MUMBAI: Are you eagerly waiting for Bollywood news? Then here are some interesting updates from B-town exclusively for you. Take a look-
Pankaj Tripathi excited to work with Satish Kaushik
Actor Pankaj Tripathi, who will essay activist and farmer Lal Bihari from Azamgarh in a film by Satish Kaushik, is excited about working under his direction.
The film is a real life tale of an innocent farmer from Bihar who was, through bribery, declared dead in his town's official records by his relatives to illegally capture his land. Lal Bihari had to then fight with the Indian bureaucracy for 18 long years before he could prove himself to be alive.
Pankaj plays this role in the film, for which the shooting has begun in a small village in Bihar.
Talking about it, the acclaimed actor said in a statement, "I know Satish sir better as an actor. I have seen him performing in films since my childhood, the recent one being Udta Punjab. As a director, I've seen his Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai and the rest of them I am yet to see.
"The story of our film is based on the real life incidents of Bharat Lal aka Lal Bihari from Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh who struggled 18 years in a legal battle to prove his identity that he is not dead but alive. For the story that he (Satish) conceived, according to him I was the correct person to play the part."
Satish and Pankaj are both alumni of the National School of Drama and have a theatre background.
"He called me to hear the story and I liked it very much."
The movie is expected to release mid next year.
'Raajneeti' got me instantly stereotyped: Shruti Seth
Shruti Seth's role in Raajneeti was an image breaker of sorts for the actress but it stereotyped her again.
As the political drama helmed by Prakash Jha was a departure from the comedy stereotype Shruti was caught in, did it open up avenues for her?
"Not really," Shruti told a publication.
"I received much praise for my performance in the movie but got instantly stereotyped into similar roles which didn't excite me much," added the actress, who essayed an aspiring politician in the movie.
She rose to fame with the TV show Shararat and has since then featured in a various movies and shows. What's new on the career front and should we hope for a Shararat reunion?
"On the career front, I have two shows coming up on Amazon Prime that will premiere in 2019. Even I'm hoping for the Shararatreunion," she said.
Shruti has been vocal about her support to the #MeToo movement and at the ongoing Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star, she stood up for gender equality.
Earlier this year, she had questioned, "Will Bollywood ever reveal its dirty secrets?"
But the #MeToo wave has come to India. What's her view now?
"About time. I'm glad it's finally happened now. It has to sustain for us to be able to see long term results and better workspaces for all," she said.
The actress recently walked as showstopper at an event where BIBA Girls, a dedicated range of ethnic wear for young girls aged between two and 12 years, showcased their newest festive collection at the India Kids Fashion Week 2018.
"It's always fun walking the ramp and being in the spotlight especially being surrounded by the tiny fashionistas. To see the kids and their infectious energy is heartwarming. It did feel like any fashion show, just as manic and chaotic backstage but once you are on the stage, everything looks perfect," Shruti said.
What is her take on fashion?
"I've always believed in having my own signature fashion style when it comes to putting a look together," said the actress who prefers to flaunt a western look.
‘Kedarnath' not an everyday love story, says producer
On the eve of teaser release of Sara Ali Khan's debut film Kedarnath, producer of the film Pragya Kapoor on Monday said the film is not a usual love story.
"Set against the backdrop of nature's fury, Kedarnath is not an everyday love story. Shooting on virgin and undeveloped terrain was as thrilling as it was draining. This has made the journey to completion a well-earned reward.
"All thanks to the invaluable contributions of the entire cast and crew. We are all charged up about bringing Kedarnath to our audiences," Pragya said in a statement.
Shot along a 14-km pilgrimage from Gauri Kund to Kedarnath -- the 2000-year-old temple of Lord Shiva, the film depicts the love story of Mansoor and Mukku played by Sushant Singh Rajput and Sara, respectively.
The mountain tsunami that wrecked the temple town in June of 2013, leaving thousands dead, sets the backdrop for this love story, Kapoor added.
