SCOOP: Besides Alia Bhatt, Heera Mandi to feature either Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit, Deepika Padukone and Parineeti Chopra

A while back we had reported that Sanjay Leela Bhansali was re-starting his ambitious project Heera Mandi. In fact, we had also reported that the project would be for an OTT platform and that it would be directed by SLB’s assistant Vibhu Puri. Now we hear that the project will feature some of the strongest and most powerful actresses of today.

While Alia Bhatt has been finalized others in serious consideration or on the verge of finalization are Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit, Deepika Padukone, Parineeti Chopra, Manisha Koirala, and Vidya Balan.

A source reveals, “Sanjay is personally doing the casting. Though officially his former assistant Vibhu Puri is going to direct Heera Mandi, SLB’s stamp will be evident in every frame.”

Heera Mandi deals with the hidden culture of the red light area in the walled city of Lahore. It focuses on the women who live there and for whom sex is a job.

Also Read: Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s passion project Heera Mandi to be made as a Netflix film?

EXCLUSIVE: “People would come to meet me carrying reports on the sets of my film”- Sonu Sood on managing his philanthropic work and shoot

Everyone in the country is now aware of actor Sonu Sood’s contribution towards the society during these trying times. What started as an effort to help migrants reach their hometown during the lockdown has now turned into the actor and his team helping people with employment, medical expenses, education and other basic needs. During the lockdown, with shoots being suspended, the actor invested all his time in helping people. But, now with shoots resuming, one wonders how Sonu Sood is managing both his philanthropic work and his professional commitments. Talking to Bollywood Hungama, Sood revealed how he has been doing both simultaneously.

The actor who works both in Hindi cinema and South Indian films said, “Lately, I was shooting on the sets of Prithviraj. When I went on the set there were 200-250 junior artists standing behind and they all applauded for me. One among them came and told me that I arranged for his daughter's tumour surgery, helped them with food and their children's school fees as well. I did not know them personally, everybody was in their costume and make-up. I joined hands and said thank you so much.”

“When I went to the South to shoot, after every shot, people would come to me near my chair and tell me about their problems. They would come with reports and envelopes filled with reports. They would stand patiently in line. And my directors would see me from far and they would tell me that the shot is over and that I can go and meet them. Because even they know that all these people have travelled hundreds of kilometers from places like Nellore and Vellore just to meet me. So, in between shots I would meet them, listen to their problems and solve them and then come back to give the next shot. So, even my producers and directors are aware that many people come to meet me and they themselves would make sure that I get that time,” he further said.

“Now, I realise that 24 hours is very less in a day. If there were 30 hours, I would have had six extra hours to help all these people. But there is one thing, if you want to help someone, you find time for it, one way or the other,” Sood said.

ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: “I got offers 10 years back and I still get offers”- Sonu Sood on joining politics

Santosh Sivan's next with Vikrant Massey and Vijay Sethupathi gets a title

Ace cinematographer and filmmaker Santoshan Sivan will be directing Vikrant Massey and Vijay Sethupathi in his next. The film has been titled Mumbaikar. The film also stars Tanya Maniktala, Hridhu Haroon, Sanjay Mishra, Ranvir Shorey and Sachin Khedekar in pivotal roles.

Karan Johar took to his Twitter handle to announce the title of the film along with a poster with the face of the cast. Sharing the poster, Karan wrote, "Promises to be a stunning cinematic experience! A @santoshsivan film!!! @VijaySethuOffl @masseysahib
#tanyamaniktala #hridhuharoon #sanjaymishra @RanvirShorey #sachinkhedekar my best wishes to this exceptionally talented team of artists!"

Promises to be a stunning cinematic experience! A @santoshsivan film!!! @VijaySethuOffl @masseysahib #tanyamaniktala #hridhuharoon #sanjaymishra @RanvirShorey #sachinkhedekar my best wishes to this exceptionally talented team of artists! pic.twitter.com/V15qQZC1DN

— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) January 1, 2021

Mumbaikar is the remake of the 2017 Tamil action thriller, Maanagaram which was directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. This film will make Vijay Sethupathi's debut in Hindi cinema. The actor who was initally supposed to star in Aamir Khan's Laal Singh Chaddha,backed out of the project. According to producer Shibu Thameens, Massey will be seen playing a young angry man in the film, a role that is completely different from anything that he has done so far.

ALSO READ: Vikrant Massey to play the lead in the Hindi remake of Malayalam thriller, Forensic

After deleting all her social media posts, Deepika Padukone shares her ‘thoughts and feelings’ through her audio diary on New Year's Day

On New Year’s eve, Deepika Padukone took everyone by surprise when she deleted all her posts from Instagram and Twitter. Fans started speculating the reason for the same wondering if her account was hacked or whether the actress plans on starting afresh. Seems like it is the latter. On Friday afternoon, Deepika took to her social media handles and shared an audio message for all.

