Rana, Soha’s film to be screened at NYIFF 2018
Mumbai– Actress Soha Ali Khan-starrer “Sound Proof” and Telugu film “C/o Kancharapalem”, presented by actor Rana Daggubati, will be screened at the forthcoming 18th edition of the New York Indian Film Festival 2018 (NYIFF).
“So happy to announce that my film ‘Sound Proof’ is in the official selection for the New York Indian Film Festival 2018,” Soha tweeted.
Sound Proof” is directed by Aditya Kelgaonkar and also features Vinay Pathak and Sylvester Fonseca.
As for “C/o Kancharapalem”, Rana is excited that it is the first Telugu film to be selected for NYIFF, to be held May 7-12.
“Proud to be presenting it,” he tweeted about the film, which is directed by G.R. Venkatesh Maha and features Subba Rao, Radha Bessey, Kesava K, Nithya Sree, Praneetha Patnaik, Karthik Rathnam, Mohan Bhagath, Vijaya Praveena Paruchuri and Kishore Kumar Polimera.
“C/o Kancharapalem” will be screened on May 9 and “Sound Proof” will be screened on May 11.
Twinkle’s tweet spurs hubby Akshay to fund Mumbai toilet
Mumbai– Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar and Yuva Sena President Aditya Thackeray on Tuesday inaugurated a public toilet, fully funded by the actor following a tweet from wife Twinkle Khanna, at the famed Juhu Beach.
The bio-toilet, costing around a million rupees, was handed over to the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
“Good morning and I guess here is the first scene of Toilet Ek Prem Katha part 2 #WhenYourWalkGoesDownTheToilet,” said Twinkle’s sarcastic tweet on August 19 last year, showing a picture of a man defecating in public.
Though the tweet evoked mixed reactions, with many complaining about her lack of compassion for the poor, it spurred the action hero Akshay into serious activity and he decided to fund a bio-toilet complex at the beach.
The toilet has a running water facility and separate enclosures for men and women.
Akshay described the effort as “a small contribution on his part to our dear city… but just the beginning” which is expected to be a boon to several thousands of locals and tourists who throng Juhu beach daily.
Aditya Thackeray lauded the initiative after Akshay’s free self-defence classes for women, 100 sanitary pad vending machines and other social contributions.
Ranveer Brar planning a book on Lucknow
New Delhi– Ranveer Brar still gets inspired by Lucknow’s food culture. Now, the chef says he is planning to come out with a book on the city, which has been instrumental in his career
“I am planning my next book. It is going to be on Lucknow,” Brar told IANS.
“I am also working on a documentary on the anthropological study of Indian food,” he said.
Brar took his first step towards the food world in Lucknow through visits in a gurudwara with his grandfather. After working with Taj group, Radisson and The Claridges, he came out with his own restaurants in Boston, Delhi, Goa and Mumbai.
On his relation with Lucknow, he said: “My initial inspiration to be a chef came from the city of Lucknow, just the way it takes it food, sense of pride that it has in its food…that for me is a big inspiration.
“And the good thing is that nothing has changed. Even today when I go to Lucknow, I feel charged up and I want to do more. It was the city of Lucknow which has been my driving force from day one. It is amazing how the city takes its food and recreates stories around it and emotions around it.”
The popular chef spoke to IANS ahead of the TV showcase of the movie “Julie and Julia” on AXN last month.
Brar himself entered the household of millions through the Indian small screen courtesy shows like “The Great Indian Rasoi”, “Masterchef India” and “Ranveer’s Cafe”.
He says his “journey as a chef has been very gratifying”.
Nora Fatehi taking lessons in football
Mumbai– Actress Nora Fatehi is taking lessons in football from actor Ranveer Singh’s coach Govi Tyler.
Tyler has also trained actors like Ranbir Kapoor and Abhishek Bachchan for their respective football teams, read a statement.
Nora says she is sporty at heart..
