidaying in Florida, Orlando with Deepika's sister Anisha recently. On the work front, Deepika has a lighter work load than Ranveer, who is currently prepping for '83. He also has Simmba and Gully Boy in the line-up. Deepika's film with Irrfan Khan has been postponed indefinitely.
Deepika Padukone And Ranveer Singh's Instagram PDA Gets Cuter With Each Comment
Deepika Padukone + Ranveer Singh = couple goals x infinity, right? Yes, indeed. Most of the times, the couple set new bars for all us through their PDA on Instagram. Just last week, Deepika's "why so hawt?" comment on Ranveer's picture sent the Internet into a meltdown and here, they are at it again. Deepika cannot stop drooling over Ranveer's intense picture (a collage) like most of us and commented, "Stop it," adding some heart-eyed emojis. Ranveer responded soon and posted a kiss emoticon. YES, HE DID. "Deepika Padukone, you stop it," he wrote. (Guys, please stop being so, so adorable). Here's Ranveer's picture and their Instagram exchange for you. Tales of Deepika and Ranveer flirting with each other on social media are plenty. On one of Ranveer's previous "Monday blues?" post, Deepika said, "Uff! Never." And, her "why so hawt?" comment was on this picture of Ranveer. Last evening, Deepika shared a picture of herself with sister Anisha. BTW, their picture was clicked by Ranveer Singh Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone recently came to India after holidaying in Orlando, Florida. They navigated the airport holding hands and couldn't stop smiling as the paparazzi followed them. In social media posts from Orlando, the couple were spotted at Disney World hand-in-hand with Anisha. After landing in India, Deepika and Ranveer together celebrated his sister Ritika's birthday. COMMENT Meanwhile, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh are reportedly looking forward to a wedding in Italy on November 10. They were last seen together in "Padmaavat".
Fanney Khan Movie Review: Anil Kapoor's Energy Is Infectious, Aishwarya Rai And Rajkummar Rao Make An Odd Pair
NEW DELHI:MMNN: 4 August 2018
A 1990s orchestra singer, now on the wrong side of 50, seeks recompense for his failure to make it big. He is willing to go to any length to help his only daughter attain stardom. The girl has a fine voice but she doesn't possess the body type of a pop diva. "Dekha hai apne ko mirror mein kabhi," she is frequently asked. So much so that she herself begins to believe that popular music these days is more about seeing than hearing and that "it is all about styling". So, for both the fat-shamed girl and her out-of-work father, a life-changing opening is a castle in the air. That is the narrative kernel of Fanney Khan, officially adapted from the Belgian hit Everybody's Famous! (2000) and given the spin of a Bollywood musical that upends the established notions of showbiz success. Portions of Fanney Khan are a bit of a stretch: they are a touch flabby and far-fetched. But first-time director Atul Manjrekar not only keeps the dramatic core of the story intact, he also ramps it up appreciably to serve up an indigenized version that more than serves its purpose. Of course, the film's flights of fancy do demand a willing suspension of disbelief. What undermines Fanney Khan is its inability to tap to the fullest the universal emotions inherent in the father-daughter relationship. The worldviews of the two clash frequently and the daughter sees her dad's earnest enthusiasm as more irritating than encouraging. How the reconciliation happens is the crux of the story but it does not hit home hard enough when it is time for the film to wind down. Fanney Khan pivots around the infectious energy that Anil Kapoor brings to bear upon the character of the failed musician Prashant Sharma. The film kicks off with a rendition of Badan pe sitare lapete huye: a rousing curtain-raiser. But the man's joys are short-lived. One fine morning, he loses his factory job. Prashant hides the crisis from his wife Kavita (Divya Dutta). He begins to drive a taxi for an old friend Kader (Satish Kaushik). Prashant's daughter (debutante Pihu Sand), christened Lata for obvious reasons ("Main Mohammed Rafi toh nahin ban saka tujhe zaroor Lata Mangeshkar banaoonga," her father vows the day she's born), is on the lookout for a break. Her mother wonders why it is necessary to become a star, while her friend Rhea (Barbie Rajput) suggests that she keep her feet on the ground because becoming a star is no cakewalk. Away from the chawl that is home to the Sharma family - the patriarch's lingo suggests that they have roots in Hyderabad - another woman needs a break of a completely different kind. Baby Singh (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), the reigning female crooner of the land, is grappling with fatigue. She wants to run away from the unending whirligig of concerts, reality show appearances, photo shoots and the demands of her pushy manager Karan Kakkad (Girish Kulkarni) in order to recharge her batteries. The paths of the aspiring Lata and the super-successful Baby cross tangentially when Prashant, on a whim, kidnaps the latter. After a tiff with her manager, Baby boards Prashant's cab. He sedates her with sleeping pills and drives her to the premises of the sealed factory. He hopes to extort from her the money he requires to fund Lata's first album. He holds Baby Singh captive and turns to his best pal and former co-worker Adhir (Rajkummar Rao) for help. Initially, Adhir is reluctant but opts to be party to the conspiracy when his girlfriend Jinal (Swati Semwal) leaves for Goa against his wish to attend an acting workshop. Soon enough, the Stockholm syndrome kicks in and the kidnapping victim develops a soft corner for the captor. Adhir, on the rebound, promptly reciprocates the feeling. Hidden behind a Rajinikanth mask, Fanney Khan meets Kakkad and makes an unconventional demand - a recording of a song that he has composed for his daughter. Kakkad agrees - he wants Baby Singh safe and sound. As Baby's rapport with the awkward Adhir grows, the latter not only cooks for her but also agrees to fetch Ustad, the star's pet Beagle, from her apartment and feed the dog. Adhir leaves a tell-tale trail behind on the way out. The world gets wind of the kidnapping. The TV channels flash the news. The Mumbai police, however, remains inexplicably unmoved, allowing the hostage time to cement her bonding with Adhir. There we go again: Fanney Khan abounds in such leaps of logic. But all of it is in the pursuit of some harmless fun and emotional manipulation. The fun remains low-key; the vigorous pulling at the heartstrings, which gathers momentum in the lead-up to the climax, yields some returns by way of emotional impact. The characters are developed in a rather slapdash manner, but the actors, taking a cue from the lead, throw everything into their roles. Newcomer Pihu Sand is terrific as Lata Sharma, Divya Dutta makes her presence felt, and Girish Kulkarni effortlessly gets into the swing of things. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Rajkummar Rao, actors coming from different ends of the Bollywood spectrum, make an odd pair. Even the characters that they etch out on the screen - one is an orphan, the other is a refugee from Kashmir - have nothing in common. The evolution of their romance strains credibility. But in a film that glides in and out of the make-believe, it is no big deal if the love story, which anyways runs parallel to the main narrative track of the film, flirts with the unreal. Isn't that what cinematic plots hinging on the realization of impossible dreams are supposed to be? Fanney Khan is that - and more. Embrace it. It will do no harm
Karwaan Movie Review: Irrfan Khan Weighed Down With Misfiring Punch Lines
On the face of it, one might find enough to like in Karwaan to stay invested in the ride long enough not to be put off by the many awkward sputters along the way. The film has a wonderful cast, lush visuals and an easy, unhurried, non-formulaic flow. Three temperamentally dissimilar characters - a chirpy college girl and two buddies separated in terms of age by many years - drive off in a van from Bangalore to Kochi via Ooty with the coffin of an elderly woman killed in a road accident. It is a journey riddled with complications, both for the characters and the screenplay. In a manner that is a preserve of road movies, the trio discovers many a truth about themselves, life and their absent dads. The film encounters far too many speed-breakers to make the grade as a genuinely trippy affair. Viewed through cinematographer Avinash Arun's camera, the slice-of-life film is awash with the dazzling hues of Kerala, but the script (developed by Adhir Bhat and director Akarsh Khurana from a story by Bejoy Nambiar) is sadly off-colour. Its picture postcard packaging makes Karwaan easy on the eye. However, the dark humour and the irreverent banter (dialogue: Hussain Dalal) is marred by inconsistency. The actors do all they can to inject life into their roles, but the people that they play do not develop into convincing characters. The somnolent pace of the film isn't to blame. In fact, it is probably a good thing that the tale is in no haste to get to its destination. The route that it takes to get where it wants to get meanders through detours that do not add value to the voyage. In the final moments of the film, the chatty, free-spirited girl declares that there is a world of difference between baghavat (rebellion) and bewaqoofi (stupidity). It isn't clear if her utterance represents a moment of self-realization - you sound oh-so Sufi, she is told - or is directed at the co-traveller she berates a few times for being avuncular and judgmental. The contrast between witticism and whimsicality, too, is huge and it is down this chasm that the film hurtles all too frequently. The film's title comes from one of poet-lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri's most fabled Urdu couplets - Main akela hi chala thha janib-e-manzil magar/Log saath aate gaye aur karwaan banta gaya (I started off all alone towards my destination but people kept joining me and it turned into a caravan). These lines are painted on the body of the van-turned-hearse that is a key component of the film, but the promised 'caravan' does not get going. Dulquer Salmaan, in his first Hindi film role, is a morose young man whose life has veered off the course that he had desired for himself. Avinash Rajpurohit - yes, the name itself appears to carry a load of expectations - pins the responsibility on his estranged middle-class dad (Akash Khurana, real-life father of the film's director and co-writer) who fretted and fumed about his future to such an extent that he had to abandon his dream of being a photographer. Avinash is now trapped in a dreary, soul-destroying desk job in a Bangalore software firm where a writing on the wall warns employees not to complain because "unemployment feels much worse". Another board reminds them: Don't forget, you could be replaced. You Tube sensation Mithila Palkar, also in her first Bollywood role, is Taniya Kutty, a loquacious lass and a rebel without a cause. The body in the boot is her grandmother's - it is on the way to Kochi because the remains of Avinash's dad, killed in the same tragic mishap during a pilgrimage, have ended up at the wrong address - the Kochi home of Taniya's mom Tahira Moiuddeen Kutty The girl talks incessantly and Avinash, a man of few words, has a tough time reining her in. There is a back story involving Taniya's dad, too, but she isn't the type who lives in the past and wonders how things might have been turned out had life panned out differently. The third character - Shaukat, a cynical, conservative automobile service station owner - is essayed by Irrfan Khan. It is this man's weather-beaten van that is requisitioned for the unusual shipment. It faces a vicious attack by hoodlums from whom Shaukat's abusive, wife-beating father had borrowed money. The goons have a score to settle. In the bargain, the vehicle, all smashed up, ends up on the grounds of a police station. Shaukat, on his part, finds himself on a hospital bed struggling to spout poetry to impress a pretty woman by the side of a wizened shehnai player in an adjoining bed. Avinash, who never opens his mouth without weighing the consequences of his words, is the polar opposite of the older Shaukat, whose dismissive bon mots are supposed to liven up the ride. Do they? Not really. He comes across as a veritable Colonel Blimp, man who in need of a urgent crash course in good manners. The way Shaukat conducts himself with a backpacking European couple looking for the departure gates of Bangalore airport smacks of racial prejudice. He not only takes a swipe at the woman's attire but also presumes that the visitors are junkies who never take a bath. It gets much worse as Shaukat turns on Taniya the very first time he sets his eyes on her. He refuses to let her travel in his van if she does not discard her short skirt. Avinash sheepishly conveys the message to her. The girl duly puts him in his place. Shaukat then ticks Taniya off for adopting English to communicate. And then, between the two men, they make a excruciatingly big deal about the girl's drinking and smoking. For good measure, the younger man freaks out when Tania buys a pregnancy test kit off a medicine store shelf. DQ, saddled with a single-note character, does not have any bandwidth at all to work with. Mithila - who demonstrated her potential infinitely better in last year's Marathi rom-com Muramba - is similarly hamstrung. The biggest disappointment is Irrfan. Never has this consummate actor been so weighed down by misfiring punch lines. Karwaan had the potential to be a fun ride. Unfortunately, much of it remains unrealized.
Mulk: No Stay On Release Of Rishi Kapoor, Taapsee Pannu's Film, Says Director
Anubhav Sinha's Mulk is releasing as per schedule on August 3, the director said in a statement, which he shared on Twitter. On Monday, reports of a stay order issued on the release of Mulk, starring Rishi Kapoor and Taapsee Pannu, were being circulated on social media and WhatsApp, which the filmmaker says are false. "No such order has been served upon us. If someone has mischievously mislead the court and if the court has really passed such an order we hall move in a petition to vacate the same ASAP," read the statement shared by Anubhav Sinha. Team Mulk retweeted Anubhav's post on their respective social media accounts. "Logistically all arrangements are in place to release the film on the set date - August 3," he added. The trailer of Mulk released to mixed response on social media in July. Several twitter users praised Anubhav Sinha for talking about a sensitive issue with maturity while a section of the Internet disagreed and trolled him. Mulk is the story of a Muslim family (the patriarch of which is played by Rishi Kapoor), branded traitors, after one of their members is killed in a terrorist encounter. Taapsee Pannu plays the defense lawyer, who wants to establish that the family is being targeted because of their religion. Speaking about his film to news agency PTI, Anubhav Sinha said: "The film has a good intent, it is not a political film in anyway. It is a very social film, about everyone. I knew I wasn't going to take a political side, I wanted to take a human side which can't be wrong or controversial."
Hello, Suhana Khan': Shah Rukh Khan Couldn't Be Prouder As Daughter Makes Vogue Debut
Shah Rukh Khan's daughter Suhana found a spot on the Wednesday's trends list, courtesy of her first ever magazine shoot. Shah Rukh unveiled the cover featuring his 18-year-old daughter at the Vogue Beauty Awards on Tuesday night. Later, he tweeted the cover image and a picture of him launching it at the event and wrote: "Holding her in my arms again thanks to @vogueindia . 'What imperfect carriers of love we are... except when it comes to our children.' So sending you all my love and a big hug. Hello, Suhana Khan." In her first interview, Suhana talked about her dream of becoming an actor - a day, which we don't think is too far. "I have been gifted to be in the company of so many fantastic women and I hope my daughter can join in and be one of them someday. She is 18, she is lovely, sensitive, sweet and extremely shy but also extremely strong. I will be proud of her when she is proud of herself and the job that she does and Insha'Allah she will do that," Shah Rukh Khan said at the event on Tuesday night. Suhana Khan, who has constantly been shadowed by the paparazzi and often trends for pictures from her casual outings and holidays, said in the interview that she was excited about featuring on the cover when her parents - Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan - brought it up. "I wanted to say yes straight away but they wanted me to think about it - this is a very public thing. They wanted me to gain confidence from the experience, not lose it," she said. Suhana Khan told Vogue she was absolutely sure she wanted to become an actor and revealed that her parents realised that she was serious after watching her onstage in a play. "I don't think there was any one moment when I decided. Since I was young, I'd do all these accents and impressions. But my parents only realised I was serious about acting when they saw a performance of mine for the first time. I was playing Miranda in a school performance of The Tempest," she said. However, Shah Rukh Khan, who was also at the interview with Suhana ("Pretend I'm not here, I just want to hang out with my daughter," he had said) does not intend to launch his daughter in Bollywood. He was quoted as saying: "Suhana's not working towards a promise of being cast, she's working towards being an actor, and she knows that. I keep insisting that I don't want them designed as stars, I want them to be launched when they are good-enough actors." Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan's elder son Aryan, 21, is studying filmmaking in Los Angeles and Suhana is currently building a portfolio to get admission in the same university over the summer for a short course in acting. 2018 can be arguably dubbed as the year of star kids' debuts. Suhana's first interview comes days after the release of Sridevi's daughter Janhvi Kapoor's debut film Dhadak. In fact, one of Suhana's close friends Ananya Panday (daughter of Chunky Panday) is currently making her debut film - Student of The Year 2, which is was earlier scheduled for November 2018 release and it will now hit the screens on May 10 next year. Later this year, Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh's daughter Sara Ali Khan's debut film Kedarnath will also open in theatres.
Sonam Kapoor To Husband Anand Ahuja On His Birthday: 'You Make My World Better'.'.
NEW DELHI:MMNN: 30 July 2018
To the love of my life and the kindest gentlest soul I know, a very, very happy birthday! You make my world better and I'm so blessed you were born today," read an excerpt from Sonam Kapoor's post for husband Anand Ahuja's birthday. Sonam also shared multiple pictures from their trips and also took us inside Anand's family-only birthday celebrations. While Sonam's sister Rhea gifted sneaker fan Anand a shoe made of flowers as birthday gift, his wife appears to have ordered a Los Angeles Lakers cake for him. Los Angeles Lakers is the basketball team which Anand Ahuja supports. In her post, Sonam also quoted Italian writer Luciano De Crescenzo and wrote, "We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another." She also added their wedding hashtag 'Everyday Phenomenal' and 'Always And Forever' to the post. "Every lifetime," commented Anand. Sonam and Anand are currently in New Delhi (his hometown) and Anil Kapoor, who with Fanney Khan promotions in the national capital, also joined the midnight celebrations. Mr Kapoor shared a cute photo of himself and Anand with a message for his son-in-law. "You've chased your dreams & now you're living them! Doesn't get better than this! Happy Birthday, Anand Ahuja. You are already having a hell of a year and I hope the coming years are filled with even more success & happiness! Never let that spark fade! Love always," he wrote.
Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster 3: Sanjay Dutt, Jimmy Sheirgill And Cast Are Upto Scratch, Expected Firestorm Missing.'.
In the crumbling, amoral universe that saheb and biwi inhabit - Jimmy Sheirgill and Mahie Gill reprise their roles - well-past-their-prime royals employ wicked, wicked ways to manipulate each other and their susceptibilities. But do their exertions make for great cat-and-mouse drama? Certainly not quite to the extent, or in the manner, that the first two entries of the series - Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster(2011) and Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster Returns (2013) - did. Pretty much like the political prowess that the film's fading, flailing feudal figures and their cohorts exercise, the potential of the premise to deliver surprises has, on the evidence of this outing, waned significantly. The twists and turns that Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster 3 springs upon the audience have an arbitrary, laboured ring to them, what with new entrant Sanjay Dutt (in the guise of an angry-as-hell Uday Pratap Singh, a man who's made 'bad choices' and has been in exile for two decades) stomping around first a smoky London nightclub called House of Lords and then a palace-turned-heritage hotel back in Uttar Pradesh like a clueless grizzly bear that has strayed out of its natural habitat. It is around this very disillusioned, defiant man's talent for emerging unscathed from Russian roulette face-offs that the plot of this film revolves. But the shots it yields generate more noise - tame clicks and big bangs - than genuine excitement. The blank shots reverberate through the film, robbing it off the gunpowder-dry quality that is of the essence in this dark, bloody, dusty UP milieu where marriages aren't made in heaven and human bonds teeter on a razor's edge. It has taken the third Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster instalment five years to take shape. One had expected time to add value to it. That does not seem to have happened. Devoid of the delirious energy, sly swerves and deeply melancholic core that defined the earlier entries, Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster 3 struggles for the most part to hit the ground and run. Its sparks, too far and few between to form a recognizable pattern, do not yield the expected full-fledged firestorm. The desperate and devious methods that the greedy, going-for-broke men and women take recourse to fall all too quickly into a mechanical rut. One key character asks the 'saheb' of the pack, Aditya Pratap Singh (Jimmy Sheirgill): Is your blood still royal, or have the years of being in politics turned it into water? He does not answer the question, but taken in the overall context of the film, there can only be one response to that pointed query - royalty isn't just a matter of blood, it is just as much a state of mind. he malevolent characters that screenwriter Sanjay Chauhan and director Tigmanshu Dhulia's script rustle up in addition to Aditya Pratap and his ambitious, alcoholic wife Madhavi (Mahie Gill) exist in a limbo in the absence of the narrative support that could have turned them into meaningful pegs in a larger social commentary on a bunch of people so deeply entrenched in their sense of entitlement that they cannot see beyond their noses - and their guns. A political party is alluded to, workers are addressed from a desk behind which hangs a portrait of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar and preparations for an upcoming polls are discussed but Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster 3 jettisons the hurly-burly of political machinations at the altar of perfunctory personal shenanigans. The role essayed by Sanjay Dutt (he comes across as rather rusty, to say the least) is framed against two others - his father Maharaja Hari Singh (Kabir Bedi) and brother Vijay (Deepak Tijori), both of whom are upset no end when the profligate elder son returns to India, deported from the UK following a murderous assault on an Englishman who dares to needle him in his den. Uday Pratap demands his share of the royal property, but there is little left in the family's kitty to spare. So conspiracies are afoot in the palace and elsewhere, endangering the lives of innocents like the courtesan Suhani (Chitrangda Singh), Uday Pratap's mistress. Lives do not count for much in the haveli of Aditya Pratap either. Guns are whipped out and fired at the slightest provocation. While Aditya, convicted for murder, cools his heels in jail, his wily consort merrily plots to keep him there as long as possible. When he returns home, his wife offers truce. He accepts, but with many riders that are left to the daughter (Pamela Bhutoria) of his fiercely loyal retainer (Deepraj Rana, another franchise fixture) to enforce. The performances, led by the ever-reliable Sheirgill's, are all up to scratch, but one wishes the female roles weren't so underwritten. Mahie Gill, playing the woman who cares two hoots about moral niceties, works with a familiar bag of tricks. She still sways in an inebriated state to Lag jaa gale ke phir yeh haseen raat ho na ho and gives no quarters when faced with faced with threats and inducements. Some of the tics come off, some don't. Soha Ali Khan (as Aditya's second wife) has only two and a half scenes. Chitrangda Singh as Uday Pratap's mistress is allowed more but her character does not see much palpable development. One of the actresses in the cast who certainly deserved greater mind space, and not just footage, is Pamela Bhutoria, playing Aditya's tech-savvy protector standing in for her father who has gone into hiding. This bitter battle for fast-vanishing turf centres on the pressing need to protect the family 'reputation'. In this fictional neck of the woods, conventional honour isn't a big deal and the act of flouting laws and norms is worn as a badge of courage. The nautch girl puts the tussle into context when she advises the feckless, untrustworthy Vijay Pratap to tread with care. She says to him with all the curtness at her command: "Jab naam ke alawaa kuch no bacha ho toh naam ko bacha bacha ke chalna chahiye (When nothing but your name survives, do all you can to protect that name)." That statement could well be directed at the makers of Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster 3. The title has a resonance thanks to the impact that the film's two predecessors had made. Frittering it away on a flimsy Russian roulette-style effort isn't a good idea. So when the team decides to come up with another follow-up - the final moments of this film suggest that the fourth may not be far away - it will have to go all guns blazing. Or not at all.
Ileana D'Cruz Was Asked Why She Chose A 'Foreign Man' As Her Life Partner. She Said.'.
Actress Ileana D'Cruz on Wednesday interacted with her Instafam through the "Ask Me Something" feature where one fan asked her who her life partner is? No points for guessing - she simply tagged Andrew Kneebone, whom she has been dating for many years. Soon after Ileana shared the answer, another Instagram user asked her why she selected a "foreign man" as her life partner and she replied: "I fell in love with a person's heart. His skin colour or nationality doesn't matter to me." Ileana, just wow. During the Q&A session, Illeana was also told that she and Andrew look great together. Last year, in her Christmas post, Ileana addressed Andrew Kneebone as 'hubby' in an Instagram post but when asked in person she refused to give away her relationship status. When she was promoting Raid, Ileana was asked if she was married to the Australia photographer. Her reply was: "I have kept my personal life fairly private. I don't like to talk about it too much. But it's pretty much there for the world to see." Ileana D'Cruz and Andrew Kneebone have been together for several years and he also attended the premiere of Ileana's film Happy Ending in India in 2015. Ileana is Andrew's muse and she regularly features in his shoots - most of them in Fiji. They've never shied away from romancing through pictures on social media, like her Instagram post for Andrew on his birthday, in which she wrote: "Seriously I don't know how you get sexier with every year I've known you!" But Ileana is resolute that she will not share details of her private life more than what can be accessed through social media. Ileana D'Cruz was last seen in Raid opposite Ajay Devgn and she's currently shooting for Telugu film Amar Akbar Anthony
Yay! He Called Me A Film Star': Abhishek Bachchan's Reaction To Trolls Is Sarcasm Goals, No?'.
Abhishek Bachchan is single-handedly destroying trolls on Twitter. On Tuesday evening, the actor spotted a few attempts to mock him on Twitter as someone not worthy to be in the league of actors previously cast in Anurag Kashyap's films. The junior Bachchan dealt with them with so much calm and oh, sarcasm too. Mr Kashyap tweeted to announce that his upcoming film with Abhishek - Manmarziyan - will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, when an user wrote: "From KK Menon to John Abraham to Abhay Deol to Manoj Bajpayee to Nawazuddin Siddiqui to Ronit Roy to Vicky Kaushal... All great choices. But *** Abhishek Bachchan? Are you suffering from KJo syndrome? It's all about loving the film stars?" In a sarcasm-laden tweet, the 42-year-old actor wrote: "Yay! He called me a film star," over which Abhishek and his friends also had a good laugh on the conversation thread. Meanwhile, the hater resurfaced to clarify: "I meant 'son of film star'. KJo ke friend circle me aane se choices bhi KJo type ho gayi hai... Ranbir, Abhishek... what next? Tusshar Kapoor?" This time, Abhishek's tone appeared to be rather firm as he tweeted: "Oh... you "meant"... Chalo, I'll consider it a Freudian slip. And BTW Tusshar would be a great choice." Abhishek Bachchan is one of Twitter's favourite actors when it comes to trolling celebrities. He is often at the receiving end of offensive tweets citing the lack of successful movies on his resume. On Tuesday evening, another Twitter follower appeared to enquire about the finances behind his recently concluded family vacation when Abhishek set the record straight with this tweet: "Sir, I have several other businesses that I run apart from acting and producing movies. Sports being just one of them." Abhishek co-owns the football team Chennaiyin Football Club with MS Dhoni and Vita Dani. Abhishek Bachchan recently condemned and dismissed a report about an alleged fight with his wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. The "made-up a false story" on a web-portal, which was taken down soon after his tweet, said Aishwarya did not let Abhishek take daughter Aaradhya's hand while walking out of the airport. Earlier in May, Abhishek was termed "useless" by an online misnomer, to whom he said: "Walk a mile in my shoes, brother. If you even manage 10 steps I'll be impressed." In April, he was criticised for living with his parents when he tweeted to say: "Don't feel bad about your life. Just remember Abhishek Bachchan still lives with his parents. Keep hustling everyone! Abhishek Bachchan's Manmarziyan hits screens on September 21.
Pakistani Actress Saba Qamar's Colleagues Defend Her After She's Trolled For Smoking In Pic'.
Pakistani actress Saba Qamar recently became subjected to ruthless trolling after the brutal section of the Internet chanced upon certain behind-the-scene photos and videos of her. "Shameful," she was told in comments on the viral photos (which appear to be screenshots from a video), in which she can be seen smoking while dressing up for what appears to be a shoot on sets. Saba Qamar's colleague Pakistani star Mahira Khan, who was once trolled for photos which showed her smoking and wearing a short dress, was also invoked: "Saba Qamar has also begun following Mahira Khan. Is she even Muslim anymore?" read a comment. While a stony silence has been maintained by Saba Qamar after days of trolling, the need to incinerate haters has been strongly felt by some of her colleagues, namely Osman Khalid Butt, Adnan Siddiqui and Aijaz Aslam. Saba Qamar, who has several films and over 20 TV shows on her resume, is said to be amongst Pakistan's highest-paid actress. She made her Bollywood debut with 2017's Hindi Medium, also starring Irrfan Khan. Osman Khalid, who shared screen-space with the actress in TV drama Baaghi, wrote a lengthy Instagram post, condemning the circulation of the on-set photos and the subsequent trolling. "For the love of God, stop looking for every excuse to drag your icons down... Stop sharing these images/videos and stop commenting on them. If you want to speak out, speak out against the jahalat of whoever did this just for social media infamy," read a part of his Instagram post. Saba Qamar's co-star of Pakistani TV show Maat Adnan Siddiqui, who appears to have singled-out an undisclosed name to be blamed for the "leaked" photos, wrote a strongly-worded Instagram post: "I totally condemn this and wouldn't want to highlight the name of a man behind it but I'm not going to work for with him or anything associated with him ever Meanwhile, Pakistani actor-model Aijaz Aslam encouraged Saba Qamar to remain strong: "Today I feel sad that a colleague and one of the finest actor of Pakistan is being exploited by someone for a cheap publicity stunt... Saba you are a superstar and don't let these haters demotivate you." Earlier this year, Saba Qamar trended a great deal after she broke down during an interview to a Pakistani news channel while recounting the time when she was stopped at the Georgia airport, allegedly because of her nationality. COMMENT Saba Qamar became popular with the Indian audience after her television show Maat aired here. She has also featured in shows like Main Aurat Hoon, Jinnah Ke Naam and Thakan. She has also starred in the Pakistani films such as Manto and Lahore Se Aagey
What Lunch On The Brahmastra Set Looks Like, With Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia And Amitabh Bachchan'.
Another day and here's another picture from Bulgaria, featuring Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor, who are rumoured to be dating. The duo are currently filming Brahmastra in Byulgaria. In the pictures shared by fan clubs on Instagram, Alia and Ranbir can be seen enjoying a meal with co-stars Amitabh Bachchan, Dimple Kapadia, director Ayan Mukerji and others. Dimple Kapadia has also joined the team and she is reportedly been cast opposite Nagarjuna, who is missing from the photos. Think we also spotted Dimple Kapadia's nephew Karan with team Brahmastra. Karan is debuting in Bollywood soon. In another picture, we spotted Big B, Alia, Ranbir and the team discussing something. Amitabh Bachchan has also shared updates from Bulgaria. He just completed shooting a schedule of Brahmastra and drove back. "Work, is, this rather large crucible of smiling faces, diligence, and a compliment driven crew, that never hesitates to tell you how wonderful you look, especially in the boots of their choice. Brahmastra; the power of the weaponry, rests undiluted, not moderated or weakened by them, that revel under the aegis or what in commonality is referred to as... the Production," he wrote on his blog. Brahmastra is Alia and Ranbir's first film together. Rumours that Alia and Ranbir are dating featured in headlines after the duo attended Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja's wedding reception together. In Mumbai, both of them have been pictured with each other's families too. Brahmastra is a trilogy, also featuring Mouni Roy. The first part of the film will release next year in August.
Dhadak Movie Review: Janhvi Kapoor And Ishaan Khatter Can't Enliven Comatose Film'.
An attempted makeover of a tested storyline is never more than a handful of missteps away from turning into an outright mauling. The latter is exactly what Dhadak metes out to Nagraj Manjule's 2016 Marathi sleeper hit Sairat. A muddled screenplay, bland storytelling and uneven lead performances leave this glossy Karan Johar production without a proper, palpable heartbeat. With Bittergaon's Parshya and Archi, beleaguered lovers in whom we were deeply invested, giving way to a pair of prettified, pale shadows, it is only sporadically that Dhadak shows any signs of life. The rest of the 137-minute film can bore the pants off even the most indulgent Bollywood watcher. Neither the blossoming of the furtive and risky romance between two college mates nor their forced flight from their hometown when their affair is discovered by the girl's ruthless, class-conscious family springs out of the screen quite in the profoundly affecting manner that it did in Sairat, a film that drew much of its efficacy from casual, confident understatement. The world that Dhadak creates is too synthetic. It lacks the power to evoke empathy. In the original film, an air of dread and despair hangs over the young couple as they try to come to terms with their new life in Hyderabad. Dhadak's many ill-advised detours - narrative, ideational and locational - take the focus away from the plight of the lovers who are never out of harm's way even when they find what appears to be a safe haven a thousand miles away from home. The script by director Shashank Khaitan (Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, Badrinath Ki Dulhania) may well have been titled Madhukar Ki Dulhania. It deviates in major ways from Nagraj Manjule's trenchant, unfussy narrative built upon a keen personal understanding of the milieu that his film is set in. Dhadak transports the story to Udaipur, gives the two principal characters new names - Madhukar Bagla (Ishaan Khatter) and Parthavi Singh (Janhvi Kapoor) - and reduces to near-irrelevance the class and caste divides that the plot of Sairat swivelled around. This takes the sting out of the film's shocking climax. The problem with Dhadak isn't, however, limited only to a weak ending or to the immediate lead-up to it. From its awkwardly farcical opening sequence in which a bizarre kachori-eating contest replaces the village cricket match with which Sairat kicks off all the way down to the couple's relocation to Kolkata in the second half to escape the fury of the girl's livid father and belligerent brother, nothing that writer-director Khaitan rustles up is able to pitchfork Dhadak out of its comatose state. Just ahead of the first half's principal flashpoint, a stolen kiss that unleashes mayhem, all the principal characters, choreographed by Farah Khan, get together to belt out a robust version of the peppy Zingat. But what about some zing, please? That commodity goes completely missing from Dhadak. The onus is on Janhvi and Ishaan to tide over the film's drawbacks - they do not try - and enliven the wishy-washy proceedings. Dhadak is as dull as ditchwater. So no matter how hard the two actors endeavour to win us over with their vulnerabilities, which they do a pretty good job of harnessing, theirs is an uphill task. Pressed into the service of this enervated remake, their efforts are unable to guide Dhadak away from its inconsistent arc. The film gets neither the love story nor the socio-political context of Sairat right. The script makes too many gratuitous changes for its own good. Udaipur's Lake Pichola and the impressive structures around it add up to a visually striking backdrop, but they cannot compensate for the soulless nature of the narrative. The male protagonist's father, a lowly fisherman in Sairat, is a restaurateur in Dhadak. In one scene refer to the uchhi jaat (high caste) of Parthavi's family and warns him to stay away from the girl. Parthavi's dad isn't a big, thriving farmer like Archana Patil's father - he is instead a big-talking small-town overlord Ratan Singh (Ashutosh Rana), whose ambition is to dislodge a long-serving MLA from her perch and enjoy the fruits of political power. He does have his way but only to lose his seat before the film winds down. His anger shoots through the roof and the reverberations are felt in faraway Kolkata. By this point, the film has well and truly lost its way in bylanes that lead nowhere. The end result is a meandering mess that delivers a feeble statement against the horror of honour killings. But by reducing the socio-political subtext of the tale to a mere footnote, Dhadak deprives itself of the chance of breaking out of its dreary shell and bringing into its sweep the social faultlines that lie at the core of a complex, fragmented society. Sairat's Parshya has two friends - Salim and Pradeep. The former is a Muslim bangle-seller's son who works in an auto mechanic's garage; the latter is a physically challenged young man who walks with a pronounced limp. They are a disadvantaged trio in a rural setting run with an iron hand over by a land-owning, politically connected Maratha family that is acutely aware of its position and power. In Dhadak, Madhukar's sidekicks are Gokul (Ankit Bisht) and Parshuram (television's 'tiny man' Shridhar Watsar), who is charged with providing comic relief. Beyond that, the duo contributes precious little to the plot - the Dalit-Muslim-differently abled axis is done away with, and what is left of it is employed only for a largely superficial purpose. Gokul and Parshuram, in another key departure from the Sairat plot, do make a reappearance in the film's second half to lend moral support to Madhukar and Parthavi in Kolkata, where they are in hiding in a hostel run by a gentleman called Sachin Bhowmick (Kharaj Mukherjee). The name is obviously borrowed from one of commercial Hindi cinema's most prolific screenwriters, whose credits range from India's 1958 Cannes Competition entry Lajwanti to 2006's Krrish, with a wide array of megahits in the interim (An Evening in Paris, Aradhana, Karma, Karan Arjun, Koi Mil Gaya, et al). But that definitely isn't meant to be an inspiration for Dhadak to shrug off its inertia. The film saunters rather than sprints. In Sairat, that strategy clicked famously because that film had its heart in the right place. Dhadak doesn't. The result is a grind that pretty frames and fresh faces cannot mitigate.
Janhvi Kapoor's Cheer Squad At Dhadak Screening Included Sridevi's Friends Rekha And Madhuri Dixit'.
Ahead of its release, a special screening of Dhadak was hosted in Mumbai on Wednesday and it was attended by many Bollywood A-listers. Headlining the screening were the film's lead pair Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter. All eyes were on Janhvi as she arrived at the venue with her sister Anshula Kapoor. The screening was attended by the who's who of the film fraternity including veteran actresses Rekha and Madhuri Dixit. Madhuri Dixit and Sridevi were contemporaries in the Nineties. The only time they worked together was for the special song sequence in 2013 film Bombay Talkies. Recently, Janhvi also promoted Dhadakon Madhuri Dixit's show Dance Deewane. Meanwhile, Sridevi and Rekha co-starred in films like Jaani Dost and Jaanbaaz. The guest list also comprised stars like Karisma Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha, Malaika Arora, Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi. Janhvi's friend Sara Ali Khan, who will also be making her Bollywood debut this year, was also present at the screening. Needless to say, both Janhvi and Ishaan were well represented by their family members. Boney Kapoor and Khushi Kapoor were there to support the film's leading lady. Ishaan was accompanied by his mother Neelima Azeem, who was all smiles. Ishaan's brother Shahid Kapoor and his wife Mira Rajput wouldn't have missed the film for the world. Other guests at the star-studded evening included Kartik Aaryan, filmmaker David Dhawan, Huma Qureshi , Saqib Saleem, Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Khemu. Dhadak director Shashank Khaitan and film's producer Karan Johar were also present for the big night Dhadak is a Hindi remake of the 2016 Marathi film Sairat. The film marks the Bollywood debut of Janhvi Kapoor and it will hit the screens on Friday.
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah Makers May Get This Actor As New Dr Hathi'.
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah lost a much-loved and adored member of the cast with the tragic end of actor Kavi Kumar Azad, who is best-known for portraying Dr Hansraj Hathi in the popular sitcom. The character of Dr Hansraj Hathi is one of the most popular ones from the show and while the cast misses the presence of Mr Azad on sets, eliminating the character from the show will not be a smart move, producer Asit Kumarr Modi told SpotboyE. Meanwhile, a source close to the production told Indian Express that the team are hunting for the perfect replacement: "Producer Asit Kumarr Modi is personally looking into the casting and wants the perfect replacement. While it's really hard to find someone as talented as Kavi, we are doing our best. We should have a confirmation about the replacement soon." "Dr Hathi is a very important part of the show. The audience loves him and so the makers want to retain the character," added the source. Meanwhile, the makers may just select a former member of the cast, the source told Indian Express. Actor Nirmal Soni, who previously played the role of Dr Hathi for a year till Mr Azad took over in 2009, may just return as the new Dr Hathi. Kavi Kumar Azad died of cardiac arrest on Monday. He was reportedly 45. After his death, speculation was rife if Dr Hathi would continue to make appearances in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. We got a confirmation of sorts after Asit Kumarr Modi, who was also a close associate of Mr Azad, earlier told SpotboyE that the character of Dr Hathi must continue to remain on the show owing to its popularity. "We will have to replace Dr Hathi, if you want to know. It's the actor who has passed away, not the character." In 2009, Kavi Kumar Azad had replaced Nirmal Soni on Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah to join as Dr Hathi. Around the same time, his health deteriorated on sets and he had to opt for bariatric surgery. The actor reportedly lost some 100 kilos as he recovered after the treatment. In the later years, he's also been advised a second bariatric surgery, which he opted out of in the fear of not getting assignments in the TV industry. Kavi Kumar Azad's last rites were performed in Mumbai on Tuesday afternoon, which was attended by almost the entire cast of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah.
Spot Ranbir Kapoor In Alia Bhatt's Pic With 'The Girls.' Umm, No Brownie Points, This Is Easy'.
Ranbir Kapoor, filming Brahmastra in Bulgaria, made a brief appearance on rumoured girlfriend Alia Bhatt's Instagram profile. Oh, did you miss it? Don't worry, we have it curated here for you. On her Instagram stories, Alia, who is also in Bulgaria for Brahmastra, shared a picture with her make-up artist Puneet B Saini, hairstylist Priyanka Borkar and also Ranbir Kapoor. But, wait. Where exactly is Ranbir in the frame? Right at the back, folks! He is busy capturing the beauty of Bulgaria on his phone while Alia and others pose for the photo. "The girls... oh, and Ranbir," Alia captioned the post. The same photo has also been shared by Puneet B Saini, who wrote, "Babies for life." Here's the picture. Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor's dating rumours featured in headlines after the duo appeared before the cameras together at Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja's wedding reception. Later, the only thing Internet wanted to know was if Alia and Ranbir were dating. When mid-day asked the same question to Ranbir, he said, "Main iss sawal ka jawab dene ke liye raazi nahi hoon!" (Raazi is Alia's last-released film). But he's not single, BTW. "I'm not single. I'll never be single," he told mid-day. On the work front, Ranbir Kapoor recently shattered some major box office records with Sanju, which has already earned over Rs. 300 crore while Alia's Raazi was also a blockbuster film. Brahmastra, a trilogy, releases next year. The Ayan Mukerji-directed film also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Nagarjuna and Mouni Roy
Soorma Movie Review: Diljit Dosanjh Makes The Best Of A Bad Deal'.
The film opens with a woman's voice on the soundtrack. It belongs to the character played by Taapsee Pannu. She introduces herself as field hockey player Harpreet Kaur but hastens to add that this isn't her story. It is Sandeep Singh's. It's the greatest comeback story in the history of the game. Doubtless, the real-life saga that inspired Shaad Ali's Soorma bordered on the miraculous. The film fails way short of harnessing its full dramatic potential. Meant to be a celebration of a sportsman's resilience, this is a mechanical, hackneyed, dour re-enactment of a remarkable life. The Sandeep Singh story deserved far better. Returning to Harpreet, the Soorma protagonist, an ace drag-flicker who beat the odds to return to action after a freak accident left him paralysed from the waist down, had a childhood sweetheart who played hockey at the same Shahabad academy as him. She eventually married him and gave up the game. Soorma, on its part, tells us repeatedly that Sandeep Singh took up hockey in order to win over the girl he loved, a fact for which he is at one point mocked by his otherwise hugely supportive elder brother Bikramjeet Singh (Angad Bedi), a no mean wielder of the hockey stick himself. A girl, but no goal, he is ticked off. Chastened, Sandeep intones: "Main India kheloonga India ke liye (I will play for the sake of the country)." The screenwriters have changed the name of the woman in Sandeep's life - and much else - and the result isn't entirely salutary. Soorma is as desultory as a goalless draw, which, as any hockey fan will tell you, is a near impossibility. This film achieves the impossible: it turns an inspirational real-life champion who wrested back the India colours after a long layoff into a hollow Bollywood hero who never comes out of the torpor that the screenplay foists upon him. Sandeep Singh, as envisioned by Shaad Ali, is as dynamic as a stenciled, unidimensional sketch. Lead actor Diljit Dosanjh does his very best to inject life into the character. Hobbled by Bollywood cliches that seem out of place in a sports biopic, he is left stranded in the midst of dreary moves and manoeuvres. Lack of depth permeates the whole film. The two hockey coaches we meet in Soorma - Kartar Singh (Danish Husain) and Harry (Vijay Raaz) are crass caricatures. The former, who runs the coaching centre in Shahabad in Haryana's Kurukshetra district, is a terror. He subjects his wards to physical torture. A traumatized Sandeep, aged nine, drops out of the academy. A decade later, his brother, who is nursing the disappointment of being passed over for national duty, spots the boy's natural talent for drag flicks - a trait that he picked up in the course of launching hockey balls into his tauji's farmland to chase away birds. So, Sandeep returns to the academy and takes the coach's excesses in his strides simply because he has now fallen head over heels for Harpreet Kaur - yes, the selfsame narrator of the story - and is willing to sacrifice everything for her. Their love story is a crashing bore despite the fact that a pretty Pannu might, by all reckoning, look like a trophy good enough to play for. But she is a girl with a mind of her own and, therefore, does not let him have it too easy. The second coach, who also revels in threatening to thoko (hit) and phodo (smash) everyone in sight, takes Sandeep under his wings in Patiala's sports institute and helps him hone his skills. Soon enough, we see him jumping around like a frisky kid on the sidelines as the defender goes about scoring plenty of penalty-corner goals for the country. Predictably, the hockey action, more often than not, centres on India-Pakistan matches in which the boys in blue emerge victorious. Earlier in the film, in a national-level tournament, the Patiala team takes on boys from Meerut in the latter's backyard. Young men in the stands have country-made firearms to scare away the opposition. But the Patiala coach is no pushover. He confronts the armed men and advises them to put away their guns. "Bihari hain hum, thook-ke maathe mein chhed kar denge (I am a Bihari, I'll spit and drill a hole in your forehead)." That is Soorma at its most humorous: bad news for a film about an athlete up against the harrowing prospect of a life on a wheelchair. The second half of Soorma is somewhat better than the first, which ends with the mishap that threatens to put paid to Sandeep's career. Harpreet pays him a visit in the hospital, delivers a gentle pep talk and then decides to leave him to his own devices so that the man is compelled to fight to get back on his feet. In another strand of the story, an emotionally disturbed Sandeep's recriminations upset his brother. There is one shrill confrontation scene designed to move the audience. The rehab in Holland, which, like the training scenes and the blossoming of young love passages, plays out to the accompaniment of a rousing song. Music has never sounded so gratuitous in a Hindi film. Dosanjh cannot be faulted. He makes the best of a bad deal. Pannu, an actress who always gives the impression that she is sailing through with ease, does her bit to give Soorma its rare convincing moments. Angad Bedi has a meaty role - he digs his teeth into it and steals many a scene. Satish Kaushik, in the role of Sandeep's travelling salesman-father, adds a few bright spots to Soorma. Soorma is more drag than flick, a hockey film sans genuine impetus. It is nowhere near the league of Chak De India despite telling a story that is no less intense than a wrongly victimized coach's struggle for redemption. Come to think of it, the Shimit Amin film was made over a decade ago. Why hasn't the Mumbai movie industry delivered another sports drama quite that good? The reason is obvious: Bollywood just doesn't do sports well. Its rules militate against the genre. Soorma, a wasted opportunity, demonstrates why and how.
Sacred Games' Kubbra Sait Shot Nude Scene 7 Times. She Explains Why'.
Kubbra Sait, who plays the role of a transgender cabaret dancer in Sacred Games, told Times Now why she shot a frontal nudity scene seven times. She explained that Anurag Kashyap, who co-directed the web-series with Vikramaditya Motwane, even apologised for making her film several times. "He made me do the scene 7 times - every time after the scene, he'd come to me and say I am making you do this so many times, sorry haan... don't hate me, I know you hate me, don't hate me." She added: "I would literally fall on the floor crying every time. He made me cry real-time 7 times. And when we finished the scene, I was still crying on the floor and he hugged me and said I love you so much and thank you for giving me this scene. I walked out of the room and everyone clapped, I didn't know it was so beautifully done." Before filming, Kubbra revealed what had happened on the sets: "I was laughing then, but I had to cry in the scene. We got to the vanity, he asked me what I drink, I said wine and he said get her a glass of whiskey. So he poured me a glass of whiskey and start reading the lines. Then I also start reading the lines, he takes the paper away and he says to me feel what I am saying... The minute he saw one tear in my eye, he said ab koi baat nahi karega and I am going to see her on set. He poured me another glass of whiskey, nobody spoke to me until I went on set." Kubbra Sait, who has featured in television series like Fourplay and Going Viral Pvt Ltd, told Times Now that she wasn't apprehensive about taking up the role. "After I went to the audition, they told me there's frontal nudity scene and when you see the show, you can see how beautifully it has been shot. How vulnerable it is. You can never go wrong when you have a great team to work with," she was quoted as saying. Sacred Games stars Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in lead roles. The show, which is spread over eight episodes of one hour each, released on Netflix on July 6.
Mahesh Bhatt On Alia Bhatt's Rumoured Romance With Ranbir Kapoor: 'Their Life, Their Space'.
Last week, Ranbir Kapoor dropped by Alia Bhatt's Mumbai home and later, the rumoured couple were pictured talking to the actress' dad Mahesh Bhatt. So, what does the filmmaker has to say about Alia, Ranbir and their rumoured romance? Sure enough, everyone wants to know if Alia Bhatt is dating Ranbir Kapoor. In an interview with Hindustan Times, Mahesh Bhatt said, "When I saw those pics, I was like, 'Oh, the paparazzi age is here and you have people from the outside using their premise to capture the image, because that's what the nation is thrusting for.' So, not saying more, I'd let the paparazzi guess if papa is raazi." (Raazi is Alia Bhatt's last-released film). Has Mahesh Bhatt ever advised Alia on relationship matters? No, perhaps is the answer. "It's very obvious that [Ranbir-Alia] are making no bones about talking to people about them being intimate. And I don't belong to that category of parents who'd advise their children about their personal choices. Alia is an adult and it's a matter that she has to resolve. It's their life, their space. I respect and admire them for choosing to talk to the world when, and if, they want to do," he told Hindustan Times. Ranbir Kapoor's answer, when asked about his relationship status and Alia Bhatt, was almost similar. "I'm not single. I'll never be single," was Ranbir's reply on his relationship status, mid-day reported. And, about dating Alia Bhatt, he said, "Main iss sawal ka jawab dene ke liye Raazi nahi hoon!" Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor have been trending on and off for over a month now, after the two Bollywood stars made a spectacular entry together at Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja's wedding reception
Sanju: Ranbir Kapoor's Rejected Looks And The Story Of Transforming Into Sanjay Dutt.
NEW DELHI:MMNN: 7 July 2018
Ranbir Kapoor hates going to the gym, his words, but could you make that out from his amazing transformation in Sanju? No, right? That's because 3 am wake-up calls, eight meals a day and six hour sessions with the prosthetics team were invested in getting the looks right. The makers of Sanju shared a BTS video documenting what went into creating Ranbir Kapoor's many looks as Sanjay Dutt. "The biggest challenge was who will play Sanjay Dutt? Because somebody has to behave like him, look like him, feel like him," Rajkumar Hirani says in the video. January 2016 is when Ranbir received a text from Mr Hirani, when Ranbir replied: "I hope it's not the Sanjay Dutt biopic!" But Ranbir says, one thing was made very clear "ki agar yeh look nahi achieve kar sakte toh yeh film nahi banaenge." The first challenge was to physically transform Ranbir into Sanjay Dutt, says the director, who rejected multiple looks before zeroing in on the perfect one. Prosthetic experts were appointed and a full tea was dedicated to get Ranbir's look right but then... "Test after test and we kept failing. It's really hard because you have to sit on a chair for six hours hoping like how to make it work and it's just a span of 30 seconds when you see it's not working. Six hours of hard work gone down the drain," says Ranbir. "But when we hit that look, Raju sir saw it and he's like we've got it," he adds. The video documents at least six of the rejected looks that Ranbir had tried on. About physically transforming in Sanjay Dutt's frame, Ranbir says: "I detest the gym, I can't stand it. Its occupation hazard hence, I have to go. I have done some 13-14 films. So, this was the first opportunity in which I could do something with my body. So, I took it up as a challenge." "Was having eight meals a day. Was waking up at 3am to have a protein shake, something which I didn't imagine I could do," he adds in the video. "Sanjay Dutt is the epitome of body building and I could not screw that up. If I'm going to play Sanjay Dutt onscreen, body was essential," says Ranbir. After months of working out, what Ranbir Kapoor achieved has successfully stunned all of us. "I had a certain look, a muscular look, which I've never had in my life. Everybody on set looked at me in a way that 'ok, we've achieved something'," Ranbir says in the video. Meanwhile, Sanju is bombarding the box office. It has made over Rs. 200 crores in its first week. While Ranbir Kapoor plays the protagonist in the Sanjay Dutt biopic, Dia Mirza, Anushka Sharma, Sonam Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal and Manisha Koirala also play key roles in the film
Sonali Bendre Reveals Cancer Diagnosis, Says She 'Didn't See It Coming.
Actress Sonali Bendre on Wednesday revealed that she has been diagnosed with "high grade cancer" and is being treated for it in New York. On her Instagram and Twitter handles, Ms Bendre, 43, shared a lengthy note in which she said she's "taking this battle head on" and thanked her family and friends for their support. Ms Bendre also described the diagnosis as 'unexpected' and said she 'didn't see it coming.' In her statement, Sonali Bendre said: "Sometimes, when you least expect it, life throws you a curveball. I have recently been diagnosed with a high grade cancer that has metastised, which we frankly did not see coming... My family and close friends have rallied around me, providing the best support system that anyone can ask for." See Ms Bendre's post, shared from New York. Sonali Bendre's colleagues such as Karan Johar and Riteish Deshmukh wished her well on Twitter: Sonali Bendre is married to producer Goldie Behl. They have a 13-year-old son named Ranveer. Sonali Bendre has featured in films like Sarfarosh with Aamir Khan, Major Saab with Amitabh Bachchan and Ajay Devgn, Duplicate and Kal Ho Naa Ho with Shah Rukh Khan and Hum Saath-Saath Hai with Salman Khan. Apart from Hindi films, Sonali Bendre has featured in several regional films such as Kadhalar Dhinam and Kannodu Kanbathellam in Tamil, Shankar Dada MBBS in Telugu and Anahat in Marathi. Sonali Bendre was last seen in a cameo role in Akshay Kumar's Once Upon A Time in Mumbai Dobaara! (2013) while her last full-fledged role was opposite Chiranjeevi in Shankar Dada MBBS.
Priyanka Chopra's New York Minutes - Double Date With Nick Jonas And.
After a vacation in India and then a brief stopover in Brazil, Priyanka Chopra returned to New York, where she is a semi-permanent resident of sorts. On Wednesday, two pictures of Priyanka Chopra popped up on the Internet, one was of course with Nick Jonas and the other was with Salman Khan's nephew Ahil Sharma - the Internet loves both of Priyanka's dates. In a picture shared by Ahil's mother Arpita, we can see Priyanka, looking fabulous in a red DVF dress, walking with Ahil. "My favourites, Priyanka Chopra and Ahil! NYC diaries," she captioned the post, which received over 18,000 likes in two hours. Whenever Priyanka is in Mumbai, she plans a date with Arpita, who is Salman Khan's sister, and her son Ahil. Therefore, we're not surprised that Arpita and Ahil caught up with Priyanka in New York. Arpita and Ahil are currently travelling with Salman Khan's Da-Bangg entourage and their upcoming concerts are in New Jersey and Washington DC. Fan clubs also shared photos from Priyanka's second date of the week with her rumoured boyfriend Nick Jonas. Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas' recent travel calendars have matched to the T - Nick arrived with Priyanka to India and then vacationed with her family in Goa. They made a couple's entry at the Ambani bash last week and then left for Brazil hand-in-hand. Priyanka attended Nick Jonas' concert - she was photographed clicking pictures of the 25-year-old singer from the audience podium. Priyanka Chopra is currently seen in Quantico and she will soon start filming Bharat, co-starring Salman Khan.
Seen This Pic Of Shah Rukh Khan And Sachin Tendulkar From The Ambani Party Yet?.
Unable to get over the Ambani party week, Sachin Tendulkar shared a fabulous selfie with Shah Rukh Khan taken during Akash Ambani and Shloka Mehta's pre-engagement party, which he captioned: Jab SRK met SRT." Sachin's instafam loved the pictures of the Ambani baaratis wearing identical caps, which were reportedly distributed at the party to everyone (Ayan Mukerji also shared a picture of himself and Ranbir wearing similar topis last week). Sachin's post had over 2 lakh likes and thousands of comments in a few hours. Comments such as "Two living legends in one frame" and "Gods of the respective fields" were posted in plenty. As said before, this picture was taken at Akash Akash Ambani and Shloka Mehta's pre-engagement party held on June 29. That day, the highlight of the party was the arrival of Priyanka Chopra, dressed in a red saree, with her rumoured boyfriend Nick Jonas. For the pre-engagement party, the Ambanis' guest list had plenty of Bollywood names including Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor and Karan Johar to name a few. Over the weekend, the Ambani's also hosted an engagement ceremony for the couple which was attended by Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and his wife Kiran Rao, Abhishek and his wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Kajol, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Partineeti Chopra and Sidharth Malhotra among others.
Shah Rukh Khan, Aryan And AbRam 'Soak Up The Sun' In Barcelona. Pic Credit - Gauri.
After attending Akash Ambani and Shloka Mehta's engagement over the weekend, Shah Rukh Khan, wife Gauri and sons Aryan and AbRam have flown to Barcelona and from there, we got treated to two million dollar pictures of the family. Gauri shared one picture of SRK with Aryan and little AbRam with a wonderful caption. "Best a woman can get... soaking the sun with my boys in Barcelona," she wrote. In another picture, we saw only Aryan and AbRam. The brothers are twinning in blue jackets. (Thank you, Gauri for these pictures). While the other celebs like Malaika Arora, Dia Mirza commented about the 'precious' photos, Karan Johar loved the fashion game of the Khans. "Love the Balenciaga socks, sneakers in three colours," he wrote. To which, Gauri replied, "Ha ha, following in your footsteps." In another picture shared by Shah Rukh Khan on his Instagram story, we got a glimpse of his daughter Suhana. "Sun-kissed," he wrote. Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri married in 1991. Aryan, 19, is the eldest child. He is studying films in California. Suhana turned 18 in May and the younger one AbRam is five-years-old. Meanwhile, at Akash and Shloka's engagement party, Aryan made a rare appearance with his parents. Karan Johar also shared picture with SRK and Aryan from the party with 'Godson' Aryan. Shah Rukh Khan recently wrapped the shooting of his forthcoming film Zero, in which he co-stars with Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif. Zero, directed by Aanand L Rai, is scheduled for a December release.
Sanju Movie Review: Ranbir Kapoor Dazzles As Sanjay Dutt, Other Actors Scramble To Keep Up.
NEW DELHI:MMNN: 30 Jun 2018
Rating: 4 Stars out of 5 Exasperated with the constant media badgering that he is subjected to, the real-life protagonist in Sanjudecides the only way he can hope to shed the tag of a 'terrorist' is by narrating his side of the story to a fictional biographer (Anushka Sharma). The latter isn't too keen to take up the offer. The hero's wife, Maanyata (Dia Mirza), steps in and throws her a bait: bad choices make good stories. Sanjay Dutt, on his part, promises to reveal the "total sach". But whether or not you take Sanju to be an account of the whole truth, it offers a thoroughly engaging probe into the life of a flawed individual who, grappling with the shadow of a towering figure of a father, believes "it is okay to be ordinary". Director and co-writer Rajkumar Hirani takes liberties with true events for the purpose of bolstering the film's emotional appeal, but he does not let Sanju turn into a mere cinematic apologia for a temperamental movie star's many indiscretions. Together with screenwriter Abhijat Joshi, he crafts an intelligent script that highlights the upheavals unleashed in Dutt's life by drugs, alcohol, girls, guns and goons. The film is marked by both empathy and surprising bluntness. It is but natural that a showbiz life less ordinary would yield high drama when it is placed at the heart of a Mumbai movie cast in the popular mould. But when the rollercoaster story in question is that of the life of an actor who has seen more than his fair share of personal and professional struggles in the course of a tumultuous career, it is bound to pack in moments of extraordinary power. In this scenario, the risk of becoming a pulpy panegyric like MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, a brazenly falsified yarn like Bhaag Milkha Bhaag or a hurried whitewash job like Azhar is high. Grasp over pace, pitch and purpose is, therefore, of the essence. Sanju does not, for the most part, fall short on that count. Even in its more melodramatic scenes, where just a hint of manipulation creeps in, the film does not sputter out of control. In his fifth film in a decade and a half, Rajkumar Hirani brings all his proven storytelling skills to bear upon his fictionalised but completely believable exploration of the real-life adventures of Sanjay Dutt, who became a drug addict even before his first film hit the screen in the early 1980s and, a decade and a bit later, dug a big legal hole for himself and his family owing to his ill-advised links with underworld elements in the period after the 1992-1993 Mumbai riots and subsequent Mumbai serial bomb blasts. Ranbir Kapoor, slipping into the skin of the troubled Bollywood star, pulls out the stops in astonishingly effective ways, subsuming his own personality completely into that of the protagonist. The director is on the top of his game and the actor frequently soars to dizzying heights. Sanju, as a result, is an entertainer that delivers more than just the superficial goods that one expects from a mass entertainer. It sets a new benchmark for Bollywood biopics. It will be a hard act to follow. The 160-minute film, which is essentially a touching father-son drama that also pays tribute to some of Hindi cinema's greatest lyricists, glides through its busy, pulsating narrative without ever suffering anything akin to an ungainly wobble. Kapoor shines bright. That is actually an understatement. He dazzles us; he catches us unawares; and he sweeps us off our feet. In one word, he is luminous. The other members of the principal cast are left scrambling to keep pace. Especially out of place is Paresh Rawal, bafflingly cast in the role of Sunil Dutt, an actor, director and politician who stood firm all his life in championing the cause of communal harmony. The veteran character actor's presence introduces a false note. His exhortations to his wayward son would have rung truer had they been delivered by an actor less openly identified with a worldview that is at variance with that Sunil Dutt espoused in his political stint. The pacifist father, committed to multiculturalism, is presented as the unwavering voice of reason and sanity and pitted against the unsavoury battles that the protagonist fights to ward off his inner demons and wriggle out of his serious brushes with the law. The old man cites songs penned by his favourite lyricists - he calls each of them his ustad - during his frequent pep talks to his son. Sunil Dutt's return to the big screen after a 12-year hiatus - in the role of the titular character's father in Munnabhai M.B.B.S. - is woven into the Sanju metanarrative in which fiction and fact mingle seamlessly, the jadoo ki jhappi in Hirani's first film, which was also a crucial turning point for a Sanjay Dutt on the mend, becoming a 'real' expression of unconditional love, paternal on the one hand, filial on the other. Anushka Sharma as the writer to whom Dutt narrates his story, Jim Sarbh as the man who pushes him into drugs and Vicky Kaushal as the diehard movie fan that the hero befriends in NYC are allowed their moments in the sun. Sanju is the film that it is because of the infectious energy Ranbir Kapoor injects into the film. An absolute must-watch.
Red Alert! Priyanka Chopra And Nick Jonas Make Couple Entry At Ambani Party For Akash And Shloka.
Yes, Priyanka Chopra came with rumoured boyfriend Nick Jonas at Nita and Mukesh Ambani's star-studded party, hosted for their son Akash and his fiancee Shloka Mehta in Mumbai. The duo made a couple entry at the venue and also posed for the cameras hand-in-hand. Priyanka was dressed in a bright red sari from the studios of Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. She paired the sari with golden blouse, bracelet and a pair of earrings. Nick complemented her in a blue suit. Rumoured couple Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas joined the party, which included names like Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Karan Johar and others. After the festivities, Priyanka and Nick flew out of Mumbai in the wee hours of Friday. Location? Unknown. Akash is the eldest of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh and Nita Ambani's three children. His fiancee Shloka is the daughter of diamond magnate Russel Mehta. Their engagement is scheduled for June 30 while the wedding will take place in December Priyanka had also attended Akash and Shloka's mehendi ceremony last evening in a beautiful ivory sari. She posted this from the ceremony. Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jona were photographed at the Mumbai airport hand-in-hand in the early hours of Friday. It is reported that they are headed out to Dubai or the US Priyanka Chopra, 35, and American songwriter-singer Nick Jonas, 25, are rumoured to be dating for a while now. Nick accompanied Priyanka to India last weekend and after a brief stay in Mumbai, they flew to Goa with the actress' family for a holiday. As per latest reports, their engagement is also on the cards between July and August.
Neha Dhupia Says Angad Bedi Never Wanted To Date Her, 'It Was Either Friend Or Wife'.
Remember how Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi announced their wedding saying they married their 'best friend'? Apparently, there was no transition from being 'best friends' to lovers for Angad and Neha. The Tumhari Sulu actress said that Angad "never wanted to date her" and he was "very certain that Neha will either be his friend or his wife." Speaking on Open House with Renil, Neha Dhupia said: "He never wanted to date me as he was very certain that I will either be his friend or his wife. Ever since we have known each other, we were good friends and nothing more than that," reports news agency IANS. Neha added that she turned down Angad's proposal once but eventually agreed when he proposed on May 3 this year. They got married a week later. On May 10, Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi announced their wedding with these similar posts Neha Dhupia revealed how it all started and said: "Angad proposed to me in the nicest way possible wherein he went straight to my parents and then my mom called me saying that he is the nicest guy for you. But back then, I thought it wasn't the right time and said no to his proposal. But on May 3rd this year, he asked me to come with him to Delhi. He dropped a hint that we need to settle down and proposed marriage in front of my parents which came as a surprise to both my parents and me," reports IANS On the show, Neha Dhupia also shared how she and Angad have different approaches in resolving their fights. "He never completes a fight. Like every couple, we have our fair share of fights, but the point of the fight is to find a solution or at least finish it. But Angad just walks out of the house and goes on a drive while I'm still at home wanting to finish the fight." Neha Dhupia was recently seen in Karan Johar's segment of web-film Lust Stories while her upcoming project is Eela, co-starring Kajol. Angad Bedi is awaiting the release of Soorma, in which Diljit Dosanjh plays the lead role.
Shah Rukh Khan To Soumitra Chatterjee, Oscar Academy Invites 20 More Indians To Join.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has recently released a list of 928 new members across 59 countries, who have been invited to be part of the prestigious film body, on their official website. Just like last year, the list of invitees this year also includes several Indian personalities - 20, to be precise. According to the list, invitations have been sent out to stars such as Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Anil Kapoor, Tabu and others. Shah Rukh has been identified as the star of Chennai Express and Devdas on the list while Madhuri Dixit's best recognised films, as mentioned by the Academy, include her latest Marathi film Bucket List and also Devdas. Slumdog Millionaire and Taal are the two films mentioned with Anil Kapoor's name. Victoria And Abdul's Ali Fazal also features on the list. The veteran actors who find mention on the list include Naseeruddin Shah, Soumitra Chatterjee and Madhabi Mukherjee. Two filmmakers have also been invited to be part of the Oscar body - Aditya Chopra of Yash Raj Films and Guneet Monga, who has produced critically acclaimed films like The Lunchbox, the Gangs of Wasseypur series of movies, Masaan and That Girl In Yellow Boots. Designers Manish Malhotra and Dolly Ahluwalia have been invited to join in their capacity as costume designers. The list of cinematographers finds mention of Anil Mehta, who worked in films like Secret Superstar, Rockstar, Highway and Beyond The Clouds. Debajit Changmai, who has worked in films like Court and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, along with Bishwadeep Chatterjee, who has films like Madras Cafe and 3 Idiots on his resume, finds mention on the list of sound designers. Subrata Chakraborty and Amit Ray feature on the list as the selected production designers while film editor Ballu Saluja, who has worked in movies like Dangal and Touring Talkies has also been sent an invite. Music composers Sneha Khanwalkar and Usha Khanna are also on the list. Last year, Bollywood stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra and Irrfan Khan were invited to join the Academy in a list comprising 774 new invitees. Filmmakers Goutam Ghose and Buddhadeb Dasgupta were also on the list. This year, the Academy announced the probable list of new members along with a graphic representation of what appears to be an attempt address the issue of gender equality - the percentage of female membership has increased from 28 to 31 over the last year with the new list holding 49 percent occupancy for the female invitees. This year's list also includes revered celebrities from the international circle - actresses Emilia Clarke and Mindy Kaling, rapper Kendrick Lamar and author J.K. Rowling are a few of them.
IIFA Awards 2018: Boney Kapoor Gets Emotional On Receiving Sridevi's Best Actress Prize, Son Arjun Stands By Him.
It was an emotional moment for filmmaker Boney Kapoor, who accepted wife Sridevi's Best Actress Award (posthumously) for MOM at the 19th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards in Bangkok. Megastar Sridevi died in February in Dubai. She was 54. "I dedicate this award to the entire team of MOM," said an emotional Boney Kapoor, after collecting Sridevi's trophy, news agency IANS reported. MOM was Sridevi's 300th film. "I have mixed emotions today. I miss her every minute and second of my life. I still feel she is around here....I want you all to support Janhvi like you supported her mother," Boney Kapoor added. Janhvi is Sridevi and Boney Kapoor's elder daughter and Khushi is the younger one. Janhvi's debut film Dhadak releases next month. Pictures of Arjun, being by his dad's side, have also been shared widely. Arjun is Boney Kapoor's son with first wife Mona. He has a younger sister Anshula. Anil Kapoor, Boney Kapoor's brother, also came on stage. On being by Boney Kapoor, Janhvi and Khushi's side after Sridevi's death, Arjun had earlier tweeted, "Me and Anshula Kapoor represent our mother every single second we live. She would expect us to have been standing next to our father no matter what and be there for Janhvi and Khushi." In April, Sridevi was given her first ever National Award for MOM, which was collected by Boney Kapoor, Janhvi and Khushi. In MOM, Sridevi played the role of a mother, who seeks revenge for her daughter's rape. Her co-star Nawazuddin Siddiqui won the Best Actor In A Supporting Role for MOM. On social media, Nawazuddin said that he dedicates his award to the late actress. Irrfan Khan has won the Best Actor Award for Hindi Medium.
Ranbir Kapoor, Who Is Reportedly Dating Alia Bhatt, Says 'Falling In Love Is The Greatest Thing.
"When in love, even water tastes like sherbet," this is what Ranbir Kapoor said when he was asked if falling in love complicates his craft at Anupama Chopra's talk show. Ranbir, who is reportedly dating his Brahmastra co-star Alia Bhatt said: "Falling in love is the greatest thing in the world, the greatest feeling in the world. When you fall in love, everything is great, even water tastes like sherbet. You feel great." This is not the first time, Ranbir has spoken about the subject of love, in an interview for GQ India June 2018 issue, the actor kind of confirmed his rumoured relationship with Alia Bhatt and said: "It's really new right now, and I don't want to over speak. It needs time to breathe and it needs space." The actor was all praises for Alia and added, "As an actor, as a person, Alia is - what's the right word? - flowing right now. When I see her work, when I see her act, even in life, what she gives is something that I'm aspiring to for myself." The rumours of Ranbir and Alia's alleged relationship began after they arrived at Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja's reception together in March. After that, Alia Bhatt has been frequently spotted with Ranbir Kapoor in film studios and outside too. On Wednesday night, Alia Bhatt joined Ranbir Kapoor and Sanjay Dutt at his father Rishi Kapoor's home. Before that Alia Bhatt dined with Ranbir, his mother Neetu Kapoor and his sister Riddhima Kapoor Sahni. Pictures of Alia holding hands with Ranbir's niece Samara sent the Internet into a meltdown. It wouldn't be wrong to say that just like Ranbir, the Kapoors too have taken a liking towards Alia Bhatt. Before dating Alia, Ranbir Kapoor dated his Bachna Ae Haseeno and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani co-star Deepika Padukone. He even dated Katrina Kaif, with whom he has featured in films such as Raajneeti, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahaani and Jagga Jasoos. he was also linked to Pakistani actress Mahira Khan briefly. Ranbir Kapoor is looking forward to the release of Sanju on June 29 and he's currently filming Brahmastra.
International Yoga Day: Kangana Ranaut Performs Yoga In London.
Actress Kangana Ranaut celebrated International Yoga Day in London, where she is currently filming Mental Hai Kya. Pictures and video of Kangana performing yoga at London's Hyde Park have been shared by the actress' official fan club on Instagram. "Kangana Ranaut shows her dedication towards yoga on International Yoga Day 2018 and encourages everyone to adopt yoga as a lifestyle and a way to spiritual awakening," read the caption. In another post, Kangana can be seen doing the chakrasan. "Kangana Ranaut practicing the ancient science of yoga on International Yoga Day. The key to practice yoga is patience & stillness," the post states. A couple of years ago on International Yoga Day, Kangana Ranaut had revealed that she swears by yoga and it has changed her life. In an interview to Vogue magazine, Kangana said, "Yoga is a gift and I actually think that I have survived due to it. Through meditation, pranayama and yoga postures, I could vent out a lot of restless energy. It brought a lot of spiritual and physical balance in me and I think it helped me gain qualities like perseverance and patience or controlling my impulses. I think I lasted and survived and could achieve all I have because of yoga." She is a fitness enthusiast and never misses her gym sessions too. Kangana Ranaut's next film is Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi and is expected to hit the screens later this year while a release date for the work-in-progress Mental Hai Kya hasn't been announced as of yet
Sanju: Ranveer Singh, Not Ranbir Kapoor, Was Producer's First Choice For Film. Yes, You Read That Right
Ranbir Kapoor as Sanjay Dutt in Sanju has impressed one and all. Even Sanjay Dutt feels that Ranbir had done a 'fantastic job.' But Ranbir Kapoor wasn't the first choice for Sanju. Yes, you read that right. In an interview to The Telegraph, producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra has revealed that he wanted to cast Ranveer Singh but director Rajkumar Hirani wanted Ranbir to play Sanjay Dutt. "It was Raju's idea to cast Ranbir. When he told me about Ranbir, I wasn't happy at all. I thought someone else, like Ranveer Singh, could play this role much better. I thought Ranveer had the flamboyance, the emotional depth as well as the ability to change himself completely to play Sanjay Dutt," he said. "But Raju was adamant that Ranbir would be perfect. And when we started shooting and Ranbir became Sanjay Dutt, I had to kind of eat my words. I think I can best sum this up by saying that Ranbir has become Sanjay Dutt both in swagger and soul," Mr Chopra added. In the pictures that had surface online from the films sets and in the trailer, Ranbir bears an uncanny resemblance with Sanjay Dutt and it's sometimes hard to differentiate between them. Sanju traces the journey of Sanjay Dutt from the age of 20 till now and Ranbir has aced them all. Meanwhile, Vidhu Vinod Chopra also said that he had said 'no' to Rajkumar Hirani when he discussed the idea of making a film on Sanjay Dutt. "Yes, I did. When he told me, I was like, 'What's there in Sanjay Dutt's life that merits being made into a film?! It's better you make a film on my life... how I left Kashmir as a young boy and struggled when I came to Bombay.' (Laughs) I thought Raju and Abhijat (Joshi, Sanju's co-writer) had lost their minds," he told The Telegraph. It was earlier reported that when Rajkumar Hirani went to discuss Munna Bhai 3 with Sanjay Dutt, he came up with the idea of making a film on the actor's life. Of the whole story, Mr Chopra told The Telegraph, "At that time, Sanjay Dutt had just come out of jail and Raju had gone to speak to him about the next Munna Bhai film. We were then planning to make Munna Bhai Chale Jail and I sent Raju to speak to Sanju and get some inputs from him. But Raju came back with something else." "But when he sat me down and started narrating all that had happened in Sanju's life, I was stunned! At first, I thought it was hogwash... that Sanju was somehow not telling Raju the truth, but when we started researching all that he's said - from the 308 girlfriends he had to how he begged on the streets of US for the money to buy a bus ticket - we realised that everything he had told us was true," he added. About the scene in Sanju,when Ranbir as Dutt shares a jaadu ki jhappi with Paresh Rawal, who plays Sunil Dutt, (originally picturised in Munna Bhai MBBS) Vidhu Vinod Chopra told The Telegraph that the father-daughter duo had actually cried and so, they decided to retain it in Sanju too. 0 COMMENTS"When the film was being written, I discovered a Sanjay Dutt I didn't know... a Sunil Dutt I didn't know... and this after having known them for 20-25 years. I was stunned to know that the scene in Munna Bhai MBBS when Dutt saab and Sanju cry after the son asks the father's forgiveness and they hug each other was actually real... that they were crying for real. Imagine I was standing there on the set of Munna Bhai and I had no idea they were actually living that scene! We have kept it in the film," Mr Chopra told The Telegraph.
