Amitabh, Shweta travel in auto-rickshaw for ‘work’
Mumbai– Megastar Amitabh Bachchan and his daughter Shweta Bachchan-Nanda took an auto-rickshaw ride to go for work.
“I travel today for the work in the greatly in demand and preferred mode of travel, the auto, the auto rickshaw… The auto, the rick — call it what you may,” Big B wrote on his blog.
“How on earth did this word rickshaw develop in India or where the British may have invented it in their Colonial occupation, but the facts are pretty close there is debate on its origin and Japan, UK, USA seem to be the forerunners of this invention
“Mr GoolgeLoyd the master of all information claims it to have been invented from the Japanese word — jinrikisha,” he added.
Amitabh also shared a few photographs of himself and his daughter in the auto-rickshaw. In one image, he is seen sitting next to his daughter, who is seen wearing a yellow salwaar kameez.
In another photograph, he is seen holding a walking stick and speaking to the driver.
“And the ever smiling driver cum owner, Shareek, is asked by me what he earns in a day Rs 1500 – 1800, he smilingly informs, when used for shoots a lot more at times Rs 5000,” he wrote.
The 75-year-old actor also said that he feels helpless.
“I admire this India. I admire this world. I feel helpless and withdrawn. I am in gifted birth. I am in blessed existence not all are. So give, give to redeem to needed. Just give and not ask where whom when and why. Just,” he added.
On the film front, the actor will next be seen in “Thugs Of Hindostan” along with Aamir Khan, Fatima Sana Sheikh and Katrina Kaif.
TV is still stuck in the past: Shama Sikander
New Delhi– Actress Shama Sikander, who is fondly remembered as Pooja from “Yeh Meri Life Hai”, is consciously staying away from TV and says the small screen in still stuck in the past.
Pooja was last seen as Bhayankar Pari from “Baal Veer” in 2014, but she chose the digital medium to make her comeback in 2016 with “Sexaholic”.
Asked if she is consciously staying away from TV, Shama told IANS: “At this moment Yes. I honestly have not found anything interesting on TV yet.”
Ever since her comeback, Shama has mostly worked on web-series and movies like “Maaya”. She will now be seen in “Ab Dil Ki Sun”, a series of seven short films. Each film is from five to 14 minutes long and talks about the problems that are pushing the new generation towards mental illnesses like depression or bipolar disorder.
Does Shama prefer the digital medium over the small and the big screen?
“I love all mediums as long as they are exciting for me to do but TV somehow is still stuck in the past unfortunately. and I completely understand the need for it because of the target audience,” she said.
She says on the big screen and on the web there is a lot more freedom.
“I am more of a movie or web person myself as a viewer as there is a lot of freedom and a lot more to do for someone like me as I like to challenge myself every time I am doing something. So I prefer movies or web at this moment in India. As an artist,” she said.
I work towards breaking patterns of my body: Sonakshi Sinha
Mumbai– Actress Sonakshi Sinha says her goal is to consistently push her limits to be the best version of herself.
“My goal is to consistently push my limits to be the best version of myself everyday. I have never been (like) this before. Now that I’m here, I only want to get better and better,” Sonakshi said in a statement to IANS.
“I work towards breaking the patterns of my body and challenging it’s awareness with everything I do — from my diet to my exercise routine. At the end of the day, it is hard work and dedication that pays off because in the long term, there are no shortcuts,” she added.
Sonakshi and her “Kalank” co-star Varun Dhawan keep posting their fitness story on Instagram. They use the medium to post clips from their work out session.
The actress will next be seen in “Happy Phir Bhaag Jayegi”, a sequel to “Happy Bhag Jayegi”. Made under the banner of Eros International and Aanand L Rai’s Colour Yellow Productions, the film is set to release on August 24.
She is also working on Abhishek Varman’s “Kalank” and Salman Khan starrer “Dabangg 3”.
Neeta Lulla to speak at Italian cinema fest
New Delhi– National award-winning designer Neeta Lulla is set to speak at the closing ceremony of Fare Cinema, the international week of Italian cinema.
Avid Learning and Italian Embassy Cultural Centre in association with Vogue India will present a first of its kind panel discussion titled “Cine Couture: Costuming For The Camera” on Friday, read a statement .
Chairing the discussion will be Italian costume designer Daniela Ciancio, who will be making her maiden visit to India.
From cross-cultural comparisons between American, Italian, and Indian cinema, the fest will hold a discussion on processes and production of costume design, its role as a cinematic device and its larger part in shaping cultural ideologies.
While Ciancio has designed the costumes of films like “La Grande Bellezza” and “Il Divo” among others, Lulla has designed for “Jodhaa Akbar”, “Mohenjo Daro” and is on board to design for “Panipat” and “Manikarnika”.
“A designer’s work exists to actualize the screenplay, defining the people and the places, a marriage of concept and imagery. That’s why costume designers are called the language of film design,” said Lulla.
This panel will be the concluding event of the ongoing edition of “Fare Cinema – The International Week Of Italian Cinema”, a concerted programme, which the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-Operation (MAECI) has launched to promote Italian quality film production abroad.
Asad Lalljee, CEO, Avid Learning & SVP, Essar Group said: “At Avid, we are always keen to support new voices and introduce alternative perspectives from the world over while strengthening our cultural relations. We are delighted to present yet another fine mind from Italy in Daniela.”
