Bigg Boss 16: Salman Khan-hosted show gets circus-theme fantasy make-over; see inside photos of new house

Fans across the nation can't want to watch the premiere of India’s favourite reality show Colors' Bigg Boss Season 16 which promises an unprecedented dose of glamour and entertainment. After months of anticipation, the viewers are all set to witness the extravagant Bigg Boss house tonight. Here are the glimpses of the most coveted house styled in the vintage circus era with Bigg Boss as its ringmaster. The premiere will have India’s most loved and Dabangg host Salman Khan welcome the contestants with his signature charm.

You might have been to a circus as a kid, but have you ever wondered what it’s like to live in one? Nothing made us believe in magic quite like it. Much like the circuses we’ve seen, the Bigg Boss house encapsulates a world of fantasy where nothing is what it seems. The wonderland of a house is sure to wow the viewers and contestants with its dream-like opulence. With their knack for enlivening the flavour of the season, creative minds Omung Kumar B. and Vanita Omung Kumar have curated an exquisite fantasyland. This year, Bigg Boss is about to change the game and the house echoes that sentiment with a plethora of grand elements seeded into its décor. Let’s take a tour of this one-of-a-kind circus.

THE CIRCUS OF LIFE

Defying the convention of 15 years, this season the contestants will enter the house through a colourful tunnel that opens right into the living area. The contestants will get a 360-degree view of the majestic circus as soon as they enter. Detailed and intricate designs of the elements of the theme will be seen in every nook and corner of the house. The main garden area has been styled as the backyard of a circus. Its prime attractions are the grand sculpture of an attention-arresting horse made of a beautiful mirror mosaic, near the pool and especially curated poetry for the inmates. The bathrooms have been fashioned as tents in the backyard of the circus. Trading secrets has been an integral part of the game and the house has a glass cubicle area designated for the purpose. Two giant legs of Pinocchio rest above the cubicle and its feet serve as a seating area. Flamboyant and right out from the world of fantasy, the Bigg Boss house has an ornate mezzanine floor and a ‘maut ka kuaa’. The dining area is a vibrant carousel and the confession room is a circus wagon. From clowns to a carousel, the house has all the components of a circus.

A QUARTET OF COMFORT

For the first time, there will be four separate bedrooms and they will have a unique ambience and a certain set of amenities. Moving from the tradition of 15 seasons, this edition will spring an interesting twist with the bedrooms being ranked in a hierarchy of comfort. Gloomy and hell-like, the ‘Fire Room’ is a space of danger that will test the resilience of contestants. This room has low-lying beds, a common storage unit, and the least amount of comfort. In the ‘Black & White Room’ every element right from the floor, carpet, and table to the wall is in the shades of black and white. Straight out from a mimer’s world, this room has two sofas, two beds with storage, and a side table. Housing a private seating area, the ‘Cards Room’, has a mystifying vibe with large cards looming over its walls. A grand room called the ‘Vintage Room’, has velvet panelled beds, cushioned wall panels, an adorned mirror, the iconic eye of Bigg Boss, storage, washroom, fireplace, and many such luxurious fittings. ‘Captain Room’ is a huge and sumptuous space that has a jacuzzi, a huge and gorgeous bed, a private restroom, private seating, and many other comforts. How the housemates will earn these comforts along with the race for captaincy will be exciting to watch!

DINING AND DARING

This season, the kitchen has a grand carnival-like setup embellished with marquee tassels, elephant paintings, and everything that denotes the circus era. A visual treat, the dining area is designed as a massive carousel placed at the centre of the house. Every year, the confession room witnesses contestants in their vulnerable element, and for Season 16, it has been shaped into an elaborate circus wagon.

Speaking about designing the house, Art Director Omung Kumar B. and Production Designer Vanita Omung Kumar jointly said, “This season, the Bigg Boss house manifests into a circus for the first time. Growing up, many of us have seen how the circus captures the perfection and magic of human power and abilities. The theme is special for us because it symbolises overcoming barriers and hardships while entertaining the crowd. We love the world of La La Land and it reflects in the way we’ve designed our own space. We were happy to draw parallels from our favourite wonderland for the Bigg Boss house. Mirroring the flamboyant aesthetics that we treasure, the house has a few pieces of art and paintings hand painted by me (Omung Kumar B.). We’ve tried to bring out the world of fantasy, fun, sparkle, and magic with the interior of the house to revive the era of the vintage circus. We wish the contestants luck as they walk over tightropes, hang in balance, and put on a great show at the behest of the ultimate ringmaster BIGG BOSS.”

Watch the game change like never before! Bigg Boss 16 premieres tonight at 9:30 PM and thereafter airs Monday to Friday at 10:00 pm and Saturday-Sunday at 9:30 pm only on Colors and Voot.

ALSO READ: Bigg Boss 16: MyGlamm on board as official make-up partner for the reality show

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EXCLUSIVE: Atithi Bhooto Bhava star Jackie Shroff reveals his favourite Bollywood actor; watch here!

Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff has won millions of hearts for his unfiltered-yet-kind personality. With his powerful performances, the actor has made a name for himself. While he is teh favourite actor of many, do you know who is his favourite star? Well, in a fun rapid-fire round with Bollywood Hungama, Shroff revealed the name of his favourite.

Interestingly, the Hero actor was quick to say “Dev (Anand) Sahab” in his answer when asked to name his favourite actor in childhood. Later, the actor was asked to tell the name of his favourite actress from recent times. Though Shroff said that all of them are amazing, he praised Shraddha Kapoor for his acting as well as singing skills. 

Apart from participating in the rapid-fire round, the Aaina actor also opened up about the changing dynamics of the Hindi film industry. While recalling that he used to sign 12 films a year, he mentioned that nowadays actors get plenty of time as they sign only 2 films a year.  The actor spoke at length about his life, his stardom, and his son Tiger Shroff and more.

Coming back to the professional front of Shroff, the 65-year-old actor was last seen in Atithi Bhooto Bhava. The ZEE5 original film featured Scam 1992 fame Pratik Gandhi in the lead. The movie explores the journey of two love stories in different time zones and how Makhan Singh helps and guides Srikant in his relationship with Netra. Presented by PEN Studios, the Hardik Gajjar, directorial started streaming on the OTT platform on September 23, 2022.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Jackie Shroff reveals how he has remained rooted despite success – “200 sqft ki jagah mein rehne ka, potty ke liye line lagane ka, aur producers aapko sign karke jaane ka”

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Adipurush’s teaser to be launched at 7:11 pm on October 2 at Ayodhya by Prabhas, Kriti Sanon, Om Raut and Bhushan Kumar

Netizens and film industry woke up today with the launch of the grand poster of the much-awaited film Adipurush. It featured Prabhas and has enhanced the excitement for the grand first look and teaser launch event, which will take place in Ayodhya on Sunday, October 2.

