Radhika Apte on ‘OK Computer’: Excited about my first sci-fi project

Actress Radhika Apte is all set for her upcoming series “OK Computer”. She says she is excited because this is her first sci-fi project.

The series is produced by Anand Gandhi, director of the acclaimed film “Ship Of Theseus”. Gandhi has written the script with Pooja Shetty, and Neil Pagedar, directors of the show. Radhika stars with Vijay Varma and Jackie Shroff in the series that explores themes inspired by current realities and is brimming with wry humor.

“After doing multiple projects in the digital space, I was really excited for my first sci-fi project, especially playing the character of Laxmi — a really cool character who accepts the new future and befriends robots like they are humans, I quite enjoyed playing her,” Radhika said.

Vijay says his roles have always been intense, and he was eager to pick up something more in the space of comedy.

“When the script of ‘OK Computer’ was offered to me, it seemed like it was programmed for me. The research that has been put into this show is outstanding and I couldn’t let go of the opportunity to play the role of Saajan, the anti-technology police officer. It’s quite the opposite in reality as I am usually the one who is enamored by advancements and technology,” Vijay said.

He added: “Saajan is carelessly funny and that’s what I love the most about him. I have prepared the longest for this part and made several discoveries, and I hope the audience loves the character just as I do.”

“OK Computer” also features Rasika Dugal, Vibha Chibber, Sarang Sathaye, Ratnabali Bhattacharjee, Kani Kusruti among others.

Director Pooja Shetty said that by the time they finished research and writing, the script started to resemble a whimsical Ph.D. thesis.

“We wanted to create a plausible, authentic, and accessible future world that also extrapolated the absurdities, joys, and difficulties of present-day India,” Shetty said.

Her co=director Neil Pagedar added: “OK Computer is a half-a-decade-in-the-making love letter to science fiction. Sci-fi has been used to examine the wispy concepts of life as we know it- from exploring distant reaches of the galaxy to existential risk, to the place of humanity in an infinite cosmos. We wanted to reorient the depiction of sci-fi to the near future.”

Gaurav Banerjee, President and Head (Hindi and English Entertainment), STAR India said: “Most sci-fi stories tend to paint a grim, western view of what the future looks like. But ‘OK Computer’ is a peek into an India of the future.”

Sonnalli Seygall to perform heavy action in ‘Anamika’

Actress Sonnalli Seygall will play a trained assassin in the upcoming series “Anamika”, starring Sunny Leone. The role will see her perform heavy-duty action scenes for the first time.

Talking about her preparation for the role and the new techniques she acquired, Sonnalli tells IANS: “I play Rhea, a trained assassin, who has a killer instinct. She is sharp and intelligent. There are a lot of running, fight, and shooting sequences in the series. So, I went through gun training. I had basic fitness training. Also, coincidently, I was traveling down South before the show and wanted to learn a martial arts form, so I learned Kalaripayattu. That definitely came in handy during the shoot because any martial arts form gives you the right posture and body language.”

“For the fight sequences, we had trainers on the set and before any scene, there was a proper rehearsal with gear. Sunny and I rehearsed over and over again. The training would happen under full professional guidance and supervision. I practice MMA (Mixed Martial Art) and Calisthenics with my trainer Saurav Rathore, too, and this involves a lot of jumps, body rolls, and body training, which also came in handy while shooting for my part,” she shares.

The actress trained for about two hours every day, which included basic bodyweight training. “It helps me at the shoot. I also do a lot of cardio, as there are a lot of running and chasing sequences. On the set, I workout for 30 minutes for prep before every action sequence. It includes a lot of jumps,” she says.

Sonnalli, who rose to fame with her role “Pyaar Ka Punchnama”, believes strongly in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

“Even during the lockdown, I made sure that I worked out and stayed fit. But I’m not somebody who’s very stringent about being a certain body type, because, for me, all sizes are beautiful. I had put on a bit of weight because I eat everything, but I workout. For this role, I had to look leaner because as an assassin you can’t be on the heavier side. I had to be lean and agile,” says Sonnalli.

Kartik Aaryan welcomes back Tabu on “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2” set

Actress Tabu has joined the set of the upcoming horror comedy, “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2”, and the film’s lead star Kartik Aaryan on Monday posted a welcome note for her.

In his post, Kartik, co-star Kiara Advani, and director Aneez Bazmi strike a pose with Tabu, who sits behind a bubble shield. The actor captioned the picture as: “Welcome back @tabutiful Ji But she refuses to come out of the bubble, brings her own portable Z++Bio-Bubble to shoot #BhoolBhulaiyaa2 @kiaraaliaadvani @aneesbazmee @muradkhetani.”

The shoot of the film was getting delayed for some time due to the pandemic. Later Tabu had refused to come on sets due to the Corona cases. However, with things getting back on track for the Aneez Bazmee directorial, the entire cast is back at work.

“Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2” is a follow-up to the 2007 Akshay Kumar hit “Bhool Bhulaiyaa”.

