Category: Entertainment

Vidya Balan revealed how she manifested working with ‘Parineeta’ director Pradeep Sarkar.

The actress shared a video of herself starting her Monday morning by singing the beautiful track “Seekho Na Naino Ki Bhasha Piya.”

In her post, Vidya expressed her love for the melody, stating that upon first hearing it, she was captivated and started wishing to collaborate with a director like Pradeep Sarkar. “I love lip syncing to songs and this song I love, which is a good reason to do it on a Monday morning,” she noted with a slight smile emoji.

“I was struck as much by the lyrics by @prasoonjoshilive and the song itself as I was by the picturisation… And while I began to secretly harbour a desire to work with the master storyteller #pradeepsarkar,” she shared on her Instagram.

Fortuitously, Vidya got the opportunity to work with the filmmaker in her debut movie, “Parineeta.” She also participated in various projects with the same team, including Shantanu Moitra.

“Unbeknownst to me, the universe began to work its magic. A few years later, I got an ad film with Dada, and then as luck would have it, I appeared in three of his music videos too. The highlight was, of course, that I got to work with the same team of @smudgal @moitrashantanu & #Dada on another album called #Kisson ki chaadar written by @niveditajoshi4. Not just that, this eventually led to me getting launched by Dada in Parineeta,” the ‘Ishqiya’ actress shared.

Credit to the law of attraction, Vidya concluded, “I don’t know if this qualifies as the ‘Law of Attraction’ but I do know that I’m ever so grateful for this just as I am for so much else in life. Have a beautiful Monday and a lovely week ahead.”

Veteran actor Ashish Vidyarthi recently reunited with Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan in a heartfelt meeting after over two decades. This special evening also included the cast members of the upcoming thriller, tentatively titled “Storm.”

Ashish took to Instagram to share a series of images from the gathering. The first photo was a selfie featuring himself alongside Hrithik, with a caption overlay reading: “Met him after 25 years.” Their memorable connection dates back to the 2000 blockbuster musical romantic action thriller, “Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai,” which marked Hrithik’s debut in Hindi cinema.

The images showcased several prominent personalities, including Hrithik’s girlfriend Saba Azad, Eshaan Roshan, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Alaya F, Srishti Shrivastava, Rrama Sharma, and Rajit Sharma. All these actors are set to star in “Storm,” which also signifies Hrithik’s debut as a producer in the OTT landscape.

For the caption, Ashish simply expressed: “A special evening..(sic).”

“Storm” was officially announced on October 10, with Hrithik collaborating with Prime Video for this Mumbai-set thriller. Production is scheduled to commence shortly, as reported by variety.com.

Created and directed by the acclaimed Ajitpal Singh, known for the series “Tabbar” and the Sundance selection “Fire in the Mountains,” “Storm” is a noteworthy collaboration between Prime Video and Hrithik’s HRX Films, a division of FilmKraft Productions. The series will be produced by Hrithik along with Eshaan Roshan.

During the announcement, Hrithik shared that “Storm” presented him with the perfect opportunity to embark on his journey as a producer in the streaming space. He remarked, “What drew me to ‘Storm’ was the compelling world that Ajitpal has created. The story is raw, layered, and powerful, with unforgettable characters which will be essayed by incredibly talented actors.”

He further added, “This series has the potential to resonate with audiences not just in India but across the globe, and I’m excited for viewers worldwide to experience its captivating narrative on Prime Video.”

Veteran Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff fondly remembered legendary stars Kishore Kumar on his death anniversary and Ashok Kumar on his birth anniversary.

Taking to his Instagram stories, Jackie shared a video montage featuring the multi-talented Kishore Kumar, commemorating the late star on his 38th death anniversary. He included the song “Meri Neendon Mein Tum” from the 1956 film “Naya Andaz.”

“Remembering Kishore Kumar ji on his death anniversary,” Jackie captioned the post.

“Naya Andaz,” directed by K. Amarnath, starred Meena Kumari alongside Kishore Kumar. The film narrates the story of Chand, who leaves home due to differences with his father and finds great success as an artist in the city, eventually falling in love with a fellow artist, Mala.

Kishore Kumar passed away suddenly from a heart attack on October 13, 1987, coinciding with his brother Ashok Kumar’s 76th birthday. The day before his untimely death, Kishore recorded “Guru Guru,” a duet with Asha Bhosle for the film “Waqt Ki Awaz,” composed by Bappi Lahiri for actors Mithun Chakraborty and Sridevi.

