entertainment

Ronit Roy: Circumstances make stories distinct

Mar 202018

Ronit Roy admits his debut web outing Kehne Ko Humsafar Hai deals with a subject previously explored, but promises it has been treated differently

Ronit Roy

After taking a year-long hiatus from television to focus on his Bollywood projects, Ronit Roy has returned to camp Ekta Kapoor for the web series, Kehne Ko Humsafar Hai. Exploring the subject of an extra-marital affair in the Mona Singh starrer, Roy says his character is certain to pique curiosity.

Edited excerpts from the interview:

Kehne Ko Humsafar Hai seems to be a run-of-the-mill story. What according to you makes it unique?
Just like there are only seven notes in music, there are limited human emotions. Every year, we make around 500-odd films in India. There aren’t that many stories to tell in the world. Our show is about a man who is in his mid-40s. He is involved in an extra-marital affair. So, yes, we have seen several permutations and combinations of the same story. The idea has been explored before. But what makes our show different is the characters’ play, and the circumstances they find themselves in. My character, Rohit Mehra has simply fallen in love with another person. I call the emotion divinity. Rohit, unfortunately, is trapped in his emotions. None of the characters are bad, except mine.

You are back in Ekta’s camp. How does that happen so often?
Whenever Ekta feels she has a role suitable for me, she will approach me. I find no reason to say no. I am loyal towards her. Whenever I talk to her, and whatever she has offered me, has always helped me progress.

Television and cinema have changed with time. What are the primary differences that you have noticed?
For one, my size has changed (laughs). Honestly, the industry is a different place today when compared to how it was when I started. The reins of power lie with those helming different positions. Those who have the power, are wise, and are doing things correctly. Also, the kind of scripts that I have heard over the past six months are refreshing. The industry is filled with young blood. Also, I think the craze about daily soap is long gone. In the past, my shows have gone on for almost 10 years. Today, that’s incomprehensible. My driver drops me on set and, post that, he watches films on his cell phone for the following 10 hours until I’m done. So, digital consumption is high.

Tell us something about sharing screen space with Mona Singh and Gurdeep Kohli.
I don’t know Gurdeep very well. My association with her is limited to the show. Of course, I am aware of her talent. Mona and I go back a long way. My chemistry with her is entirely different.

Mona claims that you are not the serious person you are made out to be.
I don’t know where that persona came from. People call me the Amitabh Bachchan of television, so they believe I am serious [like him]. Truthfully, even he is not.

Also Read: Kehne Ko Humsafar Hai – Web series preview

Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

Ali Fazal: Have met single screen owners

Celebrities

Mar 192018

Ali Fazal talks about his prep for Tigmanshu Dhulia’s Milan Talkies

Ali Fazal

Six years after being involved in a musical chair of sorts — as the film jumped from one actor’s lap to another’s — Tigmanshu Dhulia’s Milan Talkies finally went on floors in Lucknow yesterday. Evidently ecstatic to return to his hometown, lead actor Ali Fazal says he took to the film with renewed vigour.

Tigmanshu Dhulia

While there has been sufficient speculation about the actor’s role in the romance drama, Fazal refuses to divulge details. However, in a chat with mid-day, he spills the beans on his preparation for the film, which also touches upon the plight of single screen owners in the age of multiplexes. “I am connecting with owners of single screens, and other people who have worked in theatres. This includes the ushers, and those who operate the reels,” says the actor, who has also apparently met trade pundits to learn of their operations. “Growing up in Lucknow, I visited several single screens, so I am refreshing my memories. It is an interesting process.”

Meanwhile, Ali Fazal also shed weight for his part, since he needed to look lean for the film. “I recently wrapped up [the web series] Mirzapur, which needed me to look muscular. So, it took me some time to lose the pounds.”

Milan Talkies, also starring Ashutosh Rana, Sanjay Mishra, Yashpal Sharma and Sikander Kher, sees Dhulia as the writer of the story, screenplay, and dialogues. Fazal is paired alongside newbie Shraddha Srinath in the venture.

Also read: Ali Fazal: Doing ‘Milan Talkies’ would be a big step for me

Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

Charu Mehra missed opportunity of working in Yeh Hai Mohabbatein's London shoot

Celebrities

Mar 192018

Due to visa issues, Charu Mehra couldn’t fly to London, where the makers of Yeh Hai Mohabbatein currently shooting

Divyanka Tripathi

The cast of Divyanka Tripathi starrer Yeh Hai Mohabbatein has flown to London for a shoot. While Charu Mehra was roped in for a pivotal role in the series, she could not fly due to visa issues. The makers are now looking for a replacement.

