August 2017 – Page 27

Alia Bhatt refutes rumours of not acting in Aashiqui 3

Aug 112017

Alia-Bhatt There was a tail-piece in Mumbai Mirror which suggested that Alia Bhatt is busy with projects throughout 2018 and has therefore pushed ‘Aashiqui 2’on the back-burner. The report reads, “We don’t want to be in Alia Bhatt’s shoes right now. Having it all does have its flipside. We hear Bhatt is a bit of a quandary regarding her father’s production company’s newest film, ‘Aashiqui 3’. Alia greenlighted it and so has her rumoured beau, Sidharth Malhotra.

But it seems that Alia isn’t too keen on the film, especially since her next releases are ‘Gully Boys’ with Ranveer Singh, ‘Dragon’ with Ranbir Kapoor and her solo lead film, ‘Raazi’, directed by Meghana Gulzar.Perhaps, she is doing her ‘Aashiqui 3’ for sentimental reasons, or maybe she’s hoping to recreate the chemistry of their last hit ‘Kapoor & Sons’. Alia Bhatt took to Twitter to refute these rumours and wrote,

null

Parineeti Chopra admits to being ragged on sets of Golmaal Again

Celebrities

Aug 112017

55398779 After making a successful singing debut with “Maana ke hum yaar nahi” earlier this year, actress Parineeti Chopra is now set to record another song.

The actress is busy shooting for Rohit Shetty’s “Golmaal Again”. Asked if she has sung in the upcoming film, she told select media, including IANS, here: “No. I haven’t sung. I’m trying to butter up Rohit sir to let me sing one small thing. I’m going to release a second song soon though. I’m working on it. It’s going to be a good one.”

“The first song did really well. So, I want to take this forward. I’m yet to record it,” she added.

The actress, who has starred in Yash Raj Films projects like “Ishaqzaade”, “Shuddh Desi Romance” and “Daawat-e-Ishq”, said with “Golmaal Again” — the fourth part in the “Golmaal” series — she has joined the big league.

“I don’t think anybody in this country has not seen ‘Golmaal’. My dad knows every character by heart. I think he was the most excited when I signed ‘Golmaal’ because he is the ‘massy’ audience. For me, it was an honour to sign the film because it was literally like joining the big league,” she said.

“Being Rohit Shetty’s (director) heroine, actor Ajay Devgn’s heroine…it was a big deal for me. The movies that I have done were with boys mostly of my age. It was like stepping up into the big game. So obviously, I felt proud of myself because I earned that,” she added.

“Golmaal” is one the biggest films of the year, she said.

“It is one of the most expensive and biggest franchises. I don’t think any film has reached four. Abroad we have. ‘Dhoom’ has reached three and so has ‘Housefull’. ‘Golmaal’ has the biggest director and cast so, obviously it’s like joining the big league and I’m very happy to be a part of this gang,” she said about the team, which also consists of actors Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor, Arshad Warsi and Kunal Kemmu.

“I have a very important role in the film. I’m not just the heroine in the film. So, it was like the best of everything,” she added.
And now, she is happy to be a part of the family.

“First few days I was scared of Ajay and Rohit sir. They are like a family and have amazing tuning. It was like entering a new class and wondering ‘Will they like me or not?’ Ajay is like a kid, especially when he does songs. He doesn’t enjoy dancing so, he would complain. But he would work hard also.

“I call him (Ajay) my box office India. He gives me all the ‘gupshup’ (gossip) on the industry. I always message or call him to know about any new film. I can plan my life according to his information. It’s always correct. He is my trade guru,” she said.

Any ragging on the film’s set?

“I was told ‘You have to be prepared for pranks during ‘Golmaal’ shooting’. There is time, money spent on pranks. It’s a separate department. I have been at the receiving end,” she said.

Recalling one of those moments, she said: “One day, Rohit sir seriously came to me and told me to do some funny movement. I asked him ‘Really? But the character is not like that’. Nevertheless, I agreed and did it. The whole team laughed at me. I was so embarrassed.”
It’s not just her. Even Shreyas fell prey to pranks.