Why Rasika Dugal agreed to do a cameo in ‘Ok Computer’

Actress Rasika Dugal will soon be seen in a special appearance in the web series “Ok Computer”. The sci-fi comedy series stars actor Vijay Varma and Radhika Apte. Rasika says she loved the unique script and was excited to work with Vijay once again.

“I am delighted to have a special appearance in this super quirky show. The script had a very unique sense of humor. Sci-fi and comedy is the perfect recipe for a lot of fun. And the creators of the show Pooja, Neil, and Anand have given it a very unique style of storytelling, led by their humor and vision. Am excited to watch it and to watch an ensemble of some very good actors play off each other,” said Rasika.

The actress also reveals that being part of this series gave her a chance to work again with Vijay.

“Vijay and I are from the same film school. Before ‘OK computer’ we have been in two projects — ‘Manto’ and ‘A Suitable Boy’ — but never shared screen space. Of my contemporaries, I have immense respect for Radhika’s work. Also, Sarang Sathaye, Ratnabali and Kani Kusruti are all super actors. I was excited about working with this talented ensemble,” she added.

“Sci-fi and comedy is not a genre we get to see often. Satoshi, the character I play is full of quirks just like all the other characters in this show. I thought it would be fun to be a part of this even if in a special appearance,” said Rasika.

Geetika Vidya Ohlyan and Jagjeet Sandhi co-star in ‘Escaype Live’

Actress Geetika Vidya Ohlyan, who shot to fame with her title role in the cop drama “Soni”, co-stars with Jagjeet Sandhu, who made waves as Chaku in “Paatal Lok”, in the tech-thriller series “Escaype Live”. The film is directed by Siddharth Kumar Tewary.

“Collaborating with Siddharth (Kumar Tewary) is a newfound thrill. His compassion towards the local people, the characters in these stories, and above all, his unwavering focus on nuances of every character’s journey, invokes respect and love at the same time. His passion for the aesthetic excellence of Escape Live is infectious. I am loving this abundance of opportunities to experience, learn and create,” Geetika tells IANS.

“Escape Live” follows the lives of five regular Indians desperately trying to make something of their mundane lives. The online platform of social media seems to be the route to “escaping” mediocrity.

“When I read the character brief, it sounded interesting, and I wanted to make sure I got the part. I sent in my audition and things just fell into place. Once I was on board the project, I was told that someone else was cast for the role but when Siddharth Sir saw my audition, he felt like I made the perfect Nandu. This for me was a huge compliment. I’m working with Siddharth Sir for the first time and it’s been a great experience. He allows an actor to find their own expression and is very supportive of the artistic process that goes into breathing life into a character,” adds Jagjeet.

The show follows different stories that take place across all different towns and cities.

“Our show pans various story tracks set in different parts of the country. For this very reason, we wanted to keep every story, its cast, and its setting to be completely authentic and culturally relevant. After our first schedule which is very urban and edgy, we are amidst a month-long schedule in Jaisalmer with a completely different vibe. Actors are crucial to that vibe as they create characters and bring what you’ve written to life. So it’s great to work with such diverse, talented, and passionate people like Geetika and Jagjeet,” says Siddharth.

The first showing schedule has been wrapped up in Umargam, and the unit is currently shooting in Jaisalmer, after which the show will be shot extensively across Delhi, Varanasi, Bangalore, and Mumbai.

Jisshu Sengputa announces autobiography, to be released in 2022

Actor Jisshu Sengputa, who turned 44 on Monday, has announced his autobiography. The memoir, titled “Abahaman: My Journey So Far” will focus on his life from the year 1977 to the year 2021, and is slated for an early 2022 release.

Incidentally, “Abahaman” (translated to ‘the eternal’) is the name of one of Jisshu’s most memorable films, directed by the late Rituparno Ghosh. The film had won National Awards in the categories of Best Director, Best Actress, Best Editing, and Best Feature Film in the Bengali Language.

“I was contemplating on this idea during lockdown last year as I felt the time is limited and certain stories need to be told. I’ll be completing 22 years in the entertainment business in 2021 and I decided it is imperative that I document and narrate my life’s experiences through a memoir for the future crop of talent arising out of Bengal. There is a lot that goes into the rise and fall of an actor and I feel the world needs to know the good, the bad, and the ugly. Audiences tend to acknowledge the glitzy facets of the profession and seldom does one understand or appreciate the humble beginnings and the struggle,” Jisshu said.

He added that during his initial day’s struggle he could have been a silent victim of depression and could have suffered from mental health issues but he chose differently.

“The struggle that arose from the choices I made are very personal,” he said.

“The book covers my journey in showbiz, starting from a young age in a niche regional film industry to becoming a household name across various film industries, and my learnings over the years. As the title of the memoir suggests, life is about a continuous and constant flow of energy, and unless you can embrace the art of flowing with change, your life will lack vivacity and color.”

The book will be penned by poet, essayist, and translator Sandipan Chakraborty, and Jisshu has procured a global publishing deal with the publishing house, Deys Publishing.

