Sonam Kapoor to attend a charity dinner to support humans rights organisation in fighting human trafficking.
A fierce advocate of women empowerment, Sonam K Ahuja has often used her celebrity status to bring women’s issues to the forefront. Ahead of India’s 73rd Independence Day celebrations, the actor has joined hands with YouCanFreeUs, an international human rights organization that fights human trafficking, to attend a charity dinner at Tote On The Turf in Worli tonight. The proceeds from the dinner will go towards the non-profit organization that aims to rescue and rehabilitate trafficked victims from the red-light districts of Mumbai.
Aware of how human trafficking continues to plague our country, the actor says strategic measures need to be taken to curb the social malaise. “We can begin by educating our women, and even men. We need to provide employment opportunities to the victims and offer a means to a livelihood to them.”
Kapoor further emphasizes that stars have the ability to influence people at large, and must do their bit for society. “It’s important for celebrities who are in a position of power to be able to raise funds for issues that need to be addressed. With power and fame comes responsibility, and I believe we should use that as a catalyst for social change.”
Even while she acknowledges that the road ahead is long, Kapoor believes that the dialogue around women’s issues has improved since the #MeToo movement hit India last year. “The #MeToo movement was a step in the right direction. It made society less misogynistic, entitled and changed how we think.”
Ranbir Kapoor and Vaani Kapoor head to Ladakh for Shamshera!
YRF’s big-budget action entertainer Shamshera, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Vaani Kapoor, is set to be shot in the beautiful and picturesque Ladakh. This will become the first film to be shot in Ladakh after it was proclaimed a Union Territory!
“Shamshera will have the most breath-taking visual experience that audiences have seen on screen and the director (Karan Malhotra) has left no stones unturned to make his film a spectacle! He was certain that he wanted to shoot some of the most crucial portions of the film in Ladakh because it would add to the visual appeal of the film. Ranbir and Vaani have both left Mumbai for this shooting schedule,” says an informer close to the project.
“It is going to be an intense schedule with some stunning visuals needing to be shot. Everything about this project has been kept under wraps and looks like the details of this schedule is known only to the crew that’s filming this portion in Ladakh. The shooting of Shamshera has gone perfectly so far and given that it is looking to transport audiences back to a period, huge sets have been built to recreate an era where Ranbir is pitted against Sanjay Dutt. The Ladakh schedule, however, will have portions of Ranbir and Vaani only,” the source adds.
Shamshera is a high-octane entertainer that is set in the heartland of India. It will have jaw-dropping action sequences and has the big promise of a never seen before Ranbir! The film also stars Sanjay as Ranbir’s arch-enemy and this is definitely the biggest casting coup to hit screens. Sanjay will play the ruthless, merciless villain and his showdown with Ranbir will be something to watch out for as they ferociously go against each other! Vaani plays the role of an exquisitely desirable and sought after travelling performer.
Ashoke Pandit just back from Kashmir says all is well
The Hindi film industry’s leading spokesperson Ashoke Pandit has just paid a flying visit to Kashmir after Article 370 was repealed. He is now back claiming all is well in the Valley. “All this misinformation about Kashmir being under siege is being spread by the so-called liberals who have nothing better to do than try and discredit the Government. I’ve just returned from Kashmir. And everything is peaceful there,” reassures Pandit.
He admits communication has been cut off in the Valley. “But that’s for security reasons. A major policy decision has been taken about the area. It’s like cancer. Chemotherapy has to happen. Everything will slowly turn to normal. Those who are spreading panic from outside Kashmir are aiding our neighbouring enemies in their desperate plans to malign our government.”
Pandit lashes out at Anurag Kashyap and the liberals who have been making veiled and not so veiled comments against the government. “These are the hypocrites who don’t want progress and change. They would do anything to pull the nation-builders down. I’ve no patience with such people.”
Ranveer Singh to open up about his success story at an event in Birmingham
Ranveer Singh has been hustling hard in the industry for eight years now. The actor, who started his journey with Band Baaja Baaraat, has become one of the most successful actors in the industry with back to back hits including Ram Leela, Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat, Simmba and Gully Boy. Now, moving forward, the actor will be discussing his success story with his fans at an event in Birmingham.
Ranveer Singh, who has been stationed in London for ’83, will be sharing his story from a Bandra boy to becoming a global name at the event An Evening With Ranveer Singh on September 1. As per the reports, the tickets for the event cost Rs. 5000, VIP tickets cost up to Rs. 40,000 as the special tickets include meet and greet and photo opportunity with the star.
