When producer Binaifer Kohli met music maestro Pandit Jasraj

Producer Binaifer Kohli and Sanjay Kohli's popular show Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hai is a show loved by the masses. Recently Binaifer experienced something very special. Speaking about that she says, "We have been receiving so much love and warmth for the last couple of years, it is truly amazing. But recently when I got a call from Pandit Yashraj's nephew and he told me that Panditji is a big admirer of Bhabiji and wanted to meet me, I couldn't control my emotions. It was an overwhelming experience for me and my team. I met him, kissed his hand and offered my respect and gratitude. I was in a different world altogether. A life changing experience it was. Getting his blessings for my show is a special feeling. He shared he never misses a single episode of Bhabiji and says he likes everything about the show. I am grateful to almighty that this show gave me an opportunity to meet the legend. I met him many years back as I know his daughter Durga Yashraj. But this meeting is special and unforgettable." Actor Rohitash Gaud and writer of the show Manoj Santoshi also accompanied her.

Akashdeep caught in a web

Actor producer director Akashdeep is overwhelmed with the response to BREATHE, the Amazon web series for which he collaborated with Vikram Malhotra and Abundantia. “A journey that goes back more than two years”, he says. And worth every bit of it. He is also super thrilled at the massive promotion by Amazon. Akashdeep will also collaborate on MEN WHO KILLED GANDHI, DANGEROUS MINDS and ofcourse BREATHE season 2 with Abundantia and Vikram Malhotra. “Vikram’s passion is unmatchable. There is no one better than him. His contribution in curating from an idea to a finished product is unmatchable.” Besides these shows, he is also in advanced talks with two other platforms for other long format shows. When asked what other exciting stuff is he doing, he smiled and mentioned that he is getting some exciting offers as an actor!. “I’ve just done an ad campaign for a very very very big world brand. The ad film hits the stands around February. Wait and watch. We can’t reveal anything as yet. It was great fun working with an international crew”.

I’m regularly getting TV and film offers and I’m amused at this sudden interest in everyone looking at me when they want to cast a fat rich 50 year old punjabi!!!

Akashdeep is also back at doing what he has done all over the world for over a decade in the 90s, Events.

He curated the Sonu Nigam act in the just concluded Reliance founders day event and is doing some more mega events in 2018.

When asked what brings him on all NEWS platforms so regularly these days, debating on various headlines, he says “I’ve been India’s top debator in my college days and I guess that germ still exists somewhere.

When my favourite news anchor Arnab Goswami asked me to join him on a debate post the Sikh issue with Santa Banta, I jumped with excitement. I guess I must have done a good job of it because soon I started getting calls from every news channel on various issues.And I am enjoying every bit of it.

Does that leave any time for directing a film post Santa Banta, we asked him.

“See making a movie has become very tough these days. Most of us ended up making the middle kind of cinema as I call it. Neither a film with an A lister, neither an outta box experimental film. Hence I call them  middle kinda films.

That time and stage is incidently over now. It’s gotcha be a Big film, or an out of the box kinda film. Like Newton, Lipstick under my burka, Anarkali Of Aara kinds.

I’ve worked out what I want to do next and hopefully will do it in the later part of this year, time Permitting. And yes, that too hopefully with Vikram whom I trust blindly. I allready have enough on my plate for 2018”, says Akashdeep.

Six National Award-winners collaborate for Purple Pebble Pictures' new production, Firebrand!

After producing the National Award-winning and commercially successful Marathi film Ventilator last year, Priyanka Chopra and Dr. Madhu Chopra’s production House is back with their next project, Firebrand, to be helmed by National Award-winning writer and director, Aruna Raje.The film features an ensemble of talented artists that include National Award-winners such as Usha Jadhav, Girish Kulkarni, and Rajeshwari Sachdev in prominent roles. While Usha Jadhav plays a successful lawyer Sunanda Raut, Girish Kulkarni essays the role of her husband Madhav Patkar, an architect by profession. Sachin Khedekar and Rajeshwari Sachdev play a couple in the movie which is high on drama. According to a source, "Firebrand is a contemporary story about relationships and the highs and lows people deal with in their lives.  Priyanka Chopra and Dr. Madhu Chopra are focusing on regional cinema and backing unusual and good subjects in an endeavour to create meaningful cinema." 

Madhu Chopra says, "I am very happy that our banner will produce a film that will see collaboration of six National Award-winners . With the support we saw for our regional films, I'm extremely positive about Firebrand. It is a proud moment for Priyanka and me."

Hiba Nawab hospitalised, diagnosed with dengue

Actor Hiba Nawab, who is part of Sanjay and Binaifer S Kohli’s (Edit II) show Jijaji Chhat Per Hain has been diagnosed with dengue. The actor, who plays be role of Elaichi, has been asked to take some time off. “I was diagnosed with dengue on the 24th of this month and was hospitalised the same day. I will be here for another week or maybe more,” she says. The actor is relieved to have  a team who understands her illness and are not rushing her to come back to work. “Binaifer and her team are so accommodating. They are understanding and are not pushing me to join work soon. In fact, I have been asked to rest properly before even thinking of joining back,” she says. Commenting on the same Binaifer says, “Nothing is bigger than the health of a person and she is such a professional that she is already thinking of when to join back. She is doing her second serial with me. She is very professional,” she says. The producer adds that they are managing fine without Hiba as they have already shot the next few episodes. “We are making some changes in the track but we have a bank, so very little changes are required,” she says. In fact, the producer is very worried about Hiba. “Everyday I have been calling her mother and asking if they need anything because she is like family for me. She is like my own child for me. You know Shubhangi, Saumya all of them are very nice. I really like all our actors,” she says.

"It's like Dancing!' Actor Chadwick Boseman on playing superhero Black Panther

Actor Chadwick Boseman made his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the Super Hero “Black Panther” in Marvel Studios’ “Captain America: Civil War,” in May 2016.  

On 16th February, he will be seen in “Black Panther,” the exciting first superhero film of 2018, post which he will reprise the role again for Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Infinity War” in April. 

With the stunning visuals, backflips and stunts already stirring the fan frenzy, Chadwick reveals what makes Black Panther different from other superheroes and his extensive training  for the film! 

When asked about the stunt training he said, "It’s cool. It’s obviously intense and lot of work and sweat. But it's been cool collaborating with those guys about the style of movement. To me, that’s one of the most fun things. It’s like dancing. Part of what I wanted to make sure is that there is some legitimate African movement and African martial arts present to tell the story of Wakanda as a military nation as well. And they’ve been completely open to all of that stuff. Sometimes it felt like we were training for a real fight. So that was fun" 

What separates Black Panther from the other Marvel heroes, Chadwick quips, "A thing that stood out to me even in the comic books was that he is a strategist; he’s a leader, a world leader. That’s a responsibility that Super Heroes don’t commonly have. It’s a conflict that they don’t commonly have in that he has to look out for an entire nation and then also consider that nation’s place in the world and how they affect the rest of the world. So I think that’s the main difference between Black Panther and others." 

Marvel Studios' Black Panther releases on 16th February 2018.