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Sushant Singh Rajput was spotted taking a catnap in his white SUV on Wednesday afternoon.
While his driver manoeuvred the Goregaon traffic, the actor decided to steal forty winks despite the blaring horns. SSR appeared dog-tired.
Actress Kangana Ranaut, known to speak her mind despite the reactions her words elicit, says it is difficult to remain “headstrong” in Bollywood as there are always people who try to make one “feel insignificant”. But she continues to fight it.
Kangana Ranaut
“Being an outsider in the business, I have fought to carve a niche for myself. I have also been opinionated and I choose to express my views openly,” Kangana told IANS in an email interview.
“In our industry, it becomes difficult to remain headstrong as you are often judged for not following the status quo. There will always be a segment that will try to make you feel insignificant, but it is important to channel your strength and confidence and work hard to triumph. It’s important to grow a distinct voice to break the clutter,” added the National Award winner.
Kangana, a Reebok brand ambassador, is a part of the second edition of the brand’s #FitToFight campaign, which fights looming gender demons of eve-teasing and pay disparity. The actress has been actively talking about her struggle in the industry as well as her relationships with actors like Aditya Pancholi and Hrithik Roshan. She tagged filmmaker Karan Johar as a “flagbearer of nepotism” during his chat show. Does she consider herself “mentally tough and fit to fight”? “Absolutely,” she said.
“My experiences in life, on the personal and professional fronts, have helped shape the individual I am today. There have been moments in my life when it was very difficult to continue working in unfavourable conditions. But I fought my way, to make a mark for myself.
“I realised the importance of being tough, both mentally and physically, which encouraged me to deliver my best regardless of the odds. In my journey, I learned that challenges may always beset you, but if one is strong-willed and determined, you can overcome them,” added Kangana, often tagged the “Queen” of Bollywood.
In her last released film “Simran”, she played an imperfectly perfect girl who wants to lead life on her own terms. Does she think such characters hardly exist in real life where girls are always following the norm? “My career trajectory is full of characters and films where I am trying to redefine the conventional heroine tag. I think it is important to reinvent oneself continuously and diversify your craft.
“I have been fortunate that I have worked in path-breaking films such as ‘Fashion’, ‘Tanu Weds Manu’, ‘Queen’ and ‘Simran’ where I play individualistic characters. I do know ‘Queen’ had a strong impact on viewers. I always choose to do roles where there is a message being delivered that makes the viewer think differently and shapes their choices,” said the actress, who will next be seen in “Manikarnika”.
She also feels “there are many women who aspire to dream bigger and better” and she is one of them. Kangana, who comes from a small town in Himachal Pradesh, says her circumstances never discouraged her from chasing her dreams. “I encourage women to believe in their strength and value their hard work. My motto has always been to follow my own path and not succumb to norms. I believe it’s important to celebrate yourself and grow with each experience,” she said. This is what she is trying to promote with the #FitToFight campaign.
“I hope to inspire other girls through my stories of courage, faith and conviction. I truly believe in the limitless potential that every woman possesses to be physically, mentally and socially fit. I do hope my story and journey of facing adversities, fighting obstacles and emerging stronger and fitter, will inspire other women to be Fit to Fight,” she said.
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Nimrat Kaur and Akshay Oberoi have begun shooting for the web series, The Test Case, at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali.
After the release of the first episode in April this year, producer Ekta Kapoor and director Nagesh Kukunoor had a fallout due to creative differences.
There had been buzz that the project was in a limbo, but now things are on track with Vinay Waikul, who was an assistant director for Dangal (2016) helming the show.
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Subhash Ghai, the director of Shah Rukh Khan and Mahima Chaudhry-starrer Pardes (1997), says that the distributors wanted him to cast Salman Khan in the film.
A still from Pardes
“It was suggested that I cast Salman and Madhuri [Dixit Nene] alongside Shah Rukh, as it would have given a boost to the film. But I refused, because they would not have done justice to the parts.
Salman Khan
The character Rajiv was an NRI. So it had to be played by someone unknown. Hence, I decided to cast Apurva Agnihotri, a newcomer,” says Ghai.
Subhash Ghai
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Sidharth Malhotra and Sonakshi Sinha starrer ‘Ittefaq’ has garnered praises from Bollywood celebs and Twitteratis alike. The remake of the classic film ‘Ittefaq’ starring Rajesh Khanna and Nanda. While the move was promoted as a remake, the director Abhay Chopra has added his touch to it and will have a nuanced take on the who-dunnit genre. Here is what some of the Bollywood celebs tweeted.
