My bucket list is constantly changing: Madhuri

Mumbai– Actress Madhuri Dixit-Nene says her bucket list keeps changing as she finds new challenges.

“My bucket list is constantly changing as I find new challenges. The moment I cross out things done, I add a few more I want to do. But ultimately it is about embracing life and enjoying the journey,” Madhuri tweeted on Monday morning.

The actress, 50, is gearing up for the release of her maiden Marathi film “Bucket List”, the trailer of which released on Sunday night.

Besides starring in “Bucket List”, she is also reportedly producing another upcoming Marathi film — “15 August”.

Madhuri was last seen on-screen in “Gulaab Gang” and in Vishal Bharadwaj’s “Dedh Ishqiya” with Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi in 2014.

Directed by Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar, “Bucket List” has been produced by DAR Motion Pictures, Dark Horse Cinemas and Blue Mustang Creations.

Tearing away from formalities of celebrity is a task: Big B

Mumbai– Megastar Amitabh Bachchan says that no matter how much others celebrate his contribution to Indian cinema, it will remain a “closed chapter” for him. However, he feels that “tearing oneself away from the celebrity is a task” and he doesn’t believe in it.

Filled with gratitude after his meetings with fans who stand outside his home Jalsa here every Sunday to get a glimpse of him, Big B posted his thoughts on his blog.

“What brings them here each Sunday is a mystery and a cause for mistaken identity… Surely they must mistake for another… surely… But no they come …standing and waiting for hours before, just so they can wave at me and hope for a reciprocal gesture… That is all… Mostly the operation is valid and over within those minor minutes… and then back to the grind.

“Tearing oneself away from the formalities of celebrity is a task… I do not believe in it and never shall… others may wish to contribute and celebrate the tenure and so called ‘contribution’ to cinema from me. But that shall never happen. It shall remain a closed chapter … not to be opened ever.”

Big B was touched with a visit by a differently challenged young boy.

“I asked him to be brought in, he was without speech and mobility but a determined poise of one that had refused to give up. It was joy to witness the joy on his face. I asked him what he needed, he tugged at his shirt… clothes. I gave him a bundle of my own.

“He extended his delicate hand, rough and strong, because that is what he uses to move about, and I arranged fro him to be dropped home. My people did so and reported he was homeless and lived on the pavement out side a high rise in the suburbs,” said the actor, adding that it is important for people to count their blessings.

Tiger Shroff launches unique workout

Bengaluru– Actor Tiger Shroff’s newly launched active lifestyle brand Prowl has partnered with Cure.fit, a health and wellness startup to co-create an exclusive workout format.

The workout, which comprises a unique mix of combat, dance, and functional fitness done to foot-tapping music, will be available for all members of cult.fit, the fitness vertical of Cure.fit.

Tiger had recently launched his active lifestyle brand Prowl, which is a result of his association with Mojostar, a celebrity-driven house of brands.

“I have co-created and co-own Prowl. As part of this collaboration with Cure.fit, along with the master trainers at Cult, I have co-curated a unique and fresh workout. I am extremely delighted to partner with Cure.fit,” Tiger told IANS in an email interview.

The Prowl workout will be led by Tiger, a well-regarded fitness enthusiast, athlete, and ace dancer.

The workout, a dance fitness routine, has been exclusively devised by Cult.fit’s master trainer Shwetambari Shetty and Tiger.

Mukesh Bansal, Co-founder, Cure.fit, said: “Cult’s ethos has always been to break free from the monotony of dull workouts and keep yourself motivated to stay fit, the fun way.”

Earlier this month, Prowl’s range of functional yet highly-stylish clothing and accessories, which allow today’s always-active individuals to smoothly transition from one activity to another without compromising on the style, was launched.

Sircar didn’t hold workshops for ‘October’: Banita

 (17:14)  Mumbai, March 26 (IANS) Filmmaker Shoojit Sircar did not hold workshops for the actors of his forthcoming film “October” as he wanted raw emotions, says newcomer Banita Sandhu.

“Shoojit Sir wanted raw emotions, hence there were no workshops held for us. This helped us to explore ourselves and bring out our emotions in the most natural manner,” Banita said in a statement.

“I could not have asked for a better debut than ‘October’. Having worked with him in an ad before, Shoojit Sir is par excellence,” she added.

Her co-star Varun Dhawan, known for films like “Judwaa 2” and “Badlapur”, called Sircar a “genius”.

“His style of working has not only made me grow as an actor but also changed me personally as a human being. My brief was simple, I had to play myself onscreen. I was amazed to see my own performance in the film and it wouldn’t have been possible without him,” said the son of filmmaker David Dhawan.

“October” is set to release on April 13.

Actor Arun Singh to enter ‘Mere Sai’

Mumbai– Veteran actor Arun Singh, who has featured in movies such as “Gadar – Ek Prem Kahani” and “Toilet – Ek Prem Katha”, will be seen playing the role of Devidas on the show “Mere Sai”.

His character is a guru who has visited different holy places and gained knowledge.

“I am enacting the role of Devidas, who is a knowledgeable person in terms of divinity and devotion. As per the story, he returns to Shirdi from the Himalayas after many years and realises that people are talking about Sai in the entire village,” Arun said in a statement.

