Armaan Malik opens up on his first song for an Akshay Kumar movie

Singer Arrmaan Malik recently recorded his first song for an Akshay Kumar movie titled ‘Tum Aaogey’.

Sharing about the track from the film ‘Bell Bottom’, Malik says that he experienced a different feeling while recording the song.

“‘Tum Aaogey’ is an emotional track with a patriotic theme. In a way it is different from the rest of my discography. I don’t think I’ve sung a song like this before, which makes it even more special. During the recording, I experienced a plethora of sentiments, as I positioned myself in the shoes of others, to emulate what they must be feeling through my voice. It’s been an experience that I will hold on to forever,” he says.

Armaan also talks about doing the first song for Akshay Kumar and singing with Amaal Malik.

“This is the first song I’ve ever done for an Akshay Kumar movie. I was elated when Amaal Malik told me that he wanted to onboard me for this track. Collaborating with Amaal and Rashmi Virag has always been an amazing experience, given our hit track record together with songs like ‘Main Rahoon Ya Na Rahoon’, ‘Bol Do Na Zara’, ‘Tere Mere’ and many more,” he says.

“I am very confident that ‘Tum Aaogey’ would follow suit and be equally successful. It is a certainty considering the beautiful lyrics and emotions that lace this song,” reveals Armaan.

Armaan has sung for films like ‘Mastizaade’, ‘Sanam Re’ and others.

“I recorded this track during the pandemic at my home studio. I also recorded some bits in a hotel room when I was travelling. It’s crazy how a song comes together in different places. The key to getting this song right was to feel every word I was singing,” he says.

“This particular rendition is my truest singing, and even though it’s got my signature style, I’ve managed to incorporate a couple of fresh inflections and vocal runs,” he concludes.

Under-utilised brownfield assets to be monetised under NMP: Sitharaman

Only under-utilised brownfield assets will be monetised under the National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) of the Centre worth Rs 6 lakh crore, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday.

Besides, no land parcels will be taken up under the NMP, she said after unvieling the asset monetisation pipeline of Central ministries and public sector entities.

According to Sitharaman, the NMP focuses on brownfield assets in which investments have already been made but these assests are under-utilised.

These under-utilised brownfield assets are in sectors such as roads, railways, airports, mines, and power.

Sitharaman said that the NMP is necessary for creating employment and triggering high economic growth.

Furthermore, the NMP will bring in private capital which will be used for infra creation, she said.

The NMP estimates aggregate monetisation potential of Rs 6 lakh crore through core assets of the Central government, over a four-year period, from FY22 to FY25.

“Asset monetisation, based on the philosophy of creation through monetisation, is aimed at tapping private sector investment for new infrastructure creation,” Sitharaman said.

“This is necessary for creating employment opportunities, thereby enabling high economic growth and seamlessly integrating the rural and semi-urban areas for overall public welfare.”

Marvel’s Asian superhero film ‘Shang-chi’ to release in Tamil

Director Destin Daniel’s upcoming Marvel film ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ will now be released in Tamil as well. Until last week, it was announced that the film would only be released in English, Hindi, Telugu and Kannada.

The announcement comes after the Tamil Nadu government recently allowed movie theatres to open from August 27 with 50 per cent occupancy.

The official Twitter handle of Marvel India made the announcement on Monday. The post read: “The wait was long. But now it’s time to rejoice! Get ready to Exploding head with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the 10 Rings – in cinemas on September 3rd in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada.”

Produced by Kevin Feige and Jonathan Schwartz, the film stars Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Meng’er Zhang, Fala Chen, Florian Munteanu, Benedict Wong, Yuen Wah, Ronny Chieng, Zach Cherry, Dallas Liu, Michelle Yeoh and Tony Leung, among others.

The film stars Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, who must confront the past he thought he left behind when he is drawn into the web of the mysterious ‘Ten Rings’ organisation.

The film will hit theatres on September 3.

