Category: Entertainment

Filmmaker Kiran Rao is elated after her directorial venture, Laapataa Ladies, secured an impressive 13 Filmfare Awards. During a recent conversation celebrating her film’s remarkable achievement, she shared an intriguing anecdote about Bhojpuri cinema superstar and Member of Lok Sabha, Ravi Kishan.

Insight into a Key Scene

Kiran discussed a pivotal moment in the film where Pratibha Ranta’s husband attempts to reclaim her. This scene also highlights the redemption of Sub-Inspector Shyam Manohar, portrayed by Ravi Kishan. Shyam steps in to protect Pratibha when she is harassed by her husband.

Kiran noted that this particular scene required Ravi Kishan, who typically recalls only the essence of his dialogues and improvises during filming, to be well-versed with his lines.

She expressed her initial nerves, stating, “I was very nervous because Ravi ji is very spontaneous and often, he doesn’t learn lines. He gets into the character and then he needs you to tell him the lines as you’re going along. And that day we had a lot to do, and I was very nervous about the nuance of this character when it flips because he needed to be very in character. It needed to be believable that this person has found it in him to do the right thing.”

A Commitment to Perfection

Kiran further remarked, “And in order for him to completely own that kind of transformation, I needed him to know his lines. So the day before this climax, he was reminding me. I went to his van and I told him, ‘Sir, please, tomorrow, you really please have to know all your lines because that’s the only way you’ll really be able to play the part without thinking about it.’”

In a positive turn, she added, “And that is actually what he did. He said, ‘I went home and I read the lines all night and learned everything. And when I came to the set, I didn’t have to think about it.’”

Actor Varun Sharma, known for hits like ‘Fukrey’, ‘Dilwale’, and ‘Chhichhore’, recently revealed his plans for Diwali night.

Family-Oriented Celebrations

During a conversation, he shared that this year’s Diwali will be focused on family. “Diwali celebration plans for me are going to be very simple. Like every year, I celebrate Diwali in the evening with my family. The entire family gets together, sits, chats, eats amazing food, and just stays at home. We light up the house and, dressed in festive attire, the whole family together sings, chats, and enjoys delicious food. It’s a very simple, family-oriented plan for me this Diwali,” he explained.

Fond Memories of Diwali

Reflecting on his childhood, Varun shared, “My fondest memory of Diwali would be from when I used to live in Jalandhar. I was very small, and like every small town, all the neighbors would gather outside their houses to chat and spend time together. That one night was the only time we were actually allowed to stay outside till late, around 11 or 12 at night, to meet our friends, go to their houses, and just enjoy ourselves.”

He continued, “We really looked forward to Diwali because it meant seeing all the neighborhood kids and friends dressed up in cute festive attire, celebrating together, and eating delicious food. Just being together, even if there wasn’t much to do, and staying up late was very exciting for us kids.”

Favorite Diwali Snack

When asked about his favorite Diwali snack, Varun said, “My favorite Diwali snack would obviously be sweets! They’ve always been my favorite. But every year, since childhood and even till today, we make puri aloo, which my mum prepares. She truly makes the best puri aloo in the world. It’s a very regular & basic dish, but there are so many beautiful memories attached to it.”

The Pink Floyd guitarist and rock icon David Gilmour has firmly ruled out any possibility of performing with his former bandmate Roger Waters again.

Gilmour, 79, and singer-songwriter Waters, 82, have been embroiled in a feud since Waters departed from the group in 1985. Gilmour has made it clear that there is no chance the two will reconcile and share the stage in the future. When asked by The Telegraph what conditions would prompt him to consider such a performance, he decisively stated, “Nothing. There is no possible way that I would do that.”

In a related incident in 2023, Gilmour’s wife, Polly Samson, publicly criticized Waters on X, accusing him of being “antisemitic to his rotten core” in the midst of a contentious debate surrounding Israel and Ukraine. She went further, describing him as a “Putin apologist and a lying, thieving, hypocritical, tax-avoiding, lip-synching, misogynistic, sick-with-envy, megalomaniac.”

Waters responded by labeling her accusations as “wildly inaccurate” and “incendiary.” Polly later explained to The Telegraph that her intention behind the post was to clarify which member of Pink Floyd she is married to. She elaborated that she often encountered strange looks from people who assumed her views aligned with those attributed to Waters, stating, “If they knew you’re married to someone from Pink Floyd, half the time people were giving me quite strange looks and it was really uncomfortable, and I just wanted to draw a line and make it clear that these were not views held by me or the person I was married to.”

In 2024, Pink Floyd sold their music rights along with their name-and-likeness rights. Gilmour clarified that the move was not primarily for financial reasons but rather a way to escape “the mud bath that it has been for quite a while.” He expressed a desire to be “rid of the decision making and the arguments” associated with the band’s legacy.

