Ajay Devgn defends association with tobacco brand, calls it ‘personal choice’

After Akshay Kumar apologized for featuring in a tobacco brand advertisement, Ajay Devgn, who is awaiting the release of his next film ‘Runway 34’, defended his association with the brand.

Ajay has been associated with the brand for a long time so much that he has become synonymous with its tagline. As per a media report, during the press interactions for ‘Runway 34’, when the actor was asked about the advertisement, he defended himself by calling it a personal choice.

He also said that people often take up something after fully being aware of its repercussions at large. He mentioned that he was only promoting ‘elaichi’ and not a tobacco product. He added that if such products cause an unnecessary stir then more than advertisements, the sale of such products should be put on hold.

‘KGF: Chapter 2’ sets another benchmark in Hindi by crossing Rs 250 cr in 7 days

A week after its release, ‘KGF: Chapter 2’ continues to cast its spell on Hindi moviegoers. Being a regional language film, the film is racking up a splendid performance in the Hindi markets.

After registering the highest 3rd-day collection with Rs 143.64 crore, the movie has crossed the magic figure of Rs 250 crore in its first week.

Collecting 254.97 crore net (Rs 300.86 crore gross) over 7 days in the Hindi belt, the film has emerged as the highest 1st-week collector and also the first movie to cross the figure of Rs 250 crore at the Hindi box office.

In more cheer for the makers, the film is consistently improving its individual day collection also in this market. KGF-Chapter 2 earned Rs 16.35 crore (Net) on the 7th-day.

The film headlined by Yash and starring a talented ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Raveena Tandon, and Srinidhi among others released nationwide on April 14, in Kannada, Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam. ‘K.G.F- Chapter 2’ is written and directed by Prashanth Neel.

KGF 2 is being presented in North-Indian markets by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment and AA Films. Excel has given super hits like Dil Chahta Hai, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Dil Dhadakne Do, and Gully Boy among others.

‘Sarkaru Vaari Paata’ title song release to kick off promotional campaign

Mahesh Babu’s highly anticipated movie ‘Sarkaru Vaari Paata’ is inching towards its release, while the makers will kickstart the promotions soon.

Earlier on Wednesday, the makers of the commercial drama took to social media to announce the release of the title song ‘Sarkaru Vaari Paata.’

The much-hyped title track of the Mahesh-starrer will be out on April 23. Music director S Thaman had also teased the superstar fans with a glimpse of the title song, which sparked a lot of excitement among fans.

Following the release of the title song, the producers intend to release the album’s mass number. ‘Ma Ma Maheshu’ will be the title of the next song, as guessed by superstar fans.

Starring Keerthy Suresh in a perky role as the female lead, ‘Sarkaru Vaari Paata’ is touted to be a commercial drama with politics involved in the story.

Parasuram Petla is the director for ‘Sarkaru Vaari Paata’, which is bankrolled under the Mythri Movie Makers banner.

Slated for its release on May 12, the movie is expected to allure the audience from all quarters.

Ayushmann to play undercover cop in political action thriller ‘Anek’

Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana will be seen in the avatar of an undercover cop in the upcoming political action thriller ‘Anek’, directed by Anubhav Sinha.

Although, he has earlier played a cop in ‘Article 15’, which too was incidentally directed by Anubhav, this will be the first time when he will be essaying such a character.

While talking about his character in the film, Ayushmann said “This is the first time the audience will see me in this avatar. I have played a cop before but this is the first time they will see me going undercover. Joshua in Anek is street smart and intelligent.”

He further mentioned, “He knows his way around people and can fight bad guys not only in a physical capacity but also with his great intellect. I was very pumped to try my hands at portraying Joshua as it gave me an opportunity to explore something I hadn’t done before. I owe it to my audience to offer them new experiences with each film”

Sharing his approach to this character, he said, ” As an undercover cop, Joshua has the perfect traits of a spy and I had to work on my physical and mental skills to portray that. Right from his observation skills to his ability to combat the enemy, the character’s journey keeps one intrigued and gripped throughout. Also, the action sequences had to look real and raw to fit into the world of Anek and to portray what Anubhav had envisioned, I was inscribed with the right amount of guidance and training.”

Talking about the film, director Anubhav Sinha said, “I am excited about ‘Anek’s’ release as it has a lot in store for the audience. Ayushmann has put everything into portraying Joshua, there is no one else who could have done it better than him. Not only is he a great actor but he was pretty dauntless when it came to performing an action as an undercover cop in the film.”

Jointly produced by Bhushan Kumar’s T-Series and Anubhav Sinha’s Benaras Mediaworks, ‘Anek’ poses a question about what it truly takes to be an Indian above all its divide and how one man is on a mission to unite the nation!

The film, shot in the northeast, is set to arrive in cinemas on May 27, 2022, after its release date was moved from May 13 to accommodate the release of the Ranveer Singh-starrer Jayeshbhai Jordaar’.

Rocking star Yash takes a break with family

Kannada superstar Yash, who attained pan-India stardom after the massive success of ‘KGF: Chapter 1 and ‘KGF: Chapter 2’, has chosen to take a break with his family after four years of a hectic schedule.

Yash, a complete family man, is a caring husband to his actress wife Radhika Pandit, and a dear father to his two children.

The duo often shares their picture perfect family photos which steal the hearts of their fans.

Radhika Pandit has shared a beach picture of Yash playing with his two kids – daughter Arya and son Yathrav.

The fans loved the adorable moments of the actor with his kids.

As my father hugged me, I burst into tears: Ram Charan

Ram Charan, who broke into the pan-India scene with Rajamouli’s ‘RRR,’ is currently promoting his next film, ‘Acharya.’

