Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; May 25, 2018)

Rumours were rife that the success of the Baahubali franchise may spawn a web series on one of its pivotal characters. Now, it has been learnt that producers Shobu Yarlagadda and Prasad Devineni — who backed the magnum opus — are in talks with streaming giant Netflix to create a web series on Sivagami.

Essayed by Ramya Krishnan in the films, Sivagami is the queen mother who ruled Mahishmati with an iron hand. Said to be based on the novel, The Rise Of Sivagami, the show will focus on the character’s life before she married into the Mahishmati kingdom, and her subsequent rise to power.

A source reveals that the principal shooting will start in August. “It will be a multi-lingual web series and the first season will have 10 episodes. Gurmeet Singh, who was the associate producer on Inside Edge, will helm the project.”

The source adds that a massive set is being erected at the Ramoji Rao Film City in Hyderabad. “Since the web series focuses on Sivagami’s early years, it remains unclear if the character will be played by Ramya. But she may have a cameo appearance.”

Singh and the production house remained unavailable for comment.

Garima Sharma (BOMBAY TIMES; February 7, 2014)

Barely two months after Kunal Kapoor stepped out in public with girlfriend Naina Bachchan, comes news of their engagement. The couple put the stamp on their relationship a few days ago in a ceremony that was as hush-hush as their courtship. Apparently, a date too has been decided, but everyone in the family is keeping mum.

A former investment banker, Naina is the daughter of Ajitabh and Ramola Bachchan and niece to Amitabh Bachchan.

Even though her mum Ramola accepted our heartiest wishes, she told us that it is too soon in the year to discuss or divulge any details. “The whole family is out of the country at the moment. It is so early to even think about anything. It happened quite recently and, as a family, we haven’t had the chance to really sit down and discuss it. As and when things are finalised, we would be glad to share them,” she said.

Even though actual details may be under wraps, speculation has been rife about Kunal and Naina’s relationship since news of it broke out in 2011. Post that, they were often spotted together at the airport. In 2012, when Ramola had organised a party for a luxury brand in Delhi, her entire family had turned up in support, including Ajitabh, and Naina’s then rumoured boyfriend Kunal. When the exceedingly reticent Naina shifted to Mumbai, she too often accompanied Kunal, but maintained her distance in public. During a march in December 2012, Kunal had joined senior actors like Shabana Azmi to raise their voice against Nirbhaya’s gangrape. The group had walked to Kaifi Azmi park in Juhu, where Naina was quietly present among the supporters, sitting among the crowd and had requested not to be quoted in any coverage.

But now that things are official and on record, we hope to be able to talk a little more to the couple.