MUMBAI: The weekend is here and we bring you the new happenings from tinsel town so relax and read to know what your favourite B-town celebs are up to.
Kajol to launch 'Helicopter Eela' trailer on her birthday
As a treat for her fans, actress Kajol will launch the trailer of her forthcoming film Helicopter Eela on her birthday on Saturday.
Directed by Pradeep Sarkar, the film also stars the National Award-winning actor, Riddhi Sen, who will be playing Kajol's son.
Written by Mitesh Shah, Helicopter Eela will see Kajol playing a single mother and an aspiring singer. The movie is co-produced by Ajay Devgn and Jayantilal Gada of Pen India Ltd. It is slated to release on 7 September.
The trailer will be released in the presence of her husband-actor-producer Ajay, and co-star Riddhi along with Sarkar.
The film's spokesperson confirmed the news to a leading publication.
In an interview with a leading publication earlier this year, Kajol described the film as "sweet and funny".
"It is a sweet and funny film. Riddhi will be seen as my son. We all are very excited about the film."
I mostly like to shoot at real locations: Nitesh Tiwari
Filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari of Dangal fame lets stories take him to the place of shooting but says he mostly likes to shoot at real locations.
His films as a director and writer mostly tell the stories of characters that are close to reality.
Asked about the choice of shooting location, Tiwari told a leading publication, "I don't make a conscious decision that this is where I want to shoot. I like stories to take me (to the location) and I mostly like to shoot in real locations. That's the kind of filmmaker I am."
"So whatever the story demands, I try to keep it as real as possible unless there are certain situations that can't be done in real life. As far as possible, I would like to shoot in real locations. I wouldn't like to restrict myself to a particular place," added the director of Bhoothnath Returns.
Filmmaking is clearly his passion. But he has more.
"I love to watch a lot of movies...all kinds of films. I also love to spend time with my family," said Tiwari, whose wife Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari is also a director.
He finds a lot of films inspiring. So, is he open to adaptations?
"Why not? If there is something really interesting, then why not because stories are meant to be told," he shared. Meanwhile, his campaign of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) is being lauded for being relevant.
‘Little Singham' mobile game launched, turns out to be a hit
Anil Ambani-led Reliance Entertainments gaming destination Zapak has launched a "Little Singham" mobile game, which has garnered over three million downloads.
In the first two weeks, the game -- free to play on the Google Play Store -- has clocked close to 50 million minutes and 67 million runs. It is inspired by Discovery Kids' TV series Little Singham, produced by Rohit Shetty Picturez and Reliance Animation.
Amit Khanduja of Zapak Games said in a statement, "The 'Little Singham' mobile game is an extension to the fun and frolics of the success the series has delivered. We are very excited about the results and the achievements of the game so far."
"Little Singham" has emerged as one of the top Indian IPs in the children's genre on television in a very short span of time and has replicated this success hitting the top of the charts in gaming, said Uttam Pal Singh, Business Head - Discovery Kids.
It's a ‘runner' game based on the protagonist's quest to stop the ‘Shaitan Shambala' from escaping. Played on the streets of Mirchi Nagar, it challenges the players to jump, slide, tackle and grab to get over obstacles during its endless missions.
There are also rockets on your way which help you collect easy coins. Players can use coins to upgrade power-ups and run longer and score higher. The goal is to score the highest and see that no one gets ahead.
Players can participate in daily challenges and earn extra rewards with multiple missions to increase their XP multiplier. Collect Singham Tokens on the run and use them to revive when needed. Players can also connect and play with their Facebook friends and challenge them to beat your high score. The game is also optimized for tablet devices.
Shatrughan congratulates Vidyut for bringing honour, pride to India
Veteran actor and politician Shatrughan Sinha has congratulated actor Vidyut Jammwal for bringing honour and pride to India. He also says that it is a "proud moment" to be declared one of the top six martial artists around the globe.
"Congrats Vidyut Jammwal, actor and martial arts artist for bringing honour and pride to India. Proud moment to be declared one of the six top martial artists around the globe by Looper a distinguished US platform list," Shatrughan tweeted on Thursday night.
Looper, a US platform, recently released a list of top martial artists across the globe, and Vidyut has found a spot in the list.
Calling it "outstanding" and a "proud moment", Shatrughan said that the Commando 2 actor is the only Indian to make it to the list.
"Outstanding, that you are the only Indian to have made it to this reputed honour as the rising star in action films across the world. Very well deserved and may you scale greater heights. Kudos! Proud moment!" wrote the 72-year-old actor-politician.
On the work front, Vidyut has finished shooting for Junglee, a film about a unique relationship between a man and elephants.
Backed by Junglee Pictures, it is directed by Chuck Russell, who has helmed Hollywood films such as The Mask, Eraser and The Scorpion King.
The film is slated to release on 5 April, 2019.
Tough to make biopic when subject's story is known: 'Gul Makai' director
Making a biopic on a person whose life's story is out in the public, is tough, says tough, says Amjad Khan, who is directing Gul Makai -- a film on the life of Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai.
