MUMBAI: Here we bring you all the new and fresh happenings from the world of B-town. Read on the Bollywood updates.
‘Badhaai Ho' asked to cut smoking scene
The Delhi government has issued a legal notice to the director, producers and actors of the just released Hindi movie Badhaai Ho seeking removal of smoking scenes and promotion of tobacco products, an official said on Sunday.
S.K. Arora, Additional Director (Public Health) and State Tobacco Control Officer, said there were a number of scenes in Badhaai Ho where the characters can be seen smoking. Tobacco brand promotion was also shown.
This, he said, violated Section 5 of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 (COTPA).
"There are repeated scenes of smoking and of a tobacco shop. There are scenes displaying brands of tobacco products. The brand promotion of tobacco products -- direct and indirect -- are banned under section 5 of COTPA. Our legal notice is based on these things," Arora told a leading publication.
"The legal notice to the director, producers and actors of Badhaai Ho has been issued because there has been promotion of a tobacco brand as well as surrogate advertisement repeatedly. We demand the immediate removal of these scenes from the film," he added.
It is not the first time the Delhi Health Department has urged Bollywood to axe scenes.
"We wrote to Bollywood a number of times regarding this. Bollywood stars and films are role models for youngsters. The youngsters follow their habits and copy it blindly. Bollywood should decide to think on moral grounds and should feel responsible for the people. The script can always be changed for the interest of the public," he added.
In the past, the Department had issued notices to Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar and Akshaye Khanna among others.
"Akshay Kumar, on one hand, advertises for health awareness campaigns and in Gold movie, he was seen smoking repeatedly. These things can be avoided. The script can be changed," Arora added.
The Act also prohibits the selling of videotapes containing the advertisement of cigarettes or any other tobacco products.
"No person shall take part in any advertisement which directly or indirectly suggests or promotes the use or consumption of cigarettes or any other tobacco products."
Amit Sharma's Badhai Ho, starring Ayushmann Khurrana, released on 18 October.
Someone please cast Akshay Kumar and Ranveer together
Big relief and huge applause. The second episode of the new season of Koffee With Karan was way superior to the bland and aimless first episode, probably because Akshay and Ranveer share a genuine kinship and were not faking it.
Not for a second.
Ranveer was the fanboy. Akshay was the older wiser superstar. Roles taken.
Their shared anecdotes did not preclude the viewers. Both Akshay and Ranveer are people's persons, not afraid to come across as full-blooded desi Punjabi boyz (with a 'z' if you please).
Yes, some portions of the chat did come across as forced. The Rapidfire for example sounded too rehearsed. Some of the answers lacked spontaneity except when Karan Johar, forever in pursuit of a sensational quote, asked Akshay during the rapidfire whom he thought to be "hot" besides his wife.
"I think Deepika is hot," Akshay asserted while Ranveer nodded approvingly.
The absolute comfort-level between the two actors, such a contrast to the phoney bonhomie between Deepika and Alia last week, won Karan's two guests hampers full of approval from us.
It is interesting that Ranveer met Akshay for the first time when he was eight. Ranveer, not Akshay.
A word on the wardrobe. Ranveer's not Akshay's. He wore what looked like florid curtains stripped and stitched into trousers and vest coats.
Apparently, the outfit was a gift to Ranveer from Karan.
With friends like Karan Johar, Ranveer doesn't need enemies. Akshay for all the masti, behaved and responded with a lot of 'thehrao'. His answers were not meant to be juicy headlines. They came from the heart.
We remember having a conversation with Akshay some time back on how much effort it takes to come across as a nice person constantly.
"None at all. Because I am not trying," Akshay replied.
On Sunday night we could see what he meant. The benignity is an integral part of his nature.
When Karan playfully set out to determine who is the better human being between his two guests, we knew the answer immediately.
Akshay, forget about Deepika bearing with Ranveer for the rest of her life. What about you bearing with this flamboyant flamingo for an hour?
You deserved the hamper for that.
Dr. Zeus in awe of growing food fest scene in India
Punjabi music sensation Dr. Zeus says it is good to see the growth of food festival market just like the music festival scenario in India.
"It's good to see how the food festival market is booming just like the music festival market," Dr. Zeus said in a statement.
"The consumption of food is not just a solitary activity, but it is a package deal. The better the overall package, the better the output. Having food, entertainment, music under one roof is the way forward," added Dr. Zeus, who was part of popular food festival The Grub Fest.
With more than 100 exhibitors bringing a variety of cuisines from across the country, the three-day fest will wrap up on Sunday at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here.
The brainchild of Aman Kumar, Arjun Jain and Mani Singh Cheema, was launched in 2015.
