Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Shaheer Sheikh, Hiba Nawab starrer Woh Toh Hai Albela to go off air

Shaheer Sheikh and Hiba Nawab starrer Woh Toh Hai Albela, that currently airs on Star Bharat, received a lot of love from audiences especially for exploring a unique pairing. But it seems that the couple have failed to garner TRPs and now reports claim that the show is all set to go off air. Being the official remake of the Tamil show, Eeramana Rojave, currently this Hindi serial has completed over 350 episodes.

We hear that the channel Star Bharat has decided to axe Woh Toh Hai Albela after the show has been garnering low TRPs. Although the lead couple received a lot of appreciation when they showcased them falling in love, the several plot twists and turns that the makers have introduced lately seems to have not been received well by the audience. If these reports are to be believed, the final day of the shoot will be this month and the show is expected to go off air by mid-July. Although neither the producers nor the actors of the serial have opened about this decision.

As for the show, it primarily focuses on the post marital tribulations of Kanha and Sayuri who are caught together in a forced relationship after the demise of Sayuri’s fiancé and Kanha’s best friend and brother Chiranjeev and Chiru. The show currently focuses on the new vamp Chaman Bahar essayed by Priyamvada Kant, who is obsessed with Kanha aka Shaheer Sheikh. Currently, the Choudhary family is trying ways to get back their property from Priyamvada who has deceitfully forged papers to acquire their mansion and live a wealthy lifestyle. The family has been attempting to woo her and get her sign the papers of retrieve their properties and wealth.

Woh Toh Hai Albela airs on Star Bharat from Monday to Friday at 9 pm and is also available for streaming on Disney+Hotstar.

Also Read: Shaheer Sheikh shows off his entire 3-month body transformation in this reel; fans cannot stop gushing about this video


LEAKED! Arjun Bijlani starts shooting for Zee TV’s Pyaar Ka Pehla Adhyaya Shiv Shakti; see pics 

After visiting Siddhivanayak Temple in Mumbai for seeking Bappa’s blessings for his new show on ZEE TV -  'Pyaar Ka Pehla Adhyaya Shiv Shakti', popular actor and star Arjun Bijlani has landed in Varanasi to shoot a promo for this exciting new show. It seems that his first look from the show has been leaked where Arjun is spotted taking a dip in the holy Ganga ... well, we have to say his fans are going to love his super-fit, shirtless look. 

In fact, the actor was glad that he could start shooting for his next on the pious day of Ganga Dussehra. And looks like his fans can’t keep calm about seeing their favourite star on screen again as they go gaga over his videos and photos which have gone viral on social media!

Speaking of the show, besides Bijlani, Maddam Sir Bhavika Sharma has been roped in to play the lead role. Meanwhile, television actor Sameer Khan will be seen playing the parallel lead role. The show will be produced by Prateek Sharma's Studio LSD. They have earlier produced shows like Rabb Se Hai Dua, Radha Mohan, Beyhadh 2, Ek Deewana Tha, Sufiyana Pyaar Mera, Bahu Begum, and more.

Arjun Bijlani has been busy with his hosting gigs on TV. His last full-fledged fiction show was Colors TV's Ishq Mein Marjawan in 2019. Since, he has done a few appearances in Naagin 3, Udaan, and Tere Ishq Mein Ghayal.

Also Read: Arjun Bijlani on actors being disrespected for being a part of TV industry; says, “Art has got nothing to do with the medium”


Vaani Kapoor is the face of Cruise Appliances for its new VarioQool Ultra AC’s

Bollywood’s most gorgeous actress, Vaani Kapoor has recently been roped in by India’s premium air conditioner brand, Cruise as the face of its all-new cutting edge VarioQool Ultra AC range. There is no doubt that the charm the Befikre actress carries will appeal to Cruise’s modern consumers lifestyle’s while the brand also offers them a faster and intelligent cooling experience. Ultimately, a larger community will be motivated by the new association to choose a top-notch trustworthy cooling system.

Speaking on this new partnership with Cruise, Actress Vaani Kapoor stated, “I am delighted to be the face of Cruise ACs. Representing such a brand that sticks to its commitment of providing the finest products is great and India's scorching summer can be made bearable with their new Inverter AC range. I cannot wait to witness more innovation from the company and be an even closer part of this journey.”

"After a lot of thinking and going through a plethora of names, Vaani Kapoor was chosen to become the face of Cruise ACs. As soon as her name came, we knew that this partnership would be perfect because she exemplifies the values we uphold: style, elegance, and diversity. Having enacted many different roles, she is well known for making daring decisions and has a strong broad appeal. On the other hand, in order to effectively cool your house, workplace, restaurant, or even a ballroom, our cooling systems also need to be bold in the summer heat and have a track record of doing so, hence, the brand and her personality resonate with each other rightly,” said Roshan Sirohia, Director, Cruise Appliances Pvt Ltd.

With an AI conversion capacity for up to 40% energy savings and 25% faster cooling, the newest generation of VarioQool Ultra DUAL EEV Inverter Air Conditioners is available in 1.6-ton and 2.0-ton capacities. The promise of comfortable cooling is kept by its AerPro filtration, which incorporates PM 2.5, VOC, activated charcoal, and catechin. Its 100% superior inner copper tubes and grooves, will make the air conditioner last longer and heat will transfer more quickly. Additionally, the Rust-O-Shield anti-corrosion technology of the heat exchanger protects the AC in corrosive and coastal areas and stops weather damage. Your home will be kept 99.9% clean, pure, and healthy with this AC. VarioQool Ultra’s prices start at INR 37,900, and one can buy it from Amazon, Flipkart, and major retailers all throughout India.

At the BARC Prestigious Brand Awards Asia 2023 in Abu Dhabi, Cruise Appliances was recently recognised as Asia's Best Consumer Electronics Brand. This recognition underlines its enthusiasm and dedication to providing top-notch solutions to the discerning clients of the Cruise group, and its most recent VarioQool Ultra and VarioQool Pro range is proof of the team’s enthusiasm for continuous innovation and sustainability.

On the other hand, Vaani Kapoor, who garnered a lot of love and praise for portraying a sensitive heroine in the movie Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, has begun filming for her next project, a gritty crime drama on OTT from YRF Entertainment called Mandala Murders. Additionally, she has completed filming on an untitled social comedy-drama by Maddock. Each of them has been proving their calibre in their respective fields, hence, the Cruise group and Vaani Kapoor’s collaboration will definitely create a stride in both worlds.

Also Read: Vaani Kapoor is a shimmering siren in Emilio Pucci’s backless metallic gown


EXCLUSIVE: Ankit Tiwari “jokes” he is not talented enough to do ‘Kaccha Badam’; says, “You tend to lose yourself in the trend”, watch

With numerous successful tracks to his name, including hits like ‘Galliyan’ from Ek Villain and ‘Sun Raha Hai’ from Aashiqui 2, Ankit Tiwari has established himself as a prominent figure in the music industry. His dedication to his craft and refusal to compromise his artistic integrity have earned him respect and admiration from both fans and fellow musicians.

In a conversation with Bollywood Hungama, Ankit Tiwari expressed his commitment to his own unique style and artistic abilities. While he acknowledged the influence of trends in the industry, he emphasised the importance of staying true to oneself and not succumbing to the pressure of following every popular trend.

During the interaction, the composer-singer was asked about something he cannot do, no matter how much it trends. In his response, he stated, "It has happened many times. But there are certain weird and terrible things that I can't do and won't do. It is not in me... Like I can't do 'Kaccha Badam'. I am incapable of doing it. No matter how much it trends.”

Explaining his take further, Tiwari added, “Many times, you tend to lose yourself in the trend. I don't think I have that much talent (laughs) to do something like that. Whatever talent I have, whatever I know, whatever I have learned from others, I will definitely use that to achieve what I can in my music, to contribute to it."

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Ankit Tiwari speaks on desire of collaborating with Shah Rukh Khan; says, “Shiddat aur kayanat chide hue hai”, watch


Akshay Oberoi joins Shriya Pilgaonkar for season 2 of The Broken News

In exciting news for fans of the acclaimed series The Broken News, actor Akshay Oberoi has recently secured his next significant digital project. Oberoi is set to join the cast of the highly anticipated second season of The Broken News.

The season 1 plot revolved around two news channels having opposing principles that lead to a fierce rivalry; the dynamic journalists attempt to balance their lives while facing an uncertain future.

In the upcoming season, viewers can look forward to Akshay Oberoi's entry as a fresh addition to the already stellar line-up of actors. Oberoi's character will bring a new dimension to the narrative, further intensifying the drama and intrigue that captivated audiences during the first season. Joining Oberoi in the cast will be renowned names from the industry, including Sonali Bendre, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Shriya Pilgaonkar, among others.

Sharing more about Akshay’s addition to the cast, a source said, “Akshay Oberoi will soon be part of The Broken News season 2. There have not been many details of his character out yet, since it is in every initial stage. But the filmmakers were keen on casting Akshay for the part as he fits the roles.”

The shoot of the show, which is by ZEE5 in collaboration with BBC Studios India, will start soon. Akshay Oberoi is currently busy with Fighter, where he plays the role of an air force pilot. The film also features Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone as Indian Air Force pilots. It is slated for release on January 25, 2024. The film is said to be shot across the globe and will pay tribute to the sacrifice of the country’s armed forces.

Also Read: Akshay Oberoi talks about his experience of working with Sara Ali Khan in Gaslight; says, “Nobody around her can have a bad day”


Season 3 of City of Dreams becomes the most watched season of the franchise after just 5 days of its launch

Filmmaker Nagesh Kukunoor is back with the third season of his political drama City of Dreams on Disney+ Hotstar. The new season, which started streaming on the platform from May 26, has continued the good work of the previous two seasons. And it is now learnt that the third season has become the most watched season of the show after just five days of its release. Disney+ Hotstar has also shared the news on their official social media pages.

The show stars Priya Bapat, Atul Kulkarni, Sachin Pilgaonkar, Eijaz Khan, Sushant Singh, Rannvijay Singha, among others. The story is basically about the power struggle between Poornima Gaikwad (Bapat), the acting Chief Minister of Maharashtra, and her father Ameya Rao Gaikwad (Kulkarni), a veteran politician. The series shows how the power feud in a single family has a negative effect on the state.

City of Dreams sees Pilgaonkar playing the former Chief Minister of the state while Khan essays the role of a tough cop, who is on Poornima’s side. Siddharth Chandekar played Poornima’s brother and Ameya Rao Gaikwad’s son, who gets killed in the first season.

We can call this the #BreakingNews ! Watch #HotstarSpecials #CityOfDreams Season 3, all episodes streaming now!#COD3OnHotstar @applausesocial #KukunoorMovies @nairsameer @deepaksegal #NageshKukunoor @ElaheHiptoola @bapat_priya pic.twitter.com/WEbq27mXZ3

— Disney+ Hotstar (@DisneyPlusHS) May 31, 2023

Atul Kulkarni recently shared his experience of working with Nagesh Kukunoor and Priya Bapat on the show. “I always enjoy working with Nagesh. He is a complete actor’s director. He guides you through the scene and it is a pleasure to work the scene out with him. I almost remember every day on-set, from the readings to the production of the scenes. I have a great equation with Priya, as we are extremely close friends off-screen too. Nagesh and Priya are the two people who really made every day special on sets,” said the actor.

