MUMBAI: The weekend is here, and we bring you all the fresh happenings from the world of Bollywood. So, read on to know what your favourite celebs are up to.

Rana Daggubati launches first look of 'Next Enti'

Actor Rana Daggubati on Friday launched the first official poster of actress Tamannaah starrer Telugu film Next Enti.

"Happy to be launching the first look of Next Enti. All the best..," Daggubati wrote on Instagram while unveiling the first look of the film.

Through the posters, the film is touted to be a romantic entertainer.

Being helmed by Bollywood director Kunal Kohli, Next Enti also stars actors Sundeep Kishan and Navdeep in the lead roles.

Talking about his experience of working with Tamannah, Kunal, who is making his debut in Telugu film industry, tweeted, "What a pleasure working with you Tamannaah. You made this film and your character come alive like only you could."

Produced by Raina Joshi and Akshai Puri, Next Enti is reported to release this December.

Sujoy Ghosh directs web series 'Typewriter' for Netflix

Filmmaker Sujoy Ghosh is directing a haunted house series titled Typewriter for the digital giant Netflix.

Simran Sethi, Creative Executive India for Netflix, said this on Friday at the digital giant's See What's Next: Asia.

Sethi said that the series is being shot in Goa.

She said, "Typewriter is by captivating director Sujoy Ghosh. He mentioned his idea to us and we knew that it was a Netflix series."She added that the series follows a group of wannabe ghost hunters, who want to capture an evil spirit in a villa in their neighbourhood.

Other details are still under wraps.

Ghosh is known for movies like Kahaani, TE3N. He has also worked on digital platform with the short film Ahalya.

Saqib finds it 'interesting' to sport moustache

Actor Saqib Saleem had to grow a moustache for his maiden digital project. He says since he had never sported one before, it was interesting to have the facial hair.

The Race 3 actor will play a "dark but honest" character in ZEE5's show Rangbaaz.

"To be honest, I have never had a moustache in my life. So just to have that, was very interesting. I couldn't recognise myself for a few days. I think as an actor, it did put me in a different space," Saqib told a leading publication.

Talking more about his character, he shared, "Although the process was very interesting, I made sure that I stopped working out because my character wasn't supposed to look very muscular. I did a lot of cardio because there are different phases in the show."

"I have to look like a man of different ages at different times. I wanted to make sure that I looked like that. My character is a gangster. There are shades of grey, but you will definitely find some heart in the character," he added.

'Pihu' director defends film's marketing strategy

A random call with a wailing sound from a child asking for help, gets abruptly cut. And when you call back, you get the trailer of forthcoming Hindi film Pihu. While this marketing strategy did not go well with a section of people, director Vinod Kapri says the intention was only to draw attention to a movie which is offbeat and sans "stars".

Towards the end of last month, a couple of people took to social media to share details of the call, slamming it as "a horrible idea, inhuman and desperate promotion strategy", "totally disgusting", "traumatising" and "disgusting".

Kapri told a leading publication, "There are many people who didn't like that, but when you do such films -- offbeat, out-of-the-box, unique kind of films, and when you don't have a superstar, when you don't have a big director, sometimes we try to get attention. Many people didn't like the idea, but there are many people who told us that after that particular phone call, they got to know about Pihu and they will watch the film."

The Miss Tanakpur Haazir Ho director has himself worked extensively in the media industry.

"We know how to pick stories and which part of story we should pick, so my media friends pick the negative side of stories. There are many people who wrote on Twitter that they got to know about the film from that phone... So, for some people it works, for some people it doesn't work. But the intention was to get people to know about the film."

Pihu is a movie which has a single protagonist Pihu, a two-year-old girl. A social thriller, it traces how Pihu grapples when left alone by her parents.

The movie had opened the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa, last year, and had elicited a positive response with its edge-of-the-seat drama.

Kapri described it as a "completely family film".

Acting is something I absolutely love: Cyrus Sahukar

Cyrus Sahukar has featured in Bollywood movies like Delhi-6 and Aisha, and the host-actor wants to act more as he absolutely loves acting.

"I have done very little cinema because a large part of my life has been focused on gigs. About 80 days a year, I am on the road doing live events for corporates... I can say that acting is something I absolutely love. Therefore, a few years ago I promised myself that I must do theatre and had a really good time doing it," Cyrus told a leading publication.

 "Whether it was Delhi-6, Aisha or Love Breakups Zindagi, I believe that the movies that I have done had very interesting and meaty roles. They were roles that I enjoyed doing. Would I like more? Of course, I'd like more," he added.

His stint as a MTV VJ helped him with acting as well.

"I feel like in MTV, I primarily played many weird characters and for me that was like an acting performance. I do believe that the VJs at that time were very colourful and when you are a colourful person, there are a lot of aspects of yourself to explore that may lead them to become good actors.

"Also, the people who don't act in real life are very interesting on camera because there is an openness and a weird timing to them. There is a glimpse of their soul in every character that they play," he said.

Elovator Pitch, co-hosted by Cyrus, premiered last month on MTV.

