Sep 242017
 

Chennai: Actress Disha Patani is likely to play the lead in upcoming Tamil historic drama “Sangamithra”, according to a source from the film unit.

Disha has been signed as the replacement for actress Shruti Haasan, who was originally supposed to be a part of the project.

Disha PataniDisha Patani

“Disha has been signed for the project. The makers will very soon make an official announcement. It’s going to be a role of a lifetime for her,” the source told IANS.

To be helmed by Sundar C and produced by Sri Thenandal Films, the film will also be released in Telugu and Hindi.

“It will be simultaneously made in Telugu. In Hindi, however, it will be made with an entirely different cast and the process will take time,” he said.

The film, which will also star Jayam Ravi and Arya, will have music by A.R. Rahman.

Earlier this year, the project was launched amidst fanfare at Cannes International Film Festival.

On signing the project, Rahman told IANS: “It’s a very ambitious film. Six months back when I heard just 30 minutes of the narration, it was good enough for me to come on board.” The project is rumoured to cost Rs 150 crore.

Rahman added that “Sangamithra” not only has great story but “Sundar has good vision for music too”.

“Nothing as compelling as ‘Sangamithra’ came my way in recent times. The project is in rights hands,” he said, heaping praise on the makers – Sri Thenandal Studios.

“Sangamithra” will start shooting in December.

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Sep 212017
 

Actress Anushka Sharma, who is loved for her chic and simple style, says she is not a slave to fashion.

“I like to dress well. I enjoy wearing good clothes but I am not a slave of fashion. I think it is important to use fashion and style as an extension of your personality,” Anushka told IANS over phone from Mumbai. The “Phillauri” star, 29, says it is important to have an individual dressing style.

“For me it’s good to know about fashion trends but at the same you cant wear something that doesn’t look good on you. So I know what works for me and what doesn’t. My fashion sense is very chic, comfortable and simple,” she added. However, Anushka, who is the brand ambassador for sunglass brand Polaroid, doesn’t like to over accessorise her outfits.

“So, for me sunglasses are a natural way of accessorising and practical. I think it immediately lifts your looks… That is the job that accessory has meant to do,” she added. The actress unveiled the fall/winter collection of the eyewear brand on Wednesday evening.

Talking about the association with the brand, she said: “It feels special because the brand has completed 80 years and it feels good to be a part of a brand at a milestone like this for them. I am happy that I am their first global brand ambassador.” Anushka says for her it is important that she actually uses the brand that she endorses.

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Aug 242017
 

ileana_640x480_51497608262Bollywood actress Ileana D’Cruz, who is known for her no-nonsense attitude, says she has got all her films on merit and she does not want to impress people to get work.

“People could take (attitude) as arrogance but actually it is not! I could be very nice to people, go out for coffee and dinner or socialize to become their favourite, but I choose not to do that. I cannot sweet-talk to people to get a film,” Ileana, who will soon be seen in Milan Luthria’s upcoming film “Baadshaho”, told IANS here.

“Rather I want to be chosen for a film when the director would think that I can do justice to the role and that I am talented. So far, all the films that I have got are based on my merit,” she added.

After a successful journey in the South Indian film industry, Ileana debuted in Bollywood with the film “Barfi!” in 2012, and acted in various films like “Phata Poster Nikhla Hero”, “Main Tera Hero”, “Happy Ending”, “Rustom” and “Mubarakan” before the upcoming “Baadshaho”.

Coming from a non-filmy background, asked if she manages to make friends in the industry, the actress said: “I am not rude to anyone. As a professional I want all my co-stars, director, producer and colleagues to feel easy and comfortable working with me, but I am not walking into a film set to make friends.”

“I am here to work, this is my professional world and I want to do good work here. I do not take some extra steps to become a friend or develop a relationship with other co-stars. End of the film, if we become friends that is a bonus,” said Ileana.

So, how does Ileana spend her leisure time?

“I like going out with close friends. I watch a lot of animated films and TV as stress busters, I love shopping! I can shop from anywhere in the world whether it is from footpath or shopping mall, I shop from everywhere,” shared the actress.

Scheduled to release on September 1, “Baadshaho” has been directed by Milan Luthria and produced by T-Series.

Aug 192017
 

Soundarya Rajinikanth with husband DhanushSoundarya Rajinikanth with husband Dhanush

Basking in the success of Dhanush starrer “VIP 2”, director Soundarya Rajinikanth says she would love to direct the planned third part in the “VIP” franchise.

At the success meet of “VIP 2” earlier this week here, Dhanush confirmed “VIP 3” is on the cards.

However, he said they haven’t locked a director or script yet.

Soundarya says she would love to be associated with the franchise once again.

“I would love to direct ‘VIP 3’. People think I have acting ambitions, but I seriously don’t. I’m happy behinds the lens as the director,” Soundarya told IANS.

Asked if she plans to direct outside the “VIP” franchise, she said she is toying with a few ideas.

“There a few ideas that I’m working on at the moment but it’s too early to talk about them. If it has to happen, it will happen and we don’t have to do anything about it. I haven’t decided what will be my next project,” she added.

“VIP 2” is Soundarya’s first live-action film. She had previously directed her father Rajinikanth in motion capture animated film “Kochadaiiyaan”.

Talking about the success of “VIP 2”, she said: “I’m thrilled with this kind of response and I’m overwhelmed. I need to thank Dhanush for having faith in me.”

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Aug 112017
 

55398779After 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.

Jul 112017
 

Priyanka Chopra Priyanka Chopra 

National Award winner Ujjwal Chatterjee, who is helming a trilingual film produced by Priyanka Chopra’s company on the relationship between Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore and his English teacher Annapurna Turkhud, has agreed to chop off one ‘intimate scene’ of the bard at the behest of Visva Bharati University.