“The other day, we were doing a photoshoot. There were some crackers on set. Shreyas and I were talking. Ajay sir came from behind. He told me to shut up and sit. I was talking to Shreyas. The next thing you know, firecrackers bursting behind Shreyas’s back. Shreyas jumped out of his seat. It was crazy,” she said.

Would she still like to be a part of “Golmaal 5”?
“Of course, if Rohit sir is making ‘Golmaal’ or any other film. I think working with him has been the best experience of my life. Even if I am a tree, I will do that role in his film. I can never say no to him. He has become such an important part of my life,” she said.

'Toilet – Ek Prem Katha' Review: Akshay And Bhumi Brilliantly Question Why Our Nation 'Does It' In The Open

Celebrities

Aug 112017

Do you have a personal toilet or are your part of a ‘lota party’? For people who are alien to the concept of ‘lota party,’ it means a group of women going to relieve themselves in the farms or behind the bushes before the sun rises. In short, ‘jaha jagah mile, waha hug lo’.

Well, I bet for many of us, even the thought of that sounds like a nightmare. But what if you had no other option? Have you ever thought that having a toilet in your house is a privilege? If not, then maybe it’s time you do.

For most of us, the issue of 58% of India defecating in open is not our concern but director Shree Narayan Singh shows us the real picture of what our society has to deal with. ‘Toilet’ clearly shows how our religious beliefs, corruption, and government are responsible for converting India into a literal shit-hole.

A Review OFf Akshay Kumar's ‘Toilet – Ek Prem Katha' © Twitter

Inspired by a true story, ‘Toilet – Ek Prem Katha’ is about Keshav (Akshay Kumar) And Jaya (Bhumi Pednekar). The story begins when Keshav falls head over heels in love with Jaya, who lives in a neighbouring village in Uttar Pradesh. They get married but Keshav forgets to mention it to her that he doesn’t have a toilet in his house and that causes a ton of issues and is the driving force of the plot. Keshav tries his level best to do what his wife wants, but his father and other village members are against the idea of anyone having a toilet in the house. The issue of basic needs becomes the root cause for Jaya to file for a divorce.

The film is a satirical take on how in the name of religious beliefs and traditions we justify the act of defecating in the open. And it just isn’t a stubborn persistence of ideology, these beliefs and traditions haven’t even caught up to modern sanitation yet.

A Review OFf Akshay Kumar's ‘Toilet – Ek Prem Katha' © Twitter

Looking at the concept, it sounds more like a satirical take on a serious issue but director Narayan Singh has made it a very engaging and an entertaining film as well. The makers have done both the work of creating awareness but keeping the humorous element alive in the film.

It’s fascinating to see how the issue of a toilet that might not even sound like a problem to us, forms the gist of the story. The film clearly states how it is essential for us to build toilets for our women; after all, it’s a necessity.

A Review OFf Akshay Kumar's ‘Toilet – Ek Prem Katha' © Twitter

You will undoubtedly love Bhumi and Akshay’s chemistry. Akshay is the backbone of the film and like always, he brings out the best of acting skills, making us love him even more. Bhumi on other hand is extremely efficient, honest and so natural. You are bound to love them toegther.

From Anupam Kher, Sudhir Pandey to Divyendu, all the other actors are great additions to the film. The first half is crisp and entertaining but it is the second half of the film that feels a bit too stretched. However, despite some glitches, Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar’s film, ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’ feels like a ray of sunshine after all the dull releases that have taken place this year.

A Review OFf Akshay Kumar's ‘Toilet – Ek Prem Katha' © Twitter

This film makes you laugh, think and contemplate. For many of us, this film might look and sound unbelievable because we haven’t faced such sanitation issues hence it is necessary to get a ‘whiff’ of what the other 58% of the population does in the open.

10 Instagram photos of Jacqueline Fernandez you should not miss

Celebrities

Aug 112017

Sexy back: Jacqueline Fernandez is bringing sexy back and how! Reading a book by the poolside on a sunny day seems to be her ideal way to spend a day off from her hectic shoot schedule.