Also Read: City of Dreams 3: Eijaz Khan opens up on how he prepared for his role as a cop, says, “I met some police officers at Carter Road”


Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Ranveer Singh signs with international agency WME, home to Ben Affleck, Christian Bale, Jake Gyllenhaal

Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh has signed with the international agency William Morris Endeavor (WME) in all areas globally. The news was reported by Deadline. The agency is home to Ben Affleck, Christian Bale, and Jake Gyllenhaal among others. In 2021, Alia Bhatt signed with the same agency.

The report states that Ranveer Singh has a brand value of $181.7 million. He is also a brand ambassador for many major brands including the NBA (appearing in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game in 2022 and 2023), Adidas, PepsiCo, and Abu Dabhi’s Yas Island.

On the work front, Ranveer Singh was last seen in Rohit Shetty's Cirkus. The actor will now star in Karan Johar's Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. The film also stars Alia Bhatt, Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan and Shabana Azmi. The film is slated for July 28, 2023 release. ALSO READ: Ranveer Singh steals hearts in first look of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani


Carry On Jatta 3 trailer launch: Kapil Sharma touches Aamir Khan's feet; Aamir complains, "Aapne mujhe apne show pe nahin bulaya. Yeh galat baat hai"

Kapil Sharma has a fan following not just among the aam junta but also celebrities. The comedian has shot for his TV show The Kapil Sharma Show with innumerable celebrities. But one celeb has been conspicuous by his absence on the TV show - Aamir Khan. Hence, when both Aamir Khan and Kapil Sharma met at the trailer launch of the Punjabi film Carry On Jatta 3, it was a rare sight. Kapil also touched Aamir's feet and it added to the event's appeal.

Aamir Khan spoke highly of Kapil Sharma, "I called Kapil just 2-3 weeks back. Main aaj kal kaam kam kar raha hoon. Family ke saath zyada hoon. Every night, I like seeing comedy before going to sleep. Since the past many months, I see Kapil's show. I have become his huge fan. You must have noticed that my smile was the widest when he came on stage! Meri itni shaamon ko inhone rangeen banaya hai. Hence, I called and thanked him for entertaining people. Logon ka dil behlana bahut bada kaam hai. I am happy to see you here. I am one of your biggest fans, Kapil."

 

View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by Bollywood Hungama?? (@realbollywoodhungama)

Aamir Khan then complained in a lighter vein, "Aapne mujhe show pe nahin bulaya. Yeh galat baat hai!" He continued, "Isse pehle ki yeh puche, main hi bol deta hoon. Kapil se ek kadam aage hoon main!"

Kapil Sharma replied, "Hamara saubhagya hoga jab aap show pe aaoge. I have requested Aamir bhai whenever we have met. He has always said, 'Main kahin ja raha hoon. Wapis aake baat karte hai'. Cut to, yeh seedha teen saal baad milte hai!"

Aamir replied, "Main 100% aaunga lekin main ek cheez bolta hoon. Aap mujhe meri film release ke time bulate hai. Mujhe release ke liye nahin aana hai. Mujhe aise hi entertainment ke liye bulao."

Later, a journalist asked if Aamir Khan would like to do a film with Kapil Sharma. To which, Aamir said, "Kapil and me doing a film together? I would love that yaar!"

The journalist said that it'll be a pleasure to see them both as Aamir is a perfectionist while Kapil Sharma is "sabke dil ke raja". Aamir pitched in, "Mere bhi dil ke raja hai woh!" Kapil Sharma then raised laughs as he told the journalist, "Thank you mere kehne par aapne yeh sawaal pucha!"

Also Read: Taran Adarsh believes Aamir Khan is going through a ‘lull phase’ in his career; says, “Aamir Khan will get another chance from audience”


EXCLUSIVE: Ankit Tiwari speaks on desire of collaborating with Shah Rukh Khan; says, “Shiddat aur kayanat chide hue hai”, watch

Shah Rukh Khan, known as the King of Bollywood, has been captivating audiences for decades with his charismatic performances. The superstar's on-screen presence and ability to bring characters to life have attracted not only fans but also renowned composers in the Indian music industry. Over the years, a bunch of composers have expressed their deep desire to work with Shah Rukh Khan, aiming to create memorable musical compositions that perfectly complement the actor's larger-than-life persona. And one of them is Ankit Tiwari.

At various occasions, Tiwari has confessed that he is willing to work with SRK. Recently, in an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, the composer-singer was asked to speak about his collaboration with SRK and if it is happening anytime soon. In his response, Tiwari recalled a famous Shah Rukh Khan dialogue while explaining his take.

He asserted, “I don't know. Sometimes, a dialogue of his comes to my mind - Agar kisi cheez ko dil se chaaho to puri kayanat usey tumse milane ki koshish mein lag jaati hai. I feel that ‘shiddat’ and ‘kaynat’ are both slightly irritated with me. I have met him many times and have expressed my desire to work with him. But I don’t like to irritate people by constantly telling them that I want to work with them.

Besides this, Ankit also talked about aspiring singers and why it is important to undergo the necessary training in order to become a singer. To conclude his conversation, Ankit spoke about his upcoming projects without revealing much details.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Ankit Tiwari confesses it is “practically” not possible to make best friends in the industry; breaks down the process


After three brands, Shilpa Shetty-Kundra turns investor for Omni-channel ‘farm-to-fork’ start-up Kisankonnect

A staunch believer in fitness and good health, Shilpa has been propagating the thought of a healthy body and mind throughout. She has engaged actively in contributing through one of the most important elements of fitness, ‘Fresh food’.

Speaking on the partnership, Shilpa said ‘I believe in the idea of a fit and healthy India, and I personally practice and promote this thought wherever possible. I love that the founders of Kisankonnect share the same passion towards this thought. Not only are they solving the problem of safe-to-eat food, but they are also connecting thousands of farmers directly to the consumers, resonating with my thoughts about promoting health in my country, where agriculture is one of the major occupations. Hence I’ve decided to partner with Kisankonnect who work on soil health, crop health and have created an amazing tech-enabled supply chain. We do our every bit to protect the nutrition in the fruits and vegetables. Consumers can finally trace and trust their food source on the Kisankonnect App. Our ‘Farm Stores’ also connect with consumers. This is 'Aapka Apna Farmers Market’ for this vibrant India!’

Kisankonnect is among the new-age companies, that are trying to solve the problems of building an efficient supply chain to deliver the freshest produce to consumers in the shortest time. Vivek Nirmal, founder of homegrown Kisan-konnect said, ‘We are very delighted to have Shilpa partnering in our journey of providing fresh and nutritious produce to our customers. We had started as a farmer’s producer company. Our integrated model right from soil testing, plant biologicals based on ‘Regenerative Agricultural’ are helping thousands of our farmer members to nurture an active and healthy soil. Our unique model ensures better returns for smallholder farmers and fresh and nutritious food for the consumer."

Co-founder Nidhi Nirmal added, ‘We are proud to have the largest assortment in the FnV space and service anywhere in Mumbai and Pune within 4-6 hours of ordering. We have multiple slots from where the customers can choose for delivery or they can simply walk-in to our nearest ‘Farm Stores'.

Shilpa Shetty will be seen next in the Indian Police Force where she is the first female cop in Rohit Shetty's cop universe along with Sukhee and recently announced Magnum-opus KD where she revealed the first look. ALSO READ: Shilpa Shetty invests Rs. 2.25 crore in Shark Tank fame start-up WickedGud


Monday, May 29, 2023

Bigg Boss OTT 2: Awez Darbar, Anjali Arora, Mahesh Poojary shoot for the promo for Salman Khan-hosted show

Salman Khan is set to host the second season of the digital version of Bigg Boss. Following Karan Johar, this season of Bigg Boss OTT will be hosted by Khan and the contestants have begun to shoot for the promo.

According to the sources, creative producer Mahesh Poojary, dancer and choreographer Awez Darbar and Kaccha Badam fame Anjali Arora have already shot the promo. The shoot commenced on May 28 and three of them are all set to enter the house as contestants.

The existing contestants are given enough content for the show and the makers do not want to jinx it. Hence, they have decided that there might be more entries. As far as contestants are concerned, amongst the several names floating on the internet, a few of them are Sambhavna Seth, Pooja Gor, Poonam Pandey, Jia Shankar, Faisal Shaikh aka Mr Faizu and Anurag Doval. ALSO READ: Salman Khan to bring the Bigg Boss magic to OTT, shooting for a promo featuring Raftaar: Report


Aamir Khan to launch trailer of Punjabi movie Carry On Jatta 3, starring Gippy Grewal, Sonam Bajwa

Fans of the superhit Punjabi film franchise Carry On Jatta have reason to rejoice as the third instalment of the series is gearing up to hit the screens soon. Promising a wave of laughter and unadulterated joy, Carry On Jatta 3 is expected to win hearts with its rib-tickling humour. Amidst the growing buzz, the makers have announced an exciting event to mark the launch of the film's trailer. Adding star power to the occasion, the trailer will be unveiled by none other than Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan.

This collaboration between the Punjabi and Hindi film industries is generating immense excitement among fans and movie enthusiasts. The trailer launch is scheduled to take place on May 30 in Mumbai, where the entire cast of the film will be present. The star-studded ensemble includes popular names like Gippy Grewal, Sonam Bajwa, Binnu Dhillon, Kavita Kaushik, Shinda Grewal, Gurpreet Ghuggi, Karamjit Anmol, Harby Sangha, and Jaswinder Bhalla.

Carry On Jatta 3 is anticipated to carry forward the success and humour of its predecessors, which have garnered a massive following among Punjabi cinema lovers. With the trailer launch just around the corner, fans eagerly await a glimpse of the hilarious and entertaining world that awaits them in the film.

As Aamir Khan takes the stage to unveil the much-awaited trailer, the event promises to be a grand affair, attracting attention from both Punjabi and Hindi cinema enthusiasts. The anticipation for Carry On Jatta 3 reaches new heights as the countdown to its release begins.

Also Read: Gippy Grewal and Sonam Bajwa’s Carry on Jatta 3 motion poster out, watch


Ayushmann Khurrana in talks to essay Sourav Ganguly in Luv Films' biographical drama; Aishwarya Rajinikanth eyed as director: Report

In an exciting development, versatile Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana is likely to step into the shoes of former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly in an upcoming biographical drama by Luv Films, as per a report by PeepingMoon. The production house is reportedly in talks with Khurrana, known for his remarkable performances in socially relevant films, to play the iconic cricketer on the silver screen.

The yet-to-be-titled film aims to chronicle the remarkable journey of Sourav Ganguly, popularly known as Dada, who made significant contributions to Indian cricket both as a player and as a captain. Known for his aggressive style of play and remarkable leadership skills, Ganguly played a pivotal role in shaping the Indian cricket team during his tenure as captain from 2000 to 2005.

A source told PeepingMoon, “The makers have been discussing this film with Ayushmann for several months. The talks have now reached an advanced stage, and it’s only a matter of some formalities before he is officially signed on. They are confident that Ayushmann, who is also a left-handed batsman, is an ideal choice for Ganguly’s role. Dada, as he is fondly called, has also approved Ayushmann’s casting and will soon meet him personally. Ayushmann will undergo months of extensive cricket training before starting the shoot.”  

Adding to the excitement, the report also suggested that Aishwarya Rajinikanth, daughter of legendary actor Rajinikanth, is in talks to direct the much-anticipated biographical drama. While the official announcements are yet to be made, the possibility of Ayushmann Khurrana essaying the role of Sourav Ganguly has generated considerable buzz among fans and the film fraternity.  

