Bajpayee will next be seen playing a police officer named ACP Avinash, in the upcoming digital film “Silence… Can You Hear It”.
Some of the Bollywood stars including Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, and recently Alia Bhatt also tested positive for corona virus. As per the latest reports actor Manoj Bajpayee has tested positive for Covid-19. The actor is currently living under home quarantine and is on medication.
A statement issued by Bajpayee’s team reads: “Manoj Bajpayee has tested Covid positive after his director was infected with it. The shoot has stopped it will resume in couple of months.
“Manoj was shooting for the film ‘Despatch’ which is produced by Ronnie Screwvala. Manoj Bajpayee is on medication and recovering well. He is in self-quarantine at home and following all precautions. We wish him for super recovery.”
On the work front, Bajpayee will next be seen playing a polie officer named ACP Avinash, in the upcoming digital film “Silence… Can You Hear It”.
The mystery thriller film, also starring Prachi Desai, Arjun Mathur, Sahil Vaid, Vaquar, Barkha Singh, Shirish Sharma, Sohaila Kapoor, Amit Thakkar and Garima Yagnik, premieres on March 26 on Zee 5.
Commenting on the association, she says:”Oziva’s products and philosophy both come from the same school of thought; something I absolutely relate to.”…writes Puja Gupta.
Beauty queen Deepika Padukone is always conscious about her fitness and health. Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone believes that fitness is not just a person’s physical appearance, but a balance of mind, body and soul.
“I’ve always believed that fitness is far more than just one’s physical appearance. It is about balancing the mind, body and soul. It is about being fit physically, mentally and emotionally,” says Deepika.
“It is also about making better choices every day, which eventually allows us to become a better version of ourselves,” says the actress who has been roped as the ambassador of OZiva — a plant-based nutrition brand.
Commenting on the association, she says:”Oziva’s products and philosophy both come from the same school of thought; something I absolutely relate to.”
Deepika will be promoting the brand’s philosophy of ‘har tarah se a better you’ that aims to empower every individual’s journey to a fitter, healthier and better life with certified clean and plant-based nutrition.
Aarti Gill, Co-founder, OZiva says: “We started OZiva with the aim of touching millions of lives and enabling them to lead a healthier, fitter and better life with clean, plant-based nutrition. For us, it’s about creating a more inclusive and encouraging outlook towards overall well-being, by rewriting the traditional definition of fitness. We are extremely happy to have Deepika Padukone come on board on this journey with us and be a part of the OZiva family. She is the perfect embodiment of our values of striving to be better in every way and adopting a holistic approach towards overall health, physically and mentally.”
At least on the international women’s day, people showed interest to speak about the rights of women. Actress Urvashi Rautela feels every industry needs more representation of women, so that progressive change comes along.
On International Women’s Day, the actress said: “We need women’s representation that reflects all women and girls in all their diversity and abilities, and across all cultural, social, economic and political situations.
This is the only way we will get real societal change that incorporates women in decision-making as equals and benefits us all.”
“There is no force more powerful than a woman determined to rise,” she added.
Urvashi represented India in 2015 Miss Universe pageant and eventually entered the film industry. She will soon be seen in the web series “Inspector Avinash” starring Randeep Hooda in the title role.
In the series, the actress plays Poonam Mishra, wife of Randeep Hooda’s character Avinash.
I went to Maldives in September, then Dubai. I’ve made 6 or 7 trips to Bangalore, three trips to Delhi. For travel, I’ve done 18 COVID-19 tests so far…Bedi speaks with Siddhi Jain
Fitness is a secret mantra of most of Bollywood stars and they take great efforts to maintain it throughout the career. The Indian actor, fitness icon and entrepreneur Mandira Bedi said she is amazed to hear about women who are working hard, challenging norms, and gaining financial independence to become successful entrepreneurs supporting themselves and their families, against all odds.
“I believe women should choose to challenge every boundary and every obstacle that comes their way, that says they ‘can’t’ do something’,” Bedi, who recently became a host on Airbnb by putting up her Mud Island villa on the popular travel platform, said in a virtual panel discussion.
