Paris Jackson’s birthday tribute to godfather Macaulay Culkin

Paris Jackson paid special tribute to her godfather Macaulay Culkin on his 38th birthday on social media, a website reports. The actress posted a series of their pics together on Instagram on Sunday, including one of their matching spoon tattoos.

“happiest of birthdays mack attack, i love you so so dearly and keep you very close to my heart. always (sic)’ she wrote as caption.’ Macaulay is godfather to all three of the late Michael Jackson’s children – Paris, 20, Prince, 21, and Blanket, 16.

Bethenny Frankel says ‘it’s hard to breathe’ after boyfriend Dennis Shields’ death

Real Housewives of New York City star Bethenny Frankel has opened up about the sudden passing of her boyfriend Dennis Shields, and how she is coping with the loss.

Dennis, a banker, 51, died this month from a reported overdose.


“It’s hard to breathe & I appreciate you giving me the space & support to try to do so. It’s excruciating-sudden death is no closure & constant & memories. Our relationship is current so it’s painfully raw. Trying to stay healthy & move through it w tears & close friends. Xo (sic), ’’ Bethenny, 47, wrote on Twitter on Sunday.

A source later told a website, “She (Bethenny) is devastated. She loved him. He was her family and (her eight-year-old daughter) Bryn’s family. Bryn loved him. Dennis was Bethenny’s partner, her family, her business partner and her best friend.”

Danny Boyle quit over plans to kill off 007

Director Danny Boyle quit the James Bond franchise after he “refused to kill off Bond in a finale to the 25th film”. According to sources, Craig, who is said to be filming his final 007 movie, and producer Barbara Broccoli, are believed to have wanted the Bond to die in a “spectacular finale”. But Oscarwinner Boyle refused to kill off the secret agent, labelling the idea “ridiculous”, reports an online portal. A source said, “There were discussions about killing off Bond in a dramatic fashion at the end. It would be a final hurrah for Daniel, and leave fans hanging. It would also leave it open for a twist in the next installment – either Bond hadn’t died or there could be a Doctor Who-esque regeneration with a new actor. There were clashes over budget and there’s pandemonium among crew with people leaving the production left, right and centre. There are fears that the film will be put back for months and backroom staff is worried about where their next pay cheque is going to come from.” It was announced last week that Boyle had quit over “creative differences”.

Marathi film Taanaji

I want to work with great scripts, it doesn’t matter whether it's in Hindi or Marathi: Ajay Devgn
Bollywood stars have expanded their horizons and with evolving roles into film production, Hindi cinema’s biggest stars are now making an impact in regional cinema too. Ajay Devgn, who’s produced acclaimed Marathi movies like Vitti Dandu (2014) and Aapla Manus (2018), doesn’t mind being cast in regional films too. He says, “I love cinema, so if there is a great script, I want to do it, it doesn’t matter whether it is Hindi or Marathi.”

He feels Marathi cinema is doing well by telling local tales and not just blindly being influenced by the West. He adds, “Since I have recently backed the Marathi film Taanaji, I can say that the Maharashtrian culture is still very intact in their cinema. They are not trying to follow any trend. They have held on to their culture and literature and that reflects in their cinema. What are we largely doing in Bollywood? We are trying to follow the West. We are forgetting our own literature and stories; instead we are chasing trends from other countries. People in the West tell all kind of stories, but they also preserve their culture. That’s why they manage to tell such beautiful stories. I wish we do that in our cinema too.”

NO MORE BAD BLOOD BETWEEN TAYLOR SWIFT AND KARLIE KLOSS?

Singer Taylor Swift and her former BFF model Karlie Kloss enjoyed a mini-reunion at Taylor’s Reputation concert in Nashville on Saturday.

“No one puts on a show like Taylor Swift. #ReputationTour Nashville was out of this world, I am SO proud of you,” Karlie posted on Instagram, along with their pic together. Taylor and Karlie were believed to have had a falling out, since they haven’t been seen together since last year. 

ROBERT PATTINSON AND SUKI WATERHOUSE SPLIT

Robert Pattinson and Suki Waterhouse have broken up. The Remember Me actor and the 26-yearold model and actress were romantically linked last month, but now it’s been revealed their brief relationship has already come to an end after just a few weeks, a newspaper reports.

It was claimed earlier this month that the relationship between Suki and Robert wasn’t serious and they were just having some “fun together”. A source told a newspaper, “Rob is having fun right now and has definitely moved on from his relationship with FKA Twigs.


He likes to have fun when he takes breaks in between filming. Suki and him have a great time together. He isn’t looking for anything serious right now. but they are definitely into each other.”

Pete proposed to Ariana

Alec Baldwin unhappy with Ireland’s photos
Alec Baldwin, 60, follows his eldest daughter, model Ireland Baldwin, on social media platforms. There, she occasionally shares professionally shot topless and even nude pics. On Saturday, Ireland, 22, posted a bold photograph of herself posing on a motorcycle. Alec was not at all thrilled about it. “No. Just...no,” he wrote in the comments section.

Nicki Minaj slams Travis Scott after her album debuts at No 2 on music charts
Nicki Minaj, whose latest album Queen debuted at No 2 on the music charts this weekend, behind Travis Scott’s Astroworld at No 1, has slammed the rapper for using his girlfriend Kylie Jenner and their daughter Stormi to promote his album.

“Travis sold over 50K of these. With no requirement of redeeming the album! With no dates for a tour, etc. I spoke to him. He knows he doesn’t have the #1 album this week. I love my fans for the #1 album in AMERICA! I’ll explain on #QueenRadio 4 albums in, #1 in 86 countries (sic),” she wrote, adding, “I put my blood sweat & tears in writing a dope album only for Travis Scott to have Kylie Jenner post a tour pass telling ppl to come see her and Stormi. (sic)”


She also blamed music labels and streaming partners for not giving her the right amount of publicity.

Here’s how Pete proposed to Ariana
Sweetener star Ariana Grande has described how Pete Davidson proposed to her in a new interview. “It was just really simple and really sweet,” she said, adding, “We were just like hanging out and he had a ring and he just asked me. It was really sweet. He didn’t get on a knee or anything, thank God... Oh my God! That would have been so googly.”

She added that she didn’t think she would ever get married.


“I’m not, like, a very traditional person, so the fact that I’m even getting married is something I never even saw coming. I never saw that coming, like, I never wanted that, like, I was, ‘F**k that, there’s no point.’ I was like, ‘What’s the point?’ And then I kinda understood it when it was with the right person.”

Vikas Sethi

The industry didn’t throw me out, I did that to myself: Vikas Sethi

Comebacks are not easy, but Vikas Sethi, one of the most loved bad boys of Indian television, is a man of new beginnings. It happened five years ago and is happening again.

The actor has reinvented himself and is raring to be back in action. Vikas tells us, “Mine wasn’t a break, it was more like fading into oblivion. But now, I am waiting to make a comeback. I am more focussed — I have changed my looks and lost weight. Yes, I have made mistakes, but isn’t that human? If I had known that those mistakes would cost me my career, I would have avoided them. But now, I am positive and in a happy space. I am also getting a good response from people.”


Vikas, who used to be counted among the fittest faces on television, lost focus and eventually, started getting cast as older characters. “Look, I was 21 then. Now, I work out rigorously every day and always carry a skipping rope with me. I have realised that if you are not fit, you will get cast as older characters. A lot has happened in my life. Honestly, the industry didn’t throw me out, I threw myself out,” he explains.

