Category: Entertainment

Actress Krithi Shetty, who stars as a Gypsy spirit reader in director Nalan Kumarasamy’s upcoming Tamil film Vaa Vaathiyaar, alongside actor Karthi, has revealed a fascinating experience she had just a day before shooting began.

Krithi’s Exciting Role

In an exclusive interview, Krithi shared, “I play a Gypsy spirit reader in Nalan sir’s film. I am like a medium, basically.”

A Touch of the Supernatural

When asked if the film involves supernatural elements, she said, “It has a little bit. I mean, this character brings that mystical vibe to the whole film itself. It’s very strange, but at the same time, it’s exciting to portray a character like this because I haven’t seen much of it in Indian cinema myself.”

Belief in Spirits

Regarding her belief in spirits and supernatural experiences, she stated, “I definitely believe in spirits. Because I am Tulu. We pray to our ancestors and believe that they are always around us, protecting us like our guardian angels.”

Krithi recounted a peculiar incident that deepened her belief in the supernatural: “Something happened to me just the night before starting the shoot for this film which made me believe in spirits even more. I witnessed a spirit in my hotel room. It was very, very strange. I am not sure if that spirit came to help me or appeared because I was in the process of becoming my character.”

An Unforgettable Experience

She described her encounter: “I didn’t see the face of the spirit, but I saw the body, I saw the figure. When we turned the light on, there was a loud sound, and my mother and I looked at each other, knowing that this was something supernatural.”

This experience significantly strengthened her conviction in her character. “In a way, I should be grateful to the spirit for enhancing my belief in my character. If you tell people that there is something called a medium and that they can talk to or see spirits, I’m sure many won’t believe you. I didn’t either before this film. But after this experience, I had no choice, and it made my conviction much stronger,” she explained.

Supporting Cast and Film Details

Vaa Vaathiyaar features an impressive cast including Sathyaraj, Rajkiran, Anand Raj, Shilpa Manjunath, Karunakaran, G M Sundar, Ramesh Thilak, P L Thenappan, Vidhya Borgia, Nivas Adthitan, and Madhur Mittal. Karthi portrays a police officer, with Karunakaran playing his subordinate.

Cinematography is by George C Williams, while Vetre Krishnan handles editing. Stunts are choreographed by Anal Arasu, and choreography by Sandy and Sharief. The film’s songs feature lyrics by Vivek, Kelithee, and Muthamil, with costumes designed by Poornima Ramaswamy, Aegan Ekambaram, and Pallavi Singh. Notably, Vaa Vaathiyaar has three co-directors: Rams Murugan, Navakanth Rajkumaar, and Sundar Venkat.

Dia Mirza has received a heartfelt gift from the esteemed actress Shabana Azmi, showcasing a beautiful yellow saree.

Sharing the moment on Instagram, Dia posted several gorgeous pictures of herself wearing the exquisite saree. Amidst nature, she expressed that donning this saree transformed her into a symbol of everything Shabana’s mother, Shaukat Azmi, represented.

In her caption, Dia included the poignant poem “Aurat,” penned by Shabana’s father, Kaifi Azmi, dedicated to his beloved wife. She wrote, “Uthh meri jaan mere saath hee chalna hain tujhe” – Aurat by Kaifi Azmi. She conveyed, “When wearing this saree, I carried with me all that Shaukat Azmi Ji represented, including this powerful poem written by Kaifi Azmi Saab for his beloved wife.”

The actress from ‘Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein’ also expressed her gratitude to Shabana for continuously enriching her life in countless ways. She added, “@azmishabana18 thank YOU for this saree (red heart, folded hands, and butterfly emojis). You have always enriched my life in ways that only you can. I will cherish and wear this saree for life.”

Dia is also a member of Shabana’s girl gang. This Diwali, they celebrated together, with notable attendees like Konkona Sen Sharma, Vidya Balan, Richa Chadha, Ali Fazal, Shahana Goswami, Divya Dutta, and Tannishtha Chatterjee, along with Shabana’s writer husband, Javed Akhtar.

