National Award panel not qualified enough for Big B: Varma
New Delhi–Maverick filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, who is in the national capital to promote his forthcoming film “Veerappan”, says the National Award Committee is not qualified enough to give megastar Amitabh Bachchan an award.
Speaking in regard to the veteran actor’s Best Actor Award at the 63rd National Film Awards, the “Satya” filmmaker believes that Amitabh has proved his talent multiple times over the decades.
“Amitabh Bachchan has proved his talent multiple times over the decades. I think National Award Committee is not qualified enough to give him an award,” Varma told reporters here.
The biographical film has been written and directed by Varma, based on the life of Indian bandit Veerappan, and the events leading to Operation Cocoon to capture or kill Veerappan.
The film features actors Sandeep Bharadwaj, Lisa Ray, Sachiin J Joshi and Usha Jadhav. The film is slated for a worldwide release on May 27, 2016. Ace filmmaker Ramesh Sippy headed the Feature Film jury of the 63rd National Film Awards.
Spent more time with team while shooting for Sense 8: Kohli
Mumbai– Actor Purab Kohli, who is working on the American web television series “Sense 8”, says that he got more time to spend with the cast while shooting for the second season as compared to the first season.
“My first visit to the Amalfi coast was five to six years ago and I did not imagine then that I would be back there to shoot something. When the ‘Sense 8’ team mentioned we would shoot part of the story there, I was elated,” Purab said in a statement.
“The first season my role was very short and I hardly got enough time to spend with the cast and crew. This time besides Tina I spent a lot of time with all the sense 8’s and the other cast which made the trip to Italy all the more fun,” the 37-year-old added.
“Sense 8” is a streaming service Netflix show, which is about a group of people around the world who are suddenly linked mentally, and must find a way to survive being hunted by those who see them as a threat to the world’s order.
Besides Purab, the series also features Indian actors Tina Desai and Anupam Kher.
‘Jannat 2’ completes four years, Emraan, Esha get nostalgic
Mumbai–Actors Emraan Hashmi and Esha Gupta have gone down memory lane as their film “Jannat 2” completes four years of its release in Hindi cinema on Wednesday,
The 2012 crime thriller film was the sequel to the 2008 movie, “Jannat” directed by Kunal Deshmukh.
Calling it a “memorable journey”, Emraan tweeted: “How time flies…Four years of ‘Jannat 2’. A memorable journey of finding heaven amidst hell. Thank you for the love.”
Esha remembered the film’s shoot done during winter time in the capital.
“Listen to ‘Tu hi mera’…’Jannat2’ on delhi roads with the mist in the air…remembering the films shoot done in the winter here..first film,” Esha tweeted.
On the work front, Emraan will next be seen essaying former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin’s role in “Azhar”.
Directed by Tony D’Souza, “Azhar”, which is jointly produced by Balaji Motion Pictures and MSM Motion Pictures, also stars Prachi Desai, Nargis Fakhri and Lara Dutta in pivotal roles and is slated for a worldwide release on May 13, 2016.
SRK is a huge, humble star: Waluscha De Sousa
New Delhi– She picked up the role of Shah Rukh Khan’s wife in “Fan” to debut in Bollywood, and model-turned-actress Waluscha De Sousa says she was left impressed that despite scaling heights in stardom the superstar is so “humble”.
She also shared that working with Bollywood’s ‘Baadshah’ has been an enriching experience for her.
“It is a wonderful experience. I mean he (SRK) is so hardworking and so passionate about what he does and through it all he is such a huge star but so humble,” Waluscha told IANS over phone from Mumbai.
After sashaying on the ramp as a model and then putting her professional life on the back burner for her family, Waluscha decided to take the leap into Hindi filmdom with “Fan”.
Directed by Maneesh Sharma and produced by Yash Raj Films, the movie, which released on April 15, featured Shah Rukh in a double role — one as a superstar and other his look-alike fan Gaurav. Waluscha plays SRK’s real wife Gauri Khan on the silver screen.
Waluscha also shared that working with the whole team is a “great memory” for her.
The 31-year-old added: “It is a great pleasure and for me it was a huge learning experience to be on the set with him (SRK)”.
Lata Mangeshkar gifts Rishi Kapoor Sai Baba idol
Mumbai–Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor has thanked melody queen Lata Mangeshkar for gifting him a Sai Baba idol.
The 63-year-old actor took to Twitter, where he also shared a photograph of the idol, which he will cherish forever.
“Lata Mangeshkar…Thank you Lataji for “Babas Blessings” as a gift. Will cherish forever. A place in my heart and Temple!” Rishi tweeted on Wednesday.
The 86-year-old singer thanked the “Bobby” star.
“Dhanyawad Rishi ji. Baba ke aap bhakt hain , Baba ki kripa hamesha aap sab pe rahegi ye mujhe vishwas hai. (Thank you Rishiji. You are a devotee of Baba. Baba’s blessings will always be on you.)”