Directed by Abhishek Kapoor, and produced by RSVP and Guy In The Sky Pictures, Kedarnath carries a tagline "Love is a Pilgrimage". The film is slated to release on 30 November.
Risk is fun, says Shweta Tripathi
Actress Shweta Tripathi wants to challenge herself with each project, and says she doesn’t want to play safe.
Be it Masaan, or Haraamkhor or Zoo or Trip 2, Shweta has explored diverse roles in her career. And she wants to continue doing so.
"From Masaan, Haraamkhor or Zoo in which I play a drug addict, I try that all my characters are drastically different from each other. Because otherwise I will get bored," Shweta told a publication.
"You have to push the boundary, do something that people haven't seen before because then it is exciting for them. Even in Trip 2, all my looks are different," she added.
The challenges come with some risks. But the actress says risk is fun.
"I don't want to play safe. Because there are lots of people who are playing it safe and I don't want to be one of them."
At the moment, Shweta is getting appreciation for her role in Trip 2, which premiered on all bindass platforms including YouTube on 5 October.
The first season brought us a plot that revolved around four childhood friends who go on a road trip in Thailand to celebrate a bachelorette party. The journey, however, turns into an emotional roller-coaster for the girls.
"I want to be choosy about the work I do and that is why I am proud of all my projects and very happy to be associated. The first season was a big hit and that makes you happy. Because that makes you realise that lot of people are relating with it.
"For an actor, that is very important because that is why we do stuff so that people understand our world, and take away something for themselves from it," added the actress, who will soon be seen in web series Mirzapur.
Kajol to endorse hair colour brand
Actress Kajol has been roped in as ambassador for hair colouring brand Super Vasmol 33 Kesh Kala, which has been relaunched by Hygienic Research Institute Private Limited (HRIPL).
The actress will be seen in the brand's new advertising campaign Yahi hai Sahi Hair Colour, which restages the brand as new, improved and relevant to today's evolved consumers and younger demographic.
Kajol said she is glad to be associated with the brand, which "has been offering its customers, credible hair colouring solutions for decades".
"The best part is that with changing times, it is renovating itself, upgrading and getting better by the day to offer solutions that are relevant to today's hair colouring needs," she said in a statement.
The product's unique appeal lies in its mixture of herbs and oil like properties that beautify hair giving it its natural looking black colour.
HRIPL's Joint Managing Director Ashish K. Chhabra, Kajol's "charismatic persona" was an ideal fit with the brand as her "mindful and thoughtful personality is looked upon by the audiences across genders and age-groups".
Javed Ali loves sufi trend in Bollywood
Singer Javed Ali, who has sung tracks like Jashn-e-bahaaran, Arziyan, Kun faya kun and Tu hi haqeeqat, is happy with the growth of sufi songs in Bollywood.
"Bollywood music's boundaries are increasing day by day. In the past there was ghazal-numa geet, then came qawalis which were conceptualised as per the situation," Ali said in a statement to a publication.
"Nowadays, situational sufi songs are being specially created which is very good. I hope that the trend continues in the long run," added the singer, who paid tribute to the ghazal maestros with a musical evening at the Rotary Club Fundraiser at the National Centre for the Performing Arts here on Sunday.
He says he loves performing live.
"I perform live in different genres of music like Bollywood, sufi, retro, ghazal... I enjoy performing live and I feel very excited whenever I perform in different genres. It feels great to be a part of the fundraiser for Rotary Club of Mumbai and it's an honour to come back after two years and perform for this set of audience."
Kriti Kharbanda spends a working birthday
Actress Kriti Kharbanda, who turned 28 on Monday, spent her birthday shooting for Housefull 4.
"It's been a great year and I'm grateful to God for being so kind and the audience for showering their love and support. I'll be shooting all day for Housefull 4 on my birthday but no complaints," Kriti said in a statement.
