‘Salaam Namaste’ turns 15: Director Siddharth Anand says film was ahead of time

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‘Salaam Namaste’ turns 15: Director Siddharth Anand says film was ahead of time

Salaam Namaste, starring Preity Zinta and Saif Ali Khan, released 15 years ago on this day. Director Siddharth Anand says the film was ahead of its time.

“I think ‘Salaam Namaste’ was dealing with an issue that was taboo or not spoken about, but very much prevalent whether in India or with Indians outside. It felt like it was ahead of its time, but the thing is that there was no deliberate attempt to do something that is scandalous or trying to do something different,” Anand said about the quirky comedy, which tells the story of two young NRIs in Melbourne (played by Saif and Preity), who live together, and the girl subsequently gets pregnant. Upon release, many viewers found shades of similarity between the film and the 1995 Hollywood comedy “Nine Months”.

Anand added: “When the film was releasing and we promoted it (as a story) about live-in relationships, that is when it actually hit me that we were dealing with something which is very new!”

The director said that he never aimed at doing something different or new with the film.

“It was just something like, they are sharing the rent and now they have started seeing each other, so they are going to move from two rooms to one room. That’s living in. So, it was organic, nothing to be scandalous about that I wanted to do something new and cool,” he recalled.

“We didn’t try too hard and it wasn’t in your face. That is why it started a very important conversation in society about Indians living in without getting married,” he claimed.

From Kunal Kohli’s “Hum Tum”, which he scripted, to last year’s blockbuster “War”, Anand says he has never made a deliberate effort to shape pop culture. “I don’t even know if I have. I think just the fact that I started out very young making films, somewhere, being of that age group, what I made resonated with the audience.”

The filmmaker says in his 15-year-long career, he has made six films and that he has tried to do something different each time. “I get bored very easily. I get bored with my own ideas easily. So, I am always trying to do something different,” he said.

Now, Maharashtra to probe drug links of Kangana Ranaut

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Now, Maharashtra to probe drug links of Kangana Ranaut

In the ongoing Kangana Ranaut versus the state of Maharashtra war, state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Tuesday ordered a probe into the actress’ alleged statements that she consumed drugs.

“In an interview, Adhyayan Suman, the son of Shekhar Suman, who had a relationship with her, had made certain statements that Kangana Ranaut used to take drugs. The Mumbai Police will investigate this matter,” Deshmukh informed media persons here Tuesday afternoon.

He also made a similar statement in the Maharashtra Assembly following questions by two Legislators, Pratap Sarnaik and Sunil Prabhu.

“In the Assembly, I have replied that she had relations with Adhyayan Suman, who said in an interview that she (Kangana) took drugs and also forced him to do so. Mumbai Police will look into all this in detail,” Deshmukh added.

The assurance came a day after Congress Spokesperson Sachin Sawant demanded a probe into Ranaut’s purported confessions to consuming drugs, and urged the government to find out her ‘drug links’ and who was supplying the narcotics to her.

On Monday, Sarnaik had demanded that the Assembly take up a unanimous resolution to take action against Ranaut for tarnishing the image of Mumbai and Maharashtra through her series of statements in the past few days.

He also said that while Ranaut had accused film personalities of consuming drugs, some actors have also alleged that she herself was on drugs.

Ranaut, who is currently in her home state, Himachal Pradesh, is expected to return to Mumbai on Wednesday.

SSR case: Go back to the original charges, says Pritish Nandy

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SSR case: Go back to the original charges, says Pritish Nandy

There have been many dramatic developments in the Sushant Singh Rajput death case. Even as the focus shifts to drug menace in Bollywood, producer Pritish Nandy says if people want to find out what killed the actor, they should go back to the original charges.

Meanwhile, Sushant’s girlfriend, actress Rhea Chakraborty, appeared before the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Tuesday for the third consecutive day. Rhea is being questioned by NCB as part of the investigating agency’s ongoing probe into a possible drug angle in Sushant’s death.

The actress has all along claimed she is innocent.

Nandy tweeted on Tuesday: “All charges against Rhea have failed. Murder? No evidence. Abetment to murder? She wasn’t there. Stealing Rs 15 crore? Sushant never got the money. What remains is drugs. None found on her. She’s ready for a test. Who was it for? Obvious, na?#justiceforSushant #JusticeForRhea.”

