DC case: Mumbai Police record comedian Kapil Sharma’s statement

Ten days after arresting vehicle designer Dilip Chhabria, the Mumbai Police on Thursday called comedian-actor Kapil Sharma to record his statement in the case, officials said here on Thursday.

Some time ago, Sharma had ordered and bought a highly-luxurious vanity van from Chhabria which has been the talk of Bollywood circles.

The comedian was called by the Crime Intelligence Unit of Mumbai Police on Thursday to give his statement as a witness in the case after the high-profile matter was unearthed last month, Deputy Commissioner of Police, S. Chaitanya, told IANS.

It may be recalled that the CIU had nabbed Chhabria on December 28, 2020, on charges of running a fake car financing and registration racket involving his self-designed DC Avanti sportscars.

The fraud came to light after a two-seater sports car bearing a fake registration number was seized from one Indermal Ramani from near a five-star hotel on December 18.

Further investigations revealed that another car with the same engine and chassis number was registered in Haryana, which unearthed multiple loan frauds involving around 90 such cars.

This week, the CIU seized another 14 DC Avanti cars and 40 engines, besides 19 other high-end vehicles, in a raid at Chhabria’s Pune workshop.

Proclaimed as India’s maiden indigenously made sports car, DCDPL rolled out its first model in 2016, a year after securing approval from the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI).

Not ruling out further arrests, the police are also checking if the tentacles of the scam are spread in other states, the involvement of people from finance companies or NBFCs, etc.

Chhabria shot into the limelight in the 1990s after he produced some eye-catching fancy cars for various celebs and even vanity vans for Bollywood personalities besides some concept cars, luxury passenger buses, and even aircraft interiors too soon become a legend in the country’s niche automobile-designing industry.

Allu Arjun thankful for garnering 10 million Instagram followers

Telugu superstar Allu Arjun has garnered a following of 10 million on Instagram and has thanked his fans for being there as his strength.

Arjun posted a video montage on Instagram. The clip features all the videos and pictures he has shared on the portal.

“Thank You All for the Love. Thank you for being there as my strength. Truly touched and humbled by your blessings,” he wrote as the caption.

On the professional front, Arjun has recently announced his next film directed by Koratala Siva.

He also shared the first poster of the film, tentatively titled “AA21”, on the photo-sharing website. In the poster, two boys can be seen standing near a shore and gazing at a village.

The film is scheduled to release in early 2022. Other details related to the film are still under wraps.

Kangana Ranaut shares her life mantra

Actress Kangana Ranaut on Thursday shared her life mantra, which is never compromised on your health, stay away from unhealthy habits, and pessimistic people.

The actress shared her mantra with a motivational workout video, where she is seen doing pilates, on Twitter.

“Early morning fitness routine. Remember one thing in life jo fit hai Woh hit hai, never compromise on your health, stay away from unhealthy habits, and pessimistic people. Stay in the company of great beings if you don’t find them physically find their books or teachings,” she wrote along with the video.

Meanwhile, Kangana has crossed three million followers on Twitter. She posted a special note to mark the occasion.

“Thank you, everyone, I joined in last August this was my team handle with few thousand followers I never thought so soon we will be 3 million of us, Twitter is distracting at times but it’s also fun, thank you,” she wrote.

On the work front, Kangana has started prepping for her next film, “Dhaakad”. She will also be seen in films such as “Thalaivi” and “Tejas”.

Sonu Sood on BMC complaint: Will appeal in Bombay High Court

Actor Sonu Sood on Thursday asserted that there are no irregularities in the sustainability of his Juhu residential complex. Reacting to the police complaint filed by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for converting his six-storied residential building into a hotel without due permission, Sonu said he would appeal in Bombay High Court against the move.

The building in question is one where the actor had offered to house Covid 19 patients last year.

Speaking exclusively to IANS, Sonu said: “I have already taken approval for the change of use from the BMC. It was subject to the approval of the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA). This permission hasn’t come due to Covid-19. There are no irregularities. I always abide by the law. This hotel was used to house Covid-19 warriors during the pandemic. If the permission doesn’t come, I will restore it back to a residential structure. I am appealing against the complaint in the Bombay High Court.”

