Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; August 28, 2014)

The eighth season of Bigg Boss will be launched on September 21. The show’s makers have already locked names of the celebrity contestants and are said to be finalising the contracts soon.

A source says. “Initially, we planned to start airing the show in October but now we are launching it in September and a few more contestants are being signed on. This includes Minissha Lamba and Maryam Zakaria, who will up the glamour quotient of the show. Talks are also on with Shivaji Satam and Kumar Vishwas. The opening episode will be shot at Karjat, while the rest of the show may be shot in Lonavala.”

Meanwhile, sources say that TV shows Rang Rasiya and Beintehaa might go off air. A source says, “Rang Rasiya has not been getting good TRPs and it has aroused concern among the show’s makers. It may make way for Bigg Boss. Beintehaa may go off air too, but since it is doing well so far, the channel might push it ahead to a late-night slot. The final call will be taken in the coming days.”

Maryam and the channel’s spokesperson remained unavailable for comment. Deepak Dhar, MD, Endemol India, said, “I cannot comment on speculative stories.”

Minissha replied, “No, this is not true.”

Meena Iyer (BOMBAY TIMES; February 3, 2014)

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is no aam aadmi. Seems he has many hidden skills, some of which are just coming to the fore. The man, who has captured the imagination of world politics, has written the lyrics for producer Deepak Sharma’s Dil Toh Deewana Hai. Directed by actor Raja R Bundela, the movie features Aamir Khan’s cousin Haider in the lead. A source says Kejriwal has written one song and Kumar Vishwas has penned the rest.