On the challenges he faced to make Gul Makai, Khan told as leading Publication, "I would say it is tough to make a biopic when people know the main story of an individual that I am making a film on. After Malala was attacked, how she survived and continued her journey thereafter is known to people, because everything has been documented afterwards.
"So, I started my story in the film with the back story of how the Taliban took control over Pakistan's Swat Valley and how that affected children of that area, including Malala."
Yousufzai was shot by Taliban terrorists for raising voice on the right to education of children, in October 2012. She survived and as a teenager, she won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Khan says he went through research for two years along with a Pakistani author before he finalised the script as he was quite extra cautious about everything.
"I have shown things exactly the way they happened, and yet it is not a documentary but a good watch. I had to find the balance as I had to be factually correct and at the same time entertain," he said.
Asked if he took the permission of Yousafzai or her family, Khan said, "No, I haven't. But I think she and her family know that an Indian film director is making a film about her. But yes, I wish to show her the film once it is releasing."
However, Khan has decided to donate the first day worldwide theatrical collection of the film to Malala Fund to support the cause of children education.
The film, featuring Reema Shaikh in the key role, also features Divya Dutta and late Om Puri in a pivotal role. It is releasing at the end of this year.
'Sui Dhaaga' campaign to roll on National Handloom Day
The National Handloom Day on 7 August will mark the beginning of the promotional campaign of the upcoming Bollywood film Sui Dhaaga, which celebrates entrepreneurship and the empowering impact of self-reliance.
In the movie, actor Varun Dhawan plays a tailor, and Anushka Sharma an embroiderer. Together, their characters celebrate Indian craftsmanship.
Producer Maneesh Sharma says they felt it would be fitting to start the promotions for this film on a day dedicated to the skilled entrepreneurs of our country.
"Sui Dhaaga is a salute to the bold entrepreneurs and the self-reliant workforce of the country - artisans, craftsmen, weavers and the grassroots level contributors to the surging India's indigenous arts and crafts industry," he said in a statement.
The Central government had declared 7 August to be celebrated as National Handloom Day annually due to its significance in India's history.
The Swadeshi Movement was launched in 1905 on the same day. The movement saw the revival of domestic entrepreneurship.
As part of the promotions, Varun and Anushka will start touring the country from this date. The "first asset" of the film will be launched, followed by the trailer a week later.
Directed by Sharat Katariya, the film will release on 28 September.
'Mulk' is Hindu-Muslim love story, says Anubhav Sinha
Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha, who is busy promoting his forthcoming film Mulk, on Thursday said that his film depicts love story between Hindus and Muslims.
Sinha was interacting with the media at a local radio station here to promote the movie, along with Taapsee Pannu and Prateik Babbar.
"After trailer release of Mulk, extremists of the country heavily criticized the film and there were lots of controversy floating around the film, claiming that the film targets a certain religion. But now critics have positively reacted to the film," the Bollywood director said.
Asked whether he feels relieved now, he said, "I think people who want to get publicity, they target films but I wasn't bothered with all that because I knew what I have tried to showcase through Mulk.
"I didn't make this film to criticize anybody or to hurt anybody's sentiments. I always felt that Mulk is a love story between Hindus and Muslims."
He further said that films like these can start a dialogue to address the issue. "We don't make discussions on these issues. Our prejudices are well cemented in our DNA, so if we start a dialogue about it, then I think we will be able to break that glass ceiling."
Makers of the movie on Wednesday hosted a special screening of the film for film critics and the media in Delhi and Mumbai, and most critics gave thumps-up to the movie.
Reacting to the initial response to his film, Sinha said, "I am happy with the initial response to our film and I can see that everybody is praising it. We are getting reviews for the film and people are reacting positively to the film. Now, I hope people will go to the theatres and appreciate our film."
Asked since Mulk showcases harmony between Hindus and Muslims, does he expect tax exemption to the movie, Sinha said, "It will be really good if the film gets tax exemption ... because it talks about brotherhood and harmony between Hindus and Muslims so... I hope this film will be made tax-free once it is released."
Responding to a query whether it was his image-building exercise to make a movie like Mulk, he said, "No. I was making a film and not a certain kind of image. I really liked the story and I felt this kind of story is necessary to reach the audience... Every film and its story has its own syntax and context and that's how films should be made."
Mulk features Taapsee Pannu, Rishi Kapoor, Rajat Kapoor, Ashutosh Rana, Neena Gupta, Prateik Babbar, Manoj Pahwa and Prachee Shah Pandya in lead roles.
Produced by Anubhav Sinha and Deepak Mukut, the film is slated for release on 3 August.
Kashmir is like child of broken marriage: J.P. Dutta
Filmmaker J.P. Dutta, who has made several films on India-Pakistan wars, feels that ever-recurring Kashmir issue between both neighbouring countries is like a child of a broken marriage.
Dutta was interacting with media at the trailer launch of Paltan along with actors Arjun Rampal, Sonu Sood, Harshvardhan Rane, Gurmeet Chaudhary, Sidhhant Kapoor, Luv Sinha, Monica Gill, Sonal Chauhan, Dipika Kakar, music composer Anu Malik and producer Nidhi Dutta on Thursday in Mumbai.