The actor admits that the lull in his career was frustrating.

He shares, “It was a tough and frustrating phase. It wasn’t just about being out of work, but I was also facing difficulties on the personal front. I was suffering monetarily and was clinically depressed. I also realised that there are no permanent friends in this industry, more so when you hit a rough patch. Friends who would stand outside my home, requesting me to party with them, distanced themselves when I wasn’t doing anything.

However, I am fortunate to have a supportive family, especially my wife Jhanvi and brother Vishal, who helped me sail through. Vishal was by my side while I was fighting to come back and my wife is my driving force at the moment.”

Like most of his peers, Vikas, too, has faced the brunt of the changes in the TV industry. Established faces are mostly cast for cameos to avoid escalating the budget. He says, “I think many people are apprehensive about approaching me, because they think that I come with a high price. All I want to say is, money isn’t important at this point. I just want to establish myself again. I want to be back with a strong negative character, as I feel that I have a flair for it. I know I’m going to be back soon and it is going to be one of the best comebacks.”

The actor, who has had a chequered career, has a message for aspiring actors. “Work hard and don’t lose focus. Success can take you to heights, but sustaining that position requires a lot of courage and focus; that’s what I lost. If you lose even a bit of spark, you will become history,” he signs off.

Rishina Kandhari is the new cop on the block

Rishina Kandhari

Tv actress Rishina Kandhari loves playing a cop and she is excited to don the khakhi on Crime Patrol Dastak now. Says Rishina, “I used to watch Annup Sonii anchor the show and nurse this secret desire to host it some day. However, I didn’t know that luck would turn in my favour so soon.”

The actress, who has played the bahu and bhabhi on fiction shows, feels she is best suited for adventurous roles. She says, “When I was chosen for this role, they wanted to know my fitness levels. I am very athletic because I have played sports while growing up, and would often go on adventure trips on my bike in the mountains. So, I was prepared for the running around that was involved in the role.”


The actress, who’s also making her debut as an anchor on the show, feels it’s more challenging than acting. She says, “There is a lot to learn when you anchor a show. You need to rehearse more and remember all the lines. I am enjoying it, but it is a lot of hard work.”

Annup Sonii talks about life after Crime Patrol and why he felt the need for a transformation

‘THE ACTOR IN ME IS HUNGRY’
Annup Sonii talks about life after Crime Patrol and why he felt the need for a transformation


It was a big decision to quit Crime Patrol. It wasn’t easy, but Annup Sonii, who hosted the crime-based show for eight years, says he had to take that call to pursue his first love — acting. Now, there’s no stopping him and Annup recently has undergone a makeover to help him explore more options as an actor. In a candid chat, he talks about his transformation...

You have done a very different kind of a photo shoot. What prompted you to do it?


I was a part of two TV shows, Balika Vadhu and Crime Patrol. Luckily for me, they became game changers on TV and I was appreciated in both. But now, the actor in me is looking for a change, from the kind of roles that I have been doing and also my looks. So, I decided to go in for this photo shoot. I worked on looking like different characters rather than just getting myself clicked in typical poses.

Is this your way of breaking free from the image that viewers have of you?

In Crime Patrol, I was myself. Here, I am an actor who is exploring himself once again.

But did your image as the host of Crime Patrol come in the way of your acting options?

That show is a very important part of my journey and I will always be thankful to it for giving me respect and fame, and adding credibility to my name. But as they say, harr cheez ke do pehlu hote hain. I was busy shooting for the show, so there were always date issues and also, I could never experiment with different looks or characters while I was a part of it.

Do you miss hosting it?

Of course, I do. I was the anchor for eight years. It is and will always remain close to my heart, but it was time to look beyond. Now, I am looking at challenges as an actor, be it in cinema or any other medium. I want to experiment... the actor in me is hungry! Things may not happen overnight and I know that I will have to be patient. I may have to do ten smaller roles to get that big one, but I am ready for that.

Is this change in look restricted to the photo shoot, or are you looking at implementing it in real life, too?

Yes, in real life, too. For now, I love my bearded look. I will not go clean-shaven unless an interesting role demands me to.

What does your wife Juuhi (Babbar) have to say about this?

Being an actress, Juuhi understands my needs as an actor, and she is happy with this change. She wants me to focus on newer challenges. In fact, now that our son Imman is almost six years old, I think it’s time for her also to get back to acting. She was a part of Aiyaary recently and I think she should do more films. We are both looking forward to some exciting work coming our way.

I am nothing without the opportunities and people around me: Amit Sadh

Amit Sadh, who plays the blue-blooded Raghubir in the recently released Gold, has been receiving positive reviews for his performance. Playing a self-obsessed royal on screen is no mean feat, but the actor took up the challenge and it has been rewarding. Amit shares, “The audience seems happy with my work. People are enjoying the film and feeling patriotic; they’re cheering, laughing and crying on occasions in the midst of the movie. They are responding to the story the way we had thought. That’s the greatest joy for any actor.”

Amit believes that as an actor, it’s not easy to please everyone, but one must keep trying. “As an artiste, I can’t please a billion people. If someone doesn’t like my performance, I’ll work harder and try to impact the mind of the audience in some manner,” he says. Talking about his inspiration, he adds, “I am a fan of Aamir Khan and the way he plays his characters. He makes them believable. It’s easy to play yourself, or do what worked last for you, but where’s the challenge? If I have been successful in playing Raghubir effectively, the credit goes to director Reema Kagti. She made sure that I never slipped out of character. I am nothing without the opportunities and the people around me.”

I have come to this industry not to copy others, but to narrate my stories: Anil Sharma

Almost two decades later, he’s still identified as the director of the iconic Gadar: Ek Prem Katha. Anil Sharma is now set to launch his son Utkarsh, who played Sunny Deol’s son in Gadar, in the action thriller Genius. In an interview with BT, Sharma stresses upon the importance of telling stories that are raw and real. He also explains why his movies are a reflection of his personality and why he loathes people who tarnish the reputation of this industry with debates like nepotism. Excerpts...

How did you zero in on a concept like Genius to launch your son Utkarsh in Bollywood?


I did not write this film for Utkarsh. I was in the US, holidaying for months and then I thought it’s high time I made a film. I decided to make something that would revolve around the youth. Somehow, the word ‘genius’ came to my mind and I thought let’s go and register the title first. Usually, we think of a genius as someone who is a little offbeat, like someone who has long hair, at least that’s the picture that Hollywood has painted for us. But genius is not essentially someone who has invented something. Genius toh woh hai joh life ki har ladai ladta hai. Any individual, and there are millions of them, who fights for his survival and emerges victorious is a genius and my story is about that. Whenever I make films, I keep my country in mind. I don’t try to inculcate that in me; it is innate and that’s what (a sense of patriotism) reflects in my films. Jaisa hoon, waise hi filmein banaunga.


Anil Sharma


Utkarsh Sharma and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in a still from Genius

Nepotism is that tiny black stain on this industry that we have blown out of proportion: Anil Sharma

And my biggest problem is that I have never remade films because I just cannot do that. I have never lifted any story, not even a single song, because I have come to this industry not to copy others but to narrate my own stories. People adapt great stories; nothing wrong with that, but I cannot bring myself to do the same. In fact, Godfather (1972) was an adaptation and so were 3 Idiots (2009) and Mother India (1957). But, when I try to do that, my heart doesn’t permit it. I tell myself, ‘Nahin yaar… main apni kuchh kahaani banauga’. Achhi hai, buri hai, jaisi bhi hai, meri hai.

