Sooraj Pancholi to open a dance academy

Going by his dancing prowess in Salman Khan’s, Da-Bangg Tour, one would know that Sooraj Pancholi is a proficient dancer. Furthering his passion for the art form, the young actor has decided to open a dance academy for underprivileged kids.

To be launched in Mumbai in the month of March, followed by Delhi, Sooraj’s dance academy will be accessible to street dancers only. The actor plans to have branches in a few other cities as well once his team figures out the logistics.

Says a source, “Sooraj is passionate about dancing and wanted to open an academy for a long time. He is doing this for young talents who can't afford fees for dance classes, but cherish the dream of making a career out of it. Sooraj’s friends who are choreographers will be helping him with its organisation.”

Says Sooraj, “I am very excited and looking forward to this venture. Dance form is an art and it's an expression. Young talents have all the ability and dream but don't get the right guidance to shape it. I just want to give them a push and explore this.”

Kay Kay Menon promoted "Vodka Diaries" his upcoming murder mystery flick in New Delhi!

Vodka Diaries: An upcoming Indian thriller flick is near to its release date, that is 19 January 2018, therefore the leading actor of the film Kay Kay Menon along with Mandira Bedi and director Kushal Srivastava were witnessed in Delhi for the promotions. The press conference was held in the Cafe MTV FLYP at Connaught Place. The film set in contemporary Manali. The story revolves around a club called Vodka Diaries, where few murders have happened and ACP Ashwini Dixit portrayed by Kay Kay Menon, is investigating them.

While interacting with media the talented team of Vodka Diaries shared their views and uniqueness of the film. While asking for the title of the movie, Mandira Bedi cleared the air and stated, "Vodka Diaries is a night-club name, on which the plot of the movie revolves. After a long back, I am doing a film. I chose this film because I felt the script is full of thriller and twists, it will keep people gripped. This is a first time I am doing a romantic role and I am really excited about the same."

Whereas, on asking Menon about the difficulty he faced while shooting in cold studded areas like Manali, he told media, "Yes it was bit difficult, the weather was too cold while shooting for the movie, in some shots I use to roam around in shirts because of my character in the movie not because of the production team. Facing difficulties are part of actors' life. It was my work and I enjoyed it totally." About his romantic avatar in movie KayKay in a funny way stated, "This is not the first time I am into a romantic zone, yes for sure my way of handling romance is a bit different."

On the other hand, Kushal Srivastava, about his first direction film stated, "Vodka Diaries is my first film as a director, I am really excited, we really worked hard to portray the concept of the film. I am thankful to the entire team and requesting the audience for their support."

Well, Vodka Diaries is a suspense thriller directed by Kushal Srivastava. The film stars Kay Kay, Mandira Bedi, Raima Sen in the lead roles. Produced by Vishal Karkera, Vishal Raj, Kushal Srivastava, Atul Pupneja and Vivek Sudhindra Kulshrestha, featured under the banner K'Scope Entertainment Pvt Ltd, Vishalraj Films & Production Pvt Ltd the film is scheduled to release on 19 January.

Samiksha Bhatnagar talks about her birthday wishes

How do you feel when your birthday arrives (12th January)? Do you feel age is just a number? Please share.

> As I celebrate my birthday today, I am immediately overwhelmed by feelings of gratitude to the Almighty. Over the last year, there have been many major changes that have happened in my life. Some good, some not so good. But, they have brought me to a place where I yearn for simplicity. I have always been a simplistic soul in the making. I just didn't know how awesome it would feel when I actually simplified EVERYTHING! To be simple and thankful together, is a sure shot recipe for inner happiness to me this B'day.

Which has been your most memorable birthday so far?

> When I was turning 13, and my older brother threw a wonderful surprise party for me. All my friends from school were there. We ate Chinese food, drank Coke and danced a lot. There was a cake with candles and ice cream. Everyone brought me presents. It was magical, and I got a special gift a bicycle from my father which is still closest to my heart. The birthday was special, fun and the biggest high ever!

What have you gifted yourself this birthday?

> I'm gifting myself a leotard & pointe (Ballet) Shoes as I begin to learn the nuances of Ballet Dance or Ballerina. No matter what your dance focus, you need to know your body. I really like the structured, methodical approach to ballet training encourages me to learn about anatomy and my own strengths and weaknesses.

What are your wishes to fulfil now in life? Please share.

> I like to put it in these terms: Believing is helpful while wishing leaves you helpless. Now, this isn’t just semantics. Some feelings cannot be expressed in mere words; they require actions to speak for them. So I believe this year is going to Action packed.

Has anyone ever done something extra special for you for your birthday?

> Extra special Birthday on the sets of Peterson Hill & Veera with the team, came out of surprise.

What are your Birthday Plans? How will you pamper yourself?

> I'm busy shooting for my next movie based on the real-life incident. Evening as usual small get together with family and close friends might pamper me over weekend trekking near Pune.