Irfan Khan On 'Shock, Panic, Terrifying Hospital Visits' After Tumour Diagnosis
Actor Irrfan Khan, battling neuroendocrine tumour, has briefly returned to Twitter, where he shared an interview he gave to Bombay Times. A couple of months ago, the 51-year-old actor had opened up about battling neuroendocrine tumour and he travelled to London after that. "A note from London," reads the caption on Irrfan's article for Bombay Times and begins as, "It's been quite some time now since I have been diagnosed with a high-grade neuroendocrine cancer. This new name in my vocabulary, I got to know, was rare, and due to fewer study cases, and less information comparatively, the unpredictability of the treatment was more. I was part of a trial-and-error game." "In this chaos, shocked, afraid and in panic, while on one of the terrifying hospital visits, I blabber to my son, 'The only thing I expect from ME is not to face this crisis in this present state. I desperately need my feet. Fear and panic should not overrule me and make me miserable'," Irrfan added. In March, he had shared an update about his health. "Learning that I have been diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour as of now has admittedly been difficult... I hope to be back with more stories to tell," read an excerpt from his post. That was my INTENTION. AND THEN PAIN HIT. As if all this while, you were just getting to know pain, and now you know his nature and his intensity. Nothing was working; NO consolation, no motivation. The entire cosmos becomes one at that moment - just PAIN, and pain felt more enormous than GOD," he told Bombay Times. "As I was entering the hospital, drained, exhausted, listless, I hardly realised my hospital was on the opposite side of Lord's, the stadium. The Mecca of my childhood dream. Amidst the pain, I saw a poster of a smiling Vivian Richards. Nothing happened, as if that world didn't ever belong to me," he added. Last month, the Internet had spotted a picture of man, bearing an uncanny resemblance to Irrfan Khan, at the Lord's, watching a cricket match. Last seen in Blackmail, Irrfan Khan is currently awaiting the release of Karwaan. His film with Deepika Padukone has been stalled as of now.
Mine.' Deepika Padukone's One Word Comment On Ranveer Singh's Pic Says It All
Ok folks, we'll be dispensing with the 'rumoured boyfriend/girlfriend' business now because if the comment Deepika Padukone, 32, left on Ranveer Singh's Instagram post over the weekend doesn't speak volumes, we don't know what does. The post is a selfie of Ranveer, 32, one in which he looks pretty swoon-worthy. Deepika's succinct comment - 'Mine,' accompanied by three heart-eyed emoticons. Let's give it up for emoticons, peeps. Especially when they are posted by the usually reserved Deepika Padukone. On an aside, Anil Kapoor also commented on the picture, but for once our attention is otherwise engaged. Deepika's comment was noted and embraced by Ranveer's other followers. Responses range from 'aww' to 'omg omg omg' to 'God bless you both' to 'best couple in the universe.' Same, from us. Deepika and Ranveer have steered serenely through months of wedding rumours, after years of stopping short of making their rumoured, there's that word again, romance official, despite having shown up hand-in-hand to party after party and event after event. We'll take it as official now. Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh have co-starred in three films so far, all directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali - Ram-Leela, Bajirao Mastani and, most recently, the controversial "Padmaavat." Deepika has spent the last couple of months juggling international appearances at the Met Gala and Cannes Film Festival. Last week, she featured in the headlines of another sort after the top two floors of the Mumbai apartment complex in which she has a home and an office caught fire. The actress marked herself safe in a tweet and no other casualties were reported.
Race 3 movie review: Not a Salman Khan fan? Mind your own business
Race 3 Director - Remo DSouza Cast - Salman Khan, Bobby Deol, Jacqueline Fernandez, Anil Kapoor, Saqib Saleem, Daisy Shah Rating - 1/5 During one of the many forced fist fights in Race 3, Salman Khan is getting the better of his opponents when he is hit by a rod. He smirks, turns towards the camera and punches the enemy in face as if he is punishing the man for not recognising the Bhai of Bollywood. The camera doesn't cut to the rod, which, I am sure, is broken in half by now. Such is Salman's unparalleled rage and such is the vision of director Remo D'Souza. Race 3 is everything film students are taught not to do, but then what do they know? From the first scene in which Anil Kapoor blows up a gang member with the help of a pen bomb to Salman coming to the rescue of his family in a base-jump suit, Race 3 unabashedly targets the fans. There isn't any pretension of logical filmmaking or sound screenplay. It seems Race 3 categorically wants the non-Salman fans to mind their own business. Shamsher Singh (Anil Kapoor), a runaway criminal from a village near Allahabad, has built an empire in Al-Shifa Island in the Middle East, which was bought by his elder brother for difficult days. Sikander alias Sikku (Salman Khan) is Shamsher's stepson who runs his illegal arms' business. Sanjana (Daisy Shah) and Suraj (Saqib Saleem) are Shamsher's other kids. There is an intra-family rivalry going on among all of them for the control of business and assets. But they don't know 'iss khel ka asli Sikander kaun hai (who is the real boss of this game)'. You have seen the trailer, right? Let's get back to the race, I mean the story, which starts, speeds up and finishes with black SUVs, airborne fighters and a barrage of bullets. Consider this example: Sanjana, the cool-headed MMA champ, and Suraj, a mostly screaming psychotic gangster who likes to break beer bottles on his own head, are trapped in the den of an adversary. Shamsher isn't worried about his children because "Sikander tak message pahuch chukka hai (The message has reached Sikander)." You know what that means? This means the killing of more than 10 dozen weapon-wielding trained bodyguards and a song thrown in between. The icing on the cake is Saqib's reaction to his rescue, "What the hell bro!" Exactly, what the hell! No wonder, Salman introduces himself as, "My name is Sikander, Sikander Singh." He is James Bond with tonnes of extra confidence. Before I forget, he is Oxford-educated as well. Dialogues in the film play on a different level altogether. Just when you thought nothing could surpass 'My business is my business, none of your business,' Daisy Shah comes up with another gem: 'Isko dil nahi Dell khol ke dikhao (Don't open your heart, switch on your Dell laptop)'. Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bentley -- you name it and D'Souza will blow it up for you. He is so obsessed with blasts in the film that he doesn't mind blasting a tree if he doesn't find anything else. Not that Race and Race 2 were classics, but Race 3 has taken things too far. Remo D'Souza's idea of a dysfunctional family is far more juvenile than Abbas-Mustan's. Then there are shirtless people, undercover agents with outrageously simple plans and a twist that does more harm than help. By the end of it, Race 3 turns so bad that you can't help but laugh nervously. Let me simplify it for you: A bad guy, who was initially presented as the most powerful person on the planet, challenges Sikander in dual. After being punched for a couple of times, he is lying in the pool of blood. Sikander, meanwhile, is taking care of other business. The fallen guy says something from behind a big black car. Of course, Sikander doesn't like it, so what does he do? He simply pushes the car and it crushes the previously powerful guy. So simple. Gloss and glam are expected to mask an appalling film, but it's really difficult to sit through 160-minutes of terribly bad filmmaking. Even Tom Struthers' (Tiger Zinda Hai, Dunkirk) action choreography is dull. As for the rest of the cast is concerned, I feel for Bobby Deol and Jacqueline Fernandez Race 3 is a mere show-reel for Salman Khan fans. Celebrating Eid at home is likely to entertain you more.
Zero Teaser: Shah Rukh And Salman Khan Replace Eid Hugs With Kisses And It's So Darn Cute
The Eid-special teaser of Shah Rukh Khan's Zero simply trumps any form of cuteness that you will witness today, courtesy the two Khans. Oh, did we forget to tell you that it also offers the first glimpse of Salman Khan, who features in a cameo role in the movie? We know Shah Rukh has been cast as a dwarf in the movie and new trivia which we learnt from the teaser is the name of his character - Babua Singh. He is known as the one jo "jiske peeche lag jaate hain, uski life bana dete hain" and his reputation has reached Salman Khan also (who features as the real life superstar in the film). The new teaser shows Babua Singh accidentally bumping into Salman at some entertainment event, when Salman says: "Suna hai jiske peeche lag jaate ho, uski life bana dete ho?" Babua Singh, who took a while to acknowledge that he indeed is standing in front of the Dabangg Khan, greets him with an adaab. Then, these two break into all forms of crazy dancing. Both dressed in leather jackets and pants with gamchhas around their necks, send love and blessings to the audience (both in the teaser and those who are watching the teaser) on Eid. The famous Salman-Shah Rukh iftaar party hugs seems to have been replaced with kisses and we just can't keep calm. Katrina Kaif also makes a cameo of sorts in the teaser. How closely have you noticed Babua Singh's t-shirt? On Thursday, Shah Rukh shared the teaser after fan-clubs flooded social media with stills from the teaser ahead of its official release in India. The stills were apparently curated after the teaser was reportedly played during the USA premiere of Naa... Nuvve. This is what he wrote: "Yeh lo..yeh lo Aanand L Rai ki taraf se...Iss baar Eid ka meetha bahut tez hai. To everyone from me and the whole team of Zero... Eid Mubarak. Love u all and hope you like it." Directed by Aanand L Rai, Zero, which also stars Anushka Sharma, releases in December this year.
Pic Of Priyanka Chopra With Nick Jonas At Wedding Sends Internet Into Meltdown
A new day brings a new piece of gossip about one of the most talked about rumoured couples - Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas. Days after their photos at travelling together at the New York airport went viral, photos of Priyanka attending Nick Jonas' cousin Kevin's wedding found their way on to the Internet. Priyanka, dressed in a gold dress, looked charming as she confidently mingled with Nick's family. She blushed, laughed and took pictures with the other wedding guests. Priyanka's participation there was captured and shared by several fan clubs. "The youngest JoBro and Priyanka were arm-in-arm at his cousin's wedding near Atlantic City over the weekend... While they haven't made any official announcement ... all the "new couple" signs are there," a TMZ report stated. Going by the viralness of these photos, it seems that the Internet approves of Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas. "Whatever it is... I'm feel so happy seeing these pictures," wrote a happy Instagram user. "I can't handle it.... I lovee it... they look so happy," said another user. A section of the Internet cannot get over their age difference - Priyanka Chopra is 35-year-old while Nick Jonas is all of 25. But some Instagram users shut the trolls up by saying: "They are adorable...so stope taking about age." Priyanka's apparent relationship with Nick Jonas is not the only subject keeping her on the trends list. Priyanka is currently on the receiving end of social media's wrath after an episode from her show Quantico angered several Indian fans. Priyanka apologised days after the row and tweeted: "I sincerely apologise. I'm a proud Indian and that will never change. Meanwhile, after completing Quantico (currently in its third and final season), Priyanka will return to India to start filming Bharat opposite Salman Khan.
Alia Bhatt Dines With Ranbir Kapoor And Family, Walks Out Hand-In-Hand With His Niece
Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor are trending again and this time for pictures of the Udta Punjab actress exiting a restaurant with the Kapoors holding Ranbir's niece Samara's hand. On Saturday, Alia Bhatt dined with Ranbir's family - his mother Neetu Kapoor and sister Riddhima can be seen navigating their way through the paparazzi behind Alia and Samara, who were twinning in white. Alia looked protective of Samara as the photographers closed in while the Kapoors (Ranbir Kapoor included) trailed behind Samara and her new best friend. Samara is the daughter of Riddhima and businessman Bharat Sahni. The pictures of the Kapoors and Alia are all that the Internet can talk about. Apparently, a section of the Internet has given its blessing to the rumoured couple. Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor are co-starring for the first time in upcoming film Brahmastra. They are currently preparing for their next schedule of the film with Amitabh Bachchan. The cast and crew will soon leave for Bulgaria for the said schedule. Reports of Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor dating started doing the rounds on social media after they arrived together at actress Sonam Kapoor's reception in Mumbai. Recently, Ranbir Kapoor kind of confirmed their relationship telling GQ: "It's really new right now, and I don't want to over speak." From scraps of information on social media, we also know that Alia Bhatt gets along well with Riddhima and Neetu Kapoor. Riddhima, who is a jewellery designer, recently gifted a bracelet to Alia, which the actress "loved." Neetu Kapoor and Alia Bhatt often comment and counter-comment on each other's Instagram posts. We also know that Neetu Kapoor attended Alia's birthday celebration in Bulgaria with the rest the Brahmastra cast and crew: Brahmastra is a trilogy, the first part of which is scheduled for 2019 release. The film is directed by Ayan Mukherji and produced by Karan Johar.
Bollywood box office report: Veere Di Wedding, Raazi rule as Avengers Infinity War breaks records
NEW DELHI:MMNN: 8 Jun 2018
Bollywood box office has thrown quite a few surprises this year. While films like Padmaavat, PadMan and Baaghi 2 came true to the trades expectations, it were the surprises that 2018 offered female-centric Raazi and Veere Di Wedding and a small film such as Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety that truly brought cheer to the film industry. Deepika Padukones Padmaavat remains the top grosser, highest weekend grosser and highest first week grosser of the year. Alia Bhatts Raazi recently managed to dethrone the surprise hit, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, becoming the fifth highest grosser and fifth film to cross Rs 100 crore mark this year. And now, Veere Di Wedding, headlined by an all-female cast, touted to be a film about female friendship, reached the top five list for the first week collection, earning Rs 56.96 crore within a week of its release. Veere Di Wedding is also the fifth highest opening weekend grosser of the year. The other films in the top five list are Akshay Kumars PadMan (at no. 4 spot, with Rs 62.87 crore earning), Ajay Devgns Raid (third, Rs 63.05 cr) and Tiger Shroffs Baaghi 2 (second highest earner, with Rs 112.85 cr). According to trade analyst Taran Adarsh, Padmaavat has topped the week one collection for 2018 while Veere Di Wedding made it to the fifth slot. We also saw three major Hollywood releases affecting the Indian box office like never before - Black Panther, Deadpool 2 and Avengers Infinity War. Avengers Infinity War topped most box office lists, including the record made by Padmaavat, with Rs 120 crore opening weekend collection in India. Avengers: Infinity War became the highest grossing Hollywood film in India with Rs 246 crore in less than two weeks while Black Panther earned a little over Rs 67 crore. Ryan Reynolds Deadpool 2, on the other hand, would be sixth in the opening weekend collection list, after earning Rs 33 crore within four days at Indian ticket windows. Deadpool 2 also features Josh Brolin, Morena Baccarin, Karan Soni, Zazie Beetz, Brianna Hildebrand, Stefan Kapicic and Leslie Uggams. With Salman Khan-starrer Race 3 and Ranbir Kapoors Sanjay Dutt biopic Sanju lined up for release later this month, the status quo is likely to change.
'Kaala' Records Lowest Ever Opening For A Rajinikanth Film: Reports
Kaala recorded the lowest ever opening for a Rajinikanth film in recent times, reports news agency IANS. Shocked? As per actor activist Vishal Krishna, the first day numbers of Kaala have been affected by the film's 'ban' in Karnataka and may be even director Pa Ranjith. Vishal Krishna, who is a member of the Tamil Nadu Films Producers' Council (TFPC), explained: "Kaalahas been unnecessarily embroiled in the Cauvery controversy. How much this has affected the film's opening, I don't know. What I do know is that at the end of the day Rajini sir is Rajini sir. Any film of his evokes a massive response. The opening of 'Kaala' may be on the lower side - I haven't found the time to check - because his last film with the same director (Pa Ranjith) had not been appreciated that much." But Vishal says the box office fate of Kaala, which collected over Rs. 200 crore before release, hasn't been sealed yet. "Rajini Sir's fan club is stronger than ever. And I am a member. They will ensure a smooth run for 'Kaala'. Let's not forget, this is the Ramzan week and a sizable chunk of the audience likes to refrain from watching films during this period even if it is Rajini Sir's film. I intend to see 'Kaala' the soonest possible," Vishal told IANS. Trade analyst Atul Mohan listed other reasons for 'Kaala's' slow start. Atul Mohan said that the meagre collection despite shows stating as early as 4 am, may be due to the 'lean Ramzan period' and the delay in the film's release. "This may be due to some of the factors like couple of postponements in release date, Ramzan period, particularly the week before Eid which is dullest for business, as next Friday the big film of Salman Khan (Race 3) releases." Atul Mohan also said that the slow start can also be attributed to the poor commercial results of his previous films. "Also his last few films haven't done well. The promos of Kaala haven't established a connect with Hindi audiences. It looks like a Ninetis film. But we hope they have some great story to be shared which may be liked and the film does well," IANS quoted him as saying. Kaala released alongside Hollywood film Jurassic World: The Fallen Kingdom, which according to Atul Mohan may hinder Kaala's box office growth. He told IANS: "'Kaala' has to compete with a Steven Spielberg franchise - Jurassic World: The Fallen Kingdom - which is a huge event. Also, a section of Rajinikanth's audience is not happy with his entry into politics." Kaala received a grand welcome from his fans worldwide today. From fireworks to dance and music, fans started celebrating the release of Kaala early morning on June 7. Kaala is produced by Rajinikanth's son-in-law Dhanush and it also stars Nana Patekar and Huma Qureshi
Arjun Rampal And Mehr Jesia Separated Because Of Sussanne Khan? 'It's News To Me,' Says Actor
Arjun Rampal is least perturbed about the latest link-up reports involving him and Sussanne Khan and dismiss all the rumours in his latest Instagram post. After Arjun Rampal and Mehr Jesia announced separation, the actor was linked to Sussanne Khan, who was married to actor Hrithik Roshan. On Tuesday, Arjun crushed the rumours in a cryptic post, which he captioned: "Some mornings start with freshly brewed coffee, others with freshly stirred link ups! Right now it's just my cuppa and me." He added the hashtag "#newstome" to further reiterate the implausibility of the rumours. Check out Arjun Rampal's post here: On May 28, Arjun Rampal and Mehr Jesia announced separation after 20 years of marriage. In a joint statement, they said: "After a 20-year-long beautiful journey filled with love and beautiful memories, we would like to share, that all journeys have different paths. We feel that it is time for us to move on to different destinations henceforth. We have always been solid when it has come to us, we will continue to be solid for each other and our loved ones, as we embark upon a new journey." Arjun Rampal, 45, and Mehr Jesia, 47, married in 1998 and they are parents to two daughters - Mahikaa, 16, and Myra, 13."Where the truth can get distorted and lost. We are a family, our love for each other is forever intact and we shall always be there for one another and most importantly, for our children Mahikaa and Myra. We won't be commenting on this any further," their statement read. Arjun Rampal has featured in films like Om Shaanti Om, Rock On!!, Housefull and Raajneeti. Arjun was last seen in Daddy and his upcoming film is Paltan.
Forgive Me': Rakhi Sawant Apologises For Once Telling Sunny Leone To 'Get Lost
Rakhi Sawant apologised to actress Sunny Leone for making unpleasant comments about her on Rajeev Khandelwal's new talk show Juzzbaatt - Sangeen Se Namkeen Tak, reports mid-day. Rakhi apparently had an issue with Sunny Leone working in the Hindi film industry and hence, she had made some nasty remarks against her. "Hi Sunny, forgive me," said Rakhi to Sunny Leone on the show, mid-day reports, admitting that she was wrong because she didn't know about her struggle. Years ago, during a media interaction, Rakhi had said, "You, Sunny Leone, you get lost from my India. Ok? You just get lost from my film industry." She had also referred Sunny as a 'competition.' Rakhi said that she had 'judged' Sunny Leone because she is not in a position to do what the Ragini MMS 2 actress has done. Sunny Leone, 37, before entering Bollywood, was an adult film star. She made her debut with reality show Bigg Boss 5. Rakhi Sawant was a part of the first season. At the same show, Rakhi Sawant also opened about her own struggles to enter the industry. She said to have been 'exploited by the producers' when she entered the industry as an 'innocent' girl in the hope of getting work, mid-day reports. Rakhi Sawant appeared on Juzzbaatt - Sangeen Se Namkeen Tak with Arshi Khan, also an Bigg Boss alumnus. Rakhi Sawant has appeared in hit dance sequences like Mohabbat Hai Mirchi, Pardesiya and Dekhta Hai Tu Kya. She had a small role in films such as Masti and Main Hoon Na. Meanwhile, Sunny Leone has films like Jism 2, Jackpot, Ragini MMS 2 and Ek Paheli Leela on her resume. She has appeared in hit songs like Laila Main Laila and Pink Lips. She is currently working on her Tamil debut Veeramadevi.
Veere Di Wedding Star Swara Bhasker Slammed By Pakistani Actress Urwa Hocane For 'Contradictory' Statements
Back in 2015, when Veere Di Wedding actress Swara Bhasker had visited Pakistan, she had praised the country and said that 'every city fails in front of Lahore,' claimed Pakistani actress Urwa Hocane, in a tweet she posted over the weekend. Swara has been criticised for her contradicting statements about Pakistan and to support her views, Urwa posted two clips. The first is from an interview Swara gave to a Pakistani channel during her visit and the other is from her recent interview with team Veere Di Wedding to an Indian news channel, where she describes Pakistan as a 'failing state.' "Need I say more?" Urwa wrote while tagging Swara in the post. "Pakistan is not like how it is described. I swear, I have been to many places like London, New York, Istanbul, Paris but every city fails in front of Lahore," is what Swara says in the old video, posted by Urwa. And, in the second one, she points out that Pakistan is a 'non-secular state' and adds, "I don't understand why we keep taking pleasure and self-worth from all the silly things that happen in Pakistan." Also, in a series of tweets addressed to Swara, Urwa wrote, "This only reflects on you as an ignorant person who is also quite contradictory in her own statements. It's not a failing state for sure but you come across as a 'failing human being'." Swara Bhasker, who has been trending on and off a couple of reasons apart from Veere Di Wedding, hasn't yet responded to Urwa, but has tweeted to posts addressed to her over the 'hatred.' Meanwhile, on Sunday, Swara replied to tweets condemning her for a particular scene in Veere Di Wedding, for which she received severe backlash. Swara hit back by saying they were 'paid trolls.' In April, Swara had blasted Twitter users for 'photoshopping' her tweets and 'spreading lies.' For her tweets, in which she was brutally trolled for 'posing with make-up' for #JusticeForOurChild campaign, started after the Kathua rape case. Before this, Swara featured in headlines for her open letter on how she felt "reduced to a vagina" while watching "Padmaavat", directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Her op-ed, published on The Wire, was critical of the film's glorification of jauhar and sati. Meantime, Swara's Veere Di Wedding, in which she co-stars with Kareena Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor and Shikha Talsania, opened to positive reviews and has earned over Rs. 20 crore at the box office.
Sanju Director Raju Hirani's Version Of Why Aamir Khan Rejected Role Is A Bit Different From Actor's
Just a couple of days before, Aamir Khan had revealed why he refused to play Sunil Dutt's role in the upcoming film Sanju. Now, at the trailer launch event of the film, director Rajkumar Hirani opened up about what Aamir Khan said when he was offered the role of Sanjay Dutt's father. Sanju director told IANS that when he narrated the story to Aamir, he had asked him if he would play the role of Sunil Dutt but the actor refused to take up the role since he didn't want to play an older man post Dangal. "Aamir showed me Dangal and said, 'look I'm already playing an older man's role. And after Dangal, my next film has me play an older man again, then people will stop giving me a young man's role!' That was a valid argument. Finally, we had Pareshji (Rawal) playing Dutt saab," Mr Hirani told IANS. Aamir Khan played the role of an aged Haryanvi wrestler - Mahavir Singh Phogat - in Dangal. Actresses Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra were cast as his onscreen daughters. Mr Hirani said that he read out the script of Sanju to Aamir not with the intention of asking him to play any character. But the director ended up offering him the role of Sunil Dutt in the film out of "greed". "Not with the intention of asking him to play any role. He reacted interestingly to the script and liked it. Then just out of greed, I asked Aamir if he would play Dutt saab's role? He took it seriously and gave it a thought," Mr Hirani added. Aamir Khan had said in a statement earlier that it was Sanjay Dutt's role that had "won his heart" and he was not willing to take up any other role. "In this film I can't do any other role apart from Sanjay Dutt's, which I can't do because Ranbir is doing," Aamir Khan said at a previous media interaction. Rajkumar Hirani has a tinge of humour added to every film that he directs and on being asked if Sanju will have the trait, the director said: "It is not that we haven't added element of laughter in it. There is definitely fun in the film but that percentage can be more and less." "I will never say my films like PK and Lage Raho Munnbhai were a comedy film because that film had strong message to tell. In that film, also there was humour but there was lot of drama and other emotions as well so, in this film there is lot of emotion but audience will not get feeling that it is less in humour, " IANS quoted Sanju director saying. Sanju stars Ranbir Kapoor as Sanjay Dutt, Anushka Sharma as a biographer, Vicky Kaushal as Sanjay Dutt's childhood friend, Sonam Kapoor as one of his love interests, Manisha Koirala as Nargis Dutt, Paresh Rawal as Sunil Dutt and Dia Mirza as wife Maanyata. The cast of the film was present at the trailer launch of the film which took place in Mumbai on Wednesday.
Sanju Trailer: Ranbir Kapoor As Sanjay Dutt Is Brilliant. You Will Laugh And Cry With Him
NEW DELHI:MMNN: 31 May 2018
The Sanju trailer is a must watch because "Itna variety wala life aapko kidhar milega?" Ranbir Kapoor, as Sanjay Dutt in the much awaited trailer, explains his point in the following line: "Main bewra hoon, tharki hoon, drug addict hoon, saab hoon.. lekin terrorist nahin hoon." Ranbir brilliantly paints the life of Sanjay Dutt in the powerful trailer with all shades available on the colour palette of emotion. The trailer begins with the younger days of Sanjay Dutt, when Sanju - his onscreen character - opens up about his drug addiction, his affairs and also makes a reference to an alleged connection with the underworld and the media speculation surrounding it. The trailer is proof that Sanjay Dutt did not shy away from sharing bold details about his much talked about controversial life, ranging from his drug addiction to multiple link-ups In one scene, Sanju was asked by a biographer (Anushka Sharma) about how many affairs he's had and as response, he provided a rounded off figure - 350. Sanju also reveals that the first time he experimented with drugs was when he was upset with his father Sunil Dutt (played by Paresh Rawal) and the next time he indulged in drug abuse was when his mother Nargis (played by Manisha Koirala) was under medical diagnosis. By the third time, he confessed to being an addict. All this while, you will find yourself on a rollercoaster ride with Sanju but soon, the ride ends on a rather harsh note when begins his trial for the illegal possession of arms in connection to the 1993 Bombay blasts. Just like with his colourful days, his jail term has also been brought alive with much animation, and this time, Ranbir as Sanju will indeed make-you teary eyed. The trailer also has glimpses of Sonam Kapoor, who is reported to have been cast as Tina Munim, who is rumoured to have been Sanjay Dutt's love interest. Dia Mirza features as Mr Dutt's wife Maanyata while Vicky Kaushal plays his childhood friend and now brother-in-law Kumar Gaurav.
Priyanka Chopra And Nick Jonas' Pics Trend. 'Are They Dating,' Asks The Internet
"Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas, are they dating?" read a comment on their pictures, which are trending big time today. The pictures have reportedly been taken during their outing in Los Angeles. Both Priyanka and Nick are seen sitting next to each other and are accompanied by several other friends. The Internet has chanced upon two pictures of the stars - one appears to be taken during a group lunch and in the other they are enjoying a boat ride. "Seems they are dating" is what one section of the people think while the others have declared that the duo are surely in dating. "They're looking so cute together," read another comment. Priyanka Chopra, 35, is a Bollywood star and is currently busy with her Hollywood projects while Nick Jonas, 25, is an American singer-songwriter. Another video of them, where the duo are seen entering Los Angeles' Dodgers Stadium to watch a baseball match, has also surface online. 6 COMMENTSPriyanka and Nick met at last year's Met Gala event and had also posed together on the red carpet. He had posted two pictures of Priyanka from the Met Gala. On the work front, Priyanka Chopra is busy with her Hollywood projects - A Kid Like Jake and Isn't It Romantic?. She currently features on the American TV series Quantico 3. She made her Hollywood debut last year with Baywatch. Priyanka is expected to soon start shooting for Salman Khan's Bharat, her first Hindi film in two years.
Race 3: Salman Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez Schooled On Consent After Boy Was Made To Hug Actress
The Internet is seriously upset with Salman Khan and Jacqueline Fernandez for "not understanding the importance of consent" after they appeared to playfully tease a young participant on dance reality show Dance Deewane recently. Jacqueline recently Instagrammed a short glimpse of the show, in which she and her Race 3 co-star Salman can be seen interacting with an adorable participant, who said he doesn't want to be hugged by Jacqueline Fernandez but eventually had to on Salman's insistence. Sometime later in the video, Jacqueline can be seen signing off from the stage with a tummy rub to the little dancer on stage, who was also asked by Salman to give one last parting hug. Jacqueline shared the video with the caption: "Kids usually love me, this boy was an exception.. at least I got my hug in the end," and her Instafam is furious about it. "Wow. I wish you understood the concept and importance of consent irrespective of age and gender Jacqueline and Salman," read a comment while another one sarcastically added: "Consent be damned." Here are some of the other comments with which netizens attempted to enlighten Jacqueline and Salman about consent. "Hey, heard about this thing called consent? It's not something only girls should have, and not something only adults should have. Can you imagine how awkward this would be if a female participant refused to hug Salman and he still went for it? And rubbing his tummy, for God's sake? You're making him uncomfortable on national television," said one user while another added: "How is this okay? It is important to teach children that their body is theirs and consent is important. The kid is totally uncomfortable. Expected better from you." Earlier this year, singer Papon apologised after he was spotted kissing an 11-year-old girl in a Facebook live video. Papon, who also added that he was "victimized for no fault", was seen requesting someone to edit the footage in the same video. The young girl was on the team of Voice India Kids, which Papon was mentoring. Salman Khan and Jacqueline Fernandez were also accompanied by their Race 3 co-star Anil Kapoor on the show, where they were promoting their upcoming film. Shashanka Khaitan, Tushar Kalia and Madhuri Dixit were also spotted on the panel of judges
Sonam Kapoor And Anand Ahuja. Just Like This, Forever
Sonam Kapoor's husband Anand Ahuja delighted us with some yet other adorable pictures of themselves and they are sending the Internet into a meltdown (sort of). "Cool... not cool," Anand captioned his post with the hashtag 'Everyday Phenomenal.' (This was their wedding hashtag too). Sonam, currently busy with Veere Di Wedding duties, was quick to respond to Anand's picture and commented, "I'm cool always," adding wink and heart emoticons. (Sonam and Anand, you guys are adorable). "You'll are too cute and equally cool" and "they are setting the goals too high" are some of the several comments posted on their pictures. A couple of days ago, Anand Ahuja explained why they had zeroed in on 'Everyday Phenomenal' as their wedding hashtag. "Everyday phenomenal reminds Sonam Kapoor of the importance of appreciation, positivity, and gratitude...that happiness is not something you get, it's something you are," read an excerpt from Anand's post. Just few hours after Anand's post, Sonam filled Instagram with a loved-up picture of the duo, which was actually a response to her husband's post. In the comments section, Anand revealed why Sonam actually posted it. "Sonam to me: 'How come you get to post and I don't get to post!? I also want to post!'... 2 min later... 'Anand, see your Instagram!'" read Anand's comment. Sonam Kapoor married businessman Anand Ahuja in Mumbai on May 8. After the wedding, the couple hosted a grand reception for their friends and colleagues. Later, the newly-weds flew to Delhi (Anand's hometown) for a brief stay and from there, Sonam went to attend the Cannes Film Festival
Bioscopewala Movie Review: Danny Denzongpa's Performance Is First-Rate In This Well-Crafted Sparkling Little Gem
As loose an adaptation of a short story as any ever attempted, Deb Medhekar's Bioscopewala takes the kernel of Rabindranath Tagore's fabled Kabuliwala and turns it, on one level, into an affecting meditation on paternal love, bereavement, loss and redemption. On another, the tender, warm, pensive film, set in contemporary Kolkata and Afghanistan, ruminates upon the ravages of war and time, the repercussions of religious bigotry and the regenerative power of stories that humans tell, no matter where they come from. First-time director Medhekar, who also wrote the film's screenplay with inputs from Radhika Anand, imparts a mellow tone and distinctive visual texture to Bioscopewala, which is as much a celebration of the manifestations of humanity across cultural boundaries as an ode to cinema as a means of both recreation and rebellion. The well-crafted film is wonderfully served by a fine cast and its cinematographer Rafey Mahmood, whose lighting and angles imbue the frames with dynamism and an air of immediacy as two individuals, separated by geography, social moorings and age, seek desperately to reconnect with emotions that once defined their deep bond but have inevitably faded with time. The passage of time may dim the glow of moving images just as it can reduce the intensity of human feelings, but do they ever vanish altogether? In Medhekar's take on Tagore's timeless classic, they certainly do not; if anything, they assume new depth and urgency. Like the hand impressions of two five-year-old girls imprinted on a piece of cloth keep the titular protagonist from disintegrating in the face of a series of misfortunes, memories of life-affirming connections of yore help a grieving girl surmount the untimely loss of her father. Bioscopewala is the story of Rehmat Khan (Danny Denzongpa), a man uprooted from his homeland. He depends upon his bioscope for livelihood and emotional sustenance. Having lost his makeshift cinema hall in his small Afghan village in a vicious attack by Taliban militants, he lugs around the contraption, chased by children clamouring for a view. Fleeing the conflict in his country in the early 1990s, he ends up in Calcutta, where he befriends five-year-old Minnie (Miraya Suri), the only daughter of a widowed fashion photographer who is acutely aware of the things that he has left unsaid to the person dearest to him. The story, credited to producer Sunil Doshi, takes many a liberty with Tagore's original work, published 126 years ago, in order to give it a contemporary spin. The departures do not, however, in any way dilute the spirit of the tale. The 'Kabuliwala' here does not sell dry fruits and shawls nor does he lend money to loan seekers. He isn't a Pashtun either. He belongs to the persecuted Hazara community. Other plot details are done away with (like Minnie's mother), substantially modified (for instance, with regard to the circumstances that lead to Rehmat killing a man and being jailed) or added (in the form of a few characters that do not exist in Kabuliwala). Bioscopewala opens in the present. A tragedy strikes Minnie (Geetanjali Thapa). Her father Robi Basu (Adil Hussain), who is on trip to Kabul after having penned a confessional letter to his daughter, dies in a plane crash. Minnie rushes back home from Paris, where she studies cinema, for the last rites. The arrival of a mysterious, Alzheimer's-stricken old man, who is warmly received by the family retainer Bhola (Brijendra Kala), nettles her. But as she plunges into unravelling the mystery behind her father's voyage to Afghanistan, memories of her bonding with Rehmat, the bioscope man of her childhood, begin to waft back. The presence of the 70-year-old man in the house now assumes a new significance. Minnie ferrets for more information about what happened to Rehmat during the past 25 years and, in the process, encounters a Sonagachi sex worker Wahida (Tisca Chopra) and Ghazala (Maya Sarao), a woman who escaped the flesh trade trap. The two women fill her in with different aspects of Rehmat's life, which help Minnie make up her mind to make a bid to reunite the man with his own daughter back in Afghanistan. The performances in Bioscopewala are first-rate. Danny Denzongpa gets so completely into the skin and soul of Rehmat Khan that it is difficult to separate the actor from the character. He leaves us wondering why we do not see him more often in substantial roles. Geetanjali Thapa, who is on the screen far longer than any of the other actors in the cast, carries the burden of holding the film together with confidence and conviction. Hers is finely tuned performance. It takes her minimum effort to exude a combination of melancholy and resolve. The supporting cast is effective too. Adil Hussain, Tisca Chopra, Brijendra Kala and Ekavali Khanna do full justice to their significant cameos, adding to the tapestry that Bioscopewala creates in its attempt to capture, and transmit, the humanist core of the Tagore story. A sparkling little gem, applause-worthy all the way!
Parmanu - The Story Of Pokhran: John Abraham Returns With A Chapter From Indian History
John Abraham is back with full Force (pun intended) after two years. His new film Parmanu - The Story Of Pokhran is all set to open in theatres tomorrow. Parmanu, which also stars Diana Penty, Boman Irani and Yogendra Tikku, is the fictionalised retelling of the events of nuclear bomb test conducted by the Indian Army at Pokhran in 1998.Parmanu - The Story Of Pokhran would have released earlier this year but the makers decided to postpone to avoid clash with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmaavat" and then with Anushka Sharma's Pari. Parmanu's release date was also delayed due to a conflict between John's production company, JA Entertainment, and former co-producers KriArj Entertainment owned by Prernaa Arora. After weeks of legal battle, John Abraham won the right to release the film under his production banner without crediting KriArj Entertainment. When asked why he took two years to return to the big screen, John told news agency IANS: "I like taking time for the right subject. So, I am very happy to wait for two years and come back with this film. After Force 2 I could have signed 10 films out of insecurity, but I didn't do that. As a producer, I have the authority to decide what kind of film I want to do and what not." 0 COMMENTSParmanu - The Story Of Pokhran releases with Bioscopewala, a Deb Medhekar-directed film, which has toured several international film festivals. The clash of Parmanu and Bhavesh Joshi Superhero was averted after the latter postponed the release date to June 1.
This Tribute To Sridevi Moved Daughters Janhvi, Khushi And Husband Boney Kapoor
A special tribute to Sridevi by her three female fans moved the late actress' filmmaker husband Boney Kapoor and daughters Janhvi and Khushi. According to an IANS report, Janhvi, Khushi and Boney Kapoor invited Paridhi Bhati, 26, Bhavana Varma, 33, Tonu Sojatia, 29 for a meeting at their Mumbai home and of course, to get a glimpse of their special tribute - a car decorated with stills from Sridevi's films. In April, the three women drove from Pune to Goa and back in the car as a part of an all-women safari and now, they met the Kapoors over the weekend. "We were thrilled. They hosted us for nearly 40 minutes, came down to see our car and admired it very much. They insisted we stay back for lunch but we had time constraints, so we enjoyed delicious coffee with them," Tonu Sojatia told IANS. She added that Boney Kapoor also guided them on how to click pictures "for the best possible angles and outcome." We consider it an honour that Boney Kapoor invited us to meet and acknowledged our efforts. He is such a humble, down-to-earth personality and even Janhvi is such a doting daughter. For us it was a touching and emotional meeting. We miss Sridevi," Tonu Sojatia added. Tonu Sojatia told IANS that they've covered Sridevi's entire film journey from the age of 4 to her last film MOM, for which she posthumously won Best Actress National Award. "The Sridevi-theme shows various moods of Sridevi - love, anger, innocence and dance - with corresponding images from some of her most well-known films in Hindi and south Indian languages, including Lamhe, Chandni," she told IANS. Before parting, the trio presented Boney Kapoor with stills of Sridevi from her film Solva Saavan (1979), when "he first fell in love with his future wife" and to her daughters Janhvi and Khushi, they gifted images from the film Kumarasambhavam (1969), when Sridevi was all of four. Sridevi died in a hotel in Dubai in February and she was cremated with state honours in Mumbai.
Sonam And Kareena Kapoor's Pic Is The Perfect Response To 'Actresses Can't Be Friends'
Rumours about reported tiff between Sonam Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor's have resurfaced time and again, prompting the 32-year-old actress to lash out at gossip columns, branding them as "outdated, irresponsible and harmful." On Monday, we chanced upon a photo on Rhea Kapoor's Instagram, which is perhaps the perfect response to the myth the female co-stars can't really be friends. Rhea's photo is from Sonam's wedding day, in which the new bride and Kareena feature sharing an adorable moment together. "And they say actresses can't be friends. Couldn't help myself. Real and reel bride. Happy girls, strong independent, crazy talented and also just crazy. It's been a two year long journey and now it's all just ten days away. #sentimentalproducer #sentimentalsister also just mental (sic)," is how the Veere Di Wedding producer captioned the photo. Kareena attended Sonam's wedding with her full-house in attendance. She was accompanied by sister Karisma, husband Saif Ali Khan and son Taimur. Sonam married Delhi-based entrepreneur Anand Ahuja on May 8 and rounded off the wedding festivities with a reception in the evening, of which Kareena was also part of. Speaking to mid-day, Sonam recently clarified that gossip is just an inevitable part of being a star and they are not really a point of concern for either her or Kareena: "Such gossip doesn't bother us because we are in a secure space. Bebo and I are the third generation of actors and we know how the media functions. We are great friends. We have made a kick-ass movie and proved that women can work with each other and get along. We had a blast." Sonam also revealed they are part of WhatsApp group:"There's no rivalry between us. In fact, Bebo, me, Rhea and Lolo have a WhatsApp group, called The Kapoor Girls. We post each other's yesteryear pictures on it. Bebo and I have been friends for 15 years." 0 COMMENTSIn October last year, Sonam addressed the rumour of an alleged rift between her and Kareena with strongly worded tweets and wrote: "Veeres stand together, through "blind stories", false accusations and smear campaigns. That's true friendship." She also put out a lengthy statement in a tweet, which read: Kareena and Sonam Kapoor co-stars with Swara Bhasker and Shikha Talsania in Veere Di Wedding, which is a story of friendship about four girlfriends. Directed by Shashank Khaitan, Veere Di Wedding releases on June 1.
In 1997, I Was Raped By Harvey Weinstein Here': Asia Argento's Powerful Speech At Cannes
Italian actress Asia Argento was one of the first women to publicly accuse Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault when she told the New Yorker last year that the powerful Hollywood producer forcibly performed oral sex on her in a French hotel during the 1997 Cannes Film Festival when she was 21 years old. Argento, now 42, said she didn't tell anyone because she feared the producer would destroy her career. "I know he has crushed a lot of people before," Argento told the magazine. "That's why this story - in my case, it's 20 years old, some of them are older - has never come out." She characterized coming forward as a terrifying experience - "Just talking to you about it, my whole body is shaking," she said - but, in doing so, she and several other women contributed to the burgeoning #MeToo movement. The actress also spoke boldly at the closing ceremony of the 2018 Cannes Film Festival on Saturday, and this time, she did not appear to be shaking. Instead, she bluntly recounted her accusations against Weinstein, pulling no punches. "In 1997, I was raped by Harvey Weinstein here at Cannes. I was 21 years old. This festival was his hunting ground," she said. She was there in 1997 promoting the movie B. Monkey, a crime drama she starred in that was distributed by Miramax, the company Weinstein co-founded with his brother, Bob. She said one of Weinstein's producers invited her to a party at a nearby hotel, only she arrived to find there was no party - only Weinstein waiting for her in a hotel room. Her story echoes that of many of Weinstein's accusers: She said he praised her work, before leaving the room and returning in a bathrobe with a bottle of lotion in his hand. He eventually coerced her into giving him a massage, during which "he pulled her skirt up, forced her legs apart, and performed oral sex on her as she repeatedly told him to stop. Weinstein 'terrified me, and he was so big,' she said. 'It wouldn't stop. It was a nightmare,' " the New Yorker reported. "I was not willing. I said, 'No, no, no.' . . . It's twisted," she told the magazine. "The thing with being a victim is, I felt responsible." Weinstein has denied this and all allegations through his representative Sallie Hofmeister, who told The Washington Post in a statement that "any allegations of non-consensual sex are unequivocally denied by Mr. Weinstein." "I want to make a prediction: Harvey Weinstein will never be welcomed here ever again," she said at Cannes on Saturday night. "He will live in disgrace, shunned by a film community that once embraced him and covered up for his crimes. "And even tonight, sitting among you, there are those that need to be held accountable for their conduct against women for behavior that does not belong in this industry, does not belong in any industry or workplace," Argento added. "You know who you are. But most importantly, we know who you are, and we're not going to allow you to get away with it any longer." The room, which remained silent during the minute-long speech, exploded in applause. Quickly, the speech spread far from France across social media. "So proud of & grateful to you," tweeted actress Mira Sorvino, another early accuser of Weinstein, whom she said sexually harassed her and attempted to force her into a physical relationship. "You have not backed down in any way as you remind the world of the hideousness of Harvey Weinstein's (& others like him) crimes & the complicit support he still receives." Rose McGowan, an actress who has also accused Weinstein of rape and who has been a loud and controversial voice in the #MeToo movement, tweeted to Argento after the speech. "People must understand the bravery involved in what she did. Speaking the raw truth of rape is incredibly hard. Being around the complicity machine that helped the lie last for so long is brutal," she tweeted, adding, "I love you my righteous sister in survival. Bring that fire. End the hunting grounds . . . Keep cleaning house, be brave. It's time." "Bravo," tweeted Argento's partner, Anthony Bourdain, who called it an "absolutely fearless off-script nuclear bomb of a speech to a stunned crowd." Even Argento herself tweeted, saying, "For all the brave women who came forward denouncing their predators, and for all the brave women who will come forward in the future. We got the power #metoo."
What Is Priyanka Chopra Upto Hours Before Meghan Markle And Prince Harry's Wedding
Priyanka Chopra arrived for the royal wedding in London one day in advance. The 33-year-old actress is on the guest list of Meghan Markle, who is marrying Britain's Prince Harry today. After her arrival in London, Priyanka Chopra posted two pictures - one of the perfect summer weather (the royal wedding will look blissful) and in the other picture, she laughed and joked with her team in the cottage where she's staying, still waiting for the arrival of the dress she'll wear to the wedding. Priyanka Chopra is staying within a 10-mile radius from the wedding venue - St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle. Priyanka and Meghan Markle have been friends for over a year but the Quantico star is not among the bridesmaids. Last month, Priyanka Chopra told People magazine that she's super excited about Meghan Markle's big day. "It's not just going to be life-changing for both of them, it's life-changing for the world that needs to see strong women as icons, and I think Meghan has the potential to be that," she was quoted as saying. Earlier this year, Priyanka Chopra wrote an essay for Meghan Markle to accompany her mention on the Time Magazine's 2018 list of 100 Most Influential People. Though she's not a bridesmaid, this line from Priyanka's write-up seems perfect for a toast: "Meghan, standing shoulder to shoulder with Harry, will be a princess for the people." Prince Harry and the former Suits star will say 'I do' by noon and they'll later travel through Windsor in a carriage. They will attend the a reception for congregation guests at St George's Hall and later in the evening, Prince Charles will also host a private reception for the couple and close friends and family.
Hey Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor Also Has A Crush On You
Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt have had the rumour mills abuzz and both of them seem "raazi" with all the attention. They made a grand entry together at actress Sonam Kapoor's wedding reception in Mumbai and for a moment all the attention had moved away from the newly-weds to what everyone assumed could be the new couple. Soon after, Alia, who has never shied away from admitting that Ranbir Kapoor has always been her "big crush," put a picture of them on Instagram, which prompted her instafam to ask 'why aren't they dating, already?' So when we told Ranbir that it's a dream come true for his Brahamastra co-star to work with her "crush," the 35-year-old actor said, "Well, I have a boy crush on her now." It certainly managed to get an "aww" out of Alia's mentor Karan Johar Ranbir Kapoor was all praises for Alia Bhatt's new film Raazi. He said: "I watched the film one week before release and it blew my mind it's one of the greatest films ever made in Indian cinema." Ranbir Kapoor and Karan Johar are in New Delhi to announce the 19th IIFA weekend in Bangkok. When asked what were the lessons Karan Johar had learnt from last year's IIFA gig (remember the 'Nepotism Rocks' fiasco?), the filmmaker said: "To keep my mouth shut and open it only when the teleprompter comes out and not give my vishesh tippani on anything on the stage." Karan Johar will be hosting the ceremony yet again and Ranbir Kapoor is all set to perform this year. Ranbir also reminisced about IIFA 2012, when his jacket was swapped with his father Rishi Kapoor's jacket during their performance, which had not amused the 65-year-old actor much. The IIFA weekend is a three-day Bollywood party... So what does one do when you come face-to-face with someone you are trying to avoid? "I love everyone in Bollywood. I'm very well brought up. I say hello and smile at everyone," said Karan Johar. 2 COMMENTSBut the host admits his worst fear onstage is when you get stuck with a co-host who only follows the teleprompter blindly and doesn't get your humour. Now, co-hosting with Karan can be a tough task for anyone. The IIFA weekend will also see Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Priyanka Chopra perform onstage together and making his IIFA debut as co-host is the new poster boy of cool, Kartik Aaryan.
Salman Khan On Blackbuck Verdict: 'Did You Think I Was Going To Go In Forever?'
Salman Khan's blackbuck poaching case verdict may have given sleepless nights to the producers who've invested in his films but not the 52-year-old actor. At the event to launch the trailer of his new movie Race 3, Salman Khan's blackbuck verdict was invoked. When Salman was asked if he was under pressure while filming Race 3 because of then-impending blackbuck verdict, a media coordinator tried to digress by saying that no questions on the blackbuck verdict and the Karnataka elections would be entertained but Salman Khan answered anyway. Salman asked the journalist: "Did you think I was going to go in forever?" And when a journalist replied in the negative, Salman Khan added: "Thank you, because I was worried." The Internet is not very impressed with Salman Khan's reply and lashed out on Twitter. "Oh yeah, in our country one can get away with anything," wrote one angry user. Another comment read: "We know the power of money... police and justice both are up for sale to the highest bidder." Salman Khan was found guilty of hunting blackbuck while filming Hum Saath Saath Hain in Rajasthan in 1998 and he was sentenced to five years in prison. His co-stars Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam were charged with inciting the actor to hunt but have been acquitted for lack of evidence. Salman spent two days in prison in Jodhpur from April 7 to April 9, when he was granted bail. Salman Khan has filed a petition for suspension of his jail term, the next hearing of which will be held on July 17. 15 COMMENTSSalman Khan's Race 3 releases on June 15. The Remo D'Souza-directed film also stars Jacqueline Fernandez, Bobby Deol, Anil Kapoor and Daisy Shah
Race 3: Salman Khan Reveals Why He Asked For Changes In The Film
Since the time Salman Khan officially took over Race 3 as the protagonist, reports of the 52-year-old superstar suggesting changes to the film's script have done the rounds on the Internet. Now, at the trailer launch event of the movie in Mumbai, Salman was asked about how he landed the role, which was played by Saif Ali Khan for two consecutive turns. Salman revealed that he asked producer Ramesh Taurani to tweak the script to make it more Salman-like. "Race 3 script was offered to me two years ago but I didn't think I fit in the genre. I asked Ramesh Taurani to make some changes because I didn't fit in that genre. Once that was done, I thought it would be actually a lot of fun to do this film," IANS quoted his as saying. last year, it was reported that Salman asked the makers to tone down the intimate scenes, add more humor to the script and revise the film's drugs-peddling angle. Elaborating on the flavour of the movie, Salman said it's a first-timer for him with a genre that includes everything. "Earlier, we used to have a 'musical action bonanza' which hasn't come in a while. A film with big scale music, emotion, action, youth kind, which you watch, whistle in the end and go back home happy. This is one of those films, which I've never done at all," IANS added Salman as saying. Salman Khan co-stars with Bobby Deol, Daisy Shah, Saqeb Saleem and race regulars Jacqueline Fernandez and Anil Kapoor in Race 3. Talking about adding star-power to the film's cast, Salman said that the ensemble cast of the film has been utilised "fairly". "We didn't go for the star value, we went with the characters. They should justify that. It doesn't matter who's doing well and who isn't. Everyone has been treated equally in the film. Once you watch it, you'll realise this," he also told the reporters. Remo D'Souza has taken over the director's duties from Abbas-Mustan for Race 3 but dealing with the stars was not really a difficult job for him: "Salman had heard the script two years ago, I came in later. Then we all worked on the script and made necessary changes. The script was so brilliantly written, all the characters were etched out," IANS quoted him as saying.
Cannes 2018: Sonam Kapoor Just Checked In Looking Incredibly Chic, Peeps
Yes, Sonam Kapoor has finally checked into the French Riviera and her OOTD is a black and white maxi dress from the studios of Mother of Pearl. Sonam has aced her look with Chloe boots, a black tote bag by Bottega Veneta and trendy sunglasses. (Classy is the word). "Hey Cannes," Sonam captioned her posts. She has been styled by her sister Rhea Kapoor (who isn't accompanying her though) and Deep Kailey. Sonam Kapoor, 32, flew out of India last night minus her husband Anand Ahuja. This is Sonam's eight appearance at the Cannes Film Festival. She will walk the red carpet tonight and on Tuesday. From the Cannes-bound flight, Sonam posted an emotional message for her sister Rhea on her Instagram story and said, "It is the first Cannes I am going to without my sister. She has to release Veere Di Wedding. I miss you, Rhea and I am super nervous without you." Sonam and Anand posted similar Instagram stories a while ago and wrote they are missing each other. The shared these picture. (Anand also had a message for Sonam and her team). Sonam Kapoor and businessman Anand Ahuja married on May 8 in Mumbai
30 Years After Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Aamir Khan Shares Trivia Only A True Fan Would Know
It's been 30 years since Aamir Khan made his Bollywood debut with the romantic film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. His breakout film, directed by Mansoor Khan, turned out to be a blockbuster. The film was written and produced by Nasir Hussain and also starred Juhi Chawla. The cast and crew of QSQT, as it is called for short, were present at a reunion party in Mumbai last weekend, followed by a screening of the film. Aamir, Mansoor and other cast members shared some interesting trivia about the making of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak during their media interaction. Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak Was Not The Original Title Mansoor Khan: "Initially, we had kept very boring names. The initial title was Nafrat Ke Waris, that's from a line from the dialogue from the film. My father (Nasir Hussain) was very good at names. One evening he thought the story starts from one Qayamat and ends at another Qayamat so he came up with the name Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and we all liked it, so we just finalized it." When Aamir Khan Made A Mistake While Shooting The Climax Aamir Khan: "If you remember the climax of the film - Juhi gets shot, I run to her and she is dying. So I had to run to her, I have to cry and take her name Rashmi, and then I stab myself. So once we were ready, Mansoor said 'action,' I did all that I was supposed to do, and I picked up Juhi, and I started shouting 'Juhi, Juhi' instead of 'Rashmi, Rashmi.' Mansoor said, 'Cut', I was like 'it's going so well, why is he saying cut?' He then looked at me and said 'it's Rashmi, not Juhi!'" Happy End Or Tragic End? QSQT was a modern day take on classic tragic love story Romeo and Juliet, but Nasir Hussain was not sure for a long time if the film should have a happy end or a tragic one. Aamir: "In our first schedule we shot the climax of the film. Nasir saab had told us to shoot two different ends - happy and tragic. First schedule of the film was the portion where we were lost, that was in Ooty, and then we shot the tragic end. Then Mansoor told us now we have to shoot Daddy's end also so we were like, 'Oh ok!'" Mansoor: "Every evening my father would call and tell that we had to shoot the happy end. So we had to shoot the happy ending as an option. Eventually, he gave in to the idea of a tragic end." Aamir Khan's Breakout Film Mansoor: "I was writing Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander and my dad was writing QSQT. Of course, we had Aamir in mind for the launch. My dad finished writing the script first, so he told me 'since you have not finished writing you listen to my story.' So I was forced to hear his story. When he told me it's a love story, I asked him, 'Dad, isn't every film a love story?' Even then Aamir had a great sense of audience. He said we hadn't had a good love story in the theatres for a long time. When he narrated the first eleven scenes, I was convinced about QSQT." 0 COMMENTSExcited Aamir Stuck Posters On Auto-Rickshaws Aamir Khan: "We were very excited about the film. Raj Zutshi and I used to roam around the streets of Mumbai and put up posters on walls, and some autorickshaw drivers and taxi drivers let us put it behind their vehicle for free. So we used to feel very happy after sticking those posters behind rickshaws and cabs."
Jacqueline Fernandez escapes unhurt in car accident, was returning from a Race 3 party
While returning from a party at Salman Khan's resident, Bollywood star Jacqueline Fernandez escaped unhurt after her car was hit by an autorickshaw allegedly driven by a drunk driver at Bandra (Mumbai) on Saturday morning, officials said. The 32-year-old actress from Sri Lanka was returning home around 2:45 am. from Salmans residence after attending a party to celebrate the upcoming film Race 3. The accident took place on Carter Road, Bandra. Speaking to Spotboye, Jacqueline said, Yes, it did take place. The rickshaw driver was drunk. We will soon give out an official statement. We are fine. Police came and sorted it out Her car suffered minor damage but she did not suffer any injury. The police were summoned. Directed by Remo DSouza, Race 3 features Salman, Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Jacqueline, Daisy Shah and Saqib Saleem and is likely to be released during Eid. The trailer of the film will be unveiled on May 15.
Cannes 2018: Deepika Padukone, Ready To 'Rock And Roll,' Is Sheer Beauty On The Red Carpet
After three absolutely chic appearances during media interactions at the Cannes Film Festival, Deepika Padukone walked the red carpet looking like this. Deepika Padukone, 32, wore Zuhair Murad couture accessorised with Lorraine Schwartz diamond earrings and Nicholas Kirkwood heels. Deepika looked fabulous in an all-sheer outfit which proves that the cape trend is here to stay. Deepika ditched her signature sleek hairdo in favour of soft curls - bonus point for that. This is Deepika Padukone's second year at the Cannes Film Festival, which she's attending on L'Oreal's invite. Earlier in the day, Deepika Padukone experimented with three different styles and designer outfits - each better than the previous. When on L'Oreal ambassador duty, Deepika Padukone put her fashionable foot forward. Her first appearance of the day was in classic denims and t-shirt combo. It was followed by a cute candy-stripes dress by Tome and she later changed into an argyle pattern dress by Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will take over from Deepika on May 12 and May 13. Aishwarya is expected to arrive in Cannes with her daughter Aaradhya soon. After Aishwarya, it will be Sonam Kapoor's turn on the red carpet from May 14 to May 15.
Cannes 2018: Desi Girl Kangana Ranaut Is A Retro Vision In Black Saree And Bouffant Hair
Kangana Ranaut is truly a vision to behold at the Cannes Film Festival. The Queen actress made her debut at the film festival in a glamorous black embellished saree by Sabyasachi. Kangana has accentuated her look with a teenmaniya necklace, crafted out of rose-cut diamonds, Colombian emeralds and basra pearls, as stated by the designer. Kangana's pictures were shared by Sabyasachi and the posts give a detailed description about her debut appearance at the Cannes. (Wow, wow and wow. Full marks to Kangana for her retro look). Kangana will attend the Cannes Film Festival for three days but will walk the red carpet on May 10 and she will also talk about the status of women in films. Take a look at Kangana Ranaut's ultra-glamourous look at the French Riviera. Kangana is attending the film festival in association with a liquor brand. "It is overwhelming to witness the recognition and appreciation for Indian cinema at international platforms like Cannes," Kangana had told news agency IANS. She left for French Riviera on Tuesday night and was pictured at the Mumbai airport after she attended Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja's wedding reception Meanwhile, actress Huma Qureshi is also there at the French Riviera and looks breathtakingly beautiful in white. "I'm very proud to be part of the celebration of cinema at a global platform like the Cannes Film Festival 2018," she had earlier said Deepika Padukone will walk the Cannes red carpet on May 10 and 11. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and newlywed Sonam Kapoor will walk the red carpet on May 12-13 and May 14-15, respectively.
Sonam Kapoor And Anand Ahuja's Reception: Shah Rukh, Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor Dancing With The Newlyweds Will Make Your Day
NEW DELHI:MMNN: 9 May 2018
Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja's reception on Tuesday night was one helluva event. The Kapoors and the Ahujas were on their feet since morning but they showed no signs of fatigue, in fact the groom was the heart and soul of the party as he danced to hit Bollywood tracks with Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and his father-in-law Anil Kapoor among others (now we know why he wore the sneakers!). Videos of celebs dancing like no one's watching hit the internet and it's a guaranteed smile on anyone's face. Salman Khan and Mika Singh engaged in a jugalbandi of sort as they sang Aaj Ki Party (from Salman's Bajrangi Bhaijaan) as SRK and Anil Kapoor danced. The trio pulled Sonam and Anand for a dance when Tan Tana Tan Tan Tan Tara was being played. Like the wedding hashtag said, "EveryDayPhenomenal." After the reception, Shah Rukh Khan in a heart-warming tweet said: "I kind of know, how it feels when a piece of your heart gets married. Danced and celebrated love for daughters with my inspiration Anil Kapoor." Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja got married as per Sikh traditions on the morning of May 8 and the reception was held later in the evening. Several celebrities including Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri, Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Rekha, Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan and Alia Bhatt were in attendance. At the reception, Sonam wore a dazzling gown by Anamika Khanna while Anand Ahuja complemented her in an achkan paired with Nike sneakers. A bevy of Bollywood celebs had attended the anand karaj in the morning held in Sonam's aunt's Bandra Bungalow. Aamir Khan along with wife Kiran Rao and son Junaid, Amitabh Bachchan with his son Abhishek and daughter Shweta, Kareena Kapoor joined the Kapoors and the Ahujas.
Its a wrap for Manoj Bajpayee, John Abraham's Satyameva Jayate
Actor Manoj Bajpayee has wrapped up shooting for his upcoming film Satyameva Jayate. Director Milap Zaveri on Monday shared on Twitter a photograph of himself along with Manoj, who is seen sporting a police officers uniform. Its a wrap on Satyameva Jayate for Manoj Bajpayee sir! What a pleasure it has been to direct you sir You rocked each of the 1500+ dialogues I gave you, Zaveri captioned the image. Satyameva Jayate promises intense action and power-packed dialogues. It is produced by Bhushan Kumar of T-Series and Nikkhil Advani of Emmay Entertainment. The film, which also stars John Abraham, will release on August 15.
Sonam Kapoor-Anand Ahuja Wedding: Inside The Rocking Mehendi
Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja's wedding festivities started last evening with a grand mehendi ceremony, hosted at Anil Kapoor's Mumbai home. The bride-to-be Sonam looked radiant in an Anuradha Vakil lehenga, which she paired with big danglers and Anand complemented her in an achkan. Several pictures and videos from the ceremony have been shared on social media by the Kapoors. The guests started arriving at the venue in the evening and they certainly had a blast (we have pictures to prove it). Late actress Sridevi's daughters Janhvi and Khushi Kapoor turned heads in Manish Malhotra's costumes. Karan Johar, Rani Mukerji, Kirron Kher and other celebs attended #SonamKiMehendi. No Bollywood party is complete without Karan Johar. He is also reportedly performing at the sangeet, scheduled for this afternoon. Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja will marry on Tuesday as per Sikh traditions and later in the evening, a grand wedding reception will be hosted by the couple. Their wedding announcement arrived last week via a joint statement by their families: "The Kapoor and Ahuja families, take great joy and pride, in announcing the marriage of Sonam and Anand. The wedding will take place on the 8th of May in Mumbai. Since it is an intimate affair, we request you to respect the family's need for privacy. Thank you for all your blessings and love, as we celebrate this special moment in our lives."
Omerta Movie Review: Rajkummar Rao Gives Pitch Perfect Performance In This Riveting Thriller
A riveting, if not nail-biting, character-driven thriller, Hansal Mehta's Omerta does not bank upon the established devices of the genre. It employs a judicious, subtle blend of real-life events and dashes of dramatic licence to probe the radicalization of a young Pakistani-origin British national. The Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh story - the abduction of Western tourists in India in late 1994, his arrest and imprisonment in Delhi, his release in exchange for the IC-814 hostages in 1999, the kidnap and killing of American Jewish journalist Daniel Pearl in 2002 and his trial and conviction in Pakistan, where he is still in prison awaiting judicial review - is in the public domain. So the Omerta plot does not deliver big surprises. It presents, in a detached, deadpan, docu-drama style, the circumstances in which the dreaded terrorist executed his plans. Driven by hate, prejudice and a sense of victimhood, Omar is on a mission to avenge the wrongs done to his "brothers and sisters" in Bosnia, Palestine and Kashmir. Lead actor Rajkummar Rao, in his fourth collaboration with Mehta, gives the film its teeth with a pitch-perfect performance. He slips into the skin of Omar with chilling conviction. The well-crafted, fast-paced Omerta, much like Mehta's Shahid and Aligarh, focuses on a man who stands apart from the crowd. It, however, ventures into a terrain that is far removed. The London School of Economics dropout who makes peace with the demons of his mind and harnesses them to wreak havoc on the world obviously does not evoke any sympathy. This portrait of pure evil is drawn largely from news reportage. The film itself plays out like a journalistic account of a life lived in darkness. At crucial points, the screenplay takes recourse to fictive, free-wheeling interpolations and TV news footage to bolster the narrative. Omar is cold, clinical, calculating. His acts, committed without the sligjtest trace of remorse, induce instant revulsion. Shahid sparked in the audience outrage at the fate that befell its human rights lawyer-protagonist who took up cudgels on behalf of innocents implicated in terrorism cases. Aligarh, similarly, elicited deep sympathy for a sensitive university professor victimized by a conservative, insensitive establishment for his sexual orientation. Mehta delved deep into the minds of both men. In contrast, in Omerta - the title is an Italian word denoting the 'code of silence' that mobsters are sworn to - he can only offer glimpses of the outer world of Omar. Omerta gives us only snatches of information aimed at piecing together the reasons why Omar Sheikh is the way he is, especially when it intercuts back and forth between scenes in a Delhi jail where the man is lodged and sequences in terrorist training camps in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In jail, Omar forces a Muslim accomplice to observe 'roza' during the month of fasting. In a camp in Pakistan, a militant ridicules him for being a London boy, not hardy enough for the dangerous missions ahead. Omar turns upon the man and wrestles him to the ground. When he is nabbed in Delhi and produced in court, Omar asks his lawyer, Majeed: "Are you happy in India?" The latter replies: "Very happy." Not that the assertion makes any dent in Omar's worldview. It isn't Omar's innermost thoughts that Omerta probes as much as it presents a description of the senseless violence that he unleashes, both in person and through his accomplices. Mehta leaves out the minutiae of Omar's life and plunges right into his global terrorist persona. How a middle-class boy living in comfort in London strayed into the dark, dangerous world of terrorism is left largely unexplained. The bafflement that the audience might feel is given voice to by Omar's father Saeed Sheikh (Delhi theatre guru Keval Arora), who has no inkling why his son has gone astray. "I've decided to go to Bosnia," Omar tells his father, presenting the statement as a fait accompli. The old man pleads with him to complete his LSE course but to no avail. "I am going to help my people," Omar insists. When Pakistan's ISI finds Omar a trophy wife on his return to Karachi from an Indian prison, his exasperated father says: "I hope your wife and children will make you see sense. Your abba (dad) has given up." Running a little over an hour and a half, the film hits the ground running and dives straight into Omar's covert arrival in Delhi, where he uses his wiles to lure three young British men and an older American woman into captivity. His mission is busted by the police. He ends up behind bars. Five years on, Omar is one of three terrorists freed in exchange for the hostages on Indian Airlines flight IC-814 hijacked from Kathmandu to Kandahar. His depredations continue and his involvement is suggested in the 9/11 terror attack. But it is the kidnapping and brutal killing of Daniel Pearl, Wall Street Journal correspondent investigating ISI's links with terror outfits in Pakistan, which catapults him into the international spotlight. In recounting a widely documented tale, the screenplay hits the right thriller buttons. When violence is perpetrated indiscriminately and without any moral context created with the aid of a detailed back story, it can only be deeply disconcerting. Omerta is just that and therein lies its success
Will Deepika Padukone Attend Sonam Kapoor's Wedding To Anand Ahuja? The Answer Here
Deepika Padukone may not attend Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja's big fat Indian wedding, scheduled to take place in Mumbai on May 8. Deepika is currently in New York and on May 7 (Sonam's mehendi), she will be attending the MET Gala, reports mid-day. Later, she will walk the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival. Sonam, who is a Cannes veteran now (of sorts), will also walk the red carpet after Deepika. Both Deepika and Sonam debuted in Bollywood in 2007. Deepika's Om Shanti Om was a huge hit while Sonam's Saawariya tanked at the box office. Sonam had debuted opposite Ranbir Kapoor, whom Deepika previously dated. Rumour had it that Sonam and Ranbir were also dating. However, they always maintained they were good friends. 1 COMMENTSMeanwhile, Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja's wedding invite has been printed and the festivities have been spread over for two days. May 7 is the mehendi and on May 8, the wedding will be followed by a party in the evening. The reported guests are - Bachchans, Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan, Malaika and Amrita Arora, Karan Johar, Farah Khan and also Ranveer Singh (whom Deepika is rumoured to be currently dating). After weeks of rumour, Sonam and Anand's families announced their wedding with a statement that read, "The Kapoor & Ahuja families, take great joy and pride, in announcing the marriage of Sonam & Anand. The wedding will take place on the 8th of May in Mumbai. Since it is an intimate affair, we request you to respect the family's need for privacy. Thank you for all your blessings and love, as we celebrate this special moment in our lives."
What Sonam Kapoor Said To Soon-To-Be Husband Anand Ahuja After Confirming Wedding
Yes, Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja are getting married. Their big fat wedding is scheduled for May 8 (just next week). After weeks of rumours, the Kapoor and Ahuja families confirmed their wedding by releasing a joint statement on Tuesday evening. Soon after the wedding announcement, an Instagram post by Anand kept the Internet busy and Sonam's cute reply added more to it. The caption is a quote from novelist-poet Roald Dahl and reads as, "One idea that has always amazed me is, 'If we can all make one, just ONE person happy, the whole world would be happy.' How true and simple is that. The answer to world peace is simply loving those around you." Oh, Sonam's reply is here - 'Everyday phenomenal.' She added love emoticons also. Here's Anand Ahuja's post, he tagged Sonam The Kapoor and Ahuja families, take great joy and pride, in announcing the marriage of Sonam and Anand. The wedding will take place on the 8th of May in Mumbai. Since it is an intimate affair, we request you to respect the family's need for privacy. Thank you for all your blessings and love, as we celebrate this special moment in our lives," read the statement, shared by Sonam and Anand families. Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja have never publicly admitted to their relationship until now. They have been trending on and off for the last few days. Sonam Kapoor, 32, is currently awaiting the release of her much-anticipated film Veere Di Wedding. Soon after the wedding, she will walk the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival on May 14 and May 15.
Happy Birthday, Anushka Sharma. See Virat Kohli's Post For His 'Love'
Actress Anushka Sharma is celebrating her 30th birthday today. Anushka, who is currently accompanying husband Virat Kohli for the Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament, appears to have a quiet birthday celebration. Virat shared a picture with Anushka and wrote, "Happy birthday, my love. The most positive and honest person I know. Love you," adding a heart emoticon. Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli married last December at a Tuscan resort (Italy). Only family and close friends attended the wedding, which was preceded by engagement, mehendi and sangeet ceremonies. The duo went to the snow-capped mountains of Europe for honeymoon and after returning to India, they hosted two wedding receptions - Delhi and Mumbai. Virat Kohli is the captain of IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore. Anushka has been spotted cheering for her husband and his team for most of the IPL matches. Over the weekend, pictures of Anushka from Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium went crazy viral. Anushka Sharma was last seen in Pari and now has Sui Dhaaga, Sanju and Zero in the pipeline. In YRF's Sui Dhaaga, she is paired opposite Varun Dhawan and Zero stars her with Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif. In Ranbir Kapoor's Sanju, which is a biopic on Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt, she plays a journalist.
Shraddha Kapoor will marry a man of her choice, says father Shakti Kapoor
NEW DELHI:MMNN: 28 April 2018
Bollywood actor Shakti Kapoor says his daughter and actress Shraddha Kapoor will marry a man of her own choice. Shakti spoke at the teaser launch of his film The Journey of Karma on Thursday. Asked about Shraddhas wedding plans, Shakti said, Every father wants that his daughter to get married in a good and respected family. I wish that she grows in her personal and professional life, but I think as a parent, you have to give some kind of liberty to your children because now that period is gone when parents used to marry their children (to a person) of their choice. Now, we have to ask them about their choices in terms of everything, including their life partners. She is right now very busy in her career, but whenever she will tell us about her marriage plans, she will marry a man of her own choice and we dont have any objection with that. As a father, Shakti is happy that Shraddha, who will next be seen in Indian shuttler Saina Nehwals biopic, is working hard to take on challenging roles. In todays time, every actor is taking challenges in his career. If you see actors right from Ranbir Kapoor and Farhan Akhtar, all are doing really good in biopics in which they have worked. Every actor is working hard in the film industry. Now Shraddha will play the character of Saina Nehwal. She has trained with Saina in Hyderabad and now, she is continuing her training. Apart from that, she will also head to Abu Dhabi to shoot for Saaho along with Prabhas. She is also working with Rajkummar Rao in Stree and Batti Gul Meter Chalu... So, I am really happy that she is working in every genre of films at this point in her career. On his own journey in the film industry, Shakti said, My journey in film industry has been really good and children are also doing really well in their life. I think God has been really kind and it is also blessing of the audience. Shakti, who is also close to the Dutt family, is happy to see the teaser of Rajkumar Hiranis Sanju, starring Ranbir. He said, I think the teaser of Sanju is extraordinary. I think its one of the finest teasers that I have seen. Ranbir Kapoor is looking and acting crazily close to Sanjay Dutt in the teaser. My real name is Sunil Kapoor but Mr. Sunil Dutt named me Shakti Kapoor. So, I am close to Dutt family.
