John Abraham-starrer ‘Attack’ to be released on R-Day 2022

Even as the memories of the Akshay Kumar-starrer hostage drama ‘Bell Bottom’ are still fresh in the minds of film-going audiences, John Abraham’s upcoming film ‘Attack’, it was announced on Thursday, will release on Republic Day 2022.

The film, directed by Lakshya Raj Anand, and also starring Jacqueline Fernandez and Rakulpreet Singh, was originally scheduled to be screened in theatres across the country on August 14, 2020, but the Covid-19 pandemic delayed its release.

John tweeted the announcement on his social media account. “A hostage crisis that brought the country to its knees! This time the race is against time, get ready for #Attack. Releasing worldwide on Republic Day 2022!” tweeted the actor-producer. The movie is being co-produced by Abraham, Jayantilal Gada and Ajai Kapoor.

Kannada small-screen actress ends life, leaves behind 4-page death note

Noted Kannada small-screen actress Soujanya was found dead in suspicious circumstances in an apartment near Doddabele village on the outskirts of Bengaluru city in neighbouring Ramnagar district on Friday.

Soujanya left a four-page death note before taking the extreme step of allegedly committing suicide. She claimed that her mental state was not good and she could not take it anymore. The police have yet to ascertain the exact reason for the alleged suicide.

Her death note read: “I am really sorry for doing this. Pappa I love you so much. As I spoke to you I am not able to take it anymore. It is becoming difficult ‘appa’ (father). Sorry mommy, as I said I will come today, I did not know I would come this way. So sorry Ma. I am so sorry about this. Please Pappa you have to take care of your mother.

“I love you all. Behind this my mental state is not good. Health issues are killing from inside. So I felt better doing this. I am so sorry. Even now I don’t feel like doing this. But, Pappa, mommy, I am sorry, I love you for everything.”

Ramnagar SP Girish said the police were informed about the alleged suicide at about 11 a.m. on Friday. The went to the scene at once and recovered the death note.

Soujanya was living alone in the apartment for a year and half. Preliminary investigations by the police suggest it was a case of suicide, but it can be ascertained only after the post-mortem report is completed.

Jyotika’s 50th film ‘Udanpirappe’ set to release digitally

Actress Jyotika will cross a milestone with her upcoming Tamil film ‘Udanpirappe’. The movie is her 50th film and will release digitally on October 14.

The Dussehra festival release will stream globally on Amazon Prime Video as part of the four-film deal of the OTT giant with Suriya’s production house 2D Entertainment.

Directed and written by Era Saravanan and starring Jyotika, Sasikumar and Samuthirakani in lead roles, the family drama will exclusively premiere on October 14 in Tamil and Telugu (‘Raktha Sambandham’).

‘Udanpirappe’ is produced by Suriya-Jyotika and co-produced by Rajsekar Karpoorasundarapandian. The cinematography is by Velraj, whereas it is edited by Antony L. Rueben and music composed by D. Immam.

Raghav Juyal shines a light on his dark character in ‘Hasal’

Actor-dancer Raghav Juyal is all set to play a dark character in the upcoming film ‘Hasal’ where he features alongside Sanjay Mishra and Ranvir Shorey.

Talking about his role in the film, Raghav said: “This is something I have never played before. You have seen me in different roles but this time it will be surprising, as I’m playing a dark character. I think the film will keep you at the edge of your seat with full of roller coaster ride, suspense and thrill.”

Throwing light on the subject of the film, the actor added: “I feel the concept of Hasal is very unique and different. It’s dark, musical and intriguing. It’s about the darkness prevailing in every human’s life. Some have the courage to thrive with it, some have the courage to find the obscure parts of themselves, some hustle to stand out and shine like the moon, some have the fire of revenge. It is a hustle story of four lives and their struggle to live.”

Directed by Ravi Singh, the film is expected to go on floors in December in Varanasi. It also stars Tejasvi Singh Ahlawat, Taranjit Kaur and Ishtiyak Khan among others.

Alia Bhatt-starrer ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ to release on January 6, 2022

Actress Alia Bhatt’s much-awaited film ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ is all set to release on the big screen on January 6 next year.

