MUSICAL MELODIES

MUSICAL MELODIES



    Here’ some interesting news for music connoisseurs. Ability of Disability- A Night of Melody will showcase performances by disabled artistes as well as various singers including Abhijeet Sawant.
The musical event, organised by Her Highness Sheikha Arwa Al Qassimi, will donate the proceeds to Sightsavers, which aims to eradicate avoidable blindness and provide equal opportunities for persons with visual impairments. In India since 1966, Sightsavers partners with over 100 organisations in 17 states to work towards eye healthcare, educational support and rehabilita
tion of people with visual impairment. In 2012, they reached out to over 1.5 million people with potential eye problems and supported over 77,000 eye operations.
The event aims to be a musical extravaganza, which will demonstrate that those who are disabled are no less than the abled. To see six completely visually impaired boys and girls perform and dance with candles in their hands on the stage will be an enlightening experience for the audience. Donor passes for the program are also available at the venue.
Where: Ravindra Natya Mandir, Sayani Marg, Prabhadevi. When: June 28, 8 pm onwards. Call: 9967110743, 9920717801 or 9004104777 for reservations or 022-26376600 (Mon-Fri) 9:30 am to 6 pm or book at www.kyazoonga.com/AoD
www.sightsaversindia.in 

Abhijeet Sawant

IN LOVE WITH GADGETS - Dhanush and Sonam Kapoor

IN LOVE WITH GADGETS



    The cast of Raanjhanaa — Dhanush and Sonam Kapoor — has been on a promotional spree for their film. A day after its release, they were spotted talking about it at the Reliance Digital electronics store in Infiniti Mall (Malad). The two shared many anecdotes from the making of the film, while interacting with the fans who’d come to meet them at the store.
    Dhanush, an electronics buff was impressed with a Reconnect LED TV at the store — an offering from the brand. In fact, he spent a long time checking out the various products at the store. Sonam was in her element, as she spoke about Dhanush and love stories. Reliance Digital is a one-stop electronics destination that operates 12 stores in Mumbai and over 120 stores across the country.

Sonam Kapoor and Dhanush

NO APPREHENSIONS ABOUT SURAJ WORKING WITH ATHIYA: SUNIEL

NO APPREHENSIONS ABOUT SURAJ WORKING WITH ATHIYA: SUNIEL


    Even as a sessions court on Friday rejected Suraj Panscholi’s bail application, Suniel Shetty, whose daughter Athiya is to make her Bollywood debut opposite Suraj in a Salman Khan production, offered complete support to the boy’s family.
    Ever since Suraj was arrested for allegedly abetting actress Jiah Khan’s suicide, there have been reports that Athiya is worried about the possible delay it could cause her debut.
    Suniel, however, clarified the issue. Says he, “Athiya is extremely focussed on her debut and is undergoing training. We are going to New York on a family
holiday and, once Athiya is back, the shoot will start according to the plan.”
    As a parent, is he happy about Athiya working with Suraj? The actor says, “I’ve got no apprehension. I know Suraj and I have no doubt about his innocence. He is well-behaved and well-spoken. Unfortunately for the kid, most are judging him on the basis of his father’s (Aditya Panscholi) image.”

Suraj Panscholi


Athiya Shetty


Suniel Shetty

Sri Lanka denies subsidy to Bombay Velvet?

Sri Lanka denies subsidy to Bombay Velvet?



    With an eye on budget while scouting for fresh locations overseas, producers opt to shoot in coun
tries where they can benefit from government subsidies. While most countries offer production crews subsidies on films shot there (see box on P2), some like France don’t. A recent addition to that list is Sri Lanka which won't offer Ranbir Kapoor-Anushka Sharma starrer Bombay Velvet directed by Anurag Kashyap, which begins shooting near Colombo next month.
    By most accounts, a bad experience with the makers of Salman Khan starrer Ready provoked the change in policy. As it turns out, a promise not kept, is to blame. Explains our source, “The film’s makers committed to promote tourism in that country after release. They also featured two Sri Lankan actresses in the movie. The first schedule went off well and they completed about 40% of the shoot. But after that, Salman had an eye problem, and he requested the Mumbai schedule to be delayed. The last schedule, which was supposed to be shot in Lanka, was shifted to Bangkok for reasons best known to the makers. According to tourism board officials, the Lankan actresses were not paid and the film’s makers didn’t keep their commitment after the film was
released. Upset with the treatment meted out to them three years ago, the tourism board is in no mood to help the makers of the Ranbir-Anushka film. That’s why Bombay Velvet is not getting any subsidies from that country.”
    Incidentally, this could also be the reason why no Sri Lankan production crew will be associated with the shoot. Our source says, “Normally, local teams are associated with the production to ease the logistics. But the only locals working on this film are the labourers building the set.”

