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Babil Shares Emotional Note On Irrfan

Irrfan Khan's son Babil: I hate realising everyday that you're gone
Irrfan Khan’s son Babil: I hate realising everyday that you’re gone

Babil Khan, elder son of late actor Irrfan Khan, has penned an emotional note for his father and said that he would give every cell in his presence to remember his skin.

Babil took to Instagram and shared a motley of pictures of his father Irrfan and him, working behind the camera.

He wrote: “I’m working Baba. You pushed through demons, up in your feelings, no one gets it, no? I’d give every cell in my presence to remember your skin, My spinal chord will rotate and my soul can implode, in a search to feel you close, I wish I would have known how it feels to end, so I can begin.”

“Why are you surprised? It’s the job of the Politician to choose to lie, and when I’m bleeding, I know, sleep is just death being shy. I pray for you, our farmers, in our self-illusiveness we thought we were better, I hope we can surrender. I hope we find a way. I miss you India. (No political comments please, this is not a political expression.)”

Irrfan’s son Babil shares throwback pics of ‘baba’.

Babil and his mother Sutapa Sikdar keep sharing memories of Irrfan on social media. The actor passed away in Mumbai on April 29 this year.

Irrfan was still under treatment when he returned to acting with “Angrezi Medium”, a follow-up to his 2017 hit, “Hindi Medium”.

Irrfan’s final film, incidentally, has also been Bollywood’s last release in the theatres for now, before the Covid-19 pandemic forced a total lockdown of the nation.

In “Angrezi Medium”, Irrfan played a small town father willing to go to any extent to fulfil his daughter’s dream of a foreign education, so much so that he lands in a hilarious mess.

Also Read-Legendary Singer Lataji @91

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Bollywood Films Lite Blogs

Sonu Sood opens Up On Entry Into Politics

Sonu Sood.
Sonu Sood.

Actor Sonu Sood, much in the limelight for the charity work he has been doing during the lockdown, especially in facilitating transport for migrant workers to their native places during the initial days (of the lockdown) is clear that entering politics is nowhere on the horizon for him.

“My hands are full as an actor. Besides that, I am doing a lot of charity work, which takes a lot of attention and time. So, politics just does not figure anywhere right now. Of course, I have no clue what destiny has in store for me after 10 years,” he told.

The idea of arranging transportation for migrants came to the actor while he was distributing food packets to migrants during the first few days of the lockdown. When he came across a family with kids who wanted food for 10 days as they were all set to walk to native Bengaluru, Sood told them that he would try getting permission for a transport so they do not have to walk.

“I could manage to send 350 people that time. That was the trigger point. I realised I could send back more people who were planning to walk in absence of any transportation. There was no looking back after that,” said Sood, who managed to arrange conveyance for thousands of people back to their homes everyday.

While he has been busy with social work all these months, scripts have been piling up on his table. And interestingly, the roles he is being offered now are mostly larger than life. “Yes, the whole perception has changed — the way people want to see and portray me. I can see the change and need to choose the right scripts, and something magical is bound to happen,” he smiled.

But the actor does not really seem to be in a hurry when it comes to movies. He has told his producers to give him some more time so he can concentrate on the charity work. “Believe me when I say it, the kind of unexplainable satisfaction that I am deriving from helping out people is much larger than the one that may come from being a part of a 100 crore film.”

No plans to enter politics: Actor Sonu Sood.

At present shooting for two movies down south and one with Yashraj — ‘Prithviraj’, for which he will commence shooting next week, Sood is now looking for more empathetic roles. “Ones that project that contributing towards greater good promises a lot of satisfaction,” he said.

Excited about the kind of content and treatment one gets to see on OTT platforms, Sood is waiting for the right story and role to become a part of the digital revolution.

“Some phenomenal work is being done.’ Story’ has assumed an altogether new avatar. I see a completely new vision emerging. These are exciting times and the audience is getting to explore completely new metaphors of entertainment. Obviously, this has also meant that writers, directors and actors are getting more work. I am so happy that the digital mediums have given a completely new dimension to audio-visual entertainment.”


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Bollywood Lite Blogs Music

Falu To Shed Light Of Hope

Falu Shah

Celebrated Grammy-nominated singer, Falu Shah, together with her Boston-based band ‘Karyshma’ has launched their latest collection ‘Someday’. An EP of traditional Indian classical, folk, and Sufi songs; these renditions of traditional Hindustani music celebrate the unity and oneness that is ‘India’, at a time of uncertainty and universal distress.

