Allu Arjun’s ‘Pushpa’ hits 5 billion views, first Indian album ever claim makers

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Pan-India blockbuster ‘Pushpa – The Rise’ may have been released more than a year ago but the Allu Arjun starrer continues to set new highs in the popularity stakes. The movie has achieved yet another record by becoming the first ever album in India to hit 5 billion views.

Taking to social media, the makers of the film shared the poster and wrote “The Biggest Ever Feat In Indian Cinema ?????

Icon Star @alluarjunonline ‘s #PushpaTheRise is the First Album to hit 5 BILLION VIEWS ????”

From the time the first poster of the film was dropped to the time the film lasted in the theatres, ‘Pushpa’ became a rage across markets.

From ‘Sammi Sammi’ to ‘Eyy Bidda Idhi Naa Adda’, Indians grooved to the movie’s lyrics. ‘Oo Antava Ooo Antava’ went on to become the biggest party anthem of the year.

‘Pushpa: The Rise’, directed by Sukumar, broke several box office records and even entered the Rs 100 crore mark in the Hindi belts. It went on to mint Rs 300 cr worldwide.

Noted actor-director Prathap Pothen passes away at 69

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Noted actor-director Prathap Pothen (69), who was known as one of the first proponents of hippie culture in the Malayalam film industry, passed away in his sleep at his flat in Chennai on Friday morning.

In a career spanning four decades, Pothen acted in over 100 films in Malayalam, Tamil, Telegu, and Hindi. He also directed a dozen films besides writing scripts and producing films.

Born to a leading business family in Thiruvananthapuram, Pothen studied at Lawrence School in Ooty. A started his professional career in the field of advertising as a copywriter.

In 1978, popular director Bharatan spotted him and cast him in the Aaravam’. In the eighties, Pothen grabbed the spotlight with his work in some hit films like Chamaram and Thakara, among many others.

The one distinctive characteristic of Pothen was that he never fitted into the mainstream of the film industry. He always stayed aloof from the routine Malayalam film industry culture.

He married actress Radhika in 1985, which lasted a year, and later he married a corporate professional. The couple has a daughter who was present with him when he passed away at his flat in Chennai.

Condoling the death of Pothen, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, “He will always be remembered for his style and the way he carried his way forward in the industry. Even when in the years he remained aloof from the industry, he was always remembered for his performance and now that he has passed away, his name will always be etched in the memory of all.”

Pothen’s brother Hari Pothen was a popular producer who passed away in the mid-nineties.

According to industry sources, the last rites would be performed in Chennai on Saturday.

Mahesh Babu unveils the title for Siva Karthikeyan’s next

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Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu, who took to his social media, unveiled the title and the announcement teaser for Siva Karthikeya’s next movie. Titled ‘Maaveeran’ in Tamil, the bilingual movie is titled ‘Mahaveerudu’in Telugu. Mahesh Babu wrote, “Happy to unveil the title of @Siva_Kartikeyan’s #Maaveeran! Best wishes to the entire team!”, as he shared the title teaser of Madonne Ashwin’s upcoming directorial.

The excited Siva Karthikeyan, expressed his gratitude towards Mahesh Babu for releasing the title, as he wrote, “This is a great start for the film and to the team.. Thank you so much for your kind gesture @urstrulyMahesh sir.. Indeed a very special moment for me sir #Maaveeran”. The teaser clip is intriguing, as Siva Karthikeyan plays a superhero in this action movie.

‘Mahaveerudu’ will be produced by Shanthi Talkies and directed by Madonne Ashwin. The film’s production will begin soon. Siva Karthikeyan has completed the talkie part of his straight Telugu film ‘Prince’, which would be released in time for Diwali. Anudeep KV of ‘Jathi Ratnalu’ fame directed the film. ‘Doctor’ and ‘Don’, Siva Karthikeyan’s previous flicks, performed well in Telugu and Tamil. The actor is also eager to establish himself in Telugu.

Kiran Abbavaram’s next film gets a catchy title

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Kiran Abbavaram, a promising young hero, has teamed up with rookie filmmaker Ramesh Kaduri for a new film. The film’s title was revealed on Friday, along with a flashy poster featuring Kiran Abbavaram. On the occasion of Kiran Abbavaram’s birthday, the film’s title- ‘Meter’, first look, and motion poster have been revealed as well. The first look features Kiran Abbavaram in a glittery appearance. Kiran may be seen performing a mass dance step while wearing a colorful blouse and white torn jeans and shades.