Sunny Deol has turned 68 years old and kicked off his birthday celebrations with firecrackers and heartfelt wishes.

The talented actor shared a video on his official Instagram handle, capturing the beauty of fireworks lighting up the sky against a stunning backdrop.

Currently, Sunny is likely busy filming “Lahore 1947.” In the clip, his team energetically wished him a “Happy Birthday,” and he joined in, saying, “Happy Birthday to me.”

Family and friends showered him with love in the comments. His brother, Bobby Deol, responded with cake and red heart emojis. Preity Zinta also chimed in, writing, “Happy Birthday to you! Loads of love, happiness n success today n always” alongside red hearts and a cake emoji. Rahul Dev added, “Stay blessed bhaiya,” with a red heart and cake emoji, while Archana Puran Singh expressed her good wishes, saying, “Happyyyyyy birthday Sunny! Lots of love and best wishes.”

On the day before his birthday, Sunny visited the Attari Border with his son Karan Deol and daughter-in-law, Drisha Roy. He shared a video featuring glimpses from their visit, where he was seen driving to the border and enjoying the ceremony with his family. Notably, it was Karan and Drisha’s first experience witnessing the event.

They even took photos with the Jawans and spent some quality time with them. Sunny proudly captioned the post, “Hindustan Zindabad! Spending some time with our BSF friends at Attari Border and @imkarandeol and Drisha’s first time witnessing the ceremony.” He added the “Vande Mataram (The Fighter Anthem)” track from “Fighter” to enhance the moment.

The makers of director Rahul Sadasivan’s highly anticipated horror thriller, ‘Dies Irae’, have urged fans and the public to refrain from creating, sharing, or resharing unofficial posters of the film. They stated that such materials distort the film’s intended tone.

Taking to social media, All Night Shifts, one of the production houses behind the film, expressed gratitude for the enthusiasm and creativity surrounding ‘#Diesirae’. They advised, “However, kindly avoid creating, sharing or resharing unofficial posters which alter the movie’s intended tone. All official artwork and updates are available on @allnightshifts across all social platforms. Thank you! – Team Diés Iraé.”

It’s worth noting that the Censor Board has cleared the film for release with an ‘A’ certificate. Previously tentatively titled #NSS2, ‘Dies Irae’ features Pranav Mohanlal in the lead role.

All Night Shifts shared on Friday, “#DIESIRAE Certified ‘A’! In Cinemas Worldwide from 31st October. #DIESIRAE starring @pranavmohanlal, written and directed by @rahul_madking, produced by @chakdyn and @sash041075, under the banner of @allnightshifts and @studiosynot.”

Anticipation for the film has been palpable since its announcement. The excitement intensified with the recent trailer release, which opens with an elderly woman telling a man he should have spoken up when he sensed something was amiss with a child. The man counters, asking how he could convey his feelings when worried about public perception. The woman retorts, “And now, didn’t that feeling turn out to be true?”

The trailer hints at the child in question being portrayed by Pranav Mohanlal, who plays the only son of a family believed to be cursed by their neighbors. His character encounters strange occurrences but struggles to voice his experiences, fearing disbelief.

Based on true incidents, ‘Dies Irae’ is set to premiere just in time for Halloween this year. The film has generated substantial interest due to the talented team behind it; it’s being produced by the same group that created the Malayalam cult classic ‘Brammayugam’, which starred the legendary Mammootty.

It’s notable that ‘Dies Irae’ commenced filming only in the last week of March this year. Principal photography took place in Vadakara, Calicut. Interestingly, the filmmakers aimed to finish shooting within 40 days but managed to complete the entire film by April, ahead of schedule.

Shehnad Jalal, whose work in ‘Brammayugam’ received critical acclaim, serves as the cinematographer for ‘Dies Irae’. The film’s art direction is handled by Jothish Shankar, also known for his work on ‘Brammayugam’, while editing is done by Shafique Mohammed Ali, who similarly edited the previous film.

Director Rahul Sadasivan’s ‘Bramayugam’ was a critically acclaimed hit, recognized as a period horror film set in Kerala’s historical backdrop. It revolved around three male characters and was shot in black and white, featuring Mammootty alongside Sidharth Bharathan, Arjun Ashokan, and Amalda Liz. The dialogues for this notable film were penned by Malayalam novelist TD Ramakrishnan, renowned for his novel Francis Itty Cora.

As the festive season unfolds, Bollywood celebrities are supporting the Government of India’s “Vocal for Local” initiative. Many actors have taken to social media to share videos promoting the idea of purchasing from local businesses, highlighting its significance for the economy.

