Amitabh questions Twitter over ‘constant’ followers
Mumabi– Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, one of the most widely followed Indian celebrities on Twitter, has questioned the micro-blogging platform’s management about how they manage to keep the number of followers constant.
“Dear Twitter Management, it’s quite amazing how you manage to keep numbers of followers constant and not moving at all despite maximum activity??? Well done! I mean how do you keep the score board from not moving despite every ball being hit for a 6!” tweeted Amitabh, 75.
His “well done!” comment was accompanied by clap emojis.
Big B’s official and verified Twitter handle @SrBachchan has 34.3 million followers.
Earlier this year, the veteran actor had threatened to quit Twitter, accusing the micro-blogging website of reducing his followers. That time, the fan following of Big B quickly dropped from 33 million to 32.9 million. It led a team of officials from Twitter to met him.
On the film front, Amitabh will be seen in “102 Not Out”, which he has been extensively promoting via his tweets.
Karan Johar confirms Vikram Batra biopic
Mumbai– Filmmaker Karan Johar on Thursday confirmed he is producing a biopic on Kargil war hero Vikram Batra, with actor Sidharth Malhotra playing the lead role.
Sidharth, whose Bollywood career was launched by Karan with “Student Of The Year”, is excited about taking on the role as ‘Sher Shah’ Vikram Batra, whose story he finds inspirational.
“Vikram Batra’s life story will inspire you and bring a smile on your face. I am really excited to play the character and the shoot commences this year,” Sidharth said in a statement.
The Kargil hero was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra – India’s highest war-time gallantry award,
The film will be produced by Dharma Productions and Shabbir Boxwala and will be directed by Vishnu Varadhan from a story written by Sandeep Srivastava.
Karan tweeted that it was time to relive “Yeh Dil Mangey More” — Batra’s oft-quoted phrase.
He described it as “the true story of bravery and patriotism – the chronicles of Kargil war hero Vikram Batra”.
“True stories are always the best stories to tell,” Karan had tweeted before the announcement.
Katrina is same despite fame: Isabelle
New Delhi– Actress Isabelle Kaif, who is preparing for a “hectic” life in the film industry, says her sister and actress Katrina Kaif has not changed after gaining fame.
Isabelle, who made her acting debut with “Dr. Cabbie”, spoke about Katrina in GQ India’s May 2018 issue.
“It didn’t change much for me and my family, except that we were suddenly seeing her on magazine covers, in ads and on billboards. But she’s been the same before and after the fame,” Isabelle said.
“The thing that changed the most was the way we travelled. People treated me a lot differently when I travelled with her,” she added.
What’s the best advice Katrina has given to you?
“To not get caught up in the hectic nature of the work. To take it day by day, and to give my best every day.”
The actress will be seen in dance film “Time to Dance”, to be helmed by Stanley D’Costa. She will share the frame with actor Sooraj Pancholi.
Isabelle says she would like to work with superstar Aamir Khan.
“I really like Shahid Kapoor and Varun Dhawan. And it would be a dream to work with Aamir Khan. I watched a lot of his films growing up, especially ‘Lagaan’, because that was my mother’s favourite. Every time I watched ‘Fanaa’, I’d weep. If I had to pick international actors, it’d definitely be Benedict Cumberbatch. But the other day, I saw ‘Baby Driver’, and loved Ansel Elgort in it.”
On her features, Isabelle said: “Katrina’s 5’10”, I’ve got another sister who’s 6 ft tall! So, I’m a little insecure about my height.”
Ranveer is really attached to ‘Gully Boy’ story
Mumbai– Actor Ranveer Singh, who has already finished the shooting of Zoya Akhtar’s “Gully Boy”, says that he is really attached to the story of the film.
Ranveer was interacting with media as he unveiled Carrera eyewear’s #DriveYourStory campaign and premiere of short film based on his life journey on Wednesday, here.
Talking about his upcoming films in detail, Ranveer said: “I have just completed shooting of ‘Gully Boy’. It is a very special story, one that I am closely attached to. It is set against the backdrop of flourishing desi hip hop scene coming out of Bombay (Mumbai).”
“It is the story which represents Mumbai in its true sense and the city is my home town, these are my people, this is my language so this is the story I am really attached to. It’s an underdog story about a kid who broke through from great adversity in life to make it as a recording artist,” he added.
Ranveer, who made his Bollywood debut with Yash Raj film’s “Band Baaja Baaraat” was last seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Padmaavat” playing character of Alauddin Khilji which received extremely positive reviews form audience and critics.
When asked that what are the words of wisdom he would like to give to youngsters of the country, Ranveer said: “You just have to believe in yourself and pursue what you are truly passionate about. If it’s coming on from your heart, its right. You shouldn’t think that anything out of your reach and far fetched or impossible you to achieve.”
I love experimenting with roles: Tanvi Dogra
Mumbai– Actress Tanvi Dogra says she likes to play different characters on-screen.
In the current track of the show “Jiji Maa”, Falguni (Tanvi) is asked to leave the house. She comes back to the house disguised as a Haryanvi character — Lajwanti Dhaiya aka Lazzer.
“The new look is completely different from the one as Falguni. I love experimenting with roles and for a change this character doesn’t take much time to get ready. Instead of saris and jewellery, her look is simple and ‘desi’. It was fun to prepare for the character of Lazzer,” Tanvi said in a statement.
“Jiji Maa” is aired on Star Bharat.
Vinod Khanna’s family emotional over posthumous Dadasaheb Phalke Award
New Delhi– Vinod Khanna’s family members, who were here to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, conferred posthumously, at the 65th National Film Awards on Thursday, said it was a proud and emotional moment.
Vinod Khanna’s wife Kavita was accompanied by son and actor Akshaye at the Vigyan Bhawan here to receive the honour.
Ahead of the ceremony, Akshaye said: “It is very humbling as a son to be receiving this on his behalf. It’s a very proud and emotional moment for all of us.”
Kavita said: “It’s such a happy occasion and time of great pride for us, for the family, for all his fans and for everyone who loves him. There’s also a sense of his not being here to receive it.
“But I am so happy Akshay is going to receive it on his behalf… There can be no one better than Akshay to receive this on his behalf.”
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award was this year among the select 11 categories of honours distributed by President Ram Nath Kovind. The rest were given out by Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani and Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.
Vinod Khanna died last year following prolonged illness. He was 70.
Honouring him with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award was a collective decision of the 65th National Film Awards jury, chaired by filmmaker Shekhar Kapur.
The actor had starred in some of the biggest Bollywood hits like “Mere Apne”, “Insaaf”, “Parvarish Muqaddar Ka Sikandar”, “Qurbani”, “Dayavaan”, “Mera Gaon Mera Desh”, “Chandni”, “The Burning Train” and “Amar, Akbar, Anthony”.
He also pursued a political career as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member of the Lok Sabha from Punjab’s Gurdaspur constituency and had also been a Union Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. (IANS)