The poster was unveiled by the makers of Adipurush today early in the morning, at 7:11 am. And now it has come to light that the teaser will also be released at the same time on October 2, but in the evening.

A source told Bollywood Hungama, “A grand event has been planned by the producers in the holy town of Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. It’ll be held at the banks of the river Sarayu. The event is expected to start at around 7:00 pm. At 7:11 pm, the teaser and first look will be unveiled to the media and audiences. The time adds up to 9, which the makers and the team of the film consider to be a lucky number.”

The source continued, “The media from Mumbai as well as from Delhi are expected to be flown to the holy city to witness one of the biggest and most special events of the year. The whole industry and trade are waiting to see the first look and promo of Adipurush with bated breath. The inside reports till now have been very promising due to which it is expected to break all box office records. The teaser will confirm this aspect.”

According to the official press release of the film, Adipurush is based on the epic Ramayana, showcasing the triumph of good over evil. This religious town in Uttar Pradesh is also the birthplace of Lord Ram, making the location much more relevant for this grand event. The poster, as well as the teaser, will reflect the scale of the film

Prabhas will be present at this event along with lead actress Kriti Sanon, director Om Raut and producer Bhushan Kumar. Adipurush also stars Saif Ali Khan, Sunny Singh and Vatsal Sheth. It will release in cinemas on January 12, 2023, in IMAX and 3D.

Also Read: Prabhas launches first teaser poster as he plays Lord Ram in Ramayana epic Adipurush, see photo

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Asha Parekh receives Dada Saheb Phalke Award at National Film Awards: ‘The recognition comes to me just one day before my 80th birthday’

Veteran actress Asha Parekh was conferred with the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award at the 68^th National Film Awards held at Vigyan Bhawan. The awards were delayed by a year due to the pandemic. The 79-year-old actress was honoured with the prestigious award by President Droupadi Murmu.

Asha Parekh said, “It is a huge honour to have received the Dada Saheb Phalke award. It makes me very grateful that the recognition comes to me just one day before my 80th birthday. This is the best honour I could get from the Government of India. I would like to thank the jury for the recognition that they have bestowed upon me, my long journey and fulfilling the journey in the film industry.” She is the recipient of the award for the year 2020.

She added, “Our film industry is the best place to be in. And I would like to suggest to the youngsters who are in this industry to have perseverance, determination, discipline, and to be grounded, and I congratulate all the awardees tonight.’

Last year, the Dada Saheb Phalke Award for the year 2019 was awarded to superstar Rajinikanth.

Known as one of the most popular and influential actresses of all time in Hindi cinema, Asha Parekh starred in several iconic movies like Teesri Manzil, Kati Patang, Caravan, Do Badan among others. The actress made her debut as a child artist in Bollywood with the 1952 film Aasmaan.

ALSO READ: Asha Parekh to be conferred with Dada Saheb Phalke Award at National Film Awards

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EXID’s Hani to star in coming of age series Fantasy Spot

South Korean singer actress Hani, member of female pop group EXID, is confirmed to star in new Coupang Play series titled Fantasy Spot. The drama is currently slated to premiere sometime later this year. According to Korean tabloid Soompi, Fantasy Spot will tell the story of women in their twenties who want to “live properly” and “feel properly.”

On September 30, Hani’s agency Sublime Artist Agency officially announced, “Actress Ahn Heeyeon [Hani’s given name] has been cast in Coupang Play’s series ‘Fantasy Spot.’”

The statement continued, “Following the wide variety of roles she’s played in her projects up until now, she is preparing to make yet another new and different transformation, so please give her lots of anticipation and love.”

Per the report, Hani will star as Son Hee Jae, a young, warm-hearted woman who wants to get to know and understand herself properly. When she unexpectedly winds up in charge of a podcast, she finds herself changing as she contemplates love once again. Fantasy Spot is currently slated to premiere before the end of 2022.

Also Read: Squid Game star Jung Ho Yeon becomes the first Korean actor to feature in TIME magazine’s TIME100 NEXT 2022 list

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Alia Bhatt opens up about her new range of maternity wear; reveals it’s a part of her apparel brand Ed-A-Mamma

Amidst the grand success of Brahmastra, new producer-entrepreneur Alia Bhatt has decided to add yet another feather to her cap. After launching the brand Ed-A-Mamma, which was solely dedicated to kids' wear, the mother-to-be has launched her collection of maternity wear. In a recent post shared by the actress, announcing the launch of her maternity wear, she mentioned that she modified her own clothes to be her maternity wear because she believes there isn’t enough explored when it comes to maternity fashion. At the recent Forbes event Tycoons of Tomorrow, where Alia Bhatt was one of the speakers, the actress spoke about launching this new collection.

In the recent Forbes event, Alia Bhatt opened up about her ‘investor’ side where she spoke about her entrepreneurial skills and what pushed her to start her maternity line. “What started off as a gap in my wardrobe turned out to be a whole maternity line,” she said. She also revealed that she was wearing her own maternity line at the event. “These are really comfy lounge pants. It’s Ed-A-Mamma, Maternity Wear. This was like a lounge set but the layer was not making any sense. It was looking like I was coming to the lounge like a Forbes event. So I paired it up with this blazer which is not mine. But that’s what I discovered! The maternity wear was all a certain style which was screaming maternity. I wanted to bring my own style into it which is what I did,” added the actress.

Speaking of her forthcoming films, Alia Bhatt is currently gearing up for the release of her Hollywood debut Heart of Stone where she co-stars an ensemble cast including Gal Gadot. She also has Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani with Ranveer Singh, in the pipeline. Coming to Ed-A-Mamma, the actress will be launching the new collection of maternity wear on October 1.

Also Read: Alia Bhatt gears up to launch a maternity wear line; recalls wearing flowy dresses to avoid unwanted “belly-touching”

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Alia Bhatt reveals the inspiration behind naming her brand Ed-A-Mamma

Not only known as an actress, but Alia Bhatt is also a producer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and investor. It is not just being on camera, the actress has also kicked off her production house and is the founder of the kids apparel brand Ed-A-Mamma. Speaking about the clothing line, and the uniqueness of its name, the Brahmastra actress had interesting anecdotes to share when she recently attended the Forbes event, Tycoons of Tomorrow.

