DNA (August 15, 2015)


Their mid-year Top 100 ranking for North American tours has The Rolling Stones topping the list, with the likes of Fleetwood Mac, U2, Maroon 5, Neil Diamond, Taylor Swift and Elton John in the Top 10 tier. And while several country music stars populate the chart, it is surprising to find one Indian name feature on this list.

A R Rahman comes in at number 82, grossing $4.5 million between January 1 to June 30 this year, after playing at 16 shows in 14 cities. He’s ranked higher on the list than the likes of Justin Timberlake, Rod Stewart, Rascal Flatts, Marc Antony, Steve Aoki and Ricky Martin. Now that’s something to be proud of!

Roshmilla Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 17, 2014)

Six months after his hit debut, Heropanti, Tiger Shroff is all set to kick off his second film. With the working title, Heer Ranjha, this love story rolls with a two-day schedule in Film City on December 21. It will then gather momentum in January.

"The title came from an earlier script of mine. We're going with it till we figure out something better," says director Sabbir Khan.

The story came from producer Sajid Nadiadwala who has recently penned Ritesh Deshmukh's hit Marathi film Lai Bhaari.

"The idea has been brewing in Sajid bhai's mind for the past five years. It is nothing like Heropanti," asserts Sabbir who also helmed Tiger's first film.

Sabbir adds that while the first half will be pure romance, focusing on Tiger's innocent face and love-lorn eyes, post-interval the punches will fly as the action shifts to South-East Asia with the hero flitting from Thailand to Malaysia and Hong Kong.

"The second half will be shot entirely abroad. And we are in talks with a big international name to choreograph the fights. Tiger, who has been touted as India's answer to Jackie Chan and Jet Li, has already started his training," informs Sabbir, admitting that Jackie Shroff's cub will have two distinctly different looks pre and post interval.

While the makers are set on Tiger as their modern-day Ranjha, they are equally certain that they don't want to repeat the Heropanti jodi so soon. That is why Kriti Sanon is not in the running for Heer.

"We start the film with Tiger's solo portions and don't start shooting with the girl before January-February. We have been auditioning but haven't finalised anyone yet," says Sabbir.

He had also been collaborating with composer duo Sajid-Wajid as well as Manj who gave him the Heropanti chartbuster Whistle baja, on the music score.

"We would also like to rope in a big international name," he admits. "May be someone like Justin Timberlake or Black Eyed Peas for a special track."