Mumbai, (IANS) Veteran actress and politician Hema Malini has been using social media to relive some cherished memories with her late husband and legendary actor Dharmendra.
In her latest post, Hema posted a still from the "Ek Hi Khawab" track from their 1977 outing "Kirana". She revealed that this is her and Dharam Ji's most beloved memory from the romantic entertainer.
The "Ek Hi Khawab" song enjoys the melodious voice of Bhupinder Singh with tunes scored by legendary R. D. Burman.
"One of the most beautiful memories of me and Dharamji from the movie Kinara. It was directed by Gulzar saab and the song sung by Bhupinderji and music by R . D. Burman. #memories #memoriesforlife #kinara (sic)," Hema captioned the post.
Apart from "Kinara", one of the most adored Bollywood duos, Dharmendra and Hema Malini have shared the screen in several hits such as "Sharafat" (1970), "Tum Haseen Main Jawaan" (1970), "Naya Zamana" (1971), "Raja Jani" (1972), "Seeta Aur Geeta" (1972), "Jugnu" (1973), "Pratiggya" (1975), "Sholay" (1975), "Dream Girl" (1977), "Chacha Bhatija" (1977), "Azaad" (1978), "Dillagi" (1978), "Aas Paas" (1981) "Razia Sultan" (1983), and "The Burning Train" (1980), to name just a few.
Earlier today, Hema treated her Insta Fam with another set of rare photographs with late Dharmendra, which she termed as the “treasured” moments from their family archives.
She revealed that revisiting these pictures brought back a wave of emotions for her.
Taking to her IG, Hema dropped a string of photographs posing with Dharmendra. A couple of these photographs also included their daughters Ahana and Esha, flaunting their beautiful smiles as they faced the camera with their father.
“Some lovely family moments… simply treasured photos. I know it is a surfeit of photos but these have not been published and my emotions are unfolding as I see these. #memories #family #moments,” Hema wrote in the caption.Bollywood legend Dharmendra passed away on November 24. He had been hospitalised at Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital after reportedly complaining of breathlessness. Once he received the necessary treatment, he was discharged on November 12 and continued his recovery at home. Hema Malini reveals one of her most beautiful memories with Dharmendra | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
Mumbai, (IANS) Veteran actor Dharmendra, who was on ventilator support at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai, has been discharged from the hospital.
According to hospital sources, the veteran actor was discharged earlier today. An ambulance was seen leaving Dharmendra’s residence. His family, however, remained tight-lipped about his current health condition. As per the latest reports, the ‘Sholay’ actor has been shifted home for further treatment.
On Wednesday, Bobby Deol was spotted leaving Breach Candy Hospital around 7 a.m., following a speeding ambulance. He was seen arriving at home along with the vehicle. It is being reported that the Juhu area near Dharmendra’s residence is now under heavy police surveillance.
The 89-year-old actor was admitted for medical observation and moved to the ICU on November 10. His wife, Hema Malini, and daughter, Esha Deol, shared that he was stable and on the road to recovery. Esha’s statement read, “My father is stable & recovering. We request everyone to give our family privacy. Thank you for the prayers for papas speedy recovery. (sic).”
Meanwhile, Hema Malini took to social media to denounce the false reports of Dharmendra’s death, describing them as “unforgivable” and “highly irresponsible.” She wrote, “What is happening is unforgivable! How can responsible channels spread false news about a person who is responding to treatment and is recovering? This is being extremely disrespectful and irresponsible. Please give due respect to the family and its need for privacy.”On November 11, Sunny Deol’s team provided an update on the actor’s health, stating that he is recovering well and responding positively to treatment. They urged everyone to keep him in their prayers for continued health and a long life. “Sir is recovering and responding to treatment. Let’s all pray for his good health and long life.” Dharmendra discharged from hospital, ambulance departs from actor’s home | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
Mumbai, (IANS) Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal has expressed immense pride and joy as his partner Gabriella Demetriades achieves a long-held dream that she had manifested with determination.
Celebrating this special moment, Arjun penned a heartfelt note for his ‘love’, highlighting the inspiring journey behind Gabriella’s success. Sharing a heartfelt video on Instagram, Arjun wrote, “Dreams do come true. You always wanted this and it’s manifested today. @deme_love_ by @gabriellademetriades is @theofficialselfridges. What an achievement my love. We all super proud. Congratulations,” Arjun wrote, tagging Gabriella and her brand. He concluded the post with hashtags like #deme, #gabriellademetriades, #selfridgeslondon, #london, and #dreamer.”
The video features Gabriella posing as her fashion label is officially launched at the Selfridges store in London. The clip also captures candid moments of Arjun and Gabriella with their kids, offering a heartwarming glimpse into their family bond amidst the celebration. The ‘Dhaakad’ actor often cheers for his partner Gabriella and regularly shares supportive posts about her achievements on social media, showcasing their strong bond and mutual admiration.