Since you mentioned adaptations, what’s your take on sequels? Have you ever contemplated making a sequel to Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001)?

I have no issues with sequels. In fact, if things go fine, I will make a sequel of Genius, as I have already thought about making a trilogy out of this. But whenever I think of making a sequel to Gadar, I think about stories but end up getting stuck in the creative process. When a film becomes a mega hit, the story of its sequel has to be just as hard-hitting. There’s a reason why iconic hits like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) don’t have sequels. If you have already finished the story in the first movie, then the second part looks fake and forced.

When did you decide that you would launch Utkarsh in Bollywood?

As a father, it was my responsibility to launch my son and when I went to his university in the US and saw him bag an award for his short film I thought about giving him his first break. He assured me that he was ready for it and that’s when I thought I would make Genius for him, once he comes back to India.

How did you cast Nawazuddin Siddiqui?

This story is about two geniuses. One is played by Utkarsh and the other by Nawaz. In the film, there is a five to six minute monologue, which is a brilliant scene where the character tells the story of his entire life with the help of just his facial expressions. Whenever I thought about that scene, I could only imagine Nawazuddin Siddiqui doing justice to it.

Although Gadar is cult classic, some people have accused you of having a jingoistic approach towards writing your films. What do you have to say about that?

(Laughs!) See, even Krishna and Lord Rama were not spared and I am just a human being. Trolling people has become a common occurrence these days and a daily habit. Internet pe baitho aur kuch bhi ulta seedha bolo, purane zamane main bhi yahin hota tha.

A few days back you commented on the nepotism debate, where you said something to the effect of, ‘we’ll ask this question to Kangana, when she has her own kids’. You went on to add that she got work in this industry despite being an outsider. What is your opinion on this entire discussion?

I wasn’t upset, I was asked a question and so I answered. Maine mazaak main bol diya tha. Nepotism is that tiny black stain on this industry that we have blown out of proportion. When I started making films, do you think I did not struggle? Those who talk about nepotism, came from small towns and villages and still made it big in showbiz, right? Ours is the only industry that gives you a chance solely on the basis of your talent. Actors have to face the camera and filmmakers have to run a thousand errands behind it. You have to do it all, by yourself. Acting is a profession where you cannot survive without talent. There are so many filmmakers whose kids have not been able to make it in the industry, because they had no or very little talent. Likewise, there are so many kids from outside who have made it big in the industry by virtue of their talent alone.

When an established filmmaker like you launches their son in a big production, does that fan the nepotism debate even more?

In Genius, I have given 18-year-old Ishita Chauhan a break. She has no godfather in the industry but she still got work right? How did she get it? Agar koi ladki bolti hain ki nepotism ke wajah se role milta hain, toh yahaan kahaan nepotism hain? I have launched seven to eight actresses – from Priyanka Chopra to Urvashi Rautela and Divya Khoslaji too. They had no one in the industry but they still got to work because they had the talent. If you have it in you, you will rise and shine. Faltu log jinke paas time hain, yah joh log bematlab ki publicity chahte hain, woh iss tarah ki baatein karte hain.


Utkarsh Sharma and Ishita Chauhan in

Genius


Anil Sharma

‘THE BIG BLOCKBUSTERS THAT I DID IN THE PAST GAVE ME THE CONFIDENCE TO SHOULDER A FILM ON MY OWN’

Flaunting an envious, toned bod, Sonakshi Sinha is in the best shape of her life. But it’s not just the weight loss that has lent Sona her newfound sense of calm and confidence. It’s her winning attitude that makes her a cut above the rest. Honest, humorous and happy — the actress tells us what keeps her going, how she deals with naysayers and all you need to know about her forthcoming film, Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi (HPBJ).

You have undergone a startling physical transformation. Unfortunately, your weight has been a talking point over the years, but you have silenced your naysayers with a bang. What triggered the change?


It has to happen from within. I woke up one day and decided to utilise my time in the best way possible, which was to work on myself. I tried a new form of workout (Pilates). Earlier, I used to eat anything and assume that it’s okay to do that since I was exercising, but it doesn’t work like that. You have to strike a balance between your meals and workout. I have only been able to achieve that in the past six months and the result is visible.

SONAKSHI SINHA

FINALLY, MY BODY IS MATCHING MY ATHLETIC PERSONALITY: SONAKSHI

Obviously, compliments from others who meet me and tell me how great I look also help, but those things are temporary. It’s about how you feel about yourself. What you see in the mirror is what matters. I am feeling better and that is what keeps me going. Also, I will be very honest with you. My shoot (for HPBJ) got delayed and I had two months to myself and had nothing else to do. So, I went to the gym, started working out and it’s as simple as that.

You had once said that when you were not ‘thin enough’, various designers were not keen on dressing you. Has that changed now?

You put it very politely (laughs!). There are people who have said that, ‘We cannot style Sonakshi because she is too big’ or ‘I can’t give her my gowns, because she won’t look good in them’. It’s not nice to say these things. It stays with you. Now, these same people constantly call my stylist and request her if they can style me. They send clothes, too, but you tend to always remember these things. Too bad! If you didn’t like me as a potato, you can’t have me as a fry!

You have always been an athletic person. Today, you have an extremely toned body. Did you always aspire to achieve this level of physical fitness?

Yes, I have always been an athletic person, but I never had an athletic body to go with it. I have played every sport in school. I still love to play sports. Finally, my body is matching my athletic personality and I am happy about it.

Your workout video with Katrina Kaif was a gruelling watch. It looked like one heavyduty workout session. Do people like her inspire you a lot?

My trainer (Namrata Purohit) is extremely motivating. Katrina is hard-core when it comes to workouts and her trainer is on the next level (laughs!). One day, I told her I am really tired and she was like, ‘I am taking you to the gym’, because she figured I might not end up going. I went with Katrina and it was fun. She does a lot of functional training and I have to say, she is definitely one of the fittest actors we have in the industry today.

Akira (2016), Noor (2017) and now Happy… Today, you’re getting an opportunity to showcase your range as an actor in different genres. Also, the interesting thing is that these are movies where the women characters lead the way...

Every actor just needs that opportunity to show their range and what they are capable of. A lot of amazing roles are now being written for women and it gives us an opportunity to showcase our talent and portray a different side of our personality on screen. I feel we should do away with this term called ‘women-centric’ cinema. We don’t call other films ‘hero-centric’. A film is a film, whether the protagonist is a man or a woman. All of us, at the end of the day, are trying to achieve equality, so we need to stop differentiating.

Do you feel lucky to belong to a generation who gets offered diverse roles, as opposed to a time when opportunities for actresses were more conventional?

I feel very lucky, but don’t get me wrong. I love to be on both sides. I got the confidence to do these kind of movies because of the films I have done in the past. Whatever I know, I have learnt on the job. The kind of reach and audience I got initially was because of those big blockbusters. They gave me the confidence to shoulder a film on my own.

Do you seek your father’s opinion when it comes to approving scripts and movies?

Sometimes, I do, but the final call is always mine. If I need some advice, I always turn to my family, since they have so much experience in the movies. I am not the one to sit and strategise. I have always been instinctive when it comes to choosing my films. If I like it on paper, I will do it, if I don’t like it, I won’t do it. If I have to agree to a project, I do it instantly. I don’t dwell over it or have several discussions with people.

