WHY IS ALI’S NEXT DELAYED FURTHER?
Actor Ali Fazal who was shooting extensively in London for his debut Hollywood venture as a lead actor in VICTORIA & ABDUL was recently spotted in Agra shooting for the same film where the film wrapped up its final schedule. Now that Agra schedule has wrapped up for VICTORIA & ABDUL, And now he is in Delhi to shoot for the most awaited sequel of 2017, FUKREY 2. He has been shooting back to back for the last few months as he started with HAPPY BHAAG JAYEGI, followed up TAaDKA and then VICTORIA & ABDUL. Sources reveal that Prakash Raj’s TADKA in which Ali is paired opposite Taapsee Pannu, is going to be delayed further because of Ali as his schedule is completely packed till the 1st quarter of the coming year. It is going to be difficult for Ali and the director Prakash Raj to manage a common schedule suitable for all leading to further delay the portion of shoot meant to be completed in Mumbai. Nevertheless, they have now decided mutually that post the shoot of FUKREY 2 Ali will start shooting for TADKA’s remaining portions. The production tried their best to get dates which suited all but unfortunately Ali’s extensively busy schedule lead to delays & further delays. Ali too tried to shoot in between his two projects but the production of the respective films had already accommodated a lot at their end and thus finally TADKA had to move to next year.
EKTA KAPOOR CASTS RAJKUMMAR RAO IN BOSE BIOPIC!
We’ve all known Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose as the adventurous freedom fighter, you have read about him in your history books and seen his stories on television & films but there’s a larger mystery around him & his life that is still left to be unraveled. Ekta Kapoor’s ALT Balaji announces a digital series where Rajkummar Rao will essay the role of Bose. The digital show promises to showcase the untold story of his life, a biopic like never seen before. After bringing to life the story of Silk Smitha in THE DIRTY PICTURE on the big screen, Ekta now brings Subhash Chandra Bose’s life to the digital world, with an all new dimension to the storytelling. On teaming up with Ekta Kapoor for a series like this Rajkummar says, “I’m extremely excited to explore the unheard journey of Netaji on screen. It’s a great opportunity for me as an actor. I was totally blown away hearing his life story. He is one of the most mysterious & fascinating persons of our history and of course, we all know about his true love for the country and with Ekta & Synergy backing it I don’t have any doubts that our audience will get to witness something never seen before on Indian screen.” “The unknown side of events, happenings & personalities has always intrigued me, I am drawn to these mysteries! Bose is such a strong character from our history and yet there is so much about him that we don’t know, and that hasn’t been told on any medium before. The unbounded mystery around him is so fascinating and that was my trigger to tell this side of his story on the digital platform. It is edgy, fast paced & it’s everything that you don’t expect it to be!” says Ekta Kapoor. Exploring the “Altl side of Subhash Chandra Bose, Rajkummar Rao, is now spending a majority of his time researching / prepping up for the once in a lifetime kind of role! Ekta Kapoor is all set to step into the web world with her new digital foray ALT Balaji, set to launch in early 2017. The app showcases exclusive, original, and never -seen before digital shows.
MOHIT MARWAH’S FAN SURPRISES HIM WITH A HAND – PAINTED SKETCH!
Mohit Marwah’s ardent fan from Dehradun recently gifted him a hand – made sketch.
The female fan, who is a student of Foreign Research Institute in Dehradun, claims to be the biggest fan of the dashing & the talented actor. In fact, the fan also happily waited for long hours while Mohit was shooting for his upcoming film, RAAG DESH, directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia in Dehradun. When Mohit came to know about his fan waiting to meet him, he immediately invited her & accepted the sketch. Being a good host, the talented actor treated her well and offered her food and also appreciated her talent. Mohit also thanked his fan on Instagram, “What a pleasant surprise I got by this girl while shooting for RAAG DESH in Dehradun. These gestures want to make you work even harder. She really made my day.”
SHYAM BENEGAL TO BE AWARDED LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD AT IFFP 2017
New Delhi is the place for this time’s International Film Festival of Prayag. To be held during 16th Feb, 2017 – 19th Feb, 2017, veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal will be felicitated with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution towards Indian Cinema. Shyam Benegal has directed some rare piece of cinema like ANKUR, NISHANT, MANTHAN, ZUBEIDA to name a few. Manoj Bajpayee, Bhojpuri star Manoj Tiwari & Rahul Roy will grace the film festival. Varied categories like Feature Films, Documentaries, Short Fictions & Animation are open for participation. There’s also a special category called “Swachh Bharat Based Short Movie”. The last date for submitting the entries is 30th Dec, 2016. Entries will be accepted through Filmfreeway, Vimeo, Withoutabox or through courier. Hasan Haider, Founder, IFFP concluded, “We are happy to announce our 3rd edition of IIFP in Delhi. We are also happy to bring Allahabad to Delhi – the heart of India. The festival is growing with every edition and we are excited to see a large number of movies being submitted from all over the world. Bollywood Icons & celebrities are extending their support to make this an important film festival event.”