Posting a cheerful group selfie from their gathering, Shabana shared, “Happy Diwali gathering of the Dher Saara Pyar gang to celebrate #Tiger Tan’s indomitable spirit and her glorious Busan award.” She added, “Urmila Matondkar and Sandhya Mridul, we missed you a lot.”

She extended her thanks to Anu for the delectable food, especially the Tender Coconut Panna Cotta, which Javed humorously nicknamed “Tenco.”

One of the top producers in the Telugu film industry, T G Vishwa Prasad, is making headlines as his production house, People Film Factory, is currently involved in several high-profile projects, including Prabhas’s much-anticipated film, “The Raja Saab.” However, Vishwa Prasad has expressed his deep concern regarding the release issues surrounding actor Nandamuri Balakrishna’s awaited film, “Akhanda 2: Thaandavam.”

Concern Over Last-Minute Release Disruptions

Sharing his thoughts on X, the producer stated, “It is unfortunate to see movies being stopped just before release and the impact it has on various others in the industry. Artists of the movie, small movie producers waiting to release their movies timing (sic) it with big movies.”

He elaborated on his feelings about the disturbances related to “Akhanda 2,” noting that it greatly troubled him. Vishwa Prasad commented, “There have been many speculations around ‘Rajasaab’ and its release. It is deeply unfortunate that a last-minute attempt was made to disrupt a film’s release. Such actions deserve strong condemnation — cinema deserves integrity, not interference.”

Impact on the Industry

The ace producer emphasized that these disruptions adversely affect thousands of livelihoods, including exhibitors, distributors, producers, technicdigihunt, and other key players in the film ecosystem. He stressed the need for clear legal guidelines to prevent third-party disruptions in the future.

“The affected stakeholders should also consider appropriate legal action against such irresponsible attempts to derail releases, so that deterrence is established for the future,” he added.

Financial Transparency with “The Raja Saab”

Vishwa Prasad also clarified that all investments raised for “The Raja Saab” have been fully addressed. He assured, “On Rajasaab, all raised investments are fully cleared through internal funds, and the remaining interest will be settled shortly — well before business opens.”

In his concluding remarks, he expressed optimism for upcoming releases: “Looking forward to the grand release of ‘Akhanda 2’, all remaining December releases, ‘Rajasaab’, ‘Mana Sankara Vara Prasad Garu’, ‘Bhartha Mahashayaku Vignapthi’, ‘Anaganaga Oka Raju’, ‘Nari Nari Naduma Murari’, ‘Jana Nayagan’, ‘Para Sakthi’, and any other Sankranthi releases with glorifying success.”

Actor Shekhar Suman left everyone in awe with his stunning rendition of the classic “Zindagi Ka Safar,” originally by the legendary Kishore Kumar.

Shekhar shared a video of his soulful performance on social media after showcasing the play “Ek Mulaqaat” at the Itanagar International Theatre Festival. In his post, he described a joyful impromptu bonfire party filled with laughter and singing. The caption read, “Post our performance of our play Ek Mulaqaat at the Itanagar International Theatre Festival. Memorable evening. Thank you Rekin and all your colleagues and friends.”

His captivating voice drew plenty of praise online. One Instagram user commented, “This man always shocks me with different qualities—now with superb singing… God bless you.” Another added, “Invokes nostalgia… so many old memories… thank you for sharing.” Many also wished him a happy birthday, expressing their affection with messages like, “Happy birthday Shekhar saab.”

In a separate update, director and choreographer Farah Khan visited Shekhar Suman and his son, Adhyayan, at their residence as part of her popular YouTube vlogs. During this episode, both Shekhar and Adhyayan praised their cook, Dilip, for his outstanding work. However, Farah playfully reminded him to remain humble.

Shekhar acknowledged Farah’s exemplary content creation efforts and noted that Dilip’s name resonates with the late superstar Dilip Kumar. When Adhyayan met Dilip, he affectionately termed him the “sweetest thing on the internet.” Farah humorously advised him, “Apna job bhool mat, jyada udd mat (Don’t forget your job, please stay humble).”

Backing Dilip, Shekhar remarked, “Ye woh kaam kar raha he jo isne kabhi sapne me bhi nahi socha tha. Aur woh kaam itni mehnat karke bakhoobi kar raha he (He is doing something that he never dreamt of doing, and he is also doing it with a lot of hard work).”