Kite flying competitions to dancing around the Bon fire; here’s how TV actors celebrate Lohri, Makar Sankranti

Gurpreet Singh - As I am a Punjabi and have been brought up in Delhi, I have always celebrated Makar Sankranti as Lohri. I wish every year for happiness and prosperity for my family and friends. I am always nostalgic about Lohri. In my childhood, I used to go to my relatives’ places for Lohri. I used to love gajjak and popcorn and I used to enjoy the famous Sundari Mundari folk song about dulha dhappi Wala around the bonfire. I used to put reverie and popcorn in the fire with others. I remember many kids used to come to my house to collect money for Lohri.

Abraam Pandey - Makar Sankranti is full of family fun with your siblings as I still remember how I used to celebrate with them, and of course those kite flying rituals. We all used to bet on it but I stopped flying kites after a  bird got hurt with my kite thread. That shook me from inside as I’m a big time nature lover. But I wish everyone a very happy Makar Sankranti.

Sehban Azim - I grew up in northern India so Makar Sankranti was known as Lohri. The festival marks the end of winters and when its time for the harvest. My recollection of Lohri or Makara Sankranti goes back with my school and college. My friends and I would be flying kites, lighting bonfires, devouring scrumptious food and having a wonderful time.  I love flying kites and would love to do it again and again. The best part of the evening was to fly a kite with a candle attached to it and then leave it in the sky. The longer it stayed in the sky, the longer the happiness would last.

Dolly Sohi - I used to celebrate when I was a kid. I used to fly kites and dance around a bone fire. But now I don’t fly kites anymore unless I have to do it on my show.

Priyamvada Kant - That’s a festival I’ve learnt to celebrate in Bombay! My friends and I go to the beach to fly kites. Since my childhood, I’ve been worried about cutting my fingers with the manjha, so I’m very very careful. I’m mostly engrossed in eating all the interesting dishes that are cooked on that day.

Sachin Parikh - The fondest memories of my childhood are connected to the festivals we used to celebrate. Makarsankranti and Navratri were the most fascinating memories I have during my childhood. Late night garbas with entire gang and dropping all of them home, one by one. Kite flying was another childhood memories which is still so fresh in my mind.  Buying around 400 kites and the late night preparation for the next day. We would spend the whole day on the terrace with the music system and snacks. Til ke laddoo and chikki, and tava pulav and pav bhaji was our usual menu for the whole day. In the  evening, we used to fly kites and light lanterns and at times would even sleep on terrace after doing all this crazy stuff.

Sshrey Pareek - Makar sakranti is one of my favorite festivals from the last four five years. I'm not able to celebrate it but this time I am in Jaipur and will definitely celebrate it. I'm really good at flying kites. Usually, I used to celebrate it at my home, mom used to make lot of dishes, we would have a DJ on the terrace. But this time, I am celebrating it at my friend's place. We have decided to set up a screen and a DJ along with food and beverages and of course a kite flying competition.

Sneha Wagh - We don’t celebrate this festival, as I lost my grandfather on the same day. He was the eldest in the house. So it’s mostly a mourning day for us.

Hrishikesh Pandey - From childhood, every year I remember the first thing we used to do is have a bath and then do puja of Suryadev. Then we would have Til ke Laddu. There is a traditional khichdi which is made in the afternoon with desi ghee, and after the puja you would have that. When we were small, we used to fly kites on the terrace and used to have a lot of fun. Now, of course, I understand that there are birds get hurt or even killed by the kites. So now I avoid that.

Jasmin Bhasin - My memories of Makar Sankranti include flying kites with all my cousins. We used to enjoy a lot on our terrace. We would also have Til and Gud ka laddu. I will try to fly a kite on this Makar Sankranti too.

Saurabh Pandey and wife celebrate first Lohri in Mumbai

This Lohri is extra special for actor Saurabh Pandey as he will be spending it with his newly wed wife Zara. The actor says that the festival has always help a special meaning for him and his family. “Lohri is a very old, traditional festival and holds a lot of importance especially in Punjab and for Punjabi people. The main reason it is so because Lohri is followed by Makar Sankranti, the next day. This is the actual New Year as per ancient Hindu  culture,” he says.

The actor adds, “It is very special to a newly wed couple or if there is a new born baby in the family as it's their first new year togather. This new year is the last ending days of winters and beginning of the green fertile season for new crops. With all this, it's very special to Zara and me and our families because it's our first Lohri.”

The couple is in Mumbai today for the festival. “This is also our first Lohri in Mumbai after many years. So it's very important for us,” he says.

Saurabh has very fond memories of Lohri. “I remember how we used to celebrate Lohri in Delhi. All the people of our mohalla (Area) used to come togather, friends and their families in one common park. We used to burn a bonfire and sing songs, dance around it especially Punjabi songs and traditional Lohri folk songs. We used to put sesame seeds sweets, Jaggery, Peanuts, Chewda etc in the fire. It's like giving respect and thanks to God and Mother Nature,” he says.