Big B is better now, coping well: Aamir Khan
Mumbai– Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, who turned 53 on Wednesday, said his “Thugs of Hindostan” co-star Amitabh Bachchan’s health is better now and he is back to shooting.
The actors have been shooting for the movie in Jodhpur.
“I shot with Amitji last night itself. It’s true that he has pain in the shoulder and back. But this film also has a lot of action scenes for him. I think it is after a lot of years that you will see Amitji doing a lot of action. So, it’s definitely a challenging film for him and he is coping very well with it,” Aamir told the media here.
“He has had a shoulder and back injury. The pain had got aggravated day before, but he is better now,” he added.
Aamir, who is in Mumbai just for a day for his birthday, celebrated his special day with mediapersons.
The actor hopes “Thugs of Hindostan” reflects the hard work being put in.
“I hope the work we are doing on ‘Thugs of Hindostan’ is good and people really like it. I want that the film that I am working in with Amitji is memorable. This is my expectation from the film,” he said.
The movie, being directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya, also features Katrina Kaif and Fatima Sana Sheikh. Parts of it are being shot at Jodhpur’s Mehrangarh Fort, from where Big B has been sharing some picturesque updates.
In his blog on Tuesday, he revealed his health was not up to the mark, and that’s why doctors were called in from Mumbai to “fiddle around” with his body.
Samant Chauhan styles up men with salt-and-pepper look
New Delhi– A month after filmmaker Karan Johar hit the ramp sporting grey spikes, designer Samant Chauhan picked men aged over 40 as his showstoppers for the opening show of the Amazon India Fashion Week (AIFW) Autumn-Winter 2018 here on Wednesday.
The designer switched to reverse gear to present his line. He attempted to look beyond the rainbow and took the attendees to a black world.
“Maybe I am colour blind and I don’t have the colour sense. All my workers and weavers were tired of doing off-white. So this was a change. We tried to change everything and do things on reverse.
“The best garment came first and the light garments later in the show,” said the designer, whose first model wore a black net fabric high neck gown with zari and glass embroidery.
Apart from female models, who wore black fused silk fabric jacket, pleated tube gown, cotton silk dress and more, nine men in their 40s, 50s and 60s also hit the ramp.
“I didn’t want regular and conventional models to walk the ramp. The salt-and-pepper look is in fashion. Some of them are retired IAS officers and army officers,” Chauhan told IANS.
Former photographer Manpreet Romana was also one of the nine men who walked for Chauhan.
“Samant is a very good friend. I somehow got dragged into it. It was my first time on the ramp. It was very awkward but also fun,” said the 43-year-old.
The collection also complemented the black and white decor of the venue.
Indian film market has same potential as China: Aamir Khan
Mumbai– Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, whose films have got unprecedented attention in China, says the Indian movie market also has the same potential but it needs the right infrastructure to garner huge numbers at the box office.
Aamir, along with his wife Kiran Rao, hosted his annual media interaction on his 53rd birthday here on Wednesday.
As his movies “Dangal” and “Secret Superstar” have minted more money in China than they did in India, Aamir was asked about the difference in the potential between both the markets.
He said: “I think India has as big a potential as China. I just feel that China has done major investment in the entertainment industry and its administration is also supportive. They have built up a lot of screens, and that is why the business has gone up.
“I think if we build many more theatres here in India, which is such a large country with a huge population, we will get the same kind of growth in the entertainment and film industry. So it is just the matter of building the infrastructure in India.”
On the discussion that actors need to consider “fee cutting”, Aamir said: “Actually I don’t charge a fee. People don’t know that but it has been years since I have stopped charging a fee.
“If the film makes less money, I make less money, and if the film makes more money, I make more money,” said the actor, who has been regaling Bollywood audiences for over two decades.
Aamir, who is now busy shooting for “Thugs of Hindostan”, said his wife Kiran Rao is the driving force in his life.
“Kiran is someone who has been a major force in my life. I think since Kiran came into my life, I feel that some changes have happened with me. Earlier, I was quite intense and serious, but now I feel a sense of joy and energy in me.”
Gauhar to launch her clothing line on mother’s birthday
Mumbai– Actress Gauhar Khan has chosen her mother’s birthday on Thursday to launch her clothing line.
Gauhar, who credits her mother for her sense of style, said the plan was always to launch the collection on an appropriate day.
She said in a statement: “What better day it could be than my mom’s birthday as she has been my ultimate fashionista since my childhood. As a kid, I used to always admire the way our mom dressed us up.
“Even though we had a humble living but my mom would make sure that she would not make her kids step out of the house without socks and shoes and also clips in my hair.
“My sense of style comes a lot from my mother and the way she kept us. Her saris would mesmerise everybody around her and I used to always take pride in the way my mom carried her personality in any outfit she wore be it nightwear or saris.”