Did you have any apprehensions about taking over a franchise, which had another actress, Diana Penty, in the lead?

HPBJ is about these two girls who are called Harpreet Kaur, and thus Happys. Strangely, they both end up in China and that’s where the confusion and comedy of errors unfolds. When they came to me with the script, I couldn’t stop laughing. Because of my Punjabi traits, Happy’s character came naturally to me and I felt at home. I didn’t have to fill anyone’s shoes because these are two different characters. We have the same name and that’s the only commonality. As people, we are completely different. For me, it was about how to carry the story forward. Jassie Gill and I are new entrants to the franchise and I treated it like a completely new film. Also, it helps being a funny person in real life. I am a positive person, who doesn’t take life seriously, and I have a knack of seeing the lighter side of any situation. Also, I have been blessed with my dad’s sense of humour, so all of this really helped.

On social media, you don’t hold back from voicing your opinions and are not diplomatic. Do you think the industry appreciates someone who is safer with his/her words?

If I feel strongly about something, I talk about it. I don’t really care who thinks what. That’s who I am as a person. What you see is what you get. When you get into this profession, a lot of things change anyway, so it’s important to stay true to yourself, which is what I have done right from the beginning. I don’t intend to change that and if anybody has a problem with it, it’s their problem.

JOE AND SOPHIE’S SIZZLING POOL DATE

Former Jonas Brothers front man Joe Jonas and his fiance Game Of Thrones star Sophie Turner were seen enjoying the perfect summer date in Miami this week. The couple, that has been engaged for almost a year, enjoyed sipping on frozen beverages, while swimming in a pool and indulging in some PDA.

The date seemed to be a prebirthday bash for Joe, who turned 29 on August 15. According to a Hollywood website, the duo followed it up with a grand party at a nightclub later. 

Prachee Shah Paandya

An actor should have the ability to do the most usual things, in an unusual way: Prachee Shah Paandya

Discipline is the key to success, in every walk of life. That’s the mantra that actress Prachee Shah Paandya, who’s been winning hosannas in the recently released Mulk, picked up from her parents, during her growing up years. Her father was an engineer and her mother a banker, and observing them, young Prachee learnt that practice makes perfect. She developed the idea that if one has to excel at a task, you have to keep doing it over and over again. She has acted in over 20 popular television shows, which lead her to do a variety of films like Student Of The Year, ABCD 2 and Judwaa 2. Talking about her latest release, Mulk, which has won critical acclaim from all quarters, Prachee says, “Everything about the film felt genuine — the direction, writing, setting and an extremely talented cast that had big names like Rishi Kapoor, Taapsee Pannu, Rajat Kapoor, Ashutosh Rana, Neena Gupta and Manoj Pahwa. I was able to give my character of Choti Tabassum an honest and natural portrayal, thanks to Anubhav (Sinha) sir and the entire team.” She’s been receiving a lot of accolades and praise from her peers in the film industry as well as fans. She has interesting insight to share about the craft of acting. She says, “Whatever little learning I’ve got from my experience so far has taught me that an actor should have the ability to do the most usual things, in an unusual way.” One of the highlights of Mulk was its balanced stand on religion and politics. Prachee feels religion is important, but it’s also a concept that is misused a lot. She shares, “I believe in the religion of humanity. And any religion, that advocates hatred towards one another, cannot be a religion of God.”

Apart from being a prominent face on Indian television she is also an acclaimed Kathak dancer. She’s honed her dancing skills over the last 25 years and such has been her skill with kathak that Prachee also holds a Guinness World Record. She’s managed to pull off the arduous task of 93 spins in one minute. When it comes to her movies, Prachee is focussed on learning something new every day. She doesn’t want to be choosy about her work. She says, “The only selection criteria I have in whatever I do is that, it should help me grow as a professional and continue to give me a sense of gratitude that I feel every day.”

Jennifer wants Ben to work on his health before divorce

Jennifer Garner may need to refile for divorce from Ben Affleck. According to new court documents, the exes — who announced their separation in June 2015 — were warned by a judge in a LA Superior Court that if they can’t settle their case, a judge has the right to call it off. The actress has been stalling since filing in April 2017. “Jen wanted to give Ben the time and opportunity to work on his health and sobriety,” a source told a daily, adding, “She isn’t in a rush. And it’s because of their three children: Violet, 12, Seraphina, nine, and Samuel, six. Garner wants him to “be the best father he can be.”

Affleck, however, is ready to move on, especially since he’s been dating Lindsay Shookus, 38. 

Emma Stone thinks she can’t handle social media

Emma Stone isn’t on social media because she doesn’t think she can handle it. The La La Land star is impressed by the ease with which some people “handle” posting, commenting and receiving messages on social media, but doesn’t think it’s something she can cope well with. In a recent interview to Jennifer Lawrence for a magazine, she said, “I think it wouldn’t be a positive thing for me. If people can handle that sort of output and input in the social media sphere, power to them.”

She recently turned 30, and she believes her birthday has helped her look back on her life in a clearer way. She said, “My twenties were a really interesting time, and there’s been a lot that has happened in these past 10 years. Instead of just living the dreams that I had in my youth, it’s like, now what do I actively want as an adult?”

Sonakshi Sinha mobbed on the set of Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi

Sonakshi Sinha’s character Harpreet aka Happy in Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi hails from Amritsar and the makers had to shoot a scene featuring her in a crowded market area in the city. In spite of having organised the shoot to the best of their ability, director Mudassar Aziz’s team was overwhelmed by the kind of crowds that turned up. The situation got uncontrollable and finally Mudassar had to cancel the shot.

Talking about the situation, Mudassar recalls how he had to think on his feet to save Sonakshi from the overzealous crowds. He says, “We had ample amount of security, but the kind of crowd that turned up, made it really difficult for even four to five security personnel to handle the situation. I just had to step in and since I was closest to Sonakshi, I somehow managed to take her safely to the car.” He further elaborates, “There was an over enthusiastic person who was trying to reach out to Sonakshi for a picture and since I was coming in his way, he pressed his elbow on my back, which ached for the next two days.”


The next day, the team found a creative way to shoot the scene. Mudassar kept a camera in a car and escorted Sonakshi to the location in a burkha. She got rid of her burkha in the middle of the road just when the camera was about to roll. The team quickly managed to capture the tricky shot.

Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi, presented by Eros International and A Colour Yellow Production, produced by Aanand L Rai and Krishika Lulla releases on August 24.

Would you dare to wear ‘joots’ à la JLo?

Everyone has their own style of sporting denim. For actress and pop star Jennifer Lopez, it was her stylish jeans boots, or ‘joots’, that recently got fashion-ville talking. JLo, who is known to always make a sartorial statement, recently rung in her 49th birthday and did just that, again. She donned a pair of denim almost kneehigh boots that made it seem like her pants were worn around the calf and ankles. The boots resembled baggy jeans and had pockets and a belt. The look broke the internet and, of course, the ‘joots’ received mixed reactions online — with Twitterville throwing up memes and comments on her choice of footwear. One even twisted the lines from the famous song These Boots are Made for Walking to read; ‘These Joots are made for walking, and that’s just what they’ll do. One of these days these Joots are gonna walk all over you.’ The If You Had My Love singer is known to take a fashion risk or two, be it with her diamanté studded body-con outfits on the red carpet or her recent, barely-there white monokini that she wore for a yachting adventure in Antibes with beau Alex Rodriguez. Looks like, her latest Insta-worthy style plunge is also going to go down in denim history.