GURMEET CHOUDHARY SHARES FITNESS TIPS WITH GYM MEMBERS!
Gurmeet Choudhary is undoubtedly one of the fittest & good looking actors around. The talented actor, who is known for his dedication towards fitness & health, recently inspired a group of people to get in shape. A source says, “The gym where Gurmeet works out is frequented by a group of women who wanted to lose weight. They asked Gurmeet for tips to achieve their fitness goals. The actor gave them a few diet tips and also monitored their workout sessions to ensure they were approaching it the right way. They profusely thanked him for being a major source of inspiration to them. ”When contacted, Gurmeet said, “I’m a fitness enthusiast and like to see people being fit and in the pink of their health. I like to encourage people & create awareness about fitness. Recently, a group of girls who work out at my gym requested me to share diet tips with them to lose weight. I was pleasantly surprised to see amazing results in just a month’s time, as they took the fitness & diet regime seriously,” adding, “One of the things that I always request people & my fans is to maintain a healthy lifestyle.” “I’m not much into heavy – weight training. I prefer free – weight training & cardio exercises. I also prefer to practice martial arts,” the actor adds.
SHWETA TURNS LISA’S TUTOR
Actresses Lisa Haydon & Shweta Tripathi are currently shooting for Disney’s web series called THE TRIP along with Malika Dua & Sapna Pabbi. The show revolves around 4 girls and how they plan a bachelorette trip. Shweta Tripathi plays the bride while the other 3 girls are her best friends. The girls have been spending a lot of time together during the shoot as they are travelling across 3 countries. Since Lisa is still brushing up her Hindi skills, Shweta helps her while rehearsals and keeps on talking in Hindi to Lisa for her better performance. Lisa keeps asking Shweta if she is pronouncing the words correctly. There are times when even Lisa teaches Shweta French and they are bonding really well while teaching each other these languages. We are glad to see a new friendship emerging in Btown.
MILAN LUTHRIA’S MULTISTARRER ‘BAADSHAHO’ TO RELEASE ON 1ST SEPT 2017!!!
After films like ONE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAI & THE DIRTY PICTURE, ace director Milan Luthria is now busy shooting for one of the most anticipated films of 2017 BAADSHAHO! BAADSHAHO which stars Ajay Devgn along with Emraan Hashmi, Vidyut Jamwal, Ileana Dcruz, Esha Gupta & Sanjay Mishra and produced by Bhushan Kumar (T – Series) & Milan Luthria is all set to hit the silver screen on 1st Sept, 2017 to entertain the audiences! Milan, who has put an end to all the speculations regarding the release date, says, “We have finalized 1st Sept, 2017 as the release date keeping in mind the time needed for detailed post production and the extensive promotional activity planned by Bhushan & me” Currently, the cast has been shooting for the 2nd schedule in Jodhpur, and have created hysteria on the streets! As the movie is a multi – starrer, sources reveal that special security had to be arranged on the sets to control the crowd, who have been like civilian paparazzi with their mobile cameras. As the film is shot only on real locations, Milan has covered more than 2000 kms of extensive road recces with an international action team to lock untapped locations. Baadshaho is a rugged, rustic, rough & tough entertainer which will raise the bar and mesmerize audience from 1st Sept, 2017!!!
PANKAJ SHUKLA TO ADVISE DELHI GOVERNMENT ON ENTERTAINMENT TAX EXEMPTION FOR FILMS
State Government of National Capital Region (New Delhi) has appointed Senior Journalist & Film Maker Pankaj Shukla as member of the preview committee for entertainment tax exemption in Delhi Distribution circuit. This committee has been revised after a period of 9 years in New Delhi and is empowered to make recommendations for entertainment tax exemption in 2nd largest film distribution market of the country. Pankaj Shukla has been senior advisor to Indian Film & TV Producers’ Council for long and his recent path breaking program Folk Stars: MAATI KE LAAL made for Doordarshan this year recently got mentioned in the proceedings of Lok Sabha by Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore. His last film, a documentary, made on Self Governance in Indian Villages has won 4 International Film Awards this year. Shukla said that the newly formed committee is meeting next week for the 1st time and he would extend all the help to deserving film producers to get entertainment tax exemption from Delhi Government.
RICHA CHADDHA ROPED IN FOR TANUJA CHANDRA’S NEXT WITH IRRFAN
Irrfan Khan showed us his charming skills in PIKU opposite Deepika Padukone, making him the unconventional romantic hero. He was again in the news recently for a new road trip based romantic comedy which is all set to be directed by Tanuja Chandra. The untitled film will be shot in over 4 states in India including Rajasthan & Sikkim. Richa Chadha has been roped in for the film opposite Irrfan. This would be a new avatar of Richa Chadha in a romantic role that hasn’t been seen on screen so far. The actress who is currently shooting for FUKREY 2 in Delhi is believed to be starting shoot with Irrfan in Rajasthan by the end of Jan, 2017. This would be the 1st time Richa is paired opposite Irrfan Khan who is considered to be the encyclopaedia in the art of acting. A spokesperson of Richa said, “She is all excited working with Irrfan & Tanuja Chandra and Richa will definitely mint the opportunity by taking few acting tips from the versatile actor.”
