Jodi special episode with Govinda and Raveena Tandon on Super Dancer Chapter 2

The curious case of Jai Harsh Vardhan Dhull’s name

Actor Jai Harsh Vardhan Dhull, who is playing the role of Vaayudev in Siddharth Kumar Tewary’s Mahakaali - Anth Hi Aarambh Hai, has a very different name. The actor says that he has always been fond of his name and has no issues with how long it is. “My parents gave me this name. They must have really loved it. And I feel your name describes your personality and as there's no shortcut to success so I don't think it should be applied to names as well,” he says. 

Ask him if the length of his name poses as a problem to him while signing cheques, and he says, “I never knew that we really have to use our whole name for signature and autographs. But I do sometimes, as my name is what describes me. On cheques, I shorten it.” 

And does he believe in numerology? “I believe in everything. I feel something might go wrong by not believing in it if it's true. And believing in anything increases the chances of something good happening and doesn't decrease anything that we have,” he says.

Irrfan Khan has truly conquered 2017, bags Best Popular Actor win at the Star Screen Awards

With the year coming to an end, also brings time to beginning of the awards season. And after having delivered two masterstrokes this year, Irrfan has truly had a home run by kickstarting the season with his much deserving win as the most Popular Actor. A category much debated in the past few years, has this year been won by Irrfan who has shown the great blend of content multiplied with commercial gains. Redefining the meaning of a hero in Bollywood, Irrfan won the award for his brilliant act in Hindi Medium. Being nominated for two films, truly shows how the figure of Indie cinema has blurred the lines of the content versus commercial. 

Irrfan was nominated alongside the likes of Shahrukh Khan for Raees, Varun Dhawan for Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya, Aamir Khan for Dangal. He went home with his award in hand which was held at an event in Mumbai last night. 

Speaking about his win, Irrfan said, “It’s amazing that I won this very same award as the Best Villian for Hassil and now it’s the Best Actor. It’s humbling and I’m really glad to know how successful Hindi Medium has been as a film. I have always strongly believed that the economic of film success can be achieved with films that run high on content. Hindi Medium I do truly believe was a complete entertainer with a great message and subject backing it and that’s what makes this win even more special. The year has ended on a great note first with my last film being appreciated by all and now this”.

Visa launches brand campaign ‘Reimagine India’ in sync with the pulse of the New Age Digital India

Above are snapshots from the film

Visa, the global leader in payments technology, today launched their new brand campaign ‘Reimagine India’. The campaign captures the spirit of the new Indian who is progressive, boundary-pushing and wants to be unbound from anything that slows him/her down. As more and more people are becoming a part of this ‘unbound revolution’, Visa’s new brand campaign for India reflects the essence of this change. As the New Digital India is progressing into the future, Visa is making payments and lives simpler, by reimagining the way India pays.

This campaign crafted by BBDO, is based on the platform for Visa in India- “YOU REIMAGINE INDIA. WE REIMAGINE PAYMENTS”. The campaign is driven through a robust 360-degree approach that spans TV, OOH, social and digital mediums.

“In this New Age Digital India, consumers, especially millennials, do not recognize barriers and want to use technology to lead a friction-less life. As a brand, Visa is an enabler. It is an enabler of dreams, promises and aspirations as it seamlessly molds into the unbound lives of progressive Indians and making them feel free, unencumbered and in total control by providing them reimagined payment experiences as they #ReimagineIndia.” Manmeet Vohra, Head Marketing India and South Asia, Visa.

“Visa is creating a friction-less world of digital money so that people can go about their lives smoothly and without everyday payment interruptions. Our work dramatizes the brand’s mission in the context of a new India that is re-imagining itself as it evolves and breaks from the past. The campaign is inspired by transformational stories of ageless progressive Indians today who are reimagining every aspect of life. Visa, embodies this ‘unbound' spirit that’s leading today’s India Reimagined. So, while you reimagine India, Visa continues to reimagine payments.” Josy Paul, Chairman and Chief Creative Office, BBDO India.

The #ReimagineIndia multi-payment form factor thematic communication is an inspiring montage of six situations that showcase the way ageless progressive Indians are now redefining their life space and re-imagining ‘their India’ in their own unique ways. Each of these six individual situations also integrate, in the narrative, the way Visa is helping Indians meet their aspirations by giving them unbound, unencumbered payment experiences. From transforming public spaces to a beautiful canvas that tells a story, from reclaiming streets for citizens, to bringing nature closer through urban gardening for a greener environment and celebrating festivals more consciously without the noise, their unbound spirit is reimagining India in a myriad of ways. Visa, embodies this ‘unbound' spirit that’s leading today’s Reimagined India.