In the audio message, Deepika introduces that she is starting her audio diary where she will be sharing her thoughts and feelings. While she did not speak about deleting the posts, it has become clear that the actress plans to start fresh on social media this year. In her first audio diary, she said, “Hi everyone, welcome to my audio diary, a record of my thoughts and feelings. You know, I am sure all you will agree with me that 2020 was a year of uncertainties for everybody. But for me it was also about gratitude and being present. And as for 2021, all I can wish for, for myself and everyone around me is good health and peace of mind. Happy New Year!”

 

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A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone)

Meanwhile, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh are currently holidaying in Ranthambore. The duo headed out of the city to ring in the New Year and they were also seen spending time with actors Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Neetu Kapoor who are also in Ranthambore.

ALSO READ: Deepika Padukone says Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan guided her through her debut in Om Shanti Om

Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan's fun New Year Party is all about funky glasses and party hats; see pics

The Bachchan family seems to have had a blast at their home as they bid adieu to 2020. The pictures from their small party at home screams fun. Amitabh and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan shared pictures on Instagram from their New Year party.

Everyone was seen wearing party hats and funky glasses as they welcomed 2021. Aishwarya Rai shared a series of pictures clicked at the party with all of them wearing some or other kind of party props. Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan were seen wearing a golden and black party hats respectively while Aishwarya had a silver hat on. Aaradhya had a tiara which read ‘HappyNew Year’. “LOVE , PEACE and HAPPINESS GOD BLESS HAPPY 2021,” she wrote with them.

Amitabh Bachchan also shared a selfie where he is seen donning a gelden party hat and funky black and red glasses. “Peace love and harmony 2021 ..वर्ष नव हर्ष नव ; जीवन उत्कर्ष नव,” he captioned the post.

The actor also reflected on the year gone by in his blog, “It was an odd year 2020 and the next could be odd too but in the better sense than the previous and just the feel of 1.1.’21 has a certain ring about it. A ring that provokes attention and perhaps tidings of the refreshed year. It does not require more than this to be said or expressed. At times the unsaid proves better than the said, most of the time in all walks of life, even this walk. There is a wait for the morn to appear and to make promises of resolution and a change in habits work and so much more which perhaps did not have the attention that it deserved,” he wrote.

ALSO READ: Amitabh Bachchan and Aaradhya Bachchan record music together, Abhishek-Aishwarya are proud parents

Nail Polish review: An intriguing crime-legal thriller

Kajol unveils the teaser of Tribhanga; to release on Netflix on this date

Today morning, Kajol took to her social media handles to unveil an intriguing teaser of Tribhanga, her next film. The film will be released on January 15 only on Netflix.

The 20-second teaser of the film shows an array of emotions that Kajol's character goes through. The actress is seen as an Odissi dancer in the film. The film also stars Mithila Palkar and Tanvi Azmi in pivotal roles. Sharing the teaser, Kajol wrote, "Tribhanga, matlab, tedhi, medhi, crazy, but sexy. #Tribhanga, premieres 15 January, only on Netflix.”

Tribhanga, matlab, tedhi, medhi, crazy, but sexy. #Tribhanga, premieres 15 January, only on Netflix. @ajaydevgn @ADFFilms @Banijayasia @deepak30000 @NegiR @AlchemyFilms @sidpmalhotra @ParagDesai @mipalkar @renukash @Meena_Iyer @KumarMangat @netflix pic.twitter.com/cfPYloOsI1

— Kajol (@itsKajolD) January 1, 2021

Renuka Shahane who has directed the film, took to Twitter to share the video and thanked all three actresses for putting their soul into the film. "Dear Kajol,Tanvi, Mithila. Or should I say dear Anu, Nayan,Masha,to whom you've given your flesh, blood, vulnerability, strength, tears & laughter, making them more than I had imagined. A big thank you @itsKajolD @tanviazmi @mipalkar the heart, core & soul of Tribhanga.”

Tribhanga is a dysfunctional family drama that stars Kajol in the lead role. Mithila Palkar, Tanvi Azmi, and Kunaal Roy Kapoor will be seen in pivotal roles in the film. The film is directed and written by veteran actress Renuka Shahane. Ajay Devgn Films is the producer along with Bannijay Asia and Alchemy Productions.

A drama set in Mumbai, Tribhanga weaves a complex tale that goes back and forth through three generations of the same family, from the late 1980s to the modern-day. The heart-warming storyline looks at the importance of family in everyday lives.

ALSO READ: Kajol has a funny take on the year 2020 and we can all relate