Bollywood+6stories

Big WillBig Will

 

To celebrate Women’s Day, Amitabh Bachchan — arguably India’s biggest star — has made the most important statement for gender equality. The actor tweeted an image which said, “When I die, the assets I shall leave behind, shall be shared equally between my daughter and my son #genderequality #WeAreEqual.” Big B has two children — actor Abhishek Bachchan and daughter Shweta Nanda. He captioned the picture as, “#WeAreEqual  … and #genderequality … the picture says it all !!”

The move has a lot of relevance in India where traditionally a father bequeaths his all to his sons. Despite courts coming to the aid of beleaguered daughters, the tradition continues as is. Taking to his blog, the actor seems to be talking about the image when he says, “The office of the public servants that promote various campaigns are keen for this  … and so I do it  … though talking about it and exhibiting its plea is hesitating for me.”

 

‘I am the best’

 

‘I am the best’

 

Vidyut Jamwal’s Commando was one of the unexpected hits of 2013. Not many trade pundits bet on Commando, but it turned out to be a sleeper hit. High-octane action and a new action hero on the block made it one of the most watched films on TV. He is now back with Commando 2 which features Adah Sharma with him.

 

But one can’t rely only on stunt scenes in Bollywood where romantic films still rule the roost. So, were his recent music videos with Huma Qureshi and Urvashi Rautela a conscious effort to also paint himself as a romantic hero? Pat comes the reply, “Every music video is a training ground. They teach you to romance, dance the ideal way.”

 

Refusing to comment on other action heroes in Bollywood, he says, “I already am the biggest action hero in Bollywood. Nobody can do what I can. If they can, they should show it, not just talk about it.”

 

 

Bholi Punjaban

Bholi Punjaban

 

Richa Chadha has wrapped up shooting for ‘Fukrey Returns’. “I feel blessed to have worked on this film… to have a character that’s so black that it’s lovable… to play a woman that’s empowered and hence memorable… true, it doesn’t fit into the neat little boxes, but who wants to live in a box anyway,” Richa said in a statement.

 

The film is a sequel to 2013 comedy film ‘Fukrey’. Directed by Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, the film also features Ali Fazal, Varun Sharma, Manjot Singh and Pulkit Samrat.

‘Fukrey Returns’ has been shot across various locations in New Delhi, South Africa and Mumbai.

Richa will reprise her role of Bholi Punjaban, one of the most beloved comic characters as the Delhi street don.

 

‘Mast’ Machine

 

 

‘Mast’ Machine

 

Kiara Advani, who made her debut in 2014 with the film Fugly and was last seen in M. S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, says people will find difficulty in any field in the initial years.

“I think no matter what field you choose there will be challenges and it will always be difficult initially to get your foothold, but personally I have enjoyed my journey (in Bollywood),” Kiara says.

 

Kiara will next be seen in Machine, a romantic thriller, which marks the debut of Mustafa, son of Abbas Burmawala from the popular director duo Abbas-Mustan.

The film features a revamped version of popular song “Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast” that starred Akshay Kumar and Raveena Tandon. While it was originally sung by Udit Narayan and Kavita Krishnamurthy, the new version has Neha Kakkar crooning the duet with Udit Narayan.

 

Comeback queen

 

Comeback queen

 

She had an impactful appearance with home production Mardaani (2014) when she impressed as the power-packed policewoman. Rani Mukerji then took time off for motherhood and is now all set for her onscreen return with Yash Raj Films’ Hichki, to be directed by Siddharth P Malhotra.

 

Rani will be seen in a positive and inspiring story about a woman who turns her biggest weakness into her biggest strength.

 

Speaking about the comeback, Rani said in a press statement, “I was looking for a script that would challenge and excite me, and Hichki came my way. Each of us has a weakness that pulls us back. It could be a disability or any condition but if we just look at it as simply a hiccup, we can emerge as a winner. It won’t come in the way of achieving our dreams. Hichki is built on this positive premise and I decided to take it up.”