For the unversed, Arjun Rampal and Gabriella Demetriades have been in a committed relationship since 2019 and share two sons Arik and Arav. Although the couple hasn’t tied the knot legally, Arjun has mentioned that, for them, their bond goes beyond formalities. During his appearance on YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia’s podcast, the actor opened up about why he and Gabriella have chosen not to get married. He explained that neither of them feels the need for it, questioning the significance of marriage as just a piece of paper.
Arjun had mentioned, “It’s not me, it’s not her. What is marriage? A piece of paper after all. I think we are already married and there is not doubt in my mind about that. But, sometimes what that piece of paper can also do is change you. Because its like you think it’s permanent, its a false notion in fact but you are just legally bound.”
Mumbai, (IANS) Author-former actress Twinkle Khanna has humorously talked about her first live cricket experience as she attended the third Test between England and India.
She took to Instagram, where she posted a picture with her superstar husband Akshay Kumar. In the image, Twinkle is seen having a yogurt and lovingly looking at Akshay, who is holding a coffee mug. She also shared a glimpse of the match from the Lord's Cricket Ground, widely referred to as the Home of Cricket in UK.
For the caption, she wrote: “A quick breakfast and a long day of cricket-my first time watching 22 men chase one ball to prove they each have two. Cricket truly is a religion, and who knows… I might just become its newest devotee. I actually enjoyed all the wickets, runs, and nonstop excitement.(sic)”
Talking about the match, India were bowled out for 170 in 74.5 overs, despite a fighting effort from Ravindra Jadeja, who top-scored with 61 in the second innings. Jadeja had earlier contributed 72 runs in the first innings, continuing his fine run of form in the series.
India will now head to Manchester for the fourth Test at Old Trafford starting July 23, hoping to bounce back and level the series. With two Tests remaining, the visitors still have a chance to script a comeback—but as Ganguly’s comments suggest, their top order must deliver when it matters most.
Akshay’s latest Hindi film release is Housefull 5 directed by Tarun Mansukhani. The film features an ensemble cast including Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, Sanjay Dutt, Fardeen Khan, Shreyas Talpade, Nana Patekar, Jackie Shroff, Dino Morea, Jacqueline Fernandez, Nargis Fakhri, Chitrangada Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Soundarya Sharma, Chunky Pandey, Nikitin Dheer and Johnny Lever.
He was also seen in Telugu film Kannappa as lord Shiva. Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, it is based on the legend of Kannappa in Hinduism, a devotee of god Shiva. The film stars Vishnu Manchu in the title role.Akshay will next be seen in Jolly LLB 3, a black comedy legal drama film written and directed by Subhash Kapoor. It is the third installment in the Jolly LLB series and sequel to Jolly LLB 2. The film also stars Arshad Warsi, Amrita Rao, Huma Qureshi, Saurabh Shukla, and Annu Kapoor. Twinkle shares picture with Akshay Kumar after ‘long day of cricket’ | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
Mumbai, (IANS) It has already been two years since "Satyaprem Ki Katha" starring Kiara Advani and Kartik Aaryan released in the cinema halls.
Commemorating the milestone, let us revisit some of Kiara's most iconic scenes from the romantic entertainer. Ditching the dramatic outbursts, Kiara relied on the quiet scenes in "Satyaprem Ki Katha" to leave a mark on the audience.
Taking the example of the confrontation scene, we could see some powerful indicators in her body language which made her performance more impactful.
The way Kiara curled in her shoulders, the slight shake in her breath, along with eyes filled with water perfectly portrayed her emotional condition.
With her eyes hiding massive pain behind them, we could also feel the weight of what’s been left unsaid.
Now, shifting our focus to some lighter moments in the movie, while her character does not speak much, a lot is expressed through her silence.
The way she glances when someone is about to touch her expressing her hesitation, makes the viewers understand what the character is feeling in that moment. A lot of the times, her eyes goes on to express what words can't.
Made under the direction of Sameer Vidwans, "Satyaprem Ki Katha" has been backed by Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment in collaboration with Namah Pictures.
The film revolves around a middle-class boy from Ahmedabad, Satyaprem (Kartik) who falls in one-sided love with Katha (Kiara), unaware that she is coping with the breakup with her ex-boyfriend Tapan, who failed to understand the concept of consent.
After Katha unwillingly marries Satyaprem, they get to know each other and eventually help each other accomplish their unfinished businesses.
Mumbai, IANS) Actress Shreya Chaudhry won the Best Actress in a Leading Role (Female) Web Series for her work in “Bandish Bandits” Season 2 at the IIFA Digital Awards 2025. She said it will help her get more good roles for me to shine.
