Shriya Pilgaonkar who was appreciated for her Hindi film debut as Shahrukh Khan’s love interest in Fan and for her viral short film Jai Mata Di, is now going to be seen in a web show called Mirzapur produced by Farhan Akhtar & Ritesh Sidhwani for a global online platform where she stars opposite Ali Fazal in the lead. Mirzapur is a Gangster based drama directed by the makers of Inside Edge and is currently being shot in Varanasi. The show also stars Pankaj Tripathi & Vikrant Massey When asked, Shriya said, “I am thrilled to be a part of Mirzapur and to be working with Excel. We have already started shooting in Varanasi. The cast is fantastic and the character I play is completely different from what I have done before. Ali & I have been friends since college, so it’s even more special that we are working together.”
VIRAT KOHLI & ABHISHEK BACHCHAN SUCCESSFULLY PULL OFF 3RD EDITION OF CELEBRITY CLASICO
The 3rd edition of Celebrity Clasico concluded on a high note with power – packed performance from creme de la creme of the Indian entertainment industry & Indian sportsmen battling it out on the field for a noble initiative. All Heart football club walked away with a trophy of the star – studded football match held in Mumbai recently. The man of the match was MS Dhoni scoring 2 goals for the winning team. The night turned a starry affair with an electrifying performance from the All Heart club led by Virat Kohli & All Star club spearheaded by Abhishek Bachchan. The celebrities indulged in a competitive round of football. Both the teams were challenging enough and made for a tough competition for each other; however All Heart football club defeated All Star football club by 7 -3. The 2017 edition of the Celebrity Clasico football match is an initiative by Cornerstone Sport & GS Worldwide Entertainment. The funds generated through this match will be utilized for the charitable initiatives of both the Virat Kohli foundation & Playing for Humanity. The best goalkeeper award went to Marc Robinson of the All Star football club. Punjabi singer, Guru Randhawa entertained the spectators with his live performance.
50 CELEBRITIES TO WISH HEMA MALINI ON HER BIOGRAPHY LAUNCH
For the 1st time in the history of Bollywood, 50 noted celebrities from Indian Film & Music industry have wished actress Hema Malini on the occasion of her authorized biography Beyond The Dream Girl written by journalist Ram Kamal Mukherjee. The “surprise” video was specially played for media & noted dignitaries at the book launch in Mumbai, at J W Marriott. Published by Harper Collins India, the 300 odd pages comprises her journey since childhood to her recent political sojourn as MP of Mathura. The cover photograph has been shot by Vickky Idnaani. “While we were planning the book launch on her birthday on 16th Oct, 2017, we realized that Hemaji will be completing 50 years in this industry in 2018. So we decided to make it special for her, and took this herculean task to get 50 celebrities to wish her on her biography, birthday & Golden Jubilee year,” says Ram Kamal Mukherjee. A remix track from Pramod Chakraborty’s Dream Girl has been composed specially for this video. The song been rendered by Vishesh Jain. The animation of Hema Malini’s cover has been executed by Somnath Paul. The theme song for the making is created by Sunny Karmakar. The video features legends like Amitabh Bachchan to youngster Arjun Kapoor, from veteran Vyjainthimala Bali to glam girl Kriti Sanon, from designer Neeta Lulla to choreographer Shaimak Davar, from legends like Lata Mangeshkar to Ustaad Amjad Ali Khan, from playback singers like Kavita Krishnamurthy to Babul Supriyo, from veteran Ramesh Sippy to National award winning Madhur Bhandarkar.
IHANA DHILLON SHOOTS WITH KARAN WAHI & VIVAN BHATENA FOR HATE STORY 4
Punjabi beauty Ihana Dhillon, who has acted in Punjabi films like Daddy Cool Munde Fool, Thug Life, Ji Karda & Tiger, has started shooting for her debut Bollywood film Hate Story. The model – turned -actress, who plays a parallel lead in the revenge drama, was recently spotted shooting with television stars Karan Wahi & Vivan Bhatena in London. Going by the latest pictures from the sets, it seems Ihana is having a gala time with her co – stars. The talented actress underwent extensive training for her role as a corporate girl. Unlike other Hate Story movies, the latest installation will be focusing on the story more than the sensual part in the film. The film, which is based on true incidents, will also feature Urvashi Rautela in lead role.
KIRTI KULHARI INAUGURATED SHIVAS SIGNATURE UNISEX SALOON
Shivarama Bhandari of Shiva’s Hair Designer Pvt Ltd, who is Bollywood’s most known hair stylist invited Actress Kirti Kulhari for the inauguration of the 16th outlet of unisex saloon & spa Shivas Signature at Walkeshwar, Mumbai. Gurubhai Thakkar, Khooshi Thakkar, Ekta Jain, Shree Rajput, Sanchiti Sakat & Ashok Dhamankar graced the occasion. Shivarama K Bhandary did puja with his wife Anushri. He also took blessings from his mother Gulabi Bhandary. This is one of the finest saloon with spa in South Mumbai.
