REEL LIFE ENTERTAINMENT & PHANTOM FILMS TO PRODUCE VIKAS BAHL’S NEXT BASED ON SUPER 30!
After QUEEN & SHAANDAAR, Vikas is currently writing the script of this untitled film, which is a biopic on the Patna based mathematician Anand Kumar, who launched the educational initiative, Super 30. Super 30’s website informs, that they hunt for 30 meritorious talents from among the economically backward sections of the society, and shapes them for India’s most prestigious institution, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). Vikas Shares, “His (Anand Kumar) life has many interesting dimensions and weaving them into a film script would be really fascinating. We will shoot the film extensively in Bihar, so that we can capture the right essence of the story.” Anand Kumar adds, “It is true that talks were on for a biopic on my life for the last few years and some directors & producers talked to me in this regard, but I think this is the best team.” Vinay Sinha & Prilti Sinha’s Reel Life Entertainment will produce the film with Phantom Films. Vinay Sinha had earlier produced ANDAZ APNA APNA and had been on the lookout for a director and Vikas Bahl was unanimously the 1st & last choice for the said film. Sanjeev Dutta of LIFE IN A METRO & BARFI fame will be scripting the film. Priti said that “we are happy to produce the inspirational story of Anand Kumar with Phantom films and take our association further in future”.
FLORA SAINI SEEKS INSPIRATION FROM DIMPLE KAPADIA FOR NAGESH KUKUNOOR’S DHANAK!
Flora Saini, who will be next seen in Nagesh Kukunoor’s DHANAK, is a huge fan of Dimple Kapadia. Flora, who plays a tribal woman belonging to Kalbeila tribe in DHANAK, was awestruck by Dimple’s film RUDAALI. Like all Nagesh’s stories, DHANAK is inspirational and spells hope & triumph. Flora says, “Nagesh sir is a school in himself and I learnt a lot from him in LAKSHMI and in DHANAK, he totally focuses on keeping everything very natural like we speak and behave in daily life, no acting”. While shooting in the interiors of Rajasthan is an experience she is unlikely to forget. “Being a hard core animal lover I had the opportunity of shooting with a camel, my 1st time near camel ever an that’s something I will never forget, I even remember his name Thela, she added. Flora is still awed as she talks about the bright hand – woved clothes, beaded jewellery & bid belts worn by the tribes. Flora says, ” I have spend lot of time in the sun and used makeup to look tanned”. Flora has also played pivotal roles in movies like MSG, GUDDU KI GUN and also made a cameo in DABANGG 2.
BIOPIC ON FREEDOM FIGHTER CHRISTO SINGH
Eye Entertainment’s CHRISTO SINGH, a real freedom fighter (whose actual name was Shri Krishna Singh but the British gave him the name of Christo) was launched with the recording of 3 songs recently. The 3rd song was rendered by Antara Mitra at Krishna Recording Theatre. It was penned by Harsh Thayi and set to tune by Ricky Mishra who is also the director of the film. Amit Singh, the grandson of Christo Singh is producing the film which is written by Varadaraj Swami. The earlier 2 songs were rendered by Usmaan Meer & Krishna Bevra at Enzy recording Studio, Goregaon. A popular actor is being considered for the role of Christo Singh. The shooting will commence in Jharkhand locales, Bihar, Rajasthan and partly in Mumbai too from Jun, 2016 onwards with a 60 – day spell.
VIDYA BALAN LEARNS DRIVING FOR TE3N!
On 10th Jun, 2016 the Power of Three will be unleashed as the formidable trio of exemplary actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, with Vidya Balan in a pivotal guest appearance will be seen together in Ribhu Dasgupta’s emotional thriller TE3N! As the chase to nab a murderer heats up, Vidya’s character has to vend her way to different localities in the city of Kolkata. Vidya reveals that polishing her driving skills was the only real preparation she did for the movie. “I know how to drive,” Vidya Balan said, “but I’ve never been a confident driver but for this film, I wanted to do it myself so I actually drove around Kolkata. Sujoy Ghosh was my driving instructor.”Well, nothing like a film experience that teaches you something new!!
