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Vinod Kambli, wife in get in a massive fight with singer Ankit Tiwari’s father and brother in Inorbit Mall

July 1, 2018, 7:26 pm
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Top: Vinod Kambli and his wife Andrea. Above: Ankur Tiwari and the Injury marks on his hand
Top: Vinod Kambli and his wife Andrea. Above: Ankur Tiwari and the Injury marks on his hand

Kambli’s wife accuses Tiwari’s 59-year-old father of ‘deliberately brushing his hand’ against her. Ankur Tiwari says his father was punched after which he ‘blacked out’; Bangur Nagar police investigating the fracas
Sanyukta Iyer and Vijay Tagore (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 2, 2018)

Patrons at Inorbit Mall in Malad witnessed a massive ruckus on Sunday afternoon, when former India cricketer Vinod Kambli and his wife Andrea had an altercation with music composer Ankur Tiwari and his father. Ankur is the brother of Bollywood singer and music director Ankit Tiwari.

Kambli and Andrea have alleged that Tiwari’s father R K Tiwari deliberately brushed his hand against Andrea, even as the latter claimed the couple punched his 59-year-old father, and that Andrea took off her sandal to assault him.

The matter is being investigated by the Bangur Nagar police, but nobody was arrested till the time of going to press.

Mumbai Mirror spoke to Kambli, who insisted that “an old man inappropriately touched” his wife. “We were at the Game Zone in the mall around 3 pm when my wife caught hold of an old man’s hand. He had deliberately brushed his hand against her and when she caught him in the act, he pushed her away. Minutes later when we were at the food court, two men, who we assume were the man’s sons, tried to attack my wife. When I told them to back off, they told me, ‘You don’t know who we are’.”

Andrea told Mirror that she was certain the man had attempted to take “advantage of the crowds” to touch her “inappropriately”. “I was playing with my children when this guy took the opportunity to rub his hand against me. Maybe he thought nothing would happen because it was crowded. When I caught his hand, I was surprised to see this old man. He appeared embarrassed because I had caught him red-handed. He appeared scared, and said something in Hindi, on the lines that ‘I cannot do something like this’,” Andrea said. “The inappropriate touching ka zamaana is over. Such things should be dealt with strictly,” she added.

Kambli said he tweeted about the incident, after which an officer from Bandra Police Station visited his residence around 8 pm yesterday.

TIWARI’S ALLEGATIONS

Ankur Tiwari said he was at the mall with his parents, wife, and daughter. “My father, a retired bank employee, had accompanied my daughter to the Game Zone. My father told me he spotted Vinod Kambli there, and as he was walking past a woman, he blacked out,” Tiwari said.

“My father was disoriented after the attack,” Tiwari said, “He couldn’t believe he had been punched, and that a woman was screaming, accusing him of brushing his hand against her. I asked my father to identify the woman, and we realised she was Kambli’s wife.”

Rubbishing the Kamblis’s allegations that he tried to assault Andrea, Tiwari said, “I told them I wanted to speak with them, but they pushed me and hurled abuses. Kambli’s wife removed her sandal and threatened to hit me with it.”

He claimed that Kambli threatened the onlookers who had started recording the fracas on their phones. “He was abusing loudly, cursing everyone around. I asked him to speak to me politely, but he kept pushing me. His wife pushed me too. When I tried calling up the police, he snatched my phone. He even chased a woman to make sure she deleted the video recording from her phone,” Tiwari said, adding he and his father filed a complaint at Bangur Nagar Police Station around 4.30 pm.

Andrea admitted Kambli was “upset”, but according to her, it was because “nobody from the crowd tried to help”. “Vinod was upset because the onlookers were busy recording the incident. He was particularly upset with a lady who was doing the same. It was very annoying that they thought it was entertaining,” Andrea said. “When these guys were misbehaving with my wife, the onlookers were recording the incident,” Kambli said, adding it was a frightening experience for his children, Christiano and Johana.

Senior Inspector Vinay Bane from Bangur Nagar Police Station confirmed the Tiwaris had filed a complaint against Kambli and his wife.

“We are probing the matter, after which necessary action will be initiated. As of now, a non-cognisable offence has been registered.
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Not just during protests, we have to deal with hooligans even for ‘tasteless coffee’ and ‘cold popcorn’, say cinemas

July 1, 2018, 7:29 pm
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After the assault of a multiplex manager in Pune over the price of popcorn, cinemas say that hooliganism over such petty issues is quite common, but go unreported because they don’t want bad publicity
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; July 2, 2018)

Last week, a group of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers thrashed the manager of a PVR multiplex in Pune over the price of food items sold there. A video of the incident soon went viral on social media. While several incidents of hooliganism and vandalism in cinema halls, by groups protesting the release of films, have been reported from across the country, assaulting of cinema hall staff over food prices is a rarity. However, a few exhibitors insist that now, they have to deal with hooligans not only when a film offends a group, but also for ‘cold popcorn’, ‘tasteless coffee’, ‘high rate of food items’, and ‘unnecessary frisking’. They say that even stopping drunk moviegoers can prove dangerous for the safety of their staff and patrons.

