Popular Tamil film actor Madhan Bob

Chennai: Popular Tamil film actor Madhan Bob, who entertained film fans through his characteristic laughter and amusing expressions, is no more. He passed away due to health-related issues on Saturday, a source close to his family said.

He was 71. He has been battling cancer, and he breathed his last at his Adyar residence this evening.

Known by his professional name as Madhan Bob, S Krishnamoorthy was the eighth child in his family. He had shared the screen space along with leading actors like Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Ajith, Surya, and Vijay.

He had appeared in the popular Sun TV comedy show “Asatha Povathu Yaaru?” as one of the judges. He was a versatile actor musician.

Some of his notable roles were: Diamond Babu in the film Thenali, and Manager Sundaresan in Friends. Whichever role he performed, his acting skills made the audience burst out laughing.

Hyderabad: The Enforcement Directorate has summoned actors Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda and Lakshmi Manchu for questioning in a money laundering case linked to illegal online betting and gambling by certain platforms, official sources said on Monday.

The federal probe agency has asked Daggubati (40) to appear before its zonal office in Hyderabad on July 23. Raj (60) has been summoned on July 30, Deverakonda (36) on August 6 and Lakshmi (47) on August 13, the sources said, adding they had “endorsed” online betting apps allegedly involved in generating “illicit” funds.

Once they appear, the agency will record their statements under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken cognisance of as many as five state police FIRs to register its case against these actors and a number of other celebrities and social media influencers.

These individuals are suspected to have “endorsed” online betting apps like Junglee Rummy, JeetWin, Lotus365, etc, for celebrity or endorsement fee, according to ED sources.

These platforms are alleged to have generated “illicit” funds, through illegal betting and gambling, worth crores of rupees, the sources said.

Some of these “well-known” persons, the sources said, have earlier stated that they did not know the exact functioning of the apps and products dished out by them and claimed that they did not associate themselves with these platforms for any wrongdoing or illegal activity like betting.

New Delhi: Veteran actor Paresh Rawal has confirmed his return to the third installment of the comedy franchise Hera Pheri saying that everything is resolved now.

In May this year, Rawal had announced his exit from the third part, which would have reunited him with franchise co-stars Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty as well as filmmaker Priyadarshan. The news had come as a huge shock to the ardent fanbase of the hit comedy franchise.

What followed was a lawsuit filed by Akshay, who is also the producer on the project through his company Cape of Good Films.

Rawal has now joined back the movie, an announcement he made during his recent appearance on a podcast.

“Pehle bhi aane hi waali thi (it was supposed to come before also), but it’s just that we had to fine-tune ourselves. After all, all of them are creative, be it Priyadarshan, Akshay or Suniel. They are friends for many many, many years,” Rawal said on Himanshu Mehta’s podcast.

The veteran actor also said there is no “controversy”, referring to Akshay’s lawsuit, which sought Rs 25 crore in damages.

“I believe that when people have loved something so much, then you have to be extra careful. It is our responsibility toward the audience. The audience has given you so much adulation.

“You can’t take things for granted. Mehnat karke unko (film) do. So, I was of the opinion that sab saath mein aaye, mehnat kare (everyone should come together and work hard). Aur kuch nahin (Nothing else). It is all resolved now,” he added.

Directed by Priyadarshan, “Hera Pheri” released in 2000 and revolved around a quirky, kind-hearted garage owner Baburao Ganpatrao Apte (Rawal), a cunning loafer Raju (Kumar) and a struggling pauper Shyam (Shetty).

The trio returned with a sequel “Phir Hera Pheri” in 2006, which was directed by Neeraj Vora.

Hyderabad: A woman died and her son was hospitalised due to asphyxiation as crowds jostled at a film theatre here during the premiere show of actor Allu Arjun’s “Pushpa 2: The Rule”, police said on Thursday.

The incident took place on Wednesday night when a large number of fans thronged the Sandhya theatre to have a glimpse of the actor.

A case was registered against actor Allu Arjun, his security team and the theatre management in connection with the death of the woman, police said.

The police have registered the case under sections 105 and 118(1) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Chikkadpally police station based on the complaint by the deceased’s family.

The victim has been identified as 35-year-old Revathi. She was accompanied by her 13-year-old son Sreethej who also suffered suffocation and is being treated in a hospital where he is kept under 48-hour observation, they said.

“Case has been registered against Allu Arjun, his security team and the theatre management over the incident

There were no arrangements by the theatre management or prior information about the arrival of the actor and other members of the film, according to a statement issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Zone).

“The theatre management did not make any additional provisions regarding security to manage the crowd. Nor was there any separate entry or exit for the actors’ team though the theatre management had information about their arrival,” it added.

After Arjun came to the theatre along with his personal security, people tried to enter the cinema hall with him, the police statement said.

“His personal security team started pushing the public which further aggravated the situation as there was already a huge gathering at the theatre,” it added.

As the crowd surged forward, the woman and her son, who also tried to enter the theatre, suffocated and fell unconscious, police said.

Police personnel who were on duty pulled them out and conducted Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) on the woman and her son, they said.

The woman and her child were immediately shifted to the nearby Durgabai Deshmukh Hospital, where she died and her son was advised to be shifted to another hospital for better treatment, the statement said.

Addressing media, the victim’s husband Bhaskar said doctors have said the condition of his son would be known only after 48 hours.

Bhaskar said a stampede-like situation prevailed at the theatre and that his wife and son moved ahead in the surging crowd, while he stood aside with his daughter.

As he could not locate his wife and son, he dropped his daughter at his relative’s house nearby and returned to the theatre to search for them, Bhaskar said. Later, he came to know about his wife’s death and son’s admission in the hospital.