Rakhi Sawant describes best ‘jodis’ on ‘Bigg Boss OTT’

Rakhi Sawant was always keen to enter the ‘Bigg Boss OTT’ house and for that she even dressed up as Spiderwoman. Rakhi has now shared her opinion on the ‘Bigg Boss OTT’ contestants.

When asked about who she thinks is the strongest and the weakest connections in the house, Rakhi affirmatively responds: “According to me, in the house, Nishant Bhat–Moose and Pratik Sahejpal–Akshara Singh are strongest connections. They are always supportive of each other and stand up for their partner wherever required. It’s good to see them on screen. However, Shamita Shetty–Raqesh Bapat are the weakest connection in the house, but they can be strong if they bring out their love angle as their chemistry is very good.”

Moving on, Rakhi expressed her views on singer Milind Gaba’s game, saying: “Milind Gaba is like Rahul Roy from the first season, ‘sumdi mai chup chap rehkar, game khel lega. But ‘Bigg Boss’ ki teesri aankh jo hai na, sab dekh leti hai’.” (He is playing the game by sitting at the back but the third eye of Bigg Boss can see everything).

She concluded by saying “Jo entertainer hoga ghar mai wo hi aage jaaega” (the one who is an entertainer in the house will go ahead in the game).

‘Bigg Boss OTT’ airs on Voot.

Vaani says upcoming films will solidify her position

Vaani Kapoor has two films lined up for release – ‘Shamshera’ and ‘Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui’. The actress hopes these movies position her correctly as a performer.

In ‘Shamshera’, Vaani, who turned 33 on Monday, has been paired opposite Ranbir Kapoor and in ‘Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui’, she will be seen with actor Ayushmann Khurrana.

“I have an exciting year to look forward to actually! I have two big films ‘Shamshera’ and ‘Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui’ that are ready to be released in theatres and I’m hoping they will entertain audiences thoroughly,” Vaani said.

She added: “These two films will also present me in completely different avatars and I can’t wait to see the reaction from people for my performances.”

The actress says she has put in her everything for ‘Shamshera’ and ‘Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui’ and hopes these two big films will showcase her as a performer who is willing to take risks to deliver powerful performances.

“I have worked tremendously hard in both these projects and I’m delighted about how they have shaped up. I have been choosy about the films that I select because I want to pick quality content over quantity and I’m proud of both ‘Shamshera’ and ‘Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui’,” Vaani said.

“They are films that will hopefully position me correctly as a performer who is looking to take the risks and push myself constantly to make a mark.”

Nicole Kidman on the ‘frustration’ of being an older woman in Hollywood

Actress Nicole Kidman says having her two youngest children helped her cope with the “frustration” of being an older woman in Hollywood.

She added that having her daughters Sunday and Faith with her husband Keith Urban helped take her life in a brand-new direction, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Of her career, Kidman said: “I was frustrated – as so many women are in different careers – at the idea of being told, Well, that’s it: you’ve passed through that period where it’s all going to be fine, and now you’re in your 40s we’re not interested as much in your storytelling or your ideas or in who you are as a woman or a person.”

Speaking about having children with Urban, she said: “Our chance of having a baby was one percent. But my husband said, aWell, at least we’ve got a chance. I thought, ‘1 per cent isn’t a chance’. But he was right. Their coming into my life was the flipside of losing someone – seeing that pregnancy test and wondering, ‘What is this new person going to be like?’ It’s an amazing thing.”

Kidman also spoke about her time being single in between her marriages to actors Tom Cruise, whom she was married to from 1990 until 2001, and with whom she has adopted children Isabella, 28, and Connor, 26, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

She also spoke about Urban, whom she married in 2006.

Kidman said: “I like sharing my life. I’ve always been like that. At 14 I had a boyfriend because I didn’t want to be alone. I went through a period where I was forced into being alone.

“But that was almost like a portal to go through, where you don’t just jump from one thing to another, you’re actually there, living it. And I came out of it much more available (mentally, to meet someone).”

In her family, the actress joked she isn’t the “top” child as far as her mother is concerned.