Speaking about how Ed-A-Mamma came into being, Alia shared, “Actually, the way Ed-A-Mamma happened was a byproduct of a conversation we were having about me starting a clothing line of my own. And I was really not sure whether people really care about it. They come and watch my movies but just because I am starting a clothing line doesn’t mean they will come and buy it. So I asked my team to do a little bit of research and said okay, let’s find the gap in the market. Turns out there was a genuine gap as there was no strong homegrown Indian kids wear clothing brand. I wondered why not explore that. I did not have an idea of how much the gap was. When the process like researching and developing began, it was an eye opener.”

Further elaborating on choosing such a brand name, Alia said, “My cat’s name is Edward and I am his Mama. So, Ed-A-Mamma! Because at the end of the day, mothers are the ones that shop for their babies, at least most of the time! Fathers also do but still. At that point of time, I was also working on this children’s storybook of this young girl and her dog who go on these adventures. It was my way of nurturing this love in children for nature because that’s something I am very passionate about.”

“The awareness that we should have as people living on this planet is a responsibility that we should bring to the table. And the best way to cultivate that for the future is to instill those habits in a way that interests the child. So it started off with a story telling book and then it merged with the idea of an apparel brand for the kids. That’s where the idea of Ed-A-Mamma came from,” she concluded.

Also Read: Ayan Mukerji unveils teaser of original version of ‘Kesariya’ dance mix from Ranbir Kapoor-Alia Bhatt starrer Brahmastra

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Deepika Padukone recovers from health scare; heads to airport in sweater vest and blue jeans

Deepika Padukone frequently travels the globe due to her hectic schedule. She is rushing to catch flights, and we are rushing to keep up with her stylish airport wardrobe, which strikes the ideal mix between elegance and cool. When it comes to her airport appearances, the actor regularly goes above and beyond, giving us outfits that are jam-packed with the newest additions. She has been spotted wearing a variety of airport looks throughout the years with ease. She has worn anything, whether it is a little glitzy appearance, one that emanates elegance, or a carefree casual one. For those of you who have been following Deepika Padukone's fashion journey, it should come as no surprise that she understands how to create a style statement even while she is travelling. Deepika Padukone is a walking fashion statement every time she boards a flight.

Not every celeb outfit makes headlines. However, when Deepika Padukone does it, no one can stop her. She is the original fashion icon who never stops striking and giving. In relation to it, the actress was recently photographed by paparazzi at an airport. In the photos, Deepika is wearing a striped sweater vest over a black high-neck T-shirt and a pair of blue jeans. The actress kept her hair in a messy bun and accessorised with a chic arm candy, a pair of black combat boots, and a few more pieces. The starlet wore subtle makeup with eyebrows drawn and lips done with nude lipstick. The Bajirao Mastani star made a gorgeous entrance while wearing a face mask according to Covid-19 strict regulations, and afterwards removed it as she posed for photos while flashing a million-dollar smile.

Meanwhile, on professional front, Deepika was last seen in Shakun Batra’s Gehraiyaan. Next, the actress will be seen alongside Shah Rukh Khan and John Abraham in Sidharth Anand’s directorial Pathaan. Deepika also has Fighter with Hrithik Roshan. She will also feature in Nag Ashwin’s Project K with Prabhas, and the remake of The Intern, where she will share screen space with Amitabh Bachchan.

 

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Also Read: Ranveer Singh hints at doing a movie with Deepika Padukone soon; says, “There is a sweet surprise for everyone”

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25 James Bond films head to Prime Video ahead of 60th anniversary

As part of the 60th-anniversary celebration of the James Bond franchise, Prime Video unveiled the official posters and trailers of The Sound of 007, a Mat Whitecross-helmed feature documentary about the remarkable history of six decades of James Bond music that will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in 240 countries and territories worldwide from October 25. Prime members can also stream all 25 of the Bond franchise films on the service.

Additionally, following the live October 4 EON Productions and David Arnold-created charity concert at the Royal Albert Hall, Prime Video will globally stream an exclusive recording of the show—The Sound of 007: LIVE from the Royal Albert Hall. At the event, guest vocalists and a host of stars will perform iconic Bond themes.

The Sound of 007 was directed by BIFA- and BAFTA-nominee Mat Whitecross for Prime Video and MGM. The feature documentary pulls back the curtain on the remarkable history of six decades of James Bond music, taking viewers on a journey from Sean Connery’s Dr. No through to Daniel Craig’s final outing in No Time To Die. Produced by John Battsek at Ventureland, MGM, and EON Productions, the film charts the incredible history of the music, enthralling true tales behind the tunes and famous faces who have recorded some of the most beloved soundtracks in cinema.

The Sound of 007: LIVE from the Royal Albert Hall is an exclusive recording of the official charity concert at the Royal Albert Hall on October 4. Guest vocalists will join a lineup curated by five-time Bond composer David Arnold. The concert marks 60 years since the world premiere of Dr. No, the first 007 film, on October 5, 1962. Honoring the franchise’s long tradition of supporting charitable causes, the proceeds of The Sound of 007: LIVE from the Royal Albert Hall will benefit two music charities: Nordoff Robbins and The BRIT Trust. Following the concert, a custom Duesenberg guitar signed by Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli, David Arnold, and the artists will be auctioned online at Christie’s to raise additional funds for the music charities.

ALSO READ: James Bond producers look for next 007; say the new actor will have to commit for a decade

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25 James Bond films head to Prime Video ahead of 60th anniversary

As part of the 60th-anniversary celebration of the James Bond franchise, Prime Video unveiled the official posters and trailers of The Sound of 007, a Mat Whitecross-helmed feature documentary about the remarkable history of six decades of James Bond music that will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in 240 countries and territories worldwide from October 25. Prime members can also stream all 25 of the Bond franchise films on the service.

Additionally, following the live October 4 EON Productions and David Arnold-created charity concert at the Royal Albert Hall, Prime Video will globally stream an exclusive recording of the show—The Sound of 007: LIVE from the Royal Albert Hall. At the event, guest vocalists and a host of stars will perform iconic Bond themes.