Himanshu Soni

After vowing not to play God again, Himanshu Soni is back as Krishna

Himanshu Soni had sworn not to play ‘God’ again on television, but it looks like destiny has more ‘divine’ plans in store for him. So, after his last show Neeli Chatri Waale wrapped up, the actor is back on TV as a deity once again!

Himanshu has been finalised to play the grown-up Lord Krishna in Siddharth Kumar Tewary’s Radha Krishna. Earlier, he had played Lord Vishnu in Ramayan, the title character in Buddha and a modern Lord Shiva — inspired by Akshay Kumar’s role in OMG! Oh My God — on the TV show, Neeli Chatri Waale.


“Yes, that’s what I had said after my last show wrapped up. However, what prompted me to take up this offer is the fact that Krishna will be seen in a different avatar on this show. So far, we have seen him smiling in all situations, but my Krishna is emotional, who cries as well. Also, the show has a younger Krishna and so, I will get a break from being seen in the same avatar all the time. Finally, as an artiste, you can't be out of sight for too long.”

While he may be playing God once again, it doesn’t mean that the actor doesn’t want to explore any other genre. He shares, “It’s not that I am only offered mythological shows. I get a lot of offers in the historical genre and I am quite inclined towards it, as it gives you a lot of scope to perform. As far as daily soaps are concerned, I want to take up male-centric shows, but sadly, most Indian soaps are women-oriented.”

Himanshu also wants to romance on the small screen now. He says, “I would really like to take up a romantic show on TV, nahin toh raha saha romance bhi khatam ho jayega meri life se. I am not at all romantic in real life and I hope to learn a thing or two on screen and apply those lessons in my real life.”

The actor admits that it took him time to come to terms with the fact that he is married. Himanshu, who has been married to the Buddha producer, Sheetal Singh, for two-and-ahalf years, says, “Since I married at a young age, it took me a lot of time to understand the relationship and its depth. It is a warm feeling; it gives you a sense of family and also responsibility.” Himanshu says that he has already warmed up to the idea of being a father in real life. Ask him whether he is planning to go the family way anytime soon and he replies, “Maybe next year.”

Devoleena Bhattacharjee

I was never a ghunghat wali bahu in real life: Devoleena Bhattacharjee

Actress Devoleena Bhattacharjee is happy that after years, people have started connecting with her as Devoleena and not her screen character, Gopi bahu. She says, “There has been no conscious effort to break the image of Gopi bahu, but now, I am happy that if 10 people in a crowd call me Gopi, the other five would address me as Devoleena. It often happens that when you play a character for many years, people forget that there is a real person behind the character.”

Despite it being a year since Saath Nibhaana Saathiya went off air, Devoleena is yet to take up another long-term project. Neither has she participated in stand-up comedy shows or reality shows. Ask her if she is worried about being ‘out of sight, out of mind’, and she replies, “Yes, it is true that if you are not visible on the screen, you may easily get lost in this big world. However, after a popular show like Saath Nibhaana Saathiya, I did not want to do something that will make my fans look down on me.”


Meanwhile, there were rumours that the actress was in talks to join an ongoing TV show, which revolves around marital infidelity. “That rumour spread like wildfire. Many of my fans even pleaded, saying I should not play the ‘other woman’. I feel that the character of Gopi bahu has left such a strong imprint, it is not easy for people to accept me in a role like that. Having said that, every actress wishes to do something new and experimental. So, I am hoping that I will strike the middle ground and find something interesting very soon.”

While her fans might find it difficult to dissociate her from Gopi bahu, the actress’ social media features photographs of her in Western outfits. So, is she deliberately trying to break away from the image of a sari-clad bahu? “The Devoleena you see on social media is the real me. It’s my personal zone. I was never a ghunghat wali bahu in real life. Tomorrow, even if I accept a role that’s similar to Gopi, I would still wear gowns at a public event. I wonder why people make such a big issue of my modern avatar on social media,” she reasons.

Over the last year, Devoleena has kept herself busy by travelling to the remotest parts of India in Assam, Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh. She also tried bungee jumping and became a professional scuba diver. She says, “It was important to tick off a few things from my bucket list. When I was doing the show, it was tough to get even a three-day break. So, I used the last one year to explore and travel across the country.”

Talking about her personal life, the actress, who has never been linked with her co-actors, confirms that she is single. “I would love to get married soon, but am looking for someone who is balanced. I am not looking for a workaholic or a Romeo. It’s all about balancing career and personal life,” she signs off.

Love Sonia is a hard-hitting story that deals with human trafficking

After creating a buzz in Los Angeles and garnering appreciation in London and Melbourne, Love Sonia is now set to release in India on September 14. The film is a hard-hitting story of a 17-year-old girl, who risks her life to rescue her sister from a vicious human trafficking network across India, Hong Kong and Los Angeles. It has an ensemble cast comprising Manoj Bajpayee, Richa Chadha, Rajkummar Rao, Sai Tamhankar, Adil Hussain, Demi Moore, Mark Duplass, Freida Pinto and newcomer Mrunal Thakur.

The film, which is being lauded globally for its explosive story around human trafficking, also won the Best Indie Film Award at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2018.


Tabrez Noorani, who makes his directorial debut with this project, shares, “After the incredible audience reactions in London and Melbourne, I am thrilled that the movie is now releasing in India. I am blessed with a powerful ensemble cast and all of them have contributed in making this film special.” Producer David Womark adds, “I am thankful for the accolades Love Sonia has got so far in London and Melbourne. Tabrez has made a powerful film and I am glad we are now releasing in India.”

Speaking about the film, executive producer Shalini Thackeray shares, “Love Sonia is a brave and moving story. I am proud to be a part of a movie that talks about human trafficking in such a poignant manner. Samraaj Talkies is proud to present a movie featuring a strong ensemble cast.” Co-producer Amar Butala says, “This is India’s most sincere and disturbing film on human trafficking. It’s a potent story that spans from India to Hong Kong all the way to Los Angeles.’’ Love Sonia is presented by Tamasha Talkies and Samraaj Talkies in association with India Take One Productions, Cinemantra & Dynasty Consulting Group. It is produced by Life Of Pi producer David Womark and Tabrez Noorani, co-produced by Amar Butala, with executive producers Shalini Thackeray, Deepak Nayar and Pravesh Sahni.


Tabrez Noorani


Freida Pinto and Manoj Bajpayee in a still from Love Sonia

Shahid Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor

Shahid-Shraddha groove to the zany dance number Gold Tamba


Known for his fine dancing skills, Shahid Kapoor will be seen shaking a leg once again in his upcoming film Batti Gul Meter Chalu, directed by Shree Narayan Singh. The actor, along with co-star Shraddha Kapoor, will groove to the peppy track, Gold Tamba. The song, which releases today, has been composed by Anu Malik, written by Siddharth-Garima, sung by Nakash Aziz and choreographed by Ganesh Acharya.

Talking about the dance number, Shahid says, “It’s such a fun song by Anu Malik and I totally love the lyrics by Siddharth-Garima. The character I portray allowed me to have a blast and working with Ganesh master for the first time was just killer.”