Priyanka Chopra has payjama party

Ahead of her wedding to American singer Nick Jonas, actress Priyanka Chopra celebrated with a payjama party with her girl gang including actress-cousin Parineeti Chopra, heiress Isha Ambani and Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner.

Priyanka shared a few pictures from the party on Instagram. She is seen posing in a white striped nightwears.

"Payjamas are cool... bride squad. Payjamas and heels," she captioned.

Priyanka was in Amsterdam over the weekend to celebrate her pre-wedding festivities.

Priyanka and Nick are reportedly getting married at Rajasthan's Mehrangarh Fort in December. The two got engaged in August in a traditional ceremony at her residence in Mumbai.

Kareena doesn't shop for me: Saif

Actor Saif Ali Khan, who has launched his own ethnic fashion brand House of Pataudi with Flipkart-owned online fashion retailer Myntra, wants to bring the idea of old heritage through his clothing line.

"I just love clothes. I have a certain sense of ethnic style in clothes. I feel there is a gap in the market and there are more people looking for Indian clothes online. So I talked to Myntra's CEO ... and we came up with the idea of House of Pataudi," Saif told a leading publication.

While on the subject of fashion, Saif could not resist complimenting wife Kareena Kapoor Khan, considered a fashion icon.

"(Kareena) has an amazing fashion statement. She has always been interested in clothes. When we met, she would shop cool dresses to wear at functions. I think she must have started the benchmark of cool dresses, and then everyone started sourcing it and getting such dresses."

Asked if Kareena shops for him too, Saif smiled and said, "No, of course not. I select my clothes on my own... If you understand women's clothes, it does not mean you understand men's clothes too. They are very different. Sometimes, they are even more complicated."

It's a wrap for Ranveer, Sara's 'Simmba'

Director Rohit Shetty has completed the shooting of his upcoming film Simmba-- a remake of the Telugu hit "Temper".

On the last day of the schedule, the cast and crew including Rohit and actress Sara Ali Khan became emotional and penned the heartfelt posts on Instagram.

Thanking her "advisor" Rohit and co-actor Ranveer Singh, Sara wrote, "And that's a picture wrap. Thank you so much Rohit Shetty sir for all your warmth, patience, advice, direction, concern, compassion and lots more. Working with you has been a total blast.

"And Ranveer Singh you truly a star. Your energy is contagious, your passion is palpable and your positivity is incomparable. Seeing you two work with laser sharp focus and undying dedication made me realise why and how you both are where you you both are.."

While sharing a picture with Ranveer, Rohit praised him and said that no one else could have performed the role of Simmba better than him.

"6th June 2018, Exactly five Months ago today, the journey of Simmba began and as this adventourous journey ends for our Simmba a.k.a. Sangram Bhalerao, I am filled with mixed emotions. Simmba being our first film together, was full of fun, laughters and unending memories.

"It's truly been wonderful knowing him as a person and as an actor who is honest hardworking and so passionate about his craft. I can vouch today that no-one else could have been a better Simmba than Ranveer Singh making Simmba (as my team says) My best film so far,” he added.

Also, ahead of Ranveer and Deepika Padukone's wedding, Rohit wished the couple saying he is "proud to show off today that his Simmba (Ranveer) is marrying his Meenama (Deepika)".

Deepika worked with Rohit in the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Chennai Express in which she played the character of South Indian girl Meenama.

"I am proud to showoff today that my Simmba is marrying my Meenamma! I Wish them all the luck for a blissfully beautiful future together."

Simmba is slated to release on 28 December.

Bollywood, TV celebs attend Ekta Kapoor's Diwali party

Bollywood and television celebrities attended a grand Diwali bash hosted by producer Ekta Kapoor at her residence here.

The attendees on Tuesday night included Shraddha Kapoor, Arbaaz Khan, Giorgia Andriani, Nitesh Tiwari, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, Mona Singh, Shabana Azmi, Tusshar Kapoor, Sophie Choudry, Karishma Tanna, Tina Ahuja, Urvashi Dholakia, Nushrat Bharucha, Karan Johar, Kiara Advani, Shilpa Shetty, Raj Kundra, Shabir Ahluwalia, Kanchi Kaul, Anita Hassanandani and Rohit Reddy.

In the photos, Mouni Ganguly is seen wearing a beige coloured lehenga choli with a pair of statement earrings, while Krystle D'Souza donned a green floral print asymmetrical gown with trumpet sleeves.

Karishma wore a corset style blouse and golden lehenga skirt with a complimentary dupatta. Mona wore a black long kurti and palazzo pants whereas Urvashi looked pretty in a simple black lehenga and a pink dupatta draped in saree style.

The new lovebirds in town Himansh Kohli and Neha Kakkar were also present at the party.

Neha Dhupia also arrived at the party in her full pregnancy glow and accompanying her was husband Angad Bedi.

Dilwale actress Kriti Sanon reached the venue in a red outfit. Popular director and father of Varun Dhawan, David Dhawan also graced the party with his presence. The director was joined by his wife.

Meanwhile, the couples of television namely Divyanka Tripathi and Vivek Dahiya, Karan Patel and Ankita Bhargava, Karan Kundrra and Anusha Dandekar were snapped while making their way towards Ekta's bash.