ANSHUMAN JHA ROPED IN TO PLAY THE LEAD IN ISHWAR
Anshuman Jha (LSD, Bakrapur, Chauranga & X) & Sharib Hashmi (Filmistan & Phullu) will lock horns as Romeo & Tybalt in a modern day adaptation of the Bard’s Famous Romance Romeo & Juliet, titled Ishwar. The film set in Allahabad goes on the floors on 18th Oct, 2017 & will see Jha reprising the role of the righteous lover “Ishwar” & Sharib Hashmi as the local young political Kingpin & also the girl’s brother. This will be Sharib’s 1st outing as an antagonist & Jha’s 1st out & out Romance after his tragic love story in his debut Love Sex Aur Dhokha. The lead girl to portray Juliet is being kept a secret but it is being rumored that Ayesha Kapur (of Black & Sikander fame) & new girl Diksha Juneja (made waves in her debut Short “Ghumakkad” this year & will also be seen in Leena Yadav’s next) are in the running. Interestingly Anshuman Jha was also born in Allahabad and will be visiting his place of birth after 20 odd years to shoot this film & is most excited about the process. Talking about his upcoming project, an excited Anshuman stated, “‘R&J is one of the bard’s best work. And last I had done an adaptation of it in a school play. To be a part of a film adaptation & that too in my place of birth Allahabd, is very special for me. Sometimes you don’t choose films, they choose you’. The film is being helmed by Imtiaz Ali’s Associate Pradeep Singrole & is being produced by India E Commerce Ltd. “Anshuman is probably the most talented young actor & the most under used actor of this generation. My adaptation focuses on the tension & the rivalry between Romeo & Tybalt. It’s set in the Northern heartland of India in the backdrop of the timeless love story between the shy righteous Ishwar & the feisty – innocent Isha” Says Pradeep Singrole.
VAANI KAPOOR TO STAR OPPOSITE HRITHIK ROSHAN IN YRF’S ACTION ENTERTAINER
Vaani Kapoor will romance superstar Hrithik Roshan in YRF’s next co – starring Tiger Shroff. The talented young heroine Vaani Kapoor is the female lead of what is being called the biggest action spectacle of 2019. Director Siddharth Anand says, “While the film is primarily Hrithik V/s Tiger, there is only 1 girl in the film who is opposite Hrithik. I was looking for young & fresh energy in the casting and I have found that in Vaani Kapoor.” Vaani had caught the industry’s attention not only with her acting abilities but also with her outstanding dancing skills. Siddharth says, “I have loved Vaani as an actor in both her films and after meeting her I was fully convinced that she is the best girl for my film.” The as yet untitled Republic Day entertainer is all set to release on 25th Jan, 2019.
NAWAZUDDIN SIDDIQUI IN ANIL SHARMA’S NEXT ‘GENIUS’
Nawazuddin Siddiqui has been signed to play a key role in the love story Genius directed & produced by Anil Sharma. Incidentally, the film also marks the debut of Jeetey from Gadar Ek Prem Katha fame actor – Utkarsh Sharma. The film’s shooting schedule is already on with a 40 days Marathon stint in Northern part of India. The leading lady of the film has not yet been finalized, according to producer – director Anil Sharma.
1ST LOOK OF THRILLER ‘MURDER AT KOH E FIZA’ LAUNCHED
The 1st look of Jai Viratra Entertainment Limited’s Murder At Koh E Fiza was launched in Mumbai with much fanfare. Murder At Koh E Fiza is based on a true event of Koh E Fiza, Bhopal. The whole cast & crew was present at the event. Manoj Nandwana known for his controversial based movie is the producer & story concept together with producer Mohak Gupta were present. Director Divaker Naik was also present at the event. 3 posters of the movie which is a murder mystery were released. As of now, only the poster & the concept are released but the lead cast will soon come into limelight. As the movie is based on the true story of Bhopal, the whole movie is shot at real locales in Bhopal itself. Naik says that there is very little chance to make changes in the concept of the movies which are based on true story. The story concept, local artist & real location are really challenging but at the same time, are very demanding. He adds that the thriller will hold the audience from the start to end. The makers are looking for the release of this murder mystery on 2nd Feb, 2018.