Ranveer Singh, on the work front, will be next seen in Kabir Khan’s ’83. The actor is starring as Kapil Dev whereas Deepika Padukone will essay the role of his wife Romi Dev. The film is set for April 10, 2020 release.
Vivek Agnihotri announces his next directorial The Kashmir Files, to release in August 2020
Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri, who last helmed The Tashkent Files, has announced his next directorial The Kashmir Files. The filmmaker’s announcement comes during the time when it was recently announced that Article 370 was revoked which gave Jammu and Kashmir special status.
Vivek Agnihotri said, “Presenting #TheKashmirFiles. Next year, same time, on our 73rd Independence anniversary, we will bring you the unreported story of the most tragic and gut-wrenching genocide of Kashmiri Hindus. Please bless our team as it’s not an easy story to tell. #KashmirUnreported.”
Earlier, Vivek Agnihotri said, “Since a very long time, I have been wanting to make a film on the Kashmir issue and after the success of The Tashkent files, I have got the confidence that I am matured enough to handle a sensitive subject like this. Kashmiri Pandits Exodus from 1991 is the biggest human tragedy, the biggest Ethnic cleansing, mass exodus of a community with violence. Kashmiri Pandits are homeless in their own country. This is the 7th exodus of Kashmiri pundits from Kashmir – their home. Since the WW2 there hasn’t been such a violent and barbaric ethnic cleansing anywhere in the world. This is India’s holocaust where at midnight the minorities (Hindus) were asked to leave the valley and they were specifically asked to leave behind all their property and women. Children were killed with AK47, women were raped, men were cut with a wood cutting saw. Houses were burnt. India’s most secular region was converted into an Islamic Region controlled with Sharia law. My film is about the sinister politics behind it. Everyone is responsible for such a tragedy. My film is about that.”
The makers plan to release The Kashmir Files in August 2020.
Pulwama Terror Attacks: Shah Rukh Khan shoots for the video tribute for CRPF’s martyrs
Earlier this year, the terror attack in Pulwama, Kashmir left the nation in shock as 40 CRPF jawans were martyred in the deadly terrorist attack. As the nation remembers the martyrs, many have donated money for their families. Celebrities like Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Kartik Aaryan have come together for a special song to pay tribute to the martyrs of the terror attack.
Shah Rukh Khan is the latest celebrity to join the list who joined the video tribute. The actor had a busy schedule as he had to head to Melbourne but he shot the four-minute video last week. As per reports, SRK sang these lines from ‘Tu Desh Mera’ – “Tere liye jiyen marein, vaade jo tujhse kiye poore sab karein. Desh ke rang mein ranga hua, kehta hai ye lahu mera, aanch bhi aaye tirange ko to beh jaaun katra-katra. Tu desh mera, main hu tera…”
On the work front, Shah Rukh Khan is currently producing three shows for Netflix – Bard Of Blood, Class Of ’83 and Betaal. He is yet to sign his next film.
Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment to distribute Chiranjeevi – Amitabh Bachchan’s Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy
One of the biggest movies of the year is Chiranjeevi starrer Sye Raa Narasimha Reddywhich is produced by his son, Ram Charan. The film boasts a massive cast and is touted to be made on a huge scale. Amitabh Bachchan is all set for his Telugu venture with this period drama. Now, it has been revealed that Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment will be distributing the Hindi version of Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy.
Farhan Akhtar took to Twitter to announce that his production house is one of the distributors of Hindi version of the film. “Excel Entertainment and AA Films proudly present the EPIC Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy in association with Konidela Productions starring the GREATEST Indian ensemble cast of all time,” he tweeted.
Along with the tweet, the teaser of the film was revealed which showed the looks of all the actors. The cast includes Chiranjeevi, Amitabh Bachchan, Kichcha Sudeep, Vijay Sethupathi, Jagapathi Babu, Ravi Kishan, Nayanthara, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Niharika.
Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy is produced by Ram Charan and helmed by Surendar Reddy. The film is a story based on the life of freedom fighter Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy.
John Abraham starrer Batla House receives minor changes and gets go-ahead from Delhi High Court
John Abraham starrer Batla House, based on the Operation Batla House encounter, received a go-ahead from the Delhi High Court on Tuesday, August 13. The makers revealed that minor changes were ordered by the court and they agreed for the modifications. Justice Vibhu Bakhru passed the consent order.
The statement from John Abraham, Nikkhil Advani, Bhushan Kumar, Madhu Bhojwani and Monisha Advani read, “The makers of Batla House are overwhelmed and grateful to the Delhi High Court and its esteemed officers for viewing the sundry petitions against our film, in favour of releasing the film as planned and unhindered on August 15, 2019, Independence Day. The makers have conceded to the minor changes ordered by the esteemed court and are working tirelessly to have these reflected immediately. The makers also confirm that they are glad to do so to ensure all sentiments and rights of undertrials are not influenced or impacted in any way, as per best efforts. The makers are grateful to all the partners of Batla House for their cooperation and support during this time. We now look forward to releasing our film as intended and hope audiences will enjoy this representation of an event that history should never forget.”
