Mika Singh lost Rs. 15 crores when he postponed his world tour
8:51 AM
In 2022, I will go back to Marathi theatre, because I always feel theatre hones your skill-Swwapnil Joshi
8:10 AM
I hope 2022 is better than the roller coaster that 2021 was-Swwapnil Joshi
8:16 AM
Swwapnil Joshi-starrer Bali to skip theatrical release; will premiere on Amazon Prime on December 9
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Amazon Prime Video today, that is December 1, 2021, announced the global release of the Marathi horror thriller Bali, starring one of Marathi cinema’s most revered actors Swwapnil Joshi, along with Pooja Sawant and Samarth Jadhav. Helmed by acclaimed filmmaker Vishal Furia, (director of Lapachhapi and its recent Hindi remake, Chhorii), and produced by Arjun Singgh Baran and Kartk D Nishandar’s Global Sports Entertainment and Media Solutions Private Limited (GSEAMS), Bali is set to premiere on Prime Video on December 9 in India and in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
Bali is about a widowed, middle-class father, Shrikant (Swwapnil Joshi), whose life takes an unexpected turn when his 7-year-old son Mandar (Samarth Jadhav) collapses and is referred to a Jan Sanjeevani hospital for a detailed diagnosis. Things change when Mandar starts talking to a mysterious nurse, who he claims is staying in the abandoned part of the hospital.
“Amazon Prime Video has always strived to bring its viewers content that stand out in terms of storytelling, layered narratives, and compelling performances,” said Manish Menghani, head of acquisition, India content, Amazon Prime Video. “Following the love that consumers have showered on Chhorii, we are thrilled to continue our association with Vishal Furia, who is attempting to redefine the horror genre in India. With a stellar cast, including Swwapnil Joshi, Bali adds further value to our ever-expanding language content portfolio.”
Director Vishal Furia added, “As a genre, I have been drawn to horror and it’s been my constant effort to break new ground with every film in this space. The best kind of horror films are psychological, which create empathy for characters despite their basic premise being far from reality. The more we believe what we are watching, the more immersive the experience becomes. This is exactly what Bali is about, dealing with a gamut of emotions, fear being the biggest among them all. I would like to thank producers Arjun and Kartk for believing in the work I do. After the overwhelming response to Chhorii, I am looking forward to audiences’ reaction to this film upon its release on Amazon Prime Video.”
Producers Arjun Singgh Baran and Kartk D Nishandar of GSEAMS stated, “There is no denying that horror as a genre appeals to a vast expanse of audience. However, it calls for a lot of authenticity and precision in the narrative to become a success. With Bali, our attempt has always been to present new-age content that is immersive and appealing to the audiences. We are extremely thrilled that we will be able to take this story, steered by director Vishal Furia, who specializes in this genre, and woven with brilliant performances by versatile actors like Swwapnil Joshi and Pooja Sawant, to a global audience through Amazon Prime Video.”
Bali will join the thousands of TV shows and movies from Hollywood and Bollywood in the Amazon Prime Video catalogue. These include Indian-produced Amazon Original series Mumbai Diaries 26/11, The Family Man, Comicstaan, Breathe: Into The Shadows, Bandish Bandits, Paatal Lok, Mirzapur, The Forgotten Army – Azaadi Ke Liye, Sons Of The Soil: Jaipur Pink Panthers, Four More Shots Please, Made In Heaven, and Inside Edge; Indian films such as Shershaah, Toofaan, Sherni, Coolie No 1, Unpaused, Gulabo Sitabo, Durgamati, Chhalaang, Shakuntala Devi, Sarpatta Parambarai, Putham Pudhu Kaalai, Soorari Potru, Ponmagal Vandhal, French Biriyani, Law, Sufiyum Sujatayum, Penguin, Nishabdham, Maara, V, C U Soon, Bheema Sena Nala Maharaja, Drishyam 2, Halal Love Story, Middle Class Melodies, Hello Charlie, Malik, and Narappa, among others, and award-winning and critically acclaimed global Amazon Originals like Cinderella, Without Remorse, The Tomorrow War, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, The Wheel Of Time, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan, The Boys, Hunters, Cruel Summer, Fleabag, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. All this is available at no extra cost for Amazon Prime members. The service includes titles in Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, and Bengali.