The memoir will chronicle his two-decade-plus career and capture undisclosed anecdotes and insights into his life. It will offer a glimpse into the actor’s personal life, childhood, hardships, and philosophical insights. The memoir focuses on the vulnerable side of the actor rather than his noteworthy achievements.

Sandipan Chakraborty said: “Jisshu Sengupta is a household name in Bengal. He is also considered one of the best actors in contemporary Indian cinema. His journey is both awe-inspiring and captivating. An ordinary youth playing in Bengal’s junior team suddenly turned into a television celebrity.”

Jisshu has recently concluded filming for Mahesh Manjrekar’s Salman Khan-starrer “Antim The Final Truth” and will now resume shooting for the Chiranjeevi-starrer “Acharya”, the Telugu remake of “Andhadhun” and Shiboprasad Mukherjee’s Bengali film “Baba, Baby O”.

He has also been recently roped in for Telugu star Nani’s “Shyam Singha Roy”.

Neetu Kapoor wishes ‘coolest, happiest’ girl Alia Bhatt on b’day

Veteran actress Neetu Kapoor has wished new-age Bollywood star Alia Bhatt on the latter’s birthday. Alia turned 28 on Monday.

Alia is rumored to be dating Neetu’s son, actor Ranbir Kapoor.

“Happy birthday to the coolest happiest girl I know. Keep inspiring everyone with your positivity n strength love you loads @aliaabhatt,” wrote Neetu, along with a picture she posted on Instagram Stories.

In December, Alia went on a holiday to the exotic resort Aman-i-Khas near Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur, where she rang in the New Year with Ranbir, his mother Neetu, and her mother Soni Razdan among many others.

Speaking about her work, Alia awaits the release of her upcoming film “Gangubai Kathiawadi” directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Ranbir recently tested Covid positive and is in isolation.

Salman Khan’s ‘Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai’ poster unveiled

The poster for Salman Khans next, Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai has been unveiled. The Prabhu Deca directorial is Salmans Eid’s release this year, and all set to release theatrically on May 13.

The actor dons a fierce avatar in the poster against the backdrop of a battleground, with burning helicopters and artillery. He flaunts a trademark chiseled physique and an intense look.

“Salman Khan and Eid have a special connection and we at Salman Khan Films are happy to continue the tradition with Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai. We are looking forward to bringing back the era of clapping, cheering, whistling and the ‘house-full boards Salman Khan’s movies are known for,” said a spokesperson from Salman Khan films.

The film also stars Disha Patani, Randeep Hooda, and Jackie Shroff in pivotal roles. Radhe is presented by Salman Khan films in association with Zee Studios, produced by Salma Khan, Sohail Khan, and Reel Life Production Private Limited.

Talking about the film, Shariq Patel, CBO, Zee Studios, said: This would be one of the biggest movies in 2021 and we are keen to see the audience support/response. I am sure it would be a delight for the fans after a tough year. Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai will be the perfect Eidi for Salman fans and cinema-goers.”

Court tells Mumbai police to file copyright infringement case against Kangana

A city court on Friday directed Mumbai Police to file an FIR against actress Kangana Ranaut in a copyright violation case, filed by Ashish Kaul, author of the book “Didda: The Warrior Queen Of Kashmir”.

Kaul has claimed that Kangana took material from his book without proper permission. His plea states that he holds the exclusive copyright to the life story of Didda, and Kangana has violated it by attempting to make the film, “Manikarnika Returns: The Legend Of Didda”, based on her life, reports Film information.

Didda was the princess of Lohar (Poonch), and the queen of Kashmir. Kaul is a descendant of the queen.

In his statement, Kaul has also mentioned that besides his book, there is only one book in the world that mentions Queen Didda, and it is “Rajatarangini”, written in Sanskrit by Kashmiri historian Kalhana in the 12th century CE.

Kaul added that “Rajatarangini” only has two pages that talk about Didda, and the same information has been carried forward by other historians. So, every other book dealing with the subject carries forward certain errors of “Rajatarangini”.

Jackie Shroff’s ‘naked’ secret in ‘OK Computer’

Actor Jackie Shroff is excited about playing an unusual character in the upcoming sci-fi comedy series, “Ok Computer”, which revolves around the concept of artificial intelligence (AI).

The 64-year-old actor essays a man who is against technology and is vehement “one with nature”.

“I was so intrigued by this role and this series, that I felt I should be wearing an outfit made of fallen leaves and flowers, but the creative team suggested the part about being bare naked, and I incorporated that into my character,” he says.

“My character Pushpak understands technology as a necessity but not at the cost of harming or disrupting the environment. Along with technology, there should also be awareness of the environment for the sake of the next generation. I have really enjoyed playing this role. All the credit goes to my technicians and mainly the directors,” adds Jackie.

Written and co-produced by Anand Gandhi and directed by Neil Pagedar and Pooja Shetty, the show also stars Radhika Apte, Vijay Varma, Rasika Duggal, and Kani Kusruti among others.

All six episodes of the series will release on March 26, on Disney+ Hotstar.