“I’ve always wanted to learn football ever since I was a child but I never got the chance because growing up, my family didn’t have the finances for extra curricular activities. I always told myself that when I grow up and start earning I will enrol myself into classes,” she said.
So, she made it her New Year resolution this time, and went for it.
“My first session was just mind blowing. I felt I was doing something I always wanted to do it felt so right. Govi is brilliant. He knows what he is doing, he pushes me so much and has so much faith in me. He is the perfect trainer and always tries his best to make time for my sessions.
“I can say for a fact football is definitely my sport and I can’t wait to show the world what I can do in the near future,” she added.
Nora was last seen on-screen in actor Sameer Soni’s “My Birthday Song”. She will next be seen shaking a leg in a Malayalam film.
Shreyas thanks Akshay for opening discussion on sanitary pads
Mumbai– Actor Shreyas Talpade, who was here to support a mission of providing 3,000 school girls with sanitary pads, thanked Bollywood star Akshay Kumar for opening up the discussion about menstrual hygiene through his film “Pad Man”.
Bharati Lavekar, an MLA here, on Monday announced her mission to provide sanitary pads to girls from 52 schools of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
Shreyas was present at the event to support the effort which will be implemented through Lavekar’s ‘Tee Foundation Sanitary Pad Bank’.
“Thanks to films like ‘Pad Man’, today we are discussing this topic openly without any shame and embarrassment. Thanks to Akshay Kumar that we have that confidence in us because of the film and other initiatives taken around the country… I am very happy to be a part of it (this mission).
“These kids who are getting help today will remember it tomorrow and help other kids,” Shreyas said.
The actor was asked to comment on how there are no results yet after the makers of “Pad Man” said they took an initiative to make sanitary pads free of cost.
Shreyas said: “That’s up to the government to do it and they are trying their best. Miracles don’t happen overnight. You need to give it time. The government is aware of the issue and they are trying their best.
“Also, it is for the people, by the people… So we also have to contribute that much too. Organisations that can afford to give it for free will, and those that can’t, will give it at a subsidised rate. But the dream is to make basic hygiene products available at an affordable price in our country.”
Tee Foundation laid the foundation stone of India’s first digital sanitary pad bank on World Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28 last year. The bank has been providing free sanitary pads, and has installed sanitary pad vending machines at various spots.
Rohit Bakshi finds ‘Shaktipeeth…’ role challenging
Mumbai– Actor Rohit Bakshi says essaying the role of Bhairav in “Shaktipeeth Ke Bhairav” is challenging as well as exciting.
“Every character has their shenanigans, but it all depends on the actor’s will power to take up that challenge and do justice to it,” Rohit said in a statement.
“The role of Bhairav is an exhaustive one and it requires a lot of dedication and patience to portray it, which has made me learn a lot throughout the journey,” he added.
Rohit says apart from the look of Lord Bhairav, he has donned almost 50 to 60 other get-ups in the show.
“It so happens that Bhairav morphs himself in various avatars like sadhu and Brahmin so that people don’t recognise him as Bhairav. It is very challenging but at the same time very exciting since I get to explore a lot… And honestly, I enjoy every part of it,” he added.
The mythological show is aired on BIG Magic.
Actress Ashi Singh’s fear of flunking
Mumbai– Actress Ashi Singh says following the exam failure track in her show “Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai”, she got so scared that she decided to take leave to study harder for her off-screen exams.
In the ongoing track of the show, Sameer (Randeep Rai) relocates to Delhi to stay with his relatives after his grandfather’s demise. The only way to connect with Naina (Ashi) is through letters.
Eager to read Sameer’s letter, Naina leaves the examination hall in a rush. This leads to her failing in the exam which comes as a shock to her family.
“Naina’s image is that of a studious and ideal girl-next-door who always scores good grades in her exams. But in the current track, she fails in her exams. That truly frightened me. I was also preparing for my college exams during this specific sequence and it was scary to imagine facing the same situation in real life,” Ashi said in a statement.