Meanwhile, Divyanka posted few pictures from her London diary. Check it out:

Karan Patel too took to Instagram to share some pictures:

Also check out what Anita Hassanandani shared from her London diaries:

Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

Ishaan Khatter lost weight for debut film Beyond The Clouds

Celebrities

Mar 192018

Ishaan Khatter had 12 days to shed eight kilograms for his Bollywood debut Beyond The Clouds, he is also set to star opposite Janhvi Kapoor in Dhadak

Shahid Kapoor

Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor’s brother Ishaan Khatter had to shed eight kg to get the role in his debut film Beyond The Clouds right. Ishaan is foraying into the world of entertainment with Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi’s maiden India-set project Beyond The Clouds.

“Ishaan had 12 days to shed eight kgs. He took that piece of input from his mentor and director and literally just went to town with his mission to be a lean mean machine for ‘Beyond The Clouds’,” said his spokesperson.

“He changed his entire workout regime. His focus was largely on sprints and cycling — strict and disciplined regime to ensure he made it happen,” the spokesperson added.

Ishaan is one of the most awaited debutants on the Bollywood block.

He has also been named for India’s Emerging Account for growing his fanbase on Instagram significantly throughout 2017.

Beyond The Clouds narrates a heart-warming tale of a brother (Amir) and sister (Tara), and how they find happiness in separation and turbulent times. The film celebrates the triumph and adoration of life against a Mumbai backdrop. Ishaan will be seen as Amir.

Produced by Zee Studios and Namah Pictures, the film is set to release worldwide on April 20.

Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

Deepika Padukone and Virat Kohli rule Instagram!

Celebrities

Mar 192018

In the Most Followed Account category, Priyanka Chopra trailed behind Deepika Padukone’s 22.4 million followers with a count of 22 million, and Alia Bhatt rounded up the top three with 20.8 million followers

Deepika Padukone

Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone has the ‘Most Followed Account’ and cricket star Virat Kohli has got the ‘Most Engaged Account’ on Instagram, according to the Instagram Awards which have been announced for the first time in India. Kohli has 19.8 million followers as on Monday. His account generated the biggest number of engagements when all likes and comments from the content that he shared in 2017 — except ‘Story’ views and video views — were aggregated.

The list, which acknowledges photo-sharing platform Instagram’s most engaging community members, also recognises Emerging Account and 20 Million Milestones.

Virat Kohli

In the Most Followed Account category, Priyanka Chopra trailed behind Deepika’s 22.4 million followers with a count of 22 million, and Alia Bhatt rounded up the top three with 20.8 million followers.

Deepika said in a statement: “Staying connected with my fans and loved ones is extremely important to me. I value the love, support and connection I share with them and I hope I continue to remain true and authentic.”

Actor Ishaan Khatter, who will be seen in Dhadak, has been named for India’s ‘Emerging Account’ for growing his fanbase on Instagram significantly throughout 2017.

For Ishaan, Instagram is his most loved social media platform.

“It’s a non-stop source for inspiration from people and personalities all over the world. I find it especially enjoyable because it’s about connecting through pictures and videos. On a more personal note it’s almost like a time machine for your memories and a way to immortalise your favourite moments.

“It’s lovely connecting with others through this medium and I look forward to being inspired and hopefully inspiring more people in the future, too,” he said.

Alia also got a ‘milestone plaque’ with Shraddha Kapoor in recognition for building a community of 20 million followers.

Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Except for the change in headline, the story has been provided “AS-IS,” “AS AVAILABLE, without any verification or editing from our side. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

Music companies approach The Remix show for its music rights

Celebrities

Mar 192018

Amazon Prime Video has brought a unique concept with The Remix as it brings together DJ’s and singers on the same platform performing and recreating iconic songs

The Remix
Amit Trivedi, Sunidhi Chauhan, and Nucleya

The first three episodes of Amazon Prime India Original’s The Remix is out. The platform has successfully delivered remixed versions of Bollywood songs. The Remix has already grabbed eyes of big music companies.

The first three episodes saw the contestants jazzing up songs like O o Jaane Jaana, Sheila Ki Jawani, Love Dose, Main Lovely Ho Gayiaan, Senorita, and others. The news is that music companies have approached to cut an album from songs performed on the show.