Falu, who is the band’s lead singer-songwriter, along with her other band members told. “The unprecedented times that we are currently going through – the bleakness – inspired us to bring back and spread love through ‘Someday’. In spite of the band residing on two different coasts, we didn’t want the geographical inconsistencies to get in the way of our inspiration.”

They added: “Creativity takes courage, and with this album our effort is to shed some light of hope during the current pandemic and bring a smile to the face of our beloved audience.”

“The songs you hear on this album represent my childhood memories when I resorted to music for solace and comfort. In 31 days across six different cities we, Falu and Karyshma, tried to capture that feeling. I hope you hear the voice of hope and calmness in this album,” shared Falu.

With ‘Someday’, the band reimagines South Asia’s musical traditions – from classical ragas to the 15th century song-and-dance stylings of thumri, and the ghazals of Sufi mystics dating back to the 7th century. Drawing from more recent times, the band reconstructs ‘Yara’ – a classic from Indian Cinema’s golden age.

In order to provide context to ‘Someday’, the band has also put together a visual which features footage of life and culture in India, interspersed with insights on the music of ‘Someday’, it is available to watch on YouTube. You can also catch it on Spotify and Apple Music.

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Bollywood Films Lite Blogs Music

Legendary Singer Lataji @91

Singer Lata Mangeshkar. (File Photo: IANS)
Singer Lata Mangeshkar. (File Photo: IANS)

Lata Mangeshkar turned 91 on Monday, and celebrities took to social media to greet the living legend.

Actress Kangana Ranaut tweeted: “Wishing legendary #LataMangeshkar ji a very Happy Birthday, some people do what they do with such single mindedness and absolute focus that they don’t only excel in their work but also become synonymous to what they do. Bowing down to one such glorious Karma Yogi.”

Singer Shankar Mahadevan called Lata Mangeshkar “Maa Saraswati”.

“Happiest Birthday Ma Saraswati ! Please bless us and keep blessing us musicians so that we work hard and strive for excellence !! Loads of love,” Mahadevan wrote on Instagram.

Mumbai: Singer Lata Mangeshkar during the Master Dinanath Mangeshkar Purashkar in Mumbai on April 24, 2017. (Photo: IANS)

Shreya Ghoshal posted throwback pictures of Lata Mangeshkar and wrote: “My pranaams to Swar Samragyi Ma Saraswati #LataMangeshkar ji on her 91st Birthday.”

Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar shared that he listens to Lata Mangeshkar’s songs almost every day. “Wishing a very Happy Birthday to @mangeshkarlata didi, the voice that touches every heart, Not a single day in my life goes without listening to your songs. May Lord Ganesh bless you with long and healthy life,” Bhandarkar tweeted.

“#HappyBirthdayLataMangeshkar,” wrote actor Riteish Deshmukh, wishing the melody queen in Marathi.

Mangeshkar started her career at the age of 13 with the song “Naachu ya gade, khelu saari, mani haus bhaari…” for Marathi film “Kiti Hasaal” (1942). The 1989 Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipient has sung in mpore than a thousand Hindi films and recorded in over 36 Indian and foreign languages. She has sung mainly in Hindi, Marathi, Bengali and Assamese.

Lata Mangeshkar turns 91: Sister Asha Bhosle shares unseen childhood memory

In 2001, she was awarded Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, and has so far been the recipient of three National Film Awards, besides numerous popular awards.

Her younger sister, playback icon Asha Bhosle, shared a slice of childhood memory on the occasion. Bhosle tweeted a black and white picture of the Mangeshkar sisters — Lata, Usha and Meena along with her.

“Birthday Greetings to Lata Didi who is 91 today. Remembering our childhood days through this picture where Didi can be seen seated left and Meena Tai and I are seen standing behind her,” she tweeted alomng with the picture, where Lata is seen sitting on a chair in a saree.

Wishes from celebrities continued pouring in all of Monday. “Everytime I hear your voice it brings out so many emotions. Lata didi, wishing you a healthy, safe and blessed year ahead,” Madhuri Dixit Nene wrote on Instagram Story.

“Happy birthday Lata didi,” Ayushmann Khurrana posted on Instagram Story, adding with his post a clip of Lata Mangeshkar’s evergreen hit “Piya tose naina laaga re”, from the 1965 film, “Guide”

PM Wishes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday conveyed birthday wishes to legendary playback singer Lata Mangeshkar, saying “I consider myself fortunate to have always received her affection and blessings”.