Prime members will be able to watch Bali anywhere and anytime on the Prime Video app for smart TVs, mobile devices, Fire TV, Fire TV stick, Fire tablets, Apple TV, etc. In the Prime Video app, Prime members can download episodes on their mobile devices and tablets and watch anywhere offline at no additional cost. Prime Video is available in India at no extra cost with Prime membership for just ₹999 annually or ₹129 monthly, new customers can find out more at www.amazon.in/prime and subscribe to a free 30-day trial.
Marathi filmmakers change release plans after stricter COVID-19 guidelines in state
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Will COVID-19’s second wave drown Marathi filmmakers’ release plans?
8:36 AM
Check out the intense look of Pooja Sawant in the new poster of Bali
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One of the most beautiful and talented actresses in the Marathi film industry, Pooja Sawant, is all set to impress her fans once again with her appearance in the forthcoming Marathi film Bali. Pooja is playing a doctor in this horror flick.
Produced by Arjun Singgh Baran and Kartik D Nishandar of GSEAMS (Global Sports Entertainment and Media Solutions Private Limited), Bali is all set to release on April 16. Bali has been directed by Vishal Furia, and features Marathi superstar Swwapnil Joshi in key role.
Known for her rom-coms and dramatic films, Pooja Sawant has been featured against one of the most successful actors from the film industry, Swwapnil Joshi. Bali is her second film with director Vishal Furia after Lapachhapi, which was applauded by audience and critics as well. Producer GSEAMS released a fresh poster of the film featuring Pooja holding a stethoscope in her hand and giving an intense look.
Speaking about her role in Bali, Pooja says, “Yes, I am a part of Vishal’s second Marathi film as well. It is always great to work with a director who has a clear vision and knows what he is upto. Being part of the film is icing on the cake as I am sharing the screen with Swwapnil Joshi for the first time. I always wanted to work with Swwapnil, one of the most talented actors from the industry.”
"It has been a great experience working for Bali, for two reasons. Firstly, Vishal is a director who knows how to carve out 100% of the capacity of the actors he is working with and secondly, the role I am playing in the film. The character of the doctor I am playing is equally important and an integral part of the story. Like his first successful thriller Lapachhapi, Vishal has done a fabulous job as a director. Believing his directorial ability witnessed myself during making of Lapachhapi, I immediately said yes to him when Vishal asked for this film,” the actress said.
Pooja has proved her talent by playing characters with different shades in the films like Kshanabhar Vishranti, Dagdi Chawl, Bonus, Subhash Ghai’s Hindi film Vijeta among others.
Talking about Bali, Pooja said, “I am someone who, even during daytime, will watch a horror movie with all windows and doors of the house open! But after Lapachhapi, things have changed a bit. I have not only gained confidence to work in the horror films but have also started enjoying watching them. Lapachhapi was a turning point in my film career.”
GSEAMS releases teaser of their much-awaited horror film Bali, starring Swwapnil Joshi
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Producers Arjun Singgh Baran and Kartk D Nishandar of GSEAMS (Global Sports Entertainment and Media Solutions Private Limited) have released teaser of their upcoming Marathi film Bali today. All set to be released on April 16, Bali has been directed by Vishal Furia, and features Marathi superstar Swwapnil Joshi in a key role.
The teaser adds to the horror value as a woman is seen calling and hunting for someone in an old structured hospital. Also the tagline ‘Who is Elizabeth?’ is intriguing. In short, the 47 second long teaser manages to create the desired impact
The much talked about horror drama is produced by GSEAMS, the producers of many hit films such as Mogra Phulaalaa, Bonus and the web series Samantar 1 and 2 and Naxalbari. Furia had shot to fame by his hit thriller Lapachhapi, released three years ago.
“We received overwhelming response to our two posters released earlier. The audience has been enquiring about the releases of the film. There could be no alternative to Vishal Furia when it comes to the horror thriller. The icing on the cake is Swwapnil Joshi who is playing the lead role in the film. Thus, every aspect to the film comes with a glory of its own. We can assure that the film will give its audience an unprecedented and different experience,” said Arjun Singgh Baran and Kartk D Nishandar of GSEAMS.