Kidman told The Mail on Sunday’s You magazine: “There are so many different family members here and my mother always has a favourite. The other day I said, ‘Where am I on the list?’ and she goes, ‘Oh no, you’re up there right now, but you’re definitely not the top.’

“But I may be top next week! I had Mum over and made her some curry and drove her home. So I might have risen a couple of notches.”

Ali Fazal: It’s quality of work that makes us stand out

Actor Ali Fazal, who took the spotlight with his impactful performances in web-series and films, says it is the quality of work that will make talent stand out. However, there was a time, when he was just focussing on quantity that led to making many “sins”.

Talking about what matters to him more — quality or quantity of work, Ali in a chat with IANS said: “It’s a subjective question for all actors. We all look for quality. If quantity comes with quality then it’s even better but at this stage… maybe if I was asked a year ago, I would have said quantity.”

The 34-year-old actor: “I think somewhere some shift has happened and I really… It is all about quality. But I suppose I am at a stage where that quality comes with certain responsible parts so maybe I have the privilege to say quality.”

The actor made his Bollywood debut with a cameo appearance in the 2009 film “3 Idiots”. He appeared next in “Always Kabhi Kabhi”.

His tryst with success started with “Fukrey”, “Victoria & Abdul” and series such as “Mirzapur”.

“There was a time when I was focusing on quantity. So because of that I made many sins but anyway I will say quality,” said Ali.

He added: “These days I think quality is what will make us stand out because it is going to be a lot of work and cinema on all kinds of platforms so I am sure a lot of people can do it but it is the quality that makes the difference between good and really good.”

Kartik, Tabu resume ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’ shooting

Actors Kartik Aaryan and Tabu have resumed shooting for their upcoming film “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2”, which was halted due to the second wave of Covid-19.

The shoot is taking place in Mumbai.

Kartik treated his fans with a picture on Instagram. The photograph features him posing alongside Tabu.

“Begin Again #BhoolBhulaiyaa2,” he wrote as the caption, which currently has 725K likes on the photo-sharing website.

The film also stars Kiara Advani. It is a follow-up to the 2007 Akshay Kumar-Vidya Balan hit film “Bhool Bhulaiyaa”.

The 30-year-old actor also has the film “Dhamaka” lined up, which is slated to release on an OTT platform.

Kartik was in the news for his controversial exit from the Karan Johar-produced “Dostana 2”.

Christina Aguilera to headline queer music fest on Sept 11

Pop singer Christina Aguilera is all set to headline the queer music festival LadyLand. The festival will take place in New York at the Brooklyn Mirage and Kings Hall on September 11.

The ‘Genie in a Bottle’ singer has been a consistent supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community. In 2019, she received the HRC Ally for Equality Award from the Human Rights Campaign for advancing the cause of LGBTQIA+ equality and honoured at the 2003 GLAAD Media Awards for her signature song ‘Beautiful’, which depicts a gay couple and transgender people.

LadyLand Festival was started in 2018 by Ladyfag, a New York City-based performer and events producer.

Chairlift co-founder and Grammy-nominated producer Caroline Polachek is also set to perform at the queer fest, along with ‘Move Ya Body’ singer Nina Sky, DJ Aquaria, La Goona Chonga, and many more.

Tara Alisha Berry owes her ‘motherly’ instinct to pet parenting

Actress Tara Alisha Berry feels that fostering stray animals has made her develop a strong motherly instinct.

The actress played a young mother in the latest released series, ‘Firsts: Season 6’.

She says that even though she is a youngster, being a pet parent, she has developed a strong motherly instinct which helped her prepare for the show.

“Being a pet parent and after fostering a lot of stray animals over the years, I have developed a deep motherly instinct. So while playing Pakhi in the series, it was only natural for me to feel those emotions as they come very naturally to me.

“Seeing how my mother raised me, I understood her emotions. It made me reminisce about the days when I took in stray animals to provide them shelter and protect them. I am so grateful to be able to play such a special role that showcases this unique bond between a mother and her kid,” Tara says.

The new season of ‘Firsts: Season 6’ released on August 13 on the social media platforms of Dice Media and on YouTube.