Upon receiving the award, Shreya said, “I am incredibly humbled and grateful for this recognition. It will help me get more good roles for me to shine with and hopefully make a mark in this industry!”
Shreya said that “Bandish Bandits” Season 2 has been an extraordinary experience, and being a part of a project that beautifully blends music, emotions, and storytelling is something I will always cherish.”
Talking about her character, she said: “Tamanna as a character will always be dear to me. I would also like to thank the makers of the show - Amritpal Singh Bindra, Anand Tiwari and Sahira Nair. This award is a huge validation for my hard work and dedication.”
Shreya said that she has never stopped herself “from going the distance for my acting.”
“I have an extremely pure, spiritual connection towards acting as a craft and I hope that I keep getting better at this,” she said.
“Bandish Bandits” is a musical romantic drama, which features Ritwik Bhowmik as Radhe Rathod, a Hindustani Classical musician and Shreya Chaudhry as Tamanna Sharma, a pop singer, who hail from different worlds of music.
Exploring the debate of music being a discipline versus a means of liberation. The series also features Naseeruddin Shah, Sheeba Chaddha and Atul Kulkarni. The series was officially announced in February 2019.This is the actress’ second Best Actor award for the series Bandish Bandits Season 2. Recently, Shreya was seen in The Mehta Boys, directed by Boman Irani, starring alongside Avinash Tiwary. Shreya Chaudhry on winning IIFA award: It will help me get more good roles for me to shine | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
Abhishek Bachchan, a name synonymous with Bollywood royalty, has carved his own distinct path in the Indian film industry. From his lineage to his own filmography, here's a look at the life and career of this versatile actor.
Born into Bollywood Stardom
Born in 1976, Abhishek Bachchan comes from a legendary cinematic family. His father, Amitabh Bachchan, is one of the biggest stars in Indian cinema history, and his mother, Jaya Bachchan, is a respected actress. Despite this legacy, Abhishek has always strived to create his own identity in Bollywood.
Early Days: Finding His Footing
Abhishek Bachchan's acting career began in 2000 with the film "Refugee." While the movie did well commercially, the initial years of his career saw a mix of successes and failures. He persevered, showcasing his talent in diverse roles, from the intense portrayal of a conflicted youth in "Yuva" (2004) to the comedic charm in "Bunty Aur Babli" (2005).
Critical Acclaim and Commercial Success
Abhishek Bachchan's dedication paid off. He earned critical acclaim for his performances in films like "Sarkar" (2005), "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" (2006), and "Guru" (2007), receiving three consecutive Filmfare Awards for Best Supporting Actor.
He also achieved commercial success with films like the action franchise "Dhoom" (2004-2013) and comedies like "Dostana" (2008) and "Bol Bachchan" (2012). His production venture, the critically acclaimed "Paa" (2009), even earned him a National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.
Beyond Acting: A Multifaceted Talent
Abhishek Bachchan is not just an actor. He is a successful entrepreneur, co-owning the Pro Kabaddi League team Jaipur Pink Panthers. He's also a dedicated family man, married to actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan since 2007.
Kolkata, (IANS) Renowned Bollywood actor Mithun Chakraborty has reacted by conferring the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his contribution to the cinema.
Talking to the media persons, the ‘Disco Dancer’ fame actor said, “Once I was in Bombay. In Bombay, I didn't have food, I slept in the car and I was so scared after that, such a big honor, I have no one, I have no one and only I can say, I dedicate this award to my family and to the fans all over the world who bring a job in our country.”
“Almost, you can say that, 76 Many films I have done then second and third and, you know, my life has never been very smooth. I have to fight for everything, Everything. But, sometimes the result comes like this. Then you forget all this pain, you will, God has given life." Mithun concluded.
Veteran actress Jayaprada who has featured in many films with the ‘Gunda’ fame actor, expressed her joy. She said, “It’s a moment of pride for all of us in the film fraternity because Mithun da is a ‘mahanayak’. He has worked in many films across several languages.”
“For me, it’s extremely special that he is getting this honor because we are working together on two upcoming movies. We have completed ‘Rivaaz’ and the other film ‘Fauji’ as well in which I’m sharing the screen with Dada and Prabhas”. She concluded.
Mithun Chakraborty is set to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award as its 54th honoree. This prestigious award was established in 1969 to honor the legacy of Dadasaheb Phalke, widely regarded as the father of Indian cinema. Notable previous recipients include legendary actors and actresses like Prithviraj Kapoor, Vinod Khanna, Raj Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, BR Chopra, and Yash Chopra. Waheeda Rehman became the recipient of the prestigious award in 2021.