Director Vishal Furia, who shot to fame with his first horror Marathi film Lapachhapi three years ago, said, “I can assure the audience that Bali will be more entertaining than Lapacchapi. The teaser we released is the testimony to this claim. Besides having a high standard of production in every aspect, the actors in the film have given their best for the film. Producers have ensured that they give their best on every front making this film one of the best in Marathi film industry. I am sure that we together could 'scare' the audience and make them enjoy it.”
After Lapachhapi, Furia directed two web-series, Criminal Justice (2019) and Bombers (2019). GSEAMS has many films to its credit as producer and include Vicky Velingkar (2019), Fugay (2017), Bhikari (2017) and Mogra Phulaalaa (2019), Tula Kalnnaar Nahi (2017) among others.
The poster of Swwapnil Joshi’s horror flick Bali is terrifying
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Producers Arjun Singgh Baran and Kartk D Nishandar of GSEAMS (Global Sports Entertainment and Media Solutions Private Limited) yesterday released a new poster of their upcoming film Bali. All set to be released on April 16 in CINEMAS, Bali has been directed by Vishal Furia, while Swwapnil Joshi is in key role in the film. The poster released recently takes the curiosity about the film to greater level.
The poster released recently has Swwapnil’s face with his scary reaction on it. His face is held forcefully by an unknown person, with the stains of the blood sipping on Swwapnil’s face. The fireballs in Swwapnil’s eyes makes the situation very terrifying. The poster also poses a question, ‘Who is Elizabeth.’ The poster indicates the fact that the film is all set to give goosebumps to audience in the theatres on its release.
The much talked about horror drama is produced by GSEAMS, the producers of many hit films such as Mogra Phulaalaa, Bonus and web series Samantar and Naxalbari. Furia had shot to the fame by his hit thriller Lapachhapi, released three years ago.
GSEAMS has many films to its credit as producer and include Vicky Velingkar (2019), Fugay (2017), Bhikari (2017) and Mogra Phulaalaa (2019), Tula Kalnnaar Nahi (2017) among others. After Lapachhapi, Furia directed two web-series, Criminal Justice (2019) and Bombers (2019).
*बळी*
— Swwapnil Joshi | स्वप्नील जोशी (@swwapniljoshi) March 11, 2021
१६ एप्रिल !!
चित्रपटगृहात !!! @Gseamsak @FuriaVishal @Kartikgseams @arjunsbaran @IAmPoojaSawant #Elizabeth pic.twitter.com/mUWtjdrdiL
Releasing films right now is a catch-22 situation; no one knows what will happen-Swwapnil Joshi
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Marathi horror film Bali’s motion poster out; makers also announce release date
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The motion poster of the much awaited Marathi horror film Bali was released today. It is directed by Vishal Furia and stars Swwapnil Joshi in the lead role. The makers also announced with this poster that the film is all set to release in CINEMAS all over Maharashtra on April 16, 2021.
The motion poster consists of Swwapnil’s fearful face. A horrifying background score plays while blood begins to trickle down his forehead. Images of red-coloured cross can be seen in his eyes. And then the tagline, कोण आहे एलिझाबेथ (Who is Elizabeth) appears below. All these aspects make for a great watch. Despite being just 15 seconds long, the motion poster manages to leave a tremendous impact.
Bali is produced by GSEAMS, the producers of many hit films such as Mogra Phulaalaa, Bonus and also the web series Samantar and Naxalbari. Vishal Furia had shot to fame by his hit thriller Lapachhapi, released three years ago. He also directed the popular web series Criminal Justice with Tigmanshu Dhulia.
Speaking about the film, director Vishal Furia said, "Lapachhapi was well received by the Marathi audience proving that they love the horror genre. Hence, I really want to continue making horror films for the Marathi audience and this is another such attempt.” He also added, “With a star like Swwapnil Joshi on board, who has been loved by the audience, and maverick producers Arjun Singgh Baran and Kartik D Nishandar backing my second horror film, Bali will prove to be much scarier and thrilling than Lapachhapi. I feel Swapnil’s talent as an actor has not been explored fully till date. And after meeting him, I was confident that he would be fit for this role. Plus, he’s a star and that will help our film reach the masses as well.”