Also Read: Ranbir Kapoor to headline Sourav Ganguly’s biopic; script is in the final stage


Sonu Sood to set up Sonu Sood International School for underprivileged children in Bihar

In February this year, Sonu Sood was surprised to read about 27-year-old Bihar engineer Birendra Kumar Mahato quitting his full-time job to open a school for orphaned children, and even named it after the actor. Moved by Mahato's endeavour to provide free education and food to 110 children, the actor met Mahato and the children at the school which also functions as a shelter home.

The actor spent time with Mahato to understand the needs of the school, from ration to quality education, building awareness to bridging the education gap between rich and poor. By the end of the day, Sonu Sood has started work on a new building for the school so that it can house more underprivileged children, and ensure there is food for every child in the school.

"Increasing access to education is one of the best ways to combat poverty. We aim to educate children from the marginalised sections of society so that they have a better chance at job opportunities. Higher education is something we are working on. The other important aspect is nutrition and overall well-being as this school is also a night shelter," said the actor.

Right now Sood has been providing education close to ten thousand students across the country. ALSO READ: Sonu Sood is training hard for his high octane action film Fateh, watch


Pregnant Dipika Kakar QUITS acting, expresses desire to embrace full-time housewife role; says, “I started working at a very young age”

Dipika Kakar, widely recognized for her role in the popular TV show Sasural Simar Ka, has been making headlines recently. A few months ago, the talented actress, along with her actor husband Shoaib Ibrahim, happily announced their pregnancy, bringing joy to their fans. However, in a surprising turn of events, Dipika has now revealed her decision to step away from the acting world.

A report by TellyChakkar quoted the 36-year-old actress, who is currently in her third trimester of pregnancy, saying, “I am enjoying this phase of pregnancy and welcoming our first child. The excitement is on another level. I started working at a very young age and continued for about 10 – 15 years at a stretch. As my pregnancy journey began, I told Shoaib that I don’t want to work and want to quit acting. I want to live a life as a housewife and mother.”

For the unversed, Dipika marked her entry into the television industry in 2010, portraying the character of Lakshmi in Neer Bhare Tere Naina Devi. Additionally, she graced the screen as Rekha in Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo. Dipika last graced the small screen as Sonakshi in Star Plus' Kahaan Hum Kahaan Tum. Her portrayal of the character was highly appreciated by the audience. The actress also proved her mettle by emerging as the winner of Bigg Boss Season 12, adding another feather to her cap.

Following the conclusion of Kahaan Hum Kahaan Tum, Dipika was absent from television screens as she devoted her time to managing her YouTube channel.

Also Read: Dipika Kakar and Shoaib Ibrahim recall suffering a miscarriage last year; former says, “We were scared”


Hrithik Roshan signed as new brand ambassador for MobilTM

MobilTM, a global leader in lubrication technology innovation, today announced Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan as its new brand ambassador. Well-known for his confidence and unrivalled energy, Hrithik emerged as the obvious choice to highlight Mobil’s brand values of driving human progress, building confidence, and enabling customers to unlock their true potential.

Announcing the partnership, Vipin Rana, CEO, ExxonMobil Lubricants Pvt Ltd, said, “We are excited to partner with Hrithik Roshan for our Mobil lubricants in India. We believe his personality will resonate well with trade partners and consumers to feel confident about what Mobil can deliver to serve India’s lubrication needs”.

Commenting on the brand association, actor Hrithik Roshan said, “I am really looking forward to partnering with Mobil and its trusted brand name that is recognized world over. I strongly believe that confidence is the real driving force of champions to make a difference to people’s lives and the community, and this is what the Mobil brand is all about”.

Mobil had earlier partnered with Hrithik Roshan’s action thriller Vikram Vedha which reiterated the message that prioritizing one’s wellness by making the right choices was important.

For more than a century, Mobil has been serving the world’s lubrication needs as a technology leader and trusted partner. Mobil products are engineered to help consumers get outstanding engine performance and protection for their cars, trucks, and motorcycles. For businesses, Mobil has helped customers around the world – and in every industry – to reduce costs, improve productivity and enhance equipment efficiency. ALSO READ: IIFA Awards 2023: Hrithik Roshan gives a heartfelt speech after he receives Best Actor award for Vikram Vedha


Adipurush makers unveil captivating song ‘Ram Siya Ram’ featuring Prabhas and Kriti Sanon, enchanting audiences with love and devotion

Enter a realm where love and dedication transcend the boundaries of time and space. Adipurush, the much-awaited movie, invites us into its captivating narrative of Raghav and Janaki, portrayed by the mesmerizing duo Prabhas and Kriti Sanon. As the anticipation builds for this cinematic gem, the Adipurush team has now unveiled the complete version of the captivating track 'Ram Siya Ram,' taking us on a melodic journey that beautifully encapsulates the essence of their profound love and longing.

The serene and soulful composition by Sachet Tandon and Parampara Tandon, combined with the heartfelt lyrics crafted by Manoj Muntashir, beautifully captures the profound connection between Lord Ram and Sita in the song ‘Ram Siya Ram’. The song vividly portrays the significance of their bond, highlighting the integral role they play in each other's lives. Through its enchanting melody and poignant lyrics, ‘Ram Siya Ram’ serves as a reminder of the eternal strength of genuine love and the timeless depth of human emotions. The song also provided glimpses of Raghava's heartbreak as he prepares to rescue Janaki with the help of Bajrang.

Adipurush director Om Raut took his Twitter account and shared the song. He captioned, “The soul of Adipurush. Ram Siya Ram”. The song is also released in Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and Malayalam.

The soul of Adipurush Ram Siya Ram राम सिया राम రాం సీతా రాం ராம் சீதா ராம் ರಾಮ್ ಸೀತಾ ರಾಮ್ റാം സീതാ റാം#RamSiyaRam full song out now - https://ift.tt/jedKcQ3 in cinemas worldwide on 16th June #Prabhas #SaifAliKhan @kritisanon @mesunnysingh — Om Raut (@omraut) May 29, 2023

Directed by Om Raut, Adipurush will be making its international premiere at the Tribeca Festival in New York on June 13, 2023. Produced by T-Series, Bhushan Kumar & Krishan Kumar, Om Raut, Prasad Sutar, and Rajesh Nair of Retrophiles, it is scheduled to release worldwide on June 16, 2023.

Also Read: Adipurush director Om Raut on the art of Ram Leela: As long as there is Bharat, Ram Leela will keep happening in different forms


Sunday, May 28, 2023

After Salman Khan opts out of Champions, Aamir Khan approaches Ranbir Kapoor

Earlier this year in February it was reported that Salman Khan and Aamir Khan were in talks for the remake of the Spanish film Campeones. As per reports, Aamir had approached Salman to feature as the lead in the Hindi adaptation titled Champions. In fact, it was also revealed that an official announcement on the same was to be made in March. However, since then there has been no development on the project. Now, we hear that Salman Khan has opted out of the remake, following which Aamir Khan has now approached Ranbir Kapoor for the film.

Divulging details to Bollywood Hungama a well-placed industry source says, “Salman Khan was pretty keen on doing the Campeones remake. However, there were certain date issues which arose, due to which the actor had to back out of the venture.” As per the source, everything was moving in the right direction and Salman had shown active interest in the subject, with one final narration to be done before work on project began in June. Unfortunately, following the narration, Salman realised that the film would clash with his other venture, because of which he decided to bow out of the RS Prasanna directed sports drama.

However, every dark cloud has its silver lining, and the same is the case with Aamir’s Champions. Post Salman opting out of the project, Aamir Khan has now approached Ranbir Kapoor. “Ranbir is doing some interesting films. He is consciously choosing varied scripts and genres, building an impressive repertoire. Given his acting prowess, and the fact that he has never really done a sports drama, it will be interesting to see Ranbir in a new avatar”, says the source. Interestingly, Ranbir too has shown keen interest in the venture, “Ranbir has heard the narration, and has expressed interest. If everything works out, he will be seen in the lead with Champions.”

As or the film, Champions which is an official remake of the Spanish film Campeones is directed by RS Prasanna with AKP bankrolling the venture. Expected to release in 2024 the final timelines will be decided only once the paperwork is done.

Also Read: SCOOP: Aamir Khan and Salman Khan in talks for Campeones Adaptation tentatively titled as Champions


Citadel: Varun Dhawan says he will soon head to Serbia for the international schedule; promises never-seen-before action

As previously announced, Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas starred in the first-to-launch series within the Citadel universe, which came from the Russo Brothers’ AGBO along with David Weil and premiered in April 2023 and wrapped the first season on May 26. Additional local-language Citadel productions are also in the works, including an Italian Original series starring Matilda De Angelis called Citadel: Diana and Indian series starring Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu. The Bhediya actor promises never-seen-before action and he is already gearing up for the international schedule.

“It has been amazing working on it. We are going to be filming in Serbia. We have a month-long schedule over there with a lot of action. It is a very big series, nothing like people have seen in India yet,” Dhawan told PTI at IIFA 2023.

Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK are directing the Indian version. “The makers are pushing the envelope. Samantha and I can’t be doing something mediocre. She is one of the hardest-working actors,” Dhawan added.

He added, “There are some directors who are on your bucket list. For me, it was Shoojit Sircar (October), Sriram Raghavan (Badlapur) and Nitesh Tiwari (Bawaal). Some of my best performances come out when I work with these directors as they push me.”

For the unversed, Varun Dhawan had his international debut with a cameo in Priyanka and Richard’s Citadel. In the fifth episode, Priyanka Chopra’s Nadia Sinh has a secret child with Mason Kane, played by Richard Madden and she has kept the news under wraps. During the flashback from 8 years ago, she makes a call to the terrorist Rahi Gambhir in an attempt to relocate to Spain after she finds out about her pregnancy. When she is confronted by Mason and Osy Ikhile (Carter Spence) about contacting Gambhir, she reveals that the man is, in fact, her father. Played by Paul Bazely, he helps her escape Citadel in order to move to Spain. Interestingly, the call that happens on the episode is dubbed by none other than Varun Dhawan. His cameo gets confirmed when the end credits roll and thank Varun.

Created by Russo Brothers’ AGBO and showrunner David Weil, the 6-episode series features Richard Madden, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Stanley Tucci, and Lesley Manville in pivotal roles. ALSO READ: BREAKING: Karan Johar to direct Tiger Shroff and Varun Dhawan in an action driven project


Saturday, May 27, 2023

Parineeti Chopra may tie the knot with Raghav Chadha in Rajasthan just like cousin Priyanka Chopra Jonas?

Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha, who have been the talk of the town recently, seem to be busy trying to lock the venue for their impending wedding. The couple, who got engaged earlier this month, is expected to be tying the knot in Rajasthan as per current reports. From what we hear, Parineeti is currently in the state where she was seen spending time with her relatives. Further adding to the speculations, it is being said that Raghav will be joining the actress soon.

As per IANS reports, Parineeti Chopra arrived in Udaipur on Saturday and was staying at Udaipur Palace, along with her family members too staying at Udayvilas. Later, she was reportedly seen having lunch with her relatives. Furthermore, adding fuel to the fire, Parineeti Chopra is also expected to have had a meeting with Shikha Saxena of the Tourism Department, wherein she was seen asking about the touristy places and hotels in Udaipur. If that was not all, Raghav Chadha is expected to have visited Jaipur to scout for wedding venues, followed by Parineeti Chopra joining him on Sunday, May 28.

If these reports are to be believed, it seems that Parineeti Chopra wants to follow the footsteps of Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who too tied the knot in Rajasthan way back in 2018. However, the couple are yet to choose between Udaipur and Jaipur.