Actress Genelia Deshmukh shared a heartwarming birthday tribute for her mother as she celebrated her special day on Sunday.

In a delightful Instagram post featuring a picture of her hugging her mother, Genelia expressed how her mother seems to become more fabulous with each passing year, something she hopes to inherit.

Her heartfelt birthday message read: “My Dearest Mumma, Look at you – just seem to be getting even more fabulous every year. And I truly hope it’s in the genes – for my sake at least (sic).”

The ‘Sitare Zameen Par’ actress thanked her mother for being the life of every party, stating, “Thank you for being life – life of our family, life of every party, life of even your grandchildren’s party – And one thing’s for sure, I could never do life without you (Green heart emoji).”

Expressing her deep love, Genelia added, “I Love you Mumma – I may not say it enough but I totally and completely mean it (Green heart emoji) Happy Birthday Mumma Have a fabulous day.”

On the professional front, Genelia is set to share the screen with Manoj Bajpayee in Ram Gopal Varma’s upcoming horror-comedy “Police Station Mein Bhoot.”

Talking about her experience, Genelia mentioned that she had a “scarily good time” working with Bajpayee in this much-anticipated drama.

Her excitement was evident in another Instagram post where she wrote, “First time stepping into a world where fear meets fun. Had a scarily good time sharing the screen with @bajpayee.manoj in POLICE STATION MEIN BHOOT, directed by the maverick @RGVzoomin.(sic)”

She further teased, “A thriller like no other, built on a chilling thought: ‘When we’re scared, we run to the police. But where do the police run when they’re scared?’ #PoliceStationMeinBhoot.”

Actor Gulshan Devaiah has been garnering excellent reviews for his latest web series, “Perfect Family.” The actor filmed an intimate scene in the series with the current ‘National Crush,’ Girija Oak, and discussed the sensitivity and sensibility required for such scenes.

Navigating Intimate Scenes

“It’s always very difficult to do such scenes because there is a line that we cannot cross,” Gulshan remarked. He emphasized, “Simulating intimacy or violence is very tricky, as there is always a boundary you can’t go beyond, yet you still have to create the illusion of it being real. So, you must find ways to do it responsibly.”

Building trust is essential when working with co-stars. “When I am working with someone, they have to trust me, and I have to trust them so that we take care of each other. You have to build that trust quickly, especially when you don’t know the person very well.”

The Role of Intimacy Coordinators

Gulshan also discussed the role of intimacy coordinators on set. “Sometimes there are intimacy coordinators, like in ‘Ulajh’; we had one from the UK who guided us step-by-step through the process and made everyone feel comfortable. It’s a different matter that later three-quarters of those scenes were cut from the film! Nothing much remained in the final version, but that’s how it is sometimes.”

Reflecting on his experience, he noted, “Over time, I have become more experienced with such scenes. Back when we were shooting ‘Hate Story’ in 2012, there were no intimacy coordinators or anyone to help us navigate these things. We had to figure everything out on our own. Thankfully, I was working with Paoli Dam, who was very supportive and made me feel comfortable throughout.”

An Impressive Streak

Gulshan has been on a roll with back-to-back projects that have showcased his acting prowess. Addressing the current trend of casting based on social media followers, he said, “I don’t give a shit. It’s a trend. Is it valid? Does it have any real merit? I don’t know.”

He added, “I am not sure if all those followers are actually translating into subscriptions or ticket sales. I don’t know. But somebody who knows better than me is making these decisions, and maybe they think it’s a good idea to hire someone based on that.”

Despite this, Gulshan remains supportive of fellow actors, remarking, “Some of those people are actually pretty decent too; they are good actors. I don’t want to say anything negative about anyone. Everyone should find their own way.”

He provided an example from his own experience: “Now open my social media and see how many followers I have. I don’t even have 300K. Yet, I am getting work.”

Mammootty Overwhelmed by Love for ‘Kalamkaval’

Malayalam superstar Mammootty, who portrays the villain in director Jithin K Jose’s film ‘Kalamkaval’, has expressed his gratitude for the tremendous love the movie is receiving from audiences nationwide.