Meanwhile, PVR has filed an FIR against the attackers. In an official statement, Gautam Dutta, CEO, PVR Cinemas, says, “Safety and security of our employees and of our patrons is of utmost importance to us and we take all adequate measures to secure our employees and patrons. Handling unlawful action, violence and maintaining law and order in the city is the responsibility of the state government and the state police. We have full confidence in them, we are working with them closely so that appropriate steps can be taken in this matter at the soonest.”

‘SUCH INCIDENTS CAN HAPPEN HERE, TOO’
Manoj Desai, executive director of G7 and Maratha Mandir, says, “Every cinema hall or chain charges a price they think is apt for tickets and food. We don’t charge over Rs 30 for food and Rs 100 for tickets. We cater to the masses. As for the episode in Pune, let me tell you that such incidents can happen in Mumbai. So many times, political party workers try to get their point across. The person talking to them has to be tactful and polite. I don’t see any other way out.”

Yogesh Raizada, Corporate Head, Wave Cinemas, agrees, “We are in the hospitality industry and this is a given in our industry. We train our staff to be polite, but firm. However, we can’t stop such incidents completely and will have to deal with this hooliganism. No one in the industry can name even one cinema hall where the exhibitor or the staff members haven’t faced hooligans. But we don’t complain because it’s bad publicity for us.”

‘WORKERS AT CINEMAS FEEL THREATENED’
Nitin Datar, President, Cinema Owners and Exhibitors association of India says, “What happened in Pune was a shameful act. No one should take law into their hands, no matter what. People can always complain to the authorities, but as we can see, the situation is becoming deplorable, especially in cinema halls. Whether it’s about the prices of tickets or eatables, or the decision to run a film which has been cleared for release, people working at cinemas are bound to feel mentally and physically threatened because of protestors.”

Datar points out that the matter relating to revision in food prices is in court. The other problem is whether a patron can bring his or her own food inside the halls or not. “Even that matter is before the court. As far as I understand, no place except Delhi has a law prohibiting food from being taken inside the hall. Multiplexes have argued that if this can be allowed in one state, it should be in other states, too. Personally, I feel that they should allow children, sick people or the elderly to take their food, water and medicines inside the hall.”

He adds, “Multiplexes feel that they pay higher overheads and rents and eventually, the burden is passed on to the consumer. There is no law that restricts a person or an organisation from charging a fee they think is feasible for their products and/or services. Many years ago, the government of Maharashtra had passed a Government Resolution (GR), capping the rates of tickets, but cinema owners moved court against it and got it negated. So, it’s up to the public as to where they want to watch a film and whether they are willing to pay a price.”

Meanwhile, the Retail Association of India has also condemned the Pune attack. “Maharashtra is a state that recognises and respects the contribution of retail to the economy. It is the first state to initiate a policy especially for retail, that has helped increase the ease of doing business and employment in the sector. RAI condemns acts of violence against retail employees in Pune, who work hard to serve customers. Such acts are against the law, disrupt business and endanger the lives of retail employees. We trust the government to serve justice,” a statement issued by the association reads.

‘NOT A FAIR PRACTICE’
Arun Surve from MNS, whose member Kishor Shinde attacked the employee at PVR, Pune, says, “We have conducted similar protests in Mumbai also. If a bottle of water costs Rs 15, why should anyone pay Rs 100 for it inside a multiplex? I understand that there will be a price difference, but the margins that there are currently between the prices are too steep which we think is not a fair practice. In April, even the Bombay High Court had said that multiplexes are charging high prices. I want to understand what these taxes are that only multiplexes pay, for which they extort money from patrons. There is no law that can stop anyone from taking their ghar ka paani and khaana inside a cinema hall, but they don’t let us do that. When employees at these cinema halls are spoken to politely, they refuse to act on what we’re saying. As workers from a party, we’re not goons but as public representatives, we’re trying to underline the sentiments of the aam aadmi.”

With inputs from Niharika Lal

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Shah Rukh Khan to kick-start Rakesh Sharma biopic in September?

July 1, 2018, 7:30 pm
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He will shoot for two months straight for the Rakesh Sharma biopic which is expected to touchdown next year
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 2, 2018)

After months of speculation surrounding his first biopic, Shah Rukh Khan has finally locked his dates for Salute. Based on the life of Rakesh Sharma, the Indian Air Force pilot who flew aboard Soyuz T-11, launched on 2 April 1984, as part of the Intercosmos programme making him the only Indian citizen to travel to space, the film will be directed by ad filmmaker Mahesh Mathai and produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur. Mahesh, who has been working on the film’s script for over a year, turned director in 1999 with the human drama, Bhopal Express, which revolved around a newlywed couple and how their life changed after the 1984 gas tragedy in Madhya Pradesh.

“Shah Rukh will begin prep for the film in September and will shoot for two months straight until November-end,” a source close to the development told Mirror, adding that the 52-year-old actor will then take a month-long break to promote his upcoming release Zero, which hits the screens on December 21.

“He will resume shooting in January. The film is expected to release in 2019 and the makers are presently finalising the leading lady.” The actor recently returned from the final schedule of Aanand L Rai’s drama in which he plays a dwarf, also featuring Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma. They were in the US and filmed extensively at the NASA headquarters.