Amazon Prime Video has brought a unique concept with The Remix as it brings together DJ’s and singers on the same platform performing and recreating iconic songs. The reality show has given people a platform to showcase them their talent in a unique way.

The format is already popular in abroad and Amazon has got the concept here in India. The Remix has brought few celebrated names from various fields together to get the digital content one notch higher.

Amit Trivedi, Sunidhi Chauhan, and Nucleya are the judges of the show, while Television actor, Karan Tacker hosts the show on the digital platform.

The next episode of the show will get streamed on 23rd March 2018.

Amazon Prime Original’s The Remix is created and produced by Greymatter Entertainment was launched on 9th March 2018.

Also Read: The Third Episode Of The Remix Has The Contestants Performing With Live Musicians

Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

Swanand Kirkire – The master of all trades

Celebrities

Mar 182018

As he records a song for Daas Dev, lyricist Swanand Kirkire talks about juggling different creative roles

Swanand Kirkire

Giving the writer in him a break, lyricist Swanand Kirkire will feature on the soundtrack of Sudhir Mishra’s Daas Dev as a singer. He has lent his voice to Aazad Kar, which has been penned by a new lyricist, Gaurav Solanki. “The song speaks of liberation at many levels. It’s about liberating oneself from various compulsions that we create and then get buried under,” says Kirkire.

Ask him how he resisted from interfering in the songwriting process, and Kirkire says he knows how to switch between roles. “I’ve learnt that you are a different person as a lyricist than what you are as a singer. You have to respect other people’s work. This song was perfectly written and composed.”

Over 15 years and two National Awards later, Swanand Kirkire feels that writers are increasingly gaining prominence in the industry. “Earlier, writers wouldn’t get the kind of credit they deserved. But the situation is getting better. With the Internet opening up as a new medium, there is a lot of scope for good work to get recognised. Writing, as an art, has gained more recognition.” The lyricist, on his part though, stays away from penning lyrics for frivolous songs. “I don’t write item songs, only because I am not good at it. Directors who want my kind of lyrics come to me.”

Also Read: Arijit Singh: Performing live is like throwing a house party

Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

Arijit Singh: Performing live is like throwing a house party

Celebrities

Mar 182018

Bollywood’s star singer Arijit Singh explains why he enjoys gigs, and how he overcomes anxiety

Arijit Singh

“I am a bundle of nerves before hitting the stage,” admits Arijit Singh, with a shy smile. And yet, on stage, it’s a different story altogether – he has left his fans across India swooning with Arijit Singh MTV India Tour, a 10-city gig that kicked off in Kolkata last December. As he gears up for the final leg in Mumbai on March 24, Arijit Singh talks to mid-day about performing live and his learnings from the tour.

Your first multi-city tour in India is about to end. How was the experience?
It was a larger-than-life experience; one of the best I’ve had in a long time. I wanted to reach out to my fans across the country and this was a great way to get close to them. I am glad I got a chance to perform for them in their own cities.

What has been your takeaway from the tour?
I have overcome my nervousness of performing live on stage. The tour marked an amazing start to the year for me as well. I am taking away a lot of happy memories.

Where are you more comfortable — inside a studio or on the stage?
Being inside a studio and performing live are two completely different experiences, and I enjoy both. Performing live is like inviting people over for a house party, where I can sing my heart out while people around join it. When I am on stage, I make sure I interact with the audience. Studio recordings, on the other hand, are technical.

Any incident during the tour that touched you as an artiste?
The stadium at Ahmedabad was huge and I didn’t expect so many people to turn up. I felt numb initially, but the love of my fans helped me overcome the nervousness. We had a blast. The gig was challenging, yet memorable.

Despite spending seven years in B-Town, you feel nervous before hitting the stage…
Yes, I do. But when I see thousands of fans cheering for me and appreciating my music, it’s so overwhelming that I forget about the nervousness, and start enjoying the whole experience.

Do you follow a certain routine before going on stage?
Not really. Before getting on the stage, I only think about the different possibilities [that may play out during the act]. Ek basic vision samajh main aata hai ki yahan yahan pe loopholes hain, so I make mental calculations accordingly to prevent them. There are no preparations as such. Also, to keep my voice intact, I usually avoid drinking cold water and soda before the show.

