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‘Jawan’: A 4-Year Journey Fuelled by Support and Dedication

As huge as the canvas of ‘Jawan’ is, it’s no surprise that it took 4 years to mount the film and also the fact that there was also the pandemic which greatly affected the entire human existence…reports Asian Lite News

Director Atlee, who continues his dream run at the box-office with his recent release ‘Jawan’, has shared what his first meeting with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan was like.

SRK, who has breathed new life into Bollywood with his second consecutive big hit in the form of ‘Jawan’ after ‘, plays dual roles in the Atlee directorial. Both the characters have a staggering mass appeal, the older version of SRK – Vikram Rathore, a bit more, and that’s exactly what SRK wanted to do in the film – to connect with the mass audience.

Atlee told IANS that as he met SRK, the Bollywood superstar told him that he wants to do an ‘Atlee film’, a phrase which left even the director himself confused, thinking what is his signature that SRK wants to tap into.

The director told : “SRK sir told me when we first met that ‘I want to do an ‘Atlee film’. I asked him, ‘Sir, what is an ‘Atlee film?’ He said, ‘Whatever you do, I want to be a part of that, don’t change the tonality of your storytelling or the way you present your stories. I want to be a part of a film which has your signature of a Mass director’.”

When SRK told him that the film will be completely his and will bear his signature, it made the job very easy for the director as he didn’t have to worry about the market dynamics and the stardom associated with it in Hindi cinema. And, Atlee can’t be more thankful, “I am blessed to have such an amazing team right from SRK sir, Nayanthara ma’am, Vijay Sethupathi, Deepika ma’am to everyone, they pushed me to my limits and got the best out of me.”

As huge as the canvas of ‘Jawan’ is, it’s no surprise that it took 4 years to mount the film and also the fact that there was also the pandemic which greatly affected the entire human existence.

How did he go about it with solid consistency? Atlee has the answer and it’s very simple yet critical – the support system.

The director shared with IANS: “I had a great support from my family, my wife Priya is my backbone. And the other person was of course Mr. Khan, he gave me the strength to fight all the challenges that we as a team encountered in the last 4 years during the making of this film.”

Before signing off, the director also hinted at a special OTT cut of his recent blockbuster release once it drops on the streaming medium.

“I am working on something to deliver a little extra for the OTT audience. It may happen or may not. But, I’m working on adding two or three minutes of something to what the audience is currently watching in the theatres. This will come in as a little surprise from me for the OTT audience,” he concluded.

‘Jawan’ is currently playing in theatres.

‘Jawan’ Charms Elderly Women at Guwahati Old Age Home

The magic of superstar Shah Rukh Khan-starrer ‘Jawan’ has spread all across the world, with people of all ages and gender going crazy for the actor.

Reportedly, SRK fans from Guwahati, Assam had organised a special show of ‘Jawan’ for elderly women from an old age home.

In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter) by Shah Rukh Khan Universe Fan Club account, old women were seen smiling and happily posing for the camera, after they watched the show of the action entertainer.

The post was captioned: “Women of all ages love SRK Just look at these smiling ladies from an Old Age Home in #Guwahati watching Jawan.”

On Sunday, SRK replied to the post, and wrote: “Thank u and big hug to each of them…. Glad I can bring a smile to their faces through my movies!!!! Guwahati, please convey my love and immense gratitude to them!!!”

In another post on X, SRK thanked the fans of Pune, Maharashtra, who watched the weekend show of ‘Jawan’ at the iconic Victory Theatre. He wrote: “Thank u Pune!!! Wishing u all health and happiness… hope you’ve had a great weekend with Jawan!!!”

‘Jawan’ stars Nayanthara, Vijay Sethupathi, Deepika Padukone, Priyamani and Sanya Malhotra. It was theatrically released on September 7.

Directed by Atlee, ‘Jawan’ features SRK in a dual role: Captain Vikram Rathore, an ex-commando; and Azad, the jailer of a woman’s prison.