CHOREOGRAPHING SARBJIT MOVIE WAS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME SAYS VISHNU DEVA
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Randeep Hooda & Richa Chadda starrer SARBJIT has more of Vishnudeva’s catchy moves. The film has left us stunned with Aishwarya’s never before seen avatar especially in the “Tung Luk” song choreographed by Vishnu Deva, which makes each & everyone dance on their feet. The Punjabi number has been sung by Sunidhi Chauhan & Sukhwinder Singh, who are very well known for their Punjabi songs. Randeep Hooda & Richa Chaddha also make stunning appearance in the song, as they dance on the Punjabi beats. Vishnu Deva said, “Sarbjit was a difficult movie to choreograph because of its hard hitting story. “Tung Luk” is a fresh punjabi song and we’ve tried to give it a fresh look too. So far we’ve been receiving great response, and we hope everyone continues to like it.”Helmed by Omung Kumar, the film is a biopic based on Sarbjit Singh, which showcases a real – life struggle of an Indian prisoner Sarbjit who died after a brutal attack in Pakistan jail in 2013.
NAWAZUDDIN SIDDIQUI LEARNS BENGALI FROM VIDYA BALAN & AMITABH BACHCHAN
In Ribhu Dasgupta’s emotional thriller TE3N, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who is sharing the screen space with Amitabh Bachchan for the very 1st time, even learnt Bengali on the sets!! The atmosphere on the sets, in Kolkatta was one of bonhomie, Bengali food and often lots of conversations in the Melliflous language, as director Ribhu Dasgupta, creative producer Sujoy Ghosh, Vidya Balan & Amitabh Bachchan (both of whom know the language quite well), would discuss the activities of the day in Bengali so much so that Nawazuddin over the course of the shoot learnt Bengali well enough to hold a conversation, unwittingly! Sujoyda, Ribhu, Mr Bachchan & Vidya, who feel quite at home in Kolkatta, would often slip into Bengali phrases in their conversations, so even Nawaz by the end of the shoot understood most of it and could speak quite well, helped by the actors. We are sure Big B & Vidya Balan must have made for amazing teachers!!
STANDING OVATION FOR RAHAT KAZMI’S MANTOSTAN AT CANNES!
Rahat Kazmi, best known for his hard – hitting films on issues that make a difference, is back with his next, MANTOSTAN, the film that has begun its global journey with the Cannes World Premiere on 14th May, 2016. MANTOSTAN is based on writer Sadat Haasan Manto’s short stories that seek their inspiration from the flames of the Indo – Pak partition. Rahat has through the camera lens, chronicled the chaos that prevailed, during & after the Partition of India in 1947, and brought to life on celluloid Manto’s most controversial works including “Khol Do”, “Thanda Gosht”, besides “Aakhri Salute” & “Assignment” in MANTOSTAAN. Raghubir Yadav, Sonal Sehgal, Shoib Nikash Shah, Tariq Khan, Virendra Saxena, Raina Bassnet & Rahat Kazmi star in the lead . The film is produced by Rahat Kazmi, Tariq Khan & Aaditya Pratap Singh. Renowned choreographer Sandeep Soparkar expresses, “What an amazing film… No wonder it is getting rave reviews from international press… Super work by Rahat, Sonal Sehgal, Shoaib Nikash Shah, Tariq Khan, Raina Bassnet… each artiste is a class apart.” French actor Jaques Roybin smiles, “This was one premiere where Sandeep Soparkar and I did not mind fighting for the premiere passes!”
