Bhumi: I am ok with any platform as vehicle of my creative expression

TB Team
-
0
Bhumi: I am ok with any platform as vehicle of my creative expression

Bhumi Pednekar’s upcoming film “Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitaare” is heading for a digital release. The actress welcomes the decision and says she is okay with any platform being the vehicle of her creative expression.

“As an artist, I only look to entertain the audience every time I am on the screen and I am okay with any platform becoming the vehicle of my creative expression. In this day and age, producers will do what is needed and we must all support each other’s decisions,” Bhumi said.

She said that she feels her upcoming film will reach out to a much larger audience with the decision to release it on an OTT platform.

Directed by Alankrita Shrivastava, “Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare” also stars Konkona Sen Sharma.

Bhumi is a huge fan of Konkona’s brilliance and Alankrita’s sensitivity.

” ‘Dolly Kitty…’ is a very special film. Konkona as we know is a phenomenal person and actor, and Alankrita (Srivastava) is a very special director. (Producers) Balaji (Motion Pictures) as an institution has always supported content that has broken barriers. A very big reason why I am this fond of Ekta (Kapoor). So, for me, being a part of this film was a super enriching experience as an actor,” she said.

“I have adored Konkona’s work and it was simply mesmerising for me to see her perform. Our scenes together in the film are exciting and memorable. Alankrita is a very powerful voice in cinema today, she is strong, witty and humane. I’m fortunate that I got the opportunity to creatively collaborate with her. I have learnt a lot from her,” Bhumi said.

The actress is hopeful that audiences worldwide will embrace this powerful film.

“Our film has been winning laurels at international film festivals. We’ve garnered such love and respect. I won awards at international platforms for the film and I’m sure it will be liked by audiences here as well. I’m looking forward to seeing how people react. It was refreshing to play a girl, fresh out of college, waiting to experience life.

Describing her character Kitty as “naive, sweet, ambitious and a survivor”, she added: “The film is full of quirk and a pool of emotions. It has a different narrative and I am excited,” she says.

Bhumi added that the film “celebrates womanhood, sisterhood and all the drama that comes in between with love and work”.

“It very skilfully shows just how complex yet beautiful women are,” she said.

Arjun Kanungo: Not sure if I’m going to survive in music industry for next 3 years

TB Team
-
0
Arjun Kanungo: Not sure if I’m going to survive in music industry for next 3 years

Arjun Kanungo is one of the most successful non-film singers right now. It took him a few years to get noticed but he says there is no survival trick, and despite all the success he is unsure if he is going to survive in the music industry for the next three years or not.

Arjun has been in the music industry for over a decade, but it was the 2015 song “Baaki baatein peene baad (Shots)” that changed his fortunes. The song became a party essential. He followed it up with many romantic numbers, peppy tracks, and more.

It wasn’t easy for him to break into the industry but he believes that it’s not impossible for outsiders to make it big.

“I came from outside, I made it on my own, I feel that you have to keep on trying, keep working, and you need to have a positive attitude about it. If you feel like you are not going to make it, you are not going to make it. You have to keep trying and one day somebody will give you a shot, and you have to be ready. So you have to keep working towards that and hope for the best because there is no plan B in this industry. For me, I wake up in the morning, I breathe music,” Arjun told IANS.

He said he didn’t have anybody creating roadblocks in his career.

“I don’t have any enemies as such. I feel if you are nice to people, they are nice to you. As an outsider, yes it was hard, I worked very hard to be where I am right now. I have been in the music industry for a little more than 10 years. It took me about five or six years to just get noticed. That’s the kind of timeline that you have to come to the industry with, like you have to have that passion, ‘Okay I want to do this so badly that I am willing to work for five years or seven years to be there. There are no shortcuts,” said the “Gallan tipsiyaan” singer.

As for survival, he feels there are no tricks to survive in the industry.

“You have to be genuinely deserving to be here. You have to love what you do, you have to be passionate and humble. I am not sure if I am going to survive for the next three years, I don’t know if I am going to be an artist who survives Bollywood or the non-film world for even three years. I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow,” he said.