Avengers: Infinity War - Your 10 Pressing Questions Answered Before You Watch The Film
WASHINGTON: As the embargo lifted Tuesday on film reviews for Disney/Marvel's Avengers: Infinity War, the stream of early verdicts began to accumulate toward critical consensus: The mega-movie fairly succeeds on many fronts, but a mission this massive is bound to expose some structural flaws. Ahead of Friday's official opening, here is how film critics' impressions are answering key, essentially non-spoiler questions about what the Hollywood Reporter calls a "densely packed superhero orgy." 1. Is the film worth seeing? Early tallies gave Infinity War an 88 percent "fresh" score on Rotten Tomatoes and an average pro-reviewer score of "68" on Metacritic. Basically, Infinity War is no Black Panther (aka the highest-scoring Marvel Cinematic Universe film on Rotten Tomatoes) - it's not even a Thor: Ragnarok - but this huge, 2.5-hour cliffhanger hits its marks and sets things up solidly for next year's follow-up moneyed monstrosity: Infinity War, Chapter 2. 2. But look at these scores of superheroes! Is this movie too darned bloated? "Infinity War does suffer at times from a certain bloat," writes IGN. "There's no getting around the abundance of characters and subplots that are feeding into (villain) Thanos' bigger story." Variety writes with praise: "Avengers: Infinity War can, at times, make it feel like you're at a birthday party where you got so many presents that you start to grow tired of opening them. But taken on its own pinata-of-fun terms, it's sharp, fast-moving and elegantly staged." And the Associated Press lauds the relative dexterity of this behemoth: "Infinity War rarely, surprisingly feels as overstuffed as such a superhero smorgasbord ought to, a testament to the filmmakers' adept plate-spinning skills." 3. But doesn't it get confusing when trying to follow about a half-dozen narrative threads across the universe? Won't my head spin like one of those plates? Gratefully, the veteran filmmakers here are expert traffic cops of such major franchise intersections. "Directors Joe and Anthony Russo and screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely - none strangers to the Avengers franchise - find clever groupings of characters and an equitable rhythm as the film shifts between narratives," Vanity Fair writes. "They wrestle some kind of balance out of crossover chaos, doing an expert bit of crowd control." And USA Today weighs in: "It could have been an unholy mess, but with directors Anthony and Joe Russo at the helm, Infinity War is instead a glorious, multilayered and clever comic-book adventure with loads of emotional stakes." 4. But doesn't stocking the film with a decade's worth of MCU superheroes result in too many of them getting short shrift? "No one is relegated to stock player, no matter how small their role," writes IGN. "Yes, War Machine fans, there's even something here for you." But the AP counters: "There may be some hint of overpopulation anxiety in Thanos' ambition and in the Russos' frighteningly overcrowded film." And Entertainment Weekly slams: "Marvel is sitting on such an embarrassment of riches with its deep bench of characters that some don't have much more to do than act as glorified extras." And this super-packed cast prompts a sly Slate headline that says in part: " 'Infinity War' suggests Thanos is right about there being too many Avengers." 5. OK, but what about tone? I hear this film goes dark. "Infinity War is big, blustery and brave, taking viewers to places that they may not be used to going," writes Washington Post critic Michael O'Sullivan, pointing to narrative shadows uncommon for the MCU. 6. So does Marvel's signature humor help leaven the proceedings this time? The screenwriters "have a deft, jokey, sometimes glib touch that spreads the humor around and prevents this long film from ever getting stodgy," says the Hollywood Reporter, adding that the actors "snap off one-liners and sharp remarks with an extra edge of sarcastic disdain." But New York magazine's Vulture is no fan, writing: "The relentlessly lame one-liners of those poor galaxy guardians are the movie's low points." 7. So how does Thanos stack up against the best MCU villains? The worlds-crushing Thanos (Josh Brolin) measures up - perhaps even bests - such past baddies as Loki and Killmonger, becoming one of the film's true highlights. "Brolin makes Thanos a suitably authoritative, melancholy villain - someone who really does seem deluded enough to fancy himself a merciful deity rather than a mass murderer for the ages," writes the Los Angeles Times. And the Hollywood Reporter says: "Brolin's calm, considered reading of the character bestows this conquering beast with an unexpectedly resonant emotional dimension, making him much more than a thick stick figure of a supervillain." 8. Infinity War pits goateed egotists against each other, as well as several actors named Chris. How does it all shake out? "Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) stage a Sherlock Holmes meta-duel and compare goatees," writes the New York Times. "The hunky-Chris showdown - Hemsworth vs. Pratt (Peter Quill) vs. Evans (Captain America) - ends in a three-way tie." 9. So how do you classify such a huge cliffhanger of a cog within the efficient and massive Marvel Studios machine? "As an exercise of studio might ... it has no peer," writes Vulture. "Flagrantly, bombastically extravagant, it plays its audience like a hundred-million fiddles." "Infinity War isn't really anything you could call a movie - it's more of a fulfillment center," scalds Time magazine. And one of the best passages on that front comes from the New York Times: "This synergistic expression of the corporate interests of Marvel Studios and the Walt Disney Company ... has come to be less a creative or commercial undertaking than an immutable fact of life, like sex or the weather or capitalism itself." 10. One last question: Just how many films are there so far in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? It is sometimes reported that there are 18 movies in the MCU, but don't be fooled - and don't forget Universal's The Incredible Hulk (2008). The correct tally is 19 films, say such outlets as Time (one of the few major publications that shares a name with an Infinity Stone) - as well as Box Office Mojo.
Who Will Die In Avengers: Infinity War? Here Are The Candidates (Warning: Iron Man Is On It)
NEW DELHI: On Monday night's episode of Disney-owned Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the late-night host asked his five guests promotingAvengers: Infinity Warwho might die in the new film, which officially opens Friday. After all, Kimmel noted, someone has to perish in a war. The cast members stayed mum, but their nervous laughter only seemed to confirm the speculation that has swirled around the Disney/Marvel movie for months. Surely, one of the major superhero players won't live to see the final credits, will they? Here is our breakdown on who, among the major players, is most likely to die in Infinity War: 10. The Hulk/Bruce Banner: The Hulk makes for an awfully big target, narratively speaking, and as Thor: Ragnarok showed, he can be beaten in the ring. Plus, there are obstacles to Hulk starring in his own film again (the past two have not been memorable). Yet Hulk has become a great second (green) banana, and besides, Mark Ruffalo is still working on a multiyear contract. Verdict: Hulk lives! 9. Thor: If Taika Waititi's Ragnarok hadn't rejuvenated the solo franchise, perhaps Chris Hemsworth's Thor would be at greater risk. But Thor is too vital now, and a crucial comedic member, too. So our prediction: Thor lives on. 8. Spider-Man: Here's the question: Would Marvel ever ice Spidey (Tom Holland) in its own universe while Peter Parker continues his solo franchise for Sony? Our verdict: It's too soon to close off that route, as young Holland's puppy-dog friskiness enlivens all scenes opposite the relatively aging Avengers and Guardians. 7. The Winter Soldier: Once upon a time, Bucky (Sebastian Stan) seemed vulnerable. Now, having been last spotted healing in Wakanda, he is poised to take a lead role going forward - especially if Captain America goes down. 6. Hawkeye: Jeremy Renner's archer is so vulnerable. Because, really, who other than Black Widow would deeply miss him? 5. Gamora: Being Thanos' daughter could ultimately prove to be a narrative safeguard, but then again: Big baddie Thanos (Josh Brolin) may have no love lost in his mission to crush and conquer, family be damned. 4. Iron Man: Robert Downey Jr. has gotten awfully expensive to keep around as ringleader and spiritual godfather after a decade. But this feels like one film too soon to say farewell to Tony Stark - short of Iron Man becoming the franchise's Obi-Wan from beyond in Avengers 4. Which leaves ... 3. Captain America: Marvel loves to ice Cap (Chris Evans) in the comic books, so the end is likely near for Steve Rogers on screen, too. But given how much noise Evans has recently made about departing the franchise after Avengers 4, our money is on one more film from Captain America before, say, Bucky or the Falcon inherits the shield. 2. Loki: Can an indebted trickster holding the Space Stone ever be too safe? Super-baddie Thanos may make short work of Thor's sib if he has no more need for him. But it might not be worth losing the franchise's comedic lightning bolt when another major stone-holder might be more vulnerable. Which brings us precisely to ... 1. Vision: When Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2 stars promoted their movie last year on Jimmy Kimmel, Team Disney/Marvel made sure to include a star (Michael Rooker) whose character was meeting his maker in that very film. In that context, does it loom ominous that Paul Bettany was at the end of Kimmel's couches Monday night? Consider, too, that the trailers showed Vision having an Infinity Stone pulled from his cranium. For Vision's sake, we hope that scene was a million-dollar feint.
Saroj Khan's Defence Of Casting Couch Outrages Celebs And Twitter. 'Lost Respect,' They Say
Saroj Khan's unabashed defence of the casting couch on Tuesday made the Internet face-palm. Saroj Khan, who is one of Bollywood's top choreographers, said that the casting couch is "age-old" and added: "At least the film industry gives work, doesn't rape and abandon." Saroj Khan apologised for the comments but the damage was done. Speaking to news agency PTI, Saroj Khan said: "I have already said I am sorry. But you don't know the question that was asked... And now there's so much ruckus." Sri Reddy, who recently staged a nude protest against the casting couch in Chennai, and Sophie Choudry condemned Saroj Khan's statement. "I lost respect for you Saroj ma'am. It is giving a wrong indication that you have to be a slave to producers," Sri Reddy told news agency ANI. Sophie Choudry countered Saroj Khan's statement, in which she also said that artistes have a choice, and tweeted: "Nobody wants to sleep with someone for work. But they are made to feel it's the only way and "acceptable". And for those who don't, it's a tough road! This has to stop." Saroj Khan's defence of the casting couch infuriated Twitter as well. "Who gave her the right to speak anything unjust and shameless like this?," read one angry tweet. Another incensed Twitter user tweeted: "What's wrong with this woman, has she lost it completely. How can she defend casting couch! It's akin to defending rape!" However, a section of the Internet sided with Saroj Khan and said, "She's not wrong." Here are some tweets in Saroj Khan's defence. Saroj Khan is a three-time National Award winning choreographer. She choreographed most of Madhuri Dixit's hit numbers (Ek Do Teen, Dhak Dhak Karne Laga, Choli ke Peeche and Tamma Tamma Loge) in the Nineties. She has also worked with Rani Mukerji, Aamir Khan, Kajol, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Raveena Tandon among others. Saroj Khan was also the judge of reality shows Nahc Baliye 5 and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa
Ranbir Kapoor Makes Tone-Deaf Joke On Casting Couch, 'Insensitive,' Says Twitter'"
If choreographer Saroj Khan's headline-making justification of the casting couch wasn't outrageous enough, actor Ranbir Kapoor has prompted criticism by appearing to make light of Ms Khan's remarks at an event to release the teaser of his new film Sanju. Asked to comment on the casting couch, Ranbir offered neither a criticism of what Ms Khan said nor of the film industry's dirty secret - the exchange of sexual favours for work. Instead, he joked, "I have never faced it. If it's there, it's the worst kind." In response, Sanju director Rajkumar Hirani, producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra and others on stage can be seen doubling up with laughter. The comments thread is flooded with rebukes for Ranbir and his colleagues. "Is it a joke" asks one angry user; "What a bunch of insensitive dolts," says another. Some tweets invoked the N-word - nepotism Saroj Khan, a National Award-winning choreographer, has been roundly slammed for appearing to defend the casting couch and saying that "at least the film industry provides work and doesn't rape and abandon you." She also said that women consent to trading sexual favours, asking, "Why would you sell yourself if you have talent?" Ms Khan has since apologised for her comments but not in time to prevent Twitter from denouncing her. Telugu actress Sri Reddy and singer Sophie Choudry have joined the chorus of outrage over what Ms Khan said. 0 COMMENTS The existence of the casting couch is not in contest, no matter how tight-lipped the film industry stays. Some actors have spoken about being asked to trade sexual favours for roles, among them actor Ranveer Singh - no names have ever been named, at least not in Bollywood. Actress Richa Chadha has spoken about why those subjected to the casting couch rarely speak up - doing so ends careers, she said. Sanju, meanwhile, is the much-awaited biopic of controversial actor Sanjay Dutt, played in the film by Ranbir Kapoor. The cast also includes Anushka Sharma, Sonam Kapoor, Manisha Koirala and Dia Mirza. Sanju will release on June 29.
Pooja Bhatt Trolled For Calling Out Amitabh Bachchan's No-Comment Comment On Kathua And Unnao Rapes'"
Actress-turned-filmmaker Pooja Bhatt was trolled for calling Amitabh Bachchan out for saying "don't bring up this issue," when asked to comment on the recent Kathua and Unnao rape cases as an ambassador of the 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' initiative. After Amitabh Bachchan's statement went viral, Pooja Bhatt tweeted: "I can't help being reminded of a film called Pink. Can our images on screen please be reflected in reality?" In Pink, Mr Bachchan played the role of a lawyer who defended three women against false allegations after one of them was molested. The film won the National Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues. "Only brainless thakelis like Pooja Bhatt would even think of comparing movie roles or fictional stories to real life issues," read one tweet. Pooja's retort was: Another Twitter user targeted Pooja Bhatt's past as an alcohol addict and wrote: "A known alcoholic trying to gain publicity by using the name of a legend." Pooja, who quit drinking in December 2016, replied: "A 'recovering' alcoholic and proud of it. In a country where people don't even acknowledge they have a drinking problem, let alone discuss it, I am grateful to stand away from the crowd that considers holding your frailties to light shameful. #485dayssober. Pooja Bhatt came clean about her battle with alcoholism last year. She celebrated her nine-months sobriety with her fans on Instagram and recently talked about the irony of having 'saved' an alcoholic father in her debut film Daddy only to battle drinking problem herself. 7 COMMENTSHere are some of her Instagram posts, in which she celebrated her sobriety and talked about her battle with alcoholism. Pooja Bhatt has featured in films such as Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin and Sadak. She directed her first film Paap, which released in 2003. She is currently making the sequel of Sadak, which will retain Sanjay Dutt from the original cast.
When Priyanka Chopra Lost A Hollywood Film Because 'They Wanted Someone Who's Not Brown'"
Priyanka Chopra is a boss lady when it comes to her career choices - there's no two way of saying it. So, when she says she was rejected for a project in Hollywood for her skin colour, it's completely okay to be at a loss for words. In an interview with InStyle Magazine, the 35-year-old actress, who headlines American TV show Quantico, said she lost a role in Hollywood simply for being "brown" and her agent was intimated about the rejection in 'very polite' terms, we must say - Priyanka was considered unsuitable for the role owing to her "wrong physicality." Speaking to InStyle, Priyanka said: "I was out for a movie, and somebody (from the studio) called one of my agents and said, 'She's the wrong-what word did they used?-'physicality'." Priyanka said her immediate reaction was to figure out what exactly was the reason behind her not getting the part, which was soon enough simplified by her agent. "So, in my defence as an actor, I'm like, 'Do I need to be skinnier? Do I need to get in shape? Do I need to have abs?' Like, what does 'wrong physicality' mean? And then my agent broke it down for me. Like, 'I think, Priy, they meant that they wanted someone who's not brown.' It affected me," InStyle quoted Priyanka as saying. In her interview, Priyanka also mentioned that an inevitable part of being a successful star in the showbiz industries (back home and in the West) is an ongoing battle with pay disparity, especially if it's Hollywood and "she's a woman of color". "No one will say that a woman is getting paid less because she's a woman of color, but the numbers mostly end up reflecting that," InStyle quoted Priyanka as saying. COMMENTSEarlier in 2016, when Priyanka was shooting for the second season of Quantico, the actress reportedly had a brush with racism at an US airport. "Priyanka said that whoever goes to Hollywood after her should be careful about the kind of roles they do," DNA quoted a source as saying. Priyanka was reportedly questioned for sitting in the first class lounge at an US airport and was later apologised to. Priyanka Chopra is currently in Ireland, busy shooting for Quantico 3, which premieres on April 26. Last year's Baywatch was her Hollywood debut and she has two more Hollywood films in the pipeline - Isn't It Romantic? and A Kid Like Jake. Priyanka Chopra is yet to announce her next Bollywood project.
Kapil Sharma's New Show, Meant To Be Big Comeback, Reportedly Put On Hold After No-Show"
After Kapil Sharma apparently failed to turn up on sets of Family Time With Kapil Sharma to shoot for new episodes, the makers have decided to 'put his comeback show on hold.' reports Indian Express. Kapil had cancelled some shoots and also failed to film an episode with Rani Mukerji, who came to promote Hichki. Also, last weekend, no new episode of Family Time With Kapil Sharma was aired. "We did not have a bank of episodes to air as the show had just begun. Also, his health issues or personal issues has been deviating his attention and focus from work. In such a scenario, it is better that we keep the show on hold for now. At least the whole of April, we aren't shooting. We will figure out the rest once he feels better. Right now, we want to him get better first. So that once he is back, he is completely devoted to work like he has always been," a source told Indian Express. Of the cancelled with Rani Mukerji, the source told Indian Express that it was due to his 'personal issues' but the makers of the show were 'left in lurch.' "See the first episode of Kapil's latest show was nothing like its predecessor. It was a hotchpotch of too many things put in together for this 90s style game show. It only did well on TRP charts as Kapil has a very ardent fan following and was going to be back on television after a hiatus of seven months. So naturally, his fans did watch their favourite comedian's new show but it lacked the punch that they expected. However, owing too few personal issues, he had to cancel Rani Mukerji's shoot and this left us in a lurch." mid-day had reported that Kapil Sharma remained out of reach which was a 'major embarrassment' for them as well as the channel. "Alarm bells have started ringing as it spells loss of marketing revenue. They are clueless about when Kapil will resume shooting," a source told mid-day. Kapil Sharma hasn't yet spoken about the whole issue. However, he featured in headlines again for his tweets. He had filed an extortion case against producers Neeti and Preeti Simoes, who were the creative directors of The Kapil Sharma Show (his previous show) On Friday evening, several abusive posts from his Twitter account shocked the social media. Later, he clarified that his account was hacked.
Aamir Khan May Not Make The Mahabharata After All. Here's What Happened"
Aamir Khan is apparently "seriously reconsidering" his decision to adapt the Mahabharata on the big screen because "doing history or mythology has become very, very tricky," a source told Bollywood Hungama. Citing the example of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmaavat," a source told Bollywood Hungama: "Aamir Khan is weighing the pros and cons of doing the Mahabharata knowing he's bound to land up in trouble with fringe groups protesting left, right and centre. Aamir may drop his plans of doing the Mahabharata for now." The release of "Padmaavat" was opposed for months and even when it did hit the screens (after Supreme Court's intervention), several theatres and two states in India refused to screen Mr Bhansali's movie. Rajput fringe outfits opposed the film's content alleging that it demeaned Rani Padmini, the protagonist of the film. In 2016, Aamir Khan made a case against the "rising intolerance in India" when at an event he said that his wife Kiran Rao considered leaving India over 'growing intolerance.' Aamir Khan's comment was criticised and the actor was brutally trolled. However, Aamir later told PTI that he was 'wrongly quoted' and added: "I never said India was intolerant. To speak about 'rising intolerance' and to say India is 'intolerant' are two different things." Last year, Aamir Khan announced that he wants to adapt the Mahabharata on the big screen and that he may play the role of Karan or Krishna in the proposed five-part series. The topic resurfaced recently when it was reported that the project will be co-produced by Reliance boss Mukesh Ambani. A section of social media did not like the idea of Aamir Khan's involvement in the project because he is Muslim. Aamir's colleague Javed Akhtar silenced the trolls with a few scathing tweets - but that's another story. Aamir Khan is currently filming Thugs Of Hindostan and it was earlier reported that the actor hasn't signed another project after the YRF film to concentrate on a project that will occupy him for several years, which many believed is the Mahabharata. 4 COMMENTSApart from Aamir Khan, filmmaker SS Rajamouli has also expressed his desire to make the Mahabharata and Aamir Khan at that time told news agency PTI that he would "love to collaborate" with the Baahubali director. Aamir Khan and Rajamouli's plans to adapt the Mahabharat are still in the ideation stage. However, there's one confirmed project on Mahabharata. South star Mohanlal has been cast as Bheem in the adaptation of critically acclaimed Malayalam novel Randamoozham, which chronicles the events of the Mahabharata from Bheem's perspective.
Salman Khan 'Protecting Someone For Silly Reasons,' Tweets Simi Garewal On Blackbuck Case"
NEW DELHI:MMNN: 9 April 2018
Actress Simi Garewal says that Salman Khan is "protecting someone for silly emotional reasons" in the blackbuck poaching case. A post from Simi Garewal's unverified Twitter handle read: "The charity, the generosity, etc of Salman Khan is irrelevant here. What is all-important is the fact that he did not pull the trigger. He did not commit the crime. He is protecting someone for silly emotional reasons. Even at a huge cost to himself." The tweet was posted after Salman Khan was sentenced to five years jail term by a Jodhpur court in connection with the poaching case. Salman was sent to jail on April 5 and he stayed there for two days. The actor walked out after his bail was posted on April 7 and the next hearing has been scheduled for May 7. Salman Khan, 52, was held guilty by the court for hunting blackbuck while filming Hum Saath-Saath Hain in 1998. His co-stars Saif Ali Khan, Tabu and Sonali Bendre were acquitted by the court on the same day. Simi Garewal had also posted this: Salman Khan returned to Mumbai hours after his bail was posted. The actor was welcomed by his fans outside the Galaxy Apartments. His colleagues - Katrina Kaif, Sonakshi Sinha, Sneha Ullal and Shatrughan Sinha among others - have been spotted coming in and out of Salman's home after his arrival. Salman Khan's current work-in-progress film is Race 3, for which he was shooting in Abu Dhabi until day before his hearing in Jodhpur. Salman has also signed up Ali Abbas Zafar's Bharat and TV reality show 10 Ka Dum season 3.
Salman Khan Sentenced To 5 Years In Jail, Other Actors Acquitted In Blackbuck Poaching Case"
JODHPUR: Salman Khan, one of India's biggest stars, was sentenced today to five years in jail for killing blackbucks while on a film shoot in Rajasthan 20 years ago. The 52-year-old actor has also been fined Rs. 10,000 for hunting the rare antelopes in forests near Jodhpur while filming "Hum Saath Saath Hain" in 1998. His bail request will be heard tomorrow. His co-stars in the movie, Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam Kothari, have been acquitted for lack of evidence. Here are the top developments from the Salman Khan blackbuck poaching case verdict: Salman Khan was in court for the verdict in what is known to be his "lucky" black shirt. His sisters Alvira and Arpita reportedly broke down when the judge read out the order. Salman Khan was taken straight to the Jodhpur Central Jail, where he had briefly served time in 2006. As he emerged from the court, a loud cheer rose from a crowd of Bishnois, the community that is passionate about protecting the blackbuck, an endangered species. The news of Salman Khan's jail sentence saw varied reactions on micro-blogging website Twitter. Because of threats to the actor's life from gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, heavy security has been arranged at the jail where he is likely to be put up in the same barracks as Asaram Bapu, the self-styled godman accused of raping a schoolgirl. The antelopes were shot dead near a village of Bishnois, who are the main petitioners in the case. Salman Khan spotted a herd of blackbuck and shot dead two of them, the court was told. The court heard 28 witnesses including Bishnoi villagers who came out running from their huts on hearing gunshots. The Bishnois alleged that they took a bike and chased the Gypsy, but the actor got away. Deer carcass was found at the spot after the actors left. In hearings over two decades, the actor had argued that he had an air gun that doesn't kill. Reports that the animals died of "overeating" or that they were killed by dogs were also submitted in court. In an interview in 2009, Salman Khan had told NDTV that he had "saved the deer" and fed it. "We saw a fawn caught in a bush. He was petrified. I took him out of there, gave him some water. The whole herd was there. (The fawn) ate a few biscuits and went away". The whole controversy started then, he claimed. Salman Khan is one of the most bankable stars in India with a cult fan following. Currently, around Rs. 700 crore is believed to be riding on him in the bustling Hindi film industry dubbed Bollywood. He just completed a mega budget film, Race 3. In 2015, Salman Khan was cleared in a 2002 hit-and-run case in which his Toyota Land Cruiser had crashed into men sleeping on a pavement in Mumbai's Bandra, killing a homeless man.
Ajay Devgn Reportedly Trolled For Smoking Next To Son Yug"
Actor Ajay Devgn, who is currently holidaying in Paris with wife Kajol and children, was apparently trolled for smoking next to his son Yug. Ajay Devgn had posted a picture with Yug earlier this week and in it, he is seen holding a cigarette in his right hand. Yug stands next to him. The comments appeared to be deleted now but several media reports have posted screenshots of the messages. "Ajay Devgn, wish you a very happy birthday, but cigarette smoking is injurious to health" and "Smoking right next to your kid? You can do better than this Ajay" were some of the comments posted on the picture, reports Spotboye. The picture was posted by Ajay Devgn on his birthday. He turned 49 on April 2. He had shared two pictures of Yug (one with him and the other featured Yug with a bag full of chocolates) and captioned them as, "Before and after." Ajay Devgn, Kajol, Yug and the couple's daughter Nysa left Mumbai on Sunday. In Paris, they were joined by Vatsal Sheth and his wife Ishita Dutta. Both of them have worked with the Golmaal Again actor previously. Ajay Devgn and Kajol married in 1999. Their daughter Nysa, 14, studies in Singapore while Yug, 6, stays with them in Mumbai. Last week, Ajay Devgn's Raid co-star Ileana D'Cruz told news agency IANS that he's 'obsessed with his kids.' "He's a massive family man. He's obsessed with his kids, which is very lovely. He's really a positive person. When you are working with likeminded people then there are no pretences. So, it's nice working with him." Ajay Devgn has Total Dhamaal, Sons of Sardaar and a film with Tabu in the line-up. He is also producing Kajol's Eela
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan On Bringing Up Aaradhya: "Not An Army Of Help, Have One Nanny By Choice"
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan opened up about her experience of dividing duties between being a "busy" star and a mother to her six-year-old daughter Aaradhya in an interview with Vogue India. The 44-year-old actress said that she is well aware of the perception that a celebrity mother must have plenty of assistance in bringing up a daughter by virtue of her being a star but, that's not how she planned her motherhood to be. "I spend all my time with Aaradhya, and I have one nanny, by choice," the actress said in the interview. "I read comments saying, "Ah, she must have an army of help" and I understand the perception, but I choose this way, which means life is always busy," she added when asked about her day's schedule. Aishwarya, who sure has a busy roster on the work front, added that every experience counts and as a mother, retiring as "tired" is not really an option for her - "B-positive is not just a blood group and that everything in life is a learning curve". "That's something I'm imparting to Aaradhya," she added. By now, it is well known that Aaradhya Bachchan is Aishwarya's favourite travel buddy and plus one at parties. Only recently the mother-daughter duo featured in headlines after Aaradhya attended the big fat Ambani bash as a special guest. Apart from parties and Pro Kabaddi matches, Aaradhya is also a Cannes regular, just like her mother - she has been accompanying Aishwarya to the French Riviera since she was a baby. COMMENTSLast year, while attending the Cannes Film Festival, Aishwarya told PTI Aaradhya is now accustomed to the ways of being a star kid: "Because she is travelling with me, meeting new people, seeing our world, I don't have to sit her down and tell her what her mother does. She sees it, she is growing up with. She has now developed an ease (with media) which you all are seeing." Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan married in 2007 and Aaradhya was born to them in 2011, which was a year after Guzaarish, Aishwarya's film with Hrithik Roshan. She made a comeback on the big screen with 2015's Jazbaa and also went on to star in Sarbjit and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. She will next be seen in Fanne Khan, co-starring Anil Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao. She's also been approached for the remakes of Woh Kaun Thi? and Raat Aur Din.
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson On His Secret Battle With Depression: "I Was Crying Constantly"
Wrestler turned actor Dwayne Johnson (aka The Rock) talked about his secret battle with depression in an interview with The Express one month after he recalled on Instagram how he had saved his mother from a suicide attempt. "Struggle and pain is real. I was devastated and depressed. I reached a point where I didn't want to do a thing or go anywhere. I was crying constantly," Dwayne Johnson said. A fan recently told Dawyne Johnson that he's battling depression and the Fast And Furious actor replied: "I hear you. I've battled that beast more than once." In February, while shooting for the upcoming season of television series Ballers, Dwayne Johnson talked about the day when his mother tried to commit suicide. Dawyne was all of 15 and they were evicted from their apartment, he shared on Instagram. "She got out of the car on Interstate 65 in Nashville and walked into oncoming traffic. Big rigs and cars swerving out of the way not to hit her. I grabbed her and pulled her back on the gravel shoulder of the road. What's crazy about that suicide attempt is to this day, she has no recollection of it whatsoever. Probably best she doesn't," he wrote. 2 COMMENTSThe actor added: "Many of us have been affected by suicide of our friends, family. Struggle and pain is real. We've all been there on some level or another." The Rock was last seen in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, a reboot of Robin Williams' 1995 Jumanji. It was the fifth-highest-grossing film of 2017 worldwide. His upcoming films are Rampage, Skyscraper and Fighting With My Family.
Baaghi 2 Movie Review: Tiger Shroff Can't Carry This Awful Action Film 'Baburao Kaha Hai,' Asks The Internet"
NEW DELHI:MMNN: 30 March 2018
Baaghi 2 Movie Review: This is an action film without enough action and a romantic drama where you don't feel for the characters Cast: Tiger Shroff, Disha Patani, Prateik Babbar, Manoj bajpayee, Randeep Hooda, Deepak Dobriyal Director: Ahmed Khan Rating: 1 star (out of 5) "Hey baby," leers a lecherous villain in Baaghi 2. "I mean bhabhi." You and I may groan, but this might be the kind of directness the heroine of the film actually appreciates, given how in college she rebuked a boy for tailing her ("I hate stalkers") but then commended him for speaking his mind. "Don't act desperate," she then warned, "I'll carry pepper spray." Then she turned away and laughed mischievously, as if the mere mention of mace is a sexual come-on. When we meet the film's hero - the aforementioned indiscreet stalker - he is an Army Commando in Kashmir who ties a man to the front of his jeep and uses him as a human shield. Wow. It is the kind of thing I expected Hindi cinema to tackle at some point, but not in a Tiger Shroff film where his reasoning for this inhumanity is that somebody burned the Indian flag. As if the film's loathing for subtlety wasn't immediately clear enough, we then see that his commanding officer is played by a man who calls himself Grandmaster Shifu-Ji, a creator of hate-filled YouTube propaganda videos, whose own website lists him as a "Revolutionary Orator" and a "Freelance Mentor." God save us all. A girl has been kidnapped but does she even exist? Baaghi 2 - technically a sequel to the entirely unrelated film Baaghi, and a remake of the Telugu hit Kshanam - has a decently twisty plot about kidnapping and deceit, one that could have worked in the hands of an actual filmmaker. Choreographer Ahmed Khan isn't up to the task of making ineffective leads look like actors, which basically means storytelling via montages so clumsy you can all but hear the director's voice as the performers abruptly alter their expressions: "Now look sad, more sad, eyes lower." That kind of thing. In the film's first scene, where Disha Patani finds herself assaulted by masked men, she looks more confused than hurt: how, she seems to be asking herself in slow motion, can I look more vulnerable, more surprised, more in pain? (Look to us, miss. Look to our faces to see what being brained with a blunt object looks like.) The lack of finesse hurts the actor. Tiger Shroff - who has the earnest likability of the one-stunt pony - is fine delivering flying kicks over a table, but Khan tries to make him appear emotionally driven, which translates to him grimacing when firing a machine gun - not the best look for a Rambo wannabe. The fight sequences are set to odd music, liberally use slow-motion, and rely too heavily on turn-by-turn choreography. Plus, the hero pauses in the middle of a fight to reverentially gaze at the Indian flag kept on a policeman's desk, while he bashes in both policeman and desk. Despite the actor's core strength being his core, most of these action scenes appear inexplicably late, long after the film has hammered us with weak melodrama and inexplicably poor writing. Tiger tries hard to suck in his cheek, square his jaw and Jackie it up, but this mediocrity is too much for him to handle. Half the film involves him overwhelmed, while the other half has him beating up people and then using a Batman voice to growl "I'm looking for a little girl." Okay then. Patani, playing a high-strung role, is particularly insipid. "Have you seen my daughter?" the hysterical heroine asks, running from stranger to stranger in what looks like the parking lot of a shopping mall. "I don't know," says a man, understandably feigning a phone call to get away from this woman. Shroff and Patani have very little on-screen chemistry, exemplified in a song sequence that shows us two youngsters who dance at each other instead of with each other, like rivals at a Zumba class. The posters of this film showed me two frighteningly fit youngsters and I thought maybe she'd get a chance to kick butt as well, but there is alas no dice. In fact, on the basis of this role and her work in MS Dhoni, Patani could well be in danger of being labelled the next Yami Gautam, a girl with a nice smile who rarely lasts the whole mile. The extras seem to have walked in from Gold's Gym, but some familiar faces show up, like Randeep Hooda playing a cop who looks like an unemployed Rasta bassist (and who, refreshingly, gives zero damns whatsoever to the film) and Prateik Babbar, doing such an unconvincing job of being on drugs that the actor must be trying to assure us he doesn't know what they look like. In one scene, bona fide actors Deepak Dobriyal and Manoj Bajpayee sit across from each other possibly wondering why they're in this film. Later, one of them gets to lean on an honest-to-goodness Trojan Horse sculpture, while the other gets a line about Hyderabadis knowing their way around both biryani and qurbani. It is a long, painful film capable of giving audiences post-traumatic stress disorder. Right when I thought Baaghi 2 couldn't possibly get worse, an electrocuted Jacqueline Fernandez showed up with a sickening take on Ek Do Teen. We're down for the count
Akshay Kumar And 'Old Friend' Suniel Shetty Take A Selfie. 'Baburao Kaha Hai,' Asks The Internet"
A selfie of actors Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty has made the Internet very, very happy. The picture credit goes to Akshay, who captioned the post as, "This is not a throwback but takes me back to so many. As always, was lovely catching up with one of my oldest friend and co-star Suniel Shetty today." While Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty's fans were elated to see both the actors together and comments such as "my favourite actors of all times" were posted, some of them asked about Baburao. Remember Baburao Ganpatrao Apte? Arre haan, Paresh Rawal from Hera Pheri. "Raju aur Shyam, Baburao kaha hai?" a user commented. Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal had featured together in 2000's comedy-drama Hera Pheri and the second part, Phir Hera Pheri, released in 2006. Both the films were successful at the box office. Apart from the Hera Phera films, the trio have collaborated for movies such as De Dana Dan, Aan - Men At Work and Awaara Paagal Deewana. Meanwhile, Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty have worked together in hit films like Mohra and Dhadkan. Hera Pheri 3 is also in the lineup but Akshay will reportedly not be a part of the film, which stars Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal. Ad COMMENTSAkshay Kumar, 50, is currently busy with several projects. He was last seen in PadMan, produced by wife Twinkle Khanna. He has 2.0 (with Rajinikanth), work-in-progress film Kesari and Gold in the pipeline. Suniel Shetty, 56, was last seen in A Gentleman. His daughter Athiya debuted in Bollywood in 2015.
Kartik Aaryan Wants Kareena Kapoor To Be His 'Rani.' The Internet Outrages On Saif Ali Khan's Behalf"
Kartik Aaryan and Kareena Kapoor recently walked the ramp for Manish Malhotra in Singapore - and the duo had plenty of fun at the backstage. The Pyaar Ka Punchnama actor roped in Kareena for an Instagram video - he lip-synced to Ban Ja Tu Meri Raani while Kareena kept him company throughtout. Now on Instagram, Kartik's post reads: "Ban jaa tu meri Rani," which has quickly been noticed by fans and flooded with cautionary warnings about flirting with Kareena, who is eight years older and married to Saif Ali Khan. "Someone tag Saif Ali Khan in here," read a comment while another added: "Kisi aur ki rani hai wo." Here's what another user said: "Kareena ji already rani hai kisi ki unko rani maat banao!" Shared on Wednesday afternoon, Kartik Aaryan's video has garnered over 372,476 views and thousand comments in just two hours, most of which have reviewed the video as "cute" and "adorable" and has also requested that the two be cast in a movie together soon. "You guys are looking fabulous. We all want to see you guys together in the movie," said one user and another one wrote: "Both are looking so adorable.., Love u both... Why can't you do a movie together?" The Manish Malhotra show, held earlier this week, saw Kareena set the ramp on fire in an embellished lehenga and bra-let while Kartik complemented her in a blue bandhgala and pants. Photos from the show have also previously made Kareena trend after a section of the Internet decided to troll the actress for looking "malnourished" and "like a skeleton." Kartik Aaryan, who is six-films-old in Bollywood, was last seen in Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety. Kareena Kapoor will next be seen in Shashanka Ghosh's Veere Di Wedding, which also stars Sonam Kapoor and Swara Bhaskar.
At Ambani Party For Akash And Shloka: Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Katrina Kaif And Other Stars"
Nita and Mukesh Ambani hosted a grand party for their son Akash and his fiance Shloka Mehta in Mumbai. The young couple got engaged over the weekend in Goa. Several Bollywood stars and other prominent personalities attended the party. Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, her daughter Aaradhya, Katrina Kaif, Karan Johar and Kiran Rao arrived early. They were photographed outside the venue - see pictures below. Akash is the eldest of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh and Nita Ambani three children. Akash's fiancee Shloka is the daughter of diamond magnate Russel Mehta. The families are yet to release an official statement on their engagement and wedding. On Sunday evening, the Ambanis, along with Shloka, visited Mumbai's Siddhivinayak Temple. Akash Ambani and Shloka Mehta have reportedly studied together at the Dhirubhai Ambani International School. Please welcome Akash Ambani and Shloka Mehta. The couple posed happily for the paparazzi. See Akash and Shloka's picture here. Shah Rukh Khan posed for the shutterbugs. Aishwarya opted for a black gown while Aaradhya looked cute as a buttion in pink. Katrina Kaif smiled as she made her way to the venue. Karan Johar and Kiran Rao posed together. SRK and Karan Johar also posed with Akash and Shloka. Sagarika Ghatge and Zaheer Khan made a couple entry. Harbhajan Singh at the party. John Abraham waved at the shutterbugs. Rajkumar Hirani arrived with family. News agency PTI reported that Akash Ambani and Shloka Mehta's wedding is planned for early December and festivities will be hosted over four-five days, possibly December 8-12, at a five star hotel in Mumbai. 3 COMMENTSSee pictures of the Ambani family with Shloka at Siddhivinayak Temple. Apart from Akash, Nita and Mukesh Ambani are also parents to daughter Isha and son Anant. The Ambanis have previously hosted some star-studded parties for Bollywood celebrities. Shloka's dad Russel Mehta is the owner of Rosy Blue Diamonds. Shloka is believed to have studied at Princeton University and the London School of Economics.
Kareena Kapoor Trolled For Looking Like 'A Skeleton', Asked To Start Eating"
Kareena Kapoor's religious gymming appears to have paid off - the 37-year-old actress looks a lot like her size zero self from a few years ago - and people aren't entirely impressed. Kareena, who gave birth to son Taimur in December 2016, recently walked the ramp for her "favourite" designer Manish Malhotra in Singapore and a behind-the-scenes moment from the show, featuring Kareena and best friend Amrita Arora, has been flooded with vile comments on Instagram. Kareena, who was dressed in a Manish Malhotra ensemble - an embellished bralet and lehenga, was trolled for looking "too skinny" and was asked to start eating and gain weight. "Kuchh kha liya karo," she was told. The trolls also added that she resembles a "skeleton" because of her toned midriff. "Seems like Kareena underwent some treatment to look skinny," read one of the comments while another speculated that Kareena might be suffering from malnutrition. "What happened to Kareena? She looks like a skull," wrote another follower in the comment's section. Some also said that the actress looked older than her age: "Amrita looks fab and you look aged Kareena Kapoor and Kartik Aaryan were Manish Malhotra's showstoppers for the night Kareena Kapoor has been frequently photographed hitting the gym in the last year and shed her post-pregnancy weight within months. Her strict work-out regime allowed her to resume work commitments - she returned to filming Veere Di Wedding after a short maternity leave. In 2008, Kareena made headlines for becoming a "size zero" for Tashan. Kareena, who reportedly starved herself before shooting a beach sequence in a bikini, fainted on the sets of the film Those who remember, Deepika Padukone was subjected to similar trolling after her photoshoot for the jewellery edition of Vanity Fair UK in July last year. "Dead body" to "anorexic" are some of the adjectives she was referred to with. She was also told to "eat a burger. Kareena Kapoor will next be seen in Shashanka Ghosh's Veere Di Wedding, which also stars Sonam Kapoor and Swara Bhasker
Rani Mukerji On Hichki's Success: "Audience Celebrated Working Mothers"
Actress Rani Mukerji's Hichki, tale of an aspiring teacher with Tourette Syndrome, passed with flying colours on the opening days. The film opened across 961 screens and earned Rs. 3.30 crore on Day 1, for which Rani Mukerji said: "This box office validation gives me incredible confidence to continue my journey as a working mother who can aim to balance her professional and personal life to a T. Thank you all for giving me the power to continue living my dream." Rani returned to the silver screen after a gap of four years (she was last seen in 2014's Mardaani) and in a statement she said that she enjoyed being a mother to her 2-years-old daughter Adira during the sabbatical of sorts but acting was her "first love." Rani Mukerji said that the commercial success of Hichki was immensely important for her and "for all my fellow lovely, outstandingly talented actresses who dream to follow their passion post their marriage, or even after becoming a mother." She added: "Deep down I was nervous that if I fail, I would be forever succumbing to the archaic stereotypes, to the same hichkis that have been prevalent for so many years." Rani Mukerji said that the success of Hichki reinstates the fact that for the audience "good cinema and good performance is the only thing that matters - not marital status, not parenthood." She said that the movie-goers have "celebrated working mothers today." Hichki is directed by Siddharth P Malhotra and it is co-produced by Maneesh Sharma and Yash Raj Films.
Hichki Celeb Review: 'Watch Rani Mukerji's Film With A Box Of Tissues
Rani Mukerji's Hichki has already earned a lot of love from her colleagues, who have every nice to say to say about it. Celebrities like Aamir Khan, Karan Johar, Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Sushmita Sen, Shilpa Shetty and Urmila Matondkar have enjoyed special screenings of the movie ahead of its release and shared their reviews on social media. Aamir Khan, Rani's co-star of Ghulam, watched the film just a day before release and reviewed it as "one of the most enjoyable films". "Great story, amazing perfomances! Superb film," he added. Mr Kapoor was one of the first to post his review on Twitter. In a tweet directly addressed to Rani, he wrote: "Watched Hichki last night and absolutely loved it! The whole team has done an exceptional job especially the kids and Neeraj Kabi! And Rani you are my new favourite teacher! Your performance has left me speechless!" Karan Johar, who has directed Rani in films such as Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, said Hichki will indeed make you nostalgic about school and that Rani is "the soul and life of this film." With Hichki, Rani makes a comeback after four years and plays a teacher named Naina, who suffers from Tourette Syndrome - a disorder, which leads one to make involuntary sounds and movements. In Naina's case, she utters "chuck, chuck" as she speaks. Madhuri Dixit, who reportedly got teary eyed while watching Hichki, Instagrammed to say: "Hichki is a moving and heart-warming film helmed by a brilliant story with a wonderful cast. A strong content driven film, very well directed by Siddharth P Malhotra and of course another stupendous performance by Rani. Kudos to Team Yash Raj Films." Shilpa Shetty gave Rani a shout out for her "splendid and flawless performance" while Sushmita Sen said Hichki "is a must watch with a box of tissues." This is what Urmila wrote: "Congratulations dearest Rani on yet another superlative performance. Directed by Siddharth P Malhotra and produced by Maneesh Sharma, Hichki releases tomorrow.
Salman Khan's Veergati Co-Star Pooja Dadwal Receives Help From Ravi Kishan
For Salman Khan's Veergati co-star Pooja Dadwal, who is battling tuberculosis alone in a Mumbai hospital, actor politician Ravi Kishan extended a helping hand, reports Hindustan Times. Earlier this week, Pooja told Navbharat Times that tried to contact Salman Khan to help her fund her treatment but she's not been able to reach the 52-year-old actor, who is busy with several projects. However, Ravi Kishan, who co-starred with Ms Dadwal in 1997 film Tumse Pyar Ho Gaya, came to her rescue when he got to know about her condition while promoting his upcoming film in Hyderabad. According to a Hindustan Times report, Ravi Kishan sent his colleague with money and fruits for the actress, who is admitted in Mumbai's T B Hospital, Sewri for the past 15 days. A video of Ravi Kishan's colleague handing over the money and a carton full of fruits is also being circulated on the Internet. Earlier, Pooja told Navbharat Times that she is "penniless" and had to "depend on others for even a cup of tea." The former actress said that she was working as a casino manager in Goa for several years before she was diagnosed with tuberculosis, after which her family had also abandoned her. "I got to know six months ago that I was suffering from tuberculosis. After learning about this I tried to contact Salman Khan but there's been no response yet. I have been admitted to the hospital for 15 days now. I was the manager at a casino in Goa for several years. I am penniless. I am dependent on others for even a cup of tea," she told Navbharat Times
Aamir Khan's Magnum Opus Mahabharata To Be Co-Produced By Mukesh Ambani
MUMBAI: EXCLUSIVE >> Insiders in the know have told mid-day that Reliance boss Mukesh Ambani, who had only recently invested in entertainment companies Eros and Ekta Kapoor's Balaji, will co-produce superstar Aamir Khan's most ambitious film yet, the Mahabharata series, for the big screen. Whether this marks Ambani's full-fledged foray into film production with a separate company, or he'll be involved through his existing media-related entities, Jio, Viacom 18 (where he holds controlling stake), is not known. The source, however, insists on the former, stressing on this being a "one-off" engagement. COMMENTSImagined along the lines and scale of Peter Jackson's Lord Of The Rings trilogy, HBO series Game Of Thrones, Khan's Mahabharata franchise has already created much buzz in film trade circles owing to rumours flying over a Rs. 1,000 crore budget. This, of course, is impossible to ascertain, given the series - likely to comprise anywhere between three to five parts, involving multiple directors - is only at a pre-production/ideation stage. Sources say international writers will be brought in to sharpen Mahabharata's story-line, to appeal to a global audience Late last year, Aamir Khan's planned magnum opus - something he has publicly spoken about as his dream project in the past - came into news, when the actor-producer (currently shooting for the Yash Raj production, Thugs Of Hindostan), had to turn down Mahesh Mathai's biopic on cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma, to be produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur, owing to the big-ticket series that's going to singularly keep him busy for the next few years.
How Kareena, Saif And The Kapoors Celebrated Shashi Kapoor's Birth Anniversary
The Kapoors got together over the weekend to celebrate the 80th birth anniversary of Shashi Kapoor, who died in December last year. Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan reportedly hosted a dinner to mark the special day, a photo from which has been doing the rounds on the Internet. In attendance were Kareena's husband Saif Ali Khan, father Randhir Kapoor, his sister Rima Jain, Kareena's cousins Armaan and Adar Jain, Shashi Kapoor's son Kunal Kapoor and several other Kapoors. It's always a delight to see the Kapoors getting together, like during the annual Christmas brunch or for birthday celebrations. In an interview with mid-day, just days after Shashi Kapoor died, Randhir Kapoor explained why fam-jamming together is essential for the Kapoors. "My uncle (Shashi Kapoor) was a family man and always believed in celebrations. In fact, he had told us that we should not mourn his death and instead, celebrate his life. I think his kids are just doing that and are paying an ode to him. Like my father, Raj Kapoor said, 'The show must go on'," he said. Christmas was celebrated and gifts were exchanged in the Kapoor household last December, especially as a tribute to Shashi Kapoor. Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Singh, Randhi Kapoor, Rima Jain, Krishna Raj Kapoor, Neila Devi, the Jain brothers - Armaan and Adar and the Kapoor sisters - Kareena and Karisma had also arrived with the families. This year, Christmas was all about sharing fond memories of Shashi Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor had told mid-day: "Like every year, we are expecting the entire family to be there. As usual, there will be lots of food, and this time around, it will be special as we will remember Shashiji and share our fond memories of him. On December 4, Shashi Kapoor died in Mumbai after battling kidney-related ailment for months. The legendary actor was cremated with state honours with a three-gun salute by Mumbai Police the next day
Salman Khan's Veergati Co-Star Pooja Dadwal Is Ill And Reportedly Trying To Contact Him For Help
Former actress Pooja Dadwal, who once co-starred with Salman Khan in 1995 movie Veergati, is reportedly trying to reach out to the superstar for financial aid. A report in Navbharat Times states that Pooja is suffering from tuberculosis and lung-related ailment and has been admitted to Mumbai's T B Hospital, Sewri for the past 15 days. The report also adds that Pooja has reportedly tried to get in touch with the 52-year-old actor to ask for financial help but apparently Salman has not responded yet. "I got to know six months ago that I was suffering from tuberculosis. After learning about this I tried to contact Salman Khan but there's been no response yet," Navbharat Times quoted Pooja as saying. Pooja, who appears to have sent a video message to the actor, claims that her financial condition is extremely weak. The report quotes her as saying that she was a casino manager in Goa before she got diagnosed with tuberculosis. "If Salman Khan sees my video, he might help me. I have been admitted to the hospital for 15 days now. I was the manager at a casino in Goa for several years. I am penniless. I am dependent on others for even a cup of tea," she told Navbharat Times. COMMENTSMeanwhile, there's been no reaction from Salman Khan yet but a section of Twitter has urged Salman to provide aide. "Pooja Dadwal waiting for your financial help. Please help her," read a tweet Navbharat Times report also states Pooja Dadwal was abandoned by her husband and in-laws once her health started deteriorating. Pooja Dadwal has also starred in films like Inteqam, Hindustan and Dabdaba.
Raid Movie Review: Ajay Devgn's Brooding Presence Makes This Riveting Fare
Raid movie review: Together, Ajay Devgn and Saurabh Shukla give Raid its heft Cast: Ajay Devgn, Ileana D'Cruz, Saurabh Shukla Director: Raj Kumar Gupta Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5) Five years after the misfiring Ghanchakkar, a film that went round in circles with no apparent purpose, director Raj Kumar Gupta regains some of his mojo in Raid, a gripping search-and-seizure procedural boosted by its focused intensity and the commendably restrained performances from Ajay Devgn and Saurabh Shukla. It hits the right buttons consistently and, barring the largely gratuitous background songs, does not stray from its chosen course. Inspired by "true stories" surrounding an early 1980s tax raid on a powerful Uttar Pradesh political goon, the film has contemporary resonance because the broad themes that it touches upon are undeniably as relevant today as they were four decades ago. The nation and its people may, on the surface, seem to have moved on, but, at levels that matter, the rot has only worsened in alarmingly dangerous ways. Raid, scripted by Ritesh Shah, tells the story of an income tax deputy commissioner, Amay Patnaik (Devgn), who lands in Lucknow with his wife Malini (Ileana D'Cruz) on his 49th transfer in seven years. He wastes no time in making his presence felt in UP's capital city. Acting on an anonymous telephonic tip-off, Patnaik, with a posse of policemen and tax officials, marches into the den of a dreaded, crooked politician Rameshwar Singh "Tauji" (Shukla) with a search-and-seizure warrant. What ensues from here onwards is a riveting battle of attrition between a power-crazed man convinced that he can get away with murder and an upright, intrepid government functionary wedded to his none-too-easy job and mindful of the rules of service that he must necessarily adhere to. The film's action is principally confined to one house occupied by a large joint family presided over by the ruthlessly domineering Rameshwar. His hold over his brood is emphasized in the course of two protracted dining table sequences that lay out the relational dynamics between him and his brothers, sisters and ageing mother. Both scenes are wonderfully written and perfectly placed in the flow of the narrative. In a way, Raid is a classic cop and robber yarn. But it is set apart from the norms of the genre just a tad because the man leading the crusade against the bad guy isn't a beefed-up action hero in uniform. Neither is his antagonist a scowling, snarling, sadistic law-breaker. He is simply a man with a bloated sense of self-importance, one who has gotten so accustomed to a culture of impunity that he is baffled by the temerity of the taxman. After his bluff and bluster comes to naught, Rameshwar Singh hurls a challenge at Patnaik: let me loose and see what I can do. The income tax officer takes his word for it and lets him go even as the raid continues. Rameshwar turns to everybody - the state chief minister, the Union finance minister and even the then Prime Minister (a lady, obviously Indira Gandhi, but the actor's face is never revealed) - with an appeal to have the tax recovery operation called off. His entreaties yield little as Patnaik stands his ground and deflects all pressure. When somebody describes the protagonist as a fearless officer who doesn't kowtow even to the Prime Minister - she, on her part, is heard saying later that the country needs more officers like Patnaik - how one wishes that we actually had more of this man's ilk in times when all major institutions in this country are being brazenly manipulated and compromised. Pitched as a tribute to unsung officers who keep the wheels of the economy running despite the scourge of widespread corruption, Raid probes the price one has to pay for being honest in a system that entices many, and browbeats some, into opting for the line of least resistance and putting self-preservation ahead of duty. The passing allusion (in a dinnertime conversation between Patnaik and his wife) to Munshi Premchand's short story Namak Ka Daroga lends the current and ever-relevant tale its timelessness, a pointer that the issue has been alive forever and isn't going away anytime soon. In one scene, the hero says to Rameshwar that it isn't the poor who are to blame for the poverty that they are condemned to; the dishonest rich who corner most of the wealth generated in the country are the culprits. At another point in the film, the corrupt MLA, seeking help from political higher-ups, draws the chief minister's attention to the funds that he put into the party coffers at election time. 1981 and 2018 - same difference! Raid obviously alludes to an array of economic offences - black money, sales tax and excise duty evasion, money laundering, hawala rackets. None of these has been weeded out. If anything, they have only assumed new forms, just as corruption, as a whole, has. Raid isn't without its share of flaws. While Ritesh Shah's screenplay and dialogues are first-rate, it is hard to fathom why the film needed to use Punjabi lyrics for a couple of its background songs or draw attention to the courage of the hero through the means of a corny number that goes Mar bhi gayaa agar/marne ka darr nahi. Amay Patnaik does enough through the 128-minute film not to require this sort of unsubtle musical underscoring of his defining trait. Devgn's brooding presence, which shores up film, is reminiscent of the actor's Najaayaz and Zakhm> days. Shukla is brilliant as the cynical politician who does not abandon his defiant stance even when the chips are hopelessly down. Together, the two actors give Raid its heft. The fetching Ileana D'Cruz is unlikely to fetch too many points for this performance: the character of the wife, rebellious enough not to sport a mangalsutra but dutiful enough to take lunch in a tiffin-carrier for her husband and his team all the way to the supposedly top-secret raid location, is riddled with contradictions. Mercifully, the film, as a whole, isn't. Raid delivers riveting fare without resorting to too many standard Bollywood tics
Amitabh Bachchan's Doctors Are 'Fiddling Around With His Body' In Jodhpur
Actor Amitabh Bachchan, 75, is being attended in Jodhpur - where he's filming - by a team of doctors from Mumbai, who arrived in Jodhpur today morning. "I am getting my team of doctors in tomorrow morning to fiddle around with my body and set me up again. I will rest and keep informed in process," Mr Bachchan wrote on his blog in a post shared early this morning. Exactly what has happened to him is not clear - his blog seems to indicate that he's been working long hours on Thugs Of Hindostan - the film he's currently shooting in Jodhpur - and that "it's been rough." Some people need to work for a living and work hard," Amitabh Bachchan wrote - that's pretty much most of us, Mr Bachchan. He seems quite cheerful on Twitter, however. This was his last tweet, shared some hours after his blog post: He tweeted before that about getting back from his shoot at just short of 5 am The accident on the sets of Coolie that put Amitabh Bachchan in a coma all those years ago has left him with a list of medical complaints. Mr Bachchan has written earlier about living with pain. He was pictured at Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai last month, reportedly because of lower back trouble. Hospital authorities later revealed that it was a routine check-up. The actor was admitted briefly and discharged the same day. Mr Bachchan later posted a poem on his blog which began "Jee haan janaab, main aspatal jaata hoon." Amitabh Bachchan's work-in-progress project Thugs Of Hindostan also stars Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif and Fatima Sana Shaikh. Mr Bachchan also has 102 Not Out with Rishi Kapoor lined up for release.
A Tribute To Sridevi, From The Tamil Film Industry. Janhvi, Khushi And Others Attend
Late actress Sridevi was fondly remembered in a prayer meet organised by actors and filmmakers of the Tamil film industry in Chennai on Sunday. Sridevi is survived by her husband Boney Kapoor and daughters - Janhvi and Khushi - all of who were part of the prayer meet held at a city hotel in Chennai. Sridevi's close friend designer Manish Malhotra also appears to have accompanied the family to Chennai and shared a few photos on Instagram. The media was not present at the event but photos have been curated by several fan clubs on Instagram. Sridevi was born in Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu on August 13, 1963. Her debut in film was as a child artiste in 1969 Tamil movie Thunaivan. Ahead of that, Southern film stars including actors Sivakumar, Sripriya and Padmini along with actor-filmmaker K Bhagyaraj, had paid their last respects to the late superstar at an event organised by the South Indian Artistes' Association (SIAA), which is also referred to as Nadigar Sangam in Chennai. Those who gathered at the prayer meet, paid their last respects to Sridevi in front of a photograph of the actress adorned with white flowers. SIAA President and actor Nasser was also part of the meet. On Twitter, actor-director Manobala, who is also part of South Indian Artistes' Association, shared a photograph of the SIAA members remembering Sridevi. Earlier, other celebrities like actor Ajith, filmmaker Priyadarshan and actress Meena visited the residence of Sridevi in Chennai to pay their tributes. In February, Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth and his wife Latha Rajinikanth had also visited Anil Kapoor's residence in Mumbai to be Sridevi's family after her death. On February 24, Sridevi accidentally drowned in a hotel bathtub in Dubai, where she was attending the wedding festivities of nephew Mohit Marwah. After three days, Sridevi was flown back to Mumbai and a condolence meet and funeral were organised by the Kapoors on February 28. COMMENTSSridevi, whose is best known for films like Chandni, Mr India and Nagina, took a sabbatical from the big screen after she married Boney Kapoor in 1996. She made a comeback with English Vinglish in 2012 and Tamil fantasy drama Puli remains one of her last movies. MOM was her last film that released and she has also shot for Shah Rukh Khan's Zero, which releases later this year.
Get ready to fall in love with Ronnie, Neha in O Saathi from Baaghi 2
Song O Saathi from Sajid Nadiadwalas Baaghi 2 showcases the innocent and pure love story of two students Ronnie and Neha played by Tiger Shroff and Disha Patani respectively. Featuring Tiger Shroff as the star player and Disha Patani as the cheerleader, the second song from the action film is the perfect love song of the season.The first song Mundiyan showcased the two dancing powerhouses set the dance floor on fire, the second song showcases the love story. One of the most good looking couple, Tiger and Disha prove to be the best example of an ideal college romance.The soulful melody and heartwarming lyrics perfectly compliment the endearing video featuring the leading pair. The trailer had created a mystery behind their love story, O Saathi showcases how the duo fell in love in their early days as students.Baaghi 2 would bring to celluloid the pair of Tiger and Disha for the first time. Sajid Nadiadwala has managed to bring to screen one of the most anticipated pairs of Bollywood. There has been immense excitement amongst the fans to witness the powerhouse of action perform kickass stunts yet again. The trailer has been receiving rave reviews from all quarters. Tiger is being lauded for his deadly action avatar creating anticipation for the film. The second instalment will enhance the action for the audience showcasing Tiger Shroff in a more muscular avatar than the prequel. Co-Produced by Fox Star Studios and Sajid Nadiadwala under the banner name Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, Baaghi 2 is directed by Ahmed Khan and is slated to release on March 30.
Dil Juunglee Movie Review: Taapsee Pannu And Saqib Saleem's Film Is More Pain Than Fun
NEW DELHI:MMNN: 9 March 2018
Dil Juunglee Movie Review: Every bit in Taapsee Pannu and Saqib Saleem's film is a bit on the wild side, completely arbitrary and illogical Cast: Tapsee Pannu, Saqib Saleem, Nidhi Singh Director: Aleya Sen Rating: 1.5 Stars (Out of 5) It all begins with a girl in a tearing rush. She is about to elope with her lover. Bites of brinjal sandwiches, loads of airy-fairy talk and a diamond ring later, the flaming red car carrying the twosome veers off a highway and plunges into a river. The duo survives the mishap and ends up in a jungle. The trek through the forest does them no good at all. They disappear ever deeper into the woods as they seek to shrug off the repercussions of the accident. Their fate mirrors that of Dil Juunglee, written and directed by debutante Aleya Sen. The shallow, soulless rom-com never finds a clearing large enough for sunlight to filter in and illuminate the goings-on. Neither the heroine, a corporate scion who is obsessed with romance and aspires to be a writer of love stories, nor the hero, a Lajpat Nagar gym instructor and Bollywood star aspirant, evolves into believable characters that we could wrap our hearts, if not our heads, around. Sumeet Uppal (Saqib Saleem) is hopelessly aquaphobic. The staid Koroli Nair (Taapsee Pannu), who teaches spoken English to the former in order to prepare him for his foray into Mumbai filmdom, keeps coming within inches of being drowned. But the love story of the two, when it plays out on terra firma and wanders off in no particular direction, first in Delhi and then in London, holds no water. It takes the girl nearly two hours to figure out that "we sound really, really boring together". O yes, they do! But by then the boy is too far down the path of unreason to take her seriously and attempt a course correction. "Get a life, Sumeet," Koroli suggests. He refuses to. And so does the film. Dil Juunglee looks pretty in a superficial sort of way, but at no point of its sloppy narrative arc does make any sense even in a superficial sort of way The female protagonist, who is constantly berated by her entrepreneur-dad for not taking any interest in the thriving family business, is a strange creature. Despite being a girl apparently with a mind of her own, she is willing to surrender to a mamma's boy who is easily swayed by the reservations that his mother (Supriya Shukla) has about the prospect of her only son bringing home a manglik bride. It is only when Sumeet refuses to come to her aid when she falls into a river from a rope-bridge that realization dawns on Koroli. She wakes up, discovers her spine, and walks away from a temple wedding, leaving the hero high dry. Seven years on, Koroli, now rid of her hideous wavy wig that she sported in the first half, is in London launching a fashion line of her own and taking active part in the running of her dad's biz empire. She is for good measure also on the verge of marrying Jai Singh Rathore (Santosh Barmola), the uber-rich son of her father's childhood pal. Re-enter Sumit on the pretext of an under-production movie to be shot in London. The mess already created gets infinitely worse as the would-be husband asks Koroli sheepish questions about their compatibility as a couple. Sumeet seems to regard Koroli as his personal property. The girl's suave but feckless fiancee is no better. He repeatedly refers to Koroli as a "deal" - she's been the best deal ever, I know when a deal is off, and so on. It is hard to believe at times that Dil Juunglee isn't Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, that it is a film that has been conceived and executed by a woman. Everything about Dil Juunglee is a bit on the wild side, completely arbitrary and illogical. The screenplay does not, for instance, care to explain why Koroli would want to spend as much time as she does with her ex-flame when her life has moved well and truly away from Sumeet's orbit. Of course, the audience knows where the narrative is headed as Koroli and Sumeet loiter around the city, allowing the camera to take in the sights of London. Without any convincing psychological underpinnings to help it along, the romantic drama can only limp and lurch without striking any highs The acting is rudimentary although it must be said that Taapsee Pannu looks fetching and Saqib Saleem tries his very best to rise above the limitations of the script. In both cases, the effort shows. They both deserve, and are capable of, better. COMMENTSThe other actors in the cast, notably Nidhi Singh in the guise of a garrulous movie starlet for whom the hero falls on the rebound and Shristi Srivastava as the heroine's bestie, ham their way through the film. In one scene, the heroine, dismissing the possibility of her ever reuniting with her former lover, confesses that "we were just kidding, it was a joke". Indeed. But Dil Juunglee does not work even as a joke. It is more pain than fun.
International Women's Day 2018: How Virat Kohli Made Anushka Sharma Feel Special
Anushka Sharma is "the extraordinary woman" in Virat Kohli's life, there's no doubt about it. But just to make Anushka feel special on International Women's Day, Virat posted a subtle note on Twitter. "Tag the extraordinary woman in your life who is #BetterThanEqual," wrote Captain Kohli, tagging Anushka. Isn't he just adorable? This is just one of the many sweet, little ways Virat makes Anushka smile. Remember how he contributed to the promotional duties ahead of Pari's release and then even touched down in Mumbai just in time for a special screening. Virat Kohli was playing series matches in South Africa. Apart from being the "extraordinary" one in Virat Kohli's life, Anushka is also Virat's favourite actress, especially after watching Pari. "Watched #Pari last night, has to be my Wife's best work ever! One of the best films I've seen in a long time. Got quite scared but so very proud of you," is how Virat reviewed Anushka's Pari a day ahead of the film's release. Earlier, Virat did not shy away from saying that he was "blown away" by the trailer of Pari and that he "loved" the teaser Moving on, Anushka Sharma also did her part and shared an inspirational message for fans and followers on Women's Day: "Every step makes a difference when you believe in something strongly and do your bit. It might not show immediately but the results do create a ripple and an impact. To all the women fighting for what they believe in, don't give up," she tweeted. After years of being together, Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli had a big fat Punjabi wedding in December last year after. After the shaadi festivities, Anushka accompanied Virat to South Africa. Virat had stayed on for the series while Anushka returned to work commitments. Pari done, Anushka She also has films like Sui Dhaaga and Zero lined up for release this year.
Sridevi Cremated With State Honours. Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif Attend Funeral
Wrapped in the national flag and dressed in bridal red, iconic actress Sridevi was cremated with state honours in Mumbai on Wednesday. Her last rites were attended by Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif and other stars, as well as industrialist Anil Ambani. Sridevi was taken to the Pawan Hans crematorium in Vile Parle from the Celebration Sports Club in Lokhandwala, where the film fraternity and thousands of fans, some of them who had come from Chennai and Karnataka, lined up to bid Sridevi farewell. She was then accompanied by her family - husband Boney Kapoor, brothers-in-law Anil and Sanjay Kapoor, stepson Arjun Kapoor and nephew Mohit Marwah - to the last rites. Her glass casket was draped with flowers, an enlarged picture of her forming a backdrop. Tearful fans, holding flowers and photos of the star, crowded the route - a distance of 5 km - from the Lokhandwala club to the crematorium. Shah Rukh Khan, who co-starred with Sridevi in Army, and Katrina Kaif were not among the morning's mourners - they went directly to the cremation. Their December release Zero will see Sridevi in a posthumous cameo. Many others attended the funeral - some, like Vidya Balan, had also been at the Lokhandwala club in the morning. The morning's mourners included most of the Hindi film industry. The South was represented by Chiranjeevi, Sridevi's co-star in several films, Prakash Raj and Tohfa co-star Jaya Prada. Rekha, Hema Malini and Madhuri Dixit were there; Aishwarya, Jaya and Shweta Bachchan; Deepika Padukone, Kajol, Ajay Devgn and Tanuja; Vidya Balan, Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput; Tabu, Karisma Kapoor, Raveena Tandon, Jacqueline Fernandez, Amrita Singh and daughter Sara Ali Khan, who is a good friend of Sridevi's daughter Janhvi Kapoor - there were few from the film fraternity who didn't make it. Fans of the Sridevi, who considered to be India's first female superstar, were on the streets holding posters, pictures and flowers. "It's a shock to believe that she is no more. We want to pay her one last visit today and thank her for all her wonderful performances," Nandini Rao, a 32-year-old teacher, told news agency AFP. The heavy police presence at the funeral did not deter those who loved Sridevi. "I'm an avid Sridevi fan. I loved her smiling personality. She had such a commanding presence in the film industry. Her death was so sudden and I feel terrible," 45-year-old Kuldeep Singh told AFP. Sridevi died on Saturday in Dubai. A post-mortem report stated that she drowned due to accidentally drowning in the bathtub of the hotel she was staying in. She was brought to India on Tuesday, after a delay of three days. Sridevi has made 300 films in a career spanning fifty years in several languages. Her best known Hindi films are Sadma, Mr India, Chaal Baaz and English Vinglish. COMMENTSSridevi is survived by her husband Boney Kapoor and two daughters - Janhvi and Khushi.
Sridevi's Stepson Arjun Kapoor Flies To Dubai To Be With Dad Boney Kapoor
Sridevi's stepson Arjun Kapoor left for Dubai this morning to be with his father Boney Kapoor, Yash Raj Films' PRO told news agency ANI. Sridevi died at a hotel in Dubai on Saturday. She was 54. The PRO informed that Arjun has gone to Dubai to be with his father at the hotel while the formalities are being wrapped up and to oversee the return journey. Meanwhile, Sridevi will be brought to Mumbai later today. On Monday afternoon, Dubai police said that a postmortem revealed that she 'accidentally drowned' in her hotel bathtub. Arjun, an actor, is Boney Kapoor's son with his first wife Mona, who died in 2012. Arjun also has a sister Anshula. Janhvi and Khushi are their stepsiblings. After Sridevi's sudden death, Arjun Kapoor flew to Mumbai from Amritsar, where he was shooting for Namastey England, one of his upcoming films with Parineeti Chopra. Sridevi, along with husband Boney Kapoor and younger daughter Khushi, attended nephew Mohit Marwah's wedding in UAE all of last week. Their elder daughter Janhvi skipped the festivities due to work commitments. Her debut film Dhadak is scheduled to release this year. Most of Sridevi's family members were also in attendance, including Arjun. Sridevi's MOM co-star Adnan Siddiqui was among the first few people to meet Boney Kapoor after Sridevi's death. "When everything was settled, Boney saab called me upstairs. He was there along with a family friend, his wife and a daughter. Boney saab was crying like a baby; he was inconsolable. I was with him until 5 am. He was under a lot of stress, so I advised him to rest, and then left," he told mid-day. COMMENTSA stream of Bollywood celebrities gathered at Sridevi's brother-in-law Anil Kapoor's Mumbai home on Monday to pay their condolences.
Sridevi Died A Day Before Himmatwala Anniversary. Co-Star Jeetendra's Memories Of Her
Actress Sridevi died at 54 in Dubai late Saturday (February 24), just a day before her blockbuster film Himmatwala, co-starring Jeetendra, would have completed 35 years. Speaking to mid-day, Jeetendra, 75, revealed that Rekha was the original choice for the film and Sridevi's death has terribly shocked him. "We all know how it changed both our fortunes. Not many know that Rekha was the original choice for Himmatwala. But I guess Sridevi was destined to do the film - she bagged the role and the film became one of the biggest grossers of the year. And with it, Bollywood woke up to the magic of Sridevi. Today [February 25] marked the 35th anniversary of the film's release and it's tragic how she passed away just a day before... I was terribly shocked when I heard about her demise," Jeetendra said. Himmatwala, directed by K Raghavendra Rao, proved to be a turning point in both Sridevi and Jeetendra careers. Sridevi had made her debut as a heroine in Bollywood with Solva Sawan (1979) but it was Himmatwala, which made her a star. It was a remake of Telugu film Ooruki Monagadu, starring Krishna and Jaya Prada. Songs like Nainon Mein Sapna and Taki O Taki were instant hits. "I first met Sridevi at the 100th day jubilee function of one of her Tamil films. I walked up to this bright-eyed girl and congratulated her on her performance. Little did I know that we would be working together in a few months' time. I was going through a low phase after Deedar-E-Yaar (1982) - the film suffered heavy losses, and brought me back to square one as an actor and producer. Sridevi, too, was coming out of Solva Saawan (1979), her debut film as a full-fledged heroine in Bollywood. The film didn't fare well and almost put her out of the Hindi film industry. So Himmatwala, directed by K Raghavendra Rao, was a turning point for both of us," Jeetendra told mid-day. After the successful pairing in Himmatwala, Sridevi and Jeetendra co-starred together in 15 other films, including Tohfa, Majaal, Aag Aur Shola and Ghar Sansaar. "Sridevi was one of my closest co-stars and we did 15 movies together. She was an actor par excellence. What was even more admirable about her was her dedication to the craft - she would keep rehearsing a scene until she was fully satisfied with it. I had deep admiration for her discipline towards her work," Jeetendra told mid-day. "I remember I used to be nervous whenever I would have to dance with Sridevi. She was a fabulous dancer who would get the steps perfectly, right at the first attempt while I had to keep doing rehearsals to match up to her. I have so many beautiful memories of Sridevi. It's still so difficult for me to come to terms with the fact that the woman, who ruled over everyone's hearts with her shy smile and bright eyes, is no more," he added. Jeetendra's son Tusshar Kapoor condoled the death of Sridevi and shared a still from Himmatwala. "Ironically, today is also the 35th anniversary of #Himmatwala! Mam u will be missed! Huge loss for the audiences that welcomed her back to films!" he wrote. His daughter Ekta Kapoor also remembered the megastar. Himmatwala was later remade by Sajid Khan in 2013, starring Ajay Devgn and Tamannaah. Sridevi died after suffering a cardiac arrest in Dubai. She was also the star of blockbusters like Sadma, Lamhe, Nagina, Mr India, Chaal Baaz and Chandni. Her body will be flown to Mumbai on a private jet and the last rites are expected to be performed today. Sridevi is survived by husband Boney Kapoor and daughters Janhvi and Khushi.
Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety: another hilarious romcom from Luv Ranjan with class act by Karthik
In Pyaar Ka Panchnaama and Pyaar Ka Panchnaama 2, he entertained us with stories on the flip side of love and relationships where men were at the receiving end of the flippancy of the women. In Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, director Luv Ranjan brings to viewers a fresh take on love and relationships with an element of bromance thrown in between. Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety is a story about two brothers from another mother, Sonu (Kartik Aaryan) and Titu (Sunny Singh) and Sweety (Nushrat Bharucha), who acts as a spoiler in their relationship. Titu is the sanskaari boy while Sonu is a street smart guy who is aware of all the tricks of love.Everything is fine in life of Sony and Titu till Titus family starts finding a suitable girl for him.Sonu, who has been his best friend at every juncture of Titus life and who has found a family in his parents, is now scared of losing him to a girl. The film is about the happenings among the trio of Sweety, Sonu and Tutu.The film seems to be an extension of the two films in the Pyar Ka Panchnaama series in that the director delves at length on the flippant and crafty nature of women in relationship with men. For instance, the film shows Sonu indulging in attempts to paint Sweety as greedy and one who is after Titus wealth.Infact , attempts by Sonu to paint Sweety as greedy leave the audience laughing in the aisles. As the director, Luv Ranjan gives us another hilarious romcom after the Pyar Ka Panchnaama series. In terms of performances, Karthik Aryan is clearly the best of the lot. After his monologue in Pyar Ka Panchnaama 2, Karthik again impresses with his comic timing. He also manages to look quite hot in the film, which is likely to leave the female audiences drooling over him. As the sanskaari Tutu, Sunny Singh comes across as the epitome of innocence with his innocent boy look evoking a sharp laugh among the audience. .As the greedy Sweety, Nushrat Bharucha does an excellent job. She exudes the required style and attitude for the role.Others like Alok Nath and Virendra Saxena too impress, especially with their ability to evoke laughs. The music of the film is another USP with many foot tapping songs. Hitesh Soniks background music is another highlight and carries forward the story.Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety is another hilarious romcom from Luv Ranjan with brilliant performances by the cast.