Also Read: Arijit Singh finds an admirer in Pakistani crooner Rahat Fateh Ali Khan

Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

This is what Kajol eats

Celebrities

Mar 182018

You’ll be surprised to learn that one thing that Kajol can’t do without is vada pavs and samosas

Kajol

Kajol can’t do without vada pavs and samosas on the set of Pradeep Sarkar’s Ela. The actor has been sharing pictures on social media of what she is tucking into. She wrote, ‘Team spirit, team vada pav (sic).”

Nowadays, many top celebrities are coming forward to lend their support for various social causes and campaigns and Kajol feels that it’s a good move. “I feel people need to stand up and talk about things. I don’t think that it would be a cause if there was no need for it,” she said.

“As far as celebrities are concerned, I think when I switch on television as a layman then I would definitely listen to what a celebrity is talking about and that is what I feel is the strong point of a celebrity that we easily get recognized and people admire us. “That’s why people sometimes listen to what we are saying and that’s why I also involved myself in this cause,” she added.

Kajol was last seen in “VIP 2”.

Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

Ranveer Singh: I made my own luck

Celebrities

Mar 182018

Ranveer Singh says he took many risks and went through a “routine drill” to get a massive launch by a banner as big as Yash Raj Films

Ranveer Singh

He still cannot believe he is one of the most successful young stars of Bollywood, but one thing which Ranveer Singh is sure about is that his success in the film industry is courtesy his hard work and determination.

The 32-year-old actor, who made his debut in Hindi cinema with 2010 film Band Baaja Baarat, said he took many risks and went through a “routine drill” to get a massive launch by a banner as big as Yash Raj Films.

“I ought to be pinching myself sitting in front of people. I wake up everyday thinking that I am living a dream. I was this young kid obsessed with Hindi movies. I struggled for three years in Mumbai, with my portfolio in my hand. I went through the routine drill. I made my own luck. I put my self in that position that where that good wave comes and you can flow with it.

“Ranbir Kapoor said no to ‘Band Baaja Baraat’. YRF was looking for a new face I got a call and I knew this was the opportunity I was waiting for. I kept my face safe and didn’t do modelling or music videos. And then I got a massive launch, essentially for an ‘outsider’, opposite a reasonably recognisable star Anushka Sharma,” Ranveer said.

The actor was in conversation with Rajeev Masand at News18 Rising India Summit.

Ranveer said his mentor and producer Aditya Chopra had made him aware that he is “not a conventionally good looking boy. He said ‘my son you have to act really well if you want people to like you’ , which is a polite way to say you are ugly.”

The actor, however, said the gossips that his father had put in money to launch his Bollywood career were heartbreaking and took away the thrill of his maiden success.

Ranveer said by putting faith in him, Chopra set a great example of promoting actors on the basis of talent and not “legacy”.

“Aditya Chopra realised star system was killing the industry at that time. He realised the need of the hour was to give actors break on the basis of talent and not legacy. He started with Anushka followed by me. And mine was a great example. A leading man suddenly born out of sheer auditioning process,” he said.

Ranveer is known for his energetic persona and flamboyance, but the actor said this was not the case when he started out in the industry as he thought as an actor he was suppose to please everyone.

“When I first came to into the limelight I was very nervous. I was famous three days after my first film released. I didn’t grew up around anybody famous so I was confused how to deal with this beast. This fame or stardom hit me like a truck. I was struggling with that hit for three years till the time I got critical acclaim for ‘Lootera’ and critical/commercial success of Ram-Leela.

“I didn’t know who to be? how to be? what to say or do? Every decision was affected by this notion that I want people to like me as we are in the business of making people like us. I was making affected decisions in my dressing or domineer thinking that this is how a young upcoming actor is suppose to be,” he said.

The Padmaavat star said he has now realised it is better to be himself as success and fame are momentary possessions.

The actor, who is also a fan favourite when it comes to clicking pictures or interacting with them, said he takes it as his responsibility to be good to his audience and make them smile.

“You are not allowed to have a bad mood day. There is a certain responsibility. You are an entertainer. I take it upon myself to entertain and please people to spread smile and joy. I believe that’s my calling. I love the crowd and interacting with people. I get very excited when somebody gets excited seeing me. Till now, I haven’t realised or believed that I have become a star. Priyanka Chopra, my very dear friend says, ‘you are that boy who will always be telling his mother… Mom I have become a star’.”

Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

Older Entries Newer Entries