Aishwarya Majmudar talks about her upcoming track

Singer Aishwarya Majmudar, who is known for her tracks like ‘Aaj Unse Kehna Hai’ in the movie ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’ and ‘Tere Bin Nahi Laage’ from ‘Ek Paheli Leela’, is coming up with her new track ‘Prem Rang Maniyaaro Maniyaaro’ featuring Devarshi Shah.

The song depicts the story of a newly-wed couple. Aishwarya not only has given her voice but also has a dance sequence in Gujarati attire. She will be seen performing ‘Garba’ with certain modifications.

“The entire process of building the song has been a learning process and helped me find my identity,” says Aishwarya.

Talking about how she came up with the song, the singer adds: “I remember waking up in the middle of the night with a string tune annoying me in my sleep. I didn’t know then what it would substantiate into, but that one tune got made into ‘Prem Rang’ and hence this song is no less than a dream!”

Aishwarya feels it was the other way round for her where the lyrics and composition found her instead of her finding them and the entire process of building the song note by note, melody by melody, and then shaping it into a dance form was more a learning process and a celebration that helped her in finding her identity.

While talking about the song and dance sequence, she says: “This song depicts emotions like love, vigour and splendour. The filming process began with bringing on board choreographers like Shri Samir and Arsh Tanna, and their daughter Tamanna. I’m grateful everyday for my team,” she ends.

Aamir Khan recalls working with ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ crew

Superstar Aamir Khan goes nostalgic as his movie ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ is completing 20 years on August 10. For him it was one of the most memorable projects and a great working experience with director Farhan Akhtar and the entire cast.

He says: “‘Dil Chahta Hai’ is one of my most memorable films. I think the energies of all of us coming together (Farhan, Ritesh, Zoya, Akshaye, Saif, Sonali, Dimple, Preity, me, Javed Sahab, Shankar, Ehsan, Loy, Basin, Avan, Ravi, Suzanna, Nakul, Subaya, everyone… ), brought something very special to the film.”

‘Dil Chahta Hai’ was released in the year 2001 and was the directorial debut of Farhan Akhtar. The film starred Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Akshaye Khanna in the lead role. It was about three friends and the story revolves around them. It also featured Preity Zinta, Sonali Kulkarni and Dimple Kapadia, the music was by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and lyrics by Javed Akhtar.

Aamir adds further that ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ was one of the movies that came out with a distinct story and Farhan Akhtar as a director has done an incredible job.

“I loved the script, and I felt that Farhan was coming in with a completely fresh look at everything. His own vision and voice. As a result, ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ will always be remembered as a film that broke a lot of conventions in Indian cinema. I was working with a first-time director, but never once did it feel like that. Farhan was confident and personified. He was sure footed and completely in control. What a debut Farhan and Ritesh!” he concludes.

‘Dil Chahta Hai’ will air on August 10 on &Pictures.

‘Time To Dance’: Hrithik Roshan is Sooraj Pancholi’s dance idol

Sooraj Pancholi made a comeback with ‘Time To Dance’ opposite Isabelle Kaif, Katrina Kaif’s sister. The film has been directed by Stanley D’Costa and produced by Lizelle D’Souza, wife of choreographer and director Remo D’Souza.

‘Time To Dance’ is making its premiere on television this week. The film introduced ballroom and Latin dancing for the very first time for the Indian audience.

This is Sooraj’s third film as an actor after ‘Hero’ and ‘Satellite Shankar’.

Talking about his inspiration in dance, Sooraj told in an interview: “When it comes to Bollywood dancing, Hrithik Roshan is my idol. I absolutely love dancing, but Latin was new to me. I never thought I would someday get to do a Latin Bollywood film, something which hasn’t been explored in Indian cinema as of now. With this film I have got to learn a lot of new dance forms and work with some really talented dancers from the world.”

Recalling the preparations for his character in the film, he said: “Before starting to shoot the film, I had trained for about four months to perfect these dance forms and learn the style. It was a challenge to rehearse day and night. However, Remo Sir and his team made it look like a piece of cake. Isabelle and I both knew dancing, but we aren’t professional dancers. Hence it was tough to get into the shoes of a dancer.”

Sharing his experience of working with co-star Isabelle Kaif, Sooraj shared: “Isabelle is very hardworking and a great co-actor to work with. I have previously worked with Katrina Kaif as an assistant director and Isabelle is as passionate as her elder sister. I believe she has a long way to go.”

As the film will be screened on the silver screen for the first time, Sooraj said: “Time To Dance’ is a very light and entertaining film to watch during such hard times. I am certain that kids as well as adults will definitely love this film.” Sooraj’s upcoming film is ‘Hawa Singh’.