This year, the actress has had releases like Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana and Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se, and she is always on the lookout for challenging opportunities.
Kriti will celebrate her special day with close friends once she wraps up her work for the day.
Actor Sahil Vaid's father wanted him to be a soldier
Actor Sahil Vaid, popular for starring in films like Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania and Badrinath Ki Dulhania, says his father wanted him to serve the nation as a soldier.
"I used to do theatre. I enjoyed doing it. I never thought of coming to Mumbai and becoming an actor. I come from a family of soldiers," Sahil said during a session at the Jio MAMI 20th Mumbai Film Festival with Star on Monday.
"My uncle, who is a retired Brigadier, said 'You can't hand over a rifle to someone and say go be a soldier'. That's not possible. When I was 15 or 16, he asked me if I wanted to be a soldier. I said 'no'."
The actor had never thought of becoming a soldier.
"I was missing my mathematics and science classes to do theatre. I asked why I couldn't do that all my life. He said 'This is not going to pay you enough. If you are serious, you should go to Mumbai and do movies'. I agreed to do that."
But it wasn't easy to convince his family, especially his father.
"My father always wanted me to be saluted. He always dreamt of me being a soldier. It was very hard to convince him," he said.
Then he joined Whistling Woods International film school here.
Now, he not only acts in front of the camera but also serves as a voice actor in various films dubbed in Hindi.
He has been part of the Hindi voice cast of Hollywood superhero films like Ant-Man and Captain America: Civil War.
Dilip Kumar 'doing well'
Veteran actor Dilip Kumar is "doing well", his close family has said amid rumours that the 95-year-old's condition is deteriorating.
Faisal Farooqui, a family friend of the actor, refuted media reports claiming that Dilip Kumar is now unable to take food, medicine and even water through his mouth.
Farooqui told a leading publication over phone, "I want to assure to all the millions of people who love Saab and admire his work, that Dilip Kumar is doing well. There is no need to panic... Such unfounded fake news creates panic and anxiety in the minds of millions of Dilip Kumar fans and well-wishers."
He urged fans to follow the official Dilip Kumar Twitter handle for health updates on the actor.
Earlier this month, Dilip Kumar was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital for treatment for recurrent pneumonia.
The nonagenarian is known for films like Kohinoor, Mughal-e-Azam, Shakti, Naya Daur and Ram Aur Shyam.
'Baazaar' was a risk that paid off well: Saif
Actor Saif Ali Khan says doing Baazaar was a big risk, and he is glad that it paid off well.
In Baazaar, Saif portrays the role of a small town boy who becomes the wolf of the stock trading market, is known for his business acumen and understands "only maths".
"My role in Baazaar was challenging for many reasons. Apart from exploring a subject centered around the stock market, which hasn't been done before, my character was also very layered with shades of grey," Saif said in a statement to a publication.
"It was a risk and I'm glad it paid off," he added.
Baazaar, a film on stocks, money and crime, also stars Chitrangda Singh and Radhika Apte.
The Gauravv K. Chawla directorial is being appreciated for tackling a different subject in a relatable manner.
Trade expert Taran Adarsh on Monday tweeted, "Baazaar witnessed a positive upturn on Day 2 and Day 3... Mumbai circuit is dominating its business... Weekdays are extremely crucial... Has to maintain the pace for a respectable Week 1 total... Friday Rs. 3.07 crore, Saturday Rs. 4.10 crore, Sunday Rs. 4.76 crore. Total: Rs 1.93 crore (India business)."
(Source : IANS)
Sara Ali Khan shares the poster of her debut movie
Sara Ali Khan is making her Bollywood debut with Kedarnath. The actress shared the first poster of her film. She feels blessed and honoured to be a part of Kedarnath.
Priyanka Chopra’s bridal shower celebrations
As we all know, Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas will be tying the knot soon. Priyanka had a lively bridal shower time with her gang in Los Angeles. The ace actress shared a post regarding the same and wrote a lovely message.
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