Excited about the film, Swwapnil Joshi said, "I had promised the audience of the Marathi film that I would explore a new genre this year. This film is a small step taken by me in that direction. I am very happy to get into the horror space. I am happy that I have got an opportunity to do it with my favourite people like Arjun and Kartik, and my favorite director in this field, Vishal. I am sure that we together could scare the audience and make them enjoy it."
He added, “If you think of it, barring Vishal’s Lapachhapi, the Marathi industry has never had horror films per se. There were horror comedies, but not films that gave you sleepless nights. I think Bali will fill that void. What’s more interesting is that the film’s story induces fear and not the usual jump-scares or loud music that Indian horror films try to scare people.”
“We are happy to venture into a new genre with Bali. And who better than Vishal Furia to direct this horror film? Lapachhapi is considered as one of the best horror films in recent times. We also have one of the top actors of the Marathi industry, Swwapnil Joshi, in the lead. Even for him, this is an opportunity to explore a different genre,” says producers Arjun Singgh Baran and Kartk D Nishandar from GSEAMS.
Kirti Kulhari set to jet off to Bali for a family vacation
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Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 16, 2019)
Kirti Kulhari has been working non-stop and has now decided to take a small break to enjoy the successful year of 2019. With back-to-back hit projects this year starting with URI: The Surgical Strike, her web series Four More Shots Please!, the multi-starrer Mission Mangal and the recently-released web show, Bard Of Blood, Kirti has had a chock-a-block schedule. She also shot for the second season of Four More Shots Please! and flew to London, UK, to shoot the upcoming Hindi remake of the Hollywood film, The Girl On The Train. Now, Kirti has finally found some time to relax and she will soon be flying off to Bali for a 10-day vacation with her family.
Excited about her time off, Kirti says, “I have enjoyed being part of interesting projects in 2019. I have been working non-stop for quite some time now and I think it was time for a short break. Bali is a gorgeous island and this will be my second visit there. Since the family is coming together for it, it is very exciting.”
I was told the funeral scene in Avengers: Endgame was actually a wedding-Tom Holland
8:45 AM
Abhimanyu Mathur (BOMBAY TIMES; June 28, 2019)
Spider-Man: Far From Home releases next week. One might assume that the studios’ biggest worries would be the opening night, the box office performance or even critical response. But executives are in overdrive to ensure one thing in particular – that their lead star does not inadvertently reveal some spoilers. After all, Tom Holland is a pro at that. Ever since he was introduced as the latest web-slinger in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War, the British actor has gained a reputation for being a little too liberal with spoilers during interviews and press meets. He even ruined the ending of Avengers: Infinity War to an entire theatre, told his co-stars Zendaya and Jacob Batalan the ending of Endgame, and even accidentally revealed the title of Spider-Man: Far From Home on social media before its official announcement. Surely, the makers have every right to be concerned.
And it’s not as if the studios haven’t tried to stop Holland from his spoiling ways. In the past, they have resorted to having other ‘senior’ actors babysit Holland on press tours. Doctor Strange star, Benedict Cumberbatch, had that responsibility during the press tour for Avengers: Infinity War. “Benedict is a great partner for him on the press tour because he is very good at dancing around spoilers and monitoring Tom Holland,” the film’s co-director Anthony Russo had said in an interview.
For the sequel, the makers went one step ahead and did not even give the 22-year-old a script. The thought behind this? If he himself doesn’t know the details, he can’t spoil it for others. Earlier this year, Avengers: Endgame co-director Joe Russo famously said, “Tom Holland does not get the script. He gets his lines and that’s it. He doesn’t even know who he’s acting opposite. We use vague terms with him to describe what is happening in the scene, because he has a hard time keeping his mouth shut.” In fact, they told him that a certain pivotal funeral scene in Avengers: Endgame was actually a wedding, when it was actually a funeral. “This is how bad it is for me. I was told it was a wedding,” the actor said at a press meet after the film’s release. No word of it a lie. “Yeah, sad times! I thought it was a wedding! I was so excited,” Holland said at a late-night show last month.