JOURNALIST PRIYANKA RAINA IS READY WITH HER SHORT FILM
After the super success of her Sahila Chaddha starrer ZINDAGI, journalist turned director Priyanka Raina has also shot her next short film which is on social message.”My short film is on cold drinks and how injurious they are to our health. I
completed my shooting in Mumbai and will be releasing it in PVR after my film is censored”.
IT’S SEPTEMBER BABY FOR SHAHID & MIRA!
RANGOON is scheduled for release on 14th Oct, 2016 but Junior Shahid will definitely arrive before that. Mira’s date is around mid – Sept, 2016 but as it happens in most cases, the baby could arrive a few days before or after the due date. Mira is just 22 and keeping in mind that this is the 1st child, Shahid has been keeping a close eye on her and taking extra care. She has started getting cravings for particular kinds of food and he makes sure to indulge her. He has also been accompanying her for visits to the doctor and when they are out, he doesn’t let go of her hand or leave her side.” Shahid’s next, UDTA PUNJAB is directed by Abhishek Chaubey and throws light on dark drug scenes in Punjab. It opens on 17th Jun, 2017 followed by Vishal Bhardwaj’s Casablanca -like love story, RANGOON, in Oct, 2016. The actor has kept himself free to promote both films and also to be with his wife through her 3rd trimester. He’s not planning a paternity leave but he does want to spend some time with both Mira and the baby when it arrives and Shahid couldn’t be happier.
STEVEN SPIELBERG CALLS SANDIP SOPARRKAR “INDIAN DANCER” ON THE RED CARPET OF CANNES FILM FESTIVAL
Many popular films are being premiered at the ongoing 69th Cannes film festival and a lot of world famous faces are making their presence felt on the red carpet. Celebrated Indian dancer – choreographer Sandip Soparrkar who is at Cannes representing the Indian dance & Bollywood industry too made his red carpet appearance. Soparrkar swayed in wearing a Deepak Shah designed black & grey tuxedo matched with a red bow tie to see Steven Spielberg film THE BFG which was being premiered at the Grand Theatre Lumiere. The Oscar winning director Spielberg looked at Sandip post his red carpet walk and said “Indian Dancer”. Sandip graciously wished the director and looked completely thrilled by being recognised by the world – renowned filmmaker. Being spotted on the red carpet and being recognised for one’s work are 2 different things, it is sure a moment of pride for the graceful dancer as well as for the Indian dance scene for being acknowledged by world renowned person like Steven Spielberg.
AVIKA GOR & MANISH RAISINGHANI STEALS THE SHOW ON CANNES RED CARPET
A new face has been added to the Indian contingent at the Cannes Film Festival this year. After Aishwarya Rai Bachchan & Sonam Kapoor, the latest entrants Avika Gor & Manish Raisinghani were seen at the festival’s opening & launch their short movie poster. Avika Gor was looking gorgeous in her new & exciting avatar after a long time and becoming the bell of the Cannes in her floor length Blue, one sided ball gown with less jewellery add to that a pair of natural nude shaded lips, eyes with sparkling make -up, her new short hair look which was curled to perfection added to her classy & cute avatar. Manish Raisinghani is looking super hot in his black tuxedo with red bow tie charming away the crowd & photographers with his playful & fun nature. Avika Gor & Manish Raisinghani were at the Cannes Film Festival to represent the short film which has been selected for the Short Film Corner at the Cannes Film Festival 2016. ANKAHEE BAATEIN stars Manish Raisinghani & Barkha Bisht while Avika Gor is the Creative Director of the movie directed by Manav Bhinder.
