‘Bucket List’ one of Madhuri’s best performances: Producer
Mumbai– “Bucket List”, which marks Madhuri Dixit’s Marathi film debut, features one of the “phenomenal” actress’ “best performance” till date, says the movie’s producer.
“It’s a huge honour for us to be producing Madhuri Dixit Nene’s debut Marathi film. Being a phenomenal actor that she is, it was a delight collaborating with her on this project. We have always focussed on churning out content and subject-driven cinema and with this film too we hope to do that,” Vivek Rangachari, Head, DAR Motion Pictures, said in a statement.
“Madhuri is one of the best actresses we have and this is one of her best performances,” Rangachari added.
The film stars Madhuri in the role of a housewife named Madhura Sane who decides to rise above her marital and familial duties to fulfil her personal ‘bucket list’ of wishes. It has been described as “a slice-of-life film about a woman’s journey of self-discovery”.
Along with DAR Motion Pictures, the other producers of the film are Dark Horse Cinemas and Blue Mustang Creations.
Rape, death threats cannot be allowed on Twitter: Farhan Akhtar
Mumbai– Filmmaker-actor Farhan Akhtar has taken a jibe at the management at Twitter and said rape and death threats should not be allowed or go unpunished on the micro-blogging site.
“Top management at Twitter must re-group and decide what they would like their service to be remembered for.
“If it is for good, then they need to get smarter in its regulation. Rape and death threats cannot be allowed or go unpunished. Twitter,” said Farhan late on Thursday.
Farhan’s tweet comes after actress Richa Chadha spoke out about the constant death and rape threats she received for her opinion on Hindutva.
When Richa attempted to report the death and rape threat issued by the Twitter users, the social networking service responded saying, “No violation within context”.
On Thursday night, the “Fukrey” actress re-tweeted Farhan’s comment to the management.
‘Parmanu’ is not anti-Pakistan: John Abraham
Mumbai– “Parmanu – The Story Of Pokhran”, a Bollywood movie on India’s nuclear test in 1998, is a pro-India, but not anti-Pakistan film, says actor-producer John Abraham, while the film’s director joked it will release across 300 screens in Pakistan.
At the film’s trailer launch here on Friday, the team was asked about plans for the film’s release in Pakistan.
“It’s coming in 300 screens in Pakistan,” director Abhishek Sharma quipped. It was clarified later that he was joking.
On a serious note, John said: “To answer that question, this is not an anti-Pakistan film, it is a very pro-India film. So, we are very clear this is a film about India and we are going to celebrate this.
“If we start thinking about other markets, we would be compromising on our film. We wanted to tell the story as it is.”
Written by Saiwyn Quadras and Sanyukta Shaikh Chawla, the film also features Diana Penty, Boman Irani and Yogendra Tikku. It will release on May 25.
Arjun Kapoor to star in ‘India’s Most Wanted’
Mumbai– Arjun Kapoor has been roped in for director Raj Kumar Gupta’s upcoming film “India’s Most Wanted”. The actor says the untold story will inspire the country.
Arjun on Friday took to Twitter and shared a photograph of himself along with Gupta. The photograph had a newspaper frame, which read: “Fox Star Studios and Raj Kumar Gupta join hands for ‘India’s Most Wanted. Arjun Kapoor to play the lead. Inspired by the capture of India’s Most Wanted, without firing a single bullet. The shoot begins August 2018.”
The actor is excited about the new project.
“Honoured to be a part of an untold story that will inspire India! ‘India’s Most Wanted’, a tribute to all the unsung heroes who dedicate their lives to protect ours,” Arjun tweeted.
The movie will release on May 24, 2019. Other details of the film are still under wraps.
‘Thugs Of Hindostan’ fifth Indian film to release in IMAX format
Mumbai– Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Katrina Kaif-starrer “Thugs Of Hindostan” will be digitally remastered in the IMAX format. It is the fifth such Indian movie.
Before this, “Dhoom: 3”, “Bang Bang!”, “Baahubali 2” and “Padmaavat” have got the IMAX treatment.
The Yash Raj Films (YRF) project is slated to be the big Diwali release this year.
“Following the success of ‘Dhoom 3’, ‘Thugs of Hindostan’ continues our great partnership with Yash Raj Films and rejoins us with one of the biggest actors in the world, Aamir Khan, to bring audiences this epic movie event in the most vivid, immersive experience,” said Greg Foster, CEO of IMAX Entertainment and Senior Executive Vice President, IMAX Corp.
“We are committed to not only bringing the best Indian blockbusters to our quickly expanding network in India, which has nearly doubled in the last year, but also expanding its reach so that the audiences across the globe can enjoy this exciting, action-adventure film in the most cinematic way,” Foster added.
YRF Vice President Akshaye Widhwani said “Thugs Of Hindostan” will see the widest ever IMAX screen release for an Indian movie.
Directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya, the mega action entertainer also features Fatima Sana Sheikh.
I’ll be never be able to do direction: Amitabh Bachchan
Mumbai– Amitabh Bachchan who has inspired many generations of actors with his impeccable acting talent has revealed one of his weaknesses that he will never be able to direct a film.