A petition was filed and the petitioners had moved to the High Court seeking a stay on the release of the film which tells the tale of 2008 Operation Batla House encounter. Advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan argued, “The film projects Ariz Khan and Shezad Ahman as Criminals. No amount of disclaimer would be justified in this case. Earlier petitions filed against a screening of a movie like Padma vat cannot be correlated with this as none of them had person projected in the film undergoing a trial and that too for Capital Punishment. The film clearly shows the person planting bomb and admitting to being a member of the Indian Mujahedeen. Thus, there is no doubt that the Film would affect a fair trial.”
Directed by Nikkhil Advani, John Abraham stars as DCP Sanjeev Kumar Yadav, who spearheaded the Batla House encounter in New Delhi’s Jamia Nagar in 2008. The film is set to release on Independence Day.
WOAH! Rs. 100 cr is the budget for Netflix’s Saif Ali Khan – Nawazuddin Siddiqui show Sacred Games 2
After season 1 of the Saif Ali Khan – Nawazuddin Siddiqui show Sacred Games, audience are waiting with bated breath for the second season to release. While Netflix is set to air the second season on August 15, we came across this bit of news that is sure to grab your attention. As per reports, the streaming giant has shelled out close to Rs. 100 cr on producing the second season of the show.
Revealing the details, an industry insider says that while usually each episode of an original could cost between Rs. 3- 4 cr with a total budget around the vicinity of Rs. 50 cr, Netflix has gone above and beyond for season 2. The reason behind Netflix investing such a huge sum is the fact that while the first season turned out to be a resounding success, the audience appreciation along with the knowledge that season 2 would have to be even bigger and more complex than the first, led the makers to invest so heavily in the show’s production. If that wasn’t enough, it has also been learned that to shoot the second season of Sacred Games, a crew comprising over 3,500 people were employed to shoot for over 100 days. The said shoot was carried out at 112 locations, with 400 minutes of footage being shot.
After hearing this, we guess those of us who managed to get our anxiety for season 2 of Sacred Games have just lost our cool.
Vidya Balan launches the cover of the book Sridevi: Girl Woman Superstar
Actress Vidya Balan who is currently busy promoting her upcoming film Mission Mangal took to Instagram to make a special announcement. On the occasion of late actress Sridevi’s birth anniversary, Balan launched the official cover of the book Sridevi: Girl Woman Superstar.
Sharing the cover of the book, the Mission Mangal actress wrote, “I am honoured and delighted to officially launch the Cover of the Penguin book on the iconic SRIDEVI on her 56th birthday today titled ,SRIDEVI: GIRL WOMAN SUPERSTAR commemorating the legend’s larger-than-life magic spread over five decades. Congratulations to author @satyarthnayak and the @penguinindia mavericks @mileeashwarya19 and @chaudhurishantanuray. A big hug Boneyji ????!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sri Ma’am ????!!
The book has been authored by Satyarth Nayak, with the approval of Boney Kapoor. The book also delves deep into her iconic body of work in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada cinema. The book, described as “the first and only detailed chronicle of the legend’s fifty year long journey across all the five industries she worked in”, will provide the readers with a glimpse of her public and personal life, with exclusive insights from her friends and family members.
Sridevi, one of the biggest icons of the Indian film industry, left behind a void in her fans’ hearts when she passed away in February of 2018. Her demise came as a shock to the entire film fraternity and her loved ones.
On her birthday, family, friends and fans of the Hawa Hawai actress have showered social media websites with messages sharing how she will never be forgotten. Sridevi’s husband Boney Kapoor and daughter Janhvi Kapoor too shared heartfelt posts remembering the actress.
John Abraham opens up about the time his mother interrupted a shoot
John Abraham is currently busy gearing up for his next release Batla House that is slated to hit screens on August 15. In a bid to ensure the film does well, the actor has been promoting the film wherever he can. And continuing with the promotions, John was recently on The Kapil Sharma Show where he spoke about Batla House and his journey in Bollywood. During his interaction on the show, John opened up about the time his mother interrupted a shoot thinking that he was injured.
