Singer likely to croon Hindi song for ladylove Priyanka Chopra at the do
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 21, 2018)

Even as fans are oohing and aahing over pictures from the DeepVeer wedding, it's time for another Bollywood shaadi — that of Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas. While the wedding is reportedly slated for December 2, we hear the groom and his family will be flying down to Mumbai this weekend. Reason — the singer-songwriter wants to brush up on his skills before he puts on his dancing shoes at the sangeet.

A source reveals, "The sangeet and mehendi are scheduled for November 29 and 30 respectively. Nick wants to be prepared for the naach gaana that will accompany the sangeet. His act will see him grooving to a mix of international and Bollywood chartbusters, including Priyanka's songs like Galla Goodiyan, Desi Girl and Pinga. He will be practising his dance moves with Ganesh Hegde, who is choreographing the sangeet." While Chopra is currently in Delhi shooting for The Sky Is Pink, she will join her beau on November 28 in Jodhpur to rehearse for their joint performance.

Given how Jonas loves to spring surprises on his ladylove, the source adds that he has a surprise up his sleeve, this time too. "Nick will also croon a Hindi song on the occasion, dedicating it to Priyanka." Like Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, Chopra and Jonas too will have two weddings — the Hindu ceremony followed by a white wedding on December 3. "Both ceremonies will take place at the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur. While the bridal trousseau will be an Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla creation, she will sport a Ralph Lauren ensemble for the Christian wedding. The couple will exchange Tiffany wedding bands."

The arrangements have already begun at the Jodhpur address under the supervision of mother Madhu Chopra. "Though Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess Of Sussex, may not make it, many Hollywood names are expected. Since it will be their first brush with an Indian wedding, Priyanka wants to make it special."

No longer a patchwork shoot, Kangana Ranaut to re-shoot major portions of Manikarnika in a 45-day schedule; producers apparently allot additional Rs 20 crore for the last leg
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 3, 2018)

Even as Kangana Ranaut and Sonu Sood are caught in a war of words over the latter's last-minute exit from Manikarnika - The Queen Of Jhansi, the decision to replace the actor during the patchwork shoot has been called unfeasible by many.

In the latest development, mid-day has learnt that major portions of the period drama are now being re-shot with Ranaut at the helm, thus enabling the replacement of Sood with Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub in the eleventh hour. What was to be a 10-day patchwork shoot has now apparently turned into a 45-day schedule and will see the filming of several plot points that were missing in director Krish's original cut.

A source from the unit reveals that the decision was taken after the producers, upon seeing the rushes in May, felt the film deviated from the approved script. "During the first screening, the producers noted that the movie didn't adhere to the script written by K V Vijayendra Prasad. There were glaring discrepancies in character establishment. For instance, Jhalkaribai's [Ankita Lokhande's character] bond with Rani Lakshmibai was not woven well into the narrative, which, in turn, made the climax jarring. It was decided that this track would be reworked in the patchwork shoot. Since Krish had committed his dates to the NTR biopic, the makers decided that Kangana would lead the unit. However, when they began the shoot last month, they realised that they would have to re-shoot several portions, if they were to be honest to the script. Rani Lakshmibai's emotional journey was reduced to fleeting mentions in the first cut. Plot points like her marriage and the loss of her first child needed to be brought to the fore. It was then that a collective call was taken to film several chunks of the period drama again," says the source.

A closed door meeting between the makers, a month ago, saw them agree upon increasing the budget. "The producers have sanctioned an additional Rs 20 crore for the smooth functioning. The 45-day schedule will be spread across three venues — N D Studios in Karjat, Film City and Kamalistan. The film will retain several sequences from the original cut, especially the ones shot inside the fort," adds the source. We hear, Hollywood action director Nick Powell has been brought on board to assist in filming of key action sequences.

On the cards is the shoot of a festive song featuring Ranaut and Lokhande. "It will be choreographed by Ganesh Hegde and shot in Kamalistan from September 11 for five days."

Rumours are rife that the biopic will miss its release date of January 25. But the source insists that Ranaut is keeping an eye on the finish line. "Kangana will need to show the first cut by mid-October. The teaser is expected to launch on Gandhi Jayanti, with the trailer being targeted for mid-November."

The recent developments bring one to the million-dollar question: Will Ranaut be sharing directorial credits with Krish? "That is yet to be discussed. It will come up only after Kangana has delivered the film to the producers' liking."

MUMBAI MIRROR (October 12, 2016)

Shilpa Shetty’s father Surendra Shetty, 74, passed away on Tuesday morning following cardiac arrest at his Four Bungalows residence at 9 am.

