Riya Sen, best remembered for her glamorous and bold film and music video appearances, has now stepped behind the DJ console, making her debut as Riyaa Senn. With a new name and a fresh vibe, the actress and model who got married in August 2017 and has since appeared in a few films and shows like Call Me Bae, is now diving into Bolly-tech beats and preparing to connect with desi audiences worldwide. In this chat, she opens up about her DJ debut, the reason behind the extra ‘a’ and ‘n’ in her name, and more.

It all started when Riyaa’s friend, who owns an artiste management and booking agency, texted her saying he loved the music she posted on her social media handles. “He was the first to tell me that I should think about DJ-ing. I took the cue, enrolled in a short DJ course, and voila – I was hooked!” says Riyaa.

Honestly, it feels overwhelming. I’m shy, nervous, and excited all at the same time. I’m getting numerous calls to perform across India, and feeling truly grateful for this platform and all the love coming my way.

Bolly-tech all the way. It’s fun, desi, and connects me with the huge Indian diaspora worldwide. One can expect a mix of nostalgia, energy, and total dance vibes.

It’s just me reinventing myself with new energy and a new vibe.

I’m looking at gigs globally – UK, UAE, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and of course America, now that I’ve got my O1 visa. There’s such a huge desi community everywhere, and our music makes them feel right at home. I can’t wait to connect with them through music.

As an actress, model, and influencer, I love evolving and changing. DJ-ing started as fun, but now it feels like a strong new chapter that adds beautifully to everything else I do.

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At first, my family thought this was just another phase, because I love enrolling in courses, but after the success of my first event, they’ve been immensely supportive

With a chunk of Four More Shots Please 3 set in Europe, director Tannishtha Chatterjee says team to wait out Coronavirus pandemic to shoot in the continent
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; June 2, 2020)

While the entertainment industry gears up to resume shoots in Maharashtra following the state government's greenlight, international shoots remain a distant dream. However, that has hardly deterred actor-director Tannishtha Chatterjee who has envisioned the third season of Four More Shots Please! in Europe.

Stating that the script was developed well before the pandemic hit the world, she says, "We had planned to shoot a chunk of Four More Shots Please in Europe, particularly Italy. As of now, we are sticking [to the destinations] and not changing the script. We will see how it plays out in the next few months. Some people say the pandemic will abate, others say there will be a second wave. How do you plan in such uncertainty? If we need to change things drastically, we will do it."

The second season of the Kirti Kulhari, Sayani Gupta, Maanvi Gagroo and Bani J-fronted series received praise and criticism in equal measure. As Chatterjee takes the directorial baton, she claims backlash comes with the territory. "There is constant judgment when it comes to such shows. There will be a conservative backlash, and I am ready for it."

The lockdown across the world has put a stop to film business but there are early signs that cinemas may start opening up in Europe and North America around July. The lockdown is being eased in some countries of Europe though cinemas will be probably be among the last on the list on a staggered approach.

The big multiplex chains across Europe and North America will be putting up plans in opening cinemas with social distancing rules in places which will mean proposing that there will be an empty seat or even two per person in the cinema. This could work as Europe and North America run on 20-30% weekend occupancy and 10-15% weekday occupancy and that is on a good weekend with good releases. So even 2 empty seats per person will not make much of a difference and studios may be prepared to release films in such a scenario. The bigger issue will be whether the public prepared to come out as social distancing rules in place means the Coronavirus is still a threat.

In India, these plans could also be put forward by the multiplex chains but its unlikely a studio with a big film will release in this scenario as in India, the first weekend occupancy can go upto 60-70% on a big film. And then there will be well situated cinemas in all the major cities which hit 90-100% occupancy. If a theatre is only allowed 50% occupancy, then there will be a hit in business over the first weekend for a big cast film that has worked. No maker/studio of a big film can afford to take any hit in business over the first weekend as that is so hard to recover even if the film has worked. Its like a potential 100 crore weekend becoming 60-70 crore and that may be hard to swallow.

That is not to say the social distancing rules which will be used to open up cinemas in foreign markets can't be used in India. If Europe and North America manage to open up this way in July then India could attempt to follow but as mentioned it will tough or near impossible to get the good content to screens in India.

The filmmaker and his team will head to Italy and France among other places, on January 18, for recce of his next directorial, a period saga set in the Mughal era
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 7, 2020)

Mirror had previously reported (August 8) that Karan Johar’s much-awaited period-saga, Takht, will go on the floors in March. At the time, the filmmaker was giving finishing touches to the script. Now, we have learnt that the script is locked and KJo is currently on a recce in Jaisalmer. As per plan, the film will go on the floors in March.

According to a source close to the development, the director and his production team have made several visits to the shooting spots in the past. “Karan, along with cinematographer Mitesh Mirchandani, National Award-winning art-director Sabu Cyril and his assistant directors will be in the desert city for the next five days to extensively analyse the locations and plan the cinematography and set designs,” revealed the source.