Rakesh Sharma, who joined the Indian Air Force as as test pilot in 1970 flew various aircrafts, swiftly progressing to the position of Squadron Leader. On September 20, 1982 he became a cosmonaut and was selected to go into space as part of a joint program between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Soviet Intercosmos Space Program. He was conferred the honour of the Hero of the Soviet Union upon his return from space and India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, the Ashoka Chakra.
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Sanju collects 72.25 cr in 2 days

July 1, 2018, 7:33 pm
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Sanju Box Office Collection Day 1: Ranbir Kapoor's Film Gets Biggest Opening Of 2018
Box Office India Trade Network

SANJU had another huge day as it grossed an extraordinary 38.25-38.50 crore nett on its second day which takes its total to 72.50 crore nett apprx. The growth is a little under 15% but the places which did not start of to huge collections have shown growth and that the plus.

The Gujarat/Saurashtra belt is the one which is still on the lower side and today can take a big jump and if that happens the film could be on to create history as it will mean all the key areas on board. There are places like Assam and Odisha and Bihar which cant be called extraordinary but still they are very good for this type of film.

The film is being led by North India which is a first for a Rajkumar Hirani where its always Mumbai leading from the MUNNABHAI films to 3 IDIOTS to PK.

The collections of SANJU for the first two days are as follows
Friday - 34,00,00,000 apprx
Saturday - 38,25,00,000 apprx.
TOTAL - 72,25,00,000 apprx

There should be another leg upward but again it will not be huge growth as those major metro multiplexes do not much spare capacity to go higher and then there are Sunday night shows which are always low.

The growth will come from the mass side and single screens which should take it comfotably over 40 crore nett though a 45 crore nett total may be tougher. The films look set to be the biggest HIT of 2018 and bigger than PADMAAVAT though it will be Monday and second Friday which will confirm that.
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Ranbir Kapoor's Sanju leaked online: How the makers are tackling the issue

July 2, 2018, 1:25 am
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Ranbir Kapoor's Sanju leaked online: How the makers are tackling the issue
After Ranbir Kapoor's big-ticket film gets leaked online within a day of release, producers appoint five tech teams to tackle setback
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; July 2, 2018)

One of the most anticipated films of the year, Ranbir Kapoor's Sanju fell prey to piracy a day after its release on Friday. As the film's pirated copy went viral on Whatsapp and other platforms, Kapoor's fans made pleas to social media users, requesting them to refrain from watching the illegal version. The producers of the Sanjay Dutt biopic, on their part, immediately sprung into action to curtail the damage.

mid-day has learnt that Fox Star Studios, the distributors of the movie, appointed five special teams on Saturday to ensure that the pirated copies circulating online are monitored and deleted at the earliest. The teams are also said to be in the process of tracing the origin of the leak. Director Rajkumar Hirani and producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra, meanwhile, have already lodged a complaint with the Cyber Crime Cell.

A source informs, "While the five teams are trying to pull the film down from various sites, a few download links are still available. In a pre-emptive move, the makers had released the film in the UAE only on Friday, instead of Thursday as is the norm, hoping that it would reduce the chances of it getting leaked from the Middle East. Ideally, the team should have procured a John Doe order, given how rampant piracy has become in this country."

The cyber cell has extended support to the producers on the matter. "The tech team of the cyber cell too is helping the in-house team in curbing the piracy. If the pirated copies exist post Monday, the cell will take the matter into their hands and begin a thorough investigation," adds the source. Hirani and the production house refused to comment on the matter.
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Amyra Dastur colours her hair blue for Prasthaanam; learns Hindi abuses for Rajma Chawal

July 2, 2018, 7:52 pm
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Amyra Dastur
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 3, 2018)

Mid-day had earlier reported that, inspired by Rooney Mara’s act in A Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Amyra Dastur had sported chevrons on her head by shaving off portions of her hair for Rajma Chawal.

Ready to play with her tresses yet again, the actor has now highlighted them blue for Prasthaanam, which she is currently shooting for in Lucknow with Sanjay Dutt and Ali Fazal. Dastur’s decision to take to the colour for her role as an NRI, romantically inclined with Fazal’s character, stemmed from producer Maanayata Dutt’s suggestion, a source tells us.

For the actor, experimenting with her appearance is only another way to understand the character better. “I love playing with my look. I believe it’s our job as actors to bring characters to life. If that requires us to change our look, then so be it.”

Dastur reveals that director Deva Katta was keen to showcase her character with certain quirks. “Based on that, Maanayata ma’am suggested we choose a fun, bright colour. Fortunately, I was allowed to make the pick, and zeroed in on this one since it has never been showcased before. Deva wanted to make the character likeable and modern. Everyone loved the look, calling it ‘different and cool’,” she says.

