entertainment

Sonam Kapoor dines for charity organised by French NGO at Cannes

May 152018

Sonam Kapoor landed at the French Riviera yesterday, and attended a gala dinner hosted by the NGO, Positive Planet Foundation

Sonam Kapoor

Festivities continue for Sonam Kapoor Ahuja. Barely a week after her wedding, the actor travelled to France to be part of the Cannes Film Festival. She landed at the French Riviera yesterday, and attended a gala dinner hosted by the NGO, Positive Planet Foundation.

A source close to her tells mid-day, “Sonam was the guest of honour at the gala, which included a contemporary art auction orchestrated by renowned Swiss art collector Simon De Pury. The proceeds of the auction will go towards the NGO’s programmes for women’s empowerment in Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East and priority neighbourhoods in France.”

Since this year marks the NGO’s 20th anniversary, Kapoor donated an outfit from her personal collection and had dinner with the highest bidder. “Since the NGO has done inspiring work for the last 20 years, I wanted to support and encourage them to undertake more noble endeavours [to alleviate female poverty],” says the actor, who returns to India on May 17.

When contacted, Jacques Attali, president, Positive Planet Foundation, says that they decided to have Kapoor as the guest of honour because of the impactful roles she’s done in films. “She has managed to bring colourful and unforgettable characters to life. She is an inspiring, engaging and positive personality. We were honoured to have her.”

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Salman Khan's Race 3 trailer will be dominated by action scenes

Celebrities

May 152018

Promo of the Salman Khan starrer Race 3 will have a lot of high-octane fight sequences

Salman Khan

The anticipation around Race 3 trailer, which will be unveiled today, is but natural. It has been learnt that the promo of the Salman Khan starrer will be dominated by action sequences. Says a source, “It was decided by Salman and the makers that the trailer will include high-octane fight sequences. It was only after Salman gave a thumbs up to the cut shown to him last week that the makers decide to launch the trailer today.”

The source adds that Salman Khan has picked the pivotal scenes shot during each schedule. “Salman and Jacqueline shot a chase sequence in the forests of Thailand. While the sequence has made the cut, the promo also offers sneak peeks into the stunts that were shot in Abu Dhabi and Mumbai.” Producer Ramesh Taurani says, “It’s a superb trailer, you’ll see Salman in a never-seen-before avatar.”

Also read: Race 3 team races against time to finish the Salman Khan starrer Bollywood flick

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Angad Bedi hires Neha Dhupia's PR company to handle his work

Celebrities

May 142018

Angad Bedi has hired the same PR company, which looks after wife Neha Dhupia to handle his work as well

Angad Bedi and Neha Dhupia

Angad Bedi has hired the same PR company, which looks after wife Neha Dhupia to handle his work as well. Not even a week after their sudden marriage, they have already started talking business. A couple package sounds more convenient and mutually beneficial? Kidding!

Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi did not exactly get married spur-of-the-moment as it is made out to be. Last weekend, Neha was spotted at Anita Dongre’s store in Bandra. She wore the designer’s creation during the wedding ceremony, so it’s obvious that the wedding plans were on. But then, no shaadi is complete without some drama. A day after the Sonam Kapoor-Anand Ahuja wedding, Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi announced their wedding via social media. The lovebirds took everyone by surprise by announcing their marriage by sharing pictures from their Anand Karaj ceremony held at a Vasant Vihar Gurudwara.

The former cricketer’s friends from the field, Ajay Jadeja and Ashish Nehra, apart from actor Gaurav Kapoor and photographer Prasad Naik showed up for the ceremonies – starting with the mehendi rituals on Wednesday evening – at a half-day notice.

Inside photos: Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi’s wedding ceremony

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Batti Gul Meter Chalu second shoot schedule yet to take off

Celebrities

May 142018

Shahid Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor wrapped up the first schedule of Batti Gul Meter Chalu in Uttarakhand in February

Shahid Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor

Shahid Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor wrapped up the first schedule of Batti Gul Meter Chalu in Uttarakhand in February. Three months on, there is no word about the next stint of shooting for Shree Narayan Singh’s directorial venture even though August 31 has been announced as the release date.

Those in the know say another schedule was lined up for April, but failed to take off. Now, Shraddha Kapoor is in Abu Dhabi shooting for the Prabhas-starrer Saaho and Shahid Kapoor is in prep mode for Arjun Reddy, which rolls in July. One of the producers of Batti Gul Meter Chalu has been grabbing headlines for financial whealing and dealing in recent times. Need we say more?

Batti Gul Meter Chalu is a social drama on the electricity issue faced by people in the country, especially in small towns. The film also features actors Yami Gautam.

Also read: Why Shahid Kapoor returned from Dehradun schedule of Batti Gul Meter Chalu?