The vigilante actioner ‘Jawan’ has crossed the box office collections of the year’s other big hits, Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel’s ‘Gadar 2’, in just nine days.

Having made a gross collection (including the 18 per cent GST) of Rs 21.90 crore and Rs 20.20 crore respectively on the eighth and ninth days, ‘Jawan’ has raked in Rs 696 crore worldwide.

SRK next has ‘Dunki’ in the pipeline.

ALSO READ-Jawan’ Dominates with 5,000 Screens

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SIIMA Awards: Tamil and Malayalam Stars in Spotlight

In Tamil, the biggest contest was between ‘Ponniyin Selvan: Part 1’ and ‘Rocketry: The Nambi Effect’ with the former winning by a narrow margin…reports Asian Lite News

The second night of the SIIMA (South Indian International Film Awards) saw the winners for Tamil and Malayalam cinema announced, with ‘Ponniyin Selvan: Part 1’, ‘Rocketry’ and ‘Vikram’ in Tamil, and ‘Bro Daddy’, ‘Nna Thaan Case Kodu’ and ‘Hridayam’ in Malayalam taking the spotlight.

In Tamil, director Mani Ratnam’s ‘Ponniyin Selvan: Part 1’ led the race with 10 nominations, followed by the Kamal Haasan-starrer ‘Vikram’ with nine. R. Madhavan’s ‘Rocketry’ nabbed the award for Best Leading Actor, while ‘PS1’ won the ultimate award for Best Film, narrowly inching out ‘Rocketry’, though Madhavan did win the award for Best Debutant Director.

In Malayalam, ‘Bheeshma Parvam’ led the race with eight nods, followed by ‘Thallumaala’ with seven, though the biggest award was nabbed by ‘Nna Thaan Case Kodu’, which won Best Film.

The race was a steep one in both categories, because much like the first night where Telugu and Kannada cinema had produced several critically and commercially acclaimed blockbusters, Tamil and Malayalam cinema did the same, so it was very hard to predict who would win the race, especially as the voting was done by a fan poll.

In Tamil, the biggest contest was between ‘Ponniyin Selvan: Part 1’ and ‘Rocketry: The Nambi Effect’ with the former winning by a narrow margin. In Malayalam, it was between ‘Bheeshma Parvam’, ‘Thallumaala’ and ‘Nna Thaan Case Kodu’, though ‘Thallumaala’ won Best Leading Actor.

SIIMA is an occasion to celebrate the artistry of South Indian cinema in the fields of direction, technical achievements, story writing and cinematography, as well as provide a platform to take South cinema to international audiences.

The event was being held at the Dubai Trade Centre, between the dates of 15-16 September, with the first night giving off the awards to Telugu and Kannada, and the second for Tamil and Malayalam.

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Bollywood Fashion Lite Blogs

Emulate Bollywood’s Traditional Outfits

Vidya Balan shared a picture of herself dressed up at home in a bright silk sari and traditional beauty look. She wore a mango yellow Kanjeevaram sari by Silk Mark India…reports Asian Lite News

Particularly for ladies, dressing up in magnificent traditional outfits is an essential component of the celebration. For those wishing to make a stunning impression on this Ganesh Chaturthi, let’s have a peek at Bollywood celebs’ adaptable outfit choices.

The festival is not complete for women unless they dress up in gorgeous traditional outfits. In order to provide some inspiration for those hoping to make a stunning impact this Ganesh Chaturthi, let’s take a peek at some of Bollywood celebs’ adaptable outfit choices.

Embrace the White Saree Magic like Alia Bhatt

We couldn’t take our eyes off Alia Bhatt in her white saree since she looked absolutely royal. She finished off her fashion statement by going makeup-free.

Get the Radiant Energy in Red by Aditi Rao Hydari

She is someone who can even make all colour work for every occasion. This red saree is quite beautiful as Aditi Rao Hydari accessorized simply with minimal makeup, wearing this lovely Straavi design with a half-sleeved blouse.

Mesmerize in a Blue saree just like Katrina Kaif!

