Bollywood Roundup: Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Zareen Khan, and more…

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Max Bupa CEO - Ashish Mehrotra with Akshay Kumar and Nimrat Kaur taking a Selfie with Participants at Max Bupa Walk for Health in Mumbai
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Akshay Kumar enjoys wide popularity overseas: Study

Mumbai– Akshay Kumar has secured the top spot in a list of popular Bollywood actors outside India, according to a study.

Akshay Kumar

He is closely followed by Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Varun Dhawan. Akshay also became the ‘most watched’ actor as per the consumption study.

The findings are a part of a consumption trend study done by Spuul, a video-on-demand (VOD) streaming platform for Bollywood and regional movies. The report is based on a demographic data and consumption pattern which resulted in insights about what Indians and Indian diaspora are viewing, read a statement.

Mayur Krishna, Content – Head at Spuul, said: “Through this study, we hoped to understand our viewers’ content preferences and how we could improve their experience on our platform.”

The data in the report was gathered from January 1 to April 30 from more than 47 million registered users of the platform in India, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and the UAE.

Salman can make a good counsellor, says Katrina Kaif

Mumbai– If there was an alternate career option for Salman Khan, he would be best suited for a counsellor’s job, says his “Bharat” co-star Katrina Kaif.

Katrina Kaif (Photo: Twitter)

Katrina spoke about it when she appeared on an episode of zoOm’s “By Invite Only”, read a statement.

“Salman is a funny guy and someone who really gives you your space and just observes. There is a certain system which Salman has and it could be tough sometimes,” Katrina said.

“But now I am used to it as we have been doing films like ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’ and now ‘Bharat’. He is not too investigative. Some actors like to give you a lot of suggestions on rehearsals, but he lets you and your director figure out your thing,” she added.

Asked about what could be the alternate career option for Salman, Katrina said: “Counsellor, people advisor”.

On a fun note when the host questioned about which actress has the right attitude, Katrina revealed that she admires Anushka Sharma. “I love Anushka,” she added.

On the most precious thing in her wardrobe, she said: “Karan Johar gifted me a collection of sweaters which are really expensive sport sweaters. He gifted them to me because I once said I love oversized sports sweaters.”

I’m open to all kinds of characters: Zareen Khan

New Delhi– Actress Zareen Khan, who will soon be seen in independent film “Hum Bhi Akele Tum Bhi Akele”, says she is open to be a part of all kinds of movies.

Zareen Khan (Photo: Twitter)

“Being an artiste, I am open to all kind of cinema and characters… especially in today’s time, the audience is not restricted to just watching commercial cinema,” Zareen told IANS over an email.

“In fact, they are welcoming different genres and all kind of films… Big, small, independent, short… doesn’t matter. What matters is the subject and the content. So, here I am learning and growing every day,” she added.

Directed by Harish Vyas, “Hum Bhi Akele Tum Bhi Akele” is an independent film by First Ray Productions. It is a story about two completely different individuals who meet at one point in life, and how they create a unique bond.

On her character, she said: “My character in the film is named Mansi. I can’t reveal much about my role yet. But I would say I had a lot of fun playing this character because most of the traits of Mansi are very similar to me as the person I am. It’s a very real and relatable character.”

The film was shot in Delhi, and the “Veer” star said she loved shooting in the national capital.

“It was an amazing experience shooting in Delhi, apart from the scorching heat as we were shooting outdoors. I explored different parts of Delhi which had never been seen before. I love the historical beauty that Delhi has and also the amazing food.”

“Hum Bhi Akele Tum Bhi Akele” is expected to release around the end of 2019, or early 2020.

Farhan, Shibani in Madrid to watch UEFA finale

Madrid– After attending the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 opening ceremony in London, actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar and his ladylove Shibani Dandekar now have their eyes set on the football field.

Farhan Akhtar (Photo: facebook)

They will witness the UEFA Champions League finale in Madrid.

Farhan has been invited by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to attend the final match which will take place between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on Saturday, read a statement.

The couple, who even visited the stadium a day before the match, shared a few photographs on social media. In one of the images, Farhan and Shibani can be seen posing in front of the UEFA Champions Trophy.

“This cup ain’t for sharing,” Farhan wrote on Instagram.

Sharing a glimpse of the stadium, Farhan shared a photograph in which he is sitting in one of the empty stands. He captioned it: “The calm before tomorrow’s storm.”

The UEFA Champions League Final will be telecast on SONY TEN 2 and SONY TEN 3 on June 2.

Won’t glorify smoking in my films: Farah Khan

Mumbai– Filmmaker Farah Khan says she will not glorify smoking via her films.

Farah was interacting with the media on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day to spread awareness about the ill-effects of tobacco at an event here.

At an event for Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA), Farah appreciated how the organisation has been trying to spread awareness among people not to consume tobacco and cigarettes.

“As a filmmaker, I have pledged that from now onwards any actor will not smoke in my films. In my films, actors don’t smoke usually, but in ‘Om Shanti Om’, the character played by Arjun Rampal smoked a cigarette…and we all know what happened with him in the end of the film…I have made a promise that I will never glorify smoking.”

Farah’s close friend Shah Rukh Khan, with whom she has collaborated in many movies, is a smoker.

Asked about the advice she would like to give to him, she said: “See, every person is responsible for themselves. There are so many people in my family who smoke, but after a point, everybody is an adult and they know what they are doing. So, I don’t think we have to preach to anybody. I can say what I can do as a responsible filmmaker.”