News about Parineeti Chopra getting engaged to Raghav Chadha started doing the rounds last month. Later, reports had it that the couple had hosted an intimate ‘roka’ ceremony before exchanging rings at Kapurthala House in New Delhi. As for their wedding plans, the couple haven’t interacted with the media regarding the same. However, during the engagement, reports had it that the couple will be tying the knot in October or by the end of 2023.

Also Read: Parineeti Chopra’s brothers, Shivang and Sahaj, strike a pose with Raghav Chadha; actress praises them as the “Best boys in the world”


SCOOP: No cameo for Allu Arjun in Shah Rukh Khan starrer Jawan

Over the past couple of months, there have been a number of reports based on the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Jawan. Directed by Atlee, the film, which also features Nayanthara and Vijay Sethupathi, has been making headlines for its shoot to various other aspects. One such reason the film has been grabbing eyeballs is the reports of Pushpa star Allu Arjun making a cameo in Jawan. However, contrary to reports, Bollywood Hungama has learnt that the actor will not be seen making a cameo.

“Jawan is already a rage, ever since its announcement thanks to its casting the film has been a major discussion topic. Shah Rukh Khan fans too are eagerly awaiting its release, and have been hanging on to every reports that comes out. But when it comes to Allu Arjun featuring in Jawan the rumours are totally untrue,” reveals a well-placed industry insider to Bollywood Hungama. Continuing further the source adds, “It was all just a rumour that Allu will be seen in Jawan, in reality he was never even approached for a cameo. As of now the only cameo in Jawan will be that of Sanjay Dutt.”

Despite the reality of Allu Arjun not featuring in Jawan, we are still excited to see Shah Rukh Khan on the big screen in a new avatar after Pathaan. As for the movie itself, Jawan is directed by Atlee Kumar starring Nayanthara and Vijay Sethupathi. Initially, expected to release in June this year, the makers of the Red Chillies production postponed the film to September 7 as they needed more time to work on the VFX of the film.

Also Read: Yash Raj Films to distribute Shah Rukh Khan starrer Jawan in overseas


Akshay Kumar's Oh My God 2 to arrive in cinemas; release date unveiling soon

OMG Oh My God, which was released in 2012, was a courtroom drama which starred Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal. It was the story of Kanji (Paresh Rawal), an atheist, whose shop got destroyed in an earthquake. When the insurance company refused to reimburse him citing ‘act of God’, Kanji filed a case against God. Akshay Kumar played Lord Krishna and how He became a part of Kanji’s struggle formed the crux of the film. Now, after 11 years since the triumph of Oh My God, Akshay Kumar is set to delight audiences once again with the sequel, Oh My God 2, a social comedy that promises to entertain and engage viewers.

As per Pinkvilla, a source close to the development said, “Akshay Kumar along with his partners, Ashwin Varde, Viacom 18, and Jio Studios have decided on a theatrical release for Oh My God 2. Several discussions happen throughout the course of making, but, Oh My God 2 was always announced as a theatrical venture. The officials never commented on the OTT release, and even today, the film is being readied as a theatrical venture. The final edit is being locked and worked upon at this point of time. The theatrical release date of Oh My God 2 will be announced soon.”

Last year on December, Akshay had made his presence felt at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia where he shared an interesting detail about his upcoming film. He had revealed while having a conversation with moderator Kaleem Aftab that one of his forthcoming films talks about the importance of sex education. Akshay had stated, "It’s a very important subject. In a lot of places, (sex education) is not there. We have all kinds of subjects we learn in school and sex education is one topic I would like all the schools in the world to have. (This film is) going to take time to release, it’s going to be April [or] May.”

Also Read: Akshay Kumar engages in spiritual journey; offers prayer at Kedarnath temple


Salman Khan’s brother-in-law Aayush Sharma receives legal notice for alleged plagiarism in Ruslaan dialogues & story

Following a petition against their upcoming film Ruslaan, a Delhi court has recently served a notice to Aayush Sharma, who is Bollywood actor Salman Khan's brother-in-law, as well as producer K. K. Radhamohan and South Indian actor Jagpathi Babu. Satyabrata Panda, an Additional District Judge at the Patiala House Court, presided over the hearing and directed all the defendants to submit their responses within a week.

The case has been scheduled for another hearing on June 9. Social activist Jagdish Sharma and actor Raajveer Sharma, represented by their lawyer Rudra Vikram Singh, filed an injunction suit seeking to halt the release of the film c. The movie is being produced by Radhamohan, with Aayush Sharma in the lead role. The plaintiffs claim that Ruslaan is a replica of the original 2009 film Ruslaan, produced by Jagdish Sharma, where Raajveer Sharma portrayed the main character.

According to the petition, the defendants were accused of copying the dialogues and storyline from the original film titled Ruslaan. The trailer for Aayush Sharma's forthcoming movie, which also features Telugu superstar Jagapathi Babu and Sushri Mishra, was unveiled on April 21. The 2009 film Ruslaan starred Megha Chatterjee, who happens to be the daughter of renowned actress Moushumi Chatterjee, in the lead role.

Directed by Katyayan Shivpuri, the film Ruslaan unveiled its official trailer on April 21. Alongside Aayush Sharma, the movie also features the debutant actress Sushrii Mishraa in the lead role. The release of the trailer generated an overwhelmingly positive response from the audience, who were captivated by the unique character portrayed by Aayush Sharma. In Ruslaan, the actor is seen stepping into a distinct role that sets him apart from his previous two films, showcasing his versatility and ability to embrace diverse characters. The trailer's success has further heightened the anticipation surrounding the movie's release. Fans and movie enthusiasts are eagerly looking forward to witnessing Aayush Sharma and Sushrii Mishraa's performances in this cinematic venture.

Also Read: Aayush Sharma begins the last schedule of his action entertainer Ruslaan


Alaya F to share screen space with grandfather Kabir Bedi and mother Pooja Bedi for the first time

Alaya F, who kicked off her career with Jawani Jaaneman alongside Saif Ali Khan and Tabu, has been effortlessly proving herself to the audience by experimenting with her roles. Not only has her work garnered ample fans but she is also slowly becoming a star on social media with the variety of reels and posts she shares. In a recent post, the actress announced her first onscreen appearance on television with her ‘filmy’ family, actress-mother Pooja Bedi and grandfather-actor Kabir Bedi.

Amid her many social media posts, one which has garnered a lot of attention is the perfect family pictures of Alaya with actress-mother Pooja Bedi and actor-grandfather Kabir Bedi. Taking to social media, Alaya F shared this picture along with the announcement that she will coming together with them for the first time on the ongoing The Kapil Sharma Show on Sony Entertainment. Captioning the photo, she wrote, “3 generations coming together for the first time on the @kapilsharma show this Sunday at 9.30pm on @sonytvofficial With my dearest Nana @ikabirbedi and my dearest mother @poojabediofficial”.

 

View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by ALAYA F (@alayaf)

Alaya F, who started her career in 2019, recently garnered a lot of love for her performance in the film Freddy. Later, she also appeared as the leading lady in the Anurag Kashyap love drama Almost Pyaar With DJ Mohabbat. She will be next seen in Sri opposite Rajkummar Rao. Talking about her family, Pooja Bedi is known for her performance in films like Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikander and Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayi. On the other hand, Kabir Bedi is known for many films including Khoon Bari Maang, Main Hoon Na, Dilwale, etc.

Also Read: Alaya F sets the style statement for summer in a black strappy dress for U-turn promotions


Friday, May 26, 2023

EXCLUSIVE: Tripling season 4 likely to go on floors early next year, reveals Sumeet Vyas

The emergence of OTT has brought fame to a lot of names. Sumeet Vyas is one actor who has benefitted a lot from the web medium. One show that has helped him gain popularity is TVF Tripling. The show has had three successful seasons and the fans are awaiting the fourth one.

Vyas himself has shared the status of TVF Tripling season 4 in an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama. He said, “We will start the writing for season 4 in June. Hopefully the script should be locked by the end of the year and then we should start.” When asked if it will go on floors early next year, he said, “Yes, most likely.”

Sumeet recently made his directorial debut with the online series Tankesh Diaries, also for TVF. Speaking about the experience he said, “Thankfully, this was very familiar. We had taken characters from Permanent Roommates (his other popular show) and we were making this campaign for Ikea.”

Initially, he was only going to act in the show. “Baaton baaton mein it was mentioned if I would like to direct it,” he said. “I jumped at the idea. I am glad it turned out well. I had a good time and a great team to work with. We had a fantastic editor. So, it was a very good experience.”

Speaking about his forthcoming projects, Vyas said, “We are doing a series called Blinded. Ken Ghosh is directing it and Goldie Behl and Applause Entertainment are producing it. It’s a corporate drama. The story is based on corporate life. It’s interesting; it’s well-written.”

Vyas was last seen in the movie Afwah where he played the role of a politician. The film also starred Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Bhumi Pednekar in pivotal roles.

Also Read: Kareena Kapoor Khan was supposed to be paired opposite Pakistani actor Danish Taimoor instead of Sumeet Vyas in Veere Di Weddingtripl


Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari to direct a magnum opus on the life of Devika Rani and Himanshu Rai

After films like Nil Battey Sannata, Bareilly Ki Barfi and Panga, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari is now all set to direct a magnum opus of epic proportions. Based on the life of Devika Rani and Himanshu Rai, the film has been in discussions for some time and will go on floors in the near future. 

Devika Rani, extremely beautiful and talented was titled the ‘First Lady of Indian cinema’ by her fans; Himanshu Rai, on the other hand, was one of the pioneers of Indian cinema, an actor par excellence, a star and an astute businessman. In 1934, the duo went on to set up Bombay Talkies, India’s first professional film studio that dominated cinema in India for a decade. 

Born with an innate passion for storytelling, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari embarked on her journey as a filmmaker, armed with a determination to create meaningful and authentic cinema. Her distinctive style is a seamless blend of nuanced storytelling, relatable characters, and a keen eye for detail, making her films a testament to her extraordinary craft. 

She now brings this expertise to the magnum opus, which is touted to be the most challenging project she has taken on this far. Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari has joined hands with a prominent Indian film studio for the project being planned on an elaborate scale. It is currently in the scripting stage. It will be interesting to watch the real-life story of those who are responsible for gifting huge and legendary creative artists to Indian cinema like Raj Kapoor, Meena Kumari, Ashok Kumar etc.

Also Read: Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari on establishing one-door vanity for women on film sets: “This is mandatory on all my shoots”


Filmmaker Sudipto Sen falls ill, halts promotions of The Kerala Story

Filmmaker Sudipto Sen has been directing movies since over 20 years, including documentaries. But he has achieved fame in recent times with the release of his Bollywood movie The Kerala Story, which stars Adah Sharma in the lead.

Sen, unfortunately, has fallen ill recently after traveling a lot to promote the film. With the filmmaker being hospitalized, he won’t be able to take part in the city-to-city promotions of The Kerala Story.

Sharing more about his condition, a source said, “Sudipto Sen along with the team has been continuously traveling promoting The Kerala Story and due to excess travel, he has fallen sick. Which is why, the promotional plan and city visits are at hold. The Kerala Story is already a blockbuster success and will have a long run at the box office in the next month. The filmmaker has requested the audience to keep showering love on the film and has appealed to people to watch it with family. The filmmaker will soon be back to continue the promotion and will touch 10 cities.”

Produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, The Kerala Story released in theatres on May 5.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Taran Adarsh analyses the factors behind the success of The Kerala Story; says, “In terms of economics, it’s a lottery”


Thursday, May 25, 2023

Kareena Kapoor Khan to attend F1 Grand Pix in Monaco

Kareena Kapoor Khan, who has been busy with the shoot for The Crew, is taking a break from work to focus on her other work commitments. The actress will be representing India and attending the F1 Monaco Grand Prix on May 28. As per the source, Kareena Kapoor Khan will watch the practice race on May 27 in Monaco and interact with some of the GP drivers too. In the past, Justin Bieber, Bella Hadid, and Christiano Ronaldo have attended the event.

As per the official website of Formula 1, “The opening day of practice in the principality will take place on May 26, followed by a qualifying day on May 27 and, finally, the Grand Prix itself on May 28, with another exciting weekend of F1 action in store.”

Coming to her forthcoming projects, Kareena has The Crew with Tabu and Kriti Sanon. She will also be seen in Sujoy Ghosh’s web adaptation of the bestselling novel The Devotion of Suspect X. The film stars Jaideep Ahlawat and Vijay Varma. It will mark her digital debut on Netflix. She also has Hansal Mehta’s next. She turns co-producer with Ekta Kapoor. ALSO READ: Kareena Kapoor Khan delights fans with “Goa Night” selfie featuring red lip look


IIFA 2023: Rakul Preet Singh to give tribute to black and white era of Hindi cinema: “All the songs are going to be from the 50s and 60s”

Bollywood actress Rakul Preet Singh is one of the performers at the IIFA 2023 ceremony and is pumped to be part of the line-up. Actors Abhishek Bachchan and Vicky Kaushal are set to host the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards 2023. The press conference on Thursday was attended by Farah Khan and Rajkummar Rao along with performers Salman Khan, Rakul Preet Singh, Nora Fatehi, Jacqueline Fernandez, Amit Trivedi, Badshah, Nucleya, Sunidhi Chauhan and Iulia Vantur.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Rakul Preet Singh revealed that her performance is a tribute to the ‘black and white’ era of Hindi cinema. “I am really excited. It is also something I have never done,” the actress said, adding, “So all the songs are going to be from the 50s and 60s, and I am excited about it.”

Abu Dhabi is hosting IIFA for the second time in a row. “I think the city is so beautiful," Rakul said.  She visited the Warner Bros. lot on Thursday morning and said, “It was stunning, and I am just looking forward to having the most wonderful weekend.”

The grand finale of the IIFA Awards will take place on May 27 and will be hosted by Abhishek Bachchan and Vicky Kaushal along with electrifying performances by Salman Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon, Nora Fatehi and Rakul Preet Singh. ALSO READ: Rakul Preet Singh indulges in mouth-watering Gujarati thali in Ahmedabad; watch video


Salman Khan confirms he has wrapped Tiger 3: 'It was a very hectic shoot'

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan arrived in Abu Dhabi on Thursday for IIFA 2023. The actor was seen sporting a new look which seems like is for his next project. At the press conference, the actor confirmed that he has wrapped the shoot for Tiger 3.

In an interaction with the media in Abu Dhabi, Salman said, “Last night, I was shooting for Tiger (Tiger 3) and I have completed Tiger 3. Now you will get to see Tiger on Diwali, inshallah.” The actor added, “It was a very hectic shoot, it was good though.”

A few days ago, Salman Khan shared a photo of himself showing his injured back. Along with the photo, he wrote, “When u think u r carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, he says duniya ko chodo paanch kilo ka dumbbell utha ke dikhao (leave aside the world, pick up a 5kg dumbbell).Tiger Zakhmi Hai (tiger is injured). #Tiger3.”

 

View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by Salman Khan (@beingsalmankhan)

Meanwhile, Salman Khan had his Eid 2023 release Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan on Friday, April 21. A Salman Khan Film production, the film was directed by Farhad Samji and it starred Salman Khan, Venkatesh Daggubati, Pooja Hegde, Jagapathi Babu, Bhumika Chawla, Vijender Singh, Abhimanyu Singh, Raghav Juyal, Siddharth Nigam, Jassie Gill, Shehnaaz Gill, Palak Tiwari and Vinali Bhatnagar.

Apart from this, Salman has Tiger 3 releasing during Diwali 2023. Helmed by Maneesh Sharma and produced by Yash Raj Films, it also stars Katrina Kaif and Emraan Hashmi. He then returns to YRF with Pathaan Vs Tiger with Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina and Deepika Padukone. ALSO READ: Salman Khan hugs a young boy amid tight security at Mumbai airport as he heads to Dubai for IIFA 2023


Ashish Vidyarthi ties the knot for the 2nd time in intimate Kolkata wedding; marries Rupali Barua

Veteran actor Ashish Vidyarthi, known for his remarkable performances in films and web series, has tied the knot for the second time. The 60-year-old actor exchanged vows with Rupali Barua in an intimate registry marriage ceremony held at a Kolkata club on Thursday. The news of their wedding has created a buzz, and now, pictures from their special day have emerged online.

In the wedding photographs, Ashish Vidyarthi can be seen adorned in a traditional Mundu, a garment commonly worn in Kerala, symbolising his connection to the region. His bride, Rupali, opted for an elegant white and golden Mekhela Chador, a traditional Assamese attire, which she beautifully accessorised with golden jewellery inspired by South Indian temple art. The couple looked radiant and filled with joy as they embarked on this new chapter of their lives together.

According to reports, the wedding ceremony was a private affair, attended only by close family members and friends. The couple opted for an intimate gathering to celebrate their union, emphasising the significance of their bond and the importance of their loved ones being present to witness their special day.

 

View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani)

For the unversed, prior to his second marriage, the National Award-winning actor was previously wedded to Rajoshi Barua, the daughter of actor Shakuntala Barua. The former couple also shares a son named Arth Vidyarthi.

Speaking of the professional front, Ashish was last seen in Kuttey, starring Arjun Kapoor and Tabu. Besides the film, he also grabbed attention for his performance in Abhay Deol’s web show Trial By Fire, which started streaming on Netflix earlier this year.

Also Read: 20 Years of Ek Aur Ek Gyarah EXCLUSIVE: “We used to provide different type of performance then,” recalls Ashish Vidyarthi


IIFA 2023 kicks off with press conference by Salman Khan, Abhishek Bachchan among others

The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards got underway today with a press conference attended by hosts Abhishek Bachchan, Vicky Kaushal, Farah Khan and Rajkummar Rao along with performers Salman Khan, Rakul Preet Singh, Nora Fatehi, Jacqueline Fernandez, Amit Trivedi, Badshah, Nucleya, Sunidhi Chauhan and Iulia Vantur.

Joining them were PNC Menon, Taghrid Al Saeed, Executive Director of Group Communications and Destination Marketing at Miral, Hans Fraikin - Film and Television Commissioner and Sandeep Walia, among other dignitaries for the highly anticipated event that promises to be a mélange of glitz and glamour. Sobha Realty would be presenting the star-studded IIFA Weekend as Title Sponsor of the SOBHA IIFA Weekend, SOBHA IIFA Rocks 2023 and Co-Presenter of the NEXA IIFA Awards. The celebrations are co-powered by KUBER Group.

Host of Sobha Realty IIFA Rocks 2023, Farah Khan said, “IIFA is a real example of a worldwide phenomenon that not only recognises and honours the excellence of Indian cinema on a global scale but also offers the entire film industry a terrific opportunity. Personally, I am overjoyed to host IIFA Rocks once again.”

Co-host Rajkummar Rao said, “I think that I am IIFA's biggest fan. Together with Farah Khan, I am incredibly honoured and thrilled to co-host IIFA Rocks. The prospect of having fun and making memories excites me. It's going to be a blast.”

The grand finale of Nexa IIFA Awards will take place on May 27 and will be hosted by Abhishek Bachchan and Vicky Kaushal along with electrifying performances by Bollywood superstars Salman Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon, Nora Fatehi and Rakul Preet Singh.

Speaking on the occasion, co-host of Nexa IIFA Awards, Abhishek Bachchan said, “I am thrilled to return to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. It will be an absolute pleasure and honour to entertain and meet fans from all over the world. Looking forward to hosting the IIFA Awards.”

Vicky Kaushal shared, “My journey with IIFA has been tremendously exciting over the years and I can't wait to be on stage and co-host IIFA Awards 2023 with my buddy Abhishek Bachchan!”

One of the highlights of the Sobha IIFA weekend is a set of masterclasses designed for film buffs, aspiring filmmakers and enthusiasts. The masterclass series features, ‘Director’s Cut’ with Kabir Khan and Omung Kumar along with a session by celebrity hair and makeup artist Nabila.

This year’s edition will be graced by as many as 120 celebrities while the audience count is around 25,000.

Also Read: Salman Khan hugs a young boy amid tight security at Mumbai airport as he heads to Dubai for IIFA 2023


Raaj Shaandilyaa's Thinkink Picturez unveils lineup of 7 movies across genres; deets inside 

Raaj Shaandilyaa along with his partner Vimal Lahoti thrives to give great cinema and these movies will be across genres of comedy, romance, drama, emotion, talent and music with various actors and production scale along with explicit writing making sure to entertain the audience. Thinkink Picturez is a whole solely content-driven studio where They believe in working and making their script unique and entertaining. They are always burgeoning for great content and thrive to deliver a storyline that is always right off the bat.

The slate of the 7 films is as follows-

Ramlali - Directed by the National Award-winner Omung Kumar. He has given us hits in the past like Mary Kom and Sarabjit.

Googly - Directed by Sanjay Gadhavi. He is the director of the blockbuster franchise of  Dhoom 1 and Dhoom 2.

Arabi Kalyanam - Directed by Shree Narayan Singh. He has directed movies in the past like Toilet: Ek Prem Katha. 

Chemical India - Directed by Jai Basantu Singh. He was nominated for the Filmfare in the category of best debut director for his first movie Janhit Mein Jaari which was critically acclaimed and produced by Thinkink Picturez.

Kanya Kumar - Directed by Rajeev Dhingra. He has got the Punjab Filmfare award for best debut director for the movie Love Punjab. 

Ladkiwale Ladkewale - Directed By Rohit Nayyar, who is making his debut as a director. 

Quack Shambhu - Directed by Anindya Bikash Datta who is also a debutant director.

On asking the Producers about such a humongous slate release they said “We are so escalated to announce this slate, Our team of writers and creatives have been working to turn this around. We will try our best to keep the audience entertained with loads of emotions and even loads of laughter and Definitely we are trying to say something meaningful by the end of our films that’s at least what we thrive for. We want the families to go/sit together and watch our films”.

Also Read: Raaj Shaandilyaa confirms being approached to direct Hera Pheri 3; says, “things will roll after we sign the contract”


IIFA 2023: About 25000 people and 120 celebrities to attend this year’s edition at Abu Dhabi

The 23rd edition of the IIFA (International Indian Film Academy) Awards is all set to take place from tomorrow – May 26 and 27 at Yas Islands in Abu Dhabi. The fact that this is one of the grandest film events of the globe is seen by the number of tickets that have been sold so far.

About 11,000 people are expected to attend the Sobha Realty IIFA Rocks on May 26 and 14,000 are expected to attend the NEXA IIFA Awards on May 27. Hence, the total number of people expected to attend this year’s edition goes up to an impressive 25,000.

