The new season of BCL promises more fun and pure action: Co-ownerAnand Mishra

Marinating Films co-owner Anand Mishra is very excited about the current season of BCL. Anand, who co-owns the project, says this season will be bringing in many new elements to the successful project. “BCL being a fun reality show has found its true calling on MTV this time. This season promises more fun and pure action with players not having to worry about a family-oriented audience,” he says.

He adds, “We have added a few interesting fun rules this season. They are sure to add quirk and excitement to the format of BCL.”

Since it will be aired on MTV, Anand says that it will resonate well with the youth. “BCL is a concept that resonates well with the young audience. In the past seasons too, we gained huge popularity on digital media. Considering it is MTV this time, we hope that the youth really take to watching TV actors sweat it out on the cricket field in an entertaining way,” he says.

There will be many new players on the show too. “The actors who are usually seen in the GEC space will be seen in an all different avatar around this time. This season will also have a lot of Roadies  and Splitsvilla contestants participating in BCL which I think will be interesting to watch,” he says.

BCL will be telecast Monday to Thursday 8 pm to10 pm with a repeat telecast from 12 am to 2 am the same night

Esha Gupta roped in for JP Dutta’s PALTAN

Having been part of prominent action films in her career including Baadshaho, Commando 2 and Chakravyuh, Esha Gupta is set to feature in yet another action flick, PALTAN, helmed by veteran filmmaker JP Dutta. 

The filmmaker, who gave the film industry some of the finest war dramas of all time, including the National award winning Border, is back with a bang as he presents his ambitious next titled ‘PALTAN’ featuring Sonu Sood, Arjun Rampal, Harshvardhan Rane, Luv Sinha, Siddhant Kapoor, Gurmeet Choudhary and Jackie Shroff. 

If sources are to be believed, the makers have signed Esha to be part of his ambitious project and she has been paired opposite Arjun Rampal who portrays a Lieutenant Colonel from 2 grenadiers. Though the talented actress plays love interest to Arjun’s character in the movie, it’s one of the important characters. 

Esha will be soon joining the cast and crew of the war drama stationed in Chandigarh for the next schedule. 

Esha Gupta says, "Esha Gupta who is a part of Paltan and is opposite Arjun Rampal  will be leaving tomorrow for the schedule.Esha reveals that a lot of people see me in the 60’s era. And knowing JP Sir’s love for the country and passion for cinema shows in his film. I feel honoured to be a part of his film. Esha also reveals that “I did Chakravyuh with Arjun, we had a great rapport. And now I’m playing the role of Arjun’s wife in Paltan. I’m looking forward to go join the team soon." 

Produced by JP Films and presented by Zee Studios, PALTAN is scheduled for a summer 2018 release.

I enjoy every bit of playing in BCL: Salil Ankola

Actor Salil Ankola will once again be playing in the MTV BCL this year. The actor says that he started his association some years back and enjoys every minute of it. “I was approached by Mr Ashwani Sharma to play for Delhi Dragons in the first season and we have won the trophy twice already. Ashwani is a very dear friend and I am playing in BCL as he is involved. Plus, it's the best team and I enjoy every bit of the game with all the players,” he says. 

He adds, “BCL is fun cricket, where there is a lot of drama along with playing cricket. I am the team guide and will be very involved with the strategies of my team.” 

The actor says that he has been following a relaxed schedule and can easily take out time for the game. “At the moment, I am very relaxed with my shooting schedule. After the time lap of Shani, I have the time to spare to play BCL,” she says. 

Salil, who has played cricket professionally as well, says that he has always been passionate about the game. “I have played cricket for India and have been passionate about the sport since my pre-teen years. It was all that mattered to me in my growing up years. I was obsessed with performing and gave it my 200%,” he says. 