Yet still, there is no stopping Tom from revealing spoilers. At a press meet for Far From Home in Bali last month, Holland casually let it slip that him and Mysterio (played by Jake Gyllenhall) team up to fight “these creatures from other dimensions” (he said the whole thing right?) who come to Earth after Thanos’ snap in Endgame”. It was only after the audience’s cheers grew louder that he stopped and muttered a shocked “Oh!” Just how legendary are Holland’s spoiling skills is evident from the fact that he spoiled a movie when he wasn’t even a part of it. Holland learned the key plot points of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom from its director, who happens to be his friend. An excited Holland discussed all the points with the film’s lead actor, Chris Pratt, who was shooting for Infinity War with him at the time. The complication was that Pratt didn’t even know the plot to the film by that time. Imagine having your own movie being spoiled to you!
It’s not as if Holland isn’t aware of his ‘bad habit’. As he made his way to the stage for the press meet in Bali, he opened with, “So what can I say about this without spoiling it?” (before proceeding to spoil it regardless). Tom Holland’s credit, while other actors are reprimanded for breaking the no-spoiler code, Tom’s charm lets him get away with it. “What are you gonna do? He’s the nicest guy in the world, so you can never be punitive towards Tom Holland,” laments Avengers: Endgame co-director Anthony Russo.
SOME OF THE BIGGEST SPOILERS TOM HOLLAND LET SLIP
Told a theatre-full of people the ending to Avengers: Infinity War before the screening of the movie
Revealed that the Spider-Man series he is a part of is a trilogy even before the first film had released
Let it slip that the quantum realm played a role in the resolution of the Infinity Saga in Avengers: Endgame
Revealed the title of Spider-Man: Far From Home on his social media while posting a picture of the script
Revealed that Elementals enter Earth in Far From Home because of Thanos’ snap from Infinity War
Revealed the entire plot of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom to Chris Pratt
If I get to be Chris Hemsworth for a day, I’ll only post shirtless pictures on social media-Siddhant Chaturvedi
8:04 AM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; June 12, 2019)
Siddhant Chaturvedi became an instant rage post his impressive performance as MC Sher in Gully Boy. Likewise, Dangal catapulted Sanya Malhotra to fame. The actors are the voices of Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson, respectively, in the Hindi dub of Men In Black: International, a reboot of the MIB series, that is releasing this week. In a chat with BT, they spoke about all things action, sci-fi, humour and what it felt like to dub for a Hollywood film. Excerpts...
Siddhant, you met Chris Hemsworth in Bali recently. Tell us about the experience?I had 15 minutes with him. I was nervous. My brother and I are superhero fanatics. I am a huge fan of Chris and now, I got to be his voice! He asked me in a macho voice (imitates Chris) if I was a rapper and I replied, saying that I am an actor. He had seen the trailer (of Gully Boy) and my song, and he told me that he’d love to see the film as well. I asked him if I was worthy enough to be his voice, so I asked him to say a few lines from MIB: International and then, I translated them to Hindi on the spot. He even said ‘boht hard’ in the end! I taught him how to say it and it was the sexiest ‘boht hard’ anyone has ever said. I am not bragging about it (smiles!), it’s on record. He didn’t say it with an Aussie accent, but the way I said it. That was fun.
Sanya: I am a huge Chris fan, too. I am jealous that Siddhant got to meet him. On a serious note, I am happy that he met him. I wish I could, too.
If you get to be the actors you lent your voices to, for a day, what would you do?
Siddhant: I will only post my shirtless pictures on social media. Look at his physique! I asked him about his fitness, and he said that he is into functional training. I am into martial arts, but he told me to be disciplined in whatever fitness routine I choose.
Sanya: Tessa Thompson is in Paris right now. I would love to be her, as I can then promote the film with Chris Hemsworth. Mujhe bhi Eiffel Tower jaana hai. She is a brilliant actor and he is one of the hottest actors around.
This is the first time that a woman plays a parallel lead in the MIB franchise. Don’t you think more films from the genre should follow suit?
Siddhant: Women are already superheroes. They deserve equal pay and substantial roles that are now being written for them. Things have changed. I would love to see Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, Sanya Malhotra and Priyanka Chopra Jonas in an ensemble superhero film.
Sanya: We should make a cool sci-fi superhero film here. My choice of actors for the film would be Fatima Sana Shaikh, Radhika Madan, Disha Patani, Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif.
MIB is a sci-fi fantasy. Which are your favourite films from the genre?