Jackie also celebrated Ashok Kumar by sharing a video montage on his 114th birth anniversary.

“Remembers Ashok Kumar ji on his birth anniversary #AshokKumar,” he wrote, adding the song “Dheere Dheere Aa Re Badal” from the 1943 film “Kismet,” directed by Gyan Mukherjee.

“Kismet” starred Ashok Kumar, Mumtaz Shanti, and Shah Nawaz, and is recognized for introducing bold themes to Indian cinema, including the portrayal of an anti-hero and an unwed pregnant woman.

Ashok Kumar is celebrated as the first superstar of Indian cinema and was the first lead actor to embody an anti-hero character. He also reinvented himself, enjoying a long and successful career as a character actor.

Ashok Kumar passed away at the age of 90 in December 2001 due to heart failure at his residence.

Global star Priyanka Chopra is back in India after a delightful Diwali celebration in New York. This time, however, she touched down in Delhi instead of her usual destination, Mumbai.

Delhi’s Charm Captivates PeeCee

While enjoying her time in the National Capital, Priyanka couldn’t help but express her admiration for Delhi’s unique allure. The ‘Barfi’ actress shared a selfie from her airplane seat on Instagram, captioning it, “Sometimes I feel like I live on a plane.” In the picture, she wore a brown hoodie and a grey cap, with her hair neatly pulled back. Along with a short clip of the plane taking off, she added, “And we’re off.”

Arrival in the Capital

To mark her arrival in Delhi, Priyanka posted a photo of a welcome sign that read, “Welcome to Delhi,” updating her followers that she had reached the capital.

Celebrating a Special Birthday

Priyanka revealed the reason for her visit—she is in town for her best friend, Tamanna Dutt. Sharing a lovely image of Tamanna, Priyanka wrote, “My sister’s big birthday… Delhi it is ❤️.”

Her feed also featured a video of Priyanka driving through the beautiful city, admiring the lush greenery. She expressed her love for Delhi by sharing, “Dilli ki khoobsoorti ❤️.”

Couple Goals with Nick Jonas

On Sunday, Priyanka’s husband, Nick Jonas, took on the role of hairdresser, showcasing another couple goal moment. Priyanka posted a clip of their commute to the airport, where Nick was helping her style her hair into a bun. Complimenting him on his newfound skill, Priyanka remarked, “You’re getting good at it.” In response, Nick humorously noted that he was multitasking—styling her hair while simultaneously watching a baseball match on television.

Veteran actor Kamal Haasan recently penned a heartfelt note for his younger daughter Akshara Haasan as she celebrated her 34th birthday. Using social media to express his love and admiration, Kamal shared an emotional reflection on their bond.

A Tender Memory

Recalling the moment he first saw Akshara as a newborn, Haasan wrote, “I did not see your eyes first. You were asleep. I looked into your mother’s green eyes and thanked her for the wonderful gift — you. Your mother told me you had her eyes. On inspection later I realised a bit of my brown was also seen. These are simple similarities that parents childishly claim. Let them be.”

Celebrating Growth

Kamal also praised Akshara for the beautiful person she has become, stating, “You have grown into a beautiful person both in form and thought as well.” He urged her to cherish the child within, emphasizing that this youthful spirit belongs to him too. “I’m glad to see you have preserved the child within you as well. That child is mine too. Guard her well,” he affectionately concluded, signing off as “Forever Yours, Bapu.”

Recent Work and Future Projects

On the professional front, Kamal Haasan was recently seen in Mani Ratnam’s “Thug Life.” The film, backed by Raaj Kamal Films International in collaboration with Madras Talkies, stars a talented ensemble including Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, and many more.

Released on June 5, “Thug Life” received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics, although both Haasan and Silambarasan’s performances were lauded.

While he has yet to announce his next project, reports suggest that director Lokesh Kanakaraj is in talks with Haasan and superstar Rajinikanth for an upcoming drama. This potential project is rumored to be produced under Haasan’s own banner, Raaj Kamal Films International, although official confirmation is still pending.

As winter embraces the Canadian landscape, choreographer-filmmaker Farah Khan is infusing the cultural warmth of Bollywood and Diwali into one of its metropolitan hubs.

Dancing with the Mayor

In a recent event, Farah Khan was seen shaking a leg with Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. The two delighted the audience by dancing to a song from the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer ‘Om Shanti Om.’