The actor became a national hero last year when he helped lakhs of migrants reach home during the nationwide lockdown.

Akshay Kumar reveals his ‘Bachchan Pandey’ look

Akshay Kumar gets rustic and rugged in his upcoming film Bachchan Pandey, going by his look in the film that the Bollywood superstar unveiled on Thursday.

Akshay posted a still on Twitter and Instagram, sharing his look like the central character of the film.

“New year, old associations…begun shooting for #BachchanPandey, my 10th film with #SajidNadiadwala, and hopefully many more. Need your best wishes and do tell me your thoughts on the look,” he wrote as the caption.

In the photograph, Akshay is seen sitting on the hood of a car in a black kurta and jeans, with a red scarf wrapped around his forehead. He wears heavy metal chains and strikes an intense look.

Akshay along with actresses Kriti Sanon and Jacqueline Fernandez started shooting for the film in Jaisalmer on Wednesday. The shoot will continue till March. The team is expected to shoot at places like Gadisar Lake and Jaisalkot.

In the Farhad Samji directorial, Akshay plays a gangster who aspires to be an actor, while Kriti plays a journalist who wishes to be a director. The film also stars Arshad Warsi, who plays the role of Akshay’s friend.

Why Big B wished fans a Merry Christmas on January 7

Amitabh Bachchan surprised fans by wishing them Merry Christmas on January 7. The actor then explained on social media that this is the date of the Russian Christmas as per the Gregorian calendar.

“Merry Christmas. Russian Christmas on Jan 7 .. Christmas holiday-January 7th in the Gregorian calendar or December 25, Julian calendar … as informed by Alla Yukhina, Russian Ef,” tweeted Bachchan from his verified account.

Fans from across the world reciprocated to the tweet by wishing the actor on Orthodox Christmas.

“Thank you, Amit Ji! You remember and respect the Russian-speaking population all over the world. They love you very much in Russia! Movies are shown with translation. However, not always the timbre of the voice coincides with yours. So I’m reviewing movies in Hindi,” commented a fan from Crimea.

“Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2021 to all Orthodox Christians who celebrate Christmas on 7th Jan… Greetings and wishes” shared another fan.

On Wednesday, the actor had shared a photograph clicked in Moscow, the Soviet Union in 1990-91, where he is seen mobbed by fans for autograph.

On the work front, Big B will feature in upcoming films like “Chehre”, Nagraj Manjule’s “Jhund”, Ayan Mukerji’s “Brahmastra”, Ajay Devgn’s “Mayday” and a yet-untitled film co-starring Prabhas and Deepika Padukone.

Katrina Kaif has a birthday wish for sister Isabelle

Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif has posted a loving message on the birthday of her sister Isabelle Kaif.

Katrina posted a video on Instagram, where she is seen having fun with her sister making an Instagram reel.

“Happiest birthday sister @isakaif here’s to taking all of life’s turn’s together,” she wrote as the caption.

Katrina had also shared a video of working out in the gym.

“Leg day getting back into it with @yasminkarachiwala ( can’t see u) but u always with me setting the pace,” she wrote as the caption.

The actress recently started shooting for the horror-comedy Phone Bhoot. Directed by Gurmeet Singh, the film stars Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ishaan Khatter alongside Katrina.

She will next be seen in Rohit Shetty’s cop action-drama Sooryavanshi, starring Akshay Kumar.

Bigg Boss 14: Telly bahus Rubina and Jasmin turn reality vamps

Actors Rubina Dilaik and Jasmin Bhasin are undoubtedly among the biggest bahus in the Indian small screen scene, but ever since they entered the Bigg Boss 14 house, they have been cutting a portrait of the classic vamp.

With over 100 cameras spread across the house to maintain 24 hours vigilance on the housemates, Rubina and Jasmine’s reality television gameplan has been very different from the scripted reality that fiction television lets them play out as telly bahus.