Bhaskar, who underwent a liver transplantation a year ago, said his wife had supported him a lot. “I owe her my life. She gave me courage and support,” he said.

Mythri Movie Makers, the banner behind “Pushpa 2: The Rule”, expressed anguish over the tragic incident.

“We are extremely heartbroken by the tragic incident during last night’s screening. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the young child undergoing medical treatment.

“We are committed to standing by them and extending all possible support during this difficult time,” the studio posted.

Adar Poonawalla and Karan Johar

Mumbai: Adar Poonawalla, billionaire CEO of Serum Institute of India (SII), has acquired a 50% stake in Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, one of the country’s leading film production houses. The deal, valued at Rs 1000 crore, will see Poonawalla’s Serene Production acquire a 50 percent stake in the production house, with Johar retaining the remaining 50 percent.

Talking about the partnership, Adar Poonawalla said, “I am delighted to have the opportunity to partner with one of the most iconic production houses in our nation, along with my friend Karan Johar. We hope to build and grow Dharma and scale even greater heights in the years to come.”

Karan Johar, Executive Chairman of Dharma, emphasised that Dharma Productions has been synonymous with heartfelt storytelling that captures the essence of Indian culture. “My father dreamed of creating films that would leave a lasting impact, and I’ve dedicated my career to expanding that vision. Today, as we join forces with Adar, a close friend and an exceptional visionary and innovator, we’re poised to elevate Dharma’s legacy to new heights. This partnership represents a perfect blend of our emotional storytelling prowess and forward-thinking business strategies,” he said.

The prominent Bollywood producer and filmmaker also mentioned that this collaboration opens up new possibilities for creating content that resonates across borders and generations. Karan Johar will continue to serve as Executive Chairman and creative head, while Apoorva Mehta remains the CEO of Dharma Productions.

LOS ANGELES: Filmmaker SS Rajamouli’s period action blockbuster “RRR” charted history by becoming the first Indian track to win the Academy Award in the Best Original Song category for “Naatu Naatu”.

In the category, the Telugu song was nominated alongside ‘Applause’ from ‘Tell It Like a Woman’, ‘Hold My Hand’ from ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, ‘Lift Me Up’ from ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ and ‘This Is a Life’ from ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’.

This is the third major international recognition for the chartbuster ‘Naatu Naatu’, composed by MM Keeravaani and penned by Chandrabose, after a Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award.

“RRR” (Rise Roar Revolt), a pre-independence fictional story, follows two real-life Indian revolutionaries ‘Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) and Komaram Bheem (Jr NTR) in the 1920s.

“Naatu Naatu” celebrates the inclusive spirit of dance and bonhomie and features Charan and Jr NTR matching steps to its catchy rhythm. The title of the track translates to bucolic in Telugu. It demonstrates the spirit of fun in country music in its over 4.35 minutes of runtime.

Jai Ho from the 2008 British film Slumdog Millionaire, directed by Danny Boyle, was the first Hindi song to win an Academy Award in the Best Original Score and Original Song categories.

It was composed by AR Rahman and penned by Gulzar. “Naatu Naatu” was shot in the lawns of the Presidential Palace of Kyiv in Ukraine.

Rajamouli recently revealed in an interview that choreographer Prem Rakshith came up with over “100 variations” of the hook step for the song.

“Naatu Naatu” singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kala Bhairava also performed the song at the Oscars ceremony.

The 95th Academy Awards are underway at the Dolby Theatre here.

MUMBAI: Singer-composer Bappi Lahiri, who popularised disco music in India in the 80s and 90s, has died following multiple health issues, a doctor treating him said on Wednesday. He was 69.

Lahiri died on Tuesday night at the CritiCare Hospital in Juhu.

“Lahiri had been admitted to the hospital for a month and was discharged on Monday. But his health deteriorated on Tuesday and his family called for a doctor to visit their home. He was brought to the hospital. He had multiple health issues. He died due to OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) shortly before midnight,” Dr. Deepak Namjoshi, director of the hospital, told PTI.

The singer-composer, a familiar figure for many with his trademark gold chains that he wore for luck and his sunglasses, was known for his songs in several films of the late 70s-80s.

These included “Chalte Chalte”, “Disco Dancer”, and “Sharaabi”.

His last Bollywood song was “Bhankas” for the 2020 film “Baaghi 3”.

The 30-year-old actor had recently returned to Mumbai after wrapping up the shoot for her upcoming film with her “Bareilly Ki Barfi” co-star Rajkummar Rao in Chandigarh.

MUMBAI: Actor Kriti Sanon on Wednesday said she has tested positive for coronavirus and is currently under home quarantine.

The 30-year-old actor had recently returned to Mumbai after wrapping up the shoot for her upcoming film with her “Bareilly Ki Barfi” co-star Rajkummar Rao in Chandigarh, following which there were reports she had contracted the disease.

In a statement on Twitter, Sanon said she is following the advice of doctors and officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

“I’d like to inform everyone that I have tested positive for COVID-19. There’s absolutely nothing to worry as I’m feeling fine and have quarantined myself as per BMC and my doctor’s advice,” the actor

Sanon said she will get back to work as soon as she tests negative and thanked her fans for their wishes.

“I’m gonna ride this tide, rest it out and resume work soon. Till then, I’m reading all the warm wishes and they seem to be working. Be safe guys, the pandemic hasn’t gone yet,” she added.

Earlier, the cast of Karan Johar-backed “Jug Jugg Jeeyo”, including Varun Dhawan, Neetu Kapoor, Maniesh Paul and director Raj Mehta also tested positive for COVID-19 while shooting for the film in Chandigarh.