The background score for the motion poster by Sai Kartheek is fantastic. ‘Meter’ appears to be a commercial entertainer based on the glimpses released from the movie. The tagline for the film ‘Meter’ is ‘A Measure Of Passion.’ The championship logo features three stars, the Indian State Emblem, and a speedometer. Kiran Abbavaram, who appears to be quite excited, rushed to Twitter to announce the news, adding that this is one of the films he has always wanted to act in.

‘Superstar Singer 2’ contestant Mohammad Faiz leaves Arjun Kapoor in awe of him

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Bollywood actors Arjun Kapoor and Disha Patani will be coming on the singing reality show, ‘Superstar Singer 2’ to promote their film ‘Ek Villain Returns’. While each of the contestants will impress the judges and special guests, contestant Mohammad Faiz’s performance on Arjun’s popular songs ‘Phir Bhi Tumko Chaahunga’ and ‘Mast Magan’, will leave them awestruck.

Arjun says that Faiz’s melodious rendition of his tracks made him sing along with him. Arjun says: “Being actors we do not realize the value of these songs, but when we come to shows like ‘Superstar Singer 2′ we understand the power our song holds. I did not get a chance to lip sync both the songs but with Faiz’s voice I got to lip sync both of them and this is my good luck that I could witness such a voice that made me feel like singing my own song.”

“An actor always looks for a voice which makes him feel like singing the song and it does not feel as if he is lip syncing. Faiz might be way younger than me but the romance he has in his voice is very genuine. He is truly a gifted child who made me enjoy my song and I am sure everyone else also did,” he adds while praising the contestant. Arjun concludes by saying that though he came to promote his film, Faiz has made him feel very special and the two songs will always be there in his memories.

“We had come to this show with a different mindset to promote our film but Faiz made me feel very nice and special. It’s been 10 years I have been in this industry and I am sure these two songs will forever be remembered nothing is as important as an actor having such songs in his name that makes him immortal for life. The fact that Faiz sang both the songs so beautifully made me feel alive and the audience surely enjoyed it. And, that’s a power that you have in your voice. Good Luck,” he wraps up.

The show, Superstar Singer 2’, which is judged by Himesh Reshammiya, Alka Yagnik, and Javed Ali airs on Sony Entertainment Television.

Om Raut teases Prabhas fans with update on ‘Adipurush’

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‘Baahubali’ fame Prabhas will be next seen in the much-hyped mythological 3-D movie ‘Adipurush’. Om Raut, the director of ‘Adipurush’, has now come up with an interesting update regarding the movie.

On Thursday, the ‘Tanhaji’ director took to social media to announce an update on his much-anticipated movie ‘Adipurush’.

“One thing that I always wanted to do for all our #Adipurush fans. It’s almost time. Can’t wait for 12th January 2023. #Adipurush #IMAX #LosAngeles #3D,” Raut wrote, as he shared a picture of himself at the IMAX, Los Angeles.

Raut’s tweet implies that the film may be released in IMAX format, as he has been working hard to provide the finest experience possible to those who see ‘Adipurush’ in theatres. The film’s crew should be able to provide an official confirmation very shortly.

The epic Ramayan is the inspiration for ‘Adipurush’, which also stars Kriti Sanon, Saif Ali Khan, and Sunny Singh.

Produced by T-series and Retrophiles, ‘Adipurush will release on January 12, 2023.

Keanu Reeves to host Formula One docuseries

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Hollywood star Keanu Reeves is working on a docuseries about Formula One for the streaming portal Disney+.

The yet-to-be-titled four-part docuseries will reportedly focus on Formula 1 managing director Ross Brawn, who in 2009 bought the Honda team, renamed it Brawn GP, and took it to two unprecedented championship victories, reports Variety’.

Reeves will host the series and has already been conducting interviews.

Among those believed to be on board are former Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo, whom Reeves was pictured with last month, and drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello. Brawn himself is also set to take part.

Last week, Reeves was pictured at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone, UK, where he spoke to a local racing journalist about the documentary series.

“We want to tell that amazing remarkable story (of Brawn). There is so much to talk about,” he said.

“A friend of mine was telling me the story and I was so struck by it. He was actually working for Brawn back in the day in publicity and he’s a producer/director and so we were like, well let’s tell that story, let’s try and tell that story,” the Matrix star said.

“It’s been really great to be able to learn more about what was going on in Formula One that year. It wasn’t just the cars, new regulations, FOTA (the Formula One Teams Association), and breakaway series. I mean there was just so much happening in Formula One at that time. The world of Formula One was just extraordinary.

“I mean, it’s always extraordinary, but in that year with Brawn GP I think something really special happened,” he said.

Formula One is a hot topic right now with multiple projects connected to the racing competition in the works. Brad Pitt, John Krasinski, and Jerry Bruckheimer have teamed up for a Formula One movie, which has been snapped up by Apple Studios, while a series about ex-Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone is also in the works.