Meanwhile, talking about Rajma Chawal, Dastur says prepping for the film has enhanced her dictionary of abusive Hindi words. While Adil Hussain taught her the body language required for the part, N K Sharma worked with her on improvisational theatre. “N K sir is a unique teacher. I had to walk around the room for three hours until I learnt how to count in Hindi till 100. He would yell at me whenever I got a scene appropriately [on the second or third attempt], as a way to tell me that i could’ve done it right the first time. My Hindi abusive dictionary has definitely widened because of him.”
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DNA (July 3, 2018)

To play the role of a rebellious girl from Meerut in Rajma Chawal, Amyra Dastur had to undergo intense workshops. She worked on her dialogue skills as this role needed her to have the correct diction. Among the three teachers who taught her was actor Adil Hussain, who trained her in getting her body language right, while she learnt the art of improvising from theatre personality N K Sharma. Veena Mehta trained her in dialogue delivery and diction every day for two hours for one month.

Says Amyra, “I had to unlearn everything I knew about acting to make this character seem fresh and relatable. Anirudh (Tanwar, her co-star) and I were a part of N K Sharma’s theatre group from last October until the first day of our shoot, which was on November 7. We did improvisations and all sorts of acting exercises for about five hours daily. We worked with him for around 45 days.”
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Screen time has never been my concern-Surveen Chawla

July 2, 2018, 7:53 pm
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Surveen Chawla: Screen time has never been my concern
Set to play a 'crucial part' in Sacred Games, Surveen Chawla says character graph determines her choice of roles
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 2, 2018)

Barely a week to go before Sacred Games drops online, Surveen Chawla says being part of the first homegrown Netflix show is "a matter of great pride." That the source material - Vikram Chandra's celebrated novel by the same name - is so compelling, is another incentive. "We are used to watching the content Netflix has to offer. And in this case, the set-up is enticing. It has been an honour working with the cast. There is so much to learn when you work with such established people," says Chawla.

The actor plays Nawazuddin Siddiqui's love interest in the thriller. Quashing rumours that she doesn't enjoy too much screen time in the Saif Ali Khan and Radhika Apte-starrer, Chawla says that her character triggers the unfolding of events in the story. "My character blossoms into a crucial part and is instrumental to the action around it. The important element was to nail the back-story. As far as screen space is concerned, there is time and place for every character, and it depends on how you fare in the time given. I had a lot of fun essaying the role, and screen time was never a concern."

Although she agrees that the series is likely to open up new avenues for her, Chawla says that wasn't the reason behind her giving a nod to the project. "I took this up not because it would open new avenues. I don't have a game plan as such. I just want to do good projects regardless of the medium."
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The curious case of Taapsee Pannu's character in Soorma?

July 2, 2018, 7:53 pm
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Curious case of Taapsee Pannu's character in Soorma
As Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Soorma depicts hockey legend Sandeep Singh's unrequited first love, makers change character's name, at player's behest
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; July 2, 2018)

With Soorma, Diljit Dosanjh has brought the real-life journey of hockey legend Sandeep Singh to the big screen. From Singh being wheelchair-bound for two years after being hit by an accidental gunshot in August 2006, to him leading the Indian team to victory at the 2009 Sultan Azalan Shah Cup - the Shaad Ali-directed biopic stays true to the events that occurred in Singh's life.

The film also sheds light on his unrequited first love. Although the other actors in the film play real-life characters, Taapsee Pannu's part - Singh's first girlfriend - has apparently been rechristened, on his request.

Before he met his now-wife Harjinder Kaur, Singh was said to be in love with a Punjabi girl, who also shared his ardent love for the sport. While the makers have depicted the love story, they have changed the girl's name to Harpreet, in a bid to protect the woman's identity. A source says, "The trailer shows that Taapsee's character, Harpreet dumps Sandeep after learning of his paralysis. This is a lesser-known chapter of Sandeep's life. After that, Sandeep's family friend Harjinder walked into his life, and the two fell in love. She stood by him like a rock through the ordeal, till he fully recovered and was back on the field. The duo got engaged two years later at Sandeep's hometown Shahabad and got married in 2008."

A source from Soorma's creative team says, "The makers have changed a few details of Taapsee's character, including her name. They had to keep the woman's identity under wraps as she's married to someone else. She encouraged Sandeep to take up hockey seriously. Since Soorma is inspired by a real story, the makers have tried to keep the script as authentic as possible, with just a few tweaks."
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Priyanka Chopra to recreate Rabindranath Tagore’s university for Nalini?

July 2, 2018, 7:55 pm
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Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 3, 2018)

Priyanka Chopra’s ambitious production, Nalini — based on Rabindranath Tagore’s rumoured infatuation with his tutor, Annapurna Atmaram — faced another hurdle last week when Visva Bharati University barred the makers from shooting on the campus. Now, it has been heard that director Ujjwal Chatterjee has decided to recreate the university at a film studio in Kolkata.

A source reveals, “Old pictures of the university are being collated. A similar set will be recreated at a Kolkata studio, with the help of these photos. The set will take three months to be made. In the meantime, the team will kick off the film’s shoot, with the scenes set in the university being scheduled for the last leg.”

While Chatterjee had procured the permission to shoot in the institution’s premises last year, the university’s new rules structured in February prohibited the plan. The director was apprised of the decision in a meeting with the university authorities last week.

A source close to the production informs, “The director has approached the HRD Ministry to still explore opportunities of filming there.”