New Delhi: Actors Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon pose for photos during the promotion of their upcoming film 'Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya' in New Delhi on Thursday, Feb 01, 2024. (Photo: IANS/Anupam Gautam)
1st February 2024
Mumbai, February 1 (IANS) Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor, who is gearing up for his upcoming film ‘Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya’, has said that cinema should present stories that people in real life might not experience.
The actor said that the subject of his film might be something that hasn’t yet happened in real life but that, he confidently said, will connect with the audience.
New Delhi: Actress Kriti Sanon poses for photos during the promotion of her upcoming film 'Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya' in New Delhi on Thursday, Feb 01, 2024. (Photo: IANS/Anupam Gautam)
‘Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya’, which also stars Kriti Sanon, follows the story of a computer engineer, played by Shahid, who falls in love with a humanoid robot, played by Kriti.
Talking to the media on Thursday, Shahid said, “When ‘Mr. India’ was released, nobody in the audience thought of something like that but it did well, it’s one of our iconic films. We didn’t ask the makers that ‘this is not possible in real life, so we should not attempt telling a story like this’. One of the earlier blockbusters of Arnold Schwarzenegger is ‘Terminator’, the audience connected with it and that’s how it became a franchise. He also played a futuristic robot in the film.”
New Delhi, May 27 (IANS) Animal abuse has reached a crescendo, with many cases remaining unreported. Ardent animal lovers such as John Abraham, Sunny Leone, and Jacqueliene Fernandez have voiced their opinions and called for "stricter laws" to safeguard the four-legged friends.
From February to May, numerous cases of animal abuse have been reported, including running over animals, throwing them from great heights, starving, beating, and using them for entertainment.
The most recent case was reported from a society in Greater Noida, where a stray dog was thrown from the 15th floor of a residential tower. The remains were found outside the building by a resident on May 11.
Bollywood star John Abraham, who is a doting dad to his fur babies, Sia and Bailey, stated that the surge in “cruelty to animals deeply wounds our collective conscience.”
“It’s a stark reminder of the urgency to take action. Let’s unite in vigilance, reporting every instance of animal abuse and supporting grassroots organisations at the forefront of the fight for animal rights,” John told IANS.
Stricter laws must be implemented for the perpetrator, he said.
“Governments must not falter; they must implement stringent penalties to deter perpetrators and invest in comprehensive educational programmes to foster empathy and reverence for all life forms, and we all must do what we can to safeguard our community animals,” he said.
In India, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, outlines punishments for animal cruelty, including penalties such as a maximum fine of Rs 50 for convicted first-time offenders (although the IPC prescribes stronger punishments), according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). However, enforcement of these laws varies, as many cases go unreported.
Actress Sunny Leone said that the alarming rise in animal abuse cases is an affront to shared humanity.
“The government holds the key – it must enforce strict laws that leave no room for impunity. As individuals, we can each play our part by reporting any acts of cruelty to the police,” she told IANS.
Empathy should be taught to children at an early age.
“Children should be taught to be kind to animals to help them grow into adults who will be kind to everyone. Together, we can build a world where every animal is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve,” she said.
Jacqueliene Fernandez told IANS: “We, as individuals, have a great deal of power to create change by using our voices to stand up for animals by opening our doors to animals in need. The government must also prioritise animal protection by introducing legislation to safeguard animals and ensuring its robust enforcement to build a future where all members of our society, whatever the species, is able to live in peace."
Actress Raveena Tandon, who is vocal about animal rights, told IANS that, as a society, we must not turn a blind eye when animals are suffering at human hands.
“We must be vigilant neighbours, keeping a watchful eye and speaking out against any form of abuse. By reporting acts of cruelty, we send a clear message: animal abuse will not be tolerated,” she told IANS.
Raveena added: “Research shows that people who commit acts of cruelty to animals are often repeat offenders who move on to hurting others, including humans, so it’s imperative for the safety of all of society – humans and other animals alike – that perpetrators are caught and punished to the greatest extent of the law.”
On how to minimise abuse, Sachin Bangera from PETA India, said: “We collaborate closely with local enforcement agencies, offering rewards, registering first information reports, and mobilising our activist network to identify and apprehend those who hurt or neglect animals.”
Indian director Sanjay Leela Bhansali is known for his big-budget Bollywood production, featuring grand sets, star casts, meticulously choreographed dance sequences and lavish costumes, jewellery and furnishings. His new series for Netflix, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, lives up to these expectations.
Against this visually rich backdrop emerge the scheming, menacing and murderous courtesans of Heeramandi.
The series is set in Heeramandi, a historical red-light district of Lahore in present-day Pakistan. It unfolds against the backdrop of the Indian freedom struggle against British rule.