You can never go wrong with an AnuSara by Anousshka organza saree, and Katrina Kaif is wearing one here while sporting a natural makeup look.

Embrace Vidya Balan’s Yellow Saree Look and Glow like a Diva!

Vidya Balan shared a picture of herself dressed up at home in a bright silk sari and traditional beauty look. She wore a mango yellow Kanjeevaram sari by Silk Mark India.

Deepika Padukone: Pretty in Pink

Deepika Padukone looked gorgeous while wearing a pink saree made of Banarasi silk. She appeared no less like royalty in the extravagant dress, complete with stunning neckpiece and sleek bun.

 Janhvi Kapoor

Janhvi Kapoor is able to turn on the charm like no other when she dons a saree. She posted lovely images of herself wearing a silk saree with floral designs in blue and gold. She wore a strappy blouse with a strappy back to go with her stunning drape.

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‘Salaar: Part 1 Ceasefire’ Postpones Release

The film, directed by Prashanth Neel of ‘K.G.F.’ fame is said to be moving at a brisk pace and is currently in its post-production stage…reports Asian Lite News

The makers of the upcoming Prabhas-starrer ‘Salaar: Part 1 Ceasefire’ have confirmed the film pushing its release date. The new release date however, is something that they haven’t yet locked.

On Wednesday, the producers of the highly anticipated film, Hombale Films took to social media to officially confirm the postponement of the film’s release date.

Taking to X (formerly called Twitter), they wrote in an official statement: “We deeply appreciate your unwavering support for #Salaar. With consideration, we must delay the original September 28 release due to unforeseen circumstances. Please understand this decision is made with care, as we’re committed to delivering an exceptional cinematic experience.”

They further mentioned in their statement: “Our team is working tirelessly to meet the highest standards. The new release date will be revealed in due course. Stay with us as we make the final touches on #SalaarCeaseFire and thank you for being a part of this incredible journey. #SalaarComingSoon. “

The film, directed by Prashanth Neel of ‘K.G.F.’ fame is said to be moving at a brisk pace and is currently in its post-production stage.

The film was earlier scheduled to release on September 28 but there were reports of it being pushed, capitalising on which, Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment, which has collaborated with Hombale on ‘K.G.F.’, decided to release their film ‘Fukrey 3’ on September 28. ‘Fukrey 3’ was earlier scheduled to release in December 2023. Now the film will clash with the Vivek Agnihotri directorial ‘The Vaccine War’ in theatres as ‘Jawan’ continues its dream run at the box-office and takes the film industry by storm.

ALSO READ-Arijit’s Musical Brilliance in ‘Rooh Jaga Doon’

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Nana Patekar Shines in ‘The Vaccine War’ Trailer

Nana Patekar then proceeds to tell everyone that  their job is only to work and prepare the vaccine, dealing with these media reports is not what they are supposed to do, and at such a critical time, people can only do what they can do…reports Asian Lite News

Director Vivek Agnihotri’s long awaited bio-science-drama film ‘The Vaccine War’ has finally released its trailer, and it is a very intense depiction of just how many difficulties the scientists  preparing the vaccine had to go through. Though, the biggest highlight of this trailer is Nana Patekar, who steals the spotlight.

The trailer depicts, in a stylistically very intense way, the great tension and danger that the doctors and scientists had to go through back in 2020, when the whole nation was under siege by an unseen airborne enemy – the Covid-19 virus, all the while their own media was against them.

Nana Patekar, who is the chief medical scientist is shown enticing all his fellow scientists and doctors to get to work, calling the whole situation akin to a war, where they all are soldiers whose job is to obey command and do their duty.

Pallavi Joshi, who played a very antagonistic role in ‘The Kashmir Files’ is shown in a completely different light here, as she dons the guise of one of the female doctors, who is wondering who is spreading such an anti-India narrative, and why they are doing so, when everyone is at their lowest.

Nana Patekar then proceeds to tell everyone that  their job is only to work and prepare the vaccine, dealing with these media reports is not what they are supposed to do, and at such a critical time, people can only do what they can do.