About 120 celebrities from across the globe are expected to grace the event, along with 240 plus media delegation. From the Bollywood actors who would be attending the include, Salman Khan, Kamal Haasan, Hrithik Roshan, Anil Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, Varun Dhawan, Rajkummar Rao, Vicky Kaushal and Fardeen Khan. The actresses who have confirmed their participation include Alia Bhatt, Kriti Sanon, Jacqueline Fernandez, Rakul Preet Singh, Dia Mirza, Nora Fatehi, Mrunal Thakur, Mouni Roy and Genelia D’Souza who will be accompanying husband Riteish Deshmukh.

This year’s edition will see performances from Salman Khan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon, Jacqueline Fernandez, Nora Fatehi, Rakul Preet Singh and Iulia Vantur. After this year’s performance, Nora will become the only Bollywood personality to perform twice at the IIFA in all these years.

Sharing her excitement about her performance this year, Iulia said, “I am super super super excited. I just finished the rehearsals, and I am filled with a lot of energy. The music on which we are performing is so dynamic and full of energy. I will perform with artiste which I really like.” Giving a hint of who she will be performing with, she sang a line from Sukhbir’s iconic song, ‘Ishq Tera Tadpawe.’

IIFA 2023, however, is not just about the performances. Filmmaker Kabir Khan and Omung Kumar will be hosting masterclasses and workshops on filmmaking. Sharing his excitement at his session, Khan recently said in a statement, “I’m really looking forward to the interaction as it will give me a chance to retrospect and introspect on my choices too. This kind of knowledge exchange not only makes for a stimulating conversation, (but) it also works to the benefit of cinema. I will not only be celebrating box-office wins and awards, but also reflecting on the failures of projects one was passionate about and negative press which can dent your confidence as a filmmaker momentarily but can never keep you down.”

Also Read: IIFA 2023: Kamal Haasan, Riteish Deshmukh, Genelia Deshmukh and Manish Malhotra to be honoured


Wednesday, May 24, 2023

No intimate scenes between Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Varun Dhawan in Citadel

And we thought we were in the 21st century! The brouhaha over the supposed intimate scenes between Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Varun Dawan in Raj-DK’s Citadel, seems to be a case of much ado about nothing.

A source close to the project wonders what the fuss is about. “Where are these reports of onscreen intimacy between Sam and Varun coming from? Just because Priyanka Chopra and her co-star had lovemaking scenes in the international Citadel? But the Indian Citadel is completely different from its international counterpart! It is a completely different project. Sam is definitely not playing PeeCee’s character. Why would Sam mimic Priyanka’s behaviour?”

Having cleared the air on that rumour let us for a moment ask a larger question. Why is so much fuss made about physical intimacy on screen in the entertainment media? While world cinema has moved ahead to embrace sex and nudity as an integral part of storytelling, sections of Indian media are still counting the number of kisses exchanged between the lead pair and bikini shots of the heroine.

Also Read: BREAKING: Karan Johar to direct Tiger Shroff and Varun Dhawan in an action driven project


Onir's Pine Cone to open South Asia's largest queer Film Festival, Kashish Film Festival

Kashish Film Festival, the largest queer film festival in South Asia, will witness the world premiere of Pine Cone, directed by the filmmaker Onir, which will be the opening film for this year's festival. Pine Cone is a celebration of love within the LGBTQ community and is a story that is a powerful advocate for their true representation in cinema.

Directed by Onir, an openly gay filmmaker who has consistently pushed boundaries and strived for authentic portrayal of queer experiences, Pine Cone promises to be a heartfelt exploration of love, relationships, and self-discovery. Onir has a proven track record of creating iconic films that shed light on the LGBTQ community's challenges and triumphs, making him an invaluable voice in the industry.

Pine Cone showcases three stories told from the lens of the life of the lead character Sid Mehra, as he navigates relationships in his quest for love. What sets this film apart is its unique narrative structure, with the stories unfolding in reverse chronological order, spanning the years 2019, 2009, and 1999.

Speaking of it, Onir said, "Pine Cone ... is a very special film to me as the process started when the Ministry of Defence did not approve one of my scripts that was inspired by a real story. So we started working on this story in 2021 so that we continue telling our stories and overcome resistance to our identity. Pine Cone comes from memories of love, loss, deceit and forgiveness. Forgiving the world, that special person and oneself and celebrating the beauty of our journey... the rainbow journey”.

The screening of Pine Cone at the Kashish Film Festival will take place on the opening day of the festival on 7th June 2023. ALSO READ: Onir wraps up My Melbourne project with his film based on the subject of sexuality


Adipurush: Prabhas starrer second song 'Ram Siya Ram' to release on May 29 in 5 languages

The team of Adipurush Prabhas, Kriti Sanon and others along with the media fraternity is set to orchestrate a launch of the second song from the film, titled "Ram Siya Ram," across a myriad of platforms on 29th May 2023 in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam.

The song is sung and composed by the musical duo Sachet-Parampara, with lyrics by Manoj Muntashir. From movie channels, and music channels, to general entertainment channels (GECs), radio station spanning over 70+ markets across India, national news channels, outdoor billboards, music streaming platforms, ticketing partners, movie theatres, video streaming platforms and all major social media platforms, to screen the song real-time at 12 noon on May 29 reverberating far and wide.

Adipurush, directed by Om Raut, is produced by T- Series, Bhushan Kumar & Krishan Kumar, Om Raut, Prasad Sutar, and Rajesh Nair from Retrophiles. The film will be released globally on 16th June 2023. ALSO READ: Team Adipurush launches full version of the track ‘Jai Shri Ram’; watch 


Exclusive: Ankit Tiwari reveals he wanted KK to sing ‘Sun Raha Hai’; shares how “luck” worked in bagging Aashiqui 2, watch 

Bollywood singer and composer Ankit Tiwari recently sat down for an interview with Bollywood Hungama, where he shared insights about his musical journey and the profound impact of the hit film Aashiqui 2 on his life and career. During the interview, Tiwari reminisced about the early days and revealed an interesting anecdote. He mentioned that he had initially wanted popular singer KK to lend his voice to the song ‘Sun Raha Hai’’.  

But his suggestion was met with a surprising reaction from Mahesh Bhatt, the renowned filmmaker associated with Aashiqui 2. He recalled that after a lot of effort, he got a chance to meet Mahesh Bhatt. Tiwari went on to say that Mr Bhatt asked him to meet director Mohit Suri, who was working on Aashiqui 2 at that time. Though Mohit liked the song ‘Sun Raha Hai’, he informed him that the film’s album is done. However, the director asked the composer-singer to keep him informed in case he lent his work to someone. 

He asserted, “After some seven months, Mohit has this habit of having all the songs that have been pitched to him, on his phone. So, he, Aditya and Shraddha were together during a drive and they heard my song. That’s where your luck works. Then I got a call that the team is using my song in the film.” 

As the conversation progressed further, he went on to add that during the discussion with Mahesh Bhatt, Mohit Suri and other team members, Bhatt asked Tiwari to suggest which singer should give a voice for ‘Sun Raha Hai.’ He recalled, “Bhatt sahab boley, Mohit dekho iss gaane se na agar iski (Ankit Tiwari) awaz hata doge toh gaana ho jaega bekaar. Ye gaana isne banaya hai iskey liye hai isko aise hi rehne do. Iski awaz mat hatao. Phit mujhse kehte hai ki mai respect karta hu tumhari ke tum itna acha gaa rahe ho iskey bavjud chahtey ho ke KK gaaye.”

He concluded by saying that he “actually” wanted KK to sing Sun Raha Hai Na Tu, but after Mahesh Bhatt’s suggestion, Mohit Suri asked Ankit to complete the song and record it. 

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Ankit Tiwari opens up about dealing with rejection; says, “This is your personal matter”


Aditya Singh Rajput's mother denounces unverified drug overdose allegations; says, “Maligning the name of my son”

Aditya Singh Rajput, who was an actor and model, was found dead under suspicious circumstances at his Mumbai residence on Monday. Soon after his death, various media reports speculated that the cause of his death was drug overdoses. While the post-mortem reports of Aditya are still in reserve, his mother has broken the silence and slammed the reports.

Usha Rajput, who came to Mumbai from Delhi late on Monday night, told Hindustan Times that she had been getting calls and messages from people asking her about the authenticity of the drug overuse as the cause of death. She asserted, “By putting such unverified claims, they are maligning the name of my son and my family. This is a cruel thing to do.”

She further added, “On Monday afternoon, I noticed that my entire chat history with my son had been deleted. Not being so technologically savvy, I called him around 2.15 pm to ask what might have happened. He told me there was some problem with WhatsApp and he would text me again. However, he didn’t say anything about being unwell.”

She recounted receiving a phone call from a close friend of Aditya on Monday evening, who informed her about his untimely passing. She said, “I panicked and was shaking; I had to call a neighbour to pack my bags and help me book a ticket to Mumbai.”

The Mumbai police is currently investigating the matter and recorded the statements of three people - his domestic help, private doctor and watchman.

Also Read: Aditya Singh Rajput’s Death: Police break silence amid allegations of drug overdose


Tuesday, May 23, 2023

BREAKING: Karan Johar to direct Tiger Shroff and Varun Dhawan in an action driven project

Earlier today evening Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions shared a rather cryptic message on their official twitter handle, talking about an impending announcement. As per the post on Twitter, a mega announcement is about Karan returning to the director’s seat in a new avatar, essentially beginning a new era. Well, Bollywood Hungama is the first to inform you that the film in question is a two-hero action venture that will see Karan at the helm. If what we hear is true, the yet untitled venture will feature Tiger Shroff and Varun Dhawan in lead roles.

Sharing details, a well-placed source exclusively tells Bollywood Hungama, “On May 25, Karan will be turning a year old, and with that he intends on embarking on a new journey of filmmaking. So far Karan’s forte in filmmaking has been family dramas and romantic stories. However, he is eager to try his hand with the action genre.” Ask for why the sudden shift and the source continues, “For 25 years now Karan has been doing a certain kind of cinema, and he is looking to experiment and change. Change is always good, and given his experience in filmmaking, it will most certainly be a cake walk for him. But yes, action is the new genre that Karan is looking at right now.”

Further talking about the casting, the source continues, “Tiger Shroff has already established himself as an action star with films like Heropanti, Baaghi, and War. He has excelled in entertaining the audience with his high-octane stunts and perfect execution. So, it comes as no surprise that Karan has roped him to feature as one of the two leads in the new project. As for Varun Dhawan, he too has had his share of action film, though they were action dramas or comedies, he has proved that he has what it takes to become an action hero.”

Though currently only Tiger and Varun have been locked as the male leads of the film, Karan is busy working to lock the female leads as well. Interestingly, the source reveals, that Karan has been toying with the idea of tyring something new for a while now, “Karan has been looking for a shift in genres, and with action films doing well, and being well received by the audience he feels that this is the perfect genre for his to start.”

Also Read: Taran Adarsh says he has high expectations from Varun Dhawan’s Bawaal; says, ‘The director Nitesh Tiwari is very capable”


Varun Dhawan–Kriti Sanon starrer Bhediya to premiere on JioCinema on May 26

The wait is finally over as Bhediya finds its OTT destination. The world digital premiere of Bhediya will be on JioCinema and it will be streaming free from May 26. The film stars the dynamic duo Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon. The film released in the theatres in November 2022.

While the movie is set for the digital premiere, a sequel is in the works. At the Jio slate announcement in April 2023, Varun Dhawan confirmed that Bhediya 2 is in the works. He was on stage and performed a song from the movie. Once the rap ended, the title logo of the sequel was shown on the screen. Later, in a sizzle video, it was revealed that Bhediya 2 will release in cinemas in the year 2025.