Co-producer Dr Madhu Chopra refused to comment.
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We have tried against caricaturising Priyanka Gandhi-Aahana Kumra

July 2, 2018, 7:58 pm
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Set to play Priyanka Gandhi in The Accidental Prime Minister, Aahana Kumra says she’s picked the politician’s nuances to add authenticity to character
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; July 3, 2018)

Having to portray a person on screen without as much as an interaction with her can be tough. But Aahana Kumra had director Vijay Gutte and producer Hansal Mehta to turn to when she struggled to ape politician Priyanka Gandhi for The Accidental Prime Minister. “They helped me understand how she must be, based on their knowledge of her, and that really helped,” says Kumra, who caught Mehta’s eye with her act in the web show, inside Edge.

“Although I had a small part in Inside Edge, it was sufficient to bag me an audition for this film. I was called to give a screen test for the role of Priyanka Gandhi. I knew I could play the part after they replicated her hairdo for me and slipped me into a saree. It was [a noteworthy] transformation, because I never thought I could look like her. Finally, I performed a scene, and they liked what i did.”

The actor, who came under the spotlight after her act in Lipstick Under My Burkha (2016), did not want her portrayal of Gandhi in the Anupam Kher starrer to seem uninteresting. “Though I haven’t had the opportunity to meet her [Gandhi], I have watched [innumerable] videos of her. The entire cast is playing roles of people who are alive, so we need to be careful. We have tried against caricaturising this character. I have tried to catch Priyanka’s nuances and replicate them in my performance.”

However, Kumra says she did not read Sanjay Baru’s book — by the same name — on which this film is based. She argues, her role had little to do with what is chronicled in the literary piece. “I will read it when I get the time,” she signs off.

The film marks Kumra’s second collaboration with Kher, who plays the role of former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh. It also features Arjun Mathur as Rahul Gandhi, and Akshaye Khanna.
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Anil Kapoor on a vacation with staff to Indonesia, Singapore

July 2, 2018, 7:58 pm
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Anil Kapoor
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 3, 2018)

Anil Kapoor, who worked non-stop for 88 days while shooting for three films — Fanney Khan, Total Dhamaal and Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga — has left for a four-day vacation to Singapore and Indonesia. Accompanying the 61-year-old actor on this trip is his staff, who had been travelling with him throughout the erratic schedules.

A source close to the actor reveals, “Anil recently decided to gift a holiday to his manager, spot boy, bodyguard and hair and makeup artist. They left for the trip on Monday which begins in Bandung. He has also briefed them that it is going to be four days of letting their hair down and no mention of work.”

Besides his work commitments, Anil’s entourage had also helped ease the work load during the prep for his daughter Sonam’s wedding with Anand Ahuja in May. “He wanted to thank his staff and decided a holiday would be the best way to do it,” the source adds.

Upon his return to the city, Anil is set to resume work on the three films.
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Image: Athiya Shetty to feature in a song choreographed by Remo Dsouza with Badshah in Nawabzaade

July 2, 2018, 8:00 pm
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Varun, Shraddha in their song; Dharmesh, Punit and Raghav in the film (right)
Varun, Shraddha in their song; Dharmesh, Punit and Raghav in the film (right)

The actress has teamed up with Badshah and Remo D’souza for a club track that was shot last week at a studio in Mumbai
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 3, 2018)

After roping in Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor for the recreated version of Guru Randhawa’s Punjabi hit, “High Rated Gabru”, makers of the Jayesh Pradhan-directed Nawabzaade have now shot for another song with Athiya Shetty. Composed, sung and written by Badshah, the track is titled “Tere Naal Nachna” and produced by Bhushan Kumar. It will see Athiya grooving with the rapper and the three leads of the film — Dharmesh Ingle, Punit J Pathak and Raghav Juyal.

Remo D’souza, who choreographed the Varun and Shraddha song has helmed this one too. “We needed a club number for the opening sequence. The boys are known for their dance skills and usually people get nervous around them but Athiya performed like a pro. She was rehearsing with them even when the cameras weren’t rolling,” informs Remo, adding that the song was shot last week at a suburban studio.

Athiya, who will be next seen in Manish Harishankar’s Hope Solo, added, “I am a huge fan of Badshah and was kicked to know that we’d be working together. It was great fun shooting for the song and I hope it reflects on the screen. Remo sir is one of the nicest people to work with; he brings such a positive energy to the sets.”
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Vidya Balan, Rana Daggubati, Jisshu Sengupta in NTR biopic

July 2, 2018, 8:02 pm
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The Krish-directed film being made on the late legend is expected to kick off this month
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 3, 2018)

Earlier this year, the hugely anticipated biopic on legendary Telugu actor-turned-politician Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR), to be directed by Krish, was launched by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu at the Ramakrishna Studios, Hyderabad. Now, Mirror has learnt that the film, that has Nandamuri Balakrishna in the titular role, will feature Vidya Balan as NTR’s wife, Basavatarakam (right), who he had married at the age of 20.

Meanwhile, the film marks the Telugu debut of Bengali actor Jisshu Sengupta as the late filmmaker and Dadasaheb Phalke awardee L V Prasad (right, below), and Rana Daggubati is on board to play Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu (left, below).