“If you really want to find out what killed Sushant, go back to the original charges. Harassment, humiliation in public, bullying. There are people in Bollywood who constantly ridiculed him. In this @kangna_official is right. You cannot survive Bollywood with a fragile mind,” he tweeted.

Sushant was found dead at his home in Mumbai on June 14. Initially, it was assumed that it was a case of suicide and he was said to be battling depression. His death also brought back focus on nepotism and favouritism in Bollywood, which was pointed out by actress Kangana Ranaut.

Mumbai Police had originally closed the case saying it is a case of suicide. Following an FIR lodged by Sushant’s father KK Singh in Patna on July 25, the investigation has subsequently been taken over by the CBI.

Make Justice For Sushant a people’s movement, urges Shweta Singh Kirti

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Make Justice For Sushant a people’s movement, urges Shweta Singh Kirti

Shweta Singh Kirti, sister of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, has urged everyone to make Justice For Sushant a movement of the people.

Shweta took to Instagram, where she shared a posted a picture where half of Sushant’s face is photoshopped onto half the face of Lord Shiva.

She captioned the image: “Put up Billboards and flyers in front of your home, in your car. Split into groups and have peaceful car rallies and tag me. Let’s make it into People’s Movement! We will not stop till justice is served! Let the power of God be with us!”

Shweta then used hashtags such as #UnitedForSSRJustice, #Billboards4SSR, #SatyagrahForSSR, #GlobalPrayers4SSR, #GodIsWithUs#HarHarMahadev, and #JaiShivShambu.

Sushant was found dead in his Bandra flat on June 14. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing the death.

Amitabh Bachchan returns to KBC set

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Amitabh Bachchan returns to KBC set

Amitabh Bachchan is back shooting for Kaun Banega Crorepati season 12 amid the pandemic, after recovering from Covid-19. He took to Instagram and Twitter to share photos from the KBC 12 set.

Sporting formals, Big B is seen clapping in one of the photos. In the other, he sits on his chair as host of the popular TV quiz show.

“T 3652 – 20 years; 12th season; KBC: Kaun Banega Crorepati, Begins,” he posted on Monday night.

Actor Maniesh Paul commented: “Sir, Zabardast.”

Actress Mouni Roy left heart and clapping hands emojis in the comments section.

Actress Aahana Kumra wrote: “All the best Sir! It will be glorious! ”

Fans are also thrilled about his return to the show.

“Happyyy news and Best Wishes to You and the entire team of #KBC12. Setback ka jawaab Comeback Se..!!! Waiting eagerly for you to come visit us every week night once again,” one wrote.

Another one wrote: “Looking forward to yet another exciting journey of KBC with you.”

He even took to his blog and shared the experience of returning to a set.

“It has begun the trial and the expectations of the hot seat contestant and his glorious attempts to bring a change .. to COMBACK from a SETBACK,” wrote Bachchan.

He found the challenges different this time.

“The environment filled with a quiet acceptance of the prevailing circumstances and conditioning but the sincerity of moving ahead despite the spirit, the resolve and the determination to bring continuity, to bring back the loss in gain and to strive for a victorious beginning,” he wrote.

Asha Bhosle celebrates 87th birthday with family

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Asha Bhosle celebrates 87th birthday with family

Veteran singer Asha Bhosle celebrated her 87th birthday on Tuesday with family at her home in Lonavala.

Bhosle’s granddaughter Zanai had a surprise in store for the iconic singer. She organized a fresh cream fruit cake and also put in spread a menu of the singer’s favourite Japanese and Chinese cuisine despite lockdown.

“Both the kids are very talented. Zanai sings and I see myself as a child in her,” said Bhosle, who is in Lonavala with her son Anand, daughter-in-law Anuja, and grandchildren Zanai and Ranjai.

The octogenarian shared that she has a lot to look forward to in her journey from 87 to 88.

“After listening to over 3,000 voices for my talent show #AshaKiAsha, I have a very difficult task in hand to choose the best. Young talents from across the globe have sent their recordings. Some of them are very poor and live in harsh conditions, but are truly God-gifted with divine voices.