Asked for a comment on the relations between India and Pakistan, Dutta, who has made films like Border and LOC Kargil, said, "They (Pakistan) will not forget Bangladesh and they will always try to take revenge of the 1971 war (where India was instrumental in creating Bangladesh as a separate country which was earlier part of Pakistan)."
Dutta said Kashmir is a very emotional issue for both India and Pakistan and both the countries are not ready to keep their egos aside. "I feel Kashmir is like a child of a broken marriage and, therefore, continuously that topic recurs from both sides."
Dutta returned to direction with Paltan almost after 12 years when he last directed Umrao Jaan, which was released in 2006.
"I was born to do this job. For me, happiness lies in making films. When I am not making films, I feel sad," he said.
He added "the Almighty has sent him to make films on sacrifice of soldiers for the country".
"When you are born, when you come into this world, and when you are growing up, you realize you have been sent by the Almighty to do a certain job and I think I have been sent to make my soldiers immortal," Dutta said.
About his experience of directing multiple actors in Paltan, Dutta said, "I have earlier made multi-starrer films like Border and LOC Kargil. I have worked with Vinod.
Khanna, Dharmendra ji and Sunil Dutt saab in my earlier films. I got immense amount of love, support and respect from those actors. So, I truly feel blessed."
Produced by Zee Studios and J.P. Films, Paltan is all set to hit screens on 7 September.
(SOURCE : IANS)
Dhadak is all set to beat the lifetime business of Student of the Year
Dhadak has turned out to be a profitable venture for Dharma Productions and Zee Studios. The movie, which released on 20 July, minted Rs 51.55 crore in week 1 and Rs 17.61 crore in week 2. Dhadak is all set to beat lifetime collections of Dharma Productions’ Student of the Year. Student of the Year was 2012’s Dhadak. It was also the dream debut of two-star kids, Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan, and for the same reason, there was extreme hype for the move. The movie was directed by Karan Johar himself. The teen drama did a moderate business at the box office and was able to collect Rs 70 crore in total. Dhadak is already at Rs 69.16 crore. So after today’s collection it would have beaten SOTY.
Karan Johar‘s adorable munchkins
These days, Karan Johar is busy performing his duties as a daddy; his little kids are so adorable that one can’t have enough of them. Whenever he shares any photo of his kids, we all are in awe of it. Recently, again he has shared an adorable photo of his twins. Take a look-
SRK and Salman come together for Dus Ka Dum Finale
According to a leading publication, Salman and SRK will shoot for the final episode of Dus Ka Dum. The show has moved to the weekend slot with only celebrities as contestants from the bi-weekly telecast. Many doubt it was done after this season failed to make a mark on the TV charts. The weekend episodes were becoming a fun watch with celebrities answering Salman’s funny questions. But we were definitely waiting for Shah Rukh’s episode with him and now we have a behind the scene picture! It’s not exactly taken on the sets with Salman and Shah Rukh’; it has other crew members as well.
Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt’s adorable picture at a birthday dinner in Bulgaria
Alia Bhatt and Dimple Kapadia returned to the bay yesterday from Bulgaria. But before that happened, the couple, Alia and Ranbir Kapoor, had their dinner dates or pastry dates in Bulgaria. They are a new couple and thus it only worked out in their favour that the two of them shot a film together. So it was business with pleasure for these two. Now we have a picture of them when they went for a birthday dinner of a crew member. The way Ranbir has put his hand on Alia’s shoulder makes us feel as if he is saying, ‘Mine’ and that’s actually a very adorable photo of the two.;
‘The Accidental Prime Minister' director arrested for GST fraud of Rs 34 crore
Director of upcoming film The Accidental Prime Minister, Vijay Ratnajkar Gutte, has been arrested for an alleged GST fraud of Rs 34 crore by GST intelligence wing. It is alleged that Gutte’s company VRG Digital used fake invoices to claim GST credit of Rs 34 crores. VRG Digital used the fake invoices to show that it used animation and manpower services worth Rs 266 crores, of a company named Horizon. Horizon has come under the scanner of the government for a GST fraud of Rs. 170 crore. Vijay is the son of Maharashtra businessman Ratnakar Gutte who is facing allegations of engineering scam worth Rs 5500 crores.
Aayush Sharma and wife Arpita recreate their wedding moments on Arpita's birthday
These two will really give you couple goals. Aayush Sharma along with wife Arpita Khan Sharma decided to spend Arpita's birthday at Hyderabad's Taj Falaknuma Palace. Why is that special? Well, it's where the two took their vows three years ago. The adorable couple wanted to spend Arpita's birthday at a place that is special for both of them.
Aayush and Arpita got married in a fairytale-like wedding on 18 November, 2014. Their recent pictures trending on social media are already setting marriage-goals and showcase the affection the two have for each other. Arpita's birthday was a private affair with close friends and family attending the celebration.
Says Aayush, "It's been three years now since our marriage. I wanted to do something really special for Arpita's birthday. So celebrating her birthday at the Falaknuma Palace was the best way to relive those amazing moments with family and close friends."
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