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'Mere Pyare Prime Minister' release moved to 8 March 2019
Filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Mere Pyare Prime Minister, which was originally set to release on Gandhi Jayanti in 2 October this year and was then pushed to a 14 December date, will now hit the screens on 8 March 2019.
Mehra shared the update on Twitter, along with a poster of the film.
The film has its focus on the issue of open defecation and sanitation problems in the country, told through the story of a slum boy who wants to build a toilet for his mother.
While Mehra was earlier excited about the 2 October date as it was Gandhi Jayanti, observed in memory of Mahatma Gandhi who has inspired the movie, even 8 March has its own significance given that it is International Women's Day.
Shot in the Mumbai slums, the film brings to light sanitation issues through four children, real extras from slums and National Award-winning actress Anjali Patil.
Film industry is a market: 'Baahubali' writer
Baahubali writer Manoj Muntashir says the film industry is a market and every market has its own set of rules.
"The film industry is a market and every market has its own set of rules. The primary one being -- the limelight is focused on the most selling commodities," Muntashir told to media over an email.
"Till the time your words are dependent on big-ticket actors, foreign locations, multi-crore budgets, forget about the desired respect and accolades.
"The moment your words have an identity of their own, they have a value independent of the gimmicks surrounding them, automatically limelight shifts to you," he added while responding to the query whether lyricists and dialogue writers are getting their due in Bollywood.
"Legends like Sahir, Majrooh, Anand Bakshi, Salim-Javed have been the most celebrated writers of all times. They commanded their share of prominence, we have to command ours, there are no free lunches in this world," he added.
What are his future projects?
"Being a workaholic, I don't know what to do with my time if I am not writing. Obviously, multiple projects are in motion right now: Lyrics for Saina Nehwal biopic, Cheat India, Body and Notebook."
Celebs crossover in cinema
Many consider Dulquer Salmaan, who set foot in Bollywood this year with the road movie Karwaan, to be the best export from the southern filmdom. If the young Malayalam actor's fan base grew bigger and stronger after his Hindi film debut, Bollywood's Khiladi, Akshay Kumar, also didn't leave the audience disappointed with his villainous role in 2.0. It marked his Tamil debut.
2.0, which also stars Rajinikanth, released on 29 November. The sci-fi film, made on a budget of Rs 600 crore, grossed Rs 400 crore at the box office worldwide in its opening weekend.
On the other hand, Dulquer, the son of Malayalam megastar Mammootty, chose a film that was made on a much smaller budget. Still, the Akarsh Khurana directorial earned a spot in the top 10 Indian movies of 2018, determined by global movie website IMDb customer ratings.
Earlier this year, Dulquer also made his debut in Telugu with Mahanati, based on the life of actress Savitri.
In an interview with media, the Kali star, who is one of the rare actors to debut four times, had said, "I am not saying that I am entitled to a big debut in Malayalam film or any language."
But he asserted that his "primary focus will be Malayalam films" and that he will choose from "what comes my way and take a call irrespective of the language".
His O Kadhal Kanmani co-star Nithya Menen has also bagged her first Bollywood film - Mission Mangal.
"In the past also, I was offered plenty of Hindi films. I just wanted to be as choosy with Hindi as I was with films in other languages that I have done. I wanted it (debut Hindi film) to be a really nice film," Nithya told to leading publication.
"I found this a nice character. I don't think we have done a film like this... you know, a space film," added the star, who made her debut as a lead actress with Kannada film 7 O'Clock over a decade ago.
The upcoming film will also star actresses like Taapsee Pannu, Sonakshi Sinha and Vidya Balan.
Vidya will be launched in Telugu film industry with the biopic on legendary actor-politician and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N.T. Rama Rao.
She had said at an event with excitement, "I have never delivered dialogues in another language apart from Hindi. Earlier, I did special appearances for one-two scenes in Malayalam film but in this film, I have a full-fledged role."
For Aishwarya Devan, who has acted in Malayalam, Tamil and Kannada language films, it was her role that pulled her towards the Hindi film Kaashi in Search of Ganga.
"I haven't done many strong roles in south films, so I am very happy that my debut role in Bollywood is of a strong female character," Aishwarya, who played a journalist in the film, had said.