Show, don’t tell: In 2006, Jacqueline was crowned Miss Sri Lanka Universe and this picture shows you why!

Monochrome love: Doesn’t Jacqueline Fernandez look gorgeous in this black-and-white picture from a photoshoot?

Dreamy days: It doesn’t come as a surprise that after graduating in mass communication and working as a TV reporter in Sri Lanka, Jacqueline started working as model. While on a modelling assignment in India in 2009, she got an offer in Bollywood, making her acting debut in Sujoy Ghosh’s fantasy drama ‘Aladin’.

Fitness first: Besides acting, modelling and reporting, Jacqueline can do this – a headstand!

Child at heart: Doesn’t Jacqueline look adorable in this picture? She never shies away from bringing out the child in her.

Animal lover: Jacqueline’s love for animals isn’t a secret. The beautiful Bollywood actress was named ‘Woman Of The Year’ by PETA (India) in 2014.

Quirky Jacky: Only Jacqueline Fernandez could don a glamorous outfit, pose in a bathtub and carry it off in style!

Cute clicks: Just when you thought Jacqueline Fernandez couldn’t get any cuter, she goes ahead and does this!

Sinful delight: Need we say more?

Trending Video

Watch video: Baahubali actress slaps actor for alleged groping

Download the new mid-day android app to get updates on all the latest and trending stories on the go https://goo.gl/8Xlcvr

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

Toilet: Ek Prem Katha Movie Review – Akshay Kumar means business

Celebrities

Aug 112017

Toilet: Ek Prem Katha Movie Review ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’ poster

‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’
U/A: Satire/Drama
Director: Shree Narayan Singh
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Bhumi Pednekar
Rating:

There is a point of no return in the plot when we, the audience, become so immersed in the protagonist’s crusade for a better tomorrow that we are cheering and stomping our feet in encouragement for that bright sunshine-drenched tomorrow of which Sahir Ludhianvi dreamt in ‘Pyaasa’ and ‘Phir Subah Hogi’.

Our protagonist Madhav’s battle is not really reformatory in the way the great heroes of our times meant it to be. In Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s ‘Satyakam’, when the protagonist Dharmendra marries the rape victim, he does it with the least amount of self-congratulations. In ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’, Akshay Kumar’s mission to build a toilet for his wife is compared with Shah Jahan building the Taj Mahal for his wife.

I wonder who should feel more affronted by such flamboyant self-glorification: Moghul history or Modi politics. Either way, there is much too much self-congratulations and heroic hurrahs playing at the foreground of this eventful drama, accompanied by an over-punctuated background score.

Akshay Kumar means business. This film is not so much a vehicle to promote the Prime Minister’s Swachh Bharat campaign as to promote Akshay Kumar, period. He milks the film for all his trademark chuckles and giggles, making Madhav seem like a Basu Chatterjee hero with a certain sly and smooth sinewiness to his heroism.

It is debutant director Shree Narayan Singh who proves you don’t need extra sinewiness to shine in every frame. He is the Basu Chatterjee and Hrishikesh Mukherjee of our times. He makes hygiene and sanitation seem humorous without trivialising or tempering the issue. The sorority evidenced among the village women as they troop off in the morning for nature’s call is captured with a respectful laugh.

Here is proof that a film can make a social point without wearing a constantly sullen demeanour.

Throughout the lengthy film, the director maintains a kinetic momentum. He has his character’s feelings on his fingertips. He digs into the high-points in the drama with the disarmed delight of a kid scooping into a bowl of ice-cream. He negotiates the dips and curves in this bombastic tale of a man who must fight ‘sanskaar’ (no no, not the kind favoured by the censor board) to build a toilet for his newly married wife.

A warm earthiness and a nimble wisdom pervade the storytelling. The plot is a pyramid of high-pitched drama captured in the basic colours of nature’s components by cinematographer Anshuman Mahaley (he had shot the first ‘Jolly LLB’ film using an equally gritty palate). That the director is also the editor, helps him to remain on top of the commodious material. But the film could have been shortened post-interval where some of the toilet-building drama gets repetitive and shrill.