Don’t believe in endorsing something I don’t use: Virat Kohli
New Delhi– Cricket captain Virat Kohli says being a brand ambassador comes with its share of responsibilities.
Virat has launched the first performance footwear from the brand evoSpeed One8 for Puma.
Asked if being a brand ambassador is a huge responsibility, Virat told IANS in an e-mail interview: “I certainly believe that being a brand endorser comes with its share of responsibilities. While endorsing a brand, you are essentially putting your stamp of approval on it, and asking your fans to follow suit and use it.
“Personally, I do not believe in representing something that I myself do not use, which is a main reason why I do not sign on with brands that I do not consume,” he added.
Talking about his evoSpeed One8, he says he has been a part of it since the beginning.
“In case of evoSpeed One8, I have been involved right from the development phase of the footwear, and I am happy to see the product come to life,” he added.
On the work front, Virat’s team Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has been knocked out of the ongoing Indian Premier League.
I value every relationship in my life: Kareena Kapoor
Mumbai– Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan says friends play an integral part in her life.
The actress talked about her friends during a conversation with actor Aparshakti Khurrana when she became a part of a two-hour special show “Cricket Final Party Toh Banti Hai”. The Star Plus show “Cricket Final Party Toh Banti Hai” followed by the final match will be aired on the channel on May 27, read a statement to IANS.
“I value every relationship in my life, especially my friends. They are the most important people for me,” Kareena said in a statement to IANS.
“In fact, I wouldn’t have been married right now, if it wasn’t for them. They have always loved and supported me and have been with me through thick and thin in life. They will continue to be an integral part of my life,” she added.
Hrithik Roshan is a fan of Vidya Vox
Mumbai– Actor Hrithik Roshan says he is a fan of Indo-American singer and YouTube sensation Vidya Iyer, famously known as Vidya Vox.
Hrithik on Tuesday shared a photograph of himself along with Vidya.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Vidya Vox is in the house! My house! What do I say, I’m such a fan. Thank you for the music Vidya Vox. Was wonderful meeting you and Shankar (Tucker),” he wrote alongside the image.
An overwhelmed Vidya said she was on cloud nine after meeting the “Bang Bang!” actor.
“When dreams come true! Hrithik you are the best and I cannot believe I got hang with you! Still on cloud nine!” she wrote.
Vidya is known for mixing western pop, electronic dance music, and Indian classical music.
She launched her YouTube channel in 2015 with mashups of Western pop hits and music from her native India, Vidya has amassed over over 400 million views, and her channel has accumulated over 4.2 million subscribers.
Her popular mashups include “Closer/Kabira”, “Lean On” and “Jind Mahi”.
Lately I have been giving extra care to my skin: Sonu Sood
Mumbai– Actor Sonu Sood says he has started giving extra care to his skin especially when he is travelling a lot.
“As an actor it is important to take care of yourself and lately I’ve been giving extra care to my skin due to all the outdoor shoots causing sunburns and tans. It’s important to take care of your skin and get regular facials and treatments, especially if you are travelling a lot,” he said.
The actor was present at the new franchise launch of Lakmé Salon at Yari Road here. The new unisex salon offers the latest trends in hair, makeup with beauty services.
“Salons for ages saw only female visitors with select men coming for services. Times have now changed. Today, you will spot a lot of men visiting salons as well. They take as much care in grooming themselves as a woman does,” said Sonu.
Pushkaraj Shenai, CEO, Lakmé Lever, is happy to have the talented Sonu Sood show support for the brand.
“It a pleasure to have him inaugurate our new salon in Yari Road. We aspire to take the Lakmé Salon – Runway Excellence Everyday – promise across the length and breadth of the country by adding 2 salons every week to our current beauty footprint of over 390 Lakmé Salons across 110 cities,” said Shenai.
John, Diana go on Parmanu Pride Parade in heart of Delhi
New Delhi– As actors John Abraham and Diana Penty undertook a ride on an open jeep in the inner circle of Delhi’s Connaught Place to promote their forthcoming film “Parmanu – The Story of Pokhran”, the crowd followed them on what they called the Parmanu Pride Parade.
Star-struck fans walked along and cars and scooters surrounded the jeep, with people trying to capture the two celebrities on their smartphones. They took 15 minutes to complete a round.
Explaining the unique idea, John told IANS here: “Honestly, I was asked to go to a mall where there are 20,000 people. But I said ‘Listen, our film is not about a mall, so let’s use this as an excuse to let people feel proud about the country’. We only hear negative things in the news about India and it’s quite disheartening.
“So I thought let’s use today, make it an example and get people out and ask them what it is it about India that they love.”
John had, through social media, spread the word about the parade so that people could join in.
His message to the fans read: “Today let us unite for the Parmanu Pride Parade, which celebrates a proud historic moment that put India on the global map. Be there 5 p.m. at Connaught Place as team ‘Parmanu’ walks in the glory of our nation! Feel proud as an Indian. We are part of this proud moment, are you?”
“Parmanu – The Story of Pokhran”, releasing on Friday, is about the nuclear tests India conducted in 1998.
John, who has produced the film, has been promoting the movie actively. He says the promotions have been “strategic” as the film is a “different beast”. (IANS)
