Rani Mukerji

Chunky Panday wed wife Bhavana at Sonam Kapoor's reception venue 20 years ago!

May 102018

Chunky and Bhavna Pandey got married on January 17, 1998, at the same hotel where Sonam’s reception was held

Chunky Pandey and Bhavna Pandey

Chunky and Bhavna Pandey got married on January 17, 1998, at the same hotel where Sonam’s reception was held. It was nostalgia time for the couple. Anil Kapoor had attended their nuptials and now they were at his daughter’s wedding at the same venue. Chunky and Bhavana have a daughter Ananya Panday, who is set to make her Bollywood debut this year alongside Tiger Shroff and Tara Sutaria with Student Of The Year 2, which is being produced by Karan Johar.

While Chunky Panday‘s daughter Ananya is set to make her Bollywood foray, the actor says nephew Ahaan will also join the bandwagon, but, Johar’s Dharma Productions will not mark his launch. Chunky was addressing reporters at the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards voting weekend. Responding to questions on whether Ahaan would make his debut soon, he said, “My nephew Ahaan is just like my son. He is famous on Instagram and Twitter. A [film] announcement [involving him] will also be made soon. He is not debuting with Dharma. The other banner could be Yash Raj [Films]. I can’t talk about it, but good news is on its way.”

Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja‘s wedding reception was a grand affair that saw the creme-de-la-creme of Bollywood under one roof. From Shah Rukh Khan to Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar to Saif Ali Khan, the A-listers were all smiles for the shutterbugs and blessed the newlyweds with their presence for the couple’s glamorous reception party.

Photos and videos, shared by celebrities on social media pages, were out instantly and looking at them one can only say Sonam Kapoor’s wedding reception was high on fun. Though Karan Johar and Ranveer Singh’s crazy dance videos going viral were on cards, it was Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Anil Kapoor’s performances that actually managed to steal the show.

Photo Gallery – Sonam Kapoor’s mehendi and sangeet: Janhvi, Khushi, Rani Mukerji attend festivities

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Rani Mukerji: Don't blame personal life of actress for film's failure

Celebrities

May 062018

Actress Rani Mukerji, who is currently riding high on the success of her comeback film “Hichki”, says age or marital status of an actress has nothing to do with a films failure or success

Rani Mukerji

Actress Rani Mukerji, who is currently riding high on the success of her comeback film Hichki, says age or marital status of an actress has nothing to do with a film’s failure or success. Asked if she feels that age and marital status of an actress considered detrimental in the industry, Rani told IANS over the phone from Mumbai: “The success of Hichki has changed a lot of that thinking… It is important to understand that the audience is changing. They want to see a good film and a content-oriented film… When you give them a good film they don’t really care what your martial status is.”

Rani Mukerji, 40, says that the audience wants to be “entertained by films”. “What I am doing in my personal life is none of anyone’s business… What I do outside my work is not really important as long as I am doing films and the roles that suit me and the roles which I feel the audience will connect with,” she added. The actress is married to Yash Raj Films’ head honcho Aditya Chopra. She tied the knot in 2014 and welcomed her first child — a daughter named Adira in 2015.

The Aiyyaa actress asserts that “so many actresses have already proven that marital status is not important”. “A film not doing well also happens to actors who are not married and who don’t have babies. Just because a married actress comes back and her film is not doing well lets not blame her personal life,” she said. The Mardaani actress concluded by saying: “Let’s keep it casual and say that the film was not good that is why the film did not work or the film is really good and that’s why the film is working.”

View gallery: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukerji spotted at Mumbai airport

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Rani Mukerji celebrates Hichki's success by holidaying with daughter Adira

Celebrities

Apr 052018

Rani Mukerji wants to celebrate the success of her latest release Hichki by going on a lengthy vacation with daughter Adira

Rani Mukerji

Rani Mukerji’s latest release Hichki is going strong at the box-office. The actress is on cloud nine. Rani is said to be ecstatic with the positive reviews that her film is garnering from fans.

But, now Rani plans to devote her time to daughter Adira. She plans to take a lengthy vacation with her little angel and has already packed her bags for the trip.

There is still no confirmation on where Rani Mukerji and Adira might go for their holiday. Although she hasn’t decided yet, Rani has stated she might leave for London but says it depends on where Adira wants to go.

Rani Mukerji has stated she plans her vacations as per daughter Adira’s wishes. Rani’s hubby Aditya Chopra is extremely pleased with her film Hichki and plans to do more projects with her in the future.