SHILPA SHETTY INAUGURATES JEWELLERY STORE
Anchor retail store of exquisite costume jewelry, Varti Jewals was inaugurated by Shilpa Shetty Kundra in Mumbai. Shilpi Nahata, the owner said, “Women spend good amount of time in designing the costumes and always look for a complimenting jewellery, hereby we bring a heartiest collection for the same”. Shilpa Shetty admired the jewellery closely and posed with few beautiful collections, stating “This is an all occasion jewellery, any one will fall for these designs and I’m loving it”. This is the 1st of their chain of retail shops, next one will be opened soon in Chennai followed by an international shop in Dubai. Specialized in Costume / Fashion Jewelleries, “Art India’” is owned by 3 brothers Narendra Jain, Vinod Jain & Jeetu Jain under the expert guidance of Prakash Ji Mutha, this franchise is managed by Shilpi Nahata. Jain brothers are organizing various exhibitions of jewelleries since last 10 years.
AKSHAY KUMAR & VINDU DARA SINGH RELEASE THE BOOK “DEEDARA AKA DARA SINGH”
Akshay Kumar released a book written by Seema Sonik Alimchand on the late actor cum politician called “Deedara aka Dara Singh”. The book published by Westland was released in Mumbai recently. While releasing the book, Akshay Kumar stated that he had a close relationship with both Dara Singh and his actor son Vindu & Amrik since like Dara Singh, his own father Hari Om Bhatia also was a wrestler and he remembered the good old days when he used to accompany his father to Vallabh Bhai Patel Stadium to watch Dara Singh’s wrestling matches. Akshay recollected that he remembered a myth about Daraji that there was a Trishul on his back and whenever he gets angry, his 3rd eye will open. When asked if he would be a part of a biopic on Dara Singh, Akshay Kumar joked that if Vindu persisted & pushed him he was ready to act in such a huge biopic but it will entail a lot of preparation including working on his body to play the part and he would need a year or two to get into that kind of frame. Present at the venue were Shaad Randhawa with his entire family, Mukesh Rishi, Naved & Sayeeda Jafferi, Rohit Verma, Mohan Baggad, Gurbachan Singh, Mohomed, Lucky & Ali Morani, Mamik, Rajil Sayani, the son of Ameen Sayani, Rattan Aulakh, writer Mahrukh Mirza and others, Vindu Dara Singh’s wife Dina and their daughter Amelia, brothers Parduman & Amrik, Daman Maan.
FARHAN AKHTAR & SHRADDHA KAPOOR UNVEIL AKZONOBEL’S “DENIM DRIFT” AS COLOUR OF THE YEAR 2017
As a part of the 14th edition of AkzoNobel’s annual global study, Colour Futures, Farhan Akhtar & Shraddha Kapoor, brand ambassadors of Dulux in India, unveiled the colour trend – “Denim Drift” and its overriding trend: “Life in a New Light”. Every year, AkzoNobel’s colour experts, international trend watchers & authorities from varied fields of design come together at the company’s Global Aesthetic Center. Together, they research & identify the social & design trends that will influence consumers in their colour & interior decoration choices for the coming year. The brand’s overriding theme for the year ahead encourages consumers to celebrate a new look on the simple things that make life worth living. “The Colour of the Year 2017, “Denim Drift”, is an essential part of our everyday palette,” pointed out Farhan Akhtar “When teamed with rich shades it will bring your walls to life & exude energy. With lighter tones it will bring a cool, calming & airy feel.” “In fact “Denim Drift” is the must -have colour of 2017,” observed Shraddha Kapoor. “It is truly adaptable, fitting into all life & interior styles, making it the perfect choice for reflecting the mood for 2017. Rightly observed by the team researching the colour trend blue is the colour of life, of everyday life. It is familiar & yet new.”
SHEKHAR SUMAN’S NEW SHOW ‘SUCCESS STORIES’ TO AIR ON ZEE BUSINESS
Shekhar Suman is now all set to stage his grand comeback on TV with the new show SUCCESS STORIES produced by Water Entertainment by Gurudev Aneja & directed by Varun Middha. The new show which will have a duration of half an hour will air on every Sun from Jan, 2017 onwards on Zee Business. Gurudev Aneja had earlier made a film called EBN – E – BATUTA which was also directed by Varun Middha. Says Varun about the show, “It is a different kind of a show about people who have made it big in their own respective field without having any background whatsoever, on their own steam & merit. It will feature them on the show and Shekhar will talk to them about their happiness, sadness & experience. The show will feature successful people from different fields like Films, Real Estate, IT or Education, et al.” “There is no one who can beat Shekhar Suman as far as hosting a show. Shekhar & I have done a lot of shows on stage together. Shekhar knows what to talk & when & to whom. We needed someone like him to host the show as he is a multi – talented all round actor in his own right,” says Gurudev Aneja.