The show is an entanglement of plot lines – a murder investigation, a war of succession, a budding love story and a courtesan’s secret involvement in a rebellion against British rule.
Eventually, all characters and storylines converge around the central theme of anti-colonial nationalism. Driven by nationalist fervour, the courtesans call themselves “patriots” and willingly sacrifice their careers and lives for the country.
But who were the real courtesans?
Role models for female independence
The show takes creative liberties by distorting the lives and timelines of the historical courtesans.
The North Indian tawa’ifs (courtesans), or nautch-girls (dancing girls, as the British called them), were cultural idols, female intellectuals and entrepreneurs.
Dating back to ancient India, these women were trained in music, dance, fashion, poetry, repartee, etiquette, languages and literature from a young age. Typically following a system of matrilineal inheritance, courtesans passed down their professional knowledge and skills to talented daughters of the household.
Once trained, courtesans attracted patronage from royal courts, feudal aristocrats and colonial officers.
This unique class enjoyed privileges not afforded to most women in Indian society, such as education and personal income. They led glamorous lifestyles, wielded power and wealth, and paid taxes.
As independent professionals, they contributed to Indian arts and culture, travelled extensively, made connections with chosen kin and often embraced gender fluidity.
Their financial, political and sexual independence challenged patriarchal gender norms and restrictive Hindu moral laws that dictated the lives of women from upper-middle-class families.
Complicated relationships
In Heeramandi, the courtesans turn patriotic to avenge the British police officers for raping and killing the natives. While these actions are dramatic, the historical relationship between courtesans, the British empire and Indian nationalism was more complex.
The politically engaged Bibbojaan (Aditi Rao Hydari) mirrors Azizan Bai, a courtesan from Kanpur who is said to have financially supported the 1857 mutiny against the British East India Company.
While the mutiny was one of the most widespread anti-colonial revolts of the 19th century, Indian nationalism was not its primary aim, but a consequence. Azizan’s interest was in maintaining her patronage from the native rulers for her social and economic wellbeing.
After 1857, India’s governance shifted from the East India Company to the Crown, leading to the spread of British rule across India alongside Western education and Victorian morality. Meanwhile, nationalist leaders envisioned a nation as a pure land of sacred Hindu ancestors and valued chastity in women.
Both the imperial and nationalist ideals clashed with the courtesans’ sexual freedom.
In the 1890s, Hindu reformers and bourgeois nationalists joined Christian missionaries in organising anti-nautch campaigns that advocated boycotting them to “rescue” art and culture from perceived immorality. This led to the downfall of the courtesan class.
In Heeramandi, patronage diminishes and the women’s dreams of marriage fade. The courtesans shut down their salons, give up their careers and sacrifice their lives for the nation.
But historical courtesans were quick to reinvent themselves in the face of declining patronage and social stigma.
They turned to the power of modern technology. Gauhar Jaan, a famous courtesan, became a celebrated concert singer and gramophone artist, earning the title of “India’s Melba” in the international press.
In 1921, Gandhi asked Gauhar Jaan to perform for the Swaraj Fund. Aware of the ambiguous position courtesans held in nationalist discourse, she agreed on the condition that Gandhi attend her performance. When Gandhi failed to show up, she contributed only half of the raised amount to the cause.
Courtesans contributed significantly to the founding of the Indian film industry through their artistry, star power and capital investment. The first generation of female film stars came from courtesan backgrounds: Jaddan Bai, Kajjan Bai, Akhtaribai Faizabadi and Naseem Banu entered the industry as actors, singers, composers, directors and studio owners.
Later, some acted as managers and costume designers for their daughters, the emerging actors of the next generation.
By becoming modern-day artists, the courtesans preserved their art. They remained visible and relevant in a society that was increasingly obliterating women’s cultural contributions and diminishing their role as citizens in an emerging nation.
Patriarchal nationalism
In the show, a woman’s value is judged by her respectability, marital status and the presence of a male guardian controlling her sexuality. Courtesans refer to themselves as “birds in gilded cages” and dream of freedom from their courtesan lifestyle.
Heeramandi oversimplifies the multilayered persona of tawa’ifs. Netflix
Here, the courtesans’ nationalism resonates with present-day far-right Hindu nationalists, seemingly promising women empowerment in nationalism but, in reality, reserving only regressive roles for women.
Heeramandi oversimplifies the multilayered persona of tawa’ifs. The series portrays them as melancholic victims yearning for patriarchal married bliss, while remaining marginalised in respectable society. But these women should be remembered as celebrated figures filled with joie-de-vivre, gusto and spiritedness.
They should be honoured for their strategies of self-representation and processes of self-determination, as they turned resilience into a way of life.