ACTRESS ANCHOR PANKHURI AWASTHI WHO IS NOW KENISHA PLANS TO RELEASE NEW SONG “A BORDER DRAWN IN BLOOD
Singer, Actor, Anchor – Emcee, Poet, performer Pankhuri Awasthi, the multi -facetted daughter of Sapna Awasthi (who delivered iconic superhit Hindi songs such as “Chhaiyya Chhaiyya” picturised on Shah Rukh Khan & Malaika Arora Khan), has changed her name to Kenisha. Kenisha raps under the moniker ‘BomBaeb’. Kenisha says, “My new name Kenisha means ‘beautiful’, ‘pure’ & ‘prosperous’. My new name defines me to a tee in one single word and that’s essentially what a name should do.” Kenisha is a singing sensation with drop dead gorgeous looks; beauty with brains who takes up social causes such as rape, Indo. -Pak border strife and world change; a poet who wants to change playback singing in Indian cinema; a non – conformist who wishes to make Nikki Minaj style of ‘rap’ singing popular in India and become the female version of trailblazers Honey Singh & Baadshah as she charts a new trail. She says, “I wanted to be unique and didn’t want to share my name with anyone else in the entertainment & events world. My name has to be in sync with my prime attributes.” Kenisha is soon planning to release “A Border Drawn In Blood” which is not about violence but all about peace & harmony. Kenisha, who debuted with Girish Kumar in the romantic film RAMAIYA VASTAVAIYA is known more in event management circles & YouTube channels than in Bollywood. Kenisha is a trained singer in both Western & Hindustani classical music genres.
POOJA BATRA SHOWCASES “ONE UNDER THE SUN” TRAILER AT CANNES FILM FESTIVAL
Miss India 1993, Pooja Batra who set her Bollywood aspirations aside after she broke off to marry Los Angeles – based orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Sonu Ahluwalia, was spotted having her moment under the sun in Cannes. The VIRASAT actress might be missing from Bollywood for quite some time now, but the lady is a known face internationally, who is settled in Los Angeles for over 10 years now, is excited about her Hollywood debut in which she essays the role of an astronaut. The International world premiere & the trailer launch of ONE UNDER THE SUN took place at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival which had an overwhelming response where the star cast came to support Pooja’s Hollywood debut. Executive Producer Sunny Vachher is proud to have brought Pooja this breakthrough role. ONE UNDER THE SUN is the story of an astronaut Kathryn Voss (Pooja Batra), a sole survivor of a disastrous space shuttle mission. As a distraught mother desperate to reunite with her terminally ill daughter, she becomes a wanted fugitive after discovering she possesses an extraordinary gift. “It is a very proud moment for me to play a lead in my 1st Hollywood film. It is a great role. In order to prepare for it, I needed to really dig deep into myself & my feelings to find honest inspiration. For my physical appearance, I took hints from Indian – born astronaut Kalpana Chawla & American astronaut Sunita Williams” Pooja Batra said. The trailer launch took place at the Indian Pavilion of the Cannes Film Festival
1ST LOOK & MUSIC OF PURAB KI AAWAZ RELEASED BY KRK
The 1st look of a Biopic of a female freedom fighter from Northeast called PURAB KI AAWAZ was unveiled by Actor – Producer Kamaal Rashid Khan (KRK) in Mumbai. The film is set in 1942 with the narrative & message of today’s context of freedom. It is being released worldwide by distributor Mehmood Ali, Pen N Camera International on 5th August 2016. PURAB KI AAWAZ is made on the life of India’s female freedom fighter Birangana Kanaklata, a martyr of Indian freedom struggle in 1942, under the banner of LPKG Film Production. Kanaklata had embraced martyrdom at the tender age of 16 years on 20th Sept, 1942 for the love of her country. Indian freedom fighters like Shahid Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Mangal Pandey and others are well known & popular in India as well as globally. The film is a brilliant presentation of the fearless & daring freedom fighter of Assam, Birangana Kanaklata, who had boldly faced the bullets of the police during the freedom struggle of India in 1942 and laid down her life for the country. Produced by Loknath Deka, written by Chandra Mudoi, with music by Dr. Hitesh Boruah, Ajay Phukan & Tapan Kakati, and choreography by Naba Kumar Das, the film stars Nipon Goswami, Urmila Mahanta, Debasis Barthakur, Dr. Tapan Sharma etc.