Ranbir Kapoor with Anushka Sharma

Go Goa Gone


YPD2


Housefull 2


Chashme Baddoor


Vikram’s tryst with horror continues

Vikram’s tryst with horror continues



    Vikram Bhatt is back with his next spine-chiller. Titled Horror Story, the film will be helmed by Ayush Raina, who has previously directed Bombay High (one of the short films in Mumbai Cutting).
Apart from television hottie Karan Kundra, who is making his Bollywood debut, the film stars fresh faces like Ravish Desai, Hasan Zaidi, Nishant Malkani, Sheetal Singh, Aparna Bajpai, Radhika Menon and Nandini Vaid.
After Raaz 3, Vikram is keen to discard formula. Let alone songs, the
movie will not even have romantic interludes, a USP of the Bhatt style of filmmaking. Says he, “This is a scare-a-minute film in the truest sense. It’s horror from the first scene to the last and has been shot in an international format.”
    Anju Bishnoi from ASA Productions adds, “We have a huge influx of new talent and have complete faith in Ayush, who has done a commendable job. Also, this film has a versatile cast, who make every scene believable. They are a young lot to watch out for .”
    ASA Productions’ Horror Story will release this year.

The cast of Horror Story; (left) Vikram Bhatt

Rishi Kapoor, I AM RANBIR’S FATHER, NOT HIS SECRETARY

Rishi Kapoor, I AM RANBIR’S FATHER, NOT HIS SECRETARY


    Rishi Kapoor, 60, is not just playing the role of India’s most wanted man in DDay, he is also one of India’s most sought-after actors. He is still as excited as a school kid while going to work. He has inherited his passion from his father and temper from his family and is proud of his arrogance. He is baffled by where his son Ranbir gets his humility from. He talks to Bombay Times about his grounded wife, gutsy son and why Rakesh Roshan is responsible for his second innings as an actor. Excerpts: 

What made you play the role of Dawood Ibrahim in D-Day? D-Day is a patriotic film. Earlier, our freedom fighters were our heroes, then came our farmers who harvested the land with Manoj Kumar representing the patriotic Bharat, we then marched into the war heroes era, then we had films with war heroes. Our perception of patriotism changed with our problems. Today, terrorism is the big problem which the government could have rooted out but India’s most wanted man has now gone into an alien land which does not reciprocate our protocol. So, a set of four people set out to bring him back alive as the government machinery has failed to do so for their own convenience. Every
Indian wants accountability on what happened and why he was not brought back to the country. I have been selected as he is a humanised character and it needed to be played by an actor. He doesn’t look a Mogambo, but has a mind of his own; he feels that what he is doing is actually business.  
 
You are one of the busiest actors today. How does it feel? Which actor would not enjoy that? All my life I struggled to get roles. I was a romantic star with the best of heroines to dance and sing with. I remember Kamal Haasan told me during Saagar, ‘Why are you not experimenting with yourself’? I told him, ‘I don’t have an opportunity to do what you have’. Now is the time I am doing what he told me then. I enjoyed the 25 years of the romantic period as well as now, I am happy doing what I am doing today. I am not a star. I like to be respected as an actor. All my life, I have not had the coveted distinction of being called an actor. I was always called a star. I give a lot of credit to my friend Rakesh Roshan for my second innings as an actor. He had wanted me to play a one-day part as Hrithik’s father in Koi Mil Gaya.
    I told him ‘Guddu, this is not a good thing. It will spoil designs I have of making my career. He gave me a few abuses and said, ‘Yeh kya age hai career banane ki?’ I didn’t say anything to him as he was right in a way. But I was hurt and had decided in my heart that I would prove him wrong. He was the first man to have challenged me. From that time, I have been trying to build my asset value as an actor. Today I don’t have the heart to tell him ‘ki yaad hai tumne kaha tha ki aise nahi hota?’ A star can cease to be a star, but an actor is always an actor. 