We spoke to Mandira Bedi about her journey of a new kind of hosting and her travel tales:
Q. Please tell us about your love for travel. When did you begin to travel first?
Bedi: The first time I travelled outside of India was I was after my 10th grade exams, my family and I went on a summer holiday. We did Europe and the United States. Then, once I got to be a part of this business, my travel increased a fair amount, more so after cricket when I started hosting events within and outside India. I’ve been blessed that my work has taken me to some amazing destinations. Wherever I have gone, I have managed to stay on for a couple of days and explore the city.
A lot of this exploration has happened solo because of work, but my family and I take a trip, if not two, in a year.
Passion for travel
Q. Is solo travel and revenue for self-discovery and introspection for you?
Bedi: Solo travel is the most amazing thing (laughs), because I wear many hats at home, and when I get to travel on my own it is quite liberating, uplifting. You’re not asking anybody ‘should we do this’ or ‘should we eat here’. Choices are your own and your discovery is your own.
Q. You are also an Airbnb host now. Can you tell us about that?
Bedi: Yes, this is a new experience. It has something to do with the lockdown also. So, my mum and I invested in the house about 15 years ago and we made it a shooting bungalow, which meant it was getting redone by different art directors. During the lockdown, I realised there is a beautiful house, just a drive away, and we don’t use it. I thought it could be used by the family as well. It required a massive overhaul. We put the last 6-7 months into it and now it’s finally ready. It’s a 4-bedroom beautiful villa with nice furniture, a little bit like my house and yet not.
Q. Are you excited to travel again?
Bedi: Yes, I’ve already started travelling again. I went to Maldives in September, then Dubai. I’ve made 6 or 7 trips to Bangalore, three trips to Delhi. For travel, I’ve done 18 COVID-19 tests so far. I have missed travel a great deal. We’re still not done with Covid-19. It’s still very much there. But we are in a better position to live with it.
Q. What’s your safety mantra while travelling?
Bedi: When you’re out and about, touch anything, but don’t touch your face.
She did it. If she can, everybody can. Lebanese-American celebrity Mia Khalifa strikes a mean pose in her latest Instagram picture.
Mia Khalifa
Learn from Mia. Shed your lockdown pounds. Mia strikes a pose in a cut-out mustard-coloured dress in, flaunting her tiny waist. She stands against the backdrop of a forest.
“Damn, I look mean,” she wrote as caption with a chick emoji. The image currently has over 770K likes.
Last month, Mia found herself in the line of fire among Indian social media users, for coming out in support of the ongoing farmers’ protest.
She had tweeted: “”What in the human rights violations is going on?! They cut the internet around New Delhi?! #FarmersProtest.”
Her tweet came after international pop sensation Rihanna and activist Greta Thunberg expressed concern over the issue.
British singer-songwriter Zayn Malik had slammed the Recording Academy and the Grammy awards, accusing them of being biased and corrupt, and ignoring those who dont stay in touch with them.
Malik joins a growing list of top artistes including The Weeknd and Drake who have aired similar views.
Zayn wrote on Twitter: “F*** the grammys and everyone associated. Unless you shake hands and send gifts, there’s no nomination considerations. Next year I’ll send you a basket of confectionary.”
A couple of hours later the 28-year-old singer explained that his rant was not about him, or his recently-released music, which did not qualify to be considered for this year’s nominations, but about every other musician who he felt has been ignored by the Grammys for similar reasons.
“My tweet was not personal or about eligibility but was about the need for inclusion and the lack of transparency of the nomination process and the space that creates and allows favouritism, racism, and networking politics to influence the voting process,” he explained.
Soon after the Grammy nominations were announced this year, Canadian singer The Weeknd called the awards “corrupt” and said that they owed an explanation to him and his fans, who were surprised that his last album “After Hours” was completely snubbed by the Recording Academy, despite the fact that one of its singles, “Blinding lights”, made the record of staying top song on the Billboard charts for an entire year.
Similarly, rapper-producer Drake had called out the Grammys right after The Weeknd’s rant, writing on social media that they didn’t matter “anymore”.
