Priyanka Chopra has ‘insightful’ conversation with PM Modi
New Delhi– Bollywood actress and Unicef goodwill ambassador Priyanka Chopra met Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an “insightful” and “positive” conversation on making healthcare accessible for women, children and adolescents in the country.
Priyanka on Wednesday tweeted a photograph of herself with Modi, Health Minister J.P. Nadda and former President of Chile Michelle Bachelet.
She sought Modi’s support for being a patron for the Partners’ Forum, to be held in the capital in December.
“The aim is very important – the improvement and transformation of access to quality healthcare at at every life stage for women, children and adolescents, in an effort to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in 2030,” she wrote on Instagram, referring to the Partners’ Forum, which will be attended by over 1,200 delegates from more than 92 countries.
Of her discussion with Modi, Priyanka wrote: “It was an insightful, positive conversation which was very heartening and inspiring because of the personal commitment of everyone at the meeting. We covered a lot of ground from the various efforts being taken by individual countries and partners to building a collective environment that could help propel the change we seek for a better world.”
She is looking forward to what is being set in motion.
Irrfan Khan is a strong man: Arunoday Singh
New Delhi– Actor Arunoday Singh says his “Blackmail” co-star Irrfan Khan, who is currently in treatment for a “rare disease”, is a strong man. He has urged people to stop speculating about his health.
On the speculations being made on Irrfan’s health, Arunoday told IANS over phone from Mumbai: “Just give the man some time to face it. It is his life. Let him just face it. He is a strong man and just pray for him. We do not need to speculate. You just need to send him good wishes. Whatever happened to that?”
Irrfan had last month announced he has been diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour and that he was going out of the country for treatment.
Speculations on his health have continued ever since.
Arunoday says Irrfan, with whom he also worked with in “Yeh Saali Zindagi” in 2011, has not changed over the years.
“I did ‘Yeh Saali Zindagi’ with him a couple of years ago. He is exactly the same. He is much more successful, but he is exactly the same. He is as wonderful and as down to earth as a man,” he added.
Arunoday’s latest release “Blackmail”, a dark comedy, collected Rs 2.81 crore on its opening day.
Ecstatic over the film’s response, Arunoday said: “It is lovely. It is very humbling but lovely. I am glad that a lot of people like the film and everyone worked very hard on it and it’s nice to see. It’s really nice to be a part of that.”
Farah Khan choreographs song for ‘Veere Di Wedding’
Mumbai– Choreographer-filmmaker Farah Khan has choreographed a number for the upcoming film “Veere Di Wedding”, starring Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Shikha Talsania in the song.
Farah on Thursday morning shared via Instagram a photograph of herself along with Sonam from the set.
“Finally! Doing a song with the so lovely Sonam Kapoor. The wait was worth it! Love you baby. ‘Veere Di Wedding’, killer track,” Farah wrote.
Sonam, who posted the same photograph on her Instagram page, said: “Farah! I’m so lucky I get to work with you! Thanks so much for doing this song! We love you!”
Swara shared a selfie of herself with Farah on her Instagram stories and said the choreographer-filmmaker’s “scolding and yellings” are funny too.
Directed by Shashank Ghosh, “Veere Di Wedding” will release on June 1. The film is presented by Ekta Kapoor’s home banner Balaji Motion Pictures and is a romantic comedy is co-produced by Sonam’s sister Rhea Kapoor, Ekta and Nikhil Dwivedi.
We have enough audience: Abhay Deol on clash of films
Mumbai– Busy promoting his forthcoming film “Nanu Ki Jaanu”, actor Abhay Deol believes India has enough audience numbers to sustain four to five films releasing on the same day.
“Nanu Ki Jaanu”, releasing on April 20, is clashing with movies like “Omerta”, “Daas Dev”, “High Jack” and “Beyond the Clouds”.
Asked if this clash will affect his film, Abhay told media persons: “I hope all films do well, and I think it is possible. We have audience numbers. People have awareness about these films, which are releasing on April 20, so if you market your film well then they will go to watch your film, and after that the film will pave its own way through word of mouth.
“Marketing will serve a purpose to bring attention and awareness, and then whether the film will do well depends upon its quality. I believe we have an audience to sustain four to five films at a time.”
“Nanu Ki Jaanu” is a love story between a ghost and crook. So, when asked if he believes in ghosts in real life, Abhay said: “I think it exists. I don’t have any personal experience with them so it doesn’t mean that they don’t exist.
“I am sure they exist and I take a neutral stand on these things. It is improper to think that you know all. It’s like thinking the universe revolves around the Earth, but it’s not that. The Earth revolves around the sun.”
Abhay is known for being choosy when it comes to working in films.