The Sound of 007 was directed by BIFA- and BAFTA-nominee Mat Whitecross for Prime Video and MGM. The feature documentary pulls back the curtain on the remarkable history of six decades of James Bond music, taking viewers on a journey from Sean Connery’s Dr. No through to Daniel Craig’s final outing in No Time To Die. Produced by John Battsek at Ventureland, MGM, and EON Productions, the film charts the incredible history of the music, enthralling true tales behind the tunes and famous faces who have recorded some of the most beloved soundtracks in cinema.

The Sound of 007: LIVE from the Royal Albert Hall is an exclusive recording of the official charity concert at the Royal Albert Hall on October 4. Guest vocalists will join a lineup curated by five-time Bond composer David Arnold. The concert marks 60 years since the world premiere of Dr. No, the first 007 film, on October 5, 1962. Honoring the franchise’s long tradition of supporting charitable causes, the proceeds of The Sound of 007: LIVE from the Royal Albert Hall will benefit two music charities: Nordoff Robbins and The BRIT Trust. Following the concert, a custom Duesenberg guitar signed by Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli, David Arnold, and the artists will be auctioned online at Christie’s to raise additional funds for the music charities.

ALSO READ: James Bond producers look for next 007; say the new actor will have to commit for a decade

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Rohan Shrestha becomes the first Indian photographer to shoot American actor-comedian Kevin Hart, see photos

One of the prominent celebrity photographers in India, Rohan Shrestha makes a stunning entry into the international photography space as he becomes the first-ever Indian celebrity photographer to shoot none other than Hollywood actor and comedian, Kevin Hart. Being well acknowledged in the industry for his white t-shirt series and black background portraits, Rohan released a few B&W portraits from his recent photo shoot with Hart that they shot recently in Abu Dhabi on his Instagram.

While having worked with the likes of Kareena Kapoor Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt, Ranveer Singh, Sara Ali Khan, etc, Rohan has established quite the name for himself in the Indian Industry and now, has expanded his portfolio globally by collaborating with Kevin Hart.

Commenting on this, Celebrity photographer Rohan Shrestha stated, “Kevin Hart is someone I have been watching since my days of studying in New York in 2012-13. Having the opportunity to work with him is a very big deal in my career and something that I am eternally grateful for. Rushing from the airport directly to the photoshoot in Abu Dhabi was worth it all. I broke the ice because I do watch a lot of American sports and he is huge into American sports as well, especially NFL, so we just started talking about that and it just flowed from there.”

 

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Talking about the shooting experience, Rohan also said, “We did a separate white background shoot and a black background shoot. Being known for black background shoots, it was a pretty quick one! The beauty of this is that these are the moments that nobody can take away from me. As a photographer, it is like frozen in time. It just gives me that high as well that I am working in the right direction!”

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Saif Ali Khan and Hrithik Roshan starrer Vikram Vedha sees wide release across 5640 screens worldwide

The highly anticipated Vikram Vedha, Hindi remake of Tamil film with the same name, has finally hit theatres today. The film, which was originally headlined by R Madhavan and Vijay Sethupathi, stars Saif Ali Khan and Hrithik Roshan in the lead roles. The action-packed thriller has been one of the most awaited remakes of the year. With the film releasing in over 100 countries, the screen count details are out.

The film has the largest international distribution for a Hindi film, with a record-breaking 100+ countries worldwide. Apart from the major markets like North America, the U.K., the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand, the film has been released in 22 countries across Europe, 27 countries in Africa and non-traditional countries like Japan, Russia, Israel and Latin American nations such as Panama and Peru. Vikram Vedha’s final screen count is 4007 in India and 1633 in 104 countries. The film has been released on over 5640 screens worldwide today.

Vikram Vedha is an action-thriller written & directed by Pushkar-Gayatri. The story is full of twists and turns, as a tough cop Vikram (Saif Ali Khan) sets out to track and chase a dreaded gangster Vedha (Hrithik Roshan).

Vikram Vedha is presented by Gulshan Kumar, T-Series and Reliance Entertainment in association with Friday Filmworks & Jio Studios and a YNOT Studios Production. The film is directed by Pushkar & Gayatri and produced by Bhushan Kumar & S. Sashikanth and Reliance Entertainment. Vikram Vedha released on the big screens globally on September 30, 2022.

ALSO READ: Hrithik Roshan’s ex-wife Sussanne Khan reviews Vikram Vedha; says it is 'one of my favourite movies ever'

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Dia Mirza backs Greendigo as a strategic investor and brand ambassador

Greendigo, a three-year-old brand focussing on offering organic clothing options for babies has partnered with actor Dia Mirza. Mom, actress, producer, social worker, and long-time champion for sustainability, Dia Mirza, managed by Exceed Entertainment, has chosen to back Greendigo as the brand echoes deeply with her own eco-friendly and conscious lifestyle.

The actor has stepped in as Strategic Investor and Brand Ambassador for the female-founded, sustainability-driven, baby clothing brand. She and her team at Exceed Entertainment strongly believe that the future of our little ones is directly dependent on the choices that we as parents make today. Staying true to the belief, the team together has set out on a mission to partner with like-minded businesses that can affect changes at multiple levels under Dia’s tutelage and allegiance to a safer and healthier environment. Greendigo, an SDGs-compliant business is a very effective and logical chapter in her already existing eco-sphere of sustainable businesses.
Greendigo combines practical designs with organic materials and sustainable processes to create one-of-a-kind garments that are loved by children and adults alike, all whilst ensuring a zero-carbon footprint.

Mirza joins the Greendigo family as a parent first, an advocate second, and an investor third, with the primary goal of bringing alive the company’s powerful and heartfelt purpose to a broader audience.

“We’re thrilled to have Dia on board in a multi-pronged capacity,” says Barkha Bhatnagar Das, Cofounder, Greendigo. “We have a clear and focused vision, which is to make organic kids clothing a norm rather than an exception. With someone as relatable and honest as Dia, we have no doubt that our message will hit home.”
With this partnership, Greendigo hopes to create awareness about the harmful effects of toxic chemicals that are found in conventional baby clothing.

Greendigo hopes to leverage Mirza’s wide and diverse platform to push for a switch to organic, specifically clothing and nursery essentials that focus on comfort, quality, safety, functionality and aesthetics.
“There’s nothing more important to us than the comfort and safety of babies. So, we spend a lot of time understanding the unique challenges that new parents face,” explains Meghna Kishore, co-founder, Greendigo.