Six promising new stars in 2024. Photo: Raindrop Media
Each year has its share of newcomers, and many of them also make a mark, regardless of whether they have film connections and bloodlines or not. Here’s looking at six new promising faces to watch for in 2024.
Ibrahim Ali Khan: Saif Ali Khan’s and Amrita Singh’s son and Sara Ali Khan’s brother, Ibrahim Ali Khan has been the talk of the town ever since his debut film was announced. Ibrahim is entering the glamorous world of cinema with Sarzameen, which is being directed by Boman Irani’s son Kayoze Irani and will also star Kajol.
Shanaya Kapoor: Sanjay Kapoor’s and Maheep Kapoor’s daughter Shanaya Kapoor makes heads turn with her looks. Shanaya is set to make a pan-Indian debut with Vrushabha and will be seen alongside Mohanlal. Shanaya is also starring in Karan Johar’s Bedhadak. It was in 2022 that she took to her social media handle to announce the film and also share her first look.
Ansh Duggal: Coming from a non-film background, Ansh Duggal is making his debut with Aanand L. Rai’s Nakhrewaalii. Directed by Rahul Shanklya, the movie is now in post-production.
Rasha Thadani: Internet sensation Rasha Thadani is actress Raveena Tandon Thadani’s daughter. She will be seen making her debut alongside Ajay Devgn and his nephew Aaman Devgan in an action adventure project directed by Abhishek Kapoor, who had launched names like Sara Ali Khan and Sushant Singh Rajput. Though the film is yet to be titled, it has raised the bar of anticipation among the audience a notch higher. According to reports, she will also be seen with Ram Charan in his next film, tentatively titled RC16.
Pragati Srivastava: Aanand L Rai chose to launch Pragati as a welcome addition to Hindi cinema’s new faces in and as Nakhrewaalii. Pragati enjoys a massive fan following on social media.
Pashmina Roshan: Hrithik Roshan’s cousin and composer Rajesh Roshan’s daughter, Pashmina Roshan, will be seen making her debut in the Ishq Vishq sequel titled Ishq Vishq Rebound. She will be seen alongside Rohit Saraf, Jibraan Khan and Naila Grewal. Six newcomers that promise to light up 2024
Shah Rukh Khan in Jawan. Photo: Trailer Video Grab
Business calculations for Indian cinema, especially Hindi cinema, have always been dicey propositions. And yet, some credibility can be hopefully given for neutral bodies that have their own (trustfully authentic and well-researched) figures let out. And Ormax is one such.
Ormax started in 1985 as a specialist Qualitative Research company, the first of its kind in India. Today Ormax has evolved into a full Consumer Knowledge firm that operates worldwide. It amalgamates decades of experience, knowledge and understanding with the latest concepts in research, bringing a holistic approach to understanding consumers and their relationship with brands.
They state, “It is important to appreciate that all our work is rooted in a direct interaction with the consumer through various research techniques. As, in today’s competitive environment, it is no longer enough to rely on intuition or gut feel alone. The real consumer is frequently (and dangerously), very different from what we think he or she is. An essential and distinctive aspect of our work is that we do not see ourselves as mere suppliers of data but get actively involved in strategy formulation and planning.”
As per their media release, reported by Bollywoodhungama.com, the gross collection figures of Indian cinema for the last nine years are as follows:
Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone in Pathaan. Photo: Yash Raj Films
India gross box-office in crore:
2015 – Rs. 8,315 cr.
2016 – Rs. 8,649 cr.
2017 – Rs. 9,630 cr.
2018 – Rs. 9,810 cr.
2019 – Rs. 10,948 cr.
2020 – Rs. 2,056 cr.
2021 – Rs. 3,772 cr.
2022 – Rs. 10,637 cr.
2023 – Rs. 12,226 cr.
A study:
The results clearly seem to show that Indian Cinema had its best year in 2023, belying the many prophets of doom, who had predicted that Cinema on big-screen as a community-viewing experience would be dead after the pandemic eased. Obviously, the figures had been alarmingly low during 2020, which saw the bulk of the lockdown, and even 2021, which saw a partial lifting in some parts of the country for short phases.
The point to note here are that these figures apply to Indian cinema and not Hindi alone, with the South chunk (especially Telugu, followed by Tamil) being huge as well, as those films frequently equal or often surpass all-India collections of Hindi cinema. Another fact: these are gross figures, which mean theatrical incomes, and so they do not take into account revenues from streaming and satellite rights et al or overseas collections, which may not be synchronous with Indian ones.
Also, no allowance is made for increased admission rates and the discrepancy between single-screens and multiplexes, small towns and metros and so on, apart from the omnipresent inflation.
However, what is more significant, relevant and important is that the value of Rs. 100 in 2015 was Rs. 150 in 2023 as per inflation calculators. And by those standards, the value of Rs, 8,315 crore then is equal to Rs. 12, 473 crore in 2023! And this, in the final analysis, means that recovery is almost complete but there is no actual improvement!!