#Ittefaq is a well made thriller tht keeps u guessing..with a pacy climax! Go watch it guys! ð??ð?»ð??ð?» @abhayrchopra@S1dharthM@sonakshisinha ð?¤?
— Kriti Sanon (@kritisanon) November 3, 2017
I love thrillers. Wish we made more of them! #Ittefaq was such a refreshing change! Loved it @sonakshisinha@S1dharthM Abhay @karanjohar 🙂
— Saiyami Kher (@SaiyamiKher) November 2, 2017
Credit to @karanjohar@iamsrk & @junochopra for making sure this genre came back to life…#ittefaq is a nuanced film a rarity these days..
— Arjun Kapoor (@arjunk26) November 3, 2017
What an experience to watch a film like #Ittefaq. So well made, @abhayrchopra. With brilliant performances by @S1dharthM@sonakshisinha ð???ð?¼ð?¥?
— Athiya Shetty (@theathiyashetty) November 3, 2017
Can’t wait to solve this mystery! All the best @iamsrk, @karanjohar, @s1dharthm, @sonakshisinha, #AkshayeKhanna, @abhayrchopra! #Ittefaq
— Diana Penty (@DianaPenty) November 3, 2017
Here are some of the reviews tweeted by social media users. They have loved the movie too and is quite evident through their tweets.
#Ittefaq Is an amazing film. You’ll be amazed to see a fantastic suspense thriller after years! Siddharth and Akshaye have acted well!
— DJS Reviews™ (@itsallbhakchodi) November 3, 2017
#Ittefaq WOM is Positive to Exceptional.
Superhit Status already Given By Audience. @karanjohar@S1dharthM@sonakshisinha@RedChilliesEnt
— Kamal Daiya (@kamaldaiya66) November 3, 2017
#Ittefaq Good suspense movie.
Sid and Sona both did well specially sid l like his acting ð??ð??
Khanna sahib ð???@S1dharthM@RedChilliesEnt
— Its Nisarâ?¡ (@Its_Nisar) November 3, 2017
@S1dharthM#Ittefaq is PHENOMENAL! !! Definitely gonna recommend it to all my friends! !!?????? LOVE U!!!??????
— Anushka Rastogi (@anushka_rastogi) November 3, 2017
Watched #ittefaq one word Brilliant movie ! Congrats to entire team @sonakshisinha first day first show only for you
— Shiv Dubey (@iShivHR) November 3, 2017
Reports are Out And #Ittefaq is A Brilliant Movie A Must Watch 5.5/5
Award Winning Performance from my Fav @sonakshisinha ð???ð???
— Thor’s Hammer Peluð??¦ (@MayankAnand2) November 3, 2017
Just watched #Ittefaq
What a brilliant thriller movie it is!!!!
Really enjoyed @S1dharthM@sonakshisinha character!!!
Love you whole team!!
— MANASð???TZH (@BeingManas2) November 3, 2017
Bollywood had a dry spell at the box-office this year and from what it looks like ‘Ittefaq’ has had a terrific opening and Sidharth Malhotra, Sonakshi Sinha and Akshaye Khanna are being applauded for their performances. ‘Ittefaq’ is directed by Abhay Chopra and produced by Dharma productions and Red Chillies. The makers of the film had limited the marketing and promotions of the film to generate more hype and curiosity around it. ‘Ittefaq’ has been termed as one of the rare and compelling watches in the thriller genre, of which there is a dearth in the film industry.
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From pulling off quirky outfits to treating his fans with inimitable warmth — Ranveer Singh is an embodiment of energy. Over the years, we have deduced that the secret lies in his coffee and Nutella combo, which he alternates between whilst clocking in long hours on the set. But the actor, who is perceived as a social animal, has a quiet side to him. In an interview to GQ India, that is out in its November issue, Singh explains how he transformed over the seven years he has spent in B-Town. “I’m more comfortable with myself now. There’s less uncertainty. I have developed clear likes and dislikes. I’m not confused. The validation that I received after the release of Bajirao Mastani (2015) put me at ease. I don’t care if there’s a can’t-miss party happening on a Saturday night. I’ll probably stay in and game,” he says.
While the latest gossip doing the rounds is that Singh and his ladylove, Deepika Padukone, have split, Singh’s views on marriage and children hint that all’s well in the paradise. “I believe that one person can be another’s heart and soul. I want to be the best family man possible. I want to raise children, two of them. I think I’ll make a great dad.”