The trailer also highlights the increasingly negative role a section of the media played during the preparation of the Covaxin by Bharat Biotech, saying that ‘India can’t do it’, and it won’t be able to inoculate 130 million people safely.

At the very end of the trailer, we see Anupam Kher who is wearing a mask himself and is asking Nana Patekar if the vaccine is being prepared, to which he says ‘It is sir. This is will be India’s first indigenously developed Covid-19 vaccine’.

Much like ‘Tashkent Files’ or ‘The Kashmir Files’, ‘The Vaccine War’ apart from presenting a dramatic version of a true story shows that many times, the enemy of the country are residing within the country itself.

The movie has already had some of its pre-release premieres in the United States and has received positive reception. Aiming to honour the actual scientists and the medical fraternity who put their lives on the line, ‘The Vaccine War’ will land in theatres on September 28, 2023 where it will clash with ‘Fukrey 3’.

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Arijit’s Musical Brilliance in ‘Rooh Jaga Doon’

The sound design features a very open room, which is very important as Arijit who is singing his heart out here, has his great vocals amplified by the texture of the whole design and soundscape…reports Asian Lite News

Singer Arijit Singh has released his latest song ‘Rooh Jaga Doon’, a mellifluous track laden with electronic influences, acoustic instrumentation and some ambient rock, talking about awakening an uninspired soul to life.

The music video of the six-minute track showcases his band playing inside the studio, producing the track and recording their samples, intercutting with scenes of the group listening to their recording, and horsing around on their instruments.

In this proper ambient rock song, Arijit Singh gives some of his finest vocal performances ever, high pitched and very soulful with complex instrumentation, featuring a somewhat progressive rock side of him with some technical instrumentation, and even a kind of jazzy guitar solo.

Apart from that, the track has an impeccable sense of melody, showing not just Arijit Singh, but his entire band’s great melodic sense, giving off a very heartfelt and somber feeling.

Though played with a somewhat dark ambience, the track is very positive in nature, with Arijit singing lyrics regarding healing broken wounds and moving past all the old hurts, and letting time take its course in making the scars fade and then go away.

The production is incredible here, the bass is highlighted very well while the rest of the instruments are also given their own space to shine, with all the electronic samples being perfectly audible.

The sound design features a very open room, which is very important as Arijit who is singing his heart out here, has his great vocals amplified by the texture of the whole design and soundscape.

It is a mainstream track that has elements of everything, ranging from pop, rock, showgazing, electronic and even a flair of some filmy music. A song for all, ‘Rooh Jaga Doon’ does its title justice and really awakens the soul.

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Jawan’ Dominates with 5,000 Screens

It is only expected to solidify its position at the box-office in coming days given that the film is running across almost 5,000 screens in India. On Sunday, a few theatres in Mumbai ran as high as 25 shows a day for ‘Jawan’…reports Asian Lite News

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and south superstar Nayanthara’s latest release ‘Jawan’ has unleashed a box-office Tsunami. The film, a vigilante action, has collected Rs 286.56  crore net in India in the first 4 days of its theatrical run.

The film, which also stars Vijay Sethupathi as the antagonist, released on September 7 and opened to a massive Rs 75 crore net in India, worldwide it grossed over Rs 150 crore on Day 1, as per film trade website Sacnilk.

The following day, on Friday, the film witnessed a 29.03 per cent drop in its collections as it earned Rs. 53.23 crore net in India (all languages).

But, with the weekend the film swung back in action as it raked in Rs 77.83 crore net and Rs 80.5 crore net on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

The weekend gave a huge boost to the film’s collections with additional collections coming in from the national capital due to the G20 shutdown as people flocked to theatres in the view of closure of shopping and food establishments.

The film, which marks director Atlee pan-India debut, collected Rs 384.69 crore worldwide in three days making it the third Bollywood film of 2023 to breach the Rs 300 crore mark after the Sunny Deol-starrer ‘Gadar 2’ and SRK’s earlier release from this year ‘Pathaan’.