Having said that, since 2015 itself, some South films and some Hindi films have shown mammoth collections. Wikipedia presents the following highest domestic earners in South films:
1 Bahubali 2: The Conclusion Rs.1,811 crore Telugu / 2017
16 Enthiran Rs. 320 crore Tamil / Way back in 2010
17 Kabali Rs. 305 crore Tamil / 2016
In Hindi cinema, sadly, the worldwide box-office figures are more readily available instead of Indian, and so we must consider the highest nett collections, which include the 500-crore club of Pathaan, Jawan, Gadar 2 and Animal (as reported in 2023), Bahubali2—The Conclusion, which collected Rs. 510 in Hindi alone in 2017, followed by Dangal, Tiger Zinda Hai, Sultan, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, PK, Sanju and Padmaavat, all of which netted above Rs. 300 crore between 2015 and 2019 and so had much higher Indian gross collections.
Quotes Bollywoodhungama, “These numbers (in 2023) were possible mainly as Hindi cinema bounced back with a bang. Shah Rukh Khan starrers Pathaan and Jawan, Sunny Deol starrer Gadar 2 and Ranbir Kapoor starrer Animal were huge blockbusters as their collections exceeded expectations. Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire was the biggest Telugu hit while Leo and Jailer were the biggest grossers in Tamil cinema. These 7 films contributed nearly 30 percent of the total domestic collections of all films of Indian cinema in 2023.”Last but not least, we sincerely hope that similar figures will be attained in 2024. As of now, Fighter is no longer proving a hit proposition. So we can only pray for a figure that is not just more but also higher considering the vital aspect of inflation. And that means a minimum Rs. 13,000 crore !2023 was best-ever year for Indian cinema
Mumbai, Oct 23 (IANS): Bollywood cut through generations to fete Team India, especially Virat Kohli, for the thriller of a Diwali-eve victory over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup on Sunday in Melbourne, Australia.
'The Kashmir Files' director Vivek Agnihotri expressed the mood of the country when he wrote on Twitter: "Congratulations Team India. @imVkohli is a King for a reason. Fire Crackers bursting all around. Double Diwali. Wow!"
Farhan Akhtar took Instagram with a picture of Virat Kohli kissing his personal talisman and the caption simply read: "What. A. Boss. @viratkolhi you absolute beauty."
Abhishek Bachchan, otherwise a big football fan, tweeted ecstatically: "YESSSSSS!!!!! Come onnnnn!!! INDIAAAAAAAAA #INDvPAK #T20WorldCup2022."
Sushmita Sen seems to have lost her voice from continuous cheering. Well, can't blame her, it was one hell of a game. The former Miss Universe and 'Aarya' star tweeted: "WHAT A GAME!!!! #Victory #INDIA #T20WorldCup2022 #INDvsPAK2022 Salute @imVkohli Have lost my voice screaming!!!"
Lyricist Javed Akhtar took to Twitter and wrote what many people felt today: "Virat tum ko saat khoon maaf, thank you so much. Jeetay raho (All your sins are forgiven, long live)."
Riteish Deshmukh reacted like a typical India fan: "Aaj toh hum World Cup hi jeet gaye @imVkohli Jai Hind (Today, we have won the World Cup. Jai Hind)."
Virat Kohli's standout knock of 82 runs in 53 balls has made him the toast of the nation.
India was chasing a target of 160 runs set by Pakistan, who batted first in the match. The Men in Blue lost four wickets with just 40 runs on the scoreboard. Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya then pulled off a partnership of 113 runs.Virat, who got emotional after the match, called the innings his best one in his T20 career. Source: https://www.daijiworld.com/
‘KGF’ actor Harish Roy, who played the role of Khasim Chacha in the movie, has been diagnosed with cancer. The actor recently revealed this information in an interview.
Harish said he noticed a small swelling in the throat about a year ago. However, he was not in a condition to undergo surgery at that time. “My children are very young and I was scared to undergo throat surgery. So, I wanted to finish the KGF movie. Then got a lot of fame and took a risk. but that cancer spread to my lungs and water accumulated in my lungs,” he told the interviewer.
Harish Roy often suffered from shortness of breath during the shooting of the movie ‘KGF’. He then tested and realized that he need to get treated quickly. But he did not have the money to get treatment in a private hospital. Later, on the advice of a friend, he started treatment at Kidwai Cancer Institute, Bangalore. But this did not improve his condition. The doctor said that he is in the “fourth stage” of cancer. Later, they started treating him again.