Also read: Hichki 2 in the pipeline? Here’s what Siddharth P Malhotra has to say!

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Rani Mukerji on Hichki success: Marital status doesn't affect box office figures

Celebrities

Mar 242018

Rani Mukerji says that the audiences have celebrated working mothers and that she will be forever thankful to them

Rani Mukerji

Rani Mukerji is overwhelmed with the response she has got for her comeback film “Hichki” and says that the kind of love audiences have showered on the movie proves that good cinema and performance is the only thing that matters and not marital status or parenthood. Hichki marks Rani’s comeback to acting after a gap of four years. The film raked in Rs 3.30 crore on day one, a statement said.

Ecstatic over the response, Rani said, “All my life, I have tried to entertain, tried to spread love and happiness to my fans and audiences through my films. Their happiness made me happy, motivated me. Yesterday, I felt the same emotions that I had faced when my first film released. I was nervous. I was jittery. My first love is acting. Nothing gives me as much joy than being on the set of my film. I chose marriage when I wanted to.”

The actress, who has a daughter Adira, 2, says she chose motherhood and “I chose to prioritise these for four years before I again chose to return to my passion wanting to feel the rush of challenging myself with a truly remarkable role.”

On the first day of the film’s release, Rani felt like it was a “do or die test”.

“I did draw courage from the success stories of the outstanding artists who decided to settle down and then returned with great comebacks but deep down I was nervous that if I fail, I would be forever succumbing to the archaic stereotypes to the same hichkis that have been prevalent for so many years” she said.

“With the incredible love that audiences have showered on ‘Hichki’ and on me, they have proven that for them good cinema and good performance is the only thing that matters – not marital status, not parenthood,” added an emotional Rani.

The actress, 40, says that the audiences have celebrated working mothers and that she will be forever thankful to them. In “Hichki”, Rani plays the character of Naina Mathur who suffers from Tourette syndrome that forces an individual to make involuntary repetitive movements or sounds.

The Siddharth P. Malhotra directorial focuses on turning disadvantages into opportunities and staring down at challenges that life throws at one and ultimately winning over them. “This box office validation gives me incredible confidence to continue my journey as a working mother who can aim to balance her professional and personal life to a T,” Rani concluded.

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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

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Hichki Movie Review

Celebrities

Mar 232018

Hichki Hichki movie still

Hichki
Drama; U/A
Director: Siddharth P Malhotra
Cast: Rani Mukerji, Neeraj Kabi
Rating:

What kinda class 9 in a school has only one teacher, pretty much teaching them science and math, and nothing else—practically through the day—while the kids sit around being so obnoxious, that you wonder why they wake up in the morning, step outside, to reach that classroom in the first place.

These are poor, neighbourhood kids in a pretty swanky school, relegated to a special section F. Which is why the super-posh looking, senior teacher (Neeraj Kabi) can’t stand them? What follows in their syllabus, time-table, or life, as it were, are such predictable stuff—probably fed into a screen-writing software—that the F could simply stand for slightly Fake.

The teacher recruited to reform the unruly teenaged kids (some of whom have been cast quite well), is an enthu-cutlet, double B-Ed, suffering from Tourette Syndrome: a tic disorder that could cause sorts of involuntary motions in the body—blinking of the eye, coughing, throat clearing, sniffing, facial movements, etc.

All of which I have begun to learn only from Wikipedia, given the film, with its repeated explanation of there being momentary hiccups in the wiring of the brain, tells me nothing more; besides the heroine uncontrollably going, “Wah, wah, wah,” brushing her wrist against her throat. And sadly, making the audience laugh at her, on occasion (at least in my theatre), which defeats the whole purpose altogether.

Clearly, as against my expectations, this is not a film on the Tourette Syndrome. It is based (with due credit) on Brad Cohen’s memoir, Front Of The Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me The Teacher I Never Had. It takes us back to school all right. Which explains the number of young boys and girls at the film’s FDFS (first day, first show).

At the centre of it all is very much Rani Mukerji, with the most radiant smile ever on the silver screen—a path-breaking actor in her own right, especially in the early 2000s, given Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Black (2004), where she didn’t just grab audience’s attention (cracking the part of a blind-mute girl), but also inspired a host of aspiring actors starting out at the time (Kangana Ranaut etc.), to expect, and take on female roles that phenomenally challenged them as performers as well.