View Campaign:
Master 60 secs:

Visa #ReimagineIndia:

About Visa

Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) is the world’s leader in digital payments. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, reliable and secure payment network - enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. Our advanced global processing network, VisaNet, provides secure and reliable payments around the world, and is capable of handling more than 65,000 transaction messages a second. The company’s relentless focus on innovation is a catalyst for the rapid growth of connected commerce on any device, and a driving force behind the dream of a cashless future for everyone, everywhere.  As the world moves from analog to digital, Visa is applying our brand, products, people, network and scale to reshape the future of commerce. For more information, visit usa.visa.com/aboutvisa, visacorporate.tumblr.com and @VisaNews.

Sshrey Pareekh unplugged

What are the prominent shows you have done?

Four prominent shows I have done and those are suvreen Guggal on. Channel V, Paanch on channel V Dil Ki baatein dil Hi Jaane on Sony

Which was your last show?

And my last show was Devanshi on colors..

You have been part of a number of shows, which one was the closest to you and why?

All the shows which I have done are different in their own way and close to my heart. I have given my heart out to each show but if I have to take on name, then I will say it is Paanch. This was the show which is real close because this was my first big show and I played the lead in that show. Paanch was the show which have given me popularity amongst youth as it was immensely popular. Even today wherever I go people know me by my character name Nihal.

You have also done episodic shows, has the length of your character ever made a difference to you? What about cameo roles? What you done them in the past and are you open to it?

Yes .I have done few episodic and all of those have amazing stories and challenging characters to play. I believe in one thing that the length of the character stand short in front of its impact.  So I always prefer  that impact and importance of the character. Also, cameo is not at all bad to choose but the problem with the industry is that they typecast you when you choose cameos. It doesn't matter how good was the role or how actor performed it . If u have done a cameo  people will always call you for cameos. So it's better to stay away from such roles. I did few and  become real hard for me to change my image  but exceptions are always there.

Tell us about your background, how did you get in to acting?

I am born and brought up in Jaipur. We belong to a middle class family and almost all middle class families have big dreams to achieve and I am one of those. I was very reserved and average boy  and not good in studies . So,  I always used to wonder what will I do in future as all of my friends had decided at an early age. I was the one who was left with no answer and meanwhile my sister's marriage was there and I had to perform a dance for her and had joined a dance class to do so , my family loved my performance . Then I thought why not take up dancing.  I started taking training, joined Shiamak Davar's company. Later they called me to Mumbai and become a trainer in their company. One of my friend was trying his luck in acting and he advised me to start giving auditions. I did for one ad and got selected .so the journey started from there. Post that I worked for almost 15 to 20 ads and I got  the show from there. Then I never thought of doing anything else.

What is the best and the worst thing about being part of showbiz?

Best thing about being a part of showbiz is that I am doing what I love. The worst thing is  that it is really difficult  - at least for me  - to get a break. I have struggled hard to get work , gave thousands of audition till now ..but still I am not where I want to be. Another thing is that is that there is secured life. I mean people do job and get monthly salary ,live their life accordingly but for actors there's no certainty ,no guarantee that you'll get work one after the other. So,  it's hard to maintain and balance financial aspect of life. To top it all, it's a show business so you have to spend a lot of money on yourself to maintain, which can get difficult to manage.

How have you evolved as an actor? Is there anything that you want to work on?

I think I am still evolving as an actor. I was listening to naseer saab's (Naseerddin Shah)  interview . He said 'if you think you have evolve as a perfect actor you are done right there'. He is right that there is nothing like a perfect actor  and you must keep working on yourself to become better and I am doing that . I am working hard to improve myself and if directors on set and audiences at home appreciate my work  then I think I am evolving and this will keep going till I am working as an actor. There is no ending process.  There are lot of things I have to work on. As I said it's a never ending process so it'll continue but the most important thing is that I have to work on is technicality. As an actor I do what I feel but sometimes it doesn't connect,  so there certain technique works. I'll try to learn those techniques to connect more with audience.

Which is the one actor who you look up to on television

To be very honest everybody is good but I don't look up to any one in particular television ...I have my goals for films .and there are the actors I look up to . Right now I love Ranbir and he's the one I admire and love.

What is your notion of success?

Work hard and work on yourself. Believe ,take blessing ,spread positivity and you'll b successful.. 

Many actors often talk about the hectic schedules of television? How do you manage these? Does it ever get too tiring? 

Yes ,it's really hard to work for 12 to 13 hours in a day. Personally I love to be on set all the time and it's my passion to act and I love almost everything about it. Only thing I find it difficult is to maintain yourself . You have to look good on camera for that you have to be fit and work so you need time for that . Then sleep is important to feel fresh . So u need time to do all this but it's manageable. 

I don't take stress at all for all this I just go according to the schedule . I gave one hour to gym and rest to sleep except the hours we are shooting  No parties at that time that's for sure. 

What about future plans? Anything else in the pipeline? 

I don't have any future plans. To be very honest I am going with the flow  but yes I have goals and my goal is films. That is the target I have to achieve..