“I think we should stop allowing ourselves to be shocked every year by the disconnect between impactful music and these awards and just accept that what once was the highest form of recognition may no longer matter to the artists that exist now and the ones that come after. It’s like a relative you keep expecting to fix up but they just can’t change their ways,” Drake wrote.
Directed by American-Iranian filmmaker Ramin Bahrani and based on Aravind Adiga’s Man Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name, ‘White Tiger’ is a special movie for Indians. It have many ‘Indian’ connections. Actor Adarsh Gourav has been nominated in the Leading Actor category for his role in “The White Tiger” at the BAFTA Awards 2021. The British Academy of Film and Television Arts announced its list of nominees for the year on Tuesday, which includes a record breaking number of female directors.
This year also sees the most diverse set of nominations. Notable nominees include ones in the Leading Actress category for Radha Blank for “The Forty-Year-Old Version”, Maria Bakalova for “Borat Subsequent Film” and Dominique Fishback for “Judas And The Black Messiah”.
In the Leading Actor, Adarsh Gourav will compete with late actor Chadwick Boseman for “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and Anthony Hopkins for “The Father.”
“The White Tiger” also received nomination for Ramin Bahrani in the Best Adapted Screenplay category.
Here’s the list of the nominees at the upcoming BAFTA awards:
Best Film The Father The Mauritanian Nomadland Promising Young WomanThe Trial Of The Chicago 7
Leading Actress Bukky Bakray: Rocks Radha Blank: The Forty-Year-Old Version Vanessa Kirby: Pieces Of A Woman Frances McDormand: Nomadland Wunmi Mosaku: His House Alfred Woodard: Clemency
Leading Actor Riz Ahmed: Sound Of Metal Chadwick Boseman: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Adarsh Gourav: The White Tiger Anthony Hopkins: The Father Mads Mikkelsen: Another Round Tahar Rahim: The Mauritanian
Supporting Actress Niamh Algar: Calm With Horses Kosar Ali: Rocks Maria Bakalova: Borat Subsequent Moviefilm Dominique Fishback: Judas And The Black Messiah Ashley Madekwe: County Lines Yuh-Jung Youn: Minari
Supporting Actor Daniel Kaluuya: Judas And The Black Messiah Barry Keoghan: Calm With Horses Alan Kim: Minari Leslie Odom Jr.: One Night In Miami Clarke Peters: Da 5 Bloods Paul Raci: Sound Of Metal
Rising Star Bukky Bakray Conrad Khan Kingsley Ben-Adir Morfydd Clark Sope Dirisu
Outstanding British Film Calm With Horses The Dig The Father His House Limbo The Mauritanian Mogul Mowgli Promising Young Woman Rocks Saint Maud
Outstanding Debut By A British Writer, Director Or Producer His House Limbo Moffie Rocks Saint Maud
Film Not In The English Language Another Round Dear Comrades! Les Miserables Minari Quo Vadis, Aida?
Documentary Collective David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet The Dissident My Octopus Teacher The Social Dilemma
Animated Film Onward Soul Wolfwalkers
Director Another Round: Thomas Vinterberg Babyteeth: Shannon Murphy Minari: Lee Isaac Chung Nomadland: Chloe ZhaoQuo Vadis, Aida?: Jasmila Zbanic Rocks: Sarah Gavron
Original Screenplay Another Round: Tobias Lindholm, Thomas Vinterberg Mank: Jack Fincher Promising Young Woman: Emerald Fennell Rocks: Theresa Ikoko, Claire Wilson The Trial Of The Chicago 7: Aaron Sorkin
Adapted Screenplay The Dig: Moira Buffini The Father: Christopher Hampton, Florian Zeller The Mauritanian: Rory Haines, Sohrab Noshirvani, M.B. Traven Nomadland: Chloé Zhao The White Tiger: Ramin Bahrani
Original Score Mank: Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross Minari: Emile Mosseri News Of The World: James Newton Howard Promising Young Woman: Anthony Willis Soul: Jon Batiste, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross
Earlier, actress Shraddha Kapoor was roped in to essay the role of badminton ace Saina Nehwal in the biopic.