After Jaisalmer, KJo and his team will fly to several European locations, including Italy and France, on January 18 for another round of recce. “He’d always planned to spend January on the final round of recce and will be exploring locations similar to the landscape of Rajasthan in countries across Europe. Massive sets will be erected everywhere—from Jaisalmer to Europe—for which a mammoth budget has been earmarked,” the source added. As of now, the action scenes as well as the costumes have been locked for the film, which will also have battle sequences.

KJo has earlier described his upcoming directorial as the “epic battle for the majestic Mughal throne”. It’s a tale of two warring brothers, based on the fight for the throne between Shah Jahan’s two sons, Aurangzeb and Dara Shukoh (played by Ranveer Singh and Vicky Kaushal). The film also features Kareena Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Janhvi Kapoor and Bhumi Pednekar in pivotal roles, with Anil Kapoor as the Mughal patriarch, Shah Jahan. “There will be some workshops in February with the entire cast to get a sense of their characters before moving on to the epic battle,” the source signed off.

The film will be shot in a start to finish schedule and is targeting a 2021 release.

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; August 18, 2019)

Every action entertainer is looking to up the level of stunts in the film, to make it look visually spectacular. The latest is that the makers of Saaho, which is an action-thriller, roped in five stunt designers for the high-octane sequences involving Prabhas, who returns to the screen two years after Baahubali 2: The Conclusion.

A source close to the makers says, “We had internally discussed and decided to have multiple stunt directors for different sequences in the film to avoid repetition and have a completely different experience in each of the scenes. There is a chase sequence, hand-to-hand combat, an indoor fight, and a full-blown war kind of encounter. Each one of them has been separately choreographed by world-renowned action directors who have worked on Hollywood movies.”

There is Kenny Bates, who has worked on films such as Die Hard and Transformers, Peng Zhang is known for movies like Rush Hour, Bob Brown who has choreographed stunts for Se7en, Iron Man and xXx: Return of Xander Cage among others, Indian action director Dhilip Subbarayan and Stunt Silva, who have been associated with South cinema.

A source further reveals, “Kenny choreographed the Rs 70-crore chase sequence in Abu Dhabi and the core of climax, which is an important part of the film. The makers had especially briefed Peng for a larger-than-life introductory action scene of Prabhas and the fight sequence in the climax of the film alongside the gunfight in Europe. Bob has helped direct a huge gun battle based in the continent, too, while Dhilip has helmed the intriguing castle fight there wherein the locker falls down. Stunt Silva is responsible for the Mumbai traffic scuffle and the Europe resort encounter while Ram Laxman has directed the Lal Bungalow confrontation scene.”

The source adds that the expensive Abu Dhabi hunt sequence has turned out so well that Kenny has requested for its showreel to include in his portfolio as he believes this is one of his career’s best works.

Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 30, 2019)

Hina Khan who was at the Cannes Film Festival to promote her film Lines, has an extended European schedule for her next, Wish List. It pairs her with UK-based actor Jitendra Rai and is directed by Rahat Kazmi.

According to a source close to the development, this film is about a couple who learns that one of them has an incurable disease and very little time to live. So, they decide to go on a trip together and enjoy life to the fullest. “Hina’s role is very different from Lines in which she played a simple girl from Kashmir,” informs the source.

The actress confirmed the news saying she began shooting for it the day she left the French Riviera. “It’s a touching film with a strong message, being shot in some of the most beautiful locations in Europe. As someone who loves to travel, it’s a treat as I’m getting to explore the best of Europe,” she exults.

Speaking about her character, Hina reveals that the girl is like her in many ways. “She’s a workaholic who cheers everyone around her with her positivity. The film deals with regular issues and choices but in inspirational ways and offering a new perspective,” she signs off.

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 29, 2019)

After shoots in Hyderabad, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Romania, Prabhas-Shraddha Kapoor’s action-thriller Saaho, with Neil Nitin Mukesh as the antagonist, arrived in Mumbai around two weeks ago. According to a source in the know, some lavishly-mounted action sequences on cars, trucks, bikes and even helicopters, including a chase sequence with the trio at Ballard Pier have been canned.

“Mumbai was recreated at a Hyderabad studio where the interior portions were picturised earlier. But for the exterior shots, they had to fly down to the Maximum City which forms an important part of the narrative. They were shooting in SoBo earlier, but later moved base to Karjat with plans to film in Aamby Valley as well,” informed the source.

While Neil has wrapped up his portions in Mumbai, Prabhas and Shraddha, who plays a cop for the first time, have a few more days’ work left. “After this, they return to Hyderabad to shoot a song with Shraddha and some more action sequences,” said the source, adding that Stunt Silva who has worked on Rajinikanth’s 2.0, Dhanush’s Maari 2 and Mohanlal’s Lucifer is one of the stunt choreographers of the Mumbai schedule. “Kenny Bates who’s worked on films like Transformers, The Italian Job and Rush Hour 3, is designing the action for the Hyderabad portions.”

