Priyanka Chopra’s new Marathi production 'Firebrand' begins

International icon, Priyanka Chopra, who savours venturing and excelling in varied arenas, publicly announced her new Marathi production, Firebrand, directed by Arunaraje Patil, over Twitter. With a vision to tell stories from remote parts of the country and to dive into regional cinema, the gorgeous actress’s home banner, Purple Pebble Pictures backed a comedy drama, Ventilator which went on to receive three National Awards.With a humungous response to its first regional production, the banner got the right encouragement to explore yet another story and announced its new film that saw its muhurat on the 9th of January, 2018. Priyanka tweeted, “2018 is here and we've hit the ground running with our new Marathi production 'Firebrand' directed by the amazing Arunaraje Patil, which began filming yesterday. All the very best team Purple Pebble Pictures, Madhu Chopra and Sandeep Bhargava.”

Aamir Khan Gives The Mahurat Clap For Total Dhamaal

Superstar Aamir Khan who has worked with renowned filmmaker Indra Kumar for multiple box office hits, gave the mahurat clap for 2018s much awaited comic caper Total Dhamaal!! The shooting of Total Dhamaal commenced today in Mumbai and Aamir graced the shoot with his presence for the very first day!

While Anil Kapoor directed the shot and director Indra Kumar assisted him, Madhuri Dixit switched on the camera and the mahurat shot took place with the presence of everyone including Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi, Boman Irani, Javed Jaffery and Sanjay Mishra.

The hugely awaited laugh riot also has a casting coup with the hit duo Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit joining Ajay Devgn in the film. Total Dhamaal will also see the return of the comic gang of Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi and Javed Jaffrey along with Boman Irani.

Presented by Fox Star Studios, Total Dhamaal is produced by Ajay Devgn Films, Ashok Thakeria, Markand Adhikari, Anand Pandit and Fox Star Studios and is directed by Indra Kumar.

Mahima Chaudhary & Gracy Singh inaugurate artist Paramesh Paul's show, Glory of Varanasi

The magical mysticism, the riveting riverbanks, the vast sea of humanity, Paramesh Paul infuses his works with a volatile energy that sees the City of Light shining bright, both physically and metaphorically. Worshippers taking dip in the river, the multitudes of small temples, the steps, the sadhus, the kamadul, the chhatris, the vatvruksha, the Nandi and the narrow streets teeming with life, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Girija Devi, of Benaras Gharana who have become synonymous with the embodiment of the spirit of Varanasi come to life on his canvas.

Painting, for Paramesh Paul, is a spiritual practice, an act of conscious, creative alignment with the Supreme. As one delves deeper into the paintings, one experiences a harmonious rhythm of life imbued with the feeling of transcendence, balance, and oneness with the whole of creation.

And this feeling was echoed by celebrities Mahima Chaudhary and Gracy Singh when they visited his exhibition at Nehru Centre Art Gallery to inaugurate the same. “I am in Benaras,” said Mahima Chaudhary. “The paintings transport you to the land of the Ganges. Paramesh Paul’s works are simply amazing.”

Added Gracy Singh, “the positivity in Paramesh Paul’s paintings is amazing. I have never been to Benaras but I feel I am there. His works have such an aura.”

Besides Mahima Chaudahry and Gracy Singh, painters of the likes of Padmanabh Bendre, Gautam Patole, Vishwa Sahni, Gautam Mukherjee, Amisha Mehta, Varsha Vyas, Rakhi Baid, Ananya Banerji, Madhumita Bhattacharya, Daxa Khandwala, Raaamji Sharma, Sonu Gupta, and Sanjukta Barik, art connoisseur Ajoykant Ruia, social activist and philanthropist Aneel Murarka, filmmaker Anusha Srinivasan Iyer among others attended the exhibition.

Paramesh Paul’s Glory of will be on at the Nehru Centre AC Art Gallery from till15th January, 2018. Timing: 11am-7pm, all days.

Five Facts About Kaalakaandi

1.       Kaalakaandi marks Saif Ali Khan’s 60th Film 

The very versatile actor Saif Ali Khan has spent 25 years in Bollywood entertaining his audiences with some of his best films like Dil Chahta Hai, Salaam Namaste, Omkara, Being Cyrus, etc is set to mark his 60th film with Kaalakaandi. 

2.       Deepak Dobriyal Turned Hariyanvi tutor for his co-stars 

While shooting for the song “Swagpur ka Choudhary” a break beat meets funk rock track with Haryanvi lyrics, the actors found the song difficult to connect with and were not able to bring out the essence of it. That’s when Deepak Dobriyal, who plays a gangster in the film, came to their rescue and explained the meaning and the feel of the song post which the actors could easily slip into the mood. 

3.       Neil gets inspired by Amitabh Bachchan for his character in Kaalakaandi 

Neil Bhoopalam will be seen playing the role of an underworld don and a sharp shooter in Kaalakaandi. His look in the film resonates the 80’s sense of style with long side locks, bellbottoms and tight shirts. The actor took Amitabh Bachchan as his character reference. He watched a lot of Amitabh Bachchan movies and tried copying his stance. 

4.       Saif Ali Khan turns choreographer for Kaala Doriya

Saif Ali Khan is known for his versatility and portraying different characters and he is one actor who has never shied away from experimentation. The actor turned choreographed for the wedding song Kaala Doreya in the film. He has earlier choreographed a few songs which has become cool steps to follow like Dil Chahta Hai’s famous ‘Who Ladki Hai Kahan’. 

5.       Nary Singh’s Fan Girl moment! 

Nary Singh who is one of the most talked about characters in Kaalakaandi had her fan girl moment. Nari Singh shares screen space with Saif Ali Khan and plays a very pivotal role in his part of the story. Nary was absolutely awestruck and extremely nervous while enacting her scenes with him. When director Akshat Verma highlighted this to Saif, he took the time to help her ease out and make her comfortable.

It’s a proud moment: Shani cast on completing 300 episodes

It’s celebration time for the team of Siddharth Kumar Tewary’s Karamphaldata Shani, as the show completed 300 episodes on the 5th of January. The team tells us how they feel about this wonderful achievement.Kunal Bakshi - It's really an awesome feeling that we completed 300 episodes on 5th of January. Our show is really close to my heart because Shani started with me only. I was the first actor who shot for Shani and on very the first day. The best thing about Shani is that all age groups, be it, kids and elders, watch our show. Even youngsters are a regular watcher of our show. Big thanks to everyone for loving and watching our show.

Rohit Khurana - I am very excited. It is a matter of honour to be part of the Karamphaldata Shani team. Success only happens when a team works towards common objectives. It is a collective effort. The credit goes to each and everyone. TRPs judge a show’s success and we all know that we are scoring well. The best things about the show are its team and the love of the audience. I honestly feel honoured to be part of the team and humbled by the love of the audience.

Tarun Khanna - I thank god for blessing the whole team with this successful run. I am really happy but not satisfied as I feel we still have a lot to achieve. The camaraderie between all the actors and the rest of technicians and producers is the best thing about Shani.

Tinaa Dattaa - I am really very happy. The show is doing really well. I have been watching this show since day1 and I am honoured to be a part of Shani. The heartiest congratulations to the entire team of Shani for the completion of 300episodes.

Juhi Parmar - I am very happy to be part of this fabulous show. It's been a great run where I got to do a lot as an actor and got to make some lovely friends for life. I congratulate my entire team and I hope that we will touch many more milestones.