ABU DHABI WEEK OPENS IN MUMBAI
The dedicated efforts of the Department of Culture & Tourism – Abu Dhabi to increase the numbers of tourists from India, got off to a promising start when several 100 Mumbaikars witnessed the opening of the 1st “Abu Dhabi Week” in India. The exposition at Mumbai’s sprawling MMRDA grounds, BKC featured a collection of Abu Dhabi’s tourist & cultural attractions. Before declaring the opening of the weekend festival, Mubarak Al Nuaimi, Director of Promotions & Overseas Offices at the Department of Culture & Tourism – Abu Dhabi addressed media, members of the travel trade & distinguished invitees, and said that during the 1st 8 months of 2017, Abu Dhabi had seen a 9% increase in hotel occupancy by Indian guests. A total of 223,000 guests from India stayed in hotels in Abu Dhabi for an average of 2.8 days during this period, he added. Mubarak Al Nuaimi said that India is a key tier – one priority for Abu Dhabi, and apart from positioning the emirate as a holiday destination, they will also underline the message that Abu Dhabi is an ideal business locale for the meetings, incentives, conferences & exhibitions, MICE, industry, with a superb selection of venues for delegations from India.
MAGICIANS P. C. SORKAR (JR) & MANEKA SORCAR COME UP WITH ‘‘THE AMAZING MAGIC FESTIVAL”
The tradition of Padmashri P. C. Sorkar kept alive by his granddaughter Maneka, one of the 3 daughters of P. C. Sorkar (Jr). Known as an exemplary magician of his times, Sorkar made a name for his nation India at places like London, Paris, Rome, Moscow, Tokyo and a number of nations of the world. People flocked everywhere to view magic played out with 40 tons of materials, 35 assistants, lilting music & a magic that would happen in fraction of a moment. This is the 9th generation of Sorkar presenting magic now, the curiosity of the show has multiplied. “The Amazing Magic Festival” will start on 14th Oct, 2017 at Imagica & close on 28th Feb, 2018 in Goa. The Festival will be presented at 100 locales in Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad, Nagpur, Pune, Surat & Goa. The Scholarship of Rs 15,000 will be started this year and will also be continued and one student will be able to win this Scholarship every year. The audiences are sure to be mesmerized & spellbound during the concluding event of the show by the performance of Joyshree Sorkar, wife of P. C. Sorkar (Jr).
ARJUN KAPOOR PLAYS A HARYANVI COP IN YRF’S ‘SANDEEP AUR PINKY FARAAR’!
In Dibakar Banerjee’s Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, Arjun sports a buzz cut typical of police recruits and looks every bit the heart – land policeman in this photo. Arjun plays a 30 – year – old police constable from Haryana and has interacted with police recruits across all ranks in both the Delhi Police & the Haryana police and also visited a training academy to witness all that goes into the making of a heartland cop. “Playing a cop is traditionally considered cool in Hindi films. But in a Dibakar Banerjee film, a cop is presented as realistic and yet, as unique as a person. It’s that dichotomy of blending yet & still standing out that makes this role all the more exciting. Dibakar is very specific about the look of his characters. We worked on it for a long time before he decided that this is the look he wants. From my moustache, to my hair cut, to the freckles on my face to make my character look like a cop & yet blend with his environment reflects just how Dibakar has imagined him & his world to be. It will be a gritty entertainer and I’m looking forward to the 1st day of the shoot.” said Arjun. Produced by Yash Raj Films, Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar starring Parineeti Chopra is all set to release on 3rd Aug, 2018.
SMILIE SURI POLE WALT TO SUCCESS – FITNESS SPEAKS
Smilie Suri has recently started her school “Pole Star” where she teaches pole, chair tricks etc to empower women and generally help them tackle varied health issues like Thyroid, Menopause, PCOD etc. Her 1st film Kalyug with Kunal Khemmu, did create ripples at the Box – Office turnstiles and she did get her share of positive reviews. But, as she says, “I am still waiting for a good role to come by. But I refuse to go for auditions and be judged. I would rather spend my time on my 2nd love of pole dancing and feel good. I danced before I walked, my mother had said to me. I had dabbled with every form of dance from childhood. When I learnt pole fitness recently, I realized in Singapore that pole dancing is one sport that empowers you. I wanted to empower women and make them feel body confidence and aware of their sensuality and love themselves for what they are. So I decided to go back to teaching dance.” Smilie has put up a pole in her own house and started teaching it to others. “Age cannot be a barrier in learning this art form. Age is not a deterrent to start or pursue this kind of activity.” Do men also practice this sport? “Yes. The Chinese pole is all about men doing the tricks. In many other countries too, so many men pole and they are strong & fit. I do intend to start pole fitness for men soon. I will rope in my brothers Mohit Suri & Emraan Hashmi. They must realize what they have been missing out on,” she quips.