“We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing away of Surendra Shetty, husband of Sunanda Shetty and loving father to Shilpa Shetty Kundra and Shamita Shetty. We request your co-operation and support to respect the family’s privacy at this crucial time,” Shilpa said in a statement.

Several Bollywood stars made way to the Shetty residence to pay condolences to the bereaved family. Actor R Madhavan was accompanied by wife Sarita Birje (image right) while Harman Baweja arrived with his family. Shilpa’s Pardesi Babu costar Raveena Tandon and her husband Anil Thadani dropped by on Tuesday afternoon while Arpita Khan Sharma and choreographer Ganesh Hegde were spotted later in the evening.

Surendra Shetty’s last rites will take place at 10.30 am on Wednesday at Pavan Hans in Juhu.
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Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; October 12, 2016) 

It was a sad — perhaps, the saddest — Dusshera for Shilpa Shetty Kundra as her father, Surendra Shetty, passed away in his sleep yesterday morning following cardiac arrest. He was in his 70s. The last rites will be performed today at Juhu crematorium.

Sources said he was rushed to Kokilaben Ambani Hospital in Andheri where the doctors tried to revive him, but in vain. Shilpa, along with mother Sunanda and husband Raj Kundra, was at the hospital, while younger sister, actress Shamita Shetty, was in Chennai to attend a spiritual course, we hear, and took the first flight home on receiving the news. A statement sent out by Shilpa's team read, "We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing away of Surendra Shetty. He took his last breath at home."

On Monday, Shilpa shot for a kids' dance reality show that she is currently judging. Her next shoot schedule remains unclear. Her friends, Raveena Tandon, R Madhavan and Harman Baweja were among the first visitors to her house. Priyanka Chopra tweeted, "My condolences. The loss of a parent is incomparable."

A businessman by profession, Surendra had produced an Indo-Chinese drama, The Desire, in 2010, which remains unreleased. He was in news last year when he filed a complaint against a self proclaimed godman for duping him of Rs 2 crore. The accussed was later arrested from Uttar Pradesh.

Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; December 11, 2015)

Like Lungi Dance for Chennai Express (2013) and Sharaabi for Happy New Year (2014), Shah Rukh Khan has incorporated a track called Tukur Tukur in the end credits of his upcoming film, Dilwale. The star was keen that all four actors of the film — he along with Kajol, Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon — come together in at least one song in the Rohit Shetty flick.

Ganesh Hegde, who has choreographed the promotional track, is currently in the midst of its editing. The song was shot at Yash Raj Studios and Filmistaan Studios recently over a day-and-half.

"There was not much time to rehearse the steps since the promotions had already begun, but that won’t show in the track," says Hegde, who had also choreographed the Sharaabi track at the last minute.

He adds that SRK wanted it to be a fun track with steps that people can easily imitate.

Hegde has worked with SRK earlier for the Chammak Challo track in RA.One (2011) as well, but choreographing Kajol was special for him. He says, "Kajol is a queen in front of the camera. Especially when you need a close up shot, her face lights up. Varun is a powerhouse of talent and Kriti too can match steps."

MUMBAI MIRROR (September 11, 2015)

Sonup Sahadevan (MID-DAY; Nay 28, 2015)

It is unusual for directors to be not allowed on the location for the shoot of their own films. But it happened with Madhur Bhandarkar during the Mauritius schedule of Calendar Girls.

Says a source, “Satarupa Pyne, one of the lead actresses, had to wear a rope bikini and pose in front of two wild tigers in an exotic jungle. While the required permissions were granted, the chief of safari allowed not more than five people including the tigers’ caretaker for the shoot. So, Madhur decided to stay away while handing over the reigns to choreographer Ganesh Hegde and the director of photography (DoP) of the film. The only other person present was actor Rohit Roy who is essaying fashion photographer Atul Kasbekar’s role.”

As Satarupa posed amidst the ferocious snarls of the big cats, Madhur apparently watched the proceedings from a caged vehicle.

Madhur couldn’t be reached for a comment.

Subhash K Jha (DNA; October 21, 2014)

In what may be a first, a promotional video has been shot for a film in the release week itself. The cast of Happy New Year shot for the video to the film’s Sharaabi track at Yash Raj Studios over the weekend, with the main cast in attendance.

Director Farah Khan, however, was conspicuous by her absence. She is busy with the film’s post-production and hasn’t even been home for two days!

Reveals a source, “Shah Rukh and Abhishek Bachchan led the masti brigade as they shot for Sharaabi, which was choreographed by Ganesh Hegde. Deepika Padukone just let herself go. Vivaan Shah, the baby of the team, got teased the most since he can never get any dance movement right, and he did his own thing.”