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Rasika Duggal joins the #MeToo protest

Celebrities

May 142018

Rasika Duggal was part of the #MeToo protest, led by Cate Blanchett, that took place on Saturday night at Cannes

Salma Hayek and Rasika Duggal

“It’s rare that you’re a part of a historical moment,” says Rasika Duggal from Cannes, where she was part of the #MeToo protest, led by Cate Blanchett, that took place on Saturday night. Blanchett, who is presiding the jury this year, led the all-women team in a protest to fight for equal pay and demand an end to sexual harassment.

Duggal says, “It was an emotional experience walking in solidarity with 82 women. The unspoken understanding of the challenges we have all had to face to be here, was so powerful. It was my first time at the Palais de Festivals and I shared that moment with Salma Hayek, Nandita Das and so many other women. I couldn’t have asked for more.”

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Ashi Singh would like to play Jennifer Winget's role

Celebrities

May 142018

Jennifer Winget played Maya Mehrotra — an independent working woman with an obsessive nature in Beyhadh

Ashi Singh

Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai actress Ashi Singh says she would like to portray a character like Maya Mehrotra, played by actress Jennifer Winget in the show Beyhadh. Jennifer played Maya Mehrotra — an independent working woman with an obsessive nature. The show might have gone off air, but not without leaving Ashi extremely impressed.

“People say that I look very innocent and cute. I want to do something which is negative…something different from my personality. It would be challenging. Jennifer’s role in ‘Beyhadh’…I would love to do something like that. I can prove my acting skills and I can learn also,” Ashi told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

But for now, she is happy playing a studious character in “Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai”, which is set in the 1990s. In the upcoming episodes of the Sony Entertainment Television, the school track will conclude and college days of the show’s characters will begin. On the changes in her character Naina, Ashi said: “I would love to have longer hair but I can’t. I used to make a ponytail but now I will leave my hair open.”

“In our show, we have only six or seven clothes which we repeat. The sisters also borrow each other’s clothes. We will continue borrowing clothes but we won’t wear our old clothes. The clothes will be more like what actresses like Karisma Kapoor used to wear (in the 1990s).” In the opening episode of the show, Ashi had played the older version of Naina as well. So is she comfortable playing someone in her 30s or 40s?

“I haven’t thought about it. My character is still very young. It would be difficult to play a 35-year-old woman. I think my director or producer won’t consider me for a 35-year-old character. I won’t look like that but still, I guess I would like to play something like that because it would be challenging,” said the actress who is doing her graduation in mass media.

The show’s fans are eager to watch ‘Samaina’ — Sameer and Naina — together again. When will that happen? “I just want to tell our fans that the ‘Samaina’ track will be coming soon. Have patience. We are going to start our college life soon. It will happen in college for sure…in Ahmedabad itself. There will be a rival gang in college as well,” she said.

Her on-screen chemistry with actor Randeep Rai’s character Sameer has been lauded by many. What about off-screen? “We like to keep it professional,” she said. This isn’t their first project together. The two had featured in a show called “Secret Diaries” as well. “That time we didn’t know each other. I remember the show and that he was there because it was my first show but for him, it was not new. So he doesn’t even remember that I was there,” said Ashi.

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Harshvardhan Kapoor took scuba diving lessons for Bhavesh Joshi Superhero

Celebrities

May 132018

Harshvardhan Kapoor undertook week-long scuba diving lessons to prepare for a sequence in his next

Harshvardhan Kapoor

Bollywood actors often opt for method acting to portray challenging characters in films with finesse. To get into the skin of his character, Alauddin Khilji, for Padmaavat, Ranveer Singh reportedly locked himself at a Goregaon hotel room for 21 days. Rajkummar Rao apparently survived on black coffee and carrots for three weeks to look his part in Trapped (2016). The latest one to join the bandwagon is Harshvardhan Kapoor, who is awaiting the release of his next, Bhavesh Joshi Superhero.

The actor took swimming and scuba diving lessons for a sequence in the film. He found deep-sea diving difficult. “I had to learn the basics of scuba for an underwater sequence in the film. It was stressful, because I only had a week to prepare. I tried my best in the limited sessions that I attended,” says Kapoor.

Harshvardhan Kapoor shot the scenes at night, which was challenging. “Diving at night was nerve-racking. Also, because of my beard, the goggles often slipped off and water entered my nostrils. It was scary because I was underwater,” says Kapoor, who is keen to go diving in the future. “But only for leisure, because the world under the sea is beautiful.”

Also read: Bhavesh Joshi Superhero: Harshvardhan Kapoor’s Hum Hain Insaaf is justice anthem

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Nawazuddin Siddiqui: The audience had tears in their eyes

Celebrities

May 132018

Hours after Manto screening at Cannes Film Festival 2018, Nawazuddin Siddiqui tells mid-day how his labour of love got rousing reception

Nawazuddin Siddiqui

“It’s such a gratifying feeling,” said Nawazuddin Siddiqui, the joy evident in his voice. Speaking to us hours after the screening of Nandita Das’ Manto at the Cannes Film Festival last evening, he said, “People had tears in their eyes. I could see that I had done well by the way people were responding to my performance. Nandita has created a fantastic film. As actors, we do our bit and walk off. It’s she who has woven a wonderful tapestry, interspersing Manto’s works with his personal journey.”