Being a new mom and speaking about the strategic partnership, she said, “What I love most about Greendigo is the fact that it speaks to the parent and the planetarian in me. As a mom to a year-old baby boy, I’ve become deeply protective of all nature’s creations. Hence, supporting a brand that safeguards the well-being of all forms of life, couldn’t make me happier. The fact that the brand walks the talk when it comes to sustainable practices resonated with me 100% - be it their internationally certified products, plastic-free packaging, zero carbon emission operations or alignment with all 17 UN SDGs.”

It’s safe to say that this union is a natural extension of both parties, Mirza and the Co-founders, beliefs and values. This also throws light on the growing baby wear segment and the potential this industry has.

ALSO READ: Dia Mirza is epitome of elegance in black satin shirt, brocade trousers as she attends Global Spa Awards 2022

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Alia Bhatt shares this special post from Ranbir Kapoor’s 40th birthday celebration

Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor, who are gearing up for parenthood, celebrated the 40th birthday of the Brahmastra actor in a low-key ceremony with family and close ones at his Vaastu residence in Bandra, a day ago. The birthday celebrations were attended by friends Karan Johar, Ayan Mukerji, Rohit Dhawan, Luv Ranjan, among others, and mother Neetu Kapoor. Followed by that, his actress-wife took to social media to share a special post on her hubby’s special day.

Alia Bhatt took to Instagram to share a photo from the birthday celebrations. The photo featured Ranbir Kapoor in a bearded avatar posing in a white kurta, as he is surrounded by multi-colored balloons. He is pointing towards a banner that reads, ‘Cheers To Forty Years’.  Sharing the photo on social media, Alia wished her husband in the caption saying, “happy 40 baby” along with heart emojis. Followed by her post, many fans and followers posted birthday wishes for their favourite star.

 

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Later that day, Ranbir Kapoor also interacted with fans outside his residence. The actor requested the paparazzi to make way for his fans to meet and greet him while he was sitting in his car. The star also cut the cake they had got for him as the crowd sang ‘happy birthday’ for the actor. Some of them also warmly greeted Alia Bhatt who was sitting in the car, next to him.

 

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On the work front, Ranbir Kapoor was last seen in Brahmastra with Alia Bhatt. The actor will next be seen in Sandeep Vanga’s Animal alongside Rashmika Mandanna. Besides that, he will also be seen in Luv Ranjan’s untitled film with Shraddha Kapoor.

Also Read: Alia Bhatt: “Ranbir Kapoor is the best listener, he is extremely understanding..” | Birthday Special

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Samantha Ruth Prabhu takes Hindi dialect training for Indian adaptation of Russo Brothers' Citadel

Samantha Ruth Prabhu has always won the audiences over with her presence on-screen and it all comes from her dedication to her craft. The actress is leaving no stone unturned in her preparation for Citadel.

According to a source, "For her upcoming project, Citadel and a few others too, Samantha has been taking Hindi dialect training for a while. She is working with a very reputed dialect coach and tutor, who has previously trained the best of the best in the industry."

Citadel, produced by Russo Brothers, will have an Indian version starring Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu in the lead roles. It will be directed by director duo Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK. The American series stars Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden and is expected to air in 2023.

On the work front, Samantha Ruth Prabhu has an exciting slate of projects ahead including Citadel, Shaakuntalam, Kushi, and Yashoda.

ALSO READ: Samantha Ruth Prabhu begins training with experts for Citadel in US; following a strict fitness regime

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Koffee With Karan 7: Karan Johar denies being partial towards Janhvi Kapoor and grilling Sara Ali Khan; explains the unaired rapid-fire goof-up

Koffee With Karan season 7 came to an end with last week’s episode featuring Gauri Khan, Bhavana Pandey and Maheep Kapoor. Following that, a special episode premiered on Thursday morning. The special guests were social media stars Tanmay Bhat, Kusha Kapila, Danish Sait and Niharika NM. The four of them pointed out the fact that he was indeed partial towards Janhvi Kapoor in the second episode starring Sara Ali Khan.

Niharika NM mentioned how Karan Johar kept calling Janhvi Kapoor ‘hot’ in the episode but grilled Sara Ali Khan for being from a broken home. “As somebody who was raised by a single parent, I would’ve cried. That poor girl was so strong,” said Danish Sait. Kusha said, “And there were comments made about who’s hotter, who’s frugal with money, who’s going to get the next Dharma project.”

Sara Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor appeared in the second episode of the season. Karan went on to reveal why it may have seemed like he was partial. He said that it was the first episode shot for the season and that there was a technical glitch, which resulted in Janhvi winning the hamper for the rapid-fire round. But, when he was informed about the glitch, it was revealed that it was Sara who had won it. He said that he was trying to overcompensate by praising Janhvi. While there was a mistake that happened, it didn’t air during the episode. He said, “I love Sara, she’s also working with us—two feature films. We started our season shooting the Sara-Janhvi episode. He revealed there was a technical error after the rapid-fire round which showed Janhvi as the winner. Janhvi was so happy, and five minutes later we had to say it was a mistake. I felt so guilty that I started calling her hot, and that entire part was cut, and it came across that I was just being partial.”

Meanwhile, Janhvi Kapoor will next star in Mr and Mrs. Mahi and Bawaal. On the other hand, Sara Ali Khan will be starring in Gaslight and Laxman Utekar’s next.

ALSO READ: Koffee With Karan 7: Karan Johar admits even Alia Bhatt has asked to stop mentioning her on the show: “You can never take my name ever again”

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Koffee With Karan 7: Karan Johar admits even Alia Bhatt has asked to stop mentioning her on the show: “You can never take my name ever again”

Koffee With Karan season 7 came to an end with last week’s episode featuring Gauri Khan, Bhavana Pandey and Maheep Kapoor. Following that, a special episode premiered on Thursday at midnight to talk about the show, the criticism and the best moments. The special guests were social media stars Tanmay Bhat, Kusha Kapila, Danish Sait and Niharika NM. The four of them grilled him on several topics including the one namedropping Alia Bhatt issue.

In the episode, Karan asked the guests, “First thing, they say I talk a lot about Alia Bhatt, do I?” While Kusha said, "There is chatter online", Tanmay joked, "Listen Karan, she's pregnant. You got a new person to launch, we get it."