But what he can do is give it his 100 percent. “I am going to try to get better every day. I hope that people understand this when they enter Bollywood. They have to give their 100 percent,” said the singer, who has sung for Bollywood films like “Goa Goa Gone”.

As of now, his new song “Fursat hai Aaj Bhi” is fast gaining popularity. The video of the song features Arjun with actress Sonal Chauhan. The two had also featured in his 2016 video, “Fursat”.

“I have always had a special place in my heart for ‘Fursat’. As a music video, it was game-changing for me and my career. I have always wanted to work with Sonal again. When I wrote ‘Fursat hai aaj bhi’, with ‘first’ in the title, even though it had nothing to do with the previous song, I thought of Sonal and I felt we should work together again — especially since the chemistry in the first video was so good. I felt this was a good time to work with her again,” said Arjun.

Shooting for the music video during lockdown was tough. Explaining the process of working on the video, he said: “We shot the video from our own houses during the lockdown. The director of the video was on call throughout the shoot. He was telling us to change the camera angle, etc, so it was quite interesting to shoot like that. You are so used to having a crew, someone to do hair and makeup, camera and lighting, and this time there were no additional people helping us. On the last day, we shot together — me and Sonal. That was easier because the director was around. He was holding the phone. We shot the entire thing on the phone.”

During the lockdown, many singers released new music. Now that people are adjusting to new normal and returning to work gradually, is he willing to hit the stage again?

“I can’t imagine having a stage show at least till November. Our first inquiries are for November and December. Who knows when the government is going to allow it? I haven’t received any offer before November,” he said.

He is in no rush. “I don’t think it’s responsible to go and perform right now. We don’t know how badly coronavirus is going to affect India. Until I know for sure that people coming to my concert are safe, I don’t think I’ll be comfortable in performing,” said Arjun.

How Salman Khan inspired Radhika Madan’s new post

TB Team
-
0
How Salman Khan inspired Radhika Madan’s new post

Bollywood actress Radhika Madan has posted a new picture but it is the caption that steals the eye, for its Salman Khan connect.

Radhika took to her verified Instagram account and posted a picture of herself sitting on the floor and giving flying kisses.

For the caption, she borrows a few lines of the hit song “Oh oh Jaane Jaana” from Salman Khan’s 1998 superhit, “Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya”.

“I Love You All! Doston na koi manzil hai Na koi saathi hai… Phir bhi nikal padi hoon ghar se… Shaayad jiski talash hai wohi saathi hai wohi Manzil hai… Hit It !” Radhika wrote.

The actress was last seen in “Angrezi Medium”, the last Bollywood release before the lockdown, and also the final film of the late Irrfan Khan.

She will next be seen in the upcoming romantic comedy “Shiddat”, which also stars Mohit Raina, Diana Madan, and Sunny Kaushal, and is directed by Kunal Deshmukh of “Jannat” fame on a script by Shridhar Raghavan and Dheeraj Rattan.

B Praak becomes a father

TB Team
-
0
B Praak becomes a father

Punjabi singer B Praak and wife Meera have been blessed with a baby boy. The singer took to Instagram and announced the news on Thursday.

“Ohhh my God … my hands are shivering while typing this. Blessed with a baby boy. Thank you, my wife, my queen for this. I love you so much. I have seen you all these nine months. You have gone through sleepless nights…no one can do that except mother,” B Praak expressed his happiness.

Along with it, he shared a glimpse of his son, though he didn’t reveal the newborn’s face.

A lot of congratulatory wishes have been pouring for the couple on social media.

Actress Gauahar Khan commented: “Huge congratulations. God bless your family.”

Singer Nupur Sanon wrote: “Congratulations paaji. Bless this cutie.”

Back in the studio, B Praak is all set to come up with a sequel of the love song, “Filhall”. The music video of the original number which featured Akshay Kumar and Nupur Sanon.

Payal Ghosh pledges to donate organs

TB Team
-
0
Payal Ghosh pledges to donate organs

Actress Payal Ghosh has pledged to donate her organs after she lost a friend who was suffering from a kidney ailment and there were no donors available.