In a short telephonic conversation, the Prime Minister prayed for her long and healthy life. “Spoke to respected Lata Didi and conveyed birthday greetings to her. Praying for her long and healthy life. Lata Didi is a household name across the nation. I consider myself fortunate to have always received her affection and blessings,” the Prime Minister tweeted.

Lata Mangeshkar is one of the best-known and respected playback singers in the country.

Born on September 28, 1929, she has been awarded the Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan awards.

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Bollywood Lite Blogs

Saqib Feels Proud To Be Part Of ‘Crackdown’

Saqib Saleem: ‘Crackdown’ a tribute to unsung heroes of the nation.

Actor Saqib Saleem enjoys being a part of the digital entertainment world, and says his upcoming show web series, Crackdown, is a tribute to unsung heroes of the nation.

“‘Crackdown’ is like a tribute to the unsung heroes of the nation and I am so proud that I have been given an opportunity to headline a show like this. Apoorva (Lakhia) is a fantastic director and he made sure that our preparation for this show was top-notch, whether it was our physical fitness, costumes, or even the locations that we shot in,” Saqib said.

The espionage thriller marks the digital debut of director Apoorva Lakhia and also features Shriya Pilgaonkar, Iqbal Khan, Waluscha De Sousa, Rajesh Tailang and Ankur Bhatia.

Lakhia said: “Although this is my directorial debut for an OTT platform, the treatment of ‘Crackdown’ is exactly like a Bollywood blockbuster and I am sure the audience is going to love it as much as we enjoyed making it.”

The show, which will premiere on Voot Select on September 23, is about a covert operations wing that investigates smaller decoys to expose a grand conspiracy that threatens national security.

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Bollywood Lite Blogs Travel & Tourism

Celebs On Wanderlust Amid Covid

Tarun Khanna replaces Manav Gohil in Tenali Rama. (Photo: Natalia IANS)
Asha Negi

Sunday is World Tourism Day, and while the idea of travel for relaxation would seem like an impossible dream in the time of pandemic that we are going through, several actors shared how much they are craving to take off to their favourite locales.

Comedian-actress Bharti Singh wants to travel to Greece. “I miss travelling. I travelled during the New Year and returned on January 3. It’s been almost nine months since then. Itne me toh baby aa jata (a child would be born in this span of time). I really wanted to go to Greece and Ibiza,” she told IANS.

Asha Negi

Actress Devoleena Bhattacharjee, who wowed fans on “Bigg Boss 13”, had her plans chalked out, but had to cancel them owing to the Covid-19 scare.

“After ‘Bigg Boss’ I had to travel but I didn’t go anywhere because of the Covid scare. I could not even travel to my hometown in Assam,” Devoleena said.

Hoping to visit London soon, South star Nidhhi Agerwal eagerly awaits returning to the film set. “I definitely miss travelling, considering I travel so much for work. Eating on the streets — Oh God, I miss the experience! I would like to go back to shoot whenever things get better — can’t wait,” she wished.

“Pavitra Rishta” fame Asha Negi is an avid mountain lover, and she misses the fresh air of the mountains.

‘Aladdin’ star Siddharth Nigam

“I love the mountains. Last year, I celebrated my birthday in the mountains. I wanted to do the same this year but then Covid happened. I hope to get back to mountains soon,” Asha said.

Actor Siddharth Nigam, who is a part of “Aladdin: Naam Toh Suna Hoga”, would love to be in Dubai for a while. “I love going to new places, and I have been missing that a lot these days. I also have a few shoots scheduled out of India that have been put on hold. One of my favourite tourist destinations is Dubai. The last time I was there, it was on Independence Day. I was mesmerised by the fountain show that takes place near Burj Khalifa. That day, India’s flag lit up on Burj Khalifa and Shah Rukh Sir’s songs were played. It was an amazing experience that made my night,” he recalled.

For actor Tarun Khanna, nothing works like a few good days with friends in London.

Tarun Khanna ( IANS)

“I love travelling and I am glad I got projects where I would have to travel a lot, in and around India. I would love to travel as much as I can in this life. London is one of my most favourite places. I am in love with the city and places around it. There are a lot of beautiful villages outside of London and the only difference between the city and these villages is that there are no tall buildings in the villages, rest everything is same. Ipswich and Bath near London are the most breathtaking places,” he said.

“All of my childhood friends live in London and this one time we decided to meet up and go around the city. We went pub crawling, covered Bond Street, Oxford Street and Soho. It was a different experience and I really miss that,” Tarun added.


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Bollywood Films

Ayushmann Among The Most Influential List

Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana for #ProtectIndiasEngine.
Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana

Indian actor Ayushmann Khurrana is in the Time magazine list of 100 Most Influential People this year.