Shahid Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor in the song Gold Tamba from Batti Gul Meter Chalu

Gold Tamba from Batti Gul Meter Chalu has a racy vibe

Choreographer Ganesh Acharya adds, “This is the first time that Shahid and I have worked together. He’s a good dancer, so it’s fun to choreograph him. I’ve tried to give him a different style of dancing, something he hasn’t attempted before. So, his fans will like that.”

Shraddha Kapoor shares, “It was a dream working with Masterji (Ganesh Acharya). This is my second song with him after Cham Cham (Baaghi, 2017). I’m a huge fan of his work and I had a blast working on this song with Shahid and the whole team. And of course, the music by Anu Malik is foot-tapping and everyone was grooving to the beats on set.”

Sharing his thoughts on Gold Tamba, Anu Malik says, “I have composed it keeping Shahid and his dance moves in mind. I wanted the song to be unique and hence, the first two lines came to my head — 'When you getting gold why go for tamba?’ I shared the song with Shahid and then Siddharth-Garima, who then came up with absolutely zany lines like, ‘When you getting Rambo why go for Samba?’. He adds, “This song has a racy vibe, which is bound to catch the fancy of every music lover.”


Shahid Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor in the song

Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Ziva

‘Whether I like it or not, Ziva gets a lot of attention’

During the decade he led Team India as its captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni brought in two World Cups — T20 championship in 2007 and the cricket World Cup in 2011. Though he has given up captaincy in all formats of the game — Test, ODI and T20 — the fact remains that he is one of the most successful skippers India has seen. The 37-year-old cricketer was recently in Mumbai to launch a sports app, and during his interaction with the media, he spoke about the game, the importance of sports in his life, his daughter Ziva, and the rumours surrounding his retirement. Excerpts…

These days, star kids are as popular as their parents on social media. Your three-year-old daughter Ziva is no exception. Do you like the attention that she gets, or does it worry you as a parent?


Whether I like it or not, the fact is that Ziva gets a lot of attention. In fact, wherever I go, people actually ask about her; I am nowhere in the scene right now. Talking about my daughter, she is a livewire. She is always on the move and she is very careful about what she does — so, we are not worried that she will hurt herself.

Earlier this month, Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore had said that a games period would be made mandatory in schools, after reducing the academic syllabus by 50 per cent by next year. Your take?

Education is very important, but sports teaches you a lot about life — the will to win, the acceptance of loss and how to come back after a defeat. Schools are the best places to encourage our youngsters to play a lot of sports. When I was in class VI or VII, I had no clue whether I was going to be a cricketer, a footballer, an athlete or a badminton player. The point is, if I have not tried these sports at school, how will I get to know what I am good at? Sports build character, so it should be a big part of every student’s life — kids should be pushed to play sports even if they don’t want to. Having said that, while sports need to be incorporated into the syllabus, there can’t be a situation where your score chart depends only on sports.

Recently, there was a viral video of you taking the match ball from the umpires, after the 3rd ODI against England at Leeds. It had created some buzz around your imminent retirement from international cricket. Please comment…

That (taking the ball) was just to see why we were not getting enough reverse swing. Because we will be playing the World Cup in England next year, it is important to figure out how to get the reverse swing going.

The ICC (International Cricket Council) uses a ball only for 50 overs, so after the match, I requested the umpire to give it to me and I gave it to the bowling coach.

Athiya Shetty

Is Athiya Shetty Drake’s Kiki?
Here’s the truth behind Athiya and Canadian rapper Drake’s online posts, which have sparked rumours of a romance between them

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas’ romance and alleged engagement has been grabbing headlines for weeks. Now, exchange of cutesy messages on a social media platform, between Bollywood actress Athiya Shetty and rapper Drake, is making everyone wonder… is there another cross continent romance in the offing?

The post in question has Athiya wishing her dad Suniel Shetty on his birthday. Drake called him ‘legend’ and that led to speculation. Is Athiya the girl behind Drake’s smash hit ‘Kiki, do you love me?’ Actor Varun Dhawan fuelled our imagination further, by commenting on Athiya’s post, which said, “Who knew you were Kiki?”


Following these comments, the actress was bombarded with envious posts from Drake’s female fans across the globe, which he didn’t appreciate. We heard that he even apologised to the actress personally for inadvertently causing the confusion. Gentleman, indeed.

Referring to their supposed online flirting, a friend close to the actress laughed it off saying, “Drake and Athiya are friends. They met each other about a year ago in at a restaurant in London. Athiya was with her friends and Drake was with his. The two hit it off after Drake reached out to Athiya a few days later. They keep in touch and this is not the first time that Drake has commented on Athiya’s posts. Guess Varun’s comment made everyone sit up and take notice, but he was just being funny.”

Our source added, “Drake and Athiya are friends but there is nothing more to that. The Kiki bit is all in good humour. It should not be blown out of proportion.”

While people were surprised to see the Canadian singer wishing Suniel Shetty, the two know each other. Another source added, “Suniel and Drake know each other, but he had no clue what Kiki meant (laughs!)”

Ssharad Malhotra

‘After I did my first film, I thought I would be the next Shah Rukh Khan’
Ssharad Malhotra talks about the insecurities that an actor faces, how he bounced back after a low and why he is marriage-phobic

Television’s charming actor Ssharad Malhotra has nothing to hide. In fact, there is never an ‘offthe-record’ statement that he makes. “My life is an open book. It’s out there for everyone to see,” he tells us, as we sit down for a chat. Ssharad started his acting career with the show, Banoo Main Teri Dulhann. He has had an interesting journey in tellyland and has seen it all — the highs, the lows, the depression and the bouncing back. Here, he tells us what keeps him going...

Your show Kasam has just wrapped up, but the question ‘what next’ must be already on your mind. Would you agree that television actors go through a lot of insecurities, whether they are doing well or not?


Absolutely! I can brag about the fact that over the years, I have had three hit shows back to back, but then, I know that tomorrow is a new day and I don’t know what’s going to happen. I might have to sit at home for a while. And that’s not easy, because you may have bought a house and you have instalments to pay. If you’ve done well for yourself and made investments, then that takes care of your instalments. You may also have your savings, but then you are eating out of that. So yes, it definitely gives me the jitters and there are times when I freak out. But then people tell me, ‘Arre tujhe kaam nahin milega, yeh kaise ho sakta hai? You will get something brilliant.’ But then, till that ‘brilliant’ comes to the table, there is always insecurity. Also, the kind of person that I am, I am never happy with just one project on hand. I want to make a choice between, say a thriller, drama or comedy. In that sense, I am choosy, but then right now, I know I can be that way. Earlier, I couldn’t, but today, I can wait for the right offer to come my way.

It’s a tough life, so would you recommend the profession to someone close to you?

Not at all. It looks very rosy from outside. Unless you are sure and very passionate, you should not get into it. I have a lot of people who come and ask me about how they can get into acting; I advise them to first get some professional training, then mentally prepare for the highs and the lows, and only then take the step. I had no work for four years after my first show, which was a hit. That’s because I did a one-year course at New York Film Academy and when I returned, everything had changed here and the people I knew had moved jobs. It was tough. But some time later, I bagged my first film. It was an A-list film in terms of production values, shooting abroad and locations, and I thought to myself, ‘Yeh film chal gayi toh gadi chal jayegi’. I thought I would be the next Shah Rukh Khan. But the film didn’t click and that was a huge setback.