Honestly, Mukerji doesn’t disappoint here either. The script, or the story, more so, does. You know exactly what’ll happen next as the teacher pulls along her delinquent pupils from the nearby slums—with the camera’s gaze fixed at capturing the usual poverty porn/tourism, and dialogues aimed at some equally banal, sanctimonious preaching.

Sure, we could do with a fine, desi version of Dead Poets Society (1989). This film’s intentions—even if multiple, and therefore all mixed up—are laudable, no doubt. But, naah, doesn’t quite cut it, you know. Or at least doesn’t seem like worth cutting classes for, anyway.

Watch the trailer of Hichki
[embedded content]

Also view: Rani Mukerji: These childhood pics of the Hichki actress should not be missed

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Shah Rukh Khan: Death is a hiccup from which there is no coming back

Celebrities

Mar 152018

As a unique promotional activity for Rani Mukerji’s upcoming film, the actress asked a few prominent personalities, Shah Rukh Khan – being one of them about their life’s biggest hiccup

Shah Rukh Khan hichki
Shah Rukh Khan reveals the biggest hiccup in his life.

Shah Rukh Khan is a living legend today. The outsider, the path-breaker, the icon – Hindi cinema hasn’t seen a Badshah rule with such unparalleled love and success. Yet, early on in his life, Shah Rukh faced the biggest hiccup one could face – the sudden loss of his parents. The makers of Rani Mukerji’s Hichki are promoting the film uniquely by asking prominent personalities to share their untold weaknesses and how they eventually converted them into massive strengths. SRK reveals that harnessing the pain and grief of his loss into his passion for acting has been his way of overcoming this massive Hichki of his life. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Shah Rukh Khan reveals, “My greatest Hichki moment is the death of my parents. I was 15 when my father passed away and 24 when my mother passed away. We were not financially well off, and I was studying for my Masters degree then. It was very sad for us. The empty house without my parents used to come to bite us (my sister and me). The loneliness, pain, and sadness of the loss of both my parents, could have been overwhelming enough to take over my life wholly. I decided to overcome thisHichkimoment by letting acting fill up my entire life.”

He adds, “I never quite let go of the pain, but I also used it to make me completely focus on my profession. People close to me will tell you that acting is my vent, my window of manifesting these overwhelming emotions. I always say this that one morning, when I wake up, I will realise that I have spent all these emotions and now have nothing more to give (as an actor). Otherwise, death is a hiccup from which there is no coming back. I realised that and therefore, overcame it by giving my work, my all. God might bring a hiccup to you in this life but he will also give you multiple ways to deal with it in this lifetime. I could find my family (the love and sense of belonging) amongst my friends and colleagues in the film industry again.”

Watch Shah Rukh Khan in an interaction with Rani Mukerji here:

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Directed by Siddharth P Malhotra and produced by Maneesh Sharma, Hichki is set to touch the hearts of audiences when it releases on March 23.

Also Read: Rani Mukerji To Organise Hichki Screening For Brad Cohen

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Rani Mukerji goes back to school for Hichki

Celebrities

Mar 082018

Rani Mukerji trained with motivational speaker Brad Cohen on whom her character in the upcoming film, Hichki, is based

Still from film

Rani Mukerji found the perfect comeback vehicle in Hichki, which sees her play an inspiring school teacher who suffers from Tourette syndrome (a nervous system disorder characterised by tics). To lend an air of authenticity to her Naina Mathur, the actor closely interacted with Brad Cohen, whose autobiography – Front Of The Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had – has inspired the Siddharth P Malhotra-directed film. A renowned motivational speaker from the US, Cohen traced his journey of overcoming the challenges of the disorder in the book that was later adapted into a TV film.

Keen on bringing Cohen’s inspiring story to the Indian audience, Malhotra reached out to him as early as 2012 and started developing the story with his inputs. The director says that he also introduced Mukerji to Cohen so that she could understand the finer nuances of her character.

Brad Cohen

Malhotra says, “Rani Mukerji communicated with Brad for two weeks over Skype. He showed her how he calms himself every time he gets the tics, how he dances, how he gets excited – basically, the entire gamut of emotions. She internalised Brad and his struggles. Rani realised that in order to pull off the role with conviction, she would have to make these tics part of her body language. After every scene, she would return to the monitor to check that the tics looked effortless.”

Sources say that Cohen is quite impressed with the film’s trailer. “Brad will be promoting Hichki from the US. He wants to lend his support to spread awareness around Tourette syndrome in India and the world over,” says a source.

