Indian actor Rakshak Sahni to make big-budget Hollywood debut with Eastern Crimes

With movies like Lion and Slumdog Millionnaire clicking big at the Hollywood box-office, more and more makers are coming forward with subjects involving Indian actors. One such movie to go on floors soon is Eastern Crimes, with an estimated budget of 30 million dollars. Bollywood actor Rakshak Sahni who began his career in the Indian film industry, playing the lead in Kavyanjali on Star Plus, will play a parallel lead with a yet-to-be-finalized American star in this Hollywood feature film about two cop buddies. What's more! The makers are in talks with none other than six-time Oscar-nominated director Peter Weir to direct the film. Weir is known for great Hollywood blockbusters such as The Truman Show, Dead Poets Society and Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. Produced by Los Angeles-based NeuAsia Studios, Eastern Crimes is written by Mansur Ahmed; who has also co-developed the screenplay for The Treasure of Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves, being directed by the Casino Royale director Martin Campbell. "It's rare that a role is written for an Indian actor to play a parallel action hero opposite a leading American actor in a major Hollywood production. So when Mansur Ahmed sent me the script of Eastern Crimes, it immediately got me excited," says Rakshak who is confident that the movie will be a milestone in his career. It's expected to begin shooting in mid-2018.

Taapsee Pannu stays connected to her roots while shooting for Soorma

Taapsee recently wrapped up her India schedule of Shaad Ali's Soorma a film on the life of former hockey skipper Sandeep Singh alongside actors Diljit Dosanjh and Angad Bedi. Taapsee plays the character of a hockey player paired opposite to Diljit. The shooting of Soorma is currently in progress in Shahabad, a small village in Haryana. Taapsee, who hails from a Sikh family, got nostalgic while shooting in Shahabad since most of her years she spent in Delhi and Mumbai. Taapsee spent her early years to pursue best of educations in Delhi but she always remembered her roots from Punjab and strived to spend some time in meadows and enjoying the life in the village without work stress. While shooting for Soorma she fulfilled her wish by spending some quality time by visiting local Gurudwara, eating food from local dhabas, wearing traditional clothes, visiting local farms of wheat and sugar canes. She enjoyed every bit of her life spending time in Shahabad which she missed out in metropolitan cities. Taapsee had the best of her time while staying rooted to her culture. When asked Taapsee, she said, “While growing up it was a tradition to go back to our ancestral village back in Punjab almost every holiday season. But lately after moving to Mumbai I didn’t get much time to go there. Visiting Shahabad refreshed all those memories. I really enjoyed shooting in that locality. It has so many memories attached to it like playing in the fields, tubewell, having some typical Punjabi paranthas from local houses. The air in these areas makes me feel nostalgic.”

Karan Kundrra learns to play the piano for 1921

Karan Kundrra will be seen opposite Zarine Khan in Vikram Bhatt’s next horror venture, 1921. In the recently released song of the movie, ‘Sunn Le Zara’ Karan Kundrra is seen playing the piano. Interestingly, Karan spent three months learning to play the piano and to prep for his role in 1921. The actor said that the piano was one of those musical instruments, which he always wanted to learn. He took classes from one of the renowned piano teachers in town before heading to London to shoot for the film. Adding to that there was initially going to be someone on deck just in case, but it was never needed. Looks like Karan is already setting bars for himself. 

Motion Picture Capital presents, A Loneranger & Reliance Entertainment Production, written and directed by Vikram Bhatt, Produced by Reliance Entertainment and Vikram Bhatt, 1921 is all set to release on 12th January 2018.

Here's why Rani Mukerji will not use any personal social media account to promote Hichki

Rani Mukerji is another actress who, despite having a huge fan following, doesn't maintain any social media accounts. During the trailer launch of her upcoming flick 'Hichki', the star actor mentioned that she has no plans to join the crowd and would rather be promoting her film through YRF handles.Rani has always been known for doing unconventional projects and bringing something out of the box for the audience. From the blockbuster 'Black' to classics like 'Chori Chori Chupke Chupke', every time she has managed to win over the hearts of millions. The remarkable success of every movie she did is exemplary of the fact that even in this tech-savvy world, one can achieve what's desired, without relying on the digital platforms. The impression she left through her soulful performances and the love her fans carry in their hearts, are still more powerful than Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.Yet, what's the reason for being so ignorant towards technology when half the world is running on it? Assuming the possibilities to answer the innumerable inquisitive minds (who really wish to know the reason behind), Raju Singh Rathore says, “Firstly, it's commendable how Rani has maintained the aura around her. Though she is not active on any social media platform, she managed to keep her stardom intact. But the reason behind it still unknown. It could be the ideology-as that of Ranbir Kapoor- which believes that it's essential for a celebrity to maintain some distance from the fans. Also, the possible reason could be similar to that of Ashish Nehra, a well-known cricketer, who mentioned that he is not a very pro smartphones/gadgets user.Both the aforementioned celebrities were in news for not having an account on social media. After all, it is no less than a tactic to keep the fans glued to you.

Suyyash Rai’s Trims his beard

For the royals of Rajasthan, there is nothing manlier than their moustaches and beards. The Rajasthani men take great pride in growing and taking care of their moustache. Suyyash Rai, who is portraying the role of Abhay Kunwar Singh in Rishta Likhenge Hum Naya, though not a Rajasthani, but shares an equal amount of love and passion for his beloved beard. His heavy beard look has been a talk of the town for quite some time. But for the character of Abhay, Suyyash had to trim his beard to complete the quintessential Royal Rajput look. Initially, Suyyash was bit hesitant but then he decided to give in and not only trimmed but also changed the colour of his hair from Ash Brown to Basic Brown. When contacted Suyyash, he said, “When I got the offer to play the character of Abhay Kunwar Sa I was really excited and was looking forward to it. But when I was informed to trim the beard, I almost had a nervous breakdown. But on Kishwer insistence, I went ahead with it. As they say, there is ‘No Gain without Pain’ so I gave in as it was important. I do miss my heavy beard but I am equally quite excited about my new look.”