The year 2018 also saw veteran actress Supriya Pathak making her debut in Telugu filmdom with Aravindha Sametha Veera Raghava, helmed by Trivikram Srinivas.
"I really enjoyed working with the people. It was wonderful. My director was a wonderful person. I hope I get an opportunity to work there again," said the actress, who had starred in the 1985 Malayalam movie "Akalathe Ambili".
"Those days, a lot of Hindi films were made in south India. Then also, it was much more organised than in Mumbai or north India. My idea of south (Indian film industry) was always that it was more organised and that attracts you because it has got discipline. People are professionals and, still, there is a kind of basic emotion surrounding it and very work-oriented," said Supriya, whose mother tongue is Gujarati.
Also, Pankaj Tripathi made his Tamil film debut with Rajinikanth film Kaala and Bollywood's dancing diva Madhuri Dixit Nene's maiden Marathi film Bucket List released this year.
Neil Nitin Mukesh, who featured in the 2014 Tamil film Kaththi by A.R. Murugadoss, made his Telugu debut with Kavacham this month. He will also be seen in Prabhas-starrer Saaho, which will be Shraddha Kapoor's maiden film in Telugu.
While Saaho is one of the most anticipated movies of 2019, Malayalam star Nivin Pauly is set to make his presence felt in the Hindi film industry too.
He will be seen in Geetu Mohandas' bilingual film Moothon, which will be released in Hindi and Malayalam.
"The language part is always challenging. For a Malayali actor, I won't be that comfortable to do a film in Tamil, Telugu or Hindi. I believe we should push ourselves by crossing boundaries. I think every actor should attempt that in their career," Nivin had told to media.
"There is one blessed career that God gave us and we shouldn't be sitting in one place and getting comfortable. There is no harm in trying something new."
And the audience isn't complaining.
New 'Super Dancer' 10 notches better than past seasons: Shilpa Shetty
Actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra says talent in the third season of Super Dancer is 10 notches higher than the previous two seasons of the dance reality TV shows.
Shilpa interacted with the media at the launch of the third season of Super Dancer, along with her co-judges Anurag Basu and Geeta Kapoor here on Wednesday.
On the participants of the third season of Super Dancer, Shilpa said, "We were mesmerised when we saw this year's talent in Super Dancer. It is unbelievable to see this kind of talent in today's generation.
"I honestly felt that it will exhaust after the second season of Super Dancer. We felt that from where we will find superior talent than season two, but I can say that the kind of talent we have in the third season of Super Dancer is better than previous two seasons. I feel it is ten notches higher, so you have to just wait and watch for it."
Shilpa said it is amazing to see talent which is self-learned. "They have learned various kinds of dance forms by watching videos from all over the world.
Basu further said, "Initially, when we were judging the contestants for this season, we felt that they are not better than contestants of the previous two seasons. So that time, we were a bit scared, but slowly we started to see some really amazing talent on the show.
"I think they have taken this show one level higher than the previous seasons. This show is an audio-visual medium, so it will be challenge for all of us including contestants to make show better from every aspect, so now we are hoping for the best."
Super Dancer Chapter 3 will give an opportunity to young dance aspirants between the age groups of four to 13 years. It will be telecast on Sony Entertainment Television.
'Artsy' stories not staying behind: Emraan on digital platforms
Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi, who will be seen in the Netflix project Bard of Blood, says he finds the digital platform interesting for new stories.
"I think the whole practice of watching stories on a digital platform is very interesting. It is a big shift and many new stories are coming up. The viewers now have the choice to watch films and shows whenever they want. So, there are stories that earlier used to considered ‘artsy' are not staying behind... those lines are not there. I am quite hopeful about this medium," Emraan told to media here.
His movie Tigers recently released on ZEE5. Helmed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Danis Tanovic, the movie has received a positive response.
Emraan's new feature film Cheat India will hit the big screens on 25 January 2019. He is also working on Bard of Blood, an adaptation of an eponymous book written by Bilal Siddiqui. The show is being produced by Shah Rukh Khan's production house Red Chillies Entertainment.
Asked about who would he like to work within the near future, the Azhar actor said, "Instead of taking names, I would like to talk about the idea. I do not know what I will do next but when I hear a script, it has to resonate with me... That is important. I also prefer to work with people whom I can gel well with. So, let's see."