“It will not be an easy task to select one. But this is my chance to share my 70 years of experience with youngsters and give back to music what I got. And I am grateful to God every single day for that.”

She revealed that she wants to work to generate employment for the women in Lonavala.

“I want to help these women stand on their own feet. It has not been easy for the common man during corona, and it has not been easy for the poor women from here, whom I have seen during the epidemic. I want to do something concrete for them.”

Looking back, Asha Bhosle has no regrets.

“I am happy I have lived and loved. I have lived an honest life. I am happy that I stood on my own feet as a 10-year-old singing my first song. Today at 87, I am still singing and standing on my own feet. And I have a beautiful family and an even larger fan-family. What more could I ask for.”

FIR on Rhea’s plaint in violation of SC order, Bandra PS her 2nd home: Vikas Singh

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FIR on Rhea’s plaint in violation of SC order, Bandra PS her 2nd home: Vikas Singh

Hours after the Mumbai Police registered an FIR on the complaint filed by Rhea Chakraborty against Sushant Singh Rajput’s sisters and others, senior advocate Vikas Singh representing the late actor’s family launched a scathing attack on the city police force.

Speaking to media here, Singh said, “Today an FIR has been registered by the Mumbai Police. The Bandra Police station is like her second home. The FIR registered by the Bandra Police is a clear violation of the Supreme Court order.” The Supreme Court last month closed all options for the Mumbai Police to continue the probe or register a criminal case in the future in connection with the unnatural death of SSR.

“The right of registering the FIR with the Mumbai Police, in this case, was only for the 147 proceedings of the Mumbai Police which were already on. What Rhea is trying to say through this FIR should have been given by her to the CBI as a statement,” he added.

The Mumbai police on Tuesday registered the FIR against Sushant Singh Rajput’s sisters Priyanka Singh and Neetu Singh, and a doctor from Ram Manohar Lohia hospital in Delhi based on a complaint filed by actor Rhea Chakraborty.

A case has been filed at Bandra police station under sections pertaining to cheating, forgery, abetment to suicide, criminal conspiracy, and other sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

The senior advocate said that the Mumbai Police has filled up the NDPS section as if they wanted to make her happy. “This FIR is a clear violation of the Supreme Court proceedings. Moreover, there is another judgment which says that whenever an FIR is being registered against a Doctor, a medical team shall be constituted and only after that such a step can be taken,” Singh said.

He added that if the complaint was bonafide and genuine, their statement to CBI would have been a big enough blow to the family of the late actor.

Earlier on Monday night, Singh had intimidated that if the Mumbai Police takes this complaint forward, he would “initiate a request for Contempt of court proceedings”.

“Mumbai Police shall not accept any such complaint as it would be a clear violation of the Supreme Court’s order. The order clearly prohibits any other agency apart from CBI from registering any new complaint in this case,” said Singh while holding a press conference here.

“This is a clear attempt to deflect the mind of the people and derail the probe. If the Bandra Police will take this complaint forward, we will initiate contempt proceedings,” he added.

Ordering a CBI probe into the matter, Justice Hrishikesh Roy in the apex court had said, “While according to approval for the ongoing CBI investigation, if any other case is registered on the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput and the surrounding circumstances of his unnatural death, the CBI is directed to investigate the new case as well.”

The top court had also noted that in the present case, the Mumbai Police has attempted to stretch the purview of Section 174 without drawing up an FIR, and therefore, as it appears, no investigation pursuant to the commission of a cognizable offense is being carried out by the Mumbai Police.

Mika Singh, Giorgia Andriani to shoot an ‘old evergreen Bollywood song’

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Mika Singh, Giorgia Andriani to shoot an ‘old evergreen Bollywood song’

Italian origin model-actress Giorgia Andriani is collaborating with Bhangra pop star Mika Singh to remake an evergreen Bollywood number, though she is not in the mood to reveal the name of the old hit song yet.

“I’m soon shooting for an old evergreen Bollywood song remake, sang and composed by Mika Singh. I’ll share the name of the song with you later on. This song is unique because the genre in which it’s been remade is path-breaking and not really common in Bollywood,” Giorgia said.