Farah, who is gearing up for her next multi-starrer, recently revealed that she has collaborated with Rohit Shetty to make a remake of the Bollywood classic “Satte Pe Satta”. She is still finishing its script, she said.

Got typecast as ‘bubbly’ girl: Maanvi Gagroo

New Delhi– Actress Maanvi Gagroo, who stepped into the acting field with the television show “Dhoom Machaao Dhoom” in 2007, says she got typecast as a bubbly and chubby girl in the initial days of her career.

“Most people would cast me as a ‘Punjabi bubbly girl’ and while I didn’t have a problem with these traits really, I was getting bored of playing the same character over and over again.

“Even if I tried something different within that, I was told to do it in that exact specific manner. That’s when I stopped going for these auditions,” Maanvi told IANS over phone.

With time, things changed for Maanvi as she got a chance to play different roles. She got featured in web shows like “TVF Pitchers” and “TVF Tripling”, through which Maanvi proved her versatility.

According to Maanvi, re-invention plays an important factor in a person’s growth.

“It is important for people, not just actors, to keep reinventing themselves to lead a fulfilling life,” she said.

The actress also finds innovation in the kind of web shows and films being made nowadays.

“Our living room conversations are changing. Families are changing. We’re now talking about things that were, till even a decade ago, fairly uncommon, let alone being scandalous. The smart thing to do as creators is to represent this change. Why wouldn’t we show stories that are relatable and depict characters that exist? Narratives need to change with every story, perspective as well,” she said.

After the successful run of her shows “Four More Shots Please!” and most recent “Tripling 2”, Maanvi is looking forward to a holiday.

“2019 has been rewarding in ways I can’t even imagine and I’d like that to spill onto other aspects of my life too,” she added.

I’m very greedy as an actor: Mithila Palkar

Mumbai– Actress Mithila Palkar, who has tasted success both on the silver screen and the digital platform, says she is very greedy as an actor and wants to explore as much as possible.

Mithila Palkar (Photo: Twitter)

Mithila made her acting debut in 2014 through a short film “Majha Honeymoon” and made her Bollywood debut in 2015 with “Katti Batti”. She was later seen in the movie “Karwaan” and web shows like “Girl In The City” and “Little Things”.

“I am very greedy as an actor. I want to explore as much as possible… Of course, I want to do a lot more films, of course I want to stick to the Internet and of course I want to do more of theatre. So, wherever there’s an opportunity, I will jump,” Mithila told IANS here.

The actress, who was in Forbes India’s 30 Under 30 list of Young Achievers in 2018, says she especially loves being on the web space.

“That’s where I started and I really enjoy being here (on digital platforms). I think it is the future,” said Mithila, who will next be seen in Netflix’s first India original film “Chopsticks”.

She plays a superstitious girl named Nirma. It also stars Abhay Deol and Vijay Raaz.

On her character in the film, Mithila said: “I am not like her at all in real life and I really enjoyed playing her because… You empathise with her and more than empathise, you sympathise with her. You feel for her and your heart goes out for her.”

What does she aspire to do next?

“To be a better actor than I was yesterday… that’s what I aspire to do,” she said.

Mouni Roy dropped from film ‘Bole Chudiya’

Mumbai– The producer of the Nawazuddin Siddiqui starrer upcoming film “Bole Chudiya” has replaced Bollywood actress Mouni Roy, charging her with “unprofessional behaviour”.

Explaining his move, producer Rajesh Bhatia said in a statement: “We have invested a big amount of money and if asking someone in a civil manner to be professional and be committed to the role is being rude, then, sorry, we are in the serious business of making movies with high stakes and it’s not a hobby.

“From the time we have signed her, she and her agency Toabh have been highly unprofessional and irresponsible, even after signing the MOU and paying her. Even for the final narration held two days back, she walked in at 5.30 p.m. for a 3 p.m. narration, embarrassing the producers, director and actor.

“As for the role, it’s one of the best scripts… The role of the girl in the film is central… It is amusing to hear her complaining… Frankly, I think she knows she is guilty and (is) just trying to defend herself and be in the news.”

“Bole Chudiya” marks the directorial debut of Shamas Nawab Siddiqui and is produced by Rajesh Bhatia and Kiran Bhatia under their banner Woodpecker Movies.

The film, which is going on floors in June, will see another established actress opposite Nawazuddin. The makers will soon announce the lead actress.

Mimi slams trolls for ignoring Gambhir’s parliament photo

New Delhi– Actress and newly elected MP Mimi Chakraborty, whose jeans and shirt-clad look against the backdrop of Parliament House drew a backlash on social media, has called out trolls for ignoring cricketer Gautam Gambhir’s casual photograph.

A scribe questioned on Twitter if the “fashion police” had attacked Gambhir, a BJP MP from East Delhi, yet.

“Or only for the women? I think Gautam Gambhir is looking great,” the scribe wrote.

It drew the attention of Mimi, who represented the Trinamool Congress in Jadavpur.

She commented: “No, they didn’t ma’am. It’s only because we are women probably, but Gautam Gambhir looks great.”

Gambhir was dressed in a casual round neck t-shirt, and held up his identification card to pose in front of the iconic parliament building.

Mimi’s picture was widely circulated on the Internet as she posed alongside Nusrat, the Basirhat Trinamool Congress MP, who was dressed in fitted pants and a zipped peplum top.

A section of social media users commented that they should have chosen Indian traditional wear to parliament, instead of looking like “tourists”. (IANS)

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