Though the high-pitched propagandist tenor and tone of the narration become overpowering after a point — as does Akshay Kumar’s exaggerated humanism — the film keeps us absolutely close to its heart as Madhav and Jaya’s love story acquires a universality by dint of their intimate affinity to the grassroot level of existence.

Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar play against one another in sparring spasms, their age difference notwithstanding. They look like a couple. The real performing sparks fly when the supporting cast — Sudhir Pande, Divyendu Sharma, Anupam Kher — are around to lend heft to the socio-political argument on how women in rural India need dignity before empowerment.

This is essentially a cause-without-pause melodrama set at an opulent octave. Happily, director Shree Narayan Singh counterbalances those shrill notes of self-righteousness and propaganda with just the right doses of warmth, humour and irony.

Don’t look for subtlety in the storytelling in ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’ and you will come away a happy viewer with some relevant thoughts on how non-metropolitan India exists without caving into a depression.

Watch ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’ trailer

[embedded content]

Also see: Photos: Sara Ali Khan, other celebs at ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’ screening

Trending Video

Watch video: Baahubali actress slaps actor for alleged groping

Download the new mid-day android app to get updates on all the latest and trending stories on the go https://goo.gl/8Xlcvr

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

'Game of Thrones' Actor Who Plays Bronn Says His Postman Stopped Talking To Him After He Shot Drogon

Celebrities

Aug 112017

We have all loved the street smart Bronn till now. The man can fight like a badass but he’s got no morals or loyalty to hold him back. The only thing he is loyal to is wealth, and understandably so. In a world where loyalty gets you beheaded and what not, perhaps the lack of it is not so bad.

‘Game of Thrones' Actor Who Plays Bronn Says His Postman Stopped Talking To Him After He Shot Drogon

But the 4th episode of ‘Game of Thrones’ changed all that. The minute Bronn ran towards Qyburn’s massive scorpion-bow and aimed at Drogon, he lost all fans; even the diehard ones. Why would you do that, Bronn?! Guess that’s the downside of fighting for money.

Take a look at the explosive scene again:

Jerome Flynn, the actor who plays Bronn, is well aware of the lost fandom. In an interview for ‘Making Game of Thrones’, he confessed how his postman has stopped talking to him because he attempted to kill the dragon!

“I was surprised when I was watching it. I spent weeks on that sequence, but I was on the edge of my seat, the adrenaline was running — they really nailed it. Although since the day the battle aired, I’ve been a little unpopular, I have to say. My postman won’t speak to me because I shot the dragon.”

‘Game of Thrones' Actor Who Plays Bronn Says His Postman Stopped Talking To Him After He Shot Drogon © HBO

No doubt that scene was impressive as hell. Flynn himself was overwhelmed when he watched the scene again in its entirety even though he was the one in it! He further said in the interview, “It took four or five weeks to film that sequence, but the actual “death run” to Qyburn’s scorpion happened over a couple of days. And that one particular sequence was some of the most most exciting filming I’ve had.”

The visual effects in ‘Spoils of War’ were one of the best in the show so far, and we still can’t get over that image of Dany riding her dragon like a badass.

Watch how the GOT team managed to pull off this epic ‘Loot Train attack’ scene:

H/t – Making of Game Of Thrones

Ranbir disagrees with dad Rishi Kapoor slamming Anurag Basu for 'Jagga Jasoos'

Celebrities

Aug 112017

Ranbir Kapoor with father Rishi Kapoor and Anurag Basu

Whatever Rishi Kapoor said was just to protect him, feels Ranbir Kapoor in regard to his father’s criticism on his recent release, Jagga Jasoos.

“My father is an emotional man. I think he was only protecting me,” Ranbir said at the trailer launch of Sanjay Dutt’s comeback film Bhoomi yesterday, when asked what he thinks of his father’s take on his recently released Anurag Basu-directorial.