As Bhediya, the actor will have a crucial role in Stree 2. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “In Bhediya, the characters of Stree enter towards the very end and had nothing to do with the main conflict in the narrative. But in Stree’s sequel, Varun Dhawan will have a crucial role to play. It will be a special appearance but it’ll be something that will add to the fun and madness in Stree 2.”

Bhediya is part of a horror comedy universe, backed by Jio Studios and Dinesh Vijan's Maddock Films, which also comprises Stree (2018), starring Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao.

Bhediya also starred Kriti Sanon and was the story of a man who turns into a wolf after being bitten by a wild creature. It was directed by Amar Kaushik, who also directed Stree and he will also direct Stree 2. ALSO READ: Varun Dhawan to play a CRUCIAL but brief role in Stree 2; Unlike Bhediya, the crossover in the Shraddha Kapoor-starrer to be an important part of the narrative


IIFA: Iulia Vantur to be a performer at this year’s edition of the prestigious awards show

The 23rd edition of the IIFA (International Indian Film Academy) Awards is all set to take place on May 26 and 27 at Yas Islands in Abu Dhabi. IIFA Rocks will be taking place on May 26 while the main awards will happen on the next day. Like every year, the best of Bollywood will be celebrated at the grand event. Also like every other edition, some of the biggest celebrities from Bollywood will not only be seen attending the event but also bringing the house down with their performances.

Iulia Vantur will be one of the performers during this year’s edition. Sharing the excitement at the development, a statement from the organizers said, “Iulia Vantur is all set to steal the spotlight at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi with her performance for the prestigious Sobha Realty IIFA Rocks this year! Watch her set the stage on fire with her dynamic performance.”

In this year’s edition, Kamal Haasan will be felicitated with ‘Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema’ while Riteish and Genelia will be presented with ‘Outstanding Achievement in Regional Cinema.’ Manish Malhotra will be bestowed upon with ‘Outstanding Achievement in Fashion and Cinema.’

Apart from Iulia, the other performers for this year’s ceremony include, Salman Khan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon, Jacqueline Fernandez, Nora Fatehi and Rakul Preet Singh.

A long list of Bollywood celebrities will be gracing the occasion with their presence. These include Hrithik Roshan, Alia Bhatt, Anil Kapoor, Kamal Haasan, Riteish Deshmukh, Genelia Deshmukh, Bhushan Kumar, Boney Kapoor, Aparshakti Khurana, Sohail Khan, Boman Irani, Mouni Roy, Ramesh Taurani, R Madhavan, Anees Bazmee, Jayantilal Gada among others.

Also Read: IIFA 2023: Kabir Khan and Omung Kumar to host masterclasses on different aspects of filmmaking


Saif Ali Khan joins hands with Siddharth Anand after 16 years for an action film for Netflix

Siddharth Anand has been the man of the moment this year with the stupendous success of the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Pathaan. The film went onto become the biggest Bollywood blockbuster. But the filmmaker started his journey with light-hearted dramas like Salaam Namaste and Ta Ra Rum Pum. Both the films starred Saif Ali Khan in the lead. The two are now all set to collaborate after 16 years for an action film for Netflix, as per a report by Peeping Moon.

The report also said that this time, however, Siddharth will be producing the film under his banner Marflix Productions and the film will be directed by one of his assistant directors. The project is said to be a high-scale actioner that is planned to be converted into a franchise. Although the story of the yet-untitled film is currently kept under wraps, sources have told the publication that it will centre around a rescue operation that will be led by Saif’s character.

This project will see Saif returning to Netflix after the successful and much talked-about web show Sacred Games. The show, produced by Phantom Films and Reliance Entertainment, ran for two seasons.

Apart from the aforementioned project, Siddharth also has Fighter with Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone and the massive project Tiger vs Pathaan, which stars Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan.

Also Read: Not Siddharth Anand, Ayan Mukerji to direct Hrithik Roshan starrer War 2


Aditya Singh Rajput's Death: Police break silence amid allegations of drug overdose

Many actors from the Indian TV industry were shocked as actor-model Aditya Singh Rajput was found dead in his Andheri apartment on May 22. The news of his untimely demise has left his fans and colleagues grieving the loss of a talented artist. Aditya Singh Rajput gained prominence through his appearance in reality show Splitsvilla 9 and amassed a significant fan following. The circumstances surrounding his death have raised concerns, as initial reports suggest a possible drug overdose. However, the Oshiwara police have stepped in to investigate the matter thoroughly.

Setting the records straight, the Mumbai police has said that it is currently probing the matter. When asked about the reports of an alleged drug overdose, DCP Krishna Kant Upadhyay said, “We are investigating exactly what has happened. So we will update once we get the necessary details." Reportedly, his mortal remains have been taken to Siddharth Hospital and the postmortem report is yet to come. So far, the police had recorded the statement of Aditya’s domestic help, private doctor and watchman.

 

View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani)

Aditya Singh Rajput's sudden demise has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, with many expressing their condolences and sharing fond memories of the actor. Known for his charming persona and captivating screen presence, he had carved a niche for himself in the world of television and modelling. His role in "Splitsvilla 9" garnered immense praise, earning him a loyal fanbase that admired his talent and charisma.

Also Read: Splitsvilla 9 fame Aditya Singh Rajput found dead in Mumbai apartment; suspected drug overdose


Aditi Rao Hydari and British actress Paige Sandhu to headline India – UK production Lioness

Actress Aditi Rao Hydari has signed her next following the hit series Jubilee. A film titled Lioness, it is an official Indo-U.K. co-production being made under the 2008 bilateral treaty. The actress will star alongside British star Paige Sandhu, known for her role in Emmerdale. The project was announced at the Cannes India pavilion on Tuesday.

The film is written and will be helmed by Kajri Babbar. As per the report in Variety, “The film is inspired by the research of Peter Bance, the historian who wrote about Princess Sophia Duleep, one of the key leaders of the suffragette movement in the U.K., the Princess of Punjab, granddaughter of Maharajah Ranjit Singh and the goddaughter of Queen Victoria. The film will tell the story of two British Punjabi women living in the U.K., a century apart. While Sophia’s story is rooted in history, the second story is a fictional tale of Mehak Kaur an educated, married immigrant woman living in 1990’s Southall.”

Peter Bance is one of the executive producers of Lioness alongside Ajit Pal Singh. The producers include Vivek Rangachari, Vaishalli Paatil, Faraz Ahsan and Clare Cahill. The filmmakers revealed that the film has been certified by the National Film Development Corporation and the British Film Institute. ALSO READ: ZEE5 unveils over 100 titles including Huma Qureshi’s Tarla, Aditi Rao Hydari-led Taj: Reign of Revenge season 2, Manoj Bajpayee-led Silence 2 and others


Shah Rukh Khan video calls a cancer patient for half hour, promises to provide financial help: ‘My last wish is to meet him’

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan recently chatted with a cancer patient and even promised to provide financial help. A patient named Shivani Chakraborty made a last wish that she wanted to speak to Shah Rukh Khan and her daughter penned a note on Twitter in order to make her mother's last wish come true.

In a chat with Aaj Tak, Shivani had said that she wanted the Pathaan star to “bless my daughter” and even promised to visit Kolkata and attend her daughter's wedding. She had earlier said, “I will cook for him something that we eat at our home every day. He loves Bengal so he might enjoy the homely meal I hope to cook for him.”Shah Rukh Khan made a 30-minute call and each time he said bye, he continued the conversation.

#ShahRukhKhan had a good warm 40 min chat with His FAN, Shivani Chakraborty, also Told He'll help her financially & will attend Her Daughter's Marriage & also He'll Visit her & have a Fish Meal in her Home Kolkata. Undoubtedly, Biggest Yet Most Humble Star ever was, is & will ❤️ pic.twitter.com/3poiIwYLlN

— Shah Rukh Khan Warriors FAN Club (@TeamSRKWarriors) May 23, 2023

On the work front, Shah Rukh Khan was last seen in Pathaan. The film’s collections crossed over Rs. 1000 crore at the worldwide box office. It was released in theatres on January 25, 2023. The film also starred Deepika Padukone and John Abraham while it was directed by Siddharth Anand.

He will also be seen in Atlee's Jawan on September 7, 2023. The film also stars Vijay Sethupathi and Nayanthara. Deepika is making a cameo in the film. He also has Rajkumar Hirani’s Dunki. The film is backed by Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment. It will release on the big screen on December 22, 2023. The film also stars Taapsee Pannu in the lead role along with Satish Shah and Boman Irani. ALSO READ: Shah Rukh Khan drops adorable birthday post for daughter Suhana Khan; says, “Today is the day to…”


Monday, May 22, 2023

Kritika Kamra, Dhairya Karwa and Raghav Juyal to headline Karan Johar and Guneet Monga’s Gyaarah Gyaarah, Indian adaptation of Korean drama Signal for ZEE5

Another Korean drama is getting an Indian remake. Following the news of JioCinema working on Suspicious Partner adaptation, Karan Johar’s Dharmatic Entertainment and Guneet Monga’s Sikhya Entertainment are joining hands for the upcoming procedural drama Gyaarah Gyaaraah. The series is a Hindi adaptation of the Korean drama Signal, which originally starred Kim Hye Soo, Lee Je Hoon and Cho Jin Woong. In the Indian adaptation, Kritika Kamra, Raghav Juyal and Dhairya Karwa have been roped in for the lead roles.

It will be an investigative fantasy drama set at ZEE5 which will span across three decades and timelines – 1990, 2001 and 2016. The series Gyaarah Gyaarah is directed by Pagglait fame Umesh Bisht and co-written by Puja Banerji and Sunjoy Shekhar.

The K-drama is one of the most critically acclaimed drams of all time. As per Asian Wiki, Signal narrates the story of “Park Hae Yeong, who was a student in elementary school at the time, who saw a young girl being abducted on her way home from school fifteen years ago. The girl was discovered dead a few days later, but the authorities were unable to identify the killer. Hae Yeong eventually developed a distrust for the police. Hae Yeong is currently a police officer and criminal profiler after fifteen years. He comes across a walkie-talkie one day, which enables him to communicate with Detective Lee Jae Han who is in the past. Afterwards, in an effort to investigate unsolved crimes, police officers Cha So Hyun, Hae Yeong, and Jae Han set out on a voyage.”

The criminal case depicted in Signal is reportedly inspired by a true incident which occurred in South Korea’s Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province over the course of 1986 – 1991. Reports had stated that 10 women were allegedly raped and murdered within the 2 km radius of the province with victims ranging from a 13-year-old school girl to a 71-year-old grandmother. ALSO READ: First poster of Ranveer Singh – Alia Bhatt starrer Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani to be launched on Karan Johar’s birthday


Chiyaan Vikram clarifies on Anurag Kashyap’s claim of reaching out to him for Kennedy; latter responds

Director Anurag Kashyap and his upcoming noir-police drama are in the headlines for various reasons, including its screening at the Cannes Film Festival 2023. Apart from this, the filmmaker recently stated that he reached out to Kennedy's namesake Chiyaan Vikram for the film. However, he claimed that the latter did not respond. On Monday, the South star dropped a clarification tweet on the matter.

For the unversed, Kashyap revealed that the film was initially written with popular South superstar Chiyaan Vikram in mind, as his nickname is Kennedy. In an interview with Film Companion during the Cannes Film Festival, Kashyap expressed that he had reached out to Vikram, but received no response. Consequently, he approached Rahul Bhat for the role, who enthusiastically accepted and dedicated eight months of his life to the film.