Taking to his Instagram, he shared his excitement about the positive response to both his performance and the film overall. Mammootty stated, “Last two days have been nothing short of overwhelming. I am truly blown away by the love #Kalamkaval has been receiving since its release. Thank you for your trust in my choices.”

The film has been cleared for release by the Censor Board with a U/A certificate, featuring Mammootty alongside Vinayakan in leading roles.

Numerous directors, actors, and filmmakers from various industries have been praising Mammootty’s performance and his role choices. Telugu director Rahul Ravindran, known for directing ‘The Girlfriend’ featuring Rashmika Mandanna, took to X to commend Mammootty, saying, “Mammootty sir… how sir… what sir… why sir! What a man… what an actor… what a star… what a producer! #KalamKaval is a peach! What an engrossing watch that was.”

Released worldwide on December 5, ‘Kalamkaval’ has made a strong impression, garnering a positive response from both critics and audiences.

The film, which completed its shooting in November last year, features a story and screenplay by Jithin K Jose and Jishnu Sreekumar, with editing by Praveen Prabhakar and cinematography by Faisal Ali. The music is composed by young talent Mujeeb Majeed, while Action Santhosh has choreographed the stunts.

The movie has also generated significant curiosity, with its creators claiming that it showcases Mammootty in a role like never before.

The makers of director Adhvaith Nayar’s eagerly awaited action extravaganza ‘Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies’ have thrilled fans by unveiling the first look poster of actor Roshan Mathew.

Roshan Mathew’s character, Vetri, is showcased in the fiery poster. This reveal coincides with the actor’s celebration of 10 remarkable years in cinema and comes at a time when enthusiasm for the film is skyrocketing.

Previously, the creators released an electrifying teaser that provided an action-packed glimpse into the vibrant and chaotic world of Kerala’s wrestling culture, highlighting chaos and combat.

Production Details

‘Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies’ is produced under the Reel World Entertainment banner by Creative Producer Shihan Shoukath, alongside visionaries Ritesh and Ramesh S. Ramakrishnan. This film, directed by first-time filmmaker Adhvaith Nayar, captures the raw pulse of Kerala street life, blending it with the flamboyant energy of wrestling culture.

Creative producer Shihan Shoukath expressed, “We’ve spent the last two years building ‘Chatha Pacha’ from the ground up, and in that time, it’s grown from a scrappy underdog idea into a full-blown world we’ve poured our hearts into. It’s loud, chaotic, full of emotion, and rooted deeply in the culture we love, but it’s also wild and genre-bending in a way that hopefully feels new. The teaser barely scratches the surface of what’s coming, but it gives you a taste of the madness we’ve crafted, one that blends the thrill of wrestling, the grit of Fort Kochi, and the kind of big-screen energy we miss. As someone who’s been both behind the camera and behind the vision, I can’t wait for audiences to step into this universe.”

Actor Roshan Mathew shared his excitement, saying, “Chatha Pacha is unlike anything I’ve done before. The best part is, I think that’s true for most of us who are part of this film. It really is a uniquely mad idea. I hope people have as much fun with the film as we’ve had making it. This teaser is just a peek into the world of CP. Can’t wait to hear what everyone thinks of it.”

Musical Collaboration

The production features the renowned composer trio Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, making their much-anticipated Malayalam cinema debut with the film’s soundtrack.

The technical crew includes top creative talents such as Anend C. Chandran as Director of Photography, Kalai Kingson handling action choreography, Vinayak Sasikumar penning lyrics, and Mujeeb Majeed composing the score. The screenplay is by Sanoop Thykoodam, with editing by Praveen Prabhakar.

Actress and singer Lulia Vantur is making a significant mark in the Bollywood industry through her dual talents as an actor and musician.