A surprised Karan shouted back, "Oh no, that's not why." He said, "I have to be very aware because honestly Alia and I had a chat about this. She's like, 'Karan, I don't want to sound ungrateful but you have to stop talking about me'. I'm like okay it has come from the horse's mouth herself so I've to shut the f*** up about it."

Karan also said, "I even wore a jacket the other day that said 'Italia' and everyone just said I had Alia written on it. I have reached a point where I'm wearing a jacket by her name." Danish Sait compared Karan mentioning Alia’s name with the situation in Brahmastra where Alia calls Shiva’s name several times. He said, “I watched Brahmastra and it in Alia Bhatt keeps screaming 'Shiva... Shiva..' The equivalent of that on television is you saying Alia.” To which, Karan said, "Alia is really lovely. Nothing related to her and I bring her name up. I get it."

Kusha said, "A lot of times her name is also mentioned because you want to know who's the top actor or actress in the country. We know the name you want to hear. Who do you think it is and why do you think it's Alia Bhatt?" Karan, once again, laughed and responded by saying, "I really think it's Alia Bhatt but I shouldn't say anymore. If I say anymore then I'm making this entire discussion counterproductive. Okay, let's swear on Instagram, shall we? (Keeping his hand on his phone) I promise from here on Koffee With Karan I will keep Alia Bhatt's mentions to a bare minimum."

Later, Karan Johar called Alia Bhatt to inform her that she and Ranveer Singh had won the Koffee With Karan 7 Best Episode Award. He also told her how the four of them trolled him for namedropping Alia Bhatt in every other episode. Alia said, "Even I told you that." The actress added, "Basically you can never take my name ever again. You have to swear, never ever. Just say mean things about me from now on." Karan suggested they should have a fight on Twitter. Alia replied, "Let's have a fallout."

Meanwhile, Alia Bhatt will next star in Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani with Ranveer Singh.

ALSO READ: Karan Johar opens up about ‘Marvel-ous’ universe of Astras; says, “Each astra can be a franchise in itself”

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Arrest warrant issued against Ekta Kapoor in connection to XXX season 2 series for insulting soldiers & hurting sentiments

A court in Bihar issued arrest warrants against producer Ekta Kapoor and her mother Shobha Kapoor on the charges of insulting soldiers and hurting the sentiments of their family members in her ALT Balaji web series XXX season 2. A complaint was filed by a resident and ex-servicemen from Begusarai, Shambhu Kumar. The court of judge Vikas Kumar issued the arrest warrants.

"The series was aired on ALTBalaji, an OTT platform owned by Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms Ltd. Shobha Kapoor is also associated with Balaji Telefilms," said Hrishikesh Pathak, the advocate of Shambhu Kumar, as reported by NDTV.

He added, "The court had issued summons to them (Kapoors) and asked them to appear before it in connection with the matter. They (Kapoors), however, informed the court that certain scenes in the series were removed after the objection. But they did not appear before the court following which the warrant was issued against them."

In the 2020 complaint, Shambhu Kumar alleged that the web series XXX season 2 had several objectionable scenes related to the wife of the soldier.

XXX is a web series directed by Ken Ghosh (season 1) for the ALT Balaji platform owned by Ekta Kapoor. The series stars Kyra Dutt, Aparnaa Bajpai, Rithvik Dhanjani, Shantanu Maheshwari, Ankit Gera, Pryanca Talukdar and Aparna Sharma. Season 2 was directed by Akshay Choubey.

ALSO READ: Goodbye Trailer Launch: Amitabh Bachchan praises Ekta Kapoor: ‘I have seen her growing up since her childhood and to work with her is an honour

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Ayan Mukerji reveals he wanted to do a bear sequence like the lavish animal sequence in RRR; confessed he couldn’t do it due to budget constraints

Brahmastra has gone on to roar at the box office with the film receiving a lot of appreciation from fans and viewers. Despite the low phase in Bollywood, the fantasy adventure bringing together real-life couple Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt together for the first time, has been doing good business at the box office. While expectations are riding high not just for Part One but also for the upcoming two parts of the trilogy, Ayan Mukerji has asserted that the next parts will be academically inclined towards Indian mythology rather than human emotions. Recalling his experience of shooting for Part One, the filmmaker revealed that he had to comprise on shots due to budget constraints including a scene that was eventually incorporated in the SS Rajamouli film RRR.

Reminiscing about one such incident, Ayan Mukerji revealed during FICCI 2022, that he had planned a bear sequence quite similar to the one showcased in RRR featuring Junior NTR. However, he couldn’t achieve what SS Rajamouli could, because of budget restrictions. Speaking about the kind of compromises he had to make during Brahmastra, Ayan said during a media interaction, “I think there is no life or relationship without compromise. Even in Brahmastra, there were many times when I had thought of something but couldn’t do it that way or there were times when we hoped we could do it but were not able to. Let me tell you something interesting. In RRR, there is this interval sequence where all the animals jump out, which is an incredible sequence. That sequence is done by Namit’s company as well. A few years ago, I had thought of such an incredible sequence with a bear in Brahmastra. But due to budget constraints, we had to cut the bear out of part one but it was a great sequence. Now in RRR, they managed to put the sequence with a lot of other animals. Even now, when I meet Namit I ask him about how he made me compromise on the bear sequence. So you do compromise but still, try to do your best.”

 

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Speaking of Brahmastra, the film features Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt in lead roles along with Amitabh Bachchan, Nagarjuna, and Mouni Roy in pivotal roles. It released on September 9 in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. On the other hand, RRR, directed by SS Rajamouli starring Ram Charan, Junior NTR, along with Alia Bhatt released on March 24.

Also Read: Ranbir Kapoor & Pritam: A ‘musical’ duo delivering chartbuster hits

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Song Joong Ki, Shin Hyun Been and Lee Sung Min drama now titled Reborn Rich

South Korean superstar Song Joong Ki is set to appear in the lead role in the upcoming series Reborn Rich, earlier titled The Conglomerate. The network JTBC confirmed the ensemble cast of the upcoming K-drama, which is one of the highly anticipated shows of the year.

Song Joong Ki will star in the role of the rich family’s secretary who is reborn as the family’s youngest son Yoon Hyun Woo. His character dies “after being framed for embezzlement by the Sunyang Group family that he had remained loyal to.” He is reborn as the family’s youngest son Jin Do Joon and decided to take revenge after taking over the company.