The actor says that playing cricket as part of BCL has its own challenges. “It's fun cricket but it is a challenge to bowl with the smiley ball, as it's difficult to control the direction and length of the ball. Even batting on this ball is difficult. Moreover, the ground is small, so lots of runs are scored,” he says. 

Talking about how much he practices, Salil says, “I am a fitness freak and regular in my workout regimen and I have been in touch with the game, so I am not putting in anything extra. But I am definitely working on my bowling as it's very difficult to bowl with this ball.” 

Ask him who his favourite cricketer is, and he says, “At the moment, my favourite is Virat Kohli as I find him to be a complete batsman in all forms of the game. He seems the only one who could match up to Sachin. I have played cricket with Sachin and Virat always reminds me of him when he bats.”

Irrfan Khan's Puzzle receives raving reviews

International reviews on Irrfan Khan's movie - Puzzle which was premiered at Sundance Film Festival  by Indiewire, Variety, Hollywood Reporter, First Showing, The Playlist, The Film Stage. 

“Puzzle” toes a tough line, managing to stay relentlessly good-hearted and deeply humane.

- Indiewire 

"Puzzle” is the missing piece in American blockbuster filmmaking 

- Variety 

Other assets include a fine supporting cast, led by Bollywood superstar and now in-demand Hollywood supporting player Irrfan Khan (The Life of Pi, The Lunchbox) as an extramarital love interest for Macdonald’s character. 

 - Hollywood Reporter 

This very simple, lovely film exceeds mostly thanks to the two outstanding lead performances from Kelly Macdonald and Irrfan Khan. They make for such an awkward relationship, but there's a certain amount of chemistry between them that shines through. Each one of them gives a particularly spectacular, nuanced performance. Khan, on the other hand, speaks slowly and seems so tired of life, but he still has a tender heart buried deep within him. And it's easy to sense this and it brings a certain amount of warmth to his character.

- First Showing 

From its first elegantly shot frame, you know “Puzzle” is going to be something special 

- The Playlist 

An earnest, clear-cut drama about the struggle for one woman’s liberation from the shackles of domesticity, Puzzle does what it sets out to do remarkably well. 

- The Film Stage

I am getting a great feedback for playing the role of Farus: Vishal Patni

Actor Vishal Patni, who plays the role of Farus in Siddharth Kumar Tewary's Porus, says although it is challenging, he loves being part of the show. The actor adds that he is not one to get deterred by difficulties, and concentrates on his work. “Shooting for a fight sequence with real weapons, bare-bodied, can be tough. Horse riding also scares me as I don't how the horse is feeling or what he'll do the next. But what matters is that hardship pays off. when I am acting I only focus on giving my best,” he says. 

The actor says that he has been getting an amazing response for his role. “Farus is strong and mysterious and I have been getting a very positive response from the audience. They loved my entry and I am also being appreciated for my looks. The Persian touch in my character is being loved,” he says. 

Ask him how it is to shoot with international wrestler Aaron Reed and his team, and he says, “Aaron, Tony and the whole team is very sweet, don't go on their sizes! They are really enjoying being part of an Indian series. They give their valuable knowledge regarding supplements, diet and sometimes they also trained us in the gym, after the shoot. They have all become a part of a family. I am looking forward to meeting them again,” he says. 

The actor says that he is forming some great memories on the show. “There are lots of memories we make when we get associated with a project. Offset, we have a lot of fun and masti. We play cricket, table tennis and a lot more. The Porus family will always remain special to me as I have earned some precious friends here,” he says. 

Vishal loves Swastik Productions as well. “It's not my first time with Swastik, I have already done a show with them and now they are like family to me. Being associated with such a big production house is a pleasure for me. The hard work and the idea they put behind every scene is commendable. The set is so big and beautiful. They motivate all the actors to do well and be in character. They take care of everyone's diets and have a separate kitchen for the actors. Moreover, they also provide a gym for the actors. The kind of efforts they put to make the actors healthy and understand their characters is amazing. I feel really happy working with them,” he says.