Women must be included in all conversations: Dia Mirza
Actress-activist Dia Mirza has been forthright in raising her concern about zero representation of women in a meeting held between a delegation representing Indian cinema and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She says gender equality can only be achieved if women must be part of all conversations.
"This is wonderful! Is there a reason why there were no women in this room," Dia posted on Twitter as a comment on actor Akshay Kumar's post upon meeting the PM.
"How can an entire industry be represented only by men," questioned Dia in another tweet.
When a social media user questioned Dia about why everything has become about competition between men and women, she commented, "It's not about competition! It's such a fundamental thing. If we hope to achieve equality we must be included in all conversations! Of course women are doing well. We are doing well despite the fact that we are excluded. And doesn't that need to change?"
The meeting, held in Mumbai on Tuesday, had a room full of men. The delegation, including the likes of Karan Johar, Akshay Kumar, Bhushan Kumar, Siddharth Roy Kapur and Prasoon Joshi, pitched for lower and uniform rates of GST for the entertainment industry in India, apart from calling for the development of Mumbai as the global entertainment capital, through various initiatives and proactive approaches.
Actress Sandhya Mridul also wrote to Akshay saying, "Great. We women have no issues to discuss. Obviously."
Priyanka-Nick host reception in Mumbai
After a lavish wedding in Jodhpur and extravagant reception in Delhi, newlywed Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas have hosted a gala reception for the media here after getting back from their honeymoon in Oman.
Bigg Boss contestant Ali Quli Mirza and designer Neeta Lulla were also part of the festivities.
The actress and her singer husband threw the bash at the JW Marriott hotel on Wednesday. They would be hosting one more of these gala events for friends and family on 20 December.
Priyanka was in a blue Lehenga-Choli from designer Sabyasachi. Her hair was styled in a bun with just the right amount of glitter. She looked every bit regal, while Nick looked dapper in a neat suit with black shoes.
The couple made for some adorable photographs as they just could not stop giggling and being cute.
They had tied the knot in the Umaid Bhawan Palace and had two wedding ceremonies -- a Christian and a Hindu -- amid family and close relatives.
Nick Jonas, who was in the US after their honeymoon, flew in for the Mumbai reception.
Priyanka will soon return to the sets of The Sky Is Pink to complete its shoot. The film also stars Farhan Akhtar and Zaira Wasim.
Every issue doesn't need quarrelling: Sonu to Sona
Sonu Nigam's Pakistan comment and the singer backing Anu Malik hasn't gone down well with fellow singer Sona Mohapatra. But Sonu says every issue "doesn't need quarrelling around it".
During a summit, Sonu talked about why so many songs are being remixed these days. "Sometimes, I feel like it would be better if I was from Pakistan. At least I would get offers from India," he joked.
He also said, "If you say, 'Anu Malik met me this morning', that's fine. You accused him without any proof; let's accept that too. Had he (Anu Malik) wanted to say anything, he could have said a lot. But he did not.
"If I say that you misbehaved with me, you will ask me for proof. But there's no proof, right? Despite that, people are respecting the accusers, who are tarnishing Anu Malik's name. But how can you ban him? How can you snatch his bread and butter? How can you torture his family?"
Following Sonu's comments, Sona, who had accused Anu of sexual misconduct, tweeted on Wednesday that she felt "so let down hearing him talk like this".
The wife of composer Ram Sampath also wrote, "So much sympathy for a millionaire losing work? So much empathy for his privileged family being 'tortured'? How about scores of girls and women he tortured? Multiple testimonies not proof enough?"
"Not 1 but possibly 100 plus women and men can attest to Anu Malik's deplorable abusive behaviour. I guess Mr. Sonu Nigam expects all these women/underage girls to - a)strap recording devices b) carry spy cams, other proof gathering devices because they have much to benefit defaming him?"
On Sonu's Pakistan comment, she said, "Are Arijit Singh, Badshah, Vishal Dadlani from Pakistan though?
"You've had your moment under the sun dear. India anoints a new 'Male Super Star' every 3/4/5 years without fail. Don't blame the Pakistani artistes. Also do not mix up art and music with politics and idealogy."
While "maintaining the decorum", Sonu responded to her tweets by saying, "The respectable lady vomiting on Twitter, is the wife of someone who I consider very close to me, so although she has forgotten the relationship, I'd like to maintain the decorum."