As per Korean media portal Soompi, Lee Sung Min will essay the role of head of Sunyang Group, Jin Yang Chul. After spending his growing years in poverty, he works up his way to become the top businessman in the financial world and has become competitive and harsh with greed for money. Shin Hyun Been will be seen in the role of anti-corruption investigation prosecutor Seo Min Young who hails from a prestigious legal family. She has a nickname “Sunyang Group’s grim reaper,” and will “approach the boundaries of legality if it is for the sake of serving justice.”

On Wednesday, apart from the lead stars, an array of ensemble cast members were announced. Yoon Je Moon will play the role of Jin Yang Chul’s oldest son Jin Young Ki; Kim Jung Nam will take on the part of Son Jung Rae, Jin Young Ki’s wife. Jo Han Chul will essay the role of Jin Yang Chul’s second eldest son Jin Dong Ki. Seo Jae Hee will be playing Jin Dong Ki’s wife Yoo Ji Na.

Kim Young Jae is confirmed to play Song Joong Ki’s character Jin Do Joon’s father and Jin Yang Chul’s third son Jin Yoon Ki. Jung Hye Young will be playing former top celebrity and Jin Do Joon’s mother Lee Hae In. Kim Hyun will take on the role of Yang Chul’s wife Lee Pil Ok.

Kim Shin Rok is also cast in the series as Jin Yang Chul’s daughter Jin Hwa Young; Kim Do Hyun will play Jin Hwa Young’s husband Choi Chang Je; Park Hyuk Kwon will play Jin Do Joon’s partner Oh Se Hyun whereas Kim Nam Hee will essay the role of Sunyang Group’s heir Jin Sung Joon. Park Ji Hyun will take on the role of Mo Hyun Min. Girls’ Generation’s Tiffany will also be part of the series and play the role of Rachel, Oh Se Hyun’s right hand.

The production team said in a statement, as per translation by Korean media portal Soompi, “Reborn Rich is a life-reset story of one man who is at death’s door but revives as the youngest son of a chaebol family in 1987. It is a project taking place in a special fantasy world with retro [vibes]. None of the characters are ordinary, and they each have their own greed and narrative. The relationships of these carefully woven characters on top of a time of upheaval will deliver enjoyment [to viewers] that is on another level.”

The series is based on the hit novel “Reborn Rich”. The series will premiere on November 19, 2022 and will air until January 8, 2023, taking the Saturday and Sunday primetime slots on the JTBC network.

ALSO READ: Vincenzo star Song Joong Ki to headline upcoming K-drama The Conglomerate which is set for November 2022 premiere; see first look

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Ryan Reynolds announces Deadpool 3 coming in 2024; Hugh Jackman to return as Wolverine

It’s official. Deadpool 3 starring Ryan Reynolds is set for a 2024 release in theatres. Not only is the actor returning with the role, but he also brings along Hugh Jackman with him. The Wolverine star is set to reprise the iconic character, who died in the 2017 film Logan. The announcement was made on Tuesday.

“Hey everyone, we’re extremely sad to have missed D23, but we’ve been working very hard on the next Deadpool film for a good long while now,” Reynolds says in a hilarious announcement video, referencing the D23 Expo which took place in Anaheim in California in early September. “I’ve had to really search my soul on this one. His first appearance in the MCU obviously needs to feel special. We need to stay true to the character, and find new depth, motivation, and meaning. Every Deadpool needs to stand out and stand apart. It’s been an incredible challenge that has forced me to reach down deep inside. And I…I have nothing. Yeah, just completely empty up here. And terrifying. But we did have one idea.”

Hard keeping my mouth sewn shut about this one. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/OdV7JmAkEu

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) September 27, 2022

“Hey, Hugh, you want to play Wolverine one more time?” Reynolds asks as Hugh Jackman walks by in the background, confirming his return as the iconic character. “Yeah, sure, Ryan,” the Wolverine actor responds. The hilarious video ends with ‘I Will Always Love; by Whitney Houston with captions such as “I will always love Hugh” — and a “Coming Hugh” teaser. Towards the end of the video, we see the logo of Deadpool appear on the screen followed by Wolverine’s adamantium claws.

Shawn Levy, who has worked with Ryan Reynolds on Free Guy and The Adam Project, is on board to direct the third installment of Deadpool. With this project, the franchise joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe officially following Disney’s purchase of 20th Century Fox. The script will be penned by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, who previously wrote the first two installments. The film will remain R-rated as per earlier reports.

ALSO READ: Blake Lively calls out paparazzi stationed following her fourth pregnancy; shares pics with Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Swift: ‘Leave me alone; you freak me and my kids out’

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EXCLUSIVE: Is it POSSIBLE to make a film like OMG Oh My God in today’s times? Director Umesh Shukla gives an interesting answer on the 10th anniversary of the Akshay Kumar-starrer

10 years ago, moviegoers got entertained as well as enlightened like never before with OMG Oh My God. Starring Paresh Rawal in the lead and Akshay Kumar in a supporting role, this courtroom drama is about an atheist who sues God. It released on September 28 with minimal hype but ended up collecting a huge Rs. 81.46 crores. It opened at Rs. 4.25 crores on Friday while on Monday, it collected more (Rs. 4.60 crores). The next day was a national holiday on account of Gandhi Jayanti and this is when the film collected Rs. 7.37 crores, surprising the trade and industry.

On the film’s 10th anniversary, writer-director Umesh Shukla, in an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, talks about his memories attached to the film and a lot more

Were Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal the first choice for OMG Oh My God?
Yes. Paresh bhai was confirmed from the very beginning. We were wondering who should play the role of God. A few years before the release of our film, God Tussi Great Ho (2018) released and it had not worked. Hence, we were confused about whom to cast and who’ll be ready to take up the role. When Akshay bhai saw the play (Kanji Viruddh Kanji), he loved it and showed interest in playing Lord Krishna. Also, corporates were not ready to back this film as they felt the script was risky. But later on, things fell in place smoothly.

How did you and the makers finalize the title of the film?
We had some different titles in our minds for the film. Initially, we decided to name the film Kanji Viruddh Kanji, just like the play on whom the film is based. Then, we felt that we need to have a youth-centric title. At that time, abbreviations of certain words had become fashionable. So, ‘OMG’ came out of my mouth and we realized that this is a perfect title. But then we feared that what if viewers don’t understand what OMG stands for? We then thought of going for Oh My God as the title. But it was already registered. This is when we decided to name the film OMG Oh My God. It sounded catchy as well. Thankfully, the youth took to the title. They embraced the film and soon, every section of the audience went to see it.