‘Time To Dance’ will have its world television premiere on Sony MAX on August 14.

Delnaaz Irani talks about her ‘reels’, emphasises proper usage of social media

Delnaaz Irani needs no introduction. From the bubbly ‘Sweetu’ (Kal Ho Naa Ho) to ‘Pari Sitara’ (Son Pari) and her most recent small screen stint of Mrs Martha (Choti Sarrdaarni), the actress has portrayed every role she took up with perfection. Now she is quite famous for her ‘reels’ on social media.

Her reels featuring her beau Percy and domestic help Manoj are being loved by the masses because they are not just funny but the situations in which they are created look very real. But the actress was not always a fan of social media, and she got interested in it only during the lockdown last year.

“Whether it’s work, career or social media I have just gone with the flow. I have never manipulated things neither in my life, nor in my career, nor now with social media. It was never so important for me. When I started working, we did not have Instagram or Twitter, it was just Facebook and it was hardly used. But today social media is so important. Everything is out there and everything is publicised, but I feel it’s a personal choice,” she shares.

According to Delnaaz, social media is the best way to connect with people as she adds: “Initially, I did not understand it but then I realised the importance of social media because I understood that when you want to connect with people, with your fans, who love your body of work and have seen your work in the past and are still seeing you today, they definitely want to connect with you.”

Talking about the response she is getting from her fans and social media users in general, the ‘Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha’ actress says: “I started making videos and sharing my thoughts and people started enjoying it. I can sense that people love my comedy and I make these comic reels with either Percy or Manoj. I have been a comic actor so I just love to make people laugh and I don’t copy, I try to recreate them in my own way. People want to see me and Percy in reel, people want Manoj’s ‘naagin’ dance.”

Though she has realised that social media is a powerful tool, she stressed that one shouldn’t let it rule them. She feels it should be used in the right way, and not let it overpower other things in life.

“A lot of work is generated through social media. So I think it’s a complete win-win situation if you use the platform correctly. If you misuse it, it’s your fault. I think one should use the medium, and not let the medium use you. I am doing it, the day I will be tired and exhausted I will say ok bye. Right now I genuinely love it,” Delnaaz concludes.

Actor Mira Mithun booked in TN for casteist slur

The Cyber wing of the Tamil Nadu police have booked actor-model Mira Mithun for an alleged slur against Scheduled Castes (SC) in a video which has gone viral on social media.

The FIR was lodged following a complaint by the Viduthalai Chiruthagai Katchi (VCK), a political party supporting the Dalit cause and led by Member of Parliament, Thol Thirumavalavan.

The TN Cyber Crime police said that actor Mira Mithun was booked under seven provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

While participating in a talk show, the actor, while answering a question said that normally she would not talk about Scheduled Caste (SC) people.

The complainant alleged that she had blamed movie directors from the Scheduled Castes community for all the wrongs and ills in the movie industry. According to the complainant, she had also asked as to why others in the Tamil movie industry were supporting these directors from the SC community.

The Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication front is a co-complainant in the petition against her.

Neha Bhasin says non-film music is taking centre stage again

Singer Neha Bhasin is happy that independent music is taking centre stage, but adds that she minces no words while talking about famous actors being a part of these numbers.

Bhasin told IANS: “How does she see the music industry right now evolving: Because of Covid everything is very in between in general. Where I do see a shift is that non-film music is taking centre stage again because films have taken a bit of a back seat.

“But music industry and non film music main bhi wohi ho raha ki jo famous actors hain unko songs main daldo chaahe gaane kaisai bhi ho (But in non-film music they are putting bollywood stars no matter how or what the song is). I don’t know.”

The singer, who is currently seen as a contestant in “Bigg Boss OTT”, says she does not see the evolution of music content.

“I don’t see an evolution in content, I see an evolution in terms of it getting importance. There are some artists who are doing some good music, especially those who are independent, but with labels, I say that I get the feeling of selling soaps. That’s my personal opinion and it doesn’t really matter. It doesn’t affect what I do. I still do what I do,” Bhasin said.

“I always keep doing things that I want to do… As an artist you need to keep growing. You cannot just keep doing one thing for the rest of your life. An artist’s life is to lead and not to follow and you have to take those chances. You have to keep trying.”

“Bigg Boss OTT” is hosted by Karan Johar. It streams on Voot Select.

Vijayendra Kumeria talks about role, shooting experience in new normal

Actor Vijayendra Kumeria, who is currently seen as ‘Darsh Rawal’ in the show ‘Aapki Nazron Ne Samjha’, is elated with the response he is receiving.