Siddharth Anand wraps up Hrithik, Tiger starrer film

Bollywood director Siddharth Anand has wrapped up the shooting of his upcoming film featuring Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff and Vaani Kapoor, in time for Diwali.

Anand shared a celebratory wrap-up video on Instagram, and wrote, "It's a wrap! Big shot out to the wonderful crew that travelled through various cities, countries, climates and extreme weathers! Making it back home just in time for Diwali! Looking forward to the next banging schedule now."

The director also shared another image of the film's massive crew.

The yet untitled project, said to be an action thriller, was announced by production banner Yash Raj Films on the occasion of legendary filmmaker Yash Chopra's 85th birth anniversary on 27 September.

Anand has directed Hrithik earlier in Bang Bang, and he has also helmed movies like Salaam Namaste, Ta Ra Rum Pum, Bachna Ae Haseeno and Anjaana Anjaani.

Parineeti wants $5 mn shoe-hiding fee from Nick Jonas

Actress Parineeti Chopra has placed a $5 million dollar shoe-hiding fee demand before American singer Nick Jonas, who will marry her actress cousin Priyanka Chopra soon.

Parineeti, who joined Priyanka on her bachelorette in Amsterdam, posted an Instagram image from a party. Nick commented, "Wow she's so beautiful. Any chance you could introduce me?"

Parineeti responded, "Nick Jonas, she is very hard to get! But I can try for you, if you agree to pay the 5 million dollar shoe-hiding fee!"

The hiding of the groom's shoes is a fun part of some weddings in India. The bridesmaids then return the shoe to their brother-in-law in return of a token.

Priyanka and Nick got engaged earlier this year, after which the couple came down for a traditional Indian roka ceremony in Mumbai. The actress had a bridal shower recently and is now celebrating her bachelorette with her girl brigade.

Meena Kumari defined sultry in most classy way: Rasika

Actress Rasika Dugal, whose look in web series Mirzapur is styled on the late Meena Kumari from Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, says the late actress had a way of adding class to a sultry get-up.

In Amazon Prime's Mirzapur, a story based in a lawless land where the trade of arms, ammunition and drugs is a part of normal life, Rasika will be seen playing the role of Beena Tripathi, wife of gang lord Pankaj Tripathi aka Kaleen Bhaiya.

The trailer suggests Rasika's character Beena is a daring and desirable woman, and her look is inspired by Meena Kumari's Choti Bahu portrayal in Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam and was modernised to suit today's time, read a statement.

Rasika said in a statement, "Meena Kumari was a legend. Choti bahu in Saheb Bibi Aur Ghulam is one of my favourite performances in Indian cinema. She defined sultry in the classiest way. With Beena too, a lot more is happening than meets the eye though in a very different way. I'm happy with the way the look has turned out and excited for people to watch the series."

Yami's pollution-free Diwali plans for neighbourhood

Actress Yami Gautam is in Chandigarh to spend time with her family and friends for Diwali, and she has taken it upon herself to be an awareness ambassador of eco-friendly and pollution-free celebrations in her own neighbourhood.

Yami said in a statement, "Diwali is always something that brings me back home and each celebration is more special than the previous one. Diwali always brings back the fondest memories for me from Chandigarh. This time too I'm looking forward to the festivities back home.

"However, in the last few years the growing concern with pollution is something we mustn't ignore and that's why this Diwali, my friends and I have taken to make an initiative in our own neighbourhood to spread the message and importance of a less polluted Diwali. The idea is to keep the festive cheer alive without compromising the environment in anyway".

Bollywood's Kapoor clan celebrates 40 years of Prithvi Theatre

As Mumbai's Mecca of performing arts Prithvi Theatre turned 40 years old, Bollywood's famed Kapoor clan organised a grand celebration to commemorate the day.

Prithvi Theatre was founded by late actor Shashi Kapoor and his wife Jennifer Kendal in 1978.

Shashi's son Kunal Kapoor, who handles operations of Prithvi Theatre, hosted a special star-studded party here on Monday night along with his children Zahaan and Shaira Laura.

Actors Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan graced the occasion and played the perfect hosts. Kareena wore a traditional attire by Simar Dugal as she walked in with husband Saif, who looked dapper in a black kurta teamed with white pajamas.

Eminent personalities from cinema, theatre, music and media world graced the occasion.

Among the attendees were Shabana Azmi, Lillete Dubey, Kalki Koechlin, Divya Dutta, Neetu Chandra, Paresh Rawal, Jim Sarbh, Sayani Gupta, Aahana Kumra, Shikha Talsania, Dolly Thakore, Ila Arun, Vivaan Shah, Rajit Kapur and filmmakers Imtiaz Ali and Hansal Mehta.

Actor Prithviraj Kapoor commissioned the Prithvi Theatre in 1944 as a travelling group of artistes. His entourage performed all over India. After his demise, actor Shashi Kapoor took over the reins with his wife Jennifer and built the Prithvi Theatre in Juhu, Mumbai.

Prithvi Theatre Festival, the annual festival started five years later in 1983. Several Indian and international artistes and theatre groups perform here during the festival.

 (SOURCE : IANS)