“I have agreed with Visva Bharati’s recommendations on removing intimate scenes. I am removing one scene. There are no problems regarding the decisions of the committee formed by the varsity to look into the authenticity of research. The shooting will commence in November this year, and will take place in Shantiniketan, Jorasanko and Maharashtra,” Chatterjee told IANS.

Annapurna Turkhud, also known as Anna or Annabai, was the daughter of Atmaram Pandurang Turkhud, a Mumbai-based (then Bombay) doctor. Tagore had stayed with the family prior to his first voyage to Britain in 1878 and took lessons in spoken English from Anna.

He gave her the nickname Nalini, which Anna used later on as a pseudonym for her writing. She inspired some of Tagore’s early poetic expressions. Tagore never forgot about Anna and used to reminisce about her in his old age.

Rabindranath Tagore in 1941
Rabindranath Tagore in 1941

The film will portray the platonic relationship between the two.

Chatterjee explained in one scene of the Marathi-Bengali-English film, Nalini kisses her fiance as Tagore looks on while in another Nalini pecks Tagore on the cheek.

“Actually we have to retain the scene where Nalini kisses her fiance because its documented. The other scene will be removed,” said Chatterjee.

Acting Vice Chancellor of Visva Bharati University Swapan Kumar Datta told IANS that the subject has to be treated sensitively and they are awaiting the final script with the necessary changes.

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Jul 052017
 

Rajkummar RaoRajkummar Rao’s body transformations. Pic/ Rajkummar Rao’s Twitter account

He underwent drastic weight loss to play a man striving for survival in ‘Trapped’. Now for web series ‘Bose’, actor Rajkummar Rao has been hogging pizzas and biryani to get the pot belly that he now sports to shoot the show.

During the promotion of ‘Trapped’, Rajkummar had said he was on a diet of black coffee and two carrots a day for about 20-22 days in order to look real for his character.

For ‘Bose’ — helmed by Hansal Mehta for ALT Balaji — the actor has been working on his look for two months. He also went half bald to play the part of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. “I have gained 11 kg as of now and I have been eating a lot… ten times of what my diet was,As an actor, I am always conscious of what I eat. I always keep a check, but with ‘Bose’, I had to let go of everything and just hog whatever I liked eating but couldn’t. Starting from cheesecakes, pizzas, sweets, aloo parathas, biryani and what all.I had to look on the heftier side for ‘Bose’, so that’s how I started putting on weight.I’ll have to reduce all this weight once we are done shooting, which will most probably be by this month’s end and also will grow my hair back. I am hopeful that by the time my hair will grow back, I’ll be able to get rid of all this extra weight,” Rajkummar told IANS over social media

He is still gaining weight for the role, and says he would have to lose it also in no time. Rajkummar Rao, who has earlier featured in films like ‘Queen’ and ‘Shahid’, feels it will be easy for him to shed the extra kilos.

“I like being fit and have always been a sports enthusiast, and knowing my body, I should be able to do it in two months’ time at the maximum,” he said.

Giving a glimpse into his physical transformation role after role, he posted on Twitter an image with snapshots of his physique for ‘Behen Hogi Teri’, ‘Trapped’ and ‘Bose’. “Building a character. Nothing gives me more high than the process of exploring someone else’s life on screen,” he tweeted.

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Jun 302017
 

Tiger ShroffTiger Shroff

Actor Tiger Shroff says he is trying to become a real-life superhero, especially for children. The actor, who joined hands with a flagship corporate social responsibility programme with an aim to make a difference to the lives of underprivileged children in Mumbai, feels lucky to have a wide young fan base.

“I am not a real life superhero. I’m trying to be a real life superhero especially to the kids. I’m lucky enough to have a larger audience in the children,” Tiger told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

On the film front, Tiger Shroff has big projects like the Hindi remake of Hollywood action film ‘Rambo’, ‘Munna Michael‘ and ‘Baaghi 2‘ in his kitty.

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Dec 162012
 

Mumbai: Actress Gulfam Khan, seen in Reema Kagti”s movie “Talaash”, feels an actor’s life is easier when compared to the life of the crew members on the set.

She says at least the actors’ work brings them glamour and fame.

“I feel an actor’s life is easy. Plus there is a glamour quotient attached to it and you get fame. I feel the film Industry is like magic dust and if it works for you, it can make you a star,” she told IANS.

“Actors are the laziest and they get maximum coverage. I, as an actor, don’t have the right to say that I have a stressful job,” she added.

Dec 142012
 

“On Dec 27, I am not doing anything. I am not very sure what I am doing that day. On my birthday, I myself might be in court,” Salman told IANS.

Salman Khan

Salman, who has been summoned by a Jodhpur court to appear before it in February in connection with a 1998 poaching case, says he might have a date with the Mumbai court regarding the hit-and-run case.

“I think they have asked me to come on Dec 27, but if the lawyers say I don’t need to go, then I won’t go and if the lawyers say, I have to then I will definitely go,” he said.

While many A-list actors including Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan celebrate their birthdays in the presence of the media, Salman says it is something he will never do.

“It will never happen. Woh fraudgiri mujhse nahi hogi (I can’t do that fraud with anyone). I can’t do that and I am telling this very frankly – When the media is standing outside my house, with OB vans and all, my mother will make sure that their party happens outside.

“Not for any other reason, but if the media is there in the party, then the guests get very uncomfortable. SO nobody will be able to have a good time and within five minutes, everybody would want to leave,” he said.

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