Vijayendra says the character of Darsh has added to his career profile and for him playing the role of a blind man was really beneficial. Adds Vijayendra: “Now I’m playing a normal man, the story has evolved and audiences like the new track.”

On being asked how it is to shoot in the new normal, he says: “Living in the new normal is a way of life, shooting schedules are early and they wind up timely too. Post shoot I am getting to focus on other things, time management is very important and I believe in living life one day at a time”.

The show started with a love story between a blind photographer Darsh Rawal and a simple, selfless girl ‘Nandini’. Now things have changed between them due to mutual differences.

The 34-year-old known for his role in the show ‘Udaan’ shares about his working experience with co-stars Narayani Shastri who portrays the role of his mother and Richa Rathore essaying the character of his wife Nandini. He says it is fantastic to work with Narayani as well as Richa: “Narayani and my scenes as mother and son turn out quite well. Audiences are waiting for the reunion of Darsh and Nandini and that is making the drama all the more interesting.”

Produced by Amir and Sonali Jaffar ‘Aapki Nazron Ne Samjha’ airs on Star Plus.

Ayushmann Khurrana recalls special connection with Prayagraj

Actor Ayushmann Khurrana will soon head to the city of Prayagraj to shoot for his upcoming film ‘Doctor G’. While this will be his first time shooting there for a film, the actor has an emotional and nostalgic connection with the city.

Ayushmann rode through this Uttar Pradesh city when he was participating in the hit teen reality TV show ‘Roadies’, which he had won in 2004.

Ayushmann says, “I have always wanted to travel the length and breadth of our beautiful country and fortunately my work is taking me to incredibly distinct destinations. I will be shooting a film for the first time in Prayagraj. Coincidentally, when I was participating in ‘Roadies’, I rode through this city and shot for the series.”

Ayushmann says he was charmed by the beauty of Prayagraj during the shoot of ‘Roadies season 2’.

“I still remember getting mesmerised by it’s history, heritage and architecture. Prayagraj sees the confluence of three rivers – Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati – and I was deeply enamoured by its breathtaking beauty. I will be shooting again in this beautiful city and I can’t wait to go back,” says Ayushmann.

The actor, who made his film debut with ‘Vicky Donor’ in 2012, eventually became part of both critical and commercially successful films.

He feels shooting in Prayagraj will be am emotional experience for him.

“It will bring back a deluge of emotions and nostalgia for me. I will try and find some time to visit the places that I had shot for ‘Roadies’ just to relive my days of struggle and self-belief. It will be amazing to shoot in the city that carved my fortune at the start of my career.”

‘Doctor G’ is being directed by Anubhuti Kashyap and is produced by Junglee Pictures.

Mumbai cops chase hoax bomb calls at Bachchan home, 3 stations

The Mumbai Police and other agencies spent anxious hours after they chased bombs allegedly planted at Amitabh Bachchan’s bungalow and three railway stations, which finally turned out to be hoaxes, an official said here on Saturday.

Two persons, including a truck driver, have been picked up for interrogation from Thane for the bomb threats call received at around 8.53 pm on Friday, said an official.

Not willing to take any chances, various crack agencies and the Mumbai Police’s Bomb Detection & Disposal Squad (BDDS), searched all the locations — Bachchan’s bungalow, and the UNESCO World Heritage site Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Byculla and Dadar stations, all on Central Railway — but nothing was found.

The others involved in the combing operations were Anti Terrorism Squad, Quick Response Team, Railway Protection Force, Government Railway Police, personnel of several local police stations.

With the Independence Day celebrations round-the-corner security is usually tightened at all sensitive locations.

Later, the police tracked the alleged caller to Mumbra in adjoining Thane district, the nabbed truck driver. One more person was also picked up along with him and further procedures are underway.

Riteish Deshmukh tries one of his toughest acts on TV

Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh is all set to appear as the special guest in a comedy show on television together with his wife Genelia Deshmukh.

Riteish and Genelia will be seen as special guests in “Zee Comedy Show”.

In an upcoming episode of the show, Riteish will be sitting on top of an inflated dinosaur costume during a hilarious act with comedian Siddharth Sagar.

The actor will also be seen trying a dance performance together with Siddharth on a sloped set of the show.

Sharing his experience from the shoot, Riteish said: “I had a wonderful time in ‘Zee Comedy Show’. All the artistes made us laugh and I must say that the kind of things they are doing on this show is much harder than doing films and I wish them all the best.

“The sloped act was one of the toughest acts that I saw, and they aced it. It was outstanding. All the writers, artistes and the whole crew are working hard, and they deserve an applause. I gave the sloped set a try too and it was a fun experience,” he added.

“Zee Comedy Show” airs on Zee TV.