He added, “I don’t necessarily agree with what he said. We worked on Jagga Jasoos for three years and we knew what we were doing and how it was being made. Sometimes you succeed, sometimes you fail. I don’t look at it as failure. I look at it as a learning experience. I cannot answer for somebody else, but I don’t necessarily agree with anybody else.”

In an interview with mid day, the 64-year-old had slammed Basu for being irresponsible with the film.

Soon after the release of Jagga Jasoos, that didn’t fare well at the box office, the veteran actor had said that even after three years of making, the film was incomplete and that Basu was cutting it even two days before the release.

Trending Video

Watch video: Baahubali actress slaps actor for alleged groping

Download the new mid-day android app to get updates on all the latest and trending stories on the go https://goo.gl/8Xlcvr

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

Irrfan Khan is in Switzerland with this Iranian actress! Here's why

Celebrities

Aug 112017

Irrfan Khan and Golshifteh Farahani

Irrfan Khan is in Locarno, Switzerland, promoting The Song Of The Scorpions, with Iranian co-actor Golshifteh Farahani.

Anup Singh’s film premiered at the Locarno Film Festival on Wednesday. The love story was shot in the Thar desert in Rajasthan. Khan and Singh had earlier collaborated for the critically acclaimed Qissa (2013).

Also see: Who was Sitaram Panchal? The tragic story of actor who died

Trending Video

Watch video: Baahubali actress slaps actor for alleged groping

Download the new mid-day android app to get updates on all the latest and trending stories on the go https://goo.gl/8Xlcvr

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

Get ready for Pooja Hegde's killer dance moves!

Celebrities

Aug 112017

Pooja Hegde

After her debut in the Hrithik Roshan-starrer Mohenjo Daro, Pooja Hegde has yet to clinch her second Bollywood film.

With time on hand, she has enrolled in a dance class in Bandra. She is keen to specialise in traditional ballroom dances like waltz, foxtrot, tango, rumba, cha cha and samba.

Hope she gets a chance to showcase some killer dance moves in a film. Her incredible fitness level comes from a regular aerial yoga routine.

Trending Video

Watch video: Baahubali actress slaps actor for alleged groping

Download the new mid-day android app to get updates on all the latest and trending stories on the go https://goo.gl/8Xlcvr

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

Arjun on being pitted against Anil Kapoor: Who's jealous of their chachu?

Celebrities

Aug 102017

Arjun Kapoor and Anil Kapoor

As Arjun Kapoor’s comic caper, Mubarakan, continues to win accolades from moviegoers, murmurs about Anil Kapoor outshining the actor continue to grow louder. This turn of events is rather interesting, given that Arjun plays a twin role in the film, which paired him alongside his uncle for the first time.

Also read: Mubarakan Movie Review – Paisa vasool family entertainer

But Arjun Kapoor argues that director Anees Bazmee always wanted the spotlight to be on the senior actor. “It was how the film was designed,” he says, adding, “On paper, his role was meant to be funnier. He is supposed to be the one with better dialogues, punchlines and humour. My characters, on the other hand, create conflict. Isn’t it obvious that he will have a better part? He is the comedy factor.” Pointing out that the senior actor has several years of experience to his credit, Arjun says pitting him against the veteran is unfair. “His body of work is exemplary. I chose to do this film because he was a part of it. I worked with Anees and Anil to learn, evolve and mostly enjoy [myself]. My only job was to do my role well.”

Photos: 10 popular uncle-nephew duos in Bollywood
Birthday special: 10 popular uncle-nephew duos in Bollywood

The actor laments that despite being treated to a good film, people wish to enquire about a brewing animosity. “Who is jealous of their own chachu? It’s ridiculous. But I take this with a pinch of salt,” he says, asserting he is happy that film critics have appreciated his work. “I did not do this film to outshine him.”

Photos: ‘Mubarakan’ cast promotes film at special sangeet night
Photos: 'Mubarakan' cast promotes film at special sangeet night

Trending Video

Watch video: Baahubali actress slaps actor for alleged groping

Download the new mid-day android app to get updates on all the latest and trending stories on the go https://goo.gl/8Xlcvr

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

Older Entries Newer Entries