Tripti Dimri Promotes Local Shopping

Actress Tripti Dimri posted a video on Instagram from a footwear shop, where she requests a selfie with the owner, who contributes to the nation’s wealth through taxes. She captioned the post, “There’s something special about shopping from people who know your name, your choice, your vibe. This Diwali, I’m choosing local because every small shop has a big heart. Let’s be #VocalForLocal @narendramodi @mygovindia.”

Madhuri Dixit’s Message of Togetherness

Similarly, actress Madhuri Dixit Nene shared a video from a festival lights shop. She also asked the owner for a selfie and wrote, “Diwali ki roshni tabhi poori lagti hai jab khushi apno ke saath baanti jaye. Let’s support our local shops, our own people, and spread the light of togetherness. #VocalForLocal @narendramodi @mygovindia.”

Rupali Ganguly Highlights Pride in Local Crafts

Actress Rupali Ganguly featured in a video from a saree shop owned by a fellow Bengali. Speaking in Bengali, she noted that the shop has contributed to the pride of many women through its fabrics. Her caption read, “From one festive season to another, our local shops never fail to bring that perfect Diwali warmth. Iss baar, khareedenge wahi se, apno se. Let’s celebrate India, let’s be #VocalForLocal @narendramodi @mygovindia.”

Sunil Grover Encourages Local Celebrations

Actor Sunil Grover shared a video from a gift shop, emphasizing, “Diwali pe sab kuch naya lena zaroori nahi — bas apne logon se lena zaroori hai. Shop local, smile local, celebrate local.”

PM Modi’s Push for Indigenous Support

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative gains traction each Diwali, encouraging Inddigihunt to invest in homegrown products and small businesses. With substantial purchases anticipated during Diwali, the campaign aims to foster self-reliance, create jobs, and revive traditional crafts by urging citizens to opt for locally made goods over imported items.

Shankar Mahadevan’s Sweet Sentiments

Grammy-winning music composer Shankar Mahadevan also shared a video from a sweet shop, stating, “Har mithai ki mithai badh jaati hai jab woh apne sheher ki dukaan se aati hai. Iss Diwali, apni khushiyon ka sur banayein #VocalForLocal ke saath.”

PM Modi has reiterated that supporting local artisans, weavers, and small-scale manufacturers not only strengthens the economy but also preserves cultural heritage.

The makers of director Arun Anirudhan’s much-anticipated entertainer ‘Athiradi’, featuring notable actors Basil Joseph, Tovino Thomas, and Vineeth Sreenivasan, have unveiled the film’s title teaser.

Production Details

Produced by Basil Joseph’s own production house, Basil Joseph Entertainments, along with Doctor Ananthu Entertainments, ‘Athiradi’ aims to be a complete entertainer. Arun Anirudhan, a debutant filmmaker, previously contributed as a screenwriter for the first Malayalam superhero film, ‘Minnal Murali’, which was also directed by Basil Joseph.

Shooting Schedule

Shooting for ‘Athiradi’ is expected to kick off by the end of October. The script has been co-written by Paulson Skaria and Arun Anirudhan, with Sameer Thahir and Tovino Thomas serving as co-producers. This project marks a reunion of the creative team behind ‘Minnal Murali’ — consisting of Tovino Thomas, Basil Joseph, Sameer Thahir, and Arun Anirudhan.

Teaser Highlights

The teaser introduces Vineeth Sreenivasan’s character first, followed by Basil Joseph and Tovino Thomas. It suggests that ‘Athiradi’ is set to be a mass action entertainer. The punchline hints at a power-packed theatrical experience, with each actor portraying distinctly different characters, both in looks and personality.

Multi-Language Release

In addition to Malayalam, the teaser has been launched in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada.

Previously, a casting call with the tagline “Looking for mass boys who can deliver a solid punch!” was shared on social media. A few weeks ago, during the launch of his production company’s logo, Basil Joseph officially announced ‘Athiradi’ and revealed its initial details. The film has generated significant excitement among fans and cinema enthusiasts as it will be the first film to bring together Basil Joseph, Tovino Thomas, and Vineeth Sreenivasan on screen.

Technical Aspects

On the technical front, the film will feature cinematography by Samuel Henry, music by Vishnu Vijay, editing by Chaman Chacko, and costume design by Mashar Hamsa.

Playback singer Amit Kumar recently shared a memorable story about the late music director O. P. Nayyar during an appearance on one of Kapil Sharma’s shows. Despite a longstanding feud with Amit’s father, Kishore Kumar, Nayyar had always been eager to work with Amit.