She is happy to collaborate with Mika. “His work can never disappoint, his heart is one of the purest I know, and I’m a big fan of his. (I am) Very much looking forward to starting shooting, and very much looking forward to you all enjoying this song!” she summed up.

Senior Telugu actor Jaya Prakash Reddy passes away

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Senior Telugu actor Jaya Prakash Reddy passes away

Popular villain-turned-comedian Jaya Prakash Reddy passed away on Tuesday at his home in Guntur. He was 74 and a diabetic.

Tributes poured in from Tollywood personalities, politicians, and others for the late actor.

“Telugu cinema and theatre have lost a gem today with the demise of Jaya Prakash Reddy Garu. His versatile performances over several decades have given us many memorable cinematic moments,” said former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

Naidu expressed solidarity with Reddy’s family and friends.

Leading Telugu actor Venkatesh Daggubati reminisced the time when both the actors worked together. “I am extremely sad to hear about the sudden demise of my dear friend Jaya Prakash Reddy garu. We were such a great combination on the screen. Will definitely miss him,” Daggubati added.

Reddy died at his home, where he was living with his wife for the past three years. The actor visited Hyderabad only when there was some film shooting.

According to Reddy’s wife Rajyalakshmi, the veteran actor did not suffer a heart attack but had a diabetes problem. “My husband used to encourage new talent,” she said about the teacher-turned-actor.

Starting off with serious roles as a villain in movies like “Preminchukundamra”, “Samarasimhareddy”, “Narasimhanaidu” and others, Reddy later transitioned into a highly successful comedian as well.

Some movies in which he essayed popular comedy roles include “Nuvvu Vasthannante Ninoddanta”, “Kick” and others.

B’wood outsider Aditya Seal on nepotism: Some brainless person glamourised the word

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B’wood outsider Aditya Seal on nepotism: Some brainless person glamourised the word

Bollywood outsider Aditya Seal does not agree with the allegation that nepotism reigns in the film industry and, without taking names, says some brainless person has glamourized the word.

The word nepotism caught momentum after actress Kangana Ranaut used it for the first time on “Koffee With Karan”, accusing show host and filmmaker Karan Johar of being the flag-bearer of nepotism in Bollywood. The debate over the subject was revived by Kangana recently after the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, an outsider who had gone on to become a star in Bollywood.

Aditya was recently seen in the 2019 teenybopper flick, Student Of The Year 2, produced by Johar.

“I did ‘Ek Chotisi Love Story’ and ‘Purani Jeans’, where I was launched. There was another film, ‘Tum Bin II’ where I was re-launched and then I did ‘Student Of The Year 2’. So, for me I don’t understand the theory of insider-outsider at all because me being an outsider and getting launched and re-launched — why would anyone do that?” Aditya told IANS.

“If they see something in me, if they see I have the skill set which they feel is right for their film, they have taken me. Nepotism word does not resonate with me,” he avered.

Aditya looks at the situation from the point of view of a producer: “I would want to have somebody ‘jiske Naam pe main picture bech sukun (someone on whose name I can sell the film)’, and someone for whom the audience come and watch the film,” he said.

He says the audience makes stars. “Why have you made Alia Bhatt who she is? Why have you made Varun Dhawan who he is?” said Aditya, adding: “They have come in and proved themselves time and again. After eight to 10 years of being your favorite actor, today you are abusing her (Alia) I don’t understand this,” he said.

Without taking names, he said the word “nepotism” has been unduly spotlighted and is just stupidity.

“This word has been glamourized. Kisi be-Akal insaan ne is word ko glamourize Kiya hai (some brainless person has glamourized the word). Usko sochke karna chahiye tha (they should have thought about it). It is just stupidity,” Aditya said.

He will next be seen in “Anamika”, a story that is a part of four films about forbidden love. It is directed by Priyadarshan.

The four-story project is titled “Forbidden Love”. It comprises four films — “Diagnosis Of Love”, “Rules Of The Game”, “Anamika” and “Arranged Marriage”.

Ali Fazal, Aahana Kumra, Patralekhaa, Omkar Kapoor, Anindita Bose, Pooja Kumar, Harsh Chhaya, Raima Sen, Mahesh Manjrekar, Rannvijaya Singh, and Vaibhav Tatwawadi, also feature in the cast, across the four films.

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