The National Award-winning Bollywood star is among five Indians who have made the prestigious list in 2020, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, London-based Indian origin doctor Ravindra Gupta who worked to find a cure for AIDS, and Bilkis Dadi, who was at the forefront of Shaheen Bagh protests in Delhi against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Ayushmann has been listed in the Artists category, which also includes Oscar-winning Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho, “Fleabag” creator and star Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Hollywood star Michael B. Jordan, besides pop music superstars Selena Gomez, J. Balvin and Jennifer Hudson.

Ayushmann Khurrana.

“I’m truly humbled with the recognition that Time has bestowed on me. As an artiste, I have only looked to contribute towards bringing a positive change in society through cinema and this moment is a huge validation of my belief system and my journey,” Ayushmann said.

“I have always believed that cinema has the power to bring about change by triggering the right conversations among people and society. Hopefully, through my content choices, I have been able to contribute towards my country and countrymen,” he added.

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Bollywood Lite Blogs Music

Sivamani- Big B Combo To Enthrall Music Lovers

Shivamani on Amitabh Bachchan singing his composition in 'Atkan Chatkan'.
Sivamani.

Renowned percussionist Shivamani made his debut as a film music director with the recent OTT release, Atkan Chatkan, and among his glittering line-up of playback singers was screen icon Amitabh Bachchan.

He says he could only think of Bachchan’s voice after composing the song “Daata shakti de” for the film, to bring alive the number’s spiritual, motivational and inspirational tone.

“I have to mention how the whole song happened and why Mr Bachchan sir. We wanted to create a song that goes beyond a religious song and be more of a spiritual, motivational, inspirational song. Especially the crisis that we have been through in the last few months, we need music that makes us stand up, motivate to fight and not give up. ‘Daata shakti de’ came from that thought,” the master percussionist told.

While composing, he thought of Amitabh Bachchan “because for so many decades, even right now, at this very moment, he is an inspiration for people across the country”.

Actor Amitabh Bachchan. (File Photo: IANS)

“To try my luck, I had a word with him and sent the song to him with a request if he would like to lend his voice,” he said, adding: “I cannot emphasise enough how lucky I felt that he heard the composition and very happily sung the song for us. He is a very good singer, I would say.”

“I would also like to mention that he did not charge any money! It was the same thing with Hariharan anna and Sonu Nigam ji (other leading singers who recorded for the film), because, again, they are also some of the greatest talents of the nation. But they were so generous with me that they lent their voice because they believed in the song and the story of the film,” Shivamani noted.

The song is written by Runaa Rizvii Shivamani who, incidentally, made her debut as a film lyricist with the number.

“This was my first written song, composed by Shivamani and sung by Amitabh Bachchan. I could not have asked for more. Initially, some prominent lyricist was supposed to write the song but since they were occupied and could not accommodate time, Shiv ji said why not me,” recalled Runaa.

She added: “Being a singer and coming from a musical family, I always had a flair of writing in Hindi and Urdu. But I am a vocalist, and had never written anything professionally. So I wasn’t sure. However, everything fell in place and the song came out right.”

The film is on a 12-year-old chai delivery boy named Guddu, whose passion is to observe, listen and create new sounds. Rising beyond his daily mundane life, he forms a band with three other street children.

Shivamani on Amitabh Bachchan singing his composition in ‘Atkan Chatkan’.

The film featured child pianist Lydian Nadhaswaram, who is also a protege of music maestro AR Rahman, who has presented the film.

Asked about his reunion with Rahman for the film, Shivamani replied: “Rahman is my brother, what do you mean by reuniting? We are always exchanging (ideas), and have never lost touch. Yes, the intention behind the film was to celebrate dreams. Most web series and shows online are very toxic in nature. He was very happy to watch the film, and that is why decided to present the film. Rahman met me when he was 10 years old, and I am just a couple of years elder to him. In a way, we have grown up as friends, together. He is family.”

“Atkan Chatkan” streams on Zee5.

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Bollywood Films Music

Benny Gives A Dose Of Positivity

Benny Dayal's new song reminds we are all rockstars of our lives.
Benny Dayal’s new song reminds we are all rockstars of our lives.

Singer Benny Dayal feels the world needs a dose of positivity, and he hopes his latest track Jee le does the trick.

For the song, Benny has collaborated with composer Raajeev V. Bhalla.

“When I was approached by Raajeev for this song, I was game to work with him immediately because I have personally been a fan of his music. Moreover, the world needs a dose of positivity and hope. We may not have everything right now but we all have something to be grateful for, so the song reminds you to focus on that, and to remember that we are all rockstars of our own lives,” Benny said.