Bond with the Khan Family

Lulia enjoys a close relationship with superstar Salman Khan and his family. Recently, she shared her joy about meeting Arbaaz Khan and Sshura Khan’s newborn daughter, Sipaara. She exclaimed, “Oh, she’s lovely! A beautiful child with a wonderful family. She will surely have a blessed life!” Arbaaz and Sshura welcomed their baby girl on October 5 this year, after tying the knot on December 24, 2023, in an intimate nikah ceremony at Arpita Khan Sharma’s residence. Arbaaz announced the happy news on social media, saying, “In the presence of our loved ones, I and mine begin a lifetime of love and togetherness from this day on! Need all your blessings and good wishes on our special day!” The ceremony was attended by only close friends and family.

Singing at the Vatican

A few weeks ago, Lulia had the incredible opportunity to sing in the holy city of the Vatican, in front of the Pope. Reflecting on her experience, she mentioned, “It was incredibly exciting and also a huge responsibility. I chose to sing in both Romanian and Hindi because I wanted both parts of my identity to be present at the Vatican. I am already half Indian at heart, so it felt natural.” She performed two significant songs: “La Betleem Colo Joos,” the Romanian version of “Teri Meri,” and the beloved “Teri Meri” itself. Lulia recalled how years ago, her rendition of the Romanian version inspired Himesh Reshammiya and his team to create the song known today. “It’s a song that touches hearts, and I wanted the message to reach people there as well,” she said.

Memorable Moments

Lulia shared that the limited preparation time actually worked in her favor. “Honestly, I didn’t have much time to prepare, which turned out to be a blessing because I didn’t have time to overthink. During rehearsals, I tested the acoustics of the huge auditorium, and my voice just travelled through the space so beautifully that I felt we didn’t even need mics. That was one of the most special moments.” One of the organisers was so moved during the rehearsal that she told Lulia she dreamed of her singing, which greatly touched her.

A Global Anthem and Upcoming Projects

Initially invited for a global anthem called “We Are the New World,” created by renowned American producer Pooh Bear, Lulia was later asked to perform additional songs of her choice. She felt the selection of “La Betleem Colo Joos,” “Teri Meri,” and her upcoming Christmas carol flowed naturally, as if guided by a higher power.

Looking ahead, she mentioned, “I just shot an action film in the UK, and I’ll soon release a new Romanian Christmas song with a fresh sound that people seem to enjoy even if they don’t know the language. I also have two love songs in two different Indian films—one in ‘Echoes of Us’ and another in a project I can’t reveal yet. Many singles are in the pipeline, and, of course, live shows keep happening.”

Lulia recently performed at Max Amini’s show in Delhi, where the audience was fantastic. “Performing live is what I love the most; that exchange of energy is priceless.”

Filmmaker Subhash Ghai expressed his heartfelt gratitude as actress Madhuri Dixit hosted him and his daughter Meghna for a delightful dinner with several prominent personalities from various fields.

Sharing a photo collage of the enjoyable get-together on his Instagram, Ghai wrote, “Last eve It was so different dinner party hosted by ram madhuri dixit at home I interacted with old friends from different fields like #harsh Goenka #mr n mrs nishit desai n other profound guests. (sic)”

He thanked Madhuri and her husband, Dr. Shriram Nene, for the memorable evening, revealing that his daughter was highly impressed by the decor of their beautiful home. “My daughter Meghna ghai puri loved Madhuri house decor. Thank u madhuri n dr ram nene for such a warmth (folded hand emojis). Stay blessed always (folded hand emojis) love. SG (folded hand emojis),” Ghai added.

Ghai and Madhuri share a robust personal and professional relationship, with the filmmaker playing a pivotal role in establishing Madhuri’s status in the industry. They first collaborated in the 1989 drama, “Ram Lakhan,” which marked a significant turning point in Madhuri’s career, elevating her to one of Bollywood’s leading ladies.

In 1993, Ghai directed Madhuri again, this time opposite Sanjay Dutt in “Khalnayak.” Her performance in this drama further solidified her position as a top actress in the industry.

Looking ahead, Madhuri is set to make her return to the silver screen in a compelling avatar in “Mrs. Deshpande.” Directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, the film also features Siddharth Chandekar and Priyanshu Chatterjee in significant roles, among others.

Backed by Applause Entertainment in collaboration with Kukunoor Movies, this project is the Hindi adaptation of the French thriller “La Mante.”