Viral: Kareena Kapoor's Son Taimur Ali Khan Can't Take His Eyes Off Dad, Saif Ali Khan
Taimur Ali Khan's recent picture of him looking at his father Saif Ali Khan's photo has gone viral. Dressed in a blue t-shirt with his curly hair tied in a cute pony, Taimur looked adorable. The picture was shared by one of Kareena's fan clubs. Taimur, who has always been one of the Internet's favourite star kids, surely knows how to get attention - just sit back and look cute. His pictures usually make it to the top trends, even if he's simply peeking over his nanny's shoulder. Take a look at Taimur's picture: Whenever Taimur is spotted with parents or his nanny, he instantly gets followed by the paparazzi, something which really annoys his grandfather Randhir Kapoor. During a media interaction Mr Kapoor said: "Every day, I get up in the morning and I see a picture of my grandson in the newspapers. Now everyone recognises his maid also! That's because of the paparazzi," reported Filmfare. Taimur is Saif Ali Khan's third child and first with wife Kareena Kapoor. Even Kareena doesn't want his son Taimur to be 'looked upon as a star kid'. "I just don't want him to be looked upon as a star kid. I want him to grow up as normally as possible. I want to let him be just the way he is," PTI quoted Kareena as saying. 7 COMMENTSKareena is awaiting the release of Veere Di Wedding, her first film since Taimur's birth.
Deepika Padukone And Irrfan Khan's Film With Vishal Bhardwaj Delayed. Here's Why
Piku co-stars Deepika Padukone and Irrfan Khan's next film with filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj has been delayed due to both the stars' health issues. Mr Bhardwaj, who is directing the untitled film announced it on Facebook and wrote, "I am pushing back the film by a few months as both of my lead actors are down with different health problems. Irrfan is down with jaundice and it will take him a few weeks to recover and Deepika Padukone's back problem which had previously developed during the shooting of "Padmaavat" has now resurfaced." On Wednesday, news agency IANS reported that Irrfan Khan has been advised complete bed rest and his team is working on 'rescheduling all his commitments.' Meanwhile, Deepika was reportedly spotted with a bandage on her neck at the airport earlier this week. She suffered a neck injury while filming "Padmaavat" last April. "Her role in the film is very physically demanding and the doctor has advised her not to do any strenuous work for a couple of months. In the past few weeks, I felt like I was back in the days of Maqbool while prepping with them. Deepika and Irrfan's look tests have come out exceptionally well, nothing like you've seen before, and it took me a moment to recognize them when I saw the test photographs. I want both of them to be strong and fit before we start the film," read Vishal Bhardwaj's Facebook post. Is the film a biopic on mafia queen Rahima Khan (Sapna Didi)? No, it's not. Vishal Bhardwaj dismissed the reports suggesting the same and wrote, "I would also like to clear that the film is still untitled and is not based on Rahima Khan/Sapna Didi's life. Yes, it's a take-off from the story Femme Fatale from Hussain Zaidi's book Mafia Queens of Mumbai but as we worked on this idea, the story and screenplay have taken on a new identity and shape which is nowhere close to the above-mentioned names. Hence, it's definitely not a biopic
Sridevi Shares Pic From Mohit Marwah's Wedding. Missing - Janhvi
Actor Mohit Marwah is now a married man. The Raag Desh actor married his longtime girlfriend Antara Motiwala on Tuesday in a lavish ceremony hosted in Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah in UAE. Sridevi was one of the first in the Kapoor family to introduce 'Antara Marwah' to the world. In the picture Sridevi instagrammed, Antara and Mohit posed with her, Boney Kapoor and Khushi. Antara looked pretty in a pastel shade embellished lehenga festooned with kundan, emerald and pearl jewellery. Mohit looked dashing in an ivory sherwani. Sridevi wore a beautiful green embellished lehenga with banarasi dupatta. Khushi looked gorgeous too. Sridevi's elder daughter Janhvi skipped the wedding festivities probably because of her work-in-progress film Dhadak Filmmaker Karan Johar also shared a selfie with the newly-weds. "With the most gorgeous couple. Bless them with years of happiness and love." Take a look at Karan Johar's post here Karan also posted a picture with his 'shaadi poser' partner, Shweta Bachchan. "With the gorgeous Shweta Bachchan at the #antumoh (the wedding hashtag) Shaadi," he captioned the picture. Karan Johar wore a fabulous achkan designed by Manish Malhotra. Several fan clubs shared glimpses of the baaraat procession. Of course, Anil Kapoor was the life and soul of the baaraat with his scintillating dance moves Maheep Kapoor shared the initial few pictures of the baaraat where her daughter Shanaya performed some rituals to be carried out by the groom's sister Mohit is the elder son of Reena and Sandeep Marwah (founder of Noida Film City). Reena is Boney, Anil and Sanjay Kapoor's sister. His younger brother Akshay is a producer. Sonam, Rhea, Arjun, Anshula, Shanaya, Khushi and Janhvi Kapoor are Mohit's cousins. Mohit Marwah made his Bollywood debut in 2014's Fugly and he was last seen in Tigmanshu Dhulia's Raag Desh. Mohit has also featured in short films such as Strangers In The Night (directed by Shakun Batra) and Love Shots - The Big Date
Ameesha Patel Trolled For Photoshoot Pics. Why Are We Not Surprised?
Actress Ameesha Patel posted pictures from a photoshoot on Instagram, which have gone viral because of some vile comments posted by social media trolls. The 41-year-old actress shared two similar pictures from a recent photoshoot, which were bombarded with appalling comments. Some Instagram users slut-shamed her for 'posing without clothes' while some comments read: "Pull that bed sheet further down and reveal more." Some Internet users also called the Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai actress "aunty" adding, "(She is) now old with bags under her eyes." Ameesha Patel debuted opposite Hrithik Roshan in Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai in 2000. It seemed like Ameesha was in the game to stay after her second film Gadar: Ek Prem Katha rocked the box office. Soon her success graph deteriorated with projects such as Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage (also with Hrithik) and Kya Yehi Pyaar Hai, but there were occasional hits like Humraaz and Bhool Bhulaiyaa. Her upcoming projects are Bhaiyyaji Superhitt and Desi Magic. COMMENTSIn the last few years Ameesha featured in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. In 2016, she snubbed actress Pooja Hegde, who debuted opposite Hrithik Rohan in the ill-fated Mohenjo Daro, saying: "I'm sorry that Mohenjo Daro didn't do well, and the plan was to come with a newcomer, but every film cannot achieve the same success as Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai." Before that it was reported by mid-day that she flipped out at a journalist who called her by her name, saying, "Call me Ameesha ji."
BAFTA 2018: Complete List Of Winners
Crime drama Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri won maximum prizes at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards, which took place at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Sunday. (Monday morning in India). Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri swept five trophies including Best Film, Best British Film and the Best Actress for Frances McDormand. Gary Oldman's Darkest Hour won two awards, including the Best Actor prize for his performance as Winston Churchill in the film. Both Frances McDormand and Gary Oldman won a Golden Globe last month and have also been nominated in the Best Actress, Actor category respectively at next month's Oscars. The Shape of Water took three trophies, including Best Director for Guillermo Del Toro. COMMENTSHere's the list of winners for BAFTA 2018: Best Film: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Outstanding British Film: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Director: Guillermo Del Toro, The Shape of Water Best Actress: Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Best Actor: Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour Best Supporting Actress: Allison Janney, I, Tonya Best Supporting Actor: Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Best Cinematography: Roger Deakins, Blade Runner 2049 Original Screenplay: Martin McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Adapted Screenplay: James Ivory, Call Me by Your Name British Short Film: Cowboy Dave British Short Animation: Poles Apart Outstanding Debut By A British Writer, Director Or Producer:I Am Not a Witch, Rungano Nyoni (writer/director), Emily Morgan (producer) Special Visual Effects: Blade Runner 2049Best Animated Film: Coco Best Film Not In The English Language: The HandmaidenBest Documentary: I Am Not Your Negro Best Production Design: Paul Austerberry, Jeff Melvin, Shane Vieau, The Shape of Water Best Editing: Jonathan Amos, Paul Machliss Baby Driver Best Sound: Dunkirk Best Original Music: The Shape of Water Best Costume Design: Phantom Thread Best Make Up & Hair: Darkest Hour The Ee Rising Star Award (Voted For By Public): Daniel Kaluuya
Pari Trailer: Who's Afraid Of Anushka Sharma? You Will Be
The trailer of Anushka Sharma's upcoming film Pari was just unveiled and it is every bit horrifying. The trailer opens on Anushka Sharma and a spooky voice echoes in the background. "Jiss kaam ke liye bani hai na, vo kaam jaan jao ho gaya," is heard. Later, Parambrata Chatterjee's character is introduced, who rescues Anushka Sharma, against the wishes of his mother. He asks her, "Kaun maarna chahta hai?" Her reply - "Vo aadmi." Enter Rajat Kapoor. It seems that Anushka plays the role of a possessed girl. However, it is unclear whether she will star in a double role in the film. Now, coming back to Pari trailer. As mentioned earlier, it is surely not for the faint-hearted and it 'isn't a 'fairy tale.' Pari is Anushka's third film as a producer, after NH10 and Phillauri. The film is directed by Prosit Roy. She co-owns the production house Clean Slate Films with her brother Karnesh Sharma. Actor Parambrata Chatterjee is best-known for his role in Vidya Balan's Kahaani. Anushka has earlier scared the heck out of us with some spooky screamers and posters of Pari. Like these: Pari releases on March 2 (during Holi). Ready for it? After Pari, Anushka Sharma has Zero and Sui Dhaaga lined-up for release.
T-Series, Nikkhil Advani to produce thriller starring John Abraham
Bhushan Kumars T-Series and Nikkhil Advanis Emmay Entertainment have come together to jointly produce a thriller starring John Abraham and Manoj Bajpayee. The movie is written and directed by Milap Zaveri. We are extremely excited by this joint venture. Nikkhil and his team are creatively and technically extremely competent. Milap has the pulse of masses and classes and has written a racy script with extremely powerful scenes and dialogues. John and Manoj are a perfect fit in their respective roles and it is no surprise that they came on board instantly says Bhushan Kumar, head honcho of T-Series. Nikkhil said, T-Series is the best studio to present this film as they provide producers like me best in class marketing support and exhaustive distribution reach to our audiences. We trust them fully and are very pleased to have them on board. The film goes on floors on March 5 and will release in the second half of 2018
Priya Prakash Varrier Reveals That The Wink Which Went So Viral Was Spontaneous
Malayalam actress Priya Prakash Varrier became an Internet sensation last weekend with just a wink. A video clip of Priya, from her upcoming film Oru Adaar Love, went insanely viral. However, the young actress says that the wink was spontaneous and she never thought that video clip would become such a hit.' In an interview to NDTV, Priya Prakash Varrier said, Actually, the director wanted to capture something cute between me and my hero. So he told me if I can do the eyebrow thing and wink at him. I told him that I could give it a try. Thats how it worked out. It was spontaneous and we hadnt planned anything. The Internet was smitten with Priyas wink. The viral clip is from a song titled Manikya Malaraya Poovi from the film Oru Adaar Love. In the song, Priya flirts with a fellow student (co-star Mohammed Roshan), who like everyone else, is overwhelmed by the wink and smile. I never thought this would become such a sensation. Everybody told me that it was good. But I never expected it to become a big hit, she added. The viral clip sent the Internet into a meltdown. #PriyaPrakashVarrier has been trending on and off since a couple of days. On being called the nations new crush, Priya said, I am very happy and exciting. So many people falling in love and all that, its new but Im very happy. The Internet calls the viral clip a perfect Valentines Day gift and some are actually reliving their high school romance days through it. But, for Priya, its nothing like that. As I am studying in a womens college now, it was really nice to have a gang full of people of my own age. We had fun on the set. I remember my mixed school education time at that moment, she said. The official Manikya Malaraya Poovi clip has been watched over 14 million times (and counting on YouTube). Her Instagram account got verified and with just less than 100 posts, Priya has over 2.8 million followers now. Priya says, with such a response, she's a bit 'tensed.' "I'm tensed about that because it is a big responsibility now. People have a lot of expectations from me now. When the movie releases, I hope to keep up with the expectations and do my level best, concluded Priya.
Bhushan Kumar's T-Series and Nikkhil Advani's Emmay Entertainment have come together to jointly produce a thriller starring John Abraham and Manoj Bajpayee. The movie is written and directed by Milap Zaveri. 'We are extremely excited by this joint venture. Nikkhil and his team are creatively and technically extremely competent. Milap has the pulse of masses and classes and has written a racy script with extremely powerful scenes and dialogues. John and Manoj are a perfect fit in their respective roles and it is no surprise that they came on board instantly" says Bhushan Kumar, head honcho of T-Series. Nikkhil said, 'T-Series is the best studio to present this film as they provide producers like me best in class marketing support and exhaustive distribution reach to our audiences. We trust them fully and are very pleased to have them on board.' The film goes on floors on March 5 and will release in the second half of 2018
Sui Dhaaga First Look: Anushka Sharma As Mamta And Varun Dhawan As Mauji Look Perfect Together. Seen Yet?
The first look of Anushka Sharma and Varun Dhawan's forthcoming film Sui Dhaaga was unveiled last night. Anushka plays Mamta while Varun stars as Mauji in the film. In the poster, Anushka and Varun are all smiles and look like a perfect couple from a small town. Anushka is seen wearing a sari and perfects her look with a small bindi and sindoor. Varun's sports a moustached look and is wearing a cream-coloured shirt along with brown trousers. Sui Dhaaga is Anushka and Varun's first film together. "Mamta aur Mauji aa rahe hain 28 September ko," Anushka wrote while sharing the first look on social media. Varun also shared a picture of them from the film. Sui Dhaaga is directed by Sharat Katariya. Sui Dhaaga is based on the ideology of Make In India. On Gandhi Jayanti, the actors revealed details about their film. "A dream, #MadeInIndia. He made it happen for us. Team Sui Dhaaga bows down to Mahatma Gandhi," Varun tweeted along with a video. Of the film, Varun earlier told news agency PTI, "From Gandhiji to Modiji (Narendra Modi), our country's leaders have always endorsed the mantra of Made in India. With Sui Dhaaga, I am proud to take their message to millions of movie lovers in a manner that is entertaining and relevant. I really liked the script Sharat had written and I am happy that I am teaming up with YRF on this movie. Anushka and I are teaming up for the first time so I am sure there will be fireworks." While Anushka Sharma said, "It's a story of self-reliance that I believe will connect with every Indian. And I am really looking forward to work with Varun and the team of Maneesh and Sharat."
Anushka Sharma And Virat Kohli To Appear On Koffee With Karan? An Update
Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli will not appear on Karan Johar's talk showKoffee With Karan 6 together, the actress' spokesperson confirmed. Over the last few weeks, several media reports claimed that the couple are likely to appear on Koffee With Karan 6 and just a couple days ago, Bollywood Hungama reported that Anushka would come on the show to promote her forthcoming film Pari while Virat might appear for two segments. "There is absolutely no truth to the rumours doing the rounds that Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli will be on the next season of Koffee With Karan. Request you to please refrain from any such conjecture," Anushka Sharma's spokesperson said in a statement. Actress Anushka Sharma and cricketer Virat Kohli, both 29, married at a Tuscan resort in Italy in December. The ceremony was attended by only family members. Two receptions were held in New Delhi and Mumbai, respectively. Post that, the couple flew to South Africa, where Virat is currently playing an ODI series. Anushka came back to Mumbai after celebrating New Year, to resume her work commitments. The Bollywood Hungama report stated, "Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli are not keen on doing any talk show together. But Karan may tempt them if he mixes business with pleasure. So Anushka would come on Karan's show to talk about her film Pari, which she stars in and produces. She will be accompanied by the film's co-producer Prernaa Arora. Virat may just join the two ladies for one or two segments." Meanwhile, there's also no confirmation on when Koffee With Karan 6 will air on television. COMMENTSAnushka has previously appeared on various seasons of Koffee With Karan. Last year, she shared the couch with Katrina Kaif, her Jab Tak Hai Jaan and Zero co-star. Anushka Sharma's Pari releases next month on March 2. She has Zero and Sui Dhaaga in the pipeline.
Amitabh Bachchan admitted in Mumbai hospital
Mumbai: Bollywood's star of the millennium, Amitabh Bachchan, was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital in western suburb of Bandra on Friday for a routine check up. Mr Bachchan was earlier admitted in the hospital on few occasions, after he had complained of abdominal pain.
PadMan Movie Review: Akshay Kumar Is Modest And Masterful In This Solid Film
ast: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte Director: R Balki Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5) Heres to the ones who cant sit still. Unlike his wife and neighbours, Lakshmikant Chauhan is unimpressed by the Hanuman idol at a village fair that breaks coconuts inserted in its mouth, simply because he can see how it works. Lakshmi makes things. He works in a factory, welding chains onto playground swings and taking care of whatever needs fixing, but he is at heart a questioner of the status quo and a finder of solutions. One of the first things we see him do is repurpose a wind up toy into an onion chopping machine, in order to spare his wife some sobs. Based on the extraordinary life of innovator Arunachalam Muruganantham, PadMan is a film about those who need to take things apart in order to build something better. Muruganantham did this with pads as well as with stigma. Menstrual hygiene is still an alarmingly taboo subject in India, with education and urbanity unable to prevent, for instance, a woman with her period from attending family rituals. There is an infuriating notion of the unclean attached to the period a notion that makes little sense in a country full of mother goddesses and is it a subject most conversations skirt away from. It is therefore impressive to watch this story told featuring Akshay Kumar, a mainstream hero known for his bulletproof manliness. In R Balkis inspiring and touching film, we have this very hero trying on a sanitary napkin, then riding a bicycle with his trousers bloodied. In a country where people buy undershirts based on what Kumar claims to wear, this feels historic. It is important here to note that while many a film can be labelled relevant or commendable, that does not automatically make it a fine film. PadMan written by Balki and Swanand Kirkire, based on a short story by Twinkle Khanna is a genuinely strong movie, telling an unlikely story in likeable fashion and doing it briskly and smartly. This is not a groanworthy melodrama or a government flattering Public Service Announcement or an overt collection of cliches (all descriptions that suit Kumars 2017 film Toilet), but instead an intelligent film that pays attention to detail. It is a film that aims for nuance. Like Muraganantham in real life, Lakshmi is branded a pervert for his single minded focus on creating affordable sanitary napkins, and the film allows us to relate both to his noble enthusiasm and to his familys inability to understand his attempts. Lakshmi is shushed by a chemist and told not to say sanitary pad out loud because women are present. But theyre the ones who use it, protests Lakshmi, confounded by the need to treat a medical product like a contraband drug. A disgusted villager calls him a dheele naade ka aadmi, literally a man with pants that come off too easy. Lakshmis wife, meanwhile, is perpetually distraught by her husbands obsession with impure things, and desperately asks, What kind of a man has his life trapped between a womans legs All he wants to do is serve. Lakshmi lovingly wraps each batch of homemade napkins in leaves and puts a jasmine flower on top. The films first song Aaj Se Teri tells us that Lakshmi has devotedly given himself over to his wife and will do anything for her, and asks merely for a smile, or for her to make malpua for him once in a while. Written by Kausar Munir, the songs have consistently superb lyrics. There is a particularly terrific line during one performed at a young girls coming of age function, saying kal tak thi gul, ab gulel lagegi, meaning she was a flower till yesterday but today shes the catapult from the plucked to the weaponised an intentionally pointed line in a film about giving women the power of choice. The first time we see Kumar, hes been catapulted already. Hes smiling his trademark smile wider than ever that broad grin of a good-looking doofus looking as if he cant believe his luck at getting married. The actor is exceptional in the film, calm and keen-eyed when at work, and it takes balance and restraint to play a character so singular and earnest and yet never appear cloying. There is a tenderness to his touch, be it when lifting a fingerful of candyfloss or when patting a girl s pillow with mosquito ointment (instead of daring to touch her). At one point, when a sanitary napkin of his making is described by a first user as just another pad, this attaining of regular status makes him swell with glee. It is an undoubtedly affecting performance, and one of the actors best. He is simplistic but never a simpleton. There are times Kumar appears naive, but only in the way that people who change the world often do. Radhika Apte, who plays his wife, performs entirely in gasps of different registers everything is a shock to this immediately appalled wife but she is evocative enough to make the whimpering work. Sonam Kapoor, who plays Lakshmis first user and later his assistant (modelled somewhat on the English language teacher Muruganantham had a crush on) provides a sharp contrast as the exact opposite, an entitled girl who, on hearing Lakshmi say abhishaap (curse) believably asks abhi what She is, importantly, the one who emphasises the importance of a female voice in the empowerment of women. Even women in villages dont like mansplaining. The cinematography by PC Sreeram is characteristically strong, with lots of aerial shots to emphasise greens and wide shots to establish the world. Amit Trivedis music is rather lovely, though the background score is irritatingly overdone as it tries to spell things out, swelling with hope and sighing with despair and doing so repetitively enough for us to notice. This is one of the reasons why, at some points, the film feels stretched, since we see Lakshmis triumphs converting some people over, and then again have to wait for further triumphs to convert the rest. Still, the lack of overwrought hysterics and a fine pace keeps the story ticking. The film ends with a grand speech delivered to the United Nations in a peculiar pidgin English, something Lakshmi winningly calls Linglish. It is a smashing speech, given to us in full, and really puts things in perspective as we see how, without an eye on profit or commerce, this inventor soldiered on to make the world a cleaner place. I loved this stretch because, for once, broken English was not played for laughs but for sincerity, and because Kumar handles it masterfully. Many years ago, there was a song with the words na main Amitabh, na Dilip Kumar, na kisi hero ke bachche, celebrating that Kumar may not be an all-conquering talent like those titans or the son of a kid, but was instead plain old Akshay (Akshay-Akshay, as that song goes.) More than two decades later, as Kumar attaches a makeshift bladder to pink underwear and squeezes it with joyous impunity, the song has changed. The PadMan title track revels in the fact that he doesnt have to break bones in slow-motion or leap tall buildings in order to be a superhero. Films like this are why a new actor may someday mouth a song about how he isnt Akshay Kumar. The cape is optional when the wings are built in.
Shahid Kapoor On Daughter Misha Getting Paparazzi Attention: 'What's Her Fault?
Shahid Kapoor's one-year-old daughter Misha is as popular as her father but the 36-year-old actor told mid-day that he 'hates' the paparazzi attention on his toddler. "My daughter didn't choose this glamorous life. What's her fault?" he told mid-day. Shahid Kapoor, who was recently seen in "Padmaavat," added: "I hate to think of all the glare that's on her. That is probably the only time I feel I should have had another job. I don't want her to deal with it. It's not good for children to go through this. They have a right to a normal childhood." Shahid Kapoor also said that he had a 'regular childhood' despite being the son of actors Pankaj Kapur and Neelima Azeem. "No one knew I was Pankaj Kapur's son till I joined the industry. It was only after an IMDB page about me was made that people discovered who my father is. My mother was a struggling actor, who separated from my dad when I was growing up. I got to know my father only after turning 18. So, I had a regular middle-class childhood, devoid of attention," the Ishq Vishq actor told mid-day. But it's not the same for Misha, who was born in August 2016. "She has to deal with it because I am her dad. It's tough for me, as a parent, to make peace with that. I hope she will learn how to tackle it when she grows up," Shahid Kapoor told mid-day. Earlier, Shahid Kapoor's wife Mira Rajput has also requested the paparazzi to keep a distance from their children, when pictures of Misha playing in a park went viral. 1 COMMENTSSeveral Bollywood celebrities such as Rani Mukerji and Kajol among others have also spoken against the paparazzi clicking pictures of their children. Rani Mukerji earlier revealed that her husband Aditya Chopra is absolutely against sharing pictures of Adira on social media (she was missing from the photos of her own birthday party). She also told news agency PTI that they took steps to shield Adira from the shutterbugs. "My husband being a private person wants Adira to have a normal upbringing. Seeing the circumstances around her, where the parents are slightly known, there will always be an intrigue as to 'how our child is?'. You don't want them to have extra privileges or importance. You want them to grow up as normal people," Rani told PTI
A Rajiv Gandhi Story on "Telugu Pride" In PM Modi's Parliament Offensive
MMNN:7 February 2018
Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again showed that he is most certainly a smart politician. That is why while he was still being heckled by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and other parties in parliament over unfulfilled promises to Andhra Pradesh, he spoke about "Telugu pride". Hitting two targets with one stone, PM Modi made a reference to a widely known incident in which Rajiv Gandhi, the father of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, called then Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister T Anjaiah of the Congress a "buffoon" at Hyderabad's Begumpet airport in 1982. Rajiv Gandhi, who was then Congress general secretary and had arrived in Hyderabad for a private visit, had reportedly lashed out at Mr Anjaiah publicly for bringing a large number of party men to the airport tarmac. PM Modi said it was in reaction to this insult of a "Dalit chief minister" that legendary actor NT Rama Rao left films and decided to start the TDP to save "Telugu atmagouravam" or Telugu pride. Raising that episode in parliament to demonstrate what he repeatedly called the Congress's arrogance and patchy record with democracy, PM Modi ripped into the opposition party for "dividing" Andhra Pradesh, likening it to the 1947 partition. "This is your character. You divided India. Even after 70 years of Independence, 125 crore people of India continue to suffer because of the poison you sowed. Not a single day passes when people of India are not punished for your sins," PM Modi said, speaking in the Lok Sabha on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address. As he was speaking, there was slogan-shouting by some MPs demanding a financial package for Andhra Pradesh as promised by the government when Telangana was carved out of it. The Prime Minister said the Congress "hastily" divided the southern state for political gains. COMMENTSPM Modi's comments are significant at a time the TDP, his party's biggest south ally, has been displaying its anger at what it feels the centre's neglect. TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, is deeply upset that his state didn't get a special consideration in the Budget. It took phone calls from Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh to calm him on Sunday, when he met with top party leaders to decide on the future of the alliance.
Priyanka Chopra's Relationship Status: Single But Used To Be In 'Committed Relationship
Priyanka Chopra has an extremely hectic work schedule - we have all seen her Instagram posts - but she did find time to date, the actress revealed in an interview with Filmfare. Priyanka, 35, covers the latest issue of the magazine and was unusually candid (for her) about her current - single - and past relationship status - 'double,' as she put it. What we learnt: she used to be in a 'committed relationship' till about a year ago, she hasn't dated a Quantico co-star, she's been 'wooed' but is still waiting for her 'mind to explode.' Okay then. Let's take it one at a time. Asked about her relationship status, Priyanka Chopra she said: "Right now, I'm single. Of course, I've been double ya! What do you think I'm a saint? But recently, I've been single. Let's just say that." No, she hasn't dated any of her Quantico co-stars (because they are married) and yes, she has dated an American. She also told Filmfare: "I'm a serial monogamist. I was in a very committed relationship. But since almost a year, I've been single. I've met a bunch of people. I've gone out with people. I let someone woo me but no... My mind hasn't exploded, not yet." No names were named, and we're not surprised. It's unlikely we'll ever know who the mystery guy Priyanka was 'committed to' was. Super busy Priyanka Chopra is currently filming the third season of Quantico - only yesterday she posted a picture from a group script reading session for the 309th episode. Quantico also stars Jake McLaughlin (Priyanka's onscreen love interest), Blair Underwood and Yasmine Al Massri among others. Apart from Qauntico, which made her a household name, Priyanka made two Hollywood films A Kid Like Jake (which was screened at the Sundance Film Festival) and Isn't It Romantic?. COMMENTSIn Bollywood, Priyanka Chopra was last seen in Jai Gangaajal. She has produced several regional films like Ventilator in Marathi, Sarvann in Punjabi and Sikkimese film Pahuna. However, Priyanka hasn't announced her next Bollywood film yet. Priyanka Chopra is likely to be spotted at the Oscars next month - she appeared in one of the visuals used to announce the nominations some weeks ago.
Lakme Fashion Week 2018: Sisters Kareena And Karisma Kapoor Make Final Day Extra Glam'''.
The Lakme Fashion Week 2018 ended on a flawless note with sisters Kareena Kapoor and Karisma, who made head-turning appearances as showstoppers. Dressed in a stunning black ensemble, Kareena walked the runway for designer Anamika Khanna. The Jab We Met actress looked ethereal in a black cropped top and a matching skirt teamed up with a broad belt. With her hair slicked back, Kareena went for nude makeup with a hint of winged eyeliner, which complemented the tone for the night. Karisma Kapoor walked the ramp for label AARBEE by designer Ravi Bhalotia, dressed in breath-taking white silver embroidered lehenga choli. Speaking of her appearance at the event, Karisma posted a video on Instagram, which she captioned: "It was a pleasure walking for @aarbee_by_ravi_bhalotia #midsummerwreath#collection #@lakmefashionwk #lfw2018#showstopper @6degreeplatform @instagladycame @maddiea24 styled by @mohitrai Before stepping out for their respective runway appearances, Karisma and Kareena, shot for a teaser video, which was posted by the former on her Instagram page, along with a caption: "#rockedit #bebo both in @anamikakhanna.in lfw2018 #grandfinale #sistersister #blackandwhite." Both Kareena and Karisma were in Goa last week, to attend their friend Amrita Arora's 40th birthday party. They definitely set sister goals, dressed in boho- tribal and glittery outfits. They were joined by Saif Ali Khan, Shakeel Ladak, Seema Khan, socialite Natasha Poonawalla and others. COMMENTSKareena Kapoor, who was last seen in 2016's Udta Punjab, is currently busy with her next project Veere Di Wedding. The film also starring Sonam Kapoor and Swara Bhasker, is expected to release in June. Kangana Ranaut, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Swara Bhasker were also among others, who walked the runway at the Lakme Fashion Week 2018 grand finale.
Shah Rukh Khan Almost Ignored Ranveer Singh On Twitter. Here's Why'''.
On Friday, Ranveer Singh plugged "Padmaavat" promotion during Shah Rukh Khan's #AskSRK session and was initially ignored by the 52-year-old actor. Hours after he ended the #AskSRK session, the Jab Harry Met Sejal actor replied to Ranveer's tweet about his new film Padmaavat. SRK's excuse for delayed reply - he didn't recognise it was Ranveer Singh. He tweeted: "So sorry didn't realise it was you, because now you are Khilji (Ranveer played Alauddin Khilji in "Padmaavat") for me. Bahut acchhi picture hai bhai... I saw it and loved it." Happy, Ranveer? Padmaavat," which released on January 25, has collected Rs. 166 crore so far. The Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed film also stars Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor. Ranveer Singh's portrayal of uncouth Alauddin Khilji has been praised by several Bollywoodwallahs, including Amitabh Bachchan. 1 COMMENTSEarlier today, Shah Rukh Khan decided to interact with his fans on Twitter on "one of those rare days" when he was "free at home and family is working," he tweeted. Naturally, Shah Rukh Khan was flooded with questions about his upcoming film Zero, the ongoing U19 world cup and also some puzzles. He was funny, as always, during the interaction. Here are few examples: Shah Rukh Khan was last seen in 2016's Jab Harry Met Sejal, which tanked at the box office. His next film is Aanand L Rai-directed Zero, co-starring Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif.
Tagged By Twinkle Khanna, Aamir Khan Poses With Sanitary Pad In 'PadMan Challenge'''.
PadMan producer Twinkle Khanna nominated her friend Aamir Khan for the PadMan challenge, in which the superstar had to pose with a sanitary pad and further nominate three people. Aamir Khan obliged soon. He just posted a picture with a pad and wrote, "Thank you @mrsfunnybones. Yes, that's a pad in my hand & there's nothing to be ashamed about. It's natural! Period. #PadManChallenge. Copy, Paste this & challenge your friends to take a photo with a pad. Here I am Challenging @SrBachchan , @iamsrk & @BeingSalmanKhan." (Aamir, that's so cool). The 52-year-old actor has nominated Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan for the PadMan challenge. Twinkle Khanna was nominated by Arunachal Muruganantham, a Tamil Nadu-basded entrepreneur on whom PadMan is based on. Apart from Aamir, Twinkle, in her tweet, has also nominated actress Shabana Azmi and businessman Harsh Goenka PadMan is headlined by Akshay Kumar (Twinkle Khanna's husband) and is directed by R Balki. The film is based on Mr Muruganantham's life, who invented low-cost sanitary pad making machines and created menstrual hygiene in his village. Twinkle Khanna spoke about PadMan at the Oxford Union last month. In her speech, she mentioned about the taboos about menstruation and how meeting Arunachalam Murugunantham inspired her to make PadMan. "PadMan is not just a film, it's a movement. I hope now woman will not be held back or embarrassed by their biology."
Lakme Fashion Week 2018: Shahid Kapoor And Mira Rajput Turn Heads As Showstoppers''.
"Padmaavat" actor Shahid Kapoor and wife Mira Rajput, was the first couple to walk as showstoppers for designer Anita Dongre, on Day 1 of the Lakme Fashion Week 2018, held in Mumbai. Shahid and Mira looked like a couple straight out of a fairy tale. Their Instagram pictures are a proof. Dressed in an ivory bandhgala-sherwani, Shahid Kapoor looked a dapper groom and wife Mira looked an ethereal bride in a matching floral-printed lehenga choli. Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput, who for the very first time walked as showstoppers for designer Anita Dongre, also made their debut at the Lakme Fashion Week 2018. After the show, Shahid tweeted, "Excited to have walked for @anitadongre 's @lakmefashionwk collection tonight. Great to see creations that will truly define #FutureCouture, designed with exclusive fabrics of the future from R | Elan @RElanOfficial." Shahid Kapoor has walked the ramp for Lakme Fashion Week, before, but it was Mira's debut at the ramp. Also, it was their very first walk as showstoppers for Lakme Fashion Week. Designer Anita Dongre posted a picture of her along with her showstoppers for the night, which she captioned: "Here's our bride and groom @mira.kapoor and @shahidkapoor singing the songs of summer @lakmefashionwk." Even the team of Lakme Fashion Week, couldn't resist posting a cute picture and a video of the couple. Last week, both Shahid and Mira had posted their "evening swag" pictures ahead of their appearance at the HT Most Stylish Awards. The couple even bagged the Most Style Couple Award, the same night and looking at their pictures, can we question the decision? Shahid Kapoor played the role of Maharawal Ratan Singh in the recently released "Padmaavat", also starring Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh. The film was released on January 25. Shahid will be next seen in Batti Gul Meter Chalu. The film is scheduled to release this year on August 31.
Swara Bhasker On "Padmaavat" Letter: 'Didn't Expect So Much Chaos For Using The V-Word''.
Actress Swara Bhasker has spent this week waging war against trolls on Twitter, ever since her open letter to "Padmaavat" director Sanjay Leela Bhansali was published on The Wire. Her op-ed is critical of the film's glorification of jauhar and sati and details how Swara felt 'reduced to a vagina' after watching it. Twitter has similarly reduced Swara's open letter to the word 'vagina,' which the actress has addressed in tweets and now in a quote to news agency ANI, saying she didn't "expect so much chaos just because of a word that starts with 'V'". Swara Bhasker's letter, which went viral, underlined the right of women to live despite the horrors of sexual violence and deaths of their men. The controversial "Padmaavat" is based on the legend of Padmini, the Rajput queen supposed to have committed jauhar when Sultan Alauddin Khilji invaded her kingdom. Speaking to ANI, Swara said, "Everybody has right to express opinion. I kept my views in a very polite manner and had no wrong intentions. I put forward a few legitimate questions. I didn't expect so much chaos just because I used a word which starts with 'V On Twitter, Swara continues to fight a spirited battle against those heaping abuse on her - and there are many. Told by director-producer Vivek Agnihotri that she should meet survivors of rape in Bastar to "understand what the Real Vagina feels like," Swara responded scornfully, asking if Mr Agnihotri suggested she be raped herself On Monday, a day after her open letter went viral, Swara Bhasker noted in her responses to actress Suchitra Krishnamoorthi and journalist Sonal Kalra that many of those reacting to what she wrote couldn't get beyond the use of the word 'vagina.' While "Padmaavat" director Sanjay Leela Bhansali has not responded to the open letter, actor Shahid Kapoor told news agency IANS, "I haven't read it yet. We have been busy with other things, but I think this isn't the right time. It has been a tough battle for us to be able to bring forth the film to the audience. It feels great to receive support from the entire industry but it feels odd that someone said something on a personal level. That's OK though as everyone has the right to say what they want but I haven't read it yet." Shahid plays Padmavati's husband Ratan Singh in the film. Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh play the queen and Khilji Swara Bhasker's letter articulates in detail the criticism several reviews of "Padmaavat" have made. The box office, however, doesn't seem to agree. The film is well past Rs. 100 crore and counting, and is also drumming up impressive ticket sales abroad. Swara Bhasker was last seen in 2017's Anaarkali of Aarah, and is currently busy with her upcoming project Veere Di Wedding headlined by Kareena Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor. Veere Di Wedding will hit the screens on June 1.
Deepika Padukone, Mom And Sister Attend Prakash Padukone's Award Ceremony In Delhi'.
Actress Deepika Padukone was in New Delhi last night, where her father Prakash Padukone, an ace badminton player, was felicitated. She was accompanied by her mother Ujjala and sister Anisha. Mr Padukone was honoured with the Badminton Association of India (BAI) Lifetime Achievement Award by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu. Deepika, 32, was dressed in a beautiful peach-coloured silk sari and paired her look with a low bun and earrings. Her mother Ujjala and Anisha also chose to wear Indian outfits. A selfie of the Padukones was shared by badminton player PV Sindhu. Deepika's fan clubs on Instagram have also shared some nice pictures of the "Padmaavat" star with her family. Deepika, the proud daughter, clicked a picture of her dad while he received the award PV Sindhu shared this selfie with the caption, "Many congratulations to Prakash Padukone sir for the Lifetime Achievement Award and also had a lovely time with the family and with one of my favourite Deepika Padukone. On Monday afternoon, Deepika and Anisha were photographed at the Mumbai airport. Bot the sisters were twinning in denims and white t-shirts. They paired their looks with black jackets and white sneakers. Deepika Padukone stars in the much-anticipated film "Padmaavat", which released last week. The film is performing extremely well at the box office and has broken the records of many major films in just a week. Deepika co-stars with Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in "Padmaavat", directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
IPL Auction 2018: Juhi Chawla's Daughter Jahnavi Gave Preity Zinta A 'Run For Her Money'.
Juhi Chawla's daughter Jahnavi, who was apparently the youngest person to ever be at the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction table, gave actress Preity Zinta 'a run for her money' at the IPL auction over the weekend. Juhi Chawla co-owns IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) while Preity is the owner of Kings XI Punjab. Jahnavi, who is all of 17, apparently helped making decisions for KKR which unsettled Preity's strategy because of which the actress tweeted: "It's awesome to meet the super smart Jahnavi Mehta who gave me a run for our money. #smartgirlsrock." Juhi Chawla replied: "You're a sweetheart. Bright, beautiful and a bundle of joy. Thank you, for being so kind to Jahnavi." In a post shared by Kolkata Knight Rider's verified Twitter handle, Jahnavi can be seen engrossed in the decision making process with the team's data analyst AR Srikkanth, head coach Jacques Kallis, KKR CEO Venky Mysore and her father Jay Mehta. Jahnavi was included in the group of "masterminds behind planning and building" KKR squad Here's another photo of Jahnavi from the two-day event, dressed in KKR team shirt, seated Venky Mysore, who is also the CEO of SRK's Red Chillies Entertainment. Juhi Chawla married business man Jay Mehta in 1995 and they are parents to Jahnavi and 14-year-old Arjun. As of now, it seems Jahnavi is interested to follow her father's footsteps. Jahnavi, who was a school (Dhirubhai Ambani International School in Mumbai) topper, will reportedly complete her higher education in London. Juhi Chawla was last seen in Bollywood film Chalk n Duster and then in web-series, titled The Test Case
Parineeti Chopra's Stretch Marks Pic Is Winning The Internet.
Actress Parineeti Chopra's latest Instagram post is a hit with the Internet. The 29-year-old actress, who recently lost kilos, posted a picture of herself which shows her stretch marks. "Flaunting stretch marks proudly," wrote one user in comments. Recently, actress Kareena Kapoor's photoshoot for a magazine was heavily criticised on social media for allegedly photo-shopping her stretch marks (this was Kareena's first photoshoot after losing the baby weight). But the Internet is mighty impressed with Parineeti. "The stretch marks represent your hard work," read one comment on the post, which had over four lakh likes in 13 hours. Parineeti took a gap of three years after 2014's Kill Dil to work on her fitness. Speaking to news agency about her 'fat-to-fit' story, Parineeti had said in an earlier interview: "I have struggled with my weight. I was big and unhealthy, not chubby. I took it upon myself to work towards this. There was pressure of Bollywood to bring me on right part. I am fit now. People need to be fit no matter what size they are. I was big and unfit. It took me a year and half to reach here." 1 COMMENTSOn the work front, Parineeti was last seen in Golmaal 4. Parineeti returned to the big screen in 2017 and started her year with Meri PYaari Bindu, which tanked at the box office. Parineeti's upcoming films are Kesari with Akshay Kumar and Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar and Namaste Canada - both co-starring Arjun Kapoor.
Saif, Madhavan reunite for Anand Rais next production.
The Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein duo Saif Ali Khan and R Madhavan are all set to reunite for Anand L Rais next production which is a period drama, trade sources said on Tuesday. The duo, who hasnt shared screen space since this Hindi film Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein that marked the debut of former beauty queen Dia Mirza in 2001, will, however, be seen in a completely different avatar in this Navdeep Singh directorial. The movie is a historical tale, a period drama set against the backdrop of Rajasthan. The untitled project will have action sequences with Saif and Madhavan taking up training sessions in sword fighting and horse riding for the film, the sources said. The film will make use of prosthetics, it said. Zoya Hussain who made her debut with the last Anand Rais production Mukkabaaz, has been signed as the leading lady. Deepak Dobriyal will also be a part of the film, the sources said. The movie is expected to be extensively shot in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Mumbai with the first schedule kicking off in February in Rajasthan.
Padmaavat Movie Review: Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Boring Film Doesn't Do Justice To Deepika Padukone.
The creation and eventual release of Padmaavat may well make for a more dramatic and impassioned tale than the film itself. The offscreen narrative is complete with death threats, bounties on noses, altered spelling, digitally clothed bellies, and, as I've written about before, politically shielded psychopaths encouraged by the media. What spectacle dare compete with a country gone bonkers? Not that this film doesn't try. Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, a man well versed with excess, lays it on thick to the point of being tiresome. This is an all-out assault on the senses, a circuitous take on an old legend that is now being flogged to breaking point. Based rather loosely on the epic poem of the same name by Malik Muhammad Jayasi, here we have a king and his lovely queen, interrupted by a barbarian who, on hearing that the queen is pretty, lays siege to their city. As you may probably be aware, all of this ends in a climax that, as the kids now say, is lit. Alas, Bhansali takes an unbearable length of time to spark the flame. Things go on and on and on, with characters it is impossible to care about. They may appear attractive from time to time, certainly, but these protagonists are inconsistent, infuriating and test the patience. There is only that much of a damn that can be given about window dressing, and about people who dress like windows. (I'd accuse the film of navel-gazing, except visible midriffs have since been cloaked by our censor board.) The word 'Nayaab' - meaning 'invaluable' - is used several times over in the film, for different objects: a priceless gem, a priceless ostrich, a priceless princess. As a result, nothing seems to hold true value. This is an epic bore. The film's cardboard nature is exemplified by Shahid Kapoor, who plays Rajput king Ratan Singh, meant to be the unyielding moral core of the story. Kapoor struts around with that particular stiffness of a man sucking his stomach in, with his mouth forever in a soured pucker, lips seemingly sucking at invisible coconuts through imaginary straws. A man who believes pigheadedly in archaic codes of honour, this character holds no appea Yet he lands a Sinhalese warrior queen. Padmavati, played by Deepika Padukone, doesn't need cupid to shoot down her lover. She does this herself, and then chooses to confront him, hostile and coquettish in turns. For some reason, this striking woman takes a fancy to the insipid Ratan Singh, but so be it. She knows her mind. She also steps up when her kingdom needs someone at the helm. This striking woman, in fact, shows us strength and fortitude throughout this slow-moving film, right up until the end when she makes a demand of her king: she asks for his permission to kill herself. The reason she must do this is because she fears contact with Alauddin Khilji, the wily king from the history books who is depicted here as a merciless savage. In the name of extreme villainy, Ranveer Singh plays him without consistency or caution: he giggles, he grunts, he breaks into Amitabh Bachchan's dastardly laugh from Aks, he wrestles with men not allowed to beat him, and he dances like a goblin. He wins at chess and also, at one point, snuffs out a man's life using his formidable armpit. It is a loud and overblown performance, only occasionally rescued by Singh's natural screen presence. This Khilji amuses - primarily because he jolts the film out of its stupor - but he makes little sense. He is The Great Unwashed. He stinks but he knows things What I would like to know is why Padmaavat isn't a better looking film. Bhansali is all about scale and there is indeed pomp to the proceedings, but this time the sets always look like sets - sometimes with the 'carvings' on pillars in the background visibly looking drawn on. Cinematographer Sudeep Chatterjee doesn't get to show off his work, dulled and hindered by an entirely unnecessary 3D conversion, and unlike Bhansali's other films, there is no truly memorable imagery, save for the final sequence. It would, however, be unfair to credit the imperiousness of Ms Padukone's eyes to the film's production design, and the lesser said about the slow-motion glorification of self-immolation the better. Still, there are some lovely touches in Padmaavat. The fluttering fabric of the palanquin the queen is carried in when her king brings her home, the way the villain's shoulderplates bounce as he runs with feverish urgency, the sight of an imposing crown being used to weigh down and blind a fragile princess. There are even hints at Khilji being bisexual, limited to verbal digs in what is otherwise a highly visual film. These deft asides are tragically dwarfed by the rest of this exhausting and bombastic affair, where captive princesses are made to stand in wading pools while being pelted by pearls. Bhansali's last film, Bajirao Mastani, was an undeniably compelling one - here's my review - and while that, too, felt overlong, it was a dramatic film with a heavily plotted storyline that featured many a conflict.
Alia Bhatt's Pics From Her Best Friend's Shaadi Are Winning The Internet.
Social media is currently obsessing over Alia Bhatt's pictures from her best friend Kripa Mehta's wedding in Jodhpur. Alia is definitely having a gala time and is enjoying all the shaadi festivities. Alia has already clicked some amazing photos in a bright yellow ensemble at Kripa's haldi ceremony, danced to some famous Bollywood songs at the sangeet function and twirled in that beautiful lehenga at her best friend's wedding - we know all of this because the Internet is filled up with gorgeous pictures of Alia and her BFFs. Striking a pretty pose with her friend Akansha Ranjan Kapoor, Alia wrote: "& the best is yet to come" while in the other picture Alia is all smiles with her friend Devika Advani. 1 COMMENTSAlia Bhatt was overwhelmed to receive so much love from her fans. In her latest Twitter post, she thanked everyone and wrote: "Wonder what I've done to deserve this sudden burst of love! Not complaining just very very touched! Thank you for all the constant love I love you guys tooooooo much.
Secret Superstar China Box Office: Aamir Khan's New Film Breaks A Dangal Record.
Aamir Khan's Secret Superstar is off to a great start in China. The film, starring Zaira Wasim in lead role, pocketed Rs. 174 crore in the opening weekend beating Aamir's Dangal's opening weekend record in China from May last year. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted: "Secret Superstar packs a solid punch in its opening weekend in China. Close to Rs. 175 crore in three days." The opening weekend collection of Secret Superstar in India was merely Rs. 30 crore. For Secret Superstar, which was made on a budget of Rs. 15 crore, this is as Taran Adarsh puts it: "Mind-boggling indeed." Before Secret Superstar it was Aamir Khan's Dangal, which took the China box office by storm. Dangal became the highest grossing Indian film in China within weeks of its release in May 2017. The success story of Dangal in China is unparalleled and now, a Variety magazine report states that Secret Superstar is "poised to top China box office." Aamir Khan is also scheduled to visit China in the upcoming days. COMMENTSSecret Superstar is the story of Insia Malik (Zaira Wasim), who breaks regressive societal shackles to become a successful singer against all odds. The film is directed by Advait Chandan and it also stars Meher Vij in a pivotal role. Secret Superstar has a month before Salman Khan aims for the China box office with his 2015 hit film Bajrangi Bhaijaan. The Kabir Khan-directed film will open across 8,000 screens on March 2 in China.
Shraddha Kapoor's commitment to work.
Shraddha Kapoor who is currently shooting for her horror comedy Stree has flown down from Bhopal to attend a brand event for just two days. Busy with commitments, Shraddha Kapoor is quite loaded with work these days. While the actress first multilingual project Sahoo along with Prabhas is on the floors, Shraddha Kapoor has also begun the shooting for her horror comedy Stree opposite Rajkummar Rao. Post which the actress will start shooting for the Saina Nehwal biopic. Shraddha Kapoor will also be seen in Batti Gul Meter Chalu along with Shahid Kapoor and Yami Gautam. Amidst all the buzzing work, Shraddha Kapoor has taken out time for a brand event which she had committed prior. The actress took to Instagram to share a picture depicting her two-day break from the films shoot for the brand event. Shraddha Kapoor shared an Instagram story saying, For two nights & then back to Chanderi. The actress began the year with the announcement of her first horror comedy alongside actor Rajkummar Rao. Within just a few days of the announcement, the shoot for Stree commenced in Bhopal. Shraddha Kapoor is also currently working on Sahoo, the shoot for which will be resumed by the actress after the schedule of Stree. The versatility of the actress is yet again at the display as the films she has to offer to differ from each others genre. While Sahoo is a high octane action film, Stree is a horror comedy. Shraddha Kapoor will also be seen in the Saina Nehwal biopic and Batti Gul Meter Chalu which is a film dealing with a social issue.
This Pic Of Madhuri Dixit, Kajol And Sonali Bendre Will Transport You To The 90s.
Designer Manish Malhotra posted a lovely picture with actresses Madhuri Dixit, Kajol and Sonali Bendre, and our day was made. The three actresses posed for a perfect picture together at an event yesterday and we are extremely happy with the end result. The photo will definitely transport you to the 90s. In the picture, Sonali Bendre looks stunning in a floral dress while Madhuri Dixit, who dropped by with husband Sriram Madhav Nene had generous amounts of stardust sprinkled. Kajol also stepped in for her fair share of the limelight. In 10 hours, the photo received 29,731 'likes' and the comment section is filled up with compliments like: "tremendous," "divas" while one user wrote that Madhuri, Kajol and Sonali should feature in a film together. (We can't agree more) Madhuri Dixit, Sonali Bendre and Kajol have not worked together in any movie but the three actresses have starred in some super hit films. Madhuri is known for films like Hum Aapke Hain Koun!, Dil To Pagal Hai, Ram Lakhan while Kajol gave blockbuster hits such as Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. Sonali Bendre worked in films like Sarfarosh and Hum Saath-Saath Hain. On Thursday, Mickey Contractor celebrated 12 years of his association with a makeup and the party was attended by celebrities like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Karan Johar and Sushmita Sen Mickey has worked with actresses like Urmila Matondkar in Rangeela, Madhuri Dixit and Karisma Kapoor in Dil To Pagal Hai, Kareena Kapoor in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... and Priety Zinta in Kal Ho Naa Ho. He will also work in upcoming films like Veere Di Wedding, which stars Sonam Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan. Madhuri Dixit is all set to make her Marathi debut with Bucket List while she's also prepping for Total Dhamaal, co-starring Anil Kapoor and Ajay Devgn. Kajol was last seen in VIP 2 and Sonali Bendre was a judge on TV show India's Best Dramebaaz.
Bigg Boss 11's Hina Khan Won't Appear On Entertainment Ki Raat. No, It's Not Because Of Shilpa Shinde.
Bigg Boss 11 winner Shilpa Shinde and her co-contestants like Arshi Khan, Vikas Gupta and others have shot for an episode of chat show Entertainment Ki Raat. However, Hina Khan gave it a miss. It was believed that Hina did not appear on the show because of her issues inside the Bigg Boss 11 house with Shilpa. However, she refuted the rumours and told The Times Of India, "I am not aware of this at all. I have got to know it from you. I don't understand what is this all about. In fact, I was told about the shoot after BB finale, on the set itself. I had clearly informed that I would want to spend some time with my family whom I had met after so long." Hina Khan lost to Shilpa Shinde during the finale. During their stay in the house, the duo often got involved in fights. Shilpa also said that she doesn't want to meet Hina now. "I am happy in my own space and so is she. Now that the show has ended, I don't even want to meet her or see her face again," Shilpa told Indian Express. Of not appearing on Entertainment Ki Raat, Hina further explained, "Most importantly, my mother is unwell. She was overwhelmed seeing me after so long and inconsolable to an extent that she fell ill. She has never stayed away from me for so long. She just kept on crying. That's the reason why I said that I wouldn't be able to shoot for the show immediately. In fact, the channel guys had come to my vanity. They saw my mother's condition and said that I should take my time. I don't understand what's the hype about." COMMENTSTowards the end of Bigg Boss 11, Shilpa and Hina played together in tasks and competed against Vikas Gupta. However, their friendship stayed for a few weeks only and in the finale week, things took an ugly turn. Shilpa Shinde, Hina Khan, Vikas Gupta and Puneesh Sharma were the final four finalists of Bigg Boss 11. Puneesh was eliminated first and Vikas was declared the second runner-up.
Zombie Singer Dolores O'Riordan Dies At 46.
Irish singer-songwriter Dolores O'Riordan, frontwoman of the multi-million selling rock band The Cranberries, died suddenly in London on Monday, aged 46, her publicist said. "Irish and international singer Dolores O'Riordan has died suddenly in London today, family members are devastated," Lindsey Holmes said in a statement. "The lead singer...was in London for a short recording session," she added. "No further details are available at this time." A spokeswoman for London's Metropolitan police said officers are "dealing with a sudden death" after they were called to a hotel in Park Lane, in the centre of the British capital, at 0905 GMT this morning. She did not confirm the identity of the person found. "A woman in her mid-40s was pronounced dead at the scene," the spokeswoman said. "At this early stage it is being treated as unexplained and enquiries continue," she added. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar was among the first to pay tributes, calling O'Riordan "the voice of a generation". "For anyone who grew up in Ireland in the 1990s, the Cranberries were an iconic band, who captured all of the angst that came with your teenager years," he said in a statement. "Her voice and her contribution to music will be remembered far beyond her native county for many years to come." Family 'very devastated' The London Hilton on Park Lane confirmed "with deep regret" that an unnamed guest had "sadly passed away" at its hotel. "Team members acted swiftly to alert the Metropolitan Police and we are co-operating fully with their investigation," a spokeswoman said. The Cranberries achieved international success in the 1990s with their debut album Everyone Else is Doing it, So Why Can't We?, which included the hit single Linger. Follow-up album No Need to Argue went to number one in Australia, France and Germany, and number 6 in the United States. The album also gave rise to politically-charged single Zombie, an angry response to the deadly Northern Ireland conflict, which hit number one across Europe. The band sold around 40 million records worldwide. O'Riordan, from Friarstown in the Irish county of Limerick, will be buried in Ireland, according to the parish priest in her home town. James Walton, priest at Ballybricken and Bohermore parish, told Britain's Press Association her family "is very devastated and upset". "Her family are still waiting for more details to come from London about her death," he said. "The plan is for her to be buried here at home. When that will be will depend on when her body is released." 'Immense influence on rock' The Cranberries, formed in 1989 but went on a hiatus in 2003. O'Riordon told AFP in a 2012 interview that "we were stuck in a rut. We just needed a break." She headed to Canada, where she gave birth to her third child, but The Cranberries reformed in 2009 after getting together for a one-off show. "At home I'm a house-keeper and a mum. The kids are, like, 'What's for dinner? Where are my clothes?'. On tour it's, like: 'room-service'," she said of the comeback. She hit the headlines in 2014 after pleading guilty to assaulting three police officers and a flight attendant during a flight from New York to Ireland, and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder shortly afterwards. The band was forced to cancel 14 concerts last year due to "medical reasons associated with a back problem" for O'Riordan. The singer's last Facebook posting came shortly before Christmas. "Hi All, Dolores here. Feeling good! I did my first bit of gigging in months at the weekend, performed a few songs at the Billboard annual staff holiday party in New York with the house band," it read. "Really enjoyed it! Happy Christmas to all our fans!! Xo". The band recently played in South America, with O'Riordan tweeting pictures of a show in Lima, Peru. O'Riordan married Don Burton, former tour manager of Duran Duran, in 1994 but the couple, who had three children together, divorced in 2014. British 1980s band Duran Duran posted on their official Twitter page that "we are crushed to hear the news about the passing of Dolores O'Riordan. Our thoughts go out to her family at this terrible time". 2 COMMENTSThe Cranberries released their final album Something Else last year.
Bigg Boss 11 Grand Finale: Shilpa Shinde Is The Winner Of The Show.
105 days, 19 contestants and umpteen tasks later, Bigg Boss 11 finally has a winner and the winner is Shilpa Shinde! The popular TV actress took the trophy home from the grand finale of Bigg Boss 11, which aired on Sunday night. Not just the trophy, Shilpa's winning basket also includes prize money of Rs. 44 lakhs and dher sara pyaar from her fans. While Shilpa was the star of the night, a considerable amount of limelight was also on Hina Khan, who was in the list of top two contestants. Puneesh Sharma was the first of the four finalists to be eliminated while Vikas Gupta was the second finalist to leave the house. Shilpa Shinde, Vikas Gupta, Hina Khan and Puneesh Sharma were the four finalists of the show, which was hosted by Salman Khan. It is not unknown that Bigg Boss always has a trick up its sleeves. And the last twist of this season was that voting lines were made live for 10 minute during the episode before the winner was announced, which gave fans of Hina and Shilpa a chance to shower more votes in favour of their favourite contestants What lead to the announcement about Shilpa Shinde's bigg win is a blockbuster grand finale of Bigg Boss 11, which was made entertaining times infinity with the ex-contestants performing on stage. And, as a surprise package, Akshay Kumar joined Salman on stage and the duo had loads of fun with ex-contestant Dhinchak Pooja. On the show, Akshay Kumar also spoke about his upcoming movie PadMan Puneesh Sharma and his girlfriend - ex-contestant Bandgi Kalra - also set fire on water with their performance to Tip Rip Barsa while there was a glimpse of Shilpa Shinde and Vikas Gupta's bitter-sweet relationship. Hiten Tejwani and Aarshi Khan also delivered a hilarious performance about their onscreen flirting-shirting. And who can forget Aakash Dadlani, who had some rapping-shapping to do Hina Khan performed with her two best friends on the show - Luv Tyagi and Priyank Sharma. Hina has also signed up for a solo performance to Main Heroine Hoon Ahead of the winning announcement, Salman Khan met the contestants through the live TV inside the house, when Shilpa Shinde was asked about how she managed to garner such a massive fan following. Shilpa, who turned out to be almost everyone's favourite Bigg Boss 11 contestant, said she had no strategy for the show but only to just be herself, which she thinks worked in her favour.
Mukkabaaz movie review: Anurag Kashyap's angry film spares no one; Vineet Singh is our own Rocky.
Slow motion fist fight never looked more intriguing. A passionate but mostly untrained boxer is brawling with some ruffians on a congested street, and a mute girl is looking at him from a rooftop. There is pain, there is lust and there is a challenge. Can the boxer rise up, accept the invitation and fall in love with the girl who is so near yet so distant? A gritty young man Shravan Singh (Vineet Singh) wants to be known as a boxer. Its not just a game for him. Its his ticket to a better life, one that offers respect. He keeps Rockys posters and calls himself Uttar Pradeshs Mike Tyson. Boxing is the only thing he is good at, but he is way past the age he should have made it Like most of the sports federations in India, the UP federation is also cracking under political pressure. Bareilly politician and mobster Bhagwan Das Mishra (Jimmy Shergill) is the kingpin who makes or breaks careers. Unfortunately, the girl is his niece and that might kill Shravans only reason to breathe, boxing. Its a set-up we have accepted as part of our lives. Itna toh chalta hai As if struggle is the one thing aspiring sportspersons should accept as part of their career graph. The officials are neck-deep in corruption. Everybody wants to be in the good books of political heavyweights. A malfunctioning system is internalized, accepted. Shravan with his idealism is a misfit. He is angry, mostly aimless and certainly not the one to bow down. Even hundreds of punches cant bend his spine Director Anurag Kashyap takes us inside the modest Singh household where they dont understand everyday English; in fact they are irritated by it. They probably consider English as one of the reasons for their misery. The son talks about passion and the electrician father hears fashion and keeps lecturing him. Its weirdly funny and a tight slap on the face of the education system and a society which equates knowing English with being educated. Mukkabaaz keeps getting darker. In one of the scenes, Bhagwan Das asks a waiter to bring another jug for a harassed, helpless coach Sanjay Kumar (Ravi Kishan in a very unlike Ravi Kishan role), who belongs to a backward caste. Bhagwan Das, who is blind in one eye, immediately notices that the waiters right eye is of stone. For a second, it appears like the natures way of teaching him humility. But he isnt the one to leave his caste pride. Men like him are the reason boxing tournaments take place in open and the place allotted for it becomes somebodys private property. Players dont understand the difference between medicines and prohibited drugs. For them, winning the state or national level championship is about getting a government job. They never aspire to win medals. Kashyap brings all these facets out in the open and then makes strong comments From calling out gau rakshaks to calling the championship sponsor Bedaag (spotless), he teases us with in-your-face humour. You dont know whether to nod in acceptance or just look away when a boxing official tells Shravan, Nobody wants to know whats happening in your life. Kashyaps terrific form continues as he spares no one. From reverse casteism to the messed-up political scenario, he trains his gun on many evils. Mincing words was never his style, but this is bolder and very effective. Interestingly, Shravans love story with Sunaina (an enigmatic Zoya Hussain) never takes a backseat. It remains the prime emotion. The more ruthless the masters become, the more rebellious the oppressed get. Jimmy Shergill might look over-dramatic to some, but he has tried his best to justify his persona, but such characters are not rare. Political aspirations collaborated with a strong sense of entitlement can lead to fatal actions. Zoya Hussain is at the lack of words, but her eyes are not. She is aptly supported by the background music which needs a whole new article. Its wonderful and non-mainstream but the songs dare you to overlook lyrics And then there is Vineet Singh. This is the performance we all will cherish for years. Its legendary and who knows it might become his performance of a lifetime. You will root for him, youll duck the punches with him and then youll go down with him, but youll never leave him. He wont let you. Our very own Rocky is born. The 156-minute Mukkabaaz is the best film in last one year or so, and this year couldnt start on a better note. Lets cherish Vineet Singh and his thickheaded brawler with open heart
Kaalakaandi Movie Review: Saif Ali Khan Makes His Character Work In Fizzy, Freewheeling Film.
Delhi Belly scripter Akshat Verma's maiden directorial venture, in essence, possesses the madcap spirit that propelled the 2011 hit. Kaalakaandi is set in Mumbai and focused primarily on more mature characters. So its tone, texture and treatment are markedly different. The film is primarily in English, with only two underworld underlings conversing in street-level Hindi peppered liberally with expletives. It is clear that Verma is fascinated by mavericks and misfits. But armed with the quality of his writing, he turns the freaky, freewheeling, fizzy Kaalakaandi into a human drama that explores life's surprises, love, mortality, greed and betrayal. Not all of it adds up as neatly as one would have liked, yet it works. Wicked wit and macabre humour leavened with a sense of humanity define this dark comedy's more felicitous moments. The characters are quirky yet real, like the morally conflicted girl shaken by a hit-and-run case that she is involved in or a young man assailed by pangs of guilt at having cheated on his would-be wife Several other confused Mumbaikars have their already messed-up lives thrown into further disarray in the course of a single night that sees mishaps galore. A well-heeled man receives a grim, point-blank medical diagnosis: his days are numbered, he is told. Another, carried away by a gun-slinging Feroz Khan's curry-western act in Khotay Sikkey, accidentally shoots himself in the groin. There is more. Two partners in crime (Vijay Raaz and Deepak Dobriyal) hatch a get-rich-quick plan as they ferry bags of cash in a red hatchback - the plot ends in betrayal and quick comeuppance. Two men on a speeding motorcycle are knocked off their perches on a rain-washed road. And coitus interruptus mars an intended quickie in an upscale hotel room Led astray by alcohol, psychotropic substances, passion and the lure of money, every character in Kaalakaandi invites trouble for himself/herself and for all those whose paths they cross wittingly or unwittingly. It is an eventful plot all right, but most of the crucial reveals some via conversations that occur principally inside three moving cars, each denoting an aspect of the city of Mumbai. For cinema trivia geeks, Kaalakaandi is strewn with interesting takeaways. The principal protagonist (Saif Ali Khan), who like the conscientious but dull bureaucrat Watanabe in the Akira Kurosawa classic Ikiru, is diagnosed with stomach cancer and given only a few months to live. The character's name isn't revealed until the very end of the film, when he is drawn towards a comely wedding photographer. He could well be, like the self-effacing Watanabe, just another Everyman wasting away his life in the belief that being a "good person" is good enough. He does not smoke, does not drink, and has never done drugs except when his friends tricked him into eating a brownie laced with marijuana. It was an accident. So it wouldn't count as a transgression, he reasons. But be that as it may, he has a lot of lost time to make up for. He heads to the wedding of his brother (Akshay Oberoi). At the party, after popping a red star microdot, he takes the would-be groom for a prenuptial haircut. On the way, everything that could go wrong goes wrong, or right, depending on who is doing the judging. In another part of town, another pair (Kunaal Roy Kapoor and Shobhita Dhulipala) have their own seemingly insignificant issues to deal with. The couple weighs the pros and cons of the girl leaving for the US for higher studies. The girl is all for it. But the boy frets: Why are you so gorgeous? The white boys will fall for you The New York flight is still a few hours away. So the two drop by at the birthday celebrations of a friend (Shehnaz Treasury) in a nightclub. The threesome and the latter's boyfriend (Shivam Patil), who a little later in the film rattles off a whole string of Emraan Hashmi films and sheepishly admits that he is a fan (is that wrong, he asks), are caught in a drug bust. Angad, on his part, ends up with a gash on his forehead and the hero, motivated strictly by "scientific curiosity, Madame Curie curiosity," and drug-induced hallucinations, hooks up with a transgender streetwalker (Nary Singh). His life, or what is left of it, changes completely. The multiple tales unfold in parallel arcs. It is only in the penultimate scenes and a zany final shot that the plot connects a few of the characters but only in a tenuous manner. Kaalakaandi takes a while to warm up but when it does it sets a lively pace, especially in the second half. Three sequences stand out. One is a romantic, whimsical chit-chat between the hero and the wedding photographer that enthuses the former to forget the inevitable. The second is when the brother, wanting to be as fair as he can be, stands before the girl who he is about to marry to announce that he is having second thoughts. And the third is a scene in which one of the criminals, despite his best efforts, is caught lying by his wily boss (Arif Basra). COMMENTSSaif Ali Khan brings to the table just the mix of befuddlement and cockiness that is needed to make the character work. The performances around him (notably from Dhulipala and Dobriyal) are in the right zone. Kaalakaandi may not be for all palates, but the film has enough spice for those in the mood for an off-the-beaten-track Bollywood experience
Deepika Padukone Reportedly Wants To Be A Sabyasachi Bride, Like Anushka Sharma.
NEW DELHI:MMNN: 10January 2018
When Deepika Padukone gets married - whenever, wherever and, most importantly, to whomever - she would like to be a Sabyasachi bride, reports mid-day. Just like Anushka Sharma, Sagarika Ghatge and other recent celebrity brides. Rumours that Deepika and actor Ranveer Singh were getting engaged occupied a large part of social media's mindspace last week - the couple were on holiday together, reportedly in the Maldives, to celebrate Deepika's 32nd birthday. Other unconfirmed reports suggest that Ranveer's parents have given Deepika diamonds and a Sabyasachi sari, and that she's also met Ranveer's grandmother. Engagement rumours apart, this much mid-day seems to know - Sabyasachi will be Deepika Padukone's wedding couturier of choice. A source from the sets of Neha Dhupia's show Vogue BFFs reveals that Deepika Padukone was asked who she would pick between Sabyasachi and Manish Malhotra - she reportedly chose the former, whose clothes she wears often, to potentially design her wedding outfits. Deepika was on Vogue BFFs with her sister Anisha. Here's Deepika Padukone in a Sabyasachi hybrid saree - spotted recently. Sabyasachi has already dressed celebrity brides Bipasha Basu, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Sagarika Ghatge and, most recently, Anushka Sharma who married Virat Kohli last month The source also told mid-day that on a Vogue BFFs segment titled 'Scary Spice Or Platter Of Punishment' on the show, Deepika was asked about the one thing Ranveer should "stop doing" - her response was pretty epic. "Deepika good-naturedly poked fun at his flamboyant style of dressing. In a segment called 'Scary spice or platter of punishment,' Neha asked her to complete the sentence 'Ranveer, stop doing ...' She immediately said, 'Stop doing outrageous clothes.' Anisha and Neha burst out laughing," mid-day quoted the source as saying. 1 COMMENTSAmong the several rumours surrounding the supposed Deepika Padukone-Ranveer Singh engagement, is this one - SpotboyE reports that Ranveer recently introduced Deepika to his nani at her Bandra residence, where the couple spent a couple of hours. It was also reported that Deepika's birthday gifts from Ranveer's parents included an expensive diamond set and a Sabyasachi sari for her birthday. "Deepika was gifted an expensive diamond set and a Sabyasachi sari by Ranveer's family. Her happiness knew no bounds. This was indeed a special occasion for the actress," SpotboyE quoted a source as saying. Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, co-stars of two Sanjay Leela Bhansali movies, is awaiting the release of yet another Bhansali period piece, Padmavat. Earlier titled Padmavati and also starring Shahid Kapoor, the film is reported to be hitting screens on January 25.
Amitabh Bachchan Posts Pics Of Shweta, Reminds Us That 'Daughters Are The Best.
NEW DELHI:MMNN:9 January 2018
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan delighted his fans with some wonderful pictures with daughter Shweta Bachchan Nanda on social media. "Daughters are the best," he captioned the post. The pictures appear to be taken on a Sunday when Big B meets his fans gathered outside his Jalsa residence. The pictures, shared some three hours ago, have been liked on Twitter over 1,200 times and counting. Several months ago, the 75-year-old megastar had shared a similar picture with Shweta. Big B adorably waved to Shweta and she recorded the moment. "Sunday well-wishers and the best wave and smile for the daughter Shweta," he wrote. Amitabh Bachchan and his wife Jaya are parents to two children - daughter Shweta and son Abhishek (also an actor). On New Year, Big B had shared a couple of pictures from the Bachchans' family-only celebrations, featuring granddaughters Navya Naveli and Aaradhya. "Daughters be the best ... granddaughters the bestest .. Navya Naveli and Aaradhya," he wrote Shweta, 43, is a columnist and is married to businessman Nikhil Nanda. They are parents to daughter Navya and son Agastya. 3 COMMENTSMeanwhile, Abhishek also shared an adorable picture with his six-year-old daughter Aaradhya and captioned it as, "My pride and joy." Abhishek Bachchan, 41, is married to actress Aishwarya Rai, 44, for over 10 years now Amitabh Bachchan last featured in Sarkar 3 and is awaiting the release of 102 Not Out. He is also filming Thugs Of Hindostan, featuring Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif and Fatima Sana Shaikh.
Golden Globes 2018: 'Oprah For President'? Sorry Twitter, She Doesn't Plan To Run.
Oprah Winfrey, the first African-American woman to receive the Golden Globes' annual Cecil B DeMille award, won't run for the White House in 2020. Sorry, everyone. Minutes after Oprah delivered her powerful speech at the Globes, the hashtag #OprahForPresident started trending on Twitter. "If that speech doesn't make you want to change the world, nothing will. #oprahforpresident," wrote one Twitter user. Several celebrities and writers also agree, one of whom said: "Wow. Oprah. Powerful, inspiring, eloquent. I'm in tears. Please run for president? You really do have all the best words." Sorry, though. Bloomberg reports that the 63-year-old activist and actress' response backstage after being asked if she planned to give 'Oprah 2020' a shot was "I don't, I don't." In her speech, Oprah Winfrey who was introduced by Reese Witherspoon, referenced both the #MeToo and Time's Up campaigns. Needless to say, she wore black in protest of sexual harassment, as did most others attending the Golden Globes. Here are some key quotes from Oprah's speech: #1 "For too long, women have not been heard or believed if they dare speak the truth to the power of those men. But their time is up! Their time is up!" #2 "I want all the girls watching here now to know that a new day is on the horizon" #3 "The new day... will be because of a lot of magnificent women and some pretty phenomenal men, fighting hard to make sure that they become the leaders who take us to the time when nobody ever has to say 'me too' again" #4 I want to say that I value the press more than ever before as we try to navigate these complicated times Oprah Winfrey's film credits include The Color Purple, Selma and Beloved. The big winners at the Golden Globes were Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and Reese's TV series Big Little Lies
Rani Mukerji Advises Salman Khan To 'Skip Marriage And Become A Father.
Rani Mukerji has an advice for her friend and colleague, Salman Khan, which is ditch marriage, have babies, reports mid-day. Rani Mukerji, star of upcoming film Hichki was on the sets of Salman Khan-hosted Bigg Boss 11 when she gave him the advised him to become a father. A source told mid-day: "Rani told Salman that he should avoid getting married, and simply become a father. She went on to add that Salman's kid could be a companion for her daughter, Adira." Rani Mukerji is married to Yash Raj Films boss Aditya Chopra and they are parents to two-year-old Rani Mukherji also said that Salman's baby will be "as good-looking as him." The source added: "When Salman questioned what would happen if the child resembled a not-so-good-looking mother, the duo simply burst out laughing," reports mid-day. Bollywood has several examples of single parents - Sushmita Sen adopted two girls while Tusshar Kapoor and filmmaker Karan Johar became single fathers through IVF and surrogacy. In Hichki, Rani Mukerji plays an aspiring teacher with Tourette syndrome. She is given an oddball section (lower income group students in an elite school) to teach and how she works with the group and overcomes her own shortcomings forms the film's plot. Hichki is directed by Siddharth P Malhotra for producer Maneesh Sharma (director of Band Baaja Baaraat and Fan). The film is presented by Yash Raj Film.
Bigg Boss 11: Hina Khan Mobbed At Mall, Hair Pulled By Crowd.