"Koi jaanvar hee hoga jo MeToo movement ko support nahi karta hoga (Only someone who is an animal won't support #MeToo)."
Women with "frankness and courage, shaming their oppressors", is a refreshing sign of changing times, he pointed out.
"Women have been long oppressed throughout the course of history and it's high time to end this mindset of treating them like properties or trophies, and now they walk hand-in-hand and shoulder-to-shoulder with men," Sonu said in a statement to media.
He also asked, "It's okay to accuse someone, but to punish someone? How is that right? Isn't it the job of the law to punish?" (So aarop lagana sahi hai...par saza dena? Ye kaise sahi hua? Saza dena toh kanoon ka kaam haina?)
He also spoke about lynching.
"Agar public ka saza dena theek hai, toh phir garib, maasoom insano ka, ek pagal bheed ke dwara gau maas hone ke shak mai ya chori, rape ya bacche churane ke shak mai, peet-peet kar mar dalna bhi sahi hai?"
"Isn't it a fact that while 99% of the #MeToo movement has been dignified, a small percentage is indulging in media lynching without letting law take its course, especially when all of us in the society have supported the movement?" he asked, talking about the movement which is against sexual harassment and assault.
"Every issue doesn't need quarrelling around it forever. Look at the positive side. Men, henceforth, have learnt to 'behave' with women. Some strong women's sacrifice has done the magic. And that paves the way for a peaceful and safe work environment in the present and for the future. After the shaming and exposing, we should let the law take its course."
He continued, "On one hand, there is an accuser, on the other there is a witness and in the middle there is a person who gives the punishment. And on the other side, the accused. If only you are the accuser, witness and person who gives out the punishment, then you should also get the punishment."
(Ek taraf hota hai aarop lagane wala, aur ek hota hai gawah, aur beech mai hota hai saza dene wala. Aur dusri taraf hota hai aaropi. Agar aap hee aarop lagane wale hai, aap hee gawah hai, aap hee saza dene wale hai, toh phir saza paane wale bhi aap hee hone chahiye.)
"Long live women empowerment."
Addressing to Sona again, he said, "And respected lady, as far as my jibe about better off being born in Pakistan is concerned, go see the interview properly, and make sure I was talking for the entire fraternity, including the singers from abroad, and not myself.
"And would not like to say anything about the names you have mentioned to compare me with, but all I can say is that I chose to stand my ground and be a part of the collective movement to implement the Constitutional Amendment, that your husband too has been a part of, with us. And you have been a witness to it all.
"So, choose your words with some conscience. And as for me, having had my moment, well thank you for the love. I'm very grateful to God for it," he concluded.
Earlier on Wednesday, he had also said that he has immense respect for artistes from all over the globe, including Pakistani singers.
"I have always been of the opinion that everyone should be welcomed in India. I'm very friendly with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Atif Aslam. Shafqat Amanat Ali has a lovely voice and I'm of this belief that everyone must get equal respect in our country, but in the same breath, I'd like to add that Indian artistes should be given the same facilities as their foreign counterparts. If that doesn't happen, then it's unfair," Sonu said in a statement to media.
"In recent years, the music business has evolved and most artistes belong to a certain music company. The company earns by charging a percentage from its artistes' remuneration which is a great business strategy and is working well for all concerned. My only point was that this same percentage rule should apply to foreign artistes as well, only for the sake of equality and transparency of all artistes from all over the world in our country," he added.
I dislike people who stereotype women: Teena Singh
Actress Teena Singh, who has featured in projects like Akira and Broken But Beautiful, says she is not a fan of people who stereotype women.
"I dislike people who stereotype women, like how could they judge any girl wearing a short dress or having short length hair would not be following ethics, morals or otherwise or if I have a brown skin, I would not be entertained in the media world as it is owned by the fair complexion actors," Teena said in a statement.
"I have proudly broken the myth time and again with each of my show, series and movies that I have been a part of even though being a dark brown skinned girl," she added, who is now part of the new series Date Gone Wrong.
Talking about the series, co-produced by Culture Machine and Eros Now, she said, "Date Gone Wrong is a fabulous series, which is not only humorous but also puts light on the stereotypes of the world. Small minded people are such a turn off. It's a free world and everyone should be allowed to live their life like they want to."
(Source : IANS)
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