It is only expected to solidify its position at the box-office in coming days given that the film is running across almost 5,000 screens in India. On Sunday, a few theatres in Mumbai ran as high as 25 shows a day for ‘Jawan’.

However, the major part of collections of the film are coming from north Indian states and the Hindi speaking audience. The Tamil audience has criticised the film because for them, it offers no novelty given that it’s a mixture of 40 odd Tamil films including Atlee’s own ‘Bigil’ and ‘Mersal’.

Some of the sequences in the film are exact copy paste, it even makes ostensible reference to Hollywood classics like ‘John Wick’ and also the Netflix series ‘Money Heist’ in certain places.

With ‘Gadar 2’ almost reaching the end of its theatrical run, ‘Jawan’ is expected to have a solo control over theatres across India and set the cash registers ringing further.

ALSO READ-Mission Raniganj’ Teaser Goes Viral with 40M Views

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Mission Raniganj’ Teaser Goes Viral with 40M Views

Helmed by National Award-winning filmmaker Tinu Suresh Desai, the film also features Kumund Mishra, Rajesh Sharma, Pavan Malhotra, Ravi Kishan, Dibyendu Bhattacharya and Varun Badola among many others…reports Asian Lite News

Pooja Entertainment, which is known for creating cutting edge and content driven cinema, has released the teaser of its upcoming film ‘Mission Raniganj – The Great Bharat Rescue’ which has gone viral on a global scale and fans are going gaga over the recreation of the era of 1989.

Akshay Kumar and Parineeti Chopra-starrer ‘Mission Raniganj: The Great Bharat Rescue’ has effortlessly created a global sensation, with a massive 40M views within 24-hours. The hashtag #MissionRaniganj has constantly been trending on Youtube and Twitter in the top 5 trends as the fans have not stopped talking about the teaser.

The film marks the third collaboration between Pooja Entertainment and Akshay Kumar. The coalmine rescue drama is inspired by a real life hero, the late Shri Jaswant Singh Gill, who played a vital role in rescuing miners trapped in a flooded coal mine in Raniganj in November 1989.

This remarkable mission is documented as one of the world’s most successful rescue operations against all odds.

Helmed by National Award-winning filmmaker Tinu Suresh Desai, the film also features Kumund Mishra, Rajesh Sharma, Pavan Malhotra, Ravi Kishan, Dibyendu Bhattacharya and Varun Badola among many others.

The teaser is packed with thrill, full of suspense, bravery, and the determination to overcome tough obstacles. Pooja Entertainment’s movies often remind us that real-life stories can be just as incredible as fiction and the teaser of the film promises to be one.

Additionally, with the recent release of the blockbuster ‘OMG 2’, Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar has yet again proved why he is considered a true icon of Indian cinema. He once again stands out for his discerning choice of roles that not only entertain but also enlighten.

Furthermore, the anticipation has surged as Akshay Kumar collaborates with Tinu Suresh Desai, who previously directed ‘Rustom’, a film that clinched the National Award.

Vashu Bhagnani Presents, A Pooja Entertainment Production – ‘Mission Raniganj,’ produced by the powerhouse team of Vashu Bhagnani, Jackky Bhagnani, Deepshikha Deshmukh, and Ajay Kapoor, this cinematic marvel is set to hit theatres on October 6, 2023.

ALSO READ-Jawan’ Shatters Opening Day Record, Surpasses ‘Pathaan’

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Alia Bhatt’s Ed-a-Mamma Joins Hands with Reliance Retail

Ed-a-Mamma continues to gain popularity and build the brand with innovative eco initiatives such as not using plastic buttons to repurposing waste fabric for hair-ties…reports Asian Lite News

Actor Alia Bhatt’s conscious clothing brand of kids and maternity-wear, Ed-a-Mamma, signs a joint venture with Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd. (RRVL) for a 51% majority stake. RRVL aims to take the brand on a dynamic growth trajectory by closely collaborating with founder Alia Bhatt and leveraging the management strength of its subsidiary Reliance Brands Limited to spearhead the business. This partnership also marks a significant step forward in promoting sustainable fashion for the younger generation.