As Bigg Boss 11 is inching closer to the finale, the contestants are facing twists and turns at every corners. While Puneesh Sharma and Luv Tyagi failed to get the Ticket To Finale, things didn't go down too well for celebrity contestant Hina Khan as well. In a fresh move, the Bigg Boss makers closed the voting lines for a Live Poll - the contestants were taken to a mall, where the Live Poll took place on Thursday, reports mid-day. During the polling session, the crowd went unruly and Hina Khan was hurt as someone pulled at her hair, said mid-day. Certain photos and videos from the mishap have been released on social media but the happenings in the video are not exactly clear. Just like last year, the Bigg Boss 11 contestants were accompanied by heavy security and they interacted with their fans from inside barricaded area. "Things went out of control when the fans broke the barricades to see their favourite contestant," states mid-day. One particular fan of Hina Khan wanted a selfie with the contestant and while being clicked he reportedly pulled Hina's hair and in one of the videos, Vikas Gupta can be seen rushing to Hina's aid. The security staff of the mall failed to bring the situation under control and within 15 minutes, the contestants were escorted out of the mall. Meanwhile, updates from the Bigg Boss 11 episode tell us that though Puneesh did not win the Ticket To Finale, he is safe in this week's eviction and so is Aakash. Hina Khan, Shilpa Shinde, Vikas Gupta and Luv Tyagi will see one of them leaving the house this week
Sridevi, Daughter Janhvi Kapoor And Ishaan Khatter Watch A Film Together.
Star couple Sridevi and Boney Kapoor were spotted outside a movie theatre in Mumbai's Bandra with their daughter Janhvi and her co-star Ishaan Khatter. Janhvi is paired opposite Ishaan in Dhadak, her debut film. Sridevi was dressed casually in blue jeans and peach-coloured top. Janhvi opted for a grey crop top with blue low-waist jeans and pink shoes. Janhvi is Sridevi and filmmaker Boney Kapoor's elder daughter. Her sister's name is Khushi. Ishaan is Shahid Kapoor's brother. Dhadak, directed by Shashank Khaitan, went on floors a couple of months ago. It is also Ishaan's first Hindi film. He has earlier starred in Indo-Iranian film Beyond The Clouds. Dhadak is a remake of Marathi blockbuster Sairat and is being co-produced by Karan Johar, who recently wrote a note to Janhvi and Ishaan on embarking their journey in Bollywood. "It's a new year which means new beginnings and time for new relationship goals... Dear Janhvi and Ishaan, you are going to embark on a new journey of stardom this year. You will face many firsts in 2018 from promotion to paparazzi to link-ups and trolling to fame and failures. You are going to see it all," he wrote, new agency IANS reported Dhadak's first schedule was shot in Rajasthan. Sridevi and designer Manish Malhotra had visited the team on sets The basic premise (of Dhadak and Sairat) is same. But there are variations. My story is based on another set up. It is (set) in Rajasthan. It comes with its own challenges, conflicts and style of a love story," Shashank Khaitan told PTI.
Oh, Nothing. Just Some New Pics Of Suhana And Shah Rukh Khan From Family Wedding.
Social media is obsessing over a new picture of Shah Rukh Khan's daughter Suhana from a family wedding in New Delhi. Suhana, dressed in a floral printed soft pink lehenga by Seema Khan and matching phool maan-tikka, is winning the Internet. There's a new picture of Suhana and Shah Rukh Khan from a different day of the wedding festivities, which is going viral - in this, Shah Rukh and Suhana posed in a dramatic fashion (or are they getting ready to get a picture clicked?). Pictures of Suhana from the Delhi wedding rocked the Internet on December 31 and now again, today. Suhana is Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan's only daughter and second of their three children. Suhana's elder brother is Aryan, 19, who is currently pursuing a course in films in California. Her younger brother is five-year-old AbRam. Like Aryan, Suhana also wants to make a career in films but only after completing her studies, as revealed by Shah Rukh Khan. SRK told Femina that he's okay with Suhana becoming an actor "if she has the passion and guts to work five times harder than me and get paid 10 times less than I do." COMMENTSSeveral clips of Suhana Khan's theatre performance have found its way to the Internet earlier and even National Award-winning actress Shabana Azmi tweeted: "Mark my words Suhana Khan is going to be a seriously good actor. I've watched a short clip of her acting and it was terrific. Bless her." Shah Rukh Khan was last seen in Jab Harry Met Sejal and his next film, titled Zero, will release in December 2018.
Bye Bye 2017: Kareena Kapoor - Saif Ali Khan, Akshay Kumar - Twinkle Khanna All Set To Welcome The New Year.
NEW DELHI:MMNN:30 December 2017
Our favourite stars are all set to ring in the New Year with new hopes, new possibilities and new dreams. Some of the Bollywood stars have decided to skip a grand New Year party while the others are in a perfect holiday mood and are enjoying the joyous celebrations at their manpasand vacation destination. Bollywood Khiladi Akshay Kumar has double reasons to celebrate. The actor is currently enjoying in Cape Town with wife Twinkle Khanna (who celebrates her 43rd birthday today) and daughter Nitara while little Nawab Taimur is off on a Swiss holiday with mom Kareena Kapoor and dad Saif Ali Khan. Here's how and where our favourite stars with ring in New Year 2018.
#Kareena Kapoor - Saif Ali Khan In Switzerland Switzerland is Kareena Kapoor's favourite holiday destination and nothing could have been better for Kareena than to enjoy in the Swiss alps in such beautiful weather. Kareena and Saif Ali Khan along with their one-year-old son Taimur will celebrate the coming year in Gstaad, a resort town in the Swiss Alps. A photo of the trio was shared on social media recently and is now viral.
#Akshay Kumar - Twinkle Khanna In Cape Town Actor-turned-writer Twinkle Khanna is making the best out of her birthday and the holidays in her favourite destination - Cape Town. Akshay Kumar shared a picture in which he drives across the African port city while Twinkle sits beside him.
#Alia Bhatt In Bali Alia Bhatt has flown to Bali with her BFFs to ring in the New Year and the pictures on her Instagram feed just cannot be missed. "Yes, I have my New Year's plan in place. My best friend is getting married, so we're going on a girls' trip," Alia said during an award show.
#Virushka In South Africa Sabka favourite couple Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma are off to South Africa, where captain Kohli will play his next series and the newlyweds will also ring in the New year. The duo gave a grand reception in Mumbai on December 26 and Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, Shah Rukh Khan and others were in attendance.
#Shilpa Shetty In Dubai Sharing a photo with her son Viaan Raj Kundra, Shilpa Shetty revealed her New Year plans. The Super Dancer judge is vacationing in Dubai with husband Raj Kundra and son Viaan.
#Jacqueline Fernandez In Bali Race 3 star Jacqueline Fernandez is on a vacation with her family in Bali and is having all sorts of adventures on her holiday. She shared a couple of pictures on Instagram.
#Rajkummar Rao In Thailand Rajkummar Rao, who had a great 2017, is now having a 'mad' time in Thailand with girlfriend Patralekha. Rajkummar shared his clicks with Patralekha from Ko Samui and wrote, "Being mad with @patralekhaa. #kohsamui #thailand."
#Sunny Leone In Dubai Sunny Leone, who recently had a great time in London, is now off to Dubai for New Year's celebrations with husband Daniel Weber. Holiday is holiday but 'last minute workout can't be missed.'
#Sushant Singh Rajput - Kriti Sanon In The Alps Sushant Singh Rajput and Kriti Sanon along with their friends are somewhere in the Alps and making the most around the snow clad mountains. The photo will give you some chill vibes.
#Madhuri Dixit In Japan Madhuri Dixit is having a good time with husband Sriram Nene in Japan.
Yo Yo Honey Singh makes comeback with 'Dil Chori' in Luv Ranjan's next.
Indian Rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh, who was away from the limelight for the past two years, is back with Luv Ranjans upcoming film Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety. Collaborating with T-series, Honey Singh has rejiged Dil Chori by Hans Raj Hans, giving the audience a song to dance on the new year. The comeback song by Honey Singh, whose last song was Aankhon Aankhon from Bhaag Johnny (2015),is a reprised version of the 1990s hit number by Hans Raj Hans Dil Chori Saada Ho Gaya. After sharing a teaser, the makers of the film starring Kartik Aaryan, Nushrat Bharucha and Sunny Singh unveiled the song in Delhi on Tuesday night. Speaking about the song, Director Luv Ranjan said, Well, for preparing Honey Singh for this song, the whole credit goes to Bhushan Kumar ji, because I actually dont know Honey Singh closely, but Bushan ji made this possible to convince Honey Singh to do this song for us. About the movie he said, Nowadays, marriage is not about two families engaging with each other but for friends also it have a same feeling, so the concept of this film is about a clash a war between Bromance & Romance. I wont reveal much about this movie instead I would say just watch the movie you will understand the modern concept of marriage. You will see a Tom & Jerry chemistry in this film. Sonu ke Titu Ki Sweety is the first of a three-film contract between T Series and Luv Ranjan.The movie is based on the theme of bromance vs romance where a friend (Kartik) is trying to save his best buddy (Sunny Singh) from getting married to a girl (Nushrat) who he does not like. It is said to be a quirky, new age love story set in Delhi and UP. Produced by Luv Films Luv Ranjan, Ankur Garg and Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar of T-Series, the film is slated for release on February 9
Tiger Zinda Hai Box Office Collection Day 6: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif's Film Makes Just A Shade Under Rs. 200 Crore.
Tiger Zinda Hai is on a roll, no really. It's been six days that Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif's new film has been making steady progress towards the Rs. 200 crore bounty at the box office. And with its sixth day collection figures, Tiger Zinda Hai has scored just a shade under the big number, reports trade analyst Taran Adarsh. But do not worry, prediction says, the movie will surpass double century with Thursday's collections. For the three consecutive week days after the film's first weekend, Tiger Zinda Hai has made numbers like Rs. 36.54 crore, Rs. 21.60 crore, Rs. 17.55 crore - something which corroborates the predictions. In his analysis of Tiger Zinda Hai's box office progress, Taran Adars writes: "Tiger Zinda Hai is a ONE-HORSE RACE... Continues its DREAM RUN... All set to cruise past Rs. 200 cr mark today [Thu]... Fri 34.10 cr, Sat 35.30 cr, Sun 45.53 cr, Mon 36.54 cr, Tue 21.60 cr, Wed 17.55 cr. Total: Rs. 190.62 cr. India biz." In the Ali Abbas Zafar-directed movie, both Katrina Kaif and Salman Khan reprise their roles from 2012's Ek Tha Tiger. But, according to Salman, the entire credit goes to his heroine. "Tiger Zinda Hai has done well all because of one reason, that is Katrina Kaif," news agency IANS quoted Salman as saying on his 52nd birthday. After the film touched Rs. 150 crores, this is how Salman congratulated his team and Katrina, of course: "The love that the movie is getting right now only validates the efforts everyone put in to make a really good entertainer. I congratulate Katrina for her extraordinary performance and Ali for his vision and awesome direction to pull off Tiger Zinda Hai," IANS quoted Salman as saying. Ek Tha Tiger is proof that Tubelight may have underperformed at the box office but Salman Khan's charm still works wonders at the theatres. Don't you think so too?
Anil Kapoor And Salman Khan's Jhakaas Birthday On The Sets Of Race 3.
The makers of Race 3 had many reasons to celebrate this Christmas. The team of the film not only enjoyed Christmas festivities but also celebrated our favourite stars Anil Kapoor and Salman Khan's birthday on the sets. The team threw a mini party for Anil Kapoor, who celebrated his 61st birthday on December 24 and Salman Khan, who is all set to blow out 52 candles on December 27. The Race 3 team was also in high spirits owing to the tremendous success of Salman Khan's latest release Tiger Zinda Hai, which is already a super hit. Anil Kapoor also posted a picture on social media, in which he can be seen sharing birthday cake with co-star Salman Khan. "Who says an on-set birthday has to be boring?! My Birthday was made extra special by the @SKFonline & @tipsofficial teams! Thank you all for your love and wishes," tweets Anil Kapoor. Recently, Salman welcomed his Race 3 co-star Anil Kapoor in style on social media. He shared a picture of himself with Mr Kapoor and producer Ramesh Taurani Anil Kapoor played the role private detective Robert D'Costa in the previous two films of the Race series while Salman Khan is the new addition to the Race franchise. Directed by Remo D'Souza - Race 3 also stars Jacqueline Fernandez, Daisy Shah, Saqib Saleem and Pooja Hegde. The film went on floors in November and it is expected to hit the screens in the first half of 2018. Salman's latest film Tiger Zinda Hai released on December 22 and opened to an overwhelming response by the audience. The film has already made over Rs. 100 crore. The film is a sequel to 2012's Ek Tha Tiger and also stars Katrina Kaif. As for Anil Kapoor, the actor is currently filming Fanne Khan, which also stars Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Rajkummar Rao.
Merry Christmas: Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif And Other Stars Wish 'Joy' And 'Love'.
The big tree is all decorated and lit up, the sound of carols in the air; the dinner feast with wine and plum cakes is ready, and yes, Christmas is finally here! Our favourite stars have posted sweet wishes on social media and have wished everyone Merry Christmas. Sridevi has sent her Christmas wishes on Twitter and has wished everyone a fun filled day with loads of laughter and happiness as another year comes to an end while Twinkle Khanna has posted a video featuring herself and husband Akshay Kumar, in which they are dancing around Christmas trees. Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif have Instagrammed identical photos with each other wishing everyone Merry Christmas. "Wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Hope you have a fun filled day with loads of laughter and happiness," tweeted Sridevi. Christmas is definitely a joyous time to spread love and the spirit of festivity. We too wish everyone Merry Christmas.
Nanis MCA takes exceptional opening, mints over Rs 15 crore on first day.
Having already registered two blockbusters this year with Nenu Local and Ninnu Kori, actor Nani is all set to finish the year with a bang as his latest outing MCA - Middle Class Abbayi - is creating box-office ripples. According to trusted trade sources, the film is said to have grossed over Rs 15 crore on the first day worldwide, making it the biggest ever opening in Nanis career. Despite mixed response to the film from critics, Nanis popularity amidst the masses has worked big time and theyve lapped up the film for its overall entertainment angle. MCA released a day before Akhil Akkinenis Hello, and the trade sources said the films will eat into each others collection. However, at the press meet of MCA last week, producer Dil Raju said: I dont think therell be any competition between MCA and Hello. I believe both the films can do well. If theatres can accommodate 4-5 films releasing during Sankranti festival every year, I dont think therell be any problems to have two films release together during any week. I saw the visuals of Hello, and they look very rich. I wish both the films succeed. Directed by Venu Sriram, the film explores the love-hate relationship of Nani and Bhumika Chawla, who plays his sister-in-law. Sai Pallavi, after winning over audiences hearts in Fidaa earlier this year, played the lead heroine in MCA and her role was very well accepted. Meanwhile, MCA is the US is having a dream with earnings over $420K and is expected to breach into the half million mark by weekend.
Tiger Zinda Hai Movie Review: When You Have Salman Khan, Why Do You Need Logic?.
Tiger is on the prowl again. He is still a super adroit, unstoppable livewire. So what if he is borderline brain-dead? Given the cloak of invincibility he dons, he is in no danger whatsoever of going extinct. What goes missing without a trace in Tiger Zinda Hai, however, is logic. But what's that? The film is targeted at fans of Salman Khan. It's all strut and swagger, primed to give the constituency that the star serves more than its money's worth. He even sheds his shirt in one sequence. As for the rest of us, ordinary mortals who usually seek cinematic stimuli less extraordinary, Tiger Zinda Hai, directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, is a spy thriller that could have done with more sense and subtlety. But these attributes appear to be the last thing on the mind of the invincible, chest-thumping, Rambo-esque RAW agent-protagonist and his mates as they, teaming up with ISI operatives (yes, that's how woolly-headed it gets), take on their deadly common foes for the sake of aman (peace) and insaniyat (humanity) We hear the film's title being uttered by one character or other on four separate occasions. On the first occasion it's a question, on the second a firm assertion, and on the third it exudes assurance. The final 'Tiger zinda hai', reserved for the final scene, is a pointer to the possibility that we haven't heard the last of the insuperable secret agent. Sounds a bit like a threat all right, but if TZH roars loud enough at the box-office, we've got to live with it. Filmed predominantly in Abu Dhabi, which passes off for war-ravaged Iraq, TZH is strictly mechanical, by-the-numbers filmmaking that throws at the audience random allusions to contemporary geopolitics but makes it a point to disown any connection with reality. The film, as a pre-credits rider avows, is inspired by a true event, but all 'places and names' in the story are fictitious. We would have known anyways Tikrit becomes Ikrit and ISIS is rechristened ISC. But Mosul remains Mosul. There is also talk of a Caliphate. It is lorded over by a dreaded terrorist named Abu Usman. Fighting a last-ditch battle to save his turf from American drones and warplanes and the Iraqi army, he unleashes mayhem in the desert. The hyper-virile, stone-faced persona of Avinash Singh Rathore 'Tiger', which is stretched much further than it was in 2012's Ek Tha Tiger, strays dangerously close to snapping point. The spy walks in and out of raging fires with the nonchalance of a boy swatting flies. He has the blanket license to be part of improbable action sequences in which oil tankers turn into balls of fire, vehicles fly and do somersaults before exploding, and bullets are sprayed from all manner of weapons without let. Our man Tiger emerges from it all, time and again, not only in one piece but also without as much as a hair out of place That his survival instincts and combat skills haven't lost their edge is established right at the outset. Tiger, out camping in the Alps with his son, encounters a pack of wolves. He keeps his wits about him and shakes the predators off his back. No big deal - it's all in a day's work for him. The attack of the wolves prepares him for much worse. When a group of Indian and Pakistani nurses - 40 of them - are taken hostage by religious extremists in Iraq - this part of the plot is yanked from newspaper headlines - a resting Tiger is nudged out of his cozy sinecure in Austria, where he now lives with his wife of eight years Zoya (Katrina Kaif), the selfsame Pakistani spy who fell in love with him in the precursor. Summoned by the Indian spy agency chief (Girish Karnad), Tiger and Zoya plunge into the mission aimed at taking out the terrorists and saving the nurses. The hero handpicks his comrades-in-arms - ageing tech whiz Rakesh (Kumud Mishra, who provides the lighter moments), explosives expert Namit (Angad Bedi, who has just enough to do not be lost in the din) and sharpshooter Azaan (Sudeep), the token Muslim patriot who carries the tricolour in his backpack and has to do more than the others to demonstrate his love for the nation. Inspired by an incident that is also at the heart of the Malayalam smash hit Take Off, Tiger Zinda Hai goes haywire in pursuit of its outmoded notions of masculinity and heroism. The film robs the trapped women of any kind of agency. The only nurse allowed a voice and some space is Poorna (Anupriya Goenka, the sole female actor in the film who actually 'acts'). TZH has another bunch of cornered women - captives who work for the terrorists under duress. Zoya, who is instrumental in roping two ISI agents into the Indo-Pak rescue mission, turns the heat on the captors and liberates these girls single-handedly. Her entry scene, too, has the lady knock out a trio of muggers who raid a convenience store and live to regret the decision. End of story for Zoya. She, too, needs her hubby to rescue her from trouble in the film's climax. But we are getting ahead of ourselves. TZH simply isn't interested in achieving any balance. The emphasis is unwaveringly on Salman Khan the Saviour. Katrina, fetching but flimsy, is compelled to take a backseat. Mercifully, the principal antagonist Abu Usman, played by Iran-born, UAE-raised Sajjad Delafrooz, is no pushover: he makes his presence felt in no uncertain terms. Undeniably impressive in terms of its scale and flawless technical attributes - the production design is fabulous, the action sequences are spectacular and the camerawork by Polish cinematographer Marcin Laskawiec is dazzlingly good - Tiger Zinda Hai is an exercise that eventually rings utterly hollow. Its surface nous cannot conceal the sheer purposeless of all the noise Tiger Zinda Hai generates. May be, at least for some, the star power on show might help the film paper over its patchy screenplay
Anushka Sharma, Virat Kohli Invited PM Modi To Their Wedding Reception.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received an invite to Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli's wedding reception, as revealed on his official Twitter account. The newlyweds posed for a picture with PM Modi, who congratulated them on their wedding. It is unclear if PM Modi will actually attend. The reception is in Delhi, which is Virat's hometown, on Thursday. It will be the first of two receptions the couple have planned. The second will take place in Mumbai on December 26. Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli married in Italy last week, after having managed to (almost) keep the wedding secret for a year. Anushka and her family were photographed flying out of Mumbai days before the wedding. They were headed to Italy where a heritage resort in Tuscany had been booked for the nuptials. Pre-wedding ceremonies included a mehendi and haldi. No celebrities were invited. The newlyweds made the wedding announcement on their Twitter accounts with an identical message: "Today we have promised each other to be bound in love forever. We are truly blessed to share the news with you. This beautiful day will be made more special with the love and support of our family of fans & well wishers. Thank you for being such an important part of our journey." Anushka and Virat also posted a honeymoon picture from somewhere snowy in Europe last week. On Tuesday, pictures of the couple in New Delhi went viral. They had flown back without the press being alerted After the Mumbai reception, Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli will fly to South Africa to ring in 2018. Virat will stay on to play a series, Anushka will return to resume work on her pending films, one of which co-stars Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif
On Bill Gates' Best Of 2017 List, Akshay Kumar's Toilet: Ek Prem Katha.
Bill Gates, no less, has listed six positive things that happened in 2017 (which has been 'a tough year') and the second of these six is.. wait, for it - Akshay Kumar's film Toilet: Ek Prem Katha. "Toilet: A Love Story, a Bollywood romance about a newlywed couple, educated audiences about India's sanitation challenge," tweeted the Microsoft co-founder. What a shout-out. The five other things on his list - Edwardo Sanchez, the first person in his family to graduate from college; Bhutan and Maldives eradicating measles; World Food Prize-winner Akinwumi Adesina using his award money for grants to young Africans involved in agriculture; a New York Times report on how helping others is good for your health; and a 'new sport' - extreme reading (to which he contributed). "There's no denying 2017 was a really tough year... but it also delivered some amazing moments of hope and progress," Bill Gates prefaced his list. "These tweets made me feel better about 2017 and more optimistic about the new year Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, starring Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar, received mixed reviews but was praised unanimously for its theme, which highlighted the need to build toilets in India, particularly rural India. The focus on sanitation meshed with the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We can give Bill Gates a heads up for 2018 - Akshay Kumar's new film PadMan shines a light on menstrual hygiene and spotlights A Murugunantham, the inventor of a low-cost sanitary napkin making machine. Put that on your list next year, Mr Gates
Karan Johar's Emotional Letter To Twins: You Are Different, Not Wrong.
Karan Johar is all set to appear on new television show TED Talks India: Nayi Soch, which is hosted by Shah Rukh Khan, where he will read a letter addressed to his twins Yash and Roohi, reports mid-day. In one part of the letter, Karan tells his twins that no one can "label you" for being different. mid-day reports that Karan read: "As you grow up, people will try to label you according to colour, looks, religion, popularity, and money. People will gossip about you, but know that no one can label you. Just because you are different, it doesn't make you wrong. You may be treated differently in school; mothers of your classmates will come to drop them, but you will have your father to take care of that. While most of your classmates' mothers will make a WhatsApp group to discuss your homework, I will be the only father in it." Karan Johar's twins were born via surrogacy in February this year. Karan Johar described his first meeting with the tins to news agency PTI as: "When I saw them for the first time, I didn't realise there were tears rolling down. I couldn't believe they were two big pieces of me who are staring at me, who are innocent, vulnerable. It was the most surreal overwhelming emotion I have ever experienced." Karan Johar is a protective father and he shared the first picture of his twins on social media on Raksha Bandhan, when they were six-months-old. He shared some pictures subsequently and the most recent ones are from Rani Mukerji's daughter Adira's birthday party, where yash and Roohi bonded with Kareena Kapoor's son Taimur. Karan named his son after his late father Yash Johar and Roohi's name is derived by rearranging the letters of his mother Hiroo Johar's name
Star Wars: The Last Jedi Is The Luke Skywalker Movie You're Looking For.
WASHINGTON: The Last Jedi is a bolder and darker take on the Star Wars episodic cinematic universe that isn't scared to take some chances. Whereas J.J. Abrams's The Force Awakens may have played it safe (minus Kylo Ren killing his father, Han Solo), following a previous template of how a Star Wars movie should feel, The Last Jedi is allowed to breathe under the assurances that the fandom is happy these movies are back. That allows director and writer Rian Johnson to take the film's major characters to unexpected places. Johnson's masterstroke is his handling of Mark Hamill's return as now-reluctant Jedi Master Luke Skywalker. Hamill was limited to a quick appearance at the end of The Force Awakens, but his role in The Last Jedi is meaty and impactful. Johnson gives us a look into the soul of the greatest Jedi there ever was and forces Skywalker to revisit the moments that led to his self-imposed exile. Luke is joined by apparent Jedi apprentice Rey (Daisy Ridley), who quickly realizes if she's ever going to truly learn the ways of the Force, she's going to have to help Luke realize they're worth teaching again. Despite the newness of this trilogy and its new generation of stars, Hamill's presence is what makes this movie special. He brings it all: Humor. Sadness. Pain. Those hoping he'd get another shot at the action won't be disappointed, and credit goes to Disney and Lucasfilm for keeping those moments out of the trailers, so it didn't feel like you'd already seen the movie, which happens a lot. But for all the excitement of Hamill potentially breaking a sweat in this film, it's the quiet moments that shine. Johnson doesn't give us a Luke Skywalker who swoops in and realizes he must save the day right away. Instead, Luke is a man of regret. The best advice he can give to an eager-to-learn Rey are the mistakes he made along the way. Those mistakes give The Last Jedi a bit of shock-value and show Luke as all too human with the ability to sometimes make the wrong choice. Luke's doubts in himself cast a shadow over Rey's development into a Jedi. It's no secret from the trailers that there's a moment where Kylo Ren, who Rey still shares a mysterious connection with, reaches out his hand to her. That might have seemed shocking at first, but what leads to that moment is probably "The Last Jedi's" biggest surprise of the entire movie. The internal struggle of dark and light within Kylo Ren continues. The would-be Sith legend who had no trouble executing Han Solo in The Force Awakens struggles when given the same opportunity to take down his mother, Leia (Carrie Fisher). Driver's performance within a performance is something to see. Of all the characters in this movie, Kylo Ren is the toughest to figure out. Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis) believes Kylo's true inner-Vader is there for the embracing. Rey feels her connection with Kylo has shown her things he can't see. But only Kylo Ren truly knows for sure, staying one step ahead of everyone, just like grandpa Vader would. Driver is solidifying his character as a true next-generation Vader. The kid gloves are off, but the uncontrollable attitude and squiggly red lightsaber remain. Outside of the big three (Luke, Rey and Kylo), several other characters are given a chance to shine and have an impact on the plot. That also explains why this movie is 2.5 hours long. Finn (John Boyega) brings more heroics alongside newcomer Rose (Kelly Marie Tran). Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) and his swashbuckling-in-a-jet attitude gets him in trouble. There are, of course, plenty of fun BB-8 moments and Fisher, as Leia Organa, shows that Luke isn't the only one strong with the Force. Johnson has been handed the Star Wars ball and played a beautiful game (before passing back to Abrams for episode IX). The Last Jedi is exactly the type of "new" Star Wars film fans expected when Disney announced there would be more "episodes." This film plays on the power of the past with the promise that things will only get more exciting in the future
Anushka Sharma And Virat Kohli Will Live In A Swish Mumbai Apartment. Details Here.
After the grand wedding, actress Anushka Sharma and cricketer Virat Kohli will move into a sea-facing apartment in Mumbai, say reports. Virat will be making the shift between cities, from his hometown of New Delhi to Mumbai where Anushka lives - this has been hailed with delight as it is so often the bride who moves. Details of the couple's spectacular new home have been shared by Architectural Digest. Virat and Anushka's new apartment is in Worli, part of Omkar 1973 Towers. The 29-year-old cricketer bought the 7,171-square-foot luxury apartment, which faces the Arabian Sea, in 2016 and it is said to be located in the most luxurious of the three towers of the complex, reports Architectural Digest. The Worli high-rise offers state-of-the-art amenities such as an indoor tennis court and a pet clinic. According to the Architectural Digest report, the complex houses "a dedicated spa for pets, fitness and sports facilities, a sky terrace for hosting parties and dedicated areas for kids - including a creche, pool, and play area." Virat and Anushka's apartment apparently also has large verandas that extend off each of the four bedrooms. Jealous much! Anushka will move out of the apartment in Badrinath Towers in Versova where she lives with her family. Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli married in a Tuscan resort on December 11. Their big fat Italian wedding was strictly family and close friends - nobody from the couple's celebrity circles was invited. Their wedding festivities, including a mehendi function and an engagement ceremony, were held over the weekend. For all three days, Anushka and Virat's wedding wardrobes were designed by Sabyasachi. Anushka and Virat will return to India for a reception in Delhi scheduled for December 21. They will also host a reception for their colleagues on December 26 in Mumbai. Anushka and Virat will ring in the new year in South Africa. Virat will remain to play a series, Anushka will return to complete her pending projects - Aanand L Rai's film and Yash Raj Films' Sui Dhaaga, and for the promotion of her own production Par
Zaira allegedly molested in flight.
Dangal actress Zaira Wasim was allegedly molested on a Delhi-Mumbai flight by a man sitting behind her, the actress claimed in a post on social media. In a post on instagram, the actress alleged that the man was rubbing his foot against her back and neck while she was half asleep. In a video posted on her instagram account late last night, Zaira narrated the incident. Zaira said she was on an Air Vistara flight from Delhi to Mumbai when a co-passenger sitting behind her put up his feet on her armrest. When she objected, the man reportedly claimed he was resting his feet due to "turbulence". The actor said she tried to click a photo of the man, but couldn't get a clear shot due to dim lights. "Managed to get this (shot of the molester's foot). The lights were dimmed so it was even worse. It continued for another 5-10 minutes and then I was sure of it. He kept nudging my shoulder and continued to move his foot up and down my back and neck. I tried to record it on my phone to understand it better. But because the cabin lights were dimmed, I failed to get it. I ignored it the first time, blamed the turbulence for it. Until I woke up to this pleasant sight of his beautiful foot rubbing my back and neck… Guess he couldn't sit like a civilised human being and placed his foot on my arm rest while he's fully 'pheloaed' his body on his seat " she posted.Breaking down several times in the video, Zaira said, ''This is not done at all. This is not the way, this is not a way a girls should be made to feel." Zaira Wasim, in one of her posts, also slammed the airline. "Slow claps for Vistara's crew guys! Wonderful!" she wrote. In its response, Vistara said it is carrying out a detailed investigation into the case and expressed their support for Zaira. "We @airvistara have seen the reports regarding @ZairaWasim experience with another customer on board last night. We are carrying out detailed investigation and would support Zaira in every way required. We have zero tolerance for such behavior," the airline tweeted. Vistara COO Sanjiv Kapoor also tweeted, saying the company has zero tolerance towards "this kind of thing". Talking to a TV channel, Zaira's manager Tuhin Mishra said, "This is shocking. Zaira approached cabin crew but they didn't react. We have written to Vistara. We will file a police complaint. She is in a state of shock." The National Commission of Women has also said it is sending a notice to the airline for not getting the accused arrested. " Sending notice to @airvistara for not helping #ZairaWasim and not getting the man arrested after landing. Why have they not named this man?" tweeted Rekha Sharma from the women's panel. Sources say that the Civil Aviation Ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have sought details on the incident from Air Vistara.
Gauahar Khan makes to sexiest Asian list for fourth consecutive time.
NEW DELHI:MMNN:9 December 2017
For the fourth consecutive year, Bollywood actress and model Gauhar Khan has been voted to the top 10 list of 50 Sexiest Asian Women list in the world. It is an annual UK poll, which has been released in London recently. The actor, who is known for her choice of unconventional roles and movies, has ranked ninth position in the coveted list of renowned celebrities. The 34-year-old actress strongly believes that she has managed to achieve this feat because of her undying love and support from her ardent fans. It is a fan based forum which actually votes for their favourite actors, she said. The word sexy has followed the model, actress and TV personality for her entire career like a homing missile. Its not just because of her explosive beauty, knockout figure and heaven-sent ability to make any outfit look hot. Its also that winning personality, inspirational outlook on life and kind heart, the Begum Jaan actor added. The Fever actor is currently working to launch her own clothing line.
Fukrey Returns Movie Review: Hunny, Choocha And Gang Return - But Should They Have?.
Cast: Pulkit Samrat, Manjot Singh, Ali Fazal, Varun Sharma, Richa Chadda, Priya Anand, Vishakha Singh and Pankaj Tripathi Director:Mrighdeep Singh Lamba Rating: 2 stars (out of 5) Call it what you will - deja vu or deja choo - it is written all over every single frame of Fukrey Returns. The film is unable to shake off the effects of the law of diminishing returns. It's more of the same but with markedly less impact. The slacker comedy, like the boys that it is about, drifts aimlessly from one gag to another, with a caged tiger and its cuddly cub serving as the fulcrum. Add to that a King Cobra for good measure. Sadly, Fukrey Returns lacks the animal instinct to heave itself out of its trough. It does has some deliriously funny moments - most of them emanating from the chubby and guileless Choocha's actions and utterances - but its flaccid stretches are one too many and they rob the film of any realistic chance of pulling off a repeat act. Fukrey Returns comes nowhere near being the rip-roaring ride that the 2013 sleeper hit Fukrey, at least in parts, was. Director Mrighdeep Singh Lamba and co-writer Vipul Vig, juggling with elements that have clearly lost their sheen, fail to rustle up anything that could be described as refreshing. The fact that the screenplay does not accord balanced treatment to the oddball characters that pumped life into the first film does not help matters either. Fukrey Returns starts off with a zingy opening-credits number that provides a brief recap of the story so far. Fair enough but not good enough. The film's frequent throwbacks to the past is bound to throw off those that haven't seen - or remember - Fukrey. The screenplay proceeds on the assumption that the audience, down to the last member, is familiar with all the characters and their back stories. That is likely to leave many gaps in comprehension for those that aren't fully acquainted with the world of Fukrey. In the film's bizarre first sequence, we watch Choocha and Hunny taking a dump in a forested area off the river Yamuna. Hunny begins to whistle in the woods. Don't, Choocha warns him, or a snake will slither our way. Lo and behold, the sibilant appears out of the undergrowth, bites Hunny on the bum, and assumes the form of Bholi Punjaban. Hunny is out of the way, and you now have me all for yourself, the snake-woman exults. Choocha is understandably thrilled to bits. But the joy is short-lived. His post-dawn reverie is rudely interrupted by a sandal hurled at him by his angry mother. Between these weird dreams and risky misadventures, the Fukrey boys of east Delhi are pushed to the wall by the feisty Bholi Punjaban, the reigning queen of the Trans-Yamuna underworld. They are once again engaged in hatching get rich quick plans and flirting with danger, but nothing that they do can whip up the sense of edgy urgency of the past. They seem to be merely going through the motions as Fukrey Returns wends its way to a huge letdown of a climax The novelty has worn off and the dreams of Choocha that yielded several lottery wins on the back of Hunny's freewheeling but spot-on interpretations no longer sound either convincing or intriguing. The attempts to squeeze humour out of the camaraderie of the boys amid the many setbacks that they suffer, therefore, fall rather flat. Hunny (Pulkit Samrat), Zafar (Ali Fazal) and Lali (Manjot Singh) are reduced to glorified hangers-on - and the girlfriends of the first two (Priya Anand's Priya and Vishakha Singh's Neetu) fare much worse - as Choocha (Varun Sharma) and Pandit (Pankaj Tripathi) have their stocks appreciably enhanced in this follow-up that struggles to find a narrative sweet spot. It never does. As a result, the Panditji's laconic wisecracks and Choocha's chatter do not add up to much beyond a few, stray chuckles. Fukrey Returns has a full-fledged baddie in the person of Delhi government minister Babulal Bhatia (Rajiv Gupta), who helps Bholi Punjaban cut short her prison term. The pound of flesh that he demands from her pushes her, her two African henchmen and a pair of pliable zoo employees Changu and Mangu into acts of indiscretion that spell trouble for the titular protagonists. The boys, presumed dead, are compelled to go into hiding, with hordes of angry Ponzi scheme investors baying for their blood. The wily, smooth-talking political scamster, who clandestinely runs a shady lottery business and has his sights set on the chief minister's chair, steps up to the plate and offers to bail out the boys in a soup, but once again for a price. But Panditji has other ideas. That sets off another chain of events that lead the gang into an underground tunnel and from thence to an abandoned rail yard. In the end, it is all much ado about nothing. Last time around, Choocha would dream up numbers that helped the Fukrey foursome get their guesses right. He now has a new 'God's gift' - he can see flashes of the future. Thanks to one of the premonitions that he has, the boys set out on a wild goose chase for a hidden treasure. On the acting front, the only ones who are allowed a proper run in the sun are Varun Sharma, Pankaj Tripathi and Rajiv Gupta. For Gupta, long typecast as a Haryanvi cop in Delhi-NCR thrillers and stuck in blink-and-miss cameos, Fukrey Returns is a rare extended outing. He makes the most of the opportunity to demonstrate his considerable acting chops. Sharma is a livewire who is a delight to watch and Tripathi, as always, is outstanding. Wish one could say the same about the rest of the cast - and the film as a whole. For a film that aspires to be a full-on laugh riot, Fukrey Returns is a bit of a trudge.
No, Anushka Sharma And Virat Kohli Aren't Getting Married. But Twitter Is Losing It Anyway.
Well, it's December already - which means time for Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli to trend for reports about a speculated wedding. And that's exactly what's happened Wednesday evening. Just when the gossip mills and the Internet and fans of the star couple were about to delve into the details of a 'destination wedding in Italy next week', a statement arrived from Anushka Sharma which dismissed the rumours as "absolutely" rubbish. "There is absolutely no truth to it (rumours of marriage)," Anushka's spokesperson told news agency PTI. However, Twitter's level of excitement is off the charts, courtesy the rumours. Before Twitter could calm itself down, this is all that has gone down already. Early congratulations poured in for the lovebirds - "Congratulations Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma on getting hitched," read a tweet while another added: "Congratulations and best wishes to Virat and Anushka." Folks, you need to save your best wishes for later, because Virat and Anushka are not getting married just yet It was only last month when rumours about a December wedding prompted the actress to set things straight - Anushka Sharma's manager had told NDTV: "These are just rumours doing the rounds. No truth to it." Fresh rumours speculated that the celeb couple were to fly out for destination Italy on Thuraday, where there would be a three day wedding between December 11-13. Anushka and Virat have been dating for years now and have been spotted in locations across the world plenty of times in the past few months - the duo shared Instagram posts from their vacations in Sri Lanka and New York, from where a back-seat selfie went crazy viral. Anushka Sharma is currently busy with an Aanand L Rai's film in which she co-stars with Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli has led India to nine successive series win as captain
Tiger Zinda Hai: How Salman Khan got all ripped, director Ali Abbas Zafar outs his secret.
Salman Khan was the one who ushered in the trend of a ripped bod in Bollywood. Over the years, he has maintained his physique and helped many to achieve it as well. Last year, he was seen in Sultan where he played a middle-aged wrestler. Now, he returns to his favourite genre that is action-thriller with Tiger Zinda Hai. His director Ali Abbas Zafar has spilled the beans around Khans fitness secrets in an interview to Deccan Chronicle. He said, Salman had trained, and actually, we should say he has killed himself for about three months at the gym before the shoot began. Altitude training is something that Salman had to do given the fact that we were shooting in the Alps and pulling off some daring stunts with him Zafar further said, During the shoot, be it the middle of a desert or on top of the snow-capped mountains; Salman was training every day. He used to ride his cycle to the set and we all know its not easy to cycle in such harsh environments. He used to easily ride for more than 10 kilometres every-day to get to the set. He had worked out his own exercise regime given the limited options. Salmans diet was incredible. His diet kept him light and agile and he paid minute attention to whatever he was eating. The cheat day came in the last schedule of Greece Tiger Zinda Hai, which features Katrina Kaif opposite Khan, is set to hit the screens on December 22, 2017
Shashi Kapoor's State Funeral: Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan Attend.
Actor Shashi Kapoor's last rites took place on a Tuesday, as Mumbai was lashed by Cyclone Ockhi. Wrapped in the tricolour, the late star was cremated with state honours at the Santa Cruz crematorium, with a three-gun salute by Mumbai Police. His body was taken to Prithvi Theatre first. The hearse was accompanied by several family members, sheltering from the torrential rain under umbrellas - Shashi Kapoor's son Kunal, nephews Randhir and Rishi, who rushed back to Mumbai from a film shoot, his son Ranbir and several other Kapoors were pictured. Many of Shashi Kapoor's colleagues from the film industry were photographed at the crematorium, among them Amitabh Bachchan, his son Abhishek and Shah Rukh Khan. Celebrities like Sanjay Dutt, Anil Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah were pictured at the Kapoor residence before the funeral. Shashi Kapoor was taken to hospital on Sunday and died yesterday. He was 79 and had been on dialysis for failing kidneys. Shashi Kapoor, star of such as Deewar and Junoon, was the last of the Kapoors of his generation - Raj and Shammi Kapoor were his older brothers, actor Prithviraj Kapoor was his father. Shashi Kapoor is survived by his three children with late actress Jennifer Kendal - Sanjana, Kunal and Karan. Amitabh Bachchan, who was Shashi Kapoor's co-star in some 12 films, visited the family last evening with son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya. Other celebrities who were pictured at the residence included Rani Mukerji and Kajol. Amitabh Bachchan also posted an emotional tribute to his friend on his blog, writing "With men like Shashi Kapoor around, I stood no chance." On Twitter, messages poured in from the President, several politicians, cricketers and stars like Kamal Haasan, Aamir Khan, Ajay Devgn, Hrithik Roshan, Madhuri Dixit and Priyanka Chopra. Shashi Kapoor's Siddhartha co-star Simi Garewal wrote: "Am deeply saddened by the passing away of my co-star Shashi Kapoor. The last of that generation of Kapoors gone. A gentleman and friend gone. An era gone... All that remains are his films...and precious memories..." Shashi Kapoor leaves behind a rich legacy of cinematic and theatre work. He also gave Bollywood one of it's most famous dialogues - "Mere paas Maa hain" from Deewar. Shashi Kapoor received the Padma Bhushan and Dadasaheb Phalke Award as well as several film honours.
Monsoon Shootout trailer: Nawazuddin Siddiqui is back in the dark alleys with an axe and a hammer.
Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra shared the first trailer of Nawazuddin Siddiquis upcoming thriller, Monsoon Shootout. Arguably Indias first interactive trailer, the video lets the viewers decide whether the cop will shoot at a suspect. The trailer has double twists, corresponding to shoot and do not shoot selections by viewers. The settings are perfect for a crime thriller - rain, dark alleys, and to make it all the more dangerous, we have a suspect who prefers axes and hammers to pistols when it comes to killing someone. Reminds us of Anurag Kashyaps Raman Raghav 2.0. Directed by Amit Kumar, Monsoon Shootout is about the choices a cop faces, highlighting how ones choices can alter lives. Vijay Verma, who is best known for his role in Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Pink, essays the protagonists role of Adi - a cop - while Neeraj Kabi is his senior. Nawazuddin plays the prime suspect and a criminal, Shiva. Trailing the suspect in a chase, Adi faces Shiva with a gun pointed at the criminal, and you get to decide whether he shoots or not. Priyanka shared the trailer on Twitter and wrote, Shoot or not to shoot? YOU get to decide what happens next in the trailer for #MonsoonShootout what a cool idea! So glad to see filmmakers innovate & push boundaries of the filmmaking process With each selection, comes a twist and a separate angle of psychological thriller for the film. What if you shoot at the wrong guy and get him convicted. And what if you let a criminal escape because you chose not to shoot Produced by Monga, Anurag Kashyap, Arun Rangachari and Vivek Rangachari, the film also stars Tannishtha Chatterjee.Presented by Moving Pictures and produced by Sikhya Entertainment, Monsoon Shootout releases on December 15
Kajol 'Explaining God' To Son Yug Is A Priceless Moment Not To Be Missed.
Actress Kajol visited Siddarudha mutt in Hubli, Karnataka on Thursday. Kajol was accompanied by her seven-year-old son Yug, mother Tanuja and sister Tanisha Mukherjee. Kajol offered prayers to the idol of Gurunatharudha and Siddarudha at the holy place. Kajol has not shared an update about her visit to Siddarudha mutt on social media explain a picture of herself 'explaining GOD!!!' to Yug. But thanks to the 42-year-old actress' fans who shared a couple of pictures of Kajol with her family offering prayers at the temple. Kajol was dressed in a gold suit while son Yug was cute in a green kurta pyjama. In one of the pictures, Kajol poses with her mother Tanuja at the temple while in the other the mother-son duo had a picture perfect moment. Fans have also shared a video of Kajol's son Yug performing abhisheka of Gurunatharudha and Siddarudha's idols. Isn't this so cute? "Kajol visits the mutt each time she visits Karnataka and receives blessings from Siddarudha. She had been here when she was a young girl and had visited the mutt five years ago," said the mutt's Trust Committee Narayana Prasad Pathak, reports Deccan Herald. Kajol is married to actor Ajay Devgn, her co-star from films like Ishq and Pyar To Hona Hi Tha, in 1999. The couple are also parents to 14-year-old daughter Nysa. Recently, in an interview with news agency IANS, of her kids, Kajol said: "I've been learning from my kids ever since I was pregnant. I have learned a lot from my kids. My biggest gurus are my kids. I learn something new from them every day." Kajol, star of films such as Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham recently featured in Tamil release VIP 2, co-starring Dhanush
Ranveer Singh, Ranbir Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor Are Trending Because Of Pahlaj Nihalani.
NEW DELHI:MMNN:30 November 2017
"Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor are No 1 on my wish-list. I want them to play the leads in Aankhen Chaar," former Censor Board chief Pahlaj Nihalani told mid-day while talking about his next venture. Mr Nihalani wants to make a contemporary version of his 1993-produced film Aankhen. This was enough to make the two colleagues trend, and also joining them on the trends list is Ranbir Kapoor, courtesy the ex-CBFC chief again. If things do not work out with the Gunday, then he wants to approach Ranbir and Imran Khan for the remake, which will be a complete comedy. Ranbir and Shahid Kapoor; Ayushmann Khurrana and Rajkummar Rao are also some of the other combinations he has in mind. "Ranbir and Imran will also make an excellent combination, as will Ranbir and Shahid Kapoor and Ayushmann Khurrana and Rajkummar Rao," Mr Nihlani told mid-day. Aankhen, which turned out to be a blockbuster hit, cast Govinda in dual roles. About the new project, this is what the filmmaker said: "With each character playing a double role, we will see two Ranveers and two Arjuns, along with a chimpanzee." Pahlaj Nihalani recently tasted failure with the damp performance of Julie 2 at the box office, told mid-day: "people want entertainment" and hence the Aankhen remake will have a fresh story-line. "The subject will be completely different. It should reflect current times. It should be modern, keeping the trends and the youth's preferences in mind. It will have Indian values and sentiments at its core, but, will be one that appeals to the youth," mid-day quoted him as saying. Ranveer Singh is currently awaiting the release of Padmavati, which has been postponed indefinitely because of the ugly controversy around it. Ranbir Kapoor is prepping for the Sanjay Dutt biopic at the moment while Arjun Kapoor will next be seen in Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar.
IFFI 2017: 'Embarrassed' By Akshay Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan Tweets 'Not Done.
Amitabh Bachchan was honoured with the Indian Film Personality Of The Year award at the recently concluded International Film Festival of India in Goa. The closing ceremony on Monday evening was a star studded affair, at which Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani and Akshay Kumar presented the award to the 75-year-old megastar. That's also when Akshay Kumar, in Big B's words, "embarrassed" the legend. No, it wasn't a joke or a commentary that got Big B tweeting about being embarrassed - it was actually Akshay's attempt to touch Amitabh Bachchan's feet. In photos shared on social media, one can see that Akshay, who was yet to present the award, reached for the actor's feet, who then pulled him up and greeted Akshay with an embrace. "Embarrassed that Akshay does this ... no Akshay this is not done," tweeted Big B. We can't decide what's more adorable - Big B's words or the IFFI moment Amitabh Bachchan also shared photos from the felicitation ceremony, along with a message: "A most humbling evening at the IFFI awards... honoured and filled with such gratefulness to IFFI and the extremely endearing words by Akshay Kumar, Karan, and the dignitaries The closing ceremony of the 48th International Film Festival of India was also attended by Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Sidharth Malhotra, Huma Qureshi, Sonali Bendre, Bhumi Pednekar and Sushant Singh Rajput. Akshay first co-starred with Amitabh Bachchan in 2002's Aankhen and has also shared screen space with Big B in films like Rishtaa, Waqt and Family. Amitabh Bachchan will next be seen in Thugs Of Hindostan while Akshay Kumar's next is Padman.
Manushi Chhillar Says No Bollywood For Now. An Aamir Khan Film Might Tempt Her.
Will Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar answer if Bollywood comes calling, as Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra did before her? The 20-year-old pageant winner, now back in India after being crowned in China, says she has no celluloid dreams as of now - that said, she would eventually like to work in an Aamir Khan film. Manushi Chhillar, a former medical student from Haryana, is currently addressing press conferences across cities. In Mumbai, she was asked about a possible career in films. "Bollywood is just something that is not on my mind as of now so I really can't say anything about it," IANS quoted Manushi as saying. For now, Manushi Chhillar is drawing on her medical training to advocate for menstrual hygiene. "Sanitary pads are a necessity for every woman, so they should be available at a low cost. Indian women must have access to safe and affordable menstrual hygiene management," she said, according to mid-day. Through her year-long reign as Miss World, Manushi will travel across four continents to raise awareness about hygiene for menstruating women. But she's not ruling Bollywood out entirely. On Manushi's wishlist - a film with Aamir Khan. "I would like to work in an Aamir Khan movie because I think he has really challenging roles. His movies have a message and connect to the society. So, that will be very interesting to do," she told the press on Monday. Apart from Aamir Khan, Manushi also has a favourite actress: "In actresses, my personal favourite is Priyanka Chopra." Manushi is the sixth Indian contestant to have been crowned Miss World and a direct successor to Priyanka Chopra. Priyanka Chopra won the Miss World pageant 17 years ago in 2000. Priyanka and Aishwarya are former Miss Worlds who since built massively successful careers in showbiz. Diana Hayden and Yukta Mookhey also had brief stints as actresses. Manushi Chhillar was crowned Miss World in China's Sanya city earlier this month and touched down in Mumbai on Saturday. "I thank each and everyone who came to welcome me. It was overwhelming and I am grateful for your support. Thank you for showering me with all your love," Manushi told PTI after the grand homecoming.
Padman New Poster Stars Akshay Kumar As A 'Superhero'.
Akshay Kumar shared a new poster from his upcoming film Padman and we love it. In the new poster shared by Akshay, the 50-year-old actor is posing like a 'super hero,' which is also the tagline of his film, directed by R Balki. Padman is a biopic on entrepreneur Arunachalam Muruganantham (played by Akshay), who became a popular figure for inventing low-cost sanitary making machines and hence, the name of the movie. In the poster, Akshay can be seen standing on a pile of cotton, which looks like a set-up for making sanitary pads. Sharing the poster on Twitter today, Akshay reminded his fans about the release date of the film, which is January 26, 2018. "Super hero hai yeh pagla, aa raha hai 26th January, 2018 ko: #Padman," Akshay captioned the poster. Earlier, Akshay had revealed the first looks of his co-stars Sonam Kapoor and Radhika Apte from the movie. Radhika Apte has been cast as Padman's wife while Sonam's character appears to have helped him in his venture. Check out how Sonam and Radhika's looks from Padman: Earlier in August, the first look of Akshay Kumar as Padman pedalled his way to social media like this. The film was scheduled to release in April then but has now been rescheduled to hit screens on January 26. Padman will be co-produced by Twinkle Khanna's Mrs Funnybones Movies and KriArj Entertainment while Sony Pictures has also come on board for worldwide distribution of the movie. R Balki, who last directed 2015's Ki and Ka, said that this project is going to be as interesting as Sholay. In an interview to news agency IANS, the director said, "His (Muruganantham's) life itself is equal to Sholay. It is as entertaining as the biggest masala entertainers... And when you have a life that is so entertaining, why do I need to add entertainment." Sonam Kapoor is currently prepping for Veere Di Wedding, co-starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Swara Bhaskar while Akshay will also feature in 2.0, co-starring Rajinikanth.
Mahira Khan Trolled For Film 'Disclaimer,' Told To Leave Pakistan.
Actress Mahira Khan's embattled film Verna recently hit the screens to mixed reviews. The film was initially not cleared for release because of the film's plot - rape of a woman by a governor's son - which was slammed by the Pakistani Censor Board. Now that the film has released, Mahira Khan, who plays a rape survivor in film, shared what she says is the disclaimer shown before the film begins. It reads: "Everything in this film is imaginary. Imaginary because the reality is too bitter to be told or shown. Events shown in this film are jokes compared to what has actually been happening in countries like ours." It is not known if the disclaimer below actually displays before the film or if Mahira shared it to highlight the sorry state of affairs. In either case, the point Mahira wanted to make was made with this Instagram post Several Instagram users praised Mahira's bold move and said: "This thing was necessary." But there were also those, who did not appreciate "the disclaimer" (and also the film) and said: "Nothing is happening in our country. Other countries have much worse situations. If you don't like it here... just go wherever you want to go... just leave my country Verna is directed by Shoaib Mansoor, who has earlier made critically acclaimed films like Bol and Khuda Ke Liye, which also depicted certain follies of the state of affairs in Pakistan. "Why Shoaib Mansoor never finds a positive side of our country to make a movie on?," objected one Instagram user nitially, Pakistan's Central Board of Film Censors took time to review the Verna while he provincial censor boards, which operate independently in Pakistan's Sindh, Punjab and other area did not issue any certificate for the screening. A member of the Punjab Censor Board told news agency PTI that they had found several objectionable scenes in the film. "Firstly, it shows a governor's son involved in a rape case - which was the biggest objection. Secondly, it includes many bold dialogues and scenes. The general plot of the movie revolves around rape, which we consider to be unacceptable," he was quoted as saying.
Is The Risque Julie 2 Based On Nagma's Life? 'News To Me,' She Says.
Actress-politician Nagma has reacted with surprise to rumours that new film Julie 2, described by its presenter Pahlaj Nihalani as a 'clean adult film,' is a thinly-veiled version of certain events in her life, including an affair with a married South star. The makers of Julie 2 have revealed that the film is based on the life of a real-life actress - they have withheld her identity for legal reasons. Hints dropped by the film's team point to a star of the 90s and 2000s who debuted opposite a Khan. Nagma, whose first film was Salman Khan's 1990 release Baaghi, fits - she is popularly supposed to have had an illicit romance with married actor Sarathkumar, effectively ending her career down South after which she moved to the Bhojpuri film industry. Nagma, 42, disclaims knowledge of Julie 2, telling Deccan Chronicle, "This is news to me. I have no knowledge about it and was not informed about it earlier. I am listening to it for the first time. Maybe the film Padmavati is garnering all the hype and the makers of Julie 2 need some publicity, which is why they might have hinted on such a development." Julie 2 released today and the actress-politician told Deccan Chronicle that she will catch a show to verify this 'interesting development.' According to Pahlaj Nihalani, the identity of the actress Julie 2 is based on will be plain to everyone once the film releases. "It's definitely based on the actress.... In fact, one of the main actors who is a part of our cast was also involved with that actress. We are not naming her as we don't want our film to be stopped. But once the film opens next Friday, it will be obvious to all which real-life actress Raai Laxmi is playing," he told news agency IANS - the actor he mentions as being previously involved with the movie's real-life inspiration is presumed to be Ravi Kishan, one of Nagma's co-stars from the Bhojpuri films she starred in. Julie 2 actress Raai Laxmi told IANS, "I am not denying the similarities between my character and the actress. These similarities are there. I don't know if they're deliberate or just a coincidence." "It's possible that the actress may recognize herself and come forward. However, we have made sure she is not mentioned anywhere in any of the press meets," Pahlaj Nihalani said, when asked if he expected legal consequences of the Friday reveal.
On Wedding Anniversary, Shilpa Shetty Posts A Special Message For Her 'Superman' Raj Kundra.
Shilpa Shetty and husband Raj Kundra are celebrating their eight wedding anniversary today and the actress has posted a special message for her 'superman' (as cutely addressed by Shilpa) on social media. The 42-year-old actress posted an adorable photograph with Raj Kundra, which is from their wedding day and mentioned that she is "blessed to be with her family maker, superman, sunshine, soulmate, best friend and anchor." In the picture, the couple are looking gorgeous and are all smiles. The Dhadkan actress Shilpa Shetty married businessman Raj Kundra in 2009. The couple are parents to a five-year-old son Viaan Raj Kundra. "I loved you then, I love you still. I love you now and always will. Happy Anniversary @rajkundra9, my family maker, superman, sunshine, soulmate, best friend and anchor.....8yrs Down, FOREVER to go," Shilpa captioned the picture. See the wedding anniversary image shared by Shilpa Shetty here: On their special eight years, Raj Kundra too had a sweet wish for his wife Shilpa with a picture collage of their 'BEST' memories together. "Some of my BEST memories are with you and because of you. Thank you for being my LIFE partner. I am not perfect but then a perfect marriage is about two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other. Happy Anniversary my darling wife. #love #life #happiness #partner," Raj Kundra wrote. Shilpa Shetty is the star of films such as Baazigar, Dhadkan and Apne. Shilpa has now been known as a yoga expert and also has a range of yoga fitness videos. Shilpa also inspires her fans with her fitness and diet tips. She has appeared in two famous songs - UP Bihar Lootne and Shut Up & Bounce. Shilpa has also featured as a judge on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. We wish Shilpa and Raj Kundra a very happy wedding anniversary!
Dear National Media, You Are To Blame For "Padmavati" Too.
The Karni Sena, a group of half-wit fundamentalist hotheads with far too much time to spare, have suggested that someone chop off the actress's nose for a giant reward, possibly imagining that such an act would leave her shamed like Ravan's sister Shurpanakha. Yet, cowardly violence only ever shames the cowards. Instead, given Padukone's statuesque and towering stature, I suspect she would emerge more like The Great Sphinx of Giza - all the grander and more iconic because of her inimitable noselessness. Padukone's 'crime' has been to act in a film called "Padmavati" that has the country up in arms. Better to be without a nose than be without shame, an allegation that must be levelled against several: these various bullying organisations attacking a movie, political parties choosing to exploit religious fervour in time for the elections, a censor board that sheepishly toes the government agenda, and the media who has legitimised these harebrained threats by treating them like real news. As a journalist, let me start with us. It is absolutely unforgivable to give these opportunistic, attention-hungry rabblerousers a mainstream platform and to broadcast their threats across the nation. News organizations of screen and word alike nowadays gravitate toward the popular, and I am aware outrage earns eyeballs, but - I ask this with honest curiosity - how do you report a headline that says "Haryana BJP leader announces reward for beheading Deepika Padukone, Bhansali" with a straight face? Those in print should feel free to use adjectives like "idiotic" and "absurd" not merely to add colour to their pieces, but also to make them more accurate. If news anchors claim they are unable to actually giggle loudly while saying something this patently stupid, then, at the very least, the words need to be accompanied by an expansive rolling of the eyes. It is our responsibility to make it clear how foolish these threats and hate-mongering is. We cannot legitimize these loons anymore, because in India these days, the inmates are increasingly taking control of the asylum. How else can we explain this baffling situation? A film has been made about a Queen we know through an epic poem. She is, in all likelihood, entirely imaginary, yet a film that shows her dancing has angered some hate groups who demand that the film be banned and those who made it be harmed. This makes no sense. Dancing is what all of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's heroines do, regardless of historical appropriateness and context, and his operatic circus-ry has been hugely successful with audiences of late. Now, however, he has 'hurt the sentiments' of some idiots who unforgivably assaulted him on his set and have now, sadly, imperiled his massive December release. This 'hurting the sentiments' claptrap is another thing we need to urgently stop paying attention to - because this is the core argument being made by those who are irresponsibly rewriting our history books, making, for instance, certain rulers appear more valiant and successful than they ever were. If these people feel a Queen possibly dreamt up by a Sufi poet needs to be sacrosanct according to their own blinkered and idealized version of the truth, it is not our responsibility, as creators or commentators or simply un-angered people, to care. History - even highly debatable history - may have been written by the victor, but it belongs to us all. If you are hurt by the existence of a film, you should use the singular means of protest: don't watch it The most heartbreaking part of this whole controversy, for me, has been the reassurance constantly offered by the filmmakers to the Rajput community and these terrorist-like fringe groups. Bhansali, who has cast real-life lovers Padukone and Ranveer Singh as Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji, has gone on record repeatedly to assure these idiots that Padmavati and Khilji are never on screen together, and that there isn't even "a dream sequence" showing them united via song. Then, following a private screening for select television anchors, the alarmingly popular newsmen took to their respective channels to proclaim that no sentiments would be hurt. "Not a single dialogue, not a single scene, not a single sequence can be said to go against the proud history of the Rajputs of Rajasthan," said one, and while that declaration is meant to pacify the protesting fools, I truly wish things were drastically different. I wish "Padmavati" had indeed pushed boundaries wildly and completely offended many of these quickly outraged goons - and that we would stand by it anyway. Years ago, in Shyam Benegal's exceptional television series Bharat Ek Khoj, there was a two-episode story about Delhi ruler Alauddin Khilji where he was played by the late Om Puri and where - as this recent article reminded us - he was depicted as a cold and ruthless ruler who cared more about the jewels of Chittor than its Queen. Bhansali was one of the young men working as an editor on that episode, nearly thirty years ago. Now, Bhansali's film is a far more gigantic affair - a three-dimensional blockbuster - and looks like an entirely different creature. There are problems apparent in the trailer, which shows Khilji as a bloodthirsty beast - in decidedly anachronistic fashion - while appearing to encourage casteism by playing up the glory of the brave Rajputs. These, however, matter less now and should only be judged once the film is out. You and I may or may not end up liking Mr Bhansali's film, but, to paraphrase Evelyn Beatrice Hall, we must defend to the death his right to make it.
Manushi Chhillar Isn't Upset Over Shashi Tharoor's Pun. Read Her Tweet.
'Chill,' tweeted Shashi Tharoor after a pun he made about the newly-crowned Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar went down badly on social media. A post on Manushi's as-yet unverified Twitter account backs him up. "A girl who has just won the world isn't going to be upset over a tongue-in-cheek remark. 'Chillar' talk is just small change - let's not forget the 'chill' within Chillar," reads Manushi's tweet. The post is a response to one from Times of India boss Vineet Jain which advocated 'more tolerance towards light-hearted humour.' Here is Manushi Chhillar's tweet: Shashi Tharoor has been hauled over the coals for a tweet referencing Manushi Chhillar's last name and demonetisation. He posted this shortly after Manushi was crowned Miss World over the weekend: "What a mistake to demonetise our currency! BJP should have realised that Indian cash dominates the globe: look, even our Chhillar has become Miss World!" Mr Tharoor was attacked online for his tweet and also offline by the National Commission of Women who demanded that he apologise for 'degrading a daughter of India.' Shashi Tharoor posted this apology later Manushi Chhillar, a native of Haryana who studied in New Delhi and Sonepat, won Miss World in Sanya, China on Saturday with Miss Mexico and Miss England placing after her. She is the sixth Indian to win the coveted title after Reita Faria, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Diana Hayden, Yukta Mookhey and Priyanka Chopra, who was crowned Miss India 17 years ago in 2000. Other messages came from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and M L Khattar, Chief Minister of Haryana. Manushi received her crown from last year's winner Stephanie Del Valle from Puerto Rico
Tumhari Sulu Movie Review: Vidya Balan Is The Heart And Soul Of This Watchable Film.
Tumhari Sulu Movie Review: It is not a perfect film, but it is definitely well worth a viewing as much for the quality of the acting and for its technical finesse Cast: Vidya balan, Manav kaul, Neha Dhupia, Vijay Maurya, Malishka Mendonsa Director: Suresh Triveni Rating: 3 Stars (out of 5) A lady cabbie (Trupti Khamkar) drives the titular protagonist - housewife-turned-radio jockey (Vidya Balan) - back and forth from her suburban Mumbai home to the studio. In a conversation, she reveals her back story. Her husband, who initially missed her greatly when she opted for a job that kept her out for hours, got so used to her absence that he eventually left her. Nary a hint of regret in her voice, the chatty woman happy being free and unencumbered. Just a thought: wouldn't the story of the taxi driver, had it been expanded, have been far more interesting and radical than the one that Suresh Triveni's big screen debut film tells? Her dreams and aspirations notwithstanding, the Tumhari Sulu heroine is suspended rather indecisively between assertion and compromise. She doesn't have a real go at dismantling the status quo. Not that the unlikely turn of events in the placid life of the spirited Sulochana aka Sulu of Jal Padma Housing Society, Virar isn't of import, but it seems somewhat familiar in plot terms despite the fact that it is on the FM airwaves, a universe rarely portrayed in Hindi cinema, that she finds her true calling. The job gives her a sense of confidence and achievement, but it does not inspire her to attempt a full-fledged rebellion. We have of late seen several Bollywood films about strong female protagonists thriving on defying expectations. Only the other week, in Ribbon, located in pretty much the same social ambience, it was Kalki Koechlin's turn to grapple with the daunting task of striking a balance between work pressures and home front demands. That is exactly the place that homemaker Sulu, materially comfortable and stable thanks to the supervisor's job her husband Ashok Dubey (Manav Kaul) has in a garment sweatshop, finds herself in when she is hired as a radio jockey and called upon to be her seductive best on air much to Ashok's consternation umhari Sulu is a decent enough film propped up by a wonderful pivotal performance from Vidya Balan, but parts of it - most notably the facile climax - scupper the possibility of it soaring to the heights that at times appear well within its reach. In addition to dutifully discharging her household duties, which include keeping homing pigeons from pooping on the clothes drying in the balcony, Sulu loses no opportunity to participate in neighbourhood competitions and keep count of her victories and near-wins. When it comes to introducing herself to the world, she, however, never appends her husband's family name to Sulu. She is simply Sulochana. So it is a tad incongruous that the nameplate outside her home reads "Mr. and Mrs. Ashok". It should have been simply Ashok and Sulochana if it is the lady's individuality that the film is seeking to underline. Sulu and Ashok are, of course, no spring chickens. Ashok suggests that the couple should plan a sister for their 11-year-old son Pranav (Abhishek Sharma). Sulu is quick to point out they aren't young enough to make another baby. Interestingly, most of the songs that the couple croons - Batata vada (Hifazat), Zubi Zubi (Dance Dance) and, of course, Hawa Hawai (Mr. India), which receives a full-on party number treatment - are from films released in 1987. That sure is an indication of Sulu and Ashok's vintage. But as the radio channel head Maria (Neha Dhupia) exclaims the first time they meet, Sulu is a quick learner. She slips into her role pretty painlessly, but never ceases to be amused by the new-age colloquialisms she hears around her in the studio - what's up, chill, dude, bro - a fact that she shares with her hubby. Sulu's transformation from a happy-go-lucky housewife who preens at her success rate in all manner of insignificant pastimes - a lemon and spoon race, a sack race, a tug-of-war and radio contests for listeners - to a proud pro who uses her voice to stoke the nocturnal fantasies of lonely men is undeniably intriguing With Vidya Balan diving deep into the character and coming up with many moments of pure magic and a competent supporting cast led by the usually underutilized Manav Kaul contributing its mite, Tumhari Sulu, warts and all, is never less than watchable. It could have been an even better film had the second half not veered away from the delightfully tongue-in-cheek tone of the first, which follows the charming but somewhat impractical self-advancement plans that Sulu hatches, offering her husband a 50-50 partnership in every proposed enterprise, and her run-ins with her twin elder sisters Aradhana (Sindhu Shekharan) and Kalpana (Seema Taneja), dismissive of the high school dropout who seeks pleasures in trivial triumphs while devoting herself to looking after her husband and her son. It is making the abrupt tonal transition from the lighthearted to the somewhat melodramatic that Tumhari Sulu misses a few tricks, but director Triveni does have a way with the scenes that truly matter. Especially striking is the restrained treatment that he brings to bear upon a confrontation between Sulu and her scoffing siblings when a crisis precipitated by the former's son engulfs the family. The director takes no recourse here to shrillness or overt see-how-gutsy-this-woman-is grandstanding. A simple point is made forcefully as Sulu puts her foot down and refuses to budge from her chosen position. The scene conveys the strength of the steel that she is made of. The elliptical editing by Shivkumar Panicker is strikingly effective, lending momentum to Tumhari Sulu even when not much appears to be happening on the screen by way of 'action'. Director of photography Saurabh Goswami frames real spaces within a lower middle class home as well as the cheerful but charged atmosphere in the much flashier interiors of the studio where Sulu works Vidya Balan is the heart and soul of Tumhari Sulu, but the film also benefits immensely from the performances of the other cast members. Besides the impressively natural Manav Kaul, Vijay Maurya, cast as a poetry-spouting RJ who has to surmount initial misgivings before he mentors Sulu, gives the role his best shot. Tumhari Sulu isn't a perfect film, but it is definitely well worth a viewing as much for the quality of the acting and for its technical finesse. In any case, a film is easy to fall in love with when Vidya Balan is this stupendous
Presenting Janhvi Kapoor And Ishaan Khattar In Brand New Dhadak Poster.
Netizens woke up to a brand new poster of Janhvi Kapoor's Bollywod debut Dhadak, also starring Ishaan Khattar. The new poster arrived hours after the first looks of Janhvi and Ishaan were released in three fresh posters on Wednesday evening. Directed by Shashank Khaitan, Dhadak "is an official adaptation of Sairat," announced Karan Johar's Dharma Productions. Dhadak goes on floors next month and is slated to release on July 6 next year. While the first look posters had only mid-shots of the young on screen couple, the new is a more detailed glimpse of Janhvi and Ishaan's great on screen rapport The new Dhadak poster may remind you of certain scenes from Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone's Ram-Leela, courtesy Janhvi's colourful lehenga choli, Ishaan's bandhni shirt and the playful flirting.
Padman: Akshay Kumar Shares Sonam Kapoor And Radhika Apte's First Looks.
In delightful Padman updates, Akshay Kumar revealed the first looks of his co-stars - Sonam Kapoor and Radhika Apte - from the movie and we love them. Tweeting a photo with Sonam, Akshay captioned it: "The STRENGTH behind #PADMAN," while sharing a photo with Radhika, the actor wrote: "The REASON he became #PADMAN." Directed by R Balki, Padman is a biopic on entrepreneur Arunachalam Muruganantham (played by Akshay), who became a popular figure for inventing low-cost sanitary making machines and hence, the name of the movie. Mr Muruganantham felt the need to come up with a convenient solution to tackle menstrual health for women after he learnt his wife used newspaper and rags during her menstrual cycle. Radhika Apte has been cast as Padman's wife while Sonam's character appears to have helped him in his venture. Check out how Sonam and Radhika's looks from Padman: Sonam also could not resist sharing her first look from the much talked about film. She added a thank you not for Akshay and the director: "Such a pleasure working with the indomitable Akshay Kumar. He was the perfect person to play the role of #Padman and has brought a sense of humour and love to the film. Of course none of these would have been possible without the humble visionary R Balki." Earlier in August, the first look of Akshay Kumar as Padman pedalled his way to social media like this. The film was scheduled to release in April then but has now been rescheduled to hit screens on January 26. Padman will be co-produced by Twinkle Khanna's Mrs Funnybones Movies and KriArj Entertainment while Sony Pictures has also come on board for worldwide distribution of the movie The much anticipated Padman is taking fast steps towards its release date, which clashes with yet another Akshay Kumar movie - Rajinikanth's 2.0. Earlier in an interview with mid-day, the actor had said Padman will be moved from the Republic Day weekend if Rajinikanth decides to release 2.0 during that time.
Children's Day 2017: Shah Rukh Khan And Akshay Kumar To Kajol And Sridevi, 10 Celeb Posts To Make You Go 'Aww'.
Be it Suhana, Aryan and AbRam or Jhanvi and Khushi or Aarav and Nitara - these Bollywood star kids have something in common. They all feature on their celebrity parents' social media posts and are absolute favourites of folks on the Internet. Shah Rukh Khan, known to be the undisputed kind of one-liners, include his kids in interestingly creative confessions (remember the recent one about his 'three' vices? More on that below) while Twinkle Khanna will post about her children to make sure you crack up. And not just Shah Rukh and Twinkle but Kajol, Hrithik Roshan, Shilpa Shetty, Shahid Kapoor and others - they all have their Instagram flooded with posts about their little ones. On Children's Day today, here's a lowdown of our favourite celebrity posts and yeah, you're welcome. Shah Rukh Khan Just Can't Do Without These 'Vices':
Test Case In a recent DAD-special post, Shah Rukh revealed he's home to three vices, along with a post that could have been crowned as 'The Sweetest Post' ever. Sharing a collage of Suhana, 17, Aryan, 19, and AbRam, 5, he wrote... well, why don't you just see it
The Secret Behind Akshay Kumar's Clean-Shaven Look: Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna are parents to five-year-old daughter Nitara and Aarav, 15. While Aarav is Akshay's coach for assisting him "climb trees and making video calls", Nitara helps him out with the grooming. This was posted on Nitara's fifth birthday. Awwww.
Funny Mom Twinkle Khanna: Aarav's 15th birthday meant a birthday wish dipped in love and Twinkle's signature humour: "Happy birthday my darling! May you always land firmly on your feet," she wrote to go with the video below
Hrithik Wants To Travel The World With Hrehaan And Hridhaan: There's proof. Hrithik has filled up his travel diaries with brilliant jealous-worthy posts from his many vacations with the kids - Hrehaan and Hridhaan. Switzerland, Maldives, Venice and Dubai are only a couple of places Hrithik's been spotted checking off the travel list with his kids. Here's Hrithik taking over the world with the kids.
Kajol Was Trolled For This Post But She Didn't Mind! Nysa, 14, and seven-year-old Yug are Kajol's aankhon ka taara, clearly. Posted in January, Kajol trended a great deal after sharing this - not for the post actually, but for what Nysa wrote in the comments section: "Mommmmm, why do you have to be so extra?" ROFL. Kajol and Ajay Devgn married in 1999.
Shilpa Shetty And Viaan Are Partners In Crime: Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra are parents to five-year-old Viaan, who often feature on the actress' Instagram posts. In one the recent ones, Shilpa shared about an adventure the duo had at a farmer's field - it was all for one organic pomegranate for the little one.