The ploy has allowed both Rubina and Jasmin to fend against the more played-to-gallery tactics of challengers such as Rakhi Sawant, Arshi Khan, Kashmira Shah, Vikas Gupta, and Manu Punjabi, who have subsequently walked into the show.

Crowned as the “crybaby” of Bigg Boss 14, Jasmine’s attitude has only gone from bad to worse in the recent episodes, esepcially when she targets Rakhi.

Jasmin, who garnered a sizeable fan base during her starring stint on the show Naagin, made plenty of grotesque comments on Rakhi’s body, face, implants, and hygiene.

Notable among these was Jasmin’s quip on Rakhi’s nose implant: “Naak gir jaayegi (Your nose will fall apart).”

She was made a few comments on Rakhi’s silicone implants that were beeped by the channel.

Rubina, on the other hand, has moved from her staid “Shikshika” (schoolteacher) mode to a silently operating schemer of sorts. She has chosen to pick on Arshi ever since the latter’s entry.

Rubina was a part of shows such as Chotti Bahu and Shakti: Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki, and has essayed exemplary Indian values with her roles in these shows. On Bigg Boss 14, however, she has been busy name-calling Arshi.

She has often been seen using words such as “gandi aurat” (dirty woman) for Arshi, besides expressions as “you are a joke”.

Rubina was also seen laughing when Jasmine was insulting Rakhi in a recent episode of Bigg Boss 14.

There is a saying that “real women fix each other’s crowns” but on Bigg Boss 14, it is the other way round. The women here seem to be pulling each other down.

Siddhant Chaturvedi turns on poet mode again

Actor Siddhant Chaturvedi is back with a new poem, and his fans on social media find the new composition relatable and liberating.

Siddhant often shares poems under the heading “MyNotes” on his social media platforms.

This time, in an Instagram post, the actor has shared a photo of him in the mountains and captioned it with his latest poetic flow.

“After the world makes you feel special for all the wrong reasons, after your life cycles around just one season, after those walks on the beach, do no good, and you have to go back to where you should.

“After a song is on repeat, and the lyrics make sense, but only for a while…and then we need to shuffle and change the beat.”

“After it’s no more flattering to be called ‘beautiful’… after your eyes start looking for
something more meaningful, after religion is crowned, and the gods are questioned. Your answer is love but it is not be mentioned.

“Stuck in limbo, this loop never ends…and you need to know that even space and time bend. No one knows the science, but we know love!? even though it’s not the trend.

“After all the joy ceases to be free, the only selfless smile lies here, with You and Me…
So Smile. MyNotes.”

Impressed by Siddhant’s writing skills, actor Tanuj Virwani commented: “Beautifully articulated my boy.”

Many fans also expressed their love for the poem. On the film front, Siddhant will next be seen in Shakun Batra’s untitled film with Deepika Padukone and Ananya Panday. He also has, “Bhoot Police” and “Bunty aur Babli 2” in his kitty.

Nidhhi Agerwal: Jayam Ravi easygoing person to work with

Actress Nidhhi Agerwal says Tamil star Jayam Ravi is very easy to work with and made her feel comfortable on set when they worked together in the upcoming film, Bhoomi.

“He is such an easygoing person to work with. He made me feel very comfortable on the set. It was a learning experience for me and I feel blessed to have gotten this opportunity to work with him. I am glad the fans are liking our chemistry and I am eagerly waiting for them to see the film,” Nidhhi said.

Nidhhi is known for her roles in Telugu films such as Savyasachi, Mr. Majnu, and iSmart Shankar. She made her debut opposite Tiger Shroff in the 2017 Bollywood release, Munna Michael.

Bhoomi revolves around one man’s mission to improve the life of farmers in his hometown before embarking on a mission in outer space.

The film also features Ronit Roy, who will be portraying a grey character, and Sathish, Thambi Ramaiah, Dato Radha Ravi, Saranya Ponvannan amongst others. Directed by Lakshman, and is slated to release on Disney+ Hotstar VIP on January 14.