Are you arrogant? I have always been an arrogant man. You can’t change me. I don’t like people who are complacent and incompetent and who say ‘chalta hai’. My arrogance is in my work, my affection, my attitude and on screen when I hold the hand of a girl. It’s not there when I have to pray to God or talk to my servants or when I love my granddaughter. I am high-strung and high-energy. My blood pressure is always high and I am always excited to go to work. Diametrically opposite to me is my son. Down to earth, humble. I don’t know from where he got these qualities. A successful film makes me happy, a flop makes me sad, but he is oblivious to either and moves onto his next film as soon as one is over. His mother told him, ‘Why don’t you take me out for dinner? You have a successful film’. He said, ‘I will take you out for dinner anyways. What does a successful film have to do with it?’ Perhaps he has got his humility from Neetu, or it’s probably his own grooming. I am sure one day the Kapoor anger will come to him. Right now, the volcano is dormant. 

Who are you most attached to today? Neetu. We are at times foes and at times friends, certainly not lovers, but are husband-wife and inherently love each other even though we may keep denying all the time how our love has gone out of the window. I was attracted to her being down-toearth. If I am flying high, she has the string of the kite. In my glamour and glitz, she was the only source of my being grounded. At the age of 22, she gave up her flourishing career and had Riddhima the same year. Which actress would be able to do that? Unlike me who is a professional actor, she is only having a blast shooting. She is traumatised with the fact that she has to get up at 8.30 am to go to work. She is my anchor and keeps me mobilised. 

How similar are you to your father Raj Kapoor? I am very triggered by my work. That’s
what I got from him and it’s more than enough. I don’t think I have any other traits from him. I wish he was there to see Ranbir’s success and his work as an actor. Fortunately, his grandmother is alive and she gets most excited about seeing his films when people make comments on him resembling his grandfather. 

Ranbir is both a star and an actor. Ranbir is Raj Kapoor’s grandson. I have to remind you that he is Rishi Kapoor’s son also. I knew that I am a son of a big father, but I now, I have come to know late that I am also the father of a big son. In between Raj Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor, there is also Rishi Kapoor, who has contributed successfully for 41 years in the industry. 

Why does it annoy you if you are asked questions on Ranbir’s success? I am his father not his secretary. I am not going to go all over town tomtomming about him. Neetu and I are not those kind of parents and I am sure Ranbir does not want us to be that either. I feel stupid and embarrassed to talk about the achievements of my son. He is being paid to do that. He is not working for free. He is supposed to work and be successful. Period.

As his father, do you have complaints with him? He needs to give more time to his parents. He needs to eat well. He needs to find a girl to get married. I got married when I was 27, he is 31. We have no reservation on who he wants to get married to but just want him happy. He has made his parents proud and
is trying to carry the legacy forward, but only once you get married can the legacy actually go forward. So let it be an issue with him that he needs to have issues. 

What do you think has paid off for Ranbir? His patience and his guts are his biggest assets. He had the guts to do a Rockstar and then Barfi after Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani. The whole world came and said, ‘What is your son doing? Sometimes playing deaf and dumb, sometimes playing sardar, sometimes having long hair’. And mind you, he was doing only one film at a time. If it flopped, he would be without a job. You need guts to do this. Other actors do one experimental film and four commercial films along with them, which they can fall back on. Along with that, you must have belief that this will work, that is an actor. He walked a path that had not been taken. I say this not because he is my son, but because he is an actor. I give credit to him for that and that has paid him off. People at traffic lights roll down their glasses and compliment me for his work. Can you imagine how proud a father I may be? No actor has a 100% record and he may falter in the future but what is special about him is that he is totally detached to success or failure. 

What do you pray for yourself at 60? I don’t consider age as anything but a number. I have the same passion surely for my work, but I wish I have the same physical and emotional strength to continue going the way I am.

