Vishal Bhardwaj steps in to direct Deepika, Irrfan starrer
Mumbai– Creative differences have led filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj to step in as director of a yet untitled Deepika Padukone and Irrfan Khan-starrer, which was formerly to be directed by Honey Trehan.
The project will be produced by KriArj Entertainment and Vishal Bhardwaj Pictures.
Bhardwaj said in a statement: “Due to different artistic visions of the film, Honey (Trehan) and I jointly came to the decision that it would be best if I took over as director and saw it through to the end.”
Trehan, who has worked closely with Bhardwaj over the years, was to make his directorial debut with the film.
He said: “Owing to our differences in creative understanding, we have mutually and amicably decided that it would be best for our film if Vishal sir took over as director.”
Prernaa Arora of KriArj Entertainment said she respects the decision, which is only meant for the “betterment of the film”.
Trehan will direct another project in the near future, and it will also be produced by Vishal Bhardwaj Pictures and KriArj Entertainment.
For now, the shoot of the Irrfan and Deepika movie will begin end of February.
Amitabh Bachchan promises contribution in ‘Thackeray’
Mumbai– Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who has shared an emotional bonding with late Shiv Sena founder-president Bal Thackeray, on Thursday promised to contribute his bit in the making of the upcoming biopic titled “Thackeray”.
Bachchan was present on the occasion of the teaser launch of the film that features acclaimed Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui.
Remembering Thackeray, Bachchan told writer of the film Sanjay Raut, “I am glad that you have taken the step to make a film on Bal saab. I wish you all the luck for the successful making of the film. If you need anything, any contribution from my end in whichever capacity, please allow me to know about it. I will be more than happy to be a part of the making of the film.”
He also suggested the makers to make a series on Bal Thackeray instead of just one film.
He said, “I want to request you not to limit the larger than life personality like him into a three-hour movie. I think in today’s time when we watch so many web series, we can make a series on Bal Thackeray to capture different phases of his life and personality. It will be really interesting for the generation to know a man like him.”
Bal Thackeray was one of the iconic politicians who started his career as a cartoonist and social worker. Later he formed a regional political party in Maharashtra named Shiv Sena that ruled the political scenario of the state for around 50 years. He passed way in 2012.
The evening was graced by Bal Thackeray’s son Uddhav Thackeray, grandson Aditya Thackeray, along with the writer and director of the film.
Directed by Abhijit Panse, written by Sanjay Raut, ‘Thackeray’ will release on January 23, 2019 in Hindi and Marathi language.
Will start second schedule of ‘Race 3’ from Sunday: Remo
Mumbai– Remo D’Souza, who is directing the third instalment of successful franchise “Race”, said the first schedule of “Race 3” was complete and the second schedule will start from Sunday.
At the felicitation of Mr India Second Runner-up Pavan Rao on Friday, Remo was asked about the progress of “Race 3”. “Since the film is an Eid release, I will just have to finish the film before it,” he said.
About expectations from the movie, the director said: “It’s my luck or maybe it’s because of something I did… But I am thankful for this opportunity and I hope to prove it to everyone that I can make a good film.”
Asked about working with Salman Khan for the first time, the “ABCD” director said: “I don’t have words to express how it feels to work with him. As a director, I can’t say that it was amazing, really, there are no words. You have to be with him, be on the set. When you stand before him, then you realize what you are doing.”
“Race 3” stars Salman Khan, Bobby Deol, Jacqueline Fernandez, Daisy Shah, Saqib Saleem and Pooja Hegde.
Produced under Tips Films & Salman Khan films, it is slated to release in 2018.
Salman Khan again tops Forbes India Celebrity 100 list
Mumbai– Superstar Salman Khan has once again maintained the top spot in Forbes India Celebrity 100 list for the second consecutive year. The “Badshah” of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan and India’s cricket captain Virat Kohli took the second and third spot respectively with actress Priyanka Chopra named as only female celebrity in top 10 list.
The 2017 Forbes India Celebrity 100 List rankings are based on estimates of entertainment-related earnings of celebrities. The period under consideration is October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017.
The methodology for calculating the ranking may have changed this year (to exclude the “fame” quotient), but the list’s top three names have remained constant.
The 51-year-old Salman, for the second successive year, grabbed the top spot, despite the subdued box office performance of his film “Tubelight”. The actor earned Rs. 232.83 crore, backed by endorsements of several consumer-facing brands. In fact, his earnings constitute 8.67 percent of the total earnings- Rs. R 2,683 crore-of the top 100 celebrities for the year.
Shah Rukh Khan, with Rs. 170.5 crore, also retained his position at number two as did India’s cricket captain Virat Kohli, with Rs. 100.72 crore, at third spot..
But although the top three held on to their ranks, their cumulative earnings declined by almost 20 percent, down to Rs. 504.05 crore compared to last year’s total of Rs. 626.52 crore.
Joy Chakraborthy, CEO – Forbes India and President – Revenue, TV18, said, “We are delighted to present yet another collector’s edition of Forbes India which will hit the stands soon. Over the years this list has established itself as the definitive benchmark of who’s making what in the entire entertainment world.”
“This year’s Celebrity 100 list is based on a revised methodology focusing on the celebrities’ earnings, thus reflecting in better representation and hence a well-rounded Celebrity list of 100.”
The revised methodology this year, focusing only on a celebrity’s earnings (compared to the previous combination of �fame’ and �earnings’), has increased representation from the prolific South Indian film industry.
There are 13 actors from the South this year as against 11 last year. The number of Bollywood actors is down from 35 to 33, reducing their cumulative earnings by 13 percent from the previous year.
Shuttler PV Sindhu (Rs. 57.25 crore) was the highest money gainer (in percentage terms), as her total earnings soared nearly 17 times, propelled by several brand endorsements following her 2016 Rio Olympics silver medal. There is one woman in the top 10, Priyanka Chopra (Rs 7; INR 68 crore), as she continued to make her mark internationally.
The overall earnings of the Celebrity 100 declined this year, from Rs. 2,745 crore in 2016 to Rs. 2,683 crore this year. (IANS)