 

Collateral benefit

 

Collateral benefit

 

With six films already in her kitty, Sayani Gupta feels blessed to have already shared screen space with commercially big names such as Shah Rukh Khan in Fan (2016), Akshay Kumar in Jolly LLB (2017) and Sidharth Malhotra and Katrina Kaif in Baar Baar Dekho (2016). Gupta says that working with such successful names helps new actors in expanding their reach.

 

The actress, who made her debut with Margarita with a Straw (2014) never expected to become an overnight sensation and get noticed by people. “Not everyone would know me from Margarita, but with Fan and Jolly LLB, the fan base definitely expanded,” she says. “If I was constantly doing smaller films, you wouldn’t want to know me. So, it wasn’t a conscious decision to choose different scripts. It just so happened that I got a chance to play these roles and these parts,” adds Gupta, who will feature in filmmaker Imtiaz Ali’s next.

 

*********

 

 

 

Exciting look

 

Ram Gopal Varma shared new posters of his upcoming film, Sarkar 3, and Bollywood is going gaga over the actors. Yami Gautam, who will be seen essaying a role with grey shades, had her Kaabil co-star Hrithik Roshan expressing his excitement. Wishing Yami luck on her next venture and sharing his anticipation, Hrithik tweeted, “Looking fantastic! @yamigautam can’t wait to see the other side of u.”

 

The actress replied by expressing her gratitude, “Haha! Thank youuuuuu! Can’t wait to show it to you as soon as it’s ready!”

 

Sarkar 3 is a political thriller starring Amitabh Bachchan, Amit Sadh, Manoj Bajpayee and Jackie Shroff among others. The film will hit the theatres on April 7.

 

**************

 

Family film

 

They were last seen together in a film seven years ago in Mani Ratnam’s ‘Raavan’ in 2010. Now, a magazine report suggests that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and her husband Abhishek Bachchan plan to come together for Anurag Kashyap’s next venture.

A Stardust report claimed that the couple has liked the script but is yet to give the final nod. It will be a rom-com to be directed by a newcomer and produced by Anurag Kashyap, the report further said.

Amitabh Bachchan may also feature in an important role in the film.

Aishwarya and Abhishek have worked together in Kuch Naa Kaho, Dhai Akshar Prem Ke, Guru, Umrao Jaan, Dhoom 2 and Sarkar Raj.

 

***********

 

Next big thing

 

Asked if she would be willing to dabble in different mediums, Huma Qureshi says, “I don’t think one should be a slave to one medium. Web series is really the next big thing.”

 

Huma Qureshi, known for her unconventional movies, says while she is particular about the project she signs, she is open to different genres. “As an actor, I don’t have an agenda. I don’t have to prove a point, I am not a bastion of a particular brand of cinema. I am doing what makes me happy,” she says.

Speaking about her approach to life and career Huma says, “My parents gave me a strong sense of entitlement. And I use that in a very good way. In my opinion, if you do something long enough, magic happens. Also, humari problem hai ki (our problem is), we live in an instant generation, we like instant things. But all the great things in life take time.”

 

Huma will be next seen in Viceroy’s House, which is helmed by Gurinder Chadha.

 

 

****

 

Language bar

 

Kareena Kapoor Khan has said she is not keen on doing films in the southern movie industry as she doesn’t understand the language.

When asked if she is willing to work in Tamil, Telugu or Malayalam films, the 36-year-old actress said, “I truly respect all south films – they have great content. I respect and admire them. There are great actors from Pawan, Rajinikanth sir to Mammooty sir.

“There is so much great work being done in Telugu or Malayalam films. I don’t understand the language and so I feel the connection will not be there. That’s the only problem,” Kareena told reporters.

She added, “Having said that one of the best films in my career was with a great director from south, Mani Ratnam. I got the opportunity to work with him and it’s great.”