Also read: Rani Mukerji: For women, looking young is a challenge

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Tragic how Sridevi passed away a day before Himmatwala's 35th anniversary

Celebrities

Feb 252018

Jeetendra talks exclusively to midday after the sad demise of veteran actress Sridevi

Jeetendra

I first met Sridevi at the 100th day jubilee function of one of her Tamil films. I walked up to this bright-eyed girl and congratulated her on her performance. Little did I know that we would be working together in a few months’ time.

I was going through a low phase after Deedar-E-Yaar (1982) – the film suffered heavy losses, and brought me back to square one as an actor and producer. Sridevi, too, was coming out of Solva Saawan (1979), her debut film as a full-fledged heroine in Bollywood. The film didn’t fare well and almost put her out of the Hindi film industry. So Himmatwala, directed by K Raghavendra Rao, was a turning point for both of us.

Still from Himmatwala

We all know how it changed both our fortunes. Not many know that Rekha was the original choice for Himmatwala. But I guess Sridevi was destined to do the film – she bagged the role and the film became one of the biggest grossers of the year. And with it, Bollywood woke up to the magic of Sridevi.

Today [February 25] marked the 35th anniversary of the film’s release and it’s tragic how she passed away just a day before… I was terribly shocked when I heard about her demise.

Sridevi was one of my closest co-stars and we did 15 movies together. She was an actor par excellence. What was even more admirable about her was her dedication to the craft – she would keep rehearsing a scene until she was fully satisfied with it. I had deep admiration for her discipline towards her work.

I remember I used to be nervous whenever I would have to dance with Sridevi. She was a fabulous dancer who would get the steps perfectly, right at the first attempt while I had to keep doing rehearsals to match up to her.

I have so many beautiful memories of Sridevi. It’s still so difficult for me to come to terms with the fact that the woman, who ruled over everyone’s hearts with her shy smile and bright eyes, is no more.

[Jeetendra was Sridevi’s co-star in 15 films, with hits including Himmatwala, Tohfa, Majaal and Ghar Sansaar]

Also View: Rekha, Arjun Kapoor, Rani Mukerji pay last respects to Sridevi at Anil Kapoor’s home

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Rekha, Arjun, Rani pay last respects to Sridevi at Anil Kapoor's home

Celebrities

Feb 252018

Spotted outside Anil Kapoor’s Juhu home last night were…

Rekha. Pics/Datta Kumbhar

Veteran actress Sridevi, 54, passed away in Dubai after cardiac arrest, engulfing the entire country in a pall of gloom. From Indian stars to Indian political personalities to Pakistani icons, her fans and admirers expressed shock and disbelief.

Last night, spotted outside Anil Kapoor’s Juhu home were actors Rekha, Arjun Kapoor, Rani Mukerji, Shilpa Shetty, Arjun Kapoor’s sister Anshula Kapoor.

Arjun Kapoor

Rani Mukerji

In a moving gesture, Indian industrial magnate Anil Ambani sent an aircraft to Dubai to bring back Sridevi Kapoor’s mortal remains to India later on Sunday.

Anshula Kapoor

Sridevi’s brother-in-law and actor Sanjay Kapoor said the whole family was in shock with the sudden demise of the veteran actress. He also said that she had no history of heart ailment.

Shilpa Shetty

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Behind the scenes: How Rani Mukerji shot with Worli children for Hichki song

Celebrities

Feb 192018

Rani Mukerji shoots with kids over two days for Hickhi’s promotional video

Hickhi

A month after mid-day had reported that Rani Mukerji would shoot for a promotional video for the upcoming social drama, Hichki, we hear that the actor filmed for it in Worli village over the weekend. Talking to mid-day about the three-minute long video, producer Maneesh Sharma had said that it attempts to put the spotlight on “women who’ve overcome obstacles to realise their dreams”.

A source from the production says, “She [Mukerji] was excited about shooting with the kids residing in the nearby areas. She would reach ahead of the scheduled time to rehearse. She also interacted with the children every day after we wrapped up. When filming was underway, kids from the neighbouring areas would also trickle in to catch a glimpse of her. She made it a point to chat with them in between shots, even obliging them with autographs and selfies.”

Hichki sees Mukerji’s Naina, a teacher, battle all odds to live a fulfilling life despite suffering from Tourette Syndrome. An insider says that the video attempts to encourage people to overcome obstacles, just like her character does in the film. “The video sees Rani criticise social stigmas, including an obsession with fair skin, the attitude towards those with disabilities, and the lack of freedom given to women,” the source says. The video is expected to release on Saturday.

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