SSHARAD MALHOTRA

I have been off relationships after a decade: Ssharad Malhotra

I was in depression. I went in for counselling and also started meeting a lot of people, trying to feel better. I was in a relationship and that helped me a lot.

Did you think of switching careers?

That thought came to my mind too. Just when I was thinking on those lines, the TV show Maharana Pratap came my way. That did well and within a month after that ended, I bagged Kasam which also had a good run. Now I’m waiting for something interesting to come my way. Along with TV, films are also on my mind.

Recently, you’ve been in the news for your personal life. Your break-up with actress Pooja Bisht after two years of being together made headlines. Are you commitment-phobic because even in your previous relationship with Divyanka Tripathi, this was an issue?

I think I am marriage-phobic. If I have been with someone for two years or seven years, clearly I am not commitment-phobic. I am with the person, I love the person and it’s all hunky-dory. In all my relationships, I have had some great moments, it’s been fantastic. We have also fought like cats and dogs, but the kind of family I come from, I know where to draw the line. In a relationship, you have your good times and then you experience the bump and you don’t know how to react. The topic of marriage comes up and you start stepping back and your partner wonders why. I don’t blame them; they are right in feeling that way. Like I have said in the past, the fault is probably mine. I always fall short of taking that final step and that’s something I need to rectify. I have to really work on that.

Recently on a celebrity chat show on TV, Divyanka Tripathi got emotional while talking about the break-up...

There’s not much I can say except that it was a beautiful relationship. But when the word ‘marriage’ popped up, I developed cold feet. It was a long time ago and I was quite immature. One gradually matures with time and experience. Yes, I have made mistakes. As human beings, we all make mistakes. I realise that now but unfortunately, it’s five years down the line. I should have realised it then, but no hard feelings. We have both moved on. She looks very happy and I wish her the very best.

Can exes be friends?

Surely. Why can’t exes be friends? Not immediately maybe, but after a certain amount of time.

Are you friends with your exes?

I would love to (laughs). It would be nice to see how their lives are now, of course, without intruding much.

Talking about marriage, you have said that your mother is keen on you tying the knot soon...

I come from a typical Punjabi family and my mom has been after me for a while now. Every time we have a conversation, she says, ‘Bas ho gaya. I’m sending you some pictures. Have a look and let me know.’ I tell her it doesn’t work that way. I have changed a lot in the last 12 years after I moved from Kolkata to Mumbai. I have lived by myself. I’m so independent now, travelling and working. I’m sure a lot of people will relate to this... after you have been on your own for long, when someone starts intruding into your space, you tend to push that person out. But I know that I have to change. I tell myself that at some point, I will get married and there will be somebody with me in the same space, in the same house. My friends have been after me too, to take the plunge. They say that they want to celebrate and get new clothes (laughs). I tell them I’ll do it not for their reasons, but when I think the time is right.

Are you open to an arranged marriage?

Yes, why not? The whole process of getting to know someone post marriage is so intriguing.

At the moment, you are clearly enjoying your singledom?

I have been off relationships after a decade. People have been telling me that I am looking relaxed, fresh and younger. Life is different. I now have a lot of ‘me’ time and I am enjoying that. Recently, I even went on a solo trip abroad to discover the real me. It was amazing.

CELEB BREAKUPS OF THE YEAR

BREAKING BAD: CELEB BREAKUPS OF THE YEAR
It has been a year full of heartbreaks. While we are still four months away from saying goodbye to the year, many A-list couples have already bid adieu to their partners. From Jennifer-Justin to Cheryl-Liam and Channing-Jenna, many of our favourite Hollywood couples have called it quits this year, breaking our hearts just like theirs.

Here’s a sneak-peek into the relationships of famous celebs who put an end to their romantic relation.


ALICIA SILVERSTONE AND CHRISTOPHER JARECKI

20 YEARS The former couple married in 2005 in California. Alicia and Christopher, who were together for 20 years, split after 13 years of marriage earlier this year. The pair also has one child together

HALSEY AND G-EAZY

ELEVEN MONTHS

Halsey and G-Eazy took a break after nine months together, when the Bad At Love crooner, 23, took to Instagram to address her relationship status after catching wind of split rumours. The duo sparked romance rumours in the summer of 2017, following G-Eazy’s split from Lana Del Rey, and made it official in September last year

AMBER HEARD AND ELON MUSK

ONE YEAR, SIX MONTHS

Heard and Musk were first linked together in 2016 as each was dealing with public breakups. The couple seemed to confirm rumours when they stepped out together in public for the first time in April 2017. However, they broke up in August. Later in December, the couple reconciled. They eventually called it quits in February this year

JENNIFER ANISTON AND JUSTIN THEROUX

10 YEARS

Jennifer and Justin got engaged in 2012 and married secretly in 2015 at their Bel-Air estate. The actors first met on the set of Tropic Thunder in 2008. However, the married couple announced their split in February 2018 through an open statement

ARIANA GRANDE AND MAC MILLER

ONE YEAR, NINE MONTHS

Ariana and Mac’s love story began with a tweet. Later, the singer went public about their relationship with a picture of the couple in 2016. In May this year, Ariana announced that she and Mac have parted ways

CAMILLE ROWE AND HARRY STYLES

ONE YEAR

Harry and Camille started dating last July, and Rowe met Styles’s family in December. However, Styles and Rowe split just two weeks after his tour wrapped

LUCY HALE AND RILEY SMITH

SIX MONTHS

Lucy Hale and her former Life Sentence costar Riley Smith called it quits in July. It was reported in February that Hale, 29, and Smith, 40, were dating, after they were spotted kissing on Valentine’s Day

LENA DUNHAM AND JACK ANTONOFF

FIVE YEARS, ELEVEN MONTHS

The Girls creator and the Bleachers frontman met on a blind date set up by Antonoff’s sister in 2012. The two moved in together in 2014. They announced their split through their representatives in January this year

JENNA DEWAN AND CHANNING TATUM

10 YEARS

Jenna Dewan and Channing Tatum announced their separation on social media in April this year after being married for nine years. The duo met in 2006 while filming Step Up. The couple also share a 4-year-old daughter, Everly

MIRANDA LAMBERT AND ANDERSON EAST

TWO YEARS, TWO MONTHS

The country singers first began dating in the fall of 2015, months after Miranda’s divorce with Blake Shelton. They made their romance official at the 2016 ACMs. However, the pair called it quits in early April

CHERYL AND LIAM PAYNE

TWO YEARS, SEVEN MONTHS

The pair had been dating since late 2015, and raise baby son Bear together. However, Cheryl and Liam announced their split in July

Mouni Roy

‘Salman Khan has had no role to play in my Bollywood debut’

As a child, she nurtured dreams of being an IAS officer, but destiny clearly had other plans for Mouni Roy. After slithering her way into the hearts of viewers, TV’s naagin is now set for the big screen, as she stars opposite Akshay Kumar in Gold. In a candid chat with BT, Mouni speaks about making the transition, choosing to keep her personal life private and why she doesn’t like Salman Khan’s name being dragged into her interviews. Excerpts...

You are all set to make the transition from television to films with Gold. Considering the fact that it’s not easy for TV actors to make a successful shift to Bollywood, how would you describe your journey?