Biopics are special and challenging to actors always. Actress Parnieeti Chopra says the forthcoming sports biopic “Saina” was the challenge she was looking for because she was doing similar roles for a long time.
“I was looking for a challenge. The kind of films I was doing, they were more or less extensions of me, or perhaps what writers and directors thought of me. They were writing roles that were similar and I was choosing films that were similar. When this movie, Saina, came into my life, I was exactly looking for a film like this,” said Parineeti.
“I was looking for something to surprise everyone with. I was looking for something I was not known for. I am known as the happy girl-next-door type, but that is not me. I wanted to show the real me on the big-screen. A sports biopic about a person who is still playing and known as the crazy tigress on court is something I was looking for,” she said.
Earlier, actress Shraddha Kapoor was roped in to essay the role of badminton ace Saina Nehwal in the biopic. Shraddha reportedly dropped out owing to her health condition.
Talking about being trolled on social media after the teaser release, Parineeti said: “I have a different thought process. If I believe that someone is making a genuine point, I tend to agree with them. But when I know that someone is just heckling and saying stuff just to say stuff, I just ignore them.”
Parineeti claimed that her goal with the film was to make people understand and respect the game of badminton and its players in India. “We play galli cricket and badminton, and I thought to myself I can learn it within two to three days but that was not the case.
Then I realised that people who play badminton for India or internationally are altogether different than what we know. So, my personal goal with this film is for people to understand whatever the sport, do respect it. Badminton needs to be respected, because I don’t know any sport that is as hectic and difficult to play as badminton, though the players make it look easy,” she said.
“Saina” is directed by Amole Gupte and is set for a theatrical release on March 26.
Parineeti Chopra during Saina Trailer Launch in Mumbai. (Pictures Credit: Pallav Paliwal)
The central government is strictly observing the content of web series’ and interventions are directly coming in in the recent days.
The release date of the web series Kamathipura has been postponed to make certain changes, following the new guidelines of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry for OTT platforms. The series was supposed to release on March 8, but a new release date will be announced soon.
Actress Meera Chopra took to Twitter on Monday to announce the news. She said that the makers are ensuring they don’t “hurt anybody’s sentiments” and hence the changes are being made.
Meera shared a statement on Twitter: “Hey guys I am getting a lot of messages on the release of Kamathipura. I am sorry to say that the show has been pushed ahead for sometime. Disney hotstar being the responsible platform is adhering to the new I&B policies for OTT. As a team we don’t want to hurt anybody’s sentiments. After making those necessary changes we will come up with a new release date. Thanks.”
Apart from Meera, the Disney+ Hotstar series also features Kulbhushan Kharbanda and Tanuj Virwani, who will be seen essaying a negative role. The web series has been written and directed by Shravankumar Tiwari.
“KGF 2”, which stars Kannada actor Yash in the lead, will release in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi…writes Yashika Mathur.
Actress Raveena Tandon will soon be seen in the multilingual film “KGF 2”, and she says she has always loved doing films from other states, especially the southern part of India, which are rich in content.
“KGF 2”, which stars Kannada actor Yash in the lead, will release in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi.
Raveena has earlier been part of the Tamil film “Sadhu” (1994) and the Telugu film “Akasa Veedhilo” (2001) among others, and she talks about her love for pan-India films.
Raveena
“I have always enjoyed movies from South and enjoyed doing them. I love doing cinema from other states too. I do think that the South has always been very rich, technically as well as content wise and I have always enjoyed doing my Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada films,” she tells us.
“I am looking forward to doing much more work in Kannada cinema, in south cinema and cinema from pan India. It’s great to reach audiences of our country through this medium,” she adds.
In “KGF 2”, the actress will be seen essaying grey shades as Ramika Sen, a politician in power.
“I started making this shift (to grey shades) with ‘Aks’ and ‘Satta’ where my character was naive but eventually learnt the ropes. I never shied away because really there is so much to explore. People are afraid of being stereotyped but it never bothered me. Everyone has shared of white, grey and black in them as a human. No one is completely white. You just have to channel what is within you. It is a great thing to do. Especially with OTT platforms coming in, there is so much to do and explore,” says the actress, who will make her OTT debut with “Aranyak”.
