Aamir Khan urges urban crowd to help solve villagers’ water woes
Mumbai– Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan has urged people to contribute in making Maharashtra drought-free by reaching out to those in villages.
Aamir on Monday posted a video on his Twitter page. He is seen sitting in a vast field under a tree, asking viewers simple questions; When was the last time you experienced the joy of smelling the fragrance of the soil? When was the last time you roamed around and enjoyed the breeze in the air? When was the last time you extended friendship to someone staying far away from the city and in a village?
On behalf of Paani Foundation, Aamir then invited people to join the efforts to make Maharashtra drought-free, and to contribute to it by being a ‘Jalmitra’.
“Walk shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters in villages to contribute to their upliftment… Help a village. I assure you that when you return home at the end of the day, you will realise that actually, the village has helped you,” the actor said.
Paani Foundation is an NGO set up in 2016 by the team of the TV series “Satyamev Jayate” — which was led by Aamir — to fight drought in rural Maharashtra.
The Foundation aims to harness the power of communication to mobilise, motivate and train people in this mission to eradicate drought.
Jaya Bachchan turns 70, spends ‘quiet’ time with family
Mumbai– Veteran Bollywood actress and politician Jaya Bachchan on Monday turned 70. She rang in her birthday with the love and togetherness of her family members.
Her husband and megastar Amitabh Bachchan posted about the midnight celebrations on his blog.
“At the stroke of the midnight hour, the greetings and wishes and calls and the feeding of sweetmeats; the gifting of love and togetherness and the welcoming of the lady on her 70th! She be wife and mother… and she be with her ‘progress report’
“Feelings and love delivered… writings of occasion hand-written on card… the gratitude of the special day and spending the time with all about, reminiscing… Quiet… still and intimate… The best way to bring in a remembrance and the passage of time over the year gone by,” Big B wrote.
He also shared a photograph of Jaya seated in the midst of their son Abhishek and daughter Shweta as they embrace the doting mother for a hug.
With films like “Guddi”, “Abhimaan” and “Mili”, the actress became synonymous to roles that exuded innocence. Then there were titles like “Silsila”, “Chupke Chupke”, “Koshish” and “Sholay”, she displayed her range as an actor.
On the political front, she is a candidate of the Samajwadi Party.
R. Madhavan’s son wins bronze for India
Mumbai– Actor R. Madhavan’s 12-year-old son won a bronze medal for India in the 1500 meter freestyle at the Thailand Age Group Swimming Championship 2018.
Madhavan announced the news on Instagram on Monday.
“Proud moment for Sarita (his wife) and I, as Vedaant wins his first medal for India in an international swim meet in Thailand today. Thank you for all your blessings,” he posted along with a photograph of his son holding the medal and certificate with the backdrop of a stadium.
Salman Khan thanks fans for love, support
Mumbai– Bollywood superstar Salman Khan says he has “tears of gratitude” for the overwhelming love and support his fans and loved ones showered on him during and after the trial in a 1998 blackbuck poaching case.
“Tears of gratitude. To all my loved ones who are with me and never lost hope. Thank you for being there with all the love and support. God bless,” Salman tweeted on Monday.
The 52-year-old actor is out on bail after a Jodhpur court convicted him for killing two blackbucks near Kankani village in city while shooting “Hum Saath Saath Hain”. His co-stars Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Tabu and Neelam were co-accused, but they were acquitted, and Salman was sentenced to five years in prison.
Salman spent two days in Jodhpur Central Jail, after which he was out on bail on April 7, much to the delight of his fans and family members and the dismay of the Bishnoi community and animal rights activists. He cannot leave the country without the court’s permission.
The superstar came back to Mumbai to a hero’s welcome as fans crowded outside his Galaxy Apartments home here, distributing sweets and bursting crackers to celebrate his homecoming. Salman was overwhelmed with the love and had even appeared at the balcony to wave at his fans and acknowledge their unending support.
Salman is likely to return to shoot “Race 3” soon.
Earlier on Monday, his sister Arpita Khan Sharma had posted an emotional note.
“My strength, my weakness, my pride, my joy, my life, my world. God’s child. God bless all the people that can’t handle you or your success, I wish only positivity and happiness for you.
Karishma Tanna’s look revealed for ‘Naagin 3’
Mumbai– Producer Ekta Kapoor on Monday revealed she has roped in actress Karishma Tanna to play a ‘naagin’ in her new show “Naagin 3”.
Ekta welcomed the actress on board for the show via a social media post.
“Here comes the first naagin! Karishma Tanna, welcome to ‘Naagin 3’! Coming soon on Colors,” Ekta tweeted on Monday.