“I pledge to donate my organs once I am no more. I requested my family to give my organs once I am dead. It’s great to donate so that they can save other lives. I lost a friend today. She was suffering from a kidney ailment and because of the lockdown, she could not get a donor,” Payal said, adding that our organs can help others lead a good life when we are no more.

“It’s my earnest request to everyone to come forward and pledge to donate their organs once they are dead. Let’s all make the earth a better place,” she added.

“There are millions in India itself who can’t see and they need donors. We can enlighten their lives.”

The actress was last seen in “Patel Ki Punjabi Shaadi”, which was released in 2017. The film also stars late veteran actor Rishi Kapoor, Paresh Rawal, Vir Das, and Prem Chopra, and is directed by Sanjay Chhel.

Lukram Smil: ‘Actor with Asian features’ still sounds better than ‘Chinki’

TB Team
-
0
Lukram Smil: ‘Actor with Asian features’ still sounds better than ‘Chinki’

Manipur-based actor Lukram Smil, who played the protagonist in the digital film “Penalty”, says racism is so deeply embedded in the minds of people even in India that for the longest time actors from Northeast faced limited opportunities and remained victims of the syndrome.

On a positive side, in the wake of #blacklivesmatter, Lukram adds that casting directors call them “actors with Asian features” now, as oppose to “Chinki” or “Chinese looking” like earlier.

Lukram told IANS: “I think social media activism has at least started the conversation. Until a year back, I would say that people like us from the Northeast would get casting calls where we were said, ‘we’re auditioning you because we need a ‘Chinese looking’, ‘Nepalese looking’ character’. It feels really bad. Our struggle and rejection would start at regular auditions even before we gave auditions, because of the way we look. I mean what are they trying to say by calling us ‘Chinese looking’? Do we not look Indian? Forget about writing diverse characters for us, the racism is embedded in the mind of people in our society to the extent that they do not even count our ‘look’ as ‘Indian’ look! Only those who have faced this will understand how humiliating it feels.”

“Having said that, there is a change that we have noticed in recent casting calls. Now we are called actors with ‘Asian features’, ‘Northeastern’ etc. I think this is still a better term than calling us ‘Nepali’, ‘Chinese’ and, worse, ‘Chinki’,” added the actor.

“Penalty”, directed by Shubham Singh, features Kay Kay Menon, Shashank Arora, Manjot Singh, and Bijou Thaangjam, and is streaming on the OTT platform Netflix after a theatrical release last year.

“We really had a hard time to get showtime while releasing the film in theatres. Now I am getting a response to the film from everywhere. I am glad that people are watching the film,” Lukram said.

Did he always want to be an actor? “No, I am very shy by nature and when I stepped out of Imphal and went to Lucknow for my higher studies I started encountering racism. My confidence went down the drain. But I must thank Bijou, who told me not to confine myself and rather discover by coming to the city of dreams, Mumbai,” he shared.

After his struggle due to appearance and racism, is Lukram still hopeful to make a career in Bollywood? Citing the example of the recent film “Axone” he said: “With such a film, we are gaining a positive light, the right conversation around racism that is substantial. The constant discrimination that many sections face and the stereotypes we are a victim of should stop, and film can do that.”

“In ‘Penalty’, Football is a common element that brings people from every region together. I think like sports, films can also do that. If our Bollywood films are set in cosmopolitan places, then why aren’t the characters from all communities? Why do Punjabis have to be funny and all Northeastern have to be musicians? I am not complaining, but I am saying, we youngsters are questioning more so that the change comes,” Lukram signed off.

Surya Sharma on recognition coming his way post ‘Undekhi’

TB Team
-
0
Surya Sharma on recognition coming his way post ‘Undekhi’

Actor Surya Sharma, who is currently being lauded for his role as Rinku in the crime thriller web series “Undekhi”, has opened up on how he bagged the project and worked on his character.