Singh claims he doesn’t keep track of all news reports that are published on him, but rumours about him being unprofessional irk him. “I don’t feel the need to hide my intellect anymore. Earlier, I thought it would alienate me, but now I don’t care. I have always been professional. I don’t care about what’s published in the tabloids, but when there are false reports about me being unprofessional, it ticks me off. Sometimes, it’s news spread by the rival agencies that manage other talent. They try to dissuade a brand from signing me. It’s cut-throat out there,” says Singh.
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Akshay Kumar judges one of the comedy-reality shows on a popular television channel, with comedian Mallika Dua being one of the judges on the show. In a recent episode, Akshay Kumar had made a statement towards fellow acquaintance Mallika, which didn’t go down well with her and father Vinod Dua. The latter even slammed the actor on social media for making a ‘vulgar’ comment against her daughter. Akshay had said, “Mallika Ji aap bell bajaaiye, main aapko bajaata hoon.” Even, Mallika wrote a blog in which she penned her views about it.
This was followed by Akshay Kumar’s wife, Twinkle Khanna’s reaction. She defended him on Twitter saying, “Words, especially humour has to be seen in its right context. I have always stood up for freedom within comedy including defending AIB’s infamous roast on numerous occasions in the past and that is my stance even today. So kindly stop tagging me in this debate.” This wasn’t ending there; Vinod Dua called out the statement by Twinkle as “a prosaic excuse from an embarrassed wife.” Otherwise known for her wit, Mrs. Funnybones faced tremendous backlash on social media.
The author-actress has now posted another message on Facebook apologising for her previous comments, saying that her reaction was “purely emotional”. This is what her post reads: “Unwise Wisecracks As I reflect on my actions this past week, I realize that I got pulled into this debate not as a social commentator but as a wife and unlike my normal, slightly rational self, my reaction was purely emotional and without perspective, and I have been rather miserable about it ever since. I would like to apologize to everyone who felt that I was trivializing the cause of feminism especially because I strongly believe in equality and have been a feminist from the time I was a young woman, much before I even knew the term.
I think this came at a point where I was already reeling from an onslaught of abuse against various members of my family, which started with vicious and personal comments about my mother and went on to a widely shared open letter where the writer as a comeback for my comments about Karva Chauth tried to fling muck at every single member of my family.
So when in this latest episode regarding my husband, my five-year-old was also dragged in for something that she had absolutely nothing to do with, I reached breaking point. And with my protective instincts in overdrive, I reacted irrationally with the only tools I have that help me retain my sanity in this fishbowl existence -words and lame jokes -though they have got me into trouble often enough in the past as well. Once while embroiled in an earlier controversy (the story of my life it seems), I had written that a wise woman keeps her hands firmly in her pockets and does not accidentally unzip anything including her mouth. I am not this woman clearly, but I am going to try be a little wiser from now on.”
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Sayani Gupta will be seen in a short film, ‘Love At First Sight’. Directed by her college pal, Manuja Tyagi, the thriller has the ‘Jolly LLB’ actor play an aspiring actor.
Sayani Gupta
Sayani terms the project small, yet big, as a lot has been said in a few minutes. The film’s cast includes Sunny Kaushal, brother of ‘Masaan’ (2015) actor Vicky Kaushal.
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Suniel Shetty has been giving his love to the Paltan unit on social media. J P Dutta is shooting in Ladakh for the war-based drama. This follows speculation that the actor has walked out of the project, but Shetty says his fondness for Dutta goes beyond films.
Suniel Shetty
“You don’t walk out of the movie of a man who helped mould you into the actor (sic),” he writes. Point noted, Anna, but there is no smoke without fire.
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Choreographer and filmmaker Farah Khan brought along a ‘lot of cheer and fun’ to the set of ‘The Great Indian Laughter Challenge’, which is co-judged by her brother and director Sajid Khan and actor Akshay Kumar.
Farah Khan
During the shooting of one of its episodes, Farah made a surprise entry. This was when super judge Akshay was amidst an egg breaking contest between judges Shreyas Talpade and Sajid. Farah joined the three on stage sans make-up.
“I knew Farah shoots next door but never expected her to turn up on our set. It was a pleasant surprise. She was sporting enough to shoot sans make-up and her presence added a lot of cheer and fun to the atmosphere,” Sajid said in a statement. The episode will air on Star Plus on Saturday.
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