Sanya: Sci-fi is one of my favourite genres. I like the MIB films. Back home, I have always liked the character Jadoo from Koi Mil Gaya. Bollywood mein toh Jadoo hi raaj kar raha hai. Aaj Kal toh kaafi garmi hai, so usko dhoop bhi kaafi mil jayegi (laughs!).
Siddhant: My favourites from this genre are E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and MIB. We had watched E.T. much before Koil Mil Gaya, but Jadoo is also iconic.
How challenging is it to Indianise the humour or sensibility when you dub for a Hollywood film without sounding caricaturish?
Siddhant: I didn’t want to infuse the Gully Boy lingo, but the humour was falling flat so we did that. If you translate or simply mimic what the original actors are saying, that’s no fun. We don’t have their cultural references, so I did whatever it took to make the characters seem more relatable. Also, I didn’t try to mimic Chris’ voice. He is in his mid-30s and has a super manly voice. I am 26, I will get that voice soon (laughs!). The character is manmauji, borderline cocky so I tried to be that in a young, quirky way.
Sanya: It is a bit tricky. When you are dubbing for your own films, you know the emotional graph during a scene, but here, you have to do it in a way that’s comprehensible for the audience. The audience that will watch the Hindi dub will be different, so you need to find a way to engage them. They should be able to relate to it. Joh jokes English mein funny lagte hai, woh Hindi mein bhi lagne chahiye. The jokes shouldn’t fall flat. You have to get that emotion right. Though I have tried to be as close to Tessa as possible, I have added my own bits, too, like references to my film Dangal.
Speaking of action thrillers, if you were to have one superpower, what would that be?
Siddhant: Teleportation! It will help me bypass Mumbai’s traffic.
Sanya: Instead of superpowers, I would love to have a neuralyser (a device used in the MIB series that wipes the memory of a target). You can use it to wipe out your own memory and that’s required sometimes. Who needs a gun?
This film is a reboot, but if you were Will Smith, who would be your Tommy Lee Jones?
Siddhant: My choice would either be Irrfan or Randeep Hooda.
Sanya: Same sex parallel lead? Radhika Madan. We could be aurtein kaale kapdon mein (women in black). Jadoo could also be in our team.
Chris Hemsworth translated some famous Bollywood dialogues for me-Siddhant Chaturvedi
8:56 AM
Divya Kaushik (BOMBAY TIMES; June 2, 2019)
This year is proving to be a rewarding one for actor Siddhant Chaturvedi, who feels that meeting his all-time favourite Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth was a dream come true. Back in India after attending an event for the fourth instalment of the Men In Black franchise, Men In Black: International, in Bali, the actor is starstruck to the point that he hasn’t stopped thinking about the meeting.The actor, who rose to fame with his first film Gully Boy, has lent his voice to Chris’ character Agent H, in the Hindi version of the film. “It was surely one of the best experiences of my life. Getting the opportunity to lend my voice for the Hindi version of a popular Hollywood film was a big deal for me. When I got to know that I was going to meet Chris, I just couldn’t believe my luck. Not all people who have lent their voices to dubbed Hollywood films get to meet the actors playing the characters they are voicing. I have just done one film, so I never thought something like this would happen. I am probably the first actor who got to meet the actor I am dubbing for. I have been a huge fan of the franchise. I remember I used to mimic the characters from Men In Black and add my own desi touch to it. Now, I actually got to do that for real. It is really special for me,” Siddhant tells us.
Ask him about his meeting with Chris and Siddhant admits that he did go numb when he met him for the first time. “I just didn’t know how to react. I froze for a few minutes, but then just went ahead and introduced myself as Agent H from India. After that, it was a smooth ride. We chatted for around 20 minutes,” says the actor.
To Siddhant’s surprise, Chris had already seen some bits from his debut film. “He asked me about my film and if I rap in real life. He promised that he was going to watch it and that was a huge deal for me. To my surprise, he had already seen some bits of my film, but since I had to lose some weight for my next role, Chris said that he was expecting someone much more muscular,” he adds.The actor was also glad that his favourite star approved of the work he did for the dubbed version of the film. “Chris had seen the trailer and told me that I did a great job. He also said ‘bahut hard’ and the way he said was the sexiest ‘bahut hard’ I ever heard. When I met him, I asked him if I was even worthy of dubbing for him, and wanted him to test me. He gave me some of his famous dialogues from the film and I translated them to Hindi. I don’t think he understood what I was saying, but he was enjoying it. Then I gave him some Hindi dialogues, but I had to explain their meaning so that he could translate them. I gave him — Rishte mein toh hum tumhare baap lagte hain — and he said, ‘I am your daddy’. Then it was ‘apna time aayega’ and he said, ‘my time is now’, and for ‘picture abhi baaki hai mere dost’, he said, ‘we are not done yet’. So, it was a casual, fun meeting,” says Siddhant.