Along with food, there was a musical twist to the extravaganza with names like Kelvin Cheung, Parikrama, Ankur & Ghalat Family and Dr. Zeus in the line-up.
"Food festivals are quickly becoming a testing ground for chefs to try new menus and concepts. It is good to see so many food festivals getting established across the country," Cheung said.
Jain added, "In India, the food sector has emerged as a high-growth and high-profit sector and the food festival market has a huge potential. We have grown by almost 40 per cent in a span of three years."
Film on 'Homecoming King' on Hasan Minhaj's mind
Hasan Minhaj found global fame when he gave words to his story through the stage production turned comedy special Homecoming King. The Indian-American comedian is now thinking about making a feature film on it.
"People have approached me with the idea of making Homecoming King film. We will see about that. But right now, I am focused on my own show Patriot Act on Netflix," Hasan told a leading publication over the phone.
After doing some gigs, Hasan got his big break when he became a part of The Daily Show. But he found worldwide fame with his Homecoming King, which debuted Off-Broadway in October 2015. He then recorded a version of that show in January 2017 for his first Netflix special.
Growing up in the US as a Muslim from Aligarh was a bumpy ride for Hasan. He told his story to the world through Homecoming King, filled with anecdotes of his struggle to search for his identity.
Hasan feels things are changing for South Asian actors in the West.
"The change is coming from behind the camera to in front of the camera. As writers and performers, we are starting to write, direct and produce our own narrative. The voice of the actual project is becoming very authentic," he said.
Hasan says "people are starting to see a more nuanced approach in take of the South Asian identity".
"And because of that people are saying 'ohh South Asians can be so much more than an engineer or a lawyer or a doctor. They can be spies, they can be someone's boyfriend, they can be lovers, they can be jerks, they can convey every spectrum of human emotion'.
"That for me is really interesting," added Hasan, who also featured in Lionsgate Films' The Spy Who Dumped Me.
My father is Youth Icon of Year: Alia Bhatt
Actress Alia Bhatt, who received the Youth Icon of the Year honour at a gala here from her father for the first time, said he was best suited for the title.
Alia and a slew of Bollywood's Who's Who were at the Vogue Women of the Year event here on Saturday night. Filmmaker Karan Johar was the host for the star-studded night, read a statement.
On receiving the award, the Student Of The Year actress said, "This is the first time my father is presenting an award to me. What's most special tonight is the fact that my father is standing right next to me, way past his bed time. Let me tell you that he sleeps at 9 p.m. and wakes up at 5 a.m. and goes and does Pilates and cardio.
"I don't think that I'm the Youth Icon of the Year. My father is the Youth Icon of the Year."
Alia will soon be directed by her father for the first time in Sadak 2, which also features her step sister Pooja Bhatt. And she is looking forward to the experience.
"Genuinely, I can't wait to be directed by you and can't wait to be on the set with you papa, because the kind of energy that you have, I have to calm you down sometimes. So, if there is any quality within me which is icon like, it's all thanks to my father, my mother and my other father, Karan," said the actress.
A total of 20 influential names were awarded across various fields like law, entertainment, fashion, journalism, sports, women's empowerment and philanthropy were felicitated for their efforts at the event.
The Mann Deshi Foundation founder Chetna Gala Sinha, who has empowered rural women through micro-finance, was felicitated with the Vogue Social Entrepreneur of the Year title while Vinita Gupta, CEO of pharmaceutical major Lupin, was felicitated as the Vogue and IBM Businesswoman of The Year. News anchor Faye D'Souza was adjudged the Opinion Maker of the Year, while activist-lawyer Deepika Singh Rajawat was declared Vogue Crusader of the Year.
From the field of entertainment, actress Kareena Kapoor Khan bagged the Vogue and IWC Schaffhausen Style Icon of the Year award, Radhika Apte was the Vogue Trends Disruptor of the Year (Female) while Vicky Kaushal was awarded the Vogue X Trends Disruptor of the Year (Male).
Meghna Gulzar, who directed Raazi, won Filmmaker of the Year, and Ayushmann Khurrana received the Vogue Man of the Moment award.
Athlete Hima Das and wrestler Vinesh Phogat were adjudged Vogue Sportswomen of the Year.
From the fashion industry, Ritu Kumar was honoured with the Vogue and Gemfields Lifetime Achievement Award while Anamika Khanna bagged the title of Vogue Designer of the Year award. The artistic director of Dior, Maria Grazia Chiuri, was awarded the title of Global Icon of the Year.
I always try to learn from my failures: Saqib Saleem
There have been some hits and some misses in his career, but Saqib Saleem has learnt to embrace failures. The actor says failure -- the first step towards success -- is the best teacher.