Alia took to Instagram, where she shared the poster of the film, which is directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The film also stars Ajay Devgn.

“Bringing to you a part of my heart & soul, #GangubaiKathiawadireleasing in cinemas near you on 6th January, 2022,” she wrote as the caption.

‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ is inspired by the life of Gangubai Kothewali, ‘madam’ of a brothel in Mumbai’s Kamathipura, and is based on a chapter of Hussain Zaidi’s book ‘Mafia Queens Of Mumbai’.

Sonakshi Sinha decodes her latest music video ‘Mil Mahiya’

Sonakshi Sinha is back in a peppy music video ‘Mil Mahiya’ that was released Thursday. The actress is featured dancing in a different avatar dressed in a hip-hop bomber jacket and a glamorous look in the music video sung by Raashi Sood.

In an exclusive interview with IANS, Sonakshi shared her enthusiasm for being part of the music video ‘Mil Mahiya’.

She expressed she was looking forward to being a part of a music video for a long time. “I was looking at doing a music video because it’s been the longest time since I have actually featured in one. And a long time since I have been featured in a film song that has the typical singing and dancing style that I am associated with,” said Sonakshi, who was last seen in the film ‘Bhuj: The Pride of India’.

She continued, “So when Big Bang Music approached me and made me hear a few songs, ‘Mil Mahiya’ is what I selected because it just got me grooving to it instantly. It’s the kind of song that I would love to listen to just by myself or with my friends or at a party. It’s got that groove to it, it’s got that vibe, young, cool, fresh feeling to it.”

“Shooting the video was super fun. Amith Krishnan directed and Enjoy Enjami shot it. I love that the music video is so new age and so vivid, visually so appealing that I knew he’ll do a fantastic job with this one and it was exactly that. It was a party on set and we had a blast shooting it,” she added.

The ‘Dabangg’ actress shared the first impression of the song when she heard it for the first time.

She said, “I really really started grooving to it my foot started tapping. I started dancing I was like I have to do this and not only me, everyone who was present in the room along with me who heard the song really liked it. It’s a great mix of some nice and different, new stuff which I wanted to explore myself and Raashi who sung it so beautifully!”

Sonakshi is seen in two different looks in the video, “There are two very distinct looks in the video and we wanted difference – we wanted one athleisure look and one super glam look.”

She continued, “My stylist Mohit Rai put together these very distinct looks – one is a bomber jacket with joggers, really cool jhumkas (earrings) and one is super glam sequin pantsuits so I had a blast being in both looks. It’s very important to me to be comfortable in what I am wearing so I can perform well and which is what happened, so yeah very happy,” concluded Sonakshi.

‘Mil Mahiya’ is released on Big Bang Music’s YouTube channel.

Hero of Paika Rebellion of 1817 brought to life in ‘Vidrohi’

Well-known TV face Sharad Malhotra has been roped in to play the lead role in an upcoming show ‘Vidrohi’. The show is based on the life of freedom fighter ‘Buxi Jagabandhu Bidyadhara’. The actor talks about why he was excited to play this character.

He says: “It’s a monumental character. When the character has huge potential, automatically the job of the actor becomes a huge responsibility. An actor is always greedy for good content and a show like ‘Vidrohi’ doesn’t happen every day. But what drew me towards the story was the selflessness of the character ‘Buxi Jagabandhu’ and I wanted the nation to know about this legendary hero from the lands of Orissa.”

Jagabandhu Bidyadhara Mohapatra Bhramarbara Raya popularly known as ‘Buxi Jagabandhu’ was the commander of the king of Khordha, Odisha. The Paika rebellion in 1817 against British rule was fought under his leadership. His story was downplayed by the Britishers while rewriting history.

Sharad adds more about the show and his role: “It is very exciting to be in a period drama like ‘Vidrohi’. Such a show has its own challenges; one must work hard to ensure that you don’t just embrace the character you are playing, you also have to understand the smaller nuances of the period to deliver an authentic experience. I am super excited to play this character on screen since my role has a lot of variations.”

The historical drama ‘Vidrohi’ will start from October on Star Plus.