Celebrating Diwali in Toronto

A video from the Diwali celebration has emerged, showcasing Farah in her element, executing the moves she originally choreographed for her film. Olivia Chow thoroughly enjoyed her time on stage, dancing to the iconic track from the movie.

About ‘Om Shanti Om’

The film featured Shah Rukh Khan alongside Deepika Padukone. Set against the backdrop of the Bollywood film industry, the story intertwines themes of love, betrayal, and reincarnation.

Om Prakash Makhija, portrayed by SRK, is a junior artist in 1970s Mumbai who falls for superstar Shantipriya, played by Deepika, unaware of her secret marriage to producer Mukesh Mehra. When Mukesh kills her in a staged fire, Om attempts to save her but dies in the process. He is later reborn as Om Kapoor, a successful actor who gradually remembers his past life and seeks justice for Shantipriya’s murder.

Cinematic Legacy

‘Om Shanti Om’ beautifully blends melodrama, humor, and self-referential satire, celebrating the nostalgia and excesses of Hindi cinema. The film boasts chart-topping music by Vishal and Shekhar, elaborate visuals, and turned out to be a major box-office hit, solidifying its place as one of Bollywood’s defining films of the 2000s.

It famously clashed at the box office with ‘Saawariya’, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, which marked the debut of Bollywood superstar Ranbir Kapoor. Ultimately, ‘Om Shanti Om’ outperformed ‘Saawariya’ during Diwali. After 18 years, the choreographer-director once again commemorated Diwali in a poetic fashion on Canadian soil.

Chrissy Teigen, wife of Grammy-winning musician John Legend, recently opened up about her friendship with actress Meghan Markle.

A Strong Bond

At an event focused on advocating for type 1 diabetes testing, the 39-year-old Teigen reminisced about her appearance in season 2 of the Netflix series “With Love,” which starred Meghan. In an interview with People, Teigen expressed her admiration, saying, “I adore her. I really adore her. I think she is so incredibly strong. It is insane to me how polarizing she is for so many different people.”

Understanding Meghan

Teigen emphasized that Meghan is simply a kind person who desires the best for her friends and family. She pointed out that Meghan’s actions, often construed as “polarizing,” were not intended for public perception. “She just (lives) simply,” Teigen noted. Additionally, she commented on how people tend to interpret Meghan’s intentions in complex ways, stating, “People are always going to read into what they want to read into.”

Living in the Spotlight

During the event, where she represented a company that developed the first telehealth-enabled platform for type 1 diabetes screening, Teigen acknowledged the narratives people create about Meghan. “I think it’s cool that (Meghan) is just like, ‘Listen, say whatever you want. I’m happy and I’m healthy and I feel good,’” she added.

Playdates with the Royals?

When asked whether she and John Legend arrange playdates for their children—daughters Luna (9) and Esti (2), plus sons Miles (7) and Wren (2)—with Meghan and Prince Harry’s kids, Archie (6) and Lilibet (4), Teigen humorously remarked that while it would be enjoyable, she rarely leaves the house. “I’m not joking. I don’t go anywhere. I try to do every photo shoot, everything at our house. So no. But if the time comes, absolutely,” she concluded.

Chinese filmmaker Chloe Zhao, renowned for her work on ‘Eternals’ and ‘The Rider’, has pointed out several grey areas in Hollywood that require improvement.

The Oscar-winning director opened up about the challenges of financing films and the influence of neurodivergence on her storytelling. Reports indicate that her poignant historical drama ‘Hamnet’, which delves into the personal tragedy behind William Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ and stars Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, premiered recently at the London Film Festival.

The film received an emotional welcome at the festival, notably highlighted by a surprise appearance from producer Steven Spielberg. In discussing the film-making process, Chloe Zhao expressed her deep passion for rediscovering and preserving older storytelling methods that have largely been forgotten in modern society.

“Before we made everything factual and reasonable, there was a time where we’d see stories in different ways, from our dreams, our vision quests, from going into nature and listening to the birds,” she shared. “The language of ambiguity is, to me, vital for the health of a society. And I think even in Hollywood, we are not very good at preserving the language of ambiguity. If logos and mystery are in harmony, we would be living in a much better world.”

Zhao also acknowledged the common difficulty in securing financing for such narratives. While she insists that profiting from her films isn’t her ultimate goal, she recognizes the importance of financial backing.

“Maybe it’s because I’m Chinese, I don’t know what it is, but I’m so afraid of owing people money. I don’t like it. I don’t like being in debt. I want the people who put the money into my films to get the money back,” she explained.