Vidya and Rana remained unavailable for comment but Jisshu, who is presently recuperating after a gall bladder surgery confirmed the news. This will be his second film with Krish after playing King Gangadhar Rao, Rani Lakshmibai’s husband, in Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, the upcoming Hindi film that has Kangana Ranaut in the lead. “As a producer, LV Prasad ji’s films revolved around catastrophic romances with theatrical characters and memorable music. As an actor and director, he chose subjects that were emotional, dramatic and driven by performances. I have begun my prep for the film as Krish has given me a lot of content to browse through. This will be my first ever stint in the South industry and I’m quite excited and nervous at the same time,” Jisshu said, adding that he has even shot at Prasad Studios and Prasad Film Labs in Hyderabad.

“But I never imagined I will get to play a pioneer filmmaker like him one day. He was the one to introduce NTR in the 1949 Telugu patriotic film Mana Desam and they were very close. I play a very important part in the film,” the actor added, further revealing that he starts shooting for the film on July 6.

As part of his prep, Jisshu is also learning Telugu. “I will reserve one week for extensive language training with my tutor when I reach Hyderabad. I have also told Krish that it would be great if I can meet anyone from Prasad ji’s family,” he informed.

The film marks his first collaboration with Vidya and Rana. “I am not sure about Rana’s part, but I am told that Vidya is playing NTR’s wife. I am looking forward to working with them. I have known Vidya for a while. In fact, she played the lead role in the Hindi version of my Bengali film, Rajkahini,” Jisshu said.
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Breaking: Shahid Kapoor in Shree Narayan Singh's thriller, set in Uttar Pradesh

July 2, 2018, 8:04 pm
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After a social-drama, actor will be reuniting with Shree Narayan Singh for a film that is to take off next year
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 3, 2018)

While Shahid Kapoor and Shree Narayan Singh are working towards the wrap-up of their social-drama, Batti Gul Meter Chalu, in Mumbai with Shraddha Kapoor and Yami Gautam, Mirror has learnt that the actor-filmmaker duo is already up for another collaboration.

A source close to the development reveals that Shree Narayan recently narrated the new script to Shahid and the actor was instantly impressed. “The project will go on the floors sometime next year after Shahid wraps up the shoot of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Arjun Reddy remake and Raja Krishna Menon’s sports film where he plays a boxer. Shree Narayan’s film is a thriller set in Uttar Pradesh and the details of the shoot are currently under works,” the source added.

Shree Narayan confirmed the news, saying the new film is currently in the scripting stage. “The story is based in the heartland of India. Once the script is ready we will decide when to go on the floors but it will be in 2019 as Shahid has to fulfill all prior commitments as well before starting my film. I can promise that it’s a story no one has attempted before and we are planning it in great detail. Shahid and I are friends now and share a certain comfort level and we luckily found the perfect script,” the filmmaker informs, adding that his team is also on the lookout for a leading lady to be cast opposite Shahid.

Speaking about the shoot of Batti Gul Meter Chalu, which had earlier run into trouble over payment issues with producer Prernaa Arora but was back on track with Bhushan Kumar taking over, Shree Narayan reveals, “We only have six–seven days of shoot left before we can call it a day. The film has turned out well and perfectly in-sync with our vision.”

Batti Gul Meter Chalu, Shree Narayan’s follow up to the Akshay Kumar-starrer social-drama Toilet - Ek Prem Katha, sees Shahid as a lawyer from a small town who fights against power cuts and outrageously high electricity bills with Shraddha as his ladylove and Yami as another lawyer. The film has been shot in Uttarakhand and Mumbai.
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Being a gangster comes naturally to me-Sanjay Dutt

July 2, 2018, 8:06 pm
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Sanjay Dutt: Being a gangster comes naturally to me
Sanjay Dutt on how he was a perfect fit for Tigmanshu Dhulia's Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; July 3, 2018)

Sanjay Dutt's comeback vehicle, Omung Kumar's Bhoomi (2017), proved to be a damp squib. The actor is naturally hoping to hit the bull's eye with his next outing, Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3.

Dutt, however, says he is not too worried about the film's fate at the box office as he has complete faith in director Tigmanshu Dhulia. "I am fond of Tishu's work. When he and producer [Rahul Mittra] approached me with the film, I did not think twice. I have gone with Tishu's vision for the character and have done exactly what he told me," says Dutt.

While the first two installments had Randeep Hooda and Irrfan Khan respectively slip into the anti-hero roles, Dutt feels he is the obvious choice when it comes to portraying a character with grey shades. "I think being a gangster comes naturally to me. I have been to jail too," he quips, adding, "They were looking for a polished, khandaani gangster, and I fit the bill perfectly."

Dhulia says that though this was their first collaboration, Dutt fully trusted his judgment. "Not once did Sanjay check the monitor during the shoot, like most actors do to see how they look. He would tell me if I was fine with the shot, he was too."
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Sara Ali Khan's zest reminded me of my early days-Sushant Singh Rajput

July 2, 2018, 8:07 pm
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Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; July 3, 2018)

If Kedarnath marks life coming a full circle for Sushant Singh Rajput — the film sees him reuniting with his first director Abhishek Kapoor — it also marks a new beginning for his co-actor Sara Ali Khan. Having wrapped up the shooting of the love saga two days ago, Rajput says Khan’s dedication to her craft will hold her in good stead in Bollywood.