Ed-a-Mamma founded by Alia in 2020 as an apparel brand for 2–12 year-olds, resonated deeply with both young parents and children through its emphasis on natural fabrics and nature themes all designed to inspire a love of nature among children. From its online debut to its offline presence in department stores, Ed-a-Mamma quickly established itself as a favored choice among discerning consumers.

In a significant stride last year, the brand expanded its range to include maternity-wear which was thoughtfully timed to coincide with Bhatt’s pregnancy which was soon followed-up with a line for infants and toddlers – further demonstrating the brand’s versatility.

Ed-a-Mamma continues to gain popularity and build the brand with innovative eco initiatives such as not using plastic buttons to repurposing waste fabric for hair-ties. The brand’s  commitment to nurturing a connection with nature is exemplified by its inclusion of seedballs with each garment which encourage kids and parents to interact to participate in building a green future.

“At Reliance, we have always admired brands that lead with a strong purpose and embody a unique design ethos exemplified perfectly by Ed-a-Mamma and its founder Alia Bhatt. With sustainability as its core proposition the brand has garnered acclaim for its meticulous attention to detail, using ethically sourced materials and eco-conscious production processes. This aligns seamlessly with Reliance Brands’ vision of fostering a more responsible future for the fashion industry.” said Isha Ambani, Director, Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd.

“Alia’s daughter and my twins are two weeks apart and we pretty much went through our pregnancies at the same time coincidentally wearing Ed-a-Mamma maternity, and now dressing our children in Ed-a-Mamma kidswear, which they love! So, this is special – The product, brand and the partnership are especially close to my heart.” added Isha Ambani on a personal note.

Speaking about the joint venture, Bhatt said “Isha and I found a wavelength as two new moms discussing what mothers want. I told her what we were already doing at Ed-a-Mamma and how there’s scope to do so much more. She said Reliance can bring strengths in everything from supply chain to retail to marketing. With this joint venture, we look forward to taking Ed-a-Mamma to many more kids and parents and continuing to inspire a love for nature through everything we do.”

The partnership will see the brand grow into new areas like personal care and baby furniture while retaining its core values of being child-friendly, parent-friendly, and planet-friendly. Also on the anvil is children’s story books and an animated series that will breathe life into the enchanting world of Ed-a-Mamma.

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Jawan’ Shatters Opening Day Record, Surpasses ‘Pathaan’

The year’s other big blockbuster, ‘Gadar 2’, starring Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel, netted Rs 40.1 crore on its opening day…reports Asian Lite News

Atlee’s ‘Jawan’ starring Shah Rukh Khan, Nayanthara and Vijay Sethupati has beaten the record of this year’s previous mega SRK-starrer, ‘Pathaan’, to notch up the highest-ever domestic opening day collection for a Hindi film.

Based on preliminary reports, which are bound to be revised as the day progresses, the trade website Sacnilk reports that the net earnings of ‘Jawan’ (that is, total ticket minus 18 per cent GST) added up to Rs 65 crore, a substantial Rs 10 crore more than ‘Pathaan’.

The year’s other big blockbuster, ‘Gadar 2’, starring Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel, netted Rs 40.1 crore on its opening day.

‘Jawan’ is also reported to have netted Rs 5 crore each from the Tamil and Telugu markets, making its pickings on the first day total up to Rs 75 crore.

According to Sacnilk, ‘Jawan’ drew an average 58.67 per cent occupancy across cinemas, with the evening and night shows showing a rapid pickup. The highest average occupancy, 81 per cent, was reported from Chennai, the home base of director Atlee as well as superstars Nayanthara and Vijay Sethupati. Hyderabad and Kolkata were not far behind; Delhi-NCR also reported a 60 per cent-plus average occupancy.

ALSO READ-The Moment Shah Rukh Khan Decided to Join ‘Jawan’