Rishi Kapoor

Sonakshi Sinha in D'damas

Sonakshi Sinha in D'damas

Sonakshi Sinha in D'damas

Mr Bachchan is like marijuana - Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra

Mr Bachchan is like marijuana

    Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, 49, takes pride in being the official cook of his house. All his films have been pulled out of his own life, be it the setting of Delhi-6 in Chandni Chowk, where he grew up, to Rang De Basanti, based on his friends in Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), or his upcoming film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag due to his love for sports and admiration for Milkha Singh. While he has achieved his dream of working with Gulzar sahab in his next project Mirza, he will always have the regret of not having worked with Sahir Ludhianvi. Over an hour long conversation with Bombay Times, he talks about the multi-dimensional life of Milkha Singh, why Farhan Akhtar is the coolest guy and what binds his friendship with Aamir Khan and Prasoon Joshi. Excerpts: 

Let’s talk about your childhood? I was born and brought up in Chandni Chowk, Delhi, a microcosm of India with everything from chaat to McDonald’s to temples to masjids to the Red Fort. As you enter, you have the Gauri Shankar temple on your left, diagonally opposite is the Methodist Church next to which is McDonald’s, little ahead is the gurudwara, opposite to which is Haldiram. Moving ahead is
Fatehpuri Mosque and you turn around and you see the Red Fort. The Hindus and Muslims are separated by clear mohallas and you have to pass one mohalla to go to the other. So whenever there was talk of any communal unrest, we would just shut the phatak of our mohalla to feel safe. I grew up watching the ramleela and playing cricket at Jama Masjid. Delhi-6 captured a part of this. My dad used to love movies, so much so that he once left everything to come to Mumbai to join movies. He was a part of the hotel industry and worked with Hotel Claridges all his life, and grew up through the ranks to become the general manager. We stayed at the hotel in the staff quarters. Those days movies of Raj Kapoor and Guru Dutt used to celebrate silver jubilees and 100 days at the hotel and I would sometimes, sneak in to see the stars. My dad made friends with Om Prakash, the actor, who would come home late for dinner and do sher shairi with my dad. That was my touch and brush with movies. I studied at Air Force Bal Bharti School, where I became a keen sportsman. I swam a lot and dabbled in cricket. There was an MIG plane at the foyer and I always dreamt of becoming a fighter pilot. That became an inspiration for Rang De Basanti.  
 
How did you get into films? My first job was as a salesman in Eureka Forbes. While my family income was 2000, at that time I earned 58,000 in my third month, as I smartly realised that the fastest way to sell machines was to sell to institutions like railways and tent houses, which bought in larger numbers, as against housewives where the effort was higher, but sale lower. But I realised I was not happy and quit after four months. I then did garment exports with a friend, after which I joined Ulka advertising agency. One of our clients Hero Honda was about to sack us, as they were upset with our work. As a last resort, I was asked to make an animatics ad film in a budget of just 30,000 by my boss to present the idea to the client. To our surprise, the client not only bought the idea, but liked the film so much that they put crores behind airing it. The film bug had hit me and I felt that Mumbai was calling me. My seniors at Ulka were kind and gave me an ad film to make for Beltek Television to help me start my own creative agency in Mumbai. I thought I had arrived, but till one year later, that was the only film I had made and was calling home asking my parents to send me 400 for my paying guest accomodation. I then got to direct a film with Mr Bachchan for BPL after a few years. Amitji, till that time, was an enigma and had never appeared on television before. One thing led to another and I got to make Aks with him. 

What was it like to work with Mr Amitabh Bachchan? Amitji was a lovely accident of destiny. Professionally speaking, Mr Bachchan is like marijuana. If you get hooked onto him, you can’t leave him. He always delivers and is always surrendering himself. He has changed with the times, be it his
style or his attitude. At the time of working with him in Aks, I told him, ‘You are such a big brand Amitji, but you need to reinvent it.’ That was a time when stars did not experiment with their look or hairstyle. He was clean-shaven at that time and we fought so much around his goatee, which he used for the first time in Aks. 