Sharing his experience of working with Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh’s daughter, he says, “When I started my Bollywood journey five years back, I was excited about learning new things and showcasing my talent. I saw the same enthusiasm in Sara. Her zest reminded me of my early days. She knows her craft well and is confident about her way ahead. I am sure she will do well.”

Besides Kedarnath, Rajput has an interesting mix of films on his plate. While Tarun Mansukhani’s Drive is said to be a slick actioner, Abhishek Chaubey’s Sonchiriya sees him playing a dacoit. But the project that he holds close to his heart is the remake of The Fault In Our Stars (2014) — the love story marks the directorial debut of casting director and his close friend, Mukesh Chhabra. “Mukesh gave me my first film; I remember he auditioned me for Kai Po Che (2013). He would often speak about venturing into direction and I used to tell him that I’d love to be a part of his film, if he thinks I fit the bill. Luckily, it happened. I am happy for him,” says the actor, who is currently undergoing workshops for the project.
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Ajay Devgn’s sports biopic to be directed by Tevar fame Amit Sharma?

July 2, 2018, 8:10 pm
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Ajay Devgn and (right) Amit Sharma
DNA (July 3, 2018)

Boney Kapoor’s next project, which will see him working with Ajay Devgn after 16 years, now has a director on board. It will be helmed by Amit Sharma, who made his Bollywood debut with the Arjun Kapoor-starrer Tevar (2015) that was also produced by Boney. The new project, which apparently is a sports biopic, is likely to go on floors next year as the superstar is busy shooting for his other films. Besides Total Dhamaal and Luv Ranjan’s production, the actor also has his most ambitious historical — Tanaji: The Unsung Warrior — in the pipeline before he begins another movie.

Amit, who is an ad filmmaker, was first noticed for Google’s Reunion commercial, which was about two friends, who were separated by the Partition, uniting decades later with the help of technology.

Currently, he is directing Badhaai Ho, a comedy, which stars Ayushmann Khurrana and Sanya Malhotra. Says a source, “Though Tevar failed to make a splash at the box office, Boney seemed impressed with him. This will be Amit’s first film with a superstar.”
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I will return as Boris in Go Goa Gone 2-Saif Ali Khan

July 2, 2018, 8:11 pm
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Saif Ali Khan
Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; July 3, 2018)

Saif Ali Khan is one of the few Bollywood actors who has managed to pull off zany characters with ease. Next year, he will reprise one such role — Boris, the zombie slayer, who was seen in Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK’s Go Goa Gone (2013). Saif says, “We are doing Go Go Gone 2. It’s an exciting idea and I’ve really liked it. I will return as Boris in the sequel. But this time, I’ll be on a different mission. Raj and DK have found an interesting premise for the second instalment, which is in sync with the first part. They are currently writing the script.”

Quiz him about what prompted him to choose this film and he quips, “Raj and DK have a unique sense of humour. Like the earlier movie, this one, too, will be equally quirky. That’s what drew me to it when they discussed the idea with me.”

The actor reveals that the principal cast remains unchanged. “The other characters played by Kunal Kemmu and Vir Das will also be a part of it. We start filming next January.” Go Goa Gone was one of the first horror comedy films in Bollywood, which fared well at the box office. Saif, who had also co-produced it, says, “People enjoyed it and I’m sure we will entertain them with the second movie, too. If this one also works well, we will have a good franchise.”

THE SEQUEL WILL HAVE A STRONG FEMALE LEAD
According to a source from the team, Raj and DK plan to make two surprise additions to the cast. “There will be another supporting actor as well as a heroine, who will aid Boris in his mission. The casting will be underway in a month’s time. Both the directors want an A-list actress for the role,” adds the source.
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What is more lucrative than being an A-list celebrity in Bollywood? Being an A-list couple

July 2, 2018, 8:13 pm
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Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 3, 2018)

Ever since news of their upcoming year-end wedding hit headlines, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone have been inundated with brand offers ranging from fitness products to home appliances. “Deepika is the highest paid actress in Bollywood today and Ranveer has his dates locked with A-list directors till 2019-end. With the couple delivering three super-hits — Goliyon Ki Rasleela: Ram-Leela, Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat — they have also consolidated their position as a power couple on screen. Every year, they receive eight to 10 brand offers to endorse together,” a source close to the couple tells Mirror, adding that after Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma tied up with a clothing brand in the run-up to their wedding in December last year, a similar offer has been made to Ranveer and Deepika.


THE RISE AND RISE OF CELEBRITY COUPLES
Virat Kohli, who is the most sought-after celebrity with a remuneration of Rs 4–5 crore per day for shoots, receives several offers for joint appearances with his actress-wife and fellow animal lover from NGOs.

When Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan were awaiting the arrival of their son Taimur, the couple who is not on social media, were offered big bucks to turn “influencers”. “Even their year-old son has received offers that are repeatedly turned down. They are constantly approached to do ‘live chats’ on the brands’ Instagram or Twitter handles in order to increase the companies’ followers,” a brand representative tells Mirror, adding that promotional tactics also range from product placement on the red carpet or media interactions where a certain ‘tagline’ which is in-sync with a brand is mentioned. “For instance, Ajay Devgn shoots a campaign for Rs 2 crore. But if a leading brand targeting married couples offers Ajay and his actress-wife Kajol a deal, it will cost them at least Rs 10 crore,” a brand expert informs.