Furthermore, she emphasized her respect for the financial comfort of her backers. “I don’t believe that my vision and the importance of my film should make people lose money. It’s just not for me. I try really hard to communicate with financiers or studios about how much they are comfortable investing to ensure their survival. Limitations, I promise, are your best friend,” she concluded.

Director Mohit Suri, renowned for the superhit ‘Saiyaara,’ has revealed the inspiration that fueled him throughout the last year and during the filmmaking process.

On Sunday, Mohit shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse on his Instagram Stories, featuring actor Rajkummar Rao and director Tushar Hiranandani on the sets of ‘Srikanth.’ The photograph captures both the actor and director engrossed in thought, staring at a phone screen. Mohit expressed his enthusiasm by writing, “Congrats @rajkummar_rao for winning the best actor #filmfareawards again for my brother @tusharhiranandani film #Srikanth. It’s the film that inspired me most last year! So so happy.”

Rajkummar Rao was honored with the Critics’ Best Actor Male award at the recently held Filmfare Awards in Ahmedabad. Additionally, Mohit shared this photo on his Instagram feed, saying in the caption, “@rajkummar_rao wins again #filmfareawards so well deserved!! Aur Yeh kaunsa secret formula dikha raha hain mere bhai @tusharhiranandani! Mujhe bhi Bata… after #saandhkiaankh best actress awards #srikant wins best actors award. #backtoback award winner.. aeeeinnn.”

About ‘Srikanth’

‘Srikanth’ is a biopic directed by Tushar Hiranandani, depicting the life of Srikanth Bolla, a visually impaired industrialist from Andhra Pradesh. Despite facing prejudice and being denied opportunities in India, where he topped board exams, he eventually found acceptance abroad based on merit. Upon his return, he established Bollant Industries and embraced social entrepreneurship, supported by mentors like his teacher Devika and business partner Ravi Mantha.

The film highlights themes of resilience, inclusion for persons with disabilities, dignity, and overcoming systemic barriers in education and entrepreneurship. It maintains a grounded and genuine portrayal, avoiding any heroic exaggeration.

Recap of the Filmfare Awards

Earlier, at the 70th Filmfare Awards, the opening segment featured a stunning drone show that paid tribute to some of Hindi cinema’s biggest stars while showcasing the coveted statuette. Unfortunately, as the show concluded, one of the drones malfunctioned and fell into the audience, injuring a female attendee. Fortunately, the injury was minor, and though it caused a brief moment of panic lasting about 10–15 minutes, the event quickly returned to its normal flow, allowing the rest of the ceremony to proceed smoothly.

Hollywood star Rami Malek, renowned for his role in ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’ recently opened up about the challenges he faced while working on the acclaimed show ‘Mr. Robot.’

During a ‘Mr. Robot’ 10th anniversary panel, the actor reflected on his experience portraying the complex character of Elliot Alderson, who grapples with addiction and mental health issues. The discussion took place at New York Comic Con and was moderated by Josh Horowitz, host of the Happy Sad Confused podcast.

Emotional Depth of Elliot

Malek shared insights into the emotional weight of the role. “There was a sense of gravity to that character from the very beginning. I mean the immense grief, profound alienation,” he stated. He found a unique resilience in Elliot that inspired him and instilled a sense of hope about humanity.

The Toll of the Role

However, he admitted that taking on such a nuanced and dark character was mentally taxing. “It was a lot of mental gymnastics day in and day out, and I’m not going to lie, the schedule and (show creator) Sam put me through absolute hell,” Malek confessed.

He explained, “I remember going from Monday to Friday, and by Friday, I felt like I had gone through a bit of a battle.” The Oscar winner noted that the filming schedule allowed no time for comfort, saying, “We had seven days to shoot an episode, so there was no time to do anything but sit in Elliot’s skin, and that was not the easiest place to be.”

Reflecting on the Experience

Despite the demanding workload, Malek expressed that his time on the show, which aired in the USA from 2015 to 2019, was “worth every second.” He mentioned the profound effect the experience had on his life. “From Sam just wanting to cast me, seeing something in me, that had a profound effect on me. Even the acknowledgment that I could take on this role was a feat,” he shared.

“Looking back on it now, this show changed my life, and I owe an immense amount of debt and gratitude to everyone involved. I learned so much from it,” he added. Malek concluded by noting that the experience helped him navigate future projects with newfound confidence.