Misha Kapoor Loves Cake And Shahid Shows Us How Much: Shahid Kapoor has been documenting the memorable moments in Misha Kapoor's life - like when she got her ear pierced, when she made her dancing debut and when she finished Mira's birthday cake. Misha is just one!
Jhanvi And Khushi Don't Need Instagram, Courtesy Sridevi: A look at Sridevi's Instagram might make you cross check if you've landed up in Jhanvi or Khushi's profiles - yes, that how regularly she posts about her two daughters. And to top it all, she doesn't think captions are necessary when it's her fabulous kids doing all the talking
Sanjay Dutt's Twins Are Superstars Already: Seven-year-old twins Shahraan and Iqra are the stars of every party Sanjay Dutt and Maanyata host or attend together. And this amazing photoshoot will tell you why. These kids are such superstars already
Riteish With His 'Darlings' Riaan And Rahyl Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D'Souza are parents to Riaan, 3, and Rahyl, who turned one this year. While adorable wishes arrived on Riteish's Instagram on the kids' birthdays, our favourite is the Deshmukhs' family portrait:
Bigg Boss 11: Kapil Sharma enters Salman Khan show. Can he bring some happiness inside?.
TV star Kapil Sharma, who had a rather ugly and public spat with Colors earlier when his popular show was shelved and he had to shift to Sony, will be seen on the channel promoting his upcoming film Firangi. Kapil will appear on Salman Khans Bigg Boss 11 this weekend. In fact, he is building bridges with not just Colors but also Bigg Boss contestant Shilpa Shinde, who despite being cast in Kapils show could not make it because of Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain controversy. As part of a task, Kapil asks the contestants that if they had an option to kick someone on the show, who will they choose. Arshi chooses Hina, while Akash chooses Priyank. Both get to kick mannequins wearing Hina and Priyanks masks. Vidya Balan also visited the house for promotions of Tumhari Sulu and will be seen playing games with the contestants on Sunday. She will also be present with Salman on the stage and a group of kids will join them It has been over a month since Bigg Boss 11 premiered on October 1. While the makers have tried every trick in the book - from intimate kisses to ugly fights and cheap brawls -- but nothing seems to be getting ratings for the show The show began with 18 contestants and is now left with 12. Shilpa Shinde, Hina Khan, Hiten Tejwani, Sabyasachi Satpathy, Luv Tyagi, Priyank Sharma, Mehjabi Siddiqui, Arshi Khan, Benafsha Soonawalla, Bandgi Kalra, Akash Anil Dadlani and Puneesh Sharma are fighting it out inside the Bigg Boss house
Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana Movie Review: Despite Rajkummar Rao, Ignore This Invite.
Small-town shaadi films are the flavour of the season, but this one, despite the presence of a solid-as-ever Rajkummar Rao, stinks to high heaven. A film that this actor, who is in the midst of a deservedly fine run, cannot rescue isn't worth rescuing. Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana is such a terribly confused take on a girl who dares to run away from a wedding in order to pursue her career ambitions that, by the end of it, it is difficult to tell which side of the gender and ethical divide the film is really on. Debutante director Ratna Sinhaa wants to embrace everything in one go (anti-dowry, anti-corruption, pro-women's empowerment). In the bargain, her film winds up being a sorry hodge-podge of inanities that do more disservice than justice to the causes that it espouses. Does Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana make a strong enough case against the evil of dowry? No. It actually appears to accept it as an unavoidable part of big fat Indian marriages. Does it go out all guns blazing on behalf of a woman's right to decide what is right for her? No again. It ensures that the rebel receives her comeuppance. Is its voice strident enough in railing against the corruption that gnaws at the vitals of our bureaucratic and administrative system? Not yet again. Actually, Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana is a massive, uncontrollable cinematic blob that runs its tiresome two-and-a-half-hour course without ever getting its perspectives in order. That is a shame because the film starts off on a rather promising note and stays on course for roughly the first 30 minutes - this phase is devoted to an about-to-be-married couple's awkward courtship. And then the dowry blow is delivered. It is all downhill from here on. The boy's family demands dowry and gets it and the hero, who until this point had seemed like a reasonable guy with agreeable views, plays along without raising a voice in protest. To make matters worse, theirs is a conservative brood that believes that its bahu cannot step out of the house no matter how qualified or how talented she might be. Their orthodox beliefs are in consonance with those of the girl's stern father who has no patience for women who aspire to for independence from housework. So, despite his limited means, he agrees to cough up a huge sum of money for the bridegroom. Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana is a love story set in Kanpur and centred on a Satyendra Mishra (Rao), a rookie excise department clerk whose life does a 360-degree turn following a personal setback, and Aarti Shukla (Kriti Kharbanda), a college topper eying a civil service job and wary of being trapped in the four walls of domesticity. The two decide they are made for each other after a cursory conversation in a café, where they meet without their parents and extended families in tow. Dowry amount agreed upon, it is time for the marriage vows. But even as struts around in her best wedding finery, Aarti receives the news that she has sailed through her state civil service examination on her very first attempt. Wat to go, girl! But should she go ahead with the wedding that might shut all doors on her face or risk the wrath of her dad and make a dash for a new life? Her decision hurts Satyendra's family and the man decides to settle scores for the affront. One bizarre twist after another is sprung upon the poor girl - never has a Hindi film heroine on this side of new millennium been subjected to such ignominy for the 'crime' of following her heart. How dare she defy the established order? In a bizarre turn of events, Aarti's act of self-assertion comes back, five years on, to haunt her in the form of the very man she loves. Humiliated and hounded, she has her nose repeatedly rubbed in the dirt. She suddenly seems to lose all her resolve and is unable to stand up and fight back. It is unlikely that Rajkummar Rao has ever had to play a role so sloppily written. Satyendra Mishra mutates from a self-effacing, sensitive young man to a vengeful lout whose actions fly in the face of basic human decency - and, of course, all the ideals that the film aspires to uphold. Female lead Kriti Kharbanda (Raaz Reboot, Guest Iin London) is a one-trick pony saddled with far too much load to carry in Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana. She wilts under the weight while sticking steadfastly to a single expression to convey a range of emotions. Her drawbacks stand out in sharp contrast to the formidable skills that Rajkummar Rao brings into play despite essaying a character hobbled by glaring inconsistencies. No matter what she is meant to be - joyous, chirpy, emphatic, rebellious, cornered, contrite or confused - Kharbanda does not let her feelings register on her visage. The actor's methods clearly need a reboot. The lead actors of Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana are surrounded by a bunch of talented supporting cast members - K.K. Raina, Alka Amin, Govind Namdeo, Navni Parihar, Vipin Sharma, Manoj Pahwa - who do everything in their power to inject some semblance of sanity into the proceedings. But, no, they do not stand chance for it is all too flimsy and slovenly to be salvaged. Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana? Ignore the invite. But if you still want to give it a shot simply because of Rajkummar Rao, heed this advice: he has done, and will do, infinitely better films? Wait for the next one
How Deepika Padukone Became Om Shanti Om's Shantipriya. Her First Photoshoot For First Film.
NEW DELHI:MMNN:9 November 2017
Hard to believe, but it's already been a decade since Deepika Padukone made her debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in 2007 blockbuster Om Shanti Om, directed by Farah Khan. She was a top model at the time, and was cast in the double role of 70s' actress Shantipriya and the modern day Sandhya. Om Shanti Om released on November 9, 2007 and today, 10 years later, Farah Khan marked the milestone with shout-outs to both her lead stars. For Deepika, this picture from the photoshoot for the film by photographer Avinash Gowarikar - this, Farah explains, was the moment she knew Deepika Padukone was her Shantipriya. Deepika, who has since become an international star, was singled out for praise over her performance in the reincarnation and revenge drama - as Shantipriya, the star murdered by her villainous lover, and as Sandhya, the hip young woman who looks just like Shantipriya and who is recruited by Shah Rukh Khan's reborn Om Kapoor in his plot to avenge the dead actress. For Shah Rukh Khan, director Farah tweeted a reference to Dard-e-Disco, the outstanding feature of which song was Shah Rukh Khan's abs. Om Shanti Om was the first of three films SRK and Deepika collaborated on - several years later, they starred in Chennai Express and Happy New Year, the last of which was also directed by Farah Khan. Deepika Padukone has a big release coming up soon in Padmavati, currently the focus of attention from several groups which claim they are concerned it misrepresents the legend of Rajput queen Padmini who is believed to have committed jauhar to escape invading Emperor Alauddin Khilji. Deepika plays Padmini with Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor cast as Khilji and Rawal Ratan Singh. Shah Rukh Khan, last seen in the poorly-received Jab Harry Met Sejal with Anushka Sharma, is currently working on a project in which he plays a dwarf.
The Real Reason Why Mahima Chaudhary Disappeared From Bollywood.
Actress Mahima Chaudhary has not made an appearance at the big screen for long. The actress, who made her debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in the 1997 hit Pardes, went low in 2006. "Bored of her routine" or something else? Well, Mahima Chaudhary thinks that the industry lacks to provide good roles to senior female actors and thus she has now decided to stay away, reports mid-day. The 44-year-old actress, who was last seen in Bengali thriller Dark Chocolate, says that she prefers to do 'nothing' rather than do 'mediocre' roles, reports mid-day. Mahima Chaudhary starred in other films like Daag: The Fire, Pyaar Koi Khel Nahin, Dhadkan, Deewane, Kurukshetra, Om Jai Jagadish and Dil Hai Tumhaara. Well, we hope Mahima soon makes a comeback. Mahima dated tennis player Leander Paes for a couple of years. Later, she broke up with Leander. Of her breakup she said, "His exit had no impact on my life. In fact, I became more mature as a person and I feel he did the same thing with Rhea Pillai as well." Mahima later married architect businessman Bobby Mukherji in 2006. Mahima is a mother to an eight-year-old daughter Ariana. Mahima separated from Bobby in 2016. Mahima made the headlines when she spoke about her separation with husband Bobby Mukherji and said that would formalise divorce only when she found new love. Mahima told mid-day: "I was a single mother and had to earn money. With a child, it was difficult to take up films, as it would have consumed a lot of time. I started judging a few television shows, making appearances at functions or cutting ribbons because it was convenient for me. It also gave me quick and good money. Now, when I look back, I feel those assignments ruined me as an actress
The Wait For Salman Khan's Tiger Zinda Hai's Trailer Is Becoming Impossible. Here's Why.
Each day the wait for Tiger Zinda Hai is becoming more tad-bit. Director Ali Abbas Zafar has flooded social media with thrilling and electrifying stills from the movie. With each new still, Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, promise to take us on a never-seen-before ride. From guns, ammunition and action car sequences to riding an ATV bike in scorching heat, our favourite RAW agent Salman aka Tiger, has done it all. And, now he's back and all set, riding his way to reach you with the trailer of Tiger Zinda Hai soon. In the new still, Salman can be seen riding a stallion and black commandoes can be seen chasing him. The Morocco schedule of the film features high octane action scenes that Salman had to pull off riding on a horse. Amongst all this, Twitter can't keep calm. Hashtag #Calm before the TZH storm is trending Tiger Zinda Hai's team had hired expert horse trainers, who have worked on Hollywood productions, like Brad Pitt's Troy and Alexander. Salman spent just three days in preparation for this chapter of the action thriller. Ali Abbas Zafar explains, "Salman is a trained rider. He returned from the IIFA awards and took just three days to get familiar with his horse, Wado. A prized Spanish stallion, with a gleaming black mane, the horse was trained to cross hurdles, jump over barricades and ride down hills. We have shot risky and edgy portions on horseback with Salman. Getting Wado to know Salman and vice versa therefore, was key to ensuring that this portion of the shoot goes off well. We've shot for eight days and getting trained, skilled horses actually made this portion of the shoot fairly easy to execute." The trailer of the movie will be out tomorrow (November 7) but the makers as well as the actors have made sure to keep their fans eager by posting photos from the sets in continuous intervals. Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif will share the screen space in Tiger Zinda Hai after five years. They were last seen together in Ek Tha Tiger, which released in 2012. Salman and Katrina Kaif have made pit stops in four countries across the globe because Ali Abbas Zafar wanted the shots to be perfect. Amongst Morocco, Greece, Austria and Abu Dhabi, the central European country had unexpected challenges for the film's team and especially Salman. "For a significant chapter in Tiger Zinda Hai, we had to film in a place that had a certain amount of aloofness and isolation. We found that spot in the mountains of Austria, a place where time seemed to stand still and frozen," the director said in a statement, reported IANS.
Bigg Boss 11: Sabyasachi, Bandgi should be kicked out this week, says poll.
Fans of Bigg Boss 11 cant wait enough for Saturdays episode as the special Weekend Ka Vaar also brings host Salman Khan with it. However, Saturdays are dreaded by the contestants as it means one of them will be voted out of the game. During the nominations on Mondays episode, a record nine people were nominated for evictions, including Dhinchak Pooja, Sabyasachi Satpathy, Bandgi Kalra, Sapna Choudhary, Shilpa Shinde, Benafsha Soonawalla,Priyank Sharma, Hina Khan and Hiten Tejwani. Among the nine, Priyank was nominated for breaking an important rule of the house -- what is happening outside cannot be relayed to the contestants. After the nominations for this week, we ran a poll seeking votes for your least favourite contestant and the verdict is out! As per Hindustan Times readers, it is almost a tie between Sabyasachi and Bandgi with 21 and 26 per cent of the total 2,536 votes. While Sabyasachi has not been so active in the game, Bandgi has had her share of fights and controversies on the show. In just one month, she has managed to lock horns with Hina Khan, Zubair Khan and even initiated what looked like a fake relationship with Puneesh. Dhinchak Pooja comes a close second with 15 per cent of those who took the poll wishing for her exit from the Bigg Boss house. During her two weeks inside the house, she has already been linked to Luv Tyagi and Akash Dadlani. She keeps the housemates and audience entertained with her rap songs. Around 12 per cent of the votes were cast seeking eviction of Benafsha while nine per cent voted for Shilpa Shinde and Hina Khan to be kicked out of the show.Benafsha, Shilpa and Hina are some of the most visible faces inside the house, thanks to their full participation in tasks and some strong opinions that they hold. While Hina and Benafsha are often in the middle of fights because of their opinionated selves, Shilpa is mostly the instigator when it comes to tussles in the house. Priyank Sharma and Hiten Tejwani emerged as clear favourites among HT readers, receiving mere five and two per cent of votes respectively, seeking their elimination from the game.Hiten is one of the most well-mannered and quiet contestants this season. Priyank, on the other hand, was kicked out of the show in the first week itself when he attacked Akash. He was later brought back as a wild card entry.
Ittefaq Movie Review: Sidharth Malhotra And Sonakshi Sinha Murder A Mystery Movie.
Ittefaq begins with a car spill, and it's one we've seen before. In the brilliant 2006 Bond film Casino Royale, Daniel Craig speeds through a bend in a secluded road when we sees a woman tied and trussed up in the middle of the road. Bond's Aston Martin screeches and swerves with appropriate urgency, and he flies over and past her in a spectacular pirouette that has already become one of cinema's most memorable crashes. In Ittefaq, Sidharth Malhotra flips a sedan while barrelling down a crowded Mumbai street while a generic background score desperately tries to excite. Dare we call it a Royale with cheese Credit where it's due, this remake of Yash Chopra's songless thriller does not skimp on the cheese. Made by Abhay Chopra, here is a film about an interrogation and differing accounts, and while that can be riveting - as we've seen in films like No One Killed Jessica and Talvar - things here are awfully basic and feebly performed. In a film about inscrutability, the only one hard to read is the cop. Both murder suspects look like they're trying their hardest to act innocent, which, given their credentials, doesn't go all that far There are two murders, there are two suspects, and there is one scowling police detective trying to unravel things on a very rushed timeline. Yet, for the sake of some non-linear flipfloppery, we have interrogations stretched over several days, as if the cop is only allowed to ask them one flashback's worth of questions at a go. Despite the relatively brisk running time and a double murder at its heart, the case runs cold and Abhay Chopra's film emerges unforgivably dull. The young man next to me in the theatre vanished after the intermission while I sighed enviously at the screen. 'Who cares who dun it' really doesn't have the same ring to it. So we have a writer on the run, played by Sidharth Malhotra, an actor who manages to makes the lam appear uninteresting. He bumps into Sonakshi Sinha, a housewife who spends rainy nights watching India TV in her negligee, and wears a permanently stunned expression, like she's wondering where the eve-teasing and item songs are hidden. Corpses of both their spouses are found on the same night, forcing Akshaye Khanna to play tough cop and grill them, looking like a decaffeinated Basil Fawlty. To me, the big and mysterious crime this film brings to light is the way Sidharth Malhotra now finds himself typecast as a novelist. It happened in Kapoor And Sons, and it happened here again, in this film that describes him as a "mashoor novelist" and where cops chase a murder suspect down the street yelling "Ei, writer!" as if it were an expletive. Then again, to those who make Hindi cinema these days, perhaps it is
Shah Rukh Khan's Birthday Bash In Alibaug Will Make You Want To Join The Party.
Birthday celebrations had begun for Shah Rukh Khan at his farmhouse in Alibaug on Wednesday evening. The superstar blew out 52 candles on his birthday cake at midnight yesterday but ahead of that it was party time with friends! You say the word 'party' and Karan Johar is there... so are Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif, the Arora sisters - Malaika and Amrita, Sidharth Malhotra, Riteish Sidhwani and Farah Khan, all of who feature in jealous-worthy snippets from the guests' Alibaug diaries. "Eve of the birthday!" Karan wrote for the photos on Instagram. Gauri Khan, Suhana and AbRam have also checked in already and are having a blast too - we know this because the little one was already photobombing Katrina and Alia's pictures. Other guests at Shah Rukh's birthday bash included guests like Shweta Nanda Bachchan and Sussanne Khan while Bhavana Pandey and Maheep Kapoor joined with their daughters Ananya and Shanaya. During the party, Shah Rukh also stepped out of his Alibaug residence to meet and greet the line of waiting paparazzi. This is how the celebs were unwinding ahead of the big party Meanwhile, there was actually everything nice about this get together. It was Shah Rukh's birthday after all! We haven't got a glimpse of Shah Rukh's eldest son - Aryan is away from home, studying films in the University of South California. Meanwhile, Shah Rukh's guests have been leaving Alibaug in batches since today morning. Alia, Deepika, Sidharth and Karan were one of the early ones to head back to Mumbai. Shah Rukh Khan's birthday celebrations are a break from the schedule of his film with Aanand L Rai, in which he co-stars with Anushka Sharma and Katrina. Shah Rukh has made two films this year - Rahul Dholakia's Raees and Imtiaz Ali's Jab Harry Met Sejal.
Viral: Kangana Ranaut's Rani Laxmibai Look From Manikarnika Sets.
Actress Kangana Ranaut is currently busy shooting for historical drama Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, in which she plays the role of Rani Laxmibai. But, pictures of her, dressed as the warrior, are doing the rounds on the Internet. In the viral pictures, shared by one of Kangana's fan clubs on Instagram, the Queen actress can be seen with a sword, turban and exquisite jewellery. According to reports, team Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi is now shooting in Jaipur's Amber Fort. Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi is written and directed by K Vijayendra Prasad. He has earlier written blockbuster films such as Baahubali series and Bajrangi Bhaijaan. The period drama is a biopic on Jhansi's historic ruler Rani Laxmibai, who played a pivotal role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 In July, Kangana got severely injured while shooting for a sword-fight scene for Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi. She got 15 stitches on her forehead and was under medical supervision for a few days. "I am a bit embarrassed to be thrilled to have a battle scar on my face. Also, people from my team have been telling me that it's like that Peshwa teeka that Manikarnika wore. It's a bit dramatic but I am excited that my face was covered in blood and I got a genuine and authentic glimpse of the Queen's life," she told news agency PTI. Kangana Ranaut has trained herself extensively in horse-riding and sword-fighting for the film. Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi also stars television actress Ankita Lokhande. It is scheduled to hit the screens next year in April.
Ranveer Singh And Shahid Kapoor's Padmavati Costumes Decoded In Detail.
NEW DELHI:MMNN:31 October 2017
Padmavati, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor, is one of the most-awaited films of the year. The characters, their exquisite costumes and the sets of the film, without any doubt, look absolutely stunning. Right from Deepika's jewellery and costume, to Ranveer's kohled-eye and Turkish-inspired robes to Shahid's Rajput look, everything in Padmavati seems to be perfect. Deepika plays Rani Padmini of Chittor and Shahid stars as her husband Rawal Ratan Singh while Ranveer plays the emperor Alauddin Khilji. mid-day reports that in order to reflect Ranveer and Shahid's characters in their costumes, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali hired the services of a brand co-owned by artist Vipul Amar and psychologist Harsheen Arora for certain sequences of the film. Harsheen Arora looked after the costumes for the final war sequence. "Ratan Singh was noble and honourable, Khilji believed in invasion and power. So, their attires need to reflect it," she told mid-day. Citing the importance of how colours play an important role in depicting different personalities, she added, "The colours used for Shahid's armour are red and gold. Red depicts honour and an eagerness to serve one's land. Gold represents courage, generosity and passion. His chest plate is made of sculpted vintage leather and is infused with metal. In the lower half of the armour, we have used geometric patterns in leather. Rajputs preferred geometric designs over floral. As for Khilji, the depiction of lions in his armour are to enhance the darkness of the character". Harsheen Arora and Vipul Amar also told mid-day that they consulted an engineer to check on the mobility in the armours. "It was imperative that the actors be able to perform stunts while wearing them," they said. Meanwhile, designers Rimple and Harpreet Narula, who worked on Deepika, Ranveer and Shahid's costumes earlier told news agency IANS that it was 'challenging' for them to design the costumes. "Working in tandem with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's vision, we immersed ourselves in the history of that particular period during the initial sessions in which he took us through the script and the characterisations. It is an extremely challenging task to envision and design garments," they said.
HAHA... No": Twinkle Khanna Trolled For 'Lame Jokes' Tweet By Mallika Dua And The Internet.
Twinkle Khanna shared two 'lame jokes' about her the ongoing controversy about her husband Akahsy Kumar's comments for his The Great Indian Laughter Challenge colleague Mallika Dua. Guess who did not find the jokes 'lame'? Yes, Mallika Dua. She reposted Twinkle's tweet and added: "HAHAHAHAHAHA....HAHA. No" Mallika Dua wasn't the only one unimpressed by this tweet, as the Internet thinks that Twinkle Khanna is "better than this." On Twitter user wrote: "I looked up to you till I read this tweet, This wasn't your best foot forward." On Sunday, Twinkle Khanna issued a statement regarding the controversy asking social media to keep her out of it. In an unaired clip of The Great Indian Laughter Challenge, which found its way on the social media, Akshay Kumar can be heard saying, "Mallika ji aaap bell bajao, main aapko bajata hun." Mallika's father, journalist Vinod Dua, rebuked Akshay's language and wrote on Facebook (the post is now deleted): "I am going screw this cretin Aksahy Kumar." Defending her husband Akahsy Kumar, Twinkle said in her statement: "Should Mr Dua's statement also be taken literally or interpreted in context." She added: "Words, especially humour, have to be seen in its right context. I have always stood up for freedom within comedy including defending AIB's infamous roast on numerous occasion in the past and that is my stance even today." Twinkle Khanna is the author of two bestsellers - Mrs Funnybones and The Legend Of Lakshmi Prasad. Akshay Kumar was last seen in Toilet: Ek Prem Katha and is awaiting the release of 2.0 and Padman in January 2018
2.0 Poster: Rajinikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson's Blazing Look Needs A Cold Shower.
A new poster of the much-awaited 2.0 is here and will definitely set your screen ablaze. Rajinikanth features with both Akshay Kumar and Amy Jackson in the new glimpse of the movie. Akshay plays the antagonist to Rajinikanth's Chitti the robot in the movie, and the clash is going to be a blockbuster one, reveals the poster. Have you seen Akshay's deadly stare? It's not for the faint hearted. "I've never done a role like this in my entire career," Akshay, who is currently promoting the film in Dubai, told news agency PTI. "And, I've never seen anyone doing a character like this. It was a whole new experience to play the role of an anti-hero," he added. The new poster arrived as a special treat for fans who are awaiting the grand music launch of the movie in Dubai, scheduled for later today. Dubai's Burj Khalifa is currently being prepped for the event, which will be hosted by Baahubali star Rana Daggubati. Rajinikanth touched down in Dubai earlier this week and kick-started the promotions with a press meet yesterday. At the press meet, Rajinikanth explained why 2.0 will have a global appeal. "It will appeal to both the global and Indian audiences. Director Shankar has a nice social message for everyone in the film," PTI quoted the megastar as saying. The hype around Rajinikanth's 2.0 is for more than one reasons. Akshay Kumar's first collaboration with the Thalaivar is a point of interest for movie buffs while fans of the Bollywood Khiladi are waiting to witness him in 12 different looks. Rajinikanth will reportedly feature in five different roles. Reports are citing 2.0 as Asia's most expensive movie so far with a budget of Rs. 400 crore. Directed by Shankar, 2.0 is scheduled for the Republic Day weekend in 2018.
Hollywood icon Paul Newmans Rolex sold for record $17 million (Rs 115 crore) at auction'.
A Rolex Daytona Ref. 6239, owned by and named after the legendary star Paul Newman sold for $17.75 million (Rs 115 crore) at an auction. The sale, made on Friday at a Phillips in association with Bacs & Russo auction broke the record for a Rolex, or any wristwatch, sold at auction. The watch is considered to be one of the most iconic in history. It was sold to an anonymous buyer over phonecall after a 12-minute bidding war. The previous record for a Rolex sold at auction was $5-million for a Rolex Ref. 6062, nicknamed the Bao Dai because it was owned by the last emperor of Vietnam, reported Forbes. Officially called the Rolex Oyster Cosmograph Daytona, the watch was renamed after Newman wore it in 1980. It was a gift from his wife, Joanne Woodward, who engraved it, Drive Carefully, Me. He gifted it to James Cox, the then boyfriend of Newmans daughter Nell. A portion of the proceeds from the sale will go to the Nell Newman Foundation, which continues Paul Newmans philanthropic efforts. Newman died in 2008, and received a posthumous credit in 2017 for his voice performance in the animated film Cars 3
Akshay Kumar's Insensitive Remark On Mallika Dua Slammed By Father Vinod Dua'.
Actor Akshay Kumar's comment on his The Great Indian Laughter Challenge co-judge Mallika Dua did not go down well with the comedienne's father Vinod Dua, who lashed out at the 50-year-old actor on social media. Vinod Dua, a noted journalist, shared the snippet of the show in a Facebook post, which appears to have been deleted later, and wrote: "I am going to s***w this cretin Akshay Kumar for telling his co-worker Mallika Dua that "aap bell bajao main aap ko bajata hun" at 5:26. This is his sense of humor and language. Star Plus.. wake up.." In a separate tweet, Mallika added: "So, I want humor to be limitless. I also don't want to be uncomfortable at my work place. The lines are blurred." Akshay's 'ring a bell' comment refers to the show's format in which judges ring a bell to appreciate an act.According to an IANS source, the controversial part has not been aired by the channel. Vinod Dua told IANS: "I don't expect an apology from Star Plus as they have not aired this episode. But I expect an apology from this fellow (Akshay Kumar) In the past, Akshay Kumar has stood up for his co-stars when he felt they were being insulted in the name of comedy on reality shows - like when he denounced Siddharth Jadhav's alleged racist comments about his Housefull 3 co-star Lisa Haydon on Comedy Nights Bachao. Akshay Kumar was last seen in Toilet: Ek Prem Katha and his upcoming films are 2.0, Padman and Gold.
Salman Khan Books Eid 2019 For Next Film Bharat. Details Here'.
Superstar Salman Khan has yet again booked Eid for the release of his forthcoming film Bharat. The film will star Salman in the title role. Bharat is an adaptation of 2014 South Korean film Ode To My Father, reports news agency PTI. The film will be made by Ali Abbas Zafar, who has also directed Salman in Tiger Zinda Hai, which releases this year on Christmas. Bharat is will be produced by Atul Agnihotri (Salman's brother-in-law), who attended the screening of Ode To My Father at the Berlin Film Festival. Bharat will be shot in Abu Dhabi, Spain and India and will go on floors next year in April. Of the film, Atul Agnihotri told PTI, "It's the journey of a country and also a person, both of whom go by the name of Bharat.That film is just the starting point for ours but since it was an inspiration, we wanted in all fairness to officially own it and acquired the remake rights before going ahead with Bharat." Salman's last Eid release was Tubelight. Since 2011, the 51-year-old superstar has booked Eid for his releases, starting with Bodyguard, Ek Tha Tiger, Kick, Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Sultan. "It's a character that I thought would resonate with him. It's a huge responsibility making a film with Salman as there are big expectations that come with the job. I'm very conscious about Salman's fan base and what they want. And once again, I'm convinced that being a family film it's worthy of coming during the festive time. And anyway, an Eid release is always every producer's preferred choice," Atul Agnihotri told PTI, adding that Bharat's casting will be decided over the next three months.
I Scooped Her Up, Headed To Bedroom": Nawazuddin Siddiqui's Biography'.
I was performing in a play in Mumbai which was when I finally had my first romantic relationship. Incidentally, she too happened to be an NSD graduate, though we had never met there. It was very sweet, like rain is after a very long spell of drought. Sunita had fallen madly in love with me. Every day, she would come over, hang out at my house in Mira Road and scrawl our names in tiny font all over the wall... Then she went off on a holiday to her home town in the hills to see her folks. When she returned, Sunita would not take any of my calls. And when she did at last, I was flabbergasted. After such a deep, passionate love, she simply said, 'Nawaz, you focus on your career. And I will focus on my career.' She cut off all contact after that and I plunged into another deep, deep depression. I took a bucket of fresh white paint and began to replace her artwork on my walls with the blank canvas that they were before... Living in Mira Road meant that the local train was our lifeline. We were at the station almost all the time. Soon after her call, one day I was at the station and stood there staring at the tracks. A train was coming, screaming its arrival with a lusty horn. It would be simple and instant. Should I jump on to the tracks and end it all? End this struggle, end this life? I had nothing. No love, no work, no money. But some being woke up in me and gave me a metaphorical slap. 'You know this is not your department,' the voice in my head said. 'Then why? Why did you go that way? Why!' it screamed at me. The train sped away, screaming pompously, cutting through the air... I decided that I would never again be emotional in any relationship... Never again did I allow myself to be vulnerable like that again, not even with my wife... Yet it was important to analyse what had happened... [Sunita must have been advised] she should probably date someone successful, not a struggling, desperate actor who was out of work. Today, Sunita tells everybody that she was once together with me in a very serious relationship. Incredible, isn't it?
'What happens in New York stays in New York'
Those years between 2006 and 2010 were pretty incredible too. The industry had begun to notice me... Strangely, the West was kinder to me first, both in terms of love and work... I was at a cafe once with my friend in New York City's Soho area. The stunning waitress kept staring at me... 'You? You are an actor?' she asked a rhetorical question. 'Yes!' I replied. 'Which film of mine did you see? Gangs of Wasseypur? She squinted, trying to remember, 'No, no,' she said. 'Another film!' After a few moments, she responded: Lunchbox! We got talking and let's just say what happens in New York stays in New York...
'Why are you not mailing me, Nawaz?'
Before that came Suzanne: a lovely, dear Jewish girl from New Jersey, who lived in New York City. We met there and hit it off. She came to Mumbai and began to live with me... Every few months, she kept extending her visa... The shooting of Miss Lovely commenced. Suzanne used to accompany me there. Then came the day when her visa expired and she needed to return to New York to sort it out. She was gone for many months. One day, while we were shooting a dance scene, something happened to my co-star Niharika Singh... She was suddenly cold, went out of her way to maintain a distance from me and began to keep mum. I was puzzled... She used to be friendly, social and talk quite a bit. I thought it was best to ask her what had happened and so I did, not once, not twice, but several times, for several days... I invited her over for a home-cooked meal, a mutton dish which was my speciality. She politely agreed and came over... Not only did she eat everything that was on her plate, but she praised it as well. Now you come to my house, Nawaz. I will cook mutton for you,' she said warmly. For the very first time I went to Niharika's house... When she opened the door, revealing a glimpse of the house, I was speechless with amazement. A hundred, or so it seemed, little candles flickered beautifully. She wore soft faux fur, looking devastatingly gorgeous, her beauty illuminated even more in the candlelight. And I, being the lusty village bumpkin that I am, scooped her up in my arms and headed straight for the bedroom. We made passionate love. And just like that, out of the blue, I began a relationship with Niharika Singh, a relationship which I did not know then would last for almost one and a half years... Meantime, emails from Suzanne started coming. 'Why are you not mailing me, Nawaz? What's wrong?' I did not respond... I trusted my silence would convey what needed to be conveyed. When I was checking my inbox one day, Niharika happened to see one of her emails. 'Who is this?' she inquired. 'You know very well who it is,' I said. 'It's Suzanne.' 'Wo-ow! It's still going on between you two! Amazing!' Niharika thundered in anger. 'It is wrong. I hope you know that...' From that day, Niharika began to send emails to Suzanne from my email address. She would type, 'I cannot continue with you ...' and sign off as me. Imagine the shock for Suzanne. She would send heartbreaking replies... After a few of these email exchanges, Suzanne figured that this was not my voice at all. 'Who is this writing, Nawaz? I know this is not you... Who is she? Who is this b***h?' 'B***h!' That word infuriated Niharika so much that she made me end all correspondence with Suzanne forever... I was very sad. Then I thought, so be it, it's all right, I am with Niharika. My melancholy evaporated quickly.
'I was a rascal who cared only for himself'
Niharika was an intelligent girl. Being an actor herself meant that she knew and understood my struggle for work... She would call me in frequent spurts throughout the day demanding to know of my whereabouts... [Then] The regularity of the questions felt like being nagged non-stop... There was another piece to this puzzle. Like all girls, Niharika obviously expected some of the sweet conversations that lovers have, to take place between us. But I was quite a selfish b*****d. I had a plain aim: go to her house, make out and leave. I could not talk lovey-dovey too much. It finally struck her that I was a rascal who cared only for himself. (Actually, all the girls I have ever been with have had this same complaint about me. I would only come to them for my own needs. Otherwise, I might not even take their calls.) When I went to her place next, she was wearing a silk robe. I ran my hand over its coolness around her waist, grabbing her but she pushed me away. 'No, Nawaz!' she said. 'I won't meet you again. This is enough.' I pleaded, I cried, I apologized. But she remained adamant. She had had enough. So that was that, we broke up cutting off all contact. Two months later, another girl came into my life in a most mysterious way. I did not know then that years later, I would marry her."
Alia Bhatt, Sonam Kapoor, Mouni Roy and more attend Ekta Kapoor's Diwali party'.
With just one day to go for Diwali, Bollywood has gone into an overdrive when it comes to partying. Film and television producer Ekta Kapoor threw a bash on Tuesday which was attended by all the biggest names of Bollywood and TV. Rumoured couple Alia Bhatt and Sidharth Malhotra arrived together to the party, shutting down rumours of their breakup. Alia wore a gorgeous mint suit with oxidised silver earrings. Sidharth was seen in a red kurta pyjama Sonam Kapoor turned up in a heavily embellished white saree with a cold-shoulder blouse and frilly sleeves. She posed for photos with director Karan Johar and her sister Rhea Kapoor Television star Mouni Roy also wore a pretty lehenga and posed for selfies with Adaa Khan and other actors. The party was also attended by Divyanka Tripathi and Vivek Dahiya, Rajeev Khandelwaal, Sanjay and Manyata Dutt and more.
Aamir Khan, Zaira Wasim And Team Dangal Watch Secret Superstar'.
Aamir Khan hosted a special screening of his forthcoming film Secret Superstar for his industry colleagues and friends in Mumbai on Monday evening. Secret Superstar is headlined by Aamir's Dangal co-star Zaira Wasim, who played the younger version of wrestler Geeta Phogat. Team Dangal, including director Nitesh Tiwari, also came to cheer for Aamir and Zaira's film. Secret Superstar is directed by Advait Chandan and tracks the story of an aspiring young singer, played by Zaira, whose dreams are not supported by her father. However, a music composer Shakti Kumaarr (Aamir Khan), helps her in building her dreams. Secret Superstar is produced by Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao. Sexy Baliye, one of the songs in Secret Superstar, is choreographed by Sanya Malhotra (Aamir's Dangal co-star). Dangal broke major box office records at home and also in China and Hong Kong. However, Aamir, 52 believes that Secret Superstar, will be a 'much bigger film.' "While Dangal was about the dream of a father which a daughter fulfils, this is about the hopes and aspirations of a 14-year-old girl from a small town in India. I don't know what the box office will be but it's a bigger film than Dangal in what it's trying to say," said Aamir, news agency AFP reported. Of his co-star Zaira, Aamir said, "She, for me, if you ask me who is the finest actor in the Hindi film industry today, I would say Zaira. She's absolutely amazing." Zaira won a National Award this year for Dangal.
Tumhari Sulu trailer: Vidya Balan promises a sweet comedy and a brand new version of Hawa Hawai'.
We may have never noticed it before, but Vidya Balan has a really sultry voice. Dont believe us? Just check out the trailer for her upcoming comedy, Tumhari Sulu. The trailer for the film was released on Saturday and features Balan as a saree wali bhabhi, Sulu, who wishes to be more than a housewife. She lives with her husband and a son, but wants to bring more spice in her life. A regular winner at competitions hosted by the local radio station, she is not happy with just the pressure cooker she has won. She wishes to be an RJ. Neha Dhupia plays the head at the radio station and while she isn't too sure about the demure middle-aged womans ability to host a radio show, she has the idea to let her have the late night slot. And to everyones surprise, Sulu is custom made for the job. With a voice as smooth as honey, she becomes an instant hit with the listeners. However, her new-found success isnt all good news. Her husband complains of her not giving the family enough time anymore and a montage teases more problems that she would have to tackle The trailers biggest pull is, of course, Vidyas performance as an ambitious and lovable woman, the bright, colourful look of the movie and lastly, the brand new version of Hawa Hawai. The song, originally picturised on Sridevi in Mr India, gets a new life with slick beats and it fits the temperament of the movie just right. The film is directed by Suresh Triveni and will release on November 17.
Victoria And Abdul, Hollywood's Latest Racist Fantasy'.
WASHINGTON: The British Empire in South Asia remains an enduring source of conflicting narratives even 70 years after its collapse. In recent years, Brexit supporters have sought to reclaim their island's lost greatness while India's nationalists have disposed of imperial statues into distant parks and basements left unseen. In Western popular culture, the age of British high colonialism, wrapped in the regal pomp and circumstance of Windsor courtesies, still manages to evoke wanderlust fantasies in khaki and white, tented tiger hunts and bejeweled glamour. Oscar-nominated director Stephen Frears' new film Victoria & Abdul is only the latest offering in a long line of Hollywood's imperial confections. It stars the delightful Dame Judi Dench as Queen Victoria in an effervescent, charming and sweet portrait of an unusual friendship between the monarch and her beloved Indian servant, Abdul. As this cheeky colonial comedy opens, the widowed Queen Victoria is sluggishly pushing through her last decade. She is cranky and bored, but her eyes and appetite perk up when she meets her new special delivery, a handsome Indian Muslim subject turned servant named Abdul Karim. He's been handpicked and shipped from Agra to serve in Indian regalia at the Queen's upcoming jubilee. The film shows how the weary queen quickly comes to admire the strapping Abdul and wakes to rediscover her inner light and joy. Her curiosity aroused, she learns Urdu from her beloved munshi (teacher) and listens attentively as Abdul describes the romantic drama of the Taj Mahal. Queen Victoria also happens to be the only racially woke one around here and has no patience for her staff's blatant racism-based hatred of her beloved brown Abdul. Characters storm off in snide English tantrums screaming of Victoria's "Munshi Mania!" Against her court's insistence, she whisks Abdul away to Florence, joining him in candlelit dances and contagious laughter. Dench can elevate the shallowest of moments into Shakespearean pathos and without her presence, this would be a travesty of the highest order. The film is elegant and warm and entirely misleading. Its charming inoffensiveness is at the root of its insidious politics. The facts of empire are a stubborn thing. It's true that the late 19th century was an extraordinary period of territorial expansion, political advancement and intellectual growth for Britain. The Victorian age, with the voracious queen at its helm, was the age of High Empire. Along with her husband Albert, Victoria had weathered the violent Indian uprising of 1857, deposed the Mughal monarch whose dynasty had reigned in Delhi for centuries and brutally crushed the remains of the resistance. Victoria's empire was born in blood, and the ensuing shock waves transformed Indian borders, society and politics forever. In the year of Victoria's jubilee celebrations in Britain that heralded the arrival of Abdul from Agra, a brutal famine across India led to more than 5 million deaths. Protests against the mismanagement and neglect by British administrators inspired a new generation of anti-colonialists who would eventually form Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi's Indian Congress Party. Victoria & Abdul, is keenly aware of that history and yet intentionally chooses to keep its audience entertained on the lush grounds of Victoria's palaces, parlors and gardens. We see the empire as she did: a confection, a distant dream, a realm of personal prizes. For a film about the legacy of a global empire, that is intentionally and unforgivably narrow. Abdul's world is shown through hazy and cliched scenes of exotic marketplaces and in the distant tourist views of a glimmering Taj Mahal. There is no real conversation or parity between Victoria and Abdul. In the screenplay, his character is simply there to serve as her Manic Pixie Dream Brownie. There are several scenes of him simply collapsing to the ground to kiss her feet. Abdul joins a long line of South Asian male characters delegated to prop status in Hollywood features. Once they were silent servants in black-and-white adventure films a la Gunga Din, then accented comedic sidekicks or exotic freak shows, and in recent years, terrorist villains in newsy thrillers. In Victoria & Abdul, he is an object of exotic eroticism. It is a kind of advancement. Abdul is dashingly handsome, bejeweled and dressed in finery inviting the audience's ogling. But it's this objectification that creates such an imbalance in what is advertised on posters as the portrait of a couple, a duo, a religious duet and a cultural conversation. Victoria and Abdul's was a real friendship that brought crisis to the court. Her successor would later burn all evidence of their relationship and correspondence. Despite the film's saccharine efforts at highlighting the unusual historical connection, by keeping the focus on court gossip it misses the political structure that allowed Victoria to control Abdul at her whims. (Imagine a film about slavery in America that shows the ways a whimsical, poetic slave could enliven massuh's melancholia without addressing the structural reason for said condition.) And yet, ads for the film are seemingly everywhere, and it is even one of the sponsors of the recent Keeping Up With the Kardashians marathon in which this writer may have indulged. This kind of shallow Raj revisionism is possible because of how little we've confronted the enduring and painful legacy of the British Empire. Since the film premiered at the Venice Film Festival, the filmmakers and marketers have sought to underscore the message of racial and religious reconciliation against the current strain of anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant bigotry across the West. Discussing the message of tolerance, director Stephen Frears sarcastically joked to the Hollywood Reporter, "I thought to myself: 'What film would Donald Trump most like to see?' " But in the service of that mission, a less glossy portrayal of empire would actually have more of the intended effect. The stakes and mistakes would be clear. The drama of Victoria's demise and Abdul's eventual banishment by her successor is more poignant than this comedic romp of courtly manners. As the film opens, the screen reads "Based on a true events . . . mostly." By winking at the audience with its self-awareness, the film seeks to soothe cranky viewers bearing torches of political correctness and historical outrage with its charm. Beyond the audience, that is mostly a disservice to the film's subjects and their enduring legacy. - Qureshi, a writer and radio journalist, is working on a memoir about contemporary Muslim identity. From 2008 to 2015, he was a producer and editor with NPR's All Things Considered.
Why Aamir Khan Was 'Afraid Of Losing Stardom' With Dangal'.
Aamir Khan's last release Dangal was a gift to Indian cinema that broke major box office records not only here (Rs. 385 crore) but in China and Hong Kong too. However, Aamir, 52, who played the role of Haryanvi wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat in the film, revealed that he was 'scared of losing his stardom' with Dangal. "I do get scared (of losing stardom). When I heard the story of Dangal, I thought I have to do this film. But then I thought that I have just done Dhoom 3 and PK, and have six-packs and star-image. If I will do this film (Dangal), then I will become old and fat. What my fans will think? I hope I don't lose my fan-following," Aamir told news agency IANS. Dangalwas based on the story of Mr Phogat, who despite all odds, trains his daughters Geeta and Babita Phogat, to become world-class wrestlers. Debutants Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra played Geeta and Babita respectively in the film. Aamir underwent massive physical transformation for playing the younger and older versions of Mahavir Singh Phogat. He put on weight up to 95 kilos and later reduced to around 70 kilos. "Mahavir is a 55-year-old in the film. I am 52. So, there is less difference between us. We are too close. But fans don't know that as they see me as 30-year-old. So, I told the director that I liked the film and I will do it after 10 years when I will be old. They agreed to that too. But the story of the film couldn't leave my mind. So, I decided that I should do it and not get afraid of anything," he said. Dangal won several Filmfare Awards this year including the Best Actor and Best Director trophy. The film was directed by Nitesh Tiwary. Aamir is currently promoting Secret Superstar, directed by first-time director Advait Chandan. The film stars Aamir's Dangal co-star Zaira Wasim, who played the younger version of Geeta Phogat. Of working with Aamir, Zaira told IANS, "I am glad that I got to work with him twice. I never wondered of working with him. I have been very lucky." They were speaking at a promotional event related to Secret Superstar, which releases on October 19. Aamir has special role in the film. Aamir Khan's next film is Thugs Of Hindostan, co-starring Amitabh Bachchan, Katrina Kaif and Fatima Sana Shaikh.
Happy Birthday, Amitabh Bachchan. 10 Yaadein Bhari Photos, Ranked'.
Happy birthday, Amitabh Bachchan! As the Bollywood ka Shahenshah celebrates his 75th birthday on the beaches of Maldives, we would like to take a moment and thank him for having delighted us with an array of throwback pieces. Be it a Throwback Thursday or Flashback Friday, fans and followers rush to Big B's social media feed to always find some blast from the past. It's not just the senior Bachchan but his actor son Abhishek is also responsible for making us nostalgic. From the sets of Big B's iconic movies like Amar Akbar Anthony and Sholay to vintage-hued memories from family photo albums, all feature on the Bachchans' Instagram. Here's a look at the 10 best posts from and/or starring Amitabh Bachchan that has made us happy, ranked in order. We'll start with the one starring the "Bachchan bunch," comprising Shweta and Abhishek Bachchan and their cousins. This is from sometime in the mid-eighties, when Big B was hospitalised while shooting for a Manmohan Desai film and the kids had paid him a visit This is what Amitabh Bachchan shared to commemorate 40 years of Amar Akbar Anthony. Big B co-starred with Rishi Kapoor and Vinod Khanna in the cult comedy. Here are Big B and Dharmendra as harmless looking criminals. "Two very keen, committed, interested artists on the sets of Sholay, the jail sequence," Big B captioned.
Salman Khan Gets Brother-In-Law Aayush Sharma His Ticket To Bollywood'.
Salman Khan's brother-in-law Aayush Sharma is all set for his Bollywood debut - a love story to be produced by Salman Khan's production house. Aayush's first will be directed by Abhiraj Minawala - one who worked as the Assistant Director for films like Jab Tak Hai Jaan and Fan, and also with director Ali Abbas Zafar in Salman's Sultan. In an interview with Bombay Times, the 52-year-old superstar said that the yet untitled love story will go on floors next year: "Yes, we are producing Aayush's debut film. Shooting will start in February and we'll release the film later in 2018." Aayush is married to Salman's sister Arpita - the duo married in 2014 and they are parents to a son named Ahil Salman Khan announced the big news yesterday and Aayush has already received a warm welcome with Bollywood celebrities sending their best wishes on Twitter. This is how Aayush responded to the whole lot of love: "Honored and humbled with all the love I have received today. Thank you for welcoming me with open arms. Karan Johar, one of the first ones to congratulate Aayush, Instagrammed: "Welcome to the movies". "Dear Aayush Sharma , thrilled to hear your announcement made by Salman Khan - I know how hard you have been training for this #BreakALeg," tweeted Riteish Deshmukh while Varun Dhawan added: "Wishing you all the love and luck my gym partner." This is how Salman announced that Aayush is now a new member of Bollywood: "Now is the time for a lot of mehnat aur lagan. Wish you all success God Bless." Aayush Sharma has reportedly begun script reading sessions for the movie, which is expected to be set in Gujarat. On the work front, Salman Khan was last seen in Tubelight and Tiger Zinda Hai with Katrina Kaif is his next.
Karva Chauth: Sridevi, Shilpa Shetty Lead Bollywood Festivities'.
NEW DELHI:MMNN:9 October 2017
Like every year, actor Anil Kapoor's wife Sunita Kapoor hosted a "Karva Chauth bash," in which actresses Shilpa Shetty, RaveenaTandon and Neelam Kothari joined the ladies of the Kapoor household. Actress Sridevi and Maheep Kapoor, who are Sunita's sisters-in-law, all grouped together for a bright Karva Chauth picture. Shilpa posted a short video of the all the women, dressed in their fineries, chanting, 'Happy Karva Chauth.' Sridevi looked stunning in a pastel green sari while Shilpa opted for a bright Lehariya sari. Maheep wore a bottle green sari with mukesh work and Raveena Tandon was dressed in a pink suit. Hostess Sunita Kapoor looked pretty in red. In another picture, Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor and Raj Kundra joined their wives and the other ladies. "Thank you Sunita Kapoor and Anil Kapoor, always amazing hosts," Raj Kundra captioned the picture. Here are snippets of Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty's Karva Chauth. Shilpa Shetty opened her fast by looking at a picture of the moon in Amritsar (sent to her on phone), as the Mumbai weather (it was rainy last night) made the moon's visibility quite difficult. Raj Kundra had shared this picture with caption: "Chand chupa iphone mean Sanjay Kapoor also posted a picture of himself with Shilpa Shetty and Anil Kapoor. Shilpa and Anil Kapoor have co-starred in films like Rishtey and Badhaai Ho Badhaai while she and Sanjay are co-stars of films such as Darna Mana Hai, Auzar and Zameer.
Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron to Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa: Kundan Shah's best works to watch'.
Director Kundan Shah died in Mumbai on Saturday. He was 69 years old and known for his short but interesting filmography in Hindi cinema. Shah, even with all the critical acclaim that he earned, could never really deliver a commercially successful film. Nonetheless, he was considered one of the most intelligent directors in Bollywood after his 1983 debut, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron. With Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa in 1994, he delivered a sweet romantic story of a loser, which star Shah Rukh Khan considers to be one of the best films of his career. He also directed some of the best TV?series to ever be telecast on Indian television like Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, Nukkad and Wagle Ki Duniya. The mild flavour of these shows and the warmth that emanated from them could never be recreated by any other show in the years that followed. However, with films like Kya Kehna, Dil Hai Tumhara and Hum Toh Mohobbat Karega, the critical acclaim that he proudly carried with him, also started to wane. His last film, P Se PM Tak, was about a prostitute who became the Prime Minister. Here, we bring you a list of some of his best works. Watch these over the weekend and remember Kundan Shah like he should be remembered.
Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron
Before filmmakers learned to talk about about corruption and misuse of power through their films, Shah took the bull by the horns, with Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron. In this not-so-subtle satire, he brought to the screen a story so tragic but still so hilarious, it made you feel ashamed about laughing at the clear misery of the characters. Naseeruddin Shah and Ravi Baswani as two photographers, hired by a magazine to unmask the corrupt ways of a real estate mogul and a municipal head. But a series of disastrous events later, the good guys are sacrificed at the altar of opportunism by selfish men with power in one of the darkest endings ever to a Hindi comedy.
Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa
The casting was just right for Kabhi Ha Kabhi Na. Suchitra seemed like the perfect girl next door, Shah Rukh in his typical Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman role and of course, every main heros best friend of the 90s, Deepak Tijori. Shah Rukh has called the film his favourite. But among so many things, what we do remember about Kabhi Ha Kabhi Na is the surprise ending, when our loser hero, who has been ditched by Suchitra, is sitting moping on a pavement. And in walks Juhi Chawla, who is lost and asking for directions and they walk away together. A sweet, hopeful ending to a sweet, hopeful film.
Ye Jo Hai Zindagi
Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, starring Shafi Inamdar, Swaroop Sampat, Rakesh Bedi and Satish Shah, was written by acclaimed writer Sharad Joshi and directed by Kundan Shah, Manjul Sinha and Raman Kumar. The show went on to become so popular that it even started affecting the business of films, as it used to be aired late on Friday nights. It started in 1984, and was on the air for 61 episodes. The serial revolved around a married couple, Ranjit Verma (Shafi) and Renu Verma (Swaroop), who had the latters unemployed annoying younger brother, Raja (Rakesh) living with them. Satish played a different character in every episode, and was always the highlight of each one.
Nukkad
Nukkad (Street Corner) was an immensely popular TV serial aired on Doordarshan between 1986-87, co-directed by Saeed Mirza and Kundan Shah. A slice of Mumbai chawl life, the plot revolved around the lives of characters drawn from the humdrum of urban Indian life. Ask any person in their 40s and see how they fondly recall characters like Khopdi, Kaderbhai and Ghanshu Bhikari. The serials a warm humanism and humour was endearing to many generations of TV viewers of that era. Written by Prabodh Joshi, it dealt with the everyday issues of lower middle class people and often revolved around one or two specific characters. The simplicity and realism of the serial are its most endearing legacies.
Wagle Ki Duniya
Yet another popular TV serial, again aired on Doordarshan, was Wagle Ki Duniya (1988 to 1990). Starring veteran actors Anjan Srivastav and Bharati Achrekar as his wife, the serial was a charming account of a bumbling sales clerk working in a multinational firm. Modelled on RK Narayans famous common man cartoon strip, and characters often seen in them, the serial gave a peek into the lives of a middle class Indian family. The serial was directed by Kundan Shah and produced by character actor of the 70s and 80s, Durga Khote. Like actors from Nukkad, Anjan Srivastav won much acclaim and would soon become a household name.
Saif Ali Khan's Chef - 5 Reasons To Watch'.
MUMBAI: Did you just ask - isn't Saif Ali Khan reason enough? That might be so but here are a few others. Chef, a remake of Jon Favreau's star-studded Hollywood hit of the same name, is this week's big Bollywood release. Saif is cast as the divorced chef who takes his son on the road with him in order to connect. A food truck takes them on a journey of discovery - they find not only great food but also each other. Here's why you should not miss Saif Ali Khan in Chef.
1) Saif Cooks Up A Delight
Chef is an out-an-out Saif Ali Khan film. His fans have loved him in films like Dil Chahta Hai (2001), Kal Ho Na Ho (2003), Parineeta (2005) and Omkara (2006) after which he occasionally delivered an impressive performance along with many duds. In Chef, they will get to see shades of Saif they missed all these years. The actor learned cooking to play the role with conviction, and it shows every time he is in the kitchen. Talking about preparing for the role, Saif told me, "Cooking is like magic, with a little bit of this and a little bit of that. With all completely different ingredients, you prepare one mouth-watering dish." The fact that he believes in the art of cooking reflects on the big screen.
2) Saif Still Has The Best Comic Timing
What clicked with the audience in Dil Chahta Hai and Kal Ho Na Ho about Saif's character were his poker face expressions and his comic timing. In Chef, there are many hilarious moments, which will leave the audiences in splits. What's important is that he is not trying to be funny in any of those scenes. It's his casual talk with perfect timing, which director Raja Krishna Menon has used very well.
3) Smart In-Film Jokes Always Work
It's not easy to make people laugh that's the reason filmmakers and actors always say that comedy is the toughest genre. When writing funny lines for actors like Saif Ali Khan who is good with good jokes, one has to think of smart lines. In Chef, when Saif Ali Khan is in Goa with his friend and his son, as a passing mention, he tells them about an incident that happened to him 20 years ago when he visited Goa with his two friends. He was mugged! Please don't make me spell it out for you!
4) Good Supporting Cast Plays a Key Role
As much as the lead actors may perform it's the supporting cast that keeps the narrative going on the big screen. Every actor in Chef performs brilliantly, which only means that Raja Krishna Menon didn't just keep his focus on his main lead. Padmapriya Janakiraman, who plays Saif's ex-wife, is outstanding. Terrific actors like Dinesh Prabhakar, Chandan Roy Sanyal and Sobhita Dhulipala bring a lot to the Chef's table. Singer Raghu Dixit who makes an appearance in a song is placed well and is there for a reason. Each of them has important roles to play. Chef works because of its significant supporting cast.
5) Chef Is A Good Pick To Be Made For The Indian Audience
Good food is not bound by geography - that's the reason an article, recipe videos, TV show or a film on food has no boundaries. Master Chef Australia is one of the most popular reality TV show across the world as the focus is always on preparing the best and the tastiest dish. Indians, as we know love food and the range of cuisines in India are worth a story. Chef may not talk about the delicacies that India offers, but when you watch Saif take his son to Delhi's Chandni Chowk to eat Chole Bature, you will wish you were right there biting into the hot and spicy street food of Delhi
Hrithik Roshan Takes A Stand On Kangana Ranaut, Says 'Was Harassed For 4 Years'.
Hrithik Roshan has tweeted a lengthy statement about the feud with Kangana Ranaut that has hogged headlines for a year-and-a-half now. The 43-year-old actor claims that he never spent any time alone with Kangana - they starred in Kites and Krrish 3 - and that he has been 'harassed' by the actress over the last four years. "We want to believe the other party because the rhetoric is - why would the girl lie," the statement says. Hrithik also says an examination of his passport will prove that he wasn't in Paris when Kangana claimed he was (proposing to her) and that he is speaking up in what he calls a 'dirty perverse mess' because 'families suffer, children suffer.' This is Hrithik's first public response about Kangana. Kangana Ranaut has alleged that she and Hrithik Roshan dated ever since Kites in 2009 - he disputes this and sent her a legal notice last year after she appeared to refer to him as a 'silly ex' in an interview. A public exchange of recriminations and accusations followed, with Hrithik also going to the police over e-mails that he claimed were sent to Kangana by an imposter pretending to be him. Kangana Ranaut allegedly sent over 3,000 emails to Hrithik Roshan, some of which were reproduced by news outlets this week, extracted from a police complaint filed by the Roshans' lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani. Hrithik Roshan has accused Kangana Ranaut of stalking him. The only responses from Team Kangana have come from her lawyer, who put out a statement, and her sister Rangoli Chandel who posted a series of tweets about Kangana having 'moved on' from Hrithik. Kangana Ranaut invoked the feud with Hrithik Roshan while promoting her film Simran last month. She spoke to TV channels in New Delhi saying that Hrithik and his father Rakesh Roshan had 'made fools of themselves' and that she wanted an apology. Rakesh Roshan told DNA that the complaint is now available in the public domain, that the "facts of the case will shock you," and that the Roshans are not "loose talkers."
READ HRITHIK ROSHAN'S STATEMENT HERE
"I choose to be on a path of creativity, productivity and constructive work. Anything that isn't in alignment with that, I tend to ignore, sidestep and treat as a distraction. I believe that ignorance, non reaction and staying on the path of dignity is the best way to discourage any persistent unwanted intrusions. But Just like a nagging health issue sometimes ignored can turn malignant, this situation for me has unfortunately turned malignant. In case of the matter at hand , it seems the media has no intention of letting go. I don't see any grace in adding to this circus by testifying in defence of my character in a situation that I have no involvement in whatsoever. I have been dragged into a dirty perverse mess without a choice in the matter. This is something that is not of my making. The truth is, I have never met the lady in question one on one in my entire life. Yes, we have worked together, but there has been no meeting in private. That's the truth. Please understand, I am not fighting against an allegation of an affair. Or being childish trying to uphold a 'good guy" image. I am very aware of my faults, I am human. I am in fact protecting myself from something far more serious, sensitive and destructive than that. Sadly, very few from the media or the public seem to be interested in the truth. This has been a hard-learnt fact for me. If the people are comfortable with a lie because it doesn't threaten their model of the world where a girl is the victim and the man the aggressor then so be it. I am ok with that too. Women have suffered centuries of abuse at the hands of men and it infuriates me how some men can be so brutal and they deserve the harshest punishment. But by that logic if it ordains that one man can't be vulnerable and one woman can't be a liar, so be it. I'm ok with that too. An alleged 7-year long, passionate affair between two high profile celebrities with no trail left behind. No evidence, no paparazzi pictures, no witnesses, not even a memento in possession like a selfie taken at the alleged engagement which is claimed to have happened in Paris in Jan 2014. Nothing that constitutes an exchange or any sort of proof of a romantic relationship. Yet we want to believe the other party because the rhetoric is -why would a girl lie. My passport details show no travel outside the country in Jan 2014, which is the date that this alleged engagement supposedly took place. In Paris. The only so-called proof presented of this alleged "relationship", was a photoshopped picture in the media. This was immediately exposed, the very next day by friends including my ex-wife. These questions are not even asked, because we are taught to protect the woman, as we should. I myself have been brought up to think the same way, by my parents and the wonderful women in my life who have been my rock and support system. I'm deeply grateful to them. I will do my best to teach my children the same values of family and dignity. And yes, I will teach them to stand up for women. Always. There are 3000 one sided mails which either I have sent to myself or the woman in question has sent to me. The Cyber-Crime Dept. can prove or disprove either story, in just a few days. Towards that purpose, I have surrendered all my devices including laptops / phones etc which are still lying with the cyber cell , but the other party has refused to do so. The investigation hasn't been closed. This is not, and I repeat, not a lovers spat. I humbly request people to stop labelling it as one and, for a second, try and see it for what it really is. I have been harassed by this for 4 years and the well meaning and probably necessary social bias toward women has deemed me helpless in defending myself. I am not angry, I have seldom allowed anger into my life. I have not had a single fight in my life, with a man or a woman. Even in my divorce, there was no fight. I, and those around me, have always chosen peace. I am not here to accuse or judge anyone, but it's time I defend the truth because when truth suffers the collective consciousness of society suffers. Civilization suffers. Closer to home, families suffer. Children suffer."
Padmavati: Presenting Ranveer Singh As Sultan Alauddin Khilji.
Finally, actor Ranveer Singh's much-awaited look for his forthcoming film Padmavati is out. The 32-year-old actor, who plays ruler Alauddin Khilji in the period drama, looks fierce in both the posters. Kohl eyes, long hair and a scar make his look deadly. "SULTAN ALAUDDIN KHILJI #Khilji," Ranveer wrote while sharing the posters on social media. His look was revealed just a few hours ago and soon, it became the top trends on the Internet. "A transformation of an all-rounder actor. Versatile and all-time entertainer. Can't wait for this movie," "Khattarrnaaakk" are some of the comments on Ranveer's Padmavati look. Alauddin Khilji was the most powerful ruler of the Khalji dynasty. Padmavati, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, also stars Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor. Deepika and Shahid's looks have been revealed earlier. Deepika plays Rani Padmini of Chittor while Shahid features as her husband Ratan Singh. Soon after Deepika's look as Rani Padmini was released, a Rajput Karni Sena burnt posters of the film in Jaipur in protest. "While shooting in Jaipur, Mr Bhansali had promised to show the film to us and historians before releasing it. But since then no one has contacted us, nor has the film been shown to us," Karni Sena president told news agency IANS. Padmavati is Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone's third collaboration with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. He has previously directed the actors in Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela (2013) and Bajirao Mastani (2015). It is Shahid's first film with Mr Bhansali as well as Ranveer and Deepika.
Shah Rukh Khan Posts Pic With Sridevi, Kajol, Rani Mukerji, Alia Bhatt And Karisma Kapoor. Internet's Smitten.
Monday blues? Nah, superstar Shah Rukh Khan made our Monday morning bright, very bright. SRK posted a lovely picture collage with actresses Sridevi, Kajol, Rani Mukerji, Alia Bhatt and Karisma Kapoor and our day was made. In the first picture, SRK poses with Kajol and Rani Mukerji (his Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham co-stars) and in the second one, he shares the frame with Sridevi, Alia Bhatt and Karisma Kapoor. (Wow). "Some nights the stars with you shine brighter than the ones in the sky. Thank you ladies for your graciousness beauty & love," the 51-year-old captioned his post. (We would like to thank Shah Rukh Khan for this amazing picture). Like us, Internet too is smitten to see to see SRK with these actresses. "Looking so beautiful ladies and SRK so handsome," "Such a beautiful picture," are some of the comments on the post, shared just an hour ago. Meanwhile, SRK fans are delighted to see him, Kajol and Rani in one picture. "Oh, how sweet. Anjali-Rahul-Tina in one frame again," wrote a user. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, directed by Karan Johar, was a massive hit. Shah Rukh Khan has co-starred with Sridevi in Army while he shared screen space with Karisma Kapoor in Dil To Pagal Hai and Shakti: The Power. Dear Zindagi, starring SRK and Alia Bhatt, released last year. Shah Rukh Khan last starred in Jab Harry Met Sejal and Raees was his other release of the year. He is currently filming Aanand L Rai's untitled film, co-starring Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma.
Judwaa 2 Movie Review: Varun Dhawan Tries But Can't Come Close To Salman Khan.
NEW DELHI:MMNN:29 September 2017
Cast: Varun Dhawan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Taapsee Pannu, Vivan Bhatena, Anupam Kher, Ali Asgar, Upasna Singh Director: David Dhawan Rating: 1.5 Stars (out of 5) There is a lunacy that makes a David Dhawan movie a David Dhawan movie. The nineties, a time when Hindi cinema was shrugging off melodrama and villains, let Dhawan's madcap cinema flourish. Dhawan, a trained editor, made harebrained farce with immediacy and economy; the reason we didn't think about how little a David Dhawan movie made sense was because each successive scene tickled us enough not to care. And then - despite his films being a breeding ground for comedians and mimicry artists - there were Dhawan's heroes, leading men who had several swigs of silliness and embraced the madness with unashamed glee. Govinda, Anil Kapoor, Chunky Pandey, Salman Khan... they all acted as if they'd never seen a script before in their lives, and it is that spontaneity, along with Kader Khan's dialogue, that kept audiences chuckling through the decade. In Judwaa 2 - a remake of Dhawan's twenty year old Judwaa that is, for some reason, titled like a sequel - there is a relatively inconsequential scene where Varun Dhawan, waiting at a hospital, pulls the oxygen mask off an old man in order to give himself some air. This old man wheezes and strains frantically, and while this may surely be a coincidence, it is rather telling that the old man looked like Manmohan Desai, king of the commercial entertainer. Desai might have remade his own movies and recycled many a plot, but a movie like Judwaa 2 would certainly leave him gasping. Because it is as unnecessary as it gets It is also telling that Varun Dhawan - a spontaneous, breezy, enormously likeable leading man - is using borrowed air to fly. I like young Dhawan. I enjoy his work in movies as disparate as Badlapur and Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya, but in Judwaa 2 he isn't allowed to do his own thing. Instead, he's trying to match a marvellously inane Salman Khan performance. Bad move. The new film is almost exactly like the old one - it is as if they used the same script - but the unpredictable off-the-wall bounciness of the original is now executed by template. As Prem, the nerd, Dhawan isn't half bad as he chastises his twin for thrusting his pelvis, but as the ruffian Raja, doing said thrusts, he seems significantly out of his depth. That sleaziness came so much easier to Salman. Perhaps because he wasn't copying anyone. Judwaa 2 starts off with a villain, Charles (played by Zakir Hussain, a fine actor who is usually trapped in Ram Gopal Varma movies) kidnapping a child from a hospital and laying him on a railway track. This child would be doomed were it not for his twin brother, in a hospital bed, turning on his side, which let the precariously positioned child flip onto the right side of the tracks, so to speak. Now, one child grows up meekly in London, while the other is a young boy who goes around slapping fisherwomen on the butt. In case you don't remember, this posterior fixation was a big part of the original film. One of the Salmans - tragically, the one named Raja - had a hand that started quivering whenever any woman bent over, and he was compelled, almost magnetically, to thwack her bottom. Karisma Kapoor and Rambha felt Khan's palm frequently through the film, and at one point the two women even bent over on purpose in order to tell the twins apart. The new film has chosen not to drop this ghastly impulse, but instead this time we cut away instead of showing the point of impact, focussing instead on horrified reactions and cheeky grins. So he does still get to slap - just without eyewitnesses At first, it looks like the Dhawans can pull this off. Prem, complimented on his jacket, immediately responds with "My mom bought it for me," and soon, after being stripped to his boxers and ridiculed, he has his clothes (and, therefore, his izzat) restored by Taapsee Pannu, the girl. Meanwhile, Raja is dancing to nuttily subversive songs that casually rhyme 'Ganapati Bappa Maurya' to the word 'chhoriyaan', as in the ladies who don't leave the hero alone. This is weird in a way only David Dhawan can conjure. Varun channels The Rock in a couple of fight scenes, while trying to be Jackie Chan in the involuntary twin-related slapstick as he falls onto conveyor belts or starts punching policemen. It all seems harmless enough, till the girls start talking and the chaos is amped up. Soon, it is too inane to bear. The girls are particularly horrid, with Jacqueline Fernandes playing a ditsy girl who must be developmentally disabled, and Taapsee, who goes from shy geek to wanton siren without explanation. Pannu also keeps making weird faces, and looking away off camera, as if searching for Shoojit Sircar. Clearly the buildings aren't the only things that are high here. There are a couple of off-beat laughs, like when the film goes meta and Varun starts talking about Jacqueline's face as botoxed and caked in makeup - while the actress nods gamely along and agrees with all that is said - and Manoj Pahwa plays a man called Sharafat Bhai who, alliteratively, speaks only in F-words, but these stray glimpses of vintage David Dhawan nuttiness can't salvage this tiresome remake. Salman isn't the only one Varun tries to borrow from. He keeps falling back on a hastily mimicked Shah Rukh line and stutter, and there are times where he tries to make a blank face like Govinda used to, so memorably, only to look unfunnily vacant. The other problem Varun and this film face, of course, is that the Khans are still very much around. Salman shows up in Judwaa 2 as well, tight tee-shirt and everything, and, even twenty years later, puts this unnecessary remake in its place. All we have here is a weak cover version.
Priyanka Chopra On World's 10 Highest Paid TV Actresses List, Again.
Actress Priyanka Chopra returned to Forbes List of Top 10 Highest Paid TV Actresses this year at position #8. Priyanka "takes advantage of her worldwide appeal," stated the Forbes report. The report also revealed that endorsements are Priyanka's most 'consistent money-maker.' Priyanka Chopra debuted on the list last year and though she took a drop of a million earing-wise, she held on to the eighth spot. Meanwhile, actress Sofia Vergara topped this list (with $41.5 million in her pocket) for the sixth consecutive year courtesy of her licensing deals and plethora of television shows such as Modern Family and Killer Women, which she produces. Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory stood second and took home nearly half of what Sofia Vergara earned - $26 million. Ellen Pompeo of Grey's Anatomy ranked third and earned $13 million in the same time period. House Of Cards Robin Wright and NCIS' Pauley Perrette rounded off the Top 10 list Priyanka became a household name in the West after starring in ABC's Quantico, which was renewed for the third season in May, despite low viewership and TRPs. Quantico's rating has gone down by 45 per cent from season 1 to season 2 and its viewership dropped by 36 per cent, according to a report in Variety magazine. It was also reported back then that Priyanka took a pay cut to ensure the show doesn't go off air as she need publicity for then soon-to-release Hollywood debut film Baywatch. Priyanka has twice won People's Choice award for her portrayal of Alex Parrish in Quantico. After the success of Quantico, Priyanka is all set to produce an American show based on the life of Madhuri Dixit - this should help her take a higher rank next year.
Bigg Boss 11: Salman Khan Lays Down The Rules For Contestants. Ready?.
The eleventh season of Bigg Boss is all set to start this Sunday (October 1). Ahead of the premiere, Salman Khan, the host of the show, launched Bigg Boss 11 in Mumbai on Monday night. Salman, who has so far hosted six seasons of Bigg Boss, has some expectations from this year's contestants and he wants them to 'behave properly.' "Well, I want everyone to behave properly. I know it is not easy considering the situation where all the participants are coming from different background and mingling the first time; there are friendship, politics, people deal with the tricky situation. However, they should behave," the 51-year-old actor told news agency IANS. The final list of contestants hasn't yet been revealed by the makers but what we know is that television actress Mouni Roy will co-host Bigg Boss 11 with Salman. For contestants coming to bring a change in their career, Salman has a piece of advice, "I think many people come to the show for revamping their career and if they are fighting and misbehaving with people, industry professionals will not prefer to work with them," he told IANS. Last year, Salman had asked Priyanka Jagga, a non-celebrity contestant, to leave the house due to her distasteful comments and Swami Om, a self-styled godman, was thrown out of Bigg Boss for misbehaving with the contestant. The format of Bigg Boss changed last year as non-celebrity contestants were also invited. The format remains unchanged this year but there's a twist - some padosis (neighbours) have also been invited. Of the new twist, Salman said, "We all have neighbours of every kind and every hue. Some of us have wonderful memories of them and some of us may have not so good ones. Bigg Boss is one show that the country awaits with bated breath along with my movies; and like every year, I'm thrilled to welcome the new contestants into the Bigg Boss house. The theme of Padosis and Gharwale is very refreshing and we have a full entertainment package coming up for the viewers
Karan Johar Trolled For Vogue Women Of The Year Cover. What's Wrong With You, Twitter?.
The version of Vogue India's 10th anniversary cover that Karan Johar appears on carries the subtitle "and the men we love" - headline: 'Women of the Year' - but that has been conveniently overlooked by Twitter, which is trolling the 44-year-old filmmaker for being one of the girls, so to speak. Vogue has issued multiple versions of its celebratory cover and Karan Johar appears on one with Twinkle Khanna, Sonam Kapoor and Anushka Sharma. Shah Rukh Khan is also one of the 'men we love,' on a cover with cricketer Mithali Raj and businesswoman Nita Ambani, but his presence doesn't seem to have jigged the trollishness of Twitter. Social media thinks Karan Johar has absolutely no business covering a Vogue edition that celebrates women and is expressing disapproval with insults - "Four beautiful ladies," wrote one commenter, another asked, "Did you have a gender malfunction? Karan Johar was named Man of the Year at the Vogue Women of the Year awards held over the weekend, attended not only by those who made the cover but also Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Gauri Khan and other achievers. Last year, Karan Johar severely trolled trolls (in style) when he wrote about the reactions to his social media posts in Karan Affairs, a column for NDTV.com: "Why is it that every time I put up a pouting picture on Instagram, I'm just called chakka, gay, I'm told "chup kar ch***ye? That's my favourite, by the way. My absolute favourite. Anything I ever say, these three golden words are thrown at me. I maybe as sad as you, as lonely as you, as messed up as you, but here's what I also know: I'm just a lot nicer than you." Back to Vogue - Karan Johar and his celeb gang had lots of fun at the event. They posted spectacular pictures and videos, which reveal what transpired on Sunday night. Karan Johar's last film as director was Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and as producer it was Badrinath Ki Dulhania. He is awaiting the release of Ittefaq, Drive and Raazi.