It is learned that the actor spends Rs 3 lakh on medicines every month. Besides, he has already undergone surgery once. “The doctor told me that it is possible to recover. After the treatment, I feel better than before,” he said.
Harish said that a star actor extended a helping hand to him. Not only this, many Kannada cinema actors and filmmakers have already pledged their support to him.
Harish Roy acted as Khasim Chacha in the ‘KGF’ movie series. The first movie of this series was released in 2018. ‘KGF 2’ was released this year. This movie earned 1000 crore rupees at the box office.DailyBangladesh/AS, ‘Source: https://www.daily-bangladesh.com
Versatile singer S P Balasubramanyam passed away in Chennai today after fighting health complications that followed an infection of Covid-19 and his admission to hospital in August. He was 74.
SPB breathe his last at 1:04 pm, hospital authorities in Chennai where he was admitted said.
The veteran singer was admitted to the hospital on 5 August after he tested positive for Covid-19. Although he was on ventilator as his health conditions were critical at the time, he had slowly started improving and had gained consciousness.
SPB fans had been pouring in 'get well soon' messages ever since the veteran singer was on a ventilator in August.
The hospital authorities suddenly issued an official statement today that his health deteriorated in the last 24 hours, calling it "extremely critical."
"Thiru SP Balasubrahmanyam remains on ECMO and other life support measures. His condition in the last 24 hours has deteriorated further warranting maximal life support and he is extremely critical. The team of experts at MGM Healthcare are closely monitoring his health condition," the hospital’s official statement read.
A versatile singer, SPB had sung over 40,000 songs covering 16 Indian languages and commanded a fan following across the nation.
Padma Bhushan SPB’s versatility can be gauged from the fact that despite no formal training in classical Carnatic music, the classical songs rendered by him in the Telugu film “Sankarabharanam” endeared him to all admirers of classical music.
SPB also composed music for around 45 films in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and Hindi.
Sripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam, who was born in a Telugu Brahmin family in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh on 4 June 1946, made his debut as a playback singer in 1966 with the Telugu film “Sri Sri Maryadha Ramanna.”
His father, late S P Sambamurthy, was a Harikatha artist who had also acted in plays. His mother was Sakunthalamma, who died on 4 February 2019.
SP Balasubrahmanyam is survived by wife Savitri Balasubrahmanyam, son SP Charan, daughter Pallavi Blasubramanyam.
Charan is a noted singer, actor and producer, who primarily works in Tamil cinema.
SPB has a brother Jagadish Babu and his sister SP Sailaja is a singer and actress. She has lent her voice in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam films. Till date, she has crooned about 6,000 songs.
While Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan are undergoing treatment for coronavirus, the BMC is tracking all those who came in contact with the family before they tested positive. In the last 14 days, 288 persons came in direct contact with the Bachchans, out of which 81 are at high risk while others are at low risk. Those at high risk have been tested for COVID-19 and the reports are negative, except for 14, whose reports are yet to come. The BMC War Room is continuously calling out those who came in contact with the Bachchans.
Both Abhishek and Amitabh are in the ICU backup room of the special A wing ward of Nanavati Hospital. A team of five doctors is treating the actors along with a team of specialist nurses, who are working in three shifts.
As per the latest information, Amitabh is doing fine now. Neither he has breathing issues nor fever. BMC team is constantly in touch with doctors, PRO and health teams of Nanavati Hospital.
As per SOP, the COVID-19 positive patients are tested again within 5-10 days after they are admitted to the hospital. As per information, Abhishek and Amitabh Bachchan’s second test will take place on the seventh day.
Under Maharashtra Government’s Chase The Virus drive, BMC’s Assistant Municipal Commissioner Vishwas Mote along with other officials met Amitabh and Abhishek’s managers and family members on July 12. As per information, 14 people from Sound and Vision Studio, where Abhishek was dubbing for his web series Breathe, have been tested. Their reports are yet to come.
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According to BMC’s list, 81 came in contact with Big B in the last 14 days, out of which 26 are under high risk. All of them have been tested COVID-19 negative. the BMC officials are taking constant health updates of the low-risk contacts.
Meanwhile, among 207 who came in contact with Abhishek Bachchan, 55 are at high risk. All of them have been tested except 14.
All the staffs and employees of Bachchans are in Janak, the bungalow of Bachchan family, which has now been converted into an isolation centre. The BMC is regularly sanitising all the four bungalows of the Bachchans.
On Saturday, Amitabh and Abhishek took to Twitter to confirm that they have been tested COVID-19 positive. On Sunday, Abhishek revealed that even Aishwarya and their daughter Aaradhya are also COVID-19 positives.Source: https://bangalorenewstoday.com/
Kolkata, (IANS) Renowned Bollywood actor Mithun Chakraborty has reacted by conferring the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his contribution to the cinema.
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