Images: Bruna Abdullah is five months pregnant
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The actress, who got engaged to beau Allan Fraser in July 2018, is expecting her first child this September
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; May 11, 2019)
Actress Bruna Abdullah, who has featured in several reality shows and movies like I Hate Luv Storys and Grand Masti, is expecting her first child with fiancé Allan Fraser. The Brazilian bombshell got engaged to her British boyfriend, who is currently based in Mumbai, on July 19, 2018.Talking about embracing motherhood before marriage, Bruna said, “A marriage certificate is nothing but a piece of paper, which is simply not enough to bind two people together. Some couples get divorced, while some live together unhappily and even cheat on each other. I believe nothing but love keeps people together. It is widely believed that marriage is a symbol of love. But is it really?”
The actress, who is five months pregnant, informs us, “Our baby is growing well and healthy. Our families were over the moon when we shared the news with them. My mother has waited her whole life for this day. I think this is the most beautiful surprise of our lives. The baby is 22 weeks old and we are waiting with bated breath for him/her to arrive. Allan and I are grateful and ready for parenthood. We are settled and have everything we would need. I’m excited and very happy.”
While the couple is currently preparing to welcome their first child, they do plan to tie the knot eventually. She said, “Allan and I will be planning something soon.” When asked about keeping her pregnancy under wraps, she said, “It wasn’t a conscious effort. I had a few projects, including dance shows to finish when I learnt that I was pregnant. I decided to keep the news private, so that I could fulfill my work commitments. I didn’t want anyone to think that I won’t be able to work because I am pregnant. I danced until my fourth month. I felt fit and healthy enough to do that, and I stopped when I was told to. I love what I do and it’s tough for anyone to keep me away from work. After the delivery, I want to spend every second I can with the little one. I will hit the gym as soon as I am allowed to and get back to work.” On the Bollywood front, she was last seen in the film Udanchhoo, which released in 2018.
People don’t know much about Bruna’s personal life and her fiancé, who works as a country manager with an engineering company. Speaking about how they met and fell in love, Bruna said, “I was invited to Allan’s house for dinner by one of his friends in July 2015. We spoke, but sparks didn’t fly at that time. I think he was already dating someone. I bumped into him a month later in Bali, where I was on a short holiday. That’s when I got to know him and fell in love. Allan is intelligent, extremely funny, kind-hearted and passionate. I admire and look up to him. What I like the most about him is his capability to love everyone without any expectations. I fell in love with him when I wasn’t looking for it and was least expecting it to happen.”
Varun Dhawan plans a vacation with girlfriend Natasha Dalal?
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Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; July 19, 2018)
Varun Dhawan, who has never admitted to being in a relationship, has started making public appearances with girlfriend Natasha Dalal only recently. While speculations are rife that the young actor plans to settle down next year, he hasn’t officially confirmed the same. However, we have learnt that the couple will soon take off for a short vacation.
Says a source, “They were planning a getaway for quite some time but they couldn’t go anywhere due to Varun’s schedule. He had a release (Shoojit Sircar’s October) in April, post which the actor has been caught up with his other projects.”
The source further adds, “Varun has wrapped up Sharat Kataria’s Sui Dhaaga: Made in India. He has got a few days before the next schedule of Abhishek Varman’s Kalank begins. So now, he’s planning to fly out with Natasha to a foreign locale and spend some quality time with her.” Another source tells us, “They are planning to go either to Bali or London. They are still discussing it.”
Jacqueline Fernandez plans a trip to Bali for Christmas
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Despite the recent volcanic eruption, the actress will head to Bali for Christmas
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; December 5, 2017)
Last Monday, Mount Agung in Bali erupted for the first time in half a century, as a result of which hundreds of flights were cancelled and thousands of people were stranded. The volcanic ash reaching Bali airport’s airspace triggered its closure. Jacqueline Fernandez, who was planning to visit the country this Christmas, has no plans of changing her travel itinerary to the popular Indonesian holiday destination.