Recalling the incident, Amit stated, “I once sang for the late music director O. P. Nayyar. He used to prefer Rafi sahab over my father. There was a past conflict between them. One day, he called me, sounding a bit different, and asked, ‘Amit, son, will you sing for me?’ I replied, ‘Yes sir, without a doubt.’ He requested me to arrive at the hotel by 10:00 am for a rehearsal along with Kavita for a duet and a solo. However, I arrived 10-15 minutes late, and he was waiting at the door.”

Amit continued, “He said, ‘Is this the time to come? Do you think you are Mohammed Rafi? I am a military man. You should be mindful about the time.’ We proceeded to record the song at Bombay Lab. We started around 10 or 10:30, and by noon, he declared, ‘Pack up.’ I felt dissatisfied and told him that I wanted to do another take. I believed I hadn’t sung it well.”

“I told him, ‘I want to go for one more take.’ He replied, ‘You can’t sing better than this,’” Amit shared, making the audience laugh.

He also fondly remembered the late music director S. D. Burman, saying, “I worked with many music directors and considered myself fortunate. Unfortunately, I never got to work with S. D. Burman, as he passed away before our collaboration.”

Reflecting on a touching moment, he added, “But he came to my first show and sat in the audience. He threw a garland at me, which was the best award I could have received.”

Cuban-American singer-songwriter and actress Gloria Estefan has officially announced her biopic, confirming that Hollywood actress Rachel Zegler will portray her in the film.

The 68-year-old artist shared that the project has been in development for quite some time, but she believes they have found the perfect leading actress in 24-year-old Rachel, known for her standout role in ‘Evita’.

Gloria stated, “I think she’s awesome, I think she’s incredible. I know she killed it in ‘Evita’. We’re still working on the green light because we’re figuring out where to do it, how to do it. This has been in the works for quite a few years now. And that’s how it is. You work, you work, you work, and then all of a sudden, boom, the trigger’s pulled and you’ve got to do it right away.”

She added, “But, she’s lovely. I think she would (accept). I just need to offer her an actual part. So we need to be greenlit completely and we’re almost there. I met her on Zoom. She’s got a beautiful singing voice and she’s a great actor.”

In addition to her film news, Gloria expressed her excitement about the possibility of performing on Glastonbury’s Pyramid stage. She mentioned her daughter Emily’s recent performance at the festival with Cyndi Lauper, saying, “It’s very exciting, big and complex from what I hear from Emily. Like, it was crazy. But that would be super exciting. If I’m still around, I’d love to do that. Now, Glastonbury likes all kinds of artistes.”

Rachel Zegler rose to fame for her debut role as María Vasquez in Steven Spielberg’s ‘West Side Story’, for which she earned a Golden Globe Award. Of Colombian and Polish descent, her breakthrough came from a YouTube cover that led to her casting. Following her acclaimed debut, she also starred in ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’.

Actor Rajat Bedi, who recently made his comeback with the Aryan Khan directorial, ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’, shared his experiences of staying positive during a long hiatus. After moving to Canada, he returned to Bollywood after a two-decade gap.

Maintaining Fitness

In a recent conversation, Rajat discussed how he has kept himself fit, even referring to his time in Canada as being in “cold storage.” He remarked, “The good part was I have kept myself fit at all times. It’s my hobby working out and being fit. The climate in Canada has also been very favorable. It feels like I have come back from cold storage. People ask me, ‘How did you maintain yourself?’ I told them I was in cold storage (laughs). They took me out of cold storage and brought me back.”

Learning from the Journey

Rajat reflected on his journey over the past 20 years, saying, “This journey has taught me a lot. My ups and downs have made it a beautiful experience. I have gone through a lot of pain and happiness. I got this opportunity, and I have matured a lot. Earlier, I had a lot of immaturity in decision-making. This experience will help me guide my son’s future. So that way, it has helped a lot. A lot of failures have been a stepping stone for me now.”

Iconic Role Recognition

Earlier, the actor revealed that Aryan Khan and his friends are huge fans of ‘Koi Mil Gaya’. In the recently released streaming series, Rajat plays the role of a ‘has been’ star, directed by Aryan, son of Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan.

He also clarified his previous comments about Rakesh Roshan, which had been misinterpreted. Rajat stated, “Aryan and many of his associates, as children, have been fans of ‘Koi Mil Gaya’, and I’m very blessed that Rakesh Roshan at that time gave me this opportunity to be a part of the film. I did feel a little bad after the film. But if you actually look at my whole journey, it is a lot thanks to ‘Koi Mil Gaya’. Even today, people ask me, ‘You were in the Alien film, right? You broke Rohit’s cycle, right?’. It is one of the most iconic and lovable films for the audience.”

‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’ is available for streaming on Netflix.