Ishaan Khatter’s happy fateful coincidence
Mumbai– Ishaan Khatter says it was a “happy fateful coincidence” to get to dance on Prabhudheva’s “Muqabala” song in his debut film “Beyond The Clouds”.
As part of a scene in the Majid Majidi directorial, Ishaan’s character Amir is supposed to turn on a song and dance to it.
In the sequence, Ishaan is seen freestyling to the original track, but in a shadow.
“I have to admit that this was a very happy fateful coincidence for me. While shooting the scene, Mr Majidi asked me to play any song I felt like at the time that would help elevate the moment,” Ishaan said in a statement.
“When I hit play button on my music player, ‘Muqabala’ started. He absolutely loved it and asked me to take my shot and it all just magically happened. This song is in no way a new rendition or version of the song. It is very much the killer original track,” added Ishaan, who is Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor’s younger brother.
“Beyond The Clouds” is Iranian filmmaker Majidi’s maiden India-set project.
The film narrates a heart-warming tale of a brother and sister, and how they find happiness in separation and turbulent times. It also celebrates the triumph and adoration of life against a Mumbai backdrop. Produced by Zee Studios and Namah Pictures, the film is set to release globally including India on April 20.
Rannvijay Singha steps into designing with ‘Disrupt’
Mumbai– TV host-actor Rannvijay Singha has turned to designing with his Disrupt-Defy Ordinary fashion label.
The brand new fashion label has been exclusively carved out keeping Rannvijay’s fashion sense – free, wild-spirited and originality – in mind, a statement said.
Especially catering to misfits, go-getters and the independent-minded, Disrupt combines utility, street style and quality, especially for the casual wear outfits.
Catering to both men and women, Disrupt offers shirts, graphic tees, hoodies, joggers, denims and more with vibrant colours, quirky styles, and techniques adding volume to the range.
Commenting on the launch, Rannvijay, who has co-founded the brand said: “Fashion should always be effortless yet cool. There is a bit of personality and fashion sense in all the styles offered at Disrupt.”
“The key idea was to combine our concept of disruption along with the new-age audience. From the prints, the stitch styles, and the colour palettes, there is an element of disruption in almost all of them.”
The debut collection of Disrupt will be soon available on e-commerce sites.
Arjun Kapoor speaks up for Janhvi Kapoor
Mumbai– Actor Arjun Kapoor came to his half-sister Jahnvi Kapoor’s defence when an online portal splashed her unflattering photographs in an offensive way. He says it’s a shame to see how the country looks at young women.
Arjun on Thursday retweeted a news portal’s post about Janhvi sporting a “sexy dress” as she reached Arjun’s home. She was seen sporting a white cotton dress with a low back.
The actor tweeted: “You know what, f**k you man, f**k you as a website for highlighting or bringing it to anyone’s attention and it is shameful that your eye would go searching for something like this. Shame on you… This is how our country looks at young women. Yet another shining example. Ashamed by this.”
The news portal later withdrew the post.
This is not the first time Arjun has come out in support of Janhvi and Khushi Kapoor, daughters of his father Boney Kapoor and the late Sridevi.
Arjun, son of Boney and his first wife Mona Shourie, has stood as a support system for the two sisters since Sridevi’s death. He also remained by his father’s side during the emotional phase.
Kamal Haasan urges Modi to ‘deliver justice’ in TN
Chennai– Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deliver justice that Tamil Nadu is looking for amid growing political turmoil over the Cauvery water issue.
As Modi arrived here on Thursday, Kamal tweeted a video and shared an open letter to the Prime Minister via social media.
“You can easily deliver the justice that Tamil Nadu is asking for, seeking,” Kamal said.
In the letter, in which he has called himself a “concerned citizen of India and Tamizh Nadu”, Kamal said people were dismayed by the delay in setting up Cauvery Water Management Board and wanted justice.
“The Supreme Court has already performed its constitutional role by delivering the judgement. It is now the turn of your government to perform its constitutional duty and implement the order,” he said.
Kamal pointed out how in his earlier role as Gujarat Chief Minister, Modi had the experience of water sharing amongst four states through the Narmada Control Authority.
“Please do the needful as our Prime Minister and set up the Cauvery Water Management Board to ensure implementation of the Supreme Court order in letter and spirit.
“All sections of people of Tamizh Nadu have started to believe that this delay is due to ensuing elections in Karnataka and your party’s interest in it. Sir, it is your duty as the Prime Minister to prove this wrong by immediately acting as per the Supreme Court order,” Kamal added.
He hoped that Kerala and Puducherry also get their rightful share as per the Supreme Court order and said constituting the Cauvery Water Management Board was of “utmost importance” to ensure this. (IANS)