Television has given me everything and I am a very proud TV actor. Films, for me, is another medium and yes, this is a very exciting phase of my life with Gold releasing and some other projects in the pipeline. It’s been quite a journey. There was a period when I was very busy with Naagin and later Naagin 2, and was completely caught up in the shoots and other events. Then suddenly one day, I got a call for Gold’s audition. I remember I was on the set of Naagin and had to remove my make-up and rush for the audition during lunch break. I requested them to shoot somebody else’s scene after the lunch break, because it wouldn’t have been possible for me to finish the audition and return on time. After that, two months passed by and there was no news. Then one day, I got a call saying that I had been shortlisted and the makers wanted to meet me. We met, they spoke to me for two minutes and I was on board. I had already read the script and loved it, and I was absolutely elated to be a part of Gold. That’s how it all began.


MOUNI ROY

TV is my home and I am never going to leave it: Mouni Roy

A few years ago, while talking about Bollywood, you had said that you’d rather stick to playing lead roles on TV than do something insignificant in films. You chose to wait and that has paid off ...

I am a very secure person and that’s how I have always been because of my parents. I don’t like to rush into things and would rather wait for the right time. I’m extremely emotional, but all my emotions and fantasies are restricted to literature or my close friends. When it comes to work, I’m clear about things. So yes, I was always sure that I would never leave everything that I have, to do a film just for the sake of it. If it was something that didn’t excite me, I wouldn’t take it up because I was content with what I had. In that sense, I am a happy person.

Television, too, has its share of ups and downs. You made your acting debut with the popular show, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, but after that, there was a lull until you returned with Devon Ke Dev Mahadev. How did you cope with that?

Actually, that was a different phase and there was something else going on in my mind at that time. I was contemplating going to Delhi and becoming an IAS officer, I was very good academically and my dad always wanted me to be an IAS officer. But I also loved acting and so, eventually, I decided to stay back.

When news of you entering Bollywood first emerged, it was said that Salman Khan would give you your first break, which clearly is not the case. So, did Salman have any role to play?

You should actually pose this question to Ritesh (Sidhwani, producer of Gold). Salman Khan has had no role to play in my Bollywood debut; I don’t know how these reports emerged and I wonder why anybody would do that for me. Is it so unbelievable that after acting for 10 years and being a Bengali, I can’t land a Bengali character’s role by myself? It was hurtful.

Go on...

How could such false news do the rounds? What hurt me was that the media gave me no credibility as an actor. It was my moment, but they took it away from me. Also, if I talk about this, it will look like I am using Salman sir’s name for publicity, and I don’t want to do that. He is someone I love and respect immensely. I have been his fan since I was a little girl, and I used to collect his posters and pictures. So, I don’t want to just take his name, but now that this has come up, let me clarify that I have not got a single call from Salman Khan’s production house for any role.

What about Dabangg 3? Aren’t you a part of it?

No, I haven’t received a call for any film.

Do you think one needs a godfather to make it in the film industry?

What has worked for me is hard work and luck. It’s about the unison of time, space and action, it’s about being at the right place at the right time. About one needing a godfather, I don’t know how that functions because I have never had one.

How was it working with a senior actor like Akshay Kumar in Gold?

He is an amazing human being to begin with. He is a superstar, but he never lets you feel that. I remember on the first day of shoot, I was very nervous. I had to smile for a scene, but I was just showing my teeth. That’s when Reema (Kagti, director) actually came to me and said, ‘Don’t be so much in awe!’ I give Akshay the entire credit for taking away my uneasiness. One thing you can learn from him is sincerity. He is so much fun generally, but the moment the camera is rolling, he gives his 200 per cent. That’s very inspiring.

Being a Bengali, did you have any inputs to offer him for his character? Not at all. In fact, he helped me and would tell me to take certain pauses or incorporate certain nuances in my mannerisms. Also, there was a dialect coach for him, so he didn’t need my help.

When you started as an actress, you were quite open about your personal life, which is not the case anymore. What brought about this change?

I was very young. It was not about being open; it’s just that I didn’t understand anything. My father always taught me to be honest, as he said that makes life easy. But I genuinely believe that your personal life is your own, and you should talk about it only when you are comfortable.

But no interview of yours can be complete without a question on actor Mohit Raina, popular as Mahadev. There have been rumours about the two of you being a couple since many years. Are you seeing him?

I am single.

Mohit is getting into films, too. What do you have to say about that?

I wish him all the best.

Why do you think it’s difficult for TV actors to make an impact in Bollywood?

You can’t generalise it. Every person’s journey is different. On television, people are doing exceedingly well and are happy.

Filmmakers tend to believe that TV stars are over-exposed and that perhaps goes against them. So, did you consciously keep a low profile over the past year or so?

No, I got this film while I was doing Naagin 2. In my case, I was not planning to leave television and wait for films to come my way. After Naagin, people told me that I should try my luck in films, but I went ahead and did Naagin 2. If this movie had not happened, I would have done the next Naagin, too.

So, where does television figure in your scheme of things today?

Right now, I have taken a break from TV, because I genuinely have no time. TV is my home and I am never going to leave it; I will somehow find a way to be connected to TV. I just want to enjoy my work, give it my 100 per cent and leave it to God. I believe that you should let life surprise you and take you where it’s supposed to.

Aditi Sharma

I can spend hours just sitting in my balcony and looking out at the greenery: Aditi Sharma

No matter how much we love to travel and explore the world, there is always one place we yearn to go back to — home sweet home! And when we head home after a long day at work, battling through the crazy traffic, the one thing that we all long for is to curl with a cuppa at our favourite corner in the house. TV actress Aditi Sharma can’t agree more. It took her a decade to set her heart on her dream home and own it. The fact that Aditi and her husband, actor Sarwar Ahuja, both worked towards accomplishing their dream, makes their love pad even more special.

The one thing Aditi looks forward to after wrapping up shoot is to head home and be in her happy space — her balcony. Though she feels that every corner holds a special significance for her, the balcony is the place where she loves to unwind. Says the actress, “If I wish to be just me, I prefer sitting in the balcony. I like to read with my cup of coffee and play with my dog. It is peaceful and I also get a view of my garden from here. Even if I am shooting every day, I make it a point to have my tea in the balcony. The morning view with the soothing greenery and chirping birds allows me to become one with nature. On days when I am not shooting, I love spending hours just sitting there.”


Still new in the house, Aditi is yet to set up the balcony with a décor of her choice. “I haven’t done too much as I prefer it less complicated. But I would add a few elements to it since it’s my favourite corner. As of now, we have flower pots adding to the feel,” she adds.

Truer words where never spoken than the phrase “home is where heart is”!

Warina Hussain and Aayush Sharma

A garba flash mob song, Chougada is all about the power of love

The trailer of Loveratri, starring debutants Aayush Sharma and Warina Hussain, has already received a warm response from the audience. And now, the makers have presented a glimpse of Chougada, the first song to be released from the film.

The foot-tapping number, which will be launched tomorrow, will see the leads groove as part of a flash mob on the streets of London. The makers recreated Gujarat in London for the track, with dancers dancing to the beats of garba.

The song, which aims to showcase the power of love, has been choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant and composed by Lijo George and DJ Chetas. A love story, the film has been extensively shot in Gujarat and London.

Meanwhile, the chemistry of the lead pair has been piquing the interest of the audience with videos and pictures from the garba training. Debutant director Abhiraj Minawala shares, “We wanted a song that has a strong Gujarati connect and captures the essence of Navratri. Chougada is a garba flash mob number. Aayush and Warina rehearsed for weeks before we shot it.”

Aayush Sharma

Warina Hussain