The actress told us, “Christmas is always a family affair. So, I do plan to take a small Christmas-New Year break this year too. I will take my family out for a little vacation. I’m sure by the time we go there, things are going to be a lot better and hopefully, under control.”
Looking back at 2017, Jacqueline believes it was an eventful year, packed with work and plenty of lessons. The year ahead also seems just as busy. She says, “I had a great time working and getting appreciated for whatever little I did. I want 2018 to be the same. There was a lot to learn. I mean, A Gentleman didn’t do so well, but that taught me a lot. So, I will remember 2017 for the positives.”
Incidentally, a year ago, Jacqueline had told us in an exclusive interview that she would like to host a Christmas/New Year bash for her friends in Bollywood in 2017. Her plans would’ve taken shape but things didn’t pan out the way she had thought. Instead, she sent out hampers to her buddies last year, before taking off to Sri Lanka to celebrate Christmas and New Year with her folks. Lets see, how she rings in the celebrations this year.
Sunny Leone gifts fan an all-paid Bali trip
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Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; August 1, 2017)
Taking inspiration from international personalities, a number of Bollwood actresses have turned to the digital medium to connect with their fans via apps. While Sunny Leone joined the likes of Sonam Kapoor, Disha Patani and Salman Khan, to launch her personal app in November last year, the actor has been the front-runner in unlocking tricks to keep her fans happy.
Leone recently sprung a surprise on her followers by introducing a contest, requesting her fans to suggest names for an upcoming venture. Delhi-based Ravneet Gulati Thakral bagged a sponsored Bali trip as part of the winning prize, and couldn’t contain her excitement as she jetted off to the island to bring in her birthday.
"This gesture from Sunny is something that I will cherish for the rest of my life. The trip coincided with my birthday, and, I had a lot of fun with my husband. The fact that Sunny gives so much importance to her fans is really commendable," Thakral says.
Acknowledging the role her fans play in enabling her to achieve this stardom, Leone tells mid-day, "I am here because of them. Personally, I try and do my best to keep in touch with them. This was a small gesture towards my fans and I am glad that I could make someone’s birthday so special."
Vikrant Massey finds his 'great companion' in Sheetal Thakur
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Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 5, 2017)
Vikrant Massey, who made his presence felt as the affable Rana in Zoya Akhtar’s ensemble comedy-drama Dil Dhadakne Do, is now gearing up for Konkona Sen Sharma’s directorial debut, A Death In The Gunj, in which he has a pivotal role. Things are decidedly looking up for the 29-year-old actor on the personal front as well. Vikrant, who has been dating model-actress Sheetal Thakur for over a year now, recently celebrated the milestone with a quite dinner in suburban Mumbai last month. Sheetal shared a picture of Vikrant planting a peck on her cheek. “One year down, forever to go,” she gushed.
“It wasn’t a celebration but just a random dinner to mark the occasion. Sheetal and I met a year ago through a common friend and hit it off instantly. We are extremely happy with each other,” says Vikrant, who plays a Bihari boy in Mohit Suri’s Half Girlfriend which features Arjun Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor in the lead. He will also be seen in Prakash Jha’s Lipstick Under My Burkha, which, incidentally, also features Konkona.
The couple’s respective social media accounts are replete with pictures of them vacationing in Bali and weekend getaways to Lonavala. They went out camping at Uttan, a coastal town just north of Mumbai in the Thane district of Maharashtra, to bring in the New Year while Christmas was marked with a house party.
“We are private people and prefer not to speak about our relationship. There are many things I really like about her but above all she is a great companion,” Vikrant smiles.
The actor was previously rumoured to be dating actress Shruti Haasan but he had denied it to Mirror (November 21), stating, “She’s just a dear friend. Unfortunately, if you’re spotted with someone, people immediately assume that you’re dating.”
Next up, the couple is said to be taking their relationship to the next level with an engagement, but Vikrant denies it, stating that they are taking each day as it comes. “Both of us are concentrating on work right now and are in no hurry to take the plunge. It will happen when it has to,” he sings off.