Italian studio Fandango is also working on a Formula One-themed series, about the competition’s first female driver.

As her biopic is ready to be released, Mithali Raj opens up on women’s cricket

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Mithali Raj needs no introduction. From being former captain of India’s women’s cricket team to being the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket, she has a lot more to her credit. The legendary right-handed batswoman was in the capital for the promotion of Taapsee Pannu-starrer ‘Shabaash Mithu’, which is based on her life.

Taapsee is seen playing Mithali on screen. When Mithali came to know about a biopic being made on her, she couldn’t believe it for a second.

She told IANS in an interview: “Initially I thought they were just kidding. But later when the makers told me in detail I realized this is reality and they are looking into it.” Mithali added that after knowing about a biopic being made on her, she took it as a great opportunity.

“I also find it’s a great opportunity to get the journey of women’s cricket in our country. And it is also important in a way for people to know and understand when and what the hardships women athletes have to go through in our country with the support system and in the way society perceives the woman athlete.”

Mithali shared how she reacted when she came to know that Taapsee will be seen depicting her on screen.

“When I got to know that she’s (Taapsee) doing the role, I also did my homework. I’ve seen a couple of her films. She played hockey player so I knew that she doesn’t necessarily have to work much on fitness or to get the athlete’s body. But maybe the cricket part skill is something she probably would have to work a lot more on, but then after watching the trailers I should admit that she has really worked hard.”

Furthermore, Mithali talked about the changing scenario of women’s cricket and how it is gaining more prominence and getting its independent identity.

Mithali said: “I think to post the 2017 ODI World Cup, a lot has changed. We started slowly coming out of the shadows. Earlier the women’s T20 World Cup was also run in tandem with the men’s T20 World Cup. Right now it is a standalone tournament, slowly, the leagues are happening around the world. And I’m sure at some point, maybe by next year, we’ll have our own league.”

She also spoke about the way viewership has changed and how people are now more interested in watching women’s cricket.

“So, now women’s cricket is ready to stand on its own. And in terms of viewership and the way people turn up to watch our matches have also changed earlier, actually, like many knew that we were playing an international series, so the grounds of the stadiums would be empty. Now you know when it is marketed well and matches are televised there are a lot of people who are turning up to the stadium to watch us and a lot of young children are coming to watch our matches. I think it has definitely changed a lot and I’m sure it will change a lot more in the future too,” she concluded.

Directed by Srijit Mukherji and produced by Viacom18 Studios, ‘Shabaash Mithu’ stars Taapsee Pannu in the role of Mithali Raj. The film is set to release on July 15.

Netizens find Deepika Padukone’s doppleganger in a digital creator

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Bollywood star Deepika Padukone has a lookalike in digital creator named Rijuta Ghosh Deb and social media users can’t stop gushing about the uncanny resemblance between the two.

Deepika’s doppelganger is identified as a Bengali digital creator, who juggles between Kolkata and Munich. She is also popular on Instagram where she has a fan following of 51.2K.

Netizens have dropped comments on Ghosh Deb’s pictures, where they talked about the two bearing similar features.

A user wrote: “Deepika 2.0”.

Another said: “At first I thought she was Deepika Padukone.”

One questioned: “Aren’t you Deepika Padukone?”

“Where is Ranveer,” a user said.

Deepika is one of the highest-paid actresses in India. She made her Bollywood debut in 2007 with the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer “Om Shanti Om”. Deepika features in listings of the nation’s most popular personalities, and Time named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2018.

On the work front, Deepika will be seen in “Pathaan” alongside SRK, and “Fighter” featuring Hrithik Roshan.

Allu Arjun takes another vacation before ‘Pushpa: The Rule’ launch

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Telugu superstar Allu Arjun will next appear in Sukumar’s highly anticipated sequel ‘Pushpa: The Rule’. The ‘Arya’ actor was sighted at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport on Thursday morning, ahead of the film’s official launch.

Allu Arjun is taking another holiday after he just returned from a long vacation with his family in Africa.

According to reports, the ‘Pushpa’ actor will visit the United States for a few days. Further details about his journey are unknown, but it is expected that he will return to Hyderabad soon, as the ‘Pushpa’ crew is going to launch the franchise’s second installment through an official ceremony.

When Allu Arjun returns from his trip, he will join the cast of ‘Pushpa 2 or Pushpa: The Rule.’ In the upcoming sequel to the crime drama, Allu Arjun, who plays a sandalwood smuggler, will display his most ferocious side.

Pre-production on the film is now underway. Rashmika will play the female heroine, and many well-known actors are expected to star in the film.