Siddiqui is no stranger to the French Riviera. After his Gangs Of Wasseypur (2012) won hearts in the prestigious festival, Manto was selected in the Un Certain Regard segment this year. Admitting that he was “busy picking faults in my work” during the screening, Siddiqui adds, “Actors are poor judges of their own work. But, we have a good sense of what counts as a good film. I could gauge that Manto is a good movie from the raw emotions people had in their eyes.”

As Nawazuddin Siddiqui slipped into the role of Saadat Hasan Manto, the actor said his biggest takeaway was that truth always remains relevant. He cited an interesting example in Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi whose Three Faces opened to a thunderous response on Saturday. Like Manto, Panahi, too has faced the wrath of his homeland after his works offered a critique of modern Iran. “Manto fought for his freedom of speech and look how relevant it is right now. This exemplary filmmaker has been banned. Such a coincidence,” he exclaimed.

Also read: Nawazuddin Siddiqui turns Cannes-ready with Manish Malhotra

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John Abraham: Nobody came out in my support

Celebrities

May 132018

John Abraham says the industry was mute witness to the fracas with producer Prernaa Arora, despite their issues with her

John Abraham

John Abraham stands vindicated today. Parmanu: The Story Of Pokhran — which was in a lockdown after JA Entertainment along with Zee Studios and Kyta Productions filed criminal cases against Prernaa Arora’s KriArj Entertainment alleging non-payment of dues — is set to hit screens on May 25. Last week, the Bombay High Court ruled in favour of Abraham’s banner, ceasing Arora’s association with the film.

Prernaa Arora

Although several filmmakers have run into trouble with Arora, John Abraham rues that he found little support from the film fraternity. “Nobody came out to support me, nor did I expect anyone to do so. Everyone says, ‘Thank God, it’s not me.’ I have cleaned up the mess for a lot of people. It was all because I had the guts to stand up for what is right, credible and honest.”

Also read: Parmanu trailer: John Abraham’s film will blow your mind

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Exclusive: Sunny Leone shares her birthday plan and life post motherhood

Celebrities

May 132018

In an exclusive interview with Sunny, she shares her birthday plan, and many other interesting things with mid-day online

Sunny Leone with husband Daniel Weber and three children, Nisha, and twins Noah and Asher

Sunny Leone has proved that she has more to herself. The mother of three children shares her own birthday on the beautiful ocassion of Mother’s day. mid-day online exclusively got in touch with Sunny to ask her about her birthday wish, life post parenthood, her biopic and so on…

Excerpts from the interview:

What do you wish for on this birthday?

Like every year, I don’t wish for much other than the day to pass. I know this us not the answer you are looking for but I’m not the type of person who is into birthdays. The only thing I always wish for my family is to be happy and healthy. There are only two people in my life that I expect a happy birthday wish from. They are – my brother and my husband, Daniel Weber. But I do appreciate all the love I get from my fans because it’s usually very genuine and so sweet.

Can we say this might be your best birthday, now that your family is complete?

Yes, that is very true. So, it will be the best birthday ever to be with my family on my birthday and Mother’s Day together.

Is there any particular ritual you follow on your birthday?

No rituals.

What is your idea of celebrating an ideal birthday?

A nice dinner and maybe do an activity. Last year Daniel planned a surprise party with all our friends at a bowling ally, it was awesome.

Any special plans this year?

I will be on a plane with my whole family heading back to Mumbai.

A birthday gift you’ve received, which is very close to your heart?

An emerald pendant that Daniel made for me was very special.

Now that you are a mother yourself, what are the qualities or lessons that you’d like to impart to your children?

I just want them to be good human beings and have compassion for others always.

Has life changed after embracing motherhood or it’s the same or maybe have you evolved as a person?

Life has definitely changed but I am the same person, who is just able to spread more love to my family.

Sunny Leone and Daniel Weber

How has motherhood shaped or re-shaped your life?

Well, I like to assume I’m pretty good at time management and multi-tasking now (laughs).

How are you and Daniel as a couple adjusting to the new phase in your life?

It’s definitely a phase that we have never been in and we are adjusting like probably most couples do, with a lot of patience.

It’s a coincidence that your birthday falls on mother’s day, so how does it feel?

It feels pretty cool.

A message that you would want to give out to all the mothers and the mothers-to-be?

As long as you are calm and collected, you can get through almost everything. Just stay calm and figure out the steps to achieve what’s needed and not panic.

How was it reliving those moments while shooting for your biopic? Tell us about your experience.

It is the hardest time of my life and my heart breaks almost every day. I question myself why all the time, and then Aditya Datt (my director) shows me a clip of a scene, and then I see how beautifully he has made it. Then I remember that I am in good hands. He is the only one who could have shot this story. Everyone else would have butchered it for their own satisfaction of cinematography.

Also Read: Sunny Leone Introduces Her Younger Version In Biopic – Rysa Saujani

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