How did you meet your wife Bharti? We met during our advertising days. When I was in Delhi, Prahlad Kakar had told me that I should come to Mumbai and if I did, I could use his office. So, I used to sit on the stairs outside his office, waiting to receive any calls that may come for me. Bharti, at that time, was working with Prahlad and that is how we met. She has edited both Rang De Basanti and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and is my biggest critic, who keeps me grounded. 

What binds your friendship with Aamir
Khan and Prasoon Joshi? I think we all are pretty strong-headed individuals with similar ideologies, but distinct ideas. We agree to disagree with each other. Their response matters to me a lot, be it for my movies or matters of my life. 

How did you think of making a film on Milkha Singh? I spent all my life in the National Stadium practising swimming and cricket and grew up on the folklore of Milkha, as he used to run on those tracks and was such an icon. When India was just born, the only person to have hoisted the Indian flag outside of India, apart from politicians, was Milkha Singh. I loved that about him. 

His girlfriend (played by Sonam Kapoor in the film) influenced his life in a big way. Is she still alive?
    
We did not ask him that. It was a fleeting thing in his life, but she made a lot of difference to his life. From thereon, he went on to join the army and then conquered the world. She is the
    turning point in his life and is a beautiful echo in the film. In real life, he is a rainbow of colours and is a true human being, who is not uni-dimensional. His life and the way in which he has gone about it is so inspirational. He had a lost childhood and is a victim of Partition. He witnessed the massacre of his family, including his mother, father, brother, sisters, who were wiped out in Multan. He witnessed the mass funeral of his entire village at the age of 12 and lost everything he had. He came to Old Delhi and lived in a refugee camp, where he got united with one of his sisters, who had earlier got married and fled prior to Partition. His sister, who mothered him, is played by Divya Dutta and is the highlight of the film. He then joined the army to gain respect, ran his first race for a glass of milk and finally went out to create world records and won 77 out of the 80 races he ran. In spite of breaking a world record, he lost the most important race in his life, but he won his life’s race. He loves dancing and cracking jokes, plays nine-hole golf everyday, has a world class golfer in his son Jeev Milkha Singh and has led a complete life in every way. 

How was your experience working with Farhan Akhtar? He is the coolest guy I have ever come across. He is completely open and has no hangups whatsoever. He is extremely intelligent and gifted and is a true artist, who is in the business for the sake of art. He has not just played the part, but has become Milkha Singh. The only other person who could have played the role would have been a 28-year-old Milkha himself.
    Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, produced by Viacom18 Motion Pictures and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra Pictures, releases July 12.

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra

Mahesh Bhatt contemplated casting Suraj Panscholi for Aashiqui 2

Mahesh Bhatt contemplated casting Suraj Panscholi for Aashiqui 2

Not many know that before Aditya Roy Kapur was roped in for Aashiqui 2, Mahesh Bhatt had met Suraj Panscholi, and he was among the few names considered for the main lead for this love story. But then, the filmmaker was looking for a soft face.
    Says Bhatt, “Suraj was there on our radar. He definitely has a strong presence. He has a lot of his father in him. But I needed some one vulnerable and endearing, hence I opted for Aditya.” So will Bhatt consider casting Suraj in the future? “As of now I don’t have anything in mind, but we keep launching new faces,” he said.

Mahesh Bhatt


Suraj Panscholi

Narmmadaa’s special gift for her mother

Narmmadaa’s special gift for her mother


    Govinda’s wife Sunita celebrated her birthday on June 15. While her beloved hubby was away shooting in Kolkata, it was her daughter Narmmadaa who decided to pamper her mommy dearest on her big day. The girl took her mother to Bhutan for a holiday, where she was put up at a lavish hotel. Govinda’s son Yashvardan also accompanied his mother and sister.
    Narmmadaa wanted to pamper her mother and thus the trip. She said, “Bhutan is beautiful and I wanted to give something special to my mother. We will be here for a week.” The star kid is on a travel spree. Once back from Bhutan, she will be off to London soon.

Narmmadaa

After 28 years, a 3D avatar for Sholay

After 28 years, a 3D avatar for Sholay

    The 3D version of the 1975 superhit Sholay is all set to hit the theatres. A source revealed that over 150 technicians had painstakingly worked for over a year for the new avatar and there were plans to hold screening for the veterans Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra. “The poster design is unique too, showing Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan on their favourite bike wearing 3D specs. There are other innovative ideas being worked upon the publicity design too. The purpose of converting Sholay in 3D is to let the current generation know what a classic it was and why its success could never be matched,” said the source.

Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan in Sholay

RANBIR’S A DETACHED GUY

RANBIR’S A DETACHED GUY


    Ranbir Kapoor likes to live life in a bit of isolation. The actor says he has always been a little detached as far as emotions are concerned. “That is my personality. A film’s success or failure doesn’t affect me. Once the film is done, it’s out of my system. I don’t feel attached to it. So I’ve never felt success or failure. My first film was a disaster, but nobody saw me depressed about it. I am
happy in my space,” he says.
    He further adds, “I keep quiet on sets for hours together and people assume I am in deep thought. I have this constant white noise in my head. I’m not thinking anything, my mind is just blank. This keeps me calm and focused. This is just how I am.”
    Ranbir’s mom Neetu further confirmed saying, “Emotions such as anger and happiness are missing from my son; at times this bothers me.”

Ranbir Kapoor

a public outrage over the issue of domestic violence

Why should women tolerate public display of violence?

The news of celeb chef Nigella Lawson being almost choked by her husband during a restaurant spat, has triggered a public outrage over the issue of domestic violence


    On Sunday, pictures of British celebrity chef Nigella Lawson being attacked by her millionaire husband Charles Saatchi — at a restaurant in Central London — emerged, shocking her fans across the world.
    The incident has not only raised anger levels among people, but is creating a huge furore too, with folks taking to social networking sites and other platforms to condemn the ‘public display of violence’. A radio presenter in Australia has sparked an outrage on social media sites, by posting a blog implying Aussie women should boycott Nigella’s books until she “makes a stand on domestic violence”.
    Lawson, a public figure and someone who is admired by food lovers, has been criticised for ‘taking it’. Experts talk to BT about the underlying importance of why
women should stand up to assault and how to deal with it…
PEOPLE LIKE HER FEEL RESPONSIBLE FOR VIOLENCE Nigella may be a public figure who is loved by many, but she has a very low sense of selfworth, says psychiatrist Dr Harish Shetty. “No form of violence should ever be accepted. In Nigella’s case, it doesn’t look like it has happened for the first time. But women like her cannot react as they view themselves very negatively — they constantly think, ‘It’s my fault’. If they have experienced similar abuse earlier, they are traumatised and vulnerable to more. Women like Nigella are very pretty and successful and can have a million admirers, but that cannot lift their selfworth. How the world sees them is very different from how they view themselves,” he reasons.
    Varkha Chulani, clinical psychologist and psychothera
pist, pegs it down to the need for approval. “The conditioning of women, especially in India, is that they have to be dependant and family-centric. Their success is defined by the relationship with their husband and children and being ‘liked’. This need for approval is so desperate that they condone treatments of this kind. Many women also tolerate mental abuse.” Chulani also feels that most men are unable to stomach their wives’ success.
    Does she blame the celebrity chef for ‘taking it’? Chulani explains, “I think it may be unfair to ask for a boycott of Nigella’s books until she takes a stand. She may have her reasons for reacting in a certain way — most women are not feminists by birth. We, as a society, are quick to condemn as it is our need to do so. We don’t have the courage to take a stand, so we want a powerful person to do it.”

THE WAY OUT Dr Shetty says the solution is to introspect with the help of a counselor. “Try and heal the wounds of the past so that the pattern does not repeat. Only when you feel strong from within can you love and affirm yourself.”
    Adds Chulani, “Someone like Nigella needs to understand that she deserves better. She must not look at herself as a helpless victim. Women allow abuse as they feel it atones for their sins. This is wrong, it’s high time women reassessed their self-worth.”

Nigella Lawson

Whistles and fun at this do

Whistles and fun at this do


    In keeping with the title Bajatey Raho, the cast and the director Shashant A Shah seemed to be taking each other’s case at the trailer launch of their film. Showing equal sporty spirit were producers Krishika Lulla from Eros International and NP Singh, MSM Motion Pictures. When questioned about the buzz that Vinay Pathak and Ranvir Shorey offered to coach him for the scene in which he had to kiss Vishakha Singh on the cheek, Tusshar Kapoor said, “Shashant told me to not pout my lips.” About the 17 retakes, he jested, “I told him to retain whichever take he liked the best.” Dolly Ahluwalia also gave a demonstration of her trademark whistle in the movie.