Padmavati: Shahid Kapoor As Ratan Singh On New Poster.
Monday mornings can be difficult to deal with but actor Shahid Kapoor has delighted everyone by sharing the first look of his character Rani Padmavati's Rawal Ratan Singh from Sanjay Leela Bhansali's much-talked about film Padmavati. The 36-year-old actor shared two posters from his upcoming film on social media with a caption that read, "Maharawal Ratan Singh. Saahas, Samarthya aur samaan ka prateek. #MahaRatanRawalSingh #Padmavati @FilmPadmavati." One of the posters shared by Shahid Kapoor shows him standing in a battle field with a fierce and royal look. Padmavati also stars Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, both of whom have also shared the posters on their social media accounts. In the film, Deepika Padukone features in the title role as Rani Padmini while Ranveer Singh will portray the role of historic ruler Alauddin Khilji. Last week, Deepika Padukone shared the first look of her character Rani Padmini. "Devi sthapana ke shubh avsar pe miliye Rani Padmavati se," she wrote. Two days after Padmavati posters featuring Deepika as Rani Padmini were released, an outfit of the Rajput community Shri Rajput Karni Sena burnt the posters of the film outside Rajmandir Cinema Hall in Jaipur in protest, reported news agency IANS. They claimed that filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali had promised to the have the movie cleared by the outfit first but has not followed up. "While shooting in Jaipur Bhansali had promised to show the film to us and historians before releasing it. But since then no one has contacted us, nor has the film been shown to us," said Narain Singh Divrala, the district president of Karni Sena, reported IANS. Padmavati also stars Aditi Rao Hydari and Jim Sarbh in key roles. The film marks Deepika and Ranveer's third collaboration with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali after Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela and Bajirao Mastani. Padmavati will release in theatres on December 1.
Newton Movie Review: Rajkummar Rao Is Perfect As The Eponymous Everyman'.
Newton movie review: Newton journeys to a terrain - physical and thematic - that Hindi cinema has seldom probed and tackles prickly issues in an impressively even-toned manner
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, Anjali Patil, Raghubir Yadav
Director: Amit V Masurkar
Rating: 4 stars out of 5 The infectious verve of a stand-up comic meets the acerbic acuity of a political satirist in Newton, Amit V Masurkar's second directorial outing. This film is a gem whose sparkle isn't superficial. Its glow emanates from the depths of its insight. Newton journeys to a terrain - physical and thematic - that Hindi cinema has seldom probed and tackles prickly issues in an impressively even-toned manner. Call the humour what you will - outright black, slyly sardonic or out-and-out confrontational - the real eureka moments of this delectably free-flowing, brilliantly written and wonderfully well-acted film spring from its seemingly more innocuous tics, which articulate the dark truths that the powers-that-be and the Mumbai movie industry's 'status quo' cinema would rather not confront. The defining image that ends the film's opening sequence is that of a life-size cutout of a political leader swaying feebly in the wind. It is as unsteady as the hollow electoral promises that the pompous, complacent neta has just made at a small rally and paid the price for. This sets the stage for what is to follow - a tale that blows the lid off the deficiencies of Indian democracy, the world's largest, where voters are treated as mere numbers. They are stepping stones to power. They catapult cynical self-servers to the role of people's representatives who, more often than not, do anything but represent the people. Later on in the film, the screenplay (Masurkar and Mayank Tiwari) touches upon yet another important aspect of the lopsided power equations that are at play in far-flung parts of the country where indigenous ways of life and languages are under constant majoritarian threat. A teacher of tribal students rues that she has to instruct her Gondi wards with the help of Hindi textbooks that they can barely read. The disregard for India's many sub-cultures and diverse linguistic traditions is obviously a direct attack on those that don't have the numbers to rise in resistance. This of course isn't the central theme of Newton, but the very fact that it has seeped into the narrative as a significant, if oblique, strand is a minor miracle. Newton sweeps nothing under the carpet, but it does not revel in muck-raking either. Its jibes at India's electoral system, bureaucracy and law and order machinery are always cloaked in gentility but are never less than trenchant and to the point. It is highly entertaining and gloriously illuminating: a rare feat that anybody that loves intelligent cinema must vote for with his/her feet. A newly recruited government officer Newton Kumar (Rajkummar Rao), who is earnest to a fault and has unwavering faith in the system, volunteers to lead a small poll team under army protection to a remote, violence-prone part of Chhattisgarh - Dandakaranya, "forest of the damned", to be precise. He steps into a breach created by the original presiding officer, who cries off at the eleventh hour citing medical reasons. We instantly know what Newton is getting into. He doesn't. He is just too focused on the job at hand to worry about the likely consequences. The booth in question, located in a Maoist-infested forest where elections haven't been held in years, is meant for only 76 tribal voters. For Newton, the paltry number is no deterrent, it is the process that matters. He is inevitably sucked into an adversarial contest with paramilitary commander Atma Singh (Pankaj Tripathi). While Newton is determined to ensure free and fair polling come what may, all that Atma Singh is keen on is getting out of the place with his men before darkness descends. Newton's team has two other members - 59-year-old government clerk and part-time Hindi writer Loknath (Raghuvir Yadav) and local schoolteacher Malko Netam (Anjali Patil). The former has seen it all and has reason to be disillusioned with the way life has panned out for him. The latter, a feisty and clear-headed tribal girl, is an object of suspicion for the man in uniform detailed to provide security to the polling officers In the course of a conversation, one character asks Malko: "Are you nirashavadi (pessimistic)?" Her reply is prompt and loaded: "I am Adivasi". Hers is the voice that reminds the audience of what is amiss in this part of the world - indiscriminate mining, exploitation of forest land, rampant insurgency, and a clunky political system that changes nothing on the ground no matter how many elections are conducted. Newton raises serious and weighty questions about the distortions that have crept into India's much-vaunted democratic processes, but it never succumbs to the temptation to embrace agitprop methods. It doesn't call for revolution; it seeks resolution. The film is always light on its feet, aided doubtless by a bunch of fine actors, and intersperses its little manic sprints with pensive pauses that open up space for introspection. Newton is Rajkummar Rao's film all the way. He is perfect as the eponymous Everyman who lets no doubt get in the way of his mission. The actor stamps his class both on the role and the tale. Newton also benefits immensely from the fabulous supporting cast led by the irrepressible Pankaj Tripathi. The brooding paterfamilias of Gurgaon and the jovial dad of Bareilly Ki Barfi transforms into a manipulative and mercurial security official with minimum apparent effort. Tripathi is a marvel. No less commendable are the contributions of the seasoned Raghuvir Yadav, who articulates the despair of a defeated man with the slightest of modulations, and the superb Anjali Patil, completely convincing as a woman whose understanding of the landscape and its people is far deeper than anyone else's. Sanjay Mishra, in a cameo as a sceptical election trainer who serves as the protagonist's sounding board, is utterly delightful. His fleeting appearance leaves as indelible an impact as the film does as a whole. Newton is, in one word, unmissable. It is only rarely that wit and wisdom come together in a Hindi film as felicitously as it does here.
Deepika Padukone's Padmavati Unibrow Stops Twitter In Its Tracks'.
Deepika Padukone's unibrow... umm... we mean Deepika's Padmavati unibrow is what the Internet woke up to on Thursday and was left startled. Team Padmavati dropped the first posters of the movie on Thursday morning, featuring Deepika Padukone in an utmost regal attire and that talked about unibrow. Twitter in particular can't figure out what to say, actually. "I don't know how I feel about Deepika Padukone's unibrow in Padmavati though," read a tweet while another one found it hard to believe that Deepika actually sports a unibrow: "Is it just me or Deepika Padukone does seem to have a unibrow in the first look of Padmavati?" Deepika plays the titular Rani Padmavati in the Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed period piece and a section of Twitter has taken up the responsibility to explain Deepika's brow-connection. Wonderfully put, here it goes: "Deepika rocking the unibrow, coz queens got no time to tweez their brows!" However, not all are happy to see their favourite actress in the new look. Some netizens even evaluated Deepika's look in accordance with cliched beauty standards. "Why is she having a unibrow? This picture is depressing," it said Majority of Twitter quickly shrugged off the tweets trolling the actress and moved on to better thoughts. Like how Kajol must be having a deja vu right now. One Twitter user made a hilarious reference to Kajol, who is known to have sported a unibrow for over two decades of Bollywood Padmavati is arriving in theatres on December 1.
Mumbai Rains: Amitabh Bachchan Tweets, 'Gods Be Angry Again'.
Mumbai has been battling torrential rain since Tuesday coupled with thunderstorm and lightning. The heavy rain has triggered traffic jams and waterlogging in many areas and the downpour is expected to continue for the next 24 hours as predicted by the weather department. Superstar Amitabh Bachchan shared his concern on social media and asked the people of Mumbai to stay indoors. The 74-year-old actor posted a picture of himself on Twitter in which he is seen bowing down to Lord Ganesha. "The God's they be angry again .. ! They thunder and lightning loud and now it pours here in Mumbai .. be safe remain in the house," tweeted Mr Bachchan Filmmaker Shirish Kunder, husband of director- choreographer Farah Khan, seems to be facing a major conflict at home due to the heavy rain in Mumbai. "Wife praying for rain to stop, so she can travel. Kids praying for rain to go on, so no school tomorrow.#MumbaiRains," he tweeted. Actor Riteish Deshmukh noticed Shirish's tweet and asked, "What are you praying for?," to which he responded, "Silently observing whose God is more efficient." Heavy rains in Mumbai disturbed the city's normal life last month as well and it was considered to be the worst the city witnessed since 2005. Bollywood celebrities like Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt, Abhishek Bachchan, R Madhavan and Mahesh Bhatt shared their concern on Twitter and requested people to stay indoors. On the work front, Amitabh Bachchan is currently hosting the ninth season of Kaun Banega Crorepati. He will next be seen in Umesh Shukla's 102 Not Out along with Rishi Kapoor. Mr Bachchan's other upcoming films are - R Balki's Padman and Vijay Krishna Acharya's Thugs Of Hindostan, co-starring Aamir Khan.
Ileana D'Cruz On Her Struggle With Depression And Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
Actress Ileana D'Cruz opened up about battling depression and body dysmorphic disorder at the start of her career in a latest advertisement of a denim brand. She shared a snippet of the ad on Instagram and captioned it: "Unapologetic. Unfiltered. Imperfect. This is me. Flaws and all." The 29-year-old actress, who was last seen in Bollywood film Baadshaho, said that for the longest time she never knew she had a body image issues and when she started her career in films, 'it just made it a little bit worse.' In the advert, Ileana said: "There was a period, approximately three years ago, I'd go from happy to be completely depressed and not knowing what it was. The most comforting thought was, 'What if I just to end things now.' And I thankfully released that this is not right I was shy, self-conscious person once I hit my teens. I was constantly hit on for my body type. The obsession started when I was 15. My entire life goal was to be accepted by everyone. I think that's what I wanted the most. I never got it," said Ileana. Ileana says that acceptance is the first step to overcome depression. "I never expected to be someone who'd be dealing with anxiety, dealing with depression. I've got every possible thing I could want. And I wondered, 'Why am I so depressed?' I still don't know sometimes. Then they told me you have depression, you have anxiety, you are going through body dysmorphic disorder. There was an acceptance which almost came immediately and that I think is one of the biggest steps that you can take towards change. You can't move forward otherwise." "You're human, you're not meant to be perfect. You're meant to be flawed. I'm just going to keep pushing and try and be the best of version that I can be of me," she added. Apart from Bollywood, Ileana D'Cruz is quite famouls in Telugu cinema courtesy films such as Devadasu, Kick and Jalsa. In 2015, actress Deepika Padukone featured in headlines when she talked about her phase of dealing with depression, which started while she was filming Happy New Year. Later, she opened The Live Love Laugh Foundation to help those who need help in battling mental illnesses. Filmmaker Karan Johar also talked about dealing with depression in his autobiography An Unsuitable Boy.
Emmys 2017: That's Priyanka Chopra, Not Chopa. Twitter Schools Announcer.
Homegirl Priyanka Chopra, dressed in glittering Balmain white, acquitted herself with honours while co-presenting an Emmy with Blackish actor Anthony Anderson (to John Oliver for Outstanding Variety Talk Series). Not so much the Emmys announcer who appeared to flub the 'Chopra' while introducing Priyanka - missing out the R and making it 'Chopa.' Umm, oops? John Travolta's mangling of Idina Menzel's name at the Oscars comes to mind. While 'Priyanka Chopa' was not quite as extreme as 'Adele Dazeem,' Twitter is not pleased. Twitter is mightily outraged on behalf of the actress. Twitter is schooling the Emmys online. Here's a clip of Priyanka Chopra and Anthony Anderson presenting at the Emmys - honesty compels us to admit that we can't really tell if the announcer mispronounced Chopra but we've gotta say Priyanka and Anthony killed it with a quip about going to bed separately. Priyanka's appearance at the Emmys is being seen as a win for diversity, specifically for representation of Asian actors: Aziz Ansari won an award for Master Of None, so yay. This is the second year in a row that Priyanka Chopra has been to the Emmys, courtesy her starring role on the ABC drama Quantico. Last year, dressed in red, she presented an award with, wait for it, Tom Hiddleston. The big winners at the Emmys this year were Big Little Lies (actors Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern and Alexander Skarsgard all won awards) and Saturday Night Live. Alec Baldwin won an Emmy for playing Donald Trump on SNL and dedicated his award to 'Mr President.' An evening of very political speeches was briefly interrupted by the surprise cameo of Sean Spicer, former White House press secretary, who came out during host Stephen Colbert's opening monologue and poked fun at his own statement about the size of the crowd at Donald Trump's inauguration.
Simran Movie Review: Kangana Ranaut Is Fine But The Film Doesn't Hold Up.
Kangana Ranaut's solid performance keeps the film watchable, but Simran is ultimately an exhausting film. Robbing a bank is traditionally a man's job. According to the FBI, the few women caught in bank robberies are mostly accomplices or driving the getaway car. Of course, the phrase "traditionally a man's job" is anathema to Kangana Ranaut and the defiant characters she plays, which is why Simran - a story based on a real-life female bank robber - sounds tailored for the actress. At one point in the film during a quick Pretty Woman tribute, Ranaut, like Julia Roberts in the 90s film, covets dresses she can't afford but, unlike Roberts, she's the one who singlehandedly raises the money, goes back and shocks the sneering shopgirl. It is a smart and telling alteration. Kangana may well be a pretty woman, but she is also her own Richard Gere. This can be both amazing and alarming. It is super to watch a self-assured performer vault over any challenge a script throws, but never ideal to see a script contort in order to give the actress room to show off everything she can do - including things that don't necessarily suit the film. Hansal Mehta's Simran works best when breezing along with a light touch, when Ranaut effervescently befriends bartenders and cheerily refuses to take no for an answer. Unfortunately the film, doubling up as a showreel for the actress, pretends also to be a drama, a thriller, even a sweet romance. None of these other gears work well enough, and the eventual result is tedious. Simran opens well, with Ranaut's character Praful Patel cleaning a hotel room. Part of the Hilton housekeeping staff, she picks up an upturned Milan Kundera book, dusts beneath it, and replaces it carefully as it was, before she makes a bed and scrubs a sink, thorough as can be. This is a laser-focussed Gujarati girl who wants to buy her own house, even though the "Indian temple" in the neighbourhood holds no attraction (it's a Gurudwara), and neither does the nearby kebab shop (she's vegetarian). She wants it because it's a minority housing bargain, and the divorcee can't wait to move out of her parents' house and do her own thing. One evening, Praful Patel meets the game James Bond plays. Everything changes once she wins her first hand of baccarat, and soon she's looking up YouTube videos on how to hold up banks and spook cashiers. This is the meat of the film, yet the robberies soon feel repetitive. In a film that seems otherwise realistic and grounded, they come across as unreal and convenient. All her robberies are performed in the same outfit using the same technique - handing a bank teller a note scrawled in lipstick - and while news channels are constantly showing footage of her thefts, people in banks seem blissfully unaware of her modus operandi and fall for it over and over again. Most banks, it seems, don't even have security guards. Just cashiers, one of whom Patel even blows a kiss to as she escapes. Besides Praful, every character in the film is one note, from the rigid father to the helpless mother to the scary moneylender to the sincere suitor. These actors seem particularly stagey and theatrical in contrast with Ranaut, who shines with a spontaneous and often irresistible performance. Sure, her character's English improves and worsens inconsistently, but Ranaut makes it work, especially in brilliant moments like when, about to confess to her crimes, she compares the feeling to that of losing control of her bowels. This may feel like a familiar Kangana performance with a Gujarati accent thrown on, but there's something special about the way she makes the character appear constantly amused by herself. Ranaut and a few clever lines keep the film watchable, until the third act where the script sadistically starts piling misfortune on the character to ratchet up the dramatic tension. This is a bad move, leading to a prolonged climactic chase sequence featuring a leading lady who - we were told near the start of the film - is a poor driver. The last half hour has cringeworthy pacing and feels more mean-spirited than the rest of the film for no good reason. Perhaps we are only allowed one spectacular bank robbery film set in the city of Atlanta in one year. Based on the fascinating story of young nurse and compulsive robber/gambler Sandeep Kaur, this is a film that - judging from the warm, funny bits - would have benefited from an overall jauntiness, in the vein of Catch Me If You Can. Instead we have a film that wants to tell jokes, make us cry and make us gasp, and - with no real flow between the tonally different sequences, save for jarring songs every now and then - only the jokes ever work. (And not all of them. There is a terribly cheesy moment, for example, where we learn why the film is called Simran.) The finest scenes in Simran are the ones where Ranaut is playfully bantering with a Las Vegas bartender. There's true charm and crackle to these moments where he takes a shine to her. She asks him for free fries and, undeterred by their absence, demands and settles for free peanuts instead. I was reminded of a old buddy from school who, when offered cheap beer, used to say, "Free mein toh hum phenyl bhi pee lete hain" - "for free I'd even drink phenyl" - a sentiment Praful Patel would likely applaud. That happens also to be the least disappointing way to consume this film: go watch a good performance and get the rest of the film for free.
Priyanka Chopra Made People Very Angry By Calling Sikkim 'Insurgency Troubled'.
"Shame on you, Priyanka Chopra," the actress was told after she referred to Sikkim as a state "troubled with insurgency" in an interview to ET Canada, at the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival. Priyanka was speaking in connection with her new Sikkimese production - Pahuna - which premiered at the prestigious film fest last week. Twitter is furious and condemned Priyanka as "stupid" and "pea-brained" for her choice of words. Twitter is in no mood to pardon Priyanka and is also separately angered with the actress who tagged Pahuna as the first film from Sikkim. "Priyanka Chopra, you called Sikkim an insurgency affected state. Idiot. God doesn't give everything to everybody. Find better uses for your loud mouth," she was told. "Get your facts right before speaking out. Sikkim is one of the most beautiful states of our country," added another netizen on Twitter. Others invoked Bollywood and movie stars in general for the lack of sound political knowledge. "Infact it is foolish to create controversy on Priyanka Chopra's statement over #Sikkim as celebs like her are 'politically illiterate'," read a tweet while: "If you have no idea about Sikkim, don't speak about it then. "Big star"," said another. Priyanka was also slammed for appeared to have not been thorough with her research: "Priyanka Chopra says Sikkim is a troubled state in interview to US media. Pea-sized brain, zero homework. Is this how you make money?" a tweet said. A section of Twitter quickly resorted to Google to hand over a list of movies released from Sikkim - Kaatha And Myth and Letter By Samten Bhutia - are a few, highlighted Twitter. The first film to come out of Sikkim," is what the excerpt of Pahuna read on the official handle of the film fest on Twitter This is what Priyanka actually said in her interview to ET Canada: "This is a Sikkimese film. It is a small state in the North East of India, who never had a film industry or anyone who made films from there. And this is the first film ever that's come out of that region because it's very troubled with insurgency and troubling situations..." Priyanka's comments arrive amidst the Darjeeling shut down, which was initiated to demand a separate state. Apart from Darjeeling, other parts of North Bengal, which are close to Sikkim, are also witnesses of regional territorial issues. Pahuna, directed by Paakhi A Tyrewala, was applauded with standing ovation at TIFF. Apart from the director and Priyanka, the premiere was also attended by the actress' mother Madhu Chopra, who is the co-owner of Priyanka's production house Purple Pebble Pictures Priyanka Chopra is currently looking forward to two more Hollywood movies - Isn't It Romantic? and A Kid Like Jake and will also reprise her role in the third season of Quantico. Priyanka Chopra will not sign up for a Bollywood project this year - as told by her mother last month
Twinkle Khanna, Akshay Kumar Kept Awake By Mumbai Rain. So Khiladi Suggested This..
Twinkle Khanna aka Mrs Funnybones has time and again left us all in splits with her amazing sense of humour. The actress-turned-author has now shared a joke on Twitter which sums up her last night's experience. Twinkle Khanna and her husband, actor Akshay Kumar were awakened in the middle of the night due to powerful thunderstorm and rains in Mumbai. To make most of the time, the fitness enthusiast actor suggested an idea which seems to have frightened Twinkle a little. "Awake because of the thunderstorms and Mr K asks, 'Want to exercise? We can run up and down the building stairs!' #Yikes #MumbaiRains," she tweeted. Last month, Mumbai experienced heavy rains that disturbed the city's normal life and it was considered as the worst the city witnessed since 2005. Bollywood celebrities like Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt and Abhishek Bachchan shared their concern on Twitter and asked people to stay safe and stay indoors. Twinkle Khanna and Akshay Kumar recently returned to Mumbai after their short vacation in the Swiss Alps where the family celebrated the Khiladi actor's 50th birthday (September 9). Twinkle Khanna had posted a picture on her Instagram account, in which she was seen trying her hands at paragliding. "Flying off the handle comes easy - now let's see how I handle just the flying off bit Twinkle Khanna got married to actor Akshay Kumar in 2009 and the couple have two children - Aarav and Nitara. Twinkle Khanna is the daughter of actors Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia. She is a former actress, who is best known for her role in films like Baadshah, Joru Ka Ghulam, Itihaas, Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai and Mela. In 2001, Twinkle Khanna quit acting and she is now an author of two bestsellers - Mrs FunnyBones and The Legend Of Lakshmi Prasad. Twinkle Khanna is also a columnist, interior designer and producer. She has co-produced films like Patiala House and Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty, which feature Akshay Kumar in the lead role. Twinkle Khanna is now producing Padman, her first film under her own production banner Mrs FunnyBones Movies. The film is being directed by R Balki and features Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor and Radhika Apte in lead roles.
Parineeti Chopra Trolled For Pic With Koala Is Everything That's Wrong With Social Media
Parineeti Chopra, who is currently touring Australia by invitation of their PR, shared several pictures from her visit to the Island Country. One of her recent posts from Brisbane, in which she cuddles a koala, was trolled on the Internet for all the bizarre reasons. The 28-year-old actress was skinny-shamed (apparently her face looked thin but also 'resembled' the chubby and cute marsupial) while several Instagram users only noticed where the koala's paw was placed. Parineeti was least perturbed with the koala's paw and posted a lovely pout selfie, which she captioned: "This little furball is just what I needed to kickstart my holiday in Brisbane, never miss a Koala cuddle." But haters gonna hate and trollers gonna troll. One user wrote: "Ma'am pahle aap jyada khoobsurat thi" and another added: "Aap ki face bhi isi ke jaisa deikh raha hai... dieting band kar di jiye. Some Instagram users also posted comments like: "Very luck koala, at least he is touching your bust." Parineeti Chopra is not new to the concept of body-shaming and has often talked about her struggle with body-image issues. Last year in May she opened up about her weight loss journey in an Instagram post where she wrote: "I was constantly made fun of, but the person I was, I generously laughed with them. Today, many people ask me what triggered the weight loss, did I give in to the "Bollywood pressure"? To that I say - thank god I became an actor and had that pressure!" Parineeti starred in back-to-back flops in 2014 and took a sabbatical for a year during which she refashioned herself through her Built That Way campaign. "I feel more confident, I feel at peace, and I feel proud! Girls and women meet me all around the world, at airports, events, on the street; they hold my hand, hug me, and tell me their struggles and how I changed their lives," she had written in the Instagram post. Parineeti Chopra returned to the big screen in a special song for Dishoom (2016) and in 2017 she featured in Meri Pyaari Bindu opposite Ayushmann Khurrana. Her next release of the year is the Rohit Shetty-directed Golmaal Again. Parineeti has also signed up Sandeep
Kangana Ranaut Dated My Husband, Never Treated Her Like A Daughter: Zarina Wahab
Zarina Wahab has responded to Kangana Ranaut's claim that her romance with Ms Wahab's husband Aditya Pancholi was in fact abuse and that she had asked the older actress for help A new front has opened up in Kangana Ranaut vs the world - Zarina Wahab has responded to Kangana's claim that her romance with Ms Wahab's husband Aditya Pancholi was in fact abuse and that she had asked the older actress for help. Kangana's many explosive comments made to separate television channels in New Delhi some weeks ago set off a chain reaction of minor shockwaves in the film fraternity. Apart from demanding an apology from actor (and purported former paramour) Hrithik Roshan and his father Rakesh Roshan, Kangana also said that she had been a minor during her alleged four-year relationship with Aditya Pancholi several years ago, that she had been a year younger than his daughter Sana and that she had approached Zarina Wahab asking for help because she couldn't tell her parents. Speaking to Pinkvilla, Zarina Wahab expressed incredulity, especially about claims that she had treated Kangana as her daughter. "This is completely untrue! When I knew she was dating my husband how can I say she's like my daughter? That is ridiculous. She was dating my husband (Aditya) for four-and-a-half-years so how can I say that she's like my daughter?" Ms Wahab told Pinkvilla. Ms Wahab also denied outright that Kangana asked her for help. "I met Kangana a few times because my husband wanted me to take her to meet Sanjay Leela Bhansali so I took her there," Zarina Wahab told Pinkvilla adding that "there was no question" of Kangana appealing to her. Ms Wahab also said asked why Kangana dated Aditya Pancholi for over four years if she thought of him as a 'bad person' and dismissed the allegations as Kangana raking up '14-15-year-old stuff' in order to promote her new film Simran. It's not the first time Kangana has been accused of using her romantic history to generate publicity for Simran - singer Sona Mohapatra wrote her an open letter calling her various headline-making remarks 'PR in bad taste.' Kangana Ranaut's sister Rangoli Chandel launched an attack on Zarina Wahab after the interview was carried on Pinkvilla. Her tweets: Kangana Ranaut dated Aditya Pancholi during her earliest years in Bollywood - she debuted in 2006 film Gangster and, in her decade on screen, won three National Awards for Fashion, Queen and Tanu Weds Manu Returns. Simran, directed by Hansal Mehta, has been mired in controversy for a while now with writer Apurva Asrani alleging that Kangana Ranaut had been given writing credits over him unfairly. Simran comes up this Friday.
Poster Boys Movie Review: Sunny And Bobby Deol Have A Rustic Charm
NEW DELHI:MMNN:9 September 2017
Poster Boys Movie Review: It Is the base writing credited to Bunty Rathore and Paritosh Painter that keeps the momentum of the narrative well-greased. With puns, film referenced dialogues, fast-paced dumb repartee and farcical situations the film is a hilarious ride Actor-director Shreyas Talpade's Poster Boys is a screw-ball comedy about three men who find themselves socially ostracised after they feature in a poster promoting a public service campaign on suture-less-vasectomy. Adapted from the 2014 released Marathi film Poshter Boyz, directed by writer-director Sameer Patil, this film is now set in a fictitious village called Jangheti somewhere in North India. Initially on a mysterious note, the plot unravels the lives of the three men -- Jagaavar Chaudhary (Sunny Deol), Vinay Sharma (Bobby Deol) and Arjun Singh (Shreyas Talpade) in a parallel narrative. The selfie obsessed Jagaavar Chaudhary is an ex-army man, now a farmer. He is all set for his sister's engagement, when all of a sudden the ceremony is called off. Similarly, Recovery Agent Arjun Singh finds himself at tethers-end when his marriage proposal to his girlfriend Riya is called off and school teacher Vinay Sharma finds himself at loose ends when his 'son-fixated' wife Surajmukhi gives him an ultimatum for a divorce. No obvious reason is spelt out in each case, except that the cause of the mishaps is assigned to the trio's misdeeds. It is only after they chance upon the objectionable poster that their paths unite. The film is their journey, from being humiliated to inadvertently becoming ambassadors of the campaign. While the premise is wafer-thin, the frothy plot after a few minutes becomes tedious. But it is the base writing credited to Bunty Rathore and Paritosh Painter that keeps the momentum of the narrative well-greased. With puns, film referenced dialogues, fast-paced dumb repartee and farcical situations the film is a hilarious ride. The various social messages are astutely integrated, in a light-hearted manner, into the script, thus making the bitter pills more palatable. The performances of the entire cast are loud and over the top. Sunny and Bobby Deol have a rustic charm and they sink their teeth into their characters with natural ease. Bobby Deol's extra mile of histrionics to portray his quirky character seems a bit forced at times. Shreyas Talpade as the flamboyant Vinay Sharma seems more of a side-kick than a protagonist. He does stand-out more for his costume than his performance. The female leads; Sonali Kulkarni as Jagawaar's wife Sunita, Samiksha Bhatnagar as Vinay's wife Surajmukhi and Tripti Sharma as Arjun Singh's love interest Riya match their male counterparts with equal gusto. Bharati Achrekar as the fiery blind "Amma" is wasted in a cameo. Technically, sound and made with moderate production values the film offers a convincing appeal. The background score by composer Amar Mohile and the songs choreographed by Ganesh Acharya add life to the jamboree
Daddy Trailer: Arjun Rampal As Gangster-Turned-Politician Arun Gawli Will Leave You Intrigued
The trailer of Arjun Rampal's upcoming movie Daddy was unveiled by the makers of the film on Tuesday. The two-and-a-half minute trailer, which recreates the 1970s Mumbai, is sure to leave you enthralled as it gives a sneak peek into the journey of gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli, to be played by Arjun Rampal. In the trailer, Arjun Rampal is seen in the signature Maharashtrian attire with perfect Marathi accent. Daddy has been directed by Ashim Ahluwalia and produced by Arjun Rampal and Rutvij Patel. The film, which also stars also stars Farhan Akhtar and Aishwarya Rajesh in pivotal roles, will be Arjun Rampal's first biopic. On Monday, Arjun Rampal had unveiled the first poster of Daddy. "Ambition.Power.Mystery! Experience a sneak peek into the life of Daddy," wrote the Aankhen actor. Daddy is scheduled to release in theatres on July 21. Arjun Rampal made his acting debut with Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat (2001). He got his breakthrough in Bollywood with Don (2006), starring Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra. Arjun Rampal has also featured in films like Aankhen (2002), Om Shanti Om (2007), Rock On!! (2008), Housefull (2010) and Ra.One (2011), in which his performance was highly appreciated by the film critics and the audience. Arjun Rampal has won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor and the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in 2008 movie Rock On!!, directed by Abhishek Kapoor. Arjun Rampal was last seen in 2016 movie Kahaani 2: Durga Rani Singh, co-starring Vidya Balan.
Kareena Kapoor Khan On Nepotism And What Makes Kangana Ranaut 'A Great Actress'
Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan is the latest celebrity to speak on the nepotism debate, which was triggered after Kangana Ranaut branded filmmaker Karan Johar as the 'flag bearer of nepotism' on his popular chat show Koffee With Karan. In an interview with Filmfare, the 36-year-old actress said that nepotism exists in every possible field but in the film industry it 'makes for a nice read.'' "A lot of things seem out of context. Doesn't nepotism exist in every possible field? But nobody addresses that. In business families, the son takes over the business. A politician's son takes over his place. These are not considered nepotism but in the industry it makes for a nice read," Kareena told Filmfare. The Kurbaan actress added that film industry is a 'ruthless place' and it's that talent that matters. "Not many star-kids have achieved what their parents have. So I don't understand why people are going on about it. Basically, the industry is a ruthless place. It's about talent and survival of the fittest. Otherwise, a lot of star kids would've been No.1 stars in our country," Filmfare quoted Kareena as saying. Kareena Kapoor also said that nepotism is 'overrated.' "If there's Ranbir Kapoor, there's also Ranveer Singh who's not from the industry. So honestly, nepotism is overrated. More than in business, more than in politics, in the industry, it's your hard work and talent that will take you far. That's exactly the reason why Kangana Ranaut is considered such a great actress. And she's not from the industry. If there's Alia Bhatt, there's also Kangana. It's not only about star kids," Filmfare quoted Kareena as saying. Kareena is the daughter of actors Randhir Kapoor and Babita Kapoor. Her elder sibling is Karisma Kapoor. At the IIFA Awards that was held in New York in July, the nepotism debate was renewed after Karan Johar, actor Saif Ali Khan and Varun Dhawna took a jibe at Kangana Ranaut in her absence. The trio declared that they succeeded in the industry because of their parents and chanted 'nepotism rocks' in unison. Karan Johar, Saif Ali Khan and Varun Dhawan apologized for their comment after they were criticized for mocking the Queen actress. Varun posted an apologetic tweet, KJo expressed his regret in an interview with NDTV.com and Saif Ali Khan wrote an open letter on the issue in which he spoke about 'genetics', 'eugenics' and 'campism.' His Rangoon co-star Kangana found the letter to be 'disturbing.' On the work front, Kareena Kapoor Khan is all set to make a comeback to the big screen. She is currently shooting for Shashanka Ghosh's Veere Di Wedding in Delhi, co-starring Sonam Kapoor and Swara Bhaskar.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2017: Ranbir And The Kapoors Spotted During Ganpati Visarjan
On the last day of Ganesh Chaturthi, Ranbir Kapoor joined his dad Rishi Kapoor, uncles Randhir and Rajeev Kapoor for Ganpati visarjan procession. The Kapoors were spotted at RK studios in Mumbai's Chembur. Every year, the family celebrates the festival will full fervour and brings a Ganesh idol to their office. Ranbir totally rocked the Indian look. He was dressed in a blue kurta and white pyjama and tied a red bandana on his forehead. Ganesh Chaturthi, the 10-day long festival, began on August 25 and concludes on September 5. Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor and Rajeev Kapoor are the sons of legendary actor, filmmaker Raj Kapoor. Ranbir Kapoor, son of Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor, is an also an actor. He has an elder sister Riddhima, who is a jewellery designer. Actresses Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan, daughter of Randhir Kapoor and Babita, are his cousins Ranbir Kapoor, 32, last seen in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, is now filming Dragon, co-starring Alia Bhatt and Amitabh Bachchan. However, his next release is a biopic on Sanjay Dutt, currently in the filming stage. He plays the titular in the Rajkumar Hirani-directed film, which also stars Sonam Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and Dia Mirza. Meanwhile, on Monday, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan visited Mumbai's famous pandal Lalbaugcha Raja to seek Bappa's blessings. She was dressed in a red Sabyasachi sari and looked extremely beautiful. Actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Sanjay Dutt, Vivek Oberoi also welcomed Lord Ganpati home while Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, Priyanka Chopra and other celebs visited Lalbaugcha Raja
Priyanka Chopra's 2017: Not Gustakhiyan Or Any Other Hindi Film This Year, Says Mom'
Priyanka Chopra may not star in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gustakhiyan, a biopic on Amrita Pritam, if it's made this year because the 35-year-old actress is quite busy. Priyanka's mother Madhu Chopra told news agency PTI that she hasn't 'seen any paper work or documents,' which can confirm that Priyanka has signed Mr Bhansali's film as of now. She added that Priyanka doesn't have time to star in a Bollywood film this year. "I have not seen any paper work or documents so I can't say anything (of Priyanka working with Mr Bhansali). Priyanka has no time this year to do a Hindi film. If he is making it this year then Priyanka is definitely not doing it." Priyanka is the star of American television show Quantico, which is gearing up for season 3. After making her Hollywood debut in Baywatch, Priyanka has filmed two more Hollywood movies - A Kid Like Jake and Isn't It Romantic?. Priyanka is also producing an American television series based on the life of actress Madhuri Dixit. Therefore, yes, Priyanka Chopra has quite a lot on her plate. Recently, when Priyanka returned to Mumbai, it was reported that the actress was here to finalise the lead actor of Gustakhiyan with Mr Bhansali. However, Madhu Chopra said: "Priyanka and Mr Bhansali are good friends they share a special relationship. They both meet whenever she is here." Of Gustakhiyan, Madhu Chopra told PTI: "It is really nice, I have read the script and it is beautiful and I think he is the right person to make it." Sanjay Leela Bhansali has directed Priyanka in 2015 film Bajirao Mastani and in the song Ram Chahe Leela in 2013's Ram Leela. Mr Bhansali has also produced Priyanka's National Award-winning film Mary Kom. As of now, he is busy filming Padmavati with Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor. The film is expected to release in November this year.
Kangana Ranaut Vs Hrithik Roshan: His Ex Sussanne Khan Posted This. A Response To Kangana?'
Actor Hrithik Roshan's ex-wife Sussanne Khan has posted a picture on Instagram that is being seen by social media as a response to Kangana Ranaut's explosive comments last week. Kangana spoke to several media outlets while promoting her new film Simran in New Delhi and said, among other things, that she would like an apology from Hrithik, whom she claims to have dated - he disputes the alleged romance. Sussanne Khan, who divorced Hrithik Roshan in 2014, has now posted a picture of herself with her ex-husband. The caption accompanying this picture reads: "There is no allegation or a sad evil plot that can have the weight to triumph over a good soul." Sussanne added hashtags like #poweroftruth and #pureheart. Sussane's post has been liked by celebrities such as Twinkle Khanna, Priyanka Chopra, Varun Dhawan and Ekta Kapoor. However, many non-celeb users have criticized her and taken Kangana's side. Comments read: "Then why did you divorce him?" "I'm glad you said this. I support Kangana who at least has guts to confront this topic unlike this loser," "Our doubts are clear now. Kangana was right. This father-son duo can do anything." There were also some who want to see Hrithik and Sussanne together again. "You make the best couple. Clear the misunderstanding. Get back together and I will start believing in love again," read a comment. Hrithik Roshan, 43, and Sussanne Khan, 38, married in 2000 and divorced in 2014. They are parents to sons - Hrehaan and Hridhaan - and are still good friends.
Kangana Ranaut Vs Hrithik Roshan
The Kangana-Hrithik feud blew up at the beginning of last year after he sent her a legal notice demanding an apology for appearing to refer to him as a 'silly ex' in an interview. She responded with a legal notice of her own and the actors spent the rest of the year exchanging recriminations. Hrithik also went to the police claiming that an imposter had been corresponding with Kangana pretending to be him - she argued that there was no imposter and it had been Hrithik mailing her all along. The actors co-starred in the films Kites and Krrish 3. Speaking to India TV and News 18 last week, Kangana Ranaut said Hrithik and his father Rakesh Roshan had made fools of themselves, that she wanted them to apologise, that Hrithik avoids her and that she is still waiting for him to 'expose' the romance she claims as a lie.
Shah Rukh Khan guides kids Suhana and AbRam through Ganpati Visarjan'
Shah Rukh Khan was spotted celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai with his children, Suhana and AbRam. A fan club tweeted pictures and video of the star, who was seen carrying a Ganesh idol, surrounded by fans and staff In one of the pictures, he picked up his youngest child, AbRam, and carried him on his shoulders. Shah Rukh even showed AbRam how to do a namaste for the large crowd. Suhana, who is becoming more visible publicly, with rumours of her Bollywood debut reaching fever pitch, was also present, wearing ethnic clothes. Shah Rukh wasnt the only star who was seen celebrating the festival this year. Riteish Deskhmukh and Richa Chadha made special, eco-friendly idols for the occasion. On August 26, photos of stars such as Vidya Balan, Sanjay Dutt, Hrithik Roshan, Govinda, and Jackie Shroff were all over the internet.
Baadshaho Movie Review: Ajay Devgn's Thriller Devoid Of Highs Despite A Passable Emraan Hashmi'
Director Milan Luthria's fourth collaboration with star Ajay Devgn, Baadshaho, is anything but the emperor of all it surveys. It's more a like a king without a kingdom. The heist thriller is devoid of the sort of highs that could be talked about. Rajat Aroraa's screenplay yields no end of high-voltage action sequences, fist fights, shootouts and explosions staged to the accompaniment of ear-splitting background music. But it lacks the meat to lend the onscreen derring-do real muscle and hold all the flab in place. What's worse is that at the end of the sound and fury that the film generates, Baadshaho has no climax worth the name. It ends. Just like that. Seriously. We rarely, if ever, see a Bollywood action flick fizzle out so tamely. It's either a radical departure from norm or plain daft: make what you will of it. For this critic, it's the latter. The fictional tale is set in a real historical context contrary to what a mandatory upfront disclaimer claims. "Emergency hai, aadha desh jail mein hai," one desert rat claims with gleeful exaggeration in order to create the simulated setting for the witless, plotless yarn that unfolds amid the sand dunes and whips up a whole lot of dust to no real avail. The story is wildly fanciful but very basic: a young Rajput queen Gitanjali Devi (Ileana D'Cruz) has her ancestral gold hoard impounded from her palace by the government. The year is 1975 and we hear the voice of Indira Gandhi declaring Emergency while exhorting her countrymen not to panic. The maharani has earned the wrath of a rapacious Sanjay Gandhi lookalike (who answers to the name of Sanjeev and wields tremendous power even over the Indian army). Not one to go down without a fight, the slighted queen, serving time in jail, orders her brooding personal security in-charge Bhawani Singh (Ajay Devgn) to grab the lost booty back for her. The loyal Bhawani, who is the queen's retainer and secret lover, cobbles together a band of four desperadoes, including the maharani's trusted aide Sanjana (Esha Gupta), for the mission to waylay the high-value consignment when it is transported in an armored truck from Rajasthan to Delhi, an eight-hour trip by road. "Woh army hai, hum haraami hai," he declares, playing down the risk involved, to allay the fears of both the ageing cat burglar Tikla (Sanjay Mishra) and the happy-go-lucky gun-for-hire Dalia (Emraan Hashmi) that he ropes in. The bunch of badasses takes several detours as the gold is targeted and trailed, but there is little at the end of this flashy but vacuous exercise that glitters and glows. A no-nonsense army officer, Major Seher Singh (Vidyut Jammwal), surfaces and becomes a massive obstacle in the way of queen's assault team. It transpires that Bhawani isn't the only pawn on Maharani Gitanjali's chessboard. A big pre-interval reveal changes the rules of engagement and blurs the line separating the hunter from the hunted. It's a recipe for disaster. From here on, and that's pretty much all of the second half, all semblance of sense and logic is jettisoned. Cheesy lines - "jab baat zubaan ki ho toh jaan ki keemat kam ho jaati hai" or "main batua nahi churata dil churata hoon" - fly as thick and fast as the bullets. Baadshaho is the sort of film that banks solely on style. The story is strictly bare-bones, a glaring fact that is sought to be disguised through the means of gratuitous chase scenes and meaningless banter. How much can menacing, gun-crazy men, scheming, seductive women - the film throws in an item number featuring Sunny Leone for good measure - and doses of dark humour achieve when all that the characters have to play with is empty bluster? Baadshaho does have a couple of passable performances - one from Sanjay Mishra, whose comic timing as the alcoholic and wisecracking Tikla is phenomenal; the other comes from Hashmi as a loveable, fatalistic rogue. Kohl-lined eyes, a tattoo of a gun on one arm and witticisms such as "I am a camel, leave me where you want, I will find my way back home" define the character he plays. He pulls it off to the extent the script allows him to. Parts of this vapid actioner are made somewhat tolerable by the two actors who articulate just enough scepticism to mirror exactly what the audience feels about the goings-on on the screen. Sharad Kelkar, in the guise of a policeman, uses his booming voice to great effect. He is heard loud and clear above the din. But no matter how much he roars he remains a bit player. Sadly, there are too many others in the cast who are swept away by this sandstorm of a movie. The two actresses get the shortest shrift, if not in terms of footage, certainly with regard to what the plot permits them to be. They are pretty mannequins and just as lifeless. Ajay Devgn, whose entry scene takes one's breath away with its utterly nonsensical excess, merely goes through the motions It's been said earlier in this review: there is no dearth of surface sheen in Badshaho. But a peep behind the glossy curtain reveals an overcooked but terribly bland curry western that deserves instant banishment to the wilderness that it has emerged from. One is sure that there will be takers for this piece of cinematic tripe, but the audience deserves better. There can be no two ways about that.
Ranbir, Rishi, Neetu, Riddhima At Kapoor-Only Dinner'
NEW DELHI:MMNN:31 Aug 2017
Actor Ranbir Kapoor was photographed outside a restaurant in Mumbai along with his parents Rishi Kapoor, Neetu, sister Riddhima Kapoor Sahni and his adorable five-year-old niece Samara on Wednesday night. The 34-year-old actor was seen dressed in a grey t-shirt paired with ripped jeans and a denim jacket. The Kapoor khandaan happily posed for the cameras post dinner. As the family got ready to pose, the Barfi actor was seen trying to cover Samara's face playfully to annoy her. With her expression, we guess he succeeded. Rishi Kapoor was seen dressed in an all-black outfit while Neetu wore a white and blue striped t-shirt paired with white pants. Riddhima looked beautiful in a white sleeveless top paired with denims. It is indeed wonderful to see the entire Kapoor family posing together considering their busy schedule. On Wednesday, Neetu Kapoor shared a photograph of her granddaughter Samara on Instagram in which she is seen bidding adieu to Ganpati with her hands folded. The idol of Lord Ganesha was immersed in a pot of water in what appears to be the garden area of the house. Neetu captioned the image as, Sam's farewell Pranam to ganesh #savethesea #savemarinelife #homeimmersion #spreadawareness On the work front, Ranbir Kapoor was last seen in Anurag Basu's Jagga Jasoos, co-starring Katrina Kaif. He is currently busy shooting for Rajkumar Hirani's yet-to-be-titled Sanjay Dutt biopic, in which he plays the title role
Pehredaar Piya Ki Cast Will Return With 'Better Story,' Say Makers'
The makers of controversial show Pehredaar Piya Ki, which has now been pulled off air, plan to make a 'comeback' with a new show and the same cast, reports The Times Of India. Pehredaar Piya Ki received backlash for its plotline, where an 18-year-old woman (Tejasswi Prakash) marries a 10-year-old boy (Afaan Khan). "We treat audience as an asset so we don't want to lose them. We will return with a new show and the same team very soon. In fact, we have started working on the same. The next show will have a better story. The actors will be with us till then," producer Sumeet Mittal told TOI, adding that pulling off the show mid-way is like 'suffering from a miscarriage.' Pehredaar Piya Ki was criticized for glorifying child marriage, which would affect the society in a negative way. "We are pulling off our programme Pehredaar Piya Ki from television. While we understand that the decision to end this serial will be disappointing to those whose creative energies are vested in it, namely, its crew and cast, we (as a channel) are convinced that we will be better served by focusing instead on developing viewer interest in our upcoming, new shows," read an official statement issued on behalf of the channel, quoted news agency IANS. Of the show's abrupt ending, Mr Mittal told TOI, "It's a very painful process to end the show abruptly. It surely feels bad. Taking a show off air is like suffering a miscarriage. We work hard for each of our creation, without thinking about the outcome. Whether the show works or not, we put in the same amount of hard work and passion. We didn't want to wait for the audience to reject our show." Sumeet Mittal also added that the decision to end the show wasn't sudden. "We decided to end the show mutually. It was a difficult call, but we had to do it," he said. Pehredaar Piya Ki began last month on Sony Entertainment Television. After a few days, a petition to ban the show was sent to Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani. Later, the channel was asked to move the show out of prime time (from 8.30 pm to 10 pm). A disclaimer, stating that the show does not promote the concept of child marriage, was also carried.
Kapil Sharma Keeps Baadshaho Cast Waiting, Ajay Devgn 'Storms Out'
Kapil Sharma just cancelled another shoot of his series The Kapil Sharma Show, reports mid-day - this time with actor Ajay Devgn and his co-stars from the film Baadshaho. Given that the 36-year-old comedian's health has been a concern and shoots with other stars have previously been cancelled, representatives for Baadshaho is reported to have checked in with Kapil Sharma's team in advance and were told that filming would take place as scheduled. This, apparently, was not what happened - the cast of Baadshaho waited 15 minutes and then 'stormed out' when he didn't show up. Kapil Sharma didn't show up at all, mid-day reports, allegedly because he struggled to wake up after a late night. In the last few months, a number of stars have shown up to the sets of The Kapil Sharma Show and then left without filming when their host failed to appear - these stars include Shah Rukh Khan and Anil Kapoor (with his co-stars) from Mubarakan. This ill-fated recording of The Kapil Sharma Show, scheduled for the Saturday that just went by, was meant to feature Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi, Ileana D'Cruz and Esha Gupta. The Baadshaho actors were reportedly assured that Kapil Sharma would be present and on time. A report in SpotboyE quotes a source as saying, "Kapil's phones were switched off. The team was leaving no stone unturned to get in touch with him, but to no avail. Even Kapil's team did not give a proper answer." Kapil Sharma's colleague Kiku Sharda told BollywoodLife last month that the comedian was not depressed as some reports suggested. "Kapil's absence due to his ill-health has fanned stupid speculations. I don't want to comment and fan all this further. We have started shooting for the coming weekend," he said. The Kapil Sharma Show has been hit by falling ratings after a fraught few months that saw many cast members exiting. The departures were headlined by comedian Sunil Grover and spurred by an alleged brawl on a flight out of Melbourne in which Kapil Sharma, reportedly drunk, assaulted Mr Grover and insulted the rest of his team. Changes in line-up continued till some weeks ago when Archana Puran Singh was brought in to replace series regular Navjot Singh Sidhu.
Gangs of Wasseypur is not the longest movie. This British film is
We often crib about the length of Bollywood films - from three-hour Karan Johar movies to the five-hour Anurag Kashyap crime saga, Indians have an appetite for long films. We would like to believe that Indian films are the longest, but thats not true! You will be surprised to know that a UK film (London EC1, 2015) holds the record for the lengthiest films across the world since 1991. Anurag Kashyaps Gangs of Wasseypur (which was released in two parts in India but was one 5-hr-long film around the globe) comes on the second slot, even in India Subal Sorals Funusiin (2016) tops India list with 24-hour run time Globally, the German film Ember Glow (2015) ranks second with a reel time of 81 hours while the American film Fail (2016) ranks third with a run time of 78 hours. However, when we look at the average length of films, India ranks on the top with two hours 11 minutes of average run time between 1991 and 2017. Interestingly, South Korea is a distant second with the average films length being one hour 41 minutes. Argentina is the last one on the list with the run time of one hour 28 minutes for an average film.
Babumoshai Bandookbaaz Movie Review: Nawazuddin Siddiqui Isn't At His Best In This Film Riddled With Holes
Babumoshai Bandookbaaz Movie Review: Nawazuddin Siddiqui's film, in the end, is a tumbledown see-saw that never heaves itself off the ground. Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami, Shraddha Das, Divya Dutta Director: Kushan Nandy Rating: 1.5 Stars (Out Of 5) As capricious as its unfounded title, Kushan Nandy's rough-hewn hinterland noir Babumoshai Bandookbaaz is a roaring mess. It misfires on most counts. So, what was all the kerfuffle for? While this Babumoshai obviously has no affinity with Dr. Bhaskar Banerjee, the thriller, no matter how hard it pushes itself, is merely a country cousin of Bollywood's gangster sagas. Bijuria - a fictional police station area somewhere in Uttar Pradesh - is no Wasseypur. And its denizens are emaciated shadows of the trigger-happy, fast-talking thugs that peopled Anurag Kashyap's cult film. Babumoshai Bandookbaaz, scripted by Ghalib Asad Bhopali, may seem authentic in terms of its location and lingo, but its plot is riddled with holes the size of craters. Even the ever-dependable Nawazuddin Siddiqui, hard pressed to pump life into the poorly conceived titular character of a coldblooded contract killer, can do little to salvage the film. It whips up plenty of heat and dust and packs rustic romance, love, lust, betrayal, doses of black humour and a great deal of carnage into its tenuous two hours. The characters turn upon each other like hungry hounds baying for blood. Logic is torn to shreds in the bargain. Babumoshai Bandookbaaz, in the end, is a tumbledown see-saw that never heaves itself off the ground. The men are louts and the women are impossible to fathom. As the deviants are introduced one by one, the least that the audience expects is that the characters, at least the pivotal ones, will emerge out of the crowd and assume lives of their own. They don't. The story, whatever there is of it, is all over the place. Titillation comes by way of a criminal-contractor who derives pleasure from watching the masseur go to work on his wife. A corrupt cop keeps impregnating his ageing wife because she is unable to bear him a girl. And a tough cobbler girl, a victim of sexual assaults by a politician and his brothers, extracts a price from the male protagonist when he hits upon her and expects her to reciprocate his passion. These are sought to be passed off as radical breaks from Bollywood convention. It just doesn't come off. If last year's Freaky Ali, in which Nawazuddin played the lighthearted lead role of a poor drifter-turned-gangster-turned-golfer with customary flair, didn't measure up to his talent, Babumoshai Bandookbaaz fares much worse. This twisted tale of an impoverished boy who grows up in the badlands of northern India and learns to kill at the tender age of ten for a couple of life-saving bananas, is by far the weakest film that the Mumbai-independent cinema poster boy has ever done. The character Nawazuddin plays, Babu Bihari, is a hired gun who works for two disparate individuals - the sleazy businessman Dubey (Anil George) and the paan-chewing, expletives-spouting politician Sumitra (Divya Dutta). His earning per kill - Rs. 25,000, 20 per cent of which he has to share with a middleman - isn't good enough to change his life. His strike rate is, however, high enough to instill fear in the hearts of both victims and benefactors. But soon enough, he has competition. Another sharpshooter, Banke Bihari (Jatin Goswami), is roped in by the power brokers to supplement Babu Bihari's killing spree. The people who pay to keep the guns blazing then begin to gun for each other. The upshot of the endless skirmishes (one leads into another without ever making much sense) is that the protagonist is caught in a battle of attrition with Banke Bihari, who admits to being a fan of the bandookbaaz. The tussle between the two men, which stems from one's desire to protect his long-held turf and the other's aspiration to wrest control, takes the form of a series of deadly games that soon adds up to much more than the mounting body count. It infects their personal relationships with unsurprisingly violent consequences. A pre-interval twist leads to an eight-year leap. But matters do not get any better. They only turn fuzzier as unsettling secrets are revealed and more people end up dead. Babu Bihari lives with Phulwa (Bidita Bag), who mends shoes for a living, and Banke Bihari has an open relationship with the local dancer Yasmin (Shraddha Das), who gets to away to a raunchy remix of Hai Re Hai Mera Ghungta. But after a point it stops to matter who is with him and who is out to get whom. It degenerates into an utterly meaningless rigmarole. Babumoshai Bandookbaaz hurtles towards an insipid, unintelligible climax, which includes a bout of Russian roulette between two adversaries. It is, in the end, much ado about nothing because the outcome of the life-and-death contest is as predictable as everything else in the film. Nawazuddin isn't at his best for he can be only as good as the script allows him to be. Bidita Bag makes a fair fist of her first Bollywood lead role. Jatin Goswami, too, makes his presence felt. Another proven actor who finds herself hard done by amid the mayhem is Divya Dutta. The only surprise - nay, shock - that Babumoshai Bandookbaaz delivers is an instrumental rendition of a Rabindranath Tagore hymn (Aguner Parashmoni) arranged by composer Debojyoti Mishra for the end credits. Has the bard ever had such an ignominy heaped upon him - tailed so casually to a film that revels in blood and gore? The lyric is a prayer seeking purification by fire. If that is what the makers of this film are looking for, let it be said that even a full-fledged inferno cannot purge Babumoshai Bandookbaaz.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2017: Sanjay Dutt And Wife Maanyata Perform Ganesh Aarti. See Pics
Actor Sanjay Dutt, who is gearing up for the release of his forthcoming film Bhoomi, visited a Ganpati pandal in Lokhandwala on Wednesday along with his wife Maanyata. The couple performed aarti together and seeked blessings of Lord Ganesha. Sanjay Dutt was seen dressed in kurta and pyjama while Maanyata looked beautiful in a sari. The couple posed for the paparazzi before heading towards the pandal for aarti. The 58-year-old actor will be singing Ganesh aarti in his film Bhoomi. Earlier this week, Sanjay Dutt recorded his first Ganesh aarti, which will be released soon. The ten-day long Ganesh Utsav begins tomorrow and Mumbai is all decked up to welcome Lord Ganesha. In an interview with news agency IANS, Sanjay Dutt said, "I am happy to sing a great song for Bappa. We celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi at my house. We worship him a lot, so I feel lucky that I have the chance to sing this song for him The film, directed by Omung Kumar, is a revenge drama which highlights the relationship between a father and a daughter. Aditi Rao Hydari will portray the role of Sanjay Dutt's daughter in the film Bhoomi has been co-produced by Bhushan Kumar, Sandeep Singh and Omung Kumar. The movie also features television actors Sharad Kelkar and Sidhanth Gupta in pivotal roles.
Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar On Forbes' Highest Paid Actors List. Aamir Khan? Nope
Forbes has released its list of the world's 20 highest paid actors of 2017, just days after the corresponding list of actresses. "A quarter of this year's list hail from outside the US, including three stars from Bollywood," as Forbes puts it - these three actors comprise two Khans and Akshay Kumar. Aamir Khan, whose 2016 release Dangal currently has the distinction of being India's top grossing film, is not on the list. The Khans who made it are Shah Rukh and Salman. SRK, Salman and Akshay are now Forbes regulars and have been ranked among the top 20 actors for the 3rd year. The stars are placed at the last three spots on 2017's list. Amitabh Bachchan, who scraped into the list last year, has dropped off this one. The highest ranked Indian actor is Shah Rukh Khan at #8, the same position he occupied last year. His stated earnings have risen from $33 million in 2016 to $38 million in 2017. Forbes summed up SRK's annual earnings from films and endorsements deals "of brands most Americans have likely never heard of" - this year, Shah Rukh Khan starred in Raees and Jab Harry Met Sejal, the last of which was a spectacular flop. At ninth place is Salman Khan, several notched up from his 2016 ranking of #14. Salman, whose film Tubelight also tanked, took home $37 million - significantly more than the $28.5 million he made last year. "Khan still earns top rupee," says Forbes about the 51-year-old actor who counts hosting reality show Bigg Boss among his many high-paying gigs. Akshay Kumar completes the top 10, a repeat of last year's list, with $35.5 million. He made $31.5 million last year. Akshay, referred to as "king of Bollywood box office for over a quarter of century" by Forbes, earned his millions from four films released in the scoring period which is June to June. His latest film, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, opened two weeks ago and has made over Rs. 100 crore. Forbes' highest paid actors list is topped by Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg at $68 million - courtesy of Daddy's Home 2, Transformers: The Last Knight and reality show Wahlbergers. Last year's topper Dwanye Johnson dropped a place. He took home a pay cheque of $65 million thanks to Baywatch, Jumanji and TV show Ballers. At #3 is actor Vin Diesel, whose earnings amount to $54.5 million. Adam Sandler and Jackie Chan round up the top five and the spots above Shah Rukh Khan are filled by Robert Downey Jr and Tom Cruise. Below the top 10 are several actors who play superheros - Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Ryan Reynolds, Chris Pratt and Mark Ruffalo. Jeremy Renner makes it as well, although not for playing Hawkeye in the Avengers series. Ryan Gosling and Samuel L Jackson also make it. The absence of Aamir Khan from the list is easily explained - he only makes one film in a year or two years and is similarly choosy about endorsements. Like Deepika Padukone, who dropped out of this year's list of highest paid actresses after being ranked #10 last time, superstar Amitabh Bachchan has had a slower year than previously. Aamir and Mr Bachchan are currently filming Thugs Of Hindostan together
Twinkle Khanna, Trolled For Mocking 'Dignity Of Men,' Posts The Same Pic Again'
Twinkle Khanna is defiant after a picture she tweeted over the weekend offended some sensibilities. The 42-year-old author posted the same picture again today with this message: "I found the timing ironical with ToiletEPK's release and the OD free certification- If you see the sardonicism in it - fine! If not-so be it." The photo that earned Twinkle a string of reprimands showed an unidentified man squatting to do his business on a Mumbai beach. "I guess here is the first scene of Toilet Ek Prem Katha 2," Twinkle wrote, referencing her husband Akshay Kumar's newly released film which deals with the issues of sanitation and open defecation. Twinkle Khanna's sharp observations usually evoke a laugh from Twitter. Not this time though. "A public apology should also be made for playing with dignity of men," read an angry comment, one of several that asked Twinkle to take the post down. A case of shooting the messenger, one might say. At any rate, Twinkle Khanna wasn't taking this s*@t, pardon the language and the pun. Some of Twinkle Khanna's critics also accused her of making capital out of the situation in order to promote her husband's film - not that it needs it because Toilet: Ek Prem Katha has already made Rs. 115.05 crore in less than two weeks. However, Twinkle Khanna's's tweet also received instant approval from some. "Let's spread this as message to us that we should build more and more toilets," wrote a user. Twinkle also responded to a comment that said that people had the choice of using public toilets. "Exactly. The public toilet is a 7-8 minute walk from this particular spot," Twinkle wrote back. Twinkle Khanna is the author of two best-selling books - Mrs FunnyBones and The Legend Of Lakshmi Prasad. She and Akshay Kumar have been married for over 15 years now and are parents to son Aarav and daughter Nitara.
Kalki Koechlin, Trolled For Viral Nude Pic, Says 'Never Been Ashamed'
Actress Kalki Koechlin shrugged off the hateful comments she received for posting a nude picture of herself, telling mid-day , I have never been ashamed of whatever I do. Kalki, 33, recently posted an image from a photoshoot on Instagram in which shes seen from the back and appears to be naked. Halfway between shadow and light, she captioned the picture, shot by photographer Riva Bubber. The post, which swiftly went viral, has received 331 comments so far, several of them slut-shaming the actress. Speaking to mid-day , Kalki said, "As women, we often are depicted through a man's perspective, but this picture was clicked by a woman photographer. That's why I found it significant to share the photograph." Kalki Koechlins intent may have been to offer a perspective other than the male gaze but her post appears to have provoked many of her followers, some of whom suggested the actress submit her picture to adult sites rather than post it on social media. Nudity limit me rakho, Indian culture ko barbaad tum jaise log kar rahe ho, read one comparatively restrained comment on her post. She was also told not to 'show off.' Some fans applauded the actress with comments such as 'Brave Kalki, keep rocking' - but these were in the minority. Just days ago, model-actress Esha Gupta was also shamed online for posting a series of pictures from a photoshoot in which she was partially unclothed. Esha also spoke to mid-day later, saying, Its my body. In an interview with news agency IANS last year, Kalki Koechlin said, "Of course it affects me, but I have learnt to stop responding to them. Heres one picture from the photoshoot with Riva Bubber, which was posted with a quote Harper Lees novel How To Kill A Mockingbird - She was one of the rare ones, so effortlessly herself, and the world loved her for it. Kalki Koechlin joins a select band of actresses to have the dubious distinction of being shamed on Instagram for photos of themselves - Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra, Sunny Leone, Soha Ali Khan and Dangalactress Fatima Sana Shaikh have all been recently trolled for outfits they wore in their posts. Kalkis short film Naked from earlier this year, in which she plays an actress who stars in a sex scene that is leaked and goes viral, addresses the theme of what happens when the covers are drawn back from womens sexuality. Kalki Koechlin is known for her performances in acclaimed film such as Margarita, With A Straw, Waiting and, most
Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh spotted a day after viral kissing pic. See photos
A day after a picture of Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh lit up the internet, the rumoured couple was spotted on the streets of Mumbai. According to an Indian Express report, the two were out for a dinner date, and as always, the paparazzi lapped it up. While neither Deepika nor Ranveer has ever confirmed their relationship, situations such as this are very common. Ranveer even visited Deepika on the sets of her first Hollywood movie, xXx: The Return of Xander Cage. Only a day ago, an old picture in which the rumoured couple was seen getting cosy - it was a screengrab from a behind-the-scenes video of a photoshoot the two had done in 2015 - went viral. Several fans took to Twitter to share their favourite pictures of the two with the hashtag, 'DeepVeer'. In an earlier interview to Deccan Chronicle, Ranveer commented that Deepika was the best kisser ever. "I think Deepika Padukone is the best kisser. Have you seen that 'Ang laga de re, mujhe rang laga de re' (song from Goliyon Ki Rasleela: Ram Leela)?" he said. The two have played lovers on screen twice, in director Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Ram Leela and Bajirao Mastani. They will re-team with the filmmaker for a third time in Padmavati, which is currently in production.
Bareilly Ki Barfi Movie Review: Kriti Sanon Makes This Sweet Concoction Work
Bareilly Ki Barfi Movie Review:isnt the kind of film that will sweep you off your feet, but there is sufficient charm and chutzpah in this effervescent brew to keep you invested all the way through Cast: Kriti Sanon, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, Seema Pahwa Director: Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari Rating 3 Stars Ashwiny Iyer Tiwaris sophomore effort Bareilly Ki Barfi is a sweet and delicious but eventually slight concoction. But that isnt meant as criticism. It is a largely inoffensive, mildly diverting small-town romance that generally hits the right buttons thanks primarily to a crisp and lively screenplay, earthy dialogues and effortless acting by a fine cast. If not exactly scintillating, it is definitely entertaining enough not to fritter away its inherent advantages. Indeed, Bareilly Ki Barfi isnt the kind of film that will sweep you off your feet, but there is sufficient charm and chutzpah in this effervescent brew to keep you invested all the way through. There is indeed something to be said about a Bollywood romantic comedy that lays so much store by its script, its relatable setting and believable characters. The creative choices the director makes reflect amply in the final outcome. It does not ride on crowd-pulling stars. It does not need to because it reposes its faith unwaveringly and squarely in a lively story of secret love and deliberate subterfuge and props it up with light touches and the weighty talent of a bunch of actors who are endowed with the natural ability to breathe life into everyday situations with minimum visible effort. The stars of the show are Rajkummar Rao (in the guise of an unassuming young man who is pushed around too easily until he decides to take a stand) and Pankaj Tripathi (as the endearingly broad-minded father of a rebellious girl who thinks nothing of throwing caution to the wind in the conservative boondocks). Seema Pahwa, playing a sedate matriarch, is perfectly clued in to the spirit of the story and the setting. Not that the two actors who get top billing, Ayushmann Khurrana and Kriti Sanon, are overshadowed by the aforementioned trio. The former does a convincing job of mutating from a brooding jilted lover to a crooked manipulator who puts his own interests above everyone else's. The burden of making Bareilly Ki Barfi work rests upon Kriti Sanon and she doesn't put a foot wrong. Bareilly Ki Barfi is a loose adaptation by Nitesh Tiwari (the writer and director of Dangal) and Shreyas Jain from French writer Nicolas Barreau's 2012 English-language novel, The Ingredients of Love. The story is transported to the small Uttar Pradesh town of Bareilly where the emotions and aspirations of the young clash head-on with the entrenched traditions and mores. With Javed Akhtar providing an amusing voiceover narration, the film takes us into the world that pulsates inside Mishra Sadan, Ekta Nagar, Bareilly. This is home to sweetmeat shop owner Narottam Mishra (Pankaj Tripathi), his wife Sushila (Seema Pahwa) and only daughter Bitti (Kriti Sanon). Her father allows Bitti Mishra - she works in the customer complaints department of the state electricity board - all the freedom that she craves for, including an occasional swig and a smoke. Her schoolteacher-mother, infinitely more orthodox, is more intent on finding a suitable boy for her daughter. Kriti is a natural born rebel, loves breakdance, watches English movies and makes absolutely no concessions to the norms that society lays down for a middle class girl like her. When a potential husband asks her if she is a virgin, she shoots back: Are you It makes no difference if I am a virgin or not, replies the boy, but you better be one. I am not a virgin, says Bitti. The guy is put in his place, end of chapter, and its absolutely no skin off Bitti nose. Bittis exasperated mother is often at her tether's end and bemoans her luck: Harkate laundo wali karti hai, is sey toh achcha beta hi paida ho jaata". The girl's response, in a heart-to-heart chat with her sympathetic father, is: Ladki hona na disaster hai ekdum." Much later in the film, the mother wonders: Raat raat bhar ghumti rehti hai. Ladki hain koi chudail thodi hai. Nothing can stop Bitti in her tracks. She runs away from home, boards a train to nowhere in particular, and, during the trip that she eventually aborts, chances upon a novella titled Bareilly Ki Barfi. It changes her life. The heroine in the story is exactly like her and Bitti falls under the spell of the unknown writer Pritam Vidrohi (Rajkummar Rao). She seeks the help of printing press owner Chirag Dubey (Ayushmaan Khurrana) to locate the author. Chirag, himself coming off a failed love affair, traces the man to Lucknow, where he is now sari salesman. He brings the writer back to Bareilly with the intention of ensuring that Bitti rejects him outright. Chirag has developed feelings for Bitti but is unable to profess his love to her. Matters begin to spin out of his hand when the diffident Pritam, hiding behind a fake voice and demeanour, worms his way into Bitti's heart. Desperate measures spark more complications as Bitti's best friend and neighbour Rama (Swati Semwal), whose terrace is where the heroine hones her breakdance moves, is pulled into the frame. For all the energy that Bareilly Ki Barfi exudes, it never quite lifts itself above its featherweight category. But that is barely a disqualification. If anything, it keeps the film chugging along at an even pace, its tongue-in-cheek levity preventing it from being sucked into sticky sweetness. Bareilly Ki Barfi is definitely worth a watch provided you do not expect the world from it. It is happy to be what it is: a modest barfi from nondescript Bareilly. A bite wouldnt be a bad idea.
Emma Stone Tops Forbes List Of Highest Paid Actresses. Missing: Deepika Padukone
Forbes has released this year's list of the world's 10 highest paid actresses and homegirl Deepika Padukone, ranked #10 in 2016, has not made the cut this time. As Forbes put it: "The list examined actresses the world over, but no stars from Asia made the cut, as Fan Bingbing and Deepika Padukone dropped off due to quieter years." Deepika's starring role in xXx: The Return Of Xander Cage - also her Hollywood debut - contributed hugely to her earnings of $10 million last year. She has no international project currently and is working on one film at home - the period drama Padmavati, co-starring Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor. Also absent from Forbes' 2017 list is Scarlett Johansson - this is the first time in three years that she hasn't made the grade So who is on the list? Emma Stone, Oscar-winner for La La Land, is #1 for the first time, with Forbes reporting earnings of $26 million. Jennifer Lawrence, who topped the list two years in a row, has slipped to third place, behind Jennifer Aniston. The Jennifers are at $25.5 and $24 million respectively - JLaw made just half of her 2016 total. The top three on the list of 10 are the only actresses to have made over $20 million. They are followed by Melissa McCarthy, Mila Kunis, Emma Watson, Charlize Theron, Cate Blanchett, Julia Roberts and Amy Adams. Forbes reports a 16% drop in the cumulative earnings of the world's top actresses - $172.5 million this year, down from $205 million in 2016. Forbes also notes that half the actresses on the list are over 40 - Jennifer Aniston, Melissa McCarthy, Charlize Theron, Cate Blanchett, Julia Roberts and Amy Adams - a significant achievement given the scarcity of roles for women their age. Forbes also flags another ugly truth - only 28.7% of speaking roles in films are filled by women.
Priyanka Chopra attends fundraiser with Robert Downey Jr, dances with Jamie Foxx
The whole world knows that Priyanka Chopra is a busy girl. She is juggling between her next Hollywood projects and her hit-TV show Quantico. But, she always manages to take some time away from her busy schedule and enjoys her life to the fullest. The 35-year-old recently attended Ron Perlman's Apollo fundraiser, where she can be seen enjoying and dancing her heart out with none other than Hollywood heavyweight Jamie Foxx. Meanwhile, the Baby Driver actor can be seen performing for the audience. He also introduces the actress to the people and dances with her afterwards. The Bajirao Mastani star is seen wearing a black sheer robed dress with a side waist high slit and a diamond studded brooch pinned on the front. On the work front, Priyanka is busy in shooting for his second Hollywood feature 'Isn't it Romantic?' which also stars Rebel Wilson, Adam Devine and Liam Hemsworth.
Toilet-Ek Prem Katha movie review: Akshay Kumar fights evil traditions
Toilet Ek Prem Katha has a witty first half with sparkling performances by Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar. Here's our movie review. Rating: 2.5/5
Toilet Ek Prem Katha,
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Bhumi Pednekar,
Director: Shree Narayan Singh
Rating: 2.5/5,
Biwi paas chahiye toh ghar me sandaas chahiye. With this motto, Akshay Kumar sets out on a mission to hold a mirror to those who support open defecation in the name of age-old traditions and so called Indian culture. Bhumi Pednekars idealistic stand on marriage and overflowing love for her husband accompany Akshay Kumar while he takes on the system, society and his own father. Keshav (Akshay Kumar), the son of a Manusmriti-following brahmin, is waiting to get married for years. Now in his 36th year, he is made to marry a buffalo to neutralise his maanglik stars in the opening sequence and you laugh at his pathetic condition. You know how unique can Akshay Kumar be in such scenes. His toothy smile and battameez bol lo madam lekin bhaisaab mat bolo kind of dialogues set the mood. He isnt your average village boy who would be a celibate before marriage or wouldnt stalk a girl because its wrong. The proprietor of a cycle store, his general knowledge and understanding of the society and religious texts are also satisfactory. Director Shree Narayan Singh moulds Akshay Kumar into a combination of Jolly LLB 2 and Khiladi 786. In short, Akshay is in comfort zone. His marriage with Jaya Joshi (Bhumi Pednekar), a state topper and angrezi padhi likhi ladki, meets a roadblock when Jaya discovers his house doesnt have a toilet. She refuses to be the leader of the lota party and forces Keshav to go for desperate measures. Obviously they wont last long and the couple is back to square one. But will the elusive toilet be made in Keshavs house First thing first. Toilet Ek Prem Katha endorses the Indian governments Swacch Bharat Abhiyaan so seriously that after a point it starts to look like that Priyanka Bharti ad featuring Vidya Balan. The idea is to highlight the disadvantages of open defecation through a humorous tale. It happens in the first half with Akshay Kumar and Divyendu Sharma sharing some side-splitting scenes. Their flawed Bundelkhandi accent aside, they show a grip on their comic timing. Their praudh siksha (old age education) and Mallika bhabhi (Kumar was first married to a buffalo named Mallika) gags work. They even try to replicate the Sholay marriage proposal scene in their own way. Some deviations happen in form of Anupam Kher, a Sunny Leone admirer, and chattering housewives of Mandgaon who show a deaf ear to the enormous outcries over not using the open space for defecation. Jaya also knows her part and gets a hang of the situation before it all goes out of everyones hand. What initially begins as a son-versus-father ideological tussle escalates into a full-fledged war involving the state. We get to know that its a scam, but the current government is quite seriously tackling it. Meanwhile Akshay Kumar undergoes a transformation from someone who advises his wife to adjust a bit because its been happening for ages to the crusader of womens rights. He does it delicately. Before you pin-point flaws in his thought process, he presents a different side of his persona and you keep rooting for him. Bhumi Pednekar, as a feisty wife, provides the support he needs. The fluid first half hits speedbreakers in the second half, and the prime among them is the theory of fighting with sabhayata (with civility) that the director introduces. It widens the canvas and shifts focus to many parties, including the government. Meanwhile, Akshay Kumar keeps repeating how we should not expect the government to do everything for us. Apart from this confusion, its a story that delivers a really important message about personal hygiene and proper sanitation system in rural areas. Its just that we hear the messages clearly in the first 50 minutes. Kumar and Pednekar have a chemistry thats visible in songs, even in the weirdly worded Has mat pagli pyaar ho jayega. Kumar, of course, is the backbone of Toilet Ek Prem Katha, but Pednekar is no less a contributor to this story. At 155 minutes, Toilet Ek Prem Katha is just short of becoming another Akshay Kumar masterclass in comedy, but it has enough to entertain you.