“I couldn’t get the thought out of my head. I requested for two days’ leave for my exams. I studied day and night to ensure that I clear my tests. I am awaiting the results and I am confident of scoring good marks,” she added.
“Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai” is aired on Sony Entertainment Television channel.
Big B sings despite medical procedures
Mumbai– Megastar star Amitabh Bachchan has sung another song for his forthcoming film “102 Not Out” despite medical procedures.
The 75-year-old cine icon posted a photograph of himself singing in a studio.
“The world of music knows no boundaries and no rest, despite late hours and medical procedures. (In) ‘102 Not Out’ there is an additional song now. I mean how can production push a non singer to these limits. Badumba,” Big B tweeted.
This is not the first song Amitabh has lent his voice for the Umesh Shukla’s directorial. He has also sang the number titled “Badumba” for it.
“102 Not Out” also stars veteran actor Rishi Kapoor.
Amitabh’s character will be seen as a 102-year-old father to 75-year-old character of Rishi in the film, directed by Umesh Shukla.
Billed as a most unusual father-and-son love story, the film is based on playwright Saumya Joshi’s similarly titled well-known Gujarati play.
The film will release on May 4.
I’m good: Ranveer on shoulder injury
Mumbai– Actor Ranveer Singh, who is suffering from a labral tear in his left shoulder, says he is doing good and intends to come back stronger.
“Thank you for the good wishes everyone. I’m good. Its just a labral tear in my left shoulder. I intend to come back stronger. Love you all,” Ranveer tweeted on Tuesday morning.
The “Bajirao Mastani” star had injured his shoulder during a football match. He has been strictly advised by doctors to avoid performing at the opening ceremony of the forthcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season on April 7.
However, a statement on behalf of Ranveer’s spokesperson said that the actor will continue to shoot for his upcoming film “Gully Boy” as per its “shooting schedule which is not physically strenuous since only performance-based talkie scenes are left to be shot.”
Ajay Devgn celebrates birthday in Paris
Paris– Actor Ajay Devgn celebrated his birthday here with his family and close friends.
Ajay turned 49 on Monday and posted a photograph of himself along with his actress-wife Kajol and children Nysa and Yug, his “Taarzan: The Wonder Car” co-actor Vatsal Sheth and his wife Ishita Dutta.
“Fêtes d’anniversaire à Paris. (Birthday parties in Paris),” Ajay captioned the image.
On the acting front, Ajay, who was recently seen in “Raid”, has three films in his kitty– “Taanaji – The Unsung Warrior”, “Total Dhamaal” and a yet-untitled romantic-comedy film, which also features Rakul Preet Singh and Tabu.
In “Taanaji – The Unsung Warrior”, he will essay the title role of Subedar Taanaji Malusare — a military leader in the army of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire in 17th century India.
It’s India calling for Craig Conway in April
Mumbai– English actor and producer Craig Conway will be coming to India later this month to scout for Indian talent.
He will come to India along with filmmaker Jacqui Miller Charlton, read a statement.
Conway, Charlton and Clare Cahill are working on a feature film, which will be directed by actor-politician Raj Babbar’s niece Kajri.
Kajri’s short film “Parda” made it to the semi-final round of the Student Academy Awards and was screened at the BAFTA-Affiliated Aesthetica Film Festival last year. She is excited about directing her first British feature film titled “Burning Bride”.
Set in the 1940s, the film revolves around a 15-year-old Indian girl who marries a British officer and travels to England.
The film will be written and directed by Kajri while Juuhi Babbar Sonii will co-produce the movie under Babbar Visuals banner. She will take care of the production responsibilities for the shooting schedule in India.
It will be majorly shot in Newcastle with some scenes in Mumbai, which are expected to commence shooting in mid 2019.
Kajri said: “I will be putting in close to 18 months of research since the film highlights the British standpoint after India got declared independent. Around 20 per cent of the film will be shot in India while the remaining will be shot in UK.
“The main lead will be a British actor while I’d like to have an Indian actress on board as a female lead.” (IANS)