Vinay Pathak and Ranvir Shorey


Krishika Lulla and NP Singh


Shashant A Shah


Ravi Kissen


Dolly Ahluwalia


Vishakha Singh and Tusshar Kapoor

Soha goes shopping for kurtis


Soha goes shopping for kurtis



    Soha Ali Khan, brand ambassador of Kashish (an exclusive brand by Shoppers Stop), visited the chain’s Juhu store to promote the Salwar Kameez & Kurti Fest. She joined Vinay Bhatia, Customer Care Associate & Senior Vice-President, Marketing & Loyalty, Shoppers Stop Ltd., to launch the fest.
    This festival is on till July 9, where customers can avail discounts up to 30% and also get get surprise gift hampers on their purchases of salwar kameez and kurtis.
    At the launch, Soha said, “I am glad to launch the fest. I am associated with Shoppers Stop by virtue of being the ambas
sador of their brand Kashish. It celebrates traditional Indian styles and offers elegant and ornate occasion wear and accessories for graceful women. The clothes are glamorous yet retain a typical Indian regality that I’m sure women will love to flaunt.”
    Bhatia said, “It’s a pleasure to have Soha here to promote the fest. As our brand ambassador, she perfectly matches the values and positioning of the brand. Be it through her lineage, her movies or her fashion sense, she represents the modern, elegant and glamorous Indian woman and hence makes her the ideal brand ambassador.”


Soha Ali Khan and Vinay Bhatia

BOX OFFICE: YJHD IS STILL LEADING THE WAY

BOX OFFICE: YJHD IS STILL LEADING THE WAY


    Nineteen days after its release, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani continues to rock.
    The film has had a second-week run that reiterates Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone’s growing popularity.
    New release Fukrey was critically acclaimed and caught the imagination of the youth. Trade sources say,
“Word of mouth on this film is good.” The producers gave out an official collection of 9.82 crore for three days.
    Ankur Arora Murder Case is good cinema, but that couldn’t make its case stick very strongly as a big-screen entertainer. It collected around 75 lakh over the opening weekend. Hollywood superhero flick Man Of Steel was expected to do wonders, but got a modest collection of around 15 crore for the first three days.

Revenues earned from India theatrical after deducting tax


FUKREY (3 DAYS) Total 9.82 cr


ANKUR ARORA MURDER CASE (3 DAYS) Total 0.75 cr


YPD 2 Total 34.00 cr


YJHD Total 164.00 cr


Bhaag Milkha Bhaag features real jawans as Farhan’s companions

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag features real jawans as Farhan’s companions



    Talk about authenticity. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s next, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, will see a batch of 46 jawans making their Bollywood debut.
    Rakeysh wanted to shoot the film at a real location with real soldiers. So, auditions were held — among the jawans who were undergoing training — to select the jawans who would play Farhan Akhtar’s companions. They will be introduced in a song titled Maston Ka Jhund, which showcases the solidarity between the army men, who are being trained by a strict ustaad.
    The Indian Army threw open its doors to the crew and provided all facilities. In fact, the 46 jawans were not even given postings till they finished shooting.

Farhan Akhtar in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

SRK doesn’t like to miss his train

SRK doesn’t like to miss his train



    Romance is not the only constant in a Shah Rukh Khan film. The trailer of Chennai Express is a reminder of how the train and backpack are equally integral to his films. We take a look at several of his movies that feature the train, the backpack or many a times both. 
 
FILMS WITH SRK IN TRAINS

Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge Dil Se Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Devdas
Kal Ho Naa Ho Main Hoon Na Swades Veer Zaara Ra.One Jab Tak Hai Jaan Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge Kal Ho Naa Ho Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Main Hoon Na Jab Tak Hai Jaan

SRK AND TRAINS


Chennai Express


Ra.One


Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge


Dil se


SRK AND HIS BACKPACK


Main Hoon Na


Kuch Kuch Hota Hai


Jab Tak Hai Jaan