Narrating the incident, John Abraham revealed that it was while shooting for an action sequence for the Milan Luthria directed venture Taxi No 9211, which saw him lying flat on the road and rolling to avoid oncoming cars, when his mother spotted him. Apparently, John was lying flat, and his mother who happened to be driving near the shoot location saw him and though that he was injured. She immediately stopped her vehicle and rushed to his side only to realize that she had walked into the middle of a shoot after she saw the cameras.
As for Batla House, the film is inspired by the controversial encounter operation which took place in Delhi in 2008, that raised questions across India.
Court issues order to block websites engaging in unauthorised streaming of movies and television series
The Delhi High Court has directed Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block access to websites like Tamilrockers, EZTV, Katmovies and Limetorrents which are allegedly engaged in unauthorised streaming and distribution of movies and television series of production houses like Warner Bros, Universal and Netflix.
Websites like Tamilrockers have known to leak films even before its theatrical release. Attempts to bring down websites promoting piracy have been made in the past as well.
Justice Sanjeev Narula in his interim order directed the ISPs to block access to all the URLs and IP addresses of these websites. The court also issued directions to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Ministry of Information Technology to suspend the domain name registration of the websites infringing the copyright of production houses and to issue requisite notifications asking internet and telecom service providers to block such online sites.
The order was issued after a plea was made by the US-based entertainment company Warner Bros. In their plea they stated that these sites were hosting, streaming and making available to public its original content. They all said that the content produced by other production companies like UTV, Star, paramount, Universal and Netflix were being distributed without authorisation.
The court also restrained the websites from “hosting, streaming, reproducing, distributing, making available to the public and/or communicating to the public, or facilitating the same, in any manner, on their websites, through the internet any cinematograph work/content/programme/ show in relation to which plaintiff (Warner Bros) has copyright.”
Priyanka Chopra calls out the double standards of the entertainment industry; blames lack of opportunities for women
Global icon and actress Priyanka Chopra recently appeared at the Beautycon event held in Los Angeles, USA. At the event, the actress stressed on the importance of women empowering each other. The actor also emphasized that it is the lack of opportunities for women that leads them to “elbowing each other out to get to that one spot.”
The actress who has been in the showbiz for nearly two decades now said, “I’ve had so many times where I’m doing interviews and people always ask me, ‘You’re doing a movie with a female actor. Did you guys get along? Were there cat fights?’ But when it comes to boys, they say, ‘Oh, my gosh. That’s a bromance, and everyone works so well.’”
The actress said that the more opportunities women create for each other, the more sisterhood will grow. “We’re 50 per cent of the world population, we need to be represented in every field. We need to be empowered by each other, by people who are in positions of power, by putting (women) in positions of power. I realised many, many years ago, the more I champion women in my own small way, maybe I’ll be able to create a world, around me at least, where women run the show. Because we kinda do it really well,” the actress added.
Priyanka Chopra was in the news recently because of her interaction with a woman at the event who accused her for being a hypocrite as she supported the Indian Government’s decision to bomb Balakot.
Priyanka Chopra recently wrapped the shooting of her next Hindi film titled The Sky is Pink.
Divya Dutta to star in Mirror O Mirror
National Award winner Divya Dutta, one of the most versatile and talented actress is all set to star in yet another short film after her much loved short film Plus Minus with internet sensation Bhuvan Bam. Titled Mirror O Mirror, the short is directed by Maahi Kaur, a filmmaker from Canada of Indian origin. The first poster of the film is spine chilling and looks like it certainly is going to spook the viewers.
Mirror O Mirror combines two of everyone’s favorite genres, that is, suspense and horror. It is a metaphysical short film which is based on the fact that sometimes, the reality is not the reality what we think is the reality! The film has only two characters, the other one being played by Ashmith Kunder and the film’s post-production is in underway.
Divya Dutta will also be seen in Sheer Qorma, a story that revolves around relationships and talks about LGBTQ community, co-starring Swara Bhasker and Shabana Azmi. Apart from this, she will be seen in Gul Makai based on the life of Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai and Anubhav Sinha’s Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai.
Anushka Sharma takes up campaign for equal treatment and justice for animals
As the strongest celebrity voice advocating for animal rights in India, Anushka Sharma wants stricter punishment and better application of justice against offenders. Anushka has recently started campaigning for the amendment of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. The act currently sees an accused liable to pay only 10-100 rupees as a fine for committing heinous crimes against animals! Anushka has named the campaign #JusticeForAnimals is going to advocate for stricter laws, harsher punishment and better implementation of these laws preventing animal cruelty.
“Life is life and each and every life on this beautiful planet is equally important. This world is not just for humans. It is equally for all living beings on this planet and if humans can get justice for crimes committed against them, animals should also have equal rights to get justice. So, for any human to feel his or her life is more important than a voiceless being is nothing short of brutality and comes from a place of entitlement which is undeserved,” says Anushka.