“His pride is hurt and he challenges Sai for a shastrarth, a duel about who possesses superior knowledge about God and religion. Working on the sets of ‘Mere Sai’ is a wonderful experience and the entire set has a positive atmosphere. The first time when I came to the set, I felt that I was visiting a religious place,” he added.

“Mere Sai” is aired on Sony Entertainment Television.

Can’t be part of ‘Simmba’ due to injury: Madhavan

Mumbai– Actor R. Madhavan says he can’t be a part of Rohit Shetty’s “Simmba” due to an injury.

Madhavan underwent a shoulder surgery last month, and since he is recuperating, he had to even withdraw from joining actor Saif Ali Khan in Navdeep Singh’s historical drama, which is heavy on action scenes. Now the actor also won’t be seen in “Simmba”, in which he was reportedly going to play the villain.

“Hey folks… So I am a huge crazy fan of Rohit Shetty and his films. As is my son. It breaks both our hearts that I’m not able to be a part of this film because of my injury. I’m well on my way to recovery but this is a huge opportunity and excitement lost,” Madhavan tweeted on Sunday.

Madhavan was last seen in web series “Breathe”, which explores the life of an ordinary man facing extraordinary circumstances.

“”The injury kind of ruined everything,” the actor had told IANS in an earlier interview after he had to opt out of the Saif-starrer.

Being directed by Shoojit my biggest achievement: Varun Dhawan

Mumbai– Actor Varun Dhawan, who is gearing up for the release of “October”, says being directed by Shoojit Sircar in the film has been one of his biggest achievements.

“I would do nothing different. Surrendering to Shoojit Sircar’s vision and being directed by him has been one of my biggest achievements. We can only grow when we work with people more talented then us and this experience for me has been just that. ‘October’,” Varun tweeted on Sunday.

Co-produced by Ronnie Lahiri and Sheel Kumar, “October” celebrates love, nature and the autumn season.

Varun plays a housekeeper at a hotel who is in love with the idea of love. The girl whom he follows into the ICU of a hospital barely acknowledges him at their workplace. Yet he clings to the idea of love.

The film also stars Banita Sandhu and is slated to release on April 13.

Ronit is more like a father figure: Rohit Roy

Mumbai– Actor Rohit Roy says he cant love anyone as much as he loves his brother and actor Ronit Roy.

“My childhood memories of Ronit are very dear and special because growing up, we only had each other. I was terribly shy and hence wouldn’t make friends easily. He was my brother and friend rolled into one,” Rohit said in a statement.

The actor, on behalf of Star Movies for the Indian television premiere of “Boss Baby” on Sunday, added: “My fondest memory is when a kid tried to bully me and Ronit ran for a mile, caught up with him and beat him up. I knew then that I was safe for life! Now he’s more like a father figure. I don’t think I can love anyone as much as I love him.”

Actress Nimrat Kaur also spoke about her sister Rubina Singh, who is a psychologist in Bengaluru.

“I have many memories with my baby sister but there is one that comes to mind which she hates me for but we laugh about it all the time,” she said.

She recalled: “It was her birthday, we were in Patiala at that time and I remember we were playing outside the house somewhere in the garden and there was a..what seemed like a wasp that was dead on the ground so I thought it would be very funny to pick it up and scare her with that and throw it at her, which I did.

“Only that the wasp wasn’t dead, it was alive and it bit her on the eye and flew off. So the poor thing had a swollen eye, three times the size of her forehead on her birthday and she wouldn’t stop crying. She hates me for it still because it was just so badly timed and a complete disaster.”

Actress Minissha Lamba said her brother Karan is a “great friend” to her.

Mohit Malik continues shooting for show despite illness

Mumbai– Actor Mohit Malik fell ill while shooting for his show “Kullfi Kumarr Bajewala”, but that didn’t stop him from working hard.

He is back on the small screen after three years. So, he is leaving no stone unturned.

Mohit is playing the role of a rockstar on the Star Plus show. He shot for his concert scene on Sunday night. Though the shot was done in a few takes, it ended up taking a toll on his health.

“We obviously wanted it to look as real as possible so there were lots of lights, smoke, sound and live audiences,” he said in a statement.

“The blast of smoke was very strong on my face. It went on for three hours until we finished shooting. By the end of it, I was so suffocated that I fell ill and couldn’t breathe properly,” he added.

After resting in the morning and taking medicines, he continued to shoot on Monday despite his ill health.

Urmila was first and only choice for ‘Bewafa beauty’: Abhinay Deo

By Subhash K. Jha 

Mumbai– Director Abhinay Deo in whose forthcoming satire-thriller “Blackmail” Urmila Matondkar does a special dance number, “Bewafa beauty”, says the actress was the only choice for it since the beginning and he didn’t have to try hard to convince her for it.

“You know, I didn’t have to convince her at all. I just narrated what the situation is, and she said ‘yes’. I heaved a sigh of relief. She was my first and only choice,” Deo said.

The fact that Urmila knew him for many years could have influenced her quick consent.

“Yes, she knows me and my parents (veteran actors Ramesh and Seema Deo) for years. So we are family friends. I guess there’s an implicit trust between us. She knew I wouldn’t offer her what is commonly known as an item song.”

Deo wants it made very clear that Urmila is not in this for the cheap-thrill moment.

“There is an actual reason why she is there dancing. Of course it is a bar dance, so there is a certain level of cheesiness to the aura.”

But Urmila remains forever classy. (IANS)