In a recent candid conversation with one of the scribes, the ‘Rangasthalam’ actor revealed how much he treasured his time spent with his father, Megastar Chiranjeevi while filming ‘Acharya.’

Ram Charan, who had the opportunity to spend every minute of the film’s production with his father, revealed how emotional he was at one point.

The ‘Magadheera’ actor shared, “Dad and I used to eat dinner together and then get up the next day to start working out together.”

“We then began to work on the sets, before wrapping up the shooting portion and returning home together. I had a feeling I needed to cherish these moments but couldn’t express it,” Ram Charan said.

After a few days of working together, Chiranjeevi reportedly opened up to Charan and said, “We will never be able to relive these moments, Charan. What a blessing it is to be on the same journey!! I intend to make the most of this situation.”

“I was baffled. I was crying as I hugged him “, Ram Charan disclosed.

After ‘KGF Chapter-2’, all eyes on Upendra’s pan-India project ‘Kabza’

After the tremendous success of ‘KGF Chapter-2’ at the global level, all eyes in the Kannada film industry are set on actor Upendra-starrer ‘Kabza’, scheduled to release on September 15.

Directed by R. Chandru, ‘Kabza’ will be released in seven languages – Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi, and Bengali.

Superstar Kichcha Sudeep is also part of the movie, and the motion picture, teaser, and posters of the movie have already created a buzz among the audience.

The audience has huge expectations from the collaboration of superstar Upendra and director Chandru, who are known for their meticulous work and technical perfection.

The movie’s ensemble cast includes Prakash Raj, Jayaprakash Reddy, Pradeep Rawat, and Kabir Duhan Singh.

Multilingual actress Shriya Saran will be seen opposite Upendra. The actress’ traditional look is being loved by her fans and audience.

The story revolves around the underworld of 1947 and 1984.

Raveena Tandon rides high on ‘KGF Chapter 2’ success

Actress Raveena Tandon, who played Prime Minister Ramika Sen in the latest release ‘KGF: Chapter 2,’ is currently riding high on the success of the film. She says she is humbled and grateful for the appreciation she has received for her character in the Yash-starrer.

Speaking about the love she has received from her fans, superstar Raveena Tandon said: “It is heart-warming to receive so much love from everyone! I am humbled and grateful for the appreciation I have received as Ramika Sen.”

She added: “She is a strong woman and exudes a lot of discipline and power, enjoyed playing her on-screen. Really thankful to everyone involved in this journey!”

Raveena will next be seen in ‘Ghudchadi’, a romantic comedy.

Fans are the only ones who love unconditionally: Yash

Kannada actor Yash, who is currently enjoying the blockbuster pan-India success of ‘KGF: Chapter 2,’ stated that fans are the only group of people who unconditionally love a celebrity.

Speaking on multiple topics in one of his interviews, Yash said: “Regardless of the other factors, your fans are the only ones who love you. They buy a ticket, come in, watch you on the screen, and then leave. They are unconcerned about your religion, caste, or community.”

Yash stated that his family was surrounded by fake people who only wanted to be with them during good times when discussing the success and failure patterns in the movie industry.

On being quizzed about how Yash receives failures, he said, “Failure is practical. It is so real”.

“The same people who treated my parents unfairly before, now claim to be close to our family,” Yash explained.

“But see it through a neutral lens and laugh it away,” the ‘Googly’ actor added.

With his latest release, ‘KGF: Chapter 2’, Yash officially entered the pan-India space. Prashanth Neel’s directorial has received a lot of attention as it is doing well at the box office across the country.

Fourth schedule of ‘Music School’ wrapped up in Goa

The fun-filled fourth schedule of director Papa Rao Biyyala’s upcoming film ‘Music School’ has been wrapped up in Goa.

The fourth schedule comprised scenes between actors Shriya Saran, Sharman Joshi, and Shaan in Goa.

A significant chunk of the talkie portions of the musical has been shot in scenic locales and with beaches in the backdrop.

With this wrap-up in Goa, 95 percent of the film has been completed.

‘Music School’, a one-of-a-kind bilingual (it is being made in Hindi and Telugu), is being produced by Yamini Films. It has music by Ilaiyaraaja and cinematography by Kiran Deohans.

The film stars Sharman Joshi, Shriya Saran, Shaan, Suhasini Mulay, Prakash Raj, Benjamin Gilani, Srikanth Iyengar, Vinay Varma, Mona Ambegaonkar, Gracy Goswamy, Ozu Barua, Bugs Bhargava, Mangala Bhatt and Phani Eggoti among others.

Says Shaan, “I had a wonderful time shooting for ‘Music School’. The entire cast and crew was like a big family. We had a wonderful time, especially the children. They’re always so enthusiastic and so full of life. We’re going to miss all the fun that we had. I can’t wait to see how the film shapes up. I’m hoping to meet up at the reunion party once the film is ready for release. Until then, my best wishes to Papa Rao ji and the entire crew of ‘Music School’.”

The director cast Shaan for a critical role in the film after watching him sing a song for the film in Ilaiyaraaja’s recording studio in Chennai.

Papa Rao Biyyala was looking for a flamboyant person for this role and he thought the singer fit the bill.

This schedule also wraps up the portions of the second lead of the film, Ozu Barua and Gracy Goswamy, who, the director says, did a wonderful job. This teen duo has something special in store for the audience in the film.

The director says directing veteran character actors like Benjamin Gilani and Suhasini Mulay was the ultimate experience.

Says Papa Rao, “It was a great pleasure to work with such erudite actors. Cinematographer Kiran Deohans has captured some mind-blowing shots of the scenic beauty of Goa. The fourth schedule was quite special. I’m happy that we shot here; it is one of the most visually striking states of our country. We can’t wait to get started on the final song of our musical in Hyderabad.”