Amitabh Bachchan was interacting with media along with Rishi Kapoor, Jimit Trivedi director Umesh Shukla and writer Saumya Shukla at success meet of recently released film “102 Not Out” on Thursday in Mumbai.
Bachchan has acted, produced, sung songs and composed songs for numerous movies, so when asked if he will turn director for a film, he said: “I don’t know direction and I’ll never be able to do that. Actually that’s a question, I always wanted to know why and what goes through a director’s mind when he has to place a camera in a particular angle and position.”
Recipient of four national awards and many other awards when asked whether he feels relaxed before release of every film after working in film industry over almost 49 years, Big B said: “No… It’s always a fear. Much before the film’s actual release that’s what we talk about. What is going to happen? How many theatres? How much do we expect?are they going to accept the film?
He said your first weekend collection (Friday- Sunday), if it is say, 10 crores and if you multiply it by 3 that is the estimate which your film eventually will do so, I don’t understand that much but if that’s the assumption that we take mathematically so, we are on good ground with ‘102 Not Out'”
Amitabh Bachchan next will be seen in Viay Krishna Acharya’s ‘Thugs of Hiundostan’ followed by Ayan Mukherji’s triology ‘Brahmastra’.
Sanya Malhotra to gain weight for Vishal Bhardwaj’s film
Mumbai– “Dangal” fame actress Sanya Malhotra has to gain weight for Vishal Bhardwaj’s “Chhuriyaan”. She says she loves the constant body transformation that she goes through as a performer.
For “Dangal”, Sanya had worked hard on her body to play a wrestler.
On going through physical and mental changes as an actress, Sanya told IANS: “This is a very interesting part of my job as an actress where I am going through a certain physical transformation with films that I am doing. I knew nothing about wrestling when I auditioned for ‘Dangal’.
“My body went through a huge transformation during the shooting of the film, my body language changed and I gained a lot of physical strength. Now, in Vishalji’s film, I have to gain weight for the second half of the film.”
A series of learning and un-learning goes on for an actor.
“Your body weight changes your body language at times. I have been working with some of the best in the business. That is why it is a good learning curve for me.
“One of the major things one learns by working with these great directors is how to look and feel the part.
“As an actor, once I internalise the psyche of the character, I build up the body language,” added the actress, who has three films in her kitty now.
Asked about how she is planning to gain weight, Sanya said: “By doing what I do the best — eating. I love eating and this time I will be eating everything for a reason. This is going to be so much fun.”
Sanya has finished shooting for “Badhaai Ho” opposite Ayushmann Khurrana. She is also working in Ritesh Batra’s upcoming film “Photograph” with National Award-winning actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui.
Sonakshi’s 24-hour trip to India
Mumbai– Actress Sonakshi Sinha took a short break from shooting “Happy Phir Bhag Jayegi” to come back to India for a quick trip.
The actress came from Malaysia for just a day to complete her brand commitment in India.
“Sonakshi is currently in Kuala Lumpur shooting for Aanand L Rai produced ‘Happy Phir Bhag Jayegi’. She requested for a day off from her shoot schedule to fulfil a past commitment she made to one of the brands she endorses,” her spokesperson said in a statement to IANS.
The spokesperson added: “For a meet and greet scheduled in Delhi with the media, she took an early morning flight from Kuala Lumpur to Delhi to be part of the event scheduled for that evening. She landed in Delhi, got ready and was at the event in time to fulfil her ambassador duties.
“That same night, after the event, Sonakshi took the last flight out back to Kuala Lumpur and resumed her shoot for the film the next morning. The brand team was happy and humbled by her commitment.”
Our family is our strength: Sonam Kapoor
Mumbai– Actress Sonam Kapoor has expressed gratitude to her family members, friends and to everyone else who made her “spectacular” wedding to Anand Ahuja special.
Sonam on Friday took to Instagram with two separate posts — one thanking her family members and another thanking the team that spent days in ensuring the actress and her groom’s dream wedding turned into a reality.
Sharing a moment from their wedding day, Sonam, who now goes by ‘SonamKAhuja’ on Instagram, wrote: “Our family is our strength.”
She went on to thank her mother Sunita Kapoor for being “the best mom in the whole wide world for making this happen in such a spectacular fashion”, father Anil Kapoor for being “such an amazing host and loving Anand and I so unconditionally”, her younger sister Rhea for being her “best friend” and “partner”; and her actor brother Harvarshdhan for being the “knight in shining armour”.
“Also to all our friends and family who made it from far and wide at such short notice Anand and I love each and every one of you for loving us enough to want to make it for our big day! Love you all,” she added.
The “Khoobsurat” actress, who is now gearing up for a walk at the Cannes Film Festival red carpet, also acknowledged the effort put in by everyone else for making the wedding “the most magical two days of our lives”. From the wedding planner to the photographer to the make-up team, the designers to those who made the mementos, her PR team, the media and more — Sonam wrote a thank you note for all. (IANS)