Coming back to Vikram’s tweet, he wrote, “Dear @anuragkashyap72 , Just revisiting our conversation from over a year ago for the sake of our friends and well wishers on social media. When I heard from another actor that you had tried to reach me for this film & that you felt I hadn’t responded to you, I called you myself immediately and explained that I hadn’t gotten any mail or msg from you as the mail id that you had contacted me on was no longer active and my number had changed almost 2 years before that. As I said during that phone call, I’m very excited for your film Kennedy and even more so because it has my name. I wish you great times ahead.”

Replying to the National Award-winning actor, Anurag clarified the situation regarding his earlier comments. He explained that after learning from another actor that he had been trying to contact Chiyaan Vikram, Vikram personally called him and they discovered that there had been a mix-up with their WhatsApp numbers. Vikram expressed interest in reading the script, but unfortunately, at that time, they were already locked and just a month away from the shooting.

Absolutely right Boss sir. For the information of people, when he found from another actor that I was trying to reach to him he called me directly and we realised that he had a different WhatsApp number. He gave me his correct information to reach out and even showed interest in… https://t.co/1xmImitvHY — Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) May 22, 2023

Kashyap mentioned that Vikram graciously gave his blessings for the film to be named Kennedy. He emphasized that his earlier interview was simply about the backstory of how the film acquired its title and there was no need for any overreaction. He also assured that both he and Chiyaan Vikram have a long-standing relationship, dating back to the days before Sethu, and they are unlikely to retire without collaborating on a project together.

Also Read: Anurag Kashyap reveals that he reached out to Kennedy namesake Chiyaan Vikram for the film; says, “He never responded”


Ajay Devgn’s NY Cinemas to launch its first-ever cinema in Guwahati

Ajay Devgn’s NY Cinemas is all set to open its exclusive multiplex cinema in the heart of Guwahati city. This multiplex will be NY Cinemas' entry in the northeast region after successfully having delivered multiple screens in the North and West of India.

NY Cinemas, a multiplex chain, imbibed in Indian ethos and values was founded by a 4-time National Award-winning actor, and director, Mr. Ajay Devgn. with the intention of bringing the old-world charm of single screens back to the multiplexes and bringing the audiences closer to their favourite films and film stars. The city of Guwahati will have a new movie-watching destination courtesy of NY Cinemas which is in the very heart of the city located at Roodraksh Mall. The theatre is designed keeping the Assamese culture and tradition in mind where everyone feels at home.

For the first time in Guwahati, you would experience a Mocktail Bar at a cinema theatre where the bartenders stir up tempting mocktails of various kinds. A team of passionate chefs offer scrumptious delicacies with plenty of food options for moviegoers. Rajeev Sharma, CEO of NY Cinemas mentions, “Ajay’s vision is to curate spaces that are not just cinema halls but entertaining experiences for audiences. Every cinema is curated in a classical manner with a local edge to its vibe and décor. At Guwahati, we also take pride in delivering one of the largest screens (56 feet wide), with Dolby Atmos sound that the cinemagoers would love.”

Ajay Devgn, Founder of NY Cinemas, said, “It’s a pleasure to have finally made it to northeast and I hope the people of Guwahati give NY Cinemas the same love that they always shower on me and my films.”

Unique features like a 360-degree photobooth, a 12ft video wall in the theatre lobby and multiple selfie points to capture every happy moment and go back with wholesome memories complete the entire movie-watching experience at NY Cinemas. NY Cinemas presently operates across 12 cities with less than 50 screens and is aligned to further execute another 30 screens this year. ALSO READ: Ajay Devgn-Tabu starrer De De Pyaar De clocks 4; Rakul Preet Singh pens a sweet note


Adipurush: Ajay-Atul and over 30 chorus singers to perform 'Jai Shri Ram' with live orchestra on May 20

As we head closer to the release of Om Raut-directed and Bhushan Kumar-produced Adipurush, the excitement only piques up. Now, it seems that the composers of the song Ajay-Atul are going to give a real feel of 'Jai Shri Ram' song with a live performance. The duo will perform a live orchestra with more than 30 chorus singers for the Adipurush song as they launch it at a grand event in Mumbai. The lyrics for the song have been penned by Manoj Muntashir.

'Jai Shri Ram' has been created with utter devotion from Ajay-Atul along with Om Raut and Bhushan Kumar. Talking about the same, a source says, “The entire team of Adipurush believes that the soul of the film rests in Jai Shri Ram. It’s a song that will resonate with the audience for generations to come by. Jai Shri Ram spreads positivity and has been created with a lot of devotion by Ajay Atul Bhushan Kumar and Om Raut. The team has planned a unique launch for the song at a grand event in Mumbai. Contrary to the general norm of screening the song for the fans and media, this time around, it will be launched in the medium of a live performance. Ajay Atul will perform live to Jai Shri Ram with a team of 30 plus chorus singers.”

Adipurush, directed by Om Raut, is produced by T- Series, Bhushan Kumar & Krishan Kumar, Om Raut, Prasad Sutar, and Rajesh Nair Retrophiles and will be released globally on 16th June 2023. ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Taran Adarsh shares honest take on Adipurush teaser and trailer; says, “I told Om Raut and Prabhas that I have not liked your teaser, but I have loved the trailer”


Ayushmann and Aparshakti Khurana's father Pandit P Khurana passes away in Mohali

In a tragic piece of news, actors Ayushmann Khurrana and Aparshakti Khurana's father Pandit P Khurana passed away today. As per a statement by his family, the astrologer passed away in Mohali at 10:30 am after suffering from a prolonged incurable ailment.

A statement shared by Aparshakti's spokesperson read, “It’s with our deep sadness to inform that Ayushmann and Aparshakti Khurana’s father, Astrologer P Khurana passed away this morning at 10:30am in Mohali, owing to a prolonged incurable ailment. We are indebted for all your prayers and support during this time of personal loss”.

Pandit P Khurana was a renowned astrologer. He is survived by wife and his two sons Ayushmann Khurrana and Aparkshakti Khurana.


SCOOP: Rajveer Deol-Paloma Thakeria Dhillon’s debut film, directed by Sooraj Barjatya’s son Avnish Barjatya, titled Dono

Director Sooraj Barjatya was recently in the news for his 2022 acclaimed film Uunchai and also after reports emerged that he is gearing up for his next directorial, featuring Salman Khan. As per reports, this family entertainer is expected to release in cinemas on Diwali 2024. The blockbuster director, however, is not just busy with his directorial venture. He’s also focusing on the debut directorial of his son, Avnish S Barjatya. And Bollywood Hungama has stumbled upon interesting information about this film.

A source told Bollywood Hungama, “While it is common knowledge that Avnish Barjatya has shot for his directorial, the title hasn’t been announced yet. The film is named Dono. The makers feel that this is an apt title and goes well with the film’s storyline.”

Dono marks the debut of not just Avinsh but also Sunny Deol’s younger son Rajveer and producer Ashok Thakeria and actress Poonam Dhillon's daughter, Paloma Thakeria Dhillon. As per reports that emerged last year, the film is a coming-of-age love story, which explores modern relationships set against the backdrop of a lavish destination wedding. In March this year, Sunny Deol’s elder son and Rajveer’s brother Karan Deol posted a picture of him, Sunny and Rajveer on the sets of Dono in Thailand.

In March 2021, Rajshri Productions announced that they were launching Rajveer Deol in Avnish Barjatya’s film. Exactly a year ago, on May 20, 2022, Rajshri confirmed that Paloma Thakeria Dhillon is a part of this film. As per a statement released by the makers at that time, Avnish Barjatya stated, “Paloma is a powerful performer and has tremendous screen presence. She is the perfect fit for my character. Her immense work ethic and enthusiasm make it so exciting to be working with her every day. Paloma and Rajveer share great chemistry together on screen and play off each other really well. They have both seamlessly blended into their roles.”

Dono is expected to release in cinemas this year.

Also Read: Poonam Dhillon’s daughter Paloma to debut in lead role for Rajshri’s next alongside Sunny Deol’s son Rajveer Deol


Angad Bedi and Barkha Singh to star in Hindi adaptation of Ji Chang Wook & Nam Ji Hyun's Korean drama Suspicious Partner

Angad Bedi's next project, A Legal Affair, is a legal drama which also stars Internet sensation, Barkha Singh. The show is produced by Jio Studios and is the official Hindi adaptation of Suspicious Partner, one of the most popular K-dramas starring Ji Chang Wook and Nam Ji Hyun. The show has already been shot extensively in Delhi and Mumbai and will be released later this year. Korean dramas have found a huge audience in India and this being an official adaptation, is sure to make for a promising premise.

Angad says, “A Legal Affair is a legal drama based on a lawyer and his associate and the affair they have. It’s an intense romantic drama, a genre I haven’t dabbled in before. I did essay the role of a lawyer previously but that was a different space altogether which was based on a real life Murad case. Also, this show is an official adaptation of the K-drama, Suspicious Partner, which is already such a successful show. It’s kind of tricky since the Korean version was already a hit, so people have high expectations and it’s up to the actors and makers what more they can bring to the show.”

The show is a rom-com, directed by Karan Darra. It is the first collaboration of Barkha Singh and Angad Bedi. All the episodes of the series will be streamed online on the JioCinema app or My Jio app. The release date hasn’t been announced yet. ALSO READ: Angad Bedi demands ‘Padma Shri’ on his fifth wedding anniversary with Neha Dhupia


Mahesh Poojary to participate in the show Bigg Boss OTT 2?

After a successful first season, Bigg Boss OTT is all set to return on VOOT with its second season.  While there are many names of contestants doing the rounds, the latest one is that of creative producer Mahesh Poojary. Although there has been no confirmation, sources close to the contestant have been asserting that he will be a part of Bigg Boss OTT 2.

A source close to the contestant confirmed the developments adding, “Yes, Mahesh Poojary has been approached for the show and the talks are on between him and the makers. He is quite keen to join the show and will be signing on the dotted line soon. For the unversed, Mahesh Poojary has worked as a creative producer for television, web series and songs in entertainment industry.

Besides him, other names that are doing the rounds include Sushmita Sen’s brother Rajeev Sen, who had recently confessed that he has been approached for the show, newly turned father Zaid Darbar, son of Ismail Darbar and husband of Gauahar Khan, model and reality show star Poonam Pandey, digital celebrity Faisal Shaikh aka Mr. Faisu, reality show star Munawar Farooqui among others.

While the last season was hosted by Karan Johar, rumours had it that the filmmaker will be hosting the second season. However, now it is being said that Bigg Boss host Salman Khan will be hosting on the OTT platform too. While the television Bigg Boss recently had its sixteenth season, the OTT follows a slightly different format. Moreover, audiences get to witness more updates on what their contestants are up to in the house.

The first season of Bigg Boss OTT featured celebrities like Divya Agarwal, Uorfi Javed, Bollywood actors Shamita Shetty and Raqesh Bapat, choreographer Nishant Bhat, singer Neha Bhasin, popular television actress Ridhima Pandit, among others with Divya winning the trophy.

Also Read: Salman Khan to bring the Bigg Boss magic to OTT, shooting for a promo featuring Raftaar: Report


Pushpa 2 breaks records as it becomes first film to sell 18million+ tickets on BookMyShow

One of the most highly anticipated releases Pushpa 2: The Rule has definitely set the cash registers ringing with the tremendous response it...