"Failure is the best teacher. It teaches you a lot in life and makes you who you are. It is a part of life. Yes, you feel bad when you fail but, I think I make sure I motivate myself even more and work harder to achieve my goal in life," Saqib told a leading publication.
"Even after failures, I keep trying till I succeed in what I wish to achieve," added the actor, who opened up about his struggle with failures at a TEDx event at Goswami Ganesh Dutta Sanatan Dharma College (GGDSD) in Chandigarh.
He ventured into Bollywood in 2011 with Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge and gained popularity with films like Mere Dad Ki Maruti and Dishoom.
Saqib, who hails from Delhi, also featured in projects like Bombay Talkies, Hawaa Hawaai, Dobaara: See Your Evil and Race 3.
"I consider failure as a part of life and I always try to learn from my failures. It is not every time you get success. Yes, it is true everyone aims to achieve success, but failures are the first step towards success."
Looking back at his own life, he said, "I have also faced failures in life and learnt a lot from them. If you don't face failures, you will never know the value of success is what I believe. I am sure I will have such learning experiences even in my future."
What's your definition of success?
"It is just the beginning of my journey and I have a lot to achieve in life. Whatever popularity I have achieved, I am really grateful to my family and my audiences who have always encouraged me and I look forward to make them proud," added the brother of actress Huma Qureshi.
Saqib says his family is the reality check of his life.
"When I go back home my sister Huma and my parents, they correct me if they feel I am wrong. If they see something is wrong with me, they always help me to face it. They help me stay grounded and I think that is a case in everyone's life."
On the work front, the actor is busy with the shooting of web series Rangbaaz, which also stars Ranvir Shorey and Aahana Kumra. Set against the rustic background of Gorakhpur, the show will narrate the story of a man engaging in the dark world of crime.
I don't feel like a star: Sunny Pawar
Actor Sunny Pawar won a lot of international fans when he attended the prestigious Oscar and Golden Globe award ceremonies last year for his debut film Lion. He is now the lead actor of a film, but he still doesn't feel like a star.
Sunny comes from a humble background and despite working in projects starring popular names like Nicole Kidman, Dev Patel, Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, he is still grounded.
After playing relatively smaller but significant roles, he will be seen as the protagonist of Chippa.
Asked if he feels like a star now, Sunny said, "I don't feel like a star."
Chippa, which will premiere at the Jio MAMI 20th Mumbai Film Festival with Star on Monday, is a story about the aspirations of a child who lives on the streets.
The story is told through a journey he takes into an enchanting world that he creates himself on one wintry night in Kolkata.
So, was there pressure on him because he is almost in every scene of the film?
"No. There was no pressure. The director (Safdar Rahman) and my father explained things to me," said the 10-year-old.
He was thrilled to be back in Kolkata, where he had shot his debut film Lion.
"I got to roam around a lot this time. I got to play and I had a lot of fun," said Sunny
While working on this film, helmed by a new director, he missed one thing -- the glamour.
Still, he had fun.
His projects -- Lion saw him getting lost on the streets, Sacred Games has now become one of the most popular Indian web television thriller series and Love Sonia got widely praised for dealing with child trafficking.
Why does he go for such serious stories?
"My dad selects scripts for me and I never felt that he made a wrong decision in choosing projects for me," said the child actor.
"I want to continue acting and I want to do all types of roles," he shared.
Shatrughan, Farooq Abdullah attend Sanjay Khan's autobiography launch
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah was the guest of honour at the launch of The Best Mistakes Of My Life, an autobiography of veteran actor-producer Sanjay Khan, who became emotional at the event.
Other guests at the event included Farrukh Dhondy and Sunil Alagh, apart from film celebrities like Shatrughan Singa, Hema Malini, Dia Mirza, Sahil Sangha, Neelam Kothari, Samir Soni, Simone Arora, Poonam Dhillon, Kabir Bedi and Apoorva Lakhia.
Sanjay's children Zayed, Sussanne, Simone and Farah as well as wife Zarine were present too.
Dia, a close friend of the family, was the host for the event on Sunday. She narrated anecdotes from the life of the actor.
Sanjay said, "This is an extremely emotional moment for me. I had never really thought of writing an autobiography but the process made me relive most parts and has made me value my life, my friends and those who stood by me even more. It gives me so much happiness to be able to share this moment with all those who are so precious to me."
He also read out an excerpt from his book. The excerpt was about his mentor and his greatest inspiration, the late Raj Kapoor.
The autobiography has Sanjay sharing his journey in Bollywood and outside of it. From films to politics to his near-death accidents, he has opened up on his life-changing moments.
Sanjay has acted in more than 40 films and produced and directed films like Chandi Sona and Kala Dhanda Gore Log and the television classic The Sword of Tipu Sultan.
(Source : IANS)
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