She also shared the first look of the character essayed by Karishma, who sports an all-black ensemble, bold silver jewellery and a face done heavily with make-up. The poster’s backdrop has a gothic feel to it.
“Naagin 3” will reportedly feature three ‘naagins’, and two more actresses who will be a part of the show are yet to be revealed.
The show’s first season had starred Mouni Roy, who was also a part of the second season.
Varun Dhawan was not on my casting list at all: Shoojit Sircar
Mumbai– Filmmaker Shoojit Sircar, who teamed up with actor Varun Dhawan for the first time in his forthcoming film “October”, on Sunday revealed that he was not on his casting list at all.
Present at a promotional event for his forthcoming romantic drama film, he said that he was looking for a fresh cast. “We needed someone young and fresh, like 20 years old, so Varun Dhawan was not on my casting list at all. Also I had not seen his films.
“But one day he was in office and I saw him, I was aware of his image, his commercial world image, but somewhere I felt he is not like that, he is different,” said Shoojit.
Shoojit found the actor perfect for his character ‘Dan’, because: “he has something different in his eyes… honesty and innocence. There is something very nice and vulnerable about him. He just doesn’t only dance and jump, there is some sensibility in him too. He is perfect as Dan, the character”.
The “Vicky Donor” director also said it was very brave of Varun to act in an unconventional and unusual movie.
“Good thing about Varun Dhawan, despite his success with films, for him to do this kind of film, an unusual and unconventional story, that is really brave,” he said.
Banita Sandhu, the debutante from Wales, is roped opposite Varun in the film and Shoojit also shared his reasons to cast a newbie.
Don’t know why I’ve had an urban image: Ali Fazal
Lucknow– Actor Ali Fazal, who is busy working on Tigmanshu Dhulia’s “Milan Talkies”, set in Allahabad, wonders why he has had an “urban image” in people’s mind.
The Lucknow-born actor, who was in news last year for his international film “Victoria & Abdul”, was in his hometown to shoot parts of “Milan Talkies”.
During an on-set interaction, the “Fukrey” actor spoke about how he landed a role in Dhulia’s film.
“The experience has been nice. I’ve always looked up to Tigmanshu sir’s work. I went to his office very casually once… I’ve never gone to someone’s office like that. I guess it was just fate… I got a call from him three years later, asking, ‘What are you doing?’ And I came (on board).
“I’m very excited to get on to this journey. It’s something different. I have not been a part of such projects before. I’ve had a very different image… Urban, subtle… I don’t know why… I don’t know, that was wrong,” Ali said.
“Milan Talkies” is a small town love story. The movie revolves around the sorry predicament of single-screen theatres in the days of the multiplex, and as the narrative is based in the north of India, it requires a typical accent.
Dhulia says Ali was an easy choice for the lead role.
Badshah lends his Jeep for Aastha’s song
Mumbai– Rapper Badshah, who has been mentoring singer Aastha Gill for her pop debut, went a step further by lending his prized possession, his Jeep, for the shooting of the video of the song “Buzz”.
“The requirement of the hour for the shoot was a Jeep and we had to arrange it at short notice. My angel in distress, my bro, Badshah lent us his Jeep and then we shot entire sequence. I think it looks fabulous now,” Aastha said in a statement.
Aastha had teamed up with Badshah for songs like “DJ waley babu” and “Abhi toh party”.
The video of “Buzz” also features former “Bigg Boss” contestant Priyank Sharma.
During its shooting, Aastha tripped. Luckily, Priyank was right behind her and caught her. But Priyank sprained his ankle. Still he said: “Aastha was worth the pain.”
“Buzz” will be released by Sony Music on April 12 across all digital and streaming platforms.
Arijit’s voice was apt for Big B: Umesh Shukla
Mumbai– Director Umesh Shukla says singer Arijit Singh was an apt choice to playback for megastar Amitabh Bachchan in a song for “102 Not Out”.
Arijit has sung the song “Bachche ki jaan loge kya”, which has been picturised on the actor. The fun and peppy number also showcases the relationship between the father-son duo played by Big B and actor Rishi Kapoor.
“Arijit’s voice was apt for the song and the situation. And it was fitting with Mr. Bachchan’s character in the film who believes in living life to the fullest,” Shukla said in a statement to IANS.
“102 Not Out” will portray the relationship between the 102-year-old father and his 75-year-old son on the silver screen.
It is produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment Films India, Treetop Entertainment and Shukla’s Benchmark Pictures. The film is slated to release worldwide on May 4.
The film is about a centenarian who wants to break the world record of being the oldest man alive, which is held by a 118-year-old Chinese man. He plans to do it by putting his son in an old age home. (IANS)