With her massive social media following of over 60 million followers, Anushka is using her digital influence to speak a constructive debate and conversation around animal welfare in our country. Anushka has regularly been highlighting atrocities against animals in our country for some time. Recently, when she spoke out against the gruesome beating and death that a dog, lucky, suffered in Mumbai, she found huge support online. She has been highlighting several gruesome cases of animal atrocities across the nation post that. Anushka is now looking for sustainable, organised policy change.
“If we as an evolved species can’t take it upon ourselves to protect the interest of these voiceless beings then it is highly shameful that we pride ourselves as the most evolved species. Therefore, it is our duty to protect, nurture and preserve them and humanely treat them with respect and dignity. Over the years, as a voice for the welfare of animals and a voice against cruelty towards animals, I have come across so many cases of absolute ignorance and lack of total empathy and compassion in people towards animals. This exists because the existing laws don’t protect the rights of animals as they should,” she says.
Vocal about equal rights for animals and a thought leader in this space, Anushka adds, “We as a culture and society, have always given so much emphasis on treating all of Gods creations with love and compassion and it breaks my heart to see time and again how cruel some people can be towards these harmless beings. The existing laws are archaic and need to be relooked at and implemented with punishments deserving of the crimes committed so that there is fear in people’s mind before they decide to raise their hands on a voiceless being. Looking at the ecological imbalances and crisis our world is dealing with right now, the time to act is now.”
Non-bailable arrest warrant issued against Honey Singh
Yo Yo!! Does anyone remember Honey Singh? He took the charts by storm some years ago with his provocative misogynistic songs and then disappeared apparently due to a mental disorder. Recently he made a comeback with a few Bollywood songs. When they didn’t work as much as he thought they would, Yo Yo again resorted to his favourite tool of attention-seeking: scandal.
Yo Yo’s recent song ‘Makhna’ invited the wrath of Punjab’s Women’s State Commission for alleged derogatory remarks against women. And now a non-bail able warrant has been issued against Yo Yo for an old song ‘Hum Hain Balaaktari’ (I am A Rapist) which Honey Yo Yo Singh claims he hadn’t written or sung.
In fact the singer-rapper-composer disowns all the crude vulgar pornographic songs that are credited to him on the internet. In conversation with me at the peak of the controversies, Honey Singh had said, “All these are attempts to discredit me by jealous elements who can’t bear to see me so successful in such a short time. They are maligning me by putting up these types of songs. How can I sing such songs? I respect women too much to even think like that.”
By ‘jealous elements’ Honey mainly meant Badshah who took over the position of Bollywood’s no.1 rapper-singer from Honey Singh while Singh recovered from his illness.
A music composer who would like to remain unnamed says, “Badshah is everything that Honey Singh could have been. Badshah has a clean family image. Kids love him. His songs are catchy even naughty but they don’t cross the line. Yo Yo Honey Sigh repeatedly sang crude unacceptable lyrics objectifying women. He can’t disown them just like that. Not in this day and age of the internet where everything is documented.”
Randeep Hooda to star in a thriller set in the UK
Actor Randeep Hooda who has given impeccable performance in films like Highwayand Sarabjit, has his plate full. The actor recently wrapped the shoot of Imtiaz Ali’s next titled Aaj Kal. The movie also stars Kartik Aaryan and Sara Ali Khan. He has also signed Sanjay Leela Bhansali produced yet untitled thriller. The film will go on floors in October. Randeep is paired opposite Mukkabaaz actress Zoya Hussain in the film.
Apart from this, the actor has reportedly agreed to be a part of another thriller, tentatively titled as Rat in the Highway. The film will be directed by debutant Vivek Chauhan. The film was originally conceived by Sunil Saini, Sunny Deol’s manager.
The film is about an advertising professional who cannot recollect the past 48 hours of his life. He is in the middle of a highway while trying to put together pieces to revive his memory. Filmmaker Mohan Nadaar said that the role required an actor par excellence and so they approached Randeep Hooda. The actor like the script and agreed to do it.
The film will go on floors soon and will be shot in Scotland. Randeep has been working on his look for the film with the director of the film, who has been working on the film from the past three years. Mohan Nadaar said that Vivek Chauhan has an experience of 25 years as an ad filmmaker.
The makers have got the permission to shoot in Arbroath (a former royal burgh and the largest town in the council area of Angus in Scotland). Besides, Randeep Hooda, the rest of the cast will be from the UK. The film will be shot only in the night with a three camera set-up. The makers are hoping to complete Hooda’s portions in a 24-day schedule.