Two men attack house of Pawan Kalyan critic and Telugu actor Posani

Two unidentified men attacked the house of actor Posani Krishna Murali here.

Two persons, who came on a motorbike, threw stones on the actor’s house in Yellareddyguda late Wednesday allegedly for questioning Jana Sena leader Pawan Kalyan for criticizing Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.

According to workers at the actor’s house, the incident occurred around 2 a.m. A woman said the attackers used abusive words against Posani while throwing stones and pieces of bricks on the main gate.

On their complaint, a case was registered at SR Nagar police station. Police took up investigation. Policemen were also deployed at the actor’s house as a precautionary measure.

Posani alleged that fans of actor-politician Pawan Kalyan were behind the attack on his house. He said he was being targetted for questioning the Jana Sena leader for criticizing Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.

The latest incident occurred two days after Pawan Kalyan’s fans allegedly tried to attack Posani when he was addressing a press conference at Hyderabad Press Club.

Taking strong exception to some remarks made by Posani against Pawan, they raised slogans and allegedly tried to attack him. Police intervened to detain the protestors and escort Posani to safety.

Posani, also a screenwriter and producer, had said that if he anything happens to him, Pawan Kalyan will be responsible.

Some fans of Pawan Kalyan on Wednesday lodged complaint with the police against Posani’s remarks. They also demanded Telangana government not to allow him to address press conferences.

Pawan’s fans reached the Press Club when Posani was addressing a news conference. He alleged that Pawan Kalyan’s fans can’t digest criticism. He claimed to have received thousands of abusive phone calls and messages during last 24 hours.

Posani, a supporter of Andhra Pradesh’s ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) , had made certain remarks against the leading actor and Jana Sena leader on Monday.

Reacting to Pawan’s attacks on YSRCP government over the issue of online sale of movie tickets, Posani had stated that Pawan Kalyan does not have the stature to speak about Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy.

He also alleged that a noted Tollywood personality cheated a Punjabi actress by impregnating her and asked Pawan to demand justice for the girl.

I observed Kunal Kemmu and learnt from him: Vaishnavi Ganatra

‘Hamariwali Good News’ actress Vaishnavi Ganatra feels blessed to share screen space with Bollywood actor Kunal Kemmu in popular web series ‘Abhay 2’.

She says: “Watching a good actor is the best way to learn. I observed and learnt from Kunal Kemmu sir throughout the shoot of ‘Abhay 2’. He reprises his role as the brilliant investigating officer, ‘Abhay Pratap Singh’. The intensity that I’ve seen him put in each one of his scenes left me awestruck. As a child artiste, I feel these are exactly the things that you absorb from your senior co-actors. And adopting them can help you a lot. I’ve had a remarkably wonderful time shooting for this web series.”

Recalling her experience of shooting along with Kunal, Vaishnavi added: “Every person is a new door to a whole different world and I was fortunate enough to work with Kunal sir. I made it a point to go to the shoot in spite of it being an off day for me.

“The only reason I went on my off days to the set was to observe and learn from him. He always came prepared to the shoot with his lines well-rehearsed. It gave me a lot of inspiration seeing a renowned actor like him ready for a shot whenever it was called. It is said that an actor’s best education is on the job and that is what I realised on the sets of ‘Abhay 2’.”

Vaishnavi Ganatra appears as Aanchal Mishra in the television show ‘Hamariwali Good News’.

Ridley Scott’s ‘The Last Duel’ to release in India on Oct 22

Four-time Academy Award nominee Ridley Scott’s upcoming directorial ‘The Last Duel’ is all set to release in India on October 22.

20th Century Studios’ film ‘The Last Duel’ is a gripping tale of betrayal and vengeance set against the brutality of 14th century France.

Based on actual events, the historical epic unravels long-held assumptions about France’s last sanctioned duel between Jean de Carrouges and Jacques Le Gris, two friends turned bitter rivals.

‘The Last Duel’ stars Oscar winner Matt Damon, two-time Academy Award nominee Adam Driver, Emmy winner Jodie Comer and two-time Oscar winner Ben Affleck.

‘The Last Duel’ releases on October 22 in theatres across India.