Salman Khan voiced the teaser of the film. How did he come on board?
It was a marketing strategy. We had shot for a promo and we happened to speak to Salman bhai. So, he agreed to provide the voiceover. He knew about the play and its plot though he had not seen the film then.

How many days did it take to shoot the film?
We shot for around 45-50 days. Akshay Kumar shot for 14 days.

In the play, the lead character Kanji collapses in the courtroom and later dies. However, in the film, the ending was changed and Kanji was shown to have survived. Could you tell us what led you and the makers to tweak the ending of OMG Oh My God?
We did that for numerous reasons. An ending of that sort can be accepted in a drama as its audience is a bit niche, although in today’s times, even cinema audience is accepting. But at that point, we wanted to end the story on an optimistic note. Secondly, we realized that the film can possibly become a franchise and hence, it was important to keep the character alive. The subject is such that aap kisi bhi scam par Oh My God naam ki film bana sakte hai!

Having seen both the endings, I felt the film ending was more impactful…
Actually, on stage, certain things are not possible. But since the film is a different medium, you have the freedom to explore and enhance the new impact.
The film had some interesting Easter eggs that one might not discover in the first viewing. For instance, the number of Akshay Kumar’s bike is ‘OM + 786’, identifying the three main religions. Also, it seems like you consider Michael Jackson a God. That’s why his suit is being sold along with other divine items in Kanji bhai’s shop!
Oh yes. We had a blast shooting for the film and adding these aspects. We had worked a lot on the detailing. Everytime you see the film, you’ll discover something new which you hadn’t noticed before. Just some days back, somebody called and told me, ‘Kanji dil ke acche the. Kabootar ko daane khilate hai ek scene mein’! When people tell me about these things or when you remarked about Michael Jackson’s suit, it makes me really happy. I am surprised that people have noticed these small, small things.

During a Bollywood Hungama exclusive interview before the release of the film, Paresh Rawal revealed that many reputed religious leaders saw the film and they all enjoyed it. They agreed with the film’s message…
I had done a play at Beas for Radha Soami Satsang Beas members. They all loved it. Then there was another instance when a reputed priest during curtain call requested to speak on stage. He told us, ‘What we are not able to convey with our week-long ceremonies, you managed to communicate in just 2 ½ hours!”

Such kind of appreciation must have given you a high, isn’t it?
The monetary success or failure of a film or play is a different matter. But when you are able to bring a change in people’s lives through your work, it gives you immense satisfaction.

A 75-year-old couple came to meet me after watching the play. They told me, ‘I wish a play like this was made 20-25 years ago. Our life wouldn’t have been so dismal today’. I asked why they feel so. They replied, ‘We wasted our time adhering to certain beliefs and we went to great lengths while doing so. Usse accha humne bhagwan ko apne andar dhunda hota toh behtar hota’. They held my hand and started crying. They were so overwhelmed that they wanted to touch my feet! I, of course, stopped them and said, ‘Aap bade hai humse. Aap aisa please mat kijiye’. Such experiences are priceless and mean a lot to me, more than my film becoming a super hit.

It was also interesting to see the character of Arun Bali. He was a religious seer and yet, was in support of Kanji in his fight…
Yes, that was the idea that there are good seers also. He rightly says in the court that Sai Baba lived in poverty all his life. And ironically today, his idol is placed on a throne worth crores. Similarly, it is said that hum apne maa baap ko abhi kitna sukh dete hai, woh zaroori hai. Shraddh ke waqt unka manpasand khana bana ke koi fayda nahi hai. Rather, make them happy while they are still with you.

OMG Oh My God faced some protests due to the content. Did that worry you?
Not really. My film was balanced. Hence, it’s been 10 years and still, there’s been very less criticism. It’s not an anti-God film. We have shown God in the film and we have shown Him passing the knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita. In fact, God advises Kanji that he should also read the Holy Quran and also the Bible to find answers to all the questions that he seeks. Koi bhi dharam galat nahin hai. It’s just that certain people interpret it wrongly and that’s where scams take place in the name of religion.

Do you think it would have been possible to make a film like OMG Oh My God in the present-day scenario when society is believed to have become far more intolerant than it was in 2012?
Yes, why not? Our film will not face a problem because as I said, it’s a balanced film. The film could have faced problems even during its release. However, we took a fair approach; it was a logical and rational script.

Did you visit cinema halls to check the audience's reactions?
Yes, I went to many theatres. I was very eager to know the public reaction to this film. I travelled to several theatres, that too in different cities. It was heartening that everywhere I went, the film was unanimously appreciated.

2 years after OMG Oh My God, Aamir Khan-starrer PK (2014) was released and though its plot was different, it gave viewers a déjà vu of OMG Oh My God. Rajkumar Hirani mentioned that he had thought of PK fighting a case against God in the case but Abhijat Joshi advised against it as he had seen your play…
Yes, it happens. If their film had come before ours, we would have had to change the script of OMG Oh My God!

There were also rumours that Aamir Khan, Rajkumar Hirani and Vidhu Vinod Chopra had offered you Rs. 8 crores to stop the shoot of OMG Oh My God!
That was all false. They are all lovely and talented people. We look forward to their work as their film always enlightens us.

OMG Oh My God, starring Pankaj Tripathi and Akshay Kumar, will be released in 2023. However, you have not directed it…
Even Paresh bhai is not a part of it. We didn’t have any written agreement that only I can direct OMG Oh My God films. But I wish them great luck. The subject is that some great films can be made out of them. Also, the people associated with the film are quite talented. I am sure they’ll come up with a film that’ll entertain the audience.

Is there any update on the release plans of your next film, Aankh Micholi?
Sony Pictures will take a call. Now, theatres have reopened and business is almost back on track. The film is completely ready. So, it’ll be released soon

You were also supposed to make a film with Nawazuddin Siddiqui…
We were planning but the project has been delayed. I am sitting on my laptop right now and working on its script!

And what about your biopic on Ujjwal Nikam?
It has also got delayed.

Finally, you have also acted in films. You were seen in a blink-and-miss appearance in OMG Oh My God! Do you plan to act more in future?
Life mein kaafi galtiyaan ki hai maine. Usme se ek (acting) hai (smiles)! On a serious note, I am game. If I am offered a good role, I’d definitely take it up. However, right now, I am busy directing, producing and writing films.

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