Eisha Singh enjoys doing shows with social messages
New Delhi– After starring in “Ishq Ka Rang Safed” that highlighted the plight of widows, Eisha Singh will play a character who has a strong opinion about ‘triple talaq’. The young actress feels happy to get such “good offers”.
In Zee TV’s new fiction show, “Ishq Subhan Allah”, the 19-year-old plays the role of Zara who is a well-educated young woman. She applies the teachings of Islam to a logical and liberal way of life.
Asked about picking shows with social messages, Eisha told IANS over phone from Mumbai: “In one show, I played a young widow. This show is about women empowerment. I am getting so many good offers. So, it is exciting to do such shows.”
Apart from women empowerment, the show raises its voice against triple talaq. Scared of controversies?
“When it comes to religion, people get very sensitive but still we must know how to handle such subjects. Triple talaq is a sensitive topic. Our writers and makers of the show need to be careful. I am also careful enough and make sure that I don’t hurt anybody’s sentiments through my role,” she said.
So far, it has been a learning experience for Eisha.
“I am learning Urdu. There are certain words that I had to repeat at least 30 to 40 times to pronounce them properly. I was born and brought up in a typical Hindu family, but the plus point is that I am from Bhopal so I am familiar with the culture,” she said.
“I also learnt how to perform namaaz. Islam is such a beautiful religion,” she added.
But what’s her take on triple talaq? Should it be considered a punishable offence?
“I will stick to my show. Like during ‘nikaah’, if you need a woman’s consent, then why not during divorce? They (men) don’t ask women. That is bad. If you talk about equality, both (men and women) should have a say in this and have equal rights,” she said.
Ashutosh Gowariker to make film on third Battle of Panipat
Mumbai– Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, who has always been fascinated by historical dramas, is set to make a movie on “Panipat”, which will tell the story of what led to the third Battle of Panipat.
He has cast Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt and Kriti Sanon for the ambitious project, for which Gowariker has joined hands with Rohit Shelatkar’s Vision World.
On the casting, Gowariker said in a statement: “I have shared screen space with Sanjay in ‘Naam’, which was a memorable co-acting experience and now it will be great to direct such a versatile and immensely talented actor as him.
“What impresses me most about Arjun, apart from his fine performances – is his dynamism. He has played double roles twice, and he has portrayed an action hero as well as a lover boy.
“I needed someone really beautiful as well as a good performer, and Kriti is both. The eclectic combination of these three is a first for me, and I look forward to this exciting journey with them called ‘Panipat’.
The film is based on one of the most epic battles in India’s history. It was fought between the northern expeditionary force of the Maratha Empire and the invading forces of the King of Afghanistan, Ahmad Shah Abdali, supported by two Indian allies – the Rohilla Afghans of the Doab and Shuja-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Awadh.
One Republic excited about maiden gig in India
Mumbai– American rock-pop band One Republic will be performing in India for the first time in April, and they are looking forward to exploring the “beautiful country” along with playing for the Indian audience.
The band, which is made up of Ryan Tedder, Brent Kutzle, Eddie Fisher, Drew Brown and Zach Filkins, will perform at MMRDA Grounds, Bandra Kurla Complex here on April 21, read a statement.
In a joint statement, the band members expressed their excitement about the gig.
“We’ve wanted to visit India for years, and are beyond excited to finally get the chance to not only perform a full concert but also explore your beautiful country. See you soon,” they said.
India’s event management company Opium Events is getting the band to India.
“We have been in talks with the management since over six months now as we realise that the band enjoys a great repertoire in the country with a significant fanbase originating out of India,” said Cyrus Gorimar, Director, Opium Events And Production.
“Our pre-registrations have seen a phenomenal response with more than 10,000 registrations received in a span of 24 hours and we are anticipating close to 15,000 fans for the event.
“The production and scale of the event will be extraordinary with a multi-crore spend invested into the event,” added Gorimar, who is also an avid rock musician.
The band was formed in Colorado in the year 2002, and is credited for hits likes “Apologize”, “Secrets”, “Good life”, “Counting stars” and “Oh my my”.
Apart from India, the Grammy-nominated band will also perform in Singapore, South Korea, China, Malaysia as part of their two-week Asia tour.
Surbhi turns teacher on ‘Ishqbaaaz’ set
Mumbai– Actress Surbhi Chandna utilises her free time to teach a nine-year-old on the sets of the show “Ishqbaaaz”.
The child actor Aayudh has joined the cast of the Star Plus show.
“I love children and even when my on screen brother Sahil comes on set, I teach him as well whenever we have time in between shots. Aayudh is a very sweet child. Whenever I am free, we spend time and I help him complete his homework,” Surbhi said in a statement.
Aayudh’s character claims to be the son of one of the Oberoi brothers; Shivaay, Omkara and Rudra. (IANS)