SOCIAL WORTH
When Anand Ahuja started dating Sonam Kapoor in 2015, he had around 4,000 followers on Instagram. After their May wedding, the count has shot up to 375,000. “Ever since they decided to tie the knot, Sonam and Anand have been offered close to 12 magazine cover shoots as well as numerous brand promotions. Several brands had lobbied for a presence at their big Bollywood wedding and few made the cut, in the form of return gifts,” the source adds.

Twenty-three-year-old Mira Rajput, whose social media pages went public only after she moved to Mumbai after her wedding with Shahid Kapoor in July 2015, has raked up a follower count of 1.2 million in two and a half years.

“The advent of social media means the impact a relationship is having on a person’s profile can now be assessed by looking at how engagement — when people read, share or otherwise interact with a post — increases on messages featuring each couple. Relationships in the public eye often boost a celebrity’s commercial worth and can extend their shelf life, especially if they marry, have children or are believed to be in a relationship,” says Jeetendr Sehdev, a celebrity branding expert and professor of marketing at the University of Southern California. “Often, personal lives can become a couple’s unique selling point and the most marketable aspect of their personal brand,” he adds.

Shah Rukh Khan and his producer– interior designer wife Gauri are a prime example of how a relationship can charm a fan base and strengthen a brand that represents a happy household. “The fierce loyalty they display towards each other at public appearances, brand campaigns and film promotions is one of their most popular traits. Occurrences in their domestic life that are commonplace in most relationships, such as the growing up of their son AbRam or SRK’s experiments in the kitchen, are presented as news and reported extensively. They have a combined social media following of approximately 50 million,” a social media strategist informs.

The collective social media worth of other celebrities, like the newlyweds Zaheer Khan and Sagarika Ghatge, Angad Bedi and Neha Dhupia and Neil Nitin Mukesh and Rukmini Sahay has also benefitted because of their joint appearances and posts. With wife Ankita Konwar, model-turned-marathoner Milind Sonam’s fan base has hit the one million-mark too. “On the other hand, a divorce or break-up can be damaging to a celebrity’s career, plunging their market value not only with brands but also at the movies,” a source shares.


TWIN APPEAL
Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt are presently the hottest new couple in B-town, approximately valued at a whopping Rs 15 crore, to come on-board an annual endorsement deal together. “Celebrities become more valuable as couples by sharing their fan bases, negotiating new opportunities for movies, reality shows and by extending the life of their careers. This applies to the newest global couple, Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas too, who have been publicly flaunting their relationship, most recently in Mumbai and Brazil,” a top celebrity manager tells Mirror. “Couples such as Ranbir and Alia are individually household names and anything that they work on together, such as promoting a product, enables them to charge a higher fee. When the media becomes more interested in a couple, this enables them to increase their net worth,” the source says.

Meanwhile, a producer opines that it is no surprise that a leading actor insists that their partner feature in a film alongside them to increase their market value. “A former leading lady has been turning down offers to feature in fitness videos as well as films unless her husband is given an equal role in the project. Another actor threatens that his actressgirlfriend should be given a film under the same banner or in the same film as him or he will walk out of the project,” an industry source shares. “Ironically, a film’s eventual success or failure also greatly impacts a couple’s relationship status. A flailing film career often leads to heart-break of more than one kind.”

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Priyanka Chopra gets notice from BMC for illegal construction at her office, spa in Oshiwara

July 2, 2018, 8:15 pm
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Priyanka Chopra Has Rented Out Space For Salon
Vijay V Singh (THE TIMES OF INDIA; July 3, 2018)

Mumbai: The BMC has sent notice to actor Priyanka Chopra, owner of a commercial premise at Oshiwara in Andheri (West), for unauthorized construction in the space that she has rented out and her adjoining office.

The civic body said it received five complaints from a corporator and other people who visited the Charisma Beauty Spa and Salon. They alleged illegal alterations in the spa, including putting in an unauthorized mezzanine floor. The BMC found the violations during a check.

They also found infringements while check the adjoining premise, which is used as an office by the Chopra family, at Vastu Precinct building. The BMC has sent two separate notices to the owner and occupant of both the premises.

Manik Soni, who manages the spa, told the BMC he had took the premise on rent after entering into an agreement with Chopra and her mother. When TOI reached out for a reaction, they promised one but did not get back.

Among the violations found on both premises were unauthorized full-height partitions using ply-sheet and glass walls to make cabins, unauthorized amalgamations, and illegal construction of a mezzanine floor.

The notice asks that the illegal alterations be removed and the original structure according to the BMC’s sanctioned plan in June 2013 be restored, or BMC will demolish the structure after a month. The actor has the option of regularizing some of the irregularities after paying a penalty.

“We earlier wrote, asking them to regularize the unauthorized changes after paying the penalty and remove the other illegal changes which cannot be approved. But they didn’t bother to pay any attention after which we sent them the notice under the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act (MRTP). If they fail to reply again, we will demolish the illegal constructions at both the premises,” said a senior BMC official.
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