Hrithik Roshan And Twinkle Khanna Exchange Tweets For Akshay Kumar's Toilet: Ek Prem Katha
Hrithik Roshan said that Akshay Kumars Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, which releases tomorrow, doesnt need luck because it looks fantastic. Akshay's wife Twinkle replied to Hrithik's tweet saying, "Thank you kind sir, big hug." Toilet: Ek Prem Katha celebrity PR machinery is going very well, courtesy actors Sidharth Malhotra, Arjun Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, Ranveer Singh and filmmaker Karan Johar. They've all posted hilarious videos reminding their fans and followers that Akshay's film shouldn't be missed. Hrithik Roshan, who is also Twinkle and Akshay's neighbour, did not make a video to promote Toilet: Ek Prem Katha but his good luck tweet was good enough Last year, Akshay Kumars Rustom co-released with Hrithik Roshans Mohenjo Daro. The two actors had wished each other luck by exchanging tweets, before their films released. Unfortunately, Hrithik Roshan's Mohenjo Daro didn't do well at the box office while Akshay Kumar received the National Film Award for Best Actor for Rustom. But, Hrithik was happy for Akshay's success of Rustom - proof is his tweet which tells it all Shree Narayan Singh's Toilet: Ek Prem Katha is a satirical comedy which emphasises on the eradication of open defecation in public areas. It features Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar in the lead roles. The film releases on August 11. Meanwhile, Akshay will also feature in Padman, produced by his wife while, Bhumi Pednekar is awaiting her upcoming Shubh Mangal Saavdhan co-starring Ayushmann Khurrana.
Toilet Ek Prem Katha: Here's the secret behind Akshay Kumar's ageless looks
NEW DELHI:MMNN:9 Aug 2017
Akshay Kumar is almost 50-years-old, and as he prepares for the release of his new film, Toilet - Ek Prem Katha, he reveals the secrets behind his ageless looks. He will turn 50 next month, but Akshay Kumar manages to look ageless on screen opposite co-stars like Bhumi Pednekar and Anushka Sharma, who are in their 20s. The Bollywood star says the secret lies in living a simple, easy and happy life. I have only one job in my life, and thats to do films. Then I take care of my family and workout. Theres no stress... I dont take too much stress. I concentrate on happiness and I exercise, take care of what I eat, and I control my intake of sweets. Theres no science behind it. Live a simple, easy life," Akshay told the media here on Wednesday, When I used to stay in Chandni Chowk, we used to have a one bedroom house and around 22 people used to stay in it. But we used to feel happy in it. We have continued living with that happiness, added the actor, who is one of the most bankable actors in Bollywood today. The National Award winner is currently promoting his forthcoming film Toilet: Ek Prem Katha with co-actors Bhumi Pednekar and Anupam Kher. The movie, which is releasing on Friday, delves on the need for sanitation and is an attempt to urge people to stop open defecation to work towards a Swachh Bharat. The message coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modis Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan. Asked if he will make more movies related to Modi's various initiatives, Akshay said: I have made the film because I liked the script and not because anyone asked me to make this film. Its a different thing that when our PM came to office, he started spreading the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan message. This film is similar to his Abhiyaan and takes forward the Clean India message. But in general, Clean India is not a topic that he started... Its a topic relevant to each one of us... We have to keep our surroundings clean because it is directly related to us and our health. Its wrong if people think its a village-based problem. Even cities have a lot to do with this problem."
Salman Khan, Malaika Arora celebrate family love at Arbaaz's birthday party. See pics
Bollywood actor-director Arbaaz turned 50 on Friday and his entire family, including ex-wife Malaika Arora and brother Salman Khan were in attendance when he rang in the birthday celebrations. Check out the pictures. Bollywood actor-director Arbaaz Khan turned 50 on Friday and his entire family, including ex-wife Malaika Arora and brother Salman Khan were in attendance when he celebrated his birthday late on Thursday. Malaika went out of her way to not only attend but also help in creating a fun birthday party for her ex-husband. She also shared several pictures from the gala on Instagram Salman Khan, who is shuttling between Mumbai and Morocco, balancing his shooting schedule for Ali Abbaz Zafar's Tiger Zinda Hai and other commitments, also made sure he was in the city to celebrate his brother's birthday. Sohail Khan was also in attendance. Malaika's sister and actor Amrita Arora shared pictures from the party on her Instagram page. On the work front, Salman Khan is on the verge of completing the shoot of Tiger Zinda Hai opposite Katrina Kaif and is rumoured to begin work on his hit reality show - Bigg Boss. The first promo of Bigg Boss 11 has already been shot. Arbaaz, on the other hand, is currently working on the script of Dabangg 3.
Jab Harry Met Sejal Movie Review: Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma's Film Riddled With Toe-Curling Mush
Jab Harry Met Sejal Movie Review: It is cinema's equivalent of a shiny bauble that glitters wholly in vain. Watch it only if you fancy a vicarious romp through Europe with an off-colour megastar trying hard to get going First half: breezy and unabashedly banal. Second half: riddled with toe-curling romantic mush. Sum total: a wayward, winding journey without maps that weaves concentric circles around sweet nothings and empty prittle-prattle. That, in a nutshell, is Imtiaz Ali's perambulatory rom-com Jab Harry Met Sejal. It leaves you wishing they hadn't met. A raffish man who isn't getting any younger, a standoffish girl who has an entire life ahead of her and a not-so-brief encounter in Europe that takes the rootless duo across several picturesque locations add up to a mothballed bromide that holds no real surprises. Jab Harry Met Sejal is all style. The frames are pretty. The lighting (of the interiors of and around the magnificent medieval structures that dot the locations) is exquisite. Cinematographer K.U. Mohanan's fluid camera possesses the kind of tactile grace that has a touch of mastery. It caresses the sights of Amsterdam, Prague, Budapest and Lisbon, and even the oft-seen swaying wheat fields of Punjab, with controlled sensuousness. If only the film had a story substantial enough to hold the construct together and propel it forward, Jab Harry Met Sejal might have amounted to more than just the slight gust of air that it is. Its all phurr... the sensation is fleeting. If you are looking for recent Bollywood reference points, Jab Harry Met Sejal is a cross between Imtiaz Ali's own Tamasha (where what happens in Corsica is meant to stay in Corsica but doesn't), Zoya Akhtar's Zindagi Naa Milegi Dobaara (where a road trip across Spain becomes an excuse for the untangling of matters of the heart) and, somewhat more tangentially, Dear Zindagi (where an older man plays agony uncle to a confused ingénue). To be sure, Jab Harry Met Sejal is underpinned by the unfettered, Sufi spirit of Imtiaz Ali's previous free-wheeling explorations of love and longing. It, however, lacks the flashes of ideational, experiential and tonal originality that livened up parts of the earlier films. This is essentially a two-hander in which the pivotal duo isn't believable at all. They are more stereotypical caricatures than tangible characters. The man is Punjabi, so he talks of farmers, tractors and high-pitched song. The girl is Gujarati, so for her it is money above all else. SRK's return to conventional lover boy terrain - he plays a louche but lonely tourist guide in Europe - does not yield the expected magic. This is certainly not for want for trying. The superstar plunges himself gamely into this shallow pool. Sadly, there simply isn't enough depth in here for a steady, refreshing swim. Many of the situations created around the character that he plays appear arbitrary and far-fetched. Anushka is a picture of poise and energy in the guise of a young, chirpy lawyer looking for a lost engagement ring, is high-spirited enough to push this plotless whimsy along for a while. In the end, the task proves too onerous for her not to be weighed down by its demands. Not that there is nothing in Jab Harry Met Sejal for hardcore SRK fans, but those moments come only in fits and starts as he dons the persona of the footloose Harindar 'Harry' Singh Nehra, who makes no bones about his womanizing tendencies. He even brags shamelessly about his amorous conquests while admitting to the many ways he's got into trouble owing to his rampaging libido. He is a superficially charming man all right, but he isn't particularly likeable. Sejal Zhaveri, on the other hand, is a diamond merchant's snooty daughter who takes inordinately long to warm up to Harry. Until that transpires, she misses no opportunity to take jabs at him. Yet, she has no qualms in taking offence when the guy dismisses her as a girl of the "nice, sweet and sister type". There is a limit to levity. The inconsistencies in Sejal's character are glaring. The screenplay would have us believe that she is a confident, no-nonsense girl who knows exactly where to draw the line. Why, then, is she in constant need of endorsement, of being told that she is worth lusting for. In one scene, she asks Harry: "Mere pe try maar rahe ho (Are you hitting on me)?" Harry replies: "Bilkul nahin (Not at all)." She shoots back: "Kyun main sexy nahin hoon (Why, am I not sexy)?" It is difficult to fathom why Sejal must stoop to objectifying herself, especially before a man she hardly knows. At one point, Harry, who Sejal calls "Hairy" in her thick Gujarati accent, describes her as a China vase - porcelain, delicate, not to be touched. However, when push comes to shove, he poses a barely disguised question to her: Will you be the kind of bad girl (cheap and ghatiya are the two adjectives he uses) who leaves her fiancée and runs away with her tour guide? Jab Harry Met Sejal, in the main, unfolds in this vein until the very end of a journey that winds up in Mumbai outside a wedding venue The beautiful locations are obviously eye-catching, but surely surface gloss, star power, lively music and sparkling cinematography can never turn a patchy and whimsical film into a convincing romantic drama about a pair of strangers thirsting for more than what their lives have offered them thus far. Harry is in search of true love. Sejal, too, is on a voyage of discovery. Do they get what they are looking for? Not a chance in hell. So flabby is this flighty film that it moves only in hops and skips. It never really gets off the ground. Jab Harry Met Sejal is cinema's equivalent of a shiny bauble that glitters wholly in vain. Watch it only if you fancy a vicarious romp through Europe with a megastar trying hard to get going.
Phurr: Watch Anushka tease Shah Rukh, Diplo in new song from Jab Harry Met Sejal
Phurr, a song that marks the collaboration of DJ Diplo and Pritam for Imtiaz Ali's Jab Harry Met Sejal, is out and Anushka Sharma and Shah Rukh Khan are sure to infect you with their charming energy in the video. A day after teasing fans with a sneak peek of Phurr, Shah Rukh Khan unveiled the much-awaited Diplo song from Imtiaz Ali's Jab Harry Met Sejal early on Thursday. And the number , which has the popular American DJ teaming up with Pritam and team for the first time, is already going viral While Irshad Kamil has penned the lyrics for the song, the music comes from Pritam. The voices in the peppy number belong to Mohit Chauhan and Tushar Joshi. At one-and-a-half minutes, the video looks like a smaller version of the entire song. A foot-tapping number, it will certainly make you want to copy the flying gesture. A day before Phurr's launch in Delhi, Sony Music India — in a landmark move — unveiled the song behind a limited-time paywall. The song is available on premium subscription for anywhere between Rs 99 and Rs 120, subject to service and platform. While SRK?has collaborated with Anushka Sharma in the years gone by, this is the first time Imtiaz is working with the two actors. They had earlier co-starred in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and Jab Tak Hai Jaan. Starring Shah Rukh as 'Harinder Singh Nehra aka Harry' and Anushka as 'Sejal Jhaveri', Imtiaz's film follows two strangers as they cut an adventurous path through six countries in search of a missing engagement ring. Jab Harry met Sejal will hit the theatres on August 4.
'Bhairavi Goswami Who?' What Kriti Sanon Said About Body-Shaming Tweet
Actress Kriti Sanon reacted exactly the same way many of us did to a distasteful body-shaming tweet posted last week by another, less well-known, actress. Who is Bhairavi Goswami Kriti enquired when asked by the press to comment at an event in Mumbai on Tuesday. Told that Bhairavi appeared in the film Hate Story, Kriti said, I think, Im just happy for her. She got a lot of publicity. Now you guys know her name also, so yeah. Kriti Sanon, 27, was made the target of two offensive and unprovoked tweets from Bhairavi Goswami and self-appointed critic Kamaal R Khan, known as KRK, some days ago. 'Who is Bhairavi' was the general reaction on Twitter. On July 22, KRK posted a tweet ridiculing a video clip of Kriti Sanon dancing and referencing the poor box office performance of her last film Raabta. In a responding tweet, Bhairavi attacked Kriti, calling her 'deranged' and shaming the way she looks The comments thread on Bhairavis tweet was swiftly deluged with unflattering responses. Tum kaun ho been and "Googled you, got no result were some of the more polite reactions Bhairavi Goswami, however, appears to consider herself more sinned against than sinning. She announced on Twitter two days ago that Instagram accounts trolling her had been suspended and that she would be reporting Twitter accounts next. Raabta might have been a flop but all it needs is a quick perusal of the respective resumes of the two actresses to learn that one is a bonafide star and the other is obscure, at best. 2012's Hate Story and the 2007 film Bheja Fry are the only noteworthy films on Bhairavi Goswami's short roster of big screen appearances. The 32-year-old former model also has some TV, music video and theatre credits. Kriti Sanon, on the other hand, debuted in Heropanti with Tiger Shroff and has worked with Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Varun Dhawan in Dilwale. She stars in Bareilly Ki Barfi with Ayushmann Khurrana and Rajkummar Rao next.
Mohammad Rafi death anniversary: Five moods, 25 evergreen songs
NEW DELHI:MMNN:31 July 2017
Monday marks the 37th death anniversary of one of the most loved singers of Bollywood, Mohammad Rafi. Here's remembering the legendary singer with a collection of 25 songs divided into five moods Monday marks the 37th death anniversary of one of the most loved singers of Bollywood, Mohammad Rafi. Born on 24 December 1924, Rafi has Padma Shri, one National Award and six Filmfare Awards to his credit. He is known for his versatility as he has crooned classical numbers to patriotic songs, melodious sad songs to romantic numbers, ghazals and even bhajans. The troika of Md Rafi, Kishore Kumar and Mukesh will remain the pioneers of film music in India for their sheer talent and depth in voice that suited each occasion and every mood. The debate about who is the better singer, Rafi or Kishore, can go on for ages but a glimpse of Rafi's talent is that he also did playback for Kishore da! OP Nayyar used Rafi's voice for Kishore Kumar in the song Man Mora Bawra for Ragini in 1957 and Shanker Jaikishan made Rafi sing Ajab Hai Dastan for Shararat in 1958. On July 31, 1980, Rafi passed away after a massive heart attack. Mohammed Rafi was a legend of legends and is a fan favourite till date. To sum up the man, one can just quote what his contemporary and competitor Talat Mahmood, "The voice was a gift from God to Rafi, but what Rafi made of it was a gift to God".
Narayani Shastri: Those who find naagin concept regressive, watch shows on vampires
TV actor Narayani Shastri, who will soon be seen in Rishton Ka Chakravyuh, says Indian TV is rather progressive, as it gives importance to female characters. With TV shows focusing on naagins, men having two wives and actors turning into flies and other animals, many feel that TV has now become regressive. However, actor Narayani Shastri, who will be playing the role of a mother in Rishton Ka Chakravyuh has a different opinion. According to the actor, the small screen is progressive in many ways. Indian television shows women in a strong light. A woman working as a CEO in an organisation in the show doesnt mean progression. For me, along with it, TV also throws light on women wearing saris and salwar kameez, managing personal and professional lives, and doing everything that is otherwise is considered a mans domain. That justifies progression, says Narayani, adding that her role in her next is also of a strong fiercely independent woman, who is both manipulative and opportunistic, who yet gives utmost importance to her family. Talking more about the hullabaloo around fantasy fiction shows on small screen, Narayani adds, "People who find the naagin concept regressive, ask them if they watch international shows on vampires. We all know that audience there loves supernatural and sci-fi shows and how a lot of us here enjoy watching them. In India, we have grown up reading Chacha Chaudhary, Tinkle etc and we have also heard stories about shapeshifters and naagins. They are to us what Batman, Superman and Deadpool are to them." The actor says that if people enjoy watching these super heroes then why cant they accept their own heroes? I remember when Sridevis Nagina (1986) released people saw it several times. So what is the problem with TV showing such shows? Also, we can't forget that India has both urban and rural areas and TV caters to both of them. I am proud of my culture and I believe we all should be, she points out. But, Narayani feels that the visual treatment of the show can be improved. But for sure, the quality of such shows can be made better treatment wise. The improvement would add to its popularity, says the actor.
Today's Big Release: Indu Sarkar And Mubarakan
The wait to watch Madhur Bhandarkar's Indu Sarkar is over as the film hits the screens today after facing opposition from the political circuit. Madhur Bhandarkar's film is set during the Emergency but the director categorically said that Emergency just serves as a backdrop of the actual story of his protagonist named Indu Sarkar (played by actress Kirti Kulhari). He told NDTV that the film is the story of Indu and her husband Navin Sarkar (played by Tota Roy Choudhury) and how their happy relationship turns our due to their opposing views on the Emergency. "It's a beautiful human relationship story and that's what I wanted to convey but I didn't know this reaction would come out of it," he said. Speaking to NDTV, Mr Bhandarkar reiterated the Emergency is just used as a backdrop to flesh out a love story during testing times. He said that all the information about Emergency used in his film is available in documentaries and books too. "I don't why don't I have my freedom of expression when people have written books about it? Why not approve a film also? Why are you trying to put obstacles for a film?" he said. On a lighter note, Anees Bazmee's Mubarakan, starring Anil Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Ileana D'Cruz and Athiya Shetty also hits the screens today. The wedding dramedy features Arjun in a double role. He plays Charan, who is engaged to his lookalike Karan's girlfriend while Karan is engaged to Charan's girlfriend. The only person who can fix the comedy of errors is Karan and Charan's uncle Kartar Singh, played by Anil Kapoor. Backed with peppy music and comic dialogues, Mubarakan is all set to tickle your funny bone. Another period film releasing this week is Raag Desh, directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia. Raag Desh features Kunal Kapoor, Amit Sadh and Mohit Marwah. The film is based on the trial and court martial of Indian National Army (founded by Subhash Chandra Bose) officers Colonels Prem Sehgal and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon and Major Shah Nawaz Khan.
Sushant Singh Rajput has a lovely birthday wish for rumoured girlfriend Kriti Sanon
Sushant Singh Rajput found a special way to wish Kriti Sanon on her birthday. The actor tweeted a dialogue from her upcoming film, Bareily Ki Barfi but tweeked it just enough to make it very personal. Sushant wrote in the tweetDilli ki he, Bahut talented he, Jabardast dikhti he, Superstar he, O beta ye to tum he ho . Happy birthday (Shes from Delhi, is very talented, Looks great, is she a superstar Oh Its you) The dialogue features in the recently released trailer and is said by an actor who plays Kritis friend in the film. Kriti, who celebrates her 27th birthday on Thursday, will be seen with Ayushmann Khurrana and Rajkummar Rao in the film .She is rumoured to be dating Sushant and also worked with him in Raabta.
Sunil Grover Reportedly Doubled His Fee After Quitting Kapil Sharma's Show
The mid-air altercation between warring comedians Sunil Grover and Kapil Sharma had contrasting effects on the career graphs of the two. The Kapil Sharma Show witnessed a sudden dip in popularity with dwindling viewership ratings after Sunil quit the show to do solo gigs, special appearances and live shows. Now, a report in DNA states that Sunil has doubled his fee after exiting Kapil's show and only wants to sign up for "guest appearances and stage shows." According to the DNA report, Sunil Grover's remuneration has gone up by 100% - the actor comedian previously charged Rs. 7-8 lakhs per episode but now he demands a reported amount of Rs. 13-14 lakhs for a single appearance. "Sunil has been getting some really good offers for shows but he's focussing on guest appearances and stage shows. Sunil was previously charging Rs. 7-8 lakhs per episode on Kapil's show. Now, he charges around 13-14 lakhs per appearance," DNA quoted a source as saying. Meanwhile, Sony Entertainment Television, which airs The Kapil Sharma Show, has signed Kapil's rival comedian Krushna Abhishek to headline a new comedy series titled Comedy Company, which will also feature guest appearances by Sunil Grover. Amidst speculation about Sunil's upcoming projects and shows, it was revealed last month that the 39-year-old comedian will not sign up for one particular show permanently. "After his fight with Kapil Shama, Sunil Grover doesn't want to take on any show permanently. However, he will make guest appearances on Comedy Company playing different characters. He doesn't want to be bound to any one show or channel," a source close to Sunil had told DNA. However, Kapil was also looking forward to getting a contract worth Rs. 107 crores renewed with Sony, which has been stalled, reported DNA. Things are not really in order for Kapil Sharma. He recently reportedly failed to shoot two new episodes for being unwell - once for a show with the cast of Mubarakan and then for an episode with Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma. Earlier this month, a source told Indian Express that Team Mubarakan "waited for hours" for Kapil to turn up on sets while Arjun Kapoor (who stars in Mubarakan) later tweeted a clarification of sorts: "He didn't keep us waiting. He unfortunately fell sick. The Mubarakan team wishes Kapil Sharma gets well soon and keeps making us smile." According to a report in Hindustan Times, Kapil fainted ahead of a promotional episode for Jab Harry Met Sejal for being stressed, following which the shoot was cancelled. In an interview to Daily Bhaskar over the weekend, Kapil's sister Pooja admitted to Kapil being diagnosed with low blood pressure and added that he's been advised complete bed rest. "He is taking lot of stress due to low TRP of his show," she told Daily Bhaskar. Kapil's co-star Kiku Sharda dismissed reports that the show host is under depression and told Bollywood Life: "Kapil's absence due to his ill-health has fanned stupid speculations. I don't want to comment and fan all this further. We have started shooting for the coming weekend." Kiku Sharda is the only celebrity comedian who continued to be in Team Kapil Sharma after Ali Asgar, Chandan Prabhakar and Sugandha Mishra left the show citing creative differences. Mr Prabhakar recently made a comeback on The Kapil Sharma Show while Ali Asgar will be seen in The Drama Company.
Avengers Infinity War Comic Con trailer leaked: Guardians meet Thor, Iron Man fights Thanos
The first footage from Avengers: Infinity War, which was debuted on Saturday at the ongoing San Diego Comic Con, has been leaked online. Marvel did not release the footage officially, much to the dismay of those who werent present at their grand unveiling at Hall H at the Convention Centre. Action was swiftly taken against YouTube and Twitter accounts sharing the blurry video, with several of them being taken down. The footage itself is a treat for Marvel fans, finally uniting their vast world on screen. The Guardians of the Galaxy run into Thor, Iron Man battles alongside Star Lord, and Thanos fights Doctor Strange. Photographs taken at the Con also showed new posters for the film, in which a bearded Captain America and a blonde Black Widow look concerned Avengers: Infinity War is scheduled for a My 2018 release. The incredible cast includes Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Chris Evans (Captain America), Mark Ruffalo (Hulk), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther), Tom Holland (Spider-Man), Sebastian Stan (Winter Soldier), Anthony Mackie (Falcon), Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), Paul Bettany (Vision), Elizabeth Olsen (Scarlet Witch), Don Cheadle (War Machine), Brie Larson (Captain Marvel), Josh Brolin (Thanos), Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange), Benedict Wong (Wong), Chris Pratt (Star-Lord), Zoe Saldana (Gamora), Dave Bautista (Drax), Bradley Cooper (Rocket), Sean Gunn (Rocket, Kraglin), Vin Diesel (Groot), Karen Gillan (Nebula), Pom Klementieff (Mantis), Tessa Thompson (Valkyrie), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), Cobie Smulders (Maria Hill), Benicio Del Toro (The Collector), Danai Gurira (Okoye), Winston Duke (MBaku) and Peter Dinklage and Terry Notary in as-yet-unrevealed roles.
Kangana Ranaut writes her own open letter: Can't compare hybrid racehorses to artistes
Kangana Ranaut has broken her silence on the nepotism debate, which hit the headlines when Karan Johar, Saif Ali Khan and Varun Dhawan brought it up on the IIFA stage, and said she would be "a farmer" if the point about family genes were true. The three stars chanted "nepotism rocks" in New York during the IIFA awards last week and Johar took a swipe at Kangana who had called him "flag bearer of nepotism" on his chat show. While Johar and Varun apologised, Saif claimed in an open letter that he had personally said sorry to her. The debate and exchange of thoughts on nepotism is "exasperating, but is healthy", Kangana responded, also in an open letter. Quoting a part of her Rangoon co-star's letter, where he "emphasised" on nepotism being an investment on tried and tested genes, Kangana said, "I have spent a significant part of my life studying genetics. But, I fail to understand how you can compare genetically hybrid racehorses to artistes! "Are you implying that artistic skills, hard-work, experience, concentration spans, enthusiasm, eagerness, discipline and love, can be inherited through family genes? If your point was true, I would be a farmer back home." While she enjoyed some of the perspectives on this subject, she did find a few of them disturbing, she said. "Saif, in your letter you mentioned that, 'I apologised to Kangana, and I don't owe anyone any explanation, and this issue is over.' But this is not my issue alone. Nepotism is a practice where people tend to act upon temperamental human emotions, rather than intellectual tendencies," Kangana wrote. The actor said any business run by human emotions and not by great value-systems, might gain superficial profits, but cannot be productive enough to tap into the true potential of a nation. "Nepotism, on many levels, fails the test of objectivity and rationale. "I have acquired these values from the ones who have found great success and discovered a higher truth, much before me. These values are in the public domain, and no one has a copyright on them," she added, giving examples of greats like Swami Vivekananda, Albert Einstein and William Shakespeare. Kangana said the aim of the conversation started by her was to encourage outsiders; her agenda was not to blame people from the industry. "I think the privileged are the least to be blamed in this debate, since they are part of the system, which is set around chain reactions. Change can only be caused by those who want it. It is the prerogative of the dreamer who learns to take his or her due, and not ask for it." In response to Johar and his comments on the issue, she said talent does exist beyond the "superficiality of branded clothes, polished accents, and a sanitised upbringing The actress added that many examples of people succeeding on the basis of "genuine hard-work, diligence and eagerness to learn" do exist all over world in every field. "I don't know if he was being misinformed, or simply naive, but to discredit the likes of Dilip Kumar, K Asif, Bimal Roy, Satyajit Ray, Guru Dutt, and many more, whose talent and exceptional abilities have formed the spine of our contemporary film business, is absolutely bizarre," Kangana said. The Queen star clarified that she was not fighting with anyone in the industry and her views should not be misconstrued to pit her and Saif against each other. In her opinion, "Nepotism is an extremely pessimistic attitude for a Third World country, where many people don't have access to food, shelter, clothing, and education." "The world is not an ideal place, and it might never be. That is why we have the industry of arts. In a way, we are the flag-bearers of hope," she said, adding that people who feel nepotism works for them are free to make peace with it
Munna Michael movie review: This Tiger Shroff film makes even Nawazuddin Siddiqui look bad
Everybody, including Tiger Shroff and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, is out of sync in this film. Here's our movie review. Rating: 1/5 Munna Michael
Cast: Tiger Shroff, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Nidhhi Agerwal
Director: Sabbir Khan
Remember Lena hai, lena hai? A hit song of the 90s from a film titled Bomb Blast. That was the last time we saw Ronit Roy dancing. Here's the video to remind you of how it looked He shakes a leg again in Munna Michael after almost three decades, and that makes for a promising opening. His character believes Michael (Jackson, of course) lives forever, but getting thrown out of his dancing troupe, wavers his faith in dancing as a profession. So, he takes to drinking. This is what disillusioned artists do in Bollywood. But that's not all. He then finds an orphan in a dustbin and brings him home. Because this is also what Bollywood does. Like typical Bollywood kids, this one too grows up to become Munna (Tiger Shroff), a super dancer, in one song. His antics and need for money takes him to Delhi where he begins teaching dance steps to Mahinder Fauji (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), a land shark and a closet dancer. Their fine-tuned romance goes for a toss the moment Dolly (Nidhhi Agerwal) enters the frame. Oh, we never saw that coming! Just joking. Now, it's finally a film where everybody would look disinterested and jump on a chance to break into a song. Why? Because this is what Bollywood does. Some assistant must have reminded Sabbir Khan that the current year is 2017 and the film is looking like the glossier version of the '80s movies. So, he brings in the idea of dance face-off and a reality show. How would you fit in Tiger Shroff otherwise? How innovative! Taking a cue from MJ's signature moonwalking to picking a dialogue from Wong Kar-wai's Chunking Express, Sabbir Khan keeps trying to infuse Munna with traits that can strike a balance between Delhi and Mumbai. It's pretty simple math. Base the film in two biggest territories because that is what Bollywood does. He isn't done yet, but Tiger Shroff can't bear the pressure anymore, so Sabbir Khan shifts his focus to Nawazuddin, one of the finest of our times, and makes him do one of the most bizarre roles of his lifetime. Hamming his way to Hotel Bluestar, a property he owns in Delhi, Siddiqui probably knows how it is going to look in the end. Still he tries to not seem completely clueless. His efforts go in vein though. It's sad to see him sleepwalking in Munna Michael after a top-class performance in Mom. Khan's vision of making Nawazudin Siddiqui acrobats doesn't help either. You can easily figure out the body doubles. Even if you don't, background dancers make sure you do. Their close ups are so over the top that you would wander whether they all decided together to look in a certain way? Talking of close ups, the award for most exciting close up goes to Farah Khan who judges a reality show in Munna Michael. Her enthusiasm knows no boundary and every time Tiger Shroff does a summersault, you wait for Farah's 'oh my god' reaction. All this is happening because Dolly wants to make her father proud by becoming an accomplished dancer. By the way, we never meet her father. She announces her arrival with these lines: Hil jaande sab mere naal, jab main shake karaan From UK to Nainital, sab shake karaan. It may sound like a conspiracy theory, but her striking similarity with Kriti Sanon might have prompted Sabbir Khan to cast her. Sanon was the heroine of Khan's earlier film Heropanti.
We've sold our souls for selfies: Shah Rukh Khan
Talking about the media frenzy around his family, SRK says, "(Being photographed is) the part of stardom that we all have accepted...I think everybody in this day and age is fair game. We've sold our souls for selfies. Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan has said his family has considers paparazzi culture a part of their lives and added that his family has sold their souls for photographs. "(Being photographed is) the part of stardom that we all have accepted...I think everybody in this day and age is fair game. We've sold our souls for selfies," Shah Rukh told CNN-News18. Shah Rukh, who is married to Gauri Khan, has three children -- Aryan, Suhana and AbRam. In a video gone viral last month, Suhana, 17, looked helpless and uncomfortable as she tried to hide her face and turns around to escape shutterbugs while she waited for the doors of an elevator to open at a theatre's basement. "I think the kids started feeling awkward with all the paraphernalia. Every time I go out in a public place, I don't take them with me. My wife doesn't come, my children don't come. I go to functions alone or post they have gone," Shah Rukh said. To avoid such occasions, Shah Rukh said he made few adjustments for his family. "Some adjustments have to be made - one of them was that I sent them abroad to study. Not because of the scrutiny, but because they were feeling a little awkward with all the attention they have," Shah Rukh said. "I'm happy they've gone. Where they're studying, to a large extent people don't know me. (But) I'm Okay with them being photographed. I understand photographs (need) to be taken, I've explained it to my kids also that listen, if photographers come, stand, do the picture and say, 'Please can I go now?' And they'll listen to you. I've known them for 25 years," he added Shah Rukh said his children feel that being "photographed doesn't make you important." "More often than not they'll tell me how to behave with the paparazzi. They'll say, 'Papa, now don't lose your temper. There will be too many people.' I think they're quite mature about it," he said.
Kids' reality shows: Former child artistes Sunidhi Chauhan, Shekhar Ravjiani weigh in on the debate
Filmmaker Shoojit Sircar's tweet asking for a ban on kids' reality shows has caused a furore in the industry. Will it yield any result or will the fire soon die down? From Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs to The Voice, Sabse Bada Kalakaar to Junior Masterchef India and Super Dancer, reality shows featuring children are a common feature on Indian television. Last week, filmmaker Shoojit Sircar, known for films like Piku, Pink and Madras Café, tweeted that authorities should ban reality television shows for children. The tweet got close to 12,000 likes and was retweeted over 7,000 times, reigniting a long-standing debate. Other voices joined the debate, including filmmaker Amol Gupte, who worked with child artistes in Taare Zameen Par, and protested against the long working hours and exploitative conditions. Reality shows are sold as platforms to discover and showcase the latent talent of children. Parents and children from differing socio-economic backgrounds are attracted to the idea of a dream launchpad. In India, the success stories of singers Sunidhi Chauhan and Shreya Ghoshal, who were discovered as child artistes on reality shows, are the benchmarks that every parent with a talented child aspires towards. Sunidhi was 13 when she won India's first singing reality show on Doordarshan, Meri Aawaz Suno. "The year was 1996 and it was pure competition," reminisces Sunidhi. But her opinion of today's reality shows is decisive: children are "exposed to so much, so soon". "I would never want my children to go through this," says Sunidhi, who has judged contestants on leading singing shows like Indian Idol and The Voice. "I don't think it's required for any reality show to make children do things that only older people would do. They don't need to mature ahead of their age," she says. In the name of showcasing talent, 'cuteness' becomes a saleable factor, blurring the line between precocious and inappropriate. For Shekhar Ravjiani, one half of the music composer duo Vishal-Shekar, and a judge on Indian Idol Junior Season one (2013) and The Voice India Kids (2016), singing show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa back in 1997 was his first break. While he doesn't advocate an all-out ban, there are concerns. "Some shows encourage children to dress and behave like adults and that to me is jarring," says Shekhar. "It takes away their purity, simplicity and most importantly their innocence and makes them aware of things that don't matter at all." Behind the scenes Reality shows featuring children have been around for a long time, but the pressures involved have changed. When Sunidhi participated in Meri Awaz Suno more than two decades ago, there was no system of vote-and-SMS from the audience. She was judged by legends such as Lata Mangeshkar, Bhupen Hazarika and Manna Dey, and the winners were chosen based on their performances alone. While a reality show was always a full-scale production, on-stage theatrics and appearances were kept to a minimum. "There were no back stories shared with the viewers, it was all about the quality of singing," says Sunidhi. "Their singing will tell their stories, if they are good." Back in the 1990s, popular dance show Boogie Woogie and the singing competition Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, both of which started as contests for adults, were introduced in an all-new avatar targeting children. "The idea then was to showcase young and obscure talent," notes a 2008 article in Mint, "nothing was promised or bequeathed, except the vague idea that once seen, someone, somewhere would maybe sign them on for a minor playback singing role in a movie." For Shekhar, his reality show stint meant recognition of his talent. "In an era where being a musician wasn't considered to be a credible career choice, my talent was given the importance that made my family and others sit up and notice," he says. The focus has shifted. Children on reality shows are not just 'discovered' or polished, but are groomed to become versatile artistes who can perform onstage and enthral millions. Meghna Prem, a TV programming and content strategist with an experience of over 20 years in the entertainment industry, says, "Teenage kids are expected to diet to look a certain way, dress a certain way. Because unlike yesteryears, today when you are selecting a reality star, s/he can't just be a great singer and not be good looking." When ambition meets pressure Aruna Broota, a Delhi-based psychologist has counselled several professional child actors and child atheletes. According to her, the pressures faced by children on reality shows are no different, perhaps worse. Not only are the participants too young to worry about discovering their ambitions, but are often under pressure from fame-thirsty parents trying to live their dreams vicariously. "The child's 'ambitions' are artificially hyped, because it's mostly an adult who takes the decision for them," says Broota. "S/He might have that S-Factor, or the special ability factor, be it in singing, dancing or acting. But when one starts expecting a lot from one's s-factor in terms of competition, it distorts the personality development of the child." At an age when all they should be worried about is playing, studying and having fun, children are entangled in a web of competition and stress. This is not the first time that a discussion on the need to regulate child participation in reality shows has come up. In 2011, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) drew up new guidelines to prevent exploitation of children participating in TV shows and advertisements. Over five years have elapsed since the report was released, yet the realities on the ground paint a different, disturbing picture. Under the NCPCR guidelines, no child should be made to deliver lines or enact scenes that are inappropriate for his or her age. Yet, children dancing on raunchy numbers or belting out romantic songs is mined for applause and laughs.
Happy to be hosting IIFA after so long: Saif Ali Khan
Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan, who will join the inimitable Karan Johar to host the 18th edition of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards, says the event is going to be a lot of fun as the two have worked hard on the script. At the IIFA Rocks green carpet, Saif said, "I am hosting after a long time. KJo and I have worked a lot on the script and have tried it to make it interesting and funny." He added, "We'll make fun of ourselves and a bit of others too! I am sure it's going to be a lot of fun. It's a huge stadium, lots of people will be here, and the whole world will see the program, I am sure they will like it." Starting its journey in the year 2000 in London, IIFA has taken place at 15 locations across 12 countries and four continents. Talking about one of Bollywood's biggest awards, the Rangoon star said, "IIFA is like a gala and not just a normal award function. It has become a three-day cultural event now."
'Devdas' is Shah Rukh Khan favourite film
Mumbai: Superstar Shah Rukh Khan has thanked the cast and crew of "Devdas" to mark 15 years of the release of his "favourite film". "15 beautiful years 'Devdas'. Thanks Sanjay, Binod (Cinematographer Binod Pradhan), Bela (editor Bela Sehgal), Madhuri Dixit, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jackie Shroff, Kirron Kher and cast and crew for my favourite film," Shah Rukh tweeted on Thursday morning. Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, "Devdas" revolves around the scion of a wealthy family who is prevented from marrying the woman he is in love with. His life spirals downward as he takes to alcohol and a life of a vice to alleviate the pain. Currently, Shah Rukh is busy promoting his next film "Jab Harry Met Sejal". The film is directed by Imtiaz Ali and also features actress Anushka Sharma in a key role. Shot is picturesque locations of Budapest, Prague, Lisbon and Punjab, "Jab Harry Met Sejal" is set to release on August 4
Priyanka Chopra begins work on new Hollywood film, with Liam Hemsworth, Rebel Wilson
NEW DELHI:MMNN:11 Jul 2017
After Baywatch, Priyanka Chopra will be seen as a yoga ambassador alongside Rebel Wilson, Liam Hemsworth, Adam Devine in Isn't It Romantic? The production of the romantic comedy is underway. Principal photography has begun on New Line Cinema's romantic comedy Isn't It Romantic?, under the direction of Todd Strauss-Schulson, read a statement. The film follows the life of a New York City architect Natalie, who works hard to get noticed at her job, but is more likely to be asked to deliver coffee and bagels than to design the city's next skyscraper. She has an encounter with a mugger that renders her unconscious, waking to discover that her life has suddenly become her worst nightmare. Wilson stars as Natalie, alongside Liam Hemsworth as Blake, a handsome client; Adam Devine, as her earnest best friend, Josh; and Priyanka as yoga ambassador Isabella. Strauss-Schulson is helming the project from a screenplay by Erin Cardillo, Dana Fox and Katie Silberman, and Paula Pell. The movie's filming is taking place in and around New York City. The film is set for release beginning Valentine's Day, February 14, 2019. It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros Pictures, a Warner Bros Entertainment Company.
Watch: Tom Holland reacts to Desi Spider-Man and gets his 'dil ka chain' stolen
For Indian fans of Spider-Man, the mere mention of the Marvel superhero's name conjures certain tunes and images in our minds. Desi Spider-Man – with his uninhibited dancing, unique fighting style that utilises utensils, and tendency to stalk his lover in fields – is unforgettable, and unavoidable. And what did an Indian interviewer show Spider-Man star Tom Holland when he met him? Desi Spider-Man. Spider-Man: Homecoming opened to massive box office numbers, and enthusiastic reviews on July 7. On July 5, Comic Con India posted a video interview with Holland, conducted by East India Comedy's Sahil Shah. Sahil told him about the character's popularity in India, and how there is an official, Marvel version of the superhero who swings across the Mumbai skyline in a dhoti. But this was all done to prepare Holland for the real deal – the infamous Bhojpuri Spider-Man video. He is justifiably bemused. And then, he his made to recite the evergreen lyrics, "Eespiderman, eespiderman, tune churaya mera dil ka chain." The video became a popular viral sensation after being viewed millions of times. It is a dance sequence which is a part of a film.
Sushant Singh Rajput:?After MS?Dhoni biopic, people think I've become arrogant
NEW DELHI:MMNN:6 Jul 2017
Actor Sushant Singh Rajput has been called "arrogant", especially after his film MS Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016) earned more than Rs 100 crore at the box-office. Sushant, who stars in the recently-released film Raabta, is a bit baffled by this tag. "Earlier, before MS, when I used to speak my mind, people used to tell me, 'Oh you are such a refreshing personality in the industry. You are so honest and please don't change'. Now, after MS has earned Rs 130 crore and I don't get a single f*****g penny [out of it], they think I have become a big star. Now if I speak what I feel, people think I have become a big star and I am arrogant," he adds. After his success, Sushant feels that the public expects him to be full of himself. "People don't see things that they don't expect. So, it's not that I have become arrogant, but it is their belief, that I have become so. I am okay with that really," says the actor who has worked in films such as Kai Po Che! (2013), PK (2014), Raabta among others. However, the 31-year-old actor has a unique way of handling such remarks. Unlike other actors who try not get worked up, he prefers to get affected by these comments. "I let things affect me, and I want to be bothered by all the negativity. As an actor, one of the most important things is to remain vulnerable. I have been acting for 11 years and I have access to that vulnerability part of a character, when I am playing it on-screen. That's why people say, 'his acting is realistic.' So, I have to condition myself to get used to negativity, or else I can't be a good actor," Sushant adds.
Bakheda: Akshay Kumar, Bhumi Pednekar fall in love in new Toilet- Ek Prem Katha song
After Hans Mat Pagli, Toilet- Ek Prem Katha has released a soothing new song, Bakheda. The song traces the love story of Keshav and Jaya, played by Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar. Keshav, searches for a bride in the beginning of the video and later, finds her in Jaya. Bakheda tells of the perils and messiness of love. It has been sung by Sunidhi Chauhan and Sukhwinder Singh. The lyrics are by Garima Wahal and Siddharth Singh the music is composed by Vickey Prasad. Toilet- Ek Prem Katha tells the story of a newlywed woman who leaves her husband's house because it has no indoor toilet. The film also stars Anupam Kher, Divyendu Sharma, Sudhir Pandey and Shubha Khote and is directed by Shree Narayan Singh. It releases on August 11.
Salman Khan to shoot with Varun, Taapsee and Jacqueline for Judwaa 2
Salman Khan was seen in a double role in the 1997 hit Judwaa. He will make a cameo appearance in Varun Dhawan-Jacqueline Fernandez-Taapsee Pannu-starrer Judwaa 2 Bollywood star Salman Khan is all set to revisit the '90s with a special cameo in Varun Dhawan-Jacqueline Fernandez-Taapsee Pannu-starrer Judwaa 2. Varun, Taapsee, and Jacqueline will soon be shooting the special cameo with Salman. While his role in the film is still a secret, Taapsee shared her excitement in a press statement on Tuesday. "We are all excited to shoot with him. Something we all have been looking forward to. He's someone who everyone loved in the original film and is an inseparable part of the franchise and I'm glad he will be part of Judwaa 2 as well," she said. Varun steps into the iconic double role in the film being directed by David Dhawan. He's been posting songs from film, including Tan Tana Tan and Oonchi Hain Building, on his social media handles to ensure the buzz around the film doesn't wane.
Toilet: Ek Prem Katha gets embroiled in a Copyright issue! Here are all the details!
With just a few days remaining for the release of the Akshay Kumar starrer 'Toilet: Ek Prem Katha', it's needless to say that all the eyes are totally glued on to the film. The film, which happens to be a take on India's Prime Minister's dream project 'Swachh Bharat Mission', recently got itself embroiled in a copyright controversy. Filmmaker Praveen Vyas, whose 2016 docu-feature 'Manini', besides winning everyone's attention and applause, also won the third prize amongst the 4500 entries which were shortlisted at the last year's International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. After seeing the trailers of 'Toilet: Ek Prem Katha', Praveen Vyas was shell shocked as it resembled his 'Manini' in many ways. That's why; he sent a legal notice to 'Viacom 18 Motion Pictures' (who happen to be the film's production and distribution company) and also a 'cease and desist' notice on the promotional campaign of the film. As per a report, on his part, Praveen Vyas had allegedly stated that many scenes and dialogues from 'Toilet: Ek Prem Katha' were a direct copy from his Manini. Praveen Vyas added that his film Manini followed the female protagonist and her protests for the lack of a toilet in her marital home on the first night of her marriage and the events which follow that. Praveen Vyas added that, even the scenes in 'Toilet: Ek Prem Katha's trailer showed the similar kind of interaction between the characters. Praveen Vyas also added that no one could make any another cinematographic work or any other copied work without his written consent if their work directly resembled his work. Even though Praveen Vyas had sent a legal notice of copyright infringement through his lawyers of the Delhi based 'Litmus Legal', the makers of Toilet: Ek Prem Katha responded to that notice through their legal team at 'Naik Naik & Co.', only on June 28. Praveen Vyas added that, since the makers of 'Toilet: Ek Prem Katha' had denied all their allegations and have also refused to financially reimburse them; they will now be fighting the case in court. Meanwhile, co-producer of 'Toilet: Ek Prem Katha' Shital Bhatia along with Neeraj Pandey and Akshay Kumar has denied all of Praveen Vyas' allegations. Shital clarified that their film's script had been registered under their writers' names, Siddharth and Garima, with the authorised industry association since the year 2013. He added that, they totally repudiate all the claims made by Praveen Vyas. Watch this space for developments.
The Kardashian sisters invited India's first openly gay prince over, and here's what happened
NEW DELHI:MMNN:30 Jun 2017
The Kardashian sisters - Kim, Kendall, Khloe and Kourtney - invited India's first openly gay prince Manvendra Singh Gohil to dinner for a new episode of their show, and here's what happened The Kardashian sisters - Kim, Kendall, Khloe and Kourtney - had a special guest in a new episode of their reality show Keeping Up With the Kardashians: India's first openly gay prince, Manvendra Singh Gohil. Kendall Jenner, who is an international model, first heard of the prince's story when she visited India in February 2017 for a modelling assignment with photographer Mario Testino. She posed alongside star Sushant Singh Rajput, for Vogue India's 10th anniversary issue. She told her sisters about the prince, 51, when she returned home, and they put together a dinner for him. "In India," says Kendall in a clip from the episode, "it is not acceptable to be gay." She drew similarities between the prince, and her father Caitlyn Jenner, who came out as a transgender woman. "What's similar between him and my dad is the bravery to take that chance to come out," she says At the dinner, the sister made an attempt to learn more about the prince, and his story. "My parents publicly disowned me and they disinherited me from the ancestral property," he says, also talking about how people burnt him in effigy after he came out. And while his relationship with his parents has improved over the years - he credits the media for helping change mindsets - his relationship with his ex-wife, whom he divorced in 1992, is non-existent. "We haven't spoken since the divorce," he says. "I felt guilty about ruining her life." But the prince, who came out in 2006, is working to make a change. He went to San Francisco to raise funds to make an LGBT community centre in India.
Transformers: The Last Knight movie review - Made with rusty old parts, and Mark Wahlberg
Transformers The Last Knight movie review: Director Michael Bay returns for the fifth time, and Mark Wahlberg for the second, to pound your brain into a pulp with wall-to-wall cacophony.
Director - Michael Bay
Cast - Mark Wahlberg, Laura Haddock, Anthony Hopkins, Josh Duhamel, Stanley Tucci, John Goodman
Rating - 1.5/5
There is no worse treatment a movie fan could be subjected to than being made to feel guilty for liking a movie. Millions of fans of the Transformers saga would agree. How often have we been ridiculed for sticking by director Michael Bay's most extravagant whims, despite knowing, deep down, that his movies were only getting worse. How often have we had to defend his almost fetishistic abuse of pyrotechnics, his blatant sexism, the occasional racism, and that ever-inflating ego which he represents so well in his art… Transformers: The Last Knight, the fifth in this series of films in which giant robots decapitate, sever, and butcher each other in the most violent manner, will be the acid test for fans. It will either be the moment when you slip into full-blown denial, willingly ignoring everything that is wrong with these movies (and with yourself), or, it will be the moment you finally snap out of it (as I have). Full disclosure: It is my opinion that the first Transformers film is a modern action classic, endlessly re-watchable, and filled with memorable characters and moments. It is Michael Bay at his best. I even wrote a long defence of the movie, arguing that it was an excellent example of the sort of film it was, a coming-of-age story disguised, like its hulking heroes, as an action blockbuster. The Last Knight is everything the first movie wasn't. It is the evil, gloating Megatron to that film's earnest Optimus Prime. It represents the worst, most self-indulgent, most conceited corners of Michael Bay's personality, and is, despite not being the worst of the lot (that honour still belongs to Age of Extinction), a monumentally overblown film that constantly threatens to crumble under its own weight – much like an ancient building with a wobbly foundation upon which new floors are illegally added every year. When it all comes crashing down, it will take the neighbourhood with it. Its story picks up soon after the events of Age of Extinction, which, to everyone's surprise, made us miss Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox, who were – and I maintain – the best parts about the Transformers movies in the first place. But now, after causing more destruction to the planet than even the humans had managed in their thousands of years pillaging its resources, the Transformers have, in the absence of their leader Optimus Prime, once again become the enemy. The world has seemingly turned into the United Nations of Donald Trump, where no immigrants are allowed in, and those that do manage to jump over the wall (or, in this case, crash land in burning fireballs from the sky into important landmarks), are hunted by the Transformer Reaction Force. The TRF is a multinational militia of sorts whose only purpose is to locate and destroy stray Transformers – without determining whether or not they're the heroic Autobots or the villainous Decepticons. And Cade Yaeger, played for the second time by Mark Wahlberg, has made it his life's mission to protect the aliens. There is also a labyrinthine subplot involving King Arthur (how unkind has the summer of 2017 been to him, am I right?), Merlin the Wizard, and a bemused Anthony Hopkins, who, in one memorable moment that will no doubt cause much second-hand embarrassment on his behalf, utters the words, "That's a bitchin' car". So much happens in this movie, and yet, we get nowhere. It is a film in perpetual motion; new characters are introduced, and swiftly sidelined; there is, for the second time in the series, after the third film Dark of the Moon, a mini Coen Brothers reunion in the cast; the story spans thousands of years, but it feels like millions; and scenes cut - and not transition - to next one without a firm idea of where the story is headed. Often, it seems, the end goal is only to arrive at the next great action set-piece. The characters – the living ones, at least – are just stepping stones, crushed under the giant robots' weight. It took six human beings to edit together this heap of rusty scrap metal into a whole, possibly with hammers and screws. It took four people to write it, and thousands to composite its undeniably magnificent special effects, and yet, the one man whose job it was to bring it all together, was busy flexing his muscles and smouldering at his own reflection in the mirror. Michael Bay earned a paycheck, as did the rest of his cast. And there is no more to this story than meets the eye. The Transformers universe is lush, and filled with lore, just waiting for a talented storyteller to come and play with all the toys – just as it was first intended. But Bay is satisfied with repainting an old chassis in glossy new colours, he is happy taking state-of-the-art tech (in this case, revolutionary IMAX 3D cameras), and cranking out the same, tired stories, populated with the same stock characters – the feisty female, the racist robots, the man destined to save the planet, and, of course, this series' Death Star, Megatron. Now, it is up to them to win us back. No more free passes. No more passionate arguments against strangers. Shamefully, we have now arrived at a time when we must hide our true colours, for fear of being mocked, for being made to feel guilty. Here's hoping that we wear them with pride sooner rather than later.
Rajinikanth's 2.o makers kick-off air balloon promotional drive. See pic
While Akshay Kumar will be seen playing an Ornithologist in 2.o, Rajinikanth will be seen as a scientist and a robot. Following the overwhelming response to SS Rajamouli's Baahubali franchise, makers of superstar Rajinikanth's 2.o are under high pressure to draw attention with their project. Lyca Productions, the makers of superstar Rajinikanth's upcoming Tamil science-fiction action drama 2.o, are pushing the envelope as they begin the promotional campaign for the costliest Indian film. As part of the promotions, a hot-air balloon adorned with life-sized images of Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar will travel around the world. "We plan to take the 100-foot-tall hot-air balloon to as many balloon festivals as possible across the world. Since we see our film as a Hollywood production, we also plan to tie up the balloon over the Hollywood signage in Los Angeles," Raju Mahalingam, creative head, Lyca Productions told The Hindu. The balloon will fly to many countries such as London, Dubai and Australia among others as part of the promotional drive. On Tuesday, the makers gave audiences the first glimpse of the air-balloon and pictures went viral in no time. Amy Jackson is paired with Rajinikanth, and she is rumoured to be playing a humanoid robot. A sequel to Enthiran, the film also stars Sudhanshu Pandey and Adil Hussain. While Akshay Kumar will be seen playing an Ornithologist, Rajinikanth will be seen as a scientist and a robot. The project is bankrolled by Lyca Productions. The film's satellite rights across all languages were recently bagged by Zee Network for a whopping Rs 100 crore, making it the highest amount paid for an Indian film. Tipped to be the most expensive Indian film being made on a budget of Rs 450 crore, 2.o is slated for release in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi next year in January in a record number of screens worldwide.
Jagga Jasoos: After Govinda, now Sanjay Dutt joins Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor
Sanjay Dutt will be the sutradhar (narrator) for Jagga Jasoos that stars Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor in lead roles. Days after reports that Govinda has a special role in Katrina Kaif-Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Jagga Jasoos, rumours now claim that Sanjay Dutt is also part of the Anurag Basu film. A Mid Day report claimed Sanjay will be the sutradhar (narrator)?in the movie. Ranbir Kapoor had recommended Dutt's name for the part, it suggested. Jagga Jasoos is a Hindi comedy-drama film directed by Anurag Basu and produced by Basu and the film's lead actor Ranbir Kapoor. The film also features Sayani Gupta and Adah Sharma in lead roles, and is the story of a teenage detective in search of his missing father. Jagga Jasoos releases on July 14.
Tubelight movie review: Salman Khan, Kabir Khan come up with a tearjerker
Tubelight, as Salman Khan is fondly called in the film, completely plays to Khan's strength of adapting a Boy Scout onscreen. Here's our movie review. Rating: 3/5. Tubelight Director: Kabir Khan Cast: Salman Khan, Sohail Khan, Zhu Zhu, Matin Rey Tangu Rating: 3/5 It's been a while since Salman Khan started playing a clumsy yet golden hearted man-child. He has aced this game by now and Tubelight might be his best shot at it. Laxman Singh Bisht aka Tubelight is the favourite entertainer of Jagatpur in the Kumaon region. He doesn't mind being bullied, mocked or slapped as he believes in humanity in its purest form. It also works as a tactic that will force the audiences, typically fans, to clap later in the film when he will resort to a 'little action'.
Seeti Maar: The next big chartbuster from Allu Arjun's DJ is here
Days before the release of Allu Arjun's new film DJ, the makers have released a promo to a song Seeti Maar featuring Pooja Hegde and Arjun. Allu Arjun is undoubtedly one of the best dancers in Telugu industry. With his latest outing, DJ aka Duvvada Jagannadham, slated for release in cinemas on Friday, its makers released the glimpse of the hit song Seeti Maar from the film on Tuesday and in no time it went viral. With its catchy lyrics and mass-appealing steps, the song immediately became a chartbuster. Directed by Harish Shankar, the film is tipped to be an action entertainer made on a whopping budget, and it marks the first time collaboration of Arjun and Harish, most popular for directing Gabbar Singh. Industry insiders reveal that the film has come out very well and the makers are very confident about its success. In the film, Arjun plays a brahmin chef, and he apparently took his role so seriously that he gave up eating meat, while shooting the portion where he plays the chef, as he wanted to get under the skin of the character and stay pure. His dedication stunned the entire unit, including his director and co-star Pooja Hegde, who plays his love interest. It's for the first time in his career, Arjun is playing such a character and he didn't want anything about it to stick out like a sore thumb.
Farhan Akhtar's short film on Vidya Balan has a strong feminist message. Watch the video
Farhan Akhtar has made a short film on Vidya Balan and her dad. The film is a sweet but strong message on gender equality Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar has made a short film on Vidya Balan and her dad under his initiative MARD. Amitabh Bachhchan shared the short film on Sunday. Sharing the film, Amitabh wrote, "A short film on Vidya Balan and her Father, made by Farhan Akhtar .. a moving pertinent strong statement ." The six-minute film shows Vidya's father PR Balan talk about bringing up two girls in a patriarchal society and how he never prayed for a son. Vidya Balan also enters the frame and reveals how supportive her dad has been throughout. The duo also discuss The Dirty Picture, the film that got Vidya Balan her National Award. The short film is both encouraging and sweet. Watch it here:
Jagga Jasoos: Can Anurag Basu and Ranbir Kapoor repeat the magic of Barfi?
Anurag Basu gave Ranbir Kapoor a challenging role in Barfi and the actor passed the test with flying colours. The Sultan of Bollywood did just that as he returned from Mehboob Studios on Tuesday night. He was accompanied by filmmaker Ramesh Taurani. Director Anurag Basu has wished his frequent collaborator, Pritam Chakraborty, on his birthday and said the music composer is one of greatest strengths behind his movies. Pritam turned 46 on June 14.
Salman Khan ditches his SUV for an auto rickshaw ride
The Sultan of Bollywood did just that as he returned from Mehboob Studios on Tuesday night. He was accompanied by filmmaker Ramesh Taurani. It's not everyday that one would find superstar Salman Khan hopping into an auto rickshaw to take a breezy ride back home. The Sultan of Bollywood did just that as he returned from Mehboob Studios on Tuesday night. He was accompanied by filmmaker Ramesh Taurani.
Shah Rukh Khan is world's 65th highest-paid celebrity, Salman Khan 71st in Forbes list
Shah Rukh Khan is ahead of his Indian contemporaries and global celebrities like Novak Djokovic, actor Amy Schumer,Tiger Woods, Neymar, Ed Sheeran, Rihanna and more. Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar are in Forbes magazines Worlds Highest-Paid Celebrities list, led by rapper P. Diddy, also known as Sean Combs. Shah Rukh, who earned a whopping $38 million between June 1, 2016 to June 1, 2017, is ranked 65 on the list ahead of his Indian contemporaries and global celebrities like tennis superstar Novak Djokovic, actor Amy Schumer, golf legend Tiger Woods, footballer Neymar and singers Ed Sheeran, Rihanna, Britney Spears and Katy Perry
Akshay Kumar tweets out new poster of Toilet: Ek Prem Katha; trailer to release on 11 June
Akshay Kumar released a new poster of his upcoming Toilet: Ek Prem Katha on Twitter. The film has Bhumi Pednekar opposite Kumar. The satirical comedy is directed by Shree Narayan Singh. The film is creating a lot of buzz in the run-up to its August 2017 release. Kumar can be seen channeling the Indian bridegroom in the poster, dressed up in a yellow suit. The poster is captioned "No Toilet, No Bride," which sends out a not-so-subtle indication about what the film is based on. Pednekar is playing the bride in the film. Kumar had earlier tweeted a poster in which both Pednekar and Kumar could be seen in an Indian bride and groom's getup. The cast also includes Sana Khan and veteran actor Anupam Kher. The film is inspired by Narendra Modi's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, which is aimed at improving sanitation facilities and reducing open defecation in the country by constructing adequate washrooms. The film is expected to have a strong social commentary on the current sanitation facilities in the country. Kumar also tweeted that the trailer of Toilet: Ek Prem Katha will be out on 11 June 2017. The film is all set to release on 11 August 2017.
This is why Salman Khan called Rohit Roy a fat cow
NEW DELHI:MMNN:8Jun 2017
It was an advice Rohit Roy badly needed when he was preparing for Hrithik Roshan-starrer Kaabil in which he had to look leaner and younger. During late '90s, Salman Khan became the fitness inspiration of a country that wanted to move on from the usual chubby Bollywood leads to muscle builders. His films Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya and Veergati worked mostly because he didn't hesitate in showing off his chiselled body. This intro is just to make you understand how serious is Salman Bhai about his body and fitness in general.
Fate of the Furious made Rs 650 crore in two days and it''s still less than expected
New Delhi:MMNN:17 April 2017
The Fate of the Furious is roaring to a record-setting global debut over the weekend.
Final numbers have yet to be released, but based on earlier estimates, the action-thriller is poised to set a new worldwide high-water mark. It is expected to pass the previous record of $529 million set by Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
If that happens, a large part of the credit will to China, where The Fate of the Furious has already racked up a massive $135 million in its first two days of release. It is worth noting that Chinese theaters only give studios about 25% of ticket sales, roughly half of what they receive in most major territories.
Domestically, there are indications that a franchise centered on muscle cars and physics-defying stunts, has crested. The Fate of the Furious took in an estimated $100.2 million (Rs 644 crore), an impressive result, but a steep drop off from Furious 7''s $147.2 million (Rs 947 crore) kick-off. Heading into the weekend, most analysts expected the film would roar past the $100 million mark, instead of inch over the line.
There are important reasons for the fall off. Furious 7 served as a memorial of sorts to Paul Walker, the franchise star whose 2013 death in a car accident shattered his co-stars and many fans. This time, there wasn''t the same emotional resonance. The Fate of the Furious continues the franchise without Walker, adding in series newcomers such as Charlize Theron and Helen Mirren.
Then there was the off-screen drama. This film had to contend with reports of off-screen tension between Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson that undermined one of the franchise''s key selling points -- that these films are celebrations of family and brotherhood. Both stars steered clear of each other at the picture''s New York premiere and Diesel''s attempt to brush aside the reports of a beef between the actors left something to be desired.
Reviews were also weaker. IndieWire''s David Ehrlich labelled the film the worst of the series, while the Los Angeles Times'' Justin Chang argued the franchise had jumped the shark, or in this case, the nuclear submarine. That''s not to say there weren''t some loud advocates. Variety''s Owen Glieberman, for instance, praised the picture as a "dazzling action spectacle." Audiences agreed, handing The Fate of the Furious an A CinemaScore.
Beyond Johnson, Diesel, Mirren, and Theron, The Fate of the Furious brings back franchise veterans Kurt Russell, Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson, Jason Statham, and Michelle Rodriguez. F. Gary Gray, fresh off the success of Straight Outta Compton, slid into the director''s chair.
'Raabta' trailer: Sushant Singh Rajput-Kriti Sanon weave magic with their dreamy chemistry
The much-awaited trailer of Sushant Singh Rajput and Kriti Sanon starrer 'Raabta' is out now and it definitely looks dreamy.
The larger than life love story of the duo fills the screen with heartfelt romance that is bound to make you go weak in the knees.
The over-two-minutes trailer starts off with the quirky romance of Sushant and Kriti's characters without spilling the beans on their respective backgrounds much.
Next comes 'Neerja' actor Jim Sarbh into the picture as the ultimate baddie. In a reincarnation story laced with vengeance, will the duo strive to make their love win is the key takeaway from the trailer. The trailer also includes a recreation of the hit melody 'Raabta' from Saif Ali Khan-starrer 'Agent Vinod'.
'Raabta', a romantic drama, which was extensively shot in Budapest is set to release on June 9. The film is directed by debutant Dinesh Vijan. He has earlier produced films like 'Badlapur', 'Cocktail' and 'Finding Fanny'.
FINALLY! Priyanka Chopra has LOCKED in on a Bollywood film!
Priyanka Chopra may soon be homeward bound! After making waves for years as one of Bollywood's biggest stars, Chopra decided to head West, where she has been ruling the small screen for the past couple of years as Alex Parrish on Quantico. And now she'll also be making her mark on Hollywood, being a part of Baywatch, which is due to hit screens this summer. She's won several accolades
abroad. But now, Chopra's decided to make her return to Bollywood, with intentions to return to work as soon as this summer.
The actress has promised to start work on two films when she returns to India from the US. And she's finally locked in on a project. According to Mid-Day, Pink director Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury has been signed on by Chopra's production house. He has reportedly been roped in to create a women-centric film, with reports that Chopra herself might have a part to play in the film. While there is no word on what kind of role she'll be taking up, whether as the lead or in a cameo, we might find out soon as Chopra will finalise all the details upon her return to Mumbai from the US.
Chopra was last seen on Indian screens in Prakash Jha's 2016 Jai Gangaajal, which only received mixed reviews. She is currently in negotiations with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, among others. Chopra is currently involved in promotional activities for her Hollywood debut Baywatch, due to release May 26. Chopra will return to the US after shooting for her Bollywood efforts amidst reports of a season 3 for Quantico and a potential role in Mission Impossible 6.
Arjun Kapoor : People are made fun of if they don't speak English well
Actor Arjun Kapoor says it is sad that people judge others on the basis of how well they speak English and those who struggle with the language are often made fun of. Arjun says there are people who will understand Hindi but will respond in English to sound cool.
"In India, if you're smart but don't understand English no one gives importance to you. If you can't speak English then you're looked at differently.This is the biggest issue in the country. You may understand Hindi but will speak in English to sound cool," he said.
The actor was speaking at the trailer launch of 'Half Girlfriend' here. The romantic drama is based on the novel of the same name written by Chetan Bhagat and also stars Shraddha Kapoor .
Arjun says there are certain actors, who also struggle with this issue but he is thankful to his grandparents for always speaking to him in Hindi.
"People are told that if you speak in English you will sound better. So, a consciousness comes in, people are made fun of, they're not taken seriously. This has personally bothered me," he said.
"The youth of today is very fluent in English but you ask them three questions in Hindi and they face a problem. We are actors so we need to learn Hindi, and thankfully my grandparents always spoke to me in Hindi so my Hindi is clean but there are many actors also (who are not fluent in the language)," he adds.
The 31-year-old actor insists Hindi is a language which one must understand as it is something which will take the country forward.
Meri Pyaari Bindu Trailer 3#: Meet Parineeti Chopra, 'Kolkata's Madonna'
New Delhi:MMNN:5 April 2017
The third chapter of Meri Pyaari Bindu, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Parineeti Chopra is out, titled Kalkatte Ki Madonna. The one-and-a-half minute video shared on YouTube, focuses on Parineeti aka Bindu's passion for singing and how Abhimanyu, played by Ayushmann supports her in her journey to become a rockstar and gets 'trapped.' Meri Pyaari Bindu, which has been shot in Kolkata, features Ayushmann Khurrana as a Bengali author.
The third trailer from the movie has the popular song Disco '82 song from the movie Khud-Daar playing in the background. The film, directed by Akshay Roy, is scheduled to release in theatres on May 12.
The first two chapters of the film, titled Samosa Aur Chutney and Gabar Aur Sambha were released on Monday and Tuesday, respectively. The makers of the film have promised to release five chapters from Abhimanyu Roy's book, in the form of trailers.
The makers of the film released the first song from the movie, titled Mana Ke Hum Yaar Nahin, even before the trailers. Parineeti Chopra made her debut as a playback singer with this song. Mana Ke Hum Yaar nahin crossed over 4 million views in a day. The 28-year-old actress received a lot of appreciation from her cousin Priyanka Chopra, Golmaal Again co-stars and other close friends.
Parineeti Chopra was last seen in 2014 movie Kill Dil.
After Meri Pyaari Bindu, Ayushmann Khurrana will be seen in Bareilly Ki Barfi. The film, directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, also stars Rajkummar Rao and Kriti Sanon. He will also feature in Aanand L Rai's Shubh Mangal Savdhan opposite Bhumi Pednekar.
'Naam Shabana' box-office collection Day 5
Taapsee Pannu's spy thriller 'Naam Shabana' collected approximately Rs 2.50 crore on its first Tuesday (Day 5) taking its total to Rs 22.50 crore (nett), as reported by Boxofficeindia.com.
The prequel to Neeraj Pandey's 'Baby' had opened at Rs 4.75 crore and earned Rs 17.75 crore over the first weekend.
Starring Taapsee Pannu in the lead role, the film has an extended cameo by Akshay Kumar with many key players from the cast of 'Baby' coming together for the film. While Akshay, Anupam Kher, Danny Denzongpa and Madhurima Tuli reprise their roles from the 2015 film, 'Naam Shabana' also stars Prithviraj Sukumaran and Manoj Bajpayee.
The film delves into the back-story of Taapsee's character Shabana Khan and shows the audience how she is trained to become a spy.
Why Sunil Grover might not quit 'The Kapil Sharma Show'
New Delhi:MMNN:22 March 2017
It is out in the open that Kapil Sharma assaulted and abused good friend and co-actor Sunil Grover on a flight recently. Post this, the latter has decided to quit the 'The Kapil Sharma Show', where he plays characters that are loved by the viewers - Dr Mashoor Gulati and Rinku Bhabhi. While Kapil apologised to Sunil in a Twitter post, Sunil's reaction to it has not yet confirmed the news that he would leave the show. While this hints at the possibility that Sunil might just return to do what he does best - make people laugh, his not making his exit public also suggests that Sunil might not be too confident to venture out alone after the failure of his previous stints.
Going by Sunil's career in Television, success had eluded the talented actor for a long time. He was a part of many shows that did not do well, which included Gutur Gu, Professor Money Plant, Lo Kar Lo Baat, Chala Lallan Hero Ban Ne and Kya Aap Paanchvi Fail Champu Hain?. None of his works did justice to the talent that he has, until he worked on Comedy Nights With Kapil, where he rose to unprecedented heights with his enactment of a cross-dressed woman, Gutthi. He left the audience in splits with his comic act and proved his mettle as a comedian.
However, his creative differences with Kapil Sharma when he was doing Comedy Nights made him switch to another channel with a new show. Sunil went on to do 'Mad In India', his own show, which turned out to be a dud, doing nothing for the comedian. He then returned to Kapil's show after a reconciliation and continues to receive the same adulation till date, even when he now plays an aged Dr. Mashoor Gulati, who offers unique medical treatments to his patients, on The Kapil Sharma Show.
Sunil now probably knows the result of working with Kapil and without him, as he has experienced both. Hence, his possibility of returning to the show cannot be ruled out completely. Also, this pretty much sums up the fact that just as Kapil is nothing without Sunil, Sunil is also a non-entity without Kapil. It is true that some people work best, when they work together. We can only hope that two bury their differences and shift their energies to create magic with their humour and wit.
Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif's picture from the sets of 'Tiger Zinda Hai' is perfect
Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif are all set to recreate magic on the big screen with 'Tiger Zinda Hai'. One of the most sought-after on-screen jodis, the two were last seen together in the film's prequel, 'Ek Tha Tiger' in 2012. And for those who can't wait till the film's release to witness Salman and Katrina's sizzling chemistry, here's a surprise from the actor.
Salman posted a beautiful picture of him and Kat on the sets of 'Tiger Zinda Hai' on his Instagram handle. The actress looks gorgeous in a blush-coloured tube gown while Salman is his dashing self in a black tuxedo. The picture sees the two caught in a romantic moment as they are lost in each other's eyes. Salman captioned the image, "Back together, in Tiger Zinda Hai."
This superstar wanted to play Ranbir's role in Sanjay Dutt's biopic
New Delhi:MMNN:8 March 2017
Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani, who is making a film on actor Sanjay Dutt's life, went to superstar Aamir Khan for a role and the latter thought that the director came to him for Sanjay's role.
Reportedly, Raju offered Aamir the role of Sanjay's father Sunil Dutt.
If reports are to be believed than Rajukumar asked Aamir that he wanted to meet him, as he was keen to cast the superstar in Sanjay Dutt's biopic. The director met Aamir with writer Abhijat, and started giving narration on Sunil Dutt's role.
The actor who was expecting that the lead role told the filmmaker that he thought that they would narrate Sanjay's role to him adding that he was not interested in playing his father.
Well, this is indeed interesting. This is known to all that actor Ranbir Kapoor is playing the lead in the film.
Though, Ranbir is a talented actor and the hard work that he is doing for the biopic is not hidden from anyone. But, things would have been different if whatever Aamir was thinking was right and he was approached for the main role.
Along with Ranbir, the biopic also features Sonam Kapoor as Sanjay's one of the love interests, Dia Mirza will be seen as his wife Manyata Dutt, and Manisha Koirala will portray Nargis Dutt.
Paresh Rawal will essay the role of Sanjay's father Sunil Dutt.
Anushka Sharma: I think I've represented ghost community well
Actress Anushka Sharma, who will be essaying the role of a ghost bride in her second production 'Phillauri', says she does believe in ghosts.
During media interaction to promote her upcoming flick, the 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' star revealed, "I believe ghosts exist and I have felt it too."
The 28-year-old then described her experience of becoming one and said, "It was fun to play a non-living character. Normally we play characters which are in the flesh and its boring to portray a living character in each film. You should keep doing a different thing. I think I've represented the ghost community well by presenting their feelings in front of all of you."
Anushka ventured into production with 2015 thriller 'NH-10' and is now gearing up for her banner's next project starring Diljit Dosanjh.
When asked as to what she enjoys the most, the actress replied, "I enjoy being both, an actor and producer. I have realized that with more responsibilities, I tend to perform better. It's because I get to collaborate on a film from scratch, from the beginning of it. This is creatively an extremely satisfying experience."
"For example right now when I am working on Imtiaz Ali's film, I just act and that's it. But when it's your film, there is even more involvement which I really enjoy," added the 'PK' star.
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