To this, Bhalla added: “Benny and I thought the message of, ‘live in the moment, my friend, this is all we got.. Zindagi ka tu rockstar’, is much needed today. We cannot keep worrying all the time and even lose the joy we have right now. We must live big, shine bright and soar high, no matter what the lows.”

Benny Dayal’s new song reminds we are all rockstars of our lives.

For the video, singers Vishal Dadlani, Salim Merchant, Armaan Malik, Shalmali Kholgade, Armaan Malik, Aditya Narayan, Jonita Gandhi, Shilpa Rao, Aditi Singh Sharma, Divya Kumar, Shruti Pathak, Siddhart Mahadevan, Mihir Joshi, Arunaja, Kamakshi Khanna, Lisa Mishra, Nikita Gandhi, Sangeet/Anusha, Shashwat Singh, Saptak Chatterjee, and Shefali Alvarez also sent in self-recorded clips to share the uplifting message of the song.

Beishqi Galiyaan

Benny Dayal and Shefali Alvares have recorded a new romantic track.

Titled “Beishqi galiyaan”, the song is set around a boy who has given his lovergirl 13 flowers — 12 real and one fake, telling her that he will love her till the last one withers away.

“Shefali is an extremely talented artiste. It was a great experience working with her. This song is a love number that gives you all the ‘feels’ in the world,” gushed Benny.

Shefali was equally effusive in praise of her colleague, and super thrilled to finally get a chance to sing a love song with “one of my closest friends and fellow singer, Benny Dayal”.

Benny Dayal’s new song reminds we are all rockstars of our lives.

“I’m so happy as he decided to share his musicality with me on this song, which has been composed by Prateek Gandhi. This song is about love that has no boundaries, no thoughts, no expectations. It is just pure love,” she added.

She is happy with how the video turned out.

“This was shot during the lockdown directed by one of my oldest friends Kristy de Cunha. My video

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Bollywood Films

‘Sushant Made Me A Choreographer’

Sushant Singh Rajput.
Sushant Singh Rajput.

Choreographer Ganesh Hiwarkar recalls how his dear friend, late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, not only stopped him from committing suicide but also made sure his career as a dance teacher flourished in the city. He says Sushant gave him emotional, moral and financial support despite being a struggling actor and dancer at the time.

“This was in 2007. It was Sushant’s idea to make a brochure for my dance class. I did not have much knowledge about these things at that time. I would normally run my class with just five or six students. Sushant was associated with Shiamak Davar, and he told this was not the way. He told me I needed to advertise to get more students. He got Shiamak’s brochure and calendar and showed it to me, saying this is how branding needs to be done,” Ganesh told.

SSR’s wax statue sculptor hopes his effort contributes to #JusticeForSushant.

“Sushant not only gave me the idea for the brochure but created it, too. I still remember he sat on a computer all night looking for a suitable name for my dance class, brochure design and all that. The text was also planned by him — what to mention for kids, what to write to attract adult students. He also posed for the photographs that were printed in the brochure,” Ganesh added.

The choreographer went on to inform how the cost for his dance class brochure was also borne by his friend Sushant, who himself was a struggling actor and dancer at that time.

“The cost for the brochure was also borne by him. I come from a middle class family and could not afford to spend the amount at that time. It had cost him around Rs 15-20,000 I guess at that time. My fees at that time were 1000 rupees per student, one of them being Sushant. I had to survive on Rs 5000 in Mumbai, so I couldn’t dream of spending on stuff like brochures. He was struggling at that time, but did not think twice before spending the amount on my brochure. Not only did he save me from committing suicide but he also made sure I focus on my career as a dance teacher. That was Sushant,” Ganesh recalled.

He recalled: “Sushant would take me on his Splendour bike, around the city to meet people. That is how he helped me get a job as a dance teacher in Anupam Kher’s acting academy where I taught for some time.”

Sushant’s friend Ganesh Hiwarkar

Quizzed if he is satisfied with investigation in Sushant death case, Ganesh expressed: “These are very high level things, not that I understand a lot of it. Over the last two days, media is running after Kangana (Ranaut).”

Does that mean that media’s focus has shifted from Sushant? “Not that. Sushant’s news is also being shown. And Kangana has been supporting the case by talking about drugs and all that. I know that people are getting impatient and they want the agencies to come out with a solution quickly, but I understand that it cannot be done in haste. It is not a small matter. That is why they are taking time. But I strongly believe the truth will come out,” he said.