With the August 15 release date looming large, the film is being simultaneously edited, with VFX work going on at major studios around the world. “There’s a European schedule remaining too for a song, but everyone is geared towards an Independence Day opening,” added the source.

Three months after film was stalled following producer Prernaa Arora’s arrest, it is being resuscitated with new makers, new title and new look for leading lady
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 6, 2019)

Mirror had earlier reported (October 7) that Iulia Vantur is making her Hindi debut with Radha Kyun Gori Main Kyun Kaala alongside Jimmy Sheirgill. However, the film which was to go on the floors in November last year, hit rough weather in December with the arrest of its producer, Prernaa Arora, in a cheating case. While buzz was that it was shelved, Mirror has learnt that three months on, it is being resuscitated with a new title, new producers and a new look for Iulia.

According to a source, Kashish Khan and Om Prakash Bhatt have come on board to produce the film with director Prem Soni. “It is now called Moh Moh Ke Dhaage. Shooting starts in Europe in the first week of May with Iulia and Jimmy where the childhood and younger portions of Iulia’s character will be shot. After that, the team will move to Mathura where the film is based and will chronicle Iulia’s connection with Lord Krishna. The team plans to wrap up in one schedule.”

Soni confirmed the news, saying, “I am producing the film with my production partners. Now, the project has nothing to do with Studio Five Elements (Prernaa’s production house) or Prernaa. The rights are with me and everything is going as planned. Europe will be a small schedule, a major portion will be shot in Mathura. We will be revealing Iulia’s new look soon.” As Mirror had earlier reported, Iulia plays a Krishna bhakt in the film.

DNA (December 28, 2018)

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh plunged headlong into work after their mid-November wedding in Italy. Since the groom has been busy with the promotions of Simmba, which releases today, the power couple was unable to factor in a honeymoon. However, sources say that the couple will go on one soon. Ranveer had told us earlier, “I’ve set aside a few days for a break at the end of the year as has my wife. Actually, for the last few years, I have always been keeping a few days off to spend with Deepika. This vacation usually includes her birthday (January 5) as well. This time around, too, we will spend New Year’s Eve together and then party again on her birthday.” While their destination is still not known, an insider whispered that it would be somewhere in Europe. Que sera sera!

Bishwabijoy Mitra (BOMBAY TIMES; October 26, 2018)

Yes, you read it right. The Bollywood singer-composer, who crooned the melodious Nazm Nazm from Bareilly Ki Barfi married Shimla girl Deepika Sood in September, after a four-year courtship.

Arko, who is also known for the hit track, Tere Bin Yaara from Rustom, exchanged vows with Deepika, a yoga and naturopathy professional, at a five-star hotel in Kolkata on September 22 in the presence of both their families. “I would say, this is a love-come-arranged marriage. We were friends for four years. Then we took permission from our families and only after that did we get married,” he said, adding that they had spent their honeymoon in Europe.

Refusing to reveal anything about how he met Deepika, Arko said only their relatives and close friends were invited to the wedding because he didn’t want to make his personal life an open book. “That’s also the reason I’m talking about my marriage after a month,” he added.

Besides his rather successful inning in Bollywood, Arko also collaborated with American composer Brandon Friesen last year for two English club songs. The tracks had made it to the Billboard Dance 50 chart. This year, the duo are collaborating on two more lyrical songs.

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 1, 2018)

After attaining pan-India fame as the titular character of S S Rajamouli’s 2015 epic action film Bahubali and its 2017 sequel, Prabhas had given his nod to Telugu director Radha Krishna Kumar’s untitled Bollywood debut that will feature Mohenjo Daro actress Pooja Hegde opposite him. Mirror has now learnt that the duo is all set to start the Hindi-Tamil-Telugu trilingual this month.

“Both Prabhas and Pooja are flying off to Europe this week to kick-start the shoot with a long schedule. They have met a couple of times in the last few months and will be filming some interesting action and musical sequences. Radha Krishna and his team have done extensive recce in Europe and are in the last stage of pre-production,” informs a source close to the development.

Soon after wrapping up the shoot for Bahubali: The Conclusion, Prabhas had dived straight into Sujeeth Reddy’s upcoming Hindi-Telugu bilingual Saaho which marks his Bollywood debut and also features Shraddha Kapoor as his leading lady and Neil Nitin Mukesh as the antagonist. The film was extensively shot in Hyderabad, Mumbai, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Romania and Europe and is presently in its last leg.

While speaking to Mirror (April 26) earlier, Pooja had informed that she has heard good things about Prabhas’s work ethic. “I knew he was already on board when the makers approached me for this film. It has a beautiful role for me,” she had said, adding that the new collaboration is a wonderful opportunity for her to prove herself as an actress.