“I was shooting for ‘Hostages’ in Delhi. One of the creative heads of the show came to me and told me to meet Siddharth Sen Gupta (creator of ‘Undekhi’). I met Sidharth sir after a week. That day, he was shooting in Versova. He called me on the set of ‘Apharan’ and explained to me the story and the character. Next, I called him and told him my point of view about the character. I think that was the moment when he thought I was the right person to play Rinku,” he told IANS.

Speaking about his character, Surya said: “Rinku is ruthless, fearless, and an untaxed kind of person. He owns the whole town. The best quality of Rinku is his love for his papaji. It was a challenge to maintain that demeanor for seven months, but we did workshops for three months and I used to visit Siddharth sir’s office every day. We worked on every detail, so nobody can question, or if they question we should have an answer. This is a character I wanted to play, and I am happy to be part of the wonderful team.”

Surya is quite happy with the response he has received so far, and he really wants to keep continuing the good work.

“I am loving the vibe and atmosphere. I am a workaholic. I don’t go out and socialize, so I don’t know what people really think about me, and I like the fact I don’t know,” he added.

Helly Shah on resuming shoots: It’s a very good feeling

TB Team
-
0
Helly Shah on resuming shoots: It’s a very good feeling

Television actress Helly Shah is back at work. She has started shooting for the second season of “Ishq Mein Marjawan”. Helly says it’s a good feeling.

“Yes, it is a relief going back (to the set) after almost 100 days of house arrest. But the lockdown was extremely important,” Helly told IANS.

The actress is overjoyed on meeting people after such a long hiatus.

“But after the lockdown when we are coming out and meeting people on set at work, it feels great. I am so happy to be meeting people and talking to them and working again. It’s a very good feeling,” she said.

Helly plays the role of a simpleton named Riddhima in the show.

“I am playing the role of Riddhima. She is a simple girl, very compassionate. She really loves Kabir and has a very simple dream of living a beautiful dream with him,” she added.

Actress Rekha refusing to give samples for the corona virus test

Team TeluguBullet
-
0
Actress Rekha refusing to give samples for the corona virus test

The rule is that, if anyone is tested positive for Covid-19 then all the persons in contact with the patient or the ones who will live and work in his vicinity to get tested. Despite the fact that her security guard has tested positive last week, this senior actress is not interested in getting a swab test done.

With Amitabh Bachhan, his son Abhishek and son’s wife Aishwarya Rai turning out to be positive for Covid-19, the whole of Bollywood is shaken. But senior actress Rekha, whose security guard was tested positive last week, is refusing to give samples for the coronavirus test. Though the Mumbai Municipal Corporation officials have reached out to her, the actress has refused them entry into her residence.

Also, BMC officials are actually locking out the houses of celebrities after they test positive, and sanitising them. But Rekha is said to have refused even the sanitisation crew as well, conveying through her manager that she is fine and there is nothing to worry.

However, Rekha is said to have finally agreed for tests, but she will get tested only at a private lab and will submit the report herself to the government. She wouldn’t allow government to test her.

Madhuri Dixit pens quarantine poetry

TB Team
-
0
Madhuri Dixit pens quarantine poetry

Bollywood veteran actress Madhuri Dixit Nene has shared some profound thoughts in a post she has shared on social media.

Madhuri took to her verified Instagram account, where she shared a throwback picture, which seems to behave taken during a photoshoot in the nineties.

In the image, Madhuri is seen wearing a brown sweater, scarf and the sun rays render a golden on her flawless skin.

“Laakar thodi si khushi apne chehre par, humne khud ko dusron se ala bana liya, log dhoondte rahe muskraane ka kaaran, humne dusron ki khushi ko pana bana liya. #QuarantineThoughts,” she wrote alongside the image.

Earlier this week, on the 18 years of “Devdas”, Madhuri recalled how late veteran choreographer Saroj Khan gave her one of the finest dance performances of her career. Taking to Instagram, Madhuri penned a lengthy post, expressing her love for Saroj Khan and remembering how the late choreographer created the dance “Maar daala